Health Beliefs, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Body Mass Index in College Students

Poor nutrition habits, sedentary living, and alcohol consumption are all chosen lifestyle behaviors governed by the health beliefs of individuals. Findings have consistently confirmed that college students have poor dietary habits and continue to make poor nutritional choices. Between 70% and 90% of all deaths in the United States are the results of chronic diseases, and 40% of deaths result from lifestyle behaviors and choices (Aldana, Greenlaw, Salberg, Diehl, Thomas & Ohmine, 2006; Grizzell, 2005). This research examined the differences in the body mass index of normal and overweight college students in the United States according to their personal characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and dietary self-efficacy. The study posed three research questions pertaining to differences in the body mass index of college students. As such, three research hypotheses were tested to determine whether there are significant differences in the body mass indexes of normal and overweight college students according to their personal characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and dietary self-efficacy. This study employed a non-experimental quantitative exploratory (comparative) research design. A convenience sample of 201 was recruited via Survey Monkey. Out of 201 college students that completed surveys, 126 were usable. The questionnaire consisted of Part 1, personal characteristics; Part 2, nutrition knowledge; Part 3, dietary self-efficacy; and Part 4, body mass index. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18 was used to analyze the findings of this non-experimental quantitative exploratory (comparative) research. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and comparative analyses. This study\u27s findings indicated that the personal characteristics of college students do not influence their body mass index. These results were different from studies that have indicated personal characteristics, such as gender, race, and age, have had statistically significant effects on the level of engagement in health promoting behaviors and lifestyle (Anding et al., 2001; Huang, Haris, Lee, & Nazir, 2003; Jackson, Tucker, & Herman, 2007). The findings of this study were similar to Parmenter and Wardle\u27s (1999) results were students tended to concentrate on a specific area of nutrition knowledge. There were two main areas that indicated significant differences Total Dietary Recommendations and Total Choosing Everyday Foods . College students within a normal BMI category (BMI between 18.5 to 24.9), were much more likely to, know and understand what current experts say about healthy dietary recommendations, over college students within an overweight BMI category (BMI of 25 to 29.9). The results also indicated that college students within a normal BMI category, were much more likely to choose between different foods to identify a healthier choice, over college students within an overweight BMI range. There were no correlations between dietary self-efficacy and BMI in this study. The findings indicate that more research is needed to gain a clearer understanding and to investigate whether there are correlations between nutrition knowledge, dietary self-efficacy, and dietary behavior. It may be valuable to institute awareness programs at targeted BMI students to improve their nutrition awareness

Vegetation Community Changes in Two National Forests in the Pineywoods, East Texas

Despite extensive research into forest succession, little research has been directed to long-term studies. The fundamental properties of succession remain unclear and further research into terrestrial vegetation and an accounting of drivers in specific ecosystem types is required. This study addresses change in plant communities from five ecosystem types in two east Texas National Forests over a 20-year period. An analysis of 30 sample stands yields results due to various ecosystem drivers of vegetation change and uncovers plant community responses in multiple ecosystem types over this period. This research provided three key results: 1) that vegetation composition change occurs more dramatically in longleaf pine, dry-mesic and mesic ecosystem types; 2) that vegetation composition change can vary within different organizational levels of an ecosystem; and, 3) that long-term studies of these areas will emphasize species-time-area relationships that can effectively link vegetation composition/dynamics to disturbance drivers. This study is part of a growing body of research on long-term studies relating to forest succession. This project will serve as a benchmark that will contribute to future research on similar topics. Key words: ecology, succesion, biodiversity, disturbance, long-term studie

The teaching and learning research programme (TLRP) in Wales: research evidence for educational policy and practice in Wales

Alex Morgan and Jane Waters, Swansea University; Jane Williams

Successful Use of eXtension and Online Training Modules in Mandatory Biennial Volunteer Recertification

Quality volunteers are essential to the success of 4-H programs. Although much attention has been paid to the initial orientation of volunteers, additional training is typically optional. Beginning in 2013, our county required all adult volunteers to complete at least one hour of continuing education as part of a biennial recertification process. We used existing resources (“eLearning for Volunteer Orientation”; eXtension webinars).  There was no significant difference in volunteer retention between re-screening and non-re-screening cohorts (p=.855). We collected 166 volunteer ratings of 23 recorded webinars on eXtension. Volunteers gave concrete examples of how they would use the information learned in their volunteer role

Successful Use of eXtension and Online Training Modules in Mandatory Biennial Volunteer Recertification

Quality volunteers are essential to the success of 4-H programs. Although much attention has been paid to the initial orientation of volunteers, additional training is typically optional. Beginning in 2013, our county required all adult volunteers to complete at least one hour of continuing education as part of a biennial recertification process. We used existing resources (“eLearning for Volunteer Orientation”; eXtension webinars).  There was no significant difference in volunteer retention between re-screening and non-re-screening cohorts (p=.855). We collected 166 volunteer ratings of 23 recorded webinars on eXtension. Volunteers gave concrete examples of how they would use the information learned in their volunteer role

Position effect variegation and imprinting of transgenes in lymphocytes

Sequences proximal to transgene integration sites are able to deregulate transgene expression resulting in complex position effect phenotypes. In addition, transgenes integrated as repeated arrays are susceptible to repeat-induced gene silencing. Using a Cre recombinase-based system we have addressed the influence of transgene copy number (CN) on expression of hCD2 transgenes. CN reduction resulted in a decrease, increase or no effect on variegation depending upon the site of integration. This finding argues that repeat-induced gene silencing is not the principle cause of hCD2 transgene variegation. These results also suggest that having more transgene copies can be beneficial at some integration sites. The transgenic lines examined in this report also exhibited a form of imprinting, which was manifested by decreased levels of expression and increased levels of variegation, upon maternal transmission; and this correlated with DNA hypermethylation and a reduction in epigenetic chromatin modifications normally associated with active genes

Optimal Dosing of Enoxaparin in Critically Ill Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Background: Evidence suggests that goal anti-Xa levels are achieved in only 33% of critically ill patients receiving standard prophylactic enoxaparin dosing. There has been limited focus on the potential suboptimal anticoagulation effect on medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients receiving therapeutic enoxaparin dosing for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: MICU patients receiving enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily or 1.5 mg/kg daily for VTE treatment in a 350-bed community teaching hospital between 2013 and 2019 with at least one peak anti-Xa level measured were included. The primary outcome was the proportion who achieved therapeutic anti-Xa levels with standard dosing. Secondary outcomes included types of dose-adjustments required and the proportion requiring subsequent dose-adjustments. Descriptive statistics were presented for all outcomes. Results: Fifty-three patients were evaluated, including those receiving either twice-daily or once-daily standard therapeutic dosing. Optimal anti-Xa levels at first measurement were recorded after the initiation of enoxaparin in 26.4% (n=14) patients. Dose adjustments were required in 70.7% (n=29) of patients receiving twice-daily dosing and in 83.3% (n=10) receiving once-daily dosing (P=0.97) to appropriately increase or decrease the enoxaparin dose. By the third anti-Xa level measurement, 3 patients remained outside of the therapeutic range. Conclusions: Standard therapeutic enoxaparin dosing did not result in optimal anti-Xa levels for a majority of MICU patients regardless of dosing regimen used or patient specific factors. Future studies should identify patient factors associated with the requirement for higher or lower enoxaparin dosing

Recreational Exposure to Low Concentrations of Microcystins During an Algal Bloom in a Small Lake

We measured microcystins in blood from people at risk for swallowing water or inhaling spray while swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, or boating during an algal bloom. We monitored water samples from a small lake as a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom developed. We recruited 97 people planning recreational activities in that lake and seven others who volunteered to recreate in a nearby bloom-free lake. We conducted our field study within a week of finding a 10-μg/L microcystin concentration. We analyzed water, air, and human blood samples for water quality, potential human pathogens, algal taxonomy, and microcystin concentrations. We interviewed study participants for demographic and current health symptom information. Water samples were assayed for potential respiratory viruses (adenoviruses and enteroviruses), but none were detected. We did find low concentrations of Escherichia coli, indicating fecal contamination. We found low levels of microcystins (2 μg/L to 5 μg/L) in the water and (<0.1 ng/m3) in the aerosol samples. Blood levels of microcystins for all participants were below the limit of detection (0.147μg/L). Given this low exposure level, study participants reported no symptom increases following recreational exposure to microcystins. This is the first study to report that water-based recreational activities can expose people to very low concentrations of aerosol-borne microcystins; we recently conducted another field study to assess exposures to higher concentrations of these algal toxins

Do high-risk medicines alerts influence practice?

Background: Medicine-related adverse events are prevalent, costly and mostly preventable. The High Risk Medicines Working Party (Victoria) developed and distributed three highrisk medicines alerts &ndash; wrong route of administration of oral medicines, subcutaneous insulin and unfractionated heparin &ndash; and accompanying audit tools in 2008 and 2009.Aims: To determine the impact of the three high-risk medicines alerts on Victorian health services; to assess the clinical relevance and utility of the audit tools; to identify barriers to implementing recommendations; and to obtain feedback and suggestions for future alert topics.Method: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken from 6 to 31 July 2009 using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 90 metropolitan, regional and rural public health services in Victoria and approximately 200 members of the Quality Use of Medicines Network (Victoria).Results: Most of the 90 respondents were pharmacists (53%) and nurses (31%). 53 (59%) respondents reported making changes as a result of receiving the high-risk medicines alerts &ndash; 21 (40%) concerned the wrong route of administration, 12 (23%) subcutaneous insulin and 7 (13%) unfractionated heparin. Barriers to implementation included time constraints, inadequate staff and resources, excessive paperwork and competing priorities. A minority of respondents indicated some alerts were not relevant to small rural services. Suggestions forimproving the audit tools included making them less labour intensive, enabling electronic responses and ensuring their distribution is coordinated with other medicine-related tools.Conclusion: High-risk medicines alerts and the accompanying audit tools facilitated change but there were some barriers to their implementation, such as time and resource constraints. Not all alerts and audit tools were relevant to all health services.<br /