Fate, effects and potential environmental risks of ethylene glycol: a review.

The fate, effects, and potential environmental risks of ethylene glycol (EG) in the environment were examined. EG undergoes rapid biodegradation in aerobic and anaerobic environments (approximately 100% removal of EG within 24 h to 28 days). In air, EG reacts with photo-chemically produced hydroxyl radicals with a resulting atmospheric half-life of 2 days. Acute toxicity values (LC(50)s and EC(50)s) were generally >10,000 mg/l for fish and aquatic invertebrates. The data collectively show that EG is not persistent in air, surface water, soil, or groundwater, is practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms, and does not bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Potential long-term, quasi-steady state regional concentrations of EG estimated with a multi-media model for air, water, soil, and sediment were all less than predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs).

An evaluation of the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers for paediatric field anaesthesia.

A laboratory study has demonstrated that the Universal PAC and Oxford Miniature Vaporizers can be used for paediatric anaesthesia in drawover mode at varying ambient temperatures. Changes in tidal volume have minimal effect on the delivered concentration of halothane from either vaporizer but varying ambient temperature significantly affects the output of the Oxford Miniature Vaporizer. The Oxford performs well in continuous flow mode, which is of particular use for T-piece anaesthesia, whereas the Universal PAC does not perform adequately in this way.

Rigid cervical collars and intracranial pressure.

The use of a rigid cervical collar is widely recommended for patients with impaired consciousness following a head injury. This report suggests that such collars may cause significant increases in intracranial pressure in some patients and that this should be borne in mind when they are used.

Purification, characterization and immunological properties of the serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide of Pasteurella haemolytica (serotype A1) organisms.

The serotype-specific capsular polysaccharide from two strains of Pasteurella haemolytica serotype A1 organisms was purified and characterized by chemical analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The polymer has the structure----3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-acetyl-beta-D-mannopyranos yluronic acid)-(1----4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-mannopyranose)-(1----. The polysaccharide was immunogenic (able to evoke production of antibodies) for sheep but not for rabbits. Immuno electron-microscopy studies using the Protein A-gold technique showed the polysaccharide to be peripherally located on the bacterial surface. Reduction, oxidation and de-O-acetylation of the polymer did not appear to alter its immunological precipitability with specific antiserum, but all three treatments destroyed its ability to adhere to sheep erythrocytes at neutral pH. De-N-acetylation of the polymer destroyed both immunological precipitability and erythrocyte adherence.

Lower limb injuries in motorcycle accidents.

A four month study was conducted at Southampton General Hospital of the injuries sustained by motorcycle riders, 104 of whom (60%) returned a postal questionnaire about the accident, rider and motorcycle. The study confirmed that injuries to the lower limbs are a major cause of morbidity and the long time spent in hospital. Further investigation identified specially vulnerable areas. In particular, for 'severe' lower limb injuries, the 'shin' region was identified as the most vulnerable area, and the force producing the injury was generally applied to the other side of the other side of the limb by another vehicle. 'Crash bars' were found to be ineffective in reducing either the incidence or severity of lower limb injury.

Field studies in sheep with multicomponent clostridial vaccines.

Two commercially available multicomponent clostridial vaccines were studied under field conditions in sheep. An eight-component vaccine designed for use in an initial dose volume of 5 ml with subsequent injections of 2 ml produced significantly better results than a seven-component vaccine designed for use in a dose volume of 2 ml.

Studies in dogs and cats dosed with trimethoprim and sulphadiazine.

Serum level studies in cats and dogs dosed with 30 mg per kg per day of either oral or injectable formulations of a 1:5 trimethoprim/sulphadiazine combination showed good absorption by both routes of administration. Toxicity tests with the products demonstrated a high margin of safety in dogs given this dose level; the margin of safety in cats was lower but still adequate. The high success rate in clinical trials against a wide range of bacterial infections confirmed the predictions from the serum level results that a dose rate of 30 mg per kg per day orally or parentally, would be therapeutically efficacious in both species.