“First We Eat”: A Lighthearted Film Takes on More Serious Overtones
The Canadian documentary “First We Eat” takes a rather amusing and lighthearted perspective on the challenges of eating locally particularly in Canada’s Yukon.
It was precipitated by a landslide that covered the only road into Dawson City. Grocery shelves were emptied in 48 hours. This caused Suzanne Croker to embark on a one- year project to only eat local. Her husband and three children were reluctant but, in the end, supportive. By day three Suzanne is exhausted and near tears. Making your own salt from plants and getting your drinking water from trees and making birch syrup is not an easy task. In fact, it is just about a full time job.
Crocker realized the family would not make it unless they obtained help from a group of hard nosed but supportive hunters and gatherers and the viewer is on a journey discovering a community of producers including dairy farmers, livestock producers and most interestingly Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in natives who have been living off the land for thousands of years although the younger generation has to “go back to school” and be trained on hunting and gathering. And such respect and veneration they have for the fish and animals they kill and where nothing is wasted. Suzanne notes her vegetarianism is on hold as the only source of protein was from fish and meat.
Crocker’s family accomplished Crocker’s goal an amazing feat where 97% of food is transported into Dawson City. There are moments of family agony and retching and gagging over terrible tasting food. Yet there is the triumph of making birch syrup, homemade yogurt, butter, cheese and moose beef and kidney pie amongst many other dishes. Soap berries or pig blood and milk smoothies anyone?
Crocker notes when you rely on outside sources for all your food you are in trouble. Crocker strongly believes in establishing a relationship with all the producers of her food to the point she knows where everything came from on the family’s plates.
As Crocker says, “Some of the challenges we faced are very much specific to the North, but the theme of food dependence is global. A community that depends on its food coming from elsewhere is extremely vulnerable. And I like to say that the North is the canary in the coalmine of food security.”
I try to eat local and it does take some effort but the produce I eat is fresher and not doused with preservatives and chemicals but if the pandemic spirals out of control I will not have to depend on grocery stores to the extent most people do. Never take for granted your food supply and give thanks to those who produce it and transport it to you.
In a way there is some similarity to a Canadian documentary I saw (the name of which escapes me) of a couple wanting to make a point that much of the food produced simply rots away as garbage so they lived off food from restaurant and grocery store dumpsters for a year.
Crocker is an acclaimed film maker and “First We Eat” is very well produced conveying an important message. It won the 2020 Audience Choice Award at the Toronto Hot Docs Festival. It has been playing throughout Canada including Cinema Parc in Montreal other virtual theatres are described here https://blueicedocs.com/stream/31/first-we-eat/.
If you have been exposed to an MBSR/MBCT course through a hospital which is quite often a step for people suffering from depression, anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder mindfulness becomes a bland therapeutic tool focusing on a apparently simplistic tool of meditation focusing on the breath to give the mind a respite from what has upset it. At the end of the day it is therapeutic type of tool. Whether it be MBSR or MBCT in an institutional setting it really has very little soul. A constant Jon Kabat-Zin theme of being in the present moment in a non-judgemental fashion. Often boring body scan meditations. Breathe, breathe and think of nothing else but the breath. This has so much wisdom in it but having been at least 14 days of MBSR training at a local hospital I can say only a few really understood its significance .Nor is there any understanding of Buddhist or Daoist traditions that form the core of modern mindfulness.
Yes MBSR and MBCT arguably are simply tools. Like prescribing an anti-depressant MBSR/MBCT has become a “drug” to deal with stress and psychiatric disorders. I participate in, or used to before COVID, a monthly mindfulness group meeting headed by a psychiatrist at a local hospital. Yet try to talk about “being in the present moment” or “feeling as one” during meditation really no one understands these concepts. That is a shame to see that mindfulness may be just another RX script. A new nondrug drug. The way I see it taught within the hospital situation is that mindfulness is about a state of mind and not a state of how to live mindfully.
Now if it works to reduce or control stress and psychiatric conditions bravo!
But mindfulness living requires more than a technical sophistry if one wants to take that path. Should there be a value-based mindfulness? By this I mean a conscious attempt to import certain values into a mindful practice. Arguably if one becomes aware of these values isn’t one mindful of them?
Can we move beyond that shallow technical application of head towards a value-based mindfulness that involves principles of living and relating that involves more than a quick and dirty meditation that frees the mind from adverse reactions to life?
Perhaps this is something we should delve into? Are there principles of mindfulness that take us beyond the quick and dirty technical use of mindfulness and shape our lives to a more rich and rewarding intellectual existence beyond that trite “living in the present moment” expression. Well it is not that trite but in my experience it is trite as MBSR participants have absolutely no or little understanding of how it feels and how it means.
Yet should we have a cup of “mindful tea” wearing our mindful T-shirts. Or should we be suckered in by employers offering mindful courses to perhaps exploit and manipulate their employees. Hey, the employer says, we gave you the tools to manage stress so let’s put more responsibility on how as after all you have been “trained” to handle stress.
Let us delve deeper into what mindful living might encompass. Coming up a discussion on the 16 guidelines of life.
(The author is certified in mindfulness by the University of Toronto and the University of Leiden.)
In times of crises, we tend to look to technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Previous crises have boosted digital transformation and the current corona pandemic is no different. Digital transformation means replacing existing practices with more advanced digital technology to become more efficient. It can involve many technologies, but currently, Artificial Intelligence and big data are driving much of the transformation.
It has been shown that companies that adopt quickly and decisively in times of crises to new paradigms, later reap the rewards. It’s not the moment to play it safe, on the contrary: now is the time to reassess your digital tech stack. Once we reach the post-pandemic era, newly implemented technologies will become the new norm. Taking an early digital leap will set your property ahead of your competitors when things take off again.
What technologies should I consider?
Let chatbots do the chatting
Artificial intelligence has been named as the most promising technology of the past few years. It’s clear that we will see a rapid increase in the use of AI in all sorts of platforms, messaging being no exception. AI-driven chatbots are a great tool to streamline guest communications, whether before, during or after their stay.
During the pandemic, we have acquired new digital habits, most of which include our mobile phones, like scanning QR codes for restaurant menus, video calling, not to mention a huge global uptake in messaging use. The post-pandemic guest will expect to be able to request services or ask questions through their usual messaging channels instead of having to queue at reception.
Automate and streamline workflows
Chatbots are a great way to start the digitalization of your guest communication. However, it is important that the processes that follow or precede the conversation are equally digitalized and streamlined. When a guest requests come in through your messaging platform, the right automated processes should be in place, so the requests immediately land into the right hands and it’s clearly understood what the next steps are.
Don’t wait, automate
Consider automating your reactive (incoming) but also your proactive (outgoing) communication. Send out the key information before arrival, so your guest can come prepared with the right expectations, and you can be well prepared for your guest. By proactively contacting your guests at key stages of their guest journey, you can detect any needs before they become issues and facilitate essential information.
Collect, analyze & learn from guest data
In this changing landscape it can be hard to pinpoint guest needs, which is where guest analytics can help you. To understand your new type of guests, analyze guest data by gathering information through messaging interactions and guest requests. Collect all your interactions and stays into one profile to better understand who your guests are and create smart guest lists for a more effective and segmented communication.
Learn about your guests’ needs and preferences by analyzing your incoming guest requests: what services or information do they request most, through what messaging channels, etc. Guest request data can also help you improve and streamline your operations by looking at what issues are reported most frequently, what are the root causes, are all issues resolved, how fast are they resolved, etc. Keeping track of guest data will allow you to adapt and better your strategies as the situation continues to evolve.
When you decide to introduce a chatbot into your organisation, keep in mind that for a successful digital communication strategy you need much more. They are a great starting point, but the rest of your operations should also be optimised and streamlined with the right technologies so you are well-prepared for what comes after the pandemic.
Berries are a good source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, micronutrients, and fiber. In epidemiological and clinical studies, these constituents have been associated with improved cardiovascular risk profiles. Human intervention studies using chokeberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries (either fresh, or as juice, or freeze-dried), or purified anthocyanin extracts have demonstrated significant improvements in LDL oxidation, lipid peroxidation, total plasma antioxidant capacity, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism. Benefits were seen in healthy subjects and in those with existing metabolic risk factors. Underlying mechanisms for these beneficial effects are believed to include upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, decreased activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes, decreased oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression and foam cell formation. Though limited, these data support the recommendation of berries as an essential fruit group in a heart-healthy diet.Keywords: anthocyanins, berries, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxideGo to:
INTRODUCTION
Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been correlated with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD). National health objectives reflected in Healthy People 2010 advocate increasing fruit consumption by more than 75% or to at least two servings per day in persons 2 years of age and older.1 Currently, only 32% of adults and 13% of adolescents meet this goal of fruit intake.2,3 Between the years 2000 and 2020 overall fruit consumption in the United States is anticipated to grow by 24–27%. This increase is attributed in part to an increase in per capita consumption, and in part to a predicted increase in the total consumers in the US market.4
The consumption of berry fruits and their contribution to improving cardiovascular health is a subject of considerable interest. The commonly consumed berries in the United States include blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberries. Less commonly consumed berries include acai, black currant, chokeberry, and mulberries. Berries are low in calories and are high in moisture and fiber. They contain natural antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, andmicronutrients such as folic acid, calcium, selenium, alpha and beta carotene, and lutein. Phytochemicals found in berries include polyphenols along with high proportions of flavonoids including anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Table 1 lists the commonly consumed berries and their selected nutrient and phytochemical composition as identified in the USDA food composition database.5,6 Anthocyanins comprise the largest group of natural, water-soluble, plant pigments and impart the bright colors to berry fruits7–10 and to flowers. Approximately 400 individual anthocyanins have been determined. They are generally more concentrated in the skins of fruits, especially berry fruits. However, red berry fruits, such as strawberries and cherries, also have anthocyanins in their flesh. Anthocyanin content is usually proportional to the color intensity and can range from 2 to 4 g/kg, increasing as the fruit ripens. Evidence suggests that Americans consume an average of 12.5–215 mg of anthocyanins per day.11 Studies have shown that berry anthocyanins are poorly bioavailable, are extensively conjugated in the intestines and liver, and are excreted in urine within 2–8 hours post consumption.12,13 Post-harvest processing, such as pressing, pasteurization, and conventional and vacuum drying, can significantly affect the polyphenol (including anthocyanin) and vitamin content of berries, and therefore their bioactivities and effects on CVD risk factors.14–16
Table 1
Berries with select nutrient and phytochemical profiles expressed in values per 100 g of edible portion.5,6
Abbreviation: NF, not found in the USDA food composition database.Go to:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS: BERRIES IN CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Nutritional epidemiology provides convincing evidence of the cardioprotective effects of frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables high in fiber, micronutrients, and several phytochemicals.17–20 Data reported from the INTERHEART study, comprising dietary patterns from 52 countries, revealed a significant inverse association between the prudent dietary pattern high in fruits and vegetables, and risk of acute myocardial infarction.21 Evaluation of selected nutrients and food group intakes among 2,757 overweight US adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which is an established risk factor of CVD, showed that less than 50% of subjects consumed the minimum recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.22 A comparative study between the US and French populations revealed significantly lower fruit and vegetable consumption among American men and women versus French adults.23 Analyses of 24-h recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2000, revealed that only 40% of Americans consumed five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.24 These data indicate a significant gap between the actual amounts of fruit and vegetable consumption and the recommended number of servings for the US population.25 Furthermore, NHANES (2001–2002) data reported the pattern of fruit intake among US adults, who mainly consumed apples, pears, and bananas, followed by melons, citrus fruits, and grapes.26 Thus, berries do not seem to be commonly consumed fruits by the US population in spite of their benefits, as documented in emerging nutrition and health research.
