Selenium and vitamins status in Saudi children.

Background: Selenium is an essential element, and a cofactor required to maintain glutathione peroxidase activity. Its deficiency may induce modification in the cellular antioxidative status and the appearance of different diseases. Previous studies in Al-Kharj reported low selenium levels in the soil and the milk of lactating mothers living in that area.

A survey of ectoparasites in Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia.

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, Kelantan, Malaysia from 23-29 May 2003. A total of 272 animals comprised of 12 species of birds, 21 species of bats, 7 species of rodents and 2 species of insects were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, 5 species in 4 genera of ticks; 7 species in 2 families of Mesostigmatid mites and 5 species of chiggers were collected.

Is lead considered as a risk factor for high blood pressure during menopause period among Saudi women?

This case-control study was designed to examine the association between blood lead levels and high blood pressure in a restricted subpopulation, Saudi women who were 45-93-year old, during or after menopausal period and not occupationally exposed to lead. Blood lead levels were assessed in 100 women with hypertension and 85 control subjects. Lead concentrations were measured in the whole blood using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Comparison of mercury levels in various tissues of albino and pigmented mice treated with two different brands of mercury skin-lightening creams.

The use of mercury containing skin-lightening creams are becoming increasingly popular among dark-skinned women. The long-term use of certain brands may cause serious health effects over the years. In the present study, we investigated the dermal absorption of mercury and its accumulation in the tissues of albino and pigmented mice treated with two brands of mercury containing skin-lightening creams for a period of one months at different intervals.

Survival of Enterococcus faecalis in infected dentinal tubules after root canal filling with different root canal sealers in vitro.

Aim: To investigate the ability of different endodontic sealers and calcium hydroxide to kill bacteria in experimentally infected dentinal tubules.

Methodology: Fifty-six human root segments were enlarged to size 2 (ISO size 090) Largo Peeso Reamer. After treatment with 17% EDTA and 5% NaOCl for 4 min each, the specimens were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 3 weeks.

Heavy metal concentrations in the breast milk of Saudi women.

Lead, cadmium, and mercury concentrations were determined in breast milk of Saudi lactating mothers from Riyadh and Al-Ehssa regions in Saudi Arabia who were not occupationally exposed. The mean levels for cadmium, lead, and mercury were 1.732 microg/L, 31.

Histopathological effects of mercury in skin-lightening cream.

Rose skin-lightening cream with a mercury content of 77,513 +/- 71,063 ppm was selected and applied on mice for a period of 1 month at different intervals. Mercury levels were measured in a total of 58 liver, kidney, and brain tissue samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled to vapor generator accessory. The mean mercury concentration in the tissues of treated mice was 67,472 +/- 70,181 microg/g in the range of 0.

Adhesion of endodontic sealers: scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

The microscopic details of the debonded interfaces between endodontic sealers and dentin or gutta-percha were assessed in this study. Dentin, conditioned with 37% H3PO4 for 30 s, 25% citric acid for 30 s, 17% EDTA for 5 min, or a rinse with 10 ml of distilled H2O (control), and gutta-percha surfaces were coated with freshly mixed sealer: Grossman's sealer, Apexit, Ketac-Endo, AH Plus, RoekoSeal Automix, or RoekoSeal Automix with an experimental primer. The surfaces were pressed together and the sealers were allowed to set.

DDT and its metabolites in breast milk from two regions in Saudi Arabia.

A cross sectional study was designed to measure DDT residues and its metabolites in breast milk samples collected randomly from Saudi lactating mothers living in Al-Ehssa region; which was under leishmania control until 1995, and compare them to samples from mothers living in Riyadh region where no spraying activities was involved. p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDT residues were measured in 878 breast milk samples by Gas Chromatography/Electron Capture Detector (GC/ECD) and confirmed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer Detector (GC/MSD). Variation in the DDT and its metabolites levels were investigated with respect to regional distribution.

The effects of dentine pretreatment on the adhesion of root-canal sealers.

Aim: The adhesion of five root-canal sealers to dentine and gutta-percha was studied. The effects of various dentine pretreatments on adhesion were also investigated.

Methodology: Root dentine cylinders, 4 mm in diameter, were prepared from human teeth.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in five species of fish from three sites in the Arabian Gulf.

