bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial Perfusion for Hydrofluoric Acid Burns
Authors: Velvart J.
Published: December 2008

The perfusion method is briefly summarised:

1 An arteriogram (under brachial plexus block) is carried out, and the radial, ulnar or brachial artery chosen as infusion site, according to the location and extent of the damage.

2 The infusion is administered over 4 h: Radial or ulnar artery 10 ml 20% calcium gluconate in 40 ml normal saline, or brachial artery: 20 ml 20 % calcium gluconate in 80 ml normal saline.

3 Heparin 200 u per kg body weight as long as the arterial catheter is in place.
Hypercupraemia Induced by Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Ghose K. , Taylor A.
Published: December 2008

1 Serum copper and zinc levels were measured in 84 treated male epileptics, aged between 6 and 18 years, by an atomic absorption spectroscopic method. These patients were selected randomly from a residential special school. Twenty drug-free healthy but educationally subnormal (ESN) male subjects of similar age group from the same school acted as controls.

2 No abnormality in serum zinc level was observed.

3 In nineteen (22.6%) epileptics, copper levels were above the upper level of normal range (20.5 μmol/l), whereas this was only marginally elevated (20.8 μmol/l) in one (5%) ESN subject.

4 The mean copper level in all epileptics was higher than the controls ( P<0.01), but there was no difference between the epileptics treated with sodium valproate alone and the ESN group.

5 The patients who were receiving carbamazepine either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs except phenytoin, had higher mean copper levels than the controls ( P<0.01). A similar observation was made in relation with phenytoin polytherapy (but excluding carbamazepine).

6 There also appeared to be an association between the high serum copper levels and diffuse/generalized electroencephalographic changes ( P < 0.001). Some antiepileptic drugs, particularly carbamazepine, can produce such electroencephalographic abnormalities.

7 It is concluded that hypercupraemia observed in these treated epileptics were related to the induction of caeruloplasmin synthesis by phenytoin and carbamazepine.
Acute Severe Poisoning in Spain: Clinical Outcome Related to the Implicated Drugs
Authors: Frati M.E. , Marruecos L. , Porta M. , Martín M.L. , Laporte J.-R.
Published: December 2008

1 The 91 patients over the age of 10 (57 women and 32 men) with severe self-poisoning admitted to the ICU of a general hospital in Barcelona during the period 1974-1980 have been retrospectively studied.

2 Previous suicidal attempts have been identified among 32 patients; 26 patients presented a history of personality disorders, and 19 had a neurological disease, a chronic physical illness, or a history of alcoholism.

3 Sedative-hypnotic drugs were involved in about half the number of cases, and one fifth of total cases were due to tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines. Paracetamol was only involved in 2 cases, and heroin in another 2 cases.

4 Many of the most severe morbidity manifestations were related to overdoses by intermediate-acting barbiturates. Two out of a total of 5 deaths were related to butalbitone overdose. Butalbitone had been ingested as a fixed-dose combination containing butalbitone, propyphenazone, and caffeine, which is freely dispensed as an analgesic in Spain.
Paraphenylenediamine Induced Acute Tubular Necrosis Following Hair Dye Ingestion
Authors: Suliman S.M. , Homeida M. , Aboud O.I.
Published: December 2008

1 A case is reported of paraphenylenediamine toxicity following hair dye ingestion.

2 Renal biopsy showed histology typical of acute tubular necrosis.
Daylight coefficients
Authors: Tregenza P.R. , Waters I.M.
Published: December 2008

The concept of daylight coefficients is introduced, mathematical functions that relate the luminance distribution of the sky to the illuminance at a point in a room. They are illustrated first in the context of standard daylight calculations, and then in the form of finite element matrices. Graphs of the functions enable effects of sky luminance changes to be appreciated qualitatively; use of the coefficients in computer programs gives an efficient method for calculating daylight from a number of sky brightness distributions in succession.
Goniophotometric and polarization properties of white reflection standard materials
Authors: Clarke F.J.J. , Garforth F.A. , Parry D.J.
Published: December 2008

The angular distribution of luminance factor has been determined for all plane polarized states for nine types of reference white material, namely: different preparations of MgO, BaSO4 and the opal glasses MS-14 and MS-20. From these data, the angular distributions for the most useful practical conditions have been derived. The variation in the degree of depolarization shows that strongly diffusing matt surfaces fail significantly to depolarize the incident light fully. The data can be used to analyse discrepancies between results obtained on instruments with different geometries of polarizing properties.
A Prospective Study of 1212 Cases of Acute Poisoning: General Epidemiology
Authors: Jacobsen D. , Frederichsen P.S. , Knutsen K.M. , Sørum Y. , Talseth T. , Ødegaard O.R.
Published: December 2008

1 A prospective multicentre study of all acute poisonings among adults admitted to hospital (n = 1145) or dying outside hospital (n = 67) in Oslo was performed during 1980.

2 Of the 1212 episodes, 98.3% were self-poisonings, giving an annual incidence of 2.8 per 1000 inhabitants (%o), 3.1‰ in males and 2.6‰ in females.

3 The main toxic agents among the self-poisoned patients were ethanol (19.7%), benzodiazepines (17.8%), opiates (14.9%), neuroleptics (10.4%) and antidepressants (9.3%). In 58.9% of the episodes more than one toxic agent was taken.

