A-study-on-consumer-buying-behaviour-towards-departmental-stores-with-special-reference-to-imphal-city

This study explores consumer buying behavior towards departmental stores in Imphal city, aiming to help retailers better understand and capture their target consumers. The research type is qualitative in nature, as the aim was to uncover underlying consumer motivations regarding departmental stores in the Imphal area of Manipur. A sample of 105 respondents was analyzed using statistical tools including percentage analysis, rank analysis, and Likert scale. The results indicate that consumers prefer stores offering a variety of quality-maintained products, with discounts and special offers also playing a significant role in attracting customers. This study underscores the importance of continued analysis and assessment of consumer behavior and satisfaction in ensuring the long-term success of businesses

Insectos asociados a productos alimenticios almacenados en el área urbana de Culiacán, Sinaloa, México / Insects associated with food products stored in the urban area of Culiacán Sinaloa, Mexico

Resumen Los insectos asociados a productos almacenados dañan a una amplia variedad de alimentos en hogares y expendios, provocando baja calidad nutricional e incluso riesgo a la salud de los consumidores. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las especies y abundancia de insectos asociados a alimentos secos almacenados en casas y tiendas de abarrotes de la ciudad de Culiacán, Sinaloa. Se obtuvieron productos alimenticios, en casas o tiendas de abarrotes, con indicios de daños por insectos o presencia de los mismos, los cuales fueron trasladados al laboratorio, donde se aislaron los imagos. Los organismos inmaduros y las muestras de alimento seco se depositaron en cámaras de emergencia de adultos debido a que la identificación se llevó a cabo por morfología en la fase de imago. Se recolectaron 181 ejemplares de insectos pertenecientes a 8 especies; de ellas, Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), Necrobia rufipes (De Greer), Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) y Cadra cautella (Walker) son nuevos registros para Sinaloa. En las casas se encontró la mayor cantidad de insectos, principalmente del orden coleoptera (U = 96.000, n = 154, P = 0.004). Las especies N. rufipes, T. castaneum (Herbst) y P. interpunctella fueron las más comunes en los sitios de estudio y en las muestras recolectadas. Por primera vez se caracterizó y se determinó la abundancia de insectos plaga de productos alimenticios almacenados en una zona urbana de Sinaloa, entidad federativa con importancia agraria en México. Ubicar taxonómicamente las especies que infestan productos almacenados ayuda a determinar el riesgo económico y de salud que representan para las zonas donde fueron encontrados. También es útil para desarrollar y aplicar medidas adecuadas de control entomológico, en caso de presentarse una plaga en la zona, lo que mantendrá la calidad e integridad de los productos que se comercializan.

Abstract Insects associated with stored produce damage a wide variety of foods in homes and grocery stores, causing poor nutritional quality and even health risk in consumers. The objective of this study was to determine the species and abundance of insects associated with dry food products stored in homes and grocery stores of the city of Culiacán, Sinaloa. Food products were obtained, in houses or grocery stores, with signs of damage by insectes or their presence, which were transferred to the laboratory, where the imagos were isolated immature and dry food samples were deposited in adult emergency chambers because the identification was carried out by morphology in the imago stage. 181 insects belonging to 8 species were collected, of which Oryzaephilus mercator (Fauvel), Necrobia rufipes (De Greer), Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and Cadra cautella (Walker) represent new records for the state of Sinaloa. The highest number of insects that belong mainly to the order coleoptera were collected in homes (U = 96.000, n = 154, P = 0.004). N. rufipes, T. castaneum (Herbst) and P. interpunctella were the most common species at the study sites and of the food samples collected, dog food and flour were the most affected. For the first time, the abundance of insect pests of stored food products was characterized and determined in an urban area of Sinaloa, an agriculturally important state in Mexico. Identifying taxonomically the species that infest stored products will allow to determine the economic and health risk that they represent for the areas where they were found. It is also useful in developing and applying the appropriate entomological control that will maintain the quality and integrity of the products.

