Monitoring Potentially Toxic Element Pollution in Three Wheat-Grown Areas with a Long History of Industrial Activity and Assessment of Their Effect on Human Health in Central Greece

Agricultural lands, especially those where wheat is cultivated, in the vicinity of intense anthropogenic activities may be laden with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), resulting in increased risk for human health. In this study we monitored three regions located in central Greece, currently cultivated with wheat: Domokos and Eretria, two areas with abandoned chromium mines, but never studied before, and the industrial area of Volos, near a major steel factory. All soils were alkaline with medium CaCO3 content. As expected, Cr was extremely high in the first two areas (705.2 in Eretria and 777.5 mg kg−1 in Domokos); Ni was also found elevated (1227 in Eretria, 1315 in Domokos and 257.6 mg kg−1 in the steel factory), while other harmful metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) were rather low. As a result, pollution load index, a cumulative index showing the contamination level of an area, was higher than 1.0 in all three areas (Eretria = 2.20, Domokos = 2.28, and steel factory = 1.61), indicating high contamination and anthropogenic inputs. As for the wheat parts (shoots and grains), they were found to have no elevated concentrations of any of the measured metals in all three study areas, probably due to the alkaline soil pH that decelerates metal mobility. This was also confirmed by the very low soil-to-plant transfer coefficient values for all metals. In assessing the possible risk concerning human health, we found that the soil-to-human pathway would induce no significant risk (exhibited by hazard index of less than 1.0), while the risk from grain-to-human resulted in considerable risk for human health in the steel factory of Volos (where HI > 1.0). Our findings suggest that rural areas never studied before with a history in some offensive anthropogenic activity can prove to be a contamination hotspot; we regard this study as a pivotal for similarly never-visited-before areas casually cultivated with wheat (or other important crops for human nutrition). We further recognize the need for a more in-depth study that would acknowledge the geochemical speciation of the studied metals and also monitor other important crops and their possible uptake of PTEs.

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Health Risk and Geochemical Assessment of Trace Elements in Surface Sediment along the Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary (India)

Water ◽

10.3390/w13020110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 110

Author(s):

Priyanka Mondal ◽

Giusy Lofrano ◽

Maurizio Carotenuto ◽

Marco Guida ◽

Marco Trifuoggi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Human Health ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Significant Risk ◽

River Estuary ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Ganges River ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk

This study investigated sediment spatial and seasonal distribution of trace elements (TEs) (n = 16) and human health effects along the Hooghly River Estuary (India). The index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), hazard quotient (HQ), modified hazard quotient (mHQ) and toxic risk unit (TRI) were calculated to estimate sediment pollution level, while hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) were used to assess TEs enrichment vs. human health. The concentrations (µg/g dry weight) of TEs were: Cd (0.01–1.58), Cr (41.98–105.49), Cu (16.41–51.09), Ni (28.37–63.90), Fe (22075–47919), Mn (423–630), Co (11.43–23.11), Zn (48.82–105.81), V (63.92–138.92), Pb (25.01–43.27) and Ti (0.18–3.50); As (2.92–16.26), B (59.34–98.78), Si (11.52–98.78); Be (1.71–4.81), Ba (95.23–293.72). From Igeo and EF, Cd was the major contaminant, while Ni presented moderate/high contamination (HQ and TRI). Children were more exposed to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks compared to adults. For non-carcinogenic substances, no significant risk was found to both children and adults (HIs < 1). The LCR for Cr (3.924 × 10−4 for children) and As (1.379 × 10−4 for children) was higher than the threshold limit value (TLV, 10−4 and 10−6) indicating significant carcinogenic risks to be managed.

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Physical Illness and Suicide Risk in Rural Residents of Contemporary China

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000271 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 330-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Cun-Xian Jia ◽

Lin-Lin Wang ◽

Ai-Qiang Xu ◽

Ai-Ying Dai ◽

Ping Qin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Family Income ◽

Rural China ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Health Condition ◽

Physical Illness ◽

Rural Residents ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Study Population

