Tag: pubmed

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2021 Mar 8;42(3):1333-1342. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202006177.

ABSTRACT

In order to comprehensively assess the emission status of air pollutes from domestic waste treatment plants in mainland China, the basic statistical information of 31 provinces and cities in China was systematically collected and collated. The emission factor method was adopted to establish the 2016 list of air pollutants for the harmless treatment of domestic garbage in mainland China. The results showed that in 2016, the total amount of CH₄, VOCs, NH₃, TSP, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 gaseous pollutants discharged from domestic waste landfills was 3472084.50, 185117.10, 66.45, 54.94, 25.99, and 3.92 t, respectively. The total amount of CH₄, SO₂, NO_x, NH₃, VOCs, CO, TSP, PM₁₀,PM_2.5, and BC of gaseous pollutants discharged from incineration facilities was 25389.10, 6419.30, 70923.84, 221.36, 435.33, 3025.19, 221.36, 221.36, 2.21, and 2.86 t, respectively. Through the analysis of solid waste treatment sources, partial, and temporal distribution characteristics of air pollutants, and the proportion of incineration plants in the provinces and municipalities to the number of household harmless waste treatment plants, it was determined that the total amount of gaseous pollutants discharged from domestic waste incineration sources and landfill sources had an upward trend during the period 2010-2016. In 2016, domestic landfill treatment was the most important waste treatment method in China, and mainly concentrated in areas with moderate population density and large land resources, such as central and western regions. Domestic waste incineration treatment facilities are mainly concentrated in developed cities in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region.

PMID:33742930 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202006177

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2021 Mar 8;42(3):1166-1176. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202007200.

ABSTRACT

A total of 86 soil samples, 86 corn kernel samples, 50 tailings samples, and 33 ore rock samples were collected in reclaimed land and surrounding areas of typical vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings located in the Chengde Central Region and analyzed for 14 elements (P, Fe, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Hg, Ti, Mn, and Mo) and speciation of heavy metals. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and translocation characteristics of heavy metals in a soil-maize system based on a descriptive statistical analysis, a geological accumulative index, bioconcentration factors, and a redundancy analysis. The results showed that the average accumulation index of surface soil followed an order of P > Cu > Fe₂O₃ > Cr > Ti > V > Ni > Mn > Cd > Zn > Mo > As > Pb > Hg, while the accumulation level of heavy metals was generally categorized as either no accumulation or moderate accumulation. Compared to China’s soil environmental quality standard risk screening values (GB15618-2018), the over-standard rates of Cr and Cu were 2.32% and 1.16%, respectively. The content of Fe, Ti, As, Pb, and Mn in the corn kernels of the tailings and surrounding areas was relatively high, and the content of Mo, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Cr in the control area was relatively high. The over-standard rates of Ni, Zn, and Cu in the corn kernels were 13.61%, 13.23%, and 5.17% respectively, according to China’s national food safety standard limits for contaminants in food (GB 2762-2017). The bioconcentration factors of Fe, Ti, As, Pb, and Mn in the corn kernels of the tailings and the surrounding areas were relatively higher, while the bioconcentration factors of Mo, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Cr were lower than in control area. The bioactive components of Cd accounted for 50.17%, which was the highest, followed by Ni, Zn, and Cu with average ratios of 13.61%, 13.23%, and 5.17%, respectively. Compared to the control area, the Pb, As and Hg elements in the soil samples of the reclaimed land showed a lower total amount but a higher bioavailability content and soil pH value, while the Cu and Hg elements showed a higher total amount but lower bioavailability content and soil pH value. These differences in total heavy metal concentrations, bioavailability amounts, and soil pH values made the bioconcentration intensity of As and Pb in the tailings reservoir and surrounding area relatively higher. When studying the ecological risk of heavy metal pollution or determining the remediation target value of reclaimed land in a mine tailings reservoir and the soil around the mine area, the bioavailable state limit of heavy metals should be should be taken into account as the evaluation standard.

