Field-testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines among Siswati-speaking mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–36 months in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga province, South Africa

Objectives: To determine the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDG) among siSwati speaking mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–36 months. Previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following the guidelines were also assessed. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional qualitative research approach was followed. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit a total of 75 participants. Data were collected by means of focus-group discussions from 12 groups. Setting: Kabokweni, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Subjects: The study population included mothers/caregivers older than 18 years who provided informed consent. Results: The participants were generally aware of messages similar to those contained in the revised, draft SA-PFBDG. They reported exposure to these messages at clinics/hospitals, radio/television, and the Road-to-Health booklet. Participants showed good understanding of guidelines on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, inclusion of protein-rich and starchy foods as well as fruit and vegetables in the diets of young children as well as hygiene practices. The guidelines on avoiding tea, coffee and sugar drinks and high-sugar, high-fat salty snacks, being active and providing five small meals were less well understood. Enablers to following the guidelines were its perceived importance and positive impact on children’s health. Barriers included misinterpretation of the guidelines and lack of money and resources. Conclusion: The revised, draft SA-PFBDGs are appropriate for the age group 0–36 months. A degree of rewording is suggested to aid understanding. The guidelines can be used as an educational tool to improve the nutritional status of children in South Africa

Field testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines among mothers/caregivers of children aged 12–36 months in the Stellenbosch Municipality in the Western Cape province, South Africa

Objective: To assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDGs) among mothers/caregivers of children aged 12–36 months. Exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following of the guidelines were also assessed. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected from nine focus-group discussions (FGDs) conducted in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, resulting in 65 participants, 20 from formal areas and 45 from informal areas. Setting: Stellenbosch Municipality (Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek) Subjects: The study population included mothers/caregivers older than 18 years, who consented to participate. Results: This study revealed that participants expressed a general understanding of the core messages contained in the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs. Misinterpretation arose regarding certain guidelines as a result of ambiguity. Participants were familiar with and recognised the majority of the concepts conveyed owing to previous exposure, mostly from healthcare facilities and the media. Financial constraints were identified as the biggest barrier to following the guidelines, while perceived enablers included receiving education on the guidelines as well as visual portrayal thereof. Conclusion: Following field-testing, it is clear that the draft, revised SA-PFBDGs for the age group 12–36 months are appropriate. Minor rewording is required to enhance understanding. Effective dissemination of the guidelines through multiple communication platforms is recommended

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cat myostatin gene 5´ regulatory region

Cat is an important experimental and pet animal and plays a key role in keeping ecological balance. Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and development in mammals, but the gene sequence of it keeps unknown in cat. To better understand the structure and function of the myostatin promoter in cat, a 1409 bp fragment containing the 5'-regulatory region of the cat myostatin gene was cloned and sequenced (GenBank accession number is GU938462). Many potential transcription factor binding sites have been found by the bioinformatics analysis, such as TATA boxes, CAAT box, E-boxes, MEF2, MEF3, MTBF, PAX3, SMAD, HBOX, HOMF and TEAF motifs. Comparative analysis for some motifs showed both conservations and differences among cat, horse, porcine and human.Key words: Cat, myostatin 5'-regulatory region, molecular cloning, sequence analysis and comparison, transcription factor binding sites

Identification of genes and gene pathways associated with major depressive disorder by integrative brain analysis of rat and human prefrontal cortex transcriptomes

Despite moderate heritability estimates, progress in uncovering the molecular substrate underpinning major depressive disorder (MDD) has been slow. In this study, we used prefrontal cortex (PFC) gene expression from a genetic rat model of MDD to inform probe set prioritization in PFC in a human post-mortem study to uncover genes and gene pathways associated with MDD. Gene expression differences between Flinders sensitive (FSL) and Flinders resistant (FRL) rat lines were statistically evaluated using the RankProd, non-parametric algorithm. Top ranking probe sets in the rat study were subsequently used to prioritize orthologous selection in a human PFC in a case?control post-mortem study on MDD from the Stanley Brain Consortium. Candidate genes in the human post-mortem study were then tested against a matched control sample using the RankProd method. A total of 1767 probe sets were differentially expressed in the PFC between FSL and FRL rat lines at (qless than or equal to0.001). A total of 898 orthologous probe sets was found on Affymetrix?s HG-U95A chip used in the human study. Correcting for the number of multiple, non-independent tests, 20 probe sets were found to be significantly dysregulated between human cases and controls at qless than or equal to0.05. These probe sets tagged the expression profile of 18 human genes (11 upregulated and seven downregulated). Using an integrative rat?human study, a number of convergent genes that may have a role in pathogenesis of MDD were uncovered. Eighty percent of these genes were functionally associated with a key stress response signalling cascade, involving NF-?B (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), AP-1 (activator protein 1) and ERK/MAPK, which has been systematically associated with MDD, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis

Field-testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–12 months in the Breede Valley sub-district, Western Cape province, South Africa

Objectives: To assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDGs) amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–12 months. Exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following of the guidelines were also assessed. Design: Qualitative data were collected from 14 focus-group discussions (FGDs), conducted in isiXhosa (n = 5), English (n = 4) and Afrikaans (n = 5), totalling 73 mother/caregiver participants. Setting: Worcester, Breede Valley sub-district, Western Cape province. Subjects: The study population included mothers/caregivers who were older than 18 years. Results: The majority of participants had previous exposure to variations of messages similar to the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs. Health platforms and practitioners (community health centres, antenatal classes, nurses, doctors) and social networks and platforms (family, magazines, radio) were mentioned as primary sources of information. Barriers to following the messages included: inconsistent messages (mainly communicated by healthcare workers), contrasting beliefs and cultural/family practices, limited physical and financial access to resources, poor social support structures and the psycho-social and physical demands of raising a child. Conclusion: The revised, draft SA-PFBDGs for the age range 0–12 months have been field-tested in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. The messages in some of the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs were not understood by the participants, indicating that a degree of rewording should be considered to facilitate understanding of the guidelines by the public. The National Department of Health should consider the findings of this study, and use these standardised message/s to optimise infant and young child feeding

Overview of field-testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–5 years in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga, South Africa

Background: This paper provides an overview of a series of studies undertaken to assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDGs) amongst mothers/ caregivers of children aged 0–5 years. Previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following the guidelines were also assessed. Design: Qualitative methods were used to collect data from 38 focus-group discussions (isiXhosa = 11, Afrikaans = 11, English =10 and siSwati = 6) resulting in 268 participants. Setting: Breede Valley sub-district (Worcester), Stellenbosch Municipality (Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek) and Northern Metropole (Atlantis, Witsand, Du Noon and Blouberg), City of Cape Town, Western Cape province, as well as Ehlanzeni District (Kabokweni) in Mpumalanga province. Subjects: Mothers/caregivers older than 18 years who provided informed consent to participate. Results: The majority of participants had previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages to the SA-PFBDGs. Information sources included nurses, local clinics, family, friends and media. Possible barriers to following the guidelines included limited physical and financial access to resources; cultural/family practices, poor social support and time constraints. Outdated information, misconceptions, inconsistent messages and contrasting beliefs were evident. The vocabulary of some messages was not well understood. Education on infant and young child feeding and visual portrayal of the guidelines could aid understanding. Conclusion: A degree of rewording should be considered for improved understanding of the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs. Once adopted, the guidelines can be used to educate various stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, healthcare providers and educators, on the correct nutritional advice for children aged 0–5 years ensuring the healthy growth and development of young children in South Africa

A repurposing strategy for Hsp90 inhibitors demonstrates their potency against filarial nematodes

Novel drugs are required for the elimination of infections caused by filarial worms, as most commonly used drugs largely target the microfilariae or first stage larvae of these infections. Previous studies, conducted in vitro, have shown that inhibition of Hsp90 kills adult Brugia pahangi. As numerous small molecule inhibitors of Hsp90 have been developed for use in cancer chemotherapy, we tested the activity of several novel Hsp90 inhibitors in a fluorescence polarization assay and against microfilariae and adult worms of Brugia in vitro. The results from all three assays correlated reasonably well and one particular compound, NVP-AUY922, was shown to be particularly active, inhibiting Mf output from female worms at concentrations as low as 5.0 nanomolar after 6 days exposure to drug. NVP-AUY922 was also active on adult worms after a short 24 h exposure to drug. Based on these in vitro data, NVP-AUY922 was tested in vivo in a mouse model and was shown to significantly reduce the recovery of both adult worms and microfilariae. These studies provide proof of principle that the repurposing of currently available Hsp90 inhibitors may have potential for the development of novel agents with macrofilaricidal properties

