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Biomedical subjects

F Jitsunari

Publications and source records attributed to F Jitsunari.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Investigation of where schizophrenic patients receive treatment].

Schizophrenic patients receiving treatment in Kagawa Prefecture were studied as to where treatment was obtained. Analysis showed that there was a tendency by schizophrenic patients to seek treatment in institutions distant from their place of residence. The direction in which a patient proceeded to seek treatment varied and showed no pattern. Analysis by age groups showed that patients in the 15 to 39 years age group were most likely to seek treatment in locations other than where they lived and traveled the longest distance. The tendency to seek treatment away from their place of residence decreased with increasing age. However even among the elderly there were patients who traveled long distances for treatment. Factors associated with geographical or social relationships between the cities/towns could not explain the tendency observed. Neither was there a relationship to specialized medical care. Factors such as the related to the mental health care system, including prejudice and lack of societal understanding were inferred to be associated to this problem. Results of this study indicate a need to organize the community mental health system to serve districts with wider areas than that established for other diseases. However in the future there should be a gradual narrowing of the district area, a broadening of services offered, and a removal of societal prejudice against psychiatric patients.

Adolescent↗

[The actual state of occupational exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers].

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, has been used as a termite control agent since regulatory measures against the use of chlordane were taken in September, 1986. In this study the actual state of occupational exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers was investigated. The findings obtained were as follows. The concentration of chlorpyrifos in the air (near the mouth) was about 10 times higher (1.7-2.3 mg/m3) under the floor than the threshold-limit value (0.2 mg/m3) proposed by the ACGIH and rose close to the threshold-limit value even above the floor. Regarding the performance of the absorption can of the mask, generally satisfactory results were obtained. The adhesion of this compound to the work outfit was conspicuous during the spraying work under the floor, and it was often noted on the right forearm (12 micrograms/cm2), on the left knee (10 micrograms/cm2), on the right knee (9 micrograms/cm2) and on the face (5 micrograms/cm2). The rate of this compound penetrating through the work outfit amounted to an average of 40 percent, making it clear that a considerable amount of the compound penetrated the work outfit. Furthermore, direct adhesion of the compound to the neck was considered. These results suggested the dermal-exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers. This compound was detected, though the quantity was very small, in blood after work, which was definitely indicative of exposure at the time of termite control work. The plasma cholinesterase activity in the termite control workers was within the normal range before the busy termite control season but fell off markedly when the full-scale termite control season set in. It is suggested that a decrease in plasma cholinesterase activity occurs due to chlorpyrifos exposure.

Chlorpyrifos↗

Determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol levels in the urine of termite control workers using chlorpyrifos.

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, has been used to control termites since regulatory measures against the use of chlordanes were taken in September, 1986. We developed an improved gas chromatographic (GC) method for the assay of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) in the urine to use in the biological monitoring of exposure to chlorpyrifos. Urinary TCP was separated and determined accurately (C.V., 4%) with high sensitivity (detection limit, 10 ng/ml) and recovery (recovery greater than 90%) using a wide bore capillary column (WBC column). The accuracy and precision of the present GC method are satisfactory. The time course of urinary excretion of TCP was followed in workers. The urinary TCP level was low in the off-season and high in the busy season. Variation in the urinary TCP level corresponded to the termite control season and the length of the working period. The urinary TCP level showed a change reciprocal to the variations in the plasma cholinesterase activity. From these results, it is surmised that the urinary TCP level represents the extent of exposure to chlorpyrifos. The decrease in the level of cholinesterase activity is suggested to be due to exposure to chlorpyrifos. Determination of the urinary TCP level by GC using a WBC column is useful in the biological monitoring of chlorpyrifos in termite control workers and potentially has practical application to health care.

Adult↗