The effect of the socioeconomic status on the measurement of asthma control

Background: The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a commonly used scoring system for evaluation of asthma control in the pediatric and adult populations. Asthma control has been deemed poor in those economically disadvantaged. Objective: To study whether the ACT is affected by socioeconomic status (SES) as evaluated by the percentage of the federal poverty level and the education level. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study (N = 307), in which the patients were surveyed for demographics data and underwent ACT scoring, spirometry (forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration) and fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide testing. Results: There was a positive correlation of improved mean score on the ACT (p < 0.001) with higher education status and higher federal poverty level status. Conclusion: SES plays a factor in the way patients perceived their asthma control, and therefore affected how they scored on the ACT.

Bovine lactoferrin can decrease the in vitro biofilm production or shown synergy with antibiotics against Listeria and Escherichia coli isolates

Background: Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) has been reported as antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and anticancer protein. Escherichia coli and Listeria spp. are food-borne bacteria that can produce illness in human being and mammals, the emergent antimicrobial drug resistance has been reported in these pathogens. <P> Objective: The aim for this study was to evaluate the bLf effect on in vitro biofilm production and the synergic effect of antibiotics on E. coli and Listeria isolates. <P> Methods: E. coli and Listeria specimens were isolated from bovine carcasses and slaughterhouses surfaces, respectively. Biofilm formation was analyzed with or without bLf, incubated for 48 h and spectrophotometry, cell viability was analyzed by colony-forming unit (CFU) and the synergistic effect of bLf with ampicillin, oxytetracycline, and streptomycin was evaluated through the fractional concentration index (FCI). <P> Results: Our results show that a low bLf concentration (0.8 μM) can diminish the in vitro biofilm production in Listeria isolates; also improves the in vitro oxytetracycline and streptomycin activity against E. coli, and ampicillin activity against Listeria isolates. <P> Conclusion: bLf can affect the biofilm production in Listeria isolates from slaughterhouses surfaces and shown synergic effect with ampicillin. Also has a synergic effect with oxytetracycline and streptomycin against E. coli isolates from bovine carcasses.

A randomised clinical trial to evaluate the safety, fit, comfort of a novel N95 mask in children

Children are more vulnerable to the risks of air pollution, including susceptibility to acquiring chronic diseases in their developing lungs. Despite these, there are no specific masks designed for and tested in children that are available to protect our young from the common particulate air pollutants today. We evaluated safety, fit and comfort of a specially designed paediatric N95 mask with an optional micro ventilator (micro fan, MF) in healthy children aged 7–14 years, in a randomized, two-period crossover design. The subjects’ cardiorespiratory physiological measurements were assessed in different states of physical activity under different interventions (mask without and with MF). A total of 106 subjects were recruited between July-August 2016. The use of the mask without MF increased the End-Tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and Fractional concentration of Inspired CO2 (FICO2) at rest and on mild exertion, as expected. The use of the mask with MF brought FICO2 levels comparably closer to baseline levels without the mask for both activities. The mask, with or without the MF, was found to be well fitting, comfortable and safe for use in children at rest and on mild exertion. The N95 mask tested offers a promising start for more studies in the paediatric population.

Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Soils and Sediments in Onitsha area, Southeastern, Nigeria

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutant that can impair environmental quality and health, and consequent ecological risk. The study was aimed at determining the concentration and environmental status of PAHs in the soils and sediments of Onitsha metropolis and identify their probable source(s). Sixty samples of soils (44) and sediments (16) were collected for the study. Extraction of organics was facilitated by infusing the samples with dichloromethane and subjected to ultrasonic agitation. The analyses of the PAHs were undertaken using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Thirteen PAHs were detected in soils and sediments exhibiting varying concentration across several sampling locations. The concentration range (µg/kg) of the 13 identified PAHs in soil and sediments were Fluorene 0.00 - 122.2and 1.7-31.1; Anthracene, 0.0 – 55.3and 1.7 - 46.0; Phenathrene 1.0 – 2045.8and 22.2 – 266.2; Fluoranthene, 1.0 – 483.7and 13.4 – 602.9; Pyrene, 3.7 – 533.4and 14.1 – 531.8; Benzo [k]fluoranthene 1.0 – 166.5; 4.0 – 163.5; Benzo[a]anthracene, 1.0 - 222.0; 5.6 – 298; Benzo[b]fluoranthene, 1.1 – 502.6 and 14.1 – 452.9; Dibenz[ah]anthracene 1.0 – 33.4 and 1.0 37 0; Chrysene, 1.0 – 426.4and 10.0 – 385.6; Benzo [a] pyrene 1.0 – 502.6and 12.9 – 514.9 Benzo[ghi]perylene, 1.0 – 557.8and 14.9 – 326.0; Indeno[123-cd]pyrene 1.0 – 412.2and 1.0 – 37.0, respectively The fractional concentration of PAHs and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysed using Principal Component Analyses revealed different partitioning of the TOC and PAHs in soils and sediments. This indicated distinct sourcing of the TOC and PAHs in the environmental media. Relatively higher concentrations of PAHs were found in environment characterized by combustion activities such as waste dump sites, Mechanic and Metal Works environments. Pyrogenic (combustion) activities were indicted as the main contributors of the PAHs to the soils and sediments.

Liver- and Colon-Specific DNA Methylation Markers in Plasma for Investigation of Colorectal Cancers with or without Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND Measurement of DNA derived from different tissues in the circulating DNA pool can provide important information regarding the presence of many pathological conditions. However, existing methods involving genome-wide bisulfite sequencing are relatively expensive and may present challenges for large-scale analysis. METHODS Through identifying differentially methylated regions in the liver and colon compared with other tissues, we identified 2 markers and developed corresponding droplet digital PCR assays. Plasma concentrations of liver-derived and colon-derived DNA were measured for 13 liver transplant recipients, 40 liver cancer patients, and 62 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (27 with and 35 without liver metastases). RESULTS In liver transplant recipients, the fractional concentration of liver-derived DNA measured using the liver-specific methylation marker and donor-specific alleles showed good correlation (Pearson R = 0.99). In liver cancer patients, the concentration of liver-derived DNA correlated positively with the maximal dimension of the tumor (Spearman R = 0.74). In CRC patients with and without liver metastasis, the plasma concentrations of colon-derived DNA (median, 138 copies/mL and 4 copies/mL, respectively) were increased compared with the 30 healthy controls (26 had undetectable concentrations). The absolute concentration of liver-derived DNA provided a better differentiation between CRC patients with and without liver metastasis compared with the fractional concentration (area under ROC curve, 0.85 vs 0.75). CONCLUSIONS Quantitative analysis of plasma DNA with tissue-specific methylation patterns using droplet digital PCR is applicable for the investigation of cancers and assessing organ transplantation. This approach is useful for differentiating patients with and without metastases to other organs.