The effect of #enhancement-free Instagram images and hashtags on women's body image.

Instagram is a popular social networking site where users can post and share photos. One increasing trend on the site is the posting of natural and unaltered images. The present study aimed to experimentally investigate the effect of enhancement-free (i.e., no makeup, no digital alteration) Instagram images and their accompanying hashtags on women's body image. Participants were 204 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images: standard (i.e., idealised) images, enhancement-free images, or the same set of enhancement-free images with hashtags indicating their enhancement-free nature. As predicted, exposure to enhancement-free images resulted in significantly lower facial dissatisfaction than exposure to the standard images. However, the addition of hashtags resulted in significantly greater facial dissatisfaction than the same enhancement-free images with no hashtags. There were no significant effects for body dissatisfaction. Effects on facial dissatisfaction were moderated by self-photo manipulation, whereby the difference between standard and enhancement-free images was greater for women who digitally manipulate their own photos. Overall, the findings suggest that, under some conditions, enhancement-free images have the potential to protect Instagram users against appearance concerns.

Quantitative solid phase microextraction - gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of the pesticides lindane, heptachlor and two heptachlor transformation products in groundwater.

This paper describes the development and validation of a method for the determination of lindane, heptachlor and two heptachlor transformation products (exo- and endo-heptachlor epoxide) in groundwater. Samples were extracted using a simple solid phase microextraction (SPME) method with a polyacrylate fibre prior to detection by gas chromatography mass spectrometry in electron impact ionisation mode (GC-EI-MS). The linearity of the method ranged from 0.015 to 5.0 µg L(-1), with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. Recoveries ranged from 96 to 101% at several fortification levels with all coefficients of variation (CV%) less than 10.5%. The method was validated to the permitted limits laid down in the European Union drinking water directive (98/83/EC). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.015 µg L(-1) in groundwater samples. Samples had to be analysed within 24h of collection otherwise degradation occurred and disposable SPME polyacrylate fibres lasted up to 51 injections. Both endo-heptachlor epoxide and lindane were detected in groundwater samples with concentrations ranging between 0.033 and 0.048 µg L(-1).

Effects of photoisomers of cyclodiene insecticides on liver and microsomal cytochrome P450 in rats.

Threshold dosages of the photoisomers of cyclodiene insecticides, namely photochlordane, photodieldrin, and photoheptachlor, for the induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) and liver hypertrophy in male rats were at least one-quarter of those reported for corresponding parent cyclodienes. Maximum increase in total P450 concentration (30%) and demethylases activities (100%) was always respectively one-third or one-tenth of that reported for parent cyclodienes. The P450 isozymic form induced by photoheptachlor resembled that induced by pentobarbital (P4502B1) in its substrate specificity, spectral characteristics, and electrophoretic mobility. The induction of P450 was initially followed by hepatic hypertrophy. However, higher dosages of photoisomers caused wasting and lowered both the liver weight and the activity of aniline hydroxylase while those of mirex and endrin, which also caused wasting and lowered aniline hydroxylase activity, continued causing further hepatic hypertrophy.

Organochlorine compounds in human adipose tissue from north Texas.

This paper reports a preliminary study that was conducted to determine the concentrations of organochlorine compounds in the adipose tissue of residents of North Texas. Thirty-five human adipose tissue samples were obtained during autopsy between 1987 and 1988 from persons who had no known occupational exposure to organochlorine pesticides. These samples were analyzed by electron-capture gas chromatographic methods for the presence of beta-benzene hexachloride, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, oxychlordane, and heptachlor epoxide. The findings indicate greater than 97% occurrence for each compound with the exception of o,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDT, each of which occurred in 54% of the population sampled. Statistical analyses of the data showed strong positive correlations between adipose tissue concentrations and age for oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and total DDT (the normalized sum of DDT and its analogues) (p less than or equal to .05). Statistically significant differences (p less than or equal to .05) in geometric mean concentrations between all age groups were found for total DDT and p,p'-DDE. However, the group means comparison test was only significantly different between the 41-60 yr and 61 and over age groups for p,p'-DDT, oxychlordane, and heptachlor epoxide. No statistically significant difference was found between sexes in this study. The geometric means of pesticide concentrations in adipose tissue were compared with those reported in previous U.S. Environmental Protection Agency surveys for the general population. This comparison clearly indicates a declining temporal trend in environmental exposure for banned DDT analogues; however, a consistent temporal trend exists for oxychlordane and heptachlor epoxide--pesticides whose uses are currently restricted but not proscribed.

Residues in beef cattle accidentally exposed to commercial heptachlor.

The changes in concentration of heptachlor epoxide (HCE) and oxychlordane (OCD) were studied in the tissues of beef cattle that had previously grazed pasture contaminated with commercial heptachlor. In 25 cows and heifers monitored over 488 days, the mean concentration of HCE decreased from 22.0 to 0.08 mg/kg and of OCD from 5.68 to 0.18 mg/kg. The respective half-lives were estimated to be 66 and 92 days. In a controlled feeding experiment, nine steers were subjected to one of three dietary regimes; a high plane of nutrition for 81 days then a low plane for 140 days; a moderate plane of nutrition for the total period; and a low plane of nutrition for 81 days then a high plane for 140 days. Approximately five months later similar treatments were applied for 101 and 94 days. The rate of decline of HCE and OCD was consistently greatest in animals on the high plane of nutrition and lowest in those on the low plane. Lactation did not appear to have a major effect on the rate of decline in the tissue concentrations of these compounds. No significant (P greater than 0.05) relationships were found between the concentrations of HCE or OCD in the subcutaneous fat and either milk or blood at any stage of the experiment. At slaughter, from 18 to 24 months after the commencement of the experiments, significant correlations (P less than 0.05) were found among concentrations of HCE and OCD in subcutaneous fat, renal fat and fat from the bone marrow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Contamination of game in Schleswig-Holstein. 2. Residues of dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide and other cyclodiene insecticides in the liver fat of hares (Lepus europaeus L.)]. / Schadstoffbelastung von Wild aus Schleswig-Holstein. 2. Mitteilung: Rückstände von Dieldrin, Heptachlorepoxid und anderen Cyclodien-Insecticiden im Leberfett von Hasen (Lepus europaeus L.).

Increased levels of Dieldrin (0.01-2.94 mg/kg fat, median mean = 0.38 mg/kg fat) and cis-Heptachlor Epoxide (less than 0.01-1.38 mg/kg fat, mean = 0.20 mg/kg fat) were determined by GC/ECD in liver fat of 199 hares (Lepus europaeus L.) from Schleswig-Holstein, North Germany. This investigation was carried out within the scope of a game investigation program. The dependence of these residues on endogenous and exogenous factors are discussed. Oxychlordane and trans-Nonachlor, residues of Chlordane, were also analysed in liver fat by GC/MS. The application of the cyclodiene insecticides Aldrin/Dieldrin, Heptachlor and Chlordane has been prohibited in West Germany for several years; the residues indicate the high soil persistence of these substances.

Carcinogenicity of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide.

Heptachlor and its metabolite heptachlor epoxide are unequivocally carcinogenic in rats and mice. The chemicals induced carcinomas of the liver, which were highly significant. There were neoplasms at other sites in rats. Neoplasms at all sites, as well as malignant tumors, were increased in heptachlor-treated male rats. There were similar increases in benign and malignant neoplasms of endocrine organs, particularly in female rats. Neoplasms of the thyroid and pituitary were increased in male rats and neoplasms of the reproductive system, including the ovary and uterus, in female rats given heptachlor. Mice also developed hepatic vein thrombosis and thrombosis of the atria of the heart. Nephritis, myocarditis, encephalitis, hepatitis, polyarteritis and atrophy of the testes were observed in rats.

Residues in cattle grazed on land contaminated with heptachlor.

