13 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Rivers and Drinking Waters from Qingdao, China
by Guohui Lu 1, Pengwei Shao 1,2, Yu Zheng 1,3, Yongliang Yang 1 and Nan Gai 1,*
1 Key Laboratory of Eco-Geochemistry, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, National Research Center for Geo-Analysis (NRCGA), Beijing 100037, China
2 Qingdao Junray Intelligent Instrument Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266109, China
3 Health Care Security Administration of Shizhong District, Zaozhuang 277000, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5722; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095722 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3761
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in rivers; drinking water sources (reservoirs and groundwater); and various types of drinking waters (tap waters, barreled pure waters, and bottled mineral waters) in Qingdao, Eastern China were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The total concentrations [...] Read more.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in rivers; drinking water sources (reservoirs and groundwater); and various types of drinking waters (tap waters, barreled pure waters, and bottled mineral waters) in Qingdao, Eastern China were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The total concentrations of PFASs (ΣPFASs) in the river waters ranged from 28.3 to 292.2 ng/L, averaging 108 ± 70.7 ng/L. PFBS was the most abundant compound, with a maximum concentration of 256.8 ng/L, followed by PFOA (maximum concentration: 72.4 ng/L) and PFBA (maximum concentration: 41.6 ng/L). High levels of PFASs were found in rivers in the suburban and rural areas. The estimated annual mass loading of the total PFASs to Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) was 5.9 tons. The PFASs in the drinking water reservoirs were relatively low. The ΣPFASs in the tap water ranged from 20.5 ng/L to 29.9 ng/L. Differences in the PFAS levels and composition profiles were found among barreled water at different market sites and for different brands of mineral water products. The sequence of the contamination levels of the waters related to drinking water was reservoir water > tap water > barrel water > groundwater > bottled mineral water. The PFASs in drinking water may not pose a serious risk to the drinking water consumers of Qingdao City. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution: Human Health and Ecological Risks)
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18 pages, 4178 KiB  
Article
Perception of National Park Soundscape and Its Effects on Visual Aesthetics
by Peng Wang, Chaoqun Zhang, Hesheng Xie, Wenjuan Yang and Youjun He *
Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5721; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095721 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3074
Abstract
Soundscape perception is a very weak link in the national park landscape evaluation system in China. A thorough understanding of soundscapes and their effects on visual aesthetics is important for the management of national park landscapes. In this study, features of soundscapes (e.g., [...] Read more.
Soundscape perception is a very weak link in the national park landscape evaluation system in China. A thorough understanding of soundscapes and their effects on visual aesthetics is important for the management of national park landscapes. In this study, features of soundscapes (e.g., loudness, frequency, preference, and auditory satisfaction) were investigated based on 394 valid questionnaires of residents in the Qianjiangyuan National Park Pilot Area. The effects of soundscape on visual aesthetics were analyzed using the PLS-SEM. The results demonstrated that: (1) Peddling voice and insect sound were the loudest components in the soundscape, running water and birdsong were the most commonly heard and most preferred, religious sound was the quietest and least frequently heard, and horn was the least preferred. Residents in the Pilot Area were generally satisfied with the auditory environment. (2) Both sound frequency and preference have significant effects on auditory satisfaction, but preference (path coefficient = 0.426) has a larger effect than does frequency (path coefficient = 0.228). (3) Loudness has negligible effects on visual aesthetics, but other soundscape characteristics did influence visual aesthetics. Soundscape preference had the most significant effect (path coefficient = 0.305), followed by auditory satisfaction (path coefficient = 0.174), and sound frequency (path coefficient = 0.165). Among them, effects of perception frequency are the indirect utilities. Full article
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16 pages, 431 KiB  
Article
Differential Profile of Specialist Aggressor versus Generalist Aggressor in Child-to-Parent Violence
by María J. Navas-Martínez * and M. Carmen Cano-Lozano
Department of Psychology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5720; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095720 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3135
Abstract
Research on violence in general highlights the need to differentiate between those aggressors who only show specialized violence in the family context and those who also show generalized violence in other contexts outside the family. However, in the phenomenon of child-to-parent violence (CPV), [...] Read more.
Research on violence in general highlights the need to differentiate between those aggressors who only show specialized violence in the family context and those who also show generalized violence in other contexts outside the family. However, in the phenomenon of child-to-parent violence (CPV), the distinctive characteristics of this profile have not been yet analyzed. The aim of this study was to identify the typology of specialist aggressor versus the typology of generalist aggressor and examine whether they differ in their characteristics. A total of 1559 CPV aggressors participated, with ages between 12 and 18 years, of whom 22.4% exerted violence only towards parents (specialist aggressors) and 77.6% also exerted violence towards peers (generalist aggressors). The results show that specialized violence and generalized violence seem to follow different patterns according to age. The generalists were characterized by a more negative profile than the specialists. Specifically, the former showed more CPV and for more reasons, both reactive and proactive. Regarding individual characteristics, they obtained lower levels of emotional intelligence and resilience. Concerning family characteristics, they presented higher levels of insecure parental attachment and parental violence (direct and observed). The predictive variables retained in the regression model represented approximately 16.4% of the variation in the type of aggressor. This study supports the classification based on the specificity versus generality of violence, as it was found that specialist and generalist CPV aggressors differ significantly in their characteristics. It is considered that the findings could help to identify the differential mechanisms through which both types of aggressors have developed CPV. Further analysis of this profile can be of great use for the design of intervention and prevention programs adapted to the needs of each typology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotional and Social Processes in Interpersonal and Workplace Settings: Implications for Mental Health)
9 pages, 1122 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Age, Sex, and Viral Load in Outpatients during the Four Waves of SARS-CoV-2 in A Mexican Medium-Sized City
by Carlos Eduardo Covantes-Rosales 1, Victor Wagner Barajas-Carrillo 1, Daniel Alberto Girón-Pérez 1, Gladys Alejandra Toledo-Ibarra 1, Karina Janice Guadalupe Díaz-Reséndiz 1, Migdalia Sarahy Navidad-Murrieta 1, Guadalupe Herminia Ventura-Ramón 1, Mirtha Elena Pulido-Muñoz 1, Ulises Mercado-Salgado 1, Ansonny Jhovanny Ojeda-Durán 1, Aimée Argüero-Fonseca 2 and Manuel Iván Girón-Pérez 1,*
1 Laboratorio Nacional de Investigación Para la Inocuidad Alimentaria (LANIIA) Unidad Nayarit, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic 63000, Nayarit, Mexico
2 Laboratorio de Psicofisiología y Conducta, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic 63000, Nayarit, Mexico
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5719; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095719 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2722
Abstract
Governments have implemented measures to minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread. However, these measures were relaxed, and the appearance of new variants has prompted periods of high contagion known as waves. In Mexico, four waves distributed between July and August 2020, January and February 2021, August [...] Read more.
Governments have implemented measures to minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread. However, these measures were relaxed, and the appearance of new variants has prompted periods of high contagion known as waves. In Mexico, four waves distributed between July and August 2020, January and February 2021, August and September 2021, and January and February 2022 have appeared. Current health policies discourage mass sampling, preferring to focus on the corrective treatment of severe cases. Outpatients are only advised to undergo brief voluntary confinement and symptomatic treatment, with no follow-up. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze sex, age, and viral load in outpatients during the four waves in a medium-sized city in Mexico. For each wave, the date of peak contagion was identified, and data were collected within ±15 days. In this regard, data from 916 patients (434 men and 482 women) were analyzed. The age range of positive patients (37–45 years) presented a higher frequency during the first and third waves, while 28–36 years was the most frequent age range during the second and fourth waves, while the viral load values were significantly higher, for both sexes, during the fourth wave. Obtained data of COVID-19 prevalence in population segments can be used for decision-making in the design of effective public health policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19 Impact on Women and Gender Equality)
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10 pages, 327 KiB  
Article
Factors Associated with Attitudes towards Rejecting Intimate Partner Violence among Young Adults in Malaysia
by Wan Soliha Wan Mohd Hanafi 1, Tengku Alina Tengku Ismail 1,*, Anis Kausar Ghazali 2, Zaharah Sulaiman 3 and Aziah Daud 1
1 Department of Community Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
2 Biostatistics and Research Methodology Unit, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
3 Women’s Health Development Unit, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095718 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2551
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue, which is health threatening across all age groups, including young adults, and makes them and vulnerable. The rejection of IPV and willingness to disclose IPV as part of the solution are important as [...] Read more.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue, which is health threatening across all age groups, including young adults, and makes them and vulnerable. The rejection of IPV and willingness to disclose IPV as part of the solution are important as they correlate to this concealed violent behavior. This study aimed to investigate determinants of attitudes towards rejecting IPV among young adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 405 young adults attending premarital courses who were selected using purposive sampling. A validated questionnaire (MYPAIPVQ) was used as the study instrument. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test for associations between sociodemographic characteristics and relationship status with attitudes towards IPV. Attitudes towards rejecting IPV included not accepting IPV and have the willing to disclose it. About half of the premarital young adults (50.4%) had attitudes towards rejecting IPV. In the regression analysis, age (AdjOR 1.12), female (AdjOR 2.49), self-employed (AdjOR 0.20), and drama as sources of information (AdjOR 3.66) were significantly associated with attitudes towards rejecting IPV. The findings have potentially important implications for interventions aimed at preventing violence among the young adult population as they are vulnerable to being involved in IPV in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Adolescent and Young People's Health Issues and Challenges)
11 pages, 344 KiB  
Article
Caregiver Characteristics of Adults with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States and Latin America
by Shannon B. Juengst 1,2,3,*, Paul B. Perrin 4,5,6, Daniel W. Klyce 6,7,8, Therese M. O’Neil-Pirozzi 9,10, Susan Herrera 1, Brittany Wright 1, Jean Lengenfelder 11,12, Kirk Lercher 13, Librada Callender 14 and Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla 15,16,17
1 Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
2 TIRR Memorial Hermann Brain Injury Research Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
3 Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UT Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
4 Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
5 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
6 Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
7 Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
8 Sheltering Arms Institute, Richmond, VA 23233, USA
9 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
10 Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
11 Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
12 Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA
13 Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, NJ 08820, USA
14 Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
15 BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
16 IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
17 Department of Cell Biology and Histology, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5717; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095717 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3329
Abstract
Objectives: To compare characteristics of caregivers of adults with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. and Latin America (Mexico and Colombia). Design: Secondary data analysis of two cohorts. Cohort 1: English-speaking caregivers of adults with TBI in the U.S. [...] Read more.
Objectives: To compare characteristics of caregivers of adults with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. and Latin America (Mexico and Colombia). Design: Secondary data analysis of two cohorts. Cohort 1: English-speaking caregivers of adults with TBI in the U.S. (n = 80). Cohort 2: Spanish-speaking caregivers of adults with TBI in Mexico or Colombia (n = 109). Results: Similarities between the U.S. and Latin American caregiver groups, respectively, were: predominantly women (81.3%, 81.7%, respectively); spouses/domestic partners (45%, 31.2%); and motor vehicle accident (41.5%, 48.6%) followed by fall etiologies (40%, 21.1%). Differences between U.S. and Latin American caregivers were: age (49.5 years, 41.5 years, p < 0.001); employment status ((Χ52 = 59.63, p < 0.001), full-time employment (63.7%, 25.7%), homemaker (2.5%, 31.2%), and retired (17.5%, 1.8%)); violence-related etiology (2.5%, 15.6%); and severity of depressive symptoms (M = 7.9, SD = 5.8; M = 5.8, SD = 5.7; p = 0.014). Conclusions: TBI caregivers in the U.S. were older and employed full-time or retired more often than those in Latin America. Violence-related etiology was nearly five times more common in Latin America, raising concerns for potential implications of post-traumatic stress and family adjustment after injury. Although both groups likely could use mental health support, this was particularly true of the U.S. cohort, maybe due to differential demographics, mechanisms of injury, or family and community support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Informal Caregivers)
9 pages, 1693 KiB  
Article
Oxygen–Ozone Therapy Associated with Alpha Lipoic Acid Plus Palmitoylethanolamide and Myrrh versus Ozone Therapy in the Combined Treatment of Sciatic Pain Due to Herniated Discs: Observational Study on 318 Patients
by Matteo Bonetti 1,†, Dorina Lauritano 2,*,†, Gian Maria Ottaviani 3, Alessandro Fontana 1, Alessio Zambello 4, Luigi Della Gatta 5, Mario Muto 5 and Francesco Carinci 2
1 Neuroradiology Service Istituto Clinico Città di Brescia, 25128 Brescia, Italy
2 Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
3 Emergency and Urgency Department, Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
4 Anesthesia and Pain Therapy Service, Casa di Cura Borghi, 21020 Brebbia, Italy
5 Neuroradiology Department, Ospedale Cardarelli Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy
† These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5716; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095716 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3356
Abstract
