Aims: The aim of this study was to identify an isolate B, an exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing lactic acid bacteria and determine the fermentation time effect on EPS production. Methodology and results: Isolate B, an EPS producer, was isolated from peanut milk containing commercial sugar, which was fermented spontaneously for 24 h. Isolate B was identified biochemically using API 50 CH and molecularly based on 16S rDNA. The effect of fermentation time on EPS production by isolate B with variations of the fermentation time were 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h. Isolate B was able to produce EPS qualitatively by producing mucoid colonies on solid media containing sucrose. The identification revealed that this isolate was Weissella confusa both biochemically using API 50 CH and molecularly based on 16S rDNA sequence homology-based method. The fermentation time significantly affected EPS production (P<0.05). Isolate B (W. confusa) produced the highest EPS (10.41 g/L) at 36 h with a cell viability of 6.5 × 108 CFU/mL. Furthermore, the FTIR results of EPS showed absorption bands characteristic of carbohydrates, including O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O-C and α-1,6 glycosidic groups. The EPS in this study was most likely a dextran type. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The yield of EPS production was influenced by fermentation time. Results suggest that W. confusa isolated from peanut milk had a good ability for EPS production. Therefore, it can be considered further to apply this strain for the production of EPS. However, further research is required.

Unexplained acute kidney injury (AKI) in children owing to diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination during drug production has gained attention in recent years. This qualitative study investigated the effects of DEG exposure on the incidence of unknown AKI in children. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines was proposed to search for studies using predefined search terms in the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science data-bases without publication date restrictions. The inclusion criteria are observational study, case study, case report, and case series design; and having provided accurate data for DEG poisoning and AKI diagnosis in children. All authors performed the study screening, data extraction, and data synthesis processes. Consensus was reached by mutual agreement. The data synthesis was conducted according to the DEG and unexplained AKI in children by examining the statistical data using Microsoft Excel 2017 and storing the data using the cloud service of Universitas Islam Indonesia. Of the 115 included studies, 21 met the inclusion criteria, including 2 case-control studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 4 case studies, and 14 case reports. DEG-contaminated paracetamol caused unexplained AKI in children. Other drugs including cough expectorants, antihistamines, and sedatives were administered. Chemicals other than DEG, such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, also induce AKI owing to overprescription and unintentional exposure. A recent epidemic of unexplained AKI showed contaminated paracetamol as the poisoning agent regardless of formula.

As an endocrine disruptor chemical, pesticide exposure may affect the regulation of growth hormones such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A few current studies to date have noted that long-term pesticide exposure disrupted IGF-1, a potential risk of stunting in children. This study aims to evaluate studies to date of the effect of pesticide exposure on stunting incidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA (Pre-ferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The PubMed and EBSCO databases were searched for relevant articles without publication restrictions. This review aimed to include reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, which provide actual exposure types of pesticides with stunting measurement by height-age z score. A screening, extraction, and synthesis were conducted, leading to a consensus for reaching mutual agreement. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2017 for the screening and extraction, Revman version 5.4 software for the meta-analysis, and OpenMEE software for the meta-regression. Of the 13 studies subjected to the qualitative analysis, 6 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis: 2 reviews, 2 RCTs, 2 cohorts, 2 case-control, and 5 cross-sectional studies. Exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides was not associated with stunting (P=0.78; odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.88). Heterogeneity existed for 79% of the meta-analysis (P≤0.000; z=-5.37; 95% CI, -0.034 to -0.016), and the meta-regression identified age as the causative covariate. Pesticide exposure, regardless of type, is not associated with stunting in children.

Unexplained acute kidney injury (AKI) in children owing to diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination during drug production has gained attention in recent years. This qualitative study investigated the effects of DEG exposure on the incidence of unknown AKI in children. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines was proposed to search for studies using predefined search terms in the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science data-bases without publication date restrictions. The inclusion criteria are observational study, case study, case report, and case series design; and having provided accurate data for DEG poisoning and AKI diagnosis in children. All authors performed the study screening, data extraction, and data synthesis processes. Consensus was reached by mutual agreement. The data synthesis was conducted according to the DEG and unexplained AKI in children by examining the statistical data using Microsoft Excel 2017 and storing the data using the cloud service of Universitas Islam Indonesia. Of the 115 included studies, 21 met the inclusion criteria, including 2 case-control studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 4 case studies, and 14 case reports. DEG-contaminated paracetamol caused unexplained AKI in children. Other drugs including cough expectorants, antihistamines, and sedatives were administered. Chemicals other than DEG, such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, also induce AKI owing to overprescription and unintentional exposure. A recent epidemic of unexplained AKI showed contaminated paracetamol as the poisoning agent regardless of formula.

As an endocrine disruptor chemical, pesticide exposure may affect the regulation of growth hormones such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A few current studies to date have noted that long-term pesticide exposure disrupted IGF-1, a potential risk of stunting in children. This study aims to evaluate studies to date of the effect of pesticide exposure on stunting incidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA (Pre-ferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The PubMed and EBSCO databases were searched for relevant articles without publication restrictions. This review aimed to include reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, which provide actual exposure types of pesticides with stunting measurement by height-age z score. A screening, extraction, and synthesis were conducted, leading to a consensus for reaching mutual agreement. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2017 for the screening and extraction, Revman version 5.4 software for the meta-analysis, and OpenMEE software for the meta-regression. Of the 13 studies subjected to the qualitative analysis, 6 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis: 2 reviews, 2 RCTs, 2 cohorts, 2 case-control, and 5 cross-sectional studies. Exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides was not associated with stunting (P=0.78; odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.88). Heterogeneity existed for 79% of the meta-analysis (P≤0.000; z=-5.37; 95% CI, -0.034 to -0.016), and the meta-regression identified age as the causative covariate. Pesticide exposure, regardless of type, is not associated with stunting in children.

Unexplained acute kidney injury (AKI) in children owing to diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination during drug production has gained attention in recent years. This qualitative study investigated the effects of DEG exposure on the incidence of unknown AKI in children. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines was proposed to search for studies using predefined search terms in the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science data-bases without publication date restrictions. The inclusion criteria are observational study, case study, case report, and case series design; and having provided accurate data for DEG poisoning and AKI diagnosis in children. All authors performed the study screening, data extraction, and data synthesis processes. Consensus was reached by mutual agreement. The data synthesis was conducted according to the DEG and unexplained AKI in children by examining the statistical data using Microsoft Excel 2017 and storing the data using the cloud service of Universitas Islam Indonesia. Of the 115 included studies, 21 met the inclusion criteria, including 2 case-control studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 4 case studies, and 14 case reports. DEG-contaminated paracetamol caused unexplained AKI in children. Other drugs including cough expectorants, antihistamines, and sedatives were administered. Chemicals other than DEG, such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, also induce AKI owing to overprescription and unintentional exposure. A recent epidemic of unexplained AKI showed contaminated paracetamol as the poisoning agent regardless of formula.

As an endocrine disruptor chemical, pesticide exposure may affect the regulation of growth hormones such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A few current studies to date have noted that long-term pesticide exposure disrupted IGF-1, a potential risk of stunting in children. This study aims to evaluate studies to date of the effect of pesticide exposure on stunting incidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA (Pre-ferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The PubMed and EBSCO databases were searched for relevant articles without publication restrictions. This review aimed to include reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, which provide actual exposure types of pesticides with stunting measurement by height-age z score. A screening, extraction, and synthesis were conducted, leading to a consensus for reaching mutual agreement. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2017 for the screening and extraction, Revman version 5.4 software for the meta-analysis, and OpenMEE software for the meta-regression. Of the 13 studies subjected to the qualitative analysis, 6 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis: 2 reviews, 2 RCTs, 2 cohorts, 2 case-control, and 5 cross-sectional studies. Exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides was not associated with stunting (P=0.78; odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.88). Heterogeneity existed for 79% of the meta-analysis (P≤0.000; z=-5.37; 95% CI, -0.034 to -0.016), and the meta-regression identified age as the causative covariate. Pesticide exposure, regardless of type, is not associated with stunting in children.

