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PubMed2004

Metabolic control analysis as a mechanism that conserves genetic variance during advanced cycle breeding.

The recycling of elite inbreds (i.e., advanced cycle breeding) has led to significant genetic gains but also to a narrow gene pool in plant breeding programs. Sustained yield improvements in many crops have suggested that genetic variance is not depleted at a rate predicted by an additive genetic model. Unlike the additive model in classical quantitative genetic theory, metabolic control analysis relates the variation in a biochemical process with the genetic variation in a quantitative trait. Our objective was to determine whether metabolic control analysis is a mechanism that slows the decrease in genetic variance during advanced cycle breeding. Three cycles of advanced cycle breeding were simulated with 10, 50, or 100 quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling a trait. In metabolic control analysis, these QTL coded for enzymes involved in a linear metabolic pathway that converted a substrate into a product. In the absence of selection, both the additive model and the metabolic control analysis model led to about a 50% reduction in genetic variance from cycle to cycle. With selection, the additive model led to a 50-58% reduction in genetic variance, but the metabolic control analysis model generally led to only a 12-54% reduction. We suggest selection in a metabolic control analysis model as a mechanism that slows the decrease in genetic variance during advanced cycle breeding. This conservation of genetic variance would allow breeders to achieve genetic gains for a longer period than expected under the additive model.

Conserved Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Extra enforcement and the use of seat belts by drivers in Illinois.

The use of seat belts by drivers was measured in three target and three control cities in Illinois before, during, and after the application of heightened police enforcement of the seat belt law in the target cities. The extra enforcement produced increases in the use of seat belts by drivers during the four months of the heightened enforcement. Observations of seat belt use continued for four months after the end of the enforcement, and a substantial residual effect remained in two of the three target cities. In one target city the use of seat belts had dropped close to the level at the start of the project by the end of the second month after the end of enforcement. Taking account of the percentage of drivers who became aware of the increased enforcement suggested that a sustained program of enforcement may result in 60%-70% of drivers using seat belts.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed2004

Community-based cancer screening programs in older populations: making progress but can we do better?

BACKGROUND: Older individuals have higher rates of most types of cancer. Community-based cancer screening programs offer one avenue for addressing the need to prevent or detect cancers in early stages in this population. Identifying characteristics of successful interventions can assist researchers in the development of future studies. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review of community-based cancer screening interventions was undertaken and 114 behavioral interventions for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening published prior to 2000 and 42 studies published during 2000-2003 were identified. From these, 17 studies were identified as model interventions that were effective in significantly increasing screening rates among older populations. RESULTS: Effective interventions employed a variety of strategies including the use of social networks and lay health care workers, mass media, community-based education, reminder notices/behavioral cues, and health care provider assistance. CONCLUSION: Although subgroups of individuals still have lower rates of screening, the results indicate that older populations can be encouraged to engage in appropriate cancer screening behaviors through community-based interventions. The next round of interventions could be strengthened by evaluating intervention components, integrating theory and community participation into designs, focusing on those most at need, and considering program sustainability and costs.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

A systematic approach for increasing pneumococcal vaccination rates at an inner-city public hospital.

BACKGROUND: While the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a standing order as the most effective mechanism to increase pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates, Georgia's Medical Practice Act does not authorize nurses to screen, order, and administer adult vaccines in inpatient settings. METHODS: The setting was a 1000-bed public teaching hospital in metropolitan Atlanta. A 1-month intervention (INT1) included four wards randomized to intervention or control. A 5-month hospital-wide intervention (INT2) followed INT1. The intervention used was provider reminder with in-service training. Chart review was the measure used. The main outcome was pneumococcal vaccination prior to discharge. RESULTS: During INT1, 534 patients (296 intervention and 238 control) were discharged. Of the 534 patients, 475 (89.0%) were African American, 188 (35.2%) were uninsured, and the median age was 48 (range 19 to 96). Of the 205 intervention patients with vaccine indications and no contraindications, 78 of 205 (38%) were vaccinated compared to 7 of 143 (4.9%) of the control patients (p<0.001). During INT2, 879 patient charts were reviewed. Patient demographics were similar to INT1. However, of 554 eligible patients, 16% were vaccinated, significantly higher than control floors during INT1 (p<0.001). Although nurses initiated the form almost 70% of the time, physicians assessed fewer than 35% of patients with indications. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly higher proportions of high-risk patients were vaccinated through the use of a preprinted nurse screening and physician order form. However, a significant percentage of patients did not receive the vaccine owing to the physician's failure to order it. In these cases, use of standing orders would have further increased vaccination rates while also promoting a more sustainable program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Residue level, persistence, and storage performance of citrus fruit treated with fludioxonil.

