Animal models of endocrine disruption.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that alter the structure and function of the endocrine system and may be contributing to disorders of the reproductive, metabolic, neuroendocrine and other complex systems. Typically, these outcomes cannot be modeled in cell-based or other simple systems necessitating the use of animal testing. Appropriate animal model selection is required to effectively recapitulate the human experience, including relevant dosing and windows of exposure, and ensure translational utility and reproducibility. While classical toxicology heavily relies on inbred rats and mice, and focuses on apical endpoints such as tumor formation or birth defects, EDC researchers have used a greater diversity of species to effectively model more subtle but significant outcomes such as changes in pubertal timing, mammary gland development, and social behaviors. Advances in genomics, neuroimaging and other tools are making a wider range of animal models more widely available to EDC researchers.

Method to characterize inorganic particulates in lung tissue biopsies using field emission scanning electron microscopy.

Humans accumulate large numbers of inorganic particles in their lungs over a lifetime. Whether this causes or contributes to debilitating disease over a normal lifespan depends on the type and concentration of the particles. We developed and tested a protocol for in situ characterization of the types and distribution of inorganic particles in biopsied lung tissue from three human groups using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Many distinct particle types were recognized among the 13 000 particles analyzed. Silica, feldspars, clays, titanium dioxides, iron oxides and phosphates were the most common constituents in all samples. Particles were classified into three general groups: endogenous, which form naturally in the body; exogenic particles, natural earth materials; and anthropogenic particles, attributed to industrial sources. These in situ results were compared with those using conventional sodium hypochlorite tissue digestion and particle filtration. With the exception of clays and phosphates, the relative abundances of most common particle types were similar in both approaches. Nonetheless, the digestion/filtration method was determined to alter the texture and relative abundances of some particle types. SEM/EDS analysis of digestion filters could be automated in contrast to the more time intensive in situ analyses.

Endocrine Disruptors and Developmental Origins of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing epidemic worldwide, particularly in countries that consume a Western diet, and can lead to life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With increasing prevalence of NAFLD in both children and adults, an understanding of the factors that promote NAFLD development and progression is crucial. Environmental agents, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which have been linked to other diseases, may play a role in NAFLD development. Increasing evidence supports a developmental origin of liver disease, and early-life exposure to EDCs could represent one risk factor for the development of NAFLD later in life. Rodent studies provide the strongest evidence for this link, but further studies are needed to define whether there is a causal link between early-life EDC exposure and NAFLD development in humans. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying development of NAFLD in the context of developmental EDC exposures may identify biomarkers for people at risk, as well as potential intervention and/or therapeutic opportunities for the disease.

[EVALUATION OF THE AIR POLLUTION HEALTH RISK FOR THE POPULATION OF THE CITY OF UFA].

There are presented results of the calculation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to the impact of chemical air pollutants for the human health of a large industrial city. Maximal levels of carcinogenic hazards under inhalation route of substances from the air were established to be noted on gasoline, manganese, sulfur dioxide, copper oxide, formaldehyde. In the formation of carcinogenic risk the greatest contribution is made by chromium, gasoline, formaldehyde, benzol. The risk of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects for the population of the city continues to remain to be high, that requires the development and implementation of planned recreational measures.

Terpenes and terpenoids in chemical sensitivity.

