Possible algorithms for determining adverse reactions caused by food supplements in Romania | Author : Irina Mihaela MATRAN, Daniela Lucia MUNTEAN, Cristina NICULAS, Roxana Maria MARTIN-HADMAS, Monica TARCEA TARCEA | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. The advertising of food supplements on various media channels or in specialty stores with natural products and other places, as well as the lack of informative and educational programs for the population upon side effects and the interaction of food supplements with food and drugs, have led to the development of uncontrolled marketing of these products.
Material and methods. PubMed, ResearchGate and EUR-Lex databases were analyzed during 2015-2021, based on search criteria based on: adverse reactions, ingredient new food, food supplements, algorithms.
Results. Certain dietary supplements can cause multiple side effects, such as: impaired platelet function by decreased platelet aggregation, gastrointestinal side effects (diarrhea, vomiting), decreased wound healing/epithelialization, bacterial or fungal sepsis, most common in patients older. Herbal resources such as Aloe vera, Matricaria recutita, Taraxacum officinale and others, can cause dermatological side effects and inhibit the elimination of dermatological drugs metabolised by cytochrome P-450 (e.g. terbinafine). Matricaria recutita, Allium sativum, Mentha piperita L. and others, inhibit the enzyme CYP2C9. Another enzyme with a role in the metabolism of dermatological drugs and which is inhibited by plant resources is CYP3A4.
Conclusions. It is imperative to legislate the reporting of adverse reactions caused by food supplements, including their interaction with food or drugs. |
| Major behavioral risk factors for road traffic injuries | Author : Svetlana COCIU, Olga IONCU, Camelia CAZACU-STRATU , Serghei CEBANU, Cara HAMANN | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Road traffic injuries are a major public health problem, ranking 8th in the leading causes of death and are forecasted to rank 5th by 2030 worldwide. Children, pedes-trians, cyclists and the elderly remain among those most at risk of road traffic injuries.
Material and methods. A specialized literature search was conducted within the main international databases, including: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Research Gate, using a set of inclusion criteria. Data from references were extracted systematically into results tables, including: author/citation, study design, assessments/data, limitations, and key facts. Reported outcomes were compiled in narrative form.
Results. Many researchers and scientists both in the country and abroad have studied road injuries. Authors of the studies used different methods and obtained obvious data about road traumas and major risk factors. Among the main causes of unintentional motor vehi-cle injuries were excessive speed, alcohol consumption while driving, mental disorder, drugs, and unsupervised children. There is an increasing incidence of road injuries among children, and most of the road traffic crashes involving children occur in May-September, between 11.00 and 18.00. The obtained results motivate the need to study this topic in depth, on separate age groups, and to propose specific prevention measures for each actor involved.
Conclusions. There are many factors, which contributes to road crashes and related inju-ries, but those requires multisectoral involvement. |
| Epidemiological features of COVID-19 family outbreaks in children | Author : Ludmila BIRCA, Diana SPATARU, Stela CORNILOVA, Viorica HEMEI, Olesea AIOANI | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. The population of all ages is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is important to determine the role of the child in COVID-19 cases maintenance and spreading. Some research showed that most COVID-19 cases in children were associated with their families.
Material and methods. The descriptive study is carried out on the basis of family outbreaks epidemiological peculiarities evaluation, concerning the age of the children, the onset of the disease, communities living environment. The research group included 160 family outbreaks, which required hospitalization at MCHCDC PMSI, between January and February 2021.
Results. The number of family outbreaks increased (n=88 versus n=72) in February versus January 2021. The rate of outbreaks in schoolchildren increased from 37.5% in January to 53.4% ??in February. The onset of the disease in the outbreaks varies depending on the age category of the involved children: in 0-6 years - the parents become initially ill (40.7%) or the disease begins simultaneously (32.55%). In school-age children outbreaks in about half of the cases (51.35%) the children manifest the disease the first. There is a tendency of outbreaks percentage increase in the cases where the children, the organized ones as well (from 43% to 62.5%) constitute the primary source of infection.
