A proposed framework for the systematic review and integrated assessment (SYRINA) of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Background - The issue of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is receiving wide attention from both the scientific and regulatory communities. Recent analyses of the EDC literature have been criticized for failing to use transparent and objective approaches to draw conclusions about the strength of evidence linking EDC exposures to adverse health or environmental outcomes. Systematic review methodologies are ideal for addressing this issue as they provide transparent and consistent approaches to study selection and evaluation. Objective methods are needed for integrating the multiple streams of evidence (epidemiology, wildlife, laboratory animal, in vitro, and in silico data) that are relevant in assessing EDCs. Methods - We have developed a framework for the systematic review and integrated assessment (SYRINA) of EDC studies. The framework was designed for use with the International Program on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and World Health Organization (WHO) definition of an EDC, which requires appraisal of evidence regarding 1) association between exposure and an adverse effect, 2) association between exposure and endocrine disrupting activity, and 3) a plausible link between the adverse effect and the endocrine disrupting activity. Results - Building from existing methodologies for evaluating and synthesizing evidence, the SYRINA framework includes seven steps: 1) Formulate the problem; 2) Develop the review protocol; 3) Identify relevant evidence; 4) Evaluate evidence from individual studies; 5) Summarize and evaluate each stream of evidence; 6) Integrate evidence across all streams; 7) Draw conclusions, make recommendations, and evaluate uncertainties. The proposed method is tailored to the IPCS/WHO definition of an EDC but offers flexibility for use in the context of other definitions of EDCs. Conclusions - When using the SYRINA framework, the overall objective is to provide the evidence base needed to support decision making, including any action to avoid/minimise potential adverse effects of exposures. This framework allows for the evaluation and synthesis of evidence from multiple evidence streams. Finally, a decision regarding regulatory action is not only dependent on the strength of evidence, but also the consequences of action/inaction, e.g. limited or weak evidence may be sufficient to justify action if consequences are serious or irreversible.The workshops that supported the writing of this manuscript were funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research “Mistra”. LNV was funded by Award Number K22ES025811 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. TJW was funded by The Clarence Heller Foundation (A123547), the Passport Foundation, the Forsythia Foundation, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (grants ES018135 and ESO22841), and U.S. EPA STAR grants (RD83467801 and RD83543301). JT was funded by the Academy of Finland and Sigrid Juselius. UH was funded by the Danish EPA. KAK was funded by the Canada Research Chairs program grant number 950–230607

Sumerian and Aryan : Racial Theory, Academic Politics and Parisian Assyriology

In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, there was a lively, often acrimonious debate over the existence of the Sumerians. A majority of scholars contended that the Sumerians originated the civilization of ancient Mesopotamia, and invented cuneiform writing, which they passed on, with other elements of civilization, to the Semitic Babylonians and Assyrians who appeared after them in Mesopotamia. A minority, led by Joseph Halévy of the Ecole pratique des Hautes Etudes, asserted that Mesopotamian civilization was a Semitic creation, and that the so-called Sumerian texts were really Semitic texts written in a hieratic mode. This article examines the controversy against the background of nineteenth century notions of race and language, and with reference to the personalities of the protagonists and the academic politics of the times.Sumériens et Aryens : théorie raciale, politique universitaire et assyriologie parisienne Dans le dernier quart du XIXe siècle, un débat animé et souvent acrimonieux eut lieu sur l'existence des Sumériens. La majorité des savants soutenait que les Sumériens avaient donné naissance à la civilisation de l'ancienne Mésopotamie et inventé l'écriture cunéiforme, qu'ils transmirent — avec ďautres éléments de civilisation — aux Sémites babyloniens et assyriens, apparus après eux en Mésopotamie. Une minorité, conduite par Joseph Halévy, de l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, affirmait que la civilisation mésopotamienne était une création sémitique et que les soi-disant textes sumériens étaient en réalité des textes sémitiques écrits selon un mode « hiératisant ». Le présent article examine cette controverse à la lumière des notions de race et de langage telles qu'on se les représentait au XIXe siècle, mais aussi en se référant à la personnalité des protagonistes et à la politique universitaire de l'époque.Cooper Jerrold S. Sumerian and Aryan : Racial Theory, Academic Politics and Parisian Assyriology. In: Revue de l'histoire des religions, tome 210, n°2, 1993. pp. 169-205

The 1993 Excavations at Yutil al-Hasa (WHS 784), an Upper/Epipaleolithic Site in West-Central Jordan

Yutil al-Hasa. a collapsed rockshelter site, was first tested in 1984. yielding late Upper Paleolithic assemblages of the Ahmarian tradition. New tests at this site in 1993 resulted in the identification of Madamaghan and Early Natufian occupations. The use of Yutil al-Hasa apparently was not continuous over the approximately 8000 year time span represented by these phases. However, the site was in a favorable location in the landscape at different periods of time so that observations can be made about land-use strategies that articulate ecological buffer zones fin this case, a lake/marsh) to an otherwise xeric landscape during the terminal Pleistocene. Key-Words : Jordan, Yutil Al-Hasa. Upper Paleolithic, Epipaleolithic.Le sondage effectué en 1984 dans l'abri sous roche effondré de Yutil al-Hasa avait livré des assemblages du Paléolithique supérieur final de tradition ahmarienne. De nouveaux sondages en 1993 ont permis de reconnaître des dépôts du Madamaghien et du Natoufien ancien. L'occupation du site ne fui pas continue au cours des 8 000 ans que couvrent approximativement ces deux phases. Pourtant, l'abri occupait alors une situation privilégiée dans la région, ce qui a permis de faire des observations sur les stratégies ď utilisation de l'espace. Cette région comprenait pendant le Pléistocène final des zones favorables (dans ce cas un lac/marécage) dans un passage essentiellement désertique. Mots clés : Jordanie, Yutil el-Hasa. paléolithique supérieur, épipaléolithique.Olszewski D. I., Stevens Michelle, Glass Margaret, Beck Roman, Cooper Jason, Clark Geoffrey A. The 1993 Excavations at Yutil al-Hasa (WHS 784), an Upper/Epipaleolithic Site in West-Central Jordan. In: Paléorient, 1994, vol. 20, n°2. pp. 129-141