SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR IN KITCHEN IS LIABLE TO FAT ACCUMULATION AND CARDIO-METABOLIC RISK

ABSTRACTObjective: Sedentary habits are considered one of the most important reasons for various cardiovascular complication and risks. Taking into thisaccount the objective of the present study was to to explore the empirical association between accumulation of fat and heart health status among nonsedentaryand sedentary habits in kitchenof our modernized society.Method: The current study included 100 women (22-40 years old). Workers who met the inclusion criteria were assigned in to two groups: Group (I)Non-sedentary workers (n-58) and Group (II) - sedentary workers (n-42). Commonly, workers which used to do simple movement work in kitchenwere considered as control and which mostly worked at one place in kitchen for more than 6-hours of total working schedule (8–hours). were includedin sedentary workers, Anthropometric measurement like body fat ( (%waist circumference(WC), waist hip (WH) ratio, and heart rate variability(HRV)were measured and analyzed by the independent student ʻtʼ test, followed by Pearson correlation and Linear regression.Result: we observed, there was significant increase in body fat ( (%, WC, WH ratio and sympathetic dominance among sedentary participants whencompare to non-sedentary participants. There was significant negative correlation between LF and HF, body fat and HF, as well as WH ratio and HF,and significant positive correlation between body fat and LF as well as WH ratio and LF. Conclusion: These results suggest that sedentary behaviour in kitchen is associated with accumulation of adiposity and alteration of sympatho-vagalbalance, may lead to cardiometabolic risk in adult women.Key words: Body fat distribution, Heart rate variability, Sedentary habit, physical activity

A community-based study on obstetric danger signs among pregnant women of Sivagangai district

Background Every pregnant woman faces the risk of pregnancy related morbidities. It Is better that pregnant women are aware of the pregnancy related symptoms and warning signs. Early intervention or referral to obstetric care facility can be made only if the pregnant woman has adequate knowledge in identifying danger signs. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of obstetric danger signs among pregnant women. Methods Community based cross sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to august 2019. 280 pregnant women were interviewed face to face using semi structured questionnaire. Results Only 86(30.7%) respondents were aware of at least more than four danger signs during antenatal period. Only 7.1% of the study participants were aware of the danger signs during post-partum. Maternal age, socioeconomic scale and parity had significant association with knowledge of obstetric danger signs. Conclusion Mother’s awareness on danger signs of pregnancy was poor during both antenatal and postpartum period. There is probably a need to enhance the health education sessions to all pregnant women irrespective of their demographic characteristics

Comparison of architect assay and elecsys HBs Ag II assay in the quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen in chronic HBV patients

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, with an estimated 296 million chronic carriers worldwide. Quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a crucial tool in HBV disease management, providing valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy. Objective. To evaluate the comparative performance of the Abbott Architect HBsAg QT and Roche Elecsys HBsAg II assays in quantifying hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods. This prospective study enrolled 60 confirmed CHB patients between February 2021 and November 2021. HBsAg levels were measured using both assays and subsequently log-transformed (log10 IU/mL) for statistical analysis. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analyses were employed to assess assay concordance and systematic bias. Results. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the Elecsys HBsAg II and Architect HBsAg QT assays for both untreated and treatment-receiving CHB patients (ICC values not specified, p <0.001). Notably, Architect consistently yielded higher HBsAg measurements compared to Elecsys. Conclusion. Both the Elecsys HBsAg II and Architect HBsAg QT assays demonstrate robust correlation in quantifying HBsAg levels in CHB patients. However, the Architect assay exhibits a systematic positive bias relative to Elecsys, which should be considered when interpreting results and making clinical decisions. Both tools provide reliable assessments for HBsAg quantification within CHB management strategies, but it is essential to be aware of potential assay-specific differences

A study of menstrual hygiene practices and associated environmental & social factors among adolescent girls in rural Puducherry

Introduction. Adolescent females were prevented from receiving the appropriate knowledge due to social restrictions and traditional beliefs, which in turn led to poor hygiene habits. Material and methods. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study employing a semi-structured questionnaire was carried out in the rural field practice region of MGMCRI, Puducherry, between the 15th of March 2019 and the 31st of April 2021. The study was done in Puducherry. The comprehensive enumeration yielded a total of 528 countable teenage females. Results. The vast majority of the teenage females (89.2%) reported using sanitary pads, whereas just 6.6% and 4.2%, respectively, reported using fresh or reused towels. 65.3% of the girls changed their wet absorbent between two and five times during the day. The vast majority of the girls, or 60.8% of them, disposed of their spent absorbent by either burying it or burning it. 67.9% of the girls were cleansing their genitalia when they were urinating. 54.4% of people cleaned their hands using soap and water, whereas 1.4% utilized ash soil, muddy dirt, or other types of soil. There was a statistically significant correlation between the style of housing and the availability of sanitary latrines (p<0.005) in relation to menstrual hygiene behaviors. Conclusions. This research also highlighted the absence of sanitary toilet facilities in the majority of residences, which negatively impacted the girls' ability to maintain their privacy and led to bad practices around menstruation hygiene

Aspartame : should individuals with Type II diabetes be taking it?

BACKGROUND : Individuals with Type II Diabetes (T2D) have to manage blood glucose levels to sustain health and longevity. Artificial sweeteners (including aspartame) are suggested sugar alternatives for these individuals. The safety of aspartame in particular, has long been the centre of debate. Although it is such a controversial product, many clinicians recommend its use to T2D patients, during a controlled diet and as part of an intervention strategy. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels, and it is suggested for use so that T2D can control carbohydrate intake and blood glucose levels. However, research suggests that aspartame intake may lead to an increased risk of weight gain rather than weight loss, and cause impaired blood glucose tolerance in T2D. OBJECTIVE : This review consolidates knowledge gained from studies that link aspartame consumption to the various mechanisms associated with T2D. METHOD : We review literature that provides evidence that raise concerns that aspartame may exacerbate T2D and add to the global burden of disease. RESULTS : Aspartame may act as a chemical stressor by increasing cortisol levels, and may induce systemic oxidative stress by producing excess free radicals, and it may also alter gut microbial activity and interfere with the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, resulting in insulin deficiency or resistance. CONCLUSION : Aspartame and its metabolites are safe for T2D is still debatable due to a lack of consistent data. More research is required that provides evidence and raise concerns that aspartame may exacerbate prevalence of pathological physiology in the already stressed physiology of T2D.The University of Pretoria Post-Doctoral Fellowshiphttps://benthamscience.com/journals/current-diabetes-reviews2019-07-01hj2018Physiolog

Aspartame: Should Individuals with Type II Diabetes be Taking it?

BACKGROUND : Individuals with Type II Diabetes (T2D) have to manage blood glucose levels to sustain health and longevity. Artificial sweeteners (including aspartame) are suggested sugar alternatives for these individuals. The safety of aspartame in particular, has long been the centre of debate. Although it is such a controversial product, many clinicians recommend its use to T2D patients, during a controlled diet and as part of an intervention strategy. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels, and it is suggested for use so that T2D can control carbohydrate intake and blood glucose levels. However, research suggests that aspartame intake may lead to an increased risk of weight gain rather than weight loss, and cause impaired blood glucose tolerance in T2D. OBJECTIVE : This review consolidates knowledge gained from studies that link aspartame consumption to the various mechanisms associated with T2D. METHOD : We review literature that provides evidence that raise concerns that aspartame may exacerbate T2D and add to the global burden of disease. RESULTS : Aspartame may act as a chemical stressor by increasing cortisol levels, and may induce systemic oxidative stress by producing excess free radicals, and it may also alter gut microbial activity and interfere with the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, resulting in insulin deficiency or resistance. CONCLUSION : Aspartame and its metabolites are safe for T2D is still debatable due to a lack of consistent data. More research is required that provides evidence and raise concerns that aspartame may exacerbate prevalence of pathological physiology in the already stressed physiology of T2D.The University of Pretoria Post-Doctoral Fellowshiphttps://benthamscience.com/journals/current-diabetes-reviews2019-07-01hj2018Physiolog