Intermittent Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Capture due to Chronic Right Atrial Lead Dislodgement

A 58 year old male, known case of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, had undergone implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker(DDDR) in 2007 for complaints of recurrent syncope and trifascicular block with a normal ejection fraction andnormal coronaries. His post implantation parameters were normal at that time.He now presented to our pacemaker clinic where his ECG done showed two types o fpaced complexes. The first few complexes were consistent with atrial sensed right ventricular apical pacing with left superior axis. Later complexes showed loss of atrial sensing with pacing from right ventricular outflow tract(inferior axis) with subtle oscillation in it''s axis. On application of magnet, two pacemaker spikes were visible withinterspike interval of 120 ms and paced complexes with inferior axis starting from the first spike suggesting that the atrial lead was responsible for RVOT depolarization. On interrogation of the pacemaker, atrial EGM showed sensed activity from atrium followed by large sensed ventricular complex. Fluoroscopy confirmed that the atrial lead was dislodged and was intermittently prolapsing into the RVOT. Since the patient was asymptomatic, he refused any intervention and subsequentlyhis atrial lead was switched off by telemetry. The above case signifies that asymptomatic lead dislodgement is no talways manifested as loss of capture and even subtle variation of the axis o fthe paced complexes can provide us with a clue that can be confirmed by telemetry of the pacemaker and fluoroscopy.     

Metal‐Oxide‐Free Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells: the Influence of Organic Charge Transport Layers

Metal‐oxide‐free methylammonium lead iodide perovskite‐based solar cells are prepared using a dual‐source thermal evaporation method. This method leads to high quality reproducible films with large crystal domain sizes allowing for an in depth study of the effect of perovskite film thickness and the nature of the electron and hole blocking layers on the device performance. The power conversion efficiency increases from 4.7% for a device with only an organic electron blocking layer to almost 15% when an organic hole blocking layer is also employed. In addition to the in depth study on small area cells, larger area cells (approx. 1 cm^?2) are prepared and exhibit efficiencies in excess of 10%.     

Adsorption Optimization of Lead (II) Using Saccharum Bengalense as a Non-Conventional Low Cost Biosorbent: Isotherm and Thermodynamics Modeling

In the present study a novel biomass, derived from the pulp of Saccharum bengalense, was used as an adsorbent material for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution. After 50 minutes contact time, almost 92% lead removal was possible at pH 6.0 under batch test conditions. The experimental data was analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Timken and Dubinin-Radushkevich two parameters isotherm model, three parameters Redlich—Peterson, Sip and Toth models and four parameters Fritz Schlunder isotherm models. Langmuir, Redlich—Peterson and Fritz-Schlunder models were found to be the best fit models. Kinetic studies revealed that the sorption process was well explained with pseudo second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters including free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°) have been calculated and reveal the spontaneous, endothermic and feasible nature of the adsorption process. The thermodynamic parameters of activation (ΔG ^#, ΔH ^#and ΔS ^#) were calculated from the pseudo-second order rate constant by using the Eyring equation. Results showed that Pb (II) adsorption onto SB is an associated mechanism and the reorientation step is entropy controlled.     

Applicability of Heavy-Metal Phytoextraction in United Arab Emirates: An Investigation of Candidate Species

Phytoremediation of contaminated calcareous desert land in the United Arab Emirates has been investigated. Soils from 12 northern UAE sites, suspected of metal contamination, were acid-extracted and analyzed by ICP-OES for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Twenty-two plants naturally growing at contaminated sites were sampled and analyzed for their uptake of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn and eight commercially available plants, grown under controlled conditions, were also studied for their phytoextraction capabilities. The concentration of available Cr was found to be 1300 ± 150 mg/kg in the soil of the Ajman Industrial Zone and 80 ± 10 mg/kg of Pb was found at Bithna. Among the plants investigated, Portulaca oleracea and Iresine herbstii showed potential for Cr(VI) and Pb(II) accumulation, respectively, with bioconcentration factors (BCF) greater than unity. Atriplex halimus accumulated Co(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) each with a BCF > 1.     

A Conceptual Framework for the Interpretation of Biological Markers for Environmental Exposure Assessment

Human exposure to environmental contaminants occurs via air, water, soil, dust, food, and other environmental media. Given this multitude of sources, environmental exposure assessment is moving away from single route exposure assessment to more integrated measures of exposure. Biological markers are frequently advocated as appropriate exposure assessment tools since they provide a measure of internal dose integrated over all routes of exposure. However, contributing sources may be difficult to identify through use of biological markers, and thus, have had limited utility in the regulatory community. To explore the different perspectives on the use and application of biological markers for exposure assessors, epidemiologists, and regulatory personnel, we have developed a biological marker conceptual framework. This framework is developed as a paradigm for the interpretation of biological markers for environmental exposure assessment linking the exposure assessment and the health effects assessment perspectives regarding biological markers. Further, it incorporates issues of source-specific exposures, aggregate exposure assessment, route-specific contributions, and biological variation in response to exposure. This structure provides an approach to explore the current constraints in using biological markers to evaluate source-specific exposures. This framework is discussed in the context of currently available biological markers for lead, carbon monoxide, and toluene. Biological markers represent a complex tool to assess human exposures to environmental contaminants; the biological marker framework presents a structure for their interpretation recognizing that many of the determinants of exposure, bioavailablity, and toxicokinetics are still being evaluated. The conceptual framework presented here provides another tool for the researcher in assessing the utility of biological markers in exposure assessment and epidemiology.     

