Are babies conceived during Ramadan born smaller and sooner than babies conceived at other times of the year? A Born in Bradford Cohort study

Background It is not known whether infants exposed to intermittent maternal fasting at conception are born smaller or have a higher risk of premature birth than those who are not. Doctors are therefore unsure about what advice to give women about the safety of Ramadan fasting. This cohort study aimed to investigate these questions in Muslim mother–infant pairs to inform prenatal care. Methods Routinely collected data accessed from maternity records were the source for information. Mothers were considered exposed if they were Muslim and Ramadan overlapped with their infant conception date, estimated to be 14 days after the last menstrual period. Infants were included as exposed if their estimated conception date was in the first 21 days of Ramadan or 7 days prior to Ramadan. Results After adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, infant gender, maternal body mass index at booking, smoking status, gestational diabetes, parity and year of birth, there was no significant difference in birth weight between infants born to Muslim mothers who were conceived during Ramadan (n=479) and those who were not (n=4677) (adjusted mean difference =24.3 g, 95% CI −16.4 to 64.9). There was no difference in rates of premature births in exposed and unexposed women (5.2% vs 4.9%; OR=1.08, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.65). Conclusions Healthy Muslim women considering becoming pregnant prior to, or during Ramadan, can be advised that fasting does not seem to have a detrimental effect on the size (weight) of their baby and it appears not to increase the likelihood of giving birth prematurely

Unexpected origins of the enhanced pairing affinity of 2 \u27-fluoro-modified RNA

Various chemical modifications are currently being evaluated for improving the efficacy of short interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes as antisense agents for gene silencing in vivo. Among the 2\u27-ribose modifications assessed to date, 2\u27deoxy-2\u27-fluoro-RNA (2\u27-F-RNA) has unique properties for RNA interference (RNAi) applications. Thus, 2\u27-F-modified nucleotides are well tolerated in the guide (antisense) and passenger (sense) siRNA strands and the corresponding duplexes lack immunostimulatory effects, enhance nuclease resistance and display improved efficacy in vitro and in vivo compared with unmodified siRNAs. To identify potential origins of the distinct behaviors of RNA and 2\u27-F-RNA we carried out thermodynamic and X-ray crystallographic analyses of fully and partially 2\u27-F-modified RNAs. Surprisingly, we found that the increased pairing affinity of 2\u27-F-RNA relative to RNA is not, as commonly assumed, the result of a favorable entropic contribution (\u27conformational preorganization\u27), but instead primarily based on enthalpy. Crystal structures at high resolution and osmotic stress demonstrate that the 2\u27-F-RNA duplex is less hydrated than the RNA duplex. The enthalpy-driven, higher stability of the former hints at the possibility that the 2\u27-substituent, in addition to its important function in sculpting RNA conformation, plays an underappreciated role in modulating Watson-Crick base pairing strength and potentially pi-pi stacking interactions

Recognition of O6-benzyl-2′-deoxyguanosine by a perimidinone-derived synthetic nucleoside: a DNA interstrand stacking interaction

The 2′-deoxynucleoside containing the synthetic base 1-[(2R,4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-1H-perimidin-2(3H)-one] (dPer) recognizes in DNA the O6-benzyl-2′-deoxyguanosine nucleoside (O6-Bn-dG), formed by exposure to N-benzylmethylnitrosamine. Herein, we show how dPer distinguishes between O6-Bn-dG and dG in DNA. The structure of the modified Dickerson-Drew dodecamer (DDD) in which guanine at position G4 has been replaced by O6-Bn-dG and cytosine C9 has been replaced with dPer to form the modified O6-Bn-dG:dPer (DDD-XY) duplex [5′-d(C1G2C3X4A5A6T7T8Y9G10C11G12)-3′]2 (X = O6-Bn-dG, Y = dPer) reveals that dPer intercalates into the duplex and adopts the syn conformation about the glycosyl bond. This provides a binding pocket that allows the benzyl group of O6-Bn-dG to intercalate between Per and thymine of the 3′-neighbor A:T base pair. Nuclear magnetic resonance data suggest that a similar intercalative recognition mechanism applies in this sequence in solution. However, in solution, the benzyl ring of O6-Bn-dG undergoes rotation on the nuclear magnetic resonance time scale. In contrast, the structure of the modified DDD in which cytosine at position C9 is replaced with dPer to form the dG:dPer (DDD-GY) [5′-d(C1G2C3G4A5A6T7T8Y9G10C11G12)-3′]2 duplex (Y = dPer) reveals that dPer adopts the anti conformation about the glycosyl bond and forms a less stable wobble pairing interaction with guanin

Preventing childhood obesity, phase II feasibility study focusing on South Asians: BEACHeS

Objective: To assess feasibility and acceptability of a multifaceted, culturally appropriate intervention for preventing obesity in South Asian children, and to obtain data to inform sample size for a definitive trial. Design: Phase II feasibility study of a complex intervention. Setting: 8 primary schools in inner city Birmingham, UK, within populations that are predominantly South Asian. Participants: 1090 children aged 6–8 years took part in the intervention. 571 (85.9% from South Asian background) underwent baseline measures. 85.5% (n=488) were followed up 2 years later. Interventions: The 1-year intervention consisted of school-based and family-based activities, targeting dietary and physical activity behaviours. The intervention was modified and refined throughout the period of delivery. Main outcome measures: Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and of measurements required to assess outcomes in a definitive trial. The difference in body mass index (BMI) z-score between arms was used to inform sample size calculations for a definitive trial. Results: Some intervention components (increasing school physical activity opportunities, family cooking skills workshops, signposting of local leisure facilities and attending day event at a football club) were feasible and acceptable. Other components were acceptable, but not feasible. Promoting walking groups was neither acceptable nor feasible. At follow-up, children in the intervention compared with the control group were less likely to be obese (OR 0.41; 0.19 to 0.89), and had lower adjusted BMI z-score (−0.15 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.27 to −0.03). Conclusions: The feasibility study informed components for an intervention programme. The favourable direction of outcome for weight status in the intervention group supports the need for a definitive trial. A cluster randomised controlled trial is now underway to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Trial registration number: ISRCTN51016370

Secondary school smartphone policies in England:a descriptive analysis of how schools rationalize, design, and implement restrictive and permissive phone policies

This study provides a descriptive analysis of the content and implementation of smartphone policies across 30 secondary schools in England, comparing schools that do (permissive) or do not (restrictive) allow phone use during recreational time. School policy documents were collected, along with survey data from pupil (n = 1198), teacher (n = 53), and SLT (n = 30) participants. Phones were positioned as benefitting safety, learning, and communication. However, most schools adopted restrictive policies, aiming to improve attainment, behavior, and safeguarding. Significant differences were found between pupils and teachers, and between pupils at permissive vs restrictive schools, regarding their support for the rules. Implications are discussed

Economic evaluation of a childhood obesity prevention programme for children: Results from the WAVES cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in schools

Background Childhood obesity is a serious public health challenge and schools have been identified as an ideal place to implement prevention interventions. The aim of this study was to measure the cost-effectiveness of a multi-faceted school-based obesity prevention intervention targeting children aged 6–7 years when compared to ‘usual activities’. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial in 54 schools across the West Midlands (UK) was conducted. The 12-month intervention aimed to increase physical activity by 30 minutes per day and encourage healthy eating. Costs were captured from a public sector perspective and utility-based health related outcomes measured using the CHU-9D. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to address missing data. The cost effectiveness was measured at 30 months from baseline using a hierarchical net-benefit regression framework, that controlled for clustering and prespecified covariates. Any uncertainty in the results was characterised using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results At 30 months, the total adjusted incremental mean cost of the intervention was £155 (95% confidence interval [CI]: £139, £171), and the incremental mean QALYs gained was 0.006 (95% CI: -0.024, 0.036), per child. The incremental cost-effectiveness at 30 months was £26,815 per QALY and using a standard willingness to pay threshold of £30,000 per QALY, there was a 52% chance that the intervention was cost-effective. Conclusions The cost-effectiveness of the school-based WAVES intervention was subject to substantial uncertainty. We therefore recommend more research to explore obesity prevention within schools as part of a wider systems approach to obesity prevention. Trial registration This paper uses data collected by the WAVES trial: Controlled trials ISRCTN97000586 (registered May 2010)

