Detoxification Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

For opioid-dependent individuals, recovery efforts begin with a period of withdrawal that typically include discomfort from symptoms, possibly precipitating a return to drug use. The study described here investigated whether the provision... more

For opioid-dependent individuals, recovery efforts begin with a period of withdrawal that typically include discomfort from symptoms, possibly precipitating a return to drug use. The study described here investigated whether the provision of ancillary medications for opioid withdrawal symptoms affects treatment outcomes in 139 participants receiving buprenorphine in a 13-day detoxification trial. Outcome measures include the number of opioid-free urine samples collected and retention in treatment. Ancillary medications were provided to 70% of participants: 59% received medication for insomnia, 45% for anxiety, 40% for bone pain, 35% for nausea, and 28% for diarrhea. Findings indicate no difference in the number of opioid-free urine samples between the group receiving ancillary medication and the group who did not, although tests of specific ancillary medications indicate that those who received diarrhea medication had fewer opioid-free urines than those who did not (p = 0.004). Results also indicate that participants attended fewer days of treatment if they received anxiety, nausea, or diarrhea medication compared to no medication (all p values < .05).

Only within the past decade has the potential of metal biosorption by biomass materials been well established. For economic reasons, of particular interest are abundant biomass types generated as a waste byproduct of large-scale... more

Only within the past decade has the potential of metal biosorption by biomass materials been well established. For economic reasons, of particular interest are abundant biomass types generated as a waste byproduct of large-scale industrial fermentations or certain metal-binding algae found in large quantities in the sea. These biomass types serve as a basis for newly developed metal biosorption processes foreseen particularly as a very competitive means for the detoxification of metal-bearing industrial effluents. The assessment of the metal-binding capacity of some new biosorbents is discussed. Lead and cadmium, for instance, have been effectively removed from very dilute solutions by the dried biomass of some ubiquitous species of brown marine algae such as Ascophyllum and Sargassum, which accumulate more than 30% of biomass dry weight in the metal. Mycelia of the industrial steroidtransforming fungi Rhizopus and Absidia are excellent biosorbents for lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, and uranium and also bind other heavy metals up to 25% of the biomass dry weight. Biosorption isotherm curves, derived from equilibrium batch sorption experiments, are used in the evaluation of metal uptake by different biosorbents. Further studies are focusing on the assessment of biosorbent performance in dynamic continuous-flow sorption systems. In the course of this work, new methodologies are being developed that are aimed a t mathematical modeling of biosorption systems and their effective optimization. Elucidation of mechanisms active in metal biosorption is essential for successful exploitation of the phenomenon and for regeneration of biosorbent materials in multiple reuse cycles. The complex nature of biosorbent materials makes this task particularly challenging. Discussion focuses on the composition of marine algae polysaccharide structures, which seem instrumental in metal uptake and binding. The state of the art in the field of biosorption is reviewed in this article, with many references to recent reviews and key individual contributions. A Bohumil Volesky is a Professor of Chemical Engineering a t McGill University (Montreal, Canada), active in areas of biochemical engineering and industrial water pollution control. He obtained his basic training a t the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic, receiving the Dipl. Ing. degree in 1962. Following more than 4 years of industrial research and experience, he earned his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering a t the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) in 1971. He is the founder and a president of BV Sorbex, Inc., a new technology venture commercializing the biosorption process for removal and recovery of heav metals from industrial solutions that he has been pioneering in his research. He has held appointments as a visiting professor a t the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Lausanne, Switzerland) and a t the University of Puerto Rico, and his major collaborative research activities include colleagues in China, Brazil, Korea, and the Czech Republic. His current research interests are reflected in a recently published book Biosorption of Heavy Metals that he edited and in a monograph volume Modeling and Optimization of Fermentation Processes. t 4

The extracellular and intracellular metabolites formed upon exposure of activated sludge microorganisms to a sublethal concentration of N-ethylmaleimide were monitored by liquid chromatography with ion trap mass spectrometry. The... more

The extracellular and intracellular metabolites formed upon exposure of activated sludge microorganisms to a sublethal concentration of N-ethylmaleimide were monitored by liquid chromatography with ion trap mass spectrometry. The metabolite N-ethylsuccinimido-S-glutathione (m/z 433) was converted rapidly to N-(2-oxoethyl)-2,2-(propionylamino)propanamide (m/z 187) and N-ethylmaleamic acid (m/z 144).

Our study aimed at investigating the influence of elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration on the salinity tolerance of the cash crop halophyte Aster tripolium L., thereby focussing on protein expression and enzyme activities. The plants... more

Our study aimed at investigating the influence of elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration on the salinity tolerance of the cash crop halophyte Aster tripolium L., thereby focussing on protein expression and enzyme activities. The plants were grown in hydroponics using a nutrient solution with or without addition of NaCl (75% seawater salinity), under ambient (380 ppm) and elevated (520 ppm) CO 2 . Under ambient CO 2 concentration enhanced expressions and activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the salt-treatments were recorded as a reaction to oxidative stress. Elevated CO 2 led to significantly higher enzyme expressions and activities in the salt-treatments, so that reactive oxygen species could be detoxified more effectively. Furthermore, the expression of a protective heat shock protein (class 20) increased under salinity and was even further enhanced under elevated CO 2 concentration. Additional energy had to be provided for the mechanisms mentioned above, which was indicated by the increased expression of a b ATPase subunit and higher v-, p-and f-ATPase activities under salinity. The higher ATPase expression and activities also enable a more efficient ion transport and compartmentation for the maintenance of ion homeostasis. We conclude that elevated CO 2 concentration is able to improve the survival of A. tripolium under salinity because more energy is provided for the synthesis and enhanced activity of enzymes and proteins which enable a more efficient ROS detoxification and ion compartmentation/transport.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Many mechanisms have been suggested to explain its carcinogenic activity, yet many questions still remain. K-region dihydrodiols of PAHs are... more

