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The ethylene inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is widely used in the apple industry as a post-harvest fumigation application to slow down the ripening process and maintain fruit quality during storage. With the development of a sprayable formulation (Harvista™, Agrofresh Inc, USA), it is becoming increasingly common in the apple industry to apply 1-MCP as a pre-harvest spray. This study investigated the impact of pre-harvest 1-MCP applied 1 week prior to harvest as a foliar application at 11.4 L ha−1in 1000 L water, on the quality and respiration rate of ‘Scilate’ apples grown in the Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania, Australia. Two trials were undertaken, trial 1 examined fruit quality, flesh browning (FB) and fruit softening in 1-MCP treated and untreated fruit while trial 2 compared the respiration rate of 1-MCP treated and untreated fruit. Despite no effect on fresh fruit quality attributes, pre-harvest spray application of 1-MCP influenced post-harvest fruit quality, storability, and respiration rate of apples. Fruit treated with 1-MCP showed higher malic acid concentration (1.2 g L−1vs 0.9 g L−1) and lower juice pH (4.6 vs 4.9) even after 7.5 months of regular air cold-storage along with a six-fold reduction in fruit softening in comparison to untreated fruit (2% vs 13%). Pre-harvest treatment of 1-MCP reduced respiration rate by 32%, and incidence of CO2injury by over 40%. The incidence of radial type (senescent related) FB was reduced by 100%. A significant proportion of treated apples still suffered from severe CO2injury. This study has demonstrated that pre-harvest application of 1-MCP to ‘Scilate’ fruit can be useful in maintaining long-term fruit quality during storage, reducing respiration rate, and lowering the incidence of FB in general. However, the risk of severe CO2injury remains, especially with larger fruit harvested from trees with lighter crop loads.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is the leading cause of death worldwide. In India, myocardial events are expected to be the fastest growing cause of death between 2005 and 2015. Thus, in order to prevent and manage the onset of the prevailing AMI epidemic, there is a crucial need to explore different dependent and independent risk factors of AMI, as well as its relationship with other systemic diseases and ill health conditions. One such possible relationship could be an association between AMI and periodontal diseases.Objectives and Methodology: The aim of this study was to review the existing literature to assess the strength of association between AMI and periodontitis in the context of Indian, particularly North Indian, populations and to outline key knowledge gaps in this field.Findings: Review of the literature clearly indicates that evidence on the association between periodontitis and AMI in Indian populations, as well as other populations worldwide, is limited. The number of studies done so far is relatively low. Further, inadequate sample size, retrospective data analyses, potential residual confounding factors, inconsistent definitions of exposure and outcome variables, and reported diversity in results, are some of the other key limitations.Conclusions: Insufficient evidence is available to justify that periodontal interventions can prevent the onset or progression of acute myocardial events. More longitudinal clinical trials and case-control studies with well controlled confounding factors and valid outcome and exposure measures are needed for determining the true association between the conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is the leading cause of death worldwide. In India, myocardial events are expected to be the fastest growing cause of death between 2005 and 2015. Thus, in order to prevent and manage the onset of the prevailing AMI epidemic, there is a crucial need to explore different dependent and independent risk factors of AMI, as well as its relationship with other systemic diseases and ill health conditions. One such possible relationship could be an association between AMI and periodontal diseases. Objective and methodology: The aim of this study was to review the existing literature to assess the strength of association between AMI and periodontitis in the context of Indian, particularly North Indian, populations and to outline key knowledge gaps in this field. Findings: Review of the literature clearly indicates that evidence on the association between periodontitis and AMI in Indian populations, as well as other populations worldwide, is limited. The number of studies done so far is relatively low. Further, inadequate sample size, retrospective data analyses, potential residual confounding factors, inconsistent definitions of exposure and outcome variables, and reported diversity in results, are some of the other key limitations. Conclusion: Insufficient evidence is available to justify that periodontal interventions can prevent the onset or progression of acute myocardial events. More longitudinal clinical trials and case-control studies with well controlled confounding factors and valid outcome and exposure measures are needed for determining the true association between the conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between business competitiveness and environment protection has been generally considered as involving a trade-off between social achievement and private burden. The important issue is how to create a balance with the desires of society for environmental protection on the one hand and financial burden in the industry on the other hand. There is infighting between these two concepts, which one side pushes for strict standards and the other side tries to push the standards back. Earlier these two concepts are viewed as contradictory concepts that are one against another. The central idea of this paper is to prove that both concepts of business competitiveness and environmental sustainability are not contradictory to each other in terms of Indian economy. Unless India is able to properly manage its environment and natural resources, the hopes of becoming an economic superpower will remain a futile dream.

AbstractThe relationship between business competitiveness and environment protection has been generally considered as involving a trade-off between social achievement and private burden. The important issue is how to create a balance with the desires of society for environmental protection on the one hand and financial burden in the industry on the other hand. There is infighting between these two concepts, which one side pushes for strict standards and the other side tries to push the standards back. Earlier these two concepts are viewed as contradictory concepts that are one against another. The central idea of this paper is to prove that both concepts of business competitiveness and environmental sustainability are not contradictory to each other in terms of Indian economy. Unless India is able to properly manage its environment and natural resources, the hopes of becoming an economic superpower will remain a futile dream.

Today, computed tomography (CT) and other studies are used more often early in a trauma case than X-rays, exposing patients to more radiation. The long-term effects of radiation exposure (RE) in trauma patients are of great concern. Investigators randomly selected 60 patients (injury severity scores 15-25) each from the years 2000, 2003, and 2006. The cumulative effective dose (CED) was calculated from the RE of all X-rays and CTs performed during the patient's hospital stay. Total CED/patient increased from 15.97 (2000) to 16.67 (2003) to 23.27 mSv (2006); the increase from 2000 to 2006 was significant (P< 0.05). X-rays increased over the 6-year period from 9.6/patient (pt) to 11.4/pt to 15.4/pt. CT scans increased from 2.2/pt (15.19 mSv) to 3.5/pt (21.85 mSv, P <0.05). The CED in children increased: 12.88 versus13.17 versus15.32 mSv/pt (P> 0.05). RE was 19.5 versus22.0 versus27.1 mSv in 16 to 45-year-olds compared with 15.5 versus14.3 versus27.0 mSv in older adults. Sixteen to 45-year-olds had significantly higher RE than children (P< 0.05). RE in the first hour and first 24 hours increased but not significantly (P> 0.05). CED increased from 2000 to 2006, due primarily from CT scans. Children had no significant CED increase during the same period and had lower RE than 16 to 45-year-old adults.