Blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease:important considerations for use in clinical practice

Introduction:Fluid and positron emission tomography(PET)biomarkers that enable the detection of the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)(amyloid and tau)have revolutionized our approach to the diagnosis of AD.The evolution of AD diagnostic criteria to include biological characterization(Alzheimer’s Association Working Group,2023)provides an appropriate framework to reduce levels of clinico-pathologic mismatch and improve in-vivo diagnostic accuracy.As the therapeutic landscape for neurodegenerative disease evolves,it is increasingly incumbent on clinicians to provide timely,and pathologically precise diagnoses for patients.However,the expensive and invasive nature of these tests limits their scalability.

Beyond wrecking a wall:revisiting the concept of blood–brain barrier breakdown in ischemic stroke

The blood–brain barrier constitutes a dynamic and interactive boundary separating the central nervous system and the peripheral circulation.It tightly modulates the ion transport and nutrient influx,while restricting the entry of harmful factors,and selectively limiting the migration of immune cells,thereby maintaining brain homeostasis.Despite the well-established association between blood–brain barrier disruption and most neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases,much remains unknown about the factors influencing its physiology and the mechanisms underlying its breakdown.Moreover,the role of blood–brain barrier breakdown in the translational failure underlying therapies for brain disorders is just starting to be understood.This review aims to revisit this concept of“blood–brain barrier breakdown,”delving into the most controversial aspects,prevalent challenges,and knowledge gaps concerning the lack of blood–brain barrier integrity.By moving beyond the oversimplistic dichotomy of an“open”/“bad”or a“closed”/“good”barrier,our objective is to provide a more comprehensive insight into blood–brain barrier dynamics,to identify novel targets and/or therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating blood–brain barrier dysfunction.Furthermore,in this review,we advocate for considering the diverse time-and location-dependent alterations in the blood–brain barrier,which go beyond tight-junction disruption or brain endothelial cell breakdown,illustrated through the dynamics of ischemic stroke as a case study.Through this exploration,we seek to underscore the complexity of blood–brain barrier dysfunction and its implications for the pathogenesis and therapy of brain diseases.

Refractory lipoatrophy treated with autologous whole blood injection:A case report

BACKGROUND Intramuscular corticosteroid injection may cause adverse effects such as dermal and/or subcutaneous atrophy,alopecia,hypopigmentation,and hyperpigmentation.Although cutaneous atrophy can spontaneously resolve,several treatment options have been suggested for this condition.CASE SUMMARY In this paper,we report a case of corticosteroid injection induced lipoatrophy treated with autologous whole blood(AWB)injection,as the condition had been unresponsive to fractional laser therapy.A 29-year-old female patient visited the dermatology clinic complaining of skin depression on her right buttock area,which had appeared six months earlier.There had been only subtle improvement at the margins after fractional CO_(2) laser treatment;therefore,after obtaining informed consent from the patient,AWB treatment was initiated.One month after the first AWB injection,the size and depth of the lesion had noticeably improved,and a slight improvement was also observed in discoloration.CONCLUSION Close observation is the initial treatment of choice for steroid induced skin atrophy;however,for patients in need of immediate cosmetic improvement,AWB injection may be a safe and cost-effective alternative.

Pretreatment red blood cell distribution width as a predictive marker for postoperative complications after laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND Red blood cell distribution width(RDW)is associated with the development and progression of various diseases.AIM To explore the association between pretreatment RDW and short-term outcomes after laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy(LPD).METHODS A total of 804 consecutive patients who underwent LPD at our hospital between March 2017 and November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Correlations between pretreatment RDW and clinicopathological characteristics and short-term outcomes were investigated.RESULTS Patients with higher pretreatment RDW were older,had higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores and were associated with poorer short-term outcomes than those with normal RDW.High pretreatment RDW was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications(POCs)(hazard ratio=2.973,95%confidence interval:2.032-4.350,P<0.001)and severe POCs of grade IIIa or higher(hazard ratio=3.138,95%confidence interval:2.042-4.824,P<0.001)based on the Clavien-Dino classification system.Subgroup analysis showed that high pretreatment RDW was an independent risk factor for Clavien-Dino classi-fication grade IIIb or higher POCs,a comprehensive complication index score≥26.2,severe postoperative pancreatic fistula,severe bile leakage and severe hemorrhage.High pretreatment RDW was positively associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and was negatively associated with albumin and the prognostic nutritional index.CONCLUSION Pretreatment RDW was a special parameter for patients who underwent LPD.It was associated with malnutrition,severe inflammatory status and poorer short-term outcomes.RDW could be a surrogate marker for nutritional and inflammatory status in identifying patients who were at high risk of developing POCs after LPD.

