Vermiremediation of soils contaminated with mixture of petroleum products using Eisenia fetida

In this paper, vermiremediation, a biological technique was utilized in order to clean-up soil contaminated with gasoline, diesel and spent engine oil using an earthworm - Eisenia fetida. The contaminated soils were analyzed for the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) level every 24 hours over a period of 120 hours using gas chromatography. It was observed that at each sampling time, the soils samples without the earthworm had more quantity of TPH than the corresponding samples with the earthworms. Pentadecane, 2,6,10, trimethyl had 100% reduction after 120 hours followed by octadecane with 67.30 % reduction and tetracosane with 50.28% reduction. In all sampling time, the initial octadecane level was significantly higher than the final octadecane level in soil with E. fetida (P<0.05). Also, the initial hexadecanoic acid methyl ester level was significantly higher than the level of the hydrocarbon in the soils with E. fetida after 96 hour incubation and soil without the earthworm after 72 hours incubation (P<0.05). After the 24 hours incubation the octadecane level in soil with E. fetida was significantly lower than the initial level and the level in soil without the earthworm (P<0.01).The results showed that E. fetida enhances the degradation and reduction of TPH levels in soils and therefore can be used for cleaning up of soils contaminated with mixture of petroleum products. This is useful in reclaiming mechanic workshop soils for agricultural purposes hence increase in food production.Keywords: Vermiremediation, petroleum, contamination, earthworm, Eisenia fetid

Effect of time of application of spent oil on the growth and performance of maize (Zea mays)

The effect of spent oil pollution on the growth and performance of Zea mays at different stages of growth was investigated in this study. It involved addition of different quantities of spent oil to soils where Zea mays plants at different stages of growth were growing on. The plants showed differential response to quantities of spent oil added to the soils and the times of application. Plants exposed to spent oil pollution one week after germination had the highest level of growth inhibition and the highest chlorophyll content. The leaf area development of the plant was inhibited by the exposure of the plant to spent oil pollution as observed seven weeks after germination. The application of spent oil to the soils three and five weeks, respectively after the germination of the seeds of Z. mays had similar effects on dry matter accumulation of the plant. Statistical differences occur on the growth and performance of the plants exposure to spent oil pollution at different stages of growth (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001). The results from this study showed that generally Z. mays may suffer greater inhibition of growth and performed poorly when it is exposed to spent oil pollution at tender stage of growth.Key words: Spent oil, time application, growth, performance, Zea mays

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Urine CA125 and HE4 for the Detection of Ovarian Cancer in Symptomatic Women

The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague, and current risk assessment tools such as serum CA125 and transvaginal ultrasound scan fail to reliably detect the disease early. This study aimed to evaluate urine CA125 and HE4 as diagnostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer in symptomatic women. Paired urine and serum samples were collected from women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer (cases) or investigations for gynaecological symptoms (controls). Biomarkers were measured using an automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay analyser. Standard diagnostic accuracy metrics were calculated. In total, 114 women were included, of whom 17 (15%) were diagnosed with an epithelial ovarian malignancy. Levels of urine CA125 and HE4 were significantly elevated in women with ovarian cancer compared to controls [CA125: 8.5 U/mL (IQR: 2.4–19.5) vs. 2.3 U/mL (IQR: 1.0–6.4), p = 0.01. HE4: 12.0 nmol/L (IQR: 10.3–23.1) vs. 6.7 nmol/L (IQR: 3.4–13.6), p = 0.006]. Urine CA125 and HE4 detected ovarian cancer with an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.55–0.82) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.69–0.82), respectively (p = 0.73). A combination of urine CA125 and HE4 at optimal thresholds had a sensitivity of 82.4% (95% CI: 56.6–96.2) and was comparable to the sensitivity of serum CA125 [88.2% (95% CI: 63.6–98.5)]. Larger studies are required to confirm our findings, standardise urine collection, and evaluate optimal biomarker thresholds. Urine CA125 and HE4 may be useful non-invasive diagnostic tools to triage women for formal ovarian cancer investigations

Human Biomonitoring of Novel Brominated Flame Retardants:A Review on Invasive and Non-Invasive Biomarkers

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health risks similar to PBDEs.The present study reviews available information on the biomonitoring of NBFRs and their metabolites in humans through invasive and non-invasive biomarkers, as well as the toxicological effects of these chemicals both in vivo and in vitro. In general, higher concentrations of NBFRs were reported in tissues of occupationally exposed adults from NBFR production facilities, e-waste recycling facilities and inhabitants living close to these areas, compared to the general population. It is worth noting that NBFR human biomonitoring data are limited to few countries located in North America, Europe and Asia, while data from developing countries are scarce. Evidence from in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies show that several NBFRs can cause adverse health effects through various modes of action, mainly: hormone disruption, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and behavioural changes. Although few studies have investigated the biotransformation of NBFRs in humans, evidence suggests that the toxicity of some NBFRs may be augmented through their metabolites, as in the case of 2,3,4,5- tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA), which may exhibit higher toxicity than its parent compound 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB). More research is required to assess toxicity thresholds, toxic endpoints, and tolerable intakes for various NBFRs, and their metabolites in human. Comprehensive epidemiological studies are highly recommended to further understand the risk arising from human exposure to different NBFRs, particularly in occupational settings

