Hair of young subjects (
N=36) suspected for drug abuse was analysed for morphine, codeine, heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, cocaine, methadone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine ...(MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA). The analysis of morphine, codeine, heroin, 6-acetylmorphine, cocaine, and methadone in hair included incubation in methanol, solid-phase extraction, derivatisation by the mixture of propionic acid anhydride and pyridine, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). For amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, and MDEA analysis, hair samples were incubated in 1
M sodium hydroxide, extracted with ethyl acetate, derivatised with heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride (HFBA), and assayed by GC/MS. The methods were reproducible (R.S.D.=5.0–16.1%), accurate (85.1–100.6%), and sensitive (LoD=0.05–0.30
ng/mg). The applied methods confirmed consumption of heroin in 18 subjects based on positive 6-acetylmorphine. Among these 18 heroin consumers, methadone was found in four, MDMA in two, and cocaine in two subjects. Cocaine only was present in two, methadone only in two, methamphetamine only in two, and MDMA only in seven of the 36 subjects. In two out of nine coloured and bleached hair samples, no drug was found. Despite the small number of subjects, this study has been able to indicate the trend in drug abuse among young people in Croatia.
The Texas Rett Syndrome Registry maintains the largest population-based registry of cases and potential cases of Rett syndrome in the world. The most precise estimate of the prevalence of Rett ...syndrome of 1 per 22800 (0.44/10000) females aged 2 through 18 years of age was generated from this Registry. In addition, the first prevalence figures for black and Hispanic female cases were estimated. Registry cases are actively ascertained from multiple sources. Registry staff identify presumptive cases from review of information provided to the Registry by the parent or guardian. Preliminary diagnostic evaluation includes standardized review of medical records and videotape of key behaviors. Diagnosis is confirmed at clinical evaluation. The active surveillance system is monitored with the two-source capture-recapture methodology and case ascertainment is projected. The 1990 prevalence estimate of Rett syndrome indicates that the syndrome occurs less frequently than previously estimated. Until a biologic marker for Rett syndrome is identified or a standard definition for an incident case of Rett syndrome is designated, the prevalence of Rett syndrome will remain a major investigative issue of its epidemiology, and the Registry will be an important, systematic mean to gather case material for clinical and laboratory studies providing the foundation for the development of preventive interventions.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether toluene, like many other organic solvents and solvent mixtures, could impair color vision.
We investigated color vision impairment in three groups of ...workers, two groups occupationally exposed to toluene and a nonexposed group. The first exposed group, group E1, comprised 41 workers (median value of toluene in air 35.00 ppm, range 11.3-49.3 ppm) and the second exposed group, group E2, comprised 32 subjects (median value of toluene in air 156.00 ppm, range 66.0-250.0 ppm). The nonexposed group, group NE, comprised 83 subjects. Color vision was evaluated by the Lanthony D-15 desaturated test according to Verriest's classification: type I, loss in the red-green range; type II, loss in the blue-yellow and red-green ranges, and type III, loss in the blue-yellow range. Subjects were classified as dyschromates if specific acquired loss was determined in at least one eye. In both exposed groups, exposure was evaluated by measurement of the concentration of toluene in the ambient air and in the blood. In group E2, level of hippuric acid and orthocresol in urine after the work shift were also determined. The Mann-Whitney U-test, t-test, chi 2-test, and Spearman's rank correlation and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Type III dyschromatopsia was detected in all groups examined: 26.6% of the workers in group NE, 31.7% of those in group E1, and 50% of those in group E2. As many as 15.6% of the workers in group E2, 4.8% of those in group E1, and only 1.2% of those in group NE had type II dyschromatopsia. A statistically significant difference in the prevalence of total dyschromatopsia (type III + type II) was established among the three examined groups together (chi 2 = 14.13; df = 2; P < 0.01), between group E2 and group E1 (chi 2 = 4.96; P < 0.05), and between group E2 and group NE (chi 2 = 12.50; P < 0.005), whereas no significant difference was found between groups E1 and NE. Type III dyschromatopsia was significantly correlated with age in group NE (P < 0.01) and in group E1 (P < 0.005). In group E2, both type II (P < 0.05) and type III dyschromatopsia correlated with toluene in ambient air and with the duration of exposure to toluene (both P < 0.005). In group E2, total dyschromatopsia correlated significantly with toluene in ambient air and in blood (both P < 0.05) as well as with hippuric acid in urine after the work shift (P < 0.001).
This study suggests that toluene can impair color vision.
Tallow-oleic estolide 2-ethylhexyl (2-EH) esters were synthesized in a perchloric acid catalyzed one-pot process from industrial 90% oleic and tallow fatty acids at various ratios, while varying the ...ratio of tallow and oleic fatty acids, with the esterification process incorporated into an in situ second step to provide a functional fluid. Their viscosities ranged 57-80 cSt at 40 °C and 10.8-14.0 cSt at 100 °C with viscosity index (VI) 169-185. The 100% tallow estolide 2-EH ester had modest low-temperature properties (pour point = -15 °C and cloud point = -14 °C), while the 50:50 mixture of oleic and tallow fatty acids produced an estolide that had better low-temperature properties (pour point = -21 °C and cloud point = -21 °C) without a large negative effect on the oxidative stability. The oxidative stability increased as the amount of saturation increased (rotating pressurized vessel oxidation test (RPVOT) x 165-274 min). The tallow-oleic estolide 2-EH esters have shown remarkably low evaporative losses of only 1% loss compared to a 15-17% loss for commercial materials of similar viscosity grade. Along with expected good biodegradability, these tallow-oleic estolide 2-EH esters had acceptable properties that should provide a specialty niche.
We investigated colour vision impairment in 45 male workers occupationally exposed to toluene (mean value of toluene concentration in ambient air=119.96 ppm) and in 53 controls. Colour vision was ...evaluated by Lanthony-D-15 desaturated test and expressed as Age and Alcohol Intake Adjusted Colour Confusion Score (AACDS) or types of dyschromatopsia. Exposure was evaluated by measurement of toluene concentration in ambient air and blood, and hippuric acid and orthocresol determined in urine after the workshift. A statistically significant higher AACDS value was established in the exposed subjects compared to the controls (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between AACDS values on Wednesday morning compared to Monday morning. In the exposed group AACDS significantly correlated with the concentration of toluene in ambient air, concentration of toluene in blood and the concentration of hippuric acid in urine after the workshift (all p<0.0001). Dyschromatopsias were detected in both groups, although no significant difference between groups was established. In the exposed group, concentration of toluene in ambient air, alcohol intake and age explained 35.1%, concentration of toluene in blood, age and alcohol intake explained 19.9%, and concentration of hippuric acid in urine and age explained 19.2% of the variation in type III dyschromatopsia. Concentration of toluene in ambient air and age explained 28.3% of the variation in total dyschromatopsia, and concentration of hippuric acid and age explained 13.8%. In the control group, age and alcohol intake explained 19.6% of the variation in type III dyschromatopsia. In exposed workers a significant difference was found in the AACDS value compared to controls. However, no significant difference was found in the prevalence of colour vision loss in the yellow-blue and/or red-green axis. Based on the results of this study the authors conclude that the effect of toluene on colour vision can be chronic and that the possible reparation period in colour vision impairment is longer than 64 hours.
This paper describes quantitative methods for determination of urinary drugs/metabolites. The analysis included indicators of opiate (morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine) and methadone ...(methadone) consumption, indicator of marihuana/hashish consumption (11-nor-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid), indicators of cocaine consumption (cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine methyl ester) and of amphetamines consumption (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine). The methods included solid-phase extraction of urine, concentration of eluent, derivatisation, and quantitative analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) on a capillary column in the electron impact and selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy were determined for all analytes (limit of detection between 3 and 12 ng/ml, precision < 10%, accuracy > 92%). The accuracy was checked through analysis of standard reference materials and participation in an international quality assessment programme. The methods were used in the analysis of spot urine samples of 60 subjects suspected of drug abuse. Negative findings indicated several disadvantages of urine as a biological sample.
Objective The effects of three cognitive-behavioral weight control interventions for adults were compared: diet only, exercise only, and a combination of diet and exercise. This article reports ...2-year follow-up data.
Design The three interventions were compared in a randomized, experimental design.
Subjects A total of 127 men and women who were at least 14 kg overweight (according to height-weight tables) were recruited from an urban community and assigned randomly to the experimental conditions.
Intervention The dietary intervention was a low-energy eating plan adjusted to produce a 1 kg/week loss of weight. The exercise component involved training in walking and a home-based program of up to five exercise periods per week. There were 12 weekly instructional sessions, followed by 3 biweekly and 8 monthly meetings. All sessions were led by registered dietitians.
Outcome measures Changes in body weight.
Statistical analyses Analysis of variance for weight changes and repeated measures analysis of variance for weight change trends.
Results At 1 year, no significant differences were noted among the three groups. The diet-only group lost 6.8 kg, the exercise-only group lost 2.9 kg, and the combination group lost 8.9 kg (
P=.09). During the second year, the diet-only group regained weight — reaching 0.9 kg above baseline; the combination group regained to 2.2 kg below baseline; and the exercise-only group regained slightly to 2.7 kg below baseline (
P=.36). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a group-by-time interaction (
P=.001); data for the dieting groups best fit a U-shaped regain curve (
P=.001).
Applications The results suggest that dieting is associated with weight loss followed by regain after treatment ends, whereas exercise alone produced smaller weight losses but better maintenance. The large outcome variability and unequal difficulty of the regimens across groups limit the generalizability of the findings.
J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:342-346.
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