bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A political action against popular opinion
Authors: Pujante David , Morales-López Esperanza
Published: June 2008

This paper analyses the last speech delivered in the Spanish Parliament (on 2 December 2003) by President Aznar, in which he attempts to discursively uphold the reasons for his decision to support Bushs Administration (although with a small number of troops), and prove his interpretation of events. This speech is the richest in symbolism: it was made after the end of the war and no weapons of mass destruction were found, and also because it took place several hours after the funeral service for seven Spanish intelligence agents, murdered in Iraq.

Our theoretical and methodological background is an eclectic position based on different approaches such as Critical Discourse Analysis, International Sociolinguistics, and Rhetoric (mainly a theory of argumentation), among others. However, in order to analyse a particular type of discourse, it is the text itself which guides the direction of this analysis and leads us to rely to a greater or lesser extent on a specific theoretical or methodological approach.

The analysis reveals that Aznar builds three ideological meanings (or frames) in order to justify his ideological positioning given the socio-political situation of the moment: (1) Terrorism currently represents a global threat of which ETA is just one of many examples; (2) The mission carried out by Spanish troops in Iraq is part of a universal mission, led by the United Nations; and (3) ThePartido PopularGovernment has the clearest insight into our destiny as a nation, and will lead us unequivocally towards it (the return to Spanish nationalism).
Discourse structure and political performance in adversarial parliamentary questioning
Authors: Fenton-Smith Ben
Published: June 2008

One of the most high-profile and glamorous speech situations to occur in many parliamentary democracies around the world is the spectacle of Question Time. Whereas most of what goes on in parliament may be drab, perfunctory and arcane, Question Time is often dramatic, adversarial, and highly publicised. It is, generally, the only parliamentary procedure to be televised and stands out in the public mind as one of the primary tests of a politicians ability to perform. But how might this performance be judged? Strangely, there has been little systematic linguistic research into the characteristic ways in which this political theatre is stage-managed by its actors. Using the Australian federal parliament as a case study, this paper attempts to elucidate some of the patterns that emerge from a close analysis of all opposition questions directed to government members over a weeks sitting of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Utilising the tools of systemic functional grammar, recurring discourse structures are identified as standard techniques of formal interrogation between political parties.
The limits of objective reporting
Authors: Cohen-Almagor Raphael
Published: June 2008

The aim of this study is to scrutinize the assumption that objective reporting is good reporting, is ethical reporting. I do this by reflecting on different dimensions that are associated with the concept of objectivity: (1) accuracy; (2) truthfulness; (3) fairness and balance, and (4) moral neutrality. It is asserted that in many cases journalists are not objective in their reporting either because they consciously prefer not to be or because they are being manipulated by their sources. I close by asserting that the values of not harming others and respecting others should play a prominent part in the considerations of journalists. These are basic ethical standards that sometimes requirenormativereporting. Consequently, morally neutral coverage of hate speech and racism is a bad idea. It is a false and wrong conception. Subjectivity is preferable to objectivity when the media cover illiberal and anti-democratic phenomena.
Skopos and beyond
Authors: Martín de León Celia
Published: June 2008

This paper deals with the main results of a systematic investigation (Martín 2005), supported by concordance analysis, of the metaphorical expressions found in Reiß-Vermeer (1984) andHolz-Mänttäri (1984), two works that in the 1980s established the theoretical foundations of German functionalism. Based on the cognitive theory of metaphor (Lakoff and Johnson 1980, 1999;Lakoff 1987;Johnson 1987;Lakoff 1993), the analysis led to the identification of two conceptual metaphors that played a crucial role in the articulation of German functionalism: the TRANSFER metaphor and the TARGET metaphor. The paper focuses on the main implications of the use of these metaphors and on the contradictions they create. A broadening of the functionalist theoretical framework is then proposed with the goal of overcoming these contradictions.
Outlining a new linguistic theory of translation
Authors: Morini Massimiliano
Published: June 2008

In the following article, an outline of a new linguistic theory of translation is given that can be of use to theorists and practitioners alike. The linguistic theories of the 1950s and 1960s were too normative and a-contextual to account for all the forms and aspects of translation; while the ‘skeptical turn’ of Translation Studies has succeeded in unmasking the ideological quality of all theories, but cannot produce a ‘cybernetics’ of translation, an account of how translation is materially done. A new linguistic approach can produce such a practical account, provided that the pragmatic level of analysis is given a prominent role and that a touch of non-scientific skepticism is maintained.
Salim al Dawudi and the beginnings of translation into Arabic of Modern Hebrew Literature
Authors: Kayyal Mahmoud
Published: June 2008

