The Effects of Gunshot Residue Components (Pb, Ba, and Sb) on the Life History Traits of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of gunshot residue (GSR) components (Pb, Sb, and Ba) on the life history parameters of Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). This experiment was carried out at the Zoology Department, the Ondokuz Mayıs University in 2020. About 50 larvae, respectively were exposed to the chicken liver with four different concentrations of GSR particles and life history parameters recorded. A two-way analysis of variance (Two way ANOVA) was used on the larval weight, and length, development time, percentage of pupal and larval survival. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between life-history parameters and the concentration of GSR. The total development times decreased with increasing Sb, Ba, and Pb concentrations in the diets 1-3 d when compared to the control The results showed that Ba and Sb significantly decreased larval and pupal survival and GSR decreased the pupa and adult weight as compared to the control. We concluded that life-history parameters of L. sericata are sensitive to GSR residue and heavy metal changes in the environment. The presence of gunshot residue in the corpse should be kept in mind in a criminal investigation.

A Need for a Diagnostic Management Protocol in Barium Aspiration

We experienced a patient who presented with lung abscess one month after aspirating barium during a gastric cancer screening examination. The patient had no subjective symptoms suggesting a swallowing disorder. Rigorous history taking under suspicion of aspiration and a further assessment of the cause of aspiration revealed hypopharyngeal cancer. Lung abscess and hypopharyngeal cancer, both treatable but potentially fatal conditions, were not diagnosed until one month after the aspiration. This highlights the need for guidance for patients and physicians to follow in the event of barium aspiration, as it is the most common complication of a barium examination. A health checkup for one condition (gastric cancer) may also be an opportunity to diagnose another underlying condition.

Unusual focal opacities in the lungs

[No Abstract Available].

Phytoremediation of barium-affected flooded soils using single and intercropping cultivation of aquatic macrophytes

Aquatic macrophytes are potentially useful for phytoremediation on flooded areas. A field study in Brazil was conducted to evaluate Eleocharis acutangula (E), Cyperus papyrus (C) and Typha domingensis (T) in monocropping and intercropping, aiming to phytoremediate barium-polluted flooded soils. The treatments were: monocroppings (E, C and T); double intercroppings (EC, ET and CT); and triple intercropping (ECT). The 180-d field trial was performed in a flooded area with high barium content, with a randomized complete block design and three replicates. Plant stand size, biomass yield, and Ba concentration aboveground/Ba concentration in roots (translocation factor - TF) as well as Ba mass aboveground/Ba mass in roots (mass translocation factor - mTF) were determined. Most of the treatments did not differ on dry biomass, except for EC, which showed the lowest yield. Consistently with its biology, E. acutangula in monocropping showed the largest plant stand. Otherwise, intercroppings with T. domingensis achieved the highest amounts of barium absorbed from the soil and transferred most of the barium content from belowground to aboveground (mTF > 1.0), especially ET, which showed the highest mTF among the intercroppings (2.03). Remarkably, TF values did not reflect such phytoextraction ability for CT and ECT. Thus, mTF was more appropriate than TF to assess phytoextraction capacity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that intercropping can increase barium uptake from flooded soils. Particularly, the intercropping ET constituted the most cost-effective treatment, with the cyperaceous species providing high plant coverage while T. domingensis facilitated barium removal by translocating it to the aboveground biomass.

Zinc and selenium modulate barium-induced oxidative stress, cellular injury and membrane-bound ATPase in the cerebellum of adult rats and their offspring during late pregnancy and early postnatal periods

CONTEXT

Barium (Ba) may induce oxidative stress leading to tissues injury.

OBJECTIVE

Our study investigated the therapeutic efficiency of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) against neurotoxicity induced by Ba in adult rats and their progeny.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Pregnant rats are exposed either to Ba (67 ppm), Ba + Zn, Ba + S or to only Zn and Se.

RESULTS

In Ba-treated rats, there was an increase of MDA, H₂O₂, AOPP levels and SOD activity in the cerebellum of dams and their pups, a decrease in GPx, CAT, AChE, Na⁺K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, GSH and NPSH levels. These changes were confirmed by histological damages. Co-administration of Zn or Se to Ba-treated rats ameliorated the biochemical and histological aspects.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that Zn and Se have shown promising effects against Ba toxicity in the cerebellum of adult rats and their suckling pups.

Liver Abscess and Portal Vein Thrombosis Due to Ileal Diverticulitis Mediated by Barium Fluoroscopy

We report a case of liver abscess and portal vein thrombosis, which occurred due to diverticulitis at the terminal ileum in a 59-year-old man. The patient underwent a barium fluoroscopic examination 1 month before presenting to our hospital. He also showed liver dysfunction due to thrombosis at the superior mesenteric and portal veins. His inflammation gradually subsided after the initiation of treatment, but the recovery was not sufficient. Thus, surgery was performed. The patient condition improved after surgery and he was discharged. Barium examinations are relatively safe, but can sometimes cause severe adverse effects in patients with certain risk factors, and an appropriate diagnosis and treatment are necessary when symptoms appear.

[A Case of Small Intestinal Metastasis with Intussusception Due to Barium]

A 48-year-old man noticed nausea and took health examination. After chest X-ray and gastrointestinal barium study was underwent, he was referred to our hospital because of abnormal shadow in the chest X-ray. CT scan revealed about 4 cm tumor in the hilum of left lung and target sign in the small intestine. He was diagnosed with intussusception and emergency operation was performed. During the laparotomy, we found 2 intussusceptions in the small intestine and we performed manual reduction using Hutchinson's maneuver. We confirmed the mass in oral side of the intussusception site but we did not confirmed any tumor in anal of the intussusception. This suggests the intussusception was caused by barium. Finally 3 small intestine tumor was observed and we resected and reconstructed each of the tumor. Histopathological examination showed small intestinal metastasis from pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

Epidemiological analysis of the association between hearing and barium in humans

Our previous study experimentally showed barium (Ba)-mediated hearing loss in mice. To our knowledge, however, it remains unknown whether Ba affects hearing in humans. This epidemiological study aimed at investigating ototoxicity of Ba in humans. Associations of Ba levels in hair, toenails and urine with hearing levels (1, 4, 8 and 12 kHz) were analyzed in 145 Bangladeshi subjects. Binary logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and smoking showed that Ba levels in hair had significant associations with hearing loss at 8 kHz (OR=4.75; 95% CI: 1.44, 17.68) and 12 kHz (OR=15.48; 95% CI: 4.04, 79.45). Ba levels in toenails were also associated with hearing loss at 8 kHz (OR=3.20; 95% CI: 1.35, 7.85) and 12 kHz (OR=3.63; 95% CI: 1.58, 8.55), whereas there was no correlation between Ba level in urinary samples and hearing. There was a significant correlation between hearing loss and Ba levels in hair and toenails in the model adjusted with arsenic levels as the confounder. In conclusion, this study suggested that Ba levels could be a new risk factor for hearing loss, especially at high frequencies of 8 and 12 kHz, in humans.

Prolonged Barium-Impaction Ileus in Two Lung Transplant Recipients With Systemic Sclerosis: Case Report

Lung transplantation can be a life-saving measure for people with end-stage lung disease from systemic sclerosis. However, outcomes of lung transplantation may be compromised by gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic sclerosis, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal and gastric disease can be managed by enteral feeding with the use of a gastrojejunal feeding tube. In this report, we describe the clinical courses of 2 lung transplant recipients with systemic sclerosis who experienced severe and prolonged barium-impaction ileus after insertion of a percutaneous gastrojejunal feeding tube.

When to Order a Contrast-Enhanced CT

Family physicians often must determine the most appropriate diagnostic tests to order for their patients. It is essential to know the types of contrast agents, their risks, contraindications, and common clinical scenarios in which contrast-enhanced computed tomography is appropriate. Many types of contrast agents can be used in computed tomography: oral, intravenous, rectal, and intrathecal. The choice of contrast agent depends on route of administration, desired tissue differentiation, and suspected diagnosis. Possible contraindications for using intravenous contrast agents during computed tomography include a history of reactions to contrast agents, pregnancy, radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid disease, metformin use, and chronic or acutely worsening renal disease. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria is a useful online resource. Clear communication between the physician and radiologist is essential for obtaining the most appropriate study at the lowest cost and risk to the patient.

