Cytokine Production by Splenocytes and Thymocytes in Mice after Intranasal Exposure to Toluene Diisocyanate: Kui-Cheng ZHENG, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus—To determine the status and the role of cytokines in occupational asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI), we performed a quantitative analysis of cytokine profiles by means of s...

The two-step polymerization method, including polycondensation and chain linking reactions, was conducted to obtain high-molecular-weight lactic acid polymers. The biodegradability of these polymers was subsequently investigated. Three polymerization routes were studied. Hydroxyl-terminated prepolymers were linked with diisocyanates, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) or 1,4-butane diisocyan...

A bioassay for the possible carcinogenicity of 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine-4,4'-diisocyanate was conducted using Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. 3,3'-Dimethoxybenzidine-4,4'-diisocyanate was administered, at either of two concentrations, to groups of 50 male and 50 female animals of each species, with the exception of 49 high dose female rats. The compound was administered in the feed with the ex...

As part of the Survey of Painters and Repairers of Auto bodies by Yale (SPRAY), the determinants of isocyanate exposure in auto body repair shops were evaluated. Measurements (n = 380) of hexamethylene diisocyanate-based monomer and polyisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate-based polyisocyanate were collected from 33 auto body shops. The median total reactive isocyanate concentrations expresse...

Diisocyanates (dNCOs) are low molecular weight chemical sensitizers that react with autologous proteins to produce neoantigens. dNCO-haptenated proteins have been used as immunogens for generation of dNCO-specific antibodies and as antigens to screen for dNCO-specific antibodies in exposed individuals. Detection of dNCO-specific antibodies in exposed individuals for diagnosis of dNCO asthma has...

As petroleum feedstocks start to dwindle, it is becoming more important to find acceptable replacements for materials made from these feedstocks. Polyurethanes have classically been synthesized from petroleum-based feedstocks, and depending on its properties, polyurethanes can be used in everything from foams, to construction plastics. In recent years there has been an increasing amount of rese...

Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is used widely to manufacture polyurethanes for paints and coatings. It is an irritant and a chemical asthmagen. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration time-weighted average permissible exposure limit is 5 ppb and the ceiling limit is 20 ppb. We sought to develop a sensitive and specific immuno-bioassay to supplement workplace air monitoring and ...