[The study of dynamics of clinical and molecular phenotypes in the generalized form of myasthenia with optimized and combined treatment]

The aim of the study was the research of clinical and molecular phenotypes in the generalized form of myasthenia with optimized treantment, which includes the application of basic mode of the treatment and meglumine sodium succinate, and also the combined mode of the treatment, which includes the mode of the treatment and meglumine sodium succinate and ozonotherapy. The most epressed improvement of indicators of the clinical and neurologic status (the eliminaton of motoring breakdown, eye movement disrders, the weaknesses of mimic, respiratory and chewing muscles, bulbar syndrome, the doubling in eye and ptosis, pharyngeal violations and increase in volume of movement of eyes) was observed in the group of patients receiving the combined therapy. The reduction of the epressiveness of the defeat of the neuromotor device and the decrement of the amplitude of the various degree of M-answer in patients with myasthenla is revealed in the application of the combined therapy in the comparison with the application of the basic and optimized therapy. For the first time we have investigaed the dynamics of the intensity of the expression of specfic peptides and proteins in blood serum in patients with the application of basic therapy, reamberin and ozonotherapy, which have allowed to open the new mechanisms of the efficiency ofthe combined therapy of the disease.

Intra-peritoneal application of catechins and EGCG as in vivo inhibitors of ozone-induced oxidative stress

Oxidative stress is considered as a prominent feature of many acute and chronic diseases as well as of the normal aging process. We examined the effects of intra-peritoneal administration of catechins and EGCG as in vivo inhibitors of oxidative stress induced by ozone administration in two groups of Wistar rats. The first group was treated by intra-peritoneal administration of catechins and EGCG after the administration of ozone and the second group was pretreated by intra-peritoneal administration of catechins and EGCG prior to ozone administration. We determined in blood the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, levels of copper and zinc and in urine malonaldehyde contents. Ozone administration resulted in significant reduction of glutathione peroxidase activity, plasma zinc levels and plasma and Red Blood Cells antioxidant capacity. Catechins and EGCG upregulate superoxide dismutase activity and maintain plasma and Red Blood Cells antioxidant capacity. Malonaldehyde levels at the end of the study were significantly increased only in the first group. Our data demonstrate that treatment with catechins and EGCG cannot reverse or prevent the effects of oxidative stress although some modulation occurs.

Evolution of algal toxicity during (photo)oxidative degradation of diuron

In the aquatic environment and in engineered water treatment systems, organic contaminants can undergo oxidative and photochemical transformations. For an overall risk assessment, the toxicity of the resulting transformation products has to be investigated. In this study, the toxicity of degradation products of diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) formed during its degradation by four (photo)oxidative processes (direct phototransformation, triplet-induced photosensitized oxidation, oxidation by hydroxyl radicals and ozone) was investigated in buffered aqueous solution. The toxicity was evaluated using the combined algae test with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata that determines both, specific inhibition of photosynthesis and inhibition of the growth rate. The comparison between evolution of toxicity and degradation kinetics indicated that the toxicity during all studied processes was caused predominantly by diuron whereas the formation of degradation products did not contribute to the mixture toxicity. This implies that, if any more toxic transformation products than diuron were formed, their concentration was not sufficiently high to affect the mixture toxicity, which was dominated by the parent compound diuron. On this account, no further studies on identification of degradation products and their toxicity are needed. This study presents an example of a systematic and simple first tier method to assess the toxicity of degradation products.

Combining sap flow and eddy covariance approaches to derive stomatal and non-stomatal O3 fluxes in a forest stand

Stomatal O3 fluxes to a mixed beech/spruce stand (Fagus sylvatica/Picea abies) in Central Europe were determined using two different approaches. The sap flow technique yielded the tree-level transpiration, whereas the eddy covariance method provided the stand-level evapotranspiration. Both data were then converted into stomatal ozone fluxes, exemplifying this novel concept for July 2007. Sap flow-based stomatal O3 flux was 33% of the total O3 flux, whereas derivation from evapotranspiration rates in combination with the Penman-Monteith algorithm amounted to 47%. In addition to this proportional difference, the sap flow-based assessment yielded lower levels of stomatal O3 flux and reflected stomatal regulation rather than O3 exposure, paralleling the daily courses of canopy conductance for water vapor and eddy covariance-based total stand-level O3 flux. The demonstrated combination of sap flow and eddy covariance approaches supports the development of O3 risk assessment in forests from O3 exposure towards flux-based concepts.

Stomatal uptake of O3 in aspen and aspen-birch forests under free-air CO2 and O3 enrichment

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) may alleviate the toxicological impacts of concurrently rising tropospheric ozone (O3) during the present century if higher CO2 is accompanied by lower stomatal conductance (gs), as assumed by many models. We investigated how elevated concentrations of CO2 and O3, alone and in combination, affected the accumulated stomatal flux of O3 (AFst) by canopies and sun leaves in closed aspen and aspen-birch forests in the free-air CO2-O3 enrichment experiment near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Stomatal conductance for O3 was derived from sap flux data and AFst was estimated either neglecting or accounting for the potential influence of non-stomatal leaf surface O3 deposition. Leaf-level AFst (AFst(l)) was not reduced by elevated CO2. Instead, there was a significant CO2 x O(3) interaction on AFst(l), as a consequence of lower values of gs in control plots and the combination treatment than in the two single-gas treatments. In addition, aspen leaves had higher AFst(l) than birch leaves, and estimates of AFst(l) were not very sensitive to non-stomatal leaf surface O3 deposition. Our results suggest that model projections of large CO2-induced reductions in gs alleviating the adverse effect of rising tropospheric O3 may not be reasonable for northern hardwood forests.

Ozone risk assessment for plants: central role of metabolism-dependent changes in reducing power

The combination of stomatal-dependent ozone flux and total ascorbate level is currently presented as a correct indicator for determining the degree of sensitivity of plants to ozone. However, the large changes in carbon metabolism could play a central role in the strategy of the foliar cells in response to chronic ozone exposure, participating in the supply of reducing power and carbon skeletons for repair and detoxification, and modifying the stomatal mode of functioning. To reinforce the accuracy of the definition of the threshold for ozone risk assessment, it is proposed to also consider the redox pool (NAD(P)H), the ratio between carboxylases and the water use efficiency as indicators of the differential ozone tolerance of plants.

Moving toward effective ozone flux assessment

We present a comment about "Ozone risk assessment for plants: central role of metabolism-dependent changes in reducing power" by Dizengremel, Le Thiec, Bagard, and Jolivet. As tools for summarizing plant O(3) sensitivity in simple indices, Dizengremel et al. suggest: reducing power, as antioxidant regeneration through the Halliwell/Asada cycle requires NADPH from the photosynthetic light reaction; Rubisco/PEPc ratio, as an index of the energy balance between anabolic and catabolic reactions; and water-use efficiency as a time-integrated approximation of the carbon gain to stomatal O(3) uptake ratio. The scientific background is solid, and simple enough (although expensive) to be translated into modelling and routine use. In the last decade, several approaches have been developed, mostly by using photosynthesis as a metric of defence. All these approaches should be experimentally tested in different and realistic conditions, before the results are transferred to the field and used in effective O(3) flux modelling and assessment.

Uptake of Ozone in Human Lungs and Its Relationship to Local Physiological Response

To investigate whether intersubject variations in the dose of inhaled ozone (O(3)) cause corresponding variations in the physiological response, 28 female and 32 male nonsmokers participated in a 1-h continuous inhalation of clean air or 0.25 ppm O(3) while exercising on a cycle ergometer at a constant ventilation rate of 30 L/min. The exposure protocols included continuous monitoring of respiratory flow rate and O(3) concentration from which O(3) uptake (OZU) and fractional uptake efficiency (UE) were computed. Pre-to-post changes in forced expired volume in 1 s (%DeltaFEV(1)), peripheral cross section for carbon dioxide diffusion (%Delta A(P)), and Fowler dead space volume (V(D)) were also measured for each exposure. Individual values of UE ranged from .70 to .98 among all the subjects, with significant differences (p<.05) existing between men and women. These intersubject differences were inversely correlated with breathing frequency and directly correlated with tidal volume. The mean +/- SD values of %Delta FEV(1), %Delta A(P), and %Delta V(D) were all significantly more negative in the O(3) exposure session (-13.31 +/- 13.40, -8.14 +/- 7.62, and -4.20 +/- 5.12, respectively) than in the air exposure session (-0.06 +/- 4.56, 0.22 +/- 10.82, and -0.70 +/- 6.88, respectively). Finally, our results showed that neither %DeltaFEV(1) nor %Delta V(D) was correlated OZU, whereas there was a significant relationship (rho = -0.325, p = .0257) between %Delta A(P) and OZU. We conclude that the overall uptake of O(3) is a weak predictor of intersubject variations in distal airspace response, but is not a predictor of intersubject variations in conducting airway responses.

Effect of Rapid Shallow Breathing on the Distribution of18O-Labeled Ozone Reaction Product in the Respiratory Tract of the Rat

We examined the effect of breathing pattern on ozone reaction product content within the respiratory tract. Thirty-four anesthetized, male Wistar rats were exposed to oxygen-18 ((18)O)-labeled ozone at 1.0 ppm for 2 h using a dual-chamber, negative-pressure ventilation system. Frequency was set at 80 (n = 9), 120 (n = 7), 160 (n = 8), or 200 (n = 10) breaths per minute (bpm), while tidal volume (V(t)) was set to provide a constant minute ventilation of 72.8 ml/min/100 g body weight. Airways sampled were from the midlevel trachea and the mainstem bronchi and parenchyma of the cranial and caudal right lobes. (18)O content in each airway sample was quantified and normalized to surface area. Across frequencies, there was significantly greater (p <.05) (18)O content in the trachea and bronchi (conducting airway epithelium) compared to the parenchyma sampling sites. Tracheal (18)O content decreased between 80 and 160 bpm, but then underwent an increase at 200 bpm. In comparison, (18)O content gradually increased between 80 and 200 bpm at the right cranial and caudal bronchi sites. Right cranial parenchymal (18)O content decreased at 200 bpm compared to 80, 120, and 160 bpm. Right caudal parenchymal (18)O content was relatively constant over all breathing frequencies. We concluded that the development of rapid shallow breathing from 80 to 160 bpm results in a reduced deposition of O(3) in the trachea, while only mildly affecting to ozone deposition in parenchyma supplied by short and long airway paths.

Ozone oxidative preconditioning inhibits inflammation and apoptosis in a rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ischemia/reperfusion injury, which is commonly seen in the field of renal surgery or transplantation, is a major cause of acute renal failure. Previous studies showed that ozone oxidative preconditioning (OzoneOP) attenuated renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. The objective of this study was to examine the role of the OzoneOP in modulating inflammation and apoptosis after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Rats were subjected to 45 min of renal ischemia, with or without treatment with OzoneOP (1 mg/kg). Renal function, inflammation and apoptosis were compared at 24 h after renal injury. OzoneOP improved the renal dysfunction and reduced inflammation and apoptosis after ischemia/reperfusion injury. In conclusion, OzoneOP has potent anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings may have major implications in the treatment of human ischemic acute renal failure.

Increasing risk for negative ozone impacts on vegetation in northern Sweden

Trends were found for increasing surface ozone concentrations during April-September in northern Sweden over the period 1990-2006 as well as for an earlier onset of vegetation growing season. The highest ozone concentrations in northern Sweden occurred in April and the ozone concentrations in April showed a strong increasing trend. A model simulation of ozone flux for Norway spruce indicated that the provisional ozone flux based critical level for forests in Europe is exceeded in northern Sweden. Future climate change would have counteracting effects on the stomatal conductance and needle ozone uptake, mediated on the one hand by direct effect of increasing air temperatures and on the other through increasing water vapour pressure difference between the needles and air. Thus, there is a substantial and increasing risk for negative impacts of ozone on vegetation in northern Sweden, related mainly to increasing ozone concentrations and an earlier onset of the growing season.

Implications of climate change for the stomatal flux of ozone: a case study for winter wheat

Climate change factors such as elevated CO2 concentrations, warming and changes in precipitation affect the stomatal flux of ozone (O3) into leaves directly or indirectly by altering the stomatal conductance, atmospheric O3 concentrations, frequency and extent of pollution episodes and length of the growing season. Results of a case study for winter wheat indicate that in a future climate the exceedance of the flux-based critical level of O3 might be reduced across Europe, even when taking into account an increase in tropospheric background O3 concentration. In contrast, the exceedance of the concentration-based critical level of O3 will increase with the projected increase in tropospheric background O3 concentration. The influence of climate change should be considered when predicting the future effects of O3 on vegetation. There is a clear need for multi-factorial, open-air experiments to provide more realistic information for O3 flux-effect modelling in a future climate.

Derivation of ozone flux-yield relationships for lettuce: a key horticultural crop

Ozone flux-response relationships were derived for lettuce, employing a multiplicative approach to model the manner in which stomatal conductance is influenced by key environmental variables, using a dataset collected during field experimentation in Crete and yield-response relationships derived from parallel open-top chamber experiments. Regional agronomic practices were adopted throughout. Computed versus measured data revealed that the derived model explained 51% (P<0.001) of the observed variation in stomatal conductance. Concentration-based indices were compared with flux-based indices. Analyses revealed a significant relationship between accumulated stomatal ozone flux and yield employing flux threshold cut-offs up to 4 nmol m(-2) s(-1). Regressions employing very low or zero flux thresholds resulted in the strongest yield-flux relationships (explaining approximately 80% (P<0.05) of the variation in the dataset).

Exemplifying whole-plant ozone uptake in adult forest trees of contrasting species and site conditions

Whole-tree O3 uptake was exemplified for Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica and Larix decidua in stands at high and low altitude and contrasting water availability through sap flow measurement in tree trunks, intrinsically accounting for drought and boundary layer effects on O3 flux. O3 uptake of evergreen spruce per unit foliage area was enhanced by 100% at high relative to low elevation, whereas deciduous beech and larch showed similar uptake regardless of altitude. The responsiveness of the canopy conductance to water vapor and, as a consequence, O3 uptake to soil moisture and air humidity did not differ between species. Unifying findings at the whole-tree level will promote cause-effect based O3 risk assessment and modeling.

Robustness of modelled ozone exposures and doses

This study evaluates the robustness of the AOTX and AF(st)Y indices for assessing the ozone-induced risk to vegetation. These indices represent the accumulated concentration and stomatal flux, respectively, above a threshold value. The robustness is expressed as the sensitivity to changes in inputs and the uncertainty due to input errors. The input data are taken from a regional-scale chemical transport model. Both indices show increasing sensitivity with increasing threshold values. The sensitivity depends on the threshold and the characteristics of the frequency distribution for concentrations and stomatal fluxes. AF(st)Y appears less sensitive than AOTX for the thresholds adopted for critical levels. The couplings between concentration gradients and deposition algorithms complicate the assessment of the total uncertainty. For AF(st)Y, the uncertainty due to the modelled stomatal conductance may sometimes increase, but sometimes decrease, the overall uncertainty significantly. In particular, the maximum stomatal conductance plays an important role in determining the uncertainty.

Measuring, modelling and testing ozone exposure, flux and effects on vegetation in southern European conditions--what does not work? A review from Italy

Ozone (O3) exposure at Italian background sites exceeds UN/ECE concentration-based critical levels (CLe(c)), if expressed in terms of AOT40. Yet the occurrence of adverse effects of O3 on forests and crops is controversial. Possible reasons include (i) ability of response indicators to provide an unbiased estimate of O3 effects, (ii) setting of current CLe(c) in terms of cut-off value and accumulation level, (iii) response functions adopted to infer a critical level, (iv) environmental limitation to O3 uptake and (v) inherent characteristics of Mediterranean vegetation. In particular, the two latter points suggest that critical levels based on accumulated stomatal flux (CLe(f)) can be a better predictor of O3 risk than CLe(c). While this concept is largely acknowledged, a number of factors may limit its applicability for routine monitoring. This paper reviews levels, uptake and vegetation response to O3 in Italy over recent years to discuss value, uncertainty and feasibility of different approaches to risk assessment.

Simulation of stomatal conductance for Aleppo pine to estimate its ozone uptake

The data from a previous experiment carried out in open-top chambers to assess the effects of ozone (O3) exposure on growth and physiology of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) were re-assessed to test the performance of the EMEP O3 stomatal conductance model used to estimate tree O3 uptake at a European scale. Aleppo pine seedlings were exposed during three consecutive years to three different O3 treatments: charcoal filtered air, non-filtered air and non-filtered air supplemented with 40 nl l(-1). The results of the model using the default parameterisation already published for Mediterranean conifers showed a poor performance when compared to measured data. Therefore, modifications of g(max), f(min), and new f(VPD), f(temp) and f(phen) functions were developed according to the observed data. This re-parameterisation resulted in a significant improvement of the performance of the model when compared to its original version.

Modelling stomatal ozone flux and deposition to grassland communities across Europe

Regional scale modelling of both ozone deposition and the risk of ozone impacts is poorly developed for grassland communities. This paper presents new predictions of stomatal ozone flux to grasslands at five different locations in Europe, using a mechanistic model of canopy development for productive grasslands to generate time series of leaf area index and soil water potential as inputs to the stomatal component of the DO(3)SE ozone deposition model. The parameterisation of both models was based on Lolium perenne, a dominant species of productive pasture in Europe. The modelled seasonal time course of stomatal ozone flux to both the whole canopy and to upper leaves showed large differences between climatic zones, which depended on the timing of the start of the growing season, the effect of soil water potential, and the frequency of hay cuts. Values of modelled accumulated flux indices and the AOT40 index showed a five-fold difference between locations, but the locations with the highest flux differed depending on the index used; the period contributing to the accumulation of AOT40 did not always coincide with the modelled period of active ozone canopy uptake. Use of a fixed seasonal profile of leaf area index in the flux model produced very different estimates of annual accumulated total canopy and leaf ozone flux when compared with the flux model linked to a simulation of canopy growth. Regional scale model estimates of both the risks of ozone impacts and of total ozone deposition will be inaccurate unless the effects of climate and management in modifying grass canopy growth are incorporated.

Factors affecting the ozone sensitivity of temperate European grasslands: an overview

This overview of experimentally induced effects of ozone aims to identify physiological and ecological principles, which can be used to classify the sensitivity to ozone of temperate grassland communities in Europe. The analysis of data from experiments with single plants, binary mixtures and multi-species communities illustrates the difficulties to relate individual responses to communities, and thus to identify grassland communities most at risk. Although there is increasing evidence that communities can be separated into broad classes of ozone sensitivity, the database from experiments under realistic conditions with representative systems is too small to draw firm conclusions. But it appears that risk assessments, based on results from individuals or immature mixtures exposed in chambers, are only applicable to intensively managed, productive grasslands, and that the risk of ozone damage for most of perennial grasslands with lower productivity tends to be less than previously expected.

Promoting the O3 flux concept for European forest trees

Tropospheric ozone (O3) levels are predicted to stay high, being a factor within "global change" with potential effects on the carbon sink strength of forest trees. Hence, new approaches to O3 risk assessment and their validation are required, although appropriate databases for adult trees are scant. Approaches based on external O3 exposure are presently being evaluated against the ones on O3 flux into leaves, as the cumulative uptake has the capacity for deriving O3 risk from cause-effect relationships. The effective dose, however, needs to account for the trees' O3 defence and tolerance in addition to O3 uptake. The current status of promoting the preferable mechanistic O3 flux concept is highlighted for major regions of Europe, addressing refinements and simplifications needed for routine use. At the pan-European scale, however, the flux-based concept is ready for use in O3 risk assessment and has the potential of meso-scale application at the forest ecosystem level.

Comparison of calculated and measured foliar O3 flux in crop and forest species

We designed a new gas exchange system that concurrently measures foliar H2O, O3, and CO2 flux (HOC flux system) while delivering known O3 concentrations. Stomatal responses of three species were tested: snapbean, and seedlings of California black oak (deciduous broadleaf) and blue oak (evergreen broadleaf). Acute O3 exposure (120-250 ppb over an hour) was applied under moderate light and low vapor pressure deficits during near steady state conditions. The rate of stomatal closure was measured when the whole plant was placed in the dark. An adjacent leaf on each plant was also concurrently measured in an O3-free cuvette. Under some conditions, direct measurements and calculated foliar O3 flux were within the same order of magnitude; however, endogenously low gs or O3 exposure-induced depression of gs resulted in an overestimation of calculated O3 fluxes compared with measured O3 fluxes. Sluggish stomata in response to light extinction with concurrent O3 exposure, and incomplete stomatal closure likewise underestimated measured O3 flux.

Risk assessments for forest trees: the performance of the ozone flux versus the AOT concepts

Published ozone exposure-response relationships from experimental studies with young trees performed at different sites across Europe were re-analysed in order to test the performance of ozone exposure indices based on AOTX (Accumulated exposure Over a Threshold of X nmol mol(-1)) and AF(st)Y (Accumulated Stomatal Flux above a threshold of Y nmol m(-2) s(-1)). AF(st)1.6 was superior, as compared to AOT40, for explaining biomass reductions, when ozone sensitive species with differing leaf morphology were included in the analysis, while this was not the case for less sensitive species. A re-analysis of data with young black cherry trees, subject to different irrigation regimes, indicated that leaf visible injuries were more strongly related to the estimated stomatal ozone uptake, as compared to the ozone concentration in the air. Experimental data with different clones of silver birch indicated that leaf thickness was also an important factor influencing the development of ozone induced leaf visible injury.

High-resolution modelling of AOT40 and stomatal ozone uptake in wheat and grassland: a comparison between 2000 and the hot summer of 2003 in Switzerland

The aim was to compare the ozone risk for agricultural crops in Switzerland during the hot and dry year 2003 with the more 'normal' situation in 2000. An improved version of the Ozone DEposition Model ODEM was used at a 2 x 2 km resolution. The distribution of the index AOT40 was compared with the accumulated stomatal ozone flux, AF(st). Averaged AOT40 at 2 m and at canopy height was much higher in 2003 than in 2000, but inter-annual differences in AF(st) for wheat and grasslands were small due to the limiting effect of low soil water contents in 2003. AOT40 suggested larger potential yield losses in wheat in 2003, while using AF(st) with a threshold of 6 nmol m(-2) s(-1) (AF(st)6) yielded similar estimates for both years. The data show that modelling of AF(st) can be used to differentiate ozone risks between regions and years at a national scale.

Preliminary results of modeled ozone uptake for Fagus sylvatica L. trees at selected EU/UN-ECE intensive monitoring plots

The objective of this study was to establish whether EU and UN-ECE/ICP-Forests monitoring data (i) provide the variables necessary to apply the flux-based modeling methods and (ii) meet the quality criteria necessary to apply the flux-based critical level concept. Application of this model has been possible using environmental data collected from the EU and UN-ECE/ICP-Forests monitoring network in Switzerland and Italy for 2000-2002. The test for data completeness and plausibility resulted in 6 out of a possible total of 20 Fagus sylvatica L. plots being identified as suitable from Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and France. The results show that the collected data allow the identification of different spatial and temporal areas and periods as having higher risk to ozone than those identified using the AOT40 approach. However, it was also apparent that the quality and completeness of the available data may severely limit a complete risk assessment across Europe.

The effect of exercise on nasal uptake of ozone in healthy human adults

The nose may help protect the lower respiratory tract from the effects of ambient ozone by scrubbing ozone from inspired air. Reductions in both nasal resistance and nitric oxide production with exercise may influence the efficiency of ozone uptake in the nose. Nasal ozone uptake was measured in 10 healthy volunteers before and after 15 min of moderate bicycle exercise. Ozone (0.2 parts/million) was pulled through both nostrils and out of the mouth at a constant flow while the subjects closed their epiglottises. Nasal uptake of ozone was determined by comparing the ozone concentration entering the nostrils to that exiting the mouth. Average preexercise uptake of ozone was 56 +/- 7.8 and 37 +/- 4.9% at 10 and 20 l/min, respectively. These averages did not significantly differ from those immediately postexercise (55 and 37%). Nasal ozone uptake increased significantly (P < 0.001) with decreasing flow rate, but intersubject variability in uptake could not be predicted by nasal volume or cross-sectional areas (as measured by acoustic rhinometry) or endogenous nitric oxide production. However, the percent change in ozone uptake after exercise, within an individual, was correlated with both 1) percent change in nasal volume (r = 0.70 at 10 l/min) and 2) percent change in the rate of volumetric expansion between the nasal valve and turbinates (r = 0.82 at 10 l/min). These results may be useful for assessing human risk associated with ozone exposure during exercise.

Quantification of ozone uptake at the stand level in a Pinus canariensis forest in Tenerife, Canary Islands: an approach based on sap flow measurements

Ozone uptake was studied in a pine forest in Tenerife, Canary Islands, an ecotone with strong seasonal changes in climate. Ambient ozone concentration showed a pronounced seasonal course with high concentrations during the dry and warm period and low concentrations during the wet and cold season. Ozone uptake by contrast showed no clear seasonal trend. This is because canopy conductance significantly decreased with soil water availability and vapour pressure deficit. Mean daily ozone uptake averaged 1.9 nmol m(-2) s(-1) during the wet and cold season, and 1.5 nmol m(-2) s(-1) during the warm and dry period. The corresponding daily mean ambient ozone concentrations were 42 and 51 nl l(-1), respectively. Thus we conclude that in Mediterranean type forest ecosystems the flux based approach is more capable for risk assessment than an external, concentration based approach.

Relevance of diffusion through bacterial spore coats/membranes and the associated concentration boundary layers in the initial lag phase of inactivation: A case study for Bacillus subtilis with ozone and monochloramine

Disinfectants are generally used to inactivate microorganisms in solutions. The process of inactivation involves the disinfectant in the liquid diffusing towards the bacteria sites and thereafter reacting with bacteria at rates determined by the respective reaction rates. Such processes have demonstrated an initial lag phase followed by an active depletion phase of bacteria. This paper attempts to study the importance of the combined effects of diffusion of the disinfectant through the outer membrane of the bacteria and transport through the associated concentration boundary layers (CBLs) during the initial lag phase. Mathematical equations are developed correlating the initial concentration of the disinfectant with time required for reaching a critical concentration (C*) at the inner side of the membrane of the cell based on diffusion of disinfectant through the outer membranes of the bacteria and the formation of concentration boundary layers on both sides of the membranes. Experimental data of the lag phases of inactivation already available in the literature for inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores with ozone and monochloramine are tested with the equations. The results seem to be in good agreement with the theoretical equations indicating the importance of diffusion process across the outer cell membranes and the resulting CBL's during the lag phase of disinfection.

Comparison of ozone uptake and sensitivity between a phytotron study with young beech and a field experiment with adult beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Chamber experiments on juvenile trees have resulted in severe injury and accelerated loss of leaves along with reduced biomass production under chronically enhanced O3 levels. In contrast, the few studies conducted on adult forest trees in the field have reported low O3 sensitivity. In the present study, young beech in phytotrons was more sensitive to O3 than adult beech in the field, although employed O3 regimes were similar. The hypotheses tested were that: (1) differences in O3 uptake were caused by the ontogenetically higher stomatal conductance of young compared to adult trees, (2) the experimental settings in the phytotrons enhanced O3 uptake compared to field conditions, and (3) a low detoxification capacity contributes to the higher O3 sensitivity of the young trees. The higher O3 sensitivity of juvenile beech in the phytotrons is demonstrated to relate to both the experimental conditions and the physiological responsiveness inherent to tree age.

