Appropriate selection and measurement of lead biomarkers of exposure are critically important for health care management purposes, public health decision making, and primary prevention synthesis. Lead is one of the neurotoxicants that seems to be involved in the etiology of psychologies. Biomarkers are generally classified into three groups: biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility.The main body compartments that store lead are the blood, soft tissues, and bone; the half-life of lead in these tissues is measured in weeks for blood, months for soft tissues, and years for bone. Within the brain, lead-induced damage in the prefrontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, such as brain damage, mental retardation, behavioral problems, nerve damage, and possibly Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsons disease, and schizophrenia. This paper presents an overview of biomarkers of lead exposure and discusses the neurotoxic effects of lead with regard to children and adults.
Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Animals ; Behavior ; drug effects ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Lead ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Schizophrenia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

Objective To observe the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)and bone morphogenetie protein-7(BMP-7)in the synovial tissue of fluorosis rats and its correlation with pathogenic mechanism of fluorosis arthritis.Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:the control group,low,moderate and high-dose fluoride group.The control group ate commou fodder.The low,moderate and high dose fluoride group were fed with fodder composed of 25%.35%and 68%of corn(containing fluorine of 148.00 mg/kg)in chronic endemic fluorosis region in Guizhou Province.After 140 days,the expressions of BMP-2 and BMP-7 protein were determined by immunohistochemistry and assayed the absorbanee by computer image-pattern analysis system.Light microscope was used to observe the synovial tissue by Hematoxin Eosin,and calculated the pathological integral of synovium according to pathological grade standard.Results The expressions of BMP-2 (32.50±2.73)and BMP-7(38.90±2.56)in the control group was spare.Compared with the control group,the expressions of BMP-2(59.43±5.12,79.82±6.41,101.76±7.56)and BMP-7(55.10±4.82,78.42±5.61,98.46± 6.05)in the synovial tissue was up-regulated in each experimental groups(P＜0.05),especially in the moderate dose and the high-dose groups(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group(0.54±0.21).the pathological integral of synovium increased(P＜0.05)in each experimental groups(1.04±0.98,4.69±1.28,8.60±2.07).The expressions of BMP-2 and BMP-7 in the synovial tissue was found to be positively related with the pathological integral of synovium(r=0.98,0.99,P＜0.05).Conclusion The BMP-2 and BMP-7 play an important role in the development of fluorosis arthritis,probably by affecting osteogenesis.

To research the effect of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata compatibility on cardiac toxicity in rats by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and explore the endogenous markers and molecule mechanism. Different compatibility of Shenfu decoction were given to male Wistar rats at dosage of 20 g · kg(-1) for 7 days, collected the serum, and analyze the endogenous metabolites effected by Shenfu formulation by principal component analysis and partial least-squares analysis. Results showed that content of glutathione, phosphatidylcholine and citric acid decreased in mixed-decoction group, while ascorbic acid, uric acid, D-galactose, tryptophan, L-phenylalanine increased. The results showed cardiac toxicity of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata in Shenfu mixed-decoction. Shenfu co-decoction group showed a similar or weaker trend compared with control group, but most of them do not have a statistically significant. The results indicated the scientific basis of Shenfu compatibility by comparison of co-decoction group with mixed-decoction group. Shenfu compatibility can reduce cardiac toxicity induced by Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, and citric acid, glutathione, phosphatidyl choline, uric acid might be regarded as potential markers of cardiotoxicity.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cardiotoxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Glutathione ; blood ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Male ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo understand the use of lipidemia related assistant examinations and lipid-lowering agents, the clinical ability among physicians in district and community hospitals in Beijing, and to evaluate the capability of dislipidemia diagnosis and treatment in these hospitals.

METHODSA survey was carried out in 42 hospitals in Chaoyang and Haidian district, including 9 district level hospitals, and the rest were at the community level. Questionnaire survey and in-depth interview were used to collect information from the leaders of related departments in those hospitals. A total number of 632 physicians in those hospitals were investigated, using a close book examination.

RESULTS100% of the hospitals could perform TC and TG tests; 87.5% and 72.5% of the hospitals had medications as statins and bile acid, respectively; 100% of the hospitals could test ALT and 40.0% of the hospitals could test CK. The correct rates of selecting treatment strategy and determining the appropriate treatment goals were 53.7% and 17.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe hardware condition of community hospitals seem to have satisfied the implicit requirements of dyslipidemia evaluation and treatment but it was essential to improve the knowledge and ability among physicians in community hospitals.

China ; Data Collection ; Dyslipidemias ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Hospitals, Community ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of knowledge about hypertension and clinical competence among physicians in district and community hospitals on management of hypertensives.

METHODSQuestionnaire investigation was used in 9 district and community hospitals in Chaoyang and Haidian district, including 181 physicians and 204 patients with hypertension.

RESULTS(1) The hospitals involved were divided into two groups according to our evaluation on the knowledge of hypertension and clinical competence of physicians. Four hospitals were graded as high-score group and 5 hospitals as low-score group. (2) There was no significant difference on physicians' evaluation between district and community hospitals. There was higher proportion of hypertensives with instructed physical exercises, reducing salt ingestion, psychological balance and weight reduction in district hospitals than those in community ones. (3) The proportion of hypertensives who were examined with funduscopy, ambulatory pressure and instructed with physical exercises, reducing salt ingestion and weight reduction in high-score group was obviously higher than that in low-score group. The control rates of blood pressure, on the days of examination during lastest check-up or the past three months, were significantly higher in high-score group than in low-score group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKnowledge of hypertension and clinical management competence among physicians in district and community hospitals did influence the management of hypertension and education of physicians and thus should be increased.

Clinical Competence ; standards ; Delivery of Health Care ; standards ; Directive Counseling ; standards ; Education, Medical ; standards ; Hospitals, Community ; classification ; standards ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Patient Care ; standards ; Physicians ; standards

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Altitude Sickness ; blood ; enzymology ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and feasibility of a completely thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure for treatment of patients with lone atrial fibrillation(AF).

METHODSFrom September 2010 to October 2011, completely thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure was performed in 23 patients with lone atrial fibrillation (14 paroxysmal AF and 9 persistent AF). All patients were either refractory or intolerant to antiarrhythmic drug therapy or already experienced unsuccessful catheter-based ablation. This procedure includes three 1 cm ports for thoracoscopic camera and ablation device on each side of chest wall. Bilaterally pulmonary vine isolation was made by an Atricure TM bipolar radiofrequency device. Two epicardial ablation lines were created on LAPW to connect bilaterally pulmonary vine ablation lesion using Coolrail linear pen. LAA was removed by a Johnson and Johnson EZ45G stapler.

RESULTSThe procedures were successful in all the patients, 20 patients were in sinus rhythm immediately after surgery, 2 patients were still in AF rhythm and 1 patient in pacing rhythm post surgery. Three-month follow up were finished in 23 patients and there was 1 patient in AF rhythm, 95.7% patients were free of AF; 6-month follow up were finished in 22 patients, 3 patients were in AF rhythm and 2 patients in AFL rhythm, 77.3% patients were free of AF.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggested that the completely thoracoscopic modified Maze procedure is a safe, feasible and effective technique for treating patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the role of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (hMGMT) in the development of human lung cancer.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was applied to measure hMGMT mRNA expression in 150 lung cancer specimens, 40 normal lung tissues, and in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 50 lung cancer cases and 50 normal controls. The protein expressions of p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were assessed by immuno-histochemistry. The effects of some exposure factors on the expression of hMGMT gene were analyzed. The relationships between hMGMT gene and cancer related genes p53, C-MYC and K-RAS were investigated.

RESULTSThe mRNA of hMGMT was low or absent in 49 of 150 (32.7%) lung cancer specimens, whereas 2 of 40 (5%) normal lung tissues had reduced the levels of hMGMT mRNA. The low expression of hMGMT seemed to be a risk factor of lung cancer, with a OR of 9.22 (2.05-57.65). Reduced expression levels of hMGMT mRNA were observed in 10 of 50 (20%) lung cancer patients' peripheral mononuclear blood cells, and 2 of 50 (4%) blood cells among normal controls. When investigating the exposure factors which affecting the expression of hMGMT gene, we noticed that smoking was suppressing the expression of hMGMT gene. Interestingly, over-expression of K-RAS oncogene was significantly correlated with low expression of hMGMT (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of p53 and C-myc were not correlated with the status of hMGMT gene.

CONCLUSIONhMGMT might play an important role in the development of human lung cancer. Low expression of hMGMT gene seemed to be a risk factor for lung cancer which could be used as a valuable biomarker on susceptibility of human lung cancers.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, ras ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; ras Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its risk factors in population over 40 years old in northern part of Guangdong province.

METHODSUsing uniform scheme, procedures and questionnaire, a cluster-randomized-sampling survey for the population aged over 40 years in a rural area of Shaoguan in the northern part of Guangdong province was performed. Spirometry was performed for every participant, followed by a bronchodilatation test when bronchial obstruction was present.

RESULTSThere were 1468 cases with complete data from 1498 people aged >or= 40 years including 640 males, 828 females with an average age of 54.3 years old. The total prevalence of COPD was 12.0%. The prevalence of COPD in males was significantly higher than that in females (18.3% vs. 7.1%, P < 0.01). Only 80.7% of the patients with COPD presented one or more symptoms as cough, phlegm, or dyspnoea. Underdiagnosis of COPD would be quite serious. Only 26.1% of the cases was previously diagnosed to have chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD. Smoking was an important risk factor to COPD and 78.4% of the patients with COPD were smokers. However, relation of biomass and COPD called for further investigation.

CONCLUSIONPrevalence of COPD was much higher than expected in the northern part of Guangdong while smoking was an most important risk factor of COPD. Lung function test seemed to be of great importance to COPD diagnosis, especially in the earlier period of COPD.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo estimate the knowledge level and clinical ability of hypertension treatment among physicians in district and community hospitals in big and moderate cities.

METHODS43 district and community hospitals were selected by non-random sampling in Beijing and Baotou inner-Mongolia municipality. A total of 754 physicians in those hospitals were investigated, through an examination.

RESULTSThe correct rates on blood pressure stages, risk stratification and treatment strategy were 64%, 28% and 54%, respectively. The knowledge level on non-pharmacologic treatments was insufficient among physicians. The knowledge level of special indications on the common antihypertensive drugs (such as diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors) was even worse.

CONCLUSIONPhysicians in district and community hospitals did not have enough knowledge and ability to fulfill the task of hypertension treatment and management.

Adult ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Clinical Competence ; standards ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education, Medical ; standards ; Female ; Hospitals, Community ; classification ; standards ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Patient Care ; standards ; Physicians ; standards