Unsanitary Conditions Research Articles

Playing with Noah in Wanamaker's Temple: (Re)Thinking U.S. Christianity in American Studies

Playing with Noah in Wanamaker's Temple:(Re)Thinking U.S. Christianity in American Studies Rachel Beckley (bio) WANAMAKER'S TEMPLE: The Business of Religion in an Iconic Department Store. By Nicole C. Kirk. New York City: New York University Press. 2018. ARK ENCOUNTER: The Making of a Creationist Theme Park. By James S. Bielo. New York City: New York University Press. 2018. Religion has been, and remains, a driving force in American history. Yet, all too often scholars of American society and culture view religion and religiosity as secondary to prime movers like race, class, and gender. American Studies rarely engages with an in-depth analysis of religious practitioners or religious cultural creation, falling into the trap of relegating religious motivation to the realm of superstition. This is especially true in the current political moment where conservative Christian support of Republican politicians is seen as either the height of hypocrisy or a testament to political manipulation. Nevertheless, religious [End Page 7] practitioners, far from opiate-takers with dulled senses, are active and creative in the public sector. With the recent scholarly work coming out of Anthropology, History, Religious Studies, and American Studies, however, religion is coming to the fore as a prime mover and motivator in American history. Two such scholars, Nicole Kirk, an historian, and James Bielo, an ethnographer, have different methodologies, sources, time periods, and people, but both discuss how conservative Christians (variously defined) have influenced U.S. culture particularly in the business sector. Both at least tacitly understand their forms of conservative Christianity to be oppressive cultural creators, upholding gendered, classist, and racialized cultural norms. But, both scholars demonstrate how religious practitioners help(ed) to (re)create those cultural norms. Fashioning Decorum with Wanamaker In Nicole C. Kirk's first book Wanamaker's Temple: The Business of Religion in an Iconic Department Store, Kirk uncovers the life of John Wanamaker and the growth of his iconic department stores between 1880 and 1920. Wanamaker's example allows Kirk to interrogate the development of good taste, decorum, and respectability in U.S. culture by Protestant businessmen, a development that privileged white, middle-class values and norms. Kirk represents the most recent scholar to take up the question of the role of religion, particularly Protestantism, and how it intersected with business interests and consumerism. Other scholars, including Kim Philips-Fein, Kevin Kruse, Darren Grem, Bethany Moreton, and Darren Dochuck (to name a few), have looked to the 1920s-1960s to set up the interwoven nature of business interests/free market economics and Protestantism. These authors often connect the amalgamation of business interests and Christian interests to the rise of the Religious Right and the conservative turn in U.S. politics. Kirk's analysis, however, represents one of the first to focus on the 1850-1920s rather than the mid-century. During the late 1800s, most religious revivalists viewed businessmen as corrupt, greedy, and irreligious. Unfortunately, Kirk notes, modern scholars also assume corrupt business/religion connections by presupposing an inverse correlation between the rise of consumerism and a presumed decrease of Protestantism (and religious perspectives in general). In this perspective, businessmen used religious language or "gimmicks" in order to sell their products. However, this historical perspective devalues the work performed by religious practitioners in bringing their perspectives to bear on the public sector. Kirk is particularly interested in turn-of-the-century Christian moral reform projects during the urban crisis and increased immigration from Europe. In response to a rapidly changing U.S. landscape, Protestants felt fear. An influx of immigrants caused explosive growth in unprepared urban centers. While many at the time interpreted urban growth as a sign of progress and technological wonder, Protestants worried about sprawl, unemployment, crime, poverty, and unsanitary conditions. City work accepted women in the workplace while following [End Page 8] on the heels of diminished church authority and the decline of family-owned stores in favor of large businesses. All this led to a belief that city life inherently caused moral degradation. But these changes paled in comparison to the fear of increased immigration. Immigrants between the 1820s-1920s challenged the Protestant majority and brought unassimilated workers into sprawling, poverty-stricken urban landscapes. In...

Pedagogical rehabilitation of syllogomania as a type of deviant behavior of senior citizens

Syllogomania is a deviant behavior recognized as socially dangerous, since gathering turns the territory of a syllogoman into a dump of unnecessary things. Unsanitary conditions are difficult to be eliminated. The pathological gathering is studied by psychologists and medical psychiatrists. The research subject is behavioral deviations in old age associated with personality characteristics of the syllogoman; situations that initiated the development of this deviant behavior were described, the reasons for the development of syllogomania and the role of old things for elderly persons were analyzed. Recommendations for implementing pedagogical rehabilitation measures for elderly people prone to pathological gathering were given. The main task of pedagogical activities is reintegration of the elderly syllogoman into society, restoration of lost ties and resocialization. The leading areas of rehabilitation are restoration of the social status, family and social rights and obligations, self-care and hygiene skills, medical work.

Bacterial and Fungal Loads in Raw Sea Foods, Fruits and Vegetables collected from Dhaka, Bangladesh and the Effect of Heat on its Growth

Foods, fruits and vegetables are essential foodstuffs which can also serve as a major source of bacterial and fungal transmission. Mishandling of fruits, vegetables and foods during storage, transport, inadequate preparation and unsanitary conditions during processing have led to the spread of foodborne diseases worldwide, especially in Bangladesh. A total of 51 samples of fruits (n=16), vegetables (n=16) and seafoods (n=19) were studied for the determination of bacterial and fungal loads and assessment of heat effect on microbial growth. All categories of 51 samples showed initial bacterial counts ranging from 4 X 103 - 7 X 106 cfu/g, and fungal counts ranging from 103 - 106 cfu/g. Fruits, vegetables and seafood samples showed bacterial counts ranging from 4 X 103 - 4 X 105, 5 X 104 - 1 X 106, and 3 X 104 - 7 X 106, and fungal counts ranging from 6 X 103 - 1 X 105/g, 9 X 104 - 7 X 105/g, and 1 X 103 1 X 106/g, respectively. Just after microbiological analyses, all different categories of samples were heat treated at 60OC for three intervals viz 30 minutes, 1 hour and finally 2 hours. Heating at 60OC showed efficiency in reducing bacterial and fungal growth in the samples studied with log reductions not venturing below the 1.00 mark and various samples with log reductions more than 5.00.
 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 33, Number 1-2, June-Dec 2016, pp 23-28

Rodent-borne viruses survey in rural settlers from Central Brazil.

Anthropogenic environmental changes arising from settlement and agriculture include deforestation and replacement of natural vegetation by crops providing opportunities for pathogen spillover from animals to humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rodent-borne virus infections in seven rural settlements from Midwestern Brazil. Of the 466 individuals tested 12 (2.57%) were reactive for orthohantavirus and 3 (0.64%) for mammarenavirus. These rural settlers lived under unfavorable infrastructure, socioeconomic disadvantages, and unsanitary conditions, representing a risk for rodent-borne infections. Development of public policies towards the improvement of health, sanitation and awareness of rodent-borne diseases in improvised camps and settlements is imperative, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.

Beneficiary Assessment of Development Interventions Implemented by Rural Development Animation Programme in Katsina and Kaduna States, North-West Nigeria

