CONCLUSIONS Socially disadvantaged populations have a higher prevalence of undernutrition, whereas the prevalence of excess weight is either equal (children less then 5 years), slightly lower (women 11-19 years) or even higher (women 20-49 years) with lower education. These results highlight the need for specific actions to address social inequalities in malnutrition in the Mexican population.Better performance of generalist predators, as well as an increase in their density, may be an incentive factor in the ability of the predators to exploit more than one food item or mixed diets. In this study, the effects of four pollen grains (cedar, pear, apricot, and pistachio) when provided to Neoseiulus californicus in mixed diets with prey, Tetranychus urticae, were evaluated. The result indicated that the fastest female developmental time was observed on pistachio pollen + T. urticae, together with apricot pollen + T. urticae. Females reared on the mixed diet comprising pistachio pollen reflected the longest total life span duration, while the shortest total life span was observed in those on the diet that included pear pollen. Furthermore, the lowest fecundity, as well as the shortest reproduction period, was determined on the diets that included pear pollen, while the highest fecundity and the longest reproduction period were observed in pistachio pollen + T. urticae. In addition, the intrinsic (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), net (R0) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates were highest in pistachio pollen + T. urticae. These findings have important implications for developing a comprehensive biological control program of T. urticae, which will be discussed.OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyse the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the season when the blood sample was obtained from subjects with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration less then 50 nmol/l, based on the values set forth by the Endocrine Society guideline for higher-risk populations. Seasonality was defined according to solstices and equinoxes. The association of seasonality and clinical/laboratory characteristics with vitamin D deficiency was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. SETTING NUPAIG Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Brazil. PARTICIPANTS Adult subjects with CHC infection (n 306). RESULTS The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 16 %, whereas the median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 87 (interquartile range, 59; third quartile = 118) nmol/l. Serum concentration was consistently lower in samples collected in spring and winter than in other seasons. In multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was found to be independently associated with male gender, serum albumin concentration and with samples drawn in winter and spring. CONCLUSIONS The findings show not only the relevance to consider season as a factor influencing 25(OH)D concentration but also the need to actively screen for hypovitaminosis D in all patients with CHC infection, especially in females and those with low albumin concentration.OBJECTIVE Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) placement at farmers' markets can reduce access disparities for low-income consumers. However, resources needed to operate EBT programs may challenge markets' business models. A conceptual model of factors impacting EBT program success was developed from literature, and an exploratory study conducted to assess the impact of model variables on market EBT sales. DESIGN Annual EBT sales data were obtained for all Hawai'i farmers' markets with EBT programs (n 22). Key informant interviews (n 19), along with records review, were performed to gather data on model variables. Exploratory analysis was conducted to estimate the impact of individual model variables on EBT sales. SETTING Farmers' markets accepting EBT in the state of Hawai'i. PARTICIPANTS Market managers and EBT program partners (n 19). RESULTS Markets engaging in community partnerships $\left( \mkern 1mu \mkern 1mu \Delta \overline x = \$ 852 \right)$, consumer education $\left( \mkern 1mu \mkern 1mu \Delta \overline x = \$ \rm598 \right)$, social media promotion $\left( \mkern 1mu \mkern 1mu \Delta \overline x = \$ \rm732 \right)$ or EBT incentives $\left( \mkern 1mu \mkern 1mu \Delta \overline x = \$ \rm50\rm9 \right)$ averaged higher sales than markets not reporting these practices. Sales increased by $3 for every ten additional SNAP-participating households and decreased by $35 for each competing EBT-accepting supermarket, grocery or farmers' market within the market's access area. Sales increased by $137/vendor for each additional hour/week the market was open. CONCLUSION Factors suggested by the model, particularly community engagement and partnership, marketing methods, consumer base and competition for EBT sales in the market area substantively affected EBT sales. Assessing these factors may identify markets with the greatest chance of EBT success and suggest ways to strengthen struggling EBT programs.AIMS The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible correlation between MS and IL-1 related alleles in Azeri population of Iran BackgroundCytokines as important mediators have a critical role in appropriate immune responses which irregular production of the mediators can lead to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/n-acetyl-dl-methionine.html  Proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1), trigger inflammatory responses. Function and production of the cytokine are influenced by IL-1 coding gene polymorphism and those antagonists gene polymorphism. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible correlation between MS and IL-1 related alleles in Azeri population of Iran MethodVariable number tandem repeats (VNTR) genotypes of 150 MS patients and 220 healthy non-relative controls were determined. RESULT In the healthy controls, genotype TT at IL-1A (-889) location was significantly higher than the MS patients (p=0.0001). However, a significant difference was not found between the two groups in genotypic/allelic frequency at IL- 1B+ 3953 location.