Detoxification Of Substances Research Articles

Nickel Nanoparticles Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice via Lipid-Metabolism-Dysfunction-Regulated Inflammatory Injury.

Nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) have wide applications in industry and biomedicine due to their unique characteristics. The liver is the major organ responsible for nutrient metabolism, exogenous substance detoxification and biotransformation of medicines containing nanoparticles. Hence, it is urgent to further understand the principles and potential mechanisms of hepatic effects on NiNPs administration. In this study, we explored the liver impacts in male C57/BL6 mice through intraperitoneal injection with NiNPs at doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/day for 7 and 28 days. The results showed that NiNPs treatment increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and induced pathological changes in liver tissues. Moreover, hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and lipid droplet deposition identified via de novo lipogenesis (DNL) progression were enhanced after NiNPs injection. Additionally, sustained NiNPs exposure induced a remarkable hepatic inflammatory response, significantly promoted endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) sensors Ire1α, Perk and Atf6, and activated the occurrence of liver cell apoptosis. Overall, the research indicated that NiNPs exposure induced liver injury and disturbance of lipid metabolism. These findings revealed the public hazard from extreme exposure to NiNPs and provided new information on biological toxicity and biosafety evaluation.

Mycotoxin Contamination Status of Cereals in China and Potential Microbial Decontamination Methods.

The presence of mycotoxins in cereals can pose a significant health risk to animals and humans. China is one of the countries that is facing cereal contamination by mycotoxins. Treating mycotoxin-contaminated cereals with established physical and chemical methods can lead to negative effects, such as the loss of nutrients, chemical residues, and high energy consumption. Therefore, microbial detoxification techniques are being considered for reducing and treating mycotoxins in cereals. This paper reviews the contamination of aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and ochratoxin A in major cereals (rice, wheat, and maize). Our discussion is based on 8700 samples from 30 provincial areas in China between 2005 and 2021. Previous research suggests that the temperature and humidity in the highly contaminated Chinese cereal-growing regions match the growth conditions of potential antagonists. Therefore, this review takes biological detoxification as the starting point and summarizes the methods of microbial detoxification, microbial active substance detoxification, and other microbial inhibition methods for treating contaminated cereals. Furthermore, their respective mechanisms are systematically analyzed, and a series of strategies for combining the above methods with the treatment of contaminated cereals in China are proposed. It is hoped that this review will provide a reference for subsequent solutions to cereal contamination problems and for the development of safer and more efficient methods of biological detoxification.

Silencing of Cytochrome P450 Gene AgoCYP6CY19 Reduces the Tolerance to Host Plant in Cotton- and Cucumber-Specialized Aphids, Aphis gossypii.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases play important roles in insect metabolism and detoxification of toxic plant substances. However, the function of CYP6 family genes in degrading plant toxicants in Aphis gossypii has yet to be elucidated. In this study, AgoCYP6CY19, an A. gossypii CYP gene that differentially expresses in cotton- and cucumber-specialized aphids, was characterized. Spatiotemporal expression profiling revealed that AgoCYP6CY19 expression was higher in second instar nymph and 7 day old adults than in other developmental stages. Although the expression of AgoCYP6CY19 was significantly higher in cotton-specialized aphids, AgoCYP6CY19 silencing significantly increased larval and adult mortality and reduced total fecundity in both cotton- and cucumber-specialized aphids. What is more, the expression of AgoCYP6CY19 was significantly induced after the cotton-specialized and cucumber-specialized aphids fed on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and cucurbitacin B (CucB), respectively. These findings demonstrate that AgoCYP6CY19 plays a pivotal role in toxic plant substance detoxification and metabolism. Functional knowledge about plant toxicity tolerance genes in this major pest can provide new insights into insect detoxification of toxic plant substances and insecticides and offer new targets for agricultural pest control strategies.

Hologenomic insights into mammalian adaptations to myrmecophagy.

Highly specialized myrmecophagy (ant- and termite-eating) has independently evolved multiple times in species of various mammalian orders and represents a textbook example of phenotypic evolutionary convergence. We explored the mechanisms involved in this unique dietary adaptation and convergence through multi-omic analyses, including analyses of host genomes and transcriptomes, as well as gut metagenomes, in combination with validating assays of key enzymes' activities, in the species of three mammalian orders (anteaters, echidnas and pangolins of the orders Xenarthra, Monotremata and Pholidota, respectively) and their relatives. We demonstrate the complex and diverse interactions between hosts and their symbiotic microbiota that have provided adaptive solutions for nutritional and detoxification challenges associated with high levels of protein and lipid metabolisms, trehalose degradation, and toxic substance detoxification. Interestingly, we also reveal their spatially complementary cooperation involved in degradation of ants' and termites' chitin exoskeletons. This study contributes new insights into the dietary evolution of mammals and the mechanisms involved in the coordination of physiological functions by animal hosts and their gut commensals.

Promising approaches to assessing the public health risk with real ways of entering a toxicant into the body

The paper discusses promising directions of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation in the field of ecology and nature management, and related problems and solutions for assessing the public health risk. The prospects of creating methods for rapid assessment of public health risk using modern data and representations of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of the substance are substantiated. It is shown that it is possible to deduce adequate mathematical dependencies for substances regardless of their structure, based on modern concepts of the formation of the dose of a toxicant in the body from the position of toxicokinetics. For an adequate forecast of toxicometric indicators (LD, ED) when constructing mathematical models, it is proposed to use pharmaco- and toxicokinetic parameters estimated within the normal range as independent variables (for medicinal substances – not higher than their therapeutic doses, for the other ones – not higher than their thresholds). Our definitions of the notions of norm, threshold of harmful action and pre-pathological conditions of the body from the position of detoxification of substances are presented. The reference range of the norm for the values of the pharmaco- and toxicokinetic parameters of a substance is justified taking into account individual differences of the organism within the boundary of the standard deviation (±2δ) from the normatively established value, which does not lead to any negative (side) physiological deviations.

Heteroisotherapics effect on the treatment against smoking: a cognitive-behavioral approach

Background The most common way of consuming nicotine is in tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine causes intense addiction. The National Cancer Institute coordinates and executes the Tobacco Control Program in Brazil, through actions that encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles. In this context, homeopathy has used Heteroisotherapic medicines formulated according to the homeopathic pharmaceutical technology with scientific evidence of efficacy in the detoxification of substances and metals, and in the desensitization of foods or medicines. Aims Promote the importance of the cognitive-behavioral approach in combination with the homeopathic treatment against smoking. Methodology In the initial phase of the randomized double-blind clinical study (CEP / HUCFF / UFRJ 65622916.2.0000.5257), the effectiveness of the 6CH heteroisotherapeutic drug was assessed. Volunteers were recruited and in-person welcoming meetings, using the cognitive-behavioral approach, were carried out to inform them about the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. In addition, they were supported and guided during the smoking cessation process so that they could deal with the withdrawal syndrome, the psychological dependence and the constraints associated with smoking. Results and discussion 84 participants were selected according to the inclusion criteria, and divided by randomization into two groups: the Test Group (heteroisotherapeutic medication) and the Control Group (homeopathic medication Nux vomica 6CH). Both groups will be followed for 12 months. The combination of the following approaches has led to a significant increase in the cessation rate: I. Prepare the smoker for solving his own issues; II. Stimulate skills to resist temptations to smoke; III. Prepare to prevent relapse; IV. Prepare to deal with stress. Studies show that, regardless the duration of these approaches, there is an increase in the abstinence rate. Moreover, the longer the total approach time (frequency multiplied by the time spent on each contact), the higher the abstinence rate. On the other hand, from a total approach time of 90 minutes on, there is no further increase in the abstinence rate. Conclusion The partial results obtained so far demonstrate that the cognitive-behavioral approach played a decisive role in the groups performance, favoring the treatment adherence as well as the group cohesion around the Project's objective, contributing to the effectiveness of the medicine, a decreased anxiety, improved sleep, cessation or decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the abstinence rate.

Hepatoprotective effect of a Novel Functional Drink based on Ecuadorian Plant Species

Liver diseases are considered a severe public health problem involving disorders that alter liver function. Since the liver plays an essential role in the metabolism and detoxification of substances that enter the organism, it is susceptible to damage caused by xenobiotic agents such as viruses, alcohol, and drugs. Acetaminophen is an over‐the‐counter drug widely used as an antipyretic and analgesic. It is safe at therapeutic doses, but it is easily overused, causing severe liver diseases. In a previous study, our investigation group developed a functional drink from the aqueous extracts of Ilex guayusa, Vernonanthura patens, and cocoa husks. This combination presented various bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties that could help reduce oxidative stress in pathologic conditions. For the above mentioned, the study's objective was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of the beverage through an in vivo test. Male mice were treated with two formulations (pre‐formulated and microencapsulated) of the functional drink in three concentrations for seven days as a preventive oral treatment. After that, mice were induced to liver damage at a single intraperitoneal dose of acetaminophen (250 mg/kg of body weight). The evaluation was based on the liver damage biomarkers, ALT, and AST; anatomopathological studies were also evaluated. The results showed that the best formulation as an oral pre‐treatment was the pre‐formulated. The pre‐formulated beverage attenuated the injury caused by the acetaminophen by inhibiting serum ALT and AST activities and reducing liver macro and microscopic liver alterations. The successful doses were at 250 and 1000 mg/kg b.w. The microencapsulated did not present adequate liver protection at any doses evaluated because it has no statistical difference with the toxic model group.In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time that the functional drink effectively prevented acetaminophen‐induced liver injury in vivo. Our data indicated that the pre‐formulated was the most effective pre‐treatment to attenuate the hepatic injury. These results suggested that this beverage possessed antioxidative activity that likely contributed to its protective effect against acetaminophen liver damage.*Corresponding Author: Orellana‐Manzano Andrea, email: akorella@espol.edu.ec

Phytolacca dodecandra (Phytolaccaceae) Root Extract Exhibits Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities in Mice with CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Damage.

BackgroundThe liver is a hub of metabolism and detoxification of substances. Since many redox reactions take place in the liver, it is prone to oxidative damage. Unlike conventional agents, botanicals act through several mechanisms in preventing oxidative damage. Among these Phytolacca dodecandra is the most commonly used agent in Ethiopian folk medicine.ObjectiveTo evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root.MethodsMale mice were divided into six groups and treated accordingly. Negative control was given 2% Tween 80, toxicant control administered with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), positive control treated with silymarin 100 mg/kg, and test groups were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract. Then, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin were determined. Determination of the change in body weight and liver weight, histopathologic examination of the liver, and in vitro and in vivo antioxidant assays were also carried out.ResultsThe levels of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, LDH, and bilirubin were significantly reduced, while albumin and total protein were significantly increased after treatment with P. dodecandra root extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg in CCl4 intoxicated mice. Cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein synthesis capabilities of the liver of mice were also returned to normal in the two doses. Besides, the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses were able to return the normal architecture and morphology of hepatocytes. Furthermore, the plant extract was found to scavenge free radicals in vitro and inhibit lipid peroxidation in vivo.ConclusionThe results suggest that the 80% methanol extract of P. dodecandra root can be used for the management of liver disease.

Housing versus treatment first for supportive housing participants with substance use disorders: A comparison of housing and public service use outcomes

ABSTRACTBackground: Homeless persons with substance use disorders (SUD) have high disease risk, poor access to health care, and are frequent users of Medicaid and other social services. Low-demand supportive housing with no prerequisites for treatment or sobriety has been shown to improve housing stability and decrease public service use for chronically homeless persons with serious mental illness (SMI) and chronic medical conditions. The impact of low-demand housing on individuals with SUD but without co-occurring SMI has been little studied. This evaluation compares housing retention and use of crisis public services (jail, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and substance detoxification) between individuals treated and untreated for SUD before move-in to a low-demand supportive housing program in New York City. Methods: The authors used matched administrative records for individuals with SUD but no SMI placed in supportive housing during 2007–2012. Participants received SUD treatment (n = 1425; treated participants) or were not treated (n = 512; active users) at housing application. Propensity score–weighted regression analyses were used to best estimate the effect of SUD treatment on incarceration, public service utilization, and housing retention. Results: Persons not treated for SUD had a significantly longer tenure in supportive housing than treated participants. However, not treated tenants were more likely to be incarcerated. Opioid agonist therapy and older age decreased the risk of housing discharge, whereas detoxification and inpatient SUD treatment increased the risk of discharge. Conclusions: Persons with SUD can achieve residential stability in supportive housing that does not require SUD treatment before admission.

Patterns of co-occurring addictions, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder in detoxification treatment seekers: Implications for improving detoxification treatment outcomes

Background and objectivesPoly-substance use and psychiatric comorbidity are common among individuals receiving substance detoxification services. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are the most common co-occurring psychiatric disorders with substance use disorder (SUD). Current treatment favors a one-size-fits-all approach to treating addiction focusing on one substance or one comorbidity. Research examining patterns of substance use and comorbidities can inform efforts to effectively identify and differentially treat individuals with co-occurring conditions. MethodsUsing latent class analysis, the current study identified four patterns of PTSD, MDD, and substance use among 375 addiction treatment seekers receiving medically supervised detoxification. ResultsThe four identified classes were: 1) a PTSD-MDD-Poly SUD class characterized by PTSD and MDD occurring in the context of opioid, cannabis, and tobacco use disorders; 2) an MDD-Poly SUD class characterized by MDD and alcohol, opioid, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders; 3) an alcohol-tobacco class characterized by alcohol and tobacco use disorders; and 4) an opioid-tobacco use disorder class characterized by opioid and tobacco use disorders. The observed classes differed on gender and clinical characteristics including addiction severity, trauma history, and PTSD/MDD symptom severity. Discussion and conclusionsThe observed classes likely require differing treatment approaches. For example, people in the PTSD-MDD-Poly SUD class would likely benefit from treatment approaches targeting anxiety sensitivity and distress tolerance, while the opioid-tobacco class would benefit from treatments that incorporate motivational interviewing. Appropriate matching of treatment to class could optimize treatment outcomes for polysubstance and comorbid psychiatric treatment seekers. These findings also underscore the importance of well-developed referral networks to optimize outpatient psychotherapy for detoxification treatment-seekers to enhance long-term recovery, particularly those that include transdiagnostic treatment components.

Location, morphology and function of nephrocytes in termites

Insect nephrocytes are cells bathed in hemolymph and considered to have an excretory function. These cells have ambiguous nomenclature and are understudied in termites. This study is the first report on the occurrence, morphology and function of nephrocytes in different termite castes. Cytological characteristics in specific developmental stages and castes enable physiological functions to be inferred. Perforate diaphragms indicate a role in filtration, while the extensive peripheral invaginations of the cell membrane suggest active endocytosis. A sequence of morphologies in putative digestive vacuoles infers a lysosomal system and the occurrence of phosphatases suggests a function involving detoxification of substances sequestered from hemolymph. Pericardical nephrocytes took up the dye trypan blue injected in live termites, suggesting their activity connected to the filtration of the hemolymph. Additionally, histochemical tests showed the existence of stored proteins in their cytoplasm. These cells present a well-developed Golgi apparatus and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, consistent with protein synthesis. This study highlights the importance of nephrocytes in Isoptera and opens perspectives for further research of these cells.

