OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of ingestion exposure of lead by particle sizes of crumb rubber in artificial turf filling material with consideration of bioavailability. METHODS: This study estimated the ingestion exposure by particle sizes (more than 250 um or less than 250 um) focusing on recyclable ethylene propylene diene monomer crumb rubber being used as artificial turf filling. Analysis on crumb rubber was conducted using body ingestion exposure estimate method in which total content test method, acid extraction method and digestion extraction method are reflected. Bioavailability which is a calibrating factor was reflected in ingestion exposure estimate method and applied in exposure assessment and risk assessment. Two methods using acid extraction and digestion extraction concentration were compared and evaluated. RESULTS: As a result of the ingestion exposure of crumb rubber material, the average lead exposure amount to the digestion extraction result among crumb rubber was calculated to be 1.56x10(-4) mg/kg-day for low grade elementary school students and 4.87x10(-5) mg/kg-day for middle and high school students in 250 um or less particle size, and that to the acid extraction result was higher than the digestion extraction result. Results of digestion extraction and acid extraction showed that the hazard quotient was estimated by about over 2 times more in particle size of lower than 250 um than in higher than 250 um. There was a case of an elementary school student in which the hazard quotient exceeded 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study confirm that the exposure of lead ingestion and risk level increases as the particle size of crumb rubber gets smaller.
Alkenes ; Biological Availability ; Digestion ; Eating ; Ethylenes ; Humans ; Particle Size ; Risk Assessment ; Rubber

Air ; analysis ; Alkenes ; analysis ; Butadienes ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Workplace

Adolescent ; Alkanes ; poisoning ; Alkenes ; poisoning ; Daphne ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male

Taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene is the precursor for paclitaxel biosynthesis. The diterpenoid paclitaxel (marketed as Taxol), a plant secondary metabolite isolated from yew, is an effective drug widely used in the treatment of numerous cancers. However, further application of taxol has been restricted due to its low yield in plants and the difficulties in extraction. To increase the intact isoprene flux, we constructed the fusion gene plasmid pBgGGTS and individual cassette plasmid pBgGGgTS to enhance the expression levels of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene (ggpps) and a taxadiene synthase gene (ts) in Coprinopsis cinerea. These two plasmids were separately transformed into C. cinerea LT2 strain, resulting in several putative transformants. Putative transformants were determined by PCR technique, indicating that 5 out of 13 putative transformants transformed by pBgGGTS and 6 out of 13 putative transformants transformed by pBgGGgTS, respectively. Additionally, the Southern blotting analysis of these 10 transformants confirmed that both ggpps and ts gene were stably integrated into the genome of C. cinerea. Crude extracts from each of the transformants were analyzed. There is no difference in the mycelium extracts among the wild-type LT2 and two types of transformants. However, analysis of culture filtrates indicated that an additional GC peak was found at the retention time of 16.762 min which was absent in the wild type control. The mass fragmentation pattern of this peak had the same diagnostic ions with taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene. According to peak area, the amounts of taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene in each fermented broth were 44 ng/L (transformed with pBgGGgTS) and 30 ng/L (transformed with pBgGGTS), respectively. In conclusion, co-expression of the ggpps and ts gene could increase the taxadiene production in C. cinerea.
Agaricales ; metabolism ; Alkenes ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; metabolism ; Farnesyltranstransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Engineering ; Isomerases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Paclitaxel ; Plasmids

The purpose of this research was to prepare total salvianolic acids-phytosome-HA coprecipitate to improve drug dissolution and its micromeritic properties. Firstly, the coprecipitate was prepared by solvent method and in vitro dissolution of tripterine was performed with the salvianolic acid B and danshensu as criteria. At the same time, the micromeritic properties was characterizated, the structure of samples was characterized by TEM, DSC, XRD and FTIR. Results showed that when the ratio of drug to HA was 1:2, it had a better dissolution, the accumulative drug-release percent in vitro at 60 min was over 90%. At the same time, it has good liquidity and low moisture absorption. Its micromeritic properties have improved. It is proved that the drug still existed amorphously by microstructure analysis. The preparation process is simple and feasible, it has practical value.
Alkenes ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Durapatite ; chemistry ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; chemistry ; Time Factors

Study the suitability of organic film for salvianolic acid in the ultrafiltration process of Danshen Dizhuye. UPLC was used to analyze the migration of nine phenolic active ingredients in Danshen Dizhuye during ultrafiltration of PES hollow fiber membrane and PS hollow fiber membrane. The structural composition of multi-components was analyzed by three different batches of Danshen Dizhuye before and after ultrafiltration of the two membranes. The results showed that 9 phenolic active ingredients in Danshen Dizhuye did not change significantly after ultrafiltration through PES membrane. However, after ultrafiltration through PS membrane, the content of sodium danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, caffeic acid, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid and rosmarinic acid in Danshen Dizhuye did not change significantly, while salvianolic acid D, salvianolic acid B and lithospermic acid decreased by about 20%, and the content of salvianolic acid A decreased significantly. The final content in equilibrium was only about 20% of the original solution. Therefore, an in-depth study on the migration particularity of salvianolic acid A in ultrafiltration membrane was the focuse. The results showed that the loss of salvianolic acid A was caused by both membranes during ultrafiltration, and salvianolic acid A was lost more in PS membrane. When the membrane was washed and regenerated, it was found that salvianolic acid A was detected in the ethanol washing solution, but not in the washing liquid, indicating that the loss of salvianolic acid A during the ultrafiltration was mainly adsorptive action. The results suggested that the migration of phenolic active ingredients in Danshen Dizhuye during the membrane ultrafiltration process did not completely follow the molecular weight passing rule of the membrane pore size. At the same time, it may be affected by factors, such as the structure of the membrane material, and the interaction between the membrane structure and the structure of components, and exhibit different migration behaviors during the ultrafiltration of the membrane.
Alkenes/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Polyphenols/chemistry* ; Salvia miltiorrhiza/chemistry* ; Ultrafiltration

