Sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity: data from the 2003–2014 New South Wales Population Health Survey

To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.Cross-sectional analysis of food insecurity data collected by the NSW Population Health Survey between 2003 and 2014. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations with key sociodemographic variables.NSW, Australia.212\ua0608 survey participants responded to the food insecurity survey question between 2003 and 2014. 150\ua0767 of them were aged ≥16 years. The survey sample was randomly selected and weighted to be representative of the NSW population.On average 6 % of adults aged ≥16 years experienced food insecurity in NSW. The odds of food insecurity appeared to increase from one survey year to the next by a factor of 1·05. Food insecurity was found to be independently associated with age, sex, marital status, household size, education, employment status, household income, smoking status, alcohol intake and self-rated health. The association with income, smoking status and self-rated health appeared to be the strongest among all covariates and showed a gradient effect. Food insecurity appeared to increase significantly between the age of 16 and 19 years.The prevalence of food insecurity appears to be rising over time. Given the negative health consequences of food insecurity, more rigorous measurement and monitoring of food insecurity in NSW and nationally is strongly recommended. The findings provide support for interventions targeting low-income and younger population groups

Haemoglobin concentration following postpartum haemorrhage and the association between blood transfusion and breastfeeding: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the association between red blood cell transfusion and breastfeeding among women who have suffered a postpartum haemorrhage at birth taking into account post-birth haemoglobin concentrations. Results Among 15,451 maternities with postpartum haemorrhage in New South Wales public hospitals between 2007 and 2010, 1828 (12%) received a red cell transfusion. Among transfused women, 686 (38%) had haemoglobin concentration pre-transfusion  90 g/L. Rates and adjusted relative risks (aRR) for breastfeeding at hospital discharge were as follows: for women with haemoglobin concentrations  90 g/L, 80.9% were breastfeeding, aRR 0.94 (99% CI 0.88–1.00)

Associations between childhood overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and obesogenic behaviors and practices in Australian homes

Abstract Background Despite emerging research about the role of the family and home environment on early childhood obesity, little is known on how weight-related behaviors, parent practices and the home environment influence overweight/obesity in older children and adolescents. Methods This analysis used data from a cross-sectional, representative population survey of Australian children age 5–16 years conducted in 2015. Data included measured anthropometry to calculate body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR; waist circumference/height). Information on home-based weight-related behaviors (individual eating and screen time behaviors, parent influences including rules and home environment factors) were measured using established short questions, with parental proxy reporting for children in up to grade 4, and self-report for students in grades 6, 8 and 10. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between weight status and home-based weight-related behaviors. Results Both children and adolescents who did not consume breakfast daily were more likely to be overweight/obese OR (95% CI) = 1.39 (1.07–1.81) p = 0.015, OR (95% CI) =1.42 (1.16–1.74) p = 0.001, respectively, adjusted for age, gender, socio-economic status, rural/urban residence and physical activity. There was also a significant positive association with higher waist-to-height ratio in both children and adolescents. Among children, having a TV in the bedroom was also associated with overweight and obesity OR (95% CI) = 1.54 (1.13–2.09) p = 0.006 and higher waist-to-height ratio. For adolescents, parenting practices such as having no rules on screen-time, OR (95% CI) = 1.29 (1.07–1.55) p = 0.008, and rewarding good behavior with sweets, OR (95% CI) = 2.18 (1.05–4.52) p = 0.036, were significant factors associated with overweight and obesity. The prevalence of these obesogenic behaviors were higher in certain sub-groups of children and adolescents, specifically those from social disadvantage and non-English-speaking backgrounds. Conclusions Interventions to reduce the prevalence of obesity and overweight should include promoting daily breakfast, reducing screen-time, and encouraging health-promoting parenting practices. Interventions should particularly focus on those at some social disadvantage and from non-English-speaking backgrounds

Canine Endogenous Oxytocin Responses to Dog-Walking and Affiliative Human–Dog Interactions

Several studies suggest human⁻dog interactions elicit a positive effect on canine oxytocin concentrations. However, empirical investigations are scant and the joint influence of human⁻dog interaction and physical activity remains unexplored. The aims of the current study were to (a) examine the canine endogenous oxytocin response to owner-led dog-walking and affiliative human⁻dog interactions and (b) investigate the moderating effect of the owner-reported strength of the human⁻dog bond on such responses. Twenty-six dogs took part in a random order cross-over trial, involving dog-walking and human⁻dog interactions. Urinary samples were collected before and after each condition. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models with condition, order of conditions, condition duration, and latency from initiation of condition to urine sample collection considered as fixed effects, and the participant was considered a random effect. Canine urinary oxytocin concentrations did not differ significantly following dog-walking (mean change: −14.66 pg/mg Cr; 95% CI: −47.22, 17.90) or affiliative human⁻dog interactions (mean change: 6.94 pg/mg Cr; 95% CI: −26.99, 40.87). The reported strength of the human⁻dog bond did not significantly moderate the canine oxytocin response to either experimental condition. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not observe evidence for a positive oxytocin response to dog-walking or human⁻dog interactions

