Health In Many Ways Research Articles

Social determinants of health: Social forces that shape women and men's knowledge of reproductive health in a resource-limited setting

abstractSocial forces shape people's reproductive health in many ways. We examined people's knowledge about reproductive health using focus group data collected from 93 participants in rural districts of Malawi. Participants' perspectives were contextualized by explaining the socioeconomic, cultural, and gender factors that determine reproductive health for rural Malawians. Strategies to improve reproductive health care in environments lacking in health infrastructure, staff, and economic resources are then provided. We call for a reproductive health agenda to target preventive care by providing information about anatomy and biology, communicating information in culturally competent ways, and educating men and women over the life course.

Pollution and Climate Change

Childhood is a particularly sensitive time when it comes to pollution exposure. Allison Larr and Matthew Neidell focus on two atmospheric pollutants—ozone and particulate matter—that can harm children’s health in many ways. Ozone irritates the lungs, causing various respiratory symptoms; it can also damage the lung lining or aggravate lung diseases such as asthma. Particulate matter affects both the lungs and the heart; like ozone, it can cause respiratory symptoms and aggravate asthma, but it can also induce heart attacks or irregular heartbeat. Beyond those immediate effects, childhood exposure to ozone and particulate matter can do long-term damage to children’s health and reduce their ability to accumulate human capital. For example, frequent asthma attacks can cut into school attendance and academic performance, ultimately detracting from children’s ability to earn a good living as adults.

Nicotinic Mechanisms Modulate Ethanol Withdrawal and Modify Time Course and Symptoms Severity of Simultaneous Withdrawal from Alcohol and Nicotine.

Alcohol and nicotine are among the top causes of preventable death in the United States. Unfortunately, people who are dependent on alcohol are more likely to smoke than individuals in the general population. Similarly, smokers are more likely to abuse alcohol. Alcohol and nicotine codependence affects health in many ways and leads to poorer treatment outcomes in subjects who want to quit. This study examined the interaction of alcohol and nicotine during withdrawal and compared abstinence symptoms during withdrawal from one of the two drugs only vs both. Our results indicate that simultaneous withdrawal from alcohol and nicotine produces physical symptoms that are more severe and last longer than those experienced during withdrawal from one of the two drugs alone. In animals experiencing withdrawal after chronic ethanol treatment, acute nicotine exposure was sufficient to prevent abstinence symptoms. Similarly, symptoms were prevented when alcohol was injected acutely in mice undergoing nicotine withdrawal. These experiments provide evidence for the involvement of the nicotinic cholinergic system in alcohol withdrawal. Furthermore, the outcomes of intracranial microinfusions of mecamylamine, a nonselective nicotinic receptor antagonist, highlight a major role for the nicotinic receptors expressed in medial habenula and interpeduncular nucleus during withdrawal. Overall, the data support the notion that modulating the nicotinic cholinergic system might help to maintain long-term abstinence from alcohol.

Molecular basis of arsenite (As+3)-induced acute cytotoxicity in human cervical epithelial carcinoma cells

BackgroundRapid industrialization is discharging toxic heavy metals into the environment, disturbing human health in many ways and causing various neurologic, cardiovascular, and dermatologic abnormalities and certain types of cancer. The presence of arsenic in drinking water from different urban and rural areas of the major cities of Pakistan, for example, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Kasur, was found to be beyond the permissible limit of 10 parts per billion set by the World Health Organization. Therefore the present study was initiated to examine the effects of arsenite (As+3) on DNA biosynthesis and cell death.MethodsAfter performing cytotoxic assays on a human epithelial carcinoma cell line, expression analysis was done by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and flow cytometry.ResultsWe show that As+3 ions have a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect through the activation of the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. In contrast to previous research, the present study was designed to explore the early cytotoxic effects produced in human cells during exposure to heavy dosage of As+3 (7.5 µg/ml). Even treatment for 1 h significantly increased the mRNA levels of p21 and p27 and caspases 3, 7, and 9. It was interesting that there was no change in the expression levels of p53, which plays an important role in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest.ConclusionOur results indicate that sudden exposure of cells to arsenite (As+3) resulted in cytotoxicity and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis resulting from up-regulation of caspases.

