A systematic review of the prevalence of nutrition labels and completeness of nutrient declarations on pre-packaged foods in China.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese government launched a voluntary nutrition labelling code in 2007 and made it mandatory since 1 January 2013. This article aims to quantify the prevalence of nutrition labels and the completeness of nutrient declarations on pre-packaged foods in China and to explore the impact of the 2007 code. METHODS: A systematic search of the published and grey literature was done, and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain summary estimates. RESULTS: There were 15 surveys identified from 13 reports. For 44% (95% confidence interval: 37-51%) of the 22 636 food items, the product label provided information on one or more nutrients. There was significant heterogeneity between the surveys (I(2) = 99%, P < 0.001) raising some uncertainty about the reliability of the estimate. The heterogeneity was in part explained by differences in labelling between food categories (P < 0.001) but not by changes in the prevalence of nutrition labels over time (P = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Most pre-packaged foods in this survey had a nutrition label non-compliant with current Chinese nutrition labelling standards. The voluntary code launched in 2007 had limited impact on nutrition labelling. There is significant scope for the recently introduced mandatory labelling requirements to improve nutrition labelling in China.

Herpes virus-like sequences are specifically found in Kaposi sarcoma lesions.

AIM: To detect the prevalence of herpes virus-like DNA sequences in AIDS associated Kaposi sarcoma (KSHV) lesions and normal tissue. METHODS: KSHV detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using four different sets of primers. PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and analysed. RESULTS: All of four biopsies of Kaposi sarcoma lesions and all of three paraffin embedded Kaposi sarcoma tissues were positive for KSHV, while normal tissue from the same patients was negative. Sequence analysis of amplification products revealed polymorphisms that result in amino acid changes of the predicted sequence. CONCLUSIONS: KSHV is prevalent in tissues from Kaposi sarcoma, suggesting a role in the development of the tumour. On this basis, anti-herpes virus agents should be considered to control Kaposi sarcoma.

Hepatobiliary abnormalities associated with postanginal sepsis. Common manifestations of an uncommon disease.

We describe eight patients with postanginal sepsis, a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of oropharyngeal infection. Six of the patients manifested jaundice, hepatomegaly, and liver function abnormalities, and in several this led to an erroneous suspicion of primary hepatobiliary disease. All eight patients survived the infection, although many suffered local or disseminated septic complications and required prolonged hospitalization. The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for hepatotoxicity in patients with postanginal sepsis are not understood. Physicians must be cognizant, however, of the frequent occurrence of jaundice in septicemic anaerobic processes, and this finding should not obscure the existence of postanginal parapharyngeal and jugular venous infection.

Pyogenic liver abscess: changing epidemiology and prognosis.

We reviewed the clinical features, methods of diagnosis, and outcome of 31 patients with pyogenic liver abscess seen at a private community hospital between 1973 and 1980. Two patient groups emerged. Group 1 consisted of 25 patients who had classical signs and symptoms of primary liver abscess. Group 2 consisted of six patients, most with underlying malignancy, in whom liver abscess(es) occurred as part of a septicemic process involving multiple other sites. The mortality was 0% in group 1 and 100% in group 2. Further analysis of the patients in group 1 revealed that (1) in contrast to findings of older studies, pyogenic liver abscess in now largely a disease of older adults who often have no identifiable predisposing process; (2) newer noninvasive imaging techniques greatly facilitate a firm diagnosis; and (3) the prognosis for such patients has become remarkably good, perhaps because of earlier diagnosis.

Acute rheumatic fever. A vanishing disease in suburbia.

We undertook a retrospective analysis of the incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in Memphis-Shelby County during the five-year period from 1977 through 1981. Cases were identified by review of local hospital records and by mail and telephone communication with 327 primary care physicians and neurologists. Forty-one patients met the modified Jones criteria, of whom 16 had conditions that were diagnosed in Memphis but who resided elsewhere. The overall ARF incidence among Memphis-Shelby County residents was 0.64 cases per 100,000 population each year. The highest rate, 3.74, was found among blacks aged 5 to 17 years residing in the inner city, while white children in the suburban and rural areas had a rate of only 0.49. Current strategies for prevention and diagnosis of ARF must take into account the extraordinarily low level to which the incidence of the disease has fallen in certain suburban US populations.