2,259 research outputs found
Natural history and determinants of dysglycemia in Canadian children with parental obesity from ages 8–10 to 15–17 years : the QUALITY cohort
In children, the mechanisms implicated in deterioration of glucose homeostasis versus reversion to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) remain uncertain. We aimed to describe the natural history of dysglycemia from childhood to late adolescence and to identify its early determinants. We used baseline (8–10 years, n = 630), 1st follow-up (10–12 years, n = 564) and 2nd follow-up (15–17 years, n = 377) data from the QUALITY cohort of White Canadian children with parental obesity. Children underwent a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at each cycle with plasma glucose and insulin measured at 0/30/60/90/120 min. American Diabetes Association criteria defined dysglycemia (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes). Longitudinal patterns of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function were estimated using generalized additive mixed models. Model averaging identified biological, sociodemographic and lifestyle-related determinants of dysglycemia. Of the children NGT at baseline, 66 (21%) developed dysglycemia without reverting to NGT. Among children with dysglycemia at baseline, 24 (73%) reverted to NGT. In children with dysglycemia at 1st follow-up, 18 (53%) later reverted to NGT. Among biological, sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants at 8–10 years, only fasting and 2-h glucose were associated with developing dysglycemia (odds ratio [95% CI] per 1 mmol/L increase: 4.50 [1.06; 19.02] and 1.74 [1.11; 2.73], respectively). Beta-cell function decreased by 40% in children with overweight or obesity. In conclusion, up to 75% of children with dysglycemia reverted to NGT during puberty. Children with higher fasting and 2-h glucose were at higher risk for progression to dysglycemia, while no demographic/lifestyle determinants were identified
Constitutive androstane receptor 1 is constitutively bound to chromatin and ‘primed’ for transactivation in hepatocytes
The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a xenobiotic sensor expressed in
hepatocytes that activates genes involved in drug metabolism, lipid homeostasis, and
cell proliferation. Much progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of
activation of human CAR by drugs and xenobiotics. However, many aspects of the
activation pathway remain to be elucidated. In this report, we have used viral
constructs to express human CAR, its splice variants, and mutant CAR forms in
hepatocytes from Car-/- mice in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate CAR expression
rescued the ability of Car-/- hepatocytes to respond to a wide range of CAR activators
including phenobarbital. Additionally, two major splice isoforms of human CAR, CAR2
and CAR3, were inactive with almost all the agents tested. In contrast to the current
model of CAR activation, ectopic CAR1 is constitutively localised in the nucleus and
is loaded onto Cyp2b10 gene in the absence of an inducing agent. In studies to
elucidate the role of threonine T38 in CAR regulation, we found that the T38D mutant
was inactive even in the presence of CAR activators. However, the T38A mutant was
activated by CAR inducers, showing that T38 is not essential for CAR activation. Also,
using the inhibitor erlotinib, we could not confirm a role for the epidermal growth factor
receptor in CAR regulation. Our data suggest that CAR is constitutively bound to gene
regulatory regions and is regulated by exogenous agents through a mechanism which
involves protein phosphorylation in the nucleus
Late vaccination reinforcement during a measles epidemic in Niamey, Niger (2003-2004).
