Overview of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Clinical Features, Treatment, and Nutritional Aspects

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a 0.5–1 µm wide, 2–4 µm long, short helical, S-shaped Gram-negative microorganism. It is mostly found in the pyloric region of the stomach and causes chronic gastric infection. It is estimated that these bacteria infect more than half of the world’s population. The mode of transmission and infection of H. pylori is still not known exactly, but the faecal–oral and oral–oral routes via water or food consumption are thought to be a very common cause. In the last three decades, research interest has increased regarding the pathogenicity, microbial activity, genetic predisposition, and clinical treatments to understand the severity of gastric atrophy and gastric cancer caused by H. pylori. Studies have suggested a relationship between H. pylori infection and malabsorption of essential micronutrients, and noted that H. pylori infection may affect the prevalence of malnutrition in some risk groups. On the other hand, dietary factors may play a considerably important role in H. pylori infection, and it has been reported that an adequate and balanced diet, especially high fruit and vegetable consumption and low processed salty food consumption, has a protective effect against the outcomes of H. pylori infection. The present review provides an overview of all aspects of H. pylori infection, such as clinical features, treatment, and nutrition.

Association of age and dietary sodium intake in patients with heart failure: testing mediating effects of preference for salt and enjoyment of sodium-restricted diet

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): National Institutes of Health (NIH) Background The poor taste foods in a low sodium diet and patients’ preferences for salty foods are known barriers to sodium restricted diet (SRD) adherence. Older adults may experience less enjoyment of SRD due to decreased sense of taste. However, little is known about how age is associated with sodium intake, preference for salt, and enjoyment of SRD in patients with heart failure (HF). Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine effect of age on dietary sodium intake through their preference for salt and enjoyment of SRD in patients with HF. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used baseline data from participants in a randomized controlled trial of a SRD intervention for patients with HF and their caregivers. Patients were asked to collect 24-hour urine to measure dietary sodium intake. Preference for salty food and enjoyment of SRD were assessed using a question on an 11-point numeric scale (range 0 to 10). Parallel mediation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro program in SPSS with 5,000 bootstrap samples. Results A total of 136 patients with HF (64% male, mean age = 60.3 ± 14.4, range 27 to 90, 80.1% white) had a mean 24-hr urine sodium of 4320mg (SD = 2053, range: 1553 mg – 11495 mg) with most (71%) having a 24-hr urine sodium > 3000mg. The mean preference for salty food was 5.3 (SD = 2.8) on a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 indicating greater preference and enjoyment of SRD was 4.4 (SD = 2.5) on the same scale. Age was significantly associated with sodium intake in that older patients were more likely to eat less sodium (effect= -40.3236, 95% CI= [-63.7151, -16.9321]). The indirect effects of age on sodium intake through preference of salty food (effect= .7033, 95% CI = [-2.3361, 4.5357]) and enjoyment of SRD (effect = -.0271, 95% CI = [ -3.2736, 2.2213]) were not significant, indicating that these factors did not mediate the relationship between age and dietary sodium consumption. When we controlled gender, education, and ethnicity, age was also associated with sodium intake, but the two indirect effects were not significant. Conclusion Although most patients consumed foods high in sodium, older patients were more likely to consume foods lower in salt. However, contrary to what we expected, preference for salty foods and enjoyment of SRD did not play mediator roles in the association of age with salt consumption. The findings suggest that older adults may need different types of intervention to promote adherence than younger patients. Further research is needed to explore other factors related to SRD (e.g., efficacy of SRD or perceived control of diet behaviors) that affect sodium intake in patients with HF.

The Association between Diet and Esophageal Cancer in Afghanistan: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, esophageal cancer is the fourth most common cancer among Afghan men and the fifth most common cancer among Afghan women in 2018. Data on the link between diet and disease are extremely limited in Afghanistan. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between diet and esophageal cancer in Afghanistan. In this hospital-based case-control study, 84 esophageal cancer patients (newly diagnosed), and 164 controls with no history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy (due to cancer) were included. The cases and controls are aged between 20 and 75 years and matched in terms of age ± 5year and sex. All participants were interviewed face to face by trained female investigators using structured questionnaires. Diff erences in general characteristics and diet between cases and controls were examined by the t-test and chi-square test. The Binary Logistic Regression was used to examine the association between food consumption and esophagus cancer. The mean age of study participants was 55 years. The salty food 1 time or more per day 9.3 times (95% CI: 3.390-25.807), intake of meat 1 time or more per day 7.345 times (95% CI: 079-26.083), and pepper 1 time or more per day 2.342 times (95% CI: 0.968- 1.456) were increased the odds of esophageal cancer in Afghans population. Conclusion: We found that a high intake of salty food, pepper, and red meat positively associated with the risk of esophageal cancer, and the higher intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and poultry reduces the risk of esophageal cancer in the Afghan population. Further studies (e.g. cohort studies) with a large sample size are required to establish this association.

