bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescents’ awareness and use of menu labels in eating establishments: results from a focus group study
Authors: Evans Alexandra E , Weiss Samantha R , Meath Kerry J , Chow Sherman , Vandewater Elizabeth A , Ness Roberta B
Published: July 2015

Objective

Menu labelling has been identified as a potential strategy to help individuals make healthier choices when eating out. Although adolescents eat out often, little research involving menu labelling has been conducted with this population. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) gather qualitative information from adolescents regarding use of menu labels when eating out; (ii) gather adolescents’ suggestions for optimal ways to design menu labels; and (iii) examine differences between adolescents living in communities of different socio-economic status.

Design

Qualitative. Five focus groups of five to ten participants.

Setting

Austin, TX, USA, 2012.

Subjects

Forty-one adolescents living in diverse communities recruited using a snowballing technique at public and private recreation centres (twenty-four females; twenty-two African American).

Results

Participants reported that menu labelling, in general, does not influence food selections when eating out. Among participants living in low-income communities, food purchases were based on price, taste and familiarity. Among participants living in high-income areas, food purchases were based on quality and ability to satiate (among boys). According to participants, effective ways to present menu labels are by matching calorie levels with physical activity equivalents or through simple graphics.

Conclusions

For adolescents, providing menu labels in their current format may not be an effective strategy to increase healthy food selection. Given that the current menu label format has been set by federal policy in the USA cannot be easily changed, research to determine how this format can be best presented or enhanced so that it can have an impact on all US sub-populations is warranted.
Socio-economic position as a moderator of 9–13-year-old children’s non-core food intake
Authors: Zarnowiecki Dorota M , Parletta Natalie , Dollman James
Published: July 2015

Objective

There is limited understanding as to why children of low socio-economic position (SEP) consume poorer diets than children of high SEP. Evidence suggests that determinants of dietary intake may differ between SEP groups. The present study aimed to determine if SEP moderated associations of personal and environmental predictors with children’s non-core food and sweetened drink intakes and unhealthy dietary behaviours.

Design

Children completed online questionnaires and parents completed computer-assisted telephone interviews to assess intrapersonal and environmental dietary predictors. Dietary intake was measured using an FFQ. Parents reported demographic information for maternal education, occupation and employment, and household income.

Setting

Twenty-six primary schools in South Australia, Australia.

Subjects

Children aged 9–13 years and their parents (n 395).

Results

Multiple personal and home environment factors predicted non-core food and sweetened drink intakes, and these associations were moderated by SEP. Maternal education moderated associations of girls’ sweetened drink intake with self-efficacy, cooking skills and pressure to eat, and boys’ non-core food intake with monitoring, parent’s self-efficacy and home environment. Maternal occupation and employment moderated associations of sweetened drink intake with attitudes, self-efficacy, pressure to eat and food availability, and non-core food intake with parents’ self-efficacy and monitoring. Income moderated associations with pressure to eat and home environment.

Conclusions

Identifying differences in dietary predictors between socio-economic groups informs understanding of why socio-economic gradients in dietary intake may occur. Tailoring interventions and health promotion to the particular needs of socio-economically disadvantaged children may produce more successful outcomes and reduce socio-economic disparities in dietary intake.
Farmers’ market shopping and dietary behaviours among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants
Authors: Jilcott Pitts Stephanie B , Wu Qiang , Demarest Chelsea L , Dixon Crystal E , Dortche Ciarra JM , Bullock Sally L , McGuirt Jared , Ward Rachel , Ammerman Alice S
Published: July 2015

Objective

Because farmers’ markets include a variety of fruits and vegetables, shopping at farmers’ markets would likely improve diet quality among low-income consumers, as well as promote sustainable direct farm-to-consumer business models. However, not much is known about how to promote farmers’ market shopping among low-income consumers. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper was to examine barriers to and facilitators of shopping at farmers’ markets and associations between shopping at farmers’ markets and self-reported dietary behaviours (fruit and vegetable, sugar-sweetened beverage and fast-food consumption) and BMI.

Design

Cross-sectional analyses of associations between farmers’ market shopping frequency, awareness of markets, access to markets, dietary behaviours and BMI.

Setting

Department of Social Services, Pitt County, eastern North Carolina, USA.

Subjects

Between April and July 2013, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (n205) completed a quantitative survey.

Results

Barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets included does not accept SNAP/electronic benefit transfer, out of the way and lack of transportation. Farmers’ market shopping was associated with awareness of farmers’ markets (estimate =0·18 (se0·04),P<0·001). Fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with farmers’ market shopping (estimate =1·06 (se0·32),P=0·001).

Conclusions

Our study is one of the first to examine SNAP participants’ farmers’ market shopping, distance to farmers’ markets and dietary behaviours. Barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets and increasing awareness of existing markets should be addressed in future interventions to increase SNAP participants’ use of farmers’ markets, ultimately improving diet quality in this high-risk group.
Plasma alkylresorcinols, biomarkers of whole-grain intake, are not associated with progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease
Authors: McKeown Nicola M , Hruby Adela , Landberg Rikard , Herrington David M , Lichtenstein Alice H
Published: July 2015

Objective

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between plasma alkyresorcinol (AR) concentrations, which are biomarkers of whole-grain intake, and atherosclerotic progression over 3 years in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.

