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Highlights
• An airport can result in high particle concentrations in a distant residential area.
• The particle size distribution indicated the airport as the main source of particles.
• Lower air traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic lead to lower particle concentrations.
• The particle concentration showed high temporal variations.
Abstract
Exposure to ultrafine particles has a significant influence on human health. In regions with large commercial airports, air traffic and ground operations can represent a potential particle source. The particle number concentration was measured in a low-traffic residential area about 7 km from Frankfurt Airport with a Condensation Particle Counter in a long-term study. In addition, the particle number size distribution was determined using a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer.
The particle number concentrations showed high variations over the entire measuring period and even within a single day. A maximum 24 h-mean of 24,120 cm−3 was detected. Very high particle number concentrations were in particular measured when the wind came from the direction of the airport. In this case, the particle number size distribution showed a maximum in the particle size range between 5 and 15 nm. Particles produced by combustion in jet engines typically have this size range and a high potential to be deposited in the alveoli. During a period with high air traffic volume, significantly higher particle number concentrations could be measured than during a period with low air traffic volume, as in the COVID-19 pandemic.
A large commercial airport thus has the potential to lead to a high particle number concentration even in a distant residential area. Due to the high particle number concentrations, the critical particle size, and strong concentration fluctuations, long-term measurements are essential for a realistic exposure analysis.
Highlights
• CD62p + exosomes were significantly increased in septic polytrauma-patients, while CD40+, as well as CD49e + exosomes were diminished.
• Exosomal IL-6 concentration in septic patients reflects the systemic IL-6.
• Exosomal IL-10 concentration seemed to be constant in patients and healthy controls.
• Decrease of miR-21 in exosomes was associated with the development of sepsis, while exosomal miR-93, miR-155 and miR-92a were not specifically altered.
Abstract
Sepsis as a severe systemic inflammation leads oftentimes to organ dysfunction and subsequently to death. In polytrauma patients, septic complications represent with 45% the predominant cause of late death and are responsible for extremely high costs in the healthcare system. Therefore, clinicians have to detect as early as possible the begin of sepsis to improve the patient's outcome. One new promising diagnostic tool to diagnose septic complications in polytraumatized patients are exosomes.
Plasma samples from polytraumatized patients (Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16) which developed sepsis (n = 10) and without sepsis (n = 10), were collected at emergency room (ER), 24h and 5 days after trauma. The EVs subpopulations were investigated by a bead-based multiplex flow cytometry measurement of surface epitopes and were compared with plasma EVs from healthy controls (n = 10). Moreover, exosomal cytokine concentrations were measured via high-sensitive ELISA and were correlated with systemic concentrations. For miRNA cargo analysis, we analysed the miRNAs miR-1298-5p, miR-1262, miR-125b-5p, miR-92a-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-21-5p and compared their exosomal concentrations by means of RT-qPCR.
CD62p + exosomes were significantly increased in septic polytrauma-patients (p ≤ 0.05), while CD40+exosomes, as well as CD49e + exosomes were diminished (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, we observed that the exosomal IL-6 concentration reflects the systemic IL-6 concentration (r2 = 0.63) and did not significantly alter between patients with and without sepsis. The exosomal IL-10 concentration seemed to be constant in all patients and healthy controls. We observed that a decrease of miR-21-5p in exosomes was associated with the development of sepsis (p ≤ 0.05), while exosomal miR-93-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-92a-3p were not specifically altered in septic patients.
Taken together, the present study in polytraumatized patients demonstrated that the development of sepsis is associated with an increase of CD62p + exosomes. Furthermore, the exosomal cargo was changed in septic patients: miR-21-5p was diminished.
Highlights
• Currently, China has the most publications, ahead of the USA and European countries.
• Research focuses are strictly separated into ecological and material science topics.
• Russia and Ukraine are among the frontrunners with a clear focus on materials science.
• The focus in PFAS research is shifting toward ecological issues.
• A national imbalance can be observed that leaves the low economies behind.
Abstract
The European Commission's current efforts to launch the largest proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in history reflect the dire global plight of PFAS accumulation in the environment and their health impacts. While there are existing studies on PFAS research, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis that both covers the entire research period and provides deep insights into global research patterns, incentives, and barriers based on various parameters. We have been able to demonstrate the increasing interest in PFAS research, although citation numbers are declining prematurely. Policy regulations based on proving and establishing the toxicity of PFASs have stimulated research in developed countries and vice versa, with increasing emphasis on ecological aspects. China, in particular, is investing increasingly in PFAS research, but without defining or implementing regulations - with devastating effects. The separation of industrial and environmental research interests is clear, with little involvement of developing countries, even though their exposure to PFAS is devastating. It, therefore, requires increased globally networked and multidisciplinary approaches to address PFAS contamination challenges.
