Biochemical Effects of Lead Exposure on Battery Manufacture Workers with Reference to Blood Pressure, Calcium Metabolism and Bone Mineral Density

Lead is one of the most widely scattered toxic metals in the environment and used by mankind for over 9,000 years. Lead in the environment may be derived from natural or anthropogenic sources. In humans, lead can cause a wide range of biological effects depending upon the level and duration of exposure. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of lead exposure on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D and examine the overall effect of all these parameters on the bone mineral density of battery manufacture workers. For this study ninety battery manufacture workers were selected and divided in three groups depending upon duration of lead exposure. Group I—workers with duration of lead exposure 1–5 years, Group II—workers with duration of lead exposure 6–10 years and Group III—workers with duration of lead exposure more than 10 years. Each group consisted of thirty workers. Thirty age matched healthy control subjects were taken for comparison. Demographic, occupational and clinical data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. The venous blood samples were collected from the study groups and normal healthy control group. At the time of blood collection random urine samples were collected in amber coloured bottles. The biochemical parameters were estimated by using standard assay procedures. Statistical analysis of the data was done using independent student‘t’ test for parametric variables. Values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). P values of 0.05 or less were considered to be statistically significant. The blood lead levels and urinary lead levels of all workers were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in proportion to the duration of lead exposure as compared to controls. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly raised (P < 0.001) in all three study groups of battery manufacture workers as compared to controls. Serum Calcium, Ionized calcium, phosphorus were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in all the three study groups. Serum vitamin D levels were lowered (P < 0.01) and serum PTH was increased (P < 0.01) in workers as compared to controls. The results of this study clearly indicate that the absorption of lead is more in these workers which adversely affects blood pressure, disturbs calcium and phosphorus metabolism which further impairs mineralization of bone resulting in decreased bone mineral density observed in these workers. Lead toxicity is still persistent in battery manufacture workers though they are using sophisticated techniques in these industries. There is a need to protect the workers from the health hazards of occupational lead exposure.     

Status of Serum Calcium,Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone and Hematological Indices Among Lead Exposed Jewelry Workers in Dhaka,Bangladesh

Jewelry utilizes lead either directly or as a base metal. Costume jewelry requires lead before molding and plating the product with valuable metals. Therefore, such ornaments have a great potential to release heavy metals having health hazards. Also, jewelry makers engaged in preparing German silver, an alloy, apply lead in smelting, alloying, rolling and milling silver wires and pieces. The metal is taken up by blood, soft tissues and bone. The biological effects of lead are dependent upon the level and duration of exposure. Lead inhibits three enzymes of heme biosynthesis- δ-amino-levulinic-acid dehydratase (ALAD), coproporphyrin oxidase, and ferrochelatase, impairing heme synthesis and depressing serum level of erythropoietin resulting in decreased hemoglobin synthesis. Lead exposure also affects calcium metabolism and impair the synthesis of Calcitriol. In the present study, jewelry makers from Dhaka, Bangladesh, were shown to have significantly high levels of lead, protein, albumin, and parathormone in their blood, and significantly high amount of zinc-protoporphyrin and δ-amino-levulinic-acid in their urine. The control group, on the other hand showed significantly higher amounts of calcium (both total and ionized form) Vitamin D₃ and non-activated erythrocyte ALAD in their blood, along with hemoglobin. It might be due to inhibition of 1-α-hydroxylase enzyme in renal tubules. Lead causes nephro-toxicity and inhibits 1-α- hydroxylase enzyme leading to decreased calcitriol synthesis resulting in impaired calcium absorption across gastro-intestinal tract and renal tubules. Low Vitamin D₃ and significantly increased Parathyroid hormone (PTH) in study group has been found.     

PAI-1 Study in Thalassemia Major Patients Receiving Multiple Blood Transfusion

Thalassemia is a congenital hemolytic disease which is treated by repeated blood transfusion. Chronic iron overload is currently considered to be the primary cause of mortality in β-thalassemia, mainly due to the induction of left-sided cardiac failure. Iron overload results from a number of mechanisms associated with the disease itself. In addition to chronic iron overload thalassemic patients are more prone for procoagulant status which in turn lead to clinical thrombotic events. The hypercoagulable state in thalassemia is due to multiple elements, a combination of which is often the drive behind a clinical thromboembolic events. PAI-1 study was done in thalassemia major patients receiving multiple blood transfusion as a marker for procoagulant status. Total of 30 thalassemic patients on repeated blood transfusion was included in the study and total of 30 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in the study. It was also found that there was significant differences between cases and controls. The mean level of PAI 1 in controls was 3047 ± 414 pg/ml, the value in cases was 3683 ± 358 pg/ml. The level was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the cases compared to controls. PAI-1 levels were also compared with the total number of blood transfusion which correlates well.     

