The Experts below are selected from a list of 1728 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Chin-hsiao Tseng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Blackfoot Disease and Arsenic: A Never-Ending Story
    2006
    Co-Authors: Chin-hsiao Tseng
    Abstract:

    Abstract Blackfoot Disease (BFD) is an endemic peripheral vascular Disease confined to the southwestern coast of Taiwan. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, pathology, etiology and pathogenesis of this Disease. Sporadic cases of BFD occurred as early as in the early 20th century, and peak incidence was noted between 1956 and 1960, with prevalence rates ranging from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion mainly found in the lower extremities, but in rare cases, the upper extremities might also be involved. Ulceration, gangrene and spontaneous or surgical amputation were typical fate. An extensive pathological study concluded that 30% of the BFD patients had histologic lesions compatible with thromboangiitis obliterans and 70% showed changes of arteriosclerosis obliterans. Epidemiologic studies carried out since mid-20th century revealed that BFD was associated with the consumpt...

  • Arsenic exposure, urinary arsenic speciation, and peripheral vascular Disease in Blackfoot Disease-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan.
    Toxicology and applied pharmacology, 2005
    Co-Authors: Chin-hsiao Tseng, Mohsiung Yang, Chien-jen Chen, Yung Kai Huang, Ya-li Huang, Chi-jung Chung, Yu Mei Hsueh
    Abstract:

    Long-term exposure to ingested inorganic arsenic is associated with peripheral vascular Disease (PVD) in the Blackfoot Disease (BFD)hyperendemic area in Taiwan. This study further examined the interaction between arsenic exposure and urinary arsenic speciation on the risk of PVD. A total of 479 (220 men and 259 women) adults residing in the BFD-hyperendemic area were studied. Doppler ultrasound was used to diagnose PVD. Arsenic exposure was estimated by an index of cumulative arsenic exposure (CAE). Urinary levels of total arsenic, inorganic arsenite (As III ) and arsenate (As V ), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA V ), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA V ) were determined. Primary methylation index [PMI = MMA V /(As III +A s V )] and secondary methylation index (SMI = DMA V /MMA V ) were calculated. The association between PVD and urinary arsenic parameters was evaluated with consideration of the interaction with CAE and the confounding effects of age, sex, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results showed that aging was associated with a diminishing capacity to methylate inorganic arsenic and women possessed a more efficient arsenic methylation capacity than men did. PVD risk increased with a higher CAE and a lower capacity to methylate arsenic to DMA V . The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for CAE of 0, 0.1–15.4, and N15.4 mg/L year were 1.00, 3.41 (0.74–15.78), and 4.62 (0.96–22.21), respectively (P b 0.05, trend test); and for PMI V 1.77 and SMI N 6.93, PMI N 1.77 and SMI N 6.93, PMI N 1.77 and SMI V 6.93, and PMI V 1.77 and SMI V 6.93 were 1.00, 2.93 (0.90–9.52), 2.85 (1.05–7.73), and 3.60 (1.12–11.56), respectively (P b 0.05, trend test). It was concluded that individuals with a higher arsenic exposure and a lower capacity to methylate inorganic arsenic to DMA V have a higher risk of developing PVD in the BFD

  • Blackfoot Disease and arsenic: a never-ending story.
    Journal of environmental science and health. Part C Environmental carcinogenesis & ecotoxicology reviews, 2005
    Co-Authors: Chin-hsiao Tseng
    Abstract:

    Blackfoot Disease (BFD) is an endemic peripheral vascular Disease confined to the southwestern coast of Taiwan. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, pathology, etiology and pathogenesis of this Disease. Sporadic cases of BFD occurred as early as in the early 20th century, and peak incidence was noted between 1956 and 1960, with prevalence rates ranging from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion mainly found in the lower extremities, but in rare cases, the upper extremities might also be involved. Ulceration, gangrene and spontaneous or surgical amputation were typical fate. An extensive pathological study concluded that 30% of the BFD patients had histologic lesions compatible with thromboangiitis obliterans and 70% showed changes of arteriosclerosis obliterans. Epidemiologic studies carried out since mid-20th century revealed that BFD was associated with the consumption of inorganic arsenic from the artesian wells. Recent studies confirmed the existence of preclinical peripheral vascular Disease, subclinical arterial insufficiency and defects in cutaneous microcirculation in the residents of the endemic villages. A more recent study suggested that the methylation capacity of arsenic can interact with arsenic exposure in the development of peripheral vascular Disease among residents of BFD-endemic areas. The incidence of BFD decreased dramatically after the implementation of tap water in these villages over the past 2-3 decades. The atherogenicity of arsenic could be associated with its effects of hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, somatic mutation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its interaction with some trace elements and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus could also explain part of its higher risk of developing atherosclerosis. Although humic substances have also been suggested as a possible cause of BFD, epidemiologic studies are required to confirm its etiologic role.

  • Abnormal current perception thresholds measured by neurometer among residents in Blackfoot Disease-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan
    Toxicology letters, 2003
    Co-Authors: Chin-hsiao Tseng
    Abstract:

    Abstract This study evaluated the possible existence of subclinical sensory nerve defects in residents of Blackfoot Disease (BFD)-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan characterized by long-term arsenic exposure from drinking water. Eighty-five seemingly normal subjects living in BFD villages and 75 external normal controls without exposure were recruited. All subjects were 30–75 years old, without possible causes of peripheral neuropathy and suffered from no symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Current perception threshold (CPT) was measured by Neurometer ® at the trigeminal, median and superficial peroneal nerves with frequencies of 5, 250 and 2000 Hz. Results showed that the two groups were comparable in age, sex, body height and body weight. However, BFD residents had significantly 1.28–2.23-fold higher CPT than normal controls for all frequencies at the 3 nerves. If the mean values + 3 standard deviations (S.D.) derived from normal controls were used as cutoff points for defining abnormalities, 36 of the 85 (42.4%) residents in the BFD villages had at least one abnormal measurement. Site and frequency preferences were noted in the abnormal CPT of the BFD residents. Longer nerves (superficial peroneal and median nerves) were involved more commonly than shorter one (trigeminal); and lower frequencies (5 and 250 Hz) were more commonly involved than the higher one (2000 Hz). Stepwise regression analyses consistently showed that residency in BFD villages was significantly associated with higher CPT values after adjusting for age, sex, body height and body weight. In conclusion, abnormal CPT was observed in seemingly normal subjects without clinical neuropathy in the arseniasis-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan.

  • An overview on peripheral vascular Disease in Blackfoot Disease-hyperendemic villages in Taiwan.
    Angiology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Chin-hsiao Tseng
    Abstract:

    The arsenic-related peripheral vascular Disease found to be endemic along the southwestern coast of Taiwan is reviewed. In the early 20th century a strange Disease involving the lower extremities characterized by typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion was reported in a confined area located along the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The Disease was locally called Blackfoot Disease because of its gangrenous appearance involving the feet of the patients. The prevalence of this Disease ranged from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Epidemiologic studies revealed that Blackfoot Disease was associated with the consumption of artesian well water containing high levels of arsenic. High co-occurrence of Blackfoot Disease and arsenic-related skin lesions such as hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and skin cancer was also observed. Recent studies also confirmed the association of preclinical peripheral vascular Disease with arsenic exposure in a dose-response pattern. Subclinical arterial insufficiency and defects in cutaneous microcirculation can also be demonstrated in seemingly normal subjects living in the endemic villages. The incidence of clinical manifestation of Blackfoot Disease decreased dramatically after the implementation of tap water in these villages over the past 2-3 decades. The atherogenicity of arsenic could be associated with its effects on hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, somatic mutation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its interaction with some trace elements and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus could also explain part of its higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Chen-wuing Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Assessing the mechanisms controlling the mobilization of arsenic in the arsenic contaminated shallow alluvial aquifer in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area.
    Journal of hazardous materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chen-wuing Liu, Chung-min Liao, Yu-ju Chu, Po-cheng Lin, Yaw-huei Hwang, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Abstract High levels of arsenic in groundwater and drinking water represent a major health problem worldwide. Drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a likely cause of Blackfoot Disease (BFD) in Taiwan, but mechanisms controlling the mobilization of arsenic present at elevated concentrations within aquifers remain understudied. Microcosm experiments using sediments from arsenic contaminated shallow alluvial aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area showed simultaneous microbial reduction of Fe(III) and As(V). Significant soluble Fe(II) (0.23 ± 0.03 mM) in pore waters and mobilization of As(III) (206.7 ± 21.2 nM) occurred during the first week. Aqueous Fe(II) and As(III) respectively reached concentrations of 0.27 ± 0.01 mM and 571.4 ± 63.3 nM after 8 weeks. We also showed that the addition of acetate caused a further increase in aqueous Fe(II) but the dissolved arsenic did not increase. We further isolated an As(V)-reducing bacterium native to aquifer sediments which showed that the direct enzymatic reduction of As(V) to the potentially more-soluble As(III) in pore water is possible in this aquifer. Our results provide evidence that microorganisms can mediate the release of sedimentary arsenic to groundwater in this region and the capacity for arsenic release was not limited by the availability of electron donors in the sediments.

  • assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from <1.0 to 562.7g/L. The patterns of measured reducing potential were consistent with those values calculated from As couple, revealing the in situ environment enhanced the accumulation of As concentration in the groundwater. Factor analysis proposed a four-factor model, comprising salination, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides, As reduction and chemical potential factor, and explained 89.94% of total variance in groundwater. Furthermore, two factors, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxy- hydroxides and As reduction, suggested that the decoupled reductive processes accounted for high As concentration in this area. Cluster analysis was adopted to spatially categorize the sampled wells into three main clusters and characterized by the factor scores of the four-factor model. Two-parameter (pH and Eh) model derived from discriminant analysis can be used for preliminary assessment to determine whether the As concentration exceeds 10g/L with simple field measurements in this area.

  • Assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area.
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from

  • Delimitation of arsenic-contaminated groundwater using risk-based indicator approaches around Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas of southern Taiwan.
    Environmental monitoring and assessment, 2007
    Co-Authors: Cheng-shin Jang, Chen-wuing Liu, Ching-chieh Lin
    Abstract:

    This work determined scopes of arsenic(As)-contaminated groundwater using risk-based indicator classification approaches in Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas of southern Taiwan. Indicator kriging was first used to establish a conditional cumulative distribution function at each cell. Three approaches--the p-quantile estimate, the E-type estimate and the minimization of the expected loss--were then adopted to delimit contaminated regions for a regulated standard of As concentrations in groundwater. According to a risk assessment model established in our previous research, the standard was set to 250 microg/l for aquacultural use, corresponding to the 77.1th percentile of observed concentrations. Misclassification risks and uncertainty were examined for the classification approaches. The analyzed results reveal that contaminated areas are the largest using the 0.771-quantile estimate, whereas they are the smallest using the minimization of the expected loss. Proportions of credible polluted areas with low risks to false positives maintain a constant, 12.9-13.2%, for the classification approaches. To reduce a great impact on human health, As-polluted groundwater should be strictly prohibited to cultivate fish in credible polluted zones and monitored persistently in polluted zones with high risks to false positives.

  • Spatial analysis of potential carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting arsenic in aquacultural tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas
    Environmental science & technology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Cheng-shin Jang, Chen-wuing Liu, Kao-hung Lin, Feng Mei Huang, Sheng-wei Wang
    Abstract:

    This work analyzed spatially potential carcinogenic risks associated with ingesting arsenic (As) contents in aquacultural tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in coastal regions of southwestern Taiwan, where the Blackfoot Disease prevails. Sequential indicator simulation (SIS) was used to reproduce As exposure distributions in groundwater based on their three-dimensional variability. A target cancer risk (TR) associated with ingesting As in aquacultural tilapia was calculated to evaluate the potential risk to human health. Owing to sparse measured data, Monte Carlo simulation and SIS properly accounted for the uncertainty of assessed parameters. The probabilistic risk assessment formulated suitable strategies under various remedial stages. Aquacultural regions with high risks were mapped to elucidate the safety of groundwater use at different depths. Many TRs determined from the risks at the 75th and 95th percentiles exceed one millionth in the regions, indicating that ingesting tilapia farmed in the highly As-polluted regions poses potential cancer threats to human health. The 75th percentile of TR is considered in formulating a remedial strategy for the aquacultural use of groundwater in the preliminary stage. Additionally, this study suggests reducing the use of groundwater in aquaculture or changing the depths from which groundwater is withdrawn in the areas with high risks of cancer.

Chung-min Liao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Assessing the mechanisms controlling the mobilization of arsenic in the arsenic contaminated shallow alluvial aquifer in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area.
    Journal of hazardous materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chen-wuing Liu, Chung-min Liao, Yu-ju Chu, Po-cheng Lin, Yaw-huei Hwang, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Abstract High levels of arsenic in groundwater and drinking water represent a major health problem worldwide. Drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a likely cause of Blackfoot Disease (BFD) in Taiwan, but mechanisms controlling the mobilization of arsenic present at elevated concentrations within aquifers remain understudied. Microcosm experiments using sediments from arsenic contaminated shallow alluvial aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area showed simultaneous microbial reduction of Fe(III) and As(V). Significant soluble Fe(II) (0.23 ± 0.03 mM) in pore waters and mobilization of As(III) (206.7 ± 21.2 nM) occurred during the first week. Aqueous Fe(II) and As(III) respectively reached concentrations of 0.27 ± 0.01 mM and 571.4 ± 63.3 nM after 8 weeks. We also showed that the addition of acetate caused a further increase in aqueous Fe(II) but the dissolved arsenic did not increase. We further isolated an As(V)-reducing bacterium native to aquifer sediments which showed that the direct enzymatic reduction of As(V) to the potentially more-soluble As(III) in pore water is possible in this aquifer. Our results provide evidence that microorganisms can mediate the release of sedimentary arsenic to groundwater in this region and the capacity for arsenic release was not limited by the availability of electron donors in the sediments.

  • assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from <1.0 to 562.7g/L. The patterns of measured reducing potential were consistent with those values calculated from As couple, revealing the in situ environment enhanced the accumulation of As concentration in the groundwater. Factor analysis proposed a four-factor model, comprising salination, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides, As reduction and chemical potential factor, and explained 89.94% of total variance in groundwater. Furthermore, two factors, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxy- hydroxides and As reduction, suggested that the decoupled reductive processes accounted for high As concentration in this area. Cluster analysis was adopted to spatially categorize the sampled wells into three main clusters and characterized by the factor scores of the four-factor model. Two-parameter (pH and Eh) model derived from discriminant analysis can be used for preliminary assessment to determine whether the As concentration exceeds 10g/L with simple field measurements in this area.

  • Assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area.
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from

  • dynamical coupling of pbpk pd and auc based toxicity models for arsenic in tilapia oreochromis mossambicus from Blackfoot Disease area in taiwan
    Environmental Pollution, 2005
    Co-Authors: Chung-min Liao, Bo Ching Chen, Sher Singh, Huang Min Liang, Jeng Wei Tsai, Yun Hua Chou, Wen Tze Lin
    Abstract:

    A physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) models were developed for arsenic (As) in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from Blackfoot Disease area in Taiwan. The PBPK/PD model structure consisted of muscle, gill, gut wall, alimentary canal, and liver, which were interconnected by blood circulation. We integrate the target organ concentrations and dynamic response describing uptake, metabolism, and disposition of As and the associated area-under-curve (AUC)-based toxicological dynamics following an acute exposure. The model validations were compared against the field observations from real tilapia farms and previously published uptake/depuration experimental data, indicating that predicted and measured As concentrations in major organs of tilapia were in good agreement. The model was utilized to reasonably simulate and construct a dose-dependent dynamic response between mortality effect and equilibrium target organ concentrations. Model simulations suggest that tilapia gills may serve as a surrogate sensitive biomarker of short-term exposure to As. This integrated As PBPK/PD/AUC model quantitatively estimates target organ concentration and dynamic response in tilapia and is a strong framework for future waterborne metal model development and for refining a biologically-based risk assessment for exposure of aquatic species to waterborne metals under a variety of scenarios.

