Assessment of exposure of Egyptian infants to aflatoxin M1 through breast milk

Mothers are exposed to many toxins that can reach their infants through breast milk. One of these toxins is aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus fungus. Aspergillus colonizes grains, especially in tropical regions where there is high temperature and humidity. Aflatoxins are highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic. One of these is aflatoxin B1 that is excreted in breast milk as aflatoxin M1 [AFM1]. This is a cross-sectional study in which 150 mother-infant dyads were included. All the infants were exclusively breastfed. Infant weights' standard deviation scores were documented at birth and at 6 months. At 6 months, before starting weaning, AFM1 was measured in breast milk by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by liver enzymes; alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] for all mothers and infants. Ninety-eight mothers [65.3%] had AFM1-positive breast milk samples [AFM1 > 0.05 microg/ according to the European Community and Codex Alimentarius]. AFM1 levels ranged between 0.2 and 19.0micro g/l [mean: 7.1 +/- 5.0micro g/l]. In cases considered negative, AFM1 levels ranged between 0.01 and 0.05 microg/l [mean: 0.04 +/- 0.01 microg/1]. Infants of AFM1-positive mothers had lower weight standard deviation scores at birth and at 6 months [P=0.04 and 0.0001]. ALT and aspartate aminotransferase of mothers and ALT of infants were significantly higher in dyads having AFM1-positive breast milk [P=0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.03, respectively]. Aflatoxins represent a real threat in Egypt. The higher liver enzymes in AFM 1-positive cases might represent an alarm toward future development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cooperation of ministries is recommended to combat this problem. The public should be educated about proper food storage and about the hazards of aflatoxin ingestion

Injection safety at primary health care level in south-western Saudi Arabia

In a study of injection safety in Abha health district, Saudi Arabia, data were collected from 47 physicians and 85 nurses at 24 primary health care centres, using an observation checklist and an interview questionnaire. All centres used individually packed disposable syringes and puncture-proof containers to collect used needles. Needlestick injury in the previous year was reported by 14.9% of physicians and 16.5% of nurses [0.21 and 0.38 injuries/person/year respectively]. Logistic regression analysis identified recapping the needle after use [physicians and nurses] and bending the needle before disposal [physicians] as significant risk factors for injury

Anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic properties of garlic [Allium sativum] in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In this study the hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects of garlic were studied in streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. Compared to normal [non-diabetic] rats, STZ-induced diabetic rats had approximately 200% higher serum glucose, 50% higher serum cholesterol and 30% higher serum triglyceride levels as well as 86% higher urinary protein levels. Daily treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats with an extract of raw garlic [500mg/kg intraperitoneally] for seven weeks significantly lowered serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Compared to control diabetic rats, garlic-treated rats had 57% less serum glucose, 40% lower serum cholesterol levels and 35%*lower triglyceride. In addition, urinary protein levels in garlic-treated diabetic animals were 50% lower compared to the diabetic controls. In contrast, the increased urine output and water intake of diabetic rats were not affected by garlic treatment. These results indicate that raw garlic possesses a beneficial potential in reversing proteinuria in addition to reducing blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic rats. Therefore, garlic could be of great value in managing the effects and complications of diabetes in affected individuals