Contamination of Fungi and Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs in High Risk Area of Esophageal Cancer

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination has been found in fordstuffs from Cixian County, an area with a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma (Eca). To set a scientific foundation for the prevention of Eca at the etiological level, fungal and mycotoxin contaminations of local foodstuffs in Cixian County were analyzed using classical fungal culture methods and HPLC. From 1990 to 1994, 220 corn/wheat samples and 34 corn samples were studied. As a control, 26 corn samples collected from a relatively low incidence area of Eca in Zanhuang County were analyzed for mycotoxins in 1990. The results showed that fungal contamination in corn and wheat was severe and that several of the predominant contaminating fungi such as Furasium moniliforme, etc. were carcinogenic. HPLC results showed that the detection rate and mean content of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) in the mountainous area (5/8; 9. 14 μg/kg) were significantly higher than those in the hilly (0; 0) and plain areas (1/18; 1. 29 μg/kg) as well as in low risk area control samples (3/26; 0. 76 μg/kg). Detection rates of deoxynivalenol (DON) in mountainous and hilly areas (5/8, 4/8 respectively) were slightly higher than that in plain area (8/18), while the mean content of DON in the plain area was significantly higher (90. 45-170. 22 vs 50. 56 and 46. 45 μg/kg).Among the different aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in samples from the two villages in the plain area for the subsequent two years. The mean content of AFB1 was 0. 0183μg/kg, and the highest level was 0. 0497 μg/kg. No AFB1 was detected in the samples from mountainous and hilly areas. AFG1 was detected in more than half of all the samples, and its concentration ranged from 8. 77 to 46. 51 ng/kg. No AFG2 was found in the samples. Thus, the results suggest that at present, fungal and mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs in Cixian County are quite common.

The Effect of COVID-19 on the Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy in Low Risk Area: A Single-Center Descriptive

Objective: To investigate the influence of the new coronavirus epidemic on tumor radiotherapy patients in Zigong City, and provide radiotherapy feasibility and safety in other prefecture-level or low-risk areas. Methods: Retrospective Collection of data from January 31, 2020, in our hospital, this time period is an epidemic group. The control group was data from January 31, 2019-May 31, in our hospital. Patient data includes gender, age, tumor type, hospitalization fee, average hospitalization day, radiotherapy completion, treatment destination, and other information. Results: The patients with epidemic groups and control groups were 320 and 237, respectively, and the radiotherapy patients increased by 25.9%, increasing patients mainly from other departures outside the tumor department underperformance reform intervention. The epidemic group of brain and breast tumor patients were 39 and 37, respectively, with statistical differences (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (25 and 16 respectively). The number of tumor radiotherapy patients in other parts increased, but there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Inpatient costs, the average hospitalization day, radiotherapy completion, the purpose of treatment, and other data epidemic groups and control groups have no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The number of COVID-2019 epidemic interventions has increased the number of cancer radiotherapy patients in our hospital, and the epidemic situation has no effect on hospitalization, the average hospitalization day, radiotherapy, and the like. Optimizing the process of clinical treatment, strict prevention and control measures can ensure timely and safe radiotherapy in low-risk areas.

Intermediate to Long-term Estimation of Strong Earthquake Risk Areas in the Chinese Mainland Based on Geodesic Measurements

Based on previous research results,present-day crustal deformation and gravity fields in the Chinese mainland are analyzed using the GPS data,leveling,gravity and cross-fault deformations. We analyzed strain accumulation of the major faults,and identified locked or high strain accumulation segments. Combining the effects of large earthquakes in the study area,the long-term (decade) probability of large earthquakes in the Chinese mainland is estimated.

