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Chemosphere Oct 2023Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic heavy metal and has been widely concerned for its hazardous environmental impact. Aromatic organic arsenic (AOCs) has been frequently used... (Review)
Review
Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic heavy metal and has been widely concerned for its hazardous environmental impact. Aromatic organic arsenic (AOCs) has been frequently used as an animal supplement to enhance feed utilization and prevent dysentery. The majority of organic arsenic could be discharged from the body and evolve as highly toxic inorganic arsenic that is hazardous to the environment and human health via biological conversion, photodegradation, and photo-oxidation. Current environmental issues necessitate the development and application of multifunctional porous materials in environmental remediation. Compared to the conventional adsorbent, such as activated carbon and zeolite, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit a number of advantages, including simple synthesis, wide variety, simple modulation of pore size, large specific surface area, excellent chemical stability, and easy modification. In recent years, numerous scientists have investigated MOFs related materials involved with organic arsenic. These studies can be divided into three categories: detection of organic arsenic by MOFs, adsorption to remove organic arsenic by MOFs, and catalytic removal of organic arsenic by MOFs. Here, we conduct a critical analysis of current research findings and knowledge pertaining to the structural characteristics, application methods, removal properties, interaction mechanisms, and spectral analysis of MOFs. We summarized the application of MOFs in organic arsenic detection, adsorption, and catalytic degradation. Other arsenic removal technologies and conventional substances are also being investigated. This review will provide relevant scientific researchers with references.
Topics: Humans; Arsenic; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Arsenic Poisoning; Adsorption
PubMed: 37541439
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139687 -
BMC Public Health Oct 2023Mushroom poisoning is a major public health issue in China. The integration of medical resources from different institutes of different levels is crucial in reducing the...
BACKGROUND
Mushroom poisoning is a major public health issue in China. The integration of medical resources from different institutes of different levels is crucial in reducing the harm of mushroom poisoning. However, few studies have provided comprehensive implementation procedures and postimplementation effectiveness evaluations. To reduce the harm caused by mushroom poisoning, a network system for the prevention and treatment of mushroom poisoning (NSPTMP) was established in Chuxiong, Yunnan Province, a high-risk area for mushroom poisoning.
METHODS
The NSPTMP consists of three types of institutions, namely, centers for disease prevention, hospitals, and health administration departments, with each kind of institution comprising prefecture, county/city, town, and village levels. After three years of implementation, the network was evaluated by comparing the indices before and after network implementation using data from the "Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System" and 17 hospitals in Chuxiong. The indices included the fatalities caused by mushroom poisoning, the composition ratios of different types of mushrooms for both outpatients and inpatients and the hospitalization rates.
RESULTS
Compared to the average fatality rate of mushroom poisoning from 2015 to 2017, the average fatality rate from 2018 to 2020 significantly decreased from 0.57 to 0.06% (P < 0.001). Regarding the poisonous genus containing lethal mushrooms, the outpatient and inpatient composition ratios significantly decreased for Amanita (9.36-2.91% and 57.23-17.68%, respectively) and Russula (15.27-8.41%) (P < 0.05). Regarding poisonous mushrooms that caused mild symptoms, the outpatient and inpatient composition ratios significantly increased for Scleroderma (5.13-13.90% and 2.89-18.90%, respectively) and Boletaceae (19.08-31.71%) (P < 0.05), and the hospitalization rates significantly increased for Scleroderma (6.33-18.02%) and Boletaceae (5.65-12.71%) (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the NSPTMP effectively reduced the harm caused by mushroom poisoning. In addition to the integration of medical resources, the development of poisonous mushroom identification, hierarchical treatment systems in hospitals, public education, and professional training also played important roles in improving the system's effectiveness. The establishment and evaluation of the NSPTMP in Chuxiong Prefecture can provide valuable insights and serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges in managing mushroom poisoning.
Topics: Humans; Mushroom Poisoning; China; Amanita; Disease Outbreaks; Health Facilities
PubMed: 37821850
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16042-7 -
The Primary Care Companion For CNS... Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Manganese Poisoning; Parkinson Disease
PubMed: 38395141
DOI: 10.4088/PCC.23cr03622 -
Medical Mycology Mar 2024Fungi are often considered a delicacy and are primarily cultivated and harvested, although numerous species are responsible for intoxication due to toxin content.... (Review)
Review
Fungi are often considered a delicacy and are primarily cultivated and harvested, although numerous species are responsible for intoxication due to toxin content. Foodborne diseases are a significant public health concern, causing approximately 420 000 deaths and 600 million morbidities yearly, of which mushroom poisoning is one of the leading causes. Epidemiological data on non-cultivated mushroom poisoning in individual countries are often unrepresentative, as intoxication rarely requires emergency intervention. On the other hand, the lack of specialist knowledge among medical personnel about the toxicological manifestations of mushroom consumption may result in ineffective therapeutic interventions. This work aims to provide an easy-to-consult and wide-ranging tool useful for better understanding the variability of mushroom intoxications, the associated symptoms, and the main treatments for the most severe cases, given the absence of a complete species mapping tool toxic. Moreover, we establish an effective collection network that describes the incidence of mushroom poisonings by reporting the species and associated toxicological manifestations for each case. In conclusion, we highlight the need to establish appropriate primary prevention interventions, such as training the affected population and increasing consultancy relationships between mycological experts and specialised healthcare personnel.
Topics: Humans; Mushroom Poisoning; Agaricales
PubMed: 38569657
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae033 -
Biosensors Nov 2023The extreme toxicity of nerve agents and the broad spectrum of their physical and chemical properties, enabling the use of these agents in a variety of tactical... (Review)
Review
The extreme toxicity of nerve agents and the broad spectrum of their physical and chemical properties, enabling the use of these agents in a variety of tactical situations, is a continuing challenge in maintaining the knowledge and capability to detect them, as well as in finding new effective methods. Despite significant advances in the instrumentation of the analysis of nerve agents, relatively simple methods based on the evaluation of colour signals (absorption and fluorescence), in particular those using the cholinesterase reaction, continue to be of importance. This review provides a brief presentation of the current status of these simple methods, with an emphasis on military applications, and illustrates the high interest of the professional community in their further development. At the same time, it also contains some peculiarities (high reliability and durability, resistance to extreme climatic conditions, work in deployed means of protection, low purchase prices, economic availability especially in a state of war, etc.) that the authors believe research and development of simple methods and means for the detection of nerve agents should respect.
Topics: Nerve Agents; Cholinesterases; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38131755
DOI: 10.3390/bios13120995 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Sep 2023
Topics: Humans; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
PubMed: 37753769
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0482 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2023Mushroom poisoning is a public health concern worldwide that not only harms the physical and mental health of those who are poisoned but also increases the medical and...
Mushroom poisoning is a public health concern worldwide that not only harms the physical and mental health of those who are poisoned but also increases the medical and financial burden on families and society. The present study aimed to describe and analyze the current situations and factors influencing mushroom poisoning outbreaks in Guizhou province, Southwest China, between January 2012 and June 2022, and to predict the future trends of its occurrence. Our study provides a basis for the rational formulation of prevention and control and medical resource allocation policies for mushroom poisoning. The epidemiological characteristics and factors influencing mushroom poisoning incidence were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods and the chi-squared test, respectively. Then, future occurrence trends were predicted using the SARIMA and Prophet models. In total, 1577 mushroom poisoning incidents were recorded in Guizhou Province, with 7347 exposures, 5497 cases, 3654 hospitalizations, and 93 fatalities. The mortality rate was 4.45% in 1 ~ 6 years higher than other age groups. There were notable geographic and seasonal characteristics, with the number of occurrences much higher in rural areas (1198) than in cities (379), and poisoning cases were more common during the rainy season (June to September). The mortality rate of household poisoning cases was 1.86%, with the most deaths occurring in households. Statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence across various cities, periods, and poisoning locations (P < 0.05). Both models had advantages and disadvantages for prediction. Nevertheless, the SARIMA model had better overall prediction results than the Prophet model (R > 0.9, the residual plot of the prediction results was randomly distributed, and RMSE < RMSE). However, the prediction result plot of the Prophet model was more explanatory than the SARIMA model and could visualize overall and seasonal trends. Both models predicted that the prevalence of mushroom poisoning would continue to increase in the future; however, the number of fatalities is generally declining. Seasonal patterns indicated that a high number of deaths from gooseberry mushroom poisoning occurred in October. The epidemiological trends of mushroom poisoning remain severe, and health education on related knowledge must be strengthened in rural areas, with June to October as the key prevention and control phase. Further, medical treatment of mushroom poisoning cases with clinical symptoms should pay attention to inquiries to check whether the mushroom is similar in appearance to the Amanita, particularly in October.
Topics: Humans; Mushroom Poisoning; Amanita; Disease Outbreaks; China; Hospitalization
PubMed: 38110518
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49095-0 -
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Mar 2024Scorpion stings are a significant public health problem in many parts of the world. Children are at a higher risk of developing severe complications from scorpion...
INTRODUCTION
Scorpion stings are a significant public health problem in many parts of the world. Children are at a higher risk of developing severe complications from scorpion envenoming, including cardiac, respiratory, and neurologic complications. In Turkey, members of the Buthidae family are the most common culprits in severe envenoming events.
METHODS
This retrospective-descriptive study was conducted in Turkey. Children aged 0 to 18 y admitted to the emergency department of Kahta State Hospital between December 2017 and December 2020 were included in the study. Patient information was reviewed, and 78 patients with complete demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were included in the study.
RESULTS
Out of the 78 patients, 24.4% were six years old or younger while the 75.6% were older than six years. Alpha blocker was given to 12.8% of the patients, and antivenom was given to 43.6% of the patients. Of the 78 patients, 71.8% were followed up in the emergency department, 21.8% were followed up in the inpatient unit, and 6.4% were followed up in the intensive care unit. Two patients (2.6%) died within 1 month. There was a significant difference regarding lactate dehydrogenase value according to the sting site (=0.014). Lactate dehydrogenase values of patients stung on the head and neck and upper extremity were higher than those of patients bitten on lower extremities.
CONCLUSIONS
Elevated levels of specific laboratory parameters, such as leukocytes, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase, are linked to worse outcomes. Additionally, stings on the head, neck, and upper extremities are more strongly associated with severity. These findings guide tailored treatment strategies for scorpion stings, with the potential for further refinement through broader studies across diverse regions and populations.
Topics: Child; Humans; Scorpion Stings; Retrospective Studies; Antivenins; Death; Lactate Dehydrogenases
PubMed: 38379470
DOI: 10.1177/10806032231220393 -
Global Heart 2024Nicotine is universally recognized as the primary addictive substance fuelling the continued use of tobacco products, which are responsible for over 8 million deaths...
Nicotine is universally recognized as the primary addictive substance fuelling the continued use of tobacco products, which are responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. In recent years, the popularity of newer recreational nicotine products has surged drastically in many countries, raising health and safety concerns. For decades, the tobacco industry has promoted the myth that nicotine is as harmless as caffeine. Nonetheless, evidence shows that nicotine is far from innocuous, even on its own. In fact, numerous studies have demonstrated that nicotine can harm multiple organs, including the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Tobacco and recreational nicotine products are commercialized in various types and forms, delivering varying levels of nicotine along with other toxic compounds. These products deliver nicotine in profiles that can initiate and perpetuate addiction, especially in young populations. Notably, some electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTP) can deliver concentrations of nicotine that are comparable to those of traditional cigarettes. Despite being regularly advertised as such, ENDS and HTP have demonstrated limited effectiveness as tobacco cessation aids in real-world settings. Furthermore, ENDS have also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) are proven to be safe and effective medications for tobacco cessation. NRTs are designed to release nicotine in a slow and controlled manner, thereby minimizing the potential for abuse. Moreover, the long-term safety of NRTs has been extensively studied and documented. The vast majority of tobacco and nicotine products available in the market currently contain nicotine derived from tobacco leaves. However, advancements in the chemical synthesis of nicotine have introduced an economically viable alternative source. The tobacco industry has been exploiting synthetic nicotine to circumvent existing tobacco control laws and regulations. The emergence of newer tobacco and recreational nicotine products, along with synthetic nicotine, pose a tangible threat to established tobacco control policies. Nicotine regulations need to be responsive to address these evolving challenges. As such, governments should regulate all tobacco and non-medical nicotine products through a global, comprehensive, and consistent approach in order to safeguard tobacco control progress in past decades.
Topics: Humans; Nicotine; Smoking Cessation; Smoking; Poisons; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; Policy; Cardiovascular System; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 38312998
DOI: 10.5334/gh.1292 -
The Veterinary Record Dec 2023
Topics: Female; Sheep; Animals; Horses; Plant Poisoning; Horse Diseases; Poisoning; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 38100696
DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3782