BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with lower birthweight. Although some essential metals may mitigate exposure, data are inconsistent. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between toxic metals, nutrient combinations and birthweight among 275 mother-child pairs. METHODS Non-essential metals, Cd, Pb, As,...

Water treatment systems frequently use strong oxidants or UV light to degrade chemicals that pose human health risks. Unfortunately, these treatments can result in the unintended transformation of organic contaminants into toxic products. We report an unexpected reaction through which exposure of phenolic compounds to hydroxyl radicals (•OH) or UV light results in the formation of toxic α,β-uns...

Certain pathogenic bacteria produce and release toxic peptides to ensure either nutrient availability or evasion from the immune system. These peptides are also toxic to the producing bacteria that utilize dedicated ABC transporters to provide self-immunity. The ABC transporter McjD exports the antibacterial peptide MccJ25 in Escherichia coli Our previously determined McjD structure provided so...

Excess lipid accumulation in the heart is associated with decreased cardiac function in humans and in animal models. The reasons are unclear, but this is generally believed to result from either toxic effects of intracellular lipids or excessive fatty acid oxidation (FAO). PPARγ expression is increased in the hearts of humans with metabolic syndrome, and use of PPARγ agonists is associated with...

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences and regional risk factors for respiratory symptoms in European and Californian farmers. Farmers participating in the 1993-1997 surveys performed in Europe (n = 7,188) and California (n = 1,839) were included in this cross-sectional study. Respiratory symptoms and farming characteristics were assessed by questionnaire and risk factors associ...

BACKGROUND 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy), a compound chemically related to stimulant and hallucinogenic drugs, has been found to induce a state of euphoria and increased self-awareness. MDMA has been increasingly used for recreational purposes, especially among college students and other young adults, and has been associated with multiple toxic effects. METHODS Using MEDLI...

Thirteen of the most common lepidopteran-specific Cry proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis have been tested for their efficacy against newly hatched larvae of two populations of the spiny bollworm, Earias insulana. At a concentration of 100 microg of toxin per milliliter of artificial diet, six Cry toxins (Cry1Ca, Cry1Ea, Cry1Fa, Cry1Ja, Cry2Aa, and Cry2Ab) were not toxic at all. Cry1Aa, Cry1Ja, ...

The use of delivery templates makes it possible to fabricate shaped, millimeter-thick heterogeneously patterned films of ionotropic hydrogels. These structures include two-dimensional (2-D) patterns of a polymer cross-linked by different ions (e.g., alginic acid cross-linked with Ca2+ and Fe3+) and patterns of step gradients in the concentration of a single cross-linking ion. The delivery templ...

This article schematically reviews the clinical features, diagnostic approaches to, and toxicological implications of toxic encephalopathy. The review will focus on the most significant occupational causes of toxic encephalopathy. Chronic toxic encephalopathy, cerebellar syndrome, parkinsonism, and vascular encephalopathy are commonly encountered clinical syndromes of toxic encephalopathy. Few ...