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Background: Metaphors and analogies are a good way of explaining medical concepts to our patients to help them understand their condition and treatment strategies. Objectives: To find out the opinions of healthcare professionals (HCPs) who manage chronic pain regarding the metaphors and analogies, we have developed and used routinely in our clinical practice. Materials and Methods: HCPs from across the world working in pain clinic/centres were sent a SurveyMonkey link. They were asked to rate the five metaphors and analogies that explain the concepts of multimodal pain management, referred pain, diagnostic spinal interventions and the importance of doing regular physiotherapy exercises on a scale from 0 to 100 (with 0 being poor and 100 as an excellent description) in conveying the concepts they are supposed to communicate. They were also asked if they would consider using them in their clinical practice on a five point Likert scale (1 being very likely and 5 very unlikely). Results: We had 142 responses. Over 50% were from Asia. About 88.7% were practicing anesthesia and pain management. The average score for achieving consensus on the concepts ranged from 70 to 76 out of 100 for the five metaphors and analogies. Sixty-six percent to 76% of HCPs were "very likely" or "likely" to use them in their clinical practice. The average score for promoting self-management with the multimodal pain management metaphor and analogy was 63 and 68 out of 100, respectively. Conclusions: Most HCPs who manage chronic pain indicated that the metaphor and analogies surveyed convey their key concepts. Sixty-six percent to 76% of respondents were "very likely" or "likely" to use these in their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Introduction: With increased urbanization the prevalence of important public health problems like road traffic accidents (RTA) and depression are surging. This study was aimed to determine the association between RTA and depression among Indian population aged ≥45 years. Methods: Using Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) dataset (April 2017–December 2018), we have conducted this study among older adults (45–59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) Indians. Bivariate analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of RTA and depression nationally and across aspirants, achievers, and front runner states. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted between RTA and depression, adjusted with demographic and socioeconomic; health related and behavioral factors. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of RTA was 1.84 (1.74-1.94)% nationally, highest among achiever states (2.04 (1.82–2.30)%). Prevalence of depression was 6.08 (5.90–6.26)% nationally, highest among aspirant states (7.02 (6.74–7.30)%). The adjusted odds of having accident was significantly 1.75 times higher among depressed (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.44–2.13) than non-depressed participants which was highest across front runners (aOR 1.86, 95%CI 1.26–2.72) followed by aspirant states (aOR 1.79, 95%CI 1.37–2.33). Conclusion: This study established the association between depression and road traffic accidents among older adults and elderly. Therefore, efforts must be taken to address mental health issues specially focusing on depression in them with proper policy implication more focused on front runners followed by aspirant states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefits of beta (β)-carotene are well known, most important being the pro vitamin A activity but experimental evidence are lacking regarding the effect of processing on β-carotene. Processing is critical in determining the bioavailability of β-carotene from foods and there is a perception that β-carotene is destroyed by the heat process involved in cooking of vegetables. This study is intended to determine the stability of β-carotene when selected vegetables are subjected to various processing techniques. Carrot and spinach were chosen for this study since they are the two most important sources. β-Carotene was quantified from vegetables by Reversed phased High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System. The result indicated the control sample reading of carrot and spinach were 16833µg/100g and 19383µg/100g, the β-carotene level increased substantially in all the processing conditions. Tray drying proved to be the best processing technique with highest percentage gain. Among the samples, Spinach was found to be the richest source of β-carotene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia is a perennial shrub belonging to Asteraceae family. It has been in use for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes. Stevia contains natural compounds stevioside and rebaudioside A, extracted from its leaves, which can be approximately 150-300 hundred times sweeter than sucrose. It is an alternative choice to table sugar and HFCS utilized in beverages, bakery, confectionary, dairy food products. Besides being a zero-calorie meals ingredient, it has a protracted shelf life, high-temperature tolerance and is non-fermentative. This review article focuses on its health benefits, manufacturing of Stevia extract from Stevia leaves and their end-product utility in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]