Fertility of female mice fed coumestrol and diethylstilbestrol

Abstract

Coumestrol, a compound produced by various legumes which exerts estrogen‐like activity in animals, and diethylstilbestrol (DES) were studied as chemical agents for controlling reproduction in mice. Female mice were fed control diets or diets containing 100 ppm coumestrol for eight days. Female mice were exposed to males and reproductive tracts examined 14 days later. Litter size was not affected by 100 ppm dietary coumestrol but feed consumption was reduced 17%. Similar trials were conducted with mice fed 1 ppm DES. Vaginal plugs were present in 50% of the females fed 1 ppm DES, but no fetal pups were present. Feed intake was reduced 37% by the DES. Levels of 0, .1, .25, .50, .75 and 1.0 ppm DES were compared in two strains of mice, Swiss and ICR. Reproduction in both strains was totally inhibited by all DES treatments. The use of DES to control rodent populations warrants further investigation.     

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction of fragrance allergens in water

A method based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction (USAEME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed for the analysis of regulated fragrance allergens in water. Extraction conditions such as the type of solvent, extraction temperature, irradiation time, and salting-out effect were optimized using a multivariate approach. Compounds were extracted during 2 min in an acoustically emulsified media formed by 100 μL chloroform and 10 mL sample. The USAEME process provided an efficient and exhaustive extraction (enrichment factor ～100) and, after centrifugation, the extract was ready for GC analysis. Validation was performed using spiked ultrapure water as well as other most complex matrices such as sewage water. Recoveries between 75% and 110% were generally obtained, and precision was characterized by RSD values <10% in most cases. The limits of detection (LODs) were at the sub-nanogram per millilitre level. The proposed procedure was applied to the determination of allergens in several real samples including tap water, baby bathwater, recreational place water, public washing place water, and sewage water. The presence of some of the target compounds was confirmed in all the samples excluding tap water, demonstrating the ubiquity of this group of cosmetic and personal care products ingredients.     

Simultaneous determination of chlorothalonil and its metabolite 4-hydroxychlorothalonil in greenhouse air: dissipation process of chlorothalonil

An analytical method was developed and tested for the simultaneous determination of chlorothalonil and its main metabolite 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, in airborne samples. High performance liquid chromatography equipped with Ultra-violet detector was used to separate and quantify the analytes. Glass microfibre filters for the collection of the analytes' particles were tested. Solid sorbents, such as Tenax, Florisil, XAD-2 and silica gel, were studied to find out the most suitable material for the collection of the analytes in the gas phase. The results have shown that only chlorothalonil was trapped in the vapor phase with highest results obtained when silica gel was the sorbent of choice. Linearity was demonstrated in a wide concentration range 0.01-10.00 mg L(-1). Recoveries from spiked glass microfibre filters and silica gel cartridges for chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil were almost quantitative. The quantification limits were calculated to be 8.4 and 19.6 ng m(-3) in air for chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, respectively. The two analytes spiked on the GF/A filters and silica gel cartridges were proven to be stable for more than 15 days, at 4degrees C and ambient temperature. The applicability of the present method was demonstrated by the analysis of the chlorothalonil and its metabolite in greenhouse air.     

Environmental Policy and Spatial Planning in Greece. Institutional Aspects

The integration of the environmental dimension into sectoral and regional policies constitutes a dominant concern of the current EU strategy for sustainable development. Thus, physical planning as an instrument of environmental policy and its combination with environmental planning, both at a policy as well as implementation level is a key pursuit in almost all European countries. In Greece, the adoption of a concept about a rational and unified approach of physical and environmental planning has met with many difficulties. The aim of this paper is to contribute towards a critical approach of recent developments, mainly in the field of the institutional framework for spatial and environmental planning in Greece.     

GIS and multiple-criteria evaluation for the optimisation of tsetse fly eradication programmes

Tsetse flies are the vectors of trypanosomes, the causal agent of trypanosomiasis, a widespread disease of livestock and people in Africa. Control of tsetse may open vast areas of land to livestock-keeping, with the associated benefits of developing mixed crop-livestock production systems. However, as well as possible positive impacts there are also risks: bush clearing would accelerate and cattle numbers would rise, leading to a reduction of vegetation cover, and an increase in runoff and erosion; there may also be increased pressure on conserved areas and reductions in biodiversity. The objective of this study is to show how remotely sensed and other environmental data can be combined in a decision support system to help inform tsetse control programmes in a manner that could be used to limit possible detrimental effects of tsetse control. For Zambia, a methodology is developed that combines a tree-based decision-support approach with the use of Multiple-Criteria Evaluation (MCE), within a Geographical Information System (GIS), in order to target areas for tsetse control. The results show clear differentiation of priority areas under a series of hypothetical scenarios, and some areas (e.g. northwest of Petauke in the Eastern Province of Zambia) are consistently flagged as high priority for control. It is also demonstrated that priority areas do not comprise isolated tsetse populations, meaning that disease control using an integrated approach is likely to be more economically viable than local eradication.     

Toxic mercury versus appropriate technology: Artisanal gold miners’ retort aversion

Mercury-usage in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has accelerated in developing countries during the last thirty years resulting in negative environmental and health impacts. As awareness of mercury contamination from ASGM has grown, a number of strategic initiatives have been introduced to reduce the impact of the toxic substance. The adoption of the retort, a device capable of recycling up to 95 per cent of mercury in gold extraction, constitutes a broadly recognized approach. Based on case-study research in Tanzania, this paper examines an ASGM area, which has been targeted by several mercury-reducing efforts. Based on survey data, key informants interviews, and visitor observations, the paper examines the impact of these efforts on mining techniques and residents’ attitudes towards the use of mercury. Despite the seemingly obvious advantages from adopting retorts or other mercury-reducing techniques – economic, environmental, and health-wise – miners continue to use mercury haphazardly, while demonstrating an only limited awareness of the toxicity of the substance. The paper discusses the possible explanations behind this as well as possible ways forward in facilitating the reduction of mercury in ASGM operations.