scholarly journals Breeding and agronomic approaches for the biofortification of zinc in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to combat zinc deficiency in millions of a population: a Bangladesh perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpi Das ◽  
Apurbo Kumar Chaki ◽  
Akbar Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Deficiency Diseases ◽  
Maize Research Institute

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that around 2 billion people across the globe are suffering from “hidden hunger”, where 815 million are under malnutrition. The major essential elements for humans are Fe, Zn, I, Se, Ca, F, and also vitamins. Among them, Zn is considered in the fifth place leading to causes of several deficiency diseases. At least one-third of the population in the world is facing Zn deficiency including around 450,000 children under the age of five. Vitamin A, Fe, and Zn deficiencies can be overcome through the biofortification of staple foodstuffs. This review emphasizes various breeding and agronomic approaches for the biofortification of Zn in wheat grains, which is an encouraging and cost-effective method to enhance the Zn contents of cereal grains. Recently, the Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BWMRI), with technical support from CIMMYT, Mexico, released a promising new Zn-biofortified wheat cultivar, ‘BARI Gom 33’, a result from a conventional breeding program. It has 32 and 50–55 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> Zn without and with soil application of ZnSO<sub>4</sub>, respectively. This cultivar could be a savior for a million people in South Asia, including Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Nutritional composition of fad diets published on websites and blogs

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiane Cristina de Assis BRAGA ◽  
Hillary Nascimento COLETRO ◽  
Maria Tereza de FREITAS
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
World Health ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Dietary Reference Intake ◽  
The World ◽  
Carb Diet ◽  
The One ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Deficiency Diseases

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze quantitatively the diets available on blogs and websites. Methods The following 15 diets were analyzed: low-carb diet, gluten-free diet and intermittent fasting diet using the Virtual Nutri software program. The nutrients analyzed were as follows: carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, lipids, iodine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins A, C, B6, B12, D, niacin, and folate. The nutrient values were compared with the Dietary Reference Intake recommendation for adults between the ages of 19-50 years. The macronutrient adequacy percentage was based on a 2000-kcal diet for a healthy life, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Results It was observed that most of the composition of macro and micronutrients was lower than the one established by the World Health Organization and the Dietary Reference Intake recommendation for adults between the ages of 19-50 years. Conclusion Long-term dieting can be a risk factor for several deficiency diseases and may endanger the health of individuals.

Fighting the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic with Soap

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narendra Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Nabina Chaudhary ◽  
Manis Dahal ◽  
Biswash Guragain ◽  
Sumie Rai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Effectiveness ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Unique Chemical

Today, the entire globe is struggling to deal with the greatest pandemic of the century, COVID-19. With no clinically approved treatments available, we are left with no options other than following the preventive measures issued by the World Health Organization (WHO). Among many others, hand washing with soap and water has been emphasized the most because it is cost-effective and easily accessible to the general public. Various studies have reported that soaps offer unique chemical properties that can disinfect the virus as a whole. However, there is still ambiguity in the general public about whether soaps can really shield us from this highly contagious disease. In an attempt to help eliminate the ambiguity, we analyzed the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of soap and its prospect for preventing the spread of COVID-19. In this paper, we have provided an overview of the history and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the detailed mechanisms of the deactivation of viruses by soaps, and the potential effectiveness of soap in eliminating coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Determination of essential and non-essential elements in Xylanthemum macropodum of Balochistan, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (02) ◽  
pp. 94-103
Author(s):  
Maria Bibi ◽  
Samiullah Khan ◽  
Attiq-Ur-Rehman Kakar ◽  
Naqeebullah Khan ◽  
Abdul Hakeem Tareen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Atomic Absorption ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Permissible Limit ◽  
World Health ◽  
Home Remedy ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Medicinal plants have been used to treat various diseases for several years throughout the world. Xylanthemum macropodum is a medicinal plant with a vast application as a home remedy in Balochistan. Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the levels of essential and non-essential elements in Xylanthemum macropodum collected from Quetta (Balochistan, Pakistan). Methods: Analysis was conducted for eleven elements by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flame photometer. Results: The essential and non-essential elements that were detected in Xylanthemum macropodum are K, Na, Ca, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively. The result of the concentration of determined elements are in the order of K> Na> Ca> Fe> Cu> Co> Ni> Mn> Cd> Cr> Pb in Xylanthemum macropodum 3000> 1600> 790.25> 92.36> 85.31> 49.24> 40.94> 20.94> 6.655> 1.61> 1.18 µg/g respectively. Conclusions: Mn, Na and Pb were found within the permissible limit given by World Health Organization, while Ca, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cd and Cr were beyond the permissible limits. However, there is no permissible limit for K and Co.

