Correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in adults with intellectual disabilities

Sedentary behaviour is an independent risk factor for adverse health conditions. Adults with intellectual disabilities spend a high proportion of their day engaged in sedentary behaviour, however, there is limited evidence on potential correlates of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in this population group. In Glasgow, UK from July to September 2017, a secondary analysis of pooled baseline accelerometer data from two randomised controlled trials of lifestyle behaviour change programmes was conducted. Backwards linear regression was used to investigate the associations between demographic, biological, and environmental correlates and objective measure of sedentary behaviour (percentage of time spent sedentary). One-hundred and forty-three participants provided valid accelerometer data. Mean percentage time spent sedentary (adjusted for wear time) was 72.9% [Standard Deviation (SD) = 8.7] per day. In the final model, physical and mental health problems were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased percentage time spent sedentary. This is the first study to provide evidence on multi-level, demographic, biological, and environmental correlates of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities. To inform the development of interventions to modify sedentary behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities, further research is required including a wide range of socio-ecological correlates

Patterns of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of objectively measured sedentary behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities. Baseline accelerometer data were pooled from two randomized controlled trials of lifestyle behaviour change programmes for adults with intellectual disabilities. Patterns of sedentary behaviours were computed including total volume, number, and duration of bouts and breaks. Participants spent &gt;70% of the day sedentary (8 hr), which was generally accumulated in short sedentary bouts (&lt;10 min). Participants were engaged in significantly more sedentary time during the morning, although differences between time of day were small (mean bout duration range: 19.8-22.3 min). The findings add valuable insight into the patterns of sedentary behaviours among adults with intellectual disabilities. Further research investigating the patterns and context of sedentary behaviour is required to develop targeted interventions to reduce total sedentary time in adults with intellectual disabilities

Semisynthesis, Cytotoxicity, Antiviral Activity, and Drug Interaction Liability of 7-O-methylated Analogues of Flavonolignans from Milk Thistle

Silymarin, an extract of the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is used as an herbal remedy, particularly for hepatoprotection. The main chemical constituents in silymarin are seven flavonolignans. Recent studies explored the non-selective methylation of one flavonolignan, silybin B, and then tested those analogues for cytotoxicity and inhibition of both cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 activity in human liver microsomes and hepatitis C virus infection in a human hepatoma (Huh7.5.1) cell line. In general, enhanced bioactivity was observed with the analogues. To further probe the biological consequences of methylation of the seven major flavonolignans, a series of 7-O-methylflavonolignans were generated. Optimization of the reaction conditions permitted selective methylation at the phenol in the 7-position in the presence of each metabolite’s 4–5 other phenolic and/or alcoholic positions without the use of protecting groups. These 7-O-methylated analogues, in parallel with the corresponding parent compounds, were evaluated for cytotoxicity against Huh7.5.1 cells; in all cases the monomethylated analogues were more cytotoxic than the parent compounds. Moreover, parent compounds that were relatively non-toxic and inactive or weak inhibitors of hepatitis C virus infection had enhanced cytotoxicity and anti-HCV activity upon 7-O-methylation. Also, the compounds were tested for inhibition of major drug metabolizing enzymes (CYP2C9, CYP3A4/5, UDP-glucuronsyltransferases) in pooled human liver or intestinal microsomes. Methylation of flavonolignans differentially modified inhibitory potency, with compounds demonstrating both increased and decreased potency depending upon the compound tested and the enzyme system investigated. In total, these data indicated that monomethylation modulates the cytotoxic, antiviral, and drug interaction potential of silymarin flavonolignans

An app-based surveillance system for undergraduate students\u27 mental health during the covid-19 pandemic: Protocol for a prospective cohort study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that poses challenges to the mental health of approximately 1.4 million university students in Canada. Preliminary evidence has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on undergraduate student mental health and well-being; however, existing data are predominantly limited to cross-sectional survey-based studies. Owing to the evolving nature of the pandemic, longer-term prospective surveillance efforts are needed to better anticipate risk and protective factors during a pandemic. Objective: The overarching aim of this study is to use a mobile (primarily smartphone-based) surveillance system to identify risk and protective factors for undergraduate students\u27 mental health. Factors will be identified from weekly self-report data (eg, affect and living accommodation) and device sensor data (eg, physical activity and device usage) to prospectively predict self-reported mental health and service utilization. Methods: Undergraduate students at Western University (London, Ontario, Canada), will be recruited via email to complete an internet-based baseline questionnaire with the option to participate in the study on a weekly basis, using the Student Pandemic Experience (SPE) mobile app for Android/iOS. The app collects sensor samples (eg, GPS coordinates and steps) and self-reported weekly mental health and wellness surveys. Student participants can opt in to link their mobile data with campus-based administrative data capturing health service utilization. Risk and protective factors that predict mental health outcomes are expected to be estimated from (1) cross-sectional associations among students\u27 characteristics (eg, demographics) and key psychosocial factors (eg, affect, stress, and social connection), and behaviors (eg, physical activity and device usage) and (2) longitudinal associations between psychosocial and behavioral factors and campus-based health service utilization. Results: Data collection began November 9, 2020, and will be ongoing through to at least October 31, 2021. Retention from the baseline survey (N=427) to app sign-up was 74% (315/427), with 175-215 (55%-68%) app participants actively responding to weekly surveys. From November 9, 2020, to August 8, 2021, a total of 4851 responses to the app surveys and 25,985 sensor samples (consisting of up to 68 individual data items each; eg, GPS coordinates and steps) were collected from the 315 participants who signed up for the app. Conclusions: The results of this real-world longitudinal cohort study of undergraduate students\u27 mental health based on questionnaires and mobile sensor metrics is expected to show psychosocial and behavioral patterns associated with both positive and negative mental health-related states during pandemic conditions at a relatively large, public, and residential Canadian university campus. The results can be used to support decision-makers and students during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and similar future events. For comparable settings, new interventions (digital or otherwise) might be designed using these findings as an evidence base