4 Abuse among the self-poisoned patients was significantly ( p < 0.005) more common among males than females (64.2 v. 34.5%).

5 The rate of suicide attempts was significantly ( p < 0.005) higher among females than males (20.2 v. 12.9%), females showing increasing rate with age. However, when excluding abusers the rate of suicide attempts was similar in both sexes (27.6 v. 25.0%).

6 Compared to a reference population self-poisonings were most common in the lower middle and the lowest social classes. Patients in these social classes, however, showed a lower rate of suicide attempts than those in the two highest social classes.

7 Overall mortality was 6.0% ( n = 73), but 91.8% of all deaths occurred outside hospital indicating the importance of including these figures when self-poisonings are studied.
Glutathione and Caffeine Antagonize the Sperm-Immobilizing Effect of a Vaginal Contraceptive
Authors: Hong C.Y. , Chiang B.N. , Ku J. , Wei Y.H.
Published: December 2008

1 The concentration-dependent inhibition of Neosampoon, a vaginal contraceptive, on ejaculated human sperm motility was studied with a transmembrane migration method.

2 Caffeine (5mM), glutathione (5mM) and glutathione (15mM) all reactivated the motility of Neosampoon-immobilized sperm.

3 Caffeine (5mM) was more potent than glutathione in antagonizing Neosampoon; there was no difference between the potency of 5mM- and 15mM-glutathione.

4 Human sperm motility could be a model for studying the interaction of membrane-active drugs, including the protective effect of glutathione against membrane-disrupting agents.
Management of Quinine Overdose
Authors: Browne G.F. , Coppel D.L.
Published: December 2008

The successful management of a case of quinine overdose with blindness is described. From a review of the literature, treatment of moderate poisoning with ingestion of < 10 g of quinine should consist of immediate and thorough gastric lavage, forced acid diuresis, immediate bilateral stellate ganglion blockage repeated if there is clinical improvement in vision. With a larger overdose or when coma or convulsions occur haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or preferably haemoperfusion should be considered.
Cyanotic Crises in a Breast-fed Infant from Mother taking Dipyrone
Authors: Rizzoni G. , Furlanut M.
Published: December 2008

1 Cyanotic crises occurred in a breast-fed infant whose mother was under treatment with dipyrone for a sore throat. No abnormalities were found at physical and routine laboratory examinations.

2 Dipyrone concentrations in mother's serum and milk and in infant's serum and urine were 3.3, 4.3 and 3.2, 3.74 μg/ml respectively.

3 It is concluded that the adverse effect could be due to dipyrone ingested with mother's milk.
Accidental Poisoning with Deadly Nightshade Berries: a Case Report
Authors: Trabattoni G. , Visintini D. , Terzano G.M. , Lechi A.
Published: December 2008

1 A case of acute accidental poisoning with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) berries is reported. The patient was an elderly but healthy man who soon recovered.

2 On the one hand, the clinical picture looked similar to that of delirium tremens; on the other, there were myoclonic jerks and signs of extrapyramidal involvement to suggest the onset of subacute dementia.

3 The electroencephalogram findings confirmed those already reported during experimentally induced intoxication after ingestion of atropine in man.
Opiate-induced Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Blain P.G. , Lane R.J.M. , Bateman D.N. , Rawlins M.D.
Published: December 2008

Three patients with opiate self-poisoning developed acute muscle damage with elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activities, increased serum myoglobin concentrations, raised plasma creatinine concentrations, hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. These abnormalities gradually resolved over 7-10 days, but recovery was complicated due to the development of acute renal failure (requiring haemodialysis) in one patient. Plasma drug concentrations, shortly after admission, in the patients taking dihydrocodeine and morphine were grossly elevated (184 and 60 μg/l respectively). Clinical evidence of myopathy was minimal in all three patients and muscle biopsy of one patient was normal at 7 days.
Massive Theophylline Intoxication: Effects of Charcoal Haemoperfusion on Plasma and Erythrocyte Theophylline Concentrations
Authors: van Kesteren R.G. , van Dijk A. , Klein S.W. , van Heijst A.N.P.
Published: December 2008

1 The results of a charcoal haemoperfusion on plasma and erythrocyte theophylline concentrations are described in a patient, intentionally intoxicated with a sustained-release theophylline formulation.

2 It is demonstrated that the charcoal-filled Gambro Adsorba 300-C column is effective in removing theophylline.

3 This effectiveness is based on pharmacokinetic parameters, which are presented.

4 The necessity of measuring plasma and erythrocyte theophylline concentrations is outlined. Calculations based on plasma theophylline concentrations only can lead to an underestimation of the effectiveness.
Some Observations on the Macula of Pesticide Workers
Authors: Misra U.K. , Nag D. , Misra N.K. , Mehra M.K. , Ray P.K.
Published: December 2008

1 To study the retinal changes in occupationally exposed pesticide workers, 79 subjects exposed to an organophosphate, fenthion, and 18 exposed to an organochlorine pesticide DDT [1,1,1- trichloro- 2 ,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane], were subjected to a detailed study, including history taking, physical examination and ophthalmic evaluation. Fluorescein angiography was performed in selected cases. Serum cholinesterase level in 22 workers and serum DDT residue in 17 workers of the respective groups were also estimated.

2 Fifteen workers (19%), who were exposed to fenthion had macular changes (P < 0.01). The macular lesions were characterized by perifoveal irregularity of pigmentation and areas of hypopigmentation of 1/8-1/3 disc diameter.

3 Mean age of the subjects having macular involvement was 30.6 years and mean duration of exposure 7.9 years. The symptoms reported by them were diminution of vision (8), dislike for bright light, flash of light, black dots in front of the eyes (2 each) and visual blurring (1). Paracentral scotoma and constriction of peripheral field were present in three workers each. Fluorescein angiography suggested pigment epithelium defect.

4 Other causes of macular involvement in these workers were excluded; a possible role of pesticides in the genesis of these macular changes is suggested.
Life-threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias Provoked by Amiodarone Treatment
Authors: Kumana C.R. , Tanser P. , Eydt J.
Published: December 2008

We report two patients who developed symptomatic life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias with changing QRS axes (resembling torsades de pointes), during treatment of their supraventricular tachycardias with oral amiodarone. Like other effects of amiodarone on the body, the arrhythmias became evident several days after initiating therapy, at which time electrocardiographic QT prolongation was present. The arrhythmias subsided after amiodarone treatment was withdrawn. No other drugs or electrolyte disturbances could be incriminated as a cause.
4-Aminopyridine and Haemodialysis in the Treatment of Verapamil Intoxication
Authors: ter Wee P.M. , Kremer Hovinga T.K. , Uges D.R.A. , van der Geest S.
Published: December 2008

Verapamil, a calcium antagonist, is used as an antianginal, antidysrhythmic and antihypertensive agent. Fatal intoxications with this commonly used drug have been described. We report the effects of 4-aminopyridine and haemodialysis in a patient with severe verapamil intoxication.
Antipyrine Clearance and α1-Acid Glycoprotein Levels after Isotretinoin
Authors: Marsden J.R. , Shuster S. , Dennis J.D.
Published: December 2008

Eight male subjects aged 18-24 years were treated with 0.5 mg of isotretinoin day-1 kg -1. After 4 weeks levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.05) were increased and levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were decreased (P < 0.05). Concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (P < 0.01) were higher after treatment; increased alkaline phosphatase and a reduction in bilirubin levels did not reach statistical significance. Values for thyroxine were reduced after isotretinoin and free thyroxine index was lower (P < 0.01). Measurements of salivary clearance of antipyrine and levels of α 1-acid glycoprotein were lower after treatment but these differences did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that there is a small decrease in hepatic microsomal-enzyme activity after isotretinoin and that the unwanted effects on lipids, liver and thyroid function are unlikely to be due to hepatic microsomal-enzyme induction.
Renal Failure and Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction after Retrograde Pyelography with Potassium Bromide Solution
Authors: Joyce D.A. , Matz L.R. , Saker B.M.
Published: December 2008

1 Two iodine-sensitive women in whom potassium bromide solution was used as a radiocontrast agent for retrograde pyelography developed similar clinical conditions culminating in renal failure.

2 Renal failure was due to upper urinary tract obstruction from fibrosis and fat necrosis in each case. Similar histological findings have been described in rabbit bladder exposed to sodium bromide solution. Different patterns of exposure corresponded with different sites of major damage in the two cases.

3 One patient, who had repeated studies of the pelvicalyceal system with potassium bromide developed papillary necrosis. Systemic exposure to bromide-releasing compounds (in animals) and to bromides (in humans) has also been associated with papillary necrosis.
Blood Lead Concentrations and Lead Intake in Children of Different Ethnic Origin
Authors: Sherlock J.C. , Barltrop D. , Evans W.H. , Quinn M.J. , Smart G.A. , Strehlow C.
Published: December 2008

1 Factors affecting blood lead concentrations in three groups of children of different ethnic origin have been investigated.

2 Dietary lead intakes were similar for the three groups, the average lead intakes lay in the range 110-150 μg/week.

3 Blood lead concentrations were not related to ethnic origin when the effect of other factors was allowed for.

4 Children who washed their hands before eating had significantly lower blood lead concentrations than those who did not.
Adverse Tissue Reactions to Drugs: a Five-year Surveillance Study
Authors: Mikhael N.Z. , Kacew S.
Published: December 2008

Over a 5-year duration a total number of 57 881 tissue specimens from hospitalized patients were evaluated clinicopathologically for evidence of adverse tissue reactions to drugs. The incidence of alleged adverse tissue reactions was 3.7% of which 1.5% were definitely shown to be caused by a specific pharmacological agent. Regardless of the category of the adverse tissue reaction, the frequency of drug-related responses occurred most often in females, especially between the ages of 41 and 60 years. The target tissue affected adversely most often was endometrium where hyperplasia was the predominant response noted. An oestrogenic preparation was found most frequently to be implicated in the observed adverse tissue reaction. Evaluation of adverse drug reactions with the use of morphologic technique provides a rigorous and reliable mechanism to monitor deleterious effects in hospitalized patients.
Does Ipratropium Bromide by Nebulizer and Face-mask have Local Ocular Effects?
Authors: Farrow P.R. , Fancourt G.J.
Published: December 2008

No acute ocular atropinic effect of nebulized ipratropium bromide administered by carefully applied or deliberately misplaced face-mask has been demonstrated.
Ergotamine-induced Peripheral Ischaemia Reversed by Oral Thymoxamine Hydrochloride
Authors: Jones N.S. , Lewis L.D.
Published: December 2008

Although there is no generally accepted therapy for ergotamine-induced vasoconstriction, infusion of directly acting vasodilators is regarded presently as the treatment of choice. We present a case of peripheral arterial ischaemia secondary to excessive use of ergotamine suppositories, which was reversed with oral thymoxamine hydrochloride (an α 1-adrenoceptor antagonist) and ergotamine withdrawal. We suggest that in patients with ergotamine-induced peripheral arterial vasoconstriction with no evidence of gangrene, oral thymoxamine may be considered as a useful adjunct or possible alternative to infused vasodilator treatment.
Desferrioxamine Administered Intravenously by Infusion Causes a Reduction in the Electroretinogram in Rabbits Anaesthetized with Urethane
Authors: Arden G.B.
Published: December 2008

In rabbits anaesthetized with urethane, intravenous infusion of the iron-chelating drug desferrioxamine causes a reduction in the amplitude of the electroretinogram. This is most pronounced for weak light intensities, but the change is more complex than a mere reduction in sensitivity. In experiments lasting up to 3 days the effect is reversible and is not accompanied by electron-microscopical histological changes.
Intake of Alcohol and Benzodiazepines and Reliability of Drug History in Patients Admitted to Hospital
Authors: Lilja M. , Arvela P. , Klintrup H.-E. , Jounela A.J.
Published: December 2008

Withdrawal syndromes of both alcohol and benzodiazepines have been recognized increasingly as modifying symptoms of diseases in acute medicine. In 198 consecutive patients admitted for medical or surgical reasons to Oulu University Hospital blood alcohol and urine metabolites of benzodiazepines were measured in samples taken on admission. Based on these measurements out of 198 patients 48 (24.2%) had taken alcohol and/or benzodiazepines. Only alcohol was detected in 17 (8.6%) and only benzodiazepines in 27 (13.6%) patients. Both benzodiazepines and alcohol were found in four (2.2%) patients. When compared with drug history obtained on admission 70.6% of alcohol and 33.3% of benzodiazepine intakes were recorded. No clear withdrawal symptoms were seen in patients during the observation time which varied from 1 to 7 days (mean 2.5 days). Our results show that many patients neglect their drug intakes from drug history on admission. The physician should keep in mind the possibility of withdrawal symptoms in acute medicine.
A Sudden Death due to Tocainide Overdose
Authors: Barnfield C. , Kemmenoe A.V.
Published: December 2008

* Correspondence
Self-poisoning with Sustained-release Aminophylline: a Mechanism for Observed Secondary Rise in Serum Theophylline
Authors: Coupe M.
Published: December 2008

It has been known for some time that after the ingestion of a large quantity of sustained-release aminophylline tablets, a secondary rise in theophylline concentration may occur (Connell et al., 1982). This has, in the past, been ascribed variously to continued absorption from the sustained release formulation (Struthers et al., 1982) or to redistribution of the drug after charcoal haemoperfusion (Connell et al. , 1982). This case demonstrates that Phyllocontin S-R tablets may cause a compacted mass in the stomach, which may become resistant to gastric lavage, and thus become a potential source of a sudden secondary rise in theophylline concentration.
Charcoal-column Haemoperfusion does not Significantly Enhance Chlormethiazole Removal
Authors: Ferner R.E. , Pottage A. , Ryan D.W. , Bateman D.N.
Published: December 2008

A 26-year-old man had convulsions after taking an overdose of slow-release aminophylline tablets. The convulsions were treated with an infusion of chlormethiazole and theophylline was removed by charcoal-column haemoperfusion. It has been suggested that haemoperfusion might be useful for removing chlormethiazole and this was investigated. There was no evidence that charcoal-column haemoperfusion could remove clinically significant amounts of chlormethiazole.
The Effectiveness of a Cation Resin (Kayexalate) as an Adsorbent of Paraquat: Experimental and Clinical Studies
Authors: Yamashita M. , Naito H. , Takagi S.
Published: December 2008

1 The cation-exchange-resin KayexalateR has an adsorption capacity for paraquat 15 times greater than activated charcoal and 6 times greater than Adsorbin. The oral LD 50 of paraquat in rats rose 2.1 times by intragastric injection of Kayexalate.1

2 In the present study, the survival rate of rats given Kayexalate or Adsorbin after paraquat administration was examined. Results of clinical studies on 22 patients are also presented.
Accidental Poisoning in Childhood: A Multicentre Survey. 2. The Role of Packaging in Accidents Involving Medications
Authors: Wiseman H.M. , Guest K. , Murray V.S.G. , Volans G.N. ,   NPIS Monitoring Group
Published: December 2008

1 To assess the effectiveness of child-resistant closures (CRCs) and unit dose packaging in preventing childhood poisoning with medications, a survey by 14 hospitals of accidental suspected poisoning in children under 5-years-old, was compared with a survey of a representative sample of households with children under 5 living in the catchment areas of the hospitals.