Effects of Human-Dog Interactions on Salivary Oxytocin Concentrations and Heart Rate Variability: A Four-Condition Cross-Over Trial

Dog ownership is often advocated for its potential benefits to human health, with changes to oxytocin and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity proposed as possible underlying mechanisms. The aims of the current study were to a) examine the effect of two common types of human-dog interactions (dog-walking and affiliative interactions) on salivary oxytocin concentrations and heart rate variability (HRV, an indicator of ANS activity), and b) investigate any putative moderating role for the strength of human-dog attachment on such responses. Twenty-nine dog owners completed a four-condition random-order cross-over trial: dog-walking (DW); walking without the dog (W); affiliative human-dog interaction (H-DI); and resting without the dog (C). Each condition was performed for approximately 15 minutes. Saliva and HRV samples were collected before and after each condition. Linear mixed models were used to analyze data, with the participant considered a random effect; condition, order of conditions, and condition duration as fixed effects. Oxytocin concentrations were not significantly different following any of the four conditions. HRV was significantly reduced following DW (mean change HF HRV = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.70, -0.04) and W (mean change HF HRV = -0.49, 95% CI = -0.81, -0.17). Considering moderation by the strength of the human-dog bond, pairwise comparisons revealed that, compared with W, DW elicited an increase in oxytocin concentrations (mean change 9.32 pg/mL, 95% CI = 6.52, 12.12) and HRV (mean change SDRR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.63) in owners with lower levels of attachment. These owners also displayed increased oxytocin concentrations following H-DI (mean change 3.90 pg/mL, 95% CI = 1.48, 6.32), compared with C. Overall, we did not find a consistent pattern for positive oxytocin or HRV responses to human-dog interactions. The strength of owner-dog attachment was found to have a moderating effect, suggesting that human-dog interactions may elicit greater physiological responses in low-attachment individuals

Impact of targeted educational interventions on appropriateness of stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill adults

Background: Acid suppression therapy (AST) is routinely used in critically ill patients to prevent stress-related mucosal bleeding (SRMB).Objective: Our objective was to determine the impact of a structured educational intervention on AST used for prevention of SRMB on appropriateness of AST.Methods: A single-center, retrospective, cohort study of appropriate use of AST in critically ill patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic medical center between January to June of 2014 (no intervention) and January to June of 2015 (intervention) was conducted. The percentage of patients prescribed inappropriate AST, inappropriate AST at ICU transfer and hospital discharge, doses of inappropriate AST, and adverse effects associated with AST use were compared between periods using chi-square tests.Results: Patients in the intervention group (n=118) were 5 years older than patients in the no intervention group (n=101). AST was inappropriately initiated more frequently in the no intervention group (23% vs. 11%, p=0.012). Continuation of inappropriate AST at ICU transfer and hospital discharge was similar between groups (60% vs. 53%, p=0.277 and 18% vs. 14%, p=0.368, respectively).Conclusion: Patients had appropriate AST initiated and inappropriate AST withheld more frequently when formal education was provided. This low-cost intervention strategy can be implemented easily at institutions where pharmacists interact with physicians on rounding services and should be evaluated in institutions where interactions between pharmacists and physicians occur more frequently in non-rounding situations

Artificial lymph nodes induce potent secondary immune responses in naive and immunodeficient mice

We previously demonstrated that artificial lymph nodes (aLNs) could be generated in mice by the implantation of stromal cell–embedded biocompatible scaffolds into their renal subcapsular spaces. T and B cell domains that form in aLNs have immune response functions similar to those of follicles of normal lymphoid tissue. In the present study, we show that the aLNs were transplantable to normal as well as SCID mice, where they efficiently induced secondary immune responses. Antigen-specific secondary responses were strongly induced in aLNs even 4 weeks after their transplantation. The antigen-specific antibody responses in lymphocyte-deficient SCID mice receiving transplanted aLNs were substantial. The cells from the aLNs migrated to the SCID mouse spleen and BM, where they expanded to generate large numbers of antigen-specific antibody-forming cells. Secondary responses were maintained over time after immunization (i.e., antigen challenge), indicating that aLNs can support the development of memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells. Memory CD4(+) T cells were enriched in the aLNs and spleens of aLN-transplanted SCID mice. Our results indicate that aLNs support strong antigen-specific secondary antibody responses in immunodeficient mice and suggest the possibility of future clinical applications