Tuberculosis in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, in the 1990s

The characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) cases and deaths were analyzed in order to characterize the epidemiological profile of TB (incidence and mortality) in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, in the 1990s. Annual incidence and mortality rates were calculated by gender, age bracket, and clinical forms of the disease using databases from the Tuberculosis Information System of the Bahia State Health Secretariat and the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. TB spatial distribution was analyzed according to health district. Cases and deaths were predominantly in males in the 15 to 39 year group. The pulmonary form showed the highest incidence and mortality. The existing data did not corroborate the hypothesis that AIDS/TB co-infection might contribute to maintaining the high mortality rates. The greater occurrence of tuberculosis in certain health districts may be associated with population density and unfavorable living conditions.     

Arsenic,cadmium, cobalt,copper, lead,mercury, molybdenum,selenium and zinc concentrations in liver,kidney and muscle in Australian sheep

Matched muscle, liver and kidney samples from 152 sheep in different states of Australia were analysed for trace elements. Mean levels found in muscle, livers and kidneys were 0.010, 0.010 and 0.011 mg kg⁻¹ (fresh weight) for arsenic; 0.0035, 0.280 and 0.853 mg kg⁻¹ for cadmium; 0.006, 0.060 and 0.044 mg kg⁻¹ for cobalt; 0.74, 66.0 and 2.72 mg kg⁻¹ for copper; 0.007, 0.040 and 0.057 mg kg⁻¹ for lead; 0.0025, 0.0034 and 0.0061 mg kg⁻¹ for mercury; 0.014, 1.05 and 0.44 mg kg⁻¹ for molybdenum; 0.09, 0.31 and 0.95 mg kg⁻¹ for selenium; and 40.4, 37.2 and 20.8 mg kg⁻¹ for zinc. The lead, mercury and arsenic concentrations in meat and organs may be regarded as low, but the concentrations of cadmium in kidney and livers are sometimes relatively high. Apart from cadmium, lead and selenium, tissue trace element concentrations were not related to the age of the investigated animals. Differences in essential and non-essential trace element accumulation in sheep reared in different regions (states and territories) of Australia were also evaluated. Cadmium, lead and selenium were the only elements that appeared to show significant regional differences. Overall the results show that concentrations of the elements considered are within current acceptable ranges.     

Vitamins, selenium, iron, and coronary heart disease risk in Indians, Malays, and Chinese in Singapore

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that the higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians (South Asians) compared with Malays and Chinese is partly because of differences in antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E, and selenium) and pro-oxidants (iron). DESIGN: Cross sectional study of the general population. SETTING: Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 941 persons aged 30 to 69 years. MAIN RESULTS: There were moderate correlations between vitamin A and vitamin E, and between these vitamins and selenium. Mean plasma vitamins A and E were similar by ethnic group. Vitamin A concentration for Indians were (men 0.66 and women 0.51 mg/l), Malays (men 0.67 and women 0.54 mg/l), and Chinese (men 0.68 and women 0.52 mg/l). Vitamin E concentrations for Indians were (men 12.9 and women 12.8 mg/l), Malays (men 13.6 and women 13.3 mg/l), and Chinese (men 12.6 and women 12.6 mg/l). In contrast, mean plasma vitamin C concentrations were lower in Indians (men 5.7 and women 6.9 mg/l) and Malays (men 5.1 and women 6.4 mg/l) than Chinese (men 6.3 and women 8.4 mg/l). Mean serum selenium was lower in Indians (men 117 and women 115 micrograms/l) than Malays (men 122 and women 122 micrograms/l) and Chinese (men 126 and women 119 micrograms/l). Mean serum ferritin was much lower in Indians (men 132 and women 50 micrograms/l) than Malays (men 175 and women 85 micrograms/l) and Chinese (men 236 and women 92 micrograms/l). MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Lower vitamin C and selenium in Indians, particularly in combination, could play a part in their increased risk of CHD. Vitamins A and E, and ferritin (iron) have no such role. Lower vitamin C in Indians and Malays is probably because of its destruction by more prolonged cooking. In Indians, lower selenium is probably because of a lower dietary intake and the much lower ferritin to a lower dietary intake of iron and its binding by phytates.

 

     

Passive smoking in bars, restaurants, and discotheques in Florence, Italy

BACKGROUND: "Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure in a sample of European cities" is the first European multicentre project intended to measure ETS exposure in public places in a number of European cities. OBJECTIVES: To present results of measurements of nicotine concentration in a number of bars, restaurants and discotheques in Florence, Italy. METHODS: The ETS marker was vapour-phase nicotine sampled by passive monitors. At least two monitors were placed in each of seven bars (five in hospitals; one at an airport; one at a railway station), and seven restaurants (three with smoking and non-smoking sections), and left in place for several days. In each of four discotheques two nicotine passive monitors were used as personal samplers. RESULTS: The average nicotine concentration in discotheques, restaurants and bars was respectively 26.78 micro/m3, 2.32 microg/m3 and 0.83 microg/m3. In the smoking section of restaurants with separated areas for smokers and non-smokers the average nicotine concentration was 2.54 microg/m3, which was similar to that measured in non-smoking sections (2.14 microg/m3).     

Homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12, and cardiovascular risk in Indians, Malays, and Chinese in Singapore

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that the higher rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Indians (South Asians) compared with Malays and Chinese is partly attributable to differences in blood concentrations of homocysteine, and related blood concentrations of folate and vitamin B12. DESIGN: Cross sectional study of the general population. SETTING: Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 726 fasting subjects aged 30 to 69 years. MAIN RESULTS: Mean plasma total homocysteine concentrations did not show significant ethnic differences; values were Indians (men 16.2 and women 11.5 mumol/l), Malays (men 15.0 and women 12.5 mumol/l), and Chinese (men 15.3 and women 12.2 mumol/l). Similarly, the proportions with high plasma homocysteine (> 14.0 mumol/l) showed no important ethnic differences being, Indians (men 60.0 and women 21.9%), Malays (men 53.9 and women 37.8%), and Chinese (men 56.6 and women 30.6%). Mean plasma folate concentrations were lower in Indians (men 8.7 and women 10.9 nmol/l) and Malays (men 8.5 and women 10.8 nmol/l), than Chinese (men 9.7 and women 13.8 nmol/l). Similarly, the proportions with low plasma folate (< 6.8 nmol/l) were higher in Indians (men 44.9 and women 36.6%) and Malays (men 45.3 and women 24.5%) than Chinese (men 31.4 and women 12.6%). Mean plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were lowest in Indians (men 352.5 and women 350.7 pmol/l), then Chinese (men 371.1 and women 373.7 pmol/l), and then Malays (men 430.5 and women 486.0 pmol/l). CONCLUSION: While there were ethnic differences for plasma folate and vitamin B12 (in particular lower levels in Indians), there was no evidence that homocysteine plays any part in the differential ethnic risk from CHD in Singapore and in particular the increased susceptibility of Indians to the disease.     

Murine Typhus in Austin,Texas, USA, 2008

In August 2008, Texas authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated reports of increased numbers of febrile rash illnesses in Austin to confirm the causative agent as Rickettsia typhi, to assess the outbreak magnitude and illness severity, and to identify potential animal reservoirs and peridomestic factors that may have contributed to disease emergence. Thirty-three human cases of confirmed murine typhus were identified. Illness onset was reported from March to October. No patients died, but 23 (70%) were hospitalized. The case-patients clustered geographically in central Austin; 12 (36%) resided in a single ZIP code area. Specimens from wildlife and domestic animals near case-patient homes were assessed; 18% of cats, 44% of dogs, and 71% of opossums had antibodies reactive to R. typhi. No evidence of R. typhi was detected in the whole blood, tissue, or arthropod specimens tested. These findings suggest that an R. typhi cycle involving opossums and domestic animals may be present in Austin.     

Schistosomiasis japonica, anemia, and iron status in children, adolescents, and young adults in Leyte, Philippines 1

BACKGROUND: Observational and interventional evidence supports a relation between human schistosomiasis and anemia; however, the exact causal mechanisms remain unclear. Eggs translocating across the intestinal or bladder wall may result in extracorporeal blood loss with subsequent iron deficiency. Alternatively, anemia may result from cytokine-mediated dyserythropoiesis, as seen in anemia of inflammation. OBJECTIVES: By evaluating the cross-sectional relation between the intensity of Schistosoma japonicum infection, hemoglobin concentration, and iron status in 7-30-y-old persons from S. japonicum-endemic rice-farming villages in the province of Leyte, Philippines, we assessed the relative contribution of iron deficiency and anemia of inflammation to schistosomiasis-associated anemia. DESIGN: We enrolled 627 S. japonicum-infected and 111 S. japonicum-uninfected persons. We obtained stool samples to quantify S. japonicum infection and venous blood samples for hemograms and measures of iron status and inflammation. RESULTS: Intensity of S. japonicum infection was independently associated with hemoglobin (beta = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.31, -0.17). Persons with high-intensity infection had a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia (adjusted prevalence odds ratio: 6.6; 95% CI: 2.9, 14.7), but there was no evidence of this relation in low-intensity infections. In contrast, anemia without iron deficiency was prevalent across all intensities (adjusted prevalence odds ratio: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 9.5). CONCLUSIONS: Storage iron deficiency is a major contributor to anemia in high-intensity S. japonicum infection. A high prevalence of anemia without iron deficiency, exclusion of other mechanisms of anemia, and the evidence of low bioavailable iron suggest that anemia of inflammation contributes to S. japonicum-associated anemia at all infection intensities.     

Molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and strontium in total diets

The 234 foods from a 1984 collection of the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study were analyzed for the trace elements molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and strontium by plasma emission spectrometry. Daily intakes of these elements were then estimated for eight age-sex groups on the basis of results from national food consumption surveys. The contribution of food commodity groups to the daily intake of the five elements and the distribution of the elements in the 234 foods were also determined. Results from this study were compared with those reported earlier from other laboratories.     

Researcher, physician, patient connection in information, communication, and relationship

The change from the sociology of medicine to the sociology of health comes about in a post-modern social context characterized by a complex and ambiguous situation. This is particularly true in the case of maternity where communication between people of different knowledge is fundamental: the researcher, doctor and female patient tend to lean towards an auto-referential relationship based on an informative communication method (as emerged from a survey on how women patients received information in the cities of Bologna and Urbino). Adopting a relational type communication based on listening, the three subjects can create a common system which, thanks also to the support of modern technology, can help to easily overcome the difficulties encountered.     

Gender,play, language,and creativity in preschoolers

This study explored the effects of a child's gender and school setting on preschoolers' language abilities (receptive vocabulary), creativity, and social play. The participants were primarily European-American children who spoke English as a primary language (nine children were bilingual), and were from middle income socioeconomic backgrounds. There were 20 girls and 33 boys. Ages ranged from 3.11 to 6.60 years with a mean age of 4.66 years. On separate occasions, children individually completed the Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-IV. We also recorded the children's social play using Howes and Matheson's [1992. Sequences in the development of competent play with peers: Social and social pretend play. Developmental Psychology, 28, 961–974] scale. We employed a time sampling approach and also notated the area in which the child was playing. We found that gender and school setting influenced children's language abilities and social play. For example, children in the preschool that engaged in pretend play with greater frequency performed well on the receptive vocabulary test. We also found that certain classroom areas generated different types of social play. We discuss the applied value of our findings as these relate to future research.     

Environmental temperature, cholera, and acute diarrhoea in adults in Lima, Peru

The effects of environmental temperature, presence and severity of El Ni?o, presence of cholera in the community, and interactions among these variables on the number of adult diarrhoeal patients attending the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, during 1991-1998, were evaluated. During 1991-1996, an increased number of visits to the hospital due to acute diarrhoea in the warmer months was observed. This periodic pattern was altered in 1997, when rising of the environmental temperature was observed in Lima secondarily associated with a strong El Ni?o event. A multivariate model was built in which environmental temperature and interaction between environmental temperature and presence of cholera predicted the number of adult patients with acute diarrhoea attending the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia. Monitoring of environmental temperature and presence of cholera may be used as a warning system to predict epidemics of diarrhoea in adults, which may have a tremendous impact on healthcare strategies and management of health services in general.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in bovine, buffalo, camel, ovine, and caprine milk in Iran

Helicobacter pylori infection in humans is one of the most common infections worldwide. However, the origin and transmission of this bacterium has not been clearly explained. One of the suggested theories is transmission via raw milk from animals to human beings. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of H. pylori in bulk milk samples from dairy bovine, buffalo, camel, ovine, and caprine herds in Iran. In the present study, 447 bulk milk samples from 230 dairy bovine, buffalo, camel, ovine, and caprine herds were collected in four provinces and tested for H. pylori by cultural method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of the ureC (glmM) gene. The animals whose milk samples collected for this study were clinically healthy. Using the cultural method, three of 447 milk samples (0.67%), including two sheep (2.2%) and one buffalo (1.6%) milk samples, were found to be contaminated with H. pylori. H. pylori ureC gene was detected in 56 (12.5%) of milk samples, including 19 cow (14.1%), 11 sheep (12.2%), nine goat (8.7%), two camel (3.6%), and 15 buffalo (23.4%) milk samples. Using PCR method, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in the level of contamination with H. pylori between milk samples collected from different species. The present study is the first report of the isolation of H. pylori from raw sheep and buffalo milk in Iran and the first demonstration of H. pylori DNA in camel and buffalo milk.