[en] Highlights: • The epitope region in tropomyosin was more stable than the non-epitope region. • The difference between epitope and non-epitope regions was largest at low pHs. • Lower content of Ala cluster is involved in higher stability of the epitope region. Ingestion of marine invertebrates often causes food allergy, where the major allergens have been reported to be derived from tropomyosin (TM). Intact or the digestive fragments of food allergens generally show resistance to digestion, which is usually attributable to the structural stability (or rigidity). The difference in the structural and dynamical characteristics between the epitope and the non-epitope regions in TM has not yet been well understood. In the present study, molecular dynamics simulation was performed at constant pHs for shrimp TM. By analyzing the main-chain dihedral angle fluctuations and local α-helix contents, we found that the epitope regions are more stable than the non-epitope counterparts, providing a possible physical reason for the resistance to digestion in the epitopes regions. The difference of the structural stability between the epitope and the non-epitope regions was largest at low pHs, even though pH dependence of the structural stability in itself was not significant in both regions. The lower content of the Ala cluster in the epitope region is considered to cause the higher stability of the epitope region.

[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] 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] Highlights: • We found the molecular factors which affect the PaLCuCNV acquisition and transmission. • Midgut can affect the begomovirus circulative journey in whitefly. • Viral coat protein play a significant role in its transmission. Begomoviruses are transmitted by whiteflies in a persistent manner, but factors responsible for the variation of virus transmission by different species are poorly understood. We examined ingestion of papaya leaf curl China virus (PaLCuCNV) and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) by two species of the Bemisia tabaci complex, MEAM1 and MED, and then quantified the virion concentrations in different organs/tissues in each species. We found that PaLCuCNV penetrated the midgut wall of MED less efficiently than MEAM1, resulting in lower efficiency of PalCuCNV transmission by MED than that by MEAM1, while TYLCV penetrated the midgut wall of both species and was transmitted by them at similar levels of efficiency. Virus coat protein determined the virus capacity to cross the midgut wall of a given whitefly species. These data indicate that the level of midgut penetration determines virus acquisition and transmission by whiteflies in the first instance.

[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