Global prevalence of quackery practices: A scoping review of definitions, regulations and allied healthcare.

Advancements in medical science and digital access made it easier for individuals to seek appropriate treatment. Despite living in the current information era, the practice of quackery has continued worldwide. The current scoping review was planned to explore different definitions and laws related to quackery, and the acceptance of allied healthcare services in traditional, cultural and legal contexts. The review examined a total of 3,327 published studies and 400 pieces of grey literature, including existing laws, regulatory authority websites, news articles and reports. A total of 56 studies and 21 excerpts were shortlisted for analysis. The definitions of quackery varied significantly across regions, but a general consensus is that unauthorised healthcare practices constitute quackery. Legal perspectives differed worldwide, with Europe, North America and Oceania discouraging allied healthcare services, such as homeopathy, naturopathy and traditional methods, considering them quackery. In contrast, Asian and African regions endorsed allied healthcare and established provider registration and licensing systems.

Unveiling Safety Concerns in Brazilian Artisanal Cheeses: A Call for Enhanced Ripening Protocols and Microbiological Assessments.

Brazilian artisanal cheeses have recently gained significant commercial prominence and consumer favor, primarily due to their distinctive sensory attributes and cultural and historical appeal. Many of these cheeses are made with raw milk and undergo a relatively short ripening period, sometimes ranging from 4 to 8 days, though it is usually shorter than the period stated by law. Moreover, there is insufficient evidence regarding the efficacy of a short ripening period in reducing certain zoonotic foodborne pathogens, such as Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetiid, and Mycobacterium bovis (as part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex). Additionally, a literature analysis revealed that the usual ripening conditions of Brazilian artisanal cheeses made with raw milk may be inefficient in reducing the levels of some hazardous bacterial, including Brucella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Coxiella burnetti, to the acceptable limits established by law, thus failing to ensure product safety for all cheese types. Moreover, the assessment of the microbiological safety for this type of cheese should be broader and should also consider zoonotic pathogens commonly found in bovine herds. Finally, a standardized protocol for evaluating the effectiveness of cheese ripening must be established by considering its peculiarities.

Assessing the Efficacy of Cold Laser Therapy vs. Traditional Methods in Managing Post-Endodontic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The background of the study highlighted the common occurrence of post-endodontic pain and the need for effective pain management strategies. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the cold laser therapy (CLT) group and the traditional methods group (TMG). The CLT group received laser treatment at the affected area immediately following endodontic treatment, whereas the TMG received standard pain management techniques such as analgesics. Pain levels were assessed using a visual analog scale at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours post treatment. Pain scores were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including analysis of variance, and P values were calculated to determine the significance of differences between groups. Results: This study found significant differences in post-endodontic pain levels between CLT and standard procedures. At 6 hours post treatment, the CLT group had a mean pain score of 2.1 ± 0.8, whereas the TMG had a mean pain score of 3.8 ± 1.2 (P = 0.012). Pain levels in the CLT group decreased with time, with scores decreasing to 1.5 ± 0.6 at 12 hours, 1.2 ± 0.5 at 24 hours, and 0.9 ± 0.4 at 48 hours post treatment. In contrast, the TMG had greater pain scores at each time point: 3.2 ± 1.0, 2.9 ± 1.1, 2.5 ± 0.9, and 2.1 ± 0.8 at 12, 24, and 48 hours post treatment, respectively. At 12, 24, and 48 hours post treatment, P values of 0.021, 0.036, and 0.004, respectively, indicated significant differences. Conclusion: In managing post-endodontic pain, CLT demonstrated superior efficacy compared to traditional methods.

Bioacoustic IoT Sensors as Next-Generation Tools for Monitoring: Counting Flying Insects through Buzz.

The global loss of biodiversity is an urgent concern requiring the implementation of effective monitoring. Flying insects, such as pollinators, are vital for ecosystems, and establishing their population dynamics has become essential in conservation biology. Traditional monitoring methods are labour-intensive and show time constraints. In this work, we explore the use of bioacoustic sensors for monitoring flying insects. Data collected at four Italian farms using traditional monitoring methods, such as hand netting and pan traps, and bioacoustic sensors were compared. The results showed a positive correlation between the average number of buzzes per hour and insect abundance measured by traditional methods, primarily by pan traps. Intraday and long-term analysis performed on buzzes revealed temperature-related patterns of insect activity. Passive acoustic monitoring proved to be effective in estimating flying insect abundance, while further development of the algorithm is required to correctly identify insect taxa. Overall, innovative technologies, such as bioacoustic sensors, do not replace the expertise and data quality provided by professionals, but they offer unprecedented opportunities to ease insect monitoring to support conservation biodiversity efforts.

