Structure and function of presynaptic neurotoxins: notexin and notechis II-5

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Exploring behavioural economics: Using ‘nudge theory’ to improve the effectiveness of SafePORK interventions in Vietnam

Pork is the most popular meat consumed in Vietnam and studies have shown high (28.6-44%) Salmonella contamination rates at the point of purchase, resulting in a high incidence rate of Salmonella related food borne disease. The high microbial contamination rate is attributed to poor hygiene practice in the pork value chain and the market-based approaches to improving the safety of pork in Vietnam, or SafePORK project has designed a set of interventions to improve the standard of practice which are due to be trialled in 2019. Behavioural economics and 'nudges’ are defined as interventions with a low level of intrusiveness on personal choice which can be used to alter behaviour. While they have not yet been used for food safety in the pork value chain, some of the proposed interventions aim to alter actor’s behaviour and thus could be amenable to ‘nudging’. A previous research project to assess the potential of nudges to improve pork safety in Vietnam highlighted three main themes which could be used to influence actors within the value chain; 1) actors were most influenced by people they respected, which within the study groups were found to be veterinarians and actor’s peers, 2) actor’s reputation was regarded as an important incentive, and 3) salient visual methods of displaying information were found to be a commonly used method of delivering information in existing food safety interventions. A stakeholder workshop supported by the SafePORK project, the International Livestock Research Institute and the Royal Veterinary College was held in Hanoi to gain a better understanding of the slaughterhouse and retail processes to ascertain which nudges could be used to support the proposed interventions, and to discuss the practical aspects of implementing nudges. Participants included actors (n=32) from various parts of the pork value chain, including slaughterhouse workers, retailers, veterinarians, government officials, and researchers. During the workshop participants were separated into small groups and took part in group discussions to explore the slaughterhouse and retail processes and discuss the feasibility of using nudges to change actors' behaviours. Participants were shown several potential nudges (posters, arrows and footprints) and asked to evaluate these through discussion and a scoring exercise. After each activity a plenary session took place to allow dissemination of feedback to the entire group. The workshop found that the slaughterhouse workers and retailers appeared to be aware of the major issues surrounding foodborne disease in their industry, highlighting, during the discussions, many of the key points in the pork production chain where meat contamination with microorganisms can occur. The concept of using posters to display information was well received by the workshop participants. Both positive and negative framing of information were thought to be effective, the choice of which dependent on the target audience. However, when scored by participants, the negatively framed posters scored significantly higher than the positively framed posters, indicating a greater anticipated impact on actor’s behaviour. All participants discussed the need to have site specific photos to reflect the real context of the setting to increase engagement with the media. When considering the effect of colour on salience; red was considered dirtiest, yellow, orange, and purple considered neutral colours, and green and blue considered the cleanest colours. The participants thought that the prospect of upscaling nudges to a broader audience of retailers and consumers could be implemented but would need to be supported by competent food safety authorities. Using the findings from this workshop, site specific nudges should be created to support specific SafePORK interventions, which at this stage are likely to be in the form of informational posters. Ideally, in addition to testing the interventions in a randomly controlled trial, the nudges would be similarly tested to allow assessment of their effectiveness. Further investigation, such as trialling the use of footprints and arrows in slaughterhouse environments, is needed to ascertain the practicality of using these nudge concepts to designate clean and dirty zones

The first large scale randomized control trial in Cambodia animal sourced food systems: rationale and process

Objectives: The aim of the abstract is to share rationale, processes, experiences including challenges made during the implementation of a RCT to improve food safety in traditional pork retail in Cambodia. Material and methods: The RCT was part of an operational research conducted under the framework of the Safe Food Fair Food Cambodia Project implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute in partnership with Cambodian and international partners. It is considered as the first large scale RCT in Cambodia animal sourced food systems. The RCT was implemented across six provinces, each province two control and treatment markets and up to fifteen retailers per selected market. Results: The RCT was designed over a period of approximately six months. This included an in-depth participatory diagnostic with national partners on feasible intervention, selection of provinces and markets, required training and staff needed. In consecutive steps training materials were designed, low-cost equipment agreed and procured (value 25-30 USD). Implementers at provincial level included market managers and local veterinary services. In each of the six province 6-8 local staff was identified consisting of market manager and vets in addition to members of the research team. The RCT was conducted over a period of 6 weeks, this included training, observations of hygienic practice and use of hygienic indicators. Challenges included variations of markets in terms infrastructure, limited information of operating retailers per market and some delayed analysis of RCT results. Conclusions: Important for the success of the RCT (significant hygienic improvements) was the profound preparation (participatory diagnostic) and dedicated support of local authorities prior and throughout the trail. Intervention packages were taken up by national authorities in form of modified guidelines

