The Score Card Approach: A First Step Toward an Evidence-based Differentiation Assessment for Tablets.

Background: The differentiation of tablets by their physical appearance is a contributing factor to the safe use of medications. In this study, a "score card" was developed to assess how well one tablet is differentiated from another tablet on the basis of the physical attributes of color, size, and shape.

Methods: The score card was derived from a "2-out-of-5" difference test, in which participants were presented with groups of 5 tablets with varying color, size, and shape, and were asked to identify the 2 tablets that were different from the other 3 tablets.

Cell cycle-dependent cytotoxicity and mitotic spindle checkpoint dependency of investigational and approved antimitotic agents.

The mitotic spindle checkpoint (SPC) is a highly regulated mechanism in eukaryotic cells that ensures the even distribution of the duplicated genome between daughter cells. Malfunction of the SPC or deregulated expression of SPC regulatory proteins is frequently associated with a poor response to chemotherapeutic agents. We investigated various approved and investigational mitosis-specific agents, including spindle poisons, an Eg5 kinesin inhibitor, inhibitors of polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) or Aurora-B kinase, a benzamide class HDAC inhibitor and compounds identified in a chemical genetics screen for their cell cycle-dependent cytotoxicities and for their activities toward SPC deficient (HT29, Caco-2, T47D) and SPC proficient human cell lines (A2780, HCT116, SW480).

Toxicokinetics of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) in humans, and implications to their biological monitoring.

Healthy male volunteers were exposed via inhalation to gasoline oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME). The 4-hr exposures were carried out in a dynamic chamber at 25 and 75 ppm for MTBE and at 15 and 50 ppm for TAME. The overall mean pulmonary retention of MTBE was 43 +/- 2.

Exposure to MTBE, TAME and aromatic hydrocarbons during gasoline pump maintenance, repair and inspection.

The exposure of gasoline pump repairers and inspectors to gasoline was studied at service stations and repair shops in Finland in April-June 2004. The average air temperature ranged from 7 degrees C to 16 degrees C and wind speed from 2.5 to 7 m/s.

Biological monitoring of benzene exposure during maintenance work in crude oil cargo tanks.

We investigated the association between the individual concentrations of benzene in the breathing zone and the concentrations of benzene in the blood and urine among workers maintaining crude oil cargo tanks. Benzene exposure was measured during three consecutive 12h work days among 13 tank workers and 9 unexposed referents (catering section). Blood and urine samples were collected pre-shift on the first day, post-shift on the third day, and pre-next shift on the following morning.