Organic mucus

A few studies (Kukkonen et al., 1989 Kukkonen and Oikari, 1991 Muir et al., 1994) have reported an enhancement of organic contaminant bioavailability to various organisms. In all cases this occurred at low DOM concentrations (< 10 mg/L carbon). Currently, a specific mechanism has not been determined, but Muir and co-workers (1994) have suggested that organic mucus in fish can act in a manner similar to that of DOM and bind contaminants. They observed lower than expected bioaccumulation of pyretheroids in control studies followed by an enhancement with the addition of small amounts of DOM. Nonetheless, this does not explain the enhanced bioaccumulation observed for other aquatic organisms. 

Allergic alveolitis An allergic response to inhalation of organic particles that involves inflammation of the small terminal branches of the bronchioles. Symptoms include coughing, increased production of mucus, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. 

The gene defective in cystic fibrosis codes for CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane condnctance regulator), a membrane protein that pumps CP out of cells. If this CP pump is defective, CP ions remain in cells, which then take up water from the surrounding mucus by osmosis. The mucus thickens and accumulates in various organs, including the lungs, where its presence favors infections such as pneumonia. Left untreated, children with cystic fibrosis seldom survive past the age of 5 years. 

The New Zealand freshwater limpet Latia neritoides (Fig. 6.1.1) is the only known example of a freshwater luminous organism, with two possible exceptions certain species of luminous bacteria and the larvae of certain species of fireflies. The limpet inhabits shallow clear streams in the North Island of New Zealand, clinging to stones and rocks. Latia has a small oval-shaped shell (6-8 mm long), and secretes a luminous mucus that emits a greenish glow around the body only when disturbed the limpet does not show a spontaneous luminescence. The luminescence of Latia was first reported by Suter (1890) and further details including a positive luciferin-luciferase reaction were described by Bowden (1950). Both the luciferin and the luciferase have... 

The first step uses a 66 kDa albumin-like molecule as carrier (VNPr-U), from which the acidic conditions of the trank mucus (VNPr-D) will detach the urinary ligands. The carriers in the trank contents are additional OBPs which then preferentially bind the lipophylic ligands (L) released from their urinary vehicle. Once deposited at the VN-duct entrance, a third transporter (VNPr-D) completes the final movement into the organ (Rasmussen, pers. comm., 2001). 

Local host defenses of both the upper and lower respiratory tract, along with the anatomy of the airways, are important in preventing infection. Upper respiratory defenses include the mucodliary apparatus of the nasopharynx, nasal hair, normal bacterial flora, IgA antibodies, and complement. Local host defenses of the lower respiratory tract include cough, mucodliary apparatus of the trachea and bronchi, antibodies (IgA, IgM, and IgG), complement, and alveolar macrophages. Mucus lines the cells of the respiratory tract, forming a protective barrier for the cells. This minimizes the ability of organisms to attach to the cells and initiate the infectious process. The squamous epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract are not ciliated, but those of the columnar epithelium of the lower tract are. The cilia beat in a uniform fashion upward, moving particles up and out of the lower respiratory tract. 

Bile acids The organic acids in bile contains sodium glycocholate and sodium taurocholate, cholesterol, biliverdin and bilirubin, mucus, fat, lecithin, and cells and cellular debris. 

A number of clinical symptoms characterize cystic fibrosis. Predominant among these is the presence of excess sodium chloride in cystic fibrosis patient sweat. Indeed, measurement of chloride levels in sweat remains the major diagnostic indicator of this disease. Another characteristic is the production of an extremely viscous, custard-like mucus in various body glands/organs that severely compromises their function. Particularly affected are ... 

HD vapors are heavier than air and tend to seek lower elevations. HD is slightly soluble in cold water and soluble in most organic solvents. Exposure in any concentration will cause severe choking. Exposure to vapors in low to moderate concentrations will cause temporary blindness and inflammation of the entire respiratory tract. Higher concentrations cause permanent blindness and strip the bronchial tubes of their mucus membrane linings. 

Ample evidence exists to show that aquatic vertebrates are able to metabolize aromatic hydrocarbons to a variety of conjugated and non-conjugated derivatives. It was shown with fish that the metabolite aromatic hydrocarbon ratio tends to increase after hydrocarbon exposure. Under conditions of depuration (clean water environments) either hydrocarbons or metabolites are discharged through gills, bile, urine, skin, and mucus of marine fish. Further work is necessary with phylogenetically diverse species because the above conclusions are based on only a few studies of selected organisms. 

If the gas is converted by chemical reaction in the liquid layer, ki is modified according to the order of the reaction and whether it is reversible or irreversible. For example, if ozone reacts rapidly and irreversibly with organic molecules in the mucus layer, ki could be 10-100 times higher than the estimate based on penetration theory. 

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