Health impact assessment of decreases in PM10 and ozone concentrations in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area: A basis for a new air quality management program / Evaluación de impacto en salud ante reducciones de PM10 y ozono en la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México: Base para un nuevo programa de calidad del aire

Objective. To conduct a health impact assessment (HIA) to quantify health benefits for several PM and O3 air pollution reduction scenarios in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). Results from this HIA will contribute to the scientific support of the MCMA air quality management plan (PROAIRE) for the period 2011-2020. Materials and methods. The HIA methodology consisted of four steps: 1) selection of the air pollution reduction scenarios, 2) identification of the at-risk population and health outcomes for the 2005 baseline scenario, 3) selection of concentration-response functions and 4) estimation of health impacts. Results. Reductions of PM10 levels to 20 μg/m³ and O3 levels to 0.050ppm (98 µg/m³) would prevent 2300 and 400 annual deaths respectively. The greatest health impact was seen in the over-65 age group and in mortality due to cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion. Improved air quality in the MCMA could provide significant health benefits through focusing interventions by exposure zones.

Objetivo. Realizar una evaluación de impacto en salud (EIS) que documente los beneficios en salud ante diversos escenarios de reducción de PM10 y O3 en el aire de la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México (ZMVM). Los resultados contribuyen al sustento científico del plan de gestión de calidad del aire (PROAIRE 2011-2020). Material y métodos. La metodología de EIS comprende cuatro pasos: 1) selección de los escenarios de reducción, 2) identificación de la población en riesgo y de los eventos en salud para el año basal 2005, 3) selección de las funciones de concentración-respuesta y 4) estimación del impacto en la salud. Resultados. Reducciones de PM10 a 20μg/m³ y de O3 a 0.050ppm (98 µg/m³) evitarían, respectivamente, cerca de 2 300 y 400 muertes por año. El mayor impacto se observa en el grupo de más de 65 años y en la mortalidad por causas cardiopulmonares y cardiovasculares. Conclusiones. Mejorar la calidad del aire en la ZMVM podría reflejar importantes beneficios para la salud focalizados por zonas o áreas de exposición.

Compuestos sintéticos del tipo de estirilquinolinas con actividades leishmanicida y citotóxica / Styrylquinolines-type synthetic compounds with leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities

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Anticonvulsant activity of some vanilloid receptor agonists

Vanilloid receptors 1 [VR 1], a group of transient receptor potential channels family was cloned in 1997. They were found to be a potential target for treatment of different acute and chronic pain disorder. Recently these receptors were reported to be involved in several pathological conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the potential anticonvulsant activity of five vanilloidal agonists [capsaicin, nonivamide, zingerone, dehydrozingerone and 6-gingerol]. Experimental animal model of pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] induced seizure was used to investigate the potential anticonvulsant activity of capsaicin, nonivamide, zingerone, dehydrozingerone and 6-gingerol. The data obtained showed that, all tested compounds [capsaicin, nonivamide, zingerone, dehydrozingerone and 6-gingerol] possess dose dependant anticonvulsant activity. The five vanilloidal agonists; capsaicin, nonivamide, zingerone, dehydrozingerone and 6-gingerol exhibit anticonvulsant activity and may find clinical application

Determination of o-chlorostyrene in the air of workplace by gas chromatography / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rapid gas chromatographic method for determination of o-chlorostyrene in the air of workplace.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The air samples were collected by syringes, injected directly to the GC system, and then separated by a FFAP capillary column (30 m × 0.53 mm × 0.25 µm), finally determined by a Flame Ionization Detector.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A good linear correlation was showed within a range of 0 ∼ 1200 µg/L, with regression formula Y = 14 030 + 7 207X (r = 0.9999). The air sample could be stably stored in the syringe for 5 hrs. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeated injection of o-chlorostyrene standard solutions at three different concentration by six times was 1.28% ∼ 1.97%. The minimum detectable concentration was calculated to be 5.2 mg/m(3). Other coexistent violative organic compounds such as styrene, p-chlorostyrene, and m-chlorostyrene didn't interfere with the determination under the experimental conditions of this method.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method meets the requirement of "Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4: Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace". It is applicable for determination of o-chlorostyrene in the air of workplace.</p>

Removal of urotropine from industrial wastewater by acidic cation exchange resins

