Heavy metal pollution of soil and chronic diseases among residents around an abandoned rare earth ore in Jiangxi / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo understand the distribution characteristics of soil metal pollution around an abandoned rare earth ore in Jiangxi and the health impact on the surrounding residents. MethodsAccording to the distribution of abandoned rare earth ore， the village was divided into mining and non-mining areas. The prevalence of chronic diseases among residents over 15 years old in the village was collected through a self-designed questionnaire. Twenty-three soil samples were collected. The contents of rare earth metals （including lanthanum， cerium， praseodymium， and neodymium） and heavy metals （including arsenic （metalloids）， cadmium， and lead） in the soil samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）. ResultsThe metal content showed a cumulative increasing trend. One of the23 sampling sites showed mild cadmium pollution. Compared with non-mining farmland， the metal content of farmland soil around the abandoned rare earth mine was relatively higher. The residents' top six self-reported chronic diseases were hypertension， chronic bronchitis， diabetes， stroke， hyperlipidemia， and cataract. The prevalence of hypertension in mining area was higher than non-mining area （χ2=4.141， P=0.042）. The main related factors for hypertension in residents were the increase in age （OR=14.576， 95%CI： 2.773‒76.605） and body mass index （OR=3.147， 95%CI： 1.121‒8.835）. ConclusionAbandoned rare earth ore may have a potential impact on the health of surrounding residents.

Health risk and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metal exposure in typical abandoned mining area in Liuzhou, Guangxi / 环境与职业医学

Background Exposure to heavy metals has potential adverse impacts on human health, and the concentration of heavy metals in abandoned mining areas may still be higher than that in general areas, so the health risk assessment in such areas cannot be ignored. Objective To explore the health risk of heavy metal exposure and the spatial distribution characteristics of associated main metals in a typical abandoned mining area. Methods Environmental samples of irrigated soil, rice, and drinking water were collected from 13 natural villages under the jurisdiction of a township in Liuzhou, Guangxi from November to December 2019, where a typical abandoned mining was located. Finally, 13 irrigation soil samples, 11 rice samples, and 13 drinking water samples were collected. The concentrations of six metals and metalloid elements in each environmental sample were detected by inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). At the same time, 251 local residents were recruited for health risk assessment. Model parameters such as body weight, rice intake, and drinking water intake of local residents were obtained through field survey, and the median metal concentration of each environmental sample was taken as the risk assessment parameter of the region. The health risk of heavy metal exposure of local residents was assessed by using oral health risk assessment model of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The spatial distribution characteristics of health risks associated with heavy metals were evaluated by empirical Bayes interpolation method using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Results The positive rates of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the irrigated soil samples were 100.00%. The positive rate of Pb was 63.64% in the rice samples, while the rates of other metals were 100.00%. The positive rates of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the drinking water samples were 53.85%, 76.92%, 92.31%, 15.38%, 84.62%, and 100.00%, respectively. The results of non-carcinogenic risk assessment of oral exposure to heavy metals suggested that the contribution of heavy metals causing non-carcinogenic risk from high to low was As (70.52%) > Cd (18.03%) > Zn (6.63%) > Cu (4.12%) > Pb (0.64%) > Cr (0.06%), and the corresponding estimated non-carcinogenic risk values were 3.54 × 100, 9.05 × 10−1, 3.33 × 10−1, 2.07 × 10−1, 3.23 × 10−2, and 5.42 × 10−4, respectively. The results of carcinogenic risk assessment of oral exposure to heavy metals suggested that the contribution of studied metals from high to low was Cd (87.00%) > As (10.24%) > Cr (2.60%) > Pb (0.16%), and the estimated carcinogenic risks were 4.35× 10−3, 5.12 × 10−4, 1.30 × 10−4, and 3.08 × 10−7, respectively. Rice was the leading media associated with non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk (99.4% and 99.8% respectively). The spatial distribution characteristics of GIS showed no obvious regularity in the distribution of As in irrigated soil, rice, and drinking water. In rice and irrigated soil, the content of Cd in the villages adjacent to the mining area was obviously higher than that in the other villages, while in drinking water, the content in the villages far away from the mining area was higher. Conclusion As and Cd are the main heavy metals that increase the health risk of local residents in a typical abandoned mining area, and the distribution characteristics of the two heavy metals in different environmental media are not completely consistent.

Abandoned boats contribute to spread of Aedes and Culex vector mosquitoes in coastal belt, Galle District, Southern Sri Lanka

Background & objectives: Although, the number of considerable cases of dengue and lymphatic filariasis have been reported from Galle District, Sri Lanka in the past several years, contribution of abandoned boats to spread vector mosquitoes of Aedes and Culex in the coast is not well studied. Our aim was to assess the positive composition of different types of abandoned boats by larval vector mosquitoes to investigate their occurrence and habitat preference, and the monsoonal and co-existence variation of Aedes mosquitoes. Methods: The 4th instar larvae of Aedes and Culex species from three different abandoned boat types in nine subsampling sites at three municipal areas in Galle District were collected during 2017–2019. In total, 15 sampling rounds were conducted in each site for three years duration as five sample rounds per year. Larval collections and identifications were carried out using standard techniques and identification keys according to WHO guidelines. The occurrence of mosquito larvae was analysed by boat type, locations within area and year. Further, the average infestation variation of Aedes mosquitoes were compared with monsoonal and co-existence changers. Results: Out of the total abandoned boats, majority (51%) were engine boats and, 32.7%, 16.35% were troller boats and canoe boats, respectively. Troller boats were highly infested boat type for vector mosquitoes. Aedes albopictus was the dominant vector in abandoned boats other than recorded Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Culex quinquefasciatus showed comparatively low infestation percentages. The average infestation of Ae. albopictus showed a consistent pattern with monsoon variation. A competitive rapid invasion of Aedes aegypti was observed with the suppressing Ae. albopictus in abandoned boats after 2018. Interpretation & conclusion: Abandoned boats contribute noteworthy to spread of Aedes and Culex vector mosquitoes in coastal belt, Galle District. These study findings would be helpful for researchers and health authorities to design appropriate vector control measures and to mitigate future dengue and filariasis outbreaks

Un mal sueño. A propósito de un informe de caso de abandono infantil / A bad dream. About a child neglect case report

RESUMEN En las situaciones de maltrato infantil por negligencia o desatención, debido a las disfuncionalidades familiares, puede emerger el maltrato de forma involuntaria. En este caso específico fue por abuso infantil y abandono familiar. El propósito de los autores fue concienciar y responsabilizar a las familias haitianas, al personal de salud y a la comunidad en general, sobre el cuidado de los niños para lograr modificar las conductas, y a la vez, prevenir el agravamiento de las situaciones de maltrato infantil. El artículo se organizó en dos partes diferenciadas: en la primera, se presentó un marco de introducción que recoge, en general, algunos de los aportes de la literatura sobre el maltrato infantil y, en particular, el maltrato por negligencia o desatención familiar; en la segunda parte se describió y se analizó la situación de un infante de la comunidad de Grande Riviere Du Nord, del departamento Norte de Haití.

ABSTRACT Abuse may emerge involuntarily in situations of child abuse due to inattention or neglect and family dysfunctions. In this specific case it was due to child abuse and family abandonment. The purpose of the authors was to raise awareness and hold Haitian families, health personnel, and the community in general responsible for children's care in order to modify behaviors, and at the same time, prevent the worsening of child abuse situations. The article was organized in two different parts: an introductory framework collected, in general, some of the literature's contributions on child abuse in the first part, particularly, abuse due to neglect or family inattention; the situation of an infant belonging to the Grande Riviere Du Nord community from the North department of Haiti, was described and analyzed in the second part.

Effects of experimental lightgaps and topography on enrichment plantings in a central Amazonian secondary forest

Enrichment plantings into secondary forest are an important option in restoring species diversity and ecosystem services. However, little attention has been given to environmental requirements for species performance. This study evaluated the effects of lightgaps and topographic position on the growth and survival of four native tree species (Pouteria caimito, Garcinia macrophylla, Dipteryx odorata and Cynometra bauhiniaefolia) planted into a 26-year old secondary forest originating from abandoned pastures in the central Amazon Basin. Artificial lightgaps and control plots under closed canopy were uniformly distributed on plateaus and bottomlands near water bodies. Seedlings were planted randomly into the plots and monitored for 28 months. Seedling survival rate was high (93%) and did not differ among species. Overall, lightgaps produced a 38% increase in seedling height relative to the controls. Although the four species naturally occur in mature forest, two of the four grew significantly more in lightgaps than in closed canopy secondary forest. Overall, bottomlands facilitated greater seedling growth in height (38%) relative to plateaus, but only one species exhibited a significant increase. This study shows the importance of the environmental variability generated with canopy openings along the topographic gradient, suggesting that both the selection of species and microsite conditions of planting sites have to be considered important criteria in the recovery of degraded areas. (AU)

The impact of emotional attachment and culture on the breakup strategies perceived by the abandoned / El peso del apego y de la cultura en las estrategias de rompimiento amoroso percibidas por los abandonados

Abstract Considering the importance that has it been given to couple relationships, their breakdown has a negative impact on its members, especially on those who are victims (passive role) of the other's decision. Thus, from the cultural point of view, when a great value is attributed to romantic relationships, in terms of personal and family fulfillment, and this is transmitted to the members of the couple, facilitating the development of beliefs, norms, attitudes and expectations about the love experience, the search and consummation of that love becomes a guideline in people's lives. And if coupled with this, the attachment representing the means by which the biological needs for affection and security are met through the connection with another, it can be devastating to lose the source of such satisfactions. Based on the foregoing, the purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the historic socio-cultural premises (PHSC, for its Spanish acronym) about romantic mourning and the attachment styles with the breakup strategies perceived by the passive subjects with a positive and negative romantic history. To do this, the study used a non-probabilistic sample of 547 residents of Mexico City who had been left by their partner. After performing some correlation analyzes, results indicated that the PHSC's have greater effects on the perception of negative breakup strategies in people with a positive or negative romantic history. The effects increased when dealing with PHSC's about feelings, mainly in passive members with a negative history and with an anxious attachment style followed by those with avoidant style. For their part, positive PHSCs are associated, but at a low level, with any perceived strategy.

Resumen Dada la importancia que se confiere a las relaciones de pareja, su rompimiento generalmente repercute de manera negativa en la vida de sus miembros, sobre todo en quien es víctima de la decisión del otro -es decir, quien ejerce un papel pasivo-. Así, desde el punto de vista cultural, cuando se le atribuye a la relación de pareja un valor importante como fuente de realización personal y familiar, y ello se transmite a través de los miembros -lo que facilita el desarrollo de creencias, normas, actitudes y expectativas del amor-, su búsqueda y consumación se vuelve una directriz en la vida de las personas. Adicional a esto, si el apego -que representa el medio por el cual se cubren las necesidades biológicas de afecto y seguridad- se ve satisfecho en la vinculación con el otro, puede que resulte devastador perder la fuente de tales satisfactores. Con base en lo anterior, el propósito de este estudio fue identificar la relación entre los estilos de apego y las premisas histórico-socioculturales (PHSC) del duelo romántico con las estrategias de rompimiento percibidas por los abandonados con historia romántica positiva o negativa. Para ello, se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística de 547 personas residentes de la Ciudad de México que habían sido dejadas por su pareja. Tras realizar algunos análisis de correlación, los resultados indicaron que las PHSC tienen mayores efectos sobre la percepción de estrategias de rompimiento negativo tanto en personas con historia romántica positiva como negativa. Los efectos incrementan cuando se trata de las PHSC sobre el sentir, principalmente en abandonados con historia negativa y con estilo de apego ansioso-ambivalente, seguido del evitativo. Por su parte, las PHSC positivas se asocian, pero en un nivel bajo, con cualquier estrategia percibida.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de niños y adolescentes que viven en un hogar temporal, Colombia / Health-related quality of life for children and adolescents living in a temporary home, Colombia / Qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde de crianças e adolescentes que moram em lar temporário, Colômbia

Resumen (analítico) Estudio transversal cuyo objetivo fue determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) en 92 niños y adolescentes, entre los 8 y los 18 años de edad, que vivían en un hogar temporal de un municipio colombiano. Se aplicaron pruebas para la diferencia de promedios, de correlación y se construyó un modelo logístico con el fin de identificar los factores que se asociaron al desenlace, la CVRS. No se encontraron diferencias entre los promedios del puntaje de la CVRS según sexo (p = 0.094) y además estos en las dimensiones actividad física y salud, sentimientos, autopercepción, autonomía, vida familiar, relación con los pares y entorno escolar fueron mayores que el promedio de la CVRS; ser mujer y haber sufrido algún tipo de limitación, influyen en tener puntajes de la CVRS menores de 70 puntos.

Abstract (analytical) This is a cross-sectional study that had the objective of determining the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for 92 children and adolescents between 8 and 18 years of age who lived in a temporary home in a Colombian municipality. Tests were applied for the correlation of the difference of averages and a logical model was developed to identify the factors that were associated with the HRQoL outcome. No differences were found between the averages of the HRQoL scores according to sex (p = 0.094). The aspects of physical activity and health, feelings, self-perception, autonomy, family life, relationships with peers and school environment were higher than the average HRQoL. Being a woman and having suffered some type of limitation caused participants to have HRQoL scores below 70 points.

Resumo (analítico) Foi realizado um estudo transversal que teve por objetivo determinar a Qualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde (QVRS) de 92 crianças e adolescentes, com idade entre 8 e 18 anos, que moram em um lar temporário em um município colombiano. Foram realizadas avalições para determinar a diferencia média e suas correlações, além disso, foi determinado um modelo logístico com o fim de identificar os principais fatores associados a QRVS. Não se encontraram diferencias entre as medias do valor da QRVS para o gênero (p = 0.094), entretanto, para o caso de atividade física y saúde, sentimentos, autoimagem, autonomia, vida familiar, relacionamento com os pais e ambiente escolar os valores foram maiores do que a média da QRVS; o fato de ser mulher e ter sofrido algum tipo de Deficiência, influenciaram na obtenção de valores da QRVS abaixo de 70 pontos.

Morbidity features in newborns born with extremely low and very low body wight and left without parental care

Mothers increasingly mention poor health of the newborn child as the reason for abandoning the child. One of the factors causing the unsatisfactory state of the child's health is the child's premature birth, a little or long before the due date. According to the data of most developed countries of the world, from 5% to 10% of children in the general population are born prematurely. In the Russian Federation, these premature births amount for around 75% of infant mortality. Moreover, the most vulnerable ones among premature infants are children with extremely low and very low body weight. In this regard, the goal of the study has been formulated to assess the state of health of the children born with very low and extremely low body weight and left without parental care. Material and Methods. For this, a retrospective analysis of the labor and delivery records has been conducted for 182 newborns abandoned by mothers in maternity hospitals in the Chelyabinsk region in the period from 2012 to 2017. Results and discussion. Over the study period, the average proportion of newborns with low and extremely low body weight was as follows: 12.1% in the big urban center, 12.0% in urban districts and 12.7% in rural municipalities of the total number of early social orphans. The proportion of newborns with very low body weight was 69.0%; 31.0% had extremely low body weight. The smallest of the examined infants was a newborn with a birth weight of 840 grams. It was found that children born with extremely low and very low body weight had from two to three pathologies already at birth. Conclusion. The identified risk factors for the birth of premature babies are the following: extragenital diseases of the mother, complicated obstetric and gynecological history, infectious diseases of the mother. A high proportion of newborns with very low and extremely low body weight (12.0-12.7%) among abandoned children indicates that the latter are at risk for this pathology.