Effects of Health Education with Problem-Based Learning Approaches on the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Coping Skills of Women with High-Risk Pregnancies in Plateau Areas

Objective: Given the unique cultural background, way of life, and physical environment of the Tibetan Plateau, this study aims to investigate the effects of health education using problem-based learning (PBL) approaches on the knowledge, attitude, practice, and coping skills of women with high-risk pregnancies in this region. Methods: 76 high-risk pregnancy cases were enrolled at Tibet’s Linzhi People’s Hospital between September 2023 and April 2024. 30 patients admitted between September 2023 and December 2023 were selected as the control group and were performed with regular patient education. 46 patients admitted between January 2024 and April 2024 were selected as the observation group and were performed regular patient education with problem-based learning approaches. Two groups’ performance on their health knowledge, attitude, practice and coping skills before and after interventions were evaluated, and patient satisfaction were measured at the end of the study. Results: There was no statistical significance (P P P Conclusions: Health education with problem-based learning approaches is worth promoting as it can help high-risk pregnant women in plateau areas develop better health knowledge, attitude and practice and healthier coping skills. Also, it can improve patient sanctification.

Occurrence of Extreme Rainfall and Flood Risks in Yopougon, Abidjan, Southeast Côte d’Ivoire from 1971 to 2022

Yopougon, located in the western part of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, is the most heavily populated municipality in Côte d’Ivoire. However, this area is prone to floods and landslides during the rainy season. The study aims to assess recent flood risks in the municipality of Yopougon of the Autonomous District of Abidjan. To achieve this objective, the study analyzed two types of data: daily rainfall from 1971 to 2022 and parameters derived from a Numerical Field and Altitude Model (NFAM). The study examined six rainfall parameters using statistical analysis and combined land use maps obtained from the NFAM of Yopougon. The results indicated that, in 67% of cases, extreme rainfall occurred mainly between week 3 of May and week 1 of July. The peak of extreme rainfall was observed in week 2 of June with 15% of cases. These are critical periods of flood risks in the Autonomous District of Abidjan, especially in Yopougon. In addition, there was variability of rainfall parameters in the Autonomous District of Abidjan. This was characterized by a drop of annual and seasonal rainfall, and an increase of numbers of rainy days. Flood risks in Yopougon are, therefore, due to the regular occurrence of rainy events. Recent floods in Yopougon were caused by normal rains ranging from 55 millimeters (mm) to 153 mm with a return period of less than five years. Abnormal heavy rains of a case study on June 20-21, 2022 in Yopougon were detected by outputs global climate models. Areas of very high risk of flood covered 18% of Yopougon, while 31% were at high risk. Climate information from this study can assist authorities to take in advance adaptation and management measures.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Heart Diseases within the Urban and Rural Communities of the Town of Bougouni and Its Surroundings (Southern Mali): A Comparative Study

In Mali, few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases according to place of residence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular diseases according to residents in town of Bougouni and its rural area (southern Mali). Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study from February 2019 to March 2024. All patients who visited the “CENTRE MEDICAL DE BOUGOUNI” clinic with known or suspected heart disease during the study period were included. Data were collected from medical records. Incomplete or unusable records were excluded. Data were processed using SPS version 22 software. Results: we included 452 patients with an average age of 50 ± 19 years. High blood pression has been found in 42.70% of cases, with higher prevalence in urban areas (47.01%) than in rural areas (41.50%). Diabetes and smoking were found respectively 5.31% and 8.19% in our population. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in urban areas (5.97%) than rural area (5.35%). smoking prevalence was higher in rural areas (8.49%) than urban areas (6.72%). Alcoholism was found in 2.21% of cases with a little difference between rural area (2.24%) and urban area (2.20%). 31.63% of our patients had no cardiovascular factor. Dyspnea was the reason of consultation in 5.75% of cases and atypical precordialgia in 13.72%. Headaches and dizziness in 8.63% of cases and 21.90% of patients presented other non-specific symptoms. Diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was found in 23.45% of cases with higher prevalence in rural areas (28.30%) than urban areas (13.43%). Ischaemic heart disease accounted for 9.29% of cases with a higher prevalence in rural areas (10.38%) than in urban areas (6.71%). PPCMs accounted for 5.98% of cases, with a slight increase in urban areas (6.66%) compared with rural areas (5.68%). Rheumatic valvulopathy accounted for 2.21% of cases;2.84% in rural areas and 0.74% in urban areas. Other valvular diseases accounted for 3.76% of cases;4.73% in rural areas and 1.48% in urban areas. Right heart diseases accounted for 3.98% of cases and stroke for 1.77%. Conclusion: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and heart diseases is high in the rural and urban population of the town of Bougouni and its surroundings (Mali). Excepted smoking, the prevalence of other CV risk factors is higher in urban areas, whereas the prevalence of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease is higher in rural areas. These data could serve as a basis for developing tailored preventive strategies, depending on the place of residence.

