Unusual staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome presenting as a scarlet-like fever.

PubMed

Andrey, D O; Ferry, T; Siegenthaler, N; Fletcher, C; Calmy, A; Lina, G; Emonet, S

2015-11-01

Diagnosis of nonmenstrual staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is often challenging. A female medical colleague had a rare entity, a staphylococcal pharyngitis complicated by TSS. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of tst-positive Staphylococcus aureus in throat culture and by identification of a specific Vβ2 expansion pattern of her T lymphocytes. Recent improvements in microbiology can be of great help for the diagnosis of nonmenstrual TSS.

Time-to-death approach to reveal chronic and cumulative toxicity of a fungicide for honeybees not revealed with the standard ten-day test.

PubMed

Simon-Delso, Noa; San Martin, Gilles; Bruneau, Etienne; Hautier, Louis

2018-05-08

Synthetic fungicides are pesticides widely used in agriculture to control phytopathogenic fungi. The systemicity, persistency and intense application of some of these fungicides, such as boscalid, leads to long periods of exposure for honeybees via contaminated water, pollen and nectar. We exposed adult honeybees in the lab to food contaminated with boscalid for 33 days instead of the standard 10-day test. Most of the toxic effects were observed after 10 days. The median time to death (LT 50 ) ranged from 24.9 days (lowest concentration) to 7.1 days (highest concentration) and was significantly shorter in all cases than with the control (32.0 days). The concentration and dietary doses of boscalid inducing 50% mortality (LC 50 and LDD 50 , respectively) decreased strongly with the time of exposure: LC 50  = 14,729 and 1,174 mg/l and LDD 50  = 0.318 and 0.0301 mg bee -1 day -1 at days 8 and 25, respectively. We found evidence of reinforced toxicity when exposure is prolonged, but with an unusual pattern: no cumulative toxicity is observed until 17-18 days, when a point of inflexion appears that suggests a reduced capacity of bees to deal with the toxicant. Our results show the importance of time-to-death experiments rather than fixed-duration studies for evaluating chronic toxicity.

Harmful Algal Bloom Hotspots Really Are Hot: A Case Study from Monterey Bay, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudela, R. M.; Anderson, C.; Birch, J. M.; Bowers, H.; Caron, D. A.; Chao, Y.; Doucette, G.; Farrara, J. D.; Gellene, A. G.; Negrey, K.; Howard, M. D.; Ryan, J. P.; Scholin, C. A.; Smith, J.; Sukhatme, G.

2015-12-01

Monterey Bay, California is one of several recognized hotspots for harmful algal blooms along the US west coast, particularly for the toxigenic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia, which produces domoic acid and is responsible for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. Historical observations have linked bloom activity to anomalously warm conditions with weak and sporadic upwelling. In particular, blooms appear to be associated with El Niño conditions. Monterey, as with much of the US west coast, experienced unusual warm conditions in spring and summer 2014, leading to multiple ecosystem effects including massive algal blooms, concentration of apex predators nearshore, and unusually high levels of domoic acid. As the warm anomalies continued and strengthened into 2015, Monterey (and much of the west coast) has been experiencing the largest and most toxic algal bloom recorded in the last 15 years, as well as unprecedented coccolithophore blooms associated with warm, nutrient-depleted waters. With the strengthening El Niño conditions developing in summer 2015, it is possible that 2016 will result in a third consecutive year of unusually toxic algal blooms. Using a combination of historical observations, intensive field studies, and predictive models we explore the hypothesis that these warm anomalies lead to shifts in the typical upwelling-dominated food web leading to a collapse of the ecosystem towards the coast, unusual algal blooms, and enhanced trophic transfer of toxins, resulting in magnified negative impacts to wildlife and, potentially, humans.

Highly hydroxylated steroids of the starfish Archaster typicus from the Vietnamese waters.

PubMed

Ivanchina, Natalia V; Kicha, Alla A; Huong, Trinh T T; Kalinovsky, Anatoly I; Dmitrenok, Pavel S; Agafonova, Irina G; Long, Pham Q; Stonik, Valentin A

2010-12-01

Five new steroidal compounds, including an unusual glucoside, along with several known steroids were isolated from the starfish Archaster typicus collected in shallow waters of Quang Ninh province (Vietnam). Three new compounds are 27-nor-cholestane derivatives and the other two are 24,26-dihydroxycholestane derivatives. A biogenesis pathway for the unusual side chain of 27-nor-cholestane derivatives is proposed. Isolated compounds presented moderate toxic effects in the sperm- and 8-blastomere tests on embryonal development of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotusintermedius. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Facial diplegia, pharyngeal paralysis, and ophthalmoplegia after a timber rattlesnake envenomation.

PubMed

Madey, Jason J; Price, Amanda B; Dobson, Joseph V; Stickler, David E; McSwain, S David

2013-11-01

The timber rattlesnake, also known as Crotalus horridus, is well known to cause significant injury from toxins stored within its venom. During envenomation, toxic systemic effects immediately begin to cause damage to many organ systems including cardiovascular, hematologic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and neurologic. One defining characteristic of the timber rattlesnake is a specific neurotoxin called crotoxin, or the "canebrake toxin," which is a potent β-neurotoxin affecting presynaptic nerves that can cause paralysis by inhibiting appropriate neuromuscular transmission. We present an unusual case of an 8-year-old boy bitten twice on his calf by a timber rattlesnake, who presented with a life-threatening envenomation and suffered multisystem organ failure as well as a prominent presynaptic neurotoxicity resulting in facial diplegia, pharyngeal paralysis, and ophthalmoplegia.

Asplenic fulminant sepsis secondary to a dog bite complicated by toxic epidermal necrolysis/Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

PubMed

Teo, Ken G; Anavekar, Namrata S; Yazdabadi, Anosha; Ricketts, Sophie

2012-07-29

We report a case of asplenic fulminant sepsis in Australia following a dog bite which was complicated by toxic epidermal necrolysis/Stevens-Johnson syndrome (TENS/SJS). Capnocytophaga canimorsus, the infective organism, is a rare cause of septicaemia: a high degree of suspicion of this unusual organism and its early aggressive management is paramount. The diagnostic and management difficulties of TENS/SJS in the context of a patient with fulminant sepsis, DIC and on inotropes are also highlighted.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis.

PubMed

Baker, Mary Grace; Cresce, Nicole D; Ameri, Mariam; Martin, Adam A; Patterson, James W; Kimpel, Donald L

2014-04-01

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)-like lesions in acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus [LE]) are an unusual manifestation of systemic LE. We describe a patient with widespread vesiculobullous lesions diagnosed as SJS/TEN-like acute cutaneous LE as the initial presentation of systemic LE. Stevens-Johnson syndrome/TEN-like LE may be differentiated from other vesiculobullous lesions by factors including a history of recent LE exacerbation, photodistribution of lesions, lack of a precipitating infection or medication exposure, minimal mucosal involvement, a prolonged course, response steroid treatment, and histologic and immunofluorescence findings. It is paramount to identify SJS/TEN-like LE as this condition requires early and aggressive intervention. The optimal treatment approach for SJS/TEN-like LE is unclear, and although some case reports have shown glucocorticoids to be useful, there are also reports of cases in which additional measures, such as intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis, were required to achieve a response. Our patient's condition was refractory to high-dose corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin but was successfully treated using plasma exchange. As such, this treatment may hold potential for improving the care of other patients with refractory SJS/TEN-like LE.

[A dangerous "risotto"].

PubMed

Cardano, Sergio; Beldì, Federico; Bignoli, Cristina; Monteverde, Anna; Uglietti, Enrica

2002-04-01

We report an unusual digitalis poisoning case, with a positive result, caused by the swallowing of digitalis purpurea leaves. They were taken for borage leaves, usually used to prepare "risotto". Be careful not to eat vegetables you don't usually eat, because some of them may have different toxicity levels.

Stress induction of Bm1 RNA in silkworm larvae: SINEs, an unusual class of stress genes

PubMed Central

Kimura, Richard H.; Choudary, Prabhakara V.; Stone, Koni K.; Schmid, Carl W.

2001-01-01

This study surveys the induction of RNA polymerase III (Pol III)–directed expression of short interspersed element (SINE) transcripts by various stresses in an animal model, silkworm larvae. Sublethal heat shock and exposure to several toxic compounds increase the level of Bm1 RNA, the silkworm SINE transcript, while also transiently increasing expression of a well-characterized stress-induced transcript, Hsp70 messenger RNA (mRNA). In certain cases, the Bm1 RNA response coincides with that of Hsp70 mRNA, but more often Bm1 RNA responds later in recovery. Baculovirus infection and exposure to certain toxic compounds increase Bm1 RNA but not Hsp70 mRNA, showing that SINE induction is not necessarily coupled to transcription of this particular heat shock gene. SINEs behave as an additional class of stress-inducible genes in living animals but are unusual as stress genes because of their high copy number, genomic dispersion, and Pol III–directed transcription. PMID:11599568

Genetic basis for evolved tolerance to dioxin-like pollutants in wild Atlantic killifish: more than the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

EPA Science Inventory

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) resident to some US urban and industrialized estuaries demonstrate recently evolved and extreme tolerance to toxic dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Here we provide an unusually comprehensive accounting (69%) through Quantitative Trait Locu...

Genetic basis for evolved tolerance to dioxin-like pollutants in wild Atlantic killifish: more than the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) resident to some US urban and industrialized estuaries demonstrate recently evolved and extreme tolerance to toxic dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Here we provide an unusually comprehensive accounting (69%) through Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis of ...

Genetic basis for evolved tolerance to dioxin-like pollutants in wild atlantic killifish: more than the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) resident to some US urban and industrialized estuaries demonstrate recently evolved and extreme tolerance to toxic dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Here we provide an unusually comprehensive accounting (69%) through Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis of ...

Intrauterine device infection causing concomitant streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and pelvic abscess with Actinomyces odontolyticus bacteraemia

PubMed Central

Wu, Carolyn M Yu; Noska, Amanda

2016-01-01

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are rarely associated with serious infections. We report an unusual concomitant infection of group A Streptococcus (GAS) causing toxic shock syndrome and pelvic abscess with Actinomyces odontolyticus associated with an IUD in a healthy 50-year-old patient. The IUD was subsequently removed and the patient recovered on the appropriate antibiotics. This case highlights the importance of clinicians’ high index of suspicion of an IUD infection and prompt removal of the infected foreign body to obtain source control. PMID:26965406

Intrauterine device infection causing concomitant streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and pelvic abscess with Actinomyces odontolyticus bacteraemia.

PubMed

Wu, Carolyn M Yu; Noska, Amanda

2016-03-10

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are rarely associated with serious infections. We report an unusual concomitant infection of group A Streptococcus (GAS) causing toxic shock syndrome and pelvic abscess with Actinomyces odontolyticus associated with an IUD in a healthy 50-year-old patient. The IUD was subsequently removed and the patient recovered on the appropriate antibiotics. This case highlights the importance of clinicians' high index of suspicion of an IUD infection and prompt removal of the infected foreign body to obtain source control. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Interaction of mercury and selenium in the larval stage zebrafish vertebrate model.

PubMed

MacDonald, Tracy C; Korbas, Malgorzata; James, Ashley K; Sylvain, Nicole J; Hackett, Mark J; Nehzati, Susan; Krone, Patrick H; George, Graham N; Pickering, Ingrid J

2015-08-01

The compounds of mercury can be more toxic than those of any other non-radioactive heavy element. Despite this, environmental mercury pollution and human exposure to mercury are widespread, and are increasing. While the unusual ability of selenium to cancel the toxicity of mercury compounds has been known for nearly five decades, only recently have some aspects of the molecular mechanisms begun to be understood. We report herein a study of the interaction of mercury and selenium in the larval stage zebrafish, a model vertebrate system, using X-ray fluorescence imaging. Exposure of larval zebrafish to inorganic mercury shows nano-scale structures containing co-localized mercury and selenium. No such co-localization is seen with methylmercury exposure under similar conditions. Micro X-ray absorption spectra support the hypothesis that the co-localized deposits are most likely comprised of highly insoluble mixed chalcogenide HgSxSe(1-x) where x is 0.4-0.9, probably with the cubic zincblende structure.

Clinical outcomes in extracranial tumor sites and unusual toxicities with concurrent whole brain radiation (WBRT) and Erlotinib treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastasis.

PubMed

Olmez, Inan; Donahue, Bernadine R; Butler, James S; Huang, Yiwu; Rubin, Philip; Xu, Yiqing

2010-11-01

Thirty percent of newly diagnosed NSCLC patients present with synchronous brain metastases, most of whom are treated with whole brain radiation. Systemic chemotherapy is usually avoided during WBRT due to concerns regarding toxicity. However, concurrent administration of targeted agents, such as Erlotinib, during WBRT may address systemic disease without causing toxicity. We report our institutional data on outcomes and toxicities with this treatment approach. Medical records of patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC and brain metastases receiving concurrent WBRT and Erlotinib treatment were reviewed. Radiographic response to therapy and toxicities were analyzed. Eight patients were identified and 7 were evaluable for response. All patients had intracranial disease control. In the extracranial sites, 3 (37.5%, intent-to-treat) showed partial response (PR), 2 (25%) had stable disease (SD), 1 (12.5%) had progression (PD) and 1 (12.5%) had new air space disease obscuring tumor response assessment. Among the three responders, two were female never smokers, while one was a female current smoker. Unanticipated grade 3 hepatotoxitity, hyponatremia, mental status changes, grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia, and grade 4 neutropenia with sepsis were observed. Three deaths occurred without clear signs of disease progression: one from neutropenic sepsis, one from wide spread air space disease, and one from neurologic deterioration. Our data demonstrates a high percentage of extracranial tumor response rates with first line Erlotinib in selected NSCLC patients. We observed unexpected serious complications and postulate possible mechanisms. We recommend caution to be exercised when considering Erlotinib treatment during WBRT, particularly in regard to drug-drug interactions and infection control. Data from prospective trials are needed to determine the benefits and toxicities of Erlotinib during WBRT. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxic Shock Syndrome within 24 H of an Office Hysteroscopy.

PubMed

Bhagat, Nanak; Karthikeyan, Akilandeshwari; Kalkur, Sanjaya

2017-01-01

Office hysteroscopy is now a common procedure performed to look at the endometrial cavity and is relatively free of serious complications. A 68-year-old lady, previously fit and well, presented with abdominal pain, rigors, sweats, and vomiting within 24 h of an outpatient hysteroscopy for postmenopausal bleeding. She was diagnosed with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) due to Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. She was managed in the Intensive Care Unit, with inotropic and antibiotic support. She recovered eventually and was discharged home with oral antibiotics. Toxic shock syndrome due to Streptococci is an unusual occurrence, whose incidence has been slowly increasing over the years. However, this appears to be the first case of STSS manifesting within 24 h following an outpatient hysteroscopy.

Radiation Protection Using Carbon Nanotube Derivatives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conyers, Jodie L., Jr.; Moore, Valerie C.; Casscells, S. Ward

2010-01-01

BHA and BHT are well-known food preservatives that are excellent radical scavengers. These compounds, attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), could serve as excellent radical traps. The amino-BHT groups can be associated with SWNTs that have carbolyxic acid groups via acid-base association or via covalent association. The material can be used as a means of radiation protection or cellular stress mitigation via a sequence of quenching radical species using nano-engineered scaffolds of SWNTs and their derivatives. It works by reducing the number of free radicals within or nearby a cell, tissue, organ, or living organism. This reduces the risk of damage to DNA and other cellular components that can lead to chronic and/or acute pathologies, including (but not limited to) cancer, cardiovascular disease, immuno-suppression, and disorders of the central nervous system. These derivatives can show an unusually high scavenging ability, which could prove efficacious in protecting living systems from radical-induced decay. This technique could be used to protect healthy cells in a living biological system from the effects of radiation therapy. It could also be used as a prophylactic or antidote for radiation exposure due to accidental, terrorist, or wartime use of radiation- containing weapons; high-altitude or space travel (where radiation exposure is generally higher than desired); or in any scenario where exposure to radiation is expected or anticipated. This invention s ultimate use will be dependent on the utility in an overall biological system where many levels of toxicity have to be evaluated. This can only be assessed at a later stage. In vitro toxicity will first be assessed, followed by in vivo non-mammalian screening in zebra fish for toxicity and therapeutic efficacy.

The nanosilica hazard: another variable entity

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) are produced on an industrial scale and are an addition to a growing number of commercial products. SNPs also have great potential for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications in medicine. Contrary to the well-studied crystalline micron-sized silica, relatively little information exists on the toxicity of its amorphous and nano-size forms. Because nanoparticles possess novel properties, kinetics and unusual bioactivity, their potential biological effects may differ greatly from those of micron-size bulk materials. In this review, we summarize the physico-chemical properties of the different nano-sized silica materials that can affect their interaction with biological systems, with a specific emphasis on inhalation exposure. We discuss recent in vitro and in vivo investigations into the toxicity of nanosilica, both crystalline and amorphous. Most of the in vitro studies of SNPs report results of cellular uptake, size- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity, increased reactive oxygen species levels and pro-inflammatory stimulation. Evidence from a limited number of in vivo studies demonstrates largely reversible lung inflammation, granuloma formation and focal emphysema, with no progressive lung fibrosis. Clearly, more research with standardized materials is needed to enable comparison of experimental data for the different forms of nanosilicas and to establish which physico-chemical properties are responsible for the observed toxicity of SNPs. PMID:21126379

Anisocoria in the dog provoked by a toxic contact with an ornamental plant: Datura stramonium.

PubMed

Hansen, Philippe; Clerc, Bernard

2002-12-01

We report an unusual case of anisocoria in the dog provoked by Datura stramonium, and an experimental clinical assay to reproduce the anisocoria using simple contact with part of the plant in four healthy dogs. Any part of the D. stramonium plant produced anisocoria following simple contact with the eye.

48 CFR 235.070 - Indemnification against unusually hazardous risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Indemnification against unusually hazardous risks. 235.070 Section 235.070 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEFENSE... DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING 235.070 Indemnification against unusually hazardous risks. ...

Short-tailed shrews: Toxicity and residue relationships of DDT, dieldrin, and endrin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blus, L.J.

1978-01-01

Experiments involving dietary toxicity and residue relationships of DDT, dieldrin, and endrin were conducted with short-tailed shrews. Dietary concentrations of DDT dissolved in vegetable oils were usually more toxic than diets containing comparable amounts of powdered DDT. Younger shrews, particularly females, were more tolerant of powdered DDT than older animals; yet, there were no conspicuous age differences in toxicity of DDT dissolved in oils. In comparison to other mammals, short-tailed shrews are not unusually sensitive to DDT, dieldrin, or endrin on the basis of two-week feeding tests. The influence of age and sex on toxicity of DDT, endrin, and dieldrin was sometimes more important than body weight. Of those shrews of the same age and sex that were fed the same dietary dosage, heavier shrews were more tolerant than lighter individuals; and, heavier shrews tended to lose a greater percentage of body weight before death. There was a range of 15 to 105 DDT equivalents in brains of shrews dying on dietary dosages of DDT. Six shrews fed a high level of DDT seemed to have unusual metabolite capabilities and died with apparent lethal levels of DDD in their brains. Levels of dieldrin in brains of shrews that died on a dietary dosage of dieldrin ranged from 3.7 to 12.6 ppm. In the rates of gain and loss experiments where shrews were given diets containing 400 ppm DDT or 50 ppm dieldrin up to 17 days, high residues were noted in tissues of shrews after two weeks on a contaminated diet and a few died at that time. After shrews were placed on clean food, it was determined that >50% of the dieldrin residues in carcass and brain were lost in 50% of residues of DDT and metabolites in brains after 2 weeks on clean food; males lost nearly 50% of residues in carcasses after two weeks on clean food compared with a loss of only 11% in females.

Nickel binding to NikA: an additional binding site reconciles spectroscopy, calorimetry and crystallography.

PubMed

Addy, Christine; Ohara, Masato; Kawai, Fumihiro; Kidera, Akinori; Ikeguchi, Mitsunori; Fuchigami, Sotaro; Osawa, Masanori; Shimada, Ichio; Park, Sam-Yong; Tame, Jeremy R H; Heddle, Jonathan G

2007-02-01

Intracellular nickel is required by Escherichia coli as a cofactor for a number of enzymes and is necessary for anaerobic respiration. However, high concentrations of nickel are toxic, so both import and export systems have evolved to control the cellular level of the metal. The nik operon in E. coli encodes a nickel-uptake system that includes the periplasmic nickel-binding protein NikA. The crystal structures of wild-type NikA both bound to nickel and in the apo form have been solved previously. The liganded structure appeared to show an unusual interaction between the nickel and the protein in which no direct bonds are formed. The highly unusual nickel coordination suggested by the crystal structure contrasted strongly with earlier X-ray spectroscopic studies. The known nickel-binding site has been probed by extensive mutagenesis and isothermal titration calorimetry and it has been found that even large numbers of disruptive mutations appear to have little effect on the nickel affinity. The crystal structure of a binding-site mutant with nickel bound has been solved and it is found that nickel is bound to two histidine residues at a position distant from the previously characterized binding site. This novel site immediately resolves the conflict between the crystal structures and other biophysical analyses. The physiological relevance of the two binding sites is discussed.

48 CFR 250.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 250.104-3 Section 250.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 250.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 250.104-3 Section 250.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 250.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 250.104-3 Section 250.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 250.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 250.104-3 Section 250.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 250.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 250.104-3 Section 250.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 632.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Unusual contract financing. 632.114 Section 632.114 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF STATE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 632.114 Unusual contract financing. The...

An integrated cell-free metabolic platform for protein production and synthetic biology

PubMed Central

Jewett, Michael C; Calhoun, Kara A; Voloshin, Alexei; Wuu, Jessica J; Swartz, James R

2008-01-01

Cell-free systems offer a unique platform for expanding the capabilities of natural biological systems for useful purposes, i.e. synthetic biology. They reduce complexity, remove structural barriers, and do not require the maintenance of cell viability. Cell-free systems, however, have been limited by their inability to co-activate multiple biochemical networks in a single integrated platform. Here, we report the assessment of biochemical reactions in an Escherichia coli cell-free platform designed to activate natural metabolism, the Cytomim system. We reveal that central catabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and protein synthesis can be co-activated in a single reaction system. Never before have these complex systems been shown to be simultaneously activated without living cells. The Cytomim system therefore promises to provide the metabolic foundation for diverse ab initio cell-free synthetic biology projects. In addition, we describe an improved Cytomim system with enhanced protein synthesis yields (up to 1200 mg/l in 2 h) and lower costs to facilitate production of protein therapeutics and biochemicals that are difficult to make in vivo because of their toxicity, complexity, or unusual cofactor requirements. PMID:18854819

48 CFR 1850.403 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1850.403 Section 1850.403 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Residual Powers 1850.403 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

48 CFR 1850.403 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1850.403 Section 1850.403 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Residual Powers 1850.403 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. ...

Non-Covalent Assembly of Targeted Carbon Nanovectors Enables Synergistic Drug and Radiation Cancer Therapy In Vivo

PubMed Central

Sano, Daisuke; Berlin, Jacob M.; Pham, Tam T.; Marcano, Daniela C.; Valdecanas, David R.; Zhou, Ge; Milas, Luka; Myers, Jeffrey N.; Tour, James M.

2012-01-01

Current chemotherapeutics are characterized by efficient tumor cell-killing and severe side effects mostly derived from off target toxicity. Hence targeted delivery of these drugs to tumor cells is actively sought. In an in vitro system, we previously demonstrated that targeted drug delivery to cancer cells overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR+) can be achieved by poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized carbon nanovectors simply mixed with a drug, paclitaxel, and an antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor, Cetuximab. This construct is unusual in that all three components are assembled through non-covalent interactions. Here we show that this same construct is effective in vivo, enhancing radiotherapy of EGFR+ tumors. This targeted nanovector system has the potential to be a new therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, deserving of further preclinical development. PMID:22316245

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated targeted mutagenesis of the fast growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973.

PubMed

Wendt, Kristen E; Ungerer, Justin; Cobb, Ryan E; Zhao, Huimin; Pakrasi, Himadri B

2016-06-23

As autotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria are ideal chassis organisms for sustainable production of various useful compounds. The newly characterized cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 is a promising candidate for serving as a microbial cell factory because of its unusually rapid growth rate. Here, we seek to develop a genetic toolkit that enables extensive genomic engineering of Synechococcus 2973 by implementing a CRISPR/Cas9 editing system. We targeted the nblA gene because of its important role in biological response to nitrogen deprivation conditions. First, we determined that the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 enzyme is toxic in cyanobacteria, and conjugational transfer of stable, replicating constructs containing the cas9 gene resulted in lethality. However, after switching to a vector that permitted transient expression of the cas9 gene, we achieved markerless editing in 100 % of cyanobacterial exconjugants after the first patch. Moreover, we could readily cure the organisms of antibiotic resistance, resulting in a markerless deletion strain. High expression levels of the Cas9 protein in Synechococcus 2973 appear to be toxic and result in cell death. However, introduction of a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system on a plasmid backbone that leads to transient cas9 expression allowed for efficient markerless genome editing in a wild type genetic background.

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated targeted mutagenesis of the fast growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973

DOE PAGES

Wendt, Kristen E.; Ungerer, Justin; Cobb, Ryan E.; ...

2016-06-23

As autotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria are ideal chassis organisms for sustainable production of various useful compounds. The newly characterized cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 is a promising candidate for serving as a microbial cell factory because of its unusually rapid growth rate. Here, we seek to develop a genetic toolkit that enables extensive genomic engineering of Synechococcus 2973 by implementing a CRISPR/Cas9 editing system. We targeted the nblA gene because of its important role in biological response to nitrogen deprivation conditions. First, we determined that the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 enzyme is toxic in cyanobacteria, and conjugational transfer of stable, replicating constructsmore » containing the cas9 gene resulted in lethality. However, after switching to a vector that permitted transient expression of the cas9 gene, we achieved markerless editing in 100 % of cyanobacterial exconjugants after the first patch. Moreover, we could readily cure the organisms of antibiotic resistance, resulting in a markerless deletion strain. In conclusion, high expression levels of the Cas9 protein in Synechococcus 2973 appear to be toxic and result in cell death. However, introduction of a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system on a plasmid backbone that leads to transient cas9 expression allowed for efficient markerless genome editing in a wild type genetic background.« less

CRISPR/Cas9 mediated targeted mutagenesis of the fast growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wendt, Kristen E.; Ungerer, Justin; Cobb, Ryan E.

As autotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria are ideal chassis organisms for sustainable production of various useful compounds. The newly characterized cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 is a promising candidate for serving as a microbial cell factory because of its unusually rapid growth rate. Here, we seek to develop a genetic toolkit that enables extensive genomic engineering of Synechococcus 2973 by implementing a CRISPR/Cas9 editing system. We targeted the nblA gene because of its important role in biological response to nitrogen deprivation conditions. First, we determined that the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 enzyme is toxic in cyanobacteria, and conjugational transfer of stable, replicating constructsmore » containing the cas9 gene resulted in lethality. However, after switching to a vector that permitted transient expression of the cas9 gene, we achieved markerless editing in 100 % of cyanobacterial exconjugants after the first patch. Moreover, we could readily cure the organisms of antibiotic resistance, resulting in a markerless deletion strain. In conclusion, high expression levels of the Cas9 protein in Synechococcus 2973 appear to be toxic and result in cell death. However, introduction of a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system on a plasmid backbone that leads to transient cas9 expression allowed for efficient markerless genome editing in a wild type genetic background.« less

48 CFR 1332.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Unusual contract financing... CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 1332.114 Unusual contract financing. The designee authorized to approve unusual contract financing arrangements is set forth in CAM...

48 CFR 32.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Unusual contract financing... CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 32.114 Unusual contract financing. Any contract financing arrangement that deviates from this part is unusual contract financing...

48 CFR 432.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Unusual contract financing... CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 432.114 Unusual contract financing. The HCA is authorized to approve unusual contract financing. The signed determination and finding...

Unexpected toxicity of combined modality therapy for small cell carcinoma of the lung. A Southwest oncology group study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Livingston, R.B.; Mira, J.; Haas, C.

1979-09-01

Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate and Adriamycin was delivered to 35 patients with small-cell carcinoma of the lung (28 with extensive and 7 with limited disease), including elective administration of intrathecal methotrexate. Whole-brain irradiation (3000 rad in 10 fractions) was then administered, with concomitant systemic cyclophosphamide and methotrexate for patients with extensive disease. Those with limited disease received concomitant chest irradiation without chemotherapy. Maintenance therapy then involved cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m/sup 2/ day 1, and methotrexate 30 mg/m/sup 2/ days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks. In only 2 patients reinduction was carried out at 24 weeks with the originalmore » chemotherapy. Myelosuppression was severe; there were at least 2 drug-related deaths from this cause in the induction period, and 15 febrile episodes with leukopenia. Stomatitis was more frequent and more severe in ''maintenance'' than in ''induction'' courses, especially the first maintenance course which was given with concomitant whole-brain irradiation. In addition, 13 episodes of unusual toxicity occurred in close temporal relation to systemic methotrexate administration, usually associated with stomatitis, in patients who were on maintenance therapy. These included 3 episodes of loss of consciousness, 4 of generalized erythroderma, 2 of ''flu''-like syndrome, and 1 each of the following: fatal, bilateral interstitial pneumonia; reversible, eosinophilic pleural effusion; acute myocardial infarction; and renal compromise with hematuria. As a result of this unexpected and protean toxicity, the pilot study was discontinued. However, at this time seven patients (4 with extensive and 3 with limited disease) remain in complete remission.« less

48 CFR 1450.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1450.104-3 Section 1450.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 1450.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. The CO...

48 CFR 1450.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1450.104-3 Section 1450.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 1450.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. The CO...

48 CFR 1450.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1450.104-3 Section 1450.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 1450.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. The CO...

48 CFR 1450.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1450.104-3 Section 1450.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 1450.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. The CO...

Synthetic Chemicals with Potential for Natural Attenuation (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-01

The purpose of this paper is to describe examples of other synthetic organic compounds that are known to be biodegradable ...chlorophenols are unusual among the synthetic compounds discussed here in that they can be very toxic to microorganisms . They are often used as biocides...widely distributed. In contract, bacteria able to grow at the expense of chlorinated aliphatic compounds are less common and the

Resistance mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against phagosomal copper overload

PubMed Central

Rowland, Jennifer L.; Niederweis, Michael

2012-01-01

SUMMARY Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important bacterial pathogen with an extremely slow growth rate, an unusual outer membrane of very low permeability and a cunning ability to survive inside the human host despite a potent immune response. A key trait of M. tuberculosis is to acquire essential nutrients while still preserving its natural resistance to toxic compounds. In this regard, copper homeostasis mechanisms are particularly interesting, because copper is an important element for bacterial growth, but copper overload is toxic. In M. tuberculosis at least two enzymes require copper as a cofactor: the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase SodC and the cytochrome c oxidase which is essential for growth in vitro. Mutants of M. tuberculosis lacking the copper metallothionein MymT, the efflux pump CtpV and the membrane protein MctB are more susceptible to copper indicating that these proteins are part of a multipronged system to balance intracellular copper levels. Recent evidence showed that part of copper toxicity is a reversible damage of accessible Fe-S clusters of dehydratases and the displacement of other divalent cations such as zinc and manganese as cofactors in proteins. There is accumulating evidence that macrophages use copper to poison bacteria trapped inside phagosomes. Here, we review the rapidly increasing knowledge about copper homeostasis mechanisms in M. tuberculosis and contrast those with similar mechanisms in E. coli. These findings reveal an intricate interplay between the host which aims to overload the phagosome with copper and M. tuberculosis which utilizes several mechanisms to reduce the toxic effects of excess copper. PMID:22361385

Engineering evidence for carbon monoxide toxicity cases.

PubMed

Galatsis, Kosmas

2016-07-01

Unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings and fatalities lead to many toxicity cases. Given the unusual physical properties of carbon monoxide-in that the gas is odorless and invisible-unorganized and erroneous methods in obtaining engineering evidence as required during the discovery process often occurs. Such evidence gathering spans domains that include building construction, appliance installation, industrial hygiene, mechanical engineering, combustion and physics. In this paper, we attempt to place a systematic framework that is relevant to key aspects in engineering evidence gathering for unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning cases. Such a framework aims to increase awareness of this process and relevant issues to help guide legal counsel and expert witnesses. © The Author(s) 2015.

Severe esophageal toxicity after thoracic radiation therapy for lung cancer associated with the human immunodeficiency virus: a case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Leigh, B R; Lau, D H

1998-10-01

This case report documents severe esophagitis and rapid esophageal stricture formation in a man infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who was treated with standard thoracic irradiation for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Severe late esophageal toxicity is a rare complication of radiation therapy in patients who are HIV negative, but those who are HIV positive may be at increased risk. This article reviews the literature suggesting that HIV infection may lead to unusually severe radiation-induced mucosal injury. High-dose chest irradiation should be performed with caution in this group of patients.

Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 90-223-2211, Thomson Consumer Electronics, Marion, Indiana

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lenhart, S.W.; Driscoll, R.

1992-05-01

In response to a request from the Corporate Medical Consultant to Thomson Consumer Electronics (SIC-3673), Marion, Indiana, a study was undertaken of an illness outbreak in workers at the facility. There were about 1900 workers at the facility, which produced television picture tubes. Production occurred over three shifts, 6 days a week. Charcoal tube sampling indicated the presence of acetone (67641) n-amyl-acetate (628637), n-butyl-acetate (123864), isoamyl-acetate (123922), toluene (108883), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), and trichloroethylene (79016). No contaminants were detected in the bag samples of air collected from the in/house compressed air system. One or more symptoms were reported by 593 (82%)more » of the workers. Those most commonly reported included headache (68%), sore throat (53%), fatigue (51%), eye irritation (50%), itchy skin (47%), irritated nose (45%), dizziness (45%), unusual taste in mouth (45%), unusual smell (41%) and cough. The authors conclude that symptoms were consistent with stress related health complaints in occupational settings. Concentrations of chemicals measured in the facility would not be expected to produce the effects seen in the outbreak. The authors recommend that trichloroethylene degreasing units be replaced with equipment which uses a less toxic degreasing agent. The facility should hire a full time industrial hygienist.« less

Fate, bioavailability and toxicity of silver in estuarine environments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Luoma, S.N.; Ho, Y.B.; Bryan, G.W.

1995-01-01

The chemistry and bioavailability of Ag contribute to its high toxicity in marine and estuarine waters. Silver is unusual, in that both the dominant speciation reaction in seawater and the processes important in sorbing Ag in sediments favour enhanced bioavailability. Formation of a stable chloro complex favours dispersal of dissolved Ag, and the abundant chloro complex is available to biota. Sequestration by sediments also occurs, but with relatively slow kinetics. Amorphous aggregated coatings enhance Ag accumulation in sediments, as well as Ag uptake from sediments by deposit feeders. In estuaries, the bioaccumulation of Ag increases 56-fold with each unit of increased Ag concentration in sediments. Toxicity for sensitive marine species occurs at absolute concentrations as low as those observed for any nonalkylated metal, partly because bioaccumulation increases so steeply with contamination. The environmental window of tolerance to Ag in estuaries could be narrower than for many elements.

Severe neuropathy after high dose carboplatin in three patients receiving multidrug chemotherapy

PubMed Central

Heinzlef, O.; Lotz, J.; Roullet, E.

1998-01-01

Three patients are described who developed a severe neuropathy after chemotherapy with high dose cis-diamine-(1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylato) platinum (carboplatin). This toxic side effect, which is unusual at conventional doses, might become more frequent as increasing doses are administered to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment, and might limit its use at very high doses before haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 

 PMID:9598687

Guinea pig and chinchilla care and husbandry.

PubMed

Donnelly, Thomas M; Brown, Cynthia J

2004-05-01

This article reviews breeds and coat colors of guinea pigs and chinchillas, their husbandry, care and anatomy. The unusual reproductive physiology and reproductive diseases of these animals are described. We cover nutrition, the potential for disease on poor diets, and the vocalization of hystricomorph rodents. Skills such as handling, sexing, blood collection and drug administration, including antibiotic toxicity are described. The conclusion lists recommended textbooks, pet owner manuals, and websites.

Contrasting effects of chloride on growth, reproduction, and toxicant sensitivity in two genetically distinct strains of Hyalella azteca.

PubMed

Soucek, David J; Mount, David R; Dickinson, Amy; Hockett, J Russell; McEwen, Abigail R

2015-10-01

The strain of Hyalella azteca (Saussure: Amphipoda) commonly used for aquatic toxicity testing in the United States has been shown to perform poorly in some standardized reconstituted waters frequently used for other test species. In 10-d and 42-d experiments, the growth and reproduction of the US laboratory strain of H. azteca was shown to vary strongly with chloride concentration in the test water, with declining performance observed below 15 mg/L to 20 mg/L. In contrast to the chloride-dependent performance of the US laboratory strain of H. azteca, growth of a genetically distinct strain of H. azteca obtained from an Environment Canada laboratory in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, was not influenced by chloride concentration. In acute toxicity tests with the US laboratory strain of H. azteca, the acute toxicity of sodium nitrate increased with decreasing chloride in a pattern similar not only to that observed for control growth, but also to previous acute toxicity testing with sodium sulfate. Subsequent testing with the Burlington strain showed no significant relationship between chloride concentration and the acute toxicity of sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate. These findings suggest that the chloride-dependent toxicity shown for the US laboratory strain may be an unusual feature of that strain and perhaps not broadly representative of aquatic organisms as a whole. © 2015 SETAC.

Control of trace element toxicity in Chesapeake Bay by dominant phytoplankton. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sanders, J.G.; Riedel, G.F.; Connell, D.B.

1992-02-01

Copper (Cu) and arsenic (As), but not chromium (Cr), underwent large changes in chemical form during the development and senescence of natural phytoplankton blooms. In general, the percentage of organically-associated Cu was lowest during periods of rapid cell growth and highest during periods of cell decline or periods of dominance by red tide-forming dinoflagellates, a pattern tied to periods of release of organic compounds during either bloom senescence or during unusual algal blooms. Chromium, in contrast, was unreactive. The end result of biological mediation of both As and Cu was to increase the proportion of the element present in amore » less toxic form, at least to phytoplankton, thus affecting the potential toxicity of either element to a natural ecosystem. The results of the project provide a framework for the construction of general predictive models of likely trace element behavior in productive ecosystems and provide a conceptual theory of how such toxic contaminants may affect ecosystem structure and food webs within Chesapeake Bay. Predictive models of ecosystem impact will require further experimentation with multi-trophic level food chains.« less

Fire test methodology for aerospace materials. 1: Thermal and smoke toxicological assessments of graphite/bismaleimide and graphite/epoxy systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanakia, M. D.; Switzer, W. G.; Hartzell, G. E.; Kaplan, H. L.

1980-01-01

Both materials possess a high degree of thermal stability, with total heat release values being essentially identical under piloted ignition conditions over a range of 5 to 10 W/sq cm incident heat flux. The graphite/epoxy material had a tendency to auto-ignite at a lower heat flux (about 7 W/sq cm) and produced about 23 percent higher peak heat release rates, approximately 42 percent more carbon monoxide and considerably more smoke than the graphite/bismaleimide under conditions of piloted ignition. Toxicological potencies of smoke produced from the two composites were equivalent for 30 minute exposures. Potencies were also comparable to many common materials, such as wood. There was no evidence for the formation of an "unusual toxicant" nor for any short term post-exposure toxicological effects.

Toxic anterior segment syndrome outbreak after vitrectomy and silicone oil injection.

PubMed

Moisseiev, Elad; Barak, Adiel

2012-01-01

To report a rare outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) in 4 patients who underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil injection. Review of the medical charts of all patients who underwent surgery in the operating theater of our department during a 10-day period in May 2011. We report on 4 patients who developed TASS after vitrectomy with silicone oil injection. The clinical presentation was typical of TASS, and different from the anterior chamber reaction that may occur after silicone oil injection. All cases were treated effectively with topical steroids, and the outbreak stopped after the silicone oil batch was exchanged. We discuss the possible mechanisms for this unusual TASS outbreak, and suggest the silicone oil as its cause.

Ocular toxicity and functional vision recovery in a patient treated with hydroxychloroquine.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Hurtado, Francisco Jorge; Sáez-Moreno, José Antonio; Rodríguez-Ferrer, José Manuel

2015-01-01

We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome, treated during 48 months with hydroxychloroquine that was removed after an ophthalmological evaluation showed bilateral vision loss associated with paracentral scotoma in the visual field, fundoscopic macular pigmentary changes, and severely impaired central multifocal electrorretinogram (mfERG). Twelve months after treatment withdrawal, visual acuity and central mfERG had surprisingly improved. This is an unusual case of functional recovery after treatment withdrawal. We consider that central mfERG is a more sensitive test than pattern electrorretinogram in the detection of retinal toxicity and functional vision recovery after hydroxychloroquine treatment cessation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Properties and actions of bridged diphenyl acaricides.

PubMed Central

March, R B

1976-01-01

The properties and actions of the bridged diphenyl acaricides are discussed. These pesticides, which are more or less structurally related to DDT, were the first of the specific acaricides to be developed. They exhibit remarkable properties of specificity, being primarily toxic to phytophagous mites but of very low toxicity to most nontarget species, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Although many important facets of their broad mode of action are understood, virtually nothing is known of their primary mode of action or the underlying bases of their specificities. In most ways they are model compounds for integrated control and pest management activities and thus merit greater attention than they have received to elucidate the fundamentals underlying their unusual properties and actions. PMID:789071

Experiments with the low melting indium-bismuth alloy system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krepski, Richard P.

1992-01-01

The following is a laboratory experiment designed to create an interest in and to further understanding of materials science. The primary audience for this material is the junior high school or middle school science student having no previous familiarity with the material, other than some knowledge of temperature and the concepts of atoms, elements, compounds, and chemical reactions. The objective of the experiment is to investigate the indium-bismuth alloy system. Near the eutectic composition, the liquidus is well below the boiling point of water, allowing simple, minimal hazard casting experiments. Such phenomena as metal oxidation, formation of intermetallic compound crystals, and an unusual volume increase during solidification could all be directly observed. A key concept for students to absorb is that properties of an alloy (melting point, mechanical behavior) may not correlate with simple interpolation of properties of the pure components. Discussion of other low melting metals and alloys leads to consideration of environmental and toxicity issues, as well as providing some historical context. Wetting behavior can also be explored.

48 CFR 2432.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Unusual contract financing... DEVELOPMENT GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 2432.114 Unusual contract financing. The Senior Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of...

Lake level fluctuations boost toxic cyanobacterial "oligotrophic blooms".

PubMed

Callieri, Cristiana; Bertoni, Roberto; Contesini, Mario; Bertoni, Filippo

2014-01-01

Global warming has been shown to strongly influence inland water systems, producing noticeable increases in water temperatures. Rising temperatures, especially when combined with widespread nutrient pollution, directly favour the growth of toxic cyanobacteria. Climate changes have also altered natural water level fluctuations increasing the probability of extreme events as dry periods followed by heavy rains. The massive appearance of Dolichospermum lemmermannii ( = planktonic Anabaena), a toxic species absent from the pelagic zone of the subalpine oligotrophic Lake Maggiore before 2005, could be a consequence of the unusual fluctuations of lake level in recent years. We hypothesized that these fluctuations may favour the cyanobacterium as result of nutrient pulses from the biofilms formed in the littoral zone when the lake level is high. To help verify this, we exposed artificial substrates in the lake, and evaluated their nutrient enrichment and release after desiccation, together with measurements of fluctuations in lake level, precipitation and D. lemmermannii population. The highest percentage of P release and the lowest C:P molar ratio of released nutrients coincided with the summer appearance of the D. lemmermannii bloom. The P pulse indicates that fluctuations in level counteract nutrient limitation in this lake and it is suggested that this may apply more widely to other oligotrophic lakes. In view of the predicted increase in water level fluctuations due to climate change, it is important to try to minimize such fluctuations in order to mitigate the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms.

47 CFR 32.25 - Unusual items and contingent liabilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Unusual items and contingent liabilities. 32.25 Section 32.25 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES General Instructions § 32.25 Unusual items and...

47 CFR 32.25 - Unusual items and contingent liabilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Unusual items and contingent liabilities. 32.25 Section 32.25 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES General Instructions § 32.25 Unusual items and...

47 CFR 32.25 - Unusual items and contingent liabilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 2 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Unusual items and contingent liabilities. 32.25 Section 32.25 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES General Instructions § 32.25 Unusual items and...

Incidences and range of spontaneous findings in the lymphoid and haemopoietic system of control Charles River CD-1 mice (Crl: CD-1(ICR) BR) used in chronic toxicity studies.

PubMed

Bradley, Alys; Mukaratirwa, Sydney; Petersen-Jones, Morven

2012-01-01

The authors performed a retrospective study to determine the incidences and range of spontaneous pathology findings in the lymphoid and haemopoietic systems of control Charles River CD-1 mice (Crl: CD-1(ICR) BR). Data was collected from 2,560 mice from control dose groups (104-week and 80-week carcinogenicity studies; 13-week studies), from regulatory studies evaluated at the authors' laboratory between 2005 and 2010. Lesions of the lymphoid and hematopoietic systems were uncommon in 13-week studies but were of high incidence in the carcinogenicity studies (80- or 104-week duration). The most common finding overall was lymphoid hyperplasia within the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes. The finding of benign lymphoid hyperplasia of the thymus is unusual in other mouse strains. The most common cause of death in the carcinogenicity studies was lymphoma. It is hoped that the results presented here will provide a useful database of incidental pathology findings in CD-1 mice on carcinogenicity studies.

48 CFR 2832.114 - Unusual contract financing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Unusual contract financing... Contracting Requirements CONTRACT FINANCING Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing 2832.114 Unusual contract financing. The HCA, or designee at a level not lower than the BPC, is the official authorized to approve...

78 FR 68986 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-18

... The Boeing Company, will have novel or unusual design features associated with the architecture and... proposed architecture is novel or unusual for commercial transport airplanes by enabling connection to... system architecture or electronic access to aircraft systems. Furthermore, regulations and current system...

The unusual amino acid l-ergothioneine is a physiologic cytoprotectant

PubMed Central

Paul, BD; Snyder, SH

2010-01-01

Ergothioneine (ET) is an unusual sulfur-containing derivative of the amino acid, histidine, which is derived exclusively through the diet. Although ET was isolated a century ago, its physiologic function has not been clearly established. Recently, a highly specific transporter for ET (ETT) was identified in mammalian tissues, which explains abundant tissue levels of ET and implies a physiologic role. Using RNA interference, we depleted cells of its transporter. Cells lacking ETT are more susceptible to oxidative stress, resulting in increased mitochondrial DNA damage, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation. ETT is concentrated in mitochondria, suggesting a specific role in protecting mitochondrial components such as DNA from oxidative damage associated with mitochondrial generation of superoxide. In combating cytotoxic effects of pyrogallol, a known superoxide generator, ET is as potent as glutathione. Because of its dietary origin and the toxicity associated with its depletion, ET may represent a new vitamin whose physiologic roles include antioxidant cytoprotection. PMID:19911007

An unusual case of prolonged post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography jaundice.

PubMed

Tziatzios, Georgios; Gkolfakis, Paraskevas; Papanikolaou, Ioannis S; Dimitriadis, George; Triantafyllou, Konstantinos

2016-04-01

Despite the effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the treatment of choledocholithiasis, various complications have been described. We herein report the first case of prolonged post-ERCP jaundice due to toxicity of the contrast agent Iobitridol (®XENETIX, Guerbet, Roissy CdG Cedex, France) in a patient who underwent ERCP with sphincterectomy and common bile duct stone removal. While clinical improvement and normalization of aminotransferases and cholestatic enzymes after the procedure, an unexplained increase of direct bilirubin was noticed. A second ERCP was performed one week later, excluding possible remaining choledocholithiasis. Nevertheless, serum direct bilirubin increased further up to 15 mg/dL. Other potential causes of direct hyperbilirubinemia were ruled out and patient's liver biopsy was compatible with drug-induced liver toxicity. Additionally, the cause-result time connection between the use of Iobitridol and bilirubin increase indicated the possibility of a toxic effect related to the repeated use of the particular contrast agent. Iobitridol, a contrast agent, can induce prolonged direct hyperbilirubinemia.

48 CFR 50.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 50.104-3 Section 50.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 50.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. (a... nuclear risks should be submitted to the contracting officer and shall include the following information...

48 CFR 50.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 50.104-3 Section 50.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 50.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. (a... nuclear risks should be submitted to the contracting officer and shall include the following information...

48 CFR 50.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 50.104-3 Section 50.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 50.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. (a... nuclear risks should be submitted to the contracting officer and shall include the following information...

48 CFR 50.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 50.104-3 Section 50.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... Extraordinary Contractual Actions 50.104-3 Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. (a... nuclear risks should be submitted to the contracting officer and shall include the following information...

Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology

PubMed Central

Agaba, Morris; Ishengoma, Edson; Miller, Webb C.; McGrath, Barbara C.; Hudson, Chelsea N.; Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.; Ratan, Aakrosh; Burhans, Rico; Chikhi, Rayan; Medvedev, Paul; Praul, Craig A.; Wu-Cavener, Lan; Wood, Brendan; Robertson, Heather; Penfold, Linda; Cavener, Douglas R.

2016-01-01

The origins of giraffe's imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe's closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe's long neck and cardiovascular system. The genomes of giraffe and okapi were sequenced, and through comparative analyses genes and pathways were identified that exhibit unique genetic changes and likely contribute to giraffe's unique features. Some of these genes are in the HOX, NOTCH and FGF signalling pathways, which regulate both skeletal and cardiovascular development, suggesting that giraffe's stature and cardiovascular adaptations evolved in parallel through changes in a small number of genes. Mitochondrial metabolism and volatile fatty acids transport genes are also evolutionarily diverged in giraffe and may be related to its unusual diet that includes toxic plants. Unexpectedly, substantial evolutionary changes have occurred in giraffe and okapi in double-strand break repair and centrosome functions. PMID:27187213

The role of calcium and sodium in toxicity of an effluent to mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kline, E.R.; Stekoll, M.S.

2000-01-01

The source of acute toxicity of an aged gold mill effluent to juvenile mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia [Americamysis bahia]) was identified. Effluent osmolality was equivalent to that of 12 ppt seawater. At five effluent concentrations ranging from 4 to 100% (v/v), using 12 ppt seawater for dilution, the onset of responses was most rapid at 37% effluent. Simulated effluent was created by adding Na{sup +}, Ca{sup 2+}, Mg{sup 2+}, K{sup +}, Cl{sup {minus}}, and SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}} to distilled water at concentrations equal to those measured in the effluent. The unusual finding of a more rapid onset of responses atmore » 37% than at 100% effluent was duplicated with simulated effluent, demonstrating that responses of M. bahia to effluent were attributable to one or more of the six ions that were included in simulated effluent. Proportionally, excess Ca{sup 2+} and Na{sup +} concentrations in effluent and in simulated effluent, along with the results of the previous experiments, demonstrated that excess Ca{sup 2+} was the sole source of effluent toxicity and that Na{sup +} deficiency, relative to the proportion in seawater, reduced Ca{sup 2+} toxicity.« less

Ergotamine-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Ozpelit, Ebru; Ozpelit, Mehmet E; Akdeniz, Bahri; Göldeli, Özhan

2016-01-01

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a recently increasing diagnosed disease showed by transient apical or mid-apical left ventricular dysfunction. It is known as a disease of postmenopausal women, which is usually triggered by emotional or physical stress. Although the trigger is mostly endogenous, some drugs have also been reported as the cause. Published case reports of TC associated with drug usage consist of sympathomimetic drugs, inotropic agents, thyroid hormone, cocaine, and 5-fluorouracil. We present an unusual case of TC in which the possible trigger is ergotamine toxicity.

Multipurpose Compound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Specially formulated derivatives of an unusual basic compound known as Alcide may be the answer to effective treatment and prevention of the disease bovine mastitis, a bacterial inflammation of a cow's mammary gland that results in loss of milk production and in extreme cases, death. Manufactured by Alcide Corporation the Alcide compound has killed all tested bacteria, virus and fungi, shortly after contact, with minimal toxic effects on humans or animals. Alcide Corporation credits the existence of the mastitis treatment/prevention products to assistance provided the company by NERAC, Inc.

78 FR 76980 - Special Conditions: Airbus, A350-900 Series Airplane; Interaction of Systems and Structures

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-20

... series airplanes. These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state...-900 series because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under Sec...)(2). Novel or Unusual Design Features The Airbus Model A350-900 series will incorporate the following...

Direct observation of a single nanoparticle-ubiquitin corona formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Feng; Radic, Slaven; Chen, Ran; Chen, Pengyu; Geitner, Nicholas K.; Brown, Jared M.; Ke, Pu Chun

2013-09-01

The advancement of nanomedicine and the increasing applications of nanoparticles in consumer products have led to administered biological exposure and unintentional environmental accumulation of nanoparticles, causing concerns over the biocompatibility and sustainability of nanotechnology. Upon entering physiological environments, nanoparticles readily assume the form of a nanoparticle-protein corona that dictates their biological identity. Consequently, understanding the structure and dynamics of a nanoparticle-protein corona is essential for predicting the fate, transport, and toxicity of nanomaterials in living systems and for enabling the vast applications of nanomedicine. Here we combined multiscale molecular dynamics simulations and complementary experiments to characterize the silver nanoparticle-ubiquitin corona formation. Notably, ubiquitins competed with citrates for the nanoparticle surface, governed by specific electrostatic interactions. Under a high protein/nanoparticle stoichiometry, ubiquitins formed a multi-layer corona on the particle surface. The binding exhibited an unusual stretched-exponential behavior, suggesting a rich binding kinetics. Furthermore, the binding destabilized the α-helices while increasing the β-sheet content of the proteins. This study revealed the atomic and molecular details of the structural and dynamic characteristics of nanoparticle-protein corona formation.The advancement of nanomedicine and the increasing applications of nanoparticles in consumer products have led to administered biological exposure and unintentional environmental accumulation of nanoparticles, causing concerns over the biocompatibility and sustainability of nanotechnology. Upon entering physiological environments, nanoparticles readily assume the form of a nanoparticle-protein corona that dictates their biological identity. Consequently, understanding the structure and dynamics of a nanoparticle-protein corona is essential for predicting the fate, transport, and toxicity of nanomaterials in living systems and for enabling the vast applications of nanomedicine. Here we combined multiscale molecular dynamics simulations and complementary experiments to characterize the silver nanoparticle-ubiquitin corona formation. Notably, ubiquitins competed with citrates for the nanoparticle surface, governed by specific electrostatic interactions. Under a high protein/nanoparticle stoichiometry, ubiquitins formed a multi-layer corona on the particle surface. The binding exhibited an unusual stretched-exponential behavior, suggesting a rich binding kinetics. Furthermore, the binding destabilized the α-helices while increasing the β-sheet content of the proteins. This study revealed the atomic and molecular details of the structural and dynamic characteristics of nanoparticle-protein corona formation. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental and computational methods as well as supporting figures. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02147e

41 CFR 101-39.206 - Seasonal or unusual requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... VEHICLES 39-INTERAGENCY FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 39.2-GSA Interagency Fleet Management System Services... requirements for vehicles or related services shall inform the GSA IFMS fleet management center as far in... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Seasonal or unusual...