Quantifying ozone uptake and its effects on the stand level of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Southern Germany

Stand level O(3) fluxes were calculated using water balance calculations for 21 Common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands and O(3) data from 20 monitoring stations in Southern Germany. For this intention, the daily loss of water by evapotranspiration per stand area was set against the daily O(3) uptake. During the last 30 years, O(3) uptake ranges between 0 and 187 mmol ha(-1) d(-1) per stand area. Cumulative O(3) uptake (CUO(3)), ranging between 0.1 and 0.7 mmol m(-2) yr(-1) per stand area, shows increasing trends since 1971 with considerably greater values at high altitudes. Effects in radial growth were used to derive an initial approximate critical threshold value for O(3) impacts on the vitality and growth of mature beech stands in Southern Germany. It is concluded that this concept of O(3) flux estimation in combination with dendroecological analyses offers both a site specific and regional applicable approach to derive new critical levels for O(3).

Effects of elevated ozone on leaf delta13C and leaf conductance of plant species grown in semi-natural grassland with or without irrigation

Stable carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C) and leaf conductance (g(s)) were measured (2002, 2003) in Holcus lanatus L., Plantago lanceolata L. Ranunculus friesianus (Jord.), and Trifolium pratense L. at two levels of ozone (O(3)) with or without irrigation. In non-irrigated control plots, R. friesianus showed the least negative delta(13)C, and the smallest response to the treatments. Irrigation caused more negative delta(13)C, especially in H. lanatus. Irrespective of irrigation, O(3) increased delta(13)C in relationship to a decrease in g(s) in P. lanceolata and T. pratense. The strongest effect of O(3) on delta(13)C occurred in the absence of irrigation, suggesting that under field conditions lack of moisture in the top soil does not always lead to protection from O(3) uptake. It is concluded that in species such as T. pratense plants can maintain stomatal O(3) uptake during dry periods when roots can reach deeper soil layers where water is not limiting.

Sub-canopy deposition of ozone in a stand of cutleaf coneflower

Although there has been a great deal of research on ozone, interest in exposure of native, herbaceous species is relatively recent and it is still not clear what role the pollutant has in their ecological fitness. The ozone exposure of a plant is usually expressed in terms of the concentration above the canopy or as a time-weighted index. However, to understand the physiological effects of ozone it is necessary to quantify the ozone flux to individual leaves as they develop, which requires knowing the deposition velocity and concentration of the pollutant as a function of height throughout the plant canopy. We used a high-order closure model of sub-canopy turbulence to estimate ozone profiles in stands of cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata L.) located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. The model was run for periods coinciding with a short field study, during which we measured vertical concentration profiles of ozone along with measurements of atmospheric turbulence and other meteorological and plant variables. Predictions of ozone profiles by the model are compared with observations throughout the canopy.

Influence of light fleck and low light on foliar injury and physiological responses of two hybrid poplar clones to ozone

Five-month old hybrid poplar clones NE388 and NE359 were exposed to square-wave 30, 55, and 80 ppb O(3) (8 h/day, 7 day/week) under constant high light (HL) and light fleck (LF) during 28 May-29 June 1999, and exposed to 30 and 55 ppb O(3) under HL, LF, and constant low light (LL) during 22 May-28 June 2000 within Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTR) in a greenhouse. Ramets of these two hybrid clones received similar total photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) within the LF and LL treatments. Visible foliar symptoms, leaf gas exchange, and growth were measured. More severe O(3) induced foliar symptoms were observed on ramets within the LF and LL treatments than within the HL treatment for both clones. The LF treatment resulted in significantly greater foliar injury than the LL treatment for NE388. The LF and LL treatments generally resulted in lower photosynthetic rates (Pn) for both clones, but did not affect stomatal conductance (g(wv)); therefore, the ratios of g(wv)/Pn and the O(3) uptake/Pn were greatest in plants grown under the LF treatment, followed by those grown under LL treatment; plants grown under HL had the lowest ratios of g(wv)/Pn and O(3) uptake/Pn. Greater ratios of g(wv)/Pn and O(3) uptake/Pn were consistently associated with more severe visible foliar symptoms. The negative impacts of the LF treatment on growth were greater than those of the LL treatment. Results indicate that not only the integral, but also the pattern of photo flux density, may affect carbon gain in plants. Increased foliar injury may be expected under light fleck conditions due to the limited repair capacity as a result of continuity of O(3) uptake while photosynthesis decreases under LL conditions.

Interfacial phospholipids inhibit ozone-reactive absorption-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro

The intrapulmonary distribution of inhaled ozone (O(3)) and induction of site-specific cell injury are related to complex interactions among airflow patterns, local gas-phase concentrations, and the rates of O(3) flux into, and reaction and diffusion within, the epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Recent studies demonstrated that interfacial phospholipid films appreciably inhibited NO(2) absorption. Because surface-active phospholipids are present on alveolar and airway interfaces, we investigated the effects of interfacial films on O(3)-reactive absorption and acute cell injury. Compressed films of dipalmitoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and rat lung lavage lipids significantly reduced O(3)-reactive absorption by ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, and uric acid. Conversely, unsaturated phosphatidylcholine films did not inhibit O(3) absorption. We evaluated O(3)-mediated cell injury using a human lung fibroblast cell culture system, an intermittent tilting exposure regimen to produce a thin covering layer, and nuclear fluorochrome permeability. Exposure produced negligible injury in cells covered with MEM. However, addition of AH(2) produced appreciable (<50%) cell injury. Film spreading of DPPC monolayers necessitated the use of untilted regimens. Induction of acute cell injury in untilted cultures required both AH(2) plus very high O(3) concentrations. Addition of DPPC films significantly reduced cell injury. We conclude that acute cell injury likely results from O(3) reaction with ELF substrates. Furthermore, interfacial films of surface-active, saturated phospholipids reduce the local dose of O(3)-derived reaction products. Finally, because O(3) local dose and tissue damage likely correlate, we propose that interfacial phospholipids may modulate intrapulmonary distribution of inhaled O(3) and the extent of site-specific cell injury.

Evaluation of the potential impact of age- and gender-specific lung morphology and ventilation rate on the dosimetry of vapors

In recent years, there have been growing concerns that due to differences, both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic, between children and adults, children could be at greater risk of adverse effects following chemical exposure. The specific goal of this study was to demonstrate an approach for using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to compare inhalation dosimetry in the adult and the child of both males and females. Three categories of gases were considered: rapidly and irreversibly reactive in the respiratory tract (ozone), relatively water-soluble and nonreactive (isopropanol), and relatively water-insoluble and nonreactive (styrene, vinyl chloride, and perchloroethylene). The nonreactive chemicals were also selected because they are metabolized in the respiratory tract. The age-related changes observed for the estimated dose metrics were a function of the physiochemical properties of the inhaled vapor and their interactions in the body. Blood concentrations estimated for all vapors, either poorly metabolized (e.g., PERC), moderately metabolized (e.g., ST), or highly metabolized vapors (e.g., IPA and VC), varied less than a factor of two between infants and adults. These changes, moreover, were confined to the first year after birth, a relatively short window compared to the total lifespan of the individual. In contrast, circulating metabolite concentrations estimated in the blood, as well as amounts metabolized in the liver and lung, appeared to be a strong function of age, due to their dependence on the maturity of the pertinent metabolic enzyme systems.

High-resolution spatial analysis of stomatal ozone uptake in arable crops and pastures

Ozone effects on plants depend on atmospheric transport and stomatal uptake. Thus, ozone-risk assessments should use measured ozone concentrations and account for the influence of atmospheric conditions and soil moisture on stomatal and nonstomatal ozone deposition. This requires disaggregated data for the physical input parameters and species-specific data for specific stomatal conductance (g(s)). In this study, an approach was developed based on a resistance analogue transport model. This model requires interpolated routine-measuring data for ozone concentration at 3-5 m height, wind speed, precipitation, and soil moisture content as inputs to estimate the amount of ozone taken up by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and grass/clover pastures with a 1x1-km resolution. The model was applied to the area under agricultural production in Switzerland. Using data for June 1994, the calculations revealed that the median of the distribution of stomatal ozone uptake was 88% higher in wheat compared to grassland. This was mainly due to the higher maximum stomatal conductance in wheat. Because ozone flux to soil and to external plant surfaces was comparable in both vegetation types, the difference in the stomatal fluxes was mainly responsible for distinct differences in flux partitioning. In both cases, only about 11% of the total cumulative flux was absorbed by external plant surfaces, whereas the soil was a strong sink responsible for as much as 50% of the total flux into grasslands. The higher-ozone flux to wheat resulted in clearly lower-ozone concentrations at canopy height, but no significant correlation between cumulative canopy-level ozone exposure, expressed as accumulated exposure above 40 ppb (AOT40), and stomatal uptake was found. Thus, to estimate the ozone risk for crops using a flux-based approach may lead to results that differ substantially from those obtained with a concentration-based approach.

Regional assessment of ozone sensitive tree species using bioindicator plants

Tropospheric ozone occurs at phytotoxic levels in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Quantifying possible regional-scale impacts of ambient ozone on forest tree species is difficult and is confounded by other factors, such as moisture and light, which influence the uptake of ozone by plants. Biomonitoring provides an approach to document direct foliar injury irrespective of direct measure of ozone uptake. We used bioindicator and field plot data from the USDA Forest Service to identify tree species likely to exhibit regional-scale ozone impacts. Approximately 24% of sampled sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), 15% of sampled loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and 12% of sampled black cherry (Prunus serotina) trees were in the highest risk category. Sweetgum and loblolly pine trees were at risk on the coastal plain of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Black cherry trees were at risk on the Allegheny Plateau (Pennsylvania), in the Allegheny Mountains (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland) as well as coastal plain areas of Maryland and Virginia. Our findings indicate a need for more in-depth study of actual impacts on growth and reproduction of these three species.

Effect of ozone and nitrogen dioxide on the permeability of bronchial epithelial cell cultures of non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects

BACKGROUND

Although epidemiological as well as in vivo exposure studies suggest that ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may play a role in airway diseases such as asthma, the underlying mechanisms are not clear.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to investigate the effect of O3 and NO2 on the permeability of human bronchial epithelial cell (HBEC) cultures obtained from non-atopic non-asthmatic (non-asthmatics) and atopic mild asthmatic (asthmatics) individuals.

METHODS

We cultured HBECs from bronchial biopsies of non-asthmatics and asthmatics, and exposed these for 6 h to air, 10 to 100 parts per billion (p.p.b.) O3, or to 100 to 400 p.p.b. NO2, and assessed changes in electrical resistance (ER) and movement of 14C-BSA across the cell cultures.

RESULTS

Although exposure to either O3 or NO2 did not alter the permeability of HBEC cultures of non-asthmatics, 10 to 100 p.p.b. O3 and 400 p.p.b. NO2 significantly decreased the ER of HBEC cultures of asthmatics, when compared with exposure to air. Additionally, 10, 50 and 100 p.p.b. O3 led to a significant increase in the movement of 14C-BSA across asthmatic HBEC cultures, after 6 h of exposure (medians = 1.73%; P < 0.01, 1.50%; P < 0.05 and 1.53%, P < 0.05, respectively), compared with air exposed cultures (median = 0.89%). Similarly, exposure for 6 h to both 200 and 400 p.p.b. NO2 significantly increased the movement of 14C-BSA across asthmatic HBEC cultures, when compared with air exposure. A comparison of data obtained from the two study groups demonstrated that 10 to 100 p.p.b. O3- and 200 to 400 p.p.b. NO2-induced epithelial permeability was greater in cultures of asthmatics compared with non-asthmatics.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that HBECs of asthmatics may be more susceptible to the deleterious effects of these pollutants. Whether in patients with asthma the greater susceptibility of bronchial epithelial cells to O3 and NO2 contributes to the development of the disease, or is a secondary characteristic of this condition, remains to be determined.

Ozone-induced DNA single strand-breaks in guinea pig tracheobronchial epithelial cells in vivo

Two-month-old male guinea pigs (Dunkin-Hartley strain, specific pathogen free), 4 in each group, were exposed to 0.00, 0.45, and 1.00 ppm O3 for 72 h. The trachea with two main bronchi was removed from each animal after O3 exposure. The trachea lavage fluid was used to measure the protein content as an index of altered tracheobronchial epithelial (TE) cell membrane permeability after O3 exposure. The TE cells were isolated and employed for the determination of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU). The statistical significance level was set at alpha =.05. The results show that neither the yield nor the viability of the TE cell from various O3 treatment groups was different from that of controls. Compared to controls, the protein content was elevated significantly after 0.45 ppm O3 exposure; however, the amount of DNA SSBs was not. The number of DNA SSBs increased significantly in the 1.00 ppm O3 exposure group when compared to controls. Regardless of the alkali incubation time at 15 degrees C, the double-stranded DNA left in the alkali TE cell lysate was a linear function of O3 exposure concentrations.

Ozone absorption in the human nose during unidirectional airflow

This study addresses the effect of gas flow rate and ozone (O(3)) concentration on the uptake of this air pollutant in the nose. A nasal exposure system was developed in which a constant flow of humidified air (V) containing a constant concentration of O(3) (C(inlet)) entered one nostril and then exited the other nostril while a subject closed the velopharyngeal aperture. Experiments were conducted on 10 healthy nonsmokers for whom O(3) concentration was measured at the inlet nostril and the outlet nostril to determine the fraction of inhaled O(3) that was absorbed into the nasal mucosa (Lambda(nose)). Lambda(nose) decreased from 0.80 +/- 0.02 to 0.33 +/- 0.02 (SE) when V was increased from 3 to 15 l/min and C(inlet) was fixed at 0.4 ppm. Analysis of these data with a mathematical model indicated that O(3) uptake was limited by diffusion reaction through mucus, rather than by convective diffusion through the respired gas. A small decrease in Lambda(nose) from 0.36 +/- 0.02 to 0.32 +/- 0.01 was also observed when C(inlet) was increased from 0.1 to 0.4 ppm at a fixed V of 15 l/min. This may have been due to nonlinear reaction kinetics between O(3) and reactive substrates in mucus or an active response by a physiological process such as mucus secretion or transepithelial water influx.

