scholarly journals The effect of Hylocereus polyrhizus (red dragon fruit) on whole gut transit time of young Malaysian adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-158
Author(s):  
Kean Ghee Lim ◽  
◽  
Chian Voon Ling ◽  

Introduction: The red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a popular fruit, not only where it originated from, in Central America, but across the world including in Asia. It contains healthy minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, and has been shown to have gut motility action in animals. Methods: To determine the effect of red dragon fruit on whole gut transit time, a cross-sectional study of whole gut transit time using two different stool markers was conducted among 128 young Malaysian adults. Results: Red dragon fruit, in a half fruit serving of 225±25 grams, reduced mean whole gut transit time from 26.0±12.9 hours to 21.9±12.8 hours (p<0.001) when colour change in stools was used as an indicator. The tests also showed that 14.8-17.3% of individuals had whole gut transit time ≥40 hours with carbon as a stool marker compared to only 7.8-8.6% when red dragon fruit was consumed and used as a marker. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a laxative effect of red dragon fruit among young adults.

F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo De la Cruz-Cano ◽  
Carlos Alfonso Tovilla-Zarate ◽  
Emilio Reyes-Ramos ◽  
Thelma Beatriz Gonzalez-Castro ◽  
Isela Juarez-Castro ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes mellitus and depression are highly prevalent conditions throughout the world and have significant impact on health outcomes. It has been estimated that diabetes mellitus type 2 affects about 246 million people in the world; nevertheless, incidence varies among countries. There is evidence that depression is associated with a poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus that present other health problems (such as hypertension and obesity). The aim of this study protocol is to determine if obesity increases the risk for depression in patient with diabetes type 2.Methods: The analysis will be reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).The studies suitable for inclusion will be assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) to determine their methodological quality. To identify the studies of interest, we will search on PubMed and EBSCO databases. We will use the following keyword combinations: "Diabetes Mellitus type 2 AND obesity AND depression", "depression AND Diabetes Mellitus type 2", "Diabetes Mellitus type 2 AND body mass index cross sectional study", "depression AND obesity cross-sectional study". Causes for exclusion will be publications that studied patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1; articles that focused on the treatment and complications of diabetes mellitus type 2; publications that have studied other clinical or psychiatric conditions (for instance, seizure disorder or history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms or dementia).Conclusion: The results of this study will form the basis for a better understanding of the association between obesity and depression in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, and will allow development of prediction tools and better interventions. It is evident that several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes among population. Currently, evidence for the deleterious effects of diabetes mellitus type 2 are based on cross-sectional or other observational designs. Therefore, this study will have important implications for future research and public health guidance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Shahla Sattar Khan ◽  
Mehmet Takkac

There are some factors, which are motivational, and on the other hand, there are many challenges that may cause hindrance for learning English as a second language. Therefore, the main objective is to assess perception regarding factors for learning English as a second language, especially among new immigrants. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a Polycultural center, Canada during the period of June-2017 to July-2017. The results of the study reinforced that new immigrants face challenges while learning English. Almost more than half the participants said that they find difficulty in understanding majority words. Regarding learning culture, two-thirds mentioned that the learning about culture gives them different points of view about the world and develops their critical thoughts. However, the socio-demographic characteristics like age, native language, play an important role in learning English.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markos Desalegn Beyene ◽  
Robsan Gudeta Getachew ◽  
Workineh Diriba Gemechu

Abstract Background: Millions of people throughout the world are using substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, morphine, marijuana, heroin and many others. Substance use by people in all parts of the world, particularly adolescents, has long been of scientific, political and public concern. Objective: -the main aim of this study was to prevalence of substance use & associated factors among Nekemte preparatory school students in 2019. Methodology:-. School based cross-sectional study was conducted among students at Nekemte preparatory school from March 20-30, 2018. Multistage stratified sampling method was employed to select 372 study participants. Collected data was cleaned and entered in to Epi info version 3.5.3 and transported to SPSS (statistical package for social sciences) version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was done to indentify factors associated with substance use in the study area. Result: The overall prevalence of current substance use was (19.1%). Being male students [AOR, 95%CI; 4.64(2.18, 9.75)], ever encountered pressure from friends to use substances [AOR, 95% CI; 2.61(1.03, 6.63)], having substance user parents [AOR, 95%CI; 6.4(2.87, 14.30)] and having many substance user friends [AOR, 95%CI; 6.2(2.82, 13.75)] were significantly associated with substance use among students in the study area. Conclusion & Recommendation: The current prevalence of substance use among preparatory school students of this study area was low. The most commonly used substances were alcohol, khat and tobacco. Being male students, pear pressure, living with parents use substance & friends were found to affect substance use among Nekemte preparatory school students. Awareness creation sessions; Information, Education &Communication intervention should be intensified to further reduce Substance use among students.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekdes Akalewold ◽  
Getachew W. Yohannes ◽  
Ziyad Ahmed Abdo ◽  
Yonas Hailu ◽  
Aynye Negesse

Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization estimated that approximately 48 million couples and 186 million people are infertile worldwide. Although the problem of infertility is increasing worldwide, as well as in Ethiopia, there are limited studies done. Therefore, this study aims to determine the magnitude of infertility and the major risk factors in three governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study. The participants were selected by using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through an interview using a structured questionnaire. The data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictor variables. Statistical significance was considered at a P < 0.05 with an adjusted odds ratio calculated at 95% CI. Result The overall prevalence of infertility was 27.6% (95%CI = 23.2, 32.0). Of these, 14.4% had primary infertility, and 13.2% had secondary infertility. Those whose duration of marriage was less than 60 months [AOR = 3.85; 95%CI 1.39, 10.64], had a history of fallopian tube obstructions [AOR = 8.27; 95%CI 2.36, 28.91], had irregular frequency of coitus [AOR = 37.4; 95%CI 11.29, 124.114], had more than one sex partner [AOR = 3.51; 95%CI 1.64, 7.54], had an abortion greater than 3 times [AOR = 6.89; 95%CI 1.28, 37.09], and had partners who currently consumed alcohol [AOR = 1.31; 95%CI 1.11, 1.86] were more likely to be infertile than their counterparts. Conclusion According to the results of this study, the prevalence of infertility was high compared to the global estimate of the World Health Organization. The government, health care providers, and researchers should emphasize developing appropriate strategies, research, education, and awareness creation of infertility and its potential causes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samman Chughtai

Self-medication is a common incidence in the world today. This study aims to evaluate self-medication among university students of Multan, Pakistan. This randomized cross sectional study was carried out in Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan during December 2015- January 216. A sample size of 200 students was randomly selected. Response rate was 90% (n=182).The prevalence of self-medication among the students was determined to be 83%. There was difference in perception of pharmacy students and students of other professions. Most common condition in which students did self-medication was headache (49.66%; n=75). Students also showed tendency of self-medication in case of herbal and essential oil products (46.35%). Awareness concerning insecurity and benefits of self-medication must be spread among students to avoid the complications of self-medication. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Ameer Hamza Mahmood-ul-Hassan ◽  
Abdul Sannan ◽  
Nehala Nooz ◽  
Ansa Ramay ◽  
Muhammad Huzaifa ◽  
...  

Background: The world is facing COVID-19 pandemic and almost 70% of the world had gone under Lockdown. People are facing stress, insomnia and anxiety. The lack of basic awareness and spread of fake news are common causes of all these issues. This study was done to determine the prevalence of insomnia and anxiety in medical and non-medical students. Subjects and methods: Subjects were approached through friends in universities using WhatsApp. People having insomnia and anxiety before quarantine were excluded from this study. People using anti-depressants and anti-psychotics before quarantine were also excluded from this study. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 965 students of medical and non-medical universities in the cities of Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Consent was taken for using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Insomnia Severity Index for scoring of anxiety and insomnia respectively. An online questionnaire made in Google forms was used for data collection. Independent t-tests, Pearson Correlation and Regression analysis were performed using SPSS v25. Results: Increased prevalence of anxiety and insomnia in non-medical students as compared to the medical students was observed. There was statistically significant strong correlation between anxiety and insomnia of the enrolled subjects (r=0.742, p<0.001). A linear regression equation was formulated. Increased prevalence of anxiety and insomnia in females was also determined. Conclusion: Non-medical students, compared to medical students, among which, females, compared to males, were more likely to suffer from anxiety and insomnia during lockdown.


Author(s):  
Abhinav Agarwal ◽  
Deeepak Upadhyay

ABSTRACT Introduction Tobacco use is one of the important preventable causes of death and a leading public health problem all over the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco is the second major cause of death worldwide and is currently responsible for about 5 million deaths each year. This figure is expected to rise to about 8.4 million by the year 2020, with 70% of deaths occurring in developing countries. Objectives • To study the prevalence of tobacco use • To assess the socioeconomic factor of tobacco use Materials and methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural field practicing area of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital (RMCH), Bareilly. Multistage sampling design was used and 400 males, aged above 15 years, were randomly selected belonging to the field practice area of RMCH. The data were recorded in predesigned and semistructured questionnaire. Results In the study prevalence of tobacco use, “current user” was 183 (45.75%) and past user was 19 (4.75%); thus, the overall prevalence of tobacco use was 202 (50.50%). Among the tobacco user, maximum participants belong to age group 15 to 24 years. The data were analyzed by applying chi-square test. How to cite this article Agarwal A, Khan S, Joshi HS, Upadhyay D. Tobacco use and its Socioeconomic Impact among Adult Males in Rural Area of Bareilly: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Adv Integ Med Sci 2016;1(3):103-105.


Thorax ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 776-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Rojas-Camayo ◽  
Christian Richard Mejia ◽  
David Callacondo ◽  
Jennifer A Dawson ◽  
Margarita Posso ◽  
...  

Oxygen saturation, measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2), is a vital clinical measure. Our descriptive, cross-sectional study describes SpO2 measurements from 6289 healthy subjects from age 1 to 80 years at 15 locations from sea level up to the highest permanent human habitation. Oxygen saturation measurements are illustrated as percentiles. As altitude increased, SpO2 decreased, especially at altitudes above 2500 m. The increase in altitude had a significant impact on SpO2 measurements for all age groups. Our data provide a reference range for expected SpO2 measurements in people from 1 to 80 years from sea level to the highest city in the world.


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