CONTAMINATION OF CULTIVATED VEGETABLES BY HEAVY ELEMENTS FROM FLOODED ARABLE SOIL: HUMAN EXPOSURE

The consumption of vegetables is one of the most important pathways for heavy elements to harm human health. Direct deposition of contaminants from the atmosphere onto plant surfaces and accumulation of heavy elements in flooded arable soil are of great concern because of the potential health risk to the local population. Thus, the present study was carried out to analyse distribution and soil-plant transfer of Pb, Cd, As, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn and Fe in potato, carrot, celery, parsnip and onion in order to evaluate their potential effects on human health. Total content of heavy elements in 26 vegetable samples collected from different flooded fields was analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace (AASGF) after microwave digestion of the analysed samples. Average concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in some of the investigated vegetable samples were higher than maximum allowable concentrations set by EC/Serbian regulation. On the other hand, arsenic (As) was not detected in any of the analysed samples. Accumulation and translocation of analysed elements were varied from element to element as well as among selected vegetable crops. The results showed that the parsnip had highest uptake for the most analysed elements (Fe (107 mg/kg) ˃ Mn (6.98 mg/kg)˃ Cu (1.94 mg/kg)˃Ni (0.34 mg/kg)˃ Pb (0.13 mg/kg) compared with the other investigated crops. The bioaccumulation factor (BA) for analysed elements in different vegetables was found in order of Cd (0.08)˃Fe(0.07)˃Cu (0.06)˃Pb (0.01)=Ni˃Mn (0.001), indicating that analysed crops are categorized as excluder (BA<1). The total health risk associated with the consumption of investigated vegetables grown in studied flooded arable soil was assessed using target hazard quotient (THQ). The THQ values estimated for investigated crops were notably below the safe limit of 1, except for Mn (2.10) and Fe (11.65)

Assesment of radiotherapy effects on the blood flow in gingiva and dental pulp : a laser Doppler flowmetry study

Objective: This study aims to determine and compare the dental pulp and gingival blood flow in patients referred for oropharyngeal radiotherapy (RT) at three different time points: before the start, immediately after, and six months following the completion of RT. The aim is also to evaluate the dependence of the pulp and gingival blood flow on the radiation dose. Methodology: A prospective study included 10 patients referred for intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) in the oropharyngeal region, with at least one intact tooth surrounded by a healthy gingiva. The dose received by each selected tooth and adjacent gingiva was determined according to the map of treatment planning and computer systems. The blood flow measurements were performed using the laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) method. Results: Comparing vascular flows at three different time points, the median blood flow in the dental pulp showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.325), contrary to gingiva (p=0.011). Immediately after RT completion, the gingival flow significantly increased compared to its starting point (p=0.012). The pulp flow correlated negatively with the radiation dose, whereas a strong correlation was noted 6 months following the RT completion. Conclusions: RT caused a significant acute gingival blood flow increase, followed by a long-term (over six months) tendency to return to the starting levels. The dental pulp blood flow is differently affected by higher radiation doses (over 50Gy) in comparison to lower doses (below 50Gy). During RT planning, considering the possibility of protecting the teeth localized near the Gross Tumor Volume as a sensitive organ is recommended

The AQUA-FONTIS study: protocol of a multidisciplinary, cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal study for developing standardized diagnostics and classification of non-thyroidal illness syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is a characteristic functional constellation of thyrotropic feedback control that frequently occurs in critically ill patients. Although this condition is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality, there is still controversy on whether NTIS is caused by artefacts, is a form of beneficial adaptation, or is a disorder requiring treatment. Trials investigating substitution therapy of NTIS revealed contradictory results. The comparison of heterogeneous patient cohorts may be the cause for those inconsistencies.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Primary objective of this study is the identification and differentiation of different functional states of thyrotropic feedback control in order to define relevant evaluation criteria for the prognosis of affected patients. Furthermore, we intend to assess the significance of an innovative physiological index approach (SPINA) in differential diagnosis between NTIS and latent (so-called "sub-clinical") thyrotoxicosis.</p> <p>Secondary objective is observation of variables that quantify distinct components of NTIS in the context of independent predictors of evolution, survival or pathophysiological condition and influencing or disturbing factors like medication.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>The <b>a</b>pproach to a <b>qua</b>ntitative <b>f</b>ollow-up <b>o</b>f <b>n</b>on-<b>t</b>hyroidal <b>i</b>llness <b>s</b>yndrome (AQUA FONTIS study) is designed as both a cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal observation trial in critically ill patients. Patients are observed in at least two evaluation points with consecutive assessments of thyroid status, physiological and clinical data in additional weekly observations up to discharge. A second part of the study investigates the neuropsychological impact of NTIS and medium-term outcomes.</p> <p>The study design incorporates a two-module structure that covers a reduced protocol in form of an observation trial before patients give informed consent. Additional investigations are performed if and after patients agree in participation.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00591032</p

