Competitive sorption of carbonate and arsenic to hematite: combined ATR-FTIR and batch experiments

The competitive sorption of carbonate and arsenic to hematite was investigated in closed-system batch experiments. The experimental conditions covered a pH range of 3-7, arsenate concentrations of 3-300 μM, and arsenite concentrations of 3-200 μM. Dissolved carbonate concentrations were varied by fixing the CO(2) partial pressure at 0.39 (atmospheric), 10, or 100 hPa. Sorption data were modeled with a one-site three plane model considering carbonate and arsenate surface complexes derived from ATR-FTIR spectroscopy analyses. Macroscopic sorption data revealed that in the pH range 3-7, carbonate was a weak competitor for both arsenite and arsenate. The competitive effect of carbonate increased with increasing CO(2) partial pressure and decreasing arsenic concentrations. For arsenate, sorption was reduced by carbonate only at slightly acidic to neutral pH values, whereas arsenite sorption was decreased across the entire pH range. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated the predominant formation of bidentate binuclear inner-sphere surface complexes for both sorbed arsenate and sorbed carbonate. Surface complexation modeling based on the dominant arsenate and carbonate surface complexes indicated by ATR-FTIR and assuming inner-sphere complexation of arsenite successfully described the macroscopic sorption data. Our results imply that in natural arsenic-contaminated systems where iron oxide minerals are important sorbents, dissolved carbonate may increase aqueous arsenite concentrations, but will affect dissolved arsenate concentrations only at neutral to alkaline pH and at very high CO(2) partial pressures.     

Immunotoxicity of Organic Arsenic Compounds in Marine Animals

In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time the immunotoxic effects of organic arsenic compounds in marine animals, namely arsenocholine [AsCho; trimethyl(2-hydroxyethyl)arsonium cation], arsenobetaine [AsBe; the trimethyl(carboxymethyl)arsonium zwitterion] and the tetramethylarsonium ion (TetMA), to murine principal immune effector cells (macrophages and lymphocytes), comparing them with the effects of inorganic arsenicals in vitro . Inorganic arsenicals (arsenite and arsenate) showed strong cytotoxicity to both macrophages and lymphocytes. The concentration of arsenite that reduced the number of surviving cells to 50% of that in untreated controls (IC₅₀) was 3–5 μmol dm⁻³, and the cytotoxicity of arsenate (IC₅₀=100 μ-1 m mol dm⁻³) was lower than that of arsenite. Compared with these findings, trimethylarsenic compounds in marine animals, AsCho and AsBe, were less toxic even at a concentration over 10 mmol dm⁻³ to both macrophages and lymphocytes; however, TetMA had weak, but significant, cytotoxicity to these cells (IC₅₀ was about 6 mmol dm⁻³).     

Arsenic speciation by capillary gas-liquid chromatography

Specific environmentally significant arsenic compounds are determined by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Inorganic (arsenite, arsenate) and organic (monomethylarsonate, dimethylarsinate) arsenicals are measured as the corresponding methylthioglycolate derivatives, which are simultaneously separated on wide-bore borosilicate glass and fused-silica columns under conditions of temperature programming. Inorganic arsenate and arsenite cannot be differentiated by the derivatization technique. Flame-ionization and electron-capture detection are evaluated. A simple and rapid sample preparation procedure is used for water, urine, blood, and tissue.     

Determination of arsenite, arsenate and monomethylarsonic acid in aqueous samples by gas chromatography of their 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (bal) complexes

Procedures are described for the determination of arsenite, arsenate and monomethylarsonic acid in aqueous samples. The arsenicals (after reduction of arsenic to the tervalent state) readily react with 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) to yield their BAL complexes. The products are extracted with benzene and introduced into a gas Chromatograph equipped with a flame-photometric detector for sulphur. One aliquot of sample is treated with stannous chloride solution and potassium iodide solution to reduce arsenate and monomethylarsonic acid, then BAL is added and the complexes are extracted with benzene. The extract is analysed for total inorganic As plus monomethylarsonic acid. Magnesia mixture and phosphate solution are added to another aliquot to remove arsenate by co-precipitation with magnesium ammonium phosphate. The precipitate is filtered off and arsenite determined in the filtrate. The detection limits are 0.02 ng of As for arsenate and arsenite and 0.04 ng of As for monomethylarsonic acid.     

