Synopsis The effect of several variables on the in vitro permeation of urea through hairless mouse skin has been studied in order to determine the causes of an increasing permeability phenomenon found in studies with a range of hydrophilic compounds. The permeation of urea increased for a period of approximately 100 h after which a steady state permeation pattern was observed for approximately 25 h. Urea did not effect its own permeation in concentrations between 0.01 M and 1.67 M, and the same pattern of increasing permeation was followed in the presence of (N-morpholine)propanesulphonic acid and tris(hydroxyme)amino-methane buffers, as in the presence of normal saline. Urea did not affect the permeation of tritiated water. Methanol and water exhibited the same pattern of increasing permeation as urea. The continuously increasing permeation rate of urea up to 100 h is believed to be due to penetration and extensive association of water with the components of the stratum corneum, altering the ultra-structure of the stratum corneum and leading to the formation of large and extensive hydrophilic diffusion channels which do not exist in fresh, untreated skin. These presumed channels open the stratum corneum to facile permeation of highly polar substances such as urea. The physical events leading up to the ultra structural changes within the tissue at the microscopic level remain obscure and are the subject of ongoing research. L'absorption percutanée de l'urée.

The effect of dilution, dextrose, amino acids and electrolytes on the stability of two parenteral fat emulsions (Travamulsion and Intralipid) were investigated. It was found that dilution of intravenous emulsions with water for injection had a different influence on the stability of the two emulsions. In addition, a dextrose concentration of 15-20% and higher, in the absence of amino acids caused coagulation of the fat droplets after storage (4 degrees C for 24 h followed by 24 h at room temperature). The addition of amino acids increased the stability of emulsions in the presence of dextrose. The differences found in the particle size distribution of the different emulsions investigated were reflected in their stability in the presence of electrolytes. Critical aggregation concentrations (monovalent cation) of 240 mmol/l for Travamulsion 10% and 156 mmol/l for Intralipid 10% were determined.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of low-dose gamma irradiation on aseptically admixed total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions to which large inocula of three test bacterial species were added. Microbiological safety levels were quantified in terms of sterility assurance levels (SALs), indicating the probability of contamination occurring expressed as 10-n. The radiation sensitivity (D10 values) of test bacteria in TPN solutions inoculated with a series of bacteria recognized as common contaminants of these products, was determined. Attainable SALs of TPN solutions containing test bacteria were subsequently calculated from the D10 values. Results showed that a minimum absorbed radiation dose as low as 1.5 kGy improved the SAL of aseptically prepared TPN solutions from a probability value of 10(-3) to a value of less than 10(-8) for the microorganisms investigated. At an absorbed dose as high as 8.3 kGy, no measurable changes in amino acid, electrolyte, glucose and lipid components of the solutions were detected. These findings have important implications for the enhancement of microbiological safety levels of aseptically prepared intravenous fluids in general.

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