Influence of VitaSil® additive to carp fish natural immune factors

Common carp is one of the most important commercially produced fish all around the globe. Even not essential to fish, pro-nutrients could benefit animals’ health in many ways. Key role in stock animals’ protection against pathogens is played by the complement system. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the feed supplement VitaSil to the two major pathways of complement activation – classical and alternative, in extensively grown carp. The initial level for the Alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) among both groups was 579.37 CH50. During the first month of treatment both groups showed significant decrease in the levels of this parameter. The obtained values on the 30th day of challenge were 498.05 CH50 for the control and 448.06 CH50 for the treated group. On the 60th day of the trail, the APCA levels of the control group decreased to 417.83 CH50, while the challenged fish exhibited dramatical increase - 801.28 CH50. Obtained results regarding the classical pathway of complement activation (CPCA) were almost identical. The initial value for both groups was about 215.70 CH50. On the 30th day control group showed slightly higher levels compared to the challenged fish - 201.45 CH50 and 199.34 CH50, respectively. On the 60th day experimental carp fish exhibited significantly higher level of complement activity than control group – 229.55 CH50 and 167.91 CH50, respectively. The obtained data for both pathways of complement activation, unambiguously show the immunostimulative effect of VitaSil to carp fish, grown by extensive technology.

La biotecnología en sanidad animal

The growth of the world population in forthcoming years will cause an increase in the demand of food. As a result, the number of working animals is set to rise significantly and Animal Health will become a vital issue when it comes to treating and preventing diseases, and guaranteeing and uninterrupted and safe food supply. Biotechnology contributes to the development of Animal Health in many ways. First and foremost, it provides tools that help control and eradicate diseases. The progress of genetic engineering in recent decades has underpinned the development of the biotechnology industry applied to human and animal health. There are a large number of diagnostic tests based on biotechnological developments, and there is also an increase in the use of recombinant vaccines against animal diseases. An effective prevention and control of diseases will depend on early detection mechanisms that facilitate decision-making and enable a rapid response.

Physical activity and diet among adolescents of Kathmandu, Nepal: Knowledge and attitudes

Background: Non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent in Nepal and many risk factors attributing to these diseases are behaviour-related and therefore preventable. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes among students of grade eight and nine in Kathmandu toward physical activity and diet and their knowledge about how it affects their health. Methods: We conducted four focus groups that included 24 students to explore knowledge and attitudes toward physical activity among them. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim later. Method described by K. Malterud, inspired by Giorgi’s phenomenological method was used to analyze the transcribed material. Results: Participants considered physical activity to be benefi cial for health in many ways. They also believed that healthy food is important to avoid diseases. Several participants mentioned that a balanced lifestyle is essential for a healthy life. Conclusion: Though the students saw the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet to avoid diseases and stay healthy, most of them did not connect a lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet to possible noncommunicable diseases in the future. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i2.10623Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 2, No. 2, Issue 4, Apr.-Jun., 2013, Page: 51-58

JAMA patient page. Starting insulin treatment for diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugars. Diabetes affects long-term health in many ways. It can affect the heart, kidneys, and vision if it is not well controlled. When pills and other medications are not enough to control diabetes, insulin treatment is the next step. Insulin is usually injected under the skin with a small needle. Injections are needed at least once a day and sometimes multiple times a day (such as after each meal). Sometimes an insulin pump is needed for continuous delivery of insulin into the body.

Of mice and men: lyme disease and biodiversity.

The current rapid rate of species extinction and loss of biodiversity occurring throughout the world has the potential to exact far-reaching adverse impacts on human health in many ways, including increasing the risk of infectious disease transmission. Here, we use Lyme disease as a model to illustrate how loss of biodiversity in the community of vertebrates may lead to increased transmission of zoonotic pathogens in humans. We also illustrate how preserving biodiversity has the potential to reduce the prevalence of human infectious disease more generally.

Oral breathing: new early treatment protocol

Oral breathing is a respiratory dysfunction that affects approximately 10-15% of child population. It is responsable of local effects and systemic effects, both immediate and long-term. They affect the growth of the subject and his physical health in many ways: pediatric, psycho-behavioral and cognitive. The etiology is multifactorial. It’s important the establishment of a vicious circle involving more areas and it is essential to stop it as soon as possible. In order to correct this anomaly, the pediatric dentist must be able to make a correct diagnosis to treat early the disfunction and to avoid the onset of cascade mechanisms. Who plays a central role is the pediatrician who first and frequently come into contact with little patients. He can identify the anomalies, and therefore collaborate with other specialists, including the dentist. The key aspect that guides us in the diagnosis, and allows us to identify the oral respirator, is the “adenoid facies”. The purpose of the study is to highlight the importance and benefits of an early and multidisciplinary intervention (pediatric, orthopedic-orthodontic-functional). A sample of 20 patients was selected with the following inclusion criteria: mouth breathing, transverse discrepancy > 4 mm, early mixed dentition, central and lateral permenent incisors, overjet increased, lip and nasal incompetence, snoring and/or sleep apnea episodes. The protocol of intervention includes the use of the following devices and procedures: a maxillary rapid expander (to correct the transverse discrepancy, to increase the amplitude of the upper respiratory airway and to reduce nasal resistances tract) in association with myo-functional devices (nasal stimulator and oral obturator). They allow the reconstruction of a physiological balance between the perioral musculature and tongue, the acquisition of nasal and lips competence and the reduction of overjet. This protocol speeds up and stabilizes the results. The control of the muscles during the growth phase is important: muscular forces influence the direction of facial growth.

What sustainability means for primary care: primary care leads to better overall resource use and higher quality outcomes

The concept of sustainability in its broadest context is an easy one. It is about using resources wisely in a way that not only protects the environment in which we live here and now, but also takes account of the needs of our planet’s inhabitants in the future. I choose my words carefully; as humans we are only one species in this ecosystem and our future wellbeing is inextricably linked with the rest of the biosphere. Climate change presents a major threat to the biosphere and there is overwhelming evidence that the activities of mankind are contributing to this phenomenon. The stress that the wider ecosystem is being put under is likely to impact on health in many ways and as GPs, health is our core business. Margaret Chan, the Director General of the World Health Organization, described climate change as the biggest threat to health in the 21st century. In part she is right but the implications for health will run for far longer than this century alone. Since the Industrial Revolution the ever-growing world population has been consuming planetary resources at an ever-increasing pace. This is true of many types of resource, however burning the locked stores of hydrocarbon in the form of coal, gas, and oil has led to a rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere, resulting in climate change. If we continue as we are then climate modelling predicts a 2–5 °C increase in ambient temperature by 2050; the projected impact of the higher range is devastating. The report of the UCL/ Lancet …

The potential for measuring ethnicity and health in a multicultural milieu – the case of type 2 diabetes in Australia

Objective. Ethnicity influences health in many ways. For example, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is disproportionately prevalent among certain ethnic groups. Assessing ethnicity is difficult, and numerous proxy measures are used to capture its various components. Australian guidelines specify a set of variables for measuring ethnicity, and how such parameters should be categorised. Using T2DM data collections as an illustrative example, this study sought to examine how ethnicity is measured in Australian health databases and, by comparing current practice with Australia's existing benchmark recommendations, to identify potential areas for improvement of the health data landscape.Design. We identified databases containing information from which ethnic group-specific estimates of T2DM burden may be gleaned. For each database, details regarding ethnicity variables were extracted, and compared with the Australian guidelines.Results. Data collection instruments for 32 relevant databases were reviewed. Birthplace was recorded in 27 databases (84%), but mode of birthplace assessment varied. Indigenous status was commonly recorded (78%, n=25), but only nine databases recorded other aspects of self-perceived race/ethnicity. Of 28 survey/audit databases, 14 accommodated linguistic preferences other than English, and 11 either excluded non-English speakers or those for whom a translator was not available, or only offered questionnaires in English.Conclusions. Considerable variation exists in the measurement of ethnicity in Australian health data-sets. While various markers of ethnicity provide complementary information about the ethnic profile within a data-set, non-uniform measurement renders comparison between data-sets difficult. A standardised approach is necessary, and identifying the ethnicity variables that are particularly relevant to the health sector is warranted. Including self-identified ethnicity in Australia's set of recommended indicators and as a core component of the national census should be considered. Globalisation and increasing migration mean that these findings have implications internationally, including for multi-ethnic countries throughout North America and Europe.

