scholarly journals Mycotoxins Consumption and Burden of Aflatoxin-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in People Subsisting on Sorghum Based Products in the Derived Savannah Zone of Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
M. H. Garba

Sorghum is a local grain that grows predominantly in the semi-arid, savannah and grassland region of Northern Nigeria and other parts of the world. Sorghum samples were collected from five districts in each of the six agro-ecological zones, while the sorghum based products such as gruel, pap and porridge were also sampled using A quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) followed by measurement of the body weight and  the quantity of food consumed by the respondents. The mycotoxin concentrations in both raw sorghum sample and the sorghum based products were determined using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mycotoxin concentrations determined from the two different samples was used to determine the amount of mycotoxins consumed by respondents from different age groups. Subsequently the burden of aflatoxin induced Hepato celluar carcinoma (HCC) in communities (within the zone) that subsist on sorghum and sorghum based products was also determined. There was a significant difference (P = 0.05) between the concentration of the mycotoxins in the raw and the processed sorghum samples in the area under study. The processing methods employed in the in the preparation of these products could not reduce the toxin level below the PTDI and TDI levels set by the regulatory agencies. Average daily consumption of sorghum based products based on age range was found to be 192.5 g/day, 617.0 g/day, 810.2 g/day and 746.1 g/day for the infants, children, adults and elderly respectively The incidence of HCC and the burden aflatoxin induced HCC in the HbsAg+ and the HbsAg- populations was alarmingly high. Sorghum is a major grain corn in the world agricultural economy and represents an important staple food for the populations of many developing countries. Nevertheless, the nutritional value of sorghum as human food, as well as a feed material for animals, is impaired by its susceptibility to infection by fungi and fungal metabolites and this calls for urgent mitigation strategies to avoid health emergencies particularly in the poverty stricken countries of the sub Saharan Africa where this crop is a common staple.

Author(s):  
A. E. Chernikova ◽  
Yu. P. Potekhina

Introduction. An osteopathic examination determines the rate, the amplitude and the strength of the main rhythms (cardiac, respiratory and cranial). However, there are relatively few studies in the available literature dedicated to the influence of osteopathic correction (OC) on the characteristics of these rhythms.Goal of research — to study the influence of OC on the rate characteristics of various rhythms of the human body.Materials and methods. 88 adult osteopathic patients aged from 18 to 81 years were examined, among them 30 men and 58 women. All patients received general osteopathic examination. The rate of the cranial rhythm (RCR), respiratory rate (RR) heart rate (HR), the mobility of the nervous processes (MNP) and the connective tissue mobility (CTM) were assessed before and after the OC session.Results. Since age varied greatly in the examined group, a correlation analysis of age-related changes of the assessed rhythms was carried out. Only the CTM correlated with age (r=–0,28; p<0,05) in a statistically significant way. The rank dispersion analysis of Kruskal–Wallis also showed statistically significant difference in this indicator in different age groups (p=0,043). With the increase of years, the CTM decreases gradually. After the OC, the CTM, increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001). The RCR varied from 5 to 12 cycles/min in the examined group, which corresponded to the norm. After the OC, the RCR has increased in a statistically significant way (p<0,0001), the MNP has also increased (p<0,0001). The initial heart rate in the subjects varied from 56 to 94 beats/min, and in 15 % it exceeded the norm. After the OC the heart rate corresponded to the norm in all patients. The heart rate and the respiratory rate significantly decreased after the OC (р<0,0001).Conclusion. The described biorhythm changes after the OC session may be indicative of the improvement of the nervous regulation, of the normalization of the autonomic balance, of the improvement of the biomechanical properties of body tissues and of the increase of their mobility. The assessed parameters can be measured quickly without any additional equipment and can be used in order to study the results of the OC.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dereń ◽  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Serhiy Nyankovskyy ◽  
Olena Nyankovska ◽  
Marta Yatsula ◽  
...  

