Elimination of malaria in country Georgia

Malaria is well known in Georgia since ancient times, causing national disasters with associated significant mortality and economic losses. By 1970 Georgia managed to reach complete and sustained elimination of the disease as a result of comprehensive anti-malaria measures undertaken in the country. However from the mid-1990s, economic collapse following disintegration of Soviet Union causing breakdown of important public health networks including anti-malaria preventive and control infrastructure resulted in gradual increase of malaria cases in the country with a peak of 437 and 474 cases in 2001 and 2002, respectively. From 2000 two major anti-malaria efforts were carried out by National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, WHO and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and as result of comprehensive and collaborative work in 2010 the level of zero cases of local mosquito-borne malaria transmission was achieved and the country entered the elimination phase.     

Suppression of ischemia-reperfusion injury by liposomal superoxide dismutase in rats subjected to tourniquet shock

Summary To investigate the role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of tourniquet shock, the authors present an experimental animal model. Two groups of rats were fastened with rubber tubes on both thighs (1.5 kg/cm²) for 6 h under pentobarbital anaesthesia. One group was administered liposomal superoxide dismutase (L-SOD 30,000 U/kg body weight), and the other liposome as a contorl 3 h prior to tourniquet removal. No rats in the contorl group (n = 20) survived more than 24 h after reperfusion, whereas 55% of animals treated with L-SOD (n = 20) survived for 24 h or more, and two recovered completely (P < 0.005). Blood samples were obtained from the abdominal aorta after laparotomy of anaesthetized rats of both groups at different time intervals. Changes in the hematocrit value and blood urea nitrogen during the early periods after reperfusion were attenuated by prior administration of L-SOD, and the total plasma SOD activity of the control animals decreased promptly and continuously throughout the experimental period. This experimental model was very useful to study the pathogenesis of tourniquet shock with respect to reproducibility, induction of the shock stages and mortality. It is thought that oxygen-free radicals are involved in the induction of tourniquet shock, and LSOD was, to a certain extent, effective against reperfusion injury in the early stages of shock.     

Secreted uPAR isoform 2 (uPAR7b) is a novel direct target of miR-221

miR-221/-222 and components of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator system (uPAS) are associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in breast cancer, including the triple-negative subtype (TNBC). Modification of components of uPAS and involved miRNAs may contribute to targeted therapy for breast cancer patients. miR-221−/−222-overexpressing or miR-221-depleted cells were employed for qRT-PCR and Western blots to show associations of uPAR with miR-221/-222. To substantiate direct targeting of miR-221/-222 within 3′ UTR of the uPAR isoform 2, in silico analysesand in vitro assays were conducted. Significant associations between miR-221 and uPAR isoform 2 expressions were observed at the mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cells representing TNBC. For the first time, the uPAR isoform 2 was demonstrated as direct target for miR-221/-222. Inhibition of miR-221 reduced uPAR protein expression and expression of the tumor cell invasion markers vimentin and RHOC. These results demonstrate a direct and positive regulation of the secreted uPAR isoform 2 by miR-221, increasing its protein expression, a prerequisite for malignancy, while the other uPAR isoforms (1, 3 and 4) are indirectly regulated through miR-10b and miR-221/-222. By targeting uPAR isoforms and/or miRNA-221/-222, the diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer, in particular in TNBC, could be significantly improved.     

Prevalence of zoonotic bacteria in wild and farmed aquatic species and seafood: a scoping study, systematic review, and meta-analysis of published research

Increased reliance on seafood has brought to light concerns regarding food safety, but the information to inform risk assessment or surveillance needs is lacking. A scoping study (ScS) was conducted to characterize published research investigating selected zoonotic bacteria and public health topics in various wild and farmed aquatic species and seafood. This was followed by a systematic review (SR) on selected bacteria (Aeromonas spp., generic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio spp.) and aquatic species (clams, mussels, oysters, salmon, and shrimp [including prawn]); a meta-analysis (MA) was conducted only at the retail level due to considerable variability among various pathogen/seafood combinations. The ScS revealed the most frequently investigated themes were farm-level prevalence and intervention research for Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. Antimicrobial use (AMU) and the association between AMU and antimicrobial resistance were rarely investigated. The SR indicated a consistent lack of reporting regarding study methodology and results, precluding the use of many studies in and full benefits of MA. MA of Aeromonas, E. coli, and Salmonella prevalence in retail salmon resulted in pooled estimates of 13% (6-27%), 2% (0.1-11%), and 1% (0-5%), respectively. When MA of pathogen/seafood combination resulted in statistically significant heterogeneity (p<0.1), median/range were reported at the region level. The results from our ScS, SR, and MA could be used for better design of future bacteriological surveys of seafood and as inputs for risk assessments or surveillance initiatives in this field.     

Dance as a risk factor for injuries and development of occupational diseases

Injuries and diseases can significantly affect the creativity and artistic performance. The link between working conditions and artistic performance had been recognised as early as the medieval age. Physically demanding performance arts such as dance can sometimes result in injuries, illnesses, inability to perform, and even end artist's career. Dancers are exposed to specific risks and in need of specific medical care. Many dancers often stretch their physical capabilities and endurance and neglect their physical limitations. Their health problems include a number of work-related illnesses that range from stress and stage fright to metabolic and nutritional disorders. They also include musculoskeletal injuries due to overload training that are often the beginning of chronic health problems.     

