Different relationships between personal exposure and ambient concentration by particle size

Abstract

Ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations at monitoring stations were often used as an indicator of population exposure to PM in epidemiological studies. The correlation between personal exposure and ambient concentrations of PM varied because of diverse time-activity patterns. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personal exposure and ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 with minimal impact of time-activity pattern on personal exposure. Performance of the MicroPEM, v3.2 was evaluated by collocation with central ambient air monitors for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. A field technician repeatedly conducted measurement of 24 h personal exposures to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 with a fixed time-activity pattern of office worker over 26 days in Seoul, Korea. The relationship between the MicroPEM and the ambient air monitor showed good linearity. Personal exposure and ambient concentrations of PM_2.5 were highly correlated with a fixed time-activity pattern compared with PM₁₀. The finding implied a high infiltration rate of PM_2.5 and low infiltration rate of PM₁₀. The relationship between personal exposure and ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 was different for high level episodes. In the Asian dust episode, staying indoors could reduce personal exposure to PM₁₀. However, personal exposure to PM_2.5 could not be reduced by staying indoors during the fine dust advisory episode.

The association between serum copper concentrations and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adolescents in NHANES

Abstract

Copper is an essential element in human beings, alterations in serum copper levels could potentially have effect on human health. To date, no data are available regarding how serum copper affects cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children and adolescents. We examined the association between serum copper levels and CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. We analyzed data consisting of 1427 subjects from a nationally representative sample of the US population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014. The CVD risk factors included total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, glycohemoglobin, fasting insulin, and blood pressure. Multivariate and generalized linear regressions were performed to investigate associations adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, poverty:income ratio (PIR), BMI, energy intake, and physical activity. We found significant associations between serum copper and total cholesterol (coefficient = 0.132; 95% CI 0.081, 0.182; P for trend < 0.001), glycohemoglobin (coefficient = 0.044; 95% CI 0.020, 0.069; P < 0.001), and fasting insulin (coefficient = 0.730; 95% CI 0.410, 1.050; P < 0.001) among the included participants. Moreover, in the generalized linear models, subjects with the highest copper levels demonstrated a 0.83% (95% CI 0.44%, 1.24%) greater increase in serum total cholesterol (p for trend < 0.001) when compared to participants with the lowest copper concentrations. Our results provide the first epidemiological evidence that serum copper concentrations are associated with total cholesterol concentrations in children and adolescents. However, the underlying mechanisms still need further exploration.

Contrasting congener profiles for persistent organic pollutants and PAH monitoring in European storm petrels ( Hydrobates pelagicus ) breeding in Ireland: a preen oil versus feathers approach

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are anthropogenic contaminants of environmental concern due to their persistence in the environment and capacity to accumulate in biota. Many of these contaminants have been found to have ill effects over wildlife and humans. Birds are known to be particularly affected through endocrine disruption and eggshell thinning. POPs have been banned or restricted through the Stockholm Convention (2001), making monitoring essential for tracking effects of regulation. Seabirds have been used as monitoring tools for being top predators and consuming a diverse array of prey in different trophic levels. Non-destructive sampling has become widely popular using feathers and preen oil, as opposed to carcasses and internal organs. This study aimed to set baseline levels of POP and PAH concentration in a highly pelagic and abundant seabird in Ireland and the Atlantic, the European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, and to investigate the profiles of contaminant congeners in preen oil and feathers, comparatively. Mean concentrations in preen oil followed: PCB (10.1 ng/g ww) > PAH (7.1 ng/g ww) > OCP (5.4 ng/g ww) > PBDE (3.9 ng/g ww), whilst mean concentrations in feathers followed the order: PAH (38.9 ng/g ww) > PCB (27.2 ng/g ww) > OCP (17.9 ng/g ww) > PBDE (4.5 ng/g ww). Congener profiles highly differed between preen oil and feathers, and little correlation was found between the matrices. These results demonstrate that the sampling of a single matrix alone (preen oil or feathers) might produce confounding results on contamination in seabirds and that more than one matrix is recommended to obtain a full picture of contamination by persistent organic pollutants.

