Body magnesium status in critically Ill patients

A wide variation in the prevalence of total serum hypomagnesemia in intensive care unit patients has been reported. This work aims to assess body magnesium deficiency in critically ill patients using different approaches and to evaluate its relationship to other electrolyte disturbances and clinical outcome. The study included 43 adult critically ill patients and 20 healthy controls. Laboratory parameters carried out on admission and every 24 hours for 3 days included: serum electrolytes, serum and erythrocyte total magnesium [RBCMg]. Twenty four hour urinary magnesium was determined before and after IV magnesium loading. Mg retention was defined as excretion of < 70% of the magnesium load. At admission, RBCMg was significantly lower in patients than controls [p = 0.008] whereas serum magnesium was not significantly different. Twenty one patients were magnesium retainers, only 9 of whom were hypomagnesemic. All non-retainers were normomagnesemic. Magnesium retainers had significantly lower RBCMg, serum potassium and calcium than non-retainers [p = 0.0007, 0.004 and 0.007 respectively]. In retainers, retention% negatively correlated to RBCMg and serum potassium. In both retainers and non-retainers, RBCMg positively correlated to serum potassium whereas serum magnesium did not correlate to any of the other parameters of magnesium status. Magnesium retainers had significantly longer ICU stay and a higher mortality rate. Magnesium deficiency is common in critically ill patients and is associated with hypocalcemia, hypokalemia and a poor clinical outcome

Respiratory disorders among welders: II Respiratory Conditions and pulmonary function

Examination of a sample of 177 welders and 84 control subjects indicated that the prevalence of dyspnea [29.4%], U.R.T. irritation [20.9%], chronic bronchitis [20.3%] and cough [16.4%] among welders were significantly higher than among controls, that was attributed to the exposure of welders to irritant fumes and gases [ozone and nitrogen dioxide]. It has also been shown that chronic bronchitis, smoking and long duration of exposure had a significant impact on development of impairment of ventilatory function among welders. Measurement of ventilatory function, as well as chest X-ray picture, has been recommended for the periodic medical examination of welders

Changes in serum proteins, lipids and some enzymes due to chelating agent [EDTA] treatment in lead intoxication

The effect of chelating agent EDTA on some biochemical parameters has been studied on lead exposed rats that were fed on semi-purified diet and were receiving 100 micro g/ml lead as acetate in drinking water. After 4 months, the lead exposed rats were intraperitoneally injected with EDTA for five successive days. The results indicated that ALA-D activity was inhibited by lead intoxication and EDTA treatment did not induce any improvement of the inhibited activity. On the other hand, ZPP increased significantly by lead exposure but tended to decrease after EDTA administration though it is still significantly higher than controls. EDTA treatment induced a significant decrease in total proteins of lead exposed animals which is due to the significant decrease in albumin and gamma -globulin fractions. While lead exposed animals did not show any change in cholesterol level, EDTA administration caused a significant hypocholesterolemia. EDTA treatment was found to induce significant increase in ceruloplasmin and inhibition in SGOT. It seems that EDTA treatment is followed by some biological changes that could be attributed to the chelating effects of EDTA to some trace metals

Respiratory disorders among welders 1 Radiological abnormalities

Welding fumes, were assessed in the work environment of two plants [a repairing shipyard and a welding workshop]. The concentrations of Fe[2]O[3], ZnO, CrO, MnO[2] fumes, SiO[2] and O[3] were lower than their permissible levels while NO[2] concentrations were double the permissible levels in the workers' breathing zone; however, combined effect of these contaminants has been anticipated. The prevalence of radiological abnormalities was investigated in a group of 177 welders and 84 control subjects. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis [14.7%], fine rounded opacities [11.9%] and emphysema [9.6%] prevailed at significantly higher rates among welders than controls. Impairment of ventilatory function significantly occured among welders with roentogenologic changes. While respiratory complaints occured at insignificant higher rates except for dyspnea [p<0.05]. The prevalence of radiological abnormalities showed some tendency to increase by duration of exposure; the relation was statistically significant only with fine rounded opacities. The X-ray changes have been attributed the exposure to iron oxide amorphous silica, nitrogen dioxide and ozone which have been detected in appreciable concentrations in the present study