PMID:33742913 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202007200

Psychiatr Pol. 2020 Dec 31;54(6):1109-1121. doi: 10.12740/PP/112967. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of selenium deficiency on depressive disorders with adjustment for possible confounders. Its importance among non-dietary and dietary risk factors for depression is discussed using empirical evidence.

METHODS: A structural equation model was fitted using diagonally weighted least squares estimation with adjusted chi-square test statistics (WLSMV). The average daily intake of selenium and other nutrients was calculated to verify their possible association with self-reported depressive disorders. The effect of dietary patterns was adjusted for possible confounders, including the presence of chronic diseases, life problems, pain levels, physical activity, and income. The study was performed on a sample of 9,354 men and women aged 45-65 of the Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS) cohort.

RESULTS: The model shows a significant effect of low selenium intake (standardized total effect of 0.133), high lipids intake (0.102) and low iron intake (0.065) on depressive disorders. Other dietary factors fail to make a significant contribution to depressive disorders, according to the model (p > 0.05). Among the considered non-dietary risk factors, home stress (0.181), pain (0.179) and low income (0.178) show a strong correlation with depression. Pain mediates a small part of the effect of morbidity (0.140). Depressive disorders are also associated with work problems (0.123) and low physical activity (0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: Selenium intake is most strongly related to depression among all the dietary factors considered. In the model, the effect of dietary risk factors on depressive disorders is moderate when compared to non-dietary variables. Chronic pain, low income and morbidity are the main correlatives of depressive disorders.

PMID:33740799 | DOI:10.12740/PP/112967

Anesthesiology. 2021 Mar 19. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000003745. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pain management is important for ensuring early mobilization after hip arthroplasty; however, the optimal components remain controversial. Recently, the quadratus lumborum block has been proposed as an analgesic option. The current study tested the hypothesis that the posterior quadratus lumborum block combined with multimodal analgesia decreases morphine consumption after hip arthroplasty.

METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Before general anesthesia, 100 participating patients scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty were randomly allocated to receive a 30-ml injection posterior to the quadratus lumborum muscle with either 0.33% ropivacaine (n = 50) or normal saline (n = 50). For all patients, multimodal analgesia included systematic administration of acetaminophen, ketoprofen, and a morphine intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The primary outcome was total intravenous morphine consumption in the first 24 h. Secondary outcomes recorded intraoperative sufentanil consumption; morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit; pain scores at extubation and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h; motor blockade; time to first standing and ambulation; hospital length of stay; and adverse events.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the 24-h total morphine consumption (ropivacaine group, median [interquartile range], 13 [7 to 21] versus saline group, 16 [9 to 21] mg; median difference, -1.5; 95% CI, -5 to 2; P = 0.337). Pain scores were not different between the groups (β = -0.4; 95% CI, -0.9 to 0.2; P = 0.199). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in intraoperative sufentanil consumption, morphine consumption in the postanesthesia care unit, motor blockade, times to first standing (median difference, 0.83 h; 95% CI, -1.7 to 3.4; P = 0.690) and ambulation (median difference, -1.85 h; 95% CI, -4.5 to 0.8; P = 0.173), hospital length of stay, and adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS: After elective hip arthroplasty, neither morphine consumption nor pain scores were reduced by the addition of a posterior quadratus lumborum block to a multimodal analgesia regimen.

PMID:33740816 | DOI:10.1097/ALN.0000000000003745

Andrology. 2021 Mar 19. doi: 10.1111/andr.13002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Automated sperm analysis has wide applications in infertility diagnosis. Existing systems are not able to measure sperm count and both motility and morphology of individual live sperm. Morphology measurement requires invasive staining, making the sperm after morphology measurement not applicable to infertility treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of automated measurement of individual live sperm’s motility and morphology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh semen samples were obtained from twenty male partners attending for fertility investigations. The system firstly measured motility for all the sperm within the field of view under a low magnification (20×), then a sperm of interest is selected by the user and automatically relocated by the system after switching to a high magnification (100×) for morphology measurement. Reproducibility of sperm measurements was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients on consecutive measurement. Reliability of motility and morphology measurement was evaluated by tracking error rate and limits of agreement, respectively, with manual measurement as benchmark.

