New Books Received

Almost every case of eclampsia is preventable. Prevention depends on prenatal care. The earliest possible detection of preeclampsia and of a rise in blood pressure is essential. Edema is the first warning sign; suggested treatment includes rest, minimum salt diet, and acetazolamide. Notification of eclampsia would be an effective weapon in reducing the incidence of the disease.     

A low-fat vegan diet improves glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized clinical trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether a low-fat vegan diet improves glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (n = 99) were randomly assigned to a low-fat vegan diet (n = 49) or a diet following the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines (n = 50). Participants were evaluated at baseline and 22 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-three percent (21 of 49) of the vegan group and 26% (13 of 50) of the ADA group participants reduced diabetes medications. Including all participants, HbA(1c) (A1C) decreased 0.96 percentage points in the vegan group and 0.56 points in the ADA group (P = 0.089). Excluding those who changed medications, A1C fell 1.23 points in the vegan group compared with 0.38 points in the ADA group (P = 0.01). Body weight decreased 6.5 kg in the vegan group and 3.1 kg in the ADA group (P < 0.001). Body weight change correlated with A1C change (r = 0.51, n = 57, P < 0.0001). Among those who did not change lipid-lowering medications, LDL cholesterol fell 21.2% in the vegan group and 10.7% in the ADA group (P = 0.02). After adjustment for baseline values, urinary albumin reductions were greater in the vegan group (15.9 mg/24 h) than in the ADA group (10.9 mg/24 h) (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Both a low-fat vegan diet and a diet based on ADA guidelines improved glycemic and lipid control in type 2 diabetic patients. These improvements were greater with a low-fat vegan diet.     

早发型重度子痫前期的临床特点和妊娠结局分析

目的 探讨早发型重度子痫前期的临床特点及围产结局.方法 回顾性分析2004年11月至2009年2月东南大学附属中大医院妇产科分娩的96例重度子痫前期患者的临床资料,将其分为早发型重度子痫前期组(早发型组,妊娠<34周)和晚发型重度子痫前期组(晚发型组,妊娠≥34周).结果 与晚发型组相比,早发型组在中枢神经系统症状、蛋白尿(++)或>2 g/24 h方面、异常围生儿结局的发生率方面差异均有统计学意义(χ~2值分别为14.792、4.741、27.03,P均<0.05).早发型组围生儿的平均出生体重(1743.86±630.34)g明显低于晚发型组(2940.47±762.36)g(t=6.71,P<0.05).结论 早发型重度子痈前期患者的病情重,异常围产儿结局发生率高,存活率低.积极预防、预测、早期诊断及处理早发型重度子痛前期患者对改善母婴预后意义重大.     

The Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) Study: Study design and methods of a two-year randomized trial comparing culturally adapted soul food vegan vs. omnivorous diets among African American adults at risk for heart disease

BackgroundPrevious research has found that African American (AA) vegetarians/vegans have a significantly lower body mass index and risk of hypertension compared to omnivores.ObjectivesThe Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) study partnered with local soul food restaurants/chefs to deliver two behavioral nutrition interventions to AA adults. NEW Soul examines the impact of two different culturally tailored diets (vegan and omnivorous low-fat) on changes in risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).MethodsAA adults with overweight or obesity are recruited from the community in the Midlands of South Carolina. Eligible participants are randomized to follow one of two different culturally-adapted, soul food diets: a vegan diet emphasizing minimally-processed whole foods from plants or a low-fat omnivorous diet. Participants attend weekly group classes for the first six months, bi-weekly for the next six months, and monthly meetings for the last year. In addition to face-to-face content, participants also have access to private Facebook groups for their diet, podcasts, and online newsletters starting at six months. Primary outcomes include changes in body weight and CVD risk factors (lipids, blood pressure, glucose, and insulin) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in dietary intake. Participants complete assessments at baseline and at months 6, 12, and 24.ConclusionsThe NEW Soul study is an innovative intervention aimed at improving dietary intake while maintaining traditional AA cultural food choices. Primary outcomes are expected by 2021.     

Diagnosis and management of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder of unknown etiology. The disorder affects approximately 5 to 7 percent of pregnancies and is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is defined by the new onset of elevated blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. It is considered severe if blood pressure and proteinuria are increased substantially or symptoms of end-organ damage (including fetal growth restriction) occur. There is no single reliable, cost-effective screening test for preeclampsia, and there are no well-established measures for primary prevention. Management before the onset of labor includes close monitoring of maternal and fetal status. Management during delivery includes seizure prophylaxis with magnesium sulfate and, if necessary, medical management of hypertension. Delivery remains the ultimate treatment. Access to prenatal care, early detection of the disorder, careful monitoring, and appropriate management are crucial elements in the prevention of preeclampsia-related deaths.     

糖尿病合并肺结核患者饮食问题的循证护理

目的通过循证的方法为糖尿病合并肺结核患者的饮食问题提供科学的护理干预,从而提高糖尿病并存结核病患者的治疗效果和生存质量。方法确定护理问题为糖尿病合并结核病患者的饮食问题,在中国期刊全文数据库中进行检索,以“肺结核、糖尿病、营养、健康教育、饮食”为关键词,1992年1月-2004年6月的文献中检索到符合要求、设计合理的文献共26篇。评价者对试验的方法学质量及纳入标准的恰当程度进行了评价,对资料进行了提取,分析各试验干预措施的差异,当资料允许时计算出合并结果。26篇文献中,评价为1级证据8篇,2级2篇,3级4篇,4级10篇,5级2篇。结果根据系统评价的结果,认为：（1）两病并存应适当放宽饮食限制;（2）首选优质蛋白、含糖量低、高纤维素、高维生素的蔬果及乳类食品;（3）禁止食用或限制食用对结核病并存糖尿病病情及治疗有负面影响的食物;（4）对自控能力差或饮食习惯不良的患者,要根据患者的实际情况和接受能力,进行循环互动式健康教育。在循证护理过程中,注意结合患者的个体差异实施护理,取得了良好效果：95％患者饮食控制理想,87％胸片显示病灶吸收,62％血糖控制好,营养不良患者从38例减少至5例,治愈率为94％。结论通过引入循证证据对结核病并存糖尿病患者的饮食护理提供指导,疗效明显提高,循证护理是整体护理的深化,在人力资源许可的情况下,应大力推广循证护理方法。     

State of the art prenatal care from the Swiss viewpoint

Prenatal care has significantly reduced perinatal and maternal mortality. Screening for maternal disease allows us to reduce or to prevent an unfavourable fetal or obstetrical outcome. Prenatal care should start with a first preconceptional visit. Folic acid intake is recommended for all reproductive-age women who are capable of becoming pregnant. The fetal nuchal translucency measurement has revolutionized prenatal care as a non-invasive, effective screening for chromosomal abnormalities and other diseases of the fetus. Vertical transmission of infections has to be prevented if possible. As an example caesarean section in combination with antiretroviral therapy reduces the transmission of HIV significantly. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) remains important as at present the incidence of STD is increasing again. In this short review on prenatal care as it is done in Switzerland, we try to enlighten its most important aspects. For the patients and your own benefit as a physician it is important to follow guidelines, although of course each patient has to be treated individually.     

Is eclampsia preventable? A case control review of consecutive cases from an urban underserved region

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether eclampsia is potentially preventable. METHODS: This was a retrospective case control study comparing 25 cases of eclampsia, 33 cases of preeclampsia and 50 pregnant controls. Eclampsia cases were classified as follows: group A was potentially preventable by patient education if there were preeclamptic symptoms before presenting to the hospital; group B was potentially preventable by health care provider if patient presented to health care with evidence of preeclampsia and was not appropriately treated; group C was not preventable if eclampsia developed without symptoms or preeclampsia. Statistical analysis was done as applicable. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at seizure was 34 weeks; 50% of seizures occurred outside a hospital and 44% had multiple seizures. Twenty were antepartum, three intrapartum, and two postpartum. Fourteen (56%) cases were classified as group A, 4 (16%) as group B and 7 (28%) as group C. Compared to controls, African-Americans, nulliparity, premature delivery, and increased neonatal morbidity were significantly associated with eclampsia. Compared with preeclamptics, eclamptic subjects had more symptomatology and more adverse maternal complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this underserved population, a significant percentage of eclampsia cases are potentially preventable by patient education or health care response. In a smaller percentage, eclampsia may develop without any symptomatology or preeclampsia.     

Rethinking nutritional support for persons with cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a poorly understood syndrome of anorexia, weight loss, and muscle wasting that negatively impacts quality of life and survival in cancer patients. Research has clearly implicated pro-inflammatory cytokines in the biology of cancer cachexia. More recent research implicates products of arachidonic acid and suggests that cachexia may be a chronic inflammatory condition rather than a nutritional aberration. To date, nutritional support to slow weight loss has focused primarily on increasing calorie intake. Alternatively, many foods contain factors that can modulate the synthesis or activity of pro-inflammatory mediators, especially the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 from arachidonic acid. These factors and foods are sometimes called nutraceuticals, and research is needed to evaluate their efficacy in combating cancer cachexia.     

Effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effects of a very low-fat, vegan diet on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DESIGN: Single-blind dietary intervention study. SUBJECTS AND STUDY INTERVENTIONS: This study evaluated the influence of a 4-week, very low-fat (approximately 10%), vegan diet on 24 free-living subjects with RA, average age, 56 +/- 11 years old. Outcome measurements: Prestudy and poststudy assessment of RA symptomatology was performed by a rheumatologist blind to the study design. Biochemical measures and 4-day diet data were also collected. Subjects met weekly for diet instruction, compliance monitoring, and progress assessments. RESULTS: There were significant (p < 0.001) decreases in fat (69%), protein (24%), and energy (22%), and a significant increase in carbohydrate (55%) intake. All measures of RA symptomatology decreased significantly (p < 0.05), except for duration of morning stiffness (p > 0.05). Weight also decreased significantly (p < 0.001). At 4 weeks, C-reactive protein decreased 16% (ns, p > 0.05), RA factor decreased 10% (ns, p > 0.05), while erythrocyte sedimentation rate was unchanged (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that patients with moderate-to-severe RA, who switch to a very low-fat, vegan diet can experience significant reductions in RA symptoms.     

