Development and application of a carbonyl-(13)C-enriched backbone amide linker for solid-phase reaction monitoring.

The synthesis and application of a carbonyl-(13)C backbone amide linker are described. The labeled unit is conveniently mixed with commercial resins, providing a rapid means of monitoring chemistry performed with this linker on solid support using conventional (13)C NMR methods.

Multicenter evaluation of a pathogenic mycobacterium screening probe.

The introduction of nucleic acid amplification assays into the clinical laboratory has reduced the time needed to diagnose diseases caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). However, several mycobacterial species other than those of the MTBC are known to cause disease, especially in immunocompromised individuals. A screening assay has been developed for the detection of the major pathogenic mycobacterial species.

Strategies for risk assessment and control in welding: challenges for developing countries.

Metal arc welding ranges from primitive (manual) to increasingly complex automated welding processes. Welding occupies 1% of the labour force in some industrialised countries and increasing knowledge of health risks, necessitating improved assessment strategies and controls have been identified by the International Institute of Welding (IIW), ILO, WHO and other authoritative bodies. Challenges for developing countries need to be addressed.

Effect of process parameters upon the dopamine and lipid peroxidation activity of selected MIG welding fumes as a marker of potential neurotoxicity.

There is growing concern over the neurotoxic effects of chronic occupational exposure to metal fume produced by welding. Elevated iron and manganese levels in the brain have been linked to an increase in lipid peroxidation, dopamine depletion and predisposition to the development of a Parkinson's type condition in advanced cases. Chemical and toxicological analysis of selected welding fumes, generated by model processes, were used in order to evaluate their potential to release solutes that promote oxidation of dopamine and peroxidation of brain lipids in cell free assays.

A model for prediction of fume formation rate in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), globular and spray modes, DC electrode positive.

Prediction of fume formation rate during metal arc welding and the composition of the fume are of interest to occupational hygienists concerned with risk assessment and to manufacturers of welding consumables. A model for GMAW (DC electrode positive) is described based on the welder determined process parameters (current, wire feed rate and wire composition), on the surface area of molten metal in the arc and on the partial vapour pressures of the component metals of the alloy wire. The model is applicable to globular and spray welding transfer modes but not to dip mode.

Metabolism of fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr methyl ester, and the herbicide fluroxypyr methylheptyl ester. II: in rat skin homogenates.

Fluroxypyr methyl ester (FPM) and the herbicide fluroxypyr methylheptyl ester (FPMH) are completely hydrolyzed during penetration through human and rat skin in vitro to the acid metabolite, fluroxypyr (FP) (). This article presents additional studies to determine the enzyme kinetics (K(m) and V(max)) of this ester hydrolysis, using crude rat whole-skin homogenate. Both FPM and FPMH were extensively metabolized in rat skin homogenates to the acid metabolite, FP.

Metabolism of fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr methyl ester, and the herbicide fluroxypyr methylheptyl ester. I: during percutaneous absorption through fresh rat and human skin in vitro.

Percutaneous absorption of pesticides is a major determinant for risk assessment. Furthermore, cutaneous metabolism plays a role in penetration of certain chemicals. Therefore, the aim of these studies was to determine the transdermal metabolism of three related compounds [the herbicide, fluroxypyr methylheptyl ester (FPMH), fluroxypyr methyl ester (FPM), and fluroxypyr (FP)] during penetration through human and rat skin in vitro.

Effects of handling and storage of blood on the stability of hepatitis C virus RNA: implications for NAT testing in transfusion practice.

Background And Objectives: To determine the stability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during transport and storage of blood samples from donors, prior to screening for HCV by nucleic acid amplification technology.

Materials And Methods: Various blood and plasma sample types were stored for up to 120 h at different temperatures and the HCV RNA level was measured using an in house quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results: No decline in HCV RNA level was observed after 72 h of storage of whole blood at 4 degrees C in EDTA tubes (Greiner) and Plasma Preparation Tubes (PPT; Becton Dickinson), while insignificant declines of 0.

Inhibited expression of negative emotions and interpersonal orientation in anorexia nervosa.

Objective: This study examined inhibited expression of negative feelings and interpersonal orientation in women with anorexia nervosa.