This article deals with the beginnings of the translation of Modern Hebrew literature into Arabic, and at the same time with the beginnings of Arabic literary writing by Jewish intellectuals. We will focus on Salim al-Dawudi’s translation of the first Hebrew novel, Avraham Mapu’sAhavat Tsiyon[The love of Zion] (1853), one of the most important texts to advocate the renewal of ties between Jews and Palestine. Al-Dawudi’s translation was published in Egypt in two non-identical editions in 1899 and 1921–1922, and is probably the first Arabic translation of Modern Hebrew literature. When he declared that his translation was designed to remind his people that Hebrew was a living language, al-Dawudi accorded his translation Jewish national aspirations, which is perhaps the reason for the mixed aims of his translation’s policy. On the one hand, there are phenomena that illustrate his desire to be accepted in the target culture, such as neglect of the integrity of the text, raising its stylistic register, preserving the ethical norms of the source text and even a tendency to paraphrase. On the other hand, there are places that display over-consideration of the source language and text, such as numerous deviations from the standard linguistic, syntactical and grammatical rules of Arabic, preservation of elements unique to Jewish culture and a multitude of Hebrew interferences in the Arabic translation. This unsystematic behavior apparently reflects a lack of literary skills, deep admiration of the source text (and language), and the fact that the translation was addressed mainly to a Jewish audience.
Translating into a new LSP
Authors: Vlachopoulos Stefanos
Published: June 2008

This paper deals with the translation of the English-language Common Law legislation of the Republic of Cyprus into Greek. The legislation introduced to Cyprus in 1935 was common law codified by the British for use in the colonies. The aim of the paper is threefold: (a) to research the historical background and highlight the communicative implications for a community where the language of the law is not the mother tongue of the people, (b) to reconstruct the methods the translators applied when they translated the Law of Civil Wrongs from English into Greek within the common law framework of the Republic of Cyprus, and (c) to establish how the actual process of translation affected the target LSP.
The Circumscribed Infinites Scheme (CIS)
Authors: García Adolfo Martín
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, it seeks to introduce and explain the CIS (Circumscribed Infinites Scheme), a deconstructive scheme for translating poetry; and, on the other, it aims at analyzing the scheme’s impact on the translation into English of a variety of poems by Jorge Luis Borges. Devised by the present author, who is also responsible for the translations analyzed, the CIS is a translational scheme whereby meaning is understood as an inexhaustible textual effect, and which, in its theoretical elucidation, seeks to raise the practicing translator’s awareness of the control he or she might have over the degree of infinite exegetic circumscription—and subsequent infinite exegetic recreation—during the translation process.
A missing link in Itamar Even-Zohar’s theoretical thinking
Authors: Chang Nam Fung
Published: June 2008

According to Itamar Even-Zohar, for a large social entity to be maintained, a culture repertoire must be invented to create internal cohesion and external differentiation, and from this repertoire certain items are chosen to build a collective identity. In contrast, imported items, if regarded as threats to this identity, may meet with resistance. This theory may shed light on Even-Zohar’s hypotheses that the “normal” position assumed by translated literature in the literary polysystem tends to be a peripheral one, and that translation tends towards acceptability when it is at the periphery.
Seasonal aspects of weight-for-age in young children in Zimbabwe
Authors: Wright Jim , Vazé P , Russell G , Gundry SW , Ferro-Luzzi A , Mucavele P , Nyatsanza J
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To identify the season with the highest prevalence of underweight among young children and to examine geographical variation in seasonality of underweight.

Design:

This analysis is based on monthly data from a clinic-based growth monitoring programme that forms part of the National Health Information System. A regression-based technique is used to identify seasonal patterns in both underweight prevalence and attendance nationally and in 60 different districts.

Setting:

The analysis covers the period 1988–1995 and is based in Zimbabwe.

Subjects:

The analysis is based on weight-for-age measurements of Zimbabwean children less than 5 years old, who attended health centres as part of a growth monitoring programme.

Results:

Nationally, a small but significant increase in levels of underweight takes place during January–March. Participation in growth monitoring also varies seasonally and could account for the increase observed. No evidence of seasonal variation in underweight prevalence is found in the majority of districts studied, although 11 of the districts showed a similar pattern to the national data set. This peak in the incidence of poor nutritional status also coincides with the period of food scarcity before harvest, which is also associated with higher prevalence of diarrhoea and malaria. No differences in seasonality of under-nutrition were found between districts with predominantly subsistence agriculture and those with more commercial forms of agriculture.

Conclusions:

Seasonal variation in child weight-for-age exists in some parts of Zimbabwe, but its effects on cross-sectional prevalence studies are likely to be small. There are no readily discernible differences between areas that show evidence of seasonality in levels of underweight and those that do not.
Vitamin and mineral nutrition for the health and development of the children of Europe
Authors: Tomkins Andrew
Published: June 2008

