Previously obtained results show that drinking water during consumption of a doughnut increased t... more Previously obtained results show that drinking water during consumption of a doughnut increased the rate of elevation of postprandial blood glucose levels significantly compared to no drinking at all. This is unlikely to be the result of just the addition of water. A possible explanation can be that the water dissolved or liquefied the available sugar in the stomach and dragged this faster to the duodenum than in an environment with little solvent. The dissolved sugar is better accessible for digestion and absorption. Additional experiments to establish this are being considered. https://foodscience-nutrition.org/speakers
End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have show... more End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have shown that ischemic and hypoxic conditions may contribute to the progression of the disorder and that acute kidney injury may cause and aggravate the condition. Ischemia and hypoxia are two distinct conditions with different pathophysiological and structural consequences as proven in the brain and liver of rats. Until now, these differences have not been shown to exist in the kidney. In this study, we assess the possible functional differences in the outcome of ischemic and hypoxic stress on the kidney. For this purpose, we perfused isolated rabbit kidneys with their autologous blood and applied short periods of ischemia or hypoxia in separate series of experiments. The results showed that the kidneys exposed to hypoxic stress suffered more functional damage than those subjected to ischemia. This conclusion was based on a lower creatinine clearance and urine osmolality, and a higher fractional excretion of urea, sodium, and glucose in the hypoxia series of kidneys. Consequently, we recommend monitoring hypoxemic conditions closely and correcting the condition as soon as possible, since even for a short period it may already have deteriorating effects on the renal function.
Multi-lingual monthly paper of The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore. Presenting Islam as ... more Multi-lingual monthly paper of The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - tolerant, peaceful, respectful, inclusive, scientific, rational.
The Light - the monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore, simultaneously ... more The Light - the monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore, simultaneously printed in English, Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - loving, peaceful, inclusive, respectful, rational and scientific.
The Light a monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam in English... more The Light a monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam in English, Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - peaceful, tolerant, loving, inclusive, respectful, scientific and rational.
Emerging evidence suggests that a high postprandial glucose level in plasma or blood is an import... more Emerging evidence suggests that a high postprandial glucose level in plasma or blood is an important factor for the etiology of noncommunicable disorders like the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. A high sugar content of the food naturally increases the postprandial glucose level. However, quite a few studies provided proof in the past that the physical properties like viscosity, temperature, and water content of the food we consume also may influence the level of this parameter. The aim of this study is to give a narrative review of present findings that showed the physical properties of consumed food influenced the postprandial glucose level. The online databases Medline, Pubmed, Google Scholar and Hinari have been searched for publications on "plasma glucose" and "temperature" or "viscosity" or "solubility" or "water content". All articles dealing with the influence on the postprandial glucose level in the blood have been included. Articles written in a language we could not understand or without a proper translation into English have been excluded. In general, most available studies showed that the physical properties temperature, viscosity, and water content of consumed food influenced the postprandial glucose. An increased temperature, increased viscosity and decreased water content of the food is generally associated with a higher postprandial glucose level in blood or plasma after consumption. Further detailed studies in both preclinical as well as clinical trials should be considered to obtain more detailed results regarding this.
Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental... more Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental health information and advice in various high-and middle-income countries. Started in 2015, ehealth.sr was the first website to offer preventive information, self-tests, and unguided digital self-help for depression, anxiety symptoms, and problematic alcohol use in Suriname, an upper middle-income country in South America. Objective: This study aimed to assess the general demographics and behavioral patterns of the visitors of ehealth.sr, as well as to evaluate different promotional channels to attract the target audience to the website. Methods: Data collection for this study took place between August 2015 and December 2020. Conventional promotion channels such as newspaper and radio advertisements as well as social media advertisements were used to attract users to the website. The number of visits and activity on the website was registered using Google analytics and the website's internal activity log. Results: On average, about 115 unique visitors accessed the website per month. The average number of visits to the website increased notably when social media advertisement campaigns were conducted (266 per month in 2018) compared to when traditional advertisements campaigns through papers, radio, and television were used (34 per month in 2019). Of the 1908 new visitors, 1418 (74.32%) were female. On average, visitors accessed 2 (SD 0.3) pages of the website and a session lasted 2.6 (SD 0.9) minutes. The most popular pages for intervention on the website were those for the mood or anxiety screening (731/942, 77.6%) as opposed to those for alcohol screening (211/942, 22.4%). People aged <45 years (on average, 2.2 pages per session for 3.2 minutes) made more use of the website than people aged ≥45 years (on average, 1.7 pages per session for 2 minutes). Conclusions: Promotion via social media led to more visitors to the website than newspaper or radio advertisements. Younger age groups and females visited the website more often. The pages on preventive information and brief self-tests were visited more frequently than the self-help modules. In general, user adherence to the website in terms of the average session duration and number of viewed pages per session is low and is a key point of concern for the successful implementation of digital mental health websites.
Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epid... more Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epidemiological studies concerning mental disorders like depression and anxiety had not been conducted until 2015. The treatment gap for mental disorders in Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) may reach 76-80% as treatment is not always readily available. In this study, we estimate and compare the prevalence of depression and anxiety, as well as the size of the treatment gap for these disorders, in a rural (Nickerie) and urban (Paramaribo) region of Suriname, a lower middle income country. Methods: Subjects were selected by a speci c sampling method of the national census bureau. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) was used to assess depression. Generalized anxiety disorder was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and The Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) were used to assess Panic disorder. The treatment gap was calculated by estimating the percentage of subjects with depression or anxiety that did not seek out professional help. Results: About 18% of the respondents from Nickerie and 16% from Paramaribo were at risk of depression and the established cutoff values of the instruments used indicate that about 3-4 % in both regions may suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Women in both samples were most at risk of high anxiety about body sensations and maladaptive thoughts about panic. The treatment gap varies between 78 and 100% for the two disorders. Conclusions: A high depression rate has been found in both areas, especially among young females. In addition, a high treatment gap is noted which insinuates that more therapeutic strategies are required to tackle depression and anxiety in Suriname. Background Depression is a common psychiatric disorder that has a negative effect on how an individual feels, thinks and behaves (The American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) [1] indicates that the core symptoms of depression are a gloomy mood and a loss of interest and pleasure. The disorder usually presents as a lack of energy, disturbed sleep or appetite, low self-esteem [2] and aversion to activity, or apathy, which may affect a person's thoughts, feelings, behaviour and sense of well-being [3]. Biological, environmental, and personal vulnerabilities interact to contribute to the development of depression, [4] which-when chronic-substantially impairs an individual's ability to ful l of day-today responsibilities, possibly even resulting in suicide [2]. The 12-month prevalence of major depression (DSM-IV) is thought to be between 5% and 6% worldwide [5]. About 85% of patients with depression also experience signi cant anxiety, while comorbid depression occurs in up to 90% of patients with anxiety disorders [6, 7]. Anxiety becomes problematic when it affects normal daily functioning. According to the DSM-5 [1], the condition shares features of excessive fear and anxiety, and related behavioural disturbances. An anxiety disorder is de ned by excessive worry, hyperarousal and fear that is counterproductive and debilitating [8]. Both depression and anxiety are commonly linked to suicide [9, 10]. Depending on severity, these disorders are managed with low-dose anti-depressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors or anxiolytics like benzodiazepines [11]. However, psychological treatment and support is preferred for e cacy and price reasons [12, 13] and eHealth interventions using this approach have produced small but positive effects on symptom reduction [14]. Psychological treatment is not readily available in lower middle income countries (LMICs) and the treatment gap for mental disorders may consequently reach 76-80% in these countries [15].
Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental... more Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental health information and advice in various high-and middle-income countries. Started in 2015, ehealth.sr was the first website to offer preventive information, self-tests, and unguided digital self-help for depression, anxiety symptoms, and problematic alcohol use in Suriname, an upper middle-income country in South America. Objective: This study aimed to assess the general demographics and behavioral patterns of the visitors of ehealth.sr, as well as to evaluate different promotional channels to attract the target audience to the website. Methods: Data collection for this study took place between August 2015 and December 2020. Conventional promotion channels such as newspaper and radio advertisements as well as social media advertisements were used to attract users to the website. The number of visits and activity on the website was registered using Google analytics and the website's internal activity log. Results: On average, about 115 unique visitors accessed the website per month. The average number of visits to the website increased notably when social media advertisement campaigns were conducted (266 per month in 2018) compared to when traditional advertisements campaigns through papers, radio, and television were used (34 per month in 2019). Of the 1908 new visitors, 1418 (74.32%) were female. On average, visitors accessed 2 (SD 0.3) pages of the website and a session lasted 2.6 (SD 0.9) minutes. The most popular pages for intervention on the website were those for the mood or anxiety screening (731/942, 77.6%) as opposed to those for alcohol screening (211/942, 22.4%). People aged <45 years (on average, 2.2 pages per session for 3.2 minutes) made more use of the website than people aged ≥45 years (on average, 1.7 pages per session for 2 minutes). Conclusions: Promotion via social media led to more visitors to the website than newspaper or radio advertisements. Younger age groups and females visited the website more often. The pages on preventive information and brief self-tests were visited more frequently than the self-help modules. In general, user adherence to the website in terms of the average session duration and number of viewed pages per session is low and is a key point of concern for the successful implementation of digital mental health websites.
Multilingual monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam. Printed ... more Multilingual monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam. Printed in English, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and French. Presenting Islam as preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad - loving, kind, tolerant, inclusive, peaceful, rational.
The number of children with cardiovascular risk factors is increasing steadily. However, limited ... more The number of children with cardiovascular risk factors is increasing steadily. However, limited data are available on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and hyperglycemia among children in low-middle-income countries with multiethnic populations. Therefore, we assessed these factors in a school-based survey in Suriname, a low-middle-income country. Methods: We invited pupils of 5 th and 6 th grade visiting the primary school to participate in this survey. We used a questionnaire and face to face interviews, and conducted measurements to collect data on biological factors (ethnicity, sex, length, weight, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose levels), behavior (frequency of physical activity, breakfast, bedtime, screentime), consumption (fruit and vegetables, snack, dairy products) and social factors (parental education, living area). Results: Overall, the percentage of children with overweight was 13.9%, obesity 13.3% and for elevated fasting blood glucose level (&amp;amp;gt; 6 mmol/L) 4.5%. In the investigated group of individuals, obesity and overweight were associated with sex (girls showed a lower OR of 0.54 [95%CI: 0.39-0.75] for obesity), ethnicity (Javanese 2.1, 1.5-3.0 for overweight and 5.0, 3.1-8.2 for obesity, Maroon 2.2, 1.2-4.1 and Mixed ethnicity 1.7, 1.1-2.6, for obesity compared to Hindustani), behavior (Skip Breakfast: 1.4, 1.2-1.7, physical activity: 0.8, 0.7-0.9) and maternal education level (high 1.7, 1.0-2.7). Children with elevated fasting blood glucose levels showed an association with obesity (1.8, 1.2-2.7) and waist circumference (1.02, 1.01-1.03). Conclusion: The results show that there is a high prevalence for overweight, obesity and elevated fasting blood glucose among children in Suriname. Furthermore, during childhood ethnicity is associated with obesity and overweight. We suggest that the modifiable risk factors such as BMI, WC, behavior, consumption are interesting for early intervention in children in a developing country.
