Computed tomography findings in urban transportation workers with low cumulative asbestos exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of computed tomography (CT) scan pleural and interstitial changes in a population of urban transportation workers with low cumulative exposure to asbestos, and to measure inter-reader agreement. DESIGN: A total of 269 male volunteers (mean age 54.0 +/- 2.3 years, mean estimated cumulative exposure index 1.7 +/- 2.3 fibres/ml-years), underwent a CT scan which was read independently by three experienced readers, with further consensus reading in case of pleural or parenchymal abnormalities. Inter-reader agreement was assessed by means of Kappa statistic. RESULTS: On consensus reading, four subjects had interstitial opacities, three had diffuse pleural thickening and 26 (9.7%) had pleural plaques that were unilateral in 65% of cases and < or =2 mm thick in 54% of cases. No correlation was observed between pleural plaques and latency, duration of exposure or cumulative exposure. The inter-reader agreement for the detection of pleural abnormalities was fair. CONCLUSION: In this relatively young population with low cumulative exposure to asbestos, the prevalence of pleural abnormalities was low. These abnormalities were very limited in thickness and extent, leading to marked inter-reader variability and making it difficult to assess their relationship to asbestos exposure.

Biomarker responses at different levels of biological organisation in crabs (Carcinus aestuarii) experimentally exposed to benzo(alpha)pyrene.

The aim of this study was to validate a multi-trial biomarker approach for the evaluation of toxicological risk due to benzo(alpha)pyrene. Carcinus aestuarii, exposed to increasing concentrations of B(alpha)P in the water, was used as the bioindicator organism. A set of biomarkers were tested in order to: identify biological materials for biomarker and residue analysis; determine a group of sensitive techniques for the assessment of PAH contamination; investigate correlation between responses at different levels of biological organisation. The results underlined that BPMO activities in hepatopancreas and gills were a good biomarker of exposure to PAH-type compounds. B esterases activities in hemolymph and porphyrin patterns in excreta could be proposed as a non-destructive approach for evaluating chemical exposure in this species.

[Storage at room temperature does not change cisatracurium onset time: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled study]. / La température de conservation du cisatracurium ne modifie pas le délai d'action: étude randomisée, en double insu

OBJECTIVE: Storage of cisatracurium at room temperature seems to have no effect on its degradation in vitro contrary to the recommendations of storage at +4°C. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of cisatracurium' s storage temperature on its onset time. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were enrolled. The control group consisted of 15 patients receiving cisatracurium (0.15mg/kg) stored at room temperature and the intervention consisted of 15 patients receiving cisatracurium (0.15mg/kg) stored at +4°C. The primary endpoint was to compare cisatracurium onset time depending on the storage temperature. RESULTS: Cisatracurium onset time was 235 (180-292) seconds in the "room temperature" group vs. 240 (210-292) seconds in the "refrigerated" group. There was no difference between the onset of cisatracurium depending on the temperature of storage (p=0.51). Subgroups analysis in the "room temperature" group did not show any difference in cisatracurium onset depending on whether it was stored at room temperature for one, two or three weeks. Excellent intubation score was obtained for 100% of the patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that cisatracurium's storage at room temperature had no influence on its onset time. It provides an argument for the preservation of cisatracurium at room temperature for a period not exceeding 21 days. Monitoring the onset of curarization may increase the quality score of intubation.

Multiresponse biomarker evaluation of interactions between methylmercury and Arochlor 1260 in quail.

The single and combined effects of methylmercury and Arochlor 1260 were investigated in experimental quail treated chronically with the two compounds at low and high doses. A series of metabolic and biochemical biomarkers were evaluated together with mercury and PCB accumulation to pinpoint the effects of treatment with one or both chemicals. Methylmercury alone was associated with a decrease in serum cholesterol. Less PCBs were accumulated in tissues when Arochlor 1260 was combined with methylmercury than when the former was administered alone. Liver monooxygenase (MFO) activity was depressed 50% more in the presence of methylmercury than with Arochlor 1260 alone. Single or combined treatment with high doses of the two compounds resulted in similar degrees of DNA damage. This approach was found to provide a good picture of the interaction between environmental contaminants.