Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Machata.
The short time lasting exposure to SO2 at a level of 1.24 mg/m3 and dust (0.11 mg/m3) means a risk for the health of children, old persons and persons suffering from heart/lung diseases. An increase of asthmatic symptoms is expected. Moreover the risk is raised by inhalation of dust containing sulfates.
The fire at the Vienna hotel "Am Augarten" (28.9 1979) caused 25 deaths. 24 victims died as a result of inhalation of fire gases; 10 of them also suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns. In one case, death was due to internal injuries (sustained when jumping from a window). The fact that none of the bodies was charred facilitated identification. In all cases autopsy revealed the typical symptoms of inhalation of fire gases (soot deposition in the respiratory tract, presence of carboxyhaemoglobin in the blood). In public discussion the question was raised whether the inhalation of hydrogen cyanide (liberated from nitrogen-containing natural or synthetic polymers by pyrolysis) was a contributory factor to the fatal outcome. The cyanide concentrations in blood samples measured by gas chromatography were below the toxic range in all cases. Chemical investigation comprised the determination of the carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations and the demonstration of volatile hydrocarbons in the air of the lungs.
When diatomaceous earth and glass columns are acylated prior to coating with a silicone liquid phase, then subjected to heat treatment in an atmosphere of nitrogen, gas chromatographic columns can be prepared that show a marked reduction in adsorption. These columns can be used with a nitrogen-specific detector to chromatograph unmodified polar compounds such as morphine and cyclobarbital in nanogram amounts. Virtually no alteration of peak shape and no variation of retention time are observed over the range 10(-6)-10(-9) g of polar drugs. This represents, for these polar drugs, an "improvement" in chromatographic capability of the order of about 1000-fold in comparison with the best conventional commercial columns. Application to toxicological analysis of morphine in urine is described.
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The fluorine concentration (determined by means of fluorine specific electrode) in the urine of occupationally exposed workers in the aluminium industry showed elevated values of 4.8 +/- 2.9 microgram F/ml (arithmetic mean, n = 33). In comparison, non exposed men, aged 14-68 (n = 11), had values of 0.32 +/- 0.21 microgram F/ml urine. Children below the age of 10 a (n = 9) had a significantly lower fluorine concentration of 0.12 +/- 0.07 microgram F/ml urine. A 56 years old man suffering from severe industrial fluorosis showed fluorine concentrations of, 2.5-3.4 microgram F/ml urine. A bone biopsy specimen (iliac crest) taken from this man showed a fluorine concentration of 4320 ppm, which corresponds to a twenty-fold increase of fluorine, compared with controls.
The 6 most common fluid and powder detergent brands in use in Austria were analyzed as to their nickel and chromium content. The analysis was carried out by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. 1. The above-mentioned metals were found to be present in each of the products analysed. On average, the fluid detergents contained ten times less nickel and chromium than the powders. 2. Repeated investigations revealed a considerable variation in metal ion content in different batches of the same detergent. Thus, presumably the raw products already contain nickel and chromium and it is unlikely that these ions get into the products during the manufacturing process. 3. In the appropriately diluted detergent powder solutions, as recommended by the producer, the content of nickel was found to lie between 0.4 ppm and 0.717 ppm and the chromium content ranged from 0.733 to 0.917 ppm. Since powder detergents also contain complex-producing agents, it can be assumed that these concentrations of metal ions do not suffice for sensitization. In the fluid detergents the nickel and chromium contents were found to be below the safety limit for the elicitation of an excematous reaction.
A new lubricant containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride has been recently introduced for catheterization procedures. Absorption of the active agent through the urethra was assessed by means of blood sample determinations. The results were compared with the already-known values after oral intake and were very low. The maximum concentration was 0.4 microgram.
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An universal measuring system for retention datas in Gas Chromatography using retention indices (RI) by Kovats is well established. The meaning of RI is explained and a simple calculation by programmable pocket calculator is proposed.
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The blood content of cadmium, copper and zinc was determined at autopsy in 150 cases of sudden death. In conjunction with a previously-published paper on the blood lead level (mean 26.0 mug0/0) of the Viennese population, these investigations should give the basis for the detection and diagnosis of contamination with heavy metal traces in the blood. Patients with such contamination should be followed up at regular intervals. The results are statistically examined in regard to their variation, standard deviation and reliability. The concentrations of copper and zinc correspond with the values quoted in literature (mean 123.8 mug0/0 Cu, mean 722.1 mug0/0 Zn). The higher blood level of cadmium in comparison with the literature (mean 15.9 mug0/0 Cd) might be caused, among other things, by the increased industrial use of this metal.
The use of Amberlite XAD resins for isolation of drugs from blood without preliminary precipitation of proteins is described. Compared with the usual methods of precipitation this method gives better yields and cleaner extracts in a shorter time. In combination with specific methods of detection, e.g. with GC and Nitrogen detector, the use of XAD promises to be efficient in the screening for drugs in the forensic and clinical field.
Precision, specificity and interpretation of the results are reported. Using only few different columns all volatile substances of importance are detected specifically, With new developed stationary phases, graphite as support, the analysis could be done with a sufficient resolution in 1 min. The absolute peak height of the internal standard or the amount of acetaldehyde determines the status of the sample and enables a very precise analysis of alcohol in blood
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A procedure for fast screening of urine sample is described. TLC and GC equipped with NPD enable detection of therapeutic doses of drugs to be made in a short time. Tables of retention values for TLC and GC are also presented. TLC detects drugs with a sequence of three reagents. GC screening is carried out with a temperature programmed run of 30 degrees C/min up to 290 degreesC. For the determination of retention indices new polar phases with suitable thermal stabilities such as OV-225 and OV-275 are used.