A magnetic ion-imprinted polymer for lead(II) determination: A study on the adsorption of lead(II) by beverages

In this work a variety of beverage samples had been kept in a contaminated area to investigate their lead adsorption. To determine the adsorbed Pb(II), a novel magnetic lead ion-imprinted polymer, grafted onto Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, was synthesized and used as a selective sorbent for the preconcentration of Pb(II) ions. The sorbent was characterized by different techniques. The synthesized sorbent was applied for highly accurate and selective determination of Pb(II) ions absorbed from polluted air in several beverages and results were compared. To validate the method, three certified reference materials were analyzed by the proposed method and the results showed that pre-concentrating by this sorbent and subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy is an accurate method for lead determination in beverage samples (recoveries higher than 95%). The limits of detection and the relative standard deviations were less than 1.7 μg kg⁻¹ and 4.1%, respectively. The sorption capacity of this new sorbent was 51.8 mg g⁻¹. Finally, this method was used for the determination of Pb(II) ions in polluted beverage samples, and the results revealed that under equal conditions, coffee exhibits more tendency to adsorb Pb(II) ions.     

Over the wire lead extraction and focused force venoplasty to regain venous access in a totally occluded subclavian vein

Introduction  Venoplasty allows the addition or replacement of leads despite subtotal or total subclavian occlusion. Methods  The threshold of the LV pacing lead implanted for biventricular pacing over a period of 18 months increased to greater than 5 V. A pre implant venogram revealed total subclavian occlusion. Venous access was maintained by extraction of the 4 F LV lead over a wire. Subsequently the sheath would not advance despite 6mm balloon inflation to 30 atm with no residual waist. A wire was placed beside the balloon and the balloon was reinflated. Results  The subclavian obstruction was eliminated without damage to the existing leads. Conclusion  The obstruction formed by the fibrous track around an extracted lead may persist despite what appears to be successful balloon dilation. Inflation with a wire beside the balloon increases the effect eliminating the resistant obstruction without damaging the leads. Acknowledgements of Sources of Financial Support:Dr. Worley receives compensation in various forms from Medtronic, Pressure Products, Guidant, and St Jude Medical. Dr. Gohn receives compensation in various forms from Medtronic. No financial support was provided for the creation of this case report     

Mitigative role of garlic and vitamin E against cytotoxic,genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of lead acetate and mercury chloride on WI-38 cells

Background

Lead acetate (Led) and mercury chloride (Mer) represent important ecological and public health concerns due to their hazardous toxicities. Naturally found products play a vital role in chemopreventive agent innovation. The current study aimed to assess the modifying effect of garlic (Gar) and/or vitamin E (Vit E) against the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) Led and/or Mer-induced cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic effects.

Increased urinary cobalt and whole blood concentrations of cadmium and lead in women with uterine leiomyomata: Findings from the ENDO Study

Multiple trace elements have estrogen receptor activity, but the association of these elements with uterine leiomyoma has not been defined. A cohort of 473 women aged 18–44 undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic indications provided whole blood and urine specimens for trace element analysis, which was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Twenty elements were analyzed in blood and 3 in urine. The surgeon documented whether fibroids were present. Geometric mean concentrations were compared between women with and without fibroids, and logistic regression models were generated to assess the impact of the concentration of each trace element on the odds of fibroids. In multivariate regressions, odds of a fibroid diagnosis were higher with increased whole blood cadmium (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02, 2.04) and lead (AOR 1.31 95% CI 1.02, 1.69), and urine cobalt (AOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.02, 1.70). Urinary cadmium and lead were not related to fibroid diagnosis. Increased exposure to trace elements may contribute to fibroid growth, and fibroids may serve as a reservoir for these elements. Differences between urinary and whole blood findings merit further investigation, as urinary cadmium has been considered a superior marker of exposure.     

Mirror image electrocardiograms and additional electrocardiographic leads: new wine in old wineskins?

Background

Mirror image electrocardiograms (ECGs), obtained by inverting the original signals, and additional precordial leads have been proposed as means to improve ECG diagnosis. The theoretical backgrounds of these proposals are discussed.

Methods

In 746 body surface potential maps, the mirror areas of the 6 precordial leads, V₃R, and 2 more leads higher up and 1 lower down the thorax have been determined. The similarity between the original signal and its mirror image was expressed by a similarity index. This was done separately for QRS and ST-T; for the first and second parts of QRS; and for the categories normal, left ventricular hypertrophy, and infarct.

Results

In general, high similarity scores were obtained. The mirror images of V₁ and V₂ are almost diametrically located on the back. Inverting these leads could render the V₈ and V₉ leads. The other mirror areas may deviate considerably from where generally expected.

Conclusion

Mirror images can be obtained consistently from all locations, supporting the dipole representation of cardiac electrical activity. Neither mirror image ECGs nor additional chest leads contribute essentially to ECG diagnosis.     

Risk of leukemia in relation to exposure to ambient air toxics in pregnancy and early childhood

There are few established causes of leukemia, the most common type of cancer in children. Studies in adults suggest a role for specific environmental agents, but little is known about any effect from exposures in pregnancy to toxics in ambient air. In our case–control study, we ascertained 69 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 46 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from California Cancer Registry records of children <age 6, and 19,209 controls from California birth records within 2 km (1.3 miles) (ALL) and 6 km (3.8 miles) (AML) of an air toxics monitoring station between 1990 and 2007. Information on air toxics exposures was taken from community air monitors. We used logistic regression to estimate the risk of leukemia associated with one interquartile range increase in air toxic exposure. Risk of ALL was elevated with 3^rd trimester exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.04, 1.29), arsenic (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.02, 1.73), benzene (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.08, 2.09), and three other toxics related to fuel combustion. Risk of AML was increased with 3rd trimester exposure to chloroform (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.00, 1.69), benzene (1.75, 95% CI 1.04, 2.93), and two other traffic-related toxics. During the child's first year, exposure to butadiene, ortho-xylene, and toluene increased risk for AML and exposure to selenium increased risk for ALL. Benzene is an established cause of leukemia in adults; this study supports that ambient exposures to this and other chemicals in pregnancy and early life may also increase leukemia risk in children.     

安徽省歙县某蓄电池厂工人血铅水平调查结果

目的了解安徽省歙县蓄电池厂铅作业工人的血铅水平,以便采取科学有效的防护措施。方法采用石墨炉原子吸收法测定血铅含量并进行统计分析。结果 311名作业工人当中,血铅检测最低为14μg/L,最高为647μg/L,平均（292.4±161.5）μg/L;血铅≥400μg/L共有78人,超标率为25.1%,其中有6人超过了诊断值;不同性别、不同工龄及不同岗位之间工人血铅超标率差异均有统计学意义（P﹤0.01）。结论该企业工人血铅超标率仍处于较高水平,铅危害情况比较严重,因此应进一步加强监管力度,改进生产工艺,改善工作环境,规范和完善职业危害防护设施,加强对工人的职业危害宣传教育,提高工人自我防护意识,切实保护劳动者的身体健康。     

Latent role of in vitro Pb exposure in blocking Aβ clearance and triggering epigenetic modifications

Both β-amyloid (Aβ) catabolism and epigenetic regulation play critical roles in the onset of neurodegeneration. The latter also contribute to Pb neurotoxicity. The present study explored the role of epigenetic modifiers and Aβ degradation enzymes in Pb-induced latent effects on Aβ overproduction in vitro. Our results indicated that in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to Pb, the expression of NEP and IDE remained declined during the recovery period, accompanied with abnormal increase of Aβ_1-42 and amyloid oligomer. A disruption of selective global post-translational histone modifiers including the decrease of H3K9ac and H4K12ac and the induction of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 dose dependently was also showed in recovery cells. Moreover, histone deacetylase inhibitor VPA could attenuate latent Aβ accumulation and HDAC activity induced by Pb, which might be by regulating the expression of NEP and IDE epigenetically. Overall, our results suggest sustained reduction of NEP and IDE expression in response to Pb sensitizes recovery SH-SY5Y cells to Aβ accumulation; however, administration of VPA is demonstrated to be beneficial in modulating Aβ clearance.