The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between beta-galactosidase activity in urine, in serum and urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosarminidase activity as an early indicator of renal effect and mercurT concentration in urine and blood, reflecting the intensity of exposure to or the amount of body burden of mercury. This study was carried out among 70 workers exposed to mercury vapor and 63 non-exposed workers as a reference. The results were as follows ; 1. The mean concentration of urinary mercury (43.5 microgram/1) in exposed subjects was about nine times higher than that of non-exposed subjects, but the mean values of blood mercury were not different from each other 2. The mean values of beta-galactosidase activity in urine (119.7micromoleMU/h/g creatinine) and in blood (73.7 moIMU/H/l) of mercury-exposed subjects were significantly higher than those of non-exposed subjects. 3. In mercury-exposed subjects, beta-galactosidase activities in urine (r=0.38, p<0.01) and in serum (r=0.26, p<0.05) were correlated to urinary mercury concentration, but not to blood mercury concentration. The urinary excretion of beta-galactosidase activity was closely associated with urinary mercury concentration in the result of the multiple regression analysis. 4. The urinary beta-galactosidase activity in exposed subjects increased as the urinary mercury increased, and in the exposed subjects with more than 50microgram/1 of urinary mercury was highly related to urinary beta-galactosidase activity(r=0.47, p<0.05). 5. Among exposed subjects with more than 50microgram/l of urinary mercury, 20.0% of them showed abnormal value of urinary beta-galactosidase activity.
beta-Galactosidase* ; Body Burden

Biological monitoring for exposures permits estimation of organ doses or body burdens from exposures through all relevant portals of entry. Biological monitoring data may be used to estimate environmental concentrations when the latter cannot be measured directly. Biological indices are usually surrogates for the concentration of a chemical or its metabolites or its effect at the true receptors. Mercury concentration in urine has-been most-coinmoialy-recommended as a biological exposure index of mercury. For data based on urine analysis, variation in urine volume is the most significant. The urinary concentration related to excretion of the solute provides some correction for fluctuation of urine output. Sampling time must be carefully observed because distribution and elimination of a chemical are kinetic events. This study has evaluated mercury concentration in spot urine compared to the results of 24 hour collected urine by the adjustment methods (specif ic gravity, creatinine) and sampling time. The subjects were 43 workers who had been exposed to the metallic mercury. The results were as follows: 1. The correlation coefficients between mercury concentration in 24 hour urine and that in spot urine were 0.639-0.715 and were not different by adjustment methods. 2. In the high exposure group who were over lOOug/1 of urinary mercury, the correlation coefficients between mercury concentration in 24 hour urine and that in spot urine were 0. 687-0.824 and were not different by adjustment methods. 3. Mercury concentration in spot urine were very variable by sampling time or exposure time. The correlation coefficients between mercury concentration in 24 hour urine and that in spot urine were most highest as 0.85-0.91 at first voiding urine in the morning, and were 0. 77-0.86 at urine collected within four hours before end of shift. In the biological monitoring to exposure of mercury, sampling of spot urine were most proper at first voiding urine in the morning, and then at urine collected within four hours before end of shift. But the adjustment methods of specific gravity and creatinine were no difference of the results.
Body Burden ; Creatinine ; Environmental Monitoring* ; Gravitation ; Specific Gravity

BACKGROUND: Industrial pollution may affect the heavy metal body burden of people living near industrial complexes. We determined the average concentrations of atmospheric heavy metals in areas close to and distant from industrial complexes in Korea, and the body concentrations of these heavy metals in residents living near and distant from these facilities. METHODS: The atmospheric data of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) were from the Regional Air Monitoring Network in Ulsan. We recruited 1,148 participants, 872 who lived near an industrial complex (“exposed” group) and 276 who lived distant from industrial complexes (“non-exposed” group), and measured their concentrations of blood lead, urinary cadmium, and urinary total mercury. RESULTS: The results showed that atmospheric and human concentrations of heavy metals were higher in areas near industrial complexes. In addition, residents living near industrial complexes had higher individual and combined concentrations (cadmium + lead + mercury) of heavy metals. CONCLUSION: We conclude that residents living near industrial complexes are exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals, and should be carefully monitored.
Body Burden ; Cadmium ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Korea ; Metals, Heavy ; Ulsan