A beneficiary assessment of the community development interventions implemented by Rural Development Animation Programme (RUDAP) in Katsina State and some parts of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria was conducted to determine the relevance of RUDAP’s interventions to the development priorities of the target groups and to assess the changes in the living conditions of the people due to RUDAP’s activities. The assessment was also aimed at ascertaining the level of participation of the target groups in the implementation of the development interventions by the organisation. The three (3) operational zones of RUDAP were purposively selected, and in each zone, 3 villages were selected to cover all the activities implemented by the organisation. In each village community, focus group discussions involving 15 persons were conducted separately for women and men beneficiaries. RUDAP’s interventions were support for construction of cereal bank/grain store, provision of the hand-driven borehole and sanitation enlightenment. The results showed that the interventions implemented by RUDAP were relevant to the critical issues identified by the target groups for better life namely household food shortages, poor access to potable water and prevalence of unsanitary conditions. Changes in living conditions of the target groups attributable to RUDAP’s interventions included all year round household food supply, improved family cohesion among householders, increased income through the selling of surplus food grains in cereal banks when prices were more favourable. Others were reduced incidence of water- borne diseases, elimination of drudgery associated with fetching water from rivers and ease of maintaining personal hygiene. Participation of target groups in project implementation was in the form of financial and non-financial contribution. The findings from the beneficiary assessment underscored the importance of needs assessment prior to project design and implementation as well as the involvement of target groups in planning, implementation and evaluation of community development initiatives.

Flint Goodridge Hospital and Black Health Care in Twentieth-Century New Orleans

Flint Goodridge Hospital and Black Health Care in Twentieth-Century New Orleans

Social protection of female workers at Saint Petersburg industrial enterprises in the second half of the XIX - early XX century as one of the aspects of everyday life female history

The paper refers to the measures of social protection of female workers at St. Petersburg industrial enterprises in the second half of the XIX early XX century. Social security is an important part of any persons everyday life, especially women. Laws adopted in the Russian Empire, within the framework of factory legislation, were aimed at supporting the interests of industrial entrepreneurs rather than female workers. Legislative acts that were supposed to guarantee social protection for women workers were practically not observed. Many of these laws were even abolished by later regulatory acts. Female workers did not receive equal wages with men. Women had to work long hours in unsanitary conditions. Female workers were almost slaves for the owner of an industrial enterprise. Factory inspectors could not help women workers solve their problems. The authorities did not provide social protection for women in St. Petersburg, who worked for factories in the second half of the XIX early XX century.

Prospective study of canine leptospirosis in shelter and stray dog populations: Identification of chronic carriers and different Leptospira species infecting dogs

Dogs are highly susceptible to the leptospiral infection, notably stray and sheltered dogs. Unsanitary conditions often observed in dog shelters may predispose the introduction and spread of leptospires among sheltered populations, potentially increasing the chances for the inadvertent adoption of asymptomatically infected animals. The present work describes a longitudinal study using a multidisciplinary approach for the identification of chronically infected dogs and the characterization of potentially pathogenic strains circulating among stray and sheltered dog populations in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 123 dogs from three populations were included. The initial evaluation consisted of blood and urine quantitative PCR testing (qPCR), the detection of specific antibodies by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), physical examination and hematological and serum biochemistry analyses. The qPCR-positive dogs were prospectively examined, and reevaluations also included culture from urine samples. Positive qPCR samples were subjected to 16S rRNA and secY gene phylogenetic analysis. The recovered strains were characterized by Multilocus Sequence Typing, polyclonal serogroup identification and virulence determination. Leptospiruria was detected in all populations studied (13/123), and phylogenetic analysis revealed that 10 dogs had L. interrogans infection. Three dogs (3/13) had L. santarosai infection. The secY phylogenetic analysis revealed that the L. santarosai sequences clustered separately from those obtained from other hosts. Ten leptospiruric dogs were reevaluated, and three dogs presented persistent leptospiruria, allowing culturing from two dogs. The strains were characterized as L. interrogans serogroup Canicola (virulent) and L. santarosai serogroup Sejroe (not virulent). Serum samples were retested by MAT using the DU92 and DU114 strains as antigens, and no increased seroreactivity was detected. Asymptomatic L. santarosai infection was observed in all populations studied, suggesting a possible role of dogs in the chain of transmission of this leptospiral species. The results suggest a genetic distinction between lineages of Brazilian L. santarosai maintained by dogs and other animal hosts. Our findings revealed that dogs could act as maintenance hosts for distinct pathogenic Leptospira, highlighting also that asymptomatically infected dogs can be inadvertently admitted and adopted in dog shelters, potentially increasing the risks of zoonotic transmission.