UNLABELLED: CONTEXT : Terpenes and terpenoids are a diverse class of organic compounds produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers. Chemically sensitive patients can be targeted by terpenes and terpenoids, resulting in a triggering of symptoms and pathology. Often patients cannot clear their symptoms from exposure to chemicals unless terpenes and terpenoids are avoided and neutralized along with chemical avoidance and treatment. OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates the presence, diagnosis, and treatment of terpenes exposure in chemically sensitive patients. DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-part study was designed to establish the chemically sensitive state of the patients in part 1, followed by a second set of challenges to determine each patient's concurrent sensitivity to terpenes and terpenoids in part 2. In all of the challenges, normal saline was used as a control. A case report illustrates the history of 1 patient and describes the authors' treatment methods. SETTING: The study was developed and conducted at the Environmental Health Center of Dallas (EHC-D) because the environment within the center is 5 times less polluted than the surrounding environments, as determined by quantitative air analysis and particulate counts. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 45 chemically sensitive patients at EHC-D with odor sensitivity to terpenes. The cohort included 18 males and 27 females, aged 24-62 y.Intervention • Patients were deadapted (4 d) and evaluated in a 5-times-less-polluted environment, which was evaluated using air analysis and particulate counts. After deadaptation, the patients were challenged by inhalation in a controlled, less-polluted glass steel booth inside an environmentally controlled room with an ambient air dose of the toxics in the order of parts per billion (PPB) and parts per million (PPM). These toxics included formaldehyde, pesticide, cigarette smoke, ethanol, phenol, chlorine, new sprint, perfume, and placebo. They were also challenged intradermally with extracts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, orris root, ethanol, phenol, cigarette smoke, chlorine, newsprint, perfume, terpenes, terpenoids, and placebo. OUTCOME MEASURES: Inhaled challenges recorded pulse, blood pressure, peak bronchial flow, and other signs and symptoms 30 min before and at 15-min intervals for 2 h postchallenge. Intradermal challenges recorded wheal size and the provocation of signs and symptoms. RESULTS : Different numbers of patients were tested for each terpenes source because of time-related factors or the cumulative effect of testing, which made patients unable to continue. Of 45 chemically sensitive patients in the study, 43 demonstrated sensitivity to terpenes. CONCLUSIONS: This particular patient group was positive for a number of toxic and nontoxic chemicals provoking their symptoms. This study shows there was a connection between VOCs, other chemicals, and terpenes in chemically sensitive patients in a prospective cohort study. It has also shown the potential for terpenes to exacerbate symptoms of chemical sensitivity. Further research on this topic is recommended.

Fine particulate air pollution and outpatient department visits for headache in Taipei, Taiwan.

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between fine particle matter (PM(2.5)) levels and daily outpatient department visits (OPD) for headaches in Taipei, Taiwan. Daily OPD visits for headaches and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period 2006-2011. The relative risk of visits for OPD headaches was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the single-pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), increased OPD visits for headaches were significantly associated with levels of PM(2.5) both on warm days (>23°C) and cool days (<23°C), with an interquartile range rise associated with a 12% (95% CI = 10-14%) and 3% (95% CI = 1-5%) elevation in OPD visits for headaches, respectively. In the two-pollutant models, PM(2.5) remained significant after inclusion of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or ozone (O3) on both warm and cool days. This study provides evidence that higher levels of PM(2.5) increase the risk of OPD visits for headaches in Taipei, Taiwan.

Hematological and hepatic alterations in Brazilian population heavily exposed to organochlorine pesticides.

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of hematological and hepatic alterations and possible association with serum levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), p,p'-DDE, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) among residents in an area heavily contaminated with organochlorine (OC) pesticides. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 415 male and 432 female residents aged >14 years. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for OC pesticides concentrations and biochemical parameters. Frequencies of hematological and hepatic alterations were calculated for each gender. Association between beta-HCH, p,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), and HCB levels and presence of alterations was determined by logistic regression stratified by gender and controlling for confounders. Highest frequencies were observed for eosinophilia (23% men and 18% women), low hemoglobin (12% men and 15% women), and low erythrocyte count (12% men). High levels of bilirubin, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were observed, respectively, in 10, 11, and 12% of men and <10% of women. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was elevated in 26 and 25% of males and females, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed associations between eosinophilia and beta-HCH in men (OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.01-1.12) and women (OR = 1.05, 96%CI = 0.99-1.11), p,p'-DDE in men (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06) and women (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.99-1.06), and HCB in women (OR = 1.54, 95%IC = 0.85-4.45). Beta-HCH was found to be associated with increased risk of elevated bilirubin in females (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.07-1.29) and males (OR = 4.21, 95%CI = 1.87-9.47 for fourth vs. first quintile). Thus, OC pesticides may exert adverse effects on hematopoietic tissue and liver in populations chronically exposed to high levels of these compounds.

Chronic low-level arsenic exposure reduces lung function in male population without skin lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The respiratory effects of chronic low-level arsenic exposure from groundwater have been investigated in West Bengal, India. METHODS: The participants (834 non-smoking adult males) were subdivided in two groups: an arsenic-exposed group (n = 446, mean age 35.3 years) drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater (11-50 µg/L) and a control group of 388 age-matched men drinking water containing <10 µg/L of arsenic. Arsenic in water samples was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was documented by structured, validated questionnaire. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was assessed by portable spirometer. RESULTS: Compared with control, the arsenic-exposed subjects had higher prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, asthma, eye irritation and headache. Besides, 20.6% of arsenic-exposed subjects had lung function deficits (predominantly restrictive and combined types) compared with 13.6% of control (p < 0.05). A positive association was observed between arsenic concentration in drinking water and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, while a negative association existed between arsenic level and spirometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that even low-level arsenic exposure has deleterious respiratory effects.

[Assessment of risk of contamination of drinking water for the health of children in Tula region].

The hygienic analysis of centralized drinking water supply in Tula region has been performed Thepriority contaminants of drinking water have been detected On the basis of risk assessment methodology non-carcinogenic health risks to the child population was calculated. A direct relationship between the incidence of some diseases in childhood population and pollution by chemical contaminants of drinking water has been established.

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Over the past 20 years, exposure to mycotoxin producing mold has been recognized as a significant health risk. Scientific literature has demonstrated mycotoxins as possible causes of human disease in water-damaged buildings (WDB). This study was conducted to determine if selected mycotoxins could be identified in human urine from patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Patients (n = 112) with a prior diagnosis of CFS were evaluated for mold exposure and the presence of mycotoxins in their urine. Urine was tested for aflatoxins (AT), ochratoxin A (OTA) and macrocyclic trichothecenes (MT) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). Urine specimens from 104 of 112 patients (93%) were positive for at least one mycotoxin (one in the equivocal range). Almost 30% of the cases had more than one mycotoxin present. OTA was the most prevalent mycotoxin detected (83%) with MT as the next most common (44%). Exposure histories indicated current and/or past exposure to WDB in over 90% of cases. Environmental testing was performed in the WDB from a subset of these patients. This testing revealed the presence of potentially mycotoxin producing mold species and mycotoxins in the environment of the WDB. Prior testing in a healthy control population with no history of exposure to a WDB or moldy environment (n = 55) by the same laboratory, utilizing the same methods, revealed no positive cases at the limits of detection.

[Effect of benzene and chromium on the trace element composition in biosubstrates in Wistar rats].

The chronic effects of benzene and chromium on the level of trace elements in the biospheres of Wistar rats were studied for 45, 90, and 135 days. As compared to the controls, the experimental groups of patients were found to have lower concentrations of copper (in blood) and iron (in blood and spleen) and higher levels of zinc (in blood, spleen) and chromium (in blood, spleen).

[Evaluation of Moscow population exposure to ambient air pollution by carcinogenic substances].

The carcinogenic risk to the Moscow population exposed to ambient air pollutants, such as benzene and formaldehyde, discharged by motor transport has been assessed. The ways of lowering the negative impact of motor transport on the urban environment are considered.

[Human health risk upon air exposure to chemicals in enclosed spaces and residential areas of an industrial town].

The study determined priority chemicals in the ambient air and air of enclosed spaces of the town's administrative districts, by taking into account the formation of a community health risk. The industrial town's areas were ranked by the hazard of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects caused by the varying intraenvironmental distribution of substances. The distribution of pollutants in the study areas with varying anthropogenic exposures allows one to consider suspended matter, cadmium, nickel, and formaldehyde in the air of residential areas and formaldehyde, phenol, and suspended matter in the air of enclosed spaces as universal markers of exposure for dwelling environmental factors in the identification of toxicants and in the assessment of community health risk within the framework of sociohygienic monitoring and as indicators for the assessment of the immediate and final results of purpose-oriented departmental programs.

[The gynecological morbidity of women of fertile age residing in the area of aluminum industry emissions impact].

