Recent studies have shown that climate change is impacting the inorganic chemical characteristics of surface fresh water in permafrost areas and affecting aquatic ecosystems. Concentrations of major ...ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, NO3-) can increase following permafrost degradation with associated deepening of flow pathways and increased contributions of deep groundwater. In addition, thickening of the active layer and melting of near-surface ground ice can influence inorganic chemical fluxes from permafrost into surface water. Permafrost degradation has also the capability to modify trace element (e.g., Ni, Mn, Al, Hg, Pb) contents in surface water. Although several local and regional modifications of inorganic chemistry of surface fresh water have been attributed to permafrost degradation, a comprehensive review of the observed changes is lacking. The goal of this paper is to distil insight gained across differing permafrost settings through the identification of common patterns in previous studies, at global scale. In this review we focus on three typical permafrost configurations (pervasive permafrost degradation, thermokarst, and thawing rock glaciers) as examples and distinguish impacts on (i) major ions and (ii) trace elements. Consequences of warming climate have caused spatially-distributed progressive increases of major ion and trace element delivery to surface fresh water in both polar and mountain areas following pervasive permafrost degradation. Moreover, localised releases of major ions and trace elements to surface water due to the liberation of soluble materials sequestered in permafrost and ground ice have been found in ice-rich terrains both at high latitude (thermokarst features) and high elevation (rock glaciers). Further release of solutes and related transport to surface fresh water can be expected under warming climatic conditions. However, complex interactions among several factors able to influence the timing and magnitude of the impacts of permafrost degradation on inorganic chemistry of surface fresh water (e.g., permafrost sensitivity to thawing, modes of permafrost degradation, characteristics of watersheds) require further conceptual and mechanistic understanding together with quantitative diagnosis of the involved mechanisms in order to predict future changes with confidence.
•Permafrost degradation impacts inorganic chemistry of surface fresh water globally•Spatially-distributed modifications after pervasive permafrost degradation•Local release of major ions and trace elements from thermokarst and rock glaciers•Further release of solutes can be expected under warming climatic conditions.
Alpine ecosystems are especially vulnerable to climate change, and lakes and ponds act as early indicators. Here, we describe our findings for the Ortles–Cevedale mountain group (Stelvio National ...Park, Southern Alps, Italy), where we used remote sensing to analyze more than 100 water ponds over the last 50years (1954–2007). We found that since the 1980s, some lower elevation ponds (<2500m a.s.l.) have disappeared or experienced surface area reduction. We link this impact to the increased evaporation/precipitation ratio associated with climatic warming. At higher elevations (>2900m a.s.l.), we observed that since the 1950s, ponds have increased in size and that new ponds have appeared as a consequence of glacial shrinkage and retreat. However, these new ponds are ephemeral. The appearance of new environments is usually followed by their rapid disappearance and by a concomitant appearance of new ones, which is a clear sign of a transition from a glacial system to a paraglacial system.
Surface area changes have been shown to be a highly visible and easily measurable signal of the impact of climate change on the alpine environment, as already demonstrated in other remote areas of the world. There is a clear need to extend this analysis to other sites in the Alps to gain a regional understanding of the phenomenon. The findings of this study make it possible to interpret the variations created by climate change in these environments, in terms of alteration of their ecological role and the loss of ecosystem services.
•Surface area changes are visible signals of climate change impact upon alpine ponds.•Since the '80s, ponds at low elevations are shrinking or disappearing.•We linked this impact to the increased evaporation/precipitation ratio.•Since the '50s at high elevation new ponds are appearing or increasing their size.•We linked this impact to the glaciers' shrinkage and retreatment.
Significant elevation-dependent warming (EDW) of maximum near-surface air temperature and diurnal temperature range (DTR) has been observed in Nepal (southern central Himalaya) until 2566 m a.s.l., ...over the last four decades (1976–2015). During this period, on the average and across the entire country, maximum air temperature increased (+0.045 °C y−1, p < .001) more than minimum temperature (+0.009 °C y−1, p < .05) and, as a consequence, DTR also increased significantly (+0.034 °C y−1, p < .001). Maximum temperature increases have been observed during all seasons of the year. This warming pattern differs from the symmetrical one observed at global level in the same period, and it is in contrast to more prominent minimum temperature increases observed in the north of Himalaya (Tibetan Plateau). Furthermore, the near-surface air temperature change observed in Nepal contrasts the global evidence of main increasing trends occurring during the winter months. We point out that this asymmetric warming pattern could have more serious impacts in Nepal than in other regions of the world, considering the consequences of associated warm maximum-temperature extremes (heatwaves, hot days) on human life, increased primary production, and modifications in the hydrological cycle. We conclude sustaining that the observed EDW of maximum temperature and the DTR could be attributed to the monsoon weakening, namely to the reduced number of rainy days observed in the region during the last decades. These phenomena could have been accompanied by decreasing cloudiness and consequent increasing of daytime shortwave and decreasing of nighttime longwave incoming solar radiation.
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•Air temperature from land stations has been analysed in Nepal (1976–2015) until 2566 m.•During all seasons, maximum temperature increased more than minimum temperature.•Elevation-dependence of maximum temperature and diurnal temperature range has been observed.•Elevation-dependence warming in Nepal could be explained by the monsoon weakening.
RESUMO A dismenorreia primária é um distúrbio ginecológico caracterizado por dores cíclicas na lombar e abdômen inferior, com alta prevalência entre jovens, contribuindo para o absenteísmo. O ...presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da eletroterapia de baixa e média frequência em 30 participantes do sexo feminino, entre 18-26 anos, com queixa de dismenorreia primária. As participantes foram divididas em grupos que receberam: corrente TENS (frequência de 100 Hz e duração de pulso de 100 µs), corrente aussie (portadora de 4Khz modulada em 100 Hz com bursts de 4ms) e placebo (colocação dos eletrodos com o aparelho desligado). Todos os grupos eletroestimulados foram tratados com corrente no limiar sensorial e ajuste da intensidade a cada cinco minutos, sendo o tempo total de 30 minutos. Para a avaliação foi coletado a dor durante o ciclo menstrual (EVA), influência da dor nas atividades de vida diária e qualidade do sono (escalas visuais análogas do sono). Após análise estatística, conclui-se que houve redução significativa do quadro álgico em todos os grupos, sendo a corrente superior ao placebo. Em relação às AVD, todos os grupos apresentaram diferença significativa, e o grupo corrente aussie foi o único que obteve melhora nos três dias avaliados, mantendo o efeito analgésico tardio maior em comparação aos demais. A qualidade de sono pouco se alterou após os tratamentos propostos, necessitando de estudos futuros para fundamentar essa variável.
RESUMEN La dismenorrea primaria es un trastorno ginecológico caracterizado por dolores cíclicos en la zona lumbar y bajo abdomen, con alta prevalencia entre los jóvenes, lo que contribuye al absentismo. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar los efectos de la electroterapia de baja y media frecuencia en 30 participantes femeninas, de 18 a 26 años, con queja de la dismenorrea primaria. Las participantes se dividieron en grupos que recibieron: corriente TENS (frecuencia de 100 Hz y duración del pulso de 100μs), corriente aussie (4Khz modulada a 100 Hz con disparos de 4 ms) y placebo (colocación de electrodos con el dispositivo apagado). Todos los grupos fueron tratados con corriente en el umbral sensorial y ajuste de intensidad cada cinco minutos, con un tiempo total de 30 minutos. El dolor durante el ciclo menstrual (Escala Visual Analógica), la influencia del dolor en las actividades de la vida diaria y la calidad del sueño (escalas visuales análogas del sueño) fueron recogidos para la evaluación. Después del análisis estadístico, se puede concluir que hubo una reducción significativa del dolor en todos los grupos que recibieron intervención, siendo la corriente más alta que el placebo. En cuanto a la influencia del dolor en las actividades de la vida diaria, todos los grupos mostraron una diferencia significativa, pero el grupo aussie fue el único que mejoró en los tres días evaluados. La calidad del sueño cambió poco después de los tratamientos propuestos, requiriendo más estudios para apoyar esta variable.
ABSTRACT Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynecological disorder characterized by a cyclic pain in the lower back and abdomen, with a high prevalence among young women, which contributes to absenteeism. This study aimed to assess the effects of low and medium frequency electrotherapy in 30 women, aged from 18 to 26 years, who suffer from primary dysmenorrhea. Participants were divided into groups that received the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation current (frequency of 100Hz and 100μs pulses), Aussie current (4kHz carrier frequency, modulated at 100Hz, and 4ms bursts), and placebo (electrodes placed with the machine turned off). All treated groups received electrical current at the sensory threshold and its intensity was adjusted every five minutes. The treatment lasted 30 minutes. For the evaluation, pain during the menstrual cycle (via VAS), pain interference in activities of daily living (ADL), and sleep quality (via VAS sleep quality) were collected. After statistical analysis, pain reduced significantly in all groups evaluated, with better outcomes for the currents than for the placebo. Although all groups showed significant difference regarding ADL, the Aussie group was the only one that improved pain in all days evaluated. Sleep quality changed little after treatment, thus, further studies are required to assess this variable.
Does Pink October really impact breast cancer screening? Antonini, Marcelo; Pinheiro, Denise Joffily Pereira da Costa; Salerno, Gisela Rosa Franco ...
Public health in practice (Oxford, England),
12/2022, Letnik:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
This study aims to evaluate the impact of the Pink October Campaign on the increase in mammographic screening in Brazil.
Ecological observational study, based on retrospective data.
Brazilian ...national screening database (DATASUS/SISMAMA/Information System on Breast Cancer) was used as a data source and is publicly available for download and analysis. We report screening numbers and outcome rates from January 2017 to December 2021 comparing statistically (ANOVA test, post-Tukey test), age groups, regions of Brazil, and the four quarters of the year.
During the study period, the average number of exams performed monthly over the five years was 137,400.117. An increase in the number of mammograms performed in October was identified, as well as in the two following months, respectively 33%, 39%, and 22%, with statistical significance (p = 0.000) in relation to the three quarters of the year. In addition, in the other months, we found values below the monthly average. Statistical difference was not found in the increase in mammograms considering age groups (p = 0.5) and different regions of the country (p = 0.6).
This study showed an increase in mammographic screening in the three months following the Pink October Campaign, so we should intensify similar actions throughout the year and not just in October.
Due to their physico-chemical properties, POPs and PAHs are subjected to long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) and may be deposited in remote areas. In this study, the contamination with DDx, PCBs, ...PBDEs, and PAHs was investigated in sediments and soils collected on the southern slopes of Mt. Everest (Himalaya, Nepal) in two different sampling campaigns (2008 and 2012). The results showed a limited contamination with POPs and PAHs in both soil and sediment samples. Therefore, the southern slopes of Mt. Everest can be considered a remote area in almost pristine condition. The LRAT mechanism confirmed its primary role in the transfer of contaminants to remote regions, while the gradual melting of glaciers, due to global warming, and the subsequent release of contaminants was suggested to be a secondary source of pollution of the lake sediments. In addition, the increase of tourism in this area during the last decades might have influenced the present concentrations of PAHs in the sediments and soils.
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•POPs and PAHs were measured in soils and sediments from the southern slope of Mt. Everest (SNP).•The hypothesis of Long Range Atmospheric Transport for lighter POPs was confirmed.•The SNP could be generally considered as a low contaminated area on a global scale.•The melting of glaciers can affect the presence of POPs in the sediments of the SNP.•The increase of local human activities and tourism can influence the concentrations of PAHs in the SNP.
The Mediterranean area is one of the most important “hotspot” where the effects of climate change are more evident, with an increase of extreme events such as hot waves and intense droughts. From ...this perspective, central Italy, which in the recent past suffered from the impact of intense negative anomalies of precipitation on water resources, shows peculiar characteristics, being its meteoclimatic regime determined by global, regional and local factors. In this context, this study aims at exploring the variability in time and space of the precipitation regime in central Italy over the period 1960–2020 analysing global factors, represented by indexes of teleconnection, and local factors such as orography and distance to the sea. Findings indicate an increase of drought events during the last 20 years, in a general pattern characterized by stationary precipitation amounts. This trend is clearer on the Tyrrhenian coast with a number of months under severe drought conditions increasing from 5% (1965–1999) to 24% (2000–2020). The strengthening of the periodic signal of precipitation is related mainly to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation Index and the Western Mediterranean Oscillation Index. Considering the relationship between precipitation and teleconnection patterns over short time scales (few months), correlations are stronger with the North Atlantic Oscillation index and in general with the Atlantic patterns rather than with the Artic patterns, especially for the Adriatic side.
This study aims at exploring the variability in time and space of the precipitation regime in central Italy (1960–2020) analysing global factors, represented by indexes of teleconnection, and local factors such as orography and distance to the sea. Findings indicate an increase of drought events during the last 20 years, in a general pattern characterized by stationary precipitation amounts. The strengthening of the periodic signal of precipitation is related mainly to the Atlantic Multidecal Oscillation Index and the Western Mediterranean Oscillation Index.