• Mexican and German populations of L. sericata differ in their development times.
• Mexican L. sericata had a shorter development time at 20°C than German flies.
• At 30 °C, German L. sericata pupariated and eclosed earlier than the Mexican flies.
• Differences in study design make the comparison of developmental studies difficult.
Abstract
The cosmopolitan blow fly Lucilia sericata is often used in forensic case work for estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). For this, the age of immature specimens developing on the dead body is calculated by measuring the time taken to reach the sampled developmental stage at a given temperature. To test whether regional developmental data of L. sericata is valid on a global scale, the time taken to reach different developmental stages was compared between a population from Mexico and one from Germany at two different constant temperatures.
The German population of L. sericata was collected in Frankfurt/Main, while the Mexican population originated near Oaxaca de Juarez and was transported to Germany in the larval stage. Only the F1 generation was used to avoid adaption of the Mexican flies. Eggs were immediately placed at 20 °C and 30 °C. Five times 30 freshly eclosed larvae per replicate (n = 5) were then transferred to a cup of minced meat in separate containers. The larvae were checked every 8 h for migration, pupariation or emergence of adult flies. The time at which the first individual and 50 % of the specimens per container entered each of these stages, was recorded.
Significant differences in the time of development between the two populations were observed at both temperatures. At 20 °C, the first specimens of the Mexican population reached all developmental stages a little (< 1 day to < 2 days) earlier than the German L. sericata. At 30 °C, the Mexican flies also reached the post-feeding stage slightly earlier (0.2 days). However, at 30 °C, the German flies started pupariation significantly earlier (after 5 days) than the Mexican flies (6.9 days) and the adults from Germany also emerged earlier (10.5 days compared to 13.1 days). The same pattern was observed when looking at 50 % of the total number of specimens per container. A comparison with previously published developmental studies was difficult as the experimental design varied widely between studies. However, the results were within the range of most studies. Our study has shown that age estimation can vary widely depending on the population on which the reference data used for the calculations are based. This highlights the importance of using local and population-specific developmental data for estimating the age of blow flies in case work.
Highlights
• Since there is only a low level of evidence, it is difficult to agree on state-of-the-art standards or to provide recommendations and guidelines.
• The value of combining several monitoring devices for dual or triple guidance must be challenged.
• The principle of fascial plane blocks is suitable to avoid traumatic needle-to-nerve contact. However, local toxicity must be regarded as a possible mechanism for nerve injuries.
• Block procedures might be conducted during sedation or general anesthesia when considering the individual patients' clinical situations and the expertise of the anesthesiologist.
• The quality of ultrasound equipment and education provided by the corresponding anesthesia department is highly relevant
• Mexican and German populations of L. sericata differ in their development times.
• Mexican L. sericata had a shorter development time at 20°C than German flies.
• At 30 °C, German L. sericata pupariated and eclosed earlier than the Mexican flies.
• Differences in study design make the comparison of developmental studies difficult.
Abstract
The cosmopolitan blow fly Lucilia sericata is often used in forensic case work for estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). For this, the age of immature specimens developing on the dead body is calculated by measuring the time taken to reach the sampled developmental stage at a given temperature. To test whether regional developmental data of L. sericata is valid on a global scale, the time taken to reach different developmental stages was compared between a population from Mexico and one from Germany at two different constant temperatures.
The German population of L. sericata was collected in Frankfurt/Main, while the Mexican population originated near Oaxaca de Juarez and was transported to Germany in the larval stage. Only the F1 generation was used to avoid adaption of the Mexican flies. Eggs were immediately placed at 20 °C and 30 °C. Five times 30 freshly eclosed larvae per replicate (n = 5) were then transferred to a cup of minced meat in separate containers. The larvae were checked every 8 h for migration, pupariation or emergence of adult flies. The time at which the first individual and 50 % of the specimens per container entered each of these stages, was recorded.
Significant differences in the time of development between the two populations were observed at both temperatures. At 20 °C, the first specimens of the Mexican population reached all developmental stages a little (< 1 day to < 2 days) earlier than the German L. sericata. At 30 °C, the Mexican flies also reached the post-feeding stage slightly earlier (0.2 days). However, at 30 °C, the German flies started pupariation significantly earlier (after 5 days) than the Mexican flies (6.9 days) and the adults from Germany also emerged earlier (10.5 days compared to 13.1 days). The same pattern was observed when looking at 50 % of the total number of specimens per container. A comparison with previously published developmental studies was difficult as the experimental design varied widely between studies. However, the results were within the range of most studies. Our study has shown that age estimation can vary widely depending on the population on which the reference data used for the calculations are based. This highlights the importance of using local and population-specific developmental data for estimating the age of blow flies in case work.
Highlights
• Out of the six edible pumpkin seeds found in Cameroonian C. sativus showed most potent anti-proliferative effects on prostate cells.
• Its oil conserved almost all the effects of raw seeds and prevented benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• It exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities in rat with BPH.
Abstract
Pumpkin seeds are claimed to treat prostate tumour/cancer. The in vitro (ability to inhibit cell growth through MTT assay) and in vivo (ability to prevent testosterone-induced BPH in rats at the doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW) of six edible pumpkin seeds found in Cameroonian were assessed. The endpoints were cell growth arrest, prostate mass and volume, prostatic epithelium height, prostatic proteins, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and inflammatory cytokines. In vitro, C. sativus seeds exhibited the most potent antiproliferative effects on DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells and its oil conserved almost all the effects of raw seeds. Further, it prevented the increased of prostate relative mass and volume, prostate epithelium height, PSA and testosterone dose-dependently compared to normal rats. This effect is thought to be mediated through antiandrogenic, estrogenic and anti-inflammatory activities, evidenced by a decreased in IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα level. Overall, this results justify its traditional use.
Evidence-based and comprehensible health information is a key element of evidence-based medicine and public health. The goal is informed decision-making based on realistic estimations of health risks and accurate expectations about benefits and harms of interventions. In Germany, standards of evidence-based risk information were poorly followed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequently, public information was biased, fragmentary and misleading. Pandemic-related threat scenarios induced emotional distress and unnecessary anxiety. A systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the pandemic measures is crucial, but still pending in Germany. A critical analysis of risk communication by experts, politicians and the media during the pandemic should be a key element of the evaluation process. Evaluation of decision making and media reporting during the pandemic should improve preparedness for future crises.
Background: Urachal cancer (UrC) is a rare disease with limited availability of representative incidence and clinical data. Although, the prevalence is accounting for less than 1% of bladder tumors, the 5-year survival rate is around only 50% for patients with resectable tumors, and even worse for patients with metastatic disease. Due to the lack of comprehensive prospective studies, our current knowledge of UrC is still limited.
Objective: The present study aimed to summarize the available registry-based studies with unselected UrC patients to evaluate its incidence and clinicopathological characteristics.
Material and methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of registry-based UrC publications on the 15th of May 2023 in 5 databases, which identified 4,748 publications. After duplicate removal and selection by 2 independent investigators, 6 publications proved to be appropriate for the final meta-analysis. Estimated incidence and clinicopathological parameters were extracted.
Results: Estimated incidence ranged between 0.022 and 0.060/ 100.000 person-years, with the highest occurrence in Japan and the lowest in Canada, while the random effect model calculated an overall incidence rate of 0.04 (95%CI: 0.03–0.05) 100.000 person-years. The median age at first diagnosis was 60 years (range: 58–64). The female to male ratio was 2:3. Lymph node or distant metastases were present in 9% and 14% of patients. The predominant tumour type was adenocarcinoma (86%) followed by urothelial carcinoma (12%) and squamous cell carcinoma (2%). The 5-year survival rate was 51.0% with 95%CI: 45.2–57.4.
Conclusions: Our study provides an up-to-date comparison of estimated incidence rates between 6 countries of 3 continents based on rigorously selected registry-based studies. The results suggest low incidence rates for UrC with considerable geographic differences. The present meta-analysis provides unbiased registry-based data on the incidence, clinicopathological parameters and survival of UrC.
Understanding the underlying mechanisms that link psychopathology and physical comorbidities in schizophrenia is crucial since decreased physical fitness and overweight pose major risk factors for cardio-vascular diseases and decrease the patients’ life expectancies. We hypothesize that altered reward anticipation plays an important role in this. We implemented the Monetary Incentive Delay task in a MR scanner and a fitness test battery to compare schizophrenia patients (SZ, n = 43) with sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC, n = 36) as to reward processing and their physical fitness. We found differences in reward anticipation between SZs and HCs, whereby increased activity in HCs positively correlated with overall physical condition and negatively correlated with psychopathology. On the other handy, SZs revealed stronger activity in the posterior cingulate cortex and in cerebellar regions during reward anticipation, which could be linked to decreased overall physical fitness. These findings demonstrate that a dysregulated reward system is not only responsible for the symptomatology of schizophrenia, but might also be involved in physical comorbidities which could pave the way for future lifestyle therapy interventions.