International Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume:13 Issue: 2, Feb 2022

The rapid migration from rural to urban region results in mushrooming of slums in India. Urban‑slums are comparatively poor vulnerable groups which are mostly affected with oral cancer due to higher exposure to risk factors like tobacco use.

To assess pattern of tobacco consumption, awareness about oral cancer and related health education needs in urban slums of Jodhpur city.

Study was conducted during July 2018Nov 2018 in slum of Jodhpur city. On the basis of cluster sampling strategy data were collected from 1200 participants regarding tobacco use and perception regarding oral cancer to identify health education needs in urban slums. Descriptive statistics, Chi‑square test, multivariate logistics analysis were used and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 1200 participants were surveyed, out of which 48.5% were males. Among the study population, 58.5% (n = 462/789) males and 41.45% (n = 327/789) females were consuming tobacco in one or more forms. The statistical association between: age and bidi, gutka, zarda consumption; gender and bidi, cigarette, gutka consumption was found to be significant (P < 0.001). The younger population (1530 years) has more willingness to quit tobacco than the older population. (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.092.11). Almost 56% were aware of oral cancer.

An effective information, education and communication (IEC) strategy for tobacco cessation should be designed with focus on different education needs according to age, gender, and education status of slum population.

Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) spread has been highly effective in the treatment of malnutrition in those affected by disasters since it does not require preparation and baking and has a long shelf life and sufficient energy to improve growth and weight loss. Such features may be crucial during crises such as wars and natural disasters. The present study aimed to design a highenergy and nutrient-dense RUTF formulation.

Soybean flour and milk protein concentrate were used as protein sources, corn flour, and sugar were employed as carbohydrate sources, cacao butter substitute was used as the lipid source, and vitamin/mineral, beta-alanine, arginine, Nigella sativa, and sesame seeds were used as a functional food. The study was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and criteria for food products.

To design the formulation, we used carbohydrates (45% of total energy), protein (13% of total energy), fat (42% of total energy), vitamins, minerals, beta-alanine, and arginine, and 100 grams of the diet was considered to release 525 kilocalories of energy. The experimental results of food safety at the determined intervals (at the beginning and 45 and 90 days after the production) showed acceptable values.

Since nutritional requirements are among essential human needs (especially in the management of malnutrition in crisis), it is of utmost importance to prepare RUTF products in order to meet all human nutritional needs by facilitating the easy use of these products, particularly for the prevention of malnutrition and diseases.

Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV 2) presenting mainly as an acute respiratory illness with interstitial and alveolar pneumonia. It can also affect multiple organs such as the kidney, heart, intestinal tract, blood, and nervous system. We report a 10‑year‑old boy presenting with severe cough, tachypnea, retraction and respiratory distress, fever, myalgia, oliguria, and anuria thereafter. He had no history of diarrhea, vomiting, or a runny nose. Laboratory findings include leukopenia and lymphopenia. CRP, ESR, and procalcitonin levels were high, but serum LDH was normal. RT‑PCR test was positive. In the initial days of admission, he needed mechanical ventilation support due to ARDS and received antiviral drugs, renal replacement therapy, hemoperfusion, and other necessary supportive cares. Thirty‑five days later, he weaned from the ventilator and discharged from hospital. Two weeks later, COVID‑19 specific IgG was found in serologic test.

Oxidative stress has a prominent role in the pathogenesis of diabetes complications. Pramlintide is an injectional amylin analogue used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The present investigation evaluated the effect of pramlintide against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Cell viability was assessed using 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Hydroperoxides level, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and expression of transcription factor NF‑κB were measured in HUVECs that pretreated with pramlintide and, then exposed to H2 O2 .

Pramlintide significantly decreased the cytotoxicity caused by H2 O2 at the concentrations of 5 and 10 µg/mL. Pretreatment of HUVECs with pramlintide reduced hydroperoxides and increased FRAP value in intra‑ and extra‑cellular mediums at different concentration ranges compared with H2 O2 stimulated cells. Pramlintide (10 µg/mL) remarkably ameliorated the expression of NF‑κB gene after 1, 3 and 24 h exposure to H2 O2 .