Moving beyond surveys to assess patient preferences

Relationship of inhaled corticosteroid adherence to asthma exacerbations in patients with moderate to severe asthma

Publication date: Available online 5 April 2018
Source:The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
Author(s): Alberto Papi, Dermot Ryan, Joan B. Soriano, Henry Chrystyn, Leif Bjermer, Roberto Rodríguez-Roisin, Myrna B. Dolovich, Mark Harris, Lucy Wood, Maria Batsiou, Susannah I. Thornhill, David B. Price
BackgroundPatients with asthma and elevated blood eosinophils are at increased risk of severe exacerbations. Management of these patients should consider non-adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy as a factor for increased exacerbation risk.ObjectiveTo investigate whether poor adherence to ICS therapy explains the occurrence of asthma exacerbations in patients with elevated blood eosinophil levels.MethodsThis historical cohort study identified patients within the Optimum Patient Care Research Database, aged ≥18 years, at Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps 3 or 4, with ≥2 ICS prescriptions during the year prior to clinical review. Patient characteristics and adherence (based on prescription refills and patient self-report) for ICS therapy were analysed for those with elevated (>400 cells/μL) or normal (≤400 cells/μL) blood eosinophils.ResultsWe studied 7,195 patients (66% female, mean age 60 years) with median eosinophil count of 200 cells/μL and found 81% to be non-fully adherent to ICS therapy. 1,031 patients (14%) had elevated blood eosinophil counts (58% female, mean age 60 years), 83% of whom were non-fully adherent to ICS. An increased proportion of adherent patients in the elevated blood eosinophil group had ≥2 exacerbations (14.0% vs 7.2%; p=0.003) and uncontrolled asthma (73% vs 60.8%; p=0.004) as compared to non-fully adherent patients.ConclusionsApproximately one in seven patients had elevated eosinophils. Adherence to ICS therapy was not associated with decreased exacerbations for these patients. Additional therapy should be considered for these patients, such as biologics, which have been previously shown to improve control in severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma.

Intranasal instillation of iron oxide nanoparticles induces inflammation and perturbation of trace elements and neurotransmitters, but not behavioral impairment in rats

Abstract

Over the last decades, engineered nanomaterials have been widely used in various applications due to their interesting properties. Among them, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used as theranostic agents for cancer, and also as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. With the increasing production and use of these IONPs, there is an evident raise of IONP exposure and subsequently a higher risk of adverse outcome for humans and the environment. In this work, we aimed to investigate the effects of sub-acute IONP exposure on Wistar rat, particularly (i) on the emotional and learning/memory behavior, (ii) on the hematological and biochemical parameters, (iii) on the neurotransmitter content, and (vi) on the trace element homeostasis. Rats were treated during seven consecutive days by intranasal instillations at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. The mean body weight increased significantly in IONP-exposed rats. Moreover, several hematological parameters were normal in treated rats except the platelet count which was increased. The biochemical study revealed that phosphatase alkaline level decreased in IONP-exposed rats, but no changes were observed for the other hepatic enzymes (ALT and AST) levels. The trace element homeostasis was slightly modulated by IONP exposure. Sub-acute intranasal exposure to IONPs increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels in rat brain; however, it did not affect the emotional behavior, the anxiety index, and the learning/memory capacities of rats.

Skin Barrier Restoration and Moisturization Using Horse Oil-Loaded Dissolving Microneedle Patches

Background: Horse oil (HO) has skin barrier restoration and skin-moisturizing effects. Although cream formulations have been used widely and safely, their limited penetration through the stratum corneum is a major obstacle to maximizing the cosmetic efficacy of HO. Therefore, we aimed to encapsulate HO in a cosmetic dissolving microneedle (DMN) for efficient transdermal delivery. Methods: To overcome these limitations of skin permeation, HO-loaded DMN (HO-DMN) patches were developed and evaluated for their efficacy and safety using in vitro and clinical studies. Results: Despite the lipophilic nature of HO, the HO-DMN patches had a sharp shape and uniform array, with an average length and tip diameter of 388.36 ± 16.73 and 38.54 ± 5.29 µm, respectively. The mechanical strength of the HO-DMN patches was sufficient (fracture force of 0.29 ± 0.01 N), and they could successfully penetrate pig skin. During the 4-week clinical evaluation, HO-DMN patches caused significant improvements in skin and dermal density, skin elasticity, and moisturization. Additionally, a brief safety assessment showed that the HO-DMN patches induced negligible adverse events. Conclusion: The HO-DMNs are efficient, safe, and convenient for wide use in cosmetic applications for skin barrier restoration and moisturization.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2018;31:163–171

Outcomes From Lateral Eyelid Coupling for Facial Paralysis Using Modified Tarsoconjunctival Flap

This cohort study assesses whether lateral eyelid coupling in patients with facial paralysis improves quality of life as measured by the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation scale and Moe Ectropion Grading Scale.

Volumizing Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Infraorbital Hollows

This observational study reports safety and patient satisfaction outcomes of Juvéderm Voluma XC hyaluronic acid filler for correction of infraorbital hollows.

Polygenic risk score: use in migraine research

The latest Genome-Wide Association Study identified 38 genetic variants associated with migraine. In this type of studies the significance level is very difficult to achieve (5 × 10− 8) due to multiple testing. T...

Registration of 3D freehand ultrasound to a bone model for orthopedic procedures of the forearm

Abstract

Purpose

For guidance of orthopedic surgery, the registration of preoperative images and corresponding surgical plans with the surgical setting can be of great value. Ultrasound (US) is an ideal modality for surgical guidance, as it is non-ionizing, real time, easy to use, and requires minimal (magnetic/radiation) safety limitations. By extracting bone surfaces from 3D freehand US and registering these to preoperative bone models, complementary information from these modalities can be fused and presented in the surgical realm.

Methods

A partial bone surface is extracted from US using phase symmetry and a factor graph-based approach. This is registered to the detailed 3D bone model, conventionally generated for preoperative planning, based on a proposed multi-initialization and surface-based scheme robust to partial surfaces.

Results

36 forearm US volumes acquired using a tracked US probe were independently registered to a 3D model of the radius, manually extracted from MRI. Given intraoperative time restrictions, a computationally efficient algorithm was determined based on a comparison of different approaches. For all 36 registrations, a mean (± SD) point-to-point surface distance of \(0.57\,(\pm \,0.08)\,\hbox {mm}\) was obtained from manual gold standard US bone annotations (not used during the registration) to the 3D bone model.

Conclusions

A registration framework based on the bone surface extraction from 3D freehand US and a subsequent fast, automatic surface alignment robust to single-sided view and large false-positive rates from US was shown to achieve registration accuracy feasible for practical orthopedic scenarios and a qualitative outcome indicating good visual image alignment.

Patient-specific catheter shaping for the minimally invasive closure of the left atrial appendage

Abstract

Purpose

The minimally invasive closure of the left atrial appendage is a promising alternative to anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. One of the challenges of this procedure is the correct positioning and the coaxial alignment of the tip of the catheter sheath to the implant landing zone.

Method

In this paper, a novel preoperative planning system is proposed that allows patient-individual shaping of catheters to facilitate the correct positioning of the catheter sheath by offering a patient-specific catheter shape. Based on preoperative three-dimensional image data, anatomical points and the planned implant position are marked interactively and a patient-specific catheter shape is calculated if the standard catheter is not considered as suitable. An approach to calculate a catheter shape with four bends by maximization of the bending radii is presented. Shaping of the catheter is supported by a bending form that is automatically generated in the planning program and can be directly manufactured by using additive manufacturing methods.

Results

The feasibility of the planning and shaping of the catheter could be successfully shown using six data sets. The patient-specific catheters were tested in comparison with standard catheters by physicians on heart models. In four of the six tested models, the participating physicians rated the patient-individual catheters better than the standard catheter.

Conclusion

The novel approach for preoperatively planned and shaped patient-specific catheters designed for the minimally invasive closure of the left atrial appendage could be successfully implemented and a feasibility test showed promising results in anatomies that are difficult to access with the standard catheter.

Trends on PM 2.5 research, 1997–2016: a bibliometric study

Reduction mechanism of hexavalent chromium by functional groups of undissolved humic acid and humin fractions of typical black soil from Northeast China

Abstract

Soil organic matters (SOM) have a great retention effect on Cr(VI) migration in subsurface environment, which act as the main electron donors for Cr(VI) reduction; however, Cr(VI) reduction mechanism by different SOM fractions is still unclear, such as undissolved humic acid (HA) and humin (HM). In this study, HA and HM fractions extracted from typical black soil from Northeast China were used to investigate the reaction mechanism between humus functional groups and Cr(VI). According to the results, phenol and hydroxyl were determined as the main electron donors for Cr(VI) reduction by HA and HM instead of carboxyl and carbonyl, which were more likely involved in Cr complexation. Furthermore, Cr(VI) reduction was more dependent on aromatic carbon, rather than aliphatic carbon, and functional groups on the particle surfaces of HA and HM were much more active for Cr(VI) reduction than their interior part. Additionally, HM was found to have a relatively low Cr(VI) reduction capability compared with HA resulting from its high content of cellulose structures that are quite resistant to Cr(VI) oxidation. These results suggest that in the soil environment, undissolved HA tends to play a much more important role than HM in Cr(VI) reduction and retention in the condition that their mass contents are comparable.