Background: The aim of our observational study is to compare the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment of oxygen–ozone therapy and oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) + palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and myrrh in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (sciatica) on radicular disc conflict from [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of our observational study is to compare the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment of oxygen–ozone therapy and oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) + palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and myrrh in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (sciatica) on radicular disc conflict from disc herniation and the results obtained with oxygen–ozone treatment alone. Methods: We enrolled 318 patients with the neuroradiological diagnosis of disc herniation performed with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and symptoms characterized by low back pain complicated by sciatica, which we divided into two groups. Group A was composed of 165 patients who were treated only with oxygen–ozone therapy with CT-guided intraforaminal technique, while the remaining 153 (Group B) have undergone combined oral treatment with ALA + PEA and myrrh. Follow-up visits for the evaluation of the clinical outcome of the treatment were conducted after 60 ± 8 days using a modified version of McNab’s method. Results: At the clinical check-up, 126/165 patients included in Group A had a complete remission of pain (76.4%), while in Group B, 119/153 (77.8%) had a complete remission of pain. Conclusion: The results highlight how the treatment associated with ozone therapy and oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid + palmitoylethanolamide and myrrh is preferred over the simple treatment with only ozone in such patients in the phase of greatest acuity of the disease, where the pain appears to be better controlled. Full article
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14 pages, 599 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Acceptability and Initial Effectiveness of a Unified Protocol Prevention Program to Train Emotional Regulation Skills in Female Nursing Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Vanesa Ferreres-Galán 1,2, María Vicenta Navarro-Haro 2,3,*, Óscar Peris-Baquero 2,3, Silvia Guillén-Marín 3, Jordi de Luna-Hermoso 1 and Jorge Osma 2,3
1 Mental Health Unit of the Hospital Comarcal of Vinaròs, 12500 Vinaròs, Spain
2 Health Research Institute of Aragón, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
3 Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 44003 Teruel, Spain
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095715 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3421
Abstract
Healthcare professionals, especially women, have shown increases in anxious-depressive symptoms as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a Unified Protocol (UP) prevention program to provide emotional regulation skills [...] Read more.
Healthcare professionals, especially women, have shown increases in anxious-depressive symptoms as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a Unified Protocol (UP) prevention program to provide emotional regulation skills to cope with stressful situations. The sample consisted of 27 nursing professionals (100% women; mean age: 45.67; SD = 7.71) working in a Spanish public hospital during COVID-19, who were randomized to an immediate treatment group (ITG, n = 13) or to a delayed treatment group (DTG, n = 14, which served as the waiting list control group and received the program 5 weeks after the ITG had received it). The program consisted of five-weekly, two-hour, UP-based group sessions. Variables related to emotional symptomatology, emotional regulation, personality, burnout, and perceived quality of life were evaluated at the following time points: pre- and post-intervention and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Statistically significant between-group differences showed lower emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in favor of the ITG after the intervention. Regarding the effect over time for all participants who received the UP (n = 27), statistically significant reductions were observed in neuroticism, personal accomplishment, and subjective distress caused by traumatic events (−0.23 ≤ d ≤ −0.73). A statistically significant interaction “Time*Condition” was found in anxiety, with increases in the DTG. Participants showed high satisfaction with the UP. These findings show good acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the UP to reduce the emotional impact of the pandemic in female nursing workers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transdiagnostic Approach in Clinical and Health Psychology: Psychopathology, Assessment and Intervention Outcomes)
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18 pages, 2421 KiB  
Article
Influence of Environmental Aesthetic Value and Anticipated Emotion on Pro-Environmental Behavior: An ERP Study
by Huie Li 1,2, Chang You 1,2, Jin Li 1,2, Mei Li 1,2, Min Tan 1,2, Guanfei Zhang 1,2 and Yiping Zhong 1,2,3,*
1 Department of Psychology, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
2 Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Changsha 410081, China
3 Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, No. 36 Lushan Road, Changsha 410081, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095714 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3613
Abstract
Perceptual cues act as signals in the aesthetic value environment, which promote emotion regulation toward pro-environment behavior. This type of perception-emotion-behavior reactivity forms the core of human altruism. However, differences in pro-environmental behavior may result from variation across high-aesthetic-value (HAV) and low-aesthetic-value (LAV) [...] Read more.
