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Biomedical subjects

B Bush

Publications and source records attributed to B Bush.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Anaerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls by bacteria from Hudson River sediments.

Anaerobic biodegradation of monochlorobiphenyls; a tetrachlorobiphenyl; Aroclor 1221, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture; and sediment PCBs was investigated by using mixed bacterial populations from Hudson River sediments obtained by PCB enrichment. When the bacteria were incubated with Aroclor 1221, the disappearance of congeners was in general inversely related to GC retention time and thus indirectly to the octanol/water partition coefficient. When incubated with 14C-labeled monochlorobiphenyls, 14CO2 was detected, but methane was not. Radioactivity was also found in the cell material and the aqueous fraction. 2,4,2',4'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl produced little evidence of biodegradation or reductive dechlorination. Inoculation of anaerobic sediments from the Hudson River with the mixed population produced a marked decrease in sediment PCBs, whereas uninoculated sediments were observed to have little change. This decrease was also related to the partition coefficient.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1987

Screening for alcohol abuse using the CAGE questionnaire.

A prospective study of 518 patients admitted to the orthopedic and medical services of a community-based teaching hospital during a six-month period was performed to test the hypothesis that a short, easily administered questionnaire would improve the detection rate by physicians of alcohol abuse. The CAGE questionnaire--a mnemonic for attempts to cut back on drinking, being annoyed at criticisms about drinking, feeling guilty about drinking, and using alcohol as an eye opener--was utilized as a screening instrument. The mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells, liver transaminase levels, and the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level were also evaluated as screening tests. The presence or absence of alcoholism and alcohol abuse for a consecutive sample of CAGE-negative patients and all patients answering "yes" to one or more of the CAGE questions was established through the administration of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, a detailed chart review, and analysis of quantity of alcohol consumed. Diagnostic criteria were those described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III. The prevalence of alcohol abuse was 20 percent. The mean corpuscular volume, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase value, and liver transaminase levels were very insensitive as screening tests. In contrast, the CAGE questionnaire had a sensitivity of 85 percent and a specificity of 89 percent. Only 63 percent of the alcoholic subjects and alcohol abusers were detected by their physicians, and in only 24 percent of these cases did a physician address the problem with the patient. The CAGE questionnaire is a simple, sensitive, and specific screening test for alcohol abusers.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1987

Neurobehavioral and somatic effects of perinatal PCB exposure in rats.

Developing rats were exposed to PCBs via provision of diets containing 0.02 (no PCB added), 2.5, 26, or 269 ppm Aroclor 1254 to sperm-positive female rats from mating to weaning of their pups. Provision of the 269 ppm diet decreased the number of impregnated rats that delivered a litter and lowered pup birth weight, and most pups died within 7 days of birth. Pregnancy success, pup birth weight, and dam body weight and food intake were not altered in the 2.5 and 26 ppm conditions. Preweaning pup growth was reduced in the 26 ppm condition and slightly reduced in the 2.5 ppm condition. The ontogeny of negative geotaxis, auditory startle, and air righting was delayed in pups from the 26 ppm condition. Pups in the 2.5 ppm condition had slightly delayed development of auditory startle. PCB exposure did not affect the duration of forepaw suspension or age at eye opening. Maximal electroshock seizure tests on postweaning rats showed that perinatal PCB exposure decreased seizure severity of both the 2.5 and 26 ppm groups as indicated by increased durations of forelimb and hindlimb flexion and decreased duration of hindlimb extension. PCB exposure increased pup liver weights at birth and dam and pup liver weights at weaning. Spleen and thymus weights were lower in PCB-exposed pups, while brain weights were unaffected. Analytical determination of PCB levels in brain showed greater maternal transfer of PCBs during lactation than during gestation. Elevated PCB levels were detectable in brains of perinatally exposed adult rats. The results indicate that perinatal PCB exposure of rats alters neurobehavioral and somatic ontogeny.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

High-performance liquid chromatography of biogenic amines and metabolites in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and plasma.

A method for high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and electrochemical detection of biogenic amines and metabolites in a variety of biological matrices is described. The method employs either homogenization, precipitation or dilution followed by direct injection of the samples and permits the chromatographic resolution of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in brain; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, DOPAC, 5-HIAA and HVA in cerebrospinal fluid; 5-HIAA, HVA and 5-HT in plasma; and 5-HIAA and HVA in urine. Alterations in chromatographic conditions, voltammetry and in vivo pharmacological manipulations are employed to verify the identity of the putative neurotransmitter and metabolite peaks in the biological samples.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Polychlorinated biphenyls produce regional alterations of dopamine metabolism in rat brain.

Adult male rats were gavaged with a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs; Aroclors 1254 and 1260) at either 500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight. Concentrations of dopamine (DA) and its major metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), were determined in caudate nucleus and lateral olfactory tract on postgavage Days 1, 3, 7 and 14. DA and DOPAC concentrations in caudate decreased after exposure to PCBs, as did HVA/DA ratios. DA concentrations in the lateral olfactory tract were unaffected, although DOPAC/DA ratios decreased. These results demonstrate that the mature mammalian nervous system is sensitive to a brief exposure to PCBs and that regional differences exist in the neurochemical sequelae of exposure to PCBs.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1986

Alcohol abuse in women seeking gynecologic care.

In several retrospective studies, alcoholic women have reported menstrual problems significantly more often than nonalcoholic women. There is no information, however, comparing the prevalence of alcohol abuse in women who receive periodic gynecologic care and those who seek care for menstrual disorders such as the premenstrual syndromes. This question was studied in two private practice settings. Women seeking periodic care were obtained from a suburban, general gynecology practice. Women seeking treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were obtained from a practice that specialized in the care of PMS. Ninety-five patients with PMS and 147 patients seeking periodic care were screened with the CAGE questions--a mnemonic for attempts to Cut back on drinking, being Annoyed at criticism about drinking, feeling Guilty about drinking, and using alcohol as an Eye-opener. Women who gave affirmative responses to one or more of the CAGE questions were evaluated for the presence of alcohol abuse. In the women seeking periodic care, 33% were CAGE positive and 12% were alcohol abusers. In the PMS practice, 51% were CAGE positive and 21% were alcohol abusers. Alcohol abuse is a common problem in gynecologic practice. Women who seek medical care for PMS are at much greater risk to be alcohol abusers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Regional alterations in serotonin metabolism induced by oral exposure of rats to polychlorinated biphenyls.

Adult male rats were gavaged with a mixture of Aroclors 1254 and 1260 at a dose level of either 500 or 1000 mg/kg and were killed on post-gavage days 1, 3, 7 and 14. Total PCB concentrations and concentrations of serotonin and its major central metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, were determined in the dorsal frontal cortex, lateral olfactory tract, hippocampus, medial-basal hypothalamus and brainstem. Differences in the initial concentrations and redistribution patterns of PCBs were observed in the brain regions examined. Serotonin concentrations were reduced in frontal cortex and hippocampus, unaffected in hypothalamus and brainstem and elevated in lateral olfactory tract. Serotonin metabolism, estimated by determination of the metabolite to neurotransmitter ratio, was elevated in all brain areas except for the lateral olfactory tract. These results demonstrate that following a single exposure to PCBs, there are significant changes in serotonin concentrations and metabolism in the adult rat. Furthermore, there are regional brain differences with regard to PCB concentrations and the direction and magnitude of neurochemical change induced by the PCBs.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Lifetime toxicity of chloroform and bromodichloromethane when administered over a lifetime in rats.

Chloroform (CHCl3) and bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl2) are the two most common haloorganic contaminants of chlorinated drinking water. A significantly increased incidence of hepatic neoplastic nodules was found in female rats when each of these compounds was administered in drinking water to Wistar rats throughout their life span. Hepatic adenofibrosis was also produced by chronic ingestion of these two halomethanes.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1985

Oral dosing of rats with polychlorinated biphenyls increases urinary homovanillic acid production.

The effect of a single oral gavage with a mixture of Aroclors 1254 and 1260 on 24-h production of urinary homovanillic acid was determined in the laboratory rat. Adult male Wistar-derived rats were exposed to a single dose of corn oil, either alone or containing equal amounts of Aroclors 1254 and 1260 at a dosage of 500 or 1000 mg/kg. Urinary homovanillic acid concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The 500-mg/kg group showed a transient increase in homovanillic acid production, while the 1000-mg/kg group showed a biphasic response-an initial decrease (due to decreased food consumption) followed by a prolonged elevation. Only transient changes in body weight, food and water consumption, and urine output were observed. The results demonstrate that peripheral measurement of a dopamine metabolite may provide a means of monitoring changes in an important neurotransmitter system after exposure to a putative neurotoxin.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Improvements in glass capillary gas chromatographic polychlorobiphenyl analysis.

Separation of a 1:1:1:1 calibration mixture of Aroclors 1221, 1016, 1254, and 1260 on soda glass capillaries coated with Apolane (C-87) or Apiezon L is described. Polychlorobiphenyl congener structures are assigned to 112 separated and partially separated zones. The quantitative composition of Aroclor 1221 is reported. The performance of the two stationary phases on different lengths of laboratory and commercially prepared capillaries is compared and found to be very similar. Aroclors 1221, 1016, 1254, and 1260 are employed (1:1:1:1) for the primary calibration mixture because they contain all components of the commercial materials which pollute the environment; they are also easily obtained from the U.S. EPA Repository so that the method can be used in any laboratory by employing the calibration data given here.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1985

Polychlorinated biphenyls induce regional changes in brain norepinephrine concentrations in adult rats.

Adult male rats were gavaged with a mixture of Aroclor 1254 and 1260 at a dose level of either 500 or 1000 mg/kg and were killed on post-gavage Days 1, 3, 7 and 14. Total PCB concentrations and concentrations of norepinephrine were determined in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and brainstem. Brain regions behaved differently from each other in terms of both initial concentrations and redistribution patterns of PCBs following exposure. Norepinephrine concentrations were reduced in the frontal cortex and hippocampus but were unaffected in the hypothalamus and brainstem. These results demonstrate that the mature mammalian nervous system is sensitive to a brief exposure to PCBs, that the neurological effects are reversible and dependent on the presence of PCBs in the tissue, and that there are regional brain differences with regard to PCB concentrations and direction and magnitude of neurochemical change induced by the PCBs.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Direct determination of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic (homovanillic) acid in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection.

The improvement of high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis with electrochemical detection for urinary homovanillic acid is described. The method permits the chromatographic resolution of authentic homovanillic acid from coeluting interfering compounds in human and nonhuman primate, and rat urine. The electrochemically derived results are compared with post-column derivatized fluorescence results, and quality-control checks necessary to maintain assay precision in automated analysis are described.

Animals↗