Human Biomonitoring of Novel Brominated Flame Retardants:A Review on Invasive and Non-Invasive Biomarkers

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health risks similar to PBDEs.The present study reviews available information on the biomonitoring of NBFRs and their metabolites in humans through invasive and non-invasive biomarkers, as well as the toxicological effects of these chemicals both in vivo and in vitro. In general, higher concentrations of NBFRs were reported in tissues of occupationally exposed adults from NBFR production facilities, e-waste recycling facilities and inhabitants living close to these areas, compared to the general population. It is worth noting that NBFR human biomonitoring data are limited to few countries located in North America, Europe and Asia, while data from developing countries are scarce. Evidence from in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies show that several NBFRs can cause adverse health effects through various modes of action, mainly: hormone disruption, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and behavioural changes. Although few studies have investigated the biotransformation of NBFRs in humans, evidence suggests that the toxicity of some NBFRs may be augmented through their metabolites, as in the case of 2,3,4,5- tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA), which may exhibit higher toxicity than its parent compound 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB). More research is required to assess toxicity thresholds, toxic endpoints, and tolerable intakes for various NBFRs, and their metabolites in human. Comprehensive epidemiological studies are highly recommended to further understand the risk arising from human exposure to different NBFRs, particularly in occupational settings

Identifying the determinants of face mask disposal behavior and policy implications: An application of the extended Theory of Planned Behavior

A study in Nigeria examined the psychological factors affecting face mask disposal behavior (DB) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used, with awareness of consequences and institutional barriers added. 1183 respondents completed an online survey, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The original TPB model revealed that attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms explained 65% of the variance in respondents' behavior. Behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control accounted for 59.3% of the variance in DB. The extended TPB model, which included awareness of consequences and perceived institutional barriers, improved the model's explanatory power by 12.8%. Both TPB models adequately predicted FM disposal behavior, with implications for policymakers and waste management authorities to design interventions to promote proper FM disposal behavior

Global, regional, and national burden of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, 1990-2016 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) are increasingly recognised as global health priorities in view of the preventability of most injuries and the complex and expensive medical care they necessitate. We aimed to measure the incidence, prevalence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for TBI and SCI from all causes of injury in every country, to describe how these measures have changed between 1990 and 2016, and to estimate the proportion of TBI and SCI cases caused by different types of injury. Methods We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016 to measure the global, regional, and national burden of TBI and SCI by age and sex. We measured the incidence and prevalence of all causes of injury requiring medical care in inpatient and outpatient records, literature studies, and survey data. By use of clinical record data, we estimated the proportion of each cause of injury that required medical care that would result in TBI or SCI being considered as the nature of injury. We used literature studies to establish standardised mortality ratios and applied differential equations to convert incidence to prevalence of long-term disability. Finally, we applied GBD disability weights to calculate YLDs. We used a Bayesian meta-regression tool for epidemiological modelling, used cause-specific mortality rates for non-fatal estimation, and adjusted our results for disability experienced with comorbid conditions. We also analysed results on the basis of the Socio-demographic Index, a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility. Findings In 2016, there were 27.08 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24.30-30.30 million) new cases of TBI and 0.93 million (0.78-1.16 million) new cases of SCI, with age-standardised incidence rates of 369 (331-412) per 100 000 population for TBI and 13 (11-16) per 100 000 for SCI. In 2016, the number of prevalent cases of TBI was 55.50 million (53.40-57.62 million) and of SCI was 27.04 million (24 .98-30 .15 million). From 1990 to 2016, the age-standardised prevalence of TBI increased by 8.4% (95% UI 7.7 to 9.2), whereas that of SCI did not change significantly (-0.2% [-2.1 to 2.7]). Age-standardised incidence rates increased by 3.6% (1.8 to 5.5) for TBI, but did not change significantly for SCI (-3.6% [-7.4 to 4.0]). TBI caused 8.1 million (95% UI 6. 0-10. 4 million) YLDs and SCI caused 9.5 million (6.7-12.4 million) YLDs in 2016, corresponding to age-standardised rates of 111 (82-141) per 100 000 for TBI and 130 (90-170) per 100 000 for SCI. Falls and road injuries were the leading causes of new cases of TBI and SCI in most regions. Interpretation TBI and SCI constitute a considerable portion of the global injury burden and are caused primarily by falls and road injuries. The increase in incidence of TBI over time might continue in view of increases in population density, population ageing, and increasing use of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The number of individuals living with SCI is expected to increase in view of population growth, which is concerning because of the specialised care that people with SCI can require. Our study was limited by data sparsity in some regions, and it will be important to invest greater resources in collection of data for TBI and SCI to improve the accuracy of future assessments. Copyright (C) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe