Exposure Rate Research Articles

Deep learning reveals diverging effects of altitude on aging

Abstract Aging is influenced by a complex interplay of multifarious factors, including an individual’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Notably, high altitude may impact aging and age-related diseases through exposures such as hypoxia and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To investigate this, we mined risk exposure data (summary exposure value), disease burden data (disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)), and death rates and life expectancy from the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) and National Data Management Center for Health of Ethiopia for each subnational region of Ethiopia, a country with considerable differences in the living altitude. We conducted a cross-sectional clinical trial involving 227 highland and 202 lowland dwellers from the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia to gain a general insight into the biological aging at high altitudes. Notably, we observed significantly lower risk exposure rates and a reduced disease burden as well as increased life expectancy by lower mortality rates in higher-altitude regions of Ethiopia. When assessing biological aging using facial photographs, we found a faster rate of aging with increasing elevation, likely due to greater UV exposure. Conversely, analysis of nuclear morphologies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in blood smears with five different senescence predictors revealed a significant decrease in DNA damage-induced senescence in both monocytes and lymphocytes with increasing elevation. Overall, our findings suggest that disease and DNA damage-induced senescence decreases with altitude in agreement with the idea that oxidative stress may drive aging.

Implementation of Peer-Led Seeking Safety for Women in Jail

Women are the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population and experience high rates of cumulative trauma exposure, mental illness, and PTSD. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation of a peer-led Seeking Safety (an evidence-based intervention for addressing trauma and addiction) pilot program for women in jail. Guided by principles from community-based participatory research and cooperative inquiry, participant surveys were analyzed (secondary data) using descriptive methods (n = 60), and qualitative interviews with program facilitators were conducted and analyzed using a general inductive approach (n = 7). Peer-led Seeking Safety is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for women in jail, with high levels of participant satisfaction. We describe several “lessons learned” related to the jail context, including structure and security processes and vicarious and retraumatization experiences among facilitators. Preventing facilitator burnout is necessary for the sustainability of the program. Future implementations of Seeking Safety in jails should consider the lessons learned in this study.

Assessment of Background Ionizing Radiation of Engineering Laboratories in Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

In-situ measurement of background ionizing radiation level of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FET) in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State has been carried out, with the use Radiation meters (Digilert-200). The Global Positioning System (Garmin 765) was utilized in measuring the coordinates of the sampling points. The aim of the study is to assess the rate of radiation exposure to students and staff during practical work in the Laboratories. Four (4) engineering laboratories within the faculty were randomly selected. The outdoor exposure dose rate varies from 0.006 - 0.017 mR/hr, 0.006 - 0.015 mR/hr, 0.008 -0.015 mR/hr, 0.009-0.014 mR/hr with mean value of 0.011 mR/hr ,0.009 mR/hr,0.014 mR/hr, 0.012 mR/hr for Computer Engineering Laboratory, Mechatronics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and Automatic Laboratory respectively. The indoor exposure dose rate varies 0.009 - 0.013 mR/hr, 0.009 – 0.019 mR/hr, 0.006 -0.015 mR/hr, with mean of 0.013 mR/hr,0.012 mR/hr and 0.012 mR/hr for Air Conditioning Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and Automatic Laboratory respectively. The outdoor absorbed dose rate varies from 52.2 -147.9 nGy/hr, 52.2-130.5 nGy/hr, 69.6 -147.9 nGy/hr,78.3 -121.8 nGy/hr, with mean value of 96.76 nGy/hr, 79.75 nGy/hr,111.86 nGy/hr and 100.69 nGy/hr and the indoor absorbed dose rate varies from 78.3-130.5, 78.3- 169.7, 52.2-130.5 (nGy/hr) with mean 111.7 nGy/hr, 109.7 nGy/hr, 101.8 nGy/hr respectively. The outdoor excess life cancer risk (ELCR) varies from 0.22x10-3 - 0.56 x10-3,0.22x10-3- 0.56x10-3,0.299x10-3-0.56x10-3 and 0.34x10-3-0.52x10-3 with mean of 0.44x10-3,0.34x10-3,0.54x10-3 and 0.45x10-3 for Computer Engineering Laboratory, Mechatronics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory and Automatic Laboratory respectively, while the indoor excess life cancer risk (ELCR) varies from 0.36-0.56x10-3,0.34x10-3-0.85x10-3 and 0.22x10-3-0.56x10-3 with mean 0.48x10-3,0.48x10-3 and 0.44x10-3.The results show that the estimated radiological parameters from the radiation exposure dose rate are all higher than their world standard values, except the annual effective doses and the outdoor and indoor exposure dose rate which are within their respective stipulated standard. This high value of Absorbed dose and excess life cancer risk may not constitute any immediate health effects on students and staff but there is a potential health effects for a long term in the future for an individual who may spent he/her life time within the immediate environment such as development of cancer due to the accumulation of high doses.

The comparative efficacy and safety of Tiger II versus judkins catheters in coronary angiogram via the radial artery access: a meta-analysis

Background Trans-radial coronary angiogram (TR-CAG) has gained popularity due to lower complication rates compared to transfemoral access. Operators can use either conventional catheters, such as Judkins, or single dedicated catheters, such as Tiger-II. This meta-analysis compared the safety and efficacy of Tiger-II versus Judkins catheters in TR-CAG. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library through February 2024 for studies comparing Tiger-II and Judkins catheters in TR-CAG. Fixed- and random-effect models pooled estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and standardised mean differences (SMDs). Primary outcomes included fluoroscopy time and contrast volume. Secondary outcomes included procedural time, radiation exposure, procedural success, radial artery vasospasm, and crossover rate. Results Seven studies with 2879 patients (1799 in Tiger-II and 1080 in Judkins) were included. Tiger-II use significantly reduced fluoroscopy time (SMD = −0.50 min, 95% CI [−0.80, −0.19], p < 0.01), procedural time (MD = −2.00 min, 95% CI [−2.35, −1.66], p < 0.01), and contrast volume (MD = −7.48 ml, 95% CI [−12.66, −2.29], p < 0.01). Radial artery spasm incidence was also lower (OR = 0.30, 95% CI [0.12, 0.75], p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in radiation exposure, procedural success, or crossover rate. Conclusion Tiger-II catheters offer reduced fluoroscopy time, procedural time, contrast volume, and radial artery spasm rates in TR-CAG.

Global human exposure of atmospheric polybrominated diphenyl ethers: Variation patterns of exposure pathways and phase contributions.

At present, there are still certain limitations in the research on the pathways and phase contributions of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) to human exposure in the atmosphere. This study clarified the contribution rates of inhalation and dermal exposure of particulate and gaseous polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on a global scale, as well as their influencing factors and mechanisms. Data on gaseous PBDEs were collected from 125 cities across 38 countries and regions to predict size-resolved particulate exposure levels, utilizing our previous method for inhalation alongside a size-dependent prediction method for dermal exposure developed in this study. The global distribution of PBDEs in gas phase showed a significant negative correlation (r = - 0.40, p<0.05) with the level of per capita GDP, resulting in a similar pattern of human exposure to atmospheric PBDEs. The highest daily intake was found in Africa (75.4pg/(kg·day)), followed by Asia (21.8pg/(kg·day)), North America (5.38pg/(kg·day)) and Europe (1.92pg/(kg·day)). Inhalation pathways dominated human exposure to atmospheric PBDEs. The contributions of particle phase to the total human exposure presented a pattern of Europe (26.8%)<North America (33.5%)<Asia (43.7%)<Africa (59.8%), exhibiting a significant positive correlation with TSP (r=0.79, p<0.01). An important finding was that the fluctuation of TSP around 70 μg/m3 may lead to alterations in the primary exposure phase for humans. Temperature exerted negative effects on the particulate contribution of low-brominated PBDEs varying in different individuals. In this study, a web platform was also developed, which offered predictions of inhalation and dermal exposures to SVOCs, obviously improving the efficiency of evaluating human exposure to atmospheric PBDEs and researching their exposure patterns.

Children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertising on Philippine television: content analysis of marketing strategies and temporal patterns

ABSTRACT Background This study conducted an exploratory content analysis of TV food advertisements on the top three most popular channels for Filipino children aged two to 17 during school and non-school days. Methods Data were collected by manually recording of aired advertisements from 16 non-school days (July to September 2020) and 16 school days (January to April 2021). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to assess children’s rates of exposure to food advertisements (mean ± SD of advertisements aired per channel per hour), the healthiness of promoted foods (as permitted (healthier) or not permitted (unhealthy) according to nutrient profiling models from the World Health Organization), and persuasive techniques used in food advertisements, including promotional characters and premium offers. Results The results show that the rates of exposure to food advertisements were higher during school days (14.6 ± 14.8) than on non-school days (11.9 ± 12.0) (p < 0.01). Both periods yield a similarly higher proportion of non-permitted food advertisements (e.g. 9.3 ± 9.7 ads/channel/hour for school days and 8.3 ± 8.5 ads/channel/hour for non-school days) than permitted ones. More non-permitted food advertisements during children’s peak viewing times were observed than non-peak viewing times (e.g. 11.8 ± 10. vs. 8.3 ± 9.2 ads/channel/hour for school days). Non-permitted food advertisements employed persuasive techniques more frequently, accounting for 64–91% of all food ads during peak viewing times. Conclusion Children are exposed to a large volume of television advertisements for foods that should not be permitted to be marketed to children based on authoritative nutrient criteria.

Relationship between Cancer Incidence and Health Behaviors from Ecological Study in Korea.

The aim of this ecological study was to examine the correlation between cancer incidence and health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity, and investigated whether there were differences in this correlation between metropolitan areas and other regions. Data on health behaviors exposure/prevalence and cancer incidence rates for 227 administrative districts (cities and counties) were obtained. The average exposure proportion measured annually from 2008 to 2011 in the Korea Community Health Survey data and the age-standardized cancer incidence data from 2014 to 2018, obtained through the cancer registry data, were downloaded from the Statistics Korea website. To examine the relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity exposure rate (prevalence), and cancer incidence, a correlation analysis was conducted, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. The correlation coefficient between male smoking and male cancer incidence rate across 227 districts was 0.259. This significance was more pronounced in large metropolitan areas, where the correlation coefficient was 0.631 in the 73 districts belonging to these areas. In large metropolitan areas, the correlation coefficient between alcohol consumption rate and cancer incidence rate was 0.390. In the correlation analysis between obesity prevalence and cancer incidence rate, no correlation was found in large metropolitan areas, while in areas outside of large cities, the correlation coefficient was -0.295, indicating a significant negative correlation. This ecological study demonstrated that the relationship between cancer incidence and health behaviors differed between large metropolitan areas and areas outside of large cities.

Research on Exposure Rate and Brand Image Building Strategies of Sponsors in F1 Racing Events

Research on Exposure Rate and Brand Image Building Strategies of Sponsors in F1 Racing Events

Tianeptine Exposures Reported to United States Poison Centers, 2015-2023.

Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant not approved for medical use in the US but is found in dietary supplements. This study investigates single-substance tianeptine exposures reported to US poison centers. We analyzed cases involving tianeptine reported to the National Poison Data System from 2015 to 2023. There were 892 single-substance tianeptine exposures reported to US poison centers from 2015 to 2023, and the rate of exposures increased 1,400% from 2015 to 2023, including a 525% increase from 2018 to 2023. Most exposures were associated with moderate (51.5%) or major (12.0%) effects, and 40.1% required medical admission, including 22.9% to a critical care unit. Individuals 50 years and older were more likely to experience major effects (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13-2.56) or require medical admission (RR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.20-1.72) than younger individuals. Tianeptine abuse accounted for 40.1% of exposures and was more likely to be associated with moderate or major effects (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.31) than exposures not attributed to abuse. Withdrawal accounted for 22.5% of tianeptine exposures. Tianeptine exposure rates were highest in the US South. Alabama enacted legislation to regulate tianeptine as a controlled substance in 2021. Alabama's tianeptine exposure rate increased by 1,413.7% from 2018 to 2021, followed by a 74.6% decrease from 2021 to 2023, while the rate in other southern states continued to increase. This study demonstrates the toxicity and rapid increase of tianeptine exposures reported to US poison centers. Uniform regulation of tianeptine across all states may offer an important strategy to help mitigate this public health problem.

A Model of Bystander Helping to Prevent Suicide: Examining and Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior

Research documents alarmingly high suicidal behavior risk among adolescents and young adults in the United States. A related concern is similarly high rates of exposure to the self-directed violence (SDV) of others. The current study examined how components of the Theory of Planned Behavior explain factors related to helping social network members engaging in SDV. Baseline data ( N = 4,982) from the longitudinal study, Project Lift Up, were analyzed cross-sectionally. Young people, ages 13 to 22, were recruited through social media platforms; sexual and gender minority youth were oversampled. Participants answered questions about exposure to other people’s SDV and measures of key constructs related to the Theory of Planned Behavior for helping reduce SDV including perceptions of what others think about helping and behavioral control. Three outcomes were assessed: Intent to help someone, proactive behavior to promote the other person’s mattering, and proactive behavior to prevent SDV. Measures showed adequate reliability and validity (Cronbach’s alphas above .70). Overall, regression analyses across the three outcomes partially supported the Theory of Planned Behavior. Attitudes and confidence explained variance in intent to help and proactive behavior outcomes, whereas intent and social norms showed more mixed associations with the three outcomes. While the Theory of Planned Behavior is useful to explain gatekeeper outcomes for suicide prevention, specific significant factors within the model vary by the specific outcome being examined. Further research to unpack nuances in gatekeeper behaviors is needed and may help design prevention strategies.

Evaluation of Threshold Levels for Effects of Chronic Exposure of Mammals with Different Life Expectancies

The lower threshold values of the chronic exposure rate, above which negative radiobiological effects appear, are assessed and compared for mammals with low and high natural life expectancy. Dataset has been prepared, containing information on the observed radiobiological effects of chronic irradiation in mammals, depending on the dose rate. The dataset includes 118 records for mammals with high life expectancy and 92 records for mammals with low life expectancy. Data were analyzed with the nonparametric statistics. The lower threshold for deterministic radiation effects of chronic exposure for long-lived mammals is 0,1 mGy/day, with a 95% confidence interval 0.04 – 0.3 mGy/day. For mammals with a short natural life cycle, this threshold value is one order of magnitude higher – 1 mGy/day, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.5–1.1 mGy/day. It is concluded that the quantitative radiation safety criteria for long-lived and short-lived mammal species differ, which should be taken into account when assessing the ecological risk of radioactive contamination of the environment.

Clinical features of Tibetan adolescent tuberculosis at high altitudes: a retrospective study

BackgroundAdolescent pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is considered inadequately recognized and underreported at high altitudes. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of adolescent pulmonary TB patients at high altitudes in China.MethodA retrospective analysis was performed at Linzhi People’s Hospital. Patients recruited were newly diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Detailed information, including demographics, medical history, presenting symptoms, laboratory results and pulmonary images, was collected. Sputum samples were collected to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis via the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay.ResultA total of 63 adolescents and 192 adults were recruited. Compared with those in the adult group, typical TB-related manifestations were significantly less common in the adolescent group (all P < 0.05). The adolescent group had significantly more subclinical TB (23.8% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.001) and a higher previous tuberculosis exposure rate (38.8% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001) than did the adult group. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher in the adolescent group than in the adult group (P = 0.026). Compared with adult patients, adolescent patients presented a lower rate of pleural thickening (P < 0.01). Compared with active adolescent patients, there were more female than male in the adolescent subclinical TB group (12/15 vs 27/48) and the positive rate of the sputum GeneXpert test was higher in subclinical TB group (6/15 vs 8/48).ConclusionAdolescent patients with pulmonary TB at high altitudes were prone to subclinical TB and have a higher previous TB exposure rate. Sputum GeneXpert test and ESR were important for the diagnosis of subclinical pulmonary TB.

Prevalence and influencing factors of severe respiratory infections in childhood among residents of China, 2019-2020

Objective: To analyze the exposure level and changes in severe respiratory infection among Chinese residents aged ≥40 years in China and to provide essential data for preventing and controlling chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: The data came from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance of Chinese residents in 2014-2015 and 2019-2020. The surveillance covers 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China. A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select permanent residents aged ≥40 years. Relevant information about exposure to severe respiratory infections during childhood was collected through investigation. Rigorous complex sampling and weighted analysis were applied to estimate the exposure rate of severe respiratory infections among children with different characteristics among residents aged ≥40 years in China from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, changes in severe respiratory infections during childhood were analyzed over 2014-2015 and 2019-2020. Results: In 2019-2020, the exposure rate of severe respiratory infection before 18 for residents aged ≥40 years in China was 21.58‰ (95%CI: 17.57‰-25.59‰). The exposure rate of severe respiratory infection before the age of 14 was 19.40‰ (95%CI:15.25‰-23.55‰), the difference in the exposure rate between men and women was not statistically significant (both P>0.05), and the exposure rate of urban residents is higher than that of rural residents. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that in western rural areas, factors including being born by cesarean section, exposure to secondhand smoke before age 14 years old, and a family history of chronic respiratory diseases were associated with severe respiratory infections in childhood. Compared with 2014-2015, the proportion of residents aged 40 and older in China hospitalized for pneumonia or bronchitis before 14 from 2019 to 2020 was slightly lower than five years prior. Conclusions: Among residents in China aged ≥40 years, 21.58‰ experienced severe respiratory infection exposure during childhood, varying exposure levels across different demographic groups. The burden of chronic respiratory diseases in adulthood cannot be ignored. Efforts should be made to expand the coverage of planned immunization and to focus on early-life interventions during childhood to reduce the incidence of severe respiratory infections.

Cardiac Biomarkers in a Brazilian Indigenous Population Exposed to Arboviruses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Arthropod-borne viral diseases are acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with chronic effects, that can be debilitating and even fatal worldwide, affecting particularly vulnerable populations. Indigenous communities face not only the burden of these acute febrile illnesses, but also the cardiovascular complications that are worsened by urbanization. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indigenous population in the Northeast Region of Brazil to explore the association between arboviral infections (dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) and cardiac biomarkers, including cardiotrophin 1, growth differentiation factor 15, lactate dehydrogenase B, fatty-acid-binding protein 3, myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, big endothelin 1, and creatine kinase-MB, along with clinical and anthropometric factors. The study included 174 individuals from the Fulni-ô community, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range 39.0 to 56.0). High rates of previous exposure to dengue, chikungunya, and Zika were observed (92.5%, 78.2%, and 95.4% anti-IgG, respectively), while acute exposure (anti-IgM) remained low. The biomarkers were linked to age (especially in the elderly), obesity, chronic kidney disease, and previous or recent exposure to chikungunya. This study pioneers the use of Luminex xMAP technology to reveal the association between cardiac inflammatory biomarkers and exposure to classical arboviruses in an Indigenous population undergoing urbanization.

Determinants of non-testing for HIV among women during antenatal care follow up in sub-saharan Africa: a hierarchical analysis of recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets

IntroductionHIV/AIDS is a global public health concern that is closely related to other sociocultural problems. The prevention of mother to child transmission cascade often begins with and is integrated into antenatal care in order to ensure a high rate of case detection and optimal treatment coverage. Although guidelines suggest that all pregnant women should have HIV testing as part of their regular screening checks during antenatal care, a significant proportion of pregnant women were not tested for HIV during antenatal care follow-up in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the determinants of women not tested for HIV during antenatal care follow-up in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the determinants of non-testing for HIV among women as part of antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa, utilizing secondary data from the 2015–2022 Demographic and Health Surveys. The study included a weighted sample of 788,421 women who had antenatal care follow-up during their most recent pregnancy within five years preceding the survey. A multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the determinants of non-testing for HIV among these women. The adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the associations between the outcome and explanatory variables. Statistical significance was determined using a p-value of less than 0.05.ResultThe hierarchical analysis of this study identified several significant factors associated with women not being tested for HIV during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors include young age, low or no education, not being in a union, unemployment, and low household wealth index. Additionally, limited media exposure, stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV, male-headed households, and rural residence were significant at the individual and household levels. At the community level, low media exposure and high illiteracy rates were significant, while at the country level, high fertility rates and low literacy rates were also associated with lower rates of HIV testing during antenatal care.ConclusionThis study identified significant individual, community, and country-level factors associated with women not testing for HIV during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. Key factors include young age, low education, unemployment, not being in a union, low household wealth, limited media exposure, stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV, male household head, rural residence, low community media exposure, high community illiteracy, high fertility rates, and low literacy rates. These findings highlight the need for targeted, context-specific interventions to improve HIV testing rates and enhance maternal and child health outcomes in the region.

