bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supported Employment Program Manager Survey: Demographics, Self-Reported Training Needs, and Preferred Training Formats
Authors: Dalun Zhang  , Everson Jane M. , Stiegler Beverly M.
Published: December 2008

Training initiatives for supported employment personnel have proliferated over the past 15 years. The vast majority of efforts have focused on training for direct service personnel, such as job coaches and job developers, with a smaller subset focusing on managerial staff. This study was designed to investigate the training needs of supported employment program managers at the completion of a three-year federally funded supported employment systems change grant. Program Manager Questionnaires developed by the authors were mailed to 82 program managers in Louisiana. Fifty-two (63%) surveys were completed and returned. Respondents ranged in age from 25 to 63 years; 20 (38.5%) were males, and 32 (61.5%) were females. Descriptive statistics were calculated to identify demographic information about the program managers and their supported employment programs. Chi-square analyses indicated that the length of time the agency had provided services, the respondent's job title, and the respondent's experience with supported employment made differences on preferred training formats. Further, respondent's experience and employment status made differences in terms of preferred training needs.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Sri Lankan University Students as a Consequence of Their Exposure to Family Violence
Authors: Haj-Yahia Muhammad M. , Tishby Orya , de Zoysa Piyanjali
Published: December 2008

The article presents the results of a study on the association between exposure to family violence (i.e., witnessing interparental violence and experiencing parental violence) during childhood and adolescence and adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study was conducted among a self-selected convenience sample of 476 students from Sri Lanka, using a self-administered questionnaire. The findings indicate that the more participants witnessed interparental violence and the more they experienced parental violence, the more they exhibited PTSD symptoms. Moreover, the findings reveal that participants’ exposure to family violence explains a significant amount of the variance in their PTSD over and above the variance that can be attributed to their sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, number of siblings, and family’s socioeconomic status) and to their perceptions of the environment and functioning of their families. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Pendent Polyimides using Mellitic Acid Dianhydride. IV. Effect of Increased Zirconium-Pendent Group Content on Polymer Properties
Authors: Chow Derek , Wei Cheng  , Huixiong Dai  , Wagner Shawn R. , Luzzi Scott D. , Landi Brian J. , Liling He  , Illingsworth Marvin L. , Siochi Emilie J.
Published: December 2008

For co-polyimides (PIs) of mellitic acid dianhydride, 1,3-aminophenoxybenzene and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride, Zr-pendent group content could be increased to 50% (mol) improving atomic oxygen (AO) resistance while retaining good film properties. Spectral data are consistent with expected structures. Intrinsic viscosities of 0.54—0.60 dL g—1 and average molecular weights of 111 000—122 000 g mol— 1 estimated from gel permeation chromatography confirm the polymeric nature of co-polyamic acid precursors. Nuclear magnetic resonance integrations and amounts of thermogravimetric analysis residue verify pendent group concentrations. Increasing Zr-pendent group concentration from 10 to 50% (mol) caused glass transition temperatures to increase (198—245 °C), decomposition temperatures to decrease (518—455 °C), and the number of film layers able to be fabricated prior to crack formation to decrease (10 to 8). These numbers of layers were much higher than those for other PIs with comparable Zr-pendent group concentrations. Increased pendent group concentration caused the amount of protective oxide layer formed upon AO exposure to increase.
Preparation and Characterization of Organoclay-Filled, Vinyl Ester-Modified Unsaturated Polyester Nanocomposites
Authors: Sharmila Rajkumar Josephine , Premkumar Shanmugam , Alagar Muthukaruppan
Published: December 2008

Organophilic montmorillonite clay — unsaturated polyester (UP) and vinyl ester oligomer (VEO) — unsaturated polyester nanocomposites were prepared and the formation of nanocomposites was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The VEO was prepared by reacting commercially available epoxy resin LY556 and acrylic acid and was used as a toughening agent for unsaturated polyester resin. Organoclay-filled hybrid VEO—UP matrices, developed in the form of castings, were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical measurements indicated the presence of higher crosslink density for the clay-filled systems than unfilled systems. X-ray diffraction analysis infers the intercalation of the polymer molecules between the clay layers which in turn restricts the mobility of polymer in the vicinity of clay layers. A shift in Tg towards lower temperature was observed for nanocomposites. Significant improvement in the mechanical properties was also observed in the case of nanocomposites when compared with neat resin matrix.
Agent Orange Toxicity: a Quantitative Perspective
Authors: Stevens Kingsley M.
Published: December 2008

1 The minimum toxic dose of tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for man has been calculated from monkey and human data to be 0.1 ?g kg-1.

2 The amount of TCDD which man takes in from his environment is about 1/2050 of that present in one square metre of his immediate environment.

3 The average concentration of TCDD present in Vietnam immediately after spraying Agent Orange was 8 ?g m-2.

4 A soldier directly sprayed would attain an internal body concentration of 7 × 10-5?g kg-1 or 1/1750 of the minimum toxic dose; soldiers moving through previously sprayed areas would ingest much less.

5 These quantitative aspects indicate that the dioxin sprayed with Agent Orange in Vietnam cannot have caused systemic illnesses in Vietnam veterans or birth defects in their children.
Acute Studies to Investigate the Mechanism of Action of Caffeine as a Teratogen in Mice
Authors: Elmazar M.M.A. , McElhatton Patricia R. , Sullivan F.M.
Published: December 2008

1 In Charles River CD 1 mice, a single dose of 100 mg kg-1 caffeine injected intraperitoneally on day 14 of pregnancy caused a low incidence of cleft palate in the fetuses.

2 Single oral doses of caffeine of 200 and 300 mg kg-1 but not 100 mg kg-1 on day 14, caused cleft palate in some of the fetuses, but was clearly toxic to the dams.

3 Oral doses of caffeine up to 300 mg kg-1 on day 14 of pregnancy did not reduce utero-placental blood flow, placental transfer function, or amniotic fluid volume.

4 An oral dose of 100 mg kg-1 caffeine induced a marked stimulation of adrenocortical secretion producing plasma corticosterone levels of 1248 ± 129 ?g per 100 ml by 2 h and with elevated levels persisting more than 8 h.

5 It is suggested that the elevated plasma corticosterone is the cause of the cleft palate induced in mice by caffeine. Since corticosterone is a known cleft palate inducer in mice but not in man these results do not predict a hazard from normal caffeine consumption in man.
Uranium in Bone: Metabolic and Autoradiographic Studies in the Rat
Authors: Priest N.D. , Howells G.R. , Green D. , Haines J.W.
Published: December 2008

The distribution and retention of intravenously injected hexavalent uranium-233 in the skeleton of the female rat has been investigated using a variety of autoradiographic and radiochemical techniques. These showed that approximately one third of the injected uranium is deposited in the skeleton where it is retained with an initial biological half-time of ∼40 days. The studies also showed that:

1 Uranium is initially deposited onto all types of bone surface, but preferentially onto those that are accreting.

2 Uranium is deposited in the calcifying zones of skeletal cartilage.

3 Bone accretion results in the burial of surface deposits of uranium.

4 Bone resorption causes the removal of uranium from surfaces.

5 Resorbed uranium is not retained by osteoclasts and macrophages in the bone marrow.

6 Uranium removed from bone surfaces enters the bloodstream where most is either redeposited in bone or excreted via the kidneys.

7 The recycling of resorbed uranium within the skeleton tends to produce a uniform level of uranium contamination throughout mineralized bone. These results are taken to indicate that uranium deposition in bone shares characteristics in common with both the 'volume-seeking radionuclides' typified by the alkaline earth elements and with the 'bone surface-seeking radionuclides' typified by plutonium.
Toxic Hepatitis due to Benzo-pyrone
Authors: Faurschou Peter
Published: December 2008

1 Benzo-pyrone has been introduced in the treatment of lymphoedema and no side-effects have previously been reported.

2 One patient who developed toxic hepatitis during treatment with benzo-pyrone is presented.
Acute Inhalation Toxicity of Some Halogenated and Non-halogenated Hydrocarbons
Authors: Clark D.G. , Tinston D.J.
Published: December 2008

1 The relative potency of effect of a wide range of halogenated and unsubstituted hydrocarbons on the central nervous system (CNS) and the heart of experimental animals have been determined.

2 The chemicals used caused either stimulation or depression of the rat CNS after 10 minutes' inhalation of concentrations ranging from 0.24% to > 80% (v/v), and cardiac sensitization in dogs after 5 minutes' inhalation of 0.12% to approximately 80% (v/v).

3 The toxicity could not be correlated with chemical structure, molecular weight, the presence or absence of various halogen atoms or the degree of saturation, but it was inversely related to the saturated vapour pressure. When the results were expressed on a thermodynamic scale the chemicals had similar potencies at relative saturations of 0.004 to 0.04

4 It is suggested that the effects of these chemicals on the CNS and the heart are probably structurally non-specific, and the chemicals may be regarded as physical toxicants whose effects are predictable from their physico-chemical properties.
Suspected Solvent Abuse in Cases Referred to the Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital, July 1980-June 1981
Authors: Francis J. , Murray V.S.G. , Ruprah M. , Flanagan R.J. , Ramsey J.D.
Published: December 2008

1 From July 1980 to June 1981, requests for information as to management or prognosis were received concerning 324 patients (219 male, 91 female) aged 3-31 y (median 15 y) in whom 'solvent abuse' was suspected.

2 The principal symptoms reported were unconsciousness (37), drowsiness (62), 'collapse' (7), convulsions (6), ataxia (35), chest pain (9), nausea/vomiting (20), renal impairment (3) and behavioural disturbances (84). At least 105 patients were admitted to hospital, and 1 was dead on arrival.

3 The products abused in 290 clinically diagnosed cases were: adhesives (214), correcting fluids (23), chlorinated solvents (17), fuel gases (18), petrol (5), BCF fire extinguishing agent (5) and others (17). The co-ingestion of alcohol or other drugs was suspected in only 27 cases.

4 Specimens of blood and/or urine were received for analysis from 117 patients. The clinical diagnosis of solvent abuse was confirmed in 71 cases and solvents were detected in 2 further instances. Ethanol/other drugs were detected in 18 instances, either together with solvent(s) (9) or alone (9), although no compounds were detected in the remaining 35 cases.

5 Toluene (and/or raised urinary hippurate/creatinine ratio) was detected in 52 of the analyses, 1,1,1-trichloroethane in 14 and trichloroethylene (and/or trichloroethanol) in 12. Ethanol was detected in 7 instances, and other drugs (principally benzodiazepines) in 13.

