scholarly journals Everyday Suffering and the Abstract Time-Reckoning of Law

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-38
Author(s):  
David Loher
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Temporal Order ◽  
The Body ◽  
Legal Responsibility ◽  
Asbestos Fibre ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Industrial Disaster

How does time structure the allocation of responsibility in the context of large-scale corporate crimes? Focusing on the Processo Eternit – a criminal case brought against the former main investor in Europe’s largest asbestos-processing factory in Casale Monferrato (Italy) – this article compares the temporal order of the lived experience of the asbestos disaster in the affected community with the abstract time-reckoning of law. The everyday suffering in the form of the long-term health effects, inscribed in the body through the asbestos fibre, collides with the statute of limitation of the alleged crimes, as stipulated in law and endorsed in the court room. It examines how these incommensurable temporalities reconfigure the allocation of moral and legal responsibility for an industrial disaster and shows how these contradictions are related to the victims’ expectations of justice and their experience of injustice.

Lessons Learned and Unsolved Public Health Problems After Large-Scale Disasters

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor S. Koscheyev ◽  
Gloria R. Leon ◽  
Ian A. Greaves
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nuclear Facilities

AbstractBackground:This paper examines the considerable medical and psychological problems that ensue after disasters in which massive populations are affected for extended and sometimes unknown time periods. The organization of disaster response teams after large-scale disasters is based on experiences as a medical specialist at Chernobyl immediately after this catastrophe. Optimal ways of dealing with the immediate medical and logistical demands as well as long-term public health problems are explored with a particular focus on radiation disasters. Other lessons learned from Chernobyl are explained.Issues:Current concerns involve the constant threat of a disaster posed by aging nuclear facilities and nuclear and chemical disarmament activities. The strategies that have been used by various groups in responding to a disaster and dealing with medical and psychological health effects at different disaster stages are evaluated. The emergence of specialized centers in the former Soviet Union to study long-term health effects after radiation accidents are described. Worldwide, there has been relatively little attention paid to mid- and long-term health effects, particularly the psychological stress effects. Problems in conducting longitudinal health research are explored.Recommendations:The use of a mobile diagnostic and continuously operating prehospital triage system for rapid health screening of large populations at different stages after a large-scale disaster is advisable. The functional systems of the body to be observed at different stages after a radiation disaster are specified. There is a particularly strong need for continued medical and psychosocial evaluation of radiation exposed populations over an extended time and a need for international collaboration among investigators.

scholarly journals Contamination of food with cadmium and dioxins – influence on the human body

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Słojewska ◽  
Izabela Gutowska
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Bone Mineralization ◽  
The Body ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Hormonal Balance ◽  
Small Doses ◽  
Contaminated Food

Introduction: Food is a carrier of many pollutants nowadays. For cadmium and dioxins, it is the main source of these compounds in the general population. Hence, the aim of this work was to collect data on the health effects associated with exposure to cadmium and dioxins which get into the human body through food.Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted by searching the scientific Medline database (PubMed) and Google Scholar.Results: Health effects associated with a long-term exposure to low doses of cadmium and dioxins may be nonspecific and are rarely attributed to food sources. These may cause disorders affecting hormonal balance, kidney function, lipid metabolism, fertility, cognitive function, bone mineralization, and susceptibility to diseases and allergies. These compounds may also lead to cancer development.Conclusions: The general population faces the problem of longterm exposure to small doses of these substances due to their accumulation in the body, even if their amounts do not exceed the relevant standards. The health effects of this type of exposure may be significantly delayed and are not likely to be attributed to the consumption of contaminated food. Consumers wishing to reduce the amounts of these compounds delivered to the body should limit the consumption of grilled and smoked products, and should also opt for organic food.

scholarly journals Medical and health surveillance in postaccident recovery: experience after Fukushima

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tanigawa
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Fukushima Accident ◽  
Difficult Situation

The accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant occurred following the huge tsunami and earthquake of 11 March 2011. After the accident, there was considerable uncertainty and concern about the health effects of radiation. In this difficult situation, emergency responses, including large-scale evacuation, were implemented. The Fukushima Health Management Survey (FHMS) was initiated 3 months after the accident. The primary purposes of FHMS were to monitor the long-term health of residents, promote their well-being, and monitor any health effects related to long-term, low-dose radiation exposure. Despite the severity of the Fukushima accident and the huge impact of the natural disaster, radiation exposure of the public was very low. However, there were other serious health problems, including deaths during evacuation, increased mortality among displaced elderly people, mental health and lifestyle-related health problems, and social issues after the accident. The Nuclear Emergency Situations – Improvement of Medical and Health Surveillance (SHAMISEN) project, funded by the Open Project For European Radiation Research Area, aimed to develop recommendations for medical and health surveillance of populations affected by previous and future radiation accidents. This paper briefly introduces the points that have been learned from the Fukushima accident from the perspective of SHAMISEN recommendations.

Lessons for Health Service: the Chernobyl Accident and the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
A. Bushmanov ◽  
I. Galstyan ◽  
V. Solov'ev ◽  
M. Konchalovsky
Keyword(s):  
Chernobyl Accident ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
The Body ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Vital Functions ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Emergency Drugs ◽  
To Receive

Purpose: The article is devoted to the analysis of organizational measures to overcome the medical consequences of two large-scale events: the Chernobyl accident on 26.04.1986 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A comparison of the causes, key factors, numbers affected and involved in these events persons, and the availability of the source of knowledge about the clinical picture, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, developing as a result of radiation exposure and the virus SARS-Cov-2. The article considers the availability of special medical institutions, the infectability of medical workers, the presence of long-term consequences for the health of victims and for the economy. Conclusions: In the development of such catastrophic events, an important role should be played by 1) Timely and adequate information to the population. 2) It is necessary to have a sufficient number of beds that can be repurposed in accordance with the needs and provided with appropriate equipment to support the vital functions of the body. 3) Planned training of qualified medical personnel should be carried out. 4) It is necessary to have stocks of emergency drugs close to the institutions where it is possible to receive victims.

scholarly journals Disruption to Transformation: Engaged Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 150-150
Author(s):  
Carol Geary ◽  
Katherine Abbott ◽  
Erin McGaffigan
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
The Body ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Environment ◽  
Dissemination Of Research ◽  
Do So

Abstract With changes in funders’ requirements, engagement of persons with “lived experience” in the planning, conduct, and dissemination of research is increasingly common. Although patient and stakeholder engagement is expected, the body of literature describing necessary structures and processes is severely limited. Therefore, the purpose of this symposium is to aid in the movement of engaged research from disruption to translation. To do so, we will describe gaps in researcher knowledge and skills associated with patient and stakeholder engagement; structures and processes in current use with older adults, and outcomes associated with engagement. We will begin by sharing findings within advisory board models of engagement. Dr. Lessem will describe the Sage Resource Project researcher needs assessment. Researchers (N=103) shared both their engagement interests and their perceived knowledge and capability gaps. Dr. Berman will describe training developed within the same project to overcome researchers’ perceived gaps. Then, Dr. Roes will describe a qualitative evaluation of persons with dementia perspectives on rewards and benefits of advisory board involvement. Our final two presenters will describe engagement using a variety of engagement approaches. Dr. Douglas will share experiences with adapting Montessori philosophies and processes to engage CNAs in development of innovative programming for dementia care within a long term care environment. Finally, Dr. Geary will share her team’s findings from interviews completed using appreciative inquiry with sites with over five-years’ experience engaging patients in research. Each site has developed unique infrastructures and processes to most effectively achieve desired outcomes.

scholarly journals Urinary nucleic acids can be concentrated, dried on membranes and stored at room temperature in vacuum bags

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanshuang Zhang ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Jianqiang Wu ◽  
Youhe Gao
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
The Body ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Good Source ◽  
Disease Biomarkers ◽  
Non Invasive

Urine accumulates traces of changes that occur in the body and can potentially serve as a better biomarker source. Urinary nucleic acids are a promising class of non-invasive disease biomarkers. However, long-term frozen human urine samples are not a good source for the extraction of nucleic acids. In this paper, we demonstrate that urinary nucleic acids can be concentrated, dried on membranes and stored in vacuum bags at room temperature for several months. The amount of total RNA on the membranes after storage at room temperature for three months was unchanged. The levels of miR-16 and miR-21 exhibited no significant differences (P = 0.564, 0.386). This simple and economical method makes the large-scale storage of clinical samples of urinary nucleic acids possible.

scholarly journals Dose-dependent response to infection with Ebola virus in the ferret model and evidence of viral evolution in the eye.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Watson ◽  
Julia Tree ◽  
Susan A. Fotheringham ◽  
Yper Hall ◽  
Xiaofeng Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Viral Evolution ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
The Body ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Persistent Virus

Filoviruses are high consequence infections with limited approved medical countermeasures (MCMs). MCM development is dependent upon well-characterised animal models for the assessment of anti-viral agents and vaccines. Following large scale Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Africa, some survivors are left with long-term sequelae and persistent virus in immune-privileged sites for many years. We report the characterisation of the ferret as a model for Ebola virus (EBOV) infection, reproducing disease and lethality observed in humans. The onset of clinical signs is rapid, and EBOV is detected in the blood, oral and rectal swabs, and all tissues studied. We identify viral RNA in the eye (a site of immune privilege) and report on specific genomic changes in EBOV present in this structure. Thus, the ferret model has utility in testing MCMs that prevent or treat long term EBOV persistence in immune-privileged sites. Importance Recent re-emergence of Ebola in Guinea that caused over 28000 cases between 2013-2016 has been linked to the original virus from that region. It appears the virus has remained in the region for at least 5 years and is likely to have been maintained in humans. Persistence of Ebola in areas of the body for extended periods of time has been observed such as in the eye and semen. Despite the importance of re-introduction of Ebola from this route, such events are rare in the population which makes studying medical interventions to clear persistent virus difficult. We studied various doses of Ebola in ferrets and detected virus in the eyes of most ferrets. We believe this model will enable the study of medical interventions that promote clearance of Ebola virus from sites that promote persistence.

scholarly journals Urinary nucleic acids can be concentrated, dried on membranes and stored at room temperature in vacuum bags

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanshuang Zhang ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Jianqiang Wu ◽  
Youhe Gao
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
The Body ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Good Source ◽  
Disease Biomarkers ◽  
Non Invasive

Urine accumulates traces of changes that occur in the body and can potentially serve as a better biomarker source. Urinary nucleic acids are a promising class of non-invasive disease biomarkers. However, long-term frozen human urine samples are not a good source for the extraction of nucleic acids. In this paper, we demonstrate that urinary nucleic acids can be concentrated, dried on membranes and stored in vacuum bags at room temperature for several months. The amount of total RNA on the membranes after storage at room temperature for three months was unchanged. The levels of miR-16 and miR-21 exhibited no significant differences (P = 0.564, 0.386). This simple and economical method makes the large-scale storage of clinical samples of urinary nucleic acids possible.

scholarly journals Catheter Ablation in Persistent AF, the Evolution towards a More Pragmatic Strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 4060
Author(s):  
Louisa O’Neill ◽  
Jean-Yves Wielandts ◽  
Kris Gillis ◽  
Gabriela Hilfiker ◽  
Jean-Benoit Le Polain De Waroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The Body ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Meaningful Improvement ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Mapping Techniques ◽  
Catheter Technology

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and represents a heterogeneous disorder with a complex pathological basis. While significant technological advances have taken place over the last decade in the field of catheter ablation of AF, response to ablation varies and long-term success rates in those with persistent AF remain modest. Mechanistic studies have highlighted potentially different sustaining factors for AF in the persistent AF population with substrate-driven focal and re-entrant sources in the body of the atria identified on invasive and non-invasive mapping studies. Translation to clinical practice, however, remains challenging and the application of such mapping techniques to clinical ablation has yet to demonstrate a significant benefit beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone in the persistent AF cohort. Recent advances in catheter and ablation technology have centered on improving the durability of ablation lesions at index procedure and although encouraging results have been demonstrated with early studies, large-scale trials are awaited. Further meaningful improvement in clinical outcomes in the persistent AF population requires ongoing advancement in the understanding of AF mechanisms, coupled with continuing progress in catheter technology capable of delivering durable transmural lesions.

scholarly journals Metal distribution patterns in tissues from implanted Sprague-Dawley rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239784732110628
Author(s):  
Vernieda B Vergara ◽  
Jessica F Hoffman ◽  
John F Kalinich
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Depleted Uranium ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Background: Injuries with fragments of embedded metal are a common occurrence in armed conflicts. Unfortunately, the list of metals encountered on the modern battlefield are practically endless while the short- and long-term health effects, especially when embedded as in a shrapnel wound, are not well understood. One of the major concerns with these types of injuries is the solubilization of the embedded metal and the translocation and deposition to various organs of the body. Methods: Using a rodent model system developed in our laboratory to assess the health effects of embedded metal fragments, we surgically implanted metal pellets into the gastrocnemius muscles of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Test metals were chosen from a list promulgated by the U.S. Department of Defense as “metals of concern” with respect to embedded fragment wounds and included tungsten, nickel, cobalt, iron, copper, aluminum, lead, and depleted uranium. Tantalum was used as a control metal. Cohorts of the metal-implanted rats were humanely euthanized at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months post-implantation and a variety of tissues collected and analyzed for metal content using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: With few exceptions, the embedded metal fragments eventually released solubilized metal ions, with the metals deposited in numerous tissues in the rats. Not all of the embedded metals localized to all tissues at significant levels. Copper, iron, and aluminum were not found in statistically significant levels, versus control, in any of the tissues analyzed. The other metals tested all appeared in elevated levels in the kidney which is not surprising since previous research has shown that they are also excreted in the urine at appreciable amounts. Tungsten and nickel were found in only a small number of tissues, tungsten in spleen, and nickel in liver and testes. Cobalt, lead, and depleted uranium showed the widest distribution with significant levels in liver, spleen, testes, lung, tibia, fibula, and femur. Conclusion: In this study, we showed that embedded metal fragments, such as those suffered in a shrapnel wound, could solubilize and metals become deposited in tissues far from the original site of implantation. Tissue deposition was metal-specific and many of the metals were found to cross the blood-testes barrier and were also found in bone. Since standard surgical guidance recommends leaving embedded fragments in place except for certain circumstances, this report will expand the understanding of tissue deposition of the solubilized metals and will hopefully aid healthcare professionals in developing long-term treatment strategies for dealing with these types of wounds.

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