Psychological comorbidities in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairment in behavior, communication, and social interaction. Thus, accurate identification, regular behavioral and other nonmedical interventions would improve the diagnosis, management, and treatment of this condition.In this chapter, we investigate the importance of diagnosing and identifying comorbid psychiatric disorders that occur with ASD as these conditions can often complicate treatment, and failure to recognize them can result in deficits that can persist into adolescence and adulthood. In addition, we explore the impact of comprehensive psychological intervention in ASD patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders with the ultimate goal of improving overall quality of life

Human and Economic Resources for Empowerment and Prenatal Mental Health in the Arab Middle East: A systematic review

Purpose: This systematic review synthesizes research on the influence of human and economic resources for women’s empowerment on their pre- and post-natal mental health, understudied in the Arab world. Methods: We include articles using quantitative methods from Pub Med and Web of Science. Two researchers reviewed databases and selected articles, double reviewing five percent of articles designated for inclusion. Twenty-four articles met inclusion criteria. All 24 articles measured depression as an outcome, and three included additional mental health outcomes. Results: Nine of 17 studies found an inverse association between education and depression; two of 12 studies found contradictory associations between employment and depression, and four of six studies found a positive association between financial stress and depression. These results suggest that there is a negative association between education and depression and a positive association between financial stress and depression among women in the Arab world. Firm conclusions warrant caution due to limited studies meeting inclusion criteria and large heterogeneity in mental health scales used, assessment measures, and definitions of human and economic resources for women’s empowerment. Conclusions: It is likely that education reduces depression among post-partum women and that financial stress increases their depression. These findings can be used to aid in the design of interventions to improve mother and child outcomes. However, more research in the Arab world is needed on the relationship between human and economic resources for women’s empowerment and perinatal mental health, and more consistency is needed in how resources and mental health are measured

Valorization of whey proteins and beetroot peels to develop a functional beverage high in proteins and antioxidants

IntroductionAdequate protein and antioxidant intake are crucial for everyone, particularly athletes, to promote muscle performance and prevent muscle damage. Whey proteins are high-quality proteins with high digestibility and bioavailability; beetroot peels are an abundant antioxidant source.MethodsThe present study was designated to develop a functional beverage based on mixing whey protein isolate (5%) with different concentrations of beetroot peel water extract (1, 2.5, and 5%) and flavored with strawberries puree (5%). In addition, we examined the stability of the physicochemical parameters and the bioactive components of the beverages during cold storage (4°C) for 14 days.Results and discussionWhey protein isolates enriched the juices with stable protein content during the storage (4.65–4.69%). Besides, the extract revealed a concentration-dependent effect on the bioactive components, the antioxidant activity, and the microbial load of the juices; it distinguished the fresh juices by high betalains and nitrate content, 87.31–106.44 mg/L and 94.29–112.59 mg/L, respectively. Beverages with 2.5% peel extract (T2) had the preferable sensory attributes compared to control and other treatments. On day 0, phenolics and flavonoids increased in T2 by 44 and 31% compared to the control, which elevated the scavenging activity of the juice (T2) (P < 0.05). At the end of the storage period (14 days), phenolics and flavonoids of T2 recorded their lowest values, 26.23 and 21.75 mg/mL, respectively. However, they stood higher than phenolics (22.21 mg/mL) (p < 0.05) and flavonoids (18.36 mg/mL) (p > 0.05) of control. Similarly, betalains degraded by 45% to reach 47.46 mg/L in T2, which reduced the redness (a*) and increased the yellowness (b*) values.ConclusionConsequently, whey/strawberry/beetroot peel (5: 5: 2.5 w/v/w) in d.H2O is a functional beverage that provides the body with a high-quality protein and a considerable amount of antioxidants

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Mycological Evaluation and Occurrence of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Fish and Fish Products

