Determination of Triclosan in Personal Care Products and Swimming Pool Samples by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Antibacterial agents are extremely common in everyday personal care products, such as toothpastes, facial cleansers, hand soaps, body washes, cosmetics, and numerous other products. Due to their widespread use, the active antibacterial agents in these products have been detected in public water samples, such as from pools and rivers. One antibacterial agent under scrutiny at this time is triclosan. Although its effects on human health are controversial and largely unknown, it has been reported to have an effect on the endocrine system. It should also be noted that industries are now avoiding the use of triclosan since very minute quantities can pose a severe risk to marine life in aquatic ecosystems. The purpose of this research was to develop a sensitive, rapid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method to detect triclosan in personal care products and public water samples. The experimental conditions, such as column temperature, solvents, flow rate, analyte extraction methods, and experimental procedure, were all optimized to find the best experimental conditions for detecting triclosan in the samples. The ability to detect triclosan in personal care products, as well as in pool and river water samples, will hopefully encourage consumers to reduce or avoid the use of triclosan containing products. Using the optimized method developed, the average concentration of triclosan in the personal care product samples ranged from 10 ppm to 4741 ppm. The average concentrations in the pool water and river water samples were 49 ppb and 72 ppb, respectively

Food Safety as a contributor to Food Security: global policy concerns & challenges

The theme for World Health Day campaign for this year 2015 is “Food safety: from farm to plate, make food safe”. The day focuses on demonstrating the importance of food safety along the whole length of the food chain in a globalized world, from production and transport, to preparation and consumption (1). Everyone needs food and needs it every day either plant sources or animal sources or both. The food we eat must be nutritious and safe but we often ignore or overlook the issue of food safety. Many cases of food borne diseases either acute poisoning or chronic exposure are largely under reported. In this globalized world, though the food chain extends over thousands of miles from different continents, an error or contamination in one country can affect the health of consumers on the other part of the world. To ensure full impact, these actions must build on principles of government stewardship, engagement of civil society, (2).According to UN, access to a safe and secure food supply is a basic human right. Food safety and food security are interrelated concepts which have an impact on the health outcomes and quality of human lives. As per Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Food security is a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life, (3). Based on the definition of Food security, four food security dimensions can be identified: food availability, economic and physical access to food, food utilization and stability over time. Apart from that food security is also affected by Poverty and Climate change.Food safety is an umbrella term that encompasses many aspects like food items handling, preparation and storage of food to prevent illness and injury. The other important issues are chemical, microphysical and microbiological aspects of food safety, (4). Control of allergens which can be life threatening to some people that are highly sensitive is the priority of food chemical control. Other chemical properties of food such as vitamin and mineral content are also important and affect the overall quality of the food but are not as significant in terms of food safety.Microphysical particles such as glass and metal can be hazardous and cause serious injury to consumers. Pathogenic bacteria, viruses and toxins produced by microorganisms are all possible contaminants of food and impact food safety. Like food security, food safety is also effected by poverty and climate change. Hence Fo

COVAX and COVID-19 vaccine inequity: a case study of G-20 and African Union

As the world has a history of vaccine nationalism, especially during the 2009 Swine flu pandemic, the COVAX alliance, a globally collaborated mechanism, was created by World Health Organization (WHO), GAVI, and UNICEF to address the inequity of COVID-19 vaccines. One of the primary aims of this alliance was to deliver vaccines to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which otherwise have less or no capacity to access vaccines from the open market. It is crucial to explore the contribution of COVAX in bridging the gap in equity, accessibility, and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines between high- and low-income countries (LICs). We selected Group 20 (G20) COVAX participants and the African Union (AU) as case studies to estimate these gaps. The bilateral purchase data shows that by December 2021, the G20 countries had vaccines more than double their population, whereas the AU could procure only about one fifth (19%) of their population. Out of 52 AU countries whose data was available, only 21 of them could strike a bilateral deal with vaccine manufacturers. Even after COVAX delivery, the share of the population that could be vaccinated in AU was just 36.8%, less than the target of WHO (40%) for December 2021. It was found that the COVAX alliance worked better than the open market competition for LMICs and LICs. The cost of vaccinating 20% of the population was 0.7% of the current health expenditure for G20 countries, whereas AU countries had to spend 5.5%. COVAX bears more cost (1%–3%) for AU countries than G20 countries (less than 1%). COVAX made COVID-19 vaccines more affordable and accessible to these countries. However, LICs were disproportionately affected even with the COVAX Facility mechanism owing to their lack of vaccine deployment infrastructure

Probiotics as a boon in Food diligence: Emphasizing the therapeutic roles of Probiotic beverages on consumers' health

