IPIT initial experiments on the fractionation of mitochondria into subparticulate constituents, it became apparent that for isolation of the particles, a method more satisfactory than the customary methods of differential centrifugation was needed. The subject of this report is a simple and rapid method for obtaining relatively uncontaminated preparations of particulate cell components by gradi...

Human activities introduce compounds increasing levels of many dangerous species for environment and population. In this way, trace elements in airborne particulate have a preeminent position due to toxic element presence affecting the biological systems. The main problem is the analytical determination of such species at ultratrace levels: a very specific methodology is necessary with regard t...

Recent studies by our laboratory indicate that the p16(INK4a) gene is frequently methylated in lung tumors induced by genotoxic carcinogens and that the frequency for methylation of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER) gene varies as a function of carcinogenic exposure. The purpose of the current investigation was to define the role of these two genes in lung tumors induced by the particulate carci...

Isotopes of iodine play significant environmental roles, including a limiting micronutrient ((127)I), an acute radiotoxin ((131)I), and a geochemical tracer ((129)I). But the cycling of iodine through terrestrial ecosystems is poorly understood, due to its complex environmental chemistry and low natural abundance. To better understand iodine transport and fate in a terrestrial ecosystem, we tra...

The determination of rare earth elements (REEs) in airborne particulate matter (APM) was conducted, and the distribution pattern of atmospheric REEs was evaluated in this study. The APM was collected in the center of Tokyo, Japan, where serious air pollution is always of concern. A cellulose acetate membrane filter was used to collect the APM because Ba and REEs contamination is lower than that...

Distribution of phytochrome (as Pfr) among membranes from soybean hypocotyls (Glycine max L. cv. Wayne) was determined by the combined techniques of cell fractionation, difference spectrometry, and electron microscopic morphometry. More than 90% of the phytochrome was found in the soluble fraction. With homogenates prepared in the presence or absence of Mg(2+), the portion associated with membr...

The aim of this work was to assess the microbiota (fungi and bacteria) and particulate matter in optical shops, contributing to a specific protocol to ensure a proper assessment. Air samples were collected through an impaction method. Surface and equipment swab samples were also collected side-by-side. Measurements of particulate matter were performed using portable direct-reading equipment. A ...

A method is described for direct analysis of lead in blood utilizing the carbon rod atomizer. Aliquots of whole blood are analyzed without pre-treatment. Resuits are comparable to those for a similar non-flame technique in which whole blood samples were prediluted with “Triton X-100.” The small sample volumes required and the minimal sample preparation further diminish the possibility of spurio...

During the summer of 2009, concentrations of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and carbon monoxide (CO) were collected over successive periods of about 8 hour at eight sites. High volume air sampler was used to measure the concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (Sox), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and CO monitor was ...

Since seed coating with neonicotinoid insecticides was introduced in the late 1990s, European beekeepers have reported severe colony losses in the period of corn sowing (spring). As a consequence, seed-coating neonicotinoid insecticides that are used worldwide on corn crops have been blamed for honeybee decline. In view of the currently increasing crop production, and also of corn as a renewabl...