Background Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental organic compound, has been demonstrated to enhance reactive-oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Chronic exposure to low-dose adenine (AD) has been reported to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD).... more
Background Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental organic compound, has been demonstrated to enhance reactive-oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Chronic exposure to low-dose adenine (AD) has been reported to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to NP will aggravate AD-induced CKD through increasing generations of inflammation, ROS, and apoptosis that could be attenuated by rosuvastatin. Fifty male Wistar rats were equally divided into group 1 (control), group 2 (AD in fodder at a concentration of 0.25%), group 3 (NP: 2 mg/kg/day), group 4 (combined AD & NP), and group 5 (AD-NP + rosuvastatin: 20 mg/kg/day). Treatment was continued for 24 weeks for all animals before being sacrificed. Results By the end of 24 weeks, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were increased in group 4 than in groups 1–3, but significantly reduced in group 5 as compared with group 4 (all p
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, Medicine, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Reactive Oxygen Species, Animals, Male, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Phenols, Rats, Biological markers, Proteinuria, Rosuvastatin, Adenine, Environmental Exposure, Creatinine, and Medical and Health Sciences
Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PAHs, PCBs, DDTs, and PBDEs, were measured in sediment collected from along the Taiwan coast and compared to previous studies. The dominant POPs were PAHs, followed by PCBs, PBDEs,... more
Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PAHs, PCBs, DDTs, and PBDEs, were measured in sediment collected from along the Taiwan coast and compared to previous studies. The dominant POPs were PAHs, followed by PCBs, PBDEs, and DDTs. The highest levels of PAHs and PCBs were found in sediment from harbors in southern Taiwan, which are surrounded by densely populated areas and affected by multiple industrial activities. In contrast, significantly higher levels of PBDEs were found at the northern coastline, which has a higher population and includes the metropolitan Taipei area. Using diagnostic PAH ratios, the predominant sources of PAHs in coastal Taiwan was determined to be pyrolytic-related activities. The main component of each POP was low- to moderately-chlorinated congeners, p,p'-DDE and BDE209, respectively. Further studies are required to assess the impact of these POPs on marine and coastal ecosystem.
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4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), an environmental exogenous estrogen is produced by microbial degradation of alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs). Although it is well known that 4-t-OP can cause the feminization of male, sterility and... more
4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), an environmental exogenous estrogen is produced by microbial degradation of alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs). Although it is well known that 4-t-OP can cause the feminization of male, sterility and deficiency of gonad development of aquatic animals by disrupting the endocrine reproductive signaling, less is known about the effects of 4-t-OP on embryonic development. Moreover, the presence of 4-t-OP were detected in umbilical cord blood samples of newborns suggesting infants during development may expose to the risk of 4-t-OP contaminant, hence to investigate the effect of 4-t-OP on physiological function during embryonic development is necessary. In the present study, zebrafish embryos exposed to 4-t-OP were used to evaluate the toxicity of 4-t-OP. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) for wild type zebrafish embryos exposure to 4-t-OP for 3 days is approximately 1.0 μM, and a high ratio of cardiovascular defects were showed in survival embryos. To observe the c...
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Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental hormone has garnered great concern in recent ecotoxicological research because of its estrogenic properties. In order to understand the effects of NP on aquacultured shrimp, this study evaluated NP... more
Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental hormone has garnered great concern in recent ecotoxicological research because of its estrogenic properties. In order to understand the effects of NP on aquacultured shrimp, this study evaluated NP bioaccumulation, immune response (including the hemocyte count, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory bursts, the antioxidant status, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency), and disease resistance of shrimp after being fed NP-containing diets at the concentration of 0 (control), 10, 50, and 100 μg NP/kg diet. The NP bioaccumulation assay showed that shrimp fed a diet containing NP at the level of 100 μg NP/kg diet for 30 days had NP bioaccumulation of 600.78 μg NP/ g shrimp, but no NP bioaccumulation was found in shrimp fed diets containing NP at up to 50 μg NP/ kg diet. After feeding the NP-containing diet for 30 days, 11.1%, 15.6%, and 17.8% of shrimp had died in treatments with 10, 50, and 100 μg NP/kg diet, respectively, while control shrim...
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Wastewater emission to surface waters is a major pathway for antibacterials and antibacterial-resistant bacteria. Polluted waterbodies such as rivers provide a reservoir for bacterial resistance. We studied water quality and bacterial... more
Wastewater emission to surface waters is a major pathway for antibacterials and antibacterial-resistant bacteria. Polluted waterbodies such as rivers provide a reservoir for bacterial resistance. We studied water quality and bacterial antibacterial resistance along the subtropical Qishan River in Taiwan as a case study of environmental resistance spread in a pristine to rural area. Human settlement densities increased generally from pristine mountain sites to the more polluted lowlands generally. Accordingly, as a working hypothesis, we expected antibacterial resistance level to increase towards downstream. We collected sediment samples from 8 stations along the Qishan river and where the Qishan river reaches the Kaoping river. The samples were processed in the lab for bacteriological and physicochemical analysis. Antibacterial resistance was tested by disk diffusion and micro-dilution with ten common antibacterials. A comparison was made among the sites where isolates began to occu...
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Sediment humic substance (SHS) is a highly heterogeneous and complex organic mixture with a broad molecular weight range. It is the significant component that associates distribution, transport, and biotoxicity of pollutants in a river... more
Sediment humic substance (SHS) is a highly heterogeneous and complex organic mixture with a broad molecular weight range. It is the significant component that associates distribution, transport, and biotoxicity of pollutants in a river environment. Air- and freeze-drying sediment pre-treatment may cause different biological activity and may result in different chemical quantities and sediment organic matter. This study collected sediments that received livestock wastewater discharge. The sediments were air- (AD) and freeze-dried (FD). The dried sediment organic matter was extracted with an alkaline solution and separated into three size-fractioned SHS samples. Size-fractioning is an effective method used to differentiate materials, on a molecular level. The bulk solution (<0.45 μm) was designated as BHS, and size-fractioned solutions were identified as LHS (<1 kDa), MHS (1–10 kDa), and HHS (10 kDa-0.45 μm). The AD SHS had a lower dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration th...
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The amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) embryos were used for toxicological sediment porewater testing. Porewaters from 35 sampling stations of eight streams in southern Taiwan were screened for toxic effects and... more
The amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) embryos were used for toxicological sediment porewater testing. Porewaters from 35 sampling stations of eight streams in southern Taiwan were screened for toxic effects and their relationship with 6 metal and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Concentration analysis results showed that the following PAHs, naphththalene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, acenaphthalene, and the heavy metal cadmium were not detected in 35 sampling stations. The highest detection rate of 94.1% was caused by the PAHs fluoranthene and pyrene. The highest detection rate of the metal zinc was 88.6% of 35 analyzed samples. The majority of samples (88%) were classified as level tier 1 according to USEPA national sediment inventory. This indicates the probability of adverse effects on aquatic life or human health. The results of a zebrafish embryo test showed that heart rate and survival were significantly reduced with all po...
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Environmental estrogenic chemicals interrupt endocrine systems and generate reproductive abnormalities in wildlife, especially natural and synthetic estrogenic steroid hormones such as 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), estriol (E3),... more
Environmental estrogenic chemicals interrupt endocrine systems and generate reproductive abnormalities in wildlife, especially natural and synthetic estrogenic steroid hormones such as 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), and diethylstilbestrol (DES). Concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFOs) are of particular concern since large amounts of naturally excreted estrogens are discharged into aquatic environments. This study investigated E2, E1, E3, EE2, and DES with high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass (HPLC-MS/MS) analyses along Wulo Creek in southern Taiwan, near a concentrated livestock feedlot containing 1,030,000 broiler chickens, 934,000 laying hens, 85,000 pigs, and 1500 cattle. Sampling was performed from December 2008 to May 2009, in which 54 samples were collected. Experimental results indicate that concentrations of EE2 were lower than the limit of detection (LOD), and concentrations of DES were only detected twice. Concentrations ranged from 7.4 to 1267 ng/L for E1, from not detected (ND) to 313.6 ng/L for E2, and from ND to 210 ng/L for E3. E1 had the highest average mass fraction (72.2 + or - 3.6%), which was significantly higher than E3 (16.2 + or - 1.7%) and E2 (11.5 + or - 2.6%). Additionally, the mean E2 equivalent quotient (EEQ) ranged from 17.3 to 137.9 ng-E2/L. Despite having a markedly lower concentration than E1, E2 more significantly contributed (52.4 + or - 6.0%) EEQ than E1 (19.7 + or - 3.5%). Moreover, the concentrations of E2, E1, and E3 upstream were significantly higher than concentrations downstream, suggesting a high attenuation effect and fast degradation in the study water. Most concentrations in winter season were higher than those of spring season due to the low dilution effect and low microbial activity in the winter season. Based on the results of this study, we recommend further treatment of the wastewater discharge from the feedlot.