Design

Plasma AR concentrations were measured by a validated GC–MS method in fasting plasma samples. Atherosclerosis progression was assessed using change in mean minimal coronary artery diameter (MCAD) and percentage diameter stenosis (%ST), based on mean proximal vessel diameter across up to ten coronary segments. Dietary intake was estimated using a 126-item interviewer-administered FFQ.

Setting

A prospective study of postmenopausal women participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial.

Subjects

For the analysis of plasma AR concentrations and atherosclerotic progression, plasma samples and follow-up data on angiography were available for 182 women.

Results

Mean whole-grain intake was 9·6 (se 0·6) servings per week. After multivariate adjustment, no significant associations were observed between plasma AR concentrations and change in mean MCAD or progression of %ST. Plasma AR concentrations were significantly correlated with dietary whole grains (r=0·35, P<0·001), cereal fibre (r=0·33, P<0·001), bran (r=0·15, P=0·05), total fibre (r=0·22, P=0·003) and legume fibre (r=0·15, P=0·04), but not refined grains, fruit fibre or vegetable fibre.

Conclusions

Plasma AR concentrations were not significantly associated with coronary artery progression over a 3-year period in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease. A moderate association was observed between plasma AR concentrations and dietary whole grains and cereal fibre, suggesting it may be a useful biomarker in observational studies.
Prevalence and correlates of anaemia in adolescents in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alquaiz Al-Johara M , Khoja Tawfik AM , Alsharif Abdullah , Kazi Ambreen , Mohamed Ashry Gad , Al Mane Hamad , Aldiris Abdullah , Shaikh Shaffi Ahamed
Published: July 2015

Objective

To determine the prevalence and correlates of anaemia in male and female adolescents in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Design

A cross-sectional community-based study.

Setting

Five primary health-care centres in Riyadh.

Subjects

We invited 203 male and 292 female adolescents aged 13–18 years for interview, anthropometric measurements and complete blood count. Blood Hb was measured with a Coulter Cellular Analysis System using the light scattering method.

Results

Using the WHO cut-off of Hb<12 g/dl, 16·7 % (n34) of males and 34·2 % (n100) of females were suffering from anaemia. Mean Hb in males and females was 13·5 (sd1·4) and 12·3 (sd1·2) g/dl, respectively. Values for mean cell volume, mean cell Hb, mean corpuscular Hb concentration and red cell distribution width in male and female adolescents were 77·8 (sd6·2)v.76·4 (sd10·3) μm3, 26·1 (sd2·7)v.25·5 (sd2·6) pg, 32·7 (sd2·4)v.32·2 (sd2·6) g/dl and 13·9 (sd1·4)v.13·6 (sd1·3) %, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a positive family history of Fe-deficiency anaemia (OR=4·7; 95 % CI 1·7, 12·2), infrequent intake (OR=3·7; 95 % CI 1·3, 10·0) and never intake of fresh juices (OR=3·5; 95 % CI 1·4, 9·5) and being 13–14 years of age (OR=3·1; 95 % CI 1·2, 9·3) were significantly associated with anaemia in male adolescents; whereas in females, family history of Fe-deficiency anaemia (OR=3·4; 95 % CI 1·5, 7·6), being overweight (OR=3·0; 95 % CI 1·4, 6·1), no intake of fresh juices (OR=2·6; 95 % CI 1·4, 5·1), living in an apartment (OR=2·0; 95 % CI 1·1, 3·8) and living in a small house (OR=2·5; 95 % CI 1·2, 5·3) were significantly associated with anaemia.

Conclusions

Anaemia is more prevalent among Saudi female adolescents as compared with males. Important factors like positive family history of Fe-deficiency anaemia, overweight, lack of fresh juice intake and low socio-economic status are significantly associated with anaemia in adolescents.
Recovery rate of children with moderate acute malnutrition treated with ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) or improved corn–soya blend (CSB+): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Medoua Gabriel Nama , Ntsama Patricia M , Ndzana Anne Christine A , Essa’a Véronique J , Tsafack Julie Judith T , Dimodi Henriette T
Published: July 2015

Objective

To compare an improved corn–soya blend (CSB+) with a ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) to test the hypothesis that satisfactory recovery rate will be achieved with CSB+ or RUSF when these foods provide 50 % of the child’s energy requirement, the 50 % remaining coming from usual diet.

Design

A comparative efficacy trial study was conducted with moderately wasted children, using a controlled randomized design, with parallel assignment for RUSF or CSB+. Every child received a daily ration of 167 kJ (40 kcal)/kg body weight during 56 d with a follow-up performed every 14 d. Every caregiver received nutrition counselling at enrolment and at each follow-up visit.

Setting

Health districts of Mvog-Beti and Evodoula in the Centre region of Cameroon.

Subjects

Eight hundred and thirty-three children aged 6–59 months were screened and eighty-one malnourished children (weight-for-heightZ-score between −3 and −2) aged 25–59 months were selected.

