Dynamic food systems and climate-induced risks transmission for food and nutritional security

Agriculture market instability impedes achieving the global goal of sustainable and resilient food systems. Currently, the support to producers reaches the mammoth USD 540 billion a year and is projected to reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2030. This gigantic increase requires a repurposing agricultural support strategy (RASS), considering the market country-specific circumstances. These circumstances may vary with geographic locations, marketing structures, and product value chains. The fruit production system is crucial for health-conscious consumers and profit-oriented producers for food and nutritional security. Export is one of the main driving forces behind the expansion of the fruit sector, and during the year 2010-2018, trade significantly outpaced production increases. The previous literature states that irregular and unpredictable behaviour — Chaos — can arise from entirely rational economic decision-making within markets. Different markets' direct/indirect linkages through trade create trade hubs, and uncertainty may function as an avenue to transmit adverse shocks and increase vulnerability rather than contribute to resilience. Therefore, distinguishing Chaos into an endogenous and exogenous pattern of behaviour is cradled to formulate an effective RASS for resilient food systems and to understand global food crises. The present research is aimed at studying the market dynamics of three regional trade hubs, i.e., Brazil (South America), Italy (Europe), and Pakistan (Asia), each representing advanced to traditional value chains to control uncertainty (risks). The present research encompasses 1) a systematic review to highlight the research dynamism and identify grey-areas of research. Based on the findings, we have investigated the 2) nonlinear impacts of climate-induced price responsiveness in monopsony markets. Once we highlighted the importance of marketing structures/arrangements, 3) we developed a risk transmission framework to address the co-evolving impacts in complex dynamic interactions.

Metabolomics to investigate the effects of treatments on food and of food consumption on health

Metabolomics has established itself as a discipline that can offer a unique point of view on how a technological treatment could impact on the charactersitics of a food. Even more, the same analytical platforms necessary for the purpose can also effectively unravel intricate interactions between such food and human health upon consumption. This PhD thesis investigates the application of metabolomics in understanding the impact of technological treatments on food and their subsequent effects on human health, utilizing 1H-NMR as the analytical platform. The study involves the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure a fast and stable preparation of seafood samples, incorporating novel algorithms to enhance the accuracy of metabolome profiles. To gain insight on how metabolomics can allow exploring the effects of a technological treatment on a food, we performed three sets of experiments to investigate the application of metabolomics in studying the impact of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on seafood metabolome during storage. The first experiment employs untargeted metabolomic analysis on chill-stored rose shrimp, revealing significant post-HHP treatment metabolic alterations and mechanisms. The investigation is extended to grey mullet in the second experiment, utilizing both untargeted and targeted metabolomic analyses to account for matrix-related effects. The third experiment assesses the targeted metabolome of striped prawns, showing that HHP significantly influences metabolic pathways, positively impacting freshness and taste through alterations in related metabolites. Shifting focus to the effects of food on humans, the study explores the impact of multistrain probiotics on cirrhosis patients using 1H-NMR. The platform reveals notable alterations in glutamine/glutamate metabolism, enhancing the patients' ammonia detoxification capacity. This research underscores the potential of metabolomics in uncovering intricate interactions between technological treatments, food, and human health, providing valuable insights for both the food industry and healthcare interventions.

Development of molecular-level switches and implementation into novel nanostructures and smart materials

The work presented in this thesis deals with the design, synthesis and investigation of (supra)molecular switches, and their implementation into novel nanostructures and smart devices. Part A deals with investigation of fundamental properties of Donor Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts (DASAs) as well as their implementation into polymer matrices in order to construct novel smart materials. Part B deals with the implementation of azobenzene photoswitches into pseudorotaxanes and the investigation of the effect of light-driven isomerization on the self-assembly and disassembly processes.

Approved Drug Products with Theurapeutic Equivalence Evaluation - 34th edition

The publication, Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (the List, commonly known as the Orange Book), identifies drug products approved on the basis of safety and effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act). Drugs on the market approved only on the basis of safety (covered by the ongoing Drug Efficacy Study Implementation [DESI] review [e.g., Donnatal® Tablets and Librax® Capsules] or pre-1938 drugs [e.g., Phenobarbital Tablets]) are not included in this publication. The main criterion for the inclusion of any product is that the product is the subject of an application with an effective approval that has not been withdrawn for safety or efficacy reasons. Inclusion of products on the List is independent of any current regulatory action through administrative or judicial means against a drug product. In addition, the List contains therapeutic equivalence evaluations for approved multisource prescription drug products. These evaluations have been prepared to serve as public information and advice to state health agencies, prescribers, and pharmacists to promote public education in the area of drug product selection and to foster containment of health care costs. Therapeutic equivalence evaluations in this publication are not official FDA actions affecting the legal status of products under the Act.

Efectividad de la vacuna acelular antipertussis en adolescentes: una revisión sistemática

La incidencia de la tosferina ha mostrado un incremento en los últimos años; afectando predominantemente a los niños menores de 1 año, adolescentes y adultos. En el 2005 el Comité Asesor de Prácticas en Inmunización (ACIP) recomendó administrar una dosis de refuerzo de la vacuna acelular antipertussis a los adolescentes. Esta estrategia ha sido adoptada por distintos países. Sin embargo hasta el momento no existe una revisión sistemática que evalúe la efectividad de esta medida de prevención primaria. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de la literatura de artículos acerca de la efectividad de la vacuna acelular antipertussis como dosis de refuerzo en adolescentes. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial arrojó un total de 121 resultados, de los cuales solo 4 cumplieron los criterios de selección. Se evaluó en éstos, la inmunogenicidad generada contra tétanos y difteria por la vacuna Tdap vs Td con resultados significativos y similares. Además se documentó la respuesta inmunológica protectora generada por la Tdap contra tosferina. En cuanto a la reactogenicidad, en general fue baja. Discusión: La vacuna Tdap genera inmunogenicidad similar a la Td contra tétanos y difteria. Además proporciona adecuada protección contra la tosferina como dosis de refuerzo en los adolescentes. Conclusión: La evidencia disponible sugiere que se puede recomendar la vacuna Tdap como dosis de refuerzo en adolescentes entre los 10 y los 18 años de edad por su baja reactogenicidad y adecuada inmunogenicidad contra tétanos, difteria y B. Pertussis.

Condições de funcionamento de escolas do campo: em busca de indicadores de custo-aluno-qualidade

O estudo foi realizado em 2 (duas) escolas do campo do município de Bujaru pertencente à microrregião de Castanhal na mesorregião do Nordeste Paraense. Seu objetivo foi identificar e analisar as condições de funcionamento de escolas do campo, visando propor indicadores de custo-aluno-qualidade para esse tipo de escola. A seleção das escolas se orientou pelos seguintes critérios: distância da sede do município; quanto ao tamanho; classificação em unidocente ou pluridocentes; número de professores, número de alunos; níveis de ensino oferecidos e da região em que as mesmas estão inseridas. Para a obtenção das informações foram realizadas entrevistas com: diretores; professores; pais/representantes da comunidade; e alunos. Além das entrevistas, foram utilizados formulários e observação em lócus. Os eixos de análise tomaram como questões norteadoras: as condições de funcionamento das e os seus principais problemas e necessidades e o que dizem os sujeitos que trabalham e estudam nas/as escolas do campo sobre os indicadores necessários para uma educação do campo de qualidade? Após análise dos dados, concluímos que os problemas enfrentados por professores, alunos, pais e gestores que atuam nas escolas do campo estão relacionados principalmente: a atuação em classes multisseriadas; falta de mobiliário, equipamento e materiais didáticos; falta de transporte escolar; condições precárias de infra-estrutura e falta de pessoal docente. Quanto à questão dos indicadores de qualidade, os sujeitos apontaram os seguintes fatores como fundamentais para melhorar a qualidade do ensino nessas escolas: infra-estrutura adequada, (com mobiliários, bibliotecas, laboratórios, equipamentos e material didático); contração de pessoal (professores, serventes, merendeiras, vigias e secretária); qualificação e valorização do professor; transporte e merenda escolar. O trabalho apresenta um leque de questões que podem explicitar e compor as possíveis dimensões e indicadores de qualidade, mas que não são generalizáveis para um conjunto maior de escolas. Evidentemente, que há regularidades, similitudes e aspectos que são comuns e que devem ser considerados para escolas localizadas no campo. De modo geral verificou-se que a definição de um custo-aluno-qualidade na educação, sobretudo, na educação do campo, continua a ser um desafio, especialmente porque tal discuss��o traz à tona a complexidade, as tensões e as contradições do fenômeno educativo em um país marcado pela desigualdade.

Seasonal Analyses of Air Pollution and Mortality in 100 U.S. Cities

Time series models relating short-term changes in air pollution levels to daily mortality counts typically assume that the effects of air pollution on the log relative rate of mortality do not vary with time. However, these short-term effects might plausibly vary by season. Changes in the sources of air pollution and meteorology can result in changes in characteristics of the air pollution mixture across seasons. The authors develop Bayesian semi-parametric hierarchical models for estimating time-varying effects of pollution on mortality in multi-site time series studies. The methods are applied to the updated National Morbidity and Mortality Air Pollution Study database for the period 1987--2000, which includes data for 100 U.S. cities. At the national level, a 10 micro-gram/m3 increase in PM(10) at lag 1 is associated with a 0.15 (95% posterior interval: -0.08, 0.39),0.14 (-0.14, 0.42), 0.36 (0.11, 0.61), and 0.14 (-0.06, 0.34) percent increase in mortality for winter, spring, summer, and fall, respectively. An analysis by geographical regions finds a strong seasonal pattern in the northeast (with a peak in summer) and little seasonal variation in the southern regions of the country. These results provide useful information for understanding particle toxicity and guiding future analyses of particle constituent data.

A longitudinal comparison of cardiovascular disease risk factors among children and adolescents in the U.S. and Japan: Project HeartBeat!

Blood cholesterol and blood pressure development in childhood and adolescence have important impact on the future adult level of cholesterol and blood pressure, and on increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The U.S. has higher mortality rates of coronary heart diseases than Japan. A longitudinal comparison in children of risk factor development in the two countries provides more understanding about the causes of cardiovascular disease and its prevention. Such comparisons have not been reported in the past. ^ In Project HeartBeat!, 506 non-Hispanic white, 136 black and 369 Japanese children participated in the study in the U.S. and Japan from 1991 to 1995. A synthetic cohort of ages 8 to 18 years was composed by three cohorts with starting ages at 8, 11, and 14. A multilevel regression model was used for data analysis. ^ The study revealed that the Japanese children had significantly higher slopes of mean total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels than the U.S. children after adjusting for age and sex. The mean TC level of Japanese children was not significantly different from white and black children. The mean HDL level of Japanese children was significantly higher than white and black children after adjusting for age and sex. The ratio of HDL/TC in Japanese children was significantly higher than in U.S. whites, but not significantly different from the black children. The Japanese group had significantly lower mean diastolic blood pressure phase IV (DBP4) and phase V (DBP5) than the two U.S. groups. The Japanese group also showed significantly higher slopes in systolic blood pressure, DBP5 and DBP4 during the study period than both U.S. groups. The differences were independent from height and body mass index. ^ The study provided the first longitudinal comparison of blood cholesterol and blood pressure between the U.S. and Japanese children and adolescents. It revealed the dynamic process of these factors in the three ethnic groups. ^

Lab animal allergy surveillance at a private medical school in three dissimilar animal research facilities

Very few studies have described MUP-1 concentrations and measured prevalence of Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) at such a diverse institution as the private medical school (MS) that is the focus of this study. Air sampling was performed in three dissimilar animal research facilities at MS and quantitated using a commercially available ELISA. Descriptive data was obtained from an anonymous laboratory animal allergy survey given to both animal facility employees and the researchers who utilize these facilities alike. Logistic regression analysis was then implemented to investigate specific factors that may be predictive of developing LAA as well as factors influencing the reporting of LAA symptoms to the occupational health program. Concentrations of MUP-1 detected ranged from below detectable levels (BDL) to a peak of 22.64 ng/m3 . Overall, 68 employees with symptoms claimed they improved while away from work and only 25 employees reported their symptoms to occupational health. Being Vietnamese, a smoker, not wearing a mask, and working in any facility longer than one year were all significant predictors of having LAA symptoms. This study suggests a LAA monitoring system that relies on self-reporting can be inadequate in estimating LAA problems. In addition, efforts need to be made to target training and educational materials for non-native English speaking employees to overcome language and cultural barriers and address their specific needs. ^

Disparities in medical expenditure and utilization among hypertensive men and women in the U.S.: Cross-section and lifetime analysis

Objectives. To investigate procedural gender equity by assessing predisposing, enabling and need predictors of gender differences in annual medical expenditures and utilization among hypertensive individuals in the U.S. Also, to estimate and compare lifetime medical expenditures among hypertensive men and women in the U.S. ^ Data source. 2001-2004 the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS);1986-2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Health Interview Survey linked to mortality in the National Death Index through 2002 (2002 NHIS-NDI). ^ Study design. We estimated total medical expenditure using four equations regression model, specific medical expenditures using two equations regression model and utilization using negative binomial regression model. Procedural equity was assessed by applying the Aday et al. theoretical framework. Expenditures were estimated in 2004 dollars. We estimated hypertension-attributable medical expenditure and utilization among men and women. ^ To estimate lifetime expenditures from ages 20 to 85+, we estimated medical expenditures with cross-sectional data and survival with prospective data. The four equations regression model were used to estimate average annual medical expenditures defined as sum of inpatient stay, emergency room visits, outpatient visits, office based visits, and prescription drugs expenditures. Life tables were used to estimate the distribution of life time medical expenditures for hypertensive men and women at different age and factors such as disease incidence, medical technology and health care cost were assumed to be fixed. Both total and hypertension attributable expenditures among men and women were estimated. ^ Data collection. We used the 2001-2004 MEPS household component and medical condition files; the NHIS person and condition files from 1986-1996 and 1997-2000 sample adult files were used; and the 1986-2000 NHIS that were linked to mortality in the 2002 NHIS-NDI. ^ Principal findings. Hypertensive men had significantly less utilization for most measures after controlling predisposing, enabling and need factors than hypertensive women. Similarly, hypertensive men had less prescription drug (-9.3%), office based (-7.2%) and total medical (-4.5%) expenditures than hypertensive women. However, men had more hypertension-attributable medical expenditures and utilization than women. ^ Expected total lifetime expenditure for average life table individuals at age 20, was $188,300 for hypertensive men and $254,910 for hypertensive women. But the lifetime expenditure that could be attributed to hypertension was $88,033 for men and $40,960 for women. ^ Conclusion. Hypertensive women had more utilization and expenditure for most measures than hypertensive men, possibly indicating procedural inequity. However, relatively higher hypertension-attributable health care of men shows more utilization of resources to treat hypertension related diseases among men than women. Similar results were reported in lifetime analyses.^ Key words: gender, medical expenditures, utilization, hypertension-attributable, lifetime expenditure ^

