Nevin Manimala

J Food Prot. 2023 Aug 26:100154. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the persistence of Salmonella Javiana, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria innocua in non-sterile, hydroponic nutrient solution (NS) at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C over a 21-day period to mimic time from seedling to mature lettuce. Bacteria were inoculated in modified Hoagland’s NS at 10⁶ CFU/ml and maintained at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C. Samples were collected at various time points, and bacteria were quantified. A mixed model was used to determine the effect of bacteria type, time (day), and temperature on bacteria concentration (log CFU/ml). The least-squares means were calculated to compare the mean log CFU/ml, and mean values were compared with Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test with a significance level of P=0.05. Statistical analysis indicated that a 3-way interaction effect between temperature, time, and bacteria type had a significant impact on bacterial persistence in NS (P<0.0001). At all temperatures, S. Javiana persisted in NS throughout the 21-day study period, compared to L. innocua and L. monocytogenes where persistence was limited to between 1 and 14 days. Similarly, decimal reduction values (D-values) of S. Javiana indicated longer persistence in NS than L. innocua and L. monocytogenes at most temperatures. For instance, at 15°C and 25°C, D-values for S. Javiana were estimated at 82 and 26 d, respectively, compared to D-values of 3.6 and ∼3 d for L. monocytogenes. Data indicate that temperature of NS has a differential effect on the persistence of S. Javiana and Listeria spp. This study furthers the understanding of potential food safety risks associated with hydroponic systems and will contribute to refinement of further studies to aid in development of operation specific risk profiles.

PMID:37640157 | DOI:10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100154

Theor Popul Biol. 2023 Aug 26:S0040-5809(23)00057-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tpb.2023.08.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Parentage exclusion probability is usually calculated to evaluate the informativeness of a set of markers for, and the statistical power of, a parentage analysis. Equations for parentage exclusion probability have been derived in various scenarios such as paternity exclusion when maternity is known or unknown or when candidate males are unrelated or loosely related (being from the same subpopulation) to the father. All previous work assumes a diploid species. Although marker-based parentage analyses have been conducted in haploidiploid species (such as ants, bees and wasps) for diploid offspring at the individual level or haploid offspring at the class level, rigorously derived formulations of parentage exclusion probability for haploid offspring at the individual level are lacking, which prevents the precise evaluation of the informativeness for and the statistical power of a parentage analysis. In this study we derive equations for the exclusion probability of maternity of a haploid male when multiple mother candidates (workers or queens) are unrelated or fullsibs to the mother. The usefulness of the equations is exemplified by numerical examples, and the results are discussed in the context of the study of worker reproductivity in eusocial haplodiploid species. The results are especially valuable for an optimal experimental design in determining sampling intensities (e.g. number of markers and number of individuals) to achieve satisfactory statistical power of a parentage analysis in investigating workers’ reproductivity in eusocial haplodiploid species.

PMID:37640113 | DOI:10.1016/j.tpb.2023.08.002

Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Aug 26:S0002-9165(23)66112-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Greece, nearly a third of savoury baked goods (SBGs) exceeded the limit of 2g of non-ruminant or industrial trans fatty acids (i-TFA) per 100g fat in 2015. The impact of the Commission Regulation (European Union (EU)) 2019/649 on exposure to trans fatty acids (TFA), i-TFA and saturated fatty acid (SFA) from SBGs has not been previously evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore fatty acid reformulation of SBG products and assess differences in TFA, i-TFA and SFA intakes using a sample of Greek SBG consumers from a nationally representative survey.

METHODS: In 2021, 140 samples of SBGs were collected in the greater metropolitan area of Athens, and their fat profile and content was compared to those from 2015. Based on these measurements, food consumption substitution models were employed to examine TFA and SFA intake differences, and the percent contribution from SBG among consumers was calculated (N=1008). Nutrient densities were calculated by adjusting all fat intakes by individual mean energy intake (% of daily total energy intake).

