[en] We report an arrangement on the effect of anthropogenic litter on marine and estuarine reptiles, checking for evidence about different types of impact (ingestion vs. entanglement) and pressure (three size-based categories). From 1976 to 2018, we obtained a “blacklist” of 11 species impacted by marine litter (about 13% of 85 species of marine and estuarine reptiles), belonging to three orders (Testudines, Squamata, and Crocodilia). We obtained only occasional evidence of an impact for Squamata (Hidrophis elegans, Disteira major) and Crocodilia (Crocodylus porosus). Regarding the different types of pressure, the highest number of evidence has been obtained for macro-litter (10 species) and the lowest for micro-litter (4 species, all Chelonidae). Among Testudines, Lepidochelys kempii and Natator depressus evidenced a lack of data for micro-plastic. In Squamata, information is lacking for micro-plastic with only occasional references for meso-plastic (in Hydrophis elegans) and macro-plastic (Disteira major and Crocodylus porosus). We obtained a direct correlation between the research effort and the number of citations regarding different types of pressure and impact of marine litter: therefore, our blacklist of impacted species could be increased, carrying out further research focused on other poorly studied marine and estuarine reptiles. We suggest the use of a standardized nomenclature to reduce the amount of lost information.

[en] A esophageal foreign body was extracted by biliary stone basket from a patient suffered from multiple esophageal stricture due to previous lye ingestion. This method can be safely performed without general anesthesia. Although flat objects are not indicated for extraction by this method, it could be valuable treatment method for removal of spherical or three dimensional objects in the esophagus, especially for the patients with esophageal stricture.

[en] This is a report of a case of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus associated with intramural rupture caused by ingestion of weeding medicine for the purpose of suicide in a 27 year old Korean male whose chief complaints were dyspnea, epigastric pain, swallowing disturbance, and hoarseness for 3 days prior to admission. A review of literature is submitted.

[en] Aim: To evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of balloon dilatation in children for oesophageal strictures caused by the ingestion of corrosive agents. Materials and methods: The study comprised 11 children (median age 6 years; range 1-14 years) with oesophageal strictures caused by corrosive agents, who underwent a total of 36 balloon dilatation sessions. The technical and clinical success, recurrence of dysphagia, complications, and primary and secondary patency rates were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Technical success was achieved in 91% of patients and in 97% of balloon dilatation sessions. Clinical success (defined as improved food intake and reduced dysphagia within 1 month of the first balloon dilatation session) was achieved in 64% of patients (7/11). During the mean 35-month follow-up period (range 1-89 months), 10 (91%) patients experienced recurrence. Oesophageal rupture (types 1 or 2) occurred in 45% of patients and in 31% of balloon dilatation sessions. Primary patency rates at 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years were 36, 27, 14, 14, 14, and 14%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 6 months and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years were 82, 82, 82, 56, 42, and 42%, respectively. The secondary patency rate was higher than the primary patency rate (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study examined oesophageal balloon dilatation for paediatric oesophageal strictures caused by the ingestion of corrosive agents. Although the technical success rate was high and there were no deaths, the clinical success rate was low owing to a high recurrence rate. However, repeated balloon dilatations resulted in an acceptable secondary patency rate

[en] This study was designed to investigate the pattern, distribution and extent of pulmonary abnormalities in relation to the amount of ingested paraquat as determined with the use of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The study included 15 patients exposed to paraquat based on a positive urine assay and the presence of pulmonary abnormalities as detected on HRCT scans. The pattern, distribution and extent of pulmonary abnormalities in relation to the amount of ingested paraquat was evaluated. Patients were classified into five groups based on the amount of paraquat that was ingested. The groups were designated as indirect exposure, minimum exposure (the patient spat out the agent after swallowing), low exposure (≤ 30 cc), medium exposure (31-60 cc) and high exposure (61-100 cc). Abnormal lung parenchymal patterns as depicted on HRCT images consisted of ground glass opacity (n = 9), consolidation (n = 9), irregular lines (n = 9) and the presence of nodules (n = 2). The most common distribution was in the lower and subpleural lung zone with no relation to the amount of ingestion. The most common patterns were the presence of irregular lines in the indirect exposure group and ground glass opacity in the high exposure group. The mean number of involved lobes increased in relation to the amount of ingestion. For paraquat poisoning, the pattern and extent of pulmonary abnormalities were related to the amount of ingestion, but the distribution of pulmonary abnormalities was not related to the amount of ingestion

[en] The ECOSYS model is the ingestion dose model integrated in the ARGOS and RODOS decision support systems for nuclear emergency management. The parameters used in this model have however not been updated in recent years, where the level of knowledge on various environmental processes has increased considerably. A Nordic work group has carried out a series of evaluations of the general validity of current ECOSYS default parameters. This paper specifically discusses the parameter revisions required with respect to the modelling of deposition and natural weathering of contaminants on agricultural crops, to enable the trustworthy prognostic modelling that is essential to ensure justification and optimisation of countermeasure strategies. New modelling approaches are outlined, since it was found that current ECOSYS approaches for deposition and natural weathering could lead to large prognostic errors. - Highlights: → We examined concepts and parameters in the ECOSYS ingestion dose model. → Natural weathering and deposition processes were studied. → A series of revisions were recommended to users. → Order-of-magnitude errors can be avoided by using the new values.

[en] In many Asian countries including Korea, rice is a very important food crop. Its grain is consumed by humans and its straw is used to feed animals. Because four CANDU reactors are in operation in Korea, relatively large amounts of tritium are released into the environment and the dose by these tritium in the rice plant must be estimated. Since 1997, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has carried out experimental studies to obtain domestic data on various parameters related to the direct tritium contamination of plant. But the analysis of the tritium behavior in the rice plant has been insufficient. In this study, the behavior of the tritium in the rice plant is predicted and compared with the measurement performed at KAERI. Using the conceptual model of the soil-plant-atmosphere tritiated water transport system which was suggested by Charles E. Murphy, transient tritium concentrations in soil and leaves were predicted. If the effect of tritium concentration in the soil is taken into account, the tritium concentration in leaves can be described by a double exponential model, however if the tritium concentration in the soil is disregarded, the tritium concentration in leaves can be described by a single exponential term like other relevant models e.g. UFOTRI or STAR-H3 model. The results can be used to predict the tritium concentration in the rice plant near the plant site and to estimate the ingestion dose after the release of tritium to the environment

[en] This study was conducted primarily to measure and map radon activity concentration in wells within water supply network of Khartoum State. Ground water samples were collected before and after autumn and analysed using low level ?-spectrometry equipped with HPGe-detector. Radon activity concentration was found in the range of 1.58-345.10 Bq/L with an average value of 59.20 ± 6.60 Bq/L. Upon comparing the radon concentration values obtained with EPA it was found they were far below the maximum contaminant level of EPA with the exception five samples. Physicochemical water parameters were measured and no correlation was noted between radon concentration and these parameters. The overall annual effective dose for adults due to radon ingestion is less than WHO recommended reference dose level for most except 14 samples. (author)

[en] Microfibres are widespread contaminants in marine environments across the globe. Detecting in situ ingestion of microfibres by small marine organisms is necessary to understand their potential accumulation in marine food webs and their role in marine pollution. We have examined the gut contents of meiofauna from six sandy beaches in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. Out of twenty taxonomic groups, three species of the common sandy beach annelid Saccocirrus displayed in situ ingestion of microfibres in all sites. Laboratory observations showed that species of Saccocirrus are able to egest microfibres with no obvious physical injury. We suggest that their non-selective microphagous suspension-feeding behaviour makes Saccocirrus more prone to ingest microfibres. Although microfibres are rapidly egested with no apparent harm, there is still the potential for trophic transfer into marine food webs through predation of Saccocirrus. - Highlights: • This is the first report of in situ microfibre ingestion by benthic meiofauna. • Microfibre ingestion is species-specific, observed only for Saccocirrus annelids. • Saccocirrus egests microfibres without noticeable physical damage. • Our results suggest limited impact of microfibre ingestion by small invertebrates. - Benthic meiofauna from sandy beaches ingest microfibres in situ; ingestion is genus-specific, and microfibres are rapidly egested with no apparent harm to the organisms.

[en] Environmental lung diseases are caused by exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as atmospheric pressure changes or the ingestion or inhalation of toxic agents. The development of environmental lung diseases depends on the intensity and duration of exposure, the physiological and biological susceptibility of the host, and the toxic effects of the adverse environmental conditions encountered. A combination of clinical features, related exposure history, imaging findings, and a review of previous reports that support an association between exposure and the disease process is required for diagnosis