Background: Physical illness is linked with an increased risk of suicide; however, evidence from China is limited. Aims: To assess the influence of physical illness on risk of suicide among rural residents of China, and to examine the differences in the characteristics of people completing suicide with physical illness from those without physical illness. Method: In all, 200 suicide cases and 200 control subjects, 1:1 pair-matched on sex and age, were included from 25 townships of three randomly selected counties in Shandong Province, China. One informant for each suicide or control subject was interviewed to collect data on the physical health condition and psychological and sociodemographic status. Results: The prevalence of physical illness in suicide cases (63.0%) was significantly higher than that in paired controls (41.0%; χ2 = 19.39, p < .001). Compared with suicide cases without physical illness, people who were physically ill and completed suicide were generally older, less educated, had lower family income, and reported a mental disorder less often. Physical illness denoted a significant risk factor for suicide with an associated odds ratio of 3.23 (95% CI: 1.85–5.62) after adjusted for important covariates. The elevated risk of suicide increased progressively with the number of comorbid illnesses. Cancer, stroke, and a group of illnesses comprising dementia, hemiplegia, and encephalatrophy had a particularly strong effect among the commonly reported diagnoses in this study population. Conclusion: Physical illness is an important risk factor for suicide in rural residents of China. Efforts for suicide prevention are needed and should be integrated with national strategies of health care in rural China.

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Anthropogenic nitrate in groundwater and its health risks in the view of background concentration in a semi arid area of Rajasthan, India

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88600-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdur Rahman ◽

N. C. Mondal ◽

K. K. Tiwari

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Risks ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Probabilistic Approach ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Arid Area ◽

Oral Exposure ◽

Background Concentration ◽

Semi Arid

AbstractAn increased nitrate (NO3−) concentration in groundwater has been a rising issue on a global scale in recent years. Different consumption mechanisms clearly illustrate the adverse effects on human health. The goal of this present study is to assess the natural and anthropogenic NO3− concentrations in groundwater in a semi arid area of Rajasthan and its related risks to human health in the different groups of ages such as children, males, and females. We have found that most of the samples (n = 90) were influenced by anthropogenic activities. The background level of NO3− had been estimated as 7.2 mg/L using a probabilistic approach. About 93% of nitrate samples exceeded the background limit, while 28% of the samples were beyond the permissible limit of 45 mg/L as per the BIS limits. The results show that the oral exposure of nitrate was very high as compare to dermal contact. With regard to the non-carcinogenic health risk, the total Hazard Index (HITotal) values of groundwater nitrate were an average of 0.895 for males, 1.058 for females, and 1.214 for children. The nitrate health risk assessment shows that about 38%, 46%, and 49% of the samples constitute the non-carcinogenic health risk to males, females, and children, respectively. Children were found to be more prone to health risks due to the potential exposure to groundwater nitrate.

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The presence of lupus nephritis additionally increases the risk of preeclampsia among pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211004716 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110047

Author(s):

Katarina Bremme ◽

Sonja Honkanen ◽

Iva Gunnarsson ◽

Roza Chaireti

Keyword(s):

Caesarean Section ◽

Lupus Nephritis ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Premature Birth ◽

Renal Involvement ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Obstetric Outcomes ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Renal Lupus

Introduction Pregnant women with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of obstetric complications, such as preeclampsia and premature births. Previous studies have suggested that renal involvement could further increase the risk for adverse obstetric outcomes. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the obstetric outcomes in a Swedish cohort of patients with SLE with and without lupus nephritis (LN). Patients and methods The study was conducted as a retrospective observational study on 103 women with SLE, who gave birth at the Karolinska University Hospital between the years 2000-2017. Thirty-five women had previous or active LN and 68 women had non-renal lupus. Data was collected from digital medical records. The outcomes that were analysed included infants born small for gestational age (SGA), premature birth, preeclampsia, SLE- or nephritis flare and caesarean section. Results Women with LN, both with previous and with renal flare during pregnancy suffered from pre-eclampsia more often compared to women with non-renal lupus (25.7% vs 2.9%, p = 0.001) and this complication was associated with premature birth (p = 0.021) and caesarean section (p = 0.035). Conclusions Lupus nephritis is a significant risk factor for adverse obstetric outcomes in women with SLE, including preeclampsia. Those patients could benefit from more frequent antenatal controls and more vigorous follow-up.

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Association between Pre-Existing Coronary Artery Disease and 5-Year Mortality in Stroke Patients with High-Grade Carotid Artery Stenosis

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000512407 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Ching-I Wu ◽

Chia-Lun Wu ◽

Feng-Chieh Su ◽

Shun-Wen Lin ◽

Wen-Yi Huang

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Carotid Artery Stenosis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽

Artery Stenosis ◽

High Grade ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Artery Disease

Background: The coincidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) was observed. However, the association between pre-existing CAD and ischemic stroke (IS) outcome in patients with high-grade CAS remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAD and outcomes of acute IS patients with high-grade CAS. Methods: From January 1, 2007, to April 30, 2012, we enrolled 372 acute IS patients with high-grade CAS and prospectively observed them for 5 years. Demographic features, vascular risk factors, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared between patients with and without pre-existing CAD. Results: Among 372 individuals, 75 (20.2%) patients had pre-existing CAD and 297 (79.8%) patients did not have pre-existing CAD. The prevalence rates of hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and gout in patients with pre-existing CAD were significantly higher than in those without pre-existing CAD (p = 0.017, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.001, respectively). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that pre-existing CAD was a significant risk factor for a 5-year all-cause mortality in acute IS patients with high-grade CAS (hazard ratio = 2.26; 95% confidence interval = 1.35–3.79; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Pre-existing CAD was associated with an increased risk of 5-year mortality in acute IS patients with high-grade CAS. Intensive treatment for the pre-existing CAD may reduce long-term mortality in acute IS patients with high-grade CAS.

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The Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis following the Administration of Hyperosmolar Enteral Medications to Extremely Preterm Infants

Neonatology ◽

10.1159/000513169 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Faiza Latheef ◽

Hanna Wahlgren ◽

Helene Engstrand Lilja ◽

Barbro Diderholm ◽

Mattias Paulsson

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Quality Register ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Extremely Preterm ◽

Extremely Preterm Infants ◽

Hyperosmolar Solutions

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a disease predominantly affecting preterm infants. The administration of hyperosmolar solutions could lead to the development of NEC. The objective of this study was to measure the osmolality of enteral medications used in clinical practice and to assess the risk of NEC following exposure to hyperosmolar medications. Methods: A retrospective cohort study in extremely preterm infants (gestational age <28 weeks) born between 2010 and 2016 at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Sweden. 465 infants were identified via the Swedish Neonatal Quality register. Data relating to enteral administrations received during a two-week period were collected from the medical records. The osmolalities of medications were measured using an osmometer. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio of developing NEC. Results: A total of 253 patients met the inclusion criteria. The osmolalities of 5 commonly used medications significantly exceeded the recommended limit of 450 mOsm/kg set by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP). Most patients (94%) received at least one hyperosmolar medication. No significant risk of developing NEC could be found. Conclusion: The medications used in clinical practice can significantly exceed the limit set by the AAP. This study does not indicate an increased risk of developing NEC in extremely preterm infants following exposure to hyperosmolar medications. Further studies in larger cohorts are needed to determine the specific cut-off level of osmolality in relation to the pathogenesis of NEC.

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Risk assessment of Ni, Cr, and Si release from alkaline minerals during enhanced weathering

Open Agriculture ◽

10.1515/opag-2020-0016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 166-175

Author(s):

Fatima Haque ◽

Yi Wai Chiang ◽

Rafael M. Santos

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Carcinogenic Risk ◽

Contamination Level ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Silicate Minerals ◽

Guideline Value ◽

Quality Guideline ◽

Index Value

AbstractCalcium- and magnesium-rich alkaline silicate minerals, when applied to soil, can aid in carbon dioxide sequestration via enhanced weathering. The weathering of these silicate minerals is also associated with the release of heavy metals such as Ni and Cr, depending on the composition of the parent rock, and also labile Si. This paper critically analyses the risk associated with the release of Ni, Cr, and Si from alkaline silicate minerals as a result of enhanced weathering to evaluate its potential to be applied as a soil amendment. Based on the available data in the literature, this study evaluates the soil contamination level and quantifies the risk these elements pose to human health as well as the environment. To assess these potential threat levels, the geoaccumulation index was applied, along with the method recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency for health risk assessment. The main findings of this study indicate the potential release of Ni, Cr, and Si to exceed the soil quality guideline value. The geochemical index suggests that the analyzed samples are in the class 0–3 and represents sites that lie between uncontaminated zones to highly contaminated zones. The hazard index value for Ni and Cr is greater than unity, which suggests that Ni and Cr release poses a non-carcinogenic risk. The probability of labile Si concentration in the soil to exceed the critical value is found to be 75%.

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Post-Bariatric Abdominoplasty: Analysis of 406 Cases With Focus on Risk Factors and Complications

Aesthetic Surgery Journal ◽

10.1093/asj/sjaa067 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 59-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Torsten Schlosshauer ◽

Marcus Kiehlmann ◽

Diana Jung ◽

Robert Sader ◽

Ulrich M Rieger

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Wound Healing ◽

Surgical Technique ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Wound Healing Problems ◽

