Increasing the Level of Knowledge about Stunting and the First 1000 Days of Life in Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Stunting is a developmental disorder experienced by children due to poor nutrition, recurrent infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. In Jember Regency, the number of stunting cases increased from 2018 to 2019. In addition, restrictions on activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as nutrition services at Integrated Healthcare Center, can hamper access to consumption and nutrition and child health services. Therefore, education about stunting is urgently needed to implement appropriate parenting patterns in the mids of limited activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jember community service program was carried out online in the form of a webinar activity that was attended by 30 participants. This study is a quantitative analytic research using a one-group pretest-posttest design. Data that have been analyzed are presented descriptively. There is a significant effect on the pretest and posttest scores in the webinar. It means an increase in participants' understanding after online education is carried out. It is hoped that the people of Jember Regency can apply knowledge about the importance of the first 1000 days of life to prevent stunting.

Characteristics of the ageing skin, xerosis cutis and its complications

People in the developed countries are living longer. Geriatric dermatology is playing an increasingly important role as chances of developing skin-related problems increase with their ageing. Skin ageing is induced by two main processes: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic ageing is caused by environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, and poor nutrition. Intrinsic ageing reflects the genetic background and depends on time. The aged skin is characterised by the appearance of dryness, atrophy, wrinkles, pigmented lesions, patchy hypopigmentation, and elastosis. This article provides an overview of skin ageing processes and common conditions found in the elderly persons such as xerosis, pruritus, and eczema.

Maternal and early life exposures and their potential to influence development of the microbiome

At the dawn of the twentieth century, the medical care of mothers and children was largely relegated to family members and informally trained birth attendants. As the industrial era progressed, early and key public health observations among women and children linked the persistence of adverse health outcomes to poverty and poor nutrition. In the time hence, numerous studies connecting genetics (“nature”) to public health and epidemiologic data on the role of the environment (“nurture”) have yielded insights into the importance of early life exposures in relation to the occurrence of common diseases, such as diabetes, allergic and atopic disease, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. As a result of these parallel efforts in science, medicine, and public health, the developing brain, immune system, and metabolic physiology are now recognized as being particularly vulnerable to poor nutrition and stressful environments from the start of pregnancy to 3 years of age. In particular, compelling evidence arising from a diverse array of studies across mammalian lineages suggest that modifications to our metagenome and/or microbiome occur following certain environmental exposures during pregnancy and lactation, which in turn render risk of childhood and adult diseases. In this review, we will consider the evidence suggesting that development of the offspring microbiome may be vulnerable to maternal exposures, including an analysis of the data regarding the presence or absence of a low-biomass intrauterine microbiome.

Evaluation of the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of homeopathic Candida albicans solutions

Background: Candida spp is naturally found in humans’ flora of skin, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and, in general, up to 75% of the population does not have any symptom [1]. However, oral candidiasis is very common among HIV patients and patients undergoing chemotherapy. The treatment of oral candidiasis is necessary once the disease causes discomfort and dysphagia, resulting in poor nutrition, slow recovery, and prolonged hospital stay [2,3]. Preliminary results obtained by our group with a new biotherapic prepared from Candida albicans (Candida 30x) showed a great potential to reduce the candida yeast adhesion rate when the epithelial cells were pre-treated. This study is currently being developed with the evaluation of mutagenic and genotoxic potentials of several homeopathic solutions. Aims: The goal of this study was to assess the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of different homeopathic potencies of C. albicans. Methodology: One part of C. albicans yeast obtained from Brazilian patient’s blood [4] was diluted in 9 parts of sterile water. This sample was submitted to 100 mechanical succussions (approximately 3 Hz), using Autic® Brazilian machine, originating the first dilution (1x). Then, 1 ml of this solution was diluted in 9 ml of solvent, submitted to 100 succussions, obtaining 2x potency. This procedure was successively repeated to obtain 30x potency, according to Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [5]. By the same technique, water vehicle was prepared until 30x to be used as control. All samples were prepared in sterile and aseptic conditions, using laminar flow cabinet, class II and were stored in the refrigerator (8ºC). The samples 1x, 6x, 12x, 18x, 24x and 30x of C. albicans and water 30x (vehicle control) were analysed by: the Inductest, which assesses the ability of physical or chemical agents to promote lysogenic induction as a reflection of damage in DNA molecules in lysogenic bacteria, and the Ames test, which uses indicator strains of Salmonella typhimurium, sensitive to substances that can induce different types of mutation. Results: In the Inductest no decrease in survival fraction of bacteria and no increase in the formation of lysogenic induction were detected independently of the homeopathic potency employed. The same profile was obtained after the Ames test, with similar results to negative control. Conclusion: Afterwards, we can conclude that these samples are not able to induce DNA damage in the cells tested. So, the use of this medicine does not present any side effects related to mutagenesis and genotoxicity.