Body iron store and prevalence of iron deficiency In Mongolian children aged 6-59 months / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background@#Iron is an essential mineral needed for physical and cognitive development with iron needs greatest during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Iron is vital throughout the lifespan as it is a component of haemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body cells for energy production. Iron deficiency results from a depletion of body iron stores due to increased iron needs, inadequate dietary iron intake, reduced iron absorption, or loss of iron from infections caused by malaria, hookworms, and other intestinal parasites. In advanced stages, iron deficiency leads to iron deficiency anaemia, a condition of low red blood cells and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.@*Goal@#This study aimed to determine body iron stores in Mongolian children aged 6-59 months, and estimate prevalence of iron deficiency among of studied children. @*Materials and Methods@#In this study were used materials that collected during the fifth national nutrition survey conducted in 21 provinces of 4 economic regions and 8 districts of Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia. The fifth national nutrition survey was household based survey; therefore sampling unit was household with 5 year-old child. We had used demographic information collected by interview methods and laboratory examination results on ferritin, soluble transferrin (sTfR), C reactive protein (CRP) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AFP) in serum samples collected from 6 to 59 months old children, pregnant women and 15–49 year-old men living in child’s households. Serum Ferritin and soluble transferrin (sTfR) were used as a biomarker for iron store and iron deficiency and C reactive protein (CRP) and AFG were used as indicators for acute and chronic infection. The determination of iron status is challenging when concomitant infection and inflammation are present because of confounding effects of the acute-phase response on the interpretation of most iron indicators. Effects of C reactive protein (CRP) and AGP concentrations on estimates of ID according to serum ferritin (SF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were considered in the study. @*Ethical considerations @#The survey protocol was discussed at the scientific committee of the Public health institute and approved by director of scientific committee of PHI on June 28, 2016. Ethical approval for conducting the survey, including obtaining biological samples was obtained from the Medical ethics committee under the Ministry of Health of Mongolia on July 7, 2016. Participation in the survey was voluntary, oral and written informed consent was obtained from each participants and adult caregivers of under 5 year-old children. @*Results@#Biomarkers of iron status were adjusted with inflammation indicators and estimated iron deficiency (ID) and total body iron store in 1732 children 6-59 month-olds. The study findings showed that adjusted mean concentration of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor was 33.7 µg/l and 8.8 mg/l in children age of 6-59 months, respectively. The calculated total body iron store by using adjusted SF and soluble transferrin receptor was 2.8 mg/kg among surveyed children. Iron deficiency was estimated by using 2 different biomarkers among selected population group. The prevalence of iron deficiency estimated by using SF was 20.7% in children 6-59 months. Iron deficiency in children defined by using serum soluble transferrin receptor was 27.7%.@*Conclusions@#</br> 1. The average serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor concentrations was 33.7 µg/l and 8.8 mg/l in children age of 6-59 months, respectively. Total body iron store estimated by using SF and soluble transferrin was 2.8 mg/kg among surveyed children. </br>2. The prevalence of iron deficiency estimated by using SF and sTfR was 20.7% and 27.7% in children 6-59 months, respectively. According to the WHO recommendation, prevalence of iron deficiency among Mongolian children aged 6-59 months is classified as “prevalent”. </br>3. Overall proportion of children with low body iron store was 22.4%. The prevalence of iron depletion is relatively common in boys, young children aged 6–23 months, and rural children aged 6-59 months.

Food purchasing behaviour among urban slum women in East Jakarta: a qualitative study

@# Introduction: Urbanisation in Indonesia has been associated with a transition in nutrition which has been, in part, marked by an increased purchasing of readyto-eat, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Women are responsible for purchasing and preparing food for the family. Their purchasing behaviours differ in various environments and population groups. This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the food environmental factors that influenced food purchasing behaviour of women who were the household food gatekeepers. Methods: The study was conducted in a slum area in East Jakarta. Eighteen overweight-obese and nonobese women who fulfilled the study’s inclusion criteria were recruited for interviews that used a semi-structured questionnaire. Emic observations were conducted in order to identify typical food purchasing activities. The data were coded and categorised using qualitative data analysis and research software (Atlas.ti 7 for Windows). Results: Most of the women purchased ready-to-eat foods rather than cook at home, either for the family or their own consumption. Several food environmental factors influenced women’s purchasing behaviour, including time and cost efficiency, food availability, family, exposure to ready-to-eat foods and food store marketing strategies. These factors led to the consumption of unhealthy foods that were high in fat, carbohydrate, sugar and salt that some of which may cause obesity. Conclusion: Purchasing unhealthy food was observed to be strongly linked with food-related environmental factors. This study provides an understanding of women’s food purchasing behaviour and highlight potential ways to foster healthier purchasing behaviour among urban slum dwellers.