Phoneme identification in bilingual children in Singapore – a preregistered investigation using the CROWN game

ABSTRACT Phoneme identification is critically involved in alphabetic reading, and weak skills in phoneme perception are known to correspond to the development of reading skills in children around the age of reading instruction. However, current models of phoneme perception have been established in monolingual populations, and these relationships may not hold for bilingual children. We developed a phoneme identification task, the CROWN Game, as part of a comprehensive assessment package for identifying potential reading difficulties. In the task, children perform a phoneme identification task, using familiar words with onset consonants spanning a voice-onset time continuum from/b/to/p/(−60 ms to 90 ms). 138 English-Chinese bilinguals in Singapore kindergartens were tested on phoneme perception for English words “beach” and “peach.” We fitted individual responses to a psychometric function and measured individual VOT threshold and the slope of the transition between categories. The task showed a wide spread of scores and good split-half reliability, suggesting that the CROWN game is suitable for identifying stable individual differences between children. In a preregistered subgroup analysis, we examined whether a child’s language background (input ratios and age of acquisition) influenced phoneme perception. GLMMs showed no influence of language exposure on phoneme perception in this task. This suggests that the CROWN Game, as part of a broader assessment package, is valid for use with bilingual children with different rates of exposure to their languages in evaluating phoneme perception skills relevant to reading development.

An evolutionary game study of traffic safety risk regulation considering public participation behavior

With the development of transportation technology, the improvement of transportation efficiency also increases the complexity and diversity of traffic safety risks; the public’s concern for traffic safety risks is increasing, and the traditional regulatory model is difficult to meet the improvement of the effectiveness of the safety regulation of the huge transportation network and the public’s changing safety needs. In order to enhance the effectiveness of safety regulation, a game model of safety risk regulation among the public, transport enterprises, and regulators is constructed to simulate the effects of different traffic risks, penalty levels, and exposure rates on the behavior of transport enterprises and regulators. The results of the study show that: traffic risk has a positive facilitating effect on the participation of transport enterprises and the public in the regulation of safety risks, which will accelerate the process of stabilization of their strategies; transport enterprises have a high sensitivity to changes in the level of punishment, and only when the level of punishment exceeds a certain threshold will they be able to promote the choice of complying with the transport; and a higher exposure will lead to a greater tendency for transport enterprises to choose complying with the transport.

No Difference in Prolapse Recurrence Rates Between Laparoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Sacrocolpopexy: A Long-Term Comparison.

To compare the long-term efficacy of conventional laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with those of robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary referral center in China. A total of 139 patients -74 having laparoscopic and 65 robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy between January 2015 and December 2021 were included. Either laparoscopic or robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy. The median follow-up times of the laparoscopic group and robotic-assisted group were 60 (interquartile range 39-91) and 46 (interquartile range 38-73) months, respectively. Compared with laparoscopy, the robotic-assisted group had a shorter operative time (164 ± 37 minutes vs 186 ± 36 minutes; p = .001) with no clinically meaningful blood loss between the groups (76 ± 32.1 mL vs 87.6 ± 33 mL). Mesh exposure occurred in 3 patients (4.1%) in the laparoscopic and 2 patients (3.1%) in the robotic-assisted group. The composite success rate did not significantly differ between laparoscopic and robotic-assisted groups (89.2% vs 90.8%, p = .757). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also revealed no significant differences in the overall rates of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse between the two groups (p = .915). There is no difference in the rates of prolapse recurrence or mesh exposure at nearly 4 years between laparoscopic or robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy. There was an average 20-minute time saving for robotic-assisted procedures, with no clinically important difference in blood loss between the surgical approaches.

Perioperative considerations for patients exposed to hallucinogens

Hallucinogen exposure in patients in the perioperative period presents challenges for anesthesiologists and other anesthesia providers. Acute and chronic exposure to these substances can cause physiological impacts that can affect...

Oxidative stress on the male reproductive organs of wild mice collected from an area contaminated by radioactive materials in Fukushima

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused the release of large amounts of radioactive material into the environment. Radiation from radionuclides cause DNA lesions, mainly via oxidation, which adversely affect wild organisms by damaging their germ cells. Here, we investigated the effects of radiation on the reproductive organs of Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) by estimating the dose rate of radiation exposure, the accumulation of DNA lesions, and the expression of DNA repair enzymes. In highly contaminated areas, mouse testes received a radiation dose rate > 0.1 mGy/d. According to the International Commission on Radiological Protection, there is a very low probability of effects in the reference rat species at this exposure level. The results of the current study do not definitively conclude that the expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 and superoxide dismutase in mouse testes increase with dose rate and lifetime dose. However, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine accumulation increases in a dose rate- and lifetime dose-dependent manner in mouse testes, but is not observed in the sperm of the cauda epididymis. These results suggest that, although DNA lesions occurred in male germ cells of Fukushima mice, most were successfully repaired by DNA repair enzymes at the observed gene expression level.