Health Organization International Research Articles

Differences in Fatty Acid Profile and Physical-Chemical Composition of Slavonska slanina-Dry Cured Smoked Bacon Produced from Black Slavonian Pig and Modern Pigs.

Simple SummaryResearch on the products of local pig breeds is quite challenging as the populations are small, breeders are less educated and it is often difficult to design systematic research in various and usually different breeding conditions, compared to commercial breeds. In this study, we have analysed dry cured bacons, produced from the local Black Slavonian and modern breeds on the small home-made scale, and compared their physico-chemical properties and fatty acid profiles. Results have showed significant differences in chemical composition and fatty acid profiles between analysed pig breeds.The objective of this study was to compare the psysico-chemical composition and fatty acid (FFA) profile of traditional dry cured bacon Slavonska slanina, produced from the authentic Black Slavonian Pig (BP) and modern pigs (MP), using traditional homemade principles. The samples of Slavonska slanina produced from BP had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher fat content (78.32%) than the samples produced from MP (46.47%), while the samples produced from MP showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) protein and moisture content. The samples produced from BP also showed lower aw and salt content but higher pH. Determination of fatty acid composition was performed at the end of the production process. The composition of fatty acids with respect to the groups of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids was determined, as well as the ratios n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA. The results of fatty acid composition determination of Slavonska slanina produced from BP and MP show that oleic acid (C18: 1n9) is the most dominant fatty acid from the MUFA group (47.02 and 46.25%), the most common SFA acid was palmitic acid (C16: 0) (23.44 and 24.96%), and PUFA linoleic acid (C18: 2n-6c) (10.76 and 9.74%). The genotype had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the SFA and USFA composition of Slavonska slanina. The ratios PUFA/SFA (0.34–0.28) and n-6/n-3 (31.84–27.34) for samples of Slavonska slanina produced from BP and MP are in concordance with previously published data for different dry cured meat products, and do not comply with the nutritionally recommended values of international health organizations (PUFA/SFA > 0.4 and n-6/n-3 < 4).

Criminological and criminal law aspects of the definition of suicide

The article analyses the basic approaches to the definition of suicide, used in Ukraine and throughout the world. The importance of modelling the definition of suicide in the context of scientific analysis of this phenomenon is emphasized. The linguistic nature of the terms "self-killing" and "suicide" is studied. Suicide definitions, used by international and reputable health organizations and institutions, are collected. The available scientific definitions of Ukrainian researchers, which were formulated in the past, are presented and analysed. The inexpediency of considering all suicides violent is justified. Arguments in favour of conciseness and clarity of the recommended definition of suicide are presented and attention is focused on the negative impact of overloaded definitions. A claim that self-killing as a result of mental disorders cannot be considered suicide is criticised. As a result, a distinctive vision of the problem of suicide has been formulated and substantiated, recommendations, considering its definition, have been provided. In addition, an analysis of the essence of the definition of suicide with the use of corpus delicti modelling is performed. The controversial position that suicide can be committed by inaction is discussed. Emphasis is placed on intent as an integral part of the definition of suicide. The so-called "demonstrative" suicides are analysed and the criminal law concepts of direct, indirect intent and negligence are designed in the context. It is stated, that committing suicide by negligence is impossible. The position that intentional self-killing of minors cannot be considered suicide and such actions should be qualified as an "accident" has been analysed. This position is criticized

Intervention Goals for Preschoolers With Language Difficulties and Disorders: A Scoping Review Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework.

The primary aim of this scoping review was to categorize language therapy goals reported in intervention studies for preschoolers (i.e., children from birth to 5;0 [years;months]) with language difficulties and disorders within the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. A secondary aim was to determine whether different therapy goals were reported for two language difficulty/disorder subtypes (i.e., comparing language difficulty/disorder associated with a biomedical condition to those without an associated biomedical condition). The scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley (2005) guidelines. Articles were retrieved from speechBITE, with age (under 5 years), intervention area (language), and study design (all but systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines) specified as inclusion criteria. Language goals were extracted and categorized into the ICF components, and the distribution of goals across ICF components was compared for studies involving children with the two language difficulty/disorder subtypes. A total of 287 articles were identified; 140 met inclusion criteria. Of the 293 goals extracted, 48% aligned with the activities component of the ICF framework, followed by participation (26%), environmental factors (20%), body functions and structures (3%), and personal factors (3%). Most participation-focused goals were reported from intervention studies involving preschoolers with a language difficulty/disorder associated with a biomedical condition. Few participation-focused goals were reported in intervention studies for preschoolers with language difficulty/disorder without an associated condition. Future work is needed to support integrating the ICF framework in goal setting for both research and practice.

