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BACKGROUND: Data from the COVID-19 pandemic describes increases in drug use and related harms, especially fatal overdose. However, evidence is needed to better understand the pathways from pandemic-related factors to substance use behaviours. Thus, we investigated stockpiling drugs among people who use drugs (PWUD) in five cities in the United States and Canada. METHODS: We used data from two waves of interviews among participants in nine prospective cohorts to estimate the prevalence and correlates of stockpiling drugs in the previous month. Longitudinal correlates were identified using bivariate and multivariate generalized linear mixed-effects modeling analyses. RESULTS: From May 2020 to February 2021, we recruited 1873 individuals who completed 2242 interviews, of whom 217 (11.6%) reported stockpiling drugs in the last month at baseline. In the multivariate model, stockpiling drugs was significantly and positively associated with reporting being greatly impacted by COVID-19 (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]= 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09-1.45), and at least daily use of methamphetamine (AOR = 4.67, 95% CI: 2.75-7.94) in the past month. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that approximately one-in-ten participants reported stocking up on drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This behaviour was associated with important drug-related risk factors including high-intensity methamphetamine use. While these correlations need further inquiry, it is possible that addressing the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable PWUD could help limit drug stockpiling, which may lower rates of high-intensity stimulant use.
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COVID-19 , Sobredosis de Droga , Metanfetamina , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Pandemias , COVID-19/epidemiología , Sobredosis de Droga/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that together with the associated sheltrin complex protect the ends of chromosomes and maintain genomic stability. Evidences from various organisms suggests that several factors influence telomere length regulation, such as telomere binding proteins, telomere capping proteins, telomerase, and DNA replication enzymes. Recent studies suggest that micronutrients, such as vitamin D, folate and vitamin B12, are involved in telomere biology and cellular aging. In particular, vitamin D is important for a range of vital cellular processes including cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. As a result of the multiple functions of vitamin D it has been speculated that vitamin D might play a role in telomere biology and genomic stability. In this study, our main goal is investigating the relationship between telomerase enzyme and vitamin D. Findings of this study suggest that higher vitamin D concentrations, which are easily modifiable through nutritional supplementation, are associated with longer LTL, which underscores the potentially beneficial effects of this hormone on aging and age-related diseases. Vitamin D may reduce telomere shortening through anti-inflammatory and anti-cell proliferation mechanisms. Significant Low levels of telomerase activity create short telomeres, which in turn signal exit from the cell cycle resulting in cell senescence and apoptosis. In follow-up examination, the patients who remained vitamin D deficient tended to have shorter telomeres than those patients whose 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were depleted. Increasing 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with SLE may be beneficial in maintaining telomere length and preventing cellular aging. Moreover, anti-telomere antibody levels may be a promising biomarker of SLE status and disease activity.
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Senescencia Celular/fisiología , Telómero/metabolismo , Vitamina D/sangre , Vitamina D/metabolismo , Envejecimiento/sangre , Envejecimiento/genética , Envejecimiento/metabolismo , Envejecimiento/patología , Humanos , Telomerasa/genética , Telomerasa/metabolismo , Telómero/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Neither pre-exposure nor post-exposure chemo-prophylaxis agents are currently available to prevent COVID-19. On the other hand, high loads of SARS-CoV-2 are shed from the nasal cavity before and after symptoms onset. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a scoping review on the available evidence on tolerable nasal disinfectants with encouraging health outcomes against SARS-CoV-2, i.e., agents effective against at least two different viruses beyond SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Online databases were searched to identify papers published during 2010-2020. Publications were selected if they were relevant to the scoping review. The review was narrative, describing for each treatment the mechanism(s) of action, tolerability, in vitro and in vivo evidence of the effects against SARS-CoV-2 and whether the product had been marketed. RESULTS: Eight treatments were scrutinized: hypothiocyanite, lactoferrin, N-chlorotaurine, interferon-alpha, povidone-iodine, quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohol-based nasal antiseptics and hydroxychloroquine. In vitro viricidal effect against SARS-CoV-2 was reported for