bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retention and Tissue Binding of Titanium in the Rat
Authors: Edel J. , Marafante E. , Sabbioni E.
Published: December 2008

1 The fate of a soluble form of titanium (Ti) was studied in rats injected intraperitoneally with 1 ?g of Ti per rat as [44Ti]ammonium oxalotitanate (IV).

2 After 16 h the Ti concentration in all tissues tested was of the order of 0.5 ng/g wet weight. After 19 days the Ti concentration increased in most tissues, especially in spleen, femur and kidney. By this time 55 ng had been excreted both via urine and faeces and the Ti concentration in blood plasma (mainly associated with plasma proteins) was three times lower than at 16 h postinjection.

3 Chromatographic separation of the day 19 liver cytosol showed the ability of biological macromolecules to incorporate Ti compounds.

4 Ti-labelled 'titanic acid' and 'titanium phosphate' showed low solubility which was, however, higher in human serum than in water and sodium chloride solution. The chromatographic profiles of plasma from incubated human blood in vitro with [ 44Ti]titanium oxalate showed the capacity of plasma proteins to complex Ti compounds. The results indicated that the long retention of Ti in the body may be due to its ability to form biocomplexes with cellular constituents.
A Case of Fatal Endrin Poisoning
Authors: Runhaar E.A. , Sangster B. , Greve P.A. , Voortman M.
Published: December 2008

1 Ingestion of 12 g of endrin by a 49-year-old man caused convulsions persisting for 4 days, hypersalivation, hyperthermia, renal insufficiency, thrombocytopenia and recurrent hypotension. Death followed after 11 days, due to pulmonary complications (infection and haemorrhage) and hypoxaemia causing bradycardia and cardiac arrest.

2 Endrin and dieldrin concentrations in blood 4 hours, 6 and 11 days after ingestion were respectively 450, 86 and 71 μg/l for endrin and 60, 19 and 19 μg/l for dieldrin. Dieldrin was also present, possibly because the endrin preparation contained traces of dieldrin.

3 Endrin concentrations 11 days after ingestion were 0.071 mg/l in blood, in adipose tissue 89.5 mg/kg, in the heart 0.87 mg/kg, in the brain 0.89 mg/kg, in the kidneys 0.55 mg/kg and in the liver 1.32 mg/kg.
A Study of the Effects of Rifampicin on Isoniazid Metabolism in Human Volunteer Subjects
Authors: Timbrell J.A. , Park B.K. , Harland S.J.
Published: December 2008

1 The effect of rifampicin on the metabolism of isoniazid in human volunteer subjects has been investigated.

2 The urinary metabolites of isoniazid after a single dose and after six daily doses of isoniazid plus rifampicin were examined.

3 The isoniazid-rifampicin combination clearly increased the ratio of urinary 6-β-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, indicating that induction of the microsomal enzymes had occurred.

4 However, no significant changes in the urinary metabolites of isoniazid were detected, and therefore it is not possible to predict the effect of rifampicin on isoniazid hepatotoxicity.
Determination of Serum Diclofenac by High-performance Liquid Chromatography by Electromechanical Detection
Authors: Plavsic F. , Čulig J.
Published: December 2008

Diclofenac was isolated from plasma by double extraction with organic solvent. Chromatography was performed on Lichrosorb NH2 column with acetonitrile and perchloric acid (0.0025 mol/l; 35:65, v/v) as the mobile phase (flow rate 0.9 ml/min). The electrochemical detector was operated at +900 mV and sensitivity of 5-10 nA. The sensitivity of the method was 10 μg/1 and the coefficients of variation below 10% in the entire range of the concentration in a dose interval.
Orphenadrine Serum Levels in a Poisoned Patient
Authors: Furlanut M. , Bettio D. , Bertin I. , Colombo G. , Benetello P.
Published: December 2008

1 A patient ingested about 5 g of orphenadrine hydrochloride. He had gastric lavage and oral administration of activated charcoal. The main symptoms were neuropsychiatric in nature.

2 Possible relation between serum levels of the drug and time course of the toxic effects are described.
Identification of Oenanthotoxin and Related Compounds in Hemlock Water Dropwort Poisoning
Authors: King L.A. , Lewis M.J. , Parry D. , Twitchett P.J. , Kilner E.A.
Published: December 2008

1 The case histories are presented of three separate incidents of poisoning by ingestion of Hemlock Water Dropwort tubers (Oenanthe crocata). Two of these cases involved a fatality.

2 An analytical profile is provided for oenanthotoxin, the major toxic principal of the tubers. Chromatographic, spectroscopic and mass spectral data for related compounds are also given.
Effects of Retinoids on Human Lymphocyte Functions in vitro
Authors: Moriguchi S. , Jacksont J.C. , Watson R.R.
Published: December 2008

1 E-Rosette formation in vitro, lymphocyte mitogenesis and natural killer (NK) activity of human blood lymphocytes were strongly inhibited by high concentration (10 -4 M) of retinol or retinal. Other retinoids at 10-4 M (retinoic acid and 13-cis-retinoic acid) and lower concentrations (10-7 or 10-9 M) of retinol, retinal and carotenes also inhibited E-rosette formation.

2 Lymphocyte transformation responses induced by concanavalin A (Con A) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were also inhibited while NK activity was not affected.

