The Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) Study: Protocol of a Natural Experiment to Investigate The Impact of Citywide Park Redesign and Renovation

Background: The built environment plays a critical role in promoting physical activity and health. The association between parks, as a key attribute of the built environment, and physical activity, however, remains inconclusive. This project leverages a natural experiment opportunity to assess the impact of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI), a citywide park redesign and renovation effort in New York City, on physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing. Methods: The project will use a longitudinal design with matched controls. Thirty intervention park neighborhoods are socio-demographically matched to 20 control park neighborhoods. The study will investigate whether improvements in physical activity, park usage, psychosocial and mental health, and community wellbeing are observed from baseline to 3 years post-renovation among residents in intervention vs. control neighborhoods. Discussion: This study represents a rare opportunity to provide robust evidence to further our understanding of the complex relationship between parks and health. Findings will inform future investments in health-oriented urban design policies and offer evidence for addressing health disparities through built environment strategies

D-cycloserine augmentation of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

Importance: Whether and under which conditions D-cycloserine (DCS) augments the effects of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders is unclear. Objective: To clarify whether DCS is superior to placebo in augmenting the effects of cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders and to evaluate whether antidepressants interact with DCS and the effect of potential moderating variables. Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to February 10, 2016. Reference lists of previous reviews and meta-analyses and reports of randomized clinical trials were also checked. Study Selection: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) double-blind randomized clinical trials of DCS as an augmentation strategy for exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy and (2) conducted in humans diagnosed as having specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Raw data were obtained from the authors and quality controlled. Data were ranked to ensure a consistent metric across studies (score range, 0-100). We used a 3-level multilevel model nesting repeated measures of outcomes within participants, who were nested within studies. Results: Individual participant data were obtained for 21 of 22 eligible trials, representing 1047 of 1073 eligible participants. When controlling for antidepressant use, participants receiving DCS showed greater improvement from pretreatment to posttreatment (mean difference, -3.62; 95% CI, -0.81 to -6.43; P = .01; d = -0.25) but not from pretreatment to midtreatment (mean difference, -1.66; 95% CI, -4.92 to 1.60; P = .32; d = -0.14) or from pretreatment to follow-up (mean difference, -2.98, 95% CI, -5.99 to 0.03; P = .05; d = -0.19). Additional analyses showed that participants assigned to DCS were associated with lower symptom severity than those assigned to placebo at posttreatment and at follow-up. Antidepressants did not moderate the effects of DCS. None of the prespecified patient-level or study-level moderators was associated with outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: D-cycloserine is associated with a small augmentation effect on exposure-based therapy. This effect is not moderated by the concurrent use of antidepressants. Further research is needed to identify patient and/or therapy characteristics associated with DCS response.2018-05-0

Caliciopsis moriondi, a new species for a fungus long confused with the pine pathogen C. pinea

Figure S1. One of the most parsimonious trees from EF1-α sequence datasets. Data type: Alignment of genomic sequences. Explanation note: One of the most parsimonious trees from EF1-α gene sequence datasets is shown (length = 66, CI = 0.9999, RI = 0.9998, RC = 0.9988, HI = 0.9888). The MP and Bayesian posterior probability are indicated next to the branches. C. pseudotsugae and C. orientalis are used as outgroup. This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/).Figure S2. One of the most parsimonious trees from Bt1 sequence datasets. Data type: Alignment of genomic sequences. Explanation note: One of the most parsimonious trees from Bt1 sequence datasets is shown (CI = 0.9268, RI = 0.9840, RC = 0.936428, HI = 0.912039). The MP and Bayesian posterior probability are indicated next to the branches. C. pseudotsugae and C. orientalis are used as outgroup. This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/).The genus Caliciopsis (Eurotiomycetes, Coryneliales) includes saprobic and plant pathogenic species. Caliciopsis canker is caused by Caliciopsis pinea Peck, a species first reported in the 19th century in North America. In recent years, increasing numbers of outbreaks of Caliciopsis canker have been reported on different Pinus spp. in the eastern USA. In Europe, the disease has only occasionally been reported causing cankers, mostly on Pinus radiata in stressed plantations. The aim of this study was to clarify the taxonomy of Caliciopsis specimens collected from infected Pinus spp. in Europe and North America using an integrative approach, combining morphology and phylogenetic analyses of three loci. The pathogenicity of the fungus was also considered. Two distinct groups were evident, based on morphology and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. These represent the known pathogen Caliciopsis pinea that occurs in North America and a morphologically similar, but phylogenetically distinct, species described here as Caliciopsis moriondi sp. nov., found in Europe and at least one location in eastern North America. Caliciopsis moriondi differs from C. pinea in various morphological features including the length of the ascomata, as well as their distribution on the stromata.Horizon 2020 Programme for Research & Innovationhttps://mycokeys.pensoft.netpm2020Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI

Minimizing Variability of Cascade Impaction Measurements in Inhalers and Nebulizers

The purpose of this article is to catalogue in a systematic way the available information about factors that may influence the outcome and variability of cascade impactor (CI) measurements of pharmaceutical aerosols for inhalation, such as those obtained from metered dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or products for nebulization; and to suggest ways to minimize the influence of such factors. To accomplish this task, the authors constructed a cause-and-effect Ishikawa diagram for a CI measurement and considered the influence of each root cause based on industry experience and thorough literature review. The results illustrate the intricate network of underlying causes of CI variability, with the potential for several multi-way statistical interactions. It was also found that significantly more quantitative information exists about impactor-related causes than about operator-derived influences, the contribution of drug assay methodology and product-related causes, suggesting a need for further research in those areas. The understanding and awareness of all these factors should aid in the development of optimized CI methods and appropriate quality control measures for aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) of pharmaceutical aerosols, in line with the current regulatory initiatives involving quality-by-design (QbD)

XLIV Konferencja Komitetu Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu PAN: nauka, technologia i innowacje w żywności i żywieniu

Streszczenia w jęz. angielskimWydarzenie: XLIV Konferencja Komitetu Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu PAN; Łódź, 3-4 lipca 2019 r.; http://pan.binoz.p.lodz.plOrganizator konferencji: Wydział Biotechnologii i Nauk o Żywności PŁ; Komitet Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu PAN; Polskie Towarzystwo Technologów ŻywnościProjekt graficzny okładki: Grzelczyk, J.Projekt graficzny okładki: Klewicki, R.Skład: Oracz, J.Za treść zamieszczonych materiałów odpowiadają ich autorzy.Sesje Naukowe Komitetu Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu Polskiej Akademii Nauk (KNoŻiŻ PAN) są organizowane przez krajowe ośrodki akademickie związane z naukami o żywności i żywieniu w dwuletnich cyklach. Sesje te stanowią największe w skali kraju forum prezentacji najnowszych osiągnięć naukowych i technologicznych w dziedzinie technologii żywności i żywienia człowieka, jak również wymiany poglądów oraz doświadczeń pracowników jednostek naukowych i przedstawicieli przemysłu spożywczego. Tematyka XLIV Sesji dotyczyć będzie szeroko pojętej problematyki związanej z oddziaływaniem żywności i odżywiania na zdrowie człowieka

Nutritional factors in prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Sposób żywienia w każdym wieku istotnie wpływa na organizm człowieka, a ludzie starsi, wraz ze swoimi tradycjami żywieniowymi, a także przebytymi chorobami, wymagają często specyficznej interwencji dietetycznej. Prawidłowy sposób żywienia jest ważnym elementem stylu życia, który może stać się czynnikiem sprzyjającym tzw. zdrowemu, pomyślnemu starzeniu się (ang. successful aging) i oddalać w czasie rozwój niezakaźnych, przewlekłych chorób metabolicznych diagnozowanych w największej liczbie wśród ludzi starszych. Choroby neurozwyrodnieniowe zakwalifikowane zostały do chorób przewlekłych o nadal kontrowersyjnej etiologii. Przypuszcza się jednak, że niektóre czynniki żywieniowe, jak odpowiednie spożycie witamin z grupy B, witamin antyoksydacyjnych oraz wielonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych może odgrywać istotną rolę w ich zapobieganiu i leczeniu. Dieta obfitująca w warzywa i owoce, pełnoziarniste pieczywo, mleko i produkty mleczne, zawierająca ryby, a także oleje roślinne oraz orzechy dostarcza wszystkich niezbędnych składników pokarmowych. Odpowiednie połączenie tych produktów spożywczych w potrawy, szeroko opisywane w literaturze jako dieta śródziemnomorska, sprzyja długiemu życiu w zdrowiu.Nutritional patterns affect significantly man’s body at each age. The elderly – with their eating habits and diseases they have overcome – often require specific dietary intervention. A proper and well-balanced diet is an important element of lifestyle that may become a factor facilitating the so-called healthy, successful ageing and delay the development of noninfectious, chronic metabolic diseases that are in majority of cases diagnosed in elder people. Neurodegenerative diseases have been classified amongst chronic diseases yet with still controversial etiology. Nevertheless, it is speculated that some nutritional factors, including the appropriate intake of B-group vitamins, antioxidative vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, are likely to play a significant role in their prevention and therapy. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits, whole-meal bread, milk and dairy products as well as containing fish, plant oils and nuts provides all indispensable nutrients. The appropriate merging of these food products into dishes – widely described in literature as the Mediterranean diet – facilitates leading a long life in health

