Artificial sweeteners consumption among Alexandria University Students, Egypt

Background: The consumption of artificial sweeteners has increased in many countries worldwide

In the Arab world, there is little data about consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners especially among university students for their own eating practices and behaviors

Objective[s]: This study aimed to identify the rate of artificial sweetener consumption among Alexandria University students, and to determine its levels in relation to acceptable daily intake [AD I] set by Food and Drug Administration [FDA]

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 400 Alexandria University students of both sexes. The studied sample was equally allocated and randomly selected from four faculties

Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, dietary pattern, and pattern of artificial sweeteners usage were collected from each participant

Results: The consumption of artificial sweeteners was reported by 31% of Alexandria University students

The most commonly consumed types of artificial sweeteners were Sucralose [0.59+/-0.2 mg/kg body weight/day] followed by Aspartame [0.03+/-0.01 mg/kg body weight/day] Daily levels of consumed artificial sweeteners in relation to ADI levels were 11.86+/-4.2% for Sucralose and 0.05+/-0.02% for Aspartame

Conclusion: Daily level of consumed artificial sweeteners by Alexandria University students was less than ADI set by the FDA. Further follow up studies are needed to investigate possible side effects of long term artificial sweeteners usage. Furthermore, large epidemiological studies must be carried out to investigate artificial sweeteners consumption pattern among different age groups

Early parenteral supplementation with glutamine dipeptide for acute myeloid leukaemia patients receiving high dose chemotherapy

Background: Glutamine dipeptide [Gln] is one of conditionally essential amino acids that have a crucial role in cancer

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of early Gln supplementation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia [AML] receiving intensive chemotherapy, but without bone marrow transplant and regardless of receiving parenteral nutrition

Methods: A randomized control trial was carried out and included 46 AML patients who received high dose chemotherapy. Their ages ranged between 17-65 years. AML patients were randomly allocated as intervention group [Gln group; n=23] and control group [n=23]. Gln group received intravenous supplementation with Gln [40 gm] from day 1 to day 5 of chemotherapy, while the patients in the control group received 40 gm per day of a standard amino acid mixture. Clinical end points included the body weight, body mass index, length of hospital stay, days of neutropenia, superoxide anion generation and length of neutropenic fever and serum albumin difference. White blood cells and absolute neutrophil count were done every second day till ANC reached >500microl then superoxide anion generation was measured

Results: Weight loss, length of hospital stay, the mean days of neutropenia and neutropenic fever were significantly lower in the Gln group, whereas the mean superoxide anion generation was found higher comparing to the control group [50 ng/L vs 43ng/L respectively]. Complications other than febrile neutropenia were significantly less common in Gln group. Gln supplementation has resulted in significant improvement in serum total protein and serum albumin

Conclusion: This trial suggested that early Gln supplementation regardless receiving parenteral nutrition enhances neutrophil function, maintains nutritional status and decreases hospital stay

Breastfeeding and fertility: part II-breastfeeding practices

A cross-sectional survey described the current breastfeeding status and antenatal care of 1134 urban mothers, attending MCH centers in Alexandria governorate and gave birth within the last two years, was carried out. The results indicated that the median duration of breastfeeding was 14 months. At six month postpartum the proportion of breastfeeding mothers was 0.8. The mean age of weaning was 20.7 [ +/- 4.1] months. Less than 80% of mothers attended the antenatal visits. Information about breastfeeding was provided to 80% of mothers who attended the antenatal visits

Breastfeeding and fertility: part I-lactational amenorrhea

A cross-sectional survey describing the current fertility performance and breast-feeding of 1134 urban mothers, who gave birth within the last 2 years was carried out. Mothers were recruited from MCH centers in Alexandria governorate. The results indicated that the mean time elapsed since birth before return of menstruation was [5.1 +/- 4.3] months for breast-feeding mothers and [2.5 +/- 2.3] months for non-breast feeding mothers. At four-month of postpartum period, 50% of the mothers were still amenorrhoeic and at six-month, 31% of the mothers were still amenorrhoeic. A total confirmed pregnancies was 8.5% and 3% of new pregnancies occurred during amenorrhoea and while women were breast-feeding. Use of contraceptives was practiced by 57% of mothers, with 65% of all users starting as early as the second month

Socio-cultural and nutritional risk factors of adolescents and young pregnant women in an endemic area of schistosomiasis

The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the social, cultural, behavioral and environmental factors and their impact on the health and nutrition of young pregnant women and adolescent girls aged between 11 and 22 years, living in a rural area known to be endemic of schistosomiasis. A total sample of 34 pregnant women, 30 adolescent girls and 5 married never-pregnant women were recruited initially. The results revealed that early marriage before legal age still occur in rural areas in Egypt [15%]. The mean age of marriage was 17.5 years [ +/- 1.8] while the mean age at the first conception was 17.9years [ +/- 1.6]. A high rate of illiteracy [72%] which was statistically significant was found among married women than adolescent girls. The daily intake of most nutrients were below the RDA except for protein and vitamin C among pregnant respondents. Iron, calcium and riboflavin were the nutrients most poorly supplied by the diets of pregnant women and adolescent girls. A significant statistical difference was found between the two groups in the intake of iron [z = 3.20,p < 0.05]. About 60% of pregnant women and 80% of adolescent girls reported contact with canal water during household activities and field work. There was a lack of knowledge as regards schistosomiasis among respondents especially pregnant ones.Home deliveries with the assistance of traditional birth attendants is still the first choice by most of the pregnant respondents

Fertility patterns: a comparative study of productive activities in Egypt, Kuwait and Iraq

Fertility variables in three different Arab countries were studied by interviewing recently delivered mothers. Using a preplanned and pretested questionnaire. Data were collected on socio-economic characteristics of the family which was used for the classification of the families into 3 strata. Fertility data included age at menarche, age at marriage, gravidity parity, average interval between each delivery and the succeeding pregnancy and family planning practices before the last pregnancy. The results showed that social class was an important factor affecting age at menarche, age at marriage and inter-pregnancy delivery interval. In the three countries, gravidity and parity were related to age of mother. Family planning practices were not commonly adopted by most mothers included in the study. In general, the pill was the most common method used by those who practice family planning followed by intra-uterine devices in Egypt and Iraq, but local applications were commonly practiced by Kuwaiti mothers