Construct validity of a dietary protein assessment questionnaire to explore college students' knowledge and attitudes towards dietary protein

Introduction

Misconceptions about dietary protein may exist due to unscientific information from commonly used sources such as social media. Understanding knowledge and attitudes towards protein is important for developing effective interventions to improve the dietary behaviors of U.S. college students. The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to evaluate college students' knowledge and attitudes towards dietary protein.

Methods

The questionnaire had 64 questions, including 8 demographic, 24 knowledge, 14 attitude, and 18 behavior questions. Construct validity of the knowledge questions was assessed by performing known-group comparisons using an independent t-test. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal axis factoring and a promax rotation was used to evaluate the factor structure of the attitude questions.

Results

Four hundred seventy participants (87.3% female) provided responses for the attitude questions. Fifty-five nutrition and Fifty-one non-nutrition students provided responses for the knowledge questions. Three factors were retained: animal protein sources' relationship with human and environmental health (Factor 1); organic protein sources (Factor 2); and adequacy of the protein recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for weight loss and vegetarian diets (Factor 3). Mean knowledge responses were 66.4 ± 11.5% and 47.6 ± 16.4% for nutrition and non-nutrition students, respectively (t-test p-value for difference <0.001).

Conclusion

Protein attitudes appear multidimensional and correlated. Further testing is needed to confirm the three-factor model and to assess temporal reliability.

The Baby Bites Text Messaging Project with randomized controlled trial: texting to improve infant feeding practices

Background

Rapid weight gain and overweight in infancy are associated with childhood obesity. Thus, effective, accessible interventions to promote healthy infant feeding practices to prevent early obesity are essential.

Methods

This mixed-methods study involved diverse parents of infants in an urban, low-income pediatric clinic. Qualitative interviews explored parental attitudes towards feeding, early obesity, and communication with the pediatrician. A pilot, randomized controlled trial (RCT) informed by feedback provided by clinic parents compared text messages delivered for 12 months promoting healthy feeding practices to usual care to prevent early pediatric obesity. A computer-generated randomization schedule with balanced distribution for sex was used to place infants into groups. Weight-for-length percentiles and z-scores and feeding practices were measured at 0-2 weeks (baseline), 2-4 months, 6-9 months, and 12 months. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. Weight for length percentile, Weight for length z scores, and feeding practices were compared between groups using repeated measures mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Participants in the interviews were 15 parents of infants less than 1 month old. RCT participants were 38 parents of newborns (17 control; 21 intervention). Most parents in the qualitative evaluation viewed breastfeeding positively but also discussed barriers. Most also wanted practical information regarding infant feeding. There were no differences in weight-for-length percentile (F=0.52; P=0.60) or z-scores (F=0.7922; P=0.79), breastfeeding persistence χ²[1] =1.45, P=0.23, or age of introduction of solids in the intervention (statistical analysis not possible due to low counts) compared to the control group; however, low response to surveys limited the study's power.

Conclusions

Text messaging has potential to extend the healthcare provider's communication beyond clinic. However, texting interventions should be flexible to mitigate barriers such as loss of phone service and challenges customizing messages to parent needs.

Effects of whole-body vibration on reproductive physiology in a rat model of whole-body vibration

Findings from epidemiological studies suggest that occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) may increase the risk of miscarriage and contribute to a reduction in fertility rates in both men and women. However, workers exposed to WBV may also be exposed to other risk factors that contribute to reproductive dysfunction. The goal of this experiment was to examine the effects of WBV on reproductive physiology in a rat model. Male and female rats were exposed to WBV at the resonant frequency of the torso (31.5 Hz, 0.3 g amplitude) for 4 hr/day for 10 days. WBV exposure resulted in a significant reduction in number of developing follicles, and decrease in circulating estradiol concentrations, ovarian luteinizing hormone receptor protein levels, and marked changes in transcript levels for several factors involved in follicular development, cell cycle, and steroidogenesis. In males, WBV resulted in a significant reduction in spermatids and circulating prolactin levels, elevation in number of males having higher circulating testosterone concentrations, and marked alterations in levels of transcripts associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and factors involved in regulating the cell cycle. Based upon these findings data indicate that occupational exposure to WBV contributes to adverse alterations in reproductive physiology in both genders that may lead to reduction in fertility.

