Search Results (3,054)

The objective of this study was to assess the content of selected elements—fluorine, calcium and inorganic phosphorus—in infusions prepared from selected commercial leaf teas available on the Polish market. A comprehensive analysis was conducted based on tea type and geographical origin. In addition, the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was calculated to estimate the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with fluoride intake from tea consumption. Methods: A total of 98 leaf tea samples were analyzed, including 55 black, 27 green, 9 oolong, and 7 white teas. Standardized brewing protocols were applied. Measured parameters included pH, calcium and inorganic phosphorus content, buffer capacity, and titratable acidity. Fluoride concentrations were determined using an ion-selective electrode. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric methods (Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA with DSCF post hoc test), and heatmaps were generated to illustrate the distribution of THQ across different models. Results: Black teas exhibited significantly lower pH values and higher titratable acidity, buffer capacity, and inorganic phosphorus levels compared to other tea types, indicating distinct physicochemical properties. Although all THQ values for fluoride remained well below the safety threshold (THQ < 1), the highest values were observed in elderly individuals with low body weight, particularly women consuming green tea, suggesting increased vulnerability in this subgroup. Conclusions: Among the analyzed samples, black teas demonstrated the most distinct chemical profile, characterized by the lowest pH and the highest acidity, buffer capacity, and fluoride and phosphorus content—especially in teas originating from Africa and Central Asia. While fluoride exposure from leaf tea infusions does not appear to pose a direct health risk, older adults, particularly low-weight women, may be more susceptible to potential non-carcinogenic effects and should moderate their intake of high-fluoride teas. Full article

This study investigates the concentrations of essential and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Al) in packaged ice cream samples collected from markets in Kırşehir province, located in Central Anatolia, Turkey, aiming to assess potential health risks associated with their consumption. Among the detected trace elements, Al (3.21–16.6 mg/kg) and Fe (2.03–24.0 mg/kg) had the highest concentrations, followed by Zn (0.56–3.00 mg/kg), Ni (0.84–4.84 mg/kg), Cu (1.15–3.46 mg/kg), and Mn (0.18–1.56 mg/kg). To explore the relationships between trace elements and identify possible contamination sources, chemometric approaches including principal component analysis, correlation matrices, and hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method) were applied. Human health risk assessment was conducted by calculating Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR), with uncertainty evaluated through Monte Carlo Simulation (10,000 iterations). HI values above 1 in children and adults indicate that trace element exposure through ice cream consumption may pose a health risk. High Al-THQ and Ni-CR values in children may require stricter monitoring and regulatory measures in case of long-term and regular consumption. Full article

This study examined the spatial and seasonal variations of trihalomethanes (THMs) and estimated the health risks associated with THM exposure in drinking water through various pathways. Water samples were collected from 14 distribution districts connected to the Ulutan Distribution System (UDS) and the Süleyman Bey Distribution System (SDS), which supply drinking water to Zonguldak Province, Türkiye. THMs were measured using the USEPA 551 method. The median total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) ranged from 41 μg/L to 71 μg/L, which is below the Turkish drinking water standard of 100 μg/L. Chloroform (TCM) was the most common trihalomethane in all distribution networks in UDS and SDS. On the other hand, pre-ozonation oxidation after chlorination in SDS disinfection caused the contribution of brominated THMs (62%) to THM formation to be higher than that of TCM (38%). The study on cancer risk reveals that ingestion (96%) poses the greatest risk of the investigated pathways, followed by dermal contact (3.95%), while inhalation has been found to have a negligible effect. The highest and lowest median TTHMs occurred during winter and summer. The findings of the study show that the distribution areas of Kozlu, Ömerli, Topçalı, and Uzunçayır, for both genders, exhibit an unacceptable cancer risk level according to the criteria established by the USEPA (˃10⁻⁴). Bromodichloromethane (BDCM) and chlorodibromomethane (DBCM) are the main contributors to cancer risk for males and females in UDS and SDS. The hazard index (HI) data indicated that the HI value remained below one for both UDS and SDS. Sensitivity analysis of THMs demonstrated that exposure frequency (EF) was the primary parameter contributing to the maximum potential impact on the total cancer risk exposure frequency (EF), followed by body weight (BW) and exposure duration (ED). Further, the results provide valuable information for health departments and water management authorities, enabling the formulation of more specific and efficient policies to minimise THM levels in drinking water distribution networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Proteinuria, a marker of renal dysfunction, has been implicated in cancer risk, yet its role in gastric carcinogenesis remains underexplored in high-incidence populations. This study evaluated the association between urine dipstick proteinuria severity and gastric cancer incidence in a nationwide Korean cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort, including 220,941 adults aged > 40 years, without a diagnosis of cancer, who received health examinations in 2009. Proteinuria was classified by single dipstick testing as negative, 1+, or ≥2+. Participants were followed for a mean of 4.37 ± 0.49 years (965,601.2 person-years). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, smoking status, alcohol intake, and physical activity were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: During follow-up, 1934 participants (0.88%) developed gastric cancer. A significant dose–response relationship emerged (p for trend = 0.037). In fully adjusted models, 1+ proteinuria conferred no significant risk increase (HR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.80–1.51), whereas ≥2+ proteinuria was associated with a 42% higher gastric cancer risk (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00–2.02). Conclusions: Severe dipstick proteinuria independently predicts elevated gastric cancer risk in Korean adults. Integration of urine dipstick testing into gastric cancer screening protocols may offer a simple, cost-effective strategy for risk stratification, particularly in high-incidence settings. Full article

Background: Diagnosing and predicting outcomes in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) is challenging due to atypical symptoms and the limited value of natriuretic peptides, highlighting the need to search for new risk stratification biomarkers in this population. Aim: We aimed to analyze factors associated with the composite endpoint (all-cause mortality or decompensated HF-related hospitalization) within six months of follow-up in elderly patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and decompensated HF, with particular emphasis on copeptin concentration. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study based on prospectively collected data of 279 consecutive elderly patients hospitalized between 2018 and 2023 due to decompensated HF. Inclusion criteria were age > 65 years, history of HF diagnosed at least two years before the index hospitalization, and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% on admission echocardiography. Serum copeptin levels were measured using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (Human Copeptin ELISA kit, Sunred Biological Technology Co, Shanghai, China). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or decompensated HF-related hospitalization during the six-month follow-up. Results: The median age of the study population was 77 years (IQR: 69–79), and 221 (79.2%) were male. The composite endpoint occurred in 110 patients (38.1%). Multivariable analysis showed that serum concentrations of copeptin [hazard ratio (HR) 1.053 (1.042–1.064), p < 0.0001], bilirubin [HR 1.085 (1.057–1.114), p < 0.0001], uric acid [HR 1.005 (1.003–1.006), p < 0.0001], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) [HR 1.208 (1.088–1.342), p < 0.0001], and sodium [HR 1.111 (1.025–1.203), p = 0.01], as well as ischemic etiology of HF [HR 3.969 (2.396–6.575), p < 0.0001], were independently associated with worse outcomes. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that higher concentrations of copeptin, bilirubin, hs-CRP, and uric acid, as well as lower sodium levels and ischemic etiology of HF, were independently associated with all-cause mortality or HF-related hospitalization during a six-month follow-up in elderly patients with decompensated HF. Full article

Background: Urothelial carcinoma is the second most common urological cancer, mainly affecting the bladder (90–95% of cases) while primary Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinomas (UTUC) are rare (5–10%). Socioeconomic and gender differences are known in urological cancers like urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, often based on national indices rating cities as single units. This study investigated factors influencing survival in patients with primary UTUC within Hamburg, Germany. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using data extracted from the Hamburg cancer registry for all primary UTUC cases diagnosed between January 2004 and June 2021. Patient and tumor characteristics, socioeconomic status (measured by a neighborhood-level deprivation index), treatment patterns, and survival outcomes were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier analyses estimated survival probabilities, and a Cox Proportional Hazard Model with and without time transformation assessed survival factors. Results: The cohort included 727 patients (median age 74, 42.2% female), with a median follow-up of 2.2 years (IQR: 0.8–5.5 years). Relevant survival predictors were age, sex, and cancer stage. Older age was associated with reduced excess mortality risk (HR = 0.974), while female sex (HR = 1.472) and advanced stage (HR = 3.343) were associated with higher excess mortality risk. Socioeconomic status and diagnosis period had no measurable impact. Conclusions: Yet, a small sample size and single registry data may limit the generalizability of these results. Further research with larger cohorts is needed. Full article

Accurate mapping of seafloor morphological features, such as pockmarks, is essential for marine spatial planning, geological hazard assessment, and environmental monitoring. Traditional manual delineation methods are often subjective and inefficient when applied to large, high-resolution bathymetric datasets. This study presents a semi-automated workflow based on the CoMMa (Confined Morphologies Mapping) toolbox to classify pockmarks in Flensburg Fjord, Germany–Denmark. Initial detection employed the Bathymetric Position Index (BPI) with intentionally permissive parameters to ensure high recall of morphologically diverse features. Morphometric descriptors were then extracted and used to train a Random Forest classifier, enabling noise reduction and refinement of overinclusive delineations. Validation against expert-derived mappings showed that the model achieved an overall classification accuracy of 86.16%, demonstrating strong performance across the validation area. These findings highlight how integrating a GIS-based geomorphometry toolbox with machine learning yields a reproducible, objective, and scalable approach to seabed mapping, supporting decision-making processes and advancing standardized methodologies in marine geomorphology. Full article

Carbon tetrachloride (CT) is a toxic volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon, posing a serious hazard to ecosystem and human health. This study discussed the bioremediation possibility of groundwater contaminated by CT. Enhanced reductive dechlorination bioremediation (ERD) was used to promote the reductive dechlorination process of CT by adding yeast extract as a supplementary electron donor. The microcosm samples of the Control and Experi group were setup in the experiment, and the CT degradation efficiency and microbial community structure changes over 150 days were monitored. The results showed that the Experi group achieved complete degradation of CT within 40 days, while the control group had no significant change. By analyzing the physical and chemical indexes such as VFAs, sulfate ions, oxidation–reduction potential, pH value and so on, the key changes in the degradation process of CT were revealed. Microbial community analysis showed that specific microorganisms such as Acinetobacter johnsonii, Aeromonas media and Enterobacter Mori played a significant role in the degradation of CT. They may produce hydrogen through fermentation to provide electron donors for the reductive dechlorination of CT. In addition, the genes of reductive dehalogenase synthase related to CT degradation were also identified, which provided molecular evidence for understanding the biodegradation mechanism of CT. The results deliver a scientific basis for optimizing the bioremediation strategy of CT-contaminated groundwater. Full article

Mine roof water inrush represents a prevalent hazard in mining operations, characterized by its concealed onset, abrupt occurrence, and high destructiveness. Since mine water inrush is controlled by multiple factors, rigorous risk assessment in hydrogeologically complex coal mines is critically important for operational safety. This study focuses on the roof water inrush hazard in coal seams of the Banji coal mine, China. The conventional water-conducting fracture zone height estimation formula was calibrated through comparative analysis of empirical models and analogous field measurements. Eight principal controlling factors were systematically selected, with subjective and objective weights assigned using AHP and EWM, respectively. Game theory was subsequently implemented to compute optimal combined weights. Based on this, the vulnerability index model and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model were constructed to assess the roof water inrush risk in the coal seams. The risk in the study area was classified into five levels: safe zone, relatively safe zone, transition zone, relatively hazardous zone, and hazardous zone. A zoning map of water inrush risk was generated using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The results show that the safe zone is located in the western part of the study area, while the hazardous and relatively hazardous zones are situated in the eastern part. Among the two models, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model aligns more closely with actual engineering practices and demonstrates better predictive performance. It provides a reliable evaluation and prediction model for addressing roof water hazards in the Banji coal seam. Full article

Drought, a complex and frequent natural hazard in the context of global change, poses a major threat to key forest ecosystems in the carbon cycle. However, current research lacks a systematic and quantitative analysis of the multi-factor drivers of drought sensitivity based on lagged and accumulative effects. To address this gap, a drought sensitivity model was established by integrating both lagged and accumulative effects derived from long-term remote sensing datasets. To leverage both predictive power and interpretability, the XGBoost–SHAP framework was employed to model nonlinear associations and identify the threshold effects of driving factors. In addition, the Geodetector model was applied to examine spatially explicit interactions among multiple drivers, thereby uncovering the coupling effects that jointly shape forest drought sensitivity across China. The results reveal the following: (1) Drought had lagged and accumulative effects on 99.52% and 95.55% of forest GPP, with evergreen broadleaf forest showing the strongest effects and deciduous needleleaf forest the weakest. (2) Evergreen needleleaf forests have the highest proportion of extremely high drought sensitivity (16.94%), while deciduous needleleaf forests have the least (1.02%), and the drought sensitivity index declined in 67.12% of forests over decades. (3) Temperature and precipitation are the primary drivers of drought sensitivity, with clear threshold effects. Evergreen forests are mainly driven by climatic factors, while forest age is a key driver in deciduous needleleaf forests. (4) Interactive effects among multiple factors significantly amplify spatial variations in drought sensitivity, with water–heat coupling dominating in evergreen forests and structure–climate interactions prevailing in deciduous forests. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preoperative sarcopenia in liver transplantation (LT) recipients is an important prognostic factor of LT outcomes. Systemic inflammatory status (SIS) has been proposed as a unifying mechanism for skeletal muscle loss; thus, considering SIS and sarcopenia together may enhance prognosis assessment in patients undergoing LT. Herein, we aimed to describe the relationship between the SIS and skeletal muscle index (SMI) with short-term and long-term mortality post-living donor LT (LDLT). Methods: In total, 3387 consecutive adult LDLT recipients were retrospectively evaluated. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR, using a cut-off of 3) was utilized as an SIS. SMI was calculated using computed tomography scans, measured at the third lumbar vertebra; sex-specific cut-offs were determined from contemporary donors. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed. Results: Decreasing SMI was associated with increasing NLR. Increasing NLR and decreasing SMI both showed dose-dependent relationships with a risk of 90-day mortality. Within sarcopenic patients, NLR > 3 (vs. NLR ≤ 3) was associated with higher 90-day (9.3% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.049) and overall mortality (28.4% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.045). Sarcopenia and NLR > 3 (vs. neither) were independent predictors of 90-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.48 [1.40–4.40], p = 0.002) and overall mortality (HR, 1.81 [1.37–2.38], p < 0.001) after multivariable adjustment. When stratified by age, sex, and MELD score, the association between sarcopenia and overall mortality persisted in all subgroups, with the highest risk observed in women (HR 3.43, 95% CI 1.83–6.43). Conclusions: Sarcopenia, with the systemic inflammatory response, nearly doubled the risk of 90-day and overall mortality post-LT, proposing that these readily available biomarkers are a practical index for predicting survival post-LT. Considering that these are potentially modifiable factors, our result may provide a new therapeutic target to improve survival post-LT. Full article

