Low-level cadmium exposure and cardiovascular outcomes in elderly Australian women: A cohort study

Background Cadmium has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in observational studies, however there has been a limited focus on this relationship in women. Objectives This study investigated the association of urinary cadmium (UCd) concentrations with CVD outcomes and all-cause mortality in elderly Western Australian (WA) women. Methods UCd excretion was measured at baseline in 1359 women, mean age 75.2 ± 2.7 years and 14.5 years of atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) hospitalisations and deaths, including both the principle cause of death and all associated causes of death. Health outcome data were retrieved from the Western Australian Data Linkage System. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios of ASVD and all-cause mortality. UCd was ln-transformed and models were adjusted for demographic and CVD risk factors. Results Median (IQR) concentration of UCd was 0.18 (0.09–0.32) μg/L. In multivariable-adjusted analyses per ln unit (equivalent to ∼2.7 fold) increase in UCd, there was a 36% increase in the risk of death from heart failure and 17% increase in the risk of a heart failure event, respectively (HR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.11–1.67; HR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.35). When analyses were restricted to never smokers the relationship between UCd and death from heart failure remained (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01–1.63). Conclusions This study suggests that even at low levels of exposure cadmium may be associated with heart failure hospitalisations and deaths in older women, however given the dilute nature of these urine samples, the results must be interpreted with caution

Effect of fungicidal treatment and storage condition on content of selected mycotoxins in barley

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of fungicidal treatment and storage on the occurrence of mycotoxins in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Barley was initially inoculated with Fusarium culmorum followed by the application of fungicides (prothioconazole and bixafen). A screening of 57 mycotoxins were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry. The fungicide treatment affected (P <0.05) the levels of zearalenone, β-zearalenol, arternariol and alternariol-methylether that were present. Levels of deoxynivalenol was highest in the second year of monitoring. 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol was not affected by fungicidal treatment or storage. The significant increase (P <0.05) of DON-3-glucoside, 15-acetyl-DON, enniatin A, enniatin A1, enniatin B, and enniatin B1 was measured in barley samples. The results of the experiment determined that the use of fungicides can suppress some kinds of mycotoxins, but not others

Clinical and exercise professional opinion of return-to-running readiness after childbirth: an international Delphi study and consensus statement

Female athletes have identified a lack of guidance as a barrier to successfully returning to running postpartum, and existing guidelines are vague. Our aim was to define the current practice of determining postpartum run-readiness through a consensus survey of international clinicians and exercise professionals in postpartum exercise to assist clinicians and inform sport policy changes.A three-round Delphi approach was used to gain international consensus from clinicians and exercise professionals on run-readiness postpartum. Professionals who work with postpartum runners participated in an online survey to answer open-ended questions about the following postpartum return-to-running topics: definitions (runner and postpartum), key biopsychosocial milestones that runners need to meet, recommended screening, timeline to initiate running, support items, education topics and factors that contribute to advising against running. Consensus was defined as ≥75% participant agreement.One hundred and eighteen professionals participated in round I, 107 participated in round II (response rate 90.6%) and 95 participated in round III (response rate 80.5%). Responses indicated that, following a minimum 3-week period of rest and recovery, an individualised timeline and gradual return to running progression can be considered. Screening for medical and psychological concerns, current physical capacity, and prior training history is recommended prior to a return to running.This study proposes recommendations for the initial guidance on return-to-running postpartum, framed in the context of current research and consensus from professionals. Future research is needed to strengthen and validate specific recommendations and develop guidelines for best practice when returning-to-running after childbirth

Clinical and exercise professional opinion on designing a postpartum return-to-running training programme: an international Delphi study and consensus statement.

Returning to running postpartum presents challenges such as musculoskeletal pain and pelvic floor dysfunction for some females, but there is little guidance on developing and progressing postpartum training programmes. This study aims to establish expert consensus recommendations on designing and modifying a postpartum return-to-running training programme, highlight costs and access to qualified professionals as potential barriers and discuss clinical, research and sports policy implications.A three-round Delphi survey of clinical and exercise professionals working with postpartum runners was conducted. Round I consisted of open-ended questions related to designing the training plan, modifications based on biopsychosocial factors, key muscle groups to train and referral and payment sources. Rounds II and III involved Likert-scale voting to identify consensus (≥75% agreement).118 participants completed Round I, 107 completed Round II (response rate 90.6%) and 95 completed Round III (response rate 80.5%). Consensus was reached in 42/47 (89%) statements, including recommendations for a period of relative rest, gradual increases in duration and intensity, starting with a walk-run protocol and incorporating strength training. Training should be modified based on musculoskeletal or pelvic symptoms, sleep, mental health, lactation or energy availability concerns. Cost and access to experienced postpartum running professionals were identified as potential barriers for runners to receive care.Consensus recommendations for a postpartum return-to-running programme include an individualised exercise prescription, gradual increases in physical activity, walk-run protocols and targeted muscle strengthening. Further research and improved access to clinical and exercise professionals are needed to inform and facilitate best practices

Economies of (Alleged) Deviance: Sex Work and the Sport Mega Event

Based on ethnographic data collected during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, thisarticle is interested to examine urban processes which reinvent the changing (sexual) landscape. Focusing on the way (host) citiesshape sex work both imaginatively and physically, we explore the (lived) realities of neoliberal imaginaries that shape urbanspace. Often thought to exist in the urban shadow as an absent-presence in cosmopolitan processes, we demonstrate the manner inwhich sexualized and racialized women creatively resist the political and economic trajectories of neoliberal urbanism that seek toexpropriate land and dispossess certain bodies. In the context of Rio de Janeiro—as in other host cities—this is particularlyevident in the routine encounter between sexual minorities and local law enforcement. Mindful of the literature on state incursioninto social-sexual life, we remain attentive to the everyday strategies through which those deemed sexually deviant and/or victimnavigate local authorities in search of new opportunities for economic salvation in the midst of the sport mega-event

