Levels of BPA in makdous, a traditional Syrian food, using solid-phase extraction followed by HPLC

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter, can migrate from packaging material into food stuff. This research was designed to measure BPA levels in makdous, a traditional Syrian food. Forty three samples of makdous stored in different plastic containers (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and unspecified plastic containers) were analyzed every 3 months for one year beginning July 2017. Quantification of BPA was carried out by an RP-HPLC system equipped with fluorescence detector after solid phase extraction. Migration was found in PE and PP plastic containers with slight differences. Statistically significant differences in BPA levels were observed between samples assayed after two weeks of preparation and samples assayed after 12 months (mean 16.32 vs. 38.26 µg/kg, p value=0.003). According to these amounts, BPA levels were all under the specific migration limit of 0.05 mg/kg as newly referred in Regulation (EU) No 2018/213. These levels of exposure would only contribute to 2.15% and 2.75% of the EFSA t-TDI in both men and women respectively based on mean dietary exposure estimates derived from a 24-h dietary information study from 875 participants. Hence there are no concerns about potential health risks from makdous consumption

Bisphenol A levels among workers in plastic processing industry and their relations to thyroid hormones

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the plastic processing industry. A cross-sectional study was conducted to measureBPA levels in the serum of workers as a biomarker of occupational exposure, investigate the thyroid hormone profileamong BPA exposed workers, and identify the relationship between occupational exposure to BPA and thyroidhormones during. Our data indicate that the studied workers had higher BPA level than that reported for the Egyptiangeneral population, with a median serum level of 15.6 ng/ml and ranged from 1.6 to 62.9 ng/ml while the interquartilerange was 16.3 ng/ml, the highest concentration was among the workers of recycling followed by squeegees and PVCdepartments. As regards thyroid hormones, almost one-third of the studied workers had abnormal thyroid-stimulatinghormone (TSH) levels and 12.2% had abnormal T4 levels. According to TSH and T4 levels, 64.4% of the studiedworkers had normal thyroid function and 35.6% were suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. No significantcorrelation between BPA levels and subclinical hypothyroidism was statistically reported. However, our data reporteda significant positive correlation between thyroid hormone T3 and serum BPA concentrations. As agonist or antagonist,BPA could bind to the thyroid hormone receptors indicating that remarkable endocrine disruption.

Changes in bisphenol A concentrations in urine according to sealant filling in children / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in urine from before to after sealant filling and the relationship between BPA and the number of teeth with sealed surfaces. METHODS: Thirty-one children aged 6 and 7 years from three elementary schools in Daegu city who did not have any sealant and resin filling were selected as subjects. Urine samples were collected before and after sealant filling until 24 hours, with informed consent from their caregivers. The BPA concentration in all the collected urine samples was analyzed at Seegene Medical. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test, Scheirer-Ray-Hope test, and the repeated-measures generalized linear mixed model of SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The BPA concentrations increased from 3.49-μg/g creatinine before to 4.91-μg/g creatinine 2-3 hours later and to 4.15-μg/g creatinine after 24 hours. The more teeth with sealed surfaces, the higher the BPA concentration in children, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The BPA concentrations were highest at 2–3 hours after sealant filling and decreased at 24 hours. Exposure to the sealant appears to have a meaningful correlation with the concentration of BPA in the urine of children.

Expression analysis of vasa in Asian paddle crab (Charybdis japónica) exposed to Bisphenol A

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) with a weak estrogen-like activity in fish that is found ubiquitously in aquatic environments. However, there has been little study about BPA on the endocrine disrupting effects of crab. In the present study, cDNA of vasa was cloned and characterized in the Charybdis japonica. Histological structures of testis and expression patterns of vasa gene in the testis of C. japonica after treatment with BPA were investigated. Results: The cDNA of vasa is composed of 3051 bp with a 2166 bp open reading frame encoding 721 AA. The deduced amino acid sequence contained eight conserved domains of the DEAD-box protein family. The tissue distribution showed that vasa mRNA was specifically expressed in ovary and testis. Histologically, the sperm cells were decreased in number and an acellular zone was seen in the testis. The transcript level of vasa gradually increased with a significant difference between the experimental and control groups. After BPA exposure with 0.50 and 1.00 mg/L for 1,3, 6 and 9 d, the expression levels of vasa increased. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BPA can increase the expression level of vasa mRNA and influence the development of the testis in C. japonica.

