[Alternative investigation methods in toxicologic hygienic evaluation of industrial and environmental objects].

North-West Public Health Research Center, 4, 2-ya Sovetskaya str, S.-Petersburg, Russia, 191036 The authors reviewed toxicologic alternative investigation methods used in Russia for evaluation of occupational and natural environment.

[Dynamics of morphologic changes in tracheobronchial system in patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning complicated by thermochemical damage to respiratory tract].

The authors identified three severity degrees of thermochemical damage to respiratory tract during acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow-up bronchoscopic studies were performed, and characteristic signs of thermochemical damage to respiratory tract in acute carbon monoxide poisoning were diagnosed. Evidence is that the signs were following certain sequence: from edema and hyperemia of respiratory tract lining to severe purulent discharge.

[Dynamics of blood gases and acid-base balance in patients with carbon monoxide acute poisoning].

Evaluation of blood gases and acid-base balance covered patients with carbon monoxide acute poisoning, in accordance with inhalation trauma presence. Evidence is that thermochemical injury of respiratory tract induced severe acid-base dysbalance remaining decompensated for a long time despite the treatment.

[Biologic testing method using infusoria Tetrahymena pyriformis for evaluating serum toxicity in patients with acute carbon monoxide toxicity].

Infusoria Tetrahymena pyriformis are effective as test objects to evaluate endotoxicity degree in acute occupational intoxications with carbon monoxide. Biologic test (for Tetrahymena pyriformis) and biochemical markers of endogenic intoxication appear to have strong correlation.

[Clinical features of acute carbon monoxide occupational poisonings complicated by thermochemical damage to upper respiratory tract].

Findings are that thermochemical damage to upper respiratory tract makes course of acute occupational and household carbon monoxide poisonings significantly more severe. Inpatient treatment duration appeared to correspond with degree of respiratory tract involvement. Coma depth and duration, artificial lungs ventilation terms, complications occurrence and severity of inhalation injury appeared to be directly dependent.

[Effect of perfluorane on the time course of changes in endogenous intoxication in victims with severe thermal injury].

The investigation was undertaken to study the effects of perfluorane on the degree of endogenous intoxication in the severely burnt. Sixty-five victims aged 20 to 55 years who had burns of the skin, involving more than 30% of the body surface area, without comorbidity (less than 9 SAPS scores), were examined. All the examinees were divided into 2 groups. They were comparable in age and burn injury degree. Perfluorane was administered in a dose of 4 ml/kg body weight within the first 24 hours after the moment of injury (a study group; n = 30). During the investigation, the authors estimated blood gas composition and acid-base balance, the level of lactate in mixed venous blood, the content of low and medium molecular-weight substances (LMMWS) in venous and arterial plasmas, on red blood cells and urine; erythrocytic deformity index; the level of reduced glutathione; total plasma antioxidative activity, and the plasma concentration of malonic dialdehyde. Blood was sampled on admission, an hour after administration of perfluorane, and onwards--on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15. Perfluorane used in acute burn disease leads to normalization of oxygen balance, a reduction in the rate of free radical oxidation and lipid peroxidation, and a considerable decrease in LMMWS levels on the red blood cell membranes and plasma. Positive changes were recorded just an hour after administration of perfluorane and retained throughout the observation. In the study group victims, mortality was 15% less than that in the controls.