Factors Associated with Severe Late Toxicity After Concurrent Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: An RTOG Analysis

Purpose Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) increases both local tumor control and toxicity. This study evaluates clinical factors that are associated with and might predict severe late toxicity after CCRT. Methods Patients were analyzed from a subset of three previously reported RTOG trials of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced SCCHN (RTOG 91-11; 97-03; and 99-14). Severe late toxicity was defined in this secondary analysis as chronic Grade 3-4 pharyngeal/laryngeal toxicity (RTOG/EORTC late toxicity scoring system) and/or requirement for a feeding tube ≥2 years after registration and/or potential treatment-related death (e.g. pneumonia) within 3 years. Case-control analysis was performed, with a multivariable logistic regression model that included pre-treatment and treatment potential factors. Results A total of 230 patients were evaluable for this analysis, 99 cases (patients with severe late toxicities) and 131 controls; thus 43% of evaluable patients had a severe late toxicity. On multivariable analysis, significant variables correlated with the development of severe late toxicity were older age (odds ratio 1.05 per year; p = 0.001); advanced T-stage (odds ratio 3.07; p=0.0036); larynx/hypopharynx primary site (odds ratio 4.17; p=0.0041); and neck dissection after chemo-RT (odds ratio 2.39; p=0.018). Conclusions Severe late toxicity following CCRT is common. Older age, advanced T-stage, and larynx/ hypopharynx primary site were strong independent risk American Society of Clinical Oncology. Machtay, M. et al: J. Clin. Oncol. 26 (21), 2008:3582-3589

For the well-being of youth and adults

The Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program believes in the right of every child to a safe and nurturing environment. Actions against children that contribute to child abuse or neglect are contrary to the values of the Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program. We oppose such actions in all settings. People who work with children might at some point in their careers have to report child abuse. It’s important that you be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and be able to contact the appropriate authorities. By reporting suspected abuse, you could save a child’s life or prevent serious injury. Characteristics of abuse and how to identify them listed in this publication are general and intended as guidelines. A child or family might exhibit many warning signs of abuse even though no abuse has occurred or will occur.Published July 2001. Reprinted October 2008. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Para el bienestar de jóvenes y adultos

El Programa 4-H de Desarrollo Juvenil de Oregon cree que todo niño tiene derecho a un ambiente seguro, donde se apoya su desarrollo físico, mental y emocional. Cualquier acción que contribuya al maltrato o negligencia va en contra de los valores del Programa 4-H de Desarrollo Juvenil de Oregon. Nos oponemos a tales acciones en cualquier circunstancia. Los adultos que trabajan con menores tienen la responsabilidad de vigilar por su bienestar. Si usted trabaja con jóvenes, puede que algún día sospeche un caso de maltrato. Es importante que usted sepa reconocer las señales del maltrato y cómo comunicarse con alguien que pueda ayudar. Es verdad que puede ser difícil denunciar un caso de maltrato sospechado, sobre todo si el acusado es amigo o familiar. Sin embargo, esta acción puede salvar la vida a un niño o prevenir una lesión grave. Esta publicación explica cómo reconocer las características del maltrato y qué hacer si usted sospecha el maltrato. Recuerde que las listas de señales son generales y no son más que una guía. Un niño o una familia puede demostrar muchos signos de maltrato sin que el maltrato ocurra.Published July 2001. Reprinted October 2006. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.ed

A Trade Secret Model for Genomic Biobanking

Genomic biobanks present ethical challenges that are qualitatively unique and quantitatively unprecedented. Many critics have questioned whether the current system of informed consent can be meaningfully applied to genomic biobanking. Proposals for reform have come from many directions, but have tended to involve incremental change in current informed consent practice. This paper reports on our efforts to seek new ideas and approaches from those whom informed consent is designed to protect: research subjects. Our model emerged from semi-structured interviews with healthy volunteers who had been recruited to join either of two biobanks (some joined, some did not), and whom we encouraged to explain their concerns and how they understood the relationship between specimen contributors and biobanks. These subjects spoke about their DNA and the information it contains in ways that were strikingly evocative of the legal concept of the trade secret. They then described the terms and conditions under which they might let others study their DNA, and there was a compelling analogy to the commonplace practice of trade secret licensing. We propose a novel biobanking model based on this trade secret concept, and argue that it would be a practical, legal, and ethical improvement on the status quo

Growing our future: Introducing the Pacific School Food Network to support healthy school food and nutrition environments for better nourished children in the Pacific Islands

Food systems in the Pacific Islands (P.I.) are transitioning from local, traditional diets to those with low fruit and vegetable intake and largely based on ultra-processed foods that are often, but not always, imported. Alongside changes in diet and health outcomes, there is a loss of traditional and sociocultural dimensions of food, resulting in poor quality diets in many P.I. populations, including children. Besides high rates of overweight and obesity, in some areas stunting rates are up to 48.4%,1 and prevalence of anaemia (5-14 years) as high as 45%.2 After many years of limited multisectoral action and effort to enact sustainable change across policy and practice, there is growing interest in improving school food and nutrition environments (SFE) in the region. Against this backdrop of limited capacity, coordination, effort, research and evidence, the Pacific School Food Network (PSFN) was formed