Pathophysiological mechanisms of urbanisation-related hypertension and the sodium pressor response in black Zimbabweans

This study examined the role of endothelin (ET), the thromboxane A, (TXA2)-prostacyclin (PGI2) ratio (TXA2/PGI2), plasma renin activity (PRA) and urinary aldosterone excretion (ALDO) in urban hypertensive patients and in the sodium pressor response in normotensives. Twenty-seven urban hypertensive patients and the same number of normotensive controls were studied on baseline diet, after 5 days of sodium restriction and after 5 days of sodium loading. Mean arterial blood pressure, plasma and ET values, PRA, TXA2/PGI2 and ALDO were assessed on each diet.The results showed that baseline PRA was suppressed in the hypertensive patients; this indicates that urbanisation-related hypertension is of the low renin type. ET levels and TXA2/PGI2 were higher in hypertensive than in normotenisve subjects, suggesting an association between high blood pressure and these factors. Although the baseline PRA in hypertensives was suppressed, urinary ALDO was no different from that in the normotensive controls where PRA was normal. In addition, sodium restriction did not increase PRA in hypertensive subjects while it more than doubled it in the controls. However, ALDO in hypertensive patients increased to levels that were no different from those in the normotensive subjects. Sodium loading increased blood pressure, ET values and TXA2/PGI2 indicating an association between the latter two factors and the sodium pressor response in those with hypertension. ALDO decreased to similar levels on sodium loading in the two groups. This decrease in ALDO was accompanied by suppression of PRA only in normotensive subjects.In conclusion, the low-renin-activity urban hypertensives we studied had increased baseline ET levels and TXA2/PGI2. The observed pressor response was accompanied by increases in these two factors. This suggests an important role for the two factors in this form of hypertension and the sodium response in normotensives

Glucose tolerance study in low and normal birth weight young adults

A CAJM article measuring blood glucose levels by conducting an oral glucose tolerance test in low and normal birth weight young black adults in a Zimbabwe hospital.Birth weight is an important marker and predictor of the future health status of an individual. The incidence of low birth weight is becoming an important public health issue in developing countries. The prevalence of low birth weight in Zimbabwe is 10%and its prevalence is higher in females than males.' Type II diabetes is one of the major health problems in the whole world. Low birth weight is linked to glucose intolerance which leads to type II diabetes. Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated that there is a significant physiological predisposition to glucose intolerance resulting from Low Birth Weight (LBW), a marker of adverse intrauterine environment

