Teratogenic effects of propineb on rat skin.

The dithiocarbamates are known to cause dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis in humans. The experimental group received Propineb (obtained from Bayer) concentrations of 400 ppm in distilled water five days a week (treatment time three weeks) administered orally by gasric pit. Acute oral LD50 for male rats has been found to be 8,500 mg/kg (Worthing, 1983). The control group (n = 10) received only distilled water. At ultrasonographical examination, there were no resorbed fetuses or stillborns during or after propineb administration. It can be clearly seen that the body weights of the experimental group of litters are lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001). However, the mean length of the experimental litters was identical to the control group of litters (p > 0.05). Under microscopical examination, increased keratinization and hyperplasia were observed in the epidermal cells.

Dimethly sulphoxide lowers ICP after closed head trauma.

Ten patients with closed head trauma and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) ranging from 40-127 mm Hg were treated with intravenous dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) every 6 h for 1-10 days. Four patients received DMSO and intermittent oxygen. All patients showed a reduction of ICP after 24 h and 7 had normal ICP after 6 days of treatment. Two patients died of their injuries. Neurological assessment at the time of discharge showed 2 patients with severe neurological deficits and 6 patients with mild to no deficit. After a 3 month follow-up, 1 patient remained severely impaired and 7 patients showed mild to no deficit. It appears that intravenous DMSO can rapidly reduce elevated ICP in severe closed-head injury and that it improves neurological outcome.