Acute intoxication following massive bupropion sniffing: A case report

Bupropion intranasal misuse potential should be considered in the suspect of sympathomimetic syndrome for illicit drug or medication intoxication. A 31-year-old man was admitted for intranasal misuse of 30 crushed tablets of bupropion with adrenergic mild presentation. Lorazepam infusion was started with complete clinical resolution. Further forensic investigations detected a bupropion serum and urine concentration levels at 18 hours from intake of 1905.26 ng/mL and 2001.57 ng/mL, respectively. This case of intranasal bupropion misuse shared only some features with oral overdose, despite a plasma concentration five times higher than the lowest toxic level. Nasal bupropion snorting in chronic users could have lower toxicity compared to other snorted stimulants but symptomatic treatment remains the gold standard for preventing complications. Bupropion misuse might rapidly become a concerning issue and monitoring by healthcare professionals is needed.

Industrial Pollution Monitoring using LABVIEW and Arduino

With the increase in the number of industries in the world today, it is important to keep the our environment healthy and no toxic for living creatures. This project concentrates on designing a pollution monitoring system for industries that would be detecting the toxic gases concentration in the atmosphere that is given out by chemical, paper, ammonia, etc producing industries. The system is designed to continuous monitor theconcentration of gases such as LPG, CO, Sulphur, chlorine etc. and warns if increasing level of toxic level of gases are detected. The values of the concentration of gases are logged into the excel file for future reference and perform analysis to understand the pattern of ejecting gases. This project uses Gas sensors and Arduino for detection and transmission of the data to Lab-VIEWsoftware for further process. Index Terms: Lab view, Gas sensors, monitoring, analysis,safety device

Characterization of Metal Tolerance Proteins and Functional Analysis of GmMTP8.1 Involved in Manganese Tolerance in Soybean

Manganese is an essential micronutrient for plant growth but can be toxic to plants when it reaches excessive levels. Although metal tolerance proteins (MTPs), which belong to the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family, have been demonstrated to play critical roles in manganese (Mn) tolerance in plants, the characteristics and functions of GmMTP members in the response of soybean (Glycine max) to Mn toxicity have not been documented. In this study, growth inhibition was observed in soybean plants that were exposed to a toxic level of Mn in hydroponics, as reflected by the generation of brown spots, and decreased leaf chlorophyll concentration and plant fresh weight. Subsequent genome-wide analysis resulted in the identification of a total of 14 GmMTP genes in the soybean genome. Among these GmMTPs, 9 and 12 were found to be regulated by excess Mn in leaves and roots, respectively. Furthermore, the function of GmMTP8.1, a Mn-CDF homologue of ShMTP8 identified in the legume Stylosanthes hamata that is involved in Mn detoxification, was characterized. Subcellular localization analysis showed that GmMTP8.1 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Heterologous expression of GmMTP8.1 led to the restoration of growth of the Mn-hypersensitive yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant Δpmr1, which is made defective in Mn transport into the Golgi apparatus by P-type Ca/Mn-ATPase. Furthermore, GmMTP8.1 overexpression conferred tolerance to the toxic level of Mn in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Under excess Mn conditions, concentrations of Mn in shoots but not roots were decreased in transgenic Arabidopsis, overexpressing GmMTP8.1 compared to the wild type. The overexpression of GmMTP8.1 also led to the upregulation of several transporter genes responsible for Mn efflux and sequestration in Arabidopsis, such as AtMTP8/11. Taken together, these results suggest that GmMTP8.1 is an ER-localized Mn transporter contributing to confer Mn tolerance by stimulating the export of Mn out of leaf cells and increasing the sequestration of Mn into intracellular compartments.

The assessment of hepatic mineral composition in sheep, cattle, chicken, and fish in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Liver mineral concentrations of 232 samples from slaughtered animals, including lamb, yearling, sheep, and cattle, checkin, and fish were detrmined, using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, to provide data regarding to the liver mineral concentrations (mg/kg dry weight). The mean liver Zn and Co liver conentrations of lambs (286, 1.9), yearling (233, 1.7), sheep (254, 1.8), and cattle (276, 1.8) in majority samples were adequate, while liver Pb concentrations of mentioned animals (45.3, 48.1, 46.4, 39.6) mg/kg respectively were high and exceeded toxic levels. In checkin, the mean liver Cu, Zn, and Co were also adequate, with the mean values of (26.4), (298.8), and (1.8) mg/kg respectively. Though, the mean liver Fe concentration (2257.0 mg/kg) was high, and liver Pb concentration (6.2 mg/kg) was reched toxic level. In fish, for majority liver samples, the mean concentration of Cu (191.8), Fe (6800.0), Zn (202.8), Co (3.3), Pb (8.6), and Ni (6.3) were high and toxic. In conclusion, liver Pb (and Ni only in fish) concentration in all studied animals for the majority of examined sample were higher than normal and toxic. Wherese, other studied minerals in majority of liver samples were adequate. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are problems on animal and human health (due to high concentration of Pb and Ni) would be raised at present from the consumption of ovine, bovine, checkin, and fish slaughtered from the city of Erbil.