Research of the Distribution of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Print Shops in Xi’an

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major constituents of the indoor air pollutants. The indoor air quality has caused wide concern for VOCs may affect human health in many ways. The VOCs in general rooms volatilize from building materials, furniture and so on. In print shops the print equipment and materials may produce a large amount of VOCs that may affect the health of the long-term print shop workers. The author has measured the VOC content and the air indexes in a seventy square-meter print shop in Xi’an with comprehensive functions, then, evaluated the pollution and proposed the preventions of the VOC content in print shops.

Extraction and Characterization of Proanthocyanidins from Grape Seeds

Grape seed contains many polyphenolic compounds that have potential health-promoting benefits. Among the- se compounds are proanthocyanidins, also known as condensed tannins, which is a class of flavanols. The basic structural building blocks of flavanols are polyhydroxyflavan-3-ol units linked together by C-C bonds. They are widely distributed in plants but grape seed has very high contents. This study examined extraction and purification technologies for obtain- ing proanthocyanidins from grape seeds and analytical methods and tools for characterizing them. Proanthocyanidins are polyphenolic compounds that can be found in the plant physiology of several plant species, are mainly concentrated in tree barks and outer skins of seeds. Grape seeds are one of the richest sources of proanthocyanidins (2). Public awareness of the antioxidant and free radical-scavenging abilities of these phenolic com- pounds results largely from the potential of these compounds to increase human health in many ways. Reductions in cardi- ovascular disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer mor- tality are just some of the noticeable examples associated with these phenolic compounds (3-5). Recent advances in the field of nutraceuticals have shown that the compounds found in grapes exhibit even more benefits than initially be- lieved. This paper aims at reviewing these compounds found in the anatomy of the grape seeds and current methods of separation and characterization of proanthocyandins.

Metals in playground soils of São Paulo city, Brazil

São Paulo is a megacity, with a population of over 20 million inhabitants. Soils have an impact on human health in many ways and young children are especially vulnerable. The concentration of As, Ba, Cr and Zn, were determined in surface soil samples from playgrounds of São Paulo public parks by neutron activation analysis. The results obtained in this study indicated concentration levels higher than the values considered as reference values for soils in São Paulo. The concentrations obtained suggest an anthropogenic source and indicate a potential damage to children's wellbeing.

Respiratory health effects of volcanic ash with special reference to Iceland. A review

Volcano eruptions occur around the world and can have an impact on health in many ways both locally and on a global scale as a result of airborne dispersion of gases and ash or as impact on climate. In this review, a recent volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland is described and its effects on aviation around the globe and on respiratory health in those exposed to the volcanic ash in Iceland. Also, the effects of a large volcano eruption in Iceland in 1789 are described that also had effect on a global scale by causing air pollution. The available studies reviewed here suggest that the acute and chronic health effects of volcanic ash depend on particle size (how much respirable), mineralogical composition (crystalline silica content) and the physico-chemical properties of the surfaces of ash particles. These can vary between volcanoes and even between eruptions, making comparison difficult. Acute respiratory symptoms suggesting asthma and bronchitis have been well described. Exacerbations of pre-existing lung and heart disease are common after inhalation of volcanic ash. Limited information is available on increase in mortality from recent eruptions but historical evidence is well described. No long-term effects on lung function have been found after exposure to volcanic ash. There are concerns for the long-term risks of silicosis from chronic exposure to volcanic ash but no cases have been described. Acute respiratory symptoms after exposure to volcanic ash are well described but no long-term effects have been found.

Effect of Reishi polysaccharides on human stem/progenitor cells

The polysaccharide fraction of Ganoderma lucidum (F3) was found to benefit our health in many ways by influencing the activity of tissue stem/progenitor cells. In this study, F3 was found to promote the adipose tissue MSCs’ aggregation and chondrosphere formation, with the increase of CAM (N-CAM, I-CAM) expressions and autokine (BMP-2, IL-11, and aggrecan) secretions, in an in vitro chondrogenesis assay. In a stem cell expansion culture, it possesses the thrombopoietin (TPO) and GM-CSF like functions to enhance the survival/renewal abilities of primitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs). F3 was found to promote the dendrite growth of blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) and the expression of cell adhesion molecules in the formation of immature dendritic cells (DC). On the other hand, F3 exhibited inhibitory effects on blood endothelial progenitor (EPC) colony formation, with concomitant reduction of cell surface endoglin (CD105) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) marker expressions, in the presence of angiogenic factors. A further cytokine array analysis revealed that F3 indeed inhibited the angiogenin synthesis and enhanced IL-1, MCP-1, MIP-1, RANTES, and GRO productions in the blood EPC derivation culture. Collectively, we have demonstrated that the polysaccharide fraction of G. lucidum F3 exhibits cytokine and chemokine like functions which are beneficial to human tissue stem/progenitor cells by modulating their CAM expressions and biological activities. These findings provide us a better the observation that F3 glycopolysaccharides indeed possesses anti-angiogenic and immune-modulating functions and promotes hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell homing for better human tissue protection, reducing disease progression and health.

