Prevention Of Losses Research Articles

Framework for Sustainable Food Packaging Design

The environmental impacts of packages have been found to be relatively small compared with the food items they contain. Furthermore, from the environmental and operational point of view, the most significant task of the package is to protect the product, which is important to acknowledge in the packaging design process. This study introduces a guiding framework for designing sustainable food packaging. In this approach, the entire life cycle of the product–package combination is taken into consideration. The emphasis is on the prevention of food losses in packaging design as a major environmental criterion. Consideration of the properties of both the package and the product itself when designing the final package will lead to a better end result with smaller product losses and environmental impacts. By using different assessment methods in the different stages of the packaging design, the sustainability of the package can be enhanced. The decision making of the packaging designer is facilitated with methods that are introduced step by step and in a certain order that will also allow for corrective measures through back‐loops in the design process. The purpose is to integrate sustainability aspects at all stages firmly into the design process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation Prevents Age-Related Functional Losses and A2E Accumulation in the Retina

With age, retina function progressively declines and A2E, a constituent of the toxin lipofuscin, accumulates in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Both events are typically exacerbated in age-related retina diseases. We studied the effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) supplementation on these events, using a transgenic mouse model (mutant human ELOVL4; E4) displaying extensive age-related retina dysfunction and massive A2E accumulation. Retina function was assessed with the electroretinogram (ERG) and A2E levels were measured in E4 and wildtype (WT) mice. Dietary DHA was manipulated from 1 to 3, 1 to 6, 6 to 12, and 12 to 18 months: 1% DHA over total fatty acids (E4+, WT+) or similar diet without DHA (E4-, WT-). Increased omega-3/6 ratios (DHA/arachidonic acid) in E4+ and WT+ retinas were confirmed for the 1- to 3-month and 1- to 6-month trials. Although 1- to 3-month intervention had no effects, when prolonged to 1 to 6 months, RPE function (ERG c-wave) was preserved in E4+ and WT+. Intervention from 6 to 12 months led to maintained outer and inner retina function (ERG a- and b-wave, respectively) in E4+. At 12 to 18 months, a similar beneficial effect on retina function occurred in WT+; A2E levels were reduced in E4+ and WT+. DHA supplementation was associated with: preserved retina function at mid-degenerative stages in E4 mice; prevention of age-related functional losses in WT mice; and reduced A2E levels in E4 and WT mice at the oldest age examined. These findings imply that dietary DHA could have broad preventative therapeutic applications (acting on pathologic and normal age-related ocular processes).

Prevention of health losses in adolescents with phenotypic manifestations of connective tissue dysplasia

Aim. Develop a program to prevent health losses in adolescents with connective tissue dysplasia. Methods. Analyzed was the clinical data of 241 adolescents for the period 2006-2009, 113 adolescents formed the main group, 128 - the control group. The statistical rules and standards for determining the grouping signs and group boundaries on the basis of phenotypic and visceral traits of connective tissue dysplasia were taken into consideration. Results. The proposed program for prophylaxis of health loss provides the following stages: informational, analytical, and organizational-executive with an educational component along with curative and preventive measures. The proposed program of prophylaxis provides complete information on the health status of adolescents with connective tissue dysplasia, promotes the reduction of the frequency of progression of signs of dysplasia. Conclusion. The program provides an opportunity to optimize the existing approaches to identifying and assessing factors that influence health, and promote more efficient use of the available resources in the education and healthcare systems.

Guidelines on the investigation and management of antiphospholipid syndrome

This guidance updates and replaces the previous guideline on the investigation and management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) published in 2000 (Greaves et al, 2000), though where there have not been changes we refer back to them when appropriate. The guidance is updated with reference to relevant publications since 2000. Publications known to the writing group were supplemented with additional papers identified by searching PubMed for publications in the last 11 years using the key words: lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, antiphospholipid, b2–glycoprotein I, antiprothrombin and limits (clinical trial, randomized control trial, meta-analysis, humans, core clinical journals, English language). The writing group produced the draft guideline, which was subsequently revised by consensus by members of the Haemostasis and Thrombosis Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology. The guideline was then reviewed by a sounding board of approximately 50 UK haematologists, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) Committee and comments incorporated where appropriate. The ‘GRADE’ system was used to quote levels and grades of evidence, details of which can be found at http://www.bcshguidelines.com/BCSH_PROCESS/EVIDENCE_LEVELS_AND_GRADES_OF_RECOMMEN DATION/43_GRADE.html. The objective of this guideline is to provide healthcare professionals with clear guidance on the diagnosis and management of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome though individual patient circumstances may dictate an alternative approach.

