Biomedical subjects

R E Cline

Publications and source records attributed to R E Cline.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology and pathology of a tetrachlorodibenzodioxin poisoning episode.

We describe epidemiological and laboratory investigation of a poisoning outbreak that involved three riding areas and killed fifty-seven horses, five colts, and numerous other animals. The outbreak was traced to the spraying of the areas with salvage oil contaminated with tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, trichlorophenol, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The contamination of the salvage oil resulted from the improper disposal of toxic industrial waste. In the tissues of the horses available for study, the most prominent lesion was a centrilobular fibrosis of the liver that arose in the wall of the central veins. This lesion resembled the chronic form of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in humans.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laboratory investigation of a poisoning epidemic in Sierra Leone.

In June 1986, an epidemic of poisoning occurred in Sierra Leone, West Africa; it involved 49 persons--with 14 deaths. Our laboratory's approach and investigation of this incident is described. Using positive chemical ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the toxicant was identified as parathion, a highly toxic organophosphorus pesticide. Analysis of various items supported the epidemiologic hypothesis that bread was made from contaminated flour and that the flour became contaminated with parathion during a truck shipment. Modern analytical instruments played a major role in this laboratory investigation and effected the identification of the unknown toxicant within hours of receiving the initial bread sample. Close cooperation and clear communication between the epidemiologic and laboratory teams were important in this investigation.

Bread↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Determining pentachlorophenol in body fluids by gas chromatography after acetylation.

A sensitive, precise, and accurate method for rapidly analyzing body fluids for pentachlorophenol has been developed. The method includes acidification and extraction of the fluid with hexane. The extract is reacted with acetic anhydride, washed with buffer, and injected into a gas chromatograph fitted with an electron capture detector. Quantitation of the pentachlorophenol is based on the ratio of the peak height of pentachlorophenyl acetate to an internal standard, tribromophenyl acetate. The lower detection limit in urine or serum is 1-2 parts per billion. The method was applied to workers in pentachlorophenol formulating plants and to residents of pentachlorophenol treated log houses. Hydrolysis increased the yield of determined urinary pentachlorophenol by a factor of approximately 1.8. Serum levels of pentachlorophenol were 2-3 time higher than the corresponding whole blood levels.

Acetylation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of 19 chlorophenols by packed-column gas chromatography.

The use of packed columns has been explored for the gas chromatographic separation and identification of all 19 chlorophenol congeners after acetylation. Numerous mixtures of polar or nonpolar packings with either of two commercial Bentone 34 mixtures were tested. A mixture of 5% OV-101, 1.75% Bentone 34 on Chrom W-HP (100/120) mixed with twice its weight of 3% OV-225 on 100/120 Supelcoport separated all 19 congeners.

Chlorophenols↗