Effectiveness of blended learning basic life support module on knowledge and skills: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness of the BLS blended learning module on knowledge and skills of BLS compared to the traditional module. Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized using key words to searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for the studies published between January 2018 to May 2022. The risk of bias was assessed utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Two reviewers separately extracted data from the included trials using a standardized data extraction form. Results: From 400 articles retrieved by the initial search, 11 studies were found to be eligible. Most studies' participants were laypersons (80.9 %), and the rest were either nursing (12.6 %) or medical students (6.5 %). The review shows superiority of utilizing the blended strategy in applying the BLS module in skills and knowledge retention, rather than using the traditional learning, which could improve the quality and outcomes of patients. Conclusions: Blended learning is effective in teaching BLS like the traditional face-to-face method, but more advantages of the blended learning module include improvement in retaining knowledge, skills acquisition, patient outcomes, and cost saving. The COVID-19 pandemic made blended learning crucial and using this method in BLS was effective and efficient. Future research to assess the effectiveness of blended learning on patient outcomes is recommended.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid assists in the diagnosis of pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract infections in children.

Worldwide, lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are an important cause of hospitalization in children. Due to the relative limitations of traditional pathogen detection methods, new detection methods are needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples for diagnosing children with LRTI based on the interpretation of sequencing results. A total of 211 children with LRTI admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from May 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled. The diagnostic performance of mNGS versus traditional methods for detecting pathogens was compared. The positive rate for the BALF mNGS analysis reached 95.48% (95% confidence interval [CI] 92.39% to 98.57%), which was superior to the culture method (44.07%, 95% CI 36.68% to 51.45%). For the detection of specific pathogens, mNGS showed similar diagnostic performance to PCR and antigen detection, except for Streptococcus pneumoniae, for which mNGS performed better than antigen detection. S. pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus and Candida albicans were the most common bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. Common infections in children with LRTI were bacterial, viral and mixed bacterial-viral infections. Immunocompromised children with LRTI were highly susceptible to mixed and fungal infections. The initial diagnosis was modified based on mNGS in 29.6% (37/125) of patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to predict the relationship between inflammation indicators and the type of pathogen infection. BALF mNGS improves the sensitivity of pathogen detection and provides guidance in clinical practice for diagnosing LRTI in children.

Traditional methods and biosensors for detecting disinfection by-products in water: A review.

In recent years, pollution caused by disinfection by-products (DBPs) has become a global concern. Initially, there were fewer contaminants, and the mechanism of their generation was unclear; however, the number of contaminants has increased exponentially as a result of rapid industrialization and numerous economic activities (e.q., during the outbreak of COVID-19 a surge in the use of chlorinated disinfectants was observed). DBP toxicity results in various adverse health effects and organ failure in humans. In addition, it profoundly affects other forms of life, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. This review comprehensively discusses the pre-treatment methods of traditional and emerging DBPs and the technologies applied for their detection. Additionally, this paper provides a detailed discussion of the principles, applicability, and characteristics of traditional large-scale instrumentation methods (such as gas/liquid/ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) for detecting DBPs based on their respective detection techniques. At the same time, the design, functionality, classification, and characteristics of rapid detection technologies (such as biosensors) are also detailed and analyzed.