Reliability and Validity Analysis of the Academic Stress Inventory in University Students

Currently, the International Health Organizations consider stress a morbidity and should be treated as a public health issue, even more so as a result of the health pandemic experienced. The university student was no stranger to this, suffering the so-called academic stress due to both academic and social factors. To determine the level of this, the SISCO university stress inventory was used, whose purpose was to identify attributes of stress that usually follow undergraduate and graduate students in the course of their university education. It consists of 30 items divided into three dimensions: stressful situations, symptoms (physical, psychological and behavioral reactions) and coping strategies. The results indicated that this inventory has good internal consistency in the total scale and in its dimensions. In terms of validity, the AFE and AFC proved that there are three factors considered in the theoretical model: symptoms, stressors and coping strategies, and the confirmatory analysis indicates an adequate fit for the academic stress model.

Ozone Layer Depletion and Emerging Public Health Concerns - An Update on Epidemiological Perspective of the Ambivalent Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the primary etiological agent responsible for developing cutaneous malignancies. Avoiding excessive radiation exposure, especially by high-risk groups, is recommended to prevent UV-induced photo-pathologies. However, optimal sun exposure is essential for the healthy synthesis of about 90% of vitamin D levels in the body. Insufficient exposure to UV-B is linked to vitamin D deficiency in humans. Therefore, optimal sun exposure is necessary for maintaining a normal state of homeostasis in the skin. Humans worldwide face a major existential threat because of climate change which has already shown its effects in several ways. Over the last 4 to 5 decades, increased incidences in skin cancer cases have led international health organizations to develop strong sun protection measures. However, at the same time, a growing concern about vitamin D deficiency is creating a kind of exposure dilemma. Current knowledge of UV exposure to skin outweighs the adverse effects than the beneficial roles it offers to the body, necessitating a correct public health recommendation on optimal sun exposure. Following an appropriate recommendation on optimal sun exposure will lead to positive outcomes in protecting humans against the adverse effects of strict recommendations on sun protection measures. In this short review, we spotlight the ambivalent health effects of UV exposure and how ozone layer depletion has influenced these effects of UVR. Further, our aim remains to explore how to lead towards a balanced recommendation on sun protection measures to prevent the spurt of diseases due to inadequate exposure to UV-B.

The Multilevel Dimension of Rules-Based Disease Surveillance beyond the State.

The timely availability of accurate information on disease outbreaks with a potential for cross-border spread is a global public good, allowing for a more effective preparedness and response. An ensuing question for national public health authorities is how such information is attained when it is gathered in territories beyond their jurisdiction. International and regional law norms emerge as an option for providing such a global public good. Therefore, the current article examines existing legal frameworks for ad hoc disease surveillance beyond the state at the international and regional levels, namely: the World Health Organization's International Health Regulations of 2005; Regulation (EC) No. 851/2004 and Decision No. 1082/2013/EU in the European Union; the Statute of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention within the African Union; and the Protocol from the Economic Community of West African States, which created the West African Health Organisation. The comparison offers broader insights on the role of rules as a vehicle for securing prompt and reliable information of new and re-emerging communicable diseases, such as Covid-19.

Treating Concomitant Language and/or Phonology Impairment in Children Who Stutter.

Stuttering can co-occur with phonological and/or language impairment in a nontrivial number of children. This article provides a framework for addressing concomitant phonology/language impairment and stuttering through the application of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Described is a multifactorial approach to understanding stuttering, the application of the ICF to treating children who stutter with concomitant disorders, and models for structuring-related therapy. A case study is explored to illustrate this process and includes a sample treatment plan with goals, short-term objectives, and sample activities.

A Web-Survey Exploration of COVID-19 Knowledge, Misinformation and Sources of Information During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