The Effect of Brewers’ Spent Grain on Markers of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives

The brewing industry generates larges amounts of leftover malted barley and grain adjuncts from beer production called brewers’ spent grain (BSG). Due to the high protein and fiber content, upcycling BSG into functional foods has gained recent interest. Observational studies demonstrate fiber-rich whole grains such as barley are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. This study evaluated the effect of BSG on blood biomarkers of CVD risk, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, body composition, and blood pressure.

Methods

A single-blind, randomized, controlled feeding study was conducted in 37 healthy adults (26 ± 4 y; BMI 23 ± 3 kg/m2) comparing consumption of muffins with 10.4 g BSG (n = 19) or 0 g BSG (control; n = 18) daily for 8 weeks. At baseline and week 8 fasting blood was collected for lipids, glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein, blood pressure was measured using the oscillometric technique, and body composition

was assessed using air displacement plethysmography. Participants also recorded 3-day dietary intake, 2-day gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habits, and daily muffin consumption. Two-way repeated-measures mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests examined between- and within-group differences.

Results

Dietary fiber intake increased in the BSG group (5 g/day; 26%; P = 0.003), but there were no significant effects on blood lipids, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, body composition, or blood pressure. Greater reductions of total cholesterol (-3.8 mg/dL), triglycerides (-3.4 mg/dL), and systolic blood pressure (-1.4 mm Hg), maintenance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (0.9 mg/dL), and increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (2.3 mg/dL) were observed in the BSG group at week 8 but significance was not achieved.

Conclusions

Consuming 10.4 g BSG daily for 8 weeks increases dietary fiber intake and is well tolerated when habitually consumed but does not significantly impact blood biomarkers of CVD risk, body composition, or blood pressure in healthy adults. Participant health status, BSG dosage, and study design may be key determinants of outcome measures and should be further evaluated in future studies.

Funding Sources

Jennifer Thomas Brown Memorial Nutrition Award and Moore-Khourie Award.

An Exploratory Study of Differences in Nutrition vs. Non-Nutrition College Students' Attitudes Towards Dietary Protein

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore differences among nutrition and non-nutrition college students’ attitudes towards dietary protein consumption using the Dietary Protein Assessment Questionnaire (DPAQ). Preliminary evidence of the DPAQ demonstrated construct validity and internal consistency. Three factors were retained; factor 1 related to animal versus plant protein sources and their relationship with human and environmental health, factor 2 related to the health of organic protein sources, and factor 3 related to the adequacy of the protein RDA for weight loss and vegetarian diets.

Methods

The mean attitude factor scores (factor 1, 2, and 3) were calculated for nutrition and non-nutrition students. The attitude questions included a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly agree ” to “strongly disagree.” The questionnaire responses were then compared between nutrition and non-nutrition college students using the Mann-Whitney U Test. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Scores differed significantly between nutrition and non-nutrition students for factor 2 (n = 57, median = 5, IQR = 4–6 vs. n = 53, median = 4, IQR = 3–6). There were no significant differences in attitude scores between groups for factor 1 or factor 3.

Conclusions

Nutrition students reported more positive attitudes towards conventional protein sources. Nutrition students were more likely to disagree that organic protein sources were healthier than conventional protein sources. Further testing is needed to increase generalizability of these results in order to create effective educational interventions for college students.

Funding Sources

None.

Qualitative evaluation of paediatric surgical otolaryngology content on YouTube

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the quality of YouTube content focusing on common paediatric otolaryngology procedures, as this content can influence the opinions and medical decisions of patients.

METHODS

A total of 120 YouTube videos were compiled to review using the terms 'adenoid removal', 'adenoidectomy', 'ear tubes', 'tympanostomy', 'tonsil removal' and 'tonsillectomy'. The Discern criteria was used to rate the quality of health information presented in each video.

RESULTS

The mean bias Discern score was 3.18 and the mean overall Discern score was 2.39. Videos including US board certified physicians were rated significantly higher (p < 0.001) than videos without (bias Discern score = 3.00 vs 2.38; overall Discern score = 3.79 vs 1.55). The videos had been viewed a total of 176 769 549 times.

CONCLUSION

Unbiased, high quality videos on YouTube are lacking. As patients may rely on this information when making medical decisions, it is important that practitioners continually evaluate and improve this video content. Otolaryngologists should be prepared to discuss YouTube content with patients.

Parent preferences for text messages containing infant feeding advice

BACKGROUND

Text-messaging is beneficial in health promotion. Research on impact of message framing (gain- versus loss-framed) has had variable results, depending on type of behavior targeted. There is no research on framing of text-messaging to promote healthful infant feeding practices.

