Changes in total body bone mineral density following a common bone health plan with two versions of a unique bone health supplement: a comparative effectiveness research study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The US Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health suggests America's bone-health is in jeopardy and issued a "call to action" to develop bone-health plans that: (1) improve nutrition, (2) increase health literacy and, (3) increase physical activity. This study is a response to this call to action.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After signing an informed consent, 158 adults agreed to follow an open-label bone-health plan for six months after taking a DXA test of bone density, a 43-chemistry blood test panel and a quality of life inventory (AlgaeCal 1). Two weeks after the last subject completed, a second group of 58 was enrolled and followed the identical plan, but with a different bone-health supplement (AlgaeCal 2).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline bone mineral density (BMD) or in variables related to BMD (age, sex, weight, percent body fat, fat mass, or fat-free mass). In both groups, no significant differences in BMD or related variables were found between volunteers and non-volunteers or between those who completed per protocol and those who were lost to attrition.</p> <p>Both groups experienced a significant positive mean annualized percent change (MAPC) in BMD compared to expectation [AlgaeCal 1: 1.15%, <it>p </it>= 0.001; AlgaeCal 2: 2.79%, <it>p </it>= 0.001]. Both groups experienced a positive MAPC compared to baseline, but only AlgaeCal 2 experienced a significant change [AlgaeCal 1: 0.48%, <it>p </it>= 0.14; AlgaeCal 2: 2.18%, <it>p </it>< 0.001]. The MAPC in AlgaeCal 2 was significantly greater than that in AlgaeCal 1 (<it>p </it>= 0.005). The MAPC contrast between compliant and partially compliant subjects was significant for both plans (<it>p </it>= 0.001 and <it>p </it>= 0.003 respectively). No clinically significant changes in a 43-panel blood chemistry test were found nor were there any changes in self-reported quality of life in either group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Following The Plan for six months with either version of the bone health supplement was associated with significant increases in BMD as compared to expected and, in AlgaeCal 2, the increase from baseline was significantly greater than the increase from baseline in AlgaeCal 1. Increased compliance was associated with greater increases in BMD in both groups. No adverse effects were reported in either group.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01114685">NCT01114685</a></p

Comment letters to the National Commission on Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting, 1987 (Treadway Commission) Vol. 2

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_sop/1662/thumbnail.jp

Alabama State Fair bag, MSS.2393

Abstract: Paper bag made to promote the University of Alabama School of Chemistry exhibit at the Alabama State Fair in Birmingham, Alabama, September 26 - October 1, 1938.Scope and Content Note: The collection contains a small paper bag made to promote the University of Alabama School of Chemistry exhibit at the Alabama State Fair in Birmingham, Alabama, September 26 - October 1, 1938. There is no indication what might have been in the bag at the time of the fair. There is also a note printed on the bag stating that it was made in the "Bag Department of Gulf States Paper Corporation in their Kraft Pulp and Paper Mill at Tuscaloosa."Biographical/Historical Note: The School of Chemistry in the University of Alabama's College of Arts and Sciences was established in 1929. The name was changed in 1965 to the Department of Chemistry

Disseminating skills to carers of people with eating disorders: an examination of treatment fidelity in lay and professional carer coaches

Family members of people with eating disorders (EDs) have high levels of stress and can use maladaptive methods of coping. We have developed an intervention, using motivational interviewing (MI) strategies that trains lay and professional carer coaches (CCs) to support carers of adolescents with EDs to use more adaptive coping procedures. The aim of this study is to measure treatment integrity in coaches with either academic or lived experience. Eleven coaches were trained and supervised by an expert trainer and an ‘expert by experience’ trainer. Six of the coaches had prior training in clinical work and/or psychology and five had personal experience of supporting a loved one with an ED. Two audio-taped sessions (Sessions 3 and 7) from each family coached (n = 22) were assessed for fidelity to MI. Half the sessions (50% n = 11) had a Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity global score above the suggested cut-off for recommended competency. Prior clinical training was related to higher treatment fidelity and experiential training (having coached a greater number of families) improved treatment fidelity in the lay carer group. These preliminary findings suggest that: “lay CCs” can be trained to deliver an intervention based on MI. Further exploration of a more effective means of training, monitoring and supervision is required to maximise the quality of the intervention