Search

Abstract Ocular strabismus, a common condition in the present generation is an absolute risk factor for amblyopia and blinding premorbid visual loss. Despite the availability of new optometry tools with eye-tracking data, the issues persist in attaining accuracy and reliability in diagnosing strabismus. These two concerns are specifically accommodated in this study by the proposed novel approach that involves CNNs with eye-tracking datasets from subjects. The presented work aims to improve the accuracy of diagnostics in ophthalmology utilizing the integration of the further proposed algorithms into an automatic strabismus detection system. For this purpose, the proposed FedCNN model combines the CNN with eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and uses the Gaze deviation (GaDe) images to capture dynamic eye movements. This method tries to make the feature extraction as accurate as possible in its best working state to enhance the diagnosis precision. The model proves to be accurate, reaching 95.2%, which is even more prominent because of the more or less detailed connection layer of the CNN, which is used for the selection of features designated for such tasks of strabismus recognition. The presented method has the potential of shifting the approach to diagnosing diseases of the eyes in more or less half of the patients.

Abstract Background While foreign migrants contribute to economic development, they may impact public health by transmitting communicable diseases to the local population. With its geopolitical position, Thailand has been a primary destination for migrants from neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia and beyond. This positioning makes it a focal point for examining the complexities of migration dynamics and its implications for public health. Through a quantitative analysis, this paper investigates the influence of foreign migrants on physical health issues in Thailand, exploring their impact on various types of communicable diseases. The utilization of provincial-level data from Thailand offers insights into the localized effects of migrant populations on public health within the country. These insights can serve as a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers who conduct comparative analyses, facilitating a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between international migration and public health worldwide. Methods A spatial panel autoregressive model (SAR) is applied on the provincial level communicable diseases and socio-economic data in Thailand from the period 2016 to 2021. Results The results indicate that the influence of foreign migrants on communicable diseases in Thailand varies depending on the type of disease. While an increase in migrants correlates with a higher prevalence of respiratory and other communicable diseases, it conversely reduces the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, we found that migrants do not significantly impact the prevalence of food- and water-borne diseases, insect-borne diseases, animal-borne diseases, or sexually transmitted diseases in Thailand. Additionally, other factors, such as GPP per capita, unemployment, poverty, and technology access, strongly correlate with most types of communicable diseases. Conclusion As revealed by this study, the increase in migrants leads to a rise in respiratory and other communicable diseases, as well as a decrease in vaccine-preventable diseases, which carries significant policy implications. These results urge policymakers, the Ministry of Labour, and the Ministry of Public Health to implement tailored policies and measures to enhance public health and effectively mitigate the risk of communicable diseases transmitted by migrants in the future.

Ziyang Sang, Hui-Fang Chen, Jerf WK Yeung, Leilei Xu Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionCorrespondence: Hui-Fang Chen, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Tel +852 3442297, Fax +852 34420283, Email hfchen@cityu.edu.hkPurpose: This study investigated the mechanism underlying the association between intolerance of uncertainty and mobile phone addiction among Chinese overseas students during the COVID-19 pandemic by examining the mediating roles of perceived stress and rumination.Patients and Methods: An online questionnaire survey was distributed via social media platforms popular in mainland China. The items collected demographic information and assessed intolerance of uncertainty, perceived stress, rumination, and mobile phone addiction. A total of 249 respondents completed the questionnaire.Results: The findings suggest a considerably high risk of mobile phone addiction in the study period among overseas Chinese students, as three-fourths of the participants may have been susceptible to mobile phone addiction according to the suggested cut-off point of the Chinese version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Form. Intolerance of uncertainty showed a significant positive direct effect on mobile phone addiction. The mediation analyses suggest that intolerance of uncertainty affected mobile phone addiction mainly through three pathways: the mediating effect of perceived stress, the mediating effect of rumination, and the chain mediating effect of perceived stress and rumination.Conclusion: This study enhances understanding of mobile phone addiction among Chinese overseas students and suggests the mediating roles of rumination and perceived stress in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and mobile phone addiction. The study also provides suggestions for interventions among Chinese students overseas.Keywords: vulnerability, mental health, health issues, internet

Recent research has highlighted the link between childhood obesity, dental caries, and malocclusion, and how the Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and social media have worsened these health issues. Increased screentime and decreased physical activity during the pandemic have significantly contributed to these conditions among children. Studies emphasise the need to address common risk factors such as unhealthy diets, limited healthcare access, and poor public health policies to reduce their negative effects. This review explores the complex relationship between childhood obesity, dental caries, and malocclusion, with a focus on their global importance. It examines the connections and shared risk factors between these conditions, particularly in the context of the pandemic and the growing influence of social media on children. The goal is to provide insights for developing effective interventions and management strategies to improve children's health worldwide. The present review stresses the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that target both individual and collective risk factors, while also considering broader socio-economic and digital influences on children's health behaviours. Promoting healthy lifestyles, access to nutritious foods, physical activity, and better dental care can help to alleviate these conditions. Understanding the interplay between these health issues and the digital environment is crucial to creating effective and adaptable public health interventions.

Contamination of groundwater due to arsenic (As) and problems faced by drinking the contaminated water have been identified worldwide. The integration of biogeochemical processes has led to the dissolution of naturally occurring As into the groundwater. The goal of this investigation is mainly to determine the presence of As in drinking water and consequences faced by human beings by drinking such contaminated water. Scope of this issue has not yet undergone a full epidemiological examination in any Indian region. However, in India, little is known about the disease caused by arsenicosis. Therefore, the present study discusses various natural and anthropogenic sources of As in groundwater involving its speciation and mobilization pattern in groundwater. Appropriate review on the issues of As contamination in groundwater has been conducted in various regions across the globe followed by the epidemiology and toxicity mechanisms of As in human beings. Various remediation techniques have been adopted for mitigating the major impact of As contamination depending upon the conventional, modern, and hybrid technologies for removing the As from several regions of India. HIGHLIGHTS A detailed discussion has been done on global groundwater contamination through various sources with ranges, the mechanism of arsenic contamination within the groundwater system, the sources, speciation, and mobility of arsenic.; A detailed discussion has been done on health risks caused by the consuming water contaminated with arsenic.; Effective techniques for the removal are studied.;

Background: Type 2 diabetes prevalence is steadily increasing worldwide, and South Africa is one of the countries in Africa with the highest prevalence of this disease, along with other non-communicable diseases. The adherence to treatment in male patients with type 2 diabetes is influenced by their attitudes towards medication and how they perceive their condition. To some extent, these factors impact the treatment outcomes for patients undergoing type 2 diabetes treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of male patients with type 2 diabetes on their adherence to diabetic therapy. The study was conducted in the clinics of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan municipality in Gauteng. Methods: This study followed a qualitative, exploratory design. Data were gathered from 15 male patients who were purposefully sampled through in-person, one-on-one interviews with the principal investigator. The eight steps outlined by Tesch were used to analyse the participant data. Results: Emergent themes indicated that there were barriers to adherence to diabetic treatment and also factors that promoted adherence to diabetic treatment among the participants. Several factors were found to affect treatment uptake among the participants. Conclusion: Patients demonstrated various reactions to diabetic treatment, highlighting the need for reinforcing education at the time of diagnosis and treatment initiation. Additionally, regular patient follow-up may be essential to improve adherence among patients. Contribution: The study highlights the importance of health promotion and the need to develop materials for medication-specific counselling for patients receiving diabetic treatment, in order to promote adherence.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pesticides are toxic and dangerous materials requiring good handling. Pesticide exposure highly affects farmers'' health, especially spray pesticides, which arise from pesticide residues in food, air, and the environment. This research aims to determine the relationship between behavioral factors in using Personal Protective Equipment and individual hygiene and sanitation of farmers who experience health problems. This study also looks at the predictive value of farmers'' behavioral factors regarding health problems.METHODS: The design of this study is cross-sectional with quantitative research type. This study gathered 91 respondents in Jonggol Village, which has the largest agricultural land in Bogor Regency and with farmers who actively use pesticides. Accordingly, this location has a population at risk of pesticide exposure. This study used questionnaires to obtain information about farmer behavior and health problems. It also used the statistical package for the social sciences application to analyze data based on the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.FINDINGS: The bivariate analysis results show a significant relationship between the habit of using personal protective equipment (masks) and farmers'' health problems, with a test value of 0.019 and an odds ratio of 4.24. The habit of not using hand protection (gloves) is also significantly related to not showering after farming, with a test value of 0.045 and an odds ratio of 3.61. Meanwhile, the variable habit of using hand protection (gloves) has the highest influence, with a test value of 0.008. Farmers who do not use hand protection are 17.5 times more likely to experience health problems than farmers who use hand protection. Meanwhile, the Logistic Model shows that all variables lack a significant relationship.CONCLUSION: Based on the overall analysis of the behavior of using personal protective equipment and personal hygiene of farmers, this study suggests increasing synergy between agricultural and health instructors in building awareness of using protective equipment and the correct and appropriate use of pesticides among farmers. In a cross-program and cross-sector manner, agricultural extension workers can explain how to wear protective equipment and use pesticides correctly, while health educators can promote pesticide exposure pathways and preventive measures for pesticide-related diseases. Exploring other factors influencing farmers'' willingness to use protective equipment and maintain personal hygiene is also essential, including barriers preventing farmers from behaving well. Good pesticide use behavior will maintain the health of farmers and build the health of farmer families and the surrounding community.

The feeding behaviour of individual growing-finishing pigs can be continuously monitored using sensors such as electronic feeding stations (EFSs), and this could be further used to monitor pig welfare. To make accurate conclusions about individual pig welfare, however, it is important to know whether deviations in feeding behaviour in response to welfare issues are shown only on average or by each individual pig. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to quantify the individual variation in feeding behaviour changes in response to a range of welfare issues, and (2) to explain this individual variation by quantifying the responses to welfare issues for specific subgroups of pigs. We monitored four rounds of 110 growing-finishing pigs each (3–4 months per round). We collected feeding behaviour data using IVOG® EFSs and identified health issues and heat stress using climate sensors and twice-weekly health observations. For each pig, a generalised additive model was fitted, which modelled feeding behaviour through time and estimated the effect of each welfare issue that the pig had suffered from. The range of these effect estimates was compared between pigs to study the individual variation in responses. Subsequently, pigs were repeatedly grouped using physical and feeding characteristics, and, with meta–subset analysis, it was determined for each group whether a deviation in response to the welfare issue (i.e. their combined effect estimates) was present. We found that the range in effect estimates was very large, approaching normal distributions for most combinations of welfare issues and feeding variables. This indicates that most pigs did not show feeding behaviour deviations during the welfare issue, while those that did could show both increases and reductions. One exception was heat stress, for which almost all pigs showed reductions in their feed intake, feeding duration and feeding frequency. When looking at subgroups of pigs, it was seen that especially for lameness and tail damage pigs with certain physical characteristics or feeding strategies did consistently deviate on some feeding components during welfare issues (e.g. only relatively heavier pigs reduced their feeding frequency during lameness). In conclusion, while detection of individual pigs suffering from heat stress using feeding variables should be feasible, detection of (mild) health issues would be difficult due to pigs responding differently, if at all, to a given health issue. For some pigs with specific physical or behavioural characteristics, nevertheless, detection of some health issues, such as lameness or tail damage, may be possible.

Abstract Background Although 12 years have passed since Great East Japan Earthquake and following Fukushima nuclear accident, approximately 40% of Japanese citizen still believe that the current radiation exposure in Fukushima residents will likely/ very likely to cause genetic effects of radiation. This incorrect understanding could continue unexpected discrimination and prejudice towards those from Fukushima now and in the future. In order to provide updated knowledge and eliminate rumors related to radiation, Japanese Ministry of the Environment has launched “GU-GU-RU” project in 2021 with consisting of five sections. Objective (1) To discuss the objectives and effects of the “GU-GU-RU” project (results after the first year), (2) to present administrative measures that may be effective in the long-term to prevent unjustified discrimination and prejudice, and (3) to eliminate rumors in the event of future large-scale disasters, including radiation disasters. Methods We showed the contents of each sections carried out under the project and observed the result of first-year activities in each section. Results Among the programs, the “Radiation College” has steadily produced positive results, with nearly 1,300 students participating and 50 students sharing their thoughts and ideas. In addition, the project has adopted strategies such as creating and broadcasting a TV program and collaborations with manga, which are expected to have a significant impact on society. Conclusions Compared to previous efforts on disseminating information related to health effect of radiation exposure, the “GU-GU-RU” project has taken a different approach in providing primary data of radiation and its health effects, which could become a better understanding of health effects of radiation for the general public, in order to eliminate rumors that may lead unjustified discrimination and prejudice.

