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

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

Characteristics of typical intermediate and semi volatile organic compounds in Shanghai during China International Import Expo event

To ensure good air quality during the China International Import Expo (CIIE) event, stringent emission-reduction measures were implemented in Shanghai. To assess the efficacy of these measures, this study measured typical categories of intermediate/semi volatile organic compounds (I/SVOCs), including alkanes (C10-C26 n-alkanes and pristane), EPA-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylnaphthalenes, benzothiazole (BTH) and chlorobenzenes (CBs), at an urban site of Shanghai before and during two CIIE events (2019 and 2020; non-CIIE versus CIIE). The average concentrations of alkanes and PAHs during both 2019 and 2020 CIIE events decreased by approximately 41% and 17%, respectively, compared to non-CIIE periods. However, the decline in BTH and CBs was only observed during CIIE-2019. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from alkanes, PAHs and BTH was evaluated under atmospheric conditions, revealing considerable SOA contributions from dimethylnaphthalenes and BTH. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis further revealed that life-related sources, such as cooking and residential emissions, make a noticeable contribution (21.6%) in addition to the commonly concerned gasoline-vehicle sources (31.5%), diesel-related emissions (20.8%), industrial emissions (18.6%) and ship emissions (7.5%). These findings provide valuable insights into the efficacy of the implemented measures in reducing atmospheric I/SVOCs levels. Moreover, our results highlight the significance of exploring additional individual species of I/SVOCs and life-related sources for further research and policy development.

[Clinical characteristics of patients referred to cardio-oncology clinic]

To explore characteristics of outpatients in a single cardio-oncology clinic, patients visiting cardio-oncology clinic of Fuwai Hospital CAMS&PUMC (Beijing, China) from January 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. In total, 330 patients were included, the median age (Q₁, Q₃) was 58(46, 66) years, and there were 192 females (58.2%). The purposes for visit included an evaluation and treatment of cardiovascular adverse reactions (n=247, 74.8%), pre-antitumor therapy assessment (n=51, 15.5%), and management of primary or metastatic cardiac tumors (n=32, 9.7%). For patients with cardiovascular adverse reactions, the most common tumor type was breast cancer (n=88, 29.5%), followed by gastrointestinal cancer (n=70, 23.5%), and hematological cancers (n=62, 20.8%). Among them, 236 cases (95.5%) had received antitumor drugs in the past; 38 cases (15.4%) had a history of chest radiotherapy; some cases were complicated with hypertension (n=69, 23.2%) and/or hyperlipidemia (n=69, 23.2%); 42 cases (14.1%) had a history of coronary heart disease; and 16 cases (5.4%) were complicated with atrial fibrillation or flutter. Among 32 patients with cardiac tumors, 11 cases (34.4%) had primary malignant tumors; 6 cases (18.8%) had benign tumors; 2 cases (6.3%) had metastatic tumors; and 13 (40.6%) had unknown pathological types. This study explores the epidemiology of cardio-oncology in China and provides clinical insights for the future development of cardio-oncology. In the future, it is still necessary to study the benefits of cardio-oncology clinics and develop standardized indicators to evaluate their benefits.

An online method for monitoring atmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds with a thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

As one of important precursors of secondary organic aerosol (SOA), intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) have attracted much attention in recent years. Most of the previous studies however largely focused on characteristics of IVOCs from different emission sources, while data from field observations to study their temporal variations was limited for lacking the sufficient time resolution monitoring data. In this study, an online thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) method was developed to generate monitor data with a three-hour time resolution for gaseous atmospheric IVOCs. The method used two multi-sorbent traps that alternated for conducting sample collection and sample analysis. Compounds of C₁₂C₂₂ n-alkanes and 2-4 ring PAHs were chosen as surrogates to evaluate the performance of this method. Regression coefficients of external calibration curves were greater than 0.93 and 0.96 for all individual n-alkanes and PAHs, respectively. Average relative standard deviation (RSD) values among replicate samples spiked at 3 ng for each individual standard were 9% ± 5%. The detection limits of this method for individual n-alkanes and PAHs were 3.1-16.2 ng/m³ and 1.0-2.7 ng/m³, respectively. Atmospheric IVOCs were continuously monitored from September 28 to 30 and October 22 to November 9 in 2018, in an urban area of Shanghai. Besides targeted n-alkanes and PAHs, unspeciated complex mixtures (UCM) of IVOCs as well as total-IVOCs concentrations in the atmosphere were also determined. Measured concentrations and compositions of gaseous IVOCs in the atmosphere in this study were comparable to other similar studies.

[Can periodontitis affect colorectal cancer by altering microbiota balance?]

Emerging evidence suggests that, along with dietary, genetic and environmental factors, gut microbiota plays a role in the progress of colorectal cancer. Dysbiosis of oral flora in patients with periodontitis affects the composition of microbial community in the gut, impairs gut barrier function, and induces a proinflammatory microenvironment, all of which contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer. In view of the influences by microbiota dysbiosis, this article reviews the role of periodontitis in affecting the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.

[Analysis of risk factors for lymphoma patients dying of cardiovascular disease]

Objective: To understand and explore the risk factors of the death of lymphoma patients from cardiovascular disease. Methods: The medical records and death information of 1 173 patients with lymphoma were collected, cases that died from cardiovascular disease were screened. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors of patients with lymphoma died from cardiovascular disease. Results: Among 1 173 patients with lymphoma, 75 (6.4%) died of cardiovascular disease, including 27 cases of coronary heart disease, 25 cases of stroke, 7 cases of hypertension, 5 cases of sudden cardiac death, 4 cases of pulmonary embolism, 3 cases of heart failure, 4 cases of others. Among the patients who survived for more than 5 years, 16.1% (35/217) died of cardiovascular disease. Among those who survived for more than 10 years, 11.7% (7/60) died of cardiovascular disease. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the primary site of lymphoma (OR=0.521, P=0.039), stage (stage Ⅱ: OR=2.487, P=0.016; stage Ⅲ: OR=3.233, P=0.002) and cardiovascular toxicity in the course of diagnosis and treatment (OR=3.019, P=0.001) are independent influencing factors for the death of cardiovascular disease in patients with lymphoma. Patients whose primary sites of lymphoma were lymph nodes had lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, while the patients with stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ stage and cardiovascular toxicity during diagnosis and treatment had higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: Cardiovascular disease is an important factor affecting the survival of patients with lymphoma. With the extension of survival time, the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease increases significantly. The primary site, tumor stage, and cardiovascular toxicity that occur during the diagnosis and treatment may be the independent influencing factors for patients with lymphoma that die from cardiovascular disease.

Compact radio emission indicates a structured jet was produced by a binary neutron star merger

The binary neutron star merger event GW170817 was detected through both electromagnetic radiation and gravitational waves. Its afterglow emission may have been produced by either a narrow relativistic jet or an isotropic outflow. High-spatial-resolution measurements of the source size and displacement can discriminate between these scenarios. We present very-long-baseline interferometry observations, performed 207.4 days after the merger by using a global network of 32 radio telescopes. The apparent source size is constrained to be smaller than 2.5 milli-arc seconds at the 90% confidence level. This excludes the isotropic outflow scenario, which would have produced a larger apparent size, indicating that GW170817 produced a structured relativistic jet. Our rate calculations show that at least 10% of neutron star mergers produce such a jet.

Assessment of oral anticoagulation control at pharmacist-managed clinics: A retrospective cohort study

In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, the ratio of warfarin enantiomers is changed and becomes unstable due to a reduction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 activity of, which contributes to the development of hemorrhagic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of interventions by clinical pharmacists in addition to guidance by physicians on time in therapeutic range (TTR) control of warfarin therapy for CKD patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This retrospective cohort study included NVAF patients with CKD admitted and discharged from a cardiovascular internal medicine ward between March 2011 and July 2013 in Yokosuka Kyousai Hospital. Participants were classified into two groups according to the instructions by clinical pharmacists and physicians (intervention group) and by physicians only (usual care group). The primary outcome was TTR. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding and minor bleeding. In total, 39 participants (28 males, 11 females; mean age: 72.1 years) were classified into the intervention (n = 16) and usual care (n = 23) groups. TTR in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the usual care group. Major bleeding and minor bleeding were not significantly different between the two groups. The intervention of clinical pharmacists with anticoagulation therapy can lead to a proper use of warfarin prescribed by physicians.

