Understanding the excretion rates of methylmercury and inorganic mercury from human body via hair and fingernails

Effective biomarkers are necessary to better understand the human mercury(Hg) exposure levels. However, mismatched biomarker sampling method causes extra uncertainty in assessing the risk of Hg exposure. To compare the differences between hair and fingernail, and further understand the excretion rates of methylmercury(MeHg) and inorganic mercury(IHg) via hair and fingernails, the total mercury(THg), Me Hg, and IHg concentrations in paired hair and fingernail samples were investigated through paired samples collected from two typical mining areas, Wanshan mercury mine area(WMMA) and Hezhang zinc smelting area(HZSA). The positive correlation in THg, MeHg, and IHg concentrations( p < 0.01) between hair and fingernail samples indicated that those two biomarkers can be corrected in application of assessing human Hg exposure. Compared to fingernails, the hair was suggested to be a more sensitive biomarker as the concentration of THg, MeHg and IHg were 2~4 times higher than those in fingernails. Furthermore, the amounts of THg, MeHg, and IHg excreted via hair were 70~226 times higher than that excreted via fingernails, and the hair plays a more important role than fingernails in the excretion of Hg from human bodies. Present study therefore provides some new insights to better understand the fate of human assimilated Hg.

Addition of castor oil as a booster in colon capsule regimens significantly improves completion rates and polyp detection

BACKGROUND Incomplete excretion rates are problematic for colon capsule endoscopy(CCE).Widely available booster regimens are suboptimal.Recently published data on one day preparation CCE protocol using castor oil appeared effective.AIM To assess the impact of adding castor oil to a standard split-dose(2-d)preparation in an unselected Western patient cohort.METHODS All patients aged 18 or more referred to our unit for a CCE over a 5-mo period were prospectively recruited.Controls were retrospectively identified from our CCE database.All patients received split bowel preparation with Moviprep■[polyethylene glycol(PEG)-3350,sodium sulphate,sodium chloride,potassium chloride,sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution;Norgine B.V,United States],a PEG-based solution used predominantly in our colonoscopy practice.Control booster regimen included Moviprep■with 750 mL of water(booster 1)on reaching the small bowel.A further dose of Moviprep■with 250 mL of water was given 3 h later and a bisacodyl suppository(Dulcolax■)10 mg after 8 h,if the capsule was not excreted.In addition to our standard booster regimen,cases received an additional 15 mL of castor oil given at the time of booster 1.A nested case control design with 2:1 ratio(control:case)was employed.Basic demographics,completion rates,image quality,colonic transit time,diagnostic yield and polyp detection were compared between groups,using a student t or chi-square tests as appropriate.RESULTS One hundred and eighty-six CCEs[mean age 60 years(18-97),56%females,n=104],including 62 cases have been analysed.Indication breakdown included 96 polyp surveillance(51.6%),42 lower gastrointestinal symptoms(22.6%),28 due to incomplete colonoscopy(15%),18 anaemia(9.7%)and 2 inflammatory bowel disease surveillance(1.1%).Overall,CCE completion was 77%(144/186),image quality was adequate/diagnostic in 91%(170/186),mean colonic transit time was 3.5 h(0.25-13),and the polyp detection rate was 57%(106/186).Completion rates were significantly higher with castor oil,87%cases(54/62)vs 73%controls(90/124),P=0.01.The number needed to treat with castor oil to result in an additional complete CCE study was 7,absolute risk reduction=14.52%,95%confidence interval(CI):3.06-25.97.This effect of castor oil on excretion rates was more significant in the over 60 s,P<0.03,and in females,P<0.025.Similarly,polyp detection rates were higher in cases 82%(51/62)vs controls 44%(55/124),P=0.0001,odds ratio 5.8,95%CI:2.77-12.21.Colonic transit times were similar,3.2 h and 3.8 h,respectively.Image quality was similar,reported as adequate/diagnostic in 90%(56/62)vs 92%(114/124).CONCLUSION In our capsule endoscopy centre,castor oil addition as a CCE booster significantly improved completion rates and polyp detection in an unselected Western cohort.

EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND AMMONIA EXCRETION BY SOLENAIA OLEIVORA

The effects of water temperature on oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate of Solenaia oleivora were studied in the laboratory. The results showed that, under controlled conditions and ambient temperatures 15—30℃, the relationship between oxygen consumption rate (O) [mg/h] and dry weight of soft tissue (W) [g] can be represented by an allometric equation O=aW b, while the relationship between ammonia excretion rate (N) [μg/h] and dry weight of soft tissue (W) [g] follows also an allometric equation N=cW b. It is indicated that both metabolic rates are correlated positively with water temperature. High temperature can reduce the level of protein metabolism. The linear regression among oxygen consumption rate (O), temperature (T) and dry weight of soft tissue (W) can be described by the equation O=-0.6513+0.0532T+0.1073W, and for ammonia this relation is N=32.1626-1.0566T+1.3222W, the multiple relation coefficient was 0.9642 and 0.8921, respectively.

The Research Development of Respiratory Metabolism for Living Beings of Fishery Resources

[Objective]To describe the research development of respiratory metabolism for living beings of fishery resources home and abroad so as to provide reference for fishery production and management. [Method]Investigate research methods of respiratory metabolism about fish,shrimp, crab,shells and other living beings and analyze factors affecting their oxygen consumption rates and ammonia excretion rates according to research results of respiratory metabolism for living beings of fishery resources home and abroad. [Result] Respiratory metabolism is one of the important contents of bioenergetics research,an important part of energy balance research. It reflects not only the physiological status of living beings,but al- so the influence of environment condition on their physiological activities. Factors affecting respiratory metabolism are divided into biological factors and non-biological factors. By researching factors such as weight,temperature,activities,circadian rhythm,ingestion,Oxygen partial pressure and so on,we can evaluate respiratory metabolism of living beings of fishery resources. [Conclusion]Investigating from the individual physiology and e- cology to group physiology and ecology,the research provides data support for enhancement and releasing of sea ranch.

Characteristic of Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Normotensive Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives To observe the characteristic of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive diabetic subjects with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria. Methods Fifty-two normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes received ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were divided into normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric groups according to their albumin excretion rate, the other 28 normotensive subjects without diabetes were contributed as control group. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed on a working day and measurement of blood pressure circadian rhythm was analyzed. Results Normotensive microalbuminuric diabetic patients had higher night-time systolic blood pressure and more blood pressure burden than normotensive normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. Additionally, the microalbuminuric patients had a higher frequency of non-dippers than normoalbuminuric ones, although they were all normotensive. Compared to the normotensive non-diabetic control subjects, the night- time systolic blood pressure and frequency of non- dippers of the normoalbuminuric diabetic patients were significantly higher. Conclusions Intensive attention should be paid in control of blood pressure in diabetic patients to prevent and limit damage of target organ including kidney, even in those normotensive subjects.

High sensitive C-reactive protein, adiponectin, and urine albumin excretion rate in Chinese coronary artery disease patients with different glucose tolerance status

Background Serum high sensitive C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）, adiponectin levels and urine albumin excretion rate （UAER） are probably associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the three markers in coronary artery disease （CAD） subjects with different glucose tolerance status in a Chinese population and further explore the levels of the three markers in these subjects and the possible association of these markers with CAD risk factors and the severity of CAD as well. Methods A total of 242 subjects with angiographically documented CAD were recruited, and then assigned to three groups： the normal glucose tolerance （NGT） ＋ CAD group, including 100 CAD patients with NGT; the impaired glucose tolerance （IGT） ＋ CAD group, 40 CAD patients with IGT; the type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） ＋ CAD group, 102 CAD patients with T2DM. Serum hs-CRP, adiponectin levels as well as UAER were measured in all subjects. Results Serum hs-CRP levels were increased in the T2DM ＋ CAD group compared with the NGT ＋ CAD group （4.71±2.59） vs （3.60±2.46） mg/L, P=0.037. Serum adiponectin levels were gradually decreased from the NGT ＋ CAD to IGT ＋ CAD to T2DM ＋ CAD groups, （5.99±1.84）, （5.82±1.72） and （4.65±1.71） mg/L, P=0.002 and 0.040 for NGT ＋ CAD and IGT ＋ CAD groups vs T2DM ＋ CAD group, respectively. While the UAER was gradually increased from the NGT ＋ CAD to IGT ＋ CAD to T2DM ＋ CAD groups, （6.42±2.51）, （6.89±2.94） and （15.03±4.22） μg/min （P 〈0.001） for NGT ＋ CAD and IGT ＋ CAD groups vs T2DM ＋ CAD group. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that waist-hip ratio （WHR） and low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were the significant determinants of serum hs-CRP levels; triglyceride （TG）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, age, WHR, T2DM, 2-hour serum insulin （2hINS）, sex, and apolipoprotein B were the significant determinants of serum adiponectin levels; and systolic blood pressure （SBP）, T2DM and hemoglobin A1c （HbA1c） were the significant determinants of UAER in all subjects （R^2= 0.070, 0.352, and 0.214, respectively）. However, no significant correlation was seen for hs-CRP, adiponectin and UAER with the severity of CAD. Hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with UAER. Conclusions There was a trend of increased serum hs-CRP levels from the NGT ＋ CAD to IGT ＋ CAD to T2DM ＋ CAD groups, though it only showed significance in the T2DM ＋ CAD group compared with the NGT ＋ CAD group. Serum adiponectin levels were decreased and UAER was increased from the NGT ＋ CAD to IGT ＋ CAD to T2DM ＋ CAD groups Increased UAER and serum hs-CRP, and decreased adiponectin levels were associated with traditional CAD risk factors but failed to be correlated with the severity of CAD. Hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with UAER.

