Nucleotide sequence of an alternative glucoamylase-encoding gene (glaB) expressed in solid-state culture of Aspergillus oryzae

The potential health effects of environmental contaminants in traditional food has become a concern among northern communities because of the presence of environmental contaminants in the Arctic ecosystem. Exposure assessments are needed but they require comprehensive dietary information and contaminant data. Over the last 10 years, there has been considerable effort to monitor the level of contaminants in fish and wildlife collected from different regions in northern and Arctic Canada. The development of a database and its application for dietary contaminant exposure assessment are described. We conducted an extensive literature review on levels of environmental contaminants in northern and Arctic Canada. The ranges of levels of four contaminants of major concern (chlordane, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene) in 81 species of marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, fish and plants are summarized. These data represent 69% of the 117 species of fish, wildlife and plants mentioned in our dietary interviews conducted in the northern communities. A significant percentage of the foods had contaminant levels exceeding the guidelines used by Health Canada for market food consumed by the 'southern' populations. Mathematic modelling of the distributions of the data showed that contaminant levels in most food groups are log-normally distributed and have a typical coefficient of variation of about 100%. Examples are presented to demonstrate the use of the data for contaminant exposure assessment. Average contaminant exposure levels estimated using the database for two communities are comparable to those obtained previously using community specific data. With the current knowledge of environmental contaminant levels in the northern traditional food system, it may be feasible to conduct preliminary risk assessment of dietary exposure of environmental contaminants when some diet information for a community is available. Further sampling and analysis may be needed only for confirmation purposes.     

PCBs and dioxin-like compounds in plasma of adult Inuit living in Nunavik (Arctic Quebec)

Inuit people residing in the Arctic are unusually exposed to organochlorines through their traditional diet which includes large quantities of sea mammal fat. Recently, 499 Inuit adults from Nunavik (Arctic Quebec) participated in a large health survey and donated a blood sample for organochlorine and heavy metal analysis. Twenty pooled plasma samples were formed, each made of individual samples from the same age group, sex, and region of residence, to allow for dioxin-like compound determination. The mean total concentration of PCBs and dioxin-like compounds (the latter expressed in 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents) were respectively 4.1 mg/kg lipids and 184.2 ng/kg lipids, compared to 0.13 mg/kg lipids and 26.1 ng/kg lipids for three control pooled plasma samples from Southern Quebec. Total PCBs and dioxin-like compound concentrations were strongly correlated (r = 0.98; p < 0.0001), increased with age and were greater in men than in women. Although the body burdens of PCBs and dioxin-like compounds are close to those which induced adverse health effects in laboratory animals, dietary benefits from the sea-food based diet still outweigh the hypothetical health risks.     

Perception of out-group homogeneity and levels of social categorization: Memory for the subordinate attributes of in-group and out-group members.

Explored the hypothesis that in-group members perceive their own group as more variegated and complex than do out-group members (the out-group homogeneity principle). In Exps I and II, 168 men and 171 women estimated the proportion of men or women who would endorse a variety of personality/attitude items that varied on stereotypic meaning (masculinity–femininity) and social desirability (favorable–unfavorable). It was predicted and found that out-group members viewed a group as endorsing more stereotypic and fewer counterstereotypic items than did in-group members. Findings are interpreted as support for the out-group homogeneity principle, and it is argued that since this effect was general across items varying in social desirability, the phenomenon was independent of traditional ethnocentrism effects. Exp III asked 90 members of 3 campus sororities to judge the degree of intragroup similarity for their own and 2 other groups. Again, each group judged its own members to be more dissimilar to one another than did out-group judges. In Exp IV, a theory was proposed suggesting that different "levels of social categorization" are used to encode in- and out-group members' behavior and that this process could account for the perception of out-group homogeneity. It was predicted and found that 109 men and 131 women were more likely to remember the subordinate attributes of an in- than out-group member, which provides some evidence for the theoretical model. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender, socioeconomic status and family status as determinants of food behaviour

This study examines social structural and family status factors as determinants of food behaviour. The data were derived from the FINMONICA Risk Factor Survey, collected in Finland in spring 1992. A multidimensional framework of the determinants of food behaviour was used, including social structural position, family status and gender. The associations between the determinants of food behaviour were estimated by multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for age and regional differences. Food behaviour was measured by an index including six food items which were chosen based on Finnish dietary guidelines. In general, women's food behaviour was more in accordance with the dietary guidelines than that of men. The pattern of association between educational level and food behaviour was similar for both genders, but slightly stronger for men than women. Employment status was associated only with women's food behaviour, but the tendency was the same for men. Marital status was associated with men's as well as women's food behaviour. The food behaviour of married men and women was more in line with the dietary guidelines than the food behaviour of those who had been previously married. Parental status, however, was only associated with women's food behaviour, that is, the food behaviour of women with young children was more closely in line with the dietary guidelines than that of the rest of the women.     

Family moderators of the relation between hassles and behavior problems in inner-city youth

Qualitative data from individual interviews with 18-29 year old African American men, who have sex with men (n = 76) were used to examine the relationship of negative attitudes toward homosexuality, self-esteem, and risk for HIV. Respondents perceived members of their communities as holding negative attitudes toward homosexuality, and many thought the African American community was less accepting of homosexuality than the white community. There was evidence that these negative attitudes are internalized by some of the young African American men themselves. Respondents mentioned several ways that negative attitudes toward homosexuality could lead to lower self-esteem and psychological distress in young gay and bisexual men. In addition, respondents articulated several mechanisms by which low self-esteem and psychological distress might be associated with sexual behaviors that put one at risk for HIV. We concluded that addressing and changing society's negative views of homosexuality are important components of a comprehensive approach to reducing the transmission of HIV, especially among young people in communities of color.     

Chronic low intakes of vitamin A-rich foods in households with xerophthalmic children: a case-control study in Nepal

Dietary patterns in 81 rural Nepali households with a 1-6-y-old child with a history of xerophthalmia were compared with dietary patterns of 81 households with an age-matched nonxerophthalmic control subject. Weekly food-frequency questionnaires were collected from case and control "focus" children, a younger sibling (if present), and the household 1-2 y after recruitment and treatment of cases. Control households and children were more likely than case households and children to consume vitamin A-rich foods during the monsoon (July-September) and major rice harvesting (October-December) seasons. Cases were less likely to consume preformed vitamin A-rich foods throughout the year [odds ratio (OR) = 1.2-4.5] with the strongest differences observed from October to December (OR = 2.0-4.2). Dietary risks were generally shared by younger siblings of cases, suggesting that infrequent intake of beta-carotene and preformed vitamin-A rich foods begins early in life and clusters among siblings within households, a pattern that is consistent with their higher risk of xerophthalmia and mortality. In developing countries where vitamin A deficiency is endemic, dietary counseling for children with xerophthalmia should be extended to their younger siblings. Moreover, dietary intake of preformed vitamin A may be as, or more, important as carotenoid-containing food consumption in protecting children and other members of households from vitamin A deficiency.     

Gender differences in predicting loneliness from social network characteristics.

Examined gender differences in predicting loneliness from measures of social network structure and a measure of perceived social support. Study 1 (including 179 undergraduates and 124 students [mean age 29 yrs]) used the traditional measure of network density in which the number of relationships among network members was determined. Study 2 (including 143 undergraduates [17–46 yrs]) used an index of density that assessed the extent of closeness of relationships between pairs of network members. Uniformly, male Ss with more highly interconnected, cohesive sets of friends reported themselves to be less lonely, whereas density had little relation to loneliness in females. Results are discussed as possibly indicating that men and women use different standards in evaluating whether they are lonely. It is suggested that men may use more group-oriented criteria in evaluating loneliness, whereas women focus more on the qualities of dyadic relationships. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization and amino acid sequence of the OXY-2 group beta-lactamase of pI 5.7 isolated from aztreonam-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca strain HB60

EPA's Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) and later documents provide guidance for estimating exposures received from suburban and agricultural activity patterns and lifestyles. However, these methods are not suitable for typical tribal communities whose members pursue, at least in part, traditional lifestyles. These lifestyles are derived from a long association with all of the resources in a particular region. We interviewed 35 members of a Columbia River Basin tribe to develop a lifestyle-based subsistence exposure scenario that represents a midrange exposure that a traditional tribal member would receive. This scenario provides a way to partially satisfy Executive Order 12,898 on environmental justice, which requires a specific evaluation of impacts from federal actions to peoples with subsistence diets. Because a subsistence diet is only a portion of what is important to a traditional lifestyle, we also used information obtained from the interviews to identify parameters for evaluating impacts to environmental and sociocultural quality of life.     

Attention to instruction directed to another by U.S. Mexican-heritage children of varying cultural backgrounds.

