Acute lung injury following refrigeration coil deicing.

We report a case of a worker who developed ALI requiring mechanical ventilatory support after attempting to melt ice condensate by applying the flame of an oxy-acetylene torch to refrigeration coils charged with a halocarbon refrigerant in a closed environment. A discussion of possible etiologies are discussed, including phosgene, carbonyl fluoride, and nitrogen oxides. Primary prevention with adequate respiratory protection is recommended whenever deicing is performed in a closed space environment.

A longitudinal study of aldehydes and volatile organic compounds associated with subjective symptoms related to sick building syndrome in new dwellings in Japan.

To determine whether indoor chemicals act as possible environmental risk factors responsible for sick building syndrome (SBS)-related symptoms in new houses (<6 years old) in Japan, we studied 871 people living in 260 single-family houses in 2004 and 2005. We measured the indoor concentrations of aldehydes and volatile organic compounds and longitudinal changes in the living rooms over two consecutive years. Participants answered standardized questionnaires on SBS symptoms and lifestyle habits. Approximately 14% and 12% of subjects were identified as having SBS in the first and second year, respectively. According to analysis adjusted for sex, age, smoking, and allergic diseases, increases in aldehydes and aliphatic hydrocarbons contributed to the occurrence of SBS. Elevated levels of indoor aldehydes and aliphatic hydrocarbons increased the possible risk of SBS in residents living in new houses, indicating that source controls against indoor chemicals are needed to counter SBS.

Exposure to 2,4-decadienal negatively impacts upon marine invertebrate larval fitness.

Diatoms liberate volatile, biologically active unsaturated aldehydes following cell damage, which negatively impact upon invertebrate reproductive processes such as fertilization, embryogenesis and larval survival. 2,4-Decadienal is frequently identified among the aldehydes produced and is one of the more biologically active. The majority of studies which have examined the toxic effects of diatom aldehydes to invertebrate reproduction have scored egg production and/or hatching success as indicators of biological impacts. There are very few studies which have dealt specifically with the impacts of diatom-derived aldehydes on larval fitness. Larval stages of the polychaetes Arenicola marina and Nereis virens and the echinoderms Asterias rubens and Psammechinus miliaris exposed to 2,4-decadienal at sub 1 microg ml(-1) concentrations suffered reduced survival over the incubation period (day 1-8 post fertilization) with detectable differences for the polychates at a concentration of 0.005 and 0.01-0.1 microg ml(-1) for the echinoderms. Susceptibility of larval N. virens was investigated using stage specific 24 h exposures at 2,4-decadienal concentrations up to 1.5 microg ml(-1). A clear stage specific effect was found, with earlier larval stages most vulnerable. Nectochaete larvae (9-10 d) showed no reduction in survival at the concentrations assayed. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), defined as random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry, was used to analyse fitness of larval P. miliaris exposed to 2,4-decadienal at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 microg ml(-1). The degree and frequency of asymmetrical development increased with increasing 2,4-decadienal concentration. Equally, as FA increased larval survival decreased. These results provide further support for the teratogenic nature of 2,4-decadienal and its negative impact on invertebrate larval fitness.

Induction of catalase, alpha, and microsomal glutathione S-transferase in CYP2E1 overexpressing HepG2 cells and protection against short-term oxidative stress.

Induction of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear to be one of the mechanisms by which ethanol is hepatotoxic. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase detoxify H(2)O(2). Glutathione S-transferases (GST) provide protection from membrane lipid peroxidation, have GSH peroxidase activity, and reduce lipid hydroperoxides. Previous studies showed an up-regulation of GSH synthesis in CYP2E1 expressing HepG2 cells; this finding prompted an evaluation of the levels of other antioxidant exzymes. In CYP2E1 expressing cells, the alpha and microsomal GST messenger RNA (mRNA) are increased by 4- and 2-fold, respectively, and catalase protein and mRNA is increased by 2-fold. The increase in alpha and microsomal GST mRNA correlates with increased total enzymatic activity and is caused by increased transcription as evidenced by run-on transcription assays. In HepG2 cells transfected to express a different cytochrome P450, CYP3A4, there was an increase in alpha GST. However, in contrast to the CYP2E1 expressing cells, neither microsomal GST nor catalase were induced, suggesting some specificity for CYP2E1. In agreement with an increased antioxidant defense system, the sensitivity to added prooxidants such as menadione, antimycin A, H(2)O(2), and 4-hydroxynonenal was lower in the CYP2E1 expressing cells as compared with control cells. In conclusion, overexpression of CYP2E1 in HepG2 cells, besides elevating total GSH levels, also induces expression of catalase and alpha and microsomal GST. This induction confers resistance to the cells against several prooxidants and is suggested to reflect an adaptive response by the cells against CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress.

[A case of acute acrolein poisoning]. / Intoxication aiguë par l'acroléine. Une observation.

A four and a half year old boy was hospitalised with acute respiratory failure due to the inhalation during two hours of the smoke from an overheated frier. Oxygen, corticosteroids and furosemide led to clinical stabilisation but after 24 hours asphyxia developed. The trachea was found to be obstructed by a firm elastic substance which prevented intubation or bronchoscopy. Autopsy revealed massive cellular desquamation of the bronchial lining. The lumen was occupied by miscellaneous debris. There were multiple pulmonary infarcts. This is the second case of acute intoxication by acroleine. In the light of these two cases, treatment should consist of corticosteroids, antibiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and repeated bronchial aspiration.

[Severe accidental acrolein intoxication in the home (author's transl)]. / Schwere akzidentelle Acroleinvergiftung im Haushalt

In a private household overheated fat-containing food emitted vapours which caused severe intoxication in a previously healthy man. The resulting pulmonary changes presented a grave threat to the patient's life for several days. The origin and properties of the vapours led to the conclusion that acrolein was their major toxic component.

Changes of certain pharmacological and biochemical indices in acute methylglyoxal poisoning.

Methylglyoxal in doses over 25 mg/kg injected intravenously in cats and rabbits produces distinct changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, but has no effect on respiration or circulation when injected intraperitoneally even in doses up to 1 g/kg. The effect of MG on blood pressure depends on the species of the animal. The effects of MG are dose-related and dependent on the route of its administration. Biochemical studies showed a significant rise in serum activities of creatine kinase (EC 2-7-3-2), lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1-1-1-27) and aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2-6-1-1-) after intraperitoneal injection of MG in the dose of 200 mg/kg in rabbits and 500 mg/kg in rats. The observed changes probably indicate damage of muscle tissue by MG, presumably as a result of low content of one of the glyoxalases in the muscles of the experimental animals. Elevation of glucose levels by MG was probably an adrenergic effect. These biochemical changes can serve to evaluate toxicity of MG preparations, which exhibit variations probably owing to varying degree of polymerization.