An autopsy case of fatal repellent air freshener poisoning.

We describe a first fatal case of repellent air freshener ingestion. A 79-year-old Japanese man with Alzheimer-type senile dementia orally ingested repellent air freshener containing three surfactants: polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (40) hydrogenated castor oil, and lauric acid amidopropyl amine oxide (weight ratio of 1.3%). About 1h after the collapse, he was in cardiopulmonary arrest and subsequently died 10h after his arrival. The forensic autopsy performed 5.5h after death revealed the 380ml of stomach contents with a strong mint perfume identical to that of the repellent air freshener and the findings of acute death. Toxicologically, 9.1µg/ml and 558.2µg/ml of polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether were detected from the serum and stomach contents taken at autopsy. Generally, ingestion of anionic or non-ionic surfactants have been considered as safe. However, because the patient suffered from cardiac insufficiency with a low dose of repellent air freshener ingestion, medical staff members must evaluate the elderly patient for cardiac and circulatory problems regardless of the ingested dose. Not only medical and nursing staff members, but also families who are obliged to care for elderly persons must be vigilant to prevent accidental ingestion of toxic substances generally used in the household.

Naloxone-reversible antidiarrheal effects of enkephalinase inhibitors.

Thiorphan and acetorphan, two potent inhibitors of enkephalinase (EC 3.4.24.11 membrane-metalloendopeptidase) significantly reduced the castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats when administered intravenously (or orally, for acetorphan) but not when administered intracerebroventricularly. These effects were more marked during the 90 min period following the castor oil challenge but were still significant up to 4-8 h after the latter. Acetorphan was about 6 times more potent than thiorphan. The antidiarrheal activity of both compounds was completely prevented in rats receiving naloxone subcutaneously but not intracerebroventricularly (in the case of thiorphan). In contrast to loperamide, a peripherally acting opiate receptor agonist, the enkephalinase inhibitors did not significantly reduce gastrointestinal transit as measured in the charcoal meal test. The antidiarrheal activity of enkephalinase inhibitors therefore seems attributable to protection of endogenous opioids, presumably outside the brain, and to reduction of intestinal secretion rather than transit.

Management of root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus delattrei in crossandra using oil cakes.

Selected oil cakes, neem, castor and mahua, were tried independently and in combination with a chemical nematicide (carbofuran 3G) for the management of Pratylenchus delattrei in crossandra under glass house conditions. The neem oil cake was effective compared to other oil cakes used and there was a synergistic effect when the neemcake was coupled with carbofuran 3G in the management of Pratylenchus delattrei. The treatment resulted in better establishment of seedlings, and with increased plant bio-mass and flower yield.