An assessment of the air pollution data from two monitoring stations in Kuwait

This article assesses the air pollution data from two monitoring stations in Kuwait. The measurements cover major pollutants, i.e., CO, CO₂, methanated and non-methanated hydrocarbons, NO _x , SO₂, O₃, and particulate matter (PM10). The data also includes meteorological parameters, i.e., solar intensity, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, and has been collected over a period 4 years, from 2001 to 2004. Data analysis includes the assessment of annual hourly averages and 1-h maxima. Typical pollutant concentration trends, similar to those previously reported for Kuwait and for other locations around the world, are observed except for particulate matter measurements, which have higher values because of proximity to the desert. Emissions of nitrogen oxides show a consistent increase over the years. This is caused by the increase in the number of motor vehicles and the expansion in power generation and industrial activities. The data collected is a subset of the air quality criteria, as defined by the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency).     

Toxicological effects of mouse diet contaminated with tributyltin on the immune and neurological systems of C57BL/6 mice

Organotin compounds, widely used as antifouling agents, are known to bioaccumulate in the food chain. Among organotin compounds, tributyltin (TBT), a toxic and widespread contaminant, has become a serious factor in environmental pollution and is suspected of being immunotoxic in animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 80 µg of TBT per kilogram of body weight (kg bw), provided in food, on the immune and neurological systems of C57Bl/6 mice. Data showed that TBT increased the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in both adult and juvenile female and juvenile male mice, but that it decreased the proliferation of both T and B lymphocytes in adult male mice. The macrophages activity in female and male juvenile mice was higher than in adults of both sexes. The natural killer cytotoxic activity was also increased in juvenile and adult males and females compared to the control groups. In the brain, we observed the presence of TBT in the hippocampus, the striatum, the cortex, and the cerebellum in both the male and female groups. The highest levels were observed in the cortex of females and males, while the lowest levels were found in the cerebellum. TBT also induced an increase in the levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in the striatum, the hippocampus and in cortical structures but not in the cerebellum where the levels of TBT are lower. Our findings indicate that TBT modulated the immune and nervous systems causing endocrine and nervous perturbations.     

Testosterone concentrations and male genital organ morphology in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) dietary exposed to organohalogen contaminants

This study investigated whether low-level, long-term in utero and post-natal exposure to organohalogen pollutants disrupts male reproductive organ morphology and testosterone production in Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris), as a model of Arctic top predators feeding on marine mammals. Six male dogs were followed for 1 year and testosterone concentrations, testes/baculum morphology and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) was determined. Three males were exposed to organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in utero through maternal dietary intake of minke whale blubber (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), with a post-weaning ∑OHC intake of 10.4–11.7 µg kg^?1 day^?1 resulting in an adipose tissue range of ∑OHC 4518–5729 ng (g lw)^?1 after 1 year. Three control males were exposed to very low concentrations of OHCs through pork fat. No significant differences were seen in plasma testosterone concentrations, baculum weight, BMD, and testicular length in the six male dogs (control, n = 3 and exposed, n = 3) measured at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age. Testicular weights were significantly lower in the exposed group (p = 0.015, n = 2). Although this study had a limited number of animals, it was observed that in utero and the following 12 months of chronic exposure to a complex mixture of contaminants in the form of naturally accumulated OHCs does not affects testosterone levels, but possibly affects testicular weights in sledge dogs.     

Adsorption and movement of carbaryl in soils: A verification of cosolvent theory and comparison of batch equilibrium and soil thin layer chromatography results