The marine fisheries are one of the vital occupations in the southern parts of India. This industry is considered to be the foundation of revenue generation for these states. Kerala, being located at the southernmost part of India, is promoting this industry with support from inter-state migrant labourers. The inter-state migrants working in Kerala’s maritime industry are from northern and southern India. As a result of higher salaries and improved working conditions in this unskilled sector, people from the North and Eastern parts of the country have started to migrate to Kerala. Indeed, the continual cash flow in this sector makes it lucrative and invites a large influx of migrant labour to this region. These inter-state migrant labourers work for more than eight hours and spend 10 to 15 days at sea while fishing. They have to stay with heavy pieces of equipment at sea away from shore. This heart-wrenching situation deteriorates their health. They come across various kinds of professional injuries while fishing. Some of these fishermen and fisherwomen encounter long-term effects from those injuries. On the other hand, catering to their health needs seems challenging due to the lack of adequate medical facilities for migrant labourers. Following the increase in migratory flow, Kerala’s health system has faced several institutional impediments. The lack of identification of migrant labourers cripples the entire process of providing access to a better healthcare system to them. As a result, inter-state migrant labourers in the marine industry are facing various health-related challenges due to the nature of this profession and the apathy of state machinery. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the health issues affecting the inter-state migrant labourers in Kerala’s marine sector through a mixed-method research design.

The costs of food deterioration in terms of both money and health are rising. Fungi, bacteria, yeast, insects, and rodent contamination of food supplies continue to be a major public health concern. Chemical preservatives are effective but can be potentially fatal to human health in certain cases. As potent food preservatives, essential oils made from plants are a great alternative to synthetic preservatives. They also possess a variety of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. The use of artificial sweeteners in food products, which raises safety questions and health issues while also having reduced nutritional value, is another problem in the food industry. Because natural sweeteners are linked to a healthy lifestyle and have superior nutritional qualities, consumers today prefer them. This article goes through the issues with artificial sweeteners and preservatives and goes into great length about the many different essential oils and natural sweeteners that are much safer and healthier alternatives.

Nutritional status is an important factor in assessing the growth and development rate of babies and toddlers. Cases of malnutrition are increasing, especially in magelang city. Because nutritional problems (Malnutrition) can affect the health of toddlers. Therefore, this study aims to predict the level of prevalence of malnutrition with the Naïve Bayes method. This research uses an observational design, a single center study at the Magelang City Office, using the Naïve bayes method which is used as an application of time series data, and is most widely used for prediction, especially in data sets that have many categorical or nominal type attributes. The Naïve bayes method is used to predict such cases of malnutrition. The results of this study show that the Naïve Bayes method succeeded in predicting the magnitude of cases of malnourished toddlers in Magelang City with an accuracy percentage of 75% due to the very minimal amount of training data, and the areas that have the most malnutrition are in three areas, namely Magersari, North Tidar and Panjang.

Background and Study Aim. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are incredibly common and are often related to work load. For any occupational or public health intervention, injury prevention is preferred to injury treatment. Occupational health and injury prevention research has the potential to help mitigate MSD in the workplace. The aim of this study was to determine how the work demands of ski instructors may affect the health of their musculoskeletal system. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study involved the participation of 87 ski instructors (age = 34.61 ±10.67) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ATUS in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Observed variables were the prevalence of MSD measured using a modified Nordic questionnaire about injuries during the previous ski season (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrist, upper back, lower back, one or both hips, one or both knees, and ankle). Means and standard deviations for each of the variables were calculated, and differences between genders were examined using an independent sample t-test. Results. Prevalence of MSDs in ski instructors was most common in neck (13.8%), shoulders (12.6%), elbows (4.6%), wrist (9.2%), upper back (10.3%), lower back (46.0%), one or both hips (9.2%), one or both knees (29.9%), and ankle (9.2%). The results showed statistically significant differences in MSD between genders in the neck (p=.034); shoulders (p=.017); upper back (p=.027); one or both knees (p=.003) and in the ankle joint (p=.011). Conclusions. MSD’s are common in ski instructors, especially in the low back and knees of female employees. Future research or injury prevention programs would benefit these populations.

Background: The postpartum or puerperium period is the first 6 weeks after giving birth to an infant. The postpartum period can have negative implications, especially in first-time mothers. With their transition into motherhood, new mothers adopt new lifestyles, which can affect their physical wellbeing. Childbirth has physical, psychological, and emotional effects on women as they try to adapt to their new roles in order to get through this period with no or minimal health issues. Study Aim: The current study aims to explore primiparous adaptations with postpartum health issues in Jeddah City at Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The research design is quantitative cross-sectional. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data in relation to depression and weight gain, which consider the most common postpartum health issues. The inclusion criteria of the participants are: primipara, 2 to 6 months postpartum, and living in Jeddah. Results: 140 participants were included in the study. Mothers gained approximately 9.2 kg within the fifth to ninth month after giving birth. Discussion: Postpartum weight retention is a primary challenge in the majority of primiparous mothers and results in reduced quality of life. Nurses were always available to answer questions related to the postpartum health issues and explained the expectations to the family members. Conclusions: Childbirth and the postpartum period for first-time mothers are crucial in their lives as they try to adapt to a new way of life. The postpartum period can have negative implications, especially in first-time mothers. With their transition into motherhood, new mothers adopt new lifestyles, which can affect their physical wellbeing. More research is needed to explore the impact of postpartum health issues in Saudi Arabia.

The article examines the effect of cooking food in kitchens on the health of women, as women and children are at a greater risk to indoor air pollution (IAP). It is important to study the cooking practices and prevalent behaviours among African women to understand the magnitude of the danger they face. The study suggests that a decline in the combustion of solid fuels and the use of clean energy can improve health among women and children, as well as sustainability goals. Proverbs 17:22 says, ‘A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones’. Bible verse Numbers 35:33–34 indicates, ‘You shall not pollute the land in which you live’. The cooking fuel analysis framework among rural women in Africa will guide forward the governments’ sustainability policies for communities to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being of women and children. Contribution: The article conducts a comprehensive analysis of the literature on African cooking practices. A combined search string is made with keywords. Thematic content analysis is conducted with NVivo (produced by QSR International). The article covers two themes, namely improved well-being and suggesting policies to combat climate change and its impacts. Policies and schemes at grassroots levels and better economic conditions in African countries can help to overcome challenges and change health-damaging cooking behaviours. The new advanced sustainability analysis framework has the potential to influence modern kitchen fuels and increase the adoption of new technologies in African villages.