A cluster-randomised feasibility trial of a children's weight management programme:the Child weigHt mANaGement for Ethnically diverse communities (CHANGE) study

Background: Community-based programmes for children with excess weight are widely available, but few have been developed to meet the needs of culturally diverse populations. We adapted an existing children's weight management programme, focusing on Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. We report the evaluation of this programme to assess feasibility of programme delivery, acceptability of the programme to participants from diverse communities, and feasibility of methods to inform a future trial. Methods: A cluster-randomised feasibility trial was undertaken in a large UK city. Children's weight management programmes (n = 24) were randomised to be delivered as the adapted or the standard programme (2:1 ratio). Routine data on participant attendance (n = 243) at the sessions were used to estimate the proportion of families completing the adapted and standard programmes (to indicate programme acceptability). Families planning to attend the programmes were recruited to participate in the feasibility study (n = 92). Outcome data were collected from children and parents at baseline, end of programme, and 6 months post-programme. A subsample (n = 24) of those attending the adapted programme participated in interviews to gain their views of the content and delivery and assess programme acceptability. Feasibility of programme delivery was assessed through observation and consultation with facilitators, and data on costs were collected. Results: The proportion of Pakistani and Bangladeshi families and families of all ethnicities completing the adapted programme was similar: 78.8% (95% CI 64.8-88.2%) and 76.3% (95% CI 67.0-83.6%) respectively. OR for completion of adapted vs. standard programme was 2.40 (95% CI 1.32-4.34, p = 0.004). The programme was feasible to deliver with some refinements, and participant interview data showed that the programme was well received. Study participant recruitment was successful, but attrition was high (35% at 6 months). Data collection was mostly feasible, but participant burden was high. Data collection on cost of programme delivery was feasible, but costs to families were more challenging to capture. Conclusions: This culturally adapted programme was feasible to deliver and highly acceptable to participants, with increased completion rates compared with the standard programme. Consideration should be given to a future trial to evaluate its clinical and cost-effectiveness. Trial registration: ISRCTN81798055, registered: 13/05/2014

Influence of Microstructural Effect on Microvickers Hardness Properties of SiO2-Na2O-CaO (SNC) Waste Based Glass-ceramic

There are a lot of waste materials consist of silicate based such as coal combustion ash, slag from steel production, fly ash, mud, as well as glass cullet or mixtures to produce glass-ceramics. This research work using clam shell (CS) ash and soda-lime-silica (SLS) waste glass powder for fabricating novel SiO2-Na2O-CaO (SNC) glass-ceramic. The samples were composed of SLS (50%), Na2CO3 (30%), and CS (20%) in weight percentage via conventional melt-quenching technique and solid-state sintering technique. The samples were investigated via X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Field emission microscope (FESEM), and microvickers hardness tester. The samples were sintered at 550-950 °C to investigate the influence of microstructural effect on microvickers hardness properties at applied force 0.5 and 1.0 kgf. The optimal Vickers hardness properties at sintering temperature 850 °C due to high crystallization of SiO2 phase from the residual glass and CaO content enhanced the viscosity flow, high compactness of particles arrangement and densification of sample

Influence of Microstructural Effect on Microvickers Hardness Propertiesof SiO2-Na2O-CaO (SNC) Waste Based Glass-ceramic

There are a lot of waste materials consist of silicate based such as coal combustion ash, slag from steel production, fly ash, mud, as well as glass cullet or mixtures to produce glass-ceramics. This research work using clam shell (CS) ash and soda-lime-silica (SLS) waste glass powder for fabricating novel SiO2-Na2O-CaO (SNC) glass-ceramic. The samples were composed of SLS (50%), Na2CO3 (30%), and CS (20%) in weight percentage via conventional melt-quenching technique and solid-state sintering technique. The samples were investigated via X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Field emission microscope (FESEM), and microvickers hardness tester. The samples were sintered at 550-950 °C to investigate the influence of microstructural effect on microvickers hardness properties at applied force 0.5 and 1.0 kgf. The optimal Vickers hardness properties at sintering temperature 850 °C due to high crystallization of SiO2 phase from the residual glass and CaO content enhanced the viscosity flow, high compactness of particles arrangement and densification of sample