Resorcinol-, catechol- and saligenin-based bronchodilating β2-agonists as inhibitors of human cholinesterase activity.

We investigated the influence of bronchodilating β2-agonists on the activity of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and usual, atypical and fluoride-resistant butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). We determined the inhibition potency of racemate and enantiomers of fenoterol as a resorcinol derivative, isoetharine and epinephrine as catechol derivatives and salbutamol and salmeterol as saligenin derivatives. All of the tested compounds reversibly inhibited cholinesterases with K constants ranging from 9.

Placental cadmium as an additional noninvasive bioindicator of active maternal tobacco smoking.

Tobacco smoke (TS) is a mixture of chemicals that is known to exert carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects, as well as adverse effects on various systems. In TS nicotine is the major alkaloid and cadmium (Cd) the most abundant metal ion. The aim of this investigation was to assess exposure to Cd attributed to TS in healthy postpartum subjects (mean age 28 years) after term vaginal delivery in a clinical hospital by determining metal levels in maternal blood, placenta, and cord blood in relation to nicotine in maternal hair (12-cm-long samples).

Concentrations of PAHs and other gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere of a rural area.

In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to PM10 particles were measured in a Croatian rural area. Considering that by now only a limited number of studies have provided data on pollutant concentrations for rural areas, our aim was to do so by determining the PAH levels, their mutagenic effect and relationship with meteorological conditions and other gaseous pollutants (NO, NO2, NH3). In this investigation, samples of PM10 particles were collected on quartz filters for 1 month in the cold period and 1 month in the warm period of the year, 24 h a day.

Seafood Allergy, Toxicity, and Intolerance: A Review.

Seafood allergies have been increasing their presence in the last 2 decades. Allergic reactions to seafood can range from mild urticarial and oral allergy syndrome to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Ingestion of seafood infested with Anisakis larvae can cause a disease known as anisakiasis with symptoms similar to true seafood allergy.

Cadmium in placenta- a valuable biomarker of exposure during pregnancy in biomedical research.

Rats were exposed to cadmium (Cd) during pregnancy orally (50 ppm Cd in drinking water from gestation day [GD] 1-20) or parenterally (5 mg/kg sc during GD 1-19 or on GD 16). Cadmium levels were measured in blood, placenta, and fetus at the end of exposure. Human studies comprised of two cohorts of healthy Croatian postpartum women in the continental versus coastal area; in these women, Cd levels were measured in maternal blood, placenta, and cord blood.