The aim of this study was to assess the irritant properties of a new developed calcium phosphate ceramic, α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) after single application to intact skin of the rabbit. The test substance, α-TCP was produced by modified hydrothermal method and prepared in two different forms, as a solid material (disc 5 × 2 mm) and paste. Both, solid material and paste of α-TCP were evalu...

Adaptation of the skin to repeated influence of exogenous irritants is called the hardening phenomenon. We investigated the stratum corneum lipid composition before and after induction of a hardening phenomenon. Irritant contact dermatitis was induced in 23 non-atopic volunteers by repeated occlusive application of 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) over 3 weeks. At 3, 6 and 9 weeks after irritat...

BACKGROUND Casino workers are exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke (SHS) at work, yet remain at risk of being excluded from smoke-free legislation around the world. If the prime motivation for smoke-free legislation is the protection of workers, then a workforce experiencing ill-health associated with SHS exposure should not be excluded from legislation. This study aimed to determine the ...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The relationship between allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma is well characterized. However, it remains unknown whether an association exists between symptoms of upper and lower airway diseases and occupational bioaerosol exposure beyond the scope of allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The current cross-sectional study focuses on 190 current and 59 former compost worke...

Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of nicotinic agonists to rats elicits a receptor-mediated pressor response, a heart rate increase and irritation-nociceptive behavior. We examined the stimulatory pathways and sites of action of spinally administered nicotinic agonists. The thoracic region appears more sensitive to nicotine-elicited pressor actions than the lumbar or cervical regions of the spi...

Alcohol-based hand rubs are widely used for infection control in clinical practice. However, it is known that frequent use of the alcohol-based hand rubs may cause skin irritation. To predict the skin irritation in human, animal experiments are quite useful. Especially, the Draize Test using rabbits is suitable for this purpose because their skin is highly sensitive. On the other hand, the deve...

There is need to develop reproducible methods and experimental models for screening mucosal irritation and toxicity for drugs and pharmaceutical excipients. The aim of this study was to validate Calu-3 cell line as a model for screening respiratory irritation and toxicity of drugs and excipients. Eighteen test compounds were selected according to their irritation potential and European Centre f...