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Biomedical subjects

E J Calabrese

Publications and source records attributed to E J Calabrese.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Toxicological effects of chlorite in the mouse.

When exposed to a maximum level of 100 ppm chlorine dioxide in their drinking water, neither A/J or C57L/J mice exhibited any hematologic changes. Chlorite exposure under similar conditions produced increases for red blood cells in osmotic fragility, mean corpuscular volume, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity for both strains. Chlorite exposure of pregnant A/J mice resulted in a significant decrease in the weight of pups at weaning and a lower average birth to weaning growth rate. Mice exposed to as much as 100 ppm sodium chlorite (NaClO2) in their drinking water for up to 120 days failed to demonstrate any histopathological changes in kidney structure.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1982

Health effects among newborns after prenatal exposure to ClO2-disinfected drinking water.

Because chlorination of potable surface waters may be associated with increased risk of carcinogenicity, substitute methods for the routine disinfection of public water supplies are being explored. As part of this search, it is especially important that the potential health effects of each alternative method should be considered. Chemical treatment of drinking water by chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a likely alternative mode of disinfection. Two common by-products of the ClO2 disinfection of surface water are chlorate and chlorite. These oxidants may have negative health effects on certain high risk groups. Newborns, in particular, would seem to be at increased risk to red cell damage from oxidant stress. The historical record study being reported here compares the morbidity and mortality experience of newborns in two similar communities, one of which used chlorination and the other which used high levels of chlorine dioxide for potable water disinfection. A statistically significant positive association was found between exposure of the mother to ClO2-treated water during pregnancy and prematurity of the newborn as assessed by the attending physician and by a greater weight loss after birth. The rates of jaundice, birth defects and fetal and neonatal mortality did not differ significantly between communities. Because of the limitations of the study design, the findings reported here should be considered suggestive rather than definitive.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Genetic screening for hypersusceptibles in industry.

The identification of individuals at increased risk to toxic substances in the workplace has developed into a major issue amongst OSHA, industrial management, and labor. What is needed is the development of a consistent philosophy which is designed to deal with the issues of genetic screening, job placement, and protection of high risk groups with appropriate federal exposure standards. Present evidence does not justify the use of programs designed to identify individuals with hereditary conditions (e.g., G-6-PD deficiency, sickle cell trait) for job denial and/or transfer.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1981

Does cadmium exposure reduce the metabolism of ethanol?

It is proposed that persons exposed to elevated levels of cadmium via occupation, diet, or cigarette smoking will exhibit a diminished capability to metabolize ethanol via the action of the zinc dependent enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This follows from the observation that cadmium can replace the zinc in liver ADH and inactivate it.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1981

The influence of elevated levels of sodium in drinking water on elementary and high school students in Massachusetts.

Continuing epidemiologic studies at the University of Massachusetts have examined the hypothesis that elevated levels of sodium (Na) in drinking water contribute to elevations of blood pressure (BP). Comparing tenth graders from a town with 107 mg Na/L in the drinking water to those from a town with 8 mg Na/L, revealed statistically significant and medically important higher BP distributions among the high Na town students relative to their low Na town peers for both systolic and diastolic BP in both boys and girls. The differences were upheld when potentially confounding factors, including dietary Na intake and other water factors occurring differentially in the two water supplies, were controlled in the analysis. A replication study among third graders in the same communities showed similar results. Most recently, an experimental bottled water study assessed the effect on blood pressure of lowering Na concentration in the water of some of the high sodium community fourth graders. For three months trios of children matched by sex, school, and baseline BP each used different water for all cooking and drinking purposes, with BP monitored bi-weekly. Pupils were randomly allocated to the three water conditions: 1) high sodium water bottled from their own community distribution system, 2) low sodium water bottled from the distribution system of the comparison community with sodium added to the level of the high sodium community water and 3) low sodium water bottled from the distribution system of the low sodium community but with no sodium added. Preliminary results indicate the BP levels of the girls on the low sodium water exhibited marked decreases in BP over the test period when compared to the other two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Drinking water sodium and blood pressure in children: a second look.

A previous study by the current authors demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically important elevation of 3-5 mmHg in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in high school sophomores in a community with 108 mg/L of sodium in the water supply when compared to their peers in an appropriately matched community with 8 mg/L of sodium. The current investigation, employing identical techniques but studying third graders in the same two communities, showed similar results. This second look considered dietary intake and urinary excretion of sodium. Since the difference in 24-hour dietary sodium consumption was 300 milligrams between the communities, an intake of one liter of high sodium tap water represented approximately 25 per cent of the difference in total sodium intake between the two communities. These studies suggest that sodium consumption in both drinking water and diet may be contributing to the different blood pressure distributions among the normotensive children in the two communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Does use of oral contraceptives enhance the toxicity of carbon disulfide through interactions with pyridoxine and tryptophan metabolism?

It is proposed that oral contraceptive (OC) users are at increased risk to experiencing adverse psychological disorders (e.g. irritability, depression) from exposures to elevated levels of carbon disulfide (CS2). This theory is based on studies indicating that both OCs and CS2 induce either a vitamin B6 deficiency and/or enhance its requirement. Since disruptions of B6 metabolism are thought to explain, at least in part, the adverse psychological effects of OCs and CS2, it is speculated that joint exposure to these substances may result in an exaggerated disruption of B6 metabolism with the development of CS2 induced adverse psychological effects occurring at exposure levels below those normally associated with adverse effects.

Carbon Disulfide↗
PubMed1980

Does the rodent model adequately predict the effects of ozone induced changes to human erythrocytes?

There is an important need to develop animal models to simulate the response of humans to environmental pollutants. The rodent model has been commonly employed to predict the effects of ambient ozone on human RBCs. The use of rodent models for such a purpose is questioned. This challenge is based on the a) ability of mice to significantly enhance ascorbic acid synthesis following ozone stress, b) the ability of ascorbic acid to prevent oxidant [i.e. acetylphenylhydrazine (APH)] stress to human G-6-PD deficient RBCs and c) the lack of ability of humans to synthesize ascorbic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Does nutritional status affect benzene induced toxicity and/or leukemia?

Despite similar levels and duration of benzene exposure, toxicological responses of workers are highly variable. Given a similar degree of exposure, why do some workers remain apparently unaffected, while others develop alterations of the hemopoietic system? It is hypothesized that inadequate nutritional status of possibly several nutrients including iron, selenium, methionine and ascorbic acid may enhance susceptibility to adverse effects caused by benzene.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Automobile inspection and maintenance programs: their role in reducing air pollution.

The development of Inspection and Maintenance Programs to control automobile emissions are one component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce automobile related air pollutants such as CO, NOX, and HC. Since the efficiency at which most motored vehicles are designed to limit pollutant emissions deteriorate with prolonged driving, an Inspection and Maintenance system is needed to restore the ability of the automobile to achieve its designed emission standards. Several types of approaches toward developing Inspection and Maintenance Programs in the U.S. including city, county, and state levels of organization and their effectiveness have been described. However, information on the efficiency of these approaches in achieving reductions in pollutant levels remain to be documented, as well as the cost effectiveness of such programs, and their acceptance by the public. In light of the important role that Inspection and Maintenance Programs have been projected to have in the U.S. in reducing automobile related air pollution, it is recommended that interdisciplinary research projects evaluating the multiple dimensions of Inspection and Maintenance Programs be initiated.

Air Pollution↗