3 There was a remarkable depression of the total number of viable lymphocytes after incubation with retinol or retinal 10-4 M. However, other retinoids, 10-7 and 10-9 M of retinol and retinal and carotenes did not show marked decrease of lymphocyte number or viability even after prolonged incubation (48 h).

4 The mechanism of inhibition by retinol or retinal (10-4 M) is due in part to the decrease of viable lymphocytes. It is unclear how other retinoids, carotenes and lower concentrations (10-7 or 10-9 M) of retinol or retinal inhibit E-rosette formation or lymphocyte transformation.
Paracetamol Metabolism in African Villagers
Authors: Sommers K. , van Staden D.A. , Moncrieff J. , Schoeman H.S.
Published: December 2008

1 Paracetamol clearance has been measured from serial serum samples in 49 healthy black Africans from a village in Southern Africa.

2 The subjects are minimally exposed to known environmental inducing or inhibiting agents and the staple diet consists of maize cereal and greens.

3 The mean clearance (± SD) was 4.98 ± 1.61 ml min-1 kg-1, which is significantly faster than the values found in previous investigations with paracetamol in whites and Asian immigrants in London. The mean half-lives were fairly similar but the apparent volumes of distribution were also found to be larger in the present study.

4 The ethnic difference in paracetamol kinetics identified in this study is possibly genetically controlled.
Digoxin and Cimetidine: Investigation of the Potential for a Drug Interaction
Authors: Crome P. , Curl B. , Holt D. , Volans G.N. , Bennett P.N. , Cole D.S.
Published: December 2008

1 The potential for a pharmacokinetic interaction between digoxin and cimetidine was investigated in a series of studies.

2 In a single-dose cross-over study in healthy volunteer subjects cimetidine increased the area under the plasma digoxin concentration curve and the peak plasma digoxin concentration.

3 In a repeated-dose study in healthy volunteer subjects taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily, co-administration of cimetidine resulted in an average increase in plasma digoxin concentration of 0.15 ng/ml.

4 In a repeated-dose study in healthy volunteer subjects taking digoxin 0.5 mg daily, co-administration of cimetidine resulted in an average increase in plasma digoxin concentration of 0.19 ng/ml.

5 In a repeated-dose study in patients receiving long-term digoxin therapy for atrial fibrillation co-administration of cimetidine had no significant effect on plasma digoxin concentrations.

6 We have shown that co-administration of cimetidine and digoxin in volunteer subjects causes a statistically significant but small increase in plasma digoxin concentration but no such increase was found in patients. We conclude that it is doubtful that this interaction is of any clinical significance.
Pathways of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in the Rat after Intratracheal Administration
Authors: Edel J. , Sabbioni E.
Published: December 2008

51Cr-labelled Cr3+ and CrO2-4 solutions were administered intratracheally to male rats in doses of 0.1 and 10 μg of Cr per rat to evidentiate metabolic differences especially in the lung and in the mechanisms of excretion. Twenty four hours after administration the highest 51 Cr amount was present in the lungs for both valency states, being in the Cr (III)-treated group, however, about two times higher. In all other tissues tested the values in the Cr (VI)-treated animals were much higher.

Intracellularly, in the Cr (III)-treated group more than 40% of the total lung homogenate was found in the nuclear fraction and only 10% in the cytosol. In the Cr (VI)-treated group 25% was present in the nuclei and more than 50% in the cytosol. Gel filtration 24 h after intratracheal injection showed that in both cytosols chromium was eluted in three peaks including a low-molecular-weight component. Quantitatively, however, the ratios between the 51Cr associated with the three peaks were significantly different between the Cr (III)- and the Cr (VI)-treated animals. This suggests that binding of chromium to low-molecular-weight components should be involved in the passage of this element from the lung to the other tissues.

Excretion studies for 7 days showed that after this time the Cr (III)-treated animals excreted about 4% of the dose via urine and more than 36% via faeces, whereas in the Cr (VI)-treated rats the 51Cr was eliminated nearly equally between urine and faeces.
Discolouration of the Optic Disc in Baboons During Treatment with Prizidilol (SK&F 92657), a Novel Antihypertensive Agent
Authors: Barnett K.C. , Leslie G.B. , Walker T.F.
Published: December 2008

1 Prizidilol (SK&F 92657-A2.H2O) is the dihydrochloride salt of D,L-3-[2-(3- t-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-6-hydrazinopyridazine, a molecule combining the properties of precapillary vasodilatation and β-adrenoceptor blockade.

2 Prizidilol was administered to baboons daily for up to 1 year at sustained doses up to 800 mg/kg. During the 16th week of a 26-week study ophthalmoscopic examination revealed an orange tinge at the periphery of the normally pale pink optic disc in all high-dose (800-1225 mg/kg) baboons. The colour became more intense as the study progressed. By week 25 orange discolouration was seen in all baboons at 350 mg/kg and three out of six baboons at 100 mg/ kg. The findings, except those at 100 mg/kg, were confirmed in a 12-month study. Optic disc discolouration was correlated with darkening of internal organs at necropsy.

3 Discolouration of the optic disc did not appear to affect visual function.

4 Slow regression of discolouration was demonstrated after withdrawal of treatment with 800 mg of prizidilol/kg at 6 months.

5 No histological abnormalities were present in the optic discs of affected baboons.

6 The study demonstrates the value of regular ophthalmoscopy in toxicity studies, combining the facility for the early detection of an unusual lesion with the ability to follow its time-course.
Kinetic Aspects of Misonidazole and its Major Metabolite in Radiotherapy
Authors: Meering P.G. , Gonzalez Gonzalez D. , Maes R.A.A. , van Peperzeel H.A.
Published: December 2008

1 Oral doses of misonidazole between 0.75 and 1.3 g/m2 were administered during 3-5 days per week to 21 patients with various malignancies.

2 Mean plasma levels of misonidazole and desmethylmisonidazole at the times of radiotherapy were in the range 20-50 and 2-12 mg/l respectively.

3 Slight accumulation of misonidazole and desmethylmisonidazole in plasma was observed with a dosage interval of 24 h.

4 In patients with anticonvulsant comedication plasma elimination half-lives of misonidazole of 4.1-8.9 h were found.

5 Observed side-effects were nausea and vomiting (9%), exanthema or rashes (14%) and mild peripheral neuropathy (9%).
Thermodynamic Interpretation of Synergism in Barbiturate/ Ethanol Poisoning
Authors: King L.A.
Published: December 2008

Ethanol and barbiturate drugs behave as non-specific depressants of the central nervous system (Ferguson substances). Their interaction can therefore be understood quantitatively by the application of thermodynamic theory. It is unnecessary to postulate specific biochemical mechanisms for the observed synergism. A similar situation should exist for any pair of Ferguson substances.
Haemoperfusion: a Useful Therapy for a Severely Poisoned Patient?
Authors: De Broe M.E. , Bismuth C. , De Groot G. , Heath A. , Okonek S. , Ritz D.R. , Verpooten G.A. , Volans G.N. , Widdop B.
Published: December 2008

Although it is many years since a haemodialysis and haemoperfusion over uncoated and later coated charcoal columns have been used for the treatment of intoxicated patients, the clinical efficacy of these extracorporeal techniques in the treatment of severely poisoned patients remains a matter of debate. Some of the reasons for this controversy may be the indiscriminate use of haemoperfusion in any form of intoxication, the lack of well-controlled studies and the wrong interpretation of the high haemoperfusion clearance values sometimes obtained. Simple pharmacokinetic principles are applied to this type of treatment and some practical guidelines as to how and when haemoperfusion should be applied or presented are reviewed. The limited place of haemoperfusion in the treatment of severe poisoning, its further declining use in the future, at least in its present design, and some promising new treatments are emphasized.
Preliminary Observations on the Effect of Dietary Brussels Sprouts on Thyroid Function
Authors: McMillan M. , Spinks E.A. , Fenwick G.R.
Published: December 2008

1 Brassica vegetables are the major source of glucosinolates in the human diet. Certain glucosinolates are readily converted into goitrogenic species, notably 5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione and thiocyanate ion. The effect of dietary Brussels sprouts, a particularly rich source of such glucosinolates, on thyroid function has been examined.

2 Inclusion of cooked Brussels sprouts (150 g daily for 4 weeks) into a normal diet of 10 volunteer subjects had no effect on thyroid function as determined by measurement of thyrotrophic hormone, thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine even though the sprouts contained high concentrations (220 mg/100 g) of glucosinolates.

3 In view of the reported antithyroid activity of 5-vinyloxazolidine-2-thione it is suggested that this lack of activity of cooked Brussels sprouts is due to inactivation during cooking of myrosinase, the specific glucosinolate-degrading enzyme.
A Report of Overdose with Astemizole
Authors: Kingswood J.C. , Routledge P.A. , Lazarus J.H.
Published: December 2008

A case is reported of a 14-year-old girl who took an overdose of 200 mg of astemizole. There were no serious adverse clinical or laboratory sequelae, with only mild sedation and no anticholinergic adverse effects. The apparent half-life of this dose over the next 37 h was 31 h.
Self-poisoning and Moon Phases in Oslo
Authors: Jacobsen D. , Frederichsen P.S. , Knutsen K.M. , Sørum Y. , Talseth T. , Ødegaard O.R.
Published: December 2008

1 During 1980 the relation between the moon phases and 1187 cases of self-poisonings in Oslo was studied.

2 In contrast to a previous report from India no significant correlation was found between the full moon and self-poisoning.

3 The aetiology of self-poisonings in western countries is rather more complex than to be explained by speculative 'human tidal waves'.
Effects of Human Exposure to Atmospheric ∈-Caprolactam
Authors: Kelman G.R.
Published: December 2008

There is little published information on the human toxicology of ∈-caprolactam, the monomer precursor of nylon 6. This paper reports an investigation of a group of eight workers who had been chronically exposed to atmospheric caprolactam levels of around 70 times the current ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV). No evidence of systemic toxicity was found, although all workers showed a greater or lesser degree of skin change in the form of peeling and/or fissuring.
Efficacies of LICAM(C) and DTPA for the Decorporation of Inhaled Transportable Forms of Plutonium and Americium from the Rat
Authors: Stradling G.N. , Stather J.W. , Gray S.A. , Moody J.C. , Ellender M. , Hodgson A.
Published: December 2008

Fhe efficacies of N 1, N5 , N10 , N14-tetrakis (2,3-dihydroxy-4-carboxybenzoyl)-tetra-azatetradecane LICAM(C)] and diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) (30 μmol/kg body wt.) have been nvestigated for plutonium (Pu) decorporation after inhalation as the nitrate or tributyl phosphate TBP) complexes and the data compared with those obtained after its intravenous injection as the :itrate. The efficacy of removal of americium (Am) inhaled as the nitrate has also been examined. The results show that:

