Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan / Qualidade de água potável de váris fontes dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat e Swat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Tratamento de feridas complexas com prótese de PVC e enxerto parcial de pele autólogo: Protocolo acelerado e de baixo custo de cicatrização por terceira intenção / Treatment of complex wounds with PVC prosthesis and autologous partial skin graft: Accelerated and low-cost third-intention healing protocol

Introdução: Feridas complexas são lesões tegumentares graves, de difícil resolução com curativos convencionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever uma técnica de cicatrização de feridas por terceira intenção, reprodutível e de baixo custo, aplicável a feridas complexas, utilizando uma prótese de policloreto de vinila (PVC) colocada temporariamente na área da lesão para promover proteção e estimular sua "granulação", seguida de enxerto autólogo de pele de espessura parcial. Método: De forma consecutiva, foram selecionados 20 pacientes com feridas complexas, decorrentes de causas externas, divididos em 2 grupos: A - pacientes que foram submetidos à técnica de cobertura com prótese de PVC, seguida de enxerto; e B - pacientes submetidos aos cuidados da equipe de curativo, com trocas diárias até granulação da ferida, padrão da nossa instituição. Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao tempo de internação; custos; em relação à dor local; à presença de complicações; ao tempo até a alta médica; e à satisfação do paciente. Resultados: O tempo de internamento e seus custos, assim como o tempo até a alta médica, foram menores no grupo A (p<0,05). Todavia, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação à dor local entre as técnicas A e B. Conclusão: A técnica utilizando prótese de PVC e enxerto possui boa eficácia para o tratamento de feridas complexas, sendo reprodutível e de baixo custo.

Introduction: Complex wounds are serious tegumentary injuries that are difficult to resolve with conventional dressings. This study aimed to describe a third-intention wound healing technique, reproducible and low cost, applicable to complex wounds, using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prosthesis temporarily placed in the injured area to promote the protection and stimulate its "granulation," followed by autologous partial-thickness skin grafting. Method: Consecutively, 20 patients with complex wounds resulting from external causes were selected and divided into 2 groups: A - patients who underwent the coverage technique with PVC prosthesis, followed by grafting, and B - patients submitted to the care of the dressing team, with daily changes until wound granulation, standard in our institution. Patients were evaluated regarding length of stay; costs; local pain; complications; the time until medical discharge; and patient satisfaction. Results: The length of hospital stay, its costs, and the time until medical discharge were shorter in group A (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in local pain between techniques A and B. Conclusion: The technique using PVC prosthesis and graft has good efficacy for treating complex wounds, being reproducible and inexpensive.

Role of Dietary Management and Physical Activity in Control of Hypertension in Rural Areas of Punjab-A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: As reported by WHO, hypertension is the third ‘killer’ disease, accounting for one in every eight deaths worldwide. Many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are found to be associated with the disease. The present study aims to determine the role of dietary management and physical activity in the control of hypertension in a given population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that. Study included all hypertensive patients (290) from the field practice area of a tertiary care institute. A self-constructed, pretested questionnaire was used to enquire about the socio- demographic factors and other risk factors associated with hypertension. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23 and valid conclusions were drawn by using the chi-square test. Results: Out of 290 patients, 204 (70.3%) were females and 86 (29.7%) were males. Univariate analysis identified decreased salt intake, decreased fatty food consumption, physical activity, stress management, and spiritual help as highly significant factors affecting hypertension. On multivariate analysis, physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were found to be significant. Conclusion: The study showed that physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were significantly associated with hypertension control among the elderly. Measures should be taken to create awareness about lifestyle modifications in the control of hypertension.

