Disparities in the availability of fruits and vegetables between racially segregated urban neighbourhoods

OBJECTIVE: Public health professionals continue to see the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption on population health. While studies that evaluate the availability of produce are sparse in the medical literature, disparities in availability may explain the disproportional intake of produce for some people. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability and variety of produce located in two racially and economically diverse urban neighbourhoods. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 50% of the supermarkets, small grocery stores, delicatessens, and fruit and vegetable markets located in specific neighbourhoods were randomly sampled and surveyed between September 2004 and July 2005. Food stores were evaluated for the availability of 20 types of fresh fruits and 19 types of fresh vegetables, as well as their varieties and whether they were canned, frozen or previously prepared. 2000 US Census information was used to determine characteristics of the geo-coded census tracts where the food stores were located. SETTING: Brooklyn, New York. RESULTS: A supermarket was located in approximately every third census tract in predominantly white areas (prevalence = 0.33) and every fourth census tract in racially mixed areas (prevalence = 0.27). There were no supermarkets located in the predominantly black areas. With the exception of bananas, potatoes, okra and yucca, a lower proportion of predominantly black area stores carried fresh produce, while supermarkets carried the largest variety of produce types. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables were found in the majority of stores, whereas prepared and organic produce was limited to predominantly white area stores. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the availability and variety of fresh produce is associated with neighbourhood racial composition and may be a factor contributing to differences in intake among residents.     

Taxonomic,geographic, and diversity trends for exotic plant pests in recent biosurveillance articles

Journal of Pest Science - Some plant protection organizations use biosurveillance to identify heightened risks from exotic plant pests or generally inform safeguarding. Biosurveillance programs...     

The use of eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine in mice (Mus musculus) for tail vein injections

ObjectiveTo investigate a topical local anesthesia technique as a means to prevent and/or diminish pain in mice in a laboratory setting associated with tail vein injections performed by personnel in training.Study designProspective, randomized experimental trial.AnimalsThirty six adult female, 23–28 g CD-1 mice from an in-house training colony. They were acclimated to routine training and handling classes.MethodsEutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream (2.5% lidocaine/2.5% prilocaine) or a bland ointment control (n = 18) was applied on the tail prior to intravenous injection. The injections were performed by novices, who had never attempted the procedure, and experienced personnel. All participants were blinded to treatment groups. Three injection attempts were allowed per animal. The mice were observed and scored by blinded evaluators for behavioral and physiological changes, including respiratory rate, vocalization, tail flick, and escape behaviors, during and after the injection.ResultsThis study demonstrates that aversive behaviors induced by lateral tail vein injection were not changed by the preemptive application of EMLA cream. The aversive behaviors associated with lateral tail vein injection were significantly affected by the number of injection attempts and the individual's experience level.Conclusions and clinical relevanceTopical EMLA cream did not reduce signs of aversive reaction to tail vein injection and thus we did not find support for its use in mouse training programs for tail vein injections.     

Evaluation of dairy food processing wash water solids as a protein source: III. Nitrogen utilization by heifers fed medium-concentrate diets

Eight multicannulated heifers (average BW 415 +/- 34 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate fluid milk processing wash water solids (WWS) as a dietary N source. Heifers were fed corn/cottonseed hull-based diets containing soybean meal (control, 0% WWS N) or WWS replacing soybean meal at 33, 67, or 100% of supplemental dietary N. Total tract and ruminal DM and OM digestibilities decreased linearly or cubically (P less than .05) as dietary WWS N increased. Total ruminal VFA concentration (P less than .05) and propionic acid molar proportion (P less than .10) were greater in heifers fed 0 vs 100% WWS N. Heifers fed 0% WWS N had the greatest (P less than .05) ruminal ammonia concentration at all sampling times. Dietary WWS did not affect (P greater than .10) ruminal pH, fluid dilution rate, fluid flow, fluid volume, or turnover time. Total tract N digestibility decreased quadratically (P less than .10) with increasing WWS N in the diet. Supplemental WWS N did not affect (P greater than .10) flow of duodenal ammonia N or bacterial N, or efficiency of microbial N synthesis. Diets containing WWS N resulted in a cubic increase (P less than .10) in duodenal flow of essential amino acids compared with 0% WWS N; however, there were no differences in small intestinal amino acid disappearance. Data indicate that WWS can replace 33% of the soybean meal N in a corn/cottonseed hull-based diet without decreasing ruminal fermentation, fluid digesta kinetics, microbial efficiency, or small intestinal amino acid utilization.     