6 Although the presenting symptoms and outcome were usually unremarkable, these results emphasise that some patients can develop serious illness such as collapse or convulsions, which may prove fatal, while chronic solvent abuse can be associated with renal impairment.
Solvent Abuse from a Health Education Perspective
Authors: Woodcock Jasper
Published: December 2008

1 The development of health education and preventive strategies for solvent abuse requires the adaptation of findings and data from other fields and other countries. Experience with illicit drugs suggests that simply denying access to a particularly abused substance may only serve to shift abusers towards other substances. It is, therefore, necessary to acquire evidence on which to judge the relative harmfulness of different substances. Data from the USA on the overall mortality from solvent abuse and on the relative involvement of different solvents is summarized.

2 Findings from health education researches lead to the conclusion that (a) health education is not an effective way of preventing experimentation with solvents, but (b) health education can be effective in modifying abusers' choices of substance and styles of use.

3 Combining these different types of information led to the production of a leaflet suggesting health education strategies that might reduce the likelihood of physical harm befalling solvent abusers.

4 Finally, a plea is made for reports of toxic effects from abused substances to include the kind of data that would assist the development of preventive strategies.
Solvent Misuse: Educational Implications
Authors: Evans Martin
Published: December 2008

1 This article confines itself to an investigation of the possible educational strategies which might be helpful in the prevention of solvent misuse. The empirical evidence for the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the drug education generally is examined and from this the appropriateness of various approaches is assessed.

2 A model unit of teaching material which can be used in a prevention of solvent misuse programme is offered.

3 A brief discussion of some of the ethical considerations related to education about solvent misuse is presented.
Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Human Milk in Great Britain, 1979-80
Authors: Collins G.B. , Holmes D.C. , Hoodless R.A.
Published: December 2008

1 The concentrations of some organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyl compounds have been determined in 102 samples of human milk collected between January 1979 and September 1980.

2 Comparison of the results with those from a limited study undertaken in 1963-4 shows a decline in residues' levels.

3 The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls in human milk samples from residents in Great Britain compare favourably with data obtained in other countries.
The Pulmonary Macrophages of Human Smokers: Decreased Surface Fc Receptor Concentrations on Heavily Particle-laden Cells
Authors: Plowman P.N.
Published: December 2008

1 Human pulmonary macrophages (PM) have been obtained by broncho-pulmonary lavage from smokers and non-smokers. Smokers' PM tend to be larger cells with more particulate intracytoplasmic inclusions than non-smokers' cells.

2 Electronmicrographs show that the majority of inclusions are electron dense and within lysosomes. Other lysosomal inclusions in smokers' PM are needle-like structures and lamellar bodies.

3 A rosette assay that detects changes in surface Fc receptor expression was used to compare the Fc receptor expression of a PM subgroup that was heavily particle laden with a 'clean' PM subgroup.

4 There is strong evidence for reduced surface Fc receptor expression in heavily particle laden PM. The possible explanations of this difference are discussed.
Quantification of the Interaction Between Barbiturates and Alcohol and Interpretation of Fatal Blood Concentrations
Authors: Stead A.H. , Moffat A.C.
Published: December 2008

Barbiturates and alcohol are frequently found in combination in cases of accidental or intentional fatal self-poisoning. Unfortunately, the lack of any precise knowledge concerning their interaction creates difficult problems when an interpretation of toxicological data is sought.

1 In the following work the joint action of single barbiturates and alcohol is examined and a means of quantifying it is presented.

2 The effects of different amounts of alcohol on fatal amylobarbitone, butobarbitone, pentobarbitone, phenobarbitone and quinalbarbitone blood concentrations are compared.

3 Combined alcohol-barbiturate blood concentration curves connecting those concentration pairs equally effective in causing death are used to quantify the increase in toxicity.

The quantitative effects of alcohol appear to be greater with the shorter-and longer-acting barbiturates than with the intermediate-acting derivatives. The different modes of interaction are discussed in terms of the physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs.
Effect of Calorie Restriction on the Fate of Hyperplastic Liver Nodules Induced by Concurrent Administration of Lasiocarpine and Thioacetamide
Authors: Sambasiva Rao M. , Jago Marjorie V. , Reddy Janardan K.
Published: December 2008

1 Hyperplastic liver nodules were induced in F-344 rats by concurrent administration of lasiocarpine (50 ppm in diet) and thioacetamide (50 mg/kg body weight twice weekly) for 15 weeks.

2 The effect of carbohydrate calorie and total calorie restriction on the fate of hyperplastic liver nodules was examined.

3 The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was the same in all groups of rats irrespective of the magnitude of carbohydrate calorie restriction and 50% total calorie restriction.

4 These studies demonstrate that carbohydrate or total calorie restriction has no effect on the progression of hyperplastic nodules to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Evaluation of Selected Hypolipidemic Agents for the Induction of Peroxisomal Enzymes and Peroxisome Proliferation in the Rat Liver
Authors: Lalwani Narendra D. , Kumudavalli Reddy M. , Qureshi Saeed A. , Sirtori Cesare R. , Abiko Yasushi , Reddy Janardan K.
Published: December 2008

There is a considerable interest in developing potent and safe hypolipidemic drugs for the prevention and management of coronary heart disease in man. In rodents, many of these hypolipidemic compounds induce hepatomegaly, proliferation of peroxisomes and a polypeptide with an approximate mol. wt. of 80000 in liver cells. In the present study, we have examined 10 hypolipidemic compounds for the induction of peroxisome proliferation associated 80000 mol. wt. polypeptide (polypeptide PPA-80), peroxisomal enzymes and peroxisome proliferation in rat liver, in view of the emerging evidence that hepatic peroxisome proliferators as a class are carcinogenic in rats and mice. All ten compounds, fenofibrate (isopropyl-[4-( p-chlorobenzoyl)2-phenoxy-2-methyl] propionate; LS 2265 (taurine derivative of fenofibrate); bezafibrate (2-{4-(2-[4-chlorobenzamido)ethyl] phenoxy}-methyl propionic acid; gemfibrozil (5-2[2,5-dimethylphenoxy]2-2-dimethylpentanoic acid); methyl clofenapate (methyl-2-[4-( p-chlorophenyl)phenoxy]-2-methyl propionate); DG 5685 (5-[4-phenoxybenzyl] trans-2-(3-pyridyl)1,3-dioxane), DH6463 (5-[4-phenoxybenzyl] trans-2-(3-pyrimidinyl)-1,3-dioxane); tiadenol(bis[hydroxyethylthio]-7, 10-decane); ciprofibrate (2,-[4-{2,2-dichlorocyclopropyl}-phenoxy]2-methyl propionic acid) and RMI-14,514 ([5-tetradecycloxyl-2-furancarboxylic acid), produced a marked but variable increase in the activities of peroxisomal enzymes catalase, carnitine acetyltransferase, heat-labile enoyl-CoA hydratase and the fatty acid β-oxidation system and in the amount of polypeptide PPA-80 as demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The peptide map patterns of polypeptide PPA-80 in liver induced by these compounds were strikingly similar. The ultrastructural studies demonstrate that fenofibrate, ciprofibrate, LS 2265, DG 5685 and DH 6463 can induce proliferation of peroxisomes in liver cells of rats, and further confirm the previous reports of hepatic peroxisome proliferative activity of methyl clofenapate, tiadenol, bezafibrate, gemfibrozil and RMI-14514, as shown morphologically. Whether these structurally unrelated chemicals or their metabolite(s) directly activate the peroxisome specific genes to induce this multi-enzyme system or they exert their action on peroxisomes indirectly by causing fatty acid overload in hepatocytes remains to be elucidated. These chemicals offer a simple and reproducible means of stimulating peroxisomal enzymes in liver and should serve as useful tools, for evaluating the implications of hepatic peroxisome proliferation and in elucidating the mechanism of peroxisome proliferator-induced carcinogenesis.
Transplacental Carcinogenesis with Radioactive Phosphorus
Authors: Berry C.L. , Amerigo J. , Nickols C. , Swettenham K.V.
Published: December 2008

1 An attempt was made to produce a model of osteogenic sarcoma using 32P transplacentally.

2 Fetal tissues appeared to be resistant to irradiation as no tumour was induced at an increased frequency in treated animals.

3 Tumours that normally occur in our strain (Sprague-Dawley rats) showed a clear tendancy to occur earlier in post-natal life in treated animals compared with controls.
Therapeutic, Toxic and Fatal Blood Concentration Ranges of Antiepileptic Drugs as an Aid to the Interpretation of Analytical Data
Authors: Stead A.H. , Hook W. , Moffat A.C. , Berry D.
Published: December 2008

1 Problems associated with the interpretation of analytical results are often related to the ineffective presentation of reference information. Concentration-response curves overcome many of the problems by presenting all available information concisely and by allowing clear comparisons between drug concentrations associated with different pharmacological responses. Although visual comparison of such curves is possible, it can be advantageous to represent them numerically.

2 Numerical representations are used in the present work to compare sub-therapeutic, optimally therapeutic, toxic (side-effects and severe effects), and fatal blood concentrations of the commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs.

3 Blood drug concentrations accounting for 50% of the population (EC50) are expressed in relation to the concentrations accounting for 10% (EC10) and 90% (EC90) of the population in each clinical category.

4 Such EC10-EC50-EC90ranges are shown to represent adequately the concentration-response curves. They demonstrate the overlap between drug blood concentrations associated with the various responses and give a good indication of the expected response at any concentration. The concentration ranges are therefore a very useful interpretative aid in therapeutic drug monitoring, emergency toxicology, and forensic toxicology.
?-adrenoceptor Blocker Intoxication: Epidemiological Data. Prenalterol as an Alternative in the Treatment of Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Kulling P. , Eleborg L. , Persson H.
Published: December 2008

1 During the three years 1978-1980 the Swedish Poison Information Centre received reports of 184 patients hospitalized due to ?-adrenoceptor blocker overdosage. Of the 35 patients who developed signs of severe cardiac dysfunction (HR < 50 beats/min, systolic blood pressure < 80 mm Hg), 23 had ingested propranolol, 10 metoprolol and 2 alprenolol.

2 The mean value of the defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day in Sweden during these years were 11.97 for propranolol, 8.02 for alprenolol and 7.74 for metoprolol. The incidence of severe poisoning due to alprenolol overdosage is lower than expected according to DDD.

3 During 1979 19 persons died from overdosage with ?-adrenoceptor blockers in Sweden: 15 due to propranolol (non-selective, lacks intrinsic sympathomimetic activity), 2 to metoprolol (cardioselective, lacks intrinsic sympathomimetic activity) and 2 to alprenolol (non-selective, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity). These findings indicate that severe and even fatal poisoning may occur regardless of the type of ?-blocking agent.

