Environmental Considerations in Naval Operations

With its historic mission clearly defined as supporting the operational fleet, the Oceanographic Office of the U.S. Navy in recent years has expanded its efforts to also meet the growing challenge of working within a national program of studying the marine environment

The Effect Of 6-Weeks Daily Blueberry Powder Ingestion On Plasma Antioxidant Capacity And Oxidative Damage In Relationship To Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle associated with reduced physical capacity. Muscle undergoes inflammation followed by rebuilding after weight lifting. This is known as the muscle regenerative stimulus (MRS). Blueberries contain anti-inflammatories and could enhance anti-inflammatory responses associated with weight training. Combining these two regimens may combat sarcopenia. Twenty-one participants 60+ were randomized into blueberry (BB) or placebo (PLA) groups and given 6-wks of blueberry powder or a placebo. Visit 1 consisted of a medical screen, diet instruction, anthropometric measurements, and blood draw. Visit 2, 6-wks afterwards, included anthropometric measurements, diet history, and blood samples. Visit 3, 24-hrs following the MRS, involved obtaining final blood samples. Blood was analyzed for ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), a measure of antioxidant capacity, and F2-isoprostanes, a measure of lipid peroxidation. No differences were observed between groups for age or anthropometric measures. FRAP and F2-Isoprostanes were not significantly different between BB or PLA. Pre-BB vitamin C and selenium were higher vs. PLA but did not affect FRAP. Blueberry powder, as given for 6-wks, does not alter FRAP or F2-Isoprostanes in an older population. Blueberry metabolites capable of exerting antioxidant effects may be short-lived. Future research should focus on acute supplementation effects

Modeling the risk of malaria for travelers to areas with stable malaria transmission

BACKGROUND: Malaria is an important threat to travelers visiting endemic regions. The risk of acquiring malaria is complex and a number of factors including transmission intensity, duration of exposure, season of the year and use of chemoprophylaxis have to be taken into account estimating risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mathematical model was developed to estimate the risk of non-immune individual acquiring falciparum malaria when traveling to the Amazon region of Brazil. The risk of malaria infection to travelers was calculated as a function of duration of exposure and season of arrival. RESULTS: The results suggest significant variation of risk for non-immune travelers depending on arrival season, duration of the visit and transmission intensity. The calculated risk for visitors staying longer than 4 months during peak transmission was 0.5% per visit. CONCLUSIONS: Risk estimates based on mathematical modeling based on accurate data can be a valuable tool in assessing risk/benefits and cost/benefits when deciding on the value of interventions for travelers to malaria endemic regions

Role of Potash Alum in Hepatitis C virus Transmission at Barber's Shop

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of severe liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. In Pakistan most of HCV positive patients have history of facial/armpit shaving from barbers. 79% of barbers are rubbing Potash Alum stone on facial shaving cuts. Dark blood spots are analyzed on Potash Alum stones being used at different barber shops. The aim of the study was to check the viability of hepatitis C virus on potash alum stone being used at barber shops. Blood samples from HCV positive patients were taken and treated with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 molar concentrations of Potash Alum for different periods of time. Blood was centrifuged to isolate the serum; HCV RNA was extracted from serum and subjected to first strand synthesis and PCR. PCR fragments were confirmed by sequencing. PCR amplification was observed in all the samples, treated with different concentrations of Potash Alum, indicated that the virus remains alive on Potash Alum stone for a long period of time. Potash Alum being used by barbers on facial shaving cuts has definite role in HCV transmission in Pakistani population. Therefore use of Potash Alum stone should be banned on facial shaving cuts at barber shops