Toxicity testing of medical device materials tested in human tissue cultures.

Rubber and plastic parts of medical devices were applied to human cell monolayers either directly or as aqueous extracts made at different time/temperature conditions. Thirteen rubber and twelve plastic samples were tested. The cultures were observed and photographed by use of a microscope with a camera before and after treatment with the test materials. The toxicity of the specimens was evaluated by comparison of the photographs. Alterations or disappearance of the cells or inhibited growth were interpreted as toxic effects of the materials. Twelve of the rubber and six of the plastic samples were evaluated as toxic in one or more of the systems.

Biosynthesis of D- and L-glycero-L-galacto-octulose from pentoses and hexoses.

D-glycero-L-galacto-Octulose and L-glycero-L-galacto-octulose accumulated when leaves of Kenland red clover (Trifolium pratense) were allowed to imbibe solution of D-gulose or D-xylose and L-mannose or L-arabinose, respectively. The octuloses were isolated and identified by paper chromatography and by oxidative degradations to the corresponding lower sugars. Assignments of the D and L configuration were made on the basis of optical rotation. It is suggested that formation of the octuloses from the hexoses and pentoses is mediated through transketolase and aldolase or transaldolase catalysis, respectively.