This study examined associations between pregnancy and infant birth outcomes with child telomere length at age 17 years; and investigated if there are sex differences between pregnancy complications and telomere length. We utilised the population-based prospective Raine cohort study in Western Australia, Australia. 2900 pregnant women were recruited at 16–20 weeks’ gestation (Gen 1), and their children (Gen 2) were followed up over several years. Generalised linear models were used to examine relationships between pregnancy or birth outcomes (gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, macrosomia), and as a composite, with telomere length, measured via a DNA sample from blood at 17 years of age. Analyses were adjusted for a range of confounders. Among the 1202 included children, there were no differences in child telomere length for any of the individual maternal or birth weight pregnancy outcomes nor were there any significant interactions between each of the complications (individual or composite) and the sex of the child. However, females born from any of the 5 adverse outcomes had shorter telomeres (estimated mean (SE) = -0.159 (0.061), p = 0.010) than females born in the absence of these complications. Specifically, females born from a pre-eclamptic pregnancy had shorter telomeres than females not born from a pre-eclamptic pregnancy (estimated mean (SE) = -0.166 (0.072), p = 0.022). No relationships were observed in males. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand mediating factors that are important in predicting offspring telomere length and the necessity to investigate females and males independently.

Radiocarbon (14C) dating of sediment deposition around Antarctica is often challenging due to heterogeneity in sources and ages of organic carbon in the sediment. Chemical and thermochemical techniques have been used to separate organic carbon when microfossils are not present. These techniques generally improve on bulk sediment dates, but they necessitate assumptions about the age spectra of specific molecules or compound classes and about the chemical heterogeneity of thermochemical separations. To address this, the Rafter Radiocarbon Laboratory has established parallel ramped pyrolysis oxidation (RPO) and ramped pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) systems to thermochemically separate distinct carbon fractions, diagnose the chemical composition of each fraction, and target suitable RPO fractions for radiocarbon dating. Three case studies of sediment taken from locations around Antarctica are presented to demonstrate the implementation of combined RPO-AMS and Py-GC-MS to provide more robust age determination in detrital sediment stratigraphy. These three depositional environments are good examples of analytical and interpretive challenges related to oceanographic conditions, carbon sources, and other factors. Using parallel RPO-AMS and Py-GC-MS analyses, we reduce the number of radiocarbon measurements required, minimize run times, provide context for unexpected 14C ages, and better support interpretations of radiocarbon measurements in the context of environmental reconstruction.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex problem that is a threat to global public health. Consumption of turkey meat may be an important source of foodborne exposure to resistant bacteria; recent outbreaks of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella Reading in Canada and the USA have implicated raw turkey products. To better understand the epidemiology of AMR in farmed turkey production, a scoping review was conducted. The objectives were to identify (1) modifiable factors potentially associated with antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica along the farm-to-fork pathway in turkeys, and (2) data gaps with respect to factors potentially associated with AMR and Canadian commercial turkey production. A comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted in 2019 and updated in 2021. Thirteen references were included, reporting 36 factors. Antimicrobial use factors and their potential associations with AMR were most frequently reported (n = 15 factors; 42%), followed by biosecurity (n = 11; 31%) and management practices (n = 10; 28%). This review revealed important data gaps; no factors pertaining to S. enterica or to stages other than the farm (e.g. abattoir, retail) were identified, and only one Canadian reference was identified. These findings will inform priorities for future research and surveillance regarding turkeys and AMR.

The impact of dietary phosphorus on chronic renal disease in cats, humans and other species is receiving increasing attention. As Ca and P metabolism are linked, the ratio of Ca:P is an important factor for consideration when formulating diets for cats and other animals. Here, we describe a fully randomised crossover study including twenty-four healthy, neutered adult cats, investigating postprandial responses in plasma P, ionised Ca and parathyroid hormone (PTH) following one meal (50 % of individual metabolic energy requirement) of each of six experimental diets. Diets were formulated to provide P at either 0·75 or 1·5 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) from the soluble phosphorus salt sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, Na5P3O10), variable levels of organic Ca and P sources, and an intended total Ca:P of about 1·0, 1·5 or 2·0. For each experimental diet, baseline fasted blood samples were collected prior to the meal, and serial blood samples collected hourly for 6 h thereafter. For all diets, a significant increase from baseline was observed at 120 min in plasma PTH (P < 0·001). The diet containing the highest STPP inclusion level and lowest Ca:P induced the highest peaks in postprandial plasma P and PTH levels (1·8 mmol/l and 27·2 pg/ml, respectively), and the longest duration of concentrations raised above baseline were observed at 3 h for P and 6 h for PTH. Data indicate that Ca:P modulates postprandial plasma P and PTH. Therefore, when formulating diets containing soluble P salts for cats, increasing the Ca:P ratio should be considered.

High dietary phosphorus (P), particularly soluble salts, may contribute to chronic kidney disease development in cats. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of P supplied at 1 g/1000 kcal (4184kJ) from a highly soluble P salt in P-rich dry format feline diets. Seventy-five healthy adult cats (n 25/group) were fed either a low P control (1·4 g/1000 kcal [4184kJ]; Ca:P ratio 0·97) or one of two test diets with 4 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ); Ca:P 1·04 or 5 g/1000 kcal (4184kJ); Ca:P 1·27, both incorporating 1 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) – for a period of 30 weeks in a randomised parallel-group study. Health markers in blood and urine, glomerular filtration rate, renal ultrasound and bone density were assessed at baseline and at regular time points. At the end of the test period, responses following transition to a commercial diet (total P – 2·34 g/1000 kcal [4184kJ], Ca:P 1·3) for a 4-week washout period were also assessed. No adverse effects on general, kidney or bone (skeletal) function and health were observed. P and Ca balance, some serum biochemistry parameters and regulatory hormones were increased in cats fed test diets from week 2 onwards (P ≤ 0·05). Data from the washout period suggest that increased serum creatinine and urea values observed in the two test diet groups were influenced by dietary differences during the test period, and not indicative of changes in renal function. The present data suggest no observed adverse effect level for feline diets containing 1 g P/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) from STPP and total P level of up to 5 g/1000 kcal (4184 kJ) when fed for 30 weeks.

The Yellow Sea region is of high global importance for waterbird populations, but recent systematic bird count data enabling identification of the most important sites are relatively sparse for some areas. Surveys of waterbirds at three sites on the coast of southern Jiangsu Province, China, in 2014 and 2015 produced peak counts of international importance for 24 species, including seven globally threatened and six Near Threatened species. The area is of particular global importance for the ‘Critically Endangered’ Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea (peak count across all three study sites: 62 in spring [2015] and 225 in autumn [2014] and ‘Endangered’ Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer (peak count across all three study sites: 210 in spring [2014] and 1,110 in autumn [2015]). The southern Jiangsu coast is therefore currently the most important migratory stopover area in the world, in both spring and autumn, for both species. Several serious and acute threats to waterbirds were recorded at these study sites. Paramount is the threat of large-scale land claim which would completely destroy intertidal mudflats of critical importance to waterbirds. Degradation of intertidal mudflat habitats through the spread of invasive Spartina, and mortality of waterbirds by entrapment in nets or deliberate poisoning are also real and present serious threats here. Collisions with, and displacement by, wind turbines and other structures, and industrial chemical pollution may represent additional potential threats. We recommend the rapid establishment of effective protected areas for waterbirds in the study area, maintaining large areas of open intertidal mudflat, and the urgent removal of all serious threats currently faced by waterbirds here.

Oxyfluorfen (0.28, 0.42, 0.56, and 0.84 kg ai ha−1) under clear polyethylene film was evaluated for weed control, crop injury, and effects on yields in transplanted muskmelon, cucumber, and summer squash. Numerous narrowleaf and broadleaf weeds were effectively suppressed by 0.42 ha−1 of oxyfluorfen. Crop injury, occurring soon after transplanting, was reported in New York and North Carolina. Injury was usually transient, and injured crops frequently grew more vigorously than those grown on untreated black polyethylene mulch. Muskmelons were consistently the most tolerant of the three crops. At high rates, yields of squash and cucumber in 1988 were reduced in New York and North Carolina, respectively. In greenhouse studies, positioning the cotyledons under the polyethylene film caused greater injury in all three crops than when cotyledons remained above the plastic.

Pyroxasulfone (KIH-485) is a seedling growth-inhibiting herbicide developed by Kumiai America that has the potential to control weeds in sunflower. However, little is known about how this herbicide will interact with various soil types and environments when combined with sulfentrazone. The objective of this research was to evaluate sunflower injury and weed control with pyroxasulfone applied with and without sulfentrazone across the Great Plains sunflower production area. A multisite study was initiated in spring 2007 to evaluate sunflower response to pyroxasulfone applied PRE at 0, 167, 208, or 333 g ai ha−1. In 2008, pyroxasulfone was applied alone and in tank mixture with sulfentrazone. In 2007, no sunflower injury was observed with any rate of pyroxasulfone at any location except Highmore, SD, where sunflower injury was 17%, 4 wk after treatment (WAT) with 333 g ha−1. In 2008, sunflower injury ranged from 0 to 4% for all treatments. Adding sulfentrazone did not increase injury. Sunflower yield was only reduced in treatments in which weeds were not effectively controlled. These treatments included the untreated control and pyroxasulfone at 167 g ha−1. Sunflower yield did not differ among the other treatments of pyroxasulfone or sulfentrazone applied alone or in combination. The addition of sulfentrazone to pyroxasulfone improved control of foxtail barley, prostrate pigweed, wild buckwheat, Palmer amaranth, and marshelder, but not large crabgrass or green foxtail. The combination of pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone did not reduce control of any of the weeds evaluated.

A consensus conference on the reasons for the undertreatment of depression was organized by the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA) on January 17–18,1996. The target audience included health policymakers, clinicians, patients and their families, and the public at large. Six key questions were addressed: (1) Is depression undertreated in the community and in the clinic? (2) What is the economic cost to society of depression? (3) What have been the efforts in the past to redress undertreatment and how successful have they been? (4) What are the reasons for the gap between our knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of depression and actual treatment received in this country? (5) What can we do to narrow this gap? (6) What can we do immediately to narrow this gap?