Children commonly observe and pitch in to ongoing activities in Indigenous communities of Mexico, according to ethnographic research. The present study examines the generality of this approach to learning by comparing its use among Mexican immigrants of two cultural backgrounds in the United States. Results showed more sustained attention to (and learning from) instruction directed to another person by 22 U.S. Mexican-heritage 6- to 11-year-old children whose families likely have experience with Indigenous practices (and limited involvement in Western schooling), compared with 16 U.S. Mexican-heritage children whose families have extensive involvement in Western schooling (and related practices). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particulate emission rates for unpaved shoulders along a paved road

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of agricultural change and subsequent social change on the nutritional situation of 4 communities of different regions and climates, that since the 70's have changed from traditional corn production to commercial sorghum production. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A new dietetic and clinical survey (1996) was performed to follow-up the changes in the 4 communities studied 12 years before (1984). RESULTS: The food consumption pattern continued changing, with more dietary diversification, better protein quality and less corn consumption. The child nutrition status on average was better. This happened in spite of the fact that the sorghum production was in a crisis and the communities partially returned to corn production, diversified production or migrated from the communities. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of first abandoning traditional corn production and later having problems with the commercial product (sorghum), the communities are still improving their nutrition. This is mostly due to implementing certain survival strategies, to receiving support from the people from the community who migrated and to a better food availability.     

Intelligence and substance use.

Why do some individuals choose to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and use illegal drugs while others do not? The origin of individual preferences and values is one of the remaining theoretical questions in social and behavioral sciences. The Savanna-IQ Interaction Hypothesis suggests that more intelligent individuals may be more likely to acquire and espouse evolutionarily novel values than less intelligent individuals. Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is evolutionarily novel, so the Savanna-IQ Interaction Hypothesis would predict that more intelligent individuals are more likely to consume these substances. Analyses of two large, nationally representative, and prospectively longitudinal data from the United Kingdom and the United States partly support the prediction. More intelligent children, both in the United Kingdom and the United States, are more likely to grow up to consume more alcohol. More intelligent American children are more likely to grow up to consume more tobacco, while more intelligent British children are more likely to grow up to consume more illegal drugs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Culturally sanctioned secrets? Latino men's nondisclosure of HIV infection to family, friends, and lovers.

Spanish-speaking Latino men (n?=?107) were more likely than English-speaking Latinos (n?=?85) and Whites (n?=?206) to withhold their HIV-positive serostatus and their gay or bisexual orientation from significant others, especially family members. Similar effects were observed when Latinos were divided by birthplace and when analyses controlled for sociodemographic and medical factors. Reasons for revealing or concealing an HIV diagnosis varied across targets. Although both Latinos and Whites were more likely to withhold their diagnosis from their parents to prevent worrying them than to avoid personal rejection, this tendency was somewhat stronger among Latinos. Our findings suggest that some traditional values may deter Latinos from seeking HIV-related social support in times of need. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strategic hospital alliances: impact on financial performance

Acute care hospitals have increasingly been forming local strategic hospital alliances (SHAs), which consume considerable resources in forming and may affect the competitiveness of provider markets. This research shows that SHAs and market factors, which have been perceived to be threats to hospitals, are related to hospitals' financial performance. Among the findings are that SHA members have higher net revenues but that they are not more effective at cost control. Nor do the higher net revenues result in higher cash flow. However, increasing SHA penetration in a market is related to lower net revenues per case. In addition, the penetration of private health maintenance organizations in markets is associated with lower revenues and expenses.     

Consumption of calcium-rich food in the adult population of French-speaking Switzerland and of Tessin

Food intake high in calcium content is important in the development of skeleton and the prevention of osteoporosis. From a public health perspective, it is therefore important to know the dietary calcium intake of a population. Two population surveys in the French and Italian parts of Switzerland (MONICA, 1988-1989, and Geneva, 1991), were combined to study nutritional habits related to calcium intake. A random population sample, aged 35 et 65 years, answered to a 24 hour recall questionnaire, either self-administered (MONICA, cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Tessin, N = 2734) or by phone (canton of Geneva, N = 475). In the 4 cantons, for the previous day, 60% of participants ate dairy products, particularly whole milk and cheese. They drunk 3-4 dl/day of milk. A significant proportion (10%) of french and italian speaking Swiss did not consume any food high in calcium content. In Geneva, the mean daily calcium intake was 656 mg in men and 489 mg in women. In conclusion 1) eating habits related to calcium intake are similar across cantons; 2) women consume dairy products more frequently than men, but in smaller quantities; 3) about 60% of men and 80% of women do not get the daily amount of calcium recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis.     