A total of 100 random samples of whole Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and fillet of Tilapia (50 of each) were collected from different fish markets in Gharbia Governorate to evaluate pH, mycological contamination, and their total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A residues. The obtained results revealed that the mean ± SE pH values were 6.1± 0.05 and 6.3± 0.03 and the mean total mould count values ± SE were 3.63 × 102± 8.75×10 and 1.65×102 ±4.78×10 cfu/g of whole Tilapia and fillet of Tilapia, respectively. It was found that the mean value of the total aflatoxin (µg/kg) in the examined samples were 0.55± 0.2 µg/kg for whole Tilapia and 0.68± 0.06 µg /kg for the fillet samples. Whereas the mean values of ochratoxin A were 2.79 ± 0.6 µg/kg for and 0.12 ± 0.01 µg /kg for the whole tilapia and fillet, respectively. Six fungal species were identified in the current study. The most prevalent fungal species were Aspergillus niger, followed by A. flavus. However, the least dominant were A. terreu, A. westerdijkiae, and A. pseudocaelatus, Alternaria alternate, Cladosporium cladosporidiae, Mucor species and Penicillium species. In conclusion, the investigated whole tilapia and fish fillet is contaminated by mould. Aflatoxin and ochratoxin were detected in the examined samples. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the occurrence of mycotoxins in the retailed fish and fish products are highly recommended to ensure product safety

Nutritional Evaluation of Beetroots (Beta vulgaris L.) and Its Potential Application in a Functional Beverage

Beetroot is a good source of minerals, fibers, and bioactive components. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the nutritional quality of beetroots (juice, peels, leaves and pomace) enhancing the extracted bioactive components, and developing a functional probiotic beverage. Chemical composition and minerals content of beetroot parts were estimated. The bioactive components were extracted by instant extraction method (IEM) and overnight extraction method (at −20 °C) (OEM) to determine total phenolics, flavonoids, and DPPH inhibition ratio. The extracted beetroot juice was mixed with milk for valorization of the beverage nutritional value and fermented with LA-5 and ABT-5 cultures to create a novel functional beverage. Chemical composition, minerals content, and bioactive components of beverages were estimated. The leaves exhibited the highest calcium content (1200 mg/100 g). Juice showed the highest amount of all minerals except for calcium and magnesium. Overnight extraction method (OEM) increased the antioxidant activity in peels and stems. Natural juice exhibited the highest activity compared to extracts. Fermentation of beet-milk beverage with LA-5 and ABT-5 cultures enhanced the beverage taste, flavor, and antioxidant capacity. Beetroot wastes and juice comprise a valuable nutritional source. Fermentation improved the nutritional value of beetroot and the acceptability of the product

Assessment of Hematotoxicity and Genotoxicity among paint Workers in Assiut Governorate: a case control study

Abstract Background Occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals in paints cause serious health hazards in painters. The present study was designed to evaluate the possibility of hematotoxic and genotoxic effects of paint chemicals among painters in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. In addition the role of oxidative stress and apoptosis in mechanism of such toxic effects were studied. Methods A case control study was performed on 50 male painters and 50 non-exposed healthy subjects, who were included as a control group after informed consent. Venous blood samples were obtained and analyzed for determination of total and differential blood count as hematotoxic markers as well as serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidant stress markers and total antioxidant enzymes. In addition, human B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3 and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were assayed as markers of apoptosis and genotoxicity. Results There was a statistically significant difference between paint workers and controls as regard total and differential blood count, serum MDA and total anti-oxidant levels. Also, statistical significant differences in caspase-3, Bcl-2 levels and 8-OHdG were observed. Conclusions Chronic occupational exposure to paints increased the risk of hematotoxicity and genotoxicity in painters. Oxidative stress and apoptosis play a major role in such mechanism. Periodic medical examination and application of protective devices is necessary

Seasonal Impact on the Prevalence of Yeast Contamination of Chicken Meat Products and Edible Giblets

Total of ninety random samples of raw chilled whole chicken carcass, chicken fillet and chicken giblet, 30 of each, were randomly collected from butchers located in Qalubiya governorate, Egypt, and were subjected to mycological examination for the incidence of yeast species contamination during summer and winter seasons, samples were collected equally during each season (15 samples of each product/season). Results revealed contamination of 100 and 93.3% of the whole examined samples during summer and winter seasons, respectively; where giblet samples showed the highest contamination levels with mean count of 3.8 and 3.0 log10 CFU/g, respectively, followed by fillet and whole carcass, respectively. Candida and Rhodotorula species were detected in the incidence of 60% and 40% of the examined samples during summer and winter seasons, respectively indicated that the levels of chicken meat contamination with yeast is higher in summer season than winter season. After all, the application of strict hygienic measures is highly recommended during processing and storage of raw chicken meat cuts, as well as keep raw chicken cuts chilled to avoid the enhancement of hot and humid climate of summer season on the microbial growth.