Types of organic solvents used in workplaces and work environment conditions with special references to reproducibility of work environment classification.

A survey of solvent was conducted for 196 unit work areas in 95 plants in 1994 to 1996 in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The survey had been repeated every 6 months (i.e., twice a year) during the 3-year period. Sampling and analysis of the solvent vapors were carried out after national protocols set by the regulation. Toluene was most frequently detected regardless of the type of solvent work (except for degreasing), whereas the second- and the third-most common solvents varied depending on the type of solvent works. Among chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents for degreasing, dichloromethane was most widely used. Solvent concentrations were generally low as none of the median concentrations exceeded corresponding Administrative Control Levels set by the regulation, either individually or even when the assumption of additiveness was applied. Among the 1176 cases analyzed, 80% of the unit work areas were evaluated as adequate (i.e., classified as Class I). Furthermore, about 57% stayed in Class I throughout the 3 years, suggesting that solvent exposure conditions were generally quite stable. In regulatory evaluation by classification, A-sampling was decisive in most cases, whereas the role of B-sampling was limited.

[A clinical study on cefotiam with special reference to excretion in bile and concentration in gallbladder tissue].

Following 1 hour intravenous drip infusion of 1.0 g of cefotiam (CTM), 38 patients with cholelithiasis were operated at scheduled intervals. The CTM concentrations in serum, common duct bile, gallbladder bile and gallbladder tissue were measured. The mean level of CTM concentration in serum showed a peak of 53.1 micrograms/ml at 1 hour, and decreased in the level of 1.0 microgram/ml at 5 hours after administration. CTM concentrations in common duct bile revealed a mean level of 162 micrograms/ml at 1 hour and similarly high concentrations from 1 to 5 times of the peak level in serum were maintained for 3.5 hours. In patients with impaired liver function, the levels of CTM concentration were lower than those without them. CTM concentrations in gallbladder bile showed a high value at 2-3.5 hours after administration . In many cases the levels were relatively lower than those in common duct bile, particularly ion patients with cystic duct obstruction and/or with marked chronic cholecystitis. As for gallbladder tissue levels, CTM concentrations showed low levels less than 50 micrograms/g in patients with pathological changes of gallbladder, as well as in gallbladder bile. While, favorable concentrations of 50-100 micrograms/g were obtained in patients without them. There was a positive correlation between CTM concentrations in common duct bile and gallbladder bile, and also between the concentrations in gallbladder bile and those in gallbladder tissue in patients without cystic duct obstruction or marked chronic cholecystitis. Then, in the situation, CTM transfer into gallbladder bile or gallbladder tissue might be mainly dependent on biliary excretion of CTM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Intra-arterial infusion of CDDP in advanced gastrointestinal cancer (combination of general chemotherapy)].

We attempted to use CDDP for patients with advanced cancers of the gastrointestinal system by intra-arterial infusion, giving consideration to the side effects of CDDP. Of 19 cases treated with CDDP, 17 cases were evaluable. These 17 cases comprised 10 cases of gastric cancer, 1 of pancreatic cancer and 6 of colon cancer. Therapeutic effects were as follows. According to the criteria for judgement of solid cancers, there were 10 evaluable cases which comprised 1 case of PR, 2 of MR, 4 of NC and 3 of PD. According to the criteria for judgement of malignant ascites, there were 6 evaluable cases which comprised 4 effective and 2 non-effective cases. As to side effects, nausea and vomiting were observed in 10 cases, numbness in 1, fever in 1 and aggravation of diabetes in 2. From the above results, intra-arterial infusion of CDDP is considered to be an effective method for the treatment of advanced cancers of the gastrointestinal system, especially of malignant ascites.

Effects of long-term parenteral nutrition on gastrin release in dogs.

The effects of long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on gastrin release were evaluated in dogs. The antral mucosal gastrin level was also measured before and after TPN. Longterm TPN reduced the mucosal gastrin levels, so that the serum gastrin release was depressed depending on time. However, the reduced levels gradually recovered after resumption of oral feeding. Diminished values had almost returned to pre-TPN levels by the 7th day.

Diffusive sampling and biological monitoring of 2-bromopropane.

