Does leaning posture on the kitchen counter alleviate workload on the low back and legs during dishwashing?

In this study, we evaluated the effects of leaning posture on the kitchen counter, which was observed during dishwashing in a kitchen, on subjective discomfort and muscle activity in the low back and legs. Twelve female volunteers were asked to wash plates for 30 min in each of three working postures: (a) without support (No support), (b) supported by the kitchen counter (Counter), and (c) supported by a standing aid which was a stand equipment to support the shins and the counter (Aid and counter). In the "Aid and counter" posture, the angle of the bent trunk and the muscle activity in the low back were less than that in the "Counter" posture, which was less than that in the "No support" posture. Also, the muscle activities in the legs were greater in the "Counter" and "No support" postures than in the "Aid and counter" posture. We concluded that the effects of leaning posture on the kitchen counter were not enough to decrease the workload on the low back and legs. To improve the comfort of the dishwashing task, new measures, such as the standing aid, are needed.     

Evidence and Value: Impact on DEcisionMaking – the EVIDEM framework and potential applications

Background

Healthcare decisionmaking is a complex process relying on disparate types of evidence and value judgments. Our objectives for this study were to develop a practical framework to facilitate decisionmaking in terms of supporting the deliberative process, providing access to evidence, and enhancing the communication of decisions.

Methods

Extensive analyses of the literature and of documented decisionmaking processes around the globe were performed to explore what steps are currently used to make decisions with respect to context (from evidence generation to communication of decision) and thought process (conceptual components of decisions). Needs and methodologies available to support decisionmaking were identified to lay the groundwork for the EVIDEM framework.

Results

A framework was developed consisting of seven modules that can evolve over the life cycle of a healthcare intervention. Components of decision that could be quantified, i.e., intrinsic value of a healthcare intervention and quality of evidence available, were organized into matrices. A multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) Value Matrix (VM) was developed to include the 15 quantifiable components that are currently considered in decisionmaking. A methodology to synthesize the evidence needed for each component of the VM was developed including electronic access to full text source documents. A Quality Matrix was designed to quantify three criteria of quality for the 12 types of evidence usually required by decisionmakers. An integrated system was developed to optimize data analysis, synthesis and validation by experts, compatible with a collaborative structure.

Conclusion

The EVIDEM framework promotes transparent and efficient healthcare decisionmaking through systematic assessment and dissemination of the evidence and values on which decisions are based. It provides a collaborative framework that could connect all stakeholders and serve the healthcare community at local, national and international levels by allowing sharing of data, resources and values. Validation and further development is needed to explore the full potential of this approach.     

A review on the relationship between gluten and schizophrenia: Is gluten the cause?

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease that possesses various clinical manifestations. It presents rather heterogeneous characteristics with respect to onset type, symptoms, and the course of the disease. Although the lifetime prevalence is as low as 1%, it can cause serious disability. Thus, it is very important to develop efficient treatment methods. In some studies, it is hypothesized that removing gluten from the diet leads to a significant improvement in disease symptoms. Epidemiological studies revealed that the prevalence of celiac disease among schizophrenic patients is almost two times higher than that of the general population.

Objective: In this review, we evaluate the effects of gluten and celiac disease on the onset of schizophrenia. Efficacy of gluten-free diet applications, antibody response against gluten, and the interaction of the brain–gut axis and the presence of common genetic points are also investigated.

Methods: Without any publication date restriction, Pubmed database searches were made for ‘schizophrenia, gluten, gliadin, celiac disease, exorphin, brain-gut axis, psychiatric disorders.' The keywords and the articles about the schizophrenia–celiac disease relationship are included in our review.

Results: Several studies presented evidence to suggest that symptoms associated with schizophrenia were minimized when gluten was excluded from patients’ diets. Immunological searches revealed that most schizophrenic patients with increased anti-gliadin antibodies did not possess celiac disease; yet, the presence of increased antibodies against gliadin can be the share point of the immunological abnormalities found in both of the diseases.

Discussion: There were no consistent results in the clinical, immunological, microbiological, and epidemiological studies that investigated the relationship between schizophrenia and celiac disease. This presents a need for a larger scale study to confirm the presence of this suggested correlation between schizophrenia and celiac disease. The underlying mechanisms between the two diseases should be explored.     

