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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2021Anaemia is a prevalent health problem worldwide. Some types are preventable or controllable with iron supplementation (pills or drops), fortification (sprinkles or... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anaemia is a prevalent health problem worldwide. Some types are preventable or controllable with iron supplementation (pills or drops), fortification (sprinkles or powders containing iron added to food) or improvements to dietary diversity and quality (e.g. education or counselling).
OBJECTIVES
To summarise the evidence from systematic reviews regarding the benefits or harms of nutrition-specific interventions for preventing and controlling anaemia in anaemic or non-anaemic, apparently healthy populations throughout the life cycle.
METHODS
In August 2020, we searched MEDLINE, Embase and 10 other databases for systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in anaemic or non-anaemic, apparently healthy populations. We followed standard Cochrane methodology, extracting GRADE ratings where provided. The primary outcomes were haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, anaemia, and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA); secondary outcomes were iron deficiency (ID), severe anaemia and adverse effects (e.g. diarrhoea, vomiting).
MAIN RESULTS
We included 75 systematic reviews, 33 of which provided GRADE assessments; these varied between high and very low. Infants (6 to 23 months; 13 reviews) Iron supplementation increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and IDA in two reviews. Iron fortification of milk or cereals, multiple-micronutrient powder (MMNP), home fortification of complementary foods, and supplementary feeding increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia in six reviews. In one review, lipid-based nutrient supplementation (LNS) reduced the risk of anaemia. In another, caterpillar cereal increased Hb levels and IDA prevalence. Food-based strategies (red meat and fortified cow's milk, beef) showed no evidence of a difference (1 review). Preschool and school-aged children (2 to 10 years; 8 reviews) Daily or intermittent iron supplementation increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and ID in two reviews. One review found no evidence of difference in Hb levels, but an increased risk of anaemia and ID for the intermittent regime. All suggested that zinc plus iron supplementation versus zinc alone, multiple-micronutrient (MMN)-fortified beverage versus control, and point-of-use fortification of food with iron-containing micronutrient powder (MNP) versus placebo or no intervention may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia and ID. Fortified dairy products and cereal food showed no evidence of a difference on the incidence of anaemia (1 review). Adolescent children (11 to 18 years; 4 reviews) Compared with no supplementation or placebo, five types of iron supplementation may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia (3 reviews). One review on prevention found no evidence of a difference in anaemia incidence on iron supplementation with or without folic acid, but Hb levels increased. Another suggested that nutritional supplementation and counselling reduced IDA. One review comparing MMN fortification with no fortification observed no evidence of a difference in Hb levels. Non-pregnant women of reproductive age (19 to 49 years; 5 reviews) Two reviews suggested that iron therapy (oral, intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM)) increased Hb levels; one showed that iron folic acid supplementation reduced anaemia incidence; and another that daily iron supplementation with or without folic acid or vitamin C increased Hb levels and reduced the risk of anaemia and ID. No review reported interventions related to fortification or dietary diversity and quality. Pregnant women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years; 23 reviews) One review apiece suggested that: daily iron supplementation with or without folic acid increased Hb levels in the third trimester or at delivery and in the postpartum period, and reduced the risk of anaemia, IDA and ID in the third trimester or at delivery; intermittent iron supplementation had no effect on Hb levels and IDA, but increased the risk of anaemia at or near term and ID, and reduced the risk of side effects; vitamin A supplementation alone versus placebo, no intervention or other micronutrient might increase maternal Hb levels and reduce the risk of maternal anaemia; MMN with iron and folic acid versus placebo reduced the risk of anaemia; supplementation with oral bovine lactoferrin versus oral ferrous iron preparations increased Hb levels and reduced gastrointestinal side effects; MNP for point-of-use fortification of food versus iron and folic acid supplementation might decrease Hb levels at 32 weeks' gestation and increase the risk of anaemia; and LNS versus iron or folic acid and MMN increased the risk of anaemia. Mixed population (all ages; 22 reviews) Iron supplementation versus placebo or control increased Hb levels in healthy children, adults, and elderly people (4 reviews). Hb levels appeared to increase and risk of anaemia and ID decrease in two reviews investigating MMN fortification versus placebo or no treatment, iron fortified flour versus control, double fortified salt versus iodine only fortified salt, and rice fortification with iron alone or in combination with other micronutrients versus unfortified rice or no intervention. Each review suggested that fortified versus non-fortified condiments or noodles, fortified (sodium iron ethylenediaminetetraacetate; NaFeEDTA) versus non-fortified soy sauce, and double-fortified salt versus control salt may increase Hb concentration and reduce the risk of anaemia. One review indicated that Hb levels increased for children who were anaemic or had IDA and received iron supplementation, and decreased for those who received dietary interventions. Another assessed the effects of foods prepared in iron pots, and found higher Hb levels in children with low-risk malaria status in two trials, but no difference when comparing food prepared in non-cast iron pots in a high-risk malaria endemicity mixed population. There was no evidence of a difference for adverse effects. Anaemia and malaria prevalence were rarely reported. No review focused on women aged 50 to 65 years plus or men (19 to 65 years plus).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Compared to no treatment, daily iron supplementation may increase Hb levels and reduce the risk of anaemia and IDA in infants, preschool and school-aged children and pregnant and non-pregnant women. Iron fortification of foods in infants and use of iron pots with children may have prophylactic benefits for malaria endemicity low-risk populations. In any age group, only a limited number of reviews assessed interventions to improve dietary diversity and quality. Future trials should assess the effects of these types of interventions, and consider the requirements of different populations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Animals; Child; Dietary Supplements; Female; Food, Fortified; Humans; Iron; Life Cycle Stages; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Young Adult
PubMed: 34564844
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013092.pub2 -
International Journal of Oral and... Jul 2022Head and neck cancer patients represent a risk group for the development of fly larvae infestation in neoplastic wounds. This condition can accelerate the disease... (Review)
Review
Head and neck cancer patients represent a risk group for the development of fly larvae infestation in neoplastic wounds. This condition can accelerate the disease progression and increase its lethality due to local or systemic complications. The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review on head and neck cancer associated with myiasis in order to answer the focal question: what are the occurrence, diagnosis, aetiology, treatment and outcomes of head and neck cancer associated with myiasis? This paper was structured based on the five-steps methodology proposed by Arksey and O'Malley (Int J Soc Res Methodol 2005;1:19-32), and followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), OSF Registries protocol. The electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and SciELO.org databases for articles published up to 28 February 2021. In total, 38 articles and 56 patients were included. Most patients were male (66%), and the mean age was 66.63 years. Cases were predominantly associated with squamous or basal cell cancer. The most affected anatomical sites were the eyes, scalp, ears and oral cavity, and the most frequent type of larva was Crisomyia (13%). Manual removal of the larvae was considered the standard treatment, associated or not with antibiotics, analgesics and antiparasitic drugs.
Topics: Animals; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Larva; Male; Myiasis; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 34602319
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2021.08.011 -
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and... Jun 2022Oral myiasis is a rare condition caused by Dipteran larvae that feed on living or dead tissues, ingested food or body fluids. It affects immunocompromised individuals... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Oral myiasis is a rare condition caused by Dipteran larvae that feed on living or dead tissues, ingested food or body fluids. It affects immunocompromised individuals with low socioeconomic status or those unable to maintain proper hygiene. Cases of oral myiasis are scarce but debilitating in children. We conducted a systematic review to understand the nature of disease, its causative factors, treatment and ways to prevent the occurrence of this condition among children.
METHODOLOGY
The review was carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. A systematic electronic literature search was conducted on major databases using keywords in combination with Boolean Operators. Manuscripts discussing cases of oral myiasis in paediatric patients were included in the review.
RESULTS
The exhaustive literature search and evaluation of full texts revealed 32 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 68 cases of oral myiasis were reported from 2 to 16 years of children, majorly involving gingiva of maxillary anterior region and palate.
CONCLUSION
The dreadful condition of myiasis can be prevented by decreasing the number of flies, maintenance of good hygiene and by educating the susceptible population. Affected children must be managed by following proper treatment regimens.
