Leaf colour as a signal of chemical defence to insect herbivores in wild cabbage (Brassica Oleracea)

Leaf colour has been proposed to signal levels of host defence to insect herbivores, but we lack data on herbivory, leaf colour and levels of defence for wild host populations necessary to test this hypothesis. Such a test requires measurements of leaf spectra as they would be sensed by herbivore visual systems, as well as simultaneous measurements of chemical defences and herbivore responses to leaf colour in natural host-herbivore populations. In a large-scale field survey of wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) populations, we show that variation in leaf colour and brightness, measured according to herbivore spectral sensitivities, predicts both levels of chemical defences (glucosinolates) and abundance of specialist lepidopteran (Pieris rapae) and hemipteran (Brevicoryne brassicae) herbivores. In subsequent experiments, P. rapae larvae achieved faster growth and greater pupal mass when feeding on plants with bluer leaves, which contained lower levels of aliphatic glucosinolates. Glucosinolate-mediated effects on larval performance may thus contribute to the association between P. rapae herbivory and leaf colour observed in the field. However, preference tests found no evidence that adult butterflies selected host plants based on leaf coloration. In the field, B. brassicae abundance varied with leaf brightness but greenhouse experiments were unable to identify any effects of brightness on aphid preference or performance. Our findings suggest that although leaf colour reflects both levels of host defences and herbivore abundance in the field, the ability of herbivores to respond to colour signals may be limited, even in species where performance is correlated with leaf colour

Prognostic molecular markers in early breast cancer

A multitude of molecules involved in breast cancer biology have been studied as potential prognostic markers. In the present review we discuss the role of established molecular markers, as well as potential applications of emerging new technologies. Those molecules used routinely to make treatment decisions in patients with early-stage breast cancer include markers of proliferation (e.g. Ki-67), hormone receptors, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Tumor markers shown to have prognostic value but not used routinely include cyclin D(1 )and cyclin E, urokinase-like plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor, and cathepsin D. The level of evidence for other molecular markers is lower, in part because most studies were retrospective and not adequately powered, making their findings unsuitable for choosing treatments for individual patients. Gene microarrays have been successfuly used to classify breast cancers into subtypes with specific gene expression profiles and to evaluate prognosis. RT-PCR has also been used to evaluate expression of multiple genes in archival tissue. Proteomics technologies are in development

Increasing vegetable intakes: rationale and systematic review of published interventions

Purpose While the health benefits of a high fruit and vegetable consumption are well known and considerable work has attempted to improve intakes, increasing evidence also recognises a distinction between fruit and vegetables, both in their impacts on health and in consumption patterns. Increasing work suggests health benefits from a high consumption specifically of vegetables, yet intakes remain low, and barriers to increasing intakes are prevalent making intervention difficult. A systematic review was undertaken to identify from the published literature all studies reporting an intervention to increase intakes of vegetables as a distinct food group. Methods Databases—PubMed, PsychInfo and Medline—were searched over all years of records until April 2015 using pre-specified terms. Results Our searches identified 77 studies, detailing 140 interventions, of which 133 (81 %) interventions were conducted in children. Interventions aimed to use or change hedonic factors, such as taste, liking and familiarity (n = 72), use or change environmental factors (n = 39), use or change cognitive factors (n = 19), or a combination of strategies (n = 10). Increased vegetable acceptance, selection and/or consumption were reported to some degree in 116 (83 %) interventions, but the majority of effects seem small and inconsistent. Conclusions Greater percent success is currently found from environmental, educational and multi-component interventions, but publication bias is likely, and long-term effects and cost-effectiveness are rarely considered. A focus on long-term benefits and sustained behaviour change is required. Certain population groups are also noticeably absent from the current list of tried interventions

Can information affect sensory perceptions? Evidence from a survey on Italian organic food consumers

