Quantity and Quality of Suspended Particulate Organic Matter Upstream and Downstream of a Series of Surface-Release Impoundments on the Upper Mississippi River

Through the continual flow of water in lotic systems, upstream impacts may be observed in downstream reaches. The River Continuum Concept classifies and describes abiotic and biotic processes as a river flows from headwaters to mouth. Disruptions of the theoretical system by impoundments are described by the Serial Discontinuity Concept that predicts, among other things, changes in biotic and abiotic stream processes. This study observed four surface-release impoundments on the Upper Mississippi River and documented impacts on the quantity and quality of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) and looked for evidence of the Serial Discontinuity Concept. It was hypothesized that there would be an increase in the FPOM downstream of the impoundments, that there would be an impact on the quality of the FPOM, and that there would be evidence to support the Serial Discontinuity Concept. Three scenarios were observed in the quantity of the FPOM. 1) No difference between above and below sampling sites, 2) higher amounts of FPOM above the impoundments, and 3) higher amounts of FPOM below the impoundments. The hypothesis that there would be an increased amount of FPOM was supported by the third scenario. The results did not support the hypothesis that there would be an impact on the quantity of FPOM, there were no significant differences in phosphorus content between sampling sites. Disconnected sections of the river were found in support of the Serial Discontinuity Concept

Effects of 90 Days of Resveratrol Supplementation on Cognitive Function in Elders: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this trial was to study the effects of chronic resveratrol use on cognitive function in humans. DESIGN: The authors conducted a double-blind, Phase IIa randomized, placebo-controlled trial to obtain preliminary estimates of the effects of resveratrol supplementation on cognitive function over a 90-day period in older adults. LOCATION: University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. SUBJECTS: Sedentary, overweight older adults (N = 32; age range: 65-93 years, M age = 73.34 years, SD age = 7.02 years). INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to one of three treatment groups (placebo, 300 mg/day resveratrol, 1000 mg/day resveratrol) for 90 days. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive function was assessed before and after treatment using a well-characterized test battery: Trail Making, Digits Forward and Backward, Erikson-Flanker, Controlled Oral Word Association, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, and Task Switching. RESULTS: Psychomotor speed improved on the Trail Making Test part A in participants taking 1000 mg/day of resveratrol compared with participants in both the 300 mg/day condition and the placebo condition (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that 90 days of resveratrol supplementation at a dose of 1000/mg per day selectively improves psychomotor speed but does not significantly affect other domains of cognitive function in older adults. These findings provide modest support to further study the effects of resveratrol on cognitive function in older adults

The effect of race, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity on patients afflicted with COVID 19: A Local Perspective

PurposeThe aim of this study is to further examine the associations of race, socioeconomic factors, and comorbidity with COVID-19 health outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 309 PCR confirmed COVID-19 positive adults who presented to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, from March 9 to May 29, 2020. The primary outcomes investigated were need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine socioeconomic and medical risk factors for IMV and in-hospital mortality.ResultsCompared to white patients, Black patients were more likely to present younger, female, obese, unemployed, and underinsured. However, when controlled for common risk factors, Black and white patients had similar risk for IMV and mortality. Increased age (≥65 years), obesity, and increased comorbidity were associated with increased risk for IMV and mortality.ConclusionsRace and socioeconomic factors may increase risk for COVID-19 infection but did not affect health outcomes within the hospital setting. Therefore, the higher rates of COVID-19 infection and mortality in vulnerable populations may be better explained by lower socioeconomic status, with subsequent higher comorbidity, in these populations. Community health initiatives should be prioritized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic