PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Models, Chemical”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Mineralization of organic contaminants in sludge-soil mixtures.

The mineralization of 14C-labeled linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate (NP2EO), di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), pyrene, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB) was investigated in different sludge-soil mixtures and soils. Under aerobic conditions, the mineralization of LAS, NP, and NP2EO was between 50 and 81% of the added amounts after two months, while DEHP and pyrene were mineralized more slowly. The mineralization of the model chemicals was indirectly affected by the amount of sludge in the test mixtures. A higher content of sludge in the mixtures reduced the overall concentration of oxygen, which resulted in a decrease of the mineralization of several of the model chemicals. In sludge-soil mixtures with predominantly anaerobic conditions, the mineralization was slower for all of the chemicals with the exception of DEHP and DCB. The mineralization of DCB was enhanced in mixtures with a high sludge content. No pronounced difference in the mineralization of the model chemicals (except DEHP) was observed when the sludge was mixed with three different agricultural soils.

Aerobiosis↗

Transport model of chemical secretion process for tracking exocytotic event dynamics using electroanalysis.

A unified model is developed to analyze the key features of the chemical secretion process observed in experimental studies of various vesicles with application to electroanalytical measurements of vesicular exocytosis. The intimately coupled dynamics and kinetics are simultaneously resolved based on continuum fluid flow, mass transport, and linear elasticity theories combined with biomembrane mechanics. We report three case studies of exocytosis, including a large electroporated granule of the mast cell, a small and clear synaptic vesicle, and a medium size vesicle in the chromaffin cell. The simulation results for each case are compared with electroanalytical measurements from the literature. The results provide a theoretical ground for defining the rate-controlling step(s) of an exocytotic sequence, allowing interpretation of electroanalysis data. Thus, it provides a tool for theoretical verification of competing hypotheses of what controls/limits messenger release during exocytosis. Simulations show that the pore size, the pore opening velocity, and the swelling dynamics of the granule matrix play the key roles in controlling the messenger release kinetics.

Animals↗

Bone marrow engraftment in a rodent model of chemical carcinogenesis but no role in the histogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent studies indicated that hepatic stem cells in the bone marrow could differentiate into mature hepatocytes, suggesting that bone marrow cells could be used for replacement of damaged hepatocytes in a variety of liver diseases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is thought to arise from hepatic stem cells. In this study, we investigated the malignant potential of hepatic stem cells derived from the bone marrow in a mouse model of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: Bone marrow cells were obtained from the male beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) transgenic mouse and transplanted into female recipient mice. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by a year of treatment with diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital (NDEA/PB). One year later, the liver was removed from each treated mouse and evaluated by x-gal staining, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: Forty per cent of recipient mice survived and developed multiple HCC. Clusters of beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes were detected sporadically in the entire liver of NDEA/PB treated mice who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with while no such hepatocytes were identified in the liver of BMT mice that were not treated with NDEA/PB. The Y chromosome was detected with the same frequency as the donor male liver in clusters of beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes by FISH. However, no HCC was positive for beta-gal or the Y chromosome. Immunohistochemically, beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes did not express CD34 or alpha-fetoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hepatic stem cells derived from the bone marrow have low malignant potential, at least in our model.

Animals↗

An enhanced cosmic-ray flux towards zeta Persei inferred from a laboratory study of the H3+-e- recombination rate.

The H3+ molecular ion plays a fundamental role in interstellar chemistry, as it initiates a network of chemical reactions that produce many molecules. In dense interstellar clouds, the H3+ abundance is understood using a simple chemical model, from which observations of H3+ yield valuable estimates of cloud path length, density and temperature. But observations of diffuse clouds have suggested that H3+ is considerably more abundant than expected from the chemical models. Models of diffuse clouds have, however, been hampered by the uncertain values of three key parameters: the rate of H3+ destruction by electrons (e-), the electron fraction, and the cosmic-ray ionization rate. Here we report a direct experimental measurement of the H3+ destruction rate under nearly interstellar conditions. We also report the observation of H3+ in a diffuse cloud (towards Persei) where the electron fraction is already known. From these, we find that the cosmic-ray ionization rate along this line of sight is 40 times faster than previously assumed. If such a high cosmic-ray flux is ubiquitous in diffuse clouds, the discrepancy between chemical models and the previous observations of H3+ can be resolved.

Journal Article↗

Covalent modification of a melanoma-derived antigenic peptide with a natural quinone methide. Preliminary chemical, molecular modelling and immunological evaluation studies.

A LigandFit shape-directed docking methodology was used to identify the best position at which the melanoma-derived MHC class-I HLA-A2-binding antigenic peptide ELAGIGILTV could be modified by attaching a small molecule capable of fitting at the interface of complementary determining regional (CDR) loops of a T-cell receptor (TCR) while triggering T-cell responses. The small molecule selected here for determining the feasibility of this alternative track to chemical alteration of antigenic peptides was the electrophilic quinone methide (+)-puupehenone (), a natural product that belongs to a family of marine metabolites capable of expressing immunomodulatory activities. A preliminary chemical reactivity model study revealed the efficacy of the thiol group of a cysteine (C) side-chain in its nucleophilic addition reaction with in a regio- and diastereoselective manner. The best TCR/HLA-A2 ligand [i.e., ELAGCGILTV-S-puupehenol ()] then identified by the LigandFit docking procedure was synthesized and used to pulse HLA-A2(+) T2 cells for T-cell stimulation. Among the ELAGIGILTV-specific T-cell clones we tested, five of them recognized the conjugate in spite of its low binding affinity for the HLA-A2 molecules. The resulting T-cell stimulation was determined through the intracytoplasmic secretion of IFN-gamma and the percentage of T-cells thus activated. These highly encouraging results indicate that small non-peptidic natural product-derived molecules attached onto the central part of an antigenic peptide can fit at the TCR/HLA-A2 interface with induction of T-cell responses.

Epitopes↗

In vitro-in vivo extrapolation of quantitative hepatic biotransformation data for fish. I. A review of methods, and strategies for incorporating intrinsic clearance estimates into chemical kinetic models.

Scientists studying mammals have developed a stepwise approach to predict in vivo hepatic clearance from measurements of in vitro hepatic biotransformation. The resulting clearance estimates have been used to screen drug candidates, investigate idiosyncratic drug responses, and support chemical risk assessments. In this report, we review these methods, discuss their potential application to studies with fish, and describe how extrapolated values could be incorporated into well-known compartmental kinetic models. Empirical equations that relate extrapolation factors to chemical log K(ow) are given to facilitate the incorporation of metabolism data into bioconcentration and bioaccumulation models. Because they explicitly incorporate the concept of clearance, compartmental clearance-volume models are particularly well suited for incorporating hepatic clearance estimates. The manner in which these clearance values are incorporated into a given model depends, however, on the measurement frame of reference. Procedures for the incorporation of in vitro biotransformation data into physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models are also described. Unlike most compartmental models, PBTK models are developed to describe the effects of metabolism in the tissue where it occurs. In addition, PBTK models are well suited to modeling metabolism in more than one tissue.

Animals↗

An in vitro model for chemical extraction of carbon dioxide via modified peritoneal dialysis.

An in vitro model of a new method for paracorporeal removal of CO2, consisting of modified peritoneal dialysis combined with chemical extraction of predominantly bicarbonate CO2, is presented. The peritoneal cavity was simulated by a bubble oxygenator into which 10% CO2 was diffused. Bicarbonate was initially added, but subsequently regenerated by the system. An insoluble chemical (barium hydroxide lime) was used to precipitate the bicarbonate and produce OH- ions, which prevent the acidosis anticipated with the loss of bicarbonate. CO2 removal was computed from the gas flow rate and CO2 concentration as measured with an infrared analyzer. The rate of CO2 removal was found to be a directly linear function of dialysate flow rate, gas flow rate, and concentration of bicarbonate. The model removed 60 ml/min of CO2, but it is capable of removing more, since the variables affecting CO2 removal are controllable by the observer. This new method can extract bicarbonate CO2 without causing depletion of bicarbonate or requiring an infusion of alkali. It is potentially useful in management of hypercapnic respiratory failure and as an adjunct to "apneic oxygenation" in respiratory distress syndrome.

Bicarbonates↗

The H295R system for evaluation of endocrine-disrupting effects.

The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the utility of the H295R system as an in vitro assay to assess the potential of chemicals to modulate steroidogenesis. The effects of four model chemicals on the expression of ten steroidogenic genes and on the production of three steroid hormones were examined. Exposures with individual model chemicals as well as binary mixtures were conducted. Although the responses reflect the known mode of action of the various compounds, the results show that designating a chemical as "specific inducer or inhibitor" is unwise. Not all changes in the mixture exposures could be predicted based on results from individual chemical exposures. Hormone production was not always directly related to gene expression. The H295R system integrates the effects of direct-acting hormone agonists and antagonists as well as chemicals affecting signal transduction pathways for steroid production and provides data on both gene expression and hormone secretion which makes this cell line a valuable tool to examine effects of chemicals on steroidogenesis.

