Krogkrebs3394

in Hong Kong. Our previous investigation showed significantly increased arsenic (As) content in thyroid tissue samples of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). This research aimed to extend previous findings and provide reliable insight into the close relationship between As and other trace elements with HT by considering a greater number of thyroid tissue samples, accompanied by blood and urine samples. The essential trace elements for thyroid homeostasis (Mn, Cu, Zn, Se) and the main threatening toxic trace elements (Ni, As, Pb, Cd, U) was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Relevant parameters that could affect the concentration of trace elements were considered. This research showed that there was a difference in the elemental profile between HT and control samples. The most important findings were related to the elevated As and Pb content in the thyroid tissue and HT blood samples. The obtained negative correlations between As and Pb with Se may explain the antagonistic effect of As and Pb on the extrusion of essential Se from the HT tissue. The reduced Se content in the blood and its increased content in urine samples may further confirm this hypothesis and explain the lack of Se in HT. Darapladib Furthermore, the reported results may highlight the unresolved molecular basis of HT and could indicate the role of trace element effects on thyroid homeostasis. Biochar is a biomass-derived carbon-rich, highly porous, and renewable material, which can be used as catalyst support. In this study, high surface area biochar is prepared from Sargassum tenerrimum dry seaweed (SDSW) by the chemical activation method. The effect of variations in experimental conditions (KOH amount, carbonization temperature, activation time, and heating rate) on the physicochemical properties of activated biochar was investigated. Optimum activated carbon (SDSW-ABC) has been used as catalyst support for the preparation of Ni and Co based catalyst. Prepared catalyst (NiCo/SDSW-ABC) was characterized using BET, TGA, XRD, TPD, TPR, and TEM. Catalytic activity of NiCo/SDSW-ABC was evaluated for phenol hydrogenation at a wide range of temperatures (60-140 °C), hydrogen pressures (3-7 MPa), and reaction times (2-8 h) in various polar solvents. The catalyst demonstrated selective phenol conversion (≥99.9%) to cyclohexanol (≥99.9%) at 5 MPa, 100 °C, and 4 h in isopropanol. NiCo/SDW-ABC also explored for hydrogenation of few other lignin model compounds with different functionalities to evaluate the applicability of catalyst. On March 1, 2012, the Chinese government implemented the Administrative Measures on Heatstroke Prevention (AMHP2012) to combat the occupational health impacts of extreme heat, and reducing occupational injury was one of the main purposes. This study aimed at quantifying the intervention effects of the AMHP2012 on extreme heat-related occupational injuries and subsequent insurance payouts in Guangzhou, China. Data on occupational injuries and insurance payouts were collected from March 1, 2011, to February 28, 2013, from the occupational injury insurance system of Guangzhou. A quasi-experimental design with before-after control was adopted. Interrupted time series analysis was performed to quantify the change of occupational injuries and insurance payouts after policy implementation. The distributed lag non-linear model was used to explore whether injury claims and insurance payouts due to extreme heat decreased. A total of 9851 injury claims were included in the analysis. After policy implementation, the risk of occupational injuries and insurance payouts decreased by 13% (RR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.75, 0.99) and 24% (RR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.58, 0.94), respectively. The attributable fraction of extreme heat-related occupational injuries decreased from 3.17% (95%eCI 1.35, 4.69) to 1.52% (95%eCI -0.36, 3.15), which contributed to 0.86 million USD reduction of insurance payouts. Both males and females, low-educated, young and middle-aged workers, workers at small or medium-sized enterprises, engaging in manufacturing, and with both minor and severe injuries were apparently associated with decreased rates of extreme heat-related occupational injuries. The AMHP2012 policy contributed to the reduction of extreme heat-related occupational injuries and insurance payouts in Guangzhou, China, and this research provided novel evidence for decision-makers to better understand the necessity of implementing health protection policies among laborers under climate change. Coral reefs are one of the most diverse, complex and productive marine ecosystems on the planet. Global climate change and other anthropogenic impacts have had a strong impact on the equilibrium of these ecosystems and causing the denominated "coral reef crisis". One consequence of coral reef crisis is the phase shift in reef communities, where scleractinian corals responsible for the bioconstruction of the coralline building are replaced by macroalgae or soft corals. In Todos os Santos Bay (TSB) there is a rare case of phase shift caused by the soft coral Palythoa cf. variabilis. When in population outbreak, this coral species becomes dominant and leads to loss of scleractinian coral cover. Palythoa genus establishes a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, that is changed in phase shift coral reefs, but other alterations remain unknown. In this study, the metabolism (oxidative damage, antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes, electron transport chain activity and photosynthetic pigments) of P. cf. variabilis from reefs in different conservation states was studied to identify and relate if changes that may occur in the biochemical and metabolism of the coral might trigger the population outbreak, identify parameters recognizing if corals are in stress and assess if one or more parameters can reflect the level of stress organisms are experiencing. The results obtained evidenced a clear distinction in the biochemistry and metabolism of corals from conserved sites and sites in phase shift, and these changes may be the trigger for population outbreak. Some of the parameters were able to discriminate the level of stress corals are experiencing and may allow to recognize the most at-risk coral reefs that need immediate intervention and prevent the entry into or revert P. cf. variabilis outbreak and phase shift in coral reefs. Actions like these can be of vital importance for the preservation of TSB coral reefs and possibly for other threatened reefs worldwide. Fifty-five household dust samples collected within six settlements surrounding oil production complexes along the Ecuadorian Amazonia were analysed to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, alkylphenols (APs), bisphenol A (BPA), nicotine, organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), legacy organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and organophosphorus pesticides. Studied areas are mainly affected by gas flares emissions and oil spilling coming from extractivist operations and pesticides used in agriculture. Median ΣPAHs values ranged from 739 to 1182 ng g-1 and up to 52% of the PAH dust concentrations were associated to petrogenic activities from crude oil extraction, according to diagnostic ratios. ΣPAHs and toxic equivalents based on benzo[a]pyrene concentration (ΣTEQBaP, ng g-1) suggested similar toxicities among the different areas. Individual lifetime cancer risk (ILCRdust) was calculated for ingestion and dermal contact expod children up to 16 years-old. The efficiency of common sludge electro-dewatering (EDW) is restrained by the following issues 1, the near-anode sludge dries out quickly, causing a rapid increase in electrical resistance; 2, the pH at anode decreases by the accumulation of H+ from the electrolysis of moisture, resulting in a decrease in Zeta potential (ζ). Alleviating the negative impact of these problems is the key to improving the dewatering efficiency of EDW. Therefore, in this study, calcium oxide (CaO) was used for near-anode sludge modification to increase its pH and electrical conductivity. With increasing CaO dosage, pH rose from 6.0 to 12.2, electrical conductivity increased from 368 ± 16 μS/cm to 6285 ± 21 μS/cm and the ζ declined from -15.3 ± 0.6 mV to -8.8 ± 0.4 mV. The EDW tests were conducted at 30 V and 25.5 kPa. The results indicate near-anode sludge modification with CaO weighing 3%-5% mass of raw sludge (mu(RS)) improved the EDW effect, while the energy consumption increased slightly. When 3%-5% mu(RS) of CaO was added, the final moisture content of sludge was 54.5%-44.3%, below that of the blank group (no CaO added), which was 57.9%; the time to obtain target moisture content (60%) was 910 s-590 s, lower than the blank group's 1060 s; and the energy consumption to obtain target moisture content was 0.233 kW h/kg H2O-0.271 kW h/kg H2O, higher than the blank group's 0.157 kW h/kg H2O. A quantitative criterion (KsiEDW) was adopted to assess the feasibility of EDW. Economically and energetically, the experiment with 4% mu(RS) of CaO added for near-anode modification was the optimal condition in this research, due to its second smallest KsiEDW, the best sludge reduction effect (67.2%), lower final moisture content (46.2%) and less time (640 s) to obtain target moisture content. The results show some mechanisms of EDW and provide experience for practical application. Cambodia is considered extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high poverty, limited infrastructure, and weak adaptive capacity. Kratie province, in particular, has suffered from climate-induced disasters, including floods, droughts, storms, lightning, and heatwaves. To date, climate change interventions in the province have primarily focused on impacts on agriculture. However, enhancing the climate resilience of micro businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector is also crucial since the provincial economy increasingly depends on the interlinkage between agriculture, tourism and related enterprises. This article examines how climate change has impacted micro businesses in Kratie Town, and how they responded to the impacts. This study is based on semi-structured interviews with micro entrepreneurs randomly selected in the town. Results show that businesses have been predominantly affected by floods and storms. Business exposures and locations, types of business, production and supply chains, and client bases determined different impacts of and responses to these climate-related hazards. Businesses adopted primarily temporary and reactive responses rather than long-term systematic measures. Strengthening adaptive infrastructure, both physical and informational, will improve businesses' capability to prepare for and cope with these disasters. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of adopting a pharmaceutical care model on clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost at a health payer level. METHODS All patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were insured by Bupa Arabia, with a direct-acting antivirals prior authorization drug request between April 2015 and October 2018 were included in this retrospective quasi-experimental study. The clinical outcome was the achievement of a sustained virologic response at least 12 weeks from end of treatment. Economic and patients' satisfaction outcomes were included in this study. The differences in cost of treatment was analyzed by using the paired t test. Stata statistical software package (StataCorp, College Station, TX) was used for data analysis. RESULTS A total of 371 patients were enrolled in this program of which 74% (n = 273) required clinical intervention. Among those, HCV treatment was modified for 64%. The overall cure rate was 97% among 267 patients for which sustained virologic responses were available.