The health impacts of waste-to-energy emissions: A systematic review of the literature

Waste-to-energy (WtE) processes, or the combustion of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for energygeneration, has the potential to reduce landfill volume while providing a renewable energy source.We aimed to systematically review and summarise current evidence on the potential health effects(benefits and risks) of exposure to WtE/RDF-related combustion emissions.We searched PubMed and Google Scholar using terms related to health and WtE/RDFcombustion emissions, following PRISMA guidelines. Two authors independently screened titles,abstracts and then full-texts of original, peer-reviewed research articles published until 20th March2020, plus their relevant references. Overall quality of included epidemiological studies were ratedusing an amended Navigation framework.We found 19 articles from 269 search results that met our inclusion criteria, including twoepidemiological studies, five environmental monitoring studies, seven health impact or riskassessments (HIA/HRA), and five life-cycle assessments. We found a dearth of health studiesrelated to the impacts of exposure to WtE emissions. The limited evidence suggests thatwell-designed and operated WtE facilities using sorted feedstock (RDF) are critical to reducepotential adverse health (cancer and non-cancer) impacts, due to lower hazardouscombustion-related emissions, compared to landfill or unsorted incineration. Poorly fed WtEfacilities may emit concentrated toxins with serious potential health risks, such as dioxins/furansand heavy metals; these toxins may remain problematic in bottom ash as a combustion by-product.Most modelling studies estimate that electricity (per unit) generated from WtE generally emits lesshealth-relevant air pollutants (also less greenhouse gases) than from combustion of fossil fuels (e.g.coal). Some modelled estimates vary due to model sensitivity for type of waste processed, modelinputs used, and facility operational conditions.We conclude that rigorous assessment (e.g. HRA including sensitivity analyses) of WtEfacility/technological characteristics and refuse type used is necessary when planning/proposing facilities to protect human health as the technology is adopted worldwide

Caracterização dos principais ambientes pedológicos na Base de Operações Geólogo Pedro de Moura, Amazônia Central brasileira.

Trabalho apresentado no XVIII CLACS com o objetivo de, através de um número limitado de observações (perfis e tradagens) em combinação com uso de imagens de satélites e de radar, apresentar um mapa e uma legenda preliminar das principais classes de solos e de suas associações na área da Base de Operações Geólogo Pedro de Moura (BOGPM) no município de Coari na Amazônia Central brasileira, região de exploração de petróleo e gás na Amazônia

Neurobehavioral consequences of chronic intrauterine opioid exposure in infants and preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<b>Background</b><p></p> It is assumed within the accumulated literature that children born of pregnant opioid dependent mothers have impaired neurobehavioral function as a consequence of chronic intrauterine opioid use.<p></p> <b>Methods</b><p></p> Quantitative and systematic review of the literature on the consequences of chronic maternal opioid use during pregnancy on neurobehavioral function of children was conducted using the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched Cinahl, EMBASE, PsychINFO and MEDLINE between the periods of January 1995 to January 2012.<p></p> <b>Results</b><p></p> There were only 5 studies out of the 200 identified that quantitatively reported on neurobehavioral function of children after maternal opioid use during pregnancy. All 5 were case control studies with the number of exposed subjects within the studies ranging from 33–143 and 45–85 for the controls. This meta-analysis showed no significant impairments, at a non-conservative significance level of p < 0.05, for cognitive, psychomotor or observed behavioural outcomes for chronic intra-uterine exposed infants and pre-school children compared to non-exposed infants and children. However, all domains suggested a trend to poor outcomes in infants/children of opioid using mothers. The magnitude of all possible effects was small according to Cohen’s benchmark criteria.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b><p></p> Chronic intra-uterine opioid exposed infants and pre-school children experienced no significant impairment in neurobehavioral outcomes when compared to non-exposed peers, although in all domains there was a trend to poorer outcomes. The findings of this review are limited by the small number of studies analysed, the heterogenous populations and small numbers within the individual studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if any neuropsychological impairments appear after the age of 5 years and to help investigate further the role of environmental risk factors on the effect of ‘core’ phenotypes

TROP2 Expressed in the Trunk of the Ureteric Duct Regulates Branching Morphogenesis during Kidney Development

TROP2, a cell surface protein structurally related to EpCAM, is expressed in various carcinomas, though its function remains largely unknown. We examined the expression of TROP2 and EpCAM in fetal mouse tissues, and found distinct patterns in the ureteric bud of the fetal kidney, which forms a tree-like structure. The tip cells in the ureteric bud proliferate to form branches, whereas the trunk cells differentiate to form a polarized ductal structure. EpCAM was expressed throughout the ureteric bud, whereas TROP2 expression was strongest at the trunk but diminished towards the tips, indicating the distinct cell populations in the ureteric bud. The cells highly expressing TROP2 (TROP2high) were negative for Ki67, a proliferating cell marker, and TROP2 and collagen-I were co-localized to the basal membrane of the trunk cells. TROP2high cells isolated from the fetal kidney failed to attach and spread on collagen-coated plates. Using MDCK cells, a well-established model for studying the branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud, TROP2 was shown to inhibit cell spreading and motility on collagen-coated plates, and also branching in collagen-gel cultures, which mimic the ureteric bud's microenvironment. These results together suggest that TROP2 modulates the interaction between the cells and matrix and regulates the formation of the ureteric duct by suppressing branching from the trunk during kidney development

