Study protocol: can a school gardening intervention improve children's diets?

BACKGROUND: The current academic literature suggests there is a potential for using gardening as a tool to improve children's fruit and vegetable intake. This study is two parallel randomised controlled trials (RCT) devised to evaluate the school gardening programme of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening, to determine if it has an effect on children's fruit and vegetable intake. METHOD/DESIGN: Trial One will consist of 26 schools; these schools will be randomised into two groups, one to receive the intensive intervention as "Partner Schools" and the other to receive the less intensive intervention as "Associate Schools". Trial Two will consist of 32 schools; these schools will be randomised into either the less intensive intervention "Associate Schools" or a comparison group with delayed intervention. Baseline data collection will be collected using a 24-hour food diary (CADET) to collect data on dietary intake and a questionnaire exploring children's knowledge and attitudes towards fruit and vegetables. A process measures questionnaire will be used to assess each school's gardening activities. DISCUSSION: The results from these trials will provide information on the impact of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening on children's fruit and vegetable intake. The evaluation will provide valuable information for designing future research in primary school children's diets and school based interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11396528

Unexpectedly rapid evolution of mandibular shape in hominins

Members of the hominins – namely the so-called ‘australopiths’ and the species of the genus Homo – are known to possess short and deep mandibles and relatively small incisors and canines. It is commonly assumed that this suite of traits evolved in early members of the clade in response to changing environmental conditions and increased consumption of though food items. With the emergence of Homo, the functional meaning of mandible shape variation is thought to have been weakened by technological advancements and (later) by the control over fire. In contrast to this expectation, we found that mandible shape evolution in hominins is exceptionally rapid as compared to any other primate clade, and that the direction and rate of shape change (from the ape ancestor) are no different between the australopiths and Homo. We deem several factors including the loss of honing complex, canine reduction, and the acquisition of different diets may have concurred in producing such surprisingly high evolutionary rates. This study reveals the evolution of mandibular shape in hominins has strong morpho-functional and ecological significance attached

Is Lamarckian evolution relevant to medicine?

BACKGROUND: 200 years have now passed since Darwin was born and scientists around the world are celebrating this important anniversary of the birth of an evolutionary visionary. However, the theories of his colleague Lamarck are treated with considerably less acclaim. These theories centre on the tendency for complexity to increase in organisms over time and the direct transmission of phenotypic traits from parents to offspring. DISCUSSION: Lamarckian concepts, long thought of no relevance to modern evolutionary theory, are enjoying a quiet resurgence with the increasing complexity of epigenetic theories of inheritance. There is evidence that epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are transmitted transgenerationally, thus providing a potential mechanism for environmental influences to be passed from parents to offspring: Lamarckian evolution. Furthermore, evidence is accumulating that epigenetics plays an important role in many common medical conditions. SUMMARY: Epigenetics allows the peaceful co-existence of Darwinian and Lamarckian evolution. Further efforts should be exerted on studying the mechanisms by which this occurs so that public health measures can be undertaken to reverse or prevent epigenetic changes important in disease susceptibility. Perhaps in 2059 we will be celebrating the anniversary of both Darwin and Lamarck

PDEPT: polymer-directed enzyme prodrug therapy

Polymer-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (PDEPT) is a novel two-step antitumour approach using a combination of a polymeric prodrug and polymer-enzyme conjugate to generate cytotoxic drug selectively at the tumour site. In this study the polymeric prodrug N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly-doxorubicin conjugate PK1 (currently under Phase II clinical evaluation) was selected as the model prodrug, and HPMA copolymer-cathepsin B as a model for the activating enzyme conjugate. Following polymer conjugation (yield of 30–35%) HPMA copolymer-cathepsin B retained ~20–25% enzymatic activity in vitro. To investigate pharmacokinetics in vivo,125I-labelled HPMA copolymer-cathepsin B was administered intravenously (i.v.) to B16F10 tumour-bearing mice. HPMA copolymer-cathespin B exhibited a longer plasma half-life (free cathepsin B t1/2α= 2.8 h; bound cathepsin B t1/2α= 3.2 h) and a 4.2-fold increase in tumour accumulation compared to the free enzyme. When PK1 (10 mg kg−1dox-equiv.) was injected i.v. into C57 mice bearing subcutaneously (s.c.) palpable B16F10 tumours followed after 5 h by HPMA copolymer-cathepsin B there was a rapid increase in the rate of dox release within the tumour (3.6-fold increase in the AUC compared to that seen for PK1 alone). When PK1 and the PDEPT combination were used to treat established B16F10 melanoma tumour (single dose; 10 mg kg−1dox-equiv.), the antitumour activity (T/C%) seen for the combination PDEPT was 168% compared to 152% seen for PK1 alone, and 144% for free dox. Also, the PDEPT combination showed activity against a COR-L23 xenograft whereas PK1 did not. PDEPT has certain advantages compared to ADEPT and GDEPT. The relatively short plasma residence time of the polymeric prodrug allows subsequent administration of polymer-enzyme without fear of prodrug activation in the circulation and polymer-enzyme conjugates have reduced immunogenicity. This study proves the concept of PDEPT and further optimisation is warranted. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign   http://www.bjcancer.co