Environmental DNA and visual encounter surveys for amphibian biomonitoring in aquatic environments of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Background: The development of anthropogenic activities has generated a decline in aquatic fauna populations, and amphibians have been the most affected. The decline of batrachofauna is concerning, as 41% of all species worldwide are endangered. For this reason, rapid, efficient, and non-invasive biodiversity monitoring techniques are needed, and environmental DNA (eDNA) is one such tool that has been sparsely applied in Ecuador. This technique has allowed scientists generates information on species diversity and amphibian community composition from a water sample. This study applied eDNA-based biomonitoring analyses and visual encounter surveys (VES) as inventory techniques to identify the diversity of aquatic amphibians in the Tena River micro-basin (TRMB). Methods: The experimental design was divided into three components: (1) fieldwork: all amphibians were recorded by the VES technique and water samples were collected; (2) laboratory work: DNA isolation from amphibian tissue samples and eDNA-containing filters, amplification, electrophoresis, and sequencing were performed; (3) Data analysis: a local DNA reference database was constructed, and eDNA sequence data were processed for classification, taxonomic assignment, and ecological interpretation. Results: Using both eDNA and VES, we detected 33 amphibian species (13 with eDNA only, five with VES only, and 15 with both methods). These species belonged to six amphibian families: Hylidae being the richest with 14 species (three eDNA, one VES, and 10 with both methods), followed by Strabomantidae with nine species (six eDNA, one VES, and two with both methods). All families were detected with both methods, except for the Aromobatidae, having one single record (Allobates aff. insperatus) by VES. Individually, eDNA detected 28 species and had a detection probability (DP) of 0.42 CI [0.40-0.45], while VES recorded 20 species with a DP of 0.17 CI [0.14-0.20]. Similarly, using VES, Cochranella resplendens was detected for the first time in TRMB, while with eDNA, four mountain frogs Pristimantis acerus, Pristimantis eriphus, Pristimantis mallii, and Pristimantis sp. (INABIO 15591) previously recorded at 1,518 m.a.s.l. at altitudes below 600 m.a.s.l. were detected. Conclusions: Results obtained in this study showed that eDNA-based detection had a greater capacity to detect amphibians in aquatic environments compared to VES. The combination of VES and eDNA improves the sensitivity of species detection and provides more reliable, robust, and detailed information. The latter is essential for developing conservation strategies in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Paper-based diagnostic chips for viral detection.

Viruses cause various diseases in humans, and pose serious health risks to individuals and populations worldwide. As a result, various diagnostic procedures and methods have been developed to prevent, manage, and reduce the burden of viral diseases, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Among these, paper-based diagnostic chips are becoming increasingly common because of their speed, accuracy, convenience, and economical and environmental friendliness. These paper-based diagnostic tests have ideal point-of-care (POC) diagnostic applications, particularly in personalized healthcare. Paper-based diagnostics have emerged as innovative and low-cost solutions for diagnosing viral diseases in remote and underdeveloped regions where traditional diagnostic methods are not readily available. These tests are easy to use, require minimal equipment, and can be performed by nonspecialized personnel, making them accessible even in resource-constrained settings. In this review, we discuss recent developments in paper-based diagnostic chips, the importance of improved methods for identifying viral pathogens, drawbacks of traditional detection techniques, and challenges and prospects of paper-based diagnostic chips for the detection of viruses.

Understanding the rise in traditional contraceptive methods use in Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: The sustainable development goals (SDG) aim at satisfying three-fourths of family planning needs through modern contraceptive methods by 2030. However, the traditional methods (TM) of family planning use are on the rise, along with modern contraception in Uttar Pradesh (UP), the most populous Indian state. This study attempts to explore the dynamics of rising TM use in the state. METHODS: We used a state representative cross-sectional survey conducted among 12,200 Currently Married Women (CMW) aged 15-49 years during December 2020-February 2021 in UP. Using a multistage sampling technique, 508 primary sampling units (PSU) were selected. These PSU were ASHA areas in rural settings and Census Enumeration Blocks in urban settings. About 27 households from each PSU were randomly selected. All the eligible women within the selected households were interviewed. The survey also included the nearest public health facilities to understand the availability of family planning methods. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Appropriate sampling weights were applied. RESULTS: Overall, 33.9% of CMW were using any modern methods and 23.7% any TM (Rhythm and withdrawal) at the time of survey. The results show that while the modern method use has increased by 2.2 percentage points, the TM use increased by 9.9 percentage points compared to NFHS-4 (2015-16). The use of TM was almost same across women of different socio-demographic characteristics. Of 2921 current TM users, 80.7% started with TM and 78.3% expressed to continue with the same in future. No side effects (56.9%), easy to use (41.7%) and no cost incurred (38.0%) were the main reasons for the continuation of TM. TM use increased despite a significant increase (66.1 to 81.3%) in the availability of modern reversible methods and consistent availability of limiting methods (84.0%) in the nearest public health facilities. CONCLUSION: Initial contraceptive method was found to have significant implications for current contraceptive method choice and future preferences. Program should reach young and zero-parity women with modern method choices by leveraging front-line workers in rural UP. Community and facility platforms can also be engaged in providing modern method choices to women of other parities to increase modern contraceptive use further to achieve the SDG goals.