The industrial wastewater produced by urotropine plants is considered as a major environmental polluting factor and hence its treatment is required. In this work, strongly acidic cation exchange resins including C100H [Purolite], Amberlite IR120 and Amberlyst 15W were used for removing of urotropine from wastewater. Optimum conditions for the three resins and regeneration were studied. The required amounts of resins for efficient exchange of urotropine and amount of acid for regenerating process of exhausted resins were determined and the potential of these resins in removing of urotropine and ammonia from the wastewater were compared. It was found that C100H resin has a higher capability in removing of urotropine in comparison with tow other resins. This capability of C100H was 2 and 7 times greater than Amberlite IR120 and Amberlyst 15W, respectively. The comparison of results with other methods indicates that this method reduces urotropine concentration more effectively. The simple and fast conductometric method has been developed for determination of urotropine in wastewater in the presence of formaldehyde and ammonia without any interference

Alkaloid and sesquiterpenes from the root tuber of Curcuma longa / 药学学报

One new quinoline alkaloid and seven known bisabolane sesquiterpenes: 2-(2'-methyl-1'-propenyl)-4, 6-dimethyl-7-hydroxyquinoline (1), 2, 5-dihydroxybisabola-3, 10-diene (2), 4, 5-dihydroxybisabola-2,10-diene (3), turmeronol A (4), bisacurone (5), bisacurone A (6), bisacurone B (7) , bisacurone C (8), as well as dehydrozingerone (9) and zingerone (10) were isolated from the root tuber of Curcuma longa. Their structures were identified by spectral evidence. Compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 6 -8 were isolated from this plant for the first time and compounds 9 - 10 from Curcuma for the first time.

Biophysical mechanism-mediated time-dependent effect on sperm of human and monkey vas implanted polyelectrolyte contraceptive / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To determine the short and long-term morphological effects on sperm as induced by intra-vas alteration of pH and electrical charge.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Desired biophysical influences were obtained by injection of reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG) into the lumen of the vas deferens of human subjects and the monkey. RISUG is a polyelectrolyte hydrogel complex of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) which generates an electrostatic charge and also lowers in a near space of pH domain. The morphology of sperm was examined by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Human study enabled semen collection by masturbation as early as 3 h after injection and studies extended up to 6 months. In the monkey, on vas excision after RISUG implantation, sperm characteristics were examined in serial sections.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Semenology in clinical studies and histological data of the monkey showed a time-sequenced sperm plasma membrane, tail mitochondria and nuclear decondensation alterations in sperm structural components, which beared marked similarity to changes in the sperm head and tail during capacitation and entry into the ovum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings provide a means of causing such changes in the sperm that inhibit the fertilizing ability before the nucleus is affected. Therefore achieving non-obstructive vas-based contraception, without genotoxic or teratogenic effects caused by infertile sperm passing into the semen, is feasible.</p>

Studies on chemical constitutes of Acantophora spicifera / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constitutes of Acantophora spicifera.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Compounds were isolated by normal phase silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and reverse-phase HPLC, as well as recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Seven compounds were isolated from A. spicifera and their structures were identified as aplysin (1), loloilide (2), (R)-(-)-dehydrovomifoliol (3), uracil (4), thymine (5), 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl) benzene (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The compounds were obtained from this genus for the first time. Compound 6 was firstly obtained from marine organisms.</p>

Perspectives of contraceptive choices for men.

Apart from condoms and vasectomy, which have several limitations of their own, no other methods of contraception are available to men. Various chemical, hormonal, vas based and herbal contraceptives have been examined and few of them have reached the stage of clinical testing. Promising leads have been obtained from testosterone buciclate/undecanoate, alone or in combination with levonorgestrel butanoate or cyproterone acetate, RISUG, an injectable intravasal contraceptive and a few herbal products, particularly the seed products of Carica papaya. It is feasible that an ideal male contraceptive, that meets out all the essential criteria will be made available to the community in the near future.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of p-(methanesulfonyl) styrene-linked cyclic ketone derivatives / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To search for new compounds with strong anti-inflammatory activity and low gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A series of p-(methanesulfonyl) styrene-linked cyclic ketone derivatives were synthesized. Their anti-inflammatory activities against xylene-induced mice ear swelling and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema were evaluated, and their GI side effects in the rats were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine target compounds (ZA(1-9)) were obtained, and their structures were determined by IR, 1HNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Compared with controls diclofenac (DC) and rofecoxib (RC) , ZA(3, 5-9) showed no significant difference in anti-inflammatory activity against xylene-induced ear swelling in mice. ZA(3, 7, 8) showed potency comparable to DC and RC (P > 0.05) and ZA6 was more potent than DC and RC (P < 0.05) in the treatment of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. ZA(3, 5-9) showed less GI side effects than DC (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and no significant difference compared with RC (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>p-(Methanesulfonyl) styrene-linked cyclic ketone derivatives showed strong anti-inflammatory activity but few GI side effects and deserve to be further investigated.</p>

