Effect of simulated acid rain on fluorine mobility and the bacterial community of phosphogypsum

Abstract

Contamination of soil and water with fluorine (F) leached from phosphogypsum (PG) stacks is a global environmental issue. Millions of tons of PG is produced each year as a by-product of fertilizer manufacture, and in China, weathering is exacerbated by acid rain. In this work, column leaching experiments using simulated acid rain were run to evaluate the mobility of F and the impact of weathering on native bacterial community composition in PG. After a simulated summer rainfall, 2.42–3.05 wt% of the total F content of PG was leached and the F concentration in leachate was above the quality standard for surface water and groundwater in China. Acid rain had no significant effect on the movement of F in PG. A higher concentration of F was observed at the bottom than the top section of PG columns suggesting mobility and reprecipitation of F. Throughout the simulation, the PG was environmentally safe according the TCLP testing. The dominant bacteria in PG were from the Enterococcus and Bacillus genus. Bacterial community composition in PG leached by simulated acid rain (pH 3.03) was more abundant than at pH 6.88. Information on F mobility and bacterial community in PG under conditions of simulated rain is relevant to management of environmental risk in stockpiled PG waste.

Biochemical and morphological biomarkers of the liver damage in the Neotropical fish, Piaractus mesopotamicus , injected with crude extract of cyanobacterium Radiocystis fernandoi

Abstract

Cyanobacterial proliferation in river and lakes is the result of eutrophication. The cyanobacterium Radiocystis fernandoi strain R28 produces mostly two MC variants MC-RR and MC-YR and small amounts of other oligopeptides, but does not produce MC-LR. The present study investigated the hepatotoxic potential of the crude extract of the R. fernandoi strain R28 on the Neotropical fish, Piaractus mesopotamicus, at 3, 6, and 24 h after intraperitoneal injection (100 μg MC-LR equivalent per kg⁻¹ body mass) using biochemical and morphological biomarkers of liver damage. Although the protein phosphatases PP1 and PP2A were not inhibited during the 24-h treatment, liver parenchyma and hepatocyte structure were disrupted. Alkaline phosphatase increased at 3 h post-injection and decreased after 24 h; alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increased in a time-dependent manner up to 24 h indicating impaired liver function. Progressive histopathological changes were consistent with biochemical results demonstrating alterations in liver structure and function. In conclusion, the crude extract of R. fernandoi strain R28 has high hepatotoxic potential and can severely compromise fish health.

Physician-assisted dying: thoughts drawn from Albert Camus’ writing

Abstract

Physician-assisted dying (assisted suicide and euthanasia) is currently an intensely discussed topic in several countries. Despite differences in legislation and application, countries with end-of-life laws have similar eligibility criteria for assistance in dying: individuals must be in a hopeless situation and experience unbearable suffering. Hopelessness, as a basic aspect of the human condition, is a central topic in Albert Camus' philosophical work The Myth of Sisyphus, which addresses the question of suicide. Suffering in the face of a hopeless situation, and the way doctors approach this suffering, is the topic of his novel The Plague, which describes the story of a city confronted with a plague epidemic. In this paper, I draw philosophical and ethical conclusions about physician-assisted dying based on an analysis of central concepts in the work of Camus—specifically, those treated in The Myth of Sisyphus and The Plague. On the basis of my interpretation of Camus' work, I argue that hopelessness and unbearable suffering are useless as eligibility criteria for physician-assisted dying, given that they do not sufficiently elucidate where the line should be drawn between patients who should to be eligible for assistance and those who should not.

Performance and mechanism of fluoride adsorption from groundwater by lanthanum-modified pomelo peel biochar

Abstract

To obtain an economical and effective adsorbent for fluoride removal, lanthanum-loaded pomelo peel biochar (PPBC-La) was synthesized using a facile approach. The batch adsorption experiments were investigated to determine adsorbent performance. The PPBC-La and its pristine biochar (PPBC) were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. Experimental results showed that the adsorption data were described well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum fluoride adsorption capacity for PPBC-La was found to be 19.86 mg/g at 25 °C and pH 6.5. The PPBC-La worked well at pH 2.4–9.6 and carried positive charge at pH < 5.8. The presence of SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, and NO₃⁻ had a slight effect on fluoride uptake except HCO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻. The real groundwater study testified that 9.8 mg/L of fluoride was removed effectively at 1.0 g/L of dosage and pH 5.2. The regeneration results revealed that the PPBC-La had a good reusability. According to FTIR, XPS analysis and the anion exchange experiment, anions (NO₃⁻ and OH⁻) exchange with fluoride ions was mainly responsible for fluoride adsorption.

Decrease of Plasma Soluble (Pro)renin Receptor by Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Morbid Obesity

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Ahead of Print.

