bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of cultured juveniles of several marine fish to the sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus
Authors: Tanaka S , Kuriyama I , Nakai T , Miyazaki T 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPiscine nodaviruses (betanodaviruses) have been tentatively divided into four genotypes (SJNNV, RGNNV, TPNNV and BFNNV) and it is suggested that host specificity is different among these genotypes. In the present study, a betanodavirus [sevenband grouper nervous necrosis virus (SGNNV)] belonging to the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotype, to which most betanodaviruses from warm water fish are identified, was evaluated for its pathogenicity to hatchery‐reared juveniles of several marine fish species. When challenged with the virus by a bath method (105.1 TCID50 mL−1), sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus, Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, and tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes, displayed behavioural abnormalities and mortalities with distinct histopathological signs of viral nervous necrosis and heavily immunostained cells were observed in the central nervous tissues and retina. Bath‐challenged rock fish, Sebastiscus marmoratus, and a hybrid of sevenband grouper and kelp grouper, E. moara, did not display any behavioural abnormality or mortality during the experimental period, although many fish showed slight signs of viral infection in nerve cells. Kelp grouper and red sea bream, Pagrus major, showed no behavioural abnormality, mortality or immunohistopathological changes after the virus challenge. These results are, in part, consistent with the natural host range of RGNNV, indicating the complexity in the host specificity of betanodaviruses.
A trial of lactase in the management of infant colic
Authors: Kearney  , Malone  , Hayes  , Cole  , Hyland  
Published: March 2003

Objective: To investigate transient lactose intolerance as a factor in the aetiology of infant colic.Design: We undertook a randomized, double‐blind, crossover trial of lactase and placebo drops added to milk formula to determine whether this method of reducing lactose intake affected infant colic.Subjects: Infants with colic were referred from clinics in keeping with Wessel's modified criteria.Interventions: Infants were randomly allocated to add either lactase or placebo drops to their formula feeds for 1 week, followed by 2 days ‘wash out’. The addition was changed for the second week so that subjects served as their own control. The formulas were kept refrigerated for 24 h before ingestion. The parents kept a diary of their baby's crying time.Results: Thirteen babies completed the trial, of whom nine were boys. The mean birth weight was 3.7 kg (8.2 lb). Colic symptoms began in less than 1 month in 12 of the babies. The effect of the lactase was to reduce crying time by 1.14 h per day (CI 0.23–2.05). The reduction in crying time was significant (
t=2.75, d.f.=11, P=0.019).
Conclusion: Transient lactose intolerance may have a role in the aetiology of infant colic. Lactase drops require prior incubation with milk formula to be effective. The response to lactase in this study supports ‘colic’, i.e. spasm of the large intestine as a factor in these infants’ discomfort.
Development of a screening tool for assessing risk of undernutrition in patients in the community
Authors: Ward  , Close  , Little  , Boorman  , Perkins  , Coles  , Edington  
Published: March 2003

Background: This study was undertaken to develop a simple tool for assessing risk of undernutrition for use by the primary health care team.Methods: We devised a list of 25 questions that might be predictive of nutritional risk. Community nurses administered the questions, which required only yes/no answers, to 507 patients in their care. Within 4 days a dietitian carried out a full nutritional assessment. Discriminant analysis was used to determine which questions were predictive of nutritional risk as assessed by a dietitian. Multiple regression analysis was used to derive a simple equation to assign weightings to those questions.Results: Five hundred and seven patients completed the study. Nine questions were found to be associated with nutritional risk as assessed by a dietitian. The final tool, which has three categories of scores: 0–6=not at risk; 7–16=possible/probable risk; 517=malnourished, has a positive predictive value of 94.6% and a negative predictive value of 81.1%.Conclusion: This simple tool can be used to assess risk of undernutrition in patients in primary care, to increase awareness of the importance of nutrition in patients in the community and to ensure that patients are given appropriate dietary advice and/or referred to a dietitian.
An assessment of the diets of people with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Goff L. M. , Barasi M. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Background: A proportion of people with rheumatoid arthritis use diet as a form of therapy for their condition. This study aimed to investigate the specific actions these people take with regard to diet and the nutrient composition of these specialized diets. The effects that these habits have on nutritional status have also been discussed. Methods: An ex‐post facto study was completed with subjects being recruited from an arthritis self‐help group by means of a postal questionnaire. Fifty‐four subjects responded to the questionnaire and 25 of these went on to complete a 3‐day diet diary. These subjects were divided into two study groups: those who believed that diet had some effect on their condition or symptoms and those who believed it had no effect. Results: Food avoidance and supplementation were the most common dietary habits reported by people with rheumatoid arthritis, with 50% of respondents reporting supplementation and 67% food avoidance. The nutrient intakes of the two study groups differed significantly, with the ‘diet‐believers’ generally having a more nutrient‐dense, well‐balanced, healthier diet than the group who did not believe diet had any effect. Conclusion: There is much concern regarding nutritional guidelines for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Individuals who have an interest in diet and nutrition and believe it affects their condition appear to have a more nutrient‐dense, well‐balanced, healthier diet than those who do not have any such belief.
Sugar profiles of cultured dairy products in the UK
Authors: O'Brien J. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Background: Manufacturers provide little detailed information concerning the sugars content of the ever‐increasing range of cultured dairy products in the UK. Information about lactose and free galactose would be of value to consumers and those giving dietary advice. Methods: Sucrose, lactose, glucose, galactose and fructose were measured in a total of 96 cultured dairy products on the UK market using AOAC official methods for enzymatic analysis of sugars. Results: The study confirmed that most lactic acid fermentations result in a decrease in lactose content and an increase in free galactose. Mean values for lactose were as follows: live yoghurts (plain), 3.67%; live yoghurts (with fruit/flavoured), 3.29%; fermented buttermilk, 5.86%; Greek‐style yoghurts (cow's milk), 3.21%; drinking yoghurts, 2.54%; yoghurts (with fruit, low fat), 3.61%; yoghurts (with fruit, full‐fat), 3.57%; sheep's milk yoghurts (plain), 2.21%. Mean values for free galactose were increased compared with unfermented milk: live yoghurts (plain), 1.01%; live yoghurts (with fruit/flavoured), 0.75%; fermented buttermilk, 0.02%; Greek‐style yoghurts (Cow's milk), 0.91%; drinking yoghurts, 0.51%; yoghurts (with fruit, low‐fat), 0.91%; yoghurts (with fruit, full‐fat), 0.72%; sheep's milk yoghurts (plain), 1.24%. In individual products, the concentration ranges of galactose and lactose were 0–1.97% and 1.57–6.18%, respectively. Conclusion: The values reported for free galactose are considerably lower than those reported in the UK food composition tables and may reflect the large number of new products entering the market since the tables were published.
Developing a tool for health professionals involved in producing and evaluating nutrition education leaflets
Authors: Perkins L. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction Nutrition education leaflets are widely used by dietitians and many dietitians are also involved in their production. However, there does not appear to be a suitable tool to assist health professionals to produce or evaluate nutrition education leaflets. There are Guidelines available that are either specifically concerned with nutrition but for all educational materials or specifically for use with leaflets, but not necessarily to do with nutrition. The aim of this study was to develop a tool suitable to assist health professionals when producing and evaluating nutrition education leaflets.Methods Patients and dietitians were surveyed by self‐completion questionnaire to determine their opinions of the importance of various criteria which might be applied to nutrition education leaflets were.Results The research revealed significant differences in the opinions of dietitians and patients for seven of 11 criteria.Conclusion The evaluation tool developed was based on the patients’ ranking of all the criteria. Its reliability was assessed amongst a group of dietitians in Dorset but its wider use and acceptability should be looked at. The tool is likely to be appropriate as a checklist for health professionals producing new nutrition education leaflets or as a framework for evaluating existing nutrition education leaflets.
Promotion of dietary carbohydrate as an approach to weight maintenance after initial weight loss: a pilot study
Authors: Kirk T. , Crombie N. , Cursiter M. 
Published: March 2003

Aim To test a novel approach to weight management based on positive advice to eat more carbohydrate‐rich foods.Methods Twenty‐nine overweight/mildly obese male and female volunteers were recruited. For a 2‐week period they were required to replace one main meal each day with a serving of breakfast cereal. This was followed by 4 weeks eating adlib on a high‐carbohydrate regime. Each subject, who acted as his/her own control, kept a 3‐day unweighed food diary at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 weeks. Anthropometric measurements were made at each stage.Results Twenty‐two subjects completed the study. Mean weight loss at 2 weeks was 2.0 kg, a statistically significant reduction, which was maintained at 6 weeks. Significant changes in mean energy intake (− 2.29 MJ day–1), in percentage energy from carbohydrate (+ 8%) and from fat (– 11%) were observed after 2 weeks, and remained significant at the end of the study.Conclusions The results of this pilot study show that replacing a main meal with breakfast cereal led to moderate weight loss, and a follow‐up high‐carbohydrate phase enabled weight loss to be sustained. We suggest that this regime has potential for further investigation and that promotion of carbohydrate‐rich foods should be part of public health messages for weight control.
The effect of age of introduction to lumpy solids on foods eaten and reported feeding difficulties at 6 and 15 months
Authors: Northstone K. , Emmett P. , Nethersole F. ,   the ALSPAC Study Team
Published: March 2003

AimThe study aimed to document the dietary patterns of infants and determine the development of feeding difficulties as perceived by the mother according to the age at which lumpy solids were introduced into the diet.Study designInformation was collected from a geographically representative population of 9360 mothers of infants born in 1991/92, part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC). Self‐completion questionnaires enquiring about the foods and drinks consumed by the infant and any difficulties experienced by the mothers in feeding her child at both 6 months and 15 months of age were collected.MethodsInfants were divided into three groups based on the age at which they were first introduced to ‘lumpy’ solids: 10.7% were introduced before 6 months of age, 71.7% were introduced between 6 and 9 months and 17.6% were introduced after 10 months of age. The foods eaten by those introduced before 6 months and after 10 months were compared to those introduced between 6 and 9 months. Behaviours and problems as reported by the mother were also assessed.ResultsThose infants who were introduced to lumpy solids at the earliest ages consumed a greater variety of family foods at the age of 6 months, while those introduced at 10 months or later had been given fewer solids of all types by 6 months of age and at 15 months were significantly less likely to be having family foods when compared to those introduced between 6 and 9 months. At each age, those introduced late (10 months or older) to lumps were more difficult to feed and had more definite likes and dislikes.ConclusionsA significant difference was observed in the variety of foods given to infants at both 6 and 15 months according to the age at which they began to have lumps in their food, and feeding difficulties were more likely to occur when lumps were introduced at or after 10 months of age.
The incidence of dieting amongst adolescent girls: a question of interpretation?
Authors: Roberts S. J. , Maxwell S. M. , Bagnall G. , Bilton R. 
Published: March 2003

AimIt is the intention of this study establish the extent of dieting practices amongst adolescent girls and identify their perceptions with regard to ‘dieting’ and ‘healthy eating’.MethodsA total of 140 girls, aged 12–13 years, were recruited from two schools. A self‐reported questionnaire, which determined the incidence of dieting and sought to identify the girls’ perceptions of ‘dieting’ and ‘healthy eating’, was used to collect data.ResultsOut of the total group, 33.6% reported that they had dieted at some time and 15.8% were presently dieting. The most popular definition of dieting amongst the dieters was ‘eating less/cutting down’; however, the second most popular answer was ‘eating healthy food’ which was the most popular answer amongst the non‐dieters. The most popular definition of healthy eating was ‘increasing fruit/veg/salads’, which is similar to how many girls perceived dieting, i.e. eating healthy food (fruit/veg/salads).ConclusionEstablishing the actual incidence of dieting amongst adolescent girls is not a clear‐cut issue as it can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the perceptions of the individual. The results of this study showed that in many cases ‘dieting’ and ‘healthy eating’ were perceived in a similar light, concluding that the dietary intake of dieters may be similar to that of non‐dieters with both groups being at risk from any related health problems.
Dietary trends among Scottish schoolchildren in the 1990s
Authors: Inchley J. , Todd J. , Bryce C. , Currie C. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIn recent years, healthy eating messages have sought to highlight the advantages of a healthy balanced diet, but there is little evidence that the recommendations have been translated into sustained behavioural change. In Scotland, the national diet has become a major focus in key policy documents, and the diet of children and young people has been consistently highlighted as an area of particular concern. This paper reports on dietary trends among Scottish schoolchildren during the 1990s.MethodsData were collected from a representative sample of Scottish schoolchildren as part of the WHO Cross‐national Health Behaviour of School‐aged Children (HBSC) study. Three consecutive national surveys were undertaken in Scotland, in 1990, 1994 and 1998, using self‐completion food frequency questionnaires with 11‐, 13‐and 15‐year‐old school pupils.ResultsBetween 1990 and 1998, fruit and vegetable consumption increased among Scottish schoolchildren, especially among girls, but levels of consumption fell below current dietary recommendations. There has been a concomitant increase in consumption of high‐fat and high‐sugar foods, and consumption of these foods is higher among boys and children from lower socio‐economic groups.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the need for continued health promotion efforts to improve the diet of schoolchildren in Scotland especially among lower socio‐economic groups.
