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This resource provides an annotated list of print and electronic biomedical and health-related reference sources, including Internet resources and digital image collections. Readers will find relevant research, clinical, and consumer health information resources. The emphasis is on resources within the United States, with a few representative examples from other countries.

This book is designed for middle school earth science teachers to help their students learn about problems with toxic leaking and scientific literacy through event-based science. Unlike traditional curricula, the event-based earth science module is a student-centered, interdisciplinary, inquiry-oriented program that emphasizes cooperative learning, teamwork, independent research, hands-on investigations, and exploration of authentic tasks. Students use this book to work in cooperative teams and play the roles of concerned citizens in a small community that has a leaking gasoline storage tank. The module in this book can be used to build a whole curriculum or fit into current lesson plans to add interest. (KHR)

This book is designed for the middle school students to learn scientific literacy through event-based science. Unlike traditional curricula, the event-based earth science module is a student-centered, interdisciplinary, inquiry-oriented program that emphasizes cooperative learning, teamwork, independent research, hands-on investigations, and exploration of authentic tasks. Each unit is centered around a problem with groundwater that had a catastrophic impact on people and the environment. Students use this book to work in cooperative teams and play the roles of concerned citizens in a small community that has a leaking gasoline storage tank. (KHR)

This guide comprises four reports on the Laboratory Animal Data Bank (LADB), the National Institute of Health Environmental Protection Agency (NIH/EPA) Chemical Information System (CIS), nonbibliographic databases for the social sciences, and the Toxicology Data Bank (TDB) and Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). The first report describes LADB, which is designed to provide animal scientists with information on different species and strains of laboratory animals. Four annotated search examples demonstrate particular LADB features in the recall or manipulation of data. The second paper examines major files available on the NIH/EPA CIS system, which is used to identify chemical compounds and obtain information on their toxic effects. Explanations of system commands, specific search examples, and a complete list of CIS files are provided. Focusing on nonbibliographic databases which provide business, industrial, and economic information, the third report discusses Disclosure, the Economic Information Systems (EIC) files, and the Predicasts Terminal System (PTS) family of statistical databases. Two search examples are given for each file group. The final paper compares TDB and RTECS, both of which provide chemical toxicity data. Examples of a chemical unit record and three sample searches are presented for each of the two databases. (ESR)

This report is divided into two parts. The three chapters in part 1 describe environmental conditions and trends. Chapter 1 deals with underlying trends, primarily population growth and economic factors. Chapter 2 covers environmental contaminants, including toxic substances, hazardous waste, air and water pollutants, and overall waste production. Chapter 3 deals primarily with natural resources, examining water, land (including cropland, forestland, rangeland, wildlands, and critical areas), wildlife, energy, and recreation. The five chapters in part 2 analyze several long-range issues that cut across the traditional categories used to describe environmental problems. Chapter 4 reports on several studies that have tried to identify future environmental problems and discusses the factors that are relevant for establishing priorities among these problems. Chapter 5 explains the methodology used in assessing environmental risks, focusing primarily on the analysis of chemicals in the environment. Chapter 6 analyzes the extent to which toxic substances move from air to water to land and the policy implications of such movement. Chapter 7 covers water quality and water quantity problems, the interrelationships between them, and issues related to the management of this vital resource. Chapter 8 explores the relationship between the federal government and the states in implementing environmental policies. (JN)

The effects of theobromine in man are underresearched, possibly owing to the assumption that it is behaviourally inert. Toxicology research in animals may appear to provide alarming results, but these cannot be extrapolated to humans for a number of reasons. Domestic animals and animals used for racing competitions need to be guarded from chocolate and cocoa-containing foods, including foods containing cocoa husks. Research ought to include caffeine as a comparative agent, and underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. Of all constituents proposed to play a role in our liking for chocolate, caffeine is the most convincing, though a role for theobromine cannot be ruled out. Most other substances are unlikely to exude a psychopharmacological effect owing to extremely low concentrations or the inability to reach the blood–brain barrier, whilst chocolate craving and addiction need to be explained by means of a culturally determined ambivalence towards chocolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug addiction is a pathophysiological disorder characterized by the progression of acute drug use into patterns of chronic drug abuse associated with craving and seeking behavior as well as increasing risk for relapse in drug use during attempts at withdrawal. Drugs of abuse include a wide variety of substances diverse in structure, pharmacology, toxicology, and long-term clinical sequelae but with the common target of brain reward centers. The authors discuss drugs within each of the major classes of abused substances from the perspectives of the history of each drug΄s use as well as chemical properties, mechanisms of action including selective receptor interactions, pharmacokinetics of distribution-metabolism-elimination, and the toxicology of these drugs. The major classes of drug reviewed include the two most commonly used substances, ethanol and tobacco, as well as stimulants, opiates, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents facts and mysteries related to medicine. The topics discusses include the mystery of the human brain, toxicology, and acupuncture. Apothecary shop produces medicines out of herbal and chemical ingredients and provides medical advice within the 14th and 19th centuries, which paved the way to the creation of pharmacies. The medical facts presented include the ancient Roman belief on good hygiene as a way to good health, the first doctors relied on magic and religion for treating diseases, and skin as the biggest organ.