Association between frequency of convenience foods use at convenience stores and dietary quality among high school students in Incheon / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study investigated an association between dietary quality and use of convenience foods at convenience stores among high school students. METHODS: A total of 474 high school students (225 boys and 249 girls) residing in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey in June 2018. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the frequency of consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores; less than once a week, 1 ~ 2 times a week, and more than 3 times a week. Dietary quality was assessed using a nutrient quotient for adolescents (NA-Q). Logistic regression was used to investigate an association between dietary quality and use of convenience foods at convenience stores among high school students. RESULTS: For boys and girls, higher monthly allowance was significantly associated with the higher frequency of consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores, whereas school grade, mother's occupational status, family size, extracurricular study, and eating speed were not significantly associated with the frequency of consumption of convenience foods. Higher intake frequency of cookies or sweet and greasy bread, processed beverage, Ramyon, night-time snack, and street food was significantly associated with the higher frequency of consumption of convenience foods for boys or girls. Boys and girls, who had a higher frequency of consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores had significantly greater odds for being in the low grade of dietary quality, especially in the moderation factor. CONCLUSION: The students who used convenience stores more often appeared to have more monthly allowance and to consume undesirable foods more often. Higher frequency of using convenience foods at convenience stores among high school students was associated with lower dietary quality. These study results can support efforts to provide nutrition education programs and guidelines to students who frequently use convenience foods at convenience stores.

Release and uptake mechanisms of vesicular Ca stores

Cells utilize calcium ions (Ca) to signal almost all aspects of cellular life, ranging from cell proliferation to cell death, in a spatially and temporally regulated manner. A key aspect of this regulation is the compartmentalization of Ca in various cytoplasmic organelles that act as intracellular Ca stores. Whereas Ca release from the large-volume Ca stores, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus, are preferred for signal transduction, Ca release from the small-volume individual vesicular stores that are dispersed throughout the cell, such as lysosomes, may be more useful in local regulation, such as membrane fusion and individualized vesicular movements. Conceivably, these two types of Ca stores may be established, maintained or refilled via distinct mechanisms. ER stores are refilled through sustained Ca influx at ER-plasma membrane (PM) membrane contact sites (MCSs). In this review, we discuss the release and refilling mechanisms of intracellular small vesicular Ca stores, with a special focus on lysosomes. Recent imaging studies of Ca release and organelle MCSs suggest that Ca exchange may occur between two types of stores, such that the small stores acquire Ca from the large stores via ER-vesicle MCSs. Hence vesicular stores like lysosomes may be viewed as secondary Ca stores in the cell.

Iron status in small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age infants at birth / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study compared the iron statuses of small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants at birth. METHODS: The clinical data of 904 newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed. Blood samples were drawn from the infants within 24 hours after birth. Serum ferritin level was used as a marker of total iron status. RESULTS: In this study, 115 SGA (GA, 36.5±2.9 weeks; birth weight [BW], 1,975±594.5 g) and 717 AGA (GA, 35.1±3.5 weeks; BW, 2,420.3±768.7 g) infants were included. The SGA infants had higher hematocrit levels (50.6%±5.8% vs. 47.7%±5.7%, P<0.05) than the AGA infants. No difference in serum ferritin level (ng/mL) was found between the groups (mean [95% confidence interval]: SGA vs. AGA infants, 139.0 [70.0–237.0] vs. 141.0 [82.5–228.5]). After adjusting for gestational age, the SGA infants had lower ferritin levels (147.1 ng/mL [116.3–178.0 ng/mL] vs. 189.4 ng/mL [178.0–200.8 ng/ mL], P<0.05). Total body iron stores were also lower in the SGA infants than in the AGA infants (185.6 [153.4–211.7] vs 202.2 [168.7–241.9], P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The SGA infants had lower ferritin and total body iron stores than the AGA infants. The SGA infants affected by maternal hypertension who were born at late preterm had an additional risk of inadequate iron store. Iron deficiency should be monitored in these infants during follow-up.

Study on Middle and High School Students' Use of Convenience Foods at Convenience Stores in Incheon / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

Study on Middle and High School Students' Use of Convenience Foods at Convenience Stores in Incheon / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

Nutritional Evaluation of Convenience Meals in Convenience Stores near the Universities / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Rapid economic growth and industrial development in South Korea have led to a great change in dietary patterns, and the use of convenience foods has continuously increased. This study was performed to evaluate the energy and nutrient contents of convenience foods at convenience stores near the universities as a meal. METHODS: Data was collected by visiting 22 convenience stores near some universities in Chungbuk and Seoul and by checking nutrition labels on convenience foods at the stores. Data of a total of 338 food items were collected, and divided into five groups according to the food categories; rice products (n=156), noodles (n=101), burger/sandwiches (n=62), Tteokbokkis (n=11), and dumplings (n=8). Further, rice products, noodles, and burger/sandwiches were divided into subcategories. RESULTS: The proportion of calories from carbohydrates was high in the rice products and tteokbokki, while the rate of calories from fat was high in burger/sandwiches and dumplings. Among the rice products, the proportion of carbohydrate calories was high in a one-dish food, rice with soup, and triangular kimbap, while the proportion of calories from fat in lunch boxes was high. In the noodles category, ramyeon and spaghetti had a high percentage of fat calories, while udong had a high percentage of carbohydrate calories. The ratio of the calorie content in relation to the KDRIs for adults aged 19-29 years, lunch boxes provided about 1/3 of daily required energy. However, the amount of calories as one meal was not enough for other types of rice products except for lunch boxes. Ramyeon was high in calories, fat, and sodium, but low in protein content. The burger/sandwiches had a high percentage of fat and sodium. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed several nutritional limitations of convenience meals in convenience stores according to the type of food. Therefore, college students should limit excessive intake of convenience meals on a regular basis in order to avoid unhealthy food intake patterns. Our results demonstrate the need for educating college students with regard to checking nutrition labels when choosing convenience meals in order to facilitate the selection of food items that contribute to a balanced diet.

Hydrogen peroxide attenuates refilling of intracellular calcium store in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

Intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) oscillation is an initial event in digestive enzyme secretion of pancreatic acinar cells. Reactive oxygen species are known to be associated with a variety of oxidative stress-induced cellular disorders including pancreatitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on intracellular Ca²⁺ accumulation in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Perfusion of H₂O₂ at 300 µM resulted in additional elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels and termination of oscillatory Ca²⁺ signals induced by carbamylcholine (CCh) in the presence of normal extracellular Ca²⁺. Antioxidants, catalase or DTT, completely prevented H₂O₂-induced additional Ca²⁺ increase and termination of Ca²⁺ oscillation. In Ca²⁺-free medium, H₂O₂ still enhanced CCh-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ levels and thapsigargin (TG) mimicked H₂O₂-induced cytosolic Ca²⁺ increase. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels was abolished under sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase-inactivated condition by TG pretreatment with CCh. H₂O₂ at 300 µM failed to affect store-operated Ca²⁺ entry or Ca²⁺ extrusion through plasma membrane. Additionally, ruthenium red, a mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter blocker, failed to attenuate H₂O₂-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation. These results provide evidence that excessive generation of H₂O₂ in pathological conditions could accumulate intracellular Ca²⁺ by attenuating refilling of internal Ca²⁺ stores rather than by inhibiting Ca²⁺ extrusion to extracellular fluid or enhancing Ca²⁺ mobilization from extracellular medium in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

Consumo de frutas e hortaliças: o indivíduo e o ambiente

Introdução: as escolhas alimentares são complexas e mais bem compreendidas quandoreconhecidos os fatores que a influenciam em diferentes níveis, como o indivíduo e oambiente. Apesar do crescente interesse sobre a contribuição do ambiente para oconsumo de alimentos, os estudos ainda são pontuais, os resultados inconsistentes e asevidências restritas aos países de renda alta. Objetivo: Identificar o consumo de frutas ehortaliças (FH) e os fatores individuais e ambientais associados a este consumo entreusuários do Programa Academia da Saúde (PAS) de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.Métodos: Este trabalho será apresentado em três artigos, um estudo ecológico e doistransversais. No estudo ecológico objetivou-se realizar análise exploratória dascaracterísticas do ambiente e a sua relação com o consumo de FH. Nos estudostransversais objetivou-se identificar a associação entre habilidades individuais e oambiente alimentar percebido com o consumo de FH; e investigar os fatores individuais,familiares e ambientais associados a este consumo. O estudo foi realizado com todos osusuários com 20 anos ou mais, em 18 polos do PAS amostrados por amostragem deconglomerado simples, estratificada pelas nove regiões administrativas do município. Acoleta de dados constituiu de entrevistas com os usuários dos polos do PAS (domínioindividual e familiar) e auditoria em estabelecimentos de FH contidos em buffers comraios de 1.600 metros ao redor dos polos amostrados (domínio ambiental). Os dadosindividuais investigados foram: variáveis biológicas, socioeconômicas (sexo, idade,estado civil, renda, ocupação e educação) e comportamentais (estágio de mudança,autoeficácia, equilíbrio decisão; e habilidades individuais - respostas a frases, em escalalikert, relacionadas a tempo, custo/acessibilidade e habilidade de preparar FH). Paraavaliar o ambiente alimentar, contemplou-se variáveis do ambiente alimentar familiar(segurança alimentar do domicilio)...