Diagnostic value of quantitative assessment of cardiac 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose uptake in suspected cardiac sarcoidosis

Abstract

Objective

The identification of cardiac sarcoidosis is challenging as there is no gold standard consensually admitted for its diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the assessment of cardiac dynamic ¹⁸F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) and net influx constant (Ki) in patients suspected of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Methods

Data obtained from 30 biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients suspected of cardiac sarcoidosis who underwent a 50-min list-mode cardiac dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT after a 24 h high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet were analyzed. A normalized coefficient of variation of quantitative glucose influx constant, calculated as the ratio: standard deviation of the segmental Ki (min⁻¹)/global Ki (min⁻¹) was determined using a validated software (Carimas^® 2.4, Turku PET Centre). Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed according to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare criteria. Receiving operating curve analysis was performed to determine sensitivity and specificity of cardiac dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT analysis to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis.

Results

Six out of 30 patients (20%) were diagnosed as having cardiac sarcoidosis. Myocardial glucose metabolism was significantly heterogeneous in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis who showed significantly higher normalized coefficient of variation values compared to patients without cardiac sarcoidosis (0.513 ± 0.175 vs. 0.205 ± 0.081; p = 0.0007). Using ROC curve analysis, we found a cut-off value of 0.38 for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91%.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that quantitative analysis of cardiac dynamic ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Hybrid 2D–3D ultrasound registration for navigated prostate biopsy

Abstract

Purpose

We present a hybrid 2D–3D ultrasound (US) rigid registration method for navigated prostate biopsy that enables continuous localization of the biopsy trajectory during the exam.

Methods

Current clinical computer-assisted biopsy systems use either sensor-based or image-based approaches. We combine the advantages of both in order to obtain an accurate and real-time navigation based only on an approximate localization of the US probe. Starting with features extracted in both 2D and 3D images, our method introduces a variant of the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. Among other differences to ICP, a combination of both the euclidean distance of feature positions and the similarity distance of feature descriptors is used to find matches between 2D and 3D features. The evaluation of the method is twofold. First, an analysis of variance on input parameters is conducted to estimate the sensitivity of our method to their initialization. Second, for a selected set of their values, the target registration error (TRE) was calculated on 29,760 (resp. 4000) registrations in two different experiments. It was obtained using manually identified anatomical fiducials.

Results

For 160 US volumes, from 20 patients, recorded during routine biopsy procedures performed in two hospitals by six operators, the mean TRE was \(3.91\pm 3.22\)  mm (resp. \(4.37\pm 2.62\)  mm).

Conclusion

This work allows envisioning further developments for prostate navigation and their clinical transfer.

Automatic preoperative planning of DBS electrode placement using anatomo-clinical atlases and volume of tissue activated

Abstract

Purpose

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure requiring accurate targeting and electrode placement. The two key elements for successful planning are preserving patient safety by ensuring a safe trajectory and creating treatment efficacy through optimal selection of the stimulation point. In this work, we present the first approach of computer-assisted preoperative DBS planning to automatically optimize both the safety of the electrode's trajectory and location of the stimulation point so as to provide the best clinical outcome.

Methods

Building upon the findings of previous works focused on electrode trajectory, we added a set of constraints guiding the choice of stimulation point. These took into account retrospective data represented by anatomo-clinical atlases and intersections between the stimulation region and sensitive anatomical structures causing side effects. We implemented our method into automatic preoperative planning software to assess if the algorithm was able to simultaneously optimize electrode trajectory and the stimulation point.

Results

Leave-one-out cross-validation on a dataset of 18 cases demonstrated an improvement in the expected outcome when using the new constraints. The distance to critical structures was not reduced. The intersection between the stimulation region and structures sensitive to stimulation was minimized.

Conclusions

Introducing these new constraints guided the planning to select locations showing a trend toward symptom improvement, while minimizing the risks of side effects, and there was no cost in terms of trajectory safety.

Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species and Giardia assemblages in two watersheds in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are associated with cases of water and foodborne outbreaks in the world. This study included 50 samples of surface raw water collected from two watersheds in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The isolation of (oo)cysts was performed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's methods 1623 and genotypic characterization and quantification were carried out by Nested PCR and qPCR assays based on 18S rRNA and gdh genes, respectively. U.S. EPA 1623 method showed the presence of (oo)cysts in 40% ( \( \overline{\mathrm{x}} \)  = 0.10 oocysts/L) and 100% ( \( \overline{\mathrm{x}} \)  = 7.6 cysts/L) of samples from São Lourenço River, respectively, and 24% ( \( \overline{\mathrm{x}} \)  = 0.8 oocysts/L) and 60% ( \( \overline{\mathrm{x}} \)  = 1.64 cysts/L) of Guarapiranga Reservoir, respectively. The qPCR assay detected C. hominis/parvum in 52% (0.06 to 1.85 oocysts/L) of São Lourenço River and 64% (0.09 to 1.4 oocysts/L) of Guarapiranga Reservoir samples. Presence/absence test for Giardia intestinalis was positive in 92% of São Lourenço River and 8% of Guarapiranga Reservoir samples. The assemblage A was detected in 16% (0.58 to 2.67 cysts/L) in São Lourenço River and no positive samples were obtained for assemblage B in both water bodies. The characterization of anthroponotic species C. parvum/hominis, G. intestinalis, and assemblage A was valuable in the investigation of possible sources of contamination in the watersheds studied confirming the need of expanding environmental monitoring measures for protection of these water sources in our country.