. whereas LICAM(C) and DTPA were similarly effective for removing Pu from the blood, -ICAM(C) was considerably inferior to DTPA when transportable forms of Pu were inhaled;

LICAM(C) is ineffective for the decorporation of Am;

the optimum treatment regimen for both Pu and Am involved the prompt and repeated administration of DTPA.
Intoxication of 76 Children by Chlorine Gas
Authors: Fleta J. , Calvo C. , Zuniga J. , Castellano Ma , Bueno M.
Published: December 2008

A collective intoxication with chlorine gas in 76 children (21 males, 55 females; the median age was 9.9 years) is reported. They were treated with a combination of oxygen gas (02) and corticosteroids until the symptoms disappeared.
Agranulocytosis Associated with Maloprim: Review of Cases
Authors: Hutchinson D.B.A. , Whiteman P.D. , Farquhar J.A.
Published: December 2008

1 Twenty-one cases of agranulocytosis following dosage with one tablet of Maloprim given once or twice weekly are reviewed.

2 Of the 18 individuals for whom the dose is certain 12 were taking twice-weekly Maloprim. Time of onset was 7-9 weeks in 15 of 19 cases where duration of dosage is known.

3 Nine patients died, 12 recovered. Of those who died six were taking Maloprim twice weekly, one once weekly and two at an uncertain dosage.

4 The available data suggest that this is an idiosyncratic reaction to dapsone exacerbated by the concomitant administration of pyrimethamine.
Theophylline Pharmacokinetics in Patients from a Geriatric Hospital: Influence of Cigarette Smoking
Authors: Trembath P.W. , Thorsborne-Palmer D.D. , Jarrott B. , Hammond J.J. , Prinsley D.M.
Published: December 2008

The influence of cigarette smoking on plasma theophylline elimination half-life was examined in a group of elderly in-patients, to determine whether the modifying effect of cigarette smoking is also present in this age-group. The plasma theophylline half-life was determined in five non-smokers and seven smokers aged 66-88 years after administration of 320 mg of theophylline syrup. A wide range of plasma theophylline half-lives was observed in each group. However, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean plasma theophylline half-life in smokers (5.41 h, SEM 0.69 h) and non-smokers (10.40 h, SEM 1.90 h). It was concluded that, although plasma theophylline half-life tends to be longer in this age-group, the modifying influence of cigarette smoking on plasma theophylline half-life can be demonstrated in the elderly, as well as in young adults.
Acute Renal Failure without Acute Intravascular Haemolysis after Nomifensine Overdosage
Authors: Skinner R. , Ferner R.E.
Published: December 2008

A case of acute renal failure after an overdose of nomifensine is reported in a man who had evidence of chronic intravascular haemolysis on presentation, but not of acute haemolysis. Acute renal failure after nomifensine overdose is therefore not always due to acute intravascular haemolysis.
Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Self-administration of Mercury
Authors: Rodrigues I.M.A. , Hopkinson N.D. , Harris R.I.
Published: December 2008

We report the case of a young female patient presenting with a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism, in whom widespread deposits of metallic mercury were demonstrated throughout both lungs and in a lesion on the wrist. These resulted from intravenous injection of mercury by the patient in a suicide attempt.
Kinetics of Methaemoglobin Production (1)
Authors: Marrs T.C. , Bright J.E.
Published: December 2008

Methaemoglobin profiles have been studied by using ISIS, a simulation package, and NONLIN, a ion-linear least-squares analysis regression program. A simple kinetic model which satisfactorily describes methaemoglobin profiles after p-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) administration and 4-dimethylaminophenol (DMAP) administration has been developed. The two compounds differed nainly in their effective rates of elimination. The model less satisfactorily described methaemoglobin profiles after p-hydroxyaminopropiophenone (PHAPP) administration.
Biological Behaviour of Pu Administered to Animals as Pu-Standard LICAM(C) Complex: Therapeutical Attempts to Decrease Pu Kidney Burden
Authors: Gerasimo P. , Duserre C. , Metivier H.
Published: December 2008

The biological fate of plutonium (Pu) introduced as a Pu-standard LICAM(C) complex was investigated in male rats of two strains, in male and female mice and in the baboon. We observed that, whatever the animal species or the entry route, this complex was deposited rapidly in the kidney. In addition, more of the complex accumulated in the rat (16% of injected radioactivity) than in either the mouse (7%) or baboon (5%). This Pu deposit was cleared spontaneously with a half-life of 10 days in the rat and only 5 days in the mouse. We noted that the complex was deposited on bone during this period and that, 10 days after the introduction of Pu, the skeleton became the main organ of retention of Pu (7% of the dose in the rat, 4% in mice and 3% in the baboon). In spite of this, which would indicate that Pu-standard LICAM(C) resembles a weak complex, gut transfer was comparable with that of a strong complex 1.10-3 ( f1 = 1.10-3) . Pu deposit seemed to be pH dependent and could be modified be varying the pH balance of urine. Bicarbonate was among the most effective of the different drugs used to affect this balance, as 5 h of continuous perfusion decreased the kidney Pu burden by a factor of 4. Such efficacy was also observed with diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) perfusion. The pragmatic consequence of these experiments is the recommendation of mixed therapy: standard LICAM(C) plus bicarbonate or DTPA.
Drug-induced Piloerection in Man: an α1-Adrenoceptor Agonist Effect?
Authors: Stephens M.D.B.
Published: December 2008

1 The physiology of piloerection is described and clinical experience is discussed.

2 The objective and subjective evidence for drug-induced piloerection by a number of drugs is given and, where it is known, their pharmacological mechanism is described.