Insights on Peripheral Blood Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease(PD)is a common neurodegenerative disorder with profound impact on patients’quality of life and long-term health,and early detection and intervention are particularly critical.In recent years,the search for precise and reliable biomarkers has become one of the key strategies to effectively address the clinical challenges of PD.In this paper,we systematically evaluated potential biomarkers,including proteins,metabolites,epigenetic markers,and exosomes,in the peripheral blood of PD patients.Protein markers are one of the main directions of biomarker research in PD.In particular,α‑synuclein and its phosphorylated form play a key role in the pathological process of PD.It has been shown that aggregation ofα-synuclein may be associated with pathologic protein deposition in PD and may be a potential marker for early diagnosis of PD.In terms of metabolites,uric acid,as a metabolite,plays an important role in oxidative stress and neuroprotection in PD.It has been found that changes in uric acid levels may be associated with the onset and progression of PD,showing its potential as an early diagnostic marker.Epigenetic markers,such as DNA methylation modifications and miRNAs,have also attracted much attention in Parkinson’s disease research.Changes in these markers may affect the expression of PD-related genes and have an important impact on the onset and progression of the disease,providing new research perspectives for the early diagnosis of PD.In addition,exosomes,as a potential biomarker carrier for PD,are able to carry a variety of biomolecules involved in intercellular communication and pathological regulation.Studies have shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD,and their detection in blood may provide a new breakthrough for early diagnosis.It has been shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD,and their detection in blood may provide new breakthroughs in early diagnosis.In summary,through in-depth evaluation of biomarkers in the peripheral blood of PD patients,this paper demonstrates the important potential of these markers in the early diagnosis of PD and in the study of pathological mechanisms.Future studies will continue to explore the clinical application value of these biomarkers to promote the early detection of PD and individualized treatment strategies.

Blood diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease for which the current treatment approaches remain severely limited.The principal pathological alterations of the disease include the selective degeneration of motor neurons in the brain,brainstem,and spinal cord,as well as abnormal protein deposition in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells.The biological markers under extensive scrutiny are predominantly located in the cerebrospinal fluid,blood,and even urine.Among these biomarke rs,neurofilament proteins and glial fibrillary acidic protein most accurately reflect the pathologic changes in the central nervous system,while creatinine and creatine kinase mainly indicate pathological alterations in the peripheral nerves and muscles.Neurofilament light chain levels serve as an indicator of neuronal axonal injury that remain stable throughout disease progression and are a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker with high specificity and sensitivity.However,there are challenges in using neurofilament light chain to diffe rentiate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from other central nervous system diseases with axonal injury.Glial fibrillary acidic protein predominantly reflects the degree of neuronal demyelination and is linked to non-motor symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis such as cognitive impairment,oxygen saturation,and the glomerular filtration rate.TAR DNA-binding protein 43,a pathological protein associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,is emerging as a promising biomarker,particularly with advancements in exosome-related research.Evidence is currently lacking for the value of creatinine and creatine kinase as diagnostic markers;however,they show potential in predicting disease prognosis.Despite the vigorous progress made in the identification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis biomarkers in recent years,the quest for definitive diagnostic and prognostic biomarke rs remains a formidable challenge.This review summarizes the latest research achievements concerning blood biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that can provide a more direct basis for the differential diagnosis and prognostic assessment of the disease beyond a reliance on clinical manifestations and electromyography findings.

