Dietary fat knowledge and intake of mid-adolescents attending public schools in the Bellville/Durbanville area of the city of Cape Town

Objectives: This survey primarily investigated the dietary fat knowledge and intake of 17-year-olds.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.Setting and subjects: A random sample of 168 learners (89% response rate) attending public schools in the Bellville/Durbanville area participated with parental consent after the area manager of the Department of Education and the school headmasters granted approval to conduct the survey.Outcome measures: Both the test and the food frequency screener selected to assess learner dietary fat knowledge and intake respectivelywas pilot tested.Results: The learners mostly obtained average (46%) as well as below average (52%) dietary fat knowledge scores and mostly (61%) followed diets that were categorised as typically Western, quite high in fat. The learners’ interest in nutrition and their source of nutritional information, which was a subject presented at school, were positively associated with their dietary fat knowledge (p < 0.05) and intake (p < 0.05) and their dietary fat knowledge was positively associated with their fat intake (p < 0.05).Conclusions: These mid-adolescents lack knowledge of dietary fat and are not consuming fats sparingly. However, their interest in nutrition, reliable nutritional information and dietary fat knowledge positively affected their fat intake. Interest in nutrition through nutrition and health education intervention initiatives should be cultivated among adolescents as it was identified as positively affecting both the dietary fat knowledge and intake of these adolescents.Keywords: knowledge of dietary fat; dietary fat intake; adolescent nutrition; interest in nutrition; nutrition informatio

Understanding factors that influence success rate of students in computer literacy

The rapidly changing·end-user computing environment requires an informed recipient of information who can play an active role in the design of information systems to capture. retrieve and interpret data [6). We need our students to develop practical skills as well as thorough theoretical understanding of IT concepts so that they can effectively function in the constantly evolving technological future. UWC students typically come from varied academic and socio-economic backgrounds. Many are from educationally disadvantaged communities that have had little exposure to technology [4). Monyeki [2) asserts that it is simplistic to assume that studies conducted on students from other education departments in South Africa will hold for students from these educationally disadvantaged communities, hence the reason for our study

GeneWaltz--A new method for reducing the false positives of gene finding

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Identifying protein-coding regions in genomic sequences is an essential step in genome analysis. It is well known that the proportion of false positives among genes predicted by current methods is high, especially when the exons are short. These false positives are problematic because they waste time and resources of experimental studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed GeneWaltz, a new filtering method that reduces the risk of false positives in gene finding. GeneWaltz utilizes a codon-to-codon substitution matrix that was constructed by comparing protein-coding regions from orthologous gene pairs between mouse and human genomes. Using this matrix, a scoring scheme was developed; it assigned higher scores to coding regions and lower scores to non-coding regions. The regions with high scores were considered candidate coding regions. One-dimensional Karlin-Altschul statistics was used to test the significance of the coding regions identified by GeneWaltz.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proportion of false positives among genes predicted by GENSCAN and Twinscan were high, especially when the exons were short. GeneWaltz significantly reduced the ratio of false positives to all positives predicted by GENSCAN and Twinscan, especially when the exons were short.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>GeneWaltz will be helpful in experimental genomic studies. GeneWaltz binaries and the matrix are available online at <url>http://en.sourceforge.jp/projects/genewaltz/</url>.</p

Routes for breaching and protecting genetic privacy

We are entering the era of ubiquitous genetic information for research, clinical care, and personal curiosity. Sharing these datasets is vital for rapid progress in understanding the genetic basis of human diseases. However, one growing concern is the ability to protect the genetic privacy of the data originators. Here, we technically map threats to genetic privacy and discuss potential mitigation strategies for privacy-preserving dissemination of genetic data.Comment: Draft for comment

Systematic evaluation of genome-wide methylated DNA enrichment using a CpG island array

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent progress in high-throughput technologies has greatly contributed to the development of DNA methylation profiling. Although there are several reports that describe methylome detection of whole genome bisulfite sequencing, the high cost and heavy demand on bioinformatics analysis prevents its extensive application. Thus, current strategies for the study of mammalian DNA methylomes is still based primarily on genome-wide methylated DNA enrichment combined with DNA microarray detection or sequencing. Methylated DNA enrichment is a key step in a microarray based genome-wide methylation profiling study, and even for future high-throughput sequencing based methylome analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In order to evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of methylated DNA enrichment, we investigated and optimized a number of important parameters to improve the performance of several enrichment assays, including differential methylation hybridization (DMH), microarray-based methylation assessment of single samples (MMASS), and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP). With advantages and disadvantages unique to each approach, we found that assays based on methylation-sensitive enzyme digestion and those based on immunoprecipitation detected different methylated DNA fragments, indicating that they are complementary in their relative ability to detect methylation differences.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study provides the first comprehensive evaluation for widely used methodologies for methylated DNA enrichment, and could be helpful for developing a cost effective approach for DNA methylation profiling.</p

The lancet weight determines wheal diameter in response to skin prick testing with histamine

