The Broad-Scale Analysis of Metals, Trace Elements, Organochlorine Pesticides and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Wetlands Along an Urban Gradient, and the Use of a High Trophic Snake as a Bioindicator.

Wetlands and their biodiversity are constantly threatened by contaminant pollution from urbanisation. Despite evidence suggesting that snakes are good bioindicators of environmental health, the bioaccumulation of contaminants in reptiles is poorly researched in Australia. We conducted the first broad-scale analysis of 17 metals and trace elements, 21 organochlorine pesticides, and 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments (4 samples per site, December 2018) from four wetlands along an urban gradient in Perth, Western Australia, and from the livers (5 livers per site, February-April 2019) of western tiger snakes Notechis scutatus occidentalis captured at those sites. All 17 metals and trace elements were detected in the sediments of wetlands as well as 16 in the livers of tiger snakes. Arsenic, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn were at concentrations exceeding government trigger values in at least one sediment sample. Two organochlorine pesticides and six of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in the sediments of a single wetland, all exceeding government trigger values, but were not detected in tiger snakes. Metals and trace elements were generally in higher concentration in sediments and snake livers from more heavily urbanised wetlands. The least urbanised site had some higher concentrations of metals and trace elements, possibly due to agriculture contaminated groundwater. Concentrations of nine metals and trace elements in snake livers were statistically different between sites. Arsenic, Cd, Co, Hg, Mo, Sb, and Se near paralleled the pattern of contamination measured in the wetland sediments; this supports the use of high trophic wetland snakes, such as tiger snakes, as bioindicators of wetland contamination. Contamination sources and impacts on these wetland ecosystems and tiger snakes are discussed herein.

Sociocultural determinants of nomadic women's utilization of assisted childbirth in Gossi, Mali: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), nomads account for 30 to 60 million people. Their mobility, due to a constant search for pastures and water points, makes health services less accessible to them. Few nomadic women use assisted delivery, which increases the risk of maternal mortality. The reasons behind this limited use have been poorly documented. The objective of this study was to understand the sociocultural determinants of assisted childbirth by nomadic women. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative research in the health area of Gossi (Mali), mainly populated by nomads. Data were collected through a literature review, 26 semi-structured interviews, a non-participant observation, and a logbook. Nomadic women who gave birth in the past three months were included in the study, whether they used assisted delivery or not. A thematic content analysis was performed with QDA Miner software. RESULTS: The study identified a complex combination of determinants resulting in the use or non-use of assisted childbirth by the nomads of Gossi. Several participants recognized the value of assisted delivery but gave birth at home. They identified sociocultural determinants related to their representations and bodily experiences; the risks and emotions (fear, stress, anxiety) associated with pregnancy; the onset of labor and delivery; and their weak autonomy in terms of movement, decision-making, and economic agency. Nomadic women are not free in their movements, and in order to seek care, they require the permission and support of a man (husband, brother, or father). Furthermore, the participants are housewives, and men control family resources and make decisions regarding all financial matters. Assisted delivery is often only considered when there are complications. CONCLUSION: This research has made it possible to understand the sociocultural determinants of the use of assisted childbirth among nomadic women, which should be taken into account when organizing health services for these populations.

Exploring factors associated with the uneven utilization of telemedicine in Norway: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Norway has a long history of using telemedicine, especially for geographical reasons. Despite the availability of promising telemedicine applications and the implementation of national initiatives and policies, the sustainability and scaling-up of telemedicine in the health system is still far from accomplished. The main objective of this study was to explore and identify the multi-level (micro, meso and macro) factors affecting telemedicine utilization in Norway. METHODS: We used a mixed methods approach. Data from a national registry were collected to analyze the use of outpatient visits and telemedicine contacts in Norway from 2009 to 2015. Interviews with key stakeholders at national, regional and local level helped complete and contextualize the data analysis and explore the main issues affecting the use of telemedicine by health authorities and hospitals. Relevant national documents were also used to support, contradict, contextualize or clarify information and data. RESULTS: Telemedicine use in Norway from 2009 to 2015 remained very low, not exceeding 0.5% of total outpatient activity at regional level and 0.1% at national level. All four regions used telemedicine. Of the 29 hospitals, 24 used it at least once over the 7-year period. Telemedicine was not used regularly everywhere, with some hospitals using it sporadically. Telemedicine was mostly used in selected specialties, including rehabilitation, neurosurgery, skin and venereal diseases. Three major themes affecting implementation and utilization of telemedicine in Norway emerged: (i) governance and strategy; (ii) organizational and professional dimensions; (iii) economic and financial dimensions. For each theme, a number of factors and challenges faced at different health care levels were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed shedding light on multi-level and interdependent factors affecting utilization of telemedicine in Norway. The identification of the main implementation and utilization challenges might support decision makers and practitioners in the successful scaling-up of telemedicine. This work provides a knowledge base useful to other countries which intend to implement telemedicine or other digital health services into their healthcare systems.

Design and structure-activity relationships of novel inhibitors of human rhinovirus 3C protease.

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is a primary cause of common cold and is linked to exacerbation of underlying respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. HRV 3C protease, which is responsible for cleavage of viral polyprotein in to proteins essential for viral life-cycle, represents an important target. We have designed proline- and azetidine-based analogues of Rupintrivir that target the P2 pocket of the binding site. Potency optimization, aided with X-ray crystallography and quantum mechanical calculations, led to compounds with activity against a broad spectrum of HRV serotypes. Altogether, these compounds represent alternative starting points to identify promising leads in our continual efforts to treat HRV infections.

Integrating Multiple Biomarkers of Fish Health: A Case Study of Fish Health in Ports.

Biomarkers of fish health are recognised as valuable biomonitoring tools that inform on the impact of pollution on biota. The integration of a suite of biomarkers in a statistical analysis that better illustrates the effects of exposure to xenobiotics on living organisms is most informative; however, most published ecotoxicological studies base the interpretation of results on individual biomarkers rather than on the information they carry as a set. To compare the interpretation of results from individual biomarkers with an interpretation based on multivariate analysis, a case study was selected where fish health was examined in two species of fish captured in two ports located in Western Australia. The suite of variables selected included chemical analysis of white muscle, body condition index, liver somatic index (LSI), hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, biliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites, oxidative DNA damage as measured by serum 8-oxo-dG, and stress protein HSP70 measured on gill tissue. Statistical analysis of individual biomarkers suggested little consistent evidence of the effects of contaminants on fish health. However, when biomarkers were integrated as a set by principal component analysis, there was evidence that the health status of fish in Fremantle port was compromised mainly due to increased LSI and greater oxidative DNA damage in fish captured within the port area relative to fish captured at a remote site. The conclusions achieved using the integrated set of biomarkers show the importance of viewing biomarkers of fish health as a set of variables rather than as isolated biomarkers of fish health.

Specific penetration and accumulation of a homing peptide within atherosclerotic plaques of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

The ability to selectively deliver compounds into atherosclerotic plaques would greatly benefit the detection and treatment of atherosclerotic disease. We describe such a delivery system based on a 9-amino acid cyclic peptide, LyP-1. LyP-1 was originally identified as a tumor-homing peptide that specifically recognizes tumor cells, tumor lymphatics, and tumor-associated macrophages. As the receptor for LyP-1, p32, is expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, we tested the ability of LyP-1 to home to plaques. Fluorescein-labeled LyP-1 was intravenously injected into apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-null mice that had been maintained on a high-fat diet to induce atherosclerosis. LyP-1 accumulated in the plaque interior, predominantly in macrophages. More than 60% of cells released from plaques were positive for LyP-1 fluorescence. Another plaque-homing peptide, CREKA, which binds to fibrin-fibronectin clots and accumulates at the surface of plaques, yielded fewer positive cells. Tissues that did not contain plaque yielded only traces of LyP-1(+) cells. LyP-1 was capable of delivering intravenously injected nanoparticles to plaques; we observed abundant accumulation of LyP-1-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the plaque interior, whereas CREKA-nanoworms remained at the surface of the plaques. Intravenous injection of 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzoic acid ([(18)F]FBA)-conjugated LyP-1 showed a four- to sixfold increase in peak PET activity in aortas containing plaques (0.31% ID/g) compared with aortas from normal mice injected with [(18)F]FBA-LyP-1(0.08% ID/g, P < 0.01) or aortas from atherosclerotic ApoE mice injected with [(18)F]FBA-labeled control peptide (0.05% ID/g, P < 0.001). These results indicate that LyP-1 is a promising agent for the targeting of atherosclerotic lesions.

Automatic detection of skate strokes in short-track speed skating using one single IMU: validation of a new method.

Greater impulse is a key performance indicator of success in short track speed skating. The main objective of this study was to develop a method to measure skating strokes using a single IMU. Eight elite or world-class speed skaters had one IMU placed against their skin on the lower back, and a camera setup was positioned to capture the test. A maximal speed trial was then executed by each participant, and the data were analysed to estimate agreement between the camera and IMU estimates of skate stroke events. Inter-evaluator reliability was assessed on a dataset of 22 athletes performing speed trials as well. The algorithm detected 100% of the strokes identified on the video capture system with a root mean square error of 0.06s. Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of 0.03s between the two methods, which corresponds to the frame rate of the camera. The inter-evaluator reliability yielded an intra-class correlation of 1.00 (ICC3,1) from a dataset of 7089 strokes. This study provides an example of on-ice evaluation of speed skating strokes using a single IMU. This equipment is less expensive than that employed by previous authors and can be implemented in training situations with low invasiveness.

Digital platforms to facilitate physical activities for people with physical or sensory disabilities: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: People with disabilities (PWD) commonly experience difficulties in accessing their environments, which can lead to restricted participation in outdoor leisure-time physical activity. Participating in outdoor leisure-time physical activity (OLTPA) provides health and social benefits to PWD and benefits to the communities in which they live. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify features existing in digital platforms that facilitate access to OLTPA for PWD. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in four library databases and in Google advance search to identify relevant scientific and grey literature, and websites. Each step of the review was independently conducted by two co-authors who confirmed consensus of results. Descriptive data analyses were performed. RESULTS: Seven scientific studies and ten websites were included in the scoping review. Seven presented mobile apps, nine presented a website and one presented an online database. Sources reported five main obstacles to using digital platforms that support access to physical activities (e.g., lack of digital literacy, technical issues, unintuitive design), and 10 facilitators (e.g., possibility to personalize your online space, accessibility features of the navigation). Among these sources, a trend emerged in the most important factors and features to consider for the visuals and navigation of the platforms. CONCLUSION: The features of digital platforms that facilitate access to OLTPA include intuitive design compliant with accessibility guidelines and supported by navigation tools, personalization of the online space, and features for social interactions.

Barriers and facilitators of public transport use among people with disabilities: a scoping review.

Barriers to public transport use may be experienced differently by people with various types of disabilities (e.g., physical, intellectual, cognitive, sensory). Thus, it is important to identify the variable needs within each element of the travel chain. For example, the unavailability or low volume of auditory announcements in a stop or station or on the public transport vehicle may be a barrier to people with visual disability who rely on hearing the information. Consequently, this could provoke negative emotions and unpleasant experiences, which may not be the case for people with physical disabilities. The primary objective was to describe the barriers and facilitators to using public transport experienced by people with disabilities (PWD). The secondary aim was to explore experiences in terms of self-efficacy and satisfaction, when using public transport among people with disabilities. A scoping review was conducted. The search was performed in MEDLINE, TRANSPORT DATABASE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and WEB OF SCIENCE from 1995 to 2023. Of 6,820 citations identified, 34 articles were included in the review for extraction. The main physical and social barriers included lack of ramp, long walking distance, long waiting time, unavailability of information at bus stop or station, and drivers' negative attitudes towards PWD. Personal factors that prevented the use of public transport included lack of confidence, and decreased satisfaction with public transport use. Strategies such as providing ramps on public transport vehicles, availability of kneeling buses and courtesy of bus drivers, and travel training were considered as enablers to the use of public transport that can lead the improved self-efficacy and satisfaction. In conclusion, this review identified the physical and social barriers and facilitators in travel chain, and highlighted issues related to lack of confidence or self-efficacy and decreased satisfaction when PWD and older adults are using public transport. Identifying and understanding the barriers and facilitators to the use of public transport by PWD is a milestone that may help policy makers and transport operators around the world to develop and implement interventions enabling access, use and inclusion of this mode of transport, as the experiences of PWD when using this mode of transport have an impact on their well-being.

Metabolization of emamectin benzoate into desmethyl emamectin benzoate in spiked marine sediments.

