Developmental problems

Toxicity and exposure studies indicate PFOA is immunosuppressive and can cause developmental problems and other adverse effects in laboratory animals, such as rodents [Lau et al (2004), Lau et al (2006)]. In 2005 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft risk assessment of its potential human health effects [U S. EPA (2005)]. A subsequent review by the EPA science advisory board concluded that there is sufficient evidence to classify PFOA as likely human carcinogenic. 

In vertebrates the neurons for olfaction are located in the nose mucosa and consist of short neurons with a peripheral ending endowed with odorant receptors for a large number of molecules in the environment. Each receptor neuron only contains one odorant receptor and is connected directly with the olfactory lobe of the brain. The vertebrate olfactory system must cope with a staggering developmental problem how to connect millions of olfactory neurons expressing different odorant receptors to appropriate targets in the brain. 

Examples for changes in reproductive parameters that may predict reproductive or developmental problems or indicate confounding... 

Horwitz, S.M., Leaf, P.J., Leventhal, J.M., Forsyth, B., and Speechley, K.N. (1992) Identification and management of psychosocial and developmental problems in community-based, primary care pediatric practices. Pediatrics 89 480—485. 

ORNs are a large population of similar but distinct neurons. The genetic differentiation of such a group is an interesting functional and developmental problem. OR expression clearly is important but it is likely that other proteins are differentially expressed as well. A complex of signaling proteins and transcription factors determines the functional identity of the components of the olfactory network during development. The functional properties of this network during active life are then defined by the interaction of receptors, neurotransmitters... 

Due to exposure to low levels of lead, children can be at risk for developmental problems. 

Cognitive, motor, and behavior development, as measured by the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, were compared in 56 prenatally cocaine-exposed infants and toddlers (aged 1-3 years) and 56 non-exposed matched controls (287). There were developmental problems in expressive and receptive language areas in those who had been exposed prenatally. 

In summary, the individual contributions from leading scientists in their respective research fields delineate the established functions of coronins and also highlight active areas of coronin research. Coronins, versatile hubs for protein-protein interaction, play fundamental roles in a variety of significant cellular processes. In recent years it turned out that mis-regulation of coronin expression apparently causes developmental problems and is associated with multiple diseases. Clearly, there is still a lot to be learned about this structurally and functionally fascinating family of proteins. 

In 1983, Porno Indians in California had to stop eating local fish because of high mercury in the fillets. Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin in 1990 were found to have blood levels of mercury high enough to cause developmental problems in fetuses. The Chippewas had a fondness for the walleye that swam in local lakes. 

PCBs. Exposure to PCBs can affect memory and learning ability in adults (Schantz et al., 2001), and there is evidence that exposure in the womb can cause lower birth weight, smaller head circumference, poor motor reflexes, a greater inclination to startle, and neurological, behavioral, and developmental problems in children. Eating PCB-contaminated fish has been associated with decreased fertility. Exposure to PCBs can increase the risk of cancer, immune and endocrine system dysfunction, non-Hodgkin s lymphoma, diabetes, and liver disease.10... 

Polluted air is a postnatal developmental problem as well as a prenatal one. Studies in California have demonstrated that exposure to polluted air impairs lung development and lung function in children and young adults. I35-37 ... 

Other sublethal effects of oil on benthic invertebrates include developmental problems such as slow growth, differential growth of body parts (deformity), changes... 

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