Background: This study examines the relationship between energy usage, health issues, and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in Kyrgyzstan amidst the country’s commitment to transition from coal-based energy to renewable sources, in line with the Paris Agreement. The purpose is to investigate citizens’ attitudes towards PEB and their intentions to engage in environmentally friendly actions, focusing on gas, electricity, and coal. Methods: Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework, a survey was conducted among 1455 respondents to explore attitudes towards PEB and energy sources’ impact on health issues. Results: Decarbonization efforts in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia are in their early stages, with coal remaining a primary energy source. The study emphasizes the importance of governmental policies and citizen action in achieving decarbonization goals. Rising electricity costs outweigh the increase in indirect energy costs for food, posing challenges for households adapting to changing energy dynamics. Conclusions: Targeted interventions and communication strategies are crucial to promote pro-environmental behaviour and facilitate the transition to sustainable energy sources. Understanding the relationships between health concerns, air pollution awareness, PEB, and energy source choices can inform policymakers and organizations to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global public health emergency, has exposed the fragility of health systems. Access to healthcare became a scarce commodity as healthcare providers and resource-poor populations became victims of the novel corona virus. Therefore, this study focuses on Africa's readiness to integrate telemedicine into the weak health systems and its adoption may help alleviate poor healthcare and poverty after COVID-19. We conducted a narrative review through different search strategies in Scopus on January 20, 2021, to identify available literature reporting implementation of various telemedicine modes in Africa from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. We summarized 54 studies according to geographies, field, and implementation methods. The results show a willingness to adopt telemedicine in the resource-poor settings and hard-to-reach populations, which will bring relief to the inadequate healthcare systems and alleviate poverty of those who feel the burden of healthcare cost the most. With adequate government financing, telemedicine promises to enhance the treating of communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as support health infrastructure. It can also alleviate poverty among vulnerable groups and hard-to-reach communities in Africa with adequate government financing. However, given the lack of funding in Africa, the challenges in implementing telemedicine require global and national strategies before it can yield promising results. This is especially true in regards to alleviating the multidimensionality of poverty in post-COVID-19 Africa.

COVID-19 pandemic has brought a paradigm shift in education with a trend of online learning and even schooling. During complete lockdown period schools were shifted to smartphones and computers. This study aimed to explore the pattern of smartphone use before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the health issues of school-going children in post-COVID-19 period. There was a significant rise in the timings of mobile phone use from 2 hours to 7 hours per day. A total of 90% of student’s mothers reported behavioral change where lack of socializing was the most commonly reported change. Irritation of eyes and dryness were the most commonly reported ocular disorders. The rise of mobile phones has brought several behavioral and ocular disorders due to long hours of use. There is a need to confirm health-related issues of smartphone use in large prospective studies and develop preventive strategies.

The ethnic kinship of communities living on the borders of Gabon and Congo and their socioeconomic needs are the main drivers of cross-border mobility between the two countries. While these proximity cross-border flows have been responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS from the Congolese driving territory to the Gabonese periphery, Ebola outbreaks have not spread beyond their original foci on the borders of the two countries. After retrospectively examining the impact of the health crises that confronted the Gabonese border margins during the years 1990-2000, this paper analyzes how the experience gained from the management of these previous outbreaks helped to control the spread of the EVD-19 pandemic in Gabon. From a methodological point of view, this paper is based on scientific and journalistic publications, institutional documents, epidemiological data made available by the Steering Committee of the Plan for Surveillance and Control of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Gabon (COPIL), as well as on field observations. Based on these investigations, and after two years of viral activity, it appears that the response strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic implemented by the Gabonese authorities has led to mixed results.

Perkembangan teknologi digital yang sangat pesat mempermudah ibu-ibu generasi milenial untuk mendapatkan informasi seputar kesehatan anak dan keluarga secara online. Tren pencarian informasi ini hendaknya disertai dengan kemampuan literasi digital yang baik untuk menjamin ketepatan dalam memilah informasi yang beredar. Penelitian ini mencoba untuk mendeskripsikan tingkat literasi digital ibu milenial dalam mengakses informasi terkait kesehatan anak dan keluarga. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah digital etnografi dengan paradigma post-positivisme. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi terstruktur terhadap tujuh ibu milenial yang berdomisili di beberapa kota besar di Indonesia, seperti Jakarta, Surabaya, dan Banjarmasin. Hasil dari penelitian ini memperlihatkan bahwa secara keseluruhan, kecakapan literasi digital mayoritas ibu milenial berada di tingkat sedang. Tingkat ini dipengaruhi oleh minat terhadap isu kesehatan tertentu serta pengalaman dari masing-masing ibu. Tingkat kecakapan literasi digital seorang ibu dapat mempengaruhi perilaku mereka sehari-hari. Lebih lanjut, temuan elemen penyebaran informasi dalam praktik literasi digital para ibu menambah kekayaan konsep dari literasi itu sendiri. The rapid development of digital technology made it easier for milenial generation mothers to get information online about child and family’s health. This information-seeking trend should be accompanied by excellent digital literacy skills to ensure accuracy in sorting out information. This study tried to describe the digital literacy competency of milenial mothers in accessing information related to child and family’s health. The research method used is digital ethnography with a post-positivist paradigm. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven milenial mothers living in several major cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Banjarmasin. The results of this study showed that the digital literacy skills of milenial mothers were at a moderate level. This level was influenced by their interest in specific health issues and their experiences. Their level of digital literacy skills could possibly affect their daily behavior. Furthermore, the finding about the element of information dissemination element in this digital literacy practice would add to the richness of the literacy concept itself.

Nazeer Hussain Khan,1,2 Faiz Ullah,3 Taskin Aman Khan,4 Ujala Zafar,5 Muhammad Farhan Ali Khan,6 Muhammad Mustaqeem,7 Syed Sakhawat Shah,3 Dong-Dong Wu,1,8 Xin-Ying Ji1 1Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, Henan University, Henan 475001, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, 475004, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Chemistry, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; 4Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan; 5School of Natural Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan; 6Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan; 7Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha Sub-Campus, Bhakkar 30000, Pakistan; 8School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University College of Medicine, Henan 475001, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Dong-Dong Wu Email ddwubiomed2010@163.comXin-Ying Ji Email 10190096@vip.henu.edu.cnAbstract: To look superior and acceptable in society, people from all over the world use various types of cosmetic products to enhance or alter their facial appearance and body texture. In recent times, an exponential surge in cosmetic use has been observed in Pakistan, and hence spending money on personal-care products is high. However, there are many reported facts about high loads of lead, mercury, copper, and others hazardous and cancerous elements in local Pakistani cosmetic brands. Consumers of these brands are at high risk of many clinical issues, including cancer. As such, it is a necessity to make people aware of the devastating harmful effects related to cosmetic use. The aim of this study was to provide information for stakeholders and raise awareness in the general public about the use of these local unauthorized personal-care cosmetic products, along with government strategies to stop this cosmetic blight on human health.Keywords: cosmetics, cancer, health issues, mercury, Pakistan

Individuals’ rights and freedoms within the scope of human rights have been tried to be guaranteed by many international organizations and laws (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, World Health Organization) with universal legal regulations. In addition to many norms of respect, such as personal rights and freedom, justice, peace, and social equality, human dignity is at the forefront of an individual's own value as a human. Although these norms are considered to be applicable to all individuals through international legal regulations, it is often overlooked to identify an approach under the qualification of human dignity when it comes to pandemic (such as HIV/AIDS) or other dangerous epidemics. With the increasing interest, many health-oriented approaches have been developed in recent years by taking into account human dignity, thanks to the careful efforts of many health institutions, especially the World Health Organization. However, the contribution of religious attitudes to these ap-proaches is lacking, especially in Muslim communities either because people do not have enough religious knowledge or have an unclear understanding of it. For this reason, in this study, a conceptual framework related to human dignity was first evaluated in the context of human rights, then it was discussed in the context of Islam and it was explained how important human dignity is in both the Qur'an and the Hadith. And then the suggestions of the general quality of health services in the light of human dignity were given. Finally, the compo-nents that are based on human dignity and decent care are highlighted and it is discussed whether there is a compensatory function in the health sector of human dignity for future studies.Today, it is noted that the underlying reason for ignoring human dignity today is due to religious explanations and discourses rather than social percep-tion and stereotyped thoughts or tradition-traditions. Whereas, as in other Abrahamic religions, Islam says that human dignity originates from God, and considers human as valuable only because it is human. That is, according to Islam, a human being is a worthy being by birth. Given that, ignoring human dignity will lead to unavoidable consequences when it comes to vital loop since human dignity, which is a universal value, is a concept with theological, socio-logical and psychological dimensions. In particular, decent care required for stigmatized individuals, such as people with HIV/AIDS, can lead to various psychological and sociological problems, as human dignity is not taken into consideration. Likewise, showing offensive attitudes and behaviors towards this kind of pandemic disease will lead people who have such illnesses to lose their respect for themselves and others, to be excluded and to withdraw socially. In Islam, many verses and the hadith underline the protection and maintaining human health under all circumstances.Considering all these, this study examines the four basic components of human dignity according to Islam in order to develop new attitudes in healthcare. The first and most important of these is the right to live. Here, sever-al human dignity norms such as respecting the individual and social rights of the person, ensuring personal safety, promoting freedom of belief system, etc. are included. These are supported by the verses and the hadiths in Islam, and actions such as murder, suicide, killing or maiming are explicitly prohibited. The second is the right of freedom, which means that people control their deci-sion-making processes, are subject to their own actions and do nothing to en-danger the freedom or safety of others. The third is the right to religiosity, which is accepted as a natural right of human dignity. What is meant here is that no one has the right to force someone else to choose religion or to change reli-gion, and at the same time they will not be judged for their right to religious-ness. The fourth and last one is the right to equality social advantages in justice. In Islam, human dignity is based on the freedom of choice in every person's social life. Therefore, Islam brings fundamentally responsible and protective regula-tions to human dignity so that people can live in peace, security, and comfort.Moreover, elements such as the right to live, the right to freedom, the right to religiousness and the right to equal justice offered by religion are within the scope of a belief system in which people respect the dignity of all individuals and that each person has an unconditional value. These components have the potential to play an important role in developing innovative approaches and techniques that promote decent care in health services for individuals whose health status requires special treatment. Although these human dignity com-ponents that we have mentioned have common meanings in terms of universal legal values, the place of human dignity in practice may be affected by cultural and social judgments. For this reason, the religious security of each person should be carefully examined so that healthcare providers can provide decent care. Undoubtedly, having a deeper understanding and sensitivity about the concept of human dignity in the context of belief will provide a responsibility to apply and develop decent care in many societies. In addition, it is the ulti-mate goal of this study that healthcare providers or practitioners can use reli-gious perspectives to help stigmatized people how to manage their lives with-out losing their dignity and health.In conclusion, this study aimed to understand the developmental state of reli-gion with human dignity and pandemic diseases. The most obvious result of the study is to raise awareness about some of the basic components of religion, such as freedom, rights of life, equality, and safe religious life, to safeguard human dignity. As a step towards creating more perspectives for awareness-raising, it is suggested that researchers who care about human dignity can use belief systems to create innovative approaches in health care. In this way, it will be possible and visible to make human rights and especially human dignity better equipped in the context of health.

Our words shape our thinking, our thinking creates action. Scientific terms can be particularly influential when used in everyday language in terms of allegedly scientific arguments that back certain views or actions. Such use can be especially toxic when the terms refer to concepts that are ill-defined, outdated or questionable themselves. The term “good genes” represents an exemplary case in this regard. It refers to the belief system of eugenics and implies a moral perspective. The latest political debates demonstrate how easily such terms and concepts are employed to induce racist thinking and action; in the end it may even result in specific medication, selective investment in medical treatment, and so ultimately impacting the life and death of patients. Science has the obligation to explicitly opt-out from such lines of argument, and to routinely check and re-think its theories, concepts and vocabulary.

Cow’s milk is considered a complete food, providing high-quality protein and essential micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals. For medical reasons or as a lifestyle choice, consumers are replacing cow’s milk with plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA); some perceive them as healthier alternatives to cow’s milk due to their low saturated fatty acid content and no cholesterol content. However, the nutritional composition of PBMA is quite variable between different types and even within, which makes a comparison with cow’s milk a complex issue. Furthermore, the consumption of PBMA has been associated with the development of some diseases in infants and children. Meanwhile, the consumption of cow’s milk in human health is a controversial issue since it has been associated with a favorable effect in some diseases (such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s) and a negative effect in others (such as prostate cancer risk and Parkinson’s disease); while in some diseases, there is no consensus in the cow’s milk consumption effect. The aim of this review is to make a nutritional comparison of cow’s milk with PBMA and to clarify the potential health issues related to their consumption.