The effect of arsenicals on cell suspension cultures of the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Catharanthus roseus cells were grown in the presence of arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonate and dimethylarsinate. Cell growth and arsenical uptake were monitored. Reduction of arsenate, methylation of arsenic and demethylation of methylarsenic species are described. Alkaloid production by the cells is dramatically influenced by the presence of arsenicals. ¹H NMR studies of methylarsonate uptake by whole cells of C. roseus are reported.     

Role of Macrophage (M1 and M2) in Titanium-Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Rat

Titanium-dioxide nanoparticles (TNP) are used in various consumable goods. Evidence has demonstrated the cytotoxicity of TNPs, but exact mechanism is yet to be elucidated. The present study has been aimed at finding out the mechanism of TNP-induced toxicity in biological system. Different doses of anatase-TNPs administrated intravenously to Wistar rats for once a week for 1 month and properties of T_H cells, macrophages, cytokines secretion, oxidative damage, apoptotic pathway, and hematological and pathological changes were investigated as downstream events of TNP-mediated cytotoxicity. Result suggests that TNPs induce T_H1 and T_H2 response as measured by immunophenotyping (interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-4) of T_H cells, causing induction of M1 (nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NF-kappaB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α) and M2 (Arg-1, Ym1) macrophages response. At lower dose, T_H1 or M1 response counteracted by T_H2 or M2 response, resulting in insignificant oxidative damage. However, with increasing dose of TNPs, the M1 response was increased over M2 response resulting in significant tissue damage. The M1-induced inflammatory response was found to cause DNA and chromosomal damage resulting apoptosis induction via upregulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and subsequent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cyto c release in splenocytes. The TNP-led inflammatory response also causes damage at different tissue levels.     

Conversion of arsenite and arsenate to methylarsenic and dimethylarsenic compounds by homogenates prepared from livers and kidneys of rats and mice

Pooled livers and pooled kidneys from rats or mice were homogenized and spiked with arsenite or arsenate in the concentration range 1.3–20 μmol dm^?3. Methylarsenic and dimethylarsenic compounds were determined by the hydride generation technique in the homogenates after a 90 min incubation at 37°C. The rat homogenates methylated arsenite and arsenate more efficiently than the mouse homogenates. Monomethylated arsenic was present in larger amounts than dimethylated arsenic in the rat homogenates. In the absence of reduced glutathione (GSH), no methylation occurred. Addition of GSH promoted monomethylation and dimethylation, whereas dithiothreitol and mercaptoethanol (10 mmol dm^?3) fostered only monomethylation. The amounts of monomethylated arsenic in the rat liver homogenates increased with increasing arsenite concentration (1.3–20 μmol dm^?3) however, the percentage of arsenic that had been methylated decreased. A similar trend, but with much less monomethylarsenic formed, was observed for arsenate-spiked homogenates. Rat kidney homogenates methylated arsenite and arsenate to a much smaller extent than rat liver homogenates. The K_m values for the monomethylation in rat liver homogenates were found to be 5.3 μmol dm^?3 for arsenite and 59 μmol dm^?3 for arsenate.     

Bioaccumulation and excretion of arsenic compounds by a marine unicellular alga,polyphysa peniculus

Polyphysa peniculus was grown in artificial seawater in the presence of arsenate, arsenite, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinic acid. The separation and identification of some of the arsenic species produced in the cells as well as in the growth medium were achieved by using hydride generation–gas chromatography–atomic absorption spectrometry methodology. Arsenite and dimethylarsinate were detected following incubation with arsenate. When the alga was treated with arsenite, dimethylarsinate was the major metabolite in the cells and in the growth medium; trace amounts of monomethylarsonate were also detected in the cells. With monomethylarsonate as a substrate, the metabolite is dimethylarsinate. Polyphysa peniculus did not metabolize dimethylarsinic acid when it was used as a substrate. Significant amounts of more complex arsenic species, such as arsenosungars, were not observed in the cells or medium on the evidence of flow injection–microwave digestion–hydride generation–atomic absorption spectrometry methodology. Transfer of the exposed cells to fresh medium caused release of most cell–associated arsenicals to the surrounding environment.     

