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Discharges of the nuclides 129I, 137Cs and 99Tc from the nuclear reprocessing facilities at Sellafield (UK) and La Hague (France) are very useful as oceanic tracers. On the basis of 129I/127I, 137Cs and 99Tc measurements in archived seaweeds, the ratios of 129I/127I, 129I/137Cs and 129I/99Tc have been estimated in seawater at two locations (Utsira and Kiberg) in the Norwegian Coastal Current from 1980 to 1998. These ratios, which vary up to two orders of magnitude over this period, are potentially very interesting for determining "transit times" in the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. While the long-term trends in these ratios are quite clear, measurements in monthly and bimonthly samples show considerable structure. Further studies are required to determine the exact origin of this structure, which may be a limiting factor in the time resolution that can be obtained with these parameters.

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Russian-Norwegian expeditions to the Kara Sea and to dumping sites in the fjords of Novaya Zemlya have taken place annually since 1992. In the fjords, dumped objects were localised with sonar and ROV equipped with underwater camera. Enhanced levels of 137Cs, 60Co, 90Sr and 239,240Pu in sediments close to dumped containers in the Abrosimov and Stepovogo fjords demonstrated that leaching from dumped material has taken place. The contamination was inhomogeneously distributed and radioactive particles were identified in the upper 10 cm of the sediments. 137Cs was strongly associated with sediments, while 90Sr was more mobile. The contamination was less pronounced in the areas where objects presumed to be reactor compartments were located. The enhanced level of radionuclides observed in sediments close to the submarine in Stepovogo fjord in 1993 could, however, not be confirmed in 1994. Otherwise, traces of 60Co in sediments were observed in the close vicinity of all localised objects. Thus, the general level of radionuclides in waters, sediments and biota in the fjords is, somewhat higher or similar to that of the open Kara Sea, i.e. significantly lower than in other adjacent marine systems (e.g. Irish Sea, Baltic Sea, North Sea). The main sources contributing to radioactive contamination were global fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, river transport from Ob and Yenisey, marine transport of discharges from Sellafield, UK and fallout from Chernobyl. Thus, the radiological impact to man and the arctic environment of the observed leakages from dumped radioactive waste today, is considered to be low. Assuming all radionuclides are released from the waste, preliminary assessments indicate a collective dose to the world population of less than 50 man Sv.

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A brief overview of the radioactive waste inventory of the 'Mayak' PA reprocessing plant, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia is given together with a description of the environmental contamination caused by its activities and the origins of contamination. The joint Russian-Norwegian field work in 1994 is described, together with the major analytical results. The field work was of a limited extent, and was not designed to include a complete mapping of the environmental contamination around the plant. The results are, however, in good agreement with the very extensive previous Russian investigations. The highest concentrations of radioactivity were found in Reservoirs 10 and 11 and at the floodplain of the upper Techa River (Asanov Swamp). Also high concentrations are found in biota, especially fish from Reservoir 10.

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The present study examined the effects of elastase, in concentrations present in respiratory secretions, on airway smooth muscle contractile responses in vitro and the magnitude of the airway epithelial inhibition of smooth muscle tension. Experiments were performed on 126 full-thickness tracheal strips from 25 rabbits. Isometric tension responses to acetylcholine (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) and potassium chloride (10 to 110 mM) were examined before and after a 5-min exposure to either porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) or human neutrophil elastase (HNE). PPE (5 to 40 micrograms/100 microliters) reduced the tension response to acetylcholine but had no effect on the tension response to potassium chloride. PPE and HNE (20 micrograms/100 microliters) produced similar effects. Mechanical removal of the epithelium per se significantly (P less than 0.005) decreased the ED50 response to acetylcholine but did not affect maximal tension. However, the airway epithelial inhibitory effect on the acetylcholine tension response was similar in the presence and absence of PPE (20 micrograms/100 microliters). These data suggest that the diminution of tracheal smooth muscle tension responses to receptor-mediated agonists induced by elastase is a direct effect on the muscle and is not mediated by an effect of elastase on the respiratory epithelium.

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Chemical paint removers containing methylene chloride are widely used in domestic and industrial settings where exposure to a heat source with conversion to phosgene is possible. We describe a case of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and subsequent hyperreactive airways following such an exposure. In addition, the various problems that have been associated with exposure to methylene chloride and phosgene are reviewed.

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Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the bronchus is a rare disorder in an isolated clinical setting. We present a case of carcinoma in situ located on the carina with excisional biopsy via a fiberoptic bronchoscope and no recurrence after five years. To our knowledge, this represents the only case of carcinoma in situ treated solely with excisional biopsy. This case further emphasizes the importance of securing biopsy specimens for all mucosal abnormalities and raises the possibility of limited excision as sole therapy for carcinoma in situ.

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The tracheobronchial epithelium produces factor(s) that modulate the constrictor and relaxant response of airway smooth muscle. The present study sought to determine whether the tracheobronchial epithelial inhibitory effect on trachealis smooth muscle tension is under muscarinic receptor control. Studies were performed on 195 strips from 13 rabbits. In strips in which the epithelium was intact, pirenzepine (an M1 receptor antagonist) produced a dose-related (10(-8) and 10(-7)M) rightward shift (P less than 0.01 for each) and gallamine (an M2 antagonist) produced a progressive (10(-8) and 10(-7)M) leftward shift of the acetylcholine concentration responses (P less than 0.01 for each). In strips in which the epithelium was removed mechanically, neither pirenzepine nor gallamine had any effect on the acetylcholine responses. In acetylcholine precontracted (5 x 10(-6) M) muscle strips with epithelium intact, addition of pirenzepine (10(-7)M) produced a significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in steady-state tension, whereas administration of gallamine tended to increase tension, (P = NS). Neither pirenzepine nor gallamine had any effect on steady-state tension in strips in which the epithelium was removed. These results indicate that the magnitude of the tracheobronchial epithelial inhibitory effect on smooth muscle tension is under muscarinic control. Specifically, M1 receptor blockade augments and M2 receptor blockade inhibits the magnitude of the tracheobronchial epithelial effect.

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The tracheobronchial epithelium produces inhibitory substance(s) that alter the tracheal smooth muscle tension. This study examined the effect of changes in extracellular Ca2+ and temperature in vitro on the tension response of rabbit trachealis muscle to mechanical removal of the epithelium. Tension during acetylcholine- and KCl-induced contractions was examined at 0, 0.75, 1.5, 2.5, and 5 mM bath Ca2+ concentrations and at 37, 30, 23, and 41 degrees C bath temperature. At most extracellular Ca2+ concentrations (i.e., 0.75, 1.5, 2.5, and 5 mM), epithelial removal shifted the acetylcholine concentration response approximately one-half log to the left (P less than 0.001 for each condition) but had no effect on the responses to KCl (P = NS). Reductions in bath Ca2+ to 0 mM eliminated the epithelial inhibitory effect on the acetylcholine response. In contrast to the effects of reductions in Ca2+, cooling the airway to 30 and 23 degrees C progressively diminished the magnitude of the epithelial inhibitory effect. Our results indicate that the influence of the tracheal epithelium on tracheal smooth muscle responses to constrictor agonists is substance specific and can be diminished by reductions in tracheal temperature and extracellular Ca2+ concentration.

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