Perceptual cues act as signals in the aesthetic value environment, which promote emotion regulation toward pro-environment behavior. This type of perception-emotion-behavior reactivity forms the core of human altruism. However, differences in pro-environmental behavior may result from variation across high-aesthetic-value (HAV) and low-aesthetic-value (LAV) environments. This study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying interaction effects between environmental context and emotion regulation on pro-environmental behavior by integrating behavioral and temporal dynamics of decision-making information processing with event-related potential (ERP) technique measures. The results indicated that changing anticipated emotions changes pro-environmental behavior. Regarding changing aesthetic value environments, while modulating emotion regulation, significant differences were found in brain regions and mean amplitudes of N1, P2, N2, and late positive potential (LPP) components, which anticipated emotion. The findings suggest that environmental aesthetic value and emotion regulation impact pro-environmental behavior. Full article
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17 pages, 1728 KiB  
Article
Concentration, Health Risk, and Hydrological Forcing of Heavy Metals in Surface Water Following Water-Sediment Regulation of the Xiaolangdi Dam in the Yellow River
by Qinghe Zhao, Shengyan Ding *, Zihan Geng, Xunling Lu, Zhendong Hong, Yi Liu and Jinhai Yu
Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions of the Ministry of Education, College of Geography and Environmental Science, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095713 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2583
Abstract
Water and sediment regulation aimed at aquatic ecosystems and preserving reservoir capacity to minimize the negative consequences of dams can fundamentally change the distribution of heavy metals (HMs) in the reservoir and downstream reaches. However, the effects of water and sediment regulation on [...] Read more.
Water and sediment regulation aimed at aquatic ecosystems and preserving reservoir capacity to minimize the negative consequences of dams can fundamentally change the distribution of heavy metals (HMs) in the reservoir and downstream reaches. However, the effects of water and sediment regulation on variation in HMs are still poorly understood. In this study, the variations in concentration, contamination, human health risk, potential sources, and influencing factors of the metalloid As and HMs (Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surface water in the reservoir and the downstream reach of the Xiaolangdi Dam (XLD) following the operation of the water-sediment regulation scheme (WSRS) were determined. These results indicate that HM concentrations in the two post-WSRS seasons were much lower than the water quality standards, but were significantly increased over time due to the trapping effects of the XLD (p < 0.05, except for Zn). However, As concentration in the reservoir was significantly lower than that observed in downstream reaches, likely due to anthropogenic input from agricultural activities. Meanwhile, HM concentrations varied with distance to the dam, which displayed a distinct accumulation closer to the dam in the post-WSRS II season. The contamination of HMs, the carcinogenic risk of exposure to As, and the noncarcinogenic risks associated with exposure to Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn via the direct ingestion pathway of drinking water were all within acceptable levels following the WSRS, but increased over time. The carcinogenic risk of Cr in the post-WSRS II season was at an unacceptably high level, particularly at sites near the dam. Hydrological characteristics (water level and flow rate) were the dominant factors in determining the distribution of HMs. These results can provide new insight for a better understanding of the variations in HMs following the water and sediment regulation practices, and guide future management in regulating the trapping effects of dams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Hydrodynamic Cavitation Applications for Environment and Human Health)
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23 pages, 441 KiB  
Article
Somatic Development Disorders in Children and Adolescents Affected by Syndromes and Diseases Associated with Neurodysfunction and Hydrocephalus Treated/Untreated Surgically
by Lidia Perenc *, Agnieszka Guzik, Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz and Mariusz Drużbicki
Institute of Health Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5712; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095712 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the co-occurrence of hydrocephalus treated/untreated surgically and congenital nervous system disorders or neurological syndromes with symptoms visible since childhood, and with somatic development disorders, based on significant data obtained during admission to a neurological rehabilitation unit [...] Read more.
Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the co-occurrence of hydrocephalus treated/untreated surgically and congenital nervous system disorders or neurological syndromes with symptoms visible since childhood, and with somatic development disorders, based on significant data obtained during admission to a neurological rehabilitation unit for children and adolescents. Methods: The study applied a retrospective analysis of data collected during hospitalization of 327 children and adolescents, aged 4–18 years, all presenting congenital disorders of the nervous system and/or neurological syndromes associated with at least one neurodysfunction that existed from early childhood. To allow the identification of individuals with somatic development disorders in the group of children and adolescents with hydrocephalus treated/untreated surgically, the adopted criteria considered the z-score values for body height, body weight, head circumference, body mass index, and head circumference index. Results: Treated/untreated hydrocephalus was observed in the study group at the rates of 8% and 0.9%, respectively. Among 239 patients with cerebral palsy, 9 (3.8%) had surgically treated hydrocephalus, 17 (70.8%) of 24 patients with neural tube defects also had hydrocephalus treated with surgery, and 3 (12.5%) of 24 patients with neural tube defects had untreated hydrocephalus. This medical condition was a more frequent comorbidity in subjects with neural tube defects compared with those with cerebral palsy (p < 0.001). Subjects with untreated hydrocephalus most frequently presented macrocephaly (p < 0.001), including absolute macrocephaly (p = 0.001), and with tall stature (p = 0.007). Excessive body mass co-occurred more frequently with surgically untreated hydrocephalus, but the relationship was not statistically significant (p = 0.098). Conclusions: Surgically treated hydrocephalus occurred in patients with cerebral palsy and neural tube defects, and untreated hydrocephalus was present only in patients with neural tube defects. Untreated hydrocephalus negatively changed the course of individual development in the studied group of children, in contrast to surgically treated hydrocephalus. Full article
20 pages, 5218 KiB  
Article
Effects of Changes in Environmental Color Chroma on Heart Rate Variability and Stress by Gender
by Jiyoung Oh 1 and Heykyung Park 2,*
1 Research Institute of Ecology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
2 Department of Interior Architecture, Inje University, Gimhae-si 50834, Korea
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5711; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095711 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5268
Abstract
With increasing time spent indoors during the coronavirus disease pandemic, occupants are increasingly affected by indoor space environmental factors. Environmental color stimulates human vision and affects stress levels. This study investigated how changing environmental color chroma affected heart rate variability (HRV) and stress. [...] Read more.
With increasing time spent indoors during the coronavirus disease pandemic, occupants are increasingly affected by indoor space environmental factors. Environmental color stimulates human vision and affects stress levels. This study investigated how changing environmental color chroma affected heart rate variability (HRV) and stress. The HRV of nine males and fifteen females was measured during exposure to 12 color stimuli with changes in chroma under green/blue hues and high/low-value conditions, and a stress assessment was performed. The effect of chroma on the HRV of males and females was verified, but the interaction effect between chroma and gender was not. ln(LF) and RMSSD were valid parameters. ln(LF) of males and females decreased as chroma increased under the green hue and low-value conditions; RMSSD was reduced as chroma increased in the blue hue and low-value conditions. ln(LF) decreased as chroma increased under blue hue and high-value conditions in males. Color–stress evaluation revealed that the higher chroma under high-value conditions, the more positive the stress emotion, and the lower the chroma under low-value conditions, the more negative the stress emotion. As chroma increased under low-value conditions, color is a stress factor; for men, this effect was more evident in the blue hue. Full article
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10 pages, 1701 KiB  
Article
Influence of Temperature on the Quantity of Bisphenol A in Bottled Drinking Water
by Dobrochna Ginter-Kramarczyk 1, Joanna Zembrzuska 2, Izabela Kruszelnicka 1,*, Anna Zając-Woźnialis 3 and Marianna Ciślak 1
1 Department of Water Supply and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
2 Faculty of Chemical Technology, Institute of Chemistry and Technical Electrochemistry, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
3 Department of Biophysics, Poznan University of Medical Science, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095710 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5836
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (PC) and epoxy resins, which are currently widely used in food and beverage packaging. Although BPA is not used in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing, a recent study reported its presence [...] Read more.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (PC) and epoxy resins, which are currently widely used in food and beverage packaging. Although BPA is not used in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing, a recent study reported its presence in PET water bottles. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of storage conditions on the release of BPA from PET bottles as well as to assess health risks associated with the consumption of bottled water. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we measured the content of BPA in local brands of plastic bottled water sold in the Polish market. It has been established that temperature is one of the main factors that influences the migration of bisphenol A to products, as was confirmed by determination of the amount of bisphenol A in water, which was carried out without exposing the bottles to different temperatures. Despite the fact that the individual concentrations of BPA in bottled water were low (ng/L) at 0.6 mg/kg (body weight), the cumulative daily dose in the body may be much higher than the quoted concentrations due to the number of products containing BPA. Thus, prolonged usage of bottled water and beverages should be avoided to reduce the risk of human exposure to BPA through leaching. Additionally, it was found that high temperatures resulted in increased BPA leaching. Full article
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17 pages, 1138 KiB  
Article
Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern with High Intensity Interval Training in Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial
by Brenton J. Baguley 1,2,*, Kirsten Adlard 2, David Jenkins 2,3,4, Olivia R. L. Wright 2,5 and Tina L. Skinner 2
1 Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
2 School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4067, Australia
3 School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
4 Applied Sports Science Technology and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, Wales, UK
5 Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5709; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095709 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3400
Abstract
Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer has been shown to deteriorate body composition (reduced lean mass and increased body and fat mass) and increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity. The Mediterranean style dietary pattern (MED-diet) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) [...] Read more.
Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer has been shown to deteriorate body composition (reduced lean mass and increased body and fat mass) and increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity. The Mediterranean style dietary pattern (MED-diet) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) may synergistically alleviate these side effects and improve quality of life in men treated with ADT. Methods: Twenty-three men (65.9 ± 7.8 years; body mass index: 29.6 ± 2.7 kg/m2; ADT duration: 33.8 ± 35.6 months) receiving ADT for ≥3 months were randomly assigned (1:1) to 20 weeks of usual care or the MED-diet (10 nutrition consults) with HIIT (4 × 4 min 85–95% heart rate peak, 3× week, starting at 12 weeks). Results: The MED-diet with HIIT significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (+4.9 mL·kg−1·min, p < 0.001), and body mass (−3.3 kg, p < 0.001) compared to the usual care group at 20 weeks. Clinically meaningful (≥3 points) improvements were seen in quality of life and cancer-related fatigue after 20 weeks. Conclusions: The MED-diet with HIIT increased cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced body weight in men with prostate cancer treated with ADT. Larger trials determining whether the MED-diet with HIIT translates to cardiovascular benefits are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Nutritional Approaches to Combat Cancer-Related Bone and Muscle Loss)
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16 pages, 2123 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Impact of Climatological Factors and Technological Revolution on Soybean Yield: Evidence from 13-Major Provinces of China
by Huaquan Zhang, Abbas Ali Chandio *, Fan Yang, Yashuang Tang, Martinson Ankrah Twumasi and Ghulam Raza Sargani
College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5708; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095708 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2955
Abstract
In recent years, the changing climate has become a major global concern, and it poses a higher threat to the agricultural sector around the world. Consequently, this study examines the impact of changing climate and technological progress on soybean yield in the 13 [...] Read more.
In recent years, the changing climate has become a major global concern, and it poses a higher threat to the agricultural sector around the world. Consequently, this study examines the impact of changing climate and technological progress on soybean yield in the 13 major provinces of China, and considers the role of agricultural credit, farming size, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery from 2000 to 2020. Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) are applied to assess the long-run effect, while Dumitrescu and Hurlin’s (2012) causality test is used to explore the short-run causalities among the studied variables. The results revealed that an increase in the annual mean temperature negatively and significantly affects soybean yield, while precipitation expressively helps augment soybean yield. Furthermore, technological factors such as chemical fertilizers accelerate soybean yield significantly, whereas pesticides negatively influence soybean yield. In addition, farming size, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery contribute remarkably to soybean yield. The causality results endorse that chemical fertilizers, pesticides used, agricultural credit, public investment, and power of agricultural machinery have bidirectional causality links with soybean yield. This study suggests several fruitful policy implications for sustainable soybean production in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Food Systems)
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