Preventing Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is now a nation- al epidemic with more than one out of eight children considered overweight. While there is heightened concern about the physical and emotional consequences of childhood obesity, there are numerous challenges in addressing the issue. First, several states do not have consistent and reliable sources of data on childhood overweight, including poten- tial contributors, that provide insight into the extent and degree of the problem. Second, the contributors to childhood obesity are multi-factorial and complex. Finally, the solutions require a multi- pronged and, in some cases, systemic approach. Nevertheless, several legisla- tive opportunities exist to reduce the rate of overweight and improve the health of youth and their families

Attitudes and Practices of Virginia EFNEP and FSNE Educators Toward Teaching About Childhood Overweight

The main objective of the study reported here was to assess the attitudes, practices, and needs of Virginia EFNEP and FSNE educators toward addressing childhood overweight. Written questionnaires were administered to 40 educators. Nearly 80% considered childhood overweight a growing problem ; however, only 12 indicated they had taught classes on childhood overweight and nearly one-third were considered in pre-contemplation or contemplation (based on Stages of Change). The biggest perceived barrier was lack of resources and information, followed by lack of interest of class participants. The findings demonstrate the need for curricula and a stage-based training on childhood overweight for Extension

Elaborar un manual de comprensión lectora para mejorar el rendimiento académico

A diario los maestros enfrentan conflictos con respecto al bajo rendimiento escolar que tienen los estudiantes de bachillerato en asignaturas como Lengua y Literatura donde deben leer, interpretar, resumir, analizar, escribir, opinar sobre algún texto literario, no literario, a esto se suman las exigencias del mundo globalizado y la importancia de la formación holística que deben tener los estudiantes para enfrentar los desafíos del futuro. Es en este contexto que la presente investigación plantea la Elaboración de un Manual de Comprensión Lectora que puede ser utilizado como herramienta didáctica para la enseñanza del nivel literal, inferencial y crítico valorativo, elementos indispensables para el aprendizaje de estrategias de comprensión lectora que permiten entender de forma global un texto. Para su diseño se tomó en cuenta los estándares de aprendizaje del Ministerio de Educación, fuentes teóricas, experiencia docente y población de estudio. Este trabajo se desarrolló en el Colegio Fiscal Nicolás Jiménez, ubicado en la parroquia de Calderón del Cantón Quito. Fueron 56 estudiantes de segundo año de bachillerato en electromecánica paralelo “A” y “B” quienes participaron en esta investigación de enfoque mixto o multimodal (cuantitativa y cualitativa). Se empleó instrumentos como: la encuesta y la entrevista para lograr la descripción del problema, resultados que permitieron realizar la propuesta partiendo de teorías como el homo videns de Giovanni Sartori, comprensión lectora, rendimiento escolar y aprendizaje significativo de Ausubel. Se concluye que el ámbito educativo es el espacio idóneo para generar alternativas que beneficien el progreso estudiantil y social

Awareness of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests and Use of Genetic Tests Among Puerto Rican Adults, 2009

Introduction: Genetic testing remains low among racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of awareness of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests and the prevalence of genetic test use in a population-based sample of adults in Puerto Rico. Methods: We analyzed data from adults aged 18 years or older who completed information on genetic test awareness (n = 611; 96% of study population) from the Health Information National Trends Survey conducted in Puerto Rico in 2009. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated by using logistic regression models to identify factors associated with awareness of DTC genetic tests. Results: The majority of respondents (56%) were aware of direct-to-consumer genetic tests, and approximately 4% had ever undergone any genetic test. Respondents who had never been married were less likely to be aware of DTC tests, as were current smokers. Respondents who ever sought cancer information were more likely to be aware of these tests. Conclusion: We provide the first published data on the awareness of DTC genetic tests and on use of genetic testing in Puerto Rico. Forty-four percent of our sample of Puerto Rican adults were unaware of direct-to-consumer genetic tests. Given the lack of clear benefits of DTC genetic tests to the general population, educational interventions should be developed to increase awareness and specific knowledge regarding the appropriate use of DTC genetic tests among people who are already aware of their existence

Correlates of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Hispanics: Results from the 2008 Puerto Rico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey

Introduction—Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Puerto Rico (PR). Given the lack of information on cancer screening behavior, we identified factors associated with CRC screening among adults aged ≥ 50 years in PR. Methods—Age eligible adults who participated in the PR- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2008 were included in the analysis (n=2,920). Weighted prevalence of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within two years and of Sigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy examination within five years before the interview were estimated and logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with these CRC screening practices. Results—Overall 8.2% (95% CI 7.1%-9.3%) of the participants had had the FOBT within the past two years, 39.8% (95% CI 37.7%-41.9%) had sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy examination within 5 years and 46.7% (95% CI= 44.5%-48.8%) had ever had any type of CRC screening. Factors positively associated to CRC screening in multivariate analyses included older age, higher education, and having had a routine check-up in the past year. Gender, body mass index, and other relevant covariates evaluated were not associated to screening behavior. Conclusions—Prevalence of CRC screening in PR during 2008 was below the goals established by Healthy People 2010 (50.0%) and 2020 (70.5%). We provide the first population-based estimates of CRC screening prevalence and correlates in a US predominantly Hispanic population. Low adherence to CRC screening may result in late stage at diagnosis and poorer disease outcomes. Public health efforts should focus on the promotion of CRC screening and early detection

Anemia en niños atendidos en establecimientos del primer nivel de un distrito de Lima Norte

Objetivos: Describir las características de la anemia en los niños atendidos en los establecimientos del primer nivel de atención. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo basado en una fuente secundaria. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por los niños menores de cinco años atendidos en seis establecimientos de salud del distrito de San Martin de Porres, en Lima Norte. Resultados: El análisis se realizó con 1684 niños tamizados menores de cinco años. El 72,8% (n=1226) de los niños resultaron con anemia. El 52,2% (n=879) fueron varones, el 51,8% (n=873) eran del grupo de edad pertenecientes entre 12 a 36 meses. El 48,9 %(n=824) tenían anemia moderada y el 23,9% (n=402) anemia leve. Los varones presentaron mayor frecuencia de anemia moderada (p=0,003), la mayor proporción de anemia se presentó entre las edades 12 a 36 meses (p=0,182). En los niños con anemia moderada, una mayor proporción (91,4%) recibieron ? 3 dosis de sulfato ferroso, frente al 87,3% en el grupo de anemia leve (p=0,025). La mayor frecuencia de visitas se realizó a los niños con anemia moderada que a los del grupo con anemia leve (p<0,001). Conclusión: La frecuencia de anemia en los niños atendidos en los establecimientos del primer nivel de atención es alta. La mayoría se clasifica como anemia moderada y afecta a los niños comprendidos entre 6 a 36 meses de edad. Se recomienda continuar con las visitas domiciliarias para asegurar la continuidad de tratamiento y evitar el abandono

Silencing-associated and meiosis-specific small RNA pathways in Paramecium tetraurelia

Distinct small RNA pathways are involved in the two types of homology-dependent effects described in Paramecium tetraurelia, as shown by a functional analysis of Dicer and Dicer-like genes and by the sequencing of small RNAs. The siRNAs that mediate post-transcriptional gene silencing when cells are fed with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) were found to comprise two subclasses. DCR1-dependent cleavage of the inducing dsRNA generates ∼23-nt primary siRNAs from both strands, while a different subclass of ∼24-nt RNAs, characterized by a short untemplated poly-A tail, is strictly antisense to the targeted mRNA, suggestive of secondary siRNAs that depend on an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. An entirely distinct pathway is responsible for homology-dependent regulation of developmental genome rearrangements after sexual reproduction. During early meiosis, the DCL2 and DCL3 genes are required for the production of a highly complex population of ∼25-nt scnRNAs from all types of germline sequences, including both strands of exons, introns, intergenic regions, transposons and Internal Eliminated Sequences. A prominent 5′-UNG signature, and a minor fraction showing the complementary signature at positions 21–23, indicate that scnRNAs are cleaved from dsRNA precursors as duplexes with 2-nt 3′ overhangs at both ends, followed by preferential stabilization of the 5′-UNG strand

A review of the distribution of particulate trace elements in urban terrestrial environments and its application to considerations of risk

We review the evolution, state of the art and future lines of research on the sources, transport pathways, and sinks of particulate trace elements in urban terrestrial environments to include the atmosphere, soils, and street and indoor dusts. Such studies reveal reductions in the emissions of some elements of historical concern such as Pb, with interest consequently focusing on other toxic trace elements such as As, Cd, Hg, Zn, and Cu. While establishment of levels of these elements is important in assessing the potential impacts of human society on the urban environment, it is also necessary to apply this knowledge in conjunction with information on the toxicity of those trace elements and the degree of exposure of human receptors to an assessment of whether such contamination represents a real risk to the city’s inhabitants and therefore how this risk can be addressed

ARIA 2016 : Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.Peer reviewe