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) (4″deoxy- 4″-epi-methylaminoavermectin) is a pesticide developed to control pests on various crops, and in forestry. It is also used in salmon aquaculture to control sea lice infestations as an in-feed therapeutant. Little is known about EMB metabolites and potential associated toxicities in marine sediments. In this study, we used natural marine sediments (sand and mud) fortified at an EMB concentration of 60 ppb (wet weight). Results show an almost immediate transformation of EMB to Desmethyl EMB (DES) with no increased rates of metabolization when stored sediment samples were incubated for up to 16 h. The transformation ratio of EMB to DES represented between 0.16 and 0.39% of EMB; values are lower than what has been observed in fish tissue. Data suggest that DES is generated through both abiotic (tested after autoclaving marine sediments) and biological processes. Further work on freshly sampled marine sediments with EMB deposits, different organic regimes, and a detailed assessment of active bacterial communities are necessary to better evaluate the EMB to DES rate of transformation around aquaculture sites.

Toxicity and risk management of oil-spiked sediments by diluted bitumen for two freshwater benthic invertebrates.

Diluted bitumen (dilbit) is an unconventional oil produced by the oil sands industry in Canada. Despite the knowledge available on hydrocarbon toxicity, the effects of diluted bitumen on benthic organisms are still largely unknown. Moreover, in Quebec there are only provisional threshold values of 164 mg/kg C10-C50 for chronic effects and 832 mg/kg for acute effects. The protectiveness of these values for benthic invertebrates has not been tested for heavy unconventional oils such as dilbit. Two benthic organisms, the larvae of Chironomus riparius and Hyalella azteca, were exposed to these two concentrations and to an intermediate concentration (416 mg/kg) of two dilbits (DB1 and DB2) and a heavy conventional oil (CO). The aim of the study was to assess the sublethal and lethal effects of spiked sediment by dilbit. The oil was rapidly degraded in the sediment, especially in the presence of C. riparius. Amphipods were much more sensitive to oil than chironomids. LC50-14d values for H. azteca were 199 mg/kg C10-C50 for DB1, 299 mg/kg for DB2 and 8.42 mg/kg for CO compared to LC50-7d values for C. riparius of 492 mg/kg for DB1, 563 mg/kg for DB2 and 514 mg/kg for CO. The size of the organisms was reduced compared to controls for both species. The defense enzymes (GST, GPx, SOD and CAT) were not good biomarkers in these two organisms for this type of contamination. The current provisional sediment quality criteria seem too permissive for heavy oils and should be lowered.

The persistence of emamectin benzoate in marine sediments with different organic matter regimes, temperature conditions, and antibiotic presence.

The objectives of this 318-day study are to determine half-lives of the anti-sea lice medication emamectin benzoate (EMB) under conditions present in sediments at aquaculture sites and document the degradation of EMB into its main metabolite desmethyl emamectin benzoate (DES). Tested conditions include different matrix types (sand, mud), two temperatures (4, 10 degrees), organic matter presence (fish feed waste and feces), and the presence of oxytetracycline. We document a transformation ratio of EMB to DES of 0.16 to 4.4 % and show that the co-presence of oxytetracycline increases EMB calculated half-lives to values >6000 days for mud matrices. EMB incubated in high organic enrichment regimes was not observed to degrade at 4 degrees. Multivariate analyses show interactions between sediment conditions (matrix, temperature, organic matter [OM], oxytetracycline) influence EMB persistence and DES:EMB ratios. Ranges of EMB half-lives and information on metabolites can be used to anticipate potential effects on marine communities.

Bioaccumulation and metabolic impact of environmental PFAS residue on wild-caught urban wetland tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus).

PFAS contamination of urban waters is widespread but understanding the biological impact of its accumulation is limited to humans and common ecotoxicological model organisms. Here, we combine PFAS exposure and bioaccumulation patterns with whole organism responses and omics-based ecosurveillance methods to investigate the potential impacts of PFAS on a top predator of wetlands, the tiger snake (Notechis scutatus). Tiger snakes (18 male and 17 female) were collected from four wetlands with varying PFAS chemical profiles and concentrations in Perth, Western Australia. Tiger snake livers were tested for 28 known PFAS compounds, and Σ28PFAS in liver tissues ranged between 322 ± 193 µg/kg at the most contaminated site to 1.31 ± 0.86 µg/kg at the least contaminated site. The dominant PFAS compound detected in liver tissues was PFOS. Lower body condition was associated with higher liver PFAS, and male snakes showed signs of high bioaccumulation whereas females showed signs of maternal offloading. Biochemical profiles of snake muscle, fat (adipose tissue), and gonads were analysed using a combination of liquid chromatography triple quadrupole (QqQ) and quadrupole time-of-flight (QToF) mass spectrometry methodologies. Elevated PFAS was associated with enriched energy production and maintenance pathways in the muscle, and had weak associations with energy-related lipids in the fat tissue, and lipids associated with cellular genesis and spermatogenesis in the gonads. These findings demonstrate the bioavailability of urban wetland PFAS in higher-order reptilian predators and suggest a negative impact on snake health and metabolic processes. This research expands on omics-based ecosurveillance tools for informing mechanistic toxicology and contributes to our understanding of the impact of PFAS residue on wildlife health to improve risk management and regulation.

