Acute inhalation toxicity study of n-heneicosane and its combination with diflubenzuron: An attracticide of Aedes aegypti.

OBJECTIVE: Combination of an oviposition pheromone and an insect growth regulator for the control of vectors is an effective approach. There is a need for toxicological evaluation before its introduction. The present study evaluates the acute inhalation toxicity of n-heneicosane and its combination with diflubenzuron in a head-only inhalation exposure chamber made of glass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A head-only inhalation exposure chamber made of glass (volume: 3.5 l) was used for exposing four rats at a time. A glass nebulizer was used for aerosolization of n-heneicosane and its combination with diflubenzuron (1:10 w/w). Nebulization pressure was 10 and 15 psi and the air flow of exposure the chamber was adjusted to 30 lpm. Male Wistar rats were acclimatized in whole body plethysmographs that were connected to volumetric flow pressure transducers by silicon tubes. The transducers were connected to an amplifier and a digitized response was recorded through an oscillograph and personal computers. Respiratory variables were recorded online. After inhalation exposure, various other parameters like survival, body weight, organ body weight index and biochemical changes were recorded for analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Particle size determination proved that the aerosol particles were within the respirable range. LC50 of n-heneicosane and its combination with diflubenzuron was found to be more than 5 g/m3. There were minimal changes observed during exposure to n-heneicosane and also its combination with diflubenzuron on the respiratory variables. The changes were not consistent with the dose. CONCLUSION: n-Heneicosane and its combination with diflubenzuron showed low mammalian toxicity.

Establishing a deceased donor program in north Indian region: lessons learnt.

INTRODUCTION: Living-related donors are the source of almost all organ transplants in India. However, these donations fall far short of current needs, and there remains a huge disparity between demand and supply of organs. In the last five yr, a consistent increase in deceased donor transplant activity has been observed in some southern Indian states. This report describes our experience of establishing a new deceased donor program in the state of Uttar Pradesh in north India. METHODS: We describe our experience on counseling families of all brain-dead patients admitted to our center from October 2013 to September 2014 and data on retrieving and transplanting organs. RESULTS: A total of 99 brain-dead patients were identified, of which 67 were medically eligible as donors. Fourteen patients developed cardiac arrest before the counseling could begin. Only eight families agreed for multi-organ donation. CONCLUSION: Lack of consensus among the family members, mistrust of the medical system, fear of mutilation of the body, and delay in the funeral were identified as the main reasons behind negative consent. Conversely, mass media campaign, proper ICU care of brain-dead patients, rapport with the family and streamlining all medico legal processes were associated with positive consent.