Time Resolved Direct Determination of Arsenate in the Presence of Arsenite on Pencil Graphite Electrode Modified by Graphene Oxide and Zirconium

Trace amount of arsenate in the presence of arsenite was determined directly on pencil graphite electrode modified by graphene oxide and zirconium (Zr−G−PGE). The layer‐by‐layer modification of PGE was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Key point of the developed method was quick adsorption of arsenate than arsenite on the Zr−G−PGE. In optimal conditions, the Zr−G−PGE was applied for determination of arsenate using differential pulse voltammetry in a linear range 0.10–40.0 μg L⁻¹ with a limit of determination of 0.12±0.01 μg L⁻¹. The sensitivity of the electrode was 1.36±0.07 μA/μg L⁻¹. The modified electrode was used to measure the concentration of arsenate in the river water. A recovery test was performed by introducing 10 μg L⁻¹ arsenate into the rivers water in order and acceptable data of average recovery of 101.2 % was obtained. From the experimental results, the as‐prepared electrode can provide a satisfactory method for direct determination of arsenate in real samples.     

Determination of ultratrace dissolved arsenite in water – selective coprecipitation in the field combined with HGAFS and ICP–MS measurement in the laboratory

Because stabilization of arsenite in water samples during transit and storage is troublesome, this work deals with a method to prevent this by on-site selective coprecipitation of arsenite with dibenzyldithiocarbamate and recovery of the coprecipitate by filtration through a 0.45-μm membrane filter. In the laboratory arsenic on the filter is quantitatively released by oxidation of arsenite to arsenate with H₂O₂ (6%) in alkaline medium (8 mmol L^–1 NaOH) at elevated temperature (85?°C) for 30 min followed by ultratrace determination by routine HGAFS and ICP–MS. It is shown that arsenate contamination of the coprecipitate is so low that arsenate concentrations three orders of magnitude higher than the arsenite concentration do not interfere; this is essential, because arsenate is usually the dominant arsenic species in water. Because significant preconcentration can be achieved in the solution obtained from the leached filter (normally a factor 20 but easily increased to 100) very low detection limits can be obtained (only limited by the purity of the materials and the cleanliness of working); a realistic limit of determination is 0.01 μg L^–1 arsenite. The procedure was used for the determination of arsenite in two ground waters from an ash depository site in the ?alek valley (Slovenia). The matrix contained some elements at very high levels but this did not impair the efficiency of arsenite coprecipitation. The results obtained by use of HGAFS and ICP–MS were not significantly different at the 5% level for sub-μg L^–1 arsenite concentrations.     

Altered protein synthesis in rat kidney cells exposed to semiconductor materials

It is thought that the extensive industrial use of arsenic, gallium and indium, which have applications as the materials for III–V semiconductors, will increase human exposure to these compounds in the near future. We have undertaken the development of new biological indicators for assessing exposure to these elements. Element-specific alterations in protein synthesis patterns were expected to occur following exposure to arsenic compounds. We examined alterations in protein synthesis in primary cultures of rat kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells by sodium arsenite, gallium chloride and indium chloride, utilizing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. After incubation with the chemicals for 20 h, newly synthesized proteins were labeled with [³⁵S]methionine. A protein with a molecular weight (M_r) of 30 000 was markedly induced on exposure to 10 μM arsenite or 300 μM gallium chloride, and synthesis of proteins with M_r values of 85 000, 71 000, 65 000, 51 000, 38 000 and 28 000 were also increased by exposure to arsenite and gallium chloride. No significant changes were observed upon exposure to indium. Some of these increased proteins could be heat-shock proteins.     

Tolerance,bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic in freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

Tolerance bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic compounds by a freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were investigated. M. rosenbergii was exposed to 10, 20, 30 and 35 μg As cm⁻³ of disodium arsenate [abbreviated as As(V)], 25, 50, 100 and 120 μg As cm⁻³ of methylarsonic acid (MMAA), or 100,200, 300 and 350 μg As cm⁻³ of dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA). Tolerances (50% lethal concentration: LC₅₀) of the prawn against As(V), MMAA, and DMAA were 30, 100, and 300 μg As cm⁻³, respectively. The prawn accumulated arsenic compounds directly from aqueous phase and biotransformed them in part. Both methylation and demethylation of the arsenicals were observed in vivo. Highly methylated and less toxic arsenicals were less accumulated in M. rosenbergii.     

