2022 ISHRAB Historical Records Grant Application Package

This grant application was submitted to the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board (ISHRAB) in 2022 and accepted in July 2022. Grant funds allowed Parkland College librarians to digitize the student newspaper, The Prospectus, and make it available on its institutional repository, SPARK

The effects of probiotics and symbiotics on risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy

Alterations in the levels of intestinal microbiota, endotoxemia, and inflammation are novel areas of interest in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Probiotics and symbiotics are a promising treatment option for HE due to possible beneficial effects in modulating gut microflora and might be better tolerated and more cost-effective than the traditional treatment with lactulose, rifaximin or L-ornithine-L-aspartate. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was conducted for randomized controlled clinical trials in adult patients with cirrhosis, evaluating the effect of probiotics and symbiotics in changes on intestinal microflora, reduction of endotoxemia, inflammation, and ammonia, reversal of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), prevention of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), and improvement of quality of life. Nineteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Probiotics and symbiotics increased beneficial microflora and decreased pathogenic bacteria and endotoxemia compared with placebo/no treatment, but no effect was observed on inflammation. Probiotics significantly reversed MHE [risk ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14, 2.05; P=0.005] and reduced OHE development (risk ratio, 0.62; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.80; P=0.0002) compared with placebo/no treatment. Symbiotics significantly decreased ammonia levels compared with placebo (15.24; 95% CI: −26.01, −4.47; P=0.006). Probiotics did not show any additional benefit on reversal of MHE and prevention of OHE development when compared with lactulose, rifaximin, and L-ornithine-L-aspartate. Only 5 trials considered tolerance with minimal side effects reported. Although further research is warranted, probiotics and symbiotics should be considered as an alternative therapy for the treatment and management of HE given the results reported in this systematic review

Can Diet Influence the COVID-19 Mortality Rate?

Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.© 2020 S. Karger GmbH, Freibur

Fostering Virtue-Driven Information Literacy

This conversation group emerged from the discussions of the Roundtable for Virtue-Driven Information Literacy (VIL) formed in 2022. The presenters defined VIL, emphasizing intellectual virtues and the cultivation of virtuous intellectual habits in the pursuit of truth and the potential benefits of VIL as a foundation for information literacy in academic libraries. Participants identified the value of VIL in providing a theoretical framework for information-literacy instruction, motivating students, and connecting library initiatives with faith-based worldviews. Breakout groups also dis-cussed the practical challenges associated with VIL implementation. The presenters concluded with suggestions for resources and an invitation for collaboration among librarians

Factors influencing engagement in postnatal weight management and subsequent weight and well-being outcomes

Many women exceed gestational weight gain recommendations. Successful postnatal weight management decreases the risk of entering further pregnancies obese. This service evaluation investigates women’s motivations to lose weight postnatally, the weight loss achieved and impact on self-esteem. Methods: online survey using quantitative questions to determine motivation and lifestyle behaviours related to post-natal weight management in women attending a commercial weight management organisation. Weekly weights confirmed from digitally recorded data. Results: 1015 responded. Mean joining BMI was 33.3kg/m2 ± 5.85 and when surveyed 30.5kg/m2 ± 5.86, a change of -2.8 ± 0.1 kg/m² (p <0.01, 95% CI 2.76 – 3.11). 463 (45.7%) joined the groups between 6-26 weeks postnatal. Main motivators to lose weight were ‘to improve how I feel about my body size and shape’ (85.2%) and ‘improve self-confidence’ (76.6%) although only ‘to improve my health’ (65.6%) correlated with actual weight loss (0.114, p<0.01). Healthcare professional recommendation was less of a reason (6.5%). Improvements in self-confidence (77.6%), self-esteem (78.6%), wellbeing (85.2%) and body size/shape (70.1%) were reported. Conclusion: Women chose to engage to improve self-confidence, feelings about their body shape and health. There is an opportunity for healthcare professionals to encourage women early after giving birth to engage in weight loss and this may improve outcomes

Community weight management, obesity prevention and treatment, across the life-course

Obesity results from complex interactions between biological, behavioural, social and environmental factors. The focus of this thesis, both the collection of papers presented and the extended abstract, is on community-based approaches to the prevention and treatment of obesity across five important key life stages. The importance of early life influences, including the intrauterine environment, and the subsequent impact on body fatness across the life-course is discussed. Published research included considers the impact of interventions which aim to limit gestational weight gain on baby’s’ birthweights and the wider influence on sustained breastfeeding. However research presented also suggests that pregnant women receive limited information from healthcare professionals and whilst pregnancy should provide an ideal opportunity for public health intervention, the postnatal period may be more acceptable as a time to provide support and advice. The prevalence of childhood obesity has continued to increase. The most significant predictor of childhood obesity is parental obesity. A paper is presented which demonstrates that engaging adults in lifestyle programmes can have a positive impact on both the diet and activity habits of their family. A systematic review considers how TV viewing during meal-times may influence the foods and drinks consumed with the findings suggesting that the practice of eating whilst watching TV has a negative impact on the diet quality. It is recognised that sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute significantly to the free sugar dietary intake, particularly the %total energy intake of children and adolescents. A further published review asks the question, which interventions that aim to reduce the intake of SSBs lead to reduced body fatness in children. There is a need for both primary prevention activities to prevent unhealthy weight gain and interventions to treat overweight and obese children/adolescents. Published data provides evidence for an intervention which does lead to weight loss in obese adolescents, leading to enhanced self-esteem which helps to improve their lifestyles behaviours. Young adulthood represents a period of change with increasing independence. There may be few occasions to discuss weight management with young adults but a presented paper explores the opportunities in primary care. Obesity is associated with a number of chronic diseases, one example being type 2 diabetes which is now presenting in adolescents and young adults. Losing weight can have a significant clinical impact on the glycaemic control of people with diabetes and thus reduce the health burden associated with the condition. Type 2 diabetes is now reversible if significant weight loss is achieved. A paper is presented which evaluates weight management in people with diabetes and the associated impact on glycaemic control. Prevalence data suggests that 25 million adults in the UK are either overweight or obese. Given the health burden to both the individual and society, scalable solutions are required which are delivered in a community setting. Through collaboration with a commercial weight management organisation (CWMO), a series of papers are presented which explore the feasibility and effectiveness of referral from primary care to CWMOs. CWMOs, using behavioural strategies, are well placed to support the large numbers of people who need weight management guidance and a referral scheme may address the health inequalities seen in obesity prevalence. One example of a well-established behavioural strategy, target setting, is considered in more detail with evidence of the importance of target setting presented. As with all research, weight management research is confounded by methodological issues. Community- based programmes are often more complex than clinical trials and contamination may be an issue. The extended abstract explores the methodological issues related to the presented papers in more detail. Whilst we can continue to improve our methodology it is important that we advance our knowledge as to what works to reduce the obesity epidemic. Sadly there will probably not be one solution which is effective at an individual level given the psychosocial complexities of obesity. Ideally we need to promote a nutritionally balanced diet and adequate levels of daily activity which enable children and adults to maintain a healthy weight across the life-course starting at the very beginning of conception

A Strategic Audit of Hasbro

This strategic audit dives into ten components of Hasbro’s strategic management. The first component discusses Hasbro’s history and current strategic leadership. This is followed by an analysis of the impacts of its external and internal environment. Next, the audit examines Hasbro’s recent performance and competition it faces in the Toy Wholesaling industry. The sixth, seventh, and eighth components consider different levels of strategy that Hasbro pursues. Lastly, the strategic audit considers Hasbro’s corporate governance and its organizational structure and controls. Overall, we conclude that Hasbro is a mature company in a slow-growing industry. Its ability to translate its iconic and well-known brands from toys to online games and TV shows provides a source of competitive advantage that allows it to differentiate itself from competitors. However, Hasbro faces stiff competition from Mattel, which has seen higher profit margins and stronger financial results recently

Setting targets leads to greater long-term weight losses and ‘unrealistic’ targets increase the effect in a large community-based commercial weight management group

Background. Setting personal targets is an important behavioural component in weight management programmes. Normal practice is to encourage ‘realistic’ weight loss but the under-pinning evidence base for this is limited and controversial. This study investigates the effect of number and size of weight loss targets on long-term weight loss in a large community sample of adults. Methods. Weight change, attendance and target weight data for all new UK members, joining January to March 2012 was extracted from a commercial slimming organisation’s electronic database. Results. Of the 35 380 members who had weight data available at 12 months after joining, 69.1% (n=24 447)had a starting BMI≥30kg/m2. Their mean weight loss was 12.9±7.8% and for both sexes, weight loss at 12 months was greater for those who set targets (p25% was 7.6±4.0 kg/m2. A higher percentage of obese members did not set targets (p<0.001) compared to those with a BMI below 30kg/m2. Conclusions. Much of the variance in achieved weight loss in this population was explained by the number of targets set and the size of the first target. Whilst obese people were less likely to set targets, doing so increased the likelihood of achieving clinically significant weight loss and for some ‘unrealistic’ targets improved results

Vegans, Vegetarians, and Omnivores: How Does Dietary Choice Influence Iodine Intake? A Systematic Review

Vegan and vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular. Dietary restrictions may increase the risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review aims to assess iodine intake and status in adults following a vegan or vegetarian diet in industrialised countries. A systematic review and quality assessment were conducted in the period May 2019-April 2020 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were identified in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and secondary sources. Fifteen articles met inclusion criteria. Participants included 127,094 adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Vegan groups presented the lowest median urinary iodine concentrations, followed by vegetarians, and did not achieve optimal status. The highest iodine intakes were recorded in female vegans (1448.0 ± 3879.0 µg day-1) and the lowest in vegetarians (15.6 ± 21.0 µg day-1). Omnivores recorded the greatest intake in 83% of studies. Seaweed contributed largely to diets of vegans with excessive iodine intake. Vegans appear to have increased risk of low iodine status, deficiency and inadequate intake compared with adults following less restrictive diets. Adults following vegan and vegetarian diets living in countries with a high prevalence of deficiency may be more vulnerable. Therefore, further monitoring of iodine status in industrialised countries and research into improving the iodine intake and status of adults following vegan and vegetarian diets is required

Changes in self-esteem in participants associated with Weightloss and Maintenance of Commercial Weight Management Programme

Introduction and methods: This study examined associations between weight loss, its maintenance and self-esteem in 292 members of a commercial weight management organisation, Slimming World. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire adapted to 5-point Likert scales. Associations between dimensions of self-esteem and weight change were examined by correlation and regression using the GENSTAT 5 statistical program. Results: Mean (SD) weight on joining the CWMO was 89.0 (20.0) kg; time taken to reach current weight was 16.3 (13.5) months. Mean (SD) weight change was -15.6 (11.4) kg and BMI change was -5.7 (4.0) (both p < 0.001), maintained for 11.7 (12.8) months. Percent variance in weight change associated with each component of self-esteem is given in parentheses. All weight changes were negative. Participants reported a decrease in sense of failure (3.9%) and an increase in self-respect (3.0%) and self-pride (2.4%). Self-satisfaction (12.8%), feelings of self-achievement (10.6%), positive attitudes towards themselves (9.9%), sense of self-worth (10.6%) and self-efficacy (7.3%) all significantly increased in association with reaching and maintaining their current weight (all p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that age, gender, height and start weight accounted for 35.4% of the variance in weight change. Self-esteem components of the model accounted for 50.4% of the variance in weight change. Conclusion: Successful weight loss and maintenance was associated with significant reported improvements in self-esteem in members of a Commercial Weight Management Organisation