The association between the increase in pulse pressure and renal function in chronic kidney disease patients with dyslipidemia

In recent years, an association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and arteriosclerosis has been identified. Pulse pressure (PP) is used as an index of arteriosclerosis. However, there have been few studies of the relationship between PP and renal dysfunction in patients with CKD. Therefore, we examined the association of increased PP on renal function in patients with CKD and dyslipidemia. This study included 104 patients with CKD who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia and commenced on drug treatment. In the present study, patients with PP ≥65 mmHg were included in the High PP group, and patients with PP <65 mmHg were included in the Low PP group. We compared the High PP group with the Low PP group about background patient characteristics, laboratory data and antihypertensive medications and type. Mutiple logistic regression analysis identified estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a significant predictor of PP ≥65 mmHg. In addition, values of BUN, Ccr, and eGFR baseline and 12 months later were compared. In the High PP group, compared with baseline, BUN increased significantly and Ccr and eGFR decreased significantly after 12 months later. We consider that PP may be an auxiliary indicator of generalized arterial sclerosis and renal function.

Efficacy of statins for osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of statins on the risk of fracture, bone mineral density (BMD), and the markers of bone metabolism by collecting data from 33 clinical trials. We found that statin treatment was associated with bone metabolism. And statins seemed to be more effective on male patients with osteoporosis. The efficacy of statins for the treatment of osteoporosis has been controversial in previous studies and meta-analyses. Our meta-analysis was conducted to examine in detail the efficacy of statins on osteoporosis. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for clinical trials from inception to May 2016. We included studies that described the effect of statins on the risk of fracture, BMD, or bone turnover markers. Moreover, we also conducted subgroup analyses according to the skeleton site, patient gender, and length of follow-up. A total of 33 studies which included 23 observational studies (16 cohort studies and 7 case-control studies) and 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were evaluated. These 33 studies included 314,473 patients in statin group and 1,349,192 patients in control group. Statins decreased the risk of overall fractures (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.73-0.89) and hip fractures (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.92). Furthermore, the use of statins was associated with increased BMD at the total hip (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.18, 95% CI 0.00-0.36) and lumbar spine (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.32) and improved the bone formation marker, osteocalcin (OC) (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI 0.00-0.42). However, there was no positive effect on vertebral fractures, upper extremity fractures, BMD at the femoral neck, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and serum C-terminal peptide of type I collagen (S-CTX). Also, compared with male subgroups, the effect on female subgroups was only slightly positive or of no statistical significance. Our meta-analysis indicates that statin treatment may be associated with a decreased risk of overall fractures and hip fractures, an increased BMD at the total hip, BMD at the lumbar spine, and OC. Moreover, our results also show that statin treatment may have a greater effect on male patients than on female patients.

Malignant pleural effusion cell blocks are substitutes for tissue in EML4-ALK rearrangement detection in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) as surrogate samples for the detection of echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like4 (EML4)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and to investigate the prognostic and predictive value of EML4-ALK in MPE of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

One hundred and nine NSCLC patients were retrospectively analysed. EML4-ALK was identified using paraffin-embedded tumour cells in MPE samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC, Ventana) and confirmed by fluorescence using in situ hybridisation (FISH) and qRT-PCR. The EGFR mutation was determined by MPE, using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC).

RESULTS

A total of 5 out of 109 (4.58%) patients were identified as EML4-ALK rearrangement in MPE by IHC.; In addition to two metachronous samples, the consistency of MPE and tissue for EML4-ALK detection was 100% (21/21), and the sensitivity and specificity were 100% (2/2) and 100% (19/19), respectively. EML4-ALK rearrangement cases were confirmed by FISH and qRT-PCR; the sensitivity were both 100% (2/2) when compared with tissue, and it was 60% (3/5) and 100% (5/5), respectively, when compared with MPE by IHC. The overall response rate (ORR) was 100% (2/2) for patients with EML4-ALK in MPE. Moreover, the PFS of these patients appeared to be prolonged in chemotherapy (9.27 versus 6.53 and versus 4.67 months, P = 0.122), compared with the EGFR mutation and the EGFR/ALK double negative group, respectively.

CONCLUSION

EML4-ALK rearrangement detection in malignant pleural effusions is a complementary method for EML4-ALK detection. VETANA and qRT-PCR are more appropriate for MPE detection. EML4-ALK rearrangement in pleural effusions has a predictive value for treatment.