Heptachlor epoxide residues exceeding the maximum residue limit of 0.2 mg/kg have been found in fat of cattle grazed on land previously treated with heptachlor prior to planting potatoes or maize. To determine the residues accumulated in cattle exposed to contaminated land and the rate of decline on removal from the contamination, steers were grazed on a former potato paddock which had been treated the 2 previous years with heptachlor at 1.1 kg/ha. Soil residues in the paddock varied from a total of 0.42 mg/kg heptachlor and its epoxide at the beginning of the trial to 0.31 mg/kg after 16 months. Residues in the soil decreased only slightly down to a depth of 300 mm. Pasture residues were less than 0.02 mg/kg (wet basis). Heptachlor epoxide residues in the body fat of the steers increased during 19 months of exposure and reached a maximum of 0.72 mg/kg. In 4 steers removed after 14 weeks exposure, the heptachlor epoxide concentrations continued to increase from a mean of 0.24 mg/kg to a mean of 0.34 mg/kg after a further 4 weeks. Concentrations then fell progressively with a half life of 11 weeks in the body fat. There was an apparent relationship between pasture length and body fat residue, with residues increasing as pasture length decreased. The results of the experiments preclude the option of grazing cattle on pasture grown on soil treated with heptachlor for any extended period of time. It is possible that if short pastures and soft soil are avoided, and if cattle are not exposed to contaminated land for any more than 1 week in each month, then residues would remain below the maximum residue limit of 0.2mg/kg heptachlor.

Evidence for similarities between cyclodiene type insecticides and picrotoxinin in their action mechanisms.

Evidence has been obtained to indicate that cyclodiene-type insecticides, e.g., heptachlor epoxide and gamma-BHC, mimic the action of picrotoxinin. These insecticides inhibit the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-stimulated chloride uptake in the coxal muscle of the American cockroach, and directly compete against [3H]a-dihydropicrotoxinin for binding in the rat brain synaptosomes. Moreover, several cyclodiene-resistant insect strains are also resistant to picrotoxinin. This cross-resistance is specific to picrotoxinin and does not extend to other neuroexcitants. These insecticides, like picrotoxinin, cause central nerve excitation by stimulating transmitter release. Similarity in molecular structures also has been pointed out. These results indicate that some of the nerve excitation symptoms that insecticides cause are likely due to their interaction with picrotoxinin receptor.

Heptachlor epoxide in marine mammals.

The presence of heptachlor epoxide in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) has been confirmed by chemical derivatization and mass spectrometric analyses. An unknown compound at a retention time close to half of heptachlor epoxide interfered in the determination by electron capture detector-gas chromatography. On a WCOT CP-Sil 7 column programmed from 85 to 175 degree C two poorly separated peaks could be detected. Heptachlor epoxide contents up to 1.7 mg/kg (on a fat basis) were obtained, which were about 200 times lower than the PCB levels. The same ratio was also observed in fish from the same area.

Insecticide poisoning of peafowls and lead poisoning in a cockatoo.

The deaths of peafowls and a cockatoo were respectively traced to insecticide and lead toxicities. The specific insecticide could not be identified but was demonstrated in the liver by use of fruit flies. The liver of the cockatoo contained 7.1 ppm of lead. The source was presumably a plastic feeder painted with a leaded paint.

Confirming heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide in food samples by gas-liquid chromatography of their photoderivates.

The food sample extract is cleaned up on a Florisil column and the 6% ethyl ether in petroleum ether cluate is subjected to repeated concentrations, using a micro-Snyder column, to expel volatile materials that absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. The sample and standard solutions of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide are placed in quartz cells and exposed to UV radiation in the dark. Characteristic photoderivatives of the respective pesticides which form in the sample extract are identified and measured by comparison with those formed in the irradiated standard solutions, using electron capture gas-liquid chromatography. Recoveries of the 2 pesticides from 13 products, fortified at levels from 0.01 to 0.3 ppm and determined after derivatization, ranged from 67 to 110%.

Dominant lethal studies with technical chlordane, HCS-3260, and heptachlor: heptachlor epoxide.

Male albino mice in groups of eight were each given single doses, either by gavage or by intraperitoneal injection, of either technical chlordane (50 or 100 mg/kg), HCS-3260 (50 or 100 mg/kg), or heptachlor:heptachlor epoxide (25:75) (7.5 or 15 mg/kg). The males were subsequently mated with three untreated females for six consecutive weeks. No dominant lethal changes among females that had mated with the treated males were produced.

Histopathology of carcinomas of the liver in mice ingesting heptachlor or heptachlor epoxide.

C3H male and female mice, ingesting 10 ppm of the pesticides heptachlor or heptachlor epoxide in the diet, developed highly significant incidences of carcinomas of the liver. The carcinomas varied from well-differentiated to poorly differentiated and undifferentiated and were capable of invasion and metastasis.