Introduction: food choices are complex and better understood when the influences offactors at various levels are recognized, such as the individual and environment. Despitethe growing interest in the contribution of environment to food consumption, findingsare still inconsistent and the evidence is restricted to high-income countries. Objective:To identify fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and the individual and environmental factorsassociated with this consumption among users of the Health Academy Program (HAP)of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Methods: This thesis will be presented in threearticles, one ecological study and two cross-sectional studies. In the ecological study thepurpose was to perform an exploratory analysis of the environmental conditions andtheir relationship with FV intake. The cross-sectional studies aimed to identify theassociation between individual ability and the perceived food environment with FVconsumption; and to examine the individual, family and environmental factorsassociated with this consumption. The study was conducted with all users aged 20 yearsor older from HAP centres sampled via stratified cluster sampling, stratified by the nineadministrative districts of the municipality. Data collection included face-to-faceinterviews with users of HAP centres (individual and family domain), as well as FVstore audits (environmental domain) contained within 1,600 m buffer zones at HAPsites. The individual data investigated were: biological and socioeconomic variables(sex, age, marital status, income, occupation and education) and psychosocial variables(stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance; and individual ability - answers toitems on likert scale regarding perceived affordability, time and preparation skills). Inorder to evaluate food environment, we measured variables from home foodenvironment (household food security),...

Dietary Habits and Perception Toward Food Additives according to the Frequency of Consumption of Convenience Food at Convenience Stores among University Students in Cheongju / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to examine the consumption patterns of convenience food at convenience stores, dietary habits, and perception as well as knowledge of food additives among university students. METHODS: Subjects were 352 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into three groups according to the frequency of consumption of convenience food at convenience stores: 79 rare (≤ 1 time/month), 89 moderate (2-4 times/month) and 184 frequent (≥ 2 times/week). RESULTS: More subjects from the frequent consumption group lived apart from parents (p<0.001) and possessed more pocket money (p<0.01). Frequent consumption group consumed noodles, Kimbab, and sandwich & burger significantly more often (p<0.001, respectively) than others. In addition, frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores was associated with frequent breakfast skipping (p<0.05), irregular meal time (p<0.01), snacking (p<0.05), and eating late night meal (p<0.001). More from the rare consumption group had heard about food additives previously compared to the frequent consumption group (79.7% vs. 63.6%, p<0.01). Frequent consumption group showed significantly higher score than did the rare consumption group for the following questions: monosodium glutamate is harmful to your health (p<0.05), food additives are necessary for food manufacturing (p<0.005), food additives need to be labeled on products (p<0.05), there is no food additive at all if labeled as no preservatives, no coloring, and no added sugar (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in degrees of choosing products with less food additives depending on the consumption pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provided a better understanding of the factors associated with frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores among university students and will be useful to develop a nutrition education program for those who are more prone to consume convenience foods.

Changes of metabolic syndrome related indexes before and after blood donation in blood donors / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the significance of blood donation in preventing metabolic syndrome (MS)by analyzing the changes of the blood pressure and the related biochemical indexes before and after blood donation in the blood donors with high risk of MS.Methods The blood specimens of 102 blood donors,aged 45 -55 years old with the systolic blood pressure of 110 -140 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure of 75 -90 mmHg,the body mass index> 24 kg/m2 ,were selected as the subjects.The blood pressure,heart rate,iron reserves,blood glucose,blood lipids,and the other indicators were determined before blood donation. All the above indicators were tested again on 42 d after blood donation.Results The blood pressure,iron reserves,blood glucose and LDL/HDL ratio after donation showed significant changes compared with before blood donation(P <0.05 ).Conclusion The changes of the MS related blood indexes exist before and after blood donation,blood donation has a certain significance for preven-ting MS in the blood donors with high risk of MS.

Use of Mobile Phones for Monitoring Adverse Drug Reaction in Pharmacy and Drug Stores in Ishaka, Uganda - a Pilot Assessment of Willingness to Report.