ethanol, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and povidone-iodine. Inhibition of other coronaviruses was described for lactoferrin, ethanol, hydroxychloroquine and quaternary ammonium compound. No treatment has been tested against SARS-CoV-2 in randomized controlled clinical trials thus far. However, interferon-alpha, lactoferrin and hydroxychloroquine were tested in one-arm open label uncontrolled clinical trial. Oxidant activity (hypothiocyanite, N-chlorotaurine and povidone-iodine), enhancement of endocytic and lysosomal pH (quaternary ammonium compounds and hydroxychloroquine) and destruction of the viral capsid (quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohol-based nasal antiseptics) were the main mechanisms of action. Lactoferrin and interferon-alpha have subtle biological mechanisms. With the exception of N-chlorotaurine, all other products available on the market. CONCLUSIONS: Effective and safe chemo-prophylactic drugs against SARS-CoV-2 do not exist yet but most eligible candidates are already in the market. Whilst the human nasal cavity is the port of entry for SARS-CoV-2, the mouth is involved as exit site through emission of respiratory droplets. The well-known hand-to-nose-to-hand cycle of contamination requires appropriate additional strategies for infection control. To narrow down the subsequent laboratory and clinical investigations, a case-control approach could be employed to compare the use of candidate drugs among individuals testing positive and negative to COVID-19 swabs.
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COVID-19 , Desinfección , Humanos , Hidroxicloroquina , Control de Infecciones , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of obesity is rising among people living with HIV, which may synergistically increase inflammation and the risk of associated diseases. Disruption of gut bacterial communities may be one of the key drivers of this inflammation; however, the combined effects of HIV and obesity on the microbiome have not been explored. METHODS: This study included 381 men who have sex with men. Thirty-nine were HIV-positive and obese (H+O+), 143 were HIV-positive and nonobese, 64 were HIV-negative and obese, and 135 were HIV-negative and nonobese. Microbiome composition was assessed by targeted sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene using rectal swab samples. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted marginal structural models were used to investigate differences in microbial composition between groups while controlling for numerous clinical and behavioural confounders. RESULTS: Significant variability in microbial composition was explained by the combination of HIV and obesity, over and above each condition alone (R2 for the marginal contribution of the H+/O+ group = 0.008; P = 0.001). H+O+ participants had the highest ratios of Prevotella to Bacteroides, a pro-inflammatory enterotype that has been described in HIV infection and obesity independently. H+O+ participants had lower levels of Bacteroides and Veillonella than all other groups, suggesting a synergistic effect of HIV and obesity on these genera. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that HIV and obesity act together to disrupt gut microbial communities, which may help explain higher levels of generalized inflammation among people living with both HIV and obesity.
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Bacterias/citología , Infecciones por VIH/microbiología , Inflamación/etiología , Obesidad/microbiología , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Adulto , Bacterias/genética , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ADN Ribosómico/genética , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Infecciones por VIH/inmunología , Homosexualidad Masculina , Humanos , Masculino , Obesidad/inmunología , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have found that IGF-I may play an important role in glucose metabolism. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of vitamin D intake on the serum levels of glucose, insulin, and IGF-I in experimental diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged six to seven months, with an average weight of 300±30g, were randomly divided into three groups (eight rats per group). The first group served as control and the other two groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 45mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to develop diabetes. Then groups were treated for four weeks either with placebo or vitamin D (two injections of 20,000IU/kg). RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, two injection of vitamin D were found to result in a significant increase in plasma cholecalciferol, which could improve hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinemia in diabetic rats. HbA1c concentration had a slight and insignificant decrease following vitamin D intake. In addition, a significant decline was observed in the serum IGF-I level of STZ-treated rats in comparison to the controls, which was compensated in the vitamin D group. The serum vitamin D concentration was positively correlated to the changes in IGF-I level by Pearson test. CONCLUSIONS: These data showed for the first time that vitamin D intake could significantly improve fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and IGF-I in an experimental type 1 diabetes model.
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Glucemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/sangre , Factor I del Crecimiento Similar a la Insulina/análisis , Insulina/sangre , Vitamina D/administración & dosificación , Vitaminas/administración & dosificación , Animales , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-DawleyRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), as an autoimmune disease including mucosa and the skin, is associated with several complications and comorbidities. The present study planned to determine the effect of L-carnitine (LC) supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS), antioxidant capacity and lipid profile in PV patients.Subjects/MethodsFifty two control and patients with PV, participated in the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The patients were allocated randomly to receive 2 g per day LC tartrate subdivided into two equal doses of 1 g before breakfast and dinner (n=26) or placebo (n=26) for 8 weeks. Anthropometric, lipid profile and OS values were determined at baseline and end of intervention period. RESULTS: LC intake significantly reduced serum levels of triglycerides, total-, LDL- cholesterol and oxidative stress index (OSI; P<0.05). In addition, supplementation with LC resulted to a meaningful increase in levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P=0.05) and serum carnitine (P<0.001). LC intake revealed non-significant change in serum total oxidant capacity (P=0.15) and HDL- cholesterol (P=0.06) in comparison to the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: LC consumption may have favorable results on TAC, OSI and lipid profiles in patients with PV. The results were in line with the idea that LC supplementation can be associated with positive effects on metabolic status and OS of patients with PV.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 23 August 2017; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.131.
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INTRODUCTION: Informing the children living with HIV (CLH) about their disease (disclosure) is important from the perspective of disease treatment and overall psychosocial development. There are no published studies that qualitatively explored HIV disclosure-related issues among CLH in India. Our aim was to provide insights into the perceptions of informal caregivers of CLH regarding childhood disclosure. METHODS: Children were defined as those aged <16 years. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 primary caregivers of CLH aged 8 to 15 years old who were residing in West Bengal, India. The participants were recruited with the help of a community-based organization that provides need-based services to people living with HIV. RESULTS: We obtained caregivers' perspectives on the motivators and barriers of childhood disclosure. Health benefits such as medication adherence emerged as an important motivator, while distress caused by disclosure and potential for stigma were identified as barriers. Health care providers were the preferred disclosers for most caregivers, followed by the caregivers themselves. Some caregivers wanted their child to learn about his/her HIV status by him/herself. There was no consensus among the caregivers about the ideal age for disclosure. Many preferred to wait until the child attained maturity or was of marriageable age. DISCUSSION: Disclosure of HIV status to children is an emotional issue, both for the caregiver and the child. Like most low-or middle-income countries, no standardized, age-appropriate disclosure guidelines exist in India. Our findings advocate adoption of a multi-faceted approach, including increased availability of social and familial support, for childhood HIV disclosure.
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Cuidadores/psicología , Familia/psicología , Infecciones por VIH/psicología , Estigma Social , Apoyo Social , Revelación de la Verdad , Adolescente , Terapia Antirretroviral Altamente Activa , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Niño , Conducta Infantil/psicología , Emociones , Femenino , Humanos , India , Masculino , Cumplimiento de la Medicación/psicología , Relaciones Padres-Hijo , Investigación CualitativaRESUMEN
AIMS: To assess the cost-effectiveness of adopting risk-stratified approaches to extended screening intervals in the national diabetic retinopathy screening programme in Scotland. METHODS: A continuous-time hidden Markov model was fitted to national longitudinal screening data to derive transition probabilities between observed non-referable and referable retinopathy states. These were incorporated in a decision model simulating progression, costs and visual acuity outcomes for a synthetic cohort with a covariate distribution matching that of the Scottish diabetic screening population. The cost-effectiveness of adopting extended (2-year) screening for groups with no observed retinopathy was then assessed over a 30-year time horizon. RESULTS: Individuals with a current grade of no retinopathy on two consecutive screening episodes face the lowest risk of progressing to referable disease. For the cohort as a whole, the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained for annual vs. biennial screening ranged from approximately £74 000 (for those with no retinopathy and a prior observed grade of mild or observable background retinopathy) to approximately £232 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained (for those with no retinopathy on two consecutive screening episodes). The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in the subgroup with Type 1 diabetes were substantially lower; approximately £22 000 to £85 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Biennial screening for individuals with diabetes who have no retinopathy is likely to deliver significant savings for a very small increase in the risk of adverse visual acuity and quality of life outcomes. There is greater uncertainty regarding the long-term cost-effectiveness of adopting biennial screening in younger people with Type 1 diabetes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/terapia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/terapia , Retinopatía Diabética/diagnóstico , Tamizaje Masivo/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Simulación por Computador , Análisis Costo-Beneficio , Técnicas de Apoyo para la Decisión , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Retinopatía Diabética/etiología , Retinopatía Diabética/patología , Manejo de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Cadenas de Markov , Tamizaje Masivo/economía , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Económicos , Derivación y Consulta , Medición de Riesgo , Escocia , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIM: SIRT1 and PGC1α are two important genes, which play critical roles in regulating oxidative stress and inflammation processes. The study aimed assess the effects of coadministration of omega-3 and vitamin E supplements on SIRT1 and PGC1α gene expression and serum levels of antioxidant enzymes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants of this randomized controlled trial included 60 CAD male patients who were categorized into three groups: Group 1 received omega-3 (4 g/day) and vitamin E placebo (OP), group 2 omega-3 (4 g/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day; OE), and group 3 omega-3 and vitamin E placebos (PP) for 2 months. Gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCS) was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, serum antioxidant enzyme and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention. Gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α increased significantly in the OE group (P = 0.039 and P = 0.050, respectively). Catalase and hsCRP levels increased significantly in the OE and OP groups. However, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels did not statistically change in all groups. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) increased significantly in the OE group (P = 0.009) but not in OP and PP groups. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in combination with vitamin E may have beneficial effects on CAD patients by increasing gene expression of SIRT1 and PGC1α and improving oxidative stress and inflammation in these patients.
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Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Catalasa/sangre , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Estenosis Coronaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Suplementos Dietéticos , Ácidos Docosahexaenoicos/administración & dosificación , Ácido Eicosapentaenoico/administración & dosificación , Coactivador 1-alfa del Receptor Activado por Proliferadores de Peroxisomas gamma/sangre , Sirtuina 1/sangre , Vitamina E/administración & dosificación , Biomarcadores/sangre , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Angiografía Coronaria , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/sangre , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/enzimología , Estenosis Coronaria/sangre , Estenosis Coronaria/diagnóstico por imagen , Estenosis Coronaria/enzimología , Suplementos Dietéticos/efectos adversos , Ácidos Docosahexaenoicos/efectos adversos , Método Doble Ciego , Ácido Eicosapentaenoico/efectos adversos , Glutatión Peroxidasa/sangre , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Irán , Masculino , Coactivador 1-alfa del Receptor Activado por Proliferadores de Peroxisomas gamma/genética , Sirtuina 1/genética , Superóxido Dismutasa/sangre , Terapéutica , Factores de Tiempo , Regulación hacia Arriba , Vitamina E/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Since free radicals and antioxidant enzymes may play an important role in the development of diabetes, the present study was designed to assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids on catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: A total of 64 male Wistar rats weighing 250 g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, diabetic supplemented with vitamin A, E and C and diabetic supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids. After four weeks the rats were anesthetized and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart homogenates. RESULTS: In diabetic rats, the activity levels of heart SOD (p < 0.001) and heart and liver CAT (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than in normal control rats. Supplementation with vitamins A, E and C significantly increased heart CAT (p = 0.05). No significant change was observed in diabetic rats supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids was found to increase heart CAT activity in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes (Tab. 6, Ref. 26).
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Ácido Ascórbico/administración & dosificación , Catalasa/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/administración & dosificación , Superóxido Dismutasa/metabolismo , Vitamina A/administración & dosificación , Vitamina E/administración & dosificación , Animales , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Catalasa/efectos de los fármacos , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Suplementos Dietéticos , Glutatión Peroxidasa/metabolismo , Peroxidación de Lípido/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/enzimología , Masculino , Miocardio/enzimología , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Estreptozocina , Superóxido Dismutasa/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin and/or mucosa. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were previously reported in PV. AIM: Because oxidative stress has an important role in the inflammatory process, we designed this study to evaluate the antioxidant status in patients with PV and to compare it with that of healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: In this case-control study, 43 newly diagnosed patients with PV were compared with 58 HCs. The severity of the disease was estimated according to Harman scores. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) activities and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Data were analyzed by independent t-test. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in sex, age and body mass index. Mean duration of disease was 5.6 months. Mean oral and skin severities were 1.79 and 2.3 respectively, based on Harman scores. SOD activity was not significantly different between groups (1003.30 ± 39.96 vs. 1009.76 ± 32.68 U/gHb). Levels were noticeably higher in patients with PV than in HCs for both GPx (52.13 ± 2.85 vs. 36.63 ± 1.49 U/gHb, respectively; P < 0.001) and CAT (205.69 ± 8.10 vs. 130.26 ± 6.80 kU/gHb, respectively; P < 0.001) activities, and CAT activity correlated with disease severity. In addition, patients had lower total antioxidant capacity than controls (3.39 ± 0.06 vs. 3.72 ± 0.09 mmol/L, P = 0.006). There was no noticeable difference in serum MDA between the two groups (P = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PV have significantly higher antioxidant enzyme activities and lower total antioxidant capacity compared with HCs. These data indicate the importance of improving antioxidant level in patients with pemphigus.
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Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Pénfigo/enzimología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Catalasa/metabolismo , Femenino , Glutatión Peroxidasa/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Malondialdehído/metabolismo , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiología , Pénfigo/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutasa/metabolismo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with lowgrade systemic inflammation which has been linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in obese patients. AIM: To evaluate changes in pro/anti-inflammatory adipocytokines and metabolic profile after moderate diet-induced weight loss. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine pre-menopausal obese women (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) aged 21 to 54 years without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, were enrolled in this study. We measured anthropometric parameters, lipid and glucose profiles, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-18 in obese women, who then entered a medically supervised program aimed at reducing body weight by 10% or more. Obese women restricted their caloric intake (by 500-1000 kcal/day) and consumed 50 g/day of a fiber supplement (Slim Last Powder) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: By completing the dietary intervention program, weight (Δ = -10.0%, p<0.0001), body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose significantly decreased, while HDL-cholesterol significantly increased. While plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 decreased by 27% after 12 weeks, no significant change was observed in circulating levels of IL-10. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that an improved body composition induced by restriction of energy intake is associated with favorable serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 in obese women. However, the anti-inflammatory IL-10 is not affected by a moderate weight decrease.
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Citocinas/sangre , Dieta Reductora , Obesidad/sangre , Obesidad/dietoterapia , Pérdida de Peso/fisiología , Adulto , Citocinas/metabolismo , Dieta Reductora/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Mediadores de Inflamación/sangre , Interleucina-10/sangre , Interleucina-18/sangre , Interleucina-6/sangre , Persona de Mediana Edad , Obesidad/inmunología , Triglicéridos/sangre , Pérdida de Peso/inmunología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
There has been increasing number of requests for cosmetic rhinoplastic surgery among Iranian people in different age groups in recent years. One risk for people who undergo such plastic operations is the presence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which can complicate the result and decrease the rate of satisfaction from surgery. This study aimed to investigate mental health problems in people seeking rhinoplastic surgery. In this case-control study, the scores of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and DCQ (Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire) were obtained from 50 individuals who were candidates for rhinoplasty, and the results were compared with a normal control group. The total GHQ score and scores in anxiety, depression, and social dysfunction sub-scales were higher among the study group. This was the same for the DCQ score. However, the scores of somatization sub-scale of GHQ were not significantly different between the two groups. Psychiatric evaluation of candidates for rhinoplasty seems necessary for prevention of unnecessary and repetitive surgical operations.
