Identifying gaps in consumer health library collections: a retrospective review

Background: The objective of this study was to determine if search request forms, which are used when a patron’s request for information cannot be fulfilled at the time of contact with the library team, can be used to identify gaps in consumer health library collections.Case Presentation: Search request forms were collected from 2013 to 2020 and analyzed independently by two reviewers. Search request forms were included if they were complete and contained a record of how the request was fulfilled. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patron characteristics. Search request forms were iteratively coded to identify themes in the data and determine if resources provided to patrons could be found within the library collection. The study team subsequently reviewed search request forms to determine reasons for identified gaps. Two hundred and forty-nine search request forms were analyzed. Six main content themes were identified: 1) understanding the cancer diagnosis, 2) cancer treatments, 3) understanding disease prognosis, 4) support during and after treatment, 5) natural health products and therapeutic effects in oncology, and 6) research literature. The majority of patrons were patients (53%). Over half (60%) of the submitted search request forms reflected collection gaps, and many (16%) contained queries for information about rare cancer diagnoses. The main reason that queries could not be satisfied was that there was limited consumer health information on the requested topics (53%).Conclusions: Search request forms are a useful resource for assessing gaps in consumer health library collections.

Strategic Responses to New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement: A Case Study of New Zealand Natural Health Products Industry

<p>The rise of global consumption, as well as technological innovation in transportation and telecommunications, have increased international exchange of goods, services and factors of production. Economic globalization in terms of production and markets has been accompanied by an unprecedented intensification of economic and financial linkages within geographic regions. The world economy is shifting towards greater regional economic integration. As open and dynamic economies, New Zealand and China heavily rely on international trade and investment to stimulate economic growth. Strengthened international linkages and improved access to markets are major economic strategies for both countries. As they have been committed to building up longstanding and healthy bilateral trade and economic partnerships, these two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to liberalize and facilitate trade in goods, services and investment, and improve the business environment and strengthen cooperation in a wide range of economic areas. From the perspective of New Zealand's businesses, the FTA will not only improve the business environment, and open up market access opportunities, but it will also pose threats. To take advantage of these opportunities, neutralize threats, and consequently achieve a stronger market position in the Chinese marketplace, New Zealand's businesses must strategically respond to the fast-changing environment arising from the FTA. Due to the special meaning of the FTA to New Zealand's economic growth and the significance of the Chinese market to New Zealand's businesses operating in China, it is important to explore how New Zealand's firms perceive the New Zealand-China FTA; and what strategic decisions and adjustments they have made or they are going to make in response to shifts in the business environment arising from the FTA. Besides several studies with limited empirical evidence were conducted at the macro-economic level by some of interested groups such as New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the FTA negotiations, little research has been conducted to examine the impact of the New Zealand-China FTA on New Zealand individual companies' business strategic performance. Building on case studies of two representative companies in the New Zealand natural health products industry, this study aims to discover the nature of salient companies under the New Zealand-China FTA and to ascertain what particular patterns of strategy and performance these companies will adopt in response to trade liberalization. The findings of this study suggest that: 1) With the New Zealand-China FTA, the Chinese fast-growing market is typical of the mix of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's businesses. The FTA provides them with a strong incentive to undertake strategic adjustments for further development in the Chinese market. 2) Strategic adjustments made by a firm depend upon the nature of its firm-specific advantages and country-specific advantages, as well as its existing competitive advantages. Firms that are able to secure their resources and capabilities necessary to exploit opportunities and counter threats are more likely to gain international competitive advantages; 3) Small firms with limited resources and capabilities are more likely to engage in the formation of strategic alliances in order to strengthen their competitive positions both domestically and internationally.</p>

Strategic Responses to New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement: A Case Study of New Zealand Natural Health Products Industry

<p>The rise of global consumption, as well as technological innovation in transportation and telecommunications, have increased international exchange of goods, services and factors of production. Economic globalization in terms of production and markets has been accompanied by an unprecedented intensification of economic and financial linkages within geographic regions. The world economy is shifting towards greater regional economic integration. As open and dynamic economies, New Zealand and China heavily rely on international trade and investment to stimulate economic growth. Strengthened international linkages and improved access to markets are major economic strategies for both countries. As they have been committed to building up longstanding and healthy bilateral trade and economic partnerships, these two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to liberalize and facilitate trade in goods, services and investment, and improve the business environment and strengthen cooperation in a wide range of economic areas. From the perspective of New Zealand's businesses, the FTA will not only improve the business environment, and open up market access opportunities, but it will also pose threats. To take advantage of these opportunities, neutralize threats, and consequently achieve a stronger market position in the Chinese marketplace, New Zealand's businesses must strategically respond to the fast-changing environment arising from the FTA. Due to the special meaning of the FTA to New Zealand's economic growth and the significance of the Chinese market to New Zealand's businesses operating in China, it is important to explore how New Zealand's firms perceive the New Zealand-China FTA; and what strategic decisions and adjustments they have made or they are going to make in response to shifts in the business environment arising from the FTA. Besides several studies with limited empirical evidence were conducted at the macro-economic level by some of interested groups such as New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the FTA negotiations, little research has been conducted to examine the impact of the New Zealand-China FTA on New Zealand individual companies' business strategic performance. Building on case studies of two representative companies in the New Zealand natural health products industry, this study aims to discover the nature of salient companies under the New Zealand-China FTA and to ascertain what particular patterns of strategy and performance these companies will adopt in response to trade liberalization. The findings of this study suggest that: 1) With the New Zealand-China FTA, the Chinese fast-growing market is typical of the mix of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's businesses. The FTA provides them with a strong incentive to undertake strategic adjustments for further development in the Chinese market. 2) Strategic adjustments made by a firm depend upon the nature of its firm-specific advantages and country-specific advantages, as well as its existing competitive advantages. Firms that are able to secure their resources and capabilities necessary to exploit opportunities and counter threats are more likely to gain international competitive advantages; 3) Small firms with limited resources and capabilities are more likely to engage in the formation of strategic alliances in order to strengthen their competitive positions both domestically and internationally.</p>

