School and local authority characteristics associated with take-up of free school meals in Scottish secondary schools, 2014

School meals are an important state-delivered mechanism for improving children’s diets. Scottish local authorities have a statutory duty to provide free school meals (FSM) to families meeting means-testing criteria. Inevitably take-up of FSM does not reach 100%. Explanations put forward to explain this include social stigma, as well as a more general dissatisfaction amongst pupils about lack of modern facilities and meal quality, and a preference to eat where friends are eating. This study investigated characteristics associated with take-up across Scottish secondary schools in 2013–2014 using multilevel modelling techniques. Results suggest that stigma, food quality and the ability to eat with friends are associated with greater take-up. Levels of school modernisation appeared less important, as did differences between more urban or rural areas. Future studies should focus on additional school-level variables to identify characteristics associated with take-up, with the aim of reducing the number of registered pupils not taking-up FSM

Reducing the volume, exposure and negative impacts of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children: a systematic review of the evidence from statutory and self-regulatory actions and educational measures

Purpose: To identify and review evidence on 1) the effectiveness of statutory and self-regulatory actions to reduce the volume, exposure or wider impact of advertising for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) to children, and 2) the role of educational measures. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of three databases (Medline, CINAHL and PsycINFO) and grey literature was carried out. Relevant evidence included studies evaluating advertising bans and restrictions, advertising literacy programmes and parental communication styles. Relevant media included TV, internet, radio, magazines and newspaper advertising. No studies were excluded based on language or publication date. Findings: Forty-seven publications were included: 19 provided evidence for the results of statutory regulation, 25 for self-regulation, and six for educational approaches. Outcome measures varied in approach, quality and results. Findings suggested statutory regulation could reduce the volume of and children's exposure to advertising for foods HFSS, and had potential to impact more widely. Self-regulatory approaches showed varied results in reducing children's exposure. There was some limited support for educational measures. Discussion: Consistency in measures from evaluations over time would assist the development and interpretation of the evidence base on successful actions and measures to reduce the volume, exposure and impact of advertising for foods HFSS to children

An Evaluation of the Performance of a Beef Taste Panel

(From the Introduction): Abbreviated It is desirable that an individual whose sensory judgment is used in evaluating the quality of foods possess the ability to discriminate and the ability to duplicate his judgments. The present study was conducted primarily for the purpose of evaluating the performance of members of a beef taste panel in the Food Research Laboratory at the University of Tennessee with respect to these competencies. These judges had had considerable experience in scoring beef

Expression of transcription factor zinc-binding protein-89 (ZBP-89) is inhibited by inflammatory cytokines.

Zinc-binding protein-89 (ZBP-89; ZNF148, BERF-1, BFCOL-1) is a zinc-finger transcription factor of the Kruppel family. It has been shown to regulate the expression of a number of genes, acting as either an activator or repressor of gene expression, depending on the context. It is over-expressed in several cancers, but has been shown to be involved in apoptosis and to have a negative influence on cell growth in part by interactions with p53. Previously, ZBP-89 was shown to activate transcription of the matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) gene by binding to a polymorphic promoter element in competition with nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). NF-kappaB is known to be a key regulator of the inflammatory response, but relatively little is known about regulation of ZBP-89. In order to ascertain whether ZBP-89 is regulated during inflammation, we designed experiments to determine whether and to what extent ZBP-89 levels are affected by inflammatory cytokines. Here we show that ZBP-89 mRNA and protein expression are significantly inhibited in human fibroblasts by the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta. Since any change in the levels of ZBP-89 would presumably impact the regulation of MMP-3 and other ZBP-89 target genes, these results provide important insight into mechanisms involved in fine-tuning the immune response

Supplemental Instruction and the Promotion of Construction of Knowledge

Supplemental instruction (SI), a peer assisted learning model, improves course performance, retention, and graduation rates of post-secondary education students. Researchers have questioned if the success of SI is due to students becoming more aware of assessment demands or if SI also promotes construction of new knowledge. The purposes of this case study were to describe techniques utilized by SI peer leaders, explore how sociocognitive learning techniques are implemented, and explore the perceptions of supplemental instruction program stakeholders regarding sociocognitive learning techniques. The research questions focused on what techniques peer leaders are trained to implement and what peer leaders\u27 perceptions of sociocognitive learning techniques are. Piaget\u27s theories on cognitive conflict and construction of knowledge, Vygotsky\u27s theories on zone of proximal development and sociocognitive learning, and Chi\u27s framework on interactive learning provided the conceptual framework for the study. The case study was conducted at a Northeast United States community college, using interviews with SI administrators and peer leaders (n = 8), voice recordings of SI sessions, and review of training material. The constant comparative method analysis of findings suggest that peer leaders trained in traditional tutoring and sociocognitive learning techniques promote construction of knowledge, and while programmatic and peer leader goals align with sociocognitive learning techniques, student goals do not. One recommendation is to clarify the distinction of SI versus traditional tutoring. This study could lead to positive social change by contributing to expanded goals of SI resulting in enhanced quality of learning for student participants at higher education institutions

Can behaviour during immunisation be used to identify attachment patterns? A feasibility study

<b>Background</b> Infant attachment is a strong predictor of mental health, and current measures involve placing children into a stressful situation in order to observe how the child uses their primary caregiver to assuage their distress.<p></p> <b>Objectives</b> This study aimed to explore observational correlates of attachment patterns during immunisation.<p></p> <b>Participants and setting</b> 18 parent–child pairs were included in the study. They were all recruited through a single general medical practice.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> Infant immunisation videos were observed and coded for parenting behaviours as well as pain promoting and pain reducing strategies. Results were compared between different attachment groups, as measured with the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task. <p></p> <b>Results</b> Parents of securely attached children scored higher on positive Mellow Parenting Observational System behaviours, but not at a statistically significant level. Parents of securely attached children were also significantly more likely to engage in pain reducing behaviours (p <0.01) than parents of insecurely attached children.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Robust composite measures for attachment informative behaviours in the immunisation situation should be developed and tested in a fully powered study