Topics: Animals; Child; Gingiva; Humans; Larva; Myiasis
PubMed: 34260982
DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2021.07.006 -
Ecotoxicology (London, England) Oct 2022Glyphosate herbicide is widely used in worldwide crop production. Consequently, its active ingredient, surfactants, and adjuvants commonly reach the aquatic ecosystem,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Glyphosate herbicide is widely used in worldwide crop production. Consequently, its active ingredient, surfactants, and adjuvants commonly reach the aquatic ecosystem, thereby harming the biota. An investigation into how this herbicide affects aquatic species is important, especially in fish, as they have the ability to absorb and concentrate toxins. We aimed to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on the embryonic, larval and adult stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio), an appreciable organismal model. In this sense, we performed a meta-analysis using published articles from online databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect), which covered studies published until 2022. From a massive compilation of studies evaluating the effects of active substance glyphosate and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides (GBH) on zebrafish, we selected 36 studies used in downstream analyses. Overall, we report that glyphosate affects developmental stages and demonstrates toxicity and damage in zebrafish. We observed that embryos exposed to glyphosate exhibit increased mortality. There was also an increase in the number of morphological abnormalities related to yolk sac oedema, pericardial oedema, spinal curvature and body malformations, and a decrease in body size was observed. Furthermore, there was a decrease in the number of beats. The biochemical results demonstrated an increase in reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals in the gills. The literature shows that glyphosate decreased the distance covered and the mean speed of the animals and increased the number of rotations. We concluded that glyphosate causes damage in the embryonic, larval and adult stages of this species. These results are valid for zebrafish and can be applied to other freshwater fish species. Graphical abstract.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ecosystem; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Glycine; Herbicides; Larva; Reactive Oxygen Species; Surface-Active Agents; Zebrafish; Glyphosate
PubMed: 36065034
DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02581-z -
BMC Gastroenterology Jul 2021The chronic and progressive evolution of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), with its prototypical fluctuating trend, creates a condition of psycho-social discomfort,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The chronic and progressive evolution of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), with its prototypical fluctuating trend, creates a condition of psycho-social discomfort, impacting the quality of life in terms of personal, working, and interpersonal.
AIMS
In this article, we want to identify the nature and extent of the research evidence on the life experiences, the perceived engagement, the psychological, social care and welfare needs of people affected by IBD across the lifecycle.
METHODS
Following the approach set out by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, we conducted a scoping review in March 2019 and closed the review with an update in October 2019. It was performed using electronic databases covering Health and Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Medical Sciences, such as PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycInfo.
RESULTS
We identified 95 peer-reviewed articles published from 2009 to 2019, that allowed to detection the main needs in children (psychological, need to be accepted, physical activity, feeding, parent style, support, social needs), adolescents (to understand, physical and psychological needs, protection, relational, gratitude, respect, and engagement) and adults (information, medical, psychological, social, work-related, practical, future-related, engagement). Although the literature confirms that the majority of the IBD units have planned provision for the different types of transitions, the quality and appropriateness of these services have not been assessed or audited for all the kinds of challenges across the life cycle.
CONCLUSIONS
The literature shows the relevance of organizing a flexible, personalized health care process across all the critical phases of the life cycle, providing adequate benchmarks for comparison in a multidisciplinary perspective and ensuring continuity between hospital and territory.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Child; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Life Cycle Stages; Parents; Quality of Life; Social Support
PubMed: 34261434
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01850-1 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2019Larviciding refers to the regular application of chemical or microbial insecticides to water bodies or water containers to kill the aquatic immature forms of the...
BACKGROUND
Larviciding refers to the regular application of chemical or microbial insecticides to water bodies or water containers to kill the aquatic immature forms of the mosquito (the larvae and pupae).
OBJECTIVES
To summarize research evidence evaluating whether larviciding with chemical or microbial insecticides prevents malaria transmission.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), published in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE; Embase; CAB Abstracts; LILACS; the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP); ClinicalTrials.gov; and the ISRCTN registry up to 6 June 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included cluster-randomized controlled trials (cRCTs), interrupted time series (ITS), randomized cross-over studies, non-randomized cross-over studies, and controlled before-and-after studies (CBAs) that compared larviciding with no larviciding.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We independently assessed trials for eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
Four studies (one cRCT, two CBAs, and one non-randomized cross-over design) met the inclusion criteria. All used ground application of larvicides (people hand-delivering larvicides); one evaluated chemical and three evaluated microbial agents. Studies were carried out in The Gambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Three studies were conducted in areas where mosquito aquatic habitats were less extensive (< 1 km²), and one where habitats were more extensive (> 1 km²; a cross-over study from The Gambia).For aquatic habitats of less than 1 km², one cRCT randomized eight villages in Sri Lanka to evaluate chemical larviciding using insect growth regulator; and two CBA studies undertaken in Kenya and Tanzania evaluated microbial larvicides. In the cRCT, larviciding across all villages was associated with lower malaria incidence (rate ratio 0.24, 4649 participants, low-certainty evidence) and parasite prevalence (risk ratio (RR) 0.26, 5897 participants, low-certainty evidence) compared to no larviciding. The two CBA studies reported lower malaria prevalence during the intervention period (parasite prevalence RR 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 0.89; 70,902 participants; low-certainty evidence). The Kenyan study also reported a reduction in the incidence of new malaria cases (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.01; 720 participants; very low-certainty evidence).For aquatic habitats of more than 1 km², the non-randomized cross-over trial using microbial larvicides did not detect an effect for malaria incidence (RR 1.58, 95% CI 0.94 to 2.65; 4226 participants), or parasite prevalence (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.41 to 3.20; 3547 participants); both were very low-certainty evidence. The Gambia trial also reported the mean haemoglobin level, and there was no difference across the four comparisons (mean difference -0.13, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.13; 3586 participants).We were unable to summarize or pool entomological outcomes due to unreported and missing data.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Most controlled studies on larviciding have been performed with microbial agents. Ground larviciding for non-extensive larval habitats may have an effect on malaria transmission, and we do not know if there is an effect in large-scale aquatic habitats. We found no studies using larviciding application techniques that could cover large aquatic habitats, such as aerial spraying using aircraft.
Topics: Animals; Culicidae; Disease Reservoirs; Ecosystem; Humans; Insecticides; Interrupted Time Series Analysis; Larva; Malaria; Mosquito Control; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31425624
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012736.pub2 -
The Science of the Total Environment Oct 2022It is recognised today that the global food system does not always deliver good nutrition for all human beings, and, additionally, dramatically contributes to climate... (Review)
Review
It is recognised today that the global food system does not always deliver good nutrition for all human beings, and, additionally, dramatically contributes to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. In particular, the cereal sector threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functions, due to environmentally harmful farming activities, that critically alter climate conditions, along with energy, land, and water resources. According to this paper's authors' opinion, this supports the rationale of conducting a systematic literature review of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) in the durum wheat (DW) sector, to highlight environmental hotspots and improvement potentials in the phases of cultivation and processing into finished products like pasta and bread. Methodological aspects were also discussed in this paper, to provide useful insights on how to best perform LCA in such agri-food supply chains. Given the findings from the papers reviewed, the authors could document that the cultivation phase is the primary environmental hotspot of DW-derived food products and suggested several mitigation and improvements solution including, organic farming practices, diversified cropping systems, reduction of N fertilisers and pesticides application, and irrigation optimisation strategies. Furthermore, the review highlighted that there exist two main gaps in the literature, mainly related to the scarce attention on the organic farming sector and DW landraces, and the lack of nutritional-property accounting in LCAs. Finally, although specific, the review may be of interest to researchers, LCA practitioners, farmers and producers, policy- and decision-makers, and other stakeholders, and could support the promotion of environmental sustainability in the DW sector.
