Effects of a single intravenous dose of sodium fluoride on plasma electrolytes and metabolites in rats, rabbits, and cockerels.

This study assessed the effect of a single intravenous dose of sodium fluoride (20 mglkg body wt.) on plasma ionic fluoride and on some other plasma electrolytes and metabolites in rats, rabbits, and cockerels. At any given time following sodium fluoride administration, the plasma ionic fluoride was highest in rabbits and lowest in cockerels. The rate of removal of fluoride from plasma was slower in rabbits as compared with that in the other two species. Plasma sodium, chloride, total protein, albumin, total globulins, and osmolality were not significantly altered by sodium fluoride in any of these three species. However, plasma phosphate (inorganic), urea, creatinine, and glucose were elevated, and plasma calcium was reduced in the rats and the rabbits, but none was significantly altered in the cockerels. The analyses indicated that species variability does exist in fluoride toxicity

Uptake of cadmium from water by beech leaves

Salim R, Al‐Subu MM, Sahrhage E. Uptake of cadmium from water by beech leaves. Journal of Environmental Science and Health . Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering and Toxicology. 1992;27(3):603-627

Shame, scientist! Degradation rituals in science

Reputations are crucially important to scientists, so it is valuable to examine processes by which reputations come under attack. One potent method is a degradation ritual, an event or process that stigmatises the target and often results in feelings of shame and humiliation. Anthropologists and other scholars from a range of disciplines have examined degradation rituals and ceremonies, but their use in science has received little attention, perhaps because of the focus on the rational features of the issues involved. Degradation rituals can be described in terms of various features, including degrading agents, contexts, means and severity. Attacks on scientists in a variety of fields can be usefully interpreted through the lens of degradation rituals.