scholarly journals Comparison of aflatoxins contamination levels in betel nuts (Areca catechu L.) imported from Asian countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asif Asghar ◽  
Aftab Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Arif Asghar
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Immunoaffinity Column ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Indian Origin ◽  
Areca Catechu ◽  
Submucous Fibrosis ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Food Commodities

Abstract Background Aspergillus and their linked metabolites such as aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the extremely significant contaminants affecting food production around the world. The contamination of AFs has been identified in various food commodities, which have been recognized as carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive. The present study was undertaken to assess the AFs contamination in betel nuts (Areca catechu L.) being imported to Pakistan from South Asian countries during 2018–2019. Methods A total of 143 betel nuts consignments (India = 80, Indonesia = 39 and Sri Lanka = 24) were obtained and analyzed for the AF contamination using immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up procedure subsequent by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results: In Indian-origin betel nuts, about 96.3% samples were contaminated with AFs, ranging from 1.18‒331.57 µg/kg with mean contamination of 76.11 ± 1.12 µg/kg; whereas, in Indonesian and Sri Lankan shipments, 100% samples of betel nuts were found infected with AFs, ranging between 1.88‒378.94 and 4.74‒106.58 µg/kg with an average level of 123.76 ± 1.25 and 47.95 ± 0.98 µg/kg, respectively. Conclusions In conclusion, the AFs levels present an acute toxicity to human health and also hazard factors for the economy since contaminated foodstuffs do not fulfill the requirements of export/import. Therefore, instant actions should be engaged and re-evaluate agricultural procedures and regular monitoring of AFs level in food stuffs to minimize the chances of various diseases such as oral pre-cancerous oral wounds, submucous fibrosis and squamous cell carcinoma (cancer).

Staying positive among negativities: strategies employed by teachers in Sri Lankan state universities to manage their wellbeing

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rozilini Mary Fernandez-Chung ◽  
Sudakshi Medhani De Zoysa
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asian ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Teacher Wellbeing ◽  
Research Studies

PurposeTeacher wellbeing is critical given its impact on students’ experience and achievement. This qualitative study provides insights into teacher wellbeing in Sri Lankan state universities. The study occurs during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, where institutions are stretched for resources and teachers sought better work–life balance while working from home.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses semi-structured interviews of teachers from four state universities in Sri Lanka to discover their strategies for managing teacher wellbeing and staying positive among negativities.FindingsIt concludes that the strategies can be expounded to existing research and categorized under four overarching themes: Versatility and Devotion, Pillars of Support, Conformity over Individualism, and Avoidance and Detachment. Sri Lankan university teachers, like many of their global counterparts, believe in staying positive.Research limitations/implicationsLike most qualitative research studies, if not all, this research studies the specific phenomenon of teacher wellbeing among university teachers in Sri Lanka. The findings, though supported, has its limitation to only public universities teachers thus cannot be generalized and may not apply to teacher wellbeing in private universities in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, the application of the themes developed forms a valuable framework to support any future study of teacher wellbeing. The conceptual robustness of the findings will make this framework particularly useful for Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries.Practical implicationsThe findings will inform future studies on teacher wellbeing, particularly in other South Asian countries. This study may also be the impetus for starting a discourse on related policies in Sri Lanka.Social implicationsTeacher wellbeing positively impacts teacher relations with peers and leadership, which has direct implications on student wellbeing. Happy teachers make happy students.Originality/valueThe findings revealed eight strategies employed by Sri Lankan state university teachers. These strategies were framed under four overarching themes: Versatility and Devotion, Pillars of Support, Conformity over Individualism, and Avoidance and Detachment.

