Buying Organic Food in France : Shopping Habits and Trust

In this paper we attempt to compare the responses of consumers and professionals to questions related to organic food retailing, in order to highlight the differences and the similarities of viewpoints between them and to understand the links between consumer perception of organic food and the sales channel. In order to do this, we analyse the results of three studies, two of them conducted with consumers, the third one with professionals. The first study deals with the links between consumer trust orientations and the frequentation of the different sales channels where organic food can be found. The results of this study conducted in France and Germany show that consumers in organic food stores put trust in their store but are neither the heaviest nor the most trusting consumers. Consumers in hypermarkets or supermarkets do not really trust the store, and only really trust the label. In the second study, respondents were asked what their preferred outlet for organic products would be and why. Results show that organic food consumers like being something more than an anonymous consumer when shopping. They seem to appreciate markets particularly, and appear to attach no particular value to organic food stores, nor to the acknowledged greater convenience of shopping in supermarkets. This study also raises interesting questions relating to the experience of purchasing in terms of shop image and atmosphere, and factors that contribute to consumer trust in organic foods. The third study is based upon two surveys (autumn 2003 and autumn 2004) among organic food stores in France, on market development and on actors’ perception of their situation and their customers. According to shopkeepers, customers of organic food stores are looking more for quality and competence, than for attractive prices, and attach more and more value to traceability and trustworthiness. This paper both shows important similarities and differences of viewpoints between consumers and organic food stores shopkeepers, and gives researchers and professionals a better insight into the links between consumer perception of organic food and the sales channel.Organic food, consumer behaviour, sales channel, trust

Molecular characterization of Schellackia parasites in an urban population of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from Berlin, Germany

Lizards are hosts of several taxa of unicellular parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, including Karyolysus, Schellackia, Lankesterella, and Hepatozoon. Parasite prevalence and the impact of infections on lizard biology remain largely unexplored. In this study, blood parasite infections were investigated in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from Berlin, Germany. Eighty-three individuals were investigated, and the detected blood parasites were identified as Schellackia sp. The combination of microscopic and molecular screening revealed a prevalence of 14.5%. Parasitemia values were low and most infections were subpatent. Phylogenetic analysis recovered a close relationship of the Schellackia parasites of this study with Schellackia sp. parasites of different Lacerta and Podarcis lizard species from Spain. Monitoring of Schellackia parasite infections in free-ranging lizards contributes to a better understanding of the distribution, diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of the neglected parasite taxon.Peer Reviewe

Ricinus communis Intoxications in Human and Veterinary Medicine—A Summary of Real Cases

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Gene expression during sex determination reveals a robust female genetic program at the onset of ovarian development

The primary event in mammalian sexual development is the differentiation of the bipotential gonads into either testes or ovaries. Our understanding of the molecular pathways specifying gonadal differentiation is still incomplete. To identify the initial molecular changes accompanying gonadal differentiation in mice, we have performed a large-scale transcriptional analysis of XX and XY Sf1-positive gonadal cells during sex determination. In both male and female genital ridges, a robust genetic program is initiated pre-dating the first morphological changes of the differentiating gonads. Between E10.5 and E13.5, 2306 genes were expressed in a sex-specific manner in the somatic compartment of the gonads; 1223 were overexpressed in XX embryos and 1083 in XY embryos. Although sexually dimorphic genes were scattered throughout the mouse genome, we identified chromosomal regions hosting clusters of genes displaying similar expression profiles. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors Cdkn1a and Cdkn1c are overexpressed in XX gonads at E11.5 and E12.5, suggesting that the increased proliferation of XY gonads relative to XX gonads may result from the overexpression of cell cycle inhibitors in the developing ovaries. These studies define the major characteristics of testicular and ovarian transcriptional programs and reveal the richness of signaling processes in differentiation of the bipotential gonads into testes and ovaries

International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint terminology and classification of the complications related to native tissue female pelvic floor surgery

Introduction and Hypothesis A terminology and standardized classification has yet to be developed for those complications related to native tissue female pelvic floor surgery. Methods: This report on the terminology and classification combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS) and a Joint IUGA/ ICS Working Group on Complications Terminology, assisted at intervals by many external referees. A process of rounds of internal and external review took place with decision- making by collective opinion (consensus). Results: A terminology and classification of complications related to native tissue female pelvic floor surgery has been developed, with the classification based on category (C), time (T), and site (S) classes and divisions, that should encompass all conceivable scenarios for describing operative complications and healing abnormalities. The CTS code for each complication, involving three (or four) letters and three numerals, is likely to be very suitable for any surgical audit or registry, particularly one that is procedure- specific. Users of the classification have been assisted by case examples, color charts, and online aids (www. icsoffice. org/ ntcomplication). Conclusions: A consensus- based terminology and classification report for complications in native tissue female pelvic floor surgery has been produced. It is aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and particularly to research. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31: 406-414, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc