Search

Endocannabinoid signalling mediated by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R, also known as CNR1) is critical for homeostatic neuromodulation of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. This requires highly polarised axonal surface expression of CB1R, but how this is achieved remains unclear. We previously reported that the α-helical H9 domain in the intracellular C terminus of CB1R contributes to axonal surface expression by an unknown mechanism. Here, we show in rat primary neuronal cultures that the H9 domain binds to the endocytic adaptor protein SGIP1 to promote CB1R expression in the axonal membrane. Overexpression of SGIP1 increases CB1R axonal surface localisation but has no effect on CB1R lacking the H9 domain (CB1RΔH9). Conversely, SGIP1 knockdown reduces axonal surface expression of CB1R but does not affect CB1RΔH9. Furthermore, SGIP1 knockdown diminishes CB1R-mediated inhibition of presynaptic Ca2+ influx in response to neuronal activity. Taken together, these data advance mechanistic understanding of endocannabinoid signalling by demonstrating that SGIP1 interaction with the H9 domain underpins axonal CB1R surface expression to regulate presynaptic responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Methods Results Conclusions The Australian Dietary Guidelines are currently being revised and ultra‐processed foods have been identified as a high priority action area. To better understand how well the current Dietary Guidelines align with level of processing classifications, the aim of this study was to assess the alignment between the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the NOVA classification system for classifying the healthiness of packaged foods.Data were sourced from the Australian FoodSwitch dataset, which included 28 071 packaged food and beverage products available in major Australian supermarkets in 2022. Products were classified as (i) core or discretionary (Australian Dietary Guidelines) and (ii) non‐ultra‐processed or ultra‐processed (NOVA). Agreement between the two systems (core vs. non‐ultra‐processed and discretionary vs. ultra‐processed) was evaluated using the kappa statistic.There was ‘moderate’ agreement (κ = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.40–0.42) between the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the NOVA system, with 69.8% of products aligned across the two systems. Alignment was more common for discretionary foods (80.6% were ultra‐processed) than core foods (59.9% aligned were not‐ultra‐processed). Food categories exhibiting the strongest levels of alignment included confectionary, foods for specific dietary use, and egg and egg products. Discordance was most common for convenience foods, sugars, honey and related products, and cereal and grain products.Despite moderate alignment between the Australian Dietary Guidelines and NOVA, the discordance observed for almost one‐third of products highlights the opportunity to develop recommendations for ultra‐processed foods within the guidelines to advise Australians how these foods should be considered as part of a healthy diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States (US) has decreased significantly over the last several decades, but primarily in those 65 years of age and older. However, there has been a dramatic global increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in patients younger than 50 years old. This cohort is known as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) and is projected to rise in incidence. This epidemiologic change is poorly understood, but the sharp increase in the incidence of obesity and metabolic dysfunction have been linked to this phenomenon. The aim of our study is to examine the complex inflammatory mechanisms affecting EOCRC, including obesity, hormonal effects, inflammatory processes, and the tumor environment. With an improved understanding of these interactions, new methods to prevent and treat EOCRC could reduce its incidence and prolong survival in affected patients. Metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity leads to a chronic pro-inflammatory state with systemic effects, including the alteration of macrophage metabolism. Tumor-associated macrophages have been linked to the formation of cancer through the production of metabolites such as itaconate. Itaconate downregulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma as a tumor-suppressing factor and upregulates anti-inflammatory cytokines in M2-like macrophages. Similarly, leptin and adiponectin also influence macrophage cytokine expression and contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer via changes in gene expression within the PI3K/AKT pathway. This pathway influences cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. This work provides a review of obesity-related hormones and inflammatory mechanisms leading to the development and progression of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). A literature search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify studies related to obesity and EOCRC, with keywords including 'EOCRC', 'obesity', 'obesity-related hormones', 'itaconate', 'adiponectin', 'leptin', 'M2a macrophage', and 'microbiome'. With this concept of pro-inflammatory markers contributing to EOCRC, increased use of chemo-preventative agents such as aspirin may have a protective effect. Elucidating this association between obesity-related, hormone/cytokine-driven inflammatory effects with EOCRC may help lead to new therapeutic targets in preventing and treating EOCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The use of food packaging as a vehicle for marketing to children is under investigated. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and types of child-directed promotional techniques used on food packaging in Australia. Design: Based on existing literature and regulations, we developed a framework to classify on-pack child-directed promotional techniques involving the use of characters and other elements that appeal to children. We analysed the packaging of all products in eight food categories available for sale from supermarkets in 2019 and recorded the use of child-directed promotions on pack. We assessed the number and proportion of products displaying child-directed promotional techniques overall and assessed the healthiness of products using child-directed promotions against four indicators of healthiness to provide summary data overall and for the manufacturers who most frequently employed child-targeted strategies. Setting: Data were collected from the FoodSwitch database in Sydney, Australia. Results: 901/8006 (11·3 %) products displayed one or more child-directed on-pack element. Most frequent was on foods for infants and young children (n 315), confectionery (n 283), snack foods (n 172) and dairy (n 168). Personified characters were the most commonly used element (n 