Occupational exposure to lead: effects on renal function.

Although nephrotoxicity is common following exposure to lead, the dose-response relationship in adults with occupational exposure is not well understood because information is lacking on early nephrotoxic effects. By the time serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels are elevated, renal damage may be advanced and not fully reversible. Detailed investigations of renal glomerular and tubular function were performed in six adults with occupational exposure to lead.

The relationship of biological indices of lead exposure to the health status of workers in a secondary lead smelter.

The fidelity with which common indices of lead exposure correlate with renal and hematopoietic function and with frequency of symptoms was studied. The subjects were men working in a secondary lead smelter. Among several indices of renal function, only serum urea nitrogen (SUN) was consistently correlated with any of the indices of lead exposure.

Abuse and pulmonary complications of injecting pentazocine and tripelennamine tablets.

A current practice among drug abusers in certain Midwestern and Eastern cities is the intravenous injection of aqueous mixtures prepared from tablets of pentazocine and tripelennamine. Patients present with acute hypoxic episodes and symptoms suggesting physical dependence to pentazocine. Two cases are presented illustrating acute respiratory distress with hypoxia.

Lymphocytotoxins in epileptic patients receiving phenytoin.

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and nature of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in patients receiving phenytoin. Of forty-six sera examined, lymphocytotoxins and antinuclear antibodies were detected in fourteen and eleven samples respectively. Antibodies to double-stranded RNA (poly-A-poly-U) were found in six out of thirty-eight sera studied.

Intravenous fructose treatment of acute alcohol intoxication. Effects on alcohol metabolism.

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of the intravenous administration of fructose in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication. The study was prospective and double-blind, with glucose serving as the control. Treatment with glucose and fructose was determined by random selection.

beta2 microglobulinuria in a patient with nephrotoxicity secondary to mercuric chloride ingestion.

A case of mercuric chloride intoxication is reported in which protein excretion was measured. Urinary albumin and low molecular weight proteins, including beta2 microglobulin, were greatly elevated following ingestion, reaching maximal values on the second day. The increased excretion of both albumin and beta2 microglobulin indicated the presence of both tubular and glomerular lesions.

Physostigmine--its use and abuse.

Physostigmine salicylate, a cholinesterase inhibitor, has been shown to reverse the effects of certain drugs with anticholinergic properties. The paper provides a brief historical account of physostigmine, reviews the cholinergic drugs and their effects and suggests a management protocol based on physiologic criteria. Twenty-six overdose cases, recently treated with physostigmine, are summarized.

Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac arrhythmias in patients receiving psychotropic drugs.

Eight patients had cardiac manifestations that were life-threatening in five while taking psychotropic drugs, either phenothiazines or tricyclic antidepressants. Although most patients were receiving several drugs, Mellaril (thioridazine) appeared to be responsible for five cases of ventricular tachycardia, one of which was fatal in a 35 year old woman. Supraventricular tachycardia developed in one patient receiving Thorazine (chlorpromazine).

Transcendental meditation in hypertension. Individual response patterns.

Seven selected hypertensive patients were stabilized on drugs at a research clinic. Subjects learned transcendental meditation (T.M.