Overweight and obesity, as well as underweight in children and adolescents, pose a significant public health issue. This study aimed to investigate the secular trend of the incidence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in children from Ukraine in 2013/2014 and 2018/2019. The studies were conducted in randomly selected primary and secondary schools in Ukraine. In total, 13,447 children (6468 boys and 6979 girls) participated in the study in 2013/2014 and 18,144 children (8717 boys and 9427 girls) participated in 2018/2019. Measurements of body weight and height were performed in triplicate. Underweight, overweight, and obesity were diagnosed according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). In the group of girls, a significant difference between 2013/2014 and 2018/2019 measurements was found only among 7-year-olds. The percentage of girls at this age exceeding the body mass index (BMI) norm was lower in the 2018/2019 study. In boys, a significant difference was also found in 7-year-olds, and, as in girls, a lower share of overweight and obesity was found in 2018/2019. But for the ages of 12, 13, and 15, the significant differences had a different character—more overweight or obese boys were found in the 2018/2019 study. The proportion of underweight children was similar for the majority of age groups in both genders and did not differ in a statistically significant way.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6-S) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Nihad Elsadig Babiker ◽  
Raheeg Mubark Anwer

Background: Aerobic exercise induces physiological stress on the body and brings changes in hematological parameters. This study aimed to determine the effect of playing football as an exercise on the total white blood cell count, absolute Neutrophil, lymphocyte and Platelet counts among Sudanese football players. Material and method:  This was a descriptive case control study, done on a number of football players in Khartoum state, Sudan and conducted within the period from August 2021 to October 2021. Three ml of venous blood samples had been collected from every participant in the study, parameters had been measured and calculated using blood cells counter (Sysmex KX-21N).                                                           Results: When compared the TWBCs, Absolute Neutrophil, Lymphocytes and platelet counts between cases and control there was a significant differences with (P ≤0.05). Also there was a significant difference in the case group before and after one hour of exercise with (P =0.00), and in significant differences between different age groups with (P ≥0.05). Conclusion: Playing football for 1 hour cause a significant increase in the TWBCs, absolute Neutrophils, absolute Lymphocytes and Platelets counts. Age variation has no effect on the measured parameters Keywords: Football, TWBCs, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes and Platelets.


Italus Hortus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Roberto Della Casa ◽  
Francesco Mattioli

For the benefit of a younger audience, the cherry can be further enhanced by freeing it from the fruit group and allowing it to become part of the world of desserts and special treats. On the contrary, the localisms, traditions, and seasonality which characterize much of the national production can be further emphasized for the middle age and the “differently young” age groups, especially for the domestic market. Common to these diverse strategies is the need for high performance varieties linked to a structured sales season and non-destructive sorting with the use of the latest technologies to guarantee what the English-speaking world calls “consistent quality” and what we could rename “quality that lives up to our promises.”


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1561-1561
Author(s):  
Susanne Henning ◽  
Jieping Yang ◽  
Shih Lung Woo ◽  
Ru-Po Li ◽  
Jianjun Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Based on the polyphenol and fiber content of strawberries (SB), it was our hypothesis that daily consumption of California strawberries will lead to changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and concentration of fecal cholesterol and bile acid (BA) microbial metabolites. Methods We performed a randomized, double blind, parallel design intervention study. 28 healthy adults were randomized to either daily consumption of 26 g of SB powder (2 servings of fresh SB) or placebo (PL) powder for 4 wks. Stool samples were collected at baseline (BL), 4 and 6 wks (2 wks no SB/PL). Fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing of the V4 region; fecal cholesterol, coprostanol, cholestanol, cholic acid (primary BA), chenodeoxycholic acid (primary BA), deoxycholic acid (2ndBA), lithocholic acid (2ndBA) by gas chromatography, serum cholesterol, triglyceride by colorimetric assay and serum pelargonidin glucuronide (PG) by high performance liquid chromatography. Results Serum PG, a SB anthocyanin, was found in all participants in the SB group. Two participants in the PL group showed serum PG and were excluded from the analyses. Daily SB increased the abundance of Christensenellaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae and multiple members of the Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae family, and decreased significantly Alcaligenaceae/Sutterella comparing BL to wk4. Comparing the change from BL to wk4 between the SB and PL group, we found increased abundance of Alcaligenaceae/Sutterella and several members of the Clostridia class including Lachnopsiraceae and Ruminococcaceae and a decrease in Clostridiaceae. Comparing wk 4 to wk 6, we observed a reversal of Clostridiales/Christensenellaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, and Alcaligenaceae/Sutterella. No effects on alpha and beta diversity were observed. No significant difference in serum and fecal cholesterol, BA and bacterial metabolites was observed between SB and PL groups. Five participants did not form coprostanol. Comparing coprostanol producers to non-producers at baseline showed that most differences were observed in the Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidaceae families. Conclusions SB consumption altered the gut microbiota, which was partially reversed after 2 wks of customary diet without SB. Funding Sources California Strawberry Commission.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Emanuel Fleitas ◽  
Maria Cristina Almazan ◽  
Sabrina Daniela Cortez ◽  
Jorge Augusto Paz ◽  
Ruben Oscar Cimino ◽  
...  