Peripheral blood RNA biomarkers can predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Autologous cord blood vs individualized supplements in autistic spectrum disorder:CORDUS study results

BACKGROUND Cellular therapies have started an important new therapeutic direction in autistic spectrum disorder(ASD),and the ample diversity of ASD pathophysiology and the different types of cell therapies prompt an equally ample effort to employ clinical studies for studying the ASD causes and cell therapies.Stem cells have yielded so far mixed results in clinical trials,and at patient level the results varied from impressive to no improvement.In this context we have administered autologous cord blood(ACB)and a non-placebo,material intervention repre-sented by an individualized combination of supplements(ICS)to ASD children.METHODS CORDUS clinical study is a crossover study in which both oral ICS and intravenous ACB were sequentially administered to 56 children;ACB was infused as an inpatient procedure.Treatment efficacy was evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment at 6 months by an independent psychotherapist with Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist,Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and a 16-item comparative table score,after interviewing the children’s parents and therapists.Before and after each intervention participants had a set of blood tests including inflammatory,metabolic and oxidative markers,and the neuronal specific enolase.RESULTS No serious adverse reactions were noted during and after cord blood or supplement administration.ACB improved evaluation scores in 78%of children with age 3–7-years(n=28),but was much less effective in kids older than 8 years or with body weight of more than 35 kg(n=28;only 11%of children improved scores).ICS yielded better results than ACB in 5 cases out of 28,while in 23 kids ACB brought more improvement than ICS(P<0.05);high initial levels of inflammation and ferritin were associated with no improvement.Ample individual differences were noted in children's progress,and statistically significant improvements were seen after ACB on areas such as verbalization and social interaction,but not on irritability or aggressive behavior.CONCLUSION ACB has superior efficacy to ICS in ASD;high inflammation,ferritin,age and body weight predict less improvement;more clinical studies are needed for studying ACB efficacy in ASD.

Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow Dynamics in a Stenosed Artery Enhanced by Copper and Alumina Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology holds immense importance in the biomedical field due to its ability to revolutionize healthcare on a molecular scale.Motivated by the imperative of enhancing patient outcomes,a comprehensive numerical simulation study on the dynamics of blood flow in a stenosed artery,focusing on the effects of copper and alumina nanoparticles,is conducted.The study employs a 2-dimensional Newtonian blood flow model infused with copper and alumina nanoparticles,considering the influence of a magnetic field,thermal radiation,and various flow parameters.The governing differential equations are first non-dimensionalized to facilitate analysis and subsequently solved using the 4th order collocation method,bvp4c module in MATLAB.This approach obtains velocity and temperature profiles,revealing the impact of relevant parameters crucial in the biomedical field.The findings of this study underscore the significance of understanding blood flow dynamics in stenosed arteries and the potential benefits of utilizing copper and alumina nanoparticles in treatment strategies.The incorporation of nanoparticles introduces novel avenues for enhancing therapeutic interventions,particularly in mitigating the effects of stenosis.The elucidation of velocity and temperature profiles provides valuable insights into the behavior of blood flow under different conditions,thereby informing the development of targeted biomedical applications.The arterial curvature flow parameter influences temperature profiles,with increased parameters promoting more efficient heat dissipation.The elevated values of Prandtl number and thermal radiation parameter showcase the diminished temperature profiles,indicating stronger dominance of momentum diffusion over thermal diffusion and radiative heat transfer mechanism.Sensitivity analysis of the pertinent physical parameters reveals that the Prandtl number has the most significant impact on blood flow dynamics.A statistical analysis of the present results and existing literature has also been included in the study.Overall,this research contributes to advancing our understanding of vascular health and lays the groundwork for innovative approaches in stenosis treatment and related biomedical fields.

