The battle against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is on and each and every nation is trying out to minimize the impact of the disease in their settings. In the Eastern Mediterranean region, a total of 20 nations has reported cases, of which Iraq has reported 728 cases and 52 deaths. It is worth remembering that Iraq has been exposed to multiple challenges in the recent few years, including experiencing internal conflicts or massive displacement of the human population in the nation. All these factors together significantly enhance the probability of the emergence of a major outbreak in the nation, which might go beyond the capacity of the nation to contain, if we do not act now and that too fast. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand in most of the affected nations, and the same has been anticipated for Iraq as well in the coming weeks. Thus, the national leaders and supporting agencies have to prepare the health system of the nation for the upcoming battle and reduce the caseload and the probability of disease transmission.
{"title":"Corona virus disease 2019 pandemic: Ensuring capacity building and outbreak readiness in Iraq","authors":"S. Shrivastava, P. Shrivastava","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_14_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_14_20","url":null,"abstract":"The battle against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is on and each and every nation is trying out to minimize the impact of the disease in their settings. In the Eastern Mediterranean region, a total of 20 nations has reported cases, of which Iraq has reported 728 cases and 52 deaths. It is worth remembering that Iraq has been exposed to multiple challenges in the recent few years, including experiencing internal conflicts or massive displacement of the human population in the nation. All these factors together significantly enhance the probability of the emergence of a major outbreak in the nation, which might go beyond the capacity of the nation to contain, if we do not act now and that too fast. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to expand in most of the affected nations, and the same has been anticipated for Iraq as well in the coming weeks. Thus, the national leaders and supporting agencies have to prepare the health system of the nation for the upcoming battle and reduce the caseload and the probability of disease transmission.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"6 1","pages":"83 - 85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79321399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: Microorganisms are responsible for a host of infectious disease diagnosed in human. Studies have shown that extracts of medicinal plants contain antimicrobial properties effective in the treatment of these infectious diseases. This study evaluated the antimicrobial potency of ficus vogelii Miq. extract fractions on selected microorganisms. Material and Method: The leave extract of the plant was prepared with n-hexane, crude, and methanol, serially diluted, and screened against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Candida albicans for zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration, resistance, and sensitivity test at a concentration of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. Result: Crude and n-Hexane extract fractions inhibited E.coli and S. typhimurium effectively at different concentrations. Methanol fraction less inhibited E. coli only while all the extract fractions did not show any antimicrobial potency against S. aureus and Candida abicans. Conclusion: This study concludes that crude and n-hexane extract of ficus vogelii is a potent antimicrobial agent against E. coli and S. typhimurium at a concentration of as low as 12.5 μg/ml.
{"title":"Antimicrobial potential of extract fractions of ficus vogelii Miq.","authors":"A. Stephen","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_7_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_7_20","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Microorganisms are responsible for a host of infectious disease diagnosed in human. Studies have shown that extracts of medicinal plants contain antimicrobial properties effective in the treatment of these infectious diseases. This study evaluated the antimicrobial potency of ficus vogelii Miq. extract fractions on selected microorganisms. Material and Method: The leave extract of the plant was prepared with n-hexane, crude, and methanol, serially diluted, and screened against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Candida albicans for zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration, resistance, and sensitivity test at a concentration of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. Result: Crude and n-Hexane extract fractions inhibited E.coli and S. typhimurium effectively at different concentrations. Methanol fraction less inhibited E. coli only while all the extract fractions did not show any antimicrobial potency against S. aureus and Candida abicans. Conclusion: This study concludes that crude and n-hexane extract of ficus vogelii is a potent antimicrobial agent against E. coli and S. typhimurium at a concentration of as low as 12.5 μg/ml.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"15 1","pages":"66 - 71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80441831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Cournane, D. Byrne, R. Conway, D. O’Riordan, B. Silke
Background: Air quality is known to aggravate cardiopulmonary disease. The aim of this work was to examine the extent to which air pollution, underlying illness, and age influenced 30-day inhospital mortality outcomes. Methods: All emergency medical admissions, between 2002 and 2018, to St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (113,807 episodes in 58,126 patients) and particulate matter (PM10) level on the day of admission were studied; we determined 30-day mortality outcomes for older (≥70 years) persons and whether outcomes were conditionally dependent on the underlying illness severity or comorbidity score. We employed a logistic multiple variable regression model to calculate PM10influence on the outcome adjusted for other predictors. Results: PM10levels fell over time; the daily median was 15.8 μg/m3 (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 12.1, 21.0) prior to 2010 but 11.5 μg/m3 (IQR: 8.3, 15.7) in subsequent years. A higher admission day PM10level predicted a worse 30-day mortality – odds ratios 1.09 (95% confidence intervals: 1.05, 1.2) for those >70 years, while for younger patients, this was not significant. The influence of PM on outcomes appeared largely confined to older persons; comparisons between increasing PM10quintiles with Q1 median values of 7.5 μg/m3 had a model predicted mortality of 10.8% but 15.0% at Q5 median values of 29.3 μg/m3. An explanation for such difference in outcomes between older and younger may lie in the computed comorbidity and illness severity scores that were quantitatively markedly more severe with advancing age. Conclusion: PM10levels on the day of admission predicted an increased 30-day in hospital mortality risk, with older patients identified to be more susceptible to poor air quality. The disproportionate impact on older persons may be due to their higher concomitant illness severity and comorbidity scores.