An elevated postprandial glucose (PPG) level in plasma or blood is a risk factor for chronic diso... more An elevated postprandial glucose (PPG) level in plasma or blood is a risk factor for chronic disorders like obesity, diabetes mellitus type II and related cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify mechanisms that increase the value of postprandial glucose PPG levels. Hence in the present study we investigated the time dependent effect of drinking water during a meal on the level of PPG. Thirty-five volunteers were randomly assigned to five groups. Group A was given a jelly filled doughnut and group B, C, D and E had a similar doughnut in combination with a bottle of water along with the doughnut, thirty minutes before, thirty minutes after, and a second doughnut with water thirty minutes after the first one, respectively. Glucose was measured in capillary blood at intervals of 30 min up to 150 min (reg # FMeW 725B/17). PPG versus fasting glucose (Means ± SD, mmol/L) was for group A 5.4 ± 0.6 vs 4.6 ± 0.4, B 7.2 ± 0.7 vs 4.9 ± 0.4, C 5.5 ± 0.7 vs 4.4 ± 0.3, D 5.5 ± 0.6 vs 4.6 ± 0.3 and E 5.7 ± 0.5 vs 4.7 ± 0.2. The increase in group B was significantly higher than in all other groups (ANOVA, Dunnet's posttest). These results show that drinking water with consumption of a jelly-filled doughnut increases the postprandial blood glucose levels significantly compared to no drinking at all or thirty minutes before or after the consumption. It is therefore advisable that we should reconsider our eating and drinking habits to lower the PPG and consequently reduce the risks of abovementioned chronic disorders. Further assessment is necessary to evaluate this in more detail.
Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against vario... more Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against various ailments. Current research suggests that at least some of the actions described may be attributable to the action of these coumarins. Warfarin and its derivatives are coumarins used today in medical practice. Their mechanism of action lies in the competitive antagonism of vitamin K, through which they inhibit coagulation in the body by preventing the production of prothrombin. Due to this action, these coumarins are a major group of drugs with anticoagulant activity. Anticoagulants reduce the risks of undesirable blood clots leading to myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke among others. The anticoagulant activity can also lead to undesired bleeding. Extreme caution is warranted when given to menstruating women, patients suffering from disorders prone to bleeding like gastric ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis, and to persons with a high likelihood of blunt and sharp trauma. In addition, there is a significant augmentation of the anticoagulant activity when used in combination with non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents and agents interfering with the metabolism of the coumarins. Recent findings propose additional uses like anti-tumor and antibiotic actions for coumarins. The clinical application of these actions has yet to be demonstrated.
Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have the worst impact in low-middle-income countries (LMI... more Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have the worst impact in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), where the disease burden per liter of alcohol consumed is higher than in wealthy populations. Furthermore, the median treatment gap for AUDs in LMICs is 78.1%. The highest prevalence of AUDs worldwide in 2004 was found in the western Pacific region, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. The main aim of this study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of risky alcohol use and the extent of the treatment gap in a rural (Nickerie) and in an urban (Paramaribo) area in Suriname, a LMICs country with a wide variety of ethnic groups. Methods: The respondents were randomly recruited using a specific sampling method of the National Census Bureau. The final samples were 1837 households for Paramaribo and 1026 for Nickerie, reflecting the populations in both regions. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were used to assess the likelihood of the presence of alcohol use disorder. A score of > 7 for the AUDIT implies risky alcohol use. Results: The results indicated that 2% of the women and 15% of the men in the rural area scored 8 or higher on the AUDIT. In the urban area, these numbers were 3% and 17%, respectively. In both samples, the men had the highest addiction risk at about 16% compared with 2% for females. Married persons are significantly less likely to become alcoholic than singles and other groups in Paramaribo. In both areas, higher education was associated with a lower probability of alcohol abuse and dependence, while handymen showed a higher odd. A treatment gap of 50% was found for alcohol use disorders in the rural area. The corresponding gap in the urban area was 64%. Conclusions: Surinamese men show a high prevalence of the likelihood of AUD. In addition, the treatment gap for these possible patients is large. It is therefore of paramount importance to develop therapeutic strategies with the aim of tackling this physically and mentally disabling disorder. Tailored E-health programs may be of benefit.
Chalazia are chronic inflammatory disorders of the Meibomian glands of the eyelids that can prese... more Chalazia are chronic inflammatory disorders of the Meibomian glands of the eyelids that can present at any age. Although the exact cause is still obscure, they are often associated with retention of lipids in these sebaceous glands, infections, or disturbances in the balance of sex hormones. The complications of the disease may vary from little discomfort to reduced vision. Treatment strategies include hot compresses, intralesional steroid injections, and incision and curettage. The present case is about a female in her forties with a 4-year long history of recurrent chalazia. The management of the majority of the lesions was through incision and curettage. Concomitantly she presented with subclinical hypothyroidism, for which she received treatment. During treatment of the hypothyroidism, there was a remission of the chalazia. After cessation of the treatment with levothyroxine, the chalazia started recurring. Reinstatement of a low-dose treatment with levothyroxine eventually led to a remission and prevented further recurrence of the chalazia. Subclinical hypothyroidism may predispose to recurrent chalazia. This finding may have consequences for the understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of this disorder. Further investigations must elicit the exact mechanism of this association.
Background: There is a considerable gap between care provision and the demand for care for common... more Background: There is a considerable gap between care provision and the demand for care for common mental disorders in low-and-middle-income countries. Screening for these disorders, e.g., in primary care, will help to close this gap. However, appropriate norms and threshold values for screeners of common mental disorders are lacking. Methods: In a survey study, we gathered data on frequently used screeners for alcohol use disorders, (AUDIT), depression, (CES-D), and anxiety disorders (GAD-7, ACQ, and BSQ) in a representative sample from Suriname, a non-Latin American Caribbean country. A stratified sampling method was used by random selection of 2,863 respondents from 5 rural and 12 urban resorts. We established descriptive statistics of all scale scores and investigated unidimensionality. Furthermore, we compared scores by gender, age-group, and education level with t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests, using a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Norms and crosswalk tables were established for the conversion of raw scores into a common metric: T-scores. Furthermore, recommended cutoff values on the T-score metric for severity levels were compared with international cutoff values for raw scores on these screeners. Discussion: The appropriateness of these cutoffs and the value of converting raw scores into T-scores are discussed. Cutoff values help with screening and early detection of those who are likely to have a common mental health disorder and may require treatment. Conversion of raw scores to a common metric in this study facilitates the interpretation of questionnaire results for clinicians and can improve health care provision through measurement-based care.
IJRETINA (International Journal of Retina), Sep 3, 2020
Introduction: Macular Edema is a rather disabling condition that can be the consequence of severa... more Introduction: Macular Edema is a rather disabling condition that can be the consequence of several disorders of the eye. Most of the time it occurs in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. The exact pathophysiological mechanism of this condition is not clear, but it is probably the result of inflammatory processes or structural and mechanical disturbances of the vitreomacular tissue. Due to this obscure pathophysiological mechanism, a targeted efficient treatment is still lacking. However, accumulating evidence is suggesting that local application of insulin might reduce the structural and functional defects of this disorder. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sequential applied benzalkonium chloride and Insulin eye drops on the visual acuity and central macular thickness of eyes suffering from macular edema. Methods: Patients refractive to or refusing treatment with anti-VEGF agents were selected. Their visual acuity and central macular thickness were measured immediately before and until six months after treatment. The treatment consisted of twice a day application of specially prepared benzalkonium chloride and Insulin eye drops. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. The procedures followed were all in line with the guides for ethics of the hospital and were not in conflict with the declaration of Helsinki. Result: After six months, the mean visual acuity increased significantly from 0.28±0.17 to 0.53±0.27 (p = 0.002) and the central macular thickness decreased from 393±122 µm to 250±72 µm (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Sequential applied benzalkonium chloride and insulin eye drops improve visual acuity and reduce central macular thickness in eyes suffering from macular edema. Large scale studies to confirm and to elucidate the exact mechanism of action are necessary. Apart from this, the use of these drops may prove to be a cheaper and more efficient method to treat the rather disabling condition.
Previously obtained results show that drinking water during consumption of a doughnut increased t... more Previously obtained results show that drinking water during consumption of a doughnut increased the rate of elevation of postprandial blood glucose levels significantly compared to no drinking at all. This is unlikely to be the result of just the addition of water. A possible explanation can be that the water dissolved or liquefied the available sugar in the stomach and dragged this faster to the duodenum than in an environment with little solvent. The dissolved sugar is better accessible for digestion and absorption. Additional experiments to establish this are being considered. https://foodscience-nutrition.org/speakers
End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have show... more End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have shown that ischemic and hypoxic conditions may contribute to the progression of the disorder and that acute kidney injury may cause and aggravate the condition. Ischemia and hypoxia are two distinct conditions with different pathophysiological and structural consequences as proven in the brain and liver of rats. Until now, these differences have not been shown to exist in the kidney. In this study, we assess the possible functional differences in the outcome of ischemic and hypoxic stress on the kidney. For this purpose, we perfused isolated rabbit kidneys with their autologous blood and applied short periods of ischemia or hypoxia in separate series of experiments. The results showed that the kidneys exposed to hypoxic stress suffered more functional damage than those subjected to ischemia. This conclusion was based on a lower creatinine clearance and urine osmolality, and a higher fractional excretion of urea, sodium, and glucose in the hypoxia series of kidneys. Consequently, we recommend monitoring hypoxemic conditions closely and correcting the condition as soon as possible, since even for a short period it may already have deteriorating effects on the renal function.
Multi-lingual monthly paper of The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore. Presenting Islam as ... more Multi-lingual monthly paper of The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - tolerant, peaceful, respectful, inclusive, scientific, rational.
The Light - the monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore, simultaneously ... more The Light - the monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam of Lahore, simultaneously printed in English, Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - loving, peaceful, inclusive, respectful, rational and scientific.
The Light a monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam in English... more The Light a monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam in English, Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish. Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - peaceful, tolerant, loving, inclusive, respectful, scientific and rational.