Background: This new COVID-19 pandemic challenges health systems around the world; therefore, it is extremely important to determine which patients with COVID-19 can evolve to more severe outcomes. Accordingly, we decided to assess the role that comorbidities play in death from COVID-19. Methods: Two age groups (<60 and ≥ 60 years) were defined for analysis. Decision trees were made to identify which comorbidities had the highest fatality rate (FR). Multiple logistic regressions were performed to measure the association between comorbidities and death. Results: A significant difference was found between the FR of <60 group and ≥ 60 group. The most frequent comorbidity were cardiac diseases and diabetes. The combination of comorbidities with the highest FR was diabetes with kidney disease. Combinations of more than two comorbidities presented higher FR. The comorbidities had higher Odd ratios in the younger group than in the older group. Conclusions: Comorbidities seem to play a greater role in death from COVID-19 in the younger group, while in the ≥ 60 group, age seems to be the most important factor. We assigned a score to the comorbidities and their combinations for both age groups to help the health personnel make decisions.


2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-65
Author(s):  
Jayati Roy Choudhury ◽  
Debasmita Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Kheya Mukherjee ◽  
Debojyoti Bhattacharjee

Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) is a steroid hormone essential for maintaining functional homeostasis in the body. Hypovitaminosis D has been a recognized worldwide problem affecting all age groups and sex. Its prevalence is very high in South Asia. Aims and Objectives: Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the spectrum of presentation of biochemical levels of hypovitaminosis D in Indian population in terms of age, sex, and multisystemic disorders. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on selective study population attending a tertiary care hospital from July 2019 to December 2020 with clinical presentations suspected to arise due to Vit D deficiency. Serum 25OH Vit D level was estimated by chemiluminescence method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8. Results: Of the study population (n = 685), average serum 25(OH)D level in females and males was 24.13 ng/ml and 28.59 ng/ml, respectively. Significant difference in mean value of Vit D existed in males and females in the 21–40 years age group (p = 0.0048). Females in the Vit D deficient group (Vit D level<20) mostly presented with mastalgia (20.45%), low back pain (17.61%), and joint pain (11.36%). Common clinical presentation in males with Vit D levels less than 20 ng/ml was diabetes mellitus without CKD (18.34%), non-diabetic CKD (19.27%), and low back pain (16.51%). Conclusion: Low Vit D levels manifest itself as signs and symptoms involving various multisystemic disorders involving different age groups in both sexes. Early recognition and replacement can prevent the progress of complications which Vit D deficiency makes us prone to develop.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (T3) ◽  
pp. 186-192
Author(s):  
Ihsan Fadhilah ◽  
Bahagia Loebis ◽  
Muhammad Surya Husada ◽  
Nazli Mahdinasari Nasution ◽  
Elmeida Effendy

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia according to the world health organization is one of the top ten causes of disability in developed countries around the world. Because of the severity, chronicity, and prevalence of schizophrenia, it has a very large economic burden. Magnesium is a micronutrient needed by the body which can affect mental health. Erythrocyte magnesium levels are considered more sensitive than serum magnesium levels to reflect intracellular magnesium status. AIM: The objective of the study was to determine the differences in erythrocyte magnesium levels between men with schizophrenia who received risperidone and haloperidol treatment at Prof. Dr. M Ildrem Psychiatric Hospital, Medan. METHODS: This study is an intention to treat and is an experimental pre-test and post-test that compares two groups, namely the intervention group and the control group. The sampling method is non-probability sampling with a consecutive sampling type. The research was conducted at Prof. Dr. M. Ildrem Psychiatric Hospital Medan between July and October 2019. The subjects of the study were 60 men with schizophrenia, namely, 30 who received risperidone and 30 who received haloperidol. RESULTS: There was a difference in the levels of male erythrocyte magnesium with schizophrenia who received risperidone and haloperidol between the initial week and the third week with a value of p = 0.007. Where there was a higher increase in the haloperidol group which showed a significant difference, namely, p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The increase in magnesium levels will improve the symptoms of schizophrenia where magnesium activity decreases glutamate release associated with N-Methyl D-Aspartate receptors and results in the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic system.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-365
Author(s):  
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu ◽  
Nirmala Dorasamy

Disaster mitigation is one of the phases within the disaster management cycle which alleviates the adverse impact of disasters by instituting structural and non-structural measures where infrastructure and people are at risk. Disaster mitigation remains an overlooked phenomenon by governments in developing countries, despite its negative repurcusion which is aggravated by economic downturns, infrastructural destruction and political unrest. The literature review reveals a need for long-term disaster mitigation strategies to be carried out well before disaster events. Among the most crucial demands are the need to embed mitigation in government departments’ planning programmes, the need for community participation and intergovernmental relations with the aim to create disaster resistant communities. The purpose of the article is to contribute to the development of a robust disaster management framework and the centre within eThekwini Municipality with the aim to create properly balanced mitigation strategies. Furthermore, to add value to the body of knowledge in South Africa as there are a limited number of researchers who have contributed to the study of disaster mitigation. The research was undertaken at the Foreman and Kennedy Road informal settlements located in Clare Estate, under Ward 25, in Durban. Questionnaires were self-administered to a population size of 220 respondents, from which a sample size of 140 respondents completed the questionnaires, thereby generating a response rate of 63.6%. Interviews were also conducted with municipality officials involved in disaster management. Data was analysed in the form of frequency distribution and cross-tabulation tables. The article indicates a significant difference between sturdy and non-compliance building materials used to build the informal settlements. The article indicates that eThekwini Municipality does not have mitigation strategy as well as short or long-term planning. The building density, the use of combustible building materials for wall and roofs, and structural instability, all have a considerable influence on the spread of fire to the informal settlements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
MD Sharma ◽  
P Biswal ◽  
N Taneja ◽  
A Agarwal

Introduction: Occurrence of G induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) during centrifuge training is a known entity. The Indian Air Force is currently undertaking high G training of its fighter pilots in High Performance Human Centrifuge (HPHC) which has significantly higher operational capabilities. The study aimed to analyse the incapacitation periods and myoclonic jerks associated with G-LOC occurring during HPHC training. Material and Methods: Records of episodes of 161 G-LOC during closed loop Rapid Onset Rates (ROR) runs over a period of 7 years from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed. The video recordings of these G-LOC episodes were assessed in terms of the participant demographics, +Gz onset rates, incapacitation periods, and presence or absence of myoclonic jerks during the G-LOC episodes. Descriptive statistics was applied to analyze the incapacitation periods and the duration of the myoclonic flail movements. Single tailed t-test was used to analyze the difference between the incapacitation periods of the aircrew who suffered myoclonic flail movements and those who did not. One-way ANOVA was carried out to assess the differences in incapacitation periods, if any, between aircrew of different age groups. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Of these 161 episodes of G-LOC, 43.5% were seen in trainee aircrew. The mean Absolute Incapacitation Period (AIP), Relative Incapacitation Period (RIP) and Total Incapacitation Period (TIP) was 6.9 ± 2.3 s, 12.2 ± 4.7 s, and 19.1 ± 5.5 respectively. Age and flying experience did not show any significant effect with any of the incapacitation periods (p>0.05). The TIP correlated better with the RIP than with the AIP (Pearson’s correlation values of 0.9 and 0.52 respectively). Myoclonic flail movements were witnessed in 25.5% of G-LOC episodes with an average duration of 5.3 s and more than 50% occurring at ≥8Gz. The mean duration of RIP was significantly higher (P=0.03) when G-LOC was associated with myoclonic flail movements, whereas, the duration of AIP did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: The shorter incapacitation periods observed in the study compared to that reported in most of the previous studies could be attributed to the faster Gz offset rates of the present HPHC. Episodes of G-LOC having myoclonic movements were found to have higher relative incapacitation periods. Even though these movements were associated with G-LOC occurring at higher Gz levels, the durations were independent of the Gz levels.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document