Aim: We investigated reporting of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) following use of drugs purchased from open system pharmacy (OSP) and drug stores, and the effectiveness of mobile phones for reporting drug reactions and detection of drug interactions. Study Design: The study was descriptive and inceptional. Place and Duration of Study: Selected Pharmacies and drug stores in Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi, Uganda, between January and April 2012. Methodology: A total of 190 participants purchasing prescription and non prescription drugs in the drug outlets were enrolled and drug purchases documented. Structured interviews were used to assess any existing system of ADR tracking. Possible interactions were assessed using electronic checkers software on drug combinations prescribed or purchased. Mobile phone calls were used to monitor the reporting potential, use of medication and events or reactions following drug use for ADRs. Results: No formalized pre-study system was found for tracking ADR in the OSP and drug stores studied. Participants purchased 420 different medications with 55.8% without prescription. Antibiotics, analgesics and antimalarials ranked most purchased medications. All participants carried at least a functional mobile phone and demonstrated interest to report ADRs. Mean Effective Mobile Phone Contact Ratio (MEMPCR) for ADR monitoring was 0.91+0.2 and follow-up was 96% (n=183) and 89.5% on days 0 and 4 respectively. Interactions predicted were in 24.8% (31). Significant reporting of at least one of 404 reactions occurred within 72hr compared to 96-120hr (P=0.003). Two participants had reaction leading to discontinued use of Cotrimoxazole. Conclusion: Use of mobile phones and drug interaction checker software may avail early detection of ADR and reporting. Facilitated toll free- call service may be an effective means of extending the scope of ADR tracking in addition to Yellow Card scheme, and augment involvement of pharmacists and consumers in safe use of drugs.

Diagnóstico de los principales antibióticos recomendados para pollo de engorde (broiler) por los centros agropecuarios del municipio de Pasto, Nariño, Colombia / Diagnosis of the Main Antibiotics for Broiler Chicken Recommended by Farming Centers from the Municipality of Pasto, Nariño, Colombia / Diagnóstico dos principais antibióticos recomendados para frango de engorde (broiler) pelos centros agropecuários do município de Pasto, no Departamento de Nariño, na Colômbia

Objetivo: determinar los principales antibióticos recomendados para pollo de engorde (broiler), por los centros agropecuarios del municipio de Pasto, departamento de Nariño, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: la recolección de la información se realizó mediante encuestas dirigidas a las personas encargadas de prescribir medicamentos en los centros agropecuarios. Los datos se analizaron con la ayuda del paquete estadístico Statgraphics plus 5.0. Resultados: solo el 37,65% de los almacenes agropecuarios cuenta con personal capacitado para desempeñar la labor de prescribir medicamentos veterinarios. Los antibióticos son los medicamentos más recomendados en los almacenes agropecuarios (52,94%), entre los cuales se destacan las quinolonas (39,98%), seguidas del grupo inmunológico o vacunas (18,82%), principalmente la vacuna de Newcastle cepa B1 Hitchner (8,24%), el grupo de vitaminas (14,11%), los antiparasitarios (12,94%) y el grupo de los mucorreguladores (1,17%). Conclusiones: la mayoría de los almacenes agropecuarios no cuenta con personal capacitado para la formulación o prescripción de medicamentos. El 51% de estos medicamentos se maneja fuera del rango terapéutico (sobredosis o subdosis). El uso terapéutico más recomendado es para el tratamiento de enfermedades respiratorias y digestivas, y la vía de administración oral es la más común sin realizar ningún tipo de advertencia ni precaución.

Objective: To determine the main antibiotics for broiler chicken, recommended by farming centers from the Municipality of Pasto, Department of Nariño, Colombia. Methods and Materials: The information was gathered through surveys with the people in charge of prescribing medicines in the farming centers. The data was analyzed with the help of the statistical platform Statgraphics Plus 5.0. Results: Only 37.65% of the farming stores have the qualified staff to perform the duty of prescribing veterinary medicine. Antibiotics are the most recommended medicine in farming stores (52.94%), particularly quinolones (39.98%), followed by the immune group or vaccines (18.82%), mainly the Newcastle vaccine strain Hitchner B1 (8.24%), the group of vitamins (14.11%), anti-parasitic (12.94%) and the group of mucus regulators (1.17%). Conclusions: Most of the farming stores do not have the qualified staff for the formulation or prescription of medicine. 51% of these medicines are handled outside the therapeutic range (overdose or underdose). The most recommended therapeutic use is for the treatment of digestive and respiratory diseases, and oral administration of medicine is the most commonly suggested without any kind of warnings or cautions.