3 The results are considered in relation to the hypothesis that drug-induced piloerection is only produced by drugs with α1-adrenoceptor agonist activity. For those drugs without the latter activity where piloerection is supported only by subjective evidence it is suggested that objective evidence should be sought.

4 The fact that there is no objective evidence that the classical α1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, produces piloerection is found surprising and it is suggested that such evidence should be sought. If it is found that phenylephrine does not produce piloerection, then the possibility of the existence of a further α-agonist subgroup needs to be considered.
N-Acetyltransferase Phenotype of Patients with Bladder Cancer
Authors: Karakaya A.E. , Cok I. , Sardas S. , Gögüs O. , Sardas O.S.
Published: December 2008

1 N-Acetyltransferase phenotype has been determined in 109 control subjects and in 23 patients with bladder cancer.

2 Sixty-two per cent of control, and 39% of patients with bladder cancer were phenotypically slow acetylators. This difference was not significant.

3 N-Acetyltransferase phenotype is unlikely to be a major determinant in the development of bladder cancer in the Turkish population.
Blood Lactate and Ketone Body Concentrations in Salicylate Intoxication
Authors: Bartels P.D. , Lund-Jacobsen H.
Published: December 2008

1 Blood concentrations of lactate, ketone bodies and non-esterified (free) fatty acids were measured in 45 adult patients on admission to the poisoning treatment centre, with salicylate and mixed salicylate-sedative/ethanol poisoning.

2 Nine patients had blood lactate concentrations above 2 mmol/l and six patients had ketone-body concentrations greater than 1 mmol/l.

3 Eight of the nine patients with hyperlactacidaemia had mixed salicylate/ethanol or sedative poisoning, whereas four of the six patients with hyperketonaemia had pure salicylate poisoning.

4 No direct correlation was found between the presence of these metabolic disturbances and the severity of poisoning.

5 Since only one patient was found with organic acid concentration in the blood exceeding 5 mmol/l, it is concluded that concomitant endogenous acidosis rarely contributes to the acid-base disturbance seen in salicylate poisoning in adults.
Poisoning by Chemical Non-medicinal Products in Brazil: Clinical and Laboratory Findings in 132 Patients
Authors: Agapejev S. , Vassilieff I. , Lima M.M.F. , Silva S.M.G.
Published: December 2008

One hundred and thirty-two patients with suspected exogenous intoxication were analysed according to clinical manifestation and toxicological results. Detection of toxic substances was performed in blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. The greatest occurrence of chronic exogenous intoxication was in males aged 21 to 50 years old. Peasants and industrial workers were the most affected. 70% of all patients showed neurological manifestations. There was clear predominance of central nervous system impairment associated with poisoning with herbicides and organo-phosphates.
Childhood Poisoning in Wales: Experience of the Welsh National Poisons Unit (1984)
Authors: Hsu R. , Coles E.C. , Routledge P.A.
Published: December 2008

1 In 1984, 60% of all the enquiries made to the Welsh National Poisons Unit in Cardiff concerned children under 15, and 86% of the latter concerned children under 5. Nearly 60% of requests for information in childhood poisoning were about non-medicinal products and this contrasts with hospital admissions which are more often associated with medicinal products in this age group.

2 Seasonal variability was noted for non-medicinal products such as pesticides and plant poisoning enquiries, whereas medicinal product enquiries remained constant over the year. The pesticides enquiries were greatest in Spring while those concerning plants were significantly greater in Summer. The latter was due to increased reports of ingestion of garden plants since the number of enquiries concerning house plants remained constant. Thus availability appears to be a major determinant of the risk of poisoning with any particular product in childhood.
Formaldehyde-induced Corrosive Gastric Cicatrization: Case Report
Authors: Kochhar R. , Nanda V. , Nagi B. , Mehta S.K.
Published: December 2008

A patient with poisoning due to formaldehyde ingestion is described. Endoscopy showed severe oesophageal burns and moderate gastric injury. Four weeks later endoscopy and barium examination revealed a normal oesophagus while the distal part of stomach was cicatrized.
Paraquat — a Review of Safety in Agricultural and Horticultural Use
Authors: Hart T.B.
Published: December 2008

1 Over the past 20 years plus that paraquat has been used throughout the world, it has enjoyed an excellent safety record when used normally and for its intended purpose.

2 Its safety record is explained by the following reasons: (i) inhalational exposure during normal use is not significant toxicologically; (ii) dermal exposure predominates during normal use; (iii) intact human skin provides a very good barrier against penetration by paraquat.

3 Its safety record has been confirmed by several field studies, which have assessed exposure and health of workers, who have used paraquat for short and longer periods of time. The unanimous conclusions of the studies is that exposure to paraquat does not result in any acute or chronic adverse health effects.

4 Minor and reversible injuries to the skin, eyes, nose and nails do occur and probably result from overexposure to the extremely irritant concentrated formulations. Most of these effects can be avoided using ordinary personal hygiene.

