bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring the effects of pesticides on occupationally exposed humans with the comet assay
Authors: Piperakis S. M. , Kontogianni K. , Siffel C. , Piperakis M. M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this study we examine the effects of a mixture of pesticides on occupationally exposed agricultural workers. The study was performed on 149 people, 84 agricultural workers and 65 healthy men from the same area, who served as the control group. The exposed group was divided into a subgroup with 65 individuals moderately exposed (39 men and 26 women) and a highly exposed subgroup consisted of 19 men. The statistical analysis of the comet assay results showed that there were no significant differences in basal DNA damage between pesticide‐exposed workers and the control group nor between moderately and highly exposed ones. In addition, exposure of peripheral blood lymphocytes to hydrogen peroxide or γ‐irradiation led to a similar degree of DNA damage and subsequent repair for all the studied populations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 355–359, 2006.
Leaching and toxicity behavior of coal–biomass waste cocombustion ashes
Authors: Skodras G. , Prokopidou M. , Sakellaropoulos G. P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractLand disposal of ash residues, obtained from the cocombustion of Greek lignite with biomass wastes, is known to create problems due to the harmful constituents present. In this regard, the leachability of trace elements from lignite, biomass, and blends cocombustion ashes was investigated by using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) of the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). In this work, the toxicity of the aqueous leachates and the concentrations of the metals obtained from the leaching procedure were measured using the Microtox test (Vibrio fischeri) and inductive coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometer (ICP‐AES), respectively. The toxic effects of most leachates on Vibrio fischeri were found to be significantly low in both 45% and 82% screening test protocols. However, the liquid sample originating from olive kernels fly ash (FA4) caused the highest toxic effect in both protocols, which can be attributed to its relatively high concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 317–323, 2006.
Cyanobacterial (blue‐green algal) toxins in water supplies: Cylindrospermopsins
Authors: Falconer Ian R. , Humpage Andrew R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe toxic alkaloid cylindrospermopsin is produced by a range of cyanobacterial species worldwide. It was first identified in the species Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii from tropical waters, and has since been isolated from four other genera in locations ranging from Israel to Japan. High concentrations of the organisms and toxin have been identified in reservoirs, natural lakes, and rivers in summer in the USA and in Australia. The toxin is a particular problem in drinking water sources as concentrations in the free water are appreciable, so that removal of the filaments during water treatment does not remove the toxin. The toxicity resulting from oral ingestion is seen in the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestine, and white blood cells, with some vascular damage in mice. Gastrointestinal as well as liver injury has been observed in human poisoning. Studies of toxicity in vitro have shown inhibition of protein synthesis. Genotoxicity has also been demonstrated, and there is preliminary evidence for carcinogenicity. A Guideline Value for safe water supply of 1 μg/L has been proposed. Research into toxin measurement techniques and water treatment methods has indicated that effective control measures may be practicable for this toxin in drinking water. Considerably more research is needed to fully define the health risks from this toxin. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 299–304, 2006.
New possibilities of matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry to analyze barley malt quality. Highly sensitive detection of mycotoxins
Authors: Blechová Petra , Havlová Pavla , Gajdošová Dagmar , Havel Josef 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe occurrence of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities is a major health concern for livestock, humans, and the environment. Barley and subsequently malt quality is of fundamental importance to obtain good quality beer. Classical methods of analysis often require tedious, laborious, and expensive processes. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) instrumentation enables highly sensitive and fast analysis and/or detection using a very small sample. The possibilities of MALDI‐TOF MS for he identification and/or detection of trichothecene mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV), respectively) in barley malt were examined, and it was found that almost all classical MALDI matrices failed to ionize the compounds being studied. This detailed study of the ionization conditions and the search for unconventional matrices led to the discovery of suitable MALDI matrices, which enable ionization of trichothecene mycotoxins. These were: fine powdered synthetic diamond, sodium azide, or hydrazine hydrate. It is possible to detect 8.5 × 10−12 mol (2.5 ng) of deoxynivalenol or 64 × 10−12 mol (20 ng) of nivalenol in just 1 μL of barley malt extract (equivalent to 600 μg of DON in 1 kg of barley malt). The procedure developed enables fast determination of DON and NIV in barley, malt, or similar products. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 403–408, 2006.
A search for cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in depleted uranium (DU) toxicity
