Heun Lee

Effects of iron therapy on blood lead concentrations in infants.

To determine whether blood lead concentration is elevated in iron-deficient infants, blood lead and serum ferritin concentrations, serum iron/transferring iron-binding capacity (Fe/TIBC) and complete blood counts were measured in 30 iron deficient and 35 control infants, aged 6-24 months. All 30 iron-deficient infants received iron supplementation (ferric hydroxide-polymaltose complex, 6mg/kg Fe(3+)/day) for 1-6 months. Blood lead concentrations were measured in 18 of the iron deficient infants after their ferritin levels returned to the normal range. The geometric mean blood lead concentration was higher in iron deficient than in control infants (1.846 vs. 1.416μg/dL). After iron therapy, the blood lead levels of iron-deficient infants decreased significantly compared with pre-treatment levels (1.785 vs. 2.386μg/dL), and the hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations increased significantly. These findings indicate that iron deficiency increases blood lead concentrations in infants with very low blood lead concentrations.

Decreased brain volumes in manganese-exposed welders

BACKGROUND A great deal of research has been devoted to identifying subclinical functional brain abnormalities in manganese (Mn)-exposed welders. However, no previous study has investigated morphological brain abnormalities, such as changes in brain volume, in welders. This study evaluates morphological changes in brain volume among welders, and investigates the relationship between structural brain abnormalities and subclinical dysfunction in this population. METHODS We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to assess differences in gray and white matter brain volumes between 40 welders with chronic Mn exposure and 26 age-matched control subjects. Correlation analyses were used to investigate the relationship between brain volume changes and decreased performance on neurobehavioral tests. RESULTS Brain volumes in the globus pallidus and cerebellar regions were significantly diminished in welders with chronic Mn exposure compared to controls (FDR-corrected P<0.05). These changes in brain volume were negatively correlated with cognitive performance and grooved pegboard scores. CONCLUSION There are measurable brain volume reductions in the globus pallidus and cerebellum of welders chronically exposed to Mn, and these volume reductions correlate with cognitive and motor neurobehavioral deficits. Our findings therefore indicate that volumetric measurement could be a useful subclinical marker among welders that show no signs of manganism.

Iron deficiency increases blood lead levels in boys and pre-menarche girls surveyed in KNHANES 2010–2011

INTRODUCTION We present data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-11 on the distribution of blood lead levels, and examine their association with iron deficiency in a representative sample of the adolescent Korean population. METHODS This study was based on data obtained from KNHANES, in which a rolling sampling design was used to perform a complex, stratified, multistage probability cluster survey of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea. Serum ferritin was categorized into three levels: low (serum ferritin <15.0μg/L), low normal (serum ferritin 15.0-30.0μg/L for girls and 15.0-50.0 for boys), and normal (serum ferritin ≥30.0μg/L for girls and ≥50.0 for boys), and its association with blood lead levels was assessed after adjustment for various demographic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS The geometric mean (GM) of blood lead in the low serum ferritin group was significantly higher than that in the normal group among boys but not girls. After controlling for covariates, multiple regression analysis showed that blood lead was inversely correlated with serum ferritin levels in boys and pre-menarche girls only. DISCUSSION The present study shows that iron deficiency increases blood lead levels in a representative sample of the male and pre-menarche female adolescent population, as evaluated in KNHANES. The confounding effect of estrogen on blood lead levels should be considered.

A Guillain-Barré Syndrome-like Neuropathy Associated with Arsenic Exposure

A Guillain‐Barré Syndrome‐like Neuropathy Associated with Arsenic Exposure: Sunyoung KIM, et al. Department of Neurology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Republic of Korea—

Associations between blood mercury levels and subclinical changes in liver enzymes among South Korean general adults: Analysis of 2008–2012 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey data

INTRODUCTION We herein used data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2012 to examine the associations between blood mercury levels and subclinical changes of liver function in a representative sample of the adult Korean population. METHODS This study was based on data obtained from KNHANES, in which a rolling sampling design was used to perform a complex, stratified, multistage probability cluster survey of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea. The associations between subclinical hepatic changes and blood mercury levels were assessed after adjustment for various demographic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that each doubling of blood mercury increased serum aspartate transaminase (AST) by 0.676U/L and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) by 1.067U/L. The mean differences (95% CI) in serum AST and ALT between the lowest and highest quartiles were statistically significant at 1.249 (0.263-2.235)U/L and 2.248 (0.648-3.848), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odd ratios for having serum AST and ALT levels above the median were statistically significant in both the models according to the increase of blood mercury. The risks of having serum AST and ALT levels higher than the median among subjects in 4th quartile of blood mercury were 1.524 and 1.947, respectively. DISCUSSION The present findings show that subclinical changes of liver function are associated with blood mercury levels. This is the first study to show an association between blood mercury levels and mild liver dysfunction, as a possible proxy measure of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in Asian population.

Evaluation of a novel device, high‐intensity focused ultrasound with a contact cooling for subcutaneous fat reduction

Non‐invasive devices for fat reduction involving high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are attracting attention. HIFU can deliver energy to the desired depth and can ablate subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), but purpura and pain may still limit its use.

Mevastatin suppresses melanogenesis by lowering the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cholesterol.

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Epidermal Growth Factor Attenuated the Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines in Human Epidermal Keratinocyte Exposed to Propionibacterium acnes

Background While the beneficial effects of topical epidermal growth factor (EGF) on wound healing have been repeatedly reported, there are few reports about the effects of EGF on inflammatory skin diseases including acne. Objective To clarify the effects of EGF on acne, it was investigated whether recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) signalling can affect Propionibacterium acnes-induced cytokine expression in human epidermal keratinocytes. Methods The cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHK) were co-treated with P. acnes and rhEGF, and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2); and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were determined. Specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure the IL-1α, IL-8 and TLR2 expression as well as the NF-κB activation in P. acnes and rhEGF-treated NHK. After infecting the cultured NHK with live P. acnes, an increased expression of IL-1α, IL-8 and TNF-α was detected, which was prevented by rhEGF co-treatment. Results TLR2 and NF-κB activity increased after P. acnes treatment, and rhEGF treatment decreased TLR2 expression and NF-κB activity dose-dependently. The inhibition of EGF receptor by gefitinib attenuated the inhibitory effect of rhEGF on these increased expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and TLR2 and activity of NF-κB in NHK stimulated by P. acnes. Conclusion These results suggest that EGF attenuated P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses, at least in part, through the modulation of TLR2 signalling, and the topical application of rhEGF may be beneficial to relieve the inflammatory reactions of acne.

Pallidal Signal Intensities on T1-weighted MRI are Highly Observed in Advanced Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Manganese (Mn) has been found to increase the signal intensity of the globus pallidus (GP) on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI). We performed this study in order to determine the features of liver disease that correlate with pallidal signal intensities. Methods: We assessed blood Mn levels and pallidal signals in T1-weighted MRI in 49 patients with liver cirrhosis and 23 healthy controls. Results: Increased signal intensity in the GP was observed in 30 of 49 (61.2%) patients with liver cirrhosis, with the pallidal index (PI) in patients with Child-Pugh classes B and C differing significantly from the PI in controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood Mn concentrations and Child-Pugh scores in cirrhotics were significantly associated with increased PI after controlling for other confounders (p＜0.05 each). Conclusions: Pallidal signals on T1-weighted MRI are mainly observed in advanced liver cirrhosis. The present study suggests that advanced liver cirrhosis may be a human model for manganism.