biochemical and genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monoer

This study aimed to investigate the biochemical and genotoxic effects of the occupational exposure to vinyl chloride monomer [VCM]. The study included 84 workers occupationally-exposed to VCM, including 54 working in the Petrochemical Company and 30 working in El-Masria Company, in addition to 20 subjects as a control group. The biochemical assessment of the occupationally-exposed group involved a determination of glutathione [GSH] content in whole blood, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione S-transferase [GST]. Twenty workers showed an elevation in these biochemical parameters. They were subjected to cytogenetic investigations including blood cultures for sister chromatid exchange [SCE] evaluation and micronucleus [MN] assay. A cytogenetic evaluation was performed to six of the control group using both SCE evaluation and MN assay. The statistical analysis of variance between groups [one-way ANOVA] revealed a significant decrease in GSH and GPx levels in the blood of workers when compared with the control group and a significant increase in the level of GST in workers when compared with the control group. The mean SCE/cell for the exposed workers was higher than that of the control, the difference was statistically nonsignificant. The mean MN/500 cytokinesis blocked binucleated cells was higher in the occupationally-exposed workers as compared the control group, the difference was statistically significant

cardiovascular effects and recovery time of remifentanil in abdominal operations

Fifty patients ASA I and II with an age ranging from 23 to 50 years undergoing abdominal operations were included in this study. The patients received remifentanil bolus dose 1 ug/kg before induction and maintenance dose 0.5 ug/kg/min. There was a significant decrease in the heart rate after induction and during the operation. The decrease in arterial blood pressure after induction, intubation and during the time of the operation was statistically significant compared with baseline. The mean time for spontaneous breathing was 11 minutes, that for adequate breathing was 15 minutes, that for the response to verbal command was 18 minutes and that for recovery room discharge was 31 minutes