BACKGROUND:Skin prick test (SPT) is a common test for diagnosing immunoglobulin E-mediated allergies. In clinical routine, technicalities, human errors or patient-related biases, occasionally results in suboptimal diagnosis of sensitization. OBJECTIVE:Although not previously assessed qualitatively, lancet weight is hypothesized to be important when performing SPT to minimize the frequency of false positives, false negatives, and unwanted discomfort. METHODS:Accurate weight-controlled SPT was performed on the volar forearms and backs of 20 healthy subjects. Four predetermined lancet weights were applied (25 g, 85 g, 135 g and 265 g) using two positive control histamine solutions (1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL) and one negative control (saline). A total of 400 SPTs were conducted. The outcome parameters were: wheal size, neurogenic inflammation (measured by superficial blood perfusion), frequency of bleeding, and the lancet provoked pain response. RESULTS:The mean wheal diameter increased significantly as higher weights were applied to the SPT lancet, e.g. from 3.2 ± 0.28 mm at 25 g to 5.4 ± 1.7 mm at 265 g (p<0.01). Similarly, the frequency of bleeding, the provoked pain, and the neurogenic inflammatory response increased significantly. At 265 g saline evoked two wheal responses (/160 pricks) below 3 mm. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:The applied weight of the lancet during the SPT-procedure is an important factor. Higher lancet weights precipitate significantly larger wheal reactions with potential diagnostic implications. This warrants additional research of the optimal lancet weight in relation to SPT-guidelines to improve the specificity and sensitivity of the procedure

Allele-Specific, Age-Dependent and BMI-Associated DNA Methylation of Human MCHR1

Background: Melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) plays a significant role in regulation of energy balance, food intake, physical activity and body weight in humans and rodents. Several association studies for human obesity showed contrary results concerning the SNPs rs133072 (G/A) and rs133073 (T/C), which localize to the first exon of MCHR1. The variations constitute two main haplotypes (GT, AC). Both SNPs affect CpG dinucleotides, whereby each haplotype contains a potential methylation site at one of the two SNP positions. In addition, 15 CpGs in close vicinity of these SNPs constitute a weak CpG island. Here, we studied whether DNA methylation in this sequence context may contribute to population- and age-specific effects of MCHR1 alleles in obesity. \ud Principal Findings: We analyzed DNA methylation of a 315 bp region of MCHR1 encompassing rs133072 and rs133073 and the CpG island in blood samples of 49 individuals by bisulfite sequencing. The AC haplotype shows a significantly higher methylation level than the GT haplotype. This allele-specific methylation is age-dependent. In young individuals (20â\u80\u9330 years) the difference in DNA methylation between haplotypes is significant; whereas in individuals older than 60 years it is not detectable. Interestingly, the GT allele shows a decrease in methylation status with increasing BMI, whereas the methylation of the AC allele is not associated with this phenotype. Heterozygous lymphoblastoid cell lines show the same pattern of allele-specific DNA methylation. The cell line, which exhibits the highest difference in methylation levels between both haplotypes, also shows allele-specific transcription of MCHR1, which can be abolished by treatment with the DNA\ud methylase inhibitor 5-aza-2&apos;-deoxycytidine.\ud Conclusions:We show that DNA methylation at MCHR1 is allele-specific, age-dependent, BMI-associated and affects transcription. Conceivably, this epigenetic regulation contributes to the age- and/or population specific effects reported for MCHR1 in several human obesity studies.\ud \ud doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017711\u

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans metabolism: from genome sequence to industrial applications

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans </it>is a major participant in consortia of microorganisms used for the industrial recovery of copper (bioleaching or biomining). It is a chemolithoautrophic, γ-proteobacterium using energy from the oxidation of iron- and sulfur-containing minerals for growth. It thrives at extremely low pH (pH 1–2) and fixes both carbon and nitrogen from the atmosphere. It solubilizes copper and other metals from rocks and plays an important role in nutrient and metal biogeochemical cycling in acid environments. The lack of a well-developed system for genetic manipulation has prevented thorough exploration of its physiology. Also, confusion has been caused by prior metabolic models constructed based upon the examination of multiple, and sometimes distantly related, strains of the microorganism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genome of the type strain <it>A. ferrooxidans </it>ATCC 23270 was sequenced and annotated to identify general features and provide a framework for <it>in silico </it>metabolic reconstruction. Earlier models of iron and sulfur oxidation, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, inorganic ion uptake, and amino acid metabolism are confirmed and extended. Initial models are presented for central carbon metabolism, anaerobic metabolism (including sulfur reduction, hydrogen metabolism and nitrogen fixation), stress responses, DNA repair, and metal and toxic compound fluxes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bioinformatics analysis provides a valuable platform for gene discovery and functional prediction that helps explain the activity of <it>A. ferrooxidans </it>in industrial bioleaching and its role as a primary producer in acidic environments. An analysis of the genome of the type strain provides a coherent view of its gene content and metabolic potential.</p

Home Telehealth Uptake and Continued Use Among Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: a Systematic Review

Background Home telehealth has the potential to benefit heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, however large-scale deployment is yet to be achieved. Purpose The aim of this review was to assess levels of uptake of home telehealth by patients with HF and COPD and the factors that determine whether patients do or do not accept and continue to use telehealth. Methods This research performs a narrative synthesis of the results from included studies. Results Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies that reported rates of refusal and/or withdrawal found that almost one third of patients who were offered telehealth refused and one fifth of participants who did accept later abandoned telehealth. Seven barriers to, and nine facilitators of, home telehealth use were identified. Conclusions Research reports need to provide more details regarding telehealth refusal and abandonment, in order to understand the reasons why patients decide not to use telehealth