Aminoglutethimide↗

Rat epidermal keratinocyte organotypic culture (ROC) as a model for chemically induced skin irritation testing.

The potential of rat epidermal keratinocyte (REK) organotypic culture (ROC) with proper stratum corneum barrier as a model for screening skin irritants was evaluated. The test chemicals were selected from ECETOC database (1995) and the observed in vitro irritation potential was compared to ECETOC in vivo primary irritation index (PII), to EU risk phrases, and to the harmonized OECD criteria. Chemicals were applied onto the stratum corneum surface of ROC for 30 min and samples were taken from the underlying medium at 4 and 8 h after exposure. Cell membrane integrity (determined by LDH assay) and pro-inflammatory effect (determined by IL-1alpha release) were verified at both time points and correlated to PII values. The best correlation (R(2) = 0.831) was seen with LDH leakage test. Based on obtained data, chemicals were classified according to criteria defined by EU and OECD. From 12 chemicals, only two were incorrectly classified according to OECD criteria when using LDH leakage and IL-1alpha release as irritation markers. At the end of experiment, chemical-treated ROC cultures were fixed and histological changes were assessed. Typical signs for irritation were lightly stained cytoplasm, condensed nuclei, cellular vacuolization, eosinophilic cytoplasms, and blebbing. These irritation effects of chemicals were graded visually into four classes (A-D). The extent of morphological perturbations of the cultures mostly correlated with PII. The present results indicate the validity of the ROC model in predicting skin irritation potential of chemicals and show that the use of set of irritation markers with different mechanistic responses gives more information on irritation than if only one marker was used.

Animals↗

Diclofenac and its derivatives as tools for studying human cytochromes P450 active sites: particular efficiency and regioselectivity of P450 2Cs.

A comparison of the oxidations of diclofenac with microsomes of yeasts expressing various human liver cytochromes P450 showed that P450 2C9 regioselectively led to 4'-hydroxy diclofenac (4'-OHD) whereas P450 3A4 only led to 5-hydroxy diclofenac (5-OHD). P450 2C19, 2C18, and 2C8 led to the simultaneous formation of 4'-OHD and 5-OHD (respective molar ratios of 1.3, 0.37, and 0.17), and P450 1A1, 1A2, 2D6, and 2E1 failed to give any detectable hydroxylated metabolite under identical conditions. P450 2C9 was found to be much more efficient for diclofenac hydroxylation than all the other P450s tested (k(cat)/K(M) of 1.6 min(-1) microM(-1) instead of 0.025 for the second more active P450), mainly because of markedly lower K(M) values (15 +/- 8 instead of values between 170 and 630 microM). Oxidation of diclofenac with chemical model systems of cytochrome P450 based on iron porphyrin catalysts exclusively led to the quinone imine derived from two-electron oxidation of 5-OHD, in an almost quantitative yield. Two derivatives of diclofenac lacking its COO(-) function were then synthesized; their oxidation by recombinant human P450 2Cs always led to a major product coming from their 5-hydroxylation. Substrate 2, which derives from reduction of the COO(-) function of diclofenac to the CH(2)OH function, was studied in more detail. All the P450s tested (1A1, 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4) almost exclusively led to its 5-hydroxylation. P450s of the 2C subfamily were found to be the most efficient catalysts for this reaction, with k(cat)/K(M) values between 0.2 and 1.6 min(-1) microM(-1). Oxidation of 2 with an iron porphyrin-based chemical model of cytochrome P450 also led to a product derived from the oxidation of 2 at position 5. These results show that oxidation of diclofenac and its derivative 2, either with chemical model systems of cytochrome P450 or with recombinant human P450s, generally occurs at position 5. This position, para to the NH group on the more electron-rich aromatic ring of diclofenac derivatives, is thus, as expected, the privileged site of reaction of electrophilic, oxidant species. The most spectacular exception to this chemoselective 5-oxidation of diclofenac derivatives was found for oxidation of diclofenac itself with P450 2C9 (and P450 2C19 and 2C18 to a lesser extent), which only led to 4'-OHD. A likely explanation for this result is a strict positioning of diclofenac in the P450 2C9 active site, via its COO(-) function, to completely orientate its hydroxylation toward position 4', which is not chemically preferred. P450 2C19, 2C18, and 2C8 would not lead to such a strict positioning as they give mixtures of 4'-OHD and 5-OHD. The above results show that diclofenac derivatives are interesting tools to compare the active site topologies of human P450 2Cs.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

Modeling sorption isotherms of volatile organic chemical mixtures in model and natural solids.

