Contamination of edible oils with aflatoxins (AFs) is a universal issue due to the detrimental effects of aflatoxins on human health and the fact that edible oils are a major source of fungal growth, ...particularly storage fungi (Aspergillus sp.). The objective of this study was to assess aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in edible oil used in fried food in order to determine the risk of cancer from AFB1 exposure through cooked food using the FAO/WHO’s and EFSA’s margin of exposure (MOE) quantitative liver cancer risk approaches. Using Mycosep 226 columns and HPLC-FLD, 100 samples of cooking oils (soybean, canola, and sunflower oil) from different food points were analyzed for contamination with aflatoxins. Of all the samples tested, 89% were positive for total aflatoxins and AFB1, with 65% indicating AF concentrations beyond permitted levels. Canola oil was found to contain higher levels of AFB1 and AFs than soybean and sunflower oil. Almost 71 percent of canola oil samples (range of 54.4–281.1 µg/kg) were contaminated with AF levels higher than the proposed limits of the European Union (20 µg/kg). The consumption of canola oil samples used in fried foods had MOE values that were significantly lower as compared to sunflower and soybean oils, indicating that risk reduction is feasible. Additionally, compared to soybean and sunflower oil, canola oil exhibited a greater threat of liver cancer cases linked to AFB1 exposure (17.13 per 100,000 males over 35 and 10.93 per 100,000 females over 35). Using a quantitative liver cancer approach, health risk valuation demonstrated that males and females over the age of 35 are at significant risk of developing liver cancer. The health risk assessment exposed that the males and female over the age of 35 are at considerable risk of liver cancer by using a quantitative liver cancer approach. The innovation of this study lies in the fact that no such study is reported related to liver cancer risk evaluation accompanied with AFB1 exposure from consumed edible oil. As a result, a national strategy must be developed to solve this problem so that edible oil products are subjected to severe regulatory examination.
The objective of this triple-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the bleaching efficacy and tooth sensitivity of an in-office bleaching agent submitted to different storage ...temperatures (room temperature at 21.04°C±3.13°C or refrigeration at 5°C).
Thirty volunteers were selected who had central incisors with color A2 or higher. The volunteers' maxillary hemi-arches received either the bleaching treatment with room temperature or refrigerated storage temperatures (two sessions of 3×15 minutes, one-week interval). Color variation was evaluated by subjective (Vita Classic and Vita Bleachedguide) and objective methods (Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer). Tooth sensitivity was evaluated with the visual analog scale (0-10) and the numerical rating scale (five points). The consistency of bleaching gels was evaluated by flow test, and pH was measured, both in triplicate. Color variation (SGU) and ΔE were analyzed by paired
-test (α=0.05). The absolute risk of pain was assessed by McNemar test (α=0.05), data from the numerical rating scale by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α=0.05), and visual analog scale by paired
-test. Comparison between the times within each group was analyzed by Friedman test. Gel consistency and pH were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post-test.
Regarding the absolute risk of tooth sensitivity, no significant difference was observed between the groups. The relative risk for tooth sensitivity was 1.13 (95%, confidence interval 0.70-1.82). Both tooth sensitivity scales were statistically similar. The results of the subjective evaluation (Vita Classic:
=0.73, Vita Bleachedguide:
=1.00) and the objective evaluation (
=1.00) of bleaching efficacy corresponded to the hypothesis of equality between groups after bleaching. Both pH values were around 7, and for the consistency test, there were significant differences between the groups (
=0.002).
Storage temperature of the analyzed in-office bleaching agent had no influence on tooth color effectiveness and tooth sensitivity.
In the present investigation, ZnO nanoflakes was prepared via sonochemical synthesis route. Effect of ultrasonic treatment time was studied based on structural, morphological and optical properties. ...X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the formation of wurtzite hexagonal crystalline structure of ZnO nanoflakes. Ultrasonic treatments affected the crystallite size and the density of dislocation, which is due to increased nucleation and growth rates of nanoflakes. The samples synthesized at 40–50 min ultrasonic treatment showed a strong absorption band at 605 and 650 (cm−1) versus other treatments, which is an indication of 2D nanostructure (nanoflakes). FE-SEM analysis further confirms the formation of 2D nanostructures of the ZnO. The composition and purity was confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, which displays the occurrence of Zn and O elements in the sample. Photocatalytic activity (PCA) of ZnO nanoflakes was studied for methyl orange (MO) dye degradation under UV light exposure and up to 93.13 % dye degradation is achieved within 90 min. Effect of various parameters (dye concentration, mass of photocatalytic material) and kinetic study was also performed. Results revealed that the ultrasonic treatment affected the optical and photocatalytic properties of the of ZnO nanoflakes, which could be employed for the remediation of dyes in textile effluents.
Abstract Aim To study the survival and mortality trends in four fire disasters in the middle belt of Ghana from 2007 to 2008 and to explore measures that could minimize the risk of future disasters. ...Methods Data were collected from clinical records from the Burns Intensive Care Unit and the Casualty Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana and from the various disaster sites and the Ghana Police Service. Results A total of 212 were injured from four burn disasters; 37 (17%) died on the spot; 175 (83%) reported to the Casualty Unit out of which 46 (26%) were admitted. The victims admitted had mean age 24.6 years with male to female ratio 2.3:1; 25 (54%) of the admitted victims died. The average burned surface area of the admitted victims was 63%, with a mean survival rate of 46%. Statistical analysis for mortality when the surface area of the burn was >70% was 0.0005 ( P -value). Conclusion The four petrol-related fire disasters showed variable mortality rates. Death and severe disability of victims of future disasters can be avoided if intensive road accident preventive measures and massive public education are encouraged.
In this study, wild olive fruits were evaluated for the occurrence of phenolic antioxidant components and valuable nutrients which are distributed wildly in Soon valley of Pakistan. The shade-dried ...fruits of wild olive were extracted using different solvents to recover phenolic antioxidants. The highest concentration of extractable antioxidant components was recovered from tested fruits using aqueous ethanol compared to other solvents used. Crude concentrated extracts (CCEs) and phenolic rich fractions (PRFs) of tested fruits using hydroxyethanol were found to contain higher amount of total phenolic compounds and total flavonoid compounds along with superior biological attributes. According to ICP-OES analysis, potassium (17.96 g/kg) was the dominant macro element among other identified twenty-five minerals. The tested wild olive fruits juice was found to contain individual natural sugars including galactose (4.92 g/100 g dry weight), sucrose (2.75 g/100 g dry weight), glucose (0.73 g/100 g dry weight); and succinic acid (8.80 mg/100 g of dry matter) as major organic acid when analyzed on HPLC. Oleic acid (47.41 %) was the major monounsaturated fatty acid in the oil extracted from tested fruits. The concentration of phenolic antioxidants and biological activities vary significantly (p < 0.05) among extracting systems used. A strong correlation was also recorded among total phenolic (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and biological attributes of tested wild olive fruits. The results of this study explored wild olive fruits as a propitious source of natural phenolic components and valuable nutrients which reveal its potential use in the development of functional food and nutra-pharmaceuticals.
Burn injuries are a serious problem worldwide, with most occurrences in low- and middle-income countries. Depending on the extent of injury, burn victims are faced with the challenges of fitting into ...society due to complications such as extensive scarring and contractures. The current study seeks to determine whether epidemiological studies of burn patients can provide guidelines to enhance burn prevention among the Ghanaian population.
Data from the Burns Registry of the Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was obtained. Data on sex, age, aetiology, % total body surface area (TBSA), and admission outcomes from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2013, were retrieved for a total of 487 patients during this period.
Data on burn admissions comprising 263 (54.0 %) males and 224 (46.0 %) females were obtained from the Burns Registry. Children 0-10 years were the most affected age group. The yearly mean % TBSA ranged from 24.74 % to 35.07 %. The majority of burns was caused by scalding. Mortality rates ranged from 8.4 % to 32.0 % during the period under review.
The study shows that children of 10 years old and below are the most affected group; this may be due to inattention to these children by parents/caretakers. Safety and safe working environments should be provided at home and workplaces, and promotion of education on burn prevention should be intensified.
The present study reports the phenolic antioxidants and phytonutrients profiling in the wild jujube fruits which are naturally grown in Soon valley of Pakistan. Phenolic antioxidant components were ...recovered from shade-dried wild jujube fruits using various extracting solvents. Among all extracting solvents tested, aqueous ethanol recovered the maximum amount of extractable antioxidant compounds from the fruits of wild jujube. Crude concentrated extracts (CCEs) and phenolic rich fractions (PRFs) recovered from wild jujube fruits using aqueous ethanol contained higher concentration of total phenolics and flavonoids along with superior biological potential. ICP-OES analysis disclosed the occurrence of twenty-five minerals, where potassium (14.80 g/kg) and calcium (1.81 g/kg) were the dominant macro elements. The tested wild fruits juice was found to contain individual natural sugars including galactose (1.27 g/100 g dry weight), glucose (1.07 g/100 g dry weight), sucrose (0.70 g/100 g dry weight) and xylose (0.04 g/100 g dry weight); and gluconic acid (2.10 mg/100 g of dry matter) as dominant organic acid when analyzed on HPLC. The concentration of phenolic antioxidants and biological activities vary significantly (p < 0.05) among extracting systems used. A strong correlation was also recorded among total phenolic (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and biological attributes of tested wild fruits. The results of this study explored wild jujube fruits as a propitious source of natural phenolic components and valuable nutrients which advocate its potential use in the development of functional food and nutraceutical industry.
Recently the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and the association between these genotypes and the clinical status of HBV-infected patients were recently investigated in the Lebanese ...population. The aim of the additional study reported here was to determine the current prevalence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection and the range of HDV genotypes in this Lebanese population. Two hundred and fifty-eight HBsAg-positive patients (107 asymptomatic blood donors, 92 with chronic hepatitis, 24 with cirrhosis, 15 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 20 patients on haemodialysis) from ten medical centers in Lebanon were tested for antibody to hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV). Those testing positive were analysed further for HDV-RNA and for genotyping by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Three samples (1·2%) were anti-HDV positive and out of these, only one was HDV-RNA positive (0·6%) and was analysed as HDV genotype I. Our results point to a low endemicity of HDV in the Lebanese population which is in sharp contrast to data reported from Lebanon 20 years ago and to the situation in neighbouring Arab and non-Arab countries in the Mediterranean region. HDV genotype I seems to be the predominant genotype in Lebanon and the Middle East.
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