Conclusions. SARS-CoV-2 viral infection epidemiological particularities evaluation in family outbreaks is one of the most important conditions in developing action and response strategies to COVID-19 infection in the community. |
| Global health education experience of a multidisciplinary curriculum at Rouen school of medicine, France | Author : Joël LADNER | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. The interest in Global Health (HG) as an academic discipline has increased in the last decade. The Rouen School of Medicine is one of the first to offer a GH curriculum in France. The objective was to identify the characteristics and profile of students involved in a GH curriculum. Material and methods. In 2016 and 2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted, including enrolled in the GH course: 3rd and 4th year in medicine, midwifes studies and pharmacy. Based on self-questionnaire, data collected were motivations for health studies, investment in humanitarian associations, opinions about the GH topics. Results. A total of 422 students were included; 122 students attended to GH cursus (GH+) and 300 in control group (GH-). The students of the GH+ group were more likely to get involved in a humanitarian association (22.3% versus 6.7%, p<0.001) and to have already taken part in a humanitarian action (20.5% vs 9.3%, p=0.002). GH+ students were more likely to engage in professional practice abroad or in humanitarian medicine (67% versus 38%, p=0.001). Work in vulnerable populations, the impacts of climate change on health are frequent topics in GH+ group.Conclusions. Students enrolled in GH cursus presented a particular profile: predominantly female, open to The World, involved in caritative associations and aware of the importance of interculturality in the care relationship. Integrated training of future health workers is a promising avenue for a better management of effect of sanitary crisis (i.e. pandemic, climate change and health effects, etc.). |
| Rabies eradication measures in wildlife in the Republic of Moldova | Author : Maxim SIRBU, Nicolae STARCIUC | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Rabies is one of the most dangerous zoonoses in the world with a lethality rate around 100% of infected animals. The main factor in rabies’ control is the prophylactic immunization of domestic and wild carnivores.
Material and methods. As a research material for this manuscript, a number of rabies cases in wildlife over the last 5 years was studied, as well as some data from the national program regarding the vaccination of wildlife animals in the Republic of Moldova.
Results. The anual incidence of rabies in wildlife was determined to range between 12 to 25% of the total number of rabies cases at national level. Due to vaccination by combining some methods (aerial and manual), the incidence of positive cases of rabies in wildlife has decreased by 48% in the last 5 years.
Conclusions. The use of the mixed vaccination method of wildlife animals (manual and the distribution of baits by plane) contributed significantly to reducing the incidence of rabies in wildlife. |
| The role of boron in prevention of osteoarticular diseases and its distribution in the Republic of Moldova | Author : Maria-Victoria RACU, Ion Romulus SCOREI, Iurie PINZARU | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Boron is a trace mineral that is supposed to be essential for human health. Organic plant based boron compounds are highly bioavailable for humans and can positively influence minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and act in synergy with vitamin D, which are beneficial for osteoarticular health.
Material and methods. We made an analysis of 126 bibliographic sources and mapped the Republic of Moldova to the content of boron in deep water and to the adults’ prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthropathy.
Results. Boron is important for osteogenesis and its deficiency can lead to impaired growth and abnormal bones development. It supports bone health in postmenopausal women by reducing urinary loss of the minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone building. In countries where soil was depleted of boron and daily intake of this mineral was 1 mg or lower, the incidence of arthritis was between 20 and 70%. In Moldova, in the regions where boron concentration in deep drinking water were low (0.28 mg/L in well water and 0.51 mg/L in artesian well water) in Soroca in 2019, the prevalence with the rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory polyarthropathy were high (51.6 per 10000 inhabitants) with one exception, UTA Gagauzia (35.1 per 10000 inhabitants), where we found a high boron concentration in deep drinking water (2.05 mg/L in well water and 2.2 mg/L in artesian well water) in 2015.
