Long-term Health Research Articles

Cardioprotective strategies in the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: Current approaches and future directions

Background: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (CIC) is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to heart failure and myocardial infarction. With rising cancer survival rates, the long-term cardiovascular health of survivors has gained importance. While several cardioprotective medications have been studied to mitigate chemotherapy’s harmful effects on the heart, more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and optimal use. Methodology: This review synthesizes evidence on cardioprotective drugs in managing CIC. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and meta-analyses published between January 2000 and May 2024. Studies were selected based on relevance, quality, and focus on mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of cardioprotective agents such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, statins, and dexrazoxane. Results and Discussion: Cardioprotective medications show potential in alleviating the impact of chemotherapy on heart function. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors effectively reduce heart failure incidence and improve cardiac outcomes. Statins, with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, and dexrazoxane, which reduces anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, also show promise. However, variability in study designs, patient groups, and chemotherapy treatments complicates the establishment of standardized treatment protocols. Conclusion: Cardioprotective drugs hold significant promise in managing CIC and improving cardiac outcomes for cancer patients. Current evidence supports the efficacy of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, and dexrazoxane. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols, evaluate long-term safety, and optimize treatment timing. Integrating cardioprotective strategies into oncological care can enhance the quality of life and prognosis for cancer survivors.

Promoting Resilience in Healthcare Workers: A Preventative Mental Health Education Program.

Healthcare workers face greater risks for mental health conditions and chronic stress due to the demanding nature of their roles. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges and increased vulnerabilities to long-term mental health conditions. The present study adapts an existing resilience-based educational workshop program to address the time constraints and unique needs of the healthcare workforce in a post-COVID-19 world. Expanded from its initial focus on resilience, the workshop curriculum incorporates psychoeducation on common mental health issues. Between July 2022 and June 2024, a 15 min "huddle" format offered on-site training to equip HCWs in a large urban health system with coping strategies to prevent, manage, and recover from stress. Attendance and anonymous feedback were collected at each session via brief electronic surveys. Participant responses (n = 1403) obtained immediately post-huddle suggested positive impact on stress management, perceived leadership support, and resilience. Findings show the potential of brief huddles to improve mental health and resilience in healthcare workers and similar workforces. Our findings support the efficacy of brief, evidence-based educational huddles in enhancing resilience, mental health awareness, and coping skills among HCWs. This model holds significant potential for widespread implementation across healthcare and other high-stress workplaces.

Occupational safety and hidden risks in a furniture factory: A comprehensive assessment of hazards related to noise, lighting, thermal comfort, and dust exposure

This study assessed the occupational health and safety conditions in a furniture manufacturing facility, focusing on key environmental factors such as noise, lighting, thermal comfort, and dust exposure. Noise measurements recorded levels as high as 95.3 dB(A) during CNC machine operations, exceeding legal exposure limits of 87 dB(A), posing significant risks to workers’ hearing health. Lighting assessments showed levels ranging from 134 to 247 lux in production lines, which falls below the recommended threshold of 300 lux for adequate visibility. Thermal comfort was evaluated with temperature readings at 14.2 °C and relative humidity at 43%, revealing marginal comfort conditions that could reduce worker efficiency and satisfaction. Dust exposure measurements indicated respirable dust concentrations reaching 3.69 mg/m³ in the cutting department, which is close to the permissible exposure limit of 5 mg/m³, raising concerns about long-term respiratory health. These findings suggest several measures to improve workplace safety, including enhanced engineering controls, mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE), improved lighting systems, optimised thermal conditions, and advanced ventilation to reduce dust exposure. This comprehensive evaluation provides critical insights for improving furniture factories’ occupational health and safety practices.

Buonocore Memorial Lecture 2023: Longevity of Dental Restorations or Longevity of Teeth: What Matters?

This paper aims to raise a discussion from the perspective of maintaining long-term oral health, posing a critical question: What holds greater significance for maintaining oral health, the longevity of restorations or teeth? This question explores the aspects that truly matter in ensuring sustained oral health throughout an individual's life. Restoration longevity is well-researched, and evidence shows several risk factors influencing longevity. The dentist's decision-making factor may be of utmost importance, and further studies are needed to investigate its relevance. The critical risk factors for restoration longevity are active pathology (high caries risk), less prominent parafunction, and extensive defects such as endodontic treatment. However, tooth longevity and the main risk factors for tooth loss are not well-researched. The evidence shows dental caries, and its sequelae, are the principal reasons for tooth loss. Patient-related risk factors, especially those associated with lifestyle and health choices, play a major role in the longevity of restorations and, more importantly, tooth longevity. To provide personalized dental care with maximum patient benefit, clinicians should identify and record potential risk factors, promoting a healthy lifestyle to ensure tooth and dentition longevity. Moreover, the evidence suggests that decision-making frameworks based on minimal intervention principles offer the best standard for clinical practice, promoting a longstanding healthy oral environment.

Beyond success and failure: learning from execution of corporate entrepreneurial actions

Purpose This article aims to redefine the paradigm of evaluating corporate entrepreneurial actions, moving beyond the simplistic success/failure dichotomy. It underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of the outcomes of such initiatives, emphasizing the need for organizations to learn from both their successes and failures. The focus is on fostering a learning organization culture, where strategic decision-making is enhanced through a comprehensive analysis of past entrepreneurial endeavors, thus ensuring long-term corporate health and growth. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the analysis of the existing literature and illustrative real-world cases from prominent corporations. Findings The findings reveal that understanding the reasons behind the success or failure of strategic initiatives is crucial for sustainable corporate growth. The study highlights that mere success can be misleading without comprehending the underlying factors, just as failure can offer valuable lessons if properly analyzed. The 'Learning from Execution Matrix' facilitates this understanding, aiding corporations in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The DIRS (Decomposition, Interpretation, Rewarding, Scaling) framework further helps in breaking down and scaling these learnings for broader application within the organization. Originality/value This article contributes to the field of strategic entrepreneurship by providing a novel framework for analyzing corporate entrepreneurial actions. The 'Learning from Execution Matrix' and the DIRS framework offer practical, actionable tools for managers and leaders, fostering a culture of learning and strategic adaptation. This approach is original in its emphasis on the nuanced understanding of both successes and failures, making it a valuable guide for corporations seeking sustained growth and innovation in a competitive business environment.

Acceptance as a possible link between past psychedelic experiences and psychological flexibility

Increased psychological flexibility (PF) may underlie the lasting positive effects of psychedelic experiences on mental well-being. The associations between different components of PF, psychological inflexibility (PI), and well-being with psychedelic use are not well understood. We conducted a cross-sectional internet survey of participants (N = 629) with experience of classical psychedelics. Using network analysis, we examined how aspects of a single psychedelic experience (mystical-type features and psychological insights) and the frequency of past psychedelic use, were associated with current PF and PI components, as well as with mental well-being and ill-being. Mediation analyses explored whether PF mediated the relationship between past psychedelic use and well-being or ill-being. The network analysis linked psychological insight to the PF component Acceptance, with no association found between the frequency of past use and PF. Mediation analyses showed PF mediates the association between past psychedelic use and well-being and ill-being. These results suggest that the quality and depth of the psychedelic experience, rather than the frequency of use, are primarily linked to psychological flexibility, particularly Acceptance, and overall well-being. This underscores the importance of treating PF as a multidimensional construct to better understand the long-term mental health benefits of psychedelics.

Determinants of stunting among adolescent girls in schools of Digo Tsion Town, Northwest Ethiopia: Unmatched case control study.

Stunting is a height-for-age (Z-score) less than minus two standard deviations below the mean of reference standard. It is the most important sign of long-term chronic undernutrition and public health problem in Ethiopia. However, little information was known regarding determinants of stunting among adolescents since it had mostly been investigated in late infancy, especially among children under the age of five. Therefore, identifying determinants of stunting among adolescent girl is still crucial. To identify determinants of stunting among adolescent girls in schools of Digo Tsion Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Case-control study was conducted among 417 adolescent girls (104 cases and 313 controls) in schools of Digo Tsion Town with computer generated simple random sampling technique. World Health Organization Anthroplus 2007 software was used for analyzing anthropometrics data. Data was collected by epicollect5 mobile application through interview by using structured questionnaire. The data was entered in epi data 4.6 and exported into Statistical Package for Social Science version 26. Variables with p- value ≤ 0.25 in bivariable analysis were candidate for multivariable analysis. Model fitness was checked by Hosmer and Lemon Show fitness of test. Variables having a P-value < 0.05 in multivariable analysis were declared as statistically significant at 95% Cl. The result was presented by statement, figures, and tables. A total of 409 (100 cases and 309 controls) adolescent girls participated, with a response rate of 96% for cases and 98.72% for controls. Food insecurity (AOR = 2.13, CI [1.15, 3.93]), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 1.99, CI [1.06, 3.73]), drinking coffee/tea immediately while eating meals (AOR = 2.19, CI [1.22, 3.95]), not getting nutritional counsel (AOR = 2.07, CI [1.17, 3.66]), chronic illness (AOR = 3.78, CI [1.16, 12.3]), and not visited by health extension workers at home (AOR = 1.85, CI [1.03, 3.31]) were statistically significant determinants of stunting. Stunting among adolescents is influenced by a low dietary diversity score, a food-insecure household, drinking coffee or tea immediately while eating a meal, not receiving nutritional counseling, having a chronic illness, and not being visited by health extension workers at home. Future researchers would do better to undertake prospective studies. Health extension workers are better able to provide nutritional counsel for adolescent.

