Toxins environmental

Many environmental toxins interact with specific cellular receptors, including enzymes, ion channels and ion pumps, and thus provide natural tools for the study of cellular signalling pathways. Palytoxin, a compound isolated from the coelen-terate of genus Palythoa, is one such useful and intriguing compound. The structure of palytoxin was first determined in 1981 independently by Hirata (7) and Moore (2). As one of the most potent marine toxins known, palytoxin has been studied in a variety of systems ranging from erythrocytes to neurons. As a tumor promoter of the non 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) type, palytoxin can also be studied in the context of a growth control system. 

Another major change was the shift from extensive use of field laboratory exploration techniques to the laboratory techniques hke ICP-AES and INAA. These produce a higher quality data than had resulted from the dc arc and other field techniques, with respect to both repeatability of measurement and improved detection limits. The metrology laboratory certifications for As and Hg in soils and sediments as key environmental toxins provided strong support to mineral exploration programs. 

Risk factors for the development of AML include exposure to environmental toxins, Hispanic ethnicity, and genetics.6 Of greater concern is the increased prevalence of AML as a secondary malignancy, resulting from chemotherapy and radiation treatment for other cancers. Alkylating agents, such as ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide, and topoisomerase inhibitors, such as etoposide, are linked to an increased risk of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and AML.8... 

Cancer occurs when the growth and function of cells are out of control in relation to normal tissue. The combination of genetic alterations and environmental toxins is the most frequent contributor to the process of carcinogenesis. In the development of skin cancer, the risk factors are categorized as environmental (solar UV radiation), genetic (family history), immunosuppression, and previous history of melanoma.10... 

Lead (Pb) is used for many applications, for example in electronic goods such as cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and as a stabilizer in PVC. Pb is one of the oldest known and most studied occupational and environmental toxins. Despite the many studies, there is still debate regarding the toxic effects caused by Pb [39]. 

Observations of person-to-person differences in the metabolism of drugs and consequently in drug kinetics and response led to the concepts of pharmacogenetics. The same principal concepts apply to the genetic variability in the reaction to food components (e.g., lactose intolerance) or to environmental toxins (e.g., carcinogens). These fields often are termed ecogenetics and toxicogenetics . 

Mechanisms by Which Ultraviolet Radiation, a Ubiquitous Environmental Toxin, Suppresses the Immune Response... 

Decker, S.R Klabunde, J.S. Khaleel, A. Klabunde, K.J. Catalyzed destructive adsorption of environmental toxins with nanocrystalline metal oxides. Fluoro-, chloro-, bromocarbons, sulfur, and organophosphorus compounds. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 762-768. 

Although the emphasis is on drugs, the same principles apply to any xenobiotic agent. The major difference between drugs and other xenobiotics such as environmental toxins is the dose. The dose of common drugs is usually on the order of 100 mg/day and can be more than a gram a day in contrast, exposure to most other xenobiotics is typically much lower. 

Gagnon C. 1988. The role of environmental toxins in unexplained male infertility. Seminars in Reproductive Endocrinology 6(4) 369-376. 

Safe S, Hutzinger O (1987) Environmental toxin series. 1. PCBs mammalian and environmental toxicity. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York... 

Safe, S. Hutzinger, O. Hill, T. A. (Eds.) Polchlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and -Furans (PCDDs/PCDFs). Sources and Environmental Impact, Epidemiology, Mechanisms of Action, Health Risks, Environmental Toxin Series 3, Safe, S. Hutzinger, O. (Eds.) Springer, Berlin, 1990. 

Bl5dhe, D.G., The medical management of seafood poisoning, in Hui, Kits and Stanfield, eds.. Seafood and Environmental Toxins, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2001. 

In addition to the receptors mentioned in A, the family of steroid receptors also includes the product of the oncogene erb-A (see p. 398), the receptor for the environmental toxin dioxin, and other proteins for which a distinct hormone ligand has not been identified (known as orphan receptors ). Several steroid receptors—e. g., the retinoic acid receptor-form functional heterodimers with orphan receptors. 

Thomas CE, Aust SD. 1986. Free radicals and environmental toxins. Ann Emerg Med 15 1075-1083. 

Because of the brain s complexity, physicians and researchers have not made as much progress as they would like in efforts to understand disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Scientists have been studying schizophrenia and related illnesses since before Bleuler s time, but as yet no one knows what causes schizophrenia. The symptoms of the disease usually make their initial appearance early in the patient s life. Since schizophrenia runs in families, there is a genetic component to the disease. It is possible that problems arise in the early stages of development, possibly due to faulty genes or perhaps in part due to exposure to environmental toxins, which fester imtil the disease arises in yoimg adulthood. 

The industrial revolution brought many advances in technology it also brought increased problems with pollution and environmental toxins. Humans now live in an environment that is rich in man-made chemicals. Currently, there are more than 65,000 chemicals in common use with approximately 400 new chemicals entering the environment on a yearly basis. Not surprisingly, toxicology may assume a role of increasing importance within the realm of human health. 

Nabok AV, Tsargorodskaya A, Hassan AK, Starodub NF (2005) Total internal reflection eUip-sometry and SPR detection of low molecular weight environmental toxins. Appl Surf Sci 246 381-386... 

---