Background: Explanation of the pathogenesis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is one of the most significant challenges for scientists today. It is believed that a major pathogenetic factor of this condition is epigenetic changes caused by environmental factors, including toxic metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminium (Al), and arsenic (As)). The nervous system may also be affected by deficiencies of both micro-and macroelements (e.g. calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn)). The aim of the study was to analyze the concentrations of Pb, As, and Ca in the hair of children with ASD and a control group. Methods: The materials for the study comprised hair samples collected from 30 children diagnosed with ASD (case group) and 30 children randomly selected from the general population of Bialystok and surrounding region (control group). Concentrations of Pb, As, and Ca were tested with electron microscopy scanning method. Next, the content of the analyzed elements in the hair was assessed as well as their impact on autism development in the children and the mutual interactions between them. The obtained results were statistically analyzed with Statistica PL 12.5., using the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Mean Ca level in the hair of the case group was lower than the mean level of this element in the control group. Mean As and Pb concentration in the hair of children with ASD was statistically significantly higher than the mean concentration of this element in the hair of children without neurological disorders. Statistically insignificant weak positive correlations between Ca and As content and negative between Ca and Pb in the hair of children from the case group were noted. Also, statistically significant mean positive correlations between Pb and As were observed. Conclusions: In this small study, according to the observations, children diagnosed with ASD suffer from Ca deficiency and toxic metal overload (As and Pb). These abnormalities may play the main role, as an environmental factor, in the pathogenesis of the analyzed disorder.
Background. the use of over-the-counter (otC) medications without consulting a doctor has become increasingly common. Objectives. to compare the scale of self-treatment in a population of students of the Medical university of bialystok in 2012 and 2017. Material and methods. the study included 217 students in 2012 and 220 students in 2017, and used a proprietary questionnaire. Results. a total of 78.8% of students in 2012 and 86.4% in 2017 were familiar with the meaning of the abbreviation otC. when using an otC drug for the first time, most students consulted a nurse (66.4%) in 2012, while in 2017, students usually consulted a family member (68.8%). headache was the main reason for using otC drugs (89.4% in 2012, and 92.7% in 2017). the use of analgesics (87.1%) and the use of otC medicines in accordance with the leaflet (47%) predominated in 2012, while vitamin therapy (83.2%) took first place in 2017. when purchasing otC medications, students usually based their decision on their own experience (63.1% in 2012 and 84.1% in 2017). a total of 35.5% of the students in 2012 and 39.1% in 2017 always read the leaflet. Conclusions. self-medication was practiced by most students in both years, with lack of time for a medical appointment being the main reason. over the last 6 months, the students most often used prescription and non-prescription drugs simultaneously.
Introduction: Geriatric patients account for a large proportion of interventions of medical emergency teams (METs). The aim of this study was to analyse medical emergency interventions in the Biała Podlaska and Chełm (Poland) between 2016 and 2018 in a group of patients ≥ 65 years of age. Materials and Methods: We analysed medical records of 1200 older patients treated by METs in Biała Podlaska and Chełm (Lublin Province, Poland). The research was conducted from June 2019 to March 2020 at the Emergency Medical Service Station in Biała Podlaska and the Medical Rescue Station in Chełm (Independent Public Complex of Health Care Facilities). Results: A total of 92.5% of medical emergency service interventions took place at the patient’s home. The mean time of stay at the scene was 20 min. The highest number of interventions occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. There were no statistically significant differences in the type of ambulance used depending on the patient’s sex, while there was a statistically significant relationship between priority code and sex. Cardiovascular diseases were diagnosed in 40% of patients, and the symptoms were not precisely classified in almost the same percentage of patients. Mortality cases accounted for 3.1% of the 1200 interventions analysed. Ambulance dispatch resulted in the patient being transported to the hospital emergency department in 69.1% of cases. Conclusions: METs were called for a variety of diseases due to the fact that geriatric patients are not able to distinguish a life-threatening condition. Medical procedures performed by METs from Biała Podlaska and Chełm were closely related to the initial diagnoses made by these teams. It was irrelevant whether a specialist or non-specialist medical emergency service was used. Paramedics are very well trained to practice their profession and are able to provide treatment to older patients in a state of sudden life threat.
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