RESUMEN
The metabolism of phenanthrene was studied both in cell suspension cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and soybean (Glycine max), and in intact plants of the water mossFontinalis antipyretica. Metabolism in cell suspension cultures strongly differed between the monocotyle and the dicotyle plant. Only small amounts oftrans-phenanthrene-9,10-dihydrodiole and phenanthrene-9,10-dione were detectable in the wheat culture. Soybean cultures, in contrast demonstrated a strong turnover resulting in a 75% reduction of the initial phenanthrene concentration. Metabolites were phenanthrene-9,10-dione, not further characterized polar metabolites and bound residues. Intact plants ofFontinalis antipyretica metabolized only small amounts of phenanthrene. Data obtained from cell cultures did not provide information for the metabolic potential in intact plants. Therefore standardized tests with model systems like suspension cultures lead to inadequate assessment of the ecological risk of certain xenobiotics.
RESUMEN
The measurement and induction of mixed function oxyigenases (MFOs) of limnetic gastropods were investigated to estimate their suitability as biomarkers. A determination of MFO activities was performed through the measurement of ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD), pentoxy-(PROD) and benzoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase-activity (BROD). Optimal measuring conditions of these activities were investigated in preparations of the digestive gland of 4 species of limnetic gastropods. Results indicate that MFO-activity inhibiting substances are accumulating in the microsomal pellet, the fraction commonly used for the measurement of MFO-activities. Therefore, the fraction used for induction studies was the postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS). EROD, PROD, and BROD activity of Planorbis planorbis and Planorbis carinatus were measured after a treatment with Aroclor 1254 for 1-17 days. Maximal induction of EROD and PROD were 6 and 10 times the value in the control group of P. carinatus, respectively induction in P. planorbis was lower. BROD-activity could not been measured in P. planorbis. In P. carinatus, BROD-activity increased to a maximum of 2 times after treatment with Aroclor 1254. The level of induction of EROD-activity is comparable to results described in analog studies with fish.
RESUMEN
For the synthesis of metalloid tin cluster compounds applying the disproportionation reaction of a Sn(i) halide, silyl ligands, especially the symmetric Si(SiMe3)3 has proven to be extremely useful. Silyl ligands of lower symmetry where e.g. one SiMe3 group is substituted with SiPh3 are thereby unexplored, although the synthesis of the anionic silyl precursors is quite easy, referring to previously described methods. Here the synthesis of the silanide [Si(SiMe3)2(SiPh3)](-) as its potassium () as well as its lithium salt () in excellent yield is presented. proved to be a suitable starting material for the synthesis of subvalent tin compounds as shown by the reaction with tin halides in oxidation state +2 (SnCl2) and +1 (SnCl); i.e. on the one hand the anticipated stannide [Sn(Si(SiMe3)2SiPh3)2Cl](-) could be isolated and on the other hand the unexpectedly partly substituted ring compound Cl4Sn4[Si(SiMe3)2SiPh3]4 is obtained. As no elemental tin is formed during the reaction with SnCl, metalloid tin clusters may be present in solution too, which is supported by the nearly black color of the reaction mixture, showing that might be a suitable ligand for the synthesis of such cluster compounds.
RESUMEN
The risk of tuberculosis in the medical professions was assessed in the course of three studies: The distribution of positive tuberculin reactions (PTR) was determined in 3583 members of the University Hospital in Freiburg, FRG. The results obtained with persons older than 30 years were almost the same in the medical and non-medical professions. Younger persons professionally occupied in the medical sector had a higher PTR rate than their colleagues in the non-medical sector. In the course of a second (case control) study (1979-1988) it was shown that the incidence of tuberculosis in the University Hospital of Freiburg was the same as reported for the normal population of West Germany (0.25%). A third (longitudinal) study (1987-1989) was carried out to assess the future tuberculosis risk by determination of the annual TR conversion rate. The incidence of conversion was identical (2.2%) in the medical and non-medical professions. Determination of conversion rates in different departments showed that the highest rate (and, therefore, the highest tuberculosis risk) was observed in pathology, pulmology and lung surgery.