{"title":"Air pollution and age: Do older persons suffer more?","authors":"S. Cournane, D. Byrne, R. Conway, D. O’Riordan, B. Silke","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_4_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_4_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Air quality is known to aggravate cardiopulmonary disease. The aim of this work was to examine the extent to which air pollution, underlying illness, and age influenced 30-day inhospital mortality outcomes. Methods: All emergency medical admissions, between 2002 and 2018, to St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland (113,807 episodes in 58,126 patients) and particulate matter (PM10) level on the day of admission were studied; we determined 30-day mortality outcomes for older (≥70 years) persons and whether outcomes were conditionally dependent on the underlying illness severity or comorbidity score. We employed a logistic multiple variable regression model to calculate PM10influence on the outcome adjusted for other predictors. Results: PM10levels fell over time; the daily median was 15.8 μg/m3 (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 12.1, 21.0) prior to 2010 but 11.5 μg/m3 (IQR: 8.3, 15.7) in subsequent years. A higher admission day PM10level predicted a worse 30-day mortality – odds ratios 1.09 (95% confidence intervals: 1.05, 1.2) for those >70 years, while for younger patients, this was not significant. The influence of PM on outcomes appeared largely confined to older persons; comparisons between increasing PM10quintiles with Q1 median values of 7.5 μg/m3 had a model predicted mortality of 10.8% but 15.0% at Q5 median values of 29.3 μg/m3. An explanation for such difference in outcomes between older and younger may lie in the computed comorbidity and illness severity scores that were quantitatively markedly more severe with advancing age. Conclusion: PM10levels on the day of admission predicted an increased 30-day in hospital mortality risk, with older patients identified to be more susceptible to poor air quality. The disproportionate impact on older persons may be due to their higher concomitant illness severity and comorbidity scores.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"32 1","pages":"44 - 51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77839260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yan Ma, Yan Wang, Qiang Zhang, Jianan Lang, Long-yan Yang, D. Zhao
Purpose: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that has a serious effect on worldwide public health. We sought relationships among ANGPTL2, ANGPTL3, and ANGPTL6 with NAFLD metabolic and biochemical parameters, to assess their potential as diagnostic tools for NAFLD. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of ANGPTL2, ANGPTL3, and ANGPTL6 in NAFLD patients (n = 52) and non-NAFLD participants (n = 51) were quantified by ELISA. The utility of ANGPTLs as biomarkers for NAFLD prediction was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Serum ANGPTL2 levels were increased (P = 0.0102), serum ANGPTL3 levels were decreased (P < 0.0001), and ANGPTL6 levels did not change (P = 0.3174) in 52 patients with NAFLD when compared to 51 participants without NAFLD. The areas under the ROC curves for ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 were 0.647 and 0.746, respectively. When two factors were jointly analyzed, the area under the ROC curve for ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 was 0.773. Conclusion: ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 levels may be novel and important predictors of NAFLD severity.