2 Nine hundred and thirty-eight medications thought to have been ingested by 877 children were compared with 5827 medications found in households with children. The relationship between availability of packs or medications in the home and their involvement in accidents was quantified by means of an Accident Association Index (AAI). A low AAI indicated that the involvement of a pack or medication was less than expected from availability and therefore safe. A high AAI indicated that involvement was greater than expected and therefore unsafe.

3 Medications involved in suspected poisoning were most frequently packed in containers without CRCs (63%) or transparent blisters (20%); both had high AAIs. CRCs, strips, sachets and opaque blisters had low AAIs.

4 Analgesics, expectorants and gastrointestinal medications, had low AAIs, while oral contraceptives, hypnotics, sedative/tranquillizers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anti-emetics, and anti-infectives had high AAIs. Prescription medications were more frequently involved in accidents than over-the-counter (OTC) medications and had a higher AAI.

5 Comparison of the AAIs of different kinds of medication in each of their various pack types showed that safe packaging reduced the risk from medications which had a high average AAI.

6 Only 40% of medications were in their normal storage place at the time of the accident. Medicine and bathroom cabinets, and kitchen cupboards and drawers were the safest places to store medications. Handbags, fridges, and shelves or ledges in the bathroom were the most unsafe places. No pack had a low AAI when stored on open shelves indicating that safe packaging cannot compensate for unsafe storage.

7 Other factors which influenced the involvement of medications in accidents were the intended user and the duration of storage.

8 The results of the study have important implications for design of packaging for medications and for education of the public.
Unusually High Circumpulpal Lead Concentrations as Valid Evidence of Lead Intoxication
Authors: Maresky Leon S. , Groblerl Sias R.
Published: December 2008

A case is reported of a 59-year-old male who had been employed continuously as a motor technician for 32 years. During the latter period of his employment he gradually developed a number of the signs and symptoms typically manifested by persons suffering from lead intoxication. Five years after the termination of his employment, the lead content in the circumpulpal dentine of 2 of his teeth was determined and found to be more than 7 times higher than that of the controls. Thus, the probability of lead intoxication is supported very strongly.
The Clearance of Uranium after Deposition of the Nitrate and Bicarbonate in Different Regions of the Rat Lung
Authors: Ellender M.
Published: December 2008

This study investigated the tissue distribution and excretion of uranium after its deposition as either the nitrate or bicarbonate in the three regions of the respiratory system of the rat. Results confirm the recommendations of ICRP that uranyl nitrate and bicarbonate should be treated as class D compounds; but imply that some of the parameters used in the ICRP lung model are not applicable to soluble uranium compounds.
Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Thyroid Hormone Levels
Authors: Karakaya A. , Tunçel N. , Alptuna G. , Koçer Z. , Erbay G.
Published: December 2008

1 Serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations and urinary thiocyanate levels were examined in healthy smokers and non-smokers as an indicator of smoking behaviour. Smokers were subdivided into moderate and heavy.

2 Significant differences in urinary thiocyanate levels were apparent between all three groups. For heavy smokers, serum T3 concentrations were significantly above the values found in non-smokers. Increased serum T3 levels were not accompanied by a substantial change in serum T4 and TSH concentrations.
Monitoring occupancy and light operation
Authors: Rea M.S. , Jaekel R.R.
Published: December 2008

To determine whether electrical energy is used effectively it is necessary to assess both operation of electrical equipment and occupancy of a space simultaneously, since even small amounts of energy are wasted if an electrical device is switched on but unused. Of the several methods of estimating occupancy that were compared, random visits to a space are the most accurate and usually the least expensive means of obtaining both occupancy and operation data. More widespread use of this technique would enable building owners and operators to evaluate the efficient use of electricity in the spaces they manage.
Legibility of texts: The influence of blur
Authors: Colombo E.M. , Kirschbaum C.F. , Raitelli M.
Published: December 2008

This work studies the inter-relation between the legibility of texts, adaptation luminance and the efficiency of observers in performing a reading task. The work also includes subjective evaluations by the observers about the degrees of facility, fatigue and legibility of the task. The visual task consisted of searching for two typed words in lists from copies with different grades of legibility, under different levels of adaptation luminance varying from 25-750 cd m-2. The results from a group of observers were analysed as a function of adaptation luminance and of the subjective classification of the blur of the typewritten texts. The studies show that the influence of the latter is much greater, as much as in determining the visual performance as in the preferences of the observers, for the task chosen.
Hypernatraemia and Hyperchloraemic Acidosis After Bleach Ingestion
Authors: Ward M.J. , Routledge P.A.
Published: December 2008

The deliberate ingestion of household 'strong' bleach (NaOCl) caused severe metabolic disturbance. Hyperchloraemic acidosis was probably due to NaOCl reacting with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form hypochlorous acid and chlorine. 'Strong' household bleach contains 10% NaOCl and this provides a large sodium load. The ingestion of 500 ml contained 673 mmol sodium and caused hypernatraemia.
Chromosomal Aberrations and Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Lymphocytes and Urine Mutagenicity of Migraine Patients: A Comparison of Chronic Feverfew Users and Matched Non-users
Authors: Anderson D. , Jenkinson P.C. , Dewdney R.S. , Blowers S.D. , Johnson E.S. , Kadam N.P.
Published: December 2008

1 Thirty migraine patients who had taken the leaves, tablets or capsules of feverfew daily for more than 11 consecutive months were compared to 30 feverfew non-user migraine patients who had been individually age- and sex-matched.

2 The frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were determined from lymphocyte cultures established from blood samples taken over a period of several months. Matched pairs were sampled on the same date for two-thirds of the cases, and the greatest difference in sampling time of the remainder was 20 days. Also, the mutagenicity of urine samples from 10 feverfew user migraine patients was compared to that from 10 matched non-user migraine patients using the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity test system. Paired samples were given on the same date.

3 The mean frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the feverfew user group was lower than that in the non-user group both in terms of cells with breaks (2.13% vs 2.76%) and in terms of cells with all aberrations (4.34% vs 5.11%). However, this difference was small and not significant.

4 The mean frequency of SCE in the feverfew exposed group was lower than that in the control group (8.78 vs 8.80 SCE/cell), but, this difference was not significant as determined by factorial analysis of variance (P = 0.897). There was a highly significant variance between the frequencies of SCE in the matched pairs of migraine patients but this was not related to age, sex or feverfew exposure.

5 The mean number of revertants in the Ames mutagenicity assay was greater for the urine of the feverfew user migraine patients than that of the non-user migraine patients, in both strains of bacteria, with or without the inclusion of an S-9 metabolizing system. However, the increases were small and not significant.

6 The data indicate that the prophylactic use of feverfew for the alleviation of migraine symptoms affects neither the frequency of chromosomal aberrations nor the frequency of SCE in the circulating peripheral lymphocytes. Also, the mutagenicity of urine from feverfew user migraine patients is unaffected compared to urine from non-user migraine patients detectable by the methods used in this study.
Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Potassium Cyanide
Authors: Bright J.E. , Marrs T.C.
Published: December 2008

The pharmacokinetics of intravenously injected potassium cyanide have been studied in Beagle bitches. In the period up to about 80 min after dosing, blood levels fell in a manner consistent with first-order elimination kinetics. Thereafter blood cyanide concentrations fell at a slower rate, indicating that a second phase of slower elimination had been entered.
Polymorphism of the 4-Hydroxylation of Debrisoquine in the San Bushmen of Southern Africa
Authors: Sommers De K. , Moncrieff J. , Avenant J.
Published: December 2008

1 The metabolic oxidation of debrisoquine has been studied in a group of 96 San Bushmen.

2 The amounts of debrisoquine and 4-hydroxy-debrisoquine excreted in 0-8 h urine were measured and the metabolic ratio (% dose as debrisoquine/% dose as 4-hydroxy-debrisoquine) calculated.

3 On the basis of Caucasian criteria, that metabolic ratios > 12.6 represent poor metabolizers, 19% of the Bushmen were poor metabolizers in contrast to the 8-10% found in Caucasian studies.

4 Probit plots showed four modes may be present in the data, which may represent at least three isozymes of the relevant enzyme which may also differ from the Caucasian isozymes.
Analysis of UK Sera for Aflatoxin by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Wilkinson A.P. , Denning D.W. , Morgan M.R.A.
Published: December 2008

1 Aflatoxins are toxic, carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites produced by certain moulds that commonly infest foods. Measurement of aflatoxins in human serum would give a direct measurement of exposure.

2 Twenty-seven serum samples from UK blood donors were found to contain aflatoxin levels not greater than 64 pmol/1 (20 pg/ml) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

3 These findings may indicate that present UK guideline tolerances for aflatoxin in imported food are effective in limiting human exposure to toxic aflatoxins in the UK diet, though further work would be needed to confirm this. In particular, sub-populations suspected of being at higher risk may need special considerations.
Metabolic Activation of Carcinogens and Toxic Chemicals
Authors: Parke D.V. , Ioannides C. , Lewis D.F.V.
Published: December 2008

1 The spatial parameters and electronic structures of 100 exogenous and endogenous chemicals have been determined by computer graphics, from which their oxidative metabolism by the cytochromes P-448 (activation) or the other families of cytochromes P-450 (generally detoxication) have been predicted.

2 The spatial parameters of these chemicals primarily determine the family of cytochrome P-450 by which the chemicals are metabolized and the electronic structures primarily determine their ease of oxidative metabolism.

3 The role of oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics by the cytochromes P-448, and their binding to the cytosolic Ah receptor, are considered in relationship to the mechanisms of chemical toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and co-carcinogenicity.

4 The mechanisms of chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis are considered in respect of activation through cytochrome P-448-mediated, conformationally-hindered oxygenation to reactive intermediates which, unlike most cytochrome P-450-oxygenated metabolites, are not acceptable substrates for conjugation and detoxication and therefore react with essential intracellular macromolecules.

5 The computer graphic method of determining the molecular conformations and electronic structures of molecules is a rapid, scientifically-based procedure for evaluation of the potential toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals.
Alcohol and Brain Damage
Authors: Thomson A.D. , Pratt O.E. , Jeyasingham M. , Shaw G.K.
Published: December 2008

The safe limits of alcohol intake are difficult to define because of individual variations in susceptibility to damage. The present recommendations are based largely on epidemiological studies of liver damage.

