High sensitivity detectors for radon in air and in water have been developed. We use electrostatic collection and a PIN photodiode for these detectors. Calibration systems have been also constructed to obtain collection factors. As a result of the calibration study, the absolute humidity dependence of the radon detector for air is clearly observed in the region less than about 1.6 g/m3. The cal...

We investigated the coupling of muscarinic receptor (M) subtypes to phosphoinositide hydrolysis in ileum and urinary bladder using muscarinic receptor knockout mice. In urinary bladder from wild-type mice, the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M, elicited a robust phosphoinositide response characterized by an EC50 value of 0.22 microM and a maximal response (Emax) of 32.8% conversion of [3H]inosi...

Eight swine confinement buildings, selected to cover the widest possible range of cleanliness, were visited twice during winter and once during summer to verify the range, seasonal variations, and correlations between biological and chemical contaminants. Physical aspects were graded for dirtiness (1 = clean, 10 = dirty), ventilation, air temperature, number of animals, building, and room size....

The nervous system is the major target of the toxic effect of manganese (Mn) and its compounds. Nowadays, neurological diagnostics is directed towards early detection of symptoms and abortive forms, and the cases of serious damage of the nervous system are no longer reported. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of manganese on the functions of the nervous system in workers ex...