Expansions of key protein families in the German cockroach highlight the molecular basis of its remarkable success as a global indoor pest.

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is a worldwide pest that infests buildings, including homes, restaurants, and hospitals, often living in unsanitary conditions. As a disease vector and producer of allergens, this species has major health and economic impacts on humans. Factors contributing to the success of the German cockroach include its resistance to a broad range of insecticides, immunity to many pathogens, and its ability, as an extreme generalist omnivore, to survive on most food sources. The recently published genome shows that B.germanica has an exceptionally high number of protein coding genes. In this study, we investigate the functions of the 93 significantly expanded gene families with the aim to better understand the success of B.germanica as a major pest despite such inhospitable conditions. We find major expansions in gene families with functions related to the detoxification of insecticides and allelochemicals, defense against pathogens, digestion, sensory perception, and gene regulation. These expansions might have allowed B.germanica to develop multiple resistance mechanisms to insecticides and pathogens, and enabled a broad, flexible diet, thus explaining its success in unsanitary conditions and under recurrent chemical control. The findings and resources presented here provide insights for better understanding molecular mechanisms that will facilitate more effective cockroach control.

Characterisation of environmental enteropathy biomarkers and associated risk factors in children in the context of a WASH trial in Timor-Leste

Environmental enteropathy (EE) is characterised by subclinical inflammation and hyperpermeability of the small intestine, hypothesised to be caused by recurrent ingestion of faecal bacteria. It has been suggested that EE may be a contributor to malnutrition and growth delays seen in children living in unsanitary conditions. We measured putative faecal EE markers myeloperoxidase (MPO) (ng/mL) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) (mg/g) in stool samples collected from 133 children aged 1-5 years in 16 communities enrolled in the WASH for WORMS randomised controlled trial in Timor-Leste. Samples were collected two years after a community-wide water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) intervention that was integrated with regular deworming. Mixed effects multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the impact of the study intervention and of various WASH and infection-related factors on EE biomarkers. Children who lived in communities that received both the WASH intervention and deworming had similar AAT values as those who lived in communities that received only deworming (regression coefficient -0.14, p = 0.583), but they had a trend towards lower MPO values (coeff -0.51, p = 0.055). Younger children showed significantly higher MPO levels (coeff: -0.29, p = 0.002). No WASH variables or parasitic infections were associated with AAT levels. Household water being stored in covered containers was associated with lower MPO levels (coeff -1.75, p = 0.046). We found little evidence that a community-based WASH intervention had an impact on EE over a two-year period.

Listeriosis Outbreaks Associated with Soft Cheeses, United States, 1998-20141.

Since 2006, the number of reported US listeriosis outbreaks associated with cheese made under unsanitary conditions has increased. Two-thirds were linked to Latin-style soft cheese, often affecting pregnant Hispanic women and their newborns. Adherence to pasteurization protocols and sanitation measures to avoid contamination after pasteurization can reduce future outbreaks.

Submist is Effective for Propagation of Korean Lilac and Inkberry by Stem Cuttings