Barium appendicitis after upper gastrointestinal imaging

BACKGROUND

Barium appendicitis (BA) is a rarely seen entity with fewer than 30 reports in the literature. However, it is a known complication of barium imaging.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of BA in a patient whose computed tomography (CT) scan was initially read as foreign body ingestion.

CASE REPORT

An 18-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain after upper gastrointestinal imaging 2 weeks prior. A CT scan was obtained of his abdomen and pelvis that revealed a finding that was interpreted as a foreign body at the area of the terminal ileum. A plain X-ray study of the abdomen revealed radiopaque appendicoliths. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of barium appendicitis.

CONCLUSIONS

BA is a rare entity and the pathogenesis is unclear. Shorter intervals between barium study and presentation with appendicitis usually correlate with fewer complications.

A barium chemobezoar in an infant

A case report is presented of an infant who developed a large barium concretion proximal to a jejunal anastomosis. A brief literature review outlines the issues involved in the indications for, and choice of, contrast material for use in the precise radiological diagnosis of upper intestinal obstruction in infants.

Traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula in a 5-year old

Tracheosophageal fistula following blunt trauma is rare and diagnosis and management can be difficult. All reported cases have involved victims above 12 years of age. Here we report the anesthesia management, for surgery, of a tracheoesophageal fistula caused by blunt trauma in a 5-year-old boy.

Colon ischaemia secondary to barolith obstruction

A case is described of an elderly woman who developed an obstructing barolith in the sigmoid colon following a barium enema. Colonic ischaemia developed in the proximal colon. Predispositions and prevention of baroliths are discussed.

Preliminary assessment of potential health hazards associated with barium leached from glazed ceramicware

Ceramic glazes contain several elements which have the potential to leach into food or beverages that are held or stored in ceramicware. Recently, barium salts have been investigated as one of the alternatives to lead in frit formulations for glazes. This preliminary evaluation addresses the potential health hazards associated with barium at levels that might leach from glazed ceramicware. A set of specialty ceramicware, consisting of five teacups and a pitcher, was examined for extractable barium. Exposure to barium that adults (18-44 years) might encounter using the vessels for coffee, tea, or orange juice was estimated. The exposure estimate was derived from values for intakes of the beverages and for the barium migration from glazed ceramicware test samples. An established reference dose (RfD) for barium exposure for the critical effect of hypertension was identified. The potential hazard associated with the leaching of barium from glazed ceramicware varied with the level of use. Consuming beverages in amounts up to the 95th percentile would not result in total barium intake in amounts that exceed the RfD; consuming large quantities (> 95th percentile) of beverages such as tea or coffee from glazed vessels might. This suggests that for a small portion of the population of users, intake of barium may be in quantities that warrant further consideration as a potential health hazard. Analyses of a broad sample of ceramicware and study of barium leaching behaviour under actual use conditions are needed to assess further the significance of these findings.

Anaphylaxis to carrageenan: a pseudo-latex allergy

BACKGROUND

Anaphylactic reactions during a barium enema have been attributed to allergy to latex on the barium enema device. The observation of anaphylaxis during barium enema without latex exposure or latex allergy led to the performance of an allergy skin test to the barium enema solution.

METHODS

Individual components of the barium enema solution were obtained for double-blind skin testing. A RAST to identify specific IgE antibodies to the skin test active agent was established.

RESULTS

Carrageenan, a component of the barium enema solution, produced positive reactions to allergy skin test and RAST. Gastrointestinal symptoms for which the patient was being investigated by the barium enema subsequently disappeared with a diet free of carrageenan.

CONCLUSIONS

Carrageenan is a previously unreported cause of anaphylaxis during barium enema. It is an allergen widely distributed in common foods and potentially could account for some symptoms related to milk products or baby formula.

Severe complications following a "barium swallow" investigation for dysphagia

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the risks of investigation of patients with swallowing disorders by "barium swallow", when the disorders may arise from dysfunction of the upper swallowing tract.

CLINICAL FEATURES

An 81-year-old Italian woman presented to her local doctor with a history of dysphagia of five days' duration. A barium swallow resulted in aspiration of a large amount of barium into the right main bronchus, causing severe problems. After a period of intensive respiratory care including intubation and continuous positive airway pressure, she recovered sufficiently to be referred to a rehabilitation unit. She had mild hemiplegia but severe dysphagia, secondary to a brain stem infarct.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME

Persisting severe dysphagia was confirmed, with extreme risk of aspiration. The patient underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and was discharged to live independently, but requiring long-term gastrostomy feeding.

CONCLUSION

When a patient presents with dysphagia, great care should be taken to exclude upper tract dysfunction with its attendant risk of aspiration, generally by referral to a centre or consultant with expertise in this area, before ordering or carrying out investigations appropriate to disorders of the lower tract.

Exposure to soluble barium compounds: an interventional study in arc welders

Soluble barium (Ba) compounds are well-known toxicants. Intoxications are mainly known in an acute form from casual or suicidal oral ingestion. No scientifically based data are available on possible health effects of inhalative exposure to soluble Ba salts at the workplace. Therefore, we investigated 18 welders in an interventional study over 1 week. They performed welding of Ba-containing stick electrodes and self-shielded flux cored wires under conditions similar to real working conditions. The welding fumes contained 31%-37% Ba, more than 90% of which was soluble in acids. Without appropriate preventive measures, a high rate of measurements exceeded the TLV values for total welding fumes of 5 mg/m3 and for soluble Ba of 0.5 mg/m3. The median fume concentrations were 13.2 mg/m3 in stick electrode welding and 12.3 mg/m3 in flux cored wire welding. The median Ba concentrations were 4.4 and 2.0 mg/m3 respectively. An integrated exhaust system built into the gun proved to be efficient in flux cored wire welding. The internal exposure to Ba reached median urine levels up to 101.7 micrograms/l (normal: below 20 micrograms/l) and median plasma concentrations of up to 24.7 micrograms/l (normal: below 8 micrograms/l). No health impact on the welders could be proven, but hypokalemia may have occurred as a result of the Ba exposure.

[Pseudotumoral reaction to barium used as contrast media in acrylic cement]

After some considerations about the importance of biomaterials in orthopedic surgery, the authors report a clinical case of a 72 years old male who had a cemented total hip replacement 17 years before and developed a mass against barium in the right pelvis.

Hypertension and associated cardiovascular abnormalities induced by chronic barium feeding

Because high barium concentrations (2-10 ppm) in human drinking water have been reported to be associated with elevated cardiovascular mortality, hypertension and other cardiovascular effects were sought in rats chronically exposed for 1-16 mo to drinking water containing 1, 10, or 100 ppm barium. From weaning, female Long-Evans rats were kept in a "low contamination" environment and fed a diet low in trace metals. Their drinking water was deionized, fortified with 5 essential trace metals, and either 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm barium was added. Indirect systolic pressure of unanesthetized rats was measured in triplicate at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 mo. Average systolic pressure increased significantly after exposure to 100 ppm barium for 1 mo or longer and after exposure to 10 ppm barium for 8 mo or longer. After 4 or 16 mo, barium exposure failed to alter organ weights or tissue concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, or potassium; however, both 10 and 100 ppm barium resulted in significant increases in tissue barium. Rats exposed to 100 ppm Ba for 16 mo exhibited depressed rates of cardiac contraction and depressed electrical excitability in the heart. Hearts from these maximally exposed rats also had significantly lower ATP content and phosphorylation potential, as measured by 31P NMR spectroscopy. Although the barium-induced increase in the blood pressure of rats was modest, comparable mild hypertension in humans would have major health implications.

Acute paralysis from inhaled barium carbonate

A young chrome-plating worker suffered life-threatening hypokalemic paralysis when barium powder, used in cleaning the chrome tanks, blew back into his face.