Main results and public health implications of the National School Health Survey (ENSE), Colombia 2017

Introduction: The school population represents a fundamental group for health promotion actions, given that the foundations of healthy behaviors in adult life are established in children and adolescents, who can be greatly influenced by the school. Objective: To describe the health-related behavioral factors of schoolchildren between 13 and 17 years of age in secondary and middle school in Colombia. Methods: A national cross-sectional study was conducted (i.e., School Health Survey -ENSE-) that recorded information on dietary practices, physical activity, alcohol and drug consumption, injuries and bullying, and oral, visual and hearing health. Sampling was probabilistic, cluster and multistage. Results: Schoolchildren have low consumption of fruits, vegetables (13.1%) and dairy (76.5 %), high consumption of ultra-processed foods (82.4 %), sugary drinks (74.0 %) and fast foods (14.8 %), frequent addition of salt at the table (43.3 %), low compliance with physical activity recommendations (15.0 %) and high sedentary lifestyle (46.3 %), frequent consumption of alcohol (44.7 %) and psychoactive substances (14.7 %), in addition to prevalent situations of bullying (15.4 %), rejection (8.2 %) and verbal aggression (42.7 %). Conclusions: The ENSE shows critical inequalities by gender, ethnicity and social class, throughout the country. The indicators observed in schoolchildren are precursors of various chronic and degenerative diseases and mental illness, which requires the urgent attention of the different social actors in the country.

Introducción: La población escolar es un grupo fundamental para las intervenciones de promoción de la salud, ya que en los niños y adolescentes se sientan las bases de un comportamiento saludable en la vida adulta, que puede ser muy influenciado por la escuela. Objetivo: Describir los factores comportamentales relacionados con la salud de los escolares de 13 a 17 años de edad que cursan educación básica secundaria y media en Colombia. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta nacional transversal (Encuesta de Salud en Escolares -ENSE-) con los lineamientos de Global School-based Student Health Survey para recolectar información sobre prácticas alimentarias, actividad física, consumo de alcohol y drogas, lesiones e intimidación, y salud bucal, visual y auditiva. El muestreo fue probabilístico, por conglomerados y polietápico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 79.640 escolares de 298 municipios. Los escolares presentaron bajo consumo de frutas, verduras (13.1%) y productos lácteos (76.5 %), alto consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados (82.4 %), bebidas azucaradas (74.0 %) y comidas rápidas (14.8 %); alto uso de sal añadida en la mesa (43.3 %), actividad física inferior a la recomendada (15.0 %) y sedentarismo (46.3 %). Fue frecuente el consumo de alcohol (44.7 %) y sustancias psicoactivas (14.7 %) y reportaron situaciones de intimidación (15.4 %), rechazo (8.2 %) y agresiones verbales (42.7 %). Conclusiones: La ENSE muestra desigualdades por género, etnia y clase social en todo el país. Los hallazgos observados en los escolares son factores de riesgo de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas y mentales, y requieren la atención urgente de los actores sociales del país.

Protective effect of barium chloride pretreatment on lung in mice with acute respiratory distress syndrome / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To explore whether barium chloride (BaCl 2) preconditioning has the protective effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model in mice and the possible mechanism. Methods:Sixty 8-12 week old healthy C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control group, ARDS model group and BaCl 2 pretreatment group, with 20 mice in each group. The BaCl 2 pretreatment group was continuously injected with BaCl 2 (4 mg/kg through the tail vein) for 3 days before ARDS model establishment. ARDS model was established by intratracheally injecting (3 mg/kg) LPS. The control group was intratracheally given the same volume of 0.9% normal saline. On 24th hour after ARDS model establishment, some mice were sacrificed for obtaining fresh lung tissue. And the right lower lobe of the lung was separated for observing the pathological changes of lung tissue while the left lung tissue was used to measure the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of the lung. Some mice were sacrificed for observing pulmonary microvascular permeability at 2nd hours after injecting Evans blue (EB) through tail vein. The left mice were killed for alveolar lavage to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Comparing with the control group, ARDS model group showed typical ARDS pathological changes, which included the increased W/D ratio (4.951±0.161 vs. 3.449±0.299, P < 0.01) and the content of EB in the lung tissue (μg/g: 0.130±0.027 vs. 0.085±0.011, P < 0.01), the damaged alveolar wall structure, lung congestion and exudates in the alveoli, as well as amounts of inflammatory cells. The pathological score of lung injury (10.33±1.15 vs. 1.67±0.58) and the level of TNF-α in BALF (ng/L: 900.85±247.80 vs. 68.21±5.79) were significantly increased in the ARDS model group (both P < 0.01). Comparing with the ARDS model group, the lung W/D ratio (4.620±0.125 vs. 4.951±0.161) and the EB content in the lung tissue (μg/g: 0.108±0.011 vs. 0.130±0.027) of BaCl 2 pretreatment group were significantly reduced (both P < 0.01). And the damaged pulmonary structural BaCl 2 pretreatment group were significantly alleviated. In addition, the pulmonary pathological score (5.00±1.00 vs. 10.33±1.15) and the level of TNF-α in BALF (ng/L: 169.16±73.33 vs. 900.85±247.80) were significantly decreased (both P < 0.01). Conclusion:Barium chloride pretreatment can improve the lung histopathological changes of ARDS model mice induced by LPS by reducing the permeability of pulmonary capillaries and local inflammatory reaction.Barium chloride has the protective effect against LPS attack in mice model of ARDS.