Heavy metal contamination in retailed food in Bangladesh: a dietary public health risk assessment

IntroductionContamination with heavy and toxic metals along the food value chain is a public health concern in Bangladesh. MethodsIn this study, 608 fish and chicken samples from traditional and modern retail outlets in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas were collected and analyzed for chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) contamination, using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The daily intake, target hazard quotient and the target carcinogenic risk (for lead only) as a result of fish and chicken consumption was calculated based on mean results, and by Monte Carlo simulation in @Risk with 100,000 iterations (quantitative risk assessment). ResultsCr and Cd were detected in 80-86% of both chicken meat and fish samples, while Pb positivity found in chicken meat and fish was 54.9 and 23.3%, respectively. The mean concentration (+/- SD) of Cr, Cd, and Pb in chicken meat were 0.66 +/- 0.93, 0.02 +/- 0.03, and 0.09 +/- 0.10 mg/kg, respectively; and in fish were 0.49 +/- 0.62, 0.02 +/- 0.03, and 0.06 +/- 0.09 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intakes of Cr, Cd, and Pb from chicken and fish were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake in all studied areas. In addition, the target carcinogenic risk for Pb in chicken was lower than the negligible range, which indicated the risk of cancer due to exposure to Pb through chicken meat and fish consumption was very low. DiscussionThe present study concludes that consumption of chicken meat and fish in Bangladesh, currently at very low levels, is unlikely to constitute a major health risk for humans in respect to these metals. However, continuous market surveillance for heavy metals in food stuff is recommended, especially since consumers may increase their meat intake

Stolonicaulon: A Section-Puzzle within Marsupella (Gymnomitriaceae, Marchantiophyta)

Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon is not speciose and is a commonly neglected section within the genus, which currently includes three species with somewhat similar morphologies (wiry shoots with distanced leaves) and distributions in the mountains of tropical and subtropical regions (SE (Southeast) Asia, the Venezuelan Andes, and the high mountains of SE Brazil). After studying materials that were found to be dissimilar to the “traditional” Marsupella that were collected in the last decade by the authors of this article, it was found that these plants belong to three new-for-science species, and all of these species should be included in Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon. The newly described species have expanded the boundaries of morphological variability, not only for the section itself, but also for the genus based on two findings: (1) the leaves of Marsupella sect. Stolonicaulon can be either appressed and entire or spaced and deeply divided (thus, the plants could occasionally be similar to Cephaloziella or Anastrophyllum); (2) some species of the section possess regular underleaf production. The first discovery of regular underleaves in Marsupella, as noted in two of the three newly described taxa, is the main morphological novelty described in this paper. The development of regular underleaves is a presumable relict character that brings Marsupella closer to Nardia, which was recently transferred to the Gymnomitriaceae and occupies an isolated position within its own subfamily, Nardioideae

A Retrospective Analysis of the Haemodynamic and Metabolic Effects of Fluid Resuscitation in Vietnamese Adults with Severe Falciparum Malaria

BACKGROUND: Optimising the fluid resuscitation of patients with severe malaria is a simple and potentially cost-effective intervention. Current WHO guidelines recommend central venous pressure (CVP) guided, crystalloid based, resuscitation in adults. METHODS: Prospectively collected haemodynamic data from intervention trials in Vietnamese adults with severe malaria were analysed retrospectively to assess the responses to fluid resuscitation. RESULTS: 43 patients were studied of whom 24 received a fluid load. The fluid load resulted in an increase in cardiac index (mean increase: 0.75 L/min/m(2) (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.41 to 1.1)), but no significant change in acid-base status post resuscitation (mean increase base deficit 0.6 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.1 to 1.3). The CVP and PAoP (pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) were highly inter-correlated (r(s) = 0.7, p<0.0001), but neither were correlated with acid-base status (arterial pH, serum bicarbonate, base deficit) or respiratory status (PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio). There was no correlation between the oxygen delivery (DO(2)) and base deficit at the 63 time-points where they were assessed simultaneously (r(s) = -0.09, p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: In adults with severe falciparum malaria there was no observed improvement in patient outcomes or acid-base status with fluid loading. Neither CVP nor PAoP correlated with markers of end-organ perfusion or respiratory status, suggesting these measures are poor predictors of their fluid resuscitation needs