Accumulation and effects of uranium on aquatic macrophyte Nymphaea tetragona Georgi: Potential application to phytoremediation and environmental monitoring

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Chen Li, Maolin Wang, Xuegang Luo, Lili Liang, Xu Han, Xiaoyan Lin

Abstract

This study analyzed the ability of Nymphaea tetragona Georgi (N. tetragona) to accumulate water-borne uranium and any effects this could exert on this plant species. In accumulation experiments, N. tetragona was exposed (21 d) to different concentrations of uranium (0–55 mg L⁻¹) and the content of uranium was determined in water and plant tissues (leaves, submerged position and plant) to determine the translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF). The content of uranium in the plant and plant tissues showed concentration-dependent uptake, leaves were the predominant tissue for uranium accumulation, and TF and BCF values were both affected by the concentration of uranium in the water. In this research, the uranium content and BCF value in the leaves of N. tetragona were upto 3446 ± 155 mg kg⁻¹ and 73 ± 3, respectively. In physiological experiments, uranium treatment boosted the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves, and increasing uranium concentrations aggravated damage to the cell membrane system. Uranium contamination significantly inhibited the content of soluble protein, as well as chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotene in the leaves, indicating the structure and function of chloroplast were destroyed, reducing the photosynthetic performance of plants. These results indicate that the macrophyte N. tetragona can accumulate uranium while showing a stress response via metabolic mechanisms under uranium exposure, and it may be a suitable bioremediation candidate for aquatic marine contamination.

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Human and environmental factors affecting the activity of 131I and 137Cs in urban wastewater: A case study

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Daniele Zannoni, Chiara Cantaluppi, Federica Ceccotto, Walter Giacetti, Barbara Lovisetto

Abstract

The analysis of radionuclides content in the waste product of urban wastewater treatment (i.e. sewage sludges) is of great concern for both the safety of workers and in a re-use perspective of the final product. The study of the behavior and the partitioning of radionuclides into sewage sludge samples can be useful not only to determine engineering issues in removal efficiency of radioactive pollutants, but also to determine the factors affecting the content and trends of radionuclides (natural and artificial) in urban wastewater systems. In this study we determine people-related and environmental factors that affect the activity of ¹³¹I (nuclear medicine) and ¹³⁷Cs (fallout) in urban wastewater in a large area of northern Italy. 624 sewage sludge samples coming from 17 wastewater treatment plants were collected between 2012 and 2017 and analyzed with high resolution gamma-spectrometry. In addition to ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs, also the following radionuclides were analyzed for the periodic monitoring: ⁷Be, ⁴⁰K, ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁷Ga, ¹¹¹In, ¹²⁵I, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹⁹²Ir, ²⁰¹Tl. ¹³¹I is the most frequently detected artificial radionuclide in sewage sludge samples (56%), showing a large variability (mean activity ± standard deviation 93 ± 184 Bq kg⁻¹). The detection frequency of this radionuclide is significantly correlated to population density (R = 0.75, p-value<0.01) and its activity concentration is significantly correlated to wastewater treatment plant size, expressed in population equivalents (R = −0.56, p-value<0.05). The detection frequency of ¹³¹I in sewage sludge samples is modeled as a function of population density, sewer length, inflow rates and population equivalents, accounting for 83% of the variability of observations. Despite the frequency of detection, the activity of ¹³¹I was relevant for workers safety only in less than 0.5% of the cases. On the other hand, ¹³⁷Cs is detected in 36% of samples and its activity shows high correlation with mean annual precipitation (R = 0.67, p-value<0.01) and the activity of natural radionuclides (R = 0.58 and 0.63, for ⁷Be and ⁴⁰K, respectively, p-values <0.05). With a hybrid geostatistical model, we demonstrate that the spatial pattern of ¹³⁷Cs activity in wastewater estimated from sewage sludge samples is consistent with soil contamination from Chernobyl fallout. Moreover, we hypothesize a possible horizontal transport of ¹³⁷Cs in the study area highlighted by different trends of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in sludges. The results of this study depict the sensitivity of sewage sludges to the persistent contamination of ¹³⁷Cs, after 30 years from Chernobyl accident, and can be used as a database for future monitoring activities after any accident that includes the spreading of radioactive materials into the environment.

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Background correction method for improving the automated detection of radioisotopes from airborne gamma-ray surveys

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Brian W. Dess, Robert T. Kroutil, Gary W. Small

Abstract

An altitude-based background correction strategy was developed for use in the application of pattern recognition methods to the classification of gamma-ray spectra collected during airborne surveys. Application of this methodology helped to suppress the background spectral variation that serves to obscure the photopeaks associated with low levels of gamma-ray emission. The correction method was implemented by optimizing a database of background gamma-ray spectra collected at various locations and altitudes. Given this background database, a field-collected spectrum was corrected by performing linear regression onto a background spectrum from the database at a matching altitude. The residuals about the regression fit were then digitally filtered and submitted to nonparametric linear discriminant analysis for the purpose of computing classification models for targeted radioisotopes. The resulting classifiers were applied to predict the presence or absence of specific radioisotope signatures in data acquired during airborne surveys. Employing data provided by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) program, classification models were computed to detect the presence of cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) and cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co). The optimized classifiers were tested over 12 diverse locations, with nine of these data sets containing the target radioisotopes. Correct classification percentages of 99.4% and 99.8% were obtained for the ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co classifiers, respectively, on the basis of comparisons to visual inspections of the corresponding spectra.

