Aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents in chemically sensitive patients

The purpose of the present study was to see if chemically sensitive individuals had aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents as part of their total body load. This was done by measuring blood levels from 85 chemically sensitive patients. These were measured by a purging trap method with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCC/MS) by the methods of Laseter. Thirteen patients had blood levels below the detection limit of less than 1 ppb and 72 were above the detection limit. An average of three solvents, out of seven measured, including n-pentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, cyclopentane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, n-heptane, was found in 85% of the patients' blood on the 1 to 299 ppb range. The means were as follows: n-pentane 14.7 ppb, 2,2-dimethylbutane 2.5 ppb, cyclopentane 9.0 ppb, 2-methylpentane 16.7 ppb, 3-methylpentane 28.0 ppb, n-heptane 5.5 ppb. The most frequently found of the above solvents was 2-methylpentane (found in 68.1% of the patients), 3-methylpentane (62.5%), n-hexane (61.1%), and pentane (40.3%).

Clearing of toxic volatile hydrocarbons from humans

In this study, different modes of therapy for the removal of toxic chemicals from the human body have been assessed and compared. This consisted of: 1) thirteen inpatients in an environmentally controlled area in a hospital, 2) fourty-one outpatients with home environmental control and work area change, and 3) fifteen outpatients in a physical therapy/sauna program with a good environmental control. Attention to manipulation of food, food contaminants, water and air pollution as well as nutritional therapy was important in all groups. Each modality seemed efficacious in++ its own right; 100% inpatients, 80% sauna/physical therapy patients, and 70% outpatients improved their signs and symptoms. Inpatient therapy in a finally controlled environment was far superior to the other two modalities in clearing of symptoms, as well as in clearing of organic chemicals. Outpatient and sauna/physical therapy are efficacious for less ill patients.

[Studies on the quality standards of huaijiao wan]

TLC and PC have been used in the qualitative study of huaijiao wan. The contents of the total flavones and volatile oils in huaijiao wan have been determined. The proposed method can be used to control the quality of huaijiao wan.

[Malignant tumors of the lacrimal gland--a report of 27 cases]

We report 27 cases of primary malignant tumors arising from lacrimal gland, including 12 cases with adenoid cystic carcinoma, 9 cases with malignant mixed tumor and 6 cases with other lacrimal gland carcinoma seen in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from 1981 to Nov. 1989. These patients with malignant neoplasms accounted for 65.85% of all patients with primary epithelial tumor of lacrimal gland. The clinical presentation, imaging features in X-ray, ultrasonic and CT scan, the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis are discussed and analysed.

Naloxone application to the ventrolateral medulla enhances the respiratory response to inspired carbon dioxide

Previous studies have shown that systemic administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone potentiates the ventilatory response to inspired carbon dioxide. The present study was designed to localize the site of action of naloxone for increasing the respiratory chemosensitivity to inhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) in cats. Naloxone applied topically to the caudal chemosensitive area on the ventral medullary surface (VMS) during hypercapnic breathing produced a 75% greater increase in minute ventilation than hypercapnic breathing alone. Furthermore, hypercapnic breathing produced a 200% increase in neuronal activity of VMS chemosensitive cells; this was further increased 120% by naloxone. It is concluded that naloxone increases the sensitivity of neurons in the caudal respiratory chemosensitive area of cats to hypercapnia, and that endogenous opiates may act as modulators at VMS chemosensitive sites during hypercapnic breathing.

[Contents and solubilties of several elements in siwu decoction and liuwei dihuang decoction]

In this paper the contents and solubilities of copper, zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium in Siwu decoction and Liuwei Dihuang Decoction were studied. The results showed that there was a big difference in the solubilities of the elements among the crude drugs, and the increased solubilities of some elements in the simple recipe and compound prescription were an important factor for the effect of these decoctions. The increased solubilities of some elements might be one of the advantages for the compound prescription.

Molecular weight determination of underivatized oligodeoxyribonucleotides by positive-ion matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser-desorption mass spectrometry

A Wiley-McLaren type time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been used for molecular weight measurements of several unprotected oligodeoxyribonucleotides using matrix-assisted UV laser desorption. Approximately 10 to 100 pmol of sample was required for recording their positive-ion mass spectra with a mass resolution in the range of 150 to 300 (Full width at half maximum) (FWHM). Little fragmentation was observed.

Age differences in responsiveness of brainstem chemosensitive neurons to extracellular pH changes

The sensitivity of neurons in the caudal chemosensitive area on the ventrolateral surface of the medulla oblongata (VMS) to extracellular pH changes was examined in newborn and young developing kittens and compared to that of adult cats. The pH was varied by superfusion of the VMS with mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pH 7.4 (control), 7.0 (acid) and 7.8 (alkaline). A total of 97 neuronal units in the three age groups changed their firing rates inversely in response to extracellular fluid (ECF) pH changes. The greatest sensitivity was found in the adult group where acid superfusion caused an increase in neuronal activity. The least sensitivity was observed in the newborn group (1-6 days old), whereas the young kitten group (4-6 weeks old) exhibited an intermediate sensitivity. Neurons of kittens older than 7 weeks of age demonstrated a response pattern characteristic of the adult group. Neurons of neonates older than seven days, exhibited a response pattern characteristic of the young kitten group.