Direct and indirect effects of metal stress on physiology and life history variation in field populations of a lycosid spider

1.

Under stress, life history theory predicts reduced growth rates and adult sizes, reduced reproductive allocation, production of larger offspring and postponed reproduction. Both direct and indirect effects of metals can explain these trends, mainly linked to energetic constraints. Metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP’s) are believed to be an important defense mechanism against the adverse effects of metals and other stressors.

2.

We tested these predictions comparing six field populations of the wolf spider Pardosa saltans, three of which were on sites that are historically polluted with heavy metals.

3.

As expected for life histories evolving under energetic constraints, adult size and condition correlated negatively and egg mass positively with Cd concentrations for a subset of four populations. In the population that showed the highest cadmium and zinc body burdens, reproductive output and allocation were lowest and reproduction was postponed.

4.

Contrary to our expectation, for all six study populations MTLP concentrations did not increase in exposed populations, indicating that this defense mechanism cannot explain the observed variation in life histories.

5.

We conclude that indirect and synergistic effects of metal pollution may be more important than physiological defense mechanisms in shaping life history traits in field populations.

     

Modalités de l’offre alimentaire (hors restauration scolaire) dans les collèges et lycées d’aquitaine: Évolution entre 2004 et 2005 en application de la loi de santé publique du 9 août 2004

Within the framework of the French National Programme on Nutrition and Health, a survey was conducted in middle and high schools of the French Aquitaine region with the aim of describing the food supply within middle and high schools in 2004-2005, before and after the application of regulation of snack machins in September 2005 of the recent French law of public health.The results show that:

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20 % of schools offered free snacks, specially bread (67 %) and fruit (39,3 %).

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63 % of the answering schools had food or drink sales, concerning pastries (74,6 %), chocolate bars (30 %) and soft drinks (25,4 %).

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In 2004-2005, 44 % of the high schools had snack machins. In Septembre 2005, each school (99 %) had removed on snack machines.

These results highlight the importance of the actions implemented in the programme of “Nutrition, prevention and health of children and teenagers in Aquitaine”, especially actions focussing on food supply within schools.     

Pensées et ressenti face à l’alimentation de 3 732 personnes de l’agglomération de dijon

Purpose: it was to know the cognitive and emotional thoughts concerning foods and eating in the general and student population of the region of Dijon.Methods: a questionnaire concerning the cognitive and emotional thoughts was beforehand established, validated and handed or sent to 10 000 students and persons of the population of Dijon drawn lots and paired according to district and family. The analysis concerned 3 732 persons, i.e. the 882 students and the 2 850 people of both genders from the general population who restored a more than 95% completed and coherent questionnaire.Results: in this population, negative thoughts and fear in front of the food were noted in a not exceptional way:

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to eat disgusts me: 1.6%;

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to eat frightens me: 3.3%;

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the glance of the other one when I eat frightens me: 13%;

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this food which we propose me make me bad, sink, sad or tightened in 9 at 18% of the cases.

Also, a important percentage of eating disorders or abnormalities was found:

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binge eating: 8%;

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bulimia nervosa: 4.3%;

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anorexia nervosa: 2.2%;

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low weight (IMC<19 kg/(m)²) and frightens in front of glance of the other one: 13%.

These abnormalities were more frequent in young people than in older one’s and in women than in men, but were not so rare in older women (>35 years old) and in men. The questionnaire allowed us to show that a subgroup of people really exists, who are very attentive to the “dietically correct” and anxious about foods. This so-called subgroup “orthorexia” concerned around 1.9% of our total population and 6.1% of thin people (IMC<19 kg/(m)²).Conclusion: the health aspect of the food and the fear of getting fat are important preoccupations of certain number of persons, both in the student population and the general one. This raises the problem of the irrational meaning of the food for a certain number of people, in front of media messages and of the food availability.     

Selenium glycinate supplementation increases blood glutathione peroxidase activities and decreases prostate-specific antigen readings in middle-aged US men

Two concepts are often currently applied to selenium in adult men in the United States:

•

Intake is generally enough to maximize blood glutathione peroxidase activities.

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In such men, selenium supplementation does not reduce risk of prostate cancer.

In contrast to these concepts, 30 healthy middle-aged men were studied to test the following hypothesis: 6-week supplementation of 200 μg of selenium as glycinate can raise activities of 2 blood selenium enzymes and lower a marker of prostate cancer risk. The hypothesis was confirmed, in that selenium supplementation raised activities for erythrocyte and plasma glutathione peroxidase as well as lowered values for plasma prostate-specific antigen. The enzyme activity increases were not extremely large, but based on a chicken study, changes in blood glutathione peroxidase activities can reflect bigger changes in the prostate. Placebo treatment did not duplicate the selenium effects in 30 other men. In conclusion, this study suggests that US middle-aged men may not typically consume optimal amounts of selenium.     

The epidemiology of Schistosoma haematobium infection on the Kano Plain of Kenya

1.

1. A survey of about 1700 children from 24 schools scattered over the Kano Plain showed a Schistosoma haematobium infection rate of less than 4%. Surveys of 2 adjacent areas showed S. haematobium to be nearly 10 times as prevalent as on the plain.     