In Uttar Pradesh, the use of traditional methods of contraception is on the rise, observed similarly in many other Indian states in recent times. The emphasis on modern contraceptive methods and the rise and high prevalence of traditional method use in the state call for a systematic assessment to understand the dynamics such as patterns, prevalence and reasons for traditional method use for better family planning programming. Using a state representative cross-sectional survey data from Uttar Pradesh, we attempted to understand the dynamics of increasing traditional methods use. We found no significant variations in use of traditional methods by their socio-demographic characteristics. Not only that, most current traditional method users reported that their first method was a traditional method and an overwhelming proportion of women (4/5 traditional methods users) expressed to continue with the same method in future. Also the findings reveal that more than half of the traditional method users used the method consistently over the three-years calendar period. Among those who had unmet need at the time of survey, a considerable proportion of them intend to use traditional methods in future. This emphasized the importance of initial contraceptive method choice on current contraceptive use and future preference. Traditional methods use increased in the state despite a significant increase (66.1 to 81.3% during 2018 to 2021) in availability of modern reversible methods and consistent availability of limiting method (84.0%) in public health facilities.

Helicobacter pylori Infection: Conventional and Molecular Strategies for Bacterial Diagnosis and Antibiotic Resistance Testing.

Helicobacter pylori infection is a common health problem, which can cause gastric and extragastric diseases. Accurate detection of H. pylori is critical for appropriate patient management and bacterial eradication. In this regard, there are several methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, which are classically divided into two major groups of invasive and non-invasive methods. Invasive methods, such as endoscopy, histology, and relative culture are less preferred due to their operational difficulties. By contrast, non-invasive methods, such as urea breath test, (UBT) are clinically preferred. Moreover, molecular methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and DNA microarray, have shown good sensitivity and specificity, and are considered helpful in H. pylori diagnosis. These methods have also increasingly concentrated on the detection of bacterial antibiotic resistance patterns. Besides, point of care (POC) devices play an important role in H. pylori diagnosis, mainly by shortening the time to the result and by making the test available at the bedside or at remote care centres. Biosensors, including aptasensors, have shown to be more appropriate tools because of their low limit of detection, high selectivity, fast response, and ease of handling. Finally, new emerging techniques, like MALDI-TOF MS, have been considered as fast methods with high degree of accuracy and sensitivity to identify and differentiate new species of H. pylori. The current article reviews the most recent developments in invasive, noninvasive, and molecular approaches for the diagnosis of H. pylori infections. Moreover, the application of emerging techniques, including MALDI-TOF MS and recently developed POCs, and biomarker-based methods, is discussed.

Process Optimization of Phytoantioxidant and Photoprotective Compounds from Carob Pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Using Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction Method.

The current study first describes the extraction of phytoantioxidant polyphenols from Carob byproducts (pods) using maceration and heating-assisted extraction as traditional methods and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) as an innovative method to determine the most efficient extraction process in terms of four targeted responses: total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activities (TAC and DPPH), and photoprotective properties as measured by the sun protection factor (SPF). Second, we used response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite rotatable design (CCDR) approach to investigate the influence of process variables (extraction time, extraction temperature, and solvent concentration) on UAE, which was found to be the most effective extraction technique in our study. Carob byproduct extracts had a TPC ranging from 6.21 to 21.92 mg GAE/g dw, a TAC ranging from 22.00 to 49.30 mg AAE/g dw, DPPH scavenging activity ranging from 56.35 to 90.50%, and SPF values ranging from 8.62 to 22.37. The optimal UAE conditions for maximum TPC, TAC, DPPH, and SPF responses were determined to be 38.90% ethanol, 53.90 °C, and 50.92 min. Using Carob as a source for sustainable and bioactive products in conjunction with optimized UAE is a promising contribution to the cosmetic industry that will help to strengthen the concept of environmentally-friendly "green chemistry". Given that Carob pulp or seeds are considered food byproducts, the research presented here encourages the use of these agri-food waste materials in cosmetics.

