Withdrawal from repeated nicotine vapor exposure increases somatic signs of physical dependence, anxiety-like behavior, and brain reward thresholds in adult male rats.

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in nicotine vapor consumption via electronic nicotine delivery systems (i.e., e-cigarettes), particularly in adolescents. While recent work has focused on the health effects of nicotine vapor exposure, its effects on the brain and behavior remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects that cessation from repeated nicotine vapor exposure had on behavioral and neuronal measures of withdrawal. For Experiment 1, fifty-six adult male rats were tested for plasma cotinine levels, somatic withdrawal signs, and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, immediately following precipitated withdrawal from repeated exposure to 12 or 24 mg/mL nicotine vapor. In Experiment 2, twelve adult male rats were tested for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) across 14 days of exposure to 24 mg/mL nicotine vapor and across the 14 days immediately following nicotine exposure. Results revealed that plasma cotinine, somatic signs, anxiety-like behavior, and ICSS stimulation thresholds were all observed to be elevated during withdrawal in the 24 mg/mL nicotine group, when compared to vehicle controls (50/50 vegetable glycerin/propylene glycol). The data suggest that cessation from repeated nicotine vapor exposure using our preclinical model leads to nicotine dependence and withdrawal, and demonstrates that the vapor system described in these experiments is a viable pre-clinical model of e-cigarette use in humans. Further characterization of the mechanisms driving nicotine vapor abuse and dependence is needed to improve policies and educational campaigns related to e-cigarette use.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Behavior and Risk Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students of Pakistan

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has substantially affected students around the globe due to the closure of educational institutes. However, student involvements and contributions are important in combating the disease for this reason current study was designed to assess the knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP), preventive behavior, and risk perception among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among university students of Punjab, Pakistan from April 1st to June 30th, 2020. The 68 items questionnaire was used to evaluated responses using statistical approaches (student’s t-test, regression-analysis and co-relation analysis) by considering p-value <0.05 statistically significant. Results: A total of 503 university students (medical and non-medical) were selected with the majority of participants were females (83%) and 64.5% were of age ranged from 16 to 21 years old. The participants (80%) reported good disease knowledge with a mean score of 12.06 ± 1.75 (p<0.05), which substantially higher among medical students. Most of the respondents (72%) believed that COVID-19 will be effectively controlled through precautionary measures. In correlation subgroup analysis, a significant relationship (p=0.025) between knowledge and positive attitude were indicated. Fear and knowledge of COVID-19 emerged as strong predictors (p<0.001) of preventive behaviors towards disease. Conclusion: This study demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, positive attitudes, and suitable practices among students towards COVID-19. University students can be involved in public education to aid the health authorities in achieving the targets of educational campaigns with maximum population coverage.

Examining the Role of NGOs in Community Water and Sanitation Improvement

This chapter examined the role of NGOs in water and sanitation improvement and the effects on the residence of Tunayilli in the Sagnarigu District. The design was descriptive. Questionnaires and interview guides were administered to household heads and key informants. Findings revealed that the water and sanitation condition in Tunayilli is generally poor. NGOs play diverse roles including the provision of water and sanitation facilities, community mobilization, and facility maintenance to ensure their sustained usability. However, inadequate funding, weak community mobilization, poor maintenance culture, and low education are challenges to water and sanitation improvement programmes of NGOs in the community. Measures to mitigate these includes increased central government funding, public education, community involvement, enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and regular maintenance of water and sanitation systems in the community. Stakeholders should intensify and sustain their educational campaigns. Meanwhile, by-laws on water and sanitation should be enforced and offenders prosecuted.

Consumers Awareness of the Message Not to Wash Raw Poultry, Current Practices, and Barriers to Following that Message

There are an estimated 47.8 million cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. each year. Raw poultry is the most common single commodity food associated with foodborne illness. The practice of washing raw poultry is highly prevalent among consumers despite the significant cross contamination risk. Previous educational campaigns have attempted to reduce the prevalence of washing raw poultry; however, there is limited information on how successful they have been in changing consumer behavior. In the research presented here, an online survey was administered to 1,822 consumers in the United States via SurveyMonkey. The survey sought to determine whether consumers washed raw poultry and if they were aware of the correct behavior to not wash raw poultry. Consumers who indicated that they were not aware of the correct behavior were presented with the USDA's educational message online and then asked how confident they were that they could stop washing raw poultry. The survey also included questions to identify barriers that prevented consumers who were aware of the correct behavior from not washing raw poultry. Results indicate that 73.5% (n = 1340) of consumers reported washing raw poultry. Of those consumers, 68.1% (n = 913) indicated that they were not aware that the practice is incorrect. When these consumers were presented the educational message, 81.9% (n =748) indicated that they were somewhat to very confident that they could stop washing raw poultry. Of the consumers who were aware of the correct behavior but continued to wash raw poultry, 58.4% (n = 244) reported that they continued to do so because they thought they cleaned surfaces well afterward. That is, consumers did not believe that their washing raw poultry was a risk for cross contamination. Data indicate that a large percentage of consumers are still not aware of the correct behavior to not wash raw poultry and a large subset of that group may easily adopt the practice if made aware of the correct behavior.

Diabetic Foot Risk Factors and Effectiveness of Education in Saudi Arabia

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease with a remarkable global burden on the affected patients and healthcare systems. Among the reported complications, the diabetic foot has been reported to be a common one, which might be disabling, resulting in related amputations. Furthermore, we will provide evidence regarding the effect of education on the awareness and knowledge of diabetic Saudis about diabetic foot risk factors and management practices. Different risk factors were reported for developing diabetic foot among patients with DM. These will be studied in the current literature review, focusing on evidence that was conducted in Saudi Arabia. Age, gender, type of diabetes, education, duration of the disease, peripheral neuropathy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, renal artery disease, having a previous history of diabetic foot, and hypertension were all reported to be significant factors that were associated with the risk of developing diabetic foot across the Kingdom. The level of knowledge was variable across the different investigations. However, there is a poor attitude in general about the appropriate care practices of diabetic foot. Although it has been demonstrated that educational campaigns are effective, further efforts are still needed to increase awareness and attitude levels among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia.

Predictors of support for biodiversity loss countermeasures and bushmeat consumption among Vietnamese urban residents

Biodiversity loss is happening at an unprecedented rate, especially in countries like Vietnam with rich biodiversity and high population growth rate. One of the main causes of biodiversity loss in Vietnam is increasing bushmeat consumption in urban areas. To help mitigate the demand for bushmeat, this study aims to examine the associations between biodiversity loss perceptions, attitude towards the prohibition of illegal wildlife consumption, and bushmeat consumption behaviors among urban residents in Vietnam. The investigation employed the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) on 535 respondents from multiple urban areas across Vietnam. We found that people perceiving environmental degradation, losses of economic growth, nature-based recreation opportunities, health, and knowledge as consequences of biodiversity loss were more likely to support the prohibition of illegal wildlife consumption. Although urban residents tended to consume bushmeat less frequently if they perceived losses of economic growth and knowledge as consequences of biodiversity loss, the perception of environmental degradation had an opposite effect on the behavior. Additionally, people consuming bushmeat frequently and supporting the biodiversity loss preventive measure seemed to share similar features: high income and educational levels. These paradoxical results hint at the existence of cultural additivity effects on psychology and behavior among Vietnamese urban residents. Given the influence of cultural additivity, It is recommended to put tougher measures (e.g. financial punishment) into perspective so that urban people can recognize the high “cost” of bushmeat consumption and change their attitude and behaviors accordingly. Apart from that, social marketing, demarketing, or educational campaigns should convey knowledge and information that can help receivers relate to their subjective cost-benefit judgements.

Approach to contraception in the primary health care: barrier, behavioral and pharmaceutical methods

Contraception is a critical tool in achieving favorable family planning, which has been reported with remarkable outcomes on the individual and country-based levels. Using contraceptive approaches has been reported to be cost efficacious with minimal side effects. It gives couples more freedom, privacy and control over their lives, which might also enhance the quality of life of these individuals. In the present study, we have reviewed evidence from current studies in the literature about the different approaches to contraception in primary care. We have discussed the different barrier and non-barrier approaches that have been validated in the literature as efficacious approaches that can achieve contraception. We also reviewed the safety profiles for the different modalities and whether they can be used or not. Overall, couples should consult with the primary care physician before approaching any modality to give them a better judgment about the potential benefits and risks of each suitable contraception tool. We suggest that educational campaigns should also be conducted to increase awareness and attitude about family planning and using contraceptive modalities to expand the application and favorable outcomes of using these tools.

Wikipedia, Google Trends and Diet: Assessment of Temporal Trends in the Internet Users’ Searches in Italy before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

We obtained data from Google Trends and Wikipedia in order to assess whether an analysis of Internet searches could provide information on the Internet users’ behaviour/interest in diets. Differences in seasonality, year and before/during COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. From Wikipedia, we extracted the number of times a page is viewed by users, aggregated on monthly and seasonal bases. We also used Google Trends to evaluate the frequency of the users’ web searches. The Mediterranean diet was the most frequently (33.9%), followed by the pescatarian diet (9.0%). Statistically, significant seasonal differences were found for the Mediterranean, vegetarian, Atkins, Scarsdale, and zone diets and pescetarianism. The most commonly searched diet and consequent diet-related queries on Google resulted to be: Dukan diet, Dukan and weight loss. Ketogenic, FODMAP and intermittent fasting diets were statistically more frequently searched during the pandemic compared with before. Our data show a different trend of searches based on the seasonality, year and the pandemic. These data could be useful for scientists, practitioners and policy makers because they can inform educational campaigns via the Internet, especially in periods when the population is more receptive.

Assessment, types, and etiologies of vision loss in primary care settings

Studies indicate the vital roles that family physicians play in the diagnosis and assessment of vision loss in the primary care settings. In ddition, family physicians give proper advice to patients and refer them to other departments for adequate screening and management of any associated comorbidities. In this literature review, we have discussed the types, etiologies, and assessment of each cause of vision loss in primary care settings. The most commonly reported etiologies include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucomas, cataracts, and errors of refraction. The main types of vision loss usually include peripheral vision loss, central vision loss, blurred or patchy vision, and vision loss that is usually associated with a physical disability or an acquired brain injury. Providing adequate management and routine screening for the patients that are affected by the aforementioned etiologies can significantly enhance their outcomes and reduce the risk of vision loss. Providing educational campaigns about the importance of treatment compliance and routine screening should also be conducted to increase awareness and enhance the outcomes in the primary care settings.

Assessment of Microplastic Impacts in the Marine Environment: A Review

Threats emerging from microplastics pollution in the marine environment have received much global attention. This review assessed sources, fate, and impacts of microplastics in marine ecosystems and identified gaps. Most studies document ubiquity of microplastics and associated environmental effects. Effects include impacts to marine ecosystems, risks to biodiversity, and threats to human health. Microplastic leakage into marine ecosystems arises from plastic waste mismanagement and a lack of effective mitigative strategies. This review identified a scarcity of microplastics mitigation strategies across different stakeholders. Lack of community involvement in microplastic monitoring or ecosystem conservation exists due to limited existence of stakeholder co-management initiatives. Although some management strategies exist for controlling the effects of microplastics (often implemented by local and global environmental groups); a standardized management strategy to mitigate microplastics in coastal areas is urgently required. There is a need to identify focal causes of microplastic pollution in the marine environment through further environmental research. This would extend to creating more effective policies as well as harmonized and extended efforts of educational campaigns and incentives for counteraction and plastic waste reduction, while mandating stringent penalties for polluting the marine environment. This will help reduce microplastic leakage into the environment.