5 There have been a few anecdotal cases reported in the literature when dermal absorption of paraquat has genuinely occurred and led to serious health effects. In all cases prolonged exposure to concentrated paraquat solutions has been involved resulting in severe and extensive skin damage, with removal of the barrier and absorption of lethal amounts of the chemical.

6 Those cases involving exposure to concentrated paraquat solutions emphasise the need to handle such formulations, for example 'Gramoxone', with case and ensure that the spray solution is correctly made up-at a dilution of at least 1 part 'Gramoxone' to 40 parts water.
Elimination of Paraquat
Authors: Bismuth C. , Scherrmann J.M. , Garnier R. , Baud F.J. , Pontal P.G.
Published: December 2008

1 There is a striking discrepancy between the efficacy of the kidneys, haemodialysis and haemoperfusion in removing paraquat from the body and the poor prognosis of paraquat poisoning even when the blood and urine concentrations (which are good indices of concentrations in lung and other tissues) are very low.

2 Extracorporeal elimination techniques have been used world-wide in paraquat poisoning. Do they remove paraquat effectively? Certainly. Do they increase the survival rate? Probably not. The reason being that when these techniques of elimination are initiated, potentially lethal concentrations of paraquat have already been attained in the highly vascular tissues of vital organs and in pneumocytes.

3 The data presented here suggest that the successful treatment of paraquat poisoning will not be achieved by modification of toxicokinetics.
Quantifying Side-Effects of Beta-Blockers: The Role of Visual Analogue Scales
Authors: Lewis R.V.
Published: December 2008

Beta-blockers are often prescribed for patients who are asymptomatic and for whom the benefits of therapy are likely to be small. Side-effects are therefore of great importance. Symptoms such as muscle fatigue and peripheral coldness are commonly associated with treatment with beta-blockers but these subjective phenomena are difficult to detect and quantify so that their prevalence and severity are uncertain.

Conventional symptom questionnaires may be relatively insensitive and visual analogue scales (VAS), which permit interval quantification of subjective phenomena, may have some advantages. They appear to be able to detect the presence of tiredness of the legs and peripheral coldness among hypertensive patients taking beta-blockers and are more sensitive than descriptive or 'category' questionnaires. However, some patients find VAS hard to understand and a minority of patients score erratically for all symptoms. A most detailed explanation is of paramount importance. Scores derived from VAS surveys are not normally distributed and should be examined using nonparametric statistical methods; normalising transformations do not improve the sensitivity of the method.
Liver Lesions in an Autopsy Population
Authors: Berry C.L.
Published: December 2008

Examination of the liver in 1500 consecutive autopsies performed in the coronial system in south-east London revealed a wide range of lesions. Around 5% of livers contained a solitary lesion, clinically non-evident lesions included cirrhosis, adenomas and metastatic carcinoma. Hamartomas are relatively common.
Changes in Cardiorespiratory Function During Gastric Lavage for Drug Overdose
Authors: Thompson A.M. , Robins J.B. , Prescott L.F.
Published: December 2008

1 Cardiorespiratory function in 42 patients admitted to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre, Edinburgh who underwent gastric lavage for self poisoning, was studied using an electrocardiograph and an ear oximeter.

2 Mean pulse rate rose from 92 to 121 beats per min and the mean partial pressure of oxygen fell from 95 to 80 mmHg during lavage (P < 0.001). These changes were significantly greater in conscious than unconscious patients, in smokers than in non-smokers and most marked in male smokers aged 45 or older. No sex or age differences were noted.

3 Electrocardiograph changes were noted in 41% of patients, including potentially serious changes in 2 patients.

4 The indications for gastric lavage should probably be reviewed particularly in conscious older patients who smoke and due consideration given to induced emesis and ingestion of activated charcoal as alternatives.
Beryllium Metal Solubility in the Lung, Comparison of Metal and Hot-pressed Forms by in vivo and in vitro Dissolution Bioassays
Authors: André S. , Métivier H. , Lantenois G. , Boyer M. , Nolibé D. , Masse R.
Published: December 2008

The solubility of two industrial forms of beryllium, i.e. particles of metal powder and particles of hot-pressed beryllium, was investigated using in vivo and in vitro models. In the in vivo model, baboons and rats were used and were injected via the trachea with amounts of beryllium equivalent to 100, 500 and 1000 fold the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) recommended by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In vivo experiments showed that in both species the daily beryllium solubility rates were about 5 x 10-6 for metal particles and that in rats the daily beryllium solubility rate was about 5 x 10-5 for the hot-pressed particles. During the 10 months of the experiment with baboons, urinary excretion of beryllium was proportional to the amount administered. With regard to results for the in vitro models, the outcome of the acellular dissolution test using a serum simulant was not consistent with the in vivo results, though a cellular model using cultured macrophages showed the same trends in the dissolution rates for the two forms of beryllium as those observed in vivo. This result suggests that a cellular rather than an acellular dissolution model would be better at predicting solubility of beryllium compounds in the lungs.
Cardiac Glycoside Toxicity Resulting from Cough Linctus Abuse
Authors: Mason A.B. , Pugh S.E. , Holt D.W.
Published: December 2008

Proprietry cough medicines are often abused by drug addicts as they are freely available and, in many instances, contain narcotic substances. A variety of other compounds are present in these products, including compounds structurally related to the commonly prescribed cardiac glycosides. We report a case in which severe cardiac glycoside toxicity resulted from the abuse of such a preparation.
Prenatal and Early Postnatal Intoxication by Inorganic Mercury Resulting from the Maternal Use of Mercury Containing Soap
Authors: Lauwerys R. , Bonnier Ch. , Evrard Ph. , Gennart J. Ph. , Bernard A.
Published: December 2008