512). Products using child-directed promotional techniques scored poorly on all four indicators of healthiness: mean health star rating 2·34 (out of 5); 81 % ultra-processed and 6·1 % and 4·5 % products eligible to market to children under Western Pacific and Mexican nutrient profiling schemes, respectively. Conclusions: Australian children are targeted by promotional techniques on the packaging of unhealthy food products. Stronger regulation of these techniques is warranted to protect children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On migration from low latitude breeding grounds to high latitude feeding grounds, humpback whale mothers and calves spend time resting in coastal embayments. Unlike other areas where resting has been documented, Jervis Bay, on Australia's east coast, is remote from both breeding and feeding grounds, and provides a unique opportunity to compare resting behaviour observed within a semi-enclosed embayment to observations offshore. Land-based, and UAV surveys were conducted in Jervis Bay in 2018, 2019, and 2021. We show that (i) a disproportionately high percentage of groups with a calf enter Jervis Bay during the southbound migration, (ii) travelling speeds are significantly slower in the Bay compared to offshore, indicating resting behaviour, and (iii) aerial observations highlight resting and nurturing behaviour. Subsequently, we conclude that Jervis Bay is an important area for resting mother-calf humpback whale groups. Comparison with reports of resting behaviour during migration in areas nearer the breeding grounds shows commonalities that characterise resting behaviour in mothers and calves. This characterisation will allow improved monitoring and management of humpback whales in nearshore embayments during a critical stage of calf development, particularly those with increased anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On migration from low latitude breeding grounds to high latitude feeding grounds, humpback whale mothers and calves spend time resting in coastal embayments. Unlike other areas where resting has been documented, Jervis Bay, on Australia's east coast, is remote from both breeding and feeding grounds, and provides a unique opportunity to compare resting behaviour observed within a semi-enclosed embayment to observations offshore. Land-based, and UAV surveys were conducted in Jervis Bay in 2018, 2019, and 2021. We show that (i) a disproportionately high percentage of groups with a calf enter Jervis Bay during the southbound migration, (ii) travelling speeds are significantly slower in the Bay compared to offshore, indicating resting behaviour, and (iii) aerial observations highlight resting and nurturing behaviour. Subsequently, we conclude that Jervis Bay is an important area for resting mother-calf humpback whale groups. Comparison with reports of resting behaviour during migration in areas nearer the breeding grounds shows commonalities that characterise resting behaviour in mothers and calves. This characterisation will allow improved monitoring and management of humpback whales in nearshore embayments during a critical stage of calf development, particularly those with increased anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chikungunya is associated with high morbidity and the natural history of symptomatic infection has been divided into three phases (acute, post-acute, and chronic) according to the duration of musculoskeletal symptoms. Although this classification has been designed to help guide therapeutic decisions, it does not encompass the complexity of the clinical expression of the disease and does not assist in the evaluation of the prognosis of severity nor chronic disease. Thus, the current challenge is to identify and diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and to provide the optimal treatment in order to prevent perpetuation or progression to a potentially destructive disease course. Methods: The study is the first product of the Clinical and Applied Research Network in Chikungunya (REPLICK). This is a prospective, outpatient department-based, multicenter cohort study in Brazil. Four work packages were defined: i. Clinical research; ii) Translational Science – comprising immunology and virology streams; iii) Epidemiology and Economics; iv) Therapeutic Response and clinical trials design. Scheduled appointments on days 21 (D21) ± 7 after enrollment, D90 ± 15, D120 ± 30, D180 ± 30; D360 ± 30; D720 ± 60, and D1080 ± 60 days. On these visits a panel of blood tests are collected in addition to the clinical report forms to obtain data on socio-demographic, medical history, physical examination and questionnaires devoted to the evaluation of musculoskeletal manifestations and overall health are performed. Participants are asked to consent for their specimens to be maintained in a biobank. Aliquots of blood, serum, saliva, PAXgene, and when clinically indicated to be examined, synovial fluid, are stored at -80° C. The study protocol was submitted and approved to the National IRB and local IRB at each study site. Discussion: Standardized and harmonized patient cohorts are needed to provide better estimates of chronic arthralgia development, the clinical spectra of acute and chronic disease and investigation of associated risk factors. This study is the largest evaluation of the long-term sequelae of individuals infected with CHIKV in the Brazilian population focusing on musculoskeletal manifestations, mental health, quality of life, and chronic pain. This information will both define disease burden and costs associated with CHIKV infection, and better inform therapeutic guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been over 25 years since Maria Franklin (1997b) asked, "Why are there so few black American archaeologists?" While low numbers can still be attributed to Black Americans choosing to pursue more lucrative careers, we must also understand that barriers instituted and perpetuated by racism also play a major factor. Through highlighting the experiences of archaeologists from John Wesley Gilbert (1863–1923) to contemporary professionals, the legacy of racism and discriminatory treatment of Black archaeologists assists in answering Franklin's question. Though numbers have increased since the creation of the Society of Black Archaeologists in 2011, the retention of Black graduate students and professionals in the field is still a challenge. Revisiting this question in the time of Black Lives Matter in Archaeology may provide some clarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how conflicting federal and state policies have delayed the implementation of broadband expansion projects in rural areas in Indiana. Also cited are the legislative updates to improve the broadband grant programs, the importance of the Internet in areas like employment, education, and healthcare, and the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program (NLC).

