Wayne Briner

Publications

• Toxicity from metals, old menaces and new threats.

  Wayne Briner

  International journal of environmental research and public health. 12/2010; 7(12):4278-80.

• The toxicity of depleted uranium.

  Wayne Briner

  International journal of environmental research and public health. 01/2010; 7(1):303-13.

  Depleted uranium (DU) is an emerging environmental pollutant that is introduced into the environment primarily by military activity. While depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium, it still retains all the chemical toxicity associated with the original element. In large doses the ki... [more] Depleted uranium (DU) is an emerging environmental pollutant that is introduced into the environment primarily by military activity. While depleted uranium is less radioactive than natural uranium, it still retains all the chemical toxicity associated with the original element. In large doses the kidney is the target organ for the acute chemical toxicity of this metal, producing potentially lethal tubular necrosis. In contrast, chronic low dose exposure to depleted uranium may not produce a clear and defined set of symptoms. Chronic low-dose, or subacute, exposure to depleted uranium alters the appearance of milestones in developing organisms. Adult animals that were exposed to depleted uranium during development display persistent alterations in behavior, even after cessation of depleted uranium exposure. Adult animals exposed to depleted uranium demonstrate altered behaviors and a variety of alterations to brain chemistry. Despite its reduced level of radioactivity evidence continues to accumulate that depleted uranium, if ingested, may pose a radiologic hazard. The current state of knowledge concerning DU is discussed.
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  Impact points

  The effects of motivational interviewing on physiological outcomes.

  Rebecca Kreman, Bernice C Yates, Sangeeta Agrawal, Kathryn Fiandt, Wayne Briner, Scott Shurmur

  Applied nursing research : ANR. 09/2006; 19(3):167-70.

  This study examined the effects of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention on physiological outcomes among hyperlipidemic persons randomly assigned to an MI (n = 12) or an attention-control (AC; n = 12) group. Lipid and cardiorespiratory fitness levels were measured pre- and postintervention. ... [more] This study examined the effects of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention on physiological outcomes among hyperlipidemic persons randomly assigned to an MI (n = 12) or an attention-control (AC; n = 12) group. Lipid and cardiorespiratory fitness levels were measured pre- and postintervention. The MI intervention was significant in reducing total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol but not in increasing VO(2max) when compared with the AC group. Contrary to what was expected, the MI intervention significantly reduced high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Although this study was limited by a small sample size, findings suggested that an MI telephone session can have a positive effect on lipid profiles and fitness levels.
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  Impact points

  Effects of short-term and long-term depleted uranium exposure on open-field behavior and brain lipid oxidation in rats.

  Wayne Briner, Jennifer Murray

  Neurotoxicology and teratology. 27(1):135-44.

  Male and female rats were exposed to depleted uranium acetate (DU) in drinking water at doses of 0, 75, or 150 mg/L for either 2 weeks or 6 months. After exposure, the animals were tested for behaviors in the open-field. After testing in the open-field, the brains were examined for levels of lipid o... [more] Male and female rats were exposed to depleted uranium acetate (DU) in drinking water at doses of 0, 75, or 150 mg/L for either 2 weeks or 6 months. After exposure, the animals were tested for behaviors in the open-field. After testing in the open-field, the brains were examined for levels of lipid oxidation using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. Behavioral differences (line crossing and rearing) were seen in male rats after 2 weeks exposure to DU in drinking water for the highest dose group. Increased brain lipid oxidation was seen for the highest dose group for both genders. Lipid oxidation levels correlated significantly with line crossing and rearing in the open-field. After 6 months exposure, behavioral differences for male rats in the open-field remained and expanded to include other behaviors (grooming, defecation, and urination). Female rats also demonstrated some behavioral changes after 6 months exposure. Lipid oxidation in the brain continued to be seen; however, these levels no longer correlated with open-field behaviors. These data suggest that DU is a toxin that crosses the blood-brain barrier, producing behavioral changes in male rats and lipid oxidation regardless of gender in as little as 2 weeks in the rat. Longer exposures to DU may produce greater behavioral changes but compensatory mechanisms may reduce the effects of lipid oxidation. Males appear to be more sensitive to the behavioral effects of DU.

• The effect of GABA receptor ligands in experimental spina bifida occulta

  Wayne Briner
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  Impact points

  Acute physiologic and chronic histologic changes in rats and mice exposed to the unique hallucinogen salvinorin A.

  Mark Mowry, Michael Mosher, Wayne Briner

  Journal of psychoactive drugs. 35(3):379-82.

  Salvinorin A is a unique hallucinogen that is seeing increased use in humans. It is not currently a controlled substance and is used as a legal alternative to controlled substances. Usually smoked or buccally absorbed by chewing, doses of approximately 200 mcg can produce profound hallucinogenic eff... [more] Salvinorin A is a unique hallucinogen that is seeing increased use in humans. It is not currently a controlled substance and is used as a legal alternative to controlled substances. Usually smoked or buccally absorbed by chewing, doses of approximately 200 mcg can produce profound hallucinogenic effects of short duration. The mechanism of action of salvinorin A is at the kappa-opioid receptor. Little data is available on the medical effects of this substance so animal studies were undertaken to explore the acute toxic effects of this substance in rats and the chronic effects in mice. Rats were anesthetized and administered salvinorin A at 1600 mcg/kg or vehicle. Recordings were made of galvanic skin response, EKG, temperature, and pulse pressure for 100 minutes. Mice were chronically exposed to vehicle or 400, 800, 1600, 3200, or 6400 mcg/kg of salvinorin A for two weeks. After exposure the animals were sacrificed and brain, heart, kidney, bone marrow, blood and spleen were removed, fixed, sectioned, stained and examined by light microscopy. No effects were seen on cardiac conduction, temperature, or galvanic skin response. A nonsignificant rise was seen in pulse pressure. Histologic studies of spleen, blood, brain, liver, kidney, and bone marrow did not find any significant histologic changes at any of the doses examined. These data suggests that the toxicity of salvinorin A is relatively low, even at doses many times greater than what humans are exposed to. However, further studies should be done on blood pressure effects. The psychological impact of this potent hallucinogen should also be investigated.