The Prospects of Using Athrospira platensis as a Malnutrition Treatment in Kenya

The purpose of this research was to explore the current efforts using spirulina as a malnutrition treatment in Kenya. There are currently five spirulina cultivation sites that growing spirulina, four of which are located in the Nyanza Province. Their production and scope of advocacy efforts are limited. Some of the cultivation sites have a better quality control measures and strategic plan in place for expanding cultivation. Significant efforts need to be made to improve the scope of production and create links with nutrition experts in other non-governmental organizations and at the national level

Strategies for human milk fortification to achieve optimal health outcomes in premature infants

Providing nutritional support to the preterm infant in the neonatal ICU has proved challenging despite improved survival rates among this vulnerable population. Premature infants are at higher risk for medical complications compared to term infants given their decreased birth weight and immature development. Human milk is associated with better health outcomes related to immune modulation, neurological development, and gastrointestinal function compared to preterm formula. However, extra-uterine growth failure still persists with the use of human milk. Human milk fortifiers are available to increase the macronutrient and micronutrient content of breastmilk to meet the increased needs of premature infants born weighing less than 1500g. Although adequate nutritient delivery can improve growth velocity, the most appropriate nutrition regimen to fortify human milk is not known. This review summarizes the benefits and limitations of available human milk fortification strategies as seen during my advanced clinical rotation in the Level III neonatal ICU at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.Master of Public Healt

A Comparison of Autonomous Regulation and Negative Self-Evaluative Emotions as Predictors of Smoking Behavior Change Among College Students

This study compared autonomous self-regulation and negative self-evaluative emotions as predictors of smoking behavior change in college student smokers (N=303) in a smoking cessation intervention study. Although the two constructs were moderately correlated, latent growth curve modeling revealed that only autonomous regulation, but not negative self-evaluative emotions, was negatively related to the number of days smoked. Results suggest that the two variables tap different aspects of motivation to change smoking behaviors, and that autonomous regulation predicts smoking behavior change better than negative self-evaluative emotions

Pharmacotherapy of Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable diseases in the United States. Smoking accounts for more than 400,000 deaths yearly and 30% of all cancer deaths. Primary care physicians have access to 70% of smokers, approximately 60% of whom are perceived to be in excellent health. Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of nicotine addiction, including nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhaler, bupropion hydrochloride, and over-the-counter transdermal nicotine patches, have increased the treatment options physicians can offer to smokers. Physicians, especially thosein primary care specialties, should familiarize themselves with these products to improve efforts to help their patients stop smoking. This article reviews scientific data on the efficacy of approved medications, benefits, adverse effects, and appropriate use of these products. We also discuss nicotine addiction and treatment for special populations, including women, ethnic minorities, light smokers, and patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases

Characteristics of Social Smoking Among College Students

Social smoking is a newly identified phenomenon in the young adult population that is poorly understood. We investigated differences in social smoking (smoking most commonly while partying or socializing) and other smoking within a convenience sample of college smokers (n = 351) from a large midwestern university. Results revealed that 70% of 351 current (past 30-day) smokers reported social smoking. No significant difference was found in motivation to quit between smoking groups. However, a significant difference was found between groups in confidence to quit, the number of days smoked, and the number of cigarettes smoked on those days. More social smokers than expected did not perceive themselves as smokers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower physical and psychological dependence and higher social support scores predicted social smoking