Review and prospect of emerging contaminants in waste--key issues and challenges linked to their presence in waste treatment schemes: general aspects and focus on nanoparticles.

The presence in waste of emerging pollutants (EPs), whose behaviours and effects are not well understood, may present unexpected health and environmental risks and risks for the treatment processes themselves. EP may include substances that are newly detected in the environment, substances already identified as risky and whose use in items is prohibited (but which may be present in old or imported product waste) or substances already known but whose recent use in products can cause problems during their future treatment as waste. Several scientific studies have been conducted to assess the presence of EP in waste, but they are mostly dedicated to a single category of substance or one particular waste treatment. In the absence of a comprehensive review focused on the impact of the presence of EP on waste treatment schemes, the authors present a review of the key issues associated with the treatment of waste containing emerging pollutants. This review presents the typologies of emerging pollutants that are potentially present in waste along with the major challenges for each treatment scheme (recycling, composting, digestion, incineration, landfilling and wastewater treatment). All conventional treatment processes are affected by these new pollutants, and they were almost never originally designed to consider these substances. In addition to these general aspects, a comprehensive review of available data, projects and future R&D needs related to the impact of nanoparticles on waste treatment is presented as a case study.

Comparison of transcriptional response to phorbol ester, bryostatin 1, and bryostatin analogs in LNCaP and U937 cancer cell lines provides insight into their differential mechanism of action.

Bryostatin 1, like the phorbol esters, binds to and activates protein kinase C (PKC) but paradoxically antagonizes many but not all phorbol ester responses. Previously, we have compared patterns of biological response to bryostatin 1, phorbol ester, and the bryostatin 1 derivative Merle 23 in two human cancer cell lines, LNCaP and U937. Bryostatin 1 fails to induce a typical phorbol ester biological response in either cell line, whereas Merle 23 resembles phorbol ester in the U937 cells and bryostatin 1 in the LNCaP cells. Here, we have compared the pattern of their transcriptional response in both cell lines. We examined by qPCR the transcriptional response as a function of dose and time for a series of genes regulated by PKCs. In both cell lines bryostatin 1 differed primarily from phorbol ester in having a shorter duration of transcriptional modulation. This was not due to bryostatin 1 instability, since bryostatin 1 suppressed the phorbol ester response. In both cell lines Merle 23 induced a pattern of transcription largely like that of phorbol ester although with a modest reduction at later times in the LNCaP cells, suggesting that the difference in biological response of the two cell lines to Merle 23 lies downstream of this transcriptional regulation. For a series of bryostatins and analogs which ranged from bryostatin 1-like to phorbol ester-like in activity on the U937 cells, the duration of transcriptional response correlated with the pattern of biological activity, suggesting that this may provide a robust platform for structure activity analysis.

Cryopreservation of Ovarian Tissue: Detailed Description of Methods for Transport, Freezing and Thawing.

Purpose: In many cases cancer therapy leads to an irreversible reduction or even loss of ovarian reserve. Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue with subsequent thawing and re-transplantation of tissue after the cancer is in remission constitutes a promising method to preserve fertility in women. To date, more than 25 cases of live births after re-transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue have been published worldwide. In Germany the first live birth after re-transplantation of cryopreserved tissue was in 2011. Material and Methods: After surgical removal of ovarian tissue in the Gynaecological Clinic of Dresden University, the tissue was sent to the Gynaecological Clinic of Bonn University in a special transport container at 5 °C and was frozen the next day using 1.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide cryosolution. In 2010 this ovarian tissue was thawed using a sucrose solution in the Gynaecological Clinic of Erlangen University Clinical Centre and was laparoscopically re-transplanted into the patient. Results: The patient became pregnant, the pregnancy was uneventful, and she gave birth to a healthy boy. Conclusion: Freezing of ovarian tissue with subsequent re-transplantation as described here is a viable method to preserve fertility in cancer patients.