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Long-term distribution and migration of 137Cs in a small lake ecosystem with organic-rich catchment: A case study of Lake Vorsee (Southern Germany)

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): T. Ries, V. Putyrskaya, E. Klemt

Abstract

In the shallow eutrophic Lake Vorsee with an organic-rich catchment the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in water samples (n = 250) and different fish species (n = 631) was determined for a period of 30 years starting soon after the Chernobyl fallout. To understand the distribution and migration of ¹³⁷Cs in the ecosystem of Lake Vorsee, also the ¹³⁷Cs inventory in soils of the catchment area, in sediments, in suspended matter, in water plants, as well as its vertical distribution in soils and sediments were studied.

The time dependency of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in water and fish was modelled with a compartment model (AQUASCOPE) as well as with the sum of two exponential functions. Results for effective half-lives of ¹³⁷Cs in water are Teff1  = 1.2 a and Teff2  = 7.2 a; for small cyprinidae Teff1  = 0.6 a and Teff2  = 8.9 a; and for pike Teff1  = 1.4 a and Teff2  = 12.1 a. The vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in soils was described by a partial differential equation (diffusion constant D = (1.05 ± 1.16) cm²⋅a⁻¹ and convection speed v = (0.14 ± 0.07) cm⋅a⁻¹) and its distribution in sediments by a system of two coupled partial differential equations (fixation rate f = 2.0 d⁻¹; distribution coefficient Kdex = (543 ± 140) L⋅kg⁻¹; sedimentation rate RS = (0.030 ± 0.010) g⋅(cm²⋅a)⁻¹; bioturbation constant Dbio, decreasing linearly with depth with Dbioabs = (3.3 ± 1.0) cm²⋅a⁻¹ at the surface).

According to the extended AQUASCOPE model, the following fractions of the total ¹³⁷Cs inventory were found in the different compartments of the lake ecosystem in 2016: 9.0⋅10⁻¹ in soils of the catchment area, 1.0⋅10⁻¹ in sediments, 5.5⋅10⁻⁵ in water, 1.5⋅10⁻⁵ in suspended matter, 1.3⋅10⁻⁵ in watermilfoil, and 1.6⋅10⁻⁶ in fish.

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Radiocesium in North Pacific coastal and offshore areas of Japan within several months after the Fukushima accident

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Yuichiro Kumamoto, Masatoshi Yamada, Michio Aoyama, Yasunori Hamajima, Hideki Kaeriyama, Hisao Nagai, Takeyasu Yamagata, Akihiko Murata, Yukio Masumoto

Abstract

We measured activity concentrations of radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) in seawater samples collected in North Pacific coastal and offshore areas of Japan within several months after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP1) accident in March 2011, including archived seawater samples whose radiocesium concentrations were previously reported to be below detection limits. By merging 329 new data with published results, we succeeded in reconstructing the temporal changes in activity concentrations and inventories of FNPP1-derived radiocesium in the coastal and offshore areas within several months after the accident for the first time. ¹³⁷Cs directly-discharged from the FNPP1 was transported eastward within the coastal area about 250 km from the FNPP1 during two months after the accident due to complex movements of coastal surface currents. The eastward speed was calculated to be about 5 cm s⁻¹. Eastward transport of ¹³⁷Cs to the offshore area more than 600 km away from the FNPP1 along the north flank of the Kuroshio Extension Current was faster (about 9 cm s⁻¹) and probably more dominant in the eastward transport. The total inventory of directly-discharged ¹³⁷Cs in early April 2011 was estimated to be 3–6 PBq approximately, which agrees with the smaller estimates in previous studies (2–6 PBq).

Graphical abstract

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Distribution of radionuclides in moss-lichen cover and needles on the same grounds of landscape-climatic zones of Siberia

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): I.N. Malikova, V.D. Strakhovenko, B.L. Shcherbov

Abstract

The radiation status of the landscape and climatic zones of Siberia at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries is characterized using bioindicators/biomonitors: lichens, mosses, and needles, according to the results obtained at the sites of their joint growth. The maximal activity of ¹³⁷Cs in these components is observed in the forest-tundra landscaped zone, polluted during the period of nuclear tests from the nuclear test site "Novaya Zemlya" and also due to slow migration of these elements to the soil under the arctic conditions. In the southern territories the specific activity of radiocesium in the moss-lichen cover and needles of conifers corresponds to the regional background, in the forest-tundra zone it sometimes exceeds it, but in general does not pose a threat to human health.

Determined differences in the contents of radioactive elements in lichens and mosses that grow together on sites in different landscape zones of Siberia statistically not significant within one or two standard deviations, and recorded only in the range of 3ϭ at the level of significance 0.05. Specificity of radionuclide distribution in lichens, mosses and needles (differences for epigeals and epiphytic lichens; different species selected at one site, annual and perennial needles, etc.) made it possible to identify the causes of variations in their activities in different zones, along with landscape features of these zones. In the needles of conifers potassium concentration exceeds the content in lichens, at lower levels of thorium and ¹³⁷Cs.

