Context Matters: Revisiting the First Step of the ‘Sequence of Prevention’ of Sports Injuries

Abstract

It is possible to prevent sports injuries. Unfortunately, the demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness of injury prevention approaches are not translated into lasting real-world effects. Contemporary views in sports medicine and injury prevention suggest that sports injuries are 'complex' phenomena. If the problem we aim to prevent is complex, then the first step in the 'sequence of prevention' that defines the 'injury problem' already needs to have considered this. The purpose of this paper is to revisit the first step of the 'sequence of prevention', and to explore new perspectives that acknowledge the complexity of the sports injury problem. First, this paper provides a retrospective of the 'sequence of prevention', acknowledging contemporary views on sports injuries and their prevention. Thereafter, from the perspective of the socioecological model, we demonstrate the need for taking into account the complex nature of sports injuries in the first step. Finally, we propose an alternative approach to explore and understand injury context through qualitative research methods. A better understanding of the injury problem in context will guide more context-sensitive studies, thus providing a new perspective for sports injury prevention research.

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Molecular characterization of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B in Megalobrama amblycephala fed with high fat/berberine diets

Abstract

This study tested the effect of berberine on autophagy-related protein of Megalobrama amblycephala fed with high fat diet under different feeding modes. The full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B (LC3B) was 1871 bp with an open reading frame of 378 bp encoding 125 amino acids. High homology at nucleotide and amino acid sequences to carp LC3B was revealed though sequence analysis. LC3B was mainly (P < 0.05) expressed in hepatopancreas but lower in several peripheral tissues, including gill, intestine, kidney, and spleen. The fish (average initial weight 4.70 ± 0.02 g) were fed with eight experiment diets containing two lipid levels (5 and 10%) or four berberine-feeding modes (without berberine, supplementing 50 mg/kg berberine at 2-week intervals, 4-week intervals, or continuous) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the numbers of autophagosomes and hepatopancreas LC3B messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were significantly (P < 0.05) affected both by dietary lipid level and beberine feeding mode, and the highest (P < 0.05) numbers of autophagosomes and LC3B expression levels were observed in fish at berberine continuous feeding mode groups. The findings may provide the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and immune effect of berberine, which was associated with enhanced autophagy in fish.

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Editorial Board

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Improvement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Older Adults with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, and Stroke

Objective To quantify the improvement in independence experienced by patients with the following diagnoses: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson Disease (PD), and stroke following inpatient rehabilitation. Design Subjects who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in 2012-2013 with an incident diagnosis of: GBS (n = 1079), MS (n = 1438), PD (n = 11,834), or stroke (n = 131,313) were included. The main outcome measure was improvement in Functional Independence Measure® (FIM) scores on self-care, mobility, and cognition during inpatient rehabilitation. We estimated percent improvement from a linear mixed-effects model adjusted for patients' age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidity count, diagnostic group (GBS, MS, PD, and stroke), and admission score. Results All patient diagnostic groups receiving inpatient rehabilitation improved across all three domains. The largest adjusted percent improvements were observed in the mobility domain and the smallest in the cognition domain for all groups. Percent improvement in mobility ranged from 84.9% (MS) to 144.0% (GBS), self-care from 49.5% (MS) to 84.1% (GBS), and cognition from 34.0% (PD) to 51.7% (GBS). Patients with GBS demonstrated the greatest percent improvement across all three domains. Conclusions Patients with GBS, MS, PD, and stroke should improve during inpatient rehabilitation but anticipated outcomes for patients with GBS should be even higher. Author Disclosures: The study was supported by funding secured by Kenneth J. Ottenbacher, PhD, OTR through the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers R01 HD069443, P2C HD065702, and K12 HD055929) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (grant number 90AR5009). This work was also supported by the National Institute on Aging (grant number P30 AG024832) and the Foundation for Physical Therapy's Center of Excellence in Physical Therapy Health Services and Health Policy Research and Training Grant. We certify that no party having a direct interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on us or on any organization with which we are associated and we certify that all financial and material support for this research (eg, NIH or NIA grants) and work are clearly identified here in the title page of the manuscript. Neither author has financially benefitted from this research project or its dissemination. The results of this study are accepted as an abstract for the 2018 Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association. To date, the results of this study have not been presented or published elsewhere. Corresponding author: A. Williams Andrews, Campus Box 2085, Elon, NC 27244. 336-278-6351. andrewsb@elon.edu Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Mannitol in Critical Care and Surgery Over 50+ Years: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Complications With Meta-Analysis

Objective: Despite clinical use spanning 50+ years, questions remain concerning the optimal use of mannitol. The published reviews with meta-analysis frequently focused on mannitol's effects on a specific physiological aspect such as intracranial pressure (ICP) in sometimes heterogeneous patient populations. A comprehensive review of mannitol's effects, as well as side effects, is needed. Methods: The databases Medline (OvidSP), Embase (OvidSP), and NLM PubMed were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mannitol to a control therapy in either the critical care or perioperative setting. Meta-analysis was performed when feasible to examine mannitol's effects on outcomes, including ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), brain relaxation, fluid intake, urine output, and serum sodium. Systematic literature search was also performed to understand mannitol-related complications. Results: In total 55 RCTs were identified and 7 meta-analyses were performed. In traumatic brain injury, mannitol did not lead to significantly different MAP (SMD [95% confidence interval], CI)=−3.3 [−7.9, 1.3] mm Hg; P=0.16) but caused significantly different serum sodium concentrations (SMD [95% CI]=−8.0 [−11.0, −4.9] mmol/L; P

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The Effect of Balancing Selection on Population Differentiation: A Study with HLA Genes

Balancing selection is defined as a class of selective regimes that maintain polymorphism above what is expected under neutrality. Theory predicts that balancing selection reduces population differentiation, as measured by FST. However, balancing selection regimes in which different sets of alleles are maintained in different populations could increase population differentiation. To tackle the connection between balancing selection and population differentiation, we investigated population differentiation at the HLA genes, which constitute the most striking example of balancing selection in humans. We found that population differentiation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the HLA genes is on average lower than that of SNPs in other genomic regions. We show that these results require using a computation that accounts for the dependence of FST on allele frequencies. However, in pairs of closely related populations, where genome-wide differentiation is low, differentiation at HLA is higher than in other genomic regions. Such increased population differentiation at HLA genes for recently diverged population pairs was reproduced in simulations of overdominant selection, as long as the fitness of the homozygotes differs between the diverging populations. The results give insight into a possible "divergent overdominance" mechanism for the nature of balancing selection on HLA genes across human populations.

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Targeted Chromosomal Rearrangements via a Combinatorial Use of CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre/LoxP Technologies in Caenorhabditis elegans

Rearranged chromosomes have been applied to construct genetic balancers to manipulate essential genes in C. elegans. Although much effort has been put into constructing balancer chromosomes, approximately 6% (map units) of the C. elegans genome has not been covered, and this area lies mostly in pairing centers (PCs). Here, we developed a method for conditional chromosomal engineering through combinatorial use of the CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre/LoxP technologies. Functional DNA fragments containing LoxP sequences were inserted into designated genomic loci using a modified counterselection (cs)-CRISPR method. Then, heat-shock-induced Cre recombinase induced an inversion of the chromosomal region between the two LoxP sites. The chromosomal inversions were subsequently detected by the appearance of pharyngeal GFP. Through this method, we have successfully generated several chromosomal inversion lines, providing valuable resources for studying essential genes in pairing centers.

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Insights into the Structure of the Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) Genome, as Revealed by Molecular Cytogenetic Analyses and a High-Density Linkage Map