{"title":"Serum ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 as potential biomarkers for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease","authors":"Yan Ma, Yan Wang, Qiang Zhang, Jianan Lang, Long-yan Yang, D. Zhao","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_33_19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_33_19","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that has a serious effect on worldwide public health. We sought relationships among ANGPTL2, ANGPTL3, and ANGPTL6 with NAFLD metabolic and biochemical parameters, to assess their potential as diagnostic tools for NAFLD. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of ANGPTL2, ANGPTL3, and ANGPTL6 in NAFLD patients (n = 52) and non-NAFLD participants (n = 51) were quantified by ELISA. The utility of ANGPTLs as biomarkers for NAFLD prediction was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Serum ANGPTL2 levels were increased (P = 0.0102), serum ANGPTL3 levels were decreased (P < 0.0001), and ANGPTL6 levels did not change (P = 0.3174) in 52 patients with NAFLD when compared to 51 participants without NAFLD. The areas under the ROC curves for ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 were 0.647 and 0.746, respectively. When two factors were jointly analyzed, the area under the ROC curve for ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 was 0.773. Conclusion: ANGPTL2 and ANGPTL3 levels may be novel and important predictors of NAFLD severity.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"33 1","pages":"29 - 37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87397080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clinical studies were performed in eight consecutive patients who developed high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) after 6 days of stay (range: 8–121 days) at the same altitude who were admitted to our hospital. The findings of this series revealed respiratory infection with exertion and cold exposure as the predominant causes of delayed-onset HAPE. HAPE in its delayed-onset form is likely to be more severe based on mortality findings in our series and requires intense monitoring and preparation of contingencies for prompt evacuation in severe or nonresponsive cases.
对8例在同一海拔地区连续停留6 d (8 ~ 121 d)后发生高原肺水肿(HAPE)的患者进行临床研究。本系列的研究结果显示，用力和寒冷暴露的呼吸道感染是迟发性HAPE的主要原因。根据本系列研究的死亡率结果，迟发性HAPE可能更为严重，需要密切监测并准备应急措施，以便在严重或无反应的病例中迅速撤离。
{"title":"Delayed-onset high-altitude pulmonary edema: A series of 8 patients","authors":"Sanjay Singhal, Bhattachar Alasinga","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_1_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_1_20","url":null,"abstract":"Clinical studies were performed in eight consecutive patients who developed high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) after 6 days of stay (range: 8–121 days) at the same altitude who were admitted to our hospital. The findings of this series revealed respiratory infection with exertion and cold exposure as the predominant causes of delayed-onset HAPE. HAPE in its delayed-onset form is likely to be more severe based on mortality findings in our series and requires intense monitoring and preparation of contingencies for prompt evacuation in severe or nonresponsive cases.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"21 1","pages":"52 - 55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76851560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The provision of drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities has been identified as one of the important goals required for the attainment of universal health coverage. However, billions of people across the globe are having poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). It is important to note that significant progress has been observed in ensuring access to WASH facilities since the start of the current century; nevertheless, massive gaps and inequalities persist in the field with regard to access, availability, and the quality of the offered services. Another important aspect is that ensuring mere access to these facilities is not enough. The time has come wherein all the concerned stakeholders should commit themselves toward the realization of this essential and fundamental human right. In conclusion, the need of the hour is to minimize the inequality gaps in WASH facilities and that will essentially require a concerted and well-coordinated response from all the stakeholders, including the general population.