During the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the lack of specific therapeutic treatments led to the provisional use of a number of drugs, with a continuous review of health protocols when new ...scientific evidence emerged. The management of this emergency sanitary situation could not take care of the possible indirect adverse effects on the environment, such as the release of a large amount of pharmaceuticals from wastewater treatment plants. The massive use of drugs, which were never used so widely until then, implied new risks for the aquatic environment. In this study, a suspect screening approach using Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry techniques, allowed us to survey the presence of pharmaceuticals used for COVID-19 treatment in three WWTPs of Lombardy region, where the first European cluster of SARS-CoV-2 cases was detected. Starting from a list of sixty-three suspect compounds used against COVID-19 (including some metabolites and transformation products), six compounds were fully identified and monitored together with other target analytes, mainly pharmaceuticals of common use. A monthly monitoring campaign was conducted in a WWTP from April to December 2020 and the temporal trends of some anti-COVID-19 drugs were positively correlated with those of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The comparison of the average emission loads among the three WWTPs evidenced that the highest loads of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin were measured in the WWTP which received the sewages from a hospital specializing in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The monitoring of the receiving water bodies evidenced the presence of eight compounds of high ecological concern, whose risk was assessed in terms of toxicity and the possibility of inducing antibiotic and viral resistance. The results clearly showed that the enhanced, but not completely justified, use of ciprofloxacin and azithromycin represented a risk for antibiotic resistance in the aquatic ecosystems.
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•Suspect screening has proven to be a reliable tool in an emergency context.•Epidemic curve correlated with influent loads highlighted drug consumption changes.•Antibiotics showed noteworthy influent concentrations during the COVID-19 pandemic.•Use of hydroxychloroquine and darunavir continued after the stop of authorizations.•Antibiotics detected in the surface waters pose a risk for antibiotic resistance.
New tools and methodologies are required in systemic planning and management of mountain protected areas. Among others we propose here a decision support toolbox (DST) conceived as an integrated ...collection of both soft and hard system methodologies, consisting of participatory and computer-based modules to provide a set of integrated, self-contained tools and approaches to support decision-making processes in the management of mountain protected areas. The Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ) in Nepal was taken as a pilot case. A number of participatory exercises such as participatory 3-dimensional modeling, scenario planning, and qualitative modeling were carried out to understand social-ecological processes and generate a systemic view over space and time. The qualitative models were then converted into computer-based system dynamics models. The design and development of DST software were carried out with an incremental and modular approach. This process involved stakeholder analysis and decision-making processes through a series of consultations. The software was developed with the main modules including scenario analysis, spatial analysis, and knowledge base. The scenario analysis module runs system dynamics models built in Simile software and provides functions to link them with spatial data for model inputs and outputs. The spatial analysis module provides the basic geographic information system functions to explore, edit, analyze, and visualize spatial information. The knowledge base module was developed as a metadata management system for different categories of information such as spatial data, bibliography, research data, and models. The development of DST software, especially system dynamics modeling and its linkage with spatial components, provided an important methodological approach for spatial and temporal integration. Furthermore, training and interactions with park managers and concerned stakeholders showed that DST is a useful platform for integrating data and information and better understanding ecosystem behavior as a basis for management decisions.
The problem of supporting decision- and policy-makers in managing issues related to solid waste and water quality was addressed within the context of a participatory modeling framework in the ...Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone in Nepal. We present the main findings of management-oriented research projects conducted within this framework, thus providing an overview of the current situation in the park regarding solid waste and water quality issues. We found that most of the solid waste generated in the park is composed of organic matter, paper, and minor reused waste that is mainly reused for cattle feeding and manure, while disposal of other nondegradable categories of collected waste (glass, metal, and plastic) is not properly managed. Particularly, burning or disposal in open dumps poses a great hazard to environmental, human, and animal health, as most dump sites situated close to water courses are prone to regular flooding during the rainy season, thereby directly contaminating river water. Pollutants and microbiological contamination in water bodies were found and anthropogenic activities and hazardous practices such as solid waste dump sites, open defecation, and poor conditions of existing septic tanks are suggested as possibly affecting water quality. Collection of these data on solid waste and water quality and compilation of management information on the targeted social-ecological system allowed us to develop consensus-building models to be used as management supporting tools. By implementing such models, we were able to simulate scenarios identifying and evaluating possible management solutions and interventions in the park. This work reveals insights into general dynamics that can support the quest for solutions to waste and water quality management problems in other protected areas and mountain landscapes where traditional livelihood and land use patterns are changing under the influence of a growing population, changing consumption patterns, and international tourism.
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