Studies have also reported specific associations between berries or berry flavonoids (anthocyanins) and cardiovascular health. Data reported from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD) showed a significantly lower risk of CVD-related deaths among 1,950 men in the highest quartile of berry intake (>408 g/day) versus men with the lowest intake (<133 g/day) during a mean follow-up of 12.8 years. These findings were based on a model adjusted for major CVD risk factors, which further showed an inverse correlation between intakes of fruits, berries, and vegetables and serum haptoglobin, a marker of inflammation.27 Post-menopausal women (n = 34,489) participating in the Iowa Women’s Health Study, showed a significant reduction in CVD mortality associated with strawberry intake during a 16-year follow-up period. In the case of blueberries, an age- and energy-adjusted model showed a significant decrease in coronary heart disease mortality, though the significance did not persist following adjustment for other confounding variables. For both strawberries and blueberries, the significant reduction in relative risk was associated with at least once per week consumption. The data also reported that a mean anthocyanin intake of 0.2 mg/day was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CVD mortality in these postmenopausal women.28
Female US health professionals enrolled in the Women’s Health Study (n = 38,176), a randomized controlled trial of low-dose aspirin and vitamin E, provided dietary information using a 131-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Strawberry intake was described as “never” or “less than one serving per month” up to“6+ servings per day” of fresh, frozen, or canned strawberries. Analyses of baseline strawberry intake revealed that only 7.7% of subjects consumed greater than two servings of strawberries per week, whereas 42% of subjects reported an intake of 1–3 servings per month. During a follow-up period of approximately 11 years, a decreasing trend for CVD was observed for subjects consuming higher amounts of strawberries (P = 0.06). The study also showed a borderline significant risk reduction of elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (≥3 mg/L) among women consuming higher amounts of strawberries (≥2 servings/week). Blueberry intake was also examined in the study and no significant association was reported with risks of CVD or CRP.29 Elevated CRP has been significantly associated with inflammation and is a high risk factor of CVD.30 Analyses of NHANES data (1999–2002) revealed a significant inverse association between serum CRP and anthocyanin intakes among US adults.31 These observational data suggest a potential anti-inflammatory role of berry flavonoids, which may contribute to overall reduction of CVD risk.Go to:
BERRIES AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: INTERVENTION STUDIES
As summarized in Table 2, a number of intervention studies have investigated the effects of acai berries, black currants, bilberries, boysenberries, blueberries, chokeberries, cranberries, lingonberries, raspberries, strawberries, and wolfberries in healthy human subjects or in subjects with CVD risk factors.32–51 The most significant outcomes of these clinical studies show an increase in plasma or urinary antioxidant capacity, a decrease in LDL oxidation and lipid peroxidation, a decrease in plasma glucose or total cholesterol, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol following berry intervention. Since elevated plasma glucose, lipids, and lipid oxidation have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD),52,53 these data suggest the potential role of edible berries in ameliorating these risk factors. Of 20 trials reviewed, nine involved measures of post-prandial status, in which berry consumption was shown to significantly decrease postprandial oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation.32–35,37–39,42,48 Thus, dietary inclusion of berries may be an effective strategy to counteract postprandial metabolic and oxidative stresses that are associated with CAD.54 In addition, specific berries, such as bilberry and black currant extracts, chokeberry juice, cranberry extracts, and freeze-dried strawberries were shown to have favorable effects on plasma glucose or lipid profiles in subjects with metabolic risk factors including type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome.37,47,50,51 These studies ranged in duration from 4 to 12 weeks and used conventional berry products or purified anthocyanin extracts, suggesting that both these forms of delivery are effective. Berries were also shown to increase plasma antioxidant capacity36 and to decrease lipid peroxidation42 in smokers who are at high risk of developing CVD.55
100 g deep-frozen berries (bilberries, lingonberries, or black currants); 240 g berries in postprandial study
Increase in serum ascorbate (P < 0.05); slight decrease in LDL oxidation (P = 0.07), and slight increase in serum antioxidant capacity (P = 0.08) in berry group; decrease in LDL oxidation in postprandial study (P < 0.05)
Four successive 4-week phase (including 4-week run-in phase)
Placebo-controlled trial
Thirty healthy men (mean age, 51 ± 10 years)
Placebo juice (Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., USA); 500 mL/day
Increasing doses of cranberry juice cocktail (125, 250, 500 mL/day, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., USA) during three successive 4-week periods
Increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol at the end of 4 weeks of 250 mL/day cranberry juice intake (P < 0.01); decreases in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference at the end of the study (P < 0.05)
Decrease in total and LDL-cholesterol and total:HDL-cholesterol ratio in cranberry versus placebo groups (P < 0.05); no effects on glucose or glycated hemoglobin
Placebo capsules (0.5 g each) prepared by mixing white potato flakes with a purplish food-coloring blend, redrying, grinding, and providing in vegetable-based capsules
120 mL juice blend containing acai berry, cranberry, blueberry, wolfberry, and bilberry in addition to other fruit juices
Increase in serum antioxidant status and inhibition of lipid peroxidation versus placebo (P < 0.03)
72 subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (mean age: control group, 58.4 ± 5.6 years; berry group, 57.5 ± 6.3 years)
One of four control products each day to match the energy intake in the berry group; 2 dL sugar-water, 100 g sweet semolina porridge, 100 g sweet rice porridge, or 40 g marmalade sweets
Two portions of berries daily; whole bilberries (100 g) and a nectar of 50 g crushed lingonberries every other day; black currant or strawberry puree (100 g, 80% black currants) and cold-pressed chokeberry and raspberry juice (0.7 dL, 80% chokeberry) on alternating days
Inhibition of platelet function; increase in HDL-cholesterol; decrease in systolic blood pressure in berry versus control group (P < 0.05)
Placebo capsules pullulan and maltodextrin (2 capsules twice daily)
Anthocyanin capsules 320 mg/day (2 capsules twice daily); 17 different natural purified anthocyanins from bilberry and black currant
Increased HDL-cholesterol, decreased LDL-cholesterol, decreased mass and activity of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein in anthocyanin group versus placebo (P < 0.05)
Of 20 trials conducted using different varieties of fresh and processed berry products, only two showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure: one was conducted in healthy men following cranberry juice supplementation46 and the other was in subjects with CVD risk factors following mixed berry supplementation.49 These data suggest a need for future studies on berry supplementation as a potential dietary therapy for the management of pre-hypertension or hypertension. Interestingly, none of these clinical studies showed any significant effect of berry intervention on biomarkers of inflammation, with the exception of a significant decrease in adhesion molecules following cranberry juice supplementation in healthy volunteers.46 This suggests a need to investigate the effects of cranberry intervention, per se or in combination with other berries, on adhesion molecules or inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein or interleukins in subjects with the pro-inflammatory conditions metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus.56,57Go to:
MECHANISMS: BERRIES, ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION, AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and CVD.58,59 Several lines of evidence indicate a role for berry anthocyanins in significantly decreasing oxidative damage and inflammation in cellular and animal models of CVD. Youdim et al. have reported the incorporation of elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells, following a 4-h incubation at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. In addition to the cellular bioavailability, elderberry anthocyanins significantly decreased cytotoxicity caused by chemical inducers of oxidative stress.60 Anthocyanins from blackberry extract were shown to protect against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.61 Mulberry anthocyanins have also exhibited antioxidative and antiatherogenic affects, by inhibiting oxidation of LDL and formation of foamcells, respectively, in an in vitro model of atherosclerosis.62 Anthocyanins from berries commonly consumed in the United States, such as blueberries and cranberries, have been reported to reduce TNF-α induced upregulation of inflammatory mediators in human microvascular endothelial cells.63 In an 8-week study, DeFuria et al. have shown the attenuation of inflammatory gene expressions in male C57Bl/6j mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with blueberry powder versus the unsupplemented group. This study also showed the protective effects of blueberries against insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, thus reducing the risk factors for CVD.64 In a rat model of prediabetes and hyperlipidemia, Jurgoski et al.65 further demonstrated decreased activities of inńtestinal mucosal disaccharidases (maltase and sucrose) following dietary supplementation with chokeberry fruit extract for 4 weeks. These animal and in vitro data show the potential of berries to ameliorate inflammation, glucose, and lipid abnormalities that contribute to CVD.
Nitric oxide (NO), when formed through activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), has proinflammatory effects, leading to increased vascular permeability, induction of inflammatory cytokines, and the formation of peroxynitrite, a strong oxidizing agent.66 Pergola et al. have reported inhibitory effects of the anthocyanin fraction of blackberry extract on NO biosynthesis in the murine monocyte/macrophage J774 cell line stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The study also reported that blackberry anthocyanin extract inhibited inducible iNOS protein expression, thereby decreasing the inflammatory response in macrophages and inhibiting the formation of foam cells.67 While increased iNOS expression leads to the proinflammatory effects of NO, generation of NO by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis by favorably modulating blood pressure and reducing endothelial dysfunction. Xu et al. and Lazze et al. have reported the upregulation of eNOS by cyanidin-3-glucoside in bovine artery endothelial cells, and increased protein levels of eNOS by anthocyanin treatment (cyanidin and delphinidin) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.68,69
Berry anthocyanins have also been shown to affect lipid metabolism in cellular and animal models of dyslipidemia. Administration of chokeberry juice for 30 days in rats fed a standard or 4% cholesterol-containing diet, showed the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of chokeberry juice in the cholesterol-fed group.70 Purified anthocyanins from blueberries and strawberries added to drinking water were shown to prevent the development of dyslipidemia and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet for a period of 90 days.71 Anthocyanin treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was further demonstrated to regulate cholesterol distribution by interfering with the recruitment of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAF)-2 in lipid rafts, thereby inhibiting CD40-induced proinflammatory signaling.72
Thus, on the basis of these data, berry anthocyanins may exert cardioprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through effects on iNOS activity, interfering with carbohydrate digestion and reducing glucose absorption, favorably modulating dyslipidemia, and upregulating eNOS expression so as to maintain normal vascular function and blood pressure.Go to:
CONCLUSION
Berries are emerging as a dietary source of multiple compounds and nutrients, including anthocyanins, flavonols, vitamins, and fiber, that reduce CVD risk. While limited epidemiological data inversely associate consumption of berries with inflammation and CVD, these conclusions need to be strengthened in future case-control or cohort studies investigating the long-term health benefits of berries in specific populations. Clinical studies in healthy humans, subjects with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, or in smokers, show a significant decrease in CVD risk factors, especially glucose, lipids and lipid peroxidation, and systolic blood pressure, following berry intervention. The principal mechanisms of action underlying the potential cardio-protective effects of berries include counteracting free radical generation, attenuating inflammatory gene expression, downregulating foam cell formation, and upregulating eNOS expression; through these effects, progression of atherosclerosis is slowed and normal vascular function and blood pressure are preserved. In light of the decrease in nutritional value that occurs during processing methods, including drying and pasteurization, consumption of fresh or frozen whole berries as part of a regular diet may be better than intake of juices or extracts, which do not have the same nutritional profiles as whole berries. Since some clinical studies have also found antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of encapsulated berry supplements, these forms may be suitable for the management of specific metabolic conditions.