Results

Of children treated with CSB+ and RUSF, 73 % (95 % CI 59 %, 87 %) and 85 % (95 % CI 73 %, 97 %), respectively, recovered from moderate acute malnutrition, with no significant difference between groups. The mean duration of treatment required to achieve recovery was 44 d in the RUSF group and 51 d in the CSB+ group (log-rank test,P=0·0048).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in recovery rate between the groups. Both CSB+ and RUSF were relatively successful for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in children. Despite the relatively low ration size provided, the recovery rates observed for both groups were comparable to or higher than those reported in previous studies, a probable effect of nutrition education.
Major dietary patterns and carotid intima-media thickness in Bangladesh
Authors: McClintock Tyler R , Parvez Faruque , Wu Fen , Islam Tariqul , Ahmed Alauddin , Rani Paul Rina , Shaheen Ishrat , Sarwar Golam , Rundek Tatjana , Demmer Ryan T , Desvarieux Moise , Ahsan Habibul , Chen Yu
Published: July 2015

Objective

Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a validated surrogate marker of preclinical atherosclerosis and is predictive of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Research on the association between IMT and diet, however, is lacking, especially in low-income countries or low-BMI populations.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intakes were measured using a validated, thirty-nine-item FFQ at baseline cohort recruitment. IMT measurements were obtained from 2010–2011.

Setting

Rural Bangladesh.

Subjects

Participants (n 1149) randomly selected from the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study, an ongoing, population-based, prospective cohort study established in 2000. Average age at IMT measurement was 45·5 years.

Results

Principal component analysis of reported food items yielded a ‘balanced’ diet, an ‘animal protein’ diet and a ‘gourd and root vegetable’ diet. We observed a positive association between the gourd/root vegetable diet and IMT, as each 1 sd increase in pattern adherence was related to a difference of 7·74 (95 % CI 2·86, 12·62) μm in IMT (P<0·01), controlling for age, sex, total energy intake, smoking status, BMI, systolic blood pressure and diabetes mellitus diagnoses. The balanced pattern was associated with lower IMT (−4·95 (95 % CI −9·78, −0·11) μm for each 1sd increase of adherence; P=0·045).

Conclusions

A gourd/root vegetable diet in this Bangladeshi population positively correlated with carotid IMT, while a balanced diet was associated with decreased IMT.
Garlic consumption and colorectal cancer risk in man: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chiavarini Manuela , Minelli Liliana , Fabiani Roberto
Published: July 2015

Objective

Colorectal cancer shows large incidence variations worldwide that have been attributed to different dietary factors. We conducted a meta-analysis on the relationship between garlic consumption and colorectal cancer risk.

Design

We systematically reviewed publications obtained by searching ISI Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE and EMBASE literature databases. We extracted the risk estimate of the highest and the lowest reported categories of intake from each study and conducted meta-analysis using a random-effects model.

Results

The pooled analysis of all fourteen studies, seven cohort and seven case–control, indicated that garlic consumption was not associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR=0·93; 95 % CI 0·82, 1·06, P=0·281; I2=83·6 %, P≤0·001). Separate analyses on the basis of cancer sites and sex also revealed no statistically significant effects on cancer risk. However, when separately analysed on the basis of study type, we found that garlic was associated with an approximately 37 % reduction in colorectal cancer risk in the case–control studies (combined risk estimate=0·63, 95 % CI 0·48, 0·82, P=0·001; I2=75·6 %, P≤0·001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that consumption of garlic is not associated with a reduced colorectal cancer risk. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the discrepancy between results obtained from different types of epidemiological studies.
Evaluation of breakfast cereals with the current nutrition facts panel (NFP) and the Food and Drug Administration’s NFP proposal
Authors: González-Vallejo Claudia , Lavins Bethany D
Published: July 2015

Objective

To compare judgements of nutrition and judgement accuracy when evaluating cereals with the current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nutrition facts panel (NFP) and two new proposed NFP based on FDA guidelines.

Design

A between-subjects design randomly assigned participants to three NFP conditions (current NFP label and two modified NFP based on FDA proposals). Participants viewed breakfast cereals, and rated each on nutritional quality and on the likelihood of purchasing and consuming it. Participants provided demographic information and responses to questionnaires assessing nutrition/obesity knowledge, concern for healthy eating and nutrient importance.

Setting

USA.

Subjects

Two hundred and thirteen adults who completed an online survey (66·2 % female, mean age 37·31 (sd12·56) years).

Results

Judged nutrition quality of cereals was positively correlated with protein, fibre and potassium and negatively correlated with sugars and sodium. This pattern appeared when using the current NFP or the modified versions. Highlighted nutrients in modified NFP formats did not affect their perceived importance. Accuracy of the nutrition quality judgements was measured in relationship to an objectively defined nutrition score, NuVal®. Nutrition judgement accuracy was highest under the current NFP (Spearman’sρ=0·76 for the current NFP; 0·64 and 0·72 for the other formats). Regression analysis showed that nutrition judgement accuracy increased significantly (adjustedR2=0·13) with obesity knowledge (β=0·27), age (β=0·15) and current NFP (β=0·13).

Conclusions

The current NFP is equally or more effective in conveying nutritional information compared with NFP formats based on the FDA proposal.
Fast-food intake and perceived and objective measures of the local fast-food environment in adolescents
Authors: Svastisalee Chalida , Pagh Pedersen Trine , Schipperijn Jasper , Ellegaard Jørgensen Sanne , Holstein Bjørn E , Krølner Rikke
Published: July 2015

Objective

We examined associations between fast-food intake and perceived and objective fast-food outlet exposure.

Design

Information from the Health Behaviours in School-aged Children Study was linked to fast-food outlets in seventy-five school neighbourhoods. We used multivariate multilevel logistic regression analyses to examine associations between at least weekly fast-food intake and perceived and objective fast-food outlet measures.

Subjects

Data represent 4642 adolescents (aged 11–15 years) in Denmark.

Results

Boys reporting two or more fast-food outlets had 34 % higher odds consuming fast food at least weekly. We detected higher odds of at least weekly fast-food intake among 15-year-old 9th graders (ORall=1·74; 95 % CI 1·40, 2·18; ORboys=2·20; 95 % CI 1·66, 2·91; ORgirls=1·41; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·92), Danish speakers (ORall=2·32; 95 % CI 1·68, 3·19; ORboys=2·58; 95 % CI 1·69, 3·93; ORgirls=2·37; 95 % CI 1·46, 3·84) and those travelling 15 min or less to school (ORall=1·21; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·46; ORgirls=1·44; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·93) compared with 11-year-old 5th graders, non-Danish speakers and those with longer travel times. Boys from middle- (OR=1·28; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·65) and girls from low-income families (OR=1·46; 95 % CI 1·05, 2·04) had higher odds of at least weekly fast-food intake compared with those from high-income backgrounds. Girls attending schools with canteens (OR=1·47; 95 % CI 1·00, 2·15) had higher odds of at least weekly fast-food intake than girls at schools without canteens.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that perceived food outlets may impact fast-food intake in boys while proximity impacts intake in girls. Public health planning could target food environments that emphasize a better understanding of how adolescents use local resources.
The Danish Organic Action Plan 2020: assessment method and baseline status of organic procurement in public kitchens
Authors: Sørensen Nina N , Lassen Anne D , Løje Hanne , Tetens Inge
Published: July 2015

Objective

With political support from the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020, organic public procurement in Denmark is expected to increase. In order to evaluate changes in organic food procurement in Danish public kitchens, reliable methods are needed. The present study aimed to compare organic food procurement measurements by two methods and to collect and discuss baseline organic food procurement measurements from public kitchens participating in the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020.

Design

Comparison study measuring organic food procurement by applying two different methods, one based on the use of procurement invoices (the Organic Cuisine Label method) and the other on self-reported procurement (the Dogme method). Baseline organic food procurement status was based on organic food procurement measurements and background information from public kitchens.

Setting

Public kitchens participating in the six organic food conversion projects funded by the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020 during 2012 and 2013.

Subjects

Twenty-six public kitchens (comparison study) and 345 public kitchens (baseline organic food procurement status).

Results

A high significant correlation coefficient was found between the two organic food procurement measurement methods (r=0·83, P<0·001) with measurements relevant for the baseline status. Mean baseline organic food procurement was found to be 24 % when including measurements from both methods.

Conclusions

The results indicate that organic food procurement measurements by both methods were valid for the baseline status report of the Danish Organic Action Plan 2020. Baseline results in Danish public kitchens suggest there is room for more organic as well as sustainable public procurement in Denmark.
Irregular eating of meals in adolescence and the metabolic syndrome in adulthood: results from a 27-year prospective cohort
Authors: Wennberg Maria , Gustafsson Per E , Wennberg Patrik , Hammarström Anne
Published: July 2015

Objective

The objective was to investigate whether irregular eating of meals in adolescence predicts the metabolic syndrome and its components in adulthood, and if any specific meal is of particular importance.

Design

Prospective cohort study with 27 years of follow-up. Information on meals (breakfast, school lunch and dinner with family), lifestyle (alcohol consumption, smoking habits, physical activity, consumption of sweets and pastries) at age 16 years was assessed from questionnaires, and presence or not of the metabolic syndrome and its components were defined at age 43 years in 889 participants (82·1 % of total cohort). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals.

Setting

The Northern Swedish Cohort; all school-leavers of the 9th grade in the town Luleå in 1981.

Subjects

Adolescents (age 16 years).

Results

Irregular eating of meals at age 16 years was associated with higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome at age 43 years (OR=1·74; 95 % CI 1·12, 2·71), but this was explained by concurrent unhealthy lifestyle at age 16 years. Poor breakfast at age 16 years was the only meal associated with the metabolic syndrome at age 43 years, independent of other meals, BMI (kg/m2) and lifestyle at age 16 years (OR=1·67; 95 % CI 1·00, 2·80).

Conclusions

Irregular eating of meals in adolescence predicted the metabolic syndrome in adulthood, but not independently of BMI and lifestyle in adolescence. Poor breakfast in adolescence was the only specific meal associated with future metabolic syndrome, even after adjustments. Breakfast eating should be encouraged in adolescence.
The impact of a support centre for people with sensory impairment living in rural Scotland
Authors: Smith Annetta , Shepherd Ashley , Jepson Ruth , Mackay Seonaid
Published: July 2015

Aim

The overall aim of this study was to evaluate whether attendance at a Sensory Support Centre for people with a sensory impairment living in the Western Isles of Scotland had an impact on their lives.