  • Dynamical coupling of PBPK/PD and AUC-based toxicity models for arsenic in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from Blackfoot Disease area in Taiwan.
    Environmental pollution (Barking Essex : 1987), 2005
    Co-Authors: Chung-min Liao, Bo Ching Chen, Sher Singh, Huang Min Liang, Jeng Wei Tsai, Yun Hua Chou, Wen Tze Lin
    Abstract:

    A physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) models were developed for arsenic (As) in tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from Blackfoot Disease area in Taiwan. The PBPK/PD model structure consisted of muscle, gill, gut wall, alimentary canal, and liver, which were interconnected by blood circulation. We integrate the target organ concentrations and dynamic response describing uptake, metabolism, and disposition of As and the associated area-under-curve (AUC)-based toxicological dynamics following an acute exposure. The model validations were compared against the field observations from real tilapia farms and previously published uptake/depuration experimental data, indicating that predicted and measured As concentrations in major organs of tilapia were in good agreement. The model was utilized to reasonably simulate and construct a dose-dependent dynamic response between mortality effect and equilibrium target organ concentrations. Model simulations suggest that tilapia gills may serve as a surrogate sensitive biomarker of short-term exposure to As. This integrated As PBPK/PD/AUC model quantitatively estimates target organ concentration and dynamic response in tilapia and is a strong framework for future waterborne metal model development and for refining a biologically-based risk assessment for exposure of aquatic species to waterborne metals under a variety of scenarios.

Tien-shang Huang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Humic acid extracted from Blackfoot Disease-endemic well water induces adipocyte differentiation of C3H10T1/2 fibroblast cells: a possible mechanism leading to atherosclerotic-like plaque in Blackfoot Disease
    Archives of toxicology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Mei-ling Yang, Yashang Lee, Tien-shang Huang
    Abstract:

    A unique peripheral vascular Disease named “Blackfoot Disease” (BFD) is endemic on the southwest coast of Taiwan. Clinically, the signs and symptoms of BFD are similar to those of arteriosclerosis and Buerger Disease. Humic acid has been proposed as a causative factor in BFD; however, the relationship between humic acid and atherosclerotic-like plaque associated with BFD remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of humic acid extracted from Blackfoot Disease-endemic well water (BFD-HA) on cultured C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts, a murine embryonic cell line. Our present data demonstrate that C3H10T1/2 cells were arrested at the G1 phase and subsequently differentiated to adipocytes after treatment with BFD-HA. The adipocyte differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells induced by BFD-HA was also accompanied with increased glycosaminoglycan production. These results suggest that a large lipid accumulation of arterial blood vessels in BFD patients may be linked in part to the adipocyte differentiation of vascular fibroblasts induced by BFD-HA.

  • humic acid extracted from Blackfoot Disease endemic well water induces adipocyte differentiation of c3h10t1 2 fibroblast cells a possible mechanism leading to atherosclerotic like plaque in Blackfoot Disease
    Archives of Toxicology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Mei-ling Yang, Yashang Lee, Tien-shang Huang
    Abstract:

    A unique peripheral vascular Disease named “Blackfoot Disease” (BFD) is endemic on the southwest coast of Taiwan. Clinically, the signs and symptoms of BFD are similar to those of arteriosclerosis and Buerger Disease. Humic acid has been proposed as a causative factor in BFD; however, the relationship between humic acid and atherosclerotic-like plaque associated with BFD remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of humic acid extracted from Blackfoot Disease-endemic well water (BFD-HA) on cultured C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts, a murine embryonic cell line. Our present data demonstrate that C3H10T1/2 cells were arrested at the G1 phase and subsequently differentiated to adipocytes after treatment with BFD-HA. The adipocyte differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells induced by BFD-HA was also accompanied with increased glycosaminoglycan production. These results suggest that a large lipid accumulation of arterial blood vessels in BFD patients may be linked in part to the adipocyte differentiation of vascular fibroblasts induced by BFD-HA.

Cheng-shin Jang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • assessing and managing the health risk due to ingestion of inorganic arsenic from fish and shellfish farmed in Blackfoot Disease areas for general taiwanese
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Chingping Liang, Cheng-shin Jang, Sheng-wei Wang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper assesses health risks due to the ingestion of inorganic arsenic from fish and shellfish farmed in Blackfoot Disease areas by general public in Taiwan. The provisional tolerable weekly intake of arsenic set by FAO/WHO and the target cancer risk assessment model proposed by USEPA were integrated to evaluate the acceptable consumption rate. Five aquacultural species, tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), milkfish (Chanos chanos), mullet (Mugil cephalus), clam (Meretrix lusoria) and oyster (Crassostrea gigas) were included. Monte Carlo analysis was used to propagate the parameter uncertainty and to probabilistically assess the health risk associated with the daily intake of inorganic As from farmed fish and shellfish. The integrated risk-based analysis indicates that the associated 50th and 95th percentile health risk are 2.06 × 10−5 and 8.77 × 10−5, respectively. Moreover, the acceptable intakes of inorganic As are defined and illustrated by a two dimensional graphical model. According to the relationship between Cinorg and IRf derived from this study, two risk-based curves are constructed. An acceptable risk zone is determined (risk ranging from 1 × 10−5 to 6.07 × 10−5) which is recommended for acceptable consumption rates of fish and shellfish. To manage the health risk due to the ingestion of inorganic As from fish and shellfish in BFD areas, a risk-based management scheme is derived which provide a convenient way for general public to self-determine the acceptable seafood consumption rate.

  • assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from <1.0 to 562.7g/L. The patterns of measured reducing potential were consistent with those values calculated from As couple, revealing the in situ environment enhanced the accumulation of As concentration in the groundwater. Factor analysis proposed a four-factor model, comprising salination, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides, As reduction and chemical potential factor, and explained 89.94% of total variance in groundwater. Furthermore, two factors, reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxy- hydroxides and As reduction, suggested that the decoupled reductive processes accounted for high As concentration in this area. Cluster analysis was adopted to spatially categorize the sampled wells into three main clusters and characterized by the factor scores of the four-factor model. Two-parameter (pH and Eh) model derived from discriminant analysis can be used for preliminary assessment to determine whether the As concentration exceeds 10g/L with simple field measurements in this area.

  • Assessing the characteristics of groundwater quality of arsenic contaminated aquifers in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area.
    Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2010
    Co-Authors: Chen-wuing Liu, Sheng-wei Wang, Cheng-shin Jang, Kao-hung Lin, Vivian Hsiu-chuan Liao, Chung-min Liao, Fi-john Chang
    Abstract:

    Redox couples approach and multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis, were applied to evaluate and to interpret the complex groundwater qual- ity in the Blackfoot Disease endemic area, Taiwan. Most groundwater samples were characterized as Na-Ca-HCO3 with HCO3 − as the dominant anion. Total arsenic (As) concentration, predominantly as As3+, ranged from

  • Risk-based assessment of arsenic-affected aquacultural water in Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas
    Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 2009
    Co-Authors: Cheng-shin Jang
    Abstract:

    This work explored a risk-based arsenic (As) regulation in farmed pond water by ingesting tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus ) in Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas and discussed a rational As regulation in pond water. Monte Carlo analysis was used to propagate the parameter uncertainty and to assess probabilistically regulation risks. A dynamic scheme of groundwater management was proposed that curves of utilization ratios against As concentrations in groundwater were established based on the risk-based regulation. The 5th to 95th percentiles of risks range from 3.5 × 10^−7 to 6.0 × 10^−5 via ingesting the farmed tilapia under the current As regulation in farmed pond water in Taiwan, 50 μg/L. To compare to inorganic As regulation in drinking water, the current As regulation in farmed pond water does not pose a great threat to human health, but it is unsafe. Therefore, this study suggests that the regulation of As in farmed pond water is revised to be 25 μg/L.

  • Probabilistic assessment of safe groundwater utilization in farmed fish ponds of Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas in terms of the regulation of arsenic concentrations.
    The Science of the total environment, 2007
    Co-Authors: Cheng-shin Jang
    Abstract:

    Abstract This work probabilistically explored a safe utilization ratio (UR) of groundwater in fish ponds located in Blackfoot Disease hyperendemic areas in terms of the regulation of arsenic (As) concentrations. Sequential indicator simulation was used to reproduce As concentrations in groundwater and to propagate their uncertainty. Corresponding URs of groundwater were obtained from the relationship of mass balance between reproduced As concentrations in groundwater and the As regulation in farmed fish ponds. Three levels were adopted to evaluate the UR — UR ≥ 0.5, 0.5 > UR ≥ 0.1 and UR   UR ≥ 0.1 level is mainly distributed in the central-coastal, central-eastern and southeastern regions where groundwater should be considered as a subordinate water source. Being available, extra surface water has priority over providing aquacultural needs of the regions with the high probability of the UR ≥ 0.5 and 0.5 > UR ≥ 0.1 levels. In the regions with the high probability of the UR