Findings of the current investigation displayed that pramlintide may act as a protective against oxidative conditions in endothelial cells through modulation of oxidative markers and transcription factor NF‑κB.

Most of the cancer patients with solid tumor are subjected to chemotherapy with cisplatin (CP) in clinic. However, the most side effect of CP is nephrotoxicity, which limits the treatment. The aim of study was to develop a general consensus statement for CP therapy in clinic to limit the drug-induced nephrotoxicity.

A total of 30 oncologist-hematologists, adult and pediatric nephrologists, radiation oncologists, clinical pathologist clinical pharmacologist, and renal physiologist participated in a workshop, and in order to reduce the incidence of CP-induced nephrotoxicity, a general consensus was developed.

The developed general consensus was focused on some items such as age, sex, female hormone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), renin–angiotensin system inhibitor drugs, glomerular filtration rate, hydration methods, contrasts, antioxidants, dextrose, and magnesium.

The agreement between participants for CP therapy in clinic was achieved, and this general consensus was announced to be implemented in the hospitals.

Currently, the COVID‑19 pandemic is the most discussed subject in medical researches worldwide. As the knowledge is expanded about the disease, more hypotheses become created. A recent study on the viral protein interaction map revealed that SARS‑CoV‑2 open reading frame 8 (ORF8) interacts with human DNA methyl transferase1 (DNMT1), an active epigenetic agent in DNA methylation. Moreover, DNMT1 is a contributor to a variety of chronic diseases which could cause some epigenetic dysregulation in infected cells, especially leukocytes, pancreatic beta, and endothelial cells. Regarding the fact that epigenetic alterations have a partial, but not completely reversible phenomena, it raises the question that if this interaction may cause long‑term complications such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, long follow‑up studies on the recovered patients from COVID‑19 are recommended.

Health literacy index (HLI) was developed to provide a proper framework for educational material in all levels. So, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of education based on (HLI) on the self-care ability among older adults.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted with 68 older adults during the period of May–August 2019. The research setting was health centers in the south of Tehran, Iran. Samples were selected with considering the inclusion criteria. Then Block randomization was used to assign the participants into two groups. The intervention group for 4 weeks in groups of 8–10 in the intervention group. Self-care ability was measured using a self-care questionnaire in two stages, before and two months after the implementation of intervention. The control group received no education and only used the routine community house services. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 16.0). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and independent t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean total self-care ability scores in the intervention group were 165.38 ± 10.69 and 184.28 ± 10.07 before and after intervention, respectively. These scores in the control group were 163.65 ± 13.27 and 167.52 ± 13.58, respectively (P < 0.001). The results showed significant differences between the two groups regarding self-care ability after the intervention (P < 0.001).

The implementation of education based on HLI significantly improve the self-care behaviors in older adults. It is suggested that this approach should be established to fit of educational content appropriate to the age of the elderly in order to health promotion. Trial Registration: The trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on May 23, 2018, identifier: IRCT20170912036150N1.

To assess the influence of gender and age on different parameters of alveolar bone loss using specific radiomorphometric indices on panoramic radiographs to aid in identifying patients with possible low bone mineral density (BMD).

The present cross‑sectional study included 80 subjects in whom mandibular cortical index (MCI), mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), alveolar bone loss (ABL), and bone height in 1st premolar (Hp) and 1st molar (Hm) were assessed to evaluate the alveolar bone loss.

The findings of the present study revealed a significant association between MCI and age for females with C2 and C3 categories being more common with advancing age. Also, a significant difference could be seen in relation to gender (p‑value = 0.0315) for MCW with a concomitant decrease in values of MCW in females >60 years of age. The vertical bone height of the edentulous mandible at 1st premolar (Hp) (p‑value = 0.0071) and 1st molar (Hm) (p‑value = 0.0044) regions were also found to be more in males than females.

Panoramic radiographic measurements provided valuable information for alveolar bone loss in terms of gender and age based on specific radiomorphometric parameters.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in Iranian females. Due to the changes in lifestyle and reproductive risk factors, the BC incidence rate has been rapidly increasing. Knowing risk factors of BC could significantly contribute to improve preventive behaviors. To investigate the relationship between menstrual and reproductive factors and BC in Iranian female population.

Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SID as well as references of included studies were searched. Among relevant published observational studies, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled risk estimates for the risk factors were determined using random‑effects models due to the presence of substantial heterogeneity (P < 0.05).

All of the selected studies had case– control design. There was a positive relationship between maternal age at first pregnancy and risk of BC (OR = 1.79 95% CI: 1.36–2.35). Also, menopausal status was associated with higher risk of BC (OR = 1.60 95% CI: 1.18–2.17), whereas, there was no association between menarche age and increased risk of BC (OR = 0.55 95% CI: 0.29–1.03). History of abortion (OR = 1.21 95% CI: 0.97–1.5), nulliparity (OR = 1.43 95% CI: 0.89–2.31), and breastfeeding history (OR = 0.68 95% CI: 0.42–1.09) were not associated with BC risk.

Our findings suggest that age at the first pregnancy and menopausal status were significantly associated with BC risk among Iranian women, whereas menarche age, nulliparity, and history of breastfeeding were not. In regard to the history of abortion, our findings revealed no association with BC, but in high‑quality studies, this relationship was significant.

Repair index (RI) using DNA changes reveals the activity of carcinogenesis. Cigarette and waterpipe smoking are important contributors to oral cavity malignancy. The RI in cigarette and waterpipe smokers has not been compared so far. The aim of this study was to compare the RI in cigarette and waterpipe smokers using the human exfoliated buccal mucosa cells.

The exfoliated buccal mucosa cells of 60 cigarette and waterpipe smokers and 20 nonsmokers were evaluated in a case‑control study. The number of micronuclei (MN), broken egg (BE), karyorrhexis (KR), and karyolysis (KL) were counted in 1000 cells from randomly selected fields. The RI = (KL + KR)/(MN + BE) was calculated and compared between subjects and controls. Data were analyzed by one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD), and Spearman’s correlation coefficient test at P < 0.05 probability level.

The difference of MN (P < 0.0001), BE (P < 0.0001), KR (P < 0.0001), and KL (P < 0.0001) count was significant between cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers, and nonsmokers. The RI was significantly different between groups (P = 0.007). The RI was significantly higher in cigarette smokers compared to waterpipe smokers (P = 0.04) and nonsmokers (P = 0.009).

The RI was significantly higher in cigarette smokers compared to waterpipe smokers. The finding suggests that due to higher interrupted cellular hemostasis, the risk of carcinoma in waterpipe smokers can be greater than that in cigarette smokers.

A better understanding of the spatial pattern of stomach cancer can be helpful in the implementation of preventive strategies. This study is one of the first studies to establish a study unit based on the smallest possible size for cluster analysis. This study includes a novel evaluation of spatial differences in different geographical areas of Arak. The present study seeks to discover the spatial clusters of stomach cancer from 2009 to 2014 in Arak.

All of the addresses of the stomach cancer cases were geocoded. After that, the number of stomach cancer cases in each census block was calculated to be entered in the SaTScan software. A discrete Poisson-based probability model was used to analyze this cluster.

In Arak, there are 5502 census blocks with a population of about 526,182. The number of identified and registered stomach cancer cases with an acceptable residence address was 392. Totally, 11 stomach cancer clusters were established in the area of Arak, from these; two clusters were detected statistically significant. Relative risks of the first and second clusters were 1.75 (P = 0.01) and 17.60 (P = 0.04) and those are located within the radius of 1.73 and 0.085 km, respectively.

Our results have confirmed that two areas are at a higher risk than others. However, based on the results of this study, community-based interventions in certain geographical areas can be designed to reduce and control the incidence of stomach cancer

The aim of this study was to outline the Pap smears rate done in women with total hysterectomy, sent to an urban diagnostic center that attends Mexican Government workers in the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE: State´s Employees´ Social Security and Social Services Institute) at Mexico City.

It was a retrospective study on Pap smear reports taken in 2017. The reports came from users of four family medicine clinics and a general hospital´s gynecology service. Demographic facts, instruments for collection, kind of insurance (ISSSTE‑insurance or non‑insurance), and total hysterectomy history were evaluated.

From 4989 reports, 600 (12%) had a total hysterectomy history. In the patients with ISSSTE‑insurance, 586 of 4618 (12.68%) had a Pap smear whereas in the patients with non‑insurance, only 14 of 371 (3.7%) had it, and this difference was significant (P < 0.00001; OR 3.7, 95% IC 2.15‑6.36).

Although Pap smear is not indicated in women with total hysterectomy, this study is still carried out frequently

Indonesia has an estimated 61.4 million current smokers, and the smoking prevalence among adults is persistently high while that among youth is increasing. In 2014, Medan city enacted the smoke‑free policy (SFP) to protect community members against the adverse effects of smoking. Our study examines the implementation of SFP in terms of compliance and challenges.

We conducted a mixed‑methods study. Quantitative analyses examined the compliance with six criteria including having signage, no active smoking, no selling, no advertisement, no smoke, and no ashtray at SFP facilities. They included health facilities, educational facilities, places of worship, workplaces, and indoor/outdoor public facilities. The qualitative analysis examined the challenges through in‑depth interviews of six key informants.

We found the overall compliance of 44%, ranging from 0% at outdoor public facilities to 83% at health facilities. We found relatively higher compliance among facilities within 1‑km from the provincial and city health offices compared to those outside of the buffer (but not significant at 5% level, P = 0.070). The challenges identified were lack of budget, monitoring, enforcement, and sensitization.

The implementation of SFP in Medan city still has lower compliance and faces many challenges.

According to NFHS‑4 survey, obesity has doubled in India. BMI cannot differentiate body fat from lean mass. Normal weight obesity was defined to distinguish people with normal BMI and increased body fat percentage (BF%). In contrast to conventional atherogenic prediction, Apolipoprotein B level is elevated before LDL cholesterol. Adiposity is also known for causing insulin resistance. Hence this study is an attempt to find the correlation of apo B and Insulin sensitivity in predicting future cardiovascular risk among normal weight obese. To study the role of apoB and insulin resistance in predicting cardio vascular risk.

269 participants of age group 18‑24 in a medical teaching institute were selected for the first phase of the study through systematic random sampling. BF% was calculated with Harpenden skinfold callipers using Jackson Pollock’s method. Second phase of the study involved biochemical investigation of 30 NWO participants. ApoB level and insulin sensitivity using HOMA model was estimated. Spearman correlations and simple linear regression were used. Analysis done using SPSSv16.

Male and Females were 56.4% and 43.6%, respectively. Out of 269, 44 were found to be having NWO. Hence Prevalence was 16.4%.There is a positive correlation found between apoB and insulin resistance with increasing body fat percentage.

Elevated levels of apo B and insulin resistance are seen in NWO individuals as the BF% increases. NWO should be diagnosed early and thus apoB and insulin resistance can be screened for cardio vascular risk prediction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional habits of premenopausal women using the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire (FCFQ) and to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measurements, lipid parameters, and the presence of anemia with the findings obtained.

This study was carried out in the internal medicine outpatient clinics of the Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training Research Hospital (located in Yıldırım districts) and Gürsu State Hospital (located in Gürsu districts) of Bursa province between 1 June–31 August 2019. We used clustered sampling in patient selection. One hundred seventy‑one premenopausal participants aged between 18 and 55 who were known to be healthy and who came for routine control to the internal medicine outpatient clinics were included in the study. The FCFQ was used to determine how often the participants consumed different food groups in the last 1 month.

Overweight participants were 29.20% and 17% were obese. 43.90% of the women had anemia and 65.50% of the women had iron deficiency. The milk‑dairy products nutrition score of the group with triglycerides (TG) <150 mg/dL was higher than the group with TG ≥150 mg/dL (P = 0.029). The meat‑egg‑legumes nutrition score (2.11 ± 0.57) of the group with high density lipoprotein (HDL) ≥50 mg/dL was higher than the group with HDL <50 mg/dL (1.91 ± 0.58) (P = 0.04).