Background

Demographic forecasts show that the prevalence of sensory impairment in the population will increase, as a significant proportion of sensory loss is age related. People with sensory impairments are more likely to experience social exclusion, and are more at risk of injury and physical and mental illness. Therefore, strategies to improve service access and provision for people with sensory impairments are important to reduce the disability associated with sight and/or hearing loss.

Methods

All clients who accessed the service during a six-month period were invited to complete a postal questionnaire about their service experience. Semi-structured individual interviews with clients (n=12) described their experience of living with a sensory impairment and the impact (if any) that access to the Sensory Centre had on their lives. Individual interviews were also conducted with healthcare and social-care professionals (n=7) to ascertain their level of service awareness.

Findings

Clients who experienced sensory impairment described how the impairment negatively impacted on their activities of living, safety and independence. Following Sensory Centre assessment and support, some clients were able to identify ways in which interventions had reduced their sense of social isolation, impacted positively on self-confidence and sense of self-esteem and safety. Importantly, interventions had supported greater functional independence in their own homes.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that access to sensory services are important to people with sensory impairments living in remote areas, and should be considered when planning healthcare services, as they are one way of ameliorating health inequalities in this population group.
Provision of NHS generalist and specialist services to care homes in England: review of surveys
Authors: Iliffe Steve , Davies Susan L. , Gordon Adam L. , Schneider Justine , Dening Tom , Bowman Clive , Gage Heather , Martin Finbarr C. , Gladman John R.F. , Victor Christina , Meyer Julienne , Goodman Claire
Published: July 2015

Background

The number of beds in care homes (with and without nurses) in the United Kingdom is three times greater than the number of beds in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. Care homes are predominantly owned by a range of commercial, not-for-profit or charitable providers and their residents have high levels of disability, frailty and co-morbidity. NHS support for care home residents is very variable, and it is unclear what models of clinical support work and are cost-effective.

Objectives

To critically evaluate how the NHS works with care homes.

Methods

A review of surveys of NHS services provided to care homes that had been completed since 2008. It included published national surveys, local surveys commissioned by Primary Care organisations, studies from charities and academic centres, grey literature identified across the nine government regions, and information from care home, primary care and other research networks. Data extraction captured forms of NHS service provision for care homes in England in terms of frequency, location, focus and purpose.

Results

Five surveys focused primarily on general practitioner services, and 10 on specialist services to care home. Working relationships between the NHS and care homes lack structure and purpose and have generally evolved locally. There are wide variations in provision of both generalist and specialist healthcare services to care homes. Larger care home chains may take a systematic approach to both organising access to NHS generalist and specialist services, and to supplementing gaps with in-house provision. Access to dental care for care home residents appears to be particularly deficient.

Conclusions

Historical differences in innovation and provision of NHS services, the complexities of collaborating across different sectors (private and public, health and social care, general and mental health), and variable levels of organisation of care homes, all lead to persistent and embedded inequity in the distribution of NHS resources to this population. Clinical commissioners seeking to improve the quality of care of care home residents need to consider how best to provide fair access to health care for older people living in a care home, and to establish a specification for service delivery to this vulnerable population.
Breaking bad news to cancer patients in palliative care: A comparison of national cross-sectional surveys from 2006 and 2012
Authors: Ichikura Kanako , Matsuda Ayako , Kobayashi Mika , Noguchi Wataru , Matsushita Toshiko , Matsushima Eisuke
Published: July 2015

Objective:

Most cancer patients experience the time when a doctor must “break the bad news” to them, a time when it is necessary for patients to call upon their self-determination to aid in the battle with cancer. The purpose of our study was to clarify the percentage of times doctors deliver bad news to patients at the end of life in each of four different situations, and to define the most common recipients of this bad news. We compare these results for two timepoints: 2006 and 2012.

Methods:

The study had a national cross-sectional design consisting of self-completed questionnaires sent to all hospitals that provide cancer care. We mailed them to hospital directors in January and February of 2012, requesting a reply. The results of the same survey in 2006 were employed as a point for comparison.

Results:

A total of 1224 questionnaires were returned during 2012. 1499 responses collected in 2006 were employed as reference data. Some hospital characteristics had changed over that interval; however, the new data obtained were representative for patients being treated in Japanese cancer care hospitals. In hospitals with 300–499, there were significant differences between 2006 and 2012 in the providing information about (“disclosure of cancer diagnosis,” “therapeutic options for treatment,” and “a life-prolonging treatment”). In addition, the likelihood of doctors delivering bad news to patients and family members (as opposed to family members only) at the end of life increased from 2006 to 2012.

Significance of Results:

Our results suggest that the overall incidence of bad news being disclosed has increased, especially in hub medical institutions for cancer care. Advanced treatment options or domestic legislation may have influenced the frequency or type of bad news.
Influence of caregiver personality on the burden of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients
Authors: Kim Ha-Hyun , Kim Seon-Young , Kim Jae-Min , Kim Sung-Wan , Shin Il-Seon , Shim Hyun-Jeong , Hwang Jun-Eul , Chung Ik-Joo , Yoon Jin-Sang
Published: July 2015

Objective:

To determine the influence of caregiver personality and other factors on the burden of family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients.