Correction to: The semantic plights of the ante-rem structuralist

Abstract

In the original publication of the article, footnote 17 was incorrectly published. The corrected footnote is given below.

Cathodic microbial community adaptation to the removal of chlorinated herbicide in soil microbial fuel cells

Abstract

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) that uses a solid electrode as the inexhaustible electron acceptor is an innovative remediation technology that simultaneously generates bioelectricity. Chlorinated pollutants are better metabolized by reductive dechlorination in proximity to the cathode. Here, the removal efficiency of the herbicide metolachlor (ML) increased by 262 and 176% in soil MFCs that were spiked with 10 (C10) and 20 mg/kg (C20) of ML, respectively, relative to the non-electrode controls. The bioelectricity output of the C10 and C20 increased by over two- and eightfold, respectively, compared to that of the non-ML control, with maximum current densities of 49.6 ± 2.5 (C10) and 78.9 ± 0.6 mA/m² (C20). Based on correlations between ML concentrations and species abundances in the MFCs, it was inferred that Azohydromonas sp., Sphingomonas sp., and Pontibacter sp. play a major role in ML removal around the cathode, with peak removal efficiencies of 56 ± 1% (C10) and 58 ± 1% (C20). Moreover, Clostridium sp., Geobacter sp., Bacillus sp., Romboutsia sp., and Terrisporobacter sp. may be electricigens or closely related microbes due to the significant positive correlation between the bioelectricity generation levels and their abundances around the anode. This study suggests that a directional adaptation of the microbial community has taken place to increase both the removal of chlorinated herbicides around the cathode and the generation of bioelectricity around the anode in bioelectrochemical remediation systems.

Mixed strategy to allocate resources with air pollution treatment in China: based on the analytic network process and large-group decision-making method

Abstract

The resource allocation of air pollution treatment in China is a complex problem, since many alternatives are available and many criteria influence mutually. A number of stakeholders participate in this issue holding different opinions because of the benefits they value. So a method is needed, based on the analytic network process (ANP) and large-group decision-making (LGDM), to rank the alternatives considering interdependent criteria and stakeholders' opinions. In this method, the criteria related to air pollution treatment are examined by experts. Then, the network structure of the problem is constructed based on the relationships between the criteria. Further, every participant in each group provide comparison matrices by judging the importance between criteria according to dominance, regarding a certain criteria (or goal), and the geometric average comparison matrix of each group is obtained. The decision weight of each group is derived by combining the subjective weight and the objective weight, in which the subjective weight is provided by organizers, while the objective weight is determined by considering the consensus levels of groups. The final comparison matrices are obtained by the geometric average of comparison matrices and the decision weights. Next, the resource allocation is made according to the priorities of the alternatives using the super decision software. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the use of the proposed method.

CORRECTION

Publication date: Available online 4 April 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Reply to “ESMO-MCBS v1.1: Statistical and Patient Relevant Shortcomings” by R. Emprechtinger et al

Methodology of clinical trials evaluating the incorporation of new drugs in the first line treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): a critical review

Abstract

Purpose

The first line treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the combination of rituximab with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy, curing approximately 60% of patients. Many clinical trials have been performed over the last 10 years trying to improve the results of this treatment, but the appropriateness of their planning strategies could be rediscussed.

Patients and Methods

Reports of phase 3 trials evaluating the addition of molecularly targeted agents (MTA) or new monoclonal antibodies to the classic R-CHOP backbone in first-line induction or maintenance treatment were reviewed. The trial design, primary end point, number of patients enrolled, patient selection criteria, treatment schedule and results were registered for each one. In addition, the phase1 and 2 trials which preceded these phase 3 trials were also reviewed.

Results

Among six phase 3 trials with results, only one trial evaluating lenalidomide maintenance after response to R-CHOP induction was positive and reached its primary endpoint. The other 5 trials did not show an improved outcome with the addition of the new agent. The preceding phase 1 and 2 trials were very heterogeneous in their endpoints and design. Even though most of these trials were considered positive, thus encouraging further investigation, so far they failed to predict the results of the subsequent phase 3 trials.

Conclusion

The standard of care for DLBCL is still R-CHOP. Phase 1/2 trials failed to predict the results of subsequent phase 3 trials evaluating non-chemotherapeutic agents added to R-CHOP. The methodology of phase 2 trials evaluating new agents in DLBCL needs to be better defined in the future.