Reported values in the literature on the number of cells in the body differ by orders of magnitude and are very seldom supported by any measurements or calculations. Here, we integrate the most up-to-date information on the number of human and bacterial cells in the body. We estimate the total number of bacteria in the 70 kg "reference man" to be 3.8·1013. For human cells, we identify the dominant role of the hematopoietic lineage to the total count (≈90%) and revise past estimates to 3.0·1013 human cells. Our analysis also updates the widely-cited 10:1 ratio, showing that the number of bacteria in the body is actually of the same order as the number of human cells, and their total mass is about 0.2 kg.

/pdf/revised-estimates-for-the-number-of-human-and-bacteria-cells-4fb3y5elnx.pdf

Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body.

Preface Abstract 1. Basis of ICRP Reference Values 2. Summary of Reference Values 3. Embryo and Fetus 4. Total Body 5. Respiratory System 6. Alimentary System 7. Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems 8. Urogenital System 9. Skeletal System 10. Integumentary System 11. Additional Organs and Tissues 12. Pregnant Woman: Anatomical and Physiological Changes 13. Elemental Composition of the Body Reference

Basic anatomical and physiological data for use in radiological protection : reference values

Biodegradable metals are breaking the current paradigm in biomaterial science to develop only corrosion resistant metals. In particular, metals which consist of trace elements existing in the human body are promising candidates for temporary implant materials. These implants would be temporarily needed to provide mechanical support during the healing process of the injured or pathological tissue. Magnesium and its alloys have been investigated recently by many authors as a suitable biodegradable biomaterial. In this investigative review we would like to summarize the latest achievements and comment on the selection and use, test methods and the approaches to develop and produce magnesium alloys that are intended to perform clinically with an appropriate host response.

/pdf/degradable-biomaterials-based-on-magnesium-corrosion-4sw919tlb2.pdf

Degradable biomaterials based on magnesium corrosion

Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation

Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intake of radionuclides Part 4: Inhalation dose coefficients

The existence of multiple positive fixed points of completely continuous nonlinear operators defined on the cone of an ordered Banach space is considered. The main results give sufficient conditions for such an operator to have two, and in some cases three, positive fixed points. (RWR)

/pdf/multiple-positive-fixed-points-of-nonlinear-operators-on-54nrexi1iq.pdf

Multiple positive fixed points of nonlinear operators on ordered Banach spaces

The lack of a reliable quantitative description of blood flow in man has hampered the development of accurate biokinetic models of essential elements, drugs, imaging agents, and carcinogens. In this paper we review and analyse data on blood flow and identify representative percentages of cardiac output and absolute blood flow rates to organs and tissues of man for use as reference values for biokinetic models. To keep the review and analysis to a manageable size we have limited attention to the resting state and have suggested reference values for absolute and relative flow rates only for adult males and females.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0143-0815/10/3/001/pdf

Reference values for resting blood flow to organs of man.

Although considerable progress has been made in recent years in reducing human exposures to lead, the potential for high intake of this contaminant still exists in millions of homes and in many occupational settings. Moreover, there is growing evidence that levels of lead intake considered inconsequential just a few years ago can result in subtle, adverse health effects, particularly in children. Consequently, there have been increased efforts by health protection agencies to develop credible, versatile methods for relating levels of lead in environmental media to levels in blood and tissues of exposed humans of all ages. In a parallel effort motivated largely by the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is assembling a set of age-specific biokinetic models for calculating radiation doses from environmentally important radionuclides, including radioisotopes of lead. This paper describes a new age-specific biokinetic model for lead originally developed for the ICRP but expanded to include additional features that are useful for consideration of lead as a chemical toxin. The model is developed within a generic, physiologically motivated framework designed to address a class of calciumlike elements. This framework provides a useful setting in which to synthesize experimental, occupational, and environmental data on lead and exploit common physiological properties of lead and the alkaline earth elements. The modular design is intended to allow researchers to modify specific parameter values or model components to address special problems in lead toxicology or to incorporate new information. Transport of lead between compartments is assumed to follow linear, first-order kinetics provided the concentration in red blood cells remains below a nonlinear threshold level, but a nonlinear relation between plasma lead and red blood cell lead is modeled for concentrations above that level. The model is shown to be consistent with data on human subjects exposed to lead under a variety of experimental and natural conditions.

An age-specific kinetic model of lead metabolism in humans.

By the late 1950s, the views had evolved that 1) U does not enter cells but damages the kidneys by binding to the luminal membranes of renal tubular cells, interfering with reabsorption of glucose, sodium, amino acids, protein, water, and other substances, and causing slow cell death by suppression of respiration; and 2) U does not cause significant damage to the kidneys at concentrations below 3 micrograms U g-1 kidney. Although there has not been a major unified effort in the past three decades to update the toxicology of U as a nephrotoxin, there have been numerous isolated studies that may be useful in reevaluating these longstanding views on the behavior and action of U in the kidneys and the renal U concentration at which toxic effects may become evident. This paper is a brief review and synthesis of current information on U nephrotoxicity. Much more experimental research and reevaluation of existing data are needed concerning U nephrotoxicity, particularly for the case of chronic exposure.

The behavior and chemical toxicity of U in the kidney: a reassessment

Leggett, R. W., Eckerman, K. F., Khokhryakov, V. F., Suslova, K. G., Krahenbuhl, M. P. and Miller, S. C. Mayak Worker Study: An Improved Biokinetic Model for Reconstructing Doses from Internally Deposited Plutonium. Radiat. Res. 164, 111–122 (2005). The plutonium production facility known as the Mayak Production Association was put into operation in June 1948. A high incidence of cancer in the Mayak workers has been related to the level of exposure to plutonium, but uncertainties in tissue doses have hampered development of dose–risk relationships. As part of an effort to improve dose estimates for these workers, the systemic biokinetic model for plutonium currently recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has been modified to reflect recently developed data and facilitate interpretation of case-specific information. This paper describes the proposed model and discusses its implications for dose reconstruction for the Mayak workers.

Richard W. Leggett

Papers

Multiple positive fixed points of nonlinear operators on ordered Banach spaces

Reference values for resting blood flow to organs of man.

An age-specific kinetic model of lead metabolism in humans.

The behavior and chemical toxicity of U in the kidney: a reassessment

Mayak Worker Study: An Improved Biokinetic Model for Reconstructing Doses from Internally Deposited Plutonium