Environmental geochemistry and ecological risk of vanadium pollution in Panzhihua mining and smelting area, Sichuan, China

Vanadium is a trace element widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. Naturally high levels of vanadium are recognized mainly in basic rocks and minerals, particularly in titaniferous magnetite. And the anthropogenic sources of vanadium include fossil fuel combustion and wastes including steel-industry slags. In the last few years, the authors have made investigations and assessments on the environmental geochemistry and ecological risk of vanadium in the Panzhihua mining and smelting area. In the study area, anthropogenic vanadium resulted from mining, extracting and smelting of V-Ti magnetite; vanadium pollution of topsoil and sediments occurs mainly in the mining and extracting area, smelting area, slag dumping area, tailing dam and coal mining area. In the soil, the chemical speciation of vanadium shows: insoluble residue > organically bound > Fe (amorphous) oxide-bound > Mn oxide-bound > soluble component. Vanadium pollution can cause potential harmful effects on ecological systems, and lead to animal poisoning and human disease. So vanadiam pollution should be monitored on a regular basis in the Panzhihua area.

Landslide risk perception and communication for disaster risk management in mountain areas of developing countries：a Mexican foretaste

The increasing impact of disasters at local,national,regional and global scales in recent decades has provided enough evidence to urgently direct attention towards the necessity of disaster risk reduction and management,and this requires knowledge.Knowledge without communication is barren,and to communicate the risk of disaster it is necessary to understand the perception of the people at risk.In particular,this paper deals with the necessity to delineate strategies of risk communication in pursuance of risk knowledge as a core of disaster risk reduction and management,especially in mountain areas of developing countries.To portray this issue,an analysis of landslide risk perception in terms of experience,landslide risk awareness,exposure,preparedness,and risk communication and trust was undertaken in the municipality of Teziutlán,Puebla,Mexico,an area that has been affected for several decades by episodes of mass movement.Analysis of the responses to a risk perception questionnaire has offered valuable insights in terms of the information and knowledge most required by the people living in the area of interest,in order to devise a realistic and functional strategy to communicate the risk of a landslide disaster.This includes better understanding of controlling factorsand drivers of this risk,and the establishment of potential trusted sources of risk communication.Beyond considering practical matters of risk assessment and management,risk perception and communication can increase the resilience of vulnerable people,and can enhance capacity building for present and future generations.

Assessment and Risk Zonation of Landslides in Panxi Area Based on 3S Technology

Based on field survey located by GPS, it is obtained landslides＇ location and distribution information by the method of remote sensing in this paper. The vector data of environmental factors that breed and induce landslides such as the elevation, the slope, the vegetation cover, the lithology, the rainfall and so on are gained using GIS（geographical information system） techniques of spatial analysis. All the data obtained are managed through building landslide management system. At the same time, the system is made the platform to appraise the relationship between the distribution of landslides and the environmental factors. The results indicate： landslides take place relatively easily in the slope range between 10° and 25°; most landslides are in the mixed area of bush and grass with a coverage degree of from 20° to 65°; the distribution of landslides has a positive relationship with the distribution of annual rainfall. The risk degree of Panxi Area is zoned and mapped by the model of liner stack using GIS technique, and the result indicates： the place of high risk degree is the belt of Panzhihua-Miyi-Dechang-Mugu and southeast of Huili county and Huidong county,and area is about 512 707 hm^2.

Earthquake risk assessment for Istanbul metropolitan area

The impact of earthquakes in urban centers prone to disastrous earthquakes necessitates the analysis of associ- ated risk for rational formulation of contingency plans and mitigation strategies.In urban centers,the seismic risk is best quantified and portrayed through the preparation of'Earthquake Damage and Loss Scenarios.'The components of such scenarios are the assessment of the hazard,inventories and the vulnerabilities of elements at risk.For the development of the earthquake risk scenario in Istanbul,two independent approaches,one based on intensities and the second on spectral displacements,are utilized.This paper will present the important features of a comprehensive study,highlight the method- ology,discuss the results and provide insights to future developments.

Eco-environmental Risk Assessment on Port Area:Taking Yangpu Port Area for Example

The environment in port area is a regional environment including marine ecological environment,land bio-environment and interlaced zone environment between them.Taking Yangpu port area for example,based on analyzing changes of risk factors(such as hydrodynamic condition and pollutant emission increment) caused by port area construction,the risks of various risk factors to aquatic ecology,terrene ecology and mangrove wetland ecosystem were studied so as to provide evidence for the planning and construction of port area and the comprehensive management of marine environment and coastal zone.

Evaluation of the potential risks of heavy metal contamination in rice paddy soils around an abandoned Hg mine area in Southwest China

To assess the potential ecological and health risks of trace elements(Hg,Cd,As,Mn,Sb,Pb,Cu,Ni,Cr,and Zn),a total of 138 soil samples from rice paddies were collected during the rice harvest season in the Wanshan mining area,Guizhou Province,Southwest China.Factors of the pollution load index(PLI),geo-accumulation index(I-Geo),enrichment factor(EF),and risk index(RI)were determined.High concentrations of Hg,Sb,As,Zn,Cd,Cu,and Mn were observed in the soils.The PLI,I-Geo,and EF results all showed high levels of contamination by Hg and Sb and moderate levels of contamination by As,Pb,Zn,Cu,Cd,and Mn.There was no significant contamination from Ni and Cr.The RI was very high,with Hg as the dominant pollutant,as expected,indicating that the historical large-scale Hg mining,as well as artisanal mining,has had a significant impact on the Wanshan area.Moreover,coal combustion,manganese factories,and the use of agrochemicals by the local population could also have an impact on the soil through the introduction of heavy metal loads.To address the current state of contamination,pollutant remediation and the regulation control of the anthropogenic activities in Wanshan are urgently needed.

Heavy Metal Pollution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Cultivated Land Soil in the Farming Areas of Coastal China:A Case Study of Donghai County,Jiangsu Province

Classical statistics,Inverse Distance Weighted and Hakasnson potential ecological index were used to study the distribution characteristics of 8 kinds of heavy metals( Cr,Ni,Cu,Zn,As,Cd,Pb and Hg) as well as their potential ecological risks in the topsoil( 0-20 cm) of cultivated land in Donghai County,a typical agricultural area along the Southeast Coast of China.The results showed that the average content of heavy metals in the cultivated soil of Donghai County was not over the risk screening values set in the Environmental Quality Standard for Soils.However,it was worth noting that in some of the sampling points,the content of Cr exceeded the risk screening value,and the standard exceeding points accounted for 24.74% of the total.In addition,the average content of Cr,Ni,As,Cd,Pb and Hg exceeded the soil background values of Jiangsu Province,and values for Cd,Cr and Pb were more than 1.5 times of the soil background value of Jiangsu Province.The heavy metals were at the medium integrated potential ecological risk level,and the potential ecological risk indices were high in the east and low in the west,and distributed in interlaced island shape.The potential ecological risk indices of the plains in the east were higher than those of the central gentle slope area and the western hillock area.The potential ecological risk was at a high level in Niushan Town which was situated the county center and in some regions with high urbanization levels.

