ABSTRACT
The study aimed at determining the protective role of Brassica oleracea on dolutegravir-induced changes in Pupariation and Emergence of Drosophila melanogaster. D. melanogaster aged 3-5 days old were exposed to different concentrations (0.5 to 4 mg/ 5 g diet) of dolutegravir and B. oleracea extract (7.5–1000 mg/5 g diet) for 7 days to determine the lethal concentration (LC50). D. melanogaster were then exposed to the extract (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/5 g diet) and controls (diet alone and vitamin C) to assess their effects on pupariation and emergence. A 14-day assay was also performed to evaluate the effect of the extract and toxicant (dolutegravir) on fly survival. The result showed a dose-dependent significant decrease (P < 0.05) and a dose-dependent significant increase (P < 0.05) in survival for D. melanogaster exposed to dolutegravir and the extract respectively, when compared to the control group. Results showed a delay in pupariation and decrease in mean pupariation in flies exposed to dolutegravir alone. An improvement in the same parameters was observed in D. melanogaster pre-treated with the extract before exposure to dolutegravir. D. melanogaster pre-treated with 200 and 400 mg extract per 5 g diet showed emergence that was comparable to those in the control groups. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in the groups exposed to 50 and 100 mg extract per 5 g diet, suggesting no protection at these doses. This study concludes that B. oleracea leaf extract, at certain concentrations, is able to protect against dolutegravir-induced changes in pupariation and emergence in D. melanogaster.
ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, the oil industry is replete with several high-risk activities as seen in seismic exploration, construction, drilling, production, and maintenance. Generated hazards could impact exposed workers. Exposure to associated hazards and rigour of activities usually puts workers in oil and gas installations at risk of developing several occupational illnesses. Environmental problems have also been reportedly associated with these activities as well. This study was thus aimed at determining the perceived environmental effects and morbidity patterns among staff of an oil and gas installation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used in conducting this study in an onshore oil and gas hub in Nigeria. Study group comprised engineers and technicians of various oil and gas specialties. A random sampling method was used to select 256 personnel from the study population. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to the personnel of the facility. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 17.0 (statistical software package) for analyses. Ethical considerations were adhered to during this study. Results: Common complaints include transient tinnitus (97.3%), joint pain of varying degrees (83.6%), occasional prickling sensation in the skin (78.1%) and the lowest frequency of health effects was claims of stressful feeling (56.6%). Environmental problems including the destruction of aquatic biodiversity as well as water contamination were reported in this study. Conclusion: This study found experience of several morbidities by the respondents. They also reported observation of certain environmental problems related with oil exploratory activities at the oil and gas installation. It is recommended that a regular review of measures be put in place to prevent these health and environmental problems from occurring in or around oil and gas installation located in Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Several studies have confirmed seasonal variation in suicide rates according to hours of sunshine. The suicide pattern was assessed in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, at the tropic of Capricorn from 1996 to 2004. Poisson regression was employed to estimate parameters of seasonality, as well as to verify associations for each day between daylight duration and suicide. During the nine-year study period, there were 3,984 suicides (76.9 percent in men; median age=38.7 years old). Seasonal averages of suicides were similar, as were monthly averages. Poisson regression did not reveal any association between suicide rates and hours of sunshine (p=0.45) for both sexes. In conclusion, no seasonal pattern was observed for suicides.
Estudos epidemiológicos têm confirmado que as taxas de suicídio apresentam variação sazonal relacionada às horas de insolação. O padrão de suicídios foi analisado na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, no trópico de Capricórnio, de 1996 a 2004. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar padrões de sazonalidade, bem como verificar a associação dia-a-dia entre duração da insolação e suicídio. Durante os nove anos houve 3.984 suicídios (76,9 por cento homens; mediana de idade=38,7 anos). As médias de suicídio por estação do ano e por mês de suicídio foram similares. Segundo a regressão de Poisson, não houve associação entre insolação e suicídio (p=0,45) para ambos os sexos. Conclui-se que não houve padrão sazonal de suicídios na cidade de São Paulo.
Subject(s)
Poisson Distribution , Sunlight , Suicide , BrazilABSTRACT
We describe our 10 years experience in assaying over 15,000 clinical specimens for immune complexes (IC) using the C1q binding assay. Normal ranges were initially established using a large panel of blood donor sera and precision of the assay was optimized by inclusion of heat aggregated IgG (HAGG) as standards. Nevertheless some variability was observed due to variation in C1q binding from batch to batch and with aging of this reagent. In an empirically selected 2 year period involving over 3,000 clinical specimens, 25% had elevated concentrations of IC. Of these the majority were from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), other connective tissue disorders, infective endocarditis (IE), diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) and vasculitis (VASC). In RA, IE and VASC, significant correlations were observed between concentrations of IC and rheumatoid factor (RF) and the addition of a purified monoclonal RF to normal serum caused increased C1q binding. Longitudinal studies in RA and IE demonstrated a striking decline in IC in response to effective treatment. We conclude that the measurement of IC provides little additional useful diagnostic information in those diseases associated with high levels of RF but appears more useful in disorders such as SLE, IE and DILD in which RF is absent or present in low concentration. Sequential monitoring of IC in RA and IE reflects response to treatment.