Year
Publisher
Journal
Institution
1
Institution Country
Publication Type
Field Of Study
Topics
Open Access
Language
Filter 1
Year
Publisher
Journal
Institution
1
Institution Country
Publication Type
Field Of Study
Topics
Open Access
Language
Filter 1
Export
Sort by: Relevance
Prevalence, knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards dietary supplements among Bahraini adults: a cross-sectional study

The usage of dietary supplements (DS) is a global trend that is likely influenced by sociodemographic variables and body weight status. Some individuals utilize supplements in the hopes that they may enhance their health and prevent illness. Main objective of this study is to assess knowledge and awareness about using DS among Bahraini adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted using snowball sampling method, in which an electronic self-administrative questionnaire was used to collect information from 582 eligible participants. Data about socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward using DS was collected from each participant. Prevalence of DS use was high (59.3%) and most of users were females. Most DS users (87.5%) thought that DS are safe (P < 0.001). The DS users were significantly more likely than non-users to believe that DS can prevent and treat chronic and communicable diseases, as well as the DS having side effects (P < 0.05). The most frequently consumed DS were vitamin D (29.5%) and vitamin C (26.4%). The main purpose of using DS among the DS users was to treat nutrient deficiency and around 60% of them used DS based on physician’s prescription. In conclusion, the using of DS was highly prevalent among younger adult females with normal body weight. The findings of this study emphasize the need for implementing public educational programs about safe and proper use of DS.Graphical

Read full abstract
Open Access
Thiourea Adsorbent for Efficient Removal of Mercury (II)

AbstractThe removal of heavy toxic metals from industrial effluents is extremely important, especially for mercury (Hg), which is classified as a highly toxic even at low concentrations. For this purpose, novel thiourea chelating resins were synthesized as sorbent for Hg (II). Six different polymers of formo‐phenolic types were characterized and evaluated for their chelating properties with respect to Hg (II) extraction. Batch adsorption studies of mercury (II) as a function of pH, initial metal ion concentration, temperature, and time showed that thiourea formo‐phenolic polymers have a good affinity for Hg removal and a high adsorption capacity. Adsorption isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich) and kinetic models (pseudo‐first and pseudo‐second order) were used to interpret the sorption behavior of the materials. The Langmuir model yielded the best fit with a maximum adsorption capacity of 300 mg/g. Desorption studies were performed with aqueous thiourea solution and showed that the adsorbent is indeed regenerable and can be effectively used for up to three adsorption‐desorption cycles with negligible loss of performance. This study confirmed the potential of thiol‐modified formo‐phenolic resins in sorbent engineering with promising applications in the remediation of mercury‐contaminated water.

Read full abstract
Open Access
Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries' societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study with 37207 participants (mean age: 36.70±14.79, with 77% women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household's food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p<0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p=0.003), Egypt (p<0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p=0.013). A decline in the household's dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p<0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p<0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p<0.001), Denmark (p=0.002), Finland (p<0.001) and Netherland (p=0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p<0.001), Brazil (p<0.001), Mexico (p<0.0001) and Peru (p<0.001). Middle and older ages [OR=1.2; 95% CI=[1.125-1.426] [OR=2.5; 95% CI=[1.951-3.064], being a woman [OR=1.2; 95% CI=[1.117-1.367], having a high education (p<0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR=1.4; 95% CI=[1.292-1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings.

Read full abstract
Open Access
Degradation of azoxystrobin, methoxyfenozide, and propyzamide by ultrasound treatment.

Ultrasound as a green and efficient process gains special attention in wastewater treatment. The ultrasound-assisted degradation of azoxystrobin, methoxyfenozide, and propyzamide as widely used pesticides for vine treatment was investigated. A wide range of ultrasonic power (40 to 140 W) and a single frequency (20 kHz) were applied. Degradation experiments were carried out according to the parameters set by a central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM) via JMP software. The treatment efficiency was quantified using degradation rates and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) measurements. Results indicated that the pesticide's degradation was negligible at 40 W but by increasing the power setting from 80 to 140 W, the degradation rate constants of azoxystrobin, methoxyfenozide, and propyzamide increased from 3.6 × 10-2 min-1 to 0.2 min-1, from 6.1 × 10-2 min-1 to 0.3 min-1, and from 3.1 × 10-2 min-1 to 0.1 min-1, respectively. The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) measurements confirmed this trend. Besides, electric energy per order of pollutant removal (EE/O) was also evaluated for the same treatment duration and results revealed that treatment conditions of 20 kHz and 140 W were the less energy-guzzling. Finally, profiles obtained with RSM illustrated linear degradation kinetics for azoxystrobin and propyzamide. Indeed, treatment efficiency increased when increasing both studied parameters. However, both linear and quadratic degradation kinetics occurred for methoxyfenozide degradation indicating a parameter threshold beyond which the trend is reversed. Overall, this study confirms the effectiveness of ultrasound for the degradation of pesticides in aqueous medium.

Read full abstract
Biotoxins in the Mediterranean Sea: Lebanon as a Case Study

Marine biotoxins are naturally occurring chemicals produced by toxic algae. They can be found in seawater and can accumulate in various marine organisms, such as commercial seafood. When contaminated seafood is consumed, these biotoxins can cause poisoning in humans, with varying health consequences depending on the type and amount of toxins. The proliferation of biotoxin-producing algae in the marine environment has dire socio-economic and environmental consequences due to the contamination of water and seafood. Due to the number of factors related to human pressures and climate change impacts, the frequency of marine biotoxins’ occurrence is increasing significantly globally, and in regional seas such as the Mediterranean Sea. In this chapter, we highlight Lebanon in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where marine biotoxins were recently studied. The results show for the first time the presence of lipophilic toxins and cyclic imines in marine biota, with values for okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin 1 and 2, pectenotoxin 1 and 2, yessotoxins and azaspiracids below the detection limit (LOD). Levels above LOD were detected for domoic acid (DA), gymnodimine (GYMb), and spirolides (SPXs) in some species/areas. Maximum levels of DA, GYM, and SPXs (3.88 mg DA kg-1, 102.9 µg GYM kg-1, 15.07 µg SPX kg-1) were found in the spiny oyster (Spondylus spinosus) in agreement with the occurrence of Pseudo-nitzchia spp, Gymndinium spp, and Alexandrium spp. DA was below the EU limit but above the lowest observed adverse effect level (0.9 μg g-1) for neurotoxicity in humans and below the acute reference dose (30 µg kg-1 body weight), both established by EFSA. Considering the lowest lethal dose (LD50) after administration of GYM and SPXs to mice, it is unlikely that there is a health risk due to exposure to these toxins from seafood consumption in Lebanon. Nevertheless, the chronic toxicity of DA, GYMs, and SPXs remains unclear, and the effects of repeated consumption of contaminated seafood need to be investigated. Because biotoxins have been detected in bivalves and commercial species, as well as other organisms in the marine trophic chain, it is evident that species other than bivalves should be monitored, and the spiny oyster (S. spinosus) may play the role of a sentinel species in biotoxin studies. A regular monitoring program is needed to provide reliable, accurate estimates of bloom toxicity and to investigate their potential impact on marine species and human health in Lebanon.

Read full abstract