Over ‘sexed’ regulation and the disregarded worker: an overview of the impact of sexual entertainment policy on lap-dancing club workers

In England and Wales, with the introduction of Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, lap-dancing clubs can now be licensed as Sexual Entertainment Venues. This article considers such, offering a critique of Section 27, arguing that this legislation is not evidence-based, with lap-dancing policy, like other sex-work policies, often associated with crime, deviance and immorality. Furthermore, it is argued that sex-work policies are gradually being homogenised as well as increasingly criminalised. Other criticisms relate to various licensing loopholes which lead to some striptease venues remaining unlicensed and unregulated, potentially impacting on the welfare of erotic dancers. In addition, restrictions on the numbers of lap-dancing venues may exacerbate dancer unemployment, drawing these women into poverty. Finally, The Policing and Crime Act reflects how the political focus is being directed away from the exploitation of workers, on to issues relating to crime and deviance, despite limited evidence to support this focus

Use of Wearable Activity-Monitoring Technologies to Promote Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors: Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Cancer Care

The aim of this review was to explore the acceptability, opportunities, and challenges associated with wearable activity-monitoring technology to increase physical activity (PA) behavior in cancer survivors. A search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and SportDiscus was conducted from 1 January 2011 through 3 October 2022. The search was limited to English language, and peer-reviewed original research. Studies were included if they reported the use of an activity monitor in adults (+18 years) with a history of cancer with the intent to motivate PA behavior. Our search identified 1832 published articles, of which 28 met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eighteen of these studies included post-treatment cancer survivors, eight were on active cancer treatment, and two were long-term cancer survivor studies. ActiGraph accelerometers were the primary technology used to monitor PA behaviors, with Fitbit as the most commonly utilized self-monitoring wearable technology. Overall, wearable activity monitors were found to be an acceptable and useful tool in improving self-awareness, motivating behavioral change, and increasing PA levels. Self-monitoring wearable activity devices have a positive impact on short-term PA behaviors in cancer survivors, but the increase in PA gradually attenuated through the maintenance phase. Further study is needed to evaluate and increase the sustainability of the use of wearable technologies to support PA in cancer survivors

Fruit and vegetable intake and body adiposity among populations in Eastern Canada: The Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow's Health Study

Objectives The prevalence of obesity among populations in the Atlantic provinces is the highest in Canada. Some studies suggest that adequate fruit and vegetable consumption may help body weight management. We assessed the associations between fruit and vegetable intake with body adiposity among individuals who participated in the baseline survey of the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (Atlantic PATH) cohort study.Methods We carried out a cross-sectional analysis among 26 340 individuals (7979 men and 18 361 women) aged 35–69 years who were recruited in the baseline survey of the Atlantic PATH study. Data on fruit and vegetable intake, sociodemographic and behavioural factors, chronic disease, anthropometric measurements and body composition were included in the analysis.Results In the multivariable regression analyses, 1 SD increment of total fruit and vegetable intake was inversely associated with body mass index (−0.12 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.19 to –0.05), waist circumference (−0.40 cm; 95% CI −0.58 to –0.23), percentage fat mass (−0.30%; 95% CI −0.44 to –0.17) and fat mass index (−0.14 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.19 to –0.08). Fruit intake, but not vegetable intake, was consistently inversely associated with anthropometric indices, fat mass, obesity and abdominal obesity.Conclusions Fruit and vegetable consumption was inversely associated with body adiposity among the participant population in Atlantic Canada. This association was primarily attributable to fruit intake. Longitudinal studies and randomised trials are warranted to confirm these observations and investigate the underlying mechanisms

Adiposity Measures and Plasma Adipokines in Females with Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between adipokines and adiposity in individuals with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis in the Atlantic PATH cohort. Using a nested case-control analysis, participants in the Atlantic PATH cohort with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis were matched for measures of adiposity with participants without a history of arthritis. Both measured and self-reported data were used to examine disease status, adiposity, and lifestyle factors. Immunoassays were used to measure plasma markers. BMI was positively correlated with percentage body fat, fat mass index (FMI), and a change in BMI from 18 years of age in all 3 groups. There were no statistical differences between levels of plasma adipokines; adiponectin levels were 6.6, 7.9, and 8.2 μg/ml, leptin levels were 10.3, 13.7, and 11.5 ng/ml, and resistin levels were 10.0, 12.1, and 10.8 ng/ml in participants without arthritis, with rheumatoid arthritis, and with osteoarthritis, respectively. Those with higher levels of adiponectin were more likely to have osteoarthritis (but not rheumatoid arthritis). No association was found between arthritis types and leptin or resistin. This study demonstrates differences in measures of adiposity and adipokines in specific types of arthritis and highlights the need for more research targeting specific adipokines during arthritic disease progression

The relationship between anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic health in shift work: findings from the Atlantic PATH Cohort Study

PurposeTo evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures and cardiometabolic health in shift workers compared to non-shift workers.MethodsA population health study was conducted with 4155 shift workers and 8258 non-shift workers from the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (PATH) cohort. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the differences in anthropometric measures (body adiposity) and self-reported cardiometabolic disease outcomes (obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) between shift workers and non-shift workers.ResultsThere was a significant increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes among shift workers compared to matched controls despite higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sedentary behaviour. Shift workers were 17% more likely to be obese (95% CI 7–27) and 27% more likely to have diabetes (95% CI 8–51). The strength of this association was demonstrated by also controlling for body mass index and fat mass index.ConclusionsShift work is associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes despite higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sedentary behaviour. The association between shift work and cardiometabolic health was independent of body mass index for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and independent of fat mass index for diabetes

Relationship between Adiponectin and apoB in individuals with diabetes in the Atlantic PATH Cohort

ContextThe increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes greatly influences the risk for cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities and affects the quality of life of many people. However, the relationship among diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular risk is complex and requires further investigation to understand the biological milieu connecting these conditions.ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between biological markers of adipose tissue function (adiponectin) and CV risk (apolipoprotein B) in body mass index (BMI)–matched participants with and without diabetes.DesignNested case-control study.SettingThe Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (PATH) cohort represents four Atlantic Canadian provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; and Prince Edward Island.ParticipantsThe study population (n = 480) was aged 35 to 69 years, 240 with diabetes and 240 without diabetes.Main Outcome MeasuresGroups with and without diabetes were matched for sex and BMI. Both measured and self-reported data were used to examine disease status, adiposity, and lifestyle factors. Immunoassays were used to measure plasma markers.ResultsIn these participants, plasma adiponectin levels were lower among those with diabetes than those without diabetes; these results were sex-specific, with a strong relationship seen in women. In contrast, in participants matched for sex and adiposity, plasma apoB levels were similar between participants with and those without diabetes.ConclusionMeasures of adiposity were higher in participants with diabetes. However, when matched for adiposity, the adipokine adiponectin exhibited a strong inverse association with diabetes

Distribution of D5 dopamine receptor mRNA in rat brain

The distribution of the messenger RNA encoding the dopamine D5 receptor was determined in the rat brain by in situ hybridization. Using [35S]-labelled riboprobes to either the rat or human D5 receptor, this mRNA was localized to the hippocampus and the parafascicular nucleus of the thalamus. This mRNA could not be visualized in the more traditional brain regions associated with dopaminergic cell bodies or projection fields. This unusual distribution suggests a novel function in the brain for this subtype of the dopamine receptor.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29790/1/0000132.pd

Cultivares de batata para sistemas orgânicos de produção.

Informações a respeito de cultivares adaptadas ao sistema de cultivo orgânico são escassas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, sob sistema de cultivo orgânico, genótipos nacionais e estrangeiros desenvolvidos para o cultivo convencional, quanto ao potencial produtivo, em condições de campo. O experimento foi conduzido em 2008, no Pólo APTA Leste Paulista, em Monte Alegre do Sul-SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com 18 tratamentos e quatro repetições. Cada parcela foi constituída por 80 batatas-semente, dispostas em quatro linhas de 5 m de comprimento, espaçadas de 80 cm, com 25 cm entre tubérculos. Os genótipos avaliados foram Agata, Asterix, Caesar, Cupido, Éden, Melody, Novella e Vivaldi, de origem estrangeira; e Apuã, Aracy, Catucha, IAC Aracy Ruiva, Itararé, Monte Alegre 172, IAC 6090, APTA 16.5, APTA 15.20 e APTA 21.54, nacionais. Foram avaliadas as características de produtividade total e comercial de tubérculos, massa média total e comercial de tubérculos, teor de matéria seca e severidade da pinta-preta (Alternaria solani). Os clones APTA 16.5, APTA 21.54 e IAC 6090, e as cultivares Cupido, Apuã, Itararé e Monte Alegre 172 foram os mais produtivos. ‘APTA 21.54’ superou os demais em relação a produtividade comercial (18,07 t ha-1), sendo que ‘APTA 16.5’, ‘Cupido’, ‘IAC 6090’ e ‘Itararé’ formaram o segundo grupo. As maiores massas médias de tubérculos foram apresentadas pelas cultivares Itararé e Cupido. O clone IAC 6090 e as cultivares Aracy e Aracy Ruiva foram as que apresentaram maiores teores de matéria seca, com valor médio de 22,91%. ‘APTA 16.5’, ‘Apuã’, ‘Aracy’, ‘Aracy Ruiva’, ‘Éden’, ‘Ibituaçú’ e ‘Monte Alegre 172’ apresentaram alto nível de resistência à pinta-preta. As cultivares Itararé, Apuã e Cupido são adaptadas ao cultivo orgânico, e os clones avançados APTA 16.5, APTA 21.54 e IAC 6090 apresentam potencial de cultivo no sistema orgânico