The landscape of product advertising has rapidly changed, as companies have moved to social media to reach millions of online global consumers(1). Public engagement is increasingly recognised as essential for public health impact, and social media offers a platform for researchers and practitioners to proactively participate, spreading health messages. Peer to peer communication The enemy - the blurred advertising lines of the influencer Featuring a relatable and trusted consumer testimonial is a known and familiar traditional advertising technique, but social media amplifies this and enables direct peer to peer advertising. The friend - delivering health and research messages to the right audiences How can social media's targeted messaging be utilised by public health research and practice?. [Extracted from the article]

Key Practitioner Messages: Young people at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) value peer mentoring and will respond to services that they regard as authentic, consistent and tailored to their needs.Practitioners should always endeavour to prioritise the voices of young people - they are articulate about CSE.Arts‐based projects should be given fuller consideration as a potentially effective vehicle for building resilience and combatting the CSE threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dietetic intervention delivered by Accredited Practising Dietitians is demonstrated to improve clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to assess the accessibility to dietetic intervention for people with type 2 diabetes in Australia. Methods: Prevalence data and dietitian workforce distribution data were sourced from Diabetes Australia and Dietitians Association of Australia, respectively. Geographical information system mapping and statistical analysis were used to compare the ratios of dietitians to people with type 2 diabetes across the states of Australia and by index of socio‐economic advantage and disadvantage in each state. Results: An inequitable distribution of the dietetic workforce and that of the people with type 2 diabetes across Australia was demonstrated. An uneven distribution of the workforce is evidenced across states when compared to the distribution of type 2 diabetes prevalence; with New South Wales having a better ratio than Victoria and South Australia. Maps and prevalence data revealed the dietetic workforce was mostly concentrated in affluent urban centres whereas the type 2 diabetes prevalence rates were higher in rural and remote areas and in areas of lower socio‐economic status. Conclusions: This research highlights the need to address the limited access to dietetic intervention for those in rural, remote and disadvantaged areas which also have the greatest need. The financial burden of treating diabetic complications on the national health budget necessitates government initiatives. These should include better use of telehealth dietetic consultations and incentives for dietitians to work in rural, remote and disadvantaged areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To respond to the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) crisis, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), a multilateral United Nations body responsible for work on food standards, is developing global guidance for front of pack (FoP) nutrition labelling. Guidance from Codex regarding FoP nutrition labelling at the global level will almost certainly influence national policy making. This shift in Codex's activities towards standards to address NCDs presents new risks for achievement of public health goals, as a result of the high level of industry involvement in this forum; there is a potential commercial conflict of interest held by manufacturers of products whose consumption could be discouraged by such guidance. In this Commentary, we examine the implications of Codex processes for developing robust global guidance on FoP nutrition labelling and identify opportunities to increase consideration of public health objectives. To date, there has been significantly higher representation of food industry compared to public health actors in Codex discussions on FoP nutrition labelling. Without a strong public health voice in Codex, the industry voice could dominate discussions on FoP nutrition labelling, such that subsequent global guidance prioritises future trade and profits over potential risks to public health. There is currently a critical window of opportunity for public health interests to be prioritised in this multisectoral international forum. The key public health priority for global guidance on FoP nutrition labelling is to ensure protection of policy space for national governments to implement strong and effective regulation, and allow scope for innovation. Public health actors can engage directly with Codex processes, at both the national and global level, and also need to raise awareness among domestic policy makers - including with Ministries of Agriculture and Industry, which often represent countries at Codex - regarding the importance and effectiveness of FoP labelling in NCD prevention. Increased engagement with Codex processes represents a tangible new opportunity to strengthen global governance for public health, and move towards improved coherence between trade policy and health protection goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine canyons play an important role in the regional distribution, abundance and dispersal of marine biota and are increasingly being recognised as geomorphic features of high conservation significance along Australia's continental margin. Certain canyons have been described as foraging 'hotspots' attributable to the high abundance of apex cetacean species aggregating in these areas. Anecdotal evidence of large seasonal aggregations of killer whales in the Bremer Canyon, south-west Australia, has attracted significant research attention in the last decade. To identify important environmental drivers influencing aggregation patterns, a predictive spatial habitat model using the Maxent model was developed based on presence-only whale sighting data. In addition, remotely sensed sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations were assessed to investigate the spatio-temporal variation in sea surface conditions. Habitat preference was predicted in areas between canyon heads, with the most influential predictor variables being depth and distance from the continental shelf break. Analysis of remote-sensing data highlighted low localised variability in surface waters and illustrated the seasonal trends of the Leeuwin Current. This study demonstrates the influence of bathymetry and submarine geomorphology on enhanced cetacean abundance and highlights the need for recognition of this potential foraging area in marine reserve planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpretive nutrition labels provide simplified nutrient-specific text and/or symbols on the front of pre-packaged foods, to encourage and enable consumers to make healthier choices. This type of labelling has been proposed as part of a comprehensive policy response to the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases. However, regulation of nutrition labelling falls under the remit of not just the health sector but also trade. Specific Trade Concerns have been raised at the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee regarding interpretive nutrition labelling initiatives in Thailand, Chile, Indonesia, Peru and Ecuador. This paper presents an analysis of the discussions of these concerns. Although nutrition labelling was identified as a legitimate policy objective, queries were raised regarding the justification of the specific labelling measures proposed, and the scientific evidence for effectiveness of such measures. Concerns were also raised regarding the consistency of the measures with international standards. Drawing on policy learning theory, we identified four lessons for public health policy makers, including: strategic framing of nutrition labelling policy objectives; pro-active policy engagement between trade and health to identify potential trade issues; identifying ways to minimize potential 'practical' trade concerns; and engagement with the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop international guidance on interpretative labelling. This analysis indicates that while there is potential for trade sector concerns to stifle innovation in nutrition labelling policy, care in how interpretive nutrition labelling measures are crafted in light of trade commitments can minimize such a risk and help ensure that trade policy is coherent with nutrition action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Google took voluntary action to restrict food and beverage advertising through its online channels in the European Union/United Kingdom using Google's own nutrient profiling model to identify products eligible to be marketed to children through its Google Display Network. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of the Google policy, if applied to the U.S. market, on restricting online advertising of the top-selling packaged foods and beverages in the U.S. The top 25 U.S. food and beverage manufacturers were identified. Nutrient data for products from these manufacturers were sourced from Label Insight (a Nielsen IQ company) in 2021. Each product was examined against four nutrient profiling models: the Google nutrient profiling model, the WHO Europe nutrient profiling model, the Pan American Health Organization nutrient profiling model, and the Chilean government nutrient profiling model. Under Google's nutrient profiling model, 18% of 14,188 products were eligible to be advertised to children, representing $44 billion in revenue for the top 25 U.S. manufacturers of the >$240 billion generated annually. The Google nutrient profiling model permitted the most products to be advertised to children of all four nutrient profiling models examined. U.S. children engage extensively with online media. In place of government regulation, the Google advertising policy and related nutrient profiling model would limit online advertising of the most unhealthful products to children, if the policy were to be applied to the U.S. market. The effectiveness of the policy would be strengthened by refining the Google nutrient profiling model to better align with nutrient profiling models developed by authoritative health agencies, including the WHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Intercomparison of 3D Radiation Codes (I3RC) community Monte Carlo model has been extended to include a source of photon emission from the surface and atmosphere, thereby making it capable of simulating scalar radiative transfer in a 3D scattering, absorbing, and emitting domain with both internal and external sources. The theoretical basis, computational implementation, verification of the internal emission, and computational performance of the resulting model, the ''IMC1emission,'' is presented. Thorough verification includes fundamental tests of reciprocity and energy conservation, comparison to analytical solutions, and comparison with another 3D model, the Spherical Harmonics Discrete Ordinate Method (SHDOM). All comparisons to fundamental tests and analytical solutions are accurate to within the precision of the simulations-- typically better than 0.05%. Comparison cases to SHDOM were typically within a few percent, except for flux divergence near cloud edges, where the effects of grid definition between the two models manifest themselves. Finally, the model is applied to the established I3RC case 4 cumulus cloud field to provide a benchmark result, and computational performance and strong and weak scaling metrics are presented. The outcome is a thoroughly vetted, publicly available, open-source benchmark tool to study 3D radiative transfer from either internal or external sources of radiation at wavelengths for which scattering, emission, and absorption are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to examine the impact of disability type and accommodation type on participants' perceptions of the appropriateness of accommodations on university campuses. Research Method: Participants were 223 university students who evaluated the written symptom descriptions of 8 hypothetical university students with disabilities to determine whether a series of 8 different accommodations would be appropriate for them. Results: Perceptions of accommodation appropriateness were impacted by both the type of disability and the type of accommodation under consideration. The results indicated that accommodations for psychiatric disabilities and invisible physical disabilities were less likely to be viewed as appropriate regardless of how well they addressed the symptoms of the disability. Conclusions: Students with psychiatric and invisible physical disabilities may be especially vulnerable to negative peer perceptions if they receive accommodations. These attitudinal barriers make it harder for students with disabilities to integrate into the college social environment. Students with disabilities who do not feel welcome are less likely to self-advocate to acquire the accommodations that they need and are therefore less likely to succeed in their course work. Our results highlight the importance of programs that encourage the integration of students with disabilities and decrease the stigma of disability on campus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the beginning of the genre, women writers have made a major contribution to the development of industrial writing. Although prevented from gaining first-hand experience of the coalface, Welsh women writers were amongst the first to try to fictionalize those heavy industries—coal and metal in the south, and slate in the north—which dominated the lives of the majority of the late nineteenth-century Welsh population. Treatment of industrial matter is generally fragmentary in this early women's writing; industrial imagery and metaphor may be used in novels that are not primarily “about” industry at all. Yet fromc.1880–1910, Welsh women writers made a significant—and hitherto critically neglected—attempt to make sense in literature of contemporary industrial Wales in powerful and innovative ways. This essay maps their contribution and considers anglophone Welsh women writers' adaptations and innovations of form (particularly romance) as they try to find a way of representing industrial landscapes, communities and the daily realities of industrial labour. It identifies the genesis in women's writing of tropes that would become central to later industrial fiction, including depictions of industrial accident, injury, death and disability. And it explores the representation of social relations (class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality) and conflict on this tumultuous, dangerous new stage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of respiratory diagnoses on smoking cessation. A total of 229 current and former smokers, with and without respiratory diagnoses completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing how their smoking habit changed when diagnosed with various respiratory conditions. Among all participants the most common reason for quitting smoking was to reduce the risk of health problems in general. In those with a chronic respiratory diagnosis, this was their most common reason for quitting. Motivation to quit smoking, scored by participants on a scale of 0–10, increased at the time of diagnosis then further increased after diagnosis of a chronic respiratory condition but declined after diagnosis of an acute respiratory condition. The research had a small sample size so further research is required. However, important themes are highlighted with the potential to influence clinical practice. All clinicians should receive training to promote cessation at the time of diagnosing respiratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A narrative analysis explored the accounts of eight mothers, each of whom had left an abusive relationship at least 12 months previously. Existing research investigating the strategies used by women to cope with domestic violence rarely considers women in their capacity as mothers. Furthermore, women’s lives after leaving an abusive relationship have received limited research attention. Thus, this study aimed to understand how women described coping with domestic violence and mothering their children, both during an abusive relationship and after leaving. The analysis focused on how the eight participants described their experiences (narrative form) as well as what they talked about (narrative content). Three types of narrative form were identified: (1) ‘The story told to help others’, (2) ‘The story too difficult to tell’ and (3) ‘Where’s my story going?’ Each woman spoke about the contextual factors that influenced whether she coped with domestic violence by seeking support from others, changing her thinking or changing her behaviour. Caring for their children was a major source of support for all the women both during their relationship and after leaving. The findings indicate that mothers who have been abused by their intimate partner may come into contact with a wide range of social and emergency support services. Implications for clinical practice, service delivery and service development relate to the different ways of supporting women in talking about abuse and also the need to recognise trauma in parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical behaviour of octafluoro-9,10-anthroquinone is reported, motivated by the use of this lipophilic quinone as the negative electrode couple (anolyte) in redox flow battery applications. At low concentrations, the reduction mechanism is found to follow the classic EE process, expected for quinones in aprotic solution and both anionic species are stable on the voltammetric timescale. The reduction process is, however, strongly influenced by a number of factors, including the identity of the electrolyte cation. The dianion is also unstable on longer timescales, with a disproportionation mechanism affecting the stability of reduced products, even at potentials above the reduction potential of the mono-anion. An insoluble film is shown to form on the electrode surface, which gradually degrades the voltammetric response. Conclusions from the electrochemical data are supported by in situ EPR and ex situ NMR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor diets are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide. In Australia, the Federal Government established the Food and Health Dialogue (the Dialogue) in 2009 to address this issue, primarily through food reformulation. We evaluated the Dialogue's performance over its 6 years of operation and used these findings to develop recommendations for the success of the new Healthy Food Partnership.Methods: We used information from the Dialogue website, media releases, communiqués, e-newsletters, materials released under freedom-of-information, and Parliamentary Hansard to evaluate the Dialogue's achievements from October 2013 to November 2015, using the RE-AIM (reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation and maintenance) framework. We also engaged closely with two former Dialogue members. Our findings update a prior assessment done in October 2013.Results: Little data is available to evaluate the Dialogue's recent achievements, with no information about progress against milestones released since October 2013. In the last 2 years, only one additional set of sodium reduction targets (cheese) was agreed and Quick Service Restaurant foods were added as an area for action. Some activity was identified in 12 of a possible 137 (9 %) areas of action within the Dialogue's mandate. Independent evaluation found targets were partially achieved in some food categories, with substantial variation in success between companies. No effects on the knowledge, behaviours or nutrient intake of the Australian population or evidence of impact on diet-related disease could be identified.Conclusions: The new Healthy Food Partnership has similar goals to the Dialogue. While highly laudable and recognised globally as cost-effective, the mechanism for delivery in Australia has been woefully inadequate. Strong government leadership, adequate funding, clear targets and timelines, management of conflict of interest, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, and a plan for responsive regulation in the event of missed milestones will be required if the new Healthy Food Partnership is to achieve its urgent public health goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzoyl peroxide is used as a bleaching agent for flour and whey processing, a polymerization initiator in the synthesis of plastics, and the active component of acne medication. Because of its simplicity and wide application, benzoyl peroxide is a target molecule of interest. It can be affordably synthesized in three steps from bromobenzene using procedures that can be performed in four, 4 h laboratory periods. This process includes a Grignard reaction to turn bromobenzene into benzoic acid, nucleophilic acyl substitution to transform the resulting carboxylic acid into an acid chloride, and the addition of H2O2/NaOH to the acid chloride to yield benzoyl peroxide. Most organic chemistry students are familiar with these traditional reaction mechanisms because they are covered in introductory organic chemistry courses. The starting materials for each reaction are commercially available, and the products can be readily characterized using NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and melting point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study which discussed a focused public health approach that aims to convert the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pandemic to a low-endemic level. Topics discussed include the concept of combination prevention, the importance of using feasibility studies and market research to help understand the views of key segments of civil society, and the need to regularly assess drivers of HIV epidemics and the effectiveness of interventions.