Further rigorous, prospective studies are needed. These need to involve large patient populations with outcomes of berry intervention that include not only CVD biomarkers, but also “hard” cardiovascular and metabolic endpoints. Also, comparative human intervention studies should address the effects of whole berries versus purified berry anthocyanins, and any potential synergistic actions with other nutrients or medications. Such studies are readily conceived but expensive and challenging to conduct.Go to:
Acknowledgments
Funding. This work was supported, in part, by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center General Clinical Research Center grant M01-RR14467, the National Center for Research Resources, and the National Institutes of Health.Go to:
Footnotes
Declaration of interest. Arpita Basu has received past and present support from US Highbush Blueberry Council, the Cranberry Institute, and the California Strawberry Commission for clinical trials. The content of this review does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of these agencies.Go to:
Contributor Information
Arpita Basu, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 301 Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
Michael Rhone, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 301 Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
Timothy J Lyons, Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.Go to:
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A staggering 9.2 million jobs could be lost in the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector in 2020 if barriers to global travel remain in place, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed.
The new figure comes from WTTC’s latest economic modelling, which looks at the punishing impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions on the Travel & Tourism sector.
According to the latest data, 7.2 million jobs in the U.S. have been impacted. If there is no immediate alleviation of restrictions on international travel, as many as 9.2 million jobs – more than half of all jobs supported by the sector in the U.S. in 2019 – would be lost.
WTTC has identified the four top priorities which should be addressed, including the adoption of a comprehensive and cost-effective testing regime at departure to avoid transmission, the re-opening of key ‘air corridors’ such as between New York and London, and international coordination.
The challenge of restoring safe travels in the new normal is one of the biggest issues facing the U.S. as it grapples with a depressed economy devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the Travel & Tourism sector particularly hard.
The WTTC Economic Impact Report for 2019 revealed that Travel & Tourism contributed $1.84 trillion to the U.S. economy and was responsible for more than one in 10 (10.7%) American jobs.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and we wish them every success in these challenging times. The U.S. government has a real opportunity to lead the international coordination and save millions of jobs globally and across the U.S.
“In 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for almost 17 million jobs, which is more than one in every 10 jobs across the U.S., so it’s vital we recover as many as possible to power the economic recovery of the country.
“Globally, eight out of 10 businesses within Travel & Tourism are SME’s, employing millions of people around the world, and all of which rely on a thriving Travel & Tourism sector. It is also one of the most diverse sectors, employing people from all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, with almost 50% of whom are women and up to 30% youths.
“WTTC, has been at the forefront in leading the private sector in the efforts to restore international travel and rebuild global consumer confidence with several major initiatives. We launched our ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, to enable travellers to recognise destinations around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
“We offer to work closely with the U.S. government to recover international travel whilst avoiding transmission, through a four-point list of top priorities.
“We need to learn to co-exist with this virus and measures should be in place to reactivate both inbound and outbound travel responsibly and avoid further economic and social hardship.”
Across North America, WTTC research shows that between 10.8 million and 13.8 million jobs within Travel & Tourism are at serious risk.
Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, said: “The numbers show that restarting global travel is an absolute must from an economic and jobs standpoint, and it can be done safely by embracing health and safety guidance and technologies, which have been widely deployed across the travel industry.
“Moving away from quarantines and implementing the practices that we know will work—chief among them rapid, reliable and efficient testing, the universal wearing of masks in public, and the use of contactless technologies—will help restore confidence and growth.”
The resumption of international travel will act as a catalyst to re-energise the global economic recovery. According to WTTC, the four main priorities for the new U.S. administration should be:
The re-opening of ‘air corridors’ on vital routes, especially those across the Atlantic to re-establish crucial business travel between major economic hubs
The introduction of a testing regime at airports, with globally recognised standards to avoid exporting and importing the virus
A commitment to ensure safe and seamless travel, with enhanced health and hygiene measures as well as contactless touchpoints
Ensure international coordination to adopt standards that will allow international travel to restart and rebuild consumer confidence.
During 2019, the report detailed how Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million in total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.
A new surge in Covid-19 cases and the reintroduction of travel restrictions have halted European tourism recovery with international tourist arrivals to Europe down 68% halfway through the year relative to 2019.
That is according to the European Travel Commission’s (ETC) latest quarterly report “European Tourism: Trends & Prospects” for Q3 2020 which has been closely monitoring the evolution of the pandemic throughout the year and analysing its impact on travel and tourism.
The easing of pandemic restrictions across Europe led to a slight pick-up in July and August 2020 compared to earlier months, signalling people’s enthusiasm and desire to travel again. However, the recent re-imposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions has quickly halted any chance of an early recovery. Looking at the months ahead, heightened uncertainty and downside risks continue to dampen the outlook with European arrivals set to decline 61% in 2020.
Speaking following the publication of the report, ETC Executive Director Eduardo Santander said: “As the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic grips Europe and in advance of the winter season, it is now more important than ever that European nations join forces to agree on common solutions, not only to curb the spread of the virus but also to support tourism’s sustainable recovery, restore travellers’ confidence, and most importantly protect the millions of businesses, jobs, and enterprises that are at risk, so they can survive the economic fallout. The direction of the economic recovery across Europe will depend significantly on the recovery of the tourism sector, a sector which generates close to 10% of the EU’s GDP and accounts for over 22 million jobs.”
Southern European destinations & islands among the most affected
Digging deeper into the above numbers, Mediterranean destinations Cyprus and Montenegro saw the steepest falls in arrivals at a distressing 85% and 84% respectively, attributable to a higher dependency on foreign travellers. Among the other countries most impacted are Romania where arrivals plunged 80%; Turkey (-77%); Portugal and Serbia (both -74%). Island destinations, Iceland and Malta (both -71%) also performed poorly, challenged by their geographical location and strict border restrictions.