Method: Twenty-one women meeting DSM-IV criteria for anorexia nervosa were compared with 21 psychiatric and 21 normal control women matched on education. Two measures were used to assess inhibited expression of negative feelings and interpersonal orientation: the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory assesses the suppression and expression of anger and the Silencing the Self Scale assesses four cognitive schemas involving the repression of needs and feelings to protect interpersonal relationships.

Prospective investigation of transfusion transmitted infection in recipients of over 20 000 units of blood. TTI Study Group.

Objectives: To follow up recipients of 20 000 units of blood to identify any transmissions of infections through blood transfusion.

Design: Follow up study of recipients of transfusion.

Setting: 22 hospitals in north London.

Hepatitis C lookback programme: a single hospital experience.

As part of the national Hepatitis C (HCV) Lookback Programme, HCV-infected donors donating blood after September 1991 were identified and the fate of their previous donations received at a single hospital were traced; 123 of 160 implicated blood components were traceable and transfused. Only 19 recipients were alive and traceable and were tested for HCV. Nine of the 14 recipients (64%) of HCV-positive donations and 2 of 5 recipients (40%) of HCV-indeterminate donations had evidence of HCV infection.

Evidence that anti-HBc but not HBV DNA testing may prevent some HBV transmission by transfusion.

Blood donor screening for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) implemented in some countries as a surrogate marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis has been superseded by anti-HCV screening. To assess the value of anti-HBc screening for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen-negative blood donations that might contain infectious HBV, HBV genomic detection and recipient testing were used. Blood donations were screened and confirmed by multiple anti-HBc assays.

Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels following hepatic cryotherapy: association with volume and duration of freezing.

Although morbidity following cryotherapy is usually minor, a syndrome of multiorgan failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has been described and referred to as the cryoshock phenomenon. We hypothesized that mediators similar to those in septic shock may be involved in this syndrome. In this study we aimed to assess the plasma concentrations of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) following hepatic cryotherapy and to relate them to the duration and volume of freezing and to hepatocellular injury.

Effect of alcohol intoxication on hemodynamic physiology and outcome in patients with traumatic cardiac tamponade.

Background: Alcohol intoxication has a detrimental effect on hypovolemic shock. Our aim, was to study its effects on "pure" cardiac tamponade (i.e.

Effect of propofol on the electrocorticogram in epileptic patients undergoing cortical resection.

We have compared the effect of clinical doses of propofol with thiopental on epileptiform activity in the electrocorticograms (ECoG) of 20 epileptic patients undergoing temporal lobe resection. After baseline ECoG had been obtained, with inspired concentrations of 0.5-1% isoflurane and 70% nitrous oxide to provide background anaesthesia, subjects were allocated randomly to receive boluses of either thiopental 25 mg or propofol 20 mg i.

Large-scale HCV RNA screening in first-time blood donors: the first step towards genomic screening of blood donations. HCV RNA Screening Study Group.

Background And Objectives: Individual genomic screening for viruses in blood donations is becoming increasingly pressing as an alternative to pool testing to improve the safety of the blood supply.

Materials And Methods: To determine the feasibility and, possibly, efficacy of genomic screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the blood service setting, a representative population of first-time blood donors was screened individually with a semi-automated genomic amplification assay for HCV RNA. First-time blood donors in two blood centres in the United Kingdom were screened in parallel for anti-HCV and HCV RNA by RT-PCR.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of peptic pyloroduodenal strictures.

A through-the-scope endoscopic balloon dilatation technique and acid-reducing medication was used in 46 consecutive patients (median age, 55; range, 21-88 years) with benign gastric outlet obstruction. In five patients, dilatation was not technically possible. In 41 patients, 122 dilatations (median, 2; range, 1-9 per patient) were performed without morbidity.

Lipiodol avidity of neuroendocrine liver metastases.

Aims: Lipiodol has been shown to concentrate in most hepatocellular carcinomas as well as in some liver metastases, including those of neuroendocrine origin. Our aim was to determine the proportion of neuroendocrine liver metastases that take up lipiodol and to identify tumour characteristics that predict avidity.

Methods: Avidity was assessed in 12 patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases by performing an abdominal CT scan immediately after selective hepatic arterial injection of 5 ml of unlabelled lipiodol and this was correlated with number and size of lesions as well as angiographic and plain CT scan features.