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High Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite Carriage Among Food Handlers in the Gambia
Haruna S. Jallow,
Abou Kebbeh,
Olliemattou Sagnia,
Baba Fofona,
Sana M. Sambou,
Yaya Camara,
Ignatius Baldeh,
Bakary Sanneh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017
Pages:
1-5
Received:
29 January 2017
Accepted:
21 February 2017
Published:
9 March 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijfsb.20170201.11
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Abstract: Background: Most of the world population is approximately infected with intestinal parasites, the burden of this infection is mainly found in people living in developing countries where hygiene and environmental sanitation are poor. Gambia is not an exception to this phenomenon of poor hygiene and sanitation, therefore is at high risk of intestinal parasitic burden. Thus, this study seeks to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of parasitic infections among food handlers who sells food at Lower Basic Schools in the West Coast Region in The Gambia. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study used 540 stool samples stored at 10% formaldehyde collected from different food handlers during a study titled (Prevalence and risk factors of fecal carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae amongst food handlers in Lower Basic Schools in West Coast Region of The Gambia). Stool samples were examined microscopically using both normal saline and iodine for identification of cysts and eggs, larval of intestinal parasites using direct microscopes. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft excel version 2010 software to determine the risk factors. Results: Of the 540 food handlers administered, 536 (99.3%) were females. It was found that 250 (46.3%) were intestinal parasite carriers. Entameoba histolytica/dispar 150 (46%) followed by Giadia lamblia 52 (16%), E. coli 40 (12.3%), E. harmana 20 (6.1%), Strongloides 18 (5.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides 14 (4.3%), Iodamoeba butschlii, 9 (2.8%), Teania spp. 6 (1.8%), Diphyllobotrum latum 3 (0.9%), Hookworm 3 (0.9%), Fasiola hepatica 2 (0.6%), Hymenolepis dimunta 2 (0.6%), Tricguris Trichura 1 (0.3%), Fasiola Buski 1 (0.3%), Hymenolepis nana 1 (0.3%) and V. nana 4 (1.2%) were the parasites identified from the studied. Most of the food handlers were certified for handling food 483 (89.4%) and 492 (91.2%) know the principle of food safety. Among the risk factors, living with domestic animals, lack of training in food handling and hand washing practices with P-value of (0.014), (0.017), and (0.056) respectively and 95% Confidence Interval was associated risk factors of intestinal parasite infections. Conclusions: This study showed high prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers. Training of food handlers on proper methods of food preparation and practice of good personal hygiene should be conducted on regular basis. Since, transmissions of intestinal parasites are by fecal-oral route, food handlers are important sources of infections. Epidemiological surveillance and quarterly screening of food handlers should be done by qualified personnel for isolation of intestinal parasites.
Abstract: Background: Most of the world population is approximately infected with intestinal parasites, the burden of this infection is mainly found in people living in developing countries where hygiene and environmental sanitation are poor. Gambia is not an exception to this phenomenon of poor hygiene and sanitation, therefore is at high risk of intestinal...
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Impact of Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment (The Trivedi Effect®) on Physical, Spectroscopic, and Thermal Properties of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract
Mahendra Kumar Trivedi,
Alice Branton,
Dahryn Trivedi,
Gopal Nayak,
Aileen Carol Lee,
Aksana Hancharuk,
Carola Marina Sand,
Debra Jane Schnitzer,
Rudina Thanasi,
Eileen Mary Meagher,
Faith Ann Pyka,
Gary Richard Gerber,
Johanna Catharina Stromsnas,
Judith Marian Shapiro,
Laura Nelson Streicher,
Lorraine Marie Hachfeld,
Matthew Charles Hornung,
Patricia M. Rowe,
Sally Jean Henderson,
Sheila Maureen Benson,
Shirley Theresa Holmlund,
Stephen P. Salters,
Parthasarathi Panda,
Snehasis Jana
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017
Pages:
6-15
Received:
6 February 2017
Accepted:
18 February 2017
Published:
9 March 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijfsb.20170201.12
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Abstract: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract and their active metabolites possess a broad range of pharmacological activities. The current study aimed to explore the impact of The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing) on the physical, spectroscopic, and thermal properties of ashwagandha root extract using PXRD, PSD, FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, TGA, and DSC analysis. Ashwagandha root extract was divided into two parts – one part was control without any and another part was treated with The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment remotely by eighteen renowned Biofield Energy Healers and defined as The Trivedi Effect® treated sample. The PXRD analysis exhibited that both the treated and control samples were amorphous in nature. The particle sizes at d10, d50, and d90 values of the treated sample were significantly decreased by 12.23%, 10.97%, and 1.25%, respectively with respect to the control sample. The surface area analysis revealed that the surface area of the treated sample was significantly increased by 14.29% as compared to the control sample. The FT-IR analysis indicated the alteration of the force constant for the functional groups of the treated sample in comparison to the control sample. The UV-vis analysis revealed that the wavelength for the maximum absorbance of the control and treated samples were at 205.8 and 206.0 nm, respectively. The TGA analysis revealed that the total weight loss was decreased by 0.70% in the treated sample as compared to the control sample. This indicated that the treated sample was thermally more stable as compared to the control sample. The DSC analysis indicated that the melting point of the treated sample (190.48°C) was decreased by 4.91% than the control sample (203.45°C). The latent heat of fusion of the treated (4.94 J/g) sample was significantly decreased by 42.96% compared with the control (8.66 J/g) sample. The current findings suggest that The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing) might have the astounding capacity to enhance the solubility, absorption, dissolution, and finally, bioavailability of ashwagandha root extract in various form of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulation by modifying its particle size and surface area. Thus, the treated ashwagandha root extract might provide better therapeutic response against against inflammatory diseases, immunological disorders, stress, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, sexual disorders, aging and other chronic infections.