Parameters from single-component isotherm models were used in multicomponent isotherm models to predict the aqueous phase sorption of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the presence of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in four zeolites, Tenax, and three natural solids. The Langmuir, the Polanyi-Dubinin, and the Freundlich or the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models were used to simulate single-component sorption in zeolites. The Langmuir two-site, the Polanyi-Dubinin two-site, and the Freundlich or the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm models were used to simulate single-component sorption in Tenax and natural solids. Two-site models have been used previously to model sorption in soils and sediments, and they combine an adsorption component (e.g., Langmuir) with a linear partitioning component. By using parameters from the different single-component isotherm models, the multicomponent Langmuir, the ideal adsorbed solution theory, and the Polanyi theory were each used to predict multicomponent sorption. In general, the ability to predict TCE sorption in the presence of PCE depended more on the choice of the single-component model than the multicomponent model, and better results were obtained when the Freundlich or the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm was used for single-component sorption. This suggests that the more mechanistically based Langmuir and Polanyi-type models may not adequately describe the distribution of adsorption sites in some model and natural solids. The Freundlich or the Langmuir-Freundlich model, although empirical, has greater flexibility in characterizing sorbent heterogeneity and results in better multicomponent model predictions. However, this last statement is tenuous, because more solids must be tested against various model combinations.

Adsorption↗

A multimedia environmental model of chemical distribution: fate, transport, and uncertainty analysis.

This paper presented a framework for analysis of chemical concentration in the environment and evaluation of variance propagation within the model. This framework was illustrated through a case study of selected organic compounds of benzo[alpha]pyrene (BAP) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the Great Lakes region. A multimedia environmental fate model was applied to perform stochastic simulations of chemical concentrations in various media. Both uncertainty in chemical properties and variability in hydrometeorological parameters were included in the Monte Carlo simulation, resulting in a distribution of concentrations in each medium. Parameters of compartmental dimensions, densities, emissions, and background concentrations were assumed to be constant in this study. The predicted concentrations in air, surface water and sediment were compared to reported data for validation purpose. Based on rank correlations, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the influence of individual input parameters on the output variance for concentration in each environmental medium and for the basin-wide total mass inventory. Results of model validation indicated that the model predictions were in reasonable agreement with spatial distribution patterns, among the five lake basins, of reported data in the literature. For the chemical and environmental parameters given in this study, parameters associated to air-ground partitioning (such as moisture in surface soil, vapor pressure, and deposition velocity) and chemical distribution in soil solid (such as organic carbon partition coefficient and organic carbon content in root-zone soil) were targeted to reduce the uncertainty in basin-wide mass inventory. This results of sensitivity analysis in this study also indicated that the model sensitivity to an input parameter might be affected by the magnitudes of input parameters defined by the parameter settings in the simulation scenario. Therefore, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses for environmental fate models was suggested to be conducted after the model output was validated based on an appropriate input parameter settings.

Benzopyrenes↗

Modeling the chemical protective performance of NBC clothing material.

The heat load, imposed by air-permeable NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical)-protective suits, can be reduced by improving the air permeability of the suit. However, increased air permeability will reduce the chemical protective performance, since increasing the air permeability of the NBC-protective material will result in higher air velocities through the material. In this study the relation between the chemical protective performance and air velocity through NBC-clothing is evaluated. A theoretical model was developed that describes the chemical protection of air permeable NBC-protective clothing material under various conditions. The initial breakthrough concentration and the 50% breakthrough time are modeled as function of parameters like the air velocity and the challenge concentration. Using this model, the effect of airflow through the material on the breakthrough concentration of mustard vapor was calculated and compared with results of breakthrough experiments. The predictions of the model are in good agreement with the experimental results. The air velocity through the material and thus the air permeability of the material appear to be parameters of critical importance. High air velocity through the material results in high breakthrough concentrations, and therefore poor protective performance of the material. To describe the total breakthrough curve, a semiempirical model of experimental breakthrough results was made. This model describes the total breakthrough concentration of vapor through NBC-protective material as a function of parameters like the air velocity and the challenge concentration. This model can be used as a tool to optimise the protective performance of NBC-protective clothing material.

Adsorption↗

Dynamic modeling of chemical fate and transport in multimedia environments at watershed scale-II: trichloroethylene test case.

A multimedia environmental fate model was developed to study the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of a chemical pollutant at watershed scale. The theoretical considerations and implementation of the model were described in the accompanying paper (Part I). This paper presents the result of a test simulation on the transport of trichloroethylene (TCE) in the Connecticut River Basin. The simulation results were reported as time series of concentrations and inter-media transport fluxes in the compartments of atmosphere, plant, soil, surface water, and sediment. Predicted concentrations from the test simulation were compared with published field data or predictions by validated models. The temporal trends in TCE predictions were evaluated by comparing the simulation results with monthly TCE concentrations in various environmental compartments and monthly fluxes of inter-media transport processes. Results indicated that the simulation results were in reasonable agreement with reported data in the literature. The results also revealed that the mass transport of TCE from the atmosphere compartment to soil and surface water was a major route of TCE dispersion in the environment.