Online Video Promotion with User Specific Information

ABSTRACT: There are various ways and methods used in video recommendation which are purely statistical. These would give recommendations to users based on either their previous search or other criteria. These systems set up a large number of context collectors at the terminals. However, the context collecting and exchanging result in heavy network overhead, and the context processing consumes huge computation. Due to these criterion users end up getting unnecessary content which makes the browser slow. In this paper we propose a user specific category based promotion, we propose and provide for characterization of individual content as well as social attributes that help distinguish each user class. Thus a user defined video recommendation would ensure faster access to only important information which is in the user's domain of interest which utilises low buffer space and increase the speed of the system for user satisfaction. KEYWORDS: Spammer ,User created content, Video-Tag , private storage, recommender. I.INTRODUCTION Online video sharing systems, out of which YouTube[1] is the most popular, provide features that allow users to post a video as a response to a discussion topic. These features open opportunities for users to introduce polluted content, or simply pollution, into the system. So we find For instance, spammers[2] may post an unrelated video as response to a popular one, their objective being to increase the viewer-ship of their content. According to Cisco forecast[3] by 2015, two-thirds of the world's mobile data traffic and 62% of the consumer Internet traffic will be video. Video sharing has continuously increased ground due to advancement in network bandwidth Internet users post a large number of video clips on Video-sharing websites and social network applications[5] every day. The video content may be duplicate, similar, related, or quite different. Facing billions of multimedia WebPages, online users are usually having a hard time finding their favourites. Some video-sharing websites recommend video lists for end users according to video classification, video description tags, or watching history. However, these recommendations are not accurate and are always not consistent with the end users' interests. To improve this, some websites also provide users with search engine[6] to search their desired videos quickly. This led to the development of personalization methods which collect and analyse the viewing patterns, such as: the target user's viewing pattern for contents, statistical information for the overall user's viewing patterns, a user's private profile or preference information through the analysis of a user's computing environment, a communication service, and the preferred device types such as a mobile phone, personal computer, etc. A content-based recommendations system recommends the most likely matched item, then compares the recommendation list to a user's previous input data or compared to preference items. It is also based on information searching and generally uses a rating method which is used in the information searching. The rating method calculates a user's preference information and items in a recommendation list. It recommends the most likely program in a user's profile. This method has the advantage with easily adopt in recommendation result and enable more quickly recommendation. But it has problems with difference result and efficient refer to appropriate rating configuration. In use there are several video recommendation algorithms that have been developed; these would include content-based filtering (CB) by Google[7]. This has adopted for their recommender system in AdWords services. It returns search results with keyword-related advertisements, like spam these advertisements annoy most users and have been ignored by most users. Also included are social network filtering (SNF) In Internet User Created Contents (UCC), and Online Digital Video (ODV) enabled the rapid increase of online Video and programs which can be selected by consumers. This was not expected when we consider the conventional Video technologies and policies. Due to these paradigm changes, thousand of video and programs are now available to consumers. In the existing limited content providers existed, such as licensed broadcasting companies and a small number of video and satellite broadcasting operators. Thus the number of movie and programs were limited. It has become difficult and time consuming to find an interesting movie video and program via the remote control or channel guide map. In this paper we propose a user defined recommendation system(UDC) under a cloud computing environment. The proposed UDV system analyses and uses the viewing pattern of consumers to personalize the program recommendations, and to efficiently use computing resources. A proposed framework for recommending online videos operates by constructing user profiles as an aggregate of tag clouds and generating recommendations according to similar viewing patterns. The proposed personalization method collects and analyses the viewing patterns, such as : the target user's viewing pattern for contents, statistical information for the overall user's viewing patterns, a user's private profile or preference information through the analysis of a user's computing environment, a communication service, and implemented in personal computer, but in future we preferred the Mobile device . II. RELATED WORK It considers a network with N mobile unlicensed nodes that move in an environment according to some stochastic mobility models. It also assumes that entire spectrum is divided into number of M non-overlapping orthogonal channels having different bandwidth. The access to each licensed channel is regulated by fixed duration time slots. Slot timing is assumed to be broadcast by the primary system. Before transmitting its message, each transmitter node, which is a node with the message, first selects a path node and a frequency channel to copy the message. After the path and channel selection, the transmitter node negotiates and handshakes with its path node and declares the selected channel frequency to the path. The communication needed for this coordination is assumed to be accomplished by a fixed length frequency hopping sequence (FHS) that is composed of K distinct licensed channels. In each time slot, each node consecutively hops on FHS within a given order to transmit and receive a coordination packet. The aim of coordination packet that is generated by a node with message is to inform its path about the frequency channel decided for the message copying. , they present an overview of the field of recommender systems and describe the current generation of recommendation methods that are classified as: 1. content-based, 2. collaborative, and 3. hybrid recommendation They went further to describe some shortcomings of present recommendation systems and also proposed possible extensions that can improve recommendation capabilities and make recommender systems applicable to an even broader range of applications. These extensions include an improvement of understanding of users and items, incorporation of the contextual information into the recommendation process, support for multi-criteria ratings, and a provision of more flexible and less intrusive types of recommendations

