Number of bacteria decomposing organic phosphorus compounds and phosphatase activity in the sand of two marine beaches differing in the level of anthropopressure.

Number of heterotrophic bacteria ability to decompose organic phosphorus compounds and the level of phosphatase activity in the sand of two marine beaches (southern coast of the Baltic Sea) differing in the level of anthropopressure were studied. The study showed that the number of bacteria and level phosphatase activity were higher in the sand of the beach subjected to stronger anthropopressure. In both studied beaches bacteria hydrolysing DNA were the most numerous (92.7-302.8 CFU·g(-1) d.w.). The least numerous were phytin (26.0·10(3) CFU·g(-1) d.w.) and phenolphthalein diphosphate (11.1·10(3) CFU·g(-1) d.w.) decomposing bacteria. Number of bacteria able to attack tested organic phosphorus compounds were the most numerous in dry zones (10.77-739.92 CFU·g(-1) d.w.) then wet zones (3.34-218.15 CFU·g(-1) d.w.). In both studied beaches bacteria hydrolysing organic phosphorus compounds and phosphatase activity generally were more numerous in surface sand layer. Seasonal variation in the occurrence of bacteria in both studied beaches was observed.

[Chromium carcinogenicity]. / Rakotwórczosc chromu.

Chromium belongs to the group of trace elements hich are essential in numerous functions of the human body. Chromium deficiency may be responsible for various dysfunctions, whereas exposure to chromium at higher concentrations is toxic and may lead to the occurrence of neoplastic diseases. Epidemiological studies of chromium exposure proved its carcinogenity, and thus the IARC recognised Cr(VI) and its compounds as one of ascertained carcinogens. Some findings of these studies were reviewed in the first part of this work. The second part presents some molecular aspects of chromium carcinogenity which are still the subject of medical research. The direct and indirect effects of chromium and its compounds on DNA are analysed as are the relationships between the level of chromium oxidation and carcinogenity, and between the presence of reductants and the kind of DNA damage. Methods for the assessment of chromium mutagenity and genotoxicity are also discussed, and special attention is paid to tests of mutation in bacteria and yeast as well as to sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test.

Missed diagnoses in consultation liaison psychiatry.

In this article, an experienced consultation liaison psychiatrist presents several cases in detail that illustrate the wide range and complex natures of psychiatric patients seen on the medical and surgery floors. The cases presented appear as they would to the psychiatrist consulting within the hospital and represent a challenging test of the clinician's diagnostic skills, an experience encountered daily by the consultation liaison psychiatrist.

Profiles and treatment of attempted suicide by self-immolation.

Self-immolation represented 3.9% of patients (N = 7) at this burn unit over the last 18 months. Charts of these patients were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, hospital course, and discharge plan. All had a major psychiatric diagnosis, although no clear patient profile emerged. These patients required complex individualized care, but the psychosocial treatment challenges had many common elements. Psychiatric aspects of these patients proved problematic for the burn unit staff. Physical sequelae of the burns raised problems in arranging subsequent psychiatric treatment. Follow-up information was obtained by brief telephone interviews. The survivors appeared to be functioning well given their psychopathology and physical sequelae.

Heavy metals as indirect causative factors of capillaropathy.

By applying systemic analysis to a set of random variables, representing blood or urine concentrations of certain enzymes, lipids and metals, three direct causative factors of capillaropathy, in its early stage, i.e. leucine amino peptidase, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin and C(3)-complement, have been found. The interactions between the early stage of capillaropathy and these factors have been quantitatively described and a formula for prognosing the capillaropathy occurrence has been proposed. It has also been shown that the following heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Fe and Ca, through their direct or indirect interactions with C(3)-complement, exert an influence on the occurrence and intensity of capillaropathy. Since direct causative factors of a given pathology can serve as its markers, the completeness of the set of the capillaropathy markers, formed from the causative factors, and their contributions to this pathology have been evaluated. The results were obtained by examining a population of male residents chronically exposed to heavy metals (Pb, Cu) in the environment.

[Blood lipid parameters in smelters chronically exposed to heavy metals]. / Parametry lipidowe krwi u hutników dlugoletnio narazonych na metale ciezkie.