Iron store and free radicals in thalassemia

Hyper-ferrous state is the result of multiple transfusions, whereby the iron excess in such conditions may be toxic to the organism. Patients suffering from thalassemia receive multiple transfusions. In the eastern part of India, both β⁰-thalassemia and heterozygous Eβ-thalassemia occur. This paper expresses the hyper-ferrous state, leading to iron overload in these two conditions and also reports the increased generation of free radicals, consequent to the iron overload.     

复方血栓通软胶囊联合阿托伐他汀钙片治疗老年高脂血症的临床观察

目的:观察复方血栓通软胶囊联合阿托伐他汀钙片治疗老年高脂血症的临床疗效。方法:将64例符合纳入标准的高脂血症患者随机分为对照组和观察组,对照组应用阿托伐他汀钙片治疗,观察组应用复方血栓通软胶囊联合阿托伐他汀钙片治疗,两组治疗前后进行疗效比较。结果:治疗后观察组与对照组比较,血清总胆固醇、甘油三脂、低密度脂蛋白明显降低,高密度脂蛋白明显升高,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组总有效率为,对照组总有效率为,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:复方血栓通软胶囊联合阿托伐他汀钙片治疗老年高脂血症能够迅速降低总胆固醇、甘油三脂、低密度脂蛋白,具有较好的临床疗效,值得广泛推广。     

一种新型香醋粉对骨汤中钙、镁离子含量的影响

研究了一种新型香醋粉对骨汤中钙、镁离子含量的影响。煮骨头汤时,加入新型香醋粉,以普通液体食醋为对照,研究其对骨头汤中钙离子和镁离子溶出效率的影响,并探讨了烹调时间对骨汤中钙、镁含量的影响。结果表明:与加入普通食醋相比,加入新型香醋粉后,骨汤中钙含量和镁含量明显增大;随着烹调时间的延长,汤中钙含量和镁含量也显著增加。     

Status and Interrelationship of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Calcium and Selenium in Prostate Cancer

Deficiency or excess of certain trace elements has been considered as risk factor for prostate cancer. This study was aimed to detect differential changes and mutual correlations of selected trace elements in prostate cancer tissue versus benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue. Zinc, copper, iron, calcium and selenium were analysed in histologically proven 15 prostate cancer tissues and 15 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Unpaired two tailed t test/Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to compare the level of trace elements, elemental ratios and their interrelations. As compared to benign prostatic tissue, malignant prostatic tissue had significantly lower selenium (p = 0.038) and zinc (p = 0.043) concentrations, a lower zinc/iron ratio (p = 0.04) and positive correlation of selenium with zinc (r = 0.71, p = 0.02) and iron (r = 0.76, p = 0.009). Considerably divergent interrelationship of elements and elemental ratios in prostate cancer versus benign prostatic hyperplasia was noted. Understanding of differential elemental changes and their interdependence may be useful in defining the complex metabolic alterations in prostate carcinogenesis with potential for development of element based newer diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies. Further studies may be needed to elucidate this complex relationship between trace elements and prostate carcinogenesis.     

Assessment of Serum Calcium and Phosphorus in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Before,During and After Chemotherapy

Our study was aimed to assess the levels of serum calcium and phosphorus in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Blood samples were collected from 40 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis before treatment (PTB-0), at the end of 2 months of intensive phase of treatment (PTB-2) and after 6 months of treatment (PTB-6). Age and weight matched normal healthy volunteers (n = 37) served as normal controls. Serum was analyzed for calcium and phosphorus. Serum calcium significantly decreased to hypocalcemic levels and serum phosphorus significantly decreased but was within normophosphatemic limits in pulmonary tuberculosis. Chemotherapy for tuberculosis managed to raise serum levels of both the ions, with hypocalcemia still persisting in majority of patients during treatment but getting resolved in a significant percentage of patients at the end of 6 months of treatment. Results indicate the need for calcium and phosphorus supplements in tuberculosis patients during chemotherapy. This study also warrants the need for regular monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus in patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis treatment.     