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Many mechanisms have been suggested to explain its carcinogenic activity, yet many questions still remain. K-region dihydrodiols of PAHs are metabolic intermediates depending on the specific cytochrome P450 and had been thought to be detoxification products. However, K-region dihydrodiols of several PAHs have recently been shown to morphologically transform mouse embryo C3H10T1/2CL8 cells (C3H10T1/2 cells). Because K-region dihydrodiols are not metabolically formed from PAHs by C3H10T1/2 cells, these cells provide a useful tool to independently study the mechanisms of action of PAHs and their K-region dihydrodiols. Here, we compare the morphological cell transforming, DNA damaging, and DNA adducting activities of the K-region dihydrodiol of B[a]P, trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol with B[a]P. Both trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol and B[a]P morphologically transformed C3H10T1/2 cells by producing both Types II and III transformed foci. The morphological cell transforming and cytotoxicity dose response curves for trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol and B[a]P were indistinguishable. Since morphological cell transformation is strongly associated with mutation and/or larger scale DNA damage in C3H10T1/2 cells, the identification of DNA damage induced in these cells by trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol was sought. Both trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol and B[a]P exhibited significant DNA damaging activity without significant concurrent cytotoxicity using the comet assay, but with different dose responses and comet tail distributions. DNA adduct patterns from C3H10T1/2 cells were examined after trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol or B[a]P treatment using 32 P-postlabeling techniques and improved TLC elution systems designed to separate polar DNA adducts. While B[a]P treatment produced one major DNA adduct identified as anti-trans-B[a]P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-deoxyguanosine, no stable covalent DNA adducts were detected in the DNA of trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol-treated cells. In summary, this study provides Abbreviations: ara-C, cytosine arabinoside; B[a]P, benzo[a]pyrene; BNF, ␤-naphthoflavone; C3H10T1/2, C3H10T1/2CL8; trans-B[a]P-4,5-diol, (±) trans-4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyB[a]P; BPDE, anti-trans-B[a]P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide; MMS, methyl methanesulfonate; PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; ROS, reactive oxygen species ଝ The research described in this article has been reviewed by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views of the Agency nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. (S. Nesnow). 1383-5718/02/$ -see front matter. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PII: S 1 3 8 3 -5 7 1 8 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 1 8 -8

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), also known as oceanic "dead zones", are widespread oceanographic features currently expanding due to global warming and coastal eutrophication. Although inhospitable to metazoan life, OMZs support a thriving... more

Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), also known as oceanic "dead zones", are widespread oceanographic features currently expanding due to global warming and coastal eutrophication. Although inhospitable to metazoan life, OMZs support a thriving but cryptic microbiota whose combined metabolic activity is intimately connected to nutrient and trace gas cycling within the global ocean. Here we report time-resolved metagenomic analyses of a ubiquitous and abundant but uncultivated OMZ microbe (SUP05) closely related to chemoautotrophic gill symbionts of deep-sea clams and mussels. The SUP05 metagenome harbors a versatile repertoire of genes mediating autotrophic carbon assimilation, sulfur-oxidation and nitrate respiration responsive to a wide range of water column redox states. Thus, SUP05 plays integral roles in shaping nutrient and energy flow within oxygen-deficient oceanic waters via carbon sequestration, sulfide detoxification and biological nitrogen loss with important implications for marine productivity and atmospheric greenhouse control.

Carotenoid-based sexual coloration has been hypothesised to be prevalent across many vertebrate taxa because it reliably reflects individual phenotypic quality in terms of foraging efficiency or health status due to the trade-off between... more

Carotenoid-based sexual coloration has been hypothesised to be prevalent across many vertebrate taxa because it reliably reflects individual phenotypic quality in terms of foraging efficiency or health status due to the trade-off between signal colour and use of carotenoids for immune function and detoxification. We investigated the ventral, yellow coloration of breeding adult great tits (Parus major L.) in relation to sex, age, breeding habitat, local survival and infection status with respect to Haemoproteus blood parasites. The extent of plumage coloration (estimated as hue and lutein absorbance) was generally higher in rural than in urban birds. Males had higher values of hue than females. In both male and female yearlings, the plumage of unparasitised individuals had a greater hue of yellow than parasitised ones, while older males revealed the opposite pattern. The survival of infected yearlings was worse than that of uninfected yearlings, while the opposite was true for old breeders. Survivors had generally higher values of hue than nonsurvivors. These results are consistent with predictions of functional hypotheses, suggesting that carotenoidbased plumage coloration serves as a signal reflecting individual quality in terms of health status and local survival.

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are active in the detoxification of wide variety of endogenous or exogenous carcinogens and genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and GSTP1 genes have been studied extensively to evaluate the relative risk of... more

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are active in the detoxification of wide variety of endogenous or exogenous carcinogens and genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and GSTP1 genes have been studied extensively to evaluate the relative risk of various cancers. In the present study, we examined associations with CYP2E1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphisms in sporadic bladder cancers from North Indian patients. The subjects were 106 bladder cancer (Ca-B) cases and 162 age-matched controls. The GSTP1 313 A/G polymorphism was determined by the PCR/RFLP method using peripheral blood DNA. Binary Logistic Regression Model was used for assessing differences in genotype prevalence and their associations between patient and the control group. We observed a non-significant association in Pst1 polymorphism of the CYP2E1 gene; though the A/G genotype (OR = 2.69, 95% CI=1.57- 4.59, P= 0.000) and G/G genotype (OR = 7.68, 95% CI=2.77- 21.26, P= 0.000) of the GSTP1 gene polymorphism alone or in combination with to...

We investigated the effect of the fungal toxin sterigmatocystin on the fitness and stable isotope fractionation of two Collembola species (Folsomia candida and Heteromurus nitidus) feeding on mixed vs. single diets. Four knock out mutants... more

We investigated the effect of the fungal toxin sterigmatocystin on the fitness and stable isotope fractionation of two Collembola species (Folsomia candida and Heteromurus nitidus) feeding on mixed vs. single diets. Four knock out mutants of Aspergillus nidulans with the sterigmatocystin production blocked at different steps along the biosynthetic pathway were combined in mixed diets with either the high quality fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides or the low quality fungus A. nidulans (wildtype). Using fungi labeled with stable isotopes ( 13 C and 15 N) we evaluated the incorporation of carbon and nitrogen from individual fungi. We hypothesised that (i) Collembola fitness decreases with the putative toxicity of the fungi (ii) Collembola benefit from ingestion of mixed diets due to toxin dilution and (iii) fractionation of 13 C and 15 N is more pronounced in more toxic diets. Mixed diets did not uniformly improve fitness. Toxin dilution, however, played an important role in Collembola fitness. The fractionation of 13 C and 15 N varied with sterigmatocystin mutant strains, and Collembola species often differed from the expected enrichment per trophic level. The results show that fungal toxin production may affect stable isotope fractionation, presumably by altering consumer excretion rates necessary for detoxification.

The disposal problem represented by vegetable-tannery sludge is of great and ever-increasing concern in Italy. Such sludge is of a highly polluting nature and therefore, requires a reliable and safe treatment to make it harmless before... more

The disposal problem represented by vegetable-tannery sludge is of great and ever-increasing concern in Italy. Such sludge is of a highly polluting nature and therefore, requires a reliable and safe treatment to make it harmless before release into the environment. Vegetable-tannery sludge contains some very toxic compounds, mainly polyphenols (i.e. tannins) and sulphides, that are hazardous to biological systems. This paper deals with experiments evaluating the feasibility of vegetable-tannery sludge management and recycling by an integrated composting process. Static windrow technique with forced air and temperature feedback has been adopted for composting a mixture of vegetable-tannery sludge and organic biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) as bulking agent. Physico-chemical, microbiological and phytotoxicological aspects of this compost production from vegetable-tannery sludge are here emphasized along with some technological details.

Roots of Vicia faba and Fagopyrum esculentum showed a characteristic tri-phasic uptake of salicylic acid. During the first, short phase, absorption was unaffected by 0, depletion, vanadate or cysteine, which suggests a diffusion of... more

Roots of Vicia faba and Fagopyrum esculentum showed a characteristic tri-phasic uptake of salicylic acid. During the first, short phase, absorption was unaffected by 0, depletion, vanadate or cysteine, which suggests a diffusion of salicylic acid into the apoplast and some penetration into the cytoplasm. The second phase, continuing for about 6-8 (V. faba) and 5-8 hr (F. esculentum), was stationary and no obvious uptake was observed. The third phase was characterized by an active uptake. The absorbed salicylic acid was differently detoxified by the two species and the resulting compounds were identified. Vicia faba glucosylated salicylic acid to form o-b-D-glucosylhydroxybenzoic acid, whereas F. esculentum oxidized it to 2,Sdihydroxybenzoic acid and glucosylated this product at the 5-OH group. The enzymes involved seemed to be induced by salicylic acid. Most of the detoxification occurred during the phase of active uptake.

Laccases have received much attention from researchers in last decades due to their ability to oxidise both phenolic and non-phenolic lignin related compounds as well as highly recalcitrant environmental pollutants, which makes them very... more

Laccases have received much attention from researchers in last decades due to their ability to oxidise both phenolic and non-phenolic lignin related compounds as well as highly recalcitrant environmental pollutants, which makes them very useful for their application to several biotechnological processes. Such applications include the detoxification of industrial effluents, mostly from the paper and pulp, textile and petrochemical industries, use as a tool for medical diagnostics and as a bioremediation agent to clean up herbicides, pesticides and certain explosives in soil. Laccases are also used as cleaning agents for certain water purification systems, as catalysts for the manufacture of anti-cancer drugs and even as ingredients in cosmetics. In addition, their capacity to remove xenobiotic substances and produce polymeric products makes them a useful tool for bioremediation purposes. This paper reviews the applications of laccases within different industrial fields as well as their potential extension to the nanobiotechnology area.

Variable environmental availability of metal ions represents a constant challenge for most organisms, so that during evolution, they have optimised physiological and molecular mechanisms to cope with this particular requirement.... more

Variable environmental availability of metal ions represents a constant challenge for most organisms, so that during evolution, they have optimised physiological and molecular mechanisms to cope with this particular requirement. Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins that play a major role in metal homeostasis and as a reservoir. The MT gene/protein systems of terrestrial helicid snails are an invaluable model for the study of metal-binding features and MT isoform-specific functionality of these proteins. In the present study, we characterised three paralogous MT isogenes and their expressed products in the escargot (Cantareus aspersus). The metal-dependent transcriptional activation of the three isogenes was assessed using quantitative Real Time PCR. The metal-binding capacities of the three isoforms were studied by characterising the purified native complexes. All the data were analysed in relation to the trace element status of the animals after metal feeding. Two of the three C. aspersus MT (CaMT) isoforms appeared to be metal-specific, (CaCdMT and CaCuMT, for cadmium and copper respectively). A third isoform (CaCd/CuMT) was non-specific, since it was natively recovered as a mixed Cd/Cu complex. A specific role in Cd detoxification for CaCdMT was revealed, with a 80–90% contribution to the Cd balance in snails exposed to this metal. Conclusive data were also obtained for the CaCuMT isoform, which is involved in Cu homeostasis, sharing about 30–50% of the Cu balance of C. aspersus. No apparent metal-related physiological function was found for the third isoform (CaCd/CuMT), so its contribution to the metal balance of the escargot may be, if at all, of only marginal significance, but may enclose a major interest in evolutionary studies.

Ferritin, a cytosolic iron storage protein composed of 24 subunits of heavy chain and light chain, is an intracellular protein primarily involved in iron metabolism. It can sequester up to 4500 ferric ions in its inner core to protect... more

Ferritin, a cytosolic iron storage protein composed of 24 subunits of heavy chain and light chain, is an intracellular protein primarily involved in iron metabolism. It can sequester up to 4500 ferric ions in its inner core to protect cells against toxicity of iron. Ferritin is known to play important roles in detoxification and is also involved in immunity processes. In this study, a full-length ferritin cDNA was cloned from the haemocyte of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei: it comprises 1249 bp, including 132 bp in the 5 0 -untranslated region, 510 bp in the open reading frame which encodes 170 amino acid residues, and 607 bp in the 3 0untranslated region. Alignments of the deduced amino acid sequence showed that the Pacific white shrimp ferritin shares 74%, 69%, 62%, 67%, 50% and 48% identity with crayfish, tick, brine shrimp, oyster, human and rat, respectively. The tissue-specific expression pattern was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time quantitative PCR. The ferritin mRNA is expressed in various tissues of the shrimp in the order of haemocyte, midgut gland, brain ganglion, gill, hepatopancreas, abdominal ganglion, eyestalk, muscle, thoracic ganglion, and heart.

Aim Opioid detoxification by administering opioid-antagonists under general anaesthesia has caused considerable controversy. This study is conducted to determine whether rapid detoxification under general anaesthesia results in higher... more

Aim Opioid detoxification by administering opioid-antagonists under general anaesthesia has caused considerable controversy. This study is conducted to determine whether rapid detoxification under general anaesthesia results in higher levels of opioid abstinence than rapid detoxification without anaesthesia.Design Randomized controlled open clinical trial from September 1999 to August 2001.Setting Four addiction centres in collaboration with three general hospitals in the Netherlands.Participants A total of 272 opioid-dependent patients whose previous attempts to abstain were unsuccessful.Intervention Patients received rapid detoxification with general anaesthesia (RD-GA) or without general anaesthesia (RD).Measurements Urine screens and an interview (EuropASI) to assess opioid abstinence; two questionnaires (SOOS, OOWS) to measure withdrawal symptoms and one to measure craving (VAS).Findings One month after the intervention 62.8% of the patients in the RD-GA group and 60.0% in the RD group were abstinent for opioids (P = 0.71). No adverse events or complications occurred during RD; however, in the RD-GA group, five adverse events necessitated admission to a general hospital. The average 1-month cost for RD was €2517 versus €4439 for RD-GA.Conclusions Rapid detoxification under general anaesthesia did not result in higher levels of opioid abstinence than rapid detoxification without anaesthesia. The cost of the former intervention was much higher.

Higher plants possess a large set of the classical guaiacol peroxidases (class III peroxidases, E.C. 1.11.1.7). These enzymes have been implicated in a wide array of physiological processes such as H 2 O 2 detoxification, auxin catabolism... more

Higher plants possess a large set of the classical guaiacol peroxidases (class III peroxidases, E.C. 1.11.1.7). These enzymes have been implicated in a wide array of physiological processes such as H 2 O 2 detoxification, auxin catabolism and lignin biosynthesis and stress response (wounding, pathogen attack, etc.). During the last 10 years, molecular cloning has allowed the isolation and characterization of several genes encoding peroxidases in plants. The achievement of the large scale Arabidopsis genome sequencing, combined with the DNA complementary to RNA (cDNA) expressed sequence tags projects, provided the opportunity to draw up the first comprehensive list of peroxidases in a plant. By screening the available databases, we have identified 73 peroxidase genes throughout the Arabidopsis genome. The evolution of the peroxidase multigene family has been investigated by analyzing the gene structure (intron/exon) in correlation with the phylogenetic relationships between the isoperoxidases. An evolutionary pattern of extensive gene duplications can be inferred and is discussed. Using a cDNA array procedure, the expression pattern of 23 peroxidases was established in the different organs of the plant. All the tested peroxidases were expressed at various levels in roots, while several were also detected in stems, leaves and flowers. The specific functions of these genes remain to be determined. q

Biotechnological conversion of xylose into xylitol using hydrolysates obtained from the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic materials is compromised by the presence of compounds released or formed during the hydrolysis process,... more

Biotechnological conversion of xylose into xylitol using hydrolysates obtained from the hemicellulosic fraction of lignocellulosic materials is compromised by the presence of compounds released or formed during the hydrolysis process, some of them being toxic to microorganisms. In order to improve the bioconversion of these hydrolysates it is necessary to find methods to reduce their toxicity. In the present work, rice straw hemicellulosic hydrolysate was treated by six different procedures (all of them involving pH adjustment, with or without activated charcoal adsorption), before being used as a fermentation medium for xylitol production. The most effective method of treatment was to increase the initial pH (0.4) to 2.0 using solid NaOH, followed by the addition of activated charcoal (25 g kg −1 ) and increase in the pH to 6.5 using solid NaOH. Lignin degradation products were the most inhibitory compounds present in the hydrolysate; their removal was selective and strongly dependent on the pH employed in the treatment. The highest yield of xylitol was 0.72 g g −1 xylose, with a productivity of 0.55 g dm −3 h −1 .

This paper reports on contamination levels and their sub-lethal toxicological effects in specimens of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in the Orbetello Lagoon, (Tuscany, Italy). Organochlorine pesticides (OC) and polychlorinated... more

This paper reports on contamination levels and their sub-lethal toxicological effects in specimens of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in the Orbetello Lagoon, (Tuscany, Italy). Organochlorine pesticides (OC) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated as priority pollutants in muscle tissue. Phase I P450 enzymes, i.e., EROD, B(a)PMO and the two reductases (NADH ferryred and cyt c.), and cholinesterase (ChE) were assayed in liver and muscle as sensitive biological indicators of fish health. PCBs, lindane and p,p¢DDE in muscles showed a wide concentration range (0.001-0.025 lg g )1 wet weight) and attained the lowest levels in the eastern basin. High homogeneity and relatively low values were observed for phase I P450 enzymes, suggesting that no significant detoxification process of OC pesticides and PCBs occurred. The threat posed by organophosphate insecticides (OP) and CB compounds was also evidenced by ChE activity. The integrated response of phase I P450 enzymes and ChE activity being an indicator of potential effects of toxic contaminant levels on reproductive success and population decline of eels, can be used to assess the overall lagoon quality. Hydrobiologia (2005) 550:237-249 Ó Springer 2005 P. Viaroli, M. Mistri, M.

Essential heavy metals, such as Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ , are required as cofactors in redox reactions and ligand interactions, in addition to charge stabilization, charge shielding and water ionization during biocatalysis [1]. However, both... more

Essential heavy metals, such as Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ , are required as cofactors in redox reactions and ligand interactions, in addition to charge stabilization, charge shielding and water ionization during biocatalysis [1]. However, both essential and nonessential heavy metals can pose an acute problem for organisms. Supraoptimal concentrations of essential heavy metals and micromolar concentrations of nonessential heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, cadmium and mercury) are toxic: they displace endogenous metal cofactors, heavy or otherwise, from their cellular binding sites, undergo aberrant reactions with the thiol groups of proteins and coenzymes, and promote the formation of destructive active oxygen species [2].

Smoking cigarettes is a dangerous and destructive habit for your complete body, but also for your lungs especially. There is the right news however, quitting cigarette smoking will start the procedure of washing your lungs and returning... more

Smoking cigarettes is a dangerous and destructive habit for your complete body, but also for your lungs especially. There is the right news however, quitting cigarette smoking will start the procedure of washing your lungs and returning them to a far more normal and healthful condition. There is some poor information though with this technique taking up to a decade or more! This is where an extremely helpful guide available will come in online. It is known as the Complete Lung Detoxification Guide and can help you with the trial of providing up smoking cigarettes but to also detox your lungs of the tar and chemical substances from cigarettes in only a few months.

An indigenous bacterial strain capable of utilizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a polluted river in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The strain was identified as Delftia sp. by the... more

An indigenous bacterial strain capable of utilizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a polluted river in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The strain was identified as Delftia sp. by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Aerobic biodegradation assays in batch process were performed using a 2 L volume microfermentor at 28 C with agitation (200 rpm). The continuousflow system employed consists in a down-flow fixed-bed reactor, using polyurethane foam cubes as a support for immobilizing bacterial cells. Degradation of 2,4-D was evaluated by UV spectrophotometry, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and gas chromatography (GC). In the batch reactor microbial growth was measured by the plate count method. Biofilm development on polyurethane foam was observed by scanning electronic microscopy. Detoxification was assessed by using seeds toxicity tests. Under batch conditions Delftia sp. was able to degrade 100 and 200 mg L À1 of 2,4-D in 24 and 28 h respectively. Compound and COD removals were 99.9% and 91.3% respectively at an initial 2,4-D concentration of 100 mg L À1 , and 99.0% and 89.4% when 2,4-D concentration was increased to 200 mg L À1. When assays were performed in the continuous-flow reactor under operating conditions 2,4-D and COD removals of 99.6% and 90.8% were achieved, respectively. Toxicity was neither detected at the end of the batch process nor in the continuous-flow reactor effluent.

