Hereditary,environmental, and dietary risk factors of colorectal cancer: a case-control study in the Algerian East

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Algeria. The incidence and the mortality rate of CRC have increased so that...     

Evaluation of water quality of the Qaraaoun Reservoir,Lebanon: suitability for multipurpose usage

The increased demand on water resources in Lebanon as a resultof: progressive urbanization, socio-economic growth, agriculturalactivities and development of industries is, according to the national authorities, a major critical factor by the year 2010.Political difficulties in earlier years imply a dearth of pertinent data. The objective of this study was to evaluate water quality of the Qaraaoun Reservoir of the Litani River andassess its feasibility for multi-purpose usage as one of the solutions to the aggravated water problems in Lebanon. Sampleswere collected from 18 sampling sites at several dates duringthe dry season. Parameters analysed were, pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, turbidity, alkalinity, Ca, Mg, TH, Cl^-, SO₄ ^2-, NH₃, NO₃ ^-,PO₄ ^3-, Fe, Al, Na, Zn, Cr, Cu and As. The reported data were in compliancewith WHO guidelines, USEPA regulation and EEC directives. Statistical analysis of the data defined three distinct environmental zones and water quality in the central, main zone satisfied most criteria. It is concluded that the reservoir water is fit for multipurpose uses, namely, drinking, domestic,recreational activities, irrigation, fisheries, livestock and industrial, and should be properly managed accordingly.     

Provision of safe domestic water for the promotion and protection of public health: a case study of the city of Beirut,Lebanon

Securing adequate safe drinking water and proper sanitation is a major challenge facing the developing world. The “Water for Life Decade” emphasizes the importance of upgrading national water quality and sanitation services. This study assessed the domestic water profile in the city of Beirut. Samples were collected from three types of household water sources (municipality, private wells, and vended water bottles) and assessed for their physiochemical and microbiological profile. At the same time, a cross-sectional survey assessing water consumption patterns and the prevalence of water-borne diseases was conducted. The results showed a deficient water quality profile in all three water sources. The measured physiochemical and bacteriological parameters reflected the high frequency of water-borne diseases. Action to secure a safe domestic water supply is essential. The plan should guarantee the protection of water sources, ensure sufficient treatment of domestic water and upgrade the national program for potable water quality control. Periodic quality monitoring and legislating the chaotic water-vending sector are indispensable. Additionally, the deterioration of private well sources by sea and wastewater infiltration necessitates the enforcement of legislation associated with the use and management of private wells. Consumer awareness and active contributions to promote and protect public health are important.     

A rapid method for screening of the Stockholm Convention POPs in small amounts of human plasma using SPE and HRGC/HRMS

A rapid analytical screening method allowing simultaneous analysis of 23 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human plasma was developed. Sample preparation based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) with additional clean-up using small multilayer silica gel columns. SPE was performed using a custom made polystyrene-divinylbenzene sorbent for the extraction of chlorinated and brominated POPs. Special efforts to reduce sample volume and improve speed and efficiency of the analytical procedure were made. Determination of 16 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 5 organochlorine (OC) pesticides, octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (BDE #47) in 0.5 mL human plasma was performed by using high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Recovery of POPs ranged between 46% and 110%, and reproducibility was below 25% relative standard deviation (RSD) for all target compounds, except for trans-nonachlor and OCDD, which were present only at low levels. Limits of detection (LOD) were for the PCBs between 0.8 and 117.7 pg mL⁻¹ plasma and for the OC pesticides between 5.9 and 89.1 pg mL⁻¹ plasma. The LOD for OCDD and BDE #47 were 1.4 pg mL⁻¹ plasma, and 9.2 pg mL⁻¹ plasma, respectively. The presented method was successfully applied to 1016 human plasma samples from an epidemiological study on cardiovascular disease.     

Effects of Deltamethrin on striatum and hippocampus mitochondrial integrity and the protective role of Quercetin in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present work is to evaluate the neurotoxicity induced by pyrethroid insecticide “Deltamethrin” at 0.32 mg/kg/day in two main...     

Specific conductance and ionic characteristics of farm canals in the everglades agricultural area

Specific conductance in farm canals of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) in south Florida is an important water quality parameter that was categorized as a parameter of concern according to an observed frequency of >5% excursions over the Class III water quality criterion and needed to be addressed as a part of the Everglades Regulatory Program. This study was conducted to evaluate specific conductance in farm canals of the EAA. Specific conductance was monitored at 10 representative farms (a total of 12 pump stations) in the EAA using multi-parameter water quality data loggers, for periods ranging from 24 to 83 mo. Cation and anion concentrations were also determined. Nonparametric Mann-Kendall trend analyses and Sen's slope analysis of specific conductance were conducted to determine specific conductance trends. Mean specific conductance ranged from 0.74 to 1.68 dS m(-1) and only 2 of the 10 farms were above the State Class III water quality criterion of 1.275 dS m(-1). Statistically significant downward trends were observed at 3 of the 10 farms. Determination of ion compositions in grab samples at 8 of the 10 farms indicated that the major ions contributing to the increase in specific conductance in the EAA were Cl-, HCO3-, and Na+. Mean Na/Cl ratios in most of the EAA canals ranged from 0.57 to 0.78, whereas those of SO4/Cl ranged from 0.46 to 0.98. Investigation of historical data and literature indicates that elevated specific conductance in parts of the EAA is a natural phenomenon due to entrapment of connate seawater in the Everglades formation. Sulfur contributes minor increases in specific conductance in the EAA with probable sources from organic soil mineralization, ground water, Lake Okeechobee, and S fertilizers.     

Cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of Scrophularia oxysepala in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop therapeutic strategies against this deadly disease. This study is the first to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Scrophularia oxysepala in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Dichloromethane, methanol and n-hexane extracts of Scrophularia oxysepala were examined. The 3-(4,5-dimethylethiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) reduction and trypan-blue exclusion assays were performed in MCF-7 cells as well as control cell line MCF10A to analyze the cytotoxic activity of the plant. Furthermore, the apoptosis-inducing action of extracts of the plant was evaluated using cell death detection ELISA, the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that dichloromethane and methanol extracts significantly inhibited cell growth and viability without inducing damage to MCF10A cells. Cell death detection ELISA, morphological changes of cells in TUNEL assay, Western blot detection of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and increase in the mRNA expression levels of p-53, caspase-3 and c-myc showed that the induction of apoptosis was the main mechanism of cell death. Our results strongly suggest that this plant may contain potential bioactive compound(s) for the treatment of breast cancer.     

Toxicity removal from hard board wastewater

The rapid growth of industry in Egypt in recent years has made industrial pollution an important issue. During the past decade fish production in some canals and lakes have virtually ceased due to the discharge of industrial and agricultural wastewater. The alternatives under study include effluent treatment before discharge to receiving water. Highly polluted wastewater from a hard board mill was treated using the activated sludge process. Factors affecting the efficiency of the treatment were detention time and organic loading rate. The results indicated that BOD and phenol reduction reached 82% and 94% respectively. when the organic loading rate was 0.1 (kg BOD/kg SS). The process proved to be successful in completely eliminating the toxicity effect of the waste on Nile fish (Tilapia nilotica).     

Variation of Metals in Bed Sediments of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon

The Qaraaoun Reservoir (impoundment of the River Litani) is the only artificial surface water body in the country, Lebanon. Earlier study on the water quality of the Qaraaoun Reservoir identified three water quality zoning with a central distinct zone suitable for multipurpose water usage. The objective of this study was to extend the earlier work by considering the total metal content of reservoir bed sediments and hence to evaluate factors that control metal deposition or capture. Water samples were collected from 15 sampling sites and sediment samples were simultaneously collected from 9 sites. Water parameters analyzed were pH, Eh, DO and temperature. Sediment samples were dried and sieved and sediment < 75 μ m was retained for analysis. Sediments were subjected to a stepwise heating process with aqua regia to extract the metals, and their content in sediments determined by ICP-MS. The sediment data revealed higher metal contents where the river entered the reservoir which matched higher concentrations of water parameters at the influx site. Regression analysis of total metals in sediments with distance from the river Litani influx point to the dam revealed a log trend for Fe, Cr and Ni, whereas, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb were better described by a polynomial regression. Three sediment zones were identified: entrance, oxidation (central) and reducing (near dam) zones. Sediment contents of Zn, Cu and Pb correlated with organic content, whereas sediment Cr and Ni were associated with iron. It was concluded that sediments act as a sink for metals and the deposition of metals is primarily related to sediment organic content and the level of dissolved oxygen in water.     

A comparison of metals in sediments and water in the River Nahr-Ibrahim,Lebanon: 1996 and 1999

Rivers whose basins are underlain by carbonate rocks exhibit high pH, lower desorption of metals and possess high buffering capacity against acidic inputs to the river. The catchment of River Nahr-Ibrahim, Lebanon, is largely underlain by limestone. Compared to neighbouring countries, Lebanon is relatively fortunate since precipitation is high. However, recently a warming in temperature and a drop in precipitation has occurred, thus causing low water levels in rivers. The objective of this study is to investigate the variation of the total metal content (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) in bed sediments and water of River Nahr-Ibrahim between 1996 and 1999 (two years); and relate these variations to the effect of changes in human activities and/or due to the variations of precipitation rate, temperature and pH of water. Bed load sediments and stream water were collected simultaneously from five sampling sites. Water pH and temperature were determined in situ. Sediment samples were dried at room temperature and sieved; the sediment size <75 m size was retained. Water was analysed for major constituents and trace metals. Metals were extracted from sediments with aqua regia. Metal concentration in water and sediments were determined using ICP-MS technique. Data revealed a drop in metal concentrations (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in sediments at quarry site after its closure. The decrease in precipitation rate, lowering the level of water and the dilution of industrial discharges and decrease in water pH led most probably to the desorption of metals from sediments into the water.