Effect of Delays in Civil Commitment Hearings on Outcomes Among Psychiatric Inpatients.

Patients admitted involuntarily to psychiatric hospitals may face waits of varying lengths before receiving civil commitment hearings. We aimed to assess the effects of the time spent awaiting a hearing on outcomes for such patients in a university health system, hypothesizing that patients with a longer prehearing length of stay (LOS) would also have increased LOS after their hearings. We included subjects who were admitted from January 1 through December 31, 2013, and had county court records of commitment hearings.

Long-term Treatment with Hesperidin Improves Endothelium-dependent Vasodilation in Femoral Artery of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: The Involvement of NO-synthase and K Channels.

Hesperidin is the most common flavonoid found in citrus fruits and is expected to exert vasodilation action relevant to its health benefits. The present study aimed to explore the effect of hesperidin on the vascular responses in normotensive and hypertensive rats and the involvement of NO-synthase and K channels. The 15-week-old Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomized to orally receive either hesperidin (50 mg/kg/day) or a corresponding volume of the water for 4 weeks.

Effect of sulodexide on vascular responses and liver mitochondrial function in diabetic rats.

This study investigates the effects of long-term treatment with sulodexide (SLX) on norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractions, acetylcholine(Ach)-induced relaxations, acute cyclooxygenase blockade by diclofenac (DIC) in isolated femoral arteries (FA) and the parameters of oxidative phosporylation in liver mitochondria. 15-weeks old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C; injected with saline solution), treated control (C+SLX), diabetic (DM) and treated diabetic (DM+SLX). Diabetes was induced with a single i.

Bioassay-directed chemical analysis and detection of mutagenicity in ambient air of the coke oven.

In the present study, we summarize the results of studies on the mutagenic potential of the main fractions and subfractions of extractable organic material (EOM) in the ambient air at the workplaces of the coke oven. The objective of our experiments was to apply the Bioassay-Directed Chemical Analysis (with the use of the Ames test) for the identification of the differences in the mutagenicity of these fractions, in relationship to the complex mixture of EOM in occupational air. From the evaluation of results, it is possible to deduce the following conclusions: (1) The comparison of the mutagenicity in the main fractions (basic, acidic, neutral) demonstrates the existence of differences in mutagenic potential.

The use of YG bacterial tester strains for the monitoring of drinking water mutagenicity.

The organic extract from the 50 drinking water specimens taken in four cities were tested for mutagenicity in the Ames test (plate incorporation assay) using the parent TA98 and TA100 strains, and derived YG1041 and YG1042 strains. Four dose levels of extractable organic matter (EOM) with duplicate plate per dose were used. Slopes (revertants/mg EOM) were calculated by the Bernstein linear regression rejection model using GeneTox Manager software.

DNA adduct formation in mammalian cell cultures by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitro-PAH in coke oven emission extract.

Mammalian cells in culture were used to study the genotoxic potential of coke oven emissions constituting a complex mixture of chemicals. For this purpose, particle extracts and some polycyclic aromatic and nitroaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH and nitro-PAH) occurring in these mixtures were assayed for DNA adduct formation using the -postlabeling technique. In primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), benz[a]anthracene (B[a]A) and benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[k]F) caused DNA adduct levels in the range of 1 adduct/108 nucleotides.

Cytogenetic monitoring in coke oven workers.

Cytogenetic markers (chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), cells with high frequency of SCE (HFC), the heterogeneity index SCE (SCE-H) and genetic polymorphism of genotypes GSTM1 and NAT2 were evaluated in the peripheral lymphocytes of 64 coke oven workers and 34 control subjects from the same plant. Personal monitors were used to evaluate exposure to eight carcinogenic (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) PAHs, including B[a]P, during an 8-h working shift. Smoking habits were checked by urinary cotinine measurement.

Coke oven workers study: the effect of exposure and GSTM1 and NAT2 genotypes on DNA adduct levels in white blood cells and lymphocytes as determined by 32P-postlabelling.

The DNA adduct levels in total white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes (LYM) isolated from the blood of the same individuals were evaluated using the 32P-postlabelling assay for bulky aromatic adducts. In this study, 68 male coke oven workers and 56 machines workers as a matched control were enrolled. Personal monitors were used to evaluate exposure to eight carcinogenic PAHs, including B[alpha]P, during an 8-h working shift.

