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The study utilized molecular-genetic, cytogenetic, and statistical analyzes methods. A cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of the inhabitants of the villages of Amangeldy, Belbulak, in whose territory warehouses of unused pesticides are located, was carried out. Residents of the Basshi village, on the territory of which there are no products of disposal of pesticides, were taken as control. Cytogenetic analysis showed a high level of chromosomal aberrations for the inhabitants of the Belbulak village, an increased level for the inhabitants of the Amangeldy village and a low level in the Basshi cohort. Molecular genetic analysis did not reveal a significant correlation between the polymorphisms of the XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC3 Thr241Met and XPD Lys751Gln genes and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. However, study determined the associative relationship of the polymorphism of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 Arg399Gln with the development of cardiovascular diseases in a population living near foci of pesticidal contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the efficiency of a sequestration strategy using carbon-based materials to reduce the transfer of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from hens to eggs. Specifically, the potential of Kazakhstan-made Shoptykol coal was evaluated by applying 2% (by weight) of this material to OCP-contaminated soil obtained from Kyzylkairat (Almaty region, Kazakhstan). The experiment was conducted by exposure for 45 days of 18 hens, which were divided into three groups depending on their feeding conditions. Laying hens were fed diets containing 10% of soil: for the first group with control soil A, the second group with contaminated soil K, the third group with contaminated soil containing coal. Quantification of pesticide concentrations in egg yolks of laying hens was then performed by gas chromatography mass-spectrometry. Despite the supply of Shoptykol, no significant reduction in OCPs transfer was observed for compounds tested. Thus, the efficiency of Shoptykol coal in reducing the transfer of organochlorine pesticides to animals was not confirmed by our results.

The study aimed to assess the genotoxicity of different DDT contaminated soils (with different amendment types) in benzene extracts. A Salmonella/microsome assay without metabolic activation (-S9) was performed to evaluate the efficiency to initiate the mutations of remediated and non-remediated soils. The number of revertants mutations in his+ in TA100 and TA98 strains were obtained, and compared to soils without DDT, and remediated DDT containing soils. The interpretation of the data suggests that, mutagenic activity was high for the non-remediated soils samples Kyzylkairat and Beskainar, and revealed in the scale as a weak mutagen. Soil samples treated with DARCO, ORBO, Sarg150μm in Kyzylkairat and Beskainar exhibited a decreasing level of mutagenic activity, which is in line with the decreased environmental availability in these soil. Overall, the study indicates that strains TA100 and TA98 are valuable tools for rapidly assessing the potential mutagenicity of soil contaminated with OCPs.

Background Antibiotic stewardship programmes have a pivotal role in ICUs, but the level of implementation of these programmes at the regional or national level is not well known. Objectives The aim of our study was to assess the level of implementation of antibiotic stewardship programmes in French ICUs. Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey from January to March 2018 using an online questionnaire sent as an E-mail link to ICU specialists (one questionnaire per ICU). Results Overall, 113 out of 206 (55%) ICUs participated. Access to local epidemiology regarding bacterial resistance and antibiotic consumption data was reported in 84% and 65% of ICUs, respectively. Local guidelines for antibiotic use were available in 54% of ICUs. The duration of empirical antibiotic therapy was limited in 46% of cases, following the recommendation of an external expert in 33%. An antibiotic stewardship programme leader was reported at the hospital level by 94% of respondents, being an infectious disease physician in 80%. His/her role in the ICU was mostly to discuss specific cases (50%) and to provide advice on antibiotic prescriptions (26%). Regarding microbiological diagnosis, blood cultures were not processed at night or during weekends in 57%. Molecular biology and MS techniques were available in 62% and 59% of cases, respectively. Therapeutic drug monitoring of β-lactams was available in 46% of cases. Forty-three percent of respondents knew the expression 'antimicrobial/antibiotic stewardship'. Conclusions Antibiotic stewardship programmes are not optimally implemented in French ICUs. Improvement efforts and regular monitoring of the level of implementation are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chlordecone (Kepone or CLD) is a highly persistent pesticide formerly used in French West Indies. Nowadays high levels of this pesticide are still found in soils which represent a subsequent source of contamination for outdoor-reared animals. In that context, sequestering matrices like biochars or activated carbons (ACs) are believed to efficiently decrease the bioavailability of such compounds when added to contaminated soils. The present study intends to test the respective efficiency of soil amendment strategies using commercial ACs or biochars (obtained by a 500 °C or 700 °C pyrolysis of 4 distinct type of wood). This study involved three experimental steps. The first one characterized specific surface areas of biochars and ACs. The second one assessed CLD-availability of contaminated artificial soils (50 μg g−1 of Dry Matter) amended with 5% of biochar or AC (mass basis). The third one assessed CLD bioavailability of those artificial soils through an in vivo assay. To limit ethically the number of animals, selections of the most promising media were performed between each experimental steps. Forty four castrated male 40-day-old piglets were exposed during 10 day by amended artificial soils according to their group (n = 4). Only treatment groups exposed through amended soil with AC presented a significant decrease of concentrations of CLD in liver and adipose tissue in comparison with the control group (p < 0.001). A non-significant decrease was obtained by amending artificial soil with biochars. This decrease was particularly high for a coconut shell activated carbon were relative bioavailability was found lower than 3.2% for both tissues. This study leads to conclude that AC introduced in CLD contaminated soil should strongly reduce CLD bioavailability. Highlights • CLD contaminated soil amendment by biochar or activated carbons (AC) was tested. • Environmental availability of CLD was assessed using an in vitro ISO tests. • Bioavailability of CLD was assessed in piglets. • Amended soils with ACs limit CLD concentrations in liver and adipose tissue. • Amended soils with biochars presented a limited reduction of bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present article is to analyse the performances of a modern vehicle equipped with a novel suspension system linking front, rear, right and left cylinders via a semi-active hydraulic circuit, developed by the Tenneco Automotive company. In addition to improving the vehicle's vertical performances (in terms of comfort), both the stiff roll motion of the carbody and the soft wrap motion of the rear/front wheel-axle units can be obtained and tuned via eight electrovalves. The proposed system avoids the use of classical anti-roll bars, which would be incompatible with the wrap performance. A major problem of the project is to produce a realistic and efficient 3D multibody dynamic model of an Audi A6 coupled, at the equational level, with an hydraulic model of the suspension including cylinders, accumulators, valve characteristics, oil compressibility and pipe dynamics. As regards the hydraulic submodel, a particular attention is paid to assemble resistive components properly without resorting to the use of artificial volumes, as proposed by some software dealing with the dynamics of hydraulic systems. According to Tenneco Automotive requirements, this model must be produced in a Matlab/Simulink form, in particular for control purposes. Thanks to the symbolic approach underlying our multibody program; a unified hybrid model can be obtained as a unique plant dynamic block to be real-time integrated in the Simulink environment on a standard computer. Simulation results highlight the advantages of this new suspension system, in particular regarding the behaviour of the car which can remain stiff in roll for curve negotiation, while maintaining a soft wrap behaviour on uneven surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chicory is a major source of fructans with reported prebiotic–bifidogenic properties. In the present study, the potential anti-inflammatory activities of chicory were investigated. Ethyl acetate chicory root extract produced a marked inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells treated with the pro-inflammatory agent TNF-α. Two independent mechanisms of action were identified: (1) a drastic inhibition of the induction by TNF-α of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression and (2) a direct inhibition of COX enzyme activities with a significantly higher selectivity for COX-2 activity. The inhibition of TNF-α-dependent induction of COX-2 expression was mediated by an inhibition of NF-κB activation. A major sesquiterpene lactone of chicory root, the guaianolide 8-deoxylactucin, was identified as the key inhibitor of COX-2 protein expression present in chicory extract. Altogether, the data presented strongly support chicory root as a promising source of functional food ingredient, combining prebiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]