ALBERT

Notes: Abstract. Osteopenia has been described as a complication of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). We measured bone modeling indexes during the first year of IDDM. At each time point the values obtained from diabetic children have been compared with those of control subjects. We selected 27 prepubertal children with IDDM (6.35 ± 2.16 years). We also enrolled 30 healthy prepubertal children of comparable age (5.85 ± 3.05 years). Height, height standard deviation scores, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), basal c-peptide concentrations, insulin dose, serum concentrations of procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide (PICP), and collagen type I C-terminal telopeptide (ICTP) were measured at onset of IDDM and at 3, 6 and 12 months. ICTP was in the normal range at onset of IDDM and decreased during the follow-up to reach a significant difference compared to controls after 3, 6 and 12 months of insulin treatment (P 〈 0.04). PICP concentrations increased significantly at 3 months (P= 0.05) compared to onset. At 3 and 12 months PICP values were significantly higher than those of control children (P= 0.04). Correlations were found between PICP concentrations and HbA1C and c-peptide at onset of diabetes (r =−0.45 and r = 0.47, respectively). Bone formation at onset of IDDM is not impaired; the introduction of insulin therapy, together with the achievement of a good metabolic control, determines an increase of bone matrix formation coupled with a decrease of bone resorption, that determines a positive balance of bone modeling.

Notes: Abstract. During growth, bones change their dimensions rapidly with the changes involving both formation and resorption processes. Small cross-linked peptides coming from type I collagen molecules are excreted in urine when bone is resorbed. To date, conflicting results have been presented concerning the age- and puberty-related changes of urinary markers. The purpose of the present study was to verify the effect of age, gender, and puberty on the urinary excretion of type I collagen degradation products in healthy children and adolescents. Timed spot urines from 176 children (4–20 years old) and 50 young adults were analyzed. The concentrations of N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx), pyridinolines (Pyr), and deoxypyridinolines (Dpyr) were measured, and the results were normalized to creatinine. Age-related changes in cross-links excretion were observed. The levels decreased with age, and a peak of excretion was shown at the beginning of adolescence. Prepubertal levels of all the markers were four- to five-fold higher than in adults, and they decreased towards adult levels in late puberty. Girls had significantly higher levels of all biochemical markers than boys at pubertal stage 2. We also observed a remarkable effect of puberty on the levels of bone degradation products that was independent of age and gender. Our results indicate that bone resorption is high in children relative to that in adults, and that urinary levels of NTx, Pyr, and Dpyr change as a function of age, gender, and puberty.

Notes: Abstract Recently, there have been discussions of the relative merits of passage of fishes around hydroelectric dams on three rivers (Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon) in Michigan. A hazard assessment was conducted to determine the potential for adverse effects on bald eagles that could consume such fishes from above and below dams on the three primary rivers. The hazard assessments were verified by comparing the reproductive productivities of eagles nesting in areas where they ate primarily fish from either above or below dams on the three primary rivers, as well as on two additional rivers in Michigan, the Menominee and Thunder Bay. Concentrations of organochlorine insecticides (OCI), polychlorinated biphenyls (total PCBs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ), and total mercury (Hg) were measured in composite samples of fishes from above and below hydroelectric dams on the Manistee and Muskegon Rivers, which flow into Lake Michigan, and the Au Sable River, which flows into Lake Huron. Mean concentrations of OCI, total PCBs, and TCDD-EQ were all greater in fishes from below the dams than in those from above. The hazard assessment indicated that current concentrations of Hg and OCI other than DDT (DDT + DDE + DDD) in fish from neither above nor below dams would present a significant hazard to bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Both total PCBs and TCDD-EQ in fishes from below the dams currently present a significant hazard to bald eagles, since their mean hazard quotients (HQ) were all greater than one.

Notes: Abstract Eight species of birds (129 individuals) were collected from three agricultural areas with long histories of pesticide use in northwestern Mexico. Plucked carcasses were analyzed for organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs). DDE was found in all of the samples and at higher levels than other OCs. Mean (geometric) DDE concentrations varied from 0.04 (μg/g) ppm in mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) to 5.05 ppm in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) was detected in 95% of the samples, but at lower levels than DDE. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) residues were detected more frequently in birds from Mexicali (62%, p 〈 0.05) than in those from Yaqui and Culiacan. HCH and HCB concentrations were significantly higher in birds from Mexicali during the winter than in the summer (p 〈 0.05), indicating accumulation of these compounds during that period. Other OCs such as DDT, DDD, dieldrin, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan, and endrin were found at lower levels and less frequently. PCBs (quantitated as Aroclor® 1260) were found mostly in cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and cormorants at the three locations. Overall, concentrations of OCs were higher for Mexicali than for Yaqui and Culiacan (p 〈 0.01). In a few cases, DDE levels were above those that might adversely affect birds.

Notes: Abstract Fishes of the Great Lakes contain hazardous chemicals such as synthetic halogenated hydrocarbons and metals. These fish can move from the lakes into the Great Lakes tributaries of Michigan. In doing so, they transport concentrationsof contaminants which may represent a risk to wildlife. Concentrations of mercury (Hg), total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ), total DDT complex, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, hexachlorobenzene, cis-chlordane, oxychlordane, endosulfan-I, methoxychlor, trans-chlordane, and trans-nonachlor were determined in composite samples of fishes from above and below Michigan hydroelectric dams, which separate the fishes which have access to the Great Lakes from fishes that do not. Mean concentrations of total PCBs, TCDD-EQ, DDT, and most of the other pesticides were greater in composite samples of six species of fishes from below than above the dams on the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon Rivers. Concentrations of mercury, were the same or greater above the dams than below. However, this difference was statistically significant only on the Au Sable. Mercury concentrations ranged from less than 0.05 mg/kg to 0.73 mg Hg/kg, ww. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 0.02 to 1.7 mg/kg, ww. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents varied among fishes and locations. The concentrations of TCDD-EQ ranged from 2.4 to 71 μg/kg, ww, with concentrations in carp being the greatest. Concentrations of TCDD-EQ were greater than the concentrations which would be expected to occur, due solely to the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), and technical mixtures of PCBs.

Notes: Summary The effects of injections of antagonists of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors on self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex in the rat were studied. The results of this investigation suggest that acetylcholine is involved in self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex through activation of muscarinic receptors, and also suggest a possible interaction between acetylcholine and dopamine in mediating self-stimulation of this area of the brain.

Notes: Summary The effects of S-422 (1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl) amino] propane), an hepatic metabolite of the hypolipidaemic drug Benfluorex, on lipid metabolism have been investigated in two experimental models: in human fetal lung fibroblasts, for study of the apo B/E receptor-mediated regulation of cholesterol metabolism, and in murine J 774 monocyte-like cells, for study of the scavenger receptor-mediated induction of cholesteryl ester accumulation. In human fibroblasts S-422 increased low density lipoprotein (LDL) catabolism by about 20%, whereas it decreased oleic acid incorporation into triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters by 25 and 35%, respectively. In J 774 cells, S-422 decreased acetylated LDL degradation and cholesteryl ester formation by about 35%. In both cell types, ACAT activity was significantly reduced by the drug, either after a 24 h pretreatment of the cultured cells, or after an in vitro 30 min preincubation of cell homogenates. The results suggest that S-422, and thus Benfluorex, might prevent the development of atherosclerotic plaques.

Notes: Abstract Populations of mink (Mustela vison) have declined in many areas of the world. Such declines have been linked to exposures to synthetic, halogenated hydrocarbons. In the Great Lakes region, mink are fewer in areas along the shore of the Great Lakes and their tributaries where mink have access to fish from the Great Lakes. Recently, there has been discussion of the relative merits of passage of fishes around hydroelectric dams on rivers in Michigan. A hazard assessment was conducted to determine the potential for adverse effects on mink, which could consume such fishes from above or below dams on the rivers. Concentrations of organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachloridibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ), and total mercury were measured in composite samples of fishes from above or below hydroelectric dams on the Manistee and Muskegon Rivers, which flow into Lake Michigan, and the Au Sable River, which flows into Lake Huron. Concentrations of organochlorine insecticides, PCBs, and TCDD-EQ were all greater in fishes from below the dams than those from above. Concentrations of neither organochlorine insecticides nor mercury in fishes are currently a risk to mink above or below the dams. All of the species of fishes collected from downstream of the dams contained concentrations of PCBs and TCDD-EQ, which represent a hazard to mink. The hazard index for PCBs was less than one for the average of all species from the upstream reaches of the Manistee and Au Sable Rivers, but not the Muskegon. The hazard index (concentration in fish/NOAEC) was greater than 1 for all of the species collected from below the dams, in all three rivers. The greatest hazard index was observed for carp (Cyprinus carpio) downstream on the Muskegon River. Because the concentrations of PCBs used in the hazard assessment were corrected for relative toxic potencies, the hazard ratios based on PCBs should be similar to those based on TCDD-EQ. This was found to be true. Thus, either total PCBs or TCDD-EQ could be used as the critical toxicant in the hazard assessment. However, if uncorrected concentrations of PCBs, expressed as Aroclors®, were used in the hazard assessment, the toxicity of the weathered mixture would have been underestimated by approximately five-fold, and, in that instance, TCDD-EQ would be the critical contaminant for the hazard assessment. The average maximum allowable percentage of fish from above the dams, which would result in no observable adverse effects of TCDD-EQ, was 70%. Based on the average TCDD-EQ concentrations in the fishes, an average of 8.6% of the diet could be made up of fishes from below dams on the rivers. The most restrictive daily allowable intakes were for carp on the Muskegon and steelhead trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) on the Manistee Rivers. Only 2.7% of the diet could be made up of these two species from influenced portion of the Au Sable River, they would be exposed to 390 μg PCBs and 8.55 ng of TCDD-EQ per day, respectively (Giesy et al. 1994b). Thus, it would take 15.1 or 77 days for mink to receive their total annual dose of PCBs or TCDD-EQ, respectively. At least for chinook salmon, the critical contaminant for the purposes of hazard assessment would be total concentrations of PCBs. Consuming chinook salmon for as little as 2 weeks would deliver the annual allowable dose of PCBs to mink.

Notes: Abstract. Eggs from four aquatic bird species nesting on the National Audubon Sanctuary Islands of the lower Laguna Madre were collected during 1993 and 1994 to determine concentrations of organochlorine compounds and trace metals and to evaluate their possible detrimental effects on birds nesting in this aquatic ecosystem. The only chlorinated hydrocarbons found above detection limits were p,p′-DDE (DDE), p,p′-DDT (DDT), HCB, HCH, chlordane, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Median DDE and PCB levels in eggs of four species were below 1 μg/g ww. Concentrations of DDE were much greater (6-70 fold) than the concentrations of other chlorinated pesticides which were present at or near detection limits. One egg from a snowy egret contained 9.65 μg/g DDE, 0.056 μg/g DDD, and 1.75 μg/g DDT. Ten heavy metals and trace elements (Hg, Se, B, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Sr, and Zn) were detected in 90% of the samples but at levels that were not of concern. In 1993–1994, concentrations of DDE in eggs of aquatic birds of the lower Laguna Madre were much lower than levels detected in this area during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Concentrations of DDE, PCBs, and trace metals in eggs detected in this study could not be associated with deformities or other detrimental effects on birds.