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Ecosystem; Fertilizers; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Triticum
PubMed: 35809725
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157230 -
NPJ Science of Food Aug 2023The consumption of insects as food and feed has been recently suggested as a possible alternative to the rising global food need, thus it is crucial to monitor any... (Review)
Review
The consumption of insects as food and feed has been recently suggested as a possible alternative to the rising global food need, thus it is crucial to monitor any potential food safety hazards in the insect supply chain. The aims of this systematic review were to collect, select, and evaluate studies investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects. We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, WEB of Science Core Collection, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts. In total, 36 papers investigating the persistence of Salmonella in insects (both holometabolous and heterometabolous) were included after screening. Regarding complete metamorphosis insects, the longest Salmonella persistence was reported in Phormia regina, in which the pathogen persisted for 29 days at 5 °C. Similarly, Salmonella persisted in the feces of Alphitobius diaperinus for 28 days. The incomplete metamorphosis insect showing the longest Salmonella persistence (>10 months) was Blatella germanica. Periplaneta americana excreted Salmonella via feces for 44 days until all the insects were dead. The retrieved data on the persistence of Salmonella can be useful for further analysis by risk assessors and decision-makers involved in the safety of insect-based food, contributing to defining the sanitary requirements and risk mitigation measures along the supply chain. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42022329213).
PubMed: 37640696
DOI: 10.1038/s41538-023-00223-0 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 2019Myiasis due to Old World screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, is an important obligate zoonotic disease in the OIE-list of diseases and is found throughout much of...
BACKGROUND
Myiasis due to Old World screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, is an important obligate zoonotic disease in the OIE-list of diseases and is found throughout much of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, southeast and east Asia. C. bezziana myiasis causes not only morbidity and death to animals and humans, but also economic losses in the livestock industries. Because of the aggressive and destructive nature of this disease in hosts, we initiated this study to provide a comprehensive understanding of human myiasis caused by C. bezziana.
METHODS
We searched the databases in English (PubMed, Embase and African Index Medicus) and Chinese (CNKI, Wanfang, and Duxiu), and international government online reports to 6th February, 2019, to identify studies concerning C. bezziana. Another ten human cases in China and Papua New Guinea that our team had recorded were also included.
RESULTS
We retrieved 1,048 reports from which 202 studies were ultimately eligible for inclusion in the present descriptive analyses. Since the first human case due to C. bezziana was reported in 1909, we have summarized 291 cases and found that these cases often occurred in patients with poor hygiene, low socio-economic conditions, old age, and underlying diseases including infections, age-related diseases, and noninfectious chronic diseases. But C. bezziana myiasis appears largely neglected as a serious medical or veterinary condition, with human and animal cases only reported in 16 and 24 countries respectively, despite this fly species being recorded in 44 countries worldwide.
CONCLUSION
Our findings indicate that cryptic myiasis cases due to the obligate parasite, C. bezziana, are under-recognized. Through this study on C. bezziana etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, prevention and control, we call for more vigilance and awareness of the disease from governments, health authorities, clinicians, veterinary workers, nursing homes, and also the general public.
Topics: Animals; Databases, Factual; Diptera; Humans; Hygiene; Life Cycle Stages; Screw Worm Infection; Socioeconomic Factors; Treatment Outcome; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31618203
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007391 -
PloS One 2019Bees and the pollination services they deliver are beneficial to both food crop production, and for reproduction of many wild plant species. Bee decline has stimulated...
Bees and the pollination services they deliver are beneficial to both food crop production, and for reproduction of many wild plant species. Bee decline has stimulated widespread interest in assessing hazards and risks to bees from the environment in which they live. While there is increasing knowledge on how the use of broad-spectrum insecticides in agricultural systems may impact bees, little is known about effects of other pesticides (or plant protection products; PPPs) such as herbicides and fungicides, which are used more widely than insecticides at a global scale. We adopted a systematic approach to review existing research on the potential impacts of fungicides and herbicides on bees, with the aim of identifying research approaches and determining knowledge gaps. While acknowledging that herbicide use can affect forage availability for bees, this review focussed on the potential impacts these compounds could have directly on bees themselves. We found that most studies have been carried out in Europe and the USA, and investigated effects on honeybees. Furthermore, certain effects, such as those on mortality, are well represented in the literature in comparison to others, such as sub-lethal effects. More studies have been carried out in the lab than in the field, and the impacts of oral exposure to herbicides and fungicides have been investigated more frequently than contact exposure. We suggest a number of areas for further research to improve the knowledge base on potential effects. This will allow better assessment of risks to bees from herbicides and fungicides, which is important to inform future management decisions around the sustainable use of PPPs.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Fungicides, Industrial; Herbicides; Life Cycle Stages; Research; Species Specificity
PubMed: 31821341
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225743