Low measles vaccination coverage (VC) leads to recurrent epidemics in many African countries. We describe VC before and after late reinforcement of vaccination activities during a measles epidemic in Niamey, Niger (2003-2004) assessed by Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS). Neighborhoods of Niamey were grouped into 46 lots based on geographic proximity and population homogeneity. Before reinforcement activities, 96% of lots had a VC below 70%. After reinforcement, this proportion fell to 78%. During the intervention 50% of children who had no previous record of measles vaccination received their first dose (vaccination card or parental recall). Our results highlight the benefits and limitations of vaccine reinforcement activities performed late in the epidemic
Stop Atherosclerosis in Native Diabetics Study (SANDS): Baseline Characteristics of the Randomized Cohort
Objectives: To present baseline characteristics of American Indians in the Stop Atherosclerosis in Native Diabetics Study (SANDS) and compare them with population-based data from American Indians and other ethnic groups. Design: 499 people with type 2 diabetes ≥ age 40, without known CVD, were recruited for a randomized 3-year trial to evaluate treatment targets for LDL-C (70 vs. 100 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (BP) (115 vs. 130 mmHg). Baseline evaluations included physical exam, collection of blood and urine samples, and carotid ultrasound and echocardiographic measures. Results: Mean age was 56 years; 66% were female. Average BMI was 33 kg/m2. Average duration of both hypertension and diabetes was 10 years, average A1c was 8.0 %, and mean LDL-C was 104 mg/dL. Participants in the conventional treatment group had slightly higher systolic BPs than participants in the aggressive treatment group (133 mm Hg vs. 128 mm Hg, p \u3c 0.002). Compared with the population-based cohorts of the Strong Heart Study (SHS), NHANES, and the TRIAD registry, SANDS participants had similar values for lipids, BP, and CRP, as well as degree of obesity, smoking rates, and renal function as indicated by estimated glomerular filtration rate. Conclusions: The baseline characteristics of the SANDS cohort are similar to those of a population-based sample of American Indian diabetic men and women and closely resemble diabetic men and women of other ethnic groups. Results from this study can be used to identify appropriate targets for LDL-C and BP lowering in diabetic American Indians and diabetic patients in other ethnic groups
Effective suckling in relation to naked maternal-infant body contact in the first hour of life: an observation study
Background
Best practice guidelines to promote breastfeeding suggest that (i) mothers hold their babies in naked body contact immediately after birth, (ii) babies remain undisturbed for at least one hour and (iii) breastfeeding assistance be offered during this period. Few studies have closely observed the implementation of these guidelines in practice. We sought to evaluate these practices on suckling achievement within the first hour after birth.
Methods
Observations of seventy-eight mother-baby dyads recorded newborn feeding behaviours, the help received by mothers and birthing room practices each minute, for sixty minutes.
Results
Duration of naked body contact between mothers and their newborn babies varied widely from 1 to 60 minutes, as did commencement of suckling (range = 10 to 60 minutes). Naked maternal-infant body contact immediately after birth, uninterrupted for at least thirty minutes did not predict effective suckling within the first hour of birth. Newborns were four times more likely to sustain deep rhythmical suckling when their chin made contact with their mother’s breast as they approached the nipple (OR 3.8; CI 1.03 - 14) and if their mothers had given birth previously (OR 6.7; CI 1.35 - 33). Infants who had any naso-oropharyngeal suctioning administered at birth were six times less likely to suckle effectively (OR .176; CI .04 - .9).
Conclusion
Effective suckling within the first hour of life was associated with a collection of practices including infants positioned so their chin can instinctively nudge the underside of their mother’s breast as they approach to grasp the nipple and attach to suckle. The best type of assistance provided in the birthing room that enables newborns to sustain an effective latch was paying attention to newborn feeding behaviours and not administering naso-oropharyngeal suction routinely
Do Health Sciences Libraries and Librarians Have an Impact on the Cost of Health Care and Research? A Systematic Review
Objectives: The team worked on a systematic review to answer the question: Do health sciences libraries and librarians have any measurable (statistically significant) positive impacts on consumer health, the outcomes of medical care, the productivity of biomedical researchers, and the knowledge obtained by graduates of biomedical and health sciences training programs, and at what total cost? Methods: The team used a Google site to collaborate on the review. A spreadsheet was used to brainstorm keywords and list suggestions for subject headings. Databases searched included: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, LISTA, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The team searched grey literature and conducted a citation search, and hand searched bibliographies and journal contents. Although the team preferred to use only research reports, the main inclusion criteria was articles that mentioned the cost factor of the library or librarian impact
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