Effects of different light sources on the stability of cinepazide maleate in sodium chloride solution / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the effects of different light sources on the stability of cinepazide maleate in sodium chloride solution, providing a theoretical basis for standardizing operation for avoiding light in clinical medication.Methods:First, a standard curve was created and methodological studies were conducted. Then, intravenous drip solutions were prepared using clinically prescribed methods. Then, the absorbance of the solution of cinepazide maleate injection under outdoor light, light emitting diode (LED) light, indoor light, artificial sunlight with a color temperature of 6 500 K (D65), and under a shading condition for 1, 2, 3, and 7 hours were brought into the standard curve to obtain the concentrations, and the change of the concentrations was studied.Results:There was no light decomposition phenomenon of cinepazide maleate injection in the shading group (control group) within 7 hours. In the other four experimental groups, there was no obvious light decomposition phenomenon of cinepazide maleate injection in the LED light group. Compared with the shading group, cinepazide maleate injection in the indoor, outdoor, and D65 groups began to exhibit a light decomposition phenomenon at 1 hour ( F = 44 840.44, P < 0.001). At 2 hours, cinepazide maleate content in the outdoor and D65 groups began to decrease significantly compared with the shading group ( F = 15 459.12, P < 0.001). At 7 hours, cinepazide maleate exhibited significantly greater light decomposition in the outdoor group [(29.84 ± 0.43) L·mol -1·cm -1] and D65 group [(21.01 ± 0.51) L·mol -1·cm -1] than the shading group [(101.65 ± 1.5) L·mol -1·cm -1] ( F = 63 106.32, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in cinepazide maleate content between LED and shading groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Cinepazide maleate injection is stable under the common LED light source and therefore it is not necessary to take lightproof operation. Cinepazide maleate injection is unstable under indoor, outdoor, and D65 light sources, and it is necessary to take lightproof operation.

Infrared spectral band screening based on partial least squares is used for the quantitative analysis of mannitol-calcium chloride cocrystal / 药学学报

Mannitol-calcium chloride metal organic framework (MOF) cocrystal significantly improved the tabletability of β-mannitol and could be developed as a new tablet filler. However, mannitol monomer was found in the product during the scale-up production of the excipient, which significantly affected the functional properties of the excipient. In this study, we intend to quantify the multi-component eutectic system of mannitol-calcium chloride. In this experiment, the MOF cocrystal excipient mannitol-calcium chloride cocrystal was used as the model compound, and infrared spectrum was collected. Based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) method, the abnormal bands were removed and the spectrum was preprocessed by normalization. The quantitative correction model of mannitol-calcium chloride MOF cocrystal content in cocrystal excipients was established and compared by two different variable screening methods, genetic algorithm (GA) and competitive adaptive reweighting algorithm (CARS). Two different variable screening methods, GA method and CARS method, were used to screen out 160 and 14 variables, respectively. The mannitol-calcium chloride cocrystal model established by CARS-PLSR method had the best performance, and the average relative error (MRE) and corrected root mean square error (RMSEC) of the model were 0.008 8 and 0.892 5, respectively, the determination coefficient (R2) of the model was increased from 0.978 3 to 0.994 4. The quantitative method of eutectic system established in this study has high prediction accuracy, fast detection speed and good stability, which is of great significance for optimizing the preparation process conditions and quality control methods of such eutectic excipients.

Advances in chloride voltage-gated channel and intellectual disability / 国际儿科学杂志

Chloride voltage-gated channel, as an important ion channel in living organisms, has many important physiological functions.The gene encoding chloride voltage-gated channel protein is CLCN, which has nine members(CLCN1~7, CLCNKa, and CLCNKb).The CLCN gene variants lead to abnormal expression of chloride channel proteins, which affect the biological activities of neuronal signaling, ion homeostasis, intracellular transport, and lysosomal protein degradation, thereby altering ion channel gating properties, interfering with the normal developmental process of the nervous system, and causing the development of intellectual disability.In recent years, further studies of the CLCN gene have found that the variants in some members of this family are closely related to intellectual disability.This review will discuss the correlation between the chloride voltage-gated channel and intellectual disability.

Three cases of occupational acute trimethyltin chloride poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Trimethyltin chloride is a highly toxic substance, which is absorbed through respiratory tract, skin and digestive tract, with central nervous system injury as the main clinical manifestations, and can be accompanied by damage to various organs. In this paper, the treatment process of 3 patients with acute trimethyltin chloride poisoning was reviewed, and their clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Three patients were misdiagnosed as mental abnormality, encephalitis, and hepatic encephalopathy in different hospitals in the early stage of medical treatment, suggesting that clinicians should pay attention to the occupational contact history of poisoned patients and conduct toxicant detection in time to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

The role of Nrf2 in the alteration of tight junction protein expression in choroid plexus epithelial cells created by lanthanum-activated MMP9 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the alteration of tight junction protein expression in choroid plexus epithelial cells created by lanthanum-activated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) . Methods: In October 2020, immortalized rat choroid plexus epithelial cell line (Z310) cells were used as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in vitro, and were divided into control group and 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L lanthanum chloride (LaCl(3)) treatment group. After treating Z310 cells with different concentrations of LaCl(3) for 24 hours, the morphological changes of Z310 cells were observed under inverted microscope, the protein expression levels of MMP9, occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were observed by cellular immunofluorescence method, and the protein expression levels of MMP9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) , occludin, ZO-1 and Nrf2 were detected by Western blotting. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the control group, Z310 cells in the LaCl(3) treatment group were smaller in size, with fewer intercellular junctions, and more dead cells and cell fragments. The expression level of MMP9 protein in cells treated with 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) , and the expression level of TIMP1 and tight junction proteins occudin and ZO-1 was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the ROS production level in the 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly increased (P<0.05) , and the Nrf2 protein expression level in the 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Lanthanum may increase the level of ROS in cells by down regulating the expression of Nrf2, thus activating MMP9 to reduce the expression level of intercellular tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1.

Glutamate-releasing BEST1 channel is a new target for neuroprotection against ischemic stroke with wide time window

Many efforts have been made to understand excitotoxicity and develop neuroprotectants for the therapy of ischemic stroke. The narrow treatment time window is still to be solved. Given that the ischemic core expanded over days, treatment with an extended time window is anticipated. Bestrophin 1 (BEST1) belongs to a bestrophin family of calcium-activated chloride channels. We revealed an increase in neuronal BEST1 expression and function within the peri-infarct from 8 to 48 h after ischemic stroke in mice. Interfering the protein expression or inhibiting the channel function of BEST1 by genetic manipulation displayed neuroprotective effects and improved motor functional deficits. Using electrophysiological recordings, we demonstrated that extrasynaptic glutamate release through BEST1 channel resulted in delayed excitotoxicity. Finally, we confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological inhibition of BEST1 during 6-72 h post-ischemia in rodents. This delayed treatment prevented the expansion of infarct volume and the exacerbation of neurological functions. Our study identifies the glutamate-releasing BEST1 channel as a potential therapeutic target against ischemic stroke with a wide time window.

Role of selenoprotein M knockdown in the melatonin antagonism of nickel-induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in mouse heart / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of selenoprotein M (SelM) in endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in nickel-exposed mouse hearts and to explore the detoxifying effects of melatonin. At 21 d after intraperitoneal injection of nickel chloride (NiCl2) and/or melatonin into male wild-type (WT) and SelM knockout (KO) C57BL/6J mice, NiCl2 was found to induce changes in the microstructure and ultrastructure of the hearts of both WT and SelM KO mice, which were caused by oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis, as evidenced by decreases in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity. Changes in the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), inositol-requiring protein 1 (IRE1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)) and apoptosis (B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Caspase-12) were also observed. Notably, the observed damage was worse in SelM KO mice. Furthermore, melatonin alleviated the heart injury caused by NiCl2 in WT mice but could not exert a good protective effect in the heart of SelM KO mice. Overall, the findings suggested that the antioxidant capacity of SelM, as well as its modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, plays important roles in nickel-induced heart injury.

In vitro evaluation for estrogenic mechanisms of the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride as an emerging contaminant

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro the possible mechanisms underlying the estrogenic potential of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as a disinfectant emerging contaminant. Effects of BAC at the environmentally-relevant concentrations on estrogen synthesis and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling were assessed using the H295R steroidogenesis assay and the MCF-7 proliferation assay, respectively. Results showed that exposure to BAC at concentrations of 1.0-1.5 mg/L for 48 h significantly increased estradiol production of H295R cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcription of steroidogenic genes 3β‐HSD2, 17β‐HSD1, 17β‐HSD4, and CYP19A were significantly enhanced by BAC. In ER-positive MCF-7 cells, exposure to 0.5-1.5 mg/L BAC for 48 h significantly promoted cell proliferation and increased the expressions of ERα and G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 0.5-1.5 mg/L BAC significantly decreased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase, increased the percentage in S phase, and BAC at concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L increased the G2/M phase cells. Findings of the study suggested that BAC at environmentally-relevant concentrations might act as a xenoestrogen through its inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis and ER-mediated mechanism.

Analysis of clinical features of seven patients with granular parakeratosis after benzalkonium chloride exposure / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To summarize clinical manifestations and histopathological features of granular parakeratosis (GP) after exposure to benzalkonium chloride.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 7 GP cases with a history of benzalkonium chloride exposure in the Department of Dermatology at Wuhan No.1 Hospital from April to August 2022. Data were collected on the general condition, skin lesion manifestations, pathological examination, treatment, and follow-up of the patients, and retrospectively analyzed.Results:The 7 adult patients with GP typically presented with erythema and brown scales in the intertriginous area, exhibiting an annular distribution pattern. All the 7 patients reported recent exposure to disinfectants containing benzalkonium chloride. A total of 10 skin biopsies were taken from the 7 patients. Histopathological examination showed characteristic hyperkeratosis and fine blue-gray parakeratotic granules in the stratum corneum. All skin lesions improved 1 month after cessation of exposure to benzalkonium chloride.Conclusion:GP has a distinct clinical pattern and histopathological manifestations, and a history of exposure to benzalkonium chloride can be helpful for the diagnosis of GP.

Effect of different doses of compound sodium chloride injection combined with norepinephrine on prevention of hypotension after lumbar anesthesia in patients undergoing caesarean section / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different doses of compound sodium chloride injection combined with norepinephrine on prevention of hypotension after lumbar anesthesia in the patients undergoing caesarean section.Methods:A total of 150 patients with a singleton fetus, aged 18-45 yr, at ≥37 weeks of gestation, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, with height ≥150 cm, weighing ≤100 kg, with body mass index < 40 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective caesarean section under lumbar anesthesia, were divided into 3 groups ( n=50 each) by the random number table method: compound sodium chloride injection 4, 8 and 12 ml·kg -1·h -1 groups (group A, group B, group C). Compound sodium chloride injection 4 ml/kg was intravenously injected for liquid preload before lumbar anesthesia, and 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg was injected to the subarachnoid space for lumbar anesthesia. Norepinephrine was intravenously injected at a dose of 6 μg immediately after intrathecal injection, followed by an infusion of 0.05 μg·kg -1·min -1, and infusion was stopped at 5 min after delivery. Compound sodium chloride injection was intravenously infused simultaneously at a rate of 4, 8 and 12 ml·kg -1·h -1 in A, B and C groups, respectively. The maximum diameter of inferior vena cava (IVCmax) and the minimum diameter of inferior vena cava (IVCmin) were measured by ultrasound, and inferior vena cava collapse index (IVC-CI) was calculated at 1 min before fluid preload (T 1), immediately after fluid preload (T 2), at 5 min after anesthesia (T 3), at 5 min after fetal delivery (T 4) and immediately before leaving the operating room (T 5). The incidence of intraoperative adverse events (hypotension, severe hypotension, bradycardia, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting) and neonatal outcomes (umbilical artery blood gas index and Apgar score at 1 and 5 min after birth) were recorded. Results:Compared with group A, IVCmin was significantly increased and IVC-CI was decreased at T 5 in group B, and IVCmin and IVCmax were significantly increased and IVC-CI was decreased at T 5 in group C ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IVCmax, IVCmin and IVC-CI at each time point between group B and group C ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypotension, severe hypotension, bradycardia, hypertension, nausea and vomiting among the three groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the results of blood gas analysis of the umbilical artery and Apgar score at each time point after birth among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compound sodium chloride injection 4, 8 and 12 ml·kg -1·h -1 combined with norepinephrine can effectively prevent the occurrence of hypotension after lumbar anesthesia in the patients undergoing caesarean section without increasing maternal and infant adverse events, and the effect of 8 and 12 ml·kg -1·h -1 for volume supplementation is better than that of 4 ml·kg -1·h -1.

Effect of normal iodized salt diet on urinary iodine concentration and iodine uptake rate in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer before 131I treatment / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of normal iodized salt diet on urinary iodine concentration and iodine uptake rate in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before 131I treatment. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on patients with DTC (59 male patients and 130 female patients, age (43.7±12.2) years) who received 131I treatment for the first time after total thyroidectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2021 and April 2022. Patients were divided into normal iodized salt diet group and limited iodized salt diet group according to whether iodized salt diet was administered 4 weeks before 131I treatment. The age, gender, urinary iodine concentration, iodine uptake rate and tumor risk stratification of the two groups were compared by independent-sample t test or χ2 test. In addition, according to the concentration of urinary iodine, patients were divided into group a1 (urinary iodine <200 μg/L) and group a2 (urinary iodine ≥200 μg/L). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting urinary iodine concentration. Results:The urinary iodine concentration of normal iodized salt diet group was not significantly different from that of non-iodized salt diet group ((140.53±76.66) vs (121.74±74.64) μg/L; t=1.67, P=0.489). The iodine uptake rates at 2 h, 4 h and 24 h in the 2 groups were (3.77±1.06)% vs (3.42±0.97)%, (3.33±1.07)% vs (3.21±1.15)%, (2.90±2.60)% vs (3.23±2.94)%, respectively ( t values: 2.33, 0.68, -0.81, all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in age ( t=0.56, P=0.889), gender ( χ2=1.33, P=0.250) and tumor risk stratification ( χ2=0.14, P=0.709) between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor risk stratification was associated with urinary iodine concentration (odds ratio ( OR)=3.914, 95% CI: 1.505-10.176; P=0.005). Conclusion:Normal iodized salt diet may have no effect on urinary iodine concentration and iodine uptake rate of patients with DTC before 131I treatment.

Effect of cadmium chloride toxicity on olfactory mucosa / Efecto de la toxicidad del cloruro de cadmio en la mucosa olfativa

SUMMARY: Cadmium is a highly toxic metal and affects the respiratory mucosa. The aim of the study is to show the inflammation and degenerative effect of cadmium on the olfactory mucosa. In this study, eight-week-old Wistar rats with an average weight of 170-190 g were divided into two groups (control and experiment) with 20 animals in each group and used in the experiments. The rats in the experimental group were given 2 mg/kg/day powdered cadmium chloride dissolved in water intraperitoneally every day for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the nasal cavity was completely removed with anesthesia. Concha nasalis superior was separated, fixed with zinc-Formalin solution and decalcified with 5 % EDTA (Ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid). After routine histopathological procedure, APAF-1 antibody was used for expression of Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry. Histopathological examination revealed interruptions in the basement membrane structure due to cadmium and degenerative changes in stem cells, degeneration in sensory cells and pycnosis in nuclei, dilatation in blood vessels and increased inflammation in connective tissue. APAF-1 expression was found to increase in epithelial cells and olfactory glands (Bowman gland) cells. It has been thought that cadmium toxicity increases cell degeneration and inflammation in the olfactory mucosa and may significantly affect cell death and olfactory metabolism by inducing the pro-apoptotic process.

El cadmio es un metal altamente tóxico que afecta la mucosa respiratoria. El objetivo fue mostrar el efecto inflamatorio y degenerativo del cadmio sobre la mucosa olfativa. En este estudio, ratas Wistar de ocho semanas de edad con un peso promedio de 170-190 g se dividieron en dos grupos (control y experimental) con 20 animales en cada grupo. Las ratas del grupo experimental recibieron 2 mg/kg/día de cloruro de cadmio en polvo disuelto en agua por vía intraperitoneal todos los días durante dos semanas. En los animales se exirpó la cavidad nasal bajo anestesia. Se separó la concha nasal superior, se fijó con solución de zinc-Formalina y se descalcificó con EDTA (ácido etilendiaminotetraacético) al 5 %. Después del procedimiento histopatológico de rutina, Hematoxilina- Eosina (HE) e inmunohistoquímica, se utilizó el anticuerpo APAF-1. El examen histopatológico reveló interrupciones en la estructura de la membrana basal debido al cadmio y cambios degenerativos en las células madre, degeneración en las células sensoriales y picnosis en los núcleos, dilatación de los vasos sanguíneos y aumento de la inflamación en el tejido conjuntivo. Se encontró que la expresión de APAF-1 aumenta en las células epiteliales y en las células de las glándulas olfatorias (glándulas de Bowman). Se ha pensado que la toxicidad del cadmio aumenta la degeneración celular y la inflamación en la mucosa olfativa y puede afectar significativamente la muerte celular y el metabolismo olfativo al inducir el proceso proapoptótico.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre el consumo de sal en la población peruana: Estudio transversal / Knowledge, attitudes and practices about salt consumption in the Peruvian population: A crosssectional study

Introducción: La reducción del consumo de sal se ha identificado como una de las intervenciones prioritarias para prevenir las enfermedades no transmisibles a nivel mundial. Por ello, se recomienda que uno de los tres pilares para reducir su ingesta es reconocer el nivel de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas relacionadas con el consumo de sal (CAP-sal). Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de CAP-sal y los factores asociados a estos en la población peruana. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico realizado mediante encuesta virtual en población adulta peruana. Resultados: Se trabajó con una muestra de 918 sujetos. La proporción de participantes con conocimiento, actitudes y prácticas suficientes, fue del 54,58 %; 50,22 % y 40,31 %, respectivamente. Las variables que aumentan la probabilidad de tener un nivel suficiente de CAP-sal fueron el sexo femenino, la presencia de obesidad e HTA. Mientras que los antecedentes familiares y área de residencia lo fueron únicamente para conocimientos, el grado de instrucción para conocimientos y prácticas, y la actividad física tanto para actitudes como prácticas. Conclusiones: Tanto el nivel de conocimiento y actitudes fueron suficientes en la mitad de la muestra, pero las prácticas se encuentran por debajo de esta. Existen brechas que varían según las características sociodemográficas, como la edad, sexo, antecedentes de HTA, obesidad y realización de actividad física. Resultados que podrían apoyar la inclusión de la promoción de una nutrición saludable en la población peruana(AU)

