Global Biomonitoring of Perfluorinated Organics

The environmental distribution of fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs) has been less well described than the other halogenated hydrocarbons such as chlorinated and brominated compounds. This is despite the fact that FOCs have been used in a wide variety of products and applications for more than 50 years. FOCs are resistant to hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial degradation, or metabolism by vertebrates due to the high energy of carbon–fluorine bond. In particular, perfluorinated (fully fluorinated) compounds (PFCs) have the potential to persist in the environment. But, until recently, the extent and magnitude of environmental distribution of PFCs was unknown. Recent development of an analytical technique for PFCs using high performance liquid chromatography-negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESMSMS)[1] permitted the survey of PFCs in livers and blood plasma of wildlife on a global scale[2]

Effects of chronic dietary exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on survival, growth, reproduction and biochemical responses of female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract Adult female rainbow trout were exposed to dietary 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) at concentrations of 1.8, 18 and 90 ng TCDD/kg (ww) food for up to 300 day. At the end of the exposure fish were spawned and the reproductive outcomes were assessed. TCDD was accumulated into tissues and eggs in a dose-dependent manner with steady state being achieved after 50-100 day of exposure. Biochemical and hematological parameters were monitored at 50, 100, 150, and 200 day after the beginning of exposure. The survival of adult female trout was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by exposure to TCDD in the diet. Fish fed 1.8 ng TCDD/kg, moist weight of diet, showed significantly reduced survival compared with those fed the control diet. TCDD also affected survival of fry from females fed 1.8 ng TCDD/kg. Observed adverse effects in adult fish were as sensitive as early life-stage endpoints. Liver EROD activity was only moderately increased in all exposure groups after 250 + day of exposure. Low rates of edema and deformities were observed in fry from all treatment groups including controls. This study has demonstrated adverse effects of TCDD to both adults and fry at concentrations comparable to current environmental concentrations. This suggests that direct adult toxicity as well as reproductive endpoints need to be incorporated in the current risk assessment paradigm for these compounds

High Throughput Sequencing of MicroRNA in Rainbow Trout Plasma, Mucus, and Surrounding Water Following Acute Stress

Circulating plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are well established as biomarkers of several diseases in humans and have recently been used as indicators of environmental exposures in fish. However, the role of plasma miRNAs in regulating acute stress responses in fish is largely unknown. Tissue and plasma miRNAs have recently been associated with excreted miRNAs; however, external miRNAs have never been measured in fish. The objective of this study was to identify the altered plasma miRNAs in response to acute stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as well as altered miRNAs in fish epidermal mucus and the surrounding ambient water. Small RNA was extracted and sequenced from plasma, mucus, and water collected from rainbow trout pre- and 1 h-post a 3-min air stressor. Following small RNA-Seq and pathway analysis, we identified differentially expressed plasma miRNAs that targeted biosynthetic, degradation, and metabolic pathways. We successfully isolated miRNA from trout mucus and the surrounding water and detected differences in miRNA expression 1-h post air stress. The expressed miRNA profiles in mucus and water were different from the altered plasma miRNA profile, which indicated that the plasma miRNA response was not associated with or immediately reflected in external samples, which was further validated through qPCR. This research expands understanding of the role of plasma miRNA in the acute stress response of fish and is the first report of successful isolation and profiling of miRNA from fish mucus or samples of ambient water. Measurements of miRNA from plasma, mucus, or water can be further studied and have potential to be applied as non-lethal indicators of acute stress in fish.This research was funded through the Global Water Futures Grant #419205. HI is supported by an NSERC PGS-D

Развитие стресс-менеджмента в системе управления персоналом предприятия на примере ОАО "Томскнефть" ВНК