Effects of Environmental Lead Pollution on Blood Lead and Sex Hormone Levels among Occupationally Exposed Group in An E-waste Dismantling Area

Objective To study the effects of environmental multi-media lead pollution on blood lead and sex hormone levels among lead exposed males engaged in E-waste dismantling, and the correlation between confounding factors and sex hormone levels. Methods An E-waste dismantling area in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province was selected as the research site. One hundred and fifty two samples were collected from the groundwater, soil, rice, corn, chicken, and pork in the dismantling area. The effects of the multi-media lead pollution on the male blood lead and sex hormone levels of FSH, LH, and T, as well as the correlation with confounding factors, were studied. Results The blood lead concentrations in the males aged under 31, from 31 to 45 and from 46 to 60 were 98.55, 100.23, and 101.45 I~/L, respectively. Of all the environmental media lead exposures, the groundwater, rice and soil were main contributing factors to the lead accumulation in humans. FSH and LH levels increased with the age while the T levels decreased with the age instead. There was a significant correlation between the FSH and LH levels and wearing masks. Conclusion There was correlation between the FSH, LH, and T levels, and the mean values of lead concentrations in environmental media, and the sex hormone levels were correlated with the confounding factor of wearing masks.

Surveillance of Childhood Blood Lead Levels in 14 Cities of China in 2004-2006

Objective To investigate the blood lead level in children aged 0-6 years in urban areas of China. Methods Fourteen cities were selected as sites under surveillance. A total of 44 045 peripheral blood specimens were collected from 2004 to 2006, during which 15 727, 14 737, and 13 584 specimens were tested in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Tungsten atomizer absorption spectrophotometer was employed to determine blood lead level. Results The geometric mean blood lead level in the tested children was 47.10 μg/L with 10.10% ≥100 μg/L, 46.17 μg/L with 7.78% ≥100 μg/L, and 47.03 μg/L with 7.30% ≥ 100μg/L in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. The blood lead levels seemed to tend to rise in parallel with the increase of age of the children and were higher in boys （48.84 μg/L, 47.56μg/L, and 47.78 μg/L in the 3 respective years） than in girls （45.00 μg/L, 44.53μg/L, and 46.13 μg/L）. Conclusion The blood lead levels in children in cities of China are lower than those in previous national studies, but higher than those in developed countries. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Umbilical Cord Blood Lead Levels in Shanghai, China

This study was designed to determine the cord blood lead (BPb) levels of babies born in one urban area of Shanghai, and to preliminarily identify the demographic, social environment and prenatal factors which have an effect on the cord BPb concentrations. From August to November 1993, umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from 605 live newborns in the Yangpu Maternal and Child Hospital. 257 samples were excluded from measurement because of clotting. In 348 cord samples, the geometric mean of cord BPb levels was 9. 2μg/dl, with a 95 % confidence interval of the mean 8. 86-9. 54 (μg/dl). 142 babies (40. 8 % ) had cord BPb levels of 10μg/dl or greater. As a result of this high percentage of newborns with BPb levels equal to or greater than 10 μg/dl, we estimate that each year in the Shanghal City about 60,000 newborns are at risk for developing neuropsychological deficiencies caused by maternal lead exposure during pregnancy. To investigate the factors affecting cord blood levels, the subjects with levels greater than the 70th percentile (10. 7μg/dl) (n = 104) and less than the 3oth percentile (7. 4μg/dl) (n = 104) were selected to compare the demographic, environ ment and prenatal medical history. Increased BPb levels at birth were associated with maternal passive smoking, a family member being occupationally exposed to lead, proximity to major traffic way, household coal combustion, neighborhood coal combustion, low level of meternal occupations, and the increasing occurrence of having the high lead foodstuff pidan (preserved duck egg) during pregnancy. We conclude that prenatal lead exposure has become an impor tant health issue for young children in Shanghai

Association between Polymorphisms of MALAT1 and Blood Lead Levels in Lead-exposed Workers

Lead,a heavy metal,which is nonessential but may be harmful to the human body,has been widely used to manufacture many products for use in the modern world.Lead-acid batteries have the advantages of low price,high safety,and advanced technology.

