Biodegradable HA composite systems based on PEOT/PBT have attracted much attention [1]. Making use of the reactivity of surface hydroxyl groups, PEOT/PBT [2] copolymers have been grafted to HA particles using diisocyanate coupling agents. This resulted in improved mechanical properties of composites. In this study, we set out to covalently bind 1000PEOT70PBT30 to HA by direct surface grafting v...

This article is a critical review of some of the methods that have been used for the sampling, analysis, and monitoring of vapor-phase toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Only some of the methods that have received relatively widespread application have been addressed in this article. This review includes a "tutorial style" discussion of basic definitions and basic principles and procedures of quality ...

A 29-year-old man had a persuasive history of respiratory illness following exposures to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). He was evaluated by measuring bronchial reactivity to methacholine, both before and after controlled laboratory exposures to MDI. Despite evidence of progressive declines in FEV1 with increasing (but subirritant) doses of MDI on three consecutive days, there was no bro...

We present four cases of fragile X premutation carriers with early neurological symptoms, including symptoms consistent with multiple sclerosis (MS) and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Each patient had significant exposure to one or more environmental neurotoxicants that have documented neurotoxicity (i.e. hexachlorocyclopentadiene or C56, Agent Orange, and 2,4- or 2,6-tolu...

Biocompatible poly(iohexol) nanoparticles, prepared through cross-linking of iohexol and hexamethylene diisocyanate followed by coprecipitation of the resulting cross-linked polymer with mPEG-polylactide, were utilized as contrast agents for in vivo X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. Compared to conventional small-molecule contrast agents, poly(iohexol) nanoparticles exhibited substantiall...

Clinical and serologic effects of TDI exposure were studied in 112 occupationally exposed plant workers. Sera were obtained before and after commencement of TDI production. A11 subjects were skin-tested with common inhalant allergens and a TDI-HSA conju.gate. Total eosinophil counts, immunoglobuliw quantitatioas, fina specific antibody assays by PCA, P-E, and ~adioimmunoassay were performed. Cl...

Two cases of paraoccupational asthma caused by toluene diisocyanate (TDI) are reported. The first patient was a metal worker in a machine shop situated near a factory producing polyurethane foam. Symptoms at work were not explainable by any specific exposure to irritants or allergens in the work site. As the patient recalled previous occasional work in the adjacent polyurethane factory with acc...