Hepatitis B and C infections in U.S. incarcerated populations: Prevalence and related mortality

Published reports have consistently indicated high prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in U.S. incarcerated populations. Quantifying the current and projected burden of HBV and HCV infection and hepatitis-related sequelae in correctional healthcare systems with even modest precision remains elusive, however, because the prevalence and sequelae of HBV and HCV in U.S. incarcerated populations are not well-studied. This dissertation contributes to the assessment of the burden of HBV and HCV infections in U.S. incarcerated populations by addressing some of the deficiencies and gaps in previous research. ^ Objectives of the three dissertation studies were: (1) To investigate selected study-level factors as potential sources of heterogeneity in published HBV seroprevalence estimates in U.S. adult incarcerated populations (1975-2005), using meta-regression techniques; (2) To quantify the potential influence of suboptimal sensitivity of screening tests for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) on previously reported anti-HCV prevalence estimates in U.S. incarcerated populations (1990-2005), by comparing these estimates to error-adjusted anti-HCV prevalence estimates in these populations; (3) To estimate death rates due to HBV, HCV, chronic liver disease (CLD/cirrhosis), and liver cancer from 1984 through 2003 in male prisoners in custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and to quantify the proportion of CLD/cirrhosis and liver cancer prisoner deaths attributable to HBV and/or HCV. ^ Results were as follows. Although meta-regression analyses were limited by the small body of literature, mean population age and serum collection year appeared to be sources of heterogeneity, respectively, in prevalence estimates of antibodies to HBV antigen (HBsAg+) and any positive HBV marker. Other population characteristics and study methods could not be ruled out as sources of heterogeneity. Anti-HCV prevalence is likely somewhat higher in male and female U.S. incarcerated populations than previously estimated in studies using anti-HCV screening tests alone without the benefit of repeat or additional testing. Death rates due to HBV, HCV, CLD/cirrhosis, and liver cancer from 1984 through 2003 in TDCJ male prisoners exceeded state and national rates. HCV rates appeared to be increasing and disproportionately affecting Hispanics. HCV was implicated in nearly one-third of liver cancer deaths. ^

Use of contraception and contraceptive services among U.S. Hispanic women: 2006--2008

This study investigates the association between race/ethnicity and acculturation variables (language preference and nativity) with use of contraception and contraceptive services among Mexican/Mexican American and “other” Hispanic women aged 15-44 when compared to non- Hispanic white women.^ Data was analyzed from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth. The sample contained 3357 women aged 15-44. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between race/ethnicity and acculturation variables and contraceptive-related behaviors adjusted for other known covariates. ^ After multivariate analysis, neither nativity nor language preference were significantly associated with contraception use or contraceptive services. Mexican/Mexican American women did not differ in their contraception-related behaviors when compared to non-Hispanic whites. Other Hispanic women, however, were less likely to obtain contraceptive services than non-Hispanic whites (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.45-1.00). Women aged 30-39 and 40-44 were less likely to obtain contraception and contraceptive services than those aged 15-19. Single women were less likely to use contraception (OR=0.72, 95% CI=0.56-0.92) and contraceptive services (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.53-0.89) than married/co-habiting women. Women with healthcare coverage were more likely to use contraception and contraceptive services than uninsured women.^ Among Hispanic women of different origin groups, age, marital status, and healthcare coverage were stronger indicators of contraception-related behavior than race/ethnicity, language preference, and nativity. Reproductive health programs that target increased use of contraception and contraceptive services among Hispanic origin groups should specifically target women who are over 30, single, and uninsured.^