Obesity and sleep disturbance: the chicken or the egg?

Epidemiological studies suggested an association between obesity and sleep disturbances. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent type of obesity-related sleep disorder that lead to an increased risk for numerous chronic health conditions. In addition the increased visceral adipose tissue might be responsible for the secretion of inflammatory cytokines that could contribute to alter the sleep-wake rhythm. Unhealthy food characterized by high consumption of fat and carbohydrate seems to negatively influence the quality of sleep while diet rich of fiber is associated to more restorative and deeper sleep. Although obesity could cause through several pathogenetic mechanisms an alteration of sleep, it has been reported that subjects suffering from sleep disorders are more prone to develop obesity. Experimental laboratory studies have demonstrated that decreasing either the amount or quality of sleep increase the risk of developing obesity. Experimental sleep restriction also causes physiological, hormonal and food behavioral changes that promote a positive energy balance and a compensatory disproportionate increase in food intake, decrease in physical activity, and weight gain. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide observational evidence on the association of obesity with sleep disturbances and viceversa with emphasis on possible pathophysiological mechanisms (hormonal and metabolic) that link these two pathological conditions.     

Cured meat products without direct addition of nitrate or nitrite: what are the issues?

The growing popularity of food products marketed in the United States as "natural" and "organic" has resulted in a proliferation of marketing efforts to meet consumer demands for these foods. Because natural and organic foods are not permitted to use chemical preservatives, the traditional curing agents used for cured meats, nitrate and/or nitrite, cannot be added to natural and organic processed meat products. However, alternative processes that utilize ingredients with high nitrate content, such as vegetable-based ingredients, and a nitrate-reducing starter culture can produce processed meats with very typical cured meat properties. Because it is not possible to analytically measure the amount of nitrite produced by this process, several potential issues deserve consideration. Regulations, for example, should permit labeling that accurately reflects the process and products, manufacturing procedures must be standardized to achieve product consistency, marketing efforts should clearly communicate the nature of these products to consumers, product quality must be maintained, and microbiological safety must be assured.     

Puffer fish and its consumption: To eat or not to eat?

This systematic review was done to examine the substantial increase in the number of intoxication cases in puffer fish associated with tetrodotoxin. In the past 5 years, 430 cases of intoxication and 52 deaths associated with puffer fish have been reported worldwide. It has also been verified that puffer fish have migrated to different regions, which has led to a negative environmental impact. Based on the information obtained herein, consumption of puffer fish should be legally limited, although it still remains very popular in several regions with negative social and economic impacts.     

Why are most physicochemical parameters not useful in predicting the quality of sheep milk?

The impact of microbial growth on the physicochemical parameters of sheep milk was evaluated. The total bacterial counts (TBC) showed a lag phase of 4 h and µ‐max of 0.4 log/h. After 8.4 h, the TBC reached the limit established by European Community, pH had a reduction of 0.04, acidity had an increase in 0.04%, and no changes were observed in the ethanol stability. The milk became thermally unstable after 17 h (10⁹ cfu/mL), when the pH was 5.71, acidity was 0.36%, and ethanol stability was 21.3%. These results highlighted the extreme stability of sheep milk protein and that acidity may be the best physicochemical parameters to predict the quality of sheep milk.     

To replicate or not to replicate,or when did we start to ignore the concept of statistical power?

Designing (sensory) studies with maximal efficiency is of critical importance in almost all applications. In addition to the required number of panelists, a common question is whether replications are adding any value to obtain more robust results, or whether their contribution is too limited to justify the effort, as addressed in two recent papers. We argue that the conclusions drawn, namely that replications are usually not needed, are unduly generalized. Two situations that are very similar when replications are employed can be quite different without replications. To determine the power of a study, we need to consider not only the total variability of the data but, more specifically, both the within-panelist and between-panelists components individually. In contrast, comparisons of observed significances cannot offer profound guidance on whether replications are needed. Instead, the concept of statistical power provides much better guidance.     

To change or not to change? Veterinarian and farmer perceptions of relational factors influencing the enactment of veterinary advice on dairy farms in the United Kingdom

Achieving herd health and welfare improvement increasingly relies on cattle veterinarians to train and advise farmers, placing veterinary interactions at the heart of knowledge exchange. Cattle veterinarians recognize their influence and the need to be proactive advisors but struggle with acting upon this awareness in daily practice, reporting a need to enhance their advisory approach to inspire farmer behavior change. Understanding how veterinarian-farmer interactions positively or negatively influence the enactment of change on farm is therefore essential to support the cattle veterinary profession. This paper adopts a qualitative approach to conceptualize how and under what circumstances veterinary advice has the potential to support and inspire farmer engagement with behavior change on the UK dairy farm. Fourteen UK dairy farms were recruited to take part in a qualitative study involving research observation of a typical advisory consultation between veterinarian and farmer (n = 14) followed by separate, in-depth interviews with the farmer(s) and their respective veterinarian. Interview data were organized using a template coding method and analyzed thematically. While accuracy of veterinary advisory content was valued, it was a relational context of trust, shared veterinarian-farmer understanding, and meaningful interpretation of advice at a local (farmer) level that was most likely to enact change. Critically, these relational factors were reported to work together synergistically; a trusting relationship was an essential, but not necessarily sufficient, component to create a culture of change. Findings suggest that cattle veterinarians may benefit from tailoring advisory services to the farmer's specific world view, facilitated by a shared understanding of the farmer's immediate and long-term motivational drivers. In consequence, cattle veterinarians seeking to positively engage farmers in advisory interactions could consider a focus on farmer priorities, motivations, and goals as paramount to frame and inform advisory messages. This explicit collaborative communication encourages the selection of appropriate and timely veterinary expertise, leading to better integration and adoption of advice on farm given enhanced advisory relevance for farmers' unique circumstances. This farmer-centered approach, involving active co-creation of plans between individuals, is critical for engagement and commitment when tackling complex problems.     

Corporate social responsibility and the tobacco industry: hope or hype?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) emerged from a realisation among transnational corporations of the need to account for and redress their adverse impact on society: specifically, on human rights, labour practices, and the environment. Two transnational tobacco companies have recently adopted CSR: Philip Morris, and British American Tobacco. This report explains the origins and theory behind CSR; examines internal company documents from Philip Morris showing the company's deliberations on the matter, and the company's perspective on its own behaviour; and reflects on whether marketing tobacco is antithetical to social responsibility.     

Crops that feed the world 8: Potato: are the trends of increased global production sustainable?

Potato is produced on all continents except Antarctica and is the world??s third most important food crop. Potato production has increased dramatically in developing countries in the past two decades, and has now overtaken that in the developed world, underlining the growing importance of potato as a staple food crop to meet the demands of increasing human populations. Potato is also an important source of starch. It has been adapted for cultivation in a wide range of environments and, with the availability of significant germplasm resources, the potential to further exploit its natural biodiversity is considerable. Potato yields vary considerably across the world, with the lowest being in Sub-Saharan Africa; <75?% of the global average and <30?% of the top producing regions. Many factors contribute to this variation, providing targets for improved agronomic practice and a stimulus to improve varieties to increase production in the poorest-yielding countries. The ability to adapt potato to withstand multiple biotic and abiotic stresses is critical to its future growth as a major food source. In current breeding efforts, strong emphasis is being placed on these traits in attempts to better equip the potato crop in a changing climate. The genomics era is accelerating our understanding of the key genes and mechanisms underlying potato development, physiology, water and nutrient use efficiency and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Genomics technologies provide the potential for more rapid, marker-assisted breeding strategies, and afford the opportunity for biotechnological approaches, particularly in the case of major gene resistance to pests and diseases. Continued review of GM policies and regulations, and associated social and political opinions, are needed to guide and determine the safest and most productive routes to potato improvement.     

Pro-labour myometrial gene expression: are preterm labour and term labour the same?

Preterm labour (PTL) is the most important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. While some causes have been identified, the mechanisms involved remain elusive. This study investigates whether term labour (TL) is an appropriate model for PTL by examining pro-labour gene expression, using quantitative rtPCR, and protein synthesis, using Western analysis, in preterm and term myometrial samples obtained from the upper and lower uterine segments before and after the onset of labour. In the lower segment, the levels of prostaglandin H synthase type-2 (PGHS-2), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression were significantly higher in TL compared with PTL samples. Compared with non-labour controls, the expression of IL-1beta and IL-8 mRNA was increased in both PTL and TL samples and the expression of PGHS-2 and IL-6 mRNA was increased in TL samples only. In the upper segment, there were no differences between PTL and TL samples and the mRNA expression of PGHS-2 and IL-1beta was increased in TL compared with term no labour samples. No effect of PTL or TL was seen on either oxytocin receptor or connexin-43 mRNA expression or protein levels. The multiple regression analysis and studies in primary cultures of uterine myocytes suggest that the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, are the most important regulators of PGHS-2 and IL-8. Our data show that preterm and term labouring myometrium are significantly different and that the most marked labour-induced changes in gene expression are in the lower segment. These changes may occur in response to the release of inflammatory cytokines by the labour-associated inflammatory infiltration.     

State of the art in the validation of screening methods for the control of antibiotic residues: is there a need for further development?

