The finding of the highly specific accumulation of lead in the tidemark of human articular cartilage is novel. However at this point, the exact mechanisms of the local Pb accumulation as well as its clinical implications are unknown.

As compared with no therapy, physiotherapy following first-time disc herniation operation is effective in the short-term. Because of the limited benefits of physiotherapy relative to "sham" therapy, it is open to question whether this treatment acts primarily physiologically in patients following first-time lumbar disc surgery, but psychological factors may contribute substantially to the benefits observed.

Unemployment has a negative effect on physical working capacity and mental health, depending on the duration of unemployment. Factors that facilitate or impede physical and mental health during unemployment should be identified in future studies.

Our results show that PbB below 70 microg/100 ml reduce neurobehavioural abilities, particularly visuospatial abilities and executive functions referring to the prefrontal cortex. As neurobiological substrate of the prefrontal dysfunction, glutamatergic system disturbances are discussed.