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[Use of sodium nitroprusside in cardiology].

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is rarely used in cardiology. It is reserved traditionally for severe episodes of arterial hypertension. Certain states of refractory heart failure represent new indications for use, which implies a double haemodynamic monitoring system: continuous control of systemic blood pressure by intra-arterial catheterization; control of pulmonary pressure and repeated measurements of cardiac output. Prolonged treatment requires continuous biological monitoring of toxicity and careful control of kidney function. As a moderator of blood pressure, SNP is remarkably effective. The hypotensive effect is immediate, readily reversible and generally tachyphylaxis is not observed. The effect of SNP on cardiac work is one of double load reduction: mainly a reduction in afterload or pressure and systemic resistance and a reduction in preload or pressure of ventricular filling. In this respect, SNP can be used effectively for severe cases of heart failure intractable to traditional cardio-stimulatory and diuretic treatments and stemming from diverse causes: acute stage of myocardial infarction, ventricular dilatation, mitral papillary syndrome, heart failure, either subacute or chronic, of various causes. As a rule, the immediate results are positive. Taking the patient off the drug can be difficult and may cause a return to the previous haemodynamic situation.

Adult

Health effects of exposure to automobile exhaust--V. exposure of toll booth operators to automobile exhaust.

The exposures of automobile toll booth collectors in the Boston area to selected air contaminants were monitored during the four seasons from 1972 to 1974. The highest carbon monoxide concentrations were found at the in-city toll booths and the highest lead levels at the surburban booths. Biological monitoring for carbon monoxide and lead exposure were closely related to airborne contaminant levels. The study supports the need for environmental control for toll booths located at busy highway and tunnels.

Air

Evaluation of zinc protoporphyrin in an occupational environment.

Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnP) has been identified by several investigators as the predominant fluorescent porphyrin accumulating in erythrocytes as a result of chronic lead absorption or iron deficiency anemia. This report describes an evaluation of a new portable hematofluorometer for the determination of ZnP in finer puncture or venous blood samples. Samples were obtained from a number of employees in various job categories at steel operations throughout the United States to study the utility of ZnP as a biologic monitoring method in the occupational environment. Urinary lead, urinary aminolevulinic acid and blood lead were also determined on the same employees to examine any relationships among these measurers and to estimate a biologic threshold limit value for ZnP. The results of this investigation show that there is little elevation of the ZnP level with increasing blood level until the blood lead concentration reaches the area of 50--60 micrograms/dl. A biologic threshold level of 300 micrograms/dL, which correlates with a blood level of 60 micrograms/dL, is suggested as a guideline value for identifying workers requiring further investigation.

Aminolevulinic Acid

Association between prenatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene and adverse birth outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is a ubiquitous chlorinated solvent with documented placental transfer. Despite widespread environmental and occupational exposure, no prior systematic review has synthesized evidence on prenatal PCE exposure and adverse birth outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from inception to July 13, 2026. Eligible studies reported associations between prenatal PCE exposure (drinking water or inhalation) and adverse birth outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with Knapp-Hartung adjustments and Paule-Mandel τ2 estimation. RESULTS: Twenty one studies (1987-2023) met inclusion criteria. Prenatal PCE exposure was associated with spontaneous abortion (8 studies; RR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.00-1.63; I2 = 64.2%). Analyses of stillbirth, central nervous system defects, oral clefts, neural tube defects, preterm birth, low birthweight, and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) yielded positive but statistically non-significant pooled estimates. The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to low across outcomes (GRADE). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal PCE exposure may be associated with spontaneous abortion, particularly at higher exposure levels, and with SGA. Findings support ongoing regulatory efforts to limit PCE in occupational and environmental settings, particularly for pregnant individuals. Future prospective studies with biological monitoring and confounder-adjusted designs are needed.

Tetrachloroethylene

French mesothelioma register.

A total of 197 definite cases of mesothelioma (mainly of the pleura) have been reported by pathologists to the French Mesothelioma Register for the period 1965--78. A moderate linear increase in the annual incidence of mesothelioma cases since 1965 was noted. In men and women over the ages of 47 and 41 years, respectively, the annual death rate was higher in those with mesothelioma than in those of the general population. The proportions of mesothelioma patients who had experienced occupational, para-occupational, and unknown asbestos exposures were 77%, 3%, and 20% respectively. The number of cases reported to the register is obviously an underestimate of the true number of mesothelima cases in France, because such cases are not reported to the register systematically. Mesothelioma registers cannot provide information about dose-response relationships; however, with good management of the register, such relationships could be obtained, since a good assessment of dose can be accomplished by biologic monitoring.

Adult

The Role of Community Science in DNA-Based Biodiversity Monitoring.