Tobacco control environment: cross-sectional survey of policy implementation, social unacceptability, knowledge of tobacco health harms and relationship to quit ratio in 17 low-income, middle-income and high-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines in a cross-sectional study \u27the tobacco control environment\u27 including tobacco policy implementation and its association with quit ratio. SETTING: 545 communities from 17 high-income, upper-middle, low-middle and low-income countries (HIC, UMIC, LMIC, LIC) involved in the Environmental Profile of a Community\u27s Health (EPOCH) study from 2009 to 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Community audits and surveys of adults (35-70 years, n=12 953). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Summary scores of tobacco policy implementation (cost and availability of cigarettes, tobacco advertising, antismoking signage), social unacceptability and knowledge were associated with quit ratios (former vs ever smokers) using multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: Average tobacco control policy score was greater in communities from HIC. Overall 56.1% (306/545) of communities had \u3e2 outlets selling cigarettes and in 28.6% (154/539) there was access to cheap cigarettes (\u3c5cents/cigarette) (3.2% (3/93) in HIC, 0% UMIC, 52.6% (90/171) LMIC and 40.4% (61/151) in LIC). Effective bans (no tobacco advertisements) were in 63.0% (341/541) of communities (81.7% HIC, 52.8% UMIC, 65.1% LMIC and 57.6% LIC). In 70.4% (379/538) of communities, \u3e80% of participants disapproved youth smoking (95.7% HIC, 57.6% UMIC, 76.3% LMIC and 58.9% LIC). The average knowledge score was \u3e80% in 48.4% of communities (94.6% HIC, 53.6% UMIC, 31.8% LMIC and 35.1% LIC). Summary scores of policy implementation, social unacceptability and knowledge were positively and significantly associated with quit ratio and the associations varied by gender, for example, communities in the highest quintile of the combined scores had 5.0 times the quit ratio in men (Odds ratio (OR) 5·0, 95% CI 3.4 to 7.4) and 4.1 times the quit ratio in women (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.4 to 7.1). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that more focus is needed on ensuring the tobacco control policy is actually implemented, particularly in LMICs. The gender-related differences in associations of policy, social unacceptability and knowledge suggest that different strategies to promoting quitting may need to be implemented in men compared to women

Deriving an optimal threshold of waist circumference for detecting cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference (WC) thresholds derived from western populations continue to be used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) despite increasing evidence of ethnic variation in the association between adiposity and cardiometabolic disease and availability of data from African populations. We aimed to derive a SSA-specific optimal WC cut-point for identifying individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: We used individual level cross-sectional data on 24 181 participants aged ⩾15 years from 17 studies conducted between 1990 and 2014 in eight countries in SSA. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to derive optimal WC cut-points for detecting the presence of at least two components of metabolic syndrome (MS), excluding WC. RESULTS: The optimal WC cut-point was 81.2 cm (95% CI 78.5-83.8 cm) and 81.0 cm (95% CI 79.2-82.8 cm) for men and women, respectively, with comparable accuracy in men and women. Sensitivity was higher in women (64%, 95% CI 63-65) than in men (53%, 95% CI 51-55), and increased with the prevalence of obesity. Having WC above the derived cut-point was associated with a twofold probability of having at least two components of MS (age-adjusted odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 2.4-2.9, for men and 2.2, 95% CI 2.0-2.3, for women). CONCLUSION: The optimal WC cut-point for identifying men at increased cardiometabolic risk is lower (⩾81.2 cm) than current guidelines (⩾94.0 cm) recommend, and similar to that in women in SSA. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these cut-points based on cardiometabolic outcomes.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 31 October 2017; doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.240

Availability, affordability, and consumption of fruits and vegetables in 18 countries across income levels: findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study.

BACKGROUND: Several international guidelines recommend the consumption of two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day, but their intake is thought to be low worldwide. We aimed to determine the extent to which such low intake is related to availability and affordability. METHODS: We assessed fruit and vegetable consumption using data from country-specific, validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, which enrolled participants from communities in 18 countries between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2013. We documented household income data from participants in these communities; we also recorded the diversity and non-sale prices of fruits and vegetables from grocery stores and market places between Jan 1, 2009, and Dec 31, 2013. We determined the cost of fruits and vegetables relative to income per household member. Linear random effects models, adjusting for the clustering of households within communities, were used to assess mean fruit and vegetable intake by their relative cost. FINDINGS: Of 143 305 participants who reported plausible energy intake in the food frequency questionnaire, mean fruit and vegetable intake was 3·76 servings (95% CI 3·66-3·86) per day. Mean daily consumption was 2·14 servings (1·93-2·36) in low-income countries (LICs), 3·17 servings (2·99-3·35) in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), 4·31 servings (4·09-4·53) in upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), and 5·42 servings (5·13-5·71) in high-income countries (HICs). In 130 402 participants who had household income data available, the cost of two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day per individual accounted for 51·97% (95% CI 46·06-57·88) of household income in LICs, 18·10% (14·53-21·68) in LMICs, 15·87% (11·51-20·23) in UMICs, and 1·85% (-3·90 to 7·59) in HICs (ptrend=0·0001). In all regions, a higher percentage of income to meet the guidelines was required in rural areas than in urban areas (p\u3c0·0001 for each pairwise comparison). Fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals decreased as the relative cost increased (ptrend=0·00040). INTERPRETATION: The consumption of fruit and vegetables is low worldwide, particularly in LICs, and this is associated with low affordability. Policies worldwide should enhance the availability and affordability of fruits and vegetables. FUNDING: Population Health Research Institute, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, AstraZeneca (Canada), Sanofi-Aventis (France and Canada), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany and Canada), Servier, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, King Pharma, and national or local organisations in participating countries