Air pollution exposure-DNA adduct dosimetry in humans and rodents: evidence for non-linearity at high doses.

The impact of air pollution exposure on the level of total DNA adducts in human white blood cells (WBCs) was evaluated in two populations in the Czech Republic and compared to the exposure-DNA adduct relationship in other populations in the US and China in human lung cells and rodent lung tissue. The human populations examined were exposed to respirable particles (< 2.5 microm) (PM2.

32P-postlabeling analysis of DNA adducts in tissues of rats exposed to coke-oven emissions.

Coke-oven workers are occupationally exposed to emissions containing relatively high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Epidemiological studies suggest that this occupational exposure may lead to an increased risk of lung cancer. To evaluate a biologically effective exposure dose in human biomonitoring studies DNA carcinogen adduct analysis is frequently used.

Monitoring genotoxic exposure in uranium mines.

Recent data from deep uranium mines in Czechoslovakia indicated that mines are exposed to other mutagenic factors in addition to radon daughter products. Mycotoxins were identified as a possible source of mutagens in these mines. Mycotoxins were examined in 38 samples from mines and in throat swabs taken from 116 miners and 78 controls.

Comparison of DNA adducts from exposure to complex mixtures in various human tissues and experimental systems.

DNA adducts derived from complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic compounds emitted from tobacco smoke are compared to industrial pollution sources (e.g., coke ovens and aluminum smelters), smoky coal burning, and urban air pollution.

Monitoring genotoxic exposure in uranium miners.

Recent data from deep uranium mines in Czechoslovakia indicated that in addition to radon daughter products, miners are also exposed to chemical mutagens. Mycotoxins were identified as a possible source of mutagenicity present in the mines. Various methods of biomonitoring were used to examine three groups of miners from different uranium mines.

Environmental genotoxicity monitoring using Salmonella typhimurium strains as indicator system.

Screening for mutagens in environmental complex mixtures is gradually accepted as a routine methodology in the monitoring processes. Examination of 70 drinking water samples showed that the variations in the degree of mutagenicity was dependent on the location of the water source and the type of drinking water tested. Analogous screening for mutagens in river and waste waters may help better assess the potential genotoxic hazard from various types of industrial technology.

[Mutagenic activity analysis of body fluids in the first phase of clinical drug trials].

On the example of the model drugs metronidazole and ornidazole, a possible use of an analysis of mutagenic activity of blood and urine in the first stage of clinical testing of drugs is demonstrated. Mutagenicity of blood and urine after metronidazole administration in the dose of 1 and 2 g was examined in 3 experiments with 6 volunteers, the presence of mutagenic drugs in urine in the dose of 1 g was observed till 48 h, in the dose of 2 g till 72 h after administration. Besides base-substitution mutations also frameschif mutations were detected, but with considerable individual variability.

Effect of ascorbic acid on humoral and other factors of immunity in coal-tar exposed workers.

A group of 30 coal-tar workers was treated with 1 g of ascorbic acid (AA) orally five times a week for 3 months. The effect of this treatment was assessed on serum IgG, IgM, IgA, alpha 1-antitrypsin, prealbumin, orosomucoid, transferrin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, the latex fixation test and cancer serum index (CSI). After 3 months treatment the concentration of AA in the blood increased from 9.

Effect of ascorbic acid prophylaxis on the frequency of chromosome aberrations in the peripheral lymphocytes of coal-tar workers.

The possible anti-mutagenic potential of prophylactically administered ascorbic acid (AA) preparations was studied in a group of 35 coal-tar workers occupationally exposed to PAH and benzene. The effectiveness of AA prophylaxis was assessed by differences in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the exposed workers examined before and after a 3-month treatment with AA at the daily doses of 1.0 g for 5 days a week.

Mutagenicity testing of the antiparasitic drug entizol (polfa) in the detection system of Salmonella typhimurium mutants.

The mutagenic activity was tested of a clinically used drug Entizol (Polfa) which contains metronidazole as an active substance. The mutagenicity of the compound was detected for Salmonella typhimurium indicator strains TA100, TA1535, TA1950, and TA1538 in tests in vitro without metabolic activation at the concentration range of 180 to 1600 microgram per plate. Metabolic conversion of the preparation studied in vivo gave rise to mutagenic metabolites detectable in the blood of mice after both intraperitoneal and per-oral application.