Nanotechnology has achieved the status as one of the critical R&D area. Scientists use the unique properties of atomic and molecular assemblages built at the nanometer scale. The ability to manipulate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of molecules and particles affords to design agents with set up properties. But the technology allows creating not only useful agents. Possible accidental or deliberate creation of new nanoparticles (NPs) with dangerous properties is highly probable minor product of progress in the new area. The article briefly describes some pathways in development and implementation of NPs for medicinal and the similar purposes. Some of NPs can effective facilitate and mask transport of various agents in various environments. Possible creation of new dangerous NPs (e.g. conjugates based on combination of extensively use NPs and chemical, biological and radioactive agents) as well as creation of brand new NPs and nanodevices with unique properties needs creation of international multidiscipline community for security evaluation of nanomaterials and technologies. The community will forecast possible dangerous unexpectedness in the field of nanoscale materials and devices and suggests rational pathways for prevention of the threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize modes of action of substances as well as their cytotoxic effects Bionas GmbH has developed a new screening system to allow the continuous recording of how an active substance can act (Bionas® 2500 analyzing system). In the pharmaceutical and chemical industry as well as in environmental science it is important to acquire as much information as possible about the metabolic effects of an active substance or there cytotoxicity. With the Bionas® 2500 analyzing system metabolically relevant data including oxygen consumption, acidification rate and the adhesion (cell impedance) of cells can be measured in parallel, on-line and label-free. Using e.g. ion-sensitive field effect-transistors (ISFET) and electrode structures it is possible to observe metabolic parameters non-invasively and continuously over longer periods of time. The system has already been established for several cell models, cell lines as well as primary cells. The strength of our system can be found in the continuous data collection during the whole application period. Dynamic, reversible and / or regenerative processes can be observed in one and the same culture. Adaptation effects through repeated addition of compounds can also be observed. A long application period (hours to days) allows more realistic compound concentrations as it is possible in short-term experiments. This advantages result in a higher information content compared to end-point-methods. It also offers the advantage that regenerative effects can be observed during the same test run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the chemical hazards in decommissioning of radiological substances, products and preparations to human beings and the environment. It cites on the hazardous characteristics of chemicals which include explosives, flammable gases and corrosive substances. The article also presents the health hazards such as toxicity, skin corrosion and carcinogenicity.

Despite international treaties with strong verification measures that aim to prohibit and prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction, nevertheless some countries and terrorist groups have developed, produced and used such weapons. Successful management of casualties from chemical warfare agents strongly depends on fast and appropriate medical treatment, on the ability of first responders to take proper action, and on new and more effective counter-measures. Although the general principles of clinical toxicology, such as decontamination, stabilization, patient evaluation and symptomatic treatment are similar for many toxicants, chemical warfare agents deserve special attention because their very high toxicity, rapid onset and multiple organ involvement with lethal evolution. This report describes briefly the toxicity and the medical management of mass casualties with chemical warfare agents. Characteristic diagnostic signs and therapeutic schemes for these agents are described. The importance of the knowledge of medical and emergency personnel as well as that of military nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) unit preparedness and improving research in the field of chemical warfare are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most effective means of defending against chemical warfare agents, whether in war or as result of terror, are by use of primary and secondary prevention. The main goal of medical prevention programs is to minimize human loss by reducing the number of casualties, by teaching advanced medical programs in order to assure a proper response, and to develop new and effective countermeasures. The toxicity, medical management, characteristic diagnostic signs, and treatment of casualties with vesicant, blood, choking and incapacitating agents are described. The importance of improved research and learning processes for medical and emergency personnel as well as of military nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) unit preparedness in the chemical agent field are emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An encyclopedia entry is presented regarding microarray technology and toxicogenomics. Micro array technology is defined as the simultaneous individual measurement of the messenger RNA expression level while toxicogenomics refers to the measurement of altered gene expression upon exposure to a compound or drug. There are several ways to obtain arrays, including ready-made arrays, custom-made arrays and in-house spotting of a polymerase chain reaction-amplified clone collection.

The entry provides information on the role of the thymus in the mediation of T cell development and as a potential target of toxicological agents. The thymus regulates T-cell recognition of self antigens presented by the body to insure that useless or self-reactive T-cells do not mature. Toxicological agents can interrupt or inhibit various stages of T-cell development which ultimately leads to atrophy of the thymus.

An encyclopedia entry for the term "statistics in immunotoxicology" is presented. It refers to statistical methodologies that are powerful and indispensable tools in risk assessment and the experimental analysis of the immune system. A detailed description of the variety of statistical techniques that are utilized in immunotoxicology and toxicology is given. Experimental design can be parceled into two parts including the treatment structure and the design structure.

The article presents information on the international collaborative studies on the detection of immunotoxicity. The immunotoxicologist, toxicologist and clinician potentially have an interest in detecting immunotoxicity. One is as a means to explore basic mechanisms of the immune system and its role in health and disease.

The article focuses on the immunotoxicological evaluation of therapeutic cytokines. By definition, cytokines are regulatory proteins secreted by white blood cells as well as other cells. They are involved in the modulation of inflammatory responses. In the absence of specific guidances that regulate development of therapeutic cytokines, guidelines that influence the approach for evaluating the impact on the immune system of drug and biological products have been published.