Fooyin Journal of Health Sciences最新文献

Great burdock (Arctium lappa) is an edible vegetable that is also used as herbal medicines in many countries. Traditionally, burdock is used to slow aging, cure male impotence and in beauty care. However, the relevant mechanisms and scientific proof of its actions have not yet been elucidated. The expansion of the corpora cavernosum smooth muscle cells of the penis is the main regulating factor of erection, and the nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase-cyclic guanine monophosphate (NO-sGC-cGMP) pathway plays an important role in maintaining expansion of the corpora cavernosum. The current study aims are to investigate the effects of burdock extract on a rabbit's corpora cavernosum. The effects of burdock on the protein expression in the cavernosum tissues and smooth muscle cells were investigated, and the changes in cGMP level were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit analysis. Our results showed that burdock extract increased the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, cGMP-dependent kinase, sGC_α1 and sGC_β1 in the smooth muscle cells and tissues of the corpora cavernosum, while the expression of phosphodiesterase-5 was inhibited. Additionally, cGMP levels become elevated in the smooth muscles after treatment with burdock extract. In summary, our data suggest that burdock can facilitate in the relaxation of the corpora cavernosum; however, the benefits of burdock in treating erectile dysfunction remain to be resolved.

The use of molecular tools in epidemiological investigations has provided new insights into the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals. This study aimed to characterize the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Stool specimens were collected from 500 HIV-infected patients as part of the routine patient care. Cryptosporidium species in stool specimens were detected and differentiated using a small subunit rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. C. hominis and C. parvum were found and subtyped by DNA sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Cryptosporidium species were detected in 36 HIV patients and none were found among non-HIV patients. A CD4+ count < 200 cells/μL was a significant risk factor for acquiring cryptosporidiosis (odds ratio = 21.214; 95% confidence interval = 9.917, 45.381; p < 0.0001). Cryptosporidium infection was also associated with weight loss and diarrhea. Other risk factors included animal contact, and using stream/river or well water as drinking water. Genotyping of the Cryptosporidium species identified the presence of C. hominis (47.2%), C. parvum (44.4%), C. felis (5.6%) and C. canis (2.8%). The C. hominis specimens subtyped belonged to the Ia, Ib and Ie subtype families, whereas those of C. parvum belonged to the IIc and two new subtype families. Anthroponotic transmission appears to be important in cryptosporidiosis epidemiology in HIV-infected persons in Nigeria despite the high frequency of C. parvum infection and the identification of animal contact as a risk factor.

The elderly have an increased risk of developing urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTI among elderly (≥ 60 years) patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Clean-catch midstream urine was collected from 943 (362 males and 581 females) elderly patients with signs and symptoms of UTI. Significant microbial isolates were identified in the urine specimens and an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on bacteria isolates using standard techniques. Male sex was a significant risk factor for acquiring UTI in the elderly (odds ratio = 6.584; 95% confidence interval = 4.081, 10.62; p < 0.0001). There was an inverse relationship between age and prevalence of UTI, as the prevalence of UTI significantly declined with increasing age (p = 0.023). Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen (36.79%) in both sexes of elderly patients. Bacterial isolates were poorly susceptible to antibacterial agents used. An overall prevalence of 11.03% of UTI was observed among the elderly. Male sex showed an approximately 4-11-fold increased risk of acquiring UTI. The prevalence of UTI among the elderly decreases with increasing age. Rational use of antibiotics is advocated to stem the tide of high antibacterial resistance.

A recent survey demonstrated that in 30 days, almost a quarter (23.9%) of African Americans aged 18-24 years in Baltimore smoked a Black & Mild, a popular cigarillo brand at least once. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) is the best-fitting theoretical model to use for intervention because it has been shown to be a good predictor of smoking behavior among adolescents. We have devised a campaign that involves both active advertising and the creation of an informational website, which can be used to learn about the consequences of cigarillo smoking. Smokers have decreased the number of cigarillos smoked per day by 1, and in particular, there was a dramatic decrease in smokers in Baltimore after the campaign. Particularly, positive impression in both groups tended to have differences in statistics before and after the campaign. In conclusion, our results show that the campaign was successful. We intend to expand it to other cities throughout the United States where cigarillo use is prevalent.

Efavirenz is used for highly active antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type-1. We studied the effect of chronic administration of efavirenz on the inferior colliculus of adult Wistar rats. Rats of both sexes (n = 16) were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. The treatment group received 600 mg/70 kg body weight of efavirenz dissolved in distilled water daily for 30 days through an orogastric tube, and controls received distilled water. The rats were sacrificed on the 31^st day of the experiment. We found that treated rats had cellular degenerative changes such as a sparse cellular population, hypertrophy, microcystic changes, and vacuolation in the stroma of the inferior colliculus in treated rats compared with controls. Chronic administration of efavirenz may adversely affect the auditory system by affecting the microanatomy of the inferior colliculus of adult Wistar rats.

In Taiwan, there are sufficient supplies and well-trained medical professional manpower to be mobilized during disasters. Also known and famous in the world are Taiwan's well established and fully equipped medical delivery system and the public health system. These are high level, enthusiastic, experienced medical staff. However, vulnerable areas subjected to disasters in Taiwan are often located at the remote mountain sites, and most victims are aboriginals. These people are viewed as marginalized with inferiority within the power hierarchy. This study surveyed the conflicts of public health administration during Typhoon Morakot disaster in 2009. Since disasters destroyed local endogenous social relationships, the rescue actions of mobilization and postdisaster reconstruction were under the exogenous efforts with “mercy” hegemony. Ethical issues came from the power struggle and practice, and all showed explicit control and suppression characters.

A 55-year-old male presented with Coombs'-positive hemolytic anemia of a hemoglobin level of 38 g/L, secondary to active pulmonary tuberculosis. The hemoglobin returned to 140 g/L and anti-complement antibody converted to negative after 5-month antituberculous therapy. The patient remained healthy after a total of 6 months of antituberculous therapy without steroid use.

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare metabolic bone disease characterized by hypophosphatemia, renal phosphate wasting, suppressed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production, and osteomalacia. A phosphaturic factor secreted by these tumors is responsible for the symptomatology. The main mechanism underlying this disease condition is an over expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23). Complete excision of these tumors facilitates successful reversal of the problem. We report the case of a patient who was crippled and on extensive investigation revealed an oncogenic osteomalacia with tumor focus in right tibia. The tumor was identified as a mesenchymal tumor, i.e. hemangiopericytoma. Tumor excision alleviated patient symptoms with rapid symptomatic and biochemical improvement.

Liberated anomie is a defining feature of Generation Next, allowing young adults to hold wide latitudes of acceptance for risk behaviors by disengaging from others and from the negative impact their actions may have on society. This cohort's experiences with hyperindividualism, extreme consumerism, and social isolationism have created hypertolerance for deviant behaviors. The impact of online communications, a child-centric upbringing, and the historical and cultural forces that shaped Generation Next have created unique challenges for developing health messages for young adults. Clarification of cohort-defining values, however, provides a starting point for framing health messages. Key features of successful public health messages will reduce normative fallacy related to risk behaviors among young adults, appeal to the individual and provide opportunities to consume products or services related to the message. Most importantly, public health must be part of the creation of new rituals, both online and offline, so that social consciousness and social control can be developed in concert with the core values of Generation Next.

Nutmeg is commonly used as a spice in various dishes; it is a component of teas and soft drinks, and can also be mixed in milk and alcohol. In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic consumption of nutmeg on the stomach of adult Wistar rats. Rats of both sexes (n = 24), with an average weight of 200 g, were randomly assigned into two treatment groups (A and B, n = 8 for each group) and one control group (C, n = 8). The rats in the treatment groups received 1 g of nutmeg in group A and 2 g of nutmeg in group B. The nutmeg was thoroughly mixed with feed and given daily for 32 days. Group C received an equal amount of feed daily without nutmeg for 32 days. The rats had free access to water. On day 33 of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The stomachs were carefully dissected out and immediately fixed in 10% formal saline for histological study. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that rats in groups A and B showed varying degrees of distortion in the epithelial cells of the stomach. Obvious signs of proliferation, hyperplasia, and atrophic changes in the treated stomach sections were more marked in group B than in the other groups. These findings indicate that nutmeg may have some deleterious effects on the microanatomy of the stomach of adult Wistar rats.