The potential of postharvest dip treatments with fludioxonil (FLU) (a synthetic analogue of the bacterial metabolite of pyrrolnitrin), in controlling postharvest decay caused by Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum of citrus fruit was investigated in comparison with the conventional fungicide imazalil (IMZ). The ultrastructural changes of fruit epicuticular wax was investigated as a function of water dip temperature, and the possible role of these changes was related to residue accumulation under FLU treatment. Residues retained by fruit were determined as a function of fungicide concentration, dip temperature, and fruit storage conditions. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that fruit dipping in water at 30 or 40 degrees C did not cause differences in cuticular wax's ultrastructure in comparison to control fruit, while treatments at 50, 55, or 60 degrees C caused the disappearance of wax platelets, resulting in relatively homogeneous skin surface, due to partial "melting" of epicuticular wax. Residues of FLU in fruit treated at 20 or 50 degrees C were significantly correlated with the doses of fungicide applied. When equal amounts of fungicide were employed, the residue concentrations were notably higher (from 2.6- to 4-fold) in fruit treated at 50 degrees C than in fruit treated at 20 degrees C. The dissipation rate of FLU in "Salustiana" and "Tarocco" oranges was lower in fruit subjected to treatment at 50 degrees C. The minimal FLU concentration for almost complete decay control in artificially wounded fruit during 7-d storage at 20 degrees C was 400 mg/L active ingredient (ai) in fruit treated at 20 degrees C and 100 mg/L ai in fruit treated at 50 degrees C. Results on nonwounded Tarocco oranges subjected to 3 weeks of simulated quarantine conditions at 1 degrees C, plus 6 weeks of standard storage at 8 degrees C and an additional two weeks of simulated marketing period (SMP) at 20 degrees C revealed that almost complete decay control with FLU applications of 100 mg/L at 50 degrees C and 400 mg/L at 20 degrees C resulted in ca. 0.8 mg/kg FLU fruit residues, in agreement with results on wounded citrus fruit. When equal concentrations and temperatures were applied, FLU treatments were as effective as IMZ. In vitro trials showed a low sensitivity to FLU against P. digitatum and P. italicum isolates. MIC values for the complete inhibition of mycelium growth were >or=100 microg/mL, while ED(50) values ranged from 0.1 to 1 microg/mL for P. digitatum and from 1 to >100 microg/mL for P. italicum. The latter result suggests that care should be taken to avoid exclusive application of FLU in a sustainable program for management of fruit decay. However, integrating fungicide application and hot water dip may reduce the possibility of selecting fungicide-resistant populations of the pathogen, by increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Citrus↗
PubMed2004

Effect of internet support on the long-term maintenance of weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of an Internet weight maintenance program. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Two hundred fifty-five healthy overweight and obese adults (mean +/- SD BMI, 31.8 +/- 4.1 kg/m(2)) men (18%; mean +/- SD age, 45.8 +/- 8.9 yrs) participated in a 6-month behavioral weight control program conducted over interactive television. Treatment was followed by a 12-month weight maintenance program with three conditions: frequent in-person support (F-IPS), minimal in-person support (M-IPS) and internet support (IS). Main outcome measures included body weight, program adherence, and social influence components. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in weight loss (mean +/- SD) from baseline to 18 months (7.6 +/- 7.3 kg vs. 5.5 +/- 8.9 kg vs. 5.1 +/- 6.5 kg, p = 0.23 for the IS, M-IPS, and F-IPS, respectively). DISCUSSION: Participants assigned to an internet-based weight maintenance program sustained comparable weight loss over 18 months compared with individuals who continued to meet face-to-face. Therefore, the internet appears to be a viable medium for promoting long-term weight maintenance.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Synthesis of procaspases-3 and -7 during apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Cells differ in the time required to execute cell death after receipt of a death signal. One reason may be the requirement for de novo synthesis of components of the death pathway. TSU-Pr1 prostate cancer cells treated with okadaic acid demonstrated activation of caspase-3, PARP cleavage, and nuclear fragmentation by 24 h and apoptosis by 72 h. Levels of procaspase-3 and procaspase-7, the precursor molecules of two effector caspases, were not depleted during apoptosis. Levels of procaspase-3 and -7 mRNA increased steadily in TSU-Pr1 cells up to 72 h after exposure to okadaic acid. Nuclear run-off experiments showed that the increase in mRNA was not due to transcriptional activation of caspase-3 and -7 mRNA. Antisense caspase-3 and caspase-7 oligodeoxynucleotides caused a depletion of procaspases-3 and -7 and a delay in apoptosis of TSU-Pr1 cells. Caspase antisense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibited apoptosis to a similar extent as peptide inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Synthesis of procaspases-3 and -7 was necessary to sustain programmed cell death in TSU-Pr1 prostate cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2006

