Books

Toxicity mechanisms, exposure, toxicokinetic and risk assessment aspects of metals, toxic for animals and humans, volume II

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Toxicity mechanisms, exposure, toxicokinetic and risk assessment aspects of metals, toxic for animals and humans, volume II El-Demerdash, Fatma Mohamady; Boye, Alex; Machado, Michel Mansur; Zhu, Yanzhu; Li, Xinwei; Yang, Xu Pollutants such as copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), and cyclophosphamide (CTX) exert toxicity on all animal species in the ecosystem (Gioia et al., 2011). Cu is an essential trace element in various cellular processes, but excessive levels of Cu are markedly harmful. Cd can exert toxic effects on various microorganisms, plants, and animals in very low quantities. As the first generation of nanomaterials, IONPs can cure iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease. CTX induces immunosuppression; however, the underlying mechanisms of these pollutants need to be further explored. Quercetin (Que), Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (PG), Tamarindus indica (TM), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), strontium (Sr), and selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) have the potential to be used in the treatment of the toxicity. Que is a special subclass of flavonoid and a powerful antioxidant. PG has a variety of ginsenosides that show diverse biological effects on various diseases. As a traditional medicine, TM has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. CoQ10 plays a key role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and exerts a natural antioxidant effect. Selenium is a micronutrient that is essential for the proper functioning of all organisms. High doses of Sr induce alterations in mineralization. Many researchers have focused on this field and have obtained important findings. Habotta et al. reported that SeY reduces the hepatic and renal damage induced by Cu in broiler chickens, and it can be used as a potential feed supplement (Wang et al.). Wang et al. found that ginsenosides alleviate exogenous toxicity and reduce drug toxicities and they could potentially be used as a treatment for toxicity (Han et al.). Han et al. revealed that IONPs accumulated in the macrophage lysosomes and the spleen eliminate the IONPs in the systemic circulation (Attia et al.). Attia et al. found that Cd damages the adipocyte function (Huang et al.). Attia et al. found that Que could alleviate kidney damage and renalcell apoptosis induced by Cd (Wang et al.). Wang et al. found that QE has an antioxidant effect in BRL-3A cells (Abdelnaby et al.). Abdelnaby et al. found that hepatorenal damage induced by Cd is alleviated by TM or CoQ supplementation (Zheng et al.). Zheng et al. found that immunosuppression in mice induced by CTX could be treated by ginsenoside Rb2 (Liu et al.). Liu et al. found that primary chondrocyte proliferation is promoted by Sr, but primary chondrocyte differentiation is inhibited by Sr (Liu et al.). This special issue provides new ideas for the application of Que, PG, TM, CoQ, SeY, and Sr in the prevention and treatment of Cu, Cr, IONPs, and CTX toxicity. 1-144

Low birth weight among adolescents at Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital of Ghana

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Low birth weight among adolescents at Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital of Ghana Afriyie, James; Bedu-Addo, Kweku; Boateng, Solomon, T. Background: Few studies have focused on low birth weight among adolescents. This study determines the incidence and factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) (weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams) among adolescents (aged <20 years) and how they differ from those in adult mothers (aged ≥20 years). Methods: The records of 768 deliveries at a hospital in Ghana from August 2014 to March 2015 were analyzed. Frequencies and percentages were generated. Bivariate relationships between maternal and neonatal characteristics and LBW were assessed using Chi-squared test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between maternal age (being adolescent) and LBW. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were generated, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The incidence of LBW among adolescents was 14.3% and this was higher than the one among babies born to adult mothers (14.3 % vs. 7.4 %, p <0.013). Adolescent mothers were twice as likely to give birth to babies with LBW compared to adult mothers (OR 2.22; 95% CI: 1.16 - 4.25). Preterm birth was significantly associated with LBW among adolescent and adult mothers. Conclusions: Adolescents are at a higher risk of giving birth to babies of LBW than adults. Factors predicting LBW may not be different for adolescent and adult mothers. Interventions for prevention of negative sexual health outcomes should focus on adolescents. 4242-4247p:, ill

Association between Risky Sexual Behaviour and HIV Risk Perception among in-school Adolescents in a Municipality in Ghana

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Association between Risky Sexual Behaviour and HIV Risk Perception among in-school Adolescents in a Municipality in Ghana Afriyie, James; Essilfie, Maame, E Studies considering the association between adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour and how they perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection are scares in Ghana. The study assessed the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents in a municipality in Ghana.A cross sectional study was conducted among 706 students, using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour. Of all the adolescents, 27.7% were sexually active. Among the sexually active, 51.8 % had sexual intercourse below 14 years, 65.4% did not used condom at their last sexual intercourse, and 37.2% had multiple sexual partners. Only 20.5% of the adolescents perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV infection. Being sexually active was independently associated with having HIV risk perception (OR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Adolescents who had multiple sexual partners were more likely than their counterparts with single sexual partners to perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection (AOR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.10 – 5.20). Non-use of condom at least sexual intercourse and early sexual debut were not associated with HIV risk perception.Except for those with multiple sexual partners, the adolescents generally did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection despite their involvement in risky sexual behaviour. Interventions that help adolescents to correctly assess their HIV risk perception and build on their susceptibility to HIV infection are needed. 29-36p:, ill

Housing Surroundings and Self-reported Cases of Malaria in two Communities in Central Region of Ghana

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Housing Surroundings and Self-reported Cases of Malaria in two Communities in Central Region of Ghana Ampomah, Paulina; Afriyie, James Malaria remains a major health problem in Ghana. Mosquito breeding sites play significant role in malaria infection and transmission, but studies in this area are scanty in Ghana. This study assesses the association between housing surroundings with mosquito breeding sites and self-reported cases of malaria in two communities in Central Region of Ghana. In a cross-sectional study, 319 representatives of households in two communities in Central Region of Ghana provided information on self-reported malaria cases, use of ITN and some demographic characteristics. The surroundings of houses were also inspected for presence of mosquito breeding sites. Using chi square test, variables were compared between the two communities and with logistic regression analyses, the factors associated with selfreported malaria was assessed. Prevalence of self-reported malaria was 23.2%. More than half (58.6%) of the houses had surroundings that could serve a breeding sties for mosquitoes. Educational level and community were independently associated with self-reported cases of malaria. By multivariate analyses the community in the forest belt (OR=2.894; 95% CI: 1.672 – 5,010; P=0.000) remained significantly associated with self-reported malaria. Prevalence of self–reported malaria was high in the region, with the community in the forest belt having higher malaria prevalence than the community in the coastal belt. The proportion of housing surroundings with potential breeding sites for mosquito was high. The fight against malaria could intensify efforts that improve behaviors for avoiding of mosquito bites and keeping housing surroundings clean. 7p:, ill