Objectives: To investigate changes in mean sugar content of non-alcoholic beverages (overall and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB)) available for purchase in Australia and to compare signatories v. non-signatories of the Australian Beverages Council voluntary pledge from 2018.Design: Retrospective observational study.Setting: Australia.Participants: About 1500 non-alcoholic beverages per year included in the FoodSwitch Monitoring Datasets for 2015-2019.Results: Overall, mean sugar content fell by 1·3 g/100 ml (17·1 %) from 7·5 g/100 ml in 2015 to 6·2 g/100 ml in 2019. SSB have accounted for about 56 % of all beverages available for purchase since 2015. Between 2015 and 2019, the sugar content of SSB dropped by about 10 % (0·8 g/100 ml). Soft drinks and milk-based drinks were the categories with the largest decrease in sugar content. The greater reduction in sugar observed for beverages overall than SSB suggests at least some of the overall decrease in sugar content is due to the appearance of new products with low or no sugar rather than reformulation. Over the same period, beverages with added non-nutritive sweeteners increased from 41 % to 44 %. The decrease in sugar content for all beverages and SSB was, in general, larger for non-signatories than signatories of the voluntary industry pledge.Conclusions: Between 2015 and 2019, the small reduction in sugar content of non-alcoholic beverages in Australia resulted from the combined effects of introducing low- or no-sugar products and reformulation of some categories of SSB. Further policy and regulatory measures are required to reap the most benefit that sugar reduction among non-alcoholic beverages can bring to population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relentless reform and increased accountability in education in England have led to increasing attention on the effectiveness of teachers’ professional development (PD). A shift away from top-down approaches to PD has led to more emphasis placed on in-house, collaborative models. This paper reports on qualitative research conducted in the south of England, which explored the notion of postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) student teachers on school placements as legitimate peripheral participants in communities of practice. It focuses on the benefits to the “old-timer” of training a “newcomer” rather than the original approach of examining how the community shapes the apprentice. It was found that school stake holders recognized the positive contribution made to teachers’ PD by the student teachers. This paper suggests that schools should be encouraged to build upon communities of practice to realize the benefits to themselves of engaging in training student teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants detect potential pathogens by sensing microbe-associated molecular patterns via pattern recognition receptors. In the dicot model plant Arabidopsis, the lysin motif (LysM)-containing chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1) has been shown to be essential for perception of the fungal cell wall component chitin and for resistance to fungal pathogens. Recent in vitro studies with CERK1 protein expressed heterologously in yeast suggested direct chitin binding activity. Here we show in an affinity purification approach that CERK1 is a major chitin-binding protein of Arabidopsis cells, along with several known and putative chitinases. The ectodomain of CERK1 harbors three distinct LysM domains with potential ligand binding capacity. We demonstrate that the CERK1 ectodomain binds chitin and partially deacetylated chitosan directly without any requirement for interacting proteins and that all three LysM domains are necessary for chitin binding. Ligand-induced phosphorylation events are a general feature of animal and plant signal transduction pathways. Our studies show that chitin, chitin oligomers, and chitosan rapidly induce in vivo phosphorylation of CERK1 at multiple residues in the juxtamembrane and kinase domain. Functional analyses with a kinase dead variant provide evidence that kinase activity of CERK1 is required for its chitin-dependent in vivo phosphorylation, as well as for early defense responses and downstream signaling. Collectively, our data suggest that in Arabidopsis, CERK1 is a major chitin, chitosan, and chito-oligomer binding component and that chitin signaling depends on CERK1 post-translational modification and kinase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phosphorylation is a ubiquitous regulatory mechanism, that governs the activity, subcellular localisation and molecular interactions of proteins. To identify a broad range of nuclear phosphoproteins from Arabidopsis thaliana, we enriched for nuclei from suspension cell cultures and seedlings before extensive fractionation and identification of phosphopeptides by mass spectrometry. We identified 416 phosphopeptides from 345 proteins with high confidence. Our data show that sub-cellular fractionation is an effective strategy for identifying nuclear phosphoproteins, two thirds of our dataset are known or predicted to be nuclear localised and one half of the nuclear localised proteins have novel phosphorylation sites. We identified novel phosphorylation sites on transcription factors, chromatin remodelling proteins, RNA silencing components and the spliceosome. Intriguingly, we also identified phosphorylation sites on several proteins associated with Golgi vesicle trafficking such as the exocyst complex, and speculate that these may be involved in cell plate formation during cytokinesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The National Languages Strategy, published in the UK in 2002 offers all primary school children an entitlement to learn a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) by 2010. The supply of adequately trained teachers is one of the key determinants of the success of this initiative. This paper presents findings from a study involving 18 teacher education institutions offering a primary MFL specialism, focusing particularly on the preservice teachers’ confidence in their own subject knowledge. A compulsory component of the specialism is a month of practicum abroad and this article explores the potential benefits and difficulties associated with this experience, as reported by the preservice teachers through questionnaires and focus groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alterations in the proteome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves during responses to challenge by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein changes characteristic of the establishment of disease, basal resistance, and resistance-gene-mediated resistance were examined by comparing responses to DC3000, a hip mutant, and DC3000 expressing avrRpm1 , respectively. The abundance of each protein identified was compared with that of selected transcripts obtained from comparable GeneChip experiments. We report changes in three subcellular fractions: total soluble protein, chloroplast enriched, and mitochondria enriched over four time points (1.5–6 h after inoculation). In total, 73 differential spots representing 52 unique proteins were successfully identified. Many of the changes in protein spot density occurred before significant transcriptional reprogramming was evident between treatments. The high proportion of proteins represented by more than one spot indicated that many of the changes to the proteome can be attributed to posttranscriptional modifications. Proteins found to show significant change after bacterial challenge are representative of two main functional groups: defense-related antioxidants and metabolic enzymes. Significant changes to photosystem II and to components of the mitochondrial permeability transition were also identified. Rapid communication between organelles and regulation of primary metabolism through redox-mediated signaling are supported by our data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outlines the case "State v. Aguilar." Maricopa County grand jury's indictment of David Aguilar for sexual assaults against four women; Expansion of Arizona's emotional propensity exception to the prohibition against other acts evidence in sexual assault cases; Overview of Arizona Rule of Evidence 404(b) which renders evidence of other crimes or acts in proving the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith inadmissible.