METHODS

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to examine whether parents of infants aged three months or younger viewed gain- or loss-framed text messages as more helpful and which style was viewed as more likely to affect feeding practices. A secondary purpose was to determine what time of day and frequency of messaging was preferred. Parents were recruited from an urban pediatric medical clinic. PsychData was used to administer the survey. Parents rated message pairs targeting constructs of the Health Belief Model using a five-point Likert scale. Paired t- tests compared overall ratings for helpfulness and likelihood of messages affecting feeding practices between gain- and loss-framed messages. Descriptive and frequency analyses were applied to demographics and questions regarding preferred timing for receiving messages.

RESULTS

A total of 34 parents (3 fathers and 31 mothers, mean age 26±5.5 years) completed the survey, with 41% enrolled in WIC and 29% in SNAP. There was no overall difference in helpfulness or likelihood of messages affecting feeding practices between gain- and loss-framed messages. Message style did not affect likelihood of adopting a feeding practice. However, gain framed messages relating to benefits and self-efficacy for breastfeeding were viewed more positively (mean =2.32; P=0.034; mean =1.79; P=0.041, respectively). The greatest proportion of parents (38%) preferred receiving messages once per week, and 50% preferred morning messages.

CONCLUSIONS

Framing of text messages appeared to have little effect on parents' acceptance of messages related to infant feeding practices. Parents were receptive to receiving messages from their infant's healthcare provider once per week, in the morning.

An Exploratory Study of College Students’ Attitudes Toward Dietary Protein: Development of a Dietary Protein Assessment Survey Instrument (P16-047-19)

Objectives

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop a survey to estimate college students’ attitudes towards dietary protein. This analysis explored the dimensionality of the attitude constructs in the Dietary Protein Assessment Survey Instrument.

Methods

The survey consisted of 64 questions, including 8 demographic questions, 24 knowledge questions, 14 attitude questions, and 18 behavior questions. The attitude questions included a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree” with a neutral midpoint. The dimensionality of the attitude constructs was explored by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring and a promax rotation. Internal consistency reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha.

Results

Two hundred twenty-five subjects (91.1% female) provided responses; mean age was 27.8 + 11.7y. After removing items that did not factor, the EFA retained three factors which explained 70.2% of the variance. Factor 1 consisted of 6 items, factor 2 and 3 consisted of 2 items each. Factor 1 included 6 items related to animal versus plant sources and their relationship with human and environmental health; factor 2 included 2 items pertaining to the healthfulness of organic protein sources; and factor 2 included 2 items describing the adequacy of the RDA for protein with respect to weight loss and adherence to a vegetarian diet. Factor 1 shared a moderate, positive relationship with factor 2 (r = 0.48) and a weak, inverse relationship with factor 3 (r = −0.33). Factor 2 shared a weak, inverse relationship with factor 3 (r = −0.30). The Kaiser-Meyer-Oklin test (0.817) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (P < 0.001) indicated that the data were appropriate for EFA. There was no evidence of multicollinearity (determinant = 0.01).

Conclusions

Attitudes towards protein appear to be multi-dimensional and correlated. Further testing is needed to confirm the hypothesized 3-factor model and to estimate test-retest reliability of this survey.

Funding Sources

Dymatize.

Perceptions of college students in consuming whole grain foods made with Brewers' Spent Grain

One-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted producing landfill accumulation and greenhouse gas emissions. Brewers' Spent Grains (BSGs) are the leftover grains from beer production, and each year approximately 30 million tons of BSG is generated globally by the brewing industry. Reclaiming BSG as a potential human food source is an opportunity for reducing food waste in the food supply chain. Six focus groups were conducted using 37 college students to determine their consumption of whole grains, perceptions of whole grains versus refined grains, and interest in or barriers related to consuming and purchasing foods made with BSG. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using constant comparative analysis to identify themes and discover relationships among the study aims. Thirteen themes emerged from focus group discussions with Concept of Health, Sensory, and Experience with BSG representing the top three discussed. Participants believed whole grains are healthier and contain more nutrients than refined grains. Most participants enjoyed the BSG foods provided; however, some noted a darker appearance and lingering fiber particles or aftertaste. Findings indicate participants who are hereditary whole grain consumers are acculturated to whole grain sensory attributes and nutritional benefits and would be more receptive to consuming BSG foods in future studies. We concluded most focus group participants were open to tasting BSG foods, but hereditary whole grain consumers should be the target consumer audience, and educating consumers on sensory attributes, potential health benefits, and environmental benefits is necessary to overcome the barriers associated with BSG.

Mitochondrial respiratory chain function and content are preserved in the skeletal muscle of active very old men and women

Introduction

The loss of mitochondrial function and content have been implicated in sarcopenia although they have been little studied in the very old, the group in which sarcopenia is most common. In this pilot study, our aim was to determine if mitochondrial respiratory chain function and content are preserved among healthy 85-year-olds.

Methods

We recruited 19 participants (11 female) through their general practitioner and assessed their medical history, functional status and self-reported physical activity. We identified sarcopenia using grip strength, Timed Up-and-Go and bioimpedance analysis. We assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain function using phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy, estimating τ_1/2 PCr, the recovery half-time of phosphocreatine in the calf muscles following a bout of aerobic exercise. We performed a biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle and assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain content by measuring levels of subunits of complex I and IV of the respiratory chain, expressed as Z-scores relative to that in young controls.

Results

Participants had a median (IQR) of 2 (1,3) long-term conditions, reported regular aerobic physical activity, and one participant (5.3%) had sarcopenia. Sixteen participants completed the magnetic resonance protocol and the mean (SD) τ_1/2 PCr of 35.6 (11.3) seconds was in keeping with preserved mitochondrial function. Seven participants underwent muscle biopsy and the mean fibre Z-scores were −0.7 (0.7) and −0.2 (0.4) for complexes I and IV, respectively, suggesting preserved content of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes.

Conclusion

Muscle mitochondrial respiratory chain function and content are preserved in a sample of active, well-functioning 85-year-olds, among whom sarcopenia was uncommon. The results from this study will help inform future work examining the association between muscle mitochondrial deficiency and sarcopenia.

The effects of feed force on rivet bucking bar vibrations

Percussive riveting is the primary process for attaching the outer sheet metal "skins" of an aircraft to its airframe. Workers using manually-operated riveting tools (riveting hammers and rivet bucking bars) are exposed to significant levels of hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) and are at risk of developing components of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). To protect workers, employers can assess and select riveting tools that produce reduced HTV exposures. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) have developed a laboratory-based apparatus and methodology to evaluate the vibrations of rivet bucking bars. Using this simulated riveting approach, this study investigated the effects of feed force on the vibrations of several typical rivet bucking bars and that transmitted to the bucking bar operator's wrist. Five bucking bar models were assessed under three levels of feed force. The study results demonstrate that the feed force can be a major influencing factor on bucking bar vibrations. Similar feed force effects were observed at the bucking bar operator's wrist. This study also shows that different bucking bar designs will respond differently to variations in feed force. Some bucking bar designs may offer reduced vibration exposures to the bar operator's fingers while providing little attenuation of wrist acceleration. Knowledge of how rivet bucking bar models respond to riveting hammer vibrations can be important for making informed bucking bar selections. The study results indicate that, to help in the appropriate selection of bucking bars, candidate bar models should be evaluated at multiple feed force levels. The results also indicate that the bucking bar model, feed force level, or the bucking bar operator have no meaningful effects on the vibration excitation (riveting hammer), which further suggests that the test apparatus proposed by NIOSH researchers meets the basic requirements for a stable vibration source in laboratory-based bucking bar vibration assessments. This study provides relevant information that can be used to help develop a standardized laboratory-based bucking bar evaluation methodology and to help in the selection of appropriate bucking bars for various workplace riveting applications.

RELEVANCE TO INDUSTRY

Because the feed force level can affect HTV exposures to bucking bar operators, the feed force required for specific riveting operations should be an important consideration when selecting bucking bar models. This study provides useful information about bucking bar responses to riveting hammer vibrations; this knowledge can improve bucking bar selections.

Population-based cohort study of variation in the use of emergency cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background

The aims of this prospective population-based cohort study were to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with emergency cholecystectomy, and the influences of these in determining variations between hospitals.

Methods

Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing the performance of emergency cholecystectomy were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two-level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2).

Results

Data were collected on 4744 cholecystectomies from 165 hospitals. Increasing age, lower ASA fitness grade, biliary colic, the need for further imaging (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic interventions (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and admission to a non-biliary centre significantly reduced the likelihood of an emergency cholecystectomy being performed. The multilevel model was used to calculate the probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy for a woman aged 40 years or over with an ASA grade of I or II and a BMI of at least 25·0 kg/m2, who presented with acute cholecystitis with an ultrasound scan showing a thick-walled gallbladder and a normal common bile duct. The mean predicted probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy was 0·52 (95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·57). The predicted probabilities ranged from 0·02 to 0·95 across the 165 hospitals, demonstrating significant variation between hospitals.

Conclusion

Patients with similar characteristics presenting to different hospitals with acute gallbladder pathology do not receive comparable care.

Sub-Femto-g Free Fall for Space-Based Gravitational Wave Observatories: LISA Pathfinder Results

We report the first results of the LISA Pathfinder in-flight experiment. The results demonstrate that two free-falling reference test masses, such as those needed for a space-based gravitational wave observatory like LISA, can be put in free fall with a relative acceleration noise with a square root of the power spectral density of 5.2±0.1  fm s^{-2}/sqrt[Hz], or (0.54±0.01)×10^{-15}  g/sqrt[Hz], with g the standard gravity, for frequencies between 0.7 and 20 mHz. This value is lower than the LISA Pathfinder requirement by more than a factor 5 and within a factor 1.25 of the requirement for the LISA mission, and is compatible with Brownian noise from viscous damping due to the residual gas surrounding the test masses. Above 60 mHz the acceleration noise is dominated by interferometer displacement readout noise at a level of (34.8±0.3)  fm/sqrt[Hz], about 2 orders of magnitude better than requirements. At f≤0.5  mHz we observe a low-frequency tail that stays below 12  fm s^{-2}/sqrt[Hz] down to 0.1 mHz. This performance would allow for a space-based gravitational wave observatory with a sensitivity close to what was originally foreseen for LISA.

Antivibration gloves: effects on vascular and sensorineural function, an animal model

Anti-vibration gloves have been used to block the transmission of vibration from powered hand tools to the user, and to protect users from the negative health consequences associated with exposure to vibration. However, there are conflicting reports as to the efficacy of gloves in protecting workers. The goal of this study was to use a characterized animal model of vibration-induced peripheral vascular and nerve injury to determine whether antivibration materials reduced or inhibited the effects of vibration on these physiological symptoms. Rats were exposed to 4 h of tail vibration at 125 Hz with an acceleration 49 m/s(2). The platform was either bare or covered with antivibrating glove material. Rats were tested for tactile sensitivity to applied pressure before and after vibration exposure. One day following the exposure, ventral tail arteries were assessed for sensitivity to vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors and nerves were examined histologically for early indicators of edema and inflammation. Ventral tail artery responses to an α2C-adrenoreceptor agonist were enhanced in arteries from vibration-exposed rats compared to controls, regardless of whether antivibration materials were used or not. Rats exposed to vibration were also less sensitive to pressure after exposure. These findings are consistent with experimental findings in humans suggesting that antivibration gloves may not provide protection against the adverse health consequences of vibration exposure in all conditions. Additional studies need to be done examining newer antivibration materials.

Splenic laceration with a twist: a lesson learnt from gastric volvulus

Acute gastric volvulus is an uncommon entity that requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent potential life threatening complications. We present a rare case of splenic laceration secondary to acute gastric volvulus.

Integrating quality postnatal care into PMTCT in Swaziland

Swaziland's prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme is linked to maternal and newborn health (MNH) services, but is mainly focussed on HIV/AIDS. Existing MNH services are inadequate, especially postnatal care (PNC) of mothers and babies, with delayed postnatal visits occurring at 4-6 weeks after delivery. Fifty-seven percent of staff in seven Swazi health facilities were trained in promoting and providing early PNC. A final evaluation showed a 20-fold increase in the number of visits coming for an early postnatal visit (within the first three days after birth). A direct observation of the client-provider interaction showed a significant increase in the competence of the health workers related to postnatal examinations, and care of mothers and babies (p<0.05- < 0.01). The percentage of women breastfeeding within one hour of delivery increased by 41% in HIV-positive mothers and 52% in HIV-negative mothers. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for HIV-exposed infants increased by 24%. Although, health workers were observed providing counselling, maternal recall of messages was deficient, suggesting the need for additional strategies for promoting healthy behaviours. High-quality integrated PMTCT programmes and MNH postnatal services are feasible and acceptable, and can result in promoting early postnatal visits and improved care of both HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers and their babies.

