RESUMEN
Exhaust fumes from petrol/diesel-powered electric generators contribute significantly to air pollution in many developing countries, constituting health hazards to both humans and animals. This study evaluated the serum concentrations of Troponin I (TnI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum levels/activities of oxidative stress markers: catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in dogs experimentally exposed to graded levels of petrol generator exhaust fume (PGEF). Sixteen (16) healthy and adult male Basenji dogs were randomly assigned into four groups (A-D). Group A was the unexposed control while groups B, C and D were exposed to PGEF for 1, 2 and 3 h per day, respectively, for 90 days. Repeated analysis were performed at the baseline, and every thirty days, for a total of 90 days. There was a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between the effects of PGEF exposure level (in h/day) and duration of exposure (in months) on all the tested serum parameters. There was a significant main effect (p < 0.05) for PGEF exposure level on the serum parameters. As the level of PGEF exposure was increased, the serum concentrations of TnI, CRP, CAT, MDA and NO increased, GSH decreased, whereas SOD activity increased by day 30 but declined at the end. Moreover, there was a significant simple main effect (p < 0.05) for duration of PGEF exposure. All the parameters increased as the duration of PGEF exposure was increased to 90 days except GSH concentration which decreased, whereas SOD activity increased initially but declined at the end of the study. Thus, there was increased serum concentrations of TnI, CRP and increased oxidative stress in the PGEF-exposed dogs. These findings are instructive and could be grounds for further studies on air pollutants-induced cardiovascular disease given the widespread use of electricity generators in many low-resource countries.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos/toxicidad , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/inducido químicamente , Países en Desarrollo , Suministros de Energía Eléctrica/efectos adversos , Gasolina/toxicidad , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Troponina I/sangre , Animales , Biomarcadores/sangre , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/sangre , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/fisiopatología , Perros , Frecuencia Cardíaca/efectos de los fármacos , Exposición por Inhalación , Masculino , Nigeria , Frecuencia Respiratoria/efectos de los fármacos , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: It is postulated that increased knowledge of patients about diabetes as well as a positive attitude will lead to improved glycaemic control and better outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of diabetic patients in a tertiary hospital in Enugu and the relationship with their glycaemic control.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done using a structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data and assess knowledge and attitude to diabetes on consecutive patients attending the outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital. Responses were scored with equal weighting. The fasting blood glucose of the patients was measured and recorded.RESULT: There were 51(60.7%) females and 33 (39.3%) males, with majority (63.1%) in the age range 41 -64 years and 32(38.1%) had only primary education. The mean knowledge score was 6.19 ± 2.08 and 33(39.3%) demonstrated good knowledge. Knowledge did not differ between males and females (p=0.34), but was highest in those with tertiary education (p = 0.02). Positive attitude to the condition was recorded in 63(75%) subjects. There was poor correlation between knowledge and attitude (r = -0.161, p= 0.14). Those with good knowledge scores were 2 times more likely to have good glycaemic control compared with those with poor knowledge; OR = 2.015, p = 0.02. Therewas no significant difference between the glycemic control of those with good attitude and those with poor attitude (p= 0.08).CONCLUSION: Although overall knowledge was poor, patients had a good attitude to their illness. Knowledge, but not attitude was significantly positively associated with glycemic control
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Actitud , Diabetes Mellitus , Conocimiento , NigeriaRESUMEN
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in the world. It is known that between 1990 and 2020, the proportion of worldwide deaths from CVD will increase from 28 to 31.5 % and yet the risk factors and etiology are not completely known. WHO has declared that pollution is one of the top 10 causes of death in the world. Environmental pollutants may therefore provide some of the missing/unknown risk factors of CVD. Studies done in USA and Europe have demonstrated that environmental pollutants can cause induction, progression and severity of CVD and increase the morbidity and mortality of traditional CVD risk factors. These toxicants lead to pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses, arterial vasoconstriction, enhanced coagulation/thrombosis, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, hypertension and coronary artery disease. There is now considerable evidence that Africa has a significant share of the world's environmental pollution, making it vulnerable to all associated CVDs. This review presents new facts and direction for tackling CVD in Africa. African countries must now take a cue from USA to Europe and consider environmental pollutants as one of the risk factors of CVDs.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Contaminación Ambiental/efectos adversos , África , Humanos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Thyroid hormone has profound effects on a number of metabolic processes in virtually all tissues but the cardiovascular manifestations are prominent usually creating a hyperdynamic circulatory state. Thyrotoxicosis is not a common cause of congestive heart failure among black communities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the hospital prevalence, clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings in patients with thyrotoxicosis who present with congestive heart failure (CCF) in the eastern part of Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 subjects aged 15 years and above who were diagnosed as thyrotoxic following clinical and thyroid function tests were consecutively recruited. Fifty age- and sex-matched controls with no clinical or biochemical evidence of thyrotoxicosis and no comorbidities were used as controls. Two-dimensional echocardiography was carried out on all the subjects. CCF was determined clinically and echocardiographically. RESULTS: Eight patients (5 females and 3 males) out of a total of 50 thyrotoxic patients presented with congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that congestive heart failure can occur in thyrotoxicosis in spite of the associated hyperdynamic condition. The underlying mechanism may include direct damage by autoimmune myocarditis, congestive circulation secondary to excess sodium, and fluid retention.