Batch equilibrium and soil thin layer chromatography (TLC) techniques were used to investigate the influence of different volume fractions of organic cosolvents (acetone and methanol) on the adsorption and movement of carbaryl in four different types of Indian soils. L-shaped isotherms were obtained for both the cosolvent–water mixtures at all f _s values and were in close agreement with the Freundlich equation. Higher adsorption was observed on F.R.I. soil (FSL) followed by Alampur soil (ASL), Kalai soil (KL), and Bhoran soil (BSL) at all f _s values for both the cosolvent systems as was anticipated from the K and K _D values. The K and K _D values also confirmed that carbaryl adsorption was higher in methanol–water mixture than acetone–water mixture and decreased with increasing f _s values. The frontal R _f values obtained from soil TLC studies were inversely proportional to the K and K _D values for both the cosolvent systems. The higher K and K _D values and lower R _f values in methanol–water mixtures relative to acetone–water mixtures for all the soils indicated that acetone had a greater potential for ground water contamination compared to methanol. The adsorption data were used to evaluate the cosolvent theory for describing adsorption of carbaryl in acetone–water and methanol–water mixtures. The aqueous phase partition coefficients, K _DW (mol g^?1), normalized with respect to f _oc for carbaryl was evaluated by extrapolating f _s → 0.     

Interspecific variation of heavy metal concentrations in the different tissues of tropical intertidal gastropods from Malaysia

The present study aims to determine the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the different tissues of five species of tropical intertidal gastropods from Malaysia. Each of the species have organs/tissues that highly accumulated certain metals. For Cu, the mantles of Cerithidea obtusa, Pugilina cochlidium, and Murex trapa; and the digestive caeca of Thais sp. and Chicoreus capucinus highly accumulated Cu. The shells of Chi. capucinus and M. trapa, the digestive caeca of P. cochlidium, and the digestive glands of Thais sp. and Chi. capucinus highly accumulated Cd. The tentacles and the digestive caeca of Cer. obtusa and P. cochlidium, respectively, highly accumulated Zn, the digestive glands of Thais sp., Chi. capucinus, and M. trapa also highly accumulated Zn. The shells of most of the gastropods accumulated high levels of Pb and Ni. The opercula of most of the gastropods, besides the digestive glands for Thais sp., accumulated high levels of Fe. The present study on interspecific variations of heavy metals in gastropods provided information on differences of metal distributions in the different tissues, which could be useful in proposing potential tissues as better biomonitoring tools of heavy metal bioavailabilities in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia.     

Biochemical assessment of lead,phenol, and benzene-contaminated water on the heart and blood of Albino rats

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of contaminated water on the tissues of Rattus novergicus (albino rats). Test rats were given water contaminated with lead (0.015 µg L^?1 tap water), phenol (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), and benzene (0.05 mL L^?1 tap water), while control rats were given tap water over a period of 65 days after which the activity of selected enzymes of the heart and serum was assayed, and hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles were also determined. Generally, a significant (p < 0.05) drop in the activity of the enzymes was observed in the heart of test rats relative to the control rats. However, the serum activities increased significantly in the test group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The concentrations of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides of the test rats were found to be significantly higher than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). Concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of test rats were observed to be significantly lower than those of the control rats (p < 0.05). The experimental results indicated that consumption of water contaminated with lead, phenol, and benzene may damage the heart, increase the risk of atherosclerosis as reflected by the serum lipid profile, and anemia as suggested by abnormal hematological properties.     

Gulf War agents trigger discrete transcriptional changes in human neuronal cells

Reports on Gulf War illness (GWI) implicated the use of the pesticide permethrin (PER), and the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), in its etiology, as well as pyridostigmine bromide (PB), which was given as a prophylactic treatment against nerve agent exposure. Using Affymetrix microarrays the genomic response of human neuronal SHSY-5Y cells to 10 days of exposure to these agents was characterized and profiles of gene modulation unique to each treatment were demonstrated. In particular, a significantly greater impact of PER was observed compared to the other treatments. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis knowledgebase was used to analyze the genomic datasets and attribute functional consequences to the effects of related genes, which were significantly up- or down-regulated in response to different treatments. Canonical pathways shown to be significantly modulated at the genomic level in response to exposure included cellular mechanisms, which might contribute to the clinical presentation in GWI patients and thus be targeted for further investigation as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.     