Herbal medicine use by surgery patients in Hungary: a descriptive study

BACKGROUND: The popularity of non-conventional treatments, especially the consumption of herbs is showing an increasing tendency all over the world. The consumption of herbal medicines might cause several complications during perioperative care. METHODS: The survey was conducted at the First Department of Surgery of Semmelweis University and focused on the demographics of patients consuming herbal medicines who had undergone elective surgery between July 1(st) 2014 and February 28(th) 2015. A one-page questionnaire, that the patients filled in individually and anonymously, was used. The response rate was 17.3 %. RESULTS: Out of the 390 patients who filled in the questionnaire, 7.2 % (28 patients) used herbal medicines, 3.6 % (14 patients) of them two weeks prior to their hospitalization. The other 3.6 % (14 patients) took herbal medicines sometime in the past. The majority of those who have ever consumed herbs are women (18/28), have completed secondary or tertiary education (23/28), more than half of them suffer from tumorous diseases and only a quarter of them (7/28) informed their physician about their use of herbal medication of their own accord. CONCLUSIONS: Attention must be paid to the exploration of herb consumption habits of surgery patients during the preoperative examinations in order to avoid potential side effects, complications or drug interactions. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0890-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Treatment of hallux valgus by modified McBride procedure: a 6-year follow-up

PubMed ID: 20505975Background Surgical decision-making was reevaluated by comparison with an algorithm designed to analyze treatment of hallux valgus deformities. Materials and methods A modified McBride procedure was performed on 52 feet of 35 patients with hallux valgusdeformity. From this series, 36 feet of 21 patients were evaluated preoperatively, early postoperatively, and late postoperatively by means of subjective evaluation and clinical and radiological findings. Results The hallux valgus angle preoperatively, early postoperatively, and late postoperatively was 32.7 ± 8.5°, 10.1 ± 6.9°, and 20.6 ± 9.5°, respectively. Hallux valgus recurrence of 72.2% was observed. Subjective results were better and the patients rated their satisfaction with the procedure as excellent or high in 23 cases (63.9%) and moderate, low, or unsatisfactory in 13 cases (36.1%). Conclusions This level of patient satisfaction demonstrates that the McBride procedure is an efficient approach for eliminating pain due to hallux valgus deformity. © The Author(s) 2010

Treatment of hallux valgus by modified McBride procedure: a 6-year follow-up

PubMed ID: 20505975Background Surgical decision-making was reevaluated by comparison with an algorithm designed to analyze treatment of hallux valgus deformities. Materials and methods A modified McBride procedure was performed on 52 feet of 35 patients with hallux valgusdeformity. From this series, 36 feet of 21 patients were evaluated preoperatively, early postoperatively, and late postoperatively by means of subjective evaluation and clinical and radiological findings. Results The hallux valgus angle preoperatively, early postoperatively, and late postoperatively was 32.7 ± 8.5°, 10.1 ± 6.9°, and 20.6 ± 9.5°, respectively. Hallux valgus recurrence of 72.2% was observed. Subjective results were better and the patients rated their satisfaction with the procedure as excellent or high in 23 cases (63.9%) and moderate, low, or unsatisfactory in 13 cases (36.1%). Conclusions This level of patient satisfaction demonstrates that the McBride procedure is an efficient approach for eliminating pain due to hallux valgus deformity. © The Author(s) 2010

Drosophila growth-blocking peptide-like factor mediates acute immune reactions during infectious and non-infectious stress

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), major innate immune effectors, are induced to protect hosts against invading microorganisms. AMPs are also induced under non-infectious stress; however, the signaling pathways of non-infectious stress-induced AMP expression are yet unclear. We demonstrated that growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is a potent cytokine that regulates stressor-induced AMP expression in insects. GBP overexpression in Drosophila elevated expression of AMPs. GBP-induced AMP expression did not require Toll and immune deficiency (Imd) pathway-related genes, but imd and basket were essential, indicating that GBP signaling in Drosophila did not use the orthodox Toll or Imd pathway but used the JNK pathway after association with the adaptor protein Imd. The enhancement of AMP expression by non-infectious physical or environmental stressors was apparent in controls but not in GBP-knockdown larvae. These results indicate that the Drosophila GBP signaling pathway mediates acute innate immune reactions under various stresses, regardless of whether they are infectious or non-infectious

A simple rule governs the evolution and development of hominin tooth size

The variation in molar tooth size in humans and our closest relatives (hominins) has strongly influenced our view of human evolution. The reduction in overall size and disproportionate decrease in third molar size have been noted for over a century, and have been attributed to reduced selection for large dentitions owing to changes in diet or the acquisition of cooking1, 2. The systematic pattern of size variation along the tooth row has been described as a ‘morphogenetic gradient’ in mammal, and more specifically hominin, teeth since Butler3 and Dahlberg4. However, the underlying controls of tooth size have not been well understood, with hypotheses ranging from morphogenetic fields3 to the clone theory5. In this study we address the following question: are there rules that govern how hominin tooth size evolves? Here we propose that the inhibitory cascade, an activator–inhibitor mechanism that affects relative tooth size in mammals6, produces the default pattern of tooth sizes for all lower primary postcanine teeth (deciduous premolars and permanent molars) in hominins. This configuration is also equivalent to a morphogenetic gradient, finally pointing to a mechanism that can generate this gradient. The pattern of tooth size remains constant with absolute size in australopiths (including Ardipithecus, Australopithecus and Paranthropus). However, in species of Homo, including modern humans, there is a tight link between tooth proportions and absolute size such that a single developmental parameter can explain both the relative and absolute sizes of primary postcanine teeth. On the basis of the relationship of inhibitory cascade patterning with size, we can use the size at one tooth position to predict the sizes of the remaining four primary postcanine teeth in the row for hominins. Our study provides a development-based expectation to examine the evolution of the unique proportions of human teeth