An evaluation of impact wrench vibration emissions and test methods

In the interest of providing more effective evaluations of impact wrench vibration exposures and the development of improved methods for measuring vibration emissions produced by these tools, this study focused on three variables: acceleration measured at the tool surface, vibration exposure duration per test trial, and the amount of torque required to unseat the nuts following a test trial. For this evaluation, six experienced male impact wrench operators used three samples each of five impact wrench models (four pneumatic models and one battery-powered model) in a simulated work task. The test setup and procedures were based on those provided by an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee overseeing the revision of ISO 8662-7. The work task involved the seating of 10 nuts onto 10 bolts mounted on steel plates. The results indicate that acceleration magnitudes vary not only by tool type but also by individual tools within a type. Thus, evaluators are cautioned against drawing conclusions based on small numbers of tools and/or tool operators. Appropriate sample sizes are suggested. It was further noted that evaluators could draw different conclusions if tool assessments are based on ISO-weighted acceleration as opposed to unweighted acceleration. As expected, vibration exposure durations varied by tool type and by test subject; duration means varied more for study participants than they did for tool types. For the 12 pneumatic tools evaluated in this study, torque varied directly with tool handle acceleration. Therefore, in order to reduce vibration exposure, tools should be selected and adjusted so that they produce no more than the needed torque for the task at hand.

Vibration energy absorption (VEA) in human fingers-hand-arm system

A methodology for measuring the vibration energy absorbed into the fingers and the palm exposed to vibration is proposed to study the distribution of the vibration energy absorption (VEA) in the fingers-hand-arm system and to explore its potential association with vibration-induced white finger (VWF). The study involved 12 adult male subjects, constant-velocity sinusoidal excitations at 10 different discrete frequencies in the range of 16-1000 Hz, and four different hand-handle coupling conditions (finger pull-only, hand grip-only, palm push-only, and combined grip and push). The results of the study suggest that the VEA into the fingers is considerably less than that into the palm at low frequencies (< or = 25 Hz). They are, however, comparable under the excitations in the 250-1000 Hz frequency range. The finger VEA at high frequencies (> or = 100 Hz) is practically independent of the hand-handle coupling condition. The coupling conditions affect the VEA into the fingers and the palm very differently. The finger VEA results suggest that the ISO standardized frequency weighting (ISO 5349-1, 2001) may underestimate the effect of high frequency vibration on vibration-induced finger disorders. The proposed method may provide new opportunities to examine VEA and its association with VWF and other types of vibration-induced disorders in the hand-arm system.

Ascaridole-less infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides contain a nematocide(s) that is(are) not toxic to mammalian smooth muscle

Infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) have been used for centuries in the Americas as a popular remedy against intestinal worm infections. The essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides contains high levels of ascaridole, which is a potent anthelmintic, but which has also been responsible for human fatalities, leading to its disuse. Almost 90% of the nematocidal activity of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions was due to a hydrophilic component different from ascaridole. Synthetic ascaridole and the ascaridole from infusions, extracted into hexane, caused a reduction of carbachol-induced contractions in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle at concentrations required to kill Caenorhabditis elegans (L.). The herbal infusion and the ascaridole-free hexane-extracted aqueous residue of the above infusion, at nematocidal concentrations, had no detectable effect on smooth muscle contraction in the above system. It would appear that the traditional form of usage of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions as a vermifuge is safer than the use of the herb's essential oil.

Identification of recurrent regions of chromosome loss and gain in vestibular schwannomas using comparative genomic hybridisation

BACKGROUND

Schwannomas are benign tumours of the nervous system that are usually sporadic but also occur in the inherited disorder neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The NF2 gene is a tumour suppressor on chromosome 22. Loss of expression of the NF2 protein product, merlin, is universal in both sporadic and NF2 related schwannomas. The GTPase signalling molecules RhoA and Rac1 regulate merlin function, but to date only mutation in the NF2 gene has been identified as a causal event in schwannoma formation.

METHODS

Comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) was used to screen 76 vestibular schwannomas from 76 patients (66 sporadic and 10 NF2 related) to identify other chromosome regions that may harbour genes involved in the tumorigenesis.

RESULTS

The most common change was loss on chromosome 22, which was more frequent in sporadic than in NF2 related tumours. Importantly, eight tumours (10%) showed gain of copy number on chromosome 9q34. Each of the two NF2 patients who had received stereotactic radiotherapy had non-chromosome 22 changes, whereas only one of eight non-irradiated NF2 patients had any chromosome changes. Three tumours had gain on 17q, which has also been reported in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours that are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Other sites that were identified in three or fewer tumours were regions on chromosomes 10, 11, 13, 16, 19, 20, X, and Y.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings should be verified using techniques that can detect smaller genetic changes, such as microarray-CGH.