A case of slight renal tubular dysfunction associated with cataract and anaemia was diagnosed in a 3-month-old black boy in whom high levels of mercury were found in blood and urine. Several arguments suggest that the renal, ocular and haematological defects may have resulted from exposure to mercury during foetal life and the 1-month lactation period due to the extensive use of inorganic mercury containing cosmetics by the mother.
Meptazinol Overdose Producing Near Fatal Respiratory Depression
Authors: Davison A.G. , Collinson P.O. , Assefi A.R. , Clarke S.W.
Published: December 2008

Meptazinol is one of the new powerful opioid analgesic agents, and an oral formulation has recently been marketed. Clinically significant respiratory depression is said to be absent1 and no overdoses from meptazinol have been reported in the literature. We report a patient who had a respiratory arrest following an overdose of meptazinol.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in the Dog Following 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Administration
Authors: Barnett K.C. , Joseph E.C.
Published: December 2008

1 Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is an inflammatory eye condition, affecting the cornea and conjunctiva, caused by a deficiency in the aqueous fraction of tears. The condition is relatively common in the dog with a varied aetiology. A number of drugs have been implicated in the production of KCS in the dog including salicylazosulphapyridine (sulphasalazine).

2 This paper details clinically evident KCS in a 12-month oral toxicity study with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), the therapeutically active metabolite of sulphasalazine.

3 The condition was first diagnosed at study week 22 and subsequently progressed both in incidence and severity. There was a distinct sex-difference in the response, with treated females being more affected than males.

4 There was a close correlation between the production of KCS and reduced lacrimation as assessed by the Schirmer tear test.

5 Although sulphasalazine causes KCS in dogs there have been no reports of ocular lesions of this type in man with this drug. It is highly probable that the dog is not a predictive model for man with regard to KCS induction by sulphasalazine or its metabolite 5-ASA.
Metabolism of Uranium in the Rat after Inhalation of Two Industrial Forms of Ore Concentrate: The Implications for Occupational Exposure
Authors: Stradling G.N. , Stather J.W. , Gray S.A. , Moody J.C. , Ellender M. , Hodgson A. , Sedgwick D. , Cooke N.
Published: December 2008

Aerosols produced from two commercially available ore concentrates in which the uranium was present essentially in the one as ammonium diuranate (ADU) and in the other as uranium octoxide (U3O8) were administered to rats. The results show that:

1 uranium in the ADU bearing material was cleared rapidly from the lungs, mainly to the blood, such that the retention kinetics were similar to those for a class D (highly transportable) compound as defined by ICRP;

2 uranium in the U 3O8 bearing material was removed from the lungs principally by mechanical processes, the retention kinetics in this case being similar to those defined for a class Y (poorly transportable) compound;

3 for both materials the distribution of uranium amongst body tissues and the fraction of the systemic content excreted in urine were similar to those obtained after the injection of soluble hexavalent compounds;

4 for workers potentially exposed to both these materials, urine monitoring and lung radioactivity counting measurements should be used in addition to air sampling procedures for assessing the intake of uranium.

5 intakes of the ADU bearing material should be restricted to those permitted for short-term exposures on the basis of chemical toxicity, whereas those for the U3O 8 bearing material should be governed by radiation dose.
The Spermicidal Potency of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola
Authors: Hong C.Y. , Shieh C.C. , Wu P. , Chiang B.N.
Published: December 2008

The inhibitory effect of Old Coke, caffeine-free New Coke, New Coke, Diet Coke and Pepsi-Cola on human sperm motility was studied with a trans-membrane migration method. None of them could decrease sperm motility to less than 70% of control within one hour. A previous study which claimed a marked variation of spermicidal potencies among different formulations of Coca-Cola could not be confirmed. Even if cola has a spermicidal effect, its potency is relatively weak as compared with other well-known spermicidal agents.
Pentachlorophenol and Hexachlorobenzene in Serum and Urine of the Population of Barcelona
Authors: Gómez-Catalán J. , To-Figueras J. , Planas J. , Rodamilans M. , Corbella J.
Published: December 2008

1 Urinary chlorophenols of the general population of Barcelona, Spain were determined. Pentachlorophenol (PCP: 25.0 ± 3.9 ng/ml; x ± s.e.m., n = 50) and tetrachlorophenol (TCP: 6.2 ± 1.6 ng/ml; x ± s.e.m., n = 25) were found in all samples.

2 Pentachlorophenol and hexachlorobenzene were also determined in serum. Both were present in all samples (PCP: 21.9 ± 1.9 ng/ml; HCB: 11.1 ± 1.1 ng/ml; x ± s.e.m., n = 100). Their concentrations do not show any correlation, suggesting no metabolic relation between them.
UK Blood Lead Monitoring Programme 1984—1987: Protocol and Results For 1984
Authors: Quinn M.J. , Delves H.T.
Published: December 2008

The Department of the Environment (DOE) has undertaken an extensive programme to monitor blood lead concentrations annually over the period 1984 to 1987 in the context of the reduction in the maximum permissible lead content of petrol from 0.4 to 0.15 g/l from 1st January 1986. The study includes adults living in heavily trafficked urban areas and in occupational groups particularly exposed to petrol lead; children aged 6—7 years attending schools in heavily trafficked urban areas; and control groups of adults and children in rural areas. The surveys are planned to cover about 1500 adults and 1000 children in total each year. Cohorts of adults are being followed, with replacement where necessary owing to moving, etc. For ethical reasons, no child will be sampled more than once, although the schools concerned will be revisited each year; children's blood is also being examined for antibodies to measles and poliomyelitis. Blood samples are being analysed for lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS); considerable efforts are being made to ensure the validity of the analytical results during the period of the study.