典型城市单元的土壤重金属溯源方法与实证研究

随着城市化进程的不断深入,土壤中重金属污染现状及其治理情况越来越受到重视,而查明污染源是有效治理污染的前提。源解析技术目前已广泛的应用于环境受体重金属来源解析实践中,总结了近年来土壤重金属成因分析的常用方法及原理,并提出了一种将多种方法相配合使用的方法体系。选取珠三角某市城郊农田作为研究对象,结果表明,Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、As存在含量超过国家农用地筛选值的情况,其中Cd超标率高达60.1%。农业活动、工业生产、交通源和自然母质均对研究区土壤重金属的累积产生一定的贡献。正定矩阵因子分析法(PMF,Positive Matrix Factorization)模型模拟的Cd、Ni、Zn和Hg预测值与实测值线性拟合r~2均大于90%,其余元素r~2均大于60%,呈现出很好的相关性,满足研究需要。PMF模型和铅同位素比值法计算得到的交通及农业对土壤Pb累积的贡献率之和分别为86.0%和84.8%,PMF模型和物质流分析法计算得到的农业对土壤Cd的贡献率分别为86.7%和79.7%,结果均比较接近。结果表明正定矩阵因子法、同位素比值分析法,物质流分析法能很好的联用应用于土壤重金属源解析研究。     

大气-土壤-小麦生态系统中铅的分布和迁移规律研究

研究铅在国道附近大气－土壤－小麦生态系统中的分布及其迁移规律。结果表明,大气中铅浓度与汽车流量成正比,而与风速、温度等相关性不明显;距公路越远,土壤及小麦中铅的含量越高,含是与距离呈一定的匀相关性,５ｍ及６０ｍ为其转折点;铅在土壤中由上上及在小麦体中由根向茎、穗的迁移较小;小麦各器官中铅含量大小依次为根〉叶〉穗〉茎〉籽。叶片、穗尚从大气中直接部分铅。在小麦不同生长阶段中,各器官积累铅量不同,其积累     

黔西北铅锌矿区植物群落分布及其对重金属的迁移特征

重金属耐性植物和超富集植物的筛选、鉴定和驯化是植物修复技术研究与发展的关键。以黔西北4个不同恢复年限的铅锌矿为研究对象,通过群落生态调查利用聚类分析方法筛选出研究区域中重金属耐性植物优势种,并分析其对重金属Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd的迁移富集能力。结果表明:4个矿区共发现高等植物22种,分属13科21属,筛选出9种重金属耐性植物优势种,其中转运系数大于1的植物有:黄花蒿(Cu)、珠光香青(Zn)、大叶醉鱼草(Zn/Pb/Cd)、野艾蒿(Cu/Zn/Pb/Cd);没有富集系数大于1的植物。其中大叶醉鱼草具有耐贫瘠、耐旱、生物量大等优势,可将其作为典型的重金属耐性先锋植物,用于矿区废弃地的植物修复。     

镉、铅对蟾蜍精巢毒作用的酶学研究

为研究镉、铅对精巢的生化毒作用机理 ,应用氯化镉、硝酸铅溶液对成年雄性蟾蜍进行腹腔染毒 (按镉计 0 .1、0 .2、0 .4、0 .8mg/ kg体重 ;按铅计 1、2、4、8mg/ kg体重 ) ,连续染毒 7d后活体解剖 ,测定分析精巢中各种酶的活性。结果显示 ,在镉染毒下 ,精巢乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)和酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)的活性随镉染毒剂量的增加而降低 ,而碱性磷酸酶 (AL P)未发现明显变化 ;在铅染毒下 ,乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)和碱性磷酸酶 (AL P)的活性随铅染毒剂量的增加而降低 ,而酸性磷酸酶 (ACP)未发现明显变化 ;乳酸脱氢酶 (L DH)同工酶在镉、铅染毒下则主要表现为酶带 L DH1 、L DH2 的抑制或缺失和 L DH5活性的增强。因此 ,镉、铅对蟾蜍的雄性生殖毒性机理可能与酶的活性存在着一定的关系 ,L DH可以考虑作为反映镉、铅中毒对精巢功能影响程度的一种有价值的生化指标     

PHYTOEXTRACTION OF METAL POLLUTED SOILS AROUND A Pb-Zn MINE BY CROP PLANTS

In order to assess their practical capability for the absorption and accumulation of Pb, Zn, and Cu, five common crop plants, i.e. maize (Zea mays), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), canola (Brassica napus), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and White lupine (Lupinus albus) were tested in pot experiments using six soil samples taken from mine tailings, pasture and arable soils around an old Pb-Zn mine in Spain. Metal concentration ranges of the soils were 76.2–785 mg kg^?1, 127–1652 mg kg^?1, and 12.4–82.6 mg kg^?1 for Zn, Pb, and Cu, respectively. With the exception of the highest polluted sample, soil total metal concentration did not influence significantly biomass yields of each crop for the different growth substrates. The order found for the total metal accumulation rate (TMAR) in the crops was Zn>>Pb > Cu, with maize reaching the highest metal concentrations. Pb root concentrations were markedly higher than those of shoots for all the crops, while Zn and Cu were translocated to shoots more efficiently. Concentrations of metals extracted by EDTA and BCR sequential extraction were well correlated, in general, with both root metal content and TMAR. CaCl₂-extracted Zn was well correlated with root concentrations, TMAR and, in some cases, with shoot contents. Our study showed that the test crops were not feasible to remediate the heavily or moderately contaminated soils studied here in order to achieve the total metal soil concentrations required by the current European laws.