Volitional Spawning of Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata Induced with Pelleted Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone-Analogue

The black sea bass is a high‐value marine serranid and is a prime candidate for intensive cultivation. Reliable methods for controlled spawning are needed to accelerate the development of hatchery technologies that result in mass production of healthy juveniles. During 1998–2001, spawning studies were conducted at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) and at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Charleston, using pelleted luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRH‐a). From April through July 2001, 28 vitellogenic‐stage females, with mean oocyte diameters (MOD) ranging from 277–448 μm, were implanted with a 95% cholesterol‐5% cellulose pellet containing LHRH‐a (‐50 μg/kg body wt) at UNCW. In 10 individual spawning trials, females with MOD of 305–448 μm and maximum oocyte diameter × 475 μm spawned volitionally beginning 2–3 d post‐implantation (PI) and continued spawning over an average of 1.9 d (range = 1–4 d). Individual females released a mean total of 149,000 eggs (117,000 eggs/kg) with a mean buoyancy rate of 40.5% (floaters). Fertilization and hatching rates were 98% and 27.2% of floaters, respectively, yielding 14,600 yolksac larvae/female (12,600 yolksac larvae/kg body wt), and overall egg viability averaged 8.9%. In eight group spawning trials (2–3 females/group), average performance of females, including fecundity (103,800 eggs/female; 105,500 eggs/kg body wt), buoyancy rate (42.5%), fertilization and hatching rates (97.7% and 24.3% of floaters), numbers of yolksac larvae produced (10,900 yolksac larvae/female; 10,100 yolksac larvae/kg body wt), and overall egg viability (10.6%) was comparable to what was seen in individual spawning trials. From 1998–2000, a total of 58 vitellogenic stage (70% of oocytes 500 pm) females were implanted with pelleted LHRH‐a (‐50 μg/kg body wt) in nine group spawning trials (2–19 females/group) at SCDNR. Volitional spawning typically began 18–42 h PI and recurred every 1–3 d for an average duration of 9 d. Female groups released a mean of 560,000 eggs (84,000/female; 132,000/kg body wt) over the spawning period, with mean buoyancy rate of 25.7% floaters. Fertilization and hatching rates were 17.7% and 11.6 % of floaters, respectively, yielding 4,300 yolksac larvae/female (4,600 yolksac larvae/kg body wt). Overall egg viability was 2.9%. Captive wild‐caught black sea bass were induced to undergo repetitive volitional spawning by implantation of pelleted‐LHRH‐a, consistent with a multiple clutch group synchronous pattern of ovarian development. Group spawning appears to be a practical way to compensate for variable fecundity and egg viability of individual females. Research is needed to identify optimum hormone treatments and eligibility requirements.     

Growth and Feed Utilization of Captive Wild Subadult Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata Fed Practical Diets in a Recirculating System

The effects of four practical diets on growth, feed utilization, and body composition of wild‐caught juvenile and subadult black sea bass Centropristis striata (316 ± 113 g =±± SD) were compared for 221 d in a recirculating tank system consisting of 12 2,660‐L tanks. Salinity averaged 33.5 ppt and temperature averaged 20.9 C but vaned from 12 to 27.1 C. Diets differed in crude protein (CP) and crude lipid (CL) as follows: 1) low CP (44.0%), low CL (11.4%) trout diet; 2) low CP (44.8%), high CL (15.0%) trout diet; 3) midlevel CP (47.9%), midlevel CL (12.8%) Bounder diet; and 4) high CP (53.9%), high CL (15.1%) marine finfish diet. Energy: protein ratios (E: P) were 44.6, 45.3, 41.8, and 39.1 W/g. Survival to 221 d on all diets was 100%. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in growth rates were observed among diets. Final weights were higher for midlevel and high CP diets 3 and 4 (1,051 and 1,013 g) than for low CP diet 1 (873 g). Relative growth rate (RGR, % total increase in weight), specific growth rate (SGR, % increase in body weight/d), and daily weight gain (DWG, g/d) were higher for higher CP diets 3 and 4 (RGR = 223 and 221; SGR = 0.53; DWG = 3.28 and 3.16), than for low CP diet 1 (RGR = 181; SGR = 0.47; DWG = 2.54). There were no significant differences between initial and final whole body protein and fiber content among diets. Lipid and gross energy levels significantly increased (P < 0.0001) in all treatments while moisture levels significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Although these differences were not significant, feed conversion ratio (FCR = dry weight fed/wet weight gain) was lower for fish given midlevel CP diet 3 (1.49) and high CP diet 4 (1.52) than for those fed low CP diets 1 and 2 (1.60 and 1.62). Protein efficiency ratios (PER = weight gain/weight protein fed) (1.43 to 1.24), apparent net protein retention (ANPR = weight protein gain/weight protein fed) (20 to 25%), and apparent net energy retention (ANER = energy gain/energy fed) (53.3 to 56.8%) were not significantly different among treatments. The midlevel CP (50%), midlevel CL (12%) diet maximized growth rates and was also significantly less expensive per kg fish weight produced ($1.40) than the high CP diet ($1.94) which produced the second highest growth rates. These results demonstrated that wild‐caught black sea bass can be successfully reared in recirculating tanks from juvenile to marketable sizes with high survival and with good feed conversion and growth on commercially prepared diets with a wide range of protein and lipid levels.     

Pharmacokinetics of ruminally dosed sodium [36Cl]chlorate in beef cattle

The recently recognized potential of sodium chlorate as a possible preharvest food safety tool for pathogen reduction in meat animals has spurred interest in the pharmacokinetics of intraruminally dosed chlorate. Six Loala cattle were assigned (one heifer and one steer per treatment) to one of three intraruminal doses of radiolabeled sodium [36Cl]chlorate (21, 42, or 63 mg/kg body weight) administered in four equal aliquots over a 24-h period. Blood and serum were collected (29 samples in 48 h). Total radioactive residues were measured and the radioactive moieties were speciated. Chlorate appeared rapidly in blood and serum after dosing. For animals administered a dose of 42 or 63 mg/kg, the half-life of absorption was estimated at 0.6-0.9 h. Serum chlorate concentrations progressively increased with aliquot administration until peaking at 6-21 parts per million at 26 h. Between aliquot administrations, serum chlorate levels typically peaked in 3.5 h or less. The half-life of chlorate elimination ranged between 6.9 and 11 h, depending on the dose. Ultimately, absorption of chlorate removes it from its desired site of action, the lower gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing its efficacy. Further research is needed to develop a chlorate formulation that will allow passage to the lower gastrointestinal tract.     

Morphological variation within a sour cherry collection

Summary Morphological traits of 28 full-sib sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) families developed with pollen from European sour cherry selections were evaluated with principal component (PC) analysis. The traits which loaded on the first PC were size characters such as lateral length, leaf area, fruit weight, and trunk diameter increase. These character loading on the first PC could be interpreted as representing gradations between morphologies characteristic of the 2 presumed progenitor species, sweet cherry (P. avium L.) and ground cherry (P. fruticosa Pall.). Mean family differences in trunk diameter increase, lateral length, leaf area, and fruit weight varied approximately 12, 3.7, 2.5, and 2 fold, respectively. These results suggest that it may be possible to select sour cherry hybrids approaching the tree and fruit size of either progenitor species. The results are discussed in reference to germplasm collection and the potential of certain cultivars and hybrids as parents.     

Effect of sodium [36Cl]chlorate dose on total radioactive residues and residues of parent chlorate in beef cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine total radioactive residues and chlorate residues in edible tissues of cattle administered at three levels of sodium [36Cl]chlorate over a 24-h period and slaughtered after a 24-h withdrawal period. Three sets of cattle, each consisting of a heifer and a steer, were intraruminally dosed with a total of 21, 42, or 63 mg of sodium [36Cl]chlorate/kg of body weight. To simulate a 24-h exposure, equal aliquots of the respective doses were administered to each animal at 0, 8, 16, and 24 h. Urine and feces were collected in 12-h increments for the duration of the 48-h study. At 24 h after the last chlorate exposure, cattle were slaughtered and edible tissues were collected. Urine and tissue samples were analyzed for total radioactive residues and for metabolites. Elimination of radioactivity in urine and feces equaled 20, 33, and 48% of the total dose for the low, medium, and high doses, respectively. Chlorate and chloride were the only radioactive chlorine species present in urine; the fraction of chlorate present as a percentage of the total urine radioactivity decreased with time regardless of the dose. Chloride was the major radioactive residue present in edible tissues, comprising over 98% of the tissue radioactivity for all animals. Chlorate concentrations in edible tissues ranged from nondetectable to an average of 0.41 ppm in skeletal muscle of the high-dosed animals. No evidence for the presence of chlorite was observed in any tissue. Results of this study suggest that further development of chlorate as a preharvest food safety tool merits consideration.     

Courting bird sings with stridulating wing feathers

In birds and other vertebrates, most acoustic signals are produced pneumatically by moving air through a vocal apparatus. Here we describe a unique mechanism used to produce a tonal acoustic signal in vertebrates. Video recordings of the courtship displays of male Club-winged Manakins, Machaeropterus deliciosus, reveal that males produce sustained harmonic tones through interactions among oscillating secondary wing feathers. This mechanism of sound production shows morphological and mechanistic convergence with arthropod stridulation. Intersexual selection for production of a nonvocal courtship song has led to major morphological, functional, and likely physiological modifications in the wing of this flying bird.