Risk assessment of use of cracked eggs in Canada

In 1992, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) amended its Egg Regulations to restrict movement of Canada C eggs (cracks) to federally registered processed egg stations for pasteurization. This was questioned by egg producers and some provinces on economic grounds. It was also in conflict with long-standing practices of marketing eggs in some provinces to retail stores, bakeries, restaurants and institutions or at the farm gate. In order to determine how much of a risk these eggs were to human health, AAFC requested that the Health Protection Branch (HPB) of Health Canada (HC) conduct a risk assessment. On the basis of outbreak data, the main hazard in these eggs was identified as Salmonella. Salmonellae may occasionally be present on shell eggs even after washing, and any Salmonella reaching the membranes can be transferred to an egg mixture through breaking, and will rapidly grow under improper storage conditions. A Relative Risk analysis showed that cracked eggs are 3 to 93 times more likely than uncracked shell eggs to cause outbreaks. A probability of illness of 1 in 3800 was derived from the 40 million cracked eggs produced in Canada and not pasteurized and the probable 10,500 illnesses arising from these. This was for the general population, but this would be greater for those who consume many shell eggs or would do so in an unsafe manner, or are more likely to be infected (5% of consumers who eat raw or lightly cooked eggs daily, rural communities with more opportunities for obtaining cracked eggs, and those who are immunocompromised and in institutions). Even though it is not possible to precisely determine the risk of salmonellosis through cracked eggs, this assessment indicated that there was enough of a concern that a management strategy was needed. Eight options for managing the risk were considered and ranked for acceptability by both HC and AAFC. Ideally, all cracked eggs should be broken and pasteurized, but this is impractical in certain regions of the country, and other options, such as sales to food processors operating under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and at the farm gate in marked cartons and under controlled conditions, were considered to be acceptable, whereas sales to institutions and bakeries were not. This is the first fromal food-related microbiological risk assessment that HC has completed. Although this is a Canadian problem, any country producing eggs has to recognise that despite any regulations controlling the use of cracked eggs, economics will dictate that some of these will be consumed as whole eggs or egg products, and a management plan is desirable to limit hazardous practices associated with these eggs.     

Contextual community prevention theory: Building interventions with community agency collaboration.

Translation from research to practice faces numerous problems that include replicating effectiveness, fidelity to the protocol and processes, and adaptations to different types of target populations. Working collaboratively with existing service providers can speed up the time for development and can ease the implementation of empirical randomized trials. Contextual community prevention theory is an innovative approach that focuses on changing behaviors of community members by creating a visible institutional presence that draws and pulls the targeted population into the organization’s activities and interventions. The result is an institution or organization within the community that provides a new active and dynamic context, engaging its community members into its activities, interventions, and functions. An HIV prevention program developed collaboratively from the ground up for Latino gay/bisexual men is presented. Results from the program evaluation efforts across the years suggest promise for testing its efficacy through a randomized trial. HIV prevention efforts need to develop dynamic support systems within communities where these men have ownership, have control, and feel safe; otherwise HIV infection rates in this population will increase. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of peptide YY (PYY) on food-associated conflict

Peptide YY (PYY) administered centrally in rats induces powerful overeating. PYY also occurs endogenously in humans and is elevated in abstaining bulimic patients. To examine the effect of PYY in an environment that parallels some aspects of bulimia, rats were tested in a paradigm associated with approach-avoidance behavior, choosing a preferred (sweet) food paired with shock, over regular food safe from shock. PYY-treated rats chose to sustain shock to retrieve and consume the preferred food, at a significantly greater speed and quantity. The number of approaches that were met without retrieval of food due to anxiety after PYY treatment indicates that PYY increased motivation towards feeding, rather than anxiolysis. This effect of PYY in a model of conflict associated with food choice resembles aspects of bulimic binge-eating, which is characterized by the repetitive, rapid intake of food, despite anxiety associated with this behavior.     

Women and men as organizational development practitioners: An analysis of differences and similarities.

Determined the values, practices, and extent of differences between women and men as organization development (OD) practitioners in the present and in the future. 150 female and 266 male members of 3 industry professional groups completed a questionnaire developed to assess practitioner's values and practices. Results indicate that in general both females and males relied less on traditional social–psychological and group-based methods of consulting and more on interventions aimed at helping organizations achieve their desired future states. In addition, general intervention usage between women and men did not differ significantly. Regarding the values of OD practitioners, findings indicate that women and men have very similar perceptions about what is important in the field today. However, females placed far more importance on humanistic values in OD work for the future than did men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unlicensed assistive personnel in the perioperative setting

The present climate in health care, including a tendency toward more managed care and capitation systems, has caused hospital administrators and perioperative managers to reexamine traditional work systems and their associated costs. Some decisions around work redesign may be financially driven or based on the decreased availability of qualified professionals in the job market. The use of an increased number of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in hospital settings has become a common redesign strategy to address both issues. In the perioperative setting, some traditional roles are well established for UAP. Today, changes associated with downsizing, cost containment, and increasing technology have opened up new opportunities to explore ways to integrate UAP roles into the perioperative setting.