Partner support and women's contraceptive use: insight from urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits associated with contraceptive use, there is a low prevalence of contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana. Previous studies have partly and consistently attributed the low prevalence of contraceptive use to partner opposition. However, little is known about the influence of men in contraceptive related choices of their partners, particularly within the context of urban poverty. This study examines the influences of partners on women's contraceptive choices. METHODS: The study utilized a cross-sectional household survey data of 1578 currently married women and women in a union of reproductive ages 16-44 years. Women who were pregnant and those trying to be pregnant were excluded from the analysis. The dependent variables for the study were current use of any contraceptive method, types of contraceptive methods and types of modern contraceptive methods. The independent variable for the study was a woman's report of partner support in contraceptive related choices. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between partner support in contraceptive related choices and contraceptive use of women. RESULTS: The results of the study show that partner support of contraceptive related choices has a significant influence on contraceptive use of women. Women who indicated support from their partners were more likely to be current users of any contraceptive method, yet were less likely to use modern contraceptive methods. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the need to involve men in family planning programs and research, as well as educating them on the various contraceptive modern methods and the side effects.

Comparison between various biosensor methods for human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) detection.

Due to the drawback of traditional and current diagnostic methods including serological and molecular assays, the development of the rapid and free-PCR techniques can be an alternative technique for the human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1) DNA detection sequences. On the other hand, early detection of HTLV-1 prevents two dangerous diseases including Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis. The biosensor-based methods are sensitive techniques that can provide new opportunities to detect infectious diseases, particularly in the early stage. This study provides a comparative view among recently designed biosensors for the detection of HTLV-1.

Association between the place of abortion and post-abortion contraceptive adoption and continuation: the case of India.

The unmet need for contraception is documented as a significant determinant of unintended pregnancies and high number of induced abortions. The period immediately after an abortion is recognised as a unique opportunity to offer contraceptive services. This paper explores the association between place of abortion and women's post-abortion contraceptive behaviour. The reproductive calendar data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) (2015-16) was used for this study. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to understand factors associated with post-abortion method choices. Single decrement life-tables were built to examine rates of contraceptive discontinuation and proportional hazard models were employed to examine probability and correlates of method discontinuation. About 20% of women who underwent an abortion adopted a contraceptive method by the end of one month following an abortion. The decision to choose methods like sterilisation or intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) was associated with the place of abortion, past contraceptive behaviour, number and sex of surviving children at the time of abortion, mass media exposure, and time of the abortion. Compared to women who underwent an abortion at private health facilities, women who sought abortion at public health facilities were more likely to choose permanent methods or IUCDs. Furthermore, women who opted for an IUCD were less likely to discontinue the method compared to those using short-acting modern methods. The lack of post-abortion contraceptive choices for women is evident in the low uptake of post-abortion contraceptives in private facilities and the predominant promotion of permanent methods and IUCDs in public health facilities.

Meta-analysis shows that environmental DNA outperforms traditional surveys, but warrants better reporting standards.

Decades of environmental DNA (eDNA) method application, spanning a wide variety of taxa and habitats, has advanced our understanding of eDNA and underlined its value as a tool for conservation practitioners. The general consensus is that eDNA methods are more accurate and cost-effective than traditional survey methods. However, they are formally approved for just a few species globally (e.g., Bighead Carp, Silver Carp, Great Crested Newt). We conducted a meta-analysis of studies that directly compare eDNA with traditional surveys to evaluate the assertion that eDNA methods are consistently "better."Environmental DNA publications for multiple species or single macro-organism detection were identified using the Web of Science, by searching "eDNA" and "environmental DNA" across papers published between 1970 and 2020. The methods used, focal taxa, habitats surveyed, and quantitative and categorical results were collated and analyzed to determine whether and under what circumstances eDNA outperforms traditional surveys.Results show that eDNA methods are cheaper, more sensitive, and detect more species than traditional methods. This is, however, taxa-dependent, with amphibians having the highest potential for detection by eDNA survey. Perhaps most strikingly, of the 535 papers reviewed just 49 quantified the probability of detection for both eDNA and traditional survey methods and studies were three times more likely to give qualitative statements of performance. Synthesis and applications: The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that where there is a direct comparison, eDNA surveys of macro-organisms are more accurate and efficient than traditional surveys. This conclusion, however, is based on just a fraction of available eDNA papers as most do not offer this granularity. We recommend that conclusions are substantiated with comparable and quantitative data. Where a direct comparison has not been made, we caution against the use of qualitative statements about relative performance. This consistency and rigor will simplify how the eDNA research community tracks methods-based advances and will also provide greater clarity for conservation practitioners. To this end suggest reporting standards for eDNA studies.