This paper aims to investigate the influence of information on consumers’ preferences and sensory perceptions of organic food using a sample of 301 Italian organic food consumers. Consumers stated their preferences for “core organic” attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind and informed tests on strawberry yoghurts and cookies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results revealed that consumers appreciate “core organic” attributes, like artisanal production and variability of sensory attributes. Comparing blind and informed tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumers’ perception of product-specific sensory attributes. However, the influence of information on sensory perceptions depends on the product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided

GGD-richtlijn Medische Milieukunde : Koolmonoxide in woningen en verblijfsruimte

De GGD-richtlijn 'Koolmonoxide in woon- en verblijfsruimten' uit 2008 is geactualiseerd. Deze richtlijn ondersteunt GGD'en om vragen van bijvoorbeeld bewoners en gemeenten te beantwoorden en over dit onderwerp te adviseren. Ook kan de richtlijn helpen om voorlichting te geven over de risico's van koolmonoxide. Verbrandingstoestellen GGD-medewerkers zijn meestal niet betrokken bij acute incidenten met koolmonoxide door verbrandingstoestellen, zoals geisers en cv-ketels. Wel krijgen ze regelmatig vragen van bewoners die vermoeden dat zij klachten hebben door koolmonoxide. De GGD beoordeelt of de klachten, zoals hoofdpijn, duizeligheid en vermoeidheid, kunnen samenhangen met blootstelling aan koolmonoxide. Dat komt niet alleen voor in woningen met open, afvoerloze verbrandingstoestellen, of bij toestellen die niet voldoende zijn onderhouden. Inmiddels weten we dat dit ook voorkomt in woningen met nieuwe, goed onderhouden, gesloten toestellen. Sishalounges In sishalounges komt koolmonoxide vrij bij de verbranding van kooltjes in waterpijpen. De lucht uit een shishalounge dringt soms door naar de woning erboven, waardoor bewoners last kunnen krijgen van geurhinder en gezondheidsklachten. De GGD kan meten of er koolmonoxide in de woning is, en de bewoners adviseren hoe zij de blootstelling kunnen beperken. Ook kan de GGD contact zoeken met handhavende instanties om ervoor te zorgen dat de shishalounge maatregelen neemt om de koolmonoxideconcentratie te verlagen. Houtpelletopslag Steeds meer mensen kiezen in hun woning voor een houtpelletkachel als verwarming. In de opslagruimte van de houtpellets kan koolmonoxide ontstaan door een chemische reactie van het hout met zuurstof in de lucht. Hierdoor kunnen gevaarlijke concentraties koolmonoxide ontstaan. Voor zover bekend zijn er in Nederland nog geen ernstige incidenten geweest bij particulieren. Hier is wel aandacht voor nodig. Voorlichting en preventie Voor de voorlichting over koolmonoxide zoeken GGD'en aansluiting bij de campagne van Brandweer Nederland. De boodschap is: ventileer, controleer en alarmeer. GGD-richtlijnen Medische Milieukunde De GGD-richtlijnen Medische Milieukunde (MMK) zijn gemaakt zodat GGD'en op dezelfde manier en zo goed mogelijk te werk gaan. De richtlijnen worden gemaakt door professionals van de GGD'en. De coördinatie ervan ligt bij het RIVM

Environmental health guidelines for Municipal Public Health Services: Carbon monoxide in homes

