Identification and management of toxicological hazards of street foods in developing countries

Street food vending represents an important food security strategy for low-income communities worldwide.However, no comprehensive risk analysis framework yet exists as regards specific aspects of chemical/toxicological hazards in street foods. Indeed, all steps of street food production and vending can be vulnerable, from the selection of raw materials, through to the storage and preparation of meals and even the vending site, often exposed to urban pollutants. Relevant examples are cheap ingredients with illegal or undesirable residues, substances arising in poorly stored commodities (e.g., mycotoxins, histamine in scombroid fish), metals leaching from cookware, and process contaminants such as PAHs and acrylamide. As a consequence, greater awareness and preventive measures need to be implemented for coping with chemical/toxicological risk factors in a systematic and effective way. This review proposes specific points of attention for street foods preparation and vending with related hazard-tailored actions. The proposed measures in street food vending could integrate the prevention of biological risk factors, in order to promote comprehensive and up-to-date consumer safety.     

Alcohol and the self: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experience of addiction and its impact on the sense of self and identity

This article presents an in-depth study illuminating how experiences of addiction and accompanying feelings, thoughts and expressions appear to the participant in the context of her life. It focuses on the participant's engagement with alcohol as an experience of flux and instability and how it impacts on her sense of self. The study reports data from semi-structured interviews with a female participant, analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The results are considered in relation to relevant literature, including research on addiction and recovery, works on self and identity and theory and use of metaphor. It is suggested that IPA provides an opportunity to build up a rich picture of subjective-felt experience, and thus to contribute to existing psychological research a subjective perspective not often addressed in psychological accounts of addictive behaviour.     

Potential hazards of hexavalent chromate in our drinking water

A consideration of the consequences of human exposure to hexavalent Cr in the drinking water has been compiled. Since there is an absence of adequate human data on this subject the problem has been analyzed not only from human and animal studies but also from a mechanistic point of view. This treatise has been inspired by recent reviews and speculations that suggest that we may safely drink hexavalent Cr in great excess of the current EPA and states drinking water standards of 50-100 ppb.     

Understanding safety of glutamate in food and brain

Glutamate is ubiquitous in nature and is present in all living organisms. It is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in central nervous system. Glutamate is being used as food additive for enhancing flavour for over last 1200 years imparting a unique taste known as "umami" in Japanese. It is being marketed for about last 100 years. The taste of umami is now recognized as the fifth basic taste. Many of the foods used in cooking for enhancing flavour contain high amount of glutamate. Breast milk has the highest concentration of glutamate amongst all amino acids. Glutamate in high doses as gavage or parenteral injection have been reported to produce neurodegeneration in infant rodents. The neurodegeneration was not produced when gluamate was given with food. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, based on enumerable scientific evidence, has declared that, "glutamate as an additive in food" is not an health hazard to human being. Glutamate is used as signaling molecule not only in neuronal but also in non-neuronal tissues. Excessive accumulation of glutamate in the synaptic cleft has been associated with excitotoxicty and glutamate is implicated in number of neurological disorders. Excessive accumulation could be attributed to increase release, failure of transport system for uptake mechanism, neuronal injury due to hypoxia-ischemia, trauma and associated metabolic failures. The role blood brain barrier, vesicular glutamate and sodium dependent excitatory amino acid transporters in glutamate homeostasis are emphasized in the review.     

Indicators of emerging hazards and risks to food safety

There is a widely felt need to develop methods for the early identification of emerging hazards to food safety with the aim of preventing these hazards from becoming real risks and causing incidents. This paper reviews various activities and previous reports that describe methods to select indicators that can be used for the purpose of early identification of hazards. These indicators have been divided over three different environments, including (i) the environment surrounding food production, (ii) the food production chain from farm to fork, and (iii) consumers. Changes in these indicators are signals that may require follow-up action. Besides indicators that are linked to specific kinds of hazards, the indicators used for vulnerability assessment can help identifying weak spots in the food production system that are sensitive to a broader range of hazards. Based on the various indicators for emerging hazards that have thus been identified in literature, a set of generic indicators is provided that can be useful for the early identification of hazards.     

The social contexts of drinking among Irish men in London

The article reports the alcohol-related findings of a qualitative study that examined health beliefs and behaviours among Irish people in London. The findings elicited though key informant and lay focus groups and semi-structured interviews, illuminated the social and socioeconomic background to excessive alcohol use among middle-aged Irish men who left Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s. The findings describe the economic role of the pub and alcohol for men in the construction industry as well protecting them from homesickness, isolation and alienation in an unwelcoming and hostile environment. They illustrate the use of alcohol later in life to cope with physical and psychological pain, social stress and the symptoms of mental illness. The use of alcohol as a culturally sanctioned coping strategy is considered, exploring the ambivalent culture of alcohol in Ireland and in particular the tolerance of excessive consumption among men. The article explores the possibility that tolerant attitudes to alcohol in Ireland persist on migration to Britain and are then confounded by a culture of binge drinking among young people in general. The conclusion argues for further research and for culturally sensitive healthcare and health promotion strategies that take account of cultural and structural factors impacting on young Irish men in Britain. Current NHS policies on equality, alcohol and suicide offer timely opportunities to address alcohol misuse in order to improve physical and mental health and reduce the incidence of suicide among Irish men in Britain.     

The role of drinking motives and perceived controllability of events in the association between college women's sexual assault victimization and binge drinking

Women with a history of sexual assault are at elevated risk for engaging in binge drinking. The aims of the current study are to investigate two types of drinking motives (coping and social) that potentially underlie the sexual assault-binge drinking link in a sample of female college drinkers (N = 691; 37.6% sexual assault prevalence), and to determine the extent to which the relationships between sexual assault history and each type of drinking motive depend on women's assumptions about the controllability of events. Conditional process analysis results indicated that women who experienced sexual assault (vs. those who did not) were more likely to report both coping and social drinking motives, which in turn, were both positively associated with increased binge drinking. Consistent with our hypothesis, results showed the relationship between sexual assault history and coping drinking motives was moderated by perceived controllability of events. Specifically, sexual assault victims reported high coping motives regardless of controllability of events. Nonvictims only reported high coping motives when their perceived controllability of events was low – comparable to coping motives of victims. This integrative approach affords a more comprehensive understanding of the context in which college women's binge drinking occurs, and offers insight into processes that could be targeted in interventions.     

Women's roles and women's drinking: A comparative study in four European countries 1

The present study analyzes the influence of role combinations on heavy drinking in four European countries: Finland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Data sets come from nationally representative surveys. A growing number of studies have investigated the influence of social roles on alcohol consumption. Different theories such as role accumulation, role overload, and role deprivation aim to explain the association between roles and poor mental health, including heavy alcohol consumption. The results show that roles and role combinations influence heavy drinking differently in each country. The findings also indicate that the social position of women in a country is strongly connected to the differing associations between specific role combinations and heavy drinking across countries. No single role theory can be applied cross‐culturally. Large‐scale surveys are needed to test statistically the association between role combinations and heavy drinking.     

眼科手术室潜在护理安全隐患及规范化管理

目的探讨眼科手术室潜在护理安全隐患,并提出规范化管理措施。方法回顾分析我院2009年1月-2012年12月期间1853例眼科手术患者临床资料,进行统计分析。结果眼科手术室潜在护理安全隐患相关因素主要包括：护理人员配备不完善,知识和技能单一,法律意识淡薄;手术室监督意识薄弱,后勤保障欠缺;以及医疗制度不够完善。结论保证眼科手术室护理安全质量必须加强护理人员和护理安全的规范化管理,同时完善制度建设。     

Pharmaceuticals in drinking water: Local analysis of the problem and finding a solution through awareness

ObjectivesTo evaluate public awareness of pharmaceuticals in drinking water and to develop educational efforts to promote awareness in our community.MethodsA review of the literature was conducted to gain a full perspective of the current issue. Questionnaires, interviews, and website feedback were used to assess awareness of the problem and the most commonly used medication disposal methods. In addition, educational flyers were created to disseminate information to the public.ResultsThe questionnaires were completed by a total of 96 respondents. Of respondents employed in health care, 72% had previous knowledge of pharmaceutical medications being found in our local (Charleston, SC) water supply, and of respondents not employed in health care, 54% had previous knowledge. For those with previous knowledge, 7% disposed of medications in the toilet or sink, 38% used the trash, and 36% used multiple methods. Of respondents indicating no previous knowledge, 3% disposed of medications in the toilet or sink, 35% used the trash, and 42% used multiple methods.ConclusionPublic awareness of pharmaceuticals in drinking water and educational efforts focusing on proper disposal of medications are essential in helping to reduce drinking water contamination.     

急诊科护理安全隐患分析及防范措施探讨

目的 探讨急诊科护理安全隐患分析及其防范措施。方法 总结和分析2008-2012年本院急诊科发生护理纠纷的原因．从就诊、接诊、抢救、护理文书书写等易发纠纷的4个环节,采取不同措施进行防范。结果 措施实施前后接诊环节、就诊环节、护理文书书写环节比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;措施实施前后救治环节比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 规范工作程序及规章制度,强化法律意识和服务意识,加强责任心,树立“以人为本”的服务理念,掌握沟通技巧,提高护士综合素质,是减少急诊科护理纠纷发生的有效措施。     

Understanding substrate selectivity of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases through QSAR modeling and analysis of homologous enzymes

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme catalyzes the glucuronidation reaction which is a major metabolic and detoxification pathway in humans. Understanding the mechanisms for substrate recognition by UGT assumes great importance in an attempt to predict its contribution to xenobiotic/drug disposition in vivo. Spurred on by this interest, 2D/3D-quantitative structure activity relationships and pharmacophore models have been established in the absence of a complete mammalian UGT crystal structure. This review discusses the recent progress in modeling human UGT substrates including those with multiple sites of glucuronidation. A better understanding of UGT active site contributing to substrate selectivity (and regioselectivity) from the homologous enzymes (i.e. plant and bacterial UGTs, all belong to family 1 of glycosyltransferase (GT1)) is also highlighted, as these enzymes share a common catalytic mechanism and/or overlapping substrate selectivity.     

Understanding substrate selectivity of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases through QSAR modeling and analysis of homologous enzymes

1. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme catalyzes the glucuronidation reaction which is a major metabolic and detoxification pathway in humans. Understanding the mechanisms for substrate recognition by UGT assumes great importance in an attempt to predict its contribution to xenobiotic/drug disposition in vivo.

2. Spurred on by this interest, 2D/3D-quantitative structure activity relationships and pharmacophore models have been established in the absence of a complete mammalian UGT crystal structure.

3. This review discusses the recent progress in modeling human UGT substrates including those with multiple sites of glucuronidation. A better understanding of UGT active site contributing to substrate selectivity (and regioselectivity) from the homologous enzymes (i.e. plant and bacterial UGTs, all belong to family 1 of glycosyltransferase (GT1)) is also highlighted, as these enzymes share a common catalytic mechanism and/or overlapping substrate selectivity.

     

消化内科老年住院病人护理安全隐患及对策研究

目的研究分析消化内科老年住院病人的护理安全隐患,并观察安全护理的实施效果。方法将2010年2月至2012年2月消化内科130例老年住院病人随机分为两组。对照组给予常规护理,实验组给予安全护理。观察对比两组患者住院期间不良事件发生率、患者满意度。结果实验组患者住院期间发生不良事件2例,低于对照组的11例,P〈0．05,差异有统计学意义。结论老年消化内科住院患者的不安全因素较多,我院的安全护理措施具有较好的效果。     

The role of women's alcohol consumption in managing sexual intimacy and sexual safety motives

OBJECTIVE: Two studies, based on an alcohol myopia model, were designed to understand the role of women's alcohol consumption on vulnerability to sexual assault. We predicted that, in a high- conflict social situation, alcohol would make it more difficult to recognize sexual assault risk, lowering intentions to resist sexual advances. METHOD: In Study 1, women (N = 51) were recruited in bars and classified as having a high (.06 or greater) breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) or low BrAC. They were asked to project themselves into a hypothetical scenario that portrayed interest in establishing an intimate relationship and included mild sexual aggression. In Study 2, women (N = 101) were randomly assigned to an alcohol (target BrAC: .08%), placebo, or no-alcohol condition. They responded at two time points to a similar hypothetical scenario that described mild sexual aggression (Time 1) and serious sexual aggression (Time 2). RESULTS: In Study 1, women with higher BrAC perceived less risk in the scenario and anticipated less resistance than women with low BrAC. In Study 2, similar results were found but only following serious aggression. There were no placebo effects. Both studies suggest that the effects of alcohol on resistance are partially mediated via risk perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol appears to reduce intentions to resist sexual advances from an acquaintance while increasing intentions to pursue relationship-enhancing behaviors. Effects are not completely explained by an alcohol myopia perspective. Differences in findings between the two studies may reflect differences in methodology, context, or sample.     

Understanding the safety and tolerability of facial filling therapeutics

Introduction: Aesthetic medicine represents an emerging field for many specialties. Nowadays, a plethora of approaches are available to rejuvenate the human body and face, the latter being a frequent target for the placement of filling substances to correct wrinkles and volume loss. Nevertheless, based on the many products on the market, treating clinicians must pay specific attention to the properties of the respective materials, their associated side effects and any specific handling requirements to prevent potential short- and long-term adverse events.

Areas covered: Types of filling materials, including biodegradable and non-biodegradable products, related complications, their conservative and invasive treatment options, as well as prevention strategies are described in this review.

Expert opinion: A profound knowledge of the facial anatomy as well as extensive experience with the various filling techniques and suitable materials for the respective areas remains crucial to prevent adverse events associated with filling procedures to the human face. Since side effects such as malar edema and foreign body granuloma do affect patients physically and psychologically to a significant extent and their successful treatment still remains challenging, further in depth studies on the tolerability of many filling materials utilized are required.     

高龄患者胃镜检查中的护理安全隐患分析与防护

目的 探讨高龄患者在胃镜检查中存在的护理安全隐患及防护对策.方法 将180例行无痛胃镜检查的高龄患者分为两组,对照组按常规步骤进行无痛胃镜检查,观察组在全面分析护理安全隐患的基础上提出相应的护理对策对患者实施护理,比较两组不良反应发生情况.结果 观察组不良反应发生率为2.2％,对照组不良反应发生率为13.3％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 对高龄患者实施无痛胃镜检查应对护理安全隐患引起足够重视,采取相应的防护对策,以保障患者的安全.     

Understanding profiles of student binge drinking and eating: The importance of motives

Binge drinking and binge eating occur frequently in undergraduates; however, the mechanism driving their co-occurrence is not well-understood. Several theories support the role of motives in driving drinking and eating behavior, especially motivations related to affect regulation (i.e., enhancement/pleasure and coping). This study used a person-centered approach to identify classes of students based on eating and drinking motives and past-month binge behavior and examined class differences in psychopathology, emotion regulation, and impulsivity. Undergraduates (N = 776) completed a drinking timeline follow-back and surveys assessing motives, binge eating, psychopathology, emotion regulation, impulsivity, and quality of life. Mixture modeling was used to group students based on presence/absence of past-month binge eating, binge drinking, and motives for eating and drinking. The analysis resulted in 4 classes: Binge Drinking (with relatively high social and enhancement drinking motives), Binge Eating (with overall high eating motives), Both Bingeing (with high drinking motives, especially coping, and high eating motives), and Low Bingeing (with low motives for both behaviors). ANOVA and post-hoc analyses suggested that the Binge Eating and Both Bingeing groups were most impaired, while the Binge Drinking class rarely differed from the Low Bingeing group across measures of psychological distress. Notably, classes with high eating/drinking motives displayed significant impairment despite not all class members endorsing binge behavior. Findings suggest that binge drinking in addition to binge eating may not imply more psychological impairment and support the importance of assessing motives for eating/drinking among undergraduates and potentially trying to challenge these motives through early intervention.