Use of geographic information systems in the evaluation of medical and ecological situation in a city

Study using geoinformational technology provides integrity and compatibility of diverse information about territories, determines "cause-effect" relationships between environmental pollution parameters and some health state parameters. Intensive technogenic pollution with cadmium, zinc, mercury, copper, chromium, lead, benzpyrene, radionuclides could be assessed through data of ecologic and social hygienic monitoring and results of research works.     

Antioxidant protection and endocrine gland function in children in a petroleum industrial center

The article presents data on influence of technogenic environmental pollution and parents' occupational hazards on sex-matched physical development of preschoolers, their endocrine balance and antioxidant system. The identified features of physical development, endocrine state and antioxidant system prove higher sensitivity of girls to chemical hazards. Significance of the studied parameters necessitate their use in biologic and ecologic monitoring.     

Clinical loyalties and the social purposes of medicine

Divergent results from ecologic and analytic studies on residential radon and lung cancer have created uncertainty in terms of risk assessment. The authors performed concurrent analyses on individual and aggregated data from the nationwide case-control study of residential radon and lung cancer in Sweden. For data aggregated on the county level, the ecologic excess relative risk estimates per 100 Bqm(-3) residential radon concentration ranged from -0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.21 to 0.15) to 0.00 (95% CI -0.21 to 0.21) with different adjustment for cofactors. For individual-level data, the average within-county excess relative risk estimates ranged from 0.07 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.15) to 0.11 (95% CI 0.01-0.27) with similar adjustment. Effect modification by differential county-level radon-smoking correlations appeared insufficient as an explanation for ecologic bias in the Swedish data. On the other hand, adjustment for latitude led to congruence between the two levels of analysis. The results confirm that ecologic studies may be misleading in studies of weak associations, even when major risk factors are accounted for. The large impact of latitude may be unique to Sweden and due to the correlation of latitude both with residential radon and other determinants of lung cancer risk.     

The state of the atmosphere and bronchial hypersensitivity

A bronchial provocative test employing acetylcholine revealed an excess in the numbers of the hypersensitive persons living under ecologic health hazard conditions, of 3,5-fold, which fact permits recommending it to be used in population studies to identify and administer prophylaxis of obstructive lung diseases in a timely fashion. Hypersensitivity of the bronchi in those people living under ecologic health hazard conditions is accompanied by an activation of peroxidation processes as well as changes in the parameters associated with the immune response.     

Cytogenetic aberrations in somatic cells of children living in areas with various levels of environmental pollution

Micronuclear test was used to carry out genetic screening in somatic cells of children from different St. Petersburg districts with varying ecologic conditions. Preschool children from districts with high anthropogenic load (soil, air) revealed significant increase of epitheliocyte number in mouth mucosa. Girls appeared to be more sensitive to unfavourable environmental effects than boys. Mean values of cells with micronuclei in ecologically safe districts were 0.38 and 0.66% in pre- and school children, respectively. The study performed showed a possibility to use micronuclei count in the mouth mucosa investigating genetic effects of environmental pollution.     

某金矿排水沟周围土壤重金属污染分析评价

以潼关县某金矿排水沟附近土壤为研究对象,对土壤中Ni、Ti和Co等7种重金属污染状况进行评价与分析,以期为金矿周围土壤污染的人工生态修复提供科学依据。研究结果表明:矿区附近土壤中Co均已达到极严重污染水平,单项污染指数平均值为22.59,最大值超过评价标准的50.59倍;Cr、Ni、Sr污染相对较轻,但其平均值也已达轻度或中度污染水平;Rb、Ti、Zr在矿区内暂无污染。相关性分析表明,Cr-Ni-Co之间有较高的相关性,它们可能有相近或相同的污染源。     

Development of Refined BOD and DO Models for Highly Polluted Kali River in India

Most commonly used river water quality models for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) simulations are mainly based on advection, decay, settling, and loading functions. Using these concepts, refined river water quality models for BOD and DO simulations are developed in the present work considering a large number of physically based parameters and input variables. The refined models developed can be transformed to some of the commonly used river water quality models, if physically based parameters and input variables are omitted or removed. To test the applicability of the refined models developed and commonly used models, a total of 732 water quality and flow data sets are collected during March 1999–February 2000 from 22 sampling stations of the River Kali in India. River Kali is a highly polluted river in India and receives continuous inflow of untreated point source pollution from municipal and industrial wastes and nonpoint source pollution from agricultural areas. Newton–Raphson technique is used to optimize the model parameters during calibration and the performance of different models are evaluated using error estimation, viz. standard error and mean multiplicative error, and correlation statistics (r2). The results indicate that the BOD–DO models proposed by Camp in 1963 provide better results in comparison to other commonly used models. Moreover, the refined models developed for BOD and DO simulations minimize error estimates and improve correlation between observed and computed BOD and DO values of River Kali.     

地质高背景区铅锌矿废弃地土壤重金属污染评价

调查研究了某废弃铅锌矿区周边农田土壤中重金属Hg、As、Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn的污染状况,并结合单因素指数法、地累积指数法、污染指数负荷法、灰色聚类法及聚类热图分析对重金属污染程度和空间分布状况进行评价,采用相关性分析和主成分分析识别污染途径。结果表明,研究区Cd、Zn、Hg、Pb、Cu和As含量均超过贵州省土壤背景值。Cd的外源污染最严重,Zn、Pb、Hg次之。重金属污染程度与河流以及距矿区距离呈正相关。主要污染因子为Cd,次要污染因子为Hg和Zn,各采样点均处于严重污染。研究区重金属来源可分为4类,Cu、Cd、Zn属工业源污染,主要为矿山开采;As、Hg污染与工业源和农业源有关;Cr、Pb含量受交通源与工业源以及自然源多方面影响。     

Pigmentary problems in the tropics

Pigmentary problems are one of the most frequent causes of dermatologic consultation in the tropics. This article deals with diseases seen mostly in tropical countries (ashy dermatosis, lichen planus pigmentosus, frictional dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, and pinta) and in which a combination of racial, ecologic, nutritional, and social factors all contribute. Other common dermatoses seen worldwide, such as vitiligo and melasma, sometimes acquire dramatic expressions in tropical countries, and their management is usually difficult even for the most experienced dermatologists.     

Health and social costs of unemployment: Research and policy considerations.

Reviews recent studies of the social and private costs of unemployment. Although the experience of joblessness differs according to circumstances, prolonged unemployment is commonly a serious threat to health and the broad quality of life. These costs are borne not only by individual workers, but also by their families and communities. Research on unemployment has examined (1) associations between unemployment rate and indicators of strain such as psychiatric admissions and infant mortality, (2) ecologic studies of economic change, and (3) associations between unemployment and the demand for mental health services. The implications of this research for economic and social policy are discussed and contrasted with policy development premised on a benign view of unemployment. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interaction of vitamins E and K: effect of high dietary vitamin E on phylloquinone activity in chicks

Age-standardised mortality rates are often used in epidemiologic studies to describe the dimension of social inequalities in mortality. This, however, conceals any age-dependence of social inequality. In an ecologic study, all causes and cause-specific mortality of all citizens of Bochum, FRG, who died 1988-1990, were evaluated using 13.171 death certificates. Data was aggregated on census tract level. The social status of a census tract was determined using 6 variables from the census 1987 describing the socio-economic situation in each census tract. Census tracts were grouped into quintiles according to their social status. Age and sex-specific mortality rates as well as rate ratios, using the quintile with the highest social status as reference, were calculated. Results for men (n = 6.288) indicate that social inequality is age-dependent for total mortality. Social differentials are especially marked for the age groups 35-64 years. For age group < 35 years and > 84 years no social differentiation in mortality is visible. Similar patterns are found with mortality from cardiovascular diseases (ICD-9: 390-459) and cancer (ICD-9: 140-208). Mortality from diseases related to health behaviour such as lung cancer or diseases associated with high alcohol intake are characterised by social inequalities above average in the middle age groups. For total mortality in women (n = 6.883) large social differentials are found for age groups 25-34 years and 45-54 years. Efforts to reduce social inequality on community level should especially be aimed at adolescents and young adults living in underprivileged areas.     

PM2.5 and mortality in long-term prospective cohort studies: cause-effect or statistical associations?

Concentrations of ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter) were associated with increased mortality in two prospective cohort studies. In this paper, I assess whether the weight of the evidence supports a causal association. I assumed the study population in each city to have the same exposure; therefore, these are ecologic studies because exposure is at the group level. Health outcome and confounding data are at the individual level. Ambient PM concentrations are inadequate surrogates for personal exposure because they are at the group level and comprise only a small proportion of personal exposure, they change over time, and they constitute only a small proportion of a life span. The strength of association and exposure-response relationships cannot be determined because the ecologic group-level risks of PM2.5 are overestimated 150- to 300-fold based on an analogy with individual-level exposure to inhaled cigarette smoke. Risk estimates may also be high because of confounding from factors such as physical activity and lung function. The evidence is not coherent because the stronger associations are expected to be with morbidity, but instead are with mortality. For example, PM2.5 was associated with mortality but not with measurable reductions in lung function. Biological plausibility is lacking because lifetime exposure of rats to combustion products at concentrations two to three orders of magnitude higher than air pollution levels cause lung overloading but no consistent reduction in survival. Criteria for quantitative risk assessment are not met so the data are not useful for setting air quality standards. The weight of evidence suggests there is no substantive basis for concluding that a cause-effect relationship exists between long-term ambient PM2.5 and increased mortality.     

浅谈静电除尘原理

通过用实验的方法,揭示静电除尘原理。目的在于使全社会都来关注空气污染,参与消除空气污染,使物理上的规律和成果广泛用于社会实践,清洁我们生存的空间。     

银叶真藓表土原生动物群落与重金属污染关系——以贵州省某金矿区为例

应用综合污染指数和Pearson相关性分析等,对贵州省晴隆县某金矿的原生矿、废渣、废石和非矿区4类生境都存在的银叶真藓及其表土原生动物群落与重金属污染的关系进行了研究。其结果表明：贵州省晴隆县某金矿的原生矿、废渣、废石和非矿区4类样地的银叶真藓及其表土原生动物群落中种类数为21种,隶属15属13科;大多数种类丰度较低,群落组成有较大差异。Pear-son相关性分析表明：在金矿区的主要重金属污染中,Hg是影响原生动物群落的物种丰富度和丰度的主导因子。     

Luminol and lucigenin amplified chemiluminescence and lipidperoxidation with brain microsomes from rats during ontogenetic development

During the 1980s, the ecologic association of conjugated estrogens with endometrial cancer changed from positive to negative in a prepaid health plan. During the same period, use of progestins increased dramatically. We investigated whether the latter increase could explain the reversal of the estrogen-cancer association. Endometrial cancer incidence was estimated from cases recorded in the health plan registry divided by the number of women over age 45 years. Conjugated estrogens usage was measured as milligrams prescribed per woman per year and progestin was measured as tablets per woman per year, both based upon pharmacy records. Graphical and regression methods were used to analyze the resulting ecologic data. In a log-linear regression of incidence on conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone usage, estrogen usage had a strong positive association with incidence, while medroxyprogesterone had a strong negative association with incidence. The change in the direction of the ecologic association between estrogen and endometrial cancer that occurred in 1984 continued until 1993, suggesting that the decline in endometrial cancer incidence and concomitant increase in conjugated estrogens usage since 1984 is explained by the increasing use of progestins. The data are entirely consistent with the hypothesis that progestins can protect against most of the excess risk conferred by conjugated estrogens, although the ecologic nature of the data prohibits drawing further inferences.     

Managed care: is it moral?. Interview by Cheryl Slagle King

The authors analyzed human role in ecologic system, using the principle "human--environment--health", and human function in ecologic and ergonomic system, using the principle "operator--environment--occupational reliability" for aviation ergonomics. Unfavorable ecologic environment influencing the operator was considered a complex stress factor composed of objective environmental and emotional elements. The authors describe human response to physiologically adequate and inadequate stress factors. The article stresses good prospects associated with application of aviation ergonomics to targeting some problems.     

有色冶炼场地非饱和带重金属分布迁移特征及影响因素

以滇东北某冶炼企业地块作为研究区，根据污染源分布情况共布设37个采样点钻孔，在不同地层及深度采集了115件土壤样品，根据钻孔信息利用地层建模-钻孔模型方法建立了研究区三维地层模型，并根据土壤样品重金属浓度分析测试结果，对土壤中重金属的空间分布特征进行了分析，同时获取了不同重金属指标之间的浓度相关性，采用克里格插值数值模拟方法，建立了研究区土壤不同深度的重金属浓度分布模型，并对重金属的迁移特征及影响因素进行了分析。结果表明：1）受人类生产活动影响，表层土壤中重金属出现明显的累积效应，5种重金属的平均浓度远超背景值；水渣池区域As、Co超过了建设用地土壤污染风险第二类用地管控值，Cd、Ni、Pb超过了建设用地土壤污染风险第二类用地筛选值，出现了明显的污染现象。2）表层土壤中Co、Ni、Cd、As、Pb变异系数逐渐减小，表明浓度分布不均匀性受外源影响程度依次降低；变异系数随深度增加逐渐减小，表明人为生产活动等外源因素导致了浓度垂向分布不均匀，且随着深度的增加受外源影响程度逐渐减弱。3）As、Co、Ni显示出极显著相关，呈现出明显的相互伴生聚集现象，物质来源及受外源影响的作用极度相似；As-Cd、As-Pb、Co-Pb、Pb-Ni显示出较高相关性，相互聚集现象不明显；其他污染物之间的相关性较差，基本没有出现聚集现象。4）重金属在人工填土层范围内的垂向迁移特征明显，受下伏分布连续的第四系黏土层阻隔影响，随着深度的增加污染羽的弥散范围逐渐扩大；非饱和带中由于缺乏水动力作用，污染羽水平迁移迁移扩散作用不明显。     

某铅锌尾矿库周边土壤重金属污染特征及其来源分析

以某铅锌尾矿库周边土壤为研究对象,测定土壤中Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni重金属含量,采用地质统计分析掌握重金属含量空间分布,再利用单因子污染指数、内梅罗综合污染指数和地质累积指数评价重金属污染状况,并结合相关性分析和主成分分析探重金属来源。结果表明,土壤中Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni平均含量分别为10.4、1.54、132、653、62.8、73.8、1 392、31.6 mg/kg,越靠近尾矿库,Cd、As、Pb、Cu、Zn、Hg含量越高。内梅罗综合污染指数表明,研究区综合污染指数为11.2,为重污染,单因子污染指数和地质累积指数表明,研究区土壤Cd污染最严重,其次是As、Zn、Pb、Cu、Hg污染,Cr和Ni无污染。相关性分析和主成分分析表明,Cd、Hg、As、Pb、Zn之间存在显著正相关关系,主要受铅锌尾矿库长期堆存、转运及加工等人为活动影响,Cr、Ni主要来自土壤母质,Cu主要受矿业活动和农业活动共同影响。     

典型锰矿区周边农田土壤重金属污染风险评价及其来源分析

为探究典型锰矿区周边农田土壤重金属污染状况及主要来源,以重庆市秀山县溶溪锰矿区周边农用地的土壤为研究对象,测定了土壤中镉、砷、铅、铬、镍、铜、锌和锰的含量,采用了多种分析方法（包括多元统计分析、单因子污染指数法、内梅罗指数法和地质累积指数法）研究土壤重金属污染水平、分布特征,并结合皮尔逊相关性分析、PCA和APCS-MLR分析,解析研究区土壤重金属的主要来源和贡献率。结果表明,锰矿区周边水稻田土壤Mn均值含量显著低于其它农作物土壤（p＜0.05）,其他7种重金属均值含量在各农田土壤中均无显著差异（p＞0.05）。内梅罗综合污染指数表现为红薯地（13.34）＞大豆地（2.73）＞玉米地（2.19）＞水稻田（1.80）,重金属污染程度由大到小表现为：Mn＞Cd＞As＞Ni、Zn＞Pb、Cr、Cu。地累积指数由大到小表现为：Mn＞As＞Pb＞Zn＞Ni＞Cd＞Cu＞Cr。污染源解析表明,研究区土壤中Cd、Pb、Ni、Cu、Zn和Mn之间存在显著正相关关系（r=0.5~0.8、p＜0.01）,主要受到矿业开采等活动影响,贡献率分别为80.0%、55.3%、57.9%、61.4%、73.3%和98.4%。As和Cr存在显著正相关关系（r=0.548、p＜0.01）,主要受到土壤母质等自然因素的影响,贡献率分别高达88.5%和76.3%。因此,应重点加强对Mn和Cd的来源管控和污染防治。此外,红薯地8种重金属污染累积程度均高于其他农作物土地,应开展相应整治,防止持续对红薯地土壤造成污染。     

Possibilities of the use of oxymethacil as an antioxidant in the prevention of intoxication in industrial surroundings and ecologically unhealthy areas

Thorough clinical studies covering the workers engaged into chlorphenol production prove that prophylactic course of oxymethacyl results in long immune stimulation and antioxidant activity in the body. These properties make the medication essential for treatment and prophylaxis of intoxications of occupational and ecologic origin, as their underlying mechanisms are associated with prooxidant effects.