Abstract: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract and their active metabolites possess a broad range of pharmacological activities. The current study aimed to explore the impact of The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing) on the physical, spectroscopic, and thermal properties of ashwagandha root extract ...
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First Study of the Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo) in Cameroon: Assessing Turkey Biodiversity in the Highlands of West-Cameroon
Tegadjoue Sindze Aubin,
Meutchieye Felix,
Djiotsa Dongmo Francis,
Kamta Tchoffo Romeo Omer,
Fogang Tagasine Aristide,
Manjeli Yacouba
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017
Pages:
16-23
Received:
29 October 2016
Accepted:
25 February 2017
Published:
17 March 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijfsb.20170201.13
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Abstract: The study was undertaken from November 2015 to January 2016. It had as a general objective to contribute to the knowledge of turkey’s biodiversity of the Highlands of West-Cameroon for their safeguard and for their genetic improvement. More specifically, it was aimed at evaluating turkeys’ morphobiometric diversity and estimating correlation coefficients between measurements and Live Weight. To achieve these goals, a sample of 236 adult turkeys whose 141 females and 95 males was randomly selected in four Divisions in the zone of study. The principal results show that the turkey’s plumage colouring in the Highlands of West-Cameroon is very varied, with a prevalence of bronzed (54.50%). Head colouring is also very variable, but the blue-red (28.94%) and pink (23.86%) are more frequent. Shanks are most often pink (36.85%), but can also be black-red (21.30%) or clear-pink (20.30%). Eyes are black-chestnut (63.13%), chestnut (16.95%) and grey-black (12.18%). In the same way, studied quantitative characters are very variable, with a sexual dimorphism in favour of the males. Thus, the average weight of the studied animals is of 6.11 ± 0.19 Kg with a variation coefficient of 49%. However, males are approximately 23% heavier (7.93 ± 0.19 Kg) than females (4.89 ± 0.25 Kg). In addition, studied body measurements are significantly (P < 0.05) higher in tom turkeys, although variable with the considered Divisions. All the correlations are positive, but correlations between Live Weight and the length of the snood (r = 0.55) and the thoracic circumference (r = 0.53) are the highest ones.
Abstract: The study was undertaken from November 2015 to January 2016. It had as a general objective to contribute to the knowledge of turkey’s biodiversity of the Highlands of West-Cameroon for their safeguard and for their genetic improvement. More specifically, it was aimed at evaluating turkeys’ morphobiometric diversity and estimating correlation coeffi...
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Household Food Insecurity and Women’s Nutritional Status in Addis Ababa
Tesfay Birhane Gebremariam
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017
Pages:
24-30
Received:
14 April 2016
Accepted:
6 January 2017
Published:
24 March 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijfsb.20170201.14
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Abstract: Background: Existing poverty, soaring food price and fast population growth are challenges of urban areas’ access to food. This especially hurt women’s nutritional status. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the level of household food insecurity and its effect on women’s nutritional status in Addis Ababa. Methodology: Cross-sectional study design was conducted from January to February 2012. A total of 550 households were selected using multistage sampling technique. Result: 3/4th of households were food-insecure by access and 40.7% of households have low dietary diversity. About 12.7% of women were underweight while 26% were overweight. Women’s body mass index increases with increasing dietary diversity score but there is no association between BMI and household food access score. Conclusion and Recommendations: Despite the fast economic growth and nutrition transition in Ethiopia, majority of households in Addis Ababa were food-insecure and food insecurity triggers under nutrition than over nutrition. Prevalence of both underweight and overweight is substantial indicating the double burden of malnutrition in the population. Households’ dietary diversity score was more sensitive than food access score in determining women’s body mass Index. There is a need to do more comprehensive and longitudinal assessment to determine the full extent of the problem and need to design urban food security programs.
Abstract: Background: Existing poverty, soaring food price and fast population growth are challenges of urban areas’ access to food. This especially hurt women’s nutritional status. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the level of household food insecurity and its effect on women’s nutritional status in Addis Ababa. Methodology: Cross-sectional stu...
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Nutritional and Biological Importance of the Weed Echinochloacolona: A Review
Ray Sayani,
Chatterjee Annalakshmi
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, February 2017
Pages:
31-37
Received:
17 February 2017
Accepted:
7 March 2017
Published:
7 April 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijfsb.20170201.15
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Abstract: Echinochloacolona is a cosmopolitan weed common in gardens, roadsides, disturbed sites, waste areas, wetlands, and pastures. It is capable of invading natural areas, where it is being classified as the prime environmental weeds. It has high fibre contain which is essential for diabetes, cardio vascular-related disorders and for the patient who are suffering from constipation. E. colona also can be given to the celiac disease patient as an alternative gluten free diet. It has a low glycemic index and phyto-toxic effects. It shows high antimicrobial, antioxidant and plays a significant role in phyto-remediation. This minor millet which is famous as a predominant weed might act a long with a combination of the preventive medicines for an effective therapeutic strategy against the most common disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular complications. It can also be used for prevention of starvation in under-developed and developing country.
Abstract: Echinochloacolona is a cosmopolitan weed common in gardens, roadsides, disturbed sites, waste areas, wetlands, and pastures. It is capable of invading natural areas, where it is being classified as the prime environmental weeds. It has high fibre contain which is essential for diabetes, cardio vascular-related disorders and for the patient who are ...
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