The mutual interest in nature by the general public and scientists has led to many collaborations, past and present. Community science shows great potential for monitoring species occurrences and distributions, especially in combination with scalable and (semi)-automated methods such as DNA-based monitoring, helping to obtain data from a broader geographic and temporal range than would be possible by the scientific community alone. Here, we present an overview of the complementarity between community science and DNA-based biomonitoring through examples from ongoing projects. The involvement of hobby experts is particularly crucial for building up the necessary species reference databases that enable DNA-based monitoring. Based on this overview, we identify some key points related to learning opportunities and participant recognition to maximise the success, impact and benefit of community participants in DNA-based monitoring.

Biodiversity

A quick and simple method for the routine determination of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase in blood.

The salient features of this method for biological monitoring of occupational exposure to organophosphorus insecticides are: (a) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are determined separately in whole haemolysed blood using specific substrates at appropriate concentrations; (b) 20 microliter of blood drawn from the finger tip is sufficient for both determinations; (c) the blood sample is immediately diluted with a solution of saponin and may thereafter be frozen for storage; (d) diagnostic kits, commercially available for the determination of plasma BuChE, may be employed with modifications; (e) the kinetic procedure is avoided by blocking the enzyme reactions at the end of the incubation period. This paper describes attempts to achieve optimal conditions for the two reactions. Under the conditions finally chosen, the whole blood 'AChE' activity value still includes a small percentage of plasma BuChE activity (12.5% of the total), while the whole blood 'BuChE' activity includes a small percentage of erythrocyte AChE activity (7% of the total). Results of determinations performed with this procedure on 172 healthy subjects are reported.

Acetylcholinesterase

Respiratory effects in toluene diisocyanate manufacture: a multidisciplinary approach.

A new plant manufacturing toluene diisocyanate (TDI) has provided a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of TDI vapor inhalation on respiratory health in a group of exposed workers who have been studied prior to the start of plant operation. In order to establish dose-response relationships and determine host factors, complete biologic monitoring, including pulmonary function and immunologic studies, has been performed concurrently with a comprehensive environmental monitoring program including continuous sampling for atmospheric concentrations of TDI. Study groups include workers with regular exposure to TDI in production jobs (83), workers with intermittent contact with this vapor, usually in maintenance (28), and a control group of workers employed outside the TDI area (55). This population is being followed for a period of 5 yr. The plant began operations in August 1973 with start-up procedures completed by the end of October. TDI spills occurred for numerous reasons, usually attributed to pump failure and resultant line blockage. Significant exposures also occurred in the drumming operation. The influence of these malfunctions is noted in the continuous monitoring data on atmospheric TDI concentrations which continue to reveal frequent excursions above the threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.02 ppm ceiling. These data are presented in relation to time and plant location. Although the first full year follow-up following initial exposure was not complete, certain preliminary clinical observations were made. A number of workers had episodes of acute respiratory symptoms related to single exposure to an irritant gas at work, usually either TDI or phosgene. It appears that two or three workers in the study population have become "clinically sensitized" to TDI and have been removed from regular TDI exposure. To date, the total number of workers who report the presence of recurring respiratory symptoms has not increased in comparison with the pre-exposure survey. Pulmonary function data after one full year of TDI exposure are not yet available. Pre- and post-shift ventilatory function studies do not indicate significant differences between the exposed and control groups. Selected individuals had carefully controlled inhalation challenge tests to monitored concentrations of TDI vapor under laboratory conditions. In workers suspected of having become "sensitized", immediate and/or late air flow obstruction was demonstrated and could be related to dose of inhaled TDI.

Air Pollutants, Occupational

[Biochemical and psychological examinations of trichloroenthylene exposed volunteers (author's transl)].

Seven healthy volunteers were exposed to approximately 100 ppm (=520 mg/m3) trichloroethylene for six hours daily during a period of five consecutive days. A corresponding group was exposed a placebo in the same manner. -Biochemical and psychological examinations were accomplished in the beginning and the end of each day respectively the whole period. Thereby the intraindividual as well as the interindividual loads were taken to judge the health impairment. - For this purpose trichloroethylene, trichloroethanol and trichloracetic acid were determined in blood, as well as total trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid in urine. For the measurement of the biochemical parameters gaschromatography is considered the best method. The combination of the "intern standard" with the synchronous determination of the metabolites of trichloroethylene is described as a new treatment. These time-efficient and practicable procedures are the most important suppositions for "biological monitoring". Results are confirmed as far as known in literature as well as the course of trichloroethylene in blood is described for the first time. The modern methods of psychology applied to tests and standardized questionaires served to quantify the intellectual and psychological conditions of the solvent exposed volunteers and of their corresponding group. The group results were compared. Thereby no significative differences were visible. Altogother the results show that during the 5 days exposition to 100 ppm (=520 mg/m3) trichloroethylene no impairments of the examined persons' mental and psychological capacities could be determined in spite of the biochemically quantified incorporation of the solvent.

Adult

Chromosome changes and benzene exposure. A review.