The contents of uranium and thorium in the studied components in all landscape-climatic zones correspond to the natural ones, except for the single local territories, because of the possible anthropogenic influence.

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Fukushima 137Cs releases dispersion modelling over the Pacific Ocean. Comparisons of models with water, sediment and biota data

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): R. Periáñez, R. Bezhenar, I. Brovchenko, K.T. Jung, Y. Kamidara, K.O. Kim, T. Kobayashi, L. Liptak, V. Maderich, B.I. Min, K.S. Suh

Abstract

A number of marine radionuclide dispersion models (both Eulerian and Lagrangian) were applied to simulate ¹³⁷Cs releases from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in 2011 over the Pacific at oceanic scale. Simulations extended over two years and both direct releases into the ocean and deposition of atmospheric releases on the ocean surface were considered. Dispersion models included an embedded biological uptake model (BUM). Three types of BUMs were used: equilibrium, dynamic and allometric. Model results were compared with ¹³⁷Cs measurements in water (surface, intermediate and deep layers), sediment and biota (zooplankton, non-piscivorous and piscivorous fish). A reasonable agreement in model/model and model/data comparisons was obtained.

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Phytoavailability of 137Cs and stable Cs in soils from different parent materials in Fukushima, Japan

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Sho Ogasawara, Tetsuya Eguchi, Atsushi Nakao, Shigeto Fujimura, Yoshihiko Takahashi, Hisaya Matsunami, Hirofumi Tsukada, Junta Yanai, Takuro Shinano

Abstract

Weathered micaceous minerals (micas) are able to release potassium ion (K⁺) and fix caesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs), both of which reduce soil-to-plant transfer of ¹³⁷Cs. Among micas, trioctahedral micas such as biotite is expected to have a stronger ability to supply nonexchangeable K⁺ and a higher amount of Cs fixation sites than dioctahedral micas such as illite. Although biotite is predominant in granitic soils (G soils), illite is mainly dominant in sedimentary rock soils (S soils). Therefore, we hypothesized that G soils have a lower ¹³⁷Cs transfer risk than S soils because of this difference in mineralogy. The objective of the present study was to determine the transfer factor (TF) of ¹³⁷Cs and stable Cs (SCs) and to elucidate the determinant factors of TFs for G and S soils in Fukushima, Japan. Pot experiments were carried out with rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Hokuriku 193) in G and S soils to determine the TF of ¹³⁷Cs (TF-¹³⁷Cs) and stable Cs (TF-SCs) under K-deficient conditions. TF-¹³⁷Cs and TF-SCs were highly correlated, and both were significantly lower for G soils than for S soils. Higher TF values were shown for soils with lower amounts of exchangeable and nonexchangeable K or with higher percentages of exchangeable ¹³⁷Cs (ex¹³⁷Cs). The percentage of ex¹³⁷Cs was negatively correlated with the amount of Cs fixation sites, represented by the radiocaesium interception potential. Thus, we concluded that smaller TF values for G soils were caused by a stronger ability to supply nonexchangeable K⁺ and a higher amount of Cs fixation sites. These findings will contribute to the establishment of soil screening techniques based on ¹³⁷Cs transfer risk in Fukushima prefecture.

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Radiocesium accumulation in aquatic organisms: A global synthesis from an experimentalist's perspective

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Marc Metian, Simon Pouil, Scott W. Fowler

Abstract

A better understanding of the fate of radiocesium in aquatic organisms is essential for making accurate assessments of potential impacts of radiocesium contamination on ecosystems and human health. Studies of the accumulation of ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁶Cs and ¹³⁷Cs in diverse biota have been the subject of many field investigations; however, it may often be difficult to understand all the mechanisms underlying the observations reported. To complement field investigations, laboratory experiments allow better understanding the observations and predicting dynamics of Cs within aquatic ecosystems by accurately assessing bioaccumulation of Cs in living organisms. The present review summarizes selected relevant laboratory studies carried out on Cs bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms over a period of more than 60 years. To date, 125 experimental studies have been carried out on 227 species of aquatic organisms since 1957. The present review provides a synthesis of the existing literature by highlighting major findings and identifying gaps of key information that need to be further addressed in future works on this topic. Thus, influences of some environmental parameters such as water chemistry both for marine and freshwater ecosystems, and biotic factors such as the life-stages and size of the organisms on radiocesium bioaccumulation should be examined and become priority topics for future research on Cs accumulation in aquatic organisms.

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Effects of radiocesium fixation potentials on 137Cs retention in volcanic soil profiles of Fukushima forests

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Kazumichi Fujii, Noriko Yamaguchi, Naohiro Imamura, Masahiro Kobayashi, Shinji Kaneko, Masamichi Takahashi

Abstract

Radiocesium is well-known to be stabilized by clay minerals in soils, while volcanic soils could typically be poor in micaceous clays that fix ¹³⁷Cs effectively. We investigated ¹³⁷Cs fixation potentials [radiocesium interception potential (RIP)] and depth distribution of ¹³⁷Cs stocks in volcanic soils to analyze effects of clay content and mineralogy on soil retention and migration of ¹³⁷Cs after the Fukushima nuclear accident. Clay minerals of the volcanic soils were dominated by hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV) and short-range-order minerals, irrespective of bedrocks. The soil RIPs were positively correlated with mass of clay fraction among the HIV-dominated volcanic soils, but RIP per clay content in the HIV-dominated volcanic soils were lower than in the soils rich in illite or vermiculitic clays. The small RIPs in the organic horizons resulted in rapid ¹³⁷Cs migration from the organic horizons and their accumulation in the upper 0–5 cm mineral soil. Although RIPs of the studied volcanic soils fall within the lower class among major soil types, vertical ¹³⁷Cs migration in the mineral soil is small unless RIP is less than 300–400 mmol kg⁻¹ due to the low clay contents and shortage of illite or vermiculite.

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Variability of Breast Density Classification Between US and UK Radiologists

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2019

Source: Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Author(s): Wijdan Alomaim, Desiree O'Leary, John Ryan, Louise Rainford, Michael Evanoff, Shane Foley

Abstract

Purpose

To assess whether subjective breast density categorization remains the most useful way to categorize mammographic breast density and whether variations exist across geographic regions with differing national legislation.

Methods

Breast radiologists from two countries (UK, USA) were voluntarily recruited to review sets of anonymized mammographic images (n = 180) and additional repeated images (n = 70), totaling 250 images, to subjectively rate breast density according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system (BI-RADS) categorization. Images were reviewed using standardized viewing conditions and Ziltron software. Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using the Kappa test.

Results

The US radiologists (n = 25) judged fewer images as being "mostly fatty" than UK radiologists (n = 24), leading a greater number of images classified in the higher BI-RADS categories, particularly in BI-RADS 3. Overall agreement for all data sets was k = 0.654 indicating substantial agreement between the two cohorts. When the data were split into BI-RADS categories, the level of agreement varied from fair to substantial.

Conclusion

Variations in how radiologists from the USA and UK classify breast density was established, especially when the data were divided into breast density categories. This variation supports the need for a reliable breast density assessment method to enhance the individualized supplemental screening pathways for dense breasts. The use of two-scale categorization method demonstrated improved agreement.

Advances in knowledge

Larger sample of radiologists from different breast density jurisdictions confirms international subjective variability in density categorization and improved agreement with the two-scale (low, high) categorization. With this variability, a standardized and automated breast density assessment shows to be timely.

Résumé

But

Évaluer si la catégorisation subjective de la densité mammaire reste la façon la plus utile de catégoriser la densité mammaire aux fins de la mammographie et déterminer s'il existe des variations entre les régions géographiques présentant des lois nationales différentes.

Méthodologie

Des radiologistes en mammographie de deux pays (Royaume-Uni et États-Unis) ont été recrutés sur une base volontaire pour réviser des séries d'images mammographiques anonymisées (n=180) et des images répétées additionnelles (n=70) afin d'évaluer de façon subjective la densité mammaire selon la catégorisation BI-RADS. Les images ont été examinées dans des conditions de visionnement normalisées avec le logiciel Ziltron. La fiabilité entre les examinateurs a été analysée à l'aide du test de Kappa.

Résultats

Les radiologistes des États-Unis (n=25) ont jugé moins d'images comme « principalement adipeux » que les radiologistes du Royaume-Uni (n=24), de sorte qu'un plus grand nombre d'images ont été classées dans les catégories BI-RADS supérieures, notamment en BI-RADS 3. L'accord global pour tous les ensembles de données était de k=0,654 indiquant un accord substantiel entre les deux cohortes. Lorsque les données étaient réparties par catégories BI-RADS, le niveau d'accord variait de bon à substantiel.

Conclusion

Des variations dans la façon dont les radiologistes des États-Unis et du Royaume-Uni classifient la densité mammaire ont été établies, notamment lorsque les données étaient divisées en catégories de densité mammaire. Cette variation supporte la nécessité d'une méthode fiable d'évaluation de la densité mammaire pour bonifier les voies individualisées de dépistage supplémentaire pour les seins denses. L'utilisation d'une méthode de caractérisation à deux échelles a démontré une amélioration de l'accord. Progression des connaissances: un échantillon plus important de radiologistes de différentes juridictions de densité mammaire confirme la variabilité subjective internationale dans la catégorisation de la densité et l'amélioration de l'accord avec une catégorisation à deux niveaux (élevée, faible). Cette variabilité démontre qu'il est temps d'arriver à une évaluation normalisée et automatisée de la densité mammaire.

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Impact of Self-Reported Exercise on Recounted Levels of Fatigue and Anxiety in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Patients

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2019

Source: Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences

Author(s): Jessy Abed, Lianne Dolan, Jennifer Jones, Robert Dinniwell

Abstract

Purpose

Exercise may be an alternative strategy to helping early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) patients manage their cancer-related fatigue and anxiety during radiation therapy. This observational study aims to investigate the impact of self-reported exercise on fatigue and anxiety levels pre (T0), mid (T1), and post (T2) radiation therapy in patients with ESBC.

Methods

Following informed consent, subjects completed three standardized questionnaires measuring physical activity, fatigue/quality of life, and anxiety at T0, T1, and T2.

Results

A total of 58 female patients (57 ± 9 years) completed this study. Mean activity level at T0 was 2548 (3292) metabolic equivalent units (METs), T1 was 3072 (3974) METs, and T2 was 2963 (2442) METs. There was no significant change between the three time points with measures of physical activity. Many patients moved from the moderately active group at T0 to the active group at T1. The mean T0 score using the quality of life questionnaire was 38.97 (11.30), T1 was 36.93 (11.69), and T2 was 35.36 (11.18). There was no significant change between the three time points with measures of quality of life (P = .211). There was statistical significance at P = .025 at T1 for lower quality of life compared to T0 across all exercise types. There was also statistical significance at P = .026 at T1 for the active group with higher quality of life compared to the inactive one. All three physical activity categories showed a decline in quality of life scores over time. Anxiety decreased between the three time point measurements. Mean T0 score for anxiety was 47.33 (5.95), T1 was 43.16 (6.49), and T2 was 38.48 (8.46). The interaction of exercise level and time is not significant for anxiety (P = .91). There was statistical significance (P = .015) for anxiety at T2 compared to T1 across exercise types.

Discussion

This study demonstrated that ESBC patients showed signs of fatigue and anxiety while undergoing radiation therapy regardless of self-reported exercise measured by a physical activity questionnaire. Several trends were observed that showed improved outcomes for patients consistent with previously published studies. The present study highlights a nonsignificant change in fatigue. As fatigue is one of the main side effects from radiation, it may be difficult to demonstrate significance. There are some studies in the field that demonstrate significance between fatigue and exercise with larger sample sizes. The results also highlight a decrease in anxiety from the baseline to the end of treatment. It is postulated that patients become less anxious as treatment progresses due to familiarity of a routine. The present study is limited by several factors including sample size and the study not being a randomized controlled one.

Conclusions

Exercise may reduce anxiety during radiation treatment for ESBC patients. Further investigation is required to assess the impact of fatigue.

Résumé

But

L'exercice pourrait être une stratégie pour aider les patientes atteintes d'un cancer du sein au stade précoce (CSSP) à gérer la fatigue et l'anxiété liées au cancer pendant la radiothérapie. Cette étude d'observation vise à étudier l'effet de l'exercice rapporté par les patientes sur le niveau de fatigue et d'anxiété avant (T0), au point milieu (T1) et après (T2) la radiothérapie chez des patientes atteintes de CSSP.

Méthodologie

Après avoir obtenu le consentement éclairé, les sujets ont répondu à trois questionnaires normalisés mesurant l'activité physique, la fatigue/qualité de vie et l'anxiété à T0, T1 et T2.

Résultats

Au total, 58 patientes (57 ans ± 9 ans) ont participé à l'étude. Le niveau d'activité moyen était : 2548 (3292) équivalents métaboliques (MET)à T0; 3072 (3974) MET à T1; et 2963 (2442) MET à T2. Il n'y a pas eu de changements significatifs dans la mesure de l'activité physique entre les trois points. Plusieurs patientes sont passées du groupe modérément actif à T0 au groupe actif à T1. La note moyenne en utilisant le questionnaire de qualité de vie était 38,97 (11,30) à T0; 36,93 (11,69) à T1; et 35,36 (11,18) à T2. Il n'y a pas eu de changement significatif entre les trois points pour les mesures de qualité de vie (p=0,211). On note une signification statistique à p=0,025 à T1 pour une baisse de la qualité de vie par rapport à T0 pour tous les types d'exercice. Il y a aussi une signification statistique à p=0,026 à T1 pour le groupe actif avec une meilleure qualité de vie par rapport au groupe inactif. Les trois catégories d'activités physiques montrent une détérioration des notes de qualité de vie au fil du temps. L'anxiété a diminué aux trois points de mesure temporels. La note moyenne pour l'anxiété était de 47,33 (5,95) à T0, 43,16 (6,49) à T1 et 38,48 (8,46) à T2. L'interaction entre le niveau d'exercice et le temps ne présente pas de signification statistique pour l'anxiété (p=0,91). On note une signification statistique (p=0,015) pour l'anxiété à T2 par rapport à T1 pour tous les types d'exercice.

Discussion

Cette étude montre que les patientes atteintes de CSSP présentaient des signes de fatigues et d'anxiété lorsqu'elles recevaient des traitements de radiothérapie, peu importe le niveau d'exercice rapporté par les patientes dans un questionnaire sur l'activité physique. Plusieurs tendances ont été observées démontrant des résultats améliorés pour les patientes, en conformité avec des études publiées antérieurement. L'étude actuelle met en lumière un changement non significatif dans le niveau de fatigue. Comme la fatigue est l'un des effets secondaires principaux de la radiothérapie, il pourrait être difficile de démontrer la signification. Il existe des études qui montrent une signification statistique entre la fatigue et l'exercice dans des échantillons de plus grande taille. Les résultats montrent également une diminution de l'anxiété entre le début et la fin du traitement. On peut postuler que les patientes deviennent moins anxieuses à mesure que le traitement progresse et qu'elles se familiarisent avec la routine. L'étude actuelle est limitée par plusieurs facteurs, incluant la taille de l'échantillon et le fait que l'étude n'est pas une étude randomisée contrôlée.

