Objective: To assess relationships between energy, nutrient and food intakes, alcohol consumption, smoking status and body mass index (BMI), and serum concentrations of beta-carotene, ...alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, selenium and zinc. Methods: Data on health status, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, anthropometric data and biochemical measurements were obtained in 1821 women aged 35-60 y and 1307 men aged 45-60 y, participant to the SU.VI.MAX Study. Data on dietary intake were available on a subsample who reported six 24-h dietary records during the first 18 months of the study. Results: Women had higher baseline serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations and lower concentration for serum vitamin E, zinc and selenium than men. In women, younger age was associated with lowered mean concentration of serum beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium. In men, only differences were observed for serum zinc, which was lower in older men. Current smokers of both sexes had significantly lower concentrations of serum beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium, and, only in women, of vitamin E, than nonsmokers. Alcohol consumers had lower concentrations of serum beta-carotene and higher selenium concentrations. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations were lower in obese subjects. There were positive associations of dietary beta-carotene, vitamin C and E with their serum concentrations. Age, nutrient and alcohol intakes, serum cholesterol, BMI and smoking status explained 15.2% of the variance of serum beta-carotene in men and 13.9% in women, and 10.8 and 10.0% for serum vitamin C, and 26.3 and 28.6% for serum vitamin E, respectively. Conclusion: Serum antioxidant nutrient concentrations are primarily influenced by sex, age, obesity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and especially dietary intake of those antioxidant nutrients.
The disaggregated inorganic grain size (DIGS) of bottom sediment analyzed with a Coulter Counter (CC) has been used to show that the fraction of sediment deposited in flocs (floc fraction) increased ...in both the near and far field after the introduction of open cage salmon aquaculture, altering benthic habitat and species composition. As a result, DIGS was identified as a potential indicator of regional environmental changes due to aquaculture. Laser diffraction is an attractive alternative to the CC because of its greater efficiency and larger size range. To determine if a laser diffraction instrument, Beckman-Coulter LS 13 320 (LS), could replace the CC within a Canadian national aquaculture monitoring program, the DIGS of 581 samples from five different regions in eastern Canada were analyzed with an LS and a CC. Results show that the LS could not be used to calculate floc fraction. Instead, % sortable silt and the volume % of inorganic particles < 16 µm were evaluated as alternative proxies for fine sediment properties. LS and CC values for these parameters were correlated, but they were significantly different and the relationship between the instruments was dependent on the area sampled. The LS did not capture variations between areas seen in the CC DIGS data. Where the DIGS from the CC found no sorting in the finest size classes, all the LS samples had similar size distributions characterized by smooth modal peaks. The LS and CC both return values that can be used to monitor changes in the deposition of fine-grained sediment, but the LS cannot determine changes in floc deposition and caution is required if comparing different sedimentary environments.
The presence of in-feed anti-sea lice drugs and their relationship with organic enrichment is poorly understood in sediment surrounding salmon farms. Using data from an aquaculture monitoring program ...(2018–2020), we describe this relationship at ten sites in four Canadian provinces. Three anti-sea lice pesticides (lufenuron, teflubenzuron, emamectin benzoate and metabolite desmethyl emamectin benzoate), and one antibiotic (oxytetracycline) were detected. Concentrations were often below limits of quantification. Values are also lower than those reported in other aquaculture salmon-producing countries. Highest concentrations, along with organic enrichment, were observed ~200 m of cages with lower concentrations detected up to 1.5 km away. Most samples had at least two drugs present: 75.2 % (British Columbia), 91.4 % (Newfoundland), and 54.8 % (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia) highlighting the potential for cumulative effects. Emamectin benzoate and oxytetracycline were detected four and three years respectively after last known treatments, demonstrating the need for research on overall persistence of compounds.
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•Sediment data collected through an aquaculture monitoring program were used.•Three anti-sea lice drugs and one antibiotic were detected at ten salmon sites.•The highest concentrations and organic enrichment were observed within 200 m of cages.•Most sediment samples had at least two drugs present.•There is a significant patchiness in drug presence and organic matter enrichment.
Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a widespread and costly disease. This consensus statement will summarize recommendations regarding diagnosis, control, and treatment of Johne's disease in cattle ...and other species. Each section of recommendations is followed by a statement that subjectively characterizes the strength of the supporting evidence. The role played by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in the pathogenesis has been a matter of controversy for many years. This statement concludes with an assessment of the evidence in favor of MAP as a potential zoonotic pathogen.
Background
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) may relapse following introduction of drugs structurally unrelated to the initial culprit drug.
Objective
To assess the ...frequency and characteristics of recurrent drug eruptions in patients with history of DRESS.
Methods
Patients who had developed adverse cutaneous reaction after DRESS occurrence were recruited from the regional database of Upper Normandy in France. Rate of recurrences were compared with patients with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) patients during the same time frame.
Results
Of the 60 cases of DRESS collected, 15 (25%) with recurrences were retained for analysis. Seven patients had a single recurrence, whereas eight patients had several relapses. In the patients with pre‐existing DRESS, recurrences were incomplete, corresponding to cutaneous rash in 13 cases and associated with eosinophilia in seven cases. Internal organ involvement was observed in two cases. In contrast, a single recurrence was found out of 61 patients with TEN/SJS.
Conclusion
Incomplete recurrences with structurally unrelated culprit drugs are a frequent phenomenon in DRESS patients.
Scientific evidence supporting a role for faulty scapular positioning in patients with various shoulder disorders is cumulating. Clinicians who manage patients with shoulder pain and athletes at risk ...of developing shoulder pain need to have the skills to assess static and dynamic scapular positioning and dynamic control. Several methods for the assessment of scapular positioning are described in scientific literature. However, the majority uses expensive and specialised equipment (laboratory methods), making their use in clinical practice nearly impossible. On the basis of biometric and kinematic studies, guidelines for interpreting the observation of static and dynamic scapular positioning pattern in patients with shoulder pain are provided. At this point, clinicians can use reliable clinical tests for the assessment of both static and dynamic scapular positioning in patients with shoulder pain. However, this review also provides clinicians several possible pitfalls when performing clinical scapular evaluation. On the basis of its clinical relevance, its proven reliability, its relation to body length and its applicability in a clinical setting, this review recommends to assess the scapula both static (visual observation and acromial distance or Baylor/double square method for shoulder protraction) and semidynamic (visual observation and inclinometry for scapular upward rotation). In addition, when the patient demonstrates with shoulder impingement symptoms, the scapular repositioning test and scapular assistant test are recommended for relating the patients' symptoms to the position or movement of the scapula.
The aims of this study were to examine: (i) baseline pressure pain thresholds in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and those with chronic low back pain compared with healthy subjects; (ii) the ...change in mean pain threshold in response to exercise; and (iii) associations with exercise-induced increase in nitric oxide.
Twenty-six patients with chronic fatigue syndrome suffering of chronic pain, 21 patients with chronic low back pain and 31 healthy subjects.
Participants underwent a submaximal aerobic exercise protocol on a bicycle ergometer, preceded and followed by venous blood sampling (nitric oxide) and algometry (hand, arm, calf, low back).
Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome presented overall lower pain thresholds compared with healthy subjects and patients with chronic low back pain (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between healthy subjects and patients with chronic low back pain. After submaximal aerobic exercise, mean pain thresholds decreased in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, and increased in the others (p < 0.01). At baseline, nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in the chronic low back pain group. After controlling for body mass index, no significant differences were seen between the groups at baseline or in response to exercise. Nitric oxide was not related to pain thresholds in either group.
The results suggest hyperalgesia and abnormal central pain processing during submaximal aerobic exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome, but not in chronic low back pain. Nitric oxide appeared to be unrelated to pain processing.
Several trace-elements have been identified as indicators of finfish aquaculture organic enrichment. In this study, sediment sampling at finfish farms was completed as part of an Aquaculture ...Monitoring Program in three distinct Canadian regions. Despite diverse datasets, multivariate analyses show a consistent clustering of known direct (Cu and Zn) and indirect (Cd, Mo and U) tracers of aquaculture activities with sediment organic matter (OM) and/or total dissolved sulfides concentrations. OM content was also a predictor of Cu, Zn, Mo and U concentrations according to decision tree analyses. Distance from cages did not emerge as a strong driver of differences among sampling points; however, a tendency towards negative associations is clear especially for Zn. Enriched stations as determined after geochemical normalization were mostly localized within 150 m of net-pens. Selected trace-elements (in particular Zn) can be useful indicators of aquaculture organic enrichment in different ecosystems and valuable tools for monitoring programs.