Probiotics are living microorganisms that improve health when eaten or introduced to the body. They have become an essential aspect of everyone’s life now due to these products growing health benefits. They contain live bacteria that help our gut maintain good gut microflora and keep us healthy. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most used probiotic strains. Everyone knows the importance of these products nowadays and has highlighted the parts that a reader must know about these products and how they affect the human body. This review discusses probiotics, dairy-based probiotics, non-dairy based probiotics and their role in therapeutics. This review has also been elaborated on an essential by-product of the dairy industry, i.e., whey, which has many health benefits and highly recommended for people who are in sports and body-building. While analysing the health benefits of probiotic supplements, there is a lot to discuss,i.e. how and where probiotic products work in our body and provide us with different health benefits. The most common way a probiotic performs is by boosting our immune system and fighting diseases. While looking at the market part of probiotic products globally, it is a multibillion-dollar market mostly based in Europe, where people are more health-conscious. The probiotic market has now frowned worldwide and is one of the most profitable markets in the current world

Impact of Body Mass Index on the Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Analysis of 15.6 Million Participants

Background: A growing trove of literature describes the effect of malnutrition and underweight on the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, evidence regarding the association between underweight or obesity and IBD is limited. The study aimed to assess the association of body mass index (BMI) with a risk of IBD (Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (U.C.)) incidence. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus for observational studies assessing the association between BMI and IBD that were published up to 30 June 2020. We estimated pooled hazard ratios (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Random effect dose-response meta-analysis was performed using the variance weighted least-squares regression (VWLS) models to identify non-linear associations. Results: A total of ten studies involving 15.6 million individuals and 23,371 cases of IBD were included. Overall, obesity was associated with an increased IBD risk (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08–1.34, I2 = 0%). Compared to normal weight, underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were associated with a higher risk of CD, and there was no difference in the risk of U.C. among those with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. There was a significant non-linear association between being underweight and obesity and the risk of development of CD (Coef1 = −0.0902, p1 < 0.001 Coef2 = 0.0713, p2 < 0.001). Conclusions: Obesity increases the risk of IBD development. Underweight and obesity are independently associated with an increased risk of CD, yet there is no evident association between BMI and the risk of U.C. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanism for these findings, particularly in CD

Health Care Equity Through Intelligent Edge Computing and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality: A Systematic Review

Intellectual capital is a scarce resource in the healthcare industry. Making the most of this resource is the first step toward achieving a completely intelligent healthcare system. However, most existing centralized and deep learning-based systems are unable to adapt to the growing volume of global health records and face application issues. To balance the scarcity of healthcare resources, the emerging trend of IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) and edge computing will be very practical and cost-effective. A full examination of the transformational role of intelligent edge computing in the IoMT era to attain health care equity is offered in this research. Intelligent edge computing-aided distribution and collaborative information management is a possible approach for a long-term digital healthcare system. Furthermore, IEC (Intelligent Edge Computing) encourages digital health data to be processed only at the edge, minimizing the amount of information exchanged with central servers/the internet. This significantly increases the privacy of digital health data. Another critical component of a sustainable healthcare system is affordability in digital healthcare. Affordability in digital healthcare is another key component of a sustainable healthcare system. Despite its importance, it has received little attention due to its complexity. In isolated and rural areas where expensive equipment is unavailable, IEC with AR / VR, also known as edge device shadow, can play a significant role in the inexpensive data collection process. Healthcare equity becomes a reality by combining intelligent edge device shadows and edge computing

Knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS in India:A systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 studies from 2010-2020

Background: Several studies assessed the level of knowledge and general public behavior on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in India. However, comprehensive scrutiny of literature is essential for any decision-making process. Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS in India. Methods: A systematic search using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free terms was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases to investigate the level of knowledge and attitude of HIV/AIDS in India population. Cross-sectional studies published in English from January 2010 to November 2020 were included. The identified articles were screened in multiple levels of title, abstract and full-text and final studies that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and included in the study. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklist for cross-sectional studies. Estimates with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each domain were pooled to examine the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS in India. Results: A total of 47 studies (n= 307 501) were identified, and 43 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS was 75% (95% CI: 69-80%; I2 = 99.8%), and a higher level of knowledge was observed among female sex workers (FSWs) 89% (95% CI: 77-100%, I2 = 99.5%) than students (77%, 95% CI: 67-87%, I2 = 99.6%) and the general population (70%, 95% CI: 62-79%, I2 = 99.2%), respectively. However, HIV/AIDS attitude was suboptimal (60%, 95% CI: 51-69%, I2 = 99.2%). Students (58%, 95% CI: 38-77%, I2 = 99.7%), people living with HIV/AIDS (57%, 95% CI: 44-71%, I2 = 92.7%), the general population (71%, 95% CI: 62-80%, I2 = 94.5%), and healthcare workers (HCWs) (74%, 95% CI: 63-84%, I2 = 0.0%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The methodological quality of included studies was "moderate" according to Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklist. Funnel plots are asymmetry and the Egger’s regression test and Begg’s rank test identified risk of publication bias. Conclusion: The level of knowledge was 75%, and 40% had a negative attitude. This information would help formulate appropriate policies by various departments, ministries and educational institutions to incorporate in their training, capacity building and advocacy programs. Improving the knowledge and changing the attitudes among the Indian population remains crucial for the success of India’s HIV/AIDS response

The rise of India’s global health diplomacy amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of global health diplomacy (GHD), with India emerging as a key player. India’s commitment to GHD is demonstrated by its active participation in regional and multilateral projects, pharmaceutical expertise, and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, which include the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and essential medicines. India has supported nations in need through bilateral and multilateral platforms, providing vaccines to countries experiencing shortages and offering technical assistance and capacity-building programs to improve healthcare infrastructure and response capabilities. India’s unique approach to GHD, rooted in humanitarian diplomacy, emphasized collaboration and empathy and stressed the well-being of humanity by embracing the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which translates to "the world is one family." Against this background, this paper’s main focus is to analyze the rise of India’s GHD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its leadership in addressing various global challenges. India has demonstrated its commitment to global solidarity by offering medical supplies, equipment, and expertise to more than 100 countries. India’s rising global leadership can be attributed to its proactive approach, humanitarian diplomacy, and significant contributions to global health initiatives

Knowledge and determinants of women’s knowledge on vertical transmission of HIV and AIDS in South Africa

Background: HIV/AIDS is still one of the major public health concerns globally. It is one of the major contributory causes of deaths among women in the reproductive age (15–49 years) and has resulted in about 14 million orphaned children globally. Knowledge of Mother-to Child transmission is one of the strategies to fight against HIV. This study, therefore, sought to assess the knowledge and determinants of women’s knowledge on vertical transmission of HIV and AIDS in their reproductive age in South Africa. Methods: Data were obtained from the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) 2016. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential analysis (multilevel mixed-effects complementary log–log regression model) were conducted and the statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of knowledge of mother to child transmission of HIV and AIDS during pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding and at least knowledge of one source are 87.0%, 81.1%, 80.3% and 91.4% respectively. At the individual level, those with secondary [AOR = 1.28, CI = 1.04,1.57] and higher [AOR = 1.55, CI = 1.21,1.99], those who read newspaper less than once a week [AOR = 1.16, CI = [1.05,1.28], at least once a week [AOR = 1.14, CI = 1.04,1.25], and those who listen to the radio less than once a week [AOR = 1.22, CI = 1.03,1.43] had higher odds of knowledge on MTCT of HIV and AIDS. However, those with parity 0 [AOR = 0.73, CI = [0.63,0.85] had lower odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV and AIDS compared with those with parity 4 or more. At the contextual level, those in the poorest wealth quintile [AOR = 0.82,CI = 0.69,0.97] had lower odds of having knowledge of MTCT of HIV and AIDS. Those in the urban areas [AOR = 1.17, CI = [1.04,1.31], those in Limpopo [AOR = 1.35, CI = [1.12,1.64], Gauteng [AOR = 1.35, CI = [1.12,1.62] and North west[AOR = 1.49, CI = [1.22,1.81] had higher odds of knowledge of mother to child transmission of HIV and AIDS. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated that there is relatively high knowledge of mother to child transmission of HIV and AIDS in South Africa. The factors associated with the knowledge are educational level, exposure to mass media, parity, wealth status, place of residence and the region of residence. To further increase the knowledge, it is imperative to adopt various messages and target respondents in different part of SSA through the mass media channels. This should be done taking cognizant of the rural–urban variations and socio-economic status

Global vaccine inequities and multilateralism amid COVID-19: Reconnaissance of Global Health Diplomacy as a panacea?

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shown a crystal-clear warning that nobody will be safe until everybody is safe against the pandemic. However, how everyone is safe when the pandemic’s fat tail risks have broken every nerve of the global economy and healthcare facilities, including vaccine equity. Vaccine inequity has become one of the critical factors for millions of new infections and deaths during this pandemic. Against the backdrop of exponentially growing infected cases of COVID-19 along with vaccine in-equity, this paper will examine how multilateralism could play its role in mitigating vaccine equity through Global Health Diplomacy (GHD). Second, given the most affected developing countries’ lack of participation in multilateralism, could GHD be left as an option in the worst-case scenario?. Methods: In this narrative review, a literature search was conducted in all the popular databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google search engines for the keywords in the context of developing countries and the findings are discussed in detail. Results: In this multilateral world, the global governance institutions in health have been monopolized by the global North, leading to COVID-19 vaccine inequities. GHD aids health protection and public health and improves international relations. Besides, GHD facilitates a broad range of stakeholders’ commitment to collaborate in improving healthcare, achieving fair outcomes, achieving equity, and reducing poverty. Conclusion: Vaccine inequity is a major challenge of the present scenario, and GHD has been partly successful in being a panacea for many countries in the global south