48 CFR 1850.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1850.104-3 Section 1850.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... nuclear risks. (a) Indemnification requests. (1) Contractor indemnification requests must be submitted to...

48 CFR 1850.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 1850.104-3 Section 1850.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System... nuclear risks. (a) Indemnification requests. (1) Contractor indemnification requests must be submitted to...

76 FR 36863 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Systems Security Protection From...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-23

... airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with the architecture and... incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with...

Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in an unusual presentation: what a primary care physician should know.

PubMed

Pramanik, Bimalendu

2014-01-01

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease affecting millions of people worldwide. It can affect any organ systems of the body. However, all systems may not be involved initially rather than they may be affected gradually, sometimes over years. Diagnosis depends on characteristic clinical features and laboratory test results. Some features such as skin rash, joint symptoms and oral ulcers are common in SLE. But initial presentation of many patients is unusual because either they do not have these common features of the disease or the presentation mimics other illnesses. As a result, delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis are common. Therefore, high index of initial suspicion of SLE is critical. In clinical practice, SLE should be suspected in any patient presenting with an unexplained disease process involving two or more organ systems. To make a diagnosis in an unusual presentation, thorough clinical evaluation with details history of both present and past illnesses as well as laboratory tests for SLE should be performed. Usually primary-care physicians first evaluate SLE patients; but there is no single article, where all the information on when to suspect SLE in an unusual presentation, is available in an integrated form. In this article, a list of conditions, when SLE should be suspected in an unusual presentation, has been given and some relatively common areas with diagnostic challenges of SLE have been briefly described. To prepare this manuscript, most articles have been identified through 'Pubmed' search using keywords-atypical/ unusual presentation of SLE, case reports on SLE, gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE, neuropsychiatric SLE, diagnostic challenges with SLE, etc. Selected most articles are from currently medline-indexed journals.

Rabbitfish ("aras"): an unusual source of ciguatera poisoning.

PubMed

Raikhlin-Eisenkraft, Bianca; Bentur, Yedidia

2002-01-01

Ciguatera poisoning is the commonest fish-borne seafood intoxication. It is endemic to warm water tropical areas and is caused by consumption of bottom-dwelling shore reef fish, mostly during spring and summer. The causative agent, ciguatoxin, is a heat-stable ester complex that becomes concentrated in fish feeding on toxic dinoflagellates. The common clinical manifestations are a combination of gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms. Severe poisoning may be associated with seizures and respiratory paralysis. To describe a series of patients who sustained ciguatera poisoning in an uncommon region and from an unexpected source. Two families complained of a sensation of "electrical currents," tremors, muscle cramps, nightmares, hallucinations, agitation, anxiety and nausea of varying severity several hours after consuming rabbitfish ("aras"). These symptoms lasted between 12 and 30 hours and resolved completely. The temporal relationship to a summer fish meal, the typical clinical manifestations along with the known feeding pattern of the rabbitfish suggested ciguatera poisoning. The Eastern Mediterranean basin is an unusual region and the rabbitfish an unusual source for ciguatera poisoning. There are no readily available and reliable means for detecting ciguatoxin in humans. A high index of suspicion is needed for diagnosis and a thorough differential diagnosis is essential to eliminate other poisonings, decompression sickness and encephalitis. Supportive therapy is the mainstay of treatment.

Unusual presentation of cactus spines in the flank of an elderly man: a case report

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Introduction Splinters and spines of plant matter are common foreign bodies in skin wounds of the extremities, and often present embedded in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Vegetative foreign bodies are highly inflammatory and, if not completely removed, can cause infection, toxic reactions, or granuloma formation. Older patients are at increased risk for infection from untreated plant foreign bodies. The most common error in plant splinter and spine management is failure to detect their presence. Case presentation Here we report a case of cactus spines in an 84-year-old Caucasian man presenting on the right flank as multiple, red papules with spiny extensions. This presentation was unusual both in location and the spinous character of the lesions, and only after punch biopsy analysis was a diagnosis of cactus matter spines made. Conclusions Our patient presented with an unusual case of cactus spines that required histopathology for identification. Skin lesions with neglected foreign bodies are a common cause of malpractice claims. If not removed, foreign bodies of the skin, particularly in elderly individuals, can result in inflammatory and infectious sequela. This report underscores the importance of thoroughly evaluating penetrating skin lesions for the presence of foreign bodies, such as splinters and spines. PMID:20500838

Group A streptococcal toxic shock syndrome secondary to necrotizing pelvic inflammatory disease in a postmenopausal woman.

PubMed

Paulson, Qiwei; Douglass, Elizabeth; Moreno, Alejandro; Aydelotte, Jayson

2016-01-01

Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) is well known to cause upper respiratory tract or cutaneous infections, but some more virulent species of GAS can lead to a rapidly progressive life threatening soft tissue necrotizing infection and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). In the modern era, GAS infections within the female reproductive tract leading to STSS are unusual and are often the result of retained products of conception or intrauterine devices. This report describes a case of GAS necrotizing pelvic infection in a previously healthy menopausal woman with no obvious portal of entry. Her clinical course rapidly progressed to septic shock and multiorgan failure. She required multiple surgeries in addition to targeted antimicrobials and aggressive management of shock and organ failures. After a prolonged hospital stay, she had a full recovery.

78 FR 67291 - Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc., Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 Series Airplanes; Design...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-12

... have a novel or unusual design feature associated with an electronic flight control system that... because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of... same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also apply to the other...

Applicability of ambient toxicity testing to national or regional water-quality assessment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Elder, John F.

1990-01-01

Comprehensive assessment of the quality of natural waters requires a multifaceted approach. Descriptions of existing conditions may be achieved by various kinds of chemical and hydrologic analyses, whereas information about the effects of such conditions on living organisms depends on biological monitoring. Toxicity testing is one type of biological monitoring that can be used to identify possible effects of toxic contaminants. Based on experimentation designed to monitor responses of organisms to environmental stresses, toxicity testing may have diverse purposes in water-quality assessments. These purposes may include identification of areas that warrant further study because of poor water quality or unusual ecological features, verification of other types of monitoring, or assessment of contaminant effects on aquatic communities. Toxicity-test results are most effective when used as a complement to chemical analyses, hydrologic measurements, and other biological monitoring. However, all toxicity-testing procedures have certain limitations that must be considered in developing the methodology and applications of toxicity testing in any large-scale water-quality-assessment program. A wide variety of toxicity-test methods have been developed to fulfill the needs of diverse applications. The methods differ primarily in the selections made relative to four characteristics: (1) test species, (2) endpoint (acute or chronic), (3) test-enclosure type, and (4) test substance (toxicant) that functions as the environmental stress. Toxicity-test approaches vary in their capacity to meet the needs of large-scale assessments of existing water quality. Ambient testing, whereby the test organism is exposed to naturally occurring substances that contain toxicant mixtures in an organic or inorganic matrix, is more likely to meet these needs than are procedures that call for exposure of the test organisms to known concentrations of a single toxicant. However, meaningful interpretation of ambient test results depends on the existence of accompanying chemical analysis of the ambient media. The ambient test substance may be water or sediments. Sediment tests have had limited application, but they are useful because most toxicants tend to accumulate in sediments and many test species either inhabit the sediments or are in frequent contact with them. Biochemical testing methods, which have been developing rapidly in recent years, are likely to be among the most useful procedures for large-scale water-quality assessments. They are relatively rapid and simple, and more. importantly, they focus on biochemical changes that are the initial responses of virtually all organisms to environmental stimuli. Most species are sensitive to relatively few toxicants, and their sensitivities vary as conditions change. Therefore, each test method has particular uses and limitations, and no single test has universal applicability. One of the most informative approaches to toxicity testing is to combine biochemical tests with other test methods in a 'battery of tests' that is diversified enough to characterize different types of toxicants and different trophic levels. However, such an approach can be costly, and if not carefully designed, it may not yield enough additional information to warrant the additional cost. The application of toxicity tests to large-scale water-quality assessments is hampered by a number of difficulties. Toxicity tests often are not sensitive enough to enable detection of most contaminant problems in the natural environment. Furthermore, because sensitivities among different species and test conditions can be highly variable, conclusions about the toxicant problems of an ecosystem are strongly dependent on the test procedure used. In addition, the experimental systems used in toxicity tests cannot replicate the complexity or variability of natural conditions, and positive test results cannot identify the source or nature of

Structural basis of toxicity and immunity in contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems.

PubMed

Morse, Robert P; Nikolakakis, Kiel C; Willett, Julia L E; Gerrick, Elias; Low, David A; Hayes, Christopher S; Goulding, Celia W

2012-12-26

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems encode polymorphic toxin/immunity proteins that mediate competition between neighboring bacterial cells. We present crystal structures of CDI toxin/immunity complexes from Escherichia coli EC869 and Burkholderia pseudomallei 1026b. Despite sharing little sequence identity, the toxin domains are structurally similar and have homology to endonucleases. The EC869 toxin is a Zn(2+)-dependent DNase capable of completely degrading the genomes of target cells, whereas the Bp1026b toxin cleaves the aminoacyl acceptor stems of tRNA molecules. Each immunity protein binds and inactivates its cognate toxin in a unique manner. The EC869 toxin/immunity complex is stabilized through an unusual β-augmentation interaction. In contrast, the Bp1026b immunity protein exploits shape and charge complementarity to occlude the toxin active site. These structures represent the initial glimpse into the CDI toxin/immunity network, illustrating how sequence-diverse toxins adopt convergent folds yet retain distinct binding interactions with cognate immunity proteins. Moreover, we present visual demonstration of CDI toxin delivery into a target cell.

Rare and unusual ... or are they? Less commonly diagnosed encephalopathies associated with systemic disease.

PubMed

Weathers, Allison L; Lewis, Steven L

2009-04-01

Encephalopathy due to hepatic or renal failure, electrolyte disturbances, or the administration of benzodiazepines and narcotics is commonly encountered, well reviewed in the literature, and, therefore, not usually missed. This article focuses on encephalopathies that were previously well described but may be overlooked by modern clinicians, as well as those that are still taught in the classroom but seldom thought of in practice. Due to the presumed relative rarity of these cases and emphasis on the well-memorized "classic" clinical presentations, these often treatable, and perhaps not so rare, encephalopathies due to systemic medical illness may go undiagnosed and untreated. Pancreatic encephalopathy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, and pellagra encephalopathy are reviewed in detail; cefepime and ifosfamide encephalopathies are discussed as examples of specific medication-induced encephalopathies. Septic encephalopathy, central pontine myelinolysis, and fat embolism syndrome are briefly reviewed. The encephalopathies reviewed have the potential for devastating neurological consequences if recognition and, therefore, treatment are delayed. Clinical improvement for many of these syndromes depends on prompt intervention. This article highlights some representative examples of less-commonly diagnosed metabolic and toxic encephalopathies.

78 FR 68985 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-18

... modified by the Boeing Company, will have novel or unusual design features associated with the architecture..., and fiber-optic avionics networks. The proposed architecture is novel or unusual for commercial... material did not anticipate this type of system architecture or electronic access to aircraft systems...

(I) Pharmacological profiling of a novel modulator of the α7 nicotinic receptor: Blockade of a toxic acetylcholinesterase-derived peptide increased in Alzheimer brains.

PubMed

Garcia-Ratés, Sara; Morrill, Paul; Tu, Henry; Pottiez, Gwenael; Badin, Antoine-Scott; Tormo-Garcia, Cristina; Heffner, Catherine; Coen, Clive W; Greenfield, Susan A

2016-06-01

The primary cause of Alzheimer's disease is unlikely to be the much studied markers amyloid beta or tau. Their widespread distribution throughout the brain does not account for the specific identity and deep subcortical location of the primarily vulnerable neurons. Moreover an unusual and intriguing feature of these neurons is that, despite their diverse transmitters, they all contain acetylcholinesterase. Here we show for the first time that (1) a peptide derived from acetylcholinesterase, with independent trophic functions that turn toxic in maturity, is significantly raised in the Alzheimer midbrain and cerebrospinal fluid; (2) a synthetic version of this peptide enhances calcium influx and eventual production of amyloid beta and tau phosphorylation via an allosteric site on the α7 nicotinic receptor; (3) a synthetic cyclic version of this peptide is neuroprotective against the toxicity not only of its linear counterpart but also of amyloid beta, thereby opening up the prospect of a novel therapeutic approach. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

UNSATURATED AMINO ACIDS V.

PubMed Central

Shapira, Jacob; Dittmer, Karl

1961-01-01

Shapira, Jacob (Department of Chemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee) and Karl Dittmer. Unsaturated amino acids. V. Microbiological properties of some halogenated olefinic amino acids. J. Bacteriol. 82:640–647. 1961.—It has been shown previously that several amino acid analogues containing unsaturated linkages were inhibitors of the growth of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This paper reports the results obtained when a series of unsaturated halogen-containing amino acids was examined. The cis isomer of ω-chloroallylglycine showed the greatest toxicity yet found in this series of unsaturated amino acids toward E. coli, whereas the trans-isomer was usually far less toxic. The major effect of cis-ω-chloroallylglycine in E. coli appeared to be to extend the lag phase before the normal rate of growth began. A wide variety of amino acids was capable of partially or completely preventing the toxicity of low levels of these compounds. At higher levels, relatively few amino acids (primarily valine, leucine, and glutamic acid) were effective. In E. coli, cis-ω-chloroallylglycine showed an unusual [Formula: see text] relationship with both glutamic acid and valine over a wide range in concentration. PMID:13911278

Microbial P450 Enzymes in Bioremediation and Drug Discovery: Emerging Potentials and Challenges.

PubMed

Bhattacharya, Sukanta S; Yadav, Jagjit S

2018-01-01

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are a structurally conserved but functionally diverse group of heme-containing mixed function oxidases found across both prokaryotic and eukaryotic forms of the microbial world. Microbial P450s are known to perform diverse functions ranging from the synthesis of cell wall components to xenobiotic/drug metabolism to biodegradation of environmental chemicals. Conventionally, many microbial systems have been reported to mimic mammalian P450-like activation of drugs and were proposed as the in-vitro models of mammalian drug metabolism. Recent reports suggest that native or engineered forms of specific microbial P450s from these and other microbial systems could be employed for desired specific biotransformation reactions toward natural and synthetic (drug) compounds underscoring their emerging potential in drug improvement and discovery. On the other hand, microorganisms particularly fungi and actinomycetes have been shown to possess catabolic P450s with unusual potential to degrade toxic environmental chemicals including persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Wood-rotting basidiomycete fungi in particular have revealed the presence of exceptionally large P450 repertoire (P450ome) in their genomes, majority of which are however orphan (with no known function). Our pre- and post-genomic studies have led to functional characterization of several fungal P450s inducible in response to exposure to several environmental toxicants and demonstration of their potential in bioremediation of these chemicals. This review is an attempt to summarize the postgenomic unveiling of this versatile enzyme superfamily in microbial systems and investigation of their potential to synthesize new drugs and degrade persistent pollutants, among other biotechnological applications. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Critical features and challenges associated with imaging in patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.

PubMed

Solinas, Cinzia; Porcu, Michele; Hlavata, Zuzana; De Silva, Pushpamali; Puzzoni, Marco; Willard-Gallo, Karen; Scartozzi, Mario; Saba, Luca

2017-12-01

Manipulating an individual's immune system through immune checkpoint blockade is revolutionizing the paradigms of cancer treatment. Peculiar patterns and kinetics of response have been observed with these new drugs, rendering the assessment of tumor burden particularly challenging in cancer immunotherapy. The mechanisms of action for immune checkpoint blockade, based upon engagement of the adaptive immune system, can generate unusual response patterns, including pseudoprogression, hyperprogression, atypical and delayed responses. In patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade and radiotherapy, a reduction in tumor burden at metastatic sites distant from the irradiation field (abscopal effect) has been observed, with synergistic systemic immune effects provoked by this combination. New toxicities have also been observed, due to excessive immune activity in several organs, including lung, colon, liver and endocrine glands. Efforts to standardize assessment of cancer immunotherapy responses include novel consensus guidelines derived by modifying World Health Organization (WHO) and Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. The aim of this review is to evaluate imaging techniques currently used routinely in the clinic and those being used as investigational tools in immunotherapy clinical trials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

47 CFR 32.25 - Unusual items and contingent liabilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... recorded in the company's books of account without prior Commission approval. [65 FR 16334, Mar. 28, 2000] ... UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES General Instructions § 32.25 Unusual items and...

Thrombotic microangiopathy: An unusual cause of renal failure in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Sakthirajan, R; Dhanapriya, J; Dineshkumar, T; Gopalakrishnan, N; Murugan, S; Balasubramaniyan, T

2017-01-01

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the commonest rheumatological diseases. Renal involvement is not common but can occur as a result of chronic inflammation as part of disease process or drug toxicity. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and organ failure of variable severity. Only a few cases of TMA in patients with RA were reported to date. We describe a 45-year-old female patient with RA who presented with oliguria and edema. Renal biopsy showed TMA with patchy cortical necrosis. She improved with hemodialysis and plasmapheresis.

Utilization of the Safe Surgical Dislocation Approach of the Hip to Retrieve a Bullet from the Femoral Head

PubMed Central

Delaney, Ruth; Albright, Maurice; Rebello, Gleeson

2011-01-01

Retained intra-articular missiles from low-velocity handguns can lead to mechanical arthritis, synovitis, and lead toxicity. Various surgical approaches have been described to extract such foreign bodies from the hip joint. We present the case of a 17-year-old male in which the surgical dislocation approach was utilized to retrieve a bullet from the femoral head with a good short-term outcome. This case represents a rare application of the surgical hip dislocation approach for an unusual trauma. PMID:23198205

Something fishy: six patients with an unusual cause of food poisoning!

PubMed

Hall, Michael

2003-06-01

Scombroid fish poisoning is a clinical syndrome attributed to the ingestion of contaminated fish. A toxin or toxins, known as scombrotoxin, result from decomposition by endogenous flora of the amino acid histidine liberating bioactive amines, predominantly histamine. The presentation has features of histamine toxicity, typically with urticaria, flushing, headache, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. The course is usually mild and self-limiting. The author describes six cases of scombroid poisoning after ingestion of fish from the same Canberra restaurant. One case resulted in significant hypotension necessitating a prolonged stay in the ED.

HCH, endosulfan, and fluvalinate residue behavior in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mukherjee, I.; Gopal, M.; Yaduraju, N.T.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) is one of the major pulse crop of India. The loss of pigeonpea crop due to pod and foliage pests is significant, the major pests being pod fly, hairy caterpillar, aphids, white fly, plume moth borer, leaf caterpillar and jassids. It is imperative to save every grain by chemical control methods but these toxicants should not leave unusually high residues on the edible parts. In this paper the authors report the residue behavior of three different insecticides namely, hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan and fluvalinate on this crop.

Widespread Skin Necrosis Secondary to Gemcitabine Therapy.

PubMed

Zito, Patrick M; Gonzalez, Adrianna M; Fox, Joshua D; Cronin, Megan; Mackrides, Nicholas; Kirsner, Robert S; Nichols, Anna J

2018-05-01

Gemcitabine, a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue, is an oncologic agent used in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Common dermatologic reactions associated with gemcitabine include alopecia, mild skin rash, and mucositis but skin necrosis is exceptional. Herein we present an unusual case of widespread skin necrosis mimicking toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 45-year-old woman receiving gemcitabine therapy for stage IIIA cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This is the first reported case of a TEN-like reaction subsequent to gemcitabine treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(5):582-585.

Carbon nanotubes as vaccine scaffolds

PubMed Central

Scheinberg, David A.; McDevitt, Michael R.; Dao, Tao; Mulvey, Justin J.; Feinberg, Evan; Alidori, Simone

2013-01-01

Carbon nanotubes display characteristics that are potentially useful in their development as scaffolds for vaccine compositions. These features include stability in vivo, lack of intrinsic immunogenicity, low toxicity, and the ability to be appended with multiple copies of antigens. In addition, the particulate nature of carbon nanotubes and their unusual properties of rapid entry into antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, make them especially useful as carriers of antigens. Early attempts demonstrating carbon nanotube-based vaccines can be used in both infectious disease settings and cancer are promising. PMID:23899863

Toxic leucoencephalopathy after 'chasing the dragon'.

PubMed

Singh, Rajinder; Saini, Monica

2015-06-01

Toxic leucoencephalopathy (TLE) is a rare neurological complication of heroin abuse. 'Chasing the dragon' is an inhalational mode of heroin abuse that originated in Southeast Asia. Intriguingly, no cases of TLE have been reported from this region, although the inhalational mode of heroin abuse is common. We herein report the case of a middle-aged man with a history of polysubstance abuse who presented with progressive neurological symptoms and progressed to an uncommunicative state. While the initial impression was that of iatrogenic parkinsonism, diffuse leucoencephalopathy with sparing of the cerebellum was noted on magnetic resonance imaging. In view of his history of inhalational heroin abuse close to the onset of the neurological symptoms, a diagnosis of TLE was made. No clinical improvement was noted with administration of a dopaminergic agent. This is the first known case of delayed TLE following heroin inhalation from Southeast Asia with the unusual feature of cerebellar sparing.

Puerperal group A streptococcal infection: beyond Semmelweis.

PubMed

Anderson, Brenna L

2014-04-01

Ignaz Semmelweiss made one of the most important contributions to modern medicine when he instituted handwashing in an obstetric clinic in Austria in 1847, decreasing mortality there from more than 10% to 2%. Unfortunately, puerperal sepsis remains a leading cause of maternal mortality throughout the world. Group A streptococcus (GAS), Streptococcus pyogenes, is an organism associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality from puerperal infections. When associated with sepsis, known as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, mortality rates approach 30-50%. Group A streptococcus can cause invasive infections in the form of endometritis, necrotizing fasciitis, or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The clinical presentation of women with puerperal GAS infections is often atypical with extremes of temperature, unusual and vague pain, and pain in extremities. Toxin production by the organism may allow GAS to spread across tissue planes and cause necrosis while evading containment by the maternal immune system in the form of a discrete abscess. Endometrial aspiration in addition to blood cultures may be a useful rapid diagnostic tool. Imaging may appear normal and should not dissuade the clinician from aggressive management. When suspected, invasive GAS infections should be treated emergently with fluid resuscitation, antibiotic administration, and source control. The optimal antibiotic regimen contains penicillin and clindamycin. Source control may require extensive wound or vulvar debridement, hysterectomy, or a combination of these, which may be life-saving. The benefit of immunoglobulins in management of puerperal GAS infections is unclear.

Norepinephrine regulates hepatic innate immune system in leptin-deficient mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

PubMed

Li, Zhiping; Oben, Jude A; Yang, Shiqi; Lin, Huizhi; Stafford, Elizabeth A; Soloski, Mark J; Thomas, Steven A; Diehl, Anna Mae

2004-08-01

It is not known why natural killer T (NKT) cells, which modulate liver injury by regulating local cytokine production, are reduced in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. NKT cells express adrenoceptors. Thus, we hypothesize that the low norepinephrine (NE) activity of ob/ob mice promotes depletion of liver NKT cells, thereby sensitizing ob/ob livers to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) toxicity. To evaluate this hypothesis, hepatic NKT cells were quantified in wild-type mice before and after treatment with NE inhibitors, and in dopamine beta-hydroxylase knockout mice (which cannot synthesize NE) and ob/ob mice before and after 4 weeks of NE supplementation. Decreasing NE activity consistently reduces liver NKT cells, while increasing NE has the opposite effect. Analysis of hepatic and thymic NKT cells in mice of different ages demonstrate an age-related accumulation of hepatic NKT cells in normal mice, while liver NKT cells become depleted after birth in ob/ob mice, which have increased apoptosis of hepatic NKT cells. NE treatment inhibits apoptosis and restores hepatic NKT cells. In ob/ob mice with reduced hepatic NKT cells, hepatic T and NKT cells produce excessive T helper (Th)-1 proinflammatory cytokines and the liver is sensitized to LPS toxicity. NE treatment decreases Th-1 cytokines, increases production of Th-2 cytokines, and reduces hepatotoxicity. Studies of CD1d-deficient mice, which lack the receptor required for NKT cell development, demonstrate that they are also unusually sensitive to LPS hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, low NE activity increases hepatic NKT cell apoptosis and depletes liver NKT cells, promoting proinflammatory polarization of hepatic cytokine production that sensitizes the liver to LPS toxicity. Copyright 2004 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases

Mechanism of Action of Lung Damage Caused by a Nanofilm Spray Product

PubMed Central

Larsen, Søren T.; Dallot, Constantin; Larsen, Susan W.; Rose, Fabrice; Poulsen, Steen S.; Nørgaard, Asger W.; Hansen, Jitka S.; Sørli, Jorid B.; Nielsen, Gunnar D.; Foged, Camilla

2014-01-01

Inhalation of waterproofing spray products has on several occasions caused lung damage, which in some cases was fatal. The present study aims to elucidate the mechanism of action of a nanofilm spray product, which has been shown to possess unusual toxic effects, including an extremely steep concentration-effect curve. The nanofilm product is intended for application on non-absorbing flooring materials and contains perfluorosiloxane as the active film-forming component. The toxicological effects and their underlying mechanisms of this product were studied using a mouse inhalation model, by in vitro techniques and by identification of the binding interaction. Inhalation of the aerosolized product gave rise to increased airway resistance in the mice, as evident from the decreased expiratory flow rate. The toxic effect of the waterproofing spray product included interaction with the pulmonary surfactants. More specifically, the active film-forming components in the spray product, perfluorinated siloxanes, inhibited the function of the lung surfactant due to non-covalent interaction with surfactant protein B, a component which is crucial for the stability and persistence of the lung surfactant film during respiration. The active film-forming component used in the present spray product is also found in several other products on the market. Hence, it may be expected that these products may have a toxicity similar to the waterproofing product studied here. Elucidation of the toxicological mechanism and identification of toxicological targets are important to perform rational and cost-effective toxicological studies. Thus, because the pulmonary surfactant system appears to be an important toxicological target for waterproofing spray products, study of surfactant inhibition could be included in toxicological assessment of this group of consumer products. PMID:24863969

Complexation and toxicity of copper in higher plants. I. Characterization of copper accumulation, speciation, and toxicity in Crassula helmsii as a new copper accumulator.

PubMed

Küpper, Hendrik; Götz, Birgit; Mijovilovich, Ana; Küpper, Frithjof C; Meyer-Klaucke, Wolfram

2009-10-01

The amphibious water plant Crassula helmsii is an invasive copper (Cu)-tolerant neophyte in Europe. It now turned out to accumulate Cu up to more than 9,000 ppm in its shoots at 10 microm (=0.6 ppm) Cu(2+) in the nutrient solution, indicating that it is a Cu hyperaccumulator. We investigated uptake, binding environment, and toxicity of Cu in this plant under emerged and submerged conditions. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements on frozen-hydrated samples revealed that Cu was bound almost exclusively by oxygen ligands, likely organic acids, and not any sulfur ligands. Despite significant differences in photosynthesis biochemistry and biophysics between emerged and submerged plants, no differences in Cu ligands were found. While measurements of tissue pH confirmed the diurnal acid cycle typical for Crassulacean acid metabolism, Delta(13)C measurements showed values typical for regular C3 photosynthesis. Cu-induced inhibition of photosynthesis mainly affected the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center, but with some unusual features. Most obviously, the degree of light saturation of electron transport increased during Cu stress, while maximal dark-adapted PSII quantum yield did not change and light-adapted quantum yield of PSII photochemistry decreased particularly in the first 50 s after onset of actinic irradiance. This combination of changes, which were strongest in submerged cultures, shows a decreasing number of functional reaction centers relative to the antenna in a system with high antenna connectivity. Nonphotochemical quenching, in contrast, was modified by Cu mainly in emerged cultures. Pigment concentrations in stressed plants strongly decreased, but no changes in their ratios occurred, indicating that cells either survived intact or died and bleached quickly.

Risk for ingestion of toxic substances in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

PubMed

McCandless, Shawn E; Powell, Karen Potter; Sandberg, Ulrika

2012-11-01

Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have several common findings that may predispose to ingestion of potentially dangerous items. This study examined whether individuals with PWS have an increased prevalence of toxic ingestions. A survey regarding history of ingestions in PWS individuals and sibling controls was designed, piloted, and distributed on-line. The subjects were individuals with PWS (N = 129). The subjects' non-PWS siblings served as controls (N = 134). Participants who completed the anonymous online survey were either the parents or the primary caretaker of individuals with PWS. Responses were submitted by 141 participants, providing information about 130 PWS subjects (M/F: 66:64) and 134 sibling controls. Subjects and controls ranged in age from 2 to 18 years at the time of the survey. Eleven participants did not answer the questions regarding ingestions. History of toxic ingestion was more prevalent in PWS subjects (20% vs. 2% of controls). Several features of PWS, including history of searching for food and eating unusual objects, along with decreased cognitive ability, appeared to associate with increased prevalence of toxic ingestion in PWS individuals. PWS children appear to have an ∼12-fold increased risk of ingesting toxins compared to the general population. Geneticists should include this information in counseling and in recommendations to primary care providers. Also, poison control centers need to be aware of this association and of the physiological and behavioral aspects of PWS that may complicate the diagnosis and management of a toxic ingestion. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Optically pure, water-stable metallo-helical ‘flexicate’ assemblies with antibiotic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howson, Suzanne E.; Bolhuis, Albert; Brabec, Viktor; Clarkson, Guy J.; Malina, Jaroslav; Rodger, Alison; Scott, Peter

2012-01-01

The helicates—chiral assemblies of two or more metal atoms linked by short or relatively rigid multidentate organic ligands—may be regarded as non-peptide mimetics of α-helices because they are of comparable size and have shown some relevant biological activity. Unfortunately, these beautiful helical compounds have remained difficult to use in the medicinal arena because they contain mixtures of isomers, cannot be optimized for specific purposes, are insoluble, or are too difficult to synthesize. Instead, we have now prepared thermodynamically stable single enantiomers of monometallic units connected by organic linkers. Our highly adaptable self-assembly approach enables the rapid preparation of ranges of water-stable, helicate-like compounds with high stereochemical purity. One such iron(II) ‘flexicate’ system exhibits specific interactions with DNA, promising antimicrobial activity against a Gram-positive bacterium (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA252), but also, unusually, a Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli, MC4100), as well as low toxicity towards a non-mammalian model organism (Caenorhabditis elegans).

Anti-ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic transition in half-metallic Co9Se8 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Jai; Kumar, Pushpendra

2015-09-01

The size, shape and defects of the half-metallic Co9Se8 nanoparticles (NPs) play a crucial role in the magnetic transition at the local magnetic regime at low temperatures. A general, non-injection, one-pot reaction route without toxic reagents, such as TOPO/TOPSe, surfactant and/or chelating agent, were used to synthesize gram scale of well-dispersed, high-quality Co9Se8 NPs. The calculated mean crystallite size of the NPs was ∼10 nm, which is consistent with the transmission electron microscope data. This study reveals an unusual anti-ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic transition with some super-paramagnetic character in the low temperature region of Co9Se8 NPs. These investigations are expected not only to help the observed phenomenon, but also help in identifying new half-metallic magnetic NPs for spintronics devices. The outcome provides better understanding of the occurrence of superparamagnetism at low temperatures in the nano-regime, for half-metallic systems.

Disseminated sporotrichosis with extensive cutaneous involvement in a patient with AIDS.

PubMed

Ware, A J; Cockerell, C J; Skiest, D J; Kussman, H M

1999-02-01

Sporotrichosis most commonly presents as a localized, lymphocutaneous infection that follows trauma, such as an injury from a rose thorn. In patients infected with HIV, it may be widespread and disseminated. We describe a patient with AIDS who developed disseminated sporotrichosis, a rare opportunistic fungal infection that may affect these patients. The condition remained undiagnosed because of failure to recognize characteristic histopathologic findings and failure of clinicians to interface closely with the microbiology laboratory. The condition was difficult to treat, requiring systemic administration of amphotericin. While localized sporotrichosis is an innocuous disorder that responds well to therapy, in immunocompromised hosts, it is potentially life-threatening and may require prolonged therapy with potentially toxic medications such as amphotericin B. It is important that clinicians be aware of the presentation of this unusual opportunistic infection and that they maintain close communication with pathology and clinical microbiology laboratories to ensure that proper stains and cultures are performed to avoid potential misdiagnosis.

19. INTERIOR OF BATHROOM SHOWING DOOR TO NORTH BEDROOM UNUSUAL ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

19. INTERIOR OF BATHROOM SHOWING DOOR TO NORTH BEDROOM UNUSUAL PAIRED ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRICAL LIGHT FIXTURES ON WALL ABOVE SINK AND MIRROR. VIEW TO NORTHWEST. - Bishop Creek Hydroelectric System, Plant 4, Worker Cottage, Bishop Creek, Bishop, Inyo County, CA

An unusual cause of stridor in a neonate.

PubMed

Fah, K K; Tan, H K

1994-01-01

We report an unusual case of unilateral vocal fold palsy due to intracranial haemorrhage in a neonate with undiagnosed haemophilia A. Bleeding disorders in neonates are briefly discussed and the importance of a systemic investigation of stridor in children is emphasized.

Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment (PDQ®)—Health Professional Version

Cancer.gov

The Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment summary addresses the treatment options for many uncommon childhood cancers. Get information about the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the head and neck, chest, genitourinary system, and others in this summary for clinicians.

Membrane interaction of chrysophsin-1, a histidine-rich antimicrobial peptide from red sea bream.

PubMed

Mason, A James; Bertani, Philippe; Moulay, Gilles; Marquette, Arnaud; Perrone, Barbara; Drake, Alex F; Kichler, Antoine; Bechinger, Burkhard

2007-12-25

Chrysophsin-1 is an amphipathic alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide produced in the gill cells of red sea bream. The peptide has broad range activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but is more hemolytic than other antimicrobial peptides such as magainin. Here we explore the membrane interaction of chrysophsin-1 and determine its toxicity, in vitro, for human lung fibroblasts to obtain a mechanism for its antimicrobial activity and to understand the role of the unusual C-terminal RRRH sequence. At intermediate peptide concentrations, solid-state NMR methods reveal that chrysophsin-1 is aligned parallel to the membrane surface and the lipid acyl chains in mixed model membranes are destabilized, thereby being in agreement with models where permeabilization is an effect of transient membrane disruption. The C-terminal RRRH sequence was shown to have a large effect on the insertion of the peptide into membranes with differing lipid compositions and was found to be crucial for pore formation and toxicity of the peptide to fibroblasts. The combination of biophysical data and cell-based assays suggests likely mechanisms involved in both the antibiotic and toxic activity of chrysophsins.

Applicability of ambient toxicity testing to national or regional water-quality assessment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Elder, J.F.

1989-01-01

Comprehensive assessment of the quality of natural waters requires a multifaceted approach. Based on experimentation designed to monitor responses of organisms to environmental stresses, toxicity testing may have diverse purposes in water quality assessments. These purposes may include identification that warrant further study because of poor water quality or unusual ecological features, verification of other types of monitoring, or assessment of contaminant effects on aquatic communities. A wide variety of toxicity test methods have been developed to fulfill the needs of diverse applications. The methods differ primarily in the full selections made relative to four characteristics: (1) test species, (2) endpoints (acute or chronic), (3) test enclosure type, and (4) test substance (toxicant) that functions as the environmental stress. Toxicity test approachs vary in their capacity to meet the needs of large-scale assessments of existing water quality. Ambient testing is more likely to meet these needs than are the procedures that call for exposure of the test organisms to known concentrations of a single toxicant. However, meaningful interpretation of ambient test results depend on the existence of accompanying chemical analysis of the ambient media. The ambient test substance may be water or sediments. Sediment tests have had limited application, but they are useful because of the fact that most toxicants tend to accumulate in sediments, and many test species either inhabit the sediments or are in frequent contact with them. Biochemical testing methods, which have been developing rapidly in recent years, are likely to be among the most useful procedures for large-scale water quality assessments. They are relatively rapid and simple, and more importantly, they focus on biochemical changes that are the initial responses of virtually all organisms to environmental stimuli. Most species are sensitive to relatively few toxicants and their sensitivities vary as conditions change. One of the most informative approaches for toxicity testing is to combine biochemical tests with other test methods in a ' battery or tests ' that is diversified enough to characterize different types of toxicants and different trophic levels. (Lantz-PTT)

Shape memory alloys: Properties and biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mantovani, Diego

2000-10-01

Shape memory alloys provide new insights for the design of biomaterials in bioengineering for the design of artificial organs and advanced surgical instruments, since they have specific characteristics and unusual properties. This article will examine (a) the four properties of shape memory alloys, (b) medical applications with high potential for improving the present and future quality of life, and (c) concerns regarding the biocom-patibility properties of nickel-titanium alloys. In particular, the long-term challenges of using shape memory alloys will be discussed, regarding corrosion and potential leakage of elements and ions that could be toxic to cells, tissues and organs.

Structural studies of bee melittin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eisenberg, D.; Terwilliger, T.C.; Tsui, F.

The question of how proteins refold in passing from an aqueous phase to an amphipathic environment such as a membrane is beig addressed by a structural study of bee melittin. Melittin is the toxic, main protein of bee venom, and has been shown by others to integrate into natural and synthetic membranes and to lyse a variety of cells. This function is presumably related to its unusual sequence. Except for charges at the N-terminus and at lysine 7, the first 20 residues are largely apolar. In contrast, the last six residues contain four charges and two polar residues.

Intranasal Fentanyl Intoxication Leading to Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage.

PubMed

Ruzycki, Shannon; Yarema, Mark; Dunham, Michael; Sadrzadeh, Hossein; Tremblay, Alain

2016-06-01

Increasing rates of opioid abuse, particularly fentanyl, may lead to more presentations of unusual effects of opioid toxicity. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a rare complication of fentanyl overdose. A 45-year-old male presented in hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage requiring intubation. Comprehensive drug screening detected fentanyl without exposure to cocaine. Further history upon the patient's recovery revealed exposure to snorted fentanyl powder immediately prior to presentation. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a potential, though rare, presentation of opioid intoxication. Recognition of less common complications of opioid abuse such as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is important in proper management of overdoses.

Microbiology: A microbial arsenic cycle in a salt-saturated, extreme environment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oremland, R.S.; Kulp, T.R.; Blum, J.S.; Hoeft, S.E.; Baesman, S.; Miller, L.G.; Stolz, J.F.

2005-01-01

Searles Lake is a salt-saturated, alkaline brine unusually rich in the toxic element arsenic. Arsenic speciation changed from arsenate [As(V)] to arsenite [As(III)] with sediment depth. Incubated anoxic sediment slurries displayed dissimilatory As(V)-reductase activity that was markedly stimulated by H2 or sulfide, whereas aerobic slurries had rapid As(III)-oxidase activity. An anaerobic, extremely haloalkaliphilic bacterium was isolated from the sediment that grew via As(V) respiration, using either lactate or sulfide as its electron donor. Hence, a full biogeochemical cycle of arsenic occurs in Searles Lake, driven in part by inorganic electron donors.

Adaptation to Environmental Stimuli within the Host: Two-Component Signal Transduction Systems of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

PubMed Central

Bretl, Daniel J.; Demetriadou, Chrystalla; Zahrt, Thomas C.

2011-01-01

Summary: Pathogenic microorganisms encounter a variety of environmental stresses following infection of their respective hosts. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is an unusual bacterial pathogen in that it is able to establish lifelong infections in individuals within granulomatous lesions that are formed following a productive immune response. Adaptation to this highly dynamic environment is thought to be mediated primarily through transcriptional reprogramming initiated in response to recognition of stimuli, including low-oxygen tension, nutrient depletion, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, altered pH, toxic lipid moieties, cell wall/cell membrane-perturbing agents, and other environmental cues. To survive continued exposure to these potentially adverse factors, M. tuberculosis encodes a variety of regulatory factors, including 11 complete two-component signal transduction systems (TCSSs) and several orphaned response regulators (RRs) and sensor kinases (SKs). This report reviews our current knowledge of the TCSSs present in M. tuberculosis. In particular, we discuss the biochemical and functional characteristics of individual RRs and SKs, the environmental stimuli regulating their activation, the regulons controlled by the various TCSSs, and the known or postulated role(s) of individual TCSSs in the context of M. tuberculosis physiology and/or pathogenesis. PMID:22126994

Analysis of Braking Behavior of Train Drivers to Detect Unusual Driving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marumo, Yoshitaka; Tsunashima, Hitoshi; Kojima, Takashi; Hasegawa, Yasushi

The safety devices for train systems are activated in emergency situations when a risk becomes obvious, and the emergency brake is applied. If such systems are faulty, the drivers' operating errors may cause immediate accidents. So it is necessary to evaluate potential risks by detecting improper driving behavior before overt risks appear. This study analyzes the driving behavior of train drivers using a train-driving simulator. We focus on braking behavior when approaching a station. Two methods for detecting unusual braking operation are examined by giving drivers mental calculation problems as a mental workload. The first is a method monitoring the driver's brake handle operation, and the second is a method measuring vehicle deceleration. These methods make it possible to detect unusual driving.

Synthetic Vision System Commercial Aircraft Flight Deck Display Technologies for Unusual Attitude Recovery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prinzel, Lawrence J., III; Ellis, Kyle E.; Arthur, Jarvis J.; Nicholas, Stephanie N.; Kiggins, Daniel

2017-01-01

A Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) study of 18 worldwide loss-of-control accidents and incidents determined that the lack of external visual references was associated with a flight crew's loss of attitude awareness or energy state awareness in 17 of these events. Therefore, CAST recommended development and implementation of virtual day-Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC) display systems, such as synthetic vision systems, which can promote flight crew attitude awareness similar to a day-VMC environment. This paper describes the results of a high-fidelity, large transport aircraft simulation experiment that evaluated virtual day-VMC displays and a "background attitude indicator" concept as an aid to pilots in recovery from unusual attitudes. Twelve commercial airline pilots performed multiple unusual attitude recoveries and both quantitative and qualitative dependent measures were collected. Experimental results and future research directions under this CAST initiative and the NASA "Technologies for Airplane State Awareness" research project are described.

48 CFR 50.104-3 - Special procedures for unusually hazardous or nuclear risks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... identifying the risks insured against and the coverage extended to persons or property, or both; (C) Dollar... unusually hazardous or nuclear risks. 50.104-3 Section 50.104-3 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACT MANAGEMENT EXTRAORDINARY CONTRACTUAL ACTIONS AND THE SAFETY ACT...

Observations of Spacecraft Targets, Unusual Asteroids, and Targets of Opportunity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tholen, David J.

1998-01-01

Obtain physical and astrometric observations of: (1) spacecraft targets to support mission operations; (2) known asteroids with unusual orbits to help determine their origin; and (3) newly discovered minor planets (including both asteroids and comets) that represent a particular opportunity to add significant new knowledge of the Solar System.

An unusual percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy: A collection of four rare occurrences!

PubMed

Shankarappa, Ravindranath K; Agrawal, Navin; Patra, Soumya; Karur, Satish; Nanjappa, Manjunath C

2013-09-01

We are presenting an interesting case of a 30-year-old patient taken for percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in which there was a collection of four unusual occurrences during the course of a procedure. She had recurrent generalized tonic-clonic seizures immediately after femoral sheath insertion requiring the patient to be mechanically ventilated. Subsequently, the pressure tracings recorded with catheters in the aorta and the pulmonary artery showed transient unusually high supra-systemic pulmonary artery pressure. During inflation the Accura PTMC balloon which was used to dilate the mitral valve ruptured and the procedure subsequently had to be completed using another balloon catheter. During the procedure the presence of a distended stomach due to insufflations of air during positive pressure ventilation which subsided subsequently was another unusual documentation on fluoroscopy. The final outcome of the procedure was successful. This case presents an interesting collection of unusual occurrences during a PTMC procedure which started on an unusual note but ended on a successful one. Careful assessment and appropriate management of complications can lead to successful outcome of procedures as in our case.

Scrub typhus masquerading as HELLP syndrome and puerperal sepsis in an asymptomatic malaria patient.

PubMed

Karim, Habib Md Reazaul; Bhattacharyya, Prithwis; Kakati, Sonai Datta; Borah, Tridip Jyoti; Yunus, Md

2016-01-01

Scrub typhus and malaria can involve multiple organ systems and are notoriously known for varied presentations. However, clinical malaria or scrub typhus is unusual without fever. On the other hand, altered sensorium with or without fever, dehydration, hemorrhage and hemolysis may lead to low blood pressure. Presence of toxic granules and elevated band forms in such patients can even mimic sepsis. When such a patient is in the peripartum period, it creates a strong clinical dilemma for the physician especially in unbooked obstetric cases. We present such a case where a 26-year-old unbooked female presented on second postpartum day with severe anemia, altered sensorium, difficulty in breathing along with jaundice and gum bleeding without history of fever. Rapid diagnostic test for malaria was negative and no eschar was seen. These parameters suggested a diagnosis of HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet) syndrome with or without puerperal sepsis. Subsequently she was diagnosed as having asymptomatic malaria and scrub typhus and responded to the treatment of it. The biochemical changes suggestive of HELLP syndrome also subsided. We present this case to emphasize the fact that mere absence of fever and eschar does not rule out scrub typhus. It should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with symptoms and signs suggesting HELLP syndrome. Asymptomatic malaria can complicate case scenario towards puerperal sepsis by giving false toxic granules and band form in such situations.

Sleepwalking associated with hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Ajlouni, Kamel M; Ahmad, Azmi T; El-Zaheri, Mohamed M; Al-Zahiri, Mohammad M; Ammari, Fawwaz L; Jarrah, Nadim S; AbuJbara, Mousa A; Ajlouni, Heitham K; Daradkeh, Tewfik K

2005-01-01

To report several cases of hyperthyroidism in patients presenting with the unusual symptom of sleepwalking and to discuss the possible pathophysiologic basis for this novel association. After encountering and reporting the first case of new-onset somnambulism in a patient presenting with thyrotoxicosis at our institution, we routinely inquired about the sleep history of patients with thyrotoxicosis, questioning both the patients and family members when applicable. Those patients who actually had sleepwalking episodes coinciding with the onset of thyrotoxicosis underwent close follow-up, and the relationship between the sleepwalking and the results of thyroid function tests was analyzed. In addition, we reviewed the literature on psychiatric disorders and sleep problems, and the pathophysiologic rationale for a cause-and-effect relationship is discussed. We collected 8 cases of patients with new-onset sleepwalking episodes that coincided with the start of thyrotoxicosis. The disappearance of the sleepwalking with successful achievement of euthyroidism supports a cause-and-effect relationship. This hypothesis is further supported by the absence of a family history, the adult onset, and the relapse of sleepwalking in 2 of the patients when their thyrotoxicosis became poorly controlled as a result of noncompliance with medications and its subsequent disappearance with reachievement of euthyroidism. Of note, such a presentation was seen only in patients with thyrotoxicosis caused by diffuse toxic goiter or Graves' disease and never in patients with other causes of thyrotoxicosis. New-onset sleepwalking could be caused by thyrotoxicosis or, more specifically, by thyrotoxicosis resulting from diffuse toxic goiter. The mechanism is hypothesized to be related to the combination of prolongation of non-rapid eye movement sleep and the associated fatigue. Specific inquiry about this unusual presentation of thyrotoxicosis is encouraged, and more studies are needed to confirm and evaluate its extent.

Genome sequence of a serotype M3 strain of group A Streptococcus: phage-encoded toxins, the high-virulence phenotype, and clone emergence.

PubMed

Beres, Stephen B; Sylva, Gail L; Barbian, Kent D; Lei, Benfang; Hoff, Jessica S; Mammarella, Nicole D; Liu, Meng-Yao; Smoot, James C; Porcella, Stephen F; Parkins, Larye D; Campbell, David S; Smith, Todd M; McCormick, John K; Leung, Donald Y M; Schlievert, Patrick M; Musser, James M

2002-07-23

Genome sequences are available for many bacterial strains, but there has been little progress in using these data to understand the molecular basis of pathogen emergence and differences in strain virulence. Serotype M3 strains of group A Streptococcus (GAS) are a common cause of severe invasive infections with unusually high rates of morbidity and mortality. To gain insight into the molecular basis of this high-virulence phenotype, we sequenced the genome of strain MGAS315, an organism isolated from a patient with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. The genome is composed of 1,900,521 bp, and it shares approximately 1.7 Mb of related genetic material with genomes of serotype M1 and M18 strains. Phage-like elements account for the great majority of variation in gene content relative to the sequenced M1 and M18 strains. Recombination produces chimeric phages and strains with previously uncharacterized arrays of virulence factor genes. Strain MGAS315 has phage genes that encode proteins likely to contribute to pathogenesis, such as streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA) and SpeK, streptococcal superantigen (SSA), and a previously uncharacterized phospholipase A(2) (designated Sla). Infected humans had anti-SpeK, -SSA, and -Sla antibodies, indicating that these GAS proteins are made in vivo. SpeK and SSA were pyrogenic and toxic for rabbits. Serotype M3 strains with the phage-encoded speK and sla genes increased dramatically in frequency late in the 20th century, commensurate with the rise in invasive disease caused by M3 organisms. Taken together, the results show that phage-mediated recombination has played a critical role in the emergence of a new, unusually virulent clone of serotype M3 GAS.

Processing pathway dependence of amorphous silica nanoparticle toxicity - colloidal versus pyrolytic

PubMed Central

Zhang, Haiyuan; Dunphy, Darren R.; Jiang, Xingmao; Meng, Huan; Sun, Bingbing; Tarn, Derrick; Xue, Min; Wang, Xiang; Lin, Sijie; Ji, Zhaoxia; Li, Ruibin; Garcia, Fred L.; Yang, Jing; Kirk, Martin L.; Xia, Tian; Zink, Jeffrey I; Nel, Andre; Brinker, C. Jeffrey

2012-01-01

We have developed structure/toxicity relationships for amorphous silica nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through low temperature, colloidal (e.g. Stöber silica) or high temperature pyrolysis (e.g. fumed silica) routes. Through combined spectroscopic and physical analyses, we have determined the state of aggregation, hydroxyl concentration, relative proportion of strained and unstrained siloxane rings, and potential to generate hydroxyl radicals for Stöber and fumed silica NPs with comparable primary particle sizes (16-nm in diameter). Based on erythrocyte hemolytic assays and assessment of the viability and ATP levels in epithelial and macrophage cells, we discovered for fumed silica an important toxicity relationship to post-synthesis thermal annealing or environmental exposure, whereas colloidal silicas were essentially non-toxic under identical treatment conditions. Specifically, we find for fumed silica a positive correlation of toxicity with hydroxyl concentration and its potential to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause red blood cell hemolysis. We propose fumed silica toxicity stems from its intrinsic population of strained three-membered rings (3MRs) along with its chain-like aggregation and hydroxyl content. Hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions of the silanol surfaces of fumed silica aggregates with the extracellular plasma membrane cause membrane perturbations sensed by the Nalp3 inflammasome, whose subsequent activation leads to secretion of the cytokine IL-1β. Hydroxyl radicals generated by the strained 3MRs in fumed silica but largely absent in colloidal silicas may contribute to the inflammasome activation. Formation of colloidal silica into aggregates mimicking those of fumed silica had no effect on cell viability or hemolysis. This study emphasizes that not all amorphous silica is created equal and that the unusual toxicity of fumed silica compared to colloidal silica derives from its framework and surface chemistry along with its fused chain-like morphology established by high temperature synthesis (>1300°C) and rapid thermal quenching. PMID:22924492

An Unusual Necrotizing cholangiohepatitis in Broiler Chickens

PubMed Central

Shapiro, Janet L.; Julian, Richard J.; Hampson, Robert J.; Trenton, Ron G.; Yo, Ignatius H.

1988-01-01

A diagnosis of toxic necrotizing cholangiohepatitis was made in approximately 35% of a flock of 23,000 commercial broiler chickens. Affected chickens were small, and had discrete green foci throughout the liver. Seven to twelve days prior to shipping the flock to slaughter, premixes containing oxytetracycline, monensin, and 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid had been added to the ration because the birds had wet droppings and were growing slowly. The 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid had been inadvertently incorporated at ten times the recommended level. Liver and kidney of affected birds had elevated levels of total arsenic, and special strains demonstrated arsenic in necrotic foci in liver. Histologically there was marked dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts, and patchy necrosis and hyperplasia of the bile duct epithelium. Damage to bile ducts may have been a toxic manifestation of altered metabolism and excretion of the three drugs being fed to birds suffering from intercurrent diarrhea and/or undefined interactions among the drugs. ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2. PMID:17423098

Host adaptation of a bacterial toxin from the human pathogen Salmonella Typhi

PubMed Central

Deng, Lingquan; Song, Jeongmin; Gao, Xiang; Wang, Jiawei; Yu, Hai; Chen, Xi; Varki, Nissi; Naito-Matsui, Yuko; Galán, Jorge E.; Varki, Ajit

2014-01-01

Salmonella Typhi is an exclusive human pathogen that causes typhoid fever. Typhoid toxin is a S. Typhi virulence factor that can reproduce most of the typhoid fever symptoms in experimental animals. Toxicity depends on toxin binding to terminally sialylated glycans on surface glycoproteins. Human glycans are unusual because of the lack of CMAH, which in other mammals converts N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) to N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). Here we report that typhoid toxin binds to and is toxic towards cells expressing glycans terminated in Neu5Ac (expressed by humans) over glycans terminated in Neu5Gc (expressed by other mammals). Mice constitutively expressing CMAH thus displaying Neu5Gc in all tissues are resistant to typhoid toxin. The atomic structure of typhoid toxin bound to Neu5Ac reveals the structural bases for its binding specificity. These findings provide insight into the molecular bases for Salmonella Typhi’s host specificity and may help the development of therapies for typhoid fever. PMID:25480294

Unusual facial markings and lethal mechanisms in a series of gasoline inhalation deaths.

PubMed

Byard, Roger W; Chivell, Wayne C; Gilbert, John D

2003-09-01

A review of deaths associated with hydrocarbon toxicity from gasoline sniffing in South Australia throughout a 10 year period from July 1987 to June 2002 revealed 4 cases. The victims were all Aboriginal people from remote inland communities. Each death had occurred while the victim was lying in bed sniffing gasoline from a can held to the face. Once unconsciousness had occurred, the mouth and nose had been pressed firmly against the can by the weight of the head. In each case, the effects of gasoline toxicity had been exacerbated by hypoxia and hypercapnia from rebreathing into the container once a tight seal had been established between the face and the can. The circular impressions left by the can edges on the faces of each of the victims provided an autopsy marker that assisted in clarifying the details of the fatal episodes. Discouraging solitary gasoline sniffing in bed may reduce the death rate in communities where this behavior is practiced.

[Postoperative radiation therapy for a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta: case report].

PubMed

Ducournau, A; Lagarde, P; Henriques de Figueiredo, B; Antoine, M; Breton-Callu, C; Petit, A; Dallaudière, B; Sargos, P

2014-03-01

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an unusual disease also called Lobstein disease. Characterized by abnormalities of collagen biosynthesis, a possible mutation on 17th chromosome is described. On the other hand, 29% of breast cancers present a mutation on the same chromosome. Nevertheless, the association of osteogenesis imperfecta and breast cancer is at the moment unknown. Therapeutic management is very difficult because of a loss in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase for patients having osteogenesis imperfecta, generating some toxicity by default in catabolism of 5-fluorouracil. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with a breast cancer in the context of osteogenesis imperfecta. Dosimetric considerations permitting to reduce chess dose level have been performed for this patient. With a follow-up of 6 months, no imaging fracture has been revealed after radiotherapy. No evident conclusion about radiation injury from a case report could be described in case of osteogenesis imperfecta. To our knowledge, this is the first case which take into account potential radiation induced toxicities. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier SAS.

Response of the Pre-Oriented Goal-Directed Attention to Usual and Unusual Distractors: A Preliminary Study

PubMed Central

Baghdadi, Golnaz; Towhidkhah, Farzad; Rostami, Reza; Raza, Mohsen

2017-01-01

Introduction: In this study, we investigated the distraction power of the unusual and usual images on the attention of 20 healthy primary school children. Methods: Our study was different from previous ones in that the participants were asked to fix the initial position of their attention on a predefined location after being presented with unusual images as distractors. The goals were presented in locations, which were far from the attraction basin of distractors. We expected that the pre-orienting of the attention to the position of targets would reduce the attractive effect of unusual images compared to the usual ones. The percentage of correct responses and the reaction time were measured as behavioral indicators of attention performance. Results: Results showed that using the goal-directed attention, subjects ignored both kinds of distractors nearly the same way. Conclusion: With regard to previous reports about more attraction towards the unusual images, it is suggested that the dynamics of the visual attention system be sensitive to the initial condition. That is, changing the initial position of the attention can lead to the decrement of the unusual images effects. However, several other possibilities such as a probable delay in processing unusual features could explain this observation, too. PMID:28540000

Fetus-in-Fetu: An Unusual Cause for Abdominal Mass in Infancy

PubMed Central

Grosfeld, Jay L.; Stepita, Donald S.; Nance, Walter E.; Palmer, Catherine G.

1974-01-01

Fetus-in-fetu is an unusual cause of retroperitoneal abdominal mass in infants, which most likely arises from inclusion of a monozygotic, diamniotic twin. This entity is distinguished from teratoma by its embryological origin, its unusual location in the retroperitoneal space, its invariable benignity, and by the presence of vertebral organization with limb buds and well-developed organ systems. Diagnosis is made radiographically by the finding of a diminutive vertebral column on a plain abdominal film. The treatment of choice is total excision with special attention being given to the fetus' blood supply which may be directly from the host's superior mesenteric vessels. A well-documented example of this unusual entity that occurred in a six-week old infant male is presented. ImagesFig. 1.Fig. 2.Fig. 3. PMID:4471720

myBlackBox: Blackbox Mobile Cloud Systems for Personalized Unusual Event Detection.

PubMed

Ahn, Junho; Han, Richard

2016-05-23

We demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a novel and practical real-world mobile cloud system, called myBlackBox, that efficiently fuses multimodal smartphone sensor data to identify and log unusual personal events in mobile users' daily lives. The system incorporates a hybrid architectural design that combines unsupervised classification of audio, accelerometer and location data with supervised joint fusion classification to achieve high accuracy, customization, convenience and scalability. We show the feasibility of myBlackBox by implementing and evaluating this end-to-end system that combines Android smartphones with cloud servers, deployed for 15 users over a one-month period.

myBlackBox: Blackbox Mobile Cloud Systems for Personalized Unusual Event Detection

PubMed Central

Ahn, Junho; Han, Richard

2016-01-01

We demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a novel and practical real-world mobile cloud system, called myBlackBox, that efficiently fuses multimodal smartphone sensor data to identify and log unusual personal events in mobile users’ daily lives. The system incorporates a hybrid architectural design that combines unsupervised classification of audio, accelerometer and location data with supervised joint fusion classification to achieve high accuracy, customization, convenience and scalability. We show the feasibility of myBlackBox by implementing and evaluating this end-to-end system that combines Android smartphones with cloud servers, deployed for 15 users over a one-month period. PMID:27223292

Rare Orbital Infections ~ State of the Art ~ Part II

PubMed Central

Hamed-Azzam, Shirin; AlHashash, Islam; Briscoe, Daniel; Rose, Geoffrey E; Verity, David H.

2018-01-01

Infections of the orbit and periorbita are relatively frequent. Identifying unusual organisms is crucial because they can cause severe local and systemic morbidity, despite their rarity. Opportunistic infections of the orbit should be considered mainly in debilitated or immunocompromised patients. The key to successful management includes a high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and addressing the underlying systemic disease. This review summarizes unusual infectious processes of the orbit, including mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, as well as their pathophysiology, symptoms, signs, and treatment. PMID:29719648

Toxic Shock Syndrome: An Unusual Organism.

PubMed

Young, Katie; Luni, Faraz Khan; Yoon, Youngsook

2016-07-01

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is a rapidly fatal disease causing hypotension with multi organ dysfunction (MODS) early in the course of infection, which by definition is caused by Group A streptococcus (GAS). We describe a case of Toxic Shock like Syndrome (TSLS) in which the causative organism was not a GAS. A 71-year-old woman with hepatitis C and primary biliary cirrhosis had sudden onset of slurred speech and left arm and facial numbness. She had bilateral erythematous macular rash present on the flanks and legs. She was started on empiric antibiotics but her condition rapidly deteriorated 6 hours after admission. During this time, the development of multiple large reddish-pink areas of ecchymosis with bullae on her lower extremities, flanks, and groin were noted. She also developed multiorgan dysfunction (MODS) with renal dysfunction, coagulopathy and liver involvement. Patient expired before surgery could be performed and the time from presentation to the time of death was 16 hours. The blood and bullae fluid cultures grew Streptococcus dysgalactiae equisimilis. Streptococcus dysgalactiae equisimilis is a rare cause of TSLS which typically affects elderly or immunocompromised patients and only a few cases have been described in the literature. Our patient met criteria for TSLS which caused rapid shock and MODS. We review the literature of the cases describing the clinical characteristics of TSLS cause by non-GAS. Group G Streptococci is a rare but lethal cause of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Copyright © 2016 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Epipolythiodiketopiperazine Gene Cluster in Claviceps purpurea: Dysfunctional Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Prevents Formation of the Previously Unknown Clapurines.

PubMed

Dopstadt, Julian; Neubauer, Lisa; Tudzynski, Paul; Humpf, Hans-Ulrich

2016-01-01

Claviceps purpurea is an important food contaminant and well known for the production of the toxic ergot alkaloids. Apart from that, little is known about its secondary metabolism and not all toxic substances going along with the food contamination with Claviceps are known yet. We explored the metabolite profile of a gene cluster in C. purpurea with a high homology to gene clusters, which are responsible for the formation of epipolythiodiketopiperazine (ETP) toxins in other fungi. By overexpressing the transcription factor, we were able to activate the cluster in the standard C. purpurea strain 20.1. Although all necessary genes for the formation of the characteristic disulfide bridge were expressed in the overexpression mutants, the fungus did not produce any ETPs. Isolation of pathway intermediates showed that the common biosynthetic pathway stops after the first steps. Our results demonstrate that hydroxylation of the diketopiperazine backbone is the critical step during the ETP biosynthesis. Due to a dysfunctional enzyme, the fungus is not able to produce toxic ETPs. Instead, the pathway end-products are new unusual metabolites with a unique nitrogen-sulfur bond. By heterologous expression of the Leptosphaeria maculans cytochrome P450 encoding gene sirC, we were able to identify the end-products of the ETP cluster in C. purpurea. The thioclapurines are so far unknown ETPs, which might contribute to the toxicity of other C. purpurea strains with a potentially intact ETP cluster.

The Epipolythiodiketopiperazine Gene Cluster in Claviceps purpurea: Dysfunctional Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Prevents Formation of the Previously Unknown Clapurines

PubMed Central

Tudzynski, Paul; Humpf, Hans-Ulrich

2016-01-01

Claviceps purpurea is an important food contaminant and well known for the production of the toxic ergot alkaloids. Apart from that, little is known about its secondary metabolism and not all toxic substances going along with the food contamination with Claviceps are known yet. We explored the metabolite profile of a gene cluster in C. purpurea with a high homology to gene clusters, which are responsible for the formation of epipolythiodiketopiperazine (ETP) toxins in other fungi. By overexpressing the transcription factor, we were able to activate the cluster in the standard C. purpurea strain 20.1. Although all necessary genes for the formation of the characteristic disulfide bridge were expressed in the overexpression mutants, the fungus did not produce any ETPs. Isolation of pathway intermediates showed that the common biosynthetic pathway stops after the first steps. Our results demonstrate that hydroxylation of the diketopiperazine backbone is the critical step during the ETP biosynthesis. Due to a dysfunctional enzyme, the fungus is not able to produce toxic ETPs. Instead, the pathway end-products are new unusual metabolites with a unique nitrogen-sulfur bond. By heterologous expression of the Leptosphaeria maculans cytochrome P450 encoding gene sirC, we were able to identify the end-products of the ETP cluster in C. purpurea. The thioclapurines are so far unknown ETPs, which might contribute to the toxicity of other C. purpurea strains with a potentially intact ETP cluster. PMID:27390873

Pheochromocytoma presenting with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure: a case report.

PubMed

Celik, Huseyin; Celik, Ozlem; Guldiken, Sibel; Inal, Volkan; Puyan, Fulya Oz; Tugrul, Armagan

2014-02-01

Rhabdomyolysis ranges from an asymptomatic illness with elevated creatine kinase levels to a life-threatening condition associated with extreme elevations in creatine kinase, electrolyte imbalances, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The most common causes are crush injury, overexertion, alcohol abuse, certain medicines, and toxic substances. A number of electrolyte abnormalities and endocrinopathies, including hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, nonketotic hyperosmolar state, and hyperaldosteronism, cause rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure are unusual manifestations of pheochromocytoma. There are a few case reports with pheochromocytoma presenting rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Herein, we report a case with pheochromocytoma crisis presenting with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

Thyrotropinoma and multinodular goiter: A diagnostic challenge for hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Aksoy, Duygu Yazgan; Gedik, Arzu; Cinar, Nese; Soylemezoglu, Figen; Berker, Mustafa; Gurlek, Omer Alper

2013-11-01

Thyroid disorders are frequently encountered. The diagnosis is straightforward unless clinical or laboratory findings are inconclusive and/or perplexing. Hyperthyroidism due to a thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma rarely occurs and symptoms due to thyroid hormone excess are subtle. The presentation of the disease becomes unusual when co-secretion of other hormones with thyrotropin or concomitant thyroid parenchymal pathology exist. We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient with thyrotropinoma co-secreting growth hormone and multinodular goiter. She developed hyperthyroidism first due to thyrotropinoma and later due to a toxic nodule. Herein, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of hyperthyroidism with atypical presentation.

Novel endotoxin-sequestering compounds with terephthalaldehyde-bis-guanylhydrazone scaffolds.

PubMed

Khownium, Kriangsak; Wood, Stewart J; Miller, Kelly A; Balakrishna, Rajalakshmi; Nguyen, Thuan B; Kimbrell, Matthew R; Georg, Gunda I; David, Sunil A

2006-03-01

We have shown that lipopolyamines bind to the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide, a constituent of Gram-negative bacterial membranes, and neutralize its toxicity in animal models of endotoxic shock. In an effort to identify non-polyamine scaffolds with similar endotoxin-recognizing features, we had observed an unusually high frequency of hits containing guanylhydrazone scaffolds in high-throughput screens. We now describe the syntheses and preliminary structure-activity relationships in a homologous series of bis-guanylhydrazone compounds decorated with hydrophobic functionalities. These first-generation compounds bind and neutralize lipopolysaccharide with a potency comparable to that of polymyxin B, a peptide antibiotic known to sequester LPS.

Priorities in the investigation of human health hazards in the plastics and synthetic rubber industries

PubMed Central

Selikoff, Irving J.

1976-01-01

Experiences in the past decade provide guidance in selecting priorities for investigation of health hazards in chemical industries. Pride of place should be given to the experience of large industrial populations, in part simply because large numbers of people are at risk and in part because such studies are more likely to give reliable answers. This recommendation has further strength when there is community exposure as well. Parenthetically, large populations provide opportunity to study multiple factor interaction; without this, toxic potential of a single agent may be obscured. Second, investigations should be mounted when there is reason for suspicion, as with particular chemical configurations, observed organ toxicity, animal carcinogenicity, unusual clinical experience (“signal” tumors). It may be added that when agents have already been used several decades, evaluation of human experience with them is now in order, if only to document absence of toxicity. The same recommendations hold for planned introduction of new agents or widened distribution of existing ones, until we have better information concerning validity of “pretesting” programs. Major advances have been made in epidemiological methods for these investigations. These now allow us to successfully focus on small defined groups as well as to manage large populations. PMID:1026418

Genetic basis for rapidly evolved tolerance in the wild ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) residing in some urban and industrialized estuaries of the US eastern seaboard demonstrate recently evolved and extreme tolerance to toxic aryl hydrocarbon pollutants, characterized as dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Here we provide an unusually comprehensive accounting (69%) through Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis of the genetic basis for DLC tolerance in killifish inhabiting an urban estuary contaminated with PCB congeners, the most toxic of which are DLCs. Consistent with mechanistic knowledge of DLC toxicity in fish and other vertebrates, the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (ahr2) region accounts for 17% of trait variation; however, QTLs on independent linkage groups and their interactions have even greater explanatory power (44%). QTLs interpreted within the context of recently available Fundulus genomic resources and shared synteny among fish species suggest adaptation via inter-acting components of a complex stress response network. Some QTLs were also enriched in other killifish populations characterized as DLC tolerant and residing in distant urban estuaries contaminated with unique mixtures of pollutants. Together, our results suggest that DLC tolerance in killifish represents an emerging example of parallel contemporary evolution that has been driven by intense human-mediated selection on natural populations. This manuscript describes experimental studies that contribute to our understanding of the ecological

Severe radiotherapy-induced extracutaneous toxicity under vemurafenib.

PubMed

Peuvrel, Lucie; Ruellan, Anne-Lise; Thillays, François; Quereux, Gaëlle; Brocard, Anabelle; Saint-Jean, Mélanie; Aumont, Maud; Drouet, Franck; Dreno, Brigitte

2013-01-01

Vemurafenib is a BRAF inhibitor indicated for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. We report the two first cases of severe and prolonged radiotherapy-induced visceral toxicity in patients treated concomitantly with vemurafenib: a brain radionecrosis and an anorectitis. It raises the question of both the risks of this association and its benefit in melanoma. The first patient, a female aged 32, treated with vemurafenib for three months, presented a steroid-dependent radionecrosis after brain stereotactic radiosurgery. Symptoms persisted until her death six months later. The second patient, a male aged 64 and treated with vemurafenib for nineteen days, presented a radiation-induced anorectitis complicated by diarrhoea, anorexia and weight loss following the concomitant radiation of a primary rectal tumour. A colostomy was needed after ten months in order to improve local status and general health. In our patients, the radiotherapy-induced toxicity under vemurafenib was unusual in its intensity and duration, suggesting a radiosensitization phenomenon. This hypothesis is reinforced by the publication of six cases of severe radiodermatitis under vemurafenib and by in vitro data. The combination of vemurafenib and radiotherapy should thus lead to discussion of a transient cessation of vemurafenib, given the severity of the adverse events experienced. Meanwhile, further studies are needed to determine the potential benefit of this combined treatment in metastatic melanoma.

Another Demo of the Unusual Thermal Properties of Rubber

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liff, Mark I.

2010-01-01

The unusual thermal behavior of rubbers, though discovered a long time ago, can still be mind-boggling for students and teachers who encounter this class of polymeric systems. Unlike other solids, stretched elastic polymers shrink upon heating. This is a manifestation of the Gough-Joule (G-J) effect. Joule in the 1850s studied the thermal behavior…

77 FR 64025 - Special Conditions: Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes; Interaction of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-18

... series airplanes with modification 160023 (Sharklet). These airplanes will have novel or unusual design... novel or unusual design features on the model series of airplanes listed above. It is not a rule of... Series Airplanes; Interaction of Systems and Structures AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA...

Lipophilic Cationic Cyanines Are Potent Complex I Inhibitors and Specific in Vitro Dopaminergic Toxins with Mechanistic Similarities to Both Rotenone and MPP(.).

PubMed

Kadigamuwa, Chamila C; Mapa, Mapa S T; Wimalasena, Kandatege

2016-09-19

We have recently reported that simple lipophilic cationic cyanines are specific and potent dopaminergic toxins with a mechanism of toxicity similar to that of the Parkinsonian toxin MPP(+). In the present study, a group of fluorescent lipophilic cyanines have been used to further exploit the structure-activity relationship of the specific dopaminergic toxicity of cyanines. Here, we report that all cyanines tested were highly toxic to dopaminergic MN9D cells with IC50s in the range of 60-100 nM and not toxic to non-neuronal HepG2 cells parallel to that previously reported for 2,2'- and 4,4'-cyanines. All cyanines nonspecifically accumulate in the mitochondria of both MN9D and HepG2 cells at high concentrations, inhibit the mitochondrial complex I with the inhibition potencies similar to the potent complex I inhibitor, rotenone. They increase the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production specifically in dopaminergic cells causing apoptotic cell death. These and other findings suggest that the complex I inhibition, the expression of low levels of antioxidant enzymes, and presence of high levels of oxidatively labile radical propagator, dopamine, could be responsible for the specific increase in ROS production in dopaminergic cells. Thus, the predisposition of dopaminergic cells to produce high levels of ROS in response to mitochondrial toxins together with their inherent greater demand for energy may contribute to their specific vulnerability toward these toxins. The novel findings that cyanines are an unusual class of potent mitochondrial toxins with specific dopaminergic toxicity suggest that their presence in the environment could contribute to the etiology of PD similar to that of MPP(+) and rotenone.

FORTRAN Automated Code Evaluation System (faces) system documentation, version 2, mod 0. [error detection codes/user manuals (computer programs)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A system is presented which processes FORTRAN based software systems to surface potential problems before they become execution malfunctions. The system complements the diagnostic capabilities of compilers, loaders, and execution monitors rather than duplicating these functions. Also, it emphasizes frequent sources of FORTRAN problems which require inordinate manual effort to identify. The principle value of the system is extracting small sections of unusual code from the bulk of normal sequences. Code structures likely to cause immediate or future problems are brought to the user's attention. These messages stimulate timely corrective action of solid errors and promote identification of 'tricky' code. Corrective action may require recoding or simply extending software documentation to explain the unusual technique.

Space Toxicology: Environmental Health Considerations during Spaceflight Operations and Potential Paths for Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan-Mayberry, Noreen N.; Sundaresan, Alemalu

2009-01-01

Space Toxicology is a specialized discipline for spaceflight, space habitation and occupation of celestial bodies including planets, moons and asteroids [1]. Astronaut explorers face unique challenges to their health while working and living with limited resources for rescue and medical care during space operation. At its core the practice of space toxicology to identify, assess and predict potential chemical contaminants and limit the astronaut s exposure to these environmental factors in order to protect crew health. Space toxicologists are also charged with setting safe exposure limits that will protect the astronaut against a multitude of chemical exposures, in a physiologically altered state. In order to maintain sustained occupation in space, toxicological risks are gauged and managed within the context of isolation, continual exposures, reuse of air and water, limited rescue options, and the necessary use of highly toxic compounds required for propulsion. As the space program move towards human presence and exploration other celestial bodies in situ toxicological risks, such as inhalation of unusual and/or reactive mineral dusts must also be analyzed and controlled. Placing humans for long-term presence in space creates several problems and challenges to the long-term health of the crew, such as bone-loss and immunological challenges and has spurred research into acute, chronic and episodic exposure of the pulmonary system to mineral dusts [2]. NASA has demonstrated that lunar soil contains several types of reactive dusts, including an extremely fine respirable component. In order to protect astronaut health, NASA is now investigating the toxicity of this unique class of dusts. Understanding how these reactive components behave "biochemically" in a moisture-rich pulmonary environment will aid in determining how toxic these particles are to humans. The data obtained from toxicological examination of lunar dusts will determine the human risk criteria for lunar dust exposure and produce a lunar health standard.

Foliar Nutrient Distribution Patterns in Sympatric Maple Species Reflect Contrasting Sensitivity to Excess Manganese.

PubMed

Fernando, Denise R; Marshall, Alan T; Lynch, Jonathan P

2016-01-01

Sugar maple and red maple are closely-related co-occurring tree species significant to the North American forest biome. Plant abiotic stress effects including nutritional imbalance and manganese (Mn) toxicity are well documented within this system, and are implicated in enhanced susceptibility to biotic stresses such as insect attack. Both tree species are known to overaccumulate foliar manganese (Mn) when growing on unbuffered acidified soils, however, sugar maple is Mn-sensitive, while red maple is not. Currently there is no knowledge about the cellular sequestration of Mn and other nutrients in these two species. Here, electron-probe x-ray microanalysis was employed to examine cellular and sub-cellular deposition of excessively accumulated foliar Mn and other mineral nutrients in vivo. For both species, excess foliar Mn was deposited in symplastic cellular compartments. There were striking between-species differences in Mn, magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and calcium (Ca) distribution patterns. Unusually, Mn was highly co-localised with Mg in mesophyll cells of red maple only. The known sensitivity of sugar maple to excess Mn is likely linked to Mg deficiency in the leaf mesophyll. There was strong evidence that Mn toxicity in sugar maple is primarily a symplastic process. For each species, leaf-surface damage due to biotic stress including insect herbivory was compared between sites with acidified and non-acidified soils. Although it was greatest overall in red maple, there was no difference in biotic stress damage to red maple leaves between acidified and non-acidified soils. Sugar maple trees on buffered non-acidified soil were less damaged by biotic stress compared to those on unbuffered acidified soil, where they are also affected by Mn toxicity abiotic stress. This study concluded that foliar nutrient distribution in symplastic compartments is a determinant of Mn sensitivity, and that Mn stress hinders plant resistance to biotic stress.

Foliar Nutrient Distribution Patterns in Sympatric Maple Species Reflect Contrasting Sensitivity to Excess Manganese

PubMed Central

Fernando, Denise R.; Marshall, Alan T.; Lynch, Jonathan P.

2016-01-01

Sugar maple and red maple are closely-related co-occurring tree species significant to the North American forest biome. Plant abiotic stress effects including nutritional imbalance and manganese (Mn) toxicity are well documented within this system, and are implicated in enhanced susceptibility to biotic stresses such as insect attack. Both tree species are known to overaccumulate foliar manganese (Mn) when growing on unbuffered acidified soils, however, sugar maple is Mn-sensitive, while red maple is not. Currently there is no knowledge about the cellular sequestration of Mn and other nutrients in these two species. Here, electron-probe x-ray microanalysis was employed to examine cellular and sub-cellular deposition of excessively accumulated foliar Mn and other mineral nutrients in vivo. For both species, excess foliar Mn was deposited in symplastic cellular compartments. There were striking between-species differences in Mn, magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and calcium (Ca) distribution patterns. Unusually, Mn was highly co-localised with Mg in mesophyll cells of red maple only. The known sensitivity of sugar maple to excess Mn is likely linked to Mg deficiency in the leaf mesophyll. There was strong evidence that Mn toxicity in sugar maple is primarily a symplastic process. For each species, leaf-surface damage due to biotic stress including insect herbivory was compared between sites with acidified and non-acidified soils. Although it was greatest overall in red maple, there was no difference in biotic stress damage to red maple leaves between acidified and non-acidified soils. Sugar maple trees on buffered non-acidified soil were less damaged by biotic stress compared to those on unbuffered acidified soil, where they are also affected by Mn toxicity abiotic stress. This study concluded that foliar nutrient distribution in symplastic compartments is a determinant of Mn sensitivity, and that Mn stress hinders plant resistance to biotic stress. PMID:27391424

Histological convergent evolution of the accessory submandibular glands in four species of frog-eating bats.

PubMed

Tandler, B; Phillips, C J; Nagato, T

1996-08-01

The accessory submandibular glands in four species of bats were examined by electron microscopy. These four species represent two independently evolved lineages. The fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosis, is a Neotropical phyllostomid species, whereas the false vampire bats of southeast Asia, Megaderma lyra and M. spasma, and the heart-nosed bat, Cardioderma cor, of East Africa are megadermatid species. These glands show extreme deviation from typical salivary gland histology: their secretory endpieces are in the form of follicles and their ducts lack the cytological details that permit identification of diverse duct segments. Despite their unusual histology, the secretory endpieces in M. lyra, M. spasma, and C. cor consist of secretory cells that conform to typical secretory cell morphology. In contrast, secretion by follicular cells in T. cirrhosis involves unusual cytoplasmic bodies, and their mitochondria frequently have intracristal crystalloids. Ducts in all four species consist of simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium without basal striations. Follicles and ducts in all four bats are surrounded by numerous myoepithelial cells and are heavily innervated by hypolemmal nerve terminals. Despite their widely separated geographical ranges, all four bat species consume frogs and other vertebrates. Frogs and toads often possess toxic cutaneous glands that provide a chemical defense against predation. It is postulated that the unusual accessory glands in the four frog-eating species secrete toxin-neutralizing salivary factors. The follicular form of the endpieces permits storage of preformed saliva and their coterie of myoepithelial cells and hypolemmal nerve terminals facilitates the sudden and rapid expulsion of saliva into the oral cavity during the consumption of noxious amphibians.

[Aorto-bifermoral grafs infection due to Candida parapsilosis. An unusual pathogen].

PubMed

Guevara-Noriega, Kerbi Alejandro; Velescu, Alina; Zaffalon-Espinal, Diana Teresa; Mateos-Torres, Eduardo; Roig-Santamaría, Luis; Clará-Velasco, Albert

Aorto-enteric fistula is a rare and potentially lethal entity. Its presentation may be as an enteric-paraprosthetic fistula, due to injury in the gut caused by direct contact with the vascular prosthesis. We report a case of enteric-paraprosthetic fistulae with the unusual finding of Candida parapsilosis as the only isolated pathogen. A 65-year-old male, smoker, with aortobifemoral revascularisation with dacron due to aortoiliac occlusive disease, and re-intervention for thrombosis of left arm at 6 months. Hospitalisation at 22 months was required due to a toxic syndrome, which was diagnosed as enteric-paraprosthetic fistulae after complementary studies. The graft was removed and an extra-anatomic revascularisation was performed. Microbiology specimens taken from the duodenal segment in contact with the prosthesis showed the prosthetic segment and peri-prosthetic fluid were positive to C. parapsilosis. The finding of C. parapsilosis in all cultures taken during surgery, along with negative blood cultures and no other known sources of infection, is of interest. It is an unusual pathogen with low virulence and limited as regards other Candida species. Our patient had no clinical data common to cases of infection with C. parapsilosis, and the mechanism of graft infection is unknown. Graft infection by C. parapsilosis may be anecdotal. However, its consequences can also be severe. Microbiological tests can be useful to adjust antimicrobial therapy in the post-operative period, but their usefulness for determining the aetiology is doubtful, as it may be just an incidental finding. Copyright © 2016 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Microbial reductive dehalogenation.

PubMed Central

Mohn, W W; Tiedje, J M

1992-01-01

A wide variety of compounds can be biodegraded via reductive removal of halogen substituents. This process can degrade toxic pollutants, some of which are not known to be biodegraded by any other means. Reductive dehalogenation of aromatic compounds has been found primarily in undefined, syntrophic anaerobic communities. We discuss ecological and physiological principles which appear to be important in these communities and evaluate how widely applicable these principles are. Anaerobic communities that catalyze reductive dehalogenation appear to differ in many respects. A large number of pure cultures which catalyze reductive dehalogenation of aliphatic compounds are known, in contrast to only a few organisms which catalyze reductive dehalogenation of aromatic compounds. Desulfomonile tiedjei DCB-1 is an anaerobe which dehalogenates aromatic compounds and is physiologically and morphologically unusual in a number of respects, including the ability to exploit reductive dehalogenation for energy metabolism. When possible, we use D. tiedjei as a model to understand dehalogenating organisms in the above-mentioned undefined systems. Aerobes use reductive dehalogenation for substrates which are resistant to known mechanisms of oxidative attack. Reductive dehalogenation, especially of aliphatic compounds, has recently been found in cell-free systems. These systems give us an insight into how and why microorganisms catalyze this activity. In some cases transition metal complexes serve as catalysts, whereas in other cases, particularly with aromatic substrates, the catalysts appear to be enzymes. Images PMID:1406492

A gravitational lens candidate with an unusually red optical counterpart

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hewitt, J. N.; Turner, E. L.; Lawrence, C. R.; Schneider, D. P.; Brody, J. P.

1992-01-01

The properties of the strong radio source MG0414 + 0534 are described. It is found to display many of the properties expected in a gravitational lens system. At radio wavelengths and 0.5-arcsec resolution, MG0414 + 0534 is made up of four compact components whose unusual configuration and relative flux densities are similar to those found in confirmed four-image gravitational lens systems. At optical wavelengths three objects are detected, consistent with there being optical objects at the positions of the radio components, given the lower optical resolution. The radio and optical centroid positions agree within the astrometric errors, and the relative ordering of the fluxes is the same. The colors and radiooptical spectral indices are similar, but there are differences larger than the photometric errors and the measured variability (about 30 percent). Extinction by dust might simultaneously explain the unusually red color and the absence of light from a lens.

Harnessing out-of-plane deformation to design 3D architected lattice metamaterials with tunable Poisson's ratio.

PubMed

Li, Tiantian; Hu, Xiaoyi; Chen, Yanyu; Wang, Lifeng

2017-08-21

Auxetic materials exhibiting a negative Poisson's ratio are of great research interest due to their unusual mechanical responses and a wide range of potential deployment. Efforts have been devoted to exploring novel 2D and 3D auxetic structures through rational design, optimization, and taking inspiration from nature. Here we report a 3D architected lattice system showing a negative Poisson's ratio over a wide range of applied uniaxial stretch. 3D printing, experimental tests, numerical simulation, and analytical modeling are implemented to quantify the evolution of the Poisson's ratio and reveal the underlying mechanisms responsible for this unusual behavior. We further show that the auxetic behavior can be controlled by tailoring the geometric features of the ligaments. The findings reported here provide a new routine to design architected metamaterial systems exhibiting unusual properties and having a wide range of potential applications.

Accidental hanging by a T-shirt collar in a man with morphine intoxication: an unusual case.

PubMed

Kodikara, Sarathchandra; Alagiyawanna, Ramesh

2011-09-01

Accidental hanging is rare across all age groups, and it is even rarer in the adult population except in autoerotic asphyxia. Few cases have been reported in the literature, which describe unusual patterns of accidental hanging. This article focuses on an unusual pattern of accidental hanging of a 25-year-old man, who was in a state of morphine-induced central nervous system depression and found dead in a sitting position with the collar of his T-shirt hanging off a jutting-out root of a tree. The hanged collar acted as a ligature compressing the neck.

Enhanced situational awareness in the maritime domain: an agent-based approach for situation management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brax, Christoffer; Niklasson, Lars

2009-05-01

Maritime Domain Awareness is important for both civilian and military applications. An important part of MDA is detection of unusual vessel activities such as piracy, smuggling, poaching, collisions, etc. Today's interconnected sensorsystems provide us with huge amounts of information over large geographical areas which can make the operators reach their cognitive capacity and start to miss important events. We propose and agent-based situation management system that automatically analyse sensor information to detect unusual activity and anomalies. The system combines knowledge-based detection with data-driven anomaly detection. The system is evaluated using information from both radar and AIS sensors.

Congenital diaphragmatic disease: An unusual presentation in adulthood. Case report.

PubMed

Gurrado, Angela; Isernia, Roberta Maria; De Luca, Alessandro; Ferraro, Valentina; Virgintino, Daniela; Napoli, Anna; Cavallaro, Giuseppe; Maiorano, Eugenio; Pezzolla, Angela; Testini, Mario

2018-05-07

Congenital diaphragmatic disease is a quite common condition that usually occurs in the neonatal period, and the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic disease in adulthood is rare. A 64-years-old Caucasian woman was admitted in emergency at our Department, due to a bowel obstruction and dyspnea. A CT-scan showed a diaphragmatic herniation in the left area, with malposition of dilated transverse and descending colon in the chest. An emergency laparatomy was performed, showing a toxic megacolon, in the absence of a true diaphragmatic hernia, and a left diaphragm and left liver hypoplasia. An intraoperative bronchoscopy revealed concomitant hypoplasia of the left lung. A subtotal colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination demonstrated hyperplasia of the muscularis mucosae of the colon and cytoplasmic vacuolization of the Auerbach plexus ganglia. The karyotype genetic analysis excluded concomitant microdeletion or duplication syndromes. To our knowledge, this seems to be the first reported case of toxic megacolon in a patient with congenital hypoplasia of the left bronchial-lung system, of the left liver, and of the left diaphragm. The correct development of the diaphragm is essential for the neighboring organs. The observed clinical pattern could be related to a partial modification of neural crest cell detachment or migration, which could be responsible for bowel and diaphragm defects, even though it was not included in typical neural crest cell syndromes. Further researches should be performed in order to define the sporadic or syndromic source of these multiorgan defects. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Unusual lightning electric field waveforms observed in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Uppsala, Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhikari, Pitri Bhakta; Sharma, Shriram; Baral, Kedarnath; Rakov, Vladimir A.

2017-11-01

Unusual lightning events have been observed in Uppsala, Sweden, and Kathmandu, Nepal, using essentially the same electric field measuring system developed at Uppsala University. They occurred in the storms that also generated ;normal; lightning events. The unusual events recorded in Uppsala occurred on one thunderstorm day. Similar events were observed in Kathmandu on multiple thunderstorm days. The unusual events were analyzed in this study assuming them to be positive ground flashes (+CGs), although we cannot rule out the possibility that some or most of them were actually cloud discharges (ICs). The unusual events were each characterized by a relatively slow, negative (atmospheric electricity sign convention) electric field waveform preceded by a pronounced opposite-polarity pulse whose duration was some tens of microseconds. To the best of our knowledge, such unusual events have not been reported in the literature. The average amplitudes of the opposite-polarity pulses with respect to those of the following main waveform were found to be about 33% in Uppsala (N = 31) and about 38% in Kathmandu (N = 327). The average durations of the main waveform and the preceding opposite-polarity pulse in Uppsala were 8.24 ms and 57.1 μs, respectively, and their counterparts in Kathmandu were 421 μs and 39.7 μs. Electric field waveforms characteristic of negative ground flashes (-CGs) were also observed, and none of them exhibited an opposite-polarity pulse prior to the main waveform. Possible origins of the unusual field waveforms are discussed.

Modeling Aquatic Toxicity through Chromatographic Systems.

PubMed

Fernández-Pumarega, Alejandro; Amézqueta, Susana; Farré, Sandra; Muñoz-Pascual, Laura; Abraham, Michael H; Fuguet, Elisabet; Rosés, Martí

2017-08-01

Environmental risk assessment requires information about the toxicity of the growing number of chemical products coming from different origins that can contaminate water and become toxicants to aquatic species or other living beings via the trophic chain. Direct toxicity measurements using sensitive aquatic species can be carried out but they may become expensive and ethically questionable. Literature refers to the use of chromatographic measurements that correlate to the toxic effect of a compound over a specific aquatic species as an alternative to get toxicity information. In this work, we have studied the similarity in the response of the toxicity to different species and we have selected eight representative aquatic species (including tadpoles, fish, water fleas, protozoan, and bacteria) with known nonspecific toxicity to chemical substances. Next, we have selected four chromatographic systems offering good perspectives for surrogation of the eight selected aquatic systems, and thus prediction of toxicity from the chromatographic measurement. Then toxicity has been correlated to the chromatographic retention factor. Satisfactory correlation results have been obtained to emulate toxicity in five of the selected aquatic species through some of the chromatographic systems. Other aquatic species with similar characteristics to these five representative ones could also be emulated by using the same chromatographic systems. The final aim of this study is to model chemical products toxicity to aquatic species by means of chromatographic systems to reduce in vivo testing.

The rarity of "unusual" [corrected] dispositions of victim bodies: staging and posing.

PubMed

Keppel, Robert D; Weis, Joseph G

2004-11-01

The act of leaving a victim's body in an unusual position is a conscious criminal action by an offender to thwart an investigation, shock the finder and investigators of the crime scene, or give perverted pleasure to the killer. The unusual position concepts of posing and staging a murder victim have been documented thoroughly and have been accepted by the courts as a definable phenomenon. One staging case and one posing case are outlined and reveal characteristics of those homicides. From the Washington State Attorney General's Homicide Investigation and Tracking System's database on murder covering the years 1981-2000 (a total of 5,224 cases), the relative frequency of unusual body dispositions is revealed as a very rare occurrence. Only 1.3% of victims are left in an unusual position, with 0.3% being posed and 0.1% being staged. The characteristics of these types of murders also set them apart: compared to all other murders, in staged murders the victims and killers are, on average, older. All victims and offenders in the staged murders are white, with victims being disproportionately white in murders with any kind of unusual body disposition. Likewise, females stand out as victims when the body is posed, staged, or left in other unusual positions. Whereas posed bodies are more likely to include sexual assault, often in serial murders, there is no evidence of either in the staged cases. Lastly, when a body is left in an unusual position, binding is more likely, as well as the use of more "hands on" means of killing the victim, such as stabbing or cutting weapons, bludgeons, ligatures, or hands and feet.

Aquatic information and retrieval (AQUIRE) database system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hunter, R.; Niemi, G.; Pilli, A.

The AQUIRE database system is one of the foremost international resources for finding aquatic toxicity information. Information in the system is organized around the concept of an 'aquatic toxicity test.' A toxicity test record contains information about the chemical, species, endpoint, endpoint concentrations, and test conditions under which the toxicity test was conducted. For the past 10 years aquatic literature has been reviewed and entered into the system. Currently, the AQUIRE database system contains data on more than 2,400 species, 160 endpoints, 5,000 chemicals, 6,000 references, and 104,000 toxicity tests.

78 FR 75511 - Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc., Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 Series Airplanes...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-12

... Design Features The C-series airplanes will incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: A.... Conclusion This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features on two model series of airplanes... Inc., Models BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 Series Airplanes; Electronic Flight Control System: Control...

Homemade battery-operated multi-barreled muzzle-loading gun.

PubMed

Ramiah, R; Thirunavukkarasu, G

2003-11-01

In a recent shootout by a terrorist group against a law enforcement agency, some unusual firearms were seized. On examination, these firearms were found to be homemade, battery-operated, multi-barreled muzzle-loading guns, analogous to a repeater. Reference to battery-operated firearms is rather scanty in the literature. Hence, the unique design features, electrical circuit, and the operation system of these unusual guns are described.

Massive cisplatin overdose by accidental substitution for carboplatin. Toxicity and management.

PubMed

Chu, G; Mantin, R; Shen, Y M; Baskett, G; Sussman, H

1993-12-15

Unlike the related drug carboplatin, cisplatin is highly nephrotoxic and must be given with vigorous intravenous hydration at a much lower dose. As the result of an accidental substitution of cisplatin for carboplatin, a 68-year-old woman received a massive overdose of cisplatin without intravenous hydration. Laboratory documentation included measurements of platinum concentrations by atomic absorption spectroscopy and of xeroderma pigmentosum group E (XPE) binding factor, a protein that is involved in the recognition step of DNA repair. Toxicities included severe emesis, myelosuppression, renal failure, and deafness, which are well known. Other toxicities were seizures, hallucinations, loss of vision, and hepatic toxicity, which were unusual and may have been caused by the magnitude of the overdose. As late as day 19, there was a continued cellular response from cisplatin, as evidenced by decreased levels of XPE binding factor in extracts from the patient's peripheral blood lymphocytes. Plasmapheresis was effective in lowering the platinum concentration from greater than 2900 ng/ml to 200 ng/ml and appeared to be of clinical benefit. Even after the onset of renal failure, hydration to increase urine volume resulted in increased urinary excretion of platinum. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used to ameliorate myelosuppression. The patient received a transplanted kidney from her monozygotic twin sister and survived with no clinically significant deficit except for deafness. No previous reports exist of survival after such a high dose of cisplatin without intravenous hydration. In the future, patients may benefit from similar management and heightened awareness of the possibility of accidental substitution.

Detection of diisocyanates in nesting material associated with mortality in pigeon chicks.

PubMed

Mukai, Motoko; Woods, Leslie W; Stump, Samuel; Ebel, Joseph G; Levitt, Ariana S; Frey, Margaret W; Smith, Jeanne; Uzal, Francisco A; Poppenga, Robert H; Puschner, Birgit

2014-03-01

Diisocyanates, commonly used in the production of polyurethane foams, paints, elastomers, varnishes, and coatings, are considered among the most hazardous inhalation toxicants. The present report describes 2 unusual cases of mortality in pigeon chicks associated with nesting material contaminated by diisocyanates. Case 1 was submitted by a racing pigeon breeder who had lost all the hatchlings (n = 125) following replacement of the nesting material with a different lot. All adult birds appeared healthy, and hatchability was not significantly affected, but hatchlings became lethargic and dyspneic after a day of hatch. At necropsy, dark wet lungs were found in the hatchlings. Case 2 was submitted by a show-roller pigeon breeder. In this case, the owner reported lower hatchability, and all hatchlings (approximately 100) died within 2 days of hatching with clinical signs similar to the first case. Necropsy did not reveal any significant findings. For both cases, nesting materials were screened for toxic compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (approximately 190-290 ppm) and 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (unquantified) were detected in the nesting pads. While there is very limited information on toxicosis in birds, there are reports of inhalant exposure of diisocyanates causing pulmonary edema and death in various mammalian species. Although cause-effect relationship of mortality and the nesting material was not established in the present cases, the presence of toxic compounds in the nesting materials is a cause for concern. Further investigation is needed to determine the prevalence and toxicity of diisocyanates-contaminated nesting material in avian species.

Sophoflavanones A and B, two novel prenylated flavanones from the roots of Sophora flavescens.

PubMed

Zhu, Hui; Yang, Ya-Nan; Feng, Zi-Ming; Jiang, Jian-Shuang; Zhang, Pei-Cheng

2018-09-01

In our ongoing investigation of the bioactive compounds from the extract of the roots of Sophora flavescens, two novel prenylated flavanones, named sophoflavanones A (1) and B (2), each with an unusual pyran ring were isolated. Their structures, as well as their absolute configurations, were elucidated based on spectroscopic data including a comparison of their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Additionally, compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antioxidant activities against Fe 2+ /cysteine-induced toxicity at a concentration of 0.1 µM (inhibition values of 71.65% and 72.49%, respectively, using vitamin C as a positive control (87.83%)). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Plant seeds as sources of potential industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pest control agents.

PubMed

Powell, Richard G

2009-03-27

Investigations of natural products isolated from seeds have resulted in a remarkable variety of compounds having unusual structures. Seeds of many plant species contain uncommon fatty acids and lipids, some of which have found uses in the cosmetic industry or as renewable (non-petroleum based) industrial raw materials. In addition to proteins and energy storage substances such as carbohydrates and lipids, seeds generally contain, or have the ability to produce, protective compounds that are active as plant growth regulators, fungicides, insecticides, and repellents of herbivores; seeds occasionally contain compounds that are toxic to most other organisms. These compounds may also be present in other plant parts, but often are found at higher concentrations in seeds. Other compounds of interest have been associated with plant-endophyte interactions that are of mutual benefit to both organisms. Tests of seed extracts for cytotoxic and antitumor activity, toxicity to insects, and relationships to several animal disease syndromes have been revealing. Examples of compounds isolated from plant seeds that have served as lead compounds for additional research, or that continue to be of interest to researchers in multiple areas, are reviewed.

Massive intoxication involving unusual high concentration of amitriptyline.

PubMed

Margalho, Cláudia; Barroso, Mário; Gallardo, Eugenia; Monsanto, Paula; Vieira, Duarte Nuno

2007-08-01

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant widely used in the treatment of depression. Antidepressant drugs are among the most commonly encountered causes of self-poisoning, as illustrated by several published cases in the literature. This investigation reports a case of massive amitriptyline intoxication, involving a 44-year old female found dead in bed. The presence of this tricyclic antidepressant was revealed by a routine screening procedure. The concentration was calculated by gas chromatography/ electron ionization-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode after solid-phase extraction using proadifen as internal standard and was in the post-mortem whole blood sample 85.9 mug/mL. This value was much higher than the reported toxic values ever found in the literature, and may therefore have caused the victim's death. Nortriptyline was also detected in the toxic concentration range, as well as therapeutic levels of diazepam and nor-diazepam. Taking into account both the available circumstantial information and toxicological results, it is very likely that death was caused by self-poisoning. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 667-670.

A red tide of Alexandrium fundyense in the Gulf of Maine.

PubMed

McGillicuddy, D J; Brosnahan, M L; Couture, D A; He, R; Keafer, B A; Manning, J P; Martin, J L; Pilskaln, C H; Townsend, D W; Anderson, D M

2014-05-01

In early July 2009, an unusually high concentration of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense occurred in the western Gulf of Maine, causing surface waters to appear reddish brown to the human eye. The discolored water appeared to be the southern terminus of a large-scale event that caused shellfish toxicity along the entire coast of Maine to the Canadian border. Rapid-response shipboard sampling efforts together with satellite data suggest the water discoloration in the western Gulf of Maine was a highly ephemeral feature of less than two weeks in duration. Flow cytometric analysis of surface samples from the red water indicated the population was undergoing sexual reproduction. Cyst fluxes downstream of the discolored water were the highest ever measured in the Gulf of Maine, and a large deposit of new cysts was observed that fall. Although the mechanisms causing this event remain unknown, its timing coincided with an anomalous period of downwelling-favorable winds that could have played a role in aggregating upward-swimming cells. Regardless of the underlying causes, this event highlights the importance of short-term episodic phenomena on regional population dynamics of A. fundyense .

Effects of a television drama about environmental exposure to toxic substances.

PubMed

Kennedy, May G; Turf, Elizabeth Eustis; Wilson-Genderson, Maureen; Wells, Kristen; Huang, Grace C; Beck, Vicki

2011-01-01

This study assessed short-term outcomes of viewing an episode of a prime-time television drama in which a child developed cancer after environmental exposure to an illegal pesticide. The study explored the effects among viewers of feeling transported into a narrative world. Respondents (n = 2,139) to a post-episode Internet panel survey were asked if they had seen the show and asked questions about their demographic information, their frequency of viewing the television show, the degree to which they had felt transported into a narrative world created by the drama, and their knowledge and beliefs about the health effects of environmental exposure. Conversations with key informants from federal agencies and advocacy groups were also held. Episode viewing and narrative transportation were positively associated with knowledge of toxic exposure effects, and transported viewers reported being more likely to report an unusually high number of cancer cases to authorities. The show also appeared to have prompted a clarification of federal pesticide-testing policy. Entertainment Education is a promising strategy for disseminating key points of information about environmental health.

A red tide of Alexandrium fundyense in the Gulf of Maine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGillicuddy, D. J.; Brosnahan, M. L.; Couture, D. A.; He, R.; Keafer, B. A.; Manning, J. P.; Martin, J. L.; Pilskaln, C. H.; Townsend, D. W.; Anderson, D. M.

2014-05-01

In early July 2009, an unusually high concentration of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense occurred in the western Gulf of Maine, causing surface waters to appear reddish brown to the human eye. The discolored water appeared to be the southern terminus of a large-scale event that caused shellfish toxicity along the entire coast of Maine to the Canadian border. Rapid-response shipboard sampling efforts together with satellite data suggest the water discoloration in the western Gulf of Maine was a highly ephemeral feature of less than two weeks in duration. Flow cytometric analysis of surface samples from the red water indicated the population was undergoing sexual reproduction. Cyst fluxes downstream of the discolored water were the highest ever measured in the Gulf of Maine, and a large deposit of new cysts was observed that fall. Although the mechanisms causing this event remain unknown, its timing coincided with an anomalous period of downwelling-favorable winds that could have played a role in aggregating upward-swimming cells. Regardless of the underlying causes, this event highlights the importance of short-term episodic phenomena on regional population dynamics of A. fundyense.

Anaplastic Carcinoma and Toxic Multinodular Goiter: An Unusual Presentation

PubMed Central

Marcelino, Mafalda; Marques, Pedro; Lopes, Luis; Leite, Valeriano; de Castro, João Jácome

2014-01-01

A 70-year-old male was referred with hyperthyroidism and multinodular goiter (MNG). Thyroid ultrasonography showed 2 nodules, one in the isthmus and the other in the left lobe, 51 and 38 mm in diameter, respectively. Neck CT showed a large MNG, thyroid scintigraphy showed increased uptake in the nodule in the left lobe, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed a benign cytology of the nodule in the isthmus. The patient declined surgery and was treated with methimazole. After being lost to follow-up for 3 years, the patient returned with complaints of dyspnea, dysphagia, and hoarseness; he was still hyperthyroid. Cervical CT showed a large mass in the isthmus and left lobe with invasion of surrounding tissues, the trachea, the esophagus, and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Bronchoscopy showed extensive infiltration and compression of the trachea to 20% of its caliber. A tracheal biopsy revealed an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The tumor was considered unresectable, and radiotherapy was given. One month later, the patient died. The association between a toxic thyroid nodule and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma has apparently not been reported so far. PMID:25759806

Cryptic Amyloidogenic Elements in the 3′ UTRs of Neurofilament Genes Trigger Axonal Neuropathy

PubMed Central

Rebelo, Adriana P.; Abrams, Alexander J.; Cottenie, Ellen; Horga, Alejandro; Gonzalez, Michael; Bis, Dana M.; Sanchez-Mejias, Avencia; Pinto, Milena; Buglo, Elena; Markel, Kasey; Prince, Jeffrey; Laura, Matilde; Houlden, Henry; Blake, Julian; Woodward, Cathy; Sweeney, Mary G.; Holton, Janice L.; Hanna, Michael; Dallman, Julia E.; Auer-Grumbach, Michaela; Reilly, Mary M.; Zuchner, Stephan

2016-01-01

Abnormal protein aggregation is observed in an expanding number of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe a mechanism for intracellular toxic protein aggregation induced by an unusual mutation event in families affected by axonal neuropathy. These families carry distinct frameshift variants in NEFH (neurofilament heavy), leading to a loss of the terminating codon and translation of the 3′ UTR into an extra 40 amino acids. In silico aggregation prediction suggested the terminal 20 residues of the altered NEFH to be amyloidogenic, which we confirmed experimentally by serial deletion analysis. The presence of this amyloidogenic motif fused to NEFH caused prominent and toxic protein aggregates in transfected cells and disrupted motor neurons in zebrafish. We identified a similar aggregation-inducing mechanism in NEFL (neurofilament light) and FUS (fused in sarcoma), in which mutations are known to cause aggregation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respectively. In summary, we present a protein-aggregation-triggering mechanism that should be taken into consideration during the evaluation of stop-loss variants. PMID:27040688

Effects of a Television Drama about Environmental Exposure to Toxic Substances

PubMed Central

Kennedy, May G.; Eustis Turf, Elizabeth; Wilson-Genderson, Maureen; Wells, Kristen; Huang, Grace C.; Beck, Vicki

2011-01-01

Objective. This study assessed short-term outcomes of viewing an episode of a prime-time television drama in which a child developed cancer after environmental exposure to an illegal pesticide. The study explored the effects among viewers of feeling transported into a narrative world. Methods. Respondents (n=2,139) to a post-episode Internet panel survey were asked if they had seen the show and asked questions about their demographic information, their frequency of viewing the television show, the degree to which they had felt transported into a narrative world created by the drama, and their knowledge and beliefs about the health effects of environmental exposure. Conversations with key informants from federal agencies and advocacy groups were also held. Results. Episode viewing and narrative transportation were positively associated with knowledge of toxic exposure effects, and transported viewers reported being more likely to report an unusually high number of cancer cases to authorities. The show also appeared to have prompted a clarification of federal pesticide-testing policy. Conclusions. Entertainment Education is a promising strategy for disseminating key points of information about environmental health. PMID:21563723

Enhanced toxic cloud knockdown spray system for decontamination applications

DOEpatents

Betty, Rita G [Rio Rancho, NM; Tucker, Mark D [Albuquerque, NM; Brockmann, John E [Albuquerque, NM; Lucero, Daniel A [Albuquerque, NM; Levin, Bruce L [Tijeras, NM; Leonard, Jonathan [Albuquerque, NM

2011-09-06

Methods and systems for knockdown and neutralization of toxic clouds of aerosolized chemical or biological warfare (CBW) agents and toxic industrial chemicals using a non-toxic, non-corrosive aqueous decontamination formulation.

Reduced Toxicity Fuel Satellite Propulsion System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, Steven J. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A reduced toxicity fuel satellite propulsion system including a reduced toxicity propellant supply for consumption in an axial class thruster and an ACS class thruster. The system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to the ACS decomposing element of an ACS thruster. The ACS decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot propulsive gases. In addition the system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to an axial decomposing element of the axial thruster. The axial decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot gases. The system further includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying a second propellant to a combustion chamber of the axial thruster, whereby the hot gases and the second propellant auto-ignite and begin the combustion process for producing thrust.

Reduced Toxicity Fuel Satellite Propulsion System Including Plasmatron

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, Steven J. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A reduced toxicity fuel satellite propulsion system including a reduced toxicity propellant supply for consumption in an axial class thruster and an ACS class thruster. The system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to the ACS decomposing element of an ACS thruster. The ACS decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot propulsive gases. In addition the system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to an axial decomposing element of the axial thruster. The axial decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot gases. The system further includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying a second propellant to a combustion chamber of the axial thruster. whereby the hot gases and the second propellant auto-ignite and begin the combustion process for producing thrust.

Screening of toxic potential of graphene family nanomaterials using in vitro and alternative in vivo toxicity testing systems.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Nivedita; Yang, Ji Su; Park, Kwangsik; Oh, Seung Min; Park, Jeonggue; Choi, Jinhee

2015-01-01

The widely promising applications of graphene nanomaterials raise considerable concerns regarding their environmental and human health risk assessment. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the toxicity profiling of graphene family nananomaterials (GFNs) in alternative in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing models. The GFNs used in this study are graphene nanoplatelets ([GNPs]-pristine, carboxylate [COOH] and amide [NH2]) and graphene oxides (single layer [SLGO] and few layers [FLGO]). The human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas2B cells) as in vitro system and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as in vivo system were used to profile the toxicity response of GFNs. Cytotoxicity assays, colony formation assay for cellular toxicity and reproduction potentiality in C. elegans were used as end points to evaluate the GFNs' toxicity. In general, GNPs exhibited higher toxicity than GOs in Beas2B cells, and among the GNPs the order of toxicity was pristine>NH2>COOH. Although the order of toxicity of the GNPs was maintained in C. elegans reproductive toxicity, but GOs were found to be more toxic in the worms than GNPs. In both systems, SLGO exhibited profoundly greater dose dependency than FLGO. The possible reason of their differential toxicity lay in their distinctive physicochemical characteristics and agglomeration behavior in the exposure media. The present study revealed that the toxicity of GFNs is dependent on the graphene nanomaterial's physical forms, surface functionalizations, number of layers, dose, time of exposure and obviously, on the alternative model systems used for toxicity assessment.

Successful treatment of solitary toxic thyroid nodules with relatively low-dose iodine-131, with low prevalence of hypothyroidism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ross, D.S.; Ridgway, E.C.; Daniels, G.H.

1984-10-01

Forty-five patients with solitary toxic thyroid adenomas received 131I (mean dose, 10.3 mCi) for treatment of hyperthyroidism and were followed for 4.9 +/- 3.2 years (range, 0.5 to 13.5). Seventy-seven percent were euthyroid by 2 months, 91% by 6 months, and 93% by 1 year. Only 3 patients did not respond to a single dose of 131I, but all responded to multiple doses. Late recurrent hyperthyroidism occurred in 3 patients at 4.5, 6, and 10 years after treatment with a single dose of 131I. No patient developed clinical hypothyroidism, and none had a low serum thyroxine level associated with anmore » elevated serum thyrotrophin level. Three patients developed minimal elevations in serum thyrotrophin levels: 1, 4, and 7.5 years after 131I treatment, their thyrotrophin levels were 8.4, 6.2, and 9.6 microU/mL, respectively. All 3 had normal serum thyroxine levels and were clinically euthyroid. Mean serum thyroxine concentrations of all patients were unchanged between 1 and more than 9 years of follow-up. These data suggest that solitary toxic adenomas may be treated with relatively low doses of 131I (5 to 15 mCi), and that post-treatment hypothyroidism is very unusual.« less

Organohalide respiration and bioremediation: harnessing biogeochemical cycles (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, E.; Hug, L.; Perez de Mora, A.

2013-12-01

Groundwater contamination is a serious threat to global health and prosperity. Chlorinated solvents are widely used as industrial degreasers, dry-cleaning agents and precursors in chemical synthesis, and therefore are common groundwater contaminants. Owing to their toxicity, even small spills render groundwater unsuitable for use, and cleanup is typically a costly and long-term undertaking. Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, Dehalogenimonas and other unusual microbes have been discovered that can dechlorinate many groundwater contaminants, in particular, the common solvents tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene to the benign product ethene. Remarkably, these organisms obtain energy for growth from dechlorination in a process termed organohalide respiration. The use of biostimulation and bioaugmentation is growing, even at sites with complex hydrogeology and high concentrations of contaminants. Molecular understanding of the unusual metabolism of these organisms is helping to design successful remediation strategies. Four aspects will be emphasized: 1) the nature of the remarkable enzymes that catalyze dechlorination reactions, 2) the role of the non-dechlorinating microbes in providing essential nutrients to dechlorinating organisms, 3) the effects of mixtures of contaminants and 4) the origins of organohalide respiration. Morevoer, the hunt is on to further explore nature's diversity to discover other unusual or novel microbes capable of detoxifying a broader range of contaminants. New molecular biology and genomic tools are helping us understand how these microbes make a living, and how we can take advantage of their abilities to clean up the environment. In this presentation I will review some of the current trends in bioremediation with particular focus on how molecular tools are helping with remediation design, scope and troubleshooting. I will draw from a number of examples from my own laboratory and elsewhere.

Early Host Responses to Prion Infection: Development of In Vivo and In Vitro Assays

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-01

in plasma glycoproteins that are induced by prion infection in mice. The unusual nature of prion disease prompted a systems approach to identify... pheochromocytoma cells (13, 14), spontaneously im- mortalized hamster brain cells (15), the T-antigen immortalized GT1 hypothalamic neuron line (16), and T-antigen...PK- digested (+) or undigested (-) samples are indicated. (MW markers? Nothing unusual here so probably not necessary.)

Reduced Toxicity Fuel Satellite Propulsion System Including Fuel Cell Reformer with Alcohols Such as Methanol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, Steven J. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A reduced toxicity fuel satellite propulsion system including a reduced toxicity propellant supply for consumption in an axial class thruster and an ACS class thruster. The system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to the ACS decomposing element of an ACS thruster. The ACS decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot propulsive gases. In addition the system includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying the reduced toxicity propellant to an axial decomposing element of the axial thruster. The axial decomposing element is operative to decompose the reduced toxicity propellant into hot gases. The system further includes suitable valves and conduits for supplying a second propellant to a combustion chamber of the axial thruster, whereby the hot gases and the second propellant auto-ignite and begin the combustion process for producing thrust.

Coexpression of an unusual form of the EWS-WT1 fusion transcript and interleukin 2/15 receptor betamRNA in a desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

PubMed

Nakanishi, Y; Oinuma, T; Sano, M; Fuchinoue, F; Komatsu, K; Seki, T; Obana, Y; Tabata, M; Kikuchi, K; Shimamura, M; Ohmori, K; Nemoto, N

2006-10-01

The beta chain of the interleukin 2/15 receptor (IL-2/15Rbeta) is induced by the expression of the EWS-WT1. A case of desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) expressing only an unusual EWS-WT1 treated by us is reported here. To characterise an unusual form of EWS-WT1. Frozen tissue sections of the axillary tumour were examined using a laser-assisted microdissection technique and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The novel fusion of exon 8 of EWS and the defective exon 10 of WT1 (-KTS) was detected. Although it was an unusual form, the coexpression of the present EWS-WT1, IL-2/15Rbeta and Janus kinase (JAK1) mRNA was detected in the tumour cells. IL-2 and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT5) mRNA were detected in both tumour and stromal cells. The induction of the IL-2/15 receptor signalling pathway may contribute to tumorigenesis in DSRCT through a paracrine or an autocrine system, even though the EWS-WT1 was an unusual form.

An Unusual Planetary System Artist Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-12-20

This still from an artist animation flies through the Kepler-20 star system, where NASA Kepler mission discovered the first Earth-size planets around a star beyond our own. The system is jam-packed with five planets.

Unusual social behavior in HPC-1/syntaxin1A knockout mice is caused by disruption of the oxytocinergic neural system.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Tomonori; Sanada, Masumi; Kofuji, Takefumi; Akagawa, Kimio

2016-07-01

HPC-1/syntaxin1A (STX1A), a neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion attachment protein receptor, contributes to neural function in the CNS by regulating transmitter release. Recent studies reported that STX1A is associated with human neuropsychological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Previously, we showed that STX1A null mutant mice (STX1A KO) exhibit neuropsychological abnormalities, such as fear memory deficits, attenuation of latent inhibition, and unusual social behavior. These observations suggested that STX1A may be involved in the neuropsychological basis of these abnormalities. Here, to study the neural basis of social behavior, we analyzed the profile of unusual social behavior in STX1A KO with a social novelty preference test, which is a useful method for quantification of social behavior. Interestingly, the unusual social behavior in STX1A KO was partially rescued by intracerebroventricular administration of oxytocin (OXT). In vivo microdialysis studies revealed that the extracellular OXT concentration in the CNS of STX1A KO was significantly lower compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, dopamine-induced OXT release was reduced in STX1A KO. These results suggested that STX1A plays an important role in social behavior through regulation of the OXTergic neural system. Dopamine (DA) release is reduced in CNS of syntaxin1A null mutant mice (STX1A KO). Unusual social behavior was observed in STX1A KO. We found that oxytocin (OXT) release, which was stimulated by DA, was reduced and was rescued the unusual social behavior in STX1A KO was rescued by OXT. These results indicated that STX1A plays an important role in promoting social behavior through regulation of DA-induced OXT release in amygdala. © 2016 International Society for Neurochemistry.

75 FR 14082 - Ammonium Salts of Fatty Acids (C8

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-24

... study did not see any significant systemic toxicity from nonanoic acid (C 9 saturated) given to rats at... approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made a common mechanism of toxicity finding... systemic toxicity or developmental toxicity in rats at doses up to 1,500 mg/kg/day in a developmental...

Complete duplication of bladder and urethra in a sagittal plane in a male infant: case report and literature review.

PubMed

Coker, Alisa M; Allshouse, Michael J; Koyle, Martin A

2008-08-01

Complete duplication of the bladder and urethra is a rare entity. It may occur in the coronal and sagittal planes, and is often associated with other organ system anomalies, in particular of the gastrointestinal tract. We report an unusual variant of sagittal duplication of the bladder, in a male, associated with rudimentary hindgut duplication, and review the literature pertaining to this unusual anomaly.

IRTF/SPEX OBSERVATIONS OF THE UNUSUAL KEPLER LIGHT CURVE SYSTEM KIC 8462852

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lisse, C. M.; Sitko, M. L.; Marengo, M., E-mail: carey.lisse@jhuapl.edu

2015-12-20

We have utilized the NASA/IRTF 3 m SpeX instrument’s high-resolution spectral mode to observe and characterize the near-infrared flux emanating from the unusual Kepler light curve system KIC 8462852. By comparing the resulting 0.8–4.2 μm spectrum to a mesh of model photospheric spectra, the 6 emission line analyses of the Rayner et al. catalog, and the 25 system collections of debris disks we have observed to date using SpeX under the Near InfraRed Debris disk Survey, we have been able to additionally characterize the system. Within the errors of our measurements, this star looks like a normal solar abundance main-sequencemore » F1V to F3V dwarf star without any obvious traces of significant circumstellar dust or gas. Using Connelley and Greene’s emission measures, we also see no evidence of significant ongoing accretion onto the star nor any stellar outflow away from it. Our results are inconsistent with large amounts of static close-in obscuring material or the unusual behavior of a YSO system, but are consistent with the favored episodic giant comet models of a Gyr old stellar system favored by Boyajian et al. We speculate that KIC 8462852, like the ∼1.4 Gyr old F2V system η Corvi, is undergoing a late heavy bombardment, but is only in its very early stages.« less

Carbon monoxide from neighbouring restaurants: the need for an integrated multi-agency response.

PubMed

Keshishian, C; Sandle, H; Meltzer, M; Young, Y; Ward, R; Balasegaram, S

2012-12-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. Most CO incidents reported to the UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) are due to faulty gas appliances, and legislation exists to ensure gas appliances are properly installed. We present three CO poisoning incidents of unusual origin reported to the HPA. In each, residents living above restaurants were poisoned after workers left charcoal smouldering overnight in specialist or traditional ovens whilst ventilation systems were turned off. This led to production of CO, which travelled through floorboards and built up to dangerous concentrations in the flats. Working with local authorities, these incidents were investigated and resolved, and work was conducted to prevent further occurrences. The novel nature of these CO incidents led to delays in recognition and subsequent remedial action. Although previously undescribed, it is likely that due to the number of residences built above restaurants and the rising popularity of traditional cooking methods, similar incidents may be occurring and could increase in frequency. Multi-agency response and reporting mechanisms could be strengthened. Awareness raising in professional groups and the public on the importance of correct ventilation of such appliances is vital.

[Henoch-Schönlein purpura in a cocaine consumer man with HIV infection and ANCA-p positivity].

PubMed

De Paoli, María C; Moretti, Dino; Scolari Pasinato, Carlos M; Buncuga, Martín G

The Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis with IgA immune complex deposition. The presentation in adults is rare and severe. Reported cases of HSP in patients infected with HIV are scarce. Neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are commonly found in other systemic vasculitis, but rarely in HSP and even more unusual the perinuclear pattern. Beside small vessel vasculitis, positivity of ANCA can be detected in a number of different pathological conditions in association with infectious processes, including HIV, or cocaine use, and especially the pattern of ANCA-p, associated with drugs, inflammatory bowel or autoimmune diseases. We report the case of a 35 years old man with toxic habits (cocaine, marijuana) who consulted for abdominal pain, hematochezia and purpura on lower extremities, and later fever, joint pain and progression of purpura associated with nephritic syndrome and ANCA-p (+). During hospitalization HIV infection was detected. Renal biopsy showed IgA nephropathy with favorable response to corticosteroid and antiproteinuric treatment. The communication of the case is due to the rarity of the presentation and therapeutic diagnostic challenge. It remains to elucidate the role of ANCA in the pathogenesis and management of adult PSH.

Clinical pattern and prevalence of upper gastrointestinal toxicity in patients abusing ketamine.

PubMed

Liu, Shirley Yuk Wah; Ng, Stephen Ka Kei; Tam, Yuk Him; Yee, Samuel Chi Hang; Lai, Franco Pui Tak; Hong, Cindy Yuek Lam; Chiu, Philip Wai Yan; Ng, Enders Kwok Wai; Ng, Chi Fai

2017-09-01

Evaluations of upper gastrointestinal toxicity from ketamine abuse are uncommon. This study investigated the clinical pattern of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients inhaling ketamine. In a cross-sectional study of 611 consecutive patients who were seeking treatment for ketamine uropathy in a tertiary hospital setting between August 2008 and June 2016, their clinical pattern of upper gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated and compared with a control population of 804 non-users. A total of 168 (27.5%) patients abusing ketamine (mean age 26.3 years, 58.9% female) reported the presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms were significantly more prevalent in patients inhaling ketamine than in those who were not (27.5% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001). Their mean duration of ketamine abuse before symptom presentation was 5.0 ± 3.1 years. The presenting symptoms included epigastric pain (n = 155, 25.4%), recurrent vomiting (n = 48, 7.9%), anemia (n = 36, 5.9%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 20, 3.3%). Uropathy symptoms were preceded by upper gastrointestinal symptoms for 4.4 ± 3.0 years in 141 (83.9%) patients. Logistic regression showed that elder age (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, P = 0.04), active abuser status (OR 1.60, P = 0.04) and longer duration of ketamine abuse (OR 1.00, P = 0.04) were independent factors associated with upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Although epigastric symptoms are unusual in the young population, upper gastrointestinal toxicity was highly prevalent in those inhaling ketamine. Enquiries about ketamine abuse are recommended when assessing young patients with epigastric symptoms. © 2017 Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Elevated Levels of Mercapturic Acids of Acrolein and Crotonaldehyde in the Urine of Chinese Women in Singapore Who Regularly Cook at Home

PubMed Central

Hecht, Stephen S.; Koh, Woon-Puay; Wang, Renwei; Chen, Menglan; Carmella, Steven G.; Murphy, Sharon E.; Yuan, Jian-Min

2015-01-01

Lung cancer is unusually common among non-smoking women in Southeastern Asia but the causes of this frequently fatal disease are not well understood. Several epidemiology studies indicate that inhalation of fumes from high temperature Chinese style cooking with a wok may be a cause. Only one previous study investigated uptake of potential toxicants and carcinogens by women who cook with a wok. We enrolled three-hundred twenty-eight non-smoking women from Singapore for this study. Each provided a spot urine sample and answered a questionnaire concerning their cooking habits and other factors. The urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for mercapturic acid metabolites of acrolein (3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid), crotonaldehyde (3-hydroxy-1-methylpropylmercapturic acid), and benzene (S-phenylmercapturic acid), accepted biomarkers of uptake of these toxic and carcinogenic compounds. We observed statistically significant effects of wok cooking frequency on levels of 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid and 3-hydroxy-1-methylpropylmercapturic acid, but not S-phenylmercapturic acid. Women who cooked greater than 7 times per week had a geometric mean of 2600 (95% CI, 2189-3090) pmol/mg creatinine 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid compared to 1901 (95% CI, 1510-2395) pmol/mg creatinine when cooking less than once per week (P for trend 0.018). The corresponding values for 3-hydroxy-1-methylpropylmercapturic acid were 1167 (95% CI, 1022-1332) and 894 (95% CI, 749-1067) pmol/mg creatinine (P for trend 0.008). We conclude that frequent wok cooking leads to elevated exposure to the toxicants acrolein and crotonaldehyde, but not benzene. Kitchens should be properly ventilated to decrease exposure to potentially toxic and carcinogenic fumes produced during Chinese style wok cooking. PMID:25807518

Interaction and Correlation Effects in Quasi Two-dimensional Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Louie, Steven G.

2015-03-01

Experimental and theoretical studies of atomically thin quasi two-dimensional materials (typically related to some parent van der Waals layered crystals) and their nanostructures have revealed that these systems can exhibit highly unusual behaviors. In this talk, we discuss some theoretical studies of the electronic, transport and optical properties of such systems. We present results on graphene and graphene nanostructures as well as other quasi-2D systems such as monolayer and few-layer transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g., MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2) and metal monochalcogenides (such as GaSe and FeSe). Owing to their reduced dimensionality, these systems present opportunities for unusual manifestation of concepts and phenomena that may not be so prominent or have not been seen in bulk materials. Symmetry and many-body interaction effects often play a critical role in shaping qualitatively and quantitatively their properties. Several quantum phenomena are discussed, including novel and dominant exciton effects, tunable magnetism, electron supercollimation by disorder, unusual plasmon behaviors, and possible enhanced superconductivity in some of these systems. We investigate their physical origins and compare theoretical predictions with experimental data. This work was supported by DOE under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 and by NSF under Grant No. DMR10-1006184. I would like to acknowledge collaborations with members of the Louie group and the experimental groups of Crommie, Heinz, Wang, and Zhang.

Mastocytosis presenting as a skeletal disorder.

PubMed Central

Delsignore, J. L.; Dvoretsky, P. M.; Hicks, D. G.; O'Keefe, R. J.; Rosier, R. N.

1996-01-01

Mastocytosis is a rare disease of mast-cell proliferation with involvement of the reticuloendothelial systems including skin, bone, gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes. Systemic mastocytosis is characterized by a combination of symptoms that relate to the mast cells' release of vasoactive substances, such as histamine. These symptoms include urticaria pigmentosa, flushing, syncope with hypotension, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasional bronchospasm. The diagnosis of mastocytosis is typically based on the presence of the characteristic extraosseus manifestations. A well recognized roentgenographic feature seen in 70-75% of patients with mastocytosis is diffuse osteolysis and osteosclerosis, affecting primarily the axial skeleton and the ends of the long bones. Rarely, the bony involvement consists of generalized osteoporosis, which may lead to pathologic fracture, or solitary lesions (mastocytomas) which may cause symptoms of localized pain. Four patients with previously diagnosed systemic mastocytosis had unusual skeletal lesions. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of these patients eventually led to the correct diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis. We report these four cases to emphasize the need for thorough evaluation of unusual musculoskeletal findings in association with extraosseus symptoms that are characteristic of mastocytosis. Knowledge of a wide differential diagnosis of unusual skeletal lesions should include systemic mastosytosis. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3A Figure 3B Figure 4 Figure 5A Figure 5B-5C Figure 6 PMID:9129284

Intrinsic chemiluminescence production from the degradation of haloaromatic pollutants during environmentally-friendly advanced oxidation processes: Mechanism, structure-activity relationship and potential applications.

PubMed

Zhu, Benzhan; Shen, Chen; Gao, Huiying; Zhu, Liya; Shao, Jie; Mao, Li

2017-12-01

The ubiquitous distribution of halogenated aromatic compounds (XAr) coupled with their carcinogenicity has raised public concerns on their potential risks to both human health and the ecosystem. Recently, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been considered as an "environmentally-friendly" technology for the remediation and destruction of such recalcitrant and highly toxic XAr. During our study on the mechanism of metal-independent production of hydroxyl radicals (OH) by halogenated quinones and H 2 O 2 , we found, unexpectedly, that an unprecedented OH-dependent two-step intrinsic chemiluminescene (CL) can be produced by H 2 O 2 and tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone, the major carcinogenic metabolite of the widely used wood preservative pentachlorophenol. Further investigations showed that, in all OH-generating systems, CL can also be produced not only by pentachlorophenol and all other halogenated phenols, but also by all XAr tested. A systematic structure-activity relationship study for all 19 chlorophenolic congeners showed that the CL increased with an increasing number of Cl-substitution in general. More importantly, a relatively good correlation was observed between the formation of quinoid/semiquinone radical intermediates and CL generation. Based on these results, we propose that OH-dependent formation of quinoid intermediates and electronically excited carbonyl species is responsible for this unusual CL production; and a rapid, sensitive, simple, and effective CL method was developed not only to detect and quantify trace amount of XAr, but also to provide useful information for predicting the toxicity or monitoring real-time degradation kinetics of XAr. These findings may have broad chemical, environmental and biological implications for future studies on halogenated aromatic persistent organic pollutants. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

GHS additivity formula: can it predict the acute systemic toxicity of agrochemical formulations that contain acutely toxic ingredients?

PubMed

Van Cott, Andrew; Hastings, Charles E; Landsiedel, Robert; Kolle, Susanne; Stinchcombe, Stefan

2018-02-01

In vivo acute systemic testing is a regulatory requirement for agrochemical formulations. GHS specifies an alternative computational approach (GHS additivity formula) for calculating the acute toxicity of mixtures. We collected acute systemic toxicity data from formulations that contained one of several acutely-toxic active ingredients. The resulting acute data set includes 210 formulations tested for oral toxicity, 128 formulations tested for inhalation toxicity and 31 formulations tested for dermal toxicity. The GHS additivity formula was applied to each of these formulations and compared with the experimental in vivo result. In the acute oral assay, the GHS additivity formula misclassified 110 formulations using the GHS classification criteria (48% accuracy) and 119 formulations using the USEPA classification criteria (43% accuracy). With acute inhalation, the GHS additivity formula misclassified 50 formulations using the GHS classification criteria (61% accuracy) and 34 formulations using the USEPA classification criteria (73% accuracy). For acute dermal toxicity, the GHS additivity formula misclassified 16 formulations using the GHS classification criteria (48% accuracy) and 20 formulations using the USEPA classification criteria (36% accuracy). This data indicates the acute systemic toxicity of many formulations is not the sum of the ingredients' toxicity (additivity); but rather, ingredients in a formulation can interact to result in lower or higher toxicity than predicted by the GHS additivity formula. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Surface flow visualization using indicators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crowder, J. P.

1982-01-01

Surface flow visualization using indicators in the cryogenic wind tunnel which requires a fresh look at materials and procedures to accommodate the new test conditions is described. Potential liquid and gaseous indicators are identified. The particular materials illustrate the various requirements an indicator must fulfill. The indicator must respond properly to the flow phenomenon of interest and must be observable. Boundary layer transition is the most important phenomenon for which flow visualization indicators may be employed. The visibility of a particular indicator depends on utilizing various optical or chemical reactions. Gaseous indicators are more difficult to utilize, but because of their diversity may present unusual and useful opportunities. Factors to be considered in selecting an indicator include handling safety, toxicity, potential for contamination of the tunnel, and cost.

Effects of buprofezin on the ultrastructure of the third instar cuticle of the insect Trialeurodes vaporariorum.

PubMed

De Cock, A; Degheele, D

1991-01-01

Treatment with buprofezin at the beginning of the third instar of Trialeurodes vaporariorum results in death of the larvae at the time of moulting. Electron microscopic observations, after treatment of the larvae with 20 mg a.i./l buprofezin, does not reveal any difference in the ultrastructural profile before apolysis, however formation of a normal lamellate procuticle is disturbed. The pharate procuticle is amorphous, varying in thickness and the mean thickness is greatly reduced. The subcuticle is interrupted several times at locations corresponding with the thinnest places of the pharate cuticle. Epidermal cells contain unusual structures such as myelin figures and hypertrophied mitochondria indicating that buprofezin may have an additional toxic effect on epidermal cells.

An unusual case of Butcher's Broom precipitating diabetic ketoacidosis.

PubMed

Sadarmin, Praveen P; Timperley, Jonathan

2013-09-01

Herbal medicines are readily available and commonly perceived to be relatively harmless. Butcher's Broom is used in various medicinal preparations and contains substances having α-adrenergic-stimulating properties. Our aim was to report a case of toxicity associated with Butcher's Broom in a diabetic patient. A 39-year-old woman developed diabetic ketoacidosis 5 days after beginning therapy with Butcher's Broom for mild ankle swelling. Her diabetic ketoacidosis was complicated by hyperkalemia and acidosis with a pH of 7.02. After management with intravenous fluid, insulin, and calcium gluconate, her condition stabilized and she was discharged several days later. This case represents a small but potentially serious public health concern in a diabetic woman taking Butcher's Broom. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel continuous toxicity test system using a luminously modified freshwater bacterium.

PubMed

Cho, Jang-Cheon; Park, Kyung-Je; Ihm, Hyuk-Soon; Park, Ji-Eun; Kim, Se-Young; Kang, Ilnam; Lee, Kyu-Ho; Jahng, Deokjin; Lee, Dong-Hun; Kim, Sang-Jong

2004-09-15

An automated continuous toxicity test system was developed using a recombinant bioluminescent freshwater bacterium. The groundwater-borne bacterium, Janthinobacterium lividum YH9-RC, was modified with luxAB and optimized for toxicity tests using different kinds of organic carbon compounds and heavy metals. luxAB-marked YH9-RC cells were much more sensitive (average 7.3-8.6 times) to chemicals used for toxicity detection than marine Vibrio fischeri cells used in the Microtox assay. Toxicity tests for wastewater samples using the YH9-RC-based toxicity assay showed that EC50-5 min values in an untreated raw wastewater sample (23.9 +/- 12.8%) were the lowest, while those in an effluent sample (76.7 +/- 14.9%) were the highest. Lyophilization conditions were optimized in 384-multiwell plates containing bioluminescent bacteria that were pre-incubated for 15 min in 0.16 M of trehalose prior to freeze-drying, increasing the recovery of bioluminescence and viability by 50%. Luminously modified cells exposed to continuous phenol or wastewater stream showed a rapid decrease in bioluminescence, which fell below detectable range within 1 min. An advanced toxicity test system, featuring automated real-time toxicity monitoring and alerting functions, was designed and finely tuned. This novel continuous toxicity test system can be used for real-time biomonitoring of water toxicity, and can potentially be used as a biological early warning system.

A Microfluidic Device for Continuous Sensing of Systemic Acute Toxicants in Drinking Water

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xinyan; Dong, Tao

2013-01-01

A bioluminescent-cell-based microfluidic device for sensing toxicants in drinking water was designed and fabricated. The system employed Vibrio fischeri cells as broad-spectrum sensors to monitor potential systemic cell toxicants in water, such as heavy metal ions and phenol. Specifically, the chip was designed for continuous detection. The chip design included two counter-flow micromixers, a T-junction droplet generator and six spiral microchannels. The cell suspension and water sample were introduced into the micromixers and dispersed into droplets in the air flow. This guaranteed sufficient oxygen supply for the cell sensors. Copper (Cu2+), zinc (Zn2+), potassium dichromate and 3,5-dichlorophenol were selected as typical toxicants to validate the sensing system. Preliminary tests verified that the system was an effective screening tool for acute toxicants although it could not recognize or quantify specific toxicants. A distinct non-linear relationship was observed between the zinc ion concentration and the Relative Luminescence Units (RLU) obtained during testing. Thus, the concentration of simple toxic chemicals in water can be roughly estimated by this system. The proposed device shows great promise for an early warning system for water safety. PMID:24300075

76 FR 27256 - Saflufenacil; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-11

... reflection of a mild and transient general systemic toxicity and not a substance- specific neurotoxic effect. In the subchronic neurotoxicity study, systemic toxicity (anemia), but no evidence of neurotoxicity... systemic toxicity in males. A LOAEL was not established for females. Chronic dietary (All populations...

Predictive Model of Systemic Toxicity (SOT)

EPA Science Inventory

In an effort to ensure chemical safety in light of regulatory advances away from reliance on animal testing, USEPA and L’Oréal have collaborated to develop a quantitative systemic toxicity prediction model. Prediction of human systemic toxicity has proved difficult and remains a ...

Oxygen Toxicity and Special Operations Forces Diving: Hidden and Dangerous

PubMed Central

Wingelaar, Thijs T.; van Ooij, Pieter-Jan A. M.; van Hulst, Rob A.

2017-01-01

In Special Operations Forces (SOF) closed-circuit rebreathers with 100% oxygen are commonly utilized for covert diving operations. Exposure to high partial pressures of oxygen (PO2) could cause damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary system. Longer exposure time and higher PO2 leads to faster development of more serious pathology. Exposure to a PO2 above 1.4 ATA can cause CNS toxicity, leading to a wide range of neurologic complaints including convulsions. Pulmonary oxygen toxicity develops over time when exposed to a PO2 above 0.5 ATA and can lead to inflammation and fibrosis of lung tissue. Oxygen can also be toxic for the ocular system and may have systemic effects on the inflammatory system. Moreover, some of the effects of oxygen toxicity are irreversible. This paper describes the pathophysiology, epidemiology, signs and symptoms, risk factors and prediction models of oxygen toxicity, and their limitations on SOF diving. PMID:28790955

Mechanisms for regulating oxygen toxicity in phytophagous insects.

PubMed

Ahmad, S; Pardini, R S

1990-01-01

The antioxidant enzymatic defense of insects for the regulation of oxygen toxicity was investigated. Insect species examined were lepidopterous larvae of the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), and black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). These phytophagous species are subject to both endogenous and exogenous sources of oxidative stress from toxic oxygen radicals, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxides (LOOH). In general, the constitutive levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GT), and its peroxidase activity (GTpx), and glutathione reductase (GR), correlate well with natural feeding habits of these insects and their relative susceptibility to prooxidant plant allelochemicals, quercetin (a flavonoid), and xanthotoxin (a photoactive furanocoumarin). Induction of SOD activity which rapidly destroys superoxide radicals, appears to be the main response to dietary prooxidant exposure. A unique observation includes high constitutive activity of CAT and a broader subcellular distribution in all three insects than observed in most mammalian species. These attributes of CAT appear to be important in the prevention of excessive accumulation of cytotoxic H2O2. Unlike mammalian species, insects possess very low levels of a GPOX-like activity toward H2O2. Irrefutable proof that this activity is due to a selenium-dependent GPOX found in mammals, is lacking at this time. However, the activity of selenium-independent GTpx is unusually high in insects, suggesting that GTpx and not GPOX plays a prominent role in scavenging deleterious LOOHs. The GSSG generated from the GPOX and GTpx reactions may be reduced to GSH by GR activity. A key role of SOD in protecting insects from prooxidant toxicity was evident when its inhibition resulted in enhanced toxicity towards prooxidants. The role of antioxidant compounds in protecting these insects from toxic forms of oxygen has not been explored in depth. A major finding, however, is that these insects are lutein accumulators. Lutein is a dihydroxy (diol) derivative of beta-carotene, and it is a good quencher of activated forms of oxygen and free radicals. Levels of lutein are highest in P. polyxenes which specializes in feeding on prooxidant-containing plants.

COMPUTER SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR ESTIMATING CHEMICAL TOXICITY: PRESENT CAPABILITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

EPA Science Inventory

Computer Support Systems for Estimating Chemical Toxicity: Present Capabilities and Future Trends

A wide variety of computer-based artificial intelligence (AI) and decision support systems exist currently to aid in the assessment of toxicity for environmental chemicals. T...

[Synthetic cannabinoids: spread, addiction biology & current perspective of personal health hazard].

PubMed

Bonnet, U; Mahler, H

2015-04-01

Among the new psychoactive substances (NPS), most frequently synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) have been found in Europe. These are sold as active compounds in e. g. so-called "herbal blends". When inhaled or ingested, besides intoxication symptoms, as they occur with heavy cannabis use (e. g., tachycardia, myocardial infarction, confusion, hallucinations, panic attacks, and paranoia), harmful effects (severe agitation, coma, catatonic stupor, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, dyspnoea, seizures, myoclonus, rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, acute kidney injury, vomiting, headache, and hypokalemia) arise, which are mostly unusual about cannabis use. In addition, the first cases of addiction and death related to SCBs have been reported. Taking into account the newest literature and using an algorithm with two main criteria (addiction potential, toxicity), the authors made a first attempt to rank the personal health hazard of SCBs in comparison to that of other psychoactive drugs. Accordingly, the relative health hazard of SCBs is found to be somewhat higher than that of cannabis and lower than that of synthetic cathinones ("bath salts"). However, the toxicity of SCBs, is significantly greater than the toxicity of cannabis, thus being similar to that of synthetic cathinones and benzodiazepines. The addiction potential appears to be lower than that of synthetic cathinones, benzodiazepines, or cannabis. Due to the fluctuation of substances and the availability in internet resources, legislation is facing a serious "hare-hedgehog" problem to control the manufacture, trade and possession of SCBs. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Recent advances in the study of (–)clausenamide: chemistry, biological activities and mechanism of action

PubMed Central

Chu, Shi-feng; Zhang, Jun-tian

2014-01-01

Clausenamide (clau) is one of seven novel compounds isolated from Clausena lansium (Lour) skeels. Clau is unusual in that it contains 4 chiral centers yielding 8 pairs of enantiomers. After identification of the configuration of these enantiomers, the synthesis of 16 enantiomers, including optically active clau and (+) and (–)clau was carried out. During this study, many stereochemical and synthetic difficulties were solved and the Baldwin principle was updated. Production scale is now sufficient to meet the needs of clinical practice. In a pharmacological study numerous models and indicators showed that (–)clau is the active enantiomer, while (+)clau is inactive and elicits greater toxicity than (–)clau. The principal pharmacological effects of (–)clau are to increase cognition, demonstrated in ten models of memory impairment, as well as to inhibit β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity, blocking neurofibrillary tangle formation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of tau protein. This anti-dementia effect is characterized by increased synaptic plasticity both in efficacy and in structure and provides new support for the theory that synaptic loss is the main cause of dementia. (–)Clau is considered to be a promising drug candidate for treatment of Alzheimer׳s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. PMID:26579412

A red tide of Alexandrium fundyense in the Gulf of Maine

PubMed Central

McGillicuddy, D.J.; Brosnahan, M.L.; Couture, D.A.; He, R.; Keafer, B.A.; Manning, J.P.; Martin, J.L.; Pilskaln, C.H.; Townsend, D.W.; Anderson, D.M.

2013-01-01

In early July 2009, an unusually high concentration of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense occurred in the western Gulf of Maine, causing surface waters to appear reddish brown to the human eye. The discolored water appeared to be the southern terminus of a large-scale event that caused shellfish toxicity along the entire coast of Maine to the Canadian border. Rapid-response shipboard sampling efforts together with satellite data suggest the water discoloration in the western Gulf of Maine was a highly ephemeral feature of less than two weeks in duration. Flow cytometric analysis of surface samples from the red water indicated the population was undergoing sexual reproduction. Cyst fluxes downstream of the discolored water were the highest ever measured in the Gulf of Maine, and a large deposit of new cysts was observed that fall. Although the mechanisms causing this event remain unknown, its timing coincided with an anomalous period of downwelling-favorable winds that could have played a role in aggregating upward-swimming cells. Regardless of the underlying causes, this event highlights the importance of short-term episodic phenomena on regional population dynamics of A. fundyense. PMID:25170191

Safety assessment of the calcium-binding protein, apoaequorin, expressed by Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Moran, Daniel L; Tetteh, Afua O; Goodman, Richard E; Underwood, Mark Y

2014-07-01

Calcium-binding proteins are ubiquitous modulators of cellular activity and function. Cells possess numerous calcium-binding proteins that regulate calcium concentration in the cytosol by buffering excess free calcium ion. Disturbances in intracellular calcium homeostasis are at the heart of many age-related conditions making these proteins targets for therapeutic intervention. A calcium-binding protein, apoaequorin, has shown potential utility in a broad spectrum of applications for human health and well-being. Large-scale recombinant production of the protein has been successful; enabling further research and development and commercialization efforts. Previous work reported a 90-day subchronic toxicity test that demonstrated this protein has no toxicity by oral exposure in Sprague-Dawley rodents. The current study assesses the allergenic potential of the purified protein using bioinformatic analysis and simulated gastric digestion. The results from the bioinformatics searches with the apoaequorin sequence show the protein is not a known allergen and not likely to cross-react with known allergens. Apoaequorin is easily digested by pepsin, a characteristic commonly exhibited by many non-allergenic dietary proteins. From these data, there is no added concern of safety due to unusual stability of the protein by ingestion. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonspecific uptake and homeostasis drive the oceanic cadmium cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horner, Tristan J.; Lee, Renee B. Y.; Henderson, Gideon M.; Rickaby, Rosalind E. M.

2013-02-01

The global marine distributions of Cd and phosphate are closely correlated, which has led to Cd being considered as a marine micronutrient, despite its toxicity to life. The explanation for this nutrient-like behavior is unknown because there is only one identified biochemical function for Cd, an unusual Cd/Zn carbonic anhydrase. Recent developments in Cd isotope mass spectrometry have revealed that Cd uptake by phytoplankton causes isotopic fractionation in the open ocean and in culture. Here we investigate the physiochemical pathways that fractionate Cd isotopes by performing subcellular Cd isotope analysis on genetically modified microorganisms. We find that expression of the Cd/Zn carbonic anhydrase makes no difference to the Cd isotope composition of whole cells. Instead, a large proportion of the Cd is partitioned into cell membranes with a similar direction and magnitude of Cd isotopic fractionation to that seen in surface seawater. This observation is well explained if Cd is mistakenly imported with other divalent metals and subsequently managed by binding within the cell to avoid toxicity. This process may apply to other divalent metals, whereby nonspecific uptake and subsequent homeostasis may contribute to elemental and isotopic distributions in seawater, even for elements commonly considered as micronutrients.

Prevalidation of an Acute Inhalation Toxicity Test Using the EpiAirway In Vitro Human Airway Model

PubMed Central

Jackson, George R.; Maione, Anna G.; Klausner, Mitchell

2018-01-01

Abstract Introduction: Knowledge of acute inhalation toxicity potential is important for establishing safe use of chemicals and consumer products. Inhalation toxicity testing and classification procedures currently accepted within worldwide government regulatory systems rely primarily on tests conducted in animals. The goal of the current work was to develop and prevalidate a nonanimal (in vitro) test for determining acute inhalation toxicity using the EpiAirway™ in vitro human airway model as a potential alternative for currently accepted animal tests. Materials and Methods: The in vitro test method exposes EpiAirway tissues to test chemicals for 3 hours, followed by measurement of tissue viability as the test endpoint. Fifty-nine chemicals covering a broad range of toxicity classes, chemical structures, and physical properties were evaluated. The in vitro toxicity data were utilized to establish a prediction model to classify the chemicals into categories corresponding to the currently accepted Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) system. Results: The EpiAirway prediction model identified in vivo rat-based GHS Acute Inhalation Toxicity Category 1–2 and EPA Acute Inhalation Toxicity Category I–II chemicals with 100% sensitivity and specificity of 43.1% and 50.0%, for GHS and EPA acute inhalation toxicity systems, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the EpiAirway prediction model for identifying GHS specific target organ toxicity-single exposure (STOT-SE) Category 1 human toxicants were 75.0% and 56.5%, respectively. Corrosivity and electrophilic and oxidative reactivity appear to be the predominant mechanisms of toxicity for the most highly toxic chemicals. Conclusions: These results indicate that the EpiAirway test is a promising alternative to the currently accepted animal tests for acute inhalation toxicity. PMID:29904643

Prevalidation of an Acute Inhalation Toxicity Test Using the EpiAirway In Vitro Human Airway Model.

PubMed

Jackson, George R; Maione, Anna G; Klausner, Mitchell; Hayden, Patrick J

2018-06-01

Introduction: Knowledge of acute inhalation toxicity potential is important for establishing safe use of chemicals and consumer products. Inhalation toxicity testing and classification procedures currently accepted within worldwide government regulatory systems rely primarily on tests conducted in animals. The goal of the current work was to develop and prevalidate a nonanimal ( in vitro ) test for determining acute inhalation toxicity using the EpiAirway™ in vitro human airway model as a potential alternative for currently accepted animal tests. Materials and Methods: The in vitro test method exposes EpiAirway tissues to test chemicals for 3 hours, followed by measurement of tissue viability as the test endpoint. Fifty-nine chemicals covering a broad range of toxicity classes, chemical structures, and physical properties were evaluated. The in vitro toxicity data were utilized to establish a prediction model to classify the chemicals into categories corresponding to the currently accepted Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) system. Results: The EpiAirway prediction model identified in vivo rat-based GHS Acute Inhalation Toxicity Category 1-2 and EPA Acute Inhalation Toxicity Category I-II chemicals with 100% sensitivity and specificity of 43.1% and 50.0%, for GHS and EPA acute inhalation toxicity systems, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the EpiAirway prediction model for identifying GHS specific target organ toxicity-single exposure (STOT-SE) Category 1 human toxicants were 75.0% and 56.5%, respectively. Corrosivity and electrophilic and oxidative reactivity appear to be the predominant mechanisms of toxicity for the most highly toxic chemicals. Conclusions: These results indicate that the EpiAirway test is a promising alternative to the currently accepted animal tests for acute inhalation toxicity.

Haenamindole, an unusual diketopiperazine derivative from a marine-derived Penicillium sp. KCB12F005.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Won; Ko, Sung-Kyun; Son, Sangkeun; Shin, Kee-Sun; Ryoo, In-Ja; Hong, Young-Soo; Oh, Hyuncheol; Hwang, Bang Yeon; Hirota, Hiroshi; Takahashi, Shunji; Kim, Bo Yeon; Osada, Hiroyuki; Jang, Jae-Hyuk; Ahn, Jong Seog

2015-11-15

During the chemical investigation of marine-derived fungus, an unusual diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloid, haenamindole (1), was isolated from a culture of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KCB12F005. The structure of 1, which possesses benzyl-hydroxypiperazindione and phenyl-pyrimidoindole rings system in the molecule, was elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data. The stereochemistry of 1 was determined by ROESY and advanced Marfey's method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unusual Bone Superscan, MIBG Superscan, and 68Ga DOTATATE PET/CT in Metastatic Pheochromocytoma.

PubMed

Tan, Teik Hin; Wong, Teck Huat; Hassan, Siti Zarina Amir; Lee, Boon Nang

2015-11-01

A 17-year-old adolescent boy with biochemically raised 2-hour urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine as well as CT findings of retroperitoneal soft tissue mass and bony metastases was referred for further assessment. Apart from Ga DOTATATE PET/CT evaluation, pretargeted systemic radionuclide therapy assessment with I-MIBG scintigraphy showed unusual phenomenon of MIBG superscan. Postsurgically, restaging Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy showed typical bone superscan features. The MIBG superscan was better delineated on post-I-MIBG therapy images.

Strain accumulation in southern California, 1973-1980.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, J.C.; Prescott, W.H.; Lisowski, M.; King, N.E.

1981-01-01

Frequent surveys of seven trilateration networks in southern California over the interval 1973-1980 suggest that a regional increment in strain may have occurred in 1978-1979. Prior to 1978 and after late 1979 the strain accumulation has been predominantly a uniaxial north-south compression. This secular trend was interrupted sometime in 1978-1979 by an increment in both north-south and east-west extension in five of the seven networks. The onset of this change appears to have occurred first in the networks farthest south. The changes occurred without any unusual seismicity within the networks, but the overall seismicity in southern California was unusually low prior to and has been unusually high since the occurrence. The average principal strain rates for the seven networks in the 1973-1980 interval are 0.17 mu strain/yr north- south contraction and 0.08 mu strain/yr east-west extension. Although the observed increment in strain could be related to unidentified systematic error in the measuring system, a careful review of the measurements and comparisons with three other measuring systems reveal no appreciable cumulative systematic error. -Authors

Keeping eggs warm: thermal and developmental advantages for parasitic cuckoos of laying unusually thick-shelled eggs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Canchao; Huang, Qiuli; Wang, Longwu; Du, Wei-Guo; Liang, Wei; Møller, Anders Pape

2018-02-01

Obligate brood parasites have evolved unusually thick-shelled eggs, which are hypothesized to possess a variety of functions such as resistance to puncture ejection by their hosts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that obligate brood parasites lay unusually thick-shelled eggs to retain more heat for the developing embryo and thus contribute to early hatching of parasite eggs. By doing so, we used an infrared thermal imaging system as a non-invasive method to quantify the temperature of eggshells of common cuckoos ( Cuculus canorus) and their Oriental reed warbler ( Acrocephalus orientalis) hosts in an experiment that artificially altered the duration of incubation. Our results showed that cuckoo eggshells had higher temperature than host eggs during incubation, but also less fluctuations in temperature during incubation disturbance. Therefore, there was a thermal and hence a developmental advantage for brood parasitic cuckoos of laying thick-shelled eggs, providing another possible explanation for the unusually thick-shelled eggs of obligate brood parasites and earlier hatching of cuckoo eggs compared to those of the host.

Keeping eggs warm: thermal and developmental advantages for parasitic cuckoos of laying unusually thick-shelled eggs.

PubMed

Yang, Canchao; Huang, Qiuli; Wang, Longwu; Du, Wei-Guo; Liang, Wei; Møller, Anders Pape

2018-01-02

Obligate brood parasites have evolved unusually thick-shelled eggs, which are hypothesized to possess a variety of functions such as resistance to puncture ejection by their hosts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that obligate brood parasites lay unusually thick-shelled eggs to retain more heat for the developing embryo and thus contribute to early hatching of parasite eggs. By doing so, we used an infrared thermal imaging system as a non-invasive method to quantify the temperature of eggshells of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) and their Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) hosts in an experiment that artificially altered the duration of incubation. Our results showed that cuckoo eggshells had higher temperature than host eggs during incubation, but also less fluctuations in temperature during incubation disturbance. Therefore, there was a thermal and hence a developmental advantage for brood parasitic cuckoos of laying thick-shelled eggs, providing another possible explanation for the unusually thick-shelled eggs of obligate brood parasites and earlier hatching of cuckoo eggs compared to those of the host.

Unusual Evolution of the Conduction-Electron State in CexLa1-xB6 from Non-Fermi Liquid to Fermi Liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, S.; Endo, M.; Yamamoto, H.; Isshiki, T.; Kimura, N.; Aoki, H.; Nojima, T.; Otani, S.; Kunii, S.

2006-12-01

We report unusual evolution of the conduction-electron state in the localized f electron system CexLa1-xB6 from normal electron state to heavy Fermi liquid (FL) state through local FL and non-FL states with increasing Ce concentration and/or with increasing magnetic field. The effective mass of quasiparticle or the coefficient A of T2 term of resistivity is found to increase divergently near the boundary between FL state and non-FL state. The features of the non-FL state are also different from those of the typical non-FL systems previously observed or theoretically predicted.

75 FR 77569 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System Mode...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-13

... Unusual Design Features The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system. This system... the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of operation, a means must be provided to... Control System Mode Annunciation AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of...

Characterization and regulation of the resistance-nodulation-cell division-type multidrug efflux pumps MdtABC and MdtUVW from the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora.

PubMed

Pletzer, Daniel; Weingart, Helge

2014-07-11

The Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of the devastating disease fire blight in rosaceous plants such as apple, pear, quince, raspberry, and cotoneaster. In order to survive and multiply in a host, microbes must be able to circumvent the toxic effects of antimicrobial plant compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins. E. amylovora uses multidrug efflux transporters that recognize and actively export toxic compounds out of the cells. Here, two heterotrimeric resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-type multidrug efflux pumps, MdtABC and MdtUVW, from E. amylovora were identified. These RND systems are unusual in that they contain two different RND proteins forming a functional pump. To find the substrate specificities of the two efflux systems, we overexpressed the transporters in a hypersensitive mutant lacking the major RND pump AcrB. Both transporters mediated resistance to several flavonoids, fusidic acid and novobiocin. Additionally, MdtABC mediated resistance towards josamycin, bile salts and silver nitrate, and MdtUVW towards clotrimazole. The ability of the mdtABC- and mdtUVW-deficient mutants to multiply in apple rootstock was reduced. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of the transporter genes was induced during infection of apple rootstock. The polyphenolic plant compound tannin, as well as the heavy metal salt tungstate was found to induce the expression of mdtABC. Finally, the expression of the mdtABC genes was shown to be regulated by BaeR, the response regulator of the two-component system BaeSR, a cell envelope stress response system that controls the adaptive responses to changes in the environment. The expression of MdtABC and MdtUVW is induced during growth of E. amylovora in planta. We identified the plant polyphenol tannin as inducer of mdtABC expression. The reduced ability of the mdtABC- and mdtUVW-deficient mutants to multiply in apple rootstock suggests that the efflux pumps are involved in resistance to plant antimicrobials, maybe including flavonoids, which were identified as substrates of both pumps. Furthermore, we found that the mdtABC operon belongs to the regulon of the two-component regulator BaeR suggesting a role of this RND transporter in the cell envelope stress response of E. amylovora.

Characterization and regulation of the Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division-type multidrug efflux pumps MdtABC and MdtUVW from the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The Gram-negative bacterium Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of the devastating disease fire blight in rosaceous plants such as apple, pear, quince, raspberry, and cotoneaster. In order to survive and multiply in a host, microbes must be able to circumvent the toxic effects of antimicrobial plant compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins. E. amylovora uses multidrug efflux transporters that recognize and actively export toxic compounds out of the cells. Here, two heterotrimeric resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-type multidrug efflux pumps, MdtABC and MdtUVW, from E. amylovora were identified. These RND systems are unusual in that they contain two different RND proteins forming a functional pump. Results To find the substrate specificities of the two efflux systems, we overexpressed the transporters in a hypersensitive mutant lacking the major RND pump AcrB. Both transporters mediated resistance to several flavonoids, fusidic acid and novobiocin. Additionally, MdtABC mediated resistance towards josamycin, bile salts and silver nitrate, and MdtUVW towards clotrimazole. The ability of the mdtABC- and mdtUVW-deficient mutants to multiply in apple rootstock was reduced. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of the transporter genes was induced during infection of apple rootstock. The polyphenolic plant compound tannin, as well as the heavy metal salt tungstate was found to induce the expression of mdtABC. Finally, the expression of the mdtABC genes was shown to be regulated by BaeR, the response regulator of the two-component system BaeSR, a cell envelope stress response system that controls the adaptive responses to changes in the environment. Conclusions The expression of MdtABC and MdtUVW is induced during growth of E. amylovora in planta. We identified the plant polyphenol tannin as inducer of mdtABC expression. The reduced ability of the mdtABC- and mdtUVW-deficient mutants to multiply in apple rootstock suggests that the efflux pumps are involved in resistance to plant antimicrobials, maybe including flavonoids, which were identified as substrates of both pumps. Furthermore, we found that the mdtABC operon belongs to the regulon of the two-component regulator BaeR suggesting a role of this RND transporter in the cell envelope stress response of E. amylovora. PMID:25012600

Hemophagocytic syndrome as one of the main primary manifestations in acute systemic lupus erythematosus--case report and literature review.

PubMed

Carvalheiras, G; Anjo, D; Mendonça, T; Vasconcelos, C; Farinha, F

2010-05-01

Hemophagocytic syndrome is an unusual but fatal disorder characterized by pancytopenia and activation of macrophages. We describe one case of acute systemic lupus erythematosus with an unusual presentation of hemophagocytic syndrome not related to infection. The patient presented with pancytopenia related to increasing hemophagocytic activity of histiocytes in the bone marrow. Concomitant class IV World Health Organization lupus nephritis, serositis, high titer of antinuclear factor and positive test for anti-DNA antibody fitted the diagnostic criteria of systemic lupus erythematosus. She also presented with alveolar hemorrhage and lupus myocarditis. She underwent immunosuppressive therapy with recovery from the hemophagocytic syndrome. Therefore, diagnosis of acute lupus hemophagocytic syndrome was made. The clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis, and management of the patient are discussed and the literature was reviewed and presented, with emphasis on a possible distinct lupus subset, which includes a more aggressive systemic disease with heart involvement.

A Complex Endomembrane System in the Archaeon Ignicoccus hospitalis Tapped by Nanoarchaeum equitans

DOE PAGES

Heimerl, Thomas; Flechsler, Jennifer; Pickl, Carolin; ...

2017-06-13

Based on serial sectioning, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM), and electron tomography, we depict in detail the highly unusual anatomy of the marine hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon, Ignicoccus hospitalis. Our data support a complex and dynamic endomembrane system consisting of cytoplasmic protrusions, and with secretory function. Moreover, we reveal that the cytoplasm of the putative archaeal ectoparasite Nanoarchaeum equitans can get in direct contact with this endomembrane system, complementing and explaining recent proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data on this inter-archaeal relationship. In addition, we identified a matrix of filamentous structures and/or tethers in the voluminous inter-membrane compartment (IMC) of I.more » hospitalis, which might be responsible for membrane dynamics. Overall, this unusual cellular compartmentalization, ultrastructure and dynamics in an archaeon that belongs to the recently proposed TACK superphylum prompts speculation that the eukaryotic endomembrane system might originate from Archaea.« less

Environmental Sentinel Biomonitor (ESB) System Technology Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

Andersson M, Barile FA, et al. 1996. MEIC evaluation of acute systemic toxicity Part I. Methodology of 68 in vitro toxicity assays used to test the first...30 reference chemicals. ATLA 24:251-272. Clemedson C, Andersson M, Aoki Y, Barile FA, et al. 1998. MEIC evaluation of acute systemic toxicity Part IV

Behavior as a sentry of metal toxicity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weiss, B.