Emerging evidence suggests that a high postprandial glucose level in plasma or blood is an import... more Emerging evidence suggests that a high postprandial glucose level in plasma or blood is an important factor for the etiology of noncommunicable disorders like the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. A high sugar content of the food naturally increases the postprandial glucose level. However, quite a few studies provided proof in the past that the physical properties like viscosity, temperature, and water content of the food we consume also may influence the level of this parameter. The aim of this study is to give a narrative review of present findings that showed the physical properties of consumed food influenced the postprandial glucose level. The online databases Medline, Pubmed, Google Scholar and Hinari have been searched for publications on "plasma glucose" and "temperature" or "viscosity" or "solubility" or "water content". All articles dealing with the influence on the postprandial glucose level in the blood have been included. Articles written in a language we could not understand or without a proper translation into English have been excluded. In general, most available studies showed that the physical properties temperature, viscosity, and water content of consumed food influenced the postprandial glucose. An increased temperature, increased viscosity and decreased water content of the food is generally associated with a higher postprandial glucose level in blood or plasma after consumption. Further detailed studies in both preclinical as well as clinical trials should be considered to obtain more detailed results regarding this.
Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental... more Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental health information and advice in various high-and middle-income countries. Started in 2015, ehealth.sr was the first website to offer preventive information, self-tests, and unguided digital self-help for depression, anxiety symptoms, and problematic alcohol use in Suriname, an upper middle-income country in South America. Objective: This study aimed to assess the general demographics and behavioral patterns of the visitors of ehealth.sr, as well as to evaluate different promotional channels to attract the target audience to the website. Methods: Data collection for this study took place between August 2015 and December 2020. Conventional promotion channels such as newspaper and radio advertisements as well as social media advertisements were used to attract users to the website. The number of visits and activity on the website was registered using Google analytics and the website's internal activity log. Results: On average, about 115 unique visitors accessed the website per month. The average number of visits to the website increased notably when social media advertisement campaigns were conducted (266 per month in 2018) compared to when traditional advertisements campaigns through papers, radio, and television were used (34 per month in 2019). Of the 1908 new visitors, 1418 (74.32%) were female. On average, visitors accessed 2 (SD 0.3) pages of the website and a session lasted 2.6 (SD 0.9) minutes. The most popular pages for intervention on the website were those for the mood or anxiety screening (731/942, 77.6%) as opposed to those for alcohol screening (211/942, 22.4%). People aged <45 years (on average, 2.2 pages per session for 3.2 minutes) made more use of the website than people aged ≥45 years (on average, 1.7 pages per session for 2 minutes). Conclusions: Promotion via social media led to more visitors to the website than newspaper or radio advertisements. Younger age groups and females visited the website more often. The pages on preventive information and brief self-tests were visited more frequently than the self-help modules. In general, user adherence to the website in terms of the average session duration and number of viewed pages per session is low and is a key point of concern for the successful implementation of digital mental health websites.
Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epid... more Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epidemiological studies concerning mental disorders like depression and anxiety had not been conducted until 2015. The treatment gap for mental disorders in Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) may reach 76-80% as treatment is not always readily available. In this study, we estimate and compare the prevalence of depression and anxiety, as well as the size of the treatment gap for these disorders, in a rural (Nickerie) and urban (Paramaribo) region of Suriname, a lower middle income country. Methods: Subjects were selected by a speci c sampling method of the national census bureau. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) was used to assess depression. Generalized anxiety disorder was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and The Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) were used to assess Panic disorder. The treatment gap was calculated by estimating the percentage of subjects with depression or anxiety that did not seek out professional help. Results: About 18% of the respondents from Nickerie and 16% from Paramaribo were at risk of depression and the established cutoff values of the instruments used indicate that about 3-4 % in both regions may suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Women in both samples were most at risk of high anxiety about body sensations and maladaptive thoughts about panic. The treatment gap varies between 78 and 100% for the two disorders. Conclusions: A high depression rate has been found in both areas, especially among young females. In addition, a high treatment gap is noted which insinuates that more therapeutic strategies are required to tackle depression and anxiety in Suriname. Background Depression is a common psychiatric disorder that has a negative effect on how an individual feels, thinks and behaves (The American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) [1] indicates that the core symptoms of depression are a gloomy mood and a loss of interest and pleasure. The disorder usually presents as a lack of energy, disturbed sleep or appetite, low self-esteem [2] and aversion to activity, or apathy, which may affect a person's thoughts, feelings, behaviour and sense of well-being [3]. Biological, environmental, and personal vulnerabilities interact to contribute to the development of depression, [4] which-when chronic-substantially impairs an individual's ability to ful l of day-today responsibilities, possibly even resulting in suicide [2]. The 12-month prevalence of major depression (DSM-IV) is thought to be between 5% and 6% worldwide [5]. About 85% of patients with depression also experience signi cant anxiety, while comorbid depression occurs in up to 90% of patients with anxiety disorders [6, 7]. Anxiety becomes problematic when it affects normal daily functioning. According to the DSM-5 [1], the condition shares features of excessive fear and anxiety, and related behavioural disturbances. An anxiety disorder is de ned by excessive worry, hyperarousal and fear that is counterproductive and debilitating [8]. Both depression and anxiety are commonly linked to suicide [9, 10]. Depending on severity, these disorders are managed with low-dose anti-depressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors or anxiolytics like benzodiazepines [11]. However, psychological treatment and support is preferred for e cacy and price reasons [12, 13] and eHealth interventions using this approach have produced small but positive effects on symptom reduction [14]. Psychological treatment is not readily available in lower middle income countries (LMICs) and the treatment gap for mental disorders may consequently reach 76-80% in these countries [15].
Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental... more Background: Digital health applications have been shown to be an accepted means to provide mental health information and advice in various high-and middle-income countries. Started in 2015, ehealth.sr was the first website to offer preventive information, self-tests, and unguided digital self-help for depression, anxiety symptoms, and problematic alcohol use in Suriname, an upper middle-income country in South America. Objective: This study aimed to assess the general demographics and behavioral patterns of the visitors of ehealth.sr, as well as to evaluate different promotional channels to attract the target audience to the website. Methods: Data collection for this study took place between August 2015 and December 2020. Conventional promotion channels such as newspaper and radio advertisements as well as social media advertisements were used to attract users to the website. The number of visits and activity on the website was registered using Google analytics and the website's internal activity log. Results: On average, about 115 unique visitors accessed the website per month. The average number of visits to the website increased notably when social media advertisement campaigns were conducted (266 per month in 2018) compared to when traditional advertisements campaigns through papers, radio, and television were used (34 per month in 2019). Of the 1908 new visitors, 1418 (74.32%) were female. On average, visitors accessed 2 (SD 0.3) pages of the website and a session lasted 2.6 (SD 0.9) minutes. The most popular pages for intervention on the website were those for the mood or anxiety screening (731/942, 77.6%) as opposed to those for alcohol screening (211/942, 22.4%). People aged <45 years (on average, 2.2 pages per session for 3.2 minutes) made more use of the website than people aged ≥45 years (on average, 1.7 pages per session for 2 minutes). Conclusions: Promotion via social media led to more visitors to the website than newspaper or radio advertisements. Younger age groups and females visited the website more often. The pages on preventive information and brief self-tests were visited more frequently than the self-help modules. In general, user adherence to the website in terms of the average session duration and number of viewed pages per session is low and is a key point of concern for the successful implementation of digital mental health websites.
Multilingual monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam. Printed ... more Multilingual monthly magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the Propagation of Islam. Printed in English, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and French. Presenting Islam as preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad - loving, kind, tolerant, inclusive, peaceful, rational.
The number of children with cardiovascular risk factors is increasing steadily. However, limited ... more The number of children with cardiovascular risk factors is increasing steadily. However, limited data are available on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and hyperglycemia among children in low-middle-income countries with multiethnic populations. Therefore, we assessed these factors in a school-based survey in Suriname, a low-middle-income country. Methods: We invited pupils of 5 th and 6 th grade visiting the primary school to participate in this survey. We used a questionnaire and face to face interviews, and conducted measurements to collect data on biological factors (ethnicity, sex, length, weight, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose levels), behavior (frequency of physical activity, breakfast, bedtime, screentime), consumption (fruit and vegetables, snack, dairy products) and social factors (parental education, living area). Results: Overall, the percentage of children with overweight was 13.9%, obesity 13.3% and for elevated fasting blood glucose level (&amp;amp;gt; 6 mmol/L) 4.5%. In the investigated group of individuals, obesity and overweight were associated with sex (girls showed a lower OR of 0.54 [95%CI: 0.39-0.75] for obesity), ethnicity (Javanese 2.1, 1.5-3.0 for overweight and 5.0, 3.1-8.2 for obesity, Maroon 2.2, 1.2-4.1 and Mixed ethnicity 1.7, 1.1-2.6, for obesity compared to Hindustani), behavior (Skip Breakfast: 1.4, 1.2-1.7, physical activity: 0.8, 0.7-0.9) and maternal education level (high 1.7, 1.0-2.7). Children with elevated fasting blood glucose levels showed an association with obesity (1.8, 1.2-2.7) and waist circumference (1.02, 1.01-1.03). Conclusion: The results show that there is a high prevalence for overweight, obesity and elevated fasting blood glucose among children in Suriname. Furthermore, during childhood ethnicity is associated with obesity and overweight. We suggest that the modifiable risk factors such as BMI, WC, behavior, consumption are interesting for early intervention in children in a developing country.
An elevated postprandial glucose (PPG) level in plasma or blood is a risk factor for chronic diso... more An elevated postprandial glucose (PPG) level in plasma or blood is a risk factor for chronic disorders like obesity, diabetes mellitus type II and related cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify mechanisms that increase the value of postprandial glucose PPG levels. Hence in the present study we investigated the time dependent effect of drinking water during a meal on the level of PPG. Thirty-five volunteers were randomly assigned to five groups. Group A was given a jelly filled doughnut and group B, C, D and E had a similar doughnut in combination with a bottle of water along with the doughnut, thirty minutes before, thirty minutes after, and a second doughnut with water thirty minutes after the first one, respectively. Glucose was measured in capillary blood at intervals of 30 min up to 150 min (reg # FMeW 725B/17). PPG versus fasting glucose (Means ± SD, mmol/L) was for group A 5.4 ± 0.6 vs 4.6 ± 0.4, B 7.2 ± 0.7 vs 4.9 ± 0.4, C 5.5 ± 0.7 vs 4.4 ± 0.3, D 5.5 ± 0.6 vs 4.6 ± 0.3 and E 5.7 ± 0.5 vs 4.7 ± 0.2. The increase in group B was significantly higher than in all other groups (ANOVA, Dunnet's posttest). These results show that drinking water with consumption of a jelly-filled doughnut increases the postprandial blood glucose levels significantly compared to no drinking at all or thirty minutes before or after the consumption. It is therefore advisable that we should reconsider our eating and drinking habits to lower the PPG and consequently reduce the risks of abovementioned chronic disorders. Further assessment is necessary to evaluate this in more detail.
Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against vario... more Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against various ailments. Current research suggests that at least some of the actions described may be attributable to the action of these coumarins. Warfarin and its derivatives are coumarins used today in medical practice. Their mechanism of action lies in the competitive antagonism of vitamin K, through which they inhibit coagulation in the body by preventing the production of prothrombin. Due to this action, these coumarins are a major group of drugs with anticoagulant activity. Anticoagulants reduce the risks of undesirable blood clots leading to myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke among others. The anticoagulant activity can also lead to undesired bleeding. Extreme caution is warranted when given to menstruating women, patients suffering from disorders prone to bleeding like gastric ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis, and to persons with a high likelihood of blunt and sharp trauma. In addition, there is a significant augmentation of the anticoagulant activity when used in combination with non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents and agents interfering with the metabolism of the coumarins. Recent findings propose additional uses like anti-tumor and antibiotic actions for coumarins. The clinical application of these actions has yet to be demonstrated.
Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have the worst impact in low-middle-income countries (LMI... more Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have the worst impact in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), where the disease burden per liter of alcohol consumed is higher than in wealthy populations. Furthermore, the median treatment gap for AUDs in LMICs is 78.1%. The highest prevalence of AUDs worldwide in 2004 was found in the western Pacific region, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. The main aim of this study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of risky alcohol use and the extent of the treatment gap in a rural (Nickerie) and in an urban (Paramaribo) area in Suriname, a LMICs country with a wide variety of ethnic groups. Methods: The respondents were randomly recruited using a specific sampling method of the National Census Bureau. The final samples were 1837 households for Paramaribo and 1026 for Nickerie, reflecting the populations in both regions. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) were used to assess the likelihood of the presence of alcohol use disorder. A score of > 7 for the AUDIT implies risky alcohol use. Results: The results indicated that 2% of the women and 15% of the men in the rural area scored 8 or higher on the AUDIT. In the urban area, these numbers were 3% and 17%, respectively. In both samples, the men had the highest addiction risk at about 16% compared with 2% for females. Married persons are significantly less likely to become alcoholic than singles and other groups in Paramaribo. In both areas, higher education was associated with a lower probability of alcohol abuse and dependence, while handymen showed a higher odd. A treatment gap of 50% was found for alcohol use disorders in the rural area. The corresponding gap in the urban area was 64%. Conclusions: Surinamese men show a high prevalence of the likelihood of AUD. In addition, the treatment gap for these possible patients is large. It is therefore of paramount importance to develop therapeutic strategies with the aim of tackling this physically and mentally disabling disorder. Tailored E-health programs may be of benefit.
Chalazia are chronic inflammatory disorders of the Meibomian glands of the eyelids that can prese... more Chalazia are chronic inflammatory disorders of the Meibomian glands of the eyelids that can present at any age. Although the exact cause is still obscure, they are often associated with retention of lipids in these sebaceous glands, infections, or disturbances in the balance of sex hormones. The complications of the disease may vary from little discomfort to reduced vision. Treatment strategies include hot compresses, intralesional steroid injections, and incision and curettage. The present case is about a female in her forties with a 4-year long history of recurrent chalazia. The management of the majority of the lesions was through incision and curettage. Concomitantly she presented with subclinical hypothyroidism, for which she received treatment. During treatment of the hypothyroidism, there was a remission of the chalazia. After cessation of the treatment with levothyroxine, the chalazia started recurring. Reinstatement of a low-dose treatment with levothyroxine eventually led to a remission and prevented further recurrence of the chalazia. Subclinical hypothyroidism may predispose to recurrent chalazia. This finding may have consequences for the understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of this disorder. Further investigations must elicit the exact mechanism of this association.
Background: There is a considerable gap between care provision and the demand for care for common... more Background: There is a considerable gap between care provision and the demand for care for common mental disorders in low-and-middle-income countries. Screening for these disorders, e.g., in primary care, will help to close this gap. However, appropriate norms and threshold values for screeners of common mental disorders are lacking. Methods: In a survey study, we gathered data on frequently used screeners for alcohol use disorders, (AUDIT), depression, (CES-D), and anxiety disorders (GAD-7, ACQ, and BSQ) in a representative sample from Suriname, a non-Latin American Caribbean country. A stratified sampling method was used by random selection of 2,863 respondents from 5 rural and 12 urban resorts. We established descriptive statistics of all scale scores and investigated unidimensionality. Furthermore, we compared scores by gender, age-group, and education level with t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests, using a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Norms and crosswalk tables were established for the conversion of raw scores into a common metric: T-scores. Furthermore, recommended cutoff values on the T-score metric for severity levels were compared with international cutoff values for raw scores on these screeners. Discussion: The appropriateness of these cutoffs and the value of converting raw scores into T-scores are discussed. Cutoff values help with screening and early detection of those who are likely to have a common mental health disorder and may require treatment. Conversion of raw scores to a common metric in this study facilitates the interpretation of questionnaire results for clinicians and can improve health care provision through measurement-based care.
IJRETINA (International Journal of Retina), Sep 3, 2020
Introduction: Macular Edema is a rather disabling condition that can be the consequence of severa... more Introduction: Macular Edema is a rather disabling condition that can be the consequence of several disorders of the eye. Most of the time it occurs in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. The exact pathophysiological mechanism of this condition is not clear, but it is probably the result of inflammatory processes or structural and mechanical disturbances of the vitreomacular tissue. Due to this obscure pathophysiological mechanism, a targeted efficient treatment is still lacking. However, accumulating evidence is suggesting that local application of insulin might reduce the structural and functional defects of this disorder. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sequential applied benzalkonium chloride and Insulin eye drops on the visual acuity and central macular thickness of eyes suffering from macular edema. Methods: Patients refractive to or refusing treatment with anti-VEGF agents were selected. Their visual acuity and central macular thickness were measured immediately before and until six months after treatment. The treatment consisted of twice a day application of specially prepared benzalkonium chloride and Insulin eye drops. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. The procedures followed were all in line with the guides for ethics of the hospital and were not in conflict with the declaration of Helsinki. Result: After six months, the mean visual acuity increased significantly from 0.28±0.17 to 0.53±0.27 (p = 0.002) and the central macular thickness decreased from 393±122 µm to 250±72 µm (p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Sequential applied benzalkonium chloride and insulin eye drops improve visual acuity and reduce central macular thickness in eyes suffering from macular edema. Large scale studies to confirm and to elucidate the exact mechanism of action are necessary. Apart from this, the use of these drops may prove to be a cheaper and more efficient method to treat the rather disabling condition.
Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epid... more Background: Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epidemiological studies concerning mental disorders like depression and anxiety had not been conducted until 2015. The treatment gap for mental disorders in Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) may reach 76-80% as treatment is not always readily available. In this study, we estimate and compare the prevalence of potential cases of depression and anxiety, as well as the size of the treatment gap in a rural (Nickerie) and urban (Paramaribo) region of Suriname, a lower middle-income country. Methods: Subjects were selected by a specific sampling method of the national census bureau. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) was used to assess depression. Generalized anxiety disorder was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and The Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) were used to assess Panic disorder. The treatment gap was calculated by estimating the percentage of subjects with depression or anxiety that did not seek out professional help. Results: About 18% of the respondents from Nickerie and 16% from Paramaribo were at risk of depression and the established cutoff values of the instruments used indicate that about 3-4% in both regions may suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Women in both samples were most at risk of high anxiety about body sensations and maladaptive thoughts about panic. The treatment gap varies between 78 and 100% for the two disorders. Conclusions: A high depression rate has been found in both areas, especially among young females. In addition, a high treatment gap is noted which insinuates that more therapeutic strategies are required to tackle depression and anxiety in Suriname.
Monthly multilingual magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the propagation of Islam. Preachin... more Monthly multilingual magazine of the Ahmadiyya Association for the propagation of Islam. Preaching Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - loving, kind, tolerant, respectful, inclusive, rational and scientific.
The multilingual monthly magazine of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. Presenting Islam as preached ... more The multilingual monthly magazine of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. Presenting Islam as preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - peaceful, tolerant, loving, inclusive, rational and scientific.
Hypoxia - Recent Advances in the Field of Hypoxic and Ischemic Tissue Damage, 2023
End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have show... more End stage kidney disease contributes to a huge burden on global health. Recent advances have shown that ischemic and hypoxic conditions may contribute to the progression of the disorder and that acute kidney injury may cause and aggravate the condition. Ischemia and hypoxia are two distinct conditions with different pathophysiological and structural consequences as proven in the brain and liver of rats. Until now, these differences have not been shown to exist in the kidney. In this study, we assess the possible functional differences in the outcome of ischemic and hypoxic stress on the kidney. For this purpose, we perfused isolated rabbit kidneys with their autologous blood and applied short periods of ischemia or hypoxia in separate series of experiments. The results showed that the kidneys exposed to hypoxic stress suffered more functional damage than those subjected to ischemia. This conclusion was based on a lower creatinine clearance and urine osmolality, and a higher fractional excretion of urea, sodium, and glucose in the hypoxia series of kidneys. Consequently, we recommend monitoring hypoxemic conditions closely and correcting the condition as soon as possible, since even for a short period it may already have deteriorating effects on the renal function.
Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden vermenigvuldigd en/of openbaar worden gemaakt middels druk, fot... more Niets uit deze uitgave mag worden vermenigvuldigd en/of openbaar worden gemaakt middels druk, fotokopie, microfilm, electronisch of op welke andere wijze dan ook, zonder voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van de copyrighthouder.
Monthly English Journal of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. Preaching Islam as taught by the Holy P... more Monthly English Journal of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. Preaching Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s).
Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against vario... more Historical reports mention the application of medicinal plants containing coumarins against various ailments. Current research suggests that at least some of the actions described may be attributable to the action of these coumarins. Warfarin and its derivatives are coumarins used today in medical practice. Their mechanism of action lies in the competitive antagonism of vitamin K, through which they inhibit coagulation in the body by preventing the production of prothrombin. Due to this action, these coumarins are a major group of drugs with anticoagulant activity. Anticoagulants reduce the risks of undesirable blood clots leading to myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke among others. The antico-agulant activity can also lead to undesired bleeding. Extreme caution is warranted when given to menstruating women, patients suffering from disorders prone to bleeding like gastric ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis, and to persons with a high likelihood of blunt and sharp trauma. In addition, there is a significant augmentation of the anticoagulant activity when used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and agents interfering with the metabolism of the coumarins. Recent findings propose additional uses like anti-tumor and antibiotic actions for coumarins. The clinical application of these actions has yet to be demonstrated.
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Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - loving, peaceful, inclusive, respectful, rational and scientific.
https://foodscience-nutrition.org/speakers
Presenting Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s) - loving, peaceful, inclusive, respectful, rational and scientific.