Charting achievements: a two-year retrospective of the society for environmental geochemistry and health (SEGH) and the evolving strategies.

Emerging from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time to ground ourselves and retrospectively assess the recent achievements of SEGH over the past years. This editorial serves as a comprehensive report on the progress made in comparison to the aspirations and goals set by the society's board in 2019 (Watts et al., Environ Geochem Health 42:343-347, 2019) (Fig. 1) and reflects on the state of the SEGH community as it reached its 50th anniversary at the close of 2021 (Watts et al. Environ Geochem Health 45:1165-1171, 2023). The focus lies on how the SEGH community navigated through the extraordinary challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020, and to what extent the 2023 targets have been met.

Estuarine dissolved speciation and partitioning of trace metals: a novel approach to study biogeochemical processes.

Estuaries are complex systems involving numerous biogeochemical gradients and processes that influence the behavior of trace metals. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) speciation and partitioning were studied in the Gironde Estuary (SW France), using a multi-method approach in which data from innovative sensors and laboratory-based techniques were combined. For the first time in this system, the so-called dynamic fractions of the target metals (dissolved forms that are potentially bioavailable) were recorded on-board through voltammetry using unique antifouling gel-integrated microelectrode arrays (GIME) incorporated in a submersible sensing probe (TracMetal). Trace metals in the operationally defined dissolved <0.2 µm and <0.02 µm fractions, as well as complexed with suspended particles (collected after centrifugation) were quantified through sampling/laboratory-based techniques. High spatial resolution trace metal concentrations were monitored along the salinity gradient (S = 0.10 to S = 34.0) together with master bio-physicochemical parameters providing robust cruise-specific information on how well-known abiotic and biotic processes control the Gironde estuarine trace element partitioning, (i.e. conservative behavior, addition/removal). Combining conventional methods with GIME measurements showed: (i) the dominance of Cd dynamic species in the intra-estuarine total dissolved fraction (up to 90%), (ii) the importance of small colloids as trace metal carrier phases, desorbing and complexing dynamic fractions of Pb and Cu, and (iii) the potential influence of photo-redox processes remobilizing Pb under their dynamic forms (up to 80%). Data also suggest trace metal release/sorption by phytoplankton with an increase of dissolved Cu concentrations in the riverine branch, as well as Cu and Cd particulate concentrations showing higher levels towards productive coastal waters. This complete approach allowed to monitor key estuarine biogeochemical processes and highlighted the valuable use of the TracMetal to record subtle variations of potentially bioavailable dissolved metal fractions.

Predicting the thermal distribution in a convective wavy fin using a novel training physics-informed neural network method.

Fins are widely used in many industrial applications, including heat exchangers. They benefit from a relatively economical design cost, are lightweight, and are quite miniature. Thus, this study investigates the influence of a wavy fin structure subjected to convective effects with internal heat generation. The thermal distribution, considered a steady condition in one dimension, is described by a unique implementation of a physics-informed neural network (PINN) as part of machine-learning intelligent strategies for analyzing heat transfer in a convective wavy fin. This novel research explores the use of PINNs to examine the effect of the nonlinearity of temperature equation and boundary conditions by altering the hyperparameters of the architecture. The non-linear ordinary differential equation (ODE) involved with heat transfer is reduced into a dimensionless form utilizing the non-dimensional variables to simplify the problem. Furthermore, Runge-Kutta Fehlberg's fourth-fifth order (RKF-45) approach is implemented to evaluate the simplified equations numerically. To predict the wavy fin's heat transfer properties, an advanced neural network model is created without using a traditional data-driven approach, the ability to solve ODEs explicitly by incorporating a mean squared error-based loss function. The obtained results divulge that an increase in the thermal conductivity variable upsurges the thermal distribution. In contrast, a decrease in temperature profile is caused due to the augmentation in the convective-conductive variable values.

Novel analytical techniques for HIV-1 infection of CD4 + T cells on fractional order in mathematical biology.

In this research, we present an analytical analysis of HIV-1 infection of CD4 + T cells with a conformable derivative model (CDM) in biology. An improved Υ'/Υ-expansion method is used to investigate this model analytically to construct a new exact traveling wave solution, namely, exponential function, trigonometric function, and the hyperbolic function, which can be further studied for more (FNEE) fractional nonlinear evolution equations in biology. Also, we provide some graphs in 2D plots that demonstrate how accurate the results will be produced using analytical approaches.