Genome structure characterization can contribute to a better understanding of processes such as adaptation, speciation, and karyotype evolution, and can provide useful information for refining genome assemblies. We studied the genome of an important North American boreal forest pest, the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, through a combination of molecular cytogenetic analyses and construction of a high-density linkage map based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained through a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. Cytogenetic analyses using fluorescence in situ hybridization methods confirmed the haploid chromosome number of n = 30 in both sexes of C. fumiferana and showed, for the first time, that this species has a WZ/ZZ sex chromosome system. Synteny analysis based on a comparison of the Bombyx mori genome and the C. fumiferana linkage map revealed the presence of a neo-Z chromosome in the latter species, as previously reported for other tortricid moths. In this neo-Z chromosome, we detected an ABC transporter C2 (ABCC2) gene that has been associated with insecticide resistance. Sex-linkage of the ABCC2 gene provides a genomic context favorable to selection and rapid spread of resistance against Bacillus thuringiensis serotype kurstaki (Btk), the main insecticide used in Canada to control spruce budworm populations. Ultimately, the linkage map we developed, which comprises 3586 SNP markers distributed over 30 linkage groups for a total length of 1720.41 cM, will be a valuable tool for refining our draft assembly of the spruce budworm genome.

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LIN-12/Notch Regulates GABA Signaling at the Caenorhabditis elegans Neuromuscular Junction

The role of Notch signaling in cell-fate decisions has been studied extensively; however, this pathway is also active in adult tissues, including the nervous system. Notch signaling modulates a wide range of behaviors and processes of the nervous system in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but there is no evidence for Notch signaling directly altering synaptic strength. Here, we demonstrate Notch-mediated regulation of synaptic activity at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction (NMJ). For this, we used aldicarb, an inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, and assessed paralysis rates of animals with altered Notch signaling. Notch receptors LIN-12 and GLP-1 are required for normal NMJ function; they regulate NMJ activity in an opposing fashion. Complete loss of LIN-12 skews the excitation/inhibition balance at the NMJ toward increased activity, whereas partial loss of GLP-1 has the opposite effect. Specific Notch ligands and co-ligands are also required for proper NMJ function. The role of LIN-12 is independent of cell-fate decisions; manipulation of LIN-12 signaling through RNAi knockdown or overexpression of the co-ligand OSM-11 after development alters NMJ activity. We demonstrate that LIN-12 modulates GABA signaling in this paradigm, as loss of GABA signaling suppresses LIN-12 gain-of-function defects. Further analysis, in vivo and in silico, suggests that LIN-12 may modulate transcription of the GABA_B receptor GBB-2. Our findings confirm a non-developmental role for the LIN-12/Notch receptor in regulating synaptic signaling and identify the GABA_B receptor GBB-2 as a potential Notch transcriptional target in the C. elegans nervous system.

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Generation and Phenotype Identification of PAX4 Gene Knockout Rabbit by CRISPR/Cas9 System

Paired-homeodomain transcription factor 4 (PAX4) gene encodes a transcription factor which plays an important role in the generation, differentiation, development, and survival of insulin-producing β-cells during mammalian pancreas development. PAX4 is a key diabetes mellitus (DM) susceptibility gene, which is associated with many different types of DM, including T1DM, T2DM, maturity onset diabetes of the young 9 (MODY9), and ketosis prone diabetes. In this study, a novel PAX4 gene knockout (KO) model was generated through co-injection of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) mRNA/sgRNA into rabbit zygotes. Typical phenotypes of growth retardation, persistent hyperglycemia, decreased number of insulin-producing β cells and increased number of glucagon-producing α cells were observed in the homozygous PAX4 KO rabbits. Furthermore, DM associated phenotypes including diabetic nephropathy, hepatopathy, myopathy and cardiomyopathy were also observed in the homozygous PAX4 KO rabbits but not in the wild type (WT) controls and the heterozygous PAX4 KO rabbits. In summary, this is the first PAX4 gene KO rabbit model generated by CRISPR/Cas9 system. This novel rabbit model may provide a new platform for function study of PAX4 gene in rabbit and gene therapy of human DM in clinical trails.

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Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine in the Era of Value-Based Health Care

Publication date: Available online 27 June 2018
Source:Anesthesiology Clinics
Author(s): Edward R. Mariano, Nabil M. Elkassabany




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In Vitro Cell-free DNA Quantification: A Novel Method to Accurately Quantify Cell Survival after Irradiation

Radiation Research, Volume 190, Issue 1, Page 22-27, July 2018.


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Cap-assisted double-lumen ERCP with forceps fixation for a tricky biliary access in periampullary diverticulum

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Pancreatic disorders in children: new clues on the horizon

Pancreatic disorders in children represent a growing health problem in pediatric patients. In the past two decades, several advances have been made in the knowledge of pediatric pancreatic disorders, with better understanding of different etiologies and clinical manifestations of these disorders. Moreover, many efforts have been made in pancreatology, aiming to define guidelines in the management of pancreatitis in children, initially based on the available information in adults. A multidisciplinary and multicenter approach is necessary to better determine pancreatic disease pathways and treatment options in children.

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Hospital admission for digestive diseases: gastroenterology units offer a more effective and efficient care

Digestive diseases imply a substantial burden for health care systems.Effectiveness of specialized gastroenterology care has been demonstrated in a few real life surveys.

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Prognostic Factors Associated with Best Outcomes (Minimal Symptom State) Following Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Conditions,,✯✯✯

Previous studies suggest that a post-operative symptom state with ODI ≤ 20 and pain NRS ≤ 2 following surgery for lumbar degenerative conditions are reasonable thresholds for best outcomes in which patients will be unlikely to seek additional medical care or require additional healthcare resources.

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The association between pro-inflammatory biomarkers and nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review

About 85% of the patients with low back pain seeking medical care have nonspecific low back pain (NsLBP), implying that no definitive cause can be identified. NsLBP is defined as LBP and disability which cannot be linked to a underlying pathology, such as cancer, spinal osteomyelitis, fracture, spinal stenosis, cauda equine, ankylosing spondylitis and visceral-referred pain. Many pain conditions are linked with elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Outcomes of interest are NsLBP and the level of pro-inflammatory biomarkers.

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Prevalence of anatomic variations of the atlas vertebra

The retrotransverse foramen (RTF), arcuate foramen (AF), unclosed transverse foramen (UTF) and posterior atlas arch defects (PAAD) are anatomic variations of the atlas vertebra that surgeons must be aware of before spine surgery is performed.

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Electromyography Stimulation Compared with Intraoperative O-Arm Imaging for Evaluating Pedicle Screw Breaches in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Prospective Analysis of 1006 Screws in 164 Patients,

Lumbar pedicle screw placement can be technically challenging. Malpositioned screws occur in up to 15% of patients and could result in radiculopathy or instrumentation failure.

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Identification and genetic mapping for rht-DM , a dominant dwarfing gene in mutant semi-dwarf maize using QTL-seq approach

Abstract

Semi-dwarfism is an agronomically important trait in breeding for stable high yields and for resistance to damage by wind and rain (lodging resistance). Many QTLs and genes causing dwarf phenotype have been found in maize. However, because of the yield loss associated with these QTLs and genes, they have been difficult to use in breeding for dwarf stature in maize. Therefore, it is important to find the new dwarfing genes or materials without undesirable characters. The objectives of this study were: (1) to figure out the inheritance of semi-dwarfism in mutants; (2) mapping dwarfing gene or QTL. Maize inbred lines '18599' and 'DM173', which is the dwarf mutant derived from the maize inbred line '173' through ⁶⁰Co-γ ray irradiation. F₂ and BC₁F₁ population were used for genetic analysis. Whole genome resequencing-based technology (QTL-seq) were performed to map dwarfing gene and figured out the SNP markers in predicted region using dwarf bulk and tall bulk from F₂ population. Based on the polymorphic SNP markers from QTL-seq, we were fine-mapping the dwarfing gene using F₂ population. In F₂ population, 398 were dwarf plants and 135 were tall plants. Results of χ² tests indicated that the ratio of dwarf plants to tall plants was fitted to 3:1 ratio. Furthermore, the χ² tests of BC₁F₁ population showed that the ratio was fitted to 1:1 ratio. Based on QTL-seq, the dwarfing gene was located at the region from 111.07 to 124.56 Mb of chromosome 9, and we named it rht-DM. Using traditional QTL mapping with SNP markers, the rht-DM was narrowed down to 400 kb region between SNP-21 and SNP-24. The two SNPs were located at 0.43 and 0.11 cM. Segregation analysis of F₂ and BC₁F₁ indicated that the dwarfing gene was likely a dominant gene. This dwarfing gene was located in the region between 115.02 and 115.42 Mb on chromosome 9.

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Effects of training with flow restriction on the exercise pressor reflex

Abstract

Purpose

We hypothesized that 5 weeks of endurance training with blood flow restriction (R-training), providing relative ischemia and stimulation of the muscle chemoreflex, would decrease the exercise pressor reflex (EPR) when compared to training with the same workload in a free-flow condition (NR-training).

Methods

10 subjects performed one-leg knee-extension training four times a week during a 5-week period. Both legs were trained with identical workload, with one leg being trained during flow-restriction induced by lower body positive pressure. The EPR was assessed by measuring the increase in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during an isometric knee extension of 35% of max torque for 90 s, this was done before (C), and after training in each leg (R and NR, respectively).

Results

At the end of isometric contraction, the increase in mean AP (MAP) in the NR-trained leg and in the control condition were 41 ± 4 and 38 ± 4 mmHg, respectively, whereas the increase in the R-trained leg was 30 ± 4 mmHg (p < 0.05 R vs C and NR), corresponding to a decrease of about 25%. A similar patter was observed with respect to responses in HR, where the increase was 28 ± 3 and 28 ± 3 bpm in the NR and C, and 22 ± 4 in the R condition (p < 0.05 R vs C and NR).

Conclusions

Peripheral metabolic changes induced by relative ischemia are important in modifying the EPR in response to exercise training.

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ADSTEP: Preliminary investigation of a multicomponent walking aid program in people with multiple sclerosis

Publication date: Available online 26 June 2018
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Douglas N. Martini, Eline Zeeboer, Andrea Hildebrand, Brett W. Fling, Cinda L. Hugos, Michelle H. Cameron
ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of the Assistive Device Selection, Training and Education Program (ADSTEP) on falls and walking and sitting activity in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).DesignRandomized controlled trial.SettingVeterans Affairs medical center.ParticipantsForty PwMS using a walking aid at baseline who had fallen in the previous year.InterventionsParticipants were randomly assigned to ADSTEP or control. ADSTEP had six weekly, 40-minute, one-on-one sessions with a physical therapist, starting with walking aid selection and fitting, followed by task-oriented progressive gait training. Control was usual medical care with the option of ADSTEP after the study.Main Outcome MeasuresThe following were assessed at baseline, intervention completion, and three months later: falls, Timed Up and Go, Timed 25-Foot Walk, Two-Minute Walk, Four Square Step Test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technologies, Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12, Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29. Effect on these outcomes was estimated by a two-by-two repeated measures general linear model.ResultsFewer ADSTEP than control participants fell (χ²=3.96, p<0.05. NNT=3.3). Time spent sitting changed significantly differently with ADSTEP than with control from baseline to intervention completion (F=11.16, p=0.002. ADSTEP: reduced 87.00±194.89 minutes/day; control: increased 103.50±142.21 minutes/day; d=0.88) and to three-month follow-up (F=9.25, p=0.004. ADSTEP: reduced 75.79±171.57 minutes/day; control: increased 84.50±149.23 minutes/day; d=0.79). ADSTEP yielded a moderate effect on time spent walking compared to control at three-month follow-up (p>0.05. ADSTEP 117.53±148.40 minutes/day; control 46.43±58.55 minutes/day; d=0.63).ConclusionsADSTEP prevents falls, reduces sitting, and may increase walking in PwMS.



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The development of a two new computer adaptive tests to evaluate feelings of loss in caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury: TBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Self and Feelings of Loss-Person with Traumatic Brain Injury

Publication date: Available online 26 June 2018
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Noelle E. Carlozzi, Michael A. Kallen, Phillip A. Ianni, Angelle M. Sander, Elizabeth A. Hahn, Rael T. Lange, Tracey A. Brickell, Louis M. French, Jennifer A. Miner, Robin Hanks
ObjectiveTo develop new patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to better understand feelings of loss in caregivers of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).DesignCross-sectional survey study.SettingThree TBI Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals, an academic medical center, and a military medical treatment facility.ParticipantsFive-hundred-sixty caregivers of civilians with TBI (n=344) or service members/veterans (SMVs) with TBI (n=216)InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresTBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Self and TBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Person with Traumatic Brain Injury Item banksResultsWhile the initial exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the Feelings of Loss item pool (98 items) potentially supported a unidimensional set of items, further analysis indicated two different factors: Feelings of Loss-Self (43 items) and Feelings of Loss-Person with TBI (20 items). For Feelings of Loss-Self, an additional 13 items were deleted due to item-response theory based item misfit; the remaining 30 items had good overall model fit (Confirmatory Fit Index [CFI]=0.96, Tucker Lewis Index [TLI]=.96, Root Mean Squared Error [RMSEA]=.10). For Feelings of Loss-Other, 1 additional item was deleted due to an associated high correlated error modification index value; the final 19 items evidenced good overall model fit (CFI=0.97, TLI=.97, RMSEA=.095). The final item banks were developed to be administered as either a CAT or a short-form. Clinical experts approved the content of the 6-item short forms of the two measures (three-week test-retest was r=.87 for Feelings of Loss-Self and r=.85 for Feelings of Loss-Person with TBI).ConclusionsThe findings from this study resulted in the development of two new PROs to assess feelings of loss in caregivers of individuals with TBI; TBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Self and TBI-CareQOL Feelings of Loss-Person with TBI. Good psychometric properties were established and a short-form was developed for ease of use in clinical situations. Additional research is needed to determine concurrent and predictive validity of these measures in the psychological treatment of those caring for persons with TBI.



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Studying the impact of radioactive charging on the microphysical evolution and transport of radioactive aerosols with the TOMAS-RC v1 framework

Publication date: December 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 192
Author(s): Petros Vasilakos, Yong-Ηa Kim, Jeffrey R. Pierce, Sotira Yiacoumi, Costas Tsouris, Athanasios Nenes
Radioactive charging can significantly impact the way radioactive aerosols behave, and as a result their lifetime, but such effects are neglected in predictive model studies of radioactive plumes. The objective of this work is to determine the influence of radioactive charging on the vertical transport of radioactive aerosols in the atmosphere, through its effect on coagulation and deposition, as well as quantifying the impact of this charging on aerosol lifetime. The TwO-Moment Aerosol Sectional (TOMAS) microphysical model was extended to account for radioactive charging effects on coagulation in a computationally efficient way. The expanded model, TOMAS-RC (TOMAS with Radioactive Charging effects), was then used to simulate the microphysical evolution and deposition of radioactive aerosol (containing the isotopes ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs) in a number of idealized atmospheric transport experiments. Results indicate that radioactive charging can facilitate or suppress coagulation of radioactive aerosols, thus influencing the deposition patterns and total amount of radioactive aerosol mass available for long-range transport. Sensitivity simulations to uncertain parameters affirm the potential importance of radioactive charging effects. An important finding is that charging of neutral, coarse mode aerosol from background radiation can reduce coagulation rates and extend its lifetime in the atmosphere by up to a factor of 2.



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Food and Nutrient Intakes of Jamaican Immigrants in Florida

Abstract

This study assessed dietary intakes, nutritional composition, and identified commonly eaten foods among Jamaicans in Florida. Dietary intake was assessed among 44 study participants to determine commonly eaten foods and nutrient composition. Weighed recipes were collected and analyzed to determine nutrient composition for traditional foods. Top foods that contributed to macronutrient and micronutrient intake were identified and adherence to dietary recommendations was evaluated. Mean daily energy intake was 2879 (SD 1179) kcal and 2242 (SD 1236) kcal for men and women respectively. Mean macronutrient intakes were above dietary recommendations for men and women. Top foods contributing to energy included rice and peas, sweetened juices, chicken, red peas soup, and hot chocolate drink. Results showed sodium intake was more than double the adequate intake estimate (1300–1500 mg). Findings highlight the need to include commonly eaten traditional foods in dietary questionnaires to accurately assess diet-related chronic disease risk. Findings have implications for risk factor intervention and prevention efforts among Jamaicans.

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