[Comparative studies of 2 organic mercury compounds alone or in combination with ethanol following pre- or postnatal application in mice]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen mit zwei organischen Quecksilberverbindungen allein oder in Kombination mit Ethanol nach prä- oder postnataler Applikation an Müsen.

Studies on pre- and/or postnatal effects on mice were carried out with their identical exposure (2 mg Hg/kg body mass) to phenyl mercuric acetate or N,N'-bis-(dimethylmercury)-p-toluol-sulphonamide. Parameters of morphology, of residues, and behaviour teratology were taken into consideration. Potentiating combination effects were only observed with behaviour toxicological investigations after prenatal exposure to methylmercury. That concerned the breeding results of the P-generation and the capacity of the F1-generation to learn on the 30th and 31st day p.n. during a swimming test in a labyrinth. Synergistic effects were observed with both the mercury compounds in the swimming test on the 12th day p.n. after pre- as well as postnatal exposure.

[Transformation reactions of special metals in organisms and in the environment. 3. In vivo reactions between mercury II chloride and monomethyltin trichloride in rats]. / Transformationsreaktionen ausgewählter Metalle in Organismen und in der Umwelt. 3. Mitt. In vivo-Reaktion zwischen Quecksilber(II)-chlorid und Monomethylzinntrichlorid in Ratten.

Following the comments on the metabolism and the toxicity of methylmercury compounds as well as on the interaction with food components and a few environmental chemicals from literature study, the results of the in vivo experiments for examining the reaction between HgCl2 and CH3SnCl3 in the gastrointestinal tract and the subsequent distribution of the formed methylmercury are reported. The reaction between both of the substances proceeding in aqueous solution with immediate formation of methylmercury also leads in the intestinal tract very rapidly to the formation of methylmercury and its distribution into various organs. An increase in the relative weight of liver and kidneys was evident.

[Transformation reactions of special metals in organisms and in the environment. 2. Abiotic methylation reactions of mercury, especially by methyltin compounds and humic and fulvic acids]. / Transformationsreaktionen ausgewählter Metalle in Organismen und in der Umwelt. 2. Mitt. Abiotische Methylierungsreaktionen von Quecksilber, insbesondere durch Methylzinn-Verbindungen und Humin- und Fulvinsäuren.

Following a literature survey concerning abiological methylation reactions including transmethylation of mercury we present the results of transmethylation experiments. Model experiments in aqueous solution show an instantaneous methylation of mercuric chloride by mono-, di-, and trimethyltin chloride, the dimethyl compound having the highest rate of formation. The same is valid for similar experiments with soils, in which influences of the kind of soil also play a certain role. The methylation experiments of HgCl2 with humic and fulvic acids isolated from soil yielded positive results only in some few of the extracts and only with humic acid fractions.

A biblical and historical study of homosexuality.

This study is a synthesis of biblical and historical material regarding the place of homosexuality in the Christian churches. The author argues that all sexual activity, both heterosexual and homosexual in orientation, should be judged appropriate for Christians when it is a responsible, mutually respectful and loving act between adult persons that is intended to enhance the building and maintaining of whole persons. Therefore, if a person is in all other ways qualified for membership and its contingent responsibilities in the Christian community (or any other community), his or her sexual orientation and behavior should not be a barrier.

[Effects of tin on rats. II. Comparison of the effects of tin (II) chloride and yeast-incorporated tin]. / Zinnwirkung auf Rattan. 2. Mitt. Vergleich der Wirkung von Zim(II)-chlorid und in Hefe inkorporiertem Zinn.

After application of SnCl2 and tin incorporated into baker's yeast, the effects on carbonic anhydrase (CA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) were measured. The tin contents of liver and kidneys were determined. CA and GPx are not affected. AP and LAP are inhibited by high concentrations of tin (as SnCl2). Tin incorporated into yeast exerts no effect. Inorganic tin produces increases in liver and kidneys.

[Effect of inorganic and yeast-borne tin on rats]. / Zur Wirkung von anorganischem und in Hefe inkorporiertem Zinn auf Ratten.

Tin incorporated in baker's yeast was applied to male Wistar rats over 21 days. The doses corresponded to 1/500 or 1/50 of LD50 of SnCl2 x 2H2O and 1/50 of LD50 of SnCl2 x 2H2O. The effects on activities of certain selected enzymes as well as on tin levels in liver and kidneys were tested. Some of the enzymes tested were found to reflect even exposures much below the point recordable from accumulation of the metal. Serum lactate-dehydrogenase is recommended as a sensitive indicator enzyme in the context of tin exposure.

[Effect of tin on rats. 1. Inverse voltammetric determination of tin in the presence of lead in biological material after extraction]. / Zinnwirkung auf Ratten. 1. Mitt. Die inversvoltammetrische Bestimmung von Zinn neben Blei in biologischen Material nach Extraktion.

