Inhibitors of glyoxalase I in vitro

Inhibition in vitro of human red blood cell glyoxalase I activity was measured by the decrease in the rate of formation of S-D-lactoyl-glutathione as determined by the change in absorbance at 240 nm. The percentage activity remaining was determined after addition of various potential inhibitor compounds and the concentration for 50% activity was obtained by graphical interpolation. The inhibitors were selected on the basis of their similarity to a possible transition-state enediol intermediate of methylglyoxal. The most effective inhibitors were dihydroxycoumarins with a 50% inhibition of 0.03 mM. Inhibition of methylglyoxal catabolism suggests possible application as chemotherapeutic agents based on the inhibitor characteristics of methylglyoxal.     

Elevated Soil Arsenic Levels at a Former Crude Oil Storage Facility-Assessment,Remediation, and Possible Sources

Surface and near-surface soil arsenic levels were measured at a former crude oil storage facility within the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. Arsenic was present in soil within some portions of the site at concentrations defined as being hazardous by both the State of California and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The elevated soil total arsenic concentrations ranged from about 30 to 2300?mg/kg and generally occurred in, and adjacent to, the former washing and storage tank locations and along piping runs. In contrast, background concentrations of arsenic in soil at the site ranged from less than the analytical method detection limits (0.5?mg/kg) to approximately 8.0?mg/kg. The elevated soil arsenic concentrations are believed to be the result of the use of arsenical corrosion inhibitors within production wells and possibly the use of arsenical biocides in washing and skimmer tanks. Flow lines from production wells within the oil field to the crude oil storage facility contained crude oil and produced (formation) water. Arsenical corrosion inhibitors placed into the oil wells may have flowed with the crude oil/produced-water streams into the washing and skimmer tanks. Over the course of approximately 55 years of operation, tankage and piping leaks at the facility may have contributed to the elevated soil arsenic concentrations encountered at the site. A site-specific cleanup goal of 22?mg/kg total arsenic was established by the regulatory agency with oversight for the site. Remediation of the arsenic-impacted soil was accomplished by excavation and on site treatment using a chemical fixation process. Confirmatory samples collected after the fixation process was completed verified that the treatment reduced the concentrations of arsenic that could by leached from the soil to nonhazardous levels. The treated soil was subsequently transported offsite to an asphalt recycling facility for incorporation into asphalt paving products.     

SKIN SWABBING FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS: APPLICATION TO DUSKY DOLPHINS (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS)

Exfoliated skin was collected from bowriding dolphins with the use of a sterilized nylon scrub pad affixed to a wooden dowel. Initial tests of the effectiveness of the technique and dolphin behavioral responses were conducted on dusky dolphins off Kaikoura, New Zealand. During 14 sampling days, 128 contacts using this procedure were made with bowriding dolphins, of which 114 showed behavioral response. Responses during sampling were mild, with 11% of contacted individuals showing no visible response, and 66% of individuals which could be monitored for 30 sec after contact returning to bowride within 30 sec. Mean return time was 10 sec postcontact and did not vary significantly for groups of different sizes. Behavioral controls suggest that a proportion of responses could be explained by typical dolphin behavior in the presence of boats. Seventy-eight percent of contacts resulted in successful collection of tissue samples. Sample time was three minutes on average. Size of group and behavioral state did not appear to influence sample time. Preliminary genetic analyses revealed that tissue collected by this technique was suitable for amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via PCR. Comparisons of mtDNA control region sequences with those from known L. obscurus and other delphinid samples verified that this technique was robust against contamination from elements in sea water.     

Polarized light therapy: Shining a light on the mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory effects

This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of polychromatic polarized light therapy (PLT) on human monocyte cells. While there is some evidence demonstrating a clinical effect in the treatment of certain conditions, there is little research into its mechanism of action. Herein, U937 monocyte cells were cultured and exposed to PLT. The cells were then analyzed for change in expression of genes and cell surface markers relating to inflammation. It was noted that 6 hours of PLT reduced the expression of the CD14, MHC I and CD11b receptors, and increased the expression of CD86. It was also shown that PLT caused downregulation of the genes IL1B, CCL2, NLRP3 and NOD1, and upregulation of NFKBIA and TLR9. These findings imply that PLT has the capacity for immunomodulation in human immune cells, possibly exerting an anti‐inflammatory effect.