Plomo y mercurio en personas víctimas del conflicto armado en Bojayá, Chocó: estudio descriptivo / Lead and mercury in victims of the armed conflict in Bojayá, Chocó: a descriptive study / Chumbo e mercúrio em vítimas do conflito armado em Bojayá, Chocó: um estudo descritivo

Introducción: En los contextos del conflicto armado convergen actividades que potencialmente pueden producir toxicidad por metales pesados; inclusive, muchas víctimas de artefactos explosivos improvisados portan esquirlas residuales interiorizadas, de composición y potencial toxicidad desconocidas. Ello ha sido poco estudiado. Objetivo: Describir los niveles biológicos de plomo y mercurio en civiles supervivientes de la masacre de Bojayá, su eventual exposición actual, así como signos y síntomas compatibles con toxicidad crónica. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo, tipo serie con 13 casos. Resultados: El 38.46 % de los casos tuvo niveles de plomo en sangre superiores o cercanos al valor límite superior, sin fuentes específicas identificadas. Un 46.15 % tuvo niveles mercuriales superiores o cercanos al límite de referencia, y se los considera exposición ambiental por minería aurífera regional. La valoración clínica toxicológica mostró síntomas y signos clínicos potencialmente asociados con toxicidad crónica por metales. Conclusión: Hubo presencia de residuos de artefactos explosivos en personas con hallazgos sugestivos de toxicidad por plomo o mercurio, sin que pueda afirmarse una relación directa y específica entre los dos aspectos; algunos casos sugieren exposición ambiental para mercurio, y exposición a proyectiles para el plomo, relacionadas con dinámicas del conflicto armado. Son necesarios estudios adicionales para afirmar la existencia de asociaciones causales.

Introduction: In the contexts of armed conflict, activities converge that can potentially produce heavy metal toxicity; including many victims of improvised explosive devices carry internalised residual shrapnel, of unknown composition and potential toxicity. This has been little studied. Objective: To describe the biological levels of lead and mercury in civilian survivors of the Bojayá massacre, their possible current exposure, as well as signs and symptoms compatible with chronic toxicity. Methodology: Descriptive observational study, serial type with 13 cases. Results: 38.46 % of the cases had blood lead levels above or close to the upper limit value, with no specific sources identified. 46.15 % had mercury levels above or close to the reference limit, and were considered environmental exposure from regional gold mining. Clinical toxicological assessment showed clinical signs and symptoms potentially associated with chronic metal toxicity. Conclusion: There was a presence of explosive ordnance residues in individuals with findings suggestive of lead or mercury toxicity, without a direct and specific relationship between the two; some cases suggest environmental exposure for mercury, and projectile exposure for lead, related to the dynamics of the armed conflict. Further studies are needed to affirm the existence of causal associations.

Introdução: Nos contextos de conflito armado, convergem atividades que podem potencialmente produzir toxicidade por metais pesados; Na verdade, muitas vítimas de dispositivos explosivos improvisados carregam lascas residuais internalizadas de composição desconhecida e potencial toxicidade. Isto tem sido pouco estudado. Objetivo: Descrever os níveis biológicos de chumbo e mercúrio em civis sobreviventes do massacre de Bojayá, sua eventual exposição atual, bem como sinais e sintomas compatíveis com toxicidade crônica. Metodologia: Estudo observacional descritivo, tipo série com 13 casos. Resultados: 38.46 % dos casos apresentaram níveis de chumbo no sangue superiores ou próximos ao valor limite superior, sem fontes específicas identificadas. 46.15 % apresentaram níveis de mercúrio superiores ou próximos ao limite de referência e são considerados exposição ambiental devido à mineração regional de ouro. A avaliação clínica toxicológica mostrou sintomas e sinais clínicos potencialmente associados à toxicidade crônica por metais. Conclusão: Houve presença de resíduos de artefatos explosivos em pessoas com achados sugestivos de toxicidade por chumbo ou mercúrio, sem que se pudesse afirmar uma relação direta e específica entre os dois aspectos; Alguns casos sugerem exposição ambiental ao mercúrio e exposição a projéteis de chumbo, relacionadas com a dinâmica do conflito armado. Estudos adicionais são necessários para confirmar a existência de associações causais.

Prótesis colónicas en el tratamiento paliativo del cáncer colónico. Nuestra evaluación tras 10 años de experiencia / Self-expanding metal stents in the palliative treatmentof coloncancer. Results of 10 years of experience

Introducción: la colocación de prótesis metálicas autoexpansibles (PAE) por vía endoscópica surge como opción terapéutica para la obstrucción colónica neoplásica en dos situaciones: como tratamiento paliativo y como puente a la cirugía curativa. Este procedimiento evita cirugías en dos tiempos y disminuye la probabilidad de colostomía definitiva y sus complicaciones con el consecuente deterioro de la calidad de vida. Objetivo: comunicar nuestra experiencia en la colocación de PAE para el tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción colorrectal neoplásica. Diseño: retrospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo y observacional. Material y métodos: se incluyeron todos los pacientes a quienes el mismo grupo de endoscopistas les colocó PAE con intención paliativa por cáncer colorrectal avanzado entre agosto de 2008 y diciembre de 2019. Fueron analizadas las variables demográficas y clínicas, el éxito técnico y clínico, las complicaciones tempranas y tardías y la supervivencia. Resultados: se colocó PAE en 54 pacientes. La media de edad fue 71 años. El 85% de las lesiones se localizó en el colon izquierdo. En el 57% de los pacientes se realizó en forma ambulatoria. El éxito técnico y clínico fue del 92 y 90%, respectivamente y la supervivencia media de 209 días. La tasa de complicaciones fue del 29,6%, incluyendo un 14,8% de obstrucción y un 5,6% de migración. La mortalidad tardía atribuible al procedimiento fue del 5,6%, ocasionada por 3 perforaciones tardías: 2 abiertas y 1 microperforación con formación de absceso localizado. Conclusiones: la colocación de PAE como tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción neoplásica colónica es factible, eficaz y segura. Permitió el manejo ambulatorio o con internación breve y la realimentación temprana, mejorando las condiciones para afrontar un eventual tratamiento quimioterápico paliativo. Las mayoría de las complicaciones fueron tardías y resueltas endoscópicamente en forma ambulatoria. (AU)

Introduction: endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) emerges as a therapeutic option for neoplastic obstruction of the colon in two situations: as palliative treatment and as a bridge to curative surgery. This procedure avoids two-stage surgeries and reduces the probability of permanent colostomy and its complications with the consequent deterioration in quality of life. Objective: to report our experience in the placement of SEMS as palliative treatment in neoplastic colorectal obstruction. Design: retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive and observational study. Methods: all patients in whom the same group of endoscopists performed SEMS placement with palliative intent for advanced colorectal cancer between August 2008 and December 2019 were analyzed. Data collected were demographic and clinical variables, technical and clinical success, early and late complications, and survival. Results: SEMS were placed in 54 patients. The average age was 71 years. Eighty-five percent were left-sided tumors. In 57% of the patients the procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. Technical and clinical success was 92 and 90%, respectively, and median survival was 209 days. The complication rate was 29.6%, including 14.8% obstruction and 5.6% migration. Late mortality attributable to the procedure was 5.6%, caused by 3 late perforations: 2 open and 1 microperforation with localized abscess formation. Conclusions: The placement of SEMS as a palliative treatment for neoplastic colonic obstruction is feasible, effective and safe. It allowed outpa-tient management or brief hospitalization and early refeeding, improving the conditions to face an eventual palliative chemotherapy treatment. Most complications were late and resolved endoscopically on an outpatient basis. (AU)

Quantitative determination of selected heavy metals and micronutrients in branded dairy products sold in Nigeria using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

Quantitative analysis of heavy metals and nutrients in food helps indicate the safety and quality of food for final consumers. The present study was conducted to assess the presence of heavy metals (arsenic, copper, mercury, chromium, and lead) and the nutritional value of calcium in branded milk and yogurt to evaluate health risks for consumers. Ten (10) samples of branded milk and dairy products manufactured in Nigeria were purchased. The metal contents of the samples were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of calcium in the milk samples were between 9.33 ± 0.0023 and 18 ± 0.0071 ppm and were detected in all samples. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.45 ± 0.00042 to 2.48 ± 0.00064 ppm in eight branded samples but were undetected in two samples. Chromium levels were undetected in most samples, except for two with concentrations of 0.12±0.00049 ppm and 0.23±0.00021 ppm, respectively. Copper ranged from 0.032±0.00021 ppm to 0.129±0.00021 ppm in six samples. Mercury levels were detected in six samples at a concentration of 1.0±1.0 ppm. Lead concentrations ranged from 0.15±0.00064 to 0.29±0.00028 ppm in three samples. The study found heavy metals above the ideal concentration in branded milk and dairy products in Nigeria, highlighting the need for quality control measures during production to prevent contamination.