Influence of organic and inorganic arsenicals on glucose uptake in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

The effect of organic (oxophenylarsine; PhAsO) and inorganic (arsenite) arsenicals on the availability of glucose to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was investigated. The MDCK cells revealed stereospecific D-glucose uptake which was inhibited by both arsenicals in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. After 10 min (37 degrees C), the effects on D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose accumulation were analogous, suggesting an impaired hexose uptake. With arsenite, 0.5-1 mmol dm-3 were required for half-maximum inhibition (IC50), whereas PhAsO inhibited glucose uptake in the micromolar range (IC50 5-30 mumol dm-3). Under these conditions neither cell morphology nor cellular viability was affected. After 60 min, however, the inhibition of glucose utilization was paralleled by the formation of blebs, detachment of the monolayer and a loss of cellular viability as confirmed by dye exclusion, lactate dehydrogenase and potassium release. It is concluded that inhibition of glucose uptake may contribute to the acute toxicity, especially of organic arsenicals, by further aggravating the depletion of intracellular carbohydrates.     

A curcumin derivative, 2,6-bis(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone (BDMC33) attenuates prostaglandin E2 synthesis via selective suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 in IFN-γ/LPS-stimulated macrophages

Our preliminary screening had shown that the curcumin derivative [2,6-bis(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone] or BDMC33 exhibited improved anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophage cells. In this study, we further investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of BDMC33 on PGE(2 )synthesis and cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in IFN-γ/LPS-stimulated macrophages. We found that BDMC33 significantly inhibited PGE(2) synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner albeit at a low inhibition level with an IC(50) value of 47.33 ± 1.00 μM. Interestingly, the PGE(2) inhibitory activity of BDMC33 is not attributed to inhibition of the COX enzyme activities, but rather BDMC33 selectively down-regulated the expression of COX-2. In addition, BDMC33 modulates the COX expression by sustaining the constitutively COX-1 expression in IFN-γ/LPS-treated macrophage cells. Collectively, the experimental data suggest an immunodulatory action of BDMC33 on PGE(2) synthesis and COX expression, making it a possible treatment for inflammatory disorders with minimal gastrointestinal-related side effects.     

Pentavalent Arsenate Reductase Activity in Cytosolic Fractions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> sp., Isolated from Arsenic-Contaminated Sites of Tezpur,Assam

Pentavalent arsenate reductase activity was localized and characterized in vitro in the cytosolic fraction of a newly isolated bacterial strain from arsenic-contaminated sites. The bacterium was gram negative, rod-shaped, nonmotile, non-spore-forming, and noncapsulated, and the strain was identified as Pseudomonas sp. DRBS1 following biochemical and molecular approaches. The strain Pseudomonas sp. DRBS1 exhibited enzymatic machinery for reduction of arsenate(V) to arsenite(III). The suspended culture of the bacterium reduced more than 97% of As(V) (40–100 mM) to As(III) in 48 h. The growth rate and total cellular yield decreased in the presence of higher concentration of arsenate. The suspended culture repeatedly reduced 10 mM As(V) within 5 h up to five consecutive inputs. The cell-free extracts reduced 86% of 100 μM As(V) in 40 min. The specific activity of arsenate reductase enzyme in the presence of 100 μM arsenate is 6.68 μmol/min per milligram protein. The arsenate reductase activity is maximum at 30 °C and at pH 5.2. The arsenate reductase activity increased in the presence of electron donors like citrate, glucose, and galactose and metal ions like Cd⁺², Cu⁺², Ca⁺², and Fe⁺². Selenate as an electron donor also supports the growth of strain DRBS1 and significantly increased the arsenate reduction.     

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Liposome-encapsulated Influenza Split Vaccine in BALB/c Mice

The cellular immunity of current influenza split vaccine is relatively low. It is necessary to develop a novel vaccine to improve the cellular immunity. Thes of this study prepared liposome-encapsulated influenza split vaccine and tested it in BALB/c mice. The mice were immunized once with 4 μg of haemagglutinin of monovalent A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1) encapsulated with liposomes or the split virus vaccine only through intrastomach injection. In a comparative study, it was observed that the liposome-encapsulated vaccine elicited a higher neutralizing antibody response, more effectively stimulated spleen cell proliferation, increased cell subsets like CD4 and CD4 /CD8 , and triggered IL-4 and IFN-γ production.     

