Placental p,p''-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene and cord blood immune markers

Placental p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) concentration and cord blood atopic markers were determined in 19 neonates. Increased placental p,p'-DDE was associated with a statistically significant increase in cord plasma interleukin (IL)-13. Furthermore, both cord plasma IL-4/interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-13/IFN-gamma ratios were significantly positively associated with placental p,p'-DDE concentration.     

Sorption-desorption characteristics of methyl parathion by clays

Methyl parathion (O,O-dimethylO-(4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate) adsorption was studied on montmorillonite, kaolinite, halloysite, natural zeolite, ion exchange resins and calcium carbonate. Methyl parathion was highly adsorbed by montmorillonite, followed by zeolite, and very little adsorption was obtained on kaolinite and halloysite. Calcium carbonate did not exhibit any adsorption. The values of the partial molar free energy ¯G were calculated for all systems. For the montmorillonite-methyl parathion system, the calculated partial molar heat of adsorption ¯H, and the conformity of the data to Freundlich equation indicated a possible physical mechanism of adsorption. Increasing acetone concentration decreases methyl parathion adsorption and dehydration increased adsorption in the nonaqueous system. Moreover, the increased adsorption on the swollen clay indicated that methyl parathion was adsorbed on the interlamellar surfaces of the clay. This was also in agreement with the results of the desorption studies, since the insecticide was not desorbed using the same aqueous acetone solution. This indicated that methyl parathion was adsorbed as a water-insoluble organic compound.     

骨髓增生异常综合征患者外周血淋巴细胞微核观察

观察25例骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)和30例正常人外周血淋巴细胞微核。MDS患者外周血微核淋巴细胞出现率为84.00%,淋巴细胞微核率为6.68‰,显著高于对照组(P<0.005)。RAEB和RAEB-T亚型淋巴细胞微核率显著高于RA亚型(P<0.005)。MDS微核淋巴细胞多微核率与对照组差异无显著性(P>0.05)。同时检查外周血淋巴细胞染色体,MDS染色体畸变率为14.68%,显著高于对照组,且与微核率呈直线正相关(r=0.76,P0.001)。本文就MDS微核检测的意义进行了讨论。     

The regioselectivity of glutathione adduct formation with flavonoid quinone/quinone methides is pH-dependent

In the present study, the formation of glutathionyl adducts from a series of 3',4'-dihydroxy flavonoid o-quinone/p-quinone methides was investigated with special emphasis on the regioselectivity of the glutathione addition as a function of pH. The flavonoid o-quinones were generated using horseradish peroxidase, and upon purification by HPLC, the glutathionyl adducts were identified by LC/MS as well as (1)H and (13)C NMR. The major pH effect observed for the glutathione conjugation of taxifolin and luteolin quinone is on the rate of taxifolin and luteolin conversion and, as a result, on the ratio of mono- to diglutathione adduct formation. With fisetin, 3,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone, and quercetin, decreasing the pH results in a pathway in which glutathionyl adduct formation occurs in the C ring of the flavonoid, being initiated by hydration of the quinone and H(2)O adduct formation also in the C ring of the flavonoid. With increasing pH, for fisetin and 3,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone glutathione adduct formation of the quinone occurs in the B ring at C2' as the preferential site. For quercetin, the adduct formation of its quinone/quinone methide shifts from the C ring at pH 3.5, to the A ring at pH 7.0, to the B ring at pH 9.5, indicating a significant influence of the pH and deprotonation state on the chemical electrophilic behavior of quercetin quinone/quinone methide. Together the results of the present study elucidate the mechanism of the pH-dependent electrophilic behavior of B ring catechol flavonoids, which appears more straightforward than previously foreseen.     

The insecticidal activity of four medicinal plants against the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Background  The larvae of Lucilia sericata induce myiasis and transmit mycobacterial infections to humans and animals. Consequently, the blowfly should be controlled for human welfare and economic reasons.
Methods  The insecticidal effect of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum ), celery ( Apium graveolens ), radish ( Raphanus sativus ), and mustard ( Brassica compestris ) against the third larval instars of L. sericata was evaluated, for the first time, through ingestion assays. The effect of sublethal concentrations on certain biological aspects, such as the pupation rates and adult emergence, was revealed.
Results  The LC₅₀ values were 2.81, 4.60, 6.93, and 7.92% for fenugreek, celery, radish, and mustard, respectively. The adverse effects on larval treatment also included the survival of pupae and adults. The pupation rate was strongly decreased after treatment with 16% fenugreek and celery. Moreover, adult emergence was suppressed after treatment of larvae with 8% mustard, 12% radish, and 16% fenugreek and celery oils. The number of emerged males exceeded the number of females, which could lead to population decline. Morphologic abnormalities of larvae, pupae, and adults were recorded after treatment with all tested oils.
Conclusion  The results suggest that oils may represent new and safe potential insecticides for the control of blowflies.     

Sonographic evaluation of resting gallbladder volume and postprandial emptying in patients with gallstones

We investigated fasting gallbladder volume and gallbladder emptying in response to a fatty meal in 20 patients with asymptomatic gallstones and compared the results with findings from healthy controls. Compared with control subjects without gallstones, the majority of patients with gallstones exhibited a higher resting gallbladder volume, less fractional emptying after a fatty meal, and a higher postmeal residual volume. These abnormalities all appeared to stem from an abnormally high resting gallbladder volume. Whether the increased gallbladder volume and decreased postprandial fractional emptying in the gallstone patients represents a primary or secondary abnormality remains to be determined. The results suggest that in some patients decreased gallbladder contractility may contribute to gallstone development or proliferation.