ABSTRACT

Screening methods are used as a first-line approach to detect the presence of antibiotic residues in food of animal origin. The validation process guarantees that the method is fit-for-purpose, suited to regulatory requirements, and provides evidence of its performance. This article is focused on intra-laboratory validation. The first step in validation is characterisation of performance, and the second step is the validation itself with regard to pre-established criteria. The validation approaches can be absolute (a single method) or relative (comparison of methods), overall (combination of several characteristics in one) or criterion-by-criterion. Various approaches to validation, in the form of regulations, guidelines or standards, are presented and discussed to draw conclusions on their potential application for different residue screening methods, and to determine whether or not they reach the same conclusions. The approach by comparison of methods is not suitable for screening methods for antibiotic residues. The overall approaches, such as probability of detection (POD) and accuracy profile, are increasingly used in other fields of application. They may be of interest for screening methods for antibiotic residues. Finally, the criterion-by-criterion approach (Decision 2002/657/EC and of European guideline for the validation of screening methods), usually applied to the screening methods for antibiotic residues, introduced a major characteristic and an improvement in the validation, i.e. the detection capability (CCβ).

In conclusion, screening methods are constantly evolving, thanks to the development of new biosensors or liquid chromatography coupled to tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. There have been clear changes in validation approaches these last 20 years. Continued progress is required and perspectives for future development of guidelines, regulations and standards for validation are presented here.     

An ex ante analysis on the use of activity meters for automated estrus detection: To invest or not to invest?

The technical performance of activity meters for automated detection of estrus in dairy farming has been studied, and such meters are already used in practice. However, information on the economic consequences of using activity meters is lacking. The current study analyzes the economic benefits of a sensor system for detection of estrus and appraises the feasibility of an investment in such a system. A stochastic dynamic simulation model was used to simulate reproductive performance of a dairy herd. The number of cow places in this herd was fixed at 130. The model started with 130 randomly drawn cows (in a Monte Carlo process) and simulated calvings and replacement of these cows in subsequent years. Default herd characteristics were a conception rate of 50%, an 8-wk dry-off period, and an average milk production level of 8,310 kg per cow per 305 d. Model inputs were derived from real farm data and expertise. For the analysis, visual detection by the farmer (“without” situation) was compared with automated detection with activity meters (“with” situation). For visual estrus detection, an estrus detection rate of 50% and a specificity of 100% were assumed. For automated estrus detection, an estrus detection rate of 80% and a specificity of 95% were assumed. The results of the cow simulation model were used to estimate the difference between the annual net cash flows in the “with” and “without” situations (marginal financial effect) and the internal rate of return (IRR) as profitability indicators. The use of activity meters led to improved estrus detection and, therefore, to a decrease in the average calving interval and subsequent increase in annual milk production. For visual estrus detection, the average calving interval was 419 d and average annual milk production was 1,032,278 kg. For activity meters, the average calving interval was 403 d and the average annual milk production was 1,043,398 kg. It was estimated that the initial investment in activity meters would cost €17,728 for a herd of 130 cows, with an additional cost of €90 per year for the replacement of malfunctioning activity meters. Changes in annual net cash flows arising from using an activity meter included extra revenues from increased milk production and number of calves sold, increased costs from more inseminations, calvings, and feed consumption, and reduced costs from fewer culled cows and less labor for estrus detection. These changes in cash flows were caused mainly by changes in the technical results of the simulated dairy herds, which arose from differences in the estrus detection rate and specificity between the “with” and “without” situations. The average marginal financial effect in the “with” and “without” situations was €2,827 for the baseline scenario, with an average IRR of 11%. The IRR is a measure of the return on invested capital. Investment in activity meters was generally profitable. The most influential assumptions on the profitability of this investment were the assumed culling rules and the increase in sensitivity of estrus detection between the “without” and the “with” situation.     

Web sites selling cigarettes: how many are there in the USA and what are their sales practices?

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the number and geographic location of web sites selling cigarettes in the USA, and to examine their sales and marketing practices. METHODS: Comprehensive searches were conducted using four keyword terms and five popular internet search engines, supplemented by sites identified in a news article. Over 1800 sites were examined to identify 88 internet cigarette vendors. MEASURES: Trained raters examined the content of each site using a standardised coding instrument to assess geographic location, presence of warnings, products sold, and promotional strategies. SETTING: USA. RESULTS: Internet cigarette vendors were located in 23 states. Nearly half (n = 43) were located in New York state, and many were in tobacco producing states with low cigarette excise taxes. Indian reservations housed 49 of the 88 sites. Only 28.4% of sites featured the US Surgeon General's health warnings and 81.8% featured minimum age of sale warnings. Nearly all sites (96.6%) sold premium or value brand cigarettes, 21.6% sold duty-free Marlboros, and 8.0% sold bidis. Approximately one third featured special promotional programmes. CONCLUSIONS: Internet cigarette vendors present new regulatory and enforcement challenges for tobacco control advocates because of the difficulty in regulating internet content and because many vendors are on Indian reservations.