Photosynthetic ecophysiology of evergreen leaves in the woody angiosperms - a review

Evergreen plants are an important component of many ecosystems of the world and occur in numerous evolutionary lineages. In this article we review phenotypic traits of evergreen woody angiosperms occurring in habitats that regularly experience frost. Leaf anatomical traits such as sclerenchymatic tissues or prominent cuticles ensure mechanical strength while often enhancing tolerance of water deficit. The low ratio of photosynthetic to nonphotosynthetic tissues as well as modified cell wall structure and nitrogen allocation patterns in evergreen leaves result in lower mass-based photosynthetic rate and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency in comparison with deciduous leaves. Their photosynthetic apparatus is adapted for the survival of frost in a down-regulated state with potential for photosynthetic activity in winter during periods of permissive temperatures. Leaf structure interacts with the mechanisms of frost survival. Stem xylem in evergreen plants tends to contain smaller diameter conduits incurring greater resistance to freeze/ thaw induced cavitation than in deciduous plants, although at the cost of reduced hydraulic efficiency. In contrast, no such differences in hydraulic conductivity have been documented at the leaf level. There is evidence for reduced structural plasticity of evergreen leaves in response to variability in irradiance, however photosynthetic downregulation occurs in mature leaves in response to self shading. Some evergreen species exhibit slow leaf development and “delayed greening”, while in many species aging is also a very protracted process. Finally, evergreen leaves may participate in carbohydrate and, less obviously, in nitrogen storage for the support of spring shoot and foliage growth, although the importance of this function is under debate. In conclusion, the evergreen leaf habit is correlated with numerous structural and functional traits at the leaf and also at the stem level. These correlations may generate trade-offs that shape the ecological strategies of evergreen plants

The comparison of food patterns of the elder people in 1990 and 2006

Celem pracy było porównanie sposobu żywienia kobiet i mężczyzn w wieku powyżej 60 lat w oparciu o badania wykonane w latach 1990 i 2006 w kilku miastach Polski Zachodniej. W roku 1990 grupę badanych stanowili mieszkańcy Wrocławia, Kalisza i Opola (kobiety n=89 i mężczyźni n=11), natomiast w 2006 roku osoby z Wrocławia (kobiety n=84 i mężczyźni n=16). W badaniu wykorzystano trzykrotny wywiad o spożyciu z ostatnich 24 godzin. Otrzymane wyniki porównano z obowiązującymi dla tej grupy wiekowej normami i zaleceniami żywieniowymi. W średniej racji pokarmowej kobiet w 1990 roku wykazano 2130 kcal a w 2006 roku - 1455 kcal, w grupie mężczyzn odpowiednio 2657 kcal i 1581 kcal. W badanych latach podaż tłuszczów uległ korzystnemu zmniejszeniu (z ok. 180% realizacji zaleceń do ok. 120%). Wykazano nieprawidłową tendencję do zmniejszenia spożycia węglowodanów, które w 2006 roku stanowiły ok. 70% zaleceń. W grupie kobiet wykazano zarówno w 1990 jak i w 2006 roku niedobory witamin: C, B1, B2 oraz wapnia i żelaza.The comparison of food patterns of people over 60 years old from a few cities of Western Poland was the aim of this study. In 1990 year, inhabitants of Wroclaw, Kalisz and Opole (women n=89 and men n=11) and in 2006 year from Wroclaw (women n=84 and men n=16) were examined. The studies were carried out with the use of triple 24-h dietary recall. Results obtained were compared with Polish and WHO recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for people with low physical activity aged over 60. An average women’s food ratio in 1990 reached 2130 kcal, in 2006 – 1455 kcal, in group of men – 2657 kcal and 1581 kcal respectively. The supply of fat in examined years appeared to be lower (from 180% of recommendation to 120%). According to 1990 and 2006 data, the incorrect tendency to decrease intake of carbohydrates was noted (70 % of recommendation in 2006) and it may be the major cause of very low supply of energy in 2006. In addition, in group of old women insufficient intake of vitamins: C, B1, B2 and also calcium and iron was demonstrated