Relationship between BMI, CT-derived body composition and colorectal neoplasia in a bowel screening population.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Unlike the indirect measures such as BMI, CT-Body composition (CT-BC) allows for the assessment of both volume and distribution of adipose tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between host characteristics, BMI, CT-BC measurements and the incidence of colorectal neoplasia. METHODS: Patients undergoing CT Colonography (CTC) as part of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, between July 2009 and February 2016, were eligible for inclusion. Data were collected including demographic data, clinicopathological variables and CT-BC measurements including skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous fat index (SFI) and visceral fat area (VFA). CTC, colonoscopy, and pathology reports were used to identify CRC incidence. Associations between demographic data, clinicopathological variables, CT-BC measurements, colorectal neoplasia and advanced colorectal neoplasia were analysed using univariate and multivariate binary logistics regression. RESULTS: 286 patients met the inclusion criteria. Neoplasia was detected in 105 (37%) of the patients with advanced neoplasia being detected in 72 (69%) of patients. On multivariate analysis sex (p < 0.05) and high VFA (p < 0.001) remained independently associated with colorectal neoplasia. On multivariate analysis a high SFI (p < 0.01) remained independently associated with advanced colorectal neoplasia. BMI was not associated with either colorectal neoplasia or advanced colorectal neoplasia. CONCLUSION: When directly compared to BMI, CT derived fat measurements were more closely associated with the degree of neoplasia in patients undergoing colorectal cancer screening. In patients investigated with CT colonography, CT adipose measures may stratify the risk and grade of neoplasia.

Hazardous metals in vintage plastic toys measured by a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

Over 100 plastic toys from the 1970s and 1980s, both polyvinyl chloride ("vinyl") and nonvinyl, were analyzed in the study described here using a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to quantify hazardous metal content. A sampling of recent vinyl toys was also tested. The majority of nonvinyl samples were Fisher Price brand toys. The vinyl toys consisted largely of Barbie dolls and other dolls. Overall, lead or cadmium was found in 67% of vintage plastic toys, frequently at concentrations exceeding current U.S. and European limits. Arsenic was detected at levels of concern in 16% of the samples. In the nonvinyl toys, heavy metal content was found to correlate with certain colors of plastic. The likely sources of the detected metals are discussed. None of the contemporary vinyl toys contained detectable cadmium, lead, or arsenic. Given that vintage toys remain in widespread use by children in homes and other locations, the results illuminate a potential source of heavy metal exposure for children.

Promoting exercise as part of a physiotherapy-led falls pathway service for adults with intellectual disabilities: a service evaluation.

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities experience high rates of falls. Balance and gait problems are common in people with intellectual disabilities, increasing the likelihood of falls; thus, tailored exercise interventions to improve gait and balance are recommended. The present authors set up a physiotherapy-led falls pathway service (FPS) for clients with intellectual disabilities to promote exercise and prevent falls. METHOD: Fifty clients with intellectual disabilities were referred in an 18-month period, 35 (70%) were prescribed exercise and 27 (54%) completed the exercise programme. The FPS was evaluated using the following outcome measures: Tinetti score, number of falls, clinician's judgement and carer's judgement. RESULTS: Improvement in balance and mobility and a decrease in the number of falls were reported post-exercise intervention. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists have a key role to play in promoting exercise to prevent falls in services for people with intellectual disabilities. This evaluation suggests positive outcomes for these clients to reduce or prevent further falls.

Mapping lesion-related human aggression to a common brain network.

BACKGROUND: Aggression exacts a significant toll on human societies and is highly prevalent among neuropsychiatric patients for which neural mechanisms are unclear and treatment options are limited. METHODS: Using recently validated lesion network mapping technique, we derived an aggression associated network by analyzing 182 patients who had suffered penetrating head injuries during their service in the Vietnam War. To test whether damage to this lesion-derived network would increase the risk of aggression related neuropsychiatric symptoms, we used the Harvard Lesion Repository (N = 928). To explore potential therapeutic relevance of this network, we used an independent Deep brain stimulation dataset of 25 patients with epilepsy, in which irritability and aggression are known potential side effects. RESULTS: We found that lesions associated with aggression occurred in many different brain locations but were characterized by a specific brain network defined by functional connectivity to a hub region in the right prefrontal cortex (PFC). This network involves positive connectivity to the ventromedial PFC, dorsolateral PFC, frontal pole, posterior cingulate cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, temporal-parietal junction, and lateral temporal lobe and negative connectivity to the amygdala, hippocampus, insula, and visual cortex. Among all 25 neuropsychiatric symptoms included in the Harvard Lesion Repository, criminality demonstrated the most alignment with our aggression associated network. DBS site connectivity to this same network was associated with increased irritability. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that brain lesions associated with aggression map to a specific human brain circuit, and the functionally connected regions in this circuit provide testable targets for therapeutic neuromodulation.

Bisphenols and alternative developers in thermal paper receipts from the U.S. market assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Cash register receipts made of thermal paper expose workers and shoppers to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and contaminate paper recycling streams. In 2022, 571 receipts were collected from retail stores in the United States and tested for developer chemicals using attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. The results were compared to a 2017 study of 167 receipts to determine changes in color developer use over time. Receipts were tested as-is and a subset were additionally subjected to a simple extraction that improved detection of receipt chemicals. Bisphenol S was the most frequently detected developer (85% of tested receipts), followed by Pergafast 201 (12%), bisphenol A (1%); and Appvion Alpha Free, D-8, and NKK-1304 (each below 1%). NKK-1304 is reported here for the first time in a scientific journal. The frequency of bisphenol A usage in receipts decreased and the frequency of bisphenol S and Pergafast 201 increased between 2017 and 2022, particularly among large companies. National retailers were more likely than regional or local retailers to have adopted non-bisphenol alternatives. Potential health and environmental hazards of the detected developer chemicals and strategies for reduction are discussed.

Analysis of ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers in select organic and conventional foods in the United States.

BACKGROUND: ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers impart flexibility to plastics in food production, processing, and packaging; food consumption is a dominant plasticizer exposure pathway. Lower molecular weight ortho-phthalates are being replaced in plastic products due to toxicity concerns, but toxic hazards of and exposures to replacement ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: We measured 12 ortho-phthalates and 9 other plasticizers in conventional and organic U.S. food products to assess magnitude and profiles of contamination. METHODS: We measured plasticizers in 34 vegetable oils, 10 milks, 18 infant formulas, and 9 cheese powders from macaroni kits using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We analyzed plastic packaging composition using FTIR spectroscopy. RESULTS: We detected eight ortho-phthalates and three alternatives ((1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), diethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), and diisobutyl adipate (DIBA). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was measured in all 71 products. DEHT had the highest concentration of any plasticizer (>10,000 ng/g in three oils). Oils had the highest total plasticizer (median = 770 ng/g, max = 14,900 ng/g) and milk the lowest (median = 88 ng/g, max = 120 ng/g). Organic milk and refined oils had higher median plasticizer levels than conventional. Refined oils had significantly lower concentrations than unrefined oils. Maximum contributors for every category were non-ortho-phthalates: DEHT (powdered infant formula and oils) and DIBA (cheese powder, milk and liquid formula). Plasticizers were not detected in packaging except epoxidized soybean oil in liquid formula lids. IMPACT STATEMENT: Human exposure to plasticizers is a significant public health concern. Nevertheless, sources of such exposures are poorly characterized. This study adds valuable information for estimating legacy and alternative plasticizer exposures from foods. The method developed for measuring DINCH, DINP and DIDP broadens the range of plasticizers other researchers may analyze in future work. The profiles of plasticizer contamination varied depending on the food type. We also document that food processing may be a source of plasticizer contamination in foods.

From watersheds to dinner plates: Evaluating PFAS exposure through fish consumption in Southeast Michigan.

Muscle tissue and organ samples of six different fish species were collected from ten locations in Southeast Michigan's Huron and Rouge watersheds. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were analyzed in 36 samples comprising filets, liver, gut, and eggs using targeted analysis and the direct total oxidizable precursor (dTOP) assay on a subset of six samples. The median concentrations of the ∑PFAS in filets from the Huron and Rouge watersheds were 13 and 6.3 ng/g wet weight (w.w.), respectively. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the most detected and abundant compound in fish organs, with the liver having the largest overall burden of PFAS. The highest percent increase in targeted PFAS after the dTOP assay was observed in the Catfish filet (552%) while the smallest increase was in the Catfish liver (32%) accounting for 1.3 and 8.1 nMole F/g dry weight (d.w.), respectively. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis revealed three distinct PFAS sources, of which the one attributed to PFOS explained 73% of the data. Results from this work have important implications for fish consumption in Michigan waterways. Among the filet samples analyzed, the calculated daily consumption limit of total PFOS was exceeded in approximately 82% and 91% of samples for adults and children over the age of seven years old, respectively.

The relationship between heart rate variability and TNM stage, co-morbidity, systemic inflammation and survival in patients with primary operable colorectal cancer.

High vagal nerve activity, reliability measured by HRV, is considered protective in cancer, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and opposing sympathetic nerve activity. The present monocentric study examines the relationship between HRV, TNM stage, co-morbidity, systemic inflammation and survival in patients who underwent potentially curative resections for colorectal cancer (CRC). Time-domain HRV measures, Standard Deviation of NN-intervals (SDNN) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD), were examined as categorical (median) and continuous variables. Systemic inflammation was determined using systemic inflammatory grade (SIG) and co-morbidity using ASA. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) and was analysed using Cox regression. There were 439 patients included in the study and the median follow-up was 78 months. Forty-nine percent (n = 217) and 48% (n = 213) of patients were categorised as having low SDNN (< 24 ms) and RMSSD (< 29.8 ms), respectively. On univariate analysis, SDNN was not significantly associated with TNM stage (p = 0.830), ASA (p = 0.598) or SIG (p = 0.898). RMSSD was not significantly associated with TNM stage (p = 0.267), ASA (p = 0.294) or SIG (p = 0.951). Neither SDNN or RMSSD, categorical or continuous, were significantly associated with OS. In conclusion, neither SDNN or RMSSD were associated with TNM stage, ASA, SIG or survival in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for CRC.

Alternative diagnoses and demographics associated with a raised quantitative faecal immunochemical test in symptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND: The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) has proven utility for colorectal cancer detection in symptomatic patients. However, most patients with a raised faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) do not have colorectal cancer. We investigated alternative diagnoses and demographics associated with a raised f-Hb in symptomatic patients. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was performed of patients with FIT submitted between August 2018 to January 2019 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde followed by colonoscopy. Colonoscopy/pathology reports were searched for alternative diagnoses. Covariables were compared using the χ2 test. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of a raised f-Hb. RESULTS: 1272 patients were included. In addition to colorectal cancer (odds ratio (OR), 9.27 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.61-23.83; p < 0.001)), older age (OR, 1.52 (95% CI: 1.00-2.32; p = 0.05)), deprivation (OR, 1.54 (95% CI: 1.21-1.94; p < 0.001)), oral anticoagulants (OR, 1.78 (95% CI: 1.01-3.15; p = 0.046)), rectal bleeding (OR, 1.47 (95% CI: 1.15-1.88; p = 0.002)), advanced adenoma (OR, 7.52 (95% CI: 3.90-14.49; p < 0.001)), non-advanced polyps (OR, 1.78 (95% CI: 1.33-2.38; p < 0.001)) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (OR, 4.19 (95% CI: 2.17-8.07; p < 0.001)) independently predicted raised f-Hb. Deprivation (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1-2: OR, 2.13 (95% CI: 1.38-3.29; p = 0.001)) independently predicted a raised f-Hb in patients with no pathology found at colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: An elevated f-Hb is independently associated with older age, deprivation, anticoagulants, rectal bleeding, advanced adenoma, non-advanced polyps and IBD in symptomatic patients. Deprivation is associated with a raised f-Hb in the absence of pathology. This must be considered when utilising FIT in symptomatic patients.

Side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers in children car seats.

Fabric and foam samples from popular children car seats marketed in the United States during 2018 were tested for fluorine content by particle-included gamma ray emission spectroscopy (PIGE, n = 93) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, n = 36), as well as for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS and GC/MS, n = 36). PFAS were detected in 97% of the car seat samples analyzed with MS, with total concentrations of 43 PFAS (∑PFAS) up to 268 ng/g. Fabric samples generally had greater ∑PFAS levels than foam and laminated composites of foam and fabric. The three fabric samples with the highest total fluorine content as represented by the highest PIGE signal were also subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Results from these treatments, as well as the much higher organofluorine levels measured by PIGE compared to LC/MS and GC/MS, suggested the presence of side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers (FTPs), which have the potential to readily degrade into perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) under UV light. Furthermore, fluorotelomer (meth)acrylates were found to be indicators for the presence of (meth)acrylate-linked FTPs in consumer products, and thus confirmed that at least half of the tested car seats had FTP-treated fabrics. Finally, extraction of selected samples with synthetic sweat showed that ionic PFAS, particularly those with fluorinated carbons ≤8, can migrate from fabric to sweat, suggesting a potential dermal route of exposure.

Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages KaiHaiDragon and OneinaGillian, Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum in Riverside, California.

KaiHaiDragon and OneinaGillian are two bacteriophages which have been recovered from soil samples using the bacterial host Microbacterium foliorum Their genome lengths are 52,992 bp and 61,703 bp, with 91 and 104 predicted open reading frames, respectively. KaiHaiDragon belongs to cluster EC, and OneinaGillian is a member of cluster EG.