Silicosis in barium miners

Four men who mined barytes in Scotland and who developed pneumoconiosis are described. Three developed progressive massive fibrosis, from which two died; and one developed a nodular simple pneumoconiosis after leaving the industry. The radiological and pathological features of the men's lungs were those of silicosis and high proportions of quartz were found in two of them post mortem. The quartz was inhaled from rocks associated with the barytes in the mines. The features of silicosis in barium miners are contrasted with the benign pneumoconiosis, baritosis, that occurs in workers exposed to crushed and ground insoluble barium salts. Diagnostic difficulties arise when silicosis develops in workers mining minerals known to cause a separate and benign pneumoconiosis. These difficulties are compounded when, as not infrequently happens, the silicotic lesions develop or progress after exposure to quartz has ceased.

Comparative light microscopical and X-ray microanalysis study of barium granuloma

A barium granuloma occurring in the gastric wall was examined by various light microscopical methods and with the scanning electron microscope in association with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. Barium sulphate is present in the form of a slightly granular, yellowish and greenish substance within the cytoplasm of macrophages, and shows no birefringence. Needle-shaped and rhomboid birefringent crystals are rich in magnesium and silicon, and most probably present talc crystals, one of the admixtures in common commercial preparations used for contrast x-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract, rather than crystals of barium sulphate proper as erroneously interpreted in the literature.

High barium levels in public drinking water and its association with elevated blood pressure

A maximum contaminant level for barium in drinking water has been set at 1. mg/L. This study examines for the first time, whether there are significant differences in mean blood pressure levels between a high and a low barium community. A total of approximately 2,400 Illinois residents in West Dundee, with a mean barium drinking water level of 7.3 mmg/L, and in McHenry, with a mean barium level of 0.1 mg/L, were studied. All other drinking water constituents were nearly identical between the two communities, with the major difference being the level of barium ingested. No significant differences (P greater than .05) were found in blood pressures between the high and low barium communities. Adjustment for duration of exposure, home water softeners, and high blood pressure medication did not alter the findings. The data from this study suggest that elevated levels of barium in drinking water do not significantly elevate blood pressure levels in adult males or females. It is recommended that the drinking water standard of 1. mg/L be re-examined for other possible health effects.

Induction of neoplasia by 140Ba in mice

C57Bl mice of both sexes were given intraperitoneal injections of 140Ba-nitrate at 3 different dose levels (55.5, 37.0 and 18.5 kBq/g b.w.). Osteosarcomas were found in all groups and the osteoblastic type was the most common. In the middle and the highest dose groups, female mice developed tumours more frequently than the males. The irradiation doses were calculated to the femur, lumbar vertebrae and sternum and turned out to vary between 6 and 0.7 Gy.

Sterile hypopyon following intraocular lens surgery

Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA) was used to study nine intraocular lenses from one manufacturer. Residual polishing compound was found on two of three dry-sterilized lenses from a "hot lot" associated with a high incidence of sterile hypopyon. Similar material was not present on normal lenses. This polishing compound was apparently fused to the lens surface, preventing its removal by ultrasonic cleaning. In addition, three wet-sterilized lenses were found to be covered with small crystals containing barium. These crystals apparently resulted from leaching of the glass storage vial by the caustic storage fluid. It is suggested that some cases of sterile hypopyon following intraocular lens surgery may be caused by residual polishing compound present on the lens surface.

Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis

Baritosis is one of the benign pneumoconioses in which inhaled particulate matter lies in the lungs for years without producing symptoms, abnormal physical signs, incapacity for work, interference with lung function, or liability to develop pulmonary or bronchial infections or other thoracic disease. Owing to the high radio-opacity of barium, the discrete shadows in the chest radiograph are extremely dense. Even in the most well-marked cases with extreme profusion of the opacities, massive shadows do not occur. When exposure to barium dust ceases the opacities begin slowly to disappear. Nine cases of baritosis occurring in a small factory in which barytes was crushed, graded, and milled are described. Two of the cases occurred after only 18 and 21 month's exposure, and 9 of the 10 men employed for more than one and a half years had baritosis. Five of the affected men examined at intervals since their exposure to barytes ceased in 1964 showed marked clearing of their radiological abnormalities.