A group of 120 male workers, employed in copperworks (mean age = 41.5 years; mean exposure duration = 17,9 years) at workposts with the highest level of exposure to lead, were covered by the study. Blood levels of the following heavy metals were measured in all workers: Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg as well as concentrations of FEP and GSH, SOD activity in erythrocytes, parameters of lipid metabolism: total cholesterol, HDL2- HDL3-cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxides (LPO), and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. Mean blood lead level accounted for 251,86 micrograms/l, and mean level of FEP was slightly above normal. That may indicate moderate lead deposits in smelters. Concentrations of other metals remained within normal limits. No significant disturbances in lipid metabolism were observed. Along with expected positive correlation between lead blood level and FEP, a significant negative correlation between lead and cholesterol levels as well as between FEP and serum cholesterol was found. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between FEP and serum LPO, as well as a significant positive correlation between concentration and HDL2-cholesterol level and between FEP concentration and SOD activity in erythrocytes were noted. We believe that unexpected outcome of our investigations could result from the adaptation of healthy smelters to the environmental conditions. It is assumed that further exposure could weak antioxidant mechanisms and lead, in consequence, to the manifestation of symptoms induced by harmful effect of free radicals.

[Thyroid function in smelters after long-term exposure to heavy metals]. / Funkcja tarczycy u hutników dlugoletnio narazonych na metale ciezkie.

In the year 1995 in a group of 93 male workers of a copper smelter (mean age = 40,7 years, exposure time = 8,5 years) following parameters were measured: blood levels of: lead and cadmium; serum levels of copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium-with use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; FEP-with Piomelli's method; and T3, T4 and TSH in serum with radioimmunometric method. Mean blood lead level was 38,2 micrograms/dl, and concentrations of other metals and hormones were within norm limits. Mean level of FEP was slightly above norm (FEP = 106,5 micrograms/100 ml E). We found no correlation between investigated hormones (T3, T4 and TSH) and age, length of exposure nor blood lead level. We found a significant inverse correlation between FEP and TSH (r = -0,207; p < 0,047). This correlation could point to the fact that lead burden (expressed not in the actual blood level but in the FEP concentration) could negatively influence endocrine functions through hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

[Non-typical tumor of the left kidney]. / Nietypowy przypadek guza nerki lewej.

The paper presents the diagnosis and treatment of 62-years old male, admitted to the hospital with supposition of splenomegaly. X-ray of abdomen and urography showed in the location of left kidney irregularly calcified tumor with features of a huge mould concretion in the collecting system of the left kidney. After subsequent diagnostic procedures as: ultrasonography of abdomen, aortonephrography, CT, patient was qualified for surgical intervention. A large tumor (10 cm in diameter) with calcified walls, in part infiltrating mesenterium of large intestine suggesting neoplastic infiltration, was removed from extraperitoneal area. Histopathological examination identified the tumor as a defunct kidney filled with caseous masses, separated from the remains of kidney with calcified wall. No active tuberculosis was found in examined sections. The paper presents the problems in differential diagnosis of tumors localised in left hypochondrium.

Lead and cadmium concentrations in blood of people living near a copper smelter in Legnica, Poland.

Examination of 60 inhabitants (including 28 children) of a village 900 m from a copper smelter with concurrent monitoring of air pollution was performed. Blood levels of lead and cadmium were measured three times in five years. At the same time dust amounts and air-dust concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni and As were measured. In the first phase of the investigation, for nearly 60% of days Pb and Cu air concentrations exceeded 2-5 times the norm. In the third stage, after significant reductions of gas-dust emissions (copper from 992 to 47 tons/year, lead from 1720 to 30 tons/year) no excessive metal air concentrations are noted. In the first examination the average blood lead concentration was 0.766 +/- 0.14 microgram/ml (in the group of children 0.52 +/- 0.07 microgram/ml). After five years, there was a statistically significant decrease in the blood concentrations of lead, to 0.44 +/- 0.14 microgram/ml (children 0.31 +/- 0.05 microgram/ml), and cadmium, to 0.028 +/- 0.007 microgram/ml (children 0.019 +/- 0.004 microgram/ml). A big lead and cadmium load in the villagers, despite the substantial reduction of gas and dust emission, points to the contamination of the surroundings of the cooper smelter.

[An atypical case of acute zinc poisoning]. / Nietypowy przypadek ostrego zatrucia cynkiem.

The paper discussed a case of acute zinc intoxication in a 48-year old welder, after four days of cutting zinc-plated pipes with an oxy-acetylene torch, in poorly ventilated places. The zinc fever has been diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms and confirmed by laboratory findings: high zinc blood and erythrocyte concentration and increased urinary excretion of zinc. One year the intoxication the manifestations of the psycho-organic syndrome with predilection to pseudoneurotic reactions were still present. The non-standard factor in this case is the very short time of exposure to zinc oxide and the occurrence of chronic encephalopathy is also singular.