Urinary albumin excretion rate is correlated with severity of coronary artery disease in elderly type 2 diabetic patients

Background Coronary heart disease is the main complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus; its incidence is closely related to microalbuminuria. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the urinary albumin excretion rate and the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods A total of 612 hospitalized type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 60 years or older, who were given coronary angiography for diagnosis of possible coronary heart disease, participated. Their urinary albumin excretion rate was measured, and the severity of coronary artery stenosis was quantified with the Gensini scoring system to analyze the incidence of coronary heart disease and the severity of coronary artery stenosis. The optimal urinary albumin excretion rate predictive value for coronary heart disease incidence in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was determined. Results The incidence of coronary heart disease, the number of patients with coronary vascular disease and the Gensini scores were significantly different between the microalbuminuria group and the normal atbuminuria group （P 〈0.05）. The urinary albumin excretion rate was independently correlated with the occurrence of coronary heart disease in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients （odds ratio （OR） =1.058, P 〈0.0001,95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.036-1.080）. Urinary albumin excretion rate and the Gensini score were independently correlated in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients （β=0.476, P 〈0.0001）. The best predictive value of urinary albumin excretion rate was 10.45 tJg/min for elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The area under the curve was 0.764, with a sensitivity and specificity of 70.0% and 72.2%, respectively. Conclusions The occurrence of coronary heart disease in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with microalbuminuria was higher than that in patients with normal albuminuria, and the severity of the disease also increased in patients with microalbuminuria. In elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, urinary albumin excretion rate was positively correlated with the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease and was also an independent factor contributing to coronary heart disease.

Negative association of time in range and urinary albumin excretion rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus:a retrospective study of inpatients

Background:Time in range(TIR)refers to the time an individual spends within their target glucose range,which now has been popularized as an important metric to classify glycemic management and also recognized as an important outcome of current diabetes therapies.This study aimed to investigate the association between TIR and the severity of the urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 1014 inpatients with T2DM at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Peking University International Hospital,China.TIR was defined as the percentage of blood glucose within the target range of 3.90-10.00 mmol/L.Urine samples for assessment of UAER were collected for 3 consecutive days from the start of hospitalization.Results:The TIR values for patients with normal urine levels of albumin,microalbuminuria,and macroalbuminuria were 70%±20%,50%±20%,and 30%±20%,respectively(allP<0.001).The patients were stratified according to quartiles of TIR as follows:quartile(Q)1,<55%;Q2,55%-72%;Q3,73%-83%;and Q4,>83%.The incidences of microalbuminuria in Q1,Q2,Q3,and Q4 were 41.1%,21.6%,7.1%,and 5.5%(allP<0.001),respectively.The respective incidences of macroalbuminuria were 24.2%,1.1%,1.4%,and 0%(allP<0.001).In multinomial logistic regression analyses,TIR was significantly correlated with microalbuminuria(odds ratio[OR]0.58,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.52-0.65,P<0.001)and macroalbuminuria(OR 0.26,95%CI:0.18-0.38,P<0.001)after adjusting for age,sex,body mass index,diabetes duration,systolic blood pressure,and levels of triglycerides,glycosylated hemoglobin A1c,and creatinine.Conclusion:The proportion of blood glucose in TIR is closely related to the severity of UAER in patients with T2DM.