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with CF 3 CX=CY 2 (X = H, F, CF 3 , Y = H, F, Cl)

Abstract

The rate constants of OH radicals with CF₃CF=CCl₂, CF₃CH=CF₂, CF₃CF=CH₂, CF₃CH=CH₂, and (CF₃)₂C=CH₂ have been measured over the temperature range 250–430 K. Kinetic measurements have been carried out using flash photolysis and laser photolysis methods combined respectively with laser-induced fluorescence technique. The Arrhenius rate parameters have been determined as k(CF₃CF=CCl₂) = (6.50 ± 0.22) × 10⁻¹³∙exp[(200 ± 10)/T], k(CF₃CH=CF₂) = (4.85 ± 0.14) × 10⁻¹³∙exp[(120 ± 10)/T], k(CF₃CF=CH₂) = (1.54 ± 0.03) × 10⁻¹²∙exp[− (100 ± 10)/T], k(CF₃CH=CH₂) = (1.06 ± 0.02) × 10⁻¹²∙exp[(80 ± 10)/T], and k((CF₃)₂C=CH₂) = (8.75 ± 0.23) × 10⁻¹³∙exp[− (20 ± 10)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Infrared absorption spectra of the halogenated alkenes have been measured at room temperature. The atmospheric lifetime, global warming potential, ozone depleting potential, and photochemical ozone creation potential have been estimated. The change in the reactivity of halogenated alkenes by the substitution has been examined by considering the structure containing the atoms or atomic groups attached to the carbons on both sides of the double bond.

Effect of catalyst calcination temperature in the visible light photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous formaldehyde by multi-element doped titanium dioxide

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of calcination temperature on the properties and photoactivity of multi-element doped TiO₂. The photocatalysts were prepared by incorporating silver (Ag), fluorine (F), nitrogen (N), and tungsten (W) into the TiO₂ structure via the sol-gel method. Spectroscopic techniques were used to elucidate the correlation between the structural and optical properties of the doped photocatalyst and its photoactivity. XRD results showed that the mean crystallite size increased for undoped photocatalysts and decreased for the doped photocatalysts when calcination was done at higher temperatures. UV-Vis spectra showed that the absorption cut-off wavelength shifted towards the visible light region for the as-synthesized photocatalysts and band gap narrowing was attributed to multi-element doping and calcination. FTIR spectra results showed the shifting of OH-bending absorption bands towards increasing wave numbers. The activity of the photocatalysts was evaluated in terms of gaseous formaldehyde removal under visible light irradiation. The highest photocatalytic removal of gaseous formaldehyde was found at 88%. The study confirms the effectiveness of multi-element doped TiO₂ to remove gaseous formaldehyde in air by visible light photocatalysis and the results have a lot of potential to extend the application to other organic air contaminants.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce HIF-1α protein stabilization through increased reactive oxygen species generation from electron transfer chain complex III of mitochondria

While zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs are one of the most abundantly used nanomaterials in the cosmetic, medical, and electronics industries [1], In mammalian cells, the toxic effects of ZnO NPs have been demonstrated, including their role in inflammatory responses, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis [2,3]. In addition, ZnO NPs could be absorbed into keratinocytes [4]. Although ZnO NPs exert their potential cytotoxic effects through generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress [5], the source/mechanism of ZnO NP-induced ROS production and ZnO NP-mediated signalling cascades in keratinocytes have not been delineated.

Female Involvement in School Rampage Plots

Violence and Gender, Ahead of Print.

Particulate and gaseous pollutants in a petrochemical industrialized valley city, Western China during 2013–2016

Abstract

Airborne pollutant characteristics, potential sources, and variation trends of cause are investigated based on the hourly air concentrations of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter from 2013 to 2016 in Lanzhou. The mean concentration of SO₂, NO₂, CO, 8-hO₃, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ was 25.2 ± 16.0 μg m⁻³, 46.5 ± 21.1 μg m⁻³, 1.3 ± 0.7 mg m⁻³, 77.8 ± 45.5 μg m⁻³, 58.7 ± 32.9 μg m⁻³, and 131.1 ± 86.2 μg m⁻³, respectively. The concentrations of SO₂, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 present decreasing trends while NO₂, CO, and O₃ present increasing trends. PM is the most frequent major pollutants with much higher value than standard limit. However, NO₂ pollution had obvious trends to reach the limit and was more serious in Lanzhou compared with other Chinese cities. Relationship between air pollutants and meteorological parameters suggested that lower primary pollutants were associated with higher wind speed from north and west. Modeled back trajectory demonstrated that the transport of air masses from the Hexi Corridor and Inner Mongolia was responsible for the high concentrations of the air pollutants in wintertime, and high PM₁₀ level in springtime was related to long-range transport of dust from desert areas of the Sinkiang and the Central Asia. Effects of local pollutant emissions and meteorological condition were preliminary analyzed. Improvement of air quality might be related to the decreasing of pollutant emissions due to strict emissions controls, and the contribution of meteorological condition was not explicit and should be further investigated.

Omalizumab for the treatment of solar urticaria: case series and systematic review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 20 March 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Igor Snast, Noa Kremer, Moshe Lapidoth, Claes David Enk, Yuval Tal, Yossi Rosman, Ronit Confino-Cohen, Emmilia Hodak, Assi Levi
BackgroundLSolar urticaria (SU) is a rare photodermatosis causing a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Although the condition can be controlled with phototherapy and/or a combination therapy of antihistamines and leukotriene antagonist in most patients, a subset of patients require additional therapy with omalizumab; however, efficacy data is sparse.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and safety of omalizumab for treating SU.MethodsA case series of five patients with SU refractory to antihistamine and leukotriene antagonist combination who were treated with omalizumab is described. Additionally, a systematic review of studies evaluating SU patients treated with omalizumab was conducted. Primary outcome was partial/complete clinical response. Secondary outcomes were 10-fold decreases in the baseline minimal urticarial dose (MUD10) and adverse events.ResultsOur case series included five patients with SU. Monthly omalizumab doses of 150 - 600 mg resulted in clinical improvement in all patients and complete remission in four. No adverse effects were reported. The systematic review included 22 studies (48 patients). All patients failed to control disease with antihistamines prior to omalizumab treatment. Patients received omalizumab at monthly doses of 150 - 750 mg over a follow-up period of 4 - 200 weeks. Thirty-eight patients (79%) experienced clinical improvement. Four patients (11%) had mild adverse effects.ConclusionOmalizumab provided clinical benefits in approximately 80% of SU patients. Patients failing to improve on standard omalizumab doses may benefit from higher monthly dosages.

Poor Sleep Quality is Associated with Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal Women With and Without Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Ahead of Print.

Mastocitosis asociada a trombocitemia esencial

Publication date: Available online 19 March 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): J. Marcoval

Análisis de los diagnósticos realizados en la actividad ambulatoria dermatológica en España: muestreo aleatorio nacional DIADERM

Publication date: Available online 20 March 2018
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas
Author(s): A. Buendía-Eisman, S. Arias-Santiago, A. Molina-Leyva, Y. Gilaberte, P. Fernández-Crehuet, H. Husein-ElAhmed, A. Viera-Ramírez, P. Fernández-Peñas, R. Taberner, M.Á. Descalzo, I. García-Doval
IntroducciónLa actividad principal realizada por dermatólogos tiene lugar en la consulta externa hospitalaria o en los centros privados. A diferencia de la actividad hospitalaria, que es fácilmente codificada, no existen datos globales sobre los diagnósticos realizados por los dermatólogos en estos niveles. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los diagnósticos realizados en las consultas de dermatología de los miembros de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología (AEDV) en España.MetodologíaA partir del listado de dermatólogos de la AEDV se obtuvo una muestra aleatoria estratificada por secciones territoriales de la AEDV. A los dermatólogos participantes se les instruyó en la forma de recoger los datos. Cada participante recogió los diagnósticos y otros datos de los pacientes atendidos durante 6 días de consulta en 2 fases (3 días en enero y 3 días en mayo). Posteriormente la codificación de los diagnósticos la realizó un dermatólogo experto empleando la CIE-10. El análisis se realizó considerando el diseño muestral complejo empleado para corregir los errores estándar y el ajuste para poblaciones finitas.ResultadosSe muestrearon 124 dermatólogos. Finalmente participaron en el estudio el 65% de los dermatólogos muestreados en la primera fase y el 59% en la segunda. El número de pacientes estimados que consultan al dermatólogo en toda España por mes sería de 621.562 (IC 95%: 368,130-874,995), con un promedio de 28 (25-31) pacientes por día de consulta. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue el de queratosis actínica, seguido de carcinoma basocelular y nevus melanocítico. La forma habitual de evaluar a los pacientes es mediante visita presencial y en el 1% (0,3%-3%) de los casos se realiza teledermatología.ConclusionesSe trata del primer estudio de ámbito nacional que analiza diagnósticos hechos en las consultas de dermatología de los miembros de la AEDV, mostrando una alta carga asistencial. Dicha información además será de utilidad para realizar una correcta planificación sanitaria, aprovechamiento de los recursos y planificar futuros estudios.IntroductionDermatologists perform most of their work in outpatient or private clinics. Data on the diagnoses made by dermatologists in these settings are lacking, however, as outpatient activity, unlike hospital activity, is difficult to code. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnoses made by members of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) at dermatology clinics in Spain.MethododolyWe selected a random sample of AEDV dermatologists drawn from the AEDV list and stratified by geographic area. The selected dermatologists received instructions on how to collect the data required. Each participant recorded the diagnosis reached and other data for patients seen during 2 specified periods: 3 days in January and 3 days in May. The diagnoses were subsequently coded by a dermatologist expert in applying the International Classification of Diseases (10th revision). In view of the complex nature of the sample, data were analyzed with standard error and finite population corrections.ResultsThe sample consisted of 124 dermatologists. Of these, 65% participated in the first phase of the study and 59% in the second. An estimated 621,562 patients (95% CI, 368.130-874.995) visit the dermatologist every month in Spain. This is the equivalent of 28 (25-31) patients per day per clinic. The most common diagnosis recorded was actinic keratosis, followed by basal cell carcinoma and melanocytic nevus. The vast majority of visits took place at the clinic, but 1% of patients (0.3%-3%) were assessed using teledermatology.ConclusionsThis is the first study in Spain to analyze diagnoses made by AEDV members at outpatient dermatology clinics. Our findings show a high volume of activity and will be useful for guiding health care planning, resource use, and future studies.

Graphical abstract

Interaction of 24-epibrassinolide and salicylic acid regulates pigment contents, antioxidative defense responses, and gene expression in Brassica juncea L. seedlings under Pb stress

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is considered one the most hazardous pollutant, and its accumulation in soil and plants is of prime concern. To understand the role of plant hormones in combating heavy metal stress, the present study was planned to assess the interactive effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) (10⁻⁷ M) and salicylic acid (SA) (1 mM) in regulating growth, pigment contents, antioxidative defense response, and gene expression in Brassica juncea L. seedlings exposed to different concentrations of Pb metal (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mM). Reduction in root and shoot lengths, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and non-enzymatic antioxidants like glutathione, ascorbic acid, and tocopherol in response to Pb toxicity was observed. The enzymatic antioxidants such as guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), glutathione peroxidase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), monodehydroascorbate redductase (MDHAR), glutathione-S-transferease (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPOX) were lowered in response to Pb treatments. Other antioxidative enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enhanced under metal stress. Co-application of EBL + SA to 0.75 mM Pb-treated seedlings resulted in improvement of root and shoot lengths, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents. Similarly, glutathione, ascorbic acid, and tocopherol contents were also elevated. Enzymatic antioxidants were also significantly enhanced in response to pre-sowing combined treatment of both hormones. Gene expression analysis suggested elevation in expression of CAT, POD, GR, DHAR, and GST genes by application of EBL. Our results reveal that Pb metal toxicity caused adverse impact on B. juncea L. seedlings, but pre-soaking treatment with EBL and SA individually and in combination help seedlings to counter the ill effects of Pb by improving growth, contents of pigment, and modulation of antioxidative defense system. The combined application of EBL and SA was found to be more effective in ameliorating Pb stress as compared to their individual treatments.

The epidemiology of headache disorders: a face-to-face interview of participants in HUNT4

The primary aim of this cross-sectional population-based study was to evaluate the 1-year prevalence of common headache disorders by a face-to-face interview.

Altered muscle activity during rest and during mental or physical activity is not a trait symptom of migraine - a neck muscle EMG study

Migraineurs have a high prevalence of neck pain prior to or during headache attacks. Whether neck pain is a symptom of migraine or an indicator for a constant neck muscle dysfunction potentially triggering mig...

The Potential of Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancers, ie, melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancer, are the most common cancers. The number of melanomas is expected to nearly double by 2030, tripling annual treatment costs in the United States. Because skin cancer is strongly associated with UV radiation (UVR) exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend reducing unprotected exposure to UVR. The US Surgeon General issued a Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer, appealing for efforts to identify effective skin cancer prevention interventions.

PAMAM templated N,Pt co-doped TiO 2 for visible light photodegradation of brilliant black

Abstract

This study examined the photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye brilliant black (BB) using non-metal/metal co-doped TiO₂. N,Pt co-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by a modified sol-gel method using amine-terminated polyamidoamine dendrimer generation 0 (PG0) as a template and source of nitrogen. Structural, morphological, and textural properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), photoluminescence (PL) and ultra-violet/visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The synthesized photocatalysts exhibited lower band gap energies as compared to the Degussa P-25, revealing a red shift in band gap towards the visible light absorption region. Photocatalytic activity of N,Pt co-doped TiO₂ was measured by the reaction of photocatalytic degradation of BB dye. Enhanced photodegradation efficiency of BB was achieved after 180-min reaction time with an initial concentration of 50 ppm. This was attributed to the rod-like shape of the materials, larger surface area, and enhanced absorption of visible light induced by N,Pt co-doping. The N,Pt co-doped TiO₂ also exhibited pseudo-first-order kinetic behavior with half-life and rate constant of 0.37 and 0.01984 min⁻¹, respectively. The mechanism of the photodegradation of BB under the visible light irradiation was proposed. The obtained results prove that co-doping of TiO₂ with N and Pt contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic performances of TiO₂ for visible light-induced photodegradation of organic contaminants for environmental remediation. Therefore, this work provides a new approach to the synthesis of PAMAM templated N,Pt co-doped TiO₂ for visible light photodegradation of brilliant black.

Relative Performance of Propensity Score Matching Strategies for Subgroup Analyses

Abstract

Post-approval drug safety studies often use propensity scores (PS) to adjust for a large number of baseline confounders. These studies may involve examining whether treatment safety varies across subgroups. There are many ways a PS could be used to adjust for confounding in subgroup analyses. These methods have trade-offs that are not well understood. We conducted a plasmode simulation to compare relative performance of 5 methods involving PS matching for subgroup analysis, including methods frequently used in applied literature whose performance has not been previously directly compared. These methods varied whether the overall PS, subgroup specific PS or no re-matching was used in subgroup analysis as well as whether subgroups were fully nested within the main analytic cohort or not. The evaluated PS subgroup matching methods performed similarly in terms of balance, bias, and precision in 12 simulated scenarios varying size of the cohort, prevalence of exposure and outcome, strength of relationships between baseline covariates and exposure, the true effect within subgroups and the degree of confounding within subgroups. Each had strengths and limitations with respect to other performance metrics that could inform choice of method.

Prognostic impact of main frailty domain trajectories on 5-year mortality in very old adults: results from the PARTAGE cohort study

Abstract

The objectives were to identify trajectories of nutrition, cognitive function and autonomy over time in very old adults and to assess their impact on mortality. A cohort, including subjects aged≥80 years in 2007-2008, who were followed for 5 years, in 72 Italian and French nursing homes, was used for post-hoc analyses. Body mass index (BMI), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and index of activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed at 4 time points. Vital status was collected during the follow-up. Latent trajectory and Cox models were used. In the 710 subjects included, the mean(SD) age at inclusion was 88.0(0.8) years, and 78.9% were female. Seven composite trajectories were identified based on BMI, MMSE, and ADL values. As compared to the reference group (T7—stable overweight, preserved cognitive function and autonomy), two trajectories presented increased relative risk of dying: T1, stable overweight, moderately impaired then declining cognitive function and autonomy (adjusted HR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.26,2.55), and T6, stable normal BMI, slight cognitive decline, and moderate then degrading loss of autonomy (adjusted HR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.15,2.44). C-index was 0.81, 95%CI: 0.72,0.88. A repeated monitoring of BMI, MMSE, and ADL in very old adults provides trajectories with higher prognostic information than simple baseline assessment.

Observed Differences between Males and Females in Surgically Treated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Non-manual Workers: A Sensitivity Analysis of Findings from a Large Population Study

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed at assessing whether differences among males and females in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) epidemiology might be attributable to segregation with respect to occupational biomechanical exposures or differential access to care by sex.

Methods

We analysed surgically treated cases of CTS occurring among non-manual workers in Tuscany between 1997 and 2000. We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the difference in occupational biomechanical exposures between males and females necessary to explain the observed incidence rate ratios. We also accounted for the sex-specific probability of receiving surgery after the diagnosis of CTS, as women were reported to be more likely to undergo surgery in a subset of our study population. We quantified the hypothetical biomechanical overload through the hand activity level (HAL) metric proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. To quantify the effect of HAL on CTS risk, we assumed a prior distribution based on findings from two large cohort studies of industrial workers.

Results

After adjustment for the probability of receiving surgery, women showed a 4-fold incidence of CTS as compared with men. To explain this association among non-manual workers, women should have an average value of HAL at least 5 points higher.

Conclusions

Our analysis does not support the hypothesis that the difference in CTS incidence between males and females is entirely attributable to occupational risk factors or to differential access to surgery. The causal pathway between sex and CTS might include more determinants such as hormonal factors, anthropometric characteristics, and non-occupational exposure to biomechanical overload (e.g. household tasks).

Impact of Workplace Exposure and Stress on Neck Pain and Disabilities in Women—A Longitudinal Follow-up After a Rehabilitation Intervention

Abstract

Introduction

The aim was to evaluate if pain, disability, and work productivity are influenced by physical and psychosocial work exposures as well as by stress, up to 1 year after a randomized controlled trial treatment intervention, and to determine whether any such association differed between treatment and control groups.

Methods

Ninety-seven working women suffering non-specific neck pain (n = 67 treatment group, n = 30 control group) were followed from end of treatment intervention and at 9- and 15-month follow-ups, respectively. Physical and psychosocial exposures, as well as perceived stress, were assessed after the treatment intervention. Pain, neck disability, and work productivity were assessed at baseline, after intervention 3 months later and at 9- and 15-month follow-ups. Longitudinal assessment was conducted using the exposure level at 3 months as predictor of pain, disability, and work productivity at 3, 9, and 15 months, respectively. Mixed models were used to estimate longitudinal associations, accounting for within-individual correlation of repeated outcome measures by incorporation of a random intercept. Age and duration of neck pain were adjusted for in all models. To evaluate group differences, interactions between exposures and treatment groups were estimated.