Стресс-менеджмент и его методика позволяют быстро и эффективно решить стрессовую ситуацию возникшую в организации. Развитие стресс-менеджмента в системе управления персоналом предприятия позволит сформировать конструктивное отношение к стрессовым ситуациям на рабочем месте. Большую часть своего времени современный человек проводит на работе. Высокая нагрузка на работе; недостаточное количество сна; конфликты на работе; отсутствие контроля; отсутствие эмоциональной поддержки со стороны сослуживцев приводят к выявлению у человека одного из синдромов: "boreout" или "burnout". В данной работе были сформированы методические указания конструктивного отношения к стрессовым ситуациям и методам саморегулирования.Stress management and its methodology allow to quickly and effectively solve the stressful situation that arose in the organization. The development of stress management in the personnel management system of the enterprise will allow to form a constructive attitude to stressful situations in the workplace. Most of his time a modern man spends at work. High work load; Insufficient sleep; Conflicts at work; Lack of control; The lack of emotional support from co-workers lead to the identification of a person in one of the syndromes: "boreout" or "burnout". In this work, methodical instructions for a constructive attitude to stressful situations and methods of self-regulation have been formed

Environmental Toxicology RISK ASSESSMENT OF GREAT HORNED OWLS (BUBO VIRGINIANUS) EXPOSED TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND DDT ALONG THE KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN, USA

Abstract-The great horned owl (GHO; Bubo virginianus) was used in a multiple lines of evidence study of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,pЈ-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposures at the Kalamazoo River Superfund Site (KRSS), Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. The study examined risks from total PCBs, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQ World Health Organization [WHO]-Avian Toxicity Equivalency Factor [TEF] ), and total DDTs (sum of DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE], and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [DDD]; ⌺DDT) by measuring concentrations in eggs and nestling blood plasma in two regions of the KRSS (upper, lower) and an upstream reference area (RA). An ecological risk assessment compared concentrations of the contaminants of concern (COCs) in eggs or plasma to toxicity reference values. Productivity and relative abundance measures for KRSS GHOs were compared with other GHO populations. Egg shell thickness was measured to assess effects of p,pЈ-DDE. The concentrations of PCBs in eggs were as great as 4.7 ϫ 10 2 and 4.0 ϫ 10 4 ng PCB/g, wet weight at the RA and combined KRSS sites, respectively. Egg TEQ WHO-Avian calculated from aryl hydrocarbon receptor-active PCB congeners and WHO TEFs ranged to 8.0 and 1.9 ϫ 10 2 pg TEQ WHO-Avian /g, (wet wt) at the RA and combined KRSS, respectively. Egg ⌺DDT concentrations were as great as 4.2 ϫ 10 2 and 5.0 ϫ 10 3 ng ⌺DDT/g (wet wt) at the RA and combined KRSS, respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) for the upper 95% confidence interval (UCI) (geometric mean) and least observable adverse effect concentration (LOAEC) for COCs in eggs were Յ1.0 for all sites. Hazard quotient values based on the no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) 95% UCI in eggs were Յ1.0, except at the LKRSS (PCB HQ ϭ 3.1; TEQ WHO-Avian HQ ϭ 1.3). Productivity and relative abundance measures indicated no population level effects in the UKRSS

Environmental Toxicology RISK ASSESSMENT OF GREAT HORNED OWLS (BUBO VIRGINIANUS) EXPOSED TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND DDT ALONG THE KALAMAZOO RIVER, MICHIGAN, USA

Abstract-The great horned owl (GHO; Bubo virginianus) was used in a multiple lines of evidence study of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,pЈ-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposures at the Kalamazoo River Superfund Site (KRSS), Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. The study examined risks from total PCBs, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQ World Health Organization [WHO]-Avian Toxicity Equivalency Factor [TEF] ), and total DDTs (sum of DDT, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE], and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [DDD]; ⌺DDT) by measuring concentrations in eggs and nestling blood plasma in two regions of the KRSS (upper, lower) and an upstream reference area (RA). An ecological risk assessment compared concentrations of the contaminants of concern (COCs) in eggs or plasma to toxicity reference values. Productivity and relative abundance measures for KRSS GHOs were compared with other GHO populations. Egg shell thickness was measured to assess effects of p,pЈ-DDE. The concentrations of PCBs in eggs were as great as 4.7 ϫ 10 2 and 4.0 ϫ 10 4 ng PCB/g, wet weight at the RA and combined KRSS sites, respectively. Egg TEQ WHO-Avian calculated from aryl hydrocarbon receptor-active PCB congeners and WHO TEFs ranged to 8.0 and 1.9 ϫ 10 2 pg TEQ WHO-Avian /g, (wet wt) at the RA and combined KRSS, respectively. Egg ⌺DDT concentrations were as great as 4.2 ϫ 10 2 and 5.0 ϫ 10 3 ng ⌺DDT/g (wet wt) at the RA and combined KRSS, respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) for the upper 95% confidence interval (UCI) (geometric mean) and least observable adverse effect concentration (LOAEC) for COCs in eggs were Յ1.0 for all sites. Hazard quotient values based on the no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) 95% UCI in eggs were Յ1.0, except at the LKRSS (PCB HQ ϭ 3.1; TEQ WHO-Avian HQ ϭ 1.3). Productivity and relative abundance measures indicated no population level effects in the UKRSS

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: What are the big questions?

Background: Over the past 10-15 years, a substantial amount of work has been done by the scientific, regulatory, and business communities to elucidate the effects and risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment. Objective: This review was undertaken to identify key outstanding issues regarding the effects of PPCPs on human and ecological health in order to ensure that future resources will be focused on the most important areas. Data sources: To better understand and manage the risks of PPCPs in the environment, we used the "key question" approach to identify the principle issues that need to be addressed. Initially, questions were solicited from academic, government, and business communities around the world. A list of 101 questions was then discussed at an international expert workshop, and a top-20 list was developed. Following the workshop, workshop attendees ranked the 20 questions by importance. Data synthesis: The top 20 priority questions fell into seven categories: a) prioritization of substances for assessment, b) pathways of exposure, c) bioavailability and uptake, d) effects characterization, e) risk and relative risk, f) antibiotic resistance, and g) risk management. Conclusions: A large body of information is now available on PPCPs in the environment. This exercise prioritized the most critical questions to aid in development of future research programs on the topic.Centro de Investigaciones del Medioambient

Ozonation attenuates the steroidogenic disruptive effects of sediment free oil sands process water in the H295R cell line

There is concern regarding oil sands process water (OSPW) produced by the oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada. Little is known about the potential for OSPW, and naphthenic acids (NAs), which are the primary persistent and toxic constituents of OSPW, to affect endocrine systems. Although ozonation significantly reduces concentrations of NAs and OSPW toxicity, it was hypothesized that oxidation of OSPW might produce hydroxylated products with steroidogenic activity. Therefore, untreated and ozone treated OSPW were examined for effects on sex steroid production using the H295R Steroidogenesis Assay. Untreated OSPW significantly decreased testosterone (T) and increased 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations at OSPW dilutions greater or equal to 10-fold. This effect was mainly due to decreased U metabolism. Analysis of CYP19A (aromatase) mRNA abundance and enzyme activity suggested that induction of this enzyme activity may have also contributed to these effects. Reduction of parent NA concentrations by 24% or 85% decreased the effect of OSPW on E2 production. Although T production remained significantly reduced in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW, the effect was diminished. Aromatase mRNA abundance and enzyme activity were significantly greater in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW. however the magnitude was less than in cells exposed to untreated OSPW. No change of U metabolism was observed in cells exposed to ozone treated OSPW, which may account for recovery of E2 levels. The results indicate that OSPW exposure can decrease E2 and T production, but zonation is an effective treatment to reduce NA concentrations in OSPW without increasing affects on steroidogenesis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Alberta Water Research Institute [C4288]; National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada [326415-07]; Western Economic Diversification Canada [6578, 6807]; Canada Foundation for Infrastructur