The Effectiveness of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire in Determining the Adequacy of Vitamin D Intake in Children

Background: Studies have consistently found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents. Few validated dietary intake assessment tools for vitamin D exist for adolescents. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if a short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) can be used to effectively assess vitamin D intake in adolescents compared to a previously validated long food frequency questionnaire (LFFQ). Participants/setting: 140 healthy 6-12 year old (male n=81) Caucasian and African American (n=94) children from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania completed a SFFQ and LFFQ at two time points 6 months apart. Main outcome measures: Reliability and validity of a SFFQ by comparison with a previously validated LFFQ for children and adolescents. Statistical analysis: Reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Mean vitamin D intake from the SFFQ (range, 434 to 485 IU) was higher than the LFFQ (range, 320 to 378 IU). Overall association between the SFFQ and the LFFQ for vitamin D intake was modest (r=0.36, P\u3c0.001). When stratified by race, the overall degree of association was weak for African Americans (r=0.26, P=0.001) and moderate for Caucasians (r=0.57, P\u3c0.001). Overall reliability testing results were modest and significant for the LFFQ (r=0.28, P=0.002) and SFFQ (r=0.33, P\u3c0.001). Association between mean vitamin D intake from LFFQs and SFFQs was used to determine validity. The association for validity was found to be modest (r=0.51, P\u3c0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the SFFQ were 90%, 64%, 0.78, and 0.58, respectively. Conclusion: The SFFQ was found to be modestly valid and reliable in an early adolescent population. Associations between African Americans were not as strong as Caucasians which may be due to errors in reporting dietary consumption related to higher body weight

Exoskeleton ageing and its relation to longevity and fecundity in female Australian leaf insects (Phyllium monteithi)

Senescence is a decline in reproduction and survival rate with advancing age resulting from deterioration of somatic tissues and systems throughout the body. Age-related somatic changes (somatic ageing) have been studied extensively in vertebrates but are less well known in other animals, including insects. Since adult insects have very limited ability to repair their exoskeleton, somatic ageing could involve deterioration and discolouration of the cuticle. We investigated age-related changes in wing pigmentation and abdominal cuticle necrosis in females of the Australian leaf insect Phyllium monteithi. Adult females varied markedly in the extent and pattern of pigmentation on their bodies, and we found that pigment spots on the forewings increased in size with age in most individuals. As females aged, most individuals also exhibited increasing levels of abdominal cuticle necrosis, resulting in the loss of abdominal cuticle along the margin of the abdomen. Neither the extent of pigmentation nor cuticle loss were clearly associated with reduced fecundity or longevity in the protected laboratory environment, but it remains unknown whether these age-related changes have functional implications in the wild. Our results show that the P. monteithi exoskeleton undergoes complex changes with age, with potential implications for functional traits and fitness

"Are there really widows anymore?": what widowhood looks like in a Hindu Canadian diaspora community

Extant scholarship that has been largely focused on sati and lived experience in the Indian context presents widowhood for Hindu women as a largely negative state distinct from that of wife. Using data from a series of semi-structured interviews with 14 women in St. John’s, Newfoundland, this thesis describes and analyzes these women’s perceptions and experiences of widowhood in the Hindu Canadian diaspora. It asserts that while a widowed woman must negotiate the roles, rules, and attributes of "widow," in these contexts they are not fixed or permanent. This thesis examines closely four different components present in Hindu Canadian understandings of widowhood: 1) modifications in diet and clothing that signify the shift from wife to widow; 2) ostracism of widows from the religious and social life of the Hindu community; 3) the positions and relationships of widows in the community, in their family, and; 4) the definitions, classifications and categorization of widows and widowhood among both widowed and non-widowed women. Through each of these frames, the thesis documents how the Canadian Hindu widow both claims and is attributed respect, status, and independence and that the identity, relationships, and practices of widows, though part of continuous process of change, are not set apart from those of wives in any absolute manner

Assessment of hemoglobinopathy trait notification in Pennsylvania Newborn Screening

Background: Newborn Screening (NBS) is a state-run public health program, which screens infants at birth for congenital conditions that may cause significant disability or death without prompt intervention. Carriers of sickle cell disease (SCD) are incidentally identified in the screening process yet are generally considered to be healthy. States’ policies regarding the incidental finding vary. Sharing the result challenges the traditional scope of NBS, and the history of sickle cell screening in the United States cautions against the program’s potential harms. States’ programs that do disclose positive sickle cell trait (SCT) status are primarily motivated by its reproductive implications. These programs notify stakeholders through a variety of means. This study sought to evaluate the impact of SCT notification on families in Pennsylvania, who are informed via a mailed letter. Methods: Parents in Western Pennsylvania who received the SCT notification letter within the past year were surveyed regarding their understanding of SCD, anxiety related to the notification, and anticipated sharing of the health information. Results: Ninety-four of 434 notified families completed the survey by mail and telephone. Over 36% of respondents were unclear of the inheritance pattern of SCD, and 29% incorrectly answered that SCT could develop into SCD. The greatest misunderstanding was found regarding Hemoglobin C trait and specific reproductive risks. The letter elicited anxiety in approximately one-third of parents. Over 90% of respondents planned to discuss the letter with their partner, their infant’s primary care provider, and their infant at an older age. Conclusions: The current notification letter inadequately conveys the health and reproductive implications of SCT and may contribute to anxiety in a meaningful proportion of parents. These findings support the utility of follow-up services in promoting understanding and minimizing stress related to carrier identification through NBS. Parents appear to appreciate the relevance of the information, based on their intent to share it with appropriate family and healthcare providers. Further research is needed to clarify additional effects of the program, in particular for the infant, who should be a primary beneficiary of NBS. Public Health Significance: This study may inform policies regarding disclosure of SCT status through NBS