Social inequalities in adult mortality across Europe (18th-21st centuries): A critical analysis of theories and evidence

This study examines the historical evolution of socioeconomic disparities in adult mortality, with a focus on European societies. Despite the widespread improvements in population health, social inequalities in mortality are a pervasive phenomenon nowadays. This paper employs a critical analysis of both theoretical and empirical literature to investigate major international studies and their findings on longevity differences associated with socioeconomic status from the nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Findings reveal that adult mortality trajectories have differed notably across social classes and regions, with some areas exhibiting disparities before the demographic transition and others showing inequalities emerging later. Understanding these long-term health inequality trends sheds light on the changing influence of medical advances and their interplay with economic growth, educational disparities, environmental factors, state roles, and production distribution, which have shaped mortality disparities through different development stages. These factors elucidate the international heterogeneity of results until the mid-twentieth century and offer explanatory insights into observed north-south patterns in Europe. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how advancements in public health, economic development, and social policies have shaped health outcomes over centuries. The implications of this research inform ongoing debates and health policy, emphasizing a nuanced interpretation of historical data to craft effective strategies that address health inequalities today.

Implementation of Evidence-Based International Recommendations Reduces Postoperative Delirium Rate in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery or Interventions: A System-Based Quality Improvement Study.

Delirium is a frequent and serious complication of cardiac procedures that can lead to serious long-term health restrictions. As primary prevention is more effective in reducing rate of delirium than the therapy itself, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a multidisciplinary delirium prevention bundle on the postoperative delirium rate in patients undergoing cardiac procedures. In this system-based quality improvement study, a four-component delirium prevention bundle was implemented in patients undergoing cardiac procedures at a single high-volume center. The program included preoperative delirium risk stratification, multidisciplinary education of consensus guidelines, written memory aids, and post-anesthetic visits with delirium screening until postoperative day three. Overall, 234 patients were included and analyzed during the 6-month study period. The overall delirium incidence rate was 12.4%. After the first 3-month baseline implementation period, the delirium rate was 17.2%, compared with 7.6% (p = 0.026) after implementation of the delirium prevention bundle. Multivariate analysis revealed independent risk factors such as age [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.046; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.002-1.092; p = 0.042], double valve surgery [adjusted OR: 13.1; 95% CI: 3.240-52.974; p < 0.0001], and peripheral artery disease [adjusted OR: 8.131; 95% CI: 2.336-28.306; p < 0.001]. Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with delirium [median 13 (12-19.5) versus 12 (11-14) days, p = 0.009]. This multidisciplinary system-based quality improvement study demonstrated a beneficial effect on the delirium rate after the implementation of a four-component delirium prevention bundle in patients undergoing cardiac surgery or intervention. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed important independent risk factors for delirium development. This might improve early risk stratification and strategies for this high-risk patient collective.

A Qualitative Study of Rural Plant-Based Eaters' Knowledge and Practices for Nutritional Adequacy.

(1) Background: Healthful plant-based diets, especially those rich in minimally processed plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have been associated with a lower risk of diet-related chronic disease. However, individuals who limit or avoid animal products may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies, especially related to Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, and protein. Such deficiencies can result in both short- and long-term health challenges. We used qualitative methods to explore plant-based eaters' knowledge and awareness of these eight nutrients of concern in diets that limit or exclude animal-source foods. (2) Methods: We conducted interviews with 28 rural flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian adults in Vermont, USA. (3) Results: The participants positively viewed the healthfulness of plant-based diets, but many recognized limitations to accessing Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. They shared the strategies used to meet their needs including eating a varied diet, seeking out specific foods, and taking dietary supplements. Analyses identified gaps in the participants' knowledge related to nutrient bioavailability, food sources of specific nutrients, and the importance of zinc and iodine. Vegans-the highest-risk group-generally presented as the most knowledgeable. The participants noted a lack of local plant-based nutrition expertise. (4) Conclusions: Addressing the identified knowledge gaps and challenges to dietary adequacy, especially among those who limit, but do not fully omit, animal-source foods, may support plant-based nutrition.