Cereals and cereal-based products are primary sources of nutrition across the world. However, contamination of these foods with aflatoxins (AFs), secondary metabolites produced by several fungal species, has raised serious concerns. AF generation in innate substrates is influenced by several parameters, including the substrate type, fungus species, moisture content, minerals, humidity, temperature, and physical injury to the kernels. Consumption of AF-contaminated cereals and cereal-based products can lead to both acute and chronic health issues related to physical and mental maturity, reproduction, and the nervous system. Therefore, the precise detection methods, detoxification, and management strategies of AFs in cereal and cereal-based products are crucial for food safety as well as consumer health. Hence, this review provides a brief overview of the occurrence, chemical characteristics, biosynthetic processes, health hazards, and detection techniques of AFs, along with a focus on detoxification and management strategies that could be implemented for food safety and security.

Alternaria fruit rot is a major disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl., a prolific fungal pathogen. Among post-harvest diseases of tomato, fruit rot induced by A. alternata is the most damaging. Antifungal agents are widely used to control post-harvest management of tomato fruits. However, negative impacts of fungicidal residues in edible fruits and vegetables on human health cannot be over ruled. Eco-friendly ways of controlling Alternaria rot in tomato fruits offer a novel way of tomato rot management. The current study proposes an alternate method in controlling tomato fruit rots through Zanthoxylum armatum DC essential oil (EO) application. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling showed eucalyptol and sabinene as major components of Z. armatum EO. Furthermore, EO applied (0.5–4.5 μl/ml) showed significant inhibition of A. alternata growth (p > 0.05) at 4.5 μl concentration tested. Lipid peroxidation assays revealed significant reduction in membrane damage in tomato fruits treated by EO compared to alone inoculated fruits with A. alternata. Elevated activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase coupled with enhanced antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, glutathione, proline, and total phenols in EO-treated fruits may be linked with better fruit rot management than control fruits inoculated with A. alternata-induced rot alone. Mycelia and spore production was dramatically reduced in EO applied tomato fruits over A. alternata alone in tomato fruits (p > 0.05). Interestingly, free radical scavenging activities of EO applied tomato fruits showed significant improvement compared to only pathogen-inoculated tomato fruits. Findings propose practical utility of Z. armatum EO as a plant-based antifungal for post-harvest management of Alternaria rot in tomato fruits.

Nosocomial or hospital acquired infections are acquired by the patients during hospital stay. Bacteria were found to be responsible for the majority of infections followed by fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Literature has demonstrated that hospitals with infection control guidelines help reduce infection rates. We therefore isolated and compared common nosocomial organisms causing infections previous to and after the implementation of infection control measures to control healthcare-associated infections in our hospital setting. Strategy for infection control in our hospital setting was devised in the year 2010. These guidelines were frequently revised to improve the compliance of infection control measures. Infection control nurse helped record all the positive cultures in a surveillance format. This data on the number of isolates recovered from the cultures was documented and compared each year to check for the compliance of the infection control guidelines to reduce microbial isolates causing infections. Of the recovered 866 isolates from microbial cultures known to be causing nosocomial infections, 77.7% were gram-negative bacteria, 13.2% were gram-positive bacteria and 9% were fungi. A decrease in the number of microbes causing infections was observed after the implementation of infection control measures, with only 3.4% of the gram-positive microbes, 9.6% of the gram-negative microbes and 3.8% of the fungi being identified in the year 2017. Our study demonstrated that effectively devised infection control measures help reduce the number of organisms causing nosocomial infections further resulting in decreased infection rate.

Background and Objectives: Citrobacter freundii (C. freundii) is an emerging and opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria of the human gastrointestinal tract associated with nosocomial and severe respiratory tract infections. It has also been associated with pneumonia, bloodstream, and urinary tract infections. Intrinsic and adaptive virulence characteristics of C. freundii have become a significant source of diarrheal infections and food poisoning among immune-compromised patients and newborns. Impulsive usage of antibiotics and these adaptive virulence characteristics has modulated the C. freundii into multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Conventional approaches are futile against MDR C. freundii. Materials and Methods: The current study exploits the modern computational-based vaccine design approach to treat infections related to MDR C. freundii. A whole proteome of C. freundii (strain: CWH001) was retrieved to screen pathogenic and nonhomologous proteins. Six proteins were shortlisted for the selection of putative epitopes for vaccine construct. Highly antigenic, nonallergen, and nontoxic eleven B-cell, HTL, and TCL epitopes were selected for mRNA- and peptide-based multi-epitope vaccine construct. Secondary and tertiary structures of the multi-epitope vaccine (MEVC) were designed, refined, and validated. Results: Evaluation of population coverage of MHC-I and MHC-II alleles were 72% and 90%, respectively. Docking MEVC with TLR-3 receptor with the binding affinity of 21.46 (kcal/mol) occurred through the mmGBSA process. Further validations include codon optimization with an enhanced CAI value of 0.95 and GC content of about 51%. Immune stimulation and molecular dynamic simulation ensure the antibody production upon antigen interaction with the host and stability of the MEVC construct, respectively. Conclusions: These interpretations propose a new strategy to combat MDR C. freundii. Further, in vivo and in vitro trials of this vaccine will be valuable in combating MDR pathogens.

The European Spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is an abundant species found in oak woods in Central and Southern Europe, the Near East, and North Africa and is an important economic pest. It is a voracious eater and can completely defoliate entire trees; repeated severe defoliation can add to other stresses, such as weather extremes or human activities. Lymantria dispar is most destructive in its larval stage (caterpillars), stripping away foliage from a broad variety of trees (>500 species). Caterpillar infestation is an underestimated problem; medical literature reports that established populations of caterpillars may cause health problems to people and animals. Inflammatory reactions may occur in most individuals after exposure to setae, independent of previous exposure. Currently, chemical and mechanical methods, natural predators, and silvicultural practices are included for the control of this species. Various insecticides have been used for its control, often through aerial sprayings, which negatively affect biodiversity, frequently fail, and are inappropriate for urban/recreational areas. However, bioinsecticides based on various microorganisms (e.g., entomopathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi) as well as technologies such as mating disruption using sex pheromone traps have replaced insecticides for the management of L. dispar.

