Organic toxic substances monitoring in Virginia

This project attempts to identify toxic organic substances used in Virginia, which cannot be detected by conventional analytical procedures. A list from the Virginia Bureau of Toxic Substances Information which contained substances reported as used in manufacture or produced in Virginia was cross-referenced with the Master File of toxic substances compiled pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Organic chemicals appearing on both lists were thus identified as toxic substances used in Virginia, and were the subjects of this research. Due to the reporting requirements of the Virginia Toxic Substances Information Act, the 113 compounds do not include substances used solely in repair work in Virginia. In addition, since chemicals used only as pesticides or drugs were not included in the Master File, these types of substances do not appear in the list of 113 compounds . Conventional organic analytical procedures were studied, and five basic critical parameters which could impair analysis were determined: volatility, stability, solubility, adsorption in liquid chromatography, and problems in GC and GC/MS. The literature was then researched for these critical parameters to indicate the ability of conventional techniques to detect the 113 compounds . Compounds which were either not detectable or possibly detectable by conventional techniques were assessed for potential long term environmental accumulation. An analytical technique, involving a minimum of steps, was then developed to analyze specifically for those compounds requiring special monitoring

Heavy metal concentrations in the clam Rangia cuneata from the Rappahannock and James Rivers

This project investigated the feasibility of using the brackish water clam Rangia cuneata as a heavy metal pollution indicator, and further investigated the state of heavy metal pollution in the James River. Rangia cuneata were sampled in the fall of 1972 from the Rappahannock and James Rivers , and meats were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for wet weight concentrations of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead. Levels of copper and zinc in Rangia cuneata were shown to be unaffected by clam size, spawning differences, salinity or distance upriver, and substrate grain size. Heavy metal concentrations in the oxidized channel sediments, determined from other studies conducted at the same time, were compared to levels in Rangia cuneata, but no relationships were found. Lead was below detection limits (0.2 ppm) in Rangia cuneata at all stations, and cadmium levels appeared to be consistent in both rivers. Copper was found to increase upriver in the James, indicating an upstream source, and zinc concentrations were found to peak at the mouth of the Chickahominy River. A number of possible causes were cited. This dissertation is from the Joint Program Degree from the College of William & Mary and University of Virginia and awarded by the University of Virginia

Serum Testosterone Concentration in Male Autistic Youngsters

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Research on the biological pathophysiology of autism has found some evidence that alterations in androgenic hormones may play a role in the pathophysiology of that disorder. We studied morning concentrations of serum testosterone in a very homogenic group of postpubertal youngsters with autism and a group of normal controls. METHODS: This study examines the serum testosterone concentration on 9 consecutive time points between 08.00 AM and 12.00 AM in 18 high-functioning male youngsters with autism (age 12-18) and 22 healthy volunteers participated in this study. All subjects passed the onset of puberty (Tanner-stage III-IV) and were of the Caucasian race. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect, with a decline in the testosterone concentration during the test and time X diagnosis interaction.The total testosterone concentration was significantly lower in the autism group compared to the group of normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease in serum testosterone concentration in male youngsters with autism suggest that the turnover of testosterone may take part in the pathophysiology of autism. Suggestions for further research are discussed

Evaluating movement disorders in pediatric patients receiving risperidone: a comparison of spontaneous reports and research criteria for TD

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Movement disorders (MD) in children are relatively common and may be associated with medication use. Objective methods (ie rating scales) and specific research criteria may be helpful in identifying MD-related adverse events that would otherwise not be apparent from spontaneous reports. We assessed whether more stringent and rigorous criteria would provide MD rates similar to those derived subjectively from spontaneous reports.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MDs were assessed in children with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) and subaverage intelligence receiving risperidone. Data were from three 1-year, open-label studies in subjects 4–14 years old. Dyskinesia severity was rated by the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) dyskinesia subscale. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) was defined: mild dyskinesia (scores 2, 3) in two anatomical areas; or moderate dyskinesia (score ≥ 4) in one area for ≥ 4 weeks in subjects without dyskinesia at baseline (scores 0, 1).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean (± SD) age of subjects was 9.4 ± 2.4 years, the mean (± SD) risperidone dose was 1.6 ± 0.7 mg/day, and the mean (± SD) exposure was 317.8 ± 104.5 days. ESRS data were available for 668 subjects. Mean ESRS scores were low throughout the study. At baseline, 655 subjects had no dyskinetic symptoms. One subject met predefined TD criteria after a risperidone dose reduction. Symptoms persisted for 4 weeks, resolving with continued treatment and no dosage change. Two different subjects had TD by spontaneous adverse-event reports, with dyskinetic symptoms at 1–2 visits, and symptoms that resolved after treatment discontinuation. Thirteen subjects had dyskinesia at baseline; their mean ESRS dyskinesia scores decreased at endpoint.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using objective rating scales and research criteria, low-dose risperidone was associated with low risk of TD and other MDs in children with DBDs in three large 1-year studies. Careful, objective evaluation of emergent MDs during all stages of treatment is essential for identifying treatment-emergent TD.</p

Brief Report: Normal Intestinal Permeability at Elevated Platelet Serotonin Levels in a Subgroup of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Curaçao (The Netherlands Antilles)

This study investigated the relationship between platelet (PLT) serotonin (5-HT) and intestinal permeability in children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Differential sugar absorption and PLT 5-HT were determined in 23 children with PDD. PLT 5-HT (2.0–7.1 nmol/109 PLT) was elevated in 4/23 patients. None exhibited elevated intestinal permeability (lactulose/mannitol ratio: 0.008–0.035 mol/mol). PLT 5-HT did not correlate with intestinal permeability or GI tract complaints. PLT 5-HT correlated with 24 h urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA; p = .034). Also urinary 5-HIAA and urinary 5-HT were interrelated (p = .005). A link between hyperserotonemia and increased intestinal permeability remained unsupported. Increased PLT 5-HT in PDD is likely to derive from increased PLT exposure to 5-HT. Longitudinal studies, showing the (in)consistency of abnormal intestinal permeability and PLT 5-HT, may resolve present discrepancies in the literature

Місце адміністративної юстиції в системі права України

Стаття присвячена питанням місця норм, що регулюють порядок діяльності адміністративних судів в Україні, у національній системі права. Окрему увагу приділено проблемі існування адміністративного процесуального права та варіантам йог існування.Статья посвящена вопросам места норм, регулирующих порядок деятельности административных судов в Украине, в национальной системе права. Отдельное внимание уделено проблеме существования административного процессуального права и вариантам его существования.Article is devoted to substantiation of the place of norms, regulating the order of activity of administrative courts in Ukraine in the national system of law. Separate attention is given to the problem of existence of administrative process law and variants of it's existence

In Search of Cellular Immunophenotypes in the Blood of Children with Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social behavior, communication difficulties and the occurrence of repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. There has been substantial evidence for dysregulation of the immune system in autism.We evaluated differences in the number and phenotype of circulating blood cells in young children with autism (n = 70) compared with age-matched controls (n = 35). Children with a confirmed diagnosis of autism (4-6 years of age) were further subdivided into low (IQ<68, n = 35) or high functioning (IQ ≥ 68, n = 35) groups. Age- and gender-matched typically developing children constituted the control group. Six hundred and forty four primary and secondary variables, including cell counts and the abundance of cell surface antigens, were assessed using microvolume laser scanning cytometry.There were multiple differences in immune cell populations between the autism and control groups. The absolute number of B cells per volume of blood was over 20% higher for children with autism and the absolute number of NK cells was about 40% higher. Neither of these variables showed significant difference between the low and high functioning autism groups. While the absolute number of T cells was not different across groups, a number of cellular activation markers, including HLA-DR and CD26 on T cells, and CD38 on B cells, were significantly higher in the autism group compared to controls.These results support previous findings that immune dysfunction may occur in some children with autism. Further evaluation of the nature of the dysfunction and how it may play a role in the etiology of autism or in facets of autism neuropathology and/or behavior are needed

Expression Profiling of Autism Candidate Genes during Human Brain Development Implicates Central Immune Signaling Pathways

The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a clinically heterogeneous set of conditions with strong hereditary components. Despite substantial efforts to uncover the genetic basis of ASD, the genomic etiology appears complex and a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Autism remains elusive. We hypothesized that focusing gene interaction networks on ASD-implicated genes that are highly expressed in the developing brain may reveal core mechanisms that are otherwise obscured by the genomic heterogeneity of the disorder. Here we report an in silico study of the gene expression profile from ASD-implicated genes in the unaffected developing human brain. By implementing a biologically relevant approach, we identified a subset of highly expressed ASD-candidate genes from which interactome networks were derived. Strikingly, immune signaling through NFκB, Tnf, and Jnk was central to ASD networks at multiple levels of our analysis, and cell-type specific expression suggested glia—in addition to neurons—deserve consideration. This work provides integrated genomic evidence that ASD-implicated genes may converge on central cytokine signaling pathways