Prevalence of and factors associated with anxiety and depression among women in a lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To study the prevalence of, and factors associated with anxiety and depression among women.Design: A cross sectional survey.SETTING: A lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi, Pakistan.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1218 women between the ages of 18-50 years.METHODOLOGY: Systematically every third household was identified from which a woman was randomly selected. The Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered verbally by trained interviewers for assessing the prevalence of, and associated factors for anxiety and depression.Results: A prevalence of 30% was found. Increasing age, lack of education and verbal abuse were the associated factors found to have an independent relationship.CONCLUSION: Providing education and reducing domestic abuse could lead to decrease in the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women

Nimodipine protects PC12 cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation

The protective effect of an L-type calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, on cell injury induced by oxygenglucose deprivation (OGD) in PC12 cells was investigated. PC12 cells were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (30 minutes and 60 minutes respectively) in the presence or absence of nimodipine (10μM/L) in three different time schedules (pre-24h, pre-3h and concurrently). Cellular viability was assessed by MTT assay. OGD-induced cell injury was significantly attenuated by nimodipine in all three treatment schedules. Application of MK801 (10μM/L), an antagonist of NMDA glutamate receptors also inhibited PC12 cell death induced by OGD. Our study suggests that nimodipine has protective effects against OGD-induced neurotoxicity. Copyright © 2006 by Razi Institute for Drug Research (RIDR)

Association of Total and Differential White Blood Cell Counts to Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Mexican Americans in Cameron County Hispanic Cohort

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between total and differential White Blood Cell (WBC) counts with time to transition to type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans using prospective data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC). Results: Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models revealed that obese Mexican-American cohort participants whose total WBC or granulocyte count increased over time had 1.39 and 1.35 times higher risk respectively of transition to type 2 diabetes when compared to overweight participants. The granulocyte or total WBC count in participants with BMI≥35 were significant risk factors for transition to type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Increased total WBC and WBC differential counts, particularly lymphocytes and granulocytes, are associated with risk of transition to type 2 diabetes in obese Mexican Americans, after adjusting for other potential confounders. Screening and monitoring the WBC counts, including lymphocytes and granulocytes can help with monitoring potential transition to type 2 diabetes

Liver and other Gastrointestinal Cancers are frequent in Mexican Americans

Background Disease patterns in Mexican-American health-disparity populations differ from larger United States populations. Aims Determine frequency of gastrointestinal cancers in Mexican Americans. Methods We analyzed self-reported data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort where we find high rates of risk factors for cancer: obesity (48.5%), diabetes (30.7%). Participants provided cancer histories about themselves and first and second degree relatives. Logistic regression models assessed risk factors. Frequencies of cancer sites were ranked and validated using concurrent age local cancer registry data. Results Among 9,249 individuals (participants and their relatives) there were 1,184 individuals with reports of cancer. Among cohort participants under 70 years of age the most significant risk factor for all-cause cancers was diabetes (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.32, 9.62). Participants with metabolic syndrome were significantly more likely to report cancer in relatives (1.73 (95%CI 1.26, 2.37). Among cancers in fathers, liver cancer was ranked third, stomach fourth, colorectal sixth and pancreas tenth. In mothers, stomach was third, liver fourth, colorectal seventh and pancreas eleventh. The unusual prominence of these cancers in Mexican Americans, including liver cancer, was supported by age-adjusted incidence in local registry data. Conclusions Gastrointestinal system cancers, particularly liver cancer, in a Mexican American health disparity cohort and their relatives rank higher than in other ethnicities and are associated with high rates of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Effective prevention of diabetes and low-tech, high-quality screening strategies for gastrointestinal cancers are needed in health disparity communities

A retrospective time trend study of firearm and nonfirearm homicide in Cape Town from 1994 to 2013

Background. Gunshot injuries from interpersonal violence are a major cause of mortality. In South Africa (SA), the Firearms Control Act of 2000 sought to address firearm violence by removing illegally owned firearms from circulation, stricter regulation of legally owned firearms, and stricter licensing requirements. Over the last few years, varied implementation of the Act and police corruption have increased firearm availability.Objectives. To investigate whether changes in firearm availability in SA were associated with changes in firearm homicide rates.Methods. This was a retrospective time trend study (1994 - 2013) using postmortem data. Time trends of firearm and non-firearm homicide rates were analysed with generalised linear models. Distinct time periods for temporal trends were assigned based on a priori assumptions regarding changes in the availability of firearms.Results. Firearm and non-firearm homicide rates adjusted for age, sex and race exhibited different temporal trends. Non-firearm homicide rates either decreased or remained stable over the entire period. Firearm homicide increased at 13% annually from 1994 through 2000, and decreased by 15% from 2003 through 2006, corresponding with changes in firearm availability in 2001, 2003, 2007 and 2011. A 21% annual increase in firearm homicide after 2010 coincided with police fast-tracking new firearm licence applications. Cape Town’s coloured population experienced a significantly greater increase than other population groups following additional exposure to illegal firearms from 2007.Conclusions. The strong association between firearm availability and homicide, and the reversal of a decreasing firearm homicide trend during a period of lax enforcement, provide further support for the association between reduced firearm homicide and stricter regulation

Acne in traditional persian medicine

Background: Acne Vulgaris is a common skin condition in 35-90 of youth. Although traditional methods of treating acne in Iran seem to be common and high demand, a few studies about this issue have been accomplished. This study aimed to find out how much definitions and recommendations about this condition in Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) are similar to contemporary medicine. Methods: Seven main reference books from TPM were selected. The equivalents of acne in TPM were found and comparison of the definitions and recommendations of TPM and CM were extracted. Two diseases called Namlah and Bosoor-Labanieh were most similar to acne. These keywords were searched in TPM Books by using �Noor software�. Results: In TPM references, two diseases of �Namlah� and �Bosoor-Labanieh� are very similar to acne. The cause of these diseases in TPM textbooks has been explained as the effort of the body for the disposal of wastes through the skin and accumulation of them below it. The treatments are lifestyle modification, drug therapy, and manual interventions. Conclusion: Interventions of TPM have been experienced by Iranian physicians of the Old Testament over hundreds of years. There are meaningful similarities among TPM texts in descriptions and advice. In addition, there are remarkable similarities in the disease characteristics and some of the recommendations for acne in TPM and CM. The effectiveness and cost-benefit of the recommended TPM therapeutics and methods can be considered and evaluated as hypotheses for the case and group studies and clinical trials. © 2020, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

Factors Associated With Blood Mercury Concentrations and Their Interactions With Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1): An Exposure Assessment Study of Typically Developing Jamaican Children

BACKGROUND: Jamaican soil is abundant in heavy metals including mercury (Hg). Due to availability and ease of access, fish is a traditional dietary component in Jamaica and a significant source of Hg exposure. Mercury is a xenobiotic and known neuro-toxicant that affects children\u27s neurodevelopment. Human glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1, affect Hg conjugation and elimination mechanisms. METHODS: In this exposure assessment study we used data from 375 typically developing (TD) 2-8-year-old Jamaican children to explore the association between environmental Hg exposure, GST genes, and their interaction effects on blood Hg concentrations (BHgCs). We used multivariable general linear models (GLMs). RESULTS: We identified the child\u27s age, consumption of saltwater fish, canned fish (sardine, mackerel), string beans, grain, and starches (pasta, macaroni, noodles) as the environmental factors significantly associated with BHgCs (all P \u3c 0.05). A significant interaction between consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) and GSTP1 in relation to BHgC using either a co-dominant or recessive genetic model (overall interaction P = 0.01 and P \u3c 0.01, respectively) indicated that consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) was significantly associated with higher mean BHgC only among children with the GSTP1 Ile105Val, Ile/Ile [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.59 (1.09, 2.32), P = 0.02] and Ile/Val [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.46 (1.12, 1.91), P = 0.01] genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Since this is the first study from Jamaica to report these findings, replication in other populations is recommended

Factors associated With Blood Mercury Concentrations and their interactions With Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes (Gstt1, Gstm1, and Gstp1): an Exposure assessment Study of Typically Developing Jamaican Children

BACKGROUND: Jamaican soil is abundant in heavy metals including mercury (Hg). Due to availability and ease of access, fish is a traditional dietary component in Jamaica and a significant source of Hg exposure. Mercury is a xenobiotic and known neuro-toxicant that affects children\u27s neurodevelopment. Human glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1, affect Hg conjugation and elimination mechanisms. METHODS: In this exposure assessment study we used data from 375 typically developing (TD) 2-8-year-old Jamaican children to explore the association between environmental Hg exposure, GST genes, and their interaction effects on blood Hg concentrations (BHgCs). We used multivariable general linear models (GLMs). RESULTS: We identified the child\u27s age, consumption of saltwater fish, canned fish (sardine, mackerel), string beans, grain, and starches (pasta, macaroni, noodles) as the environmental factors significantly associated with BHgCs (all P \u3c 0.05). A significant interaction between consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) and GSTP1 in relation to BHgC using either a co-dominant or recessive genetic model (overall interaction P = 0.01 and P \u3c 0.01, respectively) indicated that consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) was significantly associated with higher mean BHgC only among children with the GSTP1 Ile105Val, Ile/Ile [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.59 (1.09, 2.32), P = 0.02] and Ile/Val [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.46 (1.12, 1.91), P = 0.01] genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Since this is the first study from Jamaica to report these findings, replication in other populations is recommended

Factors associated With Blood Mercury Concentrations and their interactions With Three Glutathione S-Transferase Genes (Gstt1, Gstm1, and Gstp1): an Exposure assessment Study of Typically Developing Jamaican Children

BACKGROUND: Jamaican soil is abundant in heavy metals including mercury (Hg). Due to availability and ease of access, fish is a traditional dietary component in Jamaica and a significant source of Hg exposure. Mercury is a xenobiotic and known neuro-toxicant that affects children\u27s neurodevelopment. Human glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, including GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1, affect Hg conjugation and elimination mechanisms. METHODS: In this exposure assessment study we used data from 375 typically developing (TD) 2-8-year-old Jamaican children to explore the association between environmental Hg exposure, GST genes, and their interaction effects on blood Hg concentrations (BHgCs). We used multivariable general linear models (GLMs). RESULTS: We identified the child\u27s age, consumption of saltwater fish, canned fish (sardine, mackerel), string beans, grain, and starches (pasta, macaroni, noodles) as the environmental factors significantly associated with BHgCs (all P \u3c 0.05). A significant interaction between consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) and GSTP1 in relation to BHgC using either a co-dominant or recessive genetic model (overall interaction P = 0.01 and P \u3c 0.01, respectively) indicated that consumption of canned fish (sardine, mackerel) was significantly associated with higher mean BHgC only among children with the GSTP1 Ile105Val, Ile/Ile [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.59 (1.09, 2.32), P = 0.02] and Ile/Val [Ratio of mean Hg (95% CI) = 1.46 (1.12, 1.91), P = 0.01] genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Since this is the first study from Jamaica to report these findings, replication in other populations is recommended