Development and Validation of a Salt Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ-Na) and a Discretionary Salt Questionnaire (DSQ) for the Evaluation of Salt Intake among French-Canadian Population

We assessed the reliability and validity of a Salty Food Frequency Questionnaire for Sodium (FFQ-Na) and a Discretionary Salt Questionnaire (DSQ) developed for the French-Canadian population. The reliability was evaluated according to temporal stability over a 7–15 day interval (n = 36). Validity was evaluated by testing the tools against a 24-h urine sodium excretion (24 h Uri-Na) and a 3-day food record, and this at individual and group levels (n = 164). The intra-class coefficients (ICC) values for the test-retest of the DSQ, the FFQ-Na and the two questionnaires combined were 0.73, 0.97 and 0.98 respectively. Correlations of the FFQ-Na with the 24 h Uri-Na and the 3-day food record were 0.3 (p < 0.001) and 0.35 (p < 0.001) respectively. The DSQ showed no significant correlation with the reference measures. The correlation between the two methods combined were 0.29 (p < 0.001) with the 24 h Uri-Na and 0.31 (p < 0.001) with the 3-day food record. The results of Bland–Altman indicated that for the combined questionnaires, there was a bias of measurement (underestimation of intake), but it was constant for every level of intake according to the reference measures. Finally, the cross-classification indicated an acceptable proportion of agreement, but a rate between 20% and 30% of classification in the opposite quartile. In conclusion, the developed tools are reliable and showed some facets of validity.

A REVIEW OF KASHTARTAV AND PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA FROM DIFFRENT CLASSICAL TEXT

Dysmenorrohoea is most common menstrual symptoms among adolescent girls and young women. Dysmenorrohoea may be thought of as either primary or secondary. It is defined as cramping in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation. This problem occurs because of luxurious life, lack of physical exercise, oily spicy salty food. Pain is the main feature of Kashtartava. In modern medicine is treated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodic, oral contraceptive pills etc. long term use of this cause causes side effect.so safe potent effective remedy form Ayurveda for its management. Pain is kashtartava related with vat dosha. Trivritta sneh is vata shamak. According to charak in kashtartava vata dosha get pratilom gati. Matra basti is the main line of treatment for vataj Vyadhi. So use of Trivritta sneh Matra basti is beneficial and safe above condition.

Tobacco use and associated mental symptoms and health risk behaviours amongst individuals 15 years or older in South Africa

Background: Tobacco use may deteriorate mental health and increase health risk behaviours.Aim: The aim of this investigation was to identify associations between tobacco use and mental illness symptoms and health risk behaviours in individuals 15 years or older in South Africa.Setting: Community-based national population sample in South Africa.Methods: Cross-sectional data were analysed from the ‘South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) 2012’, using a sample of 15 310 individuals 15 years or older (median age 33 years). Measures included information on tobacco use, sociodemographic factors, mental symptoms and health risk behaviour.Results: Compared to non-tobacco users, daily tobacco users were associated with psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adjusted logistic regression analysis, and with sleeping problems in unadjusted analysis. Past tobacco use, less than daily, and daily tobacco use were highly associated with a drinking problem. In terms of dietary variables, less than daily and daily tobacco use increased the odds of inadequate fruit intake and salty food intake, and daily tobacco use decreased the odds of fast food consumption. Past tobacco use, less than daily, and daily tobacco use were inversely associated with physical inactivity, and daily tobacco use was associated with not always washing hands before eating.Conclusions: The study showed that compared to non-tobacco users, daily tobacco users had significantly poorer mental health (psychological distress and PTSD) and increased odds for several health risk behaviours (drinking problem, inadequate fruit intake, salty food consumption and not always washing hands before eating) as compared to non-tobacco users.

