Greetings Colleagues,

The Fall/Winter 2002 Inhalation toxicology newsletter has been posted at:

http://www.inhalation.net

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Recent Events

This Fall, we saw a highly successful meeting of the Association of Inhalation Toxicologists (AIT). The meeting, held in New Ulm, Germany, had 70 or more Inhalation Toxicologist from Europe and North America in attendance.  The meeting was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.  The subjects discussed included juvenile models in inhalation toxicology and the methods used to study COPD.   RCC of Basel, Switzerland presented data on a novel Rabbit inhalation exposure model.  As Adam Young pointed out, CH Technologies (USA) Inc. (CHT) was showing similar technology at their display stand.  During the two days, 4 vendors displayed equipment; they in CHT, TSE, EMKA and EMMS.  CH Technologies sponsored the cocktail hour which included a Bourbon tasting that has become an AIT tradition.  Presenters from Inveresk Research, ITR, CTBR and the sponsor company, among others, were also on the agenda.  Of particular note was a presentation from America, namely the US Army.  Drs. Chad Roy and Justin Hartings of USAMRIID (Aerobiology) described an individually controlled inhalation exposure system for rodents.

This Issue of the Newsletter

The newsletter follows on from the subject of COPD with an article on cigarette smoke.  This theme is likely to continue.  There is also a review and editorial summary on the subject of ultra-fine particles, the effects of odorants and finally, the uptake and the distribution to the brain of inhaled metals round out the materials presented.  Read all about it at:

http://www.inhalation.net

Cigarette Smoke and Animal Models

COPD and emphysema - Dr. Susan Shami reports on a Guinea Pig Model for the Study of Cigarette Smoke's Effects on the Lungs.  The original report appeared at :A Model of Tobacco Smoke-Induced Airflow Obstruction in the Guinea Pig. Joanne L. Wright and Andrew Churg. CHEST 2002: 121:188S-191S.

http://www.inhalation.net/guinea_pig_tobacco_smoke.htm

Olfactory System and Health

Arlene Weiss reviews the subject of Odor, Irritation and Perception of Health Risks as it is reported by Dr. P. Dalton.  Her paper is entitled: Odor, Irritation and Perception of Health Risk. Int. Arch Occup. Environ. Health 75:283-290, 2002.

http://www.inhalation.net/Odor_perception_health_risk.htm

There is a late breaking addition to the website from Dr. Pat Dalton of the MONEL INstitute wherein she describes her research on hormonally based differences in odor perception.  Arlene Weiss summarized the work.  This arrived too late to be included as a featured item.

Olfactory Transport of Inhaled Manganese to the Rat Brain

An important paper was published recently by Brenneman, K. A., Wong, B. A., Buccellato, M. A., Costa, E. R., Gross, E. A., and Dorman, D. C.  It is summarized by Arlene Weiss.  The title is  Direct Olfactory Transport of Inhaled Manganese (54MnCl2) to the Rat Brain: Toxicokinetic Investigations in a Unilateral Nasal Occlusion Model. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 169, 238-248. 

http://www.inhalation.net/inhaled_manganese.htm

The Significance of Ultrafine Particles

An excellent editorial appeared recently.  It is entitled Ultrafine Particles in the Urban Air: To the Respiratory Tract - And Beyond? It is a "Perspectives Editorial" that was written by Günter Oberdorster and Mark J. Utell. It appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol 110, No 8, Aug 2002.  Dr. Susan Shami adds her personal comments.

http://www.inhalation.net/significance_UFPs.htm

Ultrafine Particles and Macrophage Cytoskeleton

This subject is continued with an article entitled: Ultrafine Particles Cause Cytoskeletal Dysfunctions in Macrophages. Moller, W., Hofer, T., Siesenis, A., Karg, E., and Heyder. J. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 182, 197-207. 2002.

This area is one of significant import as dose may matter less than surface area.

Occupational and Industrial Health

Popcorn Workers Lung

An editorial and associated report on Popcorn Workers Lung. (Editorial) from the New England Journal of Medicine 347 (5): 360-61 is discussed.  This represents another example of aerosol and odorant exposure.

http://www.inhalation.net/popcorn_workers_bronchiolitis_obliterans.htm

The next issue of the newsletter will appear shortly before the Society of Toxicology meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.  Before March, 2003, please submit new and interesting news or discussion topics to Drs. Jaeger or Shami. (mailto:jaegerr@idt.net)

Rudolph Jaeger - mailto:jaegerr@bellatlantic.net
Dr. Susan Shami - Respiratory Biology and Technical Science Editor.
Arlene Weiss - Epidemiology, Environmental Medicine and Pharmacology

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