Bariatric Patients

Abstract Background Post-bariatric patients present a surgical challenge within abdominoplasty because of residual obesity and major comorbidities. In this study, we analyzed complications following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients and evaluated potential risk factors associated with these complications. Objectives The authors sought to determine the complications and risk factors following abdominoplasty in post-bariatric patients. Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty was performed from January 2009 to December 2018 at our institution. Variables analyzed were sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, surgical technique, operative time, resection weight, drain output, and complications. Results A total of 406 patients were included in this study (320 female and 86 male) with a mean age of 44.4 years and a BMI of 30.6 kg/m2. Abdominoplasty techniques consisted of traditional (64.3%), fleur-de-lis technique (27.3%), and panniculectomy without umbilical displacement (8.4%). Overall complications recorded were 41.9%, the majority of these being wound-healing problems (32%). Minor and major complications were found in 29.1% and 12.8% of patients, respectively. A BMI value of ≥30 kg/m2 was associated with an increased risk for wound-healing problems (P = 0.001). The frequency of total complications was significantly related to age (P = 0.007), BMI (P = 0.004), and resection weight (P = 0.001). Abdominoplasty technique tended to influence total complications. Conclusions This study demonstrates in a fairly large sample of post-bariatric patients (n = 406) that abdominoplasty alone can be performed safely, with an acceptable complication rate. Age, BMI, and resection weight are shown to be significant risk factors for total complications. The role of surgical technique needs to be evaluated further. Level of Evidence: 4

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Post-thyroidectomy bleeding: analysis of risk factors from a national registry

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab015 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

H E Doran ◽

S M Wiseman ◽

F F Palazzo ◽

D Chadwick ◽

S Aspinall

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Total Thyroidectomy ◽

Thyroid Surgery ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Bleeding Risk ◽

Redo Surgery ◽

Day Case ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Male Sex

Abstract Background Post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage occurs in 1–2 per cent of patients, one-quarter requiring bedside clot evacuation. Owing to the risk of life-threatening haemorrhage, previous British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons (BAETS) guidance has been that day-case thyroidectomy could not be endorsed. This study aimed to review the best currently available UK data to evaluate a recent change in this recommendation. Methods The UK Registry of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery was analysed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage from 2004 to 2018. Results Reoperation for bleeding occurred in 1.2 per cent (449 of 39 014) of all thyroidectomies. In multivariable analysis male sex, increasing age, redo surgery, retrosternal goitre and total thyroidectomy were significantly correlated with an increased risk of reoperation for bleeding, and surgeon monthly thyroidectomy rate correlated with a decreased risk. Estimation of variation in bleeding risk from these predictors gave low pseudo-R2 values, suggesting that bleeding is unpredictable. Reoperation for bleeding occurred in 0.9 per cent (217 of 24 700) of hemithyroidectomies, with male sex, increasing age, decreasing surgeon volume and redo surgery being risk factors. The mortality rate following thyroidectomy was 0.1 per cent (23 of 38 740). In a multivariable model including reoperation for bleeding node dissection and age were significant risk factors for mortality. Conclusion The highest risk for bleeding occurred following total thyroidectomy in men, but overall bleeding was unpredictable. In hemithyroidectomy increasing surgeon thyroidectomy volume reduces bleeding risk. This analysis supports the revised BAETS recommendation to restrict day-case thyroid surgery to hemithyroidectomy performed by high-volume surgeons, with caution in the elderly, men, patients with retrosternal goitres, and those undergoing redo surgery.

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Combining Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio to Predict Brain Metastasis of Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8076384 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wei Wang ◽

Chao Bian ◽

Di Xia ◽

Jin-Xi He ◽

Ping Hai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Brain Metastasis ◽

Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽

Carcinoembryonic Antigen ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Platelet To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Increased Risk

We aimed to evaluate the role of pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting brain metastasis after radical surgery for lung adenocarcinoma patients. The records of 103 patients with completely resected lung adenocarcinoma between 2013 and 2014 were reviewed. Clinicopathologic characteristics of these patients were assessed in the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Brain metastasis occurred in 12 patients (11.6%). On univariate analysis, N2 stage (P = 0.013), stage III (P = 0.016), increased CEA level (P = 0.006), and higher PLR value (P = 0.020) before treatment were associated with an increased risk of developing brain metastasis. In multivariate model analysis, CEA above 5.2 ng/mL (P = 0.014) and PLR ≥ 120 (P = 0.036) remained as the risk factors for brain metastasis. The combination of CEA and PLR was superior to CEA or PLR alone in predicting brain metastasis according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under ROC curve, AUC 0.872 versus 0.784 versus 0.704). Pretreatment CEA and PLR are independent and significant risk factors for occurrence of brain metastasis in resected lung adenocarcinoma patients. Combining these two factors may improve the predictability of brain metastasis.

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