Risk prevention and control strategies for the severely affected areas of snow disaster in the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR), China

Historically,frequent and heavy snow disaster(SD)has caused serious livestock death and casualties,resulting in a devastating impact on animal husbandry development in the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR).From winter in 2018 to spring in 2019,the largest SD occurred in this area over the past 10 years,especially in core zones of the Lancang River Source Region.Field research results show that the main causes of the major SD include weak infrastructure(i.e.,roads,communications,warm sheds,and insufficient forage reserve),low rate of domestic animals for sale before the SD,and low loss settlement rate.SD occurrence could furtherly reduce the ability of disaster prevention,mitigation and relief of disaster loss.In the future,heavily affected SD areas should improve the forecasting ability of snowfall incidents,strengthen infrastructure construction,implement grass and livestock balance strategies,optimize livestock structure,improve loss settlement rate,and develop a modern compound model of animal husbandry development model that combines breeding,slaughtering and deep processing of animal product.

Myocardial Segmentation of Area at Risk Based on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography and Voronoi Diagram in Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Perfusion Imaging

Purpose: To assess the clinical feasibility of automated segmentation of the myocardial area at risk (MAAR) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CT-MAAR), as compared to stress magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (MR-MPI). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and stress MR-MPI were retrospectively evaluated. The myocardial territory of the left ventricle (LV) distal to coronary artery stenosis (≥50% or ≥70% stenosis on coronary CTA) was three-dimensionally quantified using a Voronoi diagram. The ratio of all stenosis-related territories to the LV volume was defined as CT-MAAR (%-LV volume). The proportion of segments with perfusion defects in stress MR-MPI to the total of 16 segments (range: 0% - 100%;with a 6.3%-interval scale) was defined as the reference. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s test. The capability of CT-MAAR to predict the ischemic burden was assessed. Results: Stress MR-MPI depicted a median ischemic burden of 25.2% (range: 18.9% - 44.1%) in 30 patients without myocardial infarction. When CTA stenosis criteria of ≥50% (n = 30) and ≥70% (n = 27) were applied to estimate CT-MAAR, the median CT-MAAR values were 48.2% (31.6% - 64.3%) and 32.5% (23.7% - 51.9%), respectively. The correlations between the CT-MAAR values and the MR-based ischemic burden were significant (0.73 and 0.97 for ≥50% and ≥70% stenosis, respectively). CT-MAAR predicted the MR-based ischemic burden within ±1 segment of %-LV (6.3%) in 40% (12/30) of patients with ≥50% stenosis, and in 81.5% (22/27) of patients with ≥70% stenosis. Conclusions: Comprehensive assessment of resting coronary CTA combined with Voronoi diagram-based myocardial segmentation may help predict the myocardial ischemic burden in patients with severe coronary CTA stenosis.

Epidemiology and risk factors of retinoblastoma in Chongqing area

AIM： To investigate the risk factors of retinoblastoma in Chongqing and offer the bases for scientific measures. METHODS： One hundred and thirty-three retinoblastoma patients were taken as case group, and 133 children were taken as control group in 1：1 ratio. The relevant factors were collected from a questionnaire survey which was made by our research group. First, Chi-square and t-test were used to discuss the various factors, and then the logistic regression analysis was made by statistics software SPSS17.0 based on the result of 266 people. RESULTS： Single factor analysis results showed the differences between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.05） in 17 factors which were education level of their parents, occupation of their parents, exposure to harmful chemicals of their parents 6mo before pregnancy, the history of pelvic inflammatory disease of mother before pregnancy, childbearing history of their parents, pregnant age of their parents, the medication history of father 6mo before pregnancy, living place of their parents, the pollution living place of mother, hobbies of their parents. Multivariate analysis showed that the living place of parents, mother who feed pets before pregnancy, and exposure to harmful chemicals of father before pregnancy were the independent risk factors of retinoblastoma （P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： The living place of parents, mother who feed pets before pregnancy, exposure to harmful chemicals of father before pregnancy were the risk factors of retinoblastoma which affects the occurrence of retinoblastoma in a certain extent.

