Biomedical subjects

J E Elliott

Publications and source records attributed to J E Elliott.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Monitoring biological effects of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in great blue heron chicks (Ardea herodias) in British Columbia.

The Canadian Wildlife Service monitors levels of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons in great blue heron (Ardea herodias) eggs in British Columbia as indicators of environmental contamination. The present project assessed the temporal effects of environmental contamination with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs) on hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities and several morphological parameters in heron hatchlings. Between 1990 and 1992, eggs were collected from two great blue heron colonies in British Columbia that had elevated levels of contamination in 1988: Vancouver in 1990 and 1992, and Crofton in 1991. Biological parameters in the hatchlings and chemical contaminant levels in matched eggs from the same clutch were measured and compared with the findings from the same colonies studied in 1988. Levels of TCDD and other PCDDs and PCDFs had decreased significantly in both colonies since 1988. A concomitant decrease in EROD activity and incidence of chick edema, increase in body weight, and improvement of the reproductive success of the Crofton colony was observed. Body, yolk-free body, stomach, and intestine weights, tibia wet, dry, and ash weights, and tibia length regressed negatively on TCDD level (p < .01; n = 54). Hepatic EROD activity regressed positively on TCDD level (r2 = .49; p = .00005; n = 54). Regression of these parameters on the sum of TCDD toxic equivalents (TEQ) resulted in similar relationships. The reduction in severity of the effects observed in the contaminated colonies in the recent collections, accompanied by the declines in levels of PCDDs and PCDFs, was consistent with the dose-response relationships determined in 1988.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Heavy metal and metallothionein concentrations in Atlantic Canadian seabirds.

Seabird tissues, collected during the 1988 breeding season from colonies on the Atlantic coast of Canada, were analyzed for toxic metals--Cd, Hg and Pb--and 18 other trace elements. Metallothionein (MT) was measured in kidney, and kidneys and livers underwent histopathological examination. Levels of most essential trace elements appear to be closely regulated in seabird tissues; values were in good agreement with those previously reported in the published literature. Liver-Se concentrations in Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leukorrhea) (77.6 + 7.49 micrograms/g dry weight) were much higher than values normally reported for free-living birds and mammals. Cd levels varied greatly among individuals, but were always higher in kidney than in liver. Highest mean Cd concentrations (183 + 65 micrograms/g dry weight) were in kidneys of the planktivorous Leach's storm-petrels from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A few individuals of this species had values greater than 300 micrograms/g dry weight. Cd and metallothionein (MT) concentrations were positively correlated in kidneys of Leach's storm-petrels (r = 0.692), Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) (r = 0.845) and herring gull (Larus argentatus) (r = 0.866). Concentrations of total Hg varied greatly among species and individuals, but were consistently higher in liver than in kidney. Highest mean levels (21 + 28 micrograms/g) were in livers of the piscivorous double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) from Saint John Harbour in the Bay of Fundy. Concentrations of Hg and Se were positively correlated (r = 0.736) in livers of Leach's storm-petrel, but not in other species. Pb concentrations were consistently greatest in bone, with mean levels being highest in herring gulls from a colony in the Bay of Fundy (63 + 36 micrograms/g). Histological examination of liver and kidney failed to reveal indications of tissue damage associated with elevated levels of heavy metals.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody vs IL2: disparate effects on T cell-dependent B cell differentiation despite similar effects on generation of unrestricted cytolytic activity.

Despite their each inducing MHC-unrestricted cytolytic activity in overnight PBMC cultures mediated predominantly by CD56+ non-T cells, anti-CD3 mAb and rIL2 induce diametrically opposite effects on subsequent polyclonal T cell-dependent B cell differentiation. When added to fresh autologous PBMC, irradiated anti-CD3-stimulated PBMC inhibit generation of Ig-secreting cells (IgSC) in the secondary cultures, whereas irradiated rIL2-stimulated PBMC enhance IgSC generation. Neither carryover of the respective stimuli nor quantitative differences in levels of cytolytic activity against Daudi cells, autologous PBMC, or autologous activated B cells can explain the dichotomous anti-CD3- vs rIL2-induced effects on B cell differentiation. For both anti-CD3- and rIL2-induced effects on B cell differentiation, CD56- cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ cells, play a more dominant role than they do in generation of MHC-unrestricted cytolytic activity. In addition, although rIL2-induced enhancement of IgSC generation is insensitive to monocyte depletion by plastic adherence or by treatment with leucine methyl ester, anti-CD3-induced inhibition of IgSC generation is highly sensitive to monocyte depletion, indicating that, at least for anti-CD3-induced inhibition, multiple cell populations are required to generate the functional effect. Taken together, these results indicate that differences in the means of generating in vitro tumoricidal activity may have profound ramifications for non-cytotoxic immune parameters, such as B cell differentiation. Not only might this be an important issue to address in adoptive immunotherapy protocols for cancer patients but also adoptive immunotherapy might be applicable to certain autoimmune disorders if the ability to inhibit B cell differentiation could be channeled against the pathogenic antibody-producing B cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1990

Comparison of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin levels with hepatic mixed-function oxidase induction in great blue herons.

