Trans fatty acid elimination policy in member states of the Eurasian Economic Union: Implementation challenges and capacity for enforcement

Removing trans fatty acids (TFAs) from the food supply in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are one of the most effective public health interventions for reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases. EAEU Member States have taken important steps to reduce TFA in oil and fat products to <2% of the total fat content. The authors summarize existing policies in the region, identify challenges in implementation, and suggest measures to strengthen regulation to achieve compliance with WHO guidelines. Documents published between 2011 and 2019 in Russian and English were reviewed, including EAEU and Member State restrictions on TFA in food products, data on TFA content in foods, and food labeling policies. The EAEU has established TFA limits in oil and fat products; however, Member States are currently not achieving the WHO guideline of <2% of total fat content in food products. A lack of harmonized monitoring systems and sanctions create challenges in monitoring compliance. The authors recommend developing an EAEU‐wide monitoring system to test TFA content and organize population intake surveys. Discrepancies exist within regulatory frameworks that allow higher levels of TFAs in dairy products and infant formula. The authors recommend extending the current regulation to mandate TFA limits for all food products. Research found that strengthening regulation to meet the WHO guidelines should be prioritized. Member States should implement actions to replace TFAs with healthier fats, develop standardized surveillance methods, and scale‐up strategic communication to ensure the food industry and the public follow public health recommendations to protect the health of the EAEU population.     

Zinc supplementation for the treatment or prevention of disease: current status and future perspectives

Zinc is a nutritionally essential trace element, and thus zinc deficiency may severely affect human health. Many studies were published in which the effect of nutritional zinc supplementation on the incidence or severity of a certain disease was investigated. This review summarizes the main observations and aims to evaluate the use of nutritional zinc supplementation for prevention and treatment of human disease.     

The relationship of health/food literacy and salt awareness to daily sodium and potassium intake among a workplace population in Switzerland

Background and aims

High sodium (Na) and low potassium (K) intake are associated with hypertension and CVD risk. This study explored the associations of health literacy (HL), food literacy (FL), and salt awareness with salt intake, K intake, and Na/K ratio in a workplace intervention trial in Switzerland.

Imatinib in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: current status and evolving concepts

Until recently, progress in the treatment of patients with Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has been limited, and long-term survival, even with high-dose intensified chemotherapy, is rare. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is potentially curative, but treatment-related mortality and rate of disease recurrence are substantial. With the advent of the ABL-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (imatinib mesylate, Glivec), it has become apparent that the understanding of crucial leukaemogenic pathways at the molecular level can lead to the development of specific and selective agents. In recent clinical trials, imatinib has demonstrated significant anti-leukaemic efficacy in patients with advanced Ph(+) ALL, in conjunction with a remarkably favourable safety profile. Clinical resistance to imatinib develops rapidly, highlighting the limitations of using imatinib as a single agent; however, the value of imatinib as an element of treatment has become apparent. Resistance mechanisms have already been identified that will enable the development of rational strategies to prevent or overcome resistance. On the basis of available clinical results, combinations of imatinib with established anti-leukaemic agents, as well as with novel, molecularly targeted treatment modalities, will need to be evaluated in advanced Ph(+) ALL. Incorporation of imatinib in the first-line treatment of de novo Ph(+) ALL and in the setting of minimal residual disease is a promising therapeutic approach which is currently being studied in clinical trials. Better understanding of targeted therapies, including strategies based on recruitment of host immune functions, as well as the prudent use of active chemotherapy agents, may eventually improve the outlook for patients with Ph(+) ALL.     

