bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute effects of the potent lacrimator o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) tear gas
Authors: Anderson PJ , Lau Gsn , Taylor Wrj , Critchley Jajh 
Published: December 2008

1 The use of tear gas to control civil unrest is accepted practice by government authorities worldwide. It is rarely used in Hong Kong but during a recent riot at a Vietnamese detention centre large quantities were used and this was cause for some concern. 2 All patients presenting to the British Red Cross Clinic after the incident were seen by one of the authors. To establish if exposure to tear gas had serious effects on the health of the detainees, the case records of the 184 patients with symptoms consistent with CS exposure were reviewed 2 months later. 3 The most common complaints were burns (52%), cough (38%), headache (29%), shortness of breath (21%), chest pain (19%), sore throat (15%) and fever (13%). However, the only common findings on examination by a physician were burns (52%) and an inflamed throat (27%). All burns could be categorised as 'minor' according to the American Burns Association classi fication and all were consistent with CS gas exposure. 4 Some patients complained of other symptoms that had not been previously reported in the literature, such as haemoptysis (8%) and haematemesis (4%), but these were only confirmed in one patient. 5 The majority of patients had recovered within 2 weeks of exposure although one asthmatic patient com plained of shortness of breath lasting for 33 days and a sore throat lasting for 38 days after the incident. She had abnormally low peak expiratory flow readings, but had a clinical history of asthma. 6 No serious sequelae were encountered, but the incidence of burns in these patients was higher than would be expected from a review of the literature. However, very little data on the effects of tear gas in a riot situation has been published. There have been reports of high concentrations of CS gas causing reactive airways dysfunction but this was not seen in our group of patients.
Method for the simultaneous quantification of n-hexane metabolites: application to n-hexane metabolism determination
Authors: Soriano T. , Menéndez M. , Sanz P. , Repetto M. 
Published: December 2008

1 The described analytical procedure permits the simultaneous determination of the main n-hexane meta bolites in urine. 2-Hexanone, 2-hexanol, 2, 5-hexanediol and 2, 5-hexanedione, were chosen to dose the rats used in this study. All urine samples were collected and analysed on a daily basis, before and after acidic hydrolysis (pH 0.1) by GC/MS. 2-Hexanone, 2, 5-dimethylfurane, γ-valerolac tone and 2, 5-hexanedione were determined before hydro lysis ; 2-hexanol and 2, 5-hexanediol, after hydrolysis; and 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone and 4, 5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone were calculated by the difference between γ-valerolactone and 2, 5-hexanedione with and without hydrolysis, respectively. 2 A metabolic scheme was proposed reflecting the biotransformations undergone by the four compounds assayed. We consider 2, 5-dimethylfurane as a 'true metabolite' because the quantities detected were always greater before hydrolysis. 3 It has been reported that human and rat n-hexane metabolism follow a similar pattern. Therefore, as a practical application and without increasing either sample or time requirements, the simultaneous quantifi cation of the different metabolites and their excretion profile could provide better information about the metabolic situation of exposed workers than the determi nation of 2, 5-hexanedione alone. According to our experimental results, 4, 5-dihydroxy-2-hexanone itself would be a good toxicity indicator.
Metabolism and disposition of difluoromethane (HFC32) in the mouse
Authors: Ellis Martin K , Naylor Jacky L , Collins Michael A , Green Trevor 
Published: December 2008

1 Difluoromethane (HFC32) is under development as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in some refrigeration applications.2 The metabolism and disposition of [14C]-difluoro methane ([14C]-HFC32) was determined in male Swiss mice as a consequence of a single 6 h inhalation exposure to atmospheres of 10 000 p.p.m.3 Of the inhaled dose, about 1-2% was recovered in expired air, urine, faeces and carcass suggesting that systemic absorption of this hydrofluorocarbon from the alveolar air space of the lung into blood is poor. Upon cessation of exposure the majority of the systemically absorbed HFC32 was exhaled within 1 h.4 Carbon dioxide was a major metabolite of HFC32. Carbon dioxide measured post-exposure accounted for about 0.3% of the inhaled dose. Urinary and faecal excretion of non-volatile metabolites accounted for about 0.34% and 0.07% of the inhaled dose, respec tively.5 Carbon monoxide could not be detected.6 Total metabolism, measured as the sum of the radio activity recovered in urine, faeces, as carbon dioxide and that retained in the carcass, amounted to about 0.8% of the inhaled dose, equivalent to 64% of the total radioactivity recovered.7 Analysis of a range of tissues at 4 days post-exposure showed a relatively uniform distribution of radio activity with the highest concentration in the lung, liver and kidney. There was no evidence of a specific retention in any organ or tissue.
Relationship between dose in vivo of ethylene oxide and exposure to ethene studied in exposed workers
Authors: Granath F. , Rohlén O. , Göransson C. , Hansson L. , Magnusson A-L. , Törnqvist M. 
Published: December 2008

1 In vivo doses of ethylene oxide, arising from ethene exposure, in plastic industry workers were estimated through hemoglobin adducts. The ethene exposure was assessed through person-worn monitors. The metabolic conversion of ethene to ethylene oxide was estimated from the exposure dose/ in vivo dose ratio. 2 Two studies were done: In the first study hemoglobin adducts were determined in samples collected on one occasion in exposed groups and exposure doses were estimated by using exposure data from the hygienic surveillance program. The second study applies a newly developed study design with repeated blood sampling in a few persons combined with a complete personal exposure monitoring during the study period. This makes it possible to relate adduct formation with individual short-time exposure doses, which in theory should overcome the problems with exposure history dependence of the adduct level in a single blood sample. The results of the second study shows that it is possible, through the proposed method, to utilize occupational exposure situations for this kind of studies even if the exposure pattern is irregular and highly variable. Both studies show a metabolic conversion of ethene to ethylene oxide of only 0.5%, which is unexpectedly low. 3 The cancer risk associated with the ethene exposure in the highly exposed group (3.6 p.p.m. 40 h/week) is estimated by applying the radiation-dose-equivalence approach. The result of this evaluation leads to a risk corresponding to a radiation dose of 4 mSv/year which is about a factor 3 below the current dose limit for radiological work recommended by ICRP.
Changes in cholinesterase activities after daunorubicin administration to rabbits
Authors: Geršl V. , Bajgar J. , Krs O. , Hrdina R. , Palička V. , Mazurová Y. 
Published: December 2008

1 Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE, BuChE) activities were studied in rabbits with experimentally induced daunorubicin cardiomyopathy. 2 A significant decrease of the plasma BuChE in the daunorubicin group was observed. 3 In the daunorubicin group, AChE activity in the heart was significantly decreased only in the interventricu lar septum. 4 BuChE activity was significantly decreased in the cardiac septum and ventricles and in the liver following daunorubicin treatment. 5 Changes in cholinesterase activities are probably caused by an effect of daunorubicin oon protein synthesis during the development of certain types of cardiomyopathy.
Pulmonary aspiration following Dettol poisoning: the scope for prevention
Authors: Chan Thomas YK , Critchley Julian AJH 
Published: December 2008

1 After ingestion, Dettol liquid (4.8% chloroxylenol, pine oil, isopropyl, alcohol), a common household disin fectant, can cause central nervous system depression and corrosion of the oral mucosa, larynx and the gastrointestinal tract. The main risk from Dettol poisoning is pulmonary aspiration, leading to pneu monia, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and/or sudden cardiorespiratory arrest. 2 To determine to what extent pulmonary aspiration in Dettol poisoning could be prevented, 13 patients treated in a general teaching hospital in Hong Kong were studied. Their clinical details were compared with those of control Dettol poisoning cases without pulmonary aspiration in order to identify possible risk factors for this complication. 3 At presentation, evidence of pulmonary aspiration was present in eight of the 13 patients prior to gastric emptying, but the use of gastric lavage without adequate protection of the airways could have aggravated the problem in three. In two other patients, evidence of aspiration was only present after gastric lavage was performed. The consequences of pulmon ary aspiration were pneumonia ( n=10), ARDS ( n=2), acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive airway disease (n=2) and sudden cardiorespiratory arrest ( n=1). Three patients with aspiration pneumo nia ( n=2), ARDS ( n=1) and/or sudden cardiorespira tory arrest ( n=1) died. 4 Compared with the controls, the median amount of Dettol ingested was considerably larger (400 vs 150 ml), vomiting (100% vs 72.6%) and drowsiness/ confusion (69.2% vs 19.4%) occurred more often. 5 Amongst the 13 patients with Dettol poisoning and pulmonary aspiration, gastric lavage using the naso gastric tube technique without adequate production of the airways had been responsible for the occurrence or worsening of aspiration in two and three patients, respectively. Thus, gastric lavage particularly when using a nasogastric tube appeared to carry more harm than benefits in patients with Dettol poisoning. If the procedure is considered necessary, say because of the concomitant ingestion of the other poisons, the air ways must first be well protected and the orophar yngeal aspiration and lavage technique using a wide bore Jacques tube is recommended. 6 Comparison with a control group has identified other risk factors for pulmonary aspiration: the amount of Dettol ingested, the occurrence of vomiting, drowsi ness or confusion.
Factors affecting hospital admission and length of stay of poisoned patients in the North East of England
Authors: Thomas Shl , Lewis S. , Bevan L. , Bhattacharyya S. , Bramble MG , Chew K. , Connolly J. , Dorani B. , Han KH , Horner JE , Rodgers A. , Sen B. , Tesfayohannes B. , Wynne H. , Bateman DN 
Published: December 2008

1 Poisoning is a common reason for presentation to hospital and hospital admission but there is no agreed policy for managing these patients. This study exam ined the management of patients presenting with poisoning and the factors affecting the probability of hospital admission and prolonged stay. 2 Data on all cases of poisoning presenting to six Accident and Emergency departments in the North East of England over 12 weeks in 1994 was collected prospectively from A&E notes. Length of stay and outcome were recorded from hospital computer records. 3 Overall, 73% of patients were admitted to a medical ward. Probability of admission was not independently affected by age or gender but was increased in those with intentional poisoning (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.3 [95% CI 1.8, 6.1]), a history of self harm (OR 1.7, [1.0, 2.9]) or potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 3.7 [2.1, 6.6]). There were significant variations between hospitals (50 - 80%) which could not be attributed to case mix. 4 Prolonged stay ( > 2 nights) was more common in patients over 65 years (OR 6.8 [2.9, 16.1]), those with intentional poisoning (OR 2.7 [1.1, 6.6]) and those with potentially hazardous poisoning (OR 2.6 [1.4, 4.9]). Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days and varied signifi cantly between hospitals from 0.8 to 2.1 days and this was independent of case mix. 5 There are appreciable variations in the management of poisoning between hospitals which are not explained by patient characteristics. Savings would occur if rates of admission and duration of stay were reduced by those hospitals where admission is more frequent or hospital stay is longer. However, the impact of this on long term morbidity is unknown.
Effects of multiple doses of organophosphates on evoked potentials in mouse diaphragm
Authors: Kelly Sean S , de Blaquière Gail E , Williams Faith M , Blain Peter G 
Published: December 2008