A Systematic Assessment of Blood Lead Level in Children and Associated Risk Factors in China

In this study, we searched multiple databases for all relevant original articles (1996-2013). To investigate blood lead levels (BLL) and possible risk factors for lead exposure among children in China A total of 388 articles met our inclusion criteria. The overall geometric mean (GM) BLL was 71 μg/L, and the prevalence of elevated BLL (EBLL, defined as BLL &ge;100 μg/L) was 18.48% among children. The prevalence of EBLL remained significantly higher among boys. In children less than 6 years of age, there were significantly increasing trends in both BLL and prevalence of EBLL in an age-dependent manner. The ban on leaded gasoline significantly reduced the BLL as well as EBLL prevalence; however, children whose parents had lower educational levels or were exposed to lead in the workplace had a higher EBLL prevalence. Despite its decline over time, the average BLL among children in China remains higher than the average level most recently reported in the United States. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Blood Lead Dynamics of Lead-Exposed Pregnant Women and Its Effects on Fetus Development

The dynamics of blood lead (Pb-B) and blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP-B) of women in early pregnancy and parturient women with lead exposure and the effects on fetus development were investigated. Pb-B of lead-exposed women was high: 0.984 μmol/L (20.38 μg/dl) and ZPP was 84.52μg/dl. Cord blood Pb-B was 0.896 μmol/L(18.56μg/dl)and cord blood ZPP was 69.24μg/dl. In the control group, Pb-B was 0.261μmol/L(5.41μg/dl), ZPP-B, 37.59 μg/dl, cord blood, Pb-B 0.34 μmol/L (7.93 μg/dl), and cord ZPP-B 49.0μg/dl. There was a significant correlation between blood lead and blood ZPP, maternal Pb-B and cord Pb-B, maternal Pb-B and cord ZPP-B. The significance of the consistency of high level Pb-B and the effects on fetus development is discussed.

Contribution of Soil Lead to Blood Lead in Children: A Study from New Orleans, LA

In recent years, a significant number of environmental studies have been conducted in New Orleans, LA and surrounding Gulf Coast areas due in part to the occurrence of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Data collected from studies in the New Orleans area indicate that inorganic contaminants including arsenic (As), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and vanadium (V);high concentration of bioaerosols, particularly Cladosporium and Aspergillus, and several organic pollutants (PAHs, pesticides, and volatiles) may pose a risk to human health in New Orleans. While many of these results resemble historical data, a current quantitative exposure assessment has not been conducted. We engaged in one such assessment for lead (Pb) contamination in surface soils. We used Pb concentrations in surface soils ( μg/day to 102 μg/day for our study area within urbanNew Orleans. These data are concerning because children exposed to >33.5 μg/d Pb may cause their blood-Pb levels to exceed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) threshold for blood-Pb of 10 μg/dL. It has generally been accepted that a more protective blood Pb concentration threshold of 6 - μg/dL is warranted. Using the 6-μg/dL threshold puts children exposed to as little as 20.2 μg/day Pb at risk.

The Blood Lead, Blood Pressure Connection: An Evaluation of Apparently Healthy Lead Exposed Workers in Nigeria

Objective: There is a paucity of evidence on the lead exposure and blood pressure association in Nigeria where lead exposure is still prevalent and poorly regulated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between lead exposure using blood lead level and blood pressure in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional comparative study of adult subjects with occupational lead exposure and controls, performed in Port Harcourt, South-south Nigeria. Blood lead measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used as the biomarker of lead exposure while systolic and diastolic blood pressures and other relevant variables were measured and analysed. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in lead exposed subjects 118.49 (14.67) mmHg compared to controls 113.62 (11.31) mmHg (p = 0.008). No difference was observed in the mean diastolic blood pressure. A higher proportion of subjects had systolic and diastolic pressure > 140 mmHg and >90 mmHg compared to controls 9.47% vs. 1.25% and 10.51% vs. 2.54%, with (p = 0.016), OR = 8.27 , RR = 1.38 and (p = 0.028), OR = 4.59 , RR = 1.33 respectively. There was no significant statistical correlation between blood lead and blood pressure. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a significant systolic blood pressure elevation and prevalence of hypertension among lead exposed workers in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Lager longitudinal research is needed to evaluate lead exposure and elevated blood pressure association in Nigeria. The findings call for better regulation of occupational lead exposure in Nigeria.

Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy and Its Influencing Factors in Nanjing,China

Objective To investigate the blood lead levels （BLLs） in the duration of pregnancy and 6-12 weeks after delivery, and analyze the influencing factors of BLLs in healthy pregnant women. Methods Pregnant women were recruited from September 2009 to February 2010 at the prenatal clinic in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. Altogether 174 healthy pregnant women without pregnant or obstetric complications or abnormal pregnancy outcomes were enrolled as the gravida group, and 120 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group. BLLs during pregnancy were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results BLLs in all the three pregnancy trimesters and postpartum were 59.8±24.3, 55.4±20.1, 55.9±19.7, and 67.6±17.4 μ/L, respectively, and the mean BLL in control group was 67.5±21.3 μg/L. BLLs during all the three trimesters were lower in the gravida group than in the control group （P=0.043, 0.021, and 0.028）. Furthermore, occupations, nutrients supplementation, and time of house/apartment painted were associated with BLLs in pregnant women. Lead-related occupations, cosmetics use, and living in a house painted less than 1 year before are risk factors of high BLLs among pregnant women, while calcium, iron, zinc, and milk supplements are protective factors. Conclusion Supplementing calcium, iron, zinc, and milk, or avoiding contact with risk factors may help people, especially pregnant women, to reduce lead exposure.

Connecting inorganic mercury and lead measurements in blood to dietary sources of exposure that may impact child development

Pre-natal and post-natal chemical exposures and co-exposures from a variety of sources including contaminated air,water,soil,and food are common and associated with poorer birth and child health outcomes.Poor diet is a contributing factor in the development of child behavioral disorders.Child behavior and learning can be adversely impacted when gene expression is altered by dietary transcription factors such as zinc insufficiency or deficiency or by exposure to toxic substances permitted in our food supply such as mercury,lead,or organophosphate pesticide residue.Children with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders exhibit decreased or impaired PON1 gene activity which is needed by the body to metabolize and excrete neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides.In this current review we present an updated macroepigenetic model that explains how dietary inorganic mercury and lead exposures from unhealthy diet may lead to elevated blood mercury and/or lead levels and the development of symptoms associated with the autism and attention deficithyperactivity disorders.PON1 gene activity may be suppressed by inadequate dietary calcium,selenium,and fatty acid intake or exposures to lead or mercury.The model may assist clinicians in diagnosing and treating the symptoms associated with these childhood neurodevelopmental disorders.Recommendations for future research are provided based on the updated model and review of recently published literature.

Influence of Montmorillonite Nanocomposite on Tissue Levels of Lead and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Pigs Exposed to Lead

ABSTRACT： Eighteen （Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire） castrated boars, 55 days of age and weig- hing approximately 19 kg, were used to investigate the effects of montmorillonite nanocomposite on tissue levels of lead as well as changes in blood biochemical parameters in pigs fed lead contaminated diets. The barrows were randomly assigned to one of three treat- ments （n = 6） including a control which were fed a basal diet based on corn and soybean meal. The re- maining two groups were fed the basal diet supple- mented with 10 mg/kg lead either with or without 0.5% montmorillonite nanocomposite for 50 days. Pigs treated with lead had significantly increased lev- els of lead in their tissues. Lead accumulated in all tis- sues of the body with the highest accumulation found in the hair. When montmorillonite nanocomposite was given along with lead, tissue concentrations of lead did not differ from the control. Fecal excretion of leadincreased significantly in lead-exposed pigs treated with montmorillonite nanocomposite. A progressive and appreciable accumulation of lead was seen in blood with a concomitant increase in zinc protopor- phyrin levels during the course of treatment. Howev- er, zinc protoporphyrin levels did not differ from the control when montmorillonite nanocomposite was ad- ministered along with lead. The activity of ^-amino le- vulinic acid dehydratase in blood was significantly in- creased in lead treated pigs compared with the con- trol. However, in pigs treated with lead and montmo- riltonite nanocomposite in combination, the activity of δ-amino levulinic acid dehydratase was similar to con- trol pigs. Our results indicate that montmorillonite nanocomposite treatment of pigs exposed to lead re- suited in reduced lead concentrations in body tissues. It appears that montmorillonite nanocomposite func- tions by increasing fecal excretion of lead.