1978-01-01

Many of the toxic properties of metals are expressed as behavioral aberrations. Some of these arise from direct actions on the central nervous system. Others arise from primary events elsewhere, but still influence behavior. Toxicity may be expressed either as objectively measurable phenomena, such as ataxia, or as subjective complaints, such as depression. In neither instance is clinical medicine equipped to provide assessments of subtle, early indices of toxicity. Reviewers of visual disturbances, paresthesia, and mental retardation exemplify the potential contribution of psychology to the toxicology of metals. Behavior and nervous system functions act as sensitive mirrors of metal toxicity.more » Sensitivity is the prime aim in environmental health assessments. Early detection of adverse effects, before they progress to irreversibility, underlies the strategy for optimal health protection. Some of the toxic actions of metals originate in direct nervous system dysfunction. Others may reflect disturbances of systems less directly linked to behavior than the central nervous system. But behavior, because it expresses the integrated functioning of the organism, can indicate flaws in states and processes outside the nervous system.« less

Understanding the Unusual 2017 Monsoon and Floods in South Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akanda, A. S.; Palash, W.; Hasan, M. A.; Nusrat, F.

2017-12-01

Driven primarily by the South Asian Monsoon, the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basin system collectively drains intense precipitation for an area of more than 1.5 million square kilometers during the wet summer season. Bangladesh, being the lowest riparian country in the system, experiences recurrent floods and immense suffering to its population. The 2017 monsoon season was quite unusual in terms of the characteristics of the precipitation received in the basin. The monsoon was spread out over a much larger time span (April-October) compared to the average monsoon season (June-September). Although the monsoon does not typically start until June in Bangladesh, the 2017 season started much earlier in April with unusually heavy precipitation in the Meghna basin region and caused major damage to agriculture in northeastern Bangladesh. The rainfall continued in several record-breaking pulses, compared to the typical one or two large waves. One of the largest pulses occurred in early August with very high in intensity and volume, causing ECMWF to issue a major warning about widespread flooding in Bangladesh, Northern India, and Eastern Nepal. This record flood event impacted over 40 million people in the above regions, causing major damage to life and infrastructure. Although the Brahmaputra rose above the danger level several times this season, the Ganges was unusually low, thus sparing downstream areas from disastrous floods. However, heavy precipitation continued until October, causing urban flooding in Dhaka and Chittagong - and worsening sanitation and public health conditions in southern Bangladesh - currently undergoing a terrible humanitarian crisis involving Rohingya refugees from the Myanmar. Despite marked improvement in flood forecasting systems in recent years, the 2017 floods identified critical gaps in our understanding of the flooding phenomena and limitations of dissemination in these regions. In this study, we investigate 1) the unusual characteristics of the 2017 season, 2) the nature of the floods in northern areas and the Teesta basin region, 3) the performance of rainfall and flood forecasts, 4) the stark difference in Ganges and Brahmaputra basin rainfall, and 5) corresponding relations to known teleconnections such as ENSO and other climate phenomena.

Concentration rather than dose defines the local brain toxicity of agents that are effectively distributed by convection-enhanced delivery.

PubMed

Zhang, Rong; Saito, Ryuta; Mano, Yui; Kanamori, Masayuki; Sonoda, Yukihiko; Kumabe, Toshihiro; Tominaga, Teiji

2014-01-30

Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) has been developed as a potentially effective drug-delivery strategy into the central nervous system. In contrast to systemic intravenous administration, local delivery achieves high concentration and prolonged retention in the local tissue, with increased chance of local toxicity, especially with toxic agents such as chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, the factors that affect local toxicity should be extensively studied. With the assumption that concentration-oriented evaluation of toxicity is important for local CED, we evaluated the appearance of local toxicity among different agents after delivery with CED and studied if it is dose dependent or concentration dependent. Local toxicity profile of chemotherapeutic agents delivered via CED indicates BCNU was dose-dependent, whereas that of ACNU was concentration-dependent. On the other hand, local toxicity for doxorubicin, which is not distributed effectively by CED, was dose-dependent. Local toxicity for PLD, which is extensively distributed by CED, was concentration-dependent. Traditional evaluation of drug induced toxicity was dose-oriented. This is true for systemic intravascular delivery. However, with local CED, toxicity of several drugs exacerbated in concentration-dependent manner. From our study, local toxicity of drugs that are likely to distribute effectively tended to be concentration-dependent. Concentration rather than dose may be more important for the toxicity of agents that are effectively distributed by CED. Concentration-oriented evaluation of toxicity is more important for CED. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

RESPONSE OF THE THERMOREGULATORY SYSTEM TO TOXIC CHEMICALS

EPA Science Inventory

The thermoregulatory system plays a crucial role in the physiological response to pesticides, airborne pollutants, and other toxic agents. The exposure to toxicants via inhalation, cutaneous absorption, or ingestion, their clearance from the body, the physiological responses, del...

Response of the Thermoregulatory System to Toxic Chemicals

EPA Science Inventory

The thermoregulatory system plays a crucial role in the physiological response to pesticides, airborne pollutants, and other toxic agents. The exposure to toxicants via inhalation, cutaneous absorption, or ingestion, their clearance from the body, the physiological responses, del...

Arctic Ozone Depletion from UARS MLS Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manney, G. L.

1995-01-01

Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) measurements of ozone during four Arctic winters are compared. The evolution of ozone in the lower stratosphere is related to temperature, chlorine monoxide (also measured by MLS), and the evolution of the polar vortex. Lagrangian transport calculations using winds from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office's Stratosphere-Troposphere Data Assimilation system are used to estimate to what extent the evolution of lower stratospheric ozone is controlled by dynamics. Observations, along with calculations of the expected dynamical behavior, show evidence for chemical ozone depletion throughout most of the Arctic lower stratospheric vortex during the 1992-93 middle and late winter, and during all of the 1994-95 winter that was observed by MLS. Both of these winters were unusually cold and had unusually cold and had unusually strong Arctic polar vortices compared to meteorological data over the past 17 years.

The non-trusty clown attack on model-based speaker recognition systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrokh Baroughi, Alireza; Craver, Scott

2015-03-01

Biometric detectors for speaker identification commonly employ a statistical model for a subject's voice, such as a Gaussian Mixture Model, that combines multiple means to improve detector performance. This allows a malicious insider to amend or append a component of a subject's statistical model so that a detector behaves normally except under a carefully engineered circumstance. This allows an attacker to force a misclassification of his or her voice only when desired, by smuggling data into a database far in advance of an attack. Note that the attack is possible if attacker has access to database even for a limited time to modify victim's model. We exhibit such an attack on a speaker identification, in which an attacker can force a misclassification by speaking in an unusual voice, and replacing the least weighted component of victim's model by the most weighted competent of the unusual voice of the attacker's model. The reason attacker make his or her voice unusual during the attack is because his or her normal voice model can be in database, and by attacking with unusual voice, the attacker has the option to be recognized as himself or herself when talking normally or as the victim when talking in the unusual manner. By attaching an appropriately weighted vector to a victim's model, we can impersonate all users in our simulations, while avoiding unwanted false rejections.

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, an unusual complication of heroin intoxication: a case report and review of literature.

PubMed

Feng, Gang; Luo, Qiancheng; Guo, Enwei; Yao, Yulan; Yang, Feng; Zhang, Bingyu; Li, Longxuan

2015-01-01

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) has rarely been described in patients with heroin intoxication. Here, we report a rare case of MODS involving six organs, due to heroin intoxication. The patient was a 32-year-old Chinese man with severe heroin intoxication complicated by acute pulmonary edema and respiratory insufficiency, shock, myocardial damage and cardiac insufficiency, rhabdomyolysis and acute renal insufficiency, acute liver injury and hepatic insufficiency, toxic leukoencephalopathy, and hypoglycemia. He managed to survive and was discharged after 10 weeks of intensive care. The possible pathogenesis and therapeutic measures of MODS induced by heroin intoxication and some suggestions for preventing and treating severe complications of heroin intoxication, based on clinical evidence and the pertinent literature, are discussed in this report.

Hypervitaminosis A inducing intra-hepatic cholestasis--a rare case report.

PubMed

Ramanathan, Vivek S; Hensley, Gary; French, Samuel; Eysselein, Victor; Chung, David; Reicher, Sonya; Pham, Binh

2010-04-01

The use of over-the-counter supplements is commonplace in today's health conscious society. We present an unusual case of intrahepatic cholestasis caused by vitamin A intoxication. The patient consumed one Herbalife shake with two multivitamin tablets of the same brand for 12 years. When calculated this equated to more than the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A consumption. Deranged liver function tests were consistent with a cholestatic process. Liver biopsy was obtained and revealed features pathognomonic of vitamin A toxicity, without the usual fibrosis. When the supplements were ceased, his jaundice and alkaline phosphatase completely normalized. This case highlights the importance of health care providers documenting non-prescribed dietary supplements and considering them in the etiology of cholestatic liver disease. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Alexandria, An emporium in the Silk Road, and the Traffic of Unusual Medicines.

PubMed

Rosso, Ana Maria

2016-12-01

In Ancient times, an active trade of exotic and peculiar drugs tool place along the Silk Road. Coming through China, India, Central Asia, Armenia, including Colchis, Arabia, Nubia as far as Greece and Rome, it was centered during Ptolemaic and Roman times in Alexandria, the world Emporium, remarkably advanced in scientific medicine. Physicians required a variety of active ingredients for their pharmacotherapy, following various related branches of medicine. These included: 1) herbal remedies: including toxic plants 2) polypharmacy: missing together all kind of drugs 3) dreckapotheke or copropharmacy, employing unclean materials 4) organic therapy, using exotic or domestic animal products 5) aromatherapy, lined to essential oils and perfumes 6) 'medical astrology and botany', regarding the laws of sympathy in the natural world 7) alchemy and magic medicine: with occult knowledge

Levetiracetam-induced neutropenia following traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Bunnell, Kristen; Pucci, Francesco

2015-01-01

Levetiracetam is being increasingly utilized for post-traumatic brain injury seizure prophylaxis, in part because of its more favourable adverse effect profile compared to other anti-epileptics. This report highlights an unusual, clinically significant adverse drug reaction attributed to levetiracetam use in a patient with blunt traumatic brain injury. This study describes a case of isolated neutropenia associated with levetiracetam in a 52-year-old man with traumatic brain injury. The patient developed neutropenia on day 3 of therapy with levetiracetam, with an absolute neutrophil count nadir of 200. There were no other medications that may have been implicated in the development of this haematological toxicity. Neutropenia rapidly resolved upon cessation of levetiracetam therapy. Clinicians should be aware of potentially serious adverse reactions associated with levetiracetam in patients with neurological injury.

Pneumatocele during sorafenib therapy: first report of an unusual complication

PubMed Central

Sangro, Paloma; Bilbao, Idoia; Fernández-Ros, Nerea; Iñarrairaegui, Mercedes; Zulueta, Javier; Bilbao, JI; Sangro, Bruno

2018-01-01

Sorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor and a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor approved to treat patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma and differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Its most common side effects are asthenia/fatigue, skin toxicity, diarrhea and arterial hypertension. Reported respiratory adverse reactions include dyspnea, cough, pleural effusion and hoarseness. The aim of this report is to describe for the first time the occurrence of pneumatocele in two patients treated with Sorafenib. Patients had no respiratory symptoms and alternative diagnoses were ruled out. Primary tumors were different (liver metastases from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and hepatocellular carcinoma) but both patients had been treated with yttrium 90 radioembolization 9 and 17 months before starting on Sorafenib, respectively. No complications occurred and Sorafenib withdrawal was followed by radiologic improvement. PMID:29464101

General survey of solid-waste management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reese, T. G.; Wadle, R. C.

1974-01-01

Potential ways of providing solid-waste management for a building complex serviced by a modular integrated utility system (MIUS) were explored. Literature surveys were conducted to investigate both conventional and unusual systems to serve this purpose. The advantages and disadvantages of the systems most compatible with MIUS are discussed.

76 FR 36861 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Systems Security Isolation or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-23

... incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The proposed architecture and network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with... navigation systems (aircraft control domain), 2. Airline business and administrative support (airline...

77 FR 43089 - Evaluation of an Up-and-Down Procedure for Acute Dermal Systemic Toxicity Testing: Request for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-23

... Systemic Toxicity Testing: Request for Nominations for an Independent Expert Panel and Submission of... systemic toxicity testing. NICEATM requests nominations of scientific experts who can be considered for the...) Test Guideline 425 in 2001 (OECD, 2001). The oral UDP reduces animal use by up to 70% compared to the...

Galleria mellonella larvae allow the discrimination of toxic and non-toxic chemicals.

PubMed

Allegra, Enrico; Titball, Richard W; Carter, John; Champion, Olivia L

2018-05-01

The acute toxicities of 19 chemicals were assessed using G. mellonella larvae. The results obtained were compared against LD50 values derived from in vitro cytotoxicity tests and against in vivo acute oral LD50 values. In general, cell culture systems overestimated the toxicity of chemicals, especially low toxicity chemicals. In contrast, toxicity testing in G. mellonella larvae was found to be a reliable predictor for low toxicity chemicals. For the 9 chemicals tested which were assigned to Globally Harmonised System (GHS) category 5, the toxicity measured in G. mellonella larvae was consistent with their GHS categorisation but cytotoxicity measured in 3T3 or NHK cells predicted 4 out of 9 chemicals as having low toxicity. A more robust assessment of the likely toxicity of chemicals in mammals could be made by taking into account their toxicities in both cell cultures and in G. mellonella larvae. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Systemic amyloidosis: unusual presentation mistaken for a recurrent scabies infection.

PubMed

Haley, Erin M; Nabatian, Adam S; Kopp, Sandra A; Falasca, Gerald F; Haupt, Helen M; Halpern, Analisa V

2014-06-01

We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with a history of undifferentiated connective-tissue disease, polyarthritis, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome who presented with generalized pruritus and erythematous and excoriated papules on the trunk and extremities. Empiric scabies treatment was unsuccessful. Patch testing and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies were unremarkable. The patient was found to have mild interstitial lung disease and hypogammaglobulinemia. Eventually a diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis was made after she developed frank lingual hypertrophy despite normal initial serum protein electrophoresis and negative abdominal fat pad aspiration. Diagnosis was confirmed with lingual biopsy. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of primary systemic amyloidosis consisting of arthritis and intense debilitating pruritus without primary skin lesions for a full year prior to diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The patient responded to treatment with chemotherapy and corticosteroids.

Global concentration additivity and prediction of mixture toxicities, taking nitrobenzene derivatives as an example.

PubMed

Li, Tong; Liu, Shu-Shen; Qu, Rui; Liu, Hai-Ling

2017-10-01

The toxicity of a mixture depends not only on the mixture concentration level but also on the mixture ratio. For a multiple-component mixture (MCM) system with a definite chemical composition, the mixture toxicity can be predicted only if the global concentration additivity (GCA) is validated. The so-called GCA means that the toxicity of any mixture in the MCM system is the concentration additive, regardless of what its mixture ratio and concentration level. However, many mixture toxicity reports have usually employed one mixture ratio (such as the EC 50 ratio), the equivalent effect concentration ratio (EECR) design, to specify several mixtures. EECR mixtures cannot simulate the concentration diversity and mixture ratio diversity of mixtures in the real environment, and it is impossible to validate the GCA. Therefore, in this paper, the uniform design ray (UD-Ray) was used to select nine mixture ratios (rays) in the mixture system of five nitrobenzene derivatives (NBDs). The representative UD-Ray mixtures can effectively and rationally describe the diversity in the NBD mixture system. The toxicities of the mixtures to Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.-Q67 were determined by the microplate toxicity analysis (MTA). For each UD-Ray mixture, the concentration addition (CA) model was used to validate whether the mixture toxicity is additive. All of the UD-Ray mixtures of five NBDs are global concentration additive. Afterwards, the CA is employed to predict the toxicities of the external mixtures from three EECR mixture rays with the NOEC, EC 30 , and EC 70 ratios. The predictive toxicities are in good agreement with the experimental toxicities, which testifies to the predictability of the mixture toxicity of the NBDs. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

76 FR 14795 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Model GVI Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System Mode...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-18

...). Novel or Unusual Design Features The GVI will have a fly-by-wire electronic flight control system. This... type certification basis for Gulfstream GVI airplanes. If the design of the flight control system has... Control System Mode Annunciation. AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final...

Experimental toxicology of pyrolysis and combustion hazards.

PubMed Central

Cornish, H H; Hahn, K J; Barth, M L

1975-01-01

Data are presented on the acute toxicity (mortality only) of the thermal degradation products of polymers obtained by two methods of degradation. One system utilized a slowly increasing temperature (5 degrees C/min) and gradual degradation of the polymer with the rats being exposed to degradation products as they were evolved. In this system the more toxic polymers included wool, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), and urethane foam. The second system utilized conditions of rapid combustion and exposure of rats to the total products of combustion for a period of 4 hr. In this system the more toxic materials included red oak, cotton, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and styrene-acrylonitrile. It is of interest to note that the natural product wool is among the least toxic under these rapid combustion conditions and among the most toxic under slow pyrolysis conditions. Other materials also vary in the comparative toxicity of their thermal degradation products, depending upon the conditions of degradation and animal exposure. The two experimental techniques presented here may well represent the two extreme conditions of rapid combustion versus slow pyrolysis. Intermediate types of fire situations might be expected to result in relative acute toxicities somewhere between these two extremes. This report deals with acute toxicity on the basis of mortality data only and does not include other parameters of toxicity such as organ weights and histopathology. PMID:1175552

The acute toxicity of local anesthetics.

PubMed

Mather, Laurence E

2010-11-01

Systemic toxicity, usually from overdose or intravascular dose, is feared because it mainly affects the heart and brain, and may be acutely life-threatening. Pharmacological studies of local anesthetic toxicity have largely been reviewed primarily relating to the evaluation of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine during the past decade. This review/opinion focuses more on the principles and concepts underlying the main models used, from chemical pharmacological and pharmacokinetic perspectives. Research models required to produce pivotal toxicity data are discussed. The potencies for neural blockade and systemic toxicity are associated across virtually all models, with some deviations through molecular stereochemistry. These models show that all local anesthetics can produce direct cardiovascular system toxicity and CNS excitotoxicity that may further affect the cardiovascular system response. Whereas the longer-acting local anesthetics are more likely to cause cardiac death by malignant arrhythmias, the shorter-acting agents are more likely to cause cardiac contraction failure. In most models, equi-anesthetic doses of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine are less likely to produce serious toxicity than bupivacaine. Of the various models, this reviewer favors a whole-body large animal preparation because of the comprehensive data collection possible. The conscious sheep preparation has contributed more than any other, and may be regarded as the de facto 'standard' experimental model for concurrent study of local anesthetic toxicity ± pharmacokinetics, using experimental designs that can reproduce the toxicity seen in clinical accidents.

Crystal plasticity finite element analysis of deformation behaviour in SAC305 solder joint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darbandi, Payam

Due to the awareness of the potential health hazards associated with the toxicity of lead (Pb), actions have been taken to eliminate or reduce the use of Pb in consumer products. Among those, tin (Sn) solders have been used for the assembly of electronic systems. Anisotropy is of significant importance in all structural metals, but this characteristic is unusually strong in Sn, making Sn based solder joints one of the best examples of the influence of anisotropy. The effect of anisotropy arising from the crystal structure of tin and large grain microstructure on the microstructure and the evolution of constitutive responses of microscale SAC305 solder joints is investigated. Insights into the effects of key microstructural features and dominant plastic deformation mechanisms influencing the measured relative activity of slip systems in SAC305 are obtained from a combination of optical microscopy, orientation imaging microscopy (OIM), slip plane trace analysis and crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) modeling. Package level SAC305 specimens were subjected to shear deformation in sequential steps and characterized using optical microscopy and OIM to identify the activity of slip systems. X-ray micro Laue diffraction and high energy monochromatic X-ray beam were employed to characterize the joint scale tensile samples to provide necessary information to be able to compare and validate the CPFE model. A CPFE model was developed that can account for relative ease of activating slip systems in SAC305 solder based upon the statistical estimation based on correlation between the critical resolved shear stress and the probability of activating various slip systems. The results from simulations show that the CPFE model developed using the statistical analysis of activity of slip system not only can satisfy the requirements associated with kinematic of plastic deformation in crystal coordinate systems (activity of slip systems) and global coordinate system (shape changes) but also this model is able to predict the evolution of stress in joint level SAC305 sample.

Clinical experience with drug delivery systems as tools to decrease the toxicity of anticancer chemotherapeutic agents.

PubMed

Maranhão, Raul C; Vital, Carolina G; Tavoni, Thauany M; Graziani, Silvia R

2017-10-01

The toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting from their low pharmacological index, introduces considerable discomfort and risk to cancer patients. Among several strategies to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, targeted drug delivery is the most promising one. Areas covered: Liposomes, micelles, albumin-based, polymeric, dendritic and lipid core nanoparticles have been used as carriers to concentrate anticancer drugs in neoplastic tissues, and clinical studies of those preparations are reviewed. In most clinical studies, drug delivery systems reduced drug toxicity. Lipid core nanoparticles (LDE) that bind to cell lipoprotein receptors have the ability to concentrate in neoplastic tissues and were the first artificial non-liposomal system shown in in vivo studies to possess targeting properties. The toxicity reduction achieved by LDE as vehicle of carmustine, etoposide and paclitaxel was singularly strong. Expert opinion: The reduced toxicity offered by drug delivery systems has expanded treatment population that may benefit from chemotherapy including feeble, overtreated and elderly patients that would otherwise be offered palliative therapy. Drug delivery systems may either prolong the duration of treatments or allow increases in drug dose.

Unusual Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Paracoccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

PubMed Central

Lucinda, Lucas Resende; Polanski, José Fernando

2017-01-01

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It occurs more frequently in its chronic form, which particularly affects male adults from rural areas. These patients present with pulmonary involvement and systemic symptoms. Skin and mucosal lesions are rather typical and might suggest the diagnosis. The involvement of the upper airway mucosa is common and the patients usually complain of dysphagia and dysphonia. Nonetheless, in endemic areas, physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion even when faced with some atypical symptoms. We present the case of an adult diagnosed with nasopharyngeal paracoccidioidomycosis after presenting with an unusual otolaryngologic syndrome including unilateral soft palate paralysis with velopharyngeal insufficiency and hearing loss secondary to middle ear effusion. PMID:28500805

Unusual Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Paracoccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

PubMed

Lucinda, Lucas Resende; Polanski, José Fernando

2017-05-01

AbstractParacoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis . It occurs more frequently in its chronic form, which particularly affects male adults from rural areas. These patients present with pulmonary involvement and systemic symptoms. Skin and mucosal lesions are rather typical and might suggest the diagnosis. The involvement of the upper airway mucosa is common and the patients usually complain of dysphagia and dysphonia. Nonetheless, in endemic areas, physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion even when faced with some atypical symptoms. We present the case of an adult diagnosed with nasopharyngeal paracoccidioidomycosis after presenting with an unusual otolaryngologic syndrome including unilateral soft palate paralysis with velopharyngeal insufficiency and hearing loss secondary to middle ear effusion.

Legionella feeleii: an unusual organism associated with cutaneous infection in an immunocompromised patient.

PubMed

Verykiou, S; Goodhead, C; Parry, G; Meggitt, S

2018-04-01

We report a 23-year-old immunocompromised woman who, following cardiac transplantation, presented with an unusual cutaneous eruption. She developed a widespread pustular rash, systemic symptoms and a high temperature with raised inflammatory markers. The diagnosis was reached when a skin biopsy was cultured onto Legionella agar (buffered charcoal yeast extract) and Legionella feeleii was isolated. The patient was treated with 6 weeks of moxifloxacin and her cutaneous lesions gradually resolved. Cutaneous Legionella infections are uncommon and usually affect immunocompromised patients. © 2017 British Association of Dermatologists.

Unusual Central Engine Activity in the Double Burst GRB 110709B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Bin-Bin; Burrows, David N.; Zhang, Bing; Meszaros, Peter; Stratta, Giulia; D'Elia, Valerio; Frederiks, Dmitry; Golenetskii, S.; Cummings, Jay R.; Wang, Xiang-Yu;

Unusual structures of MgF5- superhalogen anion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anusiewicz, Iwona; Skurski, Piotr

2007-05-01

The vertical electron detachment energies (VDE) of three MgF5- anions were calculated at the outer valence Green function level with the 6-311 + G(3df) basis sets. This species was found to form unusual geometrical structures each of which corresponds to an anionic state exhibiting superhalogen nature. The global minimum structure was described as a system in which two central magnesium atoms are linked via symmetrical triangle formed by three fluorine atoms. Extremely large electron binding energies of these anions (exceeding 8.5 eV in all cases) were predicted and discussed.

An unusual fragmentation of oxetane-embedded tetracyclic ketal systems.

PubMed

Rao, G Hari Mangeswara; Khan, Faiz Ahmed

2013-11-01

An unusual route for the synthesis of functionalized cyclobutane derivatives starting from functionalized norbornane derivatives is reported. Base-induced fragmentation of an oxetanol-type moiety embedded in a tetracyclic norbornyl ketal leads to a cyclobutane-fused derivative as the major or exclusive product. The fragmentation reaction for bridgehead-bromine-substituted derivatives was much faster than for the corresponding chlorine-substituted substrates. The functionalized cyclobutane product was formed exclusively in high yield in the former case, while the latter furnished a minor uncyclized side product in varying yields.

Unusual multifocal granulomatous disease caused by actinomycetous bacteria in a nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana).

PubMed

Park, F J; Jaensch, S

2009-01-01

A nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana) was presented with unusual subcutaneous swellings of the thigh regions, and poor growth. Histological examination revealed actinomycetous bacteria associated with multifocal systemic granulomas. The clinical and pathological findings of the case are presented, and some relevant aspects of actinomycetous bacterial infections in mammals and birds are discussed. Although granulomatous disease is encountered at times in avian species, the actinomycetous bacteria (Nocardia and Actinomyces spp.) have rarely been reported in association with multifocal granulomatous disease in birds.

An unusual presentation of primary malignant B-cell-type dural lymphoma

PubMed Central

Low, Yin Yee Sharon; Lai, Siang Hui; Ng, Wai Hoe

2014-01-01

Primary malignant B-cell-type dural lymphoma is a rare subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We herein report an unusual case of diffuse B-cell lymphoma that presents as a chronic subdural haematoma without extracranial involvement. The notable aspects of this case include the patient’s immunocompetence, a short clinical history of symptom onset, rapid neurological deterioration and a final diagnosis of high-grade PCNSL. This case highlights the challenges neurosurgeons face, especially in the emergency setting, when the disease manifests in varied presentations. PMID:25631982

Alexandrium fundyense cysts in the Gulf of Maine: long-term time series of abundance and distribution, and linkages to past and future blooms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, Donald M.; Keafer, Bruce A.; Kleindinst, Judith L.; McGillicuddy, Dennis J.; Martin, Jennifer L.; Norton, Kerry; Pilskaln, Cynthia H.; Smith, Juliette L.; Sherwood, Christopher R.; Butman, Bradford

2014-01-01

Here we document Alexandrium fundyense cyst abundance and distribution patterns over nine years (1997 and 2004–2011) in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and identify linkages between those patterns and several metrics of the severity or magnitude of blooms occurring before and after each autumn cyst survey. We also explore the relative utility of two measures of cyst abundance and demonstrate that GOM cyst counts can be normalized to sediment volume, revealing meaningful patterns equivalent to those determined with dry weight normalization. Cyst concentrations were highly variable spatially. Two distinct seedbeds (defined here as accumulation zones with>300 cysts cm−3) are evident, one in the Bay of Fundy (BOF) and one in mid-coast Maine. Overall, seedbed locations remained relatively constant through time, but their area varied 3–4 fold, and total cyst abundance more than 10 fold among years. A major expansion of the mid-coast Maine seedbed occurred in 2009 following an unusually intense A. fundyense bloom with visible red-water conditions, but that feature disappeared by late 2010. The regional system thus has only two seedbeds with the bathymetry, sediment characteristics, currents, biology, and environmental conditions necessary to persist for decades or longer. Strong positive correlations were confirmed between the abundance of cysts in both the 0–1 and the 0–3 cm layers of sediments in autumn and geographic measures of the extent of the bloom that occurred the next year (i.e., cysts→blooms), such as the length of coastline closed due to shellfish toxicity or the southernmost latitude of shellfish closures. In general, these metrics of bloom geographic extent did not correlate with the number of cysts in sediments following the blooms (blooms→cysts). There are, however, significant positive correlations between 0–3 cm cyst abundances and metrics of the preceding bloom that are indicative of bloom intensity or vegetative cell abundance (e.g., cumulative shellfish toxicity, duration of detectable toxicity in shellfish, and bloom termination date). These data suggest that it may be possible to use cyst abundance to empirically forecast the geographic extent of the forthcoming bloom and, conversely, to use other metrics from bloom and toxicity events to forecast the size of the subsequent cyst population as the inoculum for the next year's bloom. This is an important step towards understanding the excystment/encystment cycle in A. fundyense bloom dynamics while also augmenting our predictive capability for this HAB-forming species in the GOM.

76 FR 72087 - Special Conditions: Diamond Aircraft Industries, Model DA-40NG; Electronic Engine Control (EEC...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-22

... engine design certification, and the certification requirements for engine control systems are driven by... following novel or unusual design features: Electronic engine control system. Discussion As discussed above...; Electronic Engine Control (EEC) System AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final...

Report: Improvements Needed in EPA’s Network Traffic Management Practices

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Report #11-P-0159, March 14, 2011. OEI does not have consistent, repeatable intrusion detection system monitoring practices in place, which inhibits EPA’s ability to monitor unusual network activity and thus protect Agency systems and associated data.

ON-LINE TOXICITY MONITORS AND WATERSHED EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

A Water Quality Early Warning System using On-line Toxicity Monitors (OTMs) has been deployed in the East Fork of the Little Miami River, Clermont County, OH. Living organisms have long been used to determine the toxicity of environmental samples. With advancements in electronic ...

Review of dextromethorphan administration in 18 patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.

PubMed

Afshar, Maryam; Birnbaum, Daniel; Golden, Carla

2014-06-01

The pathogenesis of methotrexate central nervous system toxicity is multifactorial, but it is likely related to central nervous system folate homeostasis. The use of folinate rescue has been described to decrease toxicity in patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. It has also been described in previous studies that there is an elevated level of homocysteine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. Homocysteine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist. The use of dextromethorphan, noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor receptor antagonist, has been used in the treatment of sudden onset of neurological dysfunction associated with methotrexate toxicity. It remains unclear whether the dextromethorphan impacted the speed of recovery, and its use remains controversial. This study reviews the use of dextromethorphan in the setting of subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Charts of 18 patients who had sudden onset of neurological impairments after receiving methotrexate and were treated with dextromethorphan were reviewed. The use of dextromethorphan in most of our patients resulted in symptomatic improvement. In this patient population, earlier administration of dextromethorphan resulted in faster improvement of impairments and led to prevention of recurrence of seizure activity induced by methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Our study provides support for the use of dextromethorphan in patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Use of intravenous lipid emulsion to reverse central nervous system toxicity of an iatrogenic local anesthetic overdose in a patient on peritoneal dialysis.

PubMed

Lange, D Bruce; Schwartz, Daniel; DaRoza, Gerald; Gair, Robert

2012-12-01

To describe a case of severe central nervous system toxicity after an overdose of lidocaine by local infiltration in a peritoneal dialysis patient and subsequent treatment of the toxicity with lipid emulsion. A 31-year-old male received an iatrogenic overdose of 1600 mg of lidocaine 2% by infiltration during an attempt to remove and replace a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Within 10 minutes after the last lidocaine injection, the patient exhibited features of local anesthetic toxicity, which included tachycardia, hypertension, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a choking sensation that progressed to hallucinations, dysarthria, and uncoordinated, weak limb movement. Within 10 minutes after administration of a single 1.5-mg/kg intravenous bolus of 1.5 mL/kg [corrected], the patient improved dramatically. After observation overnight in a monitored care setting, the patient was discharged home with no apparent neurologic sequelae. Systemic toxicity due to regional anesthesia with local anesthetic agents such as lidocaine has been well described in the medical literature. The use of lipid emulsion as an antidote to the toxicity of local anesthetics and other lipophilic drugs has been suggested as a valuable intervention in both early, rapidly progressive toxicity, as well as toxicity that is refractory to standard treatment. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease may be more susceptible to systemic effects of lidocaine due to decreased drug elimination. Central nervous system toxicity due to an overdose of lidocaine was quickly reversed by intravenous lipid emulsion in our patient.

Aquatic Toxicity Screening of an ACWA Secondary Waste, GB-Hydrolysate

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Toxicity Comparison for GB-hydrolysates, Acetone, and Malathion Using O’Bryan and Ross Chemical Scoring System for Hazard and Exposure Identification ...hydrolysates, Acetone, and Malathion Using O’Bryan and Ross Chemical Scoring System for Hazard and Exposure Identification (5) and the U.S. Fish and...WWTF) or a TSDF. The toxicity results were ranked using the Chemical Scoring System for Hazard and Exposure Identification (5). This system is

Bioassessment of heavy metal toxicity and enhancement of heavy metal removal by sulfate-reducing bacteria in the presence of zero valent iron.

PubMed

Guo, Jing; Kang, Yong; Feng, Ying

2017-12-01

A simple and valid toxicity evaluation of Zn 2+ , Mn 2+ and Cr 6+ on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and heavy metal removal were investigated using the SRB system and SRB+Fe 0 system. The heavy metal toxicity coefficient (β) and the heavy metal concentration resulting in 50% inhibition of sulfate reduction (I) from a modeling process were proposed to evaluate the heavy metal toxicity and nonlinear regression was applied to search for evaluation indices β and I. The heavy metal toxicity order was Cr 6+  > Mn 2+  > Zn 2+ . Compared with the SRB system, the SRB+Fe 0 system exhibited a better capability for sulfate reduction and heavy metal removal. The heavy metal removal was above 99% in the SRB+Fe 0 system, except for Mn 2+ . The energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that the precipitates were removed primarily as sulfide for Zn 2+ and hydroxide for Mn 2+ and Cr 6+ .The method of evaluating the heavy metal toxicity on SRB was of great significance to understand the fundamentals of the heavy metal toxicity and inhibition effects on the microorganism and regulate the process of microbial sulfate reduction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Retinal and visual system: occupational and environmental toxicology.

PubMed

Fox, Donald A

2015-01-01

Occupational chemical exposure often results in sensory systems alterations that occur without other clinical signs or symptoms. Approximately 3000 chemicals are toxic to the retina and central visual system. Their dysfunction can have immediate, long-term, and delayed effects on mental health, physical health, and performance and lead to increased occupational injuries. The aims of this chapter are fourfold. First, provide references on retinal/visual system structure, function, and assessment techniques. Second, discuss the retinal features that make it especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Third, review the clinical and corresponding experimental data regarding retinal/visual system deficits produced by occupational toxicants: organic solvents (carbon disulfide, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, styrene, toluene, and mixtures) and metals (inorganic lead, methyl mercury, and mercury vapor). Fourth, discuss occupational and environmental toxicants as risk factors for late-onset retinal diseases and degeneration. Overall, the toxicants altered color vision, rod- and/or cone-mediated electroretinograms, visual fields, spatial contrast sensitivity, and/or retinal thickness. The findings elucidate the importance of conducting multimodal noninvasive clinical, electrophysiologic, imaging and vision testing to monitor toxicant-exposed workers for possible retinal/visual system alterations. Finally, since the retina is a window into the brain, an increased awareness and understanding of retinal/visual system dysfunction should provide additional insight into acquired neurodegenerative disorders. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Selenium detoxification by volatilization and precipitation in aquatic plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fan, T.W.M.; Higashi, R.M.

1995-12-31

The narrow margin of requirement and toxicity for selenium makes it a difficult pollution problem to solve. Selenium bioaccumulation has been a major threat to wildlife in California and is becoming a major concern in the San Francisco Bay/Estuaries. Despite the past efforts in Se nutrition, chemistry, and remediation, its toxicity and detoxification mechanism(s) in wildlife, particularly primary producers, is still unclear, due to a lack of understanding in Se biochemistry. This is becoming a critical issue in assessing Se risk and remediation. To address this gap, the authors have been characterizing Se speciation and its linkage to detoxification mechanism(s)more » of two indigenous aquatic plants, duckweed (Lemna minor) and a microphyte (Chlorella). Using GT-MS analysis, they found that Chlorella monocultures transformed Se oxyanions into volatile dimethylselenide and dimethyidiselenide and into insoluble So at extremely high Se (up to 750 ppm) concentrations. This alga did not accumulate selenomethionine which is among the most toxic forms of Se to wildlife. Dimethylsulfide was also volatilized, consistent with the hypothesis that dimethylsulfide/dimethylselenide emissions share a similar biochemical pathway. Se-treated Chlorella biomass released dimethylsulfide/dimethylselenide upon alkaline hydrolysis, suggesting the presence of dimethylsulfonium and dimethylselenonium propionates. Dimethylsulfoniumpropionate is known as an osmoprotectant in marine phytoplankton and as a major contributor to global biogenic dimethylsulfide emissions. Dimethylselenoniumpropionate has not been identified previously and may be a byproduct of dimethylsulfoniumpropionate synthesis. The unusual Se tolerance of Chlorella may be due to its ability to volatilize and precipitate Se. Such activities may be utilized for in situ Se bioremediation. Similar investigations with duckweed is underway.« less

[An outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections presenting with toxic shock syndrome in Sichuan, China].

PubMed

Yang, Wei-zhong; Yu, Hong-jie; Jing, Huai-qi; Xu, Jian-guo; Chen, Zhi-hai; Zhu, Xiao-ping; Wang, Hua; Liu, Xue-cCheng; Wang, Shi-wen; Liu, Lun-guang; Zu, Rong-qiang; Luo, Long-ze; Xiang, Ni-juan; Liu, Hong-lu; Zhong, Wen-jun; Liu, Li; Meng, Ling; Yuan, Heng; Gao, Yong-jun; DU, Hua-mao; Ou, Yang-bin; Ye, Chang-yun; Jin, Dong; Lv, Qiang; Cui, Zhi-gang; Huang, Yan; Zhang, Shou-yin; An, Xiang-dong; Huang, Ting; Zhou, Xing-yu; Feng, Liao; Pang, Qi-di; Shu, Yue-long; Wang, Yu

2006-03-01

In mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted. An enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors. From June 10 to August 21, 2005, 68 laboratory confirmed cases of human Streptococcus suis infections were reported. All were villagers who gave a history of direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in their backyards where slaughtering was performed. Twenty six (38%) presented with toxic shock syndrome of which 15 (58%) died. Other presentations were septicaemia or meningitis. All isolates were tested positive for genes for tuf, species-specific 16S rRNA, cps2J, mrp, ef and sly. There were 136 clinically diagnosed probable cases with similar exposure history but incomplete laboratory investigations. An outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections occurred in villagers after direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in Sichuan. Prohibition of slaughtering in backyards brought the outbreak to a halt. A virulent strain of the bacteria is speculated to be in circulation, and is responsible for the unusual presentation of toxic shock syndrome with high case fatality.

Engineered Nanomaterials, Sexy New Technology and Potential Hazards

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Beaulieu, R A

Engineered nanomaterials enhance exciting new applications that can greatly benefit society in areas of cancer treatments, solar energy, energy storage, and water purification. While nanotechnology shows incredible promise in these and other areas by exploiting nanomaterials unique properties, these same properties can potentially cause adverse health effects to workers who may be exposed during work. Dispersed nanoparticles in air can cause adverse health effects to animals not merely due to their chemical properties but due to their size, structure, shape, surface chemistry, solubility, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, dermal toxicity, and parent material toxicity. Nanoparticles have a greater likelihood of lungmore » deposition and blood absorption than larger particles due to their size. Nanomaterials can also pose physical hazards due to their unusually high reactivity, which makes them useful as catalysts, but has the potential to cause fires and explosions. Characterization of the hazards (and potential for exposures) associated with nanomaterial development and incorporation in other products is an essential step in the development of nanotechnologies. Developing controls for these hazards are equally important. Engineered controls should be integrated into nanomaterial manufacturing process design according to 10CFR851, DOE Policy 456.1, and DOE Notice 456.1 as safety-related hardware or administrative controls for worker safety. Nanomaterial hazards in a nuclear facility must also meet control requirements per DOE standards 3009, 1189, and 1186. Integration of safe designs into manufacturing processes for new applications concurrent with the developing technology is essential for worker safety. This paper presents a discussion of nanotechnology, nanomaterial properties/hazards and controls.« less

Effects of an unusual poison identify a lifespan role for Topoisomerase 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Tombline, Gregory; Millen, Jonathan I; Polevoda, Bogdan; Rapaport, Matan; Baxter, Bonnie; Van Meter, Michael; Gilbertson, Matthew; Madrey, Joe; Piazza, Gary A; Rasmussen, Lynn; Wennerberg, Krister; White, E Lucile; Nitiss, John L; Goldfarb, David S

2017-01-05

A progressive loss of genome maintenance has been implicated as both a cause and consequence of aging. Here we present evidence supporting the hypothesis that an age-associated decay in genome maintenance promotes aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) due to an inability to sense or repair DNA damage by topoisomerase 2 (yTop2). We describe the characterization of LS1, identified in a high throughput screen for small molecules that shorten the replicative lifespan of yeast. LS1 accelerates aging without affecting proliferative growth or viability. Genetic and biochemical criteria reveal LS1 to be a weak Top2 poison. Top2 poisons induce the accumulation of covalent Top2-linked DNA double strand breaks that, if left unrepaired, lead to genome instability and death. LS1 is toxic to cells deficient in homologous recombination, suggesting that the damage it induces is normally mitigated by genome maintenance systems. The essential roles of yTop2 in proliferating cells may come with a fitness trade-off in older cells that are less able to sense or repair yTop2-mediated DNA damage. Consistent with this idea, cells live longer when yTop2 expression levels are reduced. These results identify intrinsic yTop2-mediated DNA damage as potentially manageable cause of aging.

20180311 - Variability of LD50 Values from Rat Oral Acute Toxicity Studies: Implications for Alternative Model Development (SOT)

EPA Science Inventory

Alternative models developed for estimating acute systemic toxicity are generally evaluated using in vivo LD50 values. However, in vivo acute systemic toxicity studies can produce variable results, even when conducted according to accepted test guidelines. This variability can ma...

Variability of LD50 Values from Rat Oral Acute Toxicity Studies: Implications for Alternative Model Development

EPA Science Inventory

Alternative models developed for estimating acute systemic toxicity are generally evaluated using in vivo LD50 values. However, in vivo acute systemic toxicity studies can produce variable results, even when conducted according to accepted test guidelines. This variability can ma...

Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy after short-term therapy.

PubMed

Phillips, Brandon N; Chun, Dal W

2014-01-01

To report an unusual case of hydroxychloroquine toxicity after short-term therapy. Observational case report. A 56-year-old woman presented to the Ophthalmology Clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) with a 6-month history of gradually decreasing vision in both eyes. The patient had been taking hydroxychloroquine for the preceding 48 months for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Examination of the posterior segment revealed bilateral "bull's eye" macular lesions. Fundus autofluorescence revealed hyperfluorescence of well-defined bull's eye lesions in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography revealed corresponding parafoveal atrophy with a loss of the retinal inner segment/outer segment junction. Humphrey visual field 10-2 white showed significant central and paracentral defects with a generalized depression. The patient was on a standard dose of 400 mg daily, which was above her ideal dose. The patient had no history of kidney or liver dysfunction. There were no known risk factors but there were several possible confounding factors. The patient was started on high-dose nabumetone, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, at the same time she was started on hydroxychloroquine. She also reported taking occasional ibuprofen. Retinal toxicity from chloroquine has been recognized for decades with later reports showing retinopathy from long-term hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) use for the treatment of antiinflammatory diseases. Hydroxychloroquine is now widely used and retinal toxicity is relatively uncommon. However, it can cause serious vision loss and is usually irreversible. The risk of hydroxychloroquine toxicity rises to nearly 1% with a total cumulative dose of 1,000 g, which is ∼5 years to 7 years of normal use. Toxicity is rare under this dose. For this reason, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has revised its recommendations such that annual screenings begin 5 years after therapy with hydroxychloroquine has begun unless there are known risk factors. This case report confirms the need for a baseline examination and annual ophthalmologic screening for patients taking hydroxychloroquine at a dose higher than the recommended dosage. It is also reasonable to consider annual examinations in patients taking high-dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs from the initiation of the medication.

Rheological Characterization of Unusual DWPF Slurry Samples (U)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koopman, D. C.

2005-09-01

A study was undertaken to identify and clarify examples of unusual rheological behavior in Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) simulant slurry samples. Identification was accomplished by reviewing sludge, Sludge Receipt and Adjustment Tank (SRAT) product, and Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) product simulant rheological results from the prior year. Clarification of unusual rheological behavior was achieved by developing and implementing new measurement techniques. Development of these new methods is covered in a separate report, WSRC-TR-2004-00334. This report includes a review of recent literature on unusual rheological behavior, followed by a summary of the rheological measurement results obtained on a set ofmore » unusual simulant samples. Shifts in rheological behavior of slurries as the wt. % total solids changed have been observed in numerous systems. The main finding of the experimental work was that the various unusual DWPF simulant slurry samples exhibit some degree of time dependent behavior. When a given shear rate is applied to a sample, the apparent viscosity of the slurry changes with time rather than remaining constant. These unusual simulant samples are more rheologically complex than Newtonian liquids or more simple slurries, neither of which shows significant time dependence. The study concludes that the unusual rheological behavior that has been observed is being caused by time dependent rheological properties in the slurries being measured. Most of the changes are due to the effect of time under shear, but SB3 SME products were also changing properties while stored in sample bottles. The most likely source of this shear-related time dependence for sludge is in the simulant preparation. More than a single source of time dependence was inferred for the simulant SME product slurries based on the range of phenomena observed. Rheological property changes were observed on the time-scale of a single measurement (minutes) as well as on a time scale of hours to weeks. The unusual shape of the slurry flow curves was not an artifact of the rheometric measurement. Adjusting the user-specified parameters in the rheometer measurement jobs can alter the shape of the flow curve of these time dependent samples, but this was not causing the unusual behavior. Variations in the measurement parameters caused the time dependence of a given slurry to manifest at different rates. The premise of the controlled shear rate flow curve measurement is that the dynamic response of the sample to a change in shear rate is nearly instantaneous. When this is the case, the data can be fitted to a time independent rheological equation, such as the Bingham plastic model. In those cases where this does not happen, interpretation of the data is difficult. Fitting time dependent data to time independent rheological equations, such as the Bingham plastic model, is also not appropriate.« less

Low-cost failure sensor design and development for water pipeline distribution systems.

PubMed

Khan, K; Widdop, P D; Day, A J; Wood, A S; Mounce, S R; Machell, J

2002-01-01

This paper describes the design and development of a new sensor which is low cost to manufacture and install and is reliable in operation with sufficient accuracy, resolution and repeatability for use in newly developed systems for pipeline monitoring and leakage detection. To provide an appropriate signal, the concept of a "failure" sensor is introduced, in which the output is not necessarily proportional to the input, but is unmistakably affected when an unusual event occurs. The design of this failure sensor is based on the water opacity which can be indicative of an unusual event in a water distribution network. The laboratory work and field trials necessary to design and prove out this type of failure sensor are described here. It is concluded that a low-cost failure sensor of this type has good potential for use in a comprehensive water monitoring and management system based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).

Characterization of the Mysteriously Cool Brown Dwarf HD 4113

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ednie, Michaela; Follette, Katherine; Ward-Duong, Kimberly

2018-01-01

Characterizing the physical properties of brown dwarfs is necessary to expand and improve our understanding of low mass companions, including exoplanets. Systems with both close radial velocity companions and distant directly imaged companions are particularly powerful in understanding planet formation mechanisms. Early in 2017, members of the SPHERE team discovered a companion brown dwarf in the HD 4113 system, which also contains a known RV planet. Atmospheric model fits to the Y and J-band spectra and H2/H3 photometry of the brown dwarf suggested it is unusually cool. We obtained new Magellan data in the Z and K’ bands in mid-2017. This data will help us to complete a more detailed atmospheric and astrometric characterization of this unusually cool companion. Broader wavelength coverage will help in accurate spectral typing and estimations of luminosity, temperature, surface gravity, radius, and composition. Additionally, a second astrometric epoch will help constrain the architecture of the system.

Forecasting the student–professor matches that result in unusually effective teaching

PubMed Central

Gross, Jennifer; Lakey, Brian; Lucas, Jessica L; LaCross, Ryan; R Plotkowski, Andrea; Winegard, Bo

2015-01-01

Background Two important influences on students' evaluations of teaching are relationship and professor effects. Relationship effects reflect unique matches between students and professors such that some professors are unusually effective for some students, but not for others. Professor effects reflect inter-rater agreement that some professors are more effective than others, on average across students. Aims We attempted to forecast students' evaluations of live lectures from brief, video-recorded teaching trailers. Sample Participants were 145 college students (74% female) enrolled in introductory psychology courses at a public university in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Methods Students viewed trailers early in the semester and attended live lectures months later. Because subgroups of students viewed the same professors, statistical analyses could isolate professor and relationship effects. Results Evaluations were influenced strongly by relationship and professor effects, and students' evaluations of live lectures could be forecasted from students' evaluations of teaching trailers. That is, we could forecast the individual students who would respond unusually well to a specific professor (relationship effects). We could also forecast which professors elicited better evaluations in live lectures, on average across students (professor effects). Professors who elicited unusually good evaluations in some students also elicited better memory for lectures in those students. Conclusions It appears possible to forecast relationship and professor effects on teaching evaluations by presenting brief teaching trailers to students. Thus, it might be possible to develop online recommender systems to help match students and professors so that unusually effective teaching emerges. PMID:24953773

The contactless detection of local normal transitions in superconducting coils by using Poynting’s vector method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habu, K.; Kaminohara, S.; Kimoto, T.; Kawagoe, A.; Sumiyoshi, F.; Okamoto, H.

2010-11-01

We have developed a new monitoring system to detect an unusual event in the superconducting coils without direct contact on the coils, using Poynting's vector method. In this system, the potential leads and pickup coils are set around the superconducting coils to measure local electric and magnetic fields, respectively. By measuring the sets of magnetic and electric fields, the Poynting's vectors around the coil can be obtained. An unusual event in the coil can be detected as the result of the change of the Poynting's vector. This system has no risk of the voltage breakdown which may happen with the balance voltage method, because there is no need of direct contacts on the coil windings. In a previous paper, we have demonstrated that our system can detect the normal transitions in the Bi-2223 coil without direct contact on the coil windings by using a small test system. For our system to be applied to practical devices, it is necessary for the early detection of an unusual event in the coils to be able to detect local normal transitions in the coils. The signal voltages of the small sensors to measure local magnetic and electric fields are small. Although the increase in signals of the pickup coils is attained easily by an increase in the number of turns of the pickup coils, an increase in the signals of the potential lead is not easily attained. In this paper, a new method to amplify the signal of local electric fields around the coil is proposed. The validity of the method has been confirmed by measuring local electric fields around the Bi-2223 coil.

An expert system for prediction of chemical toxicity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hickey, James P.; Aldridge, Andrew J.; Passino-Reader, Dora R.; Frank, Anthony M.

1992-01-01

The National Fisheries Research Center- Great Lakes has developed an interactive computer program that uses the structure of an organic molecule to predict its acute toxicity to four aquatic species. The expert system software, written in the muLISP language, identifies the skeletal structures and substituent groups of an organic molecule from a user-supplied standard chemical notation known as a SMILES string, and then generates values for four solvatochromic parameters. Multiple regression equations relate these parameters to the toxicities (expressed as log10LC50s and log10EC50s, along with 95% confidence intervals) for four species. The system is demonstrated by prediction of toxicity for anilide-type pesticides to the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). This software is designed for use on an IBM-compatible personal computer by personnel with minimal toxicology background for rapid estimation of chemical toxicity. The system has numerous applications, with much potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry

Technology evaluation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for MIUS application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gill, W. L.; Keough, M. B.; Rippey, J. O.

1974-01-01

Potential ways of providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for a building complex serviced by a modular integrated utility system (MIUS) are examined. Literature surveys were conducted to investigate both conventional and unusual systems to serve this purpose. The advantages and disadvantages of the systems most compatible with MIUS are discussed.

Electronic Learning: Perspectives on Maintaining an Educational Relationship through Electronic Communication.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keenan, Thomas P.

Fifty gifted teenagers from across Canada, who were taught the Honeywell MULTICS "mail" and "forum" systems, were allowed free reign on an electronic communication system for several months. This paper reports on the students' use of the system, and on some of the interesting and unusual events which occurred during the course…

77 FR 28530 - Special Conditions: Tamarack Aerospace Group, Cirrus Model SR22; Active Technology Load...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-15

... have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with Tamarack Aerospace Group's modification. The... the control system. (b) The design of the load alleviation system or of any other automatic system...) Each detail of the Tamarack Active Control Surface (TACS) must be designed and installed to prevent...

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus developing Two years after Remission of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

PubMed Central

Myung, Seung-Jae; Yoo, Bin; Lee, Kyoo-Hyung; Yoo, Mi-Ran; Choi, Seung-Won; Yoo, Eun-Sil; Chi, Hyun-Sook; Moon, Hee-Bom

1996-01-01

We describe a 17-year-old male who presented with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and 2 years thereafter developed central nervous system lupus and nephritis. The association of TTP and systemic lupus erythematosus has been described, but the unusual sequence and chronological separation is very rare. PMID:8854658

Exacerbated type II interferon response drives hypervirulence and toxic shock by an emergent epidemic strain of Streptococcus suis.

