Preventing percutaneous absorption of industrial chemicals: the "skin" denotation.

Percutaneous absorption has received comparatively little attention in occupational health, although this route of entry has repeatedly caused occupation-related intoxications. In practice, the evaluation of skin penetration rates is far from simple. Much evidence has been obtained from studies of chemicals used for cosmetics and topical therapeutics, but the information available on compounds encountered in occupational health is limited. The data obtained from experimental studies have confirmed that the concentration, type of vehicle, skin area, skin condition, and extent of occlusion are important factors in determining the degree of percutaneous absorption, but no general model has been developed. Also, too little is known about the basic chemical properties governing the rate of penetration. Thus, prediction is difficult and bound to be rather inaccurate. Current preventive practice follows the procedure used by ACGIH and is mainly based on a "skin" denotation in official listings of chemicals to which exposure limits have been allocated. The number of substances and groups of chemicals which have received skin denotation in 17 selected countries varies between 24 and 179 and a total of 275 are listed as a skin hazard in one or more countries; ACGIH lists 143. Thus, the denotation practice varies. As an unfortunate result of these discrepancies and the dichotomy of skin denotation, the absence of skin denotation may erroneously indicate that efforts to protect the skin are unnecessary. Thus, an evaluation of skin penetration potentials should be incorporated in occupational health practice as a supplement to the official denotations.

Development of the toxicological files in environmental chemicals data and information network (ECDIN).

A computer-based data network containing information on potentially toxic chemicals released into the environment is being developed by the Joint Research Centre of the Commission of the European Communities and by research institutions in the member states as part of a program for environmental research. The information requested daily by toxicologists involved in administration, scientific research, and clinical or forensic toxicology covers different fields or disciplines. The data base, which is still in a pilot phase, collects data on environmental chemicals (about 30,000) spread over more than 100 data fields. These include identification; physical and chemical properties; analytical methods; economic data; hazard classifications for transport, handling and storage; waste disposal; environmental dispersion and transformation; toxicology: acute and chronic effects, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, behavioral effects; occupational air standards, first-aid treatments in case of poisoning or environmental disaster. Data stored in the data bank are original literature data which have been evaluated by specialists.

[Gestonoroncapronate and carbohydrate metabolism during radiotherapie of female patients suffering from cancer of the genitals (author's transl)]. / Gestonoroncapronat und Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel bei der Bestrahlung weiblicher Genitalkarzinome.

Glucose tolerance test (oral standard glucose tolerance test) was carried out--before starting radiotherapy--in 99 female patients suffering from inoperable cancer of the genitals. 47 of these patients were administered gestonoroncapronate (600 mg/week) during radiotherapy. Glucose tolerance was tested anew after the last irradiation. During the first hour after the second glucose tolerance test, an improvement of glucose tolerance was stated in the patients' group treated with gestonoroncapronate, whereas during the second hour a deterioration of glucose tolerance was found. The patients' collective treated without gestonoroncapronate demonstrated an improved glucose tolerance during the entire second course of the test. A decrease of capacity of the islet cell organ, induced by gestonoroncapronate, is discussed.

[Needle biopsies of areas suspicious of recurrence in patients with gynaecological tumors (author's transl)]. / Ergebnisse der Feinnadelpunktion suspekter Infiltrationen bei gynäkologischen Tumorpatientinnen.

With the biopsy needle of Franzén, 403 needle biopsies were carried out in 263 patients with gynaecological malignant tumors. In 152 cases the results of the aspiration cytology were compared with microscopic examinations or with the clinical course for at least 6 months. In 88 cases with probable recurrence the needle biospy showed a positive or suspicious result in 73 cases. A positive needle biopsy result was confirmation of recurrent tumor whereas a negative result did not rule out a recurrence. Aspiration cytology is a valuable ancillary method in the diagnosis of the recurrence of gynaecological tumors.