The mechanism of cytotoxicity of methylmercury: Inhibition of progression through the S phase of the cell cycle

The effect of methylmercury (MeHg) on progression of the murine erythroleukemic cell (MELC) through the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Exposure in vitro to 5.0-10.0 μmol dm^?3 MeHg for 6h resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the rate of cell replication, apparently as a result of inhibition of DNA synthesis (rate of passage through the S phase of the cell cycle). Thus, only a modest accumulation of cells with a G₂/M (4n) DNA content was observed. At or above 10 μmol dm^?3 MeHg, progression through all phases of the cell cycle was blocked. FCM revealed a dose-dependent increase in cellular refractive index (90° light scatter), decrease in apparent cell volume (axial light loss), and increase in resistance to non-ionic detergent (NP-40)-mediated cytolysis indicative of fixation (protein denaturation, cross-linking, etc.) of the plasma membrane/cytoplasm complex. The data indicate DNA synthesis as the primary target of MeHg cytotoxicity.     

Demethylation of methylarsenic species by Mycobacterium neoaurum

Mycobacterium neoaurum demethylates both methylarsonic acid and methylarsonous acid to mixtures of arsenate and arsenite. After 28 days of incubation, the yields of inorganic arsenic were 27% from arsenate and 43% from arsenite. A time study of the demethylation of methylarsonic acid by M. neoaurum showed that demethylation occurs rapidly during the growth and stationary phases of the bacterium, and indicates that MMA(V) is reductively demethylated to arsenite. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salvianolic acid A inhibits PDGF-BB induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation while does not constrain endothelial cell proliferation and nitric oxide biosynthesis

Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are critical events in the initiation and development of restenosis upon percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Polyphenols have been suggested to ameliorate post-angioplasty restenosis. Salvianolic A (SalA) is one of the most abundant polyphenols extracted from salvia. In this study, we investigated the effect of salvianolic A (SalA) on the migration and proliferation of VSMCs. We found a preferential interaction of SalA with cellular systems that rely on the PDGF signal, but not on the EGF and bFGF signal. SalA inhibits PDGF-BB induced VSMC proliferation and migration in the concentration range from 0.01 to 0.1 μM. The inhibition of SalA on VSMC proliferation is associated with cell cycle arrest. We also found that SalA inhibits the PDGFRβ-ERK1/2 signaling cascade activated by PDGF-BB in VSMCs. In addition, SalA does not influence the proliferation of endothelial cells, the synthesis of NO and eNOS protein expression. Our results suggest that SalA inhibits migration and proliferation of VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB via the inhibition of the PDGFRβ-ERK1/2 cascade, but that it does not constrain endothelial cell proliferation and nitric oxide biosynthesis. Thus, the present study suggests a novel adjunct pharmacological strategy to prevent angioplasty-related restenosis.     

Quantitative trace-level speciation of arsenite and arsenate in drinking water by ion chromatography

We describe an improved method for the determination of inorganic arsenic in drinking water. The method is based on comprehensive optimization of the anion-exchange ion chromatographic (IC) separation of arsenite and arsenate with post-column generation and detection of the arsenate-molybdate heteropoly acid (AMHPA) complex ion. The arsenite capacity factor was improved from 0.081 to 0.13 by using a mobile phase (2.0 mL min(-1)) composed of 2.5 mM Na2CO3 and 0.91 mM NaHCO3 (pH 10.5). A post-column photo-oxidation reactor (2.5 m x 0.7 mm) was optimized (0.37 microM potassium persulfate at 0.50 mL min(-1)) such that arsenite was converted to arsenate with 99.8 +/- 4.2% efficiency. Multi-variate optimization of the complexation reaction conditions yielded the following levels: 1.3 mM ammonium molybdate, 7.7 mM ascorbic acid, 0.48 M nitric acid, 0.17 mM potassium antimony tartrate, and 1.0% (v/v) glycerol. A long-path length flow cell (Teflon AF, 100-cm) was used to measure the absorption of the AMHPA complex (818 +/- 2 nm). Figures of merit for arsenite/arsenate include: limit of detection (1.6/0.40 microg L(-1)): standard error in absorbance (5.1 x 10(-3)/3.5 x 10(-3)); and sensitivity (2.9 x 10(-3)/2.2 x 10(-3) absorbance units per ppb). Successful application of the method to fortified surface and ground waters (100 microL samples) is also described.