Objetivo: determinar os principais antibióticos recomendados para frango de engorde (broiler), pelos centros agropecuários do município de Pasto, departamento de Nariño, na Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: A recolecção da informação se realizou mediante enquetes dirigidas às pessoas encarregadas de prescrever medicamentos nos centros agropecuários. Os dados se analisaram com a ajuda do pacote estatístico Statgraphics plus 5.0. Resultados: só o 37,65% das lojas agropecuárias ou agrícolas conta com pessoal capacitado para desempenhar o trabalho de prescrever medicamentos veterinários. Os antibióticos são os medicamentos mais recomendados nas lojas agropecuárias (52,94%), entre os quais se destacam as quinolonas (39,98%), seguidas do grupo imunológico ou vacunas (18,82%), principalmente a vacina de Newcastle cepa B1 Hitchner (8,24%), o grupo de vitaminas (14,11%), os antiparasitários (12,94%) e o grupo dos muco-reguladores (1,17%). Conclusões: a maioria das lojas agropecuárias não conta com pessoal capacitado para a formulação ou prescrição de medicamentos. O 51% destes medicamentos se maneja fora do rango terapêutico (overdose ou escassez de dose). O uso terapêutico mais recomendado é para o tratamento de doenças respiratórias e digestivas, e a via de administração oral é a mais comum sem realizar nenhum tipo de advertência nem precaução.

Iron Status and Red Cell Parameters in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa).

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate iron metabolism and compare iron stores between pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken with 187 volunteers adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years. For this study, adolescents were divided into 2 groups with 75 non-pregnant adolescents and 112 pregnant adolescents. Study population was recruited January 2006 to January 2008 in 4 urban community health centers, of Abidjan. Assays of blood samples were performed in Laboratory of Physiology, Pharmacology and Phytotherapy (Nangui Abrogoua University) and in Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry of University Hospital Centre (Cocody, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University). Methodology: In each pregnant adolescent a blood sample was collected by venipuncture on a dry and EDTA tubes of 5 ml. With these blood samples, haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Results: Haematological parameters were decreased in pregnant adolescents at the third trimester of pregnancy compared with control adolescents. Pregnant adolescents were more anaemic during pregnancy (77.7 %) compared with non-pregnant adolescents (42.7 %). Iron stores were greatly decreased in 72.3 %, 83.9 % and 95.6 % of adolescents respectively during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant adolescents (34.7 %). In addition, high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was recorded throughout pregnancy in adolescents. Therefore, iron status was more altered in pregnant adolescents (11.6 %, 9.8 % and 0.0 % respectively) compared with non-pregnant adolescents (13.3 %). The results of this study show that the causes of pronounced degradation in iron status are insufficient in size of iron stores in pregnant adolescents and non-pregnant adolescents. Conclusion: Iron metabolism alteration is important in pregnant adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire, causing severe anaemia in this group of population.

Developing and testing the reliability of a measurement tool for an urban area food environment in Korea: Focusing on food stores / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a reliable measurement tool to assess the urban food environment, particularly focusing on food stores in Korea. METHODS: The items for the measurement tool were selected through systematic literature reviews and adjusted to the Korean food environment. A total of 25 food stores in an urban area were recruited for the pilot test to evaluate the time required for completion of the survey, ease of response, willingness to participate, difficulties in conducting the survey, and appropriateness, and 34 food stores were recruited for assessment of the reliability of the tool using percent agreement and kappa value. RESULTS: The measurement tool is composed of questions regarding food store characteristics, accessibility, and food availability. On average, 26 minutes was required to survey a single food store, and the subjects and interviewers answered that the process was not difficult for the survey. The percent agreement for the inter-rater and test-retest reliability ranged from 93.9~98.8% and 91.9~97.9, respectively. The kappa values ranged from 0.78 to 0.97, which was very high. Percent agreement and kappa value of food with healthy option were lower than those of the general food in the inter-rater reliability (p = 0.0027, p = 0.0095 respectively) as well as in the test-retest reliability (p = 0.0081, p = 0.0290, respectively), although they were still high enough (86.4~98.0% for percent agreement, 0.64~0.96 for kappa value). CONCLUSION: The newly developed measurement tool for assessment of food store environment appears to be feasible and reliable; therefore, it can be applied to research on the association between food environment and dietary behaviors as well as health outcomes.