Impact of Bifidobacterium longum Subspecies infantis on Pediatric Gut Health and Nutrition: Current Evidence and Future Directions.

Background: the intestinal microbiota, a complex community vital to human health, is shaped by microbial competition and host-driven selective pressures. Among these microbes, Bifidobacterium plays a crucial role in early gut colonization during neonatal stages, where Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis) predominates and is particularly prevalent in healthy breastfed infants. Objectives: as we embark on a new era in nutrition of the pediatric population, this study seeks to examine the existing understanding regarding B. infantis, encompassing both preclinical insights and clinical evidence. Methods: through a narrative disceptation of the current literature, we focus on its genetic capacity to break down various substances that support its survival and dominance in the intestine. Results: using "omics" technologies, researchers have identified beneficial mechanisms of B. infantis, including the production of short-chain fatty acids, serine protease inhibitors, and polysaccharides. While B. infantis declines with age and in various diseases, it remains a widely used probiotic with documented benefits for infant and child health in numerous studies. Conclusions: the current scientific evidence underscores the importance for ongoing research and clinical trials for a deeper understanding of B. infantis's role in promoting long-term health.

Perspectives on Long-Term Follow-Up Among Living Kidney Donors

Background: The long-term follow-up of living kidney donors is highly variable in Canada. Methods: We surveyed perspectives on post-donation follow-up among 685 living donors in the two largest transplant programs in Canada (43% survey response rate). The anonymous survey was informed by semi-structured interviews with 12 living kidney donors. The survey was developed based on themes identified in the semi-structured interviews, guidance from the research and clinical teams, and feedback from pilot testing with six previous donors. Results: Most (73%) respondents received follow-up after the first donation year from a primary care provider, and 70% reported annual follow-up visits including blood and urine tests. Most (71%) received a follow-up reminder from their transplant center, and follow-up was higher (86% versus 68%) among those receiving reminders. Donors wanted specialist involvement if new health or kidney-related events occurred. Most (70%) were satisfied with their follow-up, and 66% endorsed annual life-long follow-up. Donors wanted more information about lifestyle and living donor outcomes and wanted to contribute to research to increase understanding of long-term donor health outcomes. Conclusions: Donors wanted annual lifelong follow-up including clinical assessment and laboratory tests and more information about their post-donation health. A transplant center led, primary care provider administered model of long-term follow-up may best meet the care and information needs of most donors.

Achievement Motivation and Stress Coping Styles of Physical Education Major

This study conducted in-depth research and statistics on the achievement motivation and stress coping methods of college students majoring in physical education at Hunan University of Science and Technology. The research subjects were college students majoring in physical education at Hunan University of Science and Technology. Understand their current evaluation of their achievement motivation and stress coping styles in physical education. The results show: The survey of student respondents shows that the gender distribution is basically balanced (males account for 50.77%, females account for 49.23%), mainly including sophomores and seniors. The interviewees generally affirmed the achievement motivation and stress coping style of physical education. However, although male and female students are consistent in their achievement motivation, the sociocultural factors that may affect this phenomenon were not explored in depth, which limits a comprehensive understanding of gender differences. Reduced performance among senior students in motivation to pursue success and avoid failure may be due to increased academic stress and psychological exhaustion. However, research has not analyzed the specific impact of these factors in detail, resulting in insufficient recommendations on how to effectively support older students. Although participants showed diversity in stress coping strategies, a tendency toward avoidance strategies may impact their long-term mental health. Research has not fully explored how to cultivate students' more active coping styles to enhance their ability and resilience to cope with stress.

Cardiovascular health of women 10 to 20 years after placenta-related pregnancy diseases considering the possible effect of pentaerythrityl tetranitrate treatment during pregnancy on long-term maternal cardiovascular health (PAVA study).

Women developing preeclampsia (PE) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) during pregnancy are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. We aimed to analyse cardiovascular health of women 10-20 years after affected pregnancies in comparison to women after uneventful pregnancies. In addition, we assessed a potential long-term effect of the NO-donor pentaerythrityl tetranitrate (PETN). Women 10-20 years after severe PE, including women receiving PETN during pregnancy and matched controls were recruited and assessed for baseline clinical data and cardiovascular function by transthoracic echocardiography, VICORDER and USCOM. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. 53 participants after PE/FGR (13 with former PETN intake) and 51 controls were recruited for follow-up at an average of 14 years after index pregnancies. Compared to controls, women after PE/FGR had a significantly higher incidence of arterial hypertension (13.7% vs. 41.5%, p<0.001), and were more likely to be hypertensive (41.2% vs. 67.30%, p = 0.008). There were no differences in cardiovascular function observed. Affected women with PETN intake during pregnancy showed lower mean values for right atrial area and ventricle in comparison to controls and also to affected women without former medication. In conclusion, our study results confirm that the risk of CVD is increased in women after PE/FGR compared to women after uneventful pregnancies. Contrary to our expectations, no major cardiovascular changes were observed in our cohort 10-20 years post pregnancy. The observed differences found in right heart dimensions were within reference ranges, and should be interpreted with caution.

Self-compassion as a protective factor against post-traumatic stress symptoms induced by adverse childhood experiences: A cross-sectional study among Japan air self-defense force new recruits

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may result in long-term mental health complications, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ACEs are known to be more frequent among military personnel, despite their need to maintain their mental health to accomplish their missions. Self-compassion, or treating oneself with kindness and understanding, can mitigate the psychological effects of adversity but is also affected by adversity. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the complex relationships between ACEs, self-compassion, and PTSD symptoms among 752 new recruits of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, of whom 537 with ACEs completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the independent effect of self-compassion, measured using the Self-Compassion Scale, on PTSD symptoms. Mediation effect analysis with self-compassion as a mediator was conducted on the relationship between ACEs and PTSD symptoms. We confirmed high levels of ACEs among our participants compared to a healthy population of a previous study, and approximately 6% presented PTSD symptoms above a threshold. Self-compassion was significantly negatively associated with PTSD symptoms (β = −.22, 95% confidence interval [CI], −.34 to −.11). Mediation effect analysis revealed that self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and PTSD symptoms, explaining 6.9% of this effect, and ACEs were negatively associated with self-compassion (β = −.13, 95% CI, −.22 to −.04). These findings suggested that self-compassion is a protective factor against PTSD symptoms, whereas ACEs can decrease self-compassion. Further research should explore educational interventions to enhance self-compassion among individuals with ACEs to mitigate PTSD symptoms.

A community-based ambulance model: lessons for emergency medical services and everyday health systems resilience from South Africa.

The role of the emergency medical service (EMS) is changing globally as ambulance crews respond to a shifting burden of disease, as well as societal stressors such as violence and inequality. New ways of thinking about how to provide emergency care are required to shift EMS from a role primarily focused on clinical care and transporting patients to hospital. In this paper, we present the experience of the Philippi Project (PP), an innovative community-based model of care developed by front line ambulance crews in a low-income neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa. Our insights were developed through observational, interview and document review work, within an overall embedded research approach. Our analysis draws on the everyday health systems resilience (EHSR) framework, which sees resilience as an emergent process that may be stimulated through response to stress and shock. Responses take the form of absorptive, adaptive or transformative strategies and are underpinned by system capacities (cognitive, behavioural and contextual). We consider the PP as a potentially transformative resilience strategy, defined as a new way of working that offered the promise of long-term health system gains. We found that the PP's initial development was supported by a range of system capacity attributes (such as the intentional development of relationships, a sense of collective purpose and creating spaces for constructive sense-making). However, the PP was hard to sustain over time because emergent ways of working were undermined both by other capacity attributes rooted in pre-existing organizational routines and two contextual shocks (Coronavirus and a violent incident). The paper adds a new empirical contribution to the still-small EHSR literature. In addition, the PP experience offers globally relevant lessons for developing community-based models of EMS care. It demonstrates that front line staff can develop creative solutions to their stressful daily realities, but only if space is created and protected.