Prevalence and resistance profile of bacteria isolated from wound infections among a group of patients in upper Egypt: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

AIM: This cross-sectional survey aimed to identify aerobic bacteria, antimicrobial resistance, and multi-drug resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from different wound infections among a group of Egyptian patients. RESULTS: Of 120 positive samples, 170 isolates were identified. Polymicrobial infections were determined in 55% of samples. The dominant Gram-positive isolated strains were Staphylococcus aureus, especially from wound infections because of accidents (71.8%). Piperacillin, methicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were all highly resistant to S. aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus in wound infections was 89.9%. S. aureus showed superior sensitivity to vancomycin (85.3%) and linezolid (81.3%). The highest prevalence of Gram-negative isolates was for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (40%), which was highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (79.2%) and highly resistant to levofloxacin (83.3%). Several isolates revealed a multi-drug resistance profile (52.4%). The overall MDR rate of Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates were 50% and 54.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MRSA isolated from various wound infections and MDR is a warning issue in Upper Egypt. It should implement a health education strategy and hygiene measures to prevent the spread of wound infection-causing organisms in the community.

Cross-municipality migration and spread of tuberculosis in South Africa.

Human migration facilitates the spread of infectious disease. However, little is known about the contribution of migration to the spread of tuberculosis in South Africa. We analyzed longitudinal data on all tuberculosis test results recorded by South Africa's National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), January 2011-July 2017, alongside municipality-level migration flows estimated from the 2016 South African Community Survey. We first assessed migration patterns in people with laboratory-diagnosed tuberculosis and analyzed demographic predictors. We then quantified the impact of cross-municipality migration on tuberculosis incidence in municipality-level regression models. The NHLS database included 921,888 patients with multiple clinic visits with TB tests. Of these, 147,513 (16%) had tests in different municipalities. The median (IQR) distance travelled was 304 (163 to 536) km. Migration was most common at ages 20-39 years and rates were similar for men and women. In municipality-level regression models, each 1% increase in migration-adjusted tuberculosis prevalence was associated with a 0.47% (95% CI: 0.03% to 0.90%) increase in the incidence of drug-susceptible tuberculosis two years later, even after controlling for baseline prevalence. Similar results were found for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Accounting for migration improved our ability to predict future incidence of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis testing patterns in South Africa to identify groups that would benefit from increased investigation.

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) collects all public health laboratory test results in South Africa, providing a cohort from which to identify groups, by age, sex, HIV, and viral suppression status, that would benefit from increased tuberculosis (TB) testing. Using NHLS data (2012-2016), we assessed levels and trends over time in TB diagnostic tests performed (count and per capita) and TB test positivity. Estimates were stratified by HIV status, viral suppression, age, sex, and province. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of testing positive for TB by viral suppression status. Nineteen million TB diagnostic tests were conducted during period 2012-2016. Testing per capita was lower among PLHIV with viral suppression than those with unsuppressed HIV (0.08 vs 0.32) but lowest among people without HIV (0.03). Test positivity was highest among young adults (aged 15-35 years), males of all age groups, and people with unsuppressed HIV. Test positivity was higher for males without laboratory evidence of HIV than those with HIV viral suppression, despite similar individual odds of TB. Our results are an important national baseline characterizing who received TB testing in South Africa. People without evidence of HIV, young adults, and males would benefit from increased TB screening given their lower testing rates and higher test positivity. These high-test positivity groups can be used to guide future expansions of TB screening.

[Shoshin beriberi: new emergence of an old pathology? About with 11 cases on island Mayotte]. / Shoshin béribéri: réémergence d'une pathologie ancienne ? À propos d'une série de 11 cas à Mayotte.

In the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, the health and food situation remains contrasted. For a very long time dry beriberi women in postpartum had been suspected and treated. But in 2004 the first infantile epidemic of beriberi was scientifically authenticated and a program of thiaminic supplementation for the pregnant women and infants was set up. In this context, we describe an epidemic of 11 cases of shoshin beriberi among adults between January 2008 and Februar 2009. Over 11 cases of shoshin beriberi, 5 cases were confirmed biologically and 6 were probable. The sex ratio M/W was 0.37. The median age was 34 years. The clinic picture was typical: severe acute dyspnea, an agitation/drowsiness, right cardiac failure: polynevritis of the lower limbs was noted in 9 cases over 11. Biologically it was characterized by a lactic acidosis (average pH: 7.08, lactates: 12.08 mmol/l). The evolution was favorable in the 8 cases which could benefit from early thiaminic refill. The outbreak of an epidemic of shoshin beriberi among adults mainly in groups not having benefited from supplementation shows the effectiveness of the program but also its limits. We compare our series with others: the period from April to June when the food is less diversified, is confirmed as a higher risk period. The programs of nutritional education must be increased and a B1 vitamin supplementation for broader people during the rain season might be discussed.