Reflections on Implementation Science

Abstract This paper provides an original formulation of some of the key issues that we think are central to the effective implementation of integrated disaster risk management (IDRM). We tentatively call this focused effort “implementation science”. We define the term implementation science, in this context as a collective enterprise to develop a systematic body of knowledge (facts, empirical evidence, intuitions, insights, experience) on the causes and consequences of natural and human disasters, to analyse them systematically, and to successfully implement the resulting strategies in the prevention or mitigation of losses due to disasters. With this in view, we have identified and discussed in this paper some key elements of implementation science in the context of disaster management, both natural and man-made, based on a comprehensive review of important research and writing in the disaster management field.

Nutrition and Sarcopenia: A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Preventive Strategies

Prevention of age-related losses in muscle mass and strength is key to protecting physical capability in older age and enabling independent living. To develop preventive strategies, a better understanding is needed of the lifestyle factors that influence sarcopenia and the mechanisms involved. Existing evidence indicates the potential importance of diets of adequate quality, to ensure sufficient intakes of protein, vitamin D, and antioxidant nutrients. Although much of this evidence is observational, the prevalence of low nutrient intakes and poor status among older adults make this a current concern. However, as muscle mass and strength in later life are a reflection of both the rate of muscle loss and the peak attained in early life, efforts to prevent sarcopenia also need to consider diet across the lifecourse and the potential effectiveness of early interventions. Optimising diet and nutrition throughout life may be key to preventing sarcopenia and promoting physical capability in older age.

Managed honey bee colony losses in Canada, China, Europe, Israel and Turkey, for the winters of 2008–9 and 2009–10

SummaryIn 2008 the COLOSS network was formed by honey bee experts from Europe and the USA. The primary objectives set by this scientific network were to explain and to prevent large scale losses of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. In June 2008 COLOSS obtained four years support from the European Union from COST and was designated as COST Action FA0803—COLOSS (Prevention of honey bee Colony Losses). To enable the comparison of loss data between participating countries, a standardized COLOSS questionnaire was developed. Using this questionnaire information on honey bee losses has been collected over two years. Survey data presented in this study were gathered in 2009 from 12 countries and in 2010 from 24 countries. Mean honey bee losses in Europe varied widely, between 7–22% over the 2008–9 winter and between 7–30% over the 2009–10 winter. An important finding is that for all countries which participated in 2008–9, winter losses in 2009–10 were found to be substantially higher. In 2009–10, winter losses in South East Europe were at such a low level that the factors causing the losses in other parts of Europe were absent, or at a level which did not affect colony survival. The five provinces of China, which were included in 2009–10, showed very low mean (4%) A. mellifera winter losses. In six Canadian provinces, mean winter losses in 2010 varied between 16–25%, losses in Nova Scotia (40%) being exceptionally high. In most countries and in both monitoring years, hobbyist beekeepers (1–50 colonies) experienced higher losses than practitioners with intermediate beekeeping operations (51–500 colonies). This relationship between scale of beekeeping and extent of losses effect was also observed in 2009–10, but was less pronounced. In Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, 2008–9 mean winter losses for beekeepers who reported ‘disappeared’ colonies were significantly higher compared to mean winter losses of beekeepers who did not report ‘disappeared’ colonies. Mean 2008–9 winter losses for those beekeepers in the Netherlands who reported symptoms similar to “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD), namely: 1. no dead bees in or surrounding the hive while; 2. capped brood was present, were significantly higher than mean winter losses for those beekeepers who reported ‘disappeared’ colonies without the presence of capped brood in the empty hives. In the winter of 2009–10 in the majority of participating countries, beekeepers who reported ‘disappeared’ colonies experienced higher winter losses compared with beekeepers, who experienced winter losses but did not report ‘disappeared’ colonies.

Botanicals as Grain Protectants

Prevention of food losses during postharvest storage is of paramount economic importance. Integrated pest management is now a widely accepted strategy in pest control including postharvest infestation control which involves the use of chemical (contact/residual) insecticides along with fumigants. The use of synthetic chemical insecticides is either not permitted or used restrictively because of the residue problem and health risks to consumers. In view of the above, there is a need for plants that may provide potential alternatives to the currently used insect control agents as they constitute a rich source of bioactive molecules. Available literature indicates that plant could be source for new insecticides. Therefore, there is a great potential for a plant-derived insecticidal compounds. This paper focuses on the current state of the botanical insecticides as grain protectants and its mode of action.