The status of heavy metal levels in a Ramsar site,Kuala Gula bird sanctuary: the impact of the anthropogenic inputs

Distributions of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from two sites of the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia were monitored for a period of 6 months from October 2006 to March 2007. In December 2006, the concentration of Zn in one location was significantly (p??1) than the other metals at both sites, but in the oxidizable organic fraction it was highest at both sites during October; with mean concentrations of 18?mg?kg^?1 at both locations. In the acid-reducible fraction, high concentrations of Pb (2.3?mg?kg^?1) were detected at station 2 in February 2007, being highest among all four metals at both stations. The acid-reducible fraction found in Pb ranged from 0.10% to 3.1% in both stations. Percentages ranging from 51% to 96% were observed for all four metals in the resistant fraction throughout the sampling period. These results indicate low contributions from anthropogenic sources. The findings constitute a baseline data archive for future reference.     

Pharmacokinetics of [14C]-atrazine in rhesus monkeys,single-dose intravenous and oral administration

This is the first study regarding the pharmacokinetics of [¹⁴C]-atrazine conducted with rhesus monkeys. The animals received one dose (0.25 mg) intravenously (IV) or three doses (1, 10, or 100 mg) orally. Plasma, urine, and feces were collected at defined times up to 7 days post-dosing. Sample radioactivity was measured to determine the mass equivalent. IV administered [¹⁴C]-atrazine disappeared rapidly from blood, with an elimination half-life of about 5.5 ± 1.1 h. The pharmacokinetic profiles of [¹⁴C]-atrazine following oral administration at the three dose levels show that kinetic parameters such as AUC and C _max are linearly correlated with the dose. Seven days after dosing, urinary and fecal excretion of [¹⁴C]-atrazine reached 99% of total administered dose in the IV group and 91–95% in the three oral dose groups. In the IV-administered monkeys, approximately 85% of the dose was excreted in urine and 12% in feces. In three oral dose groups, urinary and fecal radioactivity recoveries approximated 57% and 21%, 58% and 25%, and 53% and 35%, respectively. More than 50% of the total urinary excreted radioactivity was found within the first 24 h after dosing. In conclusion, the principal elimination of [¹⁴C]-atrazine, IV and orally administered, is via urine. The oral bioavailability was 60% or higher. There was a significant linear correlation between administered oral dose and plasma concentration. Overall oral dose accountability ranged from 91% to 95%. Data generated may be useful in the risk assessment of human exposure to environmental atrazine contamination.     

Early murine immune responses from endotracheal exposures to biotechnology-related Bacillus strains

An immunology-based in vivo screening regime was used to assess the potential pathogenicity of biotechnology-related microbes. Strains of Bacillus cereus (Bc), Bacillus subtilis (Bs), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), and Bt commercial products (CPs) were tested. Balb/c mice were endotracheally instilled with purified spores, diluted CP, or vegetative cells (VC) (live or dead). Exposed mice were evaluated for changes in behavioral and physical symptoms, bacterial clearance, pulmonary granulocytes, and pulmonary and circulatory pyrogenic cytokines (interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α), as well as acute phase biomarkers (fibrinogen and serum amyloid A). Except for some differences in clearance rates, no marked effects were observed in mice exposed to any spore at 10⁶ or 10⁷ colony forming units (cfu). In contrast, live Bc or Bt VCs (10⁵ or 10⁶?cfu) produced shock-like symptoms (lethargy, hunched appearance, ruffled fur, and respiratory distress), and 11–200-fold elevations in pyrogenic cytokines at 2-h post-exposure. In the study, 4-h effects included increased lethargy, ocular discharge, and 1.5–4-fold rise in circulatory acute phase markers, but no indications of recovery. Bs VC did not produce any changes in symptoms or biomarkers. After 2 or 4?h of exposure to dead VC, increases of only plasma IL-1β and TNF-α (4.6- and 12.4-fold, respectively) were observed. These findings demonstrate that purified spores produced no marked effects in mice compared to that of metabolically active bacteria. This early screening regime was successful in distinguishing the pathogenicity of the different Bacillus species, and might be useful for assessing the relative hazard potential of other biotechnology-related candidate strains.