Green and blue infrastructure as model system for emissions of technology-critical elements.

Over the recent decades, technological advancements have led to a rise in the use of so-called technology-critical elements (TCEs). Environmental monitoring of TCEs forms the base to assess whether this leads to increased anthropogenic release and to public health implications. This study employs an exploratory approach to investigate the distribution of the TCEs Li, Be, V, Ga, Ge, Nb, Sb, Te, Ta, Tl, Bi and the REYs (rare-earth elements including yttrium) in urban aerosol in the city of Vienna, Austria. Leaf samples (n = 292) from 8 plant species and two green facades and water samples (n = 18) from the Wienfluss river were examined using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Surface dust contributions were assessed by washing one replicate of each leaf sample and analysing the washing water (n = 146). The impacts of sampling month, plant species and storey level on elemental distribution were assessed by statistical tools and generative deep neural network modelling. Higher TCE levels, including Li, V, Ga, Ge, Tl, Bi, and the REYs, were found in the winter months, likely due to the use of de-icing materials and fossil fuel combustion. A. millefolium and S. heufleriana displayed the highest levels of Li and Ge, respectively. In addition, increased elemental accumulation at lower storeys was observed, including Be, Sb, Bi and the REYs, indicating greater atmospheric dust deposition and recirculation closer to ground level. The results suggest a broad association of TCE levels with urban dust. This study enhances the current understanding of TCE distribution in urban settings and underscores the importance of their inclusion in pollution monitoring. It highlights the complex interplay of human activities, urban infrastructure, and environmental factors, offering valuable insights for managing urban environmental health risks and underlining the need for comprehensive urban ecosystem studies.

Mapping elemental solutes at sub-picogram levels during aqueous corrosion of Al alloys using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) with LA-ICP-MS.

A novel approach using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for two-dimensional mapping of elemental solute release at sub-picogram levels during aqueous corrosion of Al alloys is presented. Evaluation of different DGT gels with mixed micro-sized binding phases (polyacrylamide-Chelex-Metsorb, polyurethane (PU)-Chelex-Metsorb, PU-Chelex-Zr(OH)4) demonstrated the superior performance of PU gels due to their tear-proof handling, low shrinkage, and compliance with green chemistry. DGT devices containing PU-Chelex-Zr(OH)4 gels, which have not been characterized for Al sampling before, showed quantitative uptake of Al, Zn, and Cu solutes over time (t = 4-48 h) with higher Al capacity (ΓDGT = 6.25 µg cm-2) than different gels. Application of PU-Chelex-Zr(OH)4 gels on a high-strength Al-Cu alloy (Al2219) exposed to NaCl (w = 1.5%, pH = 4.5, T = 21 °C) for 15 min in a novel piston-type configuration revealed reproducible patterns of Al and Zn co-solubilization with a spatial expansion ranging between 50 and 1000 µm. This observation, together with complementary solid-state data from secondary electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, showed the presence of localized pitting corrosion at the material surface. Detection limits for total solute masses of Al, Zn, and Cu were ≤0.72 pg, ≤8.38 pg, and ≤0.12 pg, respectively, for an area of 0.01 mm2, demonstrating the method's unique capability to localize and quantify corrosion processes at ultra-trace levels and high resolution. Our study advances the assessment of Al alloy degradation in aqueous environments, supporting the design of corrosion-resistant materials for fostering technological safety and sustainability.

Olezarsen, Acute Pancreatitis, and Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia and severe acute pancreatitis. Olezarsen reduces the plasma triglyceride level by reducing hepatic synthesis of apolipoprotein C-III. METHODS: In a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients with genetically identified familial chylomicronemia syndrome to receive olezarsen at a dose of 80 mg or 50 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 49 weeks. There were two primary end points: the difference between the 80-mg olezarsen group and the placebo group in the percent change in the fasting triglyceride level from baseline to 6 months, and (to be assessed if the first was significant) the difference between the 50-mg olezarsen group and the placebo group. Secondary end points included the mean percent change from baseline in the apolipoprotein C-III level and an independently adjudicated episode of acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients underwent randomization; 22 were assigned to the 80-mg olezarsen group, 21 to the 50-mg olezarsen group, and 23 to the placebo group. At baseline, the mean (±SD) triglyceride level among the patients was 2630±1315 mg per deciliter, and 71% had a history of acute pancreatitis within the previous 10 years. Triglyceride levels at 6 months were significantly reduced with the 80-mg dose of olezarsen as compared with placebo (-43.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -69.1 to -17.9; P<0.001) but not with the 50-mg dose (-22.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -47.2 to 2.5; P = 0.08). The difference in the mean percent change in the apolipoprotein C-III level from baseline to 6 months in the 80-mg group as compared with the placebo group was -73.7 percentage points (95% CI, -94.6 to -52.8) and between the 50-mg group as compared with the placebo group was -65.5 percentage points (95% CI, -82.6 to -48.3). By 53 weeks, 11 episodes of acute pancreatitis had occurred in the placebo group, and 1 episode had occurred in each olezarsen group (rate ratio [pooled olezarsen groups vs. placebo], 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.66). Adverse events of moderate severity that were considered by a trial investigator at the site to be related to the trial drug or placebo occurred in 4 patients in the 80-mg olezarsen group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome, olezarsen may represent a new therapy to reduce plasma triglyceride levels. (Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals; Balance ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04568434.).

Olezarsen for Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the levels of triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins remains an unmet clinical need. Olezarsen is an antisense oligonucleotide targeting messenger RNA for apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3), a genetically validated target for triglyceride lowering. METHODS: In this phase 2b, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned adults either with moderate hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level, 150 to 499 mg per deciliter) and elevated cardiovascular risk or with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level, ≥500 mg per deciliter) in a 1:1 ratio to either a 50-mg or 80-mg cohort. Patients were then assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive monthly subcutaneous olezarsen or matching placebo within each cohort. The primary outcome was the percent change in the triglyceride level from baseline to 6 months, reported as the difference between each olezarsen group and placebo. Key secondary outcomes were changes in levels of APOC3, apolipoprotein B, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients underwent randomization at 24 sites in North America. The median age of the patients was 62 years, and the median triglyceride level was 241.5 mg per deciliter. The 50-mg and 80-mg doses of olezarsen reduced triglyceride levels by 49.3 percentage points and 53.1 percentage points, respectively, as compared with placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons). As compared with placebo, each dose of olezarsen also significantly reduced the levels of APOC3, apolipoprotein B, and non-HDL cholesterol, with no significant change in the LDL cholesterol level. The risks of adverse events and serious adverse events were similar in the three groups. Clinically meaningful hepatic, renal, or platelet abnormalities were uncommon, with similar risks in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with predominantly moderate hypertriglyceridemia at elevated cardiovascular risk, olezarsen significantly reduced levels of triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and non-HDL cholesterol, with no major safety concerns identified. (Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals; Bridge-TIMI 73a ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05355402.).

RANK ligand converts the NCoR/HDAC3 co-repressor to a PGC1ß- and RNA-dependent co-activator of osteoclast gene expression.

The nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR) complex mediates transcriptional repression dependent on histone deacetylation by histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) as a component of the complex. Unexpectedly, we found that signaling by the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) converts the NCoR/HDAC3 co-repressor complex to a co-activator of AP-1 and NF-κB target genes that are required for mouse osteoclast differentiation. Accordingly, the dominant function of NCoR/HDAC3 complexes in response to RANK signaling is to activate, rather than repress, gene expression. Mechanistically, RANK signaling promotes RNA-dependent interaction of the transcriptional co-activator PGC1ß with the NCoR/HDAC3 complex, resulting in the activation of PGC1ß and inhibition of HDAC3 activity for acetylated histone H3. Non-coding RNAs Dancr and Rnu12, which are associated with altered human bone homeostasis, promote NCoR/HDAC3 complex assembly and are necessary for RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro. These findings may be prototypic for signal-dependent functions of NCoR in other biological contexts.

APOC3 inhibition with volanesorsen reduces hepatic steatosis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