Bridging the copyright and licensing knowledge gap

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to examine the copyright and licensing knowledge gap of academic staff to identify their current understanding of, and attitudes towards, copyright, licensing and the open access movement in relation to the content they use, create, and share in their teaching and research practice. The motivation behind this study was to gather information to assist the Library in creating and providing effective information resources and training for academic staff.Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to Faculty of Health academic staff at Deakin University. Seventy individuals in the Faculty of Health completed the survey.Results: The results suggested that most of the academics have used content created by others in their teaching materials, but they are not confident about complying with copyright or licensing conditions whilst doing so. Most had not posted any of their own content online, but would generally be willing for it to be used by others, with attribution. Around half had never posted their published articles in an institutional or discipline repository, but again, would be willing for them to be used for educational purposes. Most academics have never shared their research data online, and some were very unwilling to do so - despite current pushes to broaden access to research data sets. Finally, most had never applied a Creative Commons licence to a piece of work, and over half were unaware of what rights they had retained under publishing agreements for their work. It was strongly indicated that an informational website would be very helpful in providing guidance around topics of copyright, licensing and sharing. Conclusions: Results were largely consistent with other similar studies conducted around these topics. There is a clear role for librarians to continue providing such training and resources as the push for Open Access resources, publishing, and data only gains momentum

Processing The Interspecies Quorum-Sensing Signal Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) Characterization Of Phospho-(S)-4,5-Dihydroxy-2,3-Pentanedione Isomerization By LsrG Protein

The molecule (S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD) is produced by many different species of bacteria and is the precursor of the signal molecule autoinducer-2 (AI-2). AI-2 mediates interspecies communication and facilitates regulation of bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation and virulence. A variety of bacterial species have the ability to sequester and process the AI-2 present in their environment, thereby interfering with the cell-cell communication of other bacteria. This process involves the AI-2-regulated lsr operon, comprised of the Lsr transport system that facilitates uptake of the signal, a kinase that phosphorylates the signal to phospho-DPD (P-DPD), and enzymes (like LsrG) that are responsible for processing the phosphorylated signal. Because P-DPD is the intracellular inducer of the lsr operon, enzymes involved in P-DPD processing impact the levels of Lsr expression. Here we show that LsrG catalyzes isomerization of P-DPD into 3,4,4-trihydroxy-2-pentanone-5-phosphate. We present the crystal structure of LsrG, identify potential catalytic residues, and determine which of these residues affects P-DPD processing in vivo and in vitro. We also show that an lsrG deletion mutant accumulates at least 10 times more P-DPD than wild type cells. Consistent with this result, we find that the lsrG mutant has increased expression of the lsr operon and an altered profile of AI-2 accumulation and removal. Understanding of the biochemical mechanisms employed by bacteria to quench signaling of other species can be of great utility in the development of therapies to control bacterial behavior

Show Me Health: Clearing the Air About Tobacco Evaluation Instruments

This report depicts a holistic overview of the evaluation instruments used in the Show Me Health: Clearing the Air About Tobacco (SMH) evaluation.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1100/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 13, 2007

Ursinus Implements Swipe, Message Systems for Better Student Safety on Campus • Strassburger Goes to Dubai • Why Don\u27t You Escape Velocity? • Residence Life Sponsors Alcohol Education Program for Freshmen • Beyond the Condom: Guide to Safe Sex • Faculty Spotlight: Yoshitomo Yamashita • Wismer Hall: Too Hard to Handle? • Ursinus Recycling 101 • Opinions: Should We Lower the Drinking Age?; On Patriot Day • Rank \u27em • UC Volleyball Spikes to Success • Men\u27s Soccer Stumbles in Home Openerhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1742/thumbnail.jp

Early life environment and natural history of inflammatory bowel diseases

Background: Early life exposures may modify risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD; Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC)). However, the relationship between early life exposures and natural history of IBD has not been previously examined. Methods: This single center study included patients with CD or UC recruited in a prospective IBD registry. Enrolled patients completed a detailed environmental questionnaire that assessed various early life environmental exposures. Our primary outcome was requirement for disease-related surgery in CD and UC. Logistic regression models defined independent effect of early life exposures, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Our study included 333 CD and 270 UC patients. Just over half were female with a median age at diagnosis of 25 years. One-third of the cohort had history of bowel surgery (31%) and nearly half had used at least one biologic agent (47%). Among those with CD, being breastfed was associated with reduced risk of CD-related surgery (34% vs. 55%), while childhood cigarette smoke exposure was associated with increased risk. On multivariate analysis, history of being breastfed (odds ratio (OR) 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–0.46) and cigarette smoke exposure as a child (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.10–4.29) remained independently associated with surgery. None of the early life variables influenced disease phenotype or outcome in UC. Conclusion: A history of being breastfed was associated with a decreased risk while childhood cigarette smoke exposure was associated with an increased risk of surgery in patients with CD. Further investigation to examine biological mechanisms is warranted. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0216-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The face of the party? Leadership personalisation in British campaigns

The personal characteristics of political elites play an important role in British elections. While the personalisation of the media’s election coverage has been the subject of much debate, we know less about the conditions under which voters receive personalised messages directly from elites during the campaign. In this paper, we use a new dataset that includes more than 3,300 local communications from the 2015 general election to explore variation in the personalisation of campaign messaging. We find that there is systemic variation in terms of where photographs of party leaders are included in election communications, which provides further evidence that campaign messages are deployed strategically to portray the candidate – and their party – in the best possible light