Results

High perceived stress was associated with more neck pain, more neck disability, and decreased work productivity in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. High 'control of decision' was associated with less neck pain, less neck disability, and higher work productivity in cross-sectional analyses but only to less disability and higher productivity in longitudinal analyses. Shoulder/arm load was the only physical exposure variable that was significantly associated with work productivity in the univariate analyses. Only small differences were observed between treatment and control groups.

Conclusion

High perceived stress and low 'control of decision' were associated with more neck pain, increased neck disability, and decreased work productivity. Treatment interventions for individuals with neck pain should take into account psychosocial workplace exposures and stress to improve intermediate and long-term results.

Optimizing a Sensor Network with Data from Hazard Mapping Demonstrated in a Heavy-Vehicle Manufacturing Facility

Abstract

Objectives

To design a method that uses preliminary hazard mapping data to optimize the number and location of sensors within a network for a long-term assessment of occupational concentrations, while preserving temporal variability, accuracy, and precision of predicted hazards.

Methods

Particle number concentrations (PNCs) and respirable mass concentrations (RMCs) were measured with direct-reading instruments in a large heavy-vehicle manufacturing facility at 80–82 locations during 7 mapping events, stratified by day and season. Using kriged hazard mapping, a statistical approach identified optimal orders for removing locations to capture temporal variability and high prediction precision of PNC and RMC concentrations. We compared optimal-removal, random-removal, and least-optimal-removal orders to bound prediction performance.

Results

The temporal variability of PNC was found to be higher than RMC with low correlation between the two particulate metrics (ρ = 0.30). Optimal-removal orders resulted in more accurate PNC kriged estimates (root mean square error [RMSE] = 49.2) at sample locations compared with random-removal order (RMSE = 55.7). For estimates at locations having concentrations in the upper 10th percentile, the optimal-removal order preserved average estimated concentrations better than random- or least-optimal-removal orders (P < 0.01). However, estimated average concentrations using an optimal-removal were not statistically different than random-removal when averaged over the entire facility. No statistical difference was observed for optimal- and random-removal methods for RMCs that were less variable in time and space than PNCs.

Conclusions

Optimized removal performed better than random-removal in preserving high temporal variability and accuracy of hazard map for PNC, but not for the more spatially homogeneous RMC. These results can be used to reduce the number of locations used in a network of static sensors for long-term monitoring of hazards in the workplace, without sacrificing prediction performance.

Processes and electron flow in a microbial electrolysis cell bioanode fed with furanic and phenolic compounds

Abstract

Furanic and phenolic compounds are problematic compounds resulting from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production. Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a promising technology to convert furanic and phenolic compounds to renewable H₂. The objective of the research presented here was to elucidate the processes and electron equivalents flow during the conversion of two furanic (furfural, FF; 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, HMF) and three phenolic (syringic acid, SA; vanillic acid, VA; 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, HBA) compounds in the MEC bioanode. Cyclic voltammograms of the bioanode demonstrated that purely electrochemical reactions in the biofilm attached to the electrode were negligible. Instead, microbial reactions related to the biotransformation of the five parent compounds (i.e., fermentation followed by exoelectrogenesis) were the primary processes resulting in the electron equivalents flow in the MEC bioanode. A mass-based framework of substrate utilization and electron flow was developed to quantify the distribution of the electron equivalents among the bioanode processes, including biomass growth for each of the five parent compounds. Using input parameters of anode efficiency and biomass observed yield coefficients, it was estimated that more than 50% of the SA, FF, and HMF electron equivalents were converted to current. In contrast, only 12 and 9% of VA and HBA electron equivalents, respectively, resulted in current production, while 76 and 79% remained as fermentation end products not further utilized in exoelectrogenesis. For all five compounds, it was estimated that 10% of the initially added electron equivalents were used for fermentative biomass synthesis, while 2 to 13% were used for exoelectrogenic biomass synthesis. The proposed mass-based framework provides a foundation for the simulation of bioanode processes to guide the optimization of MECs converting biomass-derived waste streams to renewable H₂.

Agricultural solid waste for sorption of metal ions, part II: competitive assessment in multielemental solution and lake water

Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse and hydroponic lettuce roots were used as biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) from multielemental solutions and lake water, in batch processes. These biomasses were studied in natura (lettuce roots, NLR, and sugarcane bagasse, NSB) and chemically modified with HNO₃ (lettuce roots, MLR, and sugarcane bagasse, MSB). The results showed higher adsorption efficiency for MSB and either NLR or MLR. The maximum adsorption capacities (q_max) in multielemental solution for Cu(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) were 35.86, 31.42, 3.33, and 24.07 mg/g for NLR; 25.36, 27.95, 14.06, and 6.43 mg/g for MLR; 0.92, 3.94, 0.03, and 0.18 mg/g for NSB; and 54.11, 6.52, 16.7, and 1.26 mg/g for MSB, respectively. The kinetic studies with chemically modified biomasses indicated that sorption was achieved in the first 5 min and reached equilibrium around 30 min. Sorption of Cu(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) in lake water by chemically modified biomasses was 24.31, 14.50, 8.03, and 8.21 mg/g by MLR, and 13.15, 10.50, 6.10, and 5.14 mg/g by MSB, respectively. These biosorbents are promising and low costs agricultural residues, and as for lettuce roots, these showed great potential even with no chemical modification.

