Wootenwestermann9668

Wheat flour has been connected to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses with increased frequency in recent years, specifically, outbreaks involving Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). However, there is little information regarding the survival of these pathogens on wheat grain during long-term storage in a low-moisture environment. This study aims to evaluate the long-term survival of these enteric pathogens on wheat grain over the course of a year. Hard red spring wheat was inoculated with strains of four serovars of Salmonella enterica (Enteritidis , Agona, Tennessee, and Montevideo) and six serotypes of EHEC (O157H7, O26H11, O121H19, O45NM, O111H8, and O103H2) in triplicate, sealed in Mylar bags to maintain the water activity, and stored at room temperature (22 ± 1°C). The survival of each pathogen was evaluated by plating onto differential media . Viable counts of strains from all four serovars of Salmonella (Enteritidis , Agona, Tennessee, and Montevideo) were detected on wheat grain stored at room temperature (22 ± 1°C) for the duration of the study (52 weeks). Viable counts of strains from EHEC serotypes O45NM, O111H8, and O26H11 were only detected for 44 weeks and strains from serotypes O157H7, O121H19, and O103H2 were only detected for 40 weeks until they passed below the limit of detection (2.0 log CFU/g). D -values were found to be significantly different between Salmonella and EHEC (adj. p ≤ 0.05) with Salmonella D -values ranging from 22.9 ± 2.2 to 25.2 ± 1.0 weeks and EHEC D -values ranging from 11.4 ± 0.6 to 13.1 ± 1.8 weeks. There were no significant differences amongst the four Salmonella strains or amongst the six EHEC strains (adj. p > 0.05). These observations highlight the wide range of survival capabilities of enteric pathogens in a low-moisture environment and confirm these pathogens are a food safety concern when considering the long shelf life of wheat grain and its products.A major challenge for neuropsychological research arises from the fact that we are dealing with a limited resource the patients. Not only is it difficult to identify and recruit these individuals, but their ability to participate in research projects can be limited by their medical condition. As such, sample sizes are small, and considerable time (e.g., 2 years) is required to complete a study. To address limitations inherent to laboratory-based neuropsychological research, we developed a protocol for online neuropsychological testing (PONT). We describe the implementation of PONT and provide the required information and materials for recruiting participants, conducting remote neurological evaluations, and testing patients in an automated, self-administered manner. The protocol can be easily tailored to target a broad range of patient groups, especially those who can be contacted via support groups or multisite collaborations. To highlight the operation of PONT and describe some of the unique challenges that arise in online neuropsychological research, we summarize our experience using PONT in a research program involving individuals with Parkinson's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia. In a 10-month period, by contacting 646 support group coordinators, we were able to assemble a participant pool with over 100 patients in each group from across the United States. Moreover, we completed six experiments (n > 300) exploring their performance on a range of tasks examining motor and cognitive abilities. The efficiency of PONT in terms of data collection, combined with the convenience it offers the participants, promises a new approach that can increase the impact of neuropsychological research.

The process for identifying patients with monoclonal gammopathies is complex. Initial detection of a monoclonal immunoglobulin protein (M protein) in the serum or urine often requires compilation of analytical data from several areas of the laboratory. The detection of M proteins depends on adequacy of the sample provided, available clinical information, and the laboratory tests used.

To develop an evidence-based guideline for the initial laboratory detection of M proteins.

To develop evidence-based recommendations, the College of American Pathologists convened a panel of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of monoclonal gammopathies and the laboratory procedures used for the initial detection of M proteins. The panel conducted a systematic literature review to address key questions. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, recommendations were created based on the available evidence, strength of that evidence, and key judgements as defined in the Gradings, such as POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes) syndrome, associated with an M protein.Understanding the mechanisms of change of digital therapeutics is a critical step to improve digital health outcomes and optimize their development. Access to and engagement with digital content is arguably a core mechanism of change of these interventions. However, the mediational role of app engagement has been largely unexamined. To evaluate the mediational effect of engaging with a digital therapeutic for smoking cessation designed for adults with psychiatric disorders. Secondary analysis of a pilot clinical trial of 62 adults with serious mental illness who were randomized to receive either a tailored digital therapeutic (Learn to Quit) or a digital therapeutic for the general public (NCI QuitGuide). Engagement was captured using background analytics of app utilization, including (a) number of interactions with app content, (b) minutes/day of app use, and (c) number of days used. The main outcome was reductions in cigarettes per day from baseline to the four-month endpoint. Mediational analysis followed the Preacher and Hayes bootstrap method. Number of application interactions fully mediated reductions in cigarettes per day in the Learn to Quit application but not in QuitGuide (Average Causal Mediation Effect = .31, p = .02). Minutes/day of app use played an uncertain role, and number of days used was not a significant mediator. Results suggest that one of the mechanisms of action of the Learn to Quit device, engagement with theory-based content, functioned as intended. Future research of digital therapeutics should emphasize granular approaches to evaluating apps' mechanisms of action.Cognitive control can be adaptive along several dimensions, including intensity (how intensely do control signal influence bottom-up processing) and selectivity (what information is selected for further processing). Furthermore, control can be exerted along slow or fast time scales. Whereas control on a slow time scale is used to proactively prepare for upcoming challenges, control can also be used on a faster time scale to react to unexpected events that require control. Importantly, a systematic comparison of these dimensions and time scales remains lacking. Moreover, most current models of adaptive control allow predictions only at a behavioral, not neurophysiological, level, thus seriously reducing the range of available empirical restrictions for informing model formulation. The current article addresses this issue by implementing a control loop in an earlier model of neural synchrony. The resulting model is tested on a Stroop task. We observe that only the model that exerts cognitive control on intensity and selectivity dimensions, as well as on two time scales, can account for relevant behavioral and neurophysiological data. Our findings hold important implications for both cognitive control and how computational models can be empirically constrained.American Indian (AI) older adults experience pronounced health disparities and demonstrate one of the lowest levels of physical activity (PA) among racial and ethnic groups. Nearly half of AI older adults live in rural areas, indicating distinct challenges to participation in PA. Research to identify factors influencing PA in this population is missing from the literature, yet is critical to informing culturally relevant PA intervention development and implementation. The purpose was to identify barriers to and facilitators of PA among rural AI older adults using the ecological model and qualitative methods. A community-based approach was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with rural AI older adults. Interview questions were based on a multi-level ecological model. Content analysis was performed, using an iterative coding process to identify findings. The mean age of participants (n = 21) was 66 years. Barriers to and facilitators of PA were identified across ecological model levels. Barriers included factors such as caregiving and community responsibilities, lack of acceptable areas for walking, and overall lack of community-level support for older adult health. Facilitators included a personal connection to the land and ancestors through PA, multigenerational participation, and supportive tribal policies. This study addressed a gap in the literature by identifying barriers to and facilitators of PA among rural AI older adults, which can inform PA intervention development. With barriers and facilitators identified by AI older adults themselves, the voices of those directly affected are uplifted to shape efforts toward addressing longstanding health disparities through relevant public health interventions.In the present study, a risk assessment of pesticides, phthalates and heavy metals in strawberries (n = 335) in recent years was conducted by determining the out estimate dietary intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) . 128 Pesticides, 18 phthalates and 3 heavy metals were determined in this determination. 51 pesticide residues were detected in the strawberry samples, and 97.91% samples had levels of at least one of the 51 pesticides above the LOD (limit of detection). 2.39% of samples had pesticides higher than the Chinese MRL. Multiple pesticides residues were detected in most samples. Bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were detected in the strawberry samples with high frequency of detection. Their detectable rates were 100, 100 and 89.9%, respectively. Most of the samples were detected lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) with the detectable rates 75.76, 92.93 and 92.93%, respectively. Estimated daily intake of analyzed pesticide, phthalate and heavy metal residues appear to be relatively low compared to the ADI. The average THQs and HI were less than one. That means the customers who are exposed to the average contaminants levels may not pose significant health risk. MF438 Our results show that the strawberries may be polluted by many kinds of contaminants. Therefore, monitoring of pesticides, phthalates and heavy metal residues in strawberries should be increasingly developed in order to fully protect the health of the consumer."Chicha Morada" also known as purple corn drink (PCD), is a traditional non-carbonated beverage commonly prepared at homes and restaurants in Peru. However, in recent years, it is being produced at an industrial scale aiming to extend its shelf-life, expand its marketing and make it known worldwide. Traditionally, this beverage, main component being purple corn (Zea mays L.), was made and consumed quickly, and in some cases, stored under refrigeration until consumption, but never beyond 24 to 48 hours. With its industrialization, factories are presented with challenges to design and provide adequate protection of the beverage, assuring its quality and safety. Although its production at an industrial level is very similar to other non-carbonated drinks containing fruit juice, several processing factors could affect the microbiological stability desired for this beverage, such as the storage of the purple corn drink extract. In this document, a critical review of the production process (raw materials, production stages and forms of commercialization) that can have a direct impact on the contamination of the beverage was made.