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Abstract Objective: To examine the prevalence of malnutrition among children and adolescents visiting Kanti Children’s Hospital (KCH) and identify predictors associated with malnutrition. Results will guide the development of a newly established nutrition programme at KCH. Design: This cross-sectional pilot study recruited children and adolescents over a 1-month period. Nutritional anthropometrics (height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)) and socio-demographic questionnaires were administered. Clinical data were abstracted from the medical chart. Setting: KCH in Kathmandu, Nepal. Participants: 370 children and adolescents. Results: Most participants were male (65·1 %); mean age was 3·9 years (±3·4 years). The prevalence of stunting was 25·9 %, wasting was 17·3 % and 24·0 % when classified by BMI-for-age Z-score or MUAC, respectively. Two percent of participants were overweight. Notably, 32·1 % of children ≥5 years were classified with wasting based on MUAC-for-age Z-score, which is higher than that observed in children

Objective: To examine the prevalence of malnutrition among children and adolescents visiting Kanti Children's Hospital (KCH) and identify predictors associated with malnutrition. Results will guide the development of a newly established nutrition programme at KCH. Design: This cross-sectional pilot study recruited children and adolescents over a 1-month period. Nutritional anthropometrics (height, weight and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)) and socio-demographic questionnaires were administered. Clinical data were abstracted from the medical chart. Setting: KCH in Kathmandu, Nepal. Participants: 370 children and adolescents. Results: Most participants were male (65·1 %); mean age was 3·9 years (±3·4 years). The prevalence of stunting was 25·9 %, wasting was 17·3 % and 24·0 % when classified by BMI-for-age Z -score or MUAC, respectively. Two percent of participants were overweight. Notably, 32·1 % of children ≥5 years were classified with wasting based on MUAC-for-age Z -score, which is higher than that observed in children <5 (20·2 %). Food insecurity was reported among 58·2 % of children with stunting and 34·0 % with wasting. Chronic medical conditions predicted stunting and wasting. The lowest level of wealth predicted stunting, while ethnicity predicted wasting. Ethnicity and education level predicted food insecurity. Conclusions: We found that the prevalence of stunting and wasting at KCH are higher than previously published studies in Nepal. Malnutrition persists beyond 5 years, and we identified several predictors of malnutrition. Increased provision of and access to clinical nutrition programmes is an essential need for KCH. Twinning programs that provide local clinicians with increased opportunities for education and mentorship of local staff remains a pressing need in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Intratumoral cellular heterogeneity necessitates multi-targeting therapies for improved clinical benefits in advanced malignancies. However, systematic identification of patient-specific treatments that selectively co-inhibit cancerous cell populations poses a combinatorial challenge, since the number of possible drug-dose combinations vastly exceeds what could be tested in patient cells. Here, we describe a machine learning approach, scTherapy, which leverages single-cell transcriptomic profiles to prioritize multi-targeting treatment options for individual patients with hematological cancers or solid tumors. Patient-specific treatments reveal a wide spectrum of co-inhibitors of multiple biological pathways predicted for primary cells from heterogenous cohorts of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, each with unique resistance patterns and synergy mechanisms. Experimental validations confirm that 96% of the multi-targeting treatments exhibit selective efficacy or synergy, and 83% demonstrate low toxicity to normal cells, highlighting their potential for therapeutic efficacy and safety. In a pan-cancer analysis across five cancer types, 25% of the predicted treatments are shared among the patients of the same tumor type, while 19% of the treatments are patient-specific. Our approach provides a widely-applicable strategy to identify personalized treatment regimens that selectively co-inhibit malignant cells and avoid inhibition of non-cancerous cells, thereby increasing their likelihood for clinical success.

Abstract Unraveling the precursory signals of potentially destructive earthquakes is crucial to understand the Earth’s crust dynamics and to provide reliable seismic warnings. Earthquake precursors are ambiguous, but recent experimental studies suggest that robust warning signs may precede large seismic events in the short (day-to-months) term. Here, we show that the M6.4-M7.1 2019 Ridgecrest sequence (California) and the M7.1 2018 Anchorage earthquake (Alaska) were preceded by up to ~3 months of tectonic unrest on regional scales, as evidenced by abnormal low-magnitude seismicity spreading over the ~15-25% of Southern California and Southcentral Alaska. This precursory unrest has been discovered with an algorithm that integrates an innovative random forest machine learning approach and statistical features built from earthquake catalogs. Supported by a novel suite of finite element solid mechanics models, we propose that precursory, abnormal, low-magnitude seismicity arises if the pore fluid pressure within large fault segments escalates significantly as they approach failure, which leads to major uneven changes in the regional stress field. Our findings and method may open up new perspectives for surveillance agencies to anticipate when a region approaches an earthquake of great magnitude weeks to months before it occurs.

Abstract This explorative literature review aims to examine the content and methodologies of recent empirical studies on the aspirations of youth in situations of migration in Europe. The search yielded 30 peer-reviewed social science publications in English for the period 2010–2022, including both intra-European migrants ages 10–24 and youth with backgrounds from outside Europe. Contextual analysis was used to analyse the content of the reviewed studies, while a typology developed by Beckert and Suckert was used to examine features of the future appearing in the studies’ research aims, methodology and findings. The analysis broadly situated the studies within constructivist traditions, occupying a mid-position between deterministic and agency-oriented epistemologies. All the features of the future listed by Beckert and Suckert were found in the material, but the categories 'Temporal configurations of the future' and 'Space of the future' showed greater complexities. Participants in the studies lived in different European countries and the study samples comprised a wide range of ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and status of residence. Nevertheless, barriers linked to participants' position as migrants were tangible, while the ability these young people had to envisage the future was strongly affected by uncertainties linked to migration policy and administrative decisions on their status. A mismatch could notably be observed between youth aspirations and the opportunities offered by their life situation, which led to delays in life projects and the inability to plan ahead. Critical relevance statement By an analysis of social studies research on aspirations of youth in situations of migration in various European countries, this review highlights the need to consider implications for youth aspirations and life trajectories in both policy and practice Key points • Young people in situations of migration have high aspirations but confront substantial barriers • Uncertainties prevent youth from long-term planning and realising life projects • Current policies create conditions that are not consistent with European values and ambitions

We analysed all the Holocene structures defining the Fremrinamar Fissure Swarm (FFS), in the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland, through the interpretation of aerial photos, orthomosaics and Digital Surface Models (DSMs), and field surveys. We measured the strike, dip, length and kinematics of 761 normal faults and reconstructed the slip profile of 76 main faults (length >2 km), with the purpose of evaluating the overall direction of along-axis rift propagation. We also measured the strike of 146 eruptive fissures and 1,128 extension fractures. A total of 421 faults dip towards the east and 340 dip towards the west, mainly striking N0°-10°E. Maximum fault length is 14.2 km, and W-dipping faults are longer than E-dipping faults. The majority of eruptive fissures strike N10°-20°E, and are concentrated in the southern part of the FFS, around the Fremrinamar central volcano. Extension fractures mainly strike N0°-10°E, with a maximum length of 2,508 m. We evaluated the variation of strike, fracture density and spacing along the FFS, and observed a change of its trend from NNE-SSW in the central-southern part, to NNW-SSE in the northern part. We interpret this evidence as the effect of the intersection with the Grimsey Lineament. The tapering of fault slip profiles indicates a main northward propagation of the rift, and thus of the deformation, interpreted as the effect of lateral propagation of dykes from the magma chamber below the central volcano towards the north. Such interpretation is also supported by the distribution of normal faults, vertical offset and dilation values, and also by the rift width, which tend to decrease towards the north.

Abstract The most widely used test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a PCR test. PCR has very high sensitivity and is able to detect very low amounts of RNA. However, many individuals receiving a positive test result in a context of a PCR-based surveillance might be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but they are not contagious at the time of the test. The question arises regards if the cost effective, portable rapid antigen tests (RATs) have a better performance than PCR in identification of infectious individuals. In this direction, we examined the diagnostic performance of RATs from 14 different manufacturers in 400 clinical samples with known rRT-PCR cycles threshold (cT) and 50 control samples. Substantial variability was observed in the limit of detection (LOD) of different RATs (cT = 26.8–34.7). The fluorescence-based RAT exhibited a LOD of cT = 34.7. The use of the most effective RATs leads to true positive rates (sensitivities) of 99.1% and 90.9% for samples with cT ≤ 30 and cT ≤ 33, respectively, percentages that can guarantee a sensitivity high enough to identify contagious patients. RAT testing may also substantially reduce the quarantine period for infected individuals without compromising personal or public safety.

Mortality is substantially elevated in patients on chronic kidney disease in comparison to general population. In this study, we observed the mortality rate in relation to risk factors including low serum bicarbonate level, coronary artery disease (CAD), and dialysis modality in patients on dialysis during a median follow-up time of 60 months. We studied 96 dialysis patients, 62 males and 34 females, on mean age 62.1 ± 14.27 years old. The treatment modalities which were applied were predilution hemodiafiltration (HDF, n = 76), and peritoneal dialysis (PD, n = 20). We performed Kaplan–Meier curves and a Cox-regression analysis to investigate significant risk factors for mortality including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, bone disease defined by intact-parathormone, serum albumin, serum bicarbonate levels < or >22 mEq/L, dialysis modality, and the existence of CAD. Cox-regression analysis revealed a significant impact of serum bicarbonate levels <22 mEq/L on mortality in combination to dialysis modality and CAD. The prevalence of CAD on mortality was found significant (log-rank = 5.507, P = 0.02). Furthermore, the impact of dialysis modality on mortality was shown significant (log rank = 22.4, P = 0.001), noting that during the first 28–30 months from the treatment initiation, the survival was better for PD; but then, the mortality was significantly increased comparatively to HDF. Uncorrected metabolic acidosis and CAD were shown as independent significant predictors for mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy. PD may provide worse survival after 2–2.5 years of treatment initiation than HDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review attempts to summarize contributions by authors who, in the last decade, have dedicated their efforts to making geoheritage accessible to the public. Geoheritage is composed of geosites, which are, nowadays, real milestones on which field-based geological education can be conducted. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in particular has made it clear that a new paradigm is needed; a series of tools must be introduced and increasingly used to make it possible for potential users, be they academics, students, or the lay public, to experience geosites from locations that can be thousands of kilometers away. All these have been achieved over time by a wide range of evolving techniques and advanced technologies such as GIS tools, virtual reality applications and further innovative technologies such as WebGIS platforms accompanied by appropriate navigation tools (VR headsets and thumbsticks). The viewers, in this way, are provided with a complete view of a virtual geosite, which enables visualizing its characteristics at different scales. VR technologies, especially, have revealed a high degree of satisfaction, based on feedback collected from VR geosite visualization events, both by scientists, students and the general public, and could be the forefront of geosite visualization and valorization in the near future.

The objective of this research is the groundwater quality analysis in the Mygdonia basin (North Greece), where intensive agricultural activities take place. Groundwater sampling was carried out in May (17 samples) and in September (26 samples) for the years from 2013 to 2015. In situ physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, and T) were tested, whereas major ions (Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, SO42−, Cl−, and HCO3−) were analyzed in the laboratory. Conventional statistical methods were applied for the classification of the groundwater hydrochemical type and the identification of the prevailing hydrogeological processes. Finally, some recommendations are presented for the protection of groundwater quality.

The concepts of CO2 emission, global warming, climate change, and their environmental impacts are of utmost importance for the understanding and protection of the ecosystems. Among the natural sources of gases into the atmosphere, the contribution of geogenic sources plays a crucial role. However, while subaerial emissions are widely studied, submarine outgassing is not yet well understood. In this study, we review and catalog 122 literature and unpublished data of submarine emissions distributed in ten coastal areas of the Aegean Sea. This catalog includes descriptions of the degassing vents through in situ observations, their chemical and isotopic compositions, and flux estimations. Temperatures and pH data of surface seawaters in four areas affected by submarine degassing are also presented. This overview provides useful information to researchers studying the impact of enhanced seawater CO2 concentrations related either to increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere or leaking carbon capture and storage systems.

This work is aimed at reviewing the current state of the art in geosite selection, assessment, and communication. We first highlight the main papers that have defined paramount concepts such as geodiversity, geoheritage, and geosites. We then delve into the theoretical principles and guidelines that have been proposed over the last twenty years by researchers who have thoroughly illustrated how to individuate and assess geosites. In doing so, we illustrate notable field examples of applications of qualitative and quantitative assessments of geosites in places such as Serbia, India, Iceland, Ecuador, Sardinia (Italy), Egypt, Tasmania (Australia), and Brazil. The third part of this work is dedicated to illustrating a list (by no means exhaustive) of works that have tried to come up with innovative tools, strategies, and solutions to promote and communicate geosites. From our work, it appears that geosites can be extremely effective as fully fledged outreach tools capable of bridging the gap between Earth science and the lay public.

Mofettes are gas emission sites where high concentrations of CO2 ascend through conduits from as deep as the mantle to the Earth’s surface and as such provide direct windows to processes at depth. The Hartoušov mofette, located at the western margin of the Eger Graben, is a key site to study interactions between fluids and swarm earthquakes. The mofette field (10 mofettes within an area of 100 m × 500 m and three wells of 28, 108, and 239 m depth) is characterized by high CO2 emission rates (up to 100 t/d) and helium signatures with (3He/4He)c up to 5.8 Ra, indicating mantle origin. We compiled geological, geophysical, geochemical, and isotopic data to describe the mofette system. Fluids in the Cheb basin are mixtures between shallow groundwater and brine (>40 g/L at a depth of 235 m) located at the deepest parts of the basin fillings. Overpressured CO2-rich mineral waters are trapped below the mudstones and clays of the sealing Cypris formation. Drilling through this sealing layer led to blow-outs in different compartments of the basin. Pressure transients were observed related to natural disturbances as well as human activities. External (rain) and internal (earthquakes) events can cause pressure transients in the fluid system within hours or several days, lasting from days to years and leading to changes in gas flux rates. The 2014 earthquake swarm triggered an estimated excess release of 175,000 tons of CO2 during the following four years. Pressure oscillations were observed at a wellhead lasting 24 h with increasing amplitudes (from 10 to 40 kPa) and increasing frequencies reaching five cycles per hour. These oscillations are described for the first time as a potential natural analog to a two-phase pipe–relief valve system known from industrial applications.

The Cheb Basin (Czech Republic) is characterized by emanations of magma-derived gases and repeated occurrences of mid-crustal earthquake swarms with small to intermediate magnitudes (ML < 4.5). Associated intense mantle degassing occurs at the Hartoušov Mofette, a representative site for the Cheb Basin. Here, we performed 14 sampling campaigns between June 2019 and March 2020. Gas samples of fluids ascending in two boreholes (F1, ∼28 m depth and F2, ∼108 m depth) and from a nearby natural mofette were analyzed for their chemical (CO2, N2, O2, Ar, He, CH4, and H2) and isotope compositions (noble gases and CO2). CO2 concentrations were above 99.1% in most samples, while O2 and N2 were below 0.6%. He ranged from 19 to 34 μmol/mol and CH4 was mostly below 12 μmol/mol. Isotope compositions of helium and carbon in CO2 ranged from 5.39 to 5.86 RA and from −2.4 to −1.3 ‰ versus VPDB, respectively. Solubility differences of the investigated gases resulted in fluctuations of their chemical compositions. These differences were accompanied by observed changes of gas fluxes in the field and at the monitoring station for F1. Variations in solubilities and fluxes also impacted the chemical concentration of the gases and the δ13C values that were also likely influenced by Fischer-Tropsch type reactions. The combination of (a) the Bernard ratio, (b) CH4/3He distributions, (c) P-T conditions, (d) heat flow, and (e) the sedimentary regime led to the hypothesis that CH4 may be of mixed biogenic and volcanic/geothermal origin with a noticeable atmospheric contribution. The drilling of a third borehole (F3) with a depth of ∼238 m in August 2019 has been crucial for providing insights into the complex system of Hartoušov Mofette.

Fluid anomalies were often considered as possible precursors before earthquakes. However, fluid properties at the surface can change for a variety of reasons, including environmental changes near the surface, the response of the superficial fluid system to loads associated with the mechanical nucleation of earthquake fractures, or as a result of transients in fluid flow from the depths. A key problem is to understand the origin of the anomaly and to distinguish between different causes. We present a new approach to monitor geochemical and geophysical fluid properties along a vertical profile in a set of drillings from a depth of a few hundred meters to the surface. This setup can provide hints on the origin of temporal variations, as the migration direction and speed of properties can be measured. In addition, potential admixtures of fluids from a deep crustal or mantle origin with meteoric fluids can be better quantified. A prototype of a multi-level gas monitoring system comprising flow and pressure probes, as well as monitoring of fluid-geochemical properties and stable isotopes is being implemented in a mofette field with massive CO2 (up to 97 tons per day) degassing. The mofette is believed a gas emission site where CO2 ascends through crustal-scale conduits from as deep as the upper mantle, and may therefore provide a natural window to ongoing magmatic processes at mantle depth. Fluids from three adjacent boreholes—30, 70, and 230 m deep—will be continuously monitored at high sampling rates.

Immersive virtual reality can potentially open up interesting geological sites to students, academics and others who may not have had the opportunity to visit such sites previously. We study how users perceive the usefulness of an immersive virtual reality approach applied to Earth Sciences teaching and communication. During nine immersive virtual reality-based events held in 2018 and 2019 in various locations (Vienna in Austria, Milan and Catania in Italy, Santorini in Greece), a large number of visitors had the opportunity to navigate, in immersive mode, across geological landscapes reconstructed by cutting-edge, unmanned aerial system-based photogrammetry techniques. The reconstructed virtual geological environments are specifically chosen virtual geosites, from Santorini (Greece), the North Volcanic Zone (Iceland), and Mt. Etna (Italy). Following the user experiences, we collected 459 questionnaires, with a large spread in participant age and cultural background. We find that the majority of respondents would be willing to repeat the immersive virtual reality experience, and importantly, most of the students and Earth Science academics who took part in the navigation confirmed the usefulness of this approach for geo-education purposes.

This paper consists of the fabrication and investigation of metal membranes and the study of their behaviour and applications in gas separation processes. The scope is to produce and characterize the porous crystal structure of brass alloy (standardization: DIN 17660) membranes and measure their permeability with helium as a penetrant medium. Another part of this study is to alter the brass alloy’s structure throughout metallurgical treatments and investigate how the permeability is allied to the structure’s alteration. This work merges the knowledge and technology of inorganic porous materials science in metallurgy. The novelty of the current research resides in the process to alternate the brass alloy structure throughout metallurgical treatments and how it is allied to the permeability of the membrane, which is of interest to be investigated. The results of the research are analysed and compared conducting the final inferences. All metallurgical treatments resulted in low permeability values when compared to a non-treated specimen. Specifically, the drop in permeance ranged from 76 up to 99.56%. It is noted that consecutive treatments contributed to even further decreases.