Results for 1984 indicated that average blood lead concentrations in both adults and children were generally low and were in line with levels expected on the basis of earlier surveys; only a very small proportion of individuals had raised levels. A detailed statistical analysis has confirmed the results of the EEC Blood Lead Surveys (carried out in 1979—1981) that blood lead concentrations were related to a range of personal, social and environmental factors including age, sex and smoking and drinking habits.

Comparisons of any trends during the survey period in blood level concentrations in the exposed and control groups, together with results from the monitoring of sources of environmental lead should enable a broad assessment to be made of the effect of the reduction in petrol lead.
Passive Smoking and Lung Cancer Association: A Result of Bias?
Authors: Lee P.N.
Published: December 2008

1 Epidemiological studies have reported that non-smokers married to smokers have a lung cancer risk 20-50% higher than that of non-smokers married to non-smokers.

2 In contrast, extrapolation based on relative smoke exposure of passive and active smokers would predict a much smaller effect.

3 This paper examines the possibility that bias due to misclassification of smoking habits, coupled with between spouse smoking habit concordance, could account for this discrepancy.

4 One thousand seven hundred and seventy-five subjects were asked about their smoking habits and use of other nicotine products in a non-health context likely to minimize underreporting of smoking. One thousand five hundred and thirty-seven provided saliva for cotinine analysis. Of 808 who claimed not to be users of such products, 2.5% had cotinine values above 30 ng/ml, suggesting their self reports were false. In another study 540 subjects were interviewed in 1980 and in 1985. Ten per cent claiming on one occasion never to have smoked, made inconsistent statements on the other occasion. A third study showed a strong tendency for smokers to marry smokers.

5 Estimates of bias based on these data indicate that misclassification can explain the unexpectedly high lung cancer risk associated with spouse smoking in epidemiological studies of self-reported never smokers.
ECG Studies with Astemizole
Authors: Craft T.M. , Vanden Bussche G. , De Cree J. , Griffiths J.V.
Published: December 2008

1 Six healthy volunteers took part in a 2-week haemodynamic safety study of astemizole.

2 They were given 30 mg daily (3 x 10 mg tablets) for the first 3 days and 10 mg daily for the next 12 consecutive days.

3 Heart rate, blood pressure, ECG and systolic time intervals at rest were measured before the start and five times during the day.

4 No changes were observed in any of the parameters measured. The configuration of the ECG was not influenced.

5 Serum concentrations of astemizole plus hydroxylated metabolites measured at the end of the study were 16 times lower than those detected in a patient overdosing on 200 mg astemizole.
Combined Boric Acid and Cinchocaine Chloride Poisoning in a 12-month-old Infant: Evaluation of Haemodialysis
Authors: Egfjord M. , Jansen J.A. , Flachs H. , Schou J.S.
Published: December 2008

A mixture containing 3 g of boric acid and 300 mg of cinchocaine chloride prescribed due to painful dental protrusion was accidentally ingested by a 12-month-old girl. She developed violent vomiting and coughing. Irritability, tremor, seizures and a delirious reaction. She was treated with diazepam, intubated, sedated and ventilated. Her diuresis was stimulated with furosemide and fluid. Within the first 24 h she was treated with haemodialysis twice on femoral catheters. Her renal function was unaffected. In two days she fully recovered.

The maximum measured levels of boric acid and cinchocaine chloride approximately 6 h after ingestion were 26 μg/ml and 71 ng/ml respectively. The plasma half-life of boric acid was 7.0 h and decreased to 3.6 and 4.4 h during the two haemodialyses. The total body clearance of boric acid increased correspondingly from 21 ml/min to 41 and 34 ml/min. The in vitro clearance of boric acid of the dialyser was later determined to be 18 ml/min. It is concluded that haemodialysis is valuable in the treatment of boric acid intoxication because it increases the elimination of the drug even in patients without any sign of renal toxicity.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Kajal and Surma Eye Cosmetic Preparations
Authors: Jani J.P. , Raiyani C.V. , Desai N.M. , Kashyap S.K.
Published: December 2008

Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in Kajal and Surma eye cosmetic preparations. All the preparations showed the presence of the majority of priority PAH in varying levels. The median level of a total 18 identified PAH in kajal was 851.3 μg/g. The level of total PAH in black, whitish black and white surma preparations were 243.34, 230.60 and 45.40 μg/g respectively.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis in Fatal Amanita Poisoning
Authors: Sanz P. , Reig R. , Borrás L. , Martínez J. , Máñez R. , Corbella J.
Published: December 2008

1 A case of fatal Amanita phalloides poisoning in a 14-year-old boy is described.

2 The patient presented severe acute liver dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation and refractory hypoxaemia, and died on the 9th day after mushroom ingestion.

3 Post-mortem examination revealed mesenteric venous thrombosis, massive liver necrosis and haemorrhagic pulmonary alveolitis.