A systematic review of types of healthy eating interventions in preschools

BACKGROUND: With the worldwide levels of obesity new venues for promotion of healthy eating habits are necessary. Considering children’s eating habits are founded during their preschool years early educational establishments are a promising place for making health promoting interventions. METHODS: This systematic review evaluates different types of healthy eating interventions attempting to prevent obesity among 3 to 6 year-olds in preschools, kindergartens and day care facilities. Studies that included single interventions, educational interventions and/or multicomponent interventions were eligible for review. Included studies also had to have conducted both baseline and follow-up measurements. A systematic search of the databases Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and PubMed was conducted to identify articles that met the inclusion criteria. The bibliographies of identified articles were also searched for relevant articles. RESULTS: The review identified 4186 articles, of which 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen of the interventions took place in preschools, 10 in kindergartens and 1 in another facility where children were cared for by individuals other than their parents. Seventeen of the 26 included studies were located in North America, 1 in South America, 5 in Asia, and 3 in a European context. Healthy eating interventions in day care facilities increased fruit and vegetable consumption and nutrition related knowledge among the target groups. Only 2 studies reported a significant decrease in body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the scarcity of properly designed healthy eating interventions using clear indicators and verifiable outcomes. The potential of preschools as a potential setting for influencing children’s food choice at an early age should be more widely recognised and utilised

Supplementary Material for: Identification of Interstitial Cajal-Like Cells in the Human Thoracic Duct

Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) are speculated to be pacemakers in smooth muscle tissues. While the human thoracic duct (TD) is spontaneously active, the origin of this activity is unknown. We hypothesized that ICLCs could be present in the TD and using histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we have investigated the presence of ICLCs, protein markers for ICLCs and the cellular morphology of the human TD. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate ultrastructure. Methylene blue staining, calcium-dependent fluorophores and confocal microscopy were used to identify ICLCs in live tissue. Methylene blue stained cells with morphology suggestive of ICLCs in the TD. Immunoreactivity localized the ICLC protein markers c-kit, CD34 and vimentin to many cells and processes associated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs): coexpression of c-kit with vimentin or CD34 was observed in some cells. Electron microscopy analysis confirmed ICLCs as a major cell type of the human TD. Lymphatic ICLCs possess caveolae, dense bands, a patchy basal lamina, intermediate filaments and specific junctions to SMCs. ICLCs were ultrastructurally differentiable from other interstitial cells observed: fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages and pericytes. Lymphatic ICLCs were localized to the subendothelial region of the wall as well as in intimate association with smooth muscle bundles throughout the media. ICLCs were morphologically distinct with multiple processes and also spindle shapes. Confocal imaging with calcium-dependent fluorophores corroborated cell morphology and localization observed in fixed tissues. Lymphatic ICLCs thus constitute a significant cell type of the human TD and physically interact with lymphatic SMCs

Supplementary Material for: Identification of Interstitial Cajal-Like Cells in the Human Thoracic Duct

Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) are speculated to be pacemakers in smooth muscle tissues. While the human thoracic duct (TD) is spontaneously active, the origin of this activity is unknown. We hypothesized that ICLCs could be present in the TD and using histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we have investigated the presence of ICLCs, protein markers for ICLCs and the cellular morphology of the human TD. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate ultrastructure. Methylene blue staining, calcium-dependent fluorophores and confocal microscopy were used to identify ICLCs in live tissue. Methylene blue stained cells with morphology suggestive of ICLCs in the TD. Immunoreactivity localized the ICLC protein markers c-kit, CD34 and vimentin to many cells and processes associated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs): coexpression of c-kit with vimentin or CD34 was observed in some cells. Electron microscopy analysis confirmed ICLCs as a major cell type of the human TD. Lymphatic ICLCs possess caveolae, dense bands, a patchy basal lamina, intermediate filaments and specific junctions to SMCs. ICLCs were ultrastructurally differentiable from other interstitial cells observed: fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages and pericytes. Lymphatic ICLCs were localized to the subendothelial region of the wall as well as in intimate association with smooth muscle bundles throughout the media. ICLCs were morphologically distinct with multiple processes and also spindle shapes. Confocal imaging with calcium-dependent fluorophores corroborated cell morphology and localization observed in fixed tissues. Lymphatic ICLCs thus constitute a significant cell type of the human TD and physically interact with lymphatic SMCs

Identification of Interstitial Cajal-Like Cells in the Human Thoracic Duct

Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) are speculated to be pacemakers in smooth muscle tissues. While the human thoracic duct (TD) is spontaneously active, the origin of this activity is unknown. We hypothesized that ICLCs could be present in the TD and using histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we have investigated the presence of ICLCs, protein markers for ICLCs and the cellular morphology of the human TD. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate ultrastructure. Methylene blue staining, calcium-dependent fluorophores and confocal microscopy were used to identify ICLCs in live tissue. Methylene blue stained cells with morphology suggestive of ICLCs in the TD. Immunoreactivity localized the ICLC protein markers c-kit, CD34 and vimentin to many cells and processes associated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs): coexpression of c-kit with vimentin or CD34 was observed in some cells. Electron microscopy analysis confirmed ICLCs as a major cell type of the human TD. Lymphatic ICLCs possess caveolae, dense bands, a patchy basal lamina, intermediate filaments and specific junctions to SMCs. ICLCs were ultrastructurally differentiable from other interstitial cells observed: fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages and pericytes. Lymphatic ICLCs were localized to the subendothelial region of the wall as well as in intimate association with smooth muscle bundles throughout the media. ICLCs were morphologically distinct with multiple processes and also spindle shapes. Confocal imaging with calcium-dependent fluorophores corroborated cell morphology and localization observed in fixed tissues. Lymphatic ICLCs thus constitute a significant cell type of the human TD and physically interact with lymphatic SMCs.</p