Introduction: Reducing salt intake has been identified as one of the priority interventions to prevent non-communicable diseases worldwide. For this reason, it is recommended that one of the three pillars to reduce its intake is to recognize the level of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices related to salt consumption (CAP-salt, in Spanish). Objective: To determine the level of CAP-salt and the factors associated with these in the Peruvian population. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study carried out through a virtual survey of the Peruvian population. Results: We studied 918 subjects. The proportion of patients with sufficient knowledge, attitudes and practices was 54.58 %; 50.22 % and 40.31 %, respectively. The factors that increase the probability of having sufficient CAPsalt were female sex, the presence of obesity and hypertension. While family history and area of residence were only for knowledge, the degree of education for knowledge and practices, and physical activity for both attitudes and practices. Conclusions: The level of knowledge and sufficient attitudes are present in half of the population, but the practices are below this. In turn, several gaps vary according to sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, sex, history of hypertension, obesity, and physical activity, which could be the target of the new population awareness goals(AU)

Efficacy of non-invasive diagnostic methods in the diagnosis and screening of oral cancer and precancer / Eficácia de métodos diagnósticos não invasivos no diagnóstico e triagem de lesões pré-malignas e malignas na cavidade oral; revisão sistemática e meta-análise

Abstract Introduction: Traditional meta-analyses on the diagnostic accuracy of oral lesions have been conducted, but they were inherently limited to direct pairwise comparisons between a single method and a single alternative, while multiple diagnostic options and the ranking thereof were methodologically not possible. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic values of various methods in patients with oral potential malignant disease by performing a network meta-analysis. Methods: Two authors independently searched the databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Google scholar) up to June 2020 for studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of various tools (autofluorescence, chemiluminescence, cytology, narrow band imaging, and toluidine blue) with visual examination or other tools. The outcomes of interest for this analysis were sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy. Both a standard pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were conducted. Results: Treatment networks consisting of six interventions were defined for the network metaanalysis. The results of traditional meta-analysis showed that, among six methods, narrow band imaging showed higher sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy compared to visual examination. The results of network meta-analysis showed that autofluorescence, chemiluminescence, and narrow band imaging had higher sensitivity compared with visual examination, and that chemiluminescence and narrow band imaging had higher negative predictive value compared with visual examination. However, autofluorescence and chemiluminescence had lower specificity compared with visual examination. There were no significant differences in positive predictive value and accuracy among the six interventions. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that narrow banding imaging has superiority in terms of sensitivity and negative predictive value compared with the other five tested agents.

Resumo Introdução: Metanálises tradicionais sobre a precisão diagnóstica de lesões orais têm sido conduzidas, mas são inerentemente limitadas a comparações pareadas diretas entre um único método e uma única opção, enquanto múltiplas opções de diagnóstico e suas classificações ainda não foram metodologicamente possíveis. Objetivo: Avaliar os valores diagnósticos de vários métodos em pacientes com doença oral potencialmente maligna e fazer uma metanálise de rede. Método: Dois autores pesquisaram independentemente os bancos de dados (Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials e Google Scholar) até junho de 2020 para estudos que comparassem a precisão diagnóstica de várias ferramentas (autofluorescência, quimioluminescência, citologia, imagem de banda estreita e cloreto de tolônio) com exame visual ou outras ferramentas. Os resultados de interesse para esta análise foram sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo negativo, valor preditivo e precisão. Tanto uma metanálise pareada padrão quanto uma metanálise de rede foram conduzidas. Resultados: Redes de tratamento compostas por seis intervenções foram definidas para a metanálise de rede. Os resultados da metanálise tradicional mostraram que, entre seis métodos, a imagem de banda estreita apresentou maior sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo negativo, valor preditivo e precisão em comparação ao exame visual. Os resultados da metanálise de rede mostraram que a autofluorescência, a quimioluminescência e a imagem de banda estreita obtiveram maior sensibilidade em comparação com o exame visual e que a quimioluminescência e a imagem de banda estreita apresentaram maior valor preditivo negativo em comparação com o exame visual. Entretanto, a autofluorescência e a quimioluminescência mostraram especificidade inferior em comparação com o exame visual. Não houve diferenças significativas no valor preditivo e na precisão entre as seis intervenções. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou que a imagem de banda estreita demonstra superioridade em termos de sensibilidade e valor preditivo negativo em comparação com os outros cinco agentes testados.