ABSTRACT
We identified and quantified a variety of mineral elements in 18 tobacco samples purchased from a Tunisian market. In total, 25 mineral elements have been measured in cigarettes, water pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy following microwave-assisted digestion. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSSTM, version 18.0. The lowest concentrations of all studied elements were observed in water pipe tobacco. Significantly higher concentrations of Al, Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, Cr, and Co were found in smokeless tobacco, while cigarettes brands contained the highest concentrations of K, Mn, Ni, Ba, and Sr. There was no significant difference between the mineral contents of local and foreign cigarettes and conventional and light cigarettes. Our findings demonstrated that local smokeless tobacco appears to be the most hazardous tobacco type. The concentration of minerals in light cigarettes was not significantly different from the concentration in conventional cigarettes.
Subject(s)
Elements , Tobacco , Chemistry , Tobacco, SmokelessABSTRACT
Currently, for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, we search risk factors and measure bone mineral density [BMD] by DXA. However, bone turnover markers, unused still in practice, have shown an interest especially in the prediction of fracture risk. To determine the relationship between bone markers, BMD and osteoporotic fracture. Prospective study of 65 women referred for measure of BMD during the period between May and August 2010. Each patient had a dosage of serum bone formation markers: osteocalcin [OC] and N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen [P1NP] and bone resorption markers: serum and urinary C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [beta-CTX or CrossLaps] as well as parathyroid hormone and calcium. Risk factors of osteoporosis were identified in each case. Our 65 women had a mean age of 58.6 +/- 12.1 years. The majority [83%] were menopausal women. Osteoporosis was found in 52%, osteopenia 26% and normal BMD 22% of cases. An increase in bone turnover markers was correlated with menopause [p = 0. 001 for the OC, p = 0.016 for urinary CTX], a low body mass index [p = 0.015 for OC, p = 0.042 for serum CTX] and osteoporosis [p <0.001 for P1NP, p <0.001 for serum and urinary CTX]. Corticosteroid therapy was correlated with a decrease in bone formation markers [p = 0.002 for P1NP]. The presence of fracture was only associated with increased urinary CTX [p = 0.05]. Bone turnover markers increase in menopausal women and in case of low BMD. However, their contribution in the diagnosis of osteoporosis is low. They are rather an interest in the prediction of fracture risk
ABSTRACT
Since 1980s, the clinical and biological characteristics of urolithiasis in Tunisian children have continuously evolved. This retrospective study defines the current status of urolithiasis among children and adolescents in Tunisia. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 310 children and adolescents [age: 3 months - 19 years] between 2003 and 2010, holding urolithiasis. A first-line metabolic, urine and plasma work-up was performed in all patients. Physical and chemical analysis of the stones was performed respectively by stereomicroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with SPSS 11.0 software. The Chi-square test was used for comparison of percentages. Our study shows a male predominance of urolithiasis with a sex ratio of 1.5. Stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 70.7% of cases. Calcium oxalate was the predominant constituent in 52.6% of stones. There was an increasing prevalence of calcium oxalate stones according to age in both genders [48.6% in infants vs 68.5% in teenagers [P<0.01]]. Struvite was more frequent in patients aged 2-9 years [P<0.02] and significantly more prevalent in boys than in girls [P<0.001]. Ammonium urate stones were observed in 14.2% and were more frequent in infants. Our results emphasize a high percentage of calcium oxalate stones and a low percentage of struvite stones. The persistence of urate stones reflects the particular eating habits and the infectious risk factors. The patient's age is an important factor that must be taken into account during etiopathogenic work-up
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies that evaluate the effect of age on stone composition are scarce. The aim of this study was to highlight the changes in epidemiological characteristics (stone composition and location) of urolithiasis according to patients' age. METHODS: We studied 1,301 urolithiasis patients with age ranging from 6 months to 92 yr (781 males and 520 females). Stone analysis was performed using a stereomicroscope and infrared spectroscopy to determine the morphological type and molecular composition of each stone. RESULTS: The annual average incidence of new stone formation was 31.7 per 100,000 persons. In 71.8% of cases, calculi were located in the upper urinary tract. Compared to other age groups, children and old men were more affected by bladder stones. Calcium oxalate monohydrate was the most frequent stone component, even though its frequency decreased with age (59.5% in young adults and 43.7% in the elderly, P<0.05) in favor of an increase in uric acid stones (11.5% in young adults and 36.4% in the elderly, P<0.05). Struvite stones were rare (3.8%) and more frequent in children than in adults. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of these data showed that urinary stones in Tunisian patients are tending to evolve in the same direction as the stones in patients from industrialized countries.