Assessment of Genetic Damage Among Chewers of Mixture Containing Mainly Areca Nut and Tobacco

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 852-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayur S Joshi ◽  
Yogendra Verma ◽  
Anil K. Gautam ◽  
Vijay K. Shivgotra ◽  
Girish Parmar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comet Assay ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Human Lymphocytes ◽  
Oral Submucous Fibrosis ◽  
Areca Nut ◽  
Tail Moment ◽  
Genetic Damage ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Cells With Micronuclei ◽  
Submucous Fibrosis

Chewing mixture containing areca nut and tobacco is believed to be associated with oral cancer. Habit of chewing such mixture is prevalent among South Asian countries. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of areca nut and tobacco on human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood from 107 subjects (nonchewers, 48; chewers, 59, including 20 subjects with oral submucous fibrosis [OSMF]) analyzed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) and alkaline comet assay. Nuclear anomalies, namely, binucleated cells with micronuclei (BN MN), total MN, nucleoplasmic bridge, and nuclear buds were higher in chewers whereas elevation in BN MN and total MN were significant among subjects with OSMF than nonchewers. DNA damage assessed by comet assay showed increased percentage of Tail DNA, Tail moment, and Olive tail moment among chewers as well as OSMF subjects. Significant positive correlation was observed between induction of CBMN and consumption of quids per day ( r = .280, P = .033). Results suggested cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of mixture containing areca nut and tobacco.

scholarly journals Do South Asian Nutrition Guidelines for Critically Ill Recommend Commercial Feeds or Blended Tube Feeds? – A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Asiya Abdul Raheem ◽  
Barakatun Nisak Mohd Yusof ◽  
Lee Zheng Yii ◽  
Ali Abdulla Latheef ◽  
Noor Airini Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Nutrition Guidelines ◽  
American Society ◽  
Commercial Feeds

In the previous years, blended tube feeds have been replaced by commercialized feeds; however, literature suggests that blended tube feeds are still being used to feed critically ill patients. Aim of this narrative review is to review the South Asian Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines type of feed recommendations. From the eight South Asian Countries, Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines are available only from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Review of these guidelines indicate discrepancies with types of feed when compared to international guidelines such as nutrition guidelines from American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Indian and Sri Lankan Guidelines give way to administer Blended Tube Feeds in critically ill patients. There is no available literature to back their recommendation regarding use of blended tube feeds in critically ill patients. Reasons and evidence for recommendations of blended tube feeds need to be explored, while determining whether theses feeds are valid replacement for commercial enteral feeds. Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2020; 8(1): 48-52

Sino–Sri Lankan relations and their impact on India

2021 ◽  
pp. 205789112199756
Author(s):  
Ishan Jain
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Silk Route ◽  
The Belt And Road ◽  
South Asian Region

This article aims to understand the development of the Sino–Sri Lankan relationship from ancient to contemporary times and its overall impact on the Indo–Sri Lankan relationship and on India as a leader in the South Asian region. China has been investing heavily in Sri Lanka and several other South Asian countries in the name of economic development and upliftment. It has formed diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka and has provided immense economic, military and other forms of assistance and has reduced India’s involvement. The building of the Maritime Silk Route and the Belt and Road Initiative have been dream projects for China, and so the article analyses the assistance provided in terms of strategy that the Chinese may be planning. Based on the facts and evidence provided, the article will end on a scenario that could most likely take place based on the trajectory of the events and relationships.

Wadhwa, Charan D. and MukulG. Asher (eds.). ASEAN-SOUTH ASIA Economic Relations. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. 1985. ix+384pp.

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-338
Author(s):  
Muhammad Hussain Malik
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Asian Studies ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Rigorous Research ◽  
Southeast Asian Studies ◽  
The Right ◽  
Policy Proposals

The need to enhance their economic relations with each other has long been felt by developing countries. However, their efforts in this regard have met with limited success. One of the reasons for this could be that not much serious work has been done to understand the complexities and possibilities of economic relations of developing countries. The complementarities which exist among the economies of these countries remain relatively unexplored. There is a lack of concrete policy proposals which developing countries may follow to achieve their often proclaimed objective of collective self-reliance. All this needs serious and rigorous research efforts. In this perspective, the present study can be considered as a step in the right direction. It examines trade and other economic relations of developing countries of two regions of Asia-South Asian countries and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study also explores ways and means to improve economic relations among these countries

Religion and Female-Male Ratios in India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Narayan
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Asian Countries

The data is largely based on Census records from 1881 to 2011 of South Asian countries especially India, disaggregated by sex, age and religion.

scholarly journals Wasting and Associated Factors among Children under 5 Years in Five South Asian Countries (2014–2018): Analysis of Demographic Health Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4578
Author(s):  
Nidhi Wali ◽  
Kingsley E. E. Agho ◽  
Andre M. N. Renzaho
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Sampling Weights

Child wasting continues to be a major public health concern in South Asia, having a prevalence above the emergency threshold. This paper aimed to identify factors associated with wasting among children aged 0–23 months, 24–59 months, and 0–59 months in South Asia. A weighted sample of 564,518 children aged 0–59 months from the most recent demographic and health surveys (2014–2018) of five countries in South Asia was combined. Multiple logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering and sampling weights were used to examine associated factors. Wasting prevalence was higher for children aged 0–23 months (25%) as compared to 24–59 months (18%), with variations in prevalence across the South Asian countries. The most common factor associated with child wasting was maternal BMI [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for 0–23 months = 2.02; 95% CI: (1.52, 2.68); AOR for 24–59 months = 2.54; 95% CI: (1.83, 3.54); AOR for 0–59 months = 2.18; 95% CI: (1.72, 2.77)]. Other factors included maternal height and age, household wealth index, birth interval and order, children born at home, and access to antenatal visits. Study findings suggest need for nutrition specific and sensitive interventions focused on women, as well as adolescents and children under 2 years of age.

scholarly journals Agroforestry to Achieve Global Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Targets: Are South Asian Countries Sufficiently Prepared?

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
Shalini Dhyani ◽  
Indu K Murthy ◽  
Rakesh Kadaverugu ◽  
Rajarshi Dasgupta ◽  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Traditional agroforestry systems across South Asia have historically supported millions of smallholding farmers. Since, 2007 agroforestry has received attention in global climate discussions for its carbon sink potential. Agroforestry plays a defining role in offsetting greenhouse gases, providing sustainable livelihoods, localizing Sustainable Development Goals and achieving biodiversity targets. The review explores evidence of agroforestry systems for human well-being along with its climate adaptation and mitigation potential for South Asia. In particular, we explore key enabling and constraining conditions for mainstreaming agroforestry systems to use them to fulfill global climate mitigation targets. Nationally determined contributions submitted by South Asian countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change acknowledge agroforestry systems. In 2016, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s Resolution on Agroforestry brought consensus on developing national agroforestry policies by all regional countries and became a strong enabling condition to ensure effectiveness of using agroforestry for climate targets. Lack of uniform methodologies for creation of databases to monitor tree and soil carbon stocks was found to be a key limitation for the purpose. Water scarcity, lack of interactive governance, rights of farmers and ownership issues along with insufficient financial support to rural farmers for agroforestry were other constraining conditions that should be appropriately addressed by the regional countries to develop their preparedness for achieving national climate ambitions. Our review indicates the need to shift from planning to the implementation phase following strong examples shared from India and Nepal, including carbon neutrality scenarios, incentives and sustainable local livelihood to enhance preparedness.

scholarly journals Does Foreign Direct Investment Influence Renewable Energy Consumption? Empirical Evidence from South Asian Countries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3470
Author(s):  
Xueqing Kang ◽  
Farman Ullah Khan ◽  
Raza Ullah ◽  
Muhammad Arif ◽  
Shams Ur Rehman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Ordinary Least Square ◽  
The Relationship

In selected South Asian countries, the study intends to investigate the relationship between urban population (UP), carbon dioxide (CO2), trade openness (TO), gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI), and renewable energy (RE). Fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) models for estimation were used in the study, which covered yearly data from 1990 to 2019. We used Levin–Lin–Chu, Im–Pesaran–Shin, and Fisher PP tests for the stationarity of the variables. The outcomes of the panel cointegration approach looked at whether there was a long-run equilibrium nexus between selected variables in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. The FMOLS approach was also used to assess the relationship, and the results suggest that there is a significant and negative nexus between FDI and renewable energy in south Asian nations. The study’s findings reveal a strong and favorable relationship between GDP and renewable energy use. In South Asian nations (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh), the FMOLS and DOLS findings are nearly identical, but the authors used the DOLS model for robustification. According to the findings, policymakers in South Asian economies (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh) should view GDP and FDI as fundamental policy instruments for environmental sustainability. To reduce reliance on hazardous energy sources, the government should also reassure financial sectors to participate in renewable energy.

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