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 investigate the effects of CORM-2 via p38 mitogeu-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway on the expression of the mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fisl) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse pulmonary macrophages.Methods The rat subculture alveolar macrophages were seeded on 96 well plates with 2 × 105/ml densities.After 24 hours of culture,it was divided into 4 groups by random number table method:normal control group (group C),group LPS (group L),CO releasing agent CORM-2 + LPS group (group LC),p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 + CORM-2 + LPS group (group LCS).When the cells were incubated for 24 hours,the mitochondrial MDA content and SOD activity were determined by ELISA kit,the levels of HO-1、mitochondrial fission protein Fis1 and p38 were determined by Western blot,the expressions of HO-1 and mitochondrial fission protein Fis1 were detected by RT-PCR.Results Compared with the C group,the levels of MDA [(2.43 ±0.12) vs.(3.59 ±0.07)],HO-1 [(1.31±0.27) vs.(1.65±0.41)],Fis1 [(1.27±0.23) vs.(1.65±0.41)] andp38 [(1.01 ±0.24) vs.(1.36 ±0.17)] in group L were increased,and the activity of SOD [(81.7 ± 1.62) vs.(54.7 ± 1.62)] was decreased (P ＜ 0.05);Compared with the group L,the MDA content [(3.59 ± 0.07) vs.(3.08 ±0.52)] and the level of Fis1 [(2.01 ±0.35) vs.(1.48 ±0.39)] in group LC were down-regulated,and the levels of SOD [(54.7 ± 1.62) vs.(67.4 ± 1.32)]、and the expressions of HO-1 [(1.65±0.41)vs.(2.25±0.18)] andp38 [(1.36±0.17) vs.(1.78±0.23)] wereup-regulated (P ＜0.05).Compared with the group LC,the MDA content [(3.08 ±0.52) vs.(4.16 ±0.19)] and the expression of Fis1 [(1.48 ±0.39) vs.(1.96 ±0.31)] in group LCS were increased,and the level of SOD [(67.4±1.32)vs.(45.9±1.52)]、and the expressions of HO-1 [(2.25±0.18)vs.(1.78± 0.19)] and p38 [(1.78 ±0.23) vs.(1.12 ±0.29)] were decreased (P ＜0.05).Conclusions HO-1/CO system inhibits the expression of Fis1 in LPS-induced lung macrophages,which may be regulated by p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Otolaryngology ; Periodicals as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Sickness Impact Profile

