Trends in Maize Grain, Roller and Breakfast Meal Prices In Zambia

1. Compared to the general price of goods and services as measured by the consumer price index, the prices of retail roller and breakfast maize meal have declined by between 34 and 51% in the major urban markets of Zambia between 1994 and 2010. 2. Inflation-adjusted wholesale maize grain prices have also declined over this period but by a smaller amount. 3. Inflation-adjusted marketing margins between the wholesale price of maize grain and the retail prices of roller and breakfast meal have declined from 41% to 64% since the early 1990s when the market liberalization process began. Since the early 1990s, there has been substantial new investment in commercial maize milling as well as by the informal hammer milling industry. Enhanced competition at this stage in the maize value chain appears to have conferred important food security benefits to urban consumers.Zambia, maize, grain prices, Agricultural and Food Policy, Demand and Price Analysis,

Prevalence and socio-demographic predictors of food insecurity in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities and disrupted theAustralian food supply, with potential implications for food insecurity. This study aims to describe theprevalence and socio-demographic associations of food insecurity in Tasmania, Australia, during theCOVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey (deployed late May to early June 2020) incorporatedthe U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and fifteen demographicand COVID-related income questions. Survey data (n = 1170) were analyzed using univariate andmultivariate binary logistic regression. The prevalence of food insecurity was 26%. The adjusted oddsof food insecurity were higher among respondents with a disability, from a rural area, and living withdependents. Increasing age, a university education, and income above $80,000/year were protectiveagainst food insecurity. Food insecurity more than doubled with a loss of household income above25% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.71; p = 0.022), and the odds further increasedwith loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; p = 0.002). Our results suggest thatthe prevalence of food insecurity may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularlyamong economically vulnerable households and people who lost income. Policies that supportdisadvantaged households and ensure adequate employment opportunities are important to supportAustralians throughout and post the COVID-19 pandemic

Definitions, sources and self-reported consumption of regionally grown fruits and vegetables in two regions of Australia

Regional food systems are complex networks, with numerous retail sources that underpin a local economy. However, evidence is limited regarding how consumers define, identify, and source regionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables (RGFFV). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tasmania (TAS) and South Western Australia (SWA) to compare how RGFFV are defined, identified and sourced by consumers, including self-reported consumption of selected RGFFV. Survey data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and t-tests. Results (TAS n = 120, SWA n= 123) identified that consumers had mixed perceptions of how RGFFV are defined, including produce sold at farmers markets, or grown within their region (TAS/SWA). RGFFV were commonly identified using product labelling (55% TAS, 69% SWA; p > 0.05). Respondents reported frequently shopping for RGFFV at major supermarkets, with more TAS respondents shopping weekly in comparison to SWA respondents (67% vs. 38%; p p = 0.012). The major RGFFV consumed were root vegetables and apples/pears, but consumers were frequently unsure about the produce's provenance. Our findings indicate multiple opportunities to improve consumption of fresh, regional produce in TAS and SWA, which may positively impact regional economic growth and community health

Australian consumer perceptions of regionally grown fruits and vegetables: importance, enablers, and barriers

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a cornerstone of a balanced diet; their consumption has health, environmental, ethical, and economic implications. This pilot study aimed to: (i) measure fruit and vegetable consumption; (ii) understand consumer perceptions of the perceived importance of regionally grown fresh fruit and vegetables (RGFFV); and (iii) identify the barriers and enablers of access and consumption of RGFFV. The study took place in Tasmania (TAS) and South Western Australia (SWA). A 54-item survey included questions relating to purchasing and consumption patterns; barriers and enablers related to access and consumption of RGFFV; and sociodemographic information. Survey data were analyzed using Chi-square test and binary logistic regression. A total of n = 120 TAS and n = 123 SWA adult respondents participated. SWA respondents had higher intakes of fruit (p p < 0.001). Almost all respondents (97%) rated purchasing of RGFFV as important. Top enablers included produce freshness (97%), and to financially support local farmers (94%) and the local community (91%). Barriers included limited seasonal availability of the produce (26%), the belief that RGFFV were expensive (12%) and food budgetary constraints (10%). Recommendations include broader marketing and labelling of seasonal RGFFV; increasing 'buy local' campaigns; consumer information about how RGFFV benefits producers and communities; and pricing produce according to quality

Factors shaping the lived experience of resettlement for former refugees in regional Australia

Refugees experience traumatic life events with impacts amplified in regional and rural areasdue to barriers accessing services. This study examined the factors influencing the lived experienceof resettlement for former refugees in regional Launceston, Australia, including environmental,social, and health-related factors. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted withadult and youth community members from Burma, Bhutan, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iran,and Sudan, and essential service providers (n = 31). Thematic analysis revealed four factorsas primarily influencing resettlement: English language proficiency; employment, education andhousing environments and opportunities; health status and service access; and broader socialfactors and experiences. Participants suggested strategies to overcome barriers associated with thesefactors and improve overall quality of life throughout resettlement. These included flexible Englishlanguage program delivery and employment support, including industry-specific language courses;the provision of interpreters; community events fostering cultural sharing, inclusivity and promotingwell-being; and routine inclusion of nondiscriminatory, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed practicesthroughout a former refugee’s environment, including within education, employment, housing andservice settings

Perlecan Domain V induces VEGf secretion in brain endothelial cells through integrin α5β1 and ERK-dependent signaling pathways.

Perlecan Domain V (DV) promotes brain angiogenesis by inducing VEGF release from brain endothelial cells (BECs) following stroke. In this study, we define the specific mechanism of DV interaction with the α(5)β(1) integrin, identify the downstream signal transduction pathway, and further investigate the functional significance of resultant VEGF release. Interestingly, we found that the LG3 portion of DV, which has been suggested to possess most of DV\u27s angio-modulatory activity outside of the brain, binds poorly to α(5)β(1) and induces less BEC proliferation compared to full length DV. Additionally, we implicate DV\u27s DGR sequence as an important element for the interaction of DV with α(5)β(1). Furthermore, we investigated the importance of AKT and ERK signaling in DV-induced VEGF expression and secretion. We show that DV increases the phosphorylation of ERK, which leads to subsequent activation and stabilization of eIF4E and HIF-1α. Inhibition of ERK activity by U0126 suppressed DV-induced expression and secretion of VEGR in BECs. While DV was capable of phosphorylating AKT we show that AKT phosphorylation does not play a role in DV\u27s induction of VEGF expression or secretion using two separate inhibitors, LY294002 and Akt IV. Lastly, we demonstrate that VEGF activity is critical for DV increases in BEC proliferation, as well as angiogenesis in a BEC-neuronal co-culture system. Collectively, our findings expand our understanding of DV\u27s mechanism of action on BECs, and further support its potential as a novel stroke therapy

Exploring patterns of recurrent melanoma in Northeast Scotland to inform the introduction a digital self-examination intervention

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