Socioeconomic differences among Australian adults in consumption of fruit and vegetables and intakes of vitamins A, C and folate
Authors: Giskes K. , Turrell G. , Patterson C. , Newman B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective  To determine whether socioeconomic groups differ in their food intakes for fruit and vegetables, their consumption of fruit and vegetables dense in vitamin A, folate and vitamin C, and their nutrient intakes of vitamin C, folate and vitamin A.Methods  The 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey collected food intake data from 8883 adults aged 18–64 years using a 24‐h dietary recall. Fruit and vegetables were measured as amount (g) consumed. Intakes of nutrients were estimated from the 24‐h dietary recall data. Participants were categorized by whether or not they consumed fruit or vegetables high in vitamin A, folate and vitamin C. Gross annual household income was used to measure socioeconomic position.Results  Participants from low‐income households consumed a smaller quantity of fruit and vegetables. They were also less likely to consume fruit and vegetables high in vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. Consistent with these findings, men and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups had lower intakes of vitamin C and folate compared with their more affluent counterparts. These differences were small to moderate in magnitude. Vitamin A intakes were not significantly related to income.Conclusion  As well as promoting healthy dietary practices, nutrition‐promotion strategies should target the nutrient intakes of lower socioeconomic groups. These programmes should focus on improving the quantity and choice of fruit and vegetables consumed by people from low‐income households.
Tube feeding controversial patients: what do dietitians think?
Authors: Healy S. , McNamara E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe use of tube feeding in some patients can be controversial, however, few studies have investigated dietitians' opinions on this subject. A cross‐sectional survey of 345 members the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute was conducted using a self‐administered, anonymous, postal questionnaire. A 44% response rate was achieved. Mean number of years qualified was 9.3 (8.4). Eighty‐one per cent of responders were involved in initiating tube feeding in stroke patients, and 8.5% in discontinuing tube feeding in a patient in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Nine per cent felt that their input had no influence on the care plan of the patient with dementia and 67% felt that the information given to families (or other decision makers) concerning tube feeding was inadequate. The majority of respondents favoured tube feeding fictitious stroke and cancer patients, but less than half favoured tube feeding a fictitious patient in a PVS or a patient with dementia. When given similar scenarios involving themselves, fewer dietitians wanted to be tube fed.
Quantitative comparison of radial cell columns in children with Down's syndrome and controls
Authors: Buxhoeveden D , Fobbs A , Roy E , Casanova M 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNo one has examined the configuration of the minicolumns in Down's syndrome (DS) brains even though these are a basic functional unit of the cortex. In the present study, the authors used computerized imaging to examine minicolumns in the posterior superior temporal gyrus in both the brains of patients with DS and normal controls. They compared the brains of children aged 4 and 6 years with those of adults for both people with DS and the normal population. Columns in the brains of two DS children aged 4 and 6 years were almost the same size as those of the adults with DS. The neuropil space in the periphery of the columns was also considerably wider. In contrast, minicolumns in aged‐matched control children were smaller, both relatively and absolutely, when compared to the mean size of adult columns. The size of the minicolumns in the normal children apparently corresponded to the overall brain size, whereas the large columns in children with DS appeared to be independent of brain size, at least in area Tpt. This seems to reflect a rapid ageing process that is striking when compared to normal controls. Columns in adults with DS were large and less cell dense, while brain volumes were significantly smaller than in controls. This combination suggests reduced neuronal complexity based on a decrease in processing units, which supports previous findings of decreased cell numbers and synaptic diminution in DS brains.
Residential care in the community for adults with intellectual disability: needs, characteristics and services
Authors: Mansell J. , Ashman B. , Macdonald S. , Beadle‐Brown J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground The pattern of residential services for people with intellectual disability in England has changed dramatically since 1971, with many more places being made available in residential homes in the community. The aim of the present study was to assess the needs and characteristics of residents and features of all the residential homes provided by a national charity.Method Assessments of adaptive behaviour, problem behaviour and social impairment were completed by staff who knew residents well; information about costs and staffing was provided from central records.Results A significant proportion of residents have important care needs relating to their skills, their behaviour and their social abilities. Residents with these needs are dispersed throughout services, so that a large majority of services include one or more residents with relatively complex needs.Conclusions Compared with services in the late 1980s, these services care for a much more disabled client group. Since individuals with high levels of particular needs are typically distributed throughout services, a very high proportion of services require staff who have relatively advanced skills. Current national plans do not adequately address this need and case management arrangements may encourage the re‐creation of more institutional services.Declaration of interest The first author is a Trustee of the charity.