2020 Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology in Giessen

The 3 rd event of the Giessen International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology on October, the 17th 2020 was hosted on Zoom in accordance with the worldwide corona situation. Dr Mieczakowski, Dr Yu, and Wolfram drafted in 2018 from Jan’s apartment in Bremen the manuscript which was submitted to and approved for funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). At that time, we had no idea what substantial changes the conferencing concept would require. This is why we would like to thank again Michele. She first planned this year’s event after the 2019 date and then in the spring of 2020 had to replan for the new situation

A framework for processing connected vehicle data in transportation planning applications

This thesis presents a framework to process connected vehicle data into a format that is practical for implementation in the transportation planning field. Whereas prior research on connected vehicles has used theoretical models or small data samples for analysis, this study uses the largest public connected vehicle dataset currently available – the Sample Data Environment from the Safety Pilot Model Deployment project out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. This data includes basic safety messages and driving data for 2800 vehicles over two months. An algorithm to process basic safety message data into a trip level dataset is presented. This thesis also includes a process for spatial aggregation of trips into origin and destination zones using a hexagonal grid. These processes are implemented through the combination of a variety of open-source tools including Hadoop and PostgreSQL. Excerpts from the processed data are provided as well as sample analysis applications for the trip and spatial data. Recommendations and guidance are provided on handling the details of such an immense dataset. Since similar future vehicle-to-vehicle communications datasets are likely, it is imperative to develop methods to process and analyze this rich data effectively.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

Examination of the internalization of the human pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella s.v. Typhimurium, in plants

The number of outbreaks that have occurred involving human pathogenic bacteria and fresh produce has dramatically increased in recent years. One factor that has contributed to this increase is the ability of the bacteria to be internalized within plant tissue. This protects the bacteria from surface sanitizing treatments that are performed during processing to make fresh produce safe for consumers. In this work, the process of internalization was examined in mung bean (Vigna radiata) following contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) after seed contamination with Salmonella s.v. Typhimurium using immunocytochemical techniques. The cells and corresponding tissue types that the internalized bacteria occupied within the plant were determined. Plants were subjected to a variety of growth conditions that are known to influence the number of internalized bacteria within the plant, such as wounding, to determine if differences in the localization patterns were observed. The treatments did influence the number of internalized bacteria within the plant, but regardless of treatment, bacteria were localized to every major tissue (epidermis, cortex, vascular, and pith) and corresponding cell type. Differences were also observed in the cellular localization patterns between the bacteria. E. coli O157:H7 localized primarily to the spaces between the cells (apoplast), while S. Typhimurium was observed in both the apoplast and the spaces within the cells (symplast) suggesting the modes of internalization within the plant may be different for each bacterial species. The internalization of the bacteria was also examined in various cultivars of tomato plants by determining if bacteria were able to migrate to the ripe fruit following various contamination scenarios. E. coli O157:H7 was found in the ripe fruit of seed and leaf contaminated plants, but not from plants that were soil contaminated with the bacteria. Conversely, S. Typhimurium was not detected in any of the ripe tomatoes sampled indicating that the bacterium is not able to be internalized within the cultivars tested. This suggests tomato plants that were seed or leaf contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 could harbor internalized bacteria in the mature fruit and therefore could be a possible food safety risk to consumers. Together these studies demonstrate the ability of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium to be internalized within plants, which may contribute to the increase of food related illness associated with fresh produce

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SMALL-HOLDER USE OF HERMETIC STORAGE FOR WHEAT IN AFGHANISTAN

Farmers in Afghanistan are able to produce quality grain, however, are unable to store the grain to maintain quality and seed viability. This greatly contributes to high rates of poverty and food insecurity. The Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags are a means of low-cost hermetic storage that provides efficient, airtight grain storage for small size farmers that can reduce the loss of crops during storage and provide more food to people. The expected profitability of PICS bags compared to current storage used by farmers was determined before a specific distribution strategy for PICS bags in Afghanistan is implemented. Wheat samples from Balkh, Herat, and Nangarhar provinces were stored in either PICS bags or local woven polypropylene (PP) bags and sampled following 3 and 6 months of storage. The samples were examined for insect damage and percent germination following storage to determine the economic return from each type of storage system. The value of reduced storage loss with use of the PICS bags is greater than the cost of th refore, the economic return on PICS bags is higher than that of PP bags. This indicates the use of PICS bags is better than current storage practices. The PICS bag storage technology appears to be a viable option for grain storage in Afghanistan to prevent grain damage and to maintain seed quality and viability for wheat

The Occurrence of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Food safety concerns have been raised over vegetables and herbs grown in aquaponics and hydroponics due to the reuse of wastewater and spent nutrient solutions. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of foodborne pathogens in greenhouse-based aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Fish feces, recirculating water, roots, and the edible portions of lettuce, basil, and tomato were collected at harvest, and microbiological analyses were conducted for the bacterial pathogens Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Enrichments and selective media were used for the isolation, and presumptive positive colonies were confirmed by PCR. STEC was found in fish feces, in the water of both systems, and on the surface of the roots of lettuce, basil, and tomato regardless of the system. However, contaminated water did not lead to the internalization of STEC into the roots, leaves, and/or fruit of the plants. Meanwhile, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not present in any samples examined. Our results demonstrated that there are potential food safety hazards for fresh produce grown in aquaponic and hydroponic production systems