The association between lead exposure and crime: A systematic review

Prior research has demonstrated an association between lead exposure and criminal behavior at the population-level, however studies exploring the effect of lead exposure on criminal behavior at the individual-level have not been reviewed systematically. The intent of this study is to complete a systematic review of all studies assessing individual-level exposures to lead and the outcomes of crime and antisocial behavior traits. We included peer reviewed studies that were published prior to August 2022 and were classified as cohort, cross-sectional, or case-control. Studies measuring the outcomes of crime, delinquency, violence, or aggression were included. The following databases were searched using a standardized search strategy: ProQuest Environmental Science Database, PubMed, ToxNet and the Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). Seventeen manuscripts met our inclusion criteria. Blood lead was measured in 12 studies, bone lead in 3 studies, and dentine lead levels in 2 studies. This systematic review identified a wide range of diverse outcomes between exposure to lead at multiple windows of development and later delinquent, criminal and antisocial behavior. A review of all potential confounding variables included within each study was made, with inclusion of relevant confounders into the risk of bias tool. There is limited data at the individual level on the effects of prenatal, childhood, and adolescent lead exposure and later criminal behavior and more evidence is necessary to evaluate the magnitude of the associations seen in this review. Our review, in conjunction with the available biological evidence, suggests that an excess risk for criminal behavior in adulthood exists when an individual is exposed to lead in utero or in the early years of childhood. The authors report no conflict of interest and no funding source. Clinical trial registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42021268379

Total Excess Mortality Surveillance for Real-Time Decision-Making in Disasters and Crises

Crises such as Hurricane Maria and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have revealed that untimely reporting of the death toll results in inadequate interventions, impacts communication, and fuels distrust on response agencies. Delays in establishing mortality are due to the contested definition of deaths attributable to a disaster and lack of rapid collection of vital statistics data from inadequate health system infrastructure. Readily available death counts, combined with geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic data, can serve as a baseline to build a continuous mortality surveillance system. In an emergency setting, real-time Total, All-cause, Excess Mortality (TEM) can be a critical tool, granting authorities timely information ensuring a targeted response and reduce disaster impact. TEM measurement can identify spikes in mortality, including geographic disparities and disproportionate deaths in vulnerable populations. This study recommends that measuring total, all-cause, excess mortality as a first line of response should become the global standard for measuring disaster impact

Graft infusion of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells to prevent rejection in experimental intestinal transplantation: A feasibility study

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been proposed as a promising complement to standard immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation because of their immunomodulatory properties. The present work addresses the role of adipose-derived MSC (Ad-MSC) in an experimental model of acute rejection in small bowel transplantation (SBT). Material/Methods: Heterotopic allogeneic SBT was performed. A single dose of 1.5x106 Ad-MSC was intra-arterially delivered just before graft reperfusion. Animals were divided into CONTROL (CTRL), CONTROL+Ad-MSC (CTRL_MSC), tacrolimus (TAC), and TAC+Ad-MSC (TAC_MSC) groups. Each Ad-MSC groups was subdivided in autologous and allogeneic third-party groups. Results: Rejection rate and severity were similar in MSC-treated and untreated animals. CTRL_MSC animals showed a decrease in macrophages, T-cell (CD4, CD8, and Foxp3 subsets) and B-cell counts in the graft compared with CTRL, this decrease was attenuated in TAC_MSC animals. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and some chemokines and growth factors increased in CTRL_MSC animals, especially in the allogeneic group, whereas milder changes were seen in the TAC groups. Conclusion: Ad-MSC did not prevent rejection when administered just before reperfusion. However, they showed immunomodulatory effects that could be relevant for a longer-term outcome. Interference between tacrolimus and the MSC effects should be addressed in further studies.Fil: Andres, Ane M.. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Stringa, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológicos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológicos; ArgentinaFil: Talayero, Paloma. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre; EspañaFil: Santamaria, Monica. Alfonso X University; EspañaFil: García Arranz, Mariano. Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz; EspañaFil: García Gómez-Heras, Soledad. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; EspañaFil: Largo Aramburu, Carlota. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Aras Lopez, Rosa M.. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Vallejo Cremades, Maria Teresa. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Guerra Pastrián, Laura. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Vega, Luz. Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz; EspañaFil: Encinas, Jose Luis. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Lopez Santamaria, Manuel. Hospital Universitario la Paz; EspañaFil: Hernández-Oliveros, Francisco. Hospital Universitario la Paz; España. Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz; Españ