PurposeDue to the novel and rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a widespread perpetuation of myths, rumours, and conspiracy theories about the pandemic. This has led to the emergence of an “infodemic” of fake news and distorted facts. Our study examines Nigerians’ knowledge and sources of COVID-19 information during the pandemic.Methods & MaterialsWe conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey of internet users (≥ 16 years old) resident in Nigeria targeted through snowballing sampling. The questionnaire was deployed using the JISC platform (https://www.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/) between 19th May 2020 to 18th June 2020. Descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ2) were reported while multivariable logistic regression was conducted to estimate the association between selected predictor variables and a good COVID-19 knowledge.ResultsA total of 406 respondents across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria were recruited for the survey. Varying proportion of the respondents agreed with some of the prevailing misinformation such as the bioengineered weapon origin of COVID-19 (29.6%), and that herbal mixtures (18.7%) and antibiotics (9.1%) are efficacious cures. A lesser proportion also believed the virus was engineered for population control (9.9%) and vaccination enforcement (5.7%), as a plague caused by sins (4.7%) and a consequence of the 5G network technology (2.5%). Most respondents ranked international health organisations (73.9%) and health/public health workers (70.7%) as their most trusted sources of COVID-19 information while a comparatively lower proportion indicated their trust in government statements (40.6%) and social media sources (22.4%). Multivariable regression reveals a number of predictors of COVID-19 knowledge such as being urban settlers (OR:2.98, 95% C.I:1.05 – 8.49, p = 0.04) compared to rural dwellers; resident in the North Central zone (OR:0.53, 95% C.I:0.30 - 0.95, p = 0.03) and the Northwest zone (OR:0.20, 95% C.I:0.07 - 0.60, p = 0.004) compared to those in Southwest zone of Nigeria; and having a non-medical educational/professional background (95% C.I: 0.29 - 0.85, p = 0.01) compared to a medical/science background.ConclusionThe findings highlight factors to consider in designing proactive risk communication strategies during a disease outbreak and the importance of a targeted approach for COVID-19 health communication.

An Examination of the Sex-Specific Nature of Nutrition Assessment within the Nutrition Care Process: Considerations for Nutrition and Dietetics Practitioners Working with Transgender and Gender Diverse Clients

An Examination of the Sex-Specific Nature of Nutrition Assessment within the Nutrition Care Process: Considerations for Nutrition and Dietetics Practitioners Working with Transgender and Gender Diverse Clients

State of Rehabilitation Research in the Head and Neck Cancer Population: Functional Impact vs. Impairment-Focused Outcomes.

Management of head and neck cancer (HNC) typically involves a morbid combination of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. As the number of HNC survivors grows, there is growing interest in rehabilitation strategies to manage HNC-related comorbidity. In this review, we summarize the current state of HNC rehabilitation research. We have organized our review using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Function (ICF) model of impairment, activity, and participation. Specifically, we describe the current research on rehabilitation strategies to prevent and treat impairments including dysphagia, xerostomia, dysgeusia, dysosmia, odynophagia, trismus, first bite syndrome, dysarthria, dysphonia, lymphedema, shoulder syndrome, cervicalgia, cervical dystonia and dropped head syndrome, deconditioning, and fatigue. We also discuss the broader impact of HNC-related impairment by exploring the state of rehabilitation literature on activity, participation, psychosocial distress, and suicidality in HNC survivors. We demonstrate that research in HNC rehabilitation continues to focus primarily on impairment-driven interventions. There remains a dearth of HNC rehabilitation studies directly examining the impact of rehabilitation interventions on outcomes related to activity and participation. More high-quality interventional studies and reviews are needed to guide prevention and treatment of functional loss in HNC survivors.

Study on the Incorporation of Oat and Yeast β-Glucan into Shortbread Biscuits as a Basis for Designing Healthier and High Quality Food Products.

According to international health and food organizations and authorities, people should limit fat intake since fat is the most caloric component of food and it is often a source of unsafe saturated fatty acids (FA) and trans isomers. The greatest health benefits come from replacing shorts with dietary fiber molecules. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of reducing shortening content, which has an undesirable profile of FA, by addition of β-glucan molecules in shortbread biscuits. The effect of oat and yeast β-glucan supplementation on physical and sensory quality of products with reduced fat content (max 15%) were studied. It was shown that the substitution of shortening by β-glucan in shortbread biscuits is possible to a limited extent. Reduction in product energy value (up to 36 kcal/100 g) and content of undesirable FA (maximum 2.1 g/100 g) and increased of β-glucan content, regardless of the type, caused deterioration of biscuits quality and affected changes during storage. The substitution of shortening by β-glucan in food is a good way to improve nutritional value by increasing the amount of dietary fiber molecules, reducing calories, and amount of SFA in diets.

Risks and new challenges in the food chain: Viral contamination and decontamination from a global perspective, guidelines, and cleaning.

Even during the continuing world pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), consumers remain exposed to the risk of getting infected by existing, emerging, or re-emerging foodborne and waterborne viruses. SARS-CoV-2 is different in that it is transmitted directly via the airborne route (droplets and aerosols) or indirect contact (surfaces contaminated with SARS-CoV-2). International food and health organizations and national regulatory bodies have provided guidance to protect individuals active in food premises from potential occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and have recommended chemicals effective in controlling the virus. Additionally, to exclude transmission of foodborne and waterborne viruses, hygiene practices to remove viral contaminants from surfaces are applied in different stages of the food chain (e.g., food plants, food distribution, storage, retail sector, etc.), while new and enhanced measures effective in the control of all types of viruses are under development. This comprehensive review aims to analyze and compare efficacies of existing cleaning practices currently used in the food industry to remove pathogenic viruses from air, nonfood, and food contact surfaces, as well as from food surfaces. In addition, the classification, modes of transmission, and survival of food and waterborne viruses, as well as SARS-CoV-2 will be presented. The international guidelines and national regulations are summarized in terms of virucidal chemical agents and their applications.

COVID-19 Vaccinations: Summary Guidance for Cancer Patients in 28 Languages: Breaking Barriers to Cancer Patient Information.

BackgroundCovid-19 vaccination has started in the majority of the countries at the global level. Cancer patients are at high risk for infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19 and need vaccination guidance and support.Guidance availability in the English language only is a major limit for recommendations’ delivery and their application in the world’s population and generates information inequalities across the different populations.Methods Most of the available COVID-19 vaccination guidance for cancer patients was screened and scrutinized by the European Cancer Patients Coalition (ECPC) and an international oncology panel of 52 physicians from 33 countries. ResultsA summary guidance was developed and provided in 28 languages in order to reach more than 70 percent of the global population.ConclusionLanguage barrier and e-guidance availability in the native language are the most important barriers when communicating with patients. E-guidance availability in various native languages should be considered a major priority by international medical and health organizations that are communicating with patients at the global level.

Histopathological Records of Oral and Maxillofacial Lesions among Pediatric and Adolescent Patients in Sulaimani Governorate.

Oral and maxillofacial lesions (OMFLs) in pediatrics differ markedly from their adult counterparts in terms of clinical conduct, pathological behavior, and management. This study aims to determine the frequency of OMFLs among pediatric and adolescent patients and to correlate the demographics information to the site, and histopathological findings. Pathological records of pediatric and adolescent patients were retrieved from three major pathological centers in Sulaimani city of Iraq. Demographic information, surgical procedure, anatomical sites, and histopathological diagnosis were recorded. Furthermore, The World Health Organization (WHO) International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) was used for coding. A Chi-square test was used to find the relation between different variables, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. This study archived 309 (13.3%) out of 2319 pediatric and adolescent patients, with a mean age of 11.04 ± 4.62. Females were more commonly detected (52.8%). The most frequently diagnosed lesions were salivary gland diseases (20.7%), followed by reactive hyperplastic connective tissue (18.4%). A significant relation was found between age groups and diagnostic categories (p = 0.001). The lips were the most commonly detected sites (20.7%). Mucocele was the most frequently seen non-neoplastic lesions (19.4%), followed by pyogenic granuloma (8.7%). Neoplastic lesions revealed predominant hemangioma (3.2%), followed by peripheral ossifying fibroma (1.9%). Traumatic and or reactive lesions were the most commonly reported lesions. Malignant neoplasms can be identified. The current study enabled systematic data recording of pediatric and adolescent patients, encouraging the importance of the oral healthcare system in identifying and managing the problem early in this critical age in this region.

Dental Setting Design Guideline Adaptation in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Thailand

Abstract Criteria for dental clinic design in Thailand are recommended by the Design and Construction Division, Department of Health Service Support, Ministry of Public Health. During the Coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), there were several procedures regarding dental operations and infection prevention suggested by researchers and international health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, some criteria still have discrepancies in practice, since they have no definite correct answers. This research describes the dental clinic redesign for COVID-19 control using dental setting design guidelines in both Thailand and foreign countries. The re-designed planning of the clinic was reviewed by dentists, engineers, and physicians. The issue of concern is the cost and the design’s value in the disinfection of facilities. Significant proven methods of disinfection are used in this paper, including functional re-consideration, negative air pressure rooms, filters, Ultra-Violet devices, and ozonators. This research contributes to the literature by providing a functional diagram for dental clinic adjustment in the COVID-19 situation. The 12 air changes per hour (ACH) ventilation combined with management protocol ensures that patients’ safety is a priority and provides a feasible option for adaptation in a developing country such as Thailand. Keywords: Architectural design, COVID-19, Dental clinic, Guideline, Planning

Development of a management guidewheel for vulvar cancer

Ismail’s Cancer Vulva Management Guidewheel is designed to enable physicians to refer to a quick and comprehensive reference to recommendations on the management of vulvar cancer at various stages. The wheel consists of patient characteristics, including the FIGO stage and the possible treatment modalities available along with alternatives. We compared guidelines on the management of vulvar cancer by international health organizations including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR), the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Japanese Society of Gynecologic Oncology (JSGO), the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Their respective recommendations have been compared and carefully integrated on the guidewheel.

