The hazards of operational diving in heavily oil-polluted water

1991 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164
Author(s):  
K. A. Peterson ◽  
S. J. Portouw
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Toxic Dose ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Levels

AbstractThe war in the Gulf and the resultant massive oil spill has prompted an assessment of the health hazards to naval divers operating in oil-fouled environments. A review of current literature and discussions with experts in the field was undertaken to assess these hazards. With the assistance of Kuwait Petroleum, an assay of the content of average Kuwait crude was obtained. The risks of contact with crude oil and its vapours via the skin, inhalation and ingestion have been assessed. Contact dermatitis is the most likely sequel. A chemical pneumonitis from oil inhalation is possible but extremely unlikely. A health risk from ingestion of crude oil is equally unlikely since no toxic effect is thought to occur below a consumption of 5 ml/kg (350 ml for an average diver). Trace metals were found to be at a level of less than 1/10 of the minimal toxic dose for all but vanadium. No increased risk of skin cancer can be found in animal studies of crude oil. Epidemiological studies have recorded no increased risk of bladder or thyroid cancer in petroleum workers, but an increase in lung, nasal cavity, sinus and skin cancer has been shown following chronic exposure to low levels of petroleum vapour. No medical indication was found for modification of existing operational procedures, although, since the toxicity of some components of crude oil is unknown, the use of improved equipment to avoid contact should be studied.

scholarly journals Dietary intake of manganese and the risk of the metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 853-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biao Zhou ◽  
Xuefen Su ◽  
Danting Su ◽  
Fangfang Zeng ◽  
Maggie Haitian Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Related Data ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Hdl

AbstractAnimal studies have suggested that Mn might be associated with some components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). A few epidemiological studies have assessed dietary Mn intake and its association with the risk of the MetS and its components among Chinese adults. In this study, we assessed daily dietary Mn intake and its relationship with MetS risk among Chinese adults in Zhejiang Province using data from the 5th Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey (2010–2012). A total of 2111 adults were included. Dietary Mn intake was assessed using 3-d 24-h dietary recalls; health-related data were obtained by questionnaire surveys, physical examinations and laboratory assessments. The mean intake of Mn was 6·07 (sd 2·94) mg/d for men (n 998) and 5·13 (sd 2·65) mg/d for women (n 1113). Rice (>42 %) was the main food source of Mn. The prevalence of the MetS was 28·0 % (590/2111). Higher Mn intake was associated with a decreased risk of the MetS in men (Q4 v. Q1 OR 0·62; 95 % CI 0·42, 0·92; Ptrend=0·043) but an increased risk in women (Q4 v. Q1 OR 1·56; 95 % CI 1·02, 2·45; Ptrend=0·078). In addition, Mn intake was inversely associated with abdominal obesity (Ptrend=0·016) and hypertriacylglycerolaemia (Ptrend=0·029) in men, but positively associated with low HDL-cholesterol in both men (Ptrend=0·003) and women (Ptrend<0·001). Our results suggest that higher Mn intakes may be protective against the MetS in men. The inverse association between Mn intake and the MetS in women might be due to the increased risk for low HDL-cholesterol.

scholarly journals Delayed parenthood and its influence on offspring health: What have we learned from the mouse model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zacchini ◽  
Silvestre Sampino ◽  
Marta Zietek ◽  
Alan Chan
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Reproductive Outcome ◽  
Parental Age ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Delayed Parenthood ◽  
Offspring Health

Abstract Delayed parenthood is constantly increasing worldwide due to various socio-economic factors. In the last decade, a growing number of epidemiological studies have suggested a link between advanced parental age and an increased risk of diseases in the offspring. Also, poor reproductive outcome has been described in pregnancies conceived by aged parents. Similarly, animal studies showed that aging negatively affects gametes, early embryonic development, pregnancy progression and the postnatal phenotype of resulting offspring. However, how and to what extent parental age is a risk factor for the health of future generations is still subject to debate. Notwithstanding the limitation of an animal model, the mouse model represents a useful tool to understand not only the influence of parental age on offspring phenotype but also the biological mechanisms underlying the poor reproductive outcome and the occurrence of diseases in the descendants. The present review aims at i) providing an overview of the current knowledge from mouse model about the risks associated with conception at advanced age (e.g. neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders), ii) highlighting the candidate biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, and iii) discussing on how murine-derived data can be relevant to humans.