ApoC-III inhibits lipoprotein lipase and hepatic uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. It is unknown whether targeting apoC-III affects hepatic steatosis in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. We studied the effect of volanesorsen, a potent antisense oligonucleotide targeting APOC3 mRNA, on hepatic fat fraction (HFF) assessed by MRI in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG, triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL), familial partial lipodystrophy (FPL, triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL) and familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS, triglycerides ≥750 mg/dL). The data were evaluated individually in COMPASS (SHTG), APPROACH (FCS), and BROADEN (FPL) trials. The baseline absolute HFF were elevated in all three trials and ranged from 6.3-18.1%. In COMPASS, compared to placebo, volanesorsen significantly reduced the absolute HFF by -3.02% (95% CI, (-5.60, -0.60), p = 0.009) (placebo-adjusted % change from baseline -24.2%, p = 0.034) from baseline to 6 months. In APPROACH a non-significant absolute -1.0% (95% CI, -2.9, 0.0, p = 0.13) reduction in HFF was noted from baseline to 12 months (placebo-adjusted % change from baseline -37.1%, p = 0.20). In BROADEN volanesorsen significantly reduced the absolute HFF by -8.34% (95% CI, -13.01, -3.67, p = 0.001) from baseline to 12 months (placebo-adjusted % change from baseline -52.7%, p = 0.004). In all 3 trials individually, a strong inverse correlation was present between the baseline HFF and the change in HFF in the volanesorsen groups, but not in the placebo groups. In conclusion, apoC-III inhibition with volanesorsen has favorable effects in HFF in patients with different etiologies of hypertriglyceridemia.

Characterisation of gas cell reactions for 70+ elements using N2O for ICP tandem mass spectrometry measurements.

One widely utilised method to reduce spectral interferences for measurements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is to employ the use of a reaction cell gas. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a highly reactive gas typically used for mass-shifting only target analytes to a higher mass-to-charge ratio with increased sensitivity (e.g. +16, +32, +48 amu for monoxide, dioxide, and trioxide product ions respectively). Traditionally, the use of N2O was limited to selected applications due to the creation of new interferences that also interfere with the detected masses of interest. However, with the advent of inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), the use of N2O has gained more traction, with a growing number of publications in recent years. Here, a comprehensive study of the use of N2O for the determination of 73 elements has been conducted, with a comparison to the most widely used mass-shift method using oxygen (O2) as a reaction gas. In total, 59 elements showed improved sensitivity when performing mass-shift with N2O compared to O2, with 8 elements showing no reaction with either gas. Additionally, N2O demonstrated a collisional focusing effect for 36 elements when measuring on-mass. This effect was not observed using O2. Monitoring asymmetric charge transfer reactions with N2O highlighted 14 elements, primarily non-metals and semi-metals, that enter the gas cell as metastable ions and could be used as an alternative mass-shift option. The results from this study highlight the high versatility of N2O as a reaction cell gas for routine ICP-MS/MS measurements.

Determination of 48 elements in 7 plant CRMs by ICP-MS/MS with a focus on technology-critical elements.

Seven plant certified reference materials (NIST SRM1515 Apple Leaves, NIST SRM1547 Peach Leaves, BCR-129 Hay Powder, BCR-670 Aquatic Plant, GBW07603 Bush Twigs and Leaves, GBW10015 Spinach Leaves and NCS ZC73036a Green Tea) were analysed for their mass fractions of 48 elements by inductively coupled plasma tandem-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS): Li, Be, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Te, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Ta, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, U. Special focus was put on the determination of technology-critical elements (TCEs), to which, e.g. Li, Be, Ga, Ge, Nb, Sb, Ta, Tl, Bi, and the rare-earth elements (REEs, lanthanides and Y) are counted. Closed-vessel microwave digestion was performed using HNO3, H2O2 and HBF4. The average bias for certified values is - 1% ± 13% (SD). Limits of detection (xL) in the measured solutions lie between 13 fg g-1 (Tb) and 52 ng g-1 (Ca). This article seeks to provide an optimised measurement procedure for the determination of element mass fractions of emerging importance in environmental samples, which are challenging to analyse with more traditional techniques such as single-quad ICP-MS. In addition, it aims to improve the characterisation of commonly used plant reference materials by providing mass fraction data for rarely studied elements.

Enriched stable 204Pb as tracer at ultra-low levels in clinical investigations.

The potential of enriched Pb (204Pb) was assessed to monitor pathways of trace levels of Pb in the pg range within the human body via isotope pattern variation in situations where natural lead cannot be used as a tracer due to regulatory limitations. Isotope ratio measurements were accomplished by means of (multi-collector) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry including a comparison of single and multi-collector ICP-MS for low-level 204Pb assessment. Isotopic pattern results from a blend of a large quantity of the element with a natural isotopic composition and an enriched stable isotope at orders of magnitude lower levels pose a nontrivial analytical problem. Isotope pattern deconvolution was successfully applied as mathematical tool based on multiple linear regressions. The method allowed for deconvolving the isotope pattern from measured isotope ratios without knowing the quantities of different isotope sources incorporated and mixed into the sample at levels of < 1 pg 204Pb/g blood. The objective of this manuscript is to evaluate and summarize the analytical aspects for Pb isotope pattern deconvolution based on the results of a clinical trial, where a 204Pb-enriched isotope tracer was applied to investigate the bioavailability of orally applied Pb along with purified clinoptilolite tuff as potential supplement. This unique approach allows to reduce tracer amounts to harmless levels to human health, which are in accordance with the legal regulative to study enrichment levels of < 0.01% in human blood.

