Decreased serum ceruloplasmin concentration in aluminum welders exposed to ozone

Summary During an epidemiological survey on arc welders, serum copper and ceruloplasmin were determined in two groups of workers. One group consisted of aluminum welders who were divided into two groups: 13 welders working inside aluminum tanks (confined atmosphere) and 8 welders engaged in the production of vans for dump trucks (nonconfined atmosphere). The reference group consisted of 26 workers of the same plant who were not exposed to welding fumes. Ozone, the major pollutant in aluminum arc welding, was thought to be the principal factor in the significant decrease (P < 0.01) of mean ceruloplasmin in confined welders. This decrease in the level of ceruloplasmin was still within the reference values and was not linked to age or to tobacco consumption. We found a linear relationship between ceruloplasmin concentration and the cumulated worktime along the week. This effect could be a sign in the serum of a lung reaction against oxidant activity in this type occupational exposure.     

Amniotic fluid levels of substance P.

The presence of substance P (SP) in the amniotic fluid (AF) from 88 obstetric patients was determined with a radioimmunoassay. AF was collected from each patient in EDTA-coated tubes. Cross-reactivity of anti-SP antibody with methionine, met-enkephalin, leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, eledoisen and physalemin was less than 1%. The SP levels during the midtrimester were not significantly lower than those of late gestation. Data on the late-gestation group were evaluated further as per the clinical problem. The only statistically significant finding was between the diabetics with fetal maturity and the non-diabetic group. This preliminary study identified the presence of SP in AF in mid and late gestation.     

Diabetes prevalence in England, 2001--estimates from an epidemiological model.

AIMS: To estimate the total prevalence of diabetes mellitus (diagnosed and undiagnosed) at national, regional and local level in England to support health-care planning and delivery. METHODS: An epidemiological model was constructed by applying age-sex-ethnic-specific reference prevalence rates from epidemiological studies to resident populations (2001 census) of England at national, regional, and local authority/Primary Care Trust levels. RESULTS: Estimated prevalence of total diabetes for all persons in England was 4.41% in 2001, equating to 2 168 000 persons. Type 2 diabetes was estimated to affect 2 002 000 persons (92.3%) and Type 1 diabetes 166 000 persons (7.7%). Diabetes prevalence was estimated to be higher in women (5.17%) than men (3.61%). People from ethnic minority groups had higher crude prevalence than White Europeans (4.29, 5.69, 6.63 and 2.13% among White Europeans, Black African/Caribbeans, South Asians and 'other' groups, respectively). Prevalence increased sharply with age (0.33, 3.37 and 13.92%, respectively, in those aged 0-29, 30-59 and 60+ years). The model allows use of user-defined population denominator estimates to derive numbers and prevalence of people with diabetes for a given local population group, such as at ward or general practice level. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported diabetes prevalence estimates from community surveys underestimate the true burden of diabetes. The model can be used to derive the expected total prevalence of diabetes in health areas that lack reliable data to facilitate the implementation of the National Service Framework for diabetes. It will also allow estimates of future diabetes prevalence to be derived, and can potentially be used for prevalence estimates in all of the UK.     

Do shrimp‐allergic individuals tolerate shrimp‐derived glucosamine?

BACKGROUND: There is concern that shrimp-allergic individuals may react to glucosamine-containing products as shrimp shells are a major source of glucosamine used for human consumption. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether shrimp-allergic individuals can tolerate therapeutic doses of glucosamine. METHODS: Subjects with a history of shrimp allergy were recruited and tested for both shrimp reactivity via a prick skin test and shrimp-specific IgE by an ImmunoCAP assay. Fifteen subjects with positive skin tests to shrimp and an ImmunoCAP class level of two or greater were selected for a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) using glucosamine-chondroitin tablets containing 1,500 mg of synthetically produced (control) or shrimp-derived glucosamine. Immediate reactions, including changes in peak flow and blood pressure, and delayed reactions (up to 24 h post-challenge) via questionnaire were noted and assessed. RESULTS: All subjects tolerated 1,500 mg of both shrimp-derived or synthetic glucosamine without incident of an immediate hypersensitivity response. Peak flows and blood pressures remained constant, and no subject had symptoms of a delayed reaction 24 h later. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that glucosamine supplements from specific manufacturers do not contain clinically relevant levels of shrimp allergen and therefore appear to pose no threat to shrimp-allergic individuals.     

Bronchopulmonary foregut malformations with communication to the esophagus

Congenital abnormal communications between separated pulmonary tissue and the oesophagus are rarities. Only about 50 cases have been reported in the literature. For all different forms the term of bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (BPFM) was first applied by Gerle and his coworkers in 1968. Major symptoms of this condition involved respiratory distress, cough, dyspnea, vomiting and repeated pneumonia. This paper presents reports of two own patients. In both cases was confirmed a bronchopulmonary foregut malformation in the lower right thorax with ectopic main bronchus communicating into the distal oesophagus. According to the literature we describe our own experience and discuss embryologic pathogenesis and surgical consequences for children.     

The role of the human acetylation polymorphism in the metabolic activation of the food carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ).

The metabolic activation of the heterocyclic food carcinogen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) by two human cytochrome P450 monoxygenases (P4501A1 and P4501A2) and two human N-acetyltransferases (NAT1 and NAT2) was investigated. Various combinations of these enzymes were functionally expressed in COS-1 cells. DNA adducts resulting from the activation of IQ were assayed quantitatively by the 32P-postlabeling procedure. The highest adduct frequency was observed in cells expressing both CYP1A2 and NAT2. CYP1A2 in combination with NAT1 was 3-6 times less active. When expressed alone these enzymes gave rise to low adduct frequencies. Experiments with N-acetyl-IQ as substrate suggest that NAT1 and NAT2 in addition to their known role in N-acetylation display arylhydroxamic acid N, O-acetyltransferase (AHAT) activity. Quantitative differences in adduct formation between IQ and N-acetyl-IQ indicated that metabolic activation of these arylamines preferentially occurs by P4501A2-catalyzed N-hydroxylation followed by O-acetylation mediated through NAT1 and/or NAT2. These data, in combination with the known genetic polymorphism of NAT2, may explain the clinical observation that the acetylation polymorphism constitutes a risk factor in the carcinogenic activation of environmental mutagens.     

A retrospective mortality study of workers exposed to arsenic in a gold mine and refinery in France

A historical mortality study of a cohort of employees of a gold mining and refining company was carried out in Salsigne, France. A major goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between lung cancer mortality and exposure to arsenic, radon, silica, and other contaminants of the working environment. A twofold excess of lung cancer was found both among miners and smelters, mainly concentrated among workers who had experienced exposure to past levels of arsenic, radon, and silica. The consistency of the results in the mine and the refinery are suggestive of a carcinogenic risk from both soluble and insoluble arsenic, although the potential role of other factors cannot be dismissed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

LIPOPROTEIN(α) IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

SUMMARY Elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) do seem to influence the progression of atherosclerosis. Evidence is emerging that certain apo(a) isoforms may be more atherogenic than others, and in transgenic mice free apo(a) has been shown to be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Currently it is not known whether treating elevated Lp(a) levels will reduce progression of atherosclerosis and, as therapeutic options are limited, mass screening of Lp(a) levels in populations is not indicated. The presence of raised Lp(a) levels, however, warrants aggressive treatment to reduce other cardiovascular risk factors. Continuing research to investigate the relationship of the apo(a) gene to other genes, including the plasminogen gene and apo(a)-related genes, will add further information pertaining to the evolution, function, regulation and clinical implications of Lp(a).     

Red cell autoantibody production in utero: a case report

BACKGROUND: Autoantibody production by the fetus is thought to be extremely unlikely. Only one possible case of in utero autoantibody production against red cells by the fetus has previously been described. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A case of apparent red cell IgG autoantibody production in utero is reported. RESULTS: This was established by a positive direct antiglobulin test in a newborn infant without evidence of maternal alloantibodies or autoantibodies. There was no evidence of clinically significant hemolysis at the infant's birth. After 6 weeks, his direct antiglobulin test remained strongly positive. The infant thrived without evidence of hemolysis, and after 6 months the direct antiglobulin test was negative. CONCLUSION: The production of autoantibodies to red cells in utero is possible, though rare. This did not result in apparent hemolysis in this patient.