Nutrition-Related Mobile Apps in the French App Store: Assessment of Functionality and Quality (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The global burden of disease attributes 20% of deaths to poor nutrition. Although hundreds of nutrition-related mobile applications have been created to help improve this situation and these have been downloaded by millions of users, the effectiveness of integrating these technologies on the adoption of healthy eating remains mixed. Similarly, no significant evaluation of nutrition applications in French, spoken by approximately 300 million people, has yet been identified in the literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to review which nutrition mobile apps are currently available on the French market, and to carry out an exhaustive assessment of their quality using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) tool. METHODS A screening of apps related to nutritional health was conducted from March 10 to 17, 2021, on the Google Play Store and the French App Store. A shortlist of 15 apps was identified and assessed using the French version of MARS. Eight dietitian nutritionists assigned to assess seven apps. Remaining apps were randomly allocated to ensure four ratings per app. Intraclass correlation was used to evaluate inter-rater agreement. Mean ± SD scores and their distributions for each section and item were calculated. RESULTS The top scores for quality were obtained by Yazio (mean 3.84 ± standard deviation 0.32), FeelEat (3.71 ± 0.47) and BonneApp (3.65 ± 0.09). The engagement scores (Section A) ranged from 1.95 ± 0.5 for iEatBetter to 3.85 ± 0.44 for Feeleat. The functionality scores (Section B) ranged from 2.25 ± 0.54 for Naor to 4.25 ± 0.46 for Yazio. The Aesthetics scores (Section C) ranged from 2.17 ± 0.34 for Naor to 3.88 ± 0.47 for Yazio. The information scores (Section D) ranged from 2.38 ± 0.60 for iEatBetter:Journal alimentaire to 3.73 ± 0.29 for Yazio. The MARS subjective quality (Section E) varied from 1.13 ± 0.26 for Naor and 1.13 ± 0.25 iEatBetter:Journal alimentaire to 2.28 ± 0.88 for Compteur de calories Fatsecret. The specificity of apps varied from 1.38 ± 0.64 for iEatBetter:Journal alimentaire to 3.50 ± 0.91 for Feeleat. The app-specific score was always lower than the subjective quality score that was always lower than the quality score and that was lower than the rating score from the iOS or Android app stores. CONCLUSIONS Although the prevention and information messages regarding nutritional habits are not scientifically verified before marketing, dieteticians-nutritionists evaluated that the apps quality was quite relevant. The subjective quality and mobile app specificities were associated with lower ratings. Further investigations are needed to assess their alignment with recommendations and their long-term impact on users.

Improving Human Resources as Local Food Processors to Accelerate Stunting Prevention to realize the SDGs: Case Study in Asmat, Papua

Asmat is a district with poor nutrition that causes stunting. In 2020 the percentage of stunting in Asmat is 19.54%, in 2021 it will increase to 28.5%. Unir Sirau Subdistrict has the highest percentage reaching 73.37%. The purpose of the study was to analyze human resource factors and local food management to accelerate stunting prevention in Asmat. This research is qualitative with descriptive method. The sampling method is purposive sampling. Data collection was done by interview according to online interview. Results of the interviews state that the high incidence of stunting in Asmat are the influence of people’s habits who still sell their catches and gardening, such as fish, vegetables, corn, etc., to buy less nutritious foodstuffs. Mothers don’t know prepare healthy food for children, often diarrhea due their habit of not washing hands and not having clean water. People are unmotivated to take part in posyandu activities and health education. People come to health services only when the child’s bad condition. Conclusion that stunting can be reduced give education is interesting and direct counseling to monitor people’s lives, provide financial assistance and healthy food is done on a regular basis until the bad habits of the community disappear.

A Review on Male Infertility - Environmental Factors, Pathophysiological and Oxidative Stress

Male infertility is one of the rising global problems with an increasing decline in male semen quality among men living in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Infertility is defined as the failure of conception after at least 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Globally 70 million people are affected by infertility. Environmental, occupational and modifiable lifestyle factors may contribute to this decline of male fertility. Various factors associated with male infertility include smoking cigarettes, alcohol intake, use of illicit drugs, obesity, genetic factors, heavy metals, psychological stress, exposure to pesticides and industrial chemicals, poor nutrition intake, oxidative stress, sedentary lifestyle, advanced paternal age, diet and coffee consumption. KEY WORDS Infertility, Antioxidant, Environmental Factors, Endocrine Factors

Existing Nutritional Practices of Rural Women in Assam, India

Health and nutritional status of Indian women are worsening due to the prevailing culture and traditional practices in India. Indian women are generally vulnerable to poor nutrition, especially during pregnancy and lactation. It has been pointed out that the impact of nutritional status of the mother is more pervasive than the impact of other factors on birth weight. The study was carried out in the state of Assam (India) with 270 randomly selected rural women of 3 districts, viz., Tinsukia, Nagaon and Barpeta districts to find the existing practice of respondents on nutrition. Majority of the respondents (67.41%) belonged to ‘moderate’ category of practices regarding nutrition followed by 21.85 percent of respondents belonged to ‘poor category’ of practices in Assam. Majority of the respondents belonged to ‘moderate category’ of practice on nutrition, namely Barpeta (61.11%), Nagaon (63.33%) and Tinsukia (62.22%). It may be concluded that healthy lifestyle and high intake of nutritious food can provide good health throughout life to the humans. The poor nutrition and unawareness of health facilities during the childhood and reproductive age are the major factors responsible for the poor health status.