Metal Contamination in the Republic of Armenia.

/ Air, soil, and water samples were collected throughout the Republic of Armenia both before and after its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Reported analyses of those samples indicated that levels of several trace metal concentrations (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Ti, and Zn) exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations established by the former Soviet Union (FSU) and subsequently adopted by Armenia. Although industrial production has declined by more than 80% since the 1980s, the economy is improving and there is potential for a significant increase in the generation of industrial metal emissions. These include automobile emissions, which are now considered to be the primary source of atmospheric lead. Historically, the Soviet Union did not strictly enforce environmental standards, and Armenia is now faced with the resulting environmental problems and the associated risks to public health. Since some trace metal concentrations may be at or near potentially toxic levels, there is a need to accurately assess the extent of metal contamination in order to devise cleanup plans and develop long-term environmental protection and public health strategies in Armenia.

[Psychopharmacological study of two 3-arylsulfonyl 4-hydroxy-coumarines]. / Etude psychopharmacologique de deux 3-arylsulfonyl 4-hydroxy-coumarines.

The pharmacological study of 3-(4-chlorophenylsulfonyl) 4-hydroxy-7-methoxy- coumarine and 3-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl) 4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-coumarine shows that these derivatives present low sedative effects on the central nervous system, particularly due to their actions upon temperature and motility, more accentuated for the chloro-substituted derivative.

Demethylation of C14 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenylethylamine in schizophrenics before and after L-methionine loading.

Demethylation was compared in acute and chronic schizophrenics and in non-schizophrenics by the administration of C14 labelled 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenylethylamine (TMPEA). The results did not show a significant difference in the urinary levels of the monodemethylated catabolites of TMPEA among any groups of patients. However, there was a significant decrease in demethylation in untreated chronic schizophrenics after ten days of L-methionine orally, whereas the non-schizophrenic group similarly given methionine did not change. This suggests the possibility of a biological weakness in schizophrenia.