Method:

We investigated a wide range of factors related to the patient–family caregiver dyad in a palliative care setting using a cross-sectional design. Caregiver burden was assessed using the seven-item short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI–7). Caregiver personality was assessed using the 10-item short version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI–10), which measures the following five personality dimensions: extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Patient- and caregiver-related sociodemographic and psychological factors were included in the analysis because of their potential association with caregiver burden. Clinical patient data were obtained from medical charts or by using other measures. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with caregiver burden.

Results:

We analyzed 227 patient–family caregiver dyads. The multivariate analysis revealed that caregiver extroversion was protective against caregiver burden, whereas depressive symptoms in caregivers were related to increased burden. Neuroticism was positively correlated with caregiver burden, but this relationship was nonsignificant following adjustment for depressive symptoms. Patient-related factors were not significantly associated with caregiver burden.

Significance of Results:

Evaluating caregiver personality traits could facilitate identification of individuals at greater risk of high burden. Furthermore, depression screening and treatment programs for caregivers in palliative care settings are required to decrease caregiver burden.
A singing choir: Understanding the dynamics of hope, hopelessness, and despair in palliative care patients. A longitudinal qualitative study
Authors: Olsman Erik , Leget Carlo , Duggleby Wendy , Willems Dick
Published: July 2015

Objective:

Hope, despair, and hopelessness are dynamic in nature; however, they have not been explored over time. The objective of the present study was to describe hope, hopelessness, and despair over time, as experienced by palliative care patients.

Method:

We employed a qualitative longitudinal method based on narrative theories. Semistructured interviews with palliative care patients were prospectively conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Data on hope, hopelessness and despair were thematically analyzed, which led to similarities and differences between these concepts. The concepts were then analyzed over time in each case. During all stages, the researchers took a reflexive stance, wrote memos, and did member checking with participants.

Results:

A total of 29 palliative care patients (mean age, 65.9 years; standard deviation, 14.7; 14 females) were included, 11 of whom suffered from incurable cancer, 10 from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 8 from severe heart failure. They were interviewed a maximum of three times. Participants associated hope with gains in the past or future, such as physical improvement or spending time with significant others. They associated hopelessness with past losses, like loss of health, income, or significant others, and despair with future losses, which included the possibility of losing the future itself. Over time, the nature of their hope, hopelessness, and despair changed when their condition changed. These dynamics could be understood as voices in a singing choir that can sing together, alternate with each other, or sing their own melody.

Significance of Results:

Our findings offer insight into hope, hopelessness, and despair over time, and the metaphor of a choir helps to understand the coexistence of these concepts. The findings also help healthcare professionals to address hope, hopelessness, and despair during encounters with patients, which is particularly important when the patients' physical condition has changed.
FIAT IUSTITIA, PEREAT MUNDUS: IMMANUEL KANT, FRIEDRICH GENTZ, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PRUDENTIAL ENLIGHTENMENT – CORRIGENDUM
Authors: GREEN JONATHAN
Published: July 2015

In the above-mentioned article the dates in line 3 of the abstract should read as follows:

“Theory and Practice” (1793) and his tract on Perpetual Peace (1795).
Screening and classification of genotypes for seedling-stage chilling stress tolerance in rice and validation of the trait using SSR markers
Authors: Pradhan S. K. , Nayak D. K. , Guru M. , Pandit E. , Das Sujata , Barik S. R. , Mohanty S. P. , Anandan A.
Published: July 2015

Low-temperature stress is an important factor affecting the growth and development of rice in temperate and high-elevation areas. In this study, 220 germplasm lines were used for screening of tolerant genotypes, validation of molecular markers and identification of robust markers for seedling-stage chilling stress tolerance to be used in marker-assisted breeding (MAS) programme. The temperature regimes imposed in the growth chamber simulated cold-stress injuries at the seedling stages of the germplasm lines. The genotypes were classified into six classes: those having susceptible genotypes were classified into moderately and highly susceptible types, while tolerant types into moderately tolerant, tolerant, highly tolerant and very highly tolerant classes. Genotypes namely Langma, Umleng-1 and Geetanjali showed survival up to 25 d, which were better than the positive check Kalinga-III surviving up to 20 d under chilling stress. Ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were tested for differentiation of genotypes. Individual use of SSR markers like RM284, RM286, RM85, RM341 and RM5746 can be applied in MAS breeding including combination use of non-pair markers like RM284, RM239 and RM85, which was even better than the combined use of RM284 and RM85. However, combined use of all ten markers can most effectively be employed for cold tolerance through MAS breeding.
Exposing Scandals, Guarding Secrets: Manuel Buendía, Columnismo, and the Unraveling of One-Party Rule in Mexico, 1965–1984
Authors: Freije Vanessa
Published: July 2015

On January 14, 1982, residents of Tula, Hidalgo, discovered the bodies of nine murdered men floating in a sewage drain emanating from Mexico City. All bore signs of gruesome torture. Red Cross workers soon located three more bodies, leading one reporter to describe the homicides as “the crime of the century.” Detectives initially asserted that the victims were drug traffickers who had been murdered by a rival gang. Manuel Buendía, in his weekday political column Red Privada, described the scene as “bloodcurdling,” employing his signature hard-boiled prose. Yet, the nation's most prominent journalist was referring not only to the gore, but also to his suspicions that police had committed the crime.
Tree diversity and species identity effects on soil fungi, protists and animals are context dependent
Authors: Tedersoo Leho , Bahram Mohammad , Cajthaml Tomáš , Põlme Sergei , Hiiesalu Indrek , Anslan Sten , Harend Helery , Buegger Franz , Pritsch Karin , Koricheva Julia , Abarenkov Kessy
Published: July 2015

Plant species richness and the presence of certain influential species (sampling effect) drive the stability and functionality of ecosystems as well as primary production and biomass of consumers. However, little is known about these floristic effects on richness and community composition of soil biota in forest habitats owing to methodological constraints. We developed a DNA metabarcoding approach to identify the major eukaryote groups directly from soil with roughly species-level resolution. Using this method, we examined the effects of tree diversity and individual tree species on soil microbial biomass and taxonomic richness of soil biota in two experimental study systems in Finland and Estonia and accounted for edaphic variables and spatial autocorrelation. Our analyses revealed that the effects of tree diversity and individual species on soil biota are largely context dependent. Multiple regression and structural equation modelling suggested that biomass, soil pH, nutrients and tree species directly affect richness of different taxonomic groups. The community composition of most soil organisms was strongly correlated due to similar response to environmental predictors rather than causal relationships. On a local scale, soil resources and tree species have stronger effect on diversity of soil biota than tree species richness per se.
Linking metabolite production to taxonomic identity in environmental samples by (MA)LDI-FISH
Authors: Kaltenpoth Martin , Strupat Kerstin , Svatoš Aleš
Published: July 2015

One of the greatest challenges in microbial ecology remains to link the metabolic activity of individual cells to their taxonomic identity and localization within environmental samples. Here we combined mass-spectrometric imaging (MSI) through (matrix-assisted) laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MSI ([MA]LDI-TOF/MSI) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to monitor antibiotic production in the defensive symbiosis between beewolf wasps and ‘Streptomyces philanthi’ bacteria. Our results reveal similar distributions of the different symbiont-produced antibiotics across the surface of beewolf cocoons, which colocalize with the producing cell populations. Whereas FISH achieves single-cell resolution, MSI is currently limited to a step size of 20–50 μm in the combined approach because of the destructive effects of high laser intensities that are associated with tighter laser beam focus at higher lateral resolution. However, on the basis of the applicability of (MA)LDI-MSI to a broad range of small molecules, its combination with FISH provides a powerful tool for studying microbial interactions in situ, and further modifications of this technique could allow for linking metabolic profiling to gene expression.
RC3H1 post-transcriptionally regulates A20 mRNA and modulates the activity of the IKK/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Murakawa Yasuhiro , Hinz Michael , Mothes Janina , Schuetz Anja , Uhl Michael , Wyler Emanuel , Yasuda Tomoharu , Mastrobuoni Guido , Friedel Caroline C. , Dölken Lars , Kempa Stefan , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Blüthgen Nils , Backofen Rolf , Heinemann Udo , Wolf Jana , Scheidereit Claus , Landthaler Markus
Published: July 2015

The RNA-binding protein RC3H1 (also known as ROQUIN) promotes TNFα mRNA decay via a 3′UTR constitutive decay element (CDE). Here we applied PAR-CLIP to human RC3H1 to identify ∼3,800 mRNA targets with >16,000 binding sites. A large number of sites are distinct from the consensus CDE and revealed a structure-sequence motif with U-rich sequences embedded in hairpins. RC3H1 binds preferentially short-lived and DNA damage-induced mRNAs, indicating a role of this RNA-binding protein in the post-transcriptional regulation of the DNA damage response. Intriguingly, RC3H1 affects expression of the NF-κB pathway regulators such as IκBα and A20. RC3H1 uses ROQ and Zn-finger domains to contact a binding site in the A20 3′UTR, demonstrating a not yet recognized mode of RC3H1 binding. Knockdown of RC3H1 resulted in increased A20 protein expression, thereby interfering with IκB kinase and NF-κB activities, demonstrating that RC3H1 can modulate the activity of the IKK/NF-κB pathway.
Gut microbiota mediate caffeine detoxification in the primary insect pest of coffee
Authors: Ceja-Navarro Javier A. , Vega Fernando E. , Karaoz Ulas , Hao Zhao , Jenkins Stefan , Lim Hsiao Chien , Kosina Petr , Infante Francisco , Northen Trent R. , Brodie Eoin L.
Published: July 2015

The coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) is the most devastating insect pest of coffee worldwide with its infestations decreasing crop yield by up to 80%. Caffeine is an alkaloid that can be toxic to insects and is hypothesized to act as a defence mechanism to inhibit herbivory. Here we show that caffeine is degraded in the gut of H. hampei, and that experimental inactivation of the gut microbiota eliminates this activity. We demonstrate that gut microbiota in H. hampei specimens from seven major coffee-producing countries and laboratory-reared colonies share a core of microorganisms. Globally ubiquitous members of the gut microbiota, including prominent Pseudomonas species, subsist on caffeine as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Pseudomonas caffeine demethylase genes are expressed in vivo in the gut of H. hampei, and re-inoculation of antibiotic-treated insects with an isolated Pseudomonas strain reinstates caffeine-degradation ability confirming their key role.
9-O-Acetylation of sialic acids is catalysed by CASD1 via a covalent acetyl-enzyme intermediate
Authors: Baumann Anna-Maria T. , Bakkers Mark J. G. , Buettner Falk F. R. , Hartmann Maike , Grove Melanie , Langereis Martijn A. , de Groot Raoul J. , Mühlenhoff Martina
Published: July 2015

Sialic acids, terminal sugars of glycoproteins and glycolipids, play important roles in development, cellular recognition processes and host–pathogen interactions. A common modification of sialic acids is 9-O-acetylation, which has been implicated in sialoglycan recognition, ganglioside biology, and the survival and drug resistance of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells. Despite many functional implications, the molecular basis of 9-O-acetylation has remained elusive thus far. Following cellular approaches, including selective gene knockout by CRISPR/Cas genome editing, we here show that CASD1—a previously identified human candidate gene—is essential for sialic acid 9-O-acetylation. In vitro assays with the purified N-terminal luminal domain of CASD1 demonstrate transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-coenzyme A to CMP-activated sialic acid and formation of a covalent acetyl-enzyme intermediate. Our study provides direct evidence that CASD1 is a sialate O-acetyltransferase and serves as key enzyme in the biosynthesis of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycans.
A novel UCS memory retrieval-extinction procedure to inhibit relapse to drug seeking
Authors: Luo Yi-xiao , Xue Yan-xue , Liu Jian-feng , Shi Hai-shui , Jian Min , Han Ying , Zhu Wei-li , Bao Yan-ping , Wu Ping , Ding Zeng-bo , Shen Hao-wei , Shi Jie , Shaham Yavin , Lu Lin
Published: July 2015

We recently reported that a conditioned stimulus (CS) memory retrieval-extinction procedure decreases reinstatement of cocaine and heroin seeking in rats and heroin craving in humans. Here we show that non-contingent cocaine or methylphenidate injections (UCS retrieval) 1 h before the extinction sessions decreases cocaine-priming-induced reinstatement, spontaneous recovery, and renewal of cocaine seeking in rats. Unlike the CS-based memory retrieval-extinction procedure, the UCS memory retrieval manipulation decreases renewal and reinstatement of cocaine seeking in the presence of cocaine cues that were not present during extinction training and also decreases cocaine seeking when the procedure commences after 28 days of abstinence. The inhibitory effect of the UCS retrieval manipulation on cocaine-priming-induced reinstatement is mediated by regulation of AMPA-receptor endocytosis in the basolateral amygdala. The UCS memory retrieval-extinction procedure has superior relapse prevention characteristics than the CS memory retrieval-extinction procedure and could be a promising method for decreasing relapse in human addicts.
The evolution of human and ape hand proportions
Authors: Almécija Sergio , Smaers Jeroen B. , Jungers William L.
Published: July 2015

Human hands are distinguished from apes by possessing longer thumbs relative to fingers. However, this simple ape-human dichotomy fails to provide an adequate framework for testing competing hypotheses of human evolution and for reconstructing the morphology of the last common ancestor (LCA) of humans and chimpanzees. We inspect human and ape hand-length proportions using phylogenetically informed morphometric analyses and test alternative models of evolution along the anthropoid tree of life, including fossils like the plesiomorphic apeProconsul heseloniand the homininsArdipithecus ramidusandAustralopithecus sediba. Our results reveal high levels of hand disparity among modern hominoids, which are explained by different evolutionary processes: autapomorphic evolution in hylobatids (extreme digital and thumb elongation), convergent adaptation between chimpanzees and orangutans (digital elongation) and comparatively little change in gorillas and hominins. The human (and australopith) high thumb-to-digits ratio required little change since the LCA, and was acquired convergently with other highly dexterous anthropoids.
Laser chimeras as a paradigm for multistable patterns in complex systems
Authors: Larger Laurent , Penkovsky Bogdan , Maistrenko Yuri
Published: July 2015

A chimera state is a rich and fascinating class of self-organized solutions developed in high-dimensional networks. Necessary features of the network for the emergence of such complex but structured motions are non-local and symmetry breaking coupling. An accurate understanding of chimera states is expected to bring important insights on deterministic mechanism occurring in many structurally similar high-dimensional dynamics such as living systems, brain operation principles and even turbulence in hydrodynamics. Here we report on a powerful and highly controllable experiment based on an optoelectronic delayed feedback applied to a wavelength tuneable semiconductor laser, with which a wide variety of chimera patterns can be accurately investigated and interpreted. We uncover a cascade of higher-order chimeras as a pattern transition fromNtoN+1 clusters of chaoticity. Finally, we follow visually, as the gain increases, how chimera state is gradually destroyed on the way to apparent turbulence-like system behaviour.