•Sediment sampling at finfish farms was completed in three distinct Canadian regions.•Multivariate analyses show a clustering of Cu, Zn, Cd, Mo and U with sediment organic matter and/or total dissolved sulfides.•Organic matter content is a predictor of Cu, Zn, Mo and U concentrations as per decision tree analyses.•Enriched stations in selected trace-metals were localized within 150 m of net-pens.•Selected trace-elements (in particular Zn) are useful indicators of aquaculture organic enrichment.
The objective of this prospective study is to investigate possible scapular related risk factors for developing shoulder pain. Therefore, a 2-year follow-up study in a general community sports centre ...setting was conducted. A sample of convenience of 113 recreational overhead athletes (59 women and 54 men) with a mean age of 34 (17-64; SD 12) years were recruited. At baseline, visual observation for scapular dyskinesis, measured scapular protraction, upward scapular rotation and dynamic scapular control were evaluated. 22% (n=25) of all athletes developed shoulder pain during the 24 months following baseline assessment. The Mean Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) score for the painful shoulders was 34.8 (6.3-62.5; SD 17.4). None of the scapular characteristics predicted the development of shoulder pain. However, the athletes that developed shoulder pain demonstrated significantly less upward scapular rotation at 45° (p=0.010) and 90° (p=0.016) of shoulder abduction in the frontal plane at baseline in comparison to the athletes that remained pain-free. In conclusion, although these scapular characteristics are not of predictive value for the development of shoulder pain, this study increases our understanding of the importance of a scapular upward rotation assessment among recreational overhead athletes.
Objectives: The data was collected during the inclusion step of the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) study. This article deals with the study's first stage before ...any supplementation. The collected data shows factors influencing blood vitamin concentrations and may reflect the vitamin status of volunteers. Material and methods: A total of 12 741 volunteers were enrolled in the SU.VI.MAX study 7713 women 35-60 years of age and 5028 men 50-60 years of age. The serum concentrations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene were measured by HPLC, and vitamin C concentration was measured by spectrofluorimetry using a Technicon continuous flow analysis apparatus. The volunteers recorded their 24 h diet by means of a specific terminal that was connected to the main central computer of the SU.VI.MAX study. Volunteers recorded the food they consumed daily and estimated its quantity by comparing pictures of dishes. Results: Retinol concentration was significantly higher in older volunteers, and was higher in male than in female volunteers. Smoking had no effect on serum retinol, but the latter was higher in the autumn than in the winter. Serum retinol concentrations were higher in the Southwest region and lower in the Ile-de-France and East-Centre regions. Serum alpha-tocopherol was slightly higher in older volunteers and also higher in male volunteers. Serum alpha-tocopherol was significantly lower in smokers, and former smokers showed intermediate levels. Like retinol, serum alpha-tocopherol was higher in the autumn, and higher in the Southwest as compared to the East-Centre Serum beta-carotene was slightly higher in younger volunteers, and concentrations were higher in female than in male volunteers. Tobacco smoking decreased serum beta-carotene, which was higher in the autumn, and higher in the East, West, and North regions. Serum vitamin C was higher in female volunteers, and was not age related. Serum vitamin C was lower in smokers, was season-dependant, but contrary to fat-soluble vitamins, concentrations were higher in the winter and spring. Serum vitamin C was higher in the Southeast and East-Centre, but lower in the North region. Conclusion: These results suggest that serum retinol concentrations depend on gender, age, seasons, and location of residence. Similarly, serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations were slightly influenced by age, but more by tobacco smoking, seasons, dietary intake, and location of residence. Serum concentrations of beta-carotene depend on gender, age, smoking status, dietary intake, and location of residence. Serum vitamin C concentrations depend on gender, age, smoking status, seasons, dietary intake, and location of residence. Contrary to beta-carotene, retinol concentrations were higher in male than in female volunteers. Such a reversed relation suggests a higher beta-carotene-retinol conversion in male volunteers.
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