RESULTS: Measurement of all motility and morphology parameters had intraclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.94. Sperm motility measurement had a tracking error rate of 2.1%. Limit of agreement analysis indicated that automated measurement and manual measurement of sperm morphology were interchangeable. Automated measurement of all morphology parameters was not statistically different from manual measurement, as confirmed by the paired sample t-test.

DISCUSSION: Automated motility and morphology measurement of single sperm revealed high reproducibility and reliability. The system also achieved a high efficiency for motility and morphology measurement. In addition to the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) samples with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), the developed sperm measurement technique is also effective for analyzing semen and washed samples. The system provides a valuable tool for quantitative measurement and selection of single sperm for ICSI. It can also be used for sperm motility and morphology analysis in andrology labs.

PMID:33740840 | DOI:10.1111/andr.13002

Psychiatr Pol. 2020 Dec 31;54(6):1091-1107. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/111932. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and to determine a relationship between the severity of these disorders and the serum calcium ion and parathyroid hormone level, as well as to evaluate the usefulness of self-rating scales in screening for depressive disorders in PHPT patients.

METHODS: Using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), study was performed on a group of 101 patients with PHPT. A control group included 50 patients diagnosed with non-toxic thyroid goiter.

RESULTS: The HAM-D indicated higher prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in the whole population of patients and in women with PHPT. Such a relationship was not observed in men. The BDI-II indicated higher prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms in the whole population of patients and in women with PHPT. Such a relationship was not observed in men. The HADS did not show significant differences in the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms between the study and control groups in the whole population and after taking into account the gender division.

CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between PHPT and depression was confirmed. Such a relationship was not confirmed for anxiety. A relationship between the severity of depression and the serum calcium ion and parathyroid hormone level was also not confirmed. A statistically significant negative correlation between the severity of anxiety and the serum calcium ion level in the whole population of patients, and an additional positive correlation between the serum parathyroid hormone level and the severity of anxiety in women were confirmed. Self-rating tests are not sufficient for screening for depressive disorders in PHPT patients.

PMID:33740798 | DOI:10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/111932

Knee. 2021 Mar 16;29:432-440. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2021.01.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient user embracement involves behaviours of including and listening to the patient, appreciating their complaints, and identifying their needs, whether individual or collective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a user embracement protocol (SPIKES protocol) for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) immediately before intra-articular injection (IAI) relative to procedure tolerance and its effectiveness in the immediate, short and medium terms.

METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Patients received IAIs with triamcinolone hexacetonide (40 mg) preceded or not by the SPIKES protocol. The outcomes measured were: visual analogue scale for pain at rest, pain on movement and joint swelling; morning stiffness; Western Ontario McMaster Universities Index Functional Questionnaire (WOMAC); pain catastrophizing scale; McGill pain questionnaire; SF-36 questionnaire on quality of life; Trace State Anxiety Inventory (IDATE); and a Timed Up and Go functional test.

RESULTS: One hundred patients were randomized in the user embracement group (n = 50) or the control group (n = 50); 89% were women and 60% white, mean age was 67.1 (±7.3) years, and mean disease time was 6.3 (±6.2) years. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups for any variables at pre-procedure time, nor did the groups differ in their tolerance to the procedure or during the 12 weeks of follow up for any evaluated variables.

CONCLUSIONS: No benefit was identified by applying a user embracement protocol to patients with knee OA prior to IAI with corticosteroid, neither to tolerance at the time of the procedure nor to its effectiveness in the immediate, short, and medium terms.

PMID:33740751 | DOI:10.1016/j.knee.2021.01.002

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2021 Mar 19:1-8. doi: 10.3171/2020.9.PEDS20748. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The role of tunneling an external ventricular drain (EVD) more than the standard 5 cm for controlling device-related infections remains controversial.

METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, 3-arm controlled trial done in the Children’s Medical Center in Tehran, Iran. Pediatric patients (< 18 years old) with temporary hydrocephalus requiring an EVD and no evidence of CSF infection or prior EVD insertion were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) into the following arms: 5-cm (standard; group A); 10-cm (group B); or 15-cm (group C) EVD tunnel lengths. The investigators, parents, and person performing the analysis were masked. The surgeon was informed of the length of the EVD by the monitoring board just before operation. Patients were followed until the EVD’s fate was established. Infection rate and other complications related to EVDs were assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were enrolled in three random groups (group A = 36, group B = 35, and group C = 34). The EVD was removed because there was no further need in most cases (67.6%), followed by conversion to a new EVD or ventriculoperitoneal shunt (15.2%), infection (11.4%), and spontaneous discharge without further CSF diversion requirement (5.7%). No statistical difference was found in infection rate (p = 0.47) or EVD duration (p = 0.81) between the three groups. No group reached the efficacy point sooner than the standard group (group B: hazard ratio 1.21, 95% CI 0.75-1.94, p = 0.429; group C: hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.64-1.65, p = 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS: EVD tunnel lengths of 5 cm and longer did not show a difference in the infection rate in pediatric patients. Indeed, tunneling lengths of 5 cm and greater seem to be equally effective in preventing EVD infection. Clinical trial registration no.: IRCT20160430027680N2 (IRCT.ir).

PMID:33740757 | DOI:10.3171/2020.9.PEDS20748

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2021 Apr 1;90(4):738-743. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000003062.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: As the prevalence of geriatric trauma patients has increased, protocols are being developed to address the unique requirements of this demographic. However, categorical definitions for geriatric patients vary, potentially creating confusion concerning which patients should be cared for according to geriatric-specific standards. The aim of this study was to identify data-driven cut points for mortality based on age to support implementation of age-driven guidelines.

METHODS: Adults aged 18 to 100 years with blunt or penetrating injury were selected from 95 hospitals’ trauma registries. Change point analysis techniques were used to detect inflection points in the proportion of deaths at each age. Based on these calculated points, patients were allocated into age groups, and their characteristics and outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was used to estimate risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality controlling for sex, race, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, and number of comorbidities.

RESULTS: A total of 255,099 patients were identified (female, 45.7%; mean age, 59.3 years; mean Injury Severity Score, 8.69; blunt injury, 92.6%). Statistically significant increases in mortality rate were noted at ages 55, 77, and 82 years. Compared with the referent group (age, <55 years), adjusted odds ratios (AORs) showed increases in mortality if age 55 to 76 years (AOR, 2.42), age 77 to 81 years (AOR, 4.70), or age 82 years or older (AOR, 6.43). National Trauma Data Standard-defined comorbidities significantly increased once age surpassed 55 years, as the rate more than doubled for each of the older age categories (p < 0.001). As age increased, each group was more likely to be female, have dementia, sustain a ground level fall, and be discharged to a skilled nursing facility (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: This large multicenter analysis established a clinically and statistically significant increase in mortality at ages 55, 77, and 82 years. This research strongly suggests that trauma patients older than 55 years be considered for inclusion in geriatric trauma protocols. The other age inflection points identified (77 and 82 years) may also warrant additional specialized care considerations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study, level III; Care management, level IV.

PMID:33740785 | DOI:10.1097/TA.0000000000003062

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2021 Mar 13;85:52-56. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.03.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment has now been recognised to be present in patients with several of spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). Cognitive impairment in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 has not been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cognitive impairment in patients diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12).

METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study and enrolled 30 (20 male and 10 female) genetically confirmed SCA12 patients and 30 healthy, age, gender and education matched individuals as controls. Cognitive domains were tested using a battery of validated neurocognitive tests.

RESULT: Mean age of patients was 51.6 ± 8.0 years and mean disease duration was 5.3 ± 3.0 years. Mean International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) score was 29.8 ± 12.5. SCA 12 patients scored significantly lower than controls in executive function and new learning ability. Other tested cognitive domains were also affected but did not reach statistical significance. Age, age at onset, severity of ataxia, disease duration and CAG repeat length did not correlate with cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment is a part of the spectrum of SCA12 and is characterized by dysfunction in executive function and new learning ability even early in the course of disease.

PMID:33740701 | DOI:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.03.010