Retailers' perspectives on selling tobacco in a low-income San Francisco neighbourhood after California's $2 tobacco tax increase.

BackgroundCalifornia's tobacco tax increased by $2.00 per pack in 2017. Although such increases are among the most effective tobacco control strategies, little is known about their impact from the perspective of corner store owners in low-income neighbourhoods with high concentrations of tobacco outlets.MethodsWe interviewed 38 corner store owners and managers in San Francisco's Tenderloin, the district with the city's highest tobacco outlet density, 60-90 days following implementation of the tax increase. Questions focused on perceptions of the impact of the higher tobacco tax on their revenues, customers and tobacco company promotions. We used qualitative content analysis to identify, compare and reconcile key themes.ResultsMost retailers reported a decline in cigarette sales, with customers buying fewer cigarettes, switching to cheaper brands or other products like marijuana, or trying to quit smoking. Retailers described challenges associated with running a small business and selling tobacco and concerns about selling a product that is 'bad' for customers' health. Contrary to expectation, tobacco companies appeared to be offering few product promotions in this neighbourhood.ConclusionsSmall, independent retailers' concerns, about selling tobacco and about the health and well-being of customers, suggest that such retailers may be important allies in tobacco control efforts,particularly those focused on the point-of-sale

Efecto cicatrizante del gel a base de musa acuminata colla. (cáscara de plátano) en heridas superficiales inducidas en ratones albinos

Objetivo: Determinar si el gel a base de cáscara de plátano bellaco Musa acuminata colla tiene propiedad cicatrizante en heridas superficiales en ratones albinos. Obtener el extracto de la cáscara de plátano bellaco Musa acuminata colla, identificar metabolitos secundarios y preparar el gel a base de cáscara de plátano inmaduro para tratar heridas superficiales en ratones albinos. Evaluar el efecto cicatrizante del gel a base de cáscara inmadura de plátano bello Musa acuminata colla en heridas superficiales en ratones albinos. Método: Tipo: La investigación fue Descriptiva–Aplicativa –Transversal –Prospectiva, con Nivel: Explicativo – Descriptivo, y de Diseño: Experimental, se realizó una marcha de solubilidad, y una marcha fitoquímica, se realizó la preparación del gel al 2%, 4% y 10%.Objective: To determine if the gel based on banana peel Musa acuminata colla has a healing property in surface wounds in albino mice. Obtain extract from the rind of plantain peel Musa acuminata colla, identify secondary metabolites and prepare the gel based on immature banana peel to treat superficial wounds in albino mice. To evaluate the healing effect of the gel based on immature banana peel on surface wounds in albino mice. Method: Type: The research was Descriptive-Application-Transversal -Prospective, with Level: Explanatory - Descriptive, and Design: Experimental, a march of solubility was carried out, and a phytochemical march, the preparation of the gel was carried out at 2%, 4% and 10

Retailers' perspectives on selling tobacco in a low-income San Francisco neighbourhood after California's $2 tobacco tax increase.

BackgroundCalifornia's tobacco tax increased by $2.00 per pack in 2017. Although such increases are among the most effective tobacco control strategies, little is known about their impact from the perspective of corner store owners in low-income neighbourhoods with high concentrations of tobacco outlets.MethodsWe interviewed 38 corner store owners and managers in San Francisco's Tenderloin, the district with the city's highest tobacco outlet density, 60-90 days following implementation of the tax increase. Questions focused on perceptions of the impact of the higher tobacco tax on their revenues, customers and tobacco company promotions. We used qualitative content analysis to identify, compare and reconcile key themes.ResultsMost retailers reported a decline in cigarette sales, with customers buying fewer cigarettes, switching to cheaper brands or other products like marijuana, or trying to quit smoking. Retailers described challenges associated with running a small business and selling tobacco and concerns about selling a product that is 'bad' for customers' health. Contrary to expectation, tobacco companies appeared to be offering few product promotions in this neighbourhood.ConclusionsSmall, independent retailers' concerns, about selling tobacco and about the health and well-being of customers, suggest that such retailers may be important allies in tobacco control efforts,particularly those focused on the point-of-sale

Aluminum enhances the oxidative damage of ZnO NMs in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line.

Bare and doped zinc oxide nanomaterials (ZnO NMs) are of great interest as multifunctional platforms for biomedical applications. In this study, we systematically investigate the physicochemical properties of Aluminum doped ZnO (AZO) and its bio-interactions with neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and red blood (RBCs) cells. We provide a comprehensive chemical and structural characterization of the NMs. We also evaluated the biocompatibility of AZO NMs using traditional toxicity assays and advanced microscopy techniques. The toxicity of AZO NMs towards SH-SY5Y cells, decreases as a function of Al doping but is higher than the toxicity of ZnO NMs. Our results show that N-acetyl cysteine protects SH-SY5Y cells against reactive oxygen species toxicity induced by AZO NMs. ZnO and AZO NMs do not exert hemolysis in human RBCs at the doses that cause toxicity (IC50) in neuroblastoma cells. The Atomic force microscopy qualitative analysis of the interaction of SH-SY5Y cells with AZO NMs shows evidence that the affinity of the materials with the cells results in morphology changes and diminished interactions between neighboring cells. The holotomographic microscopy analysis demonstrates NMs internalization in SH-SY5Y cells, changes in their chemical composition, and the role of lipid droplets in the clearance of toxicants

Aluminum enhances the oxidative damage of ZnO NMs in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line

Abstract Bare and doped zinc oxide nanomaterials (ZnO NMs) are of great interest as multifunctional platforms for biomedical applications. In this study, we systematically investigate the physicochemical properties of Aluminum doped ZnO (AZO) and its bio-interactions with neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and red blood (RBCs) cells. We provide a comprehensive chemical and structural characterization of the NMs. We also evaluated the biocompatibility of AZO NMs using traditional toxicity assays and advanced microscopy techniques. The toxicity of AZO NMs towards SH-SY5Y cells, decreases as a function of Al doping but is higher than the toxicity of ZnO NMs. Our results show that N-acetyl cysteine protects SH-SY5Y cells against reactive oxygen species toxicity induced by AZO NMs. ZnO and AZO NMs do not exert hemolysis in human RBCs at the doses that cause toxicity (IC50) in neuroblastoma cells. The Atomic force microscopy qualitative analysis of the interaction of SH-SY5Y cells with AZO NMs shows evidence that the affinity of the materials with the cells results in morphology changes and diminished interactions between neighboring cells. The holotomographic microscopy analysis demonstrates NMs' internalization in SH-SY5Y cells, changes in their chemical composition, and the role of lipid droplets in the clearance of toxicants. Graphical Abstrac

Turbidity Removal from a Model Solution by Continuous Mode Electrocoagulation and Evaluation of Energy Consumption

The purpose of the research has been the construction of a new electrocoagulation (EC) equipment and its technical evaluation in the treatment of a model solution with a high level of turbidity. The EC system contains six cells installed in series, coupled to a flocculator and a clarifier (sludge decanter), each cell unit is composed of a cylindrical aluminum (Al) anode and a solid stainless-steel rod as cathode in connection with a DC power supply, the aluminum anodes are replaced by iron (Fe) according to the proposed tests. The influence of two factors, such as the applied electric potential and the type of electrode used, on turbidity removal performance, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical energy consumption were examined. The tests were carried out using a two-factor factorial design, electrical potential at (0, 3, 6 and 9 V) and type of anode (aluminum and iron). The investigation of the operating parameters was carried out in continuous mode. The initial turbidity of the water to be treated was set at 84.5 NTU, a value generally found in surface water. The results showed that the best conditions for turbidity removal were at an electrical potential of nine volts reaching a removal of 82.29 % and an energy consumption for aluminum electrodes of 0.7142 kWh/m3. It is also observed that the value of total dissolved solids after treatment is still slightly high. In conclusion, electrocoagulation with Al/steel electrodes proved to be an appropriate technology for water treatment due to its turbidity removal efficiency and low electrical energy consumption. &nbsp