Although extracellular purines may have both trophic and apoptotic functions in the brain depending on the targeted purine receptor and cell type, little is known about the role of specific purine receptors on neurons. In this study, we... more

Although extracellular purines may have both trophic and apoptotic functions in the brain depending on the targeted purine receptor and cell type, little is known about the role of specific purine receptors on neurons. In this study, we demonstrate that both ADP and its stable analogue 2-methyl-thio-ADP (2MeSADP) induce up-regulation of the cytoprotective protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Selective inhibition of 2MeSADPresponsive receptors P2Y 1 and P2Y 13 with their respective antagonists MRS2179 and MRS2211 and the use of pertussis toxin demonstrated a role of the purinergic P2Y 13 receptor in this response. Moreover, luciferase assays demonstrated that ectopic expression of the P2Y 13 receptor in neuroblastoma N2A cells resulted in 2MeSADP-dependent induction of antioxidant response elements from the HO-1 promoter. The transcription factor Nrf2 was critical for HO-1 activation and translocated from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to 2MeSADP. In cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) derived from Nrf2-knockout mice this purine did not activate the Nrf2/HO-1 axis and did not protect against H 2 O 2 -induced cell death. The relevance of HO-1 in 2MeSADP-induced neuroprotection was further demonstrated by the evidence that HO-1 inhibition with tin protoporphyrin (SnPP) prevented protection against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress and cell death. These observations reveal a previously unrecognized role in protection against oxidative stress by extracellular purines acting on the metabotropic P2Y 13 receptor and provide new perspectives for neuroprotective therapies.

Dechlorination, detoxification, and decolorization of the first alkaline extraction stage (Ep) effluent from a pulp mill bleach plant were studied during fungal treatment. The original Ep effluent and Ep effluent fractionated by... more

Dechlorination, detoxification, and decolorization of the first alkaline extraction stage (Ep) effluent from a pulp mill bleach plant were studied during fungal treatment. The original Ep effluent and Ep effluent fractionated by ultrafiltration were treated with the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium under agitated conditions. The fungus was grown from spores for 4 d. Decolorization was observed 2 d after the addition of fresh media containing reduced levels of nitrogen and carbon. After 2-3 d reaction time detoxification, dechlorination and decolorization were evaluated. Color removal was most effective in the MW > 10000 (HMW) fraction. Toxicity as measured by the MICROTOX bioassay, increased in both the HMW and MW 1000-10000 (MMW) fraction after fungal treatment. Molecular weight decreased during fungal treatment, which may have caused the increase in toxicity. The amount of chlorinated organic compounds, as measured by adsorbable organic halide analysis (AOX), decreased in each fraction.

Efforts are continuously being made to understand the non-target effects of environmental pollutants toward microalgae and cyanobacteria because of their ubiquity in aquatic and terrestrial environments and their highly adaptive survival... more

Efforts are continuously being made to understand the non-target effects of environmental pollutants toward microalgae and cyanobacteria because of their ubiquity in aquatic and terrestrial environments and their highly adaptive survival abilities under environmental and evolutionary pressure over geological time. Depending on the toxicity criteria employed for these ecologically beneficial organisms, the impact of low and high doses of pollutants can range from stimulation to total inhibition. All of the investigations carried out so far have been predominantly concerned with individual chemicals despite the occurrence of pollutants in mixtures. In addition, only individual isolates have been primarily used to gather scientific information on the toxicity of pollutants. The risk assessment of pollutants toward these organisms necessitates further investigations, combining innovative molecular ecological methods and those for in situ analysis at the community level. The present review highlights the toxic influences of organic and inorganic pollutants and the response in terms of detoxification and resistance by these organisms.

Purpose This review on ultrarapid detoxification examines the pharmacology, techniques, and efficacy of this potentially promising technique and contrasts it with conventional treatment modalities. Source The information found here is... more

Purpose This review on ultrarapid detoxification examines the pharmacology, techniques, and efficacy of this potentially promising technique and contrasts it with conventional treatment modalities. Source The information found here is derived from experiences at the Texas Tech University, government reports, and peer reviewed journals. Principal findings Incidence and prevalence of heroin use is on the rise. Social and treatment costs suggest that this problem is staggering. Approximately 400,000 patients are enrolled in or are actively seeking methadone therapy. While many of these individuals want to undergo detoxification, traditional techniques, including methadone tapering are usually unsuccessful. The withdrawal syndrome is extremely unpleasant, may be fatal, and deters patients from completing the detoxification process. Ultrarapid detoxification entails general anesthesia in conjunction with large boluses of narcotic antagonists. This combination allows the individual to com...

An overview of the different inhibitors formed by pre-treatment of lignocellulosic materials and their inhibition of ethanol production in yeast and bacteria is given. Different high temperature physical pre-treatment methods are... more

An overview of the different inhibitors formed by pre-treatment of lignocellulosic materials and their inhibition of ethanol production in yeast and bacteria is given. Different high temperature physical pre-treatment methods are available to render the carbohydrates in lignocellulose accessible for ethanol fermentation. The resulting hydrolyzsates contain substances inhibitory to fermentation-depending on both the raw material (biomass) and the pre-treatment applied. An overview of the inhibitory effect on ethanol production by yeast and bacteria is presented. Apart from furans formed by sugar degradation, phenol monomers from lignin degradation are important co-factors in hydrolysate inhibition, and inhibitory effects of these aromatic compounds on different ethanol producing microorganisms is reviewed. The furans and phenols generally inhibited growth and ethanol production rate (Q EtOH) but not the ethanol yields (Y EtOH) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Within the same phenol functional group (aldehyde, ketone, and acid) the inhibition of volumetric ethanol productivity was found to depend on the amount of methoxyl substituents and hence hydrophobicity (log P). Many pentose-utilizing strains Escherichia coli, Pichia stipititis, and Zymomonas mobilis produce ethanol in concentrated hemicellulose liquors but detoxification by overliming is needed. Thermoanaerobacter mathranii A3M3 can grow on pentoses and produce ethanol in hydrolysate without any need for detoxification.

Mixed findings have been made with regard to the long-term predictive validity of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) on criminal behaviour in samples of substance abusers. A longitudinal record-linkage study of a cohort of 1052 drug... more

Mixed findings have been made with regard to the long-term predictive validity of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) on criminal behaviour in samples of substance abusers. A longitudinal record-linkage study of a cohort of 1052 drug abusers admitted 1977-1995 was undertaken. Subjects were recruited from a detoxification and short-term rehabilitation unit in Lund, Sweden, and followed through criminal justice registers from their first treatment episode to death or to the year 2004. In a ML multinomial random effects regression, subjects diagnosed with antisocial personality disorders were 2.16 times more likely to be charged with theft only (p b 0.001), and 2.44 times more likely to be charged committing multiple types of crime during an observation year (p b 0.001). The findings of the current study support the predictive validity of the DSM-III-R diagnosis of ASPD. ASPD should be taken seriously in drug abusers, and be targeted in treatment to prevent crime in society.

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is being investigated as a potential control agent in several important vector insect species. Recent studies have shown that Wolbachia can protect the insect host against a wide variety of pathogens,... more

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia is being investigated as a potential control agent in several important vector insect species. Recent studies have shown that Wolbachia can protect the insect host against a wide variety of pathogens, resulting in reduced transmission of parasites and viruses. It has been proposed that compromised vector competence of Wolbachia-infected insects is due to up-regulation of the host innate immune system or metabolic competition. Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit human malaria parasites, have never been found to harbor Wolbachia in nature. While transient somatic infections can be established in Anopheles, no stable artificially-transinfected Anopheles line has been developed despite numerous attempts. However, cultured Anopheles cells can be stably infected with multiple Wolbachia strains such as wAlbB from Aedes albopictus, wRi from Drosophila simulans and wMelPop from Drosophila melanogaster. Infected cell lines provide an amenable system to investigate Wolbachia-Anopheles interactions in the absence of an infected mosquito strain. We used Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays to investigate the effect of wAlbB and wRi infection on the transcriptome of cultured Anopheles Sua5B cells, and for a subset of genes used quantitative PCR to validate results in somatically-infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Wolbachia infection had a dramatic strain-specific effect on gene expression in this cell line, with almost 700 genes in total regulated representing a diverse array of functional classes. Very strikingly, infection resulted in a significant down-regulation of many immune, stress and detoxification-related transcripts. This is in stark contrast to the induction of immune genes observed in other insect hosts. We also identified genes that may be potentially involved in Wolbachia-induced reproductive and pathogenic phenotypes. Somatically-infected mosquitoes had similar responses to cultured cells. The data show that Wolbachia has a profound and unique effect on Anopheles gene expression in cultured cells, and has important implications for mechanistic understanding of Wolbachia-induced phenotypes and potential novel strategies to control malaria.

Background: Glutathione is a ubiquitous thiol-containing tripeptide, which plays a central role in cell biology. It is implicated in the cellular defence against xenobiotics and naturally occurring deleterious compounds, such as free... more

Background: Glutathione is a ubiquitous thiol-containing tripeptide, which plays a central role in cell biology. It is implicated in the cellular defence against xenobiotics and naturally occurring deleterious compounds, such as free radicals and hydroperoxides. Glutathione status is a highly sensitive indicator of cell functionality and viability. Its levels in human tissues normally range from 0.1 to 10 mM, being most concentrated in liver (up to 10 mM) and in the spleen, kidney, lens, erythrocytes and leukocytes. In humans, GSH depletion is linked to a number of disease states including cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The present review proposes an analysis of the current knowledge about the methodologies for measuring glutathione in human biological samples and their feasibility as routine methods in clinical chemistry. Furthermore, it elucidates the fundamental role of glutathione in pathophysiological conditions and its implication in redox and detoxification process. Tests available: Several methods have been optimised in order to identify and quantify glutathione forms in human biological samples. They include spectrophotometric, fluorometric and bioluminometric assays, often applied to HPLC analysis. Recently, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique for glutathione determination has been developed that, however, suffers from the lack of total automation and the high cost of the equipment. Conclusion: Glutathione is a critical factor in protecting organisms against toxicity and disease. This review may turn useful for analysing the glutathione homeostasis, whose impairment represents an indicator of tissue oxidative status in human subjects. D

Endogenous reductants such as hydrogen sulfide and alkylthiols provided free radical scavenging systems during the early evolution of life. The development of oxygenic photosynthesis spectacularly increased oxygen levels, and ancient life... more

Endogenous reductants such as hydrogen sulfide and alkylthiols provided free radical scavenging systems during the early evolution of life. The development of oxygenic photosynthesis spectacularly increased oxygen levels, and ancient life forms were obliged to develop additional antioxidative systems. We develop here the hypothesis of how "prototypical" bioluminescent reactions had a plausible role as an ancient defense against oxygen toxicity through their "futile" consumption of oxygen. As oxygen concentrations increased, sufficient light would have been emitted from such systems for detection by primitive photosensors, and evolutionary pressures could then act upon the light emitting characteristics of such systems independently of their use as futile consumers of oxygen. Finally, an example of survival of this ancient mechanism in present-day bioluminescent bacteria (in the Euprymna scolopes-Vibrio fischeri mutualism) is discussed. Once increasing ambient oxygen levels reached sufficiently high levels, the use of "futile" oxygen consumption became too bioenergetically costly, so that from this time the evolution of bioluminescence via this role was made impossible, and other mechanisms must be developed to account for the evolution of bioluminescence by a wide range of organisms that patently occurred after this (e.g., by insects).

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to investigate the genetic diversity in isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum from serpentine and non-serpentine soils in Portugal. A high degree of... more

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to investigate the genetic diversity in isolates of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum from serpentine and non-serpentine soils in Portugal. A high degree of genetic diversity was found among C. geophilum isolates; AFLP fingerprints showed that all the isolates were genetically distinct. We also assessed the in vitro Ni sensitivity in three serpentine isolates and one non-serpentine isolate. Only the nonserpentine isolate was significantly affected by the addition of Ni to the growth medium. At 30 μg g −1 Ni, radial growth rate and biomass accumulation decreased to 73.3 and 71.6% of control, respectively, a highly significant inhibitory effect. Nickel at this concentration had no significant

The ability of peroxidases and laccases enzymes to treat organic pollutants is reviewed. Enzymatic methods generally have low energy requirements, are easy to control, can operate over a wide range of conditions and have a minimal... more

The ability of peroxidases and laccases enzymes to treat organic pollutants is reviewed. Enzymatic methods generally have low energy requirements, are easy to control, can operate over a wide range of conditions and have a minimal environmental impact. Peroxidases and laccases have broad substrate specificities and can catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of toxic organic compounds. The results show that an enzymatic oxidation can diminish the toxicity of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phenols, organophosphorus pesticides and azo dyes in laboratory and some field conditions. Due to the hydrophobicity and low aqueous solubility of these substrates, reactions are usually performed in the presence of organic solvents. However, it was detected that organic solvents can provoke enzyme denaturation, unfavorable substrate partition, inhibition or stabilization of enzyme–substrate complexes, depending on the enzyme, substrate and organic solvent used. Strategies to overcome these problems are proposed. Additionally, the low stability of heme-containing peroxidases to hydrogen peroxide, the low reaction rates of laccases, the mediators toxicity, the limited availability and high costs of these enzymes are other limitations detected for commercial applications. Due to field reaction conditions are more complex than laboratory conditions efforts have to be made to achieve the cheap overproduction of these biocatalysts in heterologous hosts and also their modification by chemical means or protein engineering to obtain more robust and active enzymes.

This study used rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to investigate the biological e4ects of long-term exposure to a total chlorine-free (TCF) pulp mill e8uent. Fish tanks were set up on the premises of the pulp mill, and fresh e8uent... more

This study used rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to investigate the biological e4ects of long-term exposure to a total chlorine-free (TCF) pulp mill e8uent. Fish tanks were set up on the premises of the pulp mill, and fresh e8uent water was led through a pipe directly from the pulp mill to the tanks. The 5sh were exposed to e8uent for up to 50 days and kept for up to 70 days afterward to study the recovery process. Two independent experiments were carried out. Ethoxyresoru5n-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were elevated in 5sh exposed to a 2% concentration of pulp mill e8uent, as were levels of DNA adducts. These e4ects could be detected during exposure and also after a period of recovery. The results demonstrate that the pulp mill e8uent contains substances that a4ect the detoxi5cation process and also have genotoxic potential. The continued occurrence of e4ects after a 70-day recovery period was demonstrated in both experiments, and may indicate that the e8uent contained compounds with persistent properties The content of free and conjugated resin acids in the bile of the 5sh was found to be a useful indicator of exposure to pulp mill e8uent. 2002 Elsevier Science (USA) 238 0147-6513/02 $35.00 2002 Elsevier Science (USA) All rights reserved.

ergic activity of cocaine. A more satisfactory clinical ap-Cocaine Detoxification by Human Plasma Butyrylcholinesterproach might be to reduce the toxicity of cocaine by accelerase. Lynch, T. J., Mattes, C. E., Singh, A., Bradley, R. M.,... more

ergic activity of cocaine. A more satisfactory clinical ap-Cocaine Detoxification by Human Plasma Butyrylcholinesterproach might be to reduce the toxicity of cocaine by accelerase. Lynch, T. J., Mattes, C. E., Singh, A., Bradley, R. M., Brady, ating its metabolic inactivation. The biological activities of R. O., and Dretchen, K. L. (1997). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 145, cocaine, as well as certain muscle relaxants (e.g., succinyl-363-371.

The aim of our research was to demonstrate how the presence of EDTA affects resistance of pea plants to Pb and Pb-EDTA presence, and to show the effectivity of lead ions accumulation and translocation. It was determined that EDTA not only... more

The aim of our research was to demonstrate how the presence of EDTA affects resistance of pea plants to Pb and Pb-EDTA presence, and to show the effectivity of lead ions accumulation and translocation. It was determined that EDTA not only increased the amount of Pb taken up by plants but also Pb ion transport through the xylem and metal translocation from roots to stems and leaves. It can be seen in the presented research results that addition of the chelator with Pb limited metal phytotoxicity. We also demonstrated a significant effect of EDTA not only on Pb accumulation and metal transport to the aboveground parts but also on the profile and amount of thiol compounds: glutathione (GSH), homoglutathione (hGSH) or phytochelatins (PCs), synthesized by the plants. We observed a significant effect of the synthetic chelator on increasing the level of Pb accumulation in roots of plants treated with Pb including EDTA (0.5 and 1 mM). Pisum sativum plants treated only with 1 mM Pb(NO 3 ) 2 accumulated over 50 mg Pb  g À1 dry wt during 4 days of cultivation. Whereas in roots of pea plants exposed to Pb+0.5 mM EDTA 35% more Pb was observed. When 1 mM EDTA was applied roots of pea accumulated over 67% more metal. The presence of EDTA also increased metal uptake and transport to the aboveground parts. In pea plants treated only with 1 mM lead nitrate less than 3 mg Pb  g À1 dry wt was transported, whereas in P. sativum treated with Pb-EDTA doubled amount of Pb was observed in stems and leaves. #

Catalytic liquid-phase hydrogenation of aqueous nitrate solutions is presented as a potential, advanced treatment technology for the removal of excessive quantities of nitrate ions from polluted drinking water streams. Catalysts are... more

Catalytic liquid-phase hydrogenation of aqueous nitrate solutions is presented as a potential, advanced treatment technology for the removal of excessive quantities of nitrate ions from polluted drinking water streams. Catalysts are briefly reviewed first, followed by mechanistic speculations and kinetics that have been proposed for the liquid-phase nitrate reduction. Subsequently, a novel process scheme consisting of integrated ion-exchange and catalytic

Tissues and organs from Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the Apulian coasts (southern Italy) during the period April-July 1991 were analyzed for their mercury and selenium content. Analysis showed considerable variations in the... more

Tissues and organs from Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the Apulian coasts (southern Italy) during the period April-July 1991 were analyzed for their mercury and selenium content. Analysis showed considerable variations in the mercury concentration in the examined organs and tissues. The highest concentrations of mercury were found in the liver (from 2.27 to 374.50 mg g À1 wet wt.). After the liver, lung, kidney, muscle and brain were the most contaminated, while the lowest mercury contamination was found in the melon. As mercury, the liver also showed the highest selenium levels. Liver samples were also analyzed for their methyl mercury contents. The role of selenium in detoxification process of methyl mercury has been discussed. Mercury concentrations related to geographic variations and pollution of the marine environment have been examined. The possible implications between mercury accumulation and dolphin death have also been discussed. #

The effectiveness of phosphoric acid to release xylose from sugarcane bagasse hemicellulose was assessed through a 2 3 full factorial design. The maximum xylose concentration in the hydrolysate (17.1 g dm −3) was attained when the bagasse... more

The effectiveness of phosphoric acid to release xylose from sugarcane bagasse hemicellulose was assessed through a 2 3 full factorial design. The maximum xylose concentration in the hydrolysate (17.1 g dm −3) was attained when the bagasse was treated at 160 • C for 60 min, using 70 mg of phosphoric acid per gram of dry-bagasse. Hydrolysis carried out with sulfuric acid, under optimum conditions previously determined, provided a hydrolysate with a similar xylose concentration (17.2 g dm −3). After vacuum concentration, these hydrolysates were detoxified and used for xylitol production with the yeast Candida guilliermondii. Two different detoxification strategies, which consisted of adjusting the pH of the hydrolysates to 5.5 with either calcium oxide or ammonium hydroxide, both followed by active charcoal adsorption, were tested. The best xylitol productions (18.1 and 19.2 g dm −3) were observed when calcium oxide was used to adjust the pH of both the phosphoric and the sulfuric acid hydrolysates, respectively.

