Textiles as a source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) in human skin and sewage sludge.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans were measured in low- to high-ppb concentrations in several pieces of new clothing from different manufacturers. It was shown that these contaminants are transferred from textiles to human skin during wearing. They were also present in shower water and were washed out of textiles during washing.

Combination of behavioral smoking cessation with transdermal nicotine substitution.

Effects of a transdermal nicotine substitution on psychological smoking cessation were investigated in a double-blind prospective study. 131 smokers were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: All smokers underwent nine weeks of self-controlled smoking cessation. During six weeks one group was additionally treated with nicotine patches continuously releasing nicotine through the skin into the blood circuit.

An inexpensive apparatus for simultaneous automatic measurement of oxygen consumption in six small laboratory animals.

A closed-circuit system for the simultaneous measurement of oxygen consumption in six small laboratory animals is described. The system consisted of six glass chambers in a big water bath of constant temperature, an oxygen-supply unit, six pressure sensors, a microcomputer and a printer, or, optionally, a desk-top calculator. Ventilation within the chambers provided rapid equilibration of air temperature and humidity conditions.

Influence of mecamylamine and atropine on tolerance development to nicotine hypothermia in rats.

Nicotine hypothermia is known as a central effect of nicotine waning after repeated administration due to the development of tolerance. In the present experiments using female rats, this tolerance was attenuated by the concomitant administration of mecamylamine. Atropine was without effect.