On the contrary, Austria appears to have benefitted from pre-Covid-19 winter travel at the start of the year, resulting in a decline of just 44% for the year to September. A greater reliance on short-haul trips also placed Austria in a strong position to attain a less volatile recovery as restrictions in the country have eased much quicker than other countries.
This further highlights the need for member state cooperation across Europe as the disparity of approaches regarding travel restrictions has depressed travel demand and consumer confidence. A recent survey by IATA suggests that travel restrictions are as much a travel deterrent as the perceived risk of catching the virus itself. Harmonised solutions towards testing and tracing, along with quarantine measures will be crucial to mitigating the downside risks across Europe.
Future outlook & shift in traveller preferences
The importance of domestic and intra-European travel cannot be understated in terms of the role it will play in the recovery of the tourism sector over the coming months. In a welcome update, the latest forecasts predict a quicker rebound for domestic travel in Europe, surpassing 2019 levels by 2022. European short-haul arrivals are also projected to bounce back faster by 2023, being helped by a swifter easing of travel restrictions and a lesser perceived risk compared to long-haul trips. Overall travel volumes are now projected to return to pre-pandemic levels only by 2024.
The Covid-19 pandemic is also impacting destination choices within particular European countries. The summer season has shown a significant increase in those seeking to travel to rural and coastal locations, clearly as a result of concerns regarding visits to highly-populated urban locations, where it is more difficult to practice social distancing.
This change in travel preferences may ultimately mitigate the issue of over-tourism and allow destinations to boost sustainable tourism demand. Increased travel interest for secondary destinations will relieve some popular tourist hotspots that previously struggled to cope with excessive travel demand and will help spread the economic benefits of tourism more evenly within countries.
Here is a red wine called Hécula from the Yecla appellation in Spain.
Black cherry in colour. Aroma of black cherry, blackberry, lavender and ripe strawberries. On the palate fairly solid tannins that leave a nice fruity ring encapsulated around the tannins. No doubt about it. This is a full-bodied wine but being a big boy wine means you have some responsibilities and that is delivering some flavour! In this case there is flavour and it is tight and there is no jamminess nor flippancy. It is tightly held old big and fat strawberries with black cherry nectar clinging on for dear life. I would say this wine will sail nicely on for the next 5 years and improve. Nice long finish. If General Franco and his big ego were still alive today this might be a wine he would relish as it is big and strong like the Spain he always wanted.
I would think these needs something meaty on the grill or something with a very rich tomatoe and wine sauce like osso Bucco.
(Hécula, Monastrell 2017 DO Yecla, Bodegas Castaño,Yecla, Spain, $14.75, LCBO # 718999, 750 mL, 14%,Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me Blog Rating 92/100).
The further you go in France well the cheaper the wine gets. At one-point southern France supplied the working class of Paris with their cheap and not so tasty wines but they were cheap and my goodness sometimes blended with Algerian wine. Well they have cleaned up their act but it make take a few more years to get the glowing reputation they deserve.
In this case we have a white. It has a golden colour. Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair! On the palate it tries to convince you it is an off dry wine with a very quick vaccination like prick of sweetness but it finishes mostly dry with a bit of sweetness left in the after palate. In fact it is a full bodied white with class! On the nose some apricot, peach and honey which if it wasn’t for its initial jab of sweetness just might make you think you were trying a Viognier. A blend of gros manseng, petit corbu and arrufiac. Now how is that for local! The label state this wine is good with seafood, fish and salads a well as cheese. Now that makes sense but I think you would have to be in Southwest France where this wine originated from to make the perfect choice. As for us Canucks this would go well with poultry and I include turkey for that lonely COVID-19 inspired Christmas party you are going to have!
(Plaimont Témoignage Saint Mont 2017, AOC Saint-Mont, Plaimont,Saint Mont, France, $14.95, LCBO # 16208, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me Blog Rating 92/100).
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
The United States must have a valid reason, fabricated, if necessary, to invade Canada and make it the 51st state.
The plan is to transport large quantities of fentanyl into Canada, preferably to the ports of Vancouver, British Columbia and Quebec City, Quebec.
Covert operatives will then mount numerous fentanyl smuggling operations into Vermont and Washington State where DEA teams, notified of their arrival at the border will seize the fentanyl.
Fentanyl will have been packaged to show it was manufactured in the People’s Republic of China whereas we have made arrangements with North Korea to manufacture the fentanyl there which will then be transported to Singapore for undetected shipments to Vancouver and Quebec City.
An operative in Singapore is currently arranging for shipments on Sir Reginald Nicomshire’s shipping lines to Vancouver and Quebec City. Nicomshire’s shipping lines have an international reputation for playing by the rules so they are above suspicion.
When the large quantities of fentanyl are seized the United States will conduct a neutralizing offensive into Canada and lay the political and economic foundations to make it our 51st state. As the source of the fentanyl will be seen to be from China the President will declare a national emergency and levy enormous tariffs on China saving America and making it great again.
THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MADAME FONG’S LETTER TO SIR REGINALD NICOMSHIRE
The following letter was found in Madame Fong’s Presidential Stateroom in her handwriting but not signed nor completed.
Dearest Reggie:
I apologize for slapping you and kicking your testicles the other night all in public view. It was in such un-Madame Fongish taste!
I had explained to you that the United States Government sought my assistance in persuading you to ship several containers attached to the hull of your ships to ports in Vancouver and Quebec City.
The United States Government advised me the contents of these containers must be below the water and undetectable. The contents are vital to the security of the United States I have been told by several high-ranking White House officials who have explained the transport of these containers to Canada is necessary to safeguard the public health of millions of Americans threatened by huge exports of fentanyl manufactured in The People’s Republic of China and smuggled into the United States through Canada “by some really bad guys, real nasty guys”.
