Evaluation of the GADD45α‐GFP GreenScreen HC assay for rapid and reliable in vitro early genotoxicity screening

Twenty‐two of Galderma's proprietary compounds were tested in the GADD45α‐GFP ‘GreenScreen HC’ assay (GS), the SOS‐ChromoTest and the Mini‐Ames to evaluate GSs performance for early genotoxicity screening purposes. Forty more characterized compounds were also tested, including antibiotics: metronidazole, clindamycin, tetracycline, lymecycline and neomycin; and catecholamines: resorcinol mequinol, hydroquinone, one aneugen carbendazim, one corticoid dexamethasone, one peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor rosiglitazone, one pesticide carbaryl and two further proprietary molecules with in vitro genotoxicity data. With proprietary molecules, this study concluded that the GS renders the SOS‐ChromoTest obsolete for in vitro screening. The GS confirmed all results of the Mini‐Ames test (100% concordance). Compared with the micronucleus test, the GS showed a concordance of 82%. With known compounds, the GS ranked the potency of positive results for catecholamines in accordance with other genotoxicity tests and showed very reproducible results. It confirmed positive results for carbendazim, for tetracycline antibiotics and for carbaryl. The GS produced negative results for metronidazole, a nitroreduction‐specific bacterial mutagen, for dexamethasone (a non‐genotoxic apoptosis inducer), for rosiglitazone (a GADD45γ promoter inducer) and for clindamycin and neomycin (inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis in bacteria). As such, the GS appears to be a reproducible, robust, specific and sensitive test for genotoxicity screening. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pathological and Nonpathological Gamblers: A Survey in Gambling Settings

In this first study on gambling in Brazil, pathological and non-pathological gamblers were surveyed at three bingo clubs, one video poker club, and one horse-racing club in São Paulo. The South Oaks Gambling Screen and a questionnaire were administered to 171 subjects. When compared to nonpathological gamblers, a significantly higher proportion of pathological gamblers played cards, horse races, video poker, and dice in their lifetime. The two groups were similar with respect to socially acceptable games such as lotteries, bingo, sports, and the stock market. No significant differences were observed in drug consumption except for a higher lifetime consumption of tobacco among pathological gamblers. Only 4.9% of the gamblers sought help for gambling-related problems, suggesting that gambling is not generally perceived as a mental health problem by these subjects.     

Non-enzymatic disposable test strip for detecting uric acid in whole blood

A non-enzymatic disposable uric acid test strip based on water-soluble electron-transfer mediator was developed. The test strip comprises electric insulating substrate, conducting film, and a screen printed integrated reagent/blood separation layer. The integrated layer formulation is screen printed over two conductive carbon elements to form a working electrode and a dual-purpose reference/counter electrode. On rehydration, this integrated layer does not break up, but swells to form a gelled reaction zone in the vicinity of the underlying conductive film in which reactants and mediator move freely within this zone, but interfering species such as blood cells are excluded because the filler forms a three-dimensional network on the surface of the conductive elements. At the same time, the separation layer preferably maintains a rate of permeation of the analyte through the integrated reagent/blood separation layer. The excellent reagent/blood separation layer result in good characteristics such as low potential (0.4 V) detection of uric acid with a large determination range from 1.0 to 15 mg/dL uric acid in whole blood, a short response time (within 10 s) and anti-interfering ability. In addition, the test strip can be easily made, particularly mass-produced, and is suitable for household use.     

Screen-based sedentary behaviour and psychosocial well-being in childhood: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations

ObjectiveSedentary behaviour is an important contributor to the development of non-communicable diseases worldwide. Less is known about the relationship between screen-based sedentary behaviour and child mental health problems. This study explores cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between screen time (electronic gaming and television viewing) and psychosocial well-being in early and late childhood.MethodTwo independent samples of Australian children were used to explore associations. Data were collected from the parents of 3956 young children (age 6) and 3862 older children (age 10) at baseline with a two year follow-up.ResultsAfter controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors (e.g., sex, household income), we found that screen time was negatively associated with prosocial behaviour, and positively associated with hyperactivity, peer problems and conduct problems in both samples. We also found that high screen time related to the development of emotional symptoms in young children, and to the development of hyperactivity and conduct problems in older children, over two years. Important moderators were household income, parental education level, and neighbourhood socioeconomic position.ConclusionThese findings indicate that screen-based sedentary behaviour is related to the development of psychosocial difficulties in early and late childhood.     

2200例健康体检者肛肠疾病筛查报告

为了解肛肠疾病的发病率，探讨肛肠疾病的早期防治方法，对本市市直单位在职职工健康体检中2200名自愿进行肛肠健康体检者，采取肛门直肠指诊和一次性肛门镜检查。结果发现成人肛肠疾病的发病率高达84％。其中直肠息肉及腺瘤检出率为5．8％，大肠癌检出率为0．1％。痔等其他疾病为78．1％。结果表明，将直肠、肛门检查列入常规健康体检项目很有必要，对肛肠疾病的早期防治有极其重要的意义。     

In situ electrochemical detection of trace metal vapors at bismuth doped carbon screen printed electrodes

Volatile species of Pb, Cd and Zn were generated at room temperature by the addition of sodium tetrahydroborate(III) to an acidified solution of the analytes. The vapor-phase species were quickly adsorbed into a thin layer of highly porous hydrogel which was dip-coated on screen printed electrode for electrochemical detection using square wave anodic stripping voltammetric method. The square wave voltammetric stripping response is highly linear over the 10–80 ng range of Pb, Cd and Zn examined (2 min deposition), with a detection limit of 1 ng and good precision (RSD 7.4%). The attractive behavior of the new disposable carbon strip electrodes hold great promise for a simple, rapid, sensitive on-site real-time detection of trace metal vapors.