Azo dyes are commonly used in textile color processing for their wide array of vibrant colors. However, in recent years these dyes have become of concern in wastewater management given their toxicity to humans and the environment. In the present work, researchers remediated water contaminated with azo dyes using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) intercalated within cotton fabric as a catalyst, for their enhanced durability and reusability, in a reductive degradation method. Three azo dyes—methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSBB)—were investigated. The azo degradation was monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy, degradation capacity, and turnover frequency (TOF). The Ag NP–cotton catalyst exhibited excellent degradation capacity for the dyes, i.e., MO (96.4% in 30 min), CR (96.5% in 18.5 min), and CSBB (99.8% in 21 min), with TOFs of 0.046 min−1, 0.082 min−1, and 0.056 min−1, respectively, using a 400 mg loading of catalyst for 100 mL of 25 mg L−1 dye. To keep their high reusability while maintaining high catalytic efficiency of >95% degradation after 10 cycles, Ag NPs immobilized within cotton fabric have promising potential as eco-friendly bio-embedded catalysts.

This paper reports the blood lead levels amongst illegal juvenile miners and their perception of the role of illegal mining in terms of societal and health issues. The sampled population included 90 illegal miners between 14 and 19 years of age with a mean age of 17 and mean blood lead level of 15.58 µg/dL. Those involved in going underground and draining the gold had higher blood lead levels (BLLs) with a mean = 26.03 µg/dL. Sixteen participants (84%) believed that being involved in illegal mining may lead to adverse health, and they were concerned about injury due to violence. Most participants had experienced occupational and environment-related disease. All participants believe that illegal mining-related activities have the potential to contaminate the environment, yet all have conducted the same activities in their yard or household. The majority of illegal miners know the danger of the chemicals used to extract the gold. Out of 19, only two have ever received personal protective clothing/equipment. The others had to fend for themselves. The findings of this study highlight and raise critical public health, social, and criminal issues. Therefore, there is a need for multisectoral action, especially regarding public health.

The world has been facing a global threat from the past few months from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There has been a significant increase in morbidity and mortality due to this ongoing pandemic which is creating a global challenge. This pandemic is having a profound effect on all aspects of society especially the physical and mental health of the people. There has been a rising concern about the mental health of normal population, COVID-19 patients, Healthcare Workers (HCW) or doctors, children and the elderly population. Recent research has reported symptoms of anxiety, depression and other symptoms of psychological distress among these populations. The main purpose of this review was to focus on various mental health issues and the coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

The marine environment is characterized by a wide diversity of microorganisms among which marine bacteria. To insure their survival in hostile conditions where they face high competition with pathogenic microorganisms, they produce various kinds of bioactive molecules within biofilms with unique structural and functional features. As example: marine peptides which provide a broad spectrum of antimicrobial, antitumoral, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to marine exopolysaccharides showing antifouling and antifungal activities, immunomodulatory properties, emulsion stabilization capacity with other various potentials. Some biofilms have shown a beneficial role for aquaculture, among which enhancement of growth performance and improvement of water quality, while others are threatening not only aquaculture and maritime fields, but also medicine and food industry. Thus, marine bioactive compounds are promising preventing agents for the establishment and growth of fouling microorganisms, which may be useful in different fields in order to decrease economic losses and avoid foodborne illnesses. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4384158

Anthropometry is the study that takes human body measurements in a population. Patronised furniture that fails to utilize the users body measurements impact on their health negatively. Therefore, mismatch between anthropometric dimensions and consumer products may cause health problems in human body. Eight static anthropometric measures were considered. In the administrative block, mean age of the male and female populations were 39.97±8.87 years and 39.56±8.62 years respectively; mean±SD weight were 74.39±11.31kg and 72.57±11.17kg in males and females respectively; and mean±SD stature were 1729.20±64.01mm and 1628.90±56.48mm in males and females respectively. In the results, stature, popliteal height and knee height measured were significantly different between male and female administrative staff members in public institutions. Also, the study reported that lower back pain and neck pain had the highest prevalence among the male and female administrative staff respectively. The study is applicable to the design of furniture to cut down on workers’ absenteeism and increase productivity.

Abstract Objective To describe health issues and living conditions in a cohort of adults living with Spina bifida. Material and methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team. Adults with spina bifida (n = 219) were invited to participate. One‐hundred‐and‐ninety‐six persons (104 women and 92 men; 18–73 years, median age 33 years) were included. Structured interviews, questionnaires, and clinical assessments for medical, social, physical, and cognitive functions were used. Results There was large variation among participants as regards the consequences of their spina bifida. Individuals < 46 years seemed to have more secondary conditions such as hydrocephalus, Chiari II malformation, tethered cord symptoms, and latex allergy. A higher proportion of the individuals >46 years and older was able to walk, and they had performed better in primary school and on tests of psychomotor speed and executive function. Conclusions This study demonstrates that adults with spina bifida have a complex set of physical, cognitive, and social needs that need to be addressed in order to improve their health issues and living conditions. The high prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence, pain, and overweight underline that these issues need much attention during follow‐up. The future generations of older adults may need more attention in many ways, since they at a younger age do have more complex medical conditions, lower physical and cognitive functions, and lower prerequisites for independent living and participation in society than those > 46 years today. This elucidates that adults with spina bifida need systematic follow‐up services and social support throughout life.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the awareness, knowledge and consumers’ behavior towards organic vegetables in Cyprus. For this study, a deliberate sampling technique was used in order to identify a sample group of 180 consumers over the age of 18 years who indented or made purchases from 1) grocery stores; 2) street market; and, 3) supermarkets. A questionnaire was used for data collection across the country. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The results revealed that 99% of Cypriot consumers were aware of organic vegetables but only 69% and 49% of them consume or have knowledge of organically cultivated vegetables, respectively. According to Cypriots, organic vegetables are healthier, fresher and tastier than conventional vegetables. On the other hand, there appears to be a lack of knowledge about the stipulations of organic farming but consumers show great willingness not only to get properly informed via different means but to pay higher for organic vegetables. Concluding, consumers, organic farm holders and distributors should work together to create well-established strategies what will provide a better place in the market for organic products.

Mycotoxins represent an assorted range of secondary fungal metabolites that extensively occur in numerous food and feed ingredients at any stage during pre- and post-harvest conditions. Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin categorized as a xenoestrogen poses structural similarity with natural estrogens that enables its binding to the estrogen receptors leading to hormonal misbalance and numerous reproductive diseases. ZEN is mainly found in crops belonging to temperate regions, primarily in maize and other cereal crops that form an important part of various food and feed. Because of the significant adverse effects of ZEN on both human and animal, there is an alarming need for effective detection, mitigation, and management strategies to assure food and feed safety and security. The present review tends to provide an updated overview of the different sources, occurrence and biosynthetic mechanisms of ZEN in various food and feed. It also provides insight to its harmful effects on human health and agriculture along with its effective detection, management, and control strategies.