PubMed

Lachance, Claude; Gottschalk, Marcelo; Gerber, Pehuén P; Lemire, Paul; Xu, Jianguo; Segura, Mariela

2013-06-01

Streptococcus suis, a major porcine pathogen, can be transmitted to humans and cause severe symptoms. A large human outbreak associated with an unusual streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS) was described in China. Albeit an early burst of proinflammatory cytokines following Chinese S. suis infection was suggested to be responsible for STSLS case severity, the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. Using a mouse model, the host response to S. suis infection with a North American intermediately pathogenic strain, a European highly pathogenic strain, and the Chinese epidemic strain was investigated by a whole-genome microarray approach. Proinflammatory genes were expressed at higher levels in mice infected with the Chinese strain than those infected with the European strain. The Chinese strain induced a fast and strong gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response by natural killer (NK) cells. In fact, IFN-γ-knockout mice infected with the Chinese strain showed significantly better survival than wild-type mice. Conversely, infection with the less virulent North American strain resulted in an IFN-β-subjugated, low inflammatory response that might be beneficial for the host to clear the infection. Overall, our data suggest that a highly virulent epidemic strain has evolved to massively activate IFN-γ production, mainly by NK cells, leading to a rapid and lethal STSLS.

Binding specificity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Aa for purified, native Bombyx mori aminopeptidase N and cadherin-like receptors

PubMed Central

Jenkins, Jeremy L; Dean, Donald H

2001-01-01

Background To better understand the molecular interactions of Bt toxins with non-target insects, we have examined the real-time binding specificity and affinity of Cry1 toxins to native silkworm (Bombyx mori) midgut receptors. Previous studies on B. mori receptors utilized brush border membrane vesicles or purifed receptors in blot-type assays. Results The Bombyx mori (silkworm) aminopeptidase N (APN) and cadherin-like receptors for Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal Cry1Aa toxin were purified and their real-time binding affinities for Cry toxins were examined by surface plasmon resonance. Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins did not bind to the immobilized native receptors, correlating with their low toxicities. Cry1Aa displayed moderate affinity for B. mori APN (75 nM), and unusually tight binding to the cadherin-like receptor (2.6 nM), which results from slow dissociation rates. The binding of a hybrid toxin (Aa/Aa/Ac) was identical to Cry1Aa. Conclusions These results indicate domain II of Cry1Aa is essential for binding to native B. mori receptors and for toxicity. Moreover, the high-affinity binding of Cry1Aa to native cadherin-like receptor emphasizes the importance of this receptor class for Bt toxin research. PMID:11722800

A procedure for the assessment of the toxicity of intermediates and products formed during the accidental thermal decomposition of a chemical species.

PubMed

Di Somma, Ilaria; Pollio, Antonino; Pinto, Gabriele; De Falco, Maria; Pizzo, Elio; Andreozzi, Roberto

2010-04-15

The knowledge of the substances which form when a molecule undergoes chemical reactions under unusual conditions is required by European legislation to evaluate the risks associated with an industrial chemical process. A thermal decomposition is often the result of a loss of control of the process which leads to the formation of many substances in some cases not easily predictable. The evaluation of the change of an overall toxicity passing from the parent compound to the mixture of its thermal decomposition products has been already proposed as a practical approach to this problem when preliminary indications about the temperature range in which the molecule decomposes are available. A new procedure is proposed in this work for the obtainment of the mixtures of thermal decomposition products also when there is no previous information about the thermal behaviour of investigated molecules. A scanning calorimetric run that is aimed to identify the onset temperature of the decomposition process is coupled to an isoperibolic one in order to obtain and collect the products. An algal strain is adopted for toxicological assessments of chemical compounds and mixtures. An extension of toxicological investigations to human cells is also attempted. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evolution: sociality as a driver of unorthodox reproduction.

PubMed

Schwander, Tanja; Keller, Laurent

2012-07-10

An unusual reproductive system was discovered in desert ants, in which daughter queens are produced asexually via parthenogenesis, whereas workers develop from hybrid crosses between genetically divergent lineages. The system appears to be doomed to extinction. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selenium toxicity: cause and effects in aquatic birds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Spallholz, J.E.; Hoffman, D.J.

2002-01-01

There are several manners in which selenium may express its toxicity: (1) an important mechanism appears to involve the formation of CH3Se- which either enters a redox cycle and generates superoxide and oxidative stress, or forms free radicals that bind to and inhibit important enzymes and proteins. (2) Excess selenium as selenocysteine results in inhibition of selenium methylation metabolism. As a consequence, concentrations of hydrogen selenide, an intermediate metabolite, accumulate in animals and are hepatotoxic, possibly causing other selenium-related adverse effects. (3) It is also possible that the presence of excess selenium analogs of sulfur-containing enzymes and structural proteins play a role in avian teratogenesis. l-selenomethionine is the most likely major dietary form of selenium encountered by aquatic birds, with lesser amounts of l-selenocysteine ingested from aquatic animal foods. The literature is suggestive that l-selenomethionine is not any more toxic to adult birds than other animals. l-Selenomethionine accumulates in tissue protein of adult birds and in the protein of egg white as would be expected to occur in animals. There is no suggestion from the literature that the levels of l-selenomethionine that would be expected to accumulate in eggs in the absence of environmental concentration of selenium pose harm to the developing embryo. For several species of aquatic birds, levels of Se as selenomethionine in the egg above 3 ppm on a wet weight basis result in reduced hatchability and deformed embryos. The toxicity of l-selenomethionine injected directly into eggs is greater than that found from the entry of l-selenomethionine into the egg from the normal adult diet. This suggests that there is unusual if not abnormal metabolism of l-selenomethionine in the embryo not seen when l-selenomethionine is present in egg white protein where it likely serves as a source of selenium for glutathione peroxidase synthesis in the developing aquatic chick.

A framework for in vitro systems toxicology assessment of e-liquids

PubMed Central

Iskandar, Anita R.; Gonzalez-Suarez, Ignacio; Majeed, Shoaib; Marescotti, Diego; Sewer, Alain; Xiang, Yang; Leroy, Patrice; Guedj, Emmanuel; Mathis, Carole; Schaller, Jean-Pierre; Vanscheeuwijck, Patrick; Frentzel, Stefan; Martin, Florian; Ivanov, Nikolai V.; Peitsch, Manuel C.; Hoeng, Julia

2016-01-01

Abstract Various electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), of which electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are the most recognized prototype, have been quickly gaining ground on conventional cigarettes because they are perceived as less harmful. Research assessing the potential effects of ENDS exposure in humans is currently limited and inconclusive. New products are emerging with numerous variations in designs and performance parameters within and across brands. Acknowledging these challenges, we present here a proposed framework for an in vitro systems toxicology assessment of e-liquids and their aerosols, intended to complement the battery of assays for standard toxicity assessments. The proposed framework utilizes high-throughput toxicity assessments of e-liquids and their aerosols, in which the device-to-device variability is minimized, and a systems-level investigation of the cellular mechanisms of toxicity is an integral part. An analytical chemistry investigation is also included as a part of the framework to provide accurate and reliable chemistry data solidifying the toxicological assessment. In its simplest form, the framework comprises of three main layers: (1) high-throughput toxicity screening of e-liquids using primary human cell culture systems; (2) toxicity-related mechanistic assessment of selected e-liquids, and (3) toxicity-related mechanistic assessment of their aerosols using organotypic air–liquid interface airway culture systems. A systems toxicology assessment approach is leveraged to enable in-depth analyses of the toxicity-related cellular mechanisms of e-liquids and their aerosols. We present example use cases to demonstrate the suitability of the framework for a robust in vitro assessment of e-liquids and their aerosols. PMID:27117495

A framework for in vitro systems toxicology assessment of e-liquids.

PubMed

Iskandar, Anita R; Gonzalez-Suarez, Ignacio; Majeed, Shoaib; Marescotti, Diego; Sewer, Alain; Xiang, Yang; Leroy, Patrice; Guedj, Emmanuel; Mathis, Carole; Schaller, Jean-Pierre; Vanscheeuwijck, Patrick; Frentzel, Stefan; Martin, Florian; Ivanov, Nikolai V; Peitsch, Manuel C; Hoeng, Julia

2016-07-01

Various electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), of which electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are the most recognized prototype, have been quickly gaining ground on conventional cigarettes because they are perceived as less harmful. Research assessing the potential effects of ENDS exposure in humans is currently limited and inconclusive. New products are emerging with numerous variations in designs and performance parameters within and across brands. Acknowledging these challenges, we present here a proposed framework for an in vitro systems toxicology assessment of e-liquids and their aerosols, intended to complement the battery of assays for standard toxicity assessments. The proposed framework utilizes high-throughput toxicity assessments of e-liquids and their aerosols, in which the device-to-device variability is minimized, and a systems-level investigation of the cellular mechanisms of toxicity is an integral part. An analytical chemistry investigation is also included as a part of the framework to provide accurate and reliable chemistry data solidifying the toxicological assessment. In its simplest form, the framework comprises of three main layers: (1) high-throughput toxicity screening of e-liquids using primary human cell culture systems; (2) toxicity-related mechanistic assessment of selected e-liquids, and (3) toxicity-related mechanistic assessment of their aerosols using organotypic air-liquid interface airway culture systems. A systems toxicology assessment approach is leveraged to enable in-depth analyses of the toxicity-related cellular mechanisms of e-liquids and their aerosols. We present example use cases to demonstrate the suitability of the framework for a robust in vitro assessment of e-liquids and their aerosols.

Toxic shock syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed Central

Chan, R. M.; Graham, H. R.; Birmingham, C. L.

1983-01-01

A case is presented of toxic shock syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Toxic shock syndrome is rarely reported in patients who are immunosuppressed, perhaps because such patients are often treated vigorously with antibiotics at the earliest sign of infection. The association in this case may have been coincidental. PMID:6640456

48 CFR 1552.235-78 - Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (DEC 1997).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Data Security for Toxic... Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Texts of Provisions and Clauses 1552.235-78 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act...

48 CFR 1552.235-78 - Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (DEC 1997).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Data Security for Toxic... Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Texts of Provisions and Clauses 1552.235-78 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act...

48 CFR 1552.235-78 - Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (DEC 1997).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Data Security for Toxic... Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Texts of Provisions and Clauses 1552.235-78 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act...

48 CFR 1552.235-78 - Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (DEC 1997).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 true Data Security for Toxic... Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Texts of Provisions and Clauses 1552.235-78 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act...

48 CFR 1552.235-78 - Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (DEC 1997).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 6 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Data Security for Toxic... Acquisition Regulations System ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLAUSES AND FORMS SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Texts of Provisions and Clauses 1552.235-78 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act...

Ecotoxicity literature review of selected Hanford Site contaminants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Driver, C.J.

1994-03-01

Available information on the toxicity, food chain transport, and bioconcentration of several Hanford Site contaminants were reviewed. The contaminants included cesium-137, cobalt-60, europium, nitrate, plutonium, strontium-90, technetium, tritium, uranium, and chromium (III and VI). Toxicity and mobility in both aquatic and terrestrial systems were considered. For aquatic systems, considerable information was available on the chemical and/or radiological toxicity of most of the contaminants in invertebrate animals and fish. Little information was available on aquatic macrophyte response to the contaminants. Terrestrial animals such as waterfowl and amphibians that have high exposure potential in aquatic systems were also largely unrepresented in themore » toxicity literature. The preponderance of toxicity data for terrestrial biota was for laboratory mammals. Bioconcentration factors and transfer coefficients were obtained for primary producers and consumers in representative aquatic and terrestrial systems; however, little data were available for upper trophic level transfer, particularly for terrestrial predators. Food chain transport and toxicity information for the contaminants were generally lacking for desert or sage brush-steppe organisms, particularly plants and reptiles« less

Long term evolution of surface features on the unusual close binary V361 Lyr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lister, T. A.

2009-02-01

V361 Lyr has been recognized as an unusual, possibly unique, pre-contact binary which is though to be evolving from a detached binary system into a W UMa contact binary system due to Angular Momentum Loss (AML) and mass transfer. The mass transfer and resulting hot spot on the secondary star allow the physics of accretion to be studied without the normal difficulties of disks and winds that are present in T Tauri stars. I present light curves obtained over a 10 year period as part of long term monitoring program obtained with a variety of telescopes, collect all available times of minima from the literature along with those determined from the light curves and determine the rate of period change.

Crystal structure of guanidinium hexafluoridovanadate(III), (CN3H6)3[VF6]: an unusual hybrid compound related to perovskite.

PubMed

Black, Cameron; Lightfoot, Philip

2017-03-01

Vanadium fluorides with novel crystal-chemical features and interesting physical properties can be prepared by solvothermal synthetic routes. The title compound, guanidinium hexafluoridovanadate(III), has a cubic structure (space group Pa-3), exhibiting isolated regular VF 6 octahedral units, which are hydrogen bonded to protonated guanidinium moieties. Although the VF 6 octahedral units are not linked directly together, there are structural similarities between this crystal structure and those of the wider family of perovskite materials, in particular, hybrid perovskites based on extended ligands such as cyanide. In this context, the octahedral tilt system of the present compound is of interest and demonstrates that unusual tilt systems can be mediated via `molecular' linkers which allow only supramolecular rather than covalent interactions.

Birth of an Unusual Planetary System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

This artist's animation shows a brown dwarf surrounded by a swirling disc of planet-building dust. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spotted such a disc around a surprisingly low-mass brown dwarf, or 'failed star.' The brown dwarf, called OTS 44, is only 15 times the size of Jupiter, making it the smallest brown dwarf known to host a planet-forming, or protoplanetary disc.

Astronomers believe that this unusual system will eventually spawn planets. If so, they speculate that OTS 44's disc has enough mass to make one small gas giant and a few Earth-sized rocky planets.

OTS 44 is about 2 million years old. At this relatively young age, brown dwarfs are warm and appear reddish in color. With age, they grow cooler and darker.

PH DEPENDENT TOXICITY OF FIVE METALS TO THREE MARINE ORGANISMS

EPA Science Inventory

The pH of natural marine systems is relatively stable; this may explain why metal toxicity changes with pH have not been well documented. However, changes in metal toxicity with pH in marine waters are of concern in toxicity testing. During porewater toxicity testing pH can chang...

A fatal bite from the burrowing asp Atractaspis corpulenta (Hallowell 1854).

PubMed

Tilbury, Colin R; Verster, Janette

2016-08-01

Bites from the various species of Atractaspis are a common occurrence in Africa but deaths are very unusual. Of the 19 described species, the clinical effects of the bite of only seven have been described, and in only three (Atractaspis irregularis, Atractaspis microlepidota and Atractaspis engaddensis) have fatalities been documented. A case of envenomation is described following a bite to a finger by Atractaspis corpulenta, which resulted in sudden death approximately two and a half hours later. The victim received antivenom and although anaphylaxis to this cannot be ruled out, we consider it to be unlikely to be the cause of death. A late autopsy was performed and the findings and their interpretation are discussed. The previous case fatalities, toxic fractions and clinical effects of Atractaspis venom are briefly reviewed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Erlotinib induced target-like purpura.

PubMed

Rungtrakulchai, R; Rerknimitr, P

2014-02-18

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, used as a treatment for advanced stage cancer. The most common side effect is cutaneous toxicity including the already known papulopustular reaction. We herein report a case of erlotinib induced target-like purpura, a peculiar cutaneous adverse event. A 57-year-old patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer was treated by erolotinib 150 mg daily. After taking the drug for three days, an unusual target-like purpura developed on her lower legs. Skin biopsy specimen taken from the lesion revealed an extravasation of erythrocytes in the upper dermis without destruction of blood vessel walls. This skin eruption cleared after the drug was withdrawn and recurred after erlotinib was re-challenged. The mechanism underlying this cutaneous adverse event remains to be elucidated. Physicians should be aware of the rare side effect of this increasingly used drug.

Elemental Levels Analyzed by PIXE in Florida Alligators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuharik, J. C.; Kravchenko, I. I.; Dunnam, F. E.; Van Rinsvelt, H. A.; Ross, J. P.

2003-08-01

Unusual and alarming mortality of alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) has been reported from Lake Griffin, Florida, where almost 400 dead alligators have been observed since 1997. In addition, the hatch rate for alligator eggs around Lake Griffin fell below 10% and remains low (30-45%) while the normal hatch rate is typically 80%. Standard diagnostic methods have been ineffective in determining the cause of the phenomenon. Many possibilities have been considered including pollutants, nutrition, and toxic algae. Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis is highly suitable for investigating concentrations of a wide range of elements in animal tissue. Liver, kidney and spinal cord tissues from healthy and sick alligators have been analyzed by PIXE for elemental content. Initial results showed positive correlation between certain elements and neural impairment and morbidity of alligators in Lake Griffin, but have failed to prove significant.

Spatial dynamics of a nutrient-phytoplankton system with toxic effect on phytoplankton.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Subhendu; Tiwari, P K; Misra, A K; Chattopadhyay, J

2015-06-01

The production of toxins by some species of phytoplankton is known to have several economic, ecological, and human health impacts. However, the role of toxins on the spatial distribution of phytoplankton is not well understood. In the present study, the spatial dynamics of a nutrient-phytoplankton system with toxic effect on phytoplankton is investigated. We analyze the linear stability of the system and obtain the condition for Turing instability. In the presence of toxic effect, we find that the distribution of nutrient and phytoplankton becomes inhomogeneous in space and results in different patterns, like stripes, spots, and the mixture of them depending on the toxicity level. We also observe that the distribution of nutrient and phytoplankton shows spatiotemporal oscillation for certain toxicity level. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

ECVAM and new technologies for toxicity testing.

PubMed

Bouvier d'Yvoire, Michel; Bremer, Susanne; Casati, Silvia; Ceridono, Mara; Coecke, Sandra; Corvi, Raffaella; Eskes, Chantra; Gribaldo, Laura; Griesinger, Claudius; Knaut, Holger; Linge, Jens P; Roi, Annett; Zuang, Valérie

2012-01-01

The development of alternative empirical (testing) and non-empirical (non-testing) methods to traditional toxicological tests for complex human health effects is a tremendous task. Toxicants may potentially interfere with a vast number of physiological mechanisms thereby causing disturbances on various levels of complexity of human physiology. Only a limited number of mechanisms relevant for toxicity ('pathways' of toxicity) have been identified with certainty so far and, presumably, many more mechanisms by which toxicants cause adverse effects remain to be identified. Recapitulating in empirical model systems (i.e., in vitro test systems) all those relevant physiological mechanisms prone to be disturbed by toxicants and relevant for causing the toxicity effect in question poses an enormous challenge. First, the mechanism(s) of action of toxicants in relation to the most relevant adverse effects of a specific human health endpoint need to be identified. Subsequently, these mechanisms need to be modeled in reductionist test systems that allow assessing whether an unknown substance may operate via a specific (array of) mechanism(s). Ideally, such test systems should be relevant for the species of interest, i.e., based on human cells or modeling mechanisms present in humans. Since much of our understanding about toxicity mechanisms is based on studies using animal model systems (i.e., experimental animals or animal-derived cells), designing test systems that model mechanisms relevant for the human situation may be limited by the lack of relevant information from basic research. New technologies from molecular biology and cell biology, as well as progress in tissue engineering, imaging techniques and automated testing platforms hold the promise to alleviate some of the traditional difficulties associated with improving toxicity testing for complex endpoints. Such new technologies are expected (1) to accelerate the identification of toxicity pathways with human relevance that need to be modeled in test methods for toxicity testing (2) to enable the reconstruction of reductionist test systems modeling at a reduced level of complexity the target system/organ of interest (e.g., through tissue engineering, use of human-derived cell lines and stem cells etc.), (3) to allow the measurement of specific mechanisms relevant for a given health endpoint in such test methods (e.g., through gene and protein expression, changes in metabolites, receptor activation, changes in neural activity etc.), (4) to allow to measure toxicity mechanisms at higher throughput rates through the use of automated testing. In this chapter, we discuss the potential impact of new technologies on the development, optimization and use of empirical testing methods, grouped according to important toxicological endpoints. We highlight, from an ECVAM perspective, the areas of topical toxicity, skin absorption, reproductive and developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity/genotoxicity, sensitization, hematopoeisis and toxicokinetics and discuss strategic developments including ECVAM's database service on alternative methods. Neither the areas of toxicity discussed nor the highlighted new technologies represent comprehensive listings which would be an impossible endeavor in the context of a book chapter. However, we feel that these areas are of utmost importance and we predict that new technologies are likely to contribute significantly to test development in these fields. We summarize which new technologies are expected to contribute to the development of new alternative testing methods over the next few years and point out current and planned ECVAM projects for each of these areas.

Runge-Lenz vector, accidental SU(2) symmetry, and unusual multiplets for motion on a cone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Al-Hashimi, M.H.; Wiese, U.-J.

2008-01-15

We consider a particle moving on a cone and bound to its tip by 1/r or harmonic oscillator potentials. When the deficit angle of the cone divided by 2{pi} is a rational number, all bound classical orbits are closed. Correspondingly, the quantum system has accidental degeneracies in the discrete energy spectrum. An accidental SU(2) symmetry is generated by the rotations around the tip of the cone as well as by a Runge-Lenz vector. Remarkably, some of the corresponding multiplets have fractional 'spin' and unusual degeneracies.

Complement system and immunological mediators: Their involvements in the induced inflammatory process by Androctonus australis hector venom and its toxic components.

PubMed

Bekkari, Nadjia; Martin-Eauclaire, Marie-France; Laraba-Djebari, Fatima

2015-01-01

Androctonus australis hector scorpion venom is well known by its high toxicity, it induces massive release of neurotransmitters that lead to pathophysiological disorders in cardiovascular, neuro-hormonal and immune systems. Previous studies have shown the relationship between the severity of scorpion envenoming and immune system activation. This study was assessed to investigate the involvement of complement system and inflammatory mediators after sublethal injection of Aah venom, its toxic fraction (FtoxG50) and its main toxins (AahI and AahII) into NMRI mice. The Activation complement system by the venom is also compared to that induced of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Obtained results showed that seric complement system (CS) is activated by the venom and by its toxic components; this activation is more pronounced into liver tissue when toxic components (FtoxG50, AahI or AahII) are used. Increase of cytokine levels (IL1β, TNFα and ICAM) into hepatic tissue induced by AahI or AahII neurotoxins is correlated with tissue alterations. Aprotinin, a non specific inhibitor of complement system seems to be able to reduce CS consumption and to restore partially the induced tissue damage by venom. The mechanisms by which toxic fraction or LPS induced the activation of complement system seem to be different. Sensitivity of hepatic tissue is more pronounced after FtoxG50 injection; however lung tissue is more sensible to LPS than FoxG50. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

78 FR 18083 - Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-25

... and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that their systems have levels of capacity, integrity... 1980s.\\13\\ The Commission acknowledged improvements in efficiency during that time period, but noted... an as-needed basis, as well as provide real- time notification of unusual events, such as significant...

Oxidative degradation and toxicity reduction of trichloroethylene (TCE) in water using TiO2/solar light: comparative study of TiO2 slurry and immobilized systems.

PubMed

Cho, Il-Hyoung; Park, Jae-Hong; Kim, Young-Gyu

2005-01-01

A solar-driven, photocatalyzed degradation system using TiO2 slurry and immobilized systems was constructed and applied to the degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated water using TiO2 with solar light. The experiments were carried out under constant weather conditions on a sunny day. Solar photocatalytic treatment efficiency of the solar light/TiO2 slurry system was compared with that of the solar light/TiO2 immobilized system. The operation of the solar light/TiO2 slurry and immobilized systems showed 100% (TiO2 slurry system), 80% (TiO2 immobilized system) degradation of the TCE after 6 h, with a chloride production yield of approximately 89% (TiO2 slurry system), 72% (TiO2 immobilized system). The oxidants such as H2O2 and S2O8(2-) in the TiO2 slurry and immobilized systems increased TCE degradation rate by suppressing the electron/hole recombination process. The degradation rate and relative toxicity reduction of TCE followed the order of solar light/TiO2 slurry + S2O8(2-) > solar light/TiO2 slurry + H2O2 > solar light/TiO2 immobilized + S2O8(2-) > solar light/TiO2 slurry > solar light/TiO2 immobilized + H2O2 > solar light/TiO2 immobilized. Finally, following to the toxicity result, the acute toxicity was reduced by below toxicity endpoint (EC50 concentration) following the treatment. It means that many of the metabolites of TCE reduction are less toxic to Vibrio fischeri than the parent compound. Based on these results, TCE can be efficiently and safely treated in a solar-driven, photocatalyzed degradation system.

Microarray analysis in rat liver slices correctly predicts in vivo hepatotoxicity.

PubMed

Elferink, M G L; Olinga, P; Draaisma, A L; Merema, M T; Bauerschmidt, S; Polman, J; Schoonen, W G; Groothuis, G M M

2008-06-15

The microarray technology, developed for the simultaneous analysis of a large number of genes, may be useful for the detection of toxicity in an early stage of the development of new drugs. The effect of different hepatotoxins was analyzed at the gene expression level in the rat liver both in vivo and in vitro. As in vitro model system the precision-cut liver slice model was used, in which all liver cell types are present in their natural architecture. This is important since drug-induced toxicity often is a multi-cellular process involving not only hepatocytes but also other cell types such as Kupffer and stellate cells. As model toxic compounds lipopolysaccharide (LPS, inducing inflammation), paracetamol (necrosis), carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4), fibrosis and necrosis) and gliotoxin (apoptosis) were used. The aim of this study was to validate the rat liver slice system as in vitro model system for drug-induced toxicity studies. The results of the microarray studies show that the in vitro profiles of gene expression cluster per compound and incubation time, and when analyzed in a commercial gene expression database, can predict the toxicity and pathology observed in vivo. Each toxic compound induces a specific pattern of gene expression changes. In addition, some common genes were up- or down-regulated with all toxic compounds. These data show that the rat liver slice system can be an appropriate tool for the prediction of multi-cellular liver toxicity. The same experiments and analyses are currently performed for the prediction of human specific toxicity using human liver slices.

Microarray analysis in rat liver slices correctly predicts in vivo hepatotoxicity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elferink, M.G.L.; Olinga, P.; Draaisma, A.L.

2008-06-15

The microarray technology, developed for the simultaneous analysis of a large number of genes, may be useful for the detection of toxicity in an early stage of the development of new drugs. The effect of different hepatotoxins was analyzed at the gene expression level in the rat liver both in vivo and in vitro. As in vitro model system the precision-cut liver slice model was used, in which all liver cell types are present in their natural architecture. This is important since drug-induced toxicity often is a multi-cellular process involving not only hepatocytes but also other cell types such asmore » Kupffer and stellate cells. As model toxic compounds lipopolysaccharide (LPS, inducing inflammation), paracetamol (necrosis), carbon tetrachloride (CCl{sub 4}, fibrosis and necrosis) and gliotoxin (apoptosis) were used. The aim of this study was to validate the rat liver slice system as in vitro model system for drug-induced toxicity studies. The results of the microarray studies show that the in vitro profiles of gene expression cluster per compound and incubation time, and when analyzed in a commercial gene expression database, can predict the toxicity and pathology observed in vivo. Each toxic compound induces a specific pattern of gene expression changes. In addition, some common genes were up- or down-regulated with all toxic compounds. These data show that the rat liver slice system can be an appropriate tool for the prediction of multi-cellular liver toxicity. The same experiments and analyses are currently performed for the prediction of human specific toxicity using human liver slices.« less

Profiling the reproductive toxicity of chemicals from multigeneration studies in the toxicity reference database

EPA Science Inventory

Multigeneration reproduction studies are used to characterize parental and offspring systemic toxicity, as well as reproductive toxicity of pesticides, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Results from 329 multigeneration studies on 316 chemicals have been digitized into sta...

Toxic Substances Registry System: Index of Material Safety Data Sheets. Revised

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

The January 1998 revision of the Index of Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Toxic Substances Registry System (TSRS) is presented. The MSDS lists toxic substances by manufacturer, trade name, stock number, and distributor. The index provides information on hazards, use, and chemical composition of materials stored at KSC.

Toxic Substances Registry System: Index of Material Safety Data Sheets. Volume 1; Manufacturer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

The April 1998 revision of the Index of Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Toxic Substances Registry System (TSRS) is presented. The MSDS lists toxic substances by manufacturer, trade name, stock number, and distributor. The index provides information on hazards, use, and chemical composition of materials stored at KSC.

Toxic Substances Registry System Index of Material Safety Data Sheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

The July 1997 revision of the Index of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Toxic Substances Registry System (TSRS) is presented. The MSDS lists toxic substances by manufacturer, trade name, stock number, and distributor. The index provides information on hazards, use, and chemical composition of materials stored at KSC.

Deriving Points of Departure and Performance Baselines for Predictive Modeling of Systemic Toxicity using ToxRefDB (SOT)

EPA Science Inventory

A primary goal of computational toxicology is to generate predictive models of toxicity. An elusive target of alternative test methods and models has been the accurate prediction of systemic toxicity points of departure (PoD). We aim not only to provide a large and valuable resou...

Simulation analysis of a wildfire suppression system

Treesearch

Abílio Pereira Pacheco; João Claro; Tiago Oliveira

2013-01-01

Rekindles and false alarms are unusually high in the Portuguese wildfire management system, representing a high burden on suppression resources in particular, and fire management resources in general. In 20,049 occurrences that the suppression system handled in the summer of 2010, 12.5% were false alarms and 15.0% were rekindles. We present a discreteevent simulation...

78 FR 76254 - Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A350-900 Series Airplane; Control Surface Awareness and Mode...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-17

... or unusual design features: electronic flight control system providing control surface awareness and... system design must ensure that the flight crew is made suitably aware whenever the primary control means... awareness. 0 b. If the design of the flight control system has multiple modes of operation, a means must be...

An unusual case of extensive self-inflicted cement burn.

PubMed

Catalano, F; Mariano, F; Maina, G; Bianco, C; Nuzzo, J; Stella, M

2013-03-31

Cement is a fine powder used to bind sand and stones into a matrix of concrete, making up the world's most frequently used building material in the construction industry. First described by Ramazzini in his book "De Morbis Artificia Diatriba" in 1700, the effect of cement on the skin was presumed to be due to contact dermatitis. The first cement burns case was published by Rowe and Williams in 1963. Cement handling has been found to be responsible for many cases of occupational burns (generally full-thickness) usually affecting a limited TBSA, rarely greater than 5%, with localization especially in the lower limbs. We describe an unusual case of a self-inflicted cement burn involving 75% TBSA. A 28-yr-old building worker attempted suicide by jumping into a cement mixer in a truck. Upon arrival at our burn centre, clinical examination revealed extensive burn (75% TBSA - 40% full-thickness) involving face, back, abdomen, upper limbs and circumferentially lower limbs, sparing the hands and feet. The patient was sedated, mechanically ventilated, and subjected to escharotomy of the lower limbs in the emergency room. The following day, the deep burns in the lower limbs were excised down to the fascia and covered with meshed allografts. Owing to probable intestinal and skin absorption of cement, metal toxicity was suspected and dialysis and forced diuresis were therefore initiated on day 3. The patient's clinical conditions gradually worsened and he died on day 13 from the multi-organ failure syndrome.

An unusual case of extensive self-inflicted cement burn

PubMed Central

Catalano, F.; Mariano, F.; Maina, G.; Bianco, C.; Nuzzo, J.; Stella, M.

2013-01-01

Summary Cement is a fine powder used to bind sand and stones into a matrix of concrete, making up the world’s most frequently used building material in the construction industry. First described by Ramazzini in his book “De Morbis Artificia Diatriba” in 1700, the effect of cement on the skin was presumed to be due to contact dermatitis. The first cement burns case was published by Rowe and Williams in 1963. Cement handling has been found to be responsible for many cases of occupational burns (generally full-thickness) usually affecting a limited TBSA, rarely greater than 5%, with localization especially in the lower limbs. We describe an unusual case of a self-inflicted cement burn involving 75% TBSA. A 28-yr-old building worker attempted suicide by jumping into a cement mixer in a truck. Upon arrival at our burn centre, clinical examination revealed extensive burn (75% TBSA - 40% full-thickness) involving face, back, abdomen, upper limbs and circumferentially lower limbs, sparing the hands and feet. The patient was sedated, mechanically ventilated, and subjected to escharotomy of the lower limbs in the emergency room. The following day, the deep burns in the lower limbs were excised down to the fascia and covered with meshed allografts. Owing to probable intestinal and skin absorption of cement, metal toxicity was suspected and dialysis and forced diuresis were therefore initiated on day 3. The patient’s clinical conditions gradually worsened and he died on day 13 from the multi-organ failure syndrome. PMID:23966898

Influence of ozonation and biodegradation on toxicity of industrial textile wastewater.

PubMed

Paździor, Katarzyna; Wrębiak, Julita; Klepacz-Smółka, Anna; Gmurek, Marta; Bilińska, Lucyna; Kos, Lech; Sójka-Ledakowicz, Jadwiga; Ledakowicz, Stanisław

2017-06-15

The textile industry demands huge volumes of high quality water which converts into wastewater contaminated by wide spectrum of chemicals. Estimation of textile wastewater influence on the aquatic systems is a very important issue. Therefore, closing of the water cycle within the factories is a promising method of decreasing its environmental impact as well as operational costs. Taking both reasons into account, the aim of this work was to establish the acute toxicity of the textile wastewater before and after separate chemical, biological as well as combined chemical-biological treatment. For the first time the effects of three different combinations of chemical and biological methods were investigated. The acute toxicity analysis were evaluated using the Microtox ® toxicity test. Ozonation in two reactors of working volume 1 dm 3 (stirred cell) and 20 dm 3 (bubble column) were tested as chemical process, while biodegradation was conducted in two, different systems - Sequence Batch Reactors (SBR; working volume 1.5 dm 3 ) and Horizontal Continuous Flow Bioreactor (HCFB; working volume 12 dm 3 ). The untreated wastewater had the highest toxicity (EC50 value in range: 3-6%). Ozonation caused lower reduction of the toxicity than biodegradation. In the system with SBR the best results were obtained for the biodegradation followed by the ozonation and additional biodegradation - 96% of the toxicity removal. In the second system (with HCFB) two-stage treatment (biodegradation followed by the ozonation) led to the highest toxicity reduction (98%). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Central Nervous System Oxygen Toxicity in Closed-Circuit Scuba Divers

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-01

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OXYGEN TOXICITY IN CLOSED -CIRCUIT SCUBA DIVERS III By F. K. Butler, Jr., LCDR, MC, USN NAVY EXPERIMENTAL DIVING UNIT DTIC...PANAMA CITY. FLORIDA 321407 IN. aLV OMW Vol NAVY EXPERIMENTAL DIVING UNIT REPORT NO. 5-86 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OXYGEN TOXICITY IN CLOSED -CIRCUIT SCUBA...BUTLER, Jr. J . .d.M. HAMILTON LCDR, MC, USK CDR, MC, USK CDR, USKN Medical Research Officer Senior Medical Officer Comanding Officer UNCLASSIFIED 4

The Simplest Flowchart Stating the Mechanisms for Organic Xenobiotics-induced Toxicity: Can it Possibly be Accepted as a "Central Dogma" for Toxic Mechanisms?

PubMed

Park, Yeong-Chul; Lee, Sundong; Cho, Myung-Haing

2014-09-01

Xenobiotics causing a variety of toxicity in biological systems could be classified as two types, inorganic and organic chemicals. It is estimated that the organic xenobiotics are responsible for approximately 80~90% of chemical-induced toxicity in human population. In the class for toxicology, we have encountered some difficulties in explaining the mechanisms of toxicity caused especially by organic chemicals. Here, a simple flowchart was introduced for explaining the mechanism of toxicity caused by organic xenobiotics, as the central dogma of molecular biology. This flowchart, referred to as a central dogma, was described based on a view of various aspects as follows: direct-acting chemicals vs. indirect-acting chemicals, cytochrome P450-dependent vs. cytochrome P450-independent biotransformation, reactive intermediates, reactivation, toxicokinetics vs. toxicodynamics, and reversibility vs. irreversibility. Thus, the primary objective of this flowchart is to help better understanding of the organic xenobiotics-induced toxic mechanisms, providing a major pathway for toxicity occurring in biological systems.

Arsenic: A Review of the Element's Toxicity, Plant Interactions, and Potential Methods of Remediation.

PubMed

Hettick, Bryan E; Cañas-Carrell, Jaclyn E; French, Amanda D; Klein, David M

2015-08-19

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element with a long history of toxicity. Sites of contamination are found worldwide as a result of both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. The broad scope of arsenic toxicity to humans and its unique interaction with the environment have led to extensive research into its physicochemical properties and toxic behavior in biological systems. The purpose of this review is to compile the results of recent studies concerning the metalloid and consider the chemical and physical properties of arsenic in the broad context of human toxicity and phytoremediation. Areas of focus include arsenic's mechanisms of human toxicity, interaction with plant systems, potential methods of remediation, and protocols for the determination of metals in experimentation. This assessment of the literature indicates that controlling contamination of water sources and plants through effective remediation and management is essential to successfully addressing the problems of arsenic toxicity and contamination.

Quantitative Predictive Models for Systemic Toxicity (SOT)

EPA Science Inventory

Models to identify systemic and specific target organ toxicity were developed to help transition the field of toxicology towards computational models. By leveraging multiple data sources to incorporate read-across and machine learning approaches, a quantitative model of systemic ...

Ceriodaphnia dubia as a Potential Bio-Indicator for Assessing Acute Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle Toxicity in Fresh Water Environment

PubMed Central

Pakrashi, Sunandan; Dalai, Swayamprava; Humayun, Ahmed; Chakravarty, Sujay; Chandrasekaran, Natarajan; Mukherjee, Amitava

2013-01-01

Growing nanomaterials based consumer applications have raised concerns about their potential release into the aquatic ecosystems and the consequent toxicological impacts. So environmental monitoring of the nanomaterials in aqueous systems becomes imperative. The current study reveals the potential of Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia) as a bio-indicator for aluminum oxide nanoparticles in a fresh water aquatic ecosystem where it occupies an important ecological niche as a primary consumer. This study aims to investigate the aluminium oxide nanoparticle induced acute toxicity on Ceriodaphnia dubia in a freshwater system. The bioavailability of the aluminum oxide nanoparticles has been studied with respect to their aggregation behavior in the system and correlated with the toxicity endpoints. The oxidative stress generated by the particles contributed greatly toward their toxicity. The crucial role of leached aluminium ion mediated toxicity in the later phases (48 h and 72 h) in conjunction with the effects from the nano-sized particles in the initial phases (24 h) puts forth the dynamics of nanotoxicity in the test system. The internalization of nanoparticles (both gross and systemic uptake) as substantiated through the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectral (ICP-OES) analysis was another major contributor toward acute toxicity. Concluding the present study, Ceriodaphnia dubia can be a promising candidate for bio-monitoring the aluminium oxide nanoparticles in a fresh water system. PMID:24040143

Ceriodaphnia dubia as a potential bio-indicator for assessing acute aluminum oxide nanoparticle toxicity in fresh water environment.

PubMed

Pakrashi, Sunandan; Dalai, Swayamprava; Humayun, Ahmed; Chakravarty, Sujay; Chandrasekaran, Natarajan; Mukherjee, Amitava

2013-01-01

Growing nanomaterials based consumer applications have raised concerns about their potential release into the aquatic ecosystems and the consequent toxicological impacts. So environmental monitoring of the nanomaterials in aqueous systems becomes imperative. The current study reveals the potential of Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia) as a bio-indicator for aluminum oxide nanoparticles in a fresh water aquatic ecosystem where it occupies an important ecological niche as a primary consumer. This study aims to investigate the aluminium oxide nanoparticle induced acute toxicity on Ceriodaphnia dubia in a freshwater system. The bioavailability of the aluminum oxide nanoparticles has been studied with respect to their aggregation behavior in the system and correlated with the toxicity endpoints. The oxidative stress generated by the particles contributed greatly toward their toxicity. The crucial role of leached aluminium ion mediated toxicity in the later phases (48 h and 72 h) in conjunction with the effects from the nano-sized particles in the initial phases (24 h) puts forth the dynamics of nanotoxicity in the test system. The internalization of nanoparticles (both gross and systemic uptake) as substantiated through the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectral (ICP-OES) analysis was another major contributor toward acute toxicity. Concluding the present study, Ceriodaphnia dubia can be a promising candidate for bio-monitoring the aluminium oxide nanoparticles in a fresh water system.

Forecasting the student-professor matches that result in unusually effective teaching.

PubMed

Gross, Jennifer; Lakey, Brian; Lucas, Jessica L; LaCross, Ryan; Plotkowski, Andrea R; Winegard, Bo

2015-03-01

Two important influences on students' evaluations of teaching are relationship and professor effects. Relationship effects reflect unique matches between students and professors such that some professors are unusually effective for some students, but not for others. Professor effects reflect inter-rater agreement that some professors are more effective than others, on average across students. We attempted to forecast students' evaluations of live lectures from brief, video-recorded teaching trailers. Participants were 145 college students (74% female) enrolled in introductory psychology courses at a public university in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Students viewed trailers early in the semester and attended live lectures months later. Because subgroups of students viewed the same professors, statistical analyses could isolate professor and relationship effects. Evaluations were influenced strongly by relationship and professor effects, and students' evaluations of live lectures could be forecasted from students' evaluations of teaching trailers. That is, we could forecast the individual students who would respond unusually well to a specific professor (relationship effects). We could also forecast which professors elicited better evaluations in live lectures, on average across students (professor effects). Professors who elicited unusually good evaluations in some students also elicited better memory for lectures in those students. It appears possible to forecast relationship and professor effects on teaching evaluations by presenting brief teaching trailers to students. Thus, it might be possible to develop online recommender systems to help match students and professors so that unusually effective teaching emerges. © 2014 The Authors. British Journal of Educational Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the British Psychological Society.

SORPTION AND DESORPTION BY IDEAL TWO-COMPARTMENT SYSTEMS: UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR AND DATA INTERPRETATION PROBLEMS

EPA Science Inventory

This paper presents an evaluation of the results of fitting curves to isotherm and kinetic data for idealized two-compartment systems of soil or sediment. Data were produced by numerically solving sets of Freundlich isotherm and first-order kinetics equations for mixtures of up ...

Computerized Serial Processing System at the University of California, Berkeley

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silberstein, Stephen M.

1975-01-01

The extreme flexibility of the MARC format coupled with the simplicity of a batch-oriented processing system centered around a sequential master file has enabled the University of California, Berkeley, library to gradually build an unusually large serials data base in support of both technical and public services. (Author)

77 FR 36123 - Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP), Model Gulfstream G280 Airplane; Aircraft...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-18

... architecture and connectivity capabilities of the airplane's computer systems and networks, which may allow... an association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement can be found in... or unusual design features: Digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The...

75 FR 2433 - Special Conditions: Boeing Model 747-8/-8F Airplanes, Systems and Data Networks Security...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-15

... design features associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities of the airplane's computer... novel or unusual design features: digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. The architecture and network configuration may be used for, or interfaced with, a diverse set of...

77 FR 70908 - Dinotefuran; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-28

... level of skin irritation. The main target of toxicity is the nervous system but effects on the nervous system were only observed at high doses. Nervous system toxicity was manifested as clinical signs and... motor activity which are consistent with effects on the nicotinic cholinergic nervous system seen after...

78 FR 21267 - Dinotefuran; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-10

... causes a low level of skin irritation. The main target of toxicity is the nervous system, but effects on the nervous system were only observed at high doses. Nervous system toxicity was manifested as... in motor activity which are consistent with effects on the nicotinic cholinergic nervous system seen...

Classifying environmental pollutants: Part 3. External validation of the classification system.

PubMed

Verhaar, H J; Solbé, J; Speksnijder, J; van Leeuwen, C J; Hermens, J L

2000-04-01

In order to validate a classification system for the prediction of the toxic effect concentrations of organic environmental pollutants to fish, all available fish acute toxicity data were retrieved from the ECETOC database, a database of quality-evaluated aquatic toxicity measurements created and maintained by the European Centre for the Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals. The individual chemicals for which these data were available were classified according to the rulebase under consideration and predictions of effect concentrations or ranges of possible effect concentrations were generated. These predictions were compared to the actual toxicity data retrieved from the database. The results of this comparison show that generally, the classification system provides adequate predictions of either the aquatic toxicity (class 1) or the possible range of toxicity (other classes) of organic compounds. A slight underestimation of effect concentrations occurs for some highly water soluble, reactive chemicals with low log K(ow) values. On the other end of the scale, some compounds that are classified as belonging to a relatively toxic class appear to belong to the so-called baseline toxicity compounds. For some of these, additional classification rules are proposed. Furthermore, some groups of compounds cannot be classified, although they should be amenable to predictions. For these compounds additional research as to class membership and associated prediction rules is proposed.

Unusual Systemic Artery to Pulmonary Artery Malformation Without Evidence of Systemic Disease, Trauma or Surgery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geyik, Serdar; Yavuz, Kivilcim; Keller, Frederick S.

2006-10-15

Connections between the systemic and pulmonary arterial systems are rare conditions that can be due to either congenital or acquired diseases such as anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal lung, pulmonary sequestration, and systemic supply to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Herein, a unique case of systemic artery to pulmonary arterial malformation and its endovascular treatment in a patient with no history of the usual etiologies is reported.

Toxic Substances Registry System: Index of Material Safety Data Sheets. Revised

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

The October 1997 revision of the Index of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Toxic Substances Registry System (TSRS) is presented. The MSDS lists toxic substances by manufacturer, trade name, stock number, and distributor. The index provides information on the hazards, use, and chemical composition of materials stored and used at KSC.

A systems-level approach for investigating organophosphorus pesticide toxicity.

PubMed

Zhu, Jingbo; Wang, Jing; Ding, Yan; Liu, Baoyue; Xiao, Wei

2018-03-01

The full understanding of the single and joint toxicity of a variety of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides is still unavailable, because of the extreme complex mechanism of action. This study established a systems-level approach based on systems toxicology to investigate OP pesticide toxicity by incorporating ADME/T properties, protein prediction, and network and pathway analysis. The results showed that most OP pesticides are highly toxic according to the ADME/T parameters, and can interact with significant receptor proteins to cooperatively lead to various diseases by the established OP pesticide -protein and protein-disease networks. Furthermore, the studies that multiple OP pesticides potentially act on the same receptor proteins and/or the functionally diverse proteins explained that multiple OP pesticides could mutually enhance toxicological synergy or additive on a molecular/systematic level. To the end, the integrated pathways revealed the mechanism of toxicity of the interaction of OP pesticides and elucidated the pathogenesis induced by OP pesticides. This study demonstrates a systems-level approach for investigating OP pesticide toxicity that can be further applied to risk assessments of various toxins, which is of significant interest to food security and environmental protection. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A roadmap for the development of alternative (non-animal) methods for systemic toxicity testing - t4 report*.

PubMed

Basketter, David A; Clewell, Harvey; Kimber, Ian; Rossi, Annamaria; Blaauboer, Bas; Burrier, Robert; Daneshian, Mardas; Eskes, Chantra; Goldberg, Alan; Hasiwa, Nina; Hoffmann, Sebastian; Jaworska, Joanna; Knudsen, Thomas B; Landsiedel, Robert; Leist, Marcel; Locke, Paul; Maxwell, Gavin; McKim, James; McVey, Emily A; Ouédraogo, Gladys; Patlewicz, Grace; Pelkonen, Olavi; Roggen, Erwin; Rovida, Costanza; Ruhdel, Irmela; Schwarz, Michael; Schepky, Andreas; Schoeters, Greet; Skinner, Nigel; Trentz, Kerstin; Turner, Marian; Vanparys, Philippe; Yager, James; Zurlo, Joanne; Hartung, Thomas

2012-01-01

Systemic toxicity testing forms the cornerstone for the safety evaluation of substances. Pressures to move from traditional animal models to novel technologies arise from various concerns, including: the need to evaluate large numbers of previously untested chemicals and new products (such as nanoparticles or cell therapies), the limited predictivity of traditional tests for human health effects, duration and costs of current approaches, and animal welfare considerations. The latter holds especially true in the context of the scheduled 2013 marketing ban on cosmetic ingredients tested for systemic toxicity. Based on a major analysis of the status of alternative methods (Adler et al., 2011) and its independent review (Hartung et al., 2011), the present report proposes a roadmap for how to overcome the acknowledged scientific gaps for the full replacement of systemic toxicity testing using animals. Five whitepapers were commissioned addressing toxicokinetics, skin sensitization, repeated-dose toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity testing. An expert workshop of 35 participants from Europe and the US discussed and refined these whitepapers, which were subsequently compiled to form the present report. By prioritizing the many options to move the field forward, the expert group hopes to advance regulatory science.

Gastrointestinal toxicity, systemic inflammation, and liver biochemistry in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Liver toxicity is frequently seen in relation to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but pathogenesis and the risk factors are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between liver toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and levels of immune-r...

Reduced Mu Power in Response to Unusual Actions Is Context-Dependent in 1-Year-Olds

PubMed Central

Langeloh, Miriam; Buttelmann, David; Matthes, Daniel; Grassmann, Susanne; Pauen, Sabina; Hoehl, Stefanie

2018-01-01

During social interactions infants predict and evaluate other people’s actions. Previous behavioral research found that infants’ imitation of others’ actions depends on these evaluations and is context-dependent: 1-year-olds predominantly imitated an unusual action (turning on a lamp with one’s forehead) when the model’s hands were free compared to when the model’s hands were occupied or restrained. In the present study, we adapted this behavioral paradigm to a neurophysiological study measuring infants’ brain activity while observing usual and unusual actions via electroencephalography. In particular, we measured differences in mu power (6 – 8 Hz) associated with motor activation. In a between-subjects design, 12- to 14-month-old infants watched videos of adult models demonstrating that their hands were either free or restrained. Subsequent test frames showed the models turning on a lamp or a soundbox by using their head or their hand. Results in the hands-free condition revealed that 12- to 14-month-olds displayed a reduction of mu power in frontal regions in response to unusual and thus unexpected actions (head touch) compared to usual and expected actions (hand touch). This may be explained by increased motor activation required for updating prior action predictions in response to unusual actions though alternative explanations in terms of general attention or cognitive control processes may also be considered. In the hands-restrained condition, responses in mu frequency band did not differ between action outcomes. This implies that unusual head-touch actions compared to hand-touch actions do not necessarily evoke a reduction of mu power. Thus, we conclude that reduction of mu frequency power is context-dependent during infants’ action perception. Our results are interpreted in terms of motor system activity measured via changes in mu frequency band as being one important neural mechanism involved in action prediction and evaluation from early on. PMID:29441034

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff.

PubMed

Anderson, Brian S; Phillips, Bryn M; Voorhees, Jennifer P; Cahn, Michael

2017-05-15

Urban stormwater and agriculture irrigation runoff contain a complex mixture of contaminants that are often toxic to adjacent receiving waters. Runoff may be treated with simple systems designed to promote sorption of contaminants to vegetation and soils and promote infiltration. Two example systems are described: a bioswale treatment system for urban stormwater treatment, and a vegetated drainage ditch for treating agriculture irrigation runoff. Both have similar attributes that reduce contaminant loading in runoff: vegetation that results in sorption of the contaminants to the soil and plant surfaces, and water infiltration. These systems may also include the integration of granulated activated carbon as a polishing step to remove residual contaminants. Implementation of these systems in agriculture and urban watersheds requires system monitoring to verify treatment efficacy. This includes chemical monitoring for specific contaminants responsible for toxicity. The current paper emphasizes monitoring of current use pesticides since these are responsible for surface water toxicity to aquatic invertebrates.

48 CFR 18.102 - System for award management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Management (SAM) database for contracts awarded to support unusual and compelling needs or emergency acquisitions. (See 4.1102). However, contractors are required to register with SAM in order to gain access to...

48 CFR 18.102 - System for award management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Management (SAM) database for contracts awarded to support unusual and compelling needs or emergency acquisitions. (See 4.1102). However, contractors are required to register with SAM in order to gain access to...

Critical behavior in the system cyclopentanone + water + secondary butyl alcohol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishna, U. Santhi; Unni, P. K. Madhavan

2018-05-01

We report detailed measurements of coexistence surface in the ternary system cylcopentanone + water + secondary butyl alcohol. The coexistence surface is seen to have an unusual tunnel like feature and is a potential system in which special critical points such as the Quadruple Critical Point (QCP) could be studied. Analysis of coexistence curves indicates that the system shows 3D-Ising like critical behavior.

Toxic substances registry system: Index of material safety data sheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The Jul. 1992 Revision of the KSC Toxic Substances Registry System (TSRS) Index of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) is presented. The listed MSDS's reflect product inventories and associated MSDS's which were submitted to the Toxic Substance Registry Data Base maintained by the Base Operations Contractors of the Biomedical Operations and Research Office of KSC. The purpose of the index is to provide a means of accessing information on the hazards associated with the toxic and otherwise hazardous chemicals stored and used at KSC. Indices are provided for manufacturers, trademarks, and stock numbers.

Conditional anomaly detection methods for patient–management alert systems

PubMed Central

Valko, Michal; Cooper, Gregory; Seybert, Amy; Visweswaran, Shyam; Saul, Melissa; Hauskrecht, Milos

2010-01-01

Anomaly detection methods can be very useful in identifying unusual or interesting patterns in data. A recently proposed conditional anomaly detection framework extends anomaly detection to the problem of identifying anomalous patterns on a subset of attributes in the data. The anomaly always depends (is conditioned) on the value of remaining attributes. The work presented in this paper focuses on instance–based methods for detecting conditional anomalies. The methods rely on the distance metric to identify examples in the dataset that are most critical for detecting the anomaly. We investigate various metrics and metric learning methods to optimize the performance of the instance–based anomaly detection methods. We show the benefits of the instance–based methods on two real–world detection problems: detection of unusual admission decisions for patients with the community–acquired pneumonia and detection of unusual orders of an HPF4 test that is used to confirm Heparin induced thrombocytopenia — a life–threatening condition caused by the Heparin therapy. PMID:25392850

Innovation in Aerodynamic Design Features of Soviet Missiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spearman, M. Leroy

2006-01-01

Wind tunnel investigations of some tactical and strategic missile systems developed by the former Soviet Union have been included in the basic missile research programs of the NACA/NASA. Studies of the Soviet missiles sometimes revealed innovative design features that resulted in unusual or unexpected aerodynamic characteristics. In some cases these characteristics have been such that the measured performance of the missile exceeds what might have been predicted. In other cases some unusual design features have been found that would alleviate what might otherwise have been a serious aerodynamic problem. In some designs, what has appeared to be a lack of refinement has proven to be a matter of expediency. It is a purpose of this paper to describe some examples of unusual design features of some Soviet missiles and to illustrate the effectiveness of the design features on the aerodynamic behavior of the missile. The paper draws on the experience of the author who for over 60 years was involved in the aerodynamic wind tunnel testing of aircraft and missiles with the NACA/NASA.

Initial Technology Assessment for the Environmental Sentinel Biomonitor (ESB) System

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

McFarlane-Abdulla E, Andersson M, Barile FA, et al. 1996. MEIC evaluation of acute systemic toxicity Part II. In vitro results from 68 toxicity assays used...to test the first 30 reference chemicals and a comparative cytotoxicity analysis. A TLA 24:273-311. Clemedson C, Andersson M, Aoki Y, Barile FA, et al...Clemedson C, McFarlane-Abdulla E, Andersson M, Barile FA, et al. 1996. MEIC evaluation of acute systemic toxicity Part I. Methodology of 68 in vitro

Zero-order metoprolol pharmacokinetics after therapeutic doses: severe toxicity and cardiogenic shock.

PubMed

Isbister, Geoffrey K; Ang, Karyn; Gorman, Kieron; Cooper, Joyce; Mostafa, Ahmed; Roberts, Michael S

2016-11-01

Acute beta-blocker overdose can cause severe cardiac dysfunction. Chronic toxicity is rare but potentially severe. We report therapeutic dosing of metoprolol resulting in unusual pharmacokinetics and toxicity, given high-dose insulin therapy for treatment. A 90-year-old female presented with hypotension, tachycardia and severe cardiac dysfunction after commencing a rapidly increasing metoprolol dose of 250 mg split daily. She was admitted to intensive care and given high-dose insulin therapy (10 U/kg/h), noradrenaline, adrenaline and dobutamine for severe cardiac dysfunction (cardiac index, 0.76 L/min/m 2 ). She developed acute renal failure, ischaemic hepatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Inotropes and high-dose insulin were weaned over four days with complete recovery. Metoprolol was quantified with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and concentration-time data were analysed using MONOLIX ® vs 4.3 ( www.lixoft.com ). Admission metoprolol concentration was 2.39 μg/mL (therapeutic reference range: 0.035-0.5 μg/mL). Data best fitted a one compartmental model with Michaelis-Menten kinetics and zero order elimination at high concentrations. Final parameter estimates were V, 63.4 L, maximum rate [V m ], 9.57 mg h -1 , Michaelis constant [K m ], 1.97 mg L -1 . Predicted elimination half-life decreased from 20 h over time until there was first order elimination with a half-life 9 h. The time course of cardiac dysfunction was longer than acute overdose but consistent with prolonged zero order elimination of metoprolol, suggesting the patient was a poor CYP2D6 metaboliser. High-dose insulin euglycaemia appeared to be effective in combination with vasoconstrictors/inotropes.

ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA4 and chemical isomerization protect photoreceptor cells from the toxic accumulation of excess 11-cis-retinal.

PubMed

Quazi, Faraz; Molday, Robert S

2014-04-01

The visual cycle is a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions which converts all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal for the regeneration of visual pigments in rod and cone photoreceptor cells. Although essential for vision, 11-cis-retinal like all-trans-retinal is highly toxic due to its highly reactive aldehyde group and has to be detoxified by either reduction to retinol or sequestration within retinal-binding proteins. Previous studies have focused on the role of the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA4 associated with Stargardt macular degeneration and retinol dehydrogenases (RDH) in the clearance of all-trans-retinal from photoreceptors following photoexcitation. How rod and cone cells prevent the accumulation of 11-cis-retinal in photoreceptor disk membranes in excess of what is required for visual pigment regeneration is not known. Here we show that ABCA4 can transport N-11-cis-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), the Schiff-base conjugate of 11-cis-retinal and PE, from the lumen to the cytoplasmic leaflet of disk membranes. This transport function together with chemical isomerization to its all-trans isomer and reduction to all-trans-retinol by RDH can prevent the accumulation of excess 11-cis-retinal and its Schiff-base conjugate and the formation of toxic bisretinoid compounds as found in ABCA4-deficient mice and individuals with Stargardt macular degeneration. This segment of the visual cycle in which excess 11-cis-retinal is converted to all-trans-retinol provides a rationale for the unusually high content of PE and its long-chain unsaturated docosahexaenoyl group in photoreceptor membranes and adds insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for Stargardt macular degeneration.

A feasibility study of [sup 252]Cf neutron brachytherapy, cisplatin + 5-FU chemo-adjuvant and accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy for advanced cervical cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murayama, Y.; Wierzbicki, J.; Bowen, M.G.

The purpose was to evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of [sup 252]Cf neutron brachytherapy combined with hyperaccelerated chemoradiotherapy for Stage III and IV cervical cancers. Eleven patients with advanced Stage IIIB-IVA cervical cancers were treated with [sup 252]Cf neutron brachytherapy in an up-front schedule followed by cisplatin (CDDP; 50 mg/m[sup 2]) chemotherapy and hyperfractionated accelerated (1.2 Gy bid) radiotherapy given concurrently with intravenous infusion of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) (1000 mg/m[sup 2]/day [times] 4 days) in weeks 1 and 4 with conventional radiation (weeks 2, 3, 5, and 6). Total dose at a paracervical point A isodose surface was 80-85 Gy-eq bymore » external and intracavitary therapy and 60 Gy at the pelvic sidewalls. Patients tolerated the protocol well. There was 91% compliance with the chemotherapy and full compliance with the [sup 252]Cf brachytherapy and the external beam radiotherapy. There were no problems with acute chemo or radiation toxicity. One patient developed a rectovaginal fistula (Grade 3-4 RTOG criteria) but no other patients developed significant late cystitis, proctitis or enteritis. There was complete response (CR) observed in all cases. With mean follow-up to 26 months, local control has been achieved with 90% actuarial 3-year survival with no evidence of disease (NED). [sup 252]Cf neutrons can be combined with cisplatin and 5-FU infusion chemotherapy plus hyperaccelerated chemoradiotherapy without unusual side effects or toxicity and with a high local response and tumor control rate. Further study of [sup 252]Cf neutron-chemoradiotherapy for advanced and bulky cervical cancer are indicated. The authors found chemotherapy was more effective with the improved local tumor control. 18 refs., 2 tabs.« less

48 CFR 52.223-14 - Toxic Chemical Release Reporting.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Toxic Chemical Release....223-14 Toxic Chemical Release Reporting. As prescribed in 23.906(b), insert the following clause: Toxic Chemical Release Reporting (AUG 2003) (a) Unless otherwise exempt, the Contractor, as owner or...

Evaluation of a novel automated water analyzer for continuous monitoring of toxicity and chemical parameters in municipal water supply.

PubMed

Bodini, Sergio F; Malizia, Marzio; Tortelli, Annalisa; Sanfilippo, Luca; Zhou, Xingpeng; Arosio, Roberta; Bernasconi, Marzia; Di Lucia, Stefano; Manenti, Angela; Moscetta, Pompeo

2018-08-15

A novel tool, the DAMTA analyzer (Device for Analytical Monitoring and Toxicity Assessment), designed for fully automated toxicity measurements based on luminescent bacteria as well as for concomitant determination of chemical parameters, was developed and field-tested. The instrument is a robotic water analyzer equipped with a luminometer and a spectrophotometer, integrated on a thermostated reaction plate which contains a movable carousel with 80 cuvettes. Acute toxicity is measured on-line using a wild type Photobacterium phosphoreum strain with measurable bioluminescence and unaltered sensitivity to toxicants lasting up to ten days. The EC50 values of reference compounds tested were consistent with A. fischeri and P. phosphoreum international standards and comparable to previously published data. Concurrently, a laboratory trial demonstrated the feasibility of use of the analyzer for the determination of nutrients and metals in parallel to the toxicity measurements. In a prolonged test, the system was installed only in toxicity mode at the premises of the World Fair "Expo Milano-2015″, a high security site to ensure the quality of the supplied drinking water. The monitoring program lasted for six months during which ca. 2400 toxicity tests were carried out; the results indicated a mean non-toxic outcome of -5.5 ± 6.2%. In order to warrant the system's robustness in detecting toxic substances, Zn was measured daily with highly reproducible inhibition results, 70.8 ± 13.6%. These results assure that this novel toxicity monitor can be used as an early warning system for protection of drinking water sources from emergencies involving low probability/high impact contamination events in source water or treated water. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An integrated approach to improved toxicity prediction for the safety assessment during preclinical drug development using Hep G2 cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noor, Fozia; Niklas, Jens; Mueller-Vieira, Ursula

2009-06-01

Efficient and accurate safety assessment of compounds is extremely important in the preclinical development of drugs especially when hepatotoxicty is in question. Multiparameter and time resolved assays are expected to greatly improve the prediction of toxicity by assessing complex mechanisms of toxicity. An integrated approach is presented in which Hep G2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes are compared in frequently used cytotoxicity assays for parent compound toxicity. The interassay variability was determined. The cytotoxicity assays were also compared with a reliable alternative time resolved respirometric assay. The set of training compounds consisted of well known hepatotoxins; amiodarone, carbamazepine, clozapine, diclofenac,more » tacrine, troglitazone and verapamil. The sensitivity of both cell systems in each tested assay was determined. Results show that careful selection of assay parameters and inclusion of a kinetic time resolved assay improves prediction for non-metabolism mediated toxicity using Hep G2 cells as indicated by a sensitivity ratio of 1. The drugs with EC{sub 50} values 100 {mu}M or lower were considered toxic. The difference in the sensitivity of the two cell systems to carbamazepine which causes toxicity via reactive metabolites emphasizes the importance of human cell based in-vitro assays. Using the described system, primary rat hepatocytes do not offer advantage over the Hep G2 cells in parent compound toxicity evaluation. Moreover, respiration method is non invasive, highly sensitive and allows following the time course of toxicity. Respiration assay could serve as early indicator of changes that subsequently lead to toxicity.« less

Modeling Population and Ecosystem Response to Sublethal Toxicant Exposure

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-30

Modeling Population and Ecosystem Response to Sublethal Toxicant Exposure Principal Investigator: Roger M. Nisbet Department of Ecology, Evolution...DATES COVERED 00-00-2000 to 00-00-2000 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Modeling Population and Ecosystem Response to Sublethal Toxicant Exposure 5a...those of real populations. We have also investigated how toxicants may affect the stability of the system. If the toxicant effect is primarily an

[Effect of lead on the cardiovascular system].

PubMed

Zyśko, Dorota; Chlebda, Ewa; Gajek, Jacek

2004-11-01

Lead is a metal widely spread in the natural environment. It is strongly toxic, particularly to the peripheral and central nervous systems. The toxic influence on the cardiovascular system is most pronounced in case of higher exposures, where myocardium and the renal circulation are affected, in consequence of which secondary arterial hypertension can develop. It seems that lead affects the cardiovascular system mainly by changing the peripheral autonomic nervous system and leading to chronic neuropathy. Chronic exposure, even to low doses of lead, can impair conduction in myocardium. In order to assess those changes thoroughly prospective studies involving newly employed workers with occupational exposure to toxic activity of lead will be necessary.

Acute Oral Toxicity of Nitroguanidine in Male and Female Rats

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

results place nitroguanidlne in the practically nontoxic category based on the toxicity classification system of Hodge and Sterner. 20 DISTRIBUTION...nose and mouth. These results place nitroguanidine in the practically nontoxic category based on the toxicity classification system of Hodge and...O. Lollini, DVM, VC, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Pathologists DATA MANAGERS: Carolyn M. Lewis, MS, Yvonne C. Le Tellier , BS REPORT

Response Characteristics of an Aquatic Biomonitor Used for Rapid Toxicity Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-05-15

for drinking water protection. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES biological early warning system; Lepomis macrochirus; bluegill; aquatic toxicity...Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5010, USA Key words: biomonitor; biological early warning system; Lepomis macrochirus; bluegill; aquatic toxicity; water ...narcosis are most likely to cause rapid aquatic biomonitor depth related to variations in water quality (primarily responses. Other modes of action may

Atypical lupus erythematosus panniculitis progressing to antinuclear antibody-negative systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Pandhi, Deepika; Verma, Prashant; Singal, Archana; Sharma, Sonal; Tondon, Anupama

2012-01-01

Lupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEp) is an uncommon but distinctive subset of lupus erythematosus (LE). It may develop in patients with discoid or systemic LE or may occur as an isolated phenomenon. We describe a case of LEp affecting unusual sites: the parotid gland, eyelid, and scalp. Subsequently, the patient progressed to antinuclear antibody-negative systemic LE.

Microfluidic systems and methods of transport and lysis of cells and analysis of cell lysate

DOEpatents

Culbertson, Christopher T.; Jacobson, Stephen C.; McClain, Maxine A.; Ramsey, J. Michael

2004-08-31

Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.

Microfluidic systems and methods for transport and lysis of cells and analysis of cell lysate

DOEpatents

Culbertson, Christopher T [Oak Ridge, TN; Jacobson, Stephen C [Knoxville, TN; McClain, Maxine A [Knoxville, TN; Ramsey, J Michael [Knoxville, TN

2008-09-02

Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.

Unusual presentation of childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

PubMed Central

Kumar, Sathish; Agarwal, Indira

2007-01-01

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare blistering condition with a distinctive combination of clinical, histological and immunopathologic features that together constitute a unique bullous disease phenotype. It is often associated with autoimmunity to type VII collagen. Here we report a child who presented with bullous systemic lupus erythematosus. Rapid resolution of the blisters occurred following treatment with dapsone. PMID:18028550

Arteriolymphatic Fistula: An Unusual Cause of Spontaneous Swelling in the Left Supraclavicular Region

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karuppiah Viswanathan, Ashok Mithra, E-mail: ashokmithrakv@gmail.com; Irodi, Aparna; Keshava, Shyamkumar N., E-mail: aparna-shyam@yahoo.com

2016-09-15

An abnormal fistulous communication between an artery and lymphatic system is a rare occurrence. We report a 38-year-old male presenting with sudden onset, spontaneous, pulsatile swelling in the left supraclavicular region following a recent cardiac catheterisation via right femoral arterial access. On evaluation, he was found to have a femoral arteriolymphatic fistula. He was managed conservatively with ultrasound-guided compression with complete resolution of symptoms at follow-up. This case describes a hitherto unknown complication of percutaneous vascular cannulation presenting in an unusual manner, diagnosed with Doppler Ultrasonography and CT angiography and managed effectively with a non-invasive therapeutic image-guided manoeuvre.

Rauvomines A and B, Two Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Rauvolfia vomitoria.

PubMed

Zeng, Jun; Zhang, Dong-Bo; Zhou, Pan-Pan; Zhang, Qi-Li; Zhao, Lei; Chen, Jian-Jun; Gao, Kun

2017-08-04

Two unusual normonoterpenoid indole alkaloids rauvomine A (1) and rauvomine B (2), together with two known compounds peraksine (3) and alstoyunine A (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Rauvolfia vomitoria. The structures with absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 2 is a novel C 18 normonoterpenoid indole alkaloid with a substituted cyclopropane ring that forms an unusual 6/5/6/6/3/5 hexcyclic rearranged ring system. The plausible biogenetic pathways of 1 and 2 were proposed. Compound 2 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Nonlinear tapping dynamics of multi-walled carbon nanotube tipped atomic force microcantilevers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S. I.; Howell, S. W.; Raman, A.; Reifenberger, R.; Nguyen, C. V.; Meyyappan, M.

2004-05-01

The nonlinear dynamics of an atomic force microcantilever (AFM) with an attached multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) tip is investigated experimentally and theoretically. We present the experimental nonlinear frequency response of a MWCNT tipped microcantilever in the tapping mode. Several unusual features in the response distinguish it from those traditionally observed for conventional tips. The MWCNT tipped AFM probe is apparently immune to conventional imaging instabilities related to the coexistence of attractive and repulsive tapping regimes. A theoretical interaction model for the system using an Euler elastica MWCNT model is developed and found to predict several unusual features of the measured nonlinear response.

Non-Toxic Orbiter Maneuvering System (OMS) and Reaction Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurlbert, Eric A.; Nicholson, Leonard S. (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

NASA is pursuing the technology and advanced development of a non-toxic (NT) orbital maneuvering system (OMS) and reaction control system (RCS) for shuttle upgrades, RLV, and reusable first stages. The primary objectives of the shuttle upgrades program are improved safety, improved reliability, reduced operations time and cost, improved performance or capabilities, and commonality with future space exploration needs. Non-Toxic OMS/RCS offers advantages in each of these categories. A non-toxic OMS/RCS eliminates the ground hazards and the flight safety hazards of the toxic and corrosive propellants. The cost savings for ground operations are over $24M per year for 7 flights, and the savings increase with increasing flight rate up to $44M per year. The OMS/RCS serial processing time is reduced from 65 days to 13 days. The payload capability can be increased up to 5100 Ibms. The non-toxic OMS/RCS also provides improved space station reboost capability up to 20 nautical miles over the current toxic system of 14 nautical miles. A NT OMS/RCS represents a clear advancement in the SOA over MMH/NTO. Liquid oxygen and ethanol are clean burning, high-density propellants that provide a high degree of commonality with other spacecraft subsystems including life support, power, and thermal control, and with future human exploration and development of space missions. The simple and reliable pressure-fed design uses sub-cooled liquid oxygen at 250 to 350 psia, which allows a propellant to remain cryogenic for longer periods of time. The key technologies are thermal insulation and conditioning techniques are used to maintain the sub-cooling. Phase I successfully defined the system architecture, designed an integrated OMS/RCS propellant tank, analyzed the feed system, built and tested the 870 lbf RCS thrusters, and tested the 6000 lbf OMS engine. Phase 11 is currently being planned for the development and test of full-scale prototype of the system in 1999 and 2000

Automated Test Systems for Toxic Vapor Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mattson, C. B.; Hammond, T. A.; Schwindt, C. J.

1997-01-01

The NASA Toxic Vapor Detection Laboratory (TVDL) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, has been using Personal Computer based Data Acquisition and Control Systems (PCDAS) for about nine years. These systems control the generation of toxic vapors of known concentrations under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The PCDAS also logs the test conditions and the test article responses in data files for analysis by standard spreadsheets or custom programs. The PCDAS was originally developed to perform standardized qualification and acceptance tests in a search for a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) toxic vapor detector to replace the hydrazine detectors for the Space Shuttle launch pad. It has since become standard test equipment for the TVDL and is indispensable in producing calibration standards for the new hydrazine monitors at the 10 part per billion (ppb) level. The standard TVDL PCDAS can control two toxic vapor generators (TVG's) with three channels each and two flow/ temperature / humidity (FTH) controllers and it can record data from up to six toxic vapor detectors (TVD's) under test and can deliver flows from 5 to 50 liters per minute (L/m) at temperatures from near zero to 50 degrees Celsius (C) using an environmental chamber to maintain the sample temperature. The concentration range for toxic vapors depends on the permeation source installed in the TVG. The PCDAS can provide closed loop control of temperature and humidity to two sample vessels, typically one for zero gas and one for the standard gas. This is required at very low toxic vapor concentrations to minimize the time required to passivate the sample delivery system. Recently, there have been several requests for information about the PCDAS by other laboratories with similar needs, both on and off KSC. The purpose of this paper is to inform the toxic vapor detection community of the current status and planned upgrades to the automated testing of toxic vapor detectors at the Kennedy Space Center.

Automated Test Systems for Toxic Vapor Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mattson, C. B.; Hammond, T. A.; Schwindt, C. J.

1997-01-01

The NASA Toxic Vapor Detection Laboratory (TVDL) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, has been using Personal Computer based Data Acquisition and Control Systems (PCDAS) for about nine years. These systems control the generation of toxic vapors of known concentrations under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The PCDAS also logs the test conditions and the test article responses in data files for analysis by standard spreadsheets or custom programs. The PCDAS was originally developed to perform standardized qualification and acceptance tests in a search for a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) toxic vapor detector to replace the hydrazine detectors for the Space Shuttle launch pad. It has since become standard test equipment for the TVDL and is indispensable in producing calibration standards for the new hydrazine monitors at the 10 part per billion (ppb) level. The standard TVDL PCDAS can control two toxic vapor generators (TVG's) with three channels each and two flow/temperature/humidity (FIFH) controllers and it can record data from up to six toxic vapor detectors (TVD's) under test and can deliver flows from 5 to 50 liters per minute (L/m) at temperatures from near zero to 50 degrees Celsius (C) using an environmental chamber to maintain the sample temperature. The concentration range for toxic vapors depends on the permeation source installed in the TVG. The PCDAS can provide closed loop control of temperature and humidity to two sample vessels, typically one for zero gas and one for the standard gas. This is required at very low toxic vapor concentrations to minimize the time required to passivate the sample delivery system. Recently, there have been several requests for information about the PCDAS by other laboratories with similar needs, both on and off KSC. The purpose of this paper is to inform the toxic vapor detection community of the current status and planned upgrades to the automated testing of toxic vapor detectors at the Kennedy Space Center.

An F1-extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study in Crl:CD(SD) rats with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

PubMed

Marty, Mary Sue; Neal, Barbara H; Zablotny, Carol L; Yano, Barry L; Andrus, Amanda K; Woolhiser, Michael R; Boverhof, Darrell R; Saghir, Shakil A; Perala, Adam W; Passage, Julie K; Lawson, Marie A; Bus, James S; Lamb, James C; Hammond, Larry

2013-12-01

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was assessed for systemic toxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), developmental immunotoxicity (DIT), and endocrine toxicity. CD rats (27/sex/dose) were exposed to 0, 100, 300, 600 (female), or 800 (male) ppm 2,4-D in diet. Nonlinear toxicokinetic behavior was shown at high doses; the renal clearance saturation threshold for 2,4-D was exceeded markedly in females and slightly exceeded in males. Exposure was 4 weeks premating, 7 weeks postmating for P1 males and through lactation for P1 females. F1 offspring were examined for survival and development, and at weaning, pups were divided in cohorts, by sex and dose, and by systemic toxicity (10), DNT (10), DIT (20), and reproductive toxicity (≥ 23). Remaining weanlings were evaluated for systemic toxicity and neuropathology (10-12). Body weight decreased during lactation in high-dose P1 females and in F1 pups. Kidney was the primary target organ, with slight degeneration of proximal convoluted tubules observed in high-dose P1 males and in high-dose F1 males and females. A slight intergenerational difference in kidney toxicity was attributed to increased intake of 2,4-D in F1 offspring. Decreased weanling testes weights and delayed preputial separation in F1 males were attributed to decreased body weights. Endocrine-related effects were limited to slight thyroid hormone changes and adaptive histopathology in high-dose GD 17 dams seen only at a nonlinear toxicokinetic dose. 2,4-D did not cause reproductive toxicity, DNT, or DIT. The "No Observed Adverse Effect Level" for systemic toxicity was 300 ppm in both males (16.6 mg/kg/day) and females (20.6 mg/kg/day), which is approximately 6700- to 93 000-fold higher than that reported for 2,4-D exposures in human biomonitoring studies.

An F1-Extended One-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Study in Crl:CD(SD) Rats With 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

PubMed Central

Marty, Mary Sue

2013-01-01

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was assessed for systemic toxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental neurotoxicity (DNT), developmental immunotoxicity (DIT), and endocrine toxicity. CD rats (27/sex/dose) were exposed to 0, 100, 300, 600 (female), or 800 (male) ppm 2,4-D in diet. Nonlinear toxicokinetic behavior was shown at high doses; the renal clearance saturation threshold for 2,4-D was exceeded markedly in females and slightly exceeded in males. Exposure was 4 weeks premating, 7 weeks postmating for P1 males and through lactation for P1 females. F1 offspring were examined for survival and development, and at weaning, pups were divided in cohorts, by sex and dose, and by systemic toxicity (10), DNT (10), DIT (20), and reproductive toxicity (≥ 23). Remaining weanlings were evaluated for systemic toxicity and neuropathology (10–12). Body weight decreased during lactation in high-dose P1 females and in F1 pups. Kidney was the primary target organ, with slight degeneration of proximal convoluted tubules observed in high-dose P1 males and in high-dose F1 males and females. A slight intergenerational difference in kidney toxicity was attributed to increased intake of 2,4-D in F1 offspring. Decreased weanling testes weights and delayed preputial separation in F1 males were attributed to decreased body weights. Endocrine-related effects were limited to slight thyroid hormone changes and adaptive histopathology in high-dose GD 17 dams seen only at a nonlinear toxicokinetic dose. 2,4-D did not cause reproductive toxicity, DNT, or DIT. The “No Observed Adverse Effect Level” for systemic toxicity was 300 ppm in both males (16.6mg/kg/day) and females (20.6mg/kg/day), which is approximately 6700- to 93 000-fold higher than that reported for 2,4-D exposures in human biomonitoring studies. PMID:24072463

40 CFR 721.8825 - Substituted methylpyridine and substituted 2-phenoxypyridine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment is used. (3) The significant new uses... present a hazard of liver, kidney, and nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment...

40 CFR 721.8825 - Substituted methylpyridine and substituted 2-phenoxypyridine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment is used. (3) The significant new uses... present a hazard of liver, kidney, and nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment...

40 CFR 721.8825 - Substituted methylpyridine and substituted 2-phenoxypyridine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment is used. (3) The significant new uses... present a hazard of liver, kidney, and nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment...

40 CFR 721.8825 - Substituted methylpyridine and substituted 2-phenoxypyridine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment is used. (3) The significant new uses... present a hazard of liver, kidney, and nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment...

40 CFR 721.8825 - Substituted methylpyridine and substituted 2-phenoxypyridine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment is used. (3) The significant new uses... present a hazard of liver, kidney, and nervous system toxicity unless the specified protective equipment...

75 FR 53586 - Bifenazate; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-01

... characterized and were seen at dose(s) that produce evidence of overt systemic toxicity. These effects included... system, and these findings may be due to secondary effect of overt systemic toxicity. Further, there is... Adequate enforcement methodology is available to enforce the tolerance expression. High-performance liquid...

An Award Winning Design for Downtown Manhattan High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Modern Schools, 1974

1974-01-01

New York City's downtown Commercial High School will be completely air conditioned with an unusual all-air, variable air volume system that will keep students and teachers comfortable throughout the year. (Author/MF)

Birth of an Unusual Planetary System Artist Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-02-08

This artist animation shows a brown dwarf surrounded by a swirling disc of planet-building dust. NASA Spitzer Space Telescope spotted such a disc around a surprisingly low-mass brown dwarf, or failed star.

Lipid Emulsion for Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity

PubMed Central

Ciechanowicz, Sarah; Patil, Vinod

2012-01-01

The accidental overdose of local anesthetics may prove fatal. The commonly used amide local anesthetics have varying adverse effects on the myocardium, and beyond a certain dose all are capable of causing death. Local anesthetics are the most frequently used drugs amongst anesthetists and although uncommon, local anaesthetic systemic toxicity accounts for a high proportion of mortality, with local anaesthetic-induced cardiac arrest particularly resistant to standard resuscitation methods. Over the last decade, there has been convincing evidence of intravenous lipid emulsions as a rescue in local anesthetic-cardiotoxicity, and anesthetic organisations, over the globe have developed guidelines on the use of this drug. Despite this, awareness amongst practitioners appears to be lacking. All who use local anesthetics in their practice should have an appreciation of patients at high risk of toxicity, early symptoms and signs of toxicity, preventative measures when using local anesthetics, and the initial management of systemic toxicity with intravenous lipid emulsion. In this paper we intend to discuss the pharmacology and pathophysiology of local anesthetics and toxicity, and the rationale for lipid emulsion therapy. PMID:21969824

Micelle structure in a deep eutectic solvent: a small-angle scattering study.

PubMed

Sanchez-Fernandez, A; Edler, K J; Arnold, T; Heenan, R K; Porcar, L; Terrill, N J; Terry, A E; Jackson, A J

2016-05-18

In recent years many studies into green solvents have been undertaken and deep eutectic solvents (DES) have emerged as sustainable and green alternatives to conventional solvents since they may be formed from cheap non-toxic organic precursors. In this study we examine amphiphile behaviour in these novel media to test our understanding of amphiphile self-assembly within environments that have an intermediate polarity between polar and non-polar extremes. We have built on our recently published results to present a more detailed structural characterisation of micelles of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) within the eutectic mixture of choline chloride and urea. Here we show that SDS adopts an unusual cylindrical aggregate morphology, unlike that seen in water and other polar solvents. A new morphology transition to shorter aggregates was found with increasing concentration. The self-assembly of SDS was also investigated in the presence of water; which promotes the formation of shorter aggregates.

Organic and metal contamination in marine surface sediments of Guánica Bay, Puerto Rico.

PubMed

Whitall, David; Mason, Andrew; Pait, Anthony; Brune, Lia; Fulton, Michael; Wirth, Ed; Vandiver, Lisa

2014-03-15

Land based sources of pollution have the potential to adversely impact valuable coral reef ecosystems. In Guánica Bay (Puerto Rico) sediment samples collected and analyzed in 2009 demonstrate unusually high concentrations of total chlordane, total PCBs, nickel and chromium. A variety of other contaminants (total DDT, total PAHs, As, Cu, Hg, and Zn) were also at levels which may indicate sediment toxicity. With the exception of chromium, all of these contaminants were detected in coral tissues (Porites astreoides), although it is unclear at what level these contaminants affect coral health. PCBs and chlordane are environmentally persistent and likely represent legacy pollution from historical uses in close geographic proximity to the Bay. We hypothesize that the high nickel and chromium levels are due to a combination of naturally high Ni and Cr in rock and soils in the watershed, and enhanced (human driven) erosional rates. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

New mechanisms of disease and parasite-host interactions.

PubMed

de Souza, Tiago Alves Jorge; de Carli, Gabriel Jose; Pereira, Tiago Campos

2016-09-01

An unconventional interaction between a patient and parasites was recently reported, in which parasitic cells invaded host's tissues, establishing several tumors. This finding raises various intriguing hypotheses on unpredicted forms of interplay between a patient and infecting parasites. Here we present four unusual hypothetical host-parasite scenarios with intriguing medical consequences. Relatively simple experimental designs are described in order to evaluate such hypotheses. The first one refers to the possibility of metabolic disorders in parasites intoxicating the host. The second one is on possibility of patients with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) being more resistant to parasites (due to accumulation of toxic compounds in the bloodstream). The third one refers to a mirrored scenario: development of tumors in parasites due to ingestion of host's circulating cancer cells. The last one describes a complex relationship between parasites accumulating a metabolite and supplying it to a patient with an IEM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Whole-body concentrations of elements in three fish species from offshore oil platforms and natural areas in the Southern California Bight, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Love, Milton S.; Saiki, Michael K.; May, Thomas W.; Yee, Julie L.

2013-01-01

elements. Forty-two elements were excluded from statistical comparisons as they (1) consisted of major cations that were unlikely to accumulate to potentially toxic concentrations; (2) were not detected by the analytical procedures; or (3) were detected at concentrations too low to yield reliable quantitative measurements. The remaining 21 elements consisted of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, rubidium, selenium, strontium, tin, titanium, vanadium, and zinc. Statistical comparisons of these elements indicated that none consistently exhibited higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas. However, the concentrations of copper, selenium, titanium, and vanadium in Pacific sanddab were unusual because small individuals exhibited either no differences between oil platforms and natural areas or significantly lower concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas, whereas large individuals exhibited significantly higher concentrations at oil platforms than at natural areas.

[Child poisoning after ingestion of a wild apiaceae: a case report].

PubMed

Durand, M-F; Pommier, P; Chazalette, A; de Haro, L

2008-02-01

Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae) contains several highly toxic species, including Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa) and Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) which are the three main poisonous Apiaceae species growing in France. Thinking he was identifying wild carrots, an 11-year-old boy without previous history ingested the root from a wild Apiaceae. One hour later, he was confused, had drowsiness, headache as well as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Upon hospital admission, myosis, ophtalmoplegia and a moderate rhabdomyolysis were noted. The patient recovered after 24 h of symptomatic treatments. In this case, the description of the ingested plant allowed to identify the Apiaceae family but not the species involved. The geographical location (Southern France in a humid area), the clinical features and the aspect of the ingested root, with an orange secretion led to implicate Oenanthe crocata as the origin of this unusual poisoning.

Intrinsic Chemiluminescence Generation during Advanced Oxidation of Persistent Halogenated Aromatic Carcinogens.

PubMed

Mao, Li; Liu, Yu-Xiang; Huang, Chun-Hua; Gao, Hui-Ying; Kalyanaraman, Balaraman; Zhu, Ben-Zhan

2015-07-07

The ubiquitous distribution coupled with their carcinogenicity has raised public concerns on the potential risks to both human health and the ecosystem posed by the halogenated aromatic compounds (XAr). Recently, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been increasingly favored as an "environmentally-green" technology for the remediation of such recalcitrant and highly toxic XAr. Here, we show that AOPs-mediated degradation of the priority pollutant pentachlorophenol and all other XAr produces an intrinsic chemiluminescence that directly depends on the generation of the extremely reactive hydroxyl radicals. We propose that the hydroxyl radical-dependent formation of quinoid intermediates and electronically excited carbonyl species is responsible for this unusual chemiluminescence production. A rapid, sensitive, simple, and effective chemiluminescence method was developed to quantify trace amounts of XAr and monitor their real-time degradation kinetics. These findings may have broad biological and environmental implications for future research on this important class of halogenated persistent organic pollutants.

[Methods of eliminating alkaloids from the seeds of Lupinus mutabilis Sweet].

PubMed

Torres Tello, F; Nagata, A; Dreifuss Spiegel, W

1980-06-01

The basic purpose of this work was to find a simple and economic method to control and eliminate the presence of alkaloids, as detected by organoleptic or toxicity tests, in Lupinus mutabilis, S. (tarhui) seeds. Taking advantage of the physical and chemical properties of the seeds, they were subjected to four methods of extraction; b) chemical treatment; c) extraction with two solvents, and d) treatment with a modified water-heat process. The results indicated that the most adequate method was the water-heat modified treatment, which showed a yield of 85% and a debittering efficiency of 98.6%, figures which were above those obtained with any of the other treatments studied. The final product had a bland taste without traces of bitterness and a 32% concentration of protein in the kayra line. Amino acid content showed this product to have an unusual high lysine content.

Iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D as an unusual cause of persistent vomiting: a case report.

PubMed

Bansal, Rinkesh Kumar; Tyagi, Pankaj; Sharma, Praveen; Singla, Vikas; Arora, Veronica; Bansal, Naresh; Kumar, Ashish; Arora, Anil

2014-02-26

Vitamin D is increasingly recognized to have several beneficial effects. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent. Physicians often treat patients with high doses of vitamin D for various ailments without any monitoring for adverse effects and the prescribed doses often far exceed requirements resulting in toxicity. We present here a classic case of iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D, which presented with persistent vomiting and acute renal failure. Here we present a case of a 45-year-old Asian Indian woman who presented to us with persistent vomiting the cause of which was iatrogenic hypervitaminosis D. She was treated with intravenous fluid, diuretics and calcitonin and had clinical improvement. We suggest that in any patient presenting with persistent vomiting and hypercalcemia, particularly in the presence of normal parathyroid hormone, a diagnosis of overdose of vitamin D should be suspected. Its treatment not only alleviates symptoms but also prevents ongoing acute kidney injury.

[Effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on potency of Sabin inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine and its safety].

PubMed

Bian, Chuan-xiu; Jiang, Shu-de; Yang, Jian-yong; Sun, Ming-bo; Xie, Ming-xue; Zhang, Xin-wen; Liao, Guo-yang; Li, Wei-dong

2007-03-01

To investigate the effect of 2-phenoxyethanol on potency of Sabin inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV). Sabin IPV samples containing 5 mg or 7 mg 2-phenoxyethanol each dosage respectively were placed separately at 4 degrees C, 37 degrees C for 2 days and 7 days. D-antigen contents were tested with ELISA method. Then neutralizing antibodies in mice and guinea pigs were detected. The safety experiment was performed according to unusual toxicity test of China requirement for biological product. After addition of 2-phenoxyethanol, the I, II, and III D-antigen contents of Sabin IPV did not change. The antibody levels in mice and guinea pigs were not different between experimental group and control group. Animals were safe during observation period. 2-Phenoxyethanol had no effect on potency and safety of Sabin IPV. It can be used as antiseptic for Sabin IPV.

Acute myositis: an unusual and severe side effect of docetaxel: a case report and literature review.

PubMed

Rochigneux, Philippe; Schleinitz, Nicolas; Ebbo, Mikael; Aymonier, Marie; Pourroy, Bertrand; Boissier, Romain; Salas, Sébastien; Deville, Jean-Laurent

2018-06-01

Docetaxel is an antimicrotubules cytotoxic agent prescribed widely by medical oncologists in multiple tumor types (breast, lung, prostate, stomach, head, and neck). However, the side effects of docetaxel are numerous (cytopenia, peripheral edema, myalgia, arthralgia, alopecia, and sensitive neuropathy) and recent concerns have been raised about neutropenic enterocolitis in France. Here, we report the case of a 57-year-old patient with metastatic prostatic cancer, who developed a severe myositis and fasciitis grade IV 1 week after his second docetaxel infusion. We reviewed the five cases of docetaxel-related myositis described in the literature, and found that most of them occurred in patients with diabetes (n=5/5) or hypertension (n=4/5). A vascular toxicity may explain this severe complication, and patients with diabetes or hypertension should be monitored closely in the context of a docetaxel chemotherapy.

75 FR 38391 - Special Conditions: Boeing 757-200 With Enhanced Flight Vision System

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-02

.... SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 757- 200 series airplanes. These... system (EFVS). The EFVS is a novel or unusual design feature which consists of a head-up display (HUD... regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special...

Fabrication Techniques for Unusual Electronic Systems: Silicon Microstructures for Photovoltaic Modules

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baca, Alfred

2009-01-01

Electronics that can cover large areas, often referred to as macroelectronics, has received increasing attention over the past decade mainly due to it use in display systems, but increasingly due to certain forms of macroelectronics that can be integrated with thin plastic sheets or elastomeric substrates to yield mechanically flexible and…

77 FR 42949 - Special Conditions: Tamarack Aerospace Group, Cirrus Model SR22; Active Technology Load...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-23

... novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with Tamarack Aerospace Group's modification. The design... not aware of the failure. Warning systems must not activate the control system. (b) The design of the... Active Control Surface (TACS) must be designed and installed to prevent jamming, chafing, and...

78 FR 11553 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... metal with composite empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8...; Electronic Flight Control System: Control Surface Awareness and Mode Annunciation AGENCY: Federal Aviation... Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s...

[Use of dinoflagellates as a metal toxicity assessment tool in aquatic system].

PubMed

Yuan, Li-juan; He, Meng-chang

2009-10-15

Although dinoflagellates have been used to assess biological toxicity of contaminants, this method still lacks of corresponding toxicity assessment standard. This study appraised the toxicity of selected heavy metals to dinoflagellates based on the dinoflagellates bioluminescence with QwikLite developed by the United States Navy. The results show that single heavy metal biological toxicity is in the order: Hg2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+ > As5+ > Pb2+ > Cr6+; Two, three and four heavy metal mixture experiments show synergism primarily, antagonism is in minority. pH has not remarkable effect on dinoflagellates, they can be applied directly in natural water, but pH influence Hg2+ and Cu2+ toxicity greatly, eliminating the influence of pH is essential when doing these two kind of ions measurements. The nutrients has little influence on dinoflagellates, change in COD has obvious effect on the response relationships between dinoflagellates and Hg2+ or CU2+. Metal toxicity assessment using dinoflagellates shows great sensitivity, narrow response scope and high stability. Dinoflagellates are good species for heavy metal biological toxicity test in aquatic system.

[Chemicals toxic to the olfactory system. Analysis and description].

PubMed

Norès, J M; Biacabe, B; Bonfils, P

2000-10-28

AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM: Occupational exposure to chemical products can have toxic effects on the olfactory system. An important number of patients have experienced olfactory disorders subsequent to the development of the chemical industry and atmospheric pollution. EPIDEMIOLOGY DATA: Straightforward data are difficult to collect because several cofactors other than the toxic product are involved. Two lists of toxic products can be made. The first list includes products for which scientific data is available and the second products for which data is lacking. Olfactory tests also differ between authors and countries. TWO TYPES OF TOXICITY: Acute, accidental toxicity is evidenced by the lesions caused by inhalation of high-doses of strongly toxic agents. Chronic intoxication caused by lower concentrations of these inhaled agents does not produce a trigeminal reflex leading to a modified respiratory rate reducing the airborne aggression. APPROXIMATIONS: Clinical data describing the olfactory toxicity of certain industrial and chemical compounds are very significant but often cannot prove a cause and effect relationship. Data obtained with experimental models in rodents are difficult to extrapolate to humans.

The Simplest Flowchart Stating the Mechanisms for Organic Xenobiotics-induced Toxicity: Can it Possibly be Accepted as a “Central Dogma” for Toxic Mechanisms?

PubMed Central

Lee, Sundong; Cho, Myung-Haing

2014-01-01

Xenobiotics causing a variety of toxicity in biological systems could be classified as two types, inorganic and organic chemicals. It is estimated that the organic xenobiotics are responsible for approximately 80~90% of chemical-induced toxicity in human population. In the class for toxicology, we have encountered some difficulties in explaining the mechanisms of toxicity caused especially by organic chemicals. Here, a simple flowchart was introduced for explaining the mechanism of toxicity caused by organic xenobiotics, as the central dogma of molecular biology. This flowchart, referred to as a central dogma, was described based on a view of various aspects as follows: direct-acting chemicals vs. indirect-acting chemicals, cytochrome P450-dependent vs. cytochrome P450-independent biotransformation, reactive intermediates, reactivation, toxicokinetics vs. toxicodynamics, and reversibility vs. irreversibility. Thus, the primary objective of this flowchart is to help better understanding of the organic xenobiotics-induced toxic mechanisms, providing a major pathway for toxicity occurring in biological systems. PMID:25343011

Specifically Designed Constructed Wetlands: A Novel Treatment Approach for Scrubber Wastewater

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

John H. Rodgers Jr; James W. Castle; Chris Arrington: Derek Eggert

2005-09-01

A pilot-scale wetland treatment system was specifically designed and constructed at Clemson University to evaluate removal of mercury, selenium, and other constituents from flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater. Specific objectives of this research were: (1) to measure performance of a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system in terms of decreases in targeted constituents (Hg, Se and As) in the FGD wastewater from inflow to outflow; (2) to determine how the observed performance is achieved (both reactions and rates); and (3) to measure performance in terms of decreased bioavailability of these elements (i.e. toxicity of sediments in constructed wetlands and toxicity ofmore » outflow waters from the treatment system). Performance of the pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment systems was assessed using two criteria: anticipated NPDES permit levels and toxicity evaluations using two sentinel toxicity-testing organisms (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas). These systems performed efficiently with varied inflow simulations of FGD wastewaters removing As, Hg, and Se concentrations below NPDES permit levels and reducing the toxicity of simulated FGD wastewater after treatment with the constructed wetland treatment systems. Sequential extraction procedures indicated that these elements (As, Hg, and Se) were bound to residual phases within sediments of these systems, which should limit their bioavailability to aquatic biota. Sediments collected from constructed wetland treatment systems were tested to observe toxicity to Hyalella azteca or Chironomus tetans. Complete survival (100%) was observed for H. azteca in all cells of the constructed wetland treatment system and C. tentans had an average of 91% survival over the three treatment cells containing sediments. Survival and growth of H. azteca and C. tentans did not differ significantly between sediments from the constructed wetland treatment system and controls. Since the sediments of the constructed wetland treatment system are repositories for As, Hg, and Se and the bioavailability of these elements decreased after deposition, the pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system contributed significantly to mitigation of risks to aquatic life from these elements.« less

Does assisted driving behavior lead to safety-critical encounters with unequipped vehicles' drivers?

PubMed

Preuk, Katharina; Stemmler, Eric; Schießl, Caroline; Jipp, Meike

2016-10-01

With Intelligent Transport Systems (e.g., traffic light assistance systems) assisted drivers are able to show driving behavior in anticipation of upcoming traffic situations. In the years to come, the penetration rate of such systems will be low. Therefore, the majority of vehicles will not be equipped with these systems. Unequipped vehicles' drivers may not expect the driving behavior of assisted drivers. However, drivers' predictions and expectations can play a significant role in their reaction times. Thus, safety issues could arise when unequipped vehicles' drivers encounter driving behavior of assisted drivers. This is why we tested how unequipped vehicles' drivers (N=60) interpreted and reacted to the driving behavior of an assisted driver. We used a multi-driver simulator with three drivers. The three drivers were driving in a line. The lead driver in the line was a confederate who was followed by two unequipped vehicles' drivers. We varied the equipment of the confederate with an Intelligent Transport System: The confederate was equipped either with or without a traffic light assistance system. The traffic light assistance system provided a start-up maneuver before a light turned green. Therefore, the assisted confederate seemed to show unusual deceleration behavior by coming to a halt at an unusual distance from the stop line at the red traffic light. The unusual distance was varied as we tested a moderate (4m distance from the stop line) and an extreme (10m distance from the stop line) parameterization of the system. Our results showed that the extreme parametrization resulted in shorter minimal time-to-collision of the unequipped vehicles' drivers. One rear-end crash was observed. These results provided initial evidence that safety issues can arise when unequipped vehicles' drivers encounter assisted driving behavior. We recommend that future research identifies counteractions to prevent these safety issues. Moreover, we recommend that system developers discuss the best parameterizations of their systems to ensure benefits but also the safety in encounters with unequipped vehicles' drivers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental sentinel biomonitors: integrated response systems for monitoring toxic chemicals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Schalie, William H.; Reuter, Roy; Shedd, Tommy R.; Knechtges, Paul L.

2002-02-01

Operational environments for military forces are becoming potentially more dangerous due to the increased number, use, and misuse of toxic chemicals across the entire range of military missions. Defense personnel may be exposed to harmful chemicals as a result of industrial accidents or intentional or unintentional action of enemy, friendly forces, or indigenous populations. While there has been a significant military effort to enable forces to operate safely and survive and sustain operations in nuclear, biological, chemical warfare agent environments, until recently there has not been a concomitant effort associated with potential adverse health effects from exposures of deployed personnel to toxic industrial chemicals. To provide continuous real-time toxicity assessments across a broad spectrum of individual chemicals or chemical mixtures, an Environmental Sentinel Biomonitor (ESB) system concept is proposed. An ESB system will integrate data from one or more platforms of biologically-based systems and chemical detectors placed in the environment to sense developing toxic conditions and transmit time-relevant data for use in risk assessment, mitigation, and/or management. Issues, challenges, and next steps for the ESB system concept are described, based in part on discussions at a September 2001 workshop sponsored by the U.S. Army Center for Environmental Health Research.

Using zebrafish in systems toxicology for developmental toxicity testing.

PubMed

Nishimura, Yuhei; Inoue, Atsuto; Sasagawa, Shota; Koiwa, Junko; Kawaguchi, Koki; Kawase, Reiko; Maruyama, Toru; Kim, Soonih; Tanaka, Toshio

2016-01-01

With the high cost and the long-term assessment of developmental toxicity testing in mammals, the vertebrate zebrafish has become a useful alternative model organism for high-throughput developmental toxicity testing. Zebrafish is also very favorable for the 3R perspective in toxicology; however, the methodologies used by research groups vary greatly, posing considerable challenges to integrative analysis. In this review, we discuss zebrafish developmental toxicity testing, focusing on the methods of chemical exposure, the assessment of morphological abnormalities, housing conditions and their effects on the production of healthy embryos, and future directions. Zebrafish as a systems toxicology model has the potential to elucidate developmental toxicity pathways, and to provide a sound basis for human health risk assessments. © 2015 Japanese Teratology Society.

TOXIC ORGANIC VOLATILIZATION FROM LAND TREATMENT SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

Methodology was evaluated for estimating volatilization of toxic organic chemicals from unsaturated soils. Projections were compared with laboratory data for simulated rapid infiltration wastewater treatment systems receiving primary municipal wastewater spiked with a suite of 18...

Large PAMAM Dendron Induces Formation of Unusual P4332 Mesophase in Monoolein/Water system.

PubMed

Kumar, Manoj; Patil, Naganath G; Ambade, Ashootosh V; Kumaraswamy, Guruswamy

2018-05-18

Compact macromolecular dendrons have been shown to induce the formation of discontinuous inverse micellar assemblies with Fd3m symmetry in monoolein/water systems. Here, we demonstrate that a large PAMAM dendron (G5: fifth generation) induces the formation a very unusual mesophase with P4332 symmetry. This mesophase had previously been observed in monoolein/water systems only on addition of cytochrome C. The P4332 mesophase can be considered an intermediate phase between the bicontinuous Ia3d and discontinuous micellar mesophases. In this unusual phase, every third rod junction of the Ia3d mesophase is replaced with a spherical micelle. We present a detailed investigation of the phase behaviour of monoolein/water as a function of G5 concentration and temperature. Addition of 1% G5 in 85/15 monoolein/water system induces a transition from the L to Ia3d phase. Further increase in G5 concentration to above 2% induces the formation of the P4332 phase. Thus, incorporation of G5 yields a qualitatively different phase diagram when compared with incorporation of lower generation PAMAM dendrons (G2 - G4) in monoolein/water, where the reverse micellar Fd3m phase forms. PAMAM dendrons of all generations, G2 - G5, bear terminal amine groups that interact with the monoolein head group. The compact molecular architecture of the dendrons and these attractive interactions induce bending of the monoolein bilayer structure. For smaller dendrons, G2 - G4, this results in the formation of the Fd3m phase. However, the large size of the G5 dendron precludes this and a rare intermediate phase between the Ia3d and discontinuous micellar phase, the P4332 mesophase forms instead.

Reproductive toxicity evaluation of dietary butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) in rats.

PubMed

Tyl, Rochelle W; Myers, Christina B; Marr, Melissa C; Fail, Patricia A; Seely, John C; Brine, Dolores R; Barter, Robert A; Butala, John H

2004-01-01

Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) was administered in the diet at 0, 750, 3750, and 11,250 ppm ad libitum to 30 rats per sex per dose for two offspring generations, one litter/breeding pair/generation, through weaning of F2 litters. Adult F0 systemic toxicity and adult F1 systemic and reproductive toxicity were present at 11,250 ppm (750 mg/kg per day). At 11,250 ppm, there were reduced F1 and F2 male anogenital distance (AGD) and body weights/litter during lactation, delayed acquisition of puberty in F1 males and females, retention of nipples and areolae in F1 and F2 males, and male reproductive system malformations. At 3750 ppm (250 mg/kg per day), only reduced F1 and F2 offspring male AGD was present. There were no effects on parents or offspring at 750 ppm (50 mg/kg per day). The F1 parental systemic and reproductive toxicity no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 3750 ppm. The offspring toxicity NOAEL was 3750 ppm. The offspring toxicity no observable effect level (NOEL) was 750 ppm, based on the presence of reduced AGD in F1 and F2 males at birth at 3750 ppm, but no effects on reproductive development, structures, or functions.

Alternative approaches for identifying acute systemic toxicity: Moving from research to regulatory testing.

PubMed

Hamm, Jon; Sullivan, Kristie; Clippinger, Amy J; Strickland, Judy; Bell, Shannon; Bhhatarai, Barun; Blaauboer, Bas; Casey, Warren; Dorman, David; Forsby, Anna; Garcia-Reyero, Natàlia; Gehen, Sean; Graepel, Rabea; Hotchkiss, Jon; Lowit, Anna; Matheson, Joanna; Reaves, Elissa; Scarano, Louis; Sprankle, Catherine; Tunkel, Jay; Wilson, Dan; Xia, Menghang; Zhu, Hao; Allen, David

2017-06-01

Acute systemic toxicity testing provides the basis for hazard labeling and risk management of chemicals. A number of international efforts have been directed at identifying non-animal alternatives for in vivo acute systemic toxicity tests. A September 2015 workshop, Alternative Approaches for Identifying Acute Systemic Toxicity: Moving from Research to Regulatory Testing, reviewed the state-of-the-science of non-animal alternatives for this testing and explored ways to facilitate implementation of alternatives. Workshop attendees included representatives from international regulatory agencies, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and industry. Resources identified as necessary for meaningful progress in implementing alternatives included compiling and making available high-quality reference data, training on use and interpretation of in vitro and in silico approaches, and global harmonization of testing requirements. Attendees particularly noted the need to characterize variability in reference data to evaluate new approaches. They also noted the importance of understanding the mechanisms of acute toxicity, which could be facilitated by the development of adverse outcome pathways. Workshop breakout groups explored different approaches to reducing or replacing animal use for acute toxicity testing, with each group crafting a roadmap and strategy to accomplish near-term progress. The workshop steering committee has organized efforts to implement the recommendations of the workshop participants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alternative Approaches for Identifying Acute Systemic Toxicity: Moving from Research to Regulatory Testing

PubMed Central

Hamm, Jon; Sullivan, Kristie; Clippinger, Amy J.; Strickland, Judy; Bell, Shannon; Bhhatarai, Barun; Blaauboer, Bas; Casey, Warren; Dorman, David; Forsby, Anna; Garcia-Reyero, Natàlia; Gehen, Sean; Graepel, Rabea; Hotchkiss, Jon; Lowit, Anna; Matheson, Joanna; Reaves, Elissa; Scarano, Louis; Sprankle, Catherine; Tunkel, Jay; Wilson, Dan; Xia, Menghang; Zhu, Hao; Allen, David

2017-01-01

Acute systemic toxicity testing provides the basis for hazard labeling and risk management of chemicals. A number of international efforts have been directed at identifying non-animal alternatives for in vivo acute systemic toxicity tests. A September 2015 workshop, Alternative Approaches for Identifying Acute Systemic Toxicity: Moving from Research to Regulatory Testing, reviewed the state-of-the-science of non-animal alternatives for this testing and explored ways to facilitate implementation of alternatives. Workshop attendees included representatives from international regulatory agencies, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and industry. Resources identified as necessary for meaningful progress in implementing alternatives included compiling and making available high-quality reference data, training on use and interpretation of in vitro and in silico approaches, and global harmonization of testing requirements. Attendees particularly noted the need to characterize variability in reference data to evaluate new approaches. They also noted the importance of understanding the mechanisms of acute toxicity, which could be facilitated by the development of adverse outcome pathways. Workshop breakout groups explored different approaches to reducing or replacing animal use for acute toxicity testing, with each group crafting a roadmap and strategy to accomplish near-term progress. The workshop steering committee has organized efforts to implement the recommendations of the workshop participants. PMID:28069485

The protein transportation pathway from Golgi to vacuoles via endosomes plays a role in enhancement of methylmercury toxicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Gi-Wook; Murai, Yasutaka; Takahashi, Tsutomu; Naganuma, Akira

2014-07-01

Methylmercury causes serious damage to the central nervous system, but the molecular mechanisms of methylmercury toxicity are only marginally understood. In this study, we used a gene-deletion mutant library of budding yeast to conduct genome-wide screening for gene knockouts affecting the sensitivity of methylmercury toxicity. We successfully identified 31 genes whose deletions confer resistance to methylmercury in yeast, and 18 genes whose deletions confer hypersensitivity to methylmercury. Yeast genes whose deletions conferred resistance to methylmercury included many gene encoding factors involved in protein transport to vacuoles. Detailed examination of the relationship between the factors involved in this transport system and methylmercury toxicity revealed that mutants with loss of the factors involved in the transportation pathway from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the endosome, protein uptake into the endosome, and endosome-vacuole fusion showed higher methylmercury resistance than did wild-type yeast. The results of our genetic engineering study suggest that this vesicle transport system (proteins moving from the TGN to vacuole via endosome) is responsible for enhancing methylmercury toxicity due to the interrelationship between the pathways. There is a possibility that there may be proteins in the cell that enhance methylmercury toxicity through the protein transport system.

Should helical tomotherapy replace brachytherapy for cervical cancer? Case report.

PubMed

Hsieh, Chen-Hsi; Wei, Ming-Chow; Hsu, Yao-Peng; Chong, Ngot-Swan; Chen, Yu-Jen; Hsiao, Sheng-Mou; Hsieh, Yen-Ping; Wang, Li-Ying; Shueng, Pei-Wei

2010-11-23

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) administered via a helical tomotherapy (HT) system is an effective modality for treating lung cancer and metastatic liver tumors. Whether SBRT delivered via HT is a feasible alternative to brachytherapy in treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer in patients with unusual anatomic configurations of the uterus has never been studied. A 46-year-old woman presented with an 8-month history of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a cervical tumor with direct invasion of the right parametrium, bilateral hydronephrosis, and multiple uterine myomas. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIB cervical cancer was diagnosed. Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) followed by SBRT delivered via HT was administered instead of brachytherapy because of the presence of multiple uterine myomas with bleeding tendency. Total abdominal hysterectomy was performed after 6 weeks of treatment because of the presence of multiple uterine myomas. Neither pelvic MRI nor results of histopathologic examination at X-month follow-up showed evidence of tumor recurrence. Only grade 1 nausea and vomiting during treatment were noted. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was noted at 14-month follow-up. No fistula formation and no evidence of haematological, gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicities were noted on the most recent follow-up. CCRT followed by SBRT appears to be an effective and safe modality for treatment of cervical cancer. Larger-scale studies are warranted.

Species-specific crab predation on the hydrozoan clinging jellyfish Gonionemus sp. (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa), subsequent crab mortality, and possible ecological consequences.

PubMed

Carman, Mary R; Grunden, David W; Govindarajan, Annette F

2017-01-01

Here we report a unique trophic interaction between the cryptogenic and sometimes highly toxic hydrozoan clinging jellyfish Gonionemus sp. and the spider crab Libinia dubia . We assessed species-specific predation on the Gonionemus medusae by crabs found in eelgrass meadows in Massachusetts, USA. The native spider crab species L. dubia consumed Gonionemus medusae, often enthusiastically, but the invasive green crab Carcinus maenus avoided consumption in all trials. One out of two blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus ) also consumed Gonionemus , but this species was too rare in our study system to evaluate further. Libinia crabs could consume up to 30 jellyfish, which was the maximum jellyfish density treatment in our experiments, over a 24-hour period. Gonionemus consumption was associated with Libinia mortality. Spider crab mortality increased with Gonionemus consumption, and 100% of spider crabs tested died within 24 h of consuming jellyfish in our maximum jellyfish density containers. As the numbers of Gonionemus medusae used in our experiments likely underestimate the number of medusae that could be encountered by spider crabs over a 24-hour period in the field, we expect that Gonionemus may be having a negative effect on natural Libinia populations. Furthermore, given that Libinia overlaps in habitat and resource use with Carcinus , which avoids Gonionemus consumption, Carcinus populations could be indirectly benefiting from this unusual crab-jellyfish trophic relationship.

Cardiogenic Shock during First Infusion of Anthracycline Chemotherapy in a Patient with Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Unusual Event.

PubMed

Binaghi, Giulio; Congia, Damiana; Cossa, Stefano; Massidda, Stefania; Pasqualucci, Daniele; Pilo, Federica; Serra, Emanuela; Angelucci, Emanuele; Porcu, Maurizio

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common types of cancers of the lymphatic system. The currently available therapies enable a cure in approximately 80-85% of treated patients. However, the cardiotoxicity of HL treatment has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in survivors mainly related to the use of anthracycline. An HL, staged IIIB, was diagnosed in a 60-year-old man with no cardiovascular disease. During the first cycle of ABVD chemotherapy (Adriamycin; bleomycin; vinblastine; dacarbazine), near the end of the dacarbazine infusion, the patient presented a sudden cardiogenic shock characterized by a severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Laboratory and instrumental examinations performed did not suggest any specific etiology. After 15 days of medical support, the patient presented a complete cardiac function and clinical recovery. Subsequently bendamustine chemotherapy was started because of its limited extrahematological toxicity, but after 4 cycles the patient had progressive disease and died of septic shock. We concluded that a very rare hyperacute anthracycline cardiotoxicity was the most likely reason for this critical scenario. This rare event stresses our inability to correctly predict the risk of a patient developing cardiotoxicity and also highlights the need to improve the knowledge of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms; in fact, it suggests a possible genetic predisposition to develop cardiotoxicity due to a relatively limited dosage. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Metabolism of benzene, toluene, and xylene hydrocarbons in soil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsao, C.W.; Song, H.G.; Bartha, R.

Enrichment cultures obtained from soil exposed to benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) mineralized benzene and toluene but cometabolized only xylene isomers, forming polymeric residues. This observation prompted the authors to investigate the metabolism of {sup 14}C-labeled BTX hydrocarbons in soil, either individually or as mixtures. BTX-supplemented soil was incubated aerobically for up to 4 weeks in a sealed system that automatically replenished any O{sub 2} consumed. The decrease in solvent vapors and the production of {sup 14}CO{sub 2} were monitored. At the conclusion of each experiment, {sup 14}C distribution in solvent-extractable polymers, biomass, and humic material was determined, obtaining {supmore » 14}C mass balances of 85 to 98%. BTX compounds were extensively mineralized in soil, regardless of whether they were presented singly or in combinations. No evidence was obtained for the formation of solvent-extractable polymers from xylenes in soil, but {sup 14}C distribution in biomass and humus was unusual for all BTX compounds and especially for toluene and the xylenes. The results suggest that catechol intermediates of BTX degradation are preferentially polymerized into the soil humus and that the methyl substituents of the catechols derived from toluene and especially from xylenes enhance this incorporation. In contrast to inhibitory residues formed from xylene cometabolism in culture, the humus-incorporated xylene residues showed no significant toxicity in the Microtox assay.« less

Effects of an unusual poison identify a lifespan role for Topoisomerase 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

Polevoda, Bogdan; Rapaport, Matan; Baxter, Bonnie; Van Meter, Michael; Gilbertson, Matthew; Madrey, Joe; Piazza, Gary A.; Rasmussen, Lynn; Wennerberg, Krister; White, E. Lucile; Nitiss, John L.; Goldfarb, David S.

2017-01-01

A progressive loss of genome maintenance has been implicated as both a cause and consequence of aging. Here we present evidence supporting the hypothesis that an age-associated decay in genome maintenance promotes aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) due to an inability to sense or repair DNA damage by topoisomerase 2 (yTop2). We describe the characterization of LS1, identified in a high throughput screen for small molecules that shorten the replicative lifespan of yeast. LS1 accelerates aging without affecting proliferative growth or viability. Genetic and biochemical criteria reveal LS1 to be a weak Top2 poison. Top2 poisons induce the accumulation of covalent Top2-linked DNA double strand breaks that, if left unrepaired, lead to genome instability and death. LS1 is toxic to cells deficient in homologous recombination, suggesting that the damage it induces is normally mitigated by genome maintenance systems. The essential roles of yTop2 in proliferating cells may come with a fitness trade-off in older cells that are less able to sense or repair yTop2-mediated DNA damage. Consistent with this idea, cells live longer when yTop2 expression levels are reduced. These results identify intrinsic yTop2-mediated DNA damage as a potentially manageable cause of aging. PMID:28077781

Species–specific crab predation on the hydrozoan clinging jellyfish Gonionemus sp. (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa), subsequent crab mortality, and possible ecological consequences

PubMed Central

Carman, Mary R.; Grunden, David W.

2017-01-01

Here we report a unique trophic interaction between the cryptogenic and sometimes highly toxic hydrozoan clinging jellyfish Gonionemus sp. and the spider crab Libinia dubia. We assessed species–specific predation on the Gonionemus medusae by crabs found in eelgrass meadows in Massachusetts, USA. The native spider crab species L. dubia consumed Gonionemus medusae, often enthusiastically, but the invasive green crab Carcinus maenus avoided consumption in all trials. One out of two blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) also consumed Gonionemus, but this species was too rare in our study system to evaluate further. Libinia crabs could consume up to 30 jellyfish, which was the maximum jellyfish density treatment in our experiments, over a 24-hour period. Gonionemus consumption was associated with Libinia mortality. Spider crab mortality increased with Gonionemus consumption, and 100% of spider crabs tested died within 24 h of consuming jellyfish in our maximum jellyfish density containers. As the numbers of Gonionemus medusae used in our experiments likely underestimate the number of medusae that could be encountered by spider crabs over a 24-hour period in the field, we expect that Gonionemus may be having a negative effect on natural Libinia populations. Furthermore, given that Libinia overlaps in habitat and resource use with Carcinus, which avoids Gonionemus consumption, Carcinus populations could be indirectly benefiting from this unusual crab–jellyfish trophic relationship. PMID:29085761

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Models To Assess Acute, Developmental, And Neurodevelopmental Toxicity

EPA Science Inventory

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) acute, developmental, and neurodevelopmental model systems have been developed to assess both known and unknown environmental contaminants. Developmental toxicity is assessed using death and dysmorphology as endpoints, whereas neurodevelopmental toxicity ...

Acute And Subchronic Toxicity Studies Of SNEDDS (Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems) From Ethyl Acetate Extract Of Bay Leaf (Eugenia polyantha W.) with Virgin Coconut Oil As Oil Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prihapsara, F.; Alamsyah, R. I.; Widiyani, T.; Artanti, A. N.

2018-03-01

Bay leaf (Eugenia polyantha) is widely used as an alternative therapy for diabetic and hypercholesterol. However, the administration of the extract has a low oral bioavailability, therefore it is prepared by Self Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) ethyl acetate extract of bay leaf. Therefore, acute and subchronic toxicity test is required. The toxicity test performed was an experimental study, including acute and subchronic toxicity tests. Animal experiments were used using Wistar strain rats. Acute toxicity test using 5 groups (n=5) consisted of 1 control group and 4 groups of SNEDDS dose with 48 mg/kgBW 240 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg, and 6000 mg/kg, while for subchronic toxicity test with 1 group control and 3 groups of doses of SNEDDS with dose group variation 91.75 mg/kgBW, 183.5 mg/kg, and 367 mg/kg. Duration of observation at acute toxicity test for 14 days while for subcronic toxicity test for 28 days with continuous SNEDDS dosage. The results of the acute toxicity test showed toxic symptoms and obtained median lethal dose (LD50) values from SNEDDS from ethyl acetate extract of bay leaf 1409.30 mg/kgBW belonging to slightly toxic category. Subchronic toxicity studies show that the test drug has minor damage in liver and kidneys and moderate damage in pancreas.

Development of QSAR models using artificial neural network analysis for risk assessment of repeated-dose, reproductive, and developmental toxicities of cosmetic ingredients.

PubMed

Hisaki, Tomoka; Aiba Née Kaneko, Maki; Yamaguchi, Masahiko; Sasa, Hitoshi; Kouzuki, Hirokazu

2015-04-01

Use of laboratory animals for systemic toxicity testing is subject to strong ethical and regulatory constraints, but few alternatives are yet available. One possible approach to predict systemic toxicity of chemicals in the absence of experimental data is quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Here, we present QSAR models for prediction of maximum "no observed effect level" (NOEL) for repeated-dose, developmental and reproductive toxicities. NOEL values of 421 chemicals for repeated-dose toxicity, 315 for reproductive toxicity, and 156 for developmental toxicity were collected from Japan Existing Chemical Data Base (JECDB). Descriptors to predict toxicity were selected based on molecular orbital (MO) calculations, and QSAR models employing multiple independent descriptors as the input layer of an artificial neural network (ANN) were constructed to predict NOEL values. Robustness of the models was indicated by the root-mean-square (RMS) errors after 10-fold cross-validation (0.529 for repeated-dose, 0.508 for reproductive, and 0.558 for developmental toxicity). Evaluation of the models in terms of the percentages of predicted NOELs falling within factors of 2, 5 and 10 of the in-vivo-determined NOELs suggested that the model is applicable to both general chemicals and the subset of chemicals listed in International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). Our results indicate that ANN models using in silico parameters have useful predictive performance, and should contribute to integrated risk assessment of systemic toxicity using a weight-of-evidence approach. Availability of predicted NOELs will allow calculation of the margin of safety, as recommended by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).

A text-based data mining and toxicity prediction modeling system for a clinical decision support in radiation oncology: A preliminary study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kwang Hyeon; Lee, Suk; Shim, Jang Bo; Chang, Kyung Hwan; Yang, Dae Sik; Yoon, Won Sup; Park, Young Je; Kim, Chul Yong; Cao, Yuan Jie

2017-08-01

The aim of this study is an integrated research for text-based data mining and toxicity prediction modeling system for clinical decision support system based on big data in radiation oncology as a preliminary research. The structured and unstructured data were prepared by treatment plans and the unstructured data were extracted by dose-volume data image pattern recognition of prostate cancer for research articles crawling through the internet. We modeled an artificial neural network to build a predictor model system for toxicity prediction of organs at risk. We used a text-based data mining approach to build the artificial neural network model for bladder and rectum complication predictions. The pattern recognition method was used to mine the unstructured toxicity data for dose-volume at the detection accuracy of 97.9%. The confusion matrix and training model of the neural network were achieved with 50 modeled plans (n = 50) for validation. The toxicity level was analyzed and the risk factors for 25% bladder, 50% bladder, 20% rectum, and 50% rectum were calculated by the artificial neural network algorithm. As a result, 32 plans could cause complication but 18 plans were designed as non-complication among 50 modeled plans. We integrated data mining and a toxicity modeling method for toxicity prediction using prostate cancer cases. It is shown that a preprocessing analysis using text-based data mining and prediction modeling can be expanded to personalized patient treatment decision support based on big data.

Star System Bonanza Illustration

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-02-27

This illustration shows the unusual orbit of planet Kepler-413b around a close pair of orange and red dwarf stars. The planet 66-day orbit is tilted 2.5 degrees with respect to the plane of the binary stars orbit.

Northern Shenandoah public mobility project evaluation

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-06-01

Developing new intelligent transportation systems to meet unusual challenges in rural areas where ITS implementation is limited is difficult in part because there are few similar examples to use as guides. In such situations, it is critical to conduc...

Unusual Cancers of the Reproductive and Urinary Systems

MedlinePlus

... of skin biopsies: Shave biopsy : A sterile razor blade is used to “shave off” the abnormal-looking ... of skin biopsies: Shave biopsy : A sterile razor blade is used to “shave off” the growth that ...

Tourette Syndrome

MedlinePlus

If you have Tourette syndrome, you make unusual movements or sounds, called tics. You have little or no control over them. Common tics are throat- ... spin, or, rarely, blurt out swear words. Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system. It ...

A Two-Way Spinoff.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aviation/Space, 1982

1982-01-01

A unusual technology transfer, involving sailboats and commercial wind energy systems, highlights space-related spinoffs for home, consumer, and recreational use. These include clothing for cooling athletes, high-intensity lighting, an advanced welding tool, and a water filter. (Author/JN)

Help wanted: Space ambassadors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

It might be one of the more unusual part-time jobs around. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is inviting motivated space enthusiasts from across the United States to apply to become volunteers in its 2002 Solar System Ambassador program.

Landau quantization of Dirac fermions in graphene and its multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Long-Jing; Bai, Ke-Ke; Wang, Wen-Xiao; Li, Si-Yu; Zhang, Yu; He, Lin

2017-08-01

When electrons are confined in a two-dimensional (2D) system, typical quantum-mechanical phenomena such as Landau quantization can be detected. Graphene systems, including the single atomic layer and few-layer stacked crystals, are ideal 2D materials for studying a variety of quantum-mechanical problems. In this article, we review the experimental progress in the unusual Landau quantized behaviors of Dirac fermions in monolayer and multilayer graphene by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Through STS measurement of the strong magnetic fields, distinct Landau-level spectra and rich level-splitting phenomena are observed in different graphene layers. These unique properties provide an effective method for identifying the number of layers, as well as the stacking orders, and investigating the fundamentally physical phenomena of graphene. Moreover, in the presence of a strain and charged defects, the Landau quantization of graphene can be significantly modified, leading to unusual spectroscopic and electronic properties.

Self-shaping composites with programmable bioinspired microstructures.

PubMed

Erb, Randall M; Sander, Jonathan S; Grisch, Roman; Studart, André R

2013-01-01

Shape change is a prevalent function apparent in a diverse set of natural structures, including seed dispersal units, climbing plants and carnivorous plants. Many of these natural materials change shape by using cellulose microfibrils at specific orientations to anisotropically restrict the swelling/shrinkage of their organic matrices upon external stimuli. This is in contrast to the material-specific mechanisms found in synthetic shape-memory systems. Here we propose a robust and universal method to replicate this unusual shape-changing mechanism of natural systems in artificial bioinspired composites. The technique is based upon the remote control of the orientation of reinforcing inorganic particles within the composite using a weak external magnetic field. Combining this reinforcement orientational control with swellable/shrinkable polymer matrices enables the creation of composites whose shape change can be programmed into the material's microstructure rather than externally imposed. Such bioinspired approach can generate composites with unusual reversibility, twisting effects and site-specific programmable shape changes.

Self-shaping composites with programmable bioinspired microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erb, Randall M.; Sander, Jonathan S.; Grisch, Roman; Studart, André R.

2013-04-01

Shape change is a prevalent function apparent in a diverse set of natural structures, including seed dispersal units, climbing plants and carnivorous plants. Many of these natural materials change shape by using cellulose microfibrils at specific orientations to anisotropically restrict the swelling/shrinkage of their organic matrices upon external stimuli. This is in contrast to the material-specific mechanisms found in synthetic shape-memory systems. Here we propose a robust and universal method to replicate this unusual shape-changing mechanism of natural systems in artificial bioinspired composites. The technique is based upon the remote control of the orientation of reinforcing inorganic particles within the composite using a weak external magnetic field. Combining this reinforcement orientational control with swellable/shrinkable polymer matrices enables the creation of composites whose shape change can be programmed into the material’s microstructure rather than externally imposed. Such bioinspired approach can generate composites with unusual reversibility, twisting effects and site-specific programmable shape changes.

One-dimensional quantum matter: gold-induced nanowires on semiconductor surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudy, L.; Aulbach, J.; Wagner, T.; Schäfer, J.; Claessen, R.

2017-11-01

Interacting electrons confined to only one spatial dimension display a wide range of unusual many-body quantum phenomena, ranging from Peierls instabilities to the breakdown of the canonical Fermi liquid paradigm to even unusual spin phenomena. The underlying physics is not only of tremendous fundamental interest, but may also have bearing on device functionality in future micro- and nanoelectronics with lateral extensions reaching the atomic limit. Metallic adatoms deposited on semiconductor surfaces may form self-assembled atomic nanowires, thus representing highly interesting and well-controlled solid-state realizations of such 1D quantum systems. Here we review experimental and theoretical investigations on a few selected prototypical nanowire surface systems, specifically Ge(0 0 1)-Au and Si(hhk)-Au, and the search for 1D quantum states in them. We summarize the current state of research and identify open questions and issues.

Hingganite-(Y) from a small aplite vein in granodiorite from Oppach, Lusatian Mts., E-Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Rainer; Davidson, Paul

2017-12-01

Crystals of hingganite-(Y) occur co-trapped in quartz crystals from miarolitic cavities in an aplite vein in the Cadomian granodiorite from Oppach/Lusatian, Germany. We describe the chemical composition and provide a reference Raman spectrum of this mineral, for which little useful spectral data has been published. In addition, we provide some inferences as to the genesis of this mineral in relationship to melt and fluid inclusions in quartz. The paragenetic sequence of minerals conserved only as small crystal inclusions in quartz, demonstrates an unusual occurrence in the Lusatian aplites, characterized by an unusual, extremely water-rich, near-supercritical melt-fluid system with high concentrations in alkali carbonates and sulfates. We propose that a sulfate-rich system was responsible for the fixation of Be and REE as hingganite-(Y), rather than the more common beryl + REE mineral assemblage. This may provide an explanation for the formation of this otherwise rare mineral

76 FR 18915 - Ethiprole; Pesticide Tolerances

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-06

... homeostasis and the developing nervous system in the young is not available. Based on a battery of... of the nervous system, the Agency is requiring a developmental thyroid toxicity study to assess for... nervous system, the Agency is requiring the developmental thyroid toxicity study in lieu of the DNT. iii...

Emergence of the acute-phase protein hemopexin in jawed vertebrates.

PubMed

Dooley, Helen; Buckingham, E Bryan; Criscitiello, Michael F; Flajnik, Martin F

2010-01-01

When released from damaged erythrocytes free heme not only provides a source of iron for invading bacteria but also highly toxic due to its ability to catalyze free radical formation. Hemopexin (Hx) binds free heme with very high-affinity and thus protects against heme toxicity, sequesters heme from pathogens, and helps conserve valuable iron. Hx is also an acute-phase serum protein (APP), whose expression is induced by inflammation. To date Hx has been identified as far back in phylogeny as bony fish where it is called warm-temperature acclimation-related 65 kDa protein (WAP65), as serum protein levels are increased at elevated environmental temperatures as well as by infection. During analysis of nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) plasma we isolated a Ni(2+)-binding serum glycoprotein and characterized it as the APP Hx. We subsequently cloned Hx from nurse shark and another cartilaginous fish species, the little skate Leucoraja erinacea. Functional analysis showed shark Hx, like that of mammals, binds heme but is found at unusually high levels in normal shark serum. As an Hx orthologue could not be found in the genomes of jawless vertebrates or lower deuterostomes it appears to have arisen just prior to the emergence of jawed vertebrates, coincident with the second round of genome-wide duplication and the appearance of tetrameric hemoglobin (Hb). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enterotoxin Gene Cluster-Encoded SEI and SElN from Staphylococcus aureus Isolates are Crucial for the Induction of Human Blood Cell Proliferation and Pathogenicity in Rabbits.

PubMed

Roetzer, Andreas; Gruener, Corina S; Haller, Guenter; Beyerly, John; Model, Nina; Eibl, Martha M

2016-10-28

Among the toxin family of bacterial superantigens, the six members of the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) seem to have unusual characteristics. They are present in the majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains, but their role in disease remains uncertain. We assessed secretion levels, immunogenicity, and toxicity of native and recombinant egc proteins. After having developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we found different quantities of egc proteins secreted by bacterial isolates. Supernatants induced proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, purified recombinant egc proteins were shown to have differing superantigenicity potentials. Immunization with identical amounts of all members of egc, and the prominent toxic agent SEB, resulted in neutralizing antisera. Two egc proteins, SEI and SE l N, were found to play a predominant role within the cluster. Both displayed the highest potential to activate blood cells, and were essential to be neutralized in supernatants. The application of a supernatant of a strain bearing only egc was sufficient for a lethal outcome in a rabbit model. Again, neutralization of SEI and SE l N led to the survival of all tested animals. Finally, nanogram amounts of purified rSEI and rSE l N led to lethality in vivo, pointing out the importance of both as virulence determinants among egc superantigens.

Enterotoxin Gene Cluster-Encoded SEI and SElN from Staphylococcus aureus Isolates are Crucial for the Induction of Human Blood Cell Proliferation and Pathogenicity in Rabbits

PubMed Central

Roetzer, Andreas; Gruener, Corina S.; Haller, Guenter; Beyerly, John; Model, Nina; Eibl, Martha M.

2016-01-01

Among the toxin family of bacterial superantigens, the six members of the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) seem to have unusual characteristics. They are present in the majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains, but their role in disease remains uncertain. We assessed secretion levels, immunogenicity, and toxicity of native and recombinant egc proteins. After having developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, we found different quantities of egc proteins secreted by bacterial isolates. Supernatants induced proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, purified recombinant egc proteins were shown to have differing superantigenicity potentials. Immunization with identical amounts of all members of egc, and the prominent toxic agent SEB, resulted in neutralizing antisera. Two egc proteins, SEI and SElN, were found to play a predominant role within the cluster. Both displayed the highest potential to activate blood cells, and were essential to be neutralized in supernatants. The application of a supernatant of a strain bearing only egc was sufficient for a lethal outcome in a rabbit model. Again, neutralization of SEI and SElN led to the survival of all tested animals. Finally, nanogram amounts of purified rSEI and rSElN led to lethality in vivo, pointing out the importance of both as virulence determinants among egc superantigens. PMID:27801832

State of the Art in African Trypanosome Drug Discovery

PubMed Central

Jacobs, Robert T.; Nare, Bakela; Phillips, Margaret A.

2011-01-01

African sleeping sickness is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa where the WHO estimates that 60 million people are at risk for the disease. Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is 100% fatal if untreated and the current drug therapies have significant limitations due to toxicity and difficult treatment regimes. No new chemical agents have been approved since eflornithine in 1990. The pentamidine analog DB289, which was in late stage clinical trials for the treatment of early stage HAT recently failed due to toxicity issues. A new protocol for the treatment of late-stage T. brucei gambiense that uses combination nifurtomox/eflornithine (NECT) was recently shown to have better safety and efficacy than eflornithine alone, while being easier to administer. This breakthrough represents the only new therapy for HAT since the approval of eflornithine. A number of research programs are on going to exploit the unusual biochemical pathways in the parasite to identify new targets for target based drug discovery programs. HTS efforts are also underway to discover new chemical entities through whole organism screening approaches. A number of inhibitors with anti-trypanosomal activity have been identified by both approaches, but none of the programs are yet at the stage of identifying a preclinical candidate. This dire situation underscores the need for continued effort to identify new chemical agents for the treatment of HAT. PMID:21401507

Distributed operating system for NASA ground stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doyle, John F.

1987-01-01

NASA ground stations are characterized by ever changing support requirements, so application software is developed and modified on a continuing basis. A distributed operating system was designed to optimize the generation and maintenance of those applications. Unusual features include automatic program generation from detailed design graphs, on-line software modification in the testing phase, and the incorporation of a relational database within a real-time, distributed system.

4-Hydroxylated metabolites of the antiestrogens tamoxifen and toremifene are metabolized to unusually stable quinone methides.

PubMed

Fan, P W; Zhang, F; Bolton, J L

2000-01-01

Tamoxifen is widely prescribed for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, and it has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the chemoprevention of this disease. However, long-term usage of tamoxifen has been linked to increased risk of developing endometrial cancer in women. One of the suggested pathways leading to the potential toxicity of tamoxifen involves its oxidative metabolism to 4-hydroxytamoxifen, which may be further oxidized to an electrophilic quinone methide. The resulting quinone methide has the potential to alkylate DNA and may initiate the carcinogenic process. To further probe the chemical reactivity and toxicity of such an electrophilic species, we have prepared the 4-hydroxytamoxifen quinone methide chemically and enzymatically, examined its reactivity under physiological conditions, and quantified its reactivity with GSH. Interestingly, this quinone methide is unusually stable; its half-life under physiological conditions is approximately 3 h, and its half-life in the presence of GSH is approximately 4 min. The reaction between 4-hydroxytamoxifen quinone methide and GSH appears to be a reversible process because the quinone methide GSH conjugates slowly decompose over time, regenerating the quinone methide as indicated by LC/MS/MS data. The tamoxifen GSH conjugates were detected in microsomal incubations with 4-hydroxytamoxifen; however, none were observed in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) perhaps because very little quinone methides is formed. Toremifene, which is a chlorinated analogue of tamoxifen, undergoes similar oxidative metabolism to give 4-hydroxytoremifene, which is further oxidized to the corresponding quinone methide. The toremifene quinone methide has a half-life of approximately 1 h under physiological conditions, and its rate of reaction in the presence of excess GSH is approximately 6 min. More detailed analyses have indicated that the 4-hydroxytoremifene quinone methide reacts with two molecules of GSH and loses chlorine to give the corresponding di-GSH conjugates. The reaction mechanism likely involves an episulfonium ion intermediate which may contribute to the potential cytotoxic effects of toremifene. Similar to what was observed with 4-hydroxytamoxifen, 4-hydroxytoremifene was metabolized to di-GSH conjugates in microsomal incubations at about 3 times the rate of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, although no conjugates were detected with MCF-7 cells. Finally, these data suggest that quinone methide formation may not make a significant contribution to the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of tamoxifen and toremifene.

STANDARDS OF FUNCTIONAL MEASUREMENTS IN OCULAR TOXICOLOGY.

EPA Science Inventory

The visual system, like other sensory systems, may be a frequent target of exposure to toxic chemicals. A thorough evaluation of visual toxicity should include both structural and functional measures. Sensory evoked potentials are one set of neurophysiological procedures that...

An evaluation of the residual toxicity and chemistry of a sodium hydroxide-based ballast water treatment system for freshwater ships

USGS Publications Warehouse

Elskus, Adria; Ingersoll, Christopher G.; Kemble, Nile E.; Echols, Kathy R.; Brumbaugh, William G.; Henquinet, Jeffrey; Watten, Barnaby J.

2015-01-01

Nonnative organisms in the ballast water of freshwater ships must be killed to prevent the spread of invasive species. The ideal ballast water treatment system (BWTS) would kill 100% of ballast water organisms with minimal residual toxicity to organisms in receiving waters. In the present study, the residual toxicity and chemistry of a BWTS was evaluated. Sodium hydroxide was added to elevate pH to >11.5 to kill ballast water organisms, then reduced to pH <9 by sparging with wet-scrubbed diesel exhaust (the source of CO2). Cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia dubia), amphipods (Hyalella azteca), and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for 2 d to BWTS water under an air atmosphere (pH drifted to ≥9) or a 2.5% CO2 atmosphere (pH 7.5–8.2), then transferred to control water for 5 d to assess potential delayed toxicity. Chemical concentrations in the BWTS water met vessel discharge guidelines with the exception of concentrations of copper. There was little to no residual toxicity to cladocerans or fish, but the BWTS water was toxic to amphipods. Maintaining a neutral pH and diluting BWTS water by 50% eliminated toxicity to the amphipods. The toxicity of BWTS water would likely be minimal because of rapid dilution in the receiving water, with subsurface release likely preventing pH rise. This BWTS has the potential to become a viable method for treating ballast water released into freshwater systems.

77 FR 70941 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Interaction of Systems and Structures

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-28

... primary structure is metal with composite empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is...., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Interaction of Systems and Structures AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design...

A Case Study: Implementing an Interactive Video Instruction System in Teaching Electronics and Industrial Maintenance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shipe, Ron; And Others

A study examined the development and implementation of an interactive video instruction system for teaching electronics and industrial maintenance at the University of Tennessee. The specific purposes of the study were to document unusual problems that may be encountered when this new technology is implemented, suggest corrective actions, and…

77 FR 69573 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-20

... airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with an electronic flight control system... empennage and control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with a maximum of... flight control design feature within the normal operational envelope in which sidestick deflection in the...

78 FR 11560 - Special Conditions: Embraer S.A., Model EMB-550 Airplane; Electronic Flight Control System...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... or unusual design feature(s) associated with an electronic flight control system with respect to... control surfaces. The Model EMB-550 airplane is designed for 8 passengers, with a maximum of 12 passengers... the pilot or copilot sidestick. The Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane has a flight control design...

Oral purpura as the first manifestation of primary systemic amyloidosis.

PubMed

McCormick, Robert Stuart; Sloan, Philip; Farr, David; Carrozzo, Marco

2016-07-01

Oral blood blisters and purpura are rare features of primary systemic amyloidosis (amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis). We report a case in which these unusual presentations led to a diagnosis of amyloidosis, which enabled effective treatment before organ failure. Copyright © 2015 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 20490 - Special Conditions: Eurocopter France Model AS350B Series, AS350D, and EC130 Helicopters...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-13

... the system design integrity, system design environmental, and test and analysis requirements) of these... novel or unusual design features when modified by installing the Hoh Aeronautics, Inc. (Hoh) complex..., Regulations and Policy Group (ASW-111), 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222-5167...

Computer-Assisted Periodical Routing and Renewal Audit

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yerkey, A. Neil

1973-01-01

A computer-assisted periodical control system was designed to reduce clerical time required to maintain records in three areas: renewal audit, routing, and records-keeping. The renewal audit features are unusual and are described in detail. (3 references) (Author/DH)

Bee Dances, Bird Songs, Monkey Calls, and Cetacean Sonar: Is Speech Unique?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liska, Jo

1993-01-01

Examines to what extent, and in what ways, speech is unusual and how it compares to other semiotic systems. Discusses language and speech, neurolinguistic processing, comparative vocal/auditory abilities, primate evolution, and semiogenesis. (SR)

MONITORING THE AIR FOR TOXIC AND GENOTOXIC COMPOUNDS

EPA Science Inventory

A time-integrated sampling system interfaced with a toxicity-based assay is reported for monitoring volatile toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the fill solvent accumulated each of 17 TICs from the vapor p...

AN OVERVIEW OF TOXICANT IDENTIFICATION IN SEDIMENTS AND DREDGED MATERIALS

EPA Science Inventory

The identification of toxicants affecting aquatic benthic systems is critical to sound assessment and management of our nation?s waterways. Identification of toxicants can be useful in designing effective sediment remediation plans and reasonable options for sediment disposal. K...

Human Health Effects Associated with Exposure to Toxic Cyanobacteria

EPA Science Inventory

Reports of toxic cyanobacteria blooms are increasing worldwide. Warming and eutrophic surface water systems support the development of blooms. We examine the evidence for adverse human health effects associated with exposure to toxic blooms in drinking water, recreational water a...

Comparison of bulk sediment and sediment elutriate toxicity testing methods

EPA Science Inventory

Elutriate bioassays are among numerous methods that exist for assessing the potential toxicity of sediments in aquatic systems. In this study, interlaboratory results were compared from 96-hour Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas static-renewal acute toxicity tests conduct...

A Review of the Toxicity of Compounds Found in Herbal Dietary Supplements.

PubMed

Hudson, Amy; Lopez, Elizabeth; Almalki, Ahmad J; Roe, Amy L; Calderón, Angela I

2018-07-01

Use of herbal dietary supplements by the public is common and has been happening for centuries. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has a limited scope of regulation over marketed herbal dietary supplements, which may contain toxic botanical compounds that pose a public health risk. While the Food and Drug Administration has made efforts to prohibit the sale of unsafe herbal dietary supplements, numerous reports have proliferated of adverse events due to these supplements. This literature review investigates bioactive plant compounds commonly used in herbal dietary supplements and their relative toxicities. Using primarily the National Library of Medicine journal database and SciFinder for current reports, 47 toxic compounds in 55 species from 46 plant families were found to demonstrate harmful effects due to hepatic, cardiovascular, central nervous system, and digestive system toxicity. This review further contributes a novel and comprehensive view of toxicity across the botanical dietary market, and investigates the toxicity of the top ten botanical dietary supplements purchased in the United States of America to gauge the exposure risk of toxicity to the public. The criteria of measuring toxicity in this review (plant compound, family, quantity, and toxicity effects) across the entire market in the United States, with special attention to those supplements whose exposure to the consumer is maximal, provides a unique contribution to the investigation of botanical supplements. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Research on Hygiene Based on Fieldwork and Experimental Studies.

PubMed

Yajima, Ichiro

2017-01-01

Several experimental studies on hygiene have recently been performed and fieldwork studies are also important and essential tools. However, the implementation of experimental studies is insufficient compared with that of fieldwork studies on hygiene. Here, we show our well-balanced implementation of both fieldwork and experimental studies of toxic-element-mediated diseases including skin cancer and hearing loss. Since the pollution of drinking well water by toxic elements induces various diseases including skin cancer, we performed both fieldwork and experimental studies to determine the levels of toxic elements and the mechanisms behind the development of toxic-element-related diseases and to develop a novel remediation system. Our fieldwork studies in several countries including Bangladesh, Vietnam and Malaysia demonstrated that drinking well water was polluted with high concentrations of several toxic elements including arsenic, barium, iron and manganese. Our experimental studies using the data from our fieldwork studies demonstrated that these toxic elements caused skin cancer and hearing loss. Further experimental studies resulted in the development of a novel remediation system that adsorbs toxic elements from polluted drinking water. A well-balanced implementation of both fieldwork and experimental studies is important for the prediction, prevention and therapy of toxic-element-mediated diseases.

Acute pancreatitis caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae: an unusual etiology.

PubMed

Valdés Lacasa, Teresa; Duarte Borges, María Alejandra; García Marín, Alicia; Gómez Cuervo, Covadonga

2017-06-01

It is well known that the most important etiologies of acute pancreatitis are gallstones and alcohol consumption. Once these causes have been ruled out, especially in young adults, it is important to consider less frequent etiologic factors such as drugs, trauma, malformations, autoimmunity or systemic diseases. Other rare and less well studied causes of this pathology are infections, among which Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been reported to cause acute pancreatitis as an unusual extrapulmonary manifestation. Here, we report the case of a 21-year-old patient who had acute idiopathic pancreatitis associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. After an in-depth study, all other causes of pancreatitis were ruled out and Mycoplasma was established as the clinical etiology.

Establishing an unusual cell type: How to make a dikaryon

PubMed Central

Kruzel, Emilia K.; Hull, Christina M.

2010-01-01

Summary The dikaryons of basidiomycete fungi represent an unusual cell type required for complete sexual development. Dikaryon formation occurs via the activities of cell type-specific homeodomain transcription factors, which form regulatory complexes to establish the dikaryotic state. Decades of classical genetic and cell biological studies in mushrooms have provided a foundation for more recent molecular studies in the pathogenic species Ustilago maydis and Cryptococcus neoformans. Studies in these systems have revealed novel mechanisms of regulation that function downstream of classic homeodomain complexes to ensure that dikaryons are established and propagated. Comparisons of these dikaryon-specific networks promise to reveal the nature of regulatory network evolution and the adaptations responsible for driving complex eukaryotic development. PMID:21036099

Churg-Strauss syndrome presenting with eosinophilic myocarditis: a diagnostic challenge.

PubMed

Correia, Ana Sofia; Gonçalves, Alexandra; Araújo, Vítor; Almeida e Silva, João; Pereira, José Manuel; Rodrigues Pereira, Pedro; Pizarro, Manuel; Silva, João Carlos; Maciel, Maria Júlia

2013-09-01

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is an unusual disease that presents as systemic vasculitis and peripheral eosinophilia in patients with an atopic constitution. Cardiac involvement is unusual and often not prominent on initial presentation, but is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CSS. We report the case of a young woman with severe acute myocarditis. Coronary arteriography demonstrated extensive focal vasculopathy, consistent with coronary vasculitis, and myocardial biopsy showed eosinophilic myocarditis. This presentation led to an initial diagnosis of CSS in this patient and appropriate therapy resulted in a spectacular remission of disease activity. Copyright © 2012 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Conditional Outlier Detection for Clinical Alerting

PubMed Central

Hauskrecht, Milos; Valko, Michal; Batal, Iyad; Clermont, Gilles; Visweswaran, Shyam; Cooper, Gregory F.

2010-01-01

We develop and evaluate a data-driven approach for detecting unusual (anomalous) patient-management actions using past patient cases stored in an electronic health record (EHR) system. Our hypothesis is that patient-management actions that are unusual with respect to past patients may be due to a potential error and that it is worthwhile to raise an alert if such a condition is encountered. We evaluate this hypothesis using data obtained from the electronic health records of 4,486 post-cardiac surgical patients. We base the evaluation on the opinions of a panel of experts. The results support that anomaly-based alerting can have reasonably low false alert rates and that stronger anomalies are correlated with higher alert rates. PMID:21346986

Conditional outlier detection for clinical alerting.

PubMed

Hauskrecht, Milos; Valko, Michal; Batal, Iyad; Clermont, Gilles; Visweswaran, Shyam; Cooper, Gregory F

2010-11-13

We develop and evaluate a data-driven approach for detecting unusual (anomalous) patient-management actions using past patient cases stored in an electronic health record (EHR) system. Our hypothesis is that patient-management actions that are unusual with respect to past patients may be due to a potential error and that it is worthwhile to raise an alert if such a condition is encountered. We evaluate this hypothesis using data obtained from the electronic health records of 4,486 post-cardiac surgical patients. We base the evaluation on the opinions of a panel of experts. The results support that anomaly-based alerting can have reasonably low false alert rates and that stronger anomalies are correlated with higher alert rates.

STP Position Paper: Recommended Practices for Sampling and Processing the Nervous System (Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerve, and Eye) during Nonclinical General Toxicity Studies

EPA Science Inventory

The Society of Toxicologic Pathology charged a Nervous System Sampling Working Group with devising recommended practices to routinely screen the central and peripheral nervous systems in Good Laboratory Practice-type nonclinical general toxicity studies. Brains should be trimmed ...

Delta nitrogen tetroxide fueling operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grigsby, R. B.; Cross, T. M.; Rucci, T. D.

1978-01-01

The development of the Delta second stage nitrogen tetroxide fueling system is briefly summarized. The nitrogen tetroxide fueling system and the equipment used to protect the spacecraft environment from the toxic nitrogen tetroxide fumes are described. Topics covered include: the nitrogen tetroxide transfer system; loading operations; safety precautions; and chemical treatment of all toxic vapors.

The impacts of a massive harmful algal bloom along the US west coast in 2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudela, R. M.; Trainer, V. L.; McCabe, R. M.; Hickey, B. M.; Negrey, K.

2016-02-01

In 2015, a massive bloom of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia, stretching from southern California to southern Alaska, resulted in significant impacts to coastal resources and marine life. This bloom was first detected in early May 2015, when Washington closed its scheduled razor clam digs on coastal beaches. It is the largest and longest-lasting bloom in at least the past 15 years, and concentrations of domoic acid in seawater, some forage fish, and crab samples have been among the highest ever reported for this region. By mid-May, domoic acid concentrations in Monterey Bay, California were 10 to 30 times the level that would be considered high for a normal Pseudo-nitzschia bloom. Impacts to coastal communities and marine life include shellfish and Dungeness crab closures in multiple states, impacting commercial, recreational and subsistence harvesters, anchovy and sardine fishery health advisories in some areas of California, and sea lion strandings in California and Washington. Other marine mammal and bird mortalities have been reported in multiple states, and domoic acid poisoning is a suspected cause. In addition to the spatial extent and toxicity, the bloom has also lasted for many months (ongoing as of September 2015). While the exact causes of the bloom's severity and early onset are not yet known, unusually warm surface water in the Pacific Ocean may be a contributing factor. Here we present an overview of the bloom dynamics and impacts, and preliminary analysis about the bloom initiation and relationship to unusual ocean conditions in 2014-2015.

Antifungal Therapy for Systemic Mycosis and the Nanobiotechnology Era: Improving Efficacy, Biodistribution and Toxicity.

PubMed

Souza, Ana C O; Amaral, Andre C

2017-01-01

Fungal diseases have been emerging as an important public health problem worldwide with the increase in host predisposition factors due to immunological dysregulations, immunosuppressive and/or anticancer therapy. Antifungal therapy for systemic mycosis is limited, most of times expensive and causes important toxic effects. Nanotechnology has become an interesting strategy to improve efficacy of traditional antifungal drugs, which allows lower toxicity, better biodistribution, and drug targeting, with promising results in vitro and in vivo . In this review, we provide a discussion about conventional antifungal and nanoantifungal therapies for systemic mycosis.

The Relationship between Clinical Presentation and Unusual Sensory Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zachor, Ditza A.; Ben-Itzchak, Esther

2014-01-01

Unusual responses to sensory stimuli have been described in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The study examined the frequencies of "unusual sensory interests" and "negative sensory responses" and their relation to functioning in a large ASD population (n = 679). Having "unusual sensory interests" was reported in 70.4%…

Increased Fire and Toxic Contaminant Detection Responsibility by Use of Distributed, Aspirating Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Youngblood, Wallace W.

1990-01-01

Viewgraphs of increased fire and toxic contaminant detection responsivity by use of distributed, aspirating sensors for space station are presented. Objectives of the concept described are (1) to enhance fire and toxic contaminant detection responsivity in habitable regions of space station; (2) to reduce system weight and complexity through centralized detector/monitor systems; (3) to increase fire signature information from selected locations in a space station module; and (4) to reduce false alarms.

Evaluation of the systemic toxicity and mutagenicity of OLIGOPIN®, procyanidolic oligomers (OPC) extracted from French Maritime Pine Bark extract.

PubMed

Segal, L; Penman, M G; Piriou, Y

2018-01-01

The potential systemic toxicity of Oligopin®, a French Maritime Pine Bark extract (FMPBE) rich in procyanidolic oligomers, was evaluated in an acute oral limit test and a 90-day repeated dose oral toxicity study with Sprague Dawley rats. The potential mutagenicity was assessed in a bacterial reverse mutation assay and in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration assay with human lymphocytes. The results indicate that Oligopin® was nongenotoxic in both bacterial and human cell assays, was not acutely toxic via oral administration at up to 2000 mg/kg and was well tolerated following 90 days of oral administration to SD rats, with a no observed adverse effect level of 1000 mg/kg/day. The lack of significant adverse systemic effects in the 90 day study is concordant with findings from several human clinical trials. The acute toxicity and mutagenicity data are consistent with data reported by AFSSA in a summary of FMPBE safety, in which a NOAEL of 100 mg/kg/day was established. In contrast, the NOAEL derived from the 90-day study with Oligopin® was 1000 mg/kg/day, suggesting that it is less systemically toxic than other FMPBE previously evaluated in subchronic studies, and comparable to proanthocyanidins extracted from grape seeds, which are widely used as nutritional supplement ingredients.

Functional toxicology: tools to advance the future of toxicity testing

PubMed Central

Gaytán, Brandon D.; Vulpe, Chris D.

2014-01-01

The increased presence of chemical contaminants in the environment is an undeniable concern to human health and ecosystems. Historically, by relying heavily upon costly and laborious animal-based toxicity assays, the field of toxicology has often neglected examinations of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity for the majority of compounds—information that, if available, would strengthen risk assessment analyses. Functional toxicology, where cells or organisms with gene deletions or depleted proteins are used to assess genetic requirements for chemical tolerance, can advance the field of toxicity testing by contributing data regarding chemical mechanisms of toxicity. Functional toxicology can be accomplished using available genetic tools in yeasts, other fungi and bacteria, and eukaryotes of increased complexity, including zebrafish, fruit flies, rodents, and human cell lines. Underscored is the value of using less complex systems such as yeasts to direct further studies in more complex systems such as human cell lines. Functional techniques can yield (1) novel insights into chemical toxicity; (2) pathways and mechanisms deserving of further study; and (3) candidate human toxicant susceptibility or resistance genes. PMID:24847352

Phase coherent transport in hybrid superconductor-topological insulator devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finck, Aaron

2015-03-01

Heterostructures of superconductors and topological insulators are predicted to host unusual zero energy bound states known as Majorana fermions, which can robustly store and process quantum information. Here, I will discuss our studies of such heterostructures through phase-coherent transport, which can act as a unique probe of Majorana fermions. We have extensively explored topological insulator Josephson junctions through SQUID and single-junction diffraction patterns, whose unusual behavior give evidence for low-energy Andreev bound states. In topological insulator devices with closely spaced normal and superconducting leads, we observe prominent Fabry-Perot oscillations, signifying gate-tunable, quasi-ballistic transport that can elegantly interact with Andreev reflection. Superconducting disks deposited on the surface of a topological insulator generate Aharonov-Bohm-like oscillations, giving evidence for unusual states lying near the interface between the superconductor and topological insulator surface. Our results point the way towards sophisticated interferometers that can detect and read out the state of Majorana fermions in topological systems. This work was done in collaboration with Cihan Kurter, Yew San Hor, and Dale Van Harlingen. We acknowledge funding from Microsoft Project Q.

Hazardous and toxic waste management in Botswana: practices and challenges.

PubMed

Mmereki, Daniel; Li, Baizhan; Meng, Liu

2014-12-01

Hazardous and toxic waste is a complex waste category because of its inherent chemical and physical characteristics. It demands for environmentally sound technologies and know-how as well as clean technologies that simultaneously manage and dispose it in an environmentally friendly way. Nevertheless, Botswana lacks a system covering all the critical steps from importation to final disposal or processing of hazardous and toxic waste owing to limited follow-up of the sources and types of hazardous and toxic waste, lack of modern and specialised treatment/disposal facilities, technical know-how, technically skilled manpower, funds and capabilities of local institutions to take lead in waste management. Therefore, because of a lack of an integrated system, there are challenges such as lack of cooperation among all the stakeholders about the safe management of hazardous and toxic waste. Furthermore, Botswana does not have a systematic regulatory framework regarding monitoring and hazardous and toxic waste management. In addition to the absence of a systematic regulatory framework, inadequate public awareness and dissemination of information about hazardous and toxic waste management, slower progress to phase-out persistent and bio-accumulative waste, and lack of reliable and accurate information on hazardous and toxic waste generation, sources and composition have caused critical challenges to effective hazardous and toxic waste management. It is, therefore, important to examine the status of hazardous and toxic waste as a waste stream in Botswana. By default; this mini-review article presents an overview of the current status of hazardous and toxic waste management and introduces the main challenges in hazardous and toxic waste management. Moreover, the article proposes the best applicable strategies to achieve effective hazardous and toxic waste management in the future. © The Author(s) 2014.

Analyzing cytotoxic effects of selected isothiazol-3-one biocides using the toxic ratio concept and structure-activity relationship considerations.

PubMed

Arning, Jürgen; Matzke, Marianne; Stolte, Stefan; Nehen, Frauke; Bottin-Weber, Ulrike; Böschen, Andrea; Abdulkarim, Salha; Jastorff, Bernd; Ranke, Johannes

2009-12-01

To demonstrate how baseline toxicity can be separated from other more specific modes of toxic action and to address possible pitfals when dealing with hydrophobic substances, the four isothiazol-3-one biocides N-methylisothiazol-3-one (MIT), 5-chloro-N-methylisothiazol-3-one (CIT), N-octylisothiazol-3-one (OIT), and 4,5-dichloro-N-octylisothiazol-3-one (DCOIT) as an example for reactive electrophilic xenobiotics were tested for their cytotoxic effects on the human hepatoblastoma cell line Hep G2, on the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri, and on the limnic green alga Scenedesmus vacuolatus. In each of the three test systems, toxic effects were observed in a consistent pattern. The two chlorinated compounds and OIT were found to be significantly more toxic than MIT. As compared to baseline toxicants, the small and polar MIT and CIT exhibited pronounced excess toxicity in each of the three test systems that is presumably triggered by their intrinsic reactivity toward cellular thiols. In contrast, OIT and DCOIT showed mainly toxicities that could be explained by their hydrophobicity. Analyzing and comparing these results using the toxic ratio concept and with data that indicate a dramatic depletion of cellular glutathione levels after incubation with DCOIT reveals that for highly hydrophobic substances, baseline level toxicity in an assay for acute toxicity can lead to an oversight of other more specific modes of toxic action that may cause significant effects that might be less reversible than those caused by unreactive baseline toxicants. This possibility should be taken into account in the hazard assessment of chemicals that are both hydrophobic and reactive.

Human Health and Toxic Cyanobacteria – What do we know?

EPA Science Inventory

Human Health and Toxic Cyanobacteria – What do we know?Elizabeth D. HilbornWarm, eutrophic surface water systems support the development of toxic cyanobacteria blooms in North Carolina and worldwide. These conditions are increasing with expanding human populations and clima...

An interlaboratory comparison of sediment elutriate preparation and toxicity test methods

EPA Science Inventory

Elutriate bioassays are among numerous methods that exist for assessing the potential toxicity of sediments in aquatic systems. In this study, interlaboratory results were compared from 96-hour Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas static-renewal acute toxicity tests conduct...

In vitro toxicities of experimental jet fuel system ice-inhibiting agents.

PubMed

Geiss, K T; Frazier, J M

2001-07-02

One research emphasis within the Department of Defense has been to seek the replacement of operational compounds with alternatives that pose less potential risk to human and ecological systems. Alternatives to glycol ethers, such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (M-DE), were investigated for use as jet fuel system ice-inhibiting agents (FSIIs). This group of chemicals includes three derivatives of 1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol (M-1, M-2, and M-3) and a 1,3-dioxane (M-27). In addition, M-DE was evaluated as a reference compound. Our approach was to implement an in vitro test battery based on primary rat hepatocyte cultures to perform initial toxicity evaluations. Hepatocytes were exposed to experimental chemicals (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 mM dosages) for periods up to 24 h. Samples were assayed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, MTT dye reduction activity, glutathione level, and rate of protein synthesis as indicators of toxicity. Of the compounds tested, M-1, especially at the 10-mM dose, appeared to be more potent than the other chemicals, as measured by these toxicity assays. M-DE, the current FSII, elicited little response in the toxicity assays. Although some variations in toxicity were observed at the 10-mM dose, the in vitro toxicities of the chemicals tested (except for M-1) were not considerably greater than that of M-DE.

Marmet Locks and Dam, Kanawha River, West Virginia

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-01

emptying system has a through-the-sill intake, an in-chamber longitudinal culvert system, and Stoney gate valves. The lock was monitored using time... culvert system experienced peak average velocities of 18 feet per second, although no adverse pressures were found. A remotely operated vehicle...inspection indicated the walls of the culverts were in good condition. The Stoney gate valves are performing well and not showing any signs of unusual

Calibration and evaluation of a dispersant application system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shum, J.S.

1987-05-01

The report presents recommended methods for calibrating and operating boat-mounted dispersant application systems. Calibration of one commercially-available system and several unusual problems encountered in calibration are described. Charts and procedures for selecting pump rates and other operating parameters in order to achieve a desired dosage are provided. The calibration was performed at the EPA's Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank (OHMSETT) facility in Leonardo, New Jersey.

Houses need to breathe--right?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sherman, Max H.

2004-10-01

Houses need to breathe, but we can no longer leave the important functions associated with ventilation to be met accidentally. A designed ventilation system must be considered as much a part of a home as its heating system. Windows are a key part of that system because they allow a quick increase in ventilation for unusual events, but neither they nor a leaky building shell can be counted on to provide minimum levels.