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With meta-analysis, participant-level data from five text messaging-based smoking cessation intervention studies were pooled to investigate cessation patterns across studies and participants. Individual participant data (N=8315) collected in New Zealand (2001-2003; n=1705), U.K. (2008-2009; n=5792), U.S. (2012; n=503; n=164) and Turkey (2012; n=151) were collectively analyzed in 2014. The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day continuous abstinence at 4weeks post-quit day. Secondary outcomes were: (1) self-reported 7-day continuous abstinence at 3months and (2) self-reported continuous abstinence at 6months post-quit day. Generalized linear mixed models were fit to estimate the overall treatment effect, while accounting for clustering within individual studies. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, previous quit attempts, and baseline Fagerstrom score. Analyses were intention to treat. Participants lost to follow-up were treated as smokers. Twenty-nine percent of intervention participants and 12% of control participants quit smoking at 4weeks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.89, 95% CI [2.57, 3.26], p<.0001). An attenuated but significant effect for cessation for those in the intervention versus control groups was observed at 3months (aOR=1.88, 95% CI [1.53, 2.31]) and 6months (aOR=2.24, 95% CI [1.90, 2.64]). Subgroup analyses were conducted but few significant findings were noted. Text messaging-based smoking cessation programs increase self-reported quitting rates across a diversity of countries and cultures. Efforts to expand these low-cost and scalable programs, along with ongoing evaluation, appear warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are few objective data on how nutrition labels are used in real-world shopping situations, or how they affect dietary choices and patterns.Design: The Starlight study was a four-week randomised, controlled trial of the effects of three different types of nutrition labels on consumer food purchases: Traffic Light Labels, Health Star Rating labels, or Nutrition Information Panels (control). Smartphone technology allowed participants to scan barcodes of packaged foods and receive randomly allocated labels on their phone screen, and to record their food purchases. The study app therefore provided objectively recorded data on label viewing behaviour and food purchases over a four-week period. A post-hoc analysis of trial data was undertaken to assess frequency of label use, label use by food group, and association between label use and the healthiness of packaged food products purchased.Results: Over the four-week intervention, study participants (n = 1255) viewed nutrition labels for and/or purchased 66,915 barcoded packaged products. Labels were viewed for 23% of all purchased products, with decreasing frequency over time. Shoppers were most likely to view labels for convenience foods, cereals, snack foods, bread and bakery products, and oils. They were least likely to view labels for sugar and honey products, eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables, and meat. Products for which participants viewed the label and subsequently purchased the product during the same shopping episode were significantly healthier than products where labels were viewed but the product was not subsequently purchased: mean difference in nutrient profile score -0.90 (95% CI -1.54 to -0.26).Conclusions: In a secondary analysis of a nutrition labelling intervention trial, there was a significant association between label use and the healthiness of products purchased. Nutrition label use may therefore lead to healthier food purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Screen-based activities increase dietary intake in the absence of TV advertising [•] Studies have focused on the effects of TV rather than computer and video games [•] Limited data on comparative effects of different screens on acute dietary intake [•] Energy intake greater during TV watching than computer use [•] No difference in energy intake between computer use and video game play [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia can cause intestinal infarction but the diagnosis is challenging. This prospective study evaluated three plasma biomarkers of intestinal infarction after cardiac surgery. Materials and methods Patients were recruited after cardiac surgery if they required laparotomy (with or without intestinal resection) for suspected nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Plasma levels of D-lactate, intestinal fatty acid–binding protein (i-FABP), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) before laparotomy were measured. Results Twenty patients were recruited (68 ± 9 y, EuroSCORE: 8.7 ± 2.8, mortality 70%). A positive laparotomy ( n = 13) was associated with no change in D-lactate ( P = 0.95), decreased i-FABP ( P = 0.007), and increased SMA ( P = 0.01). All patients with high SMA had a positive laparotomy. A subgroup analysis was undertaken in the eight patients who required multiple laparotomies. D-lactate increased between the two laparotomies in nonsurvivors ( n = 4). Plasma i-FABP ( P = 0.008) and SMA ( P = 0.036) significantly decreased after the bowel resection, regardless of survival outcome. Conclusions None of the biomarkers were accurate enough to reliably diagnose intestinal infarction. However, all patients with high values of SMA developed intestinal infarction, thus warranting further investigation. An increasing D-lactate after intestinal resection suggests impending death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility (recruitment, retention, and acceptability) and preliminary efficacy of a six-week home-based electronic time monitor intervention on New Zealand children''s television watching in 2008. Methods: Twenty-nine children aged 9 to 12 years who watched more than 20 h of television per week (62% male, mean age 10.4 years) were randomised to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group received an electronic TV time monitor for 6 weeks and advice to restrict TV watching to 1 h per day or less. The control group was given verbal advice to restrict TV watching. Results: Participant retention at 6 weeks was 93%. Semi-structured interviews with intervention families confirmed moderate acceptability of TV time monitors and several perceived benefits including better awareness of household TV viewing and improved time planning. Drawbacks reported included disruption to parents'' TV watching and increased sibling conflict. Time spent watching television decreased by 4.2 h (mean change [SD]: −254 [536] min) per week in the intervention group compared with no change in the control group (−3 [241] min), but the difference between groups was not statistically significant, p =0.77. Both groups reported decreases in energy intake from snacks and total screen time and increases in physical activity measured by pedometer and between-group differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Electronic TV time monitors are feasible to use for home-based TV watching interventions although acceptability varies between families. Preliminary findings from this pilot suggest that such devices have potential to decrease children''s TV watching but a larger trial is needed to confirm effectiveness. Future research should be family-orientated; take account of other screen time activities; and employ TV time monitors as just one of a range of strategies to decrease sedentary behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]