Usefulness of erythrocyte protoporphyrin as a primary screening test for lead exposure in children

Erythrocyte protoporphyrin and blood lead concentrations were measured in samples from 583 Saudi children attending the outpatient clinics. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations showed poor correlation with blood lead concentrations of 25 ug dl^?1 and below. Measurement of erythrocyte protoporphyrin as a primary test for lead exposure is not recommended.     

Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, and the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in rats maintaining reduced body protein following lesions of the lateral hypothalamus

Rats with lesions of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) maintain a reduced body protein mass that they effectively defend when challenged by under- or over-nutrition. The two studies reported here evaluate the potential contributions of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and the insulin-like growth factor-binding (IGFBP) to this persistent maintenance of a reduced body protein mass by LH rats. At 18 weeks postlesion, it was found that the serum levels of GH, IGF-1, total IGFBP, and IGFBP-3 of LH rats maintaining reduced body protein were not different from those of age-matched controls. However, closer to the time of surgery, at which time the lesion-induced body protein adjustments are known to occur, altered hormone and binding protein levels were observed. Specifically, at 3 weeks after lesioning, the IGF-binding proteins of LH rats were significantly elevated, whereas their GH levels were lower than those of controls. Because the GH, IGF-1, and IGF-binding proteins of LH rats were comparable to those of controls at 18 weeks after lesioning, none apparently underlie the chronically reduced body protein mass that LH rats display. Closer to the time of lesioning, however, altered GH and IGF binding protein levels may contribute to the postlesion adjustments by which the body protein mass of LH rats is lowered to its reduced level.     

The effects of antioxidant supplementation during Percoll preparation on human sperm DNA integrity

The integrity of sperm DNA is crucial for the maintenance of genetic health. A major source of damage is reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation; therefore, antioxidants may afford protection to sperm DNA. The objectives of the study were, first, to measure the effects of antioxidant supplementation in vitro on endogenous DNA damage in spermatozoa using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay and, second, to assess the effect of antioxidant supplementation given prior to X-ray irradiation on induced DNA damage. Spermatozoa from 150 patients were prepared by Percoll centrifugation in the presence of ascorbic acid (300, 600 microM), alpha tocopherol (30, 60 microM), urate (200, 400 microM), or acetyl cysteine (5, 10 microM). DNA damage was induced by 30 Gy X-irradiation. DNA strand breakage was measured using the comet assay. Sperm DNA was protected from DNA damage by ascorbic acid (600 microM), alpha tocopherol (30 and 60 microM) and urate (400 microM). These antioxidants provided protection from subsequent DNA damage by X-ray irradiation. In contrast, acetyl cysteine or ascorbate and alpha tocopherol together induced further DNA damage. Supplementation in vitro with the antioxidants ascorbate, urate and alpha tocopherol separately has beneficial effects for sperm DNA integrity.      

Impact of Presence of Children on Indoor Tobacco Restrictions in Households of Urban and Rural Adult Tobacco Users

Objectives

Secondhand smoke exposure in children is changing as a result of new public policy and electronic nicotine products (e-cigarettes). We examined factors related to self-imposed indoor household tobacco restrictions, with emphasis on children in the household and associations with combustible and noncombustible product use.

Anterior shoulder dislocation as a complication of surgery for burns

An example of anterior dislocation of the shoulder resulting from the positioning of a patient for skin grafting of burns is presented. Complications of positioning patients prone and with their arms abducted and practical measures for their avoidance are discussed.     

Combined effects of the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1 and cyclopiazonic acid on Sprague-Dawley rats

This study was conducted to determine whether exposure to cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) would alter the toxicity associated with exposure to either toxin individually. Groups of male rats were administered 0, 0.1 or 4.0 mg CPA/kg body weight/day intragastrically (three groups per dose level) for three consecutive days and 30 min after each of these CPA doses the rats were dosed by gavage with 0, 0.1 or 2.0 mg AFB1/kg body weight/day. Six of the 12 rats given each of these nine treatments were killed on day 4 after the initial dosing, and the rest were allowed a recovery period of 4 days prior to being killed. Weight loss in the three groups receiving 2.0 mg AFB1/kg/day occurred within 24 hr of the first doses. Feed consumption by these rats was about 60% of that in the other groups. By the end of the recovery period, rats in these three groups had lost an average of 31-38 g. Feed consumption throughout the recovery period by rats in the 2.0-mg AFB1 groups was about 50% of the control value, except in the group that also received the high dose of CPA, in which it was 75%. Gross pathological findings were primarily limited to rats in the high AFB1 group, and included icterus, shrunken liver and lesions in the kidney at the cortico-medullary junction. Microscopic changes were characteristic of aflatoxicosis in rats. Glycocholic acid assays indicated liver damage only in those groups that received the high AFB1 dose. We conclude that neither toxin potentiates the action of the other at the dose levels used in this study.     

Intrauterine spermatic cord torsion in the newborn: sonographic and pathologic correlation

In five newborn patients with spermatic cord torsion, sonography demonstrated an enlarged and globular testis, hydrocele, and skin thickening. In four of these patients the testicular parenchyma was heterogeneous. Peripheral hypoechoic areas were seen in two of the four patients; the other two had a central hypoechoic region and a peripheral echogenic rim. The testis in the fifth patient was diffusely hyperechoic. Duplex Doppler sonography performed in two patients failed to demonstrate any signal in the spermatic cord in either the abnormal or contralateral hemiscrotum. Scintigraphic findings were positive for testicular torsion in two patients and equivocal in three patients. Surgery was performed 2-12 days after sonography and established the diagnosis of spermatic cord torsion. Pathologic examination demonstrated hemorrhagic infarction of the entire testis as well as scattered calcifications. The authors conclude that a solid globular testicular mass seen during the neonatal period is suggestive of intrauterine spermatic cord torsion.