Thrombotic and bleeding complications in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and severe COVID-19: a study of ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to COVID-19 related poor outcomes, including thrombosis and death, due to the advanced age, the presence of comorbidities, and the disease and treatment-related immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL, including patients from 79 centers across 22 countries. Data collection was conducted between April and May 2021. The COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for SARS-CoV-2 on nasal or pharyngeal swabs. Severe cases of COVID-19 were defined by hospitalization and the need of oxygen or admission into ICU. Development and type of thrombotic events, presence and severity of bleeding complications were reported during treatment for COVID-19. Bleeding events were classified using ISTH definition. STROBE recommendations were used in order to enhance reporting. RESULTS: A total of 793 patients from 79 centers were included in the study with 593 being hospitalized (74.8%). Among these, 511 were defined as having severe COVID: 162 were admitted to the ICU while 349 received oxygen supplementation outside the ICU. Most patients (90.5%) were receiving thromboprophylaxis. During COVID-19 treatment, 11.1% developed a thromboembolic event, while 5.0% experienced bleeding. Thrombosis developed in 21.6% of patients who were not receiving thromboprophylaxis, in contrast to 10.6% of patients who were on thromboprophylaxis. Bleeding episodes were more frequent in patients receiving intermediate/therapeutic versus prophylactic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LWMH) (8.1% vs. 3.8%, respectively) and in elderly. In multivariate analysis, peak D-dimer level and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio were poor prognostic factors for thrombosis occurrence (OR?=?1.022, 95%CI 1.007?1.038 and OR?=?1.025, 95%CI 1.001?1.051, respectively), while thromboprophylaxis use was protective (OR?=?0.199, 95%CI 0.061?0.645). Age and LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration were prognostic factors in multivariate model for bleeding (OR?=?1.062, 95%CI 1.017-1.109 and OR?=?2.438, 95%CI 1.023-5.813, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLL affected by severe COVID-19 are at a high risk of thrombosis if thromboprophylaxis is not used, but also at increased risk of bleeding under the LMWH intermediate/therapeutic dose administration

Synthesis of thermoplastic poly(ester-siloxane)s in the melt and in solution

Two series of thermoplastic elastomers, based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) PDMS, as the soft segment and poly(butylene terephthalate), PBT, as the hard segment, were synthesized by catalyzed transesterification, from dimethyl terephthalate, DMT, silanol-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS-OH Mn=1750g/mol, and 1,4-butanediol, BD. The mole ratio of the starting comonomers was selected to result in a constant hard to soft weight ratio of 55:45. The first series was synthesized in order to determine the optimal mole ratio of BD and DMT for the synthesis of high molecular weight thermoplastic poly(ester-siloxane)s, TPESs. The second series was performed in the presence of the high-boiling solvent, 1,2,4-trichlorbenzene in order to increase the mixing between the extremely non-polar siloxane prepolymer and the polar reactants, DMT and BD, and, therefore, avoid phase separation during synthesis. The structure and composition of the synthesized poly(ester-siloxane)s were verified by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, while the melting temperatures and degree of crystallinity were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effectiveness of the incorporation of the silanol-terminated poly( dimethylsiloxane) into the polyester chains was verified by chloroform extraction. The rheological properties of the poly(ester-siloxane)s were investigated by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMA).Dve serije termoplastičnih elastomera na bazi poli(dimetilsiloksana) kao mekog segmenta i poli(butilentereftalata) kao tvrdog segmenta sintetisane su katalizovanom transesterifikacijom polazeći od dimetiltereftalata, DMT silanol-terminarnog poli(dimetil-siloksana), PDMS-OH, Mn=1750g/mol i 1,4-butandiola, BD. Molski odnos početnih komonomera odabran je tako da je rezultovao u konstantnom masenom odnosu tvrdih i mekih segmenata od 55:45. Prva serija je sintetisana sa ciljem da se odredi optimalan molski odnos komonomera BD i DMT za dobijanje termoplastičnih elastomera velikih molarnih masa. U drugoj seriji sinteze su izvođene u prisustvu teško isparljivog rastvarača 1,2,4-trihlorbenzena sa ciljem da se poveća mešljivost izuzetno nepolarnog poli(dimetilsiloksanskog)pretpolimera i polarnih reaktanata, kao što su DMT i BD i samim tim da se izbegne fazna separacija u reakcionoj smeši tokom sinteze. Struktura i sastav sintetisanih poli(estar-siloksana) potvrđeni su 1H-NMR spektroskopijom, dok su temperatura topljenja i stepen kristaliničnosti određeni diferencijalnom skenirajućom kalometrijom (DSC). Efikasnost ugradnje silanol-terminiranog poli(dimetilsiloksana) u poliestarske lance utvrđena je na osnovu ekstrakcije hloroformom. Reološka svojstva poli(estara-siloksana) ispitana su dinamičko-mehaničkom spektroskopijom

Concomitant chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Merkel cell carcinoma

We present the case of a 69-year-old Caucasian man with a 5-year history of untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia who presented with Merkel cell carcinoma on the right gluteal region. Six months after surgical treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma, we detected massive lymphadenopathy in the right retroperitoneum descending to the inguinum. A lymph node biopsy confirmed Merkel cell carcinoma relapse, and the patient was unsuccessfully treated with radiotherapy. As patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia have a risk for developing a secondary malignancy, skin lesions need to be carefully examined and new lymphadenopathy must be pathohistologically evaluated