Swaddling Practices in an Indian Institution: Are they Hip-Safe? A Survey of Paediatricians, Nurses and Caregivers.

PURPOSE: Traditional infant swaddling or binding with hips and knees extended is a known risk factor for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), while 'hip-safe swaddling' with hips and knees flexed is believed to eliminate this risk. We conducted a survey to determine the prevalent practices for infant swaddling in India; why mothers practice swaddling and who teaches them; and whether Paediatricians, nurses and caregivers are aware of hip-safe swaddling. METHODS: Anonymous one-time surveys were conducted in three groups-Paediatricians, Nurses and caregivers - at a tertiary-care, urban based, paediatric and maternity hospital. RESULTS: Forty-five paediatricians, 219 nurses and 100 caregivers were surveyed. Ninety percent caregivers practiced traditional swaddling, for on average 10.2 hours a day, starting soon after birth, up to 4.2 months of life. Traditional swaddling was advocated by 99% nurses and 53% Paediatricians. Reasons for swaddling included sleep, warmth and the misbelief that the child's legs would remain bowed if not bound straight; contrarily few mothers (8%) avoided swaddling out of superstition. Mothers learnt swaddling mainly from relatives (94%) and nurses (64%). Most nurses (70%) had learnt the practice during nursing training. Only 6.6% Paediatricians, 4% caregivers and 0% nurses were aware of 'hip-safe swaddling'. CONCLUSION: Traditional swaddling of infants is a practice deeply rooted in India, born out of misbeliefs, and propagated by lack of awareness. Training in hip-safe swaddling targeted at nurses and Paediatricians would be an effective initial step in creating awareness among mothers and changing their practices.

Review of pesticide residue analysis in fruits and vegetables. Pre-treatment, extraction and detection techniques.

A wide variety of pesticides have been used in agriculture to increase the yield, quality and extend the storage life of crops. However, the use of pesticide has been increased now a day due to the ever-increasing population and rapid urbanization. The continuous uses of these pesticides have resulted in contamination of the environment, crops and also caused potential risk to human health. For this reason, strict regulations are developed and regulated to monitor these compounds. To date, several techniques have been developed for the extraction and detection of pesticides, from traditional to advanced detection techniques. The present study delineates a comprehensive up to date overview of the available traditional methods (gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with various detector) to advanced pre-treatment (polystyrene-coated magnetic nanoparticle) and detection (sensor development and nanotechnology) techniques used in the analysis of pesticides residue in various fruits and vegetables. Also, categorization of pesticides and its toxicity have been discussed.

Weaning Practices of Turkish Mothers: A Mixed-Model Research.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the weaning practices of mothers who have children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study, which was carried out between September 1, 2019 and October 1, 2019 in a pediatric clinic of a university hospital. For a better understanding, the traditional approaches, qualitative, and quantitative data were collected concurrently and analyzed together using Creswell's concurrent transformative mixed-model research design. Results: Of the 114 participants, the overall mean age was 29.2 ± 4.5 years. The mean breastfeeding duration was 15.3 ± 8.2 months. Sixty five (57.0%) of participants terminated breastfeeding themselves and 55 (85.9%) of them used traditional methods for weaning their children. The traditional methods used for termination of breastfeeding were staining the nipples to make baby startle (16.4%), applying nipples with a bad taste or smell to make baby disgust (40.0%), covering the nipples with various materials (18.2%), using a pacifier or feeding bottle (20.0%), and separation from mother (5.5%). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that most of the Turkish mothers use improper traditional methods for weaning. This study also demonstrated the urgent need to plan effective counseling services to implement natural weaning rather than traditional methods that are unsuitable for weaning.