Unexplained acute kidney injury (AKI) in children owing to diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination during drug production has gained attention in recent years. This qualitative study investigated the effects of DEG exposure on the incidence of unknown AKI in children. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines was proposed to search for studies using predefined search terms in the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science data-bases without publication date restrictions. The inclusion criteria are observational study, case study, case report, and case series design; and having provided accurate data for DEG poisoning and AKI diagnosis in children. All authors performed the study screening, data extraction, and data synthesis processes. Consensus was reached by mutual agreement. The data synthesis was conducted according to the DEG and unexplained AKI in children by examining the statistical data using Microsoft Excel 2017 and storing the data using the cloud service of Universitas Islam Indonesia. Of the 115 included studies, 21 met the inclusion criteria, including 2 case-control studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 4 case studies, and 14 case reports. DEG-contaminated paracetamol caused unexplained AKI in children. Other drugs including cough expectorants, antihistamines, and sedatives were administered. Chemicals other than DEG, such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, also induce AKI owing to overprescription and unintentional exposure. A recent epidemic of unexplained AKI showed contaminated paracetamol as the poisoning agent regardless of formula.

As an endocrine disruptor chemical, pesticide exposure may affect the regulation of growth hormones such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A few current studies to date have noted that long-term pesticide exposure disrupted IGF-1, a potential risk of stunting in children. This study aims to evaluate studies to date of the effect of pesticide exposure on stunting incidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA (Pre-ferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The PubMed and EBSCO databases were searched for relevant articles without publication restrictions. This review aimed to include reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, which provide actual exposure types of pesticides with stunting measurement by height-age z score. A screening, extraction, and synthesis were conducted, leading to a consensus for reaching mutual agreement. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2017 for the screening and extraction, Revman version 5.4 software for the meta-analysis, and OpenMEE software for the meta-regression. Of the 13 studies subjected to the qualitative analysis, 6 were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis: 2 reviews, 2 RCTs, 2 cohorts, 2 case-control, and 5 cross-sectional studies. Exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides was not associated with stunting (P=0.78; odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.88). Heterogeneity existed for 79% of the meta-analysis (P≤0.000; z=-5.37; 95% CI, -0.034 to -0.016), and the meta-regression identified age as the causative covariate. Pesticide exposure, regardless of type, is not associated with stunting in children.

Objectives:Bangladesh stands as a prominent global consumer of tobacco,with alarming consequences on public health.The Global Adult Tobacco Survey reported that tobacco consumption claimed over 126 000 lives in 2018,contributing to 13.5％of all deaths in the country.This study aims to explore the effectiveness of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation as control mechanisms in mitigating tobacco consumption and health care cost burden,with a particular emphasis on its implications for public health. Methods:This study is based on the annual time series data over the period 2000-2020.The study employs the ordinary least square method to analyze the quantitative confirming the stationarity of data at level.This research uses different models to investigate individual effects and combined effects on both tobacco consumption and tobacco health care cost burden. Results:The study finds a negative relationship between tobacco tax rate and tobacco consumption.More specif-ically,the higher tax rate of tobacco(low(β=-0.3495),medium(β=-0.2319),high(β=-0.9033),premium(β=-0.7322),filtered(β=-0.2114),and non-filtered(β=-0.3452)categories)is significant to reduce tobacco use at 1％level of significance.The study finds similar results when it applied tobacco retail price instead of to-bacco tax rate as the independent variable.Finally,the study investigates the impact on health care cost through tobacco consumption,tobacco control law,growth rate,export-import,and tobacco production.The results in-dicate that tobacco consumption,export-import,and tobacco production increases health care cost burden while tobacco use regulatory decreases it.By reducing tobacco consumption,higher taxes and tobacco use regulation contribute to alleviating the burden on the healthcare system,promoting healthier lifestyles,and aligning with global health objectives. Conclusions:Higher tax rate on tobacco products is necessary to increase the retail price so that tobacco users cannot consume tobacco.Specific tax and uniform tax base are needed so that tobacco users cannot switch to lower priced brands.Tobacco control laws need to revised and proper implementation should be ensured as well,to achieve the goal of tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040.Tobacco-related diseases,responsible for a significant proportion of deaths in the country,could witness a considerable decline with the successful implementation of higher tax rates and tobacco use regulation.This study provides insights that not only contribute to the eco-nomic discourse but also accentuate the broader public health benefits arising from effective tobacco taxation policies.