Objective To investigate the effect of bifidobacterial adhesin (BA) on nuclear factor of κB (NF-κB) and cytokines of intestinal mucosa of stressed rats.Methods Forty-eight rats were divided into stress group (n =24) and BA group (n =24) using the stochastic indicator method.After the stressed rat models were established withfettering as the stress condition,the experiment lasted 8 days.Both groups were given enteral nutrition (EN) with heat 125.4 kJ/(kg · d) and nitrogen 0.2 g/(kg · d).The BA group was fed with EN plus 5 mg/ (kg · d) bifidobacterial adhesin,and the stress group was fed with EN plus equivalent volume of normal saline [5 mg/ (kg · d)].The levels of NF-κB,interleukin-10 (IL-10),tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α),and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured in both groups before modeling,after modeling,on the 3rd intervention day,and on the 8th intervention day.The changes in the morphology of intestinal mucosal were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results (1) Expression of NF-κB:The positive expression rate of NF-κB in the intestinal mucosa was 0,79.2％,63.5％,and 66.7％ in the control group and 0,68.4％,55.7％,and 45.8％ in the BA group before modeling,after modeling,on the 3rd intervention day,and on the 8th intervention day.The expressions of NF-κB in both groups significantly increased after the modeling (both P =0.000).Even on the 3rd and 8th intervention days,the positive expression rates of NF-κB in the intestinal mucosa were still significantly higher than the pre-modeling level (both P =0.000).Compared with the levels after modeling and in the control group,the expression of NF-κB in the intestinal mucosa in the BA group on the 8th intervention day was significantly down-regulated (P =0.015,P =0.021).(2) Quantitative expressions of TNF-α and IFN-γ:Compared with the pre-modeling levels,the intestinal mncosa levels of TNF-α [stressed group:(154.63 ± 17.52) pg/g,(198.72 ±26.59) pg/g; BA group:(154.63 ±17.52) pg/g,(201.45 ±28.16) pg/g],IFN-γ [stressed group:(39.47 ±5.76) pg/g,(55.32 ±5.93) pg/g; BA group:(39.47 ± 5.76),(60.75 ± 7.68) pg/g] and the plasma levels of TNF-α [stressed group:(17.35±2.62) pg/g,(30.56±4.85) ng/L; BA group:(83.31 ±9.78) pg/g,(114.82±13.78) ng/L] and IFN-γ [stressed group:(17.35 ±2.62) pg/g,(28.73 ±4.17) ng/L; BA group:(17.35 ± 2.62) pg/g,(30.56 ± 4.85) ng/L] significantl increased (all P ＜ 0.05).On the 3rd and 8th intervention day,the intestinal mucosa levels of IFN-γ [(58.16 ± 7.38) pg/g,(56.37 ± 7.29) pg/g] and TNF-α [(215.76 ±31.54) pg/g and (211.83 ±33.61) pg/g] and plasma levels of IFN-γ [(29.35 ±4.76) ng/L,(30.25±3.67) ng/L] andTNF-α [(125.71 ±17.38) ng/L,(141.26±19.65) ng/L] in the stressed group were significantly higher than the pre-modeling levels (all P ＜ 0.05).On the 3rd and 8th intervention day,the intestinal mucosa levels of IFN-γ [(165.43 ± 24.58) pg/g,(171.57 ± 26.87) pg/g]and IFN-γ [(42.35 ±4.92) pg/g,(40.58 ±4.65) pg/g] and the plasma levels of TNF-α [(103.96 ±13.68) ng/L,(94.53±12.66) ng/L] and IFN-γ [(20.78±2.84) ng/L,(19.65±2.45) ng/L] in the BA group were significantly lower than the post-modeling levels (all P ＜ 0.05),whereas those of IL (intestinal mucosa:(62.82 ±8.34) pg/g,(75.16 ±9.65) pg/g; plasma:(43.32 ±5.28) ng/L,(55.64 ±6.87) ng/L] were significantly higher than the post-modeling levels (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the stressed group,the intestinal mucosa levels of TNF-α and IFN-γand plasma levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α significantly decreased while the IL-10 level significantly increased (all P ＜0.05) in the BA group.(3) Histomorphology showed that,compared that the ileal mucosal villi and crypt structure were recovered in the BA group on the 8th intervention day.Compared with the post-modeling conditions,the ileal mucosal villi and crypt structure were damaged in the stressed group,showing edema of the lamina propria,in which inflammatory cell infiltration was observed.Conclusions BA is helpful for the repair of the intestinal mucosa injury after stress by regulating the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines of intestinal mucosa.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced digital subtraction MRI in vertebra]metastatic tumors.Methods Forty-four vertebral metastatic tumors in thirty patients were scanned by routine MRI including SE T_1WI,SE T_2WI,STIR and enhanced T_1WI with an injection of Gd-DTPA(0.1 mmol/kg).Digital subtraction was performed between pre-contrast and enhanced T_1 weighted images.All the images of vertebral malignant tumors were evaluated by means of signal intensity ratio(SIR) and nose ratio(NR).The quality of images was also evaluated by comparing subtraction MRI with routine MRI.Results SIR and NR of subtraction MRI was 2.93,0.98 respectively.SIR of routine MRI (enhanced T_1WI,SE T_1 WI,SE T_2WI,STIR)was as follows:1.15,1.16,1.26,1.69.While NR of those was 5.25,3.44,4.56,23.32 respectively.SIR and NR of subtraction MRI images had significant statistical differences from those of routine MRI images(P

In order to clarify the chemical constituents in Qiliqiangxin capsule, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method was established. Forty peaks were identified on line using this method. The herbal sources of these peaks were assigned. The results implied that triterpenoid saponins, flavonoid glycosides, C21-steroids and phenolic acids were included in the main components of Qiliqiangxin capsule. The method is simple and rapid for elucidation of the constituents of Qiliqiangxin capsule and the results are useful for the quality control of Qiliqiangxin capsule.

This study is to explore characteristic indexes in evaluation criteria for rat skin anaphylactoid test comparing skin blue spot OD values at the treated position and the control position in the same animal. Common contrast agents, traditional Chinese medicine injections and injections' active pharmaceutical ingredients or excipients in the existing clinical anaphylactoid reaction reports were taken as test drugs in the rat skin anaphylactoid test to define the K value: K > 2 represents positive anaphylactoid reaction, 1.2 ≤ K ≤ 2 represent doubtable anaphylactoid; K < 1.2 represents negative anaphylactoid reaction, which were taken as the criteria for evaluating anaphylactoid of tested drugs. The evaluation result and that for classic criteria were compared to study the applicability of K value. According to the comparison, K value, as the evaluation criteria in the rat skin anaphylactoid test, can more truly reflect the actual situation of skin aizen and minimize the error caused by animal individual factors. Compared with positive and negative two-level criteria for blue spot diameter, K value's positive, doubtable and negative three-level criteria are more objective and accurate. Therefore, K value can be used as the evaluation criteria in the rat skin anaphylactoid test.
Animals ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Tests ; methods

AIMTo approach the protective effect of low dose gentamicin against high ototoxic dose of gentamicin.

METHODSThe guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: control group, low dose group, low dose protective group and high dose group. Each group received multiple intraperitoneal injections of gentamicin sulphate within different durations. Auditory brain stem response (ABR) was examined one day previous to the first and 24 h after the final injection respectively. The bulla was taken out so that the content of NO, MDA and the activity of LDH in cochlear were determined.

RESULTSThe threshold of ABR was significantly lower in low dose protective group compared with high dose group (P < 0.01). The content of NO (15.86 +/- 1.98 nmol/mg pro) and MDA (19.14 +/- 0.96 nmol/mg pro) in homogenate of high dose group was significantly higher than that of control group, low does group and low does protective group (P < 0.01). The increase of the content of NO and MDA induced by high dose GM could be significantly decreased by low dose GM administration previous to high dose injection (P < 0.01). The activity of LDH in homogenate of high dose group was significantly higher compared with control group, low dos group and low dos protective group (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference of content of NO and MDA among control group, low does group and low does protective group.

CONCLUSIONThe protective effects resulting from previous low dose administration to high dose injection of GM may be related to the decrease of content of NO and MDA and activity of LDH both of which induced by high dose GM.

Animals ; Cochlea ; metabolism ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Female ; Gentamicins ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Hearing Loss ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

Objective To study the conventional MRI and dittusion weighted imaging(DWI) features of Japanese encephalitis(JE)in children.Methods Sixteen patients with JE were included. Conventional MRI and DWI sequences were performed in all patients.Seven patients received MRI within 10 days of onset and 9 after 10 days.The appearances on DWI and T_2 WI were recorded.The ADC values of lesions were calculated,and then were correlated with the corresponding time interval between onset of neurological symptoms and MRI scanning.Results The lesions of JE mainly showed long T_1 and long T_2 signal intensity on MRI.The thalami were the most frequently involved areas,and 15 out of 16 showed thalamic involvement and 6 patients only showed thalamic abnormalities without other lesions.Seven patients within 10 days of onset showed lesions with high signal intensity on both DWI and T_2WI,but whole or partial lesions showed clearer on DWI than on T_2WI,and 2 patients showed extra lesions that were invisible on T_2WI.As for the other 9 patients after 10 days of onset,the lesions showed clearer on T_2WI than on DWI. There was a direct correlations between thalamic ADC values and the disease duration (r=0.84,P

Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Frizzled Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism