Determination of chlorotriazines, methylthiotriazines and one methoxytriazine by SPE-LC-UV in water samples.

Triazine herbicides form a wide group of substances that belong among the most common agrochemicals applied for pre- and post-emergence weed control. So, they can be found in the environment at trace level. In order to determine their concentrations in water samples by the usual analytical techniques, a preconcentration step is commonly necessary.

A comparison of the efficacy and tolerance of pancrelipase and placebo in the treatment of steatorrhea in cystic fibrosis patients with clinical exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Objective: The safety and efficacy of Minimicrospheres, which are enteric-coated, delayed-release pancrelipase capsules, on fat absorption in pediatric/adolescent and adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients was assessed. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, common in CF patients, causes steatorrhea due to insufficient release of pancreatic enzymes.

Methods: In the open-label phase, 97 CF patients with pancreatic insufficiency and steatorrhea were stabilized on a high-fat diet and administered pancrelipase.

Human neutrophil elastase and elastase/alpha 1-antiprotease complex in cystic fibrosis. Comparison with interstitial lung disease and evaluation of the effect of intravenously administered antibiotic therapy.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), extracellular lung matrix is progressively damaged, neutrophils invade the air spaces, and activated neutrophils may release large amounts of neutrophil elastase (NE). Although alpha 1-antiprotease (alpha 1-AP) binds and inactivates NE and is the major antielastase of the lower respiratory tract, antielastase defenses may be overwhelmed in CF, leading to progressive lung damage. To determine whether the ability of alpha 1-AP to neutralize NE is impaired in CF, we compared NE activity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and human neutrophil elastase/alpha 1-antiprotease (NE/alpha 1-AP) complex in both BAL fluid and peripheral blood serum from patients with CF, normal volunteers, and patients with interstitial lung disease.

Health effects of organic dusts in the farm environment. Report on diseases.

Specific diseases associated with the agricultural environment were identified as allergic rhinitis and asthma, pneumonitis/alveolitis, the organic dust toxic syndrome and bronchitis. Diagnostic criteria were formulated and current research techniques, in terms of epidemiological studies were outlined. The workgroup summarized a priority for epidemiological studies to evaluate the incidence of the different diseases as well as the identification of predisposing host and environmental factors.