Authors: Pourahmad Jalal , Ghashang Monireh , Ettehadi Hossein Ali , Ghalandari Ruhollah 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAddition of U(VI) (uranyl acetate) to isolated rat hepatocytes results in rapid glutathione oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and lysosomal membrane rupture before hepatocyte lysis occurred. Cytotoxicity was prevented by ROS scavengers, antioxidants, and glutamine (ATP generator). Hepatocyte dichlorofluorescein oxidation was inhibited by mannitol (a hydroxyl radical scavenger) or butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene (antioxidants). Glutathione depleted hepatocytes were resistant to U(VI) toxicity and much less dichlorofluorescein oxidation occurred. Reduction of U(VI) by glutathione or cysteine in vitro was also accompanied by oxygen uptake and was inhibited by Ca(II) (a U(IV) or U(VI) reduction inhibitor). U(VI)‐induced cytotoxicity and ROS formation was also inhibited by Ca(II), which suggests that U(IV) and U(IV) GSH mediate ROS formation in isolated hepatocytes. The U(VI) reductive mechanism required for toxicity has not been investigated. Cytotoxicity was also prevented by cytochrome P450 inhibitors, particularly CYP 2E1 inhibitors, but not inhibitors of DT diaphorase or glutathione reductase. This suggests that P450 reductase and reduced cytochrome P450 contributes to U(VI) reduction to U(IV). In conclusion, U(VI) cytotoxicity is associated with mitochondrial/lysosomal toxicity by the reduced biological metabolites and ROS. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 349–354, 2006.
Determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in urban air of Thessaloniki, Greece
Authors: Kelessis A. G. , Petrakakis M. J. , Zoumakis N. M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this study, quasicontinuous measurements of major aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes were carried out by means of an automatic gas chromatograph (GC‐PID analyzer), in the urban air of Thessaloniki, at a mean level of 27 m above ground, during the years 2003 and 2004. The highest measured concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons were observed during the winter period of the year. The data indicate that the annual mean benzene concentration levels were around 1 ppb, less than the E.U. annual limit value of 5.0 μg m−3 (1.44 ppb at STP). The diurnal variation of aromatic hydrocarbons suggests that emissions from motor vehicles are their dominant source, at the commercial center of the city, while meteorological conditions (wind speed and direction) are important variables that control the atmospheric abundance of these pollutants, especially during stagnant weather conditions that favor the development of land–sea breeze circulations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 440–443, 2006.
Detection and monitoring toxigenicity of cyanobacteria by application of molecular methods
Authors: Mankiewicz‐Boczek Joanna , Izydorczyk Katarzyna , Romanowska‐Duda Zdzisława , Jurczak Tomasz , Stefaniak Karolina , Kokocinski Mikolaj 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study was early genetic identification of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria and monitoring their toxigenicity by determining toxin concentrations in three Polish lakes throughout the summer of 2004. The assessment of cyanobacterial blooms was carried out in shallow, eutrophic water bodies: Lake Jeziorak, Lake Bninskie, and Sulejow Reservoir. Samples for DNA, phycological, and toxin analyses were collected from July till October. Molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA region was used to detect cyanobacteria in water samples. The microscopic analysis was performed to investigate seasonal variation of phytoplankton. Cyanobacteria, with domination by Microcystis, Planktothrix, and Planktolyngbya were detected during the whole monitoring period in Sulejow Reservoir, Lake Bninskie, and Lake Jeziorak, respectively. The presence and identification of toxic strains in water bodies was studied by PCR amplification of mcy genes in the microcystis synthesis pathway. The presence of the mcyA, mcyB, mcyD, and mcyE genes in water samples indicated the genetic potential to produce microcystins. Toxicity of water samples and microcystin concentrations were established by PPIA and HPLC, respectively. The maximum concentration of microcystins was 11.13 μg/L and 4.67 μg/L in samples dominated by P. agardhii and M. aeruginosa, respectively. Molecular analysis showed that toxigenic strains of cyanobacteria occurred in the three lakes throughout the summer season. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 380–387, 2006.
The interactive effects of binary mixtures of three antifouling biocides and three heavy metals against the marine algae Chaetoceros gracilis
Authors: Koutsaftis Apostolos , Aoyama Isao 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThree of the most commonly used antifouling booster biocides that are usually combined with copper or copper compounds are Irgarol 1051, Diuron, and Zn pyrithione. This study represents an assessment of the interactive effects of the antifouling biocides combined with each other, and with three heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Zn) in binary mixtures, on the marine algae Chaetoceros gracilis. Seventy‐two hour growth inhibition tests were carried out, and the IC50 values of the chemicals were determined along with growth inhibition (%) for several concentrations. The joint effect of the binary mixtures of all the chemicals was assessed by using two models, concentration addition model and the model of probabilities. The following increasing order of toxicity was obtained: Cd < Zn < Cu < Diuron < Zn pyrithione < Irgarol 1051. The interactive effects of the organic chemicals combined with each other on the growth of Ch. gracilis were firmly synergistic. Irgarol 1051 combined with Cd performed synergistic effects, and Zn pyrithione with copper and cadmium action was strictly antagonistic, and the results of the two models were in agreement in almost all mixtures. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 432–439, 2006.
The use of a test battery in marine ecotoxicology: The acute toxicity of sodium dodecyl sulfate
Authors: Mariani Livia , De Pascale Domenica , Faraponova Olga , Tornambè Andrea , Sarni Angela , Giuliani Silvia , Ruggiero Giordano , Onorati Fulvio , Magaletti Erika 
Published: July 2006