{"title":"Strengthening WASH facilities for the general population to accomplish universal access by 2030","authors":"S. Shrivastava, P. Shrivastava","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_10_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_10_20","url":null,"abstract":"The provision of drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities has been identified as one of the important goals required for the attainment of universal health coverage. However, billions of people across the globe are having poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). It is important to note that significant progress has been observed in ensuring access to WASH facilities since the start of the current century; nevertheless, massive gaps and inequalities persist in the field with regard to access, availability, and the quality of the offered services. Another important aspect is that ensuring mere access to these facilities is not enough. The time has come wherein all the concerned stakeholders should commit themselves toward the realization of this essential and fundamental human right. In conclusion, the need of the hour is to minimize the inequality gaps in WASH facilities and that will essentially require a concerted and well-coordinated response from all the stakeholders, including the general population.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"60 1","pages":"56 - 57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88987362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the association between positive cumulative fluid balance following heat stroke (HS) and its impact on patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review of HS patients admitted to the emergent intensive care unit (ICU), Beijing Lu He Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2015 to 2018 was conducted. Results: Forty-nine surviving HS patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). Patients with MV for more than 6 days were placed in the longer length of the MV group. Patients with MV for <6 days were placed in the shorter MV group. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the fluid balance on day 2 (3040 ml vs. −533 ml, P = 0.017) and persistent cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h (6112 ml vs. −46 ml, P = 0.04). Patients with a higher cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h were more likely to receive a longer duration of MV (10.7 days vs. 3.2 days, P < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (22.5 days vs. 6.2 days, P < 0.001). Spearman analysis of fluid overload in the first 72 h and MV time showed that the correlation coefficient was 0.662. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the positive cumulative fluid balance in the first 72 h (odds ratio [OR] = 1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.99–1.01] and alanine aminotransferase (OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.95–0.99) were both independent risk factors for prolonged MV in patients with HS (P = 0.025, P = 0.026). There were also differences between groups regarding creatine kinase-MB (P = 0.01) and Glasgow Coma Scale scores (P = 0.033). The patients with a higher cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h had larger sequential organ failure assessment cores. Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h predicted the need for invasive MV with the area under the curve of 0.869 (P < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.779–0.958) at a cutoff value >1685 ml (sensitivity: 86%; specificity: 78%). Conclusions: Fluid overload in the first 72 h was a predictor of prolonged MV and ICU length of stay in surviving HS patients. Maintaining cautious about fluid resuscitation for HS patients may be critical for improving patient outcomes.
{"title":"Positive cumulative fluid balance in the first 72 h is associated with adverse outcomes following heat stroke","authors":"Xiaoxue Yin, G. Ye","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_3_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_3_20","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the association between positive cumulative fluid balance following heat stroke (HS) and its impact on patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review of HS patients admitted to the emergent intensive care unit (ICU), Beijing Lu He Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2015 to 2018 was conducted. Results: Forty-nine surviving HS patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). Patients with MV for more than 6 days were placed in the longer length of the MV group. Patients with MV for <6 days were placed in the shorter MV group. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding the fluid balance on day 2 (3040 ml vs. −533 ml, P = 0.017) and persistent cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h (6112 ml vs. −46 ml, P = 0.04). Patients with a higher cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h were more likely to receive a longer duration of MV (10.7 days vs. 3.2 days, P < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (22.5 days vs. 6.2 days, P < 0.001). Spearman analysis of fluid overload in the first 72 h and MV time showed that the correlation coefficient was 0.662. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the positive cumulative fluid balance in the first 72 h (odds ratio [OR] = 1, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.99–1.01] and alanine aminotransferase (OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.95–0.99) were both independent risk factors for prolonged MV in patients with HS (P = 0.025, P = 0.026). There were also differences between groups regarding creatine kinase-MB (P = 0.01) and Glasgow Coma Scale scores (P = 0.033). The patients with a higher cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h had larger sequential organ failure assessment cores. Based on the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cumulative fluid overload in the first 72 h predicted the need for invasive MV with the area under the curve of 0.869 (P < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.779–0.958) at a cutoff value >1685 ml (sensitivity: 86%; specificity: 78%). Conclusions: Fluid overload in the first 72 h was a predictor of prolonged MV and ICU length of stay in surviving HS patients. Maintaining cautious about fluid resuscitation for HS patients may be critical for improving patient outcomes.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"49 1","pages":"38 - 43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82613129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Average whole-body doses after the Fukushima accident remained within the limits of natural radiation background. Thyroid doses were much lower than after the Chernobyl accident. Associations between detection rate of thyroid cancer (TC) and radiation doses after the Fukushima accident were reported, although there have been contradicting data. There are various factors and bias that can contribute to the associations: screening effect, recall bias, dose-dependent quality of diagnostics, selection, and self-selection. There have been methodological differences of the screening in different areas. In the screened young-age group, TCs were found predominantly in adolescents, but not in vulnerable children ≤5 years at exposure, suggesting that tumors are not radiogenic. A possibility of overdiagnosis was pointed out, i.e., detection of thyroid tumors that would not, if left untreated, result in symptoms. Furthermore, exaggeration of perinatal complications may cause anxiety and lead to interruption of wanted pregnancies, as it happened after the Chernobyl accident. In conclusion, no discernible increase of radiation-related health effects is expected after the Fukushima accident. There are no reasons to disagree with the judgment by the UNSCEAR that an increased risk of thyroid tumors among most exposed children could be theoretically inferred, although occurrence of large numbers of radiation-induced cases can be discounted. The monitoring of populations exposed to low-dose radiation is important, but will hardly add much reliable information. It can be expected that the screening and increased attention of exposed people to their health would result in more reports on elevated risks that would prove no causality.
{"title":"Some aspects of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident","authors":"Sergei V. Jargin","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_6_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_6_20","url":null,"abstract":"Average whole-body doses after the Fukushima accident remained within the limits of natural radiation background. Thyroid doses were much lower than after the Chernobyl accident. Associations between detection rate of thyroid cancer (TC) and radiation doses after the Fukushima accident were reported, although there have been contradicting data. There are various factors and bias that can contribute to the associations: screening effect, recall bias, dose-dependent quality of diagnostics, selection, and self-selection. There have been methodological differences of the screening in different areas. In the screened young-age group, TCs were found predominantly in adolescents, but not in vulnerable children ≤5 years at exposure, suggesting that tumors are not radiogenic. A possibility of overdiagnosis was pointed out, i.e., detection of thyroid tumors that would not, if left untreated, result in symptoms. Furthermore, exaggeration of perinatal complications may cause anxiety and lead to interruption of wanted pregnancies, as it happened after the Chernobyl accident. In conclusion, no discernible increase of radiation-related health effects is expected after the Fukushima accident. There are no reasons to disagree with the judgment by the UNSCEAR that an increased risk of thyroid tumors among most exposed children could be theoretically inferred, although occurrence of large numbers of radiation-induced cases can be discounted. The monitoring of populations exposed to low-dose radiation is important, but will hardly add much reliable information. It can be expected that the screening and increased attention of exposed people to their health would result in more reports on elevated risks that would prove no causality.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"57 1","pages":"16 - 22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85670050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose: Consumption of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in food, drink, and other consumables has been linked to different observable changes believed to be as a result of MSG's effects on the brain. Furthermore, it is believed that blood–brain barrier plays a role on how these effects are felt in different stages of life. The present study is an attempt to understand the differential effect of MSG by studying body and brain weights as well as physiological changes in the behavior of rats exposed at different stages of life (either as neonate or as adult). Materials and Methods: Pups were administered 4 mg/g MSG on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, allowed to mature for 26 weeks, and afterward divided into three groups (n = 6) and administered saline, 5 mg/g, and 10 mg/g MSG for 6 weeks. Two other groups, not exposed to MSG at neonatal age (adult), were similarly administered 5 mg/g and 10 mg/g MSG for 6 weeks. During this period, weight gain and behavioral observation was made, and at the end of the 6 weeks, brain weight was measured. Results: A dose-dependent effect of MSG was recorded in both neonatal- and adult-administered rats in all the parameters studied. Conclusion: MSG affects both neonate and adult rats similarly, thus adult exposure may be used in studies involving MSG and other neurotoxic chemicals.
{"title":"Effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on behavior, body and brain weights of exposed rats","authors":"Uche Akataobi","doi":"10.4103/ed.ed_31_19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ed.ed_31_19","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Consumption of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in food, drink, and other consumables has been linked to different observable changes believed to be as a result of MSG's effects on the brain. Furthermore, it is believed that blood–brain barrier plays a role on how these effects are felt in different stages of life. The present study is an attempt to understand the differential effect of MSG by studying body and brain weights as well as physiological changes in the behavior of rats exposed at different stages of life (either as neonate or as adult). Materials and Methods: Pups were administered 4 mg/g MSG on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, allowed to mature for 26 weeks, and afterward divided into three groups (n = 6) and administered saline, 5 mg/g, and 10 mg/g MSG for 6 weeks. Two other groups, not exposed to MSG at neonatal age (adult), were similarly administered 5 mg/g and 10 mg/g MSG for 6 weeks. During this period, weight gain and behavioral observation was made, and at the end of the 6 weeks, brain weight was measured. Results: A dose-dependent effect of MSG was recorded in both neonatal- and adult-administered rats in all the parameters studied. Conclusion: MSG affects both neonate and adult rats similarly, thus adult exposure may be used in studies involving MSG and other neurotoxic chemicals.","PeriodicalId":11702,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Disease","volume":"43 1","pages":"3 - 8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83712732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：