Dynamic assessment of pollution risk of groundwater source area in Northern China

Based on the dynamic analysis and research of pollution risk of groundwater sources, this paper creates the dynamic assessment method of pollution risk of groundwater source area under the theory of "source-pathway-receptor", and applies this method to one typical fissure karst groundwater source area in northern China. Following the 30-year petroleum pollutant migration simulation and pollution risk assessment of groundwater source area, this study finds that the very high risk zone is mainly located in Q Petrochemical Company and the surrounding area and the area adjacent to River Z. Within this period of thirty years, the pollution risk of groundwater source area has showed a dynamic trend that features an inverted "V" shape. The ratio of very high risk zone to the total area will be 18.1%, 17.47% and 16.62% during the tenth year, the twentieth year and the thirtieth year separately, and will reach the highest level of 19.45% during the fifteenth year. Meanwhile, the vertical migration distance of pollutant centre concentration changed from the surface soil at the outset to the deepest point of about 250 meters underground during the tenth year. The results of this risk assessment indicate the dynamic feature of pollution risk. The dilution, degradation and migration of petroleum pollutants in groundwater system contribute to an ultimate decline in pollution risk.

Biodiversity Risk and Opportunity Assessment in BAT Cooperative Tobacco-growing Areas

Using the method in Biodiversity Risk and Opportunity Assessment Handbook of British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership,we assess biodiversity risks and opportunities in BAT and China's cooperative tobacco-growing areas. The assessment results indicate that there are 8 risks and 1 opportunity. Action and monitoring plans have been made for medium and high risks as well as opportunity,to reduce impact on biodiversity.

Heavy Metal Risk Assessment of Soils and Crops in the Intensive Mining Area of Gejiu, Yunnan Province

In order to investigate the heavy metal contamination of soil-crop in mining-intensive areas of Gejiu stannary in Yunnan Province and its risk to human health, the single-factor contamination index method and the Nemero comprehensive contamination index method were used to evaluate the contamination risk of heavy metals (Cd and As) in the soil of mining-intensive areas, and the health risk evaluation model was used to study the risk brought by residents through the consumption of maize, wheat and broad beans. The results showed that the mean values of total As and Cd in the soil of the study area were 146 and 2.32 mg·kg-1, which were 8 and 10.5 times higher than the background values of soil environment in Yunnan Province and belonged to heavy pollution;the enrichment coefficients of As and Cd in maize were 0.1% and 5.7%, in wheat were 0.3% and 11.5%, in fava beans were 0.1% and 4.9%;the soil contamination indices in the four study areas of A, B, C, and D were 7.275, 6.797, 5.618, and 5.060, respectively. The results indicated that the soils in the study areas belonged to heavy contamination levels, and the enrichment ability of Cd in all three crops was stronger than that of As, with wheat being the strongest, As in the three crops and Cd in broad beans might be harmful to children. As in wheat and broad beans may be harmful to adults.

Frequency of Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors Such as Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in a Benin Rural Area

The fight against cardiovascular diseases requires the knowledge of their modifiable risk factors. This study aimed to assess the level of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in a rural area in order to develop a prevention program. Methods: This is an analytical and cross-sectional study on data collected during a fairground medical consultation of adults from 20 to 25 May 2013, in both border districts of the municipality of Djidja (Agouna and Houto). The studied parameters were the capillary blood glucose profile, blood pressure profile, waist circumference (WC) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Diabetes is defined by a fasting blood glucose ≥ 1.26 g/L two times. Hypertension is defined according to the criteria of JNC VII and obesity by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2;abdominal obesity is defined by a WC above 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18.0. Results: A total of 926 people were included among whom 57.8% were women. The average age was 38.43 ± 15.84 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 2.9%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was 8.4%;10.8% of studied population had abdominal obesity and 19.2% had hypertension. Age above 35 years and obesity were significantly associated with hypertension. Risk factors of obesity (IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2) were the place of residence (Agouna), the female gender, age between 35 and 64 and abdominal obesity. Conclusion: The frequency of cardiovascular risk factors, although small compared to the national level, remains a concern in the investigated rural communities. This must lead to undertake a survey on the lifestyle and dietary habits of the inhabitants of these areas.