Lourens Schlebusch and Romona Devi Govender
Article: Age, Gender and Suicidal Ideation Following Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 521-530; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020521 - published online 10 February 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation in patients who were tested for HIV-infection and whether along with their HIV status, age and gender influenced their risk for suicidal ideation. The sample consisted of 189 patients who attended a voluntary HIV counseling and testing clinic (VCT) at a general state hospital in Durban, South Africa. Their mean age at baseline was 34.2 years, with an age range of between 16–79 years. Seropositivity, age and gender were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The majority of these patients were in the younger age group, and young males had a 1.8 times higher risk for suicidal ideation than females. Although risk factors for seropositive-related suicidal ideation can be complex and multi-factorial, this study identified a young age and male gender as important high risk factors in the sample studied. It is recommended that all, but especially young male HIV-infected patients seen at a VCT clinic be screened for suicidal ideation and that early intervention to prevent subsequent suicides or suicidal attempts be included in pre- and post-test HIV counseling.

Cornelia Jonker and Jana Olivier
Article: Mineral Contamination from Cemetery Soils: Case Study of Zandfontein Cemetery, South Africa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 511-520; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020511 - published online 7 February 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: The burial of coffins may pose an environmental and health hazard since the metals that are used in coffin-making may corrode or degrade into harmful toxins. These may leach into the surrounding soils and groundwater. Very little research has been conducted world-wide on the mineral contamination potential of cemeteries, and virtually none in South Africa. The aim of the study is to determine whether burial practices affect the mineral content of soils in cemeteries. This was done by comparing the mineral concentrations of soils within the Zandfontein Cemetery in Tshwane (Gauteng, South Africa) to those off-site as well as those in zones with high burial loads with those zones with fewer burials. Twenty three soil samples were collected from various sites on- and off-site and analyzed for 31 minerals using ICP-AES. It was found that mineral concentrations of soils within the Zandfontein Cemetery were considerably higher than those off-site. Soil samples in multiple burials blocks also have elevated metal concentrations. These excess metals are probably of anthropogenic origin associated with burial practices and could pose an environmental and human health hazard. Strict monitoring of water quality in boreholes in the vicinity of the cemetery is recommended.

Liyun Wu and Jorge Delva
Article: The Effect of Computer Usage in Internet Café on Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Use among Chinese Adolescents and Youth: A Longitudinal Study
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 496-510; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020496 - published online 6 February 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: We used longitudinal data to investigate the relationship between computer use in internet cafés and smoking/drinking behavior among Chinese adolescents and young adults. Data are from two waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2004 and 2006). Fixed effects models were used to examine if changes in internet café use were associated with changes in cigarette smoking and drinking of alcohol. Male café users spent on average 17.3 hours in front of the computer/week. This was associated with an increase in the probability of being a current smoker by 13.3% and with smoking 1.7 more cigarettes. Female café users spent on average 11 hours on the computer/week. This was associated with an increase in the probability of drinking wine and/or liquor by 14.74% and was not associated with smoking. Internet cafés are an important venue by which adolescent and young adults in China are exposed to smoking and drinking. Multi-component interventions are needed ranging from policies regulating cigarette and alcohol availability in these venues to anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at the general population but also at individuals who frequent these establishments.

Yinzhi Zhao , Paul Toselli and Wande Li
Article: Microtubules as a Critical Target for Arsenic Toxicity in Lung Cells in Vitro and in Vivo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 474-495; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020474 - published online 1 February 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: To understand mechanisms for arsenic toxicity in the lung, we examined effects of sodium m-arsenite (As³⁺) on microtubule (MT) assembly in vitro (0–40 µM), in cultured rat lung fibroblasts (RFL6, 0–20 µM for 24 h) and in the rat animal model (intratracheal instillation of 2.02 mg As/kg body weight, once a week for 5 weeks). As³⁺ induced a dose-dependent disassembly of cellular MTs and enhancement of the free tubulin pool, initiating an autoregulation of tubulin synthesis manifest as inhibition of steady-state mRNA levels of bI-tubulin in dosed lung cells and tissues. Spindle MT injuries by As³⁺ were concomitant with chromosomal disorientations. As³⁺ reduced the binding to tubulin of [³H]N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), an -SH group reagent, resulting in inhibition of MT polymerization in vitro with bovine brain tubulins which was abolished by addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) suggesting As³⁺ action upon tubulin through -SH groups. In response to As³⁺, cells elevated cellular thiols such as metallothionein. Taxol, a tubulin polymerization agent, antagonized both As³⁺ and NEM induced MT depolymerization. MT–associated proteins (MAPs) essential for the MT stability were markedly suppressed in As³⁺-treated cells. Thus, tubulin sulfhydryls and MAPs are major molecular targets for As³⁺ damage to the lung triggering MT disassembly cascades.

Karl Peltzer and Supa Pengpid
Article: Suicidal Ideation and Associated Factors among School-Going Adolescents in Thailand
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 462-473; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020462 - published online 31 January 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify associations between suicidal ideation and indicators of psychosocial distress and social-environmental factors in Thai adolescents. Using data from the Thailand Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2008, we assessed the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its associated factors among adolescents (N = 2,758). Overall the prevalence of suicidal ideation in the past 12 months was 8.8% (9.9% males and 7.7% females). Variables influenced the suicidal ideation in multivariable analysis were sadness (Odds Ratio = OR: 6.03; 95% Confidence Interval = CI (3.00–12.14), lack of parental attachment (OR = 2.26, CI = 1.09–4.67), current alcohol use (OR = 2.32, 1.21–4.44), and ever having had sexual intercourse (OR = 4.16, CI = 3.40–7.68). Psychosocial, health-risk behaviours and lack of protective factors appear to effect suicidal ideation in this youth population.

Benjamin F. Zaitchik , Belay Simane , Shahid Habib , Martha C. Anderson , Mutlu Ozdogan and Jeremy D. Foltz
Article: Building Climate Resilience in the Blue Nile/Abay Highlands: A Role for Earth System Sciences
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2012, 9(2), 435-461; doi:10.3390/ijerph9020435 - published online 30 January 2012
Show/Hide AbstractAbstract: The Blue Nile (Abay) Highlands of Ethiopia are characterized by significant interannual climate variability, complex topography and associated local climate contrasts, erosive rains and erodible soils, and intense land pressure due to an increasing population and an economy that is almost entirely dependent on smallholder, low-input agriculture. As a result, these highland zones are highly vulnerable to negative impacts of climate variability. As patterns of variability and precipitation intensity alter under anthropogenic climate change, there is concern that this vulnerability will increase, threatening economic development and food security in the region. In order to overcome these challenges and to enhance sustainable development in the context of climate change, it is necessary to establish climate resilient development strategies that are informed by best-available Earth System Science (ESS) information. This requirement is complicated by the fact that climate projections for the Abay Highlands contain significant and perhaps irreducible uncertainties. A critical challenge for ESS, then, is to generate and to communicate meaningful information for climate resilient development in the context of a highly uncertain climate forecast. Here we report on a framework for applying ESS to climate resilient development in the Abay Highlands, with a focus on the challenge of reducing land degradation.