Although overhead mist revolutionized the propagation industry, it does suffer from potential drawbacks that include the application of large volumes of water, potentially unsanitary conditions, irregular misting coverage, and leaching of foliar nutrients. We explored the feasibility of submist as an alternative as it might avoid these problems by applying water exclusively from below the cutting, which is inserted basally into an enclosed rooting chamber. We propagated cuttings of korean lilac (Syringa pubescens ssp. patula) and inkberry (Ilex glabra) using both overhead mist and submist to compare effectiveness of the systems. Cuttings of korean lilac were wounded and dipped basally into 8000 mg·L−1 of the potassium salt of indole-3-butyric acid (K-IBA), and those in the overhead mist systems were inserted into coarse perlite. Cuttings of inkberry were wounded and treated with 5000 mg·L−1 K-IBA, and those in the overhead mist systems were inserted into 50:50 peat:perlite (by vol). Cuttings of korean lilac in the submist systems produced more than twice as many roots as cuttings in the overhead mist systems, with roots more than 2.6 times the length. Similarly, cuttings of inkberry in the submist systems produced more than three times the root counts and root lengths as cuttings in the overhead mist systems. For korean lilac, root dry weights averaged 58 mg for cuttings in the submist system, compared with only 18 mg among cuttings receiving overhead mist. Likewise, root dry weights averaged 70 and 7 mg for cuttings of inkberry propagated by submist and overhead mist, respectively. Rooted cuttings of korean lilac transplanted well into a soilless substrate, where they more than tripled their root biomass to 218 mg (vs. 59 mg for cuttings transplanted from overhead mist). We did not evaluate transplant performance of inkberry. Our results show that submist systems might merit consideration for the propagation of woody plants by leafy stem cuttings.

Culture- and molecular-based detection of swine-adapted Salmonella shed by avian scavengers

Salmonella can play an important role as a disease agent in wildlife, which can then act as carriers and reservoirs of sanitary importance at the livestock-human interface. Transmission from livestock to avian scavengers can occur when these species consume contaminated carcasses and meat remains in supplementary feeding stations and rubbish dumps. We compared the performance of PCR-based detection with conventional culture-based methods to detect Salmonella in the faeces of red kites (Milvus milvus) and griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in central Spain. The occurrence of culturable Salmonella was intermediate in red kites (1.9%, n=52) and high in griffon vultures (26.3%, n=99). These proportions were clearly higher with PCR-based detection (13.5% and 40.4%, respectively). Confirmation cultures failed to grow Salmonella in all faecal samples positive by the molecular assay but negative by the initial conventional culture in both scavenger species, indicating the occurrence of false (non-culturable) positives by PCR-based detection. This suggests that the molecular assay is highly sensitive to detecting viable Salmonella in cultures, but also partial genomes and dead or unviable bacteria from past infections or contamination. Thus, the actual occurrence of Salmonella in a particular sampling time period can be underestimated when using only culture detection. The serovars found in the scavenger faeces were among the most frequently isolated in pigs from Spain and other EU countries, especially those generally recognized as swine-adapted monophasic variants of S. Typhimurium. Because the studied species obtain much of their food from pig carcasses, this livestock may be the primary source of Salmonella via direct ingestion of infected carcasses and indirectly via contamination due to the unsanitary conditions found in supplementary feeding stations established for scavenger conservation. Combining culture- and molecular-based detection is encouraged to understand the epidemiology and impact of Salmonella in wildlife populations.

Comparison of Four Systems for Propagation of Coleus by Stem Cuttings

Overhead mist (OM) facilitates the propagation of stem cuttings by preventing transpirational water loss. However, drawbacks to OM include the application of large volumes of water, potentially unsanitary conditions, irregular misting coverage, and leaching of foliar nutrients. We explored three alternatives to OM that might avoid these problems by applying moisture below, rather than overhead. These included 1) a submist (SM) aeroponic system configured to provide intermittent mist only to the rooting zone, 2) a subirrigation (SI) system that provided water via capillary action through perlite from a reservoir maintained below the base of each cutting, and 3) a subfog (SF) aeroponic system that was configured to provide constant fog only to the rooting zone. To initiate each system, we wetted perlite or filled reservoirs using either water or quarter-strength Hoagland solution. Stem cuttings of ‘Wizard Mix’ coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) were propagated in the systems for 21 days. Cuttings in the SM system produced more than three times as many roots as cuttings in the OM system, with roots more than six times the length. Root dry weights averaged 28 mg for cuttings in the SM system, compared with only 3.5 mg among cuttings receiving OM. The SF and SI systems produced results broadly comparable to the OM. Fertilizer did not consistently improve rooting measures across the systems. Although we observed few fine roots on cuttings rooted using SM, they transplanted well into a soilless substrate and quickly produced new root growth. The SM system used less than 1/5 the water used by the SI system, and less than 1/50 the water used by the SF system. In comparison, a single OM nozzle operating for 10 seconds released about one-third of the total water lost through transpiration from each SM system over the entire experiment. Our results show that SM systems merit further evaluation for propagation of plants by stem cuttings.

Medical Services at an International Summer Camp Event Under Hot and Humid Conditions: Experiences From the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, Japan

The 23rd World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) was a 10-day summer camp held in Japan in 2015 under hot and humid conditions. The attendees comprised 33,628 people from 155 countries and territories. The aim of this study was to examine the provision of medical services under such conditions and to identify preventive factors for major diseases among long-term campers. Data were obtained from WSJ medical center records and examined to clarify the effects of age, sex, and period on visit frequencies and rates. Medical records from 3215 patients were examined. Daytime temperatures were 31.5±3.2°C and relative humidity was 61±13% (mean±SD). The initial visit rates among scouts and adults were 72.2 and 77.2 per 1000 persons, respectively. No significant age difference was observed in the initial visit rate; however, it was significantly higher among female patients than male patients. Significant differences were also seen in the adjusted odds ratios by age, sex, and period for disease distributions of initial visit frequencies. In addition, a higher initial visit frequency for heat strain-related diseases was seen among the scouts. Initial visit frequencies for heatstroke and/or dehydration increased just after opening day and persisted until closing day. Our findings suggest the importance of taking effective countermeasures against heat strain, fatigue, and unsanitary conditions at the WSJ. Medical services staff should take attendees' age, sex, and period into consideration to prevent heat strain-related diseases during such camps under hot and humid conditions.

Molecular analysis of human- and pig-derived Ascaris in Honduras.

Ascaris sp. is a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) significantly affecting the health of human and swine populations. Health inequities and poverty, with resulting deficiencies in water, sanitation and hygiene, are directly associated with Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence in humans. Resource constraints also lead to small-scale livestock production under unsanitary conditions. Free-ranging pigs, for instance, are exposed to a number of infectious agents, among which Ascaris suum is one of the most common. Under these conditions, close proximity between people and pigs can result in cross-contamination; that is, pigs harbouring human Ascaris and vice versa. Moreover, the potential interbreeding between these two Ascaris species has been demonstrated. The present study analysed Ascaris worms obtained from children and pigs in Honduras. Adult worms were collected from stool samples of children after pharmacological treatment, and from pigs' intestines after slaughter for commercial purposes at a local abattoir. A nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested with a restriction enzyme in order to separate putative human- and pig-derived Ascaris isolates. PCR products were also sequenced, and cladograms were constructed. All parasites isolated from children showed the typical human-derived genotype of Ascaris, whereas 91% of parasites from pigs showed the expected pig-derived genotype. Cross-infections between hosts were not demonstrated in this study. Nine per cent of pig-derived worms showed a restriction band pattern highly suggestive of a hybrid human-pig Ascaris genotype. These results contribute to the understanding of ascariasis epidemiology and its zoonotic potential in a highly endemic region.

A Longitudinal Study of Household Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Characteristics and Environmental Enteropathy Markers in Children Less than 24 Months in Iquitos, Peru.

.Poor child gut health, resulting from a lack of access to an improved toilet or clean water, has been proposed as a biological mechanism underlying child stunting and oral vaccine failure. Characteristics related to household sanitation, water use, and hygiene were measured among a birth cohort of 270 children from peri-urban Iquitos Peru. These children had monthly stool samples and urine samples at four time points and serum samples at (2–4) time points analyzed for biomarkers related to intestinal inflammation and permeability. We found that less storage of fecal matter near the household along with a reliable water connection were associated with reduced inflammation, most prominently the fecal biomarker myeloperoxidase (MPO) (no sanitation facility compared with those with an onsite toilet had −0.43 log MPO, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.74, −0.13; and households with an intermittent connection versus those with a continuous supply had +0.36 log MPO, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.63). These results provide preliminary evidence for the hypothesis that children less than 24 months of age living in unsanitary conditions will have elevated gut inflammation.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as Extracting Media for the Chromatographic Determination of Antibiotics in Milk.

Milk-producing animals are typically kept stationary in overcrowded large-scale farms and in most cases under unsanitary conditions, which promotes the development of infections. In order to maintain sufficient health status among the herd or promote growth and increase production, farmers administer preventative antibiotic doses to the animals through their feed. However, many antibiotics used in cattle farms are intended for the treatment of bacterial infections in humans. This results in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which pose a great risk for public health. Additionally, antibiotic residues are found in milk and dairy products, with potential toxic effects for the consumers. Hence the need of antibiotic residues monitoring in milk arises. Analytical methods were developed for the determination of antibiotics in milk, with key priority given to the analyte extraction and preconcentration step. Extraction can benefit from the production of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that can be applied as sorbents for the extraction of specific antibiotics. This review focuses on the principals of molecular imprinting technology and synthesis methods of MIPs, as well as the application of MIPs and MIPs composites for the chromatographic determination of various antibiotic categories in milk found in the recent literature.

Fecal Contamination on Produce from Wholesale and Retail Food Markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Fresh produce items can become contaminated with enteric pathogens along the supply chain at the preharvest (e.g., irrigation water, soil, fertilizer) or postharvest (e.g., vendor handling or consumer handling) stages. This study assesses the concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli, enterococci (ENT), and Bacteriodales on surfaces of carrots, eggplants, red amaranth leaves, and tomatoes obtained from both a wholesale market (recently harvested) and neighborhood retail markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We detected E. coli in 100% of carrot and red amaranth rinses, 92% of eggplant rinses, and 46% of tomato rinses. Using a molecular microbial source tracking assay, we found that 32% of produce samples were positive for ruminant fecal contamination. Fecal indicator bacteria were more likely to be detected on produce collected in retail markets compared with that in the wholesale market; retail market produce were 1.25 times more likely to have E. coli detected (P = 0.03) and 1.24 times more likely to have ENT detected (P = 0.03) as compared with wholesale market produce. Bacteriodales was detected in higher concentrations in retail market produce samples compared with wholesale market produce samples (0.40 log10 gene copies per 100 cm2 higher, P = 0.03). Our results suggest that ruminant and general fecal contamination of produce in markets in Dhaka is common, and suggest that unsanitary conditions in markets are an important source of produce fecal contamination postharvest.

Neighborhood Disorder Is Associated With Greater Risk for Self-Neglect Among Chinese American Older Adults: Findings From PINE Study.

Objective: This study aims to examine the association between neighborhood disorder with self-neglect among a community-dwelling Chinese American older population. Method: Data were extracted from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a cross-sectional study of 3,157 participants living in the greater Chicago area. Self-neglect was assessed with systematic observations of participants’ personal and home environment. Neighborhood disorder was measured through eight questions. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between neighborhood disorder and self-neglect. Results: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, every one point higher in neighborhood disorder score was significantly associated with greater risk for overall self-neglect (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, [1.11, 1.16]), mild self-neglect (OR = 1.14, [1.11, 1.17]), and moderate/severe self-neglect (OR = 1.12, [1.09, 1.16]). Regarding the phenotypes of self-neglect, every one point higher in neighborhood disorder score was significantly associated with greater risk for hoarding (OR = 1.17, [1.14, 1.20]), personal hygiene (OR = 1.15, [1.12, 1.19]), house in need of repair (OR = 1.12, [1.10, 1.15]), unsanitary conditions (OR = 1.12, [1.09, 1.15]), and inadequate utilities (OR = 1.10, [1.05, 1.15]). Discussion: This study underscores the significant association between disordered neighborhood and greater risk of self-neglect among Chinese American older adults. Improving neighborhood disorder problems could benefit for elder self-neglect prevention.