Conclusions

L'exercice peut contribuer à diminuer le niveau d'anxiété durant le traitement de radiothérapie chez les patientes atteinte de CSSP. D'autres études seront nécessaires pour évaluer l'incidence sur la fatigue.

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Recomendaciones de la Guía de Práctica Clínica de la exploración de la vía aérea superior para pacientes adultos con sospecha de síndrome de apnea-hipoapnea obstructiva del sueño (versión reducida)

Publication date: Available online 5 January 2019

Source: Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española

Author(s): Eduard Esteller, Marina Carrasco, Miguel Ángel Díaz-Herrera, Javier Vila, Gabriel Sampol, Joan Juvanteny, Ramon Sieira, Alex Farré, Isabel Vilaseca

Resumen

En noviembre 2014 la Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología, la Sociedad Española de Sueño y la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Maxilofacial propusieron y avalaron la elaboración de una Guía de Práctica Clínica sobre la exploración física de la vía aérea superior en pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño.

La Guía ha seguido de forma estricta en toda su elaboración las recomendaciones del manual de elaboración de guías de práctica clínica del Sistema Nacional de Salud 2007 y 2009 y el manual de la Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) 2015.

El documento final puede ser altamente útil para los fines que se propuso inicialmente: ser un referente para unificar las regiones que deben ser exploradas en los pacientes con síndrome de apnea-hipoapnea obstructiva del sueño, mediante qué tipo de exploración y cómo gradarla, y expresada para todos los ámbitos asistenciales a los que estos pacientes pueden acudir.

Las conclusiones y recomendaciones están basadas en una revisión exhaustiva y actualizada de la bibliografía con alto nivel de evidencia, además de la experiencia y conocimientos demostrados de todos los integrantes del grupo de elaboración.

Dicho grupo se constituyó pensando siempre en la transversalidad del proyecto, y, por tanto, han participado especialistas de todos los ámbitos implicados (cirugía maxilofacial, medicina de familia, neumología, neurofisiología clínica, odontología y otorrinolaringología). Con la misma idea se seleccionaron los revisores externos del texto final.

Abstract

In November 2014 the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology, the Spanish Sleep Society and the Spanish Society of Maxillofacial Surgery proposed and endorsed the development of a Clinical Practice Guideline on the physical examination of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

The Guideline strictly followed the recommendations of the manual for the preparation of clinical practice guidelines of the National Health System 2007 and 2009 and the manual of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) 2015.

The final document could be highly useful for the purposes that were originally proposed: to act as a reference to unify the regions that should be explored in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome, the type of examination and how to grade it, and specific to all the care areas to which these patients have access.

The conclusions and recommendations are based on a thorough and up-to-date review of the literature with a high level of evidence, as well as the experience and knowledge demonstrated by all the members of the drafting group.

This group was formed bearing in mind at all times the transversality of the project, and, therefore, specialists from all the involved areas participated (maxillofacial surgery, family medicine, pneumology, clinical neurophysiology, odontology and otolaryngology). The external reviewers of the final text were selected along the same lines.

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Modification and psychometric evaluation of the child perceptions questionnaire (CPQ 11–14 ) in assessing oral health related quality of life among Lithuanian children

Abstract

Background

Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) research among children and adolescents in Lithuania is just starting and no measures have been validated to date. Therefore, this study aimed to validate a Lithuanian version of the full (37 items) Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ_11–14) within a random sample of children aged 11 to 14.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey among a randomly selected sample of schoolchildren (N = 307) aged 11 to14 was conducted. An anonymous questionnaire included the full CPQ_11–14 and items on global life satisfaction, oral health and oral life quality self-rating. The questionnaire was translated into Lithuanian using translation guidelines. In addition, an item on the oral pain was modified identifying the pain location. Standard tests (Cronbach's α, construct validity and discriminant validity), supplemented with both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, were employed for psychometric evaluation of the instrument. The questionnaire was also tested by comparison students' and their parents' (N = 255) responses about oral symptoms and functional limitations.

Results

The modified Lithuanian version of CPQ_11–14 revealed good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.88). The measure showed significant associations with perceived oral health status and oral well-being, as well as with global life satisfaction (p < 0.01). Discriminant validity of the instrument was approved by comparison of children's groups defined by self-reported caries experience and malocclusion. Factor analysis revealed a complex structure with two or three factors in each of four domains of the CPQ_11–14. Excellent or acceptable levels of indices of model fitting with the given data were obtained for oral symptoms, functional limitations and emotional well-being domains, but not for the social well-being domain. A significant association between child and parental responses was found (intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.56 and 0.43, correspondingly in domains of oral symptoms and functional limitations).

Conclusion

The Lithuanian version of the CPQ_11–14 (with a modified item that identifies location of oral pain) appears to be a valid instrument to be used in further studies for measuring OHRQoL among 11 to 14 year old children in Lithuania.

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IL2RG hypomorphic mutation: identification of a novel pathogenic mutation in exon 8 and a review of the literature

Abstract

Background

Atypical X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID) is a variant of cellular immunodeficiency due to hypomorphic mutations in the interleukin 2 receptor gamma (IL2RG) gene. Due to a leaky clinical phenotype, diagnosis and appropriate treatment are challenging in these patients.

Case presentation

We report a 16-year-old patient with a T^low B⁺ NK⁺ cellular immunodeficiency due to a novel nonsense mutation in exon 8 (p.R328X) of the IL2RG gene. Functional impairment of the IL2RG was confirmed by IL2-Janus kinase 3-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway investigation. In addition, the characteristics of the mutations previously described in 39 patients with an atypical phenotype were reviewed and analyzed from the literature.

Conclusion

This is the first report of an atypical X-SCID phenotype due to an exon 8 mutation in the IL2RG gene. The variability in the phenotypic spectrum of classic X-SCID associated gene highlights the necessity of multi-disciplinary cooperation vigilance for a more accurate diagnostic workup.

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Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome: a case report of a rare disease with overlapping features

Abstract

Background

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare, neuro-mucocutaneous disease which presents as orofacial swelling, facial palsy and fissured tongue. These symptoms may occur simultaneously or, more frequently, with a oligosymptomatic or monosymptomatic pattern. Swelling, that is the most common initial finding, may mimic hereditary or acquired angioedema, a disorder caused by histamine or bradykinin-mediated plasma-leakage affecting subcutaneous and/or submucosal tissue. The differential diagnosis of MRS includes also chronic inflammatory and infective diseases characterized by granulomatous infiltration, as well as rosacea, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions and Bell's palsy.

Case presentation

A 71-year old, non-allergic female patient with no familial and personal history of angioedema presented, a few days after a possible herpes simplex or varicella-zoster virus infection, with monolateral facial paraesthesia and lower lip edema. After temporary remission of symptoms on oral steroids and antihistamines, she showed swelling recurrence refractory to valaciclovir therapy and a subsequent course of antihistamines. The clinical picture and a previous history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma prompted us to rule out an acquired form of paraneoplastic, C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency: C1q and both antigen and functional C1-INH tested normal, whilst we found low plasma levels of C3 and C4 possibly related to the parallel detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. Thus, we hypothesized a non-histaminergic, idiopathic form of angioedema and planned further therapy with tranexamic acid and the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast. Treatment failure with both drugs finally suggested a Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome, which was confirmed by histologic findings of non caseating granulomas on lip biopsy.

Conclusion

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome may occur with rather non-specific symptoms and overlap with alternative conditions, including recurrent angioedema. No specific biomarkers for MRS exist and clinical diagnosis is often of exclusion. The finding of complement or immune alterations, as in our patient, may be further confounding and justify the need for skin or mucosal biopsy to establish a correct diagnosis and prescribe targeted therapy.

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Accumulation and effects of uranium on aquatic macrophyte Nymphaea tetragona Georgi: Potential application to phytoremediation and environmental monitoring

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Chen Li, Maolin Wang, Xuegang Luo, Lili Liang, Xu Han, Xiaoyan Lin

Abstract

This study analyzed the ability of Nymphaea tetragona Georgi (N. tetragona) to accumulate water-borne uranium and any effects this could exert on this plant species. In accumulation experiments, N. tetragona was exposed (21 d) to different concentrations of uranium (0–55 mg L⁻¹) and the content of uranium was determined in water and plant tissues (leaves, submerged position and plant) to determine the translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF). The content of uranium in the plant and plant tissues showed concentration-dependent uptake, leaves were the predominant tissue for uranium accumulation, and TF and BCF values were both affected by the concentration of uranium in the water. In this research, the uranium content and BCF value in the leaves of N. tetragona were upto 3446 ± 155 mg kg⁻¹ and 73 ± 3, respectively. In physiological experiments, uranium treatment boosted the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves, and increasing uranium concentrations aggravated damage to the cell membrane system. Uranium contamination significantly inhibited the content of soluble protein, as well as chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotene in the leaves, indicating the structure and function of chloroplast were destroyed, reducing the photosynthetic performance of plants. These results indicate that the macrophyte N. tetragona can accumulate uranium while showing a stress response via metabolic mechanisms under uranium exposure, and it may be a suitable bioremediation candidate for aquatic marine contamination.

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Human and environmental factors affecting the activity of 131I and 137Cs in urban wastewater: A case study

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Daniele Zannoni, Chiara Cantaluppi, Federica Ceccotto, Walter Giacetti, Barbara Lovisetto

Abstract

The analysis of radionuclides content in the waste product of urban wastewater treatment (i.e. sewage sludges) is of great concern for both the safety of workers and in a re-use perspective of the final product. The study of the behavior and the partitioning of radionuclides into sewage sludge samples can be useful not only to determine engineering issues in removal efficiency of radioactive pollutants, but also to determine the factors affecting the content and trends of radionuclides (natural and artificial) in urban wastewater systems. In this study we determine people-related and environmental factors that affect the activity of ¹³¹I (nuclear medicine) and ¹³⁷Cs (fallout) in urban wastewater in a large area of northern Italy. 624 sewage sludge samples coming from 17 wastewater treatment plants were collected between 2012 and 2017 and analyzed with high resolution gamma-spectrometry. In addition to ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs, also the following radionuclides were analyzed for the periodic monitoring: ⁷Be, ⁴⁰K, ⁶⁰Co, ⁶⁷Ga, ¹¹¹In, ¹²⁵I, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹⁹²Ir, ²⁰¹Tl. ¹³¹I is the most frequently detected artificial radionuclide in sewage sludge samples (56%), showing a large variability (mean activity ± standard deviation 93 ± 184 Bq kg⁻¹). The detection frequency of this radionuclide is significantly correlated to population density (R = 0.75, p-value<0.01) and its activity concentration is significantly correlated to wastewater treatment plant size, expressed in population equivalents (R = −0.56, p-value<0.05). The detection frequency of ¹³¹I in sewage sludge samples is modeled as a function of population density, sewer length, inflow rates and population equivalents, accounting for 83% of the variability of observations. Despite the frequency of detection, the activity of ¹³¹I was relevant for workers safety only in less than 0.5% of the cases. On the other hand, ¹³⁷Cs is detected in 36% of samples and its activity shows high correlation with mean annual precipitation (R = 0.67, p-value<0.01) and the activity of natural radionuclides (R = 0.58 and 0.63, for ⁷Be and ⁴⁰K, respectively, p-values <0.05). With a hybrid geostatistical model, we demonstrate that the spatial pattern of ¹³⁷Cs activity in wastewater estimated from sewage sludge samples is consistent with soil contamination from Chernobyl fallout. Moreover, we hypothesize a possible horizontal transport of ¹³⁷Cs in the study area highlighted by different trends of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in sludges. The results of this study depict the sensitivity of sewage sludges to the persistent contamination of ¹³⁷Cs, after 30 years from Chernobyl accident, and can be used as a database for future monitoring activities after any accident that includes the spreading of radioactive materials into the environment.

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Background correction method for improving the automated detection of radioisotopes from airborne gamma-ray surveys

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): Brian W. Dess, Robert T. Kroutil, Gary W. Small

Abstract

An altitude-based background correction strategy was developed for use in the application of pattern recognition methods to the classification of gamma-ray spectra collected during airborne surveys. Application of this methodology helped to suppress the background spectral variation that serves to obscure the photopeaks associated with low levels of gamma-ray emission. The correction method was implemented by optimizing a database of background gamma-ray spectra collected at various locations and altitudes. Given this background database, a field-collected spectrum was corrected by performing linear regression onto a background spectrum from the database at a matching altitude. The residuals about the regression fit were then digitally filtered and submitted to nonparametric linear discriminant analysis for the purpose of computing classification models for targeted radioisotopes. The resulting classifiers were applied to predict the presence or absence of specific radioisotope signatures in data acquired during airborne surveys. Employing data provided by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) program, classification models were computed to detect the presence of cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) and cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co). The optimized classifiers were tested over 12 diverse locations, with nine of these data sets containing the target radioisotopes. Correct classification percentages of 99.4% and 99.8% were obtained for the ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co classifiers, respectively, on the basis of comparisons to visual inspections of the corresponding spectra.

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Long-term distribution and migration of 137Cs in a small lake ecosystem with organic-rich catchment: A case study of Lake Vorsee (Southern Germany)

Publication date: March 2019

Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 198

Author(s): T. Ries, V. Putyrskaya, E. Klemt

Abstract

In the shallow eutrophic Lake Vorsee with an organic-rich catchment the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in water samples (n = 250) and different fish species (n = 631) was determined for a period of 30 years starting soon after the Chernobyl fallout. To understand the distribution and migration of ¹³⁷Cs in the ecosystem of Lake Vorsee, also the ¹³⁷Cs inventory in soils of the catchment area, in sediments, in suspended matter, in water plants, as well as its vertical distribution in soils and sediments were studied.

The time dependency of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in water and fish was modelled with a compartment model (AQUASCOPE) as well as with the sum of two exponential functions. Results for effective half-lives of ¹³⁷Cs in water are Teff1  = 1.2 a and Teff2  = 7.2 a; for small cyprinidae Teff1  = 0.6 a and Teff2  = 8.9 a; and for pike Teff1  = 1.4 a and Teff2  = 12.1 a. The vertical distribution of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in soils was described by a partial differential equation (diffusion constant D = (1.05 ± 1.16) cm²⋅a⁻¹ and convection speed v = (0.14 ± 0.07) cm⋅a⁻¹) and its distribution in sediments by a system of two coupled partial differential equations (fixation rate f = 2.0 d⁻¹; distribution coefficient Kdex = (543 ± 140) L⋅kg⁻¹; sedimentation rate RS = (0.030 ± 0.010) g⋅(cm²⋅a)⁻¹; bioturbation constant Dbio, decreasing linearly with depth with Dbioabs = (3.3 ± 1.0) cm²⋅a⁻¹ at the surface).

According to the extended AQUASCOPE model, the following fractions of the total ¹³⁷Cs inventory were found in the different compartments of the lake ecosystem in 2016: 9.0⋅10⁻¹ in soils of the catchment area, 1.0⋅10⁻¹ in sediments, 5.5⋅10⁻⁵ in water, 1.5⋅10⁻⁵ in suspended matter, 1.3⋅10⁻⁵ in watermilfoil, and 1.6⋅10⁻⁶ in fish.

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