A gas chromatography-mass spectrmetroic (GC-MS) method was developed to measure six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 54 fish samples. Five fish species highly consumed by the local population (shrimps, Emperors, Rabbitfish, Doublebar Bream and Greasy Grouper) were selected from three different sites on the Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia where agricultural, municipal and petroleum industry activities take place. Variations in PAH levels among the three sites were not significant.

Preliminary report on the levels of elements in four fish species from the Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia.

This manuscript presents preliminary information on the concentrations of heavy metals: cadmium, lead, nickel, vanadium and arsenic in 66 fish samples of four different species collected from three different sites on the Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia where there are agricultural, municipality and petroleum industrial activities. Fish species; highly consumed by the local population were selected: Emperors, Rabbitfish, Doublebar-bream and Greasy-grouper to ascertain the fish quality for human consumption. The concentration of metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA).

Relationships between blood lead concentrations, intelligence, and academic achievement of Saudi Arabian schoolgirls.

This cross-sectional study examined the association between blood lead levels and neuropsychological and behavioural problems of 533 schoolgirls (6-12 years of age) who attended public schools in Riyadh, Capital of Saudi Arabia. Regression models were used to determine the best predictors of Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based scores and rank percentile. The mean blood lead level was 8.

Report on the levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in imported rice grain samples.

In an attempt to know whether highly consumed food might contribute to metal exposure, we analyzed cadmium, lead, and mercury in 27 rice grain samples commonly consumed in Saudi Arabia by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The mean concentrations and ranges of cadmium, lead, and mercury in tested rice samples were 20.261 (range View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in human brain tumors.

This article reports on the levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in 21 benign brain tumors and 23 malignant brain tumors. All measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectrometry following digestion by nitric acid. Average concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury in brain tumors were 2.

Selenium status in Saudi Arabia.

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring trace element that is essential for animal and human nutrition, but the range between dietary requirements and toxic levels is relatively narrow. In this review, we are interested in the beneficial effects of selenium and we report on a number of studies of the selenium status of different populations in Saudi Arabia. The Status reflects the geographical area inhabited by the populations.

Determinants of blood lead levels in Saudi Arabian schoolgirls.

Blood lead levels were measured in 538 girls aged 6 to 12 years who attended primary public schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Of the 538 screened children, 24.4% had blood lead levels > or =10 microg/dL, the Centers for Disease Control's level of concern.

The distribution of selenium levels in Saudi dairy farms: a preliminary report from Al-Kharj.

A survey was undertaken within four dairy farms in Al-Kharj area, Saudi Arabia, to measure the selenium (Se) content in the soil, alfalfa, and water samples. Selenium was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Selenium content in the studied soil samples was low, and, in some farms, the Se content of alfalfa approached that in the low-Se zone in China.

Survey of trace elements in household and bottled drinking water samples collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Total dissolved beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were measured in the drinking water of 101 households and 21 samples of retail bottled waters purchased in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to ascertain the water quality for human consumption. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP) was used for analysis. First-draw Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations decreased significantly after 10 min of flushing in the morning.

Residue levels of organochlorinated insecticides in breast milk: a preliminary report from Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Breast milk samples obtained from 115 mothers residing in Al-Kharj area, Saudi Arabia, were quantified by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for lindane, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, endrin, p,p-DDE, p,p-DDD, and p,p-DDT. The results showed that 80.9% of the samples contained p,p-DDT, 93.

Sources of lead in Saudi Arabia: a review.

Lead is a poison that affects virtually every system in the body. Children are more vulnerable to lead exposure than adults because of the frequency of pica, hand-to-mouth activity, and a greater rate of intestinal absorption and retention. Very acute lead exposure in children (blood lead levels > 80 microg/dL) can cause coma, convulsions, and even death.

Urinary mercury levels in females: influence of skin-lightening creams and dental amalgam fillings.

The influence of application of skin-lightening creams and dental amalgam fillings on the urinary mercury (Hg) level was evaluated in 225 females (ages 17 to 58 years) living in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. The arithmetic mean of the urinary Hg level was 6.96 +/- 20.

Selenium levels in infant milk formula.

Twenty-four brands of commercial infant milk formula were collected and analysed for selenium by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry with the hydride t-system after an acid digestion procedure. The mean selenium concentration was 49.0 +/- 11.