Antibody response to the influenza vaccine in healthcare workers

People vaccinated against influenza develop hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies (Ab) that bind to the virus and neutralize it. Ab titer levels are variable depending on factors insufficiently studied, and tend to decrease over time.In the present study, we analyzed antibodies responses before and after influenza vaccination in nurses working in a hospital, with the aim of:

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identifying seroconversion rates to trivalent influenza vaccine one month after immunization;

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evaluating if, six months after vaccination, influenza HAI Ab titer fall comparing to one-month post vaccination HAI Ab titer;

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studying the association between the lack of HAI Ab response (seroconversion) assessed one month after immunization and:

°

past influenza vaccinations,

°

baseline (before vaccination) HAI Ab titer,

°

baseline (before vaccination) HAI Ab titer ≥ 40 (considered as a protection titer).

Hemagglutination inhibition reaction was used to assess specific HAI Ab titers against influenza A(H₁N₁), A(H₃N₂) and B virus strains included in the influenza vaccine and we used progressive dilutions of two times, starting on 1:10 until 1:20.480.Seroconversion rates, one month after vaccination, were 66.7% for A(H₁N₁) strain, 63.2% for A(H₃N₂) strain and 56.3% for B strain. The most immunogenic strain used in 2007/08 influenza vaccine was A(H₁N₁). Seroconversion rates after one month were negatively associated with past influenza vaccinations, baseline HAI Ab titers ≥ 40 and baseline HAI Ab titers. Six months after vaccination, 50% of participants showed a drop in HAI Ab titers to an half, for each of the considered strains, but they remain high enough to protect against the disease.     

Apport lipidique et prise de poids. Aspects quantitatifs - Un débat

From a quantitative point of view the role of dietary fat in weight gain apparently seems clear, but its accountability in obesity pathogenesis, for individuals or population, is not definitively established.This concern may be divided in four sections:

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On a physiopathological point of view, experimental data show that fats are able to increase energy density and food intake and to increase lipogenesis.

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On an epidemiological point of view the data are more conflicting. An higher fat intake was associated to the obesity epidemic, its decrease did not stopped it, and that suggest the role of others lifestyle patterns including physical activity.

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On a clinical point of view the studies are far from a consensus, but it is true that they focuse on the role of familial, educative and genetic factors. But really a fat excess can sensitive the effect of inactivity. Total energy intakes seem a main issue.

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The fat reduction is not sufficient to induce a weight loss or to prevent a weight gain. We must act on each component of energy balance. In insulin-resistant subjects the fat reduction without weight-loss does not seem favourable on cardiovascular risk.

Finally the total fat intakes cannot be considered as the cause of obesity but they may participate to the weight gain in some conditions. Qualitative aspects, and therefore fatty acids, must be also considered.     

Enteral Nutrition in Children with Short-Bowel Syndrome: Current Evidence and Recommendations for the Clinician

The optimal enteral feeding regimen in children with short-bowel syndrome (SBS) is debated by clinicians. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of published data on feeding strategies in children with SBS. A structured literature search (years 1966 through 2007) was done to identify human studies in children directly addressing nutrition (or specified nutrients) in relation to SBS. Eight relevant studies retrieved were graded by seven experts according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. This grading system is based on the study design and methodological quality of individual studies. Recommendations were made based on the outcome according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network if appropriate and on expert opinion otherwise. The most important recommendations are:

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Enteral nutrition should be initiated as soon as possible after bowel resection to promote intestinal adaptation.

•

Enteral nutrition should be administered in a continuous fashion.

•

Breast milk or standard polymeric formula (depending on the child's age) is recommended as preferred type of nutrition.

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Bottle-feeding (small volumes) should be started as soon as possible in neonates to stimulate the suck and swallow reflexes. Solid food can be introduced at the age of 4 to 6 months (corrected for gestational age if necessary) to stimulate oral motor activity and to avoid feeding aversion behavior.

The team of experts concluded that high-quality research on the preferred types of enteral and oral nutrition in children with SBS is scarce. Multicenter prospective studies on the effects of feeding strategies on bowel adaptation, fecal production, linear growth, and clinical outcome are required to find the optimal feeding regimen in children with SBS.     

The preparation of amoebic extracts and their testing by complement fixation against clinically proved sera

1.

1. A complement fixation technique for 60°C.-inactivated sera, suited to the diagnosis of amoebic disease, is described.     

Well-being: its influence and local impact on public health

Objectives

To explore the emergence of the concept of well-being and examine its influences on the modernization of the public health structure at the local level.

Study design

The article applies a theoretical and policy orientated approach.

Methods

The article assesses the concept of well-being and applies its uses to local policy and practice.

Results

The concept of well-being has implications for the development of local public health structures, policy making and delivery.

Conclusions

In terms of local policy making, it enables public health professionals to develop locally based concepts and uses of well-being, engage communities, make links to social capital and consider wider determinants within them. In terms of delivery, it focuses attention on the need for collaboration between local statutory and voluntary organizations in applying local concepts of well-being to public health policy; and engaging with healthcare interventions grounded within local context and needs.     

Factors influencing the distribution and movement of microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus

1.

1. Suspensions of microfilariae were prepared in haematocrit tubes with “bait” solutions apposed to one end of the column to discover whether any specific tactic influences were operating.