scholarly journals The Role of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Is It a Weak Hypothesis or a Hidden Reality? From Facts to New Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Gorini ◽  
Giorgio Iervasi ◽  
Alessio Coi ◽  
Letizia Pitto ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

In the last decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased faster than that of any other malignant tumor type. The cause of thyroid cancer is likely multifactorial and a variety of both exogenous and endogenous has been identified as potential risk factors. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used since the 1970s as flame retardants, are still widespread and persistent pollutants today, although their production was definitely phased out in the western countries several years ago. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are known endocrine disruptors, and the endocrine system is their primary target. Whereas animal studies have ascertained the ability of PBDEs to affect the normal functionality of the thyroid, evidence in humans remains inconclusive, and only a few epidemiological studies investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs and thyroid cancer. However, a number of clues suggest that a prolonged exposure to these chemicals might act a trigger of the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, whereas further studies with an advanced design are suggested.

Relative prevalence of 10 types of pharmacodynamic interactions in psychiatric treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A Zarkowski
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Healthcare Database ◽  
Pharmacodynamic Interaction ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pharmacodynamic Interactions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Centers ◽  
Relative Prevalence

Objective To assess the relative prevalence and factors affecting the prescription of medication combinations with a theoretical efficacy limiting pharmacodynamic interaction, defined as two medications with opposing indications and side effects or antagonistic action at the primary receptor of mechanism of action. Method One hundred sixteen combinations were identified for 10 types of pharmacodynamic interactions. PubMed was searched for each combination to assess the quality of evidence either supporting clinical use or verifying reduced efficacy. Micromedex was searched to determine the presence of warnings to prescribers of reduced efficacy. The prevalence in clinical practice was determined by computer review of the Genoa Healthcare database for all prescribers at 10 participating community mental health centers. The expected prevalence was calculated as the product of the probability of each medication prescribed alone and was compared with the actual prevalence of the combination using the test of proportions. Results The frequency of prescription of eight combinations met the Bonferroni corrected level of significance of p < 0.001. Four were combinations of amphetamine and D2 antagonists and each were prescribed less often than chance, p = 0.0001 consistent with epidemiological studies and multiple animal studies verifying an efficacy limiting interaction. Despite epidemiological studies indicating increased risk of accidents, alprazolam and amphetamine were prescribed more often than chance, p = 0.0001. Micromedex generated warnings for efficacy limiting interactions for five other combinations, but with no subsequent change in prescription frequency. Conclusions Neither presence of medical evidence nor warnings from Micromedex consistently affect the prescription of combinations with pharmacodynamic efficacy limiting interactions.

Male Infertility and Risk of Nonmalignant Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (03) ◽  
pp. 282-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Bonde ◽  
Michael Eisenberg ◽  
Aleksander Giwercman ◽  
Katia Hærvig ◽  
Susie Rimborg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractThe association between male infertility and increased risk of certain cancers is well studied. Less is known about the long-term risk of nonmalignant diseases in men with decreased fertility. A systemic literature review was performed on the epidemiologic evidence of male infertility as a precursor for increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and all-cause mortality. PubMed and Embase were searched from January 1, 1980, to September 1, 2016, to identify epidemiological studies reporting associations between male infertility and the outcomes of interest. Animal studies, case reports, reviews, studies not providing an accurate reference group, and studies including infertility due to vasectomy or malignancy were excluded. The literature search resulted in 2,485 references among which we identified seven articles fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Of these, four articles were prospective (three on risk of mortality, one on risk of chronic diseases) and three were cross-sectional relating male infertility to the Charlson Comorbidity Index. The current epidemiological evidence is compatible with an association between male infertility and risk of chronic disease and mortality, but the small number of prospective studies and insufficient adjustment of confounders preclude strong statements about male infertility as precursor of these outcomes.