Reconstruction of ancient microbial genomes from the human gut

Loss of gut microbial diversity1–6 in industrial populations is associated with chronic diseases7, underscoring the importance of studying our ancestral gut microbiome. However, relatively little is known about the composition of pre-industrial gut microbiomes. Here we performed a large-scale de novo assembly of microbial genomes from palaeofaeces. From eight authenticated human palaeofaeces samples (1,000–2,000 years old) with well-preserved DNA from southwestern USA and Mexico, we reconstructed 498 medium- and high-quality microbial genomes. Among the 181 genomes with the strongest evidence of being ancient and of human gut origin, 39% represent previously undescribed species-level genome bins. Tip dating suggests an approximate diversification timeline for the key human symbiont Methanobrevibacter smithii. In comparison to 789 present-day human gut microbiome samples from eight countries, the palaeofaeces samples are more similar to non-industrialized than industrialized human gut microbiomes. Functional profiling of the palaeofaeces samples reveals a markedly lower abundance of antibiotic-resistance and mucin-degrading genes, as well as enrichment of mobile genetic elements relative to industrial gut microbiomes. This study facilitates the discovery and characterization of previously undescribed gut microorganisms from ancient microbiomes and the investigation of the evolutionary history of the human gut microbiota through genome reconstruction from palaeofaeces.Ethics Overview of samples Reference-based taxonomic composition De novo genome reconstruction Methanobrevibacter smithii tip dating Functional genomic analysis Discussion Online content Method

Latitudinal gradient in dairy production with the introduction of farming in Atlantic Europe

International audienceThe introduction of farming had far-reaching impacts on health, social structure and demography. Although the spread of domesticated plants and animals has been extensively tracked, it is unclear how these nascent economies developed within different environmental and cultural settings. Using molecular and isotopic analysis of lipids from pottery, here we investigate the foods prepared by the earliest farming communities of the European Atlantic seaboard. Surprisingly, we find an absence of aquatic foods, including in ceramics from coastal sites, except in the Western Baltic where this tradition continued from indigenous ceramic using hunter-gatherer-fishers. The frequency of dairy products in pottery increased as farming was progressively introduced along a northerly latitudinal gradient. This finding implies that early farming communities needed time to adapt their economic practices before expanding into more northerly areas. Latitudinal differences in the scale of dairy production might also have influenced the evolution of adult lactase persistence across Europe

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection by saliva and nasopharyngeal sampling in frontline healthcare workers: An observational cohort study

Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems worldwide, including the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS). We conducted an observational cohort study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in frontline healthcare workers (HCW) working in an acute NHS Trust during the first wave of the pandemic, to answer emerging questions surrounding SARS-CoV-2 infection, diagnosis, transmission and control. Methods Using self-collected weekly saliva and twice weekly combined oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal (OP/NP) samples, in addition to self-assessed symptom profiles and isolation behaviours, we retrospectively compared SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR of saliva and OP/NP samples. We report the association with contemporaneous symptoms and isolation behaviour. Results Over a 12-week period from 30th March 2020, 40∙0% (n = 34/85, 95% confidence interval 31∙3-51∙8%) HCW had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection by surveillance OP/NP swab and/or saliva sample. Symptoms were reported by 47∙1% (n = 40) and self-isolation by 25∙9% (n = 22) participants. Only 44.1% (n = 15/34) participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection reported any symptoms within 14 days of a positive result and only 29∙4% (n = 10/34) reported self-isolation periods. Overall agreement between paired saliva and OP/NP swabs was 93∙4% (n = 211/226 pairs) but rates of positive concordance were low. In paired samples with at least one positive result, 35∙0% (n = 7/20) were positive exclusively by OP/NP swab, 40∙0% (n = 8/20) exclusively by saliva and in only 25∙0% (n = 5/20) were the OP/NP and saliva result both positive. Conclusions HCW are a potential source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hospitals and symptom screening will identify the minority of infections. Without routine asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 screening, it is likely that HCW with SARS-CoV-2 infection would continue to attend work. Saliva, in addition to OP/NP swab testing, facilitated ascertainment of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. Combined saliva and OP/NP swab sampling would improve detection of SARS-CoV-2 for surveillance and is recommended for a high sensitivity strategy