Heat-assisted slurry sampling GFAAS method for determination of lead in food standard reference materials

A valid method based on heat-assisted slurry sampling graphic furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HASS-GFAAS) was developed for the accurate determination of trace Pb in food standard reference materials (SRMs). The HASS technique significantly improved Pb recovery and precision compared to conventional slurry sampling techniques. The optimized HASS procedure was performed as follows: first, the sample (particle size ≤ 150 μm) was diluted with 0.05% (v/v) Triton X-100 containing 2% HNO₃ and 1% H₂O₂ followed by heating for 20 min at 120 °C on a heating block. Next, the obtained slurry was sonicated in an autosampler cup, and finally, the slurry was introduced into a graphite tube and analyzed by the GFAAS with a Pb electrodeless discharge lamp (EDL). Calibration with aqueous standard solutions was used for Pb determination in food samples. The characteristic mass and limit of detection for Pb based on the integrated absorbance for a 2% (m/v) sample were 12 ± 0.6 pg and 0.003 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The accuracy (95.1–102% recovery) and good precision (0.1–3.6%) of this procedure are illustrated by the results obtained for the 12 food reference materials. The proposed method is suitable for determination of trace Pb in solid food samples.     

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.     

纳米铅和常规铅暴露对仔鼠海马及皮质氧化损伤的比较研究

目的比较纳米铅和常规铅暴露对生长发育期仔鼠海马及皮质的氧化损伤作用。方法将30只健康妊娠SPF级SD大鼠随机分为3组,分别为对照(生理盐水)组、纳米铅(10 mg/kg)组和常规铅(100 mg/kg)组,每组10只。采用经口灌胃方式进行染毒,自母鼠妊娠至仔鼠断乳(PND21)。记录仔鼠的出牙时间、睁眼时间、翻正反射时间、爬行时间、张耳时间、断崖回避时间,采用Morris水迷宫对PND21仔鼠进行学习记忆能力测试,分别于PND1、PND21检测仔鼠海马和皮质中的铅、活性氧(ROS)、蛋白质糖基化终产物(AGEs)含量和抑制羟自由基能力。结果与对照组比较,纳米铅及常规铅暴露后仔鼠翻正反射时间、爬行时间及张耳时间延长,学习记忆能力降低;皮质、海马中铅、ROS和AGEs含量增高,而抑制羟自由基能力降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。与常规铅组比较,纳米铅组PND21仔鼠皮质和海马中ROS水平均升高,PND1时纳米铅组仔鼠海马抑制羟自由基能力下降,纳米铅暴露组PND21仔鼠海马和皮质中AGEs含量增高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论纳米铅和常规铅染毒可导致仔鼠生长发育期迟缓及皮质、海马的氧化应激,且随着染毒时间延长,纳米铅暴露致仔鼠皮质和海马氧化损伤程度高于常规铅暴露,这可能与纳米材料的特性有关。     

Single-step transvenous extraction of a passive fixation lead with delayed perforation of the right ventricle

Delayed pacemaker lead perforation is a very rare complicationand most of the published reports involve active fixation leads.The authors report an uneventful transvenous extraction of apassive fixation lead, which had a delayed perforation of theright ventricle, disclosed two months after pacemaker implantation.     

Lead and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis examined the association between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and lead exposure in children and adolescents. Thirty-three studies published between 1972 and 2010 involving 10,232 children and adolescents were included. There was a small to medium association between inattention symptoms and lead exposure (r = .16, k = 27, p < .001) and a similar association between hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms and lead exposure (r = .13, k = 23, p < .001). There was significant heterogeneity among the effect sizes for both inattention symptoms and for hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, with studies using hair analysis to assess lead burden yielding substantially larger effect sizes than those using other methods. Excluding the hair analysis studies, the average rs were .14 for inattention (k = 23, p < .001) and .12 for hyperactivity/impulsivity (k = 21, p < .001). Overall, the relation between lead exposure and ADHD symptoms was similar in magnitude to the relation between lead exposure and decreased IQ and between lead exposure and conduct problems.     

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     

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors as a manifestation of lead poisoning: report of a case and review of literature

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors occur not only in patients with hematologic diseases, but also those with other diseases. Here, we report on a patient that presented with dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors due to lead poisoning from the intake of Chinese folk remedies.     

探讨铅暴露对女性FSH、PRL、LH等激素水平的影响

目的初步探讨低水平铅暴露对女性血清性激素及月经周期的影响。方法对铅暴露女性269人及对照组女性348人的一般情况、生殖结局进行回顾性队列研究,并测血铅及用放射免疫法测定孕酮（P）、雌二醇（E2）、催乳素（PRL）、卵泡刺激素（FSH）、黄体生成素（LH）性激素水平。结果暴露组女性月经紊乱明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）,且早产率、自然流产率亦高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;暴露组血清性激素水平孕酮（P）、雌二醇（E2）降低,促卵泡素、促黄体生成素升高。结论说明长期低浓度铅暴露干扰下丘脑一垂体～卵巢轴正常的内分泌调节功能,可引起女性月经失调、影响内分泌激素水平。