Biomass fuel exposure and asthma symptoms among rural school children in Nigeria

Background: Approximately 70% of rural Nigerian households rely on biomass fuels for cooking. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) estimates the prevalence of current wheeze among children in Nigeria to have risen from 10.7% in 1999 to approximately 20% in 2014. Objective: To examine the effects of biomass smoke exposure on asthma symptom prevalence in rural children in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in rural communities in Nigeria. Asthma symptoms were defined according to ISAAC definitions. Biomass smoke exposure was determined by the types of fuel used for cooking. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between biomass smoke and asthma symptoms. Results: The study population comprised 1,690 school children, of which 865 lived in households cooking with biomass and 825 lived in households not using biomass. Asthma symptoms were reported in 481 (28.5%) children. Biomass fuel was associated with increased odds of asthma symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05–1.80) for nocturnal cough, 1.26 (95% CI: 1.00–1.61) for current wheeze, and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.05–1.69) for report of any asthma-related symptoms. Sex modified the associations between asthma symptoms with biomass fuel: aORs were stronger and significant for males (nocturnal cough = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.24–2.76; current wheeze = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03–2.13; report of any asthma-related symptoms = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12–2.28), but weaker and non-significant for females.Conclusion: The risk of asthma symptoms related to biomass smoke exposure appears to differ by sex.     

Modulation of antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male wistar rats following intake of red palm oil and/or rooibos

Objective:To investigate the role of red palm oil(RPO),rooibos tea extract(RTE)and their combined treatment(RPO+RTE)on antioxidant status in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods:Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin(50 mg/kg)and the rats were treated for 7 weeks.Antioxidant enzymes[calalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GPx),superoxide dismutase(SOD)],antioxidant capacity[trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity(TEAC),oxygen radical absorbance capacity(ORAC)]as well as total protein,albumin,globulin,total glutathione,conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS)were investigated.Results:Treatment with RPO,RTE and RPO+RTE significantly(p0.05)improved liver SOD and plasma ORAC in the diabetic rats.Similarly,diabetic rats treated with RTE and RPO+RTE enhanced liver GPx.A significant(P0.05)increase in the plasma TBARS in the diabetic control group was observed when compared with the normal control group.Treatment of diabetic rats with RTE and RPO+RTE reduced plasma TBARS to a level not significantly different at P0.05 from the normal control group.Conclusions:The results revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil,rooibos and their combination in diabetic conditions and hence,they could be useful in the management of diabetes and its complications.     

蚊虫的共生菌及其在媒介控制中的应用

许多昆虫与寄生在昆虫体表或肠道细胞中的微生物建立了共生关系。臭虫、蚜虫、猎蝽等昆虫可以依靠非最佳食物为生,这一是由于其特殊的生存环境,还由于其体内的共生微生物可以帮助合成和补充其食物中所缺乏的必需营养物质。蚊虫也与其肠道中共生细菌有着密切的联系。成蚊喜产卵于富舍细菌的水体中,水体细菌成为蚊虫幼虫的重要食物来源。伊蚊和库蚊幼虫正常生长发育不可缺少细菌,在无菌条件下饲养,蚊虫或其他媒介昆虫不能正常发育至成熟或不能传播人畜疾病。该文对蚊虫与细菌的共生现象以及其在以下几方面的应用进行综述,（1）蚊虫共生细菌的分离与鉴定,（2）共生细菌的形成与传代,（3）共生细菌在昆虫中的分布,并讨论了经过遗传改造的蚊虫共生细菌对蚊虫防治及控制疟疾等由昆虫传播的疾病的应用前景。     

Strength of Denture Base Resins Repaired with Auto- and Visible Light-Polymerized Materials

