Evaluating Maternal Eating Competence in Relation to Maternal and Child Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Introduction: Nutritional intake is often controlled and rationalized through an individual’s status of eating competence (EC). EC is defined as allowing oneself to be comfortable, flexible, and positive with eating while respecting personal desires and enjoying nourishing food. EC is divided into 4 sub categories: eating attitudes, food regulation, food acceptance and contextual skills. Competent eaters are more likely to consume more essential vitamins and minerals for functional health, compared to those whose were not competent eaters. Researchers have examined the role mothers play on influencing children’s eating pattern development and have found that modeling is thought to be a significant predictor of children’s dietary intake, especially fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption. The aim of this study was to examine possible relationships between maternal eating competence and its potential role on maternal and child F/V intake. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of mothers (n=68) recruited from preschools in Central New York and Central North Carolina. Maternal and child dietary data (maternal report for both) were collected using two online F/V screeners (2-Item and 16-Item). Maternal eating competence scores were assessed using Satter’s Eating Competence Survey, ecSI 2.0. Income categories were calculated using guidelines determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Federal poverty level (FPL) was computed based on the number of people in the household compared to annual income reported to determine whether a participant fell below or above the 2018 FPL. Comparisons were made between a mother’s total eating competence score and the F/V intakes for both her and her child. The relationship between a mother’s F/V intake and a child’s F/V intake was also examined. Results: Forty-five percent of mothers were considered to be eating competent with an average eating competency score of 31+7.8 (eating competence = \u3e32). As a whole, this population exhibited high aptitude in eating competence categories. Mothers’ eating competence scores positively correlated with the number of cups of F/V children consumed (p\u3c0.05). A mother’s eating competence was significantly and positively associated with a child’s total fruit intake (cups/day), salad intake (cups/day), and consumption of other vegetables (cups/day). Mothers’ eating competence was also significantly and positively associated with the cups/day of vegetables she consumed (p\u3c0.05), but not the number of cups/day of fruit and fruit juice consumed. No statistically significant differences were found in total fruit or vegetable intake of children with EC mothers compared to those with non-EC mothers. Conclusions: There are significant associations between maternal and child fruit and vegetable intake in relation to maternal eating competence. Increased maternal eating competence plays a positive role in increased intake of F/V of preschool aged children. Eating competence supported increased vegetable intake in mothers based on current dietary recommendations (2.5-3 cups/d) but did not predict adequate intake. Less than half of the participants were found to be EC, creating an area of potential improvement. The relationship between maternal EC and child diet quality needs continued exploration as the current study provides initial evidence to expand upon this in future research

The transformation in biomarker detection and management of drug-induced liver injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major concern for patients, care givers and the pharmaceutical industry. Interpretation of the serum biomarkers routinely used to detect and monitor DILI, which have not changed in almost 50 years, can be improved with recently proposed models employing quantitative systems pharmacology. In addition, several newer serum biomarkers are showing great promise. Studies in rodents indicate that the ratio of the caspase cleaved fragment of cytokeratin 18 to total K18 in serum (termed the “apoptotic index”) estimates the relative proportions of apoptosis vs necrosis during drug-induced liver injury. Glutamate dehydrogenase can reliably differentiate liver from muscle injury and, when serum is properly prepared, may also detect mitochondrial toxicity as a mechanism of liver injury. MicroRNA-122 is liver-specific, but recent data suggests it can be actively released from hepatocytes in the absence of overt toxicity limiting enthusiasm for it as a DILI biomarker. Finally, damage associated molecular patterns, particularly high mobility group box 1 and its various modified forms, are promising biomarkers of innate immune activation, which may be useful in distinguishing benign elevations in aminotransferases from those that portend clinically important liver injury. These new biomarkers are already being measured in early clinical trials, but broad acceptance will require widespread archiving of serum from diverse clinical trials and probably pre-competitive analysis efforts. We believe that utilization of a panel of traditional and newer biomarkers in conjunction with quantitative systems pharmacology modeling approaches will transform DILI detection and risk management

Designing data driven persuasive games to address wicked problems such as climate change

