Transformation of Cells by Photoinactivated Murine Gamma-Herpesvirus 68 during Nonproductive and Quiescent Infection.

Infection of human MRC-5 cells and mouse NIH-3T3 cells with a murine gamma-herpesvirus (MuHV-4 strain 68; MHV-68) photoinactivated by visible light in the presence of methylene blue (MB) resulted in nonproductive infection and the appearance of morphologically transformed cells. Two stably transformed cell lines were derived from both of these cell types and were confirmed to contain both viral DNA and antigen. Next, a quiescent MHV-68 infection in MRC-5 and NIH-3T3 cells was established after cultivation at 41°C in the presence of phosphonoacetic acid. Following the exposure of quiescently infected cells to visible light for 120 s (5 times daily for 6 days) in the presence of MB, both MRC-5 and NIH-3T3 cells were observed to acquire transformed phenotypes. The cytopathic effect was observed in cells after 4-5 passages, after which the cells degenerated. However, when human interferon (IFN)-α and mouse IFN-ß were added to the media of quiescently infected MRC-5 and NIH-3T3 cells during the photoinactivating procedure, 2 stable transformed cell lines containing both viral DNA and the antigen were obtained and resembled those attained following nonproductive infection with photoinactivated virus.

Zerovalent iron and iron(VI): Effective means for the removal of psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewaters.

Herein we report the analysis of 27 selected psychoactive compounds found in the wastewater of the largest suburb in the eastern part of Central Europe Bratislava­Petrzalka, Slovakia. Thirteen of them (MDMA, methamphetamine, amphetamine, THC-COOH, benzoylecgonine, codeine, tramadol, venlafaxine, oxazepam, citalopram, methadone, EDDP, cocaine) were found in concentrations above 30 ng/L. These compoundswere selected for further monitoring. The possibility of complete degradation of these 13 substances by zerovalent iron and iron(VI) was studied in thewastewater from the Petrzalka treatment plant. During the week the concentration of themajority of the studied compounds inwastewaterwas stable. Concentrations of MDMA, cocaine, tramadol, and oxazepam reached significantly higher levels during the weekend.Only about 10% removal efficiency for tramadol, venlafaxine, oxazepam, MDMA, citalopram, methadone, and EDDP was observed at the treatment plant. In contrast, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and codeine were removed with 68%, 83%, and 53% efficiency, respectively. The degradation of synthetic drugs (methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA) in wastewater is limited, while cannabis (of natural biological origin) is degradedwith efficiency greater than 90%. After utilization of the Fenton reaction, its modification, and use of ferrate(VI), a high efficiency of eliminating all of these substances to values below the limit of detection was achieved.

Photophysical and antibacterial properties of complex systems based on smectite, a cationic surfactant and methylene blue.

Solid or colloidal materials with embedded photosensitizers are promising agents from the medical or environmental perspective, where the direct use of photoactive solutions appears to be problematic. Colloids based on layered silicates of the saponite (Sap) and montmorillonite (Mon) type, including those modified with dodecylammonium cations (C12) and photosensitizer--methylene blue (MB) were studied. Two representatives of bacteria, namely Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli, were selected for this work. A spectral study showed that MB solutions and also colloids with Sap including C12 exhibited the highest photoactivities. The antimicrobial properties of the smectite colloids were not directly linked to the photoactivity of the adsorbed MB cations. They were also influenced by other parameters, such as light vs. dark conditions, the spectrum, power and duration of the light used for the irradiation; growth phases, and the pre-treatment of microorganisms. Both the photoactivity and antimicrobial properties of the colloids were improved upon pre-modification with C12. Significantly higher antimicrobial properties were observed for the colloids based on Mon with MB in the form of molecular aggregates without significant photoactivities. The MB/Mon colloids, both modified and non-modified with C12 cations, exhibited higher antimicrobial effects than pure MB solution. Besides the direct effect of photosensitization, the surface properties of the silicate particles likely played a crucial role in the interactions with microorganisms.