A study of relationship between blood mercury concentration and hypertension in residents living in old mine fields and related factors

BACKGROUND: In Korea, around the abandoned metal mines, heavy metals are being accumulating in the cultivated areas. Among exposed heavy metals, mercury is known to harm for cardiovascular system known to affect blood pressure. So, we studied the relationship between blood mercury level and hypertension in residents around abandoned metal mines. METHODS: From 2008 to 2011, we surveyed 7,055 residents in provinces affected by abandoned metal mines and collected data from 6 Hospitals. We conducted a personal questionnaire interview survey with residents on the basis of household questionnaires, sex, age, household income, smoking, and drinking items. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between blood mercury level and hypertension. RESULTS: We compared residents with low and high groups based on blood mercury level 5.8 μg/L, and higher group was significantly higher risk of hypertension than lower group (odds ratio [OR]: 1.277; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.135–1.436), also in adjusted model, higher group was significantly higher risk of hypertension than lower group (OR: 1.276; 95% CI: 1.117–1.457). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant correlation between mercury and hypertension in residents around abandoned metal mines. Therefore, we should continuously monitor people who are higher than the standard value and the hypertensive patients.

Behavioral assessment of shelter dogs submitted to different methods of environmental enrichment / Avaliação comportamental de cães de abrigo submetidos a diferentes métodos de enriquecimento ambiental

ABSTRACT: Environmental enrichment is a dynamic process consisting of a set of activities designed to meet the ethological and psychological needs of animals. It stimulates the natural behavior of each animal species improving the well-being of the individual and avoiding the development of stereotyped behaviors. The present study aimed to assess the potential benefits that four different types of environmental enrichment would bring to the quality of life of shelter dogs. Twenty dogs were observed for 6 hours daily for 5 consecutive days in the first week in order to assess and document their behavior patterns in an experimental kennel. Between the second to the fourth week, 3 forms of game and 1 type of food enrichment were used in the first 4 days of each week. On the fifth day of each week, behavioral patterns were recorded and later compiled and analyzed according to the Tukey test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in behaviors associated with lying down, standing up, and licking. Based on our findings, we concluded that the use of environmental enrichment methods through different types of games and toys in shelters decreased signs of depression and stereotyped behavior of kennelled dogs. Results of the present study showed that these tools may help improve life quality of these animals.

RESUMO: O enriquecimento ambiental é um processo dinâmico que consiste em um conjunto de atividades com a finalidade de atender às necessidades etológicas e psicológicas dos animais, estimulando os comportamentos naturais de cada espécie, melhorando o bem estar e evitando comportamentos estereotipados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi observar o benefício que quatro diferentes formas de enriquecimento ambiental trariam para melhorar a qualidade de vida de cães de abrigo. Vinte cães foram observados durante 6 horas diárias por cinco dias consecutivos na primeira semana, com a finalidade de se obter o padrão de comportamento no ambiente estéril do abrigo. Da segunda à quarta semana foram aplicadas três formas de brincadeiras e uma forma de enriquecimento alimentar nos primeiros quatro dias de cada semana. No quinto dia de cada semana os padrões de comportamento foram registrados e, posteriormente, compilados e analisados pelo teste de Tukey. A análise estatística demonstrou diferença significativa nos comportamentos de deitar, de ficar em pé e de lamber-se. Conclui-se que a aplicação do enriquecimento ambiental, por meio de diferentes formas de brincadeiras, empregado em abrigo para cães, diminuiu os sinais de depressão e os comportamentos estereotipados, demonstrando ser uma ótima ferramenta para aumentar a qualidade de vida destes animais.

Formación del banco de semillas durante la revegetación temprana de áreas afectadas por la minería en un bosque pluvial tropical del Chocó, Colombia / Soil seed bank formation during early revegetation of areas affected by mining in a tropical rain forest of Chocó, Colombia

ResumenLa minería es una de las principales actividades económicas en muchas regiones tropicales y también es la causa de la devastación de amplias superficies de bosques tropicales naturales. El conocimiento del potencial regenerativo de las áreas alteradas por minería es vital para la restauración ecológica de estas áreas críticas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la edad de abandono de las minas y su distancia al bosque adyacente sobre la formación del banco de semillas del suelo en minas abandonadas en el San Juan, Chocó, Colombia. Para ello, se determinó la abundancia y composición de especies del banco de semillas, así como la dinámica de la lluvia de semillas, en minas de distinta edad (6 y 15 años), tras el cese de la actividad minera, y distancia a la matriz del bosque adyacente (50 y 100 m). La lluvia de semillas estuvo compuesta por cinco especies de plantas, todas de dispersión anemócora, y fue mayor en la mina de 6 años que en la de 15. No hubo diferencias significativas en la cantidad de semillas recolectadas a 50 m y 100 m de distancia del bosque adyacente. El banco de semillas estuvo representado por ocho especies: dos de dispersión anemócora (comunes a la lluvia de semillas) y el resto de dispersión zoócora. La abundancia de semillas en el suelo no varió con la edad de la mina, pero fue mayor a distancias próximas al bosque que alejadas de este. Durante la regeneración temprana, la formación del banco de semillas en el seno de las minas parece estar relacionada con la cercanía a otras áreas alteradas más que con su proximidad al bosque adyacente o la edad de las minas. Al respecto, el establecimiento de perchas artificiales o conservación de árboles remanentes en el seno de las minas podrían promover la entrada de semillas dispersadas por aves. No obstante, dado que el banco de semillas del suelo puede verse afectado por la alta precipitación de la zona, se recomienda promover estudios que valoren medidas encaminadas a favorecer la formación del banco de semillas del suelo de las minas en ambientes de alta pluviosidad como en la región del Chocó.

Abstract:Mining is one of the main economic activities in many tropical regions and is the cause of devastation of large areas of natural tropical forests. The knowledge of the regenerative potential of mining disturbed areas provides valuable information for their ecological restoration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of age of abandonment of mines and their distance from the adjacent forest, on the formation of soil seed bank in abandoned mines in the San Juan, Chocó, Colombia. To do this, we determined the abundance and species composition of the soil seed bank, and the dynamics of seed rain in mines of different cessation period of mining activity (6 and 15 years), and at different distances from the adjacent forest matrix (50 and 100 m). Seed rain was composed by five species of plants with anemocorous dispersion, and was more abundant in the mine of 6 years than in the mine of 15 years. There were no significant differences in the number of seeds collected at 50 m and 100 m from the adjacent forest. The soil seed bank was represented by eight species: two with anemocorous dispersion (common among the seed rain species) and the rest with zoochorous dispersion. The abundance of seeds in the soil did not vary with the age of the mine, but was higher at close distances to the forest edge than far away. During the early revegetation, the formation of the soil seed bank in the mines seems to be related to their proximity to other disturbed areas, rather than their proximity to the adjacent forest or the cessation activity period of mines. Therefore, the establishment of artificial perches or the maintenance of isolated trees in the abandoned mines could favour the arrival of bird-dispersed seeds at mines. However, since the soil seed bank can be significantly affected by the high rainfall in the study area, more studies are needed to evaluate management actions to encourage soil seed bank formation in mines of high-rainfall environments in the Chocó region. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 393-404. Epub 2017 March 01.

Characteristics and treatment of poisoning of mustard-lewisite mixture / 军事医学

Vesicants are the main agents used to fill chemical weapons, and chemical weapons abandoned by the Japa-nese Army in China.The mustard-lewisite mixture, which was developed for cold weather or high-altitude use due to its lower freezing point, is a special and important agent.The toxicology, emergency treatment and clinical management of mustard-lewisite mixture poisoning are introduced in this paper.

Urinary arsenic species concentration in residents living near abandoned metal mines in South Korea

BACKGROUND: Arsenic is a carcinogenic heavy metal that has a species-dependent health effects and abandoned metal mines are a source of significant arsenic exposure. Therefore, the aims of this study were to analyze urinary arsenic species and their concentration in residents living near abandoned metal mines and to monitor the environmental health effects of abandoned metal mines in Korea. METHODS: This study was performed in 2014 to assess urinary arsenic excretion patterns of residents living near abandoned metal mines in South Korea. Demographic data such as gender, age, mine working history, period of residency, dietary patterns, smoking and alcohol use, and type of potable water consumed were obtaining using a questionnaire. Informed consent was also obtained from all study subjects (n = 119). Urinary arsenic species were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). RESULTS: The geometric mean of urinary arsenic (sum of dimethylarsinic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, As3+, and As5+) concentration was determined to be 131.98 μg/L (geometric mean; 95% CI, 116.72–149.23) while urinary inorganic arsenic (As3+ and As5+) concentration was 0.81 μg/L (95% CI, 0.53–1.23). 66.3% (n = 79) and 21.8% (n = 26) of these samples exceeded ATSDR reference values for urinary arsenic (>100 μg/L) and inorganic arsenic (>10 μg/L), respectively. Mean urinary arsenic concentrations (geometric mean, GM) were higher in women then in men, and increased with age. Of the five regions evaluated, while four regions had inorganic arsenic concentrations less than 0.40 μg/L, one region showed a significantly higher concentration (GM 15.48 μg/L; 95% CI, 7.51–31.91) which investigates further studies to identify etiological factors. CONCLUSION: We propose that the observed elevation in urinary arsenic concentration in residents living near abandoned metal mines may be due to environmental contamination from the abandoned metal mine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not Applicable (We do not have health care intervention on human participants).

Entregar o filho para adoção é abandoná-lo? Concepções de profissionais da saúde / Is giving a child up for adoption abandoning him/her? Conceptions of health care professionals / ¿Entregar el hijo para adopción significa abandonarlo? Concepciones de los profesionales de la salud

O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a percepção de profissionais da saúde sobre o abandono e a entrega de crianças, assim como os motivos que levam uma mãe abandonar ou entregar o filho para adoção. Participaram desse estudo sete profissionais da saúde, com formação em técnico de enfermagem, enfermagem e medicina. O tempo de experiência das profissionais variou de cinco meses a 23 anos. Os dados foram obtidos através de uma entrevista semiestruturada, que abordou a opinião das participantes sobre o abandono e a entrega de bebês, bem como possíveis motivações para essa ação. As respostas foram analisadas qualitativamente, sendo obtidas três categorias: 1) Diferentes rumos: a entrega como abandono ou como cuidado; 2) Possíveis explicações para a decisão de entregar um filho para adoção e 3) Antes do abandono: fatores que permearam esse ato. Discute-se a influência de concepções sociais e de crenças pessoais sobre maternidade, a entrega e o abandono de crianças.

This study aimed to determine the perception of health care professionals in regards to the abandonment of children and giving up of children for adoption, as well as the reasons that lead a mother to take these actions. Seven health care professionals participated in the study, including nursing technicians, nurses, and physicians. The working experience of these professionals ranged from 5 to 23 years. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview, approaching the opinion of the participants about abandonment and giving up infants, as well as motivations regarding taking these actions. The responses were qualitatively analyzed, enabling the emergence of three categories: 1) Different pathways: understanding the giving up of children as abandonment of care; 2) Possible explanations concerning the decision to give a child up for adoption; and 3) Before abandonment: factors involved in the act. The influence of social conceptions and personal beliefs about motherhood and the giving up or abandonment of children is discussed.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer la percepción de los profesionales de la salud sobre el abandono y la entrega de niños, así como los motivos que llevan a una madre a abandonar o entregar el hijo para la adopción. Participaron de este estudio siete profesionales de la salud, con formación en técnico de enfermería, enfermería y medicina. El tiempo de experiencia de las profesionales estuvo entre cinco meses a 23 años de trabajo. Los datos fueron obtenidos a través de una entrevista semi estructurada, que abordó la opinión de las participantes sobre el abandono y la entrega de bebés, así como posibles motivaciones para esta acción. Las respuestas fueron analizadas cualitativamente y separadas en tres categorías: 1) Distintos rumbos: la entrega como abandono o como cuidado; 2) Posibles explicaciones para la decisión de entregar un hijo para la adopción y 3) Antes del abandono: factores que permearon este acto. Se discute la influencia de las concepciones sociales y de las creencias personales sobre la maternidad, la entrega y el abandono de niños.

Association of cadmium with diabetes in middle-aged residents of abandoned metal mines: the first health effect surveillance for residents in abandoned metal mines

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between urinary cadmium (U-cd) concentration and diabetes in middle-aged Korean residents of abandoned mines using the first Health Effect Surveillance for Residents in Abandoned Metal mines (HESRAM). METHODS: This study was cross-sectional study conducted on 719 residents between 40-70 years in 38 abandoned metal mines in Korea. Data was collected by HESRAM from 2008 to 2011. The correlation coefficient of U-cd and fasting blood glucose, odds ratio in urinary cadmium tertiles and diabetes prevalence was analyzed according to the sex category. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient U-cd concentration and fasting blood glucose was 0.182 in male. Logistic regression analysis in male revealed a third tertile odds ratio of U-cd (2 mug/g creatinine < U-cd) while diabetes prevalence was 1.81 (95 % CI 1.05-3.12) with adjusted age, BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption, region, family income. On the other hand, the odds ratio for third tertile of U-cd (3 mug/g creatinine < U-cd) between diabetes prevalence in female was 1.39 (95 % CI 0.52-3.72) in addition to adjusted menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental exposure to cadmium in abandoned mine residents was associated with diabetes in male. Closed monitoring and periodic evaluation of the health effects of chronic environmental exposure on abandoned mines residents will be needed.

Linguagem receptiva e expressiva de crianças institucionalizadas / Receptive and expressive language of institutionalized children

OBJETIVO: verificar o nível de desenvolvimento da linguagem de crianças que estão em abrigos e compará-lo ao de crianças que sempre permaneceram com a família biológica. MÉTODOS: foram participantes deste estudo 30 crianças com idade entre 14 e 47 meses. Para avaliação da linguagem foi utilizado o teste Avaliação do Desenvolvimento da Linguagem e, para a triagem da audição, foi realizada a audiometria com reforço visual utilizando o audiômetro pediátrico PA5. A verificação da audição foi feita como forma de averiguação de possíveis fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da linguagem. RESULTADOS: a análise estatística permitiu constatar que, comparando as crianças do abrigo com as que sempre estiveram com a família biológica, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante quanto a Linguagem Receptiva, Expressiva ou Global. No entanto, pode ser verificado maior índice de distúrbios de linguagem nas crianças que estavam em abrigos. CONCLUSÃO: observou-se que as crianças abrigadas não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparadas às crianças que sempre permaneceram com suas famílias biológicas. .

PURPOSE: to check the language development of children who are in shelters and compare them to children who have always stayed with their biological families. METHODS: participants were 30 children aged 14 to 47 months. For language assessment was used the Language Development Evaluation test and the hearing assessment was held on visual reinforcement audiometry with PA5 Pediatric audiometer. The verification of the hearing was made as way to investigate possible risk factors for development of the language. RESULTS: statistical analysis revealed that, comparing children in the shelter with those who have always been with biological families, there was no statistically significant difference by Receptive, Expressive or Global Language. However, it may be verified that there was a higher rate of disturbances language in children who were in shelters. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that, the children living in shelters have not presented any statistically significant difference in regards to language performance, when compared to the children who have always remained with their biological families. .

Orphans of the Mexican drug war: insights on a public health challenge / Huérfanos víctimas de la lucha contra el narcotráfico en México: apreciaciones sobre un reto en materia de salud pública

OBJECTIVE: To describe how the Government of Mexico and other direct stakeholders perceive children orphaned by the drug war; to determine the current measures addressing this as a public health problem; and to compare these measures to international frameworks so that relevant recommendations can be identified. METHODS: This was an exploratory, descriptive case study using qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were performed with key informants at the federal, state, and municipal government levels in Mexico, as well as non-governmental organizations, and other institutes working with orphans. Participants were identified with a purposive snowball sample. RESULTS: No official definition of "orphan" was identified; nor was there a shared perception among the key informants of what constitutes being an orphan. An official, collective definition is important because it modifies the quantity of children categorized as such within the target population. Although most of the interviewees perceive that the number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) has increased in the last 6 years, they acknowledged there is no reliable data to prove it. The increase, they believe, is due not to the drug war, but to a loss of family cohesion. Stakeholders recommend improving public policies, currently identified as the most difficult barrier to overcome due to a perceived inability to modify existing laws. However, the General Law for Victims was recently passed by the Government of Mexico and addresses many of the challenges identified. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to the international frameworks, there are three major issues in Mexico's current situation: coordination among and within stakeholders; emphasis on using community solutions; and putting in place preventive programs. For two of these problems, the General Law of Victims offers solutions.

OBJETIVO: Describir cómo el Gobierno de México y otros interesados directos perciben el tema de los niños huérfanos como consecuencia de la lucha contra el narcotráfico; determinar las iniciativas actuales que abordan este tema como un problema de salud pública; y comparar estas iniciativas con los marcos internacionales con objeto de poder determinar las recomendaciones pertinentes. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio de casos exploratorio y descriptivo que utilizó métodos cualitativos. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semiestructuradas con informantes clave a escalas federal, estatal y municipal del gobierno de México, así como con organizaciones no gubernamentales y otras instituciones que colaboraban con los huérfanos. Los participantes fueron seleccionados mediante un muestreo intencionado de bola de nieve. RESULTADOS: No se encontró ninguna definición oficial de "huérfano"; ni existía entre los informantes clave una percepción compartida de lo que constituye ser un huérfano. Es importante que exista una definición oficial y colectiva porque modifica la cantidad de niños clasificados como tales entre la población examinada. Aunque la mayor parte de los entrevistados perciben que el número de niños huérfanos y vulnerables (NHV) ha aumentado en los seis últimos años, también reconocen que no existen datos fidedignos que lo demuestren. Creen que el aumento no se debe a la lucha contra el narcotráfico sino a una pérdida de la cohesión familiar. Los interesados directos recomiendan mejorar las políticas públicas, que actualmente se consideran como la barrera más difícil de superar, dada la incapacidad percibida para modificar las leyes existentes. Sin embargo, el Gobierno de México aprobó recientemente la Ley General de Víctimas, que aborda muchos de los retos señalados. CONCLUSIONES: En comparación con los marcos internacionales, existen tres asuntos principales en la situación actual de México: la coordinación entre y dentro de los distintos grupos de interesados directos; el énfasis en el empleo de soluciones comunitarias; y la implantación de programas preventivos. La Ley General de Víctimas ofrece una solución para dos de estos problemas.

Crianças em situação de rua e suas representações sobre lar e família por meio do desenho / Street children and their representations of home and family through drawing

Para crianças em situação de rua, este espaço representa um ambiente de socialização e trabalho. Alguns autores salientam que o contexto familiar destas crianças favorece a saída de suas casas. A vulnerabilidade tornou-se um aspecto importante a ser considerado na compreensão de seus vínculos familiares. O presente estudo, de abordagem qualitativo-exploratória, consistiu em investigar as representações de crianças em situação de rua sobre seus lares e famílias mediante a linguagem simbólica do desenho. Participaram dele sete crianças em situação de rua, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre dez e quatorze anos. Foram aplicados dois instrumentos projetivos: o teste do desenho da família e o protocolo para o desenho da casa, referente ao teste House-Tree-Person (HTP). Os resultados apontaram que, para os participantes,o modelo de família não equivale ao modelo nuclear. Apontaram ainda mobilização diante dos desenhos, ambivalência afetiva em relação ao lar e à família e fragilidade nos laços afetivos. Pôde-se inferir que a ida das crianças à rua está relacionada a questões financeiras e afetivas, e que alguns destes aspectos ainda se preservam com a vivência nas ruas.