A study on “Trini Dravyani Na Ati Upayunjita” with special reference to Lavana as a Nidana for Khalitya

Introduction: Pippali (long pepper), Kshara (alkali) andLavana (salt) are referred to as “Trini Dravyani Na Ati Upayunjita” by Charakacharya. It is quoted that when these Dravyas are consumed in excess produces ill-effects to the body. In present era people are going blank in the context of differentiating greed and need of the body. So people are going behind the fast food (spicy and salty food). It makes food delicious. It is used as an appetizer and digestive agent. The National Academy of Sciences United States recommended that adult dietary sodium intake should be below 2300 mg/day with 1200 to 1500 mg/day being considered an adequate intake for optimal health. Charakacharya mentioned excessive intake of Lavana leads to Khalitya. As Lavana is having Ushna and Teekshna property, it does Pitta Prakopa leading to Khalitya. Hence the study has been taken up as an attempt to assess the role of excessive intake of Lavana leading to Khalitya. Aims and Objectives: To review the literatures on Trini Dravyani Na Ati Upayunjita, Lavana, Pippali, Kshara and disease Khalitya and to evaluate the effect of Atisevana of Lavana as a causative factor for Khalitya. Results: In classics excessive intake of Lavana is said as one of the causative factor leading to Khalitya. This is revalidated by the results obtained. Conclusion: Survey study conducted on 100 patients of Khalitya provides significant impact of Lavana in causing Khalitya.

Hypertension Prevalence and Determinants among Black South African Adults in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas

The burden of hypertension is reported to be on the rise in developing countries, such as South Africa, despite increased efforts to address it. Using a cross-sectional study design, we assessed and compared the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hypertension amongst adults aged ≥18 years in semi-urban and rural communities (1187 semi-urban and 1106 rural). Trained community health workers administered the INTERHEART Risk Score tool and performed blood pressure assessments using the MEDIC Pharmacists Choice Blood Pressure Monitor. Hypertension was defined to be a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors and determine their relationship with hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension amongst semi-urban and rural communities was 21% with no gender difference. In the semi-urban area, physical activity, family history, fruit intake, salty food, and eating meat were significantly associated with the odds of hypertension among women, whereas only the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), diabetic status, and salty food were the predictors for rural women. Factors such as fried food and low fruit intake were significantly associated with the odds of hypertension among men in the semi-urban area, whereas only the WHR was significant among men in the rural area. Hypertension was found to be prevalent among semi-urban and rural adults in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Global Changes and Factors of Increase in Caloric/Salty Food Intake, Screen Use, and Substance Use During the Early COVID-19 Containment Phase in the General Population in France: Survey Study

Background The international outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led many countries to enforce drastic containment measures. It has been suggested that this abrupt lockdown of populations will foster addiction-related habits such as caloric/salty food intake, screen use, and substance use. Objective Our aim was to assess the global changes and factors of increase in addiction-related habits during the early COVID-19 containment phase in France. Methods A web-based survey was provided from day 8 to day 13 of the containment and was completed by 11,391 participants. The questions explored sociodemographic features, psychiatric/addiction history, material conditions of lockdown, general stress, mental well-being, and reported changes in several addiction-related behaviors. Global changes were described and factors of increase were explored using population-weighted and adjusted logistic regression models, providing adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results Overall, the respondents reported more increases in addiction-related habits than decreases, specifically 28.4% (caloric/salty food intake), 64.6% (screen use), 35.6% (tobacco use), 24.8% (alcohol use), and 31.2% (cannabis use). Reduced well-being scores and increased stress scores were general factors of increase in addiction-related habits (P<.001 for all habits). Factors of increase in caloric/salty food intake (n=10,771) were female gender (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.48-1.77), age less than 29 years (P<.001), having a partner (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.35), being locked down in a more confined space (per 1 square meter/person decrease: aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), being locked down alone (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.11-1.49), and reporting current (aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.62-2.31) or past (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.47) psychiatric treatment. Factors of increase in screen use (n=11,267) were female gender (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.21-1.43), age less than 29 years (P<.001), having no partner (aOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.32), being employed (P<.001), intermediate/high education level (P<.001), being locked down with no access to an outdoor space (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.29), being locked down alone (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.32), living in an urban environment (P<.01), and not working (P<.001). Factors of increase in tobacco use (n=2787) were female gender (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.55), having no partner (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.59), intermediate/low education level (P<.01), and still working in the workplace (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.17-1.86). Factors of increase in alcohol use (n=7108) were age 30-49 years (P<.05), a high level of education (P<.001), and current psychiatric treatment (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.88). The only significant factor of increase in cannabis use (n=620) was intermediate/low level of education (P<.001). Conclusions The early phase of COVID-19 containment in France led to widespread increases in addiction-related habits in the general population. Reduced well-being and increased stress were universal factors of increase. More specific factors were associated with increases in each of the explored habits.