Heavy Metal Content in Thoracic Tissue Samples from Patients with and without NSCLC.

Objectives. Environmental factors expose an individual to heavy metals that may stimulate cancer growth preclinically including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Here, we examine the prevalence of four heavy metals present in postsurgical tissues from individuals with and without NSCLC. Materials and Methods. Thoracic tissue samples from two separate sample sets were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) content. Results. In the first sample set, there was no significant measurable amount of Pb and Hg found in either NSCLC tissue or nonmalignant lung tissue samples. Cd was the most prevalent heavy metal and As was present in moderate amounts. In the second sample set, Cd was measurable across all tissue types taken from 28 NSCLC patients and significantly higher Cd was measurable in noncancer benign lung (n = 9). In the NSCLC samples, As was measurable in moderate amounts, while Hg and Pb amounts were negligible. Conclusion. Cd and As are present in lung tissues for patients with NSCLC. With existing preclinical evidence of their tumorigenecity, it is plausible that Cd and/or As may have an impact on NSCLC development. Additional studies examining the prevalence and association between smokers and nonsmokers are suggested.

Identification of low bone mass in a developmental center: finger bone mineral density measurement in 562 residents.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to measure finger bone mineral density (BMD) in residents of a developmental center. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study performed during the residents' annual physical examination. SETTING: This study was conducted at a long-term care facility for people with severe developmental disabilities (mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism). PARTICIPANTS: Study participants included 562 (67%) of the 833 residents aged 30 years or more on whom we could measure BMD. MEASUREMENTS: We measured BMD by peripheral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on the residents' middle fingers by Accudexa. The instrument converted the BMD values into T-scores relative to the manufacturer's reference young healthy population. We retrieved the residents' clinical variables from a centralized database. RESULTS: T-scores for the 562 residents were: <-2.5 standard deviation (SD) (osteoporotic): 98 (17%), -2.5 SD>t <-1 SD (osteopenic): 156 (28%), and >-1 SD (normal): 308 (55%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that BMD was significantly lower in residents (compared with their counterparts) with inability to ambulate, male gender, white race, quadriplegia, profound mental retardation, and older age. CONCLUSION: There is a need for heightened osteoporosis surveillance and preventive effort in this population in which almost half of the residents had previously undiagnosed subnormal BMD, including one sixth who had osteoporosis.