Most European countries are now affected by demographic transition and changing epidemiology of disease; the nutrition of children is increasingly recognised as crucial for present and future health. Adequate dietary intake and nutritional status among children are important for their own growth, development and function but there is now increasing evidence that childhood nutrition also influences adult health. Intrauterine nutrition influences adult morbidity and mortality, but the childhood diet and nutritional status modify the increased risk of being born small. Thus, childhood diet needs to be taken more seriously in order to improve a nation's health as well as producing bright, active children. A key factor is the recognition that nutritional interventions at different stages of the life cycle are necessary if childhood nutrition is to improve. The mosaic pattern of the geography and social structure of communities in Europe produces ‘poverty’ and ‘consumer’ related nutrition patterns - often side by side. At one extreme, there is an urgent need to prevent obesity; while at the other extreme serious attention is required towards the prevention of deficiency disorders, mostly related to poverty and social exclusion. Few European governments take childhood nutrition at all seriously. This paper reviews a number of micronutrient issues and makes the case for the development of evidence-based policies and programmes for improving the nutrition of children in Europe.
Using isothiocyanate excretion as a biological marker of Brassica vegetable consumption in epidemiological studies: evaluating the sources of variability
Authors: Fowke Jay H , Fahey Jed W , Stephenson Katherine K , Hebert James R
Published: June 2008

Objective:

Brassica vegetable consumption (e.g. broccoli) leads to excretion of isothiocyanates (ITC) in urine. We evaluated the consistency of ITC as a biomarker for dietary Brassica vegetable consumption across the types of vegetables and methods of preparation used in Western societies, and across consumption levels.

Design:

A single-armed behavioural intervention with duplicate baseline assessment and post-intervention assessment. Urinary ITC excretion and estrogen metabolites were measured from 24-hour urine samples. Dietary intake was measured by a 24-hour recall.

Setting:

The behavioural intervention facilitated daily Brassica intake among participants by providing peer support, food preparation instruction, guided practice in a teaching kitchen, and other information.

Subjects:

Thirty-four healthy free-living postmenopausal women who recently had a negative screening mammogram at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Results:

Urinary ITC excretion and total Brassica intake followed the same pattern over the intervention. The ITC biomarker significantly predicted Brassica intake when Brassica consumption averaged about 100 g day−1, but not when Brassica consumption averaged about 200 g day−1. Urinary ITC levels were somewhat higher when more raw vegetables were consumed as compared to lightly cooked vegetables, while the types of Brassica consumed appeared to have only a small, non-significant effect on urinary ITC levels.

Conclusion:

Urinary ITC excretion would be a good exposure biomarker among populations regularly consuming a vegetable serving/day, but may be less accurate among populations with greater intake levels or a wide range of cooking practices.
Habitual diet in four populations of African origin: a descriptive paper on nutrient intakes in rural and urban Cameroon, Jamaica and Caribbean migrants in Britain
Authors: Mennen Louise I , Jackson Maria , Sharma Sangita , Mbanya Jean-Claude N , Cade Janet , Walker Susan , Riste Lisa , Wilks Rainford , Forrester Terrence , Balkau Beverly , Cruickshank Kennedy
Published: June 2008

Background:

The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing in West Africa, the Caribbean and its migrants to Britain. This trend may be due to the transition in the habitual diet, with increasing (saturated) fat and decreasing fruit and vegetable intakes, both within and between countries.

Objective:

We have tested this hypothesis by comparing habitual diet in four African-origin populations with a similar genetic background at different stages in this transition.

Design:

The study populations included subjects from rural Cameroon (n=743), urban Cameroon (n=1042), Jamaica (n=857) and African–Caribbeans in Manchester, UK (n=243), all aged 25–74 years. Habitual diet was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire, specifically developed for each country separately.

Results:

Total energy intake was greatest in rural Cameroon and lowest in Manchester for all age/sex groups. A tendency towards the same pattern was seen for carbohydrates, protein and total fat intake. Saturated and polyunsaturated fat intake and alcohol intake were highest in rural Cameroon, and lowest in Jamaica, with the intakes in the UK lower than those in urban Cameroon. The percentage of energy from total fat was higher in rural and urban Cameroon than in Jamaica and the UK for all age/sex groups. The opposite was seen for percentage of energy from carbohydrate intake, the intake being highest in Jamaica and lowest in rural Cameroon. The percentage of energy from protein increased gradually from rural Cameroon to the UK.

Conclusions:

These results do not support our hypothesis that carbohydrate intake increased, while (saturated) fat intake decreased, from rural Cameroon to the UK.
A combination of statistical methods for the analysis of the relative validation data of the quantitative food frequency questionnaire used in the THUSA study
Authors: MacIntyre UE , Venter CS , Vorster HH , Steyn HS
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To apply structural equation modelling (SEM) and estimation of variance components to the relative validation data obtained from the quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) used in the Transition, Health and Urbanisation in South Africa (THUSA) study.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

A community-based field study in an African population conducted during 1996.

Subjects:

Residents of the North West Province, South Africa, aged between 15 and 65 years.

Methods:

Relative validity of the QFFQ was tested against 7-day weighed food records, 24-hour urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion and estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR). SEM and estimation of variance components were applied to the log-transformed energy, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C intakes. UN excretion was used as a biomarker in the application of the SEM to protein and estimated BMR to energy intakes.

