Abstract  During the last decades, the prevalence of the allergic airway diseases, asthma and rhinitis, has increased world-wide. Introduction of environmental chemicals with adjuvant effect may play a role in this increase. In the present study, the adjuvant effects of di-n-butyl-, di-n-octyl-, di-iso-nonyl- and di-iso-decyl phthalate are studied in a screening model. Ovalbumin, used as the model antigen, was injected subcutaneously in the neck region of BALB/cJ mice with the selected phthalate in concentrations from 2-2000 microg/ml. Additionally, the mice were boosted once or twice with ovalbumin alone. Immunization with ovalbumin alone, the ovalbumin control group, served as the baseline for antibody production, whereas aluminium hydroxide served as the positive control. The levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in sera were determined. Adjuvant effect was accepted to be present if a statistical increase in antibody production occurred in a test group as compared to an ovalbumin control group together with the fulfillment of dose-response relationships. Adjuvant effect varied strongly between the phthalates investigated. Phthalates with 8 or 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl side chains were the stronger adjuvants whereas phthalates with shorter or longer alkyl side chains possessed less adjuvant activity. Adjuvant effects were apparent either from the IgE or the IgG1 response or both, whereas no effect was seen on the IgG2a response. Additional studies with airborne exposure are required to establish whether the hazards also result in a significant risk for the development of allergy in man.

Abstract  Background: Previous studies have shown that women have higher urinary concentrations of several phthalate metabolites than do men, possibly because of a higher use of personal care products. Few studies have evaluated the association between phthalate metabolites, diabetes, and diabetes-related risk factors among women.Objective: We explored the association between urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and diabetes among women who participated in a cross-sectional study.Methods: We used urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites, analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and self-reported diabetes of 2,350 women between 20 and 79 years of age who participated in the NHANES (2001-2008). We used multiple logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and adjusted for urinary creatinine, sociodemographic characteristics, dietary factors, and body size. A secondary analysis was conducted for women who did not have diabetes to evaluate the association between phthalate metabolite concentrations and fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance, and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c.Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, women with higher levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), and three di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites (ΣDEHP) had an increased odds of diabetes compared with women with the lowest levels of these phthalates. Women in the highest quartile for MBzP and MiBP had almost twice the odds of diabetes [OR = 1.96 (95% CI: 1.11, 3.47) and OR = 1.95 (95% CI: 0.99, 3.85), respectively] compared with women in the lowest quartile. Nonmonotonic, positive associations were found for MnBP and ΣDEHP, whereas MCPP appeared to have a threshold effect. Certain phthalate metabolites were positively associated with FBG and insulin resistance.Discussion: Urinary levels of several phthalates were associated with prevalent diabetes. Future prospective studies are needed to further explore these associations to determine whether phthalate exposure can alter glucose metabolism and increase the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Abstract  Esters of phthalic acid are ubiquitous environmental contaminants as a result of their use as plasticizers and as constituents in many other commercial products. Although the acute toxicity of phthalates is low, recent concerns over their potential to disrupt the gonadal development of vertebrates has prompted interest in determining the distribution of these compounds in the environment. However, trace analysis of phthalates in environmental samples has been hampered by their presence as ubiquitous laboratory contaminants. In this study, the problem of high background contamination was addressed by developing an analytical method using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), which was used to extract phthalates from sediment samples collected near the outflow of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Hamilton Harbour at the western end of Lake Ontario. GC-MS-SIM analysis of sediment samples indicated that di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)was present at very high concentrations; ranging from a mean of 29.7 mug/g dry weight at a site near the STP outflow to a mean of 6.5 mug/g dry weight at a site 300 m away. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) were judged to be present in some sediment samples bur at concentrations below the Method Detection Limits (< 0.3 g/g). Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were not detected in any of the sediment samples. This study indicates that SFE can be an efficient extraction method for phthalates in sediments, which avoids the extensive use of glassware and organic solvents that may contaminate environmental samples. In addition, STP effluents are sources of phthalates in the aquatic environment; in particular, DEHP.

