<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kosher</Emphasis> in New York City, <Emphasis Type="Italic">halal</Emphasis> in Aquitaine: challenging the relationship between neoliberalism and food auditing

Previous work in the agri-food tradition has framed food auditing as a novelty characteristic of a shift to neoliberal governance in agri-food systems and has tackled the analysis of food “quality” in the same light. This article argues that agri-food scholars’ recent interest in the contested qualities of food needs to be situated alongside a much longer history of contested cultural attributions of trust in food relations. It builds on an earlier discussion suggesting that, although neoliberalism has undoubtedly opened up new spaces for audit activity, older political and social dynamics operating around food audits were established long before the neoliberal historical moment. Breaking new ground (as far as is known) by looking further back than the early history of the organic social movement, it examines intersections of religious food auditing, migrant food culture, and commercial dynamics in food systems. Based on secondary sources, two contrasting case studies are presented to illustrate the flux and complexity for: New World Diaspora migrants to New York City of assuring food was kosher; and more recent Maghrebi migrants to southwest France of assuring food is halal. The article concludes by noting that the neoliberal moment stands not as the unique progenitor of a new style of food authority, but rather as the latest response to a wider rupture in the historically contingent arbitration of new forms of trust in food.     

Urine flavonoids and plasma carotenoids in the validation of fruit, vegetable and tea intake during pregnancy in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

OBJECTIVE: To validate a new food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for measuring the intake of fruit, vegetables and tea reported by women participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). DESIGN: Intake of fruits, vegetables and tea estimated by the FFQ was compared with urinary flavonoid excretion, plasma carotenoid concentration and intake measured by a 4-day weighed food diary (FD). The triangular method was applied to calculate FFQ validity coefficients using two independent biomarkers. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: One hundred and nineteen women participating in MoBa. RESULTS: The FFQ estimate of fruit intake was significantly correlated with urine phloretin (r = 0.33), citrus fruit/juice with urine hesperetin (r = 0.44), cooked vegetables with plasma alpha-carotene (r = 0.37), and tea with urine kaempferol (r = 0.41) (P < 0.01 for all). On average, 60% of the participants fell into the same or adjacent quintiles when classified by FFQ and biomarkers. Significant correlations between the FFQ and FD were found for fruit (r = 0.39), vegetables (r = 0.34), juices (r = 0.50) and tea (r = 0.53). The FFQ validity coefficient was 0.65 for citrus fruit/juice and 0.59 for cooked vegetables as calculated by the triangular method. CONCLUSIONS: The validation study shows that the MoBa FFQ can be used to estimate fruit, juice, vegetable and tea intake in pregnant Norwegian women, and to rank individuals within the distribution.     

Posterior capsular opacification in diabetic and nondiabetic canine patients following cataract surgery

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most common postoperative complication of contemporary cataract surgery. Limited information is available regarding PCO formation and factors that influence PCO development in the dog. Two hundred sixty-five eyes (144 from diabetic dogs and 121 from dogs with breed-related cataracts) were prospectively evaluated for PCO formation for up to 12 months postoperatively. The mean age of all dogs in the study was 7.77 years and diabetic dogs were significantly older than dogs with breed-related cataracts. There were 73 males (61 neutered, 12 intact) and 74 females (70 neutered, 4 intact) in the study. Statistical analysis was performed based on age, breed/size, gender, stage of cataract at the time of surgery, PCO score at each time point, breed-related vs. diabetic cataract, right eyes compared to left eyes, and presence/absence of uveitis. Age and gender did not significantly influence PCO formation. Small and medium-sized breeds developed significantly more PCO in comparison to the large/giant breeds at 2 weeks and 2-4 months postoperatively, but the differences were not significant at later time points. There was an overall significant increase in PCO formation in eyes with early immature cataracts when compared to other stages of cataract up to 4 months postoperatively but not at later time points. There were no statistical differences in PCO score at 6 months or at 1 year postoperatively in eyes with breed-related and diabetic cataracts. Right eyes did not differ from left eyes in PCO score. PCO score significantly increased over time in breed-related and diabetic groups and in the overall population. No difference was found in the degree of PCO formation in eyes with inflammation prior to or after surgery compared with those without inflammation. In summary, age, gender, presence of inflammation, and cause of cataract (breed-related vs. diabetes mellitus) do not influence the development of PCO in canine cataract dogs. Small and medium-sized breeds develop significant PCO earlier than larger breeds. It is important to note that all eyes from all dogs in this study developed PCO in a time dependent manner.     

In this issue – June 2009

Bandaging and second intention healing in distal limbs of horses  ▪  Auricular chondrosis in a horse  ▪  National survey of antimicrobials in the Australian pig industry  ▪  Analgesia for knife and ring castration in lambs  ▪  Incidence of lymphoma in a colony of baboons  ▪  Viruses in black tiger prawns from Weipa  ▪  Sacral osteochondrosis in German Shepherd Dogs  ▪  Congenital pyloric obstruction from a gastric hyperplastic polyp     

The face of conservation responding to a dynamically changing world

In its 40‐year history, the science of conservation has faced unprecedented challenges in terms of environmental damage and rapid global change, and environmental problems are only increasing as greater demands are placed on limited natural resources. Conservation science has been adapting to keep pace with these changes. Here, we highlight contemporary and emerging trends and innovations in conservation science that we believe represent the most effective responses to biodiversity threats. We focus on specific areas where conservation science has had to adjust its approach to address emerging threats to biodiversity, including habitat destruction and degradation, climate change, declining populations and invasive species. We also document changes in attitudes, norms and practices among conservation scientists. A key component to success is engaging and maintaining public support for conservation, which can be facilitated through the use of technology. These recent trends in conservation and management are innovative and will assist in optimizing conservation strategies, increasing our leverage with the general public and tackling our current environmental challenges.     

Factors associated with client, staff, and student satisfaction regarding small animal euthanasia procedures at a veterinary teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors influencing satisfaction with procedures for small animal euthanasia and to compare the relative importance of those factors among clients, staff, and students at a veterinary teaching hospital. DESIGN: Survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 18 nonclinical hospital staff members, 13 clinical staff members, 10 veterinary technicians, 19 veterinary students, and 91 clients. PROCEDURE: Participants were asked to complete a survey that was designed to assess satisfaction with various aspects of the euthanasia procedure. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 48% (151/313). Respondents most strongly agreed with the statements that clients should have the option to be present, that having a private place was important, and that employees should be trained to attend to the emotional needs of the client. When asked to place factors in order of importance, those that were ranked the highest included compassionate and caring attitudes of the hospital employees, the option for the client to be present during the euthanasia, and the client being informed and well prepared. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Overall, all groups (nonclinical staff, clinical staff, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and clients) identified the same factors as being important in the euthanasia of a pet. Results may help facilitate healthy euthanasia experiences.     

Faecal shedding detected earlier than immune responses in goats naturally infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Paratuberculosis was diagnosed in a goat herd that participated in a sanitation program against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The aim of this study was to characterise the development of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and antibody responses as well as the occurrence of faecal shedding. Faecal culture appeared surprisingly sensitive as about 18% and 40% of the goats were positive at 9 and 15-17 months of age, respectively, and shedding was often seen prior to peripheral immune responses. Peripheral IFN-γ responses were not related to protection as clinical and high shedding goats often had high responses. An IFN-γ response usually preceded a humoral response. However, positive antibody titers could sometimes be seen simultaneously with, and even prior to, IFN-γ responses. In conclusion, faecal culture appeared as sensitive as IFN-γ testing. Furthermore, the antibody ELISA and the IFN-γ assay may perform equally well in an infected herd if surveillance is conducted annually.