RESULTS: The 2% i-TFA legislative limit per 100 gr of fat in measured SBG’s was exceeded by 11.4% in 2021 compared to 31.1% in 2015 (19.7% increase in compliance). Median i-TFA and TFA intakes from SBGs were reduced from 0.05 (0.01, 0.12) % and 0.13 (0.03, 0.27) % in 2015 to 0.03 (0.01, 0.09) and 0.06 (0.03, 0.13) % in 2021, respectively. In terms of SFA, a mean increase per 100 gr was calculated, resulting to an increased intake in 2021 compared to 2015 [5.18% (2.78, 8.37) and 3.55 (1.99, 5.73), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the reductions seen in i-TFA content of SBGs, food product reformulation efforts in Greece should focus not only on TFA content but also on SFA reduction to improve public health.

PMID:37640108 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.014

Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Aug 26:S0002-9165(23)66108-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that higher folate intake is associated with a decreased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. Genetic variation that may have a direct or indirect impact on folate metabolism can provide insights into folate’s role in CRC.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to perform a genome-wide interaction analysis to identify genetic variants that may modify the association of folate on CRC risk.

METHODS: We applied traditional case-control logistic regression, joint 3-degree of freedom (3DF), and a two-step weighted hypothesis approach to test the interactions of common variants (allele frequency >1%) across the genome and dietary folate, folic acid supplement use, and total folate in relation to risk of CRC, in 30,550 cases and 42,336 controls from 51 studies from 3 genetic consortia (CCFR, CORECT, GECCO).

RESULTS: Inverse associations of dietary, total folate, and folic acid supplement with CRC were found [odds ratio: 0.93 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.90-0.96), and 0.91 (0.89-0.94) per quartile higher intake, and 0.82 (0.78-0.88) for users vs. non-users, respectively]. Interactions (P-interaction <5×10^-8) of folic acid supplement and variants in the 3p25.2 locus [in the region of Synapsin II (SYN2)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4)] were found using the traditional interaction analysis, with variant rs150924902 (located upstream to SYN2) showing the strongest interaction. In stratified analyses by rs150924902 genotypes, folate supplement was associated with decreased CRC risk among those carrying the TT genotype (OR = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.79-0.86) but increased CRC risk among those carrying the TA genotype (OR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.29-2.05), suggesting a qualitative interaction (P-interaction = 1.4×10^-8). No interactions were observed for dietary and total folate.

CONCLUSIONS: Variation in 3p25.2 locus may modify the association of folate supplement with CRC risk. Experimental studies and studies incorporating other relevant -omics data are warranted to validate this finding.

PMID:37640106 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.010

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023 Aug 26:S1051-0443(23)00641-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2023.08.029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To characterize the safety, efficacy, and potential role of genicular artery embolization (GAE) as a disease-modifying treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an interim analysis of a prospective, single-arm clinical trial of patients with symptomatic knee OA who failed conservative therapy for greater than 3 months. Sixteen patients who underwent GAE using 250 μg microspheres and had at least 1 month of follow-up were included. Six subjects completed the 12-month follow-up, and ten subjects remain enrolled. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 12 months. Serum and plasma samples were collected for biomarker analysis. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for WOMAC pain score at 12 months. Baseline and follow-up outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test.

RESULTS: Technical success of the procedure was 100%, with no major adverse events. The MCID was achieved in 5/6 (83%) patients at 12 months. The mean WOMAC pain score decreased from 8.6 ± 2.7 at baseline to 4.9 ± 2.7 (P=0.001), 4.4 ± 2.8 (P<0.001), and 4.7 ± 2.7 (P=0.094) at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in nerve growth factor (NGF) levels at 12 months. The remaining 8 biomarkers showed no significant change at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS: GAE is a safe and efficacious treatment for symptomatic knee OA. Decreased NGF levels following GAE may contribute to pain reduction and slowing of cartilage degeneration.

PMID:37640104 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvir.2023.08.029

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Aug 26:166625. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166625. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess hydrological controls (e.g., rainfall, irrigation practices, river discharge, dam operation, evaporation) on surface (SW)- ground water (GW) interactions in an irrigated valley within semi-arid Patagonia Argentina (-65.49 W, -43.29 S). We combined different sampling designs (watershed/sub-watershed scales, longitudinal and monthly samplings) from 2015 to 2019 to investigate the temporal and spatial variation of hydrometrics, electrical conductivity (EC) and stable isotope composition of surface and ground water. Results showed that plant transpiration in the upper basin, evaporation in the middle basin and the reservoir dynamics modified water salinity and left an imprint in stable isotopes. Water tables in the irrigated valley were high (0.5-2 m level from soil surface) and presented higher salinity than river water. Groundwater salinity, temporal variation of water table levels and stable isotopes suggested that groundwater is subjected to evaporation, is recharged from field seepage and, at a lesser extent, from local rainwater. River salinity increased downstream of the irrigated valley during the whole study period (3 years), showing the effects of agriculture and urbanization. EC also responded to the opening and closing of irrigation channels. EC and daily discharge statistical analysis revealed that groundwater recharge the stream below a threshold discharge of 26 m.s^-1; with river salinity increasing linearly as daily discharge decrease. This study illustrates the deep modifications that agricultural systems, mainly surface irrigation, produce on semiarid watersheds. Given that SW and GW components are currently not isolated and flow regulation and irrigation practices are playing a critical role in soil quality and river chemistry at low flow conditions, a conjunctive water management strategy must be implemented in order to prevent further land and water quality degradation.

PMID:37640082 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166625

Biochem Cell Biol. 2023 Aug 28. doi: 10.1139/bcb-2023-0156. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cerebral Microbleeds (CMBs) in the brain are the essential indicators of critical brain disorders such as dementia and ischemic stroke. Generally, CMBs are detected manually by experts which is an exhaustive task with limited productivity. Since, CMBs have complex morphological nature, so manual detection is prone to errors. This paper presents a machine learning-based automated Cerebral Microbleeds detection technique in the brain SWI scans based on statistical feature extraction and classification. The proposed method consists of three steps: 1. Removal of the skull and extraction of the brain 2. Thresholding for the extraction of initial candidates 3. Extracting features and applying classification models such as random forest and naïve bayes classifiers for the detection of true positive cerebral microbleeds. The proposed technique is validated on a dataset consisting of 20 subjects. The dataset is divided into training data which consists of 14 subjects with 104 microbleeds and testing data which consists of 6 subjects with 63 microbleeds. We were able to 85.7% sensitivity using the random forest classifier with 4.2 false positives per CMB and the naive bayes classifier achieved 90.5% sensitivity with 5.5 false positives per CMB. The proposed technique outperformed many state-of-the-art methods proposed in previous studies.

PMID:37639730 | DOI:10.1139/bcb-2023-0156

Ann Intern Med. 2023 Aug 29. doi: 10.7326/M23-0069. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Firearm injuries are a public health crisis in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence and factors associated with recurrent firearm injuries and death among patients presenting with an acute (index), nonfatal firearm injury.

DESIGN: Multicenter, observational, cohort study.

SETTING: Four adult and pediatric level I trauma hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri, 2010 to 2019.

PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive adult and pediatric patients (n = 9553) presenting to a participating hospital with a nonfatal acute firearm injury.

MEASUREMENTS: Data on firearm-injured patient demographics, hospital and diagnostic information, health insurance status, and death were collected from the St. Louis Region-Wide Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program Data Repository. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index was used to characterize the social vulnerability of the census tracts of patients’ residences. Analysis included descriptive statistics and time-to-event analyses estimating the probability of experiencing a recurrent firearm injury.

RESULTS: We identified 10 293 acutely firearm-injured patients of whom 9553 survived the injury and comprised the analytic sample. Over a median follow-up of 3.5 years (IQR, 1.5 to 6.4 years), 1155 patients experienced a recurrent firearm injury including 5 firearm suicides and 149 fatal firearm injuries. Persons experiencing recurrent firearm injury were young (25.3 ± 9.5 years), predominantly male (93%), Black (96%), and uninsured (50%), and resided in high social vulnerability regions (65%). The estimated risk for firearm reinjury was 7% at 1 year and 17% at 8 years.

LIMITATIONS: Limited data on comorbidities and patient-level social determinants of health. Inability to account for recurrent injuries presenting to nonstudy hospitals.

CONCLUSION: Recurrent injury and death are frequent among survivors of firearm injury, particularly among patients from socially vulnerable areas. Our findings highlight the need for interventions to prevent recurrence.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Emergency Medicine Foundation-AFFIRM and Missouri Foundation for Health.

PMID:37639717 | DOI:10.7326/M23-0069

Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2023 Aug 28. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The advent of short video apps like Douyin has greatly popularized the practice of sharing travel experiences in the form of live-streaming or prerecorded videos. With the breakout of COVID-19, the feasibility and appeal of physical travel were substantially undermined such that people now become increasingly dependent on watching short videos as a means of consuming travel-related content. This revolutionary change in the landscape of destination marketing is reshaping the tourism industry, which calls for research efforts of both scholars and practitioners. Our study aimed to investigate how two major characteristics of tourism-themed short videos, namely, level of novelty and camera angle, influence viewers’ behavioral intentions toward actually visiting the places, with the incorporation of several relevant psychological mediators, including immersion, positive surprise, spatial presence, and perceptual realism. A 2 (low- vs. high-level novelty) × 2 (first- vs. third-person view) factorial experiment was designed and conducted. Statistical analysis based on a sample of 480 participants suggested that the perception of positive surprise increased with the level of novelty contained in the videos, which was positively associated with viewers’ visit intentions in an indirect manner. Moreover, compared to the third-person view, employing the first-person view to film sites and scenes produced a greater sense of immersion, which in turn stimulated interest in taking a tour. This study contributes to the growing body of research in digital travel and telepresence.

PMID:37639706 | DOI:10.1089/cyber.2022.0108

J Strength Cond Res. 2023 Aug 25. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004560. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

McGrath, R, FitzSimmons, S, Andrew, S, Black, K, Bradley, A, Christensen, BK, Collins, K, Klawitter, L, Kieser, J, Langford, M, Orr, M, and Hackney, KJ. Prevalence and trends of weakness among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2023-Muscle weakness, which is often determined with low handgrip strength (HGS), is associated with several adverse health conditions; however, the prevalence and trends of weakness in the United States is not well-understood. We sought to estimate the prevalence and trends of weakness in Americans aged at least 50 years. The total unweighted analytic sample included 22,895 Americans from the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Handgrip strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Men with weakness were below at least one of the absolute or normalized (body mass, body mass index) cut points: <35.5 kg, <0.45 kg/kg, <1.05 kg/kg/m2. The presence of any weakness in women was also identified as being below one of the absolute or normalized HGS cut points: <20.0 kg, <0.34 kg/kg, or <0.79 kg/kg/m2. There was an increasing trend in the prevalence of any weakness over time (p < 0.001). The prevalence of weakness was 45.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.0-46.0) in the 2006-2008 waves and 52.6% (CI: 51.5-53.7) in the 2014-2016 waves. Weakness prevalence was higher for older (≥65 years) Americans (64.2%; CI: 62.8-65.5) compared with middle-aged (50-64 years) Americans (42.2%; CI: 40.6-43.8) in the 2014-2016 waves. Moreover, the prevalence of weakness in the 2014-2016 waves was generally higher in women (54.5%; CI: 53.1-55.9) than in men (50.4%; CI: 48.7-52.0). Differences existed in weakness prevalence across races and ethnicities. The findings from our investigation suggest that the prevalence of weakness is overall pronounced and increasing in Americans. Efforts for mitigating and better operationalizing weakness will elevate in importance as our older American population grows.

PMID:37639680 | DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000004560