Removal of the endocrine disrupter butyl benzyl phthalate from the environment

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), an aryl alkyl ester of 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, is extensively used in vinyl tiles and as a plasticizer in PVC in many commonly used products. BBP, which readily leaches from these products, is one of the most important environmental contaminants, and the increased awareness of its adverse effects on human health has led to a dramatic increase in research aimed at removing BBP from the environment via bioremediation. This review highlights recent progress in the degradation of BBP by pure and mixed bacterial cultures, fungi, and in sludge, sediment, and wastewater. Sonochemical degradation, a unique abiotic remediation technique, and photocatalytic degradation are also discussed. The degradation pathways for BBP are described, and future research directions are considered

Effect of dentifrice containing fluoride and/or baiting soda on enamel demineralization remineralization: An in situ study

The additive effect of baking soda on the anticariogenic effect of fluoride dentifrice is not well established. To evaluate it, a crossover in situ study was done in three phases of 28 days. Volunteers, using acrylic palatal appliances containing four human enamel blocks, two sound (to evaluate demineralization) and two with artificial caries lesions (to evaluate remineralization), took part in this study. During each phase, 10% sucrose solution was dripped (3 times a day) only onto the sound blocks. After 10 min, a slurry of placebo, fluoride (F) or fluoride and baking soda (F+NaHCO3) dentifrice was dripped onto all enamel blocks. The results showed a higher F concentration in dental plaque formed during treatment with F+NaHCO3 than placebo (p<0.05), but the difference related to F dentifrice was not significant. The enamel demineralization was lower, and remineralization was greater, after treatment with F+NaHCO3 than placebo (p<0.05), but the difference related to F dentifrice was not significant. The data suggest that baking soda neither improves nor impairs the effect of F dentifrice on reduction of demineralization and enhancement of remineralization of enamel. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.35210611

Nitrogen isotope variations in the solar system

International audienceThe relative proportion of the two isotopes of nitrogen (14N and 15N) shows dramatic variations among the different solar system objects and reservoirs. NASA's Genesis mission, which provided the first direct sample of the solar wind, confirmed that the Sun, and by inference the protosolar nebula, is highly depleted in the heavy 15N isotope. The inner planets, asteroids, and comets are enriched in 15N by tens to 5 hundreds of percent, with organic matter in primitive meteorites recording the most extreme 15N/14 N ratios. Several lines of evidence suggest that these 15N enrichments were not inherited from presolar material but are, instead, the result of N isotope fractionation processes that occurred early in solar system history. Together, these observations indicate that N isotopes are a powerful tool to investigate early material processing and large-scale disk dynamics as well as planetary formation processes. In addition, N isotopes are the tracer of choice to investigate the origin and evolution of planetary atmospheres

Genetic characterization of H5N2 influenza viruses isolated from wild birds in Japan suggests multiple reassortment

Low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) of the H5 subtype can mutate to highly pathogenic forms, potentially destabilizing the poultry industry. Wild migratory birds are considered a natural reservoir of LPAIVs capable of dispersing both high- and low-pathogenic forms of the virus. Therefore, surveillance and characterization of AIV in wild birds are essential. Here, we report on the isolation and genetic characterization of 10 AIVs of the H5N2 subtype obtained through surveillance in Hokkaido, Japan, during 2009 and 2011. Full-genome sequencing revealed that the H5 and N2 genes of these isolates are all closely related to each other, belonging to the Eurasian avian-like lineage, but they are unrelated to H5 highly pathogenic strains of clade 2.3.4.4. The internal genes of the isolates were found to be diverse, consistent with our hypothesis that these H5N2 strains have undergone multiple reassortment events. Even though all of the H5N2 isolates were characterized as LPAIV based on the amino acid sequences at the HA cleavage site, this analysis demonstrates a diverse pool of precursors that may seed future outbreaks in poultry and possible human transmissions, suggesting the need for high-quality surveillance.Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Grant-in-Aid for the Bilateral Joint ProjectsHeiwa Nakajima FoundationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.) (contracts HHSN266200700009C and HHSN266200700007C