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) has long been linked to elevated mortality and morbidity from epidemiological evidences. However, questions remain unclear whether NO₂ acts directly on human health or being an indicator of other ambient pollutants. In this study, random-effect meta-analyses were performed on examining exposure to nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and its association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The overall relative risk (RR) of COPD risk related to a 10 μg/m³ increase in NO₂ exposure increased by 2.0%. The pooled effect on prevalence was 17% with an increase of 10 μg/m³ in NO₂ concentration, and 1.3% on hospital admissions, and 2.6% on mortality. The RR of COPD cases related to NO₂ long-term exposure was 2.5 and 1.4% in short-term exposure. The COPD effect related with a 10 μg/m³ increase in exposure to a general outdoor-sourced NO₂ was 1.7 and 17.8% to exposure to an exclusively traffic-sourced NO₂; importantly, we did observe the effect of NO₂ on COPD mortality with a large majority in lag0. Long-term traffic exerted more severe impairments on COPD prevalence than long-term or short-term outdoor effect; long-term mortality effect on COPD was serious in single model from this meta-analysis. Overall, our study reported consistent evidence of the potential positive association between NO₂ and COPD risk.

Photocatalytic oxidation of six endocrine disruptor chemicals in wastewater using ZnO at pilot plant scale under natural sunlight

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are xenobiotics that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, and elimination of the natural hormones. In this paper, the photodegradation of six EDs in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents at pilot plant scale is reported. The EDs were bisphenol A, bisphenol B, diamyl phthalate, butyl benzylphthalate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate. ZnO as photocatalyst in tandem with Na₂S₂O₈ as electron acceptor under natural sunlight were used. The process was previously optimized under laboratory conditions through a photoreactor under artificial UVA irradiation studying the role of some key operating parameters (catalyst loading, effect of electron acceptor, and pH). Results carried out at pilot plant scale show that addition of ZnO in tandem with Na₂S₂O₈ strongly enhances degradation rates compared with photolytic test. At the end of the irradiation time (240 min), the remaining amounts of EDs ranged from 24% (butyl benzylphthalate) to 0% (< LOQ bisphenol B). The degradation rates were in the order: bisphenols > parabens > phthalates. After the photoperiod, 83% of the initial dissolved organic carbon was removed and toxicity decreased to acceptable values (11% inhibition to Vibrio fisheri). The photodegradation process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetic model with DT₅₀ ranging from 5 min (bisphenol B) to 102 min (butyl benzylphthalate). Thereby, photocatalytic oxidation using ZnO is an area of environmental interest for the treatment of polluted water, particularly relevant for Mediterranean countries, where solar irradiation is highly available.

Seizure outcomes of supratentorial brain tumor resection in pediatric patients

Abstract

Background

This study aims to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for seizure development after supratentorial brain tumor resection in pediatric patients. This could be used to guide the postoperative management and usage of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods

Retrospective study was conducted for patients between 0 and 21 years with supratentorial tumor resection between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution.

Results

Two hundred patients (114 males/86 females) were identified. Median age at resection (±SD) was 9.025 ± 5.720 years and mean follow-up was 4 ± 2 years. Resection was gross total in 82 patients (41%) and partial in 118 patients (59%); 66 patients (33%) experienced preoperative seizures, and 67 patients (34%) experienced postoperative seizures; 18 patients (27%) had early seizures, and 49 patients (73%) had late seizures. Univariate analysis identified risk factors for postoperative seizures as: preoperative seizures (P < 0.001), age less than 2 years (P = 0.003), temporal location (P < 0.001), thalamic location (P = 0.017), preoperative hyponatremia (P = 0.017), World Health Organization grade (P = 0.008), and pathology (P = 0.005). Multivariate regression identified 5 robust risk factors: temporal location (odds ratio [OR] 4.7, 95% CI: 1.7–13.3, P = 0.003), age <2 years (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 1.0–15.4; P = 0.049), preoperative hydrocephalus (OR 3.8, 95% CI: 1.5–9.4; P = 0.005), preoperative seizure (OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2–6.5; P = 0.016) and parietal location (OR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06–0.99; P = 0.049). Extent of resection did not correlate with seizure development (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study reveals 5 risk factors for postoperative seizures after resection of supratentorial tumors. These factors should be considered in postoperative management of these patients.