[Mycoplasms in tumors of patients with carcinomata of the collum and its preliminary stages (author's transl)]. / Mykoplasmenbesiedelung von Tumorgewebe bei Patientinnen mit Genitalkarzinomen und deren "Vorstufen"

Within one year smears were taken from 190 patients who had not been pretreated in our oncological department. The culture media established were examined with regard to Mycoplasms. A Mycoplasma population was stated in 27 women. In the cases of carcinomata of the collum and in its preliminary stages, Mycoplasma infestation was about twice as frequent as in all other cases of genital carcinomata. Discussion is made if Mycoplasms are possible or promoting factors during the development of carcinomata of the collum.

[Histological examinations of late changes of bone marrow and bone following local fractionated gamma irradiation in patients with genital carcinoma (author's transl)]. / Histologische Spätveränderungen von Knochemark und Knochen nach fraktionierter Gamma-Bestrahlung bei Patientinnen mit Genitalcarcinom

In 25 patients iliac crest biopsies have been taken after radiation therapy of genital carcinoma. The radiation doses in the biopsied region ranged up to about 3,000 rads. The time interval from the end of radiation until the control biopsy was 2 months or longer, up to 25 years. The immediate consequences of the radiation, compared with the pretherapeutic picture, have been analyzed in an earlier study (Beil et al., 1974). By histomorphotometric analysis of the samples it can be shown that a more or less severe atrophy of the bone marrow is persisting in the irradiated area for years. The atrophy is accompanied either by normal or increased bony trabecularization, together with increased osteoblastic and -clastic activity. These disturbances are likely to depend of a chronic distortion of the marrow capillarization, which may be influenced by the individual RES activity; different types of the reticuloendothelial response can be demonstrated in our material. Whether this response has a bearing regarding the prognosis of the tumours condition itself remains a matter of speculation, to be proved by further investigations.

[1st report on programmed chemotherapy of ovarian carcinoma]. / Erster Bericht über eine programmierte Chemotherapie des Ovarialkarzinoms

A prospective study with regard to a cytostatic drugs combination treatment, partly synchronized and carried out in team work, of advanced ovarian carcinoma is being accomplished at the II. Women's Clinic of the University of Munich. The team consists of one oncologically orientated internal specialist, one radiotherapist, and one surgeon. The therapeutic procedure should be discussed; a report is given about the experiences gained so far in 41 patients, i.e. until May 1st, 1975.

[The late bladder reaction following radiotherapy of a cervix carcinoma]. / Zur späten Harnblasenreaktion nach Bestrahlung des Kollumkarzinoms

This study presents the cystotonometric checks of trends in 102 patients with irradiated carcinoma of the cervix up to the time of the so-called five year survival recovery. As compared with a standard control group concerning the function of the urinary bladder a distinct tendency to hypertonia is realized and attributed as inevitable to radiotherapy. The moderate load being present before the onset of irradiation is mentioned, resulting from diagnostic operations and from the primary disease. Based on these observations, functional findings which allow objectivation appear to be indicated, the aim being to recognize, as early as possible, the increase of vesical reactions with regard to gynecologic radiotherapy and later follow-up care.

[Studies on the colonization of female urogenital system by Mycoplasma]. / Untersuchungen über die Besiedelung des weiblichen Urogenitale mit Mykoplasmen

In order to demonstrate a urogenital mycoplasmosis, restriction is made frequently also in women - to withdrawal of smear from the urethra. For recognizing whether this procedure is sufficient, 640 female patients of the fluor consulting hours were examined, and 2560 smears were withdrawn from the cervical canals, the surface of the portio, the laterovaginal walls, and from the urethra. The least frequency of mycoplasmas was stated in the urethra. Smears merely withdrawn from the urethra are, therefore, the least appropriate ones for fluor or for identification of a urogenital mycoplasmosis of the female genitals. According to the present results, it is recommended to carry out simultaneously smears from the surface of the portio, from the laterovaginal walls, as well as from the cervical canal and the urethra.