Recent investigations indicate that alcoholic brain damage is much more common than previously suspected. More information is required about its natural history and the characteristics of individuals most likely to suffer damage.

Thiamin (vitamin B 1) deficiency has long been associated with brain damage and may result from a number of additive causes in the alcoholic patient. New information indicating damage to the protein moeity of some of the thiamin-using enzymes has been reviewed, as have possible mechanisms of brain cell necrosis.
New Approaches to the Use of Pharmacokinetics in Toxicology and Drug Development
Authors: Campbell D.B. , Ings R.M.J.
Published: December 2008

1 The use of pharmacokinetics in toxicology, clinical pharmacology and in the individualization of dosage has been critically examined.

2 In toxicity studies, doses are given to animals with the aim of achieving substantially higher plasma levels than the therapeutic level in man. However, small animals have faster metabolic rates, shorter life spans and drug clearance is many fold faster than in man, and this difference may not be compensated for by simply mg per kg dosing. Since toxicity still occurs at these lower levels, it begs the question whether small animals require such high doses to produce toxic effects.

3 A literature survey revealed that only 5 to 31% of the papers studied attempt to relate activity with plasma levels. Examples are given of how such relationships can be used, as with p-fenfluramine, where by investigating individual responses using drug plasma levels as a probe, a greater understanding of eating disorders may be obtained. Also, with tertatolol its prolonged pharmacological activity (> 24 h) can be explained mathematically despite a plasma half-life of only 3 h.

4 The advantages and disadvantages of population kinetics are discussed in relation to its use in individualizing dosage, particularly in disease, its appreciation by pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities and the information which has been obtained so far.

5 It is of interest that one of the youngest of drug development disciplines, pharmacokinetics, is now one of the most important.
Toxicity of Astatine-211 in the Mouse
Authors: Cobb L.M. , Harrison A. , Butler S.A.
Published: December 2008

The toxicity of the α particle emitting halogen astatine-211 was examined in male and female mice. Pathological changes were seen in mice killed at 14 days and/or at 56 days following a single injection of 61 kBq211 At per g body weight. The tissues affected, in order of severity were: spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, gonads, thyroid, salivary glands and stomach.
An Electrophysiological Study of Ganglion Blockade by Paraquat and Diquat
Authors: Webb D.B. , Ansari E.J. , Wallis D.I.
Published: December 2008

1 The bipyridilium herbicides, particularly paraquat, have chemical and toxicological features in common with the bi-quaternary ammonium ganglion blockers.

2 Paraquat and diquat were tested for ganglion blocking activity. Rabbit cervical ganglia were superfused with both agents and subsequently with hexamethonium to confirm susceptibility to ganglion blockade.

3 No evidence for ganglion blockade was found at either supra maximal or sub maximal stimulation, and none following repetitive stimulation.

4 The similarities and differences between the bipyridyl herbicides and bi-quaternary ganglion blockers can be explained on the basis of their structures.

5 It is concluded that neither paraquat nor diquat have significant ganglion blocking activity.
Bracelet for total solar shading
Authors: Lynes J.A. , Cuttle K.
Published: December 2008

The solar bracelet is a shading device which prevents the entry of direct sunlight, but admits direct light from the cones of sky which the sun never enters. It thus has optimal shading properties. Applications of the bracelet in protecting windows of different orientation and slope, at different geographical latitudes, are described. Various forms of geometrical redundancy, which mainly affect other shading devices, are distinguished. The first built embodiment of the solar bracelet principle, in a New Zealand art gallery, is described.
The Inhibitory Effect of Gossypol on Human Sperm Motility: Relationship with Time, Temperature and Concentration
Authors: Hong C.Y. , Huang J.J. , Wu P.
Published: December 2008

The inhibitory effect of gossypol acetic acid on human sperm motility was studied with a transmembrane migration method. Gossypol decreased sperm motility after it had been incubated with semen for more than 15 min. However, when sperm motility was evaluated immediately after semen had been mixed with gossypol, no inhibitory effect could be found. We consider that the sperm immobilizing potency of gossypol is much less than our previously studied sperm immobilizing agents. It is unlikely that gossypol can be developed as a vaginal spermicide. The importance of time course in the pharmacological study of sperm motility is emphasized in this study.
An Evaluation of the Hypothesis that Females Are More Susceptible than Males to Lead-induced Haematological Alterations
Authors: Ken R. , Calabrese E.J. , Tuthill R.W.
Published: December 2008

1 A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted to assess the hypothesis that sex differences exist with respect to selected lead-induced red blood cell parameters. The study utilized data previously collected in the Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

2 This study revealed no statistically significant difference between males and females ( n = 1548) aged 1-6 years for blood FEP levels when blood lead levels were similar.

