Changing the default meal option at university events to reduce harmful environmental impacts: Six randomized controlled trials.

Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental impacts, which underscores the need to shift away from the consumption of animal-based products. One promising nudge intervention is making plant-based meals the default option, so we tested this approach at six different university events across four academic institutions for effecting sustainable dietary change. Event attendees pre-selected their meal on one of two randomly assigned RSVP forms: one with a plant-based default and one with a meal with meat default. The results from our randomized controlled trial showed that participants had a 43-percentage point greater probability of selecting the plant-based meal when it was indicated as the default option. This effect was similar across events and academic institutions, which indicates that this default intervention is generalizable and can be successfully implemented at university events. The combined effect of using plant-based defaults at these six events was an estimated reduction of 104,387 kg of CO2 emissions, 299.9 m2 of land use, 959.0 g of nitrogen use, and 259.5 g of phosphorus use, which represent roughly 45-46.2% reductions in harmful environmental impacts relative to the meals chosen when using a meat default. Given the significance and magnitude of these environmental benefits, our results support the widespread implementation of plant-based defaults for helping universities improve their sustainability.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine urges passage of the PLANT (Peas, Legumes, And Nuts Today) Act.

Current US diets negatively impact human health and the environment, while shifting toward increased intake of plant-based foods could mitigate these issues. Current food policies exacerbate these problems, necessitating a reevaluation and the implementation of new policies. The Society of Behavioral Medicine urges legislators to support the PLANT Act (H.R.5023), which would enhance production, research, and development of plant-based foods and address both health and environmental concerns.

Introduced to the House by Congressman James McGovern, the PLANT Act would expand opportunity for agricultural producers and would make it easier for consumers to afford and access plant-based foods.

Characterization of Cabernet Sauvignon Wines by Untargeted HS-SPME GC-QTOF-MS.

Untargeted metabolomics approaches are emerging as powerful tools for the quality evaluation and authenticity of food and beverages and have been applied to wine science. However, most fail to report the method validation, quality assurance and/or quality control applied, as well as the assessment through the metabolomics-methodology pipeline. Knowledge of Mexican viticulture, enology and wine science remains scarce, thus untargeted metabolomics approaches arise as a suitable tool. The aim of this study is to validate an untargeted HS-SPME-GC-qTOF/MS method, with attention to data processing to characterize Cabernet Sauvignon wines from two vineyards and two vintages. Validation parameters for targeted methods are applied in conjunction with the development of a recursive analysis of data. The combination of some parameters for targeted studies (repeatability and reproducibility < 20% RSD; linearity > 0.99; retention-time reproducibility < 0.5% RSD; match-identification factor < 2.0% RSD) with recursive analysis of data (101 entities detected) warrants that both chromatographic and spectrometry-processing data were under control and provided high-quality results, which in turn differentiate wine samples according to site and vintage. It also shows potential biomarkers that can be identified. This is a step forward in the pursuit of Mexican wine characterization that could be used as an authentication tool.

Temporal distribution patterns of metals in water, sediment, and components of the trophic structure in a tropical coastal lagoon of the Gulf of Mexico.

Trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of trace metals have a profound impact on the structure and function of coastal areas; however, the metal accumulation patterns in detritus-based food webs and the influence of climatic variability have not been thoroughly investigated. The Tampamachoco Lagoon (Gulf of Mexico) is a coastal system impacted by emissions from a thermoelectric plant. We evaluated the spatial-temporal distribution patterns of Al, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, and Pb in water, sediments, and in organisms categorized by trophic levels (TLs), trophic guilds, and habitat preferences. The sediments had the highest concentrations of metals with no significant differences between seasons. The indices of geo-accumulation and potential ecological risk classified sediments as "moderately contaminated", evidencing a threat to human health through consumption of detritivores and filter-feeders. The lowest TLs (filter-feeders and detritivorous) reached the maximum Metal Pollution Index in the rainy season. According to discriminant analyses of metals and species, omnivorous and zoobentivorous organisms were associated with Hg during the rainy and dry seasons; while Al, Cd, and Cu were related to low TLs, and seston was associated with Pb. Food web magnification factor analysis showed that: (a) Pb, Cu, and Cr were biodiluted as trophic levels increased; (b) Cd and Hg showed temporal biomagnification trends; (c) Al, Pb, Cu, and Cd showed significant biodilution from the lowest TL to intermediate TLs; and (d) Hg was transferred from the lowest to intermediate TLs with clear biomagnification effects.

Factores relacionados con el resultado de los tratamientos endodónticos realizados en una institución universitaria con odontólogos en formación / Factors related to the result of endodontic treatments performed in a university institution with dentists in training / Fatores relacionados ao resultado de tratamentos endodônticos realizados em instituição universitária com dentistas em treinamento

Resumen Introducción y objetivo: el tratamiento endodóntico se realiza para tratar la enfermedad pulpoperiapical y puede tener un porcentaje de éxito de más del 90% en condiciones ideales para su realización. Dentro de los factores que condicionan la práctica clínica, se encuentran la anatomía interna del diente, las habilidades del operador, el conocimiento de la técnica, los instrumentos empleados y el tiempo operatorio. El éxito lo determina la supervivencia y la ausencia de signos clínicos y radiográficos en el seguimiento. Determinar los factores asociados al resultado del tratamiento de endodoncia, realizado por estudiantes de pregrado en odontología de una universidad colombiana. Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con una cohorte expuesta y una no expuesta a la periodontitis apical. Se evaluaron clínica y radiográficamente todos los pacientes cuyo motivo de consulta fue endodoncia durante los años 2013-2014. Resultados: la media de edad de los pacientes fue 51,23 (DE = 14,23) con un mayor porcentaje de participación de mujeres (71,1%). En el diagnóstico inicial se encontró un 26% de dientes con Periodontitis apical. Se encontró asociación entre una mediana mayor de consultas y no presentar Periodontitis apical al final del tratamiento. En los análisis bivariados y multivariados se encontró asociación de la presencia de accidentes y endodoncia suboturada con la presencia de Periodontitis apical al final del tratamiento. Conclusión: seguir protocolos y guía de atención que permitan evitar los accidentes y conservar la adecuada longitud en la conformación y obturación pueden incrementar la frecuencia de éxito en los tratamientos.

Abstract Introduction and objetive: an endodontic treatment is performed to treat pulp-periapical disorders and may have a success rate of over 90% under ideal conditions. Among the factors that need to be considered, knowledge of the internal anatomy of the root, operator skills, selected technique, instruments involved and surgical time are the most important to determine the success of such treatment. Success implies the survival of the tooth in the oral cavity as well as the absence of clinical and radiographic signs and symptoms. The purpose of this work was to determine the factors associated to the success of an endodontic treatment performed by undergraduate dental students in a Colombian university. Materials and methods: a retrospective study with cohorts exposed and unexposed to apical periodontitis was carried out. Patients who consulted for endodontic treatment in 2013-2014 were invited to participate and were assessed both clinically and radiographically. Results: mean age was 51.23 (SD 14.23) years and higher percentage of female participation (71.1%) was observed. At initial diagnosis, 26% of teeth were diagnosed with apical periodontitis. An association between a high consultation mean and absence of apical periodontitis at the end of treatment was found. Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed an association between the presence of procedure accidents and under-filled root canal obturation with the presence of apical periodontitis at the end of treatment. Conclusion: success rate of endodontic treatments may be increased by carefully following protocols and attention guidelines to reduce the possibility of accidents and to keep an adequate length of the canal filling.

Resumo Introdução e objetivo: um tratamento endodôntico é realizado para tratar distúrbios pulpar-periapicais e pode ter uma taxa de sucesso superior a 90% em condições ideais. Entre os fatores que precisam ser considerados, o conhecimento da anatomia interna da raiz, as habilidades do operador, a técnica selecionada, os instrumentos envolvidos e o tempo cirúrgico são os mais importantes para determinar o sucesso desse tratamento. O sucesso implica a sobrevivência do dente na cavidade oral, bem como a ausência de sinais e sintomas clínicos e radiográficos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os fatores associados ao sucesso de um tratamento endodôntico realizado por estudantes de graduação em odontologia de uma universidade colombiana. Materiais e métodos: estudo retrospectivo com coortes expostas e não expostas à periodontite apical. Os pacientes que consultaram para tratamento endodôntico em 2013-2014 foram convidados a participar e foram avaliados clinicamente e radiograficamente. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 51,23 (DP 14,23) anos e maior percentual de participação feminina (71,1%). No diagnóstico inicial, 26% dos dentes foram diagnosticados com periodontite apical. Foi encontrada associação entre alta média de consulta e ausência de periodontite apical ao final do tratamento. As análises bivariadas e multivariadas mostraram associação entre a presença de acidentes do procedimento e a obturação do canal radicular com preenchimento insuficiente com a presença de periodontite apical ao final do tratamento. Conclusão: a taxa de sucesso dos tratamentos endodônticos pode ser aumentada seguindo-se cuidadosamente os protocolos e diretrizes de atenção para reduzir a possibilidade de acidentes e manter um comprimento adequado do preenchimento do canal.

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces Siphophage Sycamore.

Streptomyces sp. strain Mg1 is a competitive soil-dwelling bacterium that secretes antibiotics that inhibit growth of Bacillus subtilis Here, we present the genome sequence of Sycamore, a 44,694-bp Streptomyces sp. Mg1 siphophage with 66 predicted protein-coding genes, that is similar to phage genome sequences in the Lomovskayavirus genus.

Complete Genome Sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Podophage Ponderosa.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative bacterium that is emerging as a multidrug-resistant global opportunistic pathogen. Here, we describe the genome of the T7-like S. maltophilia podophage Ponderosa, with 54 predicted protein-coding genes and a 493-bp terminal repeat.

High TSH and low T4 as prognostic markers in older patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between thyroid profile and morbidity/mortality (MM) in hospitalized older patients. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of patients over the age of 60 yr admitted to the Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital between 2009 and 2010 and who had thyroid function tests (TFT). The patients were grouped as per their thyroid tests and their clinical characteristics and MM was associated with their TFT. High MM was defined as mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement or prolonged hospital stay (>18 days, 75th percentile), and mortality assessed during an 18-month follow-up period after their hospital discharge. RESULTS: Out of 2599 older patients admitted to our hospital, 7% had TFT performed for various reasons. The patients who had TFT were mostly women and presented in a more serious clinical condition compared to the rest of the patients. The patients were grouped as per their thyroid values as follows: 61% of them had a non-thyroidal illness, 25% were euthyroid,7% had overt hyperthyroidism, 5% overt hypothyroidism and 1% had subclinical hyper- or hypothyroidism. The hypothyroid patients had a worse clinical outcome compared to the others. Patients with increased MM exhibited higher TSH and lower TT4 (p<0.005). Short-term MM (OR=2.0,95%CI=1.1-3.6, p<0.01) was associated with the decrease of TT4 adjusted by age, sex, T3 and TSH, while for long-term MM the increase in TSH (OR=1.6,95%CI 1.1-2.3, p<0.05) was also significant. CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized older patients who had TFT tests, low TT4 and high TSH were associated with a worse prognosis. We propose that TFT be used as an additional tool in assessing MM in elderly hospitalized patients.

Complete genome sequence of a velogenic Newcastle disease virus isolated in Mexico.

In Mexico, the number of cases of the highly virulent Newcastle disease virus is increasing. In 2005, an outbreak of Newcastle disease occurred on an egg laying hen farm in the state of Puebla despite vaccination with the LaSota strain. Farmers experienced a major drop in egg production as a consequence of a field challenge virus. In this study, we characterize the virus, APMV1/chicken/Mexico/P05/2005, responsible for the outbreak. The virus is categorized as a velogenic virus with an intracranial pathogenicity index of 1.99 and a chicken embryo mean death time of 36 h. The complete genome length of the virus was sequenced as consisting of 15,192 bp. In addition, phylogenetic analysis classified the virus as a member of the class II, genotype V. The highly pathogenic nature of the virus has been linked to the amino acid sequence at the fusion protein cleavage site, which contains multiple basic amino acids (RRQKR↓F).

Reliability of a method to measure novelty-seeking in nonhuman primates.

The objective of this study was to create a reliable method to measure novelty-seeking (NS) temperament in stumptailed macaques. We correlated two behavioral indexes (risk-taking and curiosity) with the NS index. Cochran's concordance index yielded ethogram reliability (risk: alpha = 0.88; curiosity: alpha = 0.79). Risk and curiosity indexes were obtained with a synthetic index obtainment approach. Intraclass correlation of the instrument yielded a value of 0.88. Temperament index was established from the average score given by each judge. The instrument presented 92% specificity and 70% sensitivity, with a 56-point score taken as the cuttoff point to classify individuals. The results of a Spearman's analysis of the three indexes were significant (temperament-risk, n = 32, P<0.01; temperament-curiosity, n = 29, P<0.05; risk curiosity, n = 29, P<0.05). We conclude that the method we developed is reliable.