The Voice of Low-Income Adolescent Mothers on Infant Feeding

Adolescent mothers\u27 feeding practices impact infant weight gain. Infant obesity, especially in low-income families, is rapidly increasing. The aim of the exploratory study reported here was to identify factors affecting low-income African American and non-Hispanic White adolescent mothers\u27 infant feeding practices and useful learning modalities. Two focus groups were conducted by a trained facilitator using a semi-structured topic guide. Three themes emerged: (1) feeding decisions related to introduction of solid foods; (2) feeding information/advice provided by others; and (3) useful learning strategies. These themes can be used by Extension professionals in designing nutrition education programs for adolescent mothers

Photobiomodulation therapy on orthodontic movement: analysis of preliminary studies with a new protocol

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the acceleration of orthodontic movements, deriving from its biostimulating and regenerative capacity on soft tissues, consequent to the increase in differentiation, proliferation, and activity of cells that are involved with alveolar bone remodeling. The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on six patients who required extractive orthodontic therapy because their ectopic canines had erupted. A total of eight canines were analyzed, four of which received laser irradiation (i.e., experimental group). Two weeks after the extractions, all canines of the experimental and placebo groups were distalized simultaneously and symmetrically with the laceback retraction technique. The PBMT protocol consisted of four cycles of laser applications, one each on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 of the study, with session treatment durations of 2-4 min. The results of the descriptive analysis on the distal displacement speed of the canines after 1 month of follow-up indicate an average displacement of 1.35 mm for the non-irradiated group and 1.98 mm for the irradiated group. Through inferential analysis, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the average speed of the irradiated canines and the control canines. The low energy density laser used in this study, with the parameters set, was found to be a tool capable of statistically significantly accelerating the distal displacement of canines

CBCT and intra-oral scanner: the advantages of 3D technologies in orthodontic treatment

Background: The aim is to demonstrate the validity of the monitoring through intraoral scanner of the dental movements and the real impact, advantages, and convenience, in terms of treatment time and efficiency gain, to frequently monitor a patient with the scanner application. Methods: A movement control of palatally impacted canines was performed, surgically treated with laser opercolectomy. Three-dimensional models of the patient’s dental arch were obtained with intraoral scanner during a monitoring time of 4 months. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) files were superimposed with the 3D models extrapolated from the pre-operative CT (Computerized Tomography). The measurements of eruption, exposed palatal and vestibular areas, and distances between the canines and the incisors were performed, using digital technologies and with a digital caliber. Results: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the data obtained from both conventional and digital monitoring has been realized and performing the T Student Test for paired data. Conclusion: The advantages of digital monitoring are numerous, like the possibility to reduce the error of method caused by manual measurement on plaster casts and the possibility to compare the pattern and amount of eruption of the canine in the same patient overtime

CO2 and diode lasers vs. conventional surgery in the disinclusion of palatally impacted canines: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: The aim of this RCT is to show the effectiveness of laser technology for the exposure of palatally impacted canines, using a CO2 or diode laser, and to evaluate the possible bio-stimulation effect of the laser on the spontaneous eruption of the canine. Methods: This study was carried out on a sample of 27 patients, divided randomly into three groups: treated with a CO2 laser (Group A), treated with a diode laser (Group B), and treated with a cold blade (Group C). Monitoring was performed at 1, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery, through photo and digital scans performed with a CS3500 intraoral scanner. Results: It was found that the average total eruptions are 4.55 mm for Group A, 5.36 mm for Group B, and 3.01 mm for Group C. The difference in eruption between groups A and B is not significant. Comparing the laser groups with the control group, it has emerged that the difference in eruption is statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant tooth movement was observed in both Groups A and B. The response of the canine to the bio-stimulation of the laser can be considered effective, resulting in a statistically significant difference between the study groups and the control group. Both lasers have the same bio-stimulatory action on the eruption of canines

Efficacy and accuracy of maxillary arch expansion with clear aligner treatment

The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of maxillary arch transverse expansion using the Invisalign® clear aligner system without auxiliaries other than Invisalign attachments. Knowing the accuracy of a movement through a clear aligner system allows the clinician to plan the treatment with greater precision and to achieve the expected result faster. The study group included 28 patients with a mean age of 17 ± 3.2 years. The treatment protocol for all the selected patients included the application of the Invisalign® clear aligner system without auxiliaries, except for the Invisalign® attachments; in no case were tooth extraction or interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) performed. Linear measurements of the expansion were assessed before treatment (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and on final virtual models by ClinCheck® (TC). A paired t-test was used to compare T0-T1 and T1-TC differences. A paired t-test was applied, and one normality was validated with the Shapiro-Wilks test. If normality was not met, the nonparametric test (Mann-Whitney U test) was applied. The level of significance was set at 5%. Statistically significant differences were found for all measurements at T0-T1. The results showed an average accuracy of efficacy of 70.88%. The differences in predictability between the various vestibular measurements (intercanine, inter-premolar, and intermolar) were not statistically significant, while they were for gingival measurements. The overall accuracy of the expansion treatment was 70%, regardless of tooth type

