Outcomes of a vocational program for persons with AIDS.

Advances in medical treatment combined with changes in the demographics of persons who are becoming infected with autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have transformed this illness from a rapidly progressing to a chronically disabling condition in a short period of time. This paper describes the development, implementation, and outcomes of a program of vocational services for persons with AIDS. This program was studied using a single group design, in which participatory action research strategies were used to investigate and improve the program as it unfolded.

Factors affecting the loss of carbon monoxide from stored blood samples.

The loss of carbon monoxide (CO) from whole blood or hemolysates has been investigated. Blood samples were exposed to the atmosphere or to a limited volume of air for various storage periods at three temperatures. The initial hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the percent carboxyhemoglobin (%COHb) saturation were varied in separate experiments.

Determination of carbon monoxide in blood by gas chromatography using a thermal conductivity detector.

A method is described for the gas chromatographic quantitation of carbon monoxide by means of thermal conductivity detection. Carbon monoxide is released from blood samples as small as 0.02 mL using a unique extraction chamber.

Detection of benzoylecgonine in urine by means of UV spectrophotometry.

A simple and reliable method has been developed for the detection of benzoylecgonine in urine by UV spectrophotometry. Benzoylecgonine was isolated by liquid-liquid extraction and subsequently identified based on its hydrolysis by NaOH. The decrease in absorbance at 235 nm caused by this NaOH hydrolysis was used to identify benzoylecgonine even in the absence of its characteristic spectrum.