A clinical study of the effects of lead poisoning on the intelligence and neurobehavioral abilities of children

BACKGROUND: Lead is a heavy metal and important environmental toxicant and nerve poison that can destruction many functions of the nervous system. Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by increased levels of lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and issues, including the central nervous system. It interferes with the development of the nervous system, and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent neural and cognitive impairments. In this study, we investigated the relationship between lead poisoning and the intellectual and neurobehavioral capabilities of children. METHODS: The background characteristics of the research subjects were collected by questionnaire survey. Blood lead levels were detected by differential potentiometric stripping analysis (DPSA). Intelligence was assessed using the Gesell Developmental Scale. The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate each child’s behavior. RESULTS: Blood lead levels were significantly negatively correlated with the developmental quotients of adaptive behavior, gross motor performance, fine motor performance, language development, and individual social behavior (P < 0.01). Compared with healthy children, more children with lead poisoning had abnormal behaviors, especially social withdrawal, depression, and atypical body movements, aggressions and destruction. CONCLUSION: Lead poisoning has adverse effects on the behavior and mental development of 2–4-year-old children, prescribing positive and effective precautionary measures

The Correlation of <i>MGMT</i> Promoter Methylation and Clinicopathological Features in Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>The silencing of the tumor suppressor gene O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (<i>MGMT</i>) by promoter methylation commonly occurs in human cancers. The relationship between <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation and gastric cancer (GC) remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the potential value of <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation in GC patients. Electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to evaluate the effects of <i>MGMT</i> methylation on GC risk and clinicopathological characteristics. In total, 31 eligible studies including 2988 GC patients and 2189 nonmalignant controls were involved in meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis, <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation was significantly associated with GC risk (OR = 3.34, P < 0.001) and substantial heterogeneity (P < 0.001). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses based on the testing method, sample material and ethnicity failed to explain the sources of heterogeneity. Interestingly, <i>MGMT</i> methylation showed a trend associated with gender, and methylation is lower in males compared with females (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.56–1.03). We did not find a significant association in relation to tumor types, clinical stage, age status or <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> status in cancer (all P > 0.1). <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation may be correlated with the prognosis of GCs in disease free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) for univariate analysis. <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation may play a crucial role in the carcinogenesis and prognosis of GC. <i>MGMT</i> methylation was not correlated with tumor types, clinical stage, age status, <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> status. However, the result of the association of <i>MGMT</i> methylation and gender should be considered with caution.</p></div

Meta-regression analysis in cancer vs. control.

<p>Meta-regression analysis in cancer vs. control.</p

The correlation of <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation and clinicopathological features.

<p>The correlation of <i>MGMT</i> promoter methylation and clinicopathological features.</p

Forest plot of the correlation between <i>MGMT</i> methylation and GC.

<p>Forest plot of the correlation between <i>MGMT</i> methylation and GC.</p

The summary of OR in cancer vs. control.

<p>The summary of OR in cancer vs. control.</p

Forest plot of the correlation between <i>MGMT</i> methylation and gender.

<p>Forest plot of the correlation between <i>MGMT</i> methylation and gender.</p

Flow chart of the literature search strategy.

<p>Flow chart of the literature search strategy.</p

Seizure freedom in epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) through vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy: A case report

AbstractVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is generally considered as a palliative treatment for patients with drug-resistant partial-onset epilepsy. We report a case in which a patient with drug-resistant epilepsia partialis continua (EPC), became seizure-free for 15months with VNS combined with antiepileptic medication regimens. To our knowledge, similar cases have not been reported previously