Results:

Constant bias (αQ) derived by the SEM varied from 0.85 (vitamin C) to 5.8 (energy). There was significant proportional bias for all nutrients except vitamin C. Validation coefficients (ρ(Q,T)) varied from 0.3 (fat, calcium, iron) to 0.7 (vitamin C). The inclusion of estimated BMR in the SEM for energy increased ρ(Q,T) from 0.38 to 0.42. The estimation of variance components gave slightly lower correlations for the relationship between intakes from the QFFQ and the unknown true intake.

Conclusions:

Robust statistical methods were successfully applied in a relative validation study for a QFFQ in an African population. Estimated BMR as a biomarker for energy intake produced more meaningful results than UN excretion as a biomarker for protein intake.
A culture-sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire used in an African population: 1. Development and reproducibility
Authors: MacIntyre UE , Venter CS , Vorster HH
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To develop and assess the reproducibility of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) sensitive to the culture of the African population of the North West Province, South Africa.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

A community-based field study in a population stratified according to level of urbanization from deep rural to urban upper class.

Subjects:

A total of 144 (99 women and 45 men) residents of the North West Province, aged between 15 and 65 years, participated in the study.

Methods:

A culture-sensitive, 145-item interviewer-administered QFFQ was designed to cover the whole diet. Portion sizes were estimated from a food portion photograph book (FPPB) showing foods in three portion sizes. The QFFQ was administered twice, 6–12 weeks apart.

Results:

Spearman rank correlation coefficients between the two administrations varied from 0.14 for calcium to 0.75 for alcohol. The mean percentage difference between intakes was 8.5 (standard deviation = 9.9). Energy, protein, carbohydrate and calcium gave differences within 10%. Few significant differences among correlation coefficients or percentage difference for gender, age group or strata of urbanization were present. Bland–Altman plots showed significant proportional bias for protein, fibre and vitamin C. More than 70% of the participants were classified into adjacent quintiles for all nutrients. For food groups, correlation coefficients ranged from 0.25 for milk to 0.45 for vegetable and maize meal groups and 80% of participants were classified into adjacent quintiles.

Conclusions:

The QFFQ appeared to be a reproducible dietary intake assessment instrument.
A culture-sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire used in an African population: 2. Relative validation by 7-day weighed records and biomarkers
Authors: MacIntyre UE , Venter CS , Vorster HH
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To determine the relative validity of the culture-sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) developed for the Transition, Health and Urbanisation in South Africa (THUSA) study by 7-day weighed food records, urinary nitrogen excretion and basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

A community-based study in a population stratified according to level of urbanization.

Subjects:

Residents of the North West Province, South Africa, aged between 15 and 65 years. The weighed food record study comprised 74 participants while 104 participants collected 24-hour urine samples.

Methods:

All participants were interviewed using the QFFQ. For the weighed food record study, participants kept detailed weighed food diaries for seven consecutive days. For the urinary nitrogen study, participants made one 24-hour urine collection. Completeness of the urine collections was checked against 240 mg para-aminobenzoic acid. BMR was estimated by the Schofield equations.

Results:

Spearman rank correlation coefficients between the QFFQ and weighed food record ranged between 0.14 (fibre) and 0.59 (vitamin C). The QFFQ tended to underestimate intakes compared with the weighed records. Quintile distributions were similar for both methods. The correlation between urinary nitrogen excretion and dietary intake was poor. Possible underreporting was identified for 43% of the participants with the QFFQ and 28% with the weighed food record.

Conclusions:

The QFFQ appeared to be a relatively valid instrument for the assessment of dietary intakes of the population of the North West Province. The use of biomarkers in this population was difficult and needs further investigation.
A brief dietary assessment instrument for assessing target foods, nutrients and eating patterns
Authors: Neuhouser Marian L , Patterson Ruth E , Kristal Alan R , Eldridge Alison L , Vizenor Nancy C
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To develop and validate a new dietary assessment tool, the focused recall, and to use this to measure co-consumption of carotenoid-containing fruits and vegetables with savory snacks.

Design:

Participants completed a telephone-administered focused recall and a 24-hour recall on the same day. We compared mean estimates of fruit, vegetable, savory snack and carotenoid consumption from both instruments. We also assessed the ability of each method to measure co-consumption of carotenoids with full-fat, reduced/non-fat and olestra-containing savory snacks.

Setting and subjects:

Data are from 245 male and 244 female adult participants in the Olestra Post-Marketing Surveillance Study (OPMSS).

Results:

The mean (± SD) intake of fruit was 1.8 (1.1) servings day−1 from the focused recall and 1.6 (1.4) servings day−1 from the 24-hour recall (r = 0.56). The mean vegetable intake was 2.1 (1.3) and 2.2 (1.7) servings day−1 (r = 0.42), respectively, from each instrument. Estimates of total carotenoid and β-carotene intake were within 5% of each other (r = 0.63 for total carotenoids and r = 0.70 for β-carotene). Both instruments estimated that approximately 14% of total daily carotenoids were co-consumed with savory snacks (r = 0.63).

