Brominated Flame Retardants in Fish of Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were determined in fish (Salmo trutta forma lacustris) from Lake Geneva. Brominated flame retardants were detected in all nine samples with an average concentration for the sum of BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-49, BDE-66, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-119, BDE-153, BDE-154 and BDE-209 of 207ng per g lipid weight (ngglw−1). The congener patterns were dominated by BDE-47. The average concentration of HBCD was 168ngglw−

Brominated Flame Retardants in Fish of Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) andhexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were determined in fish(Salmo trutta forma lacustris) from Lake Geneva. Bromi-nated flame retardants were detected in all nine samples withan average concentration for the sum of BDE-28, BDE-47,BDE-49, BDE-66, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-119, BDE-153,BDE-154 and BDE-209 of 207 ng per g lipid weight(ng g lw-1). The congener patterns were dominated by BDE-47. The average concentration of HBCD was 168 ng g lw-1

MMP-2, MMP-9 and their inhibitors TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 production by human monocytes in vitro in the presence of different forms of hydroxyapatite particles.

DOI : 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.09.034After calcium-phosphates biomaterials based implantation like hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, particles are released in the periprosthetic tissues. Wear-debris induced fibrous membranes contain macrophage subsets that can produce metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are considered to be key enzymes in extra-cellular matrix turnover. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are important regulator of MMPs activity. Interleukin-1 mainly produced by monocytes can also regulate MMPs production. In the present work, we have evaluated the effect of HA particles characteristics (size, shape and sintering temperature) on the MMP-2, -9 and their respective inhibitors TIMP-2, -1 production. Our results demonstrate that sintering temperature (that modify crystal size and surface area) have little effect on MMPs and TIMPs production. Non-phagocytable particles induced more MMP-9, although phagocytable particles induced more IL-1β release. The shape of the particles was the most important factor since needle-shaped particles induced the most significant up-regulated expression of MMPs and IL-1β

Functional rehabilitation in domestic carnivores : application to locomotor disorders of orthopaedic or neurological origin

Physical therapy includes all treatments by physical means. Its main effects are to relieve pain, limit the consequences on the tissues of inflammation and immobilization, and restore locomotor activity. Therefore, these techniques play a major role in the functional rehabilitation of patients with diseases affecting the locomotor system. They can also be used preventatively, particularly in sports animals. Physical therapy is an essential complement to orthopaedic or neurological treatments in human medicine, and has now been used for a few years in domestic carnivores. With sound knowledge of its different techniques, indications and practical uses, functional rehabilitation has its place in daily veterinary practice.La physiothérapie est l'utilisation, dans un but thérapeutique, des agents physiques naturels ou artificiels (en particulier la chaleur, le froid, le mouvement, les ultrasons, l'électricité, l'eau). Ses principaux effets sont de soulager la douleur, de limiter les conséquences sur les tissus de l'inflammation (aiguë et chronique) et de l'immobilisation, et de restaurer une activité locomotrice. Ainsi ces techniques occupent une place primordiale lors de la rééducation fonctionnelle de patients souffrant d'affections à répercussion locomotrice. Elles peuvent également être employées à but préventif, en médecine sportive en particulier. Complément essentiel des traitements orthopédiques et neurologiques en médecine humaine, la physiothérapie fait partie depuis quelques années de l'arsenal thérapeutique des Carnivores Domestiques. Une bonne connaissance des techniques, de leurs indications et utilisations pratiques permet une mise en oeuvre de la rééducation fonctionnelle en pratique quotidienne

Solar photo-Fenton and UV/H2O2 processes against the antidepressant Venlafaxine in urban wastewaters and human urine. Intermediates formation and biodegradability assessment

In this work, the use of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) against the degradation of an emerging contaminant has been subjected under systematic investigation. The optimization of treatment of the anti- depressant drug Venlafaxine (VFA) was performed, using UV light, the combined UV/H2O2 process, solar light, Fenton and finally the solar photo-Fenton process in laboratory scale. The degradation kinetics, the time necessary to remove 90% of the contaminant and the optimal reactants concentration were proposed. The treatment in pure water, (synthetic) wastewater and urine was assessed, in an effort to identify the opportunities and pitfalls the application of process would encounter in a field application. Treatment by the UV-based methods was found sufficiently efficient and the application of the solar photo-Fenton process showed feasibility in a potential field application with appropriate context. Real urban wastewater effluents after biological and physicochemical treatment were tested, as well as human urine, as a proposal for on-site collection and treatment was also treated. Biological treatment before applying the tested AOPs improved their efficiency, and the strategy of diluting urine prior to treatment greatly enhanced the efficacy of the process. Finally, the identification of the degradation pathway and the biodegradability tests of AOPs treated VFA solutions exhibit promising results concerning the strategy of treatment for similar pollutants of emerging concern

STEM and EDXS characterisation of physico-chemical reactions at the periphery of sol-gel derived Zn-substituted hydroxyapatites during interactions with biological fluids

With its good properties of biocompatibility and bioactivity hydroxyapatite (HA) is highly used as bone substitutes and as coatings on metallic prostheses. In order to improve bioactive properties of HA we have elaborated Zn2+ doped hydroxyapatite. Zn2+ ions substitute for Ca2+ cations in the HA structure and four Zn concentrations (Zn/Zn+Ca) were prepared 0.5, 1, 2, 5 % at. To study physico-chemical reactions at the materials periphery, we immersed the bioceramics into biological fluids for delays from 1 day to 20 days. The surface changes were studied at the nanometer scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy associated to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After 20 days of immersion we observed the formation of a calcium-phosphate layer at the periphery of the HA doped with 5% of zinc. This layer contains magnesium and its thickness was around 200 nm. Formation of this Ca-P-Mg layer represents bioactivity properties of the 5% Zn-substituted hydroxyapatite. This biologically active layer improves properties of HA and will permit a chemical bond between the ceramic and bone

Repeated Human Exposure to Semivolatile Organic Compounds by Inhalation: Novel Protocol for a Nonrandomized Study.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) comprise several different chemical families used mainly as additives in many everyday products. SVOCs can be released into the air as aerosols and deposit on particulate matter during use by dispersion, evaporation, or abrasion. Phthalates are SVOCs of growing concern due to their endocrine-disrupting effects. Human data on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of these compounds upon inhalation are almost nonexistent. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to develop a method for repeated inhalation exposures to SVOCs to characterize their ADME in humans. METHODS: We will use diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a major indoor air pollutant, as a model SVOC in this novel protocol. The Swiss official Commission on Ethics in Human Research, Canton de Vaud, approved the study on October 14, 2020 (project-ID 2020-01095). Participants (n=10) will be repeatedly exposed (2 short daily exposures over 4 days) to isotope-labeled DEHP (DEHP-d4) to distinguish administered exposures from background exposures. DEHP-d4 aerosols will be generated with a small, portable, aerosol-generating device. Participants will inhale DEHP-d4-containing aerosols themselves with this device at home. Air concentrations of the airborne phthalates will be less than or equal to their occupational exposure limit (OEL). DEHP-d4 and its metabolites will be quantified in urine and blood before, during, and after exposure. RESULTS: Our developed device can generate DEHP-d4 aerosols with diameters of 2.5 μm or smaller and a mean DEHP-d4 mass of 1.4 (SD 0.2) μg per puff (n=6). As of May 2023, we have enrolled 5 participants. CONCLUSIONS: The portable device can be used to generate phthalate aerosols for repeated exposure in human studies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/51020