Intervención educativa para modificar el aporte de hierro absorbible en mujeres no embarazadas / Educational intervention to modify the levels of absorbed iron in non pregnant women

Biochemical tes ts (hemoglobin andferritin) and dietary surveys were carried out in this study to determine changes in absorbable iron intake and serum levels of iron, before and after an educational intervention aimed to promote food dietary iron bioavailability in 49 non pregnant women between 18 and 25 year of age students from La Frontera University who were enrolled in this institution in 2009. Favorable changes were detected in vitamin C intake which increased from 67 to 125 mg (p<0.001), and hemoglobin from of 132 to 13.4 g/dl (p<0.0065). A significant a decrease in factors on the non-heme iron absorption depressants from 100% to 6.1% (p = 0.008) was observed. Important qualitative chances on the adequate selection and combination of types of food were identified which contributes to improve iron absorption.

Se realizó un estudio en 49 alumnas entre 18 y 25 años de edad, de la Universidad de La Frontera, matriculadas el año 2009 con exámenes bioquímicos (hemoglobina y ferritina) y encuestas alimentarias, para determinar modificaciones en el aporte de hierro absorbible y en los niveles séricos de hierro, antes y después a una intervención educativa alimentaria enfocada a favorecer la biodisponibilidad de hierro dietario. Después de la intervención se detectaron cambios favorables ya que el aporte de vitamina C aumentó de 67 a 125 mg (p<0,001), la concentración de hemoglobina varió de 13.2 a 13.4 g/dl (p<0,001), y disminuyeron los depresores de absorción de hierro dietético de 100% a 6,1% (p=0,008). Se identificaron importantes cambios cualitativos respecto a la correcta selección y combinación de alimentos contribuyendo así a disminuir la deficiencia de hierro en las participantes. Se aportan antecedentes actualizados sobre la calidad de hierro en la dieta y deficiencia de hierro en mujeres en edad fértil.

Evaluación de los expendios de alimentos utilizados por diferentes programas de alimentación, revisión sistemática / Evaluation of supermarkets and food stores to be used in food assistance programs, systematic revision

Lograr una alimentación saludable, que cumpla con los requerimientos calóricos y nutricionales debe ser la meta de las políticas alimentario-nutricionales de un país. Cumplir este objetivo en comunidades desprotegidas, en transición nutricional o de escasos recursos económicos puede requerir la intervención del estado a través de programas de subsidios de alimentos para mejorar la capacidad adquisitiva de los alimentos por parte de estas poblaciones. Un mecanismo utilizado para mejorar la distribución y el acceso a los alimentos, es a través de mercados, supermercados y expendios de alimentos que proporcionen algún beneficio en términos del ahorro al momento de la adquisición de los productos. Con la finalidad de revisar sistemáticamente literatura que presenta estudios de evaluación de expendios de alimentos para programas de alimentación, se realizó una búsqueda en diferentes bases de datos. Al finalizar la búsqueda sistemática se obtuvieron 7 trabajos acorde al tema. Los hallazgos más importantes reportados en estos trabajos fueron los siguientes: la cercanía del expendio de alimentos fue sumamente importante para la adquisición de los alimentos, la oferta de alimentos es determinante (no puede adquirirse lo que no puede encontrarse en un anaquel del expendio), los expendios que ofrecían algún tipo de elemento educativo, promovieron más el conocimiento de salud de la población y finalmente el factor de desigualdad entre la oferta en los mercados de las zonas más afluentes respecto a las zonas menos favorecidas económicamente, pues la diferencia en calidad es importante con detrimento de los vecindarios más desprotegidos. Es importante entonces tomar en cuenta los expendios de alimentos para el buen funcionamiento y cumplimiento de las metas de los programas de subsidio de alimentos(AU)

Promoting a healthy intake of food for reaching the caloric and nutrient requirements of the population should be the aim of the food and nutrition policies of a country. In order to accomplish this objective, in nutrition transition communities and/or low income populations, government intervention might be required through food assistance programs for improving purchase food power and increase the availability of high quality foods at affordable prices. A way to facilitate the distribution and ameliorate the accessibility of different foods is to incorporate supermarket, markets and other types of food stores to canalize the programs objectives in particular to improve savings for the acquisition of foods. The aim of this systematic review was to search in data bases evidence based literature on the topic of food stores used in assistance food programs. 7 articles related to the topic were found. The main findings to describe how important were the markets for improving the distribution and accessibility of high quality foods were: closeness of the store to neighborhoods, the availability of foods since what cannot be found cannot be purchased, nutrition education at the store and disparities in the quality of foods between affluent and low income neighborhoods. All this reasons should taken into account when programming the actions to be taken for food assistance programs(AU)