Healthy babies through infant-centered feeding protocol: an intervention targeting early childhood obesity in vulnerable populations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Poor feeding practices during infancy contribute to obesity risk. As infants transition from human milk and/or formula-based diets to solid foods, these practices interfere with infant feeding self-regulation and healthy growth patterns. Compared with other socioeconomic groups, lower-income mothers are more likely to experience difficulty feeding their infants. This may include misinterpreting feeding cues and using less-than-optimal feeding styles and practices, such as pressuring infants during mealtimes and prematurely introducing solid food and sweetened beverages. The Healthy Babies trial aims to determine the efficacy of a community-based randomized controlled trial of an in-home intervention with economically and educationally disadvantaged mother-infant dyads. The educational intervention is being conducted during the infant's first 6 months of life to promote healthy transition to solids during their first year and is based on the theory of planned behavior.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>We will describe our study protocol for a multisite randomized control trial being conducted in Colorado and Michigan with an anticipated sample of 372 economically and educationally disadvantaged African American, Hispanic, and Caucasian mothers with infants. Participants are being recruited by county community agency staff. Participants are randomly assigned to the intervention or the control group. The intervention consists of six in-home visits by a trained paraprofessional instructor followed by three reinforcement telephone contacts when the baby is 6, 8, and 10 months old. Main maternal outcomes include a) maternal responsiveness, b) feeding style, and c) feeding practices. Main infant outcome is infant growth pattern. All measures occur at baseline and when the infant is 6 and 12 months old.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>If this project is successful, the expected outcomes will address whether the home-based early nutrition education intervention is effective in helping mothers develop healthy infant feeding practices that contribute to improving infant health and development and reducing the risk of early-onset childhood obesity.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN126100000415000.aspx">ACTRN126100000415000</a></p

Enhancing self-regulation as a strategy for obesity prevention in Head Start preschoolers: the growing healthy study

Abstract Background Nearly one in five 4-year-old children in the United States are obese, with low-income children almost twice as likely to be obese as their middle/upper-income peers. Few obesity prevention programs for low-income preschoolers and their parents have been rigorously tested, and effects are modest. We are testing a novel obesity prevention program for low-income preschoolers built on the premise that children who are better able to self-regulate in the face of psychosocial stressors may be less likely to eat impulsively in response to stress. Enhancing behavioral self-regulation skills in low-income children may be a unique and important intervention approach to prevent childhood obesity. Methods/design The Growing Healthy study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating two obesity prevention interventions in 600 low-income preschoolers attending Head Start, a federally-funded preschool program for low-income children. Interventions are delivered by community-based, nutrition-education staff partnering with Head Start. The first intervention (n = 200), Preschool Obesity Prevention Series (POPS), addresses evidence-based obesity prevention behaviors for preschool-aged children and their parents. The second intervention (n = 200) comprises POPS in combination with the Incredible Years Series (IYS), an evidence-based approach to improving self-regulation among preschool-aged children. The comparison condition (n = 200) is Usual Head Start Exposure. We hypothesize that POPS will yield positive effects compared to Usual Head Start, and that the combined intervention (POPS + IYS) addressing behaviors well-known to be associated with obesity risk, as well as self-regulatory capacity, will be most effective in preventing excessive increases in child adiposity indices (body mass index, skinfold thickness). We will evaluate additional child outcomes using parent and teacher reports and direct assessments of food-related self-regulation. We will also gather process data on intervention implementation, including fidelity, attendance, engagement, and satisfaction. Discussion The Growing Healthy study will shed light on associations between self-regulation skills and obesity risk in low-income preschoolers. If the project is effective in preventing obesity, results can also provide critical insights into how best to deliver obesity prevention programming to parents and children in a community-based setting like Head Start in order to promote better health among at-risk children. Trial registration number Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01398358http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112539/1/12889_2012_Article_4758.pd

High resolution study of 104Pd(d,t)103Pd

Information collected in the present high resolution study of 104Pd(d,t)103Pd is interpreted within the systematics of the A ~ 100 region. The paper complements data previously presented by the S.Paulo Group, which were taken with the Pelletron-Enge-Spectrograph facility. A one-to-one correspondence to gamma ray results for 103Pd, collected by the Nuclear Data Sheets (NDS), was achieved and at least four open questions were settled. More reliable spectroscopic strengths were extracted in the present study

Cross- lagged associations between behaviour problems and obesity in head start preschoolers

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155893/1/ijpo12627_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155893/2/ijpo12627.pd