Respiratory syncytial virus‐associated acute respiratory illness in adult non‐immunocompromised patients: Outcomes,determinants of outcomes,and the effect of oral ribavirin treatment

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an increasingly common cause of respiratory illness in adult non‐immunocompromised patients. Oral ribavirin was reported to improve outcomes of RSV infection in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of non‐immunocompromised patients hospitalized with RSV‐associated acute respiratory illnesses (RSV‐ARI), the factors independently associated with the outcomes and the effect of oral ribavirin treatment.MethodsThis retrospective, observational cohort study included 175 adults admitted to the hospital with virologically confirmed RSV‐ARI during 2014–2019. Severe ARI was identified using Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) criteria for severe community‐acquired pneumonia. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality within 30 days after enrollment. A multivariable Cox model was performed to identify significant predictors of mortality.ResultsMean age was 76 ± 12.7 years. Seventy‐eight (44.6%) patients met the diagnostic criteria for severe ARI. Thirty‐six (20.6%) patients required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 11 (6.3%) required vasopressor. Ninety‐nine (56.6%) patients received oral ribavirin treatment, and 52 (29.7%) received systemic corticosteroids. Forty‐one (23.4%) patients had evidence of bacterial infection. Overall mortality was 7.4%. Mortality among patients with non‐severe ARI and severe ARI was 1.04% and 15.4%, respectively. Estimated glomerular filtration rate <50 ml/min/1.73 m², severe ARI, systemic corticosteroids, and bacterial infection were independently associated with higher risk of mortality. Treatment with oral ribavirin was the only factor associated with reduced mortality (adjusted HR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04–0.9, P = 0.03).ConclusionRSV‐ARI may result in significant mortality and health care utilization. Treatment with oral ribavirin may improve survival in these patients.     

Transposition of the Great Arteries in the Developing World: Surgery and Outcomes

Background

Little has been published regarding surgery for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in the developing world.

HLA-DQB1 genotypes and islet cell autoantibodies against GAD65 and IA-2 in relation to development of diabetes post partum in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Aims

To study HLA-DQB1 genes and islet cell autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GADA) and insulinoma antigen-2 (IA-2A) in relation to diabetes post partum in mothers with diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

During 2003-2004, women undergoing a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during pregnancy were invited to participate in the Mamma Study. Cut-off level defining GDM was a 2-h capillary blood glucose of 7.8 mmol/L. 1-2 years after delivery a 75 g OGTT was performed, GADA and IA-2A were measured and HLA-DQB1 genes analysed. Data were available for 452 mothers with previous GDM and 168 randomly selected control subjects.

Results

HLA-DQB1*0602 was negatively associated with GDM (p = 0.033) and with development of diabetes post partum (p = 0.017), whereas high risk HLA were not associated with GDM or with diabetes. The presence of GADA post partum was positively associated with diabetes post partum (p = 0.0009), but not with impaired glucose tolerance.

Conclusions

Mothers with GDM and HLA-DQB1*0602 were less likely to develop diabetes after pregnancy, and type 1 diabetes associated high risk HLA genes did not predict type 1 diabetes post partum. Additionally, GADA were positively associated with diabetes development.     

Relationship between spicy flavor,spicy food intake frequency,and general obesity in a rural adult Chinese population: The RuralDiab study

Background and aims

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between spicy flavor, spicy food frequency, and general obesity in Chinese rural adults.

Management of malaria threat following tsunami in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India and impact of altered environment created by tsunami on malaria situation of the islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Indian Territory) are situated in the Bay of Bengal and endemic for malaria with perennial transmission. Anopheles sundaicus which prefers to breed in brackish water, is known as the main vector for malaria and maintains high endemicity of malaria. Tsunami waves entered the inhabited coastal areas, caused heavy devastation and left large areas inundated causing exceptionally high breeding sources for vector mosquitoes of malaria. The disaster created a new habitat suitable for the proliferation of malaria and other disease-carrying mosquitoes besides making thousands of people homeless. They were living in temporary open shelters, getting more exposed to mosquito bites. The population already had existing high parasite load. Hence, there was a real threat of malaria outbreak in the area. However, malaria was effectively controlled due to strategic planning and timely remedial measures. Malaria situation was monitored closely and epidemiological data of three subsequent years from 2005 to 2007 after tsunami were analysed and compared with pre-tsunami malaria data from 1986 to 2004. In this paper, effect of tsunami on malaria profile in these islands has been discussed along with action taken for its control.