Abstract  Essential oils of Allium atroviolaceum flowers collected from Mazandaran province in Kojur on late May 2010 were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for determining their chemical composition and identification of their chemotypes. Their antibacterial activity was studied in vitro on five bacterial strains: Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The major constituents of A. atroviolaceum flower oil were dibutylphthalate-1'2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (5/85%), crown (5.68%), disulfide methyl 2-propenyl (5.46%), eicosane (4.39%)' pantadecanone (4/16%)' dipropenyldisulfide (4.03), octadecanone (3/82%)' methyl propenyl trisulfide (2.92), dimethyle trisulfide (2.80%)' tetrathiephane (2/56%)' cis propenyl propyl trisulfide(2/5%)' tetracosane (2/48%)' 3'6 - dibutyl- 1'2 dihydro-1'2'4'5- tetrazine (2/37%)' thrithiolane (2/19%)' hydrazine (2/15%)' dithio propionate (1/77%)' hexadecanoic acid (1/68%)' benzene (1/5%)' isobutyl isothiocyanate (1/23%). The bacterial strains tested were found to be sensitive to methanol extracts studied which shows a very effective bactericidal activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) range. The extracts from flower of A. atroviolaceum had slow activity against B. subtilis (16 mm diameter). The positive control, Valinomycine, Gentamicine and Chloramphenicol showed zone of inhibition inthicillin resistant all bacterial. © 2011 Academic Journals.

Abstract  Male rat sexual development was evaluated after dietary administration of 0, 760, 3800, 11,400ppm diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) and 7600ppm dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from gestation day (GD) 12 to postnatal day (PND) 14. Maternal weight was reduced on GD 20, PND 2 and 14 at 11,400ppm DiNP. Pup weight was reduced on PND 2 and 14 at 11,400 and 3800ppm DiNP. DBP induced multinucleated germ cells (MNGs) and Leydig cell aggregates (LCAs) in PND 2 testes. 7600ppm DBP reduced anogenital distance (AGD) on PND 2 and 14, and increased nipple retention and reproductive tract malformations on PND 49. DiNP induced MNGs (3800ppm) and LCAs (11,400ppm) on PND 2, and reduced AGD (11,400ppm) on PND 14. DiNP did not alter AGD, nipple retention or reproductive tract malformations on PND 49. Global endpoint analysis showed no evidence of a rat "phthalate syndrome" on PND 49 with DiNP administration.

Abstract  Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received 50, 250, and 500mg/kg/day diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) from GD 12 to 19 via corn oil gavage to study the dose response for effects on fetal male rat sexual development as well as metabolite disposition in the dam and fetus. Monoisononyl phthalate (MiNP), mono(carboxy-isooctyl) phthalate (MCiOP), mono(hydroxyl-isononyl) phthalate (MHiNP), mono(oxo-isononyl) phthalate (MOiNP), and monoisononyl phthalate glucuronide (MiNP-G) were found in all measured tissues. MCiOP was the major metabolite, followed in decreasing order by MiNP, MHiNP, MOiNP, and MiNP-G. Percentage of dose absorbed decreased at 750mg/kg/day. Testosterone concentration in the fetal testes was reduced at 250 and 750mg/kg/day. Multinucleated germ cells were increased in the testes of rats at 250 and 750mg/kg/day. The no observed effect level (NOEL) for this study was 50mg/kg/day based on increased MNGs and reduced testes testosterone concentration in the fetal rat.

Abstract  A method for the simultaneous determination of 23 phthalate esters in food samples by solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPE-GC-MS) was developed and evaluated. The samples were extracted with hexane or acetonitrile, and cleaned up with a glass ProElut PSA SPE column. The identification and quantification were performed by GC-MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The extraction processes of different foods were investigated. The calibration curves of phthalate esters showed good linearity in the range of 0.05-5 mg/L (0.5-5 mg/L for diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl-phthalate (DIDP)) with the correlation coefficients (r) between 0.984 8 and 0.999 6. The limits of detection of phthalate esters in food samples ranged from 0.005 to 0.05 mg/kg (S/N = 3) and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/kg (S/N = 10). The average recoveries of 23 analytes spiked in 10 kinds of food matrices ranged from 77% to 112% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) of 4.1%-12.5%. The method is suitable for the determination of 23 phthalate esters simultaneously in foodstuffs with easy operation, high accuracy and precision.

Abstract  Peroxisome proliferators (PPs) are a group of structurally diverse compounds that are extensively used by humans, even though they cause increases in peroxisomes, hepatocellular proliferation and liver cancer in rodents. It was recently shown that free radicals play a central role in signaling in Kupffer cells, which produce mitogens (e.g., TNFalpha) and trigger cell proliferation in response to PPs; still, whether an increase in oxidants leads to DNA damage, thus contributing to carcinogenesis is not proven. It is hypothesized that PPs cause formation of oxidative DNA adducts and induce repair of these lesions. In addition, we will test whether the ability to induce DNA damage and/or repair correlates with carcinogenic potency of these compounds. Both potent (i.e., WY-14,643, and gemfibrozil) and weak (i.e., diethylhexyl and di-isononyl phthalates) rodent carcinogens, which are critical for human risk assessment will be studied. First, taking advantage of recent improvements in analytical technology and carefully avoiding artifactual adduct formation, we will look at the number of DNA lesions known to result from oxidative stress (e.g., 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine, etheno DNA adducts, apurinic/apyrimidinic sites). Second, we will investigate whether DNA repair enzymes, a response to DNA damage, are increased by PPs and whether DNA repair mechanisms are in balance using recently developed assay for abasic sites. Finally, using key knockout mouse strains (i.e., PPARalpha and NADPH oxidase-deficient p47phox) we will explore whether Kupffer cells or peroxisomes in hepatocytes are the source of oxidants for DNA adduct formation. Collectively, these studies will fill critical gaps in our knowledge regarding the mechanisms of action of this class of compounds and will have important implications for mechanistically based risk assessment.

Abstract  The worldwide consumption of softeners is increasing slowly but surely. Growth rates in the Far East are comparatively high, while the Western European market is stagnating. 90% of the production is consumed by the PVC industry. The share of phthalate softeners, such as DINP and DIDP, has increased considerably, while DEHP decreased to less than 46%. Product development is almost always limited to extending the product line.

Abstract  The environmental analysis of phthalates is established and widespread with most classical methods based on gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Attention has recently turned to the analysis of di-isononylphthalate (DiNP) and di-isodecylphthalate (DiDP) but their analysis by GC results in an unresolved cluster of peaks that all predominantly fragment to the phthalic anhydride ion at m/z = 149. Consequently, quantification of DiNP and DiDP using the most abundant ion is impossible and the same sensitivity as for the single isomer phthalates cannot be reached. GC combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) was used to analyse the high-molecular-weight phthalates. DiNP and DiDP were successfully ionized in proton transfer mode yielding spectra that contained the molecular ion as the base peak. The method was also applied to measure DiNP and DiDP in a sediment extract at relevant levels for environment samples.

Abstract  MTB‐951 is a plant pathogen (Drechslera monoceras), which was isolated from native Echinochloa spp. in Japan. The conidia of this pathogen were used as the herbicidal active ingredient to control Echinochloa crus‐galli L. The herbicidal efficacy of MTB‐951 on E. crus‐galli was drastically increased with an increasing water depth of between 1 and 10 cm. The efficacy also was increased when shoots were lodged by pushing down on them with a stainless steel net so that all parts of the weed were submerged. These results suggest that the contact area of the leaf surface of E. crus‐galli with water is important for infection and that lodging the shoots of E. crus‐galli might be effective in increasing the herbicidal efficacy. In order to find other methods to lodge the weed, we investigated several materials, of which diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was found to be the most effective. Using this material as a model, the effect of lodging on the herbicidal efficacy of MTB‐951 was examined. The lodging ratio (ratio of the number of the plants lodged on the water surface to that of the total plants) was increased with an increased amount of DINP, between 0.5 and 8 kg ha−1. The herbicidal efficacy of MTB‐951 also was increased by DINP and a positive correlation was observed between the lodging ratio and herbicidal efficacy. These results indicate that lodging, which can increase the contact area between the leaf surface and water, enhances the herbicidal efficacy of MTB‐951.

Abstract  Both flexible and rigid forms of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were effectively dechlorinated in NaOH/ethylene glycol (EG) solution during ball mill pulverization. The high degree of dechlorination obtained was attributed to the increased surface area of the crushed PVC particles and the resulting enhancement of contact between the PVC and dissolved hydroxide ions. The common additives diisononyl phthalate and CaCO3 were easily separated from the PVC bulk during the dechlorination reaction. The reaction proceeded under chemical control, with degrees of dechlorination for both flexible and rigid PVC increasing with temperature with apparent activation energies of 110 and 80 kJ/mol, respectively. This reaction was accurately represented by a modified shrinking-core model.