Research Interests: Chemistry, Animal Science, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Seasonality, and 15 moreLivestock, Animals, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Seasonal variation, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Feedlot, Estrogens, Fresh water, Microbial Activity, Laying hen, River Discharge, estrone, Broiler Chicken, and limit of detection
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We assessed 22 selected endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and other emerging, potentially endocrine-active compounds with estrogenic activity from the waters of the Wuluo River, southern Taiwan. This watershed receives high amounts of... more
We assessed 22 selected endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and other emerging, potentially endocrine-active compounds with estrogenic activity from the waters of the Wuluo River, southern Taiwan. This watershed receives high amounts of livestock and untreated household wastewaters. The river is surrounded by concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFOs). River water samples were analyzed for selected compounds by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), T47D-KBluc reporter gene assay, and E-screen cell proliferation in vitro bioassay. Total concentrations of ∑alkylphenolic compounds (bisphenol A, 4-nonylphenol, t-nonylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol mono-ethoxylate, nonylphenol di-ethoxylate) were much higher than ∑estrogens (estrone, 17 β-estradiol, estriol, 17ß-ethynylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol), ∑preservatives (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben), ∑UV-filters (benzophenone, methyl benzylidene camphor, benzophenone-3), ∑antimicro...
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... [4] M. Hartnett, S. Nash, “Modelling nutrient and chlorophyll a dynamics in an Irish brackish waterbody,” Environmental Modelling and Software, vol.19, pp.47-56, 2004. [5] RV Thomann and JA Mueller, Principles of surface water quality... more
... [4] M. Hartnett, S. Nash, “Modelling nutrient and chlorophyll a dynamics in an Irish brackish waterbody,” Environmental Modelling and Software, vol.19, pp.47-56, 2004. [5] RV Thomann and JA Mueller, Principles of surface water quality modeling and control. ...
The aim of this study is to determine whether cardiotoxin III (CTX III) inhibited the metastasis in MDA-MB-231 cells and to further explain its possible mechanisms. The MTT assay, wound healing assay, Boyden chamber invasion assay,... more
The aim of this study is to determine whether cardiotoxin III (CTX III) inhibited the metastasis in MDA-MB-231 cells and to further explain its possible mechanisms. The MTT assay, wound healing assay, Boyden chamber invasion assay, zymography analysis, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), inhibitor assay, and Western blot analysis were used to reveal molecular events of CTX III in this study. During treatment with non-toxic doses of CTX III, not only cell migration and invasion were markedly suppressed but the expression/activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was also significantly and selectively suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, CTX III decreased the nuclear protein level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and pretreatment with NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC) or IκB protease inhibitor (TPCK) also reduced MMP-9 expression/activity and cell migration. Our biochemical assays indicated that CTX III potently suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt. Additionally, the treatment of inhibitors specific for p38 MAPK (SB203580) or PI3K (wortmannin) to cells could result in a reduced expression of NF-κB and MMP-9 expression, concomitantly with an inhibition on cell metastasis. These results demonstrated that CTX III inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells may occur through inactivation of both PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, exerting inhibitory effects on NF-κB transcriptional factor, thereby decreasing the activity of MMP-9 and then posing an anti-metastatic effect in the cells.
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This paper investigates the preparation of the micro-nanoscale municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ashes by using ball mills (PM 100). The physiochemical properties of MSWI ashes such as particle size, mineral compounds and metal... more
This paper investigates the preparation of the micro-nanoscale municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ashes by using ball mills (PM 100). The physiochemical properties of MSWI ashes such as particle size, mineral compounds and metal content were further character- ized by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRPD), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and induced coupled plasma optical emission
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Naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione (NFD), a bioactive component of Avicennia marina, has been demonstrated to display anti-cancer activity. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-induced signaling pathway has been correlated... more
Naphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione (NFD), a bioactive component of Avicennia marina, has been demonstrated to display anti-cancer activity. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-induced signaling pathway has been correlated with cancer metastasis in various tumors, including breast carcinoma. We use EGF as a metastatic inducer of MDA-MB-231 cells to investigate the effect of NFD on cell migration and invasion. NFD suppressed EGF-mediated protein levels of c-Jun and c-Fos, and reduced MMP-9 expression and activity, concomitantly with a marked inhibition on cell migration and invasion without obvious cellular cytotoxicity. NFD abrogated EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. The specific PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, blocked significantly EGF-induced cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 inhibited EGF-induced MMP-9 expression, cell migration and invasion, as well as the activation of PI3K/Akt, suggesting that PI3K/Akt activation occur downstream of EGFR activation. These findings suggest that NFD inhibited the EGF-induced invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells via EGFR-dependent PI3K/Akt signaling, leading to the down-regulation of MMP-9 expression. These results provide a novel mechanism to explain the role of NFD as a potent anti-metastatic agent in MDA-MB-231 cells.