The possibilities to apply personal ambient air monitoring by diffusive sampling and biological exposure monitoring by urinalysis for 2-bromopropane or its metabolites were explored. The abilities of carbon cloth to adsorb 2-bromopropane was examined by experimental vapor exposure followed by solvent extraction and FID-GC. Urine from factory workers and rats exposed to 2-bromopropane were analyzed for 2-bromopropane, acetone and isopropyl alcohol by FID-GC, and for bromide ion by ECD-GC after chemical methylation. Carbon cloth adsorbed 2-bromopropane in a manner linearly related to exposures up to 1500 mg/m3 and to 8 h. The adsorption could quantitatively detect a 15 min peak exposure at 3,000 mg/m3. In rat experiments, analyses of urine samples collected over a 4-h period after termination of a 4-h exposure to 2-bromopropane at 500, 1,000 or 1,500 mg/m3 showed that acetone and bromide ion were excreted dose-dependently. Essentially, no 2-bromopropane or isopropyl alcohol was detected. When the analytical methods were applied to urine samples from 5 male workers exposed to 2-bromopropane at a low level (3 mg/m3 as a geometric mean), acetone and bromide ion levels were within respective normal ranges in four cases, but were higher than the upper limits of the normal ranges in the fifth case of a foreman who probably had the highest exposure. Thus, diffusive sampling is applicable to monitor exposure to 2-bromopropane. Urinalysis for acetone and bromide ion in combination appears to be a promising selective tool for biological monitoring of occupational exposure to 2-bromopropane.

Transumbilical portal vein catheterization and insulin analysis in an infant with hypoglycemia.

We performed transumbilical portal vein catheterization and sampled portal blood selectively to carry out immunoreactive insulin (IRI) analyses in a 7-month-old girl with hypoglycemia. The IRI concentration was highest in the mid-portion of the splenic vein. Although no tumor was found at surgery, 70 per cent of the caudal pancreas was resected above the superior mesenteric vein to a point determined by preoperative investigations. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen indicated nesidioblastosis. There have been no postoperative hypoglycemic symptoms. Our technique is efficacious in reaching a diagnosis of infantile hypoglycemia.

Efficacy of endoprosthesis for internal biliary drainage in patients with nonresectable carcinoma of the proximal bile duct.

Surgical endoprosthesis as an internal biliary drainage was performed as a palliative treatment for 12 patients with a nonresectable carcinoma of the proximal bile ducts. In most of these patients jaundice was relieved, they were able to return to their homes, and their survival was substantially prolonged. The efficacy of this procedure was more favorable, compared to the results in patients in whom external drainage or cholangiojejunostomy was performed.

Serum zinc and copper changes after gastrectomy in aged patients with gastric cancer.

Serum zinc and copper levels were evaluated in patients with gastric cancer who had undergone gastrectomy. These patients were divided into two age categories; namely, the aged group, comprising 39 patients over the age of 70 years, and the younger group, comprising 23 patients younger than 50 years. The data before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. Serum zinc levels in the aged group were significantly lower than those in the younger group, both before and after surgery. Serum copper levels, however, did not differ significantly between the two groups. The serum Cu/Zn ratio was also analyzed according to the histological stages of cancer (stages I to IV), and compared between the two age-classified groups. The aged group showed a higher Cu/Zn ratio at all stages, whereas in the younger group, the ratio was significantly higher at stage IV than in the earlier stages. Preoperative serum zinc, copper, and the Cu/Zn ratio were studied in relation to the complication of anastomotic leak after surgery. The Cu/Zn ratio in the aged patients with this complication was significantly higher than that in the aged patients without it. These results suggest that the Cu/Zn ratio may be an important factor in determining nutritional parameters in the aged.

Bone disorder following partial and total gastrectomy with reference to bone mineral content.

To study post-gastrectomy metabolic bone disorders, we measured the radial bone mineral content (BMC), serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25-OH-D) in 59 patients with partial- and 39 patients with total gastrectomy. Total gastrectomy patients manifested a higher incidence of decreased BMC levels than did partial gastrectomy patients (56 per cent vs. 25 per cent). Patients subjected to the Billroth II procedure, especially females, manifested abnormally low BMC values. The decline in BMC was age-related; it was pronounced in females. At 10 years postoperatively, many of the partial gastrectomy patients manifested markedly low BMC levels; in totally gastrectomized patients this finding was made at less than 5 years postoperatively. Approximately 30 per cent of our patients showed abnormalities in serum minerals, alkaline phosphatase or 25-OH-D.

[Statistical studies of student clinical practice. 1. Clinical practice of operative dentistry from 1983 to 1989].

Clinical practice has been assigned as a final and very important aspect of study and practice of dental education. In our university, the students are exposed the clinical practice from the latter term of fifth year. This report investigated the protocols of clinical cases from the first to the seventh class of graduates. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The graduates of first class averaged 9 clinical cases. This decreased with the years and the fourth class averaged 5.5 cases. From the sixth class simulator training and mutual practice among the students was introduced and the total average of seventh class was 5.1 cases. 2) The dental practice centers on restoration and 20 percent of all cases were amalgam fillings from the first to four the class. However this decreased from the fifth class and does not take place at present. Composite resin restorations increased. Cast restorations occupied 20 percent of all cases and the proportion hasn't changed. 3) Clinical cases of graduates of fifth class who were first to include treatment between students averaged 7 cases. Mutual treatment practice is useful because of the increase exposure to clinical practice.

[A study for non-asbestos casting liners. An experimental study of the adaptability of MOD casting to die].

Asbestos liners for investment metal casting has frequently been used in dental laboratory work. In recent years, the dangerous properties of asbestos to the human body were reported in Europe and the United States, and casting liners without asbestos were developed and marketed by many manufacturers. These are so-called non-asbestos liners. This study evaluated the adaptability of MOD inlay castings to dies using 8 kinds of commercial non-asbestos liners of ADA standard No. 2 specifications. The results were as follows; Single and double layers of Casting ribbon, New Asbestos Ribon, Shofu experimental, and KAOLIN showed good adaptation. Shofu experimental with a single layer showed the best marginal adaptation (10 microns). OVAL LINERS and CASTING LINERS with single layer showed good adaptation, but with double layers the adaptation was poor. In FLASK LINER, the double layer showed better adaptation than that with a single layer. Most non-asbestos liners used in this study are adequate in useful to MOD inlay castings.

Monitoring of occupational exposure to 1-butanol by diffusive sampling and urinalysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility of applying diffusive air sampling and urinalysis (for mother compound and metabolites) to the monitoring of exposure of factory workers to 1-butanol. METHODS: The performance of carbon cloth in adsorbing 1-butanol vapor in air was studied by experimental exposure of the cloth to 1-butanol at 50, 100, 200 or 400 ppm for up to 10 h. 1-Butanol in the exposed cloth was extracted with carbon disulfide and this was followed by gas-chromatographic (GC) analysis. Urine samples were collected from factory workers occupationally exposed to 1-butanol and from rats exposed experimentally to 1-butanol vapour (up to 200 ppm). The urine samples were analyzed by GC without any pretreatment, or after treatment with hydrochloric acid or hydrolase preparation. RESULTS: The performance of the carbon cloth was such that it adsorbed 1-butanol in proportion to the concentration (up to 400 ppm) and the duration (up to 10 h) of exposure, and responded quantitatively to a 15-min exposure up to 400 ppm. The amount of 1-butanol (after enzymic or acid hydrolysis) in post-exposure urine samples from rats was proportional to the exposure intensity. The proportion of free 1-butanol in total 1-butanol (i.e., free+conjugated) in urine was higher after 100 or 200 ppm exposure (35-40%) than after 50 ppm exposure (about 8%). There was a significant increase in total 1-butanol concentration (but not in free 1-butanol) in shift-end urine samples of workers exposed to 1-butanol at concentrations up to 3 ppm. CONCLUSIONS: Diffusive sampling with carbon cloth as an adsorbent can be applied to ambient air monitoring of exposure to 1-butanol. Urinalysis for 1-butanol after hydrolysis is sensitive enough to detect occupational 1-butanol vapour exposure at 3 ppm.