Hyaluronan plays a central role in the transition of epithelia to mesenchyme in the embryo and in the acquisition of transformed properties in carcinoma cells. In some cases, hyaluronan is both essential and sufficient for induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs). Underlying its role are the effects of hyaluronan on receptor kinase activities, cell survival pathways, and multidrug transporters. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms whereby hyaluronan exerts its influences on cell behavior will enhance our understanding of normal and pathological EMTs and may lead to improved therapies for cancer patients. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in the proteome of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves during early responses to challenge by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (DC3000) were analysed using two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis. Protein changes characteristic of the establishment of basal resistance and R-gene mediated resistance were examined by comparing responses to DC3000, a hrp mutant and DC3000 expressing avrRpm1 respectively. The abundance of selected transcripts was also analysed in GeneChip experiments. Here we present data from the soluble fraction of leaf protein, highlighting changes in two antioxidant enzyme groups; the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs F2, F6, F7 and F8) and peroxiredoxins (PrxA, B and IIE). Members of both enzyme groups showed signs of specific post-translational modifications, represented by multiple spots on gels. We suggest that oxidation of specific residues is responsible for some of the spot shifts. All forms of the GST proteins identified here increased following inoculation with bacteria. GSTF8 showed particularly dynamic responses to pathogen challenge, the corresponding transcript was significantly up-regulated by 2 h after inoculation, and the protein showed post-translational modifications specific to an incompatible interaction. Differential changes were observed with the peroxiredoxin proteins; PrxIIE and to a lesser extent PrxB, no change was observed with PrxA, but a truncated form PrxA-L was greatly reduced in abundance following bacterial challenges. Our data suggest that bacterial challenge generally induces Prxs and the antioxidants GSTs, however individual members of these families may be specifically modified dependent upon the virulence of the DC3000 strain and outcome of the interaction. Finally, proteomic and transcriptomic data derived from the same inoculation system are compared and the advantages offered by 2D gel analysis discussed in light of our results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During carcinoma progression, tumor cells often undergo changes similar (but not identical) to epithelial. mesenchymal transitions in embryonic development. In this study, we demonstrate that experimental stimulation of hyaluronan synthesis in normal epithelial cells is sufficient to induce mesenchymal and transformed characteristics. Using recombinant adenoviral expression of hyaluronan synthase-2, we show that increased hyaluronan production promotes anchorage-independent growth and invasiveness, induces gelatinase production, and stimulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway activity in phenotypically normal MadinDarby canine kidney and MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells. Cells infected with hyaluronan synthase-2 adenovirus also acquired mesenchymal characteristics, including up-regulation of vimentin, dispersion of cytokeratin, and loss of organized adhesion proteins at intercellular boundaries. Furthermore, we show that the transforming effects of two well described agents, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and β-catenin, are dependent on hyaluronan-cell interactions. Perturbation of endogenous hyaluronan polymer interactions by treatment with hyaluronan oligomers is shown here to reverse the transforming effects of HGF and β-catenin in Madin-Darby canine kidney and MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells. Also, HGF and β-catenin induced assembly of hyaluronan-dependent pericellular matrices similar to those surrounding mesenchymal cells. Thus, increased expression of hyaluronan is sufficient to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition and acquisition of transformed properties in phenotypically normal epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments the interobserver reliability of scoring sonagrams by eye. Studies the methods illustrated on zebra finch songs; Importance of using several observers in scoring sonagrams; Awareness on the associated problems in sonogram; Recommendation for the used of combination of the percentage occurrence agreement.

The extent to which the emergence of political parties and multi-party elections mark the path to genuinely plural politics varies greatly. Conventional wisdom that multi-party democracy and free elections were both a good thing in their own right and formed a large part of establishing a functioning democracy has begun to be questioned not only by academics but by democratic support practitioners. Nevertheless, democracy remains 'the worst system of government, except for all the others'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunohistochemical detection of epithelial p53 protein expression in oral lichen planus (OLP) biopsies was supplemented with molecular analysis for mutations of the p53 gene using the polymerase chain reaction - single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique. P53 protein expression, in the basal epithelial cell layer, as detected by the DO7 and 1801 antibodies, was significantly more frequent in OLP compared with other oral keratoses and normal mucosa, as was the growth fraction. The 10 OLP biopsies that had the most frequent p53 staining (plus a case of OLP found in continuity with a SCC) were screened by the PCR-SSCP technique, but no mutations were detected in the p53 gene (exons 5-9). The p53 overexpression in the OLP samples may be a physiological response to the hyper-proliferative state, as revealed by the growth fraction determination. This may usefully serve to protect against mutagenesis, and so be a factor in the low incidence of carcinoma associated with OLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflects on the 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. Opportunity for national leaders to advance their countries' policies, priorities and achievement in the field of population and development; Impact, implications and implementation of the conference; Participation by Commonwealth countries.

Features the Commonwealth Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum held in August 1991 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Purpose of the forum; Participants; Activities planned in the forum; Theme of the forum; Conception of the forum; NGO Taskforce formed to sustain the forum in its development from concept to plan to living event.

Background: Public support for greater alcohol controls is a key consideration in governments' decisions to introduce new alcohol-related regulations, policies, and programs. The aim of this study was to asses public support for a range of recommended alcohol control initiatives across seven countries with varying sociocultural profiles.Methods: Adults (n = 7545; aged 18-91 years) from Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption patterns, and support for 14 alcohol control initiatives.Results: Across the total sample, means for each initiative ranged from 3.49 to 4.09 (on a 5-point agreement scale), indicating generally favourable responses. Stated support levels (i.e., selecting 'Agree' or 'Strongly agree') for specific initiatives in individual countries ranged from 33% to 86%. Across countries, support was higher for initiatives related to product labelling (e.g., clearly visible standard drink quantity information and pregnancy warning labels) and lower for initiatives related to alcohol advertising restrictions (e.g., prohibiting alcohol advertising during televised sporting programs and on road-side billboards). Support levels varied by age, gender, income level, drinking status, and drinking frequency.Conclusion: The high levels of support across countries for many of the assessed initiatives indicate that the public would be receptive to more stringent alcohol control policies, especially in relation to product labelling and the dissemination of public education campaigns. Further advocacy work appears to be required to foster higher levels of support for restricting alcohol companies' marketing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, various definitions of "added sugars" have emerged across jurisdictions. Although it is clear how these definitions differ, there is limited understanding of the policy implications associated with these variations. Objective: To test the potential policy implications of different definitions of "added sugars" on the Australian packaged food supply, we developed a method to estimate the content of "added sugars" in packaged foods and applied this to 3 different definitions of "added sugars": (i) United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) added sugar definition, (ii) the World Health Organization (WHO) free sugar definition, and (iii) a comprehensive definition that was developed from a review of the evidence on "added sugars." Methods: Using a representative sample of 25,323 Australian packaged foods, the "added sugar" content and proportion of products that contain "added sugar" under the 3 definitions were estimated. In addition, a comparative analysis exploring the impact of the US FDA definition (least comprehensive) vs. the comprehensive definition was conducted to understand potential implications of adopting different regulatory definitions in Australia. Results: The US FDA definition identified the lowest number and proportion of products with any "added sugars" at 14,380 products (representing 56.8% of all products), followed by the WHO free sugar definition at 15,168 products (59.9%) and the comprehensive definition at 16,260 products (64.2%). The mean estimates for "added sugars" were 8.5 g/100 g, 8.7 g/100 g, and 9.6 g/100 g for the US FDA, WHO, and comprehensive definitions, respectively. Compared with the US FDA definition, the comprehensive definition captured an additional 7.4% of products, largely driven by nonalcoholic beverages, special foods and fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Conclusions: Despite small variations in different "added sugars" definitions, their application has some significant policy implications. Findings highlight the importance of applying a comprehensive regulatory definition that adequately captures all sugars that have been linked to poor health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic evidence indicates that plant-specific homologs of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Pol) II large subunits form Pol IV and Pol V complexes involved in small interfering RNA production and RNA-directed DNA methylation. Here we describe evidence that Pol V contains subunits shared with Pol II, but that RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB)-4 is missing from Pol V and that RPB5 is present as a Pol V–specific isomer, RPB5b. Pol V also has other proteins that are not present in Pol II, consistent with a role of this complex as an effector of silencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic force microscope (AFM) is now a standard imaging tool in laboratories but has displayed limited capability of nanolithography. We discover that an internal tensile strain exists in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) films, and the physical effect is utilized to achieve highly tunable and high-throughput nanolithography. Trenches with widths spanning nearly two orders of magnitude from 40 nm to 2.3 μm are fabricated. We show that P3HT is also excellent for pattern transfer to inorganic materials. Furthermore, a lithography speed of 0.5 mm/s is achieved, which is a few orders of magnitude higher than other known methods of AFM-based nanolithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the contribution of different food groups to total salt purchases and to evaluate the estimated reduction in salt purchases if mandatory maximum salt limits in South African legislation were being complied with.Design: This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis of purchasing data from Discovery Vitality members. Data were linked to the South African FoodSwitch database to determine the salt content of each food product purchased. Food category and total annual salt purchases were determined by summing salt content (kg) per each unit purchased across a whole year. Reductions in annual salt purchases were estimated by applying legislated maximum limits to product salt content.Setting: South Africa.Participants: The study utilised purchasing data from 344 161 households, members of Discovery Vitality, collected for a whole year between January and December 2018.Results: Vitality members purchased R12·8 billion worth of food products in 2018, representing 9562 products from which 264 583 kg of salt was purchased. The main contributors to salt purchases were bread and bakery products (23·3 %); meat and meat products (19 %); dairy (12·2 %); sauces, dressings, spreads and dips (11·8 %); and convenience foods (8·7 %). The projected total quantity of salt that would be purchased after implementation of the salt legislation was 250 346 kg, a reduction of 5·4 % from 2018 levels.Conclusions: A projected reduction in salt purchases of 5·4 % from 2018 levels suggests that meeting the mandatory maximum salt limits in South Africa will make a meaningful contribution to reducing salt purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the association between lactation and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes, including a potential graded association according to lactation duration. Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies that investigated the reported association between lactation (irrespective of duration, intensity or mode) and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes was conducted. Results: A total of 22 studies (17 cohort studies and five cross‐sectional studies) were included in this systematic review, and 16 contributed to the meta‐analysis. Studies that investigated the association of lactation with risk of type 2 diabetes in the first months after birth in women with gestational diabetes reported conflicting results. Studies with a longer follow‐up showed a graded protective association for lactation and the risk of type 2 diabetes, with a potentially larger risk reduction in women with gestational diabetes than in those without gestational diabetes. Overall, ever versus never lactation was associated with a 27% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (RR 0.73, 95% CI [0.65, 0.83]). Each additional month of lactation was associated with a 1% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (RR 0.99, 95% CI [0.98, 0.99]). However, the overall quality of the studies was modest. Conclusions: Lactation is associated with a significantly reduced risk of maternal type 2 diabetes over the life course, particularly in women with gestational diabetes. The protective effect seems to increase with longer duration of lactation. Further research is warranted to understand whether this association is modified by exposure to other risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]