Ecosystem↗

A reaction-based paradigm to model reactive chemical transport in groundwater with general kinetic and equilibrium reactions.

This paper presents a reaction-based water quality transport model in subsurface flow systems. Transport of chemical species with a variety of chemical and physical processes is mathematically described by M partial differential equations (PDEs). Decomposition via Gauss-Jordan column reduction of the reaction network transforms M species reactive transport equations into two sets of equations: a set of thermodynamic equilibrium equations representing N(E) equilibrium reactions and a set of reactive transport equations of M-N(E) kinetic-variables involving no equilibrium reactions (a kinetic-variable is a linear combination of species). The elimination of equilibrium reactions from reactive transport equations allows robust and efficient numerical integration. The model solves the PDEs of kinetic-variables rather than individual chemical species, which reduces the number of reactive transport equations and simplifies the reaction terms in the equations. A variety of numerical methods are investigated for solving the coupled transport and reaction equations. Simulation comparisons with exact solutions were performed to verify numerical accuracy and assess the effectiveness of various numerical strategies to deal with different application circumstances. Two validation examples involving simulations of uranium transport in soil columns are presented to evaluate the ability of the model to simulate reactive transport with complex reaction networks involving both kinetic and equilibrium reactions.

Adsorption↗

The use of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic dosimetry models for chemical mixtures.

Human exposure to chemicals is rarely, if ever, limited to a single chemical. Therefore, it is essential that we consider multiple chemical effects and interactions in our risk assessment process. However, with the almost infinitely large number of chemical mixtures in the environment, systematic studies of the toxicology of these chemical mixtures with conventional methodologies and approaches are impossible because of the immense resources and unrealistically long durations required. Thus, the development of 'Predictive and Alternative Toxicology' is imperative. At Colorado State University (CSU), our research effort is entirely devoted to this challenge. In order to have a reasonable chance to deal with the complex issue of toxicology of chemical mixtures, we believe that the following concepts must be considered: (1) the utilization of computer, (2) the exploitation of mathematical/statistical methodologies; (3) developing very focused, mechanistically based, and short-term toxicology studies; (4) coupling computer/mathematical modeling with mechanistically-based toxicology. Our strategy therefore the utilization of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) modeling, coupled with very focused, model-directed toxicology experiments as well as other statistical/mathematical methodologies such as Monte Carlo simulation, isobolographic analysis, and response surface methodology. We believe that 'Predictive and Alternative Toxicology' in terms of tissue dosimetry at the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic levels is achievable with simple and complex but chemically defined mixtures. In this presentation, we describe two ongoing research projects as an illustration of our 'Bottom-Up' and 'Top-Down' approaches for handling the chemical mixtures: (1) PBPK/PD modeling of toxicologic interactions between Kepone and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and the coupling of Monte Carlo simulation for the prediction of acute toxicity; (2) the conceptual development of PBPK/PD modeling for a more complex chemical mixture of seven groundwater contaminants from hazardous waste sites and the consideration of subfractionation of this chemical mixture.

Animals↗

Dealkylation of N-nitrosodibenzylamine by metalloporphyrin/oxidant model systems for cytochrome P450.

N-Nitrosodialkylamines are alkylating carcinogens which are metabolically activated to alpha-hydroxy nitrosamines through oxidative dealkylation by cytochrome P450. In this study, the dealkylation step in the activation of N-nitrosodibenzylamine (NDBz) was investigated with metalloporphyrin/oxidant model systems under non-aqueous conditions, as biomimetic chemical models of cytochrome P450. In the model systems, NDBz was dealkylated and benzaldehyde was released. The catalytic activity required a porphyrin ring with a central metal that can interact with an oxidant. The oxidative activity of the model varied with the oxidant used in the order of tert-butyl hydroperoxide > cumene hydroperoxide > iodosobenzene, and also with the central metal of porphyrin used in the order of tetraphenylporphyrinatoiron(III) chloride > its manganese derivative. It was confirmed that N-nitrosodialkylamine undergoes oxidation to alpha-hydroxy nitrosamine in chemical model systems which are free of protein. These biomimetic models should be useful in elucidating the mechanisms of the metabolism of N-nitrosodialkylamines.

Benzaldehydes↗