The "four-dimensional theory" of metal element stress response / 重庆医学

Metal elements are the most common and widely distributed chemical elements in nature,which are closely related to human health,and their excess or lack will have a profound impact on the physio-logical and pathological processes of the body.This paper defines the concept of"metal element stress re-sponse",that is,the stress response that can occur in various cells,tissues and organs throughout the body when the content of metal elements in the body exceeds or falls below a certain level.According to the degree of stress,it can be divided into four dimensions:physiological stress,burden stress,pathological stress and disease stress.This paper comprehensively describes the degree,mode and biological effect of the interaction between metal elements and organism,and"four-dimensional theory"of metal element stress response is pro-posed,aiming to provide new ideas and new methods for seeking the potential intervention strategies of metal element stress response in the future

Lanthanide Metal Organic Framework as A New Unlabeled Fluorescence Anisotropy Probe for Detection of Phosphate Ions / 分析化学

Fluorescence anisotropy(FA)analysis has many advantages such as no requirement of separation,high throughput and real-time detection,and thus has been widely used in many fields,including biochemical analysis,food safety detection,environmental monitoring,etc.However,due to the small volume or mass of the target,its combination with the fluorescence probe cannot produce significant signal change.To solve this issue,researchers often use nanomaterials to enhance the mass or volume of fluorophore to improve the sensitivity.Nevertheless,this FA amplification strategy also has some disadvantages.Firstly,nanomaterials are easy to quench fluorescence.As a result,the FA value is easily influenced by light scattering,which reduces the detection accuracy.Secondly,fluorescent probes in most methods require complex modification steps.Therefore,it is necessary to develop new FA probes that do not require the amplification of volume and mass or modification.As a new kind of nanomaterials,luminescent metal-organic framework(MOF)has a large volume(or mass)and strong fluorescence emission.It does not require additional signal amplification materials.As a consequence,it can be used as a potential FA probe.This study successfully synthesized a lanthanide metal organic framework(Ce-TCPP MOF)using cerium ion(Ce3+)as the central ion and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin(H2TCPP)as the ligand through microwave assisted method,and used it as a novel unmodified FA probe to detect phosphate ions(Pi).In the absence of Pi,Ce-TCPP MOF had a significant FA value(r).After addition of Pi,Pi reacted with Ce3+in MOF and destroyed the structure of MOF into the small pieces,resulting in a decrease in r.The experimental results indicated that with the increase of Pi concentration,the change of the r of Ce-TCPP MOF(Δr)gradually increased.The Δr and Pi concentration showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.5-3.5 μmol/L(0.016-0.108 mg/L).The limit of detection(LOD,3σ/k)was 0.41 μmol/L.The concentration of Pi in the Jialing River water detected by this method was about 0.078 mg/L,and the Pi value detected by ammonium molybdate spectrophotometry was about 0.080 mg/L.The two detection results were consistent with each other,and the detection results also meet the ClassⅡwater quality standard,proving that this method could be used for the detection of Pi in complex water bodies.

Metal-organic Framework Immobilized Enzyme and Its Application in Screening of Enzyme Inhibitors of Traditional Chinese Medicine：A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Enzymes are widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries because of their advantages of high efficiency and specificity. However， the shortcomings of the free enzymes， such as poor stability and difficulty in recycling， limit their application. Therefore， the immobilization and application of enzymes have become one of the research hotspots. The selection of the immobilization carriers is a critical step in the process of enzyme immobilization. Metal-organic frameworks（MOFs）， a kind of porous materials， are formed by the coordination of metal ions or metal clusters with organic ligands. As an emerging immobilization carrier， its advantages such as high porosity， strong stability， and surface modifiability make it ideal for immobilized enzyme carriers. By immobilizing the free enzyme on MOFs， the above mentioned deficiencies of the free enzymes can be effectively solved， which greatly broaden the applicable condition. Ligand fishing is a method to find receptor-specific ligands from complex components， which has the advantages of high efficiency， simple sample pretreatment and high specificity. The MOF-enzyme complex formed by enzyme immobilization can act as a "fishing rod" for ligand fishing， which can screen out the targets from the complex system of components. The complex chemical composition and various active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） make the ligand fishing technology to play a big role in the screening of enzyme inhibitors from TCM. And the screened enzyme inhibitors are expected to be further developed into the lead compounds with good efficacy and low adverse effects， so the immobilized enzymes of MOFs have a wide application in the screening of active ingredients from TCM. Based on this， this paper summarized the methods of immobilized enzymes of MOFs in recent years， analyzed the characteristics， advantages and disadvantages of each method， and summarized the laws of preparation conditions and mechanisms. Meanwhile， the application and future development of immobilized enzymes of MOFs in the field of enzyme inhibitor screening from TCM were also summarized and prospected， with a view to providing a reference for the development of natural ingredients and the modernization of TCM.