We document and show a state-of-the-art methodology that could allow geoheritage sites (geosites) to become accessible to scientific and non-scientific audiences through immersive and non-immersive virtual reality applications. This is achieved through a dedicated WebGIS platform, particularly handy in communicating geoscience during the COVID-19 era. For this application, we selected nine volcanic outcrops in Santorini, Greece. The latter are mainly associated with several geological processes (e.g., dyking, explosive, and effusive eruptions). In particular, they have been associated with the famous Late Bronze Age (LBA) eruption, which made them ideal for geoheritage popularization objectives since they combine scientific and educational purposes with geotourism applications. Initially, we transformed these stunning volcanological outcrops into geospatial models—the so called virtual outcrops (VOs) here defined as virtual geosites (VGs)—through UAV-based photogrammetry and 3D modeling. In the next step, we uploaded them on an online platform that is fully accessible for Earth science teaching and communication. The nine VGs are currently accessible on a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet. Each one includes a detailed description and plenty of annotations available for the viewers during 3D exploration. We hope this work will be regarded as a forward model application for Earth sciences’ popularization and make geoheritage open to the scientific community and the lay public.

Forty-five gas samples have been collected from natural gas manifestations at the island of Kos—the majority of which are found underwater along the southern coast of the island. On land, two anomalous degassing areas have been recognized. These areas are mainly characterized by the lack of vegetation and after long dry periods by the presence of sulfate salt efflorescence. Carbon dioxide is the prevailing gas species (ranging from 88 to 99%), while minor amounts of N2 (up to 7.5%) and CH4 (up to 2.1%) are also present. Significant contents of H2 (up to 0.2%) and H2S (up to 0.3%) are found in the on-land manifestations. Only one of the underwater manifestations is generally rich in N2 (up to 98.9%) with CH4 concentrations of up to 11.7% and occasionally extremely low CO2 amounts (down to 0.09%). Isotope composition of He ranges from 0.85 to 6.71 R/RA, indicating a sometimes-strong mantle contribution; the highest values measured are found in the two highly degassing areas of Paradise beach and Volcania. C-isotope composition of CO2 ranges from -20.1 to 0.64‰ vs. V-PDB, with the majority of the values being concentrated at around -1‰ and therefore proposing a mixed mantle—limestone origin. Isotope composition of CH4 ranges from -21.5 to +2.8‰ vs. V-PDB for C and from -143 to +36‰ vs. V-SMOW for H, pointing to a geothermal origin with sometimes-evident secondary oxidation processes. The dataset presented in this work consists of sites that were repeatedly sampled in the last few years, with some of which being also sampled just before and immediately after the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred on the 20th of July 2017 about 15 km ENE of the island of Kos. Changes in the degassing areas along with significant variations in the geochemical parameters of the released gases were observed both before and after the seismic event; however, no coherent model explaining those changes was obtained. CO2 flux measurements showed values of up to about 104 g×m−2×d−1 in both the areas of Volcania and Kokkino Nero, 5×104 g×m−2×d−1 at Paradise beach, and 8×105 g×m−2×d−1 at Therma spring. CO2 output estimations gave values of 24.6, 16.8, 12.7, and 20.6 t×d−1, respectively, for the above four areas. The total output of the island is 74.7 t×d−1 and is comparable to those of the other active volcanic/geothermal systems of Greece (Nisyros, Nea Kameni, Milos, Methana, and Sousaki).

Science education research has recognized the potential of NanoScience and nanoTechnology (NST) due to its contribution to scientific literacy of future generations. Scholars have identified nine “Big Ideas” as important enough to teach in order to understand NST issues. Based on these “Big Ideas” a teaching learning sequence for lower secondary students has been developed focused on: Size and Scale, Tools and Instrumentation, Size-Dependent Properties and Science-Technology-Society. The teaching sequence was implemented in a class of 15 students of a lower secondary school (8th grade; aged 14-15). Seven meetings took place; each one lasting about ninety minutes. The course was structured as follows: 1. Introduction. 2. How small is a nanometer? 3. How can we “see” the nanoworld? 4. Size-dependent properties: Change of the surface area to volume ratio. 5. Explaining the behavior of different textiles (ranged from hydrophilic to hydrophobic) when absorbing water drops. 6. Explaining color changes in gold nanoparticles. 7. Risk assessment of nanotechnology. Data have been collected by questionnaires, interviews, students’ worksheets and field notes. The results seem to be encouraging for the teaching of NST issues even in lower levels of education.

Nisyros Island, Greece, is a stratovolcano known for its intense hydrothermal activity. On June 2013, during a multidisciplinary field campaign, soil samples were collected in the caldera area to determinate the main mineralogical assemblages and to investigate the distribution of trace element concentrations and the possible relationship to the contribution of fluids of deep origin. Soil samples were analysed with XRD and for the chemical composition of their leachable (deionized water) and pseudo total (microwave digestion) [...]

Nisyros Island, Greece, is a stratovolcano known for its intense hydrothermal activity. On June 2013, during a multidisciplinary field campaign, soil samples were collected in the caldera area to determinate the main mineralogical assemblages and to investigate the distribution of trace element concentrations and the possible relationship to the contribution of fluids of deep origin. Soil samples were analysed with XRD and for the chemical composition of their leachable (deionized water) and pseudo total (microwave digestion) fraction both for major and trace elements. The results allow to divide the samples in 2 groups: Lakki Plain and Stefanos Crater. The latter, where a fumarolic area is located, shows a mineralogical assemblage dominated by phases typical of hydrothermal alteration. Their very low pH values (1.9 – 3.4) show the strong impact of fumarolic gases which are probably also the cause of strong enrichments in these soils of highly volatile elements like S, As, Se, Bi, Sb, Tl and Te.

A.1 Analytical TecniquesAll soil samples were air dried, thoroughly mixed and split into subsamples for analysis. Particular care was taken using a Riffle-type sample splitter to ensure that representative subsamples were obtained. All analyses were made after sieving the soil samples through a 2-mm sieve and, except for pH determination, ground with an agate mortar. [...]

Mineralogical Assemblages [...]

Background: Metabolic disturbances including changes in serum calcium, magnesium or phosphate (P) influence the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We assessed the importance of serum P in elderly patients with type 2 DM vs non-diabetes mellitus (non-DM) in relation to renal function., Aim: To determine the association between serum P and serum glucose or insulin resistance in diabetic and non-diabetic patients., Methods: One hundred-ten subjects with a mean age of 69.02 ± 14.3 years were enrolled. Twenty-nine of the participants had type 2 DM (26.4%). The incidence of hypertension, smoking and receiving vitamin D (vitD) derivates were recorded. The participants were classified by both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria categories according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes 2012 criteria., Results: We divided the patients in two groups according to the P cut-off point related to DM value. A comparison between high and low P showed that body mass index 30.2 ± 6.3 vs 28.1 ± 4.6 ( P = 0.04), mean glucose 63.6 vs 50.2 ( P = 0.03), uric acid 6.7 ± 1.6 vs 6.09 ± 1.7 ( P = 0.05), mean intact-parathyroid hormone 68.06 vs 47.4 ( P = 0.001), systolic blood pressure 147.4 ± 16.7 vs 140.2 ± 16.1 ( P = 0.02), mean albuminuria 63.2 vs 50.6 ( P = 0.04) and eGFR 45.6 ± 22.1 vs 55.4 ± 21.5 ( P = 0.02) were significantly different. χ 2 tests showed a significant association between high P and DM, hypertension, receiving vitD, smoking and eGFR stage ( χ 2 = 6.3, P = 0.01, χ 2 = 3.9, P = 0.03, χ 2 = 6.9, P = 0.009, χ 2 = 7.04, P = 0.01 and χ 2 = 7.36, P = 0.04, respectively). The adjusted model showed that older age, female gender and increased body mass index were significant predictors of type 2 DM when entering the covariates., Conclusion: High serum P contributes to vascular and metabolic disturbances in elderly patients with type 2 DM and renal impairment., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)