[Prospective examinations concerning the effect of exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons on health status]. / Prospektywne badnia nad wplywem weglowodorów aromatycznych na stan zdrowia.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the general and toxicological status of footwear factory workers exposed to toluene, benzene and trace amounts of chromium. The subjects were 80 persons who worked with the glue, and were professionally exposed to aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and benzene AT amounts not exceeding the TLVs. The mean age of the subjects was 46.89 years and the mean period of work 20.26 years. Complete internal and neurological examinations were carried out. The following parameters were determined: hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, reticulocytes, chromium, copper, zinc in serum and hippuric acid in urine (in 30 persons). In the examined group no changes in the leukocyte system were found. Two women had a lower hemoglobin level and erythrocyte count. In three persons thrombocytopenia was observed (3.75%). The mean metal levels in serum were within normal values. Only in 4 persons (5.0%) elevated levels of phenol in urine were found which indicated exposure to benzene. In 30 subjects (18 women and 12 men) (most exposed to toluene) the hippuric acid level in urine was examined. It was found to range from 130 mg/l to 2080 mg/l. In the control group not exposed to either of the solvents the level of hippuric acid in urine varied from 190 to 330 mg/l. There was little effect of aromatic hydrocarbons on hematopoiesis. The increased absorption of benzene or toluene found in the examined persons would indicate a necessity for biological monitoring of this group.

[Effect of combined exposure (noise, dust, nitrogen oxides) on health status of metal workers in heavy industry. Evaluation of erythrocyte metabolism]. / Wplyw narazenia mieszanego (halas, pyl, tlenki azotu) na stan zdrowia slusarzy fabryki przemyslu ciezkiego. Ocena metabolizmu krwinki czerwonej.

This paper presents the effects of combined exposure (noise, dust, nitrogen oxides) on the health condition of industrial workers, with special regard to red blood cell metabolism. 208 male industrial plant workers of the average age of 38.5 +/- 8.27 years and the average work period of 14.7 +/- 8.22 years were examined. The statistically significant increase of methemoglobin level was detected as well as some changes in erythrocyte metabolism in terms of increased activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and in vitro production of lactic acid in erythrocytes. The observed changes indicate the influence of exposure to nitrogen oxides and the resulting cellular adaptation to unfavourable working conditions (activation of the pentose cycle and of the final stage of anaerobic glycolysis cycle).

Levels of trace elements in the serum and erythrocytes and some parameters of erythrocyte heme metabolism (FEP, ALA-D, ALA-U) in copper foundry workers.

The study was designed to investigate the usefulness of some biochemical indices for determination of lead toxicity. In exposed and control groups, the following parameters were measured: concentration of lead in the blood, level of free erythrocyte protoporphyrins and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity of erythrocytes. Levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the serum and erythrocytes as well as of iron in the serum were determined. The chelation test was performed and excretion of lead, coproporphyrins and delta-aminolevulinic acid (in 24 hour urine sample before and after EDTA injection) identified only in the exposed group. Absorption of lead was significantly higher in the exposed group (increased blood lead level (Pb-B), free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) and decreased erythrocyte ALA-dehydratase (ALA-D) activity. Levels of copper and calcium in the serum and red blood cells were significantly lower in comparison with the controls. Iron and sodium concentration in the serum as well as levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium in erythrocytes were significantly higher in the exposed group. The chelation test in the exposed group showed a significantly increased excretion of lead in 24 hour urine sample. Concentration of delta-aminolevulinic acid in 24 hour urine sample was lower after EDTA injection.

Influence of heavy metal mixtures on erythrocyte metabolism.

Exposure of foundry workers to mixtures of different heavy metals is a very important toxicological problem. In this paper the estimation of the effects of lead, zinc, and copper on erythrocyte metabolism is presented. Concentrations of copper and zinc at work posts of the group examined did not exceed TLV, while lead concentration was 1.5 to 4 times higher than TLV. Erythrocyte metabolism was measured through activities of such glycolytic pathway enzymes as PFK, PGI, PK, aldolase and G6-PD from the hexose monophosphate pathway. Additionally the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) level, D-ALA activity, serum GSH level, 2,3 DPG level in erythrocytes and lactic acid production during a 2-h incubation of red blood cells (RBC) was estimated. The blood-lead level, FEP level, copper concentration in erythrocytes in exposed group were significantly higher than in control group while the zinc level in erythrocytes was significantly lower. Measuring erythrocyte metabolism we showed that the activity of PGI, PFK, aldolase, lactic production and 2,3 DPG levels was significantly higher in the exposed group, probably as a result of anaerobic glycolysis activation.