udefined lacrimating gas exposure in a chemical company: a case study

A chemical company which produces chlorine as a by-product was undertaking a new project for renewal of the plant. On application of paints, tile binders and coatings, the workers complained of unusual increased eye irritation and continuous lacrimation that hindered the progress of the work. Both the company and the project contractors denied their responsibility for the problem. To define the unknown irritant, gas samples of all raw materials used were collected and scanned by infra-red gas analyzer. Further on the spot direct sampling on point of application, as well as atmospheric air samples collected on active carbon were taken and analyzed by the same technique. In the mean time, chlorine gas samples were collected and analyzed at the same locations. Chlorine gas was found to be below the TLV, which could not be responsible for the irritating effect. Infra-red analysis revealed that styrene, methyl styrene, chloroform and methyl ethyl ketone are the most abundant vapours which are still below their TLVs. It has been concluded that lacrimation occurs by the interaction between styrene and low chlorine concentration in the atmosphere that is catalyzed by ultra-violet radiation to form a strong lacrimator

Copolymerization of N-acryloyl P-amino benzoate with some vinyl monomers

Nacryloyl P. Aminobenzoate [NAPAB] monomer was prepared from ethylester of p.aminobenzoic acid and acryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in dry benzene at 0 degree. This monomer [NAPAB] was copolymerized with styrene [St], methyl methacrylate [MMA] and ethyl acrylate [EA] by solution polymerization technique in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile [AIBN] as initiator in sealed tube under nitrogen atmosphere at 60-63 degree. The Kelen-Tudos and Fineman-Ross methods were used to determine the copolymerization parameters of NAPAB [Ml] with each of St, MMA and EA [M2] monomers. It was found that, the reactivity ratios r[1] and r[2] for NAPAB-St, NAPAB-MMA and NAPAB-EA are equal to 0.802 : 0.144, 0.59 : 0.34 and 0.25 : 0.54 respectively. The Alfrey Price [Q] and [e] values were calculated for the three monomers to complete the comparison. Also infrared spectroscopic studies for the prepared homo-and copolymers were investigated

Styrene induced pancreatic changes in rodents.

Subchronic oral exposure to styrene in rodents (25 or 50 mg/kg/day in mice; 160 or 320 mg/kg/day in rats and guinea pigs, 5 days/week) for 4 weeks resulted in moderate congestion of pancreatic lobules, focal inflammatory reactions around islets (in mice) and altered serum insulin level while blood glucose levels remained unaffected. Increased beta cell degranulation together with characteristic neoformation of islets were predominantly seen in pancreas of guinea pigs.

Estudio sobre la contaminación del yogur con estireno / Study on yogurt contamination with styrenes

En un estudio preliminar realizado en el Complejo Lácteo de Ciudad de La Habana se obtuvieron valores de estireno algo elevados en el envase y muy altos en el yogor. Para conocer si distintos factores influían sobre estos valores, se llevó a cabo un estudio más amplio que comprendía otros 2 complejos lácteos, en el cuál se usó materia prima virgen y se procesaron las lá,inas a 2 temperaturas. Se encontró que los procesos de extrusión y termoformado no influyeron sobre el contenido de estireno residual en el envase, el cual disminuyó ostensiblemente (383 mg-kg). Los niveles medios de estireno en yogur fueeron de 0,42 mg-kg en el Complejo Lácteo de Ciudad de La Habana, de 0,18 mg-kg en el de Pinar del Río y de 0,26 mg-kg en el de Camagüey. Aunque el aporte de estireno con el yogour resulta de consideración, no se puede afirmar que exista riesgotoxicológico, pues no hay otras fuentes en la dieta de la población cubana que contribuyan a aumentar esta ingestión

Effect of styrene on testicular enzymes of growing rat.

Effect of styrene (100 or 200 mg/kg body wt/day) for 60 days was observed on testicular enzymes of postnatally maturing rats. A significant decrease in epididymal spermatozoa count was observed only at 200 mg/kg body weight dose. Activities of testicular sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase decreased while activities of lactate dehydrogenase, beta-glucuronidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase significantly increased only in animals exposed to styrene at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. The results suggest that exposure to high dose of styrene during developmental period alters the activities of enzymes associated with specific cell type of testis.