1 Male albino mice were injected s.c. with an organopho sphate (mipafox, ecothiopate or paraoxon). Treat ments were either a single injection or multiple daily injections with lower doses for 5 or 8 days. At 3 h after injection the activity of brain and diaphragm acet ylcholinesterase and of brain neuropathy target esterase (NTE) was measured. Also measured in the diaphragm at 3 h post dose was the duration of spontaneous miniature endplate potentials (eMEPPs), recorded extracellularly. 2 At 7 and 28 days after dosing action potentials and evoked endplate potentials, produced by stimulating the phrenic nerve at 30 Hz, were recorded in diaphragm muscle. The amplitudes, time-course and latencies of these potentials were measured and the variability of latencies (jitter) was calculated. 3 Single doses of mipafox (20 mg/kg), ecothiopate (0.192 mg/kg) or paraoxon (0.415 mg/kg) in the mouse produced ca. 70% inhibition of diaphragm acetylcho linesterase at 3 h after dosing. All three OPs produced a prolongation of the half-decay times of eMEPPs. 4 All three OPs in the above single doses produced increased muscle action potential (postjunctional) jitter but only mipafox produced an increase in endplate potential (prejunctional) jitter. Mipafox in a slightly reduced single dose (17.5 mg/kg) had no effect on prejunctional or postjunctional jitter. 5 Multiple dosing with mipafox (8 mg/kg daily for 5 days) increased both postjunctional and prejunctional jitter at both 7 and 28 days after the end of dosing. After multiple dosing with mipafox (5 mg/kg daily for 5 days) postjunctional (but not prejunctional) jitter was increased. Multiple doses of paraoxon (0.166 mg/kg daily for 5 days) or ecothiopate (0.76 mg/kg daily for 5 days) increased prejunctional and postjunctional jitter. 6 Depending on the dosing regime, all three OPs tested were capable of increasing both prejunctional and postjunctional jitter. Neither ecothiopate nor paraox on inhibited NTE, so this prejunctional effect is not likely to be related to 'classical' OP-induced delayed neuropathy. The prejunctional effects may be related to long-term inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and the triggering mechanism for increase in prejunctional jitter may involve a relationship between the inhibi tion of acetylcholinesterase and the time for which it is inhibited. The differences between the time-courses of increases in prejunctional and postjunctional jitter and the differential effects of the different multiple dosing regimes indicate that it is likely that the triggering relationship between enzyme inhibition and time is different for prejunctional and postjunc tional effects.
Effect of repeated treatment with pyridostigmine on acetylcholinesterase in mouse muscles
Authors: Lintern MC , Smith ME , Ferry CB 
Published: December 2008

1 Pyridostigmine bromide was administered subcuta neously (0.4 μmoles/kg) in mice twice a day for 3 weeks. The activities of the predominant (G1, G4 and A12) molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase were determined in diaphragm, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles.2 After the treatment the G4 and A12 forms were reduced in diaphragm, but increased in EDL and soleus. One week later all forms were elevated in all three muscles. At 2 weeks the activity had returned to normal in diaphragm but not in EDL and soleus.3 A single dose of pyridostigmine was administered in mice which had been pretreated for 3 weeks and left untreated for 2 weeks, and in control mice.4 In the controls there was no significant effect on the enzyme activities in diaphragm up to 5 days, but there were decreases in EDL, and increases in soleus. In the pretreated group all three forms were increased in diaphragm, especially the A12 form. In soleus and EDL there was a prolonged decrease in all forms, although in the soleus the A12 activity remained above normal.5 Repeated treatment with pyridostigmine caused de layed changes in functional acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore the treatment had altered the sensitivity of the muscles to the drug.
Oral N-acetylcysteine protects against perfluoroisobutene toxicity in rats
Authors: Lailey Alison F 
Published: December 2008

1 Perfluoroisobutene, a pyrolysis product of polytetra fluoroethene may cause pulmonary oedema and death when inhaled. Oral N-acetylcysteine has shown protection against inhalation of perfluoroisobutene and in this study we have tried to elucidate the mechanism by which protection is mediated. 2 Protection against the lethal effects of inhaled per fluoroisobutene has been shown when N-acetylcys teine has been orally administered 4, 6 or 8 h before gas exposure. 3 Plasma levels of cysteine, glutathione and N-acetylcys teine were increased for up to 7 h following oral administration of Nac. 4 N-acetylcysteine was not detected in the bronchio alveolar lavage fluid following oral administration. 5 Duration of protection in vivo has been related to the duration of increased thiol levels in the plasma.
Presence of methenamine/glutathione mixtures reduces the cytotoxic effect of sulphur mustard on cultured SVK-14 human keratinocytes in vitro
Authors: Smith CN , Lindsay CD , Upshall DG 
Published: December 2008

1 The basal epidermal keratinocytes of the skin are a main target for the vesicating agent, sulphur mustard (SM). A human keratinocyte cell line (SVK-14) has been used to model the effects of SM on the basal epidermal keratinocytes and subsequently to test the efficacy of potential prophylactic compounds in reducing the SM-induced cytotoxicity. 2 The cultures were pretreated with mixtures of methe namine (HMT) and glutathione (GSH) for 1 h prior to exposure to 10 μM SM. The viability of the cultures was then assessed using neutral red (NR) dye uptake and crystal violet DNA staining assays at 24 h intervals post exposure. 3 Pretreatment led to a 1.9 fold increase in culture viability (NR assay) compared to those exposed to SM only, and a 2.3 fold increase in cell number (crystal violet assay). Photomicrography showed that pre treatment preserved the morphology of the cultured cells and maintained their mitotic activity whereas those exposed to SM only show non-proliterative cultures with extensive cellular damage. 4 The results of this study show that it is possible to protect mitotically active cultures from the effects of SM, however the measures must be in place prior to SM exposure.
Reactive oxygen species involvement in ricin-induced thyroid toxicity in rat
Authors: Sadani Geeta R , Soman Chitralekha S , Deodhar Kedar K , Nadkarni Ganeshsunder D 
Published: December 2008

1 Ricin is known to have diverse effects on the cells of different organs like liver, kidney, pancreas, intestines and parathyroid. 2 Acute decrease in serum thyroid hormone levels 24 h after ricin administration (1.5 μg/100 g) led us to suspect the toxic action of ricin on the thyroid. 3 We monitored the lipid peroxidation (LP) and anti oxidant status of the thyroid tissue to determine the role, if any, played by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this pathology. 4 An increase of 39% in LP and 47% in superoxide dismutase, along with a 8.5% decrease in catalase points to the imbalance in the antioxidant defence involving hydrogen peroxide and its univalent reduc tion product, the hydroxyl radical. 5 Thyroid histopathology shows destruction of thyroid follicles and necrosis, which may be due to ROS and may partly explain the 50% reduction in circulating thyroid hormones seen after ricin administration.
Evaluating chemical risks: results of a survey of the British Toxicology Society
Authors: Slovic Paul , Malmfors Torbjörn , Mertz CK , Neil Nancy , Purchase Iain FH 
Published: December 2008

1 Members of the British Toxicology Society partici pated in a survey to determine their attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding risks from chemicals. Similar surveys had previously been conducted with toxicologists and members of the general public in the United States and Canada. Data from 312 completed questionnaires were analyzed. 2 In general, the British toxicologists judged risks to be quite low for most hazards, with the exception of cigarette smoking and asbestos. They tended to have quite favorable attitudes toward the use of chemicals and were confident about the adequacy of chemical regulations. 3 As in previous studies of toxicologists, women expressed higher perceptions of risk than did men and had consistently stronger anti-chemical attitudes. 4 Toxicologists working in industry had more favorable attitudes towards chemicals and their use than did those working in academic settings. 5 When asked to evaluate technical summaries of various animal studies there was considerable dis agreement among the respondents about the toxicity of the chemicals involved. 6 In general, British toxicologists were equivocal about the reliability of animal studies in predicting human effects (particularly carcinogenicity) probably be cause of the belief that animal studies overestimate risk. However, they were rather confident that human health risks could be assessed reasonably accurately.
Effects of high-level exposure to lead on NK cell activity and T-lymphocyte functions in workers
Authors: Yücesoy Berran , Turhan Aslihan , Mirshahidi Saied , Üre Murat , Imir Turgut , Karakaya Asuman 
Published: December 2008

1 NK and T cell functions were measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to lead. 2 No differences were found in these functions even in those workers with higher levels of blood and urine lead and urinary δ-ALA than the currently accepted biological limit values as compared to controls. 3 We conclude that high chronic exposure to lead is not associated with an impairment or either T- or NK cell functions in man.