High-throughput in vivo screening of targeted molecular imaging agents.

The rapid development and translation of targeted molecular imaging agents from bench to bedside is currently a slow process, with a clear bottleneck between the discovery of new compounds and the development of an appropriate molecular imaging agent. The ability to identify promising new molecular imaging agents, as well as failures, much earlier in the development process using high-throughput screening techniques could save significant time and money. This work combines the advantages of combinatorial chemistry, site-specific solid-phase radiolabeling, and in vivo imaging for the rapid screening of molecular imaging agents. A one-bead-one-compound library was prepared and evaluated in vitro, leading to the identification of 42 promising lead peptides. Over 11 consecutive days, these peptides, along with a control peptide, were successfully radiolabeled with 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzoic acid and evaluated in vivo using microPET. Four peptides were radiolabeled per day, followed by simultaneous injection of each individual peptide into 2 animals. As a result, 4 promising new molecular imaging agents were identified that otherwise would not have been selected based solely on in vitro data. This study is the first example of the practical application of a high-throughput screening approach using microPET imaging of [(18)F]-labeled peptides for the rapid in vivo identification of potential new molecular imaging agents.

Technology implementation in care practices for community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive decline: Perspectives of professional caregivers in Quebec and Brussels.

Objective: As worldwide population aging is accelerating, innovative technologies are being developed to support independent living among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive decline. However, the successful implementation of these interventions is often challenging. Until now, literature on implementation issues related to the specific context of older adults with mild cognitive decline is lacking and the few studies available do not focus specifically on the perspective of professional caregivers. Yet the perspective of these caregivers is important as they can be considered a key facilitator for technology implementation among this population. Therefore, this study was the first to examine technology implementation among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive decline from the broader perspective of professional caregivers. Methods: In this qualitative study, two focus groups consisting of a heterogeneous pool of professional caregivers were conducted: one in Quebec (Canada, n = 6) and one in Brussels (Belgium, n = 8). Braun and Clarke' method for thematic analysis, guided by a qualitative descriptive approach was applied to inductively identify themes from the data. Results: We identified factors influencing technology implementation in older adults with mild cognitive decline on three levels: an individual level (e.g., characteristics of older adults with mild cognitive decline and professional caregivers' attitude), an organizational level (e.g., lack of training among professional caregivers) and a level referring to the broader context (e.g., ethical considerations). Conclusions: This study contributes to the research gap in knowledge on the needs of professional caregivers to facilitate technology implementation among the population of older adults with cognitive decline. Future directions for research, practice, and policy are given, more specifically to improve knowledge among caregivers and on the development of decision support to retrieve safe and effective technologies that suit patient-centered care.

Sexual conflict in Gerris gillettei (Insecta: Hemiptera): intraspecific intersexual correlated morphology and experimental assessment of behaviour and fitness.

The contemporary dynamics of sexually antagonistic coevolution caused by sexual conflicts have seldom been investigated at the intraspecific level. We characterized natural populations of Gerris gillettei and documented significant intersexual correlations for morphological traits previously related to sexual conflict in water striders. These results strongly indicate that sexually antagonistic coevolution contributed to population differentiation and resulted in different balances of armaments between the sexes within natural populations of this species. No-choice mating experiments further revealed that both male and male-female relative arms levels influence copulation duration. However, there were no asymmetries in reproductive behaviour and fitness between sympatric and allopatric mating pairs, suggesting that differentiation by sexual conflict was not sufficient to influence the outcome of mating interactions. Altogether, these results question the relative importance of female connexival spines vs. genitalia traits in mediating pre- and post-copulatory conflict in Gerris.

Snake scales record environmental metal(loid) contamination.

Wetland snakes, as top predators, are becoming globally recognised as bioindicators of wetland contamination. Livers are the traditional test organ for contaminant exposure in organisms, but research is moving towards a preference for non-lethal tissue sampling. Snake scales can be used as an indicator of exposure, as many metals bind to the keratin. We used laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to quantify the concentrations of 19 metals and metalloids (collectively referred to 'metals' hereafter) in Western tiger snake (Notechis scutatus occidentalis) scales from four wetlands along an urban gradient, and compared them to concentrations measured in captive tiger snake scales. We conducted repeat measures to determine the concentration accuracy of each metal using LA-ICP-MS. Concentrations in wild Western tiger snake scales were significantly higher than in reference tiger snake scales for most metals analysed, suggesting accumulation from environmental exposure. We compared the scale concentrations to sediment concentrations of sampled wetlands, and found inter-site differences between mean concentrations of metals in scales parallel patterns recorded from sediment. Four metals (Mn, As, Se, Sb) had strong positive correlations with liver tissue contents suggesting scale concentrations can be used to infer internal concentrations. By screening for a larger suite of metals than we could using traditional digestive methods, we identified additional metals (Ti, V, Sr, Cs, Tl, Th, U) that may be accumulating to levels of concern in tiger snakes in Perth, Western Australia. This research has progressed the use of LA-ICP-MS for quantifying a suite of metals available in snake scales, and highlights the significance of using wetland snake scales as a non-lethal indicator of environmental contamination.

The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study.

Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children's food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg's, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald's, General Mills, Kellogg's and Wendy's advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies' targeting of young people on television in Canada. Novelty: Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.

Factors associated with hallux valgus in a population-based study of older women and men: the MOBILIZE Boston Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine potential risk factors for hallux valgus in community-dwelling elders. METHOD: Data from 600 MOBILIZE Boston Study participants (386 women and 214 men) were analyzed. Hallux valgus was defined as >15 degrees angular deviation of the hallux with respect to the first metatarsal bone toward the lesser toes. Associations of hallux valgus with age, body mass index (BMI), race, education, pes planus, foot pain, and in women, history of high heel shoe use, were assessed using sex-specific Poisson regression with robust variance estimation for risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Hallux valgus was present in 58% of women and 25% of men. Higher BMI was inversely associated with presence of hallux valgus in women (P trend=0.001), with the strongest inverse association observed in those with BMI of 30.0 or more compared to those with normal BMI (RR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 0.9). Women, who usually wore high-heeled shoes during ages 20-64 years compared to those who did not, had increased likelihood of hallux valgus (RR=1.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5). Among men, those with BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 had increased likelihood of hallux valgus compared to those with normal BMI (RR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.5). Men with pes planus were more likely to have hallux valgus (RR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.3) compared to men without pes planus. CONCLUSION: In women, hallux valgus was associated with lower BMI and high heel use during ages 20-64, while in men, associations were observed with higher BMI and pes planus. Our results suggest that the etiologic mechanisms for hallux valgus may differ between men and women.

[Psychosocial determinants of drug users to use a new syringe]. / Déterminants psychosociaux d'utilisateurs de drogues d'utiliser une seringue neuve.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of injection drug users are hard to reach through needle-exchange programs. They obtain their injection material from drug-using peers. This dependence on others can make them more at risk of contracting HIV through sharing non-sterile syringes. The aim of this study is to identify determinants of the intention to systematically resort to use of a new syringe by injection drug users rarely or never involved in needle-exchange programs in Quebec. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Québec city by means of a questionnaire measuring variables from the theory of planned behavior and past behavior. Participants (n=97) were recruited by acquaintances who kept regular contacts with the local needle-exchange programs. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the psychosocial determinants of the intention, and beliefs underlying those determinants were identified using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Half of participants reported using a new syringe for each injection in the last month. In multivariate analyses, this past behavior together with theory of planned behavior constructs explained 70% of the variation in participants intent to use a new syringe for each injection (control beliefs: beta=0.39; past behavior: beta=0.27; attitude: beta=0.21; perceived behavioral control: beta=0.20; subjective norm: beta=0.12). In logistic regression, six important beliefs were identified. CONCLUSION: This study resulted in the development of a predictive model of intention to use always a new syringe for each injection among a population of injection drug users in Quebec. Study results could serve as the foundation for the development of interventions to promote this behavior.