Conclusions. Boron can affect bone metabolism. In regions where boron concentration in deep drinking water is low, the osteoarticular morbidity can be higher with the exception of UTA Gagauzia, where we suppose that dietary pattern can be a cause of these results. In the future we will study eating habits in this region and a clearer conclusion will be made. |
| Mental health during the COVID-19 quarantine in five countries | Author : Erika Yohanna BEDOYA CARDONA, Ioana POPA, Anna MORANDI, Cristina MONTOMOLI | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. As part of the holistic concept of health, mental health can be focused on prevention of contagion and coping with the disease and its consequences in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The present study describes, compares, and analyzes the association of the impact of the event, perceived stress, coping strategies, emotional regulation, and sociodemographic characteristics during the quarantine in various countries.
Material and methods. This research is a multicentric and epidemiological study with a convenience online snowball sampling of the general population and university students.
Results. 1.179 participants from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, and Spain responded to the survey. Most of them included students and workers, with a high educational level and living with family during the quarantine. There are significant differences in the medians of all variables among countries and sociodemographic characteristics. The variables positively and significantly associated with the impact of the event during quarantine included the perceived stress, the coping strategies of alcohol/drug use, planning and active coping, focus on emotions and vent, the emotional regulation strategy expressive suppression, and living in Italy.
Conclusions. These results have contributed to the understanding of mental, emotional, and behavioral response to quarantine, as well as underline the urgency of monitoring mental health among the vulnerable groups, in order to design specific prevention and intervention programs. |
| Long-term trends in cancer mortality in the Republic of Moldova | Author : Olga PENINA | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Cancer is the second cause-of-death mortality pattern in the Republic of Moldova. The study of both cancer mortality by age and its detailed causes is an important tool for evidence-based public health policy. The study aims at comparing recent changes in cancer mortality with long-term trends, depending on specific causes and age.
Material and methods. This study was carried out on the reconstructed 1965-2018 death time series, according to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Standardized death rates were computed.
Results. After a gradual increase in the ‘70s and ‘80s of the last century, cancer mortality rate showed “reversed” patterns and started to decline in the ‘90s. This decline was due to the data quality issue and to the competing risks of dying from other causes sensitive to the social and economic circumstances of the ‘90s. Since the beginning of the millennium, cancer mortality has resumed its growth that continues up to now. Despite the increasing overall trend in cancer mortality rate during 1965-2018, the analysis by age and specific causes revealed opposite trends.
Conclusions. The malignant neoplasms specific for certain sites and age groups (stomach, uterus, leukaemia in children) showed, however some therapeutic progress, while the situation for other tumour sites (lung, breast, and intestine) worsened significantly. The moderate decrease in lung cancer in the 1990s should be cautiously interpreted. |
| Physical development and eating habits of a group of teenagers from Dimitrie Cantemir high school in Iasi | Author : Adriana ALBU, Irina Mihaela ABDULAN, Catalin Dragos GHICA | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Eating habits are formed in the first years of life and sometimes persist throughout lifetime. It is necessary to develop coherent nutritional educational programs to guide adolescents towards a healthy diet.
Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of 194 students from the ninth and the twelfth grade from Dimitrie Cantemir High School in Iasi. These young people were evaluated for their physical development with the help of body mass index and eating habits. Eating habits were assessed on the basis of a weekly food intake questionnaire. The processing of the results was carried out by the Pearson test.
Results. Physical development was mainly at normal values (68.55%). There were 19.07% underweight students but also 12.37% young people with obesity. Milk was present in menus especially 2-3 times (35.05%) or 1 time (25.77%) per week, with insignificant differences by class and sex. Chicken meat was mainly consumed 2-3 times a week (42.78%) with insignificantly differing in classes, but significant in gender (p?0.001). Vegetables were consumed especially 2-3 times (30.92%) per week or daily (28.35%). Sweets were consumed mainly on a daily basis (29.89%) or 2-3 times (26.28%) per week.
Conclusions. The eating habits of students surveyed were different in girls than in boys, an aspect that draws attention to young females for whom identification with the current ideal of beauty is essential. |
| The use of biomass of Streptomycetes as a stimulator of some body indices of chickens | Author : Igor PETCU, Nicolae STARCIUC | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Currently, various biologically active substances, preferably of biological and not synthetic origin, with having a growth stimulating effect, are frequently used as food additives in the poultry industry. Some of these substances with a stimulating effect on the growth of chickens are represented by the biomass obtained from apathogenic strains of Streptomycetes.
Material and methods. The investigations were conduvted within the ILR “Avicola Saratenii-Vechi” v. Saratenii Vechi, Telene?ti district. The biological material was one-day-old Adler s silver chickens. The research was carried out on 150 chickens (one control and two experimental), which were randomly distributed in three groups of 50 chickens in each.
Results. The dynamics of body weight was higher in the experimental group of chickens which, received biomass of Streptomycetes, indicating that the chickens in experimental group II recorded a 5.1% increase in body weight compared to chickens from the control group. The analysis of blood indices showed a slight increase of the number of lymphocytes and eosinophils, from 4 to 9% in experimental group II.
Conclusions. The use of biomass of Streptomycetes in feeding the experimental grup of chickens demonstrated an increase of body weight with 5.1% compared to the chickens from the control group. The biomass of Streptomycetes stimulated an increase of the number of limbocytes and eosinophils in chickens from the experimental group II, thus demonstrating an immunostimulatory effect. |
| Concerns regarding the effects of the COVID19 pandemic on children health | Author : Valentina MARINESCU, Anda Anca RODIDEAL | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. The unexpected situations (lockdown, online school, social distancing) introduced from March 2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19 in most countries worldwide, have affected every citizen. Currently, after more than a year and a half, one of the most affected categories are the children. There is growing concern among researchers about the pandemic impact on the physical, mental development and health of children.
Material and methods. A quantitative research was conducted among parents and their children from a gymnasium school in Bucharest regarding the way they perceive how the pandemic restrictions changed their habits. The research methods used were online, using questionnaires created and applied through Google forms. No sample methods could be applied and about 40% of them responded in pairs parent-child.
Results. The results showed that the impact of online schooling is not only about the learning effectiveness, but mostly related to the health and development of children who are at risk from the increased time spent on the Internet. Health issues like sedentary lifestyle, obesity, vision and posture impairment, spine problems have increased, being doubled by psychical and mental disorders: stress, isolation, anxiety, depression, lack of attention and concentration, as well as an increase in the number of children exposed to cyberbullying and other online risks.
Conclusions. The study analysis showed that there are differences between parents and children s perceptions of the collateral side effects of the pandemic both on the physical and mental health of children. |
| Health risk of radon exposure | Author : Aurelia ABABII | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction. Radon is a chemical element of increased interest to the scientific community due to its implications in the etiology of bronchopulmonary cancer. Pollution of indoor air with radon causes serious effects on health, due to alpha radiation emitted following the process of disintegration into isotopes that together with dust particles, dust enters the alveolar level.
Material and methods. This study was based on the analysis of bibliographic sources within the PubMed and Google Scholar platforms. The relevant articles for the study were chosen analogously to the research objectives, interest in publications attesting to the problem of residential radon, its implications in the etiology of lung cancer and the synergism between radon and tobacco.
Results. Radon is attributed a significant role in indoor air pollution, has a share of about 50% of total exposure to ionizing radiation and is the second leading cause of death from lung cancer internationally. The synergism between radon and tobacco causes an increased effect in triggering the processes of damage at the cellular level, by disturbing translation and transcription. In the Republic of Moldova, the problem is current; the level of residential radioactivity caused by radon exceeds European and national standards in about half of cases.
Conclusions. It is imperative to continuously monitor radon concentrations in the country s homes, set benchmarks, update national rules and implement an effective strategy to reduce the negative effects of radon exposure. |
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