AbstractFor a toxicity assessment of substances entering the marine environment, it is preferable to carry out ecotoxicological tests on a base‐set of taxa utilizing target species belonging to different trophic levels. In this study a battery composed of Vibrio fischeri (bacteria), Dunaliella tertiolecta (algae), Tigriopus fulvus (crustacea), Paracentrotus lividus (echinodermata), and Dicentrarchus labrax (pisces) was used for acute toxicity testing of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). SDS is an anionic surfactant widely employed in industry, agriculture, and domestic usage and therefore is found in abundance in the environment, particularly in the sea. The mean values of EC50 obtained were 2.6, 4.8, 7.4, 3.2, 7.3 mg L−1, respectively, for V. fischeri, D. tertiolecta, T. fulvus, P. lividus, and D. labrax. The results indicate the high acute toxicity of SDS with respect to all the trophic levels represented by the target species. In addition, they highlight the usefulness of employing a base‐set of taxa rather than a single species in toxicological tests, in order to obtain more reliable information for the evaluation of toxicity and potential hazards to the marine environment of selected substances. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 373–379, 2006.
On the relaxation of some classes of pointwise gradient constrained energies
Authors: De Arcangelis Riccardo 
Published: July 2006

The integral representation problem on

\mathrm{BV}(\Omega )

for the

L^{1}(\Omega )

-lower semicontinuous envelope

\overline{F}

of the functional

F\:\text{:}u \in W^{1,\infty }(\Omega )\mapsto \int _{\Omega }f(\mathrm{∇}u)\:\mathrm{d}x

is approached when

f

is a Borel function, not necessarily convex, with values in

[0, + \infty ]

. The presence of the value +∞ in the image of

f

involves a pointwise gradient constraint on the admissible configurations, since those generating the relaxation process must satisfy the condition

\mathrm{∇}u(x) \in \mathrm{dom}f

for a.e.

x \in \Omega

. The main novelty relies in the absence of any convexity assumption on the domain of

f

. For every convex bounded open set

Ω

,

\overline{F}

is represented on the whole

\mathrm{BV}(\Omega )

as an integral of the calculus of variations by means of the convex lower semicontinuous envelope of

f

. Due to the lack of the convexity properties of

\operatorname{dom}\,f

, the classical integral representation techniques, based on measure theoretic arguments, seem not to work properly, thus an alternative approach is proposed. Applications are given to the relaxation of Dirichlet variational problems and to first order differential inclusions.

