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Large latitude Southern Ocean phytoplankton get special bio-optical attributes.
Background Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches can sustainably improve healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA) but are challenging to implement. Community health improvement plans (CHIPs) represent a strategic opportunity to advance PSEs but have not been adequately researched. The objective of this study was to describe types of HE and PA strategies included in CHIPs and assess strategies designed to facilitate successful PSE-change using an established framework that identifies six key activities to catalyze change. Methods A content analysis was conducted of 75 CHIP documents containing HE and/or PA PSE strategies, which represented communities that were identified from responses to a national probability sample of US local health departments ( less then 500,000 residents). PF-06700841 Each HE/PA PSE strategy was assessed for alignment with six key activities that facilitate PSE-change (identifying and framing the problem, engaging and educating key people, identifying PSE solutions, utilizing available evidence, assessing social and political environment, and building support and political will). Multilevel latent class analyses were conducted to identify classes of CHIPs based on HE/PA PSE strategy alignment with key activities. Analyses were conducted separately for CHIPs containing HE and PA PSE strategies. Results Two classes of CHIPs with PSE strategies emerged from the HE (n = 40 CHIPs) and PA (n = 43 CHIPs) multilevel latent class analyses. More CHIPs were grouped in Class A (HE 75%; PA 79%), which were characterized by PSE strategies that simply identified a PSE solution. Fewer CHIPs were grouped in Class B (HE 25%; PA 21%), and these mostly included PSE strategies that comprehensively addressed multiple key activities for PSE-change. Conclusions Few CHIPs containing PSE strategies addressed multiple key activities for PSE-change. Efforts to enhance collaborations with important decision-makers and community capacity to engage in a range of key activities are warranted.Background Capturing real-life practices through photographs provides an opportunity to create awareness and focus discussions on relevant issues in community. Photographs and narratives also engage decision makers, inspiring changes in policy and practice. Objective Paper describes development and adaptation of an integrated photostory approach documenting actions and stimulating positive change in Early Child Development (ECD). Methodology The Photostory method was built through a cyclical process to describe and explore early-childhood practices in central-India through photographs and stories. A systematic format to capture, archive and evaluate photographic material was developed. A standardized rating system was established to monitor levels of, and change in, community practices. We integrated Photostory process into routine visits undertaken during implementation of Stepping-Stones, an ECD intervention program. This paper utilized collected data to explore utility of rating framework to describe and m intervention team with local examples through which to engage parents in discussions on activities that stimulate effective child exploration and learning. We were also able to demonstrate the added value of photographs in stimulating detailed discussion amongst community members on early child development. Conclusion Photostories can provide a systematic and rigorous methodology to stimulate engagement, monitor and measure change in community-based parenting interventions.The purpose of this research was to improve the epidemiological data on HEV infection in the human population in Romania. The analysis targeted hospitalized subjects with acute hepatitis (n = 94) of unknown etiology from the Infectious Diseases Regional Hospital in Iasi. Moreover, patients without liver disease (n = 40) from a different county hospital located in Eastern Romania were included. The presence of HEV infection and first characterization of human HEV strains was determined using serological and molecular assays. The apparent HEV seroprevalence varied between 29.16% (95% CI, 16.31-42.03) and 32.5% (95% CI, 17.98-47.02) according to patient grouping. Molecular analysis enhanced the detection of two HEV isolates, that clustered in subtype HEV-3c, the most commonly identified subtype in Europe. Identification of acute hepatitis E cases, together with the first detection and molecular characterization of human HEV in Romania represent the originality attributes of the present study.Background It is widely known that the harmful effects of fine dust can cause various diseases. Research on the correlation between fine dust and health has been mainly focused on lung and cardiovascular diseases. By contrast, the effects of air pollution on the central nervous system (CNS) are not broadly recognized. Findings Air pollution can cause diverse neurological disorders as the result of inflammation of the nervous system, oxidative stress, activation of microglial cells, protein condensation, and cerebral vascular-barrier disorders, but uncertainty remains concerning the biological mechanisms by which air pollution produces neurological disease. Neuronal cell damage caused by fine dust, especially in fetuses and infants, can cause permanent brain damage or lead to neurological disease in adulthood. Conclusion It is necessary to study the air pollution-CNS disease connection with particular care and commitment. Moreover, the epidemiological and experimental study of the association between exposure to air pollution and CNS damage is critical to public health and quality of life. Here, we summarize the correlations between fine dust exposure and neurological disorders reported so far and make suggestions on the direction future research should take.Background Many antimicrobial-resistant infections are community-acquired, yet community carriage of microorganisms by healthy individuals is poorly characterized. We assessed microorganism carriage on the hands of Minnesota State Fair attendees and explored associated factors. Methods Minnesota State Fair attendees (in 2014) from households with ≥2 members (≥1 member being less then 19 years old [a child]) were eligible to participate. Participants provided biological samples via a hand plating technique and completed a questionnaire on factors potentially related to microorganism carriage. Using presumptive taxonomic identifications and disk-diffusion-determined resistance phenotypes, hand-culture isolates were classified by microbial type; types were grouped into four broad categories based on inferred pathogenicity and consistency with the skin microbiota. Descriptive statistics, X2 tests, and generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to explore associations between survey and culture data. Results We enrolled 206 participants from 82 households during 2 days; 50% of subjects were children.
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