Optimal management of air quality in pig confinement buildings is essential for both hygienic and environmental aspects of pig production. The exposure level of farmers and pigs to aerial contaminants and correlations between environmental variables were evaluated in pig confinement buildings (piggeries). We evaluated the following aerial contaminants: (1) odor concentration index and the gaseous compounds ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, (2) total dust and respirable dust, and (3) microbes, comprising total bacteria, fungi, and gram-negative bacteria. The data presented in the study were collected over 30 days, with sampling once every three days from April to June in 2005. Although the concentrations of all the aerial contaminants except for respirable dust and ammonia were higher in the breathing zone of the pigs than in that of farmers, the only significant differences found between farmers' and pigs' breathing zones were in total dust and hydrogen sulfide. In contrast, ammonia concentration was significantly higher in the farmers' breathing zone than the pigs' (p < 0.05). Total dust significantly correlated with all the environmental variables except for respirable dust and inside temperature. Relative humidity, rather than temperature, was the main environmental factor affecting fluctuations of aerial contaminants in the pig confinement buildings (p < 0.05).

• The shear wave velocities (SWVs) are different between different ultrasound elastography machines • The SWVs are also different between different transducers and acquisition depths • Caution is needed when using the cutoff SWVs measured under different conditions.

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BackgroundAlthough many case reports have described patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-induced hypomagnesemia, the impact of PPI use on hypomagnesemia has not been fully clarified through comparative studies. We aimed to evaluate the association between the use of PPI and the risk of developing hypomagnesemia by conducting a systematic review with meta-analysis.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library using the primary keywords “proton pump,” “dexlansoprazole,” “esomeprazole,” “ilaprazole,” “lansoprazole,” “omeprazole,” “pantoprazole,” “rabeprazole,” “hypomagnesemia,” “hypomagnesaemia,” and “magnesium.” Studies were included if they evaluated the association between PPI use and hypomagnesemia and reported relative risks or odds ratios or provided data for their estimation. Pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q test and I 2 statistics.ResultsNine studies including 115,455 patients were analyzed. The median Newcastle-Ottawa quality score for the included studies was seven (range, 6–9). Among patients taking PPIs, the median proportion of patients with hypomagnesemia was 27.1% (range, 11.3–55.2%) across all included studies. Among patients not taking PPIs, the median proportion of patients with hypomagnesemia was 18.4% (range, 4.3–52.7%). On meta-analysis, pooled odds ratio for PPI use was found to be 1.775 (95% confidence interval 1.077–2.924). Significant heterogeneity was identified using Cochran’s Q test (df = 7, P<0.001, I 2 = 98.0%).ConclusionsPPI use may increase the risk of hypomagnesemia. However, significant heterogeneity among the included studies prevented us from reaching a definitive conclusion.