scholarly journals Metagenomic Analysis of Regularly Microwave-Treated and Untreated Domestic Kitchen Sponges

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Jacksch ◽  
Jyothi Thota ◽  
Sudarshan Shetty ◽  
Hauke Smidt ◽  
Sylvia Schnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Metagenomic Sequence ◽  
Metabolic Properties ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Kitchen Sponges

Kitchen sponges massively absorb and spread microorganisms, leading to contamination of kitchen appliances, surfaces, and food. Microwaving as an effective and widespread technique can rapidly reduce the microbial load of kitchen sponges. However, long-term effects of such treatments are largely unknown. Notably, it has been speculated that regularly applied domestic cleaning and disinfection may select for microbial communities with a higher pathogenic potential and/or malodorous properties. In this study, we distributed newly purchased polyurethane kitchen sponges to 20 participants, with the instruction to use them under normal household conditions for four weeks. Ten of the participants sanitized their sponges regularly by a standardized microwaving protocol, while the remaining ten sponges remained untreated. Metagenomic sequence data evaluation indicated that, in addition to bacteria, viruses, eukaryotes, and archaea were also part of the kitchen sponge microbiome. Comparisons of sanitized and untreated kitchen sponges indicated a trend towards a reduced structural microbial diversity while functional diversity increased. Microwave sanitization appeared to alter composition and metabolic properties of the microbial communities. Follow-up studies will have to show whether these changes are more positive or negative in terms of domestic hygiene, human health, and well-being.

Explosions and Human Health: The Long-Term Effects of Blast Injury

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Finlay ◽  
Michelle Earby ◽  
David J. Baker ◽  
Virginia S.G. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Blast Injury ◽  
Mass Casualties ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Emergency Responders ◽  
Response Strategies

AbstractThe immediate patterns of injury from explosions are well documented, from both military and civil experience. However, few studies have focused on less immediately apparent health consequences and latent effects of explosions in survivors, emergency responders and the surrounding community. This review aimed to analyze the risks to health following an explosion in a civil setting.A comprehensive review of the open literature was conducted, and data on 10 relevant military, civilian and industrial events were collected. Events were selected according to availability of published studies and involvement of large numbers of people injured. In addition, structured interviews with experts in the field were conducted, and existing national guidelines reviewed.The review revealed significant and potentially long-term health implications affecting various body systems and psychological well-being following exposure to an explosion. An awareness of the short- and long-term health effects of explosions is essential in screening for blast injuries, and identifying latent pathologies that could otherwise be overlooked in stressful situations with other visually distracting injuries and, often, mass casualties. Such knowledge would guide responsible medical staff in implementing early appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of long-term sequelae. Effective planning and response strategies would ensure accessibility of appropriate health care resources and evidence-based information in the aftermath of an explosion.Finlay SE, Earby M, Baker DJ, Murray VSG. Explosions and human health: the long-term effects of blast injury. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):1-7.

The immediate effect of Sinapis nigra and Zingiber officinale as thermogenic substances during footbaths: A Randomized Controlled Cross-over Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Vagedes ◽  
Silja Kuderer ◽  
Eduard Helmert ◽  
Katrin Vagedes ◽  
Matthias Kohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Warm Water ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Stimulus Perception ◽  
Late Evening ◽  
Short And Long Term

Objective: Warm footbaths infused with Sinapis nigra (mustard, or MU) or Zingiber officinale (ginger, or GI) are used for various thermoregulatory conditions, but little is known about how they are perceived by individuals, both short- and long-term. We analyzed the immediate and long-term effects of MU and GI on warmth and stimulus perception in healthy adults. Methods: Seventeen individuals (mean age 22.1±2.4 years; 11 female) received three footbaths (mean temperature was 40 ± 0.2 ℃, administered between 1:30-6:30pm) in a randomized order with a cross-over design: 1. with warm water only (WA), 2. with warm water and MU and 3. with warm water and GI. Warmth and stimulus perception at the feet were assessed at the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th minute of the footbaths, in the late evening (EVE), and the following morning (MG). We further assessed well-being (at EVE and MG) and sleep quality (at MG). The primary outcome measure was the warmth perception at the feet at the 10th minute of the footbath. Results: At the 10th minute of the footbath, warmth perception at the feet was significantly higher with MU and GI compared to WA. The immediate thermogenic effects pointed to a quick increase in warmth and stimulus perception with MU, a slower increase with GI, and a gradual decrease with WA. Regarding the long-term effects, warmth and stimulus perception were still higher after GI compared to WA at EVE and MG. No differences were seen for general well-being and sleep quality. Conclusion: Thermogenic substances can significantly alter the dynamics of warmth and stimulus perception when added to footbaths. The different profiles in the application of GI and MU could be relevant for a more differentiated and specific use of both substances in different therapeutic indications.

Evaluation of Six Family-Support Programs: Are They Effective?

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna W. Comer ◽  
Mark W. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Support Programs ◽  
Evaluation Design ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Multiple Strategies ◽  
Program Description

Family-support programs employ multiple strategies in an effort to strengthen families and promote the well-being of children. The multidimensionality of these programs—viewed by many experts as a strength—renders them particularly difficult to evaluate. As a result of this complexity, little information is available on the effectiveness of family-support programs. The authors examine outcome research from six family-support programs. Each of the programs was subjected to rigorous program evaluation. The findings from this research are summarized across six dimensions, including program description, intervention strategies, target population, evaluation design, outcome measures, and observed outcomes. Findings from these six programs suggests that there are positive outcomes for young children and their parents. The authors caution that too few studies that involve manualized interventions, and broad assessment over time of randomized groups have been conducted. In these six evaluations, however, program families demonstrated enhanced child, parent, and family functioning. Additionally, these programs appear to improve parent education and produce gains in both immediate and long-term effects on housing and income.

scholarly journals MetaDEGalaxy: Galaxy workflow for differential abundance analysis of 16s metagenomic data

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 726
Author(s):  
Mike W.C. Thang ◽  
Xin-Yi Chua ◽  
Gareth Price ◽  
Dominique Gorse ◽  
Matt A. Field
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Metagenomic Data ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Differential Analysis ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
Metagenomic Sequence ◽  
Differential Abundance ◽  
Differential Abundance Analysis

Metagenomic sequencing is an increasingly common tool in environmental and biomedical sciences.  While software for detailing the composition of microbial communities using 16S rRNA marker genes is relatively mature, increasingly researchers are interested in identifying changes exhibited within microbial communities under differing environmental conditions. In order to gain maximum value from metagenomic sequence data we must improve the existing analysis environment by providing accessible and scalable computational workflows able to generate reproducible results. Here we describe a complete end-to-end open-source metagenomics workflow running within Galaxy for 16S differential abundance analysis. The workflow accepts 454 or Illumina sequence data (either overlapping or non-overlapping paired end reads) and outputs lists of the operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) exhibiting the greatest change under differing conditions. A range of analysis steps and graphing options are available giving users a high-level of control over their data and analyses. Additionally, users are able to input complex sample-specific metadata information which can be incorporated into differential analysis and used for grouping / colouring within graphs.  Detailed tutorials containing sample data and existing workflows are available for three different input types: overlapping and non-overlapping read pairs as well as for pre-generated Biological Observation Matrix (BIOM) files. Using the Galaxy platform we developed MetaDEGalaxy, a complete metagenomics differential abundance analysis workflow. MetaDEGalaxy is designed for bench scientists working with 16S data who are interested in comparative metagenomics.  MetaDEGalaxy builds on momentum within the wider Galaxy metagenomics community with the hope that more tools will be added as existing methods mature.

The Long-Term Effects of Solitary Confinement From the Perspective of Inmates

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 652-674
Author(s):  
Liat Tayer ◽  
Tomer Einat ◽  
Anat Yaron Antar
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Behavioral Disorders ◽  
Physical Aggression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Solitary Confinement ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Mental And Behavioral Disorders

This qualitative study analyzes the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners and the strategies used by them to cope with its difficulties. The findings indicate that solitary confinement is perceived as unfair and as intensifying hostile emotions and physical aggression, and that it is related to a range of long-term physiological, mental, and behavioral disorders. Three strategies are used to cope with the difficulties of solitary confinement: keeping to a ritualistic routine, a religious lifestyle, and physical exercise. We conclude that solitary confinement exacerbates the difficulties of detention and affects prisoners’ health and well-being for short and long terms.

scholarly journals Breast Cancer during Pregnancy—Current Paradigms, Paths to Explore

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayelet Alfasi ◽  
Irit Ben-Aharon
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Lymph Node Biopsy ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Risk Benefit Assessment ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Breast cancer is the most common form of malignancy in pregnant women. The prevalence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is up to 0.04% of pregnancies and is expected to rise in developed countries. PABC represents a unique clinical scenario which requires a delicate balance of risks and benefits for both maternal and fetal well-being. Currently, there is paucity of data regarding the short- and long-term outcomes of in-utero exposure to anti-neoplastic agents. In general, when possible, treatment for PABC should follow the same guidelines as in non-pregnant patients. Surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy, is possible during all trimesters of pregnancy. Radiotherapy is contraindicated during pregnancy, although it might be considered in highly selected patients based on risk–benefit assessment. Evidence supports that administration of chemotherapy may be safe during the second and third trimesters, with cessation of treatment three weeks prior to expected delivery. Currently, hormonal therapy and anti-HER2 agents are contraindicated during pregnancy and should be postponed until after delivery. Prematurity is associated with worse neonatal and long-term outcomes, and thus should be avoided. While current data on the long-term effects of anti-neoplastic treatments are reassuring, grade of evidence is lacking, hence additional large prospective studies with long-term follow-up are essential to rule out any treatment-induced adverse effects.

Long-term effects of Hurricane Katrina on the psychological well-being of evacuees

Disasters ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Scott LaJoie ◽  
Ginny Sprang ◽  
William Paul McKinney
Keyword(s):  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Psychological Well Being

The Cost of Austerity Policies for Public Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 117 (802) ◽  
pp. 310-314
Author(s):  
Aaron Reeves
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Health And Well Being

[S]hort-term policy changes can have long-term effects on the health and well-being of the population.

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