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Trastorno Dismórfico Corporal/complicaciones , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/psicología , Rinoplastia/psicología , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/complicaciones , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cattle can be considered as an important source for herbicides through nutrition. Therefore, herbicide residue in animal products is a potential human exposure to herbicides causing public health problems in human life. Triazines are a group of herbicides primarily used to control broadleaf weeds in corn and other feed ingredients and are considered as possible human carcinogens. To evaluate trace residue of these pollutants molecular imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method has been developed, using biological samples. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 45 Holstein cows in 3 commercial dairy farms in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Urine samples were also taken from the cows. RESULTS: The mean ± SD concentrations of atrazine in serum and urine samples of the study group (0.739 ± 0.567 ppm and 1.389 ± 0.633 ppm, respectively) were higher (P < 0.05) than the concentrations in serum and urine samples of the control group (0.002 ± 0.005 ppm and 0.012 ± 0.026 ppm, respectively). CONCLUSION: Atrazine in the feed ingredients ingested by cattle could be transferred into the biological samples and consequently can be considered as a potential hazard for the public health.
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Functional derangement of every endocrine organ system has been reported in association with HIV infection. The changes in endocrine function may be related to the viral infection of the gland, to systemic effects of HIV or an opportunistic infection, to infiltration by a neoplasm such as Kaposi's sarcoma, to a complication of treatment, or generation of cytokines. A wide spectrum of endocrine abnormalities is observed in HIV-infected patients. Some of these abnormalities are similar to those seen in other systemic illness, whereas others are unique to HIV infection. The clinical significance of many of these endocrine abnormalities is not well understood.
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Infecciones por VIH/fisiopatología , Sistemas Neurosecretores/fisiopatología , Hormonas/fisiología , Humanos , Sistema Hipotálamo-Hipofisario/fisiopatología , Sistema Hipófiso-Suprarrenal/fisiopatología , Glándula Tiroides/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Three different mixed aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit were investigated to characterize their abilities as copper(II) ion carriers in PVC-membrane electrodes. The electrode based on L1 exhibited a Nernstian response for Cu(2+) ions over a wide concentration range (2x10(-1) to 1x10(-5) M) with a limit of detection of 8.0x10(-6) M (0.5 p.p.m.). The response time of sensor is 15 s, and the membrane can be used for more than 3 months without observing any deviation. The electrode revealed comparatively good selectivities with respect to many alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, and could be used in a pH range of 2.5-5.5. It was applied to the direct determination and potentiometric titration of the copper(II) ion.
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The clinical consequences of androgen deficiency in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women remain underappreciated. The pharmacokinetics of transdermally administered testosterone in premenopausal women and HIV-infected women have not been studied. In this study we compared the pharmacokinetics of a novel testosterone matrix transdermal system (TMTDS) in healthy premenopausal women and women infected with HIV. Eight menstruating HIV-infected women, 18-50 yr of age, who had been receiving stable antiretroviral therapy, including a protease inhibitor, for at least 12 weeks and nine healthy, menstruating women of comparable age were enrolled. After baseline sampling during a 24-h control period in the early follicular phase (days 1-6), two TMTDS patches were applied with an expected delivery rate of 300 microg testosterone daily over an application period of 3-4 days. After 72 h, the patches were removed, a second set of two patches was applied, and blood samples were drawn over 96 h. Baseline serum total and free testosterone levels were lower in HIV-infected women than in healthy women. A diurnal rhythm of testosterone secretion, with higher levels in the morning and lower levels in the late afternoon, was apparent in both groups of women. Free testosterone levels were in the midnormal range at baseline in healthy women and increased above the upper limit of normal during TMTDS application. In HIV-infected women, free testosterone levels were in the low normal range at baseline and rose into the upper normal range during patch application. Serum total testosterone levels increased into the midnormal range in HIV-infected women and into the upper normal range in healthy women during patch application. The mean increments in free and total testosterone levels were significantly lower in HIV-infected women than in healthy women. Testosterone bioavailability, expressed as the mean +/- SEM baseline-subtracted area under the total testosterone curve, was significantly greater in healthy women than in HIV-infected women [3323 +/- 566 ng/dL x h (115 +/- 20 nmol/L x h) vs. 1506 +/- 316 ng/dL x h (52 +/- 11 nmol/ L x h); P = 0.016]. Assuming a daily testosterone delivery rate of 300 microg/day, the apparent plasma clearance was significantly higher in HIV-infected women than in healthy women (2531 +/- 469 vs. 1127 +/- 217 L/day1 P = 0.022), respectively. There was no significant change from baseline in serum LH, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol levels in either group. Serum FSH levels showed a greater decrease from baseline in healthy women. A regimen of two testosterone patches applied twice a week can maintain serum total and free testosterone levels in the mid- to upper normal range, respectively, in HIV-infected women with low testosterone levels. During TMTDS application, the increments in serum total and free testosterone levels are lower in HIV-infected women than in healthy women, presumably due to increased plasma clearance or decreased absorption. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of physiological androgen replacement in HIV-infected women.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por VIH/metabolismo , Testosterona/farmacocinética , Administración Cutánea , Adolescente , Adulto , Disponibilidad Biológica , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Femenino , Hormonas/sangre , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Testosterona/administración & dosificación , Testosterona/efectos adversosRESUMEN
CONTEXT: Previous studies of testosterone supplementation in HIV-infected men failed to demonstrate improvement in muscle strength. The effects of resistance exercise combined with testosterone supplementation in HIV-infected men are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of testosterone replacement with and without resistance exercise on muscle strength and body composition in HIV-infected men with low testosterone levels and weight loss. DESIGN AND SETTING: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted from September 1995 to July 1998 at a general clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one HIV-infected men aged 18 to 50 years with serum testosterone levels of less than 12.1 nmol/L (349 ng/dL) and weight loss of 5% or more in the previous 6 months, 49 of whom completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: placebo, no exercise (n = 14); testosterone enanthate (100 mg/wk intramuscularly), no exercise (n = 17); placebo and exercise (n = 15); or testosterone and exercise (n = 15). Treatment duration was 16 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in muscle strength, body weight, thigh muscle volume, and lean body mass compared among the 4 treatment groups. RESULTS: Body weight increased significantly by 2.6 kg (P<.001) in men receiving testosterone alone and by 2.2 kg (P = .02) in men who exercised alone but did not change in men receiving placebo alone (-0.5 kg; P = .55) or testosterone and exercise (0.7 kg; P = .08). Men treated with testosterone alone, exercise alone, or both experienced significant increases in maximum voluntary muscle strength in leg press (range, 22%-30%), leg curls (range, 18%-36%), bench press (range, 19%-33%), and latissimus pulls (range, 17%-33%). Gains in strength in all exercise categories were greater in men assigned to the testosterone-exercise group or to the exercise-alone group than in those assigned to the placebo-alone group. There was a greater increase in thigh muscle volume in men receiving testosterone alone (mean change, 40 cm3; P<.001 vs zero change) or exercise alone (62 cm3; P = .003) than in men receiving placebo alone (5 cm3; P = .70). Average lean body mass increased by 2.3 kg (P = .004) and 2.6 kg (P<.001), respectively, in men who received testosterone alone or testosterone and exercise but did not change in men receiving placebo alone (0.9 kg; P = .21). Hemoglobin levels increased in men receiving testosterone but not in those receiving placebo. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that testosterone and resistance exercise promote gains in body weight, muscle mass, muscle strength, and lean body mass in HIV-infected men with weight loss and low testosterone levels. Testosterone and exercise together did not produce greater gains than either intervention alone.
Asunto(s)
Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Infecciones por VIH/fisiopatología , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Testosterona/metabolismo , Testosterona/farmacología , Pérdida de Peso/fisiología , Adulto , Composición Corporal , Método Doble Ciego , Infecciones por VIH/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Perfil de Impacto de Enfermedad , Testosterona/administración & dosificación , MusloRESUMEN
A significant number of men who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have low testosterone levels. Androgen deficiency in HIV-infected patients is associated with decreased muscle mass and function, and adverse disease outcome. Administration of replacement doses of testosterone to healthy hypogonadal men augments lean body mass, muscle size, and maximal voluntary strength. Recent studies have shown that physiologic testosterone replacement in HIV-infected men with weight loss who have low testosterone levels can also increase muscle mass and effort-dependent strength. However, further studies are needed to determine whether androgen therapy can improve physical function and health-related outcomes in HIV-infected men.