Maternal smoking promotes chronic obstructive lung disease in the offspring as adults

IntroductionIn utero and/or childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure is well known to adversely affect lung function and to depreciate child's health in many ways. Fewer studies have assessed the long-term effects on COPD development and disease severity in later adulthood.MethodsCOPD patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire regarding their personal as well as the smoking habits of their parents. Data were compared with the disease history, e.g. COPD exacerbation rate, and their lung function data.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2004 COPD patients were recruited a) in a private practice specialized in pulmonary medicine (n = 133) and b) in a hospital (n = 158). 75% of their fathers and only 15.4 of all mothers smoked regularly. COPD patients from smoking mothers had lower FEV1 predicted than those raised in household without maternal smoking exposure: 39.4 ± 9.5% vs. 51.9 ± 6.0% (P = 0.037). Fathers had no effect on FEV1 regardless if they are smokers or non-smokers. Rate of severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization remained unaffected by parental second hand smoke exposure.ConclusionMaternal smoking negatively affects lung function of their offspring even in late adulthood when they develop COPD. It even aggravates the cumulative effect of active cigarette consumption. Clinical course of the COPD remained unaffected.

In Search of Sleep: It's a Family Affair

It was only 1953 when the first laboratory sleep studies were initiated with healthy young men as research subjects. Today, we know more about women’s sleep and that poor sleep affects health in many ways. However, we are no closer to understanding the basic function of sleep or how to best intervene to prevent or minimize the adverse health effects of poor sleep. As diurnal creatures, we are meant to sleep when it is dark and be awake when it is light. As experienced shiftworkers will tell you, it is very difficult to work when it is dark, but nurses manage to do so when called upon. Sleep during pregnancy and postpartum poses more of a challenge than even a shiftworker faces, with the start of essentially what becomes a “double shift” maternal role involving scheduled employment during the day and seemingly endless nightly awakenings for infant care.

Enzymatic synthesis of functional oligosaccharides as prebiotics by the use of glycosidases

In the last decade, a number of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have been introduced as new ingredients for food applications, particularly in Europe and Japan. They are classified as prebiotics because they are not hydrolysed nor absorbed in the upper part of the gastro-intestinal tract and are claimed to beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacterial species already resident in the colon. In addition they may repress pathogen colonization, growth or virulence and induce systematic effects which can be beneficial to health (Crittenden and Playne, 1996; Nakakuki, 2003). For commercial production, NDOs could be obtained through extraction from natural sources and enzymatic or chemical synthesis. Here, we report the effective synthesis of -galactooligosaccharides ( -GOS), lactosucrose, and lactulose by the use of glycosidases. -GOSwas synthesized from galactose by reverse reaction of galactosidase DS from Aspergillus niger. Lactosucrose and lactulose were synthesized with lactose as donor using the transglycosylationof -d-galactosidase fromBacillus circulans. The results showed that the enzymes used could effectively catalyze the reaction and the three targeted oligosaccharides were detected by HPLC. The reaction products were isolated and purified, and then their structures were confirmed by analysis of mass and NMR. The effects of different factors such as substrate concentration, donor/acceptor ratio, enzyme concentration, reaction pH and temperatures on the formation of oligosaccharides were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of -GOS reached about 30%, including 79% -galactobiose ( -Gal2) and 21% -galactotriose ( -Gal3); the yield of lactosucrose and galactooligosaccharides reached 26.5% and the yield of lactulose reached 14%. Therefore, they would be practical procedures for industrial production of -GOS, lactosucrose and lactulose, which could be used as new physiologically functional food materials contributing to human health in many ways.