Toxic Chemical from Plastics Attenuates Phenylbiguanide-induced Cardio-respiratory Reflexes in Anaesthetized Rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) attenuated phenylbiguanide (PBG)-induced cardio-respiratory reflexes involving decreased vagal afferent activity. BPA leaches out from plastics thus it is expected that chronic exposure to plastic boiled (PBW) water will also produce similar changes. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of chronic ingestion of PBW on PBG evoked reflexes and were compared with BPA. Adult female rats were ingested BPA containing pellets (2 μg/kg body weight)/PBW/tap water (ad libitum) for 30 days. On day 30, the animals were anaesthetized and BP, ECG and respiratory excursions were recorded. Further, PBG was injected intravenously to evoke cardio-respiratory reflexes and at the end lungs were excised for histopathological examination. BPA concentration in PBW was 6.6 μg/ml estimated by HPLC. In rats receiving tap water, PBG produced bradycardia, hypotension and tachypnoea. In PBW/ BPA treated groups, PBG-induced reflexes were attenuated significantly along with emphysematous and consolidative changes in lungs. The present results indicate that PBW attenuates the protective cardio- respiratory reflexes and also produces histopathological changes in lungs.

Análisis biogeorráfico de los peces characiformes de Venezuela / Biogeographic Analysis of the Characiformes Fishes of Venezuela

Se realizó un análisis biogeográfico basado en los peces Characiformes de Venezuela con el objetivo de explorar la importancia relativa de los procesos que han contribuido con el establecimiento de los patrones de distribución actuales de la ictiofauna continental venezolana. La información geográfica y filogenética disponible se analizó siguiendo los métodos de Análisis de Parsimonia de Endemismos (PAE) y Análisis de Parsimonia de Brooks (BPA). El PAE señaló fundamentalmente a los Llanos Occidentales y el sur del Amazonas como áreas de endemismo. El BPA realizado con la información filogenética de siete géneros mostró un patrón generalizado con los clados (Caribe + Maracaibo) y ((((Río Negro+Orinoco) + Paria) + Valencia) + Cuyuní), donde se destaca un evento de dispersión desde la cuenca del río Negro hacia el río Orinoco. Los resultados de ambos métodos biogeográficos indican que la región de los llanos - amazonas, donde se conjugó la biota del incipiente Orinoco con la biota amazónica, contiene el mayor número de especies, las áreas de endemismo mejor sustentadas, así como distintos eventos de especiación y posterior dispersión hacia otras regiones. La biota de la región nortecostera del país parece más bien gobernada por procesos de especiación vicariante de carácter puntual por el aislamiento histórico de sus drenajes.

Based on the information available on fishes of the order Characiformes of Venezuela a biogeographical analysis was performed to explore the relative importance of the processes that may have contributed to the establishment of current distribution patterns of the Venezuelan continental ichthyofauna. Geographic and phylogenetic information available for this group of fishes was analyzed by Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) and Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA). PAE uncovered the western plains and southern Amazonas as areas of endemism. BPA, using the phylogenetic information of seven genera, showed a general pattern with two major clades (Caribbean + Maracaibo) and ((((Rio Negro + Orinoco River) + Paria) + Valencia) + Cuyuní), where the proposed hypothesis highlights a dispersion event from the Rio Negro basin to the Orinoco River. The results indicate that the plains-Amazonas region, where the Amazon biota mixed with that of the incipient Orinoco s biota, contains the largest species richness, areas of endemism, and well as many speciation events with posterior dispersion to other regions of Venezuela. The biota of the northern coastal region in turn seems rather governed by punctual vicariant speciation processes, which may have been conditioned by the historical isolation of the basins draining this region.

Efficacy of Homeopathic Combination - BPA Drug in Prehypertension and Hypertension: A Pilot Study.

Aims and objectives: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate and document the evidence-based efficacy and safety of the study drug in lowering blood pressure (BP). The secondary objectives included efficacy of the study drug in improving symptoms, quality-of-life (QOL) and biochemical parameters including treadmill and Doppler echocardiography. Study design: Phase IV post-marketing/surveillance study. Material and methods: Thirty-five subjects with prehypertension and hypertension (Stage 1 and Stage 2), attending the OPDs and camps of Heart Care Foundation of India were enrolled for the nonplacebo-controlled prospective study. The subjects were given homeopathic combination BPA (study drug) in liquid dosage for 12 weeks. Baseline clinical and biochemical parameters, treadmill test and Doppler echocardiogram were compared with the same parameters at the end of 12 weeks. Sixteen subjects completed the study. Results: There was a mean fall in systolic BP (SBP) of 15.75 mmHg and mean fall in diastolic BP (DBP) of 10.31 mmHg without any side effects. This significant decline in BP was evident from 4th week onwards. There was an appreciable increase in the exercise tolerance as evident by the 8.6% increase in metabolic equivalents (METs) and 8.2% increase in exercise time. No significant changes were observed in systolic or diastolic function parameters on Doppler echocardiography at three months. There was decrease in blood sugar from 96.5 ± 13.938 at baseline to 92.56 ±12.329 at 12 weeks (p = 0.046). Serum uric acid levels also decreased from 5.681 ± 0.8998 at baseline to 6.031 ± 0.8822 at 12 weeks (p = 0.053) suggesting a beneficial effect of the combination on insulin resistance (IR). There were positive changes in the QOL as assessed by SF36 Questionnaire. The average Rand score improved from 54.53 ± 21.9991 to 77.55 ± 10.493 at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). All data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the study drug can be safely used as monotherapy in patients with prehypertension or hypertension with no complications.

Evaluation of blood Bisphenol A contents: a case study / Evaluación de las concentraciones de Bisfenol A en la sangre: estudio de caso

OBJECTIVE: It has been recently reported that Bisphenol A (BPA) may leach out into food, beverages and water samples from the plastic ware in which it is stored. Serious health hazards have been reported from BPA. The purpose of this study is to assess the BPA contents in blood and to assess the risk of cancer. METHOD: A total of 100 individuals were selected for study according to the following five age groups: 5-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years. They were then further divided into normal and diseased. Age, gender, education, source of drinking water, type of food, smoking habit, any exposure to chemicals and history of cancer were elicited during interview. Blood samples were collected and processed for analysis using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) in isocratic mode. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (1:1) at a flow-rate of 1 ml min-1. RESULTS: Bisphenol A contents found in blood samples of all age groups ranged from 1.53-3.98 (mean = 2.94, SD = 0.9). P-values, for the exposed people and those having a history of cancer, were < 0.05 showing a significant relationship between BPA and cancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has established a reference dose of 50 µg/L. Odd ratios and relative risk for smoking habit were < 1 while for all others they were > 1. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the study that people using bottled water, packaged food, having a history ofcancer and who had been exposed to any type ofchemicals are at higher risk ofdisease.

OBJETIVO: Se ha reportado recientemente que el bisfenol A (BPA) puede filtrarse a alimentos, bebidas y agua, a partir de los recipientes plásticos en que aquellos se almacenan. En tal sentido, se han reportado serios casos de riesgo para la salud a causa del BPA. El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la concentración de BPA en sangre, y el consiguiente riesgo de enfermedades cancerosas. MÉTODO: Un total de 100 individuos fueron seleccionados para el estudio, de acuerdo con los siguientes cinco grupos etarios: 5-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40 y 41-50 años. Dichos grupos fueron divididos entonces sobre la base de sujetos normales frente a enfermos. En la entrevista se tomó nota de la edad, el género, la educación, la fuente de agua potable, el tipo de comida, el hábito de fumar, cualquier exposición a productos químicos, así como la historia de cáncer. Las muestras de sangre fueron recogidas y procesadas para realizar análisis, utilizando cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia de fase reversa (rp-HPLC) en modo isocrático. La fase móvil consistió en acetonitrilo y agua (1:1) con una tasa de flujo de 1 ml min-1. RESULTADOS: Las concentraciones de bisfenol-A halladas en las muestras de sangre de todos los grupos etarios, oscilaron de 1.53 - 3.98 (M = 2.94, SD = 0.9). Los valores P para las personas expuestas y con una historia de cáncer, fueron < 0.05, indicando una relación directa entre el BPA y el cáncer. La Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos (US EPA) ha establecido una dosis de referencia de 50 µg/L. El cociente de probabilidades (odd ratios) y el riesgo relativo con respecto al hábito de fumar fueron < 1 mientras que para todos los otros casos otros fueron >1. CONCLUSIÓN: A partir del estudio se concluye que las personas que usan agua embotellada, alimentos empaquetados, así como las personas que poseen una historia de cáncer, y los individuos que habían estado expuestos a cualquier tipo de productos químicos, presentan un mayor riesgo de enfermedad.

Acute toxicity of Bisphenol A in rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic compound, is used in manufacturing plastics and is known to produce toxic effects on various systems in man and animals. Since the use of plastics in day-to-day life is increasing, exposure to BPA will also increase. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of BPA via intraperitoneal and intravenous route in adult rats (by Dixon’s up and down method) and also to know the acute systemic changes (in blood pressure, respiration and ECG) produced by lethal dose of BPA. Adult female albino rats of Charles Foster strain were used in the study. LD50 of BPA was 841 and 35.26 mg/kg body weight for ip and iv route, respectively. Injection of lethal dose of BPA (40 mg/kg body weight) produced acute toxicity manifesting as immediate respiratory arrest and hypotension after the injection of BPA followed by bradycardia. The animals died within 7.3 ± 0.7 min. Volume of ethanol (vehicle; 0.1 mL) present in the lethal dose of BPA was not lethal and had no effect on respiration, blood pressure and heart rate. The results provide evidence that the acute exposure to BPA produces lethality with a very narrow range of lethal and survival dose for iv route. Further, the lethality appears to be due to respiratory arrest and hypotension.