Benzene exposure can induce chromosome aberrations in somatic cells (lymphocytes and bone marrow cells) of man and of experimental animals in vivo, as well as in some in vitro systems. Numerical and structural chromosome changes in bone marrow cells have been described in subjects with benzene haemopathy. Increased rates of structural chromosomal aberrations both of the "unstable" and of the "stable" type in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes have been observed not only in subjects with chronic benzene poisoning, but also in individuals with past benzene haemopathy and in subjects with past benzene exposure without signs of poisoning; these findings persisted for years or decades after cessation of exposure. In some cases of benzene-induced leukaemias the cytogenetic pattern was variable, as it is true also for the "spontaneous" acute leukaemias. The possible implications of the finding of chromosome damage from benzene to bone marrow cells for the occurence of leukaemias are discussed. The possibilities and limitations of cytogenetic studies in the biological monitoring of subjects exposed to benzene are commented on.

Adult

New fluorometric analysis for mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids in urine as an index to styrene exposure.

I describe a new fluorometric method for determination of mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids in urine, the fluorometry being preceded by extraction into ether and thin-layer chromatography. The chromatographically separated acids were quantitated after conversion to stable highly fluorescent derivatives by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid. This method proves to be more precise, accurate, and reproducible than the existing colorimetric method. The limit of detection is 2 microgram of either acid per milliliter of urine with a CV of less than 15%. The standard curve for either acid is essentially linear from 2 to 100 microgram/mL of urine, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97. No satisfactory correlation was obtained between the concentrations of either acid metabolite as measured in rat urine by fluorometry and colorimetry. The present method is considered suitable for routine biological monitoring of persons exposed to both high and low concentrations of styrene.

Animals

Ketoprofen -- a new anti-rheumatic agent.

Ketoprofen (100 mg/day) and indomethacin (100 mg/day) were compared in a double-blind cross-over trial of four weeks duration in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs were equally effective in all parameters measured, apart from the paracetamol (rescue drug) tablet count which favoured indomethacin. In a similarly designed study the same dosages of the two drugs were compared in 44 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two groups. A further double-blind cross-over study of 4 weeks duration compared 200 mg ketoprofen/day and 300 mg phenylbutazone/day in 47 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip. No significant differences occured between the two drugs. In all three studies, side-effects with ketoprofen were infrequent and mild. Biological monitoring throughout revealed no abnormality. These studies have shown ketoprofen to be an effective anti-inflammatory for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis of the hip with an efficacy comparable to those of indomethacin and phenylbutazone.

Analgesics

Ketoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis: its tolerance and therapeutic effect.

Four studies on ketoprofen [2-(3 Benzoylphenyl) propionic acid, 19583 R.P., Orudis, Profenid N.D.] have been carried out to establish whether it is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Firstly a comprehensive open clinical and biological monitoring study was undertakin in 11 patients who received ketoprofen for an average period of 20 months without any serious or persistent adverse clinical reaction or adverse change in standard laboratory investigations. The second study involved the same patients who were also included in an ophthalmic screening study for drug toxicity. This established that no eye abnormalities attributable to ketoprofen occurred during this period of treatment. These tolerance studies were then followed by two comparative double-blind cross-over trials of ketoprofen in 117 patients with "definite" rheumatoid arthritis. One of them confirmed the significantly superior analgesic effect compared with placebo and showed that the incidence of adverse reactions was similar. The other trial showed that comparing ketoprofen 150 mg daily and indomethacin 100 mg daily the clinical effects of the two drugs were the same in 8 out of 10 indices. Only in severity of pain and rescue drug count was there a significant difference favouring indomethacin. Adverse reactions were more frequent with indomethacin despite prior exclusion from the study of patients known to be intolerant of indomethacin. It was concluded that on this evidence ketoprofen is a clinically active and well tolerated drug which should be valuable in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult

N-acylglycines: gas chromatographic mass spectrometric identification and determination in urine by selected ion monitoring.

Eleven biologically interesting N-acylglycines have been synthesized and the gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of their trimethylsilyl derivatives studied, A sharp and reproducible gas chromatographic peak could be obtained for each N-acylglycine as the N, O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)-N-acylglycine. By the use of these derivatives a sensitive and specific selected ion monitoring method for the determination of N-acylglycines in human urine has been developed.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A flexible approach for on-line computerised quantification of intra-uterine pressure data.

Utilising simple mathematical techniques of differential calculus, a computer program has been developed for real time, on-line processing of uterine contractions with a small computer. The area under the intra-uterine pressure--time curve is calculated and two distinctive values of this area are printed on-line every 512 sec. The 'active area', which is the area above the resting tone, is calculated in addition to the 'total area'--that is, the area above 0 mmHg. This allows an objective and efficient assessment of uterine activity which may be used as a basis of comparison between individual patients and groups of patients.

Computers