Research progress on the application of metal nanoenzymes in the prevention and treatment of plaque biofilm-associated oral diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Oral plaque biofilms are one of the bases for the survival and metabolism of different bacteria. With the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria due to antibiotic abuse, the prevention and treatment of plaque biofilm-associated oral diseases are becoming increasingly difficult. Although some research progress has been made in the field of biofilm formation and destruction, there is still a lack of effective clinical therapies for plaque biofilm-associated oral diseases. Metal nanoenzymes possess the physical properties of nanoparticles and exhibit catalytic activity similar to that of natural enzymes. The nanoscale size of metal nanoenzymes provides a greater specific surface area to help reactive oxygen species spread rapidly to active catalytic sites and improve the antioxidant properties of nanoenzymes. Additionally, metal nanoenzymes are easy to produce using different methods, such as electrochemical reduction, solvent thermal synthesis and microwave-assisted synthesis. Moreover, metal nanoenzymes can produce a high concentration of hydroxyl radicals, catalyze plaque biofilm degradation, lyse glucan and inhibit biofilm formation by oxidative stress reactions, as well as kill bacteria by releasing metal ions. Thus, metal nanoenzymes are expected to become a new option for the prevention and treatment of oral plaque biofilm-associated diseases. However, metal nanoenzymes can enter organisms through oral, intravenous and respiratory routes, triggering potential toxic effects such as pulmonary toxicity, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. In a complex biological environment, the occurrence of metal nanoenzymes toxicity may involve multiple mechanisms, and the mechanism of action and safety need to be thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we intend to describe the research progress on metal nanoenzymes through an overview of their properties, antibacterial mechanisms, biotoxicity and applications in the prevention and treatment of oral plaque biofilm-related diseases, which may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

Association between exposure to multiple metals and lung function in welders by multi-pollutant statistical models / 环境与职业医学

Background Welders' exposure to welding fumes with multiple metals leads to decreased pulmonary function. Previous studies have focused on single metal exposure, while giving little attention to the impact of metal mixtures. Objective To assess the association between metal levels in urine and blood of welders and pulmonary function indicators, and to identify key metals for occupational health risk assessment. Methods Questionnaire surveys, lung function tests, urine and blood sampling were conducted among welders and control workers in a shipyard in Shanghai. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect the concentrations of 12 metals such as vanadium, chromium, and manganese in urine and blood. Spearman correlation was applied to analyze the correlations between the metals in urine and blood. Multiple linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to analyze the relationships between mixed metal exposure and pulmonary function parameters, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted value (FVC%), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%), and forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). Results This study enrolled 445 subjects, including 322 welders (72.36%) and 123 controls (27.64%). The mean age of the 445 participants was (37.64±8.80) years, and 87.19% participants were male. The welders had significantly higher levels of urinary cadmium (0.88 vs 0.58 μg·L−1), blood chromium (5.86 vs 5.06 μg·L−1), and blood manganese (24.24 vs 21.38 μg·L−1) than the controls (P<0.05). The Spearman correlation coefficients between the metals in urine and blood ranged from −0.46 to 0.68. After adjustment for confounders, the multiple linear regression indicted that the urine molybdenum of the welders was negatively correlated with FVC and FEV1. There were also negative correlations between the molybdenum in blood and FVC, FVC%, FEV1, and FEV1%, and between the copper in blood and FEV1/FVC. The WQS model showed that FEV1 and FVC decreased by 0.112 L and 0.353 L with each quartile increase of metal mixture concentrations in urine and blood among the welders respectively, and the leading contributors were copper, zinc, vanadium, and antimony. The BKMR model showed a negative overall effect of metal mixtures in urine and blood among the welders on FVC, FVC%, FEV1, and FEV1%, and the univariate exposure response-relationship between the molybdenum concentration in urine or blood and FVC, FVC%, FEV1, or FEV1% had an approximately linear decreasing trend. Meanwhile, there may be an interaction of cadmium with manganese, nickel, or vanadium, and an interaction of vanadium with iron, molybdenum, zinc, or copper, when different metals in urine among the welders interacted with FEV1%. Conclusion Exposure to multiple metals in welders leads to a decline in lung function, with molybdenum, antimony, copper, and zinc as the leading contributors.

Research progress on the clinical diagnosis of secondary vertical root fractures / 口腔疾病防治

@#Vertical root fracture is a type of longitudinal crack originating from the roots of teeth that can occur in vital teeth and teeth after root canal treatment. It is a hard tissue disease of teeth with a complex etiology and poor prognosis. The vertical root fracture that occurs in teeth after pulp treatment is called secondary vertical root fracture (SVRF). A comprehensive judgment should be made based on clinical signs such as pain, swelling, tooth looseness, sinus located near the gum edge, and deep and narrow isolated periodontal pockets, as well as apical films such as periodontal membrane widening, vertical and root bone loss, and “halo” or “J” shaped transmission shadows around the root. For teeth suspected of longitudinal root fractures, three-dimensional imaging such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) should be used to assist in the diagnosis. If CBCT shows a defect in the buccal or lingual bone plate, it can increase the possibility of diagnosing SVRF. The setting of CBCT parameters should be optimized by using small field CBCT, enhancing dye-assisted applications, and metal artifact reduction (MAR) tools to reduce the impact of artifacts and improve the accuracy of CBCT diagnosis of SVRF. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital subtraction radiography (DSR), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and other imaging techniques can detect cracks of different widths, and artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic technology and predictive models provide further auxiliary means for SVRF diagnosis. SVRF cannot be determined through noninvasive methods, and the final diagnostic method is to detect the presence of SVRF through direct observation within the root canal and during flap surgery.

Metal ion metabolism： New ideas for the traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Chronic liver disease （CLD） tends to have a high incidence rate and impose a serious burden on society and families. Studies have shown that metal ion metabolism is closely associated with CLD， and some Chinese herbal medicines can play a role in the prevention and treatment of CLD by regulating metal ion metabolism. At present， the synthetic drugs currently used for the treatment of CLD fail to achieve a satisfactory effect， and therefore， a variety of Chinese herbal medicines are being used as supplementary and alternative therapies for CLD. This article introduces the role of metal ion metabolism in CLD and the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal medicines and their active components on CLD， and the analysis shows that metal ion metabolism is expected to provide new ideas for the research on CLD and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of CLD. For the role of metal ion metabolism in the treatment of CLD， more prospective clinical study data are needed in the future to provide effective and safe treatment regimens for patients with CLD.

Research progress on cognitive dysfunction induced by occupational noise and combined exposure to heavy metals / 中国职业医学

Exposure to occupational noise and heavy metals are common occupational hazards in workplaces. Occupational noise exposure not only leads to noise-induced hearing loss but also cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to common heavy metals such as lead, manganese, and cadmium during work is closely related to cognitive dysfunction in workers. Combined exposure to noise and heavy metals is common in workplaces. However, current research on the combined effects of exposure to occupational noise with lead or manganese on workers' cognitive function is not comprehensive or systematic. The method for cognitive dysfunction identification varies, leading to a lack of comparability. And the causality between occupational exposure and cognitive dysfunction in workers has not been clarified. Therefore, studying the cognitive dysfunction due to combined exposure to noise and common heavy metals is of great significance for workers' occupational health. In the future, it is necessary to unify the method for cognitive dysfunction identification and conduct systematic and comprehensive research on the effects, mechanisms, and combined effects of exposure to occupational noise with lead, manganese, cadmium, and other heavy metals on workers' cognitive dysfunction, to ensure the occupational health rights and interests of workers.

Association between urinary metal levels and kidney stones in metal smelter workers / 环境与职业医学

Background Arsenic, cobalt, barium, and other individual metal exposure have been confirmed to be associated with the incidence of kidney stones. However, there are few studies on the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones, especially in occupational groups. Objective To investigate the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones in an occupational population from a metal smelting plant. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and lifestyle information of 1158 mixed metal-exposed workers in a metal smelting plant in Guangdong Province from July 2021 to January 2022. Midstream morning urine samples were collected from the workers, the concentrations of 18 metals including lithium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, cesium, barium, tungsten, titanium, and lead were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the urinary mercury levels were measured by cold atomic absorption spectroscopy. Based on predetermined inclusion criteria, a total of 919 mixed metal-exposed workers were included in the study, including 117 workers in the kidney stone group and 802 workers in the non-kidney stone group. With a detection rate of urinary metals greater than 80% as entry criterion, 16 eligible metals were finally included for further analysis. Parametric or non-parametric methods were used to compare the differences between continuous or categorical variables of the non-kidney stone group and the kidney stone group. Logistic regression models were constructed to explore the association between individual metal exposures and kidney stones. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were used to evaluate the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones, as well as the weights of each metal on kidney stones. Then Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to explore the overall effect of mixed metal exposure on renal calculi and the potential interactions between metals. Results We found that there were significant differences in sex, age, length of service, and body mass Index (BMI) between the non-kidney stone group and the kidney stone group (P<0.05). The urinary concentrations of molybdenum and barium in the kidney stone group were higher than those in the non-kidney stone group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The logistic regression models demonstrated that urinary cobalt, arsenic, molybdenum, and barium were positively correlated with the risk of kidney stones (Ptrend<0.05). The WQS regression models showed that the mixed exposure to vanadium, cobalt, arsenic, molybdenum, and barium was positively associated with the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05). Among them, molybdenum, arsenic, and barium accounted for 0.391, 0.337, and 0.154, respectively. The BKMR results revealed a positive association between metal mixture exposure and the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05). When other metals were fixed at the 25th, 50th, or 75th percentile, arsenic, molybdenum, cobalt, and barium exhibited significant positive effects on the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05), while vanadium showed a significant negative effect (P<0.05). The interaction analysis demonstrated interactions between barium and cobalt, as well as between vanadium and cobalt (P<0.05). Conclusion In the occupational population of this smelter, occupational mixed metal exposure could increase the risk of kidney stones, and the main metals are molybdenum, arsenic, barium, and cobalt.

The preliminary therapeutic effect of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips in treatment of cirrhotic patients with gastric varices and gastric-renal shunt / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with gastric varices and gastric-renal shunt （GRS）. MethodsThe patients who attended Beijing Ditan Hospital， Capital Medical University， due to liver cirrhosis and gastric varices from February to June 2023 were enrolled， and all patients were confirmed to have GRS and received endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips. The primary evaluation index was alleviation or disappearance of varicose veins after surgery， and the secondary evaluation indices were surgical completion and complications. ResultsA total of 11 patients were enrolled in this study， among whom there were 7 male patients and 4 female patients， with a median age of 55 years. Of all patients， 1 had Child class A liver function， 7 had Child class B liver function， and 3 had Child class C liver function. The maximum （median） diameter of the shunt was 8 mm， and the minimum （median） diameter of the shunt was 4 mm. The median blood flow velocity of the target vessel was 11 cm/s before treatment and 5 cm/s after occlusion with metal clips. The median amount of tissue adhesive injected was 2 mL， and the amount of lauromacrogol used was 1 mL. Disappearance of blood flow signals was observed in all patients after surgery （100%）， and the success rate of surgery was 100%. No patient experienced rebleeding after follow-up for 6 weeks. Gastroscopy at 1 month after surgery showed that gastric varices were eradicated or almost disappeared in 9 patients and were alleviated in 2 patients. ConclusionEndoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue adhesive injection with the assistance of metal clips is a feasible， safe， and effective treatment method for cirrhotic patients with gastric varices and GRS.

Heavy metal and genetic diversity studies in three populations of Snail (Achatina achatina Linnaeus, 1758) from Southwest, Nigeria / Estudos de heavy metal e diversidade genética em três populações de Snail (Achatina achatina Linnaeus, 1758) do sudoeste da Nigéria

Environmental pollutants may often alter the genetic components of natural populations. In this study, heavy metals and genetic diversity in land snail (Achatina achatina) from three populations of south-western Nigeria were investigated, using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and DNA Sequencing technology respectively. Metal analysis revealed that the snails accumulated lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in high concentrations in two of the three states, while cadmium (Cd) was the least detected. Editing and alignment of the sequences of all snail accessions generated a range of 384bp to 419 bp. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) in all 18 accessions was low at only 16%. The query coverage (QC) ranged between 96% and 100%, with 14 (77.8%) of the 18 accessions showing 100% identity. Pairwise comparison of the accessions studied also showed a high genetic similarity. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) generated two main clusters. Cluster I was unique and contain one sample (AaOy06) while the other cluster are very closely related and can be further sub-divided into sub-clusters. The similarity index of between the clusters is 0.5357. The close similarity among the accessions may be due to the geographical proximity of the three states. The uniqueness of accession AaOy06 in comparison to other accessions might be due to the negative influence of heavy metal, particularly lead. The determination of evolutionary relationships among snail populations may be useful towards the breeding efforts of the species in Nigeria.

Os poluentes ambientais podem frequentemente alterar os componentes genéticos das populações naturais. Neste estudo, metais pesados e diversidade genética em caramujos terrestres (Achatina achatina) de três populações do sudoeste da Nigéria foram investigados, usando a tecnologia de espectrometria de absorção atômica e sequenciamento de DNA, respectivamente. A análise dos metais revelou que os caramujos acumularam chumbo (Pb) e níquel (Ni) em altas concentrações em dois dos três estados, enquanto o cádmio (Cd) foi o menos detectado. A edição e o alinhamento das sequências de todos os acessos de caramujos geraram uma faixa de 384pb a 419pb. A análise de variância molecular (AMOVA) em todos os 18 acessos foi baixa em apenas 16%. A cobertura da consulta (QC) variou entre 96% e 100%, com 14 (77,8%) dos 18 acessos apresentando 100% de identidade. A comparação pareada dos acessos estudados também mostrou alta similaridade genética. O método de grupo de pares não ponderados com média aritmética (UPGMA) gerou dois clusters principais. O cluster I era único e contém uma amostra (AaOy06), enquanto o outro cluster está intimamente relacionado e pode ser subdividido em subclusters. O índice de similaridade entre os clusters é 0,5357. A grande semelhança entre os acessos pode ser devido à proximidade geográfica dos três estados. A singularidade do acesso AaOy06 em comparação com outros acessos pode ser devido à influência negativa de metais pesados, particularmente chumbo. A determinação das relações evolutivas entre as populações de caramujos pode ser útil para os esforços de reprodução da espécie na Nigéria.

Evaluation of antiseptic mouthwashes protocol against SARS-CoV-2 on orthodontic appliances (an in vitro study) / Avaliação do protocolo de enxaguantes bucais antissépticos contra SARS-CoV-2 em aparelhos ortodônticos (estudo in vitro)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of daily mouthwash rinsing protocols recommended against SARS-CoV-2 on metal ions discharged from fixed orthodontic appliances, specifically Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr). Material and Methods: Total of 400 hemi-arch fixed appliances were segregated into two groups, namely Nickel Titanium (NiTi) and Stainless Steel (SS), based on the type of archwire employed. Each set was submerged in 2% povidone-iodine, 1% hydrogen peroxide, 0.2% chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwashes. Distilled water was used for comparative measurements of the ions released as a control group (n=10/group). They were incubated for four periods at 37°C (one hour, twenty-four hours, one, and 3 weeks). Nil and Cr ions released from the fixed appliance were evaluated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and paired comparison analysis. Results: The worst levels of Ni and Cr liberated from the SS group observed in povidone-iodine mouthwash at 1.173 and 1.701 ppm, respectively, while the chlorhexidine mouthwash released accepted level of Ni and Cr at 0.033 and 0.056 ppm, respectively. The NiTi group displayed the appalling ions released of Ni and Cr in povidone-iodine mouthwash at 1.87 and 2.4 ppm, respectively. Whereas the released levels of Ni and Cr ions from the chlorhexidine group and cetylpyridinium chloride were 0.048 and 0.127 ppm, respectively, with significant differences between the tested groups and intervals. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine and Cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwashes were the appropriate options for orthodontic patients to minimized ions released according to this study protocol.(AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto dos protocolos diários de enxaguatório bucal recomendados contra SARS-CoV-2 em íons metálicos liberados de aparelhos ortodônticos fixos, especificamente Níquel (Ni) e Cromo (Cr). Material e Métodos: Um total de 400 aparelhos fixos de hemiarcada foram segregados em dois grupos, Níquel Titânio (NiTi) e Aço Inoxidável (SS), com base no tipo de fio utilizado. Cada conjunto foi submerso em enxaguantes bucais com iodopovidona a 2%, peróxido de hidrogênio a 1%, clorexidina a 0,2% e cloreto de cetilpiridínio. Água destilada foi utilizada para medições comparativas dos íons liberados como grupo controle (n=10/grupo). Eles foram incubados por cinco períodos a 37°C (uma hora, vinte e quatro horas, uma e 3 semanas). Os íons Nil e Cr liberados do aparelho fixo foram avaliados por espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis e análise de comparação pareada. Resultados:Os piores níveis de Ni e Cr liberados no grupo SS foram observados no enxaguatório bucal com iodopovidona em 1,173 e 1,701 ppm, respectivamente, enquanto o enxaguatório bucal com clorexidina liberou níveis aceitos de Ni e Cr em 0,033 e 0,056 ppm, respectivamente. O grupo NiTi exibiu os terríveis íons liberados de Ni e Cr no enxaguatório bucal com iodopovidona a 1,87 e 2,4 ppm, respectivamente. Já os níveis liberados de íons Ni e Cr do grupo clorexidina e cloreto de cetilpiridínio foram 0,048 e 0,127 ppm, respectivamente, com diferenças significativas entre os grupos e intervalos testados. Conclusão: Enxaguatórios bucais com clorexidina e cloreto de cetilpiridínio foram as opções adequadas para pacientes ortodônticos para minimizar a liberação de íons de acordo com o protocolo deste estudo(AU)

Research progress on environmental heavy metal exposure during pregnancy and children's physical development level and growth trajectory / 环境与职业医学

Low-level exposure to environmental heavy metals during pregnancy is common, and the effects of such exposure on the growth and development of the fetus may continue after birth. In this paper, we reviewed the epidemiological studies on heavy metal exposure during pregnancy and children's physical development at home and abroad in recent years, focusing on the associations between four common heavy metals, namely, cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic, and children's physical development levels and growth trajectories. The results of existing studies showed that cadmium and mercury exposure during pregnancy was associated with early childhood obesity, lead exposure during pregnancy may lead to dual effects of childhood obesity and growth retardation, and arsenic exposure during pregnancy was associated with childhood growth retardation. At the same time, cadmium and lead exposure during pregnancy had a more significant effect on boys, and there was a sex effect. Most studies of children's growth trajectory showed that exposure to cadmium, arsenic, and lead during pregnancy was often associated with lower childhood body mass index (BMI)/weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) and height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) growth trajectories, even into adolescence, where the first trimester and the third trimester may be critical windows for cadmium and lead exposure, respectively. The results of mercury exposure during pregnancy associated with children's growth trajectories were controversial due to differences in methods for evaluating mercury exposure. In addition, there may be certain combined effects of mixed exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy on the physical growth and development of children. There is still a need to further elucidate the effects of single metal and multiple heavy metal interactions on children's physical development by combining population-based epidemiological studies with multiple sample sources and time points, and to strengthen basic research to broaden the new understanding of involved mechanisms.

Process Development and Research Status of Tibetan Medicine Zuotai(Mercury Preparation) / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Zuotai(mercury preparation)is considered the treasure of Tibetan medicine and is commonly referred to as the"King of Medicines".It is widely utilized in clinical practice as a core ingredient in the precious Tibetan medicine compounds,which possesses multiple therapeutic properties such as disease treatment,detoxification,health maintenance,and tonic effect.This paper conducted a comprehensive review of the classical Tibetan medical literature and recent research literature to elucidate the historical development and modern applications of the"Zuotai"concoction method.There are three main representative approaches of Zuotai concoction,including the mercury concoction method in the"Four Medical Tantras"by Udo-Yundan Pao(708-833),the concoction method in the"Mercury Concoction Classics"by Dongshun Nu Gyatso(13th century),and the mercury concoction method by Master Tsuru Tsering(1926-2004),who has imparted the Zuotai concoction process since the establishment of New China.In addition,Zuotai has been extensively studied by researchers in the fields of modern pharmacochemistry,pharmacokinetics,and toxicology.Overall,this paper provides a comprehensive review of the concoction methods of"Zuotai"in the classical Tibetan medical literature and modern pharmacological and toxicological research,so as to provide important reference value for in-depth understanding of the origin and history of"Zuotai".

The clinical value of virtual monoenergetic imaging and bone metal artifact reduction algorithm in the reduction of metal artifacts caused by lumbar implants / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of high-energetic virtual monoenergetic imaging(MonoE),bone metal artifact reduction(O-MAR),and their combination based on dual-layer detector spectral computed tomography(DLCT)in removing the artifacts caused by lumbar metal implants.Methods Patients who undergone lumbar implant surgery and performed lumbar examination on DLCT after surgery were prospectively selected.MonoE from 100 to 200 keV with an interval of 20 keV were reconstructed.O-MAR and O-MAR combined with MonoE(O-MAR+MonoE)images were also reconstructed.The differences of objective and subjective image quality among the images were compared.Results There were 45 patients included in the study.With the increasing of keV of MonoE,the attenuation of the tissue with low-and high-density artifact on MonoE and O-MAR+MonoE was increased and decreased,respectively.140 keV MonoE was the best sequence for the artifact reduction and the display of soft tissue.200 keV MonoE and its combination with O-MAR showed the best performance in the display of the interface of metal and bone.However,O-MAR+200 keV MonoE had the lowest noise.Conclusion Compared to O-MAR and O-MAR combined with MonoE,high-energetic MonoE shows a good value in the reduction of metal artifacts caused by the lumbar metal implants.

Application of metal ions in bone tissue engineering / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Metal ions play an important role in the human body.With the progress of material synthesis and processing technology,a variety of metal ions that can be used in bone tissue engineering have been developed,such as magnesium(Mg2+),zinc(Zn2+),manganese(Mn2+),strontium(Sr2+),and copper(Cu2+). OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress and development direction of metal ions in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:The literature collected by CNKI,PubMed and WanFang databases from 2014 to 2022 was retrieved.The Chinese and English key words were"metal ions,bone tissue engineering,osteogenic activity,magnesium ions,zinc ions,manganese ions,strontium ions,copper ions,calcium ions,lithium ions,cobalt ions". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Different metal ions will be released to varying degrees after the materials are implanted into the body,which can change the tissue microenvironment,thus improving the ability of materials to form blood vessels and bones.Compared with growth factors,metal ions are easier to control the release rate,have lower cost,and can also improve the mechanical properties of implant materials.The application of metal ions in bone tissue engineering is full of prospects.Although some metal ions can already be used to treat bone defects,the mechanism of action of many metal ions in the human body is not completely clear,and the application effect is a lack of clinical experiment verification.Further exploration is needed before clinical application.

Effect of micro-arc oxidation treatment on biological activity of medical metals / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Among the surface modification technologies of metal implants,micro-arc oxidation has been widely concerned for its convenience,low cost and ability to effectively adjust the microstructure and elements of surface coatings. OBJECTIVE:To summarize research advances in physical and chemical properties and biological activities of oxidation coatings prepared by micro-arc oxidation on different materials. METHODS:The articles about the effects of micro-arc oxidation on the biological activity of medical metals were searched in PubMed and Web of Science based on the English search terms"MAO,micro-arc oxidation,osseointegration,mechanical property,biological activity,angiogenesis,fibrogenesis".The search time was from January 2016 to December 2022.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,82 articles were finally retained for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Micro-arc oxidation is a potential surface modification technology,which can greatly improve the success rate of implantation,and can be widely used in other fields.The specific reasons are as follows:(1)Micro-arc oxidation technology forms special porous morphology on the surface of materials,which can optimize the mechanical properties such as wear resistance and corrosion resistance,contributing to the reduction of the degradation rate of magnesium alloys.(2)Micro-arc oxidation technology can significantly enhance the bioactivity and improve the bioinertness of titanium and titanium alloys through the addition of strontium,hydroxyapatite and other metallic or nonmetallic substances to its porous morphology for helping elevate its osteogenic differentiation,angiogenesis,fibrogenesis and other biological activities.