Microchemical provenancing of prey remains in cormorant pellets reveals the use of diverse foraging grounds.

Piscivorous birds in aquatic ecosystems exert predation pressure on fish populations. But the site-specific impact on fish populations, including stocked and commercially used fish species, remains disputed. One of the key questions for the management of piscivorous birds and fish is determining the origin of prey and thus which fish populations are targeted by the birds. We addressed this question by provenancing otoliths (earstones) of fish obtained from regurgitated pellets of piscivorous birds by otolith microchemistry analysis. We retrieved otoliths from regurgitated pellets of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) collected every 2 weeks for 2 years from breeding and roosting colonies at Chiemsee in Bavaria, Germany, and classified them according to family or species. We collected water samples from Chiemsee and potential surrounding foraging grounds. We measured the strontium (Sr) 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio and Sr mass fraction of water and otoliths using (laser ablation) inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. We assigned otoliths from regurgitated pellets to habitat clusters of origin by comparing the Sr isotopic and elemental composition of otoliths and waterbodies. In 36% of cormorant pellets collected at Chiemsee, prey was assigned to waterbodies distinct from Chiemsee. Furthermore, cormorants used different foraging sites during 1 day. Microchemical provenancing of prey remains can contribute to identifying foraging sites of piscivorous birds and to what extend the birds switched among foraging sites.

B-1b Cells Have Unique Functional Traits Compared to B-1a Cells at Homeostasis and in Aged Hyperlipidemic Mice With Atherosclerosis.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) to oxidation specific epitopes (OSE) are inversely associated with atherosclerosis in mice and humans. The B-1b subtype of B-1 cells secrete IgM to OSE, and unlike B-1a cells, are capable of long-lasting IgM memory. What attributes make B-1b cells different than B-1a cells is unknown. Our objectives were to determine how B-1b cells produce more IgM compared to B-1a cells at homeostatic condition and to see the differences in the B-1a and B-1b cell distribution and IgM CDR-H3 sequences in mice with advanced atherosclerosis. Here, in-vivo studies demonstrated greater migration to spleen, splenic production of IgM and plasma IgM levels in ApoE-/-Rag1-/- mice intraperitoneally injected with equal numbers of B-1b compared to B-1a cells. Bulk RNA seq analysis and flow cytometry of B-1a and B-1b cells identified CCR6 as a chemokine receptor more highly expressed on B-1b cells compared to B-1a. Knockout of CCR6 resulted in reduced B-1b cell migration to the spleen. Moreover, B-1b cell numbers were significantly higher in spleen of aged atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice compared to young ApoE-/- mice. Single cell sequencing results of IgHM in B-1a and B-1b cells from peritoneal cavity and spleen of atherosclerotic aged ApoE-/- mice revealed significantly more N additions at the V-D and D-J junctions, greater diversity in V region usage and CDR-H3 sequences in B-1b compared to B-1a cells. In summary, B-1b cells demonstrated enhanced CCR6-mediated splenic migration, IgM production, and IgM repertoire diversification compared to B-1a cells. These findings suggest that potential strategies to selectively augment B-1b cell numbers and splenic trafficking could lead to increased and more diverse IgM targeting OSE to limit atherosclerosis.

In situ spatiotemporal solute imaging of metal corrosion on the example of magnesium.

Visualization and quantification of corrosion processes is essential in materials research. Here we present a new approach for 2D spatiotemporal imaging of metal corrosion dynamics in situ. The approach combines time-integrated Mg2+ flux imaging by diffusive gradients in thin films laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DGT LA-ICP-MS) and near real-time pH imaging by planar optodes. The parallel assessment of Mg2+ flux and pH distributions on a fine-structured, bare Mg alloy (b-WE43) showed intense Mg dissolution with Mg2+ flux maxima up to 11.9 ng cm-2 s-1 and pH increase >9 during initial corrosion (≤15 min) in aqueous NaNO3 solution (c = 0.01 mol L-1). The techniques visualized the lower initial corrosion rate in buffered synthetic body fluid (Hank's balanced salt solution; pH 7.6) compared to unbuffered NaNO3 (pH 6.0), but precise localization of Mg corrosion remains challenging under these conditions. To further demonstrate the capability of DGT LA-ICP-MS for spatiotemporal metal flux imaging at the microscale, a coated Mg alloy (c-WE43) with lower reactivity was deployed for ≤120 min. The high spatial resolution (∼10 µm × 80 µm) and low limits of detection (≤0.04 ng cm-2 s-1, t = 60 min) enabled accurate in situ localization and quantification (Urel = 20%, k = 2) of distinct Mg2+ flux increase, showing micro-confined release of Mg2+ from surface coating defects on c-WE43 samples. The presented approach can be extended to other metal species and applied to other materials to better understand corrosion processes and improve material design in technological engineering.

Low-level 40Ca determinations using nitrous oxide with reaction cell inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry.

In inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the most abundant Ca isotope (40Ca) suffers from isobaric interference with argon, hindering the potential for low detection limits of Ca. A powerful approach is to remove the interference by using a reaction gas in a reaction cell. Ammonia (NH3) has proven to be an effective reaction gas by process of a charge transfer reaction. However, NH3 is highly corrosive and toxic and cannot remove isobaric 40 K. Therefore, this work proposes the use of nitrous oxide (N2O) to mass shift the target analyte 40Ca to 40Ca16O+ as a non-corrosive and non-toxic alternative. Instrument performance testing demonstrated that N2O was capable of reaching equivalent detection limits (0.015 ng g-1) and background equivalence concentrations (0.041 ng g-1) to that of NH3 and limited by the blank only. Further investigation of matrix interferences with synthetic standards highlighted that the N2O approach supports the separation of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg)-based interferences at tested concentrations of more than 600 times and almost 800 times higher than Ca respectively, whereas NH3 was found to only support the removal of Mg. This work highlights a clear advantage of N2O for low-level Ca determinations with high matrix loads, as well as compatibility with other instrumentation sensitive to corrosion that supports reaction cell technology.

Selective Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) for the Simultaneous Assessment of Labile Sr and Pb Concentrations and Isotope Ratios in Soils.

A method using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) for the accurate quantification of trace-level (µg L-1) Sr and Pb concentrations and isotope ratios [δSRM 987(87Sr/86Sr) and δSRM 981(207Pb/206Pb)] in labile, bioavailable element fractions in soils is reported. The method is based on a novel poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membrane binding layer with combined di(2-ethyl-hexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and 4,4'(5')-bis-t-butylcyclohexano-18-crown-6 (crown-ether) functionality with high selectivity for Sr and Pb (TK100 membrane). Laboratory evaluation of the TK100 DGT showed linear uptake of Sr over time (2-24 h) up to very high Sr mass loadings on TK100 membranes (288 µg cm-2) and effective performance in the range of pH (3.9-8.2), ionic strength (0.001-0.1 mol L-1), and cation competition (50-160 mg L-1 Ca in a synthetic soil solution matrix) of environmental interest. Selective three-step elution of TK100 membranes using hydrochloric acid allowed us to obtain purified Sr and Pb fractions with adequate (≥75%) recovery and quantitative (≥96%) matrix reduction. Neither DGT-based sampling itself nor selective elution or mass loading effects caused significant isotopic fractionation. Application of TK100 DGT in natural soils and comparison with conventional approaches of bioavailability assessment demonstrated the method's unique capability to obtain information on Sr and Pb resupply dynamics and isotopic variations with low combined uncertainty within a single sampling step.

Systematic analysis of naturally occurring insertions and deletions that alter transcription factor spacing identifies tolerant and sensitive transcription factor pairs.

Regulation of gene expression requires the combinatorial binding of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) at promoters and enhancers. Prior studies showed that alterations in the spacing between TF binding sites can influence promoter and enhancer activity. However, the relative importance of TF spacing alterations resulting from naturally occurring insertions and deletions (InDels) has not been systematically analyzed. To address this question, we first characterized the genome-wide spacing relationships of 73 TFs in human K562 cells as determined by ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing). We found a dominant pattern of a relaxed range of spacing between collaborative factors, including 45 TFs exclusively exhibiting relaxed spacing with their binding partners. Next, we exploited millions of InDels provided by genetically diverse mouse strains and human individuals to investigate the effects of altered spacing on TF binding and local histone acetylation. These analyses suggested that spacing alterations resulting from naturally occurring InDels are generally tolerated in comparison to genetic variants directly affecting TF binding sites. To experimentally validate this prediction, we introduced synthetic spacing alterations between PU.1 and C/EBPß binding sites at six endogenous genomic loci in a macrophage cell line. Remarkably, collaborative binding of PU.1 and C/EBPß at these locations tolerated changes in spacing ranging from 5 bp increase to >30 bp decrease. Collectively, these findings have implications for understanding mechanisms underlying enhancer selection and for the interpretation of non-coding genetic variation.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Loneliness and Social Isolation: A Multi-Country Study.

The COVID-19 global pandemic and subsequent public health social measures have challenged our social and economic life, with increasing concerns around potentially rising levels of social isolation and loneliness. This paper is based on cross-sectional online survey data (available in 10 languages, from 2 June to 16 November 2020) with 20,398 respondents from 101 different countries. It aims to help increase our understanding of the global risk factors that are associated with social isolation and loneliness, irrespective of culture or country, to support evidence-based policy, services and public health interventions. We found the prevalence of severe loneliness was 21% during COVID-19 with 6% retrospectively reporting severe loneliness prior to the pandemic. A fifth were defined as isolated based on their usual connections, with 13% reporting a substantial increase in isolation during COVID-19. Personal finances and mental health were overarching and consistently cross-cutting predictors of loneliness and social isolation, both before and during the pandemic. With the likelihood of future waves of COVID-19 and related restrictions, it must be a public health priority to address the root causes of loneliness and social isolation and, in particular, address the needs of specific groups such as carers or those living alone.

Lifetime mobility of an Arctic woolly mammoth.

Little is known about woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) mobility and range. Here we use high temporal resolution sequential analyses of strontium isotope ratios along an entire 1.7-meter-long tusk to reconstruct the movements of an Arctic woolly mammoth that lived 17,100 years ago, during the last ice age. We use an isotope-guided random walk approach to compare the tusk's strontium and oxygen isotope profiles to isotopic maps. Our modeling reveals patterns of movement across a geographically extensive range during the animal's ~28-year life span that varied with life stages. Maintenance of this level of mobility by megafaunal species such as mammoth would have been increasingly difficult as the ice age ended and the environment changed at high latitudes.

Concomitant oral intake of purified clinoptilolite tuff (G-PUR) reduces enteral lead uptake in healthy humans.

Lead exposure can cause substantial organ damage. Enteral lead absorption may be reduced by concomitant intake of clinoptilolite tuff, a zeolite from natural sources. This study aimed to assess the effect of purified clinoptilolite tuff (G-PUR) on enteral lead uptake in adults using stable lead isotope 204Pb as a tracer. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study, 42 healthy participants were randomized to receive oral G-PUR 2.0 g, 2 * 2.0 g, or placebo, together with 2.5 µg of 204Pb in water. The enrichment of 204Pb caused by the tracer in blood and urine was measured by mass spectrometry. G-PUR was well tolerated. The mean maximum 204Pb enrichment of 0.505% of total blood lead was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the placebo group compared to G-PUR 2.0 g (0.073%) or G-PUR 2 * 2.0 g (0.057%) group. Normalized 204Pb AUC0-192 was 86.5, 11.9, and 8.5% * h without and with G-PUR 2.0 g, and G-PUR 2 * 2.0 g, respectively (p < 0.0001 vs. placebo). This smaller 204Pb exposure was paralleled by a reduced urinary excretion in subjects receiving G-PUR. Concomitant oral intake of purified clinoptilolite tuff reduced enteral uptake of 204Pb in healthy humans by approximately 90%. The reduced bioavailability is demonstrable by a decrease of 204Pb tracer enrichment in blood and urine.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04138693, registered 24/10/2019.

Beethoven's death-the result of medical malpractice?

Two different strands of hair taken from Beethoven's head after his death were examined for heavy metals using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser ablation-ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy). The results revealed the presence of small lead particles on the surface of Beethoven's hairs and fluctuating lead levels in hair medulla along the length of the hair due to alternating lead exposure, with an average lead exposure of 100 times the normal value. The time-line attached to the peaks of these fluctuating values correlate with the pneumonia treatment and the paracenteses performed, including the subsequent treatment of the procedure wounds. While the administration of lead-containing drugs and treatments had been proven to resolve the pneumonia, it had simultaneously caused massive liver failure, accelerated by pre-existing cirrhosis. The question as to whether Beethoven's death was a case of malpractice can only be answered from a forensic point of view ex ante, since the state of the medical knowledge of the time has to be taken into account.