As part of the Canadian Wildlife Service monitoring of great blue herons in British Columbia, eggs were collected from three colonies with low, intermediate, and high levels of PCDD and PCDF contamination: Nicomekl, Vancouver, and Crofton, respectively. One egg from each nest was used for chemical analysis by GC-MS; the others were hatched. Liver microsomes were prepared from the heron chicks and used for determination of cytochrome P-450-dependent activities. No erythromycin N-demethylase activity was found in any sample. Ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity in the Nicomekl group was similar to that in pigeons, a control altricial species. The ethoxyresorufin activity in the herons from the Crofton colony was 2.6-fold higher than in the Nicomekl group. The Vancouver colony was intermediate. No difference among the three heron colonies was found in pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity, although levels were 20-33 times that in the pigeon. Chemical analysis was carried out on paired heron eggs. Vancouver and Crofton eggs contained 13.5 and 21 times the levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD compared to the Nicomekl group. The Crofton eggs contained higher levels of several other contaminants also. A highly significant correlation (p less than .001) was found between ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase and 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations. The correlation coefficient did not change when ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase was compared to total chemical contamination using several toxic equivalency factors. Multiple regression analysis resulted in only one predictor variable for ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylase: 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Organochlorine contaminants in eggs of seabirds in the Northwest Atlantic, 1968-1984.

Eggs of three seabird species, double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), and Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) were collected at four-year intervals from 1968 to 1984, from colonies in eastern Canada and analyzed for organochlorines. This monitoring study was established to provide data on contamination of the marine environment and possible implications for seabird health. Long-term trend data are presented for PCBs, DDE, dieldrin, HCB, oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, HCH and mirex. DDE and PCBs declined significantly in all species from the Bay of Fundy. DDE declined significantly in puffins and petrels while PCBs declined only in petrels from the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. Generally DDE declined more than PCBs. Dieldrin, oxychlordane, HCH and mirex levels decreased at some locations but were stable at others. Hexachlorobenzene and heptachlor epoxide levels remained steady or increased significantly, depending on the species and location. Organochlorine levels in cormorants from the St. Lawrence River estuary showed no significant trends.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Environmental contaminants and reproductive success of great blue herons Ardea herodias in British Columbia, 1986-1987.

In 1986, eggs were collected and productivity estimated at four great blue heron (Ardea herodias) colonies on the coast of British Columbia. Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were present in all eggs in a qualitatively similar pattern among colonies. PCDD levels were significantly elevated at a colony near a kraft pulp mill at Crofton on Vancouver Island, although there was no correlation between the number of young raised in a nest and levels of either PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides or mercury. In 1987, heron productivity was normal at three colonies, while the colony at Crofton failed to raise any young. A normal complement of eggs were apparently laid in about 57 nests, but during incubation they were destroyed and the broken eggshells were found in and beneath the nests. Analysis of eggs salvaged from nests showed that 2378-TCDD levels were about three times higher in 1987 than in 1986. At a colony in Vancouver, 2378-TCDF levels were significantly higher in 1987 than 1986 eggs. Levels of organochlorine pesticides and total mercury in eggs were generally low; highest residue levels were found in two mainland colonies, particularly at one adjacent to an agricultural area. Total PCB levels were low and did not differ significantly among locations. Analysis of PCB congener ratios indicated different sources of PCBs. Regurgitated prey samples collected in 1986 from four locations had generally low levels of PCDD, PCDF, mercury, lead and cadmium contamination.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1988

Organochlorines and eggshell thinning in northern gannets (Sula bassanus) from Eastern Canada, 1968-1984.

The northern gannets (Sula bassanus) nesting on Bonaventure Island, Quebec, were studied from 1968 to 1984 in order to measure environmental contaminant levels and their relationship to productivity. Fresh eggs in 1969 contained a mean DDE level of 18.5 mg kg(-1) and had shells which were 17% thinner than pre-1947 samples. Unhatched eggs in 1969 had no outer calcified layer, a mean thickness 20% less than the pre-1947 mean, and mean DDE concentration of 30.6 mg kg(-1). Significantly higher levels of eight contaminants were measured in unhatched than in fresh eggs collected in 1969. DDE and shell thinning were also intercorrelated with nine other contaminants; these data strongly implicate toxic chemicals, particularly DDE, as the main cause for the low breeding success of Bonaventure gannets from 1966 to 1974. Extensive use of DDT to control forest insects around the Gulf of St Lawrence ceased in 1969. Use of DDT, dieldrin and PCBs was restricted in North America during the early 1970s. Residues of DDT, DDD, DDE, PCBs, dieldrin, HCB and chlordane-related compounds in gannet eggs decreased significantly during this study. Heptachlor epoxide remained constant while alpha-HCH appeared to increase. Estimated half-lives ranged from 3.1 years for DDD to 35.4 years for oxychlordane. The breeding success and population of the colony have coincidentally increased.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

Monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay for trypsinogen in neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with monoclonal antibodies against human trypsinogen in neonatal blood-spots has been evaluated for screening for neonatal cystic fibrosis (CF). In a retrospective study, 36 of 39 CF samples were distinguished from controls matched for age and storage time. 7 infants with CF were detected in 16,500 infants screened in a prospective study. The EIA is quicker and less labour intensive than conventional assays for the detection of immunoreactive trypsin and may have further advantages of specificity and sensitivity for monitoring the release of pancreatic zymogens in CF.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1987