Among many other services, modern governments offer both healthcare and social care to their citizens. Traditionally built in a silo structure and often using separate funding schemes, these two services offer limited possibilities for integration. Therefore, a novel approach is needed which will enable the integrated provisioning of both social and healthcare services to the citizens. This paper describes a platform for collaboration on multiple levels, provided to connect actors from healthcare and social care services – from primary care medical doctors to hospitals, and from home caregivers and/or family members to emergency centres for the elderly. Utilizing the cloud-based ICT tool, we have developed an integrated e-care model and introduced personalised care pathways for the elderly people suffering from various health problems (including heart failure, cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and mental health issues). This model employs a patient-centric approach to care delivery, giving the patient (or the person acting on behalf of the patient) in power to control (and to share) any data relevant to treat patient's health condition. For the socio-sanitary care providers the benefit is the ability to influence clinical outcomes by remotely monitor and coordinate care initiatives. Using this approach, government has an effective aid to meet quality thresholds, generate clinical outcome metrics and improve satisfaction of the citizens using health and social care services.

Gautam Buddha has rightly said ‘To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear’. We need clear minds as a clinician and more so as surgeon to plan the course of treatment and to physically execute it. However, apart from clear minds a surgeon should also be physically capable to withstand strenuous activities for long periods of time. Daily exertion for prolog periods for surgeons leads to poor quality of life especially in our subcontinent where health institutions and the government do not prioritize the health of clinicians.

The aim of this study was to discover and elaborate a general substantive theory (GST) on the multidimensional behavioral process of coping with health issues. Intacting integrity while coping with health issues emerged as the core category of this GST. People facing health issues strive to safeguard and keep intact their integrity not only on an individual level but also as members of a group or a system. The intacting process is executed by attunement, continuously minimizing the discrepancy between personal values, personal health, self-expectations, and external conditions as health- and culturally-related recommendations and demands. Multifaceted coping strategies are available and used as implements in the attuning process.

The paper focuses thematically on one of the essential issues of human existence, a complex and a mysterious phenomenon of ageing. The old people with their biological and psychological features, with their social position and other aspects, are the inexhaustible source of professional research of doctors and sociologists. As opposed to the usual pessimistic attitude of ageing and the old age, the paper points, within the humanist and social work frame, to man's awareness of overcoming the transience of human existence by cultivating a sense and a beauty of life. By elaborating on the concept of ageing, the authors stress the length and the quality of life, which could be advanced by the interaction of three groups of factors: social engagement and participation, the reduction of illness and the improvement of the high level of psychological and mental functions.

The fumonisins producing fungi, Fusarium spp., are ubiquitous in nature and contaminate several food matrices that pose detrimental health hazards on humans as well as on animals. This has necessitated profound research for the control and management of the toxins to guarantee better health of consumers. This review highlights the chemistry and biosynthesis process of the fumonisins, their occurrence, effect on agriculture and food, along with their associated health issues. In addition, the focus has been put on the detection and management of fumonisins to ensure safe and healthy food. The main focus of the review is to provide insights to the readers regarding their health-associated food consumption and possible outbreaks. Furthermore, the consumers’ knowledge and an attempt will ensure food safety and security and the farmers’ knowledge for healthy agricultural practices, processing, and management, important to reduce the mycotoxin outbreaks due to fumonisins.

Introduction: One of the significant health and social problem the world facing today is Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AiDS). The patients affected with HIV and their family may face various psychosocial problems during diagnosis and treatment due to the stigma associated with this disease. Aim: The objective of the study was to identify social, psychological and health concerns of people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) and its association with the demographic factors in Mysore District, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based study was conducted among 194 participants in Mysore District, Karnataka state who were receiving care and support services. A 22-item questionnaire provided information regarding social, psychological and health concerns of PLWHA in Mysore district. A general linear regression model was used for assessing the predictors of social, psychological and health concerns. Results: The main social concern was that of "Fear of Losing a loved one" whereas the main psychological concern was "Too much worry", "No cure for AIDS" was the highly rated health concern. Males had more social, psychological and health concerns when compared to females but was not statistically significant. Employed people were having fewer psychological concerns when compared to unemployed people. Unemployed people were having fewer health concerns than employed people. For every unit increase in age there were fewer social and health concerns and both these findings were statistically significant. Conclusion: PLWHA in the present study reported that they were concerned about social, psychological and health issues in spite of the fact they were attending counseling. Health care workers, including those in public health sector should be educated about the importance of these factors that influence the health of the population they are caring for.

Although epilepsy affects men and women equally, there are special implications for women, especially during their childbearing years, and particularly when pregnancy is contemplated. This review summarisesthe complexity and multifaceted nature of health issues affecting women with epilepsy (WWE) in general and epilepsy in women beyond childbearing age. The female sex hormones and their cyclic as well as age-related variations certainly influence seizure activity and epilepsy in women. Catamenial epilepsy is a multifaceted neuroendocrine condition in which seizures are clustered around specific points in the menstrual cycle, most often around perimenstrual or periovulatory period. There are special concerns for women of child bearing years with regard to contraception, pregnancy and teratogenicity that should be considered during counseling and selection of appropriate treatment.Although the majority of pregnant WWE experience normal pregnancies and deliveries, their children have a higher risk of birth defects. Individualised treatment coupling antiepileptic drug use (AED) and the specific phase of impact of the reproductive cycle must be considered in treatment selection. As the number of available treatment options for epilepsy increases, the optimal goal for the general practitioner is to work as a team with obstetricians and gynaecologists, and neurologists in an effort to ensure the best treatment of WWE.

This paper reports on an aspect of a case study of four 11-to-13-year-old students of a Regional Health School (RHS) in New Zealand, using apps on their own mobile devices as part of their mathematics programs. It considers the issue of engaging students in mathematical learning when they are recovering from significant health issues. The paper examines the influence of apps on these students’ engagement with mathematical learning through the facilitation of differentiated learning programs. The research design was a case study with semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and observation used to generate the data. A number of themes arose from the data including both the positive and negative influences of apps on student engagement and the influence of apps on facilitating differentiated learning programs. The results indicated that using apps for mathematics had a positive influence on student engagement for most students. The positive student engagement seemed to be partly due to the apps’ ability to support differentiated learning.

Based on a content analysis of the editorial content of four teen magazines published in France and on interviews with their editors, this article examines how these magazines deal with health issues. The author shows that what is meant by health issues refers broadly to a wide range of concerns specific to teenagers. He also claims that the magazines’ mode of argument regarding health issues consists in appropriating the voiced opinions of their readers.

NA