Put “gender glasses” on the effects of phenolic compounds on cardiovascular function and diseases

Introduction

The influence of sex and gender is particularly relevant in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as well as in several aspects of drug pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Anatomical and physiological differences between the sexes may influence the activity of many drugs, including the possibility of their interaction with other drugs, bioactive compounds, foods and beverages. Phenolic compounds could interact with our organism at organ, cellular, and molecular levels triggering a preventive action against chronic diseases, including CVD.

Results

This article will review the role of sex on the activity of these bioactive molecules, considering the existence of sex differences in oxidative stress. It describes the pharmacokinetics of phenolic compounds, their effects on vessels, on cardiovascular system, and during development, including the role of nuclear receptors and microbiota.

Conclusions

Although there is a large gap between the knowledge of the sex differences in the phenolic compounds’ activity and safety, and the urgent need for more research, available data underlie the possibility that plant-derived phenolic compounds could differently influence the health of male and female subjects.

     

Consumers’ attitudes before and after the introduction of the Chilean regulation on food labelling

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to understand how the attitudes towards food labelling in the Chilean population have changed after the introduction of the Chilean law on food labelling and advertising. A computer-assisted telephone interview was conducted in 2012 and 2016, employing the same procedures. The difference in outcomes between 2012 and 2016 was assessed using a logistic regression model. One hundred and sixty-seven subjects responded to both the 2012 and 2016 survey editions (respondents). For both the unadjusted and adjusted analyses, the respondents in 2016 were more likely to be involved in a programme to lose weight and to consider food labelling the most effective intervention introduced to date to promote healthy nutrition. However, no significant differences were reported in both self-reported and objectively assessed understandings of front-of-pack-labelling. Evidence suggests a positive perception among Chileans regarding the effectiveness of the new law.     

Retinol-binding protein (RBP), retinol and β-carotene in the bovine uterus and plasma during the oestrous cycle and the relationship between systemic progesterone and RBP on day 7

In the dairy cow, low systemic concentrations of progesterone are known to be a major factor associated with early embryo loss. Endometrial expression of the gene encoding retinol-binding protein (RBP) is sensitive to small changes in progesterone on day 7 of the oestrous cycle. The objectives of the present study were to measure RBP concentrations in bovine uterine flushings and plasma across different days of the oestrous cycle and to examine the relationship between uterine RBP and systemic concentrations of progesterone. Uterine flushings and plasma were collected from cows on days 3, 7, 11 and 15 of the oestrous cycle. Uterine RBP concentrations were five- to 15-fold higher (P < 0.001) on day 15 compared with the other days and twofold higher (P < 0.001) in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum on day 15. RBP concentrations were similar in flushings and plasma across days 3-11; however, day 15 RBP concentrations were six- to 15-fold higher (P < 0.001) in uterine flushings. No significant relationship was found between the concentration of systemic progesterone and RBP concentrations on day 7. Overall, the results of the present study indicate a local controlling mechanism operating at the level of the endometrium to regulate RBP secretion, most likely progesterone.     

Income transfer policies and the impacts on the immunization of children: the Bolsa Família Program

This paper investigates the impact of the Bolsa Família Program on the immunization of children from 0 to 6 years of age in Brazil and its regions. The Bolsa Família program is a conditional cash transfer program. One of its conditionalities is the compliance of children with the immunization schedule ordered by the Ministry of Health. The evaluation was performed using the Propensity Score Matching technique. We used data from a survey conducted in 2005 evaluating the program - Pesquisa de Avalia??o de Impacto do Programa Bolsa Família. The main findings suggest that the Bolsa Família Program does not affect the immunization status of children.     

The microbial contamination and the presence of β-lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria in the water and on the surfaces of public recreation water facilities

The microbiological quality of bathing water and the surfaces of the surrounding pool platforms of two pools was estimated. ESBL- and MBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria isolated from water and surface samples were also studied. The water samples were satisfactory in 31 (86.1 %) out of 36 cases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Escherichia coli were identified in only 2 (5.5 %) cases. There were no correlations between the HPC and number of enterobacteria in the pool water and those found in the surface samples. Isolated strains were resistant to ticarcillin with clavulanic acid in 52.3 % of cases; all of them were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. The sequences for bla_CTX-M were found in 21.6 % of strains, mostly from the groups bla_CTX-M9 and bla_CTX-M25, whilst the genes for chosen carbapenemases were noted in 15 (17.0 %) of strains. It is necessary to implement new approaches to monitoring resistant bacteria, not only clinical ones but also those found in other public environments.