Longitudinal distribution of ozone and chlorine in the human respiratory tract: simulation of nasal and oral breathing with the single-path diffusion model

In the single-path model of the respiratory system, gas transport occurs within a conduit of progressively increasing cross-sectional and surface areas by a combination of flow, longitudinal dispersion, and lateral absorption. The purpose of this study was to use bolus inhalation data previously obtained for chlorine (Cl(2)) and for ozone (O(3)) to test the predictive capability of the single-path model and to adjust input parameters for applying the model to other exposure conditions. The data, consisting of uptake fraction as a function of bolus penetration volume, were recorded on 10 healthy nonsmokers breathing orally as well as nasally at alternative air flows of 150, 250, and 1000 ml/s. By employing published data for airway anatomy, gas-phase dispersion coefficients, and gas-phase mass transfer coefficients while neglecting diffusion limitations in the mucus phase, the single-path model was capable of predicting the uptake distribution for O(3) but not the steeper distribution that was observed for Cl(2). To simultaneously explain the data for these two gases, it was necessary to increase gas-phase mass transfer coefficients and to include a finite diffusion resistance of O(3) within the mucous layer. The O(3) reaction rate constants that accounted for this diffusion resistance, 2 x 10(6) s(-1) in the mouth and 8 x 10(6) s(-1) in the nose and lower airways, were much greater than previously reported reactivities of individual substrates found in mucus.

Sites and mechanisms for uptake of gases and vapors in the respiratory tract

Inhalation is a common route by which individuals are exposed to toxicants. The air contains a multitude of gases and vapors that are brought into the respiratory tract with each breath. Depending upon the physical and chemical characteristics of the toxicant, the respiratory tract can be considered as a target organ in addition to a portal of entry. Sufficient information is not always available on the fate or effects of an inhaled gas or vapor. Two physiochemical principles, water solubility and reactivity, can be used to predict the site of uptake of gases and vapors in the respiratory tract and potential mechanisms for reaction with respiratory tract tissue and absorption into the blood. Four model compounds, formaldehyde, ozone, dibasic esters, and butadiene are discussed as examples of how knowledge of aqueous solubility and chemical reactivity can help toxicologists predict sites and mechanisms by which inhaled gases and vapors interact with respiratory tract tissues.

Ozone and limonene in indoor air: a source of submicron particle exposure

Little information currently exists regarding the occurrence of secondary organic aerosol formation in indoor air. Smog chamber studies have demonstrated that high aerosol yields result from the reaction of ozone with terpenes, both of which commonly occur in indoor air. However, smog chambers are typically static systems, whereas indoor environments are dynamic. We conducted a series of experiments to investigate the potential for secondary aerosol in indoor air as a result of the reaction of ozone with d-limonene, a compound commonly used in air fresheners. A dynamic chamber design was used in which a smaller chamber was nested inside a larger one, with air exchange occurring between the two. The inner chamber was used to represent a model indoor environment and was operated at an air exchange rate below 1 exchange/hr, while the outer chamber was operated at a high air exchange rate of approximately 45 exchanges/hr. Limonene was introduced into the inner chamber either by the evaporation of reagent-grade d-limonene or by inserting a lemon-scented, solid air freshener. A series of ozone injections were made into the inner chamber during the course of each experiment, and an optical particle counter was used to measure the particle concentration. Measurable particle formation and growth occurred almost exclusively in the 0.1-0.2 microm and 0.2-0.3 microm size fractions in all of the experiments. Particle formation in the 0.1-0.2 microm size range occurred as soon as ozone was introduced, but the formation of particles in the 0.2-0.3 microm size range did not occur until at least the second ozone injection occurred. The results of this study show a clear potential for significant particle concentrations to be produced in indoor environments as a result of secondary particle formation via the ozone-limonene reaction. Because people spend the majority of their time indoors, secondary particles formed in indoor environments may make a significant contribution to overall particle exposure. This study provides data for assessing the impact of outdoor ozone on indoor particles. This is important to determine the efficacy of the mass-based particulate matter standards in protecting public health because the indoor secondary particles can vary coincidently with the variations of outdoor fine particles in summer.

Effect of respiratory pattern on ozone injury to the airways of isolated rat lungs

Ozone stimulates the "defensive" C-fibers in the lungs, changing breathing pattern to rapid and shallow. We hypothesized that when ozone is administered to the isolated lung with a rapid shallow breathing pattern rather than a slow deep pattern, relatively less airway epithelial damage would occur. Four groups of isolated buffer perfused rat lungs were exposed to ozone (1 ppm) or to filtered air for 90 min with either a slow deep (SDB, tidal volume 2.4 ml, frequency 40 breaths/min) or a rapid shallow breathing pattern (RSB, tidal volume 1.2 ml, frequency 80 breaths/min), resulting in an equivalent inspired dose. The absorbed dose of ozone did not differ between the exposed groups. Ethidium homodimer-1 was then instilled into the trachea to identify injured airway epithelial cells. The lungs were fixed, the airways were microdissected, and the airway epithelial cells were counterstained with YPRO-1 prior to evaluation with confocal microscopy. Ozone-induced airway epithelial cell injury occurred to a lesser overall degree when lungs were exposed by the RSB pattern (p = 0.003). The relative reduction in injury was greater (p < 0.05) in the proximal axial airway than in its adjacent airway branch and terminal bronchioles. Ozone induced an increase in pulmonary resistance with the SDB pattern but not with the RSB pattern. Thus, at an equivalent dose of inspired ozone, a RSB pattern resulted in less total damage than a SDB pattern and the distribution of protection was heterogeneous with proximal axial airways displaying the greatest relative reductions in epithelial damage.

Simulating ozone detoxification in the leaf apoplast through the direct reaction with ascorbate

This paper presents a mathematical model which enables the semi-quantification of ozone (O3) detoxification, based upon the direct reaction of the pollutant with ascorbate (ASC) located in the aqueous matrix associated with the cell wall (i.e. the apoplast). The model describes the uptake of ozone into the leaf and its direct reaction with ASC, taking into consideration the regeneration of dehydroascorbic acid in the cytosol, the rate of replenishment of cell wall ASC and the distribution of ASC between sub-cellular compartments based upon the permeability of biomembranes to the neutral species, ascorbic acid and the pH of various sub-cellular compartments. The importance of various physico-chemical characteristics (e.g. stomatal conductance, mesophyll cell wall thickness and tortuosity, chloroplast volume, apoplast pH, ASC:O3 reaction stoichiometry) in mediating the flux of ozone to the plasmalemma is analysed. Model simulations, supported by experimental observations, suggest that the ASC concentration in the leaf apoplast is high enough to scavenge a significant proportion of the O3 taken up into the leaf interior, under environmentally relevant conditions. However, there is considerable variation between taxa in the potential degree of protection afforded by apoplastic ASC, emphasizing the need for an improved understanding of the reaction chemistry of O3 in the cell wall.

Longitudinal distribution of chlorine absorption in human airways: a comparison to ozone absorption

The bolus inhalation method was used to measure the fraction of inhaled chlorine (Cl(2)) and ozone (O(3)) absorbed during a single breath as a function of longitudinal position in the respiratory system of 10 healthy nonsmokers during oral and nasal breathing at respired flows of 150, 250, and 1,000 ml/s. At all experimental conditions, <5% of inspired Cl(2) penetrated beyond the upper airways and none reached the respiratory air spaces. On the other hand, larger penetrations of O(3) beyond the upper airways occurred as flow increased and during nasal than during oral breathing. In the extreme case of oral breathing at 1,000 ml/s, 35% of inhaled O(3) penetrated beyond the upper airways and approximately 10% reached the respiratory air spaces. Mass transfer theory indicated that the diffusion resistance of the tissue phase was negligible for Cl(2) but important for O(3). The gas phase resistances were the same for Cl(2) and O(3) and were directly correlated with the volume of the nose and mouth during nasal and oral breathing, respectively.

Relative roles of convection and chemical reaction for the disposition of formaldehyde and ozone in nasal mucus

The mucociliary apparatus is an important respiratory-tract defense system that may provide significant protection of the underlying epithelium from gases and vapors. Limiting-case calculations were performed to determine the significance of convective mucus transport and chemical reaction for formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O(3)) in rat nasal respiratory epithelial mucus. Less than 4.6% of absorbed HCHO can be bound to amino groups (serum albumin) after 20 min of exposure. Thus, at the slowest measured mucus flow rates in rats, approximately 1 mm/min, a fluid element of mucus could travel more than 2 cm before binding 5% of absorbed HCHO, by which time the element would probably leave the nose (the site of toxic responses). In other calculations, HCHO removed by chemical reaction from a volume of mucus exposed for longer times was determined to be less than 0.54% of that removed by mucus flow (convection). Given the solubility of HCHO in mucus (water) and estimates of total mucus flow, however, as much as 22-42% of inhaled HCHO may be removed by total mucus flow. Alternately, O(3) dissolved in mucus would react completely with unsaturated fatty acids in 8.3 x 10(-4) s, in which time the mucus could flow no more than approximately 0.42 microm at the maximum reported flow rate of 30 mm/min. Even if a volume of mucus is flushed by net flow in 1 s, the amount of O(3) removed by flow would only be 0.12% of that removed by chemical reaction. Finally, based on the solubility of ozone, less than 8.0 x 10(-5)% of inhaled material could be removed from the nose by mucus flow. These results indicate which mucociliary processes are significant in site-specific dosimetry modeling.

Acute airway effects of formaldehyde and ozone in BALB/c mice

1. Concentration and time-effect relationships of formaldehyde and ozone on the airways were investigated in BALB/c mice. The effects were obtained by continuous monitoring of the respiratory rate, tidal volume, expiratory flow rate, time of inspiration, time of expiration, and respiratory patterns. 2. With concentrations up to 4 p.p.m., formaldehyde showed mainly sensory irritation effects of the upper airways that decrease the respiratory rate from a trigeminal reflex. The no-effect level (NOEL) was about 0.3 p.p.m. This value is close to the human NOEL, which is about 0.08 p.p.m. 3. Ozone caused rapid, shallow breathing in BALB/c mice. Later on, the respiratory rate decreased due to another vagal response that indicated an incipient lung oedema. The NOEL in mice was about 1 p.p.m. during 30 min of ozone exposure. No major effect occurs in resting humans at about 0.4 p.p.m. 4. Thus, the upper airway irritant, formaldehyde, and the deep lung irritant, ozone, showed the same types of respiratory effects in humans and in BALB/c mice. Also, the sensitivity was nearly identical. Continuous monitoring of respiratory effects in BALB/c mice, therefore, may be a valuable method for the study of effects of other environmental pollutants, which, however, should be confirmed in further studies.

A respiratory ozone analyzer optimized for high resolution and swift dynamic response during exercise conditions

The breath-to-breath determination of total respiratory ozone (O3) uptake requires the monitoring of O3 concentration at the airway opening with an instrument that responds rapidly relative to the frequency of respiration. Originally, the authors developed an analyzer that used the homogeneous chemiluminescent reaction of O3 with 2-methyl-2-butene, but it was suitable only for monitoring O3 during quiet breathing and light exercise (Ben-Jebria and Ultman, Rev Sci Instrum 1989; 60:3004-11, and Ben-Jebria et al., Rev Sci Instrum 1990; 61:3435-39). The improvement of performance characteristics of the aforementioned analyzer enabled the authors to use the newly constructed and self-contained instrument, which used ethylene as the reactant gas, for respiratory O3 monitoring during moderate-to-heavy exercise. Operating at a reaction chamber pressure of 350 torr, an ethylene/sample flow ratio of 4:1, and a sampling flow of 0.6 lpm, the authors achieved an optimum analyzer performance (i.e., 10-90% step-response of 70 msec and a minimum resolution of 0.006 ppm O3). Furthermore, the new instrument did not exhibit the nonlinear calibration and the CO2 interference suffered by the original analyzer. To demonstrate the quality of the new O3 analyzer in a respiratory application (i.e., total O3 uptake), the authors measured a series of single breaths on two subjects who breathed 0.11 and 0.43 ppm O3-in-air mixtures for 15 min during rest, and during moderate and heavy exercise.

Longitudinal distribution of ozone absorption in the lung: effects of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone exposures

Investigators used an ozone bolus inhalation method to study the effects of continuous exposure to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide on ozone absorption in the conducting airways of human lungs. Healthy, young nonsmokers (6 males, 6 females) were exposed on separate days for 2 h to air containing 0.36 ppm nitrogen dioxide, 0.75 ppm nitrogen dioxide, 0.36 ppm sulfur dioxide, or 0.36 ppm ozone. Every 30 min, the subject interrupted exposure for approximately 5 min, during which he or she orally inhaled five ozone boluses-each in a separate breath. Investigators targeted penetration of the boluses distal to the lips in the 70-130-ml range, which corresponded to the lower conducting airways. The authors computed the change in absorption resulting from exposure (delta lambda) by comparing the amount of each ozone bolus that was absorbed with a corresponding value obtained prior to exposure. Results indicated that ozone exposure caused delta lambda to decrease relative to air exposure (p < .01), whereas both nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide exposures caused an increase in delta lambda that was not significantly different from air exposure. This resulted, at least in part, to an artifact caused by preexposure to ozone boluses. The authors concluded that exposure of the lower conducting airways to nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide increased their capacity to absorb ozone because more of the biochemical substrates that are normally oxidized by ozone were made available. During continuous ozone exposure, this excess of substrate is depleted and the absorption of ozone boluses decreases.