Conclusions:

The focused recall provides valid information about fruit, vegetable and savory snack consumption and allows researchers to examine associated eating patterns more easily.
Dietary beliefs in the Baltic republics
Authors: Pomerleau Joceline , McKee Martin , Robertson Aileen , Kadziauskiene Kamelija , Abaravicius Algis , Bartkeviciute Roma , Vaask Sirje , Pudule Iveta , Grinberga Daiga
Published: June 2008

Objectives

As beliefs and knowledge about the possible effects of foods on health can influence food behaviours, this study examined selected dietary beliefs in the Baltic countries and the association of beliefs related to salt intake and to types of fat with food behaviours.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data from three surveys conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the summer of 1997 were used to describe the prevalence of dietary beliefs in these countries and to investigate the association between beliefs and behaviours (using logistic regression).

Subjects

Representative national samples of adults were selected in each country (Estonia,n=2018; Latvia,n=2308; Lithuania,n=2153).

Results

Misunderstood concepts (myths) related to dietary salt, types of fat, meat consumption and bread and potatoes were observed in high proportions of the population. Education level was an important correlate of beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat, people with a higher education level being more likely to be familiar with these issues. Correct beliefs were not consistently associated with healthier behaviours (e.g. less frequent use of salt at the table and use of non-animal fats for cooking), except for salt intake in Estonia.

Conclusions

Several misunderstood dietary concepts (myths) are still prevalent in the Baltic countries. Correct beliefs related to salt intake and types of fat were not consistent predictors of healthier food behaviours. In-depth qualitative investigations are needed to better describe and understand dietary beliefs and attitudes in the Baltic countries, and to identify barriers to the adoption of healthy food habits.
PrimeScreen, a brief dietary screening tool: reproducibility and comparability with both a longer food frequency questionnaire and biomarkers
Authors: Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L , Willett Walter C , Lobb Rebecca , Kotch Jamie , Dart Charles , Gillman Matthew W
Published: June 2008

Objective

Diet is an important determinant of health outcomes, but physicians have few ways to identify persons with suboptimal diets. The purposes of this study were to examine the reproducibility of a short dietary assessment questionnaire (PrimeScreen) and to compare its results with those of a longer food frequency questionnaire and with plasma levels of selected nutrients.

Design

Each subject completed two PrimeScreen questionnaires at an interval of 2 weeks and one full length, 131-item, semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ), and had a sample of blood drawn. We compared the PrimeScreen with two reference standards, the SFFQ and plasma levels of selected nutrients.

Setting

A large managed care organization in New England.

Subjects

A total of 160 men and women, aged 19–65 years, participated.

Results

For foods and food groups, the mean correlation coefficient (r) was 0.70 for reproducibility and 0.61 for comparability with the SFFQ. For nutrients, the mean r was 0.74 for reproducibility and 0.60 for comparability with the SFFQ. No substantial differences were evident by sex, race, body mass index, occupation or education. Correlation coefficients for the comparison of vitamin E, β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin intakes from the PrimeScreen with plasma levels were 0.33, 0.43 and 0.43, respectively. These values were similar to those comparing the SFFQ with plasma levels. The median time to complete PrimeScreen was 5 min; 87% of participants required fewer than 10 min.

Conclusions

A quick way to assess quality of diet among adults, PrimeScreen has adequate reproducibility and its results compare well with a longer food frequency questionnaire and biomarkers.
Agreement between a brief food frequency questionnaire and diet records using two statistical methods
Authors: Ambrosini GL , de Klerk NH , Musk AW , Mackerras D
Published: June 2008

Objective

To compare intra- and inter-method reliability of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed specifically to measure beta carotene (BC) and retinol intake, using two methods – the limits of agreement (LOA) and the correlation coefficient.

Design

A cross-sectional study of dietary intake.

Setting

A randomized trial of vitamin A supplements in 2769 subjects with past asbestos exposure.

Subjects

Data from 57 men and 26 women, aged 28–72 years, living in Western Australia.

Methods

The FFQ was administered at baseline (FFQ1) and repeated 1 year later (FFQ2). Four 1-week diet records (DRs) were completed during the year.

Results

Mean agreement between FFQ2 and FFQ1 was 120% for BC and 98% for retinol. LOA were 47–306% and 21–459%, respectively. Mean agreement between FFQ2 and the DR was 149% for BC and 63% for retinol; LOA were 50–447% and 11–349%, respectively. Mean agreement and LOA varied across energy intakes. Between the DR and FFQ2, correlation coefficients were 0.36 for BC and 0.51 for retinol. These varied considerably across age, gender and energy intakes and were not in accordance with limits of agreement findings.

Conclusion

Although correlation coefficients were positive and significant, there was less than ideal intra-method and inter-method reliability shown by the limits of agreement method. Bias was uneven across the range of intakes, the LOA were wide and, compared with the DR, the FFQ significantly over-estimated BC and under-estimated retinol. This shows the limitations of calculating correlation coefficients alone, for assessing reliability and validity.
What do users of reduced-fat dairy products know about the fat in their diets?
Authors: Harper Stephanie , Rutishauser Ingrid HE
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To assess the fat intake and knowledge about the fat content of foods consumed by a sample of self reported users of reduced-fat dairy products.

Design

Cross-sectional study of a population-based sample of women shoppers.

Setting

A small, rural town (population approximately 6000) in central Victoria, Australia.

Subjects

Seventy-eight women aged 25–50 years, who regularly used at least one reduced-fat dairy product.

Results

Mean reported intake of total fat was lower while intake of dairy fat was similar to that of a national sample of women of the same age both in the whole sample and when under-reporters were excluded. The ability to identify major sources of fat in the diet as reported appeared to be limited. Less than half of the subjects were able to correctly estimate the fat content of reduced-fat dairy products relative to regular products and about one quarter of subjects reported replacing one kind of oil or fat with another as a strategy to reduce fat intake. Subjects were generally aware of the need to ‘eat less fat’ but few could articulate specific recommendations. A number of subjects reported using low fat diets to control their weight but few subjects appeared to understand the connection between fat intake and energy intake.

Conclusions

The findings of this study raise important questions about how nutrition advice is understood and implemented by consumers, particularly the message to reduce fat intake and the role of energy balance in weight management. They also highlight the difficulty of interpreting information on food intake, in subjects who have modified their diet by reducing intake of specific foods.
A household food inventory for North American Chinese
Authors: Satia Jessie A , Patterson Ruth E , Kristal Alan R , Hislop T Gregory , Pineda Michele
Published: June 2008

Objective

To determine whether a short set of questions about foods in the household can provide information about the fat-related dietary behaviour of individual household members in less-acculturated Chinese populations.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Participants

The study population included 244 adult females of Chinese ethnicity in Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Setting

Bilingual interviewers collected information on the presence of 14 high-fat foods and seven reduced-fat foods in the household. Respondents were also asked about the consumption of foods and behaviour reflective of adoption of Western dietary practices, fat-related dietary behaviour, changes in consumption of high-fat foods since immigration, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Although this was a less-acculturated sample, many households had Western foods such as butter (58%), lunchmeats (36%), snack chips (43%), and 1% or skim milk (48%). Households with respondents who were younger, married, employed outside the home, and lived with young children had significantly more high-fat foods, while high education and longer percentage of life in North America were significantly associated with having more reduced-fat foods (P≤ = 0.05). Participants living in households with more high-fat foods had higher-fat dietary behaviour than those with fewer high-fat foods (fat-related dietary behaviour score, 1.54 versus 1.28;P< 0.001). Women in households with more reduced-fat foods had a significantly decreased consumption of high-fat foods since immigration compared with those in households with fewer reduced-fat foods (P< 0.001). Western dietary acculturation was higher among women in households both with more high-fat foods and more reduced-fat food counterparts (P≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Our inventory of household foods was strongly associated with current dietary behaviour, changes in food consumption, and westernization of dietary patterns. This simple, practical measure may be a useful alternative dietary assessment tool in less-acculturated Chinese populations.
Vitamin supplement use and breast cancer in a North Carolina population
Authors: Moorman Patricia G , Ricciuti Mary F , Millikan Robert C , Newman Beth
Published: June 2008

Objective:

Laboratory data suggest that several different vitamins may inhibit the growth of mammary cancers, however epidemiologic data on the relationship between vitamin supplement use and breast cancer are inconsistent. We examined the association between self-reported vitamin supplement use and breast cancer among black women and white women.

Design and setting:

The data came from a population-based, case–control study conducted in North Carolina between 1993 and 1996. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for breast cancer associated with the use of multivitamins or individual vitamin supplements.

Subjects:

Eligible cases were aged 20 to 74, and approximately 40% of the study population were black women. The analyses included 861 cases and 790 controls.

Results:

Among all women, there was little evidence for an association between any vitamin supplement and breast cancer. Modest inverse associations were observed among white women for use of multivitamins (OR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–1.12), vitamin C (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.54–1.14) and vitamin E (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.49–1.13). There was no evidence that vitamin supplements reduced the risk of breast cancer among black women.

Conclusions:

This study provided very limited support for the hypothesis that vitamin supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Although dietary factors are likely an important influence in breast cancer aetiology, reductions in risk are most likely to be achieved through dietary modification rather than through vitamin supplementation.
Maternal knowledge, attitude and practice regarding folic acid intake during the periconceptional period
Authors: Sen S , Manzoor A , Deviasumathy M , Newton Cindy
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To study the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding periconceptional folic acid (FA) intake.

Design:

Questionnaire-based prospective study.

Setting:

Antenatal clinic of a District General Hospital.

Subjects:

Three-hundred pregnant women in an antenatal clinic.

Results:

Nearly all (298/300) had heard of FA. A majority (275/300, 91%) knew that FA could prevent neural tube defects, and married women (P <0.001), those with higher education (P <0.001), those of Social Classes 1–3 (P <0.01) and women over 30 years of age (P <0.05) were more likely to be thus aware. Knowledge about the correct timing of FA intake was seen in 76% and was more likely in those with higher education (P <0.001), married women (P <0.001) and women age over 30 years (P <0.05). Intake of FA in the periconceptional period was seen in 134/300 (44.6%) women and was most likely in the married, Social Classes 1–3, women with higher education (all P <0.001), non-smokers (P <0.01), women with a planned pregnancy and women aged 30 years and over (P <0.05).

Conclusions:

The knowledge of the correct timing of FA intake was present in only 76%. Less than half (44.6%) had taken FA in the periconceptional period, and this was far more common in the more ‘privileged’ classes. Low socio-economic status, age less than 30 years, lower educational status and unplanned pregnancy were high risk factors for not taking FA. The challenge to the medical profession for targeting this group cannot be over-emphasised.
Ecological variation of intake of cassava food and dietary cyanide load in Nigerian communities
Authors: Onabolu AO , Oluwole OSA , Bokanga M , Rosling H
Published: June 2008

Aim:

To study the ecological variation of intake of cassava foods and dietary cyanide load.

Design:

Ecological study design.

Setting:

Five communities in south-western Nigeria where tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN) was described as endemic (area A), 11 communities in south-western Nigeria where TAN was described as absent (area B), and five communities in northern Nigeria (area C).

Subjects:

Subjects were randomly sampled from selected communities. Intake of cassava foods was estimated from dietary history and dietary cyanide load was estimated from urine thiocyanate concentrations. Residual cyanogens in cassava food samples from the community markets were determined.

Results:

In total, 1272 subjects from 21 communities – 238 from area A, 659 from area B and 375 from area C – were selected. Intake of cassava food per person per week was 17 meals in area A, 10 meals in area B, and one meal in area C. Geometrical mean urine thiocyanate concentrations were 73 μmol l−1, 51 μmol l−1 and 17 μmol l−1 in areas A, B and C, respectively. Mean residual cyanogen content in cassava food samples was 16 mg HCN eq kg−1 (confidence interval (CI) 13–18) in area A, and 13 mg HCN eq kg−1 in area B (CI 11–14).

Conclusion:

This study shows that the intake of cassava foods and dietary cyanide load is high in several communities in south-western Nigeria, predominantly in communities where TAN has been reported. Dietary cyanide load in these communities appears to be determined by the combination of frequency of intake and cyanogen content of cassava foods. Measures to improve the effectiveness of removal of cyanogen from cassava roots during processing are needed in the affected communities.
Is the link between nutrients and foods understood? The case of fibre and folate
Authors: Cashel KM , Crawford D , Deakin V , Talbot B
Published: June 2008

Objectives:

To assess and contrast awareness of the link between dietary fibre and folate and their major food sources (fruit, vegetables, bread and cereals).

Design and setting:

Mailed questionnaire investigating changes made to dietary intake of fibre, folate, fruit, vegetables, bread and cereals in the previous six months.

Setting:

The survey was conducted between June and November 1998 in the Australian Capital Territory.

Subjects:

One thousand one hundred and twenty-six adults randomly selected from the electoral roll.

Results:

More women than men in both older (50 + years) and younger (18–49 years) age groups reported increasing their consumption of folate, fibre, fruit and vegetables in the prior six months. In contrast, more men than women reported increased consumption of bread, cereals, rice and pasta in the previous six months. For food categories and fibre, less than 4% of respondents were unsure about changes in these food habits. However, 26% of men and women were ‘not sure’ about changes to folate intake. Similar proportions of men and women (about 33%) reported consuming more fruit, vegetables or cereal-based foods over the prior six months, yet only 6% of these men and 14% of these women reported consuming more folate. In contrast, 44% of men and 51% of women who reported consuming more plant foods also reported consuming more dietary fibre.

Conclusions:

The results suggested that subjects, particularly the younger age group, had a poor understanding of the relationship between folate intake and its major food sources. The understanding of the relationship between fibre intake and its food sources appeared substantial, but confusion about specific food sources was still evident. These outcomes question the effectiveness of nutrition education used to date, particularly for the current priority of increasing folate intake in younger women in the new, ‘health claims’ environment.
Cattle eradication and malnutrition in under five's: a natural experiment in Botswana
Authors: Boonstra Eelco , Lindbæk Morten , Fidzani Boga , Bruusgaard Dag
Published: June 2008

Background:

An outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in the northern part of Botswana in 1996 was contained through eradication of all heads of cattle in Ngamiland district (Ngami East and West) in the period April 1996 to February 1997. This disaster posed a serious threat to those who depended on the livestock sector for sustenance and to the nutrition security of the population, especially the under five's.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the cattle eradication on the nutritional status of children.

Method:

A secondary analysis of existing data from the Botswana National Nutrition Surveillance System enabled us to study the impact of this disaster on malnutrition in the under five's by comparing quarterly malnutrition rates for Ngami East with national figures for the period of January 1995 to March 1998.

Results:

While the risk for malnutrition among under five's in Ngami East increased from 0.046 to 0.105 during the study period, giving a relative risk of 2.299, the increase in risk for Botswana was from 0.133 to 0.139, giving a relative risk of 1.048. The attributable risk for cattle eradication impact on malnutrition was 4.6% for Botswana and 54.4% for Ngami East.

Conclusion:

The cattle eradication impacted seriously on the food and nutrition security of the under five's in Ngami East, compared with the country as a whole.
Serum carotenoids and radiographic knee osteoarthritis: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project
Authors: De Roos Anneclaire J , Arab Lenore , Renner Jordan B , Craft Neal , Luta Gheorghe , Helmick Charles G , Hochberg Marc C , Jordan Joanne M
Published: June 2008

Objective:

Antioxidant intake has been associated with less progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA), but studies of carotenoid biomarkers and OA have not been done. We examined associations between serum concentrations of nine naturally occurring carotenoids and radiographic knee OA.

Design:

The study design was matched case–control. Sera were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography for nine carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin,trans- andcis-lycopene, α-carotene, andtrans- andcis-β-carotene. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between tertiles of each carotenoid and radiographic knee OA, independent of body mass index, education, serum cholesterol, and the other carotenoids.

Setting:

Johnston County, North Carolina, United States of America.

Subjects:

Two-hundred cases with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren–Lawrence grades ≥2) and 200 controls (Kellgren–Lawrence grade = 0) were randomly selected from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, and were matched on age, gender and race.

Results:

Participants with serum levels of lutein or β-cryptoxanthin in the highest tertile were approximately 70% less likely to have knee OA than controls {odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.28 [0.11, 0.73] and 0.36 [0.14, 0.95], respectively}. Those in the highest tertile oftrans-β-carotene (OR = 6.40 [1.86, 22.1]) and zeaxanthin (OR = 3.06 [1.19, 7.85]) were more likely to have knee OA.

Conclusions:

While certain carotenoids may protect against knee OA, others may increase the odds of knee OA. Further study of carotenoids and knee OA are warranted before clinical recommendations about these substances and knee OA can be made.
Diet, genetic susceptibility and carcinogenesis
Authors: Vineis Paolo
Published: June 2008

At least six types of gene–environment interactions (GEI) have been proposed (Kouhry and Wagener, 1993) In the first type, neither the environmental exposure (EE) nor the genetic risk factor (GRF) have any effect by themselves, but interaction between them causes disease. This is the case of phenylalanine exposure and the phenylketonuria genotype. Type 2 is a situation in which the GRF has no effect on disease in the absence of exposure, but exacerbates the effects of the latter. This is the most important type of GEI in relation to metabolic susceptibility genes and human carcinogenesis. The third type is the converse of the second (EE is ineffective per se, but enhances the effect of GRF). Type 4 occurs when both EE and GRF increase the risk for disease, but the combination is interactive or synergistic: an example is the interaction between Xeroderma Pigmentosum and UV radiation. Types 5 and 6, according to the classification proposed by Kouhry, refer to cases in which the GRF is protective.

The model of GEI that is emerging as the most important in chemical carcinogenesis refers to metabolic susceptibility genes. The general population can be divided into subgroups depending on their susceptibility to the action of carcinogens, based on their ability to metabolize such compounds to electrophilic, reactive metabolites (which form adducts with DNA), or, respectively, electrophobic metabolites that are excreted. The present contribution is a short review of the relevant literature, with particular emphasis on some polymorphisms involved in dietary exposures. In addition, the practical implications of genetic testing in this field are discussed.
Iodine deficiency disorders in Europe
Authors: Vitti Paolo , Rago Teresa , Aghini-Lombardi Fabrizio , Pinchera Aldo
Published: June 2008

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are related to the degree of iodine deficiency. In european countries, characterized by mild to moderate iodine deficiency, neurological deficits or minor neuropsychological impairments have been described. Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) ranged from 30 to 170 mcg/L, 141 millions of people were at risk of IDD, 97 millions were affected by goiter and 0.9 millions had an impaired mental development.

Iodine prophylaxis is devoid of adverse reactions with the exception of sporadic cases of transitory hyperthyroidism, associated to the severity of iodine deficiency before the prophylaxis. The International Council for Control of IDD recommends an universal iodine prophylaxis, instituted gradually in severe iodine deficient countries. The total cost of universal iodine prophylaxis is very cheap compared to the social cost of goiter and cretinism.

In conclusion, most european countries are still characterized by mild to moderate iodine deficiency. Iodine prophylaxis programs are already operating, its cost is irrelevant with respect to the undebatable beneficial impact on the health. Adverse effects are not observed except in severe iodine deficient areas where iodine intake was abruptly increased.