Anemia and obesity are high in premenopausal women. Community‑based screening programs are needed to evaluate premenopausal women for anemia and obesity. Scales to assess the nutritional habits of the population are also needed in screening programs.

Low‑frequency noise is produced from different sources in the working environments such as pumps. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low‑frequency noise on precision and focusing of the studied subjects.

This cross‑sectional–interventional study was performed on 13 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The precision of individual subjects was evaluated using the mental arithmetic test. The sound sources with frequencies of 125, 250, and 1000 Hz at 75, 85, and 95 dB sound pressure levels. Also, the rate of precision was measured before the exposure (time “zero”), and at 45 and 90 min. SPSS (Ver. 26) software was used to analyze the data.

Comparison of the precision scores of the individuals between the frequencies of 125 and 250 Hz at the sound pressure level of 75 dB and at 45 min (P = 0.032). And 90 min (P = 0.006). And also, the frequencies of 250 Hz and 1000 Hz at the time of 45 min. At the sound pressure levels of 85 dB (P = 0.019). And 95 dB (P = 0.043) and at the time of 90 min. At the sound pressure levels of 85 dB (0.027). And 95 dB (P = 0.009) demonstrated a significant difference.

We concluded that low frequency noises could reduce the person’s precision. While for 125 Hz noises, just increasing of the exposure time was effective on the precision reduction. But for 250 Hz noises, both parameters increasing including exposure time and sound pressure levels, was effective.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has a known correlation with cardiovascular disease, is a possible risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD) that is preventable.

We sought to put lights on the relationship between OSA based on the STOP‑BANG questionnaire (SBQ) and the severity and complexity of coronary artery involvement.

This cross‑sectional, single‑center, retrospective study was conducted among 145 patients who underwent selective coronary angiography (SCA) between October 2018 and March 2019, admitted to the Tehran Heart Center, Tehran, Iran. OSA risk was assessed in patients based on SBQ categories. Also, the severity and complexity of coronary artery involvement calculated according to SYNTAX and Gensini scores. Analysis performed by statistical software SPSS 25.

Based on SBQ risk assessment categories, 22 (15.2%), 64 (44.1%), and 59 (40.7%) of the patients were low, intermediate, and high‑risk for OSA, respectively. By comparing the means of coronary artery involvement, there was no significant difference in SYNTAX score 17.15 ± 13.67 (10.56–23.74) in low, 15.67 ± 9.78 (13.19– 18.16) in intermediate, and 16.93 ± 9.21 (14.42–19.45) in high‑risk groups; P value: 0.754, and Gensini score 66.4 ± 70.75 (35.04–97.77) in low, 66.21 ± 55.05 (52.45–79.96) in intermediate, 74.61 ± 56.33 (59.93–89.3) iin high risk groups; P value: 0.697 with groups of OSA risks. Also, after adjusting confounding factors, there was still no statistically significant difference in terms of coronary involvement scores.

There was no statistically significant difference in SYNTAX and Gensini scores of different groups of OSA risk categories based on the SBQ. However, our results can’t be extended into the connection between OSA and CAD.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with renal failure under treatment with dialysis and its association with biochemical measurements.

In this cross‑sectional study, children aged less than 18 years with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were under treatment with dialysis at least 3 months ago were enrolled. To evaluate fatty liver in those patients who had no recent liver ultrasonography (last 6 months), liver ultrasonography was performed. The characteristics of patients with renal failure with and without NAFLD based on the ultrasonographic evaluation were compared. The association between NAFLD and the studied variables was evaluated.

In this study, 39 children (31 males and 8 females) with renal failure who underwent treatment with dialysis were included. From the studied population, six (19.4%) had NAFLD based on ultrasonographic evaluation. There were no differences between renal failure patients with and without NAFLD regarding the biochemical and anthropometric characteristics (P > 0.0).

The prevalence of NAFLD in our studied children with renal failure who underwent treatment with dialysis was like the general population and it was not associated with the biochemical and anthropometric characteristics of the patients. Given the importance of NAFLD in renal failure patients as well as its subtle nature, it is recommended to screen patients with CKD for NAFLD.