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Biomedical subjects

T Cairns

Publications and source records attributed to T Cairns.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Residue characterization of triadimefon in grapes by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry.

A field study of the use of the new fungicide triadimefon (Bayleton) on grapes has indicated that residue levels of 0.01 ppm may be expected on the ripe fruit in spite of the 60-75 day interval from spray to harvest. Triadimefon and its primary metabolite triadimenol (Baytan) have been characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to provide identification down to a detection level of 0.001 ppm. Recovery studies on these fungicides have indicated that they are completely extracted by the single multi-residue analytical methodology presently in use for monitoring fresh produce.

Fruit↗

Screening by tandem mass spectrometry for trace levels of alkylbenzenes.

Product ion spectra derived from molecule ions as the precursor ions for 14 alkylbenzenes have been studied under electron ionization and methane chemical ionization. The data have provided a satisfactory screening method for both detection and confirmation of such compounds at low parts per million levels.

Benzene Derivatives↗

Structural determination of testosterone esters in oil injectables by thermospray mass spectrometry.

In the absence of analytical reference standards, the combination of thermospray and collision-activated dissociation mass spectrometry has been utilized to separate and identify the presence of several esters of testosterone in imported oil injectables. Structural identifications were based on generic daughter ions considered diagnostic of the steroidal ring structure of these anabolic steroids as well as daughter ions representative of the ester alkyl or aryl side chains.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Hypothyroidism presenting with respiratory muscle weakness.

A 58-yr-old woman presented with recurrent chest infections, breathlessness, and orthopnea. She complained of nonspecific tiredness and aching limbs. A chest radiograph showed an elevated right hemidiaphragm. Thyroid function tests showed her to be severely hypothyroid (T4 = 23 nmol/L; TSH greater than 50 mU/L). Measurement of maximal respiratory mouth pressures (expiratory: 50 cm H2O, normal, 94 +/- 33; inspiratory: 15 cm H2O, normal, 71 +/- 27) suggested global respiratory muscle weakness. Severe bilateral diaphragm weakness was demonstrated by a greatly reduced maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) (Pdi Pimax = 0, normal, 65 +/- 31 cm H2O; sniff Pdi = 25 cm H2O, normal, 121 +/- 25). No Pdi was detectable on stimulation of the right phrenic nerve, whereas, on the left, it was 11 cm H2O (normal 7 to 15 cm H2O). Phrenic nerve conduction time was prolonged to both sides (right, 12 ms, left, 10 ms; normal, less than 9.5 ms). The relaxation rate of Pdi after a maximal sniff and after bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation was abnormally slow (7.4%/10 ms, 6.3%/10 ms, respectively). Three months after starting treatment with thyroxine she had become euthyroid, and phrenic nerve conduction times and Pdi relaxation rates had returned to normal. Maximal respiratory pressures, vital capacity, and maximal voluntary ventilation improved progressively on treatment, although maximal respiratory pressures still had not reached the normal range after six months. We conclude that hypothyroidism may present with breathlessness due to respiratory muscle weakness and/or phrenic nerve neuropathy and is reversible with treatment.

Diaphragm↗

Identification of prescription drugs in adulterated Chinese herbal medications.

Analytical difficulties involved in the detection of a wide range of suspected polar and nonpolar drugs in botanical matrices have been solved by adopting a multipronged approach. Preliminary screening of Chinese herbal medications can be accomplished by a combination of thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and/or the employment of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry as a probe introduction technique.

Chromatography, Liquid↗

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of dichlofluanid and its major metabolite.

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques using chemical ionization have been employed to characterize the fungicide dichlofluanid and its major metabolite. The results have indicated some unusual fragmentation pathways for perhalogenmethylmercapto compounds. Use of deuterated ammonia as reagent gas has permitted a comparative assessment of protonation and exchangeable hydrogens within the major fragment ion structures. Resultant structural information has been employed to confirm residue findings in strawberries at the low part-per-million level.

Aniline Compounds↗

Levels of plasticizer in the frequent plasma donor.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a commonly employed plasticizer reported to be carcinogenic in rats and mice, has been confirmed to leach from all plastic component parts of the equipment employed in plasma donation. Resident aqueous solutions of both sodium chloride and sodium citrate were found to contain only trace levels of DEHP (0.03 ppm), while stored plasma samples contained levels at least one order of magnitude higher (0.4 ppm). Since at least 5% of all plasma donations in the Los Angeles area are deemed to be of the high frequency classification, investigation into repeated red blood cell exposure to DEHP was considered imperative. However, there was no difference in the levels of DEHP found in the plasma of the frequent plasma donor (50-60 times per annum) relative to the first-time donor. It is concluded that there is no increased contamination threat to frequent plasma donation from migrating plasticizer via red blood cell exposure, at least during the collection process. Furthermore, there is no more risk to recipients of plasma products from frequent donors than from occasional donors. It would seem that the ambient level of DEHP to be expected in stored frozen plasma products averages no greater than about 0.5 ppm.

Blood Donors↗

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of iprodione and its metabolites.

One of the cornerstones of an architectural approach adopted by this laboratory in screening vegetables for pesticides and industrial chemicals is the extensive use of element-selective gas chromatographic detectors followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In this particular case history, a recently introduced European fungicide, iprodione, was thought to be the first reported incidence in mache imported from France. An analytical protocol involving chemical ionization was devised to confirm this finding as well as search for possible potential metabolites.

Aminoimidazole Carboxamide↗