Genetic and environmental risk indicators in canine non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: breed associations and geographic distribution of 608 cases diagnosed throughout France over 1 year.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) is multifactorial. Environmental and genetic factors are frequently incriminated both in humans and dogs. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study the geographic distribution of canine NHL (CNHL) in France and to evaluate genetic and environmental influences. ANIMALS: Six hundred and eight cases of CNHL, diagnosed throughout France over 1 year, were collected from 7 Veterinary Histopathologic Laboratories. METHODS: Retrospective study. Breeds affected by lymphomas were compared with the national population and associations between breed and immunophenotype were studied. The distribution of CNHL and canine T-cell NHL per 100,000 dogs per department was compared with the distribution of waste incinerators, polluted sites, and radioactive waste. RESULTS: The breeds significantly overrepresented among lymphoma cases were Boxer, Setter, and Cocker Spaniel (P < .001). There was a significant association between Boxer and T-cell NHL (P < .001), and between German Shepherd and Rottweiler and B-cell NHL (P < .01). The geographic distribution of CNHL and canine T-cell NHL indicated significant heterogeneity. Significant association between distributions of CNHL and waste incinerators (rho= 0.25, P < .05), polluted sites (rho= 0.36, P < .001), and radioactive waste (rho= 0.51, P < .001) was found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Influence of genetics in the development of CNHL was supported by the existence of an association between breed and immunophenotype. Waste incinerators, polluted sites, and radioactive waste could just be considered as risk indicators of CNHL, but not as risk factors. Case-control studies around critical sites are necessary to confirm the implication of those environmental factors in the development of CNHL.

Ecotoxicological risk assessment of hospital wastewater: a proposed framework for raw effluents discharging into urban sewer network.

In hospitals a large variety of substances are in use for medical purposes such as diagnostics and research. After application, diagnostic agents, disinfectants and excreted non-metabolized pharmaceuticals by patients, reach the wastewater. This form of elimination may generate risks for aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to present: (i) the steps of an ecological risk assessment and management framework related to hospital effluents evacuating into wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) without preliminary treatment; and (ii) the results of its application on wastewater from an infectious and tropical diseases department of a hospital of a large city in southeastern France. The characterization of effects has been made under two assumptions, which were related to: (a) the effects of hospital wastewater on biological treatment process of WWTP, particularly on the community of organisms in charge of the biological decomposition of the organic matter; (b) the effects on aquatic organisms. COD and BOD5 have been measured for studying global organic pollution. Assessment of halogenated organic compounds was made using halogenated organic compounds absorbable on activated carbon (AOX) concentrations. Heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chrome, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc) were measured. Low most probable number (MPP) for faecal coliforms has been considered as an indirect detection of antibiotics and disinfectants presence. For toxicity assessment, bioluminescence assay using Vibrio fischeri photobacteria, 72-h EC50 algae growth Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and 24-h EC50 on Daphnia magna were used. The scenario allows to a semi-quantitative risk characterization. It needs to be improved on some aspects, particularly those linked to: long term toxicity assessment on target organisms (bioaccumulation of pollutants, genotoxicity, etc.); ecotoxicological interactions between pharmaceuticals, disinfectants used both in diagnostics and in cleaning of surfaces, and detergents used in cleaning of surfaces; the interactions into the sewage network, between the hospital effluents and the aquatic ecosystem.

Total synthesis of the immunosupressant (-)-pironetin (PA48153C).

[reaction: see text]. Total synthesis of the immunosuppresant pironetin has been achieved by a synthetic route in which the connections between starting materials and the desired structure are readily discerned. Key steps include a diastereoselective Lewis acid mediated crotylstannane aldehyde addition, a highly selective Lewis acid promoted Mukaiyama aldol reaction, an anti-selective SmI2 reduction of a beta-hydroxyketone, and finally a lactone annulation reaction.

Veterinary pharmacovigilance: between regulation and science.

Veterinary pharmacovigilance has shown a remarkable development in recent years. After presenting briefly the regulatory context, this paper considers the scope of veterinary pharmacovigilance, causality assessment of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the systems existing in different countries and the evolution for the coming years. The involvement of veterinary research and teaching institutions should certainly become more important in this cross-road activity.

The first directed reduction of beta-alkoxy ketones to anti-1,3-diol monoethers: identification of spectator and director alkoxy groups.

A new reduction procedure for the stereoselective reduction of certain beta-alkoxy ketones is described. The method relies upon electron-transfer reduction using samarium diiodide in THF with MeOH as an additive. Reduction is facile for a number of alkoxy groups that can complex samarium effectively but is not observed with TBS or benzyl protecting groups. Experiments with deuterated methanol show that the stereoselectivity arises from protonation of a samarium carbanion intermediate.

Catalytic asymmetric allylation reactions using BITIP catalysis and 2-substituted allylstannanes as surrogates for beta-keto ester dianions.

[formula: see text] Catalytic asymmetric allylation (CAA) reactions using the indicated allylstannane and the BITIP catalysts previously described by us give high yields and enantioselectivities in additions to aldehydes. The products are convertible to beta-keto esters by oxidative cleavage of the olefin. These reactions thus provide a useful catalytic enantioselective method for chain extension with introduction of a versatile four-carbon unit.

A versatile preparation of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones from homoallylic alcohols.

[formula: see text] A new method for the synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated lactones from beta-acetoxy aldehydes by reaction with the lithium enolate of methyl acetate was developed. The reaction is relatively insensitive to structural changes in the aldehyde substrates. The process was extended to the synthesis of five-ring lactones from alpha-acetoxy aldehydes. Experimental evidence regarding the mechanism of this one-pot transformation was obtained. The observations are consistent with a pathway involving an initial aldol condensation with subsequent acyl migration, lactonization, and beta-elimination and not an enolate equilibration-aldol mechanism.

Glyphosate toxicosis in domestic animals: a survey from the data of the Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Veterinaires (CNITV).

A retrospective study was conducted of 482 glyphosate calls recorded at the Centre National d'Informations Toxicologiques Veterinaires (CNITV) of France between 1991 and 1994. Most of the calls came from veterinary practitioners (83.8%) and were related to emergencies. In the majority of calls, the CNITV did not assess clinical observations as certain or highly probable glyphosate poisoning. Only 31 cases were assessed as certain or highly probable and were linked with direct ingestion of glyphosate concentrates or sprays in 25 dogs. The symptoms were most frequently described as vomiting, hypersalivation and diarrhea; prostration and paresis were not common. Symptomatic treatment resulted in rapid recovery without sequelae.

Sequestration of the lung arising from the circumflex coronary artery.

Sequestration is an unusual pulmonary malformation. Systemic blood supply is commonly from the thoracic aorta, but arteries may occasionally arise from other sites including the abdominal aorta or the intercostal vessels. We report a rare form of sequestration with origin from the circumflex coronary artery. Knowledge of uncommon vascular origins, particularly from coronary arteries, is important to avoid injury and possible ischemia, infarction, exsanguination, or death.

[Drug surveillance and reproduction in domestic animals]. / Pharmacovigilance et reproduction chez les animaux domestiques.

Adverse effects of veterinary drugs, on the reproductive functions of domestic animals, represent an important aspect of veterinary pharmaco-vigilance. The data presented here are coming from the cases recorded by the National Centre of Veterinary Toxicological Informations or from published cases. The substances taken in account are mainly currently used drugs (antimicrobials, anti-parasitic...) either of specific veterinary use, either used in both human and veterinary medicine.

Comparative efficacies of soft contact lens disinfection systems against a fungal contaminant.

The efficacies of five FDA-approved soft contact lens disinfecting solutions and heat disinfection were evaluated against the mold, Beauveria bassiana. Beauveria bassiana is a ubiquitous soil fungus with a demonstrated ability to grow into a soft contact lens matrix. A stock solution of the fungus was prepared and aliquots were added to each of the following disinfection solutions: ReNu Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution, Opti-Free, AOSEPT Disinfection/Neutralization Solution, Lens Plus Oxysept 1, UltraCare, and a Softmate Thermal Disinfecting Unit. Hydrogen peroxide systems were neutralized immediately using the manufacturer's recommended method. After 1 min, 5 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 1 hour, 4 hours, and 8 hours; samples were removed, added to neutralizing broth, and streaked onto Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar plates. Our results showed that hydrogen peroxide and heat disinfection were much more effective against Beauveria bassiana than Opti-Free or ReNu.

[Human behavior in the solar radiation field with reference to ultraviolet exposure]. / Das Verhalten des Menschen im solaren Strahlungsfeld im Hinblick auf seine UV-Exposition.

There is a causal relation between solar ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. For epidemiological investigations, quantification of the UV exposure is essential. To set up a risk assessment for the whole population, a representative survey was performed in Austria. The questionnaire refers to three sectors of everyday life: work, recreation and holidays; in addition the use of solaria is asked about for a further investigation. The UV exposure caused by humans' behaviour in the field of solar radiation was analysed from various demographic aspects. For some subpopulations the UV exposure sustained during work, recreation and holidays was compared. Groups with high occupational UV exposure show a weaker tendency to stay outdoors during leisure time and holidays than groups characterized by high UV exposure in their leisure time, who also prefer sun-intensive activities during holidays.

Trend analysis of solar ultraviolet exposure of the Austrian population caused by holiday patterns since 1969.

Over the last few decades, a steady increase in the incidence of skin cancer has been observed. Solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure is undoubtedly one of the primary causes, and of these, holiday patterns are an intrinsic component. To assess solar UV exposure for this trend analysis, changes in holiday patterns were investigated. For Austrians, a preponderance of holidays are spent at the Mediterranean Sea. These holidays represent not only a potentially high UV exposure because of location but also because sun-intensive activities are preferred. The analysis shows an increase in solar UV exposure from all holidays of 1.6% per year. About 22% of the population spends holidays at the Mediterranean Sea, and UV exposure of the total population from these holidays has increased annually by about 3.3%. Because of the latency period, it is not possible to draw conclusions from the increase in UV exposure and the temporal trends in skin cancer. A longer time series would be necessary to do this. A direct comparison of data from other countries reporting increases in skin cancer does not seem appropriate, as levels of UV exposure vary greatly and such factors as genetic susceptibility are involved.

Veterinary pharmacovigilance in the European context.

Pharmacovigilance (or pharmaco-surveillance) is the surveillance of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) which are noxious and of unintended reactions which occur at doses normally used in animals in accordance with the terms of the marketing authorization. From this definition, the scope of veterinary pharmacovigilance should be clearly defined, especially with regard to associated problems of lack of efficacy, resistance, effects in man, residues, etc. Priorities should be established concerning adverse effects in animals in order to set up an operational system. Methodological tools are being developed such as causality assessment, thesaurus, data banks, alert systems. The situation of veterinary pharmacovigilance in countries is very different. The existing systems are based on two different conceptions: a pharmacovigilance of the administrative type, made by authorities; a pharmacovigilace of the interactive type, made in veterinary universities, linked with the authorities. In industry, the importance of pharmacovigilance is increasing; collaborations have been set up but should certainly be developed. Finally, the sensitization of the veterinary practitioners, which play a key-role in the system of spontaneous reporting of ADRs, is to be developed in many ways: interaction during or after the report, publication of data, concrete actions, improvement of side-effect warnings and prevention, etc. Veterinary pharmacovigilance should be a very interesting area of cooperation between the field, universities, industry and regulation authorities.