Toxicity of Degradation Products of the Antifouling Biocide Pyridine Triphenylborane to Marine Organisms

We evaluated the acute toxicities of the main degradation products of pyridine triphenylborane (PTPB), namely, diphenylborane hydroxide (DPB), phenylborane dihydroxide (MPB), phenol, and biphenyl, to the alga Skeletonema costatum, the crustacean Tigriopus japonicus, and two teleosts, the red sea bream Pagrus major and the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus. DPB was the most toxic of the degradation products to all four organisms. The acute toxicity values of DPB for S. costatum, T. japonicus, red sea bream, and mummichog were 55, 70, 100, and 200–310 μg/L, respectively. The degradation products were less toxic than PTPB to S. costatum and T. japonicus; however, the toxicities of DPB and PTPB to the fish species were similar. We also examined changes in the inhibition of growth rate of S. costatum as well as the percentage of immobilization of T. japonicus as end points of toxicity of PTPB after irradiation of PTPB with 432 ± 45 W/m² of 290–700 nm wavelength light. After 7 days of irradiation with this light, the concentration of PTPB in the test solutions decreased markedly. A decrease in toxic effects closely coincided with the decrease in the concentration of PTPB caused by the irradiation. PTPB probably accounted for most of the toxicity in the irradiation test solutions. Because the concentrations of PTPB that were acutely toxic to S. costatum and T. japonicus were <10 % of the corresponding concentrations of its degradation products, PTPB probably accounted for most of the toxicity in the irradiation test solutions.     

Relationship between urinary biopyrrins and pneumoconiosis

Abstract

Background: Test 1 is a recently introduced technique claiming to determine Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in 20 s. In contrast to the original Westergren procedure this new technique uses undiluted blood and operates at 37°C. It is hypothesized that Test 1 is in fact an erythrocyte aggregometer and does not measure any sedimentation. Methods: Test 1 results were compared to those obtained with StaRRsed, an automated ESR analyser based on the Westergren technique, and the results of both were correlated to various indices of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation, obtained with an aggrego - meter (LORCA). Measurements were made on blood from 75 patients with various rheumatic disorders. Furthermore, blood that was experimentally manipulated in order to affect RBC aggregation, i.e. by changing the hematocrit, by diminishing plasma protein concentration, by inducing hyperaggregation or by RBC rigidification, was tested on all three instruments. Results: Generally in patient blood, Test 1 results demonstrated a higher correlation with the various aggregation parameters than StaRRsed. Highest correlation (R = ?0.8)) with both Test 1 and StaRRsed outcome were seen with I₂₀, a RBC aggregation parameter directly related to the backscatter intensity. All experimentally induced changes in RBC aggregation paralleled closely those obtained with Test 1 while StaRRsed results followed a different course. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study strongly support the hypothesis that Test 1 measures only the RBC aggregation process and does not cover any of the indices directly linked to the sedimentation process as determined by the Westergren method.     

In vitro degradation of resin–dentin bonds with one-bottle self-etching adhesives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the durability of one-bottle self-etching adhesive during long-term water-storage testing. Resin–dentin bonded specimens were prepared using four commercially available one-bottle self-etching adhesives. The specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface to produce beam-shaped specimens that were stored in water for 24 h (control group) and 100, 200, and 300 d (experimental groups). After each storage period, the beams were subjected to a microtensile bond test. After the bond test, fractured surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope. In addition, interfacial observations of the silver tracer were performed using the secondary and back-scatter modes of the scanning electron microscope. The bond strength of all tested adhesives decreased significantly after 100 or more days in water. The interfacial observations showed an oxygen-inhibition zone as electron lucent in the adhesive–composite border in control specimens, displaying silver impregnation with breakage after aging. The deterioration of the oxygen-inhibition zone in the adhesive–resin composite junction resulted in a decrease in bond strength after 100 d in water for one-bottle self-etching adhesives.     

A case of scleroderma spectrum disorder with anticentriole antibody and pulmonary hypertension

We describe the case of a patient with anticentriole antibody-positive scleroderma spectrum disorder (SSD) who developed pulmonary hypertension. A 54-year-old woman had noticed Raynauds phenomenon and digital ulcers during the winter for the past 10 years. Although sclerodactyly was not present, digital ulcers, swelling of her hands, and phalangeal contracture were observed. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed anticentriole antibody. Other SSc-specific antoantibodies were negative. An echocardiogram demonstrated that the estimated right ventricular systolic pressure was increased to 51 mmHg. She was diagnosed as SSD with pulmonary hypertension. This is the first case of SSD with anticentriole antibody to develop pulmonary hypertension.Abbreviations SSD Scleroderma spectrum disorder - SSc Systemic sclerosis