Inequalities in the use of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease by socioeconomic status: evidence from the PURE observational study

Background: There is little evidence on the use of secondary prevention medicines for cardiovascular disease by socioeconomic groups in countries at different levels of economic development. Methods: We assessed use of antiplatelet, cholesterol, and blood-pressure-lowering drugs in 8492 individuals with self-reported cardiovascular disease from 21 countries enrolled in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Defining one or more drugs as a minimal level of secondary prevention, wealth-related inequality was measured using the Wagstaff concentration index, scaled from −1 (pro-poor) to 1 (pro-rich), standardised by age and sex. Correlations between inequalities and national health-related indicators were estimated. Findings: The proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease on three medications ranged from 0% in South Africa (95% CI 0–1·7), Tanzania (0–3·6), and Zimbabwe (0–5·1), to 49·3% in Canada (44·4–54·3). Proportions receiving at least one drug varied from 2·0% (95% CI 0·5–6·9) in Tanzania to 91·4% (86·6–94·6) in Sweden. There was significant (p<0·05) pro-rich inequality in Saudi Arabia, China, Colombia, India, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Pro-poor distributions were observed in Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Poland, and the occupied Palestinian territory. The strongest predictors of inequality were public expenditure on health and overall use of secondary prevention medicines. Interpretation: Use of medication for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is alarmingly low. In many countries with the lowest use, pro-rich inequality is greatest. Policies associated with an equal or pro-poor distribution include free medications and community health programmes to support adherence to medications. Funding: Full funding sources listed at the end of the paper (see Acknowledgments)

Inequalities in the use of secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease by socioeconomic status: evidence from the PURE observational study.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence on the use of secondary prevention medicines for cardiovascular disease by socioeconomic groups in countries at different levels of economic development. METHODS: We assessed use of antiplatelet, cholesterol, and blood-pressure-lowering drugs in 8492 individuals with self-reported cardiovascular disease from 21 countries enrolled in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. Defining one or more drugs as a minimal level of secondary prevention, wealth-related inequality was measured using the Wagstaff concentration index, scaled from -1 (pro-poor) to 1 (pro-rich), standardised by age and sex. Correlations between inequalities and national health-related indicators were estimated. FINDINGS: The proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease on three medications ranged from 0% in South Africa (95% CI 0-1·7), Tanzania (0-3·6), and Zimbabwe (0-5·1), to 49·3% in Canada (44·4-54·3). Proportions receiving at least one drug varied from 2·0% (95% CI 0·5-6·9) in Tanzania to 91·4% (86·6-94·6) in Sweden. There was significant (p<0·05) pro-rich inequality in Saudi Arabia, China, Colombia, India, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Pro-poor distributions were observed in Sweden, Brazil, Chile, Poland, and the occupied Palestinian territory. The strongest predictors of inequality were public expenditure on health and overall use of secondary prevention medicines. INTERPRETATION: Use of medication for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is alarmingly low. In many countries with the lowest use, pro-rich inequality is greatest. Policies associated with an equal or pro-poor distribution include free medications and community health programmes to support adherence to medications. FUNDING: Full funding sources listed at the end of the paper (see Acknowledgments)

Variations between women and men in risk factors, treatments, cardiovascular disease incidence, and death in 27 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries (PURE): A prospective cohort study

Some studies, mainly from high-income countries (HICs), report that women receive less care (investigations and treatments) for cardiovascular disease than do men and might have a higher risk of death. However, very few studies systematically report risk factors, use of primary or secondary prevention medications, incidence of cardiovascular disease, or death in populations drawn from the community. Given that most cardiovascular disease occurs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a need for comprehensive information comparing treatments and outcomes between women and men in HICs, middle-income countries, and low-income countries from community-based population studies. Methods: In the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological study (PURE), individuals aged 35–70 years from urban and rural communities in 27 countries were considered for inclusion