Résumé

Le problème de représentation intégrale sur

\mathrm{BV}(\Omega )

pour l'enveloppe

L^{1}(\Omega )

-semi-continue inférieurement

\overline{F}

de la fonctionnelle

F\:\text{:}u \in W^{1,\infty }(\Omega )\mapsto \int _{\Omega }f(\mathrm{∇}u)\:\mathrm{d}x

est considéré dans le cas où

f

est Borelienne non nécessairement convexe, à valeurs dans

[0, + \infty ]

. La présence de la valeur +∞ dans l'image de

f

implique une contrainte ponctuelle sur le gradient des configurations admissibles, puisque celles qui jouent un rôle dans le processus de relaxation doivent satisfaire la condition

\mathrm{∇}u(x) \in \mathrm{dom}f

p.p. dans

Ω

. La nouveauté principale consiste en l'absence d'hypothèses de convexité sur le domaine de

f

. Pour tout ensemble ouvert borné et convexe

Ω

,

\overline{F}

admet une représentation sur

\mathrm{BV}(\Omega )

tout entier comme une intégrale du calcul des variations au moyen de l'enveloppe convexe et semi-continue inférieurement de

f

. En raison du manque des propriétés de convexité de

\operatorname{dom}\,f

, les techniques classiques de représentation intégrale, basées sur des arguments de théorie de la mesure, semblent ne pas fonctionner convenablement, donc une approche alternative est proposée. Des applications sont données à la relaxation des problèmes variationnels de type Dirichlet et aux inclusions différentielles du premier ordre.
Women's access to modern methods of fertility regulation
Authors: Simelela N. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPreventing unintended pregnancies through access to modern family planning could avert 20–35% of maternal deaths, saving the lives of more than 100,000 women each year. Obstacles to wider access still exist, but they may be overcome by overt policy commitment to reproductive health services, partnership between stakeholders, community involvement and quality programs.
Access to emergency contraception
Authors: Schiappacasse V. , Diaz S. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe introduction of emergency contraception (EC) has encountered barriers derived from the erroneous perception of EC as an abortificient and conservative attitudes. In several countries, “prolife” groups have initiated lawsuits against national regulatory bodies for approving EC. Other barriers are limited availability and high price of dedicated products, lack of information among providers about EC and the requirement of medical prescription for EC. The availability of EC has increased in the last years due to efforts of multiple stakeholders. Facilitating factors include the acceptability of EC by users and providers; dissemination of information about EC; advocacy among policymakers; training of providers; registration of dedicated products; over the counter sales and inclusion of EC in the national norms. By 2005, 109 countries have registered around 50 dedicated products that are available in public services, pharmacies, NGOs or through social marketing and 45 countries have included EC in their national norms.
Violence against women and the Millennium Development Goals: Facilitating women's access to support
Authors: Ellsberg M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractViolence against women is a serious health and development concern, as well as a violation of women's human rights. Violence against women has a devastating effect on women's sexual and reproductive health, as well as the health of their children, and is rooted in gender inequality. Reducing violence against women is therefore a key strategy for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Key lessons have emerged from more than two decades of experiences dealing with violence against women within the health sector. Interventions must go beyond training and curricula reform and utilize a system‐wide approach, including changes in policies, procedures and attention to privacy and confidentiality. Providers must work together with other sectors, particularly at a community level, to strengthen local networks for support of survivors of violence. Prevention activities are critical, particularly those that seek to change cultural norms and laws that encourage violence and discriminate against women and girls.
Between Harmonization and Fragmentation: New Groundwork on Ad Hoc Criminal Courts and Tribunals
Authors: STAHN CARSTEN 
Published: July 2006