Indices for the Assessment of Glycoalkaloids in Potato Tubers Based on Surface Color and Chlorophyll Content

Glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxic to humans at higher concentrations. However, studies also suggest the health benefits of GAs depending on the dose and conditions of use. Methods that have been used to determine GA content in potato tubers are destructive and time-consuming and require skilled personnel and high-performance laboratory equipment. We conducted this study to develop indices for the prediction of the level of total GAs in potato tubers at different greening stages based on surface color readings and chlorophyll (Chl) development. Color values (Hunter L*, a*, b*, a*/b*), Chls (Chl a, Chl b, and total Chls) and GA (α-solanine, α-chaconine, and total GAs) content were measured from tubers of ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Trent’ potato cultivars at three-week intervals in up to six greening stages during the storage at room conditions (22 °C, 12-h shift of light-dark cycles). The results have revealed that greening, Chls, and GA content significantly increased for the two cultivars as the stage proceeded. The toxic level of GAs (>200 mg kg−1 FW) was accumulated at the late greening stages, accompanied by the highest Chl content. Finally, indices were developed based on surface color and Chl content for estimation of the safe GA levels for the consumption of the two commercially and commonly used potato cultivars. Moreover, the developed indices could be used as basic information to adapt to other potato cultivars.

UJI SITOTOKSIK DAN AKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI EKSTRAK DAUN PANDAN LAUT (Pandanus Odorifer) TERHADAP BAKTERI Staphylococcus aureus

This study aims to determine the activity of marine pandanus extract(Pandanus odorifer) as cytotoxic and antibacterial to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This research begins with phytochemical test conducted to find out the secondary metabolite compounds contained in the leaves of P. odorifer. Cytotoxic testing was performed using BSLT method. An antibacterial test was performed against the activity in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus bacteria using a modified disc diffusion method. The results of phytochemical tests showed that ethanol extract of pandanus leaves contain saponin, flavonoids, tannin and terpenoid compounds. The results of cytotoxic test of sea pandan have a very strong toxic level with LC50 value of 4.3557 ppm.The result of measurement of the highest inhibiting zone diameter was obtained at the concentration of 5x104 ppm is 6 mm with the power of inhibitory that is medium. Based on the results of this study can be concluded that the leaves of sea pandan are cytotoxic and have activity as antibacterial

The N-Terminal Tail of Histone H3 Regulates Copper Homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Copper homeostasis is crucial for cellular processes. The balance between nutritional and toxic level is maintained through the regulation of uptake, distribution and detoxification via antagonistic actions of two transcription factors AceI and Mac1. AceI responds to toxic copper levels by transcriptional regulation of detoxification genes CUP1 and CRS5. Cup1 metallothionein (MT) confers protection against toxic copper levels. CUP1 gene regulation is a multifactorial event requiring AceI, TBP (TATA-binding protein), chromatin remodeler, acetyltransferase (Spt10) and histones. However, the role of histone H3 residues has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the role of H3 tail in CUP1 transcriptional regulation, we screened the library of histone mutants in copper stress. We identified mutations in H3 (K23Q, K27R, K36Q, Δ5-16, Δ13-16, Δ13-28, Δ25-28, Δ28-31, Δ29-32) that reduce CUP1 expression. We detected reduced AceI occupancy across CUP1 promoter in K23Q, K36Q, Δ5-16, Δ13-28, Δ25-28 and Δ28-31 correlating with the reduced CUP1 transcription. Majority of these mutations affect TBP occupancy at CUP1 promoter augmenting the CUP1 transcription defect. Additionally, some mutants display cytosolic protein aggregation upon copper stress. Altogether, our data establish previously unidentified residues of H3 N-terminal tail and their modifications in CUP1 regulation.

Lanthanide-Dependent Methanol and Formaldehyde Oxidation in Methylobacterium aquaticum Strain 22A

Lanthanides (Ln) are an essential cofactor for XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) in Gram-negative methylotrophs. The Ln3+ dependency of XoxF has expanded knowledge and raised new questions in methylotrophy, including the differences in characteristics of XoxF-type MDHs, their regulation, and the methylotrophic metabolism including formaldehyde oxidation. In this study, we genetically identified one set of Ln3+- and Ca2+-dependent MDHs (XoxF1 and MxaFI), that are involved in methylotrophy, and an ExaF-type Ln3+-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase, among six MDH-like genes in Methylobacterium aquaticum strain 22A. We also identified the causative mutations in MxbD, a sensor kinase necessary for mxaF expression and xoxF1 repression, for suppressive phenotypes in xoxF1 mutants defective in methanol growth even in the absence of Ln3+. Furthermore, we examined the phenotypes of a series of formaldehyde oxidation-pathway mutants (fae1, fae2, mch in the tetrahydromethanopterin (H4MPT) pathway and hgd in the glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (GSH) pathway). We found that MxaF produces formaldehyde to a toxic level in the absence of the formaldehyde oxidation pathways and that either XoxF1 or ExaF can oxidize formaldehyde to alleviate formaldehyde toxicity in vivo. Furthermore, the GSH pathway has a supportive role for the net formaldehyde oxidation in addition to the H4MPT pathway that has primary importance. Studies on methylotrophy in Methylobacterium species have a long history, and this study provides further insights into genetic and physiological diversity and the differences in methylotrophy within the plant-colonizing methylotrophs.

Toxicology of Dyes

Colours play a prominent and dominant role in human life. The dominating feature of any product has been found with its colours elevating the market of colouration in different sectors. Studies have shown that around 10,000 dyes are being circulated in market. Chemistry has been found to lead this industry of colours. Vast production of fabric colours include azo dyes, whereas anthroquinone is also one of the prevailing complexes for cotton and fabric dyeing. The toxic level of the dyes and pigments are not confined till manufacturing but also have after usage effect of the products. It has been found that the chemicals have a carcinogenic effect on human health. During the manufacturing procedure, around 50% of dye stuff gets along with the effluents of the industry leading to release of colourful water. Modification in choice of chemicals is being considered to lessen the toxic effects of existing complexes. This chapter is mainly focused on the toxicology of dyes.