Evaluation and updates to the Leggett model for pharmacokinetic modeling of exposure to lead in the workplace - Part II adjustments to the adult exposure model, confirmation of Leggett+, and modeling of workplace exposure.

California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has updated the comprehensive age-specific model of lead metabolism in humans published by Richard W. Leggett in 1993. The updated model, called Leggett+, was introduced in a peer-reviewed report in 2013.

Evaluation and updates to the Leggett model for pharmacokinetic modeling of exposure to lead in the workplace - Part I adjustments to the adult systemic model.

California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health has initiated a process to update its standards for exposure to lead in workplaces. In support of this effort, the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment evaluated the age-specific, bio-kinetic model of lead metabolism in humans, originally published by R.W.

Multicenter Prospective Clinical Series Evaluating Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Painful Spine Metastases.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of vertebral body metastases (VBM) has been reported as safe and effective in retrospective studies. This single-arm prospective multicenter clinical study evaluates RFA in the treatment of painful VBM.

Methods: Fifty patients with VBM were prospectively enrolled during a 13-month period at eight US centers under an IRB-approved study.

Treatment strategies for primary hyperparathyroidism: what is the cost?

Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) contributes to the onset of many chronic conditions. Although parathyroidectomy is the only definitive treatment, observation remains a valid option. Over a 3-year span, a major health plan was queried for HPT and benign parathyroid neoplasm.

Using the modern Silverhawk™ atherectomy catheter to characterize biliary structures that appear malignant: review of initial experience.

Background: Diagnosis of a biliary stricture often hinges on cytological interpretation. In the absence of accompanying stroma, these results can often be equivocal. In theory, advanced shave biopsy techniques would allow for the preservation of tissue architecture and a more accurate definition of biliary pathology.

Evaluation of gastropexy and stoma tract maturation using a novel introducer kit for percutaneous gastrostomy in a porcine model.

Background: Fluoroscopic placement of percutaneous gastrostomy (PG) requires the use of T-bar fasteners to affix the stomach to the anterior abdominal wall; the effect of T-fasteners on stoma tract maturation is unknown. The authors studied PG stoma tract maturation, comparing PG + gastropexy with standard percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

Methods: Sixteen pigs underwent PG placement using a novel introducer kit.

A blood lead benchmark for assessing risks from childhood lead exposure.

Lead exposure is an insidious problem, causing subtle effects in children at low exposure levels where clinical signs are not apparent. Although a target blood lead concentration (Pb(B)) of ten micrograms per deciliter (10 microg/dL) has been used as the basis for environmental decision-making in California for nearly two decades, recent epidemiologic evidence suggests a relationship between cognitive deficits and Pb(B) at concentrations < 10 microg/dL. Based on a published meta-analysis of children's IQ scores and their blood lead concentrations, we developed a new blood lead benchmark: an incremental increase in blood lead concentration (DeltaPb(B)) of 1 microg/dL, an increase that we estimate could decrease the IQ score in an average school child in California by up to one point.

Multiple sequence variants in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia cases: illustration of complexity in molecular diagnostic interpretation.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in the ACVRL1 and ENG genes characterized by arterio-venous malformations and telangiectases. Over 700 mutations have been described in these two genes, and missense mutations are common. We describe 10 cases in which more than one potentially pathogenic mutation was identified.

Superoxide dismutase A antigens derived from molecular analysis of sarcoidosis granulomas elicit systemic Th-1 immune responses.

Background: Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic granulomatous disease with pathologic and immunologic features similar to tuberculosis. Routine histologic staining and culture fail to identify infectious agents. An alternative means for investigating a role of infectious agents in human pathogenesis involves molecular analysis of pathologic tissues for microbial nucleic acids, as well as recognition of microbial antigens by the host immune system.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 85A induces Th-1 immune responses in systemic sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, characterized by a Th-1 immunophenotype. Although humoral immune responses by sarcoidosis subjects to mycobacterial proteins have been detected, mycobacterial antigens capable of inducing cellular immune responses in sarcoidosis subjects have not been reported. We used the enzyme-linked immunospot assay to assess for recognition of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycolyl transferase, Antigen 85A, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 25 sarcoidosis subjects, 22 PPD- (purified protein derivative) healthy volunteers, and 16 PPD+ healthy subjects.

Portable X-ray fluorescence in the characterisation of arsenic contamination associated with industrial buildings at a heritage arsenic works site near Redruth, Cornwall, UK.

An investigation using in situ analysis by portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) has shown that contamination present on industrial buildings at a heritage arsenic works site near Redruth, Cornwall, UK results from the absorption of arsenic by porous and semi-porous building materials that were in contact with arsenic-rich flue gases. Results from a preliminary survey indicate that arsenic remains locked in these materials and is being gradually leached out by weathering processes. This weathering causes general contamination of the adjacent building surfaces averaging 1845 microg g(-1) arsenic, presumably caused by evaporation of leach solutions in contact with air at the surface of the building materials.