Guénaël Mettraux, International Crimes and the Ad Hoc Tribunals, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0199271550, 474 pp., £75.00 (hb).Cesare P. R. Romano, André Nollkaemper, and Jann Kleffner (eds.), Internationalized Criminal Courts: Sierra Leone, East Timor, Kosovo and Cambodia, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0199276730, 550 pp., £75.00 (hb).
Asymmetric Reduction of o‐Chloroacetophenone with Candida pseudotropicalis104
Authors: Xie Qing , Wu Jianping , Xu Gang , Yang Lirong 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe asymmetric reduction of o‐chloroacetophenone 1 with Candida pseudotropicalis 104 produced the corresponding (S)‐1‐(2‐chloro‐phenyl)‐ethanol 2 with the enantiomeric excess (ee >99%) without addition of any cosolvent. The cell could tolerate high ketone 1 concentration of 233.8 mmol/L (i.e., 36 g/L) with considerable reduction activity in this method. The product 2 concentration achieved 38.9 and 58.4 mmol/L with cells of 40 and 60 gDCW (dry cell weight)'L, respectively, in 24 h. The optimum reaction time, the effect of substrate concentration, cosubstrate type and concentration, and cell concentration in the reaction were investigated in this paper.
Design of Adsorptive Columns for Specific Pathogen Removal: Application to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B
Authors: Wang Guangquan , Carbonell Ruben G. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe removal of pathogens such as toxins, viruses, bacteria, and prions in human blood, mammalian cell culture media, fermentation broths, food items, and water streams has gained increasing importance in ensuring product safety and in combatting acts of terrorism. Adsorption processes can play an important role in removing such pathogens from solution without affecting other desirable components. Adsorptive columns that can remove specific families of pathogens would need to achieve a reduction of several logs in pathogen concentration. This requirement is much more stringent than the normal yield requirements associated with adsorptive separations aimed at product recovery and purification in a process stream. This paper considers the design of an adsorptive column aimed at reducing the concentration of infectious agents from a known volume of solution by several logs in a fixed amount of time. The general rate (GR) model of chromatography is used in the analysis, including all major transport and kinetic steps in the adsorption process. The theory, with no adjustable parameters, is shown to predict with great accuracy the effect of residence time on the log removal of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) from solution using an affinity resin with a small peptide (YYWLHH) that has been found to bind specifically to this toxin.
The role of procalcitonin as a predictor of nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants
Authors: TURNER DAN , HAMMERMAN CATHY , RUDENSKY BERNARD , SCHLESINGER YECHIEL , SCHIMMEL MICHAEL S. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract Aim: To assess the role of procalcitonin in detecting nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants, after the onset of clinical symptoms. Subjects: 100 preterm infants, 24–36 wk of gestation, were followed from the age of 3 d until discharge. Procalcitonin and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured within 3 d of sepsis workup events. Results: 141 blood samples were drawn from 36 infants during 85 episodes of sepsis workup performed between 4 and 66 d of life. Of these episodes, 51 (60%) were not a result of documented sepsis and thereby served as the negative comparison group. Median procalcitonin levels were higher in the septic group compared with the non‐septic group at the time of the sepsis workup (2.7 vs 0.5 ng/ml, p=0.003), at 1–24 h after the sepsis workup (4.6 vs 0.6 ng/ml, p=0.003), and at 25–48 h (6.9 vs 2.0 ng/ml, p=0.016). Using high cutoff levels, both procalcitonin (2.3 ng/ml) and CRP (30 mg/l) had high specificity and positive predictive value (97%, 91% and 96%, 87%, respectively) but low sensitivity (48% and 41%, respectively) to detect sepsis. Areas under the ROC curve for procalcitonin and CRP were 0.74 and 0.73, respectively. Conclusion: Procalcitonin >2.3 ng/ml or CRP >30 μg/l indicates a high likelihood for neonatal sepsis, and antibiotic therapy should be continued even in the presence of sterile cultures.