Background and Objectives: Advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with poor prognosis, with complete macroscopic cytoreduction representing the strongest modifiable predictor of survival. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) is an alternative to primary debulking surgery (PDS) in patients with high tumor burden. However, its impact on surgical complexity remains debated. This study aimed to compare operative characteristics and survival outcomes between NACT + IDS and PDS using standardized scoring metrics in a real-world oncologic setting. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC-IV high-grade serous EOC treated between January 2018 and August 2022 at a single tertiary center. Twenty-five patients received platinum–taxane-based NACT followed by IDS, and twenty-two underwent upfront PDS with adjuvant chemotherapy. Surgical effort was quantified using the Surgical Complexity Score (SCS), and intra-abdominal tumor burden was assessed via the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were derived from Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Complete cytoreduction (R0) was achieved in 76% of the NACT + IDS group and 68% of the PDS group. Mean surgical complexity and operative time were significantly lower following NACT (SCS 5.0 vs. 6.2, p = 0.04; 140 vs. 197 min, p = 0.001), without significant differences in blood loss, complication rates, or length of hospital stay. Median PFS was 25 months in the NACT + IDS group versus 21 months in the PDS group, and the difference was not statistically significant. Among patients with R0 resection, survival outcomes were comparable between treatment arms. Conclusions: NACT + IDS was associated with shorter and less complex surgeries in selected patients, but survival outcomes appeared similar when R0 was achieved. Data suggest that selective use of NACT in patients with extensive disease burden or limited general health status may be suitable, while confirming that complete cytoreduction remains the most critical prognostic factor, although these survival comparisons are exploratory given the retrospective design and limited sample size. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether prior use of a beta blocker (BB) is associated with the three-year risk of total hip arthroplasty after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip and compare risks across BB subtypes. Methods: Through the TriNetX database, patients with hip OA were included and further divided into the with- and without-BB cohorts. BB users were defined as patients with prescriptions between 1 day and 1 year before hip OA diagnosis and at least one refill afterward. The index date was defined as the diagnosis date of hip OA. Moreover, the BB cohorts were split to evaluate the difference between different types of beta-blocking agents. After propensity score matching, a three-year risk of undergoing THA was calculated. Results: A total of 313,430 patients were involved in this study, including 23,580 with BB usage, and 289,850 without. After propensity score matching, 23,096 patients remained in each cohort. For the with- and without-BB cohort, the average ages were 69 ± 11.9 and 63.3 ± 11.4, with a majority being female (52.4% vs. 56%). After the three-year follow-up, the use of BBs (2333 vs. 1539, HR = 1.494; 95% C.I. = 1.4–1.593) was associated with a higher risk of undergoing THA. Furthermore, among the three types of BBs, the use of alpha-BBs showed the highest hazard ratio when compared to the without-BB cohort (788 vs. 470, HR = 1.639; 95% C.I. = 1.462–1.837). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential association between BB use and hip arthroplasty in OA patients, warranting further investigation rather than immediate changes in clinical practice. Exploration into the detailed mechanisms is warranted and merits investigation in future studies. Full article

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) remains one of the most widely used synthetic polymers worldwide, primarily due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and broad applicability across construction, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods industries. However, its production involves hazardous chemicals, particularly vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which requires rigorous safety assessments. In this context, the present study applies the Inherent Safety Index (ISI) methodology to evaluate the safety performance of a suspension polymerization process for PVC production that incorporates direct water recycling as a sustainability measure. The integration of water reuse reduces the fractional water consumption index from 2.8 to 2.2 and achieves a recovered water purity of 99.6%, demonstrating clear environmental benefits in terms of resource conservation. Beyond water savings, the core objective is to assess how this integration influences the inherent risks associated with the process. The key operational stages—polymerization, VCM recovery, product purification, and water recirculation—were modeled and analyzed using computer-aided process engineering (CAPE) tools. The ISI analysis yielded a score of 33, surpassing the threshold typically associated with inherently safer designs, with VCM hazards alone contributing a score of 19 due to its high flammability and carcinogenicity. These findings reveal a critical trade-off between environmental performance and inherent safety, underscoring that resource integration measures, while beneficial for sustainability, may require complementary safety improvements. This study highlights the necessity of incorporating inherently safer design principles alongside process integration strategies to achieve balanced progress in operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and risk minimization in PVC manufacturing. Full article

Chemical hazards in food present a significant health risk. The objective of our review is to understand health risks associated with chemical contaminants in products of animal origin (POAO) in Cambodia, where there is no known published study. We followed the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 23 reports were included for review. The findings are presented according to the PRISMA guidelines. The studies mostly focused on fishery products, with arsenic and mercury being the most frequently studied hazards. The evidence of banned substances such as chloramphenicol and certain organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including chlordane and Mirex, was reported in fish and meat. Additionally, mercury levels were measured in beef, pork, viscera, and eggs, but the average concentration remained significantly below the hazard index. The average concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in smoked fish exceeded the EU limits, ranging from 0.034 to 17.2 mg/kg, with an average mean concentration of 1.92 mg/kg. The pooled geometric means of arsenic and mercury in fish were 0.40 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.25–0.66) and ~0.14 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.087 to 0.223), respectively. The health risk of mercury contamination in fishery products needs the attention of the risk managers. However, industrial contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and butyl tin in marine fishes were lower than those reported elsewhere, such as Japan. We discuss the implications of the findings for human health and national food control systems (NFCS), the capacity of different agencies to undertake chemical risk assessment, the utility of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) for risk assessment and communication in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the need for further research. Full article