Boron and Coumaphos Residues in Hive Materials Following Treatments for the Control of Aethina tumida Murray.

In the search of alternatives for controlling Aethina tumida Murray, we recently proposed the BAA trap which uses boric acid and an attractant which mimics the process of fermentation caused by Kodamaea ohmeri in the hive. This yeast is excreted in the feces of A. tumida causing the fermentation of pollen and honey of infested hives and releasing compounds that function as aggregation pheromones to A. tumida. Since the boron is the toxic element in boric acid, the aim of this article is to assess the amount of boron residues in honey and beeswax from hives treated with the BAA trap. For this aim, the amount of bioaccumulated boron in products of untreated hives was first determined and then compared with the amount of boron of products from hives treated with the BAA trap in two distinct climatic and soil conditions. The study was conducted in the cities of Padilla, Tamaulipas, and Valladolid, Yucatan (Mexico) from August 2014 to March 2015. The quantity of boron in honey was significantly less in Yucatan than in Tamaulipas; this agrees with the boron deficiency among Luvisol and Leptosol soils found in Yucatan compared to the Vertisol soil found in Tamaulipas. In fact, the honey from Yucatan has lower boron levels than those reported in the literature. The BAA treatment was applied for four months, results show that the BAA trap does not have any residual effect in either honey or wax; i.e., there is no significant difference in boron content before and after treatment. On the other hand, the organophosphate pesticide coumaphos was found in 100% of wax samples and in 64% of honey samples collected from Yucatan. The concentration of coumaphos in honey ranges from 0.005 to 0.040 mg/kg, which are below Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) allowed in the European Union (0.1 mg/kg) but 7.14% of samples exceeded the MRL allowed in Canada (0.02 mg/kg).

Effects of boron supplementation on the severity and duration of pain in primary dysmenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstrual cramps without pelvic pathology. The condition is highly prevalent among women and exerts negative effects on their quality of life. Considering the evidence for anti-inflammatory properties of Boron, the present study aimed to determine the effects of Boron supplementation on the severity and duration of menstrual pain in female university students. METHODS: This triple-blind randomized clinical trial study recruited 113 university students. The participants were matched for the severity and duration of dysmenorrhea and randomly allocated into the case and control groups (n = 58 and 55, respectively). The case group consumed 10 mg/day Boron from two days before the menstrual flow until its third day. The control group received placebo capsules (similar to those distributed among the cases). All subjects were asked to take the capsules for two consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain severity (measured on a visual analog scale) and duration (in hours) were measured at baseline and during the two cycles. RESULTS: The two groups had no significant differences in the severity and duration of pain at baseline. After the intervention, however, the severity and duration of pain were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, Boron supplementation can reduce the severity and duration of menstrual pain through exerting anti-inflammatory effects. In order to clarify the effects of Boron on dysmenorrhea, future studies are required to measure the levels of hormones and inflammatory biomarkers.

Estudio histológico de los órganos reproductivos del ratón macho CF1 tratado con boro / Histological study on the male reproductive organs of mouse CF1 treated with boron

Boric acid and borate are abundant in the nature and widely used in industrial, agricultural and cosmetology applications. However it is informed as toxic in a high dose. Residents of Arica-Chile with boron-rich geology deposits are regularly exposed to higher levels in drinking water in concentrations of 6. 0 and 12.0 mg/L. The objective of this study was to analyze the damage in the masculine reproductive apparatus of mouse CF1, exposed to boric acid in concentrations of 0.54; 2.0-6.0 and 12.0 mg/L, after 60 days of treatment. Male gonad segments were fixed in Bouin's solution for 6 hours and embedded in paraffin, longitudinal sections (5 mm) were processed for histology using the hematoxyline/eosin method. The results observed in treated animals indicate a significant increase in the weight, volume and size of testicles and seminal vesicles. The histological analysis of testicle shows in treated an epithelium notoriously altered with vacuohzations, scarce gonias and few spermatids. Gonias present picnoticals nuclei, suggesting apoptosis. In conclusion boron in high dose produces important cytotoxics effects, with degeneration of epithelium of seminiferous tubules, possibly inhibiting the spermiation, causing testicular hypertrophy, altering the masculine reproductive patterns and a reduction in fertility of mice CF1.

El ácido bórico y el borato son abundantes en la naturaleza y con amplio uso industrial, agrícola y cosmetológico. Sin embargo, se informa como tóxico en alta dosis. Residentes de la ciudad de Arica-Chile, están expuestos a altos niveles de boro presente en el agua potable, con concentraciones 6.0 y 12.0 mg/1. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el daño en el sistema reproductivo masculino del ratón CF1, expuesto a ácido bórico en concentraciones de 0.54; 2.0-6.0 y 12.0 mg/1, por un período de 60 días de tratamiento. Los segmentos masculinos de las gónadas fueron fijados en solución de Bouin por 6 horas e incluidos en parafina, secciones longitudinales (5 /aa) fueron procesadas para histología usando el método hematoxilina/eosina. Los resultados observados en animales tratados indican un aumento significativo en el peso, el volumen y el tamaño de testículos y de vesículas seminales. El análisis histológico de testículo de individuos tratados, muestra un epitelio alterado con vacuolizaciones, escasas gomas y pocas espermátidas. Gonias presentan núcleos picnóticos, sugiriendo apoptosis. En conclusión el boro en alta dosis produce efectos citotóxicos importantes, con degeneración de epitelio de túbulos seminíferos, posiblemente inhibiendo la espermiación, causando hipertrofia testicular, alterando los patrones reproductivos masculinos y una reducción en la fertilidad de los ratones CF1.

Tissue uptake of BSH in patients with glioblastoma in the EORTC 11961 phase I BNCT trial.

PURPOSE: The uptake of the boron compound Na2B12H10-SH (BSH) in tumor and normal tissues was investigated in the frame of the EORTC phase I trial 'Postoperative treatment of glioblastoma with BNCT at the Petten Irradiation Facility' (protocol 11961). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The boron concentration in blood, tumor, normal brain, dura, muscle, skin and bone was detected using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy in 13 evaluable patients. In a first group of 10 patients 100 mg BSH/kg bodyweight (BW) were administered; a second group of 3 patients received 22.9 mg BSH/kg BW. The toxicity due to BSH was evaluated. RESULTS: The average boron concentration in the tumor was 19.9 +/- 9.1 ppm (1 standard deviation (SD)) in the high dose group and 9.8 +/- 3.3 ppm in the low dose group, the tumor/blood ratios were 0.6 +/- 0.2 and 0.9 +/- 0.2, respectively. The highest boron uptake has been detected in the dura, very low uptake was found in the bone, the cerebro-spinal fluid and especially in the brain (brain/blood ratio 0.2 +/- 0.02 and 0.4 +/- 0.2). No toxicity was detected except flush-like symptoms in 2 cases during a BSH infusion at a much higher speed than prescribed. CONCLUSION: BSH proved to be safe for clinical application at a dose of 100 mg BSH/kg infused and at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg/min. The study underlines the importance of a further investigation of BSH uptake in order to obtain enough data for significant statistical analysis. The boron concentration in blood seems to be a quite reliable parameter to predict the boron concentration in other tissues.

The nutritional and metabolic effects of boron in humans and animals.

We have undertaken studies in humans and animals that aimed to obtain further information about the intake and excretion of boron (B) as well as its effects on markers of coronary heart disease. In humans, we have shown that the intake of B is 2.2 mg/d; its urinary excretion is 1.9 mg/d, and there appears to be little intraindividual variation. Supplementation with 10 mg of B/d resulted in the recovery of 84% of the dose in the urine and a significant increase in plasma estradiol concentration, but no effect on plasma lipoproteins. In rats, increasing the intake of B through the drinking water is reflected in the tissue concentrations, results in an increase in plasma testosterone and vitamin D, and results in a decrease in HDL cholesterol. It is clear that B has the potential to impact significantly on a number of metabolic processes.

Impairment of growth and immune function of avocet chicks from sites with elevated selenium, arsenic, and boron.

Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) hatched from eggs collected from the south Central Valley of California (USA) were studied to determine the impact of elevated concentrations of selenium, arsenic, and boron on the immune system and growth to maturity. Corcoran ponds were the reference site with low selenium (1.2 ppb) and arsenic (29 ppb) (boron not measured). Westfarmers Pond had elevated concentrations of selenium (319 ppb), arsenic (127 ppb), and boron (109 ppm). Pryse ponds also had elevated selenium, arsenic, and boron concentrations (13.9 ppb, 1,100 ppb, and 29.4 ppm, respectively). Size at hatch was significantly reduced (P < or = 0.05) in birds from Westfarmers and Pryse ponds. The growth rate was faster, but mean adult size was reduced in birds from Pryse ponds. Avocet chicks from Pryse and Westfarmers ponds exposed solely through in ovo transfer of these elements had significantly increased heterophil:lymphocyte ratios. The phagocytic activity of macrophages also was significantly reduced in these birds, and Pryse Pond birds had an increased proliferative ability of lymphocytes in the presence of concanavalin A, a T-cell mitogen. Avocet chicks (< or = 5 wk old) were captured from the various ponds and the same morphometric and immune function measurements made. The birds that were most severely impacted by exposure to these compounds were those that were collected from Pryse ponds.

Occupational lung diseases in the industrializing and industrialized world due to modern industries and modern pollutants.

Although most new 'high tech' industrial processes are developed in industrialized countries, many of these technologies are eventually transferred to the industrializing countries. Many of these new technologies are associated with the use of respiratory toxins. However, there has been little study of acute or chronic health effects of work in these industries. The semiconductor industry illustrates many of these issues. The past decade has been increasing globalization of semiconductor manufacturing. Semiconductor manufacturing uses many chemicals with extremely high respiratory toxicity, including gases such as arsine and phosphine, strong acids and bases, dopants and photoactive chemicals. In semiconductor manufacturing, gases and chemicals are strictly controlled, but little is known about the occurrence of respiratory symptoms or disease in this industry. Potential acute respiratory effects of these exposures include mucous membrane irritation, tracheobronchitis, pulmonary edema and death. Chronic effects may include airway sensitization and possibly respiratory cancer. Movement of 'high tech' industries to less industrialized countries may not be accompanied by the same degree of attention to the control of workplace exposures. The shortage of adequately trained health and safety personnel, greater attention to safety than to health issues, and the unorganized and unskilled workforce in industrializing countries may exacerbate this situation. More research is needed on the health effects of exposures in rapidly changing industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, and the results of this research must be communicated and safe practices implemented worldwide.

Tissue disposition of boron in male Fischer rats.

Boric acid (H3BO3), an inorganic acid with widespread commercial use and consumer exposure, impairs fertility in male rodents at dose levels lower than those required to cause other adverse effects. Previous studies found a testicular lesion in adult Fischer rats fed 9000 ppm boric acid (1575 ppm boron) and slightly reduced basal serum testosterone levels. A CNS-mediated hormonal component to this lesion was suggested. Detailed data on the tissue disposition of boron in the rat, including accessory sex organs and the brain, are lacking. This study examined the tissue disposition of boron in reproductive, accessory sex organs, and other selected tissues in adult male Fischer rats fed 9000 ppm boric acid to determine if selective accumulation of boron in reproductive tissues, accessory sex organs, and/or the brain might correlate with and explain the apparent selective testicular toxicity. Adult male Fischer rats were fed 9000 ppm boric acid for up to 7 days. Animals were killed at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days after the start of exposure. Plasma and excised tissues were heat-digested in acid and analyzed for boron by inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometry (ICAP). With the exception of adrenal glands, control boron levels in all tissues examined were below 4 micrograms/g. There was a rapid increase in plasma and tissue boron 1 day after the start of exposure (range 2- to 20-fold), with the exception of adipose tissue. With the exception of bone and adipose tissue, all soft tissues examined, including the testis, epididymis, accessory sex organs, hypothalamus, and rest of brain, appeared to reach steady-state boron levels (range 12-30 micrograms/g) by 3-4 days. Bone boron levels continued to increase up to the termination at 7 days (40-50 micrograms/g by Day 7). Bone attained the greatest concentration of boron (2- to 3-fold over plasma levels) while levels in adipose tissue were 20% of plasma levels during the 7-day exposure period. All other tissues appeared to show no appreciable accumulation of boron over plasma levels. The data suggest that neither the apparent selective testicular toxicity nor the slight CNS hormonal effect associated with boric acid exposure can be explained on the basis of selective accumulation of boron in the testis or brain/hypothalamus, respectively. Thus, the testicular toxicity is likely the result of certain biological processes that are unique to the testis and which are targets of boron exposure.