This paper considers the increasing utilisation of games design as an approach to encouraging behavioural change through design. In particular it considers how to address issues that cannot be reduced to easily actionable personal goals such as climate change and are often termed ‘wicked problems’ by designers due to their innate complexity. This paper presents a research through design approach that focuses on rhetoric within the design of a mobile phone game - Cold Sun. Thus the aim is not to examine the utility or usability of the game but rather offer it as an example of a design approach we believe is desirable and productive for future practice. Cold Sun provides an example that illustrates how scientific and real world data can be integrated into game mechanics to enhance the rhetoric of the game by engaging the player at a more personal level. Thus Cold Sun allows players to effectively rehearse issues of climate change that will affect their plausible futures, and thus develop a greater understanding of some of these complex issues and consider ways to respond

The Role of FRMD7 in Idiopathic Infantile Nystagmus

Idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) is an inherited disorder in which the nystagmus arises independently of any other symptoms, leading to the speculation that the disorder represents a primary defect in the area of the brain responsible for ocular motor control. The inheritance patterns are heterogeneous, however the most common form is X-linked. FRMD7 resides at Xq26-27 and approximately 50% of X-linked IIN families map to this region. Currently 45 mutations within FRMD7 have been associated with IIN, confirming the importance of FRMD7 in the pathogenesis of the disease. Although mutations in FRMD7 are known to cause IIN, very little is known about the function of the protein. FRMD7 contains a conserved N-terminal FERM domain suggesting that it may provide a link between the plasma membrane and actin cytoskeleton. Limited studies together with the knowledge of the function of other FERM domain containing proteins, suggest that FRMD7 may play a role in membrane extension during neuronal development through remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton

Correlating Molecular Phylogeny with Venom Apparatus Occurrence in Panamic Auger Snails (Terebridae)

Central to the discovery of neuroactive compounds produced by predatory marine snails of the superfamily Conoidea (cone snails, terebrids, and turrids) is identifying those species with a venom apparatus. Previous analyses of western Pacific terebrid specimens has shown that some Terebridae groups have secondarily lost their venom apparatus. In order to efficiently characterize terebrid toxins, it is essential to devise a key for identifying which species have a venom apparatus. The findings presented here integrate molecular phylogeny and the evolution of character traits to infer the presence or absence of the venom apparatus in the Terebridae. Using a combined dataset of 156 western and 33 eastern Pacific terebrid samples, a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on analyses of 16S, COI and 12S mitochondrial genes. The 33 eastern Pacific specimens analyzed represent four different species: Acus strigatus, Terebra argyosia, T. ornata, and T. cf. formosa. Anatomical analysis was congruent with molecular characters, confirming that species included in the clade Acus do not have a venom apparatus, while those in the clade Terebra do. Discovery of the association between terebrid molecular phylogeny and the occurrence of a venom apparatus provides a useful tool for effectively identifying the terebrid lineages that may be investigated for novel pharmacological active neurotoxins, enhancing conservation of this important resource, while providing supplementary information towards understanding terebrid evolutionary diversification

Sunproofed study protocol: A mixed-methods scoping study of sun safety policies in primary schools in Wales

BackgroundSkin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma (keratinocyte), is increasing in incidence in the UK. Accounting for half of all cancers in England and Wales, the disease significantly impacts overstretched dermatology services. Research suggests that 86% of melanoma is preventable with modified sun exposure. Educating children about sun safety in schools can help prevent skin cancer and is recommended by major health organisations. In England, teaching sun safety in primary schools is compulsory, while in Wales this is left to school discretion.AimsUnderstand how primary schools in Wales are responding to growing skin cancer rates and explore the effectiveness of sun safety policies in schools on knowledge and behaviour.MethodsSunproofed is a mixed-methods scoping study comprising 5 work packages (WP) using survey and routine electronic health record (EHR) data supplemented by qualitative case studies. Objective(s) are to: WP1: Discover if primary schools in Wales have sun safety policies; policy characteristics; determine factors that may influence their presence and identify areas where schools need support. WP2: Determine what EHR data is available regarding the incidence of sunburn in primary school children and the feasibility of using this data to evaluate the impact of sun safety policies. WP3: Understand the impact of sun safety policies on sun-safe knowledge and behaviour amongst children, parents, teachers, and school management; identify barriers and facilitators to schools implementing sun safety policies. WP4: Co-produce guidance regarding sun safety policies and best methods for implementation in schools. WP5: Disseminate guidance and findings widely to ensure impact and uptake.DiscussionSkin cancer rates are increasing in the UK, straining limited resources. Sunproofed has the potential to inform the development of future prevention activities, both in Wales and beyond. This could reduce the number of skin cancer cases in the future and keep people healthier for longer