Search

Copyright of Vivens Homo is the property of Facolta Teologica dell'Italia Centrale and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Body composition standards ensure service members maintain physical fitness, wellness, and support mission readiness. Anthropometric techniques (i.e., height/mass, circumference-based "tape test") have been the primary screening and percent body fat (%BF) assessment method in military personnel for about 4 decades. Recently, the Army and Marine Corps have implemented more advanced body composition assessment methods, such as air displacement plethysmography (ADP), multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to serve as supplemental %BF assessment after failing the tape test. Although supplemental assessments are intended to improve on the accuracy and precision of the tape test, preassessment standardization, specifically regarding acute water ingestion (AWI), is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this narrative review was to (a) summarize the available literature regarding the influence of AWI on body composition estimates derived from ADP, MF-BIA, and DXA and (b) provide evidence-based recommendations for researchers and practitioners. Studies indicate that AWI increases %BF estimates with ADP (4 of 6 [4/6] observations) and MF-BIA (6/7), whereas AWI increases muscle mass (6/6) and likely decreases %BF (2/3) when obtained by DXA. In conclusion, ADP, MF-BIA, and DXA are susceptible to confounding from AWI, leading to inaccurate body composition estimates that may negatively affect the careers of military personnel. Based on the findings from this narrative review, military practitioners and researchers should (a) follow manufacturer guidelines for calorie intake [food and fluid] and exercise avoidance, (b) conduct urine-specific gravity testing [if possible], and (c) limit AWI to <250 ml before assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity, as indicated by elevated Body Mass Index (BMI), is a well-established global health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality across diverse populations. However, the influence of BMI on individuals in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) occupations, characterized by unique challenges and environmental factors, has received limited research attention. Methods: Our study, a prospective cohort analysis, utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999–2014, targeting adults above 18 in AFF occupations with comprehensive BMI data, omitting individuals with a history of cancer. Mortality outcomes were extracted from the NHANES mortality file, and BMI was segmented into eight categories. Essential covariates such as age, sex, race, and various health factors were incorporated. The statistical analysis encompassed Cox regression, generalized additive models, smooth curve fitting, and stratified analyses. Results: During 1,005 person-years with 201 all-cause and 57 CVD deaths, we observed L-shaped and U-shaped correlations of BMI with all-cause and CVD mortality, featuring a pivotal inflection at 26.69 and 27.40 kg/m2. Above this BMI threshold of 26.69 and 27.4 kg/m2, all-cause mortality association was not significant while CVD mortality was positive. Conclusions: This study highlights a unique BMI-mortality association in AFF occupations, diverging from standard patterns. The rigorous labor and environmental conditions in AFF jobs suggest that a certain range of higher BMI could reduce mortality risk. This highlights the necessity for tailored health guidelines in different occupations. Future research should concentrate on diverse health indicators and enhanced risk assessment for physically strenuous occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: U.S. Army aviators are required to maintain a level of physiological fitness as part of their qualifying process, which suggests that they are generally physically healthy. However, it has not been statistically proven that they are more “physiologically fit” than the general population. METHODS: This retrospective study compares physiological measurements of U.S. Army aviators from the Aeromedical Electronic Resource Office database to the U.S. general population using the Center for Disease Control’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. To enable an accurate comparison of physiological metrics between U.S. Army aviators and the U.S. general population, aviators were categorized into the same age groups and biological genders used for segmentation of the national population data. RESULTS: On average, pulse rate was 4.85 bpm lower in male aviators and 6.84 bpm lower in female aviators. Fasting glucose levels were, on average, 10.6mg · dL−1 lower in aviators compared to the general population. Key metrics like pulse rate and fasting glucose were lower in aviators, indicating cardiovascular and metabolic advantages. However, parameters like cholesterol showed less consistent differences. DISCUSSION: While aviation physical demands and administrative policies selecting for elite physiological metrics produce improvements on some dimensions, a nuanced view accounting for the multitude of factors influencing an aviator’s physiological fitness is still warranted. Implementing targeted health monitoring and maintenance programs based on assessments conducted more frequently than the current annual flight physical may optimize aviator safety and performance over the course of a career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Reducing salt consumption in population is one of the easiest, most efficient and cost - effective ways to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the factors related to the reduction of salt consumption using transtheoretical model among women in southern Iran. Methods: This was a cross -sectional study (descriptive -analytical) conducted from November 2022 to February 2023 on women of 18 -59 who visited comprehensive health centers in Bastak city. A total number of 452 subjects were selected using convenient sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire with three sections: demographic information, a researcher -made questionnaire based on transtheoretical model constructs, and salt consumption reduction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Kruskal -Wallis tests, Pearson's correlation and regression analysis with SPSS software (v. 22). Results: The results showed that participants were between 18 and52 with a mean of 35/51±10/13. 23 /5% of the participants were in pre -contemplation stage, 21/7% in the contemplation stage, 20/8% in preparation stage, 11/3% in action stage, and 22/8% in maintenance stage. Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that there were significant positive relationships between cognitive processes (r= 0 /44, p<0 /01), behavioral processes (r= 0 /54, p<0 /01), self-efficacy (r=0 /43, p<0 /01), decision balance (r= 0 /37, p<0 /01), and salt consumption reduction behavior; but, there was a significant negative correlation between temptation and salt consumption reduction behavior (r= -0.34, p<0 /01). Moreover, regression analysis results revealed that age, counter conditioning, self-efficacy, raising awareness, decision balance, helping relationships, and temptation can predict 38 /1% of the total variance in salt consumption reduction behavior (p<0 /05). Conclusion: According to the findings, self-efficacy, temptation, cognitive and behavioral change processes, and advantages and disadvantages of salt reduction play a major role in salt consumption reduction behavior. It is suggested that these variables be taken into account in developing and implementing educational interventions . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey has highlighted the importance of supporting breastfeeding practices among this vulnerable population. We aimed to evaluate the breastfeeding and infant feeding attitudes of Syrian mothers based on the observations of Syrian healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: An online form including 31 questions was prepared in Turkish, Arabic, and English languages and distributed to HCWs, working in refugee health centers via e-mail, WhatsApp, or text message with the help of Ministry of Health in Turkey between January 2020 and March 2020. The questions were about HCWs' characteristics (occupation, region of employment, duration of employment, participation in breastfeeding counseling course) and about HCWs' observations of Syrian mothers' breastfeeding and infant feeding practices. Results: A total of 876 HCWs were included in the study; about 37.3% were physicians. Only 40.0% of HCWs reported that babies were predominantly fed with breast milk in the first three days after birth, 45.2% of HCWs indicated that mothers typically used sugary water as a prelacteal food, and 30.5% believed that breastfeeding was discontinued before 12 months. The main barriers to breastfeeding identified by HCWs included the lack of education, mental and physical health issues in the mother, food insecurity, low income, inadequate housing, lack of family planning, sociocultural environment, and limited access to quality health services. For complementary feeding, 28.0% of HCWs stated early introduction and 7.4% remarked delayed. HCWs believed grains, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products as top three foods for starting complementary food (59.5%, 47.8%, and 30.3% respectively). Healthcare challenges of Syrian pregnant and lactating mothers were reported to be associated primarily with "food, finance, and housing difficulties", low maternal education, and cultural and environmental issues. HCWs recommended various solutions, such as supporting breastfeeding, offering nutrition and health support, promoting family planning, improving healthcare systems through legislation, and addressing cultural barriers. Conclusions: To address breastfeeding issues among Syrian mothers, it is crucial to provide breastfeeding training to both HCWs and mothers. Expanding interventions that support breastfeeding-friendly practices, including community support and food aid for breastfeeding mothers, should also be considered to address the social determinants of breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined perceptions of healthy eating by middle school students in one low-income rural Mississippi Delta school using 10 focus groups (n = 62). The Social Ecological Model was framework for inductive and deductive thematic coding to analyze transcripts. Results indicated students had a "good food, bad food" approach to health. Students believed the school environment was not conducive to a healthy lifestyle, citing poor food and water quality in addition to a lack of staff. An intervention aimed at increasing self-motivation through school- or community-based initiatives may be successful. Including the community and key stakeholders would improve potential intervention success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND School settings offer an opportunity to impact student health and wellness. Quality wellness policies are important in establishing strong wellness environments, but current resources to support policy development, maintenance, and dissemination are lacking. The Building Healthy Schools Program aimed to develop capacity of school districts to improve the strength and comprehensiveness of wellness policies and sustain these activities. METHODS: Fifteen school districts in Pennsylvania participated in a program to facilitate the improvement of district wellness policies and practices. Program staff provided technical assistance to evaluate wellness policies before and after program implementation. Professional development and tailored training was provided for school personnel to create sustainability. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate policy improvement. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 15 participating districts completed a policy revision. Median strength (p =.001) and comprehensiveness (p =.002) scores improved from baseline to post‐program and there were significant improvements in most assessment sub‐sections. Some districts were hesitant to make strong language improvements due to their limited capacity (ie, staff) for implementation. Champions (n = 13; 87%) reported confidence to revise wellness policy language independently in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Technical assistance provided to districts facilitated significant improvements to wellness policy language, especially in the implementation, evaluation, and communication; critical components for policy impact on school wellness environments. In addition, participant feedback suggested an ability to sustain activities in the future. Both external (ie, technical assistance) and internal resources are needed to facilitate school districts' ongoing wellness policy improvement and implementation, including improved model wellness policy language and enforcement within schools, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND School‐level implementation of district‐level local wellness policies (LWPs) is needed to create school environments that promote nutrition and physical activity (PA). Disparities in classroom‐specific LWPs implementation were examined. METHODS: An administrator survey (N = 756 schools; 24/24 districts) included 6 classrooms LWP best‐practice items (fully/not fully implemented: restricting food celebrations or rewards, incorporating PA breaks or integrating PA in curricula, restricting withholding or using PA as punishment). A sum score (alpha =.71; elementary and middle/high examined separately) was used to examine associations with student body income (free‐and‐reduced priced meals (FARMS): ≤40%, 41‐75%, ≥75%), race/ethnicity, and school location (rural/urban/suburban), accounting for district‐level clustering, with moderation examined. RESULTS: Classroom implementation scores were: elementary = 3.1 ± 1.8 (range: 0‐6/6 items) and middle/high = 2.3 ± 1.6 (range:0‐5/5 items). Among elementary and middle/high schools, 65% and 55% had >40% FARMS, 39% and 46% had ≥50% white student body, and 24% and 23% were urban, respectively. Elementary schools with >40% of FARMS‐eligible students and middle/high schools with <25% white students reported implementing fewer items. Location was not associated with classroom practices nor was moderation observed. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in classroom‐specific LWP best practices implementation were observed by income and race/ethnicity. Tailored support may be needed to improve classroom LWP implementation in schools serving low‐income students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Childhood is a critical period for developing food‐related skills and knowledge, known as food literacy (FL). Schools may be an important setting for interventions aiming to improve FL in children. This systematic scoping review aimed to characterize food literacy interventions in elementary schools. METHODS: Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO) were searched for FL interventions in elementary schools (students aged 4‐12 years). Studies were assessed according to design, duration, theoretical underpinning, and ascertainment of FL outcome(s). Interventions were assessed according to FL competencies (functional, interactive, and critical). RESULTS: After exclusions, 116 studies were eligible for review, including 105 original interventions. Interventions ranged from 45 minutes to 4 years. Social cognitive theory was the most referenced theory and common interventions included; classroom lessons, games, school gardens, food preparation, and cooking classes. Most studies measured FL outcomes quantitatively (96%, N = 111). All studies addressed functional FL (N = 116), while 77% (N = 89) addressed interactive FL and 28% (N = 32) addressed critical FL. CONCLUSIONS: This first international review of FL programs in elementary schools found great heterogeneity in school‐based FL intervention design and measurement of FL. Few interventions addressed critical FL, which should be a focus for future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify school community readiness to adopt a school-based adolescent nutrition intervention.Design: Cross-sectional study: mixed-methods design. The community readiness model was used to guide instrument development and qualitative analysis. Quantitative data are presented using descriptive statistics. Each statement was rated on a seven-point Likert scale, thereby producing scores between 1 (strongly disagree) and 7 (strongly agree).Setting: Ten of the twenty current public secondary schools in Bogor, Indonesia.Participants: Ninety teachers and ten school principals.Results: Eating behaviour problem awareness was present among all participants; awareness of efforts to improve eating habits was also present, but these efforts were perceived as having low efficacy; support from the City Education Authority and Health Authority was present, but the support type did not match the perceived needs; nutrition education had not been implemented across the entire school community due to competing priorities; existing nutrition policies did not provide concrete scenarios and clear guidelines for nutrition-friendly schools; the availability and accessibility of healthy foods at schools were considered to be key factors in improved adolescent nutrition; positive attitudes existed among respondents towards the implementation of various nutrition programmes, and the median and mode were seven in all types of school-based intervention.Conclusions: The school community readiness level regarding school-based adolescent nutrition interventions is currently in the action phase, implying that community leaders have begun organising efforts to address issues in adolescent nutrition and are aware of their consequences. Future support should be directed towards improving existing efforts and offering concrete ideas and clear policy guidelines for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 has been highlighted as a powerful tool for crop improvement. Nevertheless, its efficiency can be improved, especially for crops with a complex genome, such as soybean. In this work, using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology we evaluated two CRISPR systems, a one-component vs. a two-component strategy. In a simplified system, the single transcriptional unit (STU), SpCas9 and sgRNA are driven by only one promoter, and in the conventional system, the two-component transcriptional unit (TCTU), SpCas9, is under the control of a pol II promoter and the sgRNAs are under the control of a pol III promoter. A multiplex system with three targets was designed targeting two different genes, GmIPK1 and GmIPK2, coding for enzymes from the phytic acid synthesis pathway. Both systems were tested using the hairy root soybean methodology. Results showed gene-specific edition. For the GmIPK1 gene, edition was observed in both configurations, with a deletion of 1 to 749 base pairs; however, the TCTU showed higher indel frequencies. For GmIPK2 major exclusions were observed in both systems, but the editing efficiency was low for STU. Both systems (STU or TCTU) have been shown to be capable of promoting effective gene editing in soybean. The TCTU configuration proved to be preferable, since it was more efficient. The STU system was less efficient, but the size of the CRISPR/Cas cassette was smaller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Good breastfeeding technique is important in ensuring adequate milk delivery and preventing breastfeeding problems. Exclusive breastfeeding rate is quite low, and requisite skills regarding proper positioning and attachment of an infant while breastfeeding appears lacking among mothers in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to assess breastfeeding techniques of mothers attending the well-child clinics of two tertiary hospitals in southeast Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study of 396 mother and child pairs who attend the well child clinics of two tertiary hospitals in Enugu (Enugu state University Teaching Hospital and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital) between September 2018 and February 2019. An interviewer administered, well-structured pro forma was used to collect data while mothers were observed closely as they breastfed and scored using the World Health Organization criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Most of the mothers studied (357; 90.2%) attended ante-natal care, and 365 (92.2%) of the deliveries were assisted by a health worker. Only 194 (49%) of mothers practiced good breastfeeding techniques. Maternal age (20–30 years) (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 0.464), attendance to antenatal clinic (P < 0.001; OR 8.336), health education and demonstration on breastfeeding techniques before and after delivery (P = 0.001) and maternal level of education (χ 2 = 13.173, P = 0.001) but not parity (P = 0.386; OR 1.192) were significantly associated with good breastfeeding techniques. Conclusion: There are suboptimal breastfeeding techniques among mothers. Increased awareness creation and regular demonstration of breastfeeding techniques are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brief scales to measure parental self-efficacy (PSE) in relation to children's obesogenic behaviours have not been developed and validated using more rigorous methodology such as invariance testing, limiting their generalisability to sub-groups. This study aimed to assess the construct validity and measurement invariance of brief PSE scales for children's intake of vegetables, soft drinks, and sweets, and physical activity.Methods: Parents (n = 242) of five-to-seven-year-old children in disadvantaged and culturally diverse settings in Sweden responded to a questionnaire in Swedish with 12 items assessing PSE in relation to healthy and unhealthy behaviours. Construct validity was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis, invariance testing compared the scales by groups of parental sex, education, and child weight status. Criterion validity was evaluated using objective measures of children's physical activity and semi-objective measures of diet.Results: Two-factor models showed moderate to excellent fit to the data. Invariance was supported across all groups for healthy behaviour scales. Unhealthy behaviour scales were invariant for all groups except parental education where partial metric invariance was supported. Scales were significantly correlated with physical activity and diet.Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for the validity of brief PSE scales and invariance across groups suggesting their utility for research and clinical management of weight-related behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breastfeeding has clear benefits. Yet, breastfeeding practices fall short of recommendations in low-income populations including participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). To promote breastfeeding, it is important to understand breastfeeding-related behaviors such as initiation and maintenance within the context of a complex societal system. For individual women, making choices about infant feeding (whether to breastfeed or formula-feed a newborn, or when to stop breastfeeding) is a dynamic process involving interactions with health professionals, family, peers and workplaces. Integrating behavioral change theories with systems science tools such as agent-based modeling can help illuminate patterns of breastfeeding behaviors, identify key factors affecting breastfeeding behaviors within this complex dynamic system, and estimate the population impact of hypothetical interventions. Methods: An agent-based model (ABM) was developed to investigate the influences of multiple levels of factors affecting breastfeeding behaviors among WIC participants. Health behavioral change theories were applied and stakeholder input obtained to improve the model, particularly during the conceptual design and model specification steps. The model was then used to identify critical points for intervention and assess the effects of five common interventions (improving knowledge through education, implementing Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative practices, providing postpartum breastfeeding counselling, strengthening partner support, and fostering supportive workplace environments.) Results: The ABM developed in this study produced outcomes (i.e., breastfeeding rates) that were concordant with empirical data. Increasing the coverage of the five selected interventions produced various levels of improvement in breastfeeding practices in the target population. Specifically, improving breastfeeding knowledge had a positive impact on women's intent to breastfeed, while increasing the availability of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative improved breastfeeding initiation rates. However, neither of these two interventions showed a significant impact on breastfeeding maintenance, which was supported by postpartum breastfeeding counseling, partner support and a supportive workplace environment. These three intervention strategies each improved breastfeeding rates at 6 months from 55.6% to 57.1%, 59.5% and 59.3%, respectively. Increasing the coverage of multiple interventions simultaneously had a synergistic effect on breastfeeding maintenance with their effects being greater than the cumulative effects of increasing the coverage of these interventions individually. Conclusion: The ABM we developed was helpful for understanding the dynamic process of decision-making regarding infant feeding modalities in a low-income population, and for evaluating the aggregated population-level impact of breastfeeding promotion interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that online interventions preventing risky substance use can improve student health. There is an increasing interest in transferring evidence-based online programs into university health promotion practice. However, little is known about how to best tailor the implementation process to capacities and context of individual universities. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of readiness (capacity) of German universities concerning the implementation of evidence-based online programs for risky substance use prevention employing an adapted Community Readiness Assessment (CRA) and to develop tailored action plans for implementation. The CRA involved 43 semi-structured interviews with key persons at 10 German universities. The interviews addressed five dimensions (knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue, and resources) at nine possible readiness stages (no awareness—ownership) and additional contextual factors. Overall, readiness for implementing online interventions across universities was rather low. Universities readiness levels ranged between the denial stage with a score of 2.1 and the preplanning stage with a score of 4.4. University-specific readiness was very heterogeneous. On the basis of the results of the CRA, universities received feedback and options for training on how to take the necessary steps to increase readiness and to prepare program implementation. The adapted version of the CRA was well suited to inform future implementation of evidence-based online programs for the prevention of risky substance use at participating universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The present study aimed to determine the stages of changes and cognitive and behavioral processes (Transtheorical model) in the use of nutrients in overweight middle-aged women. Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytic. The research sample consisted of 281 middle-aged women with overweight referring to comprehensive health centers in Isfahan. Personal characteristics, stage of change and behavior and cognitive behavioral processes, and FFQ questionnaire (168-item) were completed by Questioning, and then the information entered the N4 and SPSS 18 software, and information was analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests. Results: 57.7% of the people were inactive (pre-thinking, thinking, preparation) and 42.3% of them were in active phase. There was a significant difference between the different stages of change and the use of behavior change processes (p=0.001) And Benfrown's test shows the increasing use of cognitive and behavioral processes during the stage of change in use of nutrients (p<0.001). Conclusion: The difference in the mean of changes processes during the stage of change show the impact of these processes on the nutritional individual's behavior, which is recommended to use stage of change and behavioral change processes for education nutrition behavioral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a review of the various methods to predict the spontaneous combustion liability of coal and coal-shale. The relative propensity of coal to undergo self-heating can be established by different methods. These methods are well established in their usage, but the fact that no particular test method has become a standard to predict the spontaneous combustion liability indicates that doubt still exists as to the validity of all of them. The underlying principle of all the tests is that the more readily the coal undergoes exothermic oxidation, the more liable it is to self-heat. Comprehensive studies that centres on the international position on research being conducted by academics, different research institutes and industries on spontaneous combustion of coal and coal mine fires were evaluated. Relationships between the geochemical analysis (proximate and ultimate analysis, forms of sulphur, petrographic properties, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence) and spontaneous combustion testing methods (numerical and experimental approaches) used to predict the spontaneous combustion liability of coal were reviewed. The combination of these tests provides a better understanding of the mechanism that controls the spontaneous combustion phenomena. However, irrespective of the extensive studies that have been conducted over time, spontaneous combustion is still a major problem in the coal value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Aporía: Revista Internacional de Investigaciones Filosoficas is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Facultad de Filosofia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot study of a parental school-based intervention to promote healthy eating behaviours in young children.Design: A quasi-experimental longitudinal design with three conditions (complete intervention (CIG), minimal intervention (MIG), control (CG)), with repeated measures at baseline, immediately after the intervention, 6 months and 1 year after intervention.Setting: Fourteen public and state-funded kindergartens near Lisbon, Portugal.Subjects: Parents (n 349) of 3- to 6-year-old children assigned to the three conditions completed the baseline protocol. The 'Red Apple' intervention included four parental group sessions about young children's growth, nutritional guidelines and positive parental feeding strategies, which was combined with adult-child activities at home and in the classroom, and newsletters (CIG). MIG included only a single nutritional counselling session, whereas the CG had no intervention. At the end, thirty-eight, twenty-six and fifty-four parents in the CIG, MIG and CG, respectively, had completed all evaluation components. Data regarding parental perception of children's weight, self-efficacy, nutritional knowledge, feeding strategies, eating behaviours and BMI were collected at the four assessment moments.Results: The CIG showed improvements in children's healthy food intake, compared with the MIG and CG. Parental self-efficacy regarding the regulation of children's eating behaviours decreased in the CG but not in both intervention groups.Conclusions: Considering the low dosage of the intervention, the results obtained were positive. Future studies should offer additional solutions to overcome barriers to parents' participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Children's intake of discretionary choices is excessive. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire measuring parents’ attitudes and beliefs towards limiting provision of discretionary choices, using the Health Action Process Approach model. Methods: The questionnaire items were informed by the Health Action Process Approach model, which extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour to include both motivational (intention) and volitional (post‐intention) factors that influence behaviour change. The questionnaire was piloted for content and face validity (expert panel, n = 5; parents, n = 4). Construct and predictive validity were examined in a sample of 178 parents of 4–7‐year‐old children who completed the questionnaire online. Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha and multiple linear regression. Results: Pilot testing supported content and face validity. Principal component analyses identified constructs that aligned with the eight constructs of the Health Action Process Approach model. Internal consistencies were high for all subscales, in both the motivational (Cronbach's alpha 0.77–0.88) and volitional phase (Cronbach's alpha 0.85–0.92). Conclusions: Initial results from validation tests support the development of a new questionnaire for measuring parent attitudes and beliefs regarding provision of discretionary choices to their 4–7‐year‐old children within the home. This new questionnaire can be used to gain greater insight into parents’ attitudes and beliefs that influence ability to limit discretionary choices provision to children. Further research to expand understanding of the questionnaires’ psychometric properties would be valuable, including confirmatory factor analysis and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urodilatin (UD) and uroguanylin (UGN) have been implicated in the regulation of salt and water homeostasis, particularly in the balance handling of salt intake. In this sense, the aim of the present work was to study the main effects of these peptides in kidneys from animals subjected to high NaCl (2%) intake, during 10 days in metabolic cages. The control group received only normal water, whereas the treated group drank 2% solution of NaCl (NaCl 2%). In addition, we studied effect of subthreshold UD (0.14 nM) and UGN (0.06 µM) doses in NaCl 2% after a 30-min control period. Kidney perfusion was performed with Krebs-Henseleit containing 6 g % bovine albumin previously dialyzed. The effects of UD (0.14 nM) promoted reduction of PP, RVR, and UF in the NaCl 2% group. We also observed an increase in %TNa+ and %TCl-. The main effects of UGN in NaCl 2% were increase in PP, UF, and GFR, followed by a reduction in %TNa+ and %TCl-. After an increased intake of salt, physiological pathways are activated and regulated in order to eliminate excess sodium. In this study, we observed that in a subthreshold dose, UD does not promotes natriuresis and diuresis, suggesting that UGN is an important hormone in inducing salt excretion in a chronic salt overload. Therefore, the effects herein described may play a contributory role in the regulation of kidney function after ingestion of salty meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Schools may be an effective avenue for interventions that prevent childhood obesity. I am Moving I am Learning/Choosy Kids© (IMIL/CK) is a curriculum recommended by Head Start (HS) for education in nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle habits. METHODS We formed an academic-community partnership (ACP), the Springfield Collaborative for Active Child Health, to promote prevention of childhood obesity, in part, to implement the IMIL/CK curriculum in local HS sites. The ACP included a medical school, HS program, public school district, and state health department. RESULTS Community-based participatory research principles helped identify and organize important implementation activities: community engagement, curriculum support, professional teacher training, and evaluation. IMIL/CK was piloted in 1 school then implemented in all local HS sites. All sites were engaged in IMIL/CK professional teacher training, classroom curriculum delivery, and child physical activity assessments. Local HS policy changed to include IMIL/CK in lesson plans and additional avenues of collaboration were initiated. Furthermore, improvements in physical activity and/or maintenance or improvement of healthy weight prevalence was seen in 4 of the 5 years evaluated. CONCLUSIONS An ACP is an effective vehicle to implement and evaluate childhood obesity prevention programming in HS sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary interventions and existing health behaviour theories are centred on individuals; therefore, none of the available tools are applicable to households for changing dietary behaviour. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a practical tool that could be administered by community volunteers to stage households in rural Kerala based on readiness to change dietary behaviour. Such a staging tool, comprising a questionnaire and its algorithm, focusing five dietary components (fruits, vegetables, salt, sugar and oil) and households (rather than individuals), was finalised through three consecutive pilot validation sessions, conducted over a four-month period. Each revised version was tested with a total of 80 households (n = 30, 35 and 15 respectively in the three sessions). The tool and its comparator, Motivational Interviewing (MI), assessed the stage-of-change for a household pertaining to their: 1) fruit and vegetable consumption behaviour; 2) salt, sugar and oil consumption behaviour; 3) overall readiness to change. The level of agreement between the two was tested using Kappa statistics to assess concurrent validity. A value of 0.7 or above was considered as good agreement. The final version was found to have good face and content validity, and also a high level of agreement with MI (87%; weighted kappa statistic: 0.85). Internal consistency testing was performed using Cronbach’s Alpha, with a value between 0.80 and 0.90 considered to be good. The instrument had good correlation between the items in each section (Cronbach’s Alpha: 0.84 (fruit and vegetables), 0.85 (salt, sugar and oil) and 0.83 (Overall)). Pre-contemplation was the most difficult stage to identify; for which efficacy and perceived cooperation at the household level were important. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first staging tool for households. This tool represents a new concept in community-based dietary interventions. The tool can be easily administered by lay community workers and can therefore be used in large population-based studies. A more robust validation process with a larger sample is needed before it can be widely used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental self-efficacy (PSE) refers to beliefs of parents to effectively engage in behaviors that result in desired outcomes for their children. There are several instruments of PSE for promoting healthy dietary or physical activity (PA) behaviors in children. These measures typically assess PSE in relation to some quantity or frequency of behavior, for example, number of servings or times per week. However, measuring PSE in relation to contextual circumstances, for example, psychological states and situational demands, may be a more informative approach. The purpose of the present study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a context-based PSE instrument. Methods: Swedish mothers of five-year-old children (n = 698) responded to the Parental Self-Efficacy for Healthy Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Preschoolers Scale (PDAP) and a questionnaire on dietary and PA behaviors in children. Interviews were conducted to explore participant perceptions of the quality of the PDAP items. Psychometric evaluation was conducted using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Spearman correlations between PSE and child behaviors were examined. Results: Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with participants, who perceived the items as highly comprehensible, relevant and acceptable. A four-factor model of a revised 21-item version of the PDAP fitted the data, with different factors of PSE for promoting healthy dietary or PA behaviors in children depending on whether circumstances were facilitating or impeding successful performance. Internal consistency was excellent for total scale (Cronbach's a = .94), and good for factors (a =. 8 4-.88). Correlations were in the expected direction: positive correlations between PSE and healthy behaviors, and negative correlations between PSE and unhealthy behaviors (all rss ≤ .32). Conclusions: Psychometric evaluation of the PDAP provided preliminary support of construct validity and internal consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This study aimed to describe food and nutrient intake for low-income, urban African American children and adolescents, to highlight the need for further nutrition intervention programs and appropriate tools to address overweight and obesity. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study using interviewer-administered single 24-hour dietary recalls. Participants were low-income African American boys and girls aged 5–16 years or their caregivers in Baltimore City. Frequency of food consumption and dietary intakes were analyzed by gender and age groups. Results:Eighty-one participants were included for analysis. Mean daily energy intakes exceeded Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) from 10% to 71% across all gender-age groups: 2304 kcal for children aged 5–8 years; 2429 kcal and 2732 kcal for boys and girls aged 9–13 years, respectively; and 3339 kcal and 2846 kcal for boys and girls aged 14–16 years, respectively. The most frequently reported consumed foods were sweetened drinks, chips, candies, and milk across all age groups. The majority of participants (79–100%) did not meet the DRIs for dietary fiber and vitamin E across all gender-age groups. Milk accounted for 14%, 17%, and 21% of energy, fat, and protein intake, respectively, among children 5–8 years of age, while pizza was the top source of energy, fat, and protein (11%, 13%, and 18%, respectively) among 14-to 16-year-old adolescents. Sweetened drinks and sweetened juices were major sources of sugar, contributing 33% for 5–8 year olds, 29% for 9–13 year olds, and 35% for 14–16 year olds. Conclusions:Mean daily energy intake exceeded dietary recommendations across all gender-age groups. This study has provided previously unavailable information on diet and highlights foods to be targeted in nutrition intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Objective: Fish consumption plays an important role in human health and prevention of disease. This study was aimed to determine the tendency to fish consumption based on the constructs of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) in women referred to Health Centers of Bandar Abbas. Materials and methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, 383 women who referred to Health Centers of Bandar Abbas recruited through cluster sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire which consisted of two sections, namely, demographic characteristics and structures of TTM. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 and one-way ANOVA and linear trends as statistical tests. Results: 11.7% of participants were in the precontemplation stage, 3.9% in the contemplation stage, 13.6% in the preparation stage, 7.3% in the action stage, and 63.4% in the maintenance stage. The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed a significant association between constructs of TTM and stages of change, so that with progress of individuals from pre-contemplation stage to the maintenance stage, the decisional balance, self-efficacy and processes of change were increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the significant association between decisional balance, self-efficacy and processes of change with the stages of change for fish consumption, designing and implementation of educational programs toward reinforcing the TTM constructs for attaining the action and maintenance in fish consumption is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among maternal and infant characteristics, breastfeeding techniques, and exclusive breastfeeding initiation in different modes of birth using structural equation modeling approaches. Methods: We examined a hypothetical model based on integrating concepts of a breastfeeding decision-making model, a breastfeeding initiation model, and a social cognitive theory among 952 mother-infant dyads. The LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool was used to evaluate breastfeeding techniques and two infant feeding categories were used (exclusive and non-exclusive breastfeeding). Results: Structural equation models (SEM) showed that multiparity was significantly positively associated with breastfeeding techniques and the jaundice of an infant was significantly negatively related to exclusive breastfeeding initiation. A multigroup analysis in the SEM showed no difference between the caesarean section and vaginal delivery groups estimates of breastfeeding techniques on exclusive breastfeeding initiation. Breastfeeding techniques were significantly positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding initiation in the entire sample and in the vaginal deliveries group. However, breastfeeding techniques were not significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding initiation in the cesarean section group. Maternal age, maternal race, gestations, birth weight of infant, and postnatal complications had no significant impacts on breastfeeding techniques or exclusive breastfeeding initiation in our study. Overall, the models fitted the data satisfactorily (GFI = 0.979–0.987; AGFI = 0.951–0.962; IFI = 0.958–0.962; CFI = 0.955–0.960, and RMSEA = 0.029–0.034). Conclusions: Multiparity and jaundice of an infant were found to affect breastfeeding technique and exclusive breastfeeding initiation respectively. Breastfeeding technique was related to exclusive breastfeeding initiation according to the mode of birth. This relationship implies the importance of early effective interventions among first-time mothers with jaundice infants in improving breastfeeding techniques and promoting exclusive breastfeeding initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing individual's readiness to change and targeting the intervention to the level of readiness may improve successful weight loss rates. This study aimed to assess readiness for weight loss in obese women using the trans theoretical model. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 volunteer apparently healthy obese women, in Ardabil, Iran. Participants completed the translated and validated University of Rhode Island Change Assessment questionnaire in their first visit. Subjects were categorized into one of the stages of change based on the highest of four z-transformed scale scores. The readiness to change score was calculated. Results: More than half of the participants were in early stages of weight loss and 24.5% were in the action stage. The readiness score in the precontemplation stage was significantly lower than the other stages, but no significant difference was observed among the contemplation, action and maintenance stages. The significant correlation was observed between the stages of change and waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.33, P<0.05). Conclusion: Obese women attending the nutrition clinic are in different stages to change for weight loss. Understanding person specific stages of change orientates the dietitian to use the most appropriate counseling strategies. Hence the stages and readiness to change should be considered before implementing any intervention in clinical settings for optimal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventions targeting lifestyle-related risk factors and non-communicable diseases have contributed to the mainstream knowledge necessary for action. However, there are gaps in how this knowledge can be translated for practical day-to-day use in complex multicultural settings like that in India. Here, we describe the design of the Behavioural Intervention for Diet study, which was developed as a community-based intervention to change dietary behaviour among middle-income households in rural Kerala. Methods: This was a cluster-randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a sequential stage-matched intervention to bring about dietary behaviour change by targeting the procurement and consumption of five dietary components: fruits, vegetables, salt, sugar, and oil. Following a step-wise process of pairing and exclusion of outliers, six out of 22 administrative units in the northern part of Trivandrum district, Kerala state were randomly selected and allocated to intervention or control arms. Trained community volunteers carried out the data collection and intervention delivery. An innovative tool was developed to assess household readiness-to-change, and a household measurement kit and easy formulas were introduced to facilitate the practical side of behaviour change. The 1-year intervention included a household component with sequential stage-matched intervention strategies at 0, 6, and 12 months along with counselling sessions, telephonic reminders, and home visits and a community component with general awareness sessions in the intervention arm. Households in the control arm received information on recommended levels of intake of the five dietary components and general dietary information leaflets. Discussion: Formative research provided the knowledge to contextualise the design of the study in accordance with socio-cultural aspects, felt needs of the community, and the ground realities associated with existing dietary procurement, preparation, and consumption patterns. The study also addressed two key issues, namely the central role of the household as the decision unit and the long-term sustainability through the use of existing local and administrative networks and community volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family and home environment are important in shaping the dietary patterns of children, yet research among low-income, minority groups is limited. We examined ethnic differences in the home food environment and parental practices among 706 low-income, African-American and Hispanic families of preschoolers. Questionnaires measured the access and availability of various foods in the home, parental practices, and meal consumption behaviors. Mixed model logistic regression and ANCOVA were used to assess ethnic differences. Unhealthy foods were available for both groups. Hispanic families were more likely to have fresh vegetables (AOR = 2.9, P ≤ 0.001), fruit (AOR = 2.0, P = 0.004), and soda available (AOR = 1.40, P = 0.001) compared to African-Americans. African-Americans families were more likely to restrict (AOR = 0.63, P ≤ 0.001) and reward with dessert (AOR = 0.69, P ≤ 0.001). Hispanic families consumed more family meals together ( P = 0.003) and less meals in front of the television ( P ≤ 0.006). Health promotion interventions should consider the behavioral differences between ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  During the past few decades, satellite altimetry has brought tremendous new knowledge about the spatial and temporal variations of sea surface heights over the Earth’s oceans. However, the precision is limited over short wavelengths and in coastal areas, and other methods such as kinematic GPS may be needed to fill in this information. We present kinematic GPS work aimed at mapping the sea surface height, with special attention to the precision one can expect. Active marine subduction zones, like the Vanuatu archipelago, may present short wavelength, high amplitude undulations of the sea surface height that are difficult to map with satellite altimetry. This paper presents the methodology used around Santo Island, in Vanuatu, to obtain a well-resolved local sea surface map with a precision of 5–15 cm limited by the sea conditions and the distance from the coastal reference station. We present the results of three campaigns in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Careful observation of the ship behaviour along the surveys as well as simultaneous recording of the ship attitude variations is mandatory to obtain reliable results. We show that the ship GPS antenna height varies with the ship’s velocity and we suggest a method to correct this effect. The final precision is estimated using the crossover differences method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of the mercury-resistant denitrifier, Pseudomonas stutzeri strain OX, and its sensitive derivative OX1 to HgCl[sup 2] was examined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to evaluate the potential role of the transformations mediated by the mercury resistance operon (mer) in the geochemical cycling of mercury. The resistance of strain OX to increasing concentrations of Hg(II) under anaerobic conditions resulted in a tri-phasic dose-response curve. Between 0.1 and 5 μM Hg(II), OX was as sensitive to Hg(II) as anaerobically grown OX1. No further growth inhibition was observed for OX between 5 and 25 μM Hg(II) under anaerobic conditions. At concentrations > 30 μ M Hg(II), OX exhibited greater tolerance to Hg(II) under anaerobic versus aerobic conditions. Similarly, the sensitive strain OX1 was able to tolerate a 6-fold higher Hg(II) concentration under anaerobic than under aerobic conditions. When grown anaerobically, the maximal apparent [sup 203]8Hg(II) volatilization rates by strain OX were decreased relative to those seen in aerobically grown cultures. Induction of mercuric reductase (MR) under anaerobic versus aerobic conditions depended on the Hg(II) concentration; at 0.1 μM, [sup 203]Hg volatilization was lower anaerobically, whereas at 25 μM, MR activity was similar under both conditions. Additionally, an OX1 derivative carrying a merR-lacZ fusion produced > 20 times more β-galactosidase under aerobic than under anaerobic conditions when induced with < 0.5 μM Hg(II). These results suggest that (1) anaerobiosis affects Hg(II) transport into the cell and (2) the levels of mer expression are influenced by both the redox conditions and the concentration of Hg(II). Thus, mer-mediated activities are expected to affect mercury geochemistry in anoxic environments at higher concentrations of Hg(II) than in oxic environments. The implications of these findings to methylmercury accumulation in aquatic environments are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fresenius' Zeitschrift für Analytische Chemie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Epichloë typhina is a biotrophic fungal pathogen which causes choke disease of pooid grasses. The anamorphic state, Acremonium typhinum, is placed in the section Albo-lanosa along with related, mutualistic, seeddisseminated endophytes. As an initial study of gene structure and evolution in Epichloë and related endophytes, the β-tubulin gene, tub2, of the perennial ryegrass choke pathogen (EtPRG) was cloned and sequenced. The coding sequence and the predicted β-tubulin amino acid sequence were highly homologous to the Neurospora crassa homologs, and to one of the two β-tubulin genes of Emericella nidulans. However, two introns characteristic of the N. crassa and Em. nidulans genes were absent in the E. typhina gene. Furthermore, one of the remaining introns possessed the uncommon 5′ splice junction, GC. In contrast to published observations concerning other Ascomycetes, a mutant of EtPRG, selected for resistance to methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate (benomyl), possessed no alteration of its β-tubulin coding sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ghana has reached an advanced stage of nutrition transition, contributing to an increase in nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, particularly amongst urban women. Community involvement is an important factor in the success of efforts to promote healthy eating. The readiness of populations to accept a range of interventions needs to be understood before appropriate interventions can be implemented. Therefore, this study assessed how ready urban communities are to improve diets of women of reproductive age in Ghana.Methods: Using the Community Readiness Model (CRM), in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 key informants from various sectors in low income communities across two cities in Ghana: Accra and Ho. The CRM consists of 36 open questions addressing five readiness dimensions (community knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue and resources). Interviews were scored using the CRM protocol with a maximum of 9 points per dimension (from 1 = no awareness to 9 = high level of community ownership). Thematic analysis was undertaken to gain insights of community factors that could affect the implementation of interventions to improve diets.Results: The mean community readiness scores indicated that both communities were in the "vague awareness stage" (3.35 ± 0.54 (Accra) and 3.94 ± 0.41 (Ho)). CRM scores across the five dimensions ranged from 2.65-4.38/9, ranging from denial/resistance to pre-planning. In both communities, the mean readiness score for 'knowledge of the issue' was the highest of all dimensions (4.10 ± 1.61 (Accra); 4.38 ± 1.81 (Ho)), but was still only at the pre-planning phase. The lowest scores were found for community knowledge of efforts (denial/resistance; 2.65 ± 2.49 (Accra)) and resources (vague awareness; 3.35 ± 1.03 (Ho)). The lack of knowledge of the consequences of unhealthy diets, misconceptions of the issue partly from low education, as well as challenges faced from a lack of resources to initiate/sustain programmes explained the low readiness.Conclusions: Despite recognising that unhealthy diets are a public health issue in these urban Ghanaian communities, it is not seen as a priority. The low community readiness ratings highlight the need to increase awareness of the issue prior to intervening to improve diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Until now, there is no clear overview of how fidelity is assessed in school-based obesity prevention programmes. In order to move the field of obesity prevention programmes forward, the current review aimed to 1) identify which fidelity components have been measured in school-based obesity prevention programmes; 2) identify how fidelity components have been measured; and 3) score the quality of these methods. Methods: Studies published between January 2001–October 2017 were selected from searches in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and ERIC. We included studies examining the fidelity of obesity prevention programmes (nutrition and/or physical activity and/or sitting) at school (children aged 4–18 year) measuring at least one component of implementation fidelity. A data extraction was performed to identify which and how fidelity components were measured. Thereafter, a quality assessment was performed to score the quality of these methods. We scored each fidelity component on 7 quality criteria. Each fidelity component was rated high (> 75% positive), moderate (50–75%) or low (< 50%). Results: Of the 26,294 retrieved articles, 73 articles reporting on 63 different studies were included in this review. In 17 studies a process evaluation was based on a theoretical framework. In total, 120 fidelity components were measured across studies: dose was measured most often (N = 50), followed by responsiveness (N = 36), adherence (N = 26) and quality of delivery (N = 8). There was substantial variability in how fidelity components were defined as well as how they were measured. Most common methods were observations, logbooks and questionnaires targeting teachers. The quality assessment scores ranged from 0 to 86%; most fidelity components scored low quality (n = 77). Conclusions: There is no consensus on the operationalisation of concepts and methods used for assessing fidelity in school-based obesity prevention programmes and the quality of methods used is weak. As a result, we call for more consensus on the concepts and clear reporting on the methods employed for measurements of fidelity to increase the quality of fidelity measurements. Moreover, researchers should focus on the relation between fidelity and programme outcomes and determine to what extent adaptations to programmes have been made, whilst still being effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]