By means of inverse polarography, the authors determined tin selectively after double extraction with diethylammonium diethyl dithiocarbamate (DADDTC) in perchloric solution. The recovery rates were: in potatoes, 91.7 +/- 5.8%; in beef kidney, 85.0 +/- 22.7%; in beef liver 79.9 +/- 13.8%; and in milk, 69.8 +/- 11.4%. Possible interferences from other elements with the tin determination are discussed.

[Effect of the trace element supply on element dependent enzymes in man]. / Einfluss der Spurenelementversorgung auf elementabhängige Enzyme beim Menschen.

Whole blood samples from 40 male and 40 female individuals were analyzed for zinc, copper, selenium and iron, and in part also for cadmium and lead. Correlations were established between the element contents and the activities of blood enzymes (carbo-anhydrase, leucine aminopeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase). The zinc-copper ratio exerted no effect on the zinc-dependent enzymes. There was a correlation between the glutathione peroxidase activity and the selenium content in whole blood (r greater than 0.73). A cluster analysis was performed. In women, the authors stated a significant effect of oral contraceptives especially on the zinc and copper balance. It was evidenced that detectable (more marked) changes in the mineral equilibrium are not produced in all cases by the contraceptives. Nevertheless, changes in the mineral equilibrium are likely to occur in 25% of all women. In the present study further changes (for example in enzymes) were observed in 50% of all women. The results obtained from the male individuals were indicative of certain relationships between the zinc-copper ratio and the content of total lipids or lipid fractions in human blood.

[Contamination by lead and cadmium during smoke drying of cereals]. / Untersuchungen zur Blei- und Cadmiumkontamination bei der Rauchgastrocknung von Getreide.

Direct drying of cereals with diesel oil as a fuel does not increase the lead and cadmium contents. From the viewpoint of food hygiene and in the interest of the consumer's protection, however, it is recommendable to abandon this kind of drying since previous studies have shown that it involves the risk of contamination by cancerogenic hydrocarbons.

[Migration behavior and toxicology of methyltin stabilizers]. / Migrationsverhalten und Toxikologie von Methylzinnstabilisatoren.

With a view to studying the possible use of methyltin compounds as PVC stabilizers in food industry, the authors elaborated a method for the thin-layer chromatographic and subsequent spectrophotometric or polarographic determination of mono-, di- and trimethyltin compounds in the stabilizer and after migration. Monmethyltin compounds are determined spectrophotometrically after reaction with quercetin. Dimethyltin compounds are incinerated by the wet method using sulphuric and nitric acids, and inorganic tin is then estimated polarographically. Prior to identification trimethyltin compounds must be converted into dimethyltin compounds by ultraviolet irradiation or by treatment with triethylamine and bromine. Corresponding to the different conditions of use, the authors investigated the migration of the methyltin stabilizer from PVC into distilled water, 3% acetic acid, 20% alcohol, 50% alcohol und Fettsimulans HB 307. They stated that its tendency to migration into foods is not greater than that of the octyltin stabilizer. The experimentally obtained migration values are discussed in connexion with toxicological data.

[Antistatic finishing of plastics from food hygiene and toxicological viewpoints]. / Zur antistatischen Ausrüstung von Plasten unter lebensmittelhygienisch-toxikologischen Gesichtspunkten

The authors investigated experimentally the migration behaviour of formed plastics with antistatic finish. The degree of molecular coating on the surface and the rate of diffusion of the antistatics used (ethoxylated amines and alkyl sulphonate) were calculated from the results of washing-off and continuous extraction experiments. The findings are indicative of a good depot effect, i.e. the antistatic action is steadily regenerated by secondary migration. Certain agents such as polyethylene glycol enhance diffusion whereby the values for the migration in normal polystyrene are increased; but this increase is acceptable from the viewpoint of safety. In impact polystyrene, the limiting value for total migration is largely exceeded so that considerable contamination may be expected when it comes in contact with foods. From the viewpoint of food-toxicology, there are concerns about the high specific migration values of alkyl sulphonate. For this reason, its use in the food sector should be limited to such cases where direct contact with foods is excluded.

[Lead and cadmium content of baby food and their nutritional hygienic-toxicological significance]. / Uber die Blei- und Cadmiumgehalte von Kleinkindernahrung und ihre lebensmittelhygienisch-toxikologische Bedeutung

Little is known of the amounts of lead and cadmium which the infantile organism takes up from the total diet. The author's analyses of more than 150 jars or packs of ready-to-use baby food produced in the German Democratic Republic (trade mark: Für's Kind) revealed lead contents of less than 100 mug/kg and cadmium contents of less than 10 mug/kg. Only spinach showed higher lead values. In liver -containing ready-to-use foods the cadmium contents were higher than 10 mug/kg (25-50 mug/kg). Like liquid milk, powdered milk-base foods contained no cadmium. From these values it was calculated that the daily lead and cadmium intake of an infant during his first year of life amounts to 42-47 mug of lead and to 6,4-11,5 mug of cadmium, respectively. A conversion to mg/kg of body weight shows that, in both cases, the load on an infant equals that on an adult or is even greater. Literature data lead intake are in good agreement with these results. Corresponding studies for cadmium are not known.