OBJECTIVE: Deficits in olfactory function are common features in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Olfactory processing is related to dopamine metabolism and orbitofrontal cortex functioning, both known to be involved in the neurobiology of ADHD. Some investigations suggested alterations in olfactory processing (identification and detection threshold) in patients with ADHD. Despite increasing knowledge, controversy about this topic still exists regarding children with ADHD. This study was conducted to help elucidate some of this controversy. METHODS: 50 participants (8-15 years, mean=10.70+/-1.77) with ADHD were compared to 50 controls. The two groups were well matched for age, gender and Mean School Scores (MSS). We assessed odor identification and threshold through a smell test composed of two tests of identification and detection threshold. Odor detection threshold was assessed with the odorant phenyl ethyl alcohol solved in propylene glycol using a single staircase method. Odor identification was assessed with chemical essences of five common odorants. RESULTS: The mean Sensory Identification Score for children with ADHD and the control groups were 3.76 (1.06) and 4.46 (0.76), respectively (p<0.001). The mean for Sensory Threshold Score for ADHD and control group was 6.4 (3.35) and 9.75 (2.16), respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study replicated altered olfactory performance in ADHD. Substantial olfactory deficits across the two domains of identification and detection threshold are observed in children with ADHD. These deficits do not seem to be a result of olfactory task difficulty and are not influenced by age, gender and MSS. Further studies are required to investigate whether olfactory function can be used as a biological marker for early diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of ADHD.
Alkenes ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Biomarkers ; Child ; Dopamine ; Early Diagnosis ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Neurobiology ; Odors ; Prognosis ; Propylene Glycol ; Sensory Thresholds ; Smell

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease associated with dementia (PDD) are considered to be frequent types of cortical and subcortical dementia. Definitive diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases is impossible without biopsy. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain has long been used for years with cognitive disorders. Nevertheless, differential brain perfusion of patients with PDD and AD who exhibit mild dementia has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated the differences in the cerebral perfusional pattern using perfusion SPECT between mild AD and mild PDD to help clarify the diagnosis in the early stage of these dementias, since accurate diagnosis is crucial in decision regarding treatment, appropriate advice, management and prognosis. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with mild PDD and 32 patients with mild probable AD were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent 99mTc-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime perfusion SPECT and general neuropsychological tests, and these data including perfusion images were analyzed. RESULTS: Perfusion SPECT showed hypoperfusion in frontal, parietal and temporal regions in both PDD and AD patients with mild dementia. Hypoperfusion in the occipital and cerebellar regions was significantly apparent in only PDD patients. CONCLUSION: Comparison of mild PDD with mild AD showed a significantly decreased perfusion in the occipital and cerebellar region in patients with mild PDD. Cerebral perfusion in the occipital region and the cerebellum could be a crucial differential diagnostic method of these diseases in the early phase. Further studies are needed for a definitive conclusion.
Alkenes ; Alzheimer Disease ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Dementia ; Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Parkinson Disease ; Perfusion ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

The chemical constituents of Taxus chinensis var. mairei cell cultures were investigated by chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Thirteen compounds were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of cultured cells and their structures were elucidated by spectral data and physicochemical properties, which were identified as 2α,4α,7β,9α,10β-pentaacetoxy-14β-hydroxytax-11-ene (1), 2α,4α,7β,9α,10β-pentaacetoxytax-11-ene (2), 1β-deoxybaccatin VI (3), 2α-acetoxytaxusin (4), taxuyunnanine C (5), yunnanxane (6), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-propionyloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (7), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-isobutyryloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (8), 2α,5α,10β-triacetoxy-14β-(2'-methyl)butyryloxy-4 (20), 11-taxadiene (9), 13-dehydroxylbaccatin III (10), 13-dehydroxy-10-deacetylbaccatin III (11), paclitaxel (12) and (13) β-sitosterol. Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 2, 4, 10 and 11 are isolated from the cell culture of Taxus chinensis var. mairei for the first time.
Alkenes ; analysis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; Molecular Structure ; Paclitaxel ; analysis ; Sitosterols ; analysis ; Taxoids ; analysis ; Taxus ; chemistry

To prepare salvianolic acid phospholipid compound. With the compound of salvianolic acids and soybean phospholipid as the index, mono-factor experiment and orthogonal design experiment were conducted to screen its technical parameters. According to the results, the optimal preparation conditions of salvianolic acid phospholipid compound were that THF were taken as the reaction solvent, the concentration time was 3 h, the reactant concentration was 5 g x L(-1), the mass ratio of salvianolic acids and phospholipid was 1: 1.5, and the reaction temperature was 40 degrees C. The oil/water partition coefficient of the prepared salvianolic acid phospholipid compound significant increased in water and buffers with different pH values. The results of phase analysis such as DSC, XRD and FTIR indicated that salvianolic acids existed in phospholipid in an amorphous state.
Alkenes ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Chemical Phenomena ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Intestinal Absorption ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Soybeans ; chemistry ; Temperature