Fragment-based approach for the in silico discovery of multi-target insecticides

Pesticides represent extremely useful chemical and biochemical agents for the prevention of crop losses and disease in humans. They act by destroying, repelling or mitigating pests. Insects constitute one of the pests which are very difficult to control. With the pass of the time, insects have become resistant to pesticides because the current insecticides are designed to act through one mechanism of action. For this reason, there is an increasing need for the design of more potent and versatile insecticides. The present study is focused on the development of a fragment-based approach for the in silico discovery of multi-target insecticides from a heterogeneous database of compounds. The present methodology was based on a QSAR discriminant model which classified correctly more than 90% of insecticides and inactive compounds in both, training and prediction series. Also, it permitted the automatic and efficient extraction of fragments responsible of insecticidal activity against several mechanisms of action and new molecular entities were suggested as possible multi-target insecticides.

Insurance against Losses from Natural Disasters in Developing Countries

This paper examines recent experience with insurance and other risk-financing instruments in developing countries, informed by experience in developed countries, to provide insights on the effectiveness of insurance for reducing economic insecurity. Insurance and other risk financing strategies are viewed in the overall context of risk management, including the prevention of losses as well as financing the recovery process through risk pooling and transfer strategies. Specific examples of publicprivate insurance programs for households/businesses, farms and governments are described, including their limitations, especially in light of recent post-Katrina experience in the US. By examining the costs, benefits and risks of public-private risk-financing programs, insights are provided on the effectiveness of insurance as a mechanism for providing economic security to vulnerable communities and governments.

9 beta-methylcarbacyclin, a stable prostacyclin analogue, in prevention of platelet losses during charcoal haemoperfusion.

The effect of 9 beta-methylcarbacyclin, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, as a platelet protective agent, has been investigated during in-vitro charcoal haemoperfusion with fresh heparinized human blood, a model of progressive platelet damage. There were no platelet losses over 3 h perfusion after an initial bolus (1 microgram ml-1) of 9 beta-methylcarbacyclin (101.6 +/- s.e. 1.9% of initial value) whereas in the paired control circuit there was a significant reduction in the platelet level (73.5 +/- 4.1%, P less than 0.05). Prevention of rises in plasma thromboxane B2 by 9 beta-methylcarbacyclin confirmed the lack of platelet damage and a significant, but less marked, effect on white cell losses was observed. In a second series of experiments a bolus of 9 beta-methylcarbacyclin in one circuit was compared with prostacyclin infusion in the other which demonstrated that this prostaglandin analogue was as effective as prostacyclin and on the basis of these initial results it would merit clinical evaluation.

Research on prediction of debris flows triggered in channels

The accurate prediction of debris flows occurrence that will allow the reduction or prevention of economic losses and human casualties is presently the most difficult aspect of debris flows studies but also the aspect that receives most attention. Most prediction methods are based on rainfall as the basic parameter, with the moment of occurrence as only result, and without a prediction of debris flow travel time and size. This paper takes Jiangjia Gully in Dongchuan of Yunnan Province as an example, and considers, on the basis of the fulfillment of the essential condition: the abundant availability of loose materials, the conditions for the formation of debris flows. Based on the mechanism of the initiation of debris flows in channels and the volume of rainfall in the basin, this paper also gives a systematic analysis on the travel time and size of the debris flow and suggests that the hydrological condition for forming debris flow is the unit discharge of the flood ≥0.35 m3/s.m. It uses the 10-min rainfall intensity to calculate both the run-off of the rainfall and the unit discharge caused by the run-off, thus predicting the occurrence of debris flows. The velocity and the travel time of a debris flow can also be determined using the unit discharge of the run-off. The total volume of debris flows can be calculated using the 10-min intensity of rainfall and the total volume of the run-off, together with the volume concentration of the sediment in a debris flow.

Preventing land loss in coastal Louisiana: Estimates of WTP and WTA

A dichotomous-choice contingent-valuation survey was conducted in the State of Louisiana (USA) to estimate compensating surplus (CS) and equivalent surplus (ES) welfare measures for the prevention of future coastal wetland losses in Louisiana. Valuations were elicited using both willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept compensation (WTA) payment vehicles. Mean CS (WTP) estimates based on a probit model using a Box–Cox specification on income was $825 per household annually, and mean ES (WTA) was estimated at $4444 per household annually. Regression results indicate that the major factors influencing support for land-loss prevention were income (positive, WTP model only), perceived hurricane protection benefits (positive), environmental and recreation protection (positive), distrust of government (negative), age (positive, WTA model only), and race (positive for whites).

Heparin Treatment in Antiphospholipid Syndrome With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

To estimate the effect of combined heparin and aspirin compared with aspirin monotherapy in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss. We searched the PubMed database up to December 2009 for English-language studies using the key words "aspirin AND (heparin OR low molecular weight heparin), (antiphospholipid OR anticardiolipin OR aPL) AND pregnancy." Two hundred ninety- two studies were initially screened. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of heparin (unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin) plus aspirin compared with aspirin alone on the live-birth rate in women with a history of at least two miscarriages and antiphospholipid antibodies were eligible. The pooled effect of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin was evaluable in three and two randomized controlled studies, respectively, with regard to live births, which was the major outcome. Overall, treatment effects were in favor of heparin against first-trimester losses (odd ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.65, number needed to treat 6). More specifically, unfractionated heparin displayed a significant effect (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.48, number needed to treat 4), while the pooled effect of low molecular weight heparin was insignificant (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.34-1.45). Combination therapy of either unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin with aspirin failed to display any significant effect in the prevention of late-pregnancy losses. No significant differences were observed between treatment and control groups for any other outcomes. The combination of unfractionated heparin and aspirin confers a significant benefit in live births. However, the efficacy of low molecular weight heparin plus aspirin remains unproven, highlighting the urgent need for large controlled trials.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Immunological Modes of Pregnancy Loss

During the implantation period, a significant portion of embryos are lost and eventually less than half of clinically established pregnancies end as full-term pregnancies without obstetrical complications. A significant portion of these pregnancy losses is associated with immune etiologies, including autoimmune and cellular immune abnormalities. Although an autoimmune etiology such as anti-phospholipid antibodies (APAs) has been reported to induce placental infarct and thrombosis at maternal-fetal interface, APAs induce inflammatory immune responses as well. Inflammatory immune responses, such as increased proportions of NK cells and Th1/Th2 cell ratios in peripheral blood are related to recurrent pregnancy losses and multiple implantation failures. Systemic and local inflammatory immune responses seem to be induced by activation of Toll-like receptors with infectious agents, fetal cell debris, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, etc. Cellular activation of T and NK cells leads to pro-inflammatory cytokine storm and consequently, placental infarction and thrombosis. Potential application of anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents for the prevention of pregnancy losses should be explored further.

Vaccination of commercial broiler chicks against avian metapneumovirus infection: a comparison of drinking-water, spray and oculo-oral delivery methods

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) has become an important cause of viral respiratory infections in turkey and chickens. Live and inactivated vaccinations are available worldwide for prevention of disease and economic losses caused by this pathogen. The efficacy of these vaccines is vigorously tested under laboratory conditions prior to use in the field. In this study, a live subtype B aMPV vaccine was administered by spray, drinking water or oculo-oral methods to separate groups of broiler chicks under field conditions. Following this, the chicks were immediately transferred to separate rooms in an experimental isolation house, monitored and challenged with virulent subtype B aMPV. No clinical signs were recorded following the vaccination methods. In the oculo-oral vaccinated chicks, 40–60% of the birds were vaccine virus positive by RT-PCR. In addition, in comparison to other groups, statistically higher levels of aMPV ELISA antibodies were detected. After spray vaccination, the number of chicks positive for the vaccine virus increased gradually from 10% at one week to 30% by 3 weeks post vaccination. Following drinking water vaccination, 30% of chicks were aMPV positive at 1 week but negative by 3 weeks post vaccination. In both, spray and drinking water vaccinated groups, no ELISA antibodies were detected, but when challenged all chicks were protected against disease. At 5 days post challenge, 100% of chicks in the unvaccinated and those vaccinated by spray or drinking water routes but only 20% of the oculo-oral-vaccinated chicks were aMPV positive by RT-PCR. At 10 days post challenge, 10% of chicks in each group were aMPV RT-PCR positive. On challenge, all vaccinated chicks were protected against disease. It appears that when aMPV vaccine is accurately applied to chicks by spray or drinking water routes, both are capable of giving protection against clinical disease equal to that induced in those chicks vaccinated individually by the oculo-oral route.

Special Issue on “Building Local Capacity for Long-term Disaster Resilience” Toward Disaster Resilient Communities

Special Issue on “Building Local Capacity for Long-term Disaster Resilience” Toward Disaster Resilient Communities

A prospective matched nested case–control study of bacterial gill disease outbreaks in Ontario, Canada government salmonid hatcheries

Early-rearing salmonids in Ontario, Canada government fish hatcheries have been persistently affected by bacterial gill disease (BGD), and outbreaks at these locations have often been associated with high morbidity and mortality. The causative agent of BGD, Flavobacterium branchiophilum, is ubiquitous in fresh water, and outbreaks of BGD are considered to be associated with deleterious environmental conditions. This paper summarizes a 14-month rearing unit-level prospective nested matched case–control investigation at six Ontario government hatcheries (raising a total of six different salmonid species) to identify, and quantify the effects of, important predictors of BGD outbreaks. Ongoing husbandry data were collected on all early-rearing (<9 months of age) fish tank-lots (“tank-lot”=a group of fish from a specific lot existing in a single hatchery tank for a given period during the study time frame) at participating hatcheries, and all outbreaks of BGD were confirmed by light microscopy during the study period. Control tank-lots were selected at the end of the study and matched to individual cases based on time, hatchery, and species. Data were analyzed using logistic regression modeling, controlling for fish age. The final multivariable model indicated that affected tank-lots were significantly more likely to have had lower fish numbers, lower individual fish weights, higher mortality levels and higher feeding rates during the week preceding observed BGD outbreaks than were asymptomatic control tank-lots. Refinements in the observation and manipulation of these factors could therefore aid in the prevention of fish losses associated with observable BGD outbreaks. The predictive (as opposed to causal) nature of the identified factors needs to be considered, and further research is required to understand the relationships between these factors and BGD.

Mate choice and mate competition by a tropical hummingbird at a floral resource

The influence of male territorial and foraging behaviours on female choice has received little attention in studies of resource-defence mating systems even though such male behaviours are thought to affect variation in their territory quality and mating success. Here we show that female purple-throated carib hummingbirds Eulampis jugularis preferred to mate with males that had high standing crops of nectar on their flower territories. A male's ability to maintain high nectar standing crops on his territory not only depended on the number of flowers in his territory, but also on his ability to enhance his territory through the prevention of nectar losses to intruders. We observed that males defended nectar supplies that were two to five times greater than their daily energy needs and consistently partitioned their territories in order to provide some resources to attract intruding females as potential mates. Such territorial behaviour resulted in males defending some flowers for their own food and other flowers as food for intruding females. Collectively, our results suggest that variation in mating success among males is driven primarily by variation in territory quality, which ultimately depends on a male's fighting ability and size.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Tolerance Mechanisms in Pregnancy: A Reappraisal of the Role of Class I Paternal MHC Antigens*

Citation Clark DA, Chaouat G, Wong K, Gorczynski RM, Kinsky R. Tolerance mechanisms in pregnancy: a reappraisal of the role of class I paternal MHC antigens. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 93–103Problem Allogeneic pregnancies have a survival advantage over syngeneic pregnancies, and paternal Class I MHC antigens have been implicated. In humans, HLA‐C and HLA‐G and E are expressed by subpopulations of fetal trophoblast. In mice, Qa‐2, a Class Ib antigen, and classical H‐2K antigens have been described. However, the mechanism of prevention of embryo demise in utero has not been critically assessed, and a number of conflicting ideas have not been addressed. The αβ T‐cell receptor recognizes peptide bound to the groove in Class I MHC, and peptides have profound effects on the interaction of KIR receptors on T and NK cells with Class I MHC.Methods Data on prevention of pregnancy loss (abortion) in poly IC‐treated mice were reviewed along with information about prevention of losses in the abortion‐prone CBA × DBA/2 model. This information was combined with data on paternal antigen expression at different times in pregnancy when key events determining outcome are thought to transpire, and role of tolerance signaling molecules such as CD200. Current data on models supporting a role for ‘true’ uterine NK cells (TuNKs) versus blood NK cells in the uterus (BuNKs) and role of MHC–KIR interaction were reviewed along with incompatible data in the literature.Results Whilst paternal Class I MHC appears important, there is an important role for paternal non‐MHC minor antigens (small peptides) that bind to the antigen‐presenting groove of Class I MHC. BuNKs along with CD8+ T cells and Treg cells appear more important than TuNKs where the role of the latter appears primarily to promote angiogenesis. When during pregnancy the maternal immune system cells are first exposed to paternal Class I + peptide is uncertain, but at the time of implantation, if not earlier, seems likely.Conclusion Suppression of pregnancy loss by paternal/embryo Class I MHC depends on the presence of paternal peptides. This greatly complicates existing models of Class I–KIR interactions in feto‐maternal tolerance or rejection. It is important to consider all the data when devising explanatory models.