Exploration of the Potential of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity for the Development of Local Nutraceutical Products: A Case for Mauritius

Nutraceuticals and natural health products globally represent one of the fastest growing sectors of research and development leading to novel products intended for disease risk reduction and human health promotion. The global nutraceutical market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2020 to 2027 to reach USD 722.5 billion by 2027. There is a need to respond to this sector by exploring the local resources to target the production of innovative products from plant/marine biofactors with high prospects for commercial ventures. This paper explores the nutraceutical potentials enshrined in biodiversity values in a small island state in view to promote sustainable agricultural development to facilitate available resources for the development of regimen for the management of health and disease and in essence, pharmacotherapy. The reported phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities, of the terrestrial flora and marine organisms with high propensity for development and production of nutraceutical products will be discussed. Bioactive phytochemicals encompassing the immensely diverse groups of phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, possess therapeutic virtues including anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory attributes, all of which are highly relevant to the budding nutraceutical industry.

The Awareness and Attitudes of the Public toward Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is flourishing very fast and the usage of CAM in health care is quickly evolving. The behavior and attitude of the patients towards herbal medicines represents an important concern for policy makers and for regulators. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of natural products use among the public and the Attitudes towards natural health products in Al-kharj Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study design. A questionnaire was prepared using Google drive tool and used to evaluate the pattern of natural products use among the public and the attitudes towards natural health products in Al-kharj governorate. The survey was filled by 442 participants. Results: Most respondents used a natural health product in the past (only 319 of 442 have been used natural product), the most used products were Vitamins/Minerals (85.57%). Additionally, about 50 % of the respondents agreed that the natural health products are safe because they are made from natural ingredients. The majority of the respondents reported that there isn't enough information on natural health product labels to help them understand the Products. The majority reported that the family and friends were recommended and provided them with the information regarding the use of the natural health product (71.78%). Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of herbal medicine is a common practice. The legislation is recommended to arrange the using of natural health products. The study results would surely require an active role for the Ministry of Health and Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to insure enough information regard the risks and benefits of NHPs.

Delphinidin and Its Glycosides’ War on Cancer: Preclinical Perspectives

Until now, several studies have looked at the issue of anthocyanin and cancer, namely the preventive and inhibitory effects of anthocyanins, as well as the underlying molecular processes. However, no targeted review is available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of delphinidin and its glycosides on various cancers and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Considerable evidence shows significant anticancer properties of delphinidin-rich preparations and delphinidin alone both in vitro and in vivo. This review covers the in vitro and preclinical implications of delphinidin-mediated cell protection and cancer prevention; thus, we strongly recommend that delphinidin-rich preparations be further investigated as potential functional food, dietary antioxidant supplements, and natural health products targeting specific chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition to in vitro investigations, future research should focus on more animal and human studies to determine the true potential of delphinidin.

Preliminary assessment of the conservation status of medicinal plant species in Canada

Natural health products in North America are a 9.6 billion US dollar industry that has seen increased demands particularly in products for immune support and anti-viral supplements in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been estimated that ≈40% of the plant raw materials used in natural health products are wild-harvested each year but exact data is missing for many species. Our data show that there are at least 1445 medicinal plant species harvested for commercial products in Canada and 1217 of these are native species. Medicinal plants and non-timber forest crops are also increasingly impacted by climate change as suitable growing areas migrate. In order to ensure long term species survival in the wild, it is necessary to generate accurate information about distribution of wild populations, need for conservation and sustainable method development. Our objective was to provide a preliminary assessment on the conservation status of Canadian medicinal plants by analysis of the available data resources.

Basic Chemical Composition and Concentration of Selected Bioactive Compounds in Leaves of Black, Red and White Currant

The aim of this study was to determine the basic chemical composition, the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in currant leaves. The leaves of black, red and white currant shrubs were collected in May, and in the beginning of June, July and August, for two years between 2018 and 2019. The proximate analysis, including dry matter, protein, fat, ash and total carbohydrates, was determined. In addition, the content of the polyphenols and the total antioxidant activity using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays were conducted. The highest concentration of protein was detected in the whitecurrant leaves harvested in May in both years, while the highest content of crude fat was found in the blackcurrant leaves harvested in both years, with the exception of the August harvest. Extracts from the blackcurrant leaves collected in June/July 2019 had the highest antioxidant activity that was measured by the ABTS method (about 7000 µmol Trolox/g DM) and confirmed by other methods, while extracts from the whitecurrant leaves produced from the August 2018 collection had the lowest antioxidant activity (1884 µmol Trolox/g DM). Currant leaves are a rich source of bioactive compounds and contain higher amounts of polyphenols as compared with currant fruits. These compounds may play a very important role in the risk reduction and even prevention of the most chronic non-communicable diseases. Therefore, further research is needed to identify currant leaves as a source of bioactives for functional foods and natural health products. The highest antioxidant activity was in the redcurrant leaves from all the harvest times in 2018 as measured by the ABTS and FRAP methods. On the contrary, blackcurrant leaves from all the harvest times in 2019 had the highest antioxidant activity.