Purpose: Clinicians are still confused about the choice of repair method, which depends on factors such as the length of time required for processing, the mechanical strength of the repaired material, and the effect of stress concentration in the acrylic resins before the repair. The aim was to determine the impact and flexural strength characteristics, such as stress at yield, Young's modulus, and displacement at yield of denture base resins fractured and repaired by three methods using heat‐, auto‐, and visible light‐polymerized acrylic resins. Material and Methods: For impact and flexural strength tests, 18 rectangular specimens measuring 50 × 6 × 4 mm³ and 64 × 10 × 3.3 mm³, respectively, were processed using Impact 2000, Lucitone 550, Impact 1500, and QC‐20 acrylic resins. Fracture tests were performed according to ISO1567:1999. Afterward, all fractured specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days, and then repaired with (1) the same acrylic resin used for specimen fabrication (n = 6), (2) an autopolymerized acrylic resin (TruRepair, n = 6), and (3) a visible light acrylic resin (Versyo.com, n = 6). The repaired specimens were again submitted to the same fracture tests, and the failures were classified as adhesive or cohesive. Data from all mechanical tests after repair by the different methods were submitted to two‐way ANOVA, and mean values were compared by the Tukey test. Results: All acrylic resins showed adhesive fractures after impact and flexural strength tests. Differences (p < 0.05) were found among repair methods for all acrylic resins studied, with the exception of displacement at yield, which showed similar values for repairs with auto‐ and visible light‐polymerized acrylic resins. The highest values for impact strength, stress, and displacement at yield were obtained when the repair was made with the same resin the specimen was made of. Conclusion: Denture base acrylic resins repaired with the same resin they were made of showed greater fracture strength.     

COVID-19-related misinformation on social media: a systematic review

ObjectiveTo review misinformation related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on social media during the first phase of the pandemic and to discuss ways of countering misinformation.MethodsWe searched PubMed®, Scopus, Embase®, PsycInfo and Google Scholar databases on 5 May 2020 and 1 June 2020 for publications related to COVID-19 and social media which dealt with misinformation and which were primary empirical studies. We followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the guidelines for using a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews. Evidence quality and the risk of bias of included studies were classified using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation approach. The review is registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020182154).FindingsWe identified 22 studies for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. The proportion of COVID-19 misinformation on social media ranged from 0.2% (413/212 846) to 28.8% (194/673) of posts. Of the 22 studies, 11 did not categorize the type of COVID-19-related misinformation, nine described specific misinformation myths and two reported sarcasm or humour related to COVID-19. Only four studies addressed the possible consequences of COVID-19-related misinformation: all reported that it led to fear or panic.ConclusionSocial media play an increasingly important role in spreading both accurate information and misinformation. The findings of this review may help health-care organizations prepare their responses to subsequent phases in the COVID–19 infodemic and to future infodemics in general.     

Pharmacologic inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system did not attenuate hepatic toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) subserves vital physiological functions and also implicated in certain pathological states. Modulation of this system has been proposed in recent studies to be a promising strategy in treating liver fibrosis. We investigated the effect of the pharmacologic inhibition of RAS with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker in CCl(4)-induced liver injury with a view to ascertaining the chemopreventive benefit. Fifty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into eight experimental groups of seven rats/group. Groups 1-4 received normal saline (10 ml/kg), enalapril (0.6 mg/kg), losartan (1.4 mg/kg) and CCl(4) (80 mg/kg), respectively. Groups 5-8 were pretreated with enalapril (0.3 mg/kg), enalapril (0.6 mg/kg), losartan (0.7 mg/kg) and losartan (1.4 mg/kg) 1 hour before CCl(4) administration. Experiment lasted 11 days and dosing was via oral route. Rats were killed 24 hours after the last treatment. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 46.0%, 90.6% and 122.3%, respectively, with severe hepatic centrilobular necrosis, fatty infiltration and increase in liver weight (p < 0.05) in the CCl(4)-treated rats. Enalapril (0.6 mg/kg) and losartan (1.4 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) increased aspartate aminotransferase activity by 37.0% and 94.7% and produced mild centrilobular and periportal hepatic necrosis, respectively, with enalapril significantly (p < 0.05) increasing liver weight. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin and total protein did not change significantly in these rats. Also, glutathione, malondialdehyde and uric acid levels were not significantly altered. Enalapril and losartan failed to attenuate liver injury associated with CCl(4) treatment. Although both drugs did not significantly alter serum biochemistry in the CCl(4)-treated rats, they however produced slight elevations in biomarkers of liver function and appear to worsen liver histopathology. Overall, the chemopreventive benefits of RAS inhibitors in liver disease remain doubtful and should be used with caution during hepatic dysfunction.     

Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels: a major health hazard in developing countries

Background

Nearly 3 billion people live without electricity today. This energy poverty means that they have to resort to biomass fuels for their household energy needs. When burned, these fuels release a mixture of toxic chemicals in their smoke, which is often over twenty times greater than World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency recommended guideline limits.

Aim

This review details factors that contribute to indoor air pollution, its effects on health, and discusses corrective measures to consider when planning intervention strategies to stem the high morbidity and mortality trend.

Methods

The term developing countries is defined using the 2008 United Nations Conferences on Trade and Development Handbook. PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases from 1990 to 2011 were searched using the key terms: indoor air pollution, biomass fuel, particulate matter, health risks, and developing countries. Bibliographies of all relevant articles were also screened to find further eligible articles. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles and technical reports from global health organizations such as the WHO and United Nations Development Program. Exclusion criteria were articles focused on modern energy, developed countries, and non-English publications.

Results

The review discusses the extent of indoor air pollution related to use of biomass for cooking and assesses its impact on various health and social problems, including lung diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes and human development, especially in vulnerable populations. It also offers strategies to mitigate problems related to indoor air pollution.

Conclusions

Biomass fuel is a major cause of indoor air pollution and is a significant health hazard in developing countries. A thorough understanding of the connection between choice of fuel for household needs and health impact of long-term exposure to pollutants from smoke generated during use of biomass for cooking is required so that appropriate intervention strategies and policies can be established to protect vulnerable populations.     

Outcome of depression in a geriatric medical day hospital following psychiatric consulation

A two-year review of a psychiatric clinic within a geriatric medical day hospital was undertaken to obtain: (a) the prevalence of major depression in that clinic and (b) outcome at 6–12 months postintervention. The clinic provided only consultative service to primary caregivers. Thirty-seven per cent of the 78 referrals to this clinic, ie 15% of all day hospital attenders, had a DSM-III diagnosis of major depression; the depressed group had more widows. Outcome of depression at six months and 12 months was better than or comparable to recent reports despite the low-contact psychiatric involvement. Cognitive scores and severity of depression had no effect on outcome in this group. More setting-specific prevalence and outcome studies are recommended for a better understanding of depression in the elderly.     

Microbial contamination of seven major weaning foods in Nigeria

Five million children aged less than five years die annually due to diarrhoea. The aim of the study was to identify some possible contributing factors for persistent diarrhoea. Seven weaning foods, including a locally-made food, were evaluated by estimating the microbial load using the most probable number method and aflatoxin levels (AFM1, AFG1, AFG2, and AFB2) by immunoaffinity column extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection of fluorescence. The results showed that the locally-made weaning food had the highest microbial count (2,000 cfu/g) and faecal streptococcal count (25 cfu/g). Moulds isolated were mainly Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. glaucus, Cladosporium sp., and Penicillium sp. The home-made weaning food recorded the highest fungal count (6,500 cfu/g). AFM1 of the weaning foods was 4.6-530 ng/mL. One weaning food had AFB1 level of 4,806 ng/g. Aflatoxin metabolites, apart from AFM1 and AFB1 present in the weaning foods, were AFG1 and AFG2. There were low microbial counts in commercial weaning foods but had high levels of aflatoxins (AFM1, AFG1, AFG2, AFB1, and AFB2). Growth and development of the infant is rapid, and it is, thus, possible that exposure to aflatoxins in weaning foods might have significant health effects.