Gender disparity in utilization rates of substance abuse services among female ex-offenders: a population-based analysis

Background: The use and abuse of substances is common among offender populations. Although the female former offender population has risen substantially in recent decades, relatively little is known about their substance abuse treatment experiences. Objective: This study examines disparities in substance abuse treatment utilization among the US population with special focus upon formerly incarcerated female offenders. Methods: Using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC, n = 43,093) collected in 2001–2002 and 2004–2005 the authors compared lifetime rates of substance abuse treatment utilization between female and male ex-offenders with the U.S. general population. The sample population covered inpatient and community based substance use treatment, detoxification and rehabilitation programs. It is a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized persons over the age of 18. Multinomial logistic regression was performed and likelihood of using substance use treatment and services was calculated using adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: Compared to male ex-offenders, female ex-offenders were 52% less likely to use substance-abuse treatment services (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.26–0.89) and 51% less likely to use rehabilitation programs (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.26–0.93). Compared to females in the general population, female ex-offenders were 10 times more likely to use substance-abuse treatment services (AOR = 10.14, 95% CI = 5.71–18.00), 10.5 times more likely to use substance detoxification programs (AOR = 10. 45, 95% CI = 5.64–19.39); 8 times more likely to use inpatient wards (AOR = 8.05, 95% CI = 4.16–15.59); 9 times more likely to use outpatient wards (AOR = 9.06, 95% CI = 4.89–16.81), and 12 times more likely to use substance-abuse rehabilitation programs (AOR = 12.06, 95% CI = 6.55–22.22). Conclusions: While female ex-offenders were more likely to have used a range of substance abuse services when compared to the general population, they were less likely to use substance-abuse treatment services and rehabilitation programs than male ex-offenders.

Expression analysis of a family of developmentally-regulated cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) inDrosophila

We have compared the amino acid sequence of all four cytosolic sulfotransferases (SULTs) in Drosophila and analyzed their spatial expression patterns during development. Three out of four SULTs show distinct expression activity during embryogenesis, while the 4th SULT shows expression only post-embryonically. st1, st3 and st4 are expressed in non-overlapping expression domains mainly confined to organs of the alimentary canal such as esophagus, malphigian tubules, hindgut, as well as in the tracheal system. All these organs are surrounded by the hemolymph suggesting that Drosophila SULTs exert their function in detoxification of substances upon influx from the hemolymph.

Common polymorphisms in the microsomal epoxide hydrolase and N-acetyltransferase 2 genes in association with inflammatory bowel disease in the Danish population

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by recurrent inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Reactive molecules play a central role in altering the intestinal permeability, which may induce or sustain an immune response. Changes in detoxification of substances that causes epithelial damage may confer susceptibility to IBD. Hence, polymorphic enzymes involved in the detoxification processes may be risk factors of IBD. The two biotransformation enzymes microsomal epoxide hydrolase and N-acetyltransferase 2 were genotyped using TaqMan based real-time PCR in 388 patients with Crohn's disease, 565 patients with ulcerative colitis and 796 healthy controls. No association was found between the genotypes of low microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity or slow N-acetyltransferase 2 acetylator status and IBD. An association was found between microsomal epoxide hydrolase and less than 40 years of age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease and microsomal epoxide hydrolase and azathiporine use in patients with ulcerative colitis. No other evident phenotypic associations were found for the two enzymes and either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. A possible modification of smoking on microsomal epoxide hydrolase genotypes was found. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase and N-acetyltransferase 2 genotypes appear not to be individual risk factors of IBD, or to be important in relation to phenotypic characteristics of IBD.

Risk of Mortality during Four Years after Substance Detoxification in Urban Adults

The objective of this analysis was to assess the mortality rate and risk factors in adults, with substance dependence, who are not receiving primary medical care (PC). Date and cause of death were identified using the National Death Index data and death certificates for 470 adults without PC over a period of almost 4 years after detailed clinical assessment after detoxification. Factors associated with risk of mortality were determined using stepwise Cox proportional hazards models. Subjects were 76% male, 47% homeless, and 47% with chronic medical illness; 40% reported alcohol, 27% heroin, and 33% cocaine as substance of choice. Median age was 35. During a period of up to 4 years, 27 (6%) subjects died. Median age at death was 39. Causes included: poisoning by any substance (40.9% of deaths), trauma (13%), cardiovascular disease (13.6%), and exposure to cold (9.1%). The age adjusted mortality rate was 4.4 times that of the general population in the same city. Among these individuals without PC in a detoxification unit, risk factors associated with death were the following: drug of choice [heroin: hazard ratio (HR) 6.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-31.1]; alcohol: HR 3.7 (95% CI 0.79-16.9) compared to cocaine); past suicide attempt (HR 2.1, 95% CI 0.96-4.5); persistent homelessness (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.3); and history of any chronic medical illness (HR 2.1, 95% CI 0.93-4.7). Receipt of primary care was not significantly associated with death (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.34-2.1). Risk of mortality is high in patients with addictions and risk factors identifiable when these patients seek help from the health care system (i.e., for detoxification) may help identify those at highest risk for whom interventions could be targeted.

Glutathione levels and enzyme activity in the tissues of bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus chronically exposed to a mixture of metal contaminants

The biochemical response to chronic heavy metal exposure was studied in tissues of bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus. Animals were collected from three sites located 4, 8 and 30 km from a zinc–lead smelter, the area’s main source of metal contamination. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Fe were measured in the liver, kidneys and gonads to assess the level of metal intoxication. In response to intoxication, organisms activate detoxification mechanisms which can protect animals from metals’ toxicity. Glutathione plays an important role in toxic substance detoxification. Total glutathione (tGSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were measured in the tissues. Also, the activity of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione- S-transferase (GST) was measured in the studied tissues. Results indicate that levels of all studied parameters were tissue and site-dependent. Evidence indicates that the most sensitive parameter of metal toxicity for animals living in a chronically contaminated environment is the GSH/GSSG ratio. In our study, the GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the liver of animals with high Cd levels. However, the relationship between Pb and the GSH/GSSG ratio was positive in the gonads. Cadmium and lead negatively influenced GPX activity in the liver; this was probably connected with inhibition of the Se-dependent fraction. The relationship between iron and GR activity in the kidney was also negative, but other correlations for iron both in liver and kidney were not significant. Positive correlations between Zn levels and GST and GR activity were found in the gonads of bank voles.

Prevalence of Hepatitis C in a Chemically Dependent Population

Drug abuse is the major risk factor for hepatitis C in the United States. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), to identify risk factors for HCV, and to correlate HCV and liver function in patients presenting for inpatient detoxification of substances of abuse. A total of 687 patients were tested for the presence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). Histories related to drug use, sexually transmitted diseases, blood transfusion, and human immunodeficiency virus were obtained, as were serum tests for human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, hepatitis B, aminotransferases, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 63%: 68% in men vs 54% in women (P < .001), with no difference by race. Remarkably, 86% of injecting drug users tested positive for anti-HCV. Identified risk factors for anti-HCV were injecting drug use (P < .001), human immunodeficiency virus infection (P = .003), exposure to hepatitis B virus (P < .001), and a positive rapid plasma reagin test (P = .04). Previous transfusion and history of previous infection with gonorrhea or syphilis did not correlate with the presence of anti-HCV. Patients positive for anti-HCV had significant elevations in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels when compared with patients negative for anti-HCV: 50.8 vs 36.7 U/L (P = .002) and 56.0 vs 36.9 U/L (P < .001), respectively. Injecting drug users have an extremely high prevalence of anti-HCV. This is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that the presence of anti-HCV in drug users is associated with significantly increased levels of serum aminotransferases.

Thiocyanate Compounds in the Urine of Schizophrenics

By thiocyanate compounds is meant a group of salts of thiocyanic acid (HCNS). Together with compounds of glycuronic and sulphuric acids, these salts are products of several detoxication processes. In the urine they are the end-products of the detoxication of substances formed during the breakdown of protein.