C&amp;EN talks with Simon Smith, respirator filter expert

Simon Smith has a long history of developing personal protective equipment (PPE) for industrial, health-care, military, emergency response, and other applications. He specializes in respirator filters and says he finds great satisfaction in the opportunity to apply “dry” science to products that improve health and safety and sometimes save lives. Smith, 60, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from what is now Imperial College London, then a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1985. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Royal Military College of Canada, he joined Racal Health and Safety. The company was purchased by 3M in 1998. Smith retired from 3M in late 2019 but remains active in standards development with the International Organization for Standardization, the CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association), and other national and international health and safety organizations. Jeff Johnson spoke with Smith about developing

Bidirectional screening and treatment outcomes of diabetes mellitus (DM) and Tuberculosis (TB) patients in hospitals with measures to integrate care of DM and TB and those without integration measures in Malawi

IntroductionThere are efforts in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) to integrate Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes mellitus (DM) healthcare services, as encouraged by WHO and other international health organizations. However, evidence on actual effect of different integration measures on bidirectional screening coverages and or treatment outcomes for both diseases in LMICs is scarce.Objectives and methodsRetrospective chart review analysis was conducted to determine effects of integrated care on bidirectional screening and treatment outcomes for both TB patients and people with DM (PWD) recruited in eight Malawian hospitals. Data of ≥ 15 years old patients registered between 2016 to August 2019 were collected and analysed.Results557 PWDs (mean age 54) and 987 TB patients (mean age 41) were recruited. 64/557 (11.5%) PWDs and 105/987 (10.6%) of TB patients were from an integrating hospital. 36/64 (56.3%) PWDs were screened for TB in integrated healthcare as compared to 5/493 (1.0%) in non-integrated care; Risk Difference (RD) 55.2%, (95%CI 43.0, 67.4), P < 0.001, while 10/105 (9.5%) TB patients were screened for DM in integrated healthcare as compared to 43/882 (4.9%) in non-integrated care; RD 4.6%, (95%CI − 1.1, 10.4), P = 0.065. Of the PWDs screened, 5/41 (12.2%) were diagnosed with TB, while 5/53 (9.4%) TB patients were diagnosed with DM. On TB treatment outcomes, 71/508 (14.8%) were lost to follow up in non-integrated care and none in integrated care were lost to follow-up; RD − 14.0%, (95%CI: − 17.0,-11.0), p < 0.001. Among PWDs, 40/493 (8.1%) in non-integrated care and 2/64 (3.1%) were lost to follow up in integrated care; RD − 5.0%, (95%CI:-10.0, − 0.0); P = 0.046. After ≥ 2 years of follow up, 62.5% PWDs in integrated and 41.8% PWDs in non-integrated care were retained in care, RD 20.7, (95%CI: 8.1, 33.4), P = 0.001.ConclusionWe found higher bidirectional screening coverage and less loss to follow-up in one centre that made more efforts to implement integrated measures for TB and DM care than in 7 others that did not make these efforts. Decisions on local programs to integrate TB/DM care should be taken considering currently rather weak evidence and barriers faced in the local context as well as existing guidelines.

Evaluacija devojčice sa sindromom mikroduplikacije 16p13.11 prema Međunarodnoj klasifikaciji funkcionisanja, nesposobnosti i zdravlja

Objective: To present the functional status of a child with 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome by evaluating it under the International Classification of the World Health Organization's International Framework for Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Case Description: An 11-year-old girl with 16p13.11 microduplication syndrome was assessed using the tools classified according to ICF for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) categories to evaluate body function, activity participation, and environmental factors. There was a wide range of problems, from body functions to activity participation and environmental factors. Besides these problems, there were social and cognitive disorders as well. Conclusion: Physical and cognitive problems in body function and activity together constitute great barriers to participation in daily life.

Allergy in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) provides a common language for use worldwide as a diagnostic and classification tool for epidemiology, clinical purposes, and health management. The change in the hierarchy in ICD-11 permitted the construction of the pioneer section addressed to allergic and hypersensitivity conditions (A/H), which may result in more accurate mortality and morbidity statistics, including more accurate accounting for mortality due to anaphylaxis, strengthen classification, terminology, and definitions. The ICD-11 was presented and adopted by the 72nd World Health Assembly in May 2019, and the implementation is ongoing worldwide. The Montpellier World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Classification Scientific Support was designated in 2018 and is responsible for supporting the WHO through representing A/H in the international classifications and quality care of patients from the public health perspective.