[Eosinophllic fasciitis (Shulman disease)]. / Fasciite à eosinophiles ou syndrome de Shulman.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare connective tissue disease, described by Shulman in 1974. This syndrome is characterized by a symmetrical swelling of the skin associated with eosinophilia. A progressive induration of the skin replaces the swelling. Arms and legs are the most affected sites. The face and hands are usually not involved and the patients don't complain of Raynaud phenomenon. No circulating autoantibodies are found. Diagnosis is made with history, MRI and histology. MRI detects fascial thickening and contrast enhancement of this fascia. A full thickness skin to muscle biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. It shows an inflammation and thickening of the fascia with lymphocytes and plasmocytes. High doses of corticosteroids are reported to be effective in more than 70% of the cases. Immunosuppressive drugs are sometimes necessary to induce clinical remission.

Robust corrosion guard, mechanical and UV aging properties of metal complex/epoxy hybrid composite coating for C-steel applications.

Incorporation of novel-prepared metal-organic complexes as crosslinking accelerators for multifunctional epoxy was on top of interest by coating formulators. The present work investigated the loading of mixed ligand metal complexes (Zr(IV) and Cu(II)) of metformin (MF) and 2.2'bipyridine (Bipy) against the free ligands as crosslinking modifiers via some epoxy coating formulations to assess their superb performances on the C-steel surface. Zr(IV) and Cu(II) demonstrated the minor energy gap (∆E) values at 0.190 au compared to free MF and Bipy according to the calculated energy values, and this behavior reflected their enhanced properties via epoxy coating applications. EIS measurements using high saline formation water as a corrosive medium were performed and offered that PA-DGEBA/MC-Cu coated film showed the superior resistance values (Rct = 940 and Rc = 930 kΩ cm2). The accelerated corrosion salt spray experiment clarified that PA-DGEBA/MC-Cu coating achieved the least corrosion rate at 0.00049 mm/y and exhibited the highest protection efficiency of 99.84%. SEM/EDX combination survey affirmed the protective performance of the checked coatings. AFM microanalysis confirmed that surface-treated Cu(II) coating displayed the smoothest film surface with complete curing. Mechanical durability properties were evaluated and the obtained results illustrated that pull-off adhesion for PA-DGEBA/MC-Cu coated film fulfilled the highest adhesion strength at 6.3 MPa, the best bend character at 77, and the maximum impact resistance at 59.7 J. UV immovability trial was performed at 10 irradiance and 80 h duration. PA-DGEBA/MC-Cu coated film displayed the highest resistance to UV irradiance with blistering (#8 size and few frequencies) in addition to offering a minor gloss variation and matt properties.

Nutritional, Microbiological, and Toxicological Quality Assessment of Foods Sold in Urban and Suburban Markets in Burkina Faso.

Food safety risks are becoming a public health problem with important socioeconomic consequences for human wellbeing, especially for pregnant women and infants. In this article, we describe findings from microbiological, toxicological, and nutritional quality assessments of foods from 5 localities in Burkina Faso, with the aim to provide baseline data on the quality of food and the risks to mothers and children. Samples for assessment included food sold in markets, stores, and restaurants (eg, cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, edible oils, powdered milk, dried fish, packaged water, ready-to-eat meals). The research team selected the samples using the random route method and analyzed them at the National Public Health Laboratory in Ouagadougou between January and December 2020. A total of 443 food samples were collected, of which 101 were analyzed for microbial contamination, 360 were analyzed for the presence of toxins, and 59 were analyzed for their nutritional value. The microbiological quality of 11.88% of the food samples was unsatisfactory, and 41.50% were contaminated with aflatoxins. At least 1 pesticide residue and cyfluthrin were detected in 58.10% of samples. The most detected contaminant (cyfluthrin) was found in 79.10% of the analyzed samples. A peroxide index higher than the normal value (10 mEq/kg) was found in 3.38% of the oil samples and 76.27% of the oil samples had a vitamin A content lower than the recommended limit of 11 mg/kg. This study is the first in Burkina Faso that provides baseline data on the quality of food and potential health risks to mothers and children in Burkina Faso. Considering the level of contaminants reported in this article, it is imperative to enhance routine monitoring of foods in the country.