For street children, the streets represent a place of socialization and work. Many authors believe that the dynamic of their family determines the decision of leaving home. The vulnerability has become an important aspect to be considered in relation to the comprehension of their family bonds. This paper (based on an exploratory/qualitative approach) aims to investigate the street children’s representation of their homes and families through the symbolic language of the drawing. Seven street children participated, from both sexes, aging ten to fourteen. Two projective assessment techniques were used: the family drawing test and the house drawing protocol, from the House-Tree-Person (HTP) test. The results showed that, for the participants, the model of family is not the nuclear family model. It also presented children’s sensitivity, affective ambivalence related to home and family, and a frailty of affectional bonds. It was possible to understand that the fact of children leaving their homes is related to affectional and monetary issues, and that some of these aspects are still preserved in the life on the streets.

Toxocariasis: seroprevalence in abandoned-institutionalized children and infants / Toxocariosis: seroprevalencia en infantes expósitos, abandonados e institucionalizados

Toxocariasis is an infection that has worldwide distribution. Toxocara canis is the most relevant agent due to its frequent occurrence in humans. Soil contamination with embryonated eggs is the primary source of T. canis. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in 10-month to 3 year-old abandoned infants, considered to be at high risk because of their orphanhood status and early age. Blood samples were collected from 120 children institutionalized in an orphanage in the city of La Plata. In this study, we observed 38.33% of seropositive cases for T. canis by ELISA and 45% by Western blot techniques; significant differences among groups A (<1 year), B (1-2 years) and C (>2 years) were also found. In research group A, children presented a seropositivity rate of 23.91%, in group B of 42.85% and in group C of 56%, which indicates an increase in frequency as age advances, probably because of greater chances of contact with infective forms of the parasite since canines and soil are frequently infected with T. canis eggs. Abandoned children come from poor households, under highly unsanitary conditions resulting from inadequate or lack of water supply and sewer networks, and frequent promiscuity with canines, which promotes the occurrence of parasitic diseases. These children are highly vulnerable due to their orphanhood status and age.

La toxocariosis es una enfermedad presente en todo el mundo. Como causa primaria de infección se cita la contaminación de los suelos con huevos embrionados de Toxocara canis. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la seroprevalencia de toxocariosis en niños expósitos (abandonados) de 10 meses hasta 3 años, los que se consideran de alto riesgo por su condición de orfandad y escasa edad. Las muestras de sangre fueron recolectadas de 120 niños institucionalizados en un orfelinato de la ciudad de La Plata. En este estudio, se observó un porcentaje de seropositivos para T. canis de 38,33 % por la técnica de ELISA y de 45 % por la técnica de Western blot, con diferencias significativas entre los grupos etarios estudiados (A: < 1 año, B: 1-2 años, C: > 2 años). Los niños del grupo A presentaron una frecuencia de seropositividad de 23,91 %; los del grupo B, de 42,85 % y en los niños del grupo C fue del 56 %. Esto indica un incremento de la frecuencia de presentación a medida que aumentó la edad, debido probablemente a las mayores posibilidades de contactar con estados infectantes del parásito, ya que los caninos y el suelo se hallan frecuentemente infectados por huevos de T. canis. Los niños abandonados provienen de hogares carenciados, donde a las malas condiciones de higiene resultantes de la ausencia de red de agua y cloacal se le agrega la frecuente promiscuidad con caninos, lo cual propicia la presencia de parasitosis. Sumado a la condición de desamparo, esto produce un estado de máxima vulnerabilidad.

Blood Cadmium Concentration of Residents Living near Abandoned Metal Mines in Korea

The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic and lifestyle variables and blood cadmium concentrations in residents living near abandoned metal mines in Korea. Blood cadmium concentrations were measured in 15,161 subjects living around abandoned metal mines (exposed group, n = 14,464) and compared with those living in designated control areas (control group, n = 697). A questionnaire was provided to all subjects to determine age, gender, mine working history, times of residence, smoking habits and dietary water type. The geometric mean (95% confidence intervals) of blood cadmium concentration (1.25 [1.24-1.27] microg/L) in the exposed group was significantly higher than in the control group (1.17 [1.13-1.22] microg/L). Mean residence time and mine working history in the exposed group were significantly higher than in the control group. Blood cadmium concentrations increased with increasing age, and residence time in both groups, and blood cadmium concentrations were higher in current-smokers than in non-smokers in both groups. This study shows the geometric mean of blood cadmium concentration in abandoned mining areas are higher than in non-mining areas in the general adult Korean population.