Non-ferrous smelters emit toxic metals into the environment, posing a threat to wildlife health. Despite the acknowledged role of microbes in host health, the impact of such emissions on host-associated microbiota, especially in wild birds, remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the associations of metal pollution, fitness, and nest microbiota (serving as a proxy for early-life microbial environment) which may influence the nestling health and development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSensitivity of bird species to environmental metal pollution varies but there is currently no general framework to predict species-specific sensitivity. Such information would be valuable from a conservation point-of-view. Calcium (Ca) has antagonistic effects on metal toxicity and studies with some common model species show that low dietary and circulating calcium (Ca) levels indicate higher sensitivity to harmful effects of toxic metals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most frequently used herbicides worldwide. The use of GBHs is intended to tackle weeds, but GBHs have been shown to affect the life-history traits and antioxidant defense system of invertebrates found in agroecosystems. Thus far, the effects of GBHs on detoxification pathways among invertebrates have not been sufficiently investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures may result in remarkable radiation doses to patients and staff. The aim of this prospective study was to determine occupational exposures in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures, with a special emphasis on eye lens dose in ERCP. Altogether 604 fluoroscopy-guided procedures, of which 560 were ERCPs belonging to four American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy procedural complexity levels, were performed using two fluoroscopy systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Predicting Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) risk can be determinant in reducing its incidence and managing patients appropriately, however studies conducted thus far have identified single-risk factors with standard statistical approaches and limited accuracy.
Aim: To build and evaluate performances of machine learning (ML) models to predict PEP probability and identify relevant features.
Methods: A proof-of-concept study was performed on ML application on an international, multicenter, prospective cohort of ERCP patients.
Non-target organisms are globally exposed to herbicides. While many herbicides - for example, glyphosate - were initially considered safe, increasing evidence demonstrates that they have profound effects on ecosystem functions via altered microbial communities. We provide a comprehensive framework on how herbicide residues may modulate ecosystem-level outcomes via alteration of microbiomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Although sporadic non-ampullary duodenal adenomas (SNADA) are rare, with the risk of progression to cancer, they deserve therapy. Endoscopic therapy of SNADA is effective, but with the increased risk of complications, endotherapy should be performed in high-volume units. The results of endotherapy of SNADA in our unit are presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlyphosate is the world's most widely used agrochemical. Its use in agriculture and gardening has been proclaimed safe because humans and other animals do not have the target enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). However, increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated risks to humans and animals because the shikimate metabolic pathway is present in many microbes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Risk of post-ERC pancreatitis (PEP) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is 1-7.8%. PSC is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune hepatitis, which are usually treated with thiopurines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlyphosate is the leading herbicide worldwide, but it also affects prokaryotes because it targets the central enzyme (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate, EPSP) of the shikimate pathway in the synthesis of the three essential aromatic amino acids in bacteria, fungi and plants. Our results reveal that bacteria may easily become resistant to glyphosate through changes in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase active site. This indicates the importance of examining how glyphosate affects microbe-mediated ecosystem functions and human microbiomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Difficult biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) increases the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). The purpose of this prospective, randomized, multicenter study was to compare two advanced rescue methods, transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy (TPBS) and a double-guidewire (DGW) technique, in difficult common bile duct (CBD) cannulation.
Methods: Patients with native papilla and planned CBD cannulation were recruited at eight Scandinavian hospitals.
Background: A dipstick test for urine trypsinogen-2 has been used in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, but there are only a few studies exploring the effectiveness of this test for early diagnose of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).
Goals: The authors explore if the rapid point-of-care urine trypsinogen-2 dipstick test can replace assay of amylase in diagnosing PEP.
Study: For this prospective study, from Helsinki University Hospital 400 ERCP patients were enrolled in whom the authors analyzed plasma amylase or pancreas-specific amylase, bilirubin, and urine trypsinogen-2, and urine trypsinogen-2 with dipstick before, 4 and 24 hours after ERCP.
Objectives: Surgically altered anatomy complicates endoscopical procedures of pancreatobiliary tree. Biliary or hepaticojejunal anastomosis strictures have been managed using percutaneous transhepatic or double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) techniques with multiple plastic stents, or fully covered self-expandable metal stents. We report the first seven cases with surgically altered anatomy treated with biodegradable stents with DBE.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControversial glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most frequently used herbicides globally. GBH residues in the wild, in animal and human food may expose non-target organisms to health risks, yet the developmental and cumulative effects of GBHs on physiology and reproduction remain poorly understood. We present the first long-term study on the effects of subtoxic GBH exposure (160 mg/kg) on multiple key physiological biomarkers (cellular oxidative status and neurotransmitters), gut microbiome, reproductive hormones, and reproduction in an avian model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) acute pancreatitis (PEP) is a frequent complication of this endoscopic procedure. Chronic statin intake has been linked to lower incidence and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). Periprocedural rectal administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is protective against PEP, but the role of chronic acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treatment is unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlyphosate is the most used herbicide worldwide, targeting physiological pathways in plants. Recent studies have shown that glyphosate can also cause toxic effects in animals. We investigated the glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH)-induced changes in potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant chemistry and the effects of a GBH on the survival rate and oxidative status of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDirect and indirect effects of environmental pollution affect negatively to birds' breeding performance in both urban and industrial environments, but much less is known on how pollution and natural stress factors work together. In our long-term study (1991-2018), we explored whether industrial pollution and associated habitat changes increase the sensitivity of breeding parameters (hatching and fledging success, nestling growth) to temperature and precipitation in two insectivorous bird species, the great tit (Parus major) and the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). We found that both species are rather weather sensitive in terms of their fledging success, but especially in the F.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControversial glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most frequently used herbicides globally. GBH residues are detected in soil, water, crops, and food products, potentially exposing non-target organisms to health risks; these organisms include wildlife, livestock, and humans. However, the potential for GBH-related parental effects are poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends rectal indomethacin or diclofenac before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. However, data on the prophylactic effect in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are lacking.
Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study.
Here, we examined whether glyphosate affects the microbiota of herbivores feeding on non-target plants. Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) were reared on potato plants grown in pots containing untreated soil or soil treated with glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH). As per the manufacturer's safety recommendations, the GBH soil treatments were done 2 weeks prior to planting the potatoes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy (TPBS) is an advanced cannulation method for accessing common bile duct (CBD) in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). If CBD cannulation is difficult, an endoscopist can open the septum between the pancreatic and biliary duct with a sphincterotome to gain access. Long-term results of this procedure are unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControversial glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most frequently used herbicides globally. An increasing number of studies have identified GBH residues in soil, water, and even human food that may expose nontarget organisms including wildlife, livestock, and humans to health risks. After a heated debate, the European Union allowed the use of GBHs to continue until 2022, after which their risks will be re-evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Gastroenterol Hepatol
October 2019
Objective: In European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines, biliary cannulation of native papilla is defined as difficult in the presence of >5 papilla contacts, >5 min cannulation time or >1 unintended pancreatic duct cannulation (5-5-2). The aim is to test 5-5-2-criteria in a single-center practice predicting the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP), and to study the efficacy of transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy (TPBS) as an advanced method for biliary cannulation.
Methods: Prospectively collected data of 821 patients with native papilla were analyzed.