No correlation of serum cholesterol levels with measures of violence in patients with schizophrenia and non-psychotic disorders

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 346-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Steinert ◽  
M. Woelfle ◽  
R.P. Gebhardt
Keyword(s):  
Serum Cholesterol ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Psychiatric Admission ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Social ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Overt Aggression Scale

SummaryEpidemiological studies, animal studies, and clinical studies yielded conflicting results concerning a supposed association between increased risk for suicide and violence, and low serum cholesterol levels. Until now, no data has been available for patients with schizophrenia, a disorder with a well-known increased risk of violence. Correlations of serum cholesterol levels at admission and measures of violence were investigated in 103 consecutively admitted patients (44 males, 59 females) of a general psychiatric admission unit. Seventy subjects were diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (ICD-10 F 20, F25), and 33 were diagnosed as suffering from non-psychotic disorders (mainly personality disorders). The level of total exhibited violence during the inpatient treatment period was measured in each patient by the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), the Social Dysfunction and Aggression Scale (SDAS), the Staff Observation Aggression Scale (SOAS), and the Violence Scale (VS). Correlations of all violence measures were high (0.75–0.90), but no correlation was found with cholesterol levels, neither for psychotic nor for non-psychotic subjects, neither for men nor for women. The hypothesis of associations of violence and cholesterol levels is not supported by the data.

scholarly journals Association between Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Dastoorpoor ◽  
Narges Khanjani ◽  
Narges Khodadadi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Equivalent Temperature ◽  
Physiological Equivalent Temperature ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy

Abstract Background There are few epidemiological studies on the relation between temperature changes and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) with adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), preterm labor (PTL), spontaneous abortion (SA), preeclampsia and hypertension in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods Distributed Lag Non-linear Models (DLNM) combined with quasi-Poisson regression were used to investigate the effect of PET on adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study the effect of time trend, air pollutants (NO2, SO2 and PM10), and weekdays were adjusted. Results High PET (45.4 C°, lag = 0) caused a significant increase in risk of stillbirth. Also, high levels of PET (45.4, 43.6, 42.5 C°, lag = 0–6) and low levels of PET (9.9, 16.9 C°, lags = 0, 0–13, 0–21) significantly increased the risk of LBW. But, low levels of PET (6.4, 9.9, 16.9 C°, lags = 0–6, 0–13) reduced the risk of gestational hypertension. Conclusion The results of this study showed that hot and cold thermal stress may be associated with increased risk of stillbirth, and LBW in Ahvaz.

scholarly journals The effect of sublethal short-duration exposure of paraoxon on pregnancy and fetuses in mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-867
Author(s):  
Syed Nurulain ◽  
Mohamed Shafiullah ◽  
Charu Sharma ◽  
Mahmoud Ali ◽  
Shreesh Ojha
Keyword(s):  
Short Duration ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Organophosphorus Compounds ◽  
Pregnancy Termination ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Daily Injection ◽  
Toxic Dose ◽  
Pregnant Mice ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

A convincing number of epidemiological studies have reported on the exposure to and consequences of organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) in pregnant women. However, there is still a knowledge gap and paucity of systematic literature from animal studies. This study was undertaken with the hypothesis that short-duration sublethal exposure to OPCs can produce maternal and fetal lethal effects as chronic exposure. This study examineses the teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of paraoxon (POX) in mice at a dose that is non-lethal to non-pregnant mothers. Pregnant mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with paraoxon (50 nmol/mouse) on the 4th and 5th days of gestation, and the effect of the treatment was assessed on day 18 of gestation. This dose was fatal to pregnant mice in 21% of instances as compared to non-pregnant animals in which 0% mortality was detected, even after daily injection of a similar dose for five days. Significant inhibition of red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) was observed in pregnant mice as compared to non-pregnant ones; however, no apparent neuronal effect was detected. Of note were fetal weight decrement, pregnancy termination, intrauterine growth retardation and maternal death. We concluded that exposure to even a non-toxic dose might be critical for pregnant mothers, the pregnancy as well as fetuses. In addition, even exposure of short duration can be detrimental and capable of producing profound and fatal effects.

Epidemiological Trends in Attempted Suicide in Adolescents and Young Adults Between 1996 and 2004

Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie De Munck ◽  
Gwendolyn Portzky ◽  
Kees Van Heeringen
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Trends

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.

scholarly journals High-Density Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Disease: The Good, the Bad and the Future

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 857
Author(s):  
Josep Julve ◽  
Joan Carles Escolà-Gil
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
High Density ◽  
High Density Lipoproteins ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Plasma High Density ◽  
Low Levels

Epidemiological studies have shown that low levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) [...]

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