Weeds are a major problem for rice production in California, and late watergrass (Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf) Koss) is one of the most serious weeds in water-seeded rice. Severe infestations can reduce yields by more than 50%.... more

Weeds are a major problem for rice production in California, and late watergrass (Echinochloa phyllopogon (Stapf) Koss) is one of the most serious weeds in water-seeded rice. Severe infestations can reduce yields by more than 50%. Flooding only partially controls this weed; thus, farmers rely heavily on herbicides. Resistance to several herbicides, including bispyribac-sodium, an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor not yet commercially used, has developed in late watergrass populations of California rice. Knowing the mechanisms of bispyribac resistance is relevant to designing herbicide management strategies for delaying resistance development to enhance the successful introduction of this new herbicide. We examined whether an insensitive ALS and cyt P-450-dependent detoxification were possible resistance mechanisms in a bispyribac-sodiumresistant (R) late watergrass population collected in California rice fields, which was previously determined to be resistant to molinate, thiobencarb, and fenoxaprop-ethyl. ALS activity was assayed on leaf extracts from young R and susceptible (S) plants for a range of bispyribac-sodium concentrations, and cross-resistance to another ALS inhibitor, bensulfuron-methyl, was evaluated using whole-plant bioassays. Resistance was not due to reduced ALS sensitivity to bispyribac-sodium in R plants, although the R accession was highly cross-resistant to bensulfuron-methyl. Although S and R plants had similar ALS activity (mg acetoin mg protein Ϫ1 ) without herbicide, more (P Ͻ 0.05) leaf protein was extracted from R (5.35 mg g Ϫ1 leaf fresh weight) than from S (3.19 mg g Ϫ1 ) plants, and general ALS activity (mg acetoin g leaf fresh weight Ϫ1 ) for all herbicide concentrations was higher in R than in S plants. The cyt P-450 inhibitors piperonyl butoxide and malathion were used for detection of herbicide degradation by cyt P-450 monooxygenation. The addition of these inhibitors strongly enhanced herbicide phytotoxicity toward R plants, suggesting that metabolic degradation of bispyribac-sodium contributed significantly to the observed resistance. ᭧

Our purpose is to compare baseline characteristics and detoxification readmission rates of clients treated at outpatient acupuncture programs and at short-term residential programs, two options available to persons seeking substance abuse... more

Our purpose is to compare baseline characteristics and detoxification readmission rates of clients treated at outpatient acupuncture programs and at short-term residential programs, two options available to persons seeking substance abuse detoxification. This was a retrospective cohort study using data on clients discharged from publicly funded detoxification programs in Boston between January 1993 and September 1994. Multivariate models were used to examine the effect on 6-month detoxification readmission rates of treatment at residential detoxification programs (used by 6,907 clients) versus at outpatient acupuncture programs (used by 1,104 clients) after adjusting for baseline differences. Acupuncture clients were less likely to be readmitted for detoxification within 6 months (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.95). Similar results were found when the analysis was performed on a subsample of clients that were relatively similar in terms of baseline characteristics (OR 0.61,. We determined that acupuncture detoxification programs are a useful component of a substance abuse treatment system.

Autism, archetype of the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by socially aloof behavior and impairment of language and social interaction. Its prevalence has surged in recent years. Advanced... more

Autism, archetype of the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by socially aloof behavior and impairment of language and social interaction. Its prevalence has surged in recent years. Advanced functional brain imaging has confirmed pervasive neurologic involvement. Parent involvement in autism management has accelerated understanding and treatment. Often accompanied by epilepsy, cognitive deficits, or other neurologic impairment, autism manifests in the first three years of life and persists into adulthood. Its etiopathology is poorly defined but likely multifactorial with heritability playing a major role. Prenatal toxic exposures (teratogens) are consistent with autism spectrum symptomatology. Frequent vaccinations with live virus and toxic mercurial content (thimerosal) are a plausible etiologic factor. Autistic children frequently have abnormalities of sulfoxidation and sulfation that compromise liver detoxification, which may contribu...

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2016), within the past year 21.5 million individuals over the age of 12 suffer from addiction to various substances in America. The most commonly... more

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2016), within the past year 21.5 million individuals over the age of 12 suffer from addiction to various substances in America. The most commonly categorized substances, in their respective order of frequency of use, are as follows: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids. Medical professionals attempting to effectively treat clients who suffer from either single or co-morbid substance abuse addiction may incorporate psychopharmacological aids in treatment. Anti-depressants, benzodiazepine, naltrexone, and methadone are just a few of the wide array of aids chosen as tools to assist addicts with ways to cope with drug withdrawal and detox as well as alcohol withdrawal and detox. Additionally, these psychopharmacological treatments assist the user in overcoming addiction. Despite their prevalence in substance abuse treatment, their incorporation into an individual’s treatment should be made on a case-by-case basis as each individual aid emanates its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. This paper intends to elucidate a few popular, or widely implemented, psychopharmacological aids used in such treatments based on intended purpose, effectiveness, and supporting research. For the purpose of conciseness, a few will be evaluated within the parameters of drug withdrawal and detox, alcohol addiction, and heroin and opiate addiction. This paper should constrain the reader to seek further analysis of variant and covariant research on the wide array of alternative psychopharmacological aids and their intended uses.

Seeds contain the embryo as a new plant in miniature and have two major functions, reproduction and dispersal. Seed formation completes the process of plant reproduction and, with seed germination, the next plant generation starts. Given... more

Seeds contain the embryo as a new plant in miniature and have two major functions, reproduction and dispersal. Seed formation completes the process of plant reproduction and, with seed germination, the next plant generation starts. Given the ever-increasing environmental pollution with metal(loid)s, it is perhaps surprising that relatively few reports detail the impacts of metals on seed metabolism, viability and germination in comparison to the numerous publications on the effects of metals in vegetative tissues, particularly roots and shoots. This review provides information on metal(loid) homeostasis, detoxification and tolerance in relation to seed metabolism and performance. The delivery of metals from the mother plant into seeds and their implications on seed development are discussed, as are their uptake upon seed imbibition and subsequent effects on seed germination. Implications for seeds and seedlings on the biochemical and molecular level are discussed and finally, applied aspects are considered regarding the use of seeds for soil and water purification, and in phytoremediation programmes. We conclude with a perspective on future metal research in relation to seed biology.

Rapid and ultrarapid opioid detoxification (ROD and UROD) centers promise quick, painless, same-day detoxification treatment for patients with opioid addiction. The goal of ROD and UROD is to provide a rapid transition from opioid... more

Rapid and ultrarapid opioid detoxification (ROD and UROD) centers promise quick, painless, same-day detoxification treatment for patients with opioid addiction. The goal of ROD and UROD is to provide a rapid transition from opioid dependency to oral naltrexone therapy. The patient is given general anesthesia and high-dose opioid antagonists. This induces a severe withdrawal but spares the patient the experience. In theory, the process is complete within four to five hours. The patient awakens without opioid dependency and is started on oral naltrexone. Any subsequent, persistent withdrawal symptoms are treated symptomatically. A novel, unapproved approach is to compound a pellet of naltrexone and implant it in the subcutaneous tissue. In