scholarly journals Accurate Measurement of Handwash Quality Using Sensor Armbands: Instrument Validation Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaofan Wang ◽  
Zhanna Sarsenbayeva ◽  
Xiuge Chen ◽  
Tilman Dingler ◽  
Jorge Goncalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Video Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Detection Accuracy ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Health Care Associated Infections ◽  
Dependent Model ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND Hand hygiene is a crucial and cost-effective method to prevent health care–associated infections, and in 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines to encourage and standardize hand hygiene procedures. However, a common challenge in health care settings is low adherence, leading to low handwashing quality. Recent advances in machine learning and wearable sensing have made it possible to accurately measure handwashing quality for the purposes of training, feedback, or accreditation. OBJECTIVE We measured the accuracy of a sensor armband (Myo armband) in detecting the steps and duration of the WHO procedures for handwashing and handrubbing. METHODS We recruited 20 participants (10 females; mean age 26.5 years, SD 3.3). In a semistructured environment, we collected armband data (acceleration, gyroscope, orientation, and surface electromyography data) and video data from each participant during 15 handrub and 15 handwash sessions. We evaluated the detection accuracy for different armband placements, sensor configurations, user-dependent vs user-independent models, and the use of bootstrapping. RESULTS Using a single armband, the accuracy was 96% (SD 0.01) for the user-dependent model and 82% (SD 0.08) for the user-independent model. This increased when using two armbands to 97% (SD 0.01) and 91% (SD 0.04), respectively. Performance increased when the armband was placed on the forearm (user dependent: 97%, SD 0.01; and user independent: 91%, SD 0.04) and decreased when placed on the arm (user dependent: 96%, SD 0.01; and user independent: 80%, SD 0.06). In terms of bootstrapping, user-dependent models can achieve more than 80% accuracy after six training sessions and 90% with 16 sessions. Finally, we found that the combination of accelerometer and gyroscope minimizes power consumption and cost while maximizing performance. CONCLUSIONS A sensor armband can be used to measure hand hygiene quality relatively accurately, in terms of both handwashing and handrubbing. The performance is acceptable using a single armband worn in the upper arm but can substantially improve by placing the armband on the forearm or by using two armbands. CLINICALTRIAL

Rheumatic Fever Prevention in Industrializing Countries: Problems and Approaches

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 996-998
Author(s):  
Rachel Snitcowsky
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Streptococcal Infections ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Group A ◽  
Health Organization

Editor's Note The problems resulting from Group A streptococcal infections remain largely unsolved in many of the industrialized countries of the world at the close of the 20th century. The fact that Group A streptococcal infections had assumed almost the role of a nuisance in the United States and Europe, before the beginning of the mid-1980s and 1990s resurgence, stands in marked contrast to the spectrum of streptococcal-related diseases in other parts of the world. Confirmatory epidemiologic data are often difficult to locate, but there is little doubt about the existence and the general magnitude of the problem. Because of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted Group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae for additional attention. During the last decade the WHO has invested considerable effort toward their control. The need for cost-effective primary and secondary rheumatic fever public health prevention programs is greater in those countries where the magnitude of the problem may be inversely proportional to available resources. Approaches considered routine in North America, in Europe, and in some countries of Latin America and Asia often are nonexistent in industrializing countries where as little as less than $5 per person per year may be reserved for total health care. With these issues in mind, the following perspective was invited to bring these unique problems related to Group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae into focus and to offer suggestions for realistic approaches under less than ideal conditions. We are grateful to Dr Snitcowsky for her comments.

Point of Care Tuberculosis Diagnostics in Developing World

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Botrous ◽  
Shehreen Dheda ◽  
Karen Liu ◽  
Aswathi Sreedharan ◽  
Kristine Velasco
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Active Tuberculosis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Diagnostic Device ◽  
Handheld Device ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The World ◽  
The Many ◽  
Health Organization

The aim of this project is to develop a cost effective point of care (POC) microfluidic diagnostic device to detect the presence of active tuberculosis (TB) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infected individuals in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.8 million people develop new cases of active TB each year in addition to the many millions of untreated existing cases. Current TB diagnostic tests are less accurate in detecting active TB in HIV co-infected individuals. Hence, the development of a fast, affordable, portable and handheld device to accurately detect active TB is necessary. As there are different stages of TB infection, it is important to detect the presence and progress of the infection. Our device design utilizes a serological assay in a microfluidic device, incorporating protein antigen microarrays spotted onto nitrocellulose, to detect TB at various stages of the disease. Features of the design include a microfilter to separate serum from the blood sample to be used, a passive pump to ensure uniform continuous flow, and an immunosensor to detect and analyze results.

The Role of Pharmacists in Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and the Measles Outbreak

2019 ◽  
pp. 089719001989543
Author(s):  
Katelin M. Lisenby ◽  
Kruti N. Patel ◽  
Michelle T. Uichanco
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Vaccine hesitancy has been identified as a top threat to global health by the World Health Organization. The current measles outbreak in the United States places even greater emphasis on the relevance of this topic. Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective methods to avoid preventable disease and associated complications. Safety concerns and lack of education commonly contribute to vaccination refusals. By providing patients evidence-based facts and education, pharmacists have the opportunity to address common misconceptions influencing the antivaccination movement and prevent future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) role in suicide prevention

2021 ◽  
pp. 757-760
Author(s):  
Danuta Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
The World ◽  
Expert Meeting ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO)—a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN)—is a global organization that stimulates international action on global health issues, with the ultimate goal of having the highest possible level of health attained by all people. In 1993, the UN and WHO International Expert Meeting on Guidelines for the Formulation and Implementation of Comprehensive National Strategies for the Prevention of Suicidal Behaviour was held, which resulted in a set of guidelines that encourage national suicide prevention strategies. Moreover, suicide prevention became a global health priority and was integrated into the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020. This text will discuss the WHO’s key roles in suicide prevention, such as: establishing international and interdisciplinary partnerships; collecting, compiling, and disseminating essential information; providing sound, clear, and reliable guidance; and establishing effective, cost-effective, and innovative services for suicide prevention.

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