Correlation of Levels of IL-6 with Tumor Burden and Receptor Status in Patients of Locally Advanced Carcinoma Breast

Inflammatory pathways have garnered considerable interest in the recent past as an important mediator of the molecular mechanisms leading to carcinogenesis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the correlation of levels of IL-6 with tumor burden and receptor status in patients of locally advanced carcinoma breast. This prospective study was conducted by the collaborative efforts of the departments of Surgery and Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital and GB Pant Hospitals, New Delhi. The study population comprised of 30 cases of locally advanced breast carcinoma recruited from the surgical outpatient department. The various parameters that were evaluated include detailed clinico-pathological profile and IL-6 levels. Tissue specimens received after surgeries were examined for the various characteristics indicative of tumor prognosis. Majority of the patients was in the age group of 41–50 years and was postmenopausal. The serum level of IL-6 increased as the disease progressed from T3N1M0 to T4dN2M0 (41.4 ± 31.9 vs. 164.0 ± 31.1 pg/ml respectively). There was significant correlation of IL-6 levels with lymph node involvement, tumor grade, mitotic index and adipose tissue invasion. Emerging molecular markers are being investigated for breast cancer prognosis assessment and prediction of response to chemotherapy including selection of best possible treatment modality. Our study showed that there is progressive increase in IL-6 levels as the stage of disease progresses.     

Evaluation of Flow Rate,pH, Buffering Capacity,Calcium, Total Proteins and Total Antioxidant Capacity Levels of Saliva in Caries Free and Caries Active Children: An In Vivo Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the physicochemical properties of saliva such as flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, calcium level, total protein and total antioxidant levels in caries free and caries active children. The present study included one hundred and twenty healthy children who were divided into two groups; group I and group II comprising of age groups 7–10 and 11–14 years, respectively. Both the groups were then sub-divided equally according to gender. They were further divided into caries free and caries active with 15 children in each group. Unstimulated saliva was collected by suction method and flow rates were determined. The samples were then analyzed for pH, buffering capacity, total protein, calcium and total antioxidant capacity. The data was statistically analyzed using student t test (unpaired). The results revealed that when all these parameters were compared among the caries free and caries active children, flow rate, pH, buffering capacity were slightly reduced in caries active children, but total protein and total antioxidant capacity of saliva increased significantly in caries active children and the total calcium decreased significantly in caries active children. Within the limitation of this study, we conclude that, the physicochemical properties of saliva play a major role in the development of caries.     

Copper and Zinc Status in Psoriasis: Correlation with Severity

Psoriasis is a common and an inflammatory skin disease. Trace elements play an important role in the skin metabolism such as keratinisation and melanin formation as well as immunological and inflammatory reactions. Henceforth, the present study was aimed to evaluate the essential metals with special reference to Cu and Zn. In this study, 72 psoriatic patients and 50 controls were enrolled. On the basis of PASI score psoriatic group comprising of 48 mild and 24 severe psoriatic patients were grouped. The serum trace elements analysis in the subjects revealed that serum Cu levels and Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the psoriatic patients as compared to controls. Interestingly, severity of the psoriasis was well correlated with the serum Cu levels. Taking together, all these findings suggest that Cu may be a major culprit in the pathogenesis as well as in the severity of the disease.     

Caprine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum isolation and biochemical characterisation with emphasis on Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-adenosine triphosphatase

This study was aimed at isolating, in its pure form, and characterizing the sarcoplasmic reticulum from caprine (Capra hircus) heart. The sarcoplasmic reticulum from thirty caprine heart ventricular homogenates was isolated and purified. It was characterized on the basis of both, its protein and lipid composition. The protein content was 142±10 mg/g of tissue. Ca²⁺-ATPase activity equaled 3.75±1.06mmol Pi/mg protein/min while the uptake rate was 24±1.14 nmol/mg protein/min. 205kD, 110kD, 90kD, 84kD, 66kD, 55kD and 29kD molecular weight proteins were seen on an SDS polyacrylamide gel. Triglyceride, Cholesterol and Phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine) were present in increasing order of their concentration. Long chain fatty acids predominated over the unsaturated ones. The ryanodine receptor displayed two binding sites for ryanodine. Characterisation encompassing the above biochemical aspects of normal caprine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was thus achieved after isolating it in the pure form.     

具有随机掉包特性的网络控制系统研究现状与展望

从系统建模、控制策略与调度、网络时延、数据丢包和系统稳定性等角度综述了近年来网络控制系统的研究成果和最新进展。最后,针对网络控制系统兼具网络和控制的特点,提出了网络与控制两者相结合分析网络控制系统的新方法。     

考虑额外服务和渠道地位的供应链信息共享均衡策略

构建了考虑额外服务和渠道地位因素的供应链信息共享模型,比较三种信息共享方式下供应链各成员的收益值,分析了额外服务和渠道地位因素对供应链均衡策略的影响。结果表明:渠道地位对等时,信息共享为均衡策略,提供的额外服务能为共享零售商和制造商带来收益;若产品相关系数小于零,额外服务对未共享信息方的收益有促进作用,反之有抑制作用。渠道地位不对等时,如果共享信息零售商的渠道地位足够低并且产品相关系数较小,或者产品相关系数较大、需求信号不精确,则共享信息仍为均衡策略,此时提供额外服务有利于制造商;若需求信号精确、产品相关系数较小,或共享信息的零售商渠道地位较高、产品相关系数较大,则额外服务的实施有利于零售商。     

C-Reactive Protein and Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

Serum CRP and uric acid levels were estimated in twenty-five patients with psoriasis (group III) before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results were compared with a group of 25 normal subjects (group I) and a group of 25 patients of various skin diseases other than psoriatic lesion (group II). Mean value for CRP was found to be increased by more than 20 folds in patients with psoriasis, which was subsequently reduced to nearly 50% of the initial value after 12 weeks of treatment. These patients also showed hyperuricemia. Nearly 25% of these patients also exhibited arthritis. It is thus suggested that both CRP and uric acid levels should be monitored in patients with psoriasis.     

Interaction of LDL and platelets in ischaemic and ischaemic risk subjects

Platelets play a vital role in the progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, a major cause of death worldwide. Platelets are activated by many triggers like elevated LDL in blood resulting in aggregation and formation of plaque. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LDL and signal transduction inhibitor on the activation of platelets in Ischaemic risk subjects. Platelets from IHD and hyperlipidemic subjects were hypersensitive to ADP, as higher levels of platelet aggregation were observed in these groups. LDL from IHD hyperlipidemic subjects was more effective in activating platelets from any other group. Ox-LDL was more effective in activating platelets than native-LDL as monitored by level of platelet aggregation induced by PAF and thrombin. Calcium channel blocker, nifedipine and verapamil inhibited platelet aggregation at micromolar level. Protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine was effective in inhibiting ADP induced aggregation at nanomolar level.     

Enzymatic changes in liver in Calcium oxalate stone forming rats treated with sodium pentosan polysulphate

The effect of sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP) in calcium oxalate stone forming rats was studied in relation to enzymatic changes in liver. A significant increase in liver glycollate oxidase (GAO) activity was observed in stone forming rats fed sodium glycollate. SPP treatment lowered the enzyme acitivity in both stone formers and 30 days drug treated control rats. Moderate elevation in LDH activity was seen in the calculogenic group and SPP had minimal effect. The lowering of alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in stone formers was normalised with drug administration. Increases in total, Na⁺, K⁺-and Ca²⁺-ATPase levels in the calculogenic rats was lowered considerably with SPP treatment. Inorganic pyrophosphatase and aminotransferases were slightly reduced in glycollate-fed rats. SPP administration further lowered the pyrophosphatase level. The decrease in liver GAO during SPP administration with a consequent reduction in kidney oxalate may prove beneficial in preventing recurrence.     

对我国信息人才状况的分析与思考

全球信息人才争夺战愈演愈烈，我国信息人才缺口日益增大。建设中国信息人才队伍，应立足于培养，同时千方而计留住现有人才，吸引外流人才。     

Interplay Between Inflammation and Hemostasis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a global epidemic currently. This study was planned to evaluate markers of inflammation and hemostasis and their possible association, if any, in patients with CAD. The study was carried out in 60 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 60 age and gender matched controls. The following parameters were assayed in all study subjects-inflammatory-interleukin (IL)-10, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, fibrinogen; hemostatic-fibrinogen, fibrin D-dimer and a novel risk factor—homocysteine. Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-10), fibrinogen, fibrin D-dimer and homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the patients with AMI, as compared with controls. A positive correlation was observed between D-dimer and the inflammatory markers—hs-CRP and TNF-α. Upon multivariate analysis, TNF-α emerged as the best determinant of CAD in our study. Our results indicate that there is a possible interplay of inflammation and hemostasis in CAD, underlining their synergistic role in the pathogenesis of CAD.