History of adversity, health and psychopathology among prisoners: comparison between men and women

Adversity in childhood, risk behaviors and psychopathology are highly prevalent phenomena in inmate populations and have a strong impact on health. Knowing the differences in these variables between the sexes is most important in order to develop appropriate intervention strategies in a prison context. By administering the Socio-demographic and Life History Questionnaire and the Brief Symptoms Inventory, we sought to characterize adverse childhood experiences and relate them to risk behaviors and to psychopathological symptoms, and study the differences between the 65 male and 42 female detainees in Portuguese prison establishments. Men and women report a complex web of adversity in childhood. In a range of ten possible categories, a medium value of 5.05 (DP = 2.63) in total adversity for women and 2.63 (DP = 2.18) for men was encountered, with the prevalence being significantly higher within the female population (Z = -4.33; p = .000). A high prevalence of risk behaviors and psychopathological symptoms was found in both groups, the latter being higher among females. We concluded that the differences between men and women calls for in depth studies in order to provide guidelines for intervention projects in specific populations.Adversidade na infância, comportamentos de risco e psicopatologia são fenómenos muito prevalentes na população reclusa e com forte impacto na saúde. Conhecer as diferenças entre sexos, no que diz respeito a tais variáveis, é de elevada importância no sentido de adequar estraté- gias de intervenção em contexto prisional. Utilizando o Questionário Sociodemográfico e Histó- ria de Vida, o Questionário de Adversidade na Infância e o Brief Symptons Inventory, procuramos caracterizar a adversidade na infância, os comportamentos de risco e as dimensões psicopatológicas, e averiguar as diferenças entre 65 homens e 42 mulheres reclusos em estabelecimentos prisionais Portugueses. Homens e mulheres relatam um quadro complexo de adversidade na infância. Num total possível de dez categorias, verificamos uma média de adversidade total de 5.05 (DP = 2.63) para as mulheres e de 2.63 (DP = 2.18) para os homens, sendo a prevalência significativamente mais elevada junto da população feminina (Z = -4.33; p = .000). Foi ainda encontrada uma elevada prevalência de comportamentos de risco e de sintomatologia psicopatológica em ambos os grupos, sendo esta última superior nas mulheres. Concluímos que as diferenças entre sexos devem ser estudadas para guiarem a adequação dos projetos

Pharmacological Properties and Physiological Function of a P2X-Like Current in Single Proximal Tubule Cells Isolated from Frog Kidney

Although previous studies have provided evidence for the expression of P2X receptors in renal proximal tubule, only one cell line study has provided functional evidence. The current study investigated the pharmacological properties and physiological role of native P2X-like currents in single frog proximal tubule cells using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Extracellular ATP activated a cation conductance (P2Xf) that was also Ca2+-permeable. The agonist sequence for activation was ATP = αβ-MeATP > BzATP = 2-MeSATP, and P2Xf was inhibited by suramin, PPADS and TNP-ATP. Activation of P2Xf attenuated the rundown of a quinidine-sensitive K+ conductance, suggesting that P2Xf plays a role in K+ channel regulation. In addition, ATP/ADP apyrase and inhibitors of P2Xf inhibited regulatory volume decrease (RVD). These data are consistent with the presence of a P2X receptor that plays a role in the regulation of cell volume and K+ channels in frog renal proximal tubule cells

Occurrence of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin residues in broiler meat sold in Sri Lanka

The presence of unacceptable levels of veterinary drug residues in animal-derived food is a global concern due to its negative impacts on human health. This study reports the occurrence and levels of two fluoroquinolone antimicrobials— enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin—in broiler meat sold in Sri Lanka. A total of 129 broiler meat samples were purchased from the market, representing nine large-scale broiler meat processors (107 samples in 66 batches, branded) with an islandwide distribution and 22 small-scale processors (22 samples, unbranded). Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in breast muscle were extracted following a previously published method with modifications and were subjected to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection analysis for the quantification of antimicrobials. Enrofloxacin residues were detected in 67 (51.9%) samples, out of which 28 had quantifiable levels (1.7–578.6 μg kg–1), whereas ciprofloxacin was detected in only nine samples. Only three samples (2.3%) exceeded the European Union maximum residue limit of 100 μg kg–1 for the sum of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin in poultry muscle. These three samples had enrofloxacin in 130.3–578.6 μg kg–1 range and ciprofloxacin in 15.7– 28.8 μg kg–1 range. Mean enrofloxacin level in other samples was 5.9 ± 5.3 µg kg–1. This study shows the widespread use of enrofloxacin in broiler meat industry in the country and the possibility of meat with harmful levels of residues entering the market. Thus, we highlight the need to establish regulations and a national-level veterinary drug residue surveillance program for animal-derived foods including broiler meat to ensure consumer safety.</p