Gender differences in dietary intake among adults of Hindu communities in lowland Nepal: assessment of portion sizes and food consumption frequencies.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate gender differences in dietary intake among adults in lowland Nepalese communities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: For 122 male and 195 female subjects aged 20 years and over from 94 randomly selected households, interviews using a 19-item food frequency questionnaire were conducted. To determine the portion sizes of these foods, the samples consumed by 56 subjects in a full 1-day period were weighed. Energy expenditure was estimated by time spent on daily activities. RESULTS: Gender differences in per-day energy and protein intakes were related to sex differences in body size and energy expenditure. Apparent gender differences in the crude intakes disappeared when they were expressed by nutrient density (mg or microg/MJ) since micronutrient intakes were significantly correlated with energy intake. However, males' iron intake was larger even after adjustment for energy intake, attributing to their larger portion sizes of commonly consumed staple foods and higher frequencies of consuming luxury foods (fish and tea). CONCLUSION: The intrahousehold unequal distribution of food incurs risk of iron deficiency among female subjects. SPONSORSHIP: This study was financially supported by the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture and the Alliance for Global Sustainability Program.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Resistance of internal and external parasites to antiparasitic drugs.

Resistance to drugs and pesticides among internal and external parasites is an increasingly widespread problem both geographically and taxonomically. The development of highly effective pesticides by the chemical industry has led to an overreliance on chemotherapy aimed at maximum animal production or public health improvement through parasite control. Resistance to antiparasitic agents has developed in protozoa, helminths and insects. Considerable research efforts are being made around the world in an attempt to formulate sustainable programs of parasite control and resistance management. More than 120 delegates attended a spirited discussion at a Round table on resistance of parasites to antiparasitic drugs at ICOPA VII. Herein we attempt to summarise the main points made at the meeting. The complete texts of the papers submitted for discussion are being published: Resistance of Parasite to Antiparasitic Drugs (Boray, Martin and Roush, editors), MSD AGVET Division of Merck and Co. Inc. Rahway, NJ.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Evaluating an indigenous sexual health peer education project.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Many Indigenous Australians are dealing with a wide range of sexual health issues including contraception, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The Indigenous Peer Education Program provided training to young, marginalised and disadvantaged Indigenous people to become sexual health peer educators within their communities. METHODS: The initiative comprised peer educator training, capacity building, and the development and dissemination of sexual health educational materials through an arts-based strategy. Evaluation involved a retrospective qualitative methodology, including document analysis, interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: The program was successful in training 22 young Indigenous peer educators and developing and disseminating more than 2,600 sexual health education resources to young Indigenous people and their community. CONCLUSIONS: The project had a positive immediate impact upon young Indigenous participants who reported and demonstrated increased knowledge of sexual health issues and skills as peer educators. The evaluation documented the program development and the immediate effects on participants, but did not enable an assessment of long-term effects for participants, service providers or the community. The evaluation identified areas for program improvement and challenges for program sustainability. The initiative was well supported within the local community and peer educators continued to engage in opportunistic sexual health promotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Illustrating the coupled human-environment system for vulnerability analysis: three case studies.

The vulnerability framework of the Research and Assessment Systems for Sustainability Program explicitly recognizes the coupled human-environment system and accounts for interactions in the coupling affecting the system's responses to hazards and its vulnerability. This paper illustrates the usefulness of the vulnerability framework through three case studies: the tropical southern Yucatán, the arid Yaqui Valley of northwest Mexico, and the pan-Arctic. Together, these examples illustrate the role of external forces in reshaping the systems in question and their vulnerability to environmental hazards, as well as the different capacities of stakeholders, based on their access to social and biophysical capital, to respond to the changes and hazards. The framework proves useful in directing attention to the interacting parts of the coupled system and helps identify gaps in information and understanding relevant to reducing vulnerability in the systems as a whole.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Participatory research strategies in nuclear risk management for native communities.

The Nuclear Risk Management for Native Communities (NRMNC) project is a collaborative academic, community-based, tribal project, which conducts the three essential elements of participatory research: research, education, and community action, named here as "community-based hazards management." This article describes the goals and outcomes of this effort in assisting Native American communities in Nevada, Utah, and Southern California affected by nuclear fallout from U.S. weapons testing in the 1950s and 1960s. The NRMNC project sought to create new models for dealing with health research and risk communication needs in an environmental justice setting. The following results of this four-year project are discussed: (1) building a community-based environmental health infrastructure, (2) building community capacities through workshops and educational materials, (3) conducting both technical and community research, and (4) facilitating community-based hazards management planning. We describe such positive outcomes as the improvements in the scientific database through participatory research activities, the development of equitable relationships between scientists and community members, and the creation of a sustaining program intervention for long-term community needs. The project's outcomes are presented as an expansion to limited scientific risk management outcomes in the environmental health field that often are solely quantitative and lack relevance to community concerns about environmental health impacts from contamination.

California↗