Detection and Sizing of Ti-Containing Particles in Recreational Waters Using Single Particle ICP-MS

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was used to detect Ti-containing particles in heavily-used bathing areas of a river (Salt River) and five swimming pools. Ti-containing particle concentrations in swimming pools ranged from 2.8?×?10³ to 4.4?×?10³ particles/mL and were an order of magnitude lower than those detected in the Salt River. Measurements from the Salt River showed an 80% increase in Ti-containing particle concentration over baseline concentration during peak recreational activity (at 16:00 h) in the river. Cloud point extraction followed by transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed presence of aggregated TiO₂ particles in river samples, showing morphological similarity to particles present in an over-the-counter sunscreen product. The maximum particle mass concentration detected in a sample from the Salt River (659 ng/L) is only slightly lower than the predicted no effect concentration for TiO₂ to aquatic organisms (<?1 μg/L).     

Use of Evidence-Based Interventions and Implementation Strategies to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Federally Qualified Health Centers

While colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have been increasing in the general population, rates are considerably lower in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which serve a large proportion of uninsured and medically vulnerable patients. Efforts to screen eligible patients must be accelerated if we are to reach the national screening goal of 80% by 2018 and beyond. To inform this work, we conducted a survey of key informants at FQHCs in eight states to determine which evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to promote CRC screening are currently being used, and which implementation strategies are being employed to ensure that the interventions are executed as intended. One hundred and forty-eight FQHCs were invited to participate in the study, and 56 completed surveys were received for a response rate of 38%. Results demonstrated that provider reminder and recall systems were the most commonly used EBIs (44.6%) while the most commonly used implementation strategy was the identification of barriers (84.0%). The mean number of EBIs that were fully implemented at the centers was 2.4 (range 0–7) out of seven. Almost one-quarter of respondents indicated that their FQHCs were not using any EBIs to increase CRC screening. Full implementation of EBIs was correlated with higher CRC screening rates. These findings identify gaps as well as the preferences and needs of FQHCs in selecting and implementing EBIs for CRC screening.     

Factors Associated with Home Meal Preparation and Fast-Food Sources Use among Low-Income Urban African American Adults

This study aimed to assess the factors associated with home meal preparation (HMP) and fast-food sources use (FFS) frequencies of low-income African-American adults and their healthy food beliefs and attitudes, food-related psychosocial factors, food acquisition patterns, food sources use, and BMI. We used cross-sectional data from 295 adults living in Baltimore, USA. HMP was inversely associated with FFS, which had lower odds of HMP ≥1 time/day and higher BMI scores. HMP was positively associated with positive beliefs and self-efficacy toward healthy foods, getting food from healthier food sources, and lower FFS. Higher odds of HMP ≥1 time/day were associated with getting food from farmers’ market and supermarkets or grocery stores. FFS had an inverse association with positive beliefs and self-efficacy toward healthy foods, and a positive association with less healthy food acquisition scores. Higher odds of FFS ≥1 time/week were associated with getting food from corner stores, sit-down restaurants, and convenience stores.     

Acceptability of children's testing for HIV infection during routine care activities in the Pediatrics Department of Sourô Sanou Teaching Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Background

In order to contribute to the fight against the pediatric HIV infection, we have assessed, through a study in which we have systematically proposed to carry out children's testing, the rate of acceptability and the feasibility of children's HIV testing during the routine activities of the department. We have also analyzed the reasons for the acceptability or the refusal of the child's HIV testing by the accompanying person.

阿利吉仑对高血压肾病小鼠肾的保护作用及其作用机制

目的探究阿利吉仑对高血压肾病小鼠的保护作用及其对磷脂酰肌醇激/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)信号通路和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)表达的影响。方法用微渗泵灌注血管紧张素Ⅱ制备高血压小鼠肾病模型。按照体重将小鼠随机分为6组:假手术组、模型组和低、中、高3个剂量实验组(灌胃阿利吉仑12. 5,25. 0,50. 0 mg·kg^-1)与对照组(卡托普利30 mg·kg^-1),每组15只;造模后给药,每日1次,连续灌胃2周。以实时定量PCR法测定肾组织中胰岛素受体底物2(Irs2)、磷脂酰肌醇激酶-3(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(Akt) mRNA表达;以免疫印迹法测定Irs2、PI3K、Akt与Caspase-3蛋白表达情况。结果给药4周,假手术组、模型组、对照组和高剂量实验组的PI3K mRNA表达分别为1. 14±0. 21,0. 34±0. 08,1. 07±0. 23和0. 96±0. 22;这4组的Akt mRNA表达分别为1. 23±0. 27,0. 45±0. 13,1. 05±0. 16和0. 91±0. 15,模型组与假手术组比较或高剂量实验组与模型组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P <0. 05)。这4组的小鼠肾组织Caspase-3蛋白表达水平分别为0. 29±0. 06,1. 06±0. 13,0. 31±0. 06和0. 37±0. 08,模型组与假手术组比较或高剂量实验组与模型组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P <0. 05)。结论阿利吉仑对高血压小鼠肾具有一定的保护作用,其机制可能与激活PI3K/Akt信号通路、抑制Caspase-3表达有关。     

Efficacy and safety of plecanatide in treating constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Introduction: Uroguanylin interacting with intestinal Guanylate Cyclase C (GC-C) receptors plays an important role in gastrointestinal fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Plecanatide is the first uroguanylin analog that stimulates GC-C receptors on gastrointestinal mucosa with pH-sensitive receptor binding. Binding to the GC-C receptor activates intracellular conversion of GTP to cGMP resulting in the stimulation of intestinal fluid secretion.

Areas covered: Herein, all published research regarding the development of and clinical experience with plecanatide is reviewed. Clinical study results in patients with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) are also reviewed. Success in the treatment of CIC and IBS-C is supported by beneficial effects on stool viscosity, Complete Spontaneous Bowel Movements and visceral sensation. Finally, the discussion within focuses on the importance of plecanatide in understanding the physiology of uroguanylin, the pathophysiology of IBS-C and the potential for development of uroguanylin and guanylin analogs.

Expert opinion: Given this broad spectrum of potential activity for GC-C agonists, it would not be surprising to see that the use of agents such as plecanatide in new areas grow to a level even greater than the use for the present CIC and IBS-C indications.