Hippuric acid and methyl hippuric acid in rat hair: possible monitoring of xylene and toluene exposure

Thinner is mainly composed of toluene and xylenes, and we studied the incorporation of the main metabolites of toluene and xylenes, hippuric acid (HA) and o-, m-, and p-methyl hippuric acids (o-, m-, p-MHA), in dark agouti rats' hair. Rat black hair was shaved before any exposure with an electric shaver designed for animals. Studies were performed in vivo with exposures of 30 min per day at three different concentrations (100, 300, and 1000 ppm) of toluene and o-, m-, and p-xylene for a total of 10 times over 2 weeks. Newly grown hair was tweezed out from the root with tweezers at seventh of the last exposure. Hair samples were then washed, extracted, derivatized, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). HA and o-, m-, and p-MHA were not detected (ND) in the unexposed rat hair. After exposure, the metabolite concentration in the hair changed depending on the exposure concentration. Mean concentrations ranged from ND to 7.6 ng/mg, from ND to 13.8 ng/mg, from ND to 10.1 ng/mg, and from ND to 9.2 ng/ml hair for HA, o-, m-, and p-MHA, respectively. These results indicate that the metabolites concentrations in hair are effective indices of thinner exposure.     

RATIONALIZING PEACE

You cannot simultaneously prevent anct prepare for war. Albert Einstein The paper discusses that a public economics view of why global peace is still not achieved. Using formal public economics theory, the paper highlights the difference between the final product ＂peace＂ and the intermediate public good ＇＇prevention of conflict＂. We argue that nonexistence of the intermediate market is one of the main obstacles for achieving pure peace.     

Analysis of 4‐Bromo‐2,5‐DimethoxyphenethylamineAbuser's Urine: Identification and Quantitation of Urinary Metabolites

The metabolites of 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C‐B), a psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic activity, were investigated in a urine sample from a user of 2C‐B. The urine sample was deconjugated enzymatically and the metabolites were recovered by liquid–liquid extraction. The extract was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after derivatization, and the results were used to identify and quantitate the metabolites. 4‐Bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylacetic acid was the most abundant metabolite of 2C‐B in human urine and accounted for 73% of the total amount of detected metabolites, followed by 4‐bromo‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenylacetic acid (13%) and 4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylethyl alcohol (4.5%). According to the literature, the main metabolites of 2C‐B in rat urine are N‐(4‐bromo‐2‐methoxy‐5‐hydroxyphenylethyl)acetamide and N‐(4‐bromo‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxyphenylethyl)acetamide. However, these metabolites accounted for only a small proportion of the total amount of detected metabolites in human urine, which indicates that there are significant species‐specific differences in the metabolism of 2C‐B. 4‐Bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenylacetic acid, which was the most abundant metabolite in human urine, is thought to be generated by deamination of 2C‐B by monoamine oxidase (MAO) followed by oxidation by aldehyde dehydrogenase. Our results suggest that MAO plays a crucial role in the metabolism of 2C‐B in humans.     

Determination of chronic methamphetamine abuse by hair analysis

A 30-year-old male truck driver, known to be asthmatic, was found dead at the roadside lying near his car. A nebulizer bottle of Berotec (fenoterol hydrobromide) was found near his hand. The anatomic cause of death was suspected to be asthma. Toxicological screening of urine using Triage demonstrated the presence of methamphetamine. The blood concentration of methamphetamine was 0.4 microg/ml, and fenoterol was not detected. Hair analysis clearly indicated chronic methamphetamine abuse and medium dependency during the 2 months before death. We conclude that death might have been induced by the interaction of fenoterol and methamphetamine.     

Factors Associated with Drug-Related Recidivism Among Paroled Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in Japan

Asian Journal of Criminology - Few studies have used longitudinal data to investigate drug-related recidivism among drug users in Asia. This study examined demographic and background...     

Japan's peacekeeping policy: Strategic calculation or internalization of an international norm?

Abstract

With the Gulf War as a trigger, Japan began to make a humanitarian contribution by dispatching the Self Defense Forces to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Given Japan's strong hesitation for participation in the past, Japan's peacekeeping policy presents an intriguing challenge to examine the factors for a preference change and sustained compliance. By investigating Japan's peacekeeping policies towards East Timor and Haiti, this article examines how Japan's behavior and preferences were influenced by either internalized norms or cost/benefit calculations. While norm-driven behavior is considered to be incompatible with strategic calculated behavior, the article demonstrates that these two factors can co-exist.     

Longitudinal evaluation of immunohistochemical findings of milk aspiration: an experimental study using a murine model

To examine the longitudinal change of pathological findings of the lung and other organs in milk aspiration, an experimental study using a murine model was carried out. Either 0.5 or 1.0 ml cow's milk was instilled into the trachea of rats. From immediately after to 14 days after instillation, the animals were sacrificed, and the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen were removed. The results of immunostaining with anti-human α lactalbumin antibody indicated that not only the lung but also the kidney and spleen showed a positive reaction against the antibody over time. Experimentally aspirated milk was detectable in alveoli until 2 days after instillation. It was also detectable in renal tubules from 1 to 6h after instillation. Macrophages containing granules of aspirated milk were observed in splenic red pulp from 3h to 14 days after instillation. Detection of aspirated milk in other organs except the lung would be clear evidence of intravital milk aspiration and would suggest previous or recurrent milk aspiration.