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP as surrogates of lead body burden and to investigate their association with renal function as an index of lead body burden. METHODS: The study subjects comprised 678 lead workers with past blood lead and blood ZPP data from their employment. Cumulative blood and ZPP were calculated by accumulating the every year mean value of both indices from the new employment since 1983. To assess the cumulative data of lead workers who started their lead work before 1983, the years before 1983 were simulated with the first available data from 1983. Study variables for lead body burden were tibia bone lead and DMSA chelatable lead, whereas those for current lead biomarkers were blood lead and blood ZPP. BUN and serum creatinine were selected as clinical renal biomarkers, while NAG (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) and RBP (Retinol binding protein) were selected as early renal biomarkers. RESULTS: The association between cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP with tibia bone lead was statistically significant with determinant coefficients (r(2)) of 0.72 and 0.567, respectively, and their relationships were better explained by the curvilinear regression model. In multiple regression analysis of current lead biomarkers on the renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), blood lead was associated only with log-transformed NAG, whereas blood ZPP was associated with 3 other renal biomarkers. On the other hand, in multiple regression analysis of biomarkers of lead body burden on renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), cumulative blood ZPP and tibia bone lead were associated with all 4 renal function biomarkers, whereas cumulative blood lead and DMSA chelatable lead were associated with 3 renal biomarkers except BUN. CONCLUSION: Cumulative blood and ZPP were demonstrated to be good surrogates of lead burden. Furthermore, the cumulative blood ZPP was confirmed to have a better association than the cumulative blood lead.
Biological Markers* ; Body Burden* ; Creatinine ; Drinking ; Employment ; Hand ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Succimer ; Tibia

OBJECTIVETo provide basis of reference values for relevant parameters of Chinese Reference Man.

METHODSEighteen kinds of major organ or tissue samples, including muscle, rib, liver, and so on, were obtained from 4 areas (Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Sichuan provinces) with different dietary patterns in China in autopsy of 16 healthy adult men, who had just encountered sudden deaths. At the same time, whole blood samples were collected from 10 volunteers living in each of these areas. The concentrations of 56 elements in these samples were detected by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) techniques. Based on obtained concentrations and reference values of these organ or tissue weights for Chinese Reference Man, the relative elemental burdens in these organs or tissues as well whole body were also estimated.

RESULTSThe concentrations of 56 elements in 18 main organs or tissues were determined all together and their elemental organ or tissue and whole body burdens were estimated. Furthermore, the distributions of important elements for radiation protection in these organs or tissues were emphatically discussed.

CONCLUSIONBy summing with past related results, the total results obtained from the series of research may provide more reliable and better representative basis of these reference values for Chinese Reference Man than before.

Adult ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Body Burden ; China ; Elements ; Humans ; Liver ; chemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Male ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: This comparative study analyzed the relationship between the preoperative diagnostic tumor size and the postoperative pathologic tumor size for breast cancer patients and benign breast tumor patients. METHODS: We analyzed the clinicopathological information of 191 breast cancer patients and 187 benign breast tumor patients by conducting a retrospective chart review. The preoperative diagnostic tumor sizes were measured using physical examination, mammography and sonography in the benign breast tumor patients and they were additionally measured by computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the breast cancer patients. Body mass index (BMI) was defined as the ratio of the body weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters. RESULTS: The tumor sizes measured by mammography (r=0.66) and physical examination (r=0.87) were highly correlated to the pathologic tumor size in the breast cancer patients and benign the breast tumor patients, respectively. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging had a tendency to overestimate the tumor size and sonography underestimated the pathologic tumor size in the breast cancer patients. The correlation coefficient for the physical examination was increased when the patient age was less than 50 years and the BMI was less than 25. Multiple regression analysis revealed that assessing the tumor size according to physical examination, mammography and sonography were effective for determining estimation of pathologic tumor size in the benign breast tumor patients, but assessing the tumor size by physical examination and sonography was not effective for determining the tumor size in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Mammography and physical examination can be useful to estimate the pathologic tumor size in breast cancer patients and benign breast tumor patients, respectively. Physical examination can be useful to estimate the size when a breast tumor is palpable, the age of a patient is less than 50, and the BMI is less than 25.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden

BACKGROUND: Although chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CaNa2EDTA) reduces body burden of lead and improves clinical side effects from lead, it is unclear whether long-term repeated chelation is safe for chronic lead poisoning with nephropathy. We described the consequential changes of renal function and clinicopathological findings during one to two years of monthly administration of CaNa2EDTA in patients with chronic lead nephropathy and excessive body lead burden. METHODS: Three patients diagnosed as chronic lead nephropathy received 1 g/day of intravenous CaNa2EDTA for a 3-5 day/cycle. A total of 48-86 g CaNa2EDTA was administered. Midtibial bone lead, chelatable lead, and blood lead levels were assessed. Renal function was determined in each chelation, and renal biopsies before and after chelation were conducted and compared for microscopic and immunofluorescence changes. RESULTS: Cortical bone lead levels showed a high burden of lead (>200 microgram Pb/g bone mineral). During CaNa2EDTA treatment, blood lead level and renal function were in steady state. No evidence of progression of renal pathology was observed in both renal biopsies, showing similar interstitial fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that long-term repeated chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA is safe and effective for patients who have suffered from severe chronic lead poisoning, even though renal pathologic change has started.
Biopsy ; Body Burden ; Calcium ; Chelation Therapy* ; Edetic Acid ; Fibrosis ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; Pathology ; Sclerosis

Mercury exists naturally and as a man-made contaminant. The release of processed mercury can lead to a progressive increase in the amount of atmospheric mercury, which enters the atmospheric-soil-water distribution cycles where it can remain in circulation for years. Mercury poisoning is the result of exposure to mercury or mercury compounds resulting in various toxic effects depend on its chemical form and route of exposure. The major route of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is largely through eating contaminated fish, seafood, and wildlife which have been exposed to mercury through ingestion of contaminated lower organisms. MeHg toxicity is associated with nervous system damage in adults and impaired neurological development in infants and children. Ingested mercury may undergo bioaccumulation leading to progressive increases in body burdens. This review addresses the systemic pathophysiology of individual organ systems associated with mercury poisoning. Mercury has profound cellular, cardiovascular, hematological, pulmonary, renal, immunological, neurological, endocrine, reproductive, and embryonic toxicological effects.
Body Burden ; *Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Pollutants/*toxicity ; Humans ; Methylmercury Compounds/*toxicity ; Nervous System/*drug effects ; Seafood/analysis

BACKGROUND: AG60 is a complex of acriflavine and guanosine. Our previous study revealed that AG60 had not only in vitro antitumor activities in several human cancer cell lines, but also strong antitumor effects in animal experiments using p388 or S180 cells-implanted mice. METHODS: Antitumor effects of AG60 were compared with those of Adriamycin, acriflavine, guanosine or control group. Body weight, tumor weight change, and survival time were measured in Ehrlich carcinoma cells implanted ICR mice. RESULTS: Body weights in AG60, acriflavine, or Adriamycin treated groups were significantly lower than those in control group during 30 day observation period(p<0.05). The percent tumor growth inhibition of AG60, Adriamycin, acriflavine, or guanosine two weeks after last treatment was respectively 86% (T/C%=14), 83% (T/C%=17), 68%(T/C%=32), 41% (T/C%=59). According to above data, tumor growth inhibition in AG60 treated group was significantly stronger than that in control, acriflavine or guanosine treated group(p<0.01), but there was no significant difference between AG60 and Adriamycin treated group. Mean survival time in control, AG60, Adriamycin, acriflavine, or guanosine treated group was respectively 33+/-3.9 days, 68+/-4.2 days, 54+/-5.8 days, 36+/-3.8 days, 50+/-8.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-tumor effect of AG60 against Ehrlich tumor was significantly stronger than that of control, acriflavine or guanosine, and comparable with Adriamycin. Mean survival time in AG60 treated group was significantly longer than that in control, acrifavine, guanosine or Adriamysin treated group.
Acriflavine ; Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cell Line ; Doxorubicin ; Guanosine ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: It is important to differentiate malignant from benign lesions of intraocular masses in choosing therapeutic plan. Biopsy of intraocular tumor is not recommended due to the risk of visual damage. We evaluated the usefulness of F-18-FDG PET imaging in diagnosing intraocular neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: F-l8-FDG PET scan was performed in 13 patients (15 lesions) suspected to have malignant intraocular tumors. There were 3 benign lesions (retinal detachment, choroidal effusion and hemorrhage) and 10 patients with 12 malignant lesions (3 melanomas, 7 retinoblastomas and 2 metastatic cancers). Regional eye images (256*256 and 128*128 matrices) were obtained with or without attenuation correction. Whole body scan was also performed in eight patients (3 benign and 6 malignant lesions). RESULTS: All malignant lesions were visualized while all benign lesions were not visualized. The mean peak standardized uptake value (SUV) of malignant lesions was 2.64+/-0.57 g/ml. There was no correlations between peak SUV and tumor volume. Two large malignant lesions (>1000 mm3 ) showed hot uptake on whole body scan. But two medium-sized lesions (100-l000 mm3) looked faint and two small (<100 mm3) lesions were not visualized. The images reconstructed with 256*256 matrix showed lesions more clearly than those with 128X128 matrix. CONCLUSION: F-18-FDG PET scan is highly sensitivity in detecting malignant intraocular tumor. For the evaluation of small-sized intraocular lesions, whole body scan is not appropriate because of low sensitivity. A regional scan with sufficient acquisition time is recommended for that purpose. Image reconstruction in matrix size of 256*256 produced clearer images than the ones in 128X128, but it does not affect the diagnostic sensitivity.
Biopsy ; Choroid ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Melanoma ; Orbital Neoplasms ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retinoblastoma ; Tumor Burden ; Whole Body Imaging