Test of a Novel Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 6C Type Specific Polyclonal Antiserum (Factor Antiserum 6d) and Characterisation of Serotype 6C Isolates in Denmark

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2007, Park <it>et al. </it>identified a novel serotype among <it>Streptococcus pneumoniae </it>serogroup 6 which they named serotype 6C. The aim of this study was to evaluate with the Neufeld test a novel <it>S. pneumoniae </it>serotype 6C type specific polyclonal antiserum. In addition, serotype 6C isolates found in Denmark in 2007 and 2008 as well as eight old original serotype 6A isolates were characterised.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, 181 clinical <it>Streptococcus pneumoniae </it>isolates from Denmark 2007 and 2008 were examined; 96 isolates had previously been typed as serotype 6A and 85 as serotype 6B. In addition, eight older isolates from 1952 to 1987, earlier serotyped as 6A, were examined. Serotype 6C isolates were identified by PCR and serotyping with the Neufeld test using the novel type specific polyclonal antiserum, factor antiserum 6 d, in addition to factor antisera 6b, 6b* (absorbed free for cross-reactions to serotype 6C) and 6c. All antisera are commercially available and antiserum 6b obtained from the supplier after 1 January 2009 is antiserum 6b*. All serotype 6C isolates were further characterised using multi-locus sequence typing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When retesting all 96 original serotype 6A isolates by PCR and the Neufeld test, 29.6% (24 of 81) of the invasive isolates in Denmark from 2007 and 2008 were recognised as serotype 6C. In addition, three of eight old isolates originally serotyped as 6A were identified to be serotype 6C. The oldest serotype 6C isolate was from 1962. The serotype 6C isolates belonged to eleven different sequence types (ST) and nine clonal complexes (CC), ST1692 (CC395), ST386 (CC386) and ST481 (CC460) were the predominant types.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We tested a novel polyclonal antiserum 6 d, as well as modified antiserum 6b*, provided a scheme for the serotyping of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>serogroup 6 using the Neufeld test and compared the serotyping method with PCR based methods. The two types of methods provided the same results. In future, it will, therefore, be possible to test also serotype 6C in accordance to the standard method for serotyping of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>recommended by WHO.</p> <p>Among all invasive isolates from Denmark 2007 and 2008, serotype 6C constituted 29.6% of the original serotype 6A isolates. The serotype 6C isolates were found to be diverse belonging to a number of different STs and CCs of which most have been observed in other countries previously. Serotype 6C is regarded as an "old" serotype being present among <it>S. pneumoniae </it>isolates in Denmark for at least 48 years. The genetic diversity of serotype 6C isolates and their genetic relationship to other serotypes suggested that serotype 6C strains may have arisen from several different independent recombination events involving different parental strains such as serotypes 6A, 6B, 23F and 4.</p

Persistent demographic differences in colorectal cancer screening utilization despite Medicare reimbursement

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening is widely recommended, but often under-utilized. In addition, significant demographic differences in screening utilization exist. Insurance coverage may be one factor influencing utilization of colorectal cancer screening tests. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims for outpatient services for Washington state Medicare beneficiaries in calendar year 2000. We determined the proportion of beneficiaries utilizing screening fecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema in the overall population and various demographic subgroups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relative odds of screening in different demographic groups. RESULTS: Approximately 9.2% of beneficiaries had fecal occult blood tests, 7.2% had any colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or barium enema (invasive) colon tests, and 3.5% had invasive tests for screening indications. Colonoscopy accounted for 41% of all invasive tests for screening indications. Women were more likely to receive fecal occult blood test screening (OR 1.18; 95%CI 1.15, 1.21) and less likely to receive invasive tests for screening indications than men (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.77, 0.83). Whites were more likely than other racial groups to receive any type of screening. Rural residents were more likely than urban residents to have fecal occult blood tests (OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.17, 1.23) but less likely to receive invasive tests for screening indications (OR 0.89; 95%CI 0.85, 0.93). CONCLUSION: Reported use of fecal occult blood testing remains modest. Overall use of the more invasive tests for screening indications remains essentially unchanged, but there has been a shift toward increased use of screening colonoscopy. Significant demographic differences in screening utilization persist despite consistent insurance coverage