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ABSTRACT
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This study investigated the variation in toxicity of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and determined the correlation between their concentrations. All twenty-four samples acquired from a polluted river contained five... more
This study investigated the variation in toxicity of phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and determined the correlation between their concentrations. All twenty-four samples acquired from a polluted river contained five phenolic EDCs. The EDC nonylphenol (NP) concentration was found to be the highest (4.26 +/- 2.74 microg/L) in the river water. In addition the concentrations of nonylphenol diethoxylate, (NP2EO), octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO), and bisphenol A (BPA) were 1.58 +/- 1.37 microg/L; 2.90 +/- 2.77 microg/L; 2.89 +/- 2.15 microg/L; and 2.25 +/- 0.96 microg/L, respectively. Concentrations of NP, NP1EO, and OP were significantly greater in the daytime than in the nighttime samples. Furthermore, concentrations of NP, NP1EO, and NP2EO showed a strong correlation due to similar parent compounds while BPA and OP did not. NP1EO had the highest risk to aquatic organisms (hazard quotient, HQ = 26.3) and BPA the lowest (HQ = 2.24).The accumulative HQ sum (hazard index, HI) was 81.3 within all the samples. The HI was 110.3 in the daytime samples. This was 97% higher than in the nighttime HI (56.3), which suggested daytime anthropogenic discharges were an important source of toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Research Interests: Water, Multidisciplinary, Computer Simulation, bisphenol A, River water, and 12 moreEndocrine disruptors, Taiwan, Surface Water, Nonylphenol, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Phenols, Time Factors, Endocrine Disruptors, Indexation, Proportional Hazards Models, Monte Carlo Method, and Science Health
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... 2. Materials and methods. 2.1. Materials. Stems of R. tuberosa were collected from Daren E. Road, Pingtung, southern Taiwan in November 2003. Botanical identification was confirmed by Mr. Kao, Herbarium, Department of Botany, National... more
... 2. Materials and methods. 2.1. Materials. Stems of R. tuberosa were collected from Daren E. Road, Pingtung, southern Taiwan in November 2003. Botanical identification was confirmed by Mr. Kao, Herbarium, Department of Botany, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. ...
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Brazilein, a bioactive compound isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L., has long been used in oriental folk medicines. Cancer metastasis is a primary cause of cancer death. However, the anti-metastatic effects of brazilein remain elusive. In... more
Brazilein, a bioactive compound isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L., has long been used in oriental folk medicines. Cancer metastasis is a primary cause of cancer death. However, the anti-metastatic effects of brazilein remain elusive. In this study, we found that brazilein inhibited human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion using wound-healing assay and Boyden chamber assay. The results of Western blot, gelatin zymography and reversed transcription-PCR analysis showed that brazilein suppressed matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Brazilein also decreased the nuclear protein level of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB). Brazilein potently suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphatidylinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt, but did not affect phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Additionally, treatment of SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) or wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) resulted in a reduced activity and expression of MMP-2 as well as inhibition on cell migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that brazilein inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells may be mediated through inactivation of both PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, leading to inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation. Consequently, brazilein suppresses MMP-2 expression, and thus confers anti-migration and anti-invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.
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4-Nonylphenol (para-nonylphenol, 4-NP), metabolites including linear and branched isoforms of nonylphenol (n-NP and t-NP, respectively), has been considered an endocrine disrupting substance resulting in reproductive dysfunction and... more
4-Nonylphenol (para-nonylphenol, 4-NP), metabolites including linear and branched isoforms of nonylphenol (n-NP and t-NP, respectively), has been considered an endocrine disrupting substance resulting in reproductive dysfunction and increasing reactive oxygen species production in testis, liver, kidney, and brain. However, to date, whether vasculature is susceptible to NP exposure remains to be unclear. In this study, we have investigated the effects of chronic in vivo 4-n-NP exposure on vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation in male rats. After a 20-week 4-n-NP treatment orally at the dosage of 10 and 50 muM in the drinking water, phenylephrine- and potassium chloride-induced concentration-dependent responsiveness assessed by wire myograph were both significantly higher in aorta isolated from 4-n-NP-treated rats compared with control rats, but acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was similar between these two groups. In addition, systemic oxidative stress and vascular, but not intestinal, oxidant enzyme activities assessed by lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence were all markedly higher in 4-n-NP-treated rats. In conclusion, our results suggested that chronic in vivo 4-n-NP exposure augments vascular contractile responsiveness through enhanced vascular oxidant enzyme activity.