Metallothionein (MT) is a low-molecular-mass, cysteine-rich metal binding protein thought to be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals and scavenging of free radicals. MT is directly induced not only by heavy metals, but also by hormones and cytokines. The present study, which uses mice with genetic deletions of the MT proteins (MT −/− mice), was designed to evaluate the effects of MT on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. We found that the production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in peritoneal macrophages is up-regulated by MT via the modulation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity. This conclusion is supported by the following observations : (1) LPS stimulated the secretion of less TNF activity from MT −/−

In this study, the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particles equal to or less than 10 µm (PM10), collected from the Bangkok urban air, were investigated. Sixteen PAHs content in PM10 were simultaneously measured. High molecular weight PAHs (four-, five-, and six-ring) were more abundant in airborne particles (91.7% of total PAHs) than those of low molecular weight PAHs (two-, and three-ring). Further, 71.4% of the total PAHs found in the study sites are potentially carcinogenic PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was a prominent carcinogenic compound for PAH mixtures found in the area. Correlation analysis revealed that there is a close correlation between the concentration of carcinogenic PAHs and amount of PM10. This is due to their absorptivity property on the surface of the particles. In this study the lifetime lung cancer risk was estimated from the seven carcinogenic PAHs using the toxicity equivalent factor (TEF). The probable number of lung cancer cases in Bangkok Metropolitan was estimated at 27 cases/year. The concentration of carcinogenic PAHs found in Bangkok city in 2002/2003 is comparable to values in many other cities.

A nuclear localization signal (NLS) has been detected in several nuclear proteins. Classical NLS-mediated nuclear pore targeting is performed by using the cytosolic factors, importin alpha and importin beta, whereas nuclear translocation requires the small GTPase, Ran. In the present study, we demonstrated that nuclear localization of metallothionein (MT) differs from that of classical NLS-mediated substrates. In digitonin-permeabilized BALB/c3T3 cells, biotinylated MT was localized in the nucleus in the presence of ATP and erythrocyte cytosol in the same manner as for SV40 large T NLS-conjugated allophycocyanin (APC-NLS). Under ATP-free conditions, nuclear rim-binding was observed in both transport substrates. Rim-binding of labeled MT was competitively inhibited by the addition of an excess amount of unlabeled MT. Different elution profiles were observed for the localization-promoting activities of MT in the cytosol compared to those of APC-NLS. Furthermore, nuclear localization of MT was determined to be a wheat germ agglutinin-insensitive, GTPgammaS-sensitive, and anti-Ran antibody-sensitive process. Green fluorescent protein-metallothionein (GFP-MT) fusion protein was also localized in the nucleus in the stable transformant of CHL-IU cells. These results strongly suggest that the targeting by MT of the nuclear pore is mediated by cytosolic factor(s) other than importins and that MT requires Ran for its nuclear localization.

There are numerous Calibration and Measurement Capability Claims (CMCs) on PAH analysis in various matrices published in the BIPM key comparison database, Appendix C. By July 2007 such CMCs were released in Category 10 Biological fluids and materials, Subcategory 10.4 Tissues, Category 11 Food, Subcategory 11.2 Contaminants and Category 13 Sediments, soils, ores and particulates, Subcategories 13.1 Sediments, 13.2 Soils and 13.4 Particulates. CCQM comparisons are needed to underpin these claims.A pilot study CCQM-P69 'PAHs in soil' was successfully conducted in 2004. After review of the results at the OAWG meeting in September 2005 it was decided to proceed with a key comparison and a concurrent second pilot study CCQM-K50/P69.1. CENAM and BAM agreed to coordinate the intercomparison. The measurand of the study was specified as amount of specific PAHs in solid matrices as extracted under exhaustive extraction conditions. As for the preceding pilot study and two studies for PAHs in solution (CCQM-P31a and CCQM-K38), five target analytes, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene, were selected as representative of the measurement of individual compounds.The CCQM-K50 study utilized a soil sample from BAM and an air particulate sample from NIST. Both materials were naturally contaminated, not enriched or spiked. The mass fraction of target analytes in the samples ranged from 2 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg. NIST SRM 1649a Urban Dust was provided as a control material. Participants were requested to determine the mass fraction of the selected PAHs on a dry mass basis and submit a complete uncertainty budget for their measurements.Ten NMIs participated in the study. All participants applied Soxhlet or Accelerated Solvent extraction (ASE) and GC-MS with either deuterated or 13C labelled internal standards. Results demonstrate a good level of equivalence in capabilities of the participating NMIs to identify and measure PAHs in highly contaminated environmental samples. With a few exceptions, data agree within the range ±5% from the Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) for the soil and ±10% from the KCRV for the particulate. Relative expanded uncertainties of the KCRV range from 2% to 5% for the soil and from 4% to 13% for the particulate matter. The KCRV was agreed upon during the OAWG meeting in November 2008 as the arithmetic mean of participants' results. Data of laboratories who did not take part in the preceding pilot study or whose results were not fully traceable to an NMI were excluded from the calculation of KCRVs. Degree of equivalence statements were given for all participants.Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).