3 These findings are in contrast with previously published research with human adults, which has suggested that adult females display significantly greater FEP values at identical blood level values as similarly aged men.
Lung Dissolution of Uranium Tetrafluoride in Rats and Baboons. Comparison with Dissolution by Alveolar Macrophages in Culture and Chemical Dissolution
Authors: André S. , Métivier H. , Auget D. , Lantenois G. , Boyer M. , Masse R.
Published: December 2008

Lung dissolution of industrial uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) was tested in rats and baboons by intratracheal instillation and inhalation, to check the W classification given to UF4 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Rats and baboons were given 10 and 160 fJ.g of UF4 per animal respectively. Lung clearance, urinary excretion and tissue distribution of uranium were measured in rats, and urinary excretion was measured in baboons. After intratracheal instillation, daily urinary excretion was fast in both species; 4.8 ± 0.7 x 10-2 of the initial lung burden (ILB) in rats and 2.9 ± 0.3 x 10-2 in baboons. After inhalation of dry UF4 powder, daily urinary excretion was 5.6 ± 2.2 x 10-2 of the ILB in rats and the lung clearance half-life was 7.3 d. The amounts of uranium excreted by rats and baboons were compared to the amounts dissolved in vitro by alveolar macrophages from both species, and also to the amount dissolved chemically by a serum simulant. Both rat and baboon macrophages were clearly shown to be involved in the mechanism of uranium dissolution, since on the first day of macrophage culture, they dissolved 20 and 40% respectively of the amounts of UF4 added to the macrophage cultures, again illustrating the fast dissolution of UF4. Chemical dissolution of the latter with serum simulant was slow, but oxygenation of the simulant raised hourly dissolution fifty-fold and gave a daily uranium excretion rate of 3.4 x 10-2 of the UF4 added to the preparation, which was very close to the urinary excretion rates for both species. The good agreement between the in vivo and in vitro results for both rats and baboons therefore provides evidence that dissolution of UF4 in the lung is fast, and that this compound is more soluble than expected.
Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans: The Risks to Human Health. A Review
Authors: Skene S.A. , Dewhurst I.C. , Greenberg M.
Published: December 2008

1 PCDDs and PCDFs are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment. They are to be found in body tissues of both humans and animals.

2 The most extensively studied PCDD is 2,3,7,8-TCDD. It has been shown to produce a wide range of effects and is considered to be a (non-genotoxic) carcinogen in animals.

3 Studies into the mechanisms of toxicity so far reveal that there is involvement of a specific receptor (Ah), however further work is required to elucidate the mechanisms of the various effects.

4 Reports on a number of human exposures to PCDDs and PCDFs are described. Results from human epidemiological studies are difficult to interpret: there have been problems in methodology; there has been inadequate information on intake, and exposures have often been to mixtures of PCDDs and/or PCDFs together with other related compounds.

5 Many regulatory authorities faced with the problem of providing an index of risk from exposure to mixtures of PCDDs and PCDFs have employed the concept of 'TCDD equivalents'.

6 Whether or not PCDDs and PCDFs pose a significant human health risk at current levels of exposure they remain of considerable interest to the toxicologist.
Chronic Non-neurological Toxicity from Volatile Substance Abuse
Authors: Marjot R. , McLeod A.A.
Published: December 2008

1 Most of the evidence for chronic non-neurological toxicity from volatile substance abuse is derived from case reports.

2 Factors important in assessing these reports are the marked variations in exposure conditions and in the composition of the products abused.

3 In a young and otherwise healthy population, any chronic organ toxicity arising from VSA has to be gross in order to become clinically apparent. This may partially explain the relatively low incidence of reporting.

4 Toluene and the chlorinated hydrocarbons 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene can cause permanent damage to the kidney, liver, heart and lung, in certain volatile substance abusers.
Neuropsychological Consequences of Volatile Substance Abuse: A Review
Authors: Chadwick O.F.D. , Anderson H.R.
Published: December 2008

1 The evidence from studies of the neuropsychological consequences of chronic volatile substance abuse is reviewed.

2 Studies of occupational exposure to solvent vapour are of limited relevance when considering the effects of volatile substance abuse because occupational exposure is normally to small quantities of many different compounds over prolonged periods of time.

3 Many studies of chronic volatile substance abusers suffer from serious shortcomings such as the use of small sample sizes, inadequate controls, failure to exclude the possibility of acute toxic effects and a disregard of other factors which could account for the findings.

4 There is reasonably good evidence that neuropsychological impairment is often present amongst volatile subtance abusers with definite neurological abnormalities.

5 Although most studies have found that volatile substance abusers without reported neurological abnormalities obtain lower psychometric test scores than non-abusers, it remains uncertain whether these deficits are best explained in terms of a causal effect of volatile substance abuse, rather than a reflection of other factors associated with volatile substance abuse, such as background, social disadvantages or history of delinquency.
Lead Poisoning From Contaminated Flour in a Family of 11 Members
Authors: Koçak R. , Anarat A. , Altintaş G. , Evliyaoglu N.
Published: December 2008

Eleven members of a family living in southeastern Turkey are presented. They were diagnosed as suffering from 'lead poisoning' with typical clinical manifestations and high blood lead concentrations. Contaminated flour (665 μg Pb/g) was the cause of poisoning, by oral ingestion. The source of contamination was sought and it was found that the stone of the mill had been repaired with molten lead on the same day that the wheat of the family had been ground; while grinding the wheat some lead was mixed into the flour.