Urban public space initiatives and health in Africa: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Public space initiatives (PSIs) in African cities can significantly promote health and social well-being, yet their implementation and impact are unknown across the continent. There is a substantial gap in literature on PSIs in African countries, with most studies concentrated in wealthier cities and lacking comprehensive assessments of long-term health impacts. The objective of this study was to synthesise evidence on the typology, location, features, and outcomes of these initiatives as well as the guiding principles that underlie their design and implementation. Employing a mixed-methods model, the study systematically reviews peer-reviewed and grey literature articles, focusing on the types, settings, and outcomes of PSIs. Data is analyzed using the CASP appraisal tool and thematic analysis. We analysed 47 studies, 15 of which were mixed methods, 22 qualitative and 10 quantitative. Sports accounted for 50% of initiatives. 30 of the 47 papers originated from South Africa. Communities viewed initiatives' wellbeing impacts through social, economic, and ecological lenses, with health being but one dimension. The sustainability of initiatives was often limited by funding, historical marginalization, and competing land uses. Findings underscore the need for more comprehensive, long-term evaluations and cross-sector collaborations to sustain and enhance health-promoting public spaces in African cities.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Primary School Students in Split, Croatia

The rising prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is a global public health concern, significantly contributing to noncommunicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In Croatia, obesity rates are alarmingly high, affecting both children and adults. Data from the Institute of the Public Health of Split-Dalmatian County were analyzed to identify trends in body mass index (BMI) among primary school students in Split, Croatia and possible connection with sports participation and parental education levels. A longitudinal analysis of students was conducted across three medical examinations during primary school education. The findings showed an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity from 23.4% in the first to 30.2% in the fifth grade, returning back to 23.4% in the eighth grade. Significant differences among students were associated with parental education level. Boys who participated in sports demonstrated a higher BMI in the first grade but there was no difference in BMI in later grades. Sports participation had no significant impact on the BMI of girls. The study underscores the critical role of parental education in influencing children’s weight status and highlights the necessity of tailored public health interventions to address these trends from an early age. The implementation of comprehensive strategies, including educational programs and policy measures as part of the national health policy, is the only way to combat childhood obesity and promote long-term health benefits.

Helicobacter pylori: A Cause of peptic ulcer disease among Adolescent Girls in Africa

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a major global health concern that often results in hospitalization due to insufficient protective factors in the mucosa. Helicobacter pylori contributes to PUD development, causing symptoms such as epigastric pain, bloating, fullness, and nausea. An extensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify articles published between 2013 and 2024. Relevant cross-sectional studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, literature reviews, and case reports were included in the analysis, whereas editorials, perspectives, and commentaries were excluded from the study. Overall, 20% of teenagers and 45% of individuals aged &gt;45 years were infected with H. pylori, indicating that transmission can occur at any age during childhood and adolescence. Moreover, 8.4% of adolescents aged 10 &amp;ndash; 19 years and 64.6% of those aged &lt;18 years tested positive for H. pylori. This bacterium can spread through familial transmission and exposure to oral or fecal matter. Large households and bedroom sharing were associated with H. pylori infection, and adolescents from rural areas showed a higher infection rate than those from urban areas. Improving personal hygiene and implementing educational initiatives within families are key to curbing the spread of H. pylori infection in Africa. Prioritizing hygiene and social improvements in national and subnational strategies can considerably reduce infection rates. Adopting a whole family-based approach and allocating funds for relevant projects can benefit families and children across the continent. Moreover, prompt implementation of interventions to combat H. pylori infection among African adolescents is essential. Promoting cleanliness and raising awareness are key strategies to ensure long-term health among the African youth.

Hypoxic Effects of Heroin and Fentanyl and Their Basic Physiological Mechanisms.

Respiratory depression that diminishes oxygen delivery to the brain is the most dangerous effect of opioid drugs. While plethysmography is a valuable tool to examine drug-induced changes in respiration, the primary cause of brain abnormalities induced by opioids is the global decrease in brain oxygen levels. The primary goal of this review is to provide an overview and discussion on fluctuations in brain oxygen levels induced by opioids, with a focus on heroin and fentanyl. To evaluate fluctuations in brain oxygen levels we used oxygen sensors coupled with high-speed amperometry in awake, freely moving rats. First, we provide an overview of brain oxygen responses induced by natural physiological stimuli and discuss the mechanisms regulating oxygen entry into brain tissue. Then, we present data on brain oxygen responses induced by heroin and fentanyl and review their underlying mechanisms. These data allowed us to compare the effects of these drugs on brain oxygen regarding their latency, potency, time-dependency, and potential lethality at high doses as well as their relationships with peripheral oxygen responses. We also discuss data on the effects of naloxone on brain oxygen responses induced by heroin and fentanyl in the paradigms of both the pre-treatment and treatment, when naloxone is administered at different times after the primary opioid drug. Although most data discussed were obtained in rats, they may have clinical relevance for understanding the mechanisms underlying the physiological effects of opioids and developing rational treatment strategies to decrease acute lethality and long-term health complications of opioid misuse.