Cell membrane integrity and internalization of ingested TiO(2) nanoparticles by digestive gland cells of a terrestrial isopod

The present study was motivated by the paucity of reports on cellular internalization of ingested titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles (nano-TiO(2)). The model invertebrate (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea) was exposed to food dosed with nano-TiO(2) containing 100, 1,000, 3,000, or 5,000?μg nano-TiO(2) per gram of food. After 14?d of exposure, the amount of Ti in the entire body was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses of tissue cross sections were performed by particle induced X-ray emission. In addition, a series of toxicological markers including feeding parameters, weight change, and survival, as well as cytotoxic effects such as digestive gland cell membrane stability, were monitored. Internalization of ingested nano-TiO(2) by the isopod's digestive gland epithelial cells was shown to depend on cell membrane integrity. Cell membranes were found to be destabilized by TiO(2) particles, and at higher extracellular concentrations of nano-TiO(2), the nanoparticles were internalized.     

Epidemiology of hypertension in Serbia: results of a National Survey

Background

We evaluated the prevalence of high blood pressure and the level of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a Serbian population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of an adult population was carried out across Serbia in 2006. The study involved 14 204 adults aged 20 years or older. Interviews and measurements of blood pressure were performed at participants’ homes.

Results

Overall, 47% of the Serbian adult population had hypertension: 25.3% had stage 1 hypertension and 18.1% had stage 2 hypertension. Only 58.0% of the hypertensive population were aware that they had the disease, and 60.4% were receiving medical treatment. Among those receiving medical treatment, only 20.9% had a blood pressure within the normal range. One in 10 participants with hypertension were not treated because, among other reasons, they thought treatment was unnecessary (55.3%) or they lacked money for medication (19.3%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension is high in the adult population of Serbia. Further action is required to hasten detection and treatment of high blood pressure. Attention should be directed toward educational programs that improve knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of hypertension among adults.Key words: hypertension, adult population, Serbia     

The blood concentration and organ distribution of haloperidol at therapeutic and toxic doses in severe fatty liver disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between the pharmacokinetics of haloperidol in normal rats and in rats with fatty liver disease. A therapeutic dosage (0.1 mg/kg) and a toxic dose (15 mg/kg) of haloperidol were administrated to normal 9-week-old male rats or those with severe fatty liver disease, and the blood concentration of haloperidol was determined 15 min, 1, 2, and 3 h following haloperidol administration. The concentration of haloperidol in the organs was determined 1, 2, and 3 h after the haloperidol administration. Additionally, the volume of the portal vein blood flow was measured 3 h after haloperidol administration. When given at the therapeutic dosage, the concentrations of haloperidol in both the blood and organs of the rats with fatty liver disease were significantly higher than those in the normal rats. However, when given at the toxic level, the blood and organ haloperidol concentrations 1 h after administration tended to be lower in the rats with fatty liver disease than those in the normal rats; these lower haloperidol levels returned to be the levels in the normal rats 3 h after the administration of haloperidol. The volume of the portal vein blood flow significantly increased following the toxic haloperidol dose as compared with the volume pre-administration and following the therapeutic haloperidol dose in the normal rats. However, the volume did not change after the toxic or the therapeutic dose of haloperidol compared with pre-administration in rats with severe fatty liver disease, although it was significantly higher than in the normal rats. The pathway for haloperidol metabolism might have been saturated before the administration of haloperidol in rats with fatty liver disease; thus, it is possible that the blood concentration of haloperidol tends to be much higher in individuals with severe fatty liver disease than in those with normal livers in an inverse proportion to the dosage of haloperidol.     

No effect of meat,meat cooking preferences,meat mutagens or heme iron on lung cancer risk in the prostate,lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer screening trial

Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that red and processed meat may increase the risk of lung cancer. Possible underlying mechanisms include mutagens produced during high‐temperature cooking or preservation, or formed endogenously from heme iron in meat. We used data from 99,579 participants of both screened and nonscreened arms of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, aged 55–74 years, to investigate whether meat type, cooking method, doneness level, intake of specific meat mutagens 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2‐amino‐3,4,8‐trimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline] (DiMeIQx), 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP) and benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)] and heme iron are associated with lung cancer. Participants' diet was assessed prospectively using a 124‐item food frequency questionnaire and an additional meat‐cooking module. Dietary data were used in conjunction with a database to estimate intake of MeIQx, DiMeIQx, PhIP, B(a)P and heme iron. After up to 8 years of follow‐up, 782 incident lung cancer cases were ascertained. Lung cancer risk was not associated with the consumption of either red (men: HR_{Q5 vs. Q1} = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.79–1.56, P_trend = 0.42; women: HR_{Q5 vs. Q1} = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.87–1.95, P_trend = 0.65) or processed meat (men: HR_{Q5 vs. Q1} = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.83–1.53, P_trend = 0.22; women: HR_{Q5 vs. Q1} = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.68–1.41, P_trend = 0.32) in multivariable models. High‐temperature cooking methods, level of meat doneness, meat mutagens and heme iron had no effect on lung cancer risk. In this population, we found no association between meat type, cooking method, doneness level or intake of specific meat mutagens or heme iron and lung cancer risk.