There is concern the huge influx of cheap state subsidized goods from China will destroy the American economy and when the cargo is delivered to Canada the United States can protect itself and democracy of the free world by putting China in its place and make America great again.
I do not know the details of these plans of the United States but for the protection of democracy and public health who are we to argue.
You told me you required full details as to the cargo and why it had to be shipped below water as opposed to in the hold. I have been told by these White House officials to trust the imperative of this transportation, and you must trust the United States as well without asking inconvenient questions.
I do not know why they have said this to me but they have promised the shipments will finally bring justice for the murder of my great grandfather by anti-Chinese elements in Canada during the national railway construction in the 1860’s there.
If you agree to transport the cargo as I have requested 123 criminal charges about to be levied on me by the United States Department of Justice will not see daylight.
If you agree my body and soul will be yours as well as Rory Dylan Stephen that lovely West Highland Terrier you admire so much.
The Editors of The Singapore Times would like to inform readers of THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN that for reasons of security and good order of Singapore as discussed with The Minister of State Security and Public Order the aforementioned daily column shall be discontinued.
The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: THE WORLD TO SHAKE DOWN TO ITS FOUNDATIONS! I AM FREE AT LAST!!!!!
At our breakfast it was announced all passengers would be escorted off the train to be processed by Singaporean customs and immigration the following day at 12:00 hours.
Bobby Fong Jr., Amira and I headed back to our State Cabin. Upon arrival in our cabin which was feeling more like a jail cell of late Bobby Fong Jr, and Amira celebrated our upcoming freedom with a glass of champers. Bobby Fong Jr. picked me up, looked me in the eyes and said that I had done my job of befriending Sir Reginald Nicomshire and he would be making arrangements to send me home forthwith!
He had emailed Bob and set a pick up location at his suite at the Singapore Shangri-La. He had also attached photos of a very important official document from the United States.
He told Amira and I shortly before his mother’s death she had given him a manila envelope containing an important document that would be earth shattering but it was not to be opened unless “anything” should happen to her. And as “something happened” to her he had opened it
He said it contained a Whitehouse Executive Summary of “Operation Smear, Grab and Discredit” and a letter from Madame Fong to Sir Reginald Nicomshire.
The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: BOBBY FONG JR.NOT EVEN QUESTIONED
Madame Fong is no longer with us. As she is the villain behind my abduction you know where she can go; a very hot place.
The Singaporean and Malaysian investigative team had an excuse to wrap the investigation up as it was so obvious to them Madame Fong murdered Sir Reginald Nicomshire. She had slapped him in the face and kicked him in the balls the night prior to his death. Guilty as sin!
If it was so obvious who murdered Nicomshire why then was Madame Fong murdered. Seems to me the murderer was at large on the Eastern & Oriental Express. Pardon my linear thinking. These murders may be far more complicated than one may be led to believe.
Wasn’t it so very odd the two Budweiser swilling and burger loving gentlemen, armed to the teeth as they were, left the train in Suburbans directly to the American Embassy in Singapore. Who gave the order to release them! The hint of the United States involvement in these two murders was no longer a whisper. It was a roar.
With their conclusion in hand the investigative team didn’t bother to question Bobby Fong Jr. about Nicomshire’s death.
Neither, for some politically motivated reason, were they investigating Madame Fong’s death as it was no longer “in their mandate of appointment”.
Madame Fong’s death was to be investigated on a “off the train basis” by Singaporean police. Sounded as if her murder was one to be ignored or pardon me was it sanctioned by whoever convinced the investigative team to permit two Budweiser swilling and burger loving gentlemen to leave the train.
It was only a short matter of time the chief investigator indicated, all passengers could disembark from the train.
I fulfilled my assignment for Bobby Fong Jr. to cozy up to Sir Reginald Nicomshire and if Bobby Fong Jr. was true to his word I would be returning to Toronto in short order.
“Ajit Singh was the biggest goon in town. He had many interests. Dredging the riverbeds for construction sand, cutting down trees for timber on Forestry Department land, mining quarries for stone, stealing medicines from the government hospitals. So long as we did his work, whatever else we did, short of killing cops, we had protection. I had a great education there, I understood the turning of the wheel, how the cops and the politicians and the bureaucrats were all working together to keep this wheel in motion, how every spoke of the wheel was important, how the wheel was the system itself. We indulged in extortion, collecting protection money from businesses or else burning them down, we’d commit kidnappings for ransom.”
The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: GRUESOME MURDER OF MADAME FONG!
Bobby Fong Jr., Amira and I were just about ready to leave the dining salon after our breakfast when news reached us Madame Fong, or at least most of her, was found murdered in her Presidential Stateroom. Her head was missing!
Bobby Fong Jr. showed no emotion mumbling. “She deserved it the bitch.” Seeing how she mistreated him well I can’t say I was overwhelmed by his reaction. Evidence he might have murdered his mother?
The investigators were to question her that day at noon. No chance of that but as she had slapped Nicomshire and kicked him in the balls the night before Nicomshire died did she meet some form of poetic justice.
Then again Keith, our butler, must have had reason to “dislike” Madame Fong his mother, at least according to his father Sir Reginald Nicomshire. She failed to recognize him as her son. Bitterness? Hatred? Rage?
Multiple murders on the Eastern& Oriental Express!
I had the sense the case was about to bust open bigtime.
As for poor Madame Fong’s head some village boys beyond the Woodlands Train Station permitter fence were using her head to play football.
And come to think of it Madame Fong had been suspiciously friendly with me the night before her death suggesting I could arrange a favour for her I could immediately be sent back home to Toronto. “Home” …..not sure what that is meaning as clear as I used to. Get me off this damn train!
THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: CANADIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES TOP SECRET MEMO: PROPOSED INVASION OF CANADA BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CANADIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES TOP SECRET INTELLIGENCE REPORT
Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) operatives xxxxxx and xxxxxx filed two observation reports this morning based on Canadian satellite surveillance noting United States troop and military ordinances movement concentrating in Buffalo, New York, Champlain, New York, and Bellingham, Washington. The greatest concentration is in the Buffalo, New York Area.
United States Airforce bases in Plattsburgh, New York, Minot Airforce Base in North Dakota and McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas have seen arrivals of squadrons of fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and attack helicopters in amounts far above normal movements.
National Guard units in North Dakota, New Jersey, Washington State, Maine and Vermont have been recently placed on “pre alert readiness” inconsistent with preestablished patterns for such alerts.
The Top Readiness Command Centre of CSIS has been activated as a result of these reports as the extent of such military resource augmentation is consistent with past invasions mounted by the United States.
Of particular concern have been reports of extensive ground surveillance of Canadian Forces Trenton Airforce Base in Trenton Ontario. Two adult males in their thirties were apprehended on the perimeter of the Trenton Base with surveillance equipment. When apprehended by Trenton Military Police patrolling the perimeter these men claimed to be attending a New York State Ophthalmologist Conference being held at the Royal Hotel in Picton, Ontario 26 kilometres from the Trenton Base. As no such conference has been organized according to the New York State Ophthalmologist Association (NYSOA) the two men apprehended have been placed under military detention and the 27 remaining “ophthalmologists” disappeared within one hour of the detention of the two men. Verification checks of attendees shown on the Royal Hotel’s guest list at the Picton, Ontario conference and with the NYSOA reveal none of the 29 attendees are actually on the NYSAO list of accredited ophthalmologists.
Media intelligence units of CSIS have in the past 7 days noted President Orville Grump of the United States has made 43 references publicly about how Canada should become the 51st state of the United States to protect the United States from mass fentanyl deaths. Additionally, President Grump has referred to Canada as the land of the Igloo People, its Prime Minister as a governor and Canada and existing only because the United States 75 times.
CSIS will recommend to Canadian Armed Forces High Command to immediately put all Canadian Armed Forces units on high alert.
CSIS will continue to monitor and report on the situation.
The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: CANADA/THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND PRESIDENT ORVILLE GRUMP
Canada, Venezuela and Greenland have in common they were to benefit beyond belief, according to President Orville Grump and the United States, from being annexed by the United States as the 51st state.
The effect of this annexation threat was a boon for Canadian nationalism causing Canadians Canadian to rally against the Presidential threat.
Coupled with this threat was a fabrication Canada was the source of truckloads of fentanyl, manufactured in China, murdering thousands of Americans. Statistics from each country’s border authority made Grump’s statement a pie faced lie but it enabled him to declare an emergency and levy punishing tariffs on Canadian aluminum, steel, autos and lumber such tariffs being paid for by American consumers. There was little power vested in Canada to strike back tit for tat.
There was nothing more Grump would prefer than the smashing of the Canadian economy; to bring it on its knees.
As you may recall Madame Fong’ great grandfather and many other Chinese emigrated to Canada in the 1870s to build the final leg of the national railway system in British Columbia where they suffered abuse and exploitation and in Fong’s great grandfather murdered by a rogue railway official never prosecuted for the murder. Madame Fong hated Canada perhaps to the point of obsession. What on earth could she do to implement her obsession? Could President Orville Grump be of use?
The Singapore Times Exclusive: THE ABDUCTION OF RORY DYLAN STEPHEN: MURDER ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND PRESIDENT ORVILLE GRUMP
Remember that otherwise badly burnt food does not stick to Teflon.
The President of the United States, Orville Grump, rattled his sabre, rusty as it was, at just about anyone or any country. Erratically a friend today, a real nice country, a great country then 24 hours later an enemy of the United States where a deal was required for the unilateral benefit of the United States.
Most egregious, at least for the moment, was Grump’s threat to annex The Land of the Igloo People, that’s Canada, as the 51st state of the United States. Grump’s mathematical ability might have been impaired as Greenland and Venezuela were simultaneously to be the 51st state.
Canadians were furious with this threat and a huge domestic promotion campaign of purchasing Canadian goods and services (over American ones) mushroomed in Canada and in some Canadian provinces the sale of American alcohol was banned seriously damaging the economies of California and Kentucky. Travel by Canadians to the United States plummeted hammering New York State, California, Florida, New Jersey and Maine great benefactors of Canadian tourism.
Then there was the Grumpian tariff obsession hammering Canadian aluminum, steel, autos and lumber. Canada, as a mouse, sleeps next to an elephant, the United States so when it turns over look out. China was singled out as an all-devil force flooding the market with “cheap trash”. Yes, economic efficiency touted and practiced by the United States one might say was “taken over” by China. What was good for goose was not good for the gander!
Personal insults by Grump directed toward China were continual with accusations China was the cause and superspreader of “The Kung Flu” and references to the President of China as “Hop Sing” and to China as the “Land of Chop Suey”.
Through imaginary facts and figures Canada was labelled as the killer of thousands of Americans by flooding the United States with oceans of fentanyl all originating from China.
Did Grump really hate Canada or was it “deal strategy”?
Wasn’t it interesting Madame Fong hated Canada for the murder of her migrant from China great grandfather “murdered by the white railroad mob” while building Canada’s national rail line in the mid 1800’s? Bobby Fong Jr. related this murder story to me weeks ago but the investigators of Sir Reginald Nicomshire’s murder failed to unearth this hatred.
Could it be that both Madame Fong and Grump wanted to destroy Canada and could there possibly be a link of this hatred to the Death of Sir Reginald Nicomshire?
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