The article presents data on the levels of reproductive system diseases morbidity among fertile age women residing in the areas adjacent to the Tadzhik aluminum plant in Surkhandaryinskaya oblast of Uzbekistan. The relationship of the reproductive system diseases morbidity and the degree of atmospheric air, soil and foodstuff pollution with unhealthy chemical ingredients discharged by the aluminum plant is demonstrated. The data on the diseases of reproductive system organs most frequently occurring in fertile age women is presented.

[The characteristics of morbidity in women of fertile age residing the area of Tadjikistan aluminum factory].

The social hygienic characteristics of deteriorated living environment in Surkhan-Daria area around the Tadjikistan aluminum factory are described. The harmful chemical substances negatively impacting local population health especially women of fertile age are indicated. The structure of morbidity of women of fertile age based on the data of overall medical examination is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the most frequent pathology in the examined area are diseases of endocrine system, blood and hematopoietic organs, digestive system and genitourinary system. The results of studying the poor health conditions developed under the impact of poor ecological environment due to long-term and harmful influence of waste substances of factory on the air, soil and food are discussed. The system of measures targeted on the improvement of the medical care of women of fertile age residing the aluminum factory territories are proposed.

[Impact of chemical ambient air pollution in Moscow on its population's health].

The ambient atmosphere of Moscow is appraised as unbeneficial to the health of the population, that of children and adolescents in particular. Motor transport is a powerful source of the ambient air pollution of Moscow. The average annual level of atmospheric pollution in 2008 is considered to be moderate. Scientific-and-practical studies using the risk assessment methodology also suggest that the ambient air in Moscow is the leading habitat posing a carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk to Muscovites' health.

[Ambient air benzo(a)pyrene and its role in the formation of cancer morbidity in Tashkent].

The ambient air benz(a)pyrene concentration was found to be greatly variable in Tashkent in 1985 to 2005. A high correlation was established between the ambient air content of benz(a)pyrene and the rate of primary malignancy morbidity. The findings show it necessary to monitor the level of benz(a)pyrene in the ambient air of Tashkent.

[Transformation of surfactants in different ways of water disinfection].

Evaluation of the efficacy ofoxidants on the destruction of bisquartemary ammonium salts (BAS) in water demonstrated that the highest destruction effectiveness was achieved upon exposure to ozone (87%), potassium permanganate (68.2%), ultraviolet radiation (37.8%), by chlorination with gas chlorine (35.4%), lime chloride (24.1%), the least destruction was achieved by chlorination with sodium hypochlorite (21.9%). There was a more than 2-fold increase in the level of low-molecular impurities upon chlorine exposure of the water containing BAS as a result of transformation processes. In ozone treatment of BAS, unlike its chlorination, there was as high as 2-fold decrease in the concentration of C6-C9 alcohols present in their composition, giving rise to C6-C9 aldehydes (0.5%) and C6-C9 organic acids (as high as 3% of the mass content).

Proliferative activity in clinically healthy oral mucosa exposed to tobacco smoking and alcohol: a longitudinal study using the agNOR staining technique.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cell proliferation in clinically healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking and alcohol carcinogens over a period of 24 months using the AgNOR staining technique. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty patients were initially evaluated: 17 were control individuals, 25 were smokers and 18 were smokers and alcohol drinkers. Fifty-two of these patients were reevaluated. Specimens for cytology were obtained from swabs of lower lip mucosa, border of the tongue and floor of the mouth and underwent AgNOR staining for evaluation of mean number and mean area of AgNOR dots per nucleus and percentage of nuclei with > 3 and > 5 AgNOR dots. Student t and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare values obtained. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase was found in mean number of AgNOR dots per nucleus in 2 groups. One group showed a tendency toward increase of these values. The results of the longitudinal evaluation (Kruskal-Wallis test) revealed a statistically significant difference in number and area of AgNOR dots in the cells of the lower lip. CONCLUSION: The increase of the variables suggests that the longitudinal evaluation of changes in cell proliferation in individuals exposed to smoking and alcohol carcinogens may be a useful monitoring tool.