Elevated Levels of Lead (Pb) Identified in Georgian Spices.

Background: Human lead (Pb) exposure can result in a number of adverse health outcomes, particularly in children.

Objective: An assessment of lead exposure sources was carried out in the Republic of Georgia following a nationally representative survey that found elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children.

Methods: A range of environmental media were assessed in 25 homes and four bazaars spanning five regions.

Delayed neonatal lung macrophage differentiation in a mouse model of in utero ethanol exposure.

We have previously demonstrated that fetal ethanol exposure deranges the function and viability of the neonatal alveolar macrophage. Although altered differentiation of the alveolar macrophage contributes to pulmonary disease states within the adult lung, the effects of fetal ethanol exposure on the normal differentiation of interstitial to alveolar macrophage in the newborn lung are unknown. In the current study, using a mouse model of fetal ethanol exposure, we hypothesized that altered terminal differentiation of the neonatal interstitial to alveolar macrophage contributes to the observed cellular dysfunction in the ethanol-exposed newborn mouse.

N-acetylcysteine improves group B streptococcus clearance in a rat model of chronic ethanol ingestion.

Background: Sepsis is the most common risk factor associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and results in a 40-60% mortality rate due to respiratory failure. Furthermore, recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that a history of alcohol abuse increases the risk of ARDS by 3.6-fold.

In utero ethanol exposure impairs defenses against experimental group B streptococcus in the term Guinea pig lung.

Background: The effects of fetal alcohol exposure on the risks of neonatal lung injury and infection remain under investigation. The resident alveolar macrophage (AM) is the first line of immune defense against pulmonary infections. In utero ethanol (ETOH) exposure deranges the function of both premature and term guinea pig AM.