De GGD-richtlijn 'Koolmonoxide in woon- en verblijfsruimten' uit 2008 is geactualiseerd. Deze richtlijn ondersteunt GGD'en om vragen van bijvoorbeeld bewoners en gemeenten te beantwoorden en over dit onderwerp te adviseren. Ook kan de richtlijn helpen om voorlichting te geven over de risico's van koolmonoxide. Verbrandingstoestellen GGD-medewerkers zijn meestal niet betrokken bij acute incidenten met koolmonoxide door verbrandingstoestellen, zoals geisers en cv-ketels. Wel krijgen ze regelmatig vragen van bewoners die vermoeden dat zij klachten hebben door koolmonoxide. De GGD beoordeelt of de klachten, zoals hoofdpijn, duizeligheid en vermoeidheid, kunnen samenhangen met blootstelling aan koolmonoxide. Dat komt niet alleen voor in woningen met open, afvoerloze verbrandingstoestellen, of bij toestellen die niet voldoende zijn onderhouden. Inmiddels weten we dat dit ook voorkomt in woningen met nieuwe, goed onderhouden, gesloten toestellen. Sishalounges In sishalounges komt koolmonoxide vrij bij de verbranding van kooltjes in waterpijpen. De lucht uit een shishalounge dringt soms door naar de woning erboven, waardoor bewoners last kunnen krijgen van geurhinder en gezondheidsklachten. De GGD kan meten of er koolmonoxide in de woning is, en de bewoners adviseren hoe zij de blootstelling kunnen beperken. Ook kan de GGD contact zoeken met handhavende instanties om ervoor te zorgen dat de shishalounge maatregelen neemt om de koolmonoxideconcentratie te verlagen. Houtpelletopslag Steeds meer mensen kiezen in hun woning voor een houtpelletkachel als verwarming. In de opslagruimte van de houtpellets kan koolmonoxide ontstaan door een chemische reactie van het hout met zuurstof in de lucht. Hierdoor kunnen gevaarlijke concentraties koolmonoxide ontstaan. Voor zover bekend zijn er in Nederland nog geen ernstige incidenten geweest bij particulieren. Hier is wel aandacht voor nodig. Voorlichting en preventie Voor de voorlichting over koolmonoxide zoeken GGD'en aansluiting bij de campagne van Brandweer Nederland. De boodschap is: ventileer, controleer en alarmeer. GGD-richtlijnen Medische Milieukunde De GGD-richtlijnen Medische Milieukunde (MMK) zijn gemaakt zodat GGD'en op dezelfde manier en zo goed mogelijk te werk gaan. De richtlijnen worden gemaakt door professionals van de GGD'en. De coördinatie ervan ligt bij het RIVM.The GGD environmental medical guideline 'Carbon monoxide in residential and common rooms' from 2008 has been updated. This guideline helps Municipal Health Services (GGDs) to answer questions from, for example, residents and municipalities, and give advice on this topic. GGDs can also use the guideline to provide information on the risks associated with carbon monoxide. Combustion devices GGD co-workers are not usually involved with acute carbon monoxide-related incidents caused by combustion devices, such as geysers and central heating boilers. They do, however, receive regular questions from residents who suspect that they are suffering from complaints caused by carbon monoxide. The GGD assesses whether the complaints, such as headaches, dizziness and fatigue, could be linked to exposure to carbon monoxide. Not only can residents be exposed to carbon monoxide in homes with open, flueless combustion devices or in the case of devices that are not properly maintained. We are now aware that they can also be exposed to the gas in homes with new, well-maintained, closed devices. Shisha (water pipe) lounges In shisha lounges, carbon monoxide is released when charcoal is burned in water pipes. The air from shisha lounges sometimes penetrates the structure of the buildings in question to the apartments above, causing odour nuisance and health problems for residents. The GGD can measure whether there is carbon monoxide in the apartments concerned and advise residents on how to limit the exposure. The GGD can also contact the enforcement authorities to ensure that these shisha lounges take measures to lower the carbon monoxide concentration. Wood pellet storage Increasing numbers of people are opting for a wood pellet burner for their central heating. As a result of a chemical reaction between the wood and oxygen in the air, hazardous concentrations of carbon monoxide can arise in rooms in which wood pellets are stored. As far as is known, there have not been any serious incidents at the homes of private individuals in the Netherlands but this does require attention. Information and prevention For the education of the public regarding carbon monoxide, GGDs connect with the message used in the Dutch fire service campaign: ventilate, check and alert. The GGD guidelines for environmental health (MMK) are intended to harmonise and optimise the work of GGDs, and are developed by professionals from the GGDs. RIVM, centre for Environmental Health (cGM) plays a coordinating role with respect to these guidelines.Ministerie van VW