[Serum and synovial adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Relation to disease activity]. / Adiponectin, Resistin und Visfatin in Serum und Gelenkflüssigkeit bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis. Zusammenhang mit der Krankheitsaktivität.

BACKGROUND: Recent data provided evidence on the implication of the adipocytokines adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin in inflammation, immune response, and tissue destruction and revealed several links between them and arthritis. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their relationship with disease activity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 70 female patients with RA and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The clinical activity of RA patients was assessed according to the 28 joint count Disease Activity Score and patients were classified into two groups: 39 patients with active disease (group A) and 31 patients in remission (group B). Synovial fluid was obtained by arthrocentesis of the affected knee joints from 39 patients with active disease. Serum adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin concentrations were measured in RA patients and controls, while a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the synovial concentrations of adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin in the group of patients with active RA. RESULTS: Serum levels of adiponectin and visfatin were significantly higher in all RA patients and patients with active disease compared to the control group and patients in remission. No significant difference was observed in the resistin level between patients and controls. Serum and synovial adiponectin and visfatin were positively correlated with DAS28-ESR in RA patients with active disease. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that adiponectin and visfatin are related to disease activity in RA patients and might be involved in the progression of RA. The English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink (under "Supplemental").

[Melanoma: A protective role of pregnancy? A case report and review of literature]. / Le mélanome et la grossesse : un rôle protecteur ? Cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

Melanoma is actually one of the most common malignancies to be diagnosed during pregnancy. Nevertheless, the role of the pregnancy hormones on the melanoma course is not yet completely clear. We present the case of melanoma in a pregnant woman, with a particularly fulminant postpartum development. This raised the question of a possible protection by the pregnancy hormones against melanoma.

Effect of different types of fish on rats suffering from diabetes.

The present work was conducted to study the beneficial effect of different types of fish on diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with insulin. This study investigated the chemical composition of four types of fish (Mackerel, Sardines, Smoked herring and Bolti) and also the effects of these types on the nutritional value and the levels of serum (glucose, lipid fractions, kidney and liver functions) of diabetic rats. The chemical composition "on dry bases matter" of processed fish types revealed that the bolti fish had the highly percent of protein, while the highest percent of fat was found in mackerel and sardines. The mackerel had the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acid, followed by sardines, herring and bolti. Seventyfive male Albino rats used in this study, weighing (150 +/- 5 g) were divided into three main groups (n = 25). The first main group was considered negative control. The second main group was injected with 150-mg/kg-body weight of recrystallized alloxan to induce hyperglycemia. The third main group was injected with 150-mg/kg-body weight of recrystallized alloxan to induce hyperglycemia and treated with insulin injection. Each main group was divided into five subgroups. The first subgroup from each main group fed on a casein diet, while the second, third, fourth and fifth subgroups fed on basal diet containing mackerel, sardines, herring and bolti, respectively. Feeding diabetic rats with the different types of diet (fish diet) resulted in an improvement of the nutritional parameters. The mean values of serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, HDL-c, VLDL-c, uric acid, urea nitrogen, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) decreased in all treated groups especially with the mackerel and sardine diet, followed by bolti, as compared to the positive control groups (fed on a casein diet), while the levels of serum cholesterol and LDL-c increased in the groups fed on the herring diet. On the other hand, diabetic rats that were treated with a low insulin dose and fed on the mackerel diet, showed non-significant differences in the levels of all parameters, as compared to non-diabetic rats.

Vorticity generation in creeping flow past a magnetic obstacle.

The generation of vorticity in the two-dimensional creeping flow of an incompressible, electrically conducting viscous fluid past a localized magnetic field distribution is analyzed under the low magnetic Reynolds number approximation. It is shown that the Lorentz force produced by the interaction of the induced electric currents with the nonuniform magnetic field acts as an obstacle for the flow, creating different steady flow patterns that are reminiscent of those observed in the flow past bluff bodies. First, analytic solutions are obtained for a creeping flow past a magnetic point dipole, modeled as a Gaussian distribution. Using a perturbation scheme, the vorticity is expressed as an expansion in the small Reynolds number, and first- and second-order approximations are calculated. The induced magnetic field, pressure, and stream function are also determined. Further, full numerical finite difference solutions are obtained for a uniform creeping flow past a finite size magnetic field distribution produced by a square magnetized plate. Hartmann numbers in the range 1< or =Ha< or =100 are explored. Depending on the strength of the magnetic force, stagnation zones or steady vortical structures are obtained. The analysis contributes to the understanding of flows in nonuniform magnetic fields and flows produced by localized forces.

Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, and flow cytometric cell cycle kinetics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and inverted papilloma among Egyptian patients.

It is widely accepted that the Epstein-Barr virus is etiologically associated with the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The human papillomavirus is also associated with inverted papilloma. We used the polymerase chain reaction technique to detect both viruses in both types of tumors. Flow cytometry was also used to study the DNA pattern and proliferative behavior of the tumors in relation to the viruses. EBV was detected in 13/20 (65%) of NPC specimens, and in none of IP (n = 10) or control specimens (n = 10). This indicates the contribution of EBV as an etiologic factor in NPC. Five cases of NPC (25%) were positive for HPV 16, two of them were EBV positive. Four HPV 16 positive cases were found among cases with inverted papilloma, but none among the control cases. Flow cytometry revealed that all NPC, IP, and control samples were diploid except one aneuploid NPC sample. Proliferative capacity (PC) of primary tumors was predictive of tumor recurrence in NPC. Using 13.6% as a cut-off point for PC, we were able to discriminate between high risk and low risk groups with 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity. PC can be used as a baseline prognostic parameter in NPC, making it possible to modify courses of treatment in an attempt to inhibit tumor recurrence.

Regulation of gallbladder ion transport: role of biliary lipids.

Recent studies indicate that biliary lipids influence in vivo gallbladder absorption and solute-coupled water flow. To clarify the electrophysiologic effects that underlie this phenomenon, prairie dog gallbladders were mounted in an Ussing-type chamber, and the influence of bile acids and varying ratios of bile acids and biliary phospholipids on transepithelial potential difference (Vms), resistance (Rt), and short-circuit current (Isc) was examined. Exposure to 5 mmol/L taurodeoxycholate (TDC) resulted in inhibition of Vms (p less than 0.01) and Isc (p less than 0.01) and an increase (p less than 0.05) in Rt. Subsequent perfusion with bile acids and phospholipids (5 mmol/L TDC + 0.3 mmol/L phosphatidylcholine [PC]) led to continued inhibition of ion transport. In contrast, exposure to 5 mmol/L TDC + 1.7 mmol/L PC resulted in a significant increase in transport, as manifested by an increase in Vms (p less than 0.02) and Isc (p less than 0.01) and a decrease in Rt (p less than 0.05) compared with bile acids. These results indicate that the ratio of phospholipids to bile salts modulates ion transport across prairie dog gallbladder and that this ratio may be an important determinant of gallbladder absorption in health and disease.

Endoscopic treatment of colloid cysts of the third ventricle. Technical note and review of the literature.

The surgical technique for the endoscopic evacuation of colloid cysts of the third ventricle in 13 patients is described. The authors conclude that endoscopic resection of these lesions is a useful addition to the current surgical repertoire and a viable alternative to stereotactic aspiration or open craniotomy.

Increased biliary calcium in cholesterol gallstone formation.

The hypothesis that biliary calcium levels increase during cholesterol gallstone formation was tested in a prairie dog gallstone model. In addition to the previously documented changes in biliary lipid composition, animals with gallstones had a significant increase in gallbladder bile concentrations of total and ionized calcium compared with control animals. The observation that hepatic bile levels of calcium remained unchanged in the cholesterol-fed animals suggests that the increase in gallbladder bile calcium is due to a gallbladder-related phenomenon, rather than an alteration in hepatic metabolism. We proposed that this increase in biliary calcium levels results from an increase in gallbladder absorption. Increased biliary calcium levels may be an important, previously unrecognized, factor in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones.

Epidural fibrosis and the failed back surgery syndrome: history and physical findings.

Patients who present with recurrent symptoms after surgical intervention aimed at correcting their lumbosacral disease pose a therapeutic challenge. A heterogeneous group of factors may underlie symptom recurrence and formulation of a therapeutic strategy depends on an accurate diagnosis of the patient's underlying problem. In this review, the authors discuss the relevant historical and physical findings in patients with epidural fibrosis and the failed back surgery syndrome.