Breeze (Norway)

A Matter of Balance (MOB) is an evidence-based fall prevention program shown to reduce fear of falling (FOF) in English-speaking participants. The effectiveness of translated (Chinese and Spanish) MOB materials in reducing FOF is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether MOB was associated with reduced FOF in Chinese- and Spanish-speaking participants and included an English-speaking comparison group. Participants were recruited from MOB classes in Massachusetts and Illinois. Investigators used the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) and a demographic questionnaire to survey the participants at the first class (baseline), the last class, and 6 months after the MOB course. Of the 90 participants who enrolled, 77 (85.6%) completed the course (Chinese: n = 37; Spanish: n = 19; and English: n = 21) and 54 (60%) completed the 6-month survey (Chinese: n = 33; English: n = 21). Chinese FES-I scores significantly increased (FOF worsened) at the end of the course (+7.1, p = .009), and 6-month survey scores were also significantly above the baseline score (+6.7, p = .0088). FES-I scores decreased (FOF declined) in both the Spanish (-6.6, p = .016) and English groups (-2.7, p = .14) at the last class, and English 6-month FES-I scores were slightly lower than baseline scores (-0.4, p = .8). Participation in the MOB program did not reduce FOF in the Chinese population, but MOB did show promise in reducing FOF in both the Spanish and English groups. Future studies are warranted to explore the cultural, social, and education-related factors that may influence effectiveness of the MOB program.

Individual endrin and malathion concentrations and mixtures of the concentrations were tested concurrently with flagfish in both chronic and acute exposures. The joint action of mixtures on mortality in chronic exposures consisted of enhanced effects at the higher concentrations not causing death when the pesticides were tested individually. Chronic effects of mixtures on growth followed a simple additive effects model. Malathion did not alter the endrin effects on egg production, and in a separate test it did not affect the uptake or elimination of endrin. Joint action on mortality in acute exposures occurred at 48 and 72 hr but not at 10 and 24 hr.

The toxicity of total residual chlorination (TRC) to early life stages of the striped bass,Morone saxatilis, was determined using percent embryo hatchability, incipient LC50 bioassays, histopathology, and avoidance responses.

POLYCHLORINATED biphenyls (PCBs) are manufactured in the United States, Europe, and Japan and used as plasticizers, flame retardants, insulating and heat exchange fluids and in many other products1. Structurally related to DDT, soluble in lipid but relatively insoluble in water, and extremely persistent in the environment2, they have been reported in many marine and estuarine organisms3. One PCB, ‘Aroclor 1254’ (Monsanto), was reported in water, sediments, and biota from Escambia Bay, Florida4.