4 The usefulness of prenalterol, a cardioselective ?-adrenoceptor partial agonist, in reversing unwanted cardiac effects of ?-adrenoceptor blocking agents is illustrated by two cases of massive propranolol intoxication (maximal plasma concentrations of propranolol 7.2 and 7.8 ?mol/l respectively). Prenalterol in high doses (130 and 280 mg/24 h respectively) restored cardiac function.
Myoglobinuric Renal Failure due to Drug-induced Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Hampel G. , Horstkotte H. , Rumpf K.W.
Published: December 2008

1 Two cases of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis, one of them presenting with acute myoglobinuric renal failure are described.

2 The pathogenesis of rhabdomyolysis and renal failure in our cases is discussed with reference to work published by other authors.

3 Whereas there seems to be obvious evidence for direct toxic drug-muscle interaction, the mechanism for the development of myoglobinuric renal failure remains unclear.
Chemical Agents used in Riot Control and Warfare
Authors: Beswick F.W.
Published: December 2008

The development of riot control agents is reviewed with emphasis on the major factors influencing the selection and deployment of those agents in current use. Typical agents, irrespective of their chemical nature, cause unpleasant symptoms involving the eyes, skin, mouth, nose and respiratory tract. Ideally, these symptoms cause the sufferer to seek escape from exposure and resolve within 15-30 minutes after exposure has ceased. The medical management of casualties is discussed, with particular consideration of the problems likely to be referred to a Poison Control Centre.
Enquiries to the Danish Poison Information Centre 1970-1980. Results of a Pilot Proj ect with Standardisation of Data
Authors: Fogh A. , Gyntelberg F. , Klixbüll U. , Nielsen G.D.
Published: December 2008

The Danish Poison Information Centre, situated at the Occupational Health Clinic in Copenhagen, did not have an official 24 h service before September 1, 1980. When the 24 h service was established, we reviewed those enquiries made to the Centre until that time. As a rule, only questions concerning chemical and technical products are answered by the Centre whereas enquiries concerning medicine are answered by the Poison Treatment Centre at Bispebjerg Hospital.
Experience with a Screening Method for Laxative Abuse
Authors: de Wolff F.A. , Edelbroek P.M. , de Haas E.J.M. , Vermeij P.
Published: December 2008

1 Abuse of laxatives may lead to a variety of serious disorders which are usually difficult to recognize because of the heterogenicity of the toxic effects.

2 In order to facilitate the diagnosis of chronic laxative poisoning, a laboratory screening method for the detection of colonic stimulants in urine has been designed and has been applied in practice over a three-year-period.

3 During this period, 157 samples from 81 patients were sent to the laboratory. Fifteen patients (18.5%) were definitely shown to use self-prescribed laxatives.

4 Next to the diphenolic compounds: bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and bisoxatin, the anthraquinone derivative rhein, a metabolite of vegetable laxatives, was found in several cases. In the urine of three patients a substance resembling rhein was found, which was shown to be aloe-emodin.

5 It is concluded that chronic self-poisoning with laxatives is a fairly common disorder that can easily be overlooked. Laboratory screening of the urine of suspected patients is an economic and reliable method for its diagnosis.
Determination of Amphetamine and Methylamphetamine by Gas-liquid Chromatography (Head Space)
Authors: Martinez D. , Gimenez M.P.
Published: December 2008

1 A method for determining amphetamine and methylamphetamine in urine by gas-liquid chromatography is described.

2 Chromatography is performed on a 10% Apiezon L, 10% KOH column with alkali-flame detection (NPD). This method avoids the losses of these volatile substances which are known to occur when solvent extraction is used. An alkalinized urine sample (1 ml) is introduced into a sealed vial which is heated in a water bath at 70°C for 20 min. A 1 ml portion of the gas phase in equilibrium with the liquid phase is chromatographed.

3 Amphetamine and methylamphetamine can be detected and measured in urine samples after single therapeutic doses of the drugs.
The Mechanism of Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity: Implications for Therapy
Authors: Huggett A. , Blair I.A.
Published: December 2008

1 The reactive metabolite responsible for paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, postulated to be N -acetyl- p-benzoquinoneimine reacts with N-acetyl cysteine.

2 An adduct is formed by an SN2 mechanism and paracetamol is produced by a redox reaction.

3 The adduct produced is capable of further oxidation by N-acetyl- p-benzoquinoneimine.

4 Methionine does not react with the reactive metabolite to any great extent.
A Collection of Therapeutic, Toxic and Fatal Blood Drug Concentrations in Man
Authors: Stead A.H. , Moffat A.C.
Published: December 2008

1 In order to assess the significance of drug concentrations measured in clinical and toxicological investigations, it is essential that good collections of data are readily available. As a guide to interpreting findings, the present work provides a compilation of therapeutic, toxic and fatal blood concentration ranges of 298 drugs of interest to clinical pharmacologists, clinical toxicologists, and forensic toxicologists.

2 Wherever possible, ranges are expressed concisely in terms of the maximum blood concentrations which account for 10, 50 and 90% of the data collected. They provide easy access to the most reliable information which relates the blood drug concentration to the biological response it produces. Where appropriate, the different toxic effects of a drug and/or the different degrees of severity of toxic symptoms associated with different drug levels are clearly defined.

3 The original sources of all data used are provided to allow the analyst to obtain further analytical, pharmacokinetic and toxicological information should this be necessary.

4 Those factors (e.g. age, capacity for drug metabolism, drug interactions, etc) which can modify the relationship between a drug concentration and the response it produces are briefly discussed.
Autoradiographic Studies of the Distribution of Radium-226 in Rat Bone: Their Implications for Human Radiation Dosimetry and Toxicity
Authors: Priest N.D. , Howells G. , Green D. , Hainesl J.W.
Published: December 2008

A solution containing 226Ra chloride was injected into young female rats via the saphenous vein. Subsequently, the distribution and retention of the 226Ra in the skeleton was studied. The results show that:

1226Ra is initially deposited in the rat femur as a volume deposit and is fairly evenly distributed throughout the bone matrix.

2 Much of the 226Ra initially deposited in the skeleton is lost within a few days of its administration.

3 During the first week 226Ra gradually accumulates at sites of bone deposition including accreting surfaces.

4 Subsequent bone growth results in the burial of contaminated bone surfaces and

5 Following bone resorption some of the 226Ra released from individual bones is recycled systemically so that all skeletal components tend towards a uniform 226Ra concentration per unit of bone mineral.

Of the two models conventionally used for radiation dosimetry purposes, the results reported here for rats suggest that though neither is ideal, the volume distribution model is preferable to the surface model at all times after the uptake of radium by the skeleton.
A Toxicology Databank—The Registry of Human Toxicology
Authors: Gomm P.J.
Published: December 2008

1 The Registry of Human Toxicology is a databank designed to assist in the interpretation of results obtained from the analysis of human body organs for toxic substances.

2 The present Registry contains over 16,000 analyses from 4309 cases giving details of 282 compounds and 360 preparations.

3 Computer facilities are provided for collating, storing and disseminating the information.
Acute Dapsone Poisoning: Clinical Features and Pharmacokinetic Studies
Authors: Woodhouse K.W. , Henderson D.B. , Charlton B. , Peaston R.T. , Rawlins M.D.
Published: December 2008

1 A case of acute dapsone poisoning in a 57 year old man is reported. Peak plasma dapsone concentrations of 18.8 mg/l were observed 20 hours after ingestion, and methaemoglobin concentrations fell in parallel with dapsone.

2 Plasma dapsone concentrations declined mono-exponentially with time, and the half-life (29.7 hours) was similar to that described in subjects receiving conventional doses. Moreover, the ratio of monoacetyl-dapsone (MADDS) to dapsone remained constant as plasma concentrations fell. These observations suggest that N-acetylation of dapsone was not saturated even at the toxic concentrations observed.
Importance of Membrane Stabilizing Effect in Massive Overdose of Propranolol: Plasma Level Study in a Fatal Case
Authors: Hong C.Y. , Yang W.C. , Chiang B.N.
Published: December 2008

1 Plasma propranolol levels were measured in a woman who took 3120 mg of propranolol in a suicide attempt.

2 Highest plasma level, measured at the 12th hour, was 1475 ng/ml. Elimination half life was prolonged to 13.8 h.

3 She suffered from coma and profound hypotension, then died on the 20th day.

4 By estimating brain propranolol concentration from the plasma level, and reviewing the clinical pictures of previously reported cases, we propose that central nervous suppression by propranolol, with membrane stabilizing effect as its pharmacological basis, may cause life threatening abnormalities in patients with massive overdose of propranolol.
Nephrotoxicity of Phenazopyridine
Authors: Tomlinson B. , Cohen S.L. , Smith M.R. , Fisher C.
Published: December 2008

1 A young man developed reversible acute renal failure after a large overdose of phenazopyridine.

2 The renal failure was treated by peritoneal dialysis.

3 Analysis of blood and urine samples failed to demonstrate the parent drug but a metabolite with similar ultraviolet absorption was detected.

4 No parent drug or metabolites were detected in the peritoneal dialysate.
Animal Studies on the Treatment of Poisoning by Amitraz (a Formamidine Pesticide) and Xylene
Authors: Turnbull G.J.
Published: December 2008

1 In Charles River CD rats the pesticide MITAC 20 EC (containing amitraz and 75% xylene) given orally at an LD80 dose caused toxicity featuring hypothermia, reduced spontaneous activity, episodes of increased activity and minor signs of general debilitation. Recovery in survivors was complete within about 8 days.

2 Therapies including absorption retardants, diuretics, reduction of urine pH, thermal support and treatment with phentolamine or nikethamide were given to groups showing these signs of poisoning.

3 None of the therapies gave consistent evidence of benefit during acute poisoning in terms of reduced intensity or duration of symptoms or reduced mortality.

4 Comparison with animals given amitraz alone suggested that the hypothermia and the later phase of reduced spontaneous activity were attributable to the pharmacological effects of amitraz. While the product was apparently more acutely toxic by the oral route than xylene alone, the evidence was that xylene caused the early signs of poisoning.

5 This work indicates that any case of poisoning by ingestion of MITAC 20 EC should initially be treated for the xylene exposure. There is no specific therapy or antidote for the subsequent possible pharmacological effects of amitraz.

Many other pesticides also contain high proportions of aromatic solvents and the importance of the solvent in cases of ingestion is seen to be applicable to a variety of pesticides as well as MITAC 20 EC.
Extrapolation from Safety Data to Management of Poisoning with Reference to Amitraz (a Formamidine Pesticide) and Xylene
Authors: Bonsall J.L. , Turnbull G.J.
Published: December 2008

1 Many pesticides are formulated in organic solvents. An example is amitraz, one of the formamidine group of pesticidal chemicals. As a contingency against the possibility of poisoning cases occurring, the toxicity and pharmacology of amitraz were reviewed in order to recommend medical management procedures.

2 Amitraz has pharmacological activity, including monoamine oxidase inhibition, α-adrenergic agonist activity and it inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Extrapolating from acute studies in animals, the likely signs of poisoning in humans may include bradycardia, hypotension, hyperglycaemia, CNS depression, and hypothermia.

3 Despite the presence of amitraz, it appears that the xylene is the more aggressive component in the formulation tested, and treatment for overexposure by the oral route is generally as for xylene ingestion, but the presence of amitraz is an indication for gastric lavage.

4 Few cases of poisoning have occurred and these are presented.
Psychological and Physical Complaints of Subjects with Low Exposure to Lead
Authors: Zimmermann-Tansella C. , Camparal P. , D'Andrea F. , Savonitto C. , Tansella M.
Published: December 2008

1 The relationship between lead uptake level and subjective psychological and physical symptoms was investigated in two groups of occupationally exposed workers with PbB levels between 45 and 60 μg/100 ml and below 35 μg/100 ml respectively. Findings were compared with those of a non-exposed control group.

2 Psychological symptomatology as defined by the GHQ proved unsensitive to low levels of lead exposure, while physical symptomatology as defined by the SSQ, in particular neurological symptoms, showed a significant tendency towards an uptake response relationship.

3 The minimum uptake level for neurological symptoms in this study was below 35μg/100 ml.
Hardness of Domestic Water and Blood Lead Levels
Authors: Elwood P.C. , Phillips K.M. , Lowe N. , Phillips J.K. , Toothill C.
Published: December 2008

1 The effect on the blood lead levels of residents in an area in which a soft plumbo-solvent water was hardened is examined.

2 Water lead levels fell after hardening was introduced whereas there was a small rise in water lead levels in a control area monitored over the same time.

3 The blood lead levels of residents fell after hardening and the fall was slightly greater than would have been predicted on the basis of the change in water lead levels. This suggests that lead is less well absorbed from hard water than from soft water.

4 Following hardening there was a significant fall in mean blood lead level of subjects living in houses which had initially had negligible amounts of lead in the water. This suggests that hard water may interfere with the absorption of lead from sources other than water.
Urinary Excretion of Cadmium, Protein, Beta-2-Microglobulin and Glucose in Individuals Living in a Cadmium-Polluted Area
Authors: Sangster B. , de Groot G. , Loeber J.G. , Derks H.J.G.M. , Krajnc E.I. , Savelkoul T.J.F.
Published: December 2008

1 Urine was collected from 289 inhabitants of a cadmium-polluted quarter of Stadskanaal. The excretion of cadmium, protein, beta-2-microglobulin and glucose were determined. After being divided according to sex and to smoking habits, the results of the inhabitants were compared with those of 293 controls.

2 In inhabitants as well as controls, cadmium excretion was age-dependent. Cadmium excretion in females increased faster with age than in males.

3 In male-smoker controls, cadmium excretion was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in male-non-smoker controls.

4 In male-non-smoker inhabitants, cadmium excretion (p = 0.05), protein excretion (p <0.01) and glucose excretion (p <0.01) were significantly higher than in corresponding controls. In male-smoker inhabitants, protein excretion (p < 0.01) and glucose excretion (0.01 < p < 0.05) were significantly higher than in corresponding controls. In female-non-smoker inhabitants glucose excretion was significantly higher (0.01 < p < 0.05) than in corresponding controls.

5 For some categories, living in the polluted area was associated with an increased cadmium excretion in urine and a slight difference in renal function, possibly related to a difference in cadmium body burden. It was concluded that, considering the actual values of each parameter, the observed differences were not relevant in terms of potential health hazards.
Transplacental Carcinogenesis with Radioactive Phosphorus: The Effects of Promoting Agents
Authors: Berry C.L. , Nickols C. , Swettenham K.V.
Published: December 2008

1 In a previous experiment, using 32P as a potential transplacental carcinogen in rats, we found that the isotope caused life-span shortening, reduced growth and caused ante-dating of the time of the tumour occurrence.

2 Liver cell changes (nuclear atypia, variation in cell size) were noted and suggested liver cell damage, possible 'initiation'.

3 A phorbol ester (TPA) and a high fat/high protein diet were used as promoting agents on further transplacentally irradiated rats.

4 The results were identical to the previous experiment; no evidence of promotion was found.
Evaluation of Genotoxicity of Ampicillin and Carbenicillin on Human Lymphocytes in vitro: Chromosome Aberrations, Mitotic Index, Cell Cycle Kinetics, Satellite Associations of Acrocentric Chromosomes and Sister Chromatid Exchanges
Authors: Jaju Manjula , Jaju Madhuri , Ahuja Y.R.
Published: December 2008

A large number of drugs have been introduced into man's environment in recent years, many of which have been shown to have mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. Keeping in view the potential hazardous effects of drugs and chemicals, it is desirable to test new drugs for their genotoxic effects prior to widespread use.

1 In the present investigation genetic effects of ampicillin and carbenicillin were studied in vitro in human lymphocytes using a number of end-points.

2 These drugs were added at a range of concentrations and times during a 72h culture period. Concentrations corresponding to the plasma level after receiving therapeutic doses as well as concentrations higher than the plasma levels were examined.

3 Neither drug affected the frequency of chromosome aberrations, satellite associations, mitotic index and cell turnover rate at plasma level concentrations. However, all these parameters were affected at higher concentrations.

4 The frequency of SCEs was not increased with both the drugs irrespective of the concentrations or durations of treatment, suggesting that the mechanisms leading to the formation of SCEs and chromosome aberrations are different.

5 Both ampicillin and carbenicillin were genetically non-toxic for the end points measured and non-clastogenic in vitro at therapeutic doses. However, previous studies have shown ampicillin to be clastogenic in vivo.

6 For evaluation of genetic toxicity, drugs should be tested both in vitro and in vivo.
Lead Poisoning: Hair Analysis Shows the Calendar of Events
Authors: Grandjean P.
Published: December 2008

1 A woman was given frequent oral doses of lead nitrate over an extended time period. Diagnosis was finally made about 6 months after the first symptoms appeared. Analysis of hair taken at 2 different times was used as evidence in court.

2 The hair lead concentrations exhibited rapid changes and normalised shortly after chelation treatment had been instituted. This finding suggests that the hair lead level may reflect a current absorption level rather than the lead content of whole blood which, in this case, changed much more slowly.

3 Despite the extremely high blood lead levels and the severe clinical lead poisoning, lead concentrations in hair were relatively low in comparison to the concentrations found in hair of workers exposed to high levels of airborne lead. This observation suggests that a large proportion of the lead content of hair from individuals with respiratory lead exposure may be exogenous.
Adverse Reactions to N-Acetylcysteine
Authors: Bateman D.N. , Woodhouse K.W. , Rawlins M.D.
Published: December 2008

1 Clinical details of seven patients who suffered adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine as Parvolex are documented.

2 Skin testing was carried out to diluted Parvolex, and its individual components N-acetylcysteine and ethylenediaminetetra-acetate, in five reacting patients and five patients who had received Parvolex with no ill-effects.

3 Weal responses to high concentrations (20 mg/ml) of acetylcysteine as Parvolex were significantly greater ( p < 0.02) in reactors. There were no other significant differences between the groups.

4 In two patients who reacted, the effects of intradermal Parvolex could be inhibited by prior therapy with the antihistamine terfenadine.

5 These results suggest a 'pseudo-allergic' rather than an immunological aetiology for adverse reactions to Parvolex.
Long-term Behaviour of 239Pu, 241Am and 233U in Different Bones of One-year-old Rats: Macrodistribution and Macrodosimetry
Authors: Sontag W.
Published: December 2008

1 Female and male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain, aged about 13 months, were injected intravenously with monomeric 239Pu-(30.7 kBq/kg), 241Am-(54.8 kBq/kg) or 233U-citrate (56.6 kBq/kg) and killed between 7 and 540 days after injection.

2 In both sexes the wet skeletal weight was proportional to body weight; however, the skeletal weight of female rats remained constant, whereas the skeletal weight, and body weight, of male rats increased as a function of age.

3 The initial skeletal deposition decreased in the order 239Pu > 241Am > 233U and for americium and uranium was greater in male rats. The 'half-time' of retention of plutonium and americium was considerably greater than 1 year but the corresponding values for uranium were 140 (females) and 80 (males) days.

4. The relative concentration of the radionuclides in the skeleton varied between 0.2 and 2.0, the variation was greatest for plutonium and lowest for americium and decreased with increasing time after injection.

5 For calculation of the nuclide content of the whole skeleton the most suitable reference bone was found to be the humerus in the case of uranium, and the femur and humerus for plutonium and americium.

6 The cumulative mean skeletal absorbed radiation dose 1 year after injection decreased in the order 239Pu > 241 Am > 233U; for plutonium it was equal for both sexes, whereas for americium and uranium it was 1.5 times higher in male than in females rats. In the individual bones the cumulative dose was greatest in the vertebral column, except the tail, and lowest in the paws.
Urinary Metabolic Profile of Isoniazid in Patients who Develop Isoniazid-related Liver Damage
Authors: Timbrell J.A. , Wright J.M.
Published: December 2008

1 The urinary metabolite profile of isoniazid has been studied in patients receiving the drug as therapy for tuberculosis and the profile in patients suffering liver damage due to isoniazid compared with that in control patients.

2 There were no consistent differences between control patients and those suffering liver damage in the excretion of isoniazid metabolites.

3 It may be that susceptibility to the hepatotoxicity of isoniazid is not due to metabolic differences, although a number of other possible explanations are discussed.

4 It is not at present possible to predict which patients will be susceptible from metabolic studies.
Fatal Self-poisoning with Benoxaprofen
Authors: Fancourt G.J. , Adams H. , Walls J. , Ward J.W.
Published: December 2008

1 A report of the first fatal self-poisoning due to primary toxicity of benoxaprofen.

2 Benoxaprofen is toxic in acute overdosage to the central nervous system, myocardium and kidneys, but appears to spare the liver.
Methylene Dianilene: a New Toxic Cause of Visual Failure with Hepatitis
Authors: Roy C.W. , McSorley P.D. , Syme I.G.
Published: December 2008

A 28-year-old man ingested methylene dianilene in potassium carbonate and y-butyrolactone. He developed toxic optic neuritis, with severe visual dysfunction (not previously reported in humans), prolonged toxic hepatitis, with disturbed liver-function tests 18 months after the incident, and other more transient effects. The course of his illness is described and the literature on methylene dianilene toxicity is reviewed.