Bisphenol a (BPA): Emerging concerns about a supposedly safe chemical.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics, the resin of cans and other products with global capacity in excess of 6.4 billion pounds per year. Because ester bonds in these BPA based polymers are subjected to hydrolysis, leaching of BPA can lead to widespread human exposure. A recent report prepared by Harvard Center for Risk and funded by the American Plastic Council concluded that evidence for low dose effect of BPA is weak on the basis of a review of only 19 studies; the report was issued after a delay of 2.5 years. A current comprehensive literature review reveals that the opposite is true. As of December 2004, there were 115 published in vivo studies of low dose effect of BPA, and 94 of these report significant effects. In 31 publications of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, significant effect occurred below the predicted “safe” or Reference 50 microgram/kg/day BPA. An oestrogenic mode of action of BPA is confirmed by an in vitro study which describes disruption of cell function at .23ppt. Nonetheless, chemical manufacturers continue to discount these published findings, because no industryfunded reports have reported significant effects of low doses of BPA, although more than 90% of Governmentfunded reports have noted significant effects.

Biogeographic analysis of Crocidiinae (Diptera, Bombyliidae): finding congruence among morphological, molecular, fossil and paleogeographical data

Biogeographic studies dealing with Bombyliidae are rare in the literature and no information is available on its origin and early diversification. In this study, we found evidence from molecular phylogeny and from fossil record supporting a Middle Jurassic origin of the Bombylioidea, taken as a starting point to discuss the biogeography and diversification of Crocidiinae. Based on a previously published phylogenetic hypothesis, we performed a Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) to discuss the biogeographical history of Crocidiinae lineages. This subfamily is mostly distributed over arid areas of the early components of the Gondwanaland: Chile and southern Africa, but also in southwestern Palaearctic and southwestern Nearctic. The vicariant events affecting the Crocidiinae biogeography at the generic level seems to be related to the sequential separation of a Laurasian clade from a Gondwanan clade followed by the splitting of the latter into smaller components. This also leads to a hypothesis of origin of the Crocidiinae in the Middle Jurassic, the same period in which other bombyliid lineages are supposed to have arisen and irradiated.

Estudos biogeográficos sobre os Bombyliidae são raros na literatura e não há nenhuma informação sobre sua origem e diversificação inicial. Neste estudo encontramos evidências de filogenias moleculares e de registros fósseis suportando a origem dos Bombylioidea no Jurássico Médio. Esse é o nosso ponto de partida para discutir a biogeografia e diversificação de Crocidiinae. A partir de uma hipótese filogenética previamente publicada, realizamos uma Análise de Parcimônia de Brooks (BPA) para discutir a história biogeográfica das linhagens de Crocidiinae. Esta subfamília está distribuída principalmente por áreas áridas dos antigos componentes do supercontinente gondwanico: Chile e Sul da África, além do sudoeste da região Paleártica e sudoeste da região Neártica. Os eventos vicariantes que afetaram a biogeografia de Crocidiinae ao nível genérico parecem ser a separação seqüencial de um clado laurásico e um clado gondwanico, seguido da divisão deste em seus componentes menores. Com base nesses eventos, a origem dos Crocidiinae pode ser inferida para o Jurássico Médio, mesmo período em que outras linhagens de Bombyliidae teriam surgido e irradiado.

STUDY FOR REGULATION OF MOUSE ERYTHROPOIESIS BY SUPERNATANTS OF CULTURED PERITONEAL MACROPHAGE / 重庆医科大学学报

The effect of cultured supernatants of non-stimulated and LPS-induced peritoneal macrophages on erythropoiesis in C57BL/6J mice was studied by using the techniques of culture of hemopoietic progenitor cells in vitro. Our results indicate that(l)BFU-E growth is enhanced significantly after addition of either non-stimulated or LPS-induced supernatants of peritoneal macrophages; (2) the supernatants present positive and negative feedback control on CFU-E, growth-low concentration supernatants stimulate CFU-E and high concentration supernatants present inhibition; (3) the LPS-induced supernatants of peritoneal macrophage show stronger activities than non-stimulated supernatants to the proliteration of both BFU-E and CFU-E and(4)the supernatants of the cultured peritoneal macrophage may contain EPO-like, BPA-like stimulating activities, which regulate the proliferation of both BFU-E and CFU-E

Modelo do faturamento SUS nos hospitais sob gestão da Autarquia Hospitalar Municipal da cidade de São Paulo

Trata-se de um relato de experiencia, cujo objetivo é descrever a experiencia da utilização do modelo do faturamento SUS nos hospitais...