Altered aortic prostaglandin synthesis in a mild form of diabetes and the influence of dietary cholesterol

Extreme hyperglycemia (350 mg/dl) in rats results from streptozocin injection (50 mg/kg) and leads to a reduced aortic capacity for prostacyclin synthesis. Other complications such as hyperlipemia and alterations in body weight gain (loss or no gain) that might be responsible for the altered aortic prostacyclin synthesis occur concurrently. We injected neonatal rats (2 days of age) with intraperitoneal streptozocin to induce chronic mild diabetes (mean plasma glucose, 241 mg/dl) characterized in adult rats by normal body weight gain, normolipemia, and a physical appearance virtually indistinguishable from controls. Plasma insulin levels were reduced in rats with mild diabetes rats to 66% of control levels. A group of control and diabetic rats were given a 0.5% cholesterol diet for 7 weeks to induce hyperlipemia. Rats with diabetes and control rats given the cholesterol diet had elevated plasma insulin levels of 32% and 51%, respectively, and no alteration in plasma glucose levels (compared with respective controls), suggesting a state of insulin resistance. Aortic synthesis of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha from endogenous arachidonic acid was reduced in rats with mild diabetes and normolipemia or hyperlipemia. In contrast, the aortic conversion of exogenous arachidonic acid to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was reduced only in rats with mild diabetes and hyperlipemia. Our results demonstrate that: (1) aortic prostacyclin synthesis is reduced in mild diabetes in the absence of alteration in plasma lipid levels and body weight gain; (2) aortic prostacyclin synthesis from endogenous arachidonic acid is more sensitive to diabetes than synthesis from exogenous arachidonic acid; (3) dietary cholesterol induces a state similar to insulin resistance and interacts with mild diabetes, resulting in reduced aortic prostacyclin synthesis from exogenous arachidonic acid.     

Prenatal factors and birth outcomes in the public health service: A rural/urban comparison

To determine whether predictors of birth outcomes differ for women in rural versus urban areas, data were obtained from the health records of women who received prenatal care through the Public Health Departments of a rural (N = 364) and urban (N = 415) setting. The rural group was more apt to be single, less educated, African-American, and have a lower income than the urban group. Rural women also had a higher incidence of low birth weight infants, which may be related to poor nutrition and low weight gain during pregnancy. Urban women had more maternal and neonatal complications, which may be related to a higher incidence of drug use and smoking. Membership in a rural or urban population did not predict low birth weight. Race, weeks gestation at first prenatal visit, number of total visits, and adequacy of diet and weight gain were significant predictors of birth weight. Neonatal complications were higher in the urban group and best predicted by poor diet, alcohol intake, and race. Both rural and urban women received inadequate prenatal care, as indicated by late entry into care and total number of visits. Alternative models of care which explore strategies to individualize care, while providing comprehensive care, should be investigated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 20: 61–70, 1997     

早发型重度子痫前期孕妇产前保健与母婴结局的相关分析

目的探讨定期产前保健对早发型重度子痫前期母婴结局的影响。方法对2008年3月至2012年6月275例早发型重度子痫前期（观察组）的产妇进行回顾性分析,275例正常孕产妇作为对照组,比较两组孕产妇并发症的发生率及围生儿结局情况,并对其与产前保健的关系进行比较。结果观察组产前检查患者仅占35．6％,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。观察组胎儿生长受限（IUGR）、新生儿窒息、新生儿死亡并发症明显增高,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。观察组孕产妇并发症的发生率（39．2％）,显著高于对照组（1．8％）（P〈0．01）。结论定期产前保健对于预防重度子痫前期的发生、降低孕产妇并发症的发生率、减少胎儿生长受限,新生儿窒息及病死率的发生起重要作用。     

The dietary treatment of diabetes mellitus

The most important dietary goal for individuals with type I diabetes mellitus is the establishment of a regular meal pattern with consistent day-to-day caloric and carbohydrate intake. Ideally, the diet should contain 55 to 60 per cent of total calories as carbohydrate, less than 30 per cent of calories as fat, less than 10 per cent of calories as saturated fat, and less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. The best tool for helping type I individuals achieve these objectives is the Exchange Lists for Meal Planning. A second important dietary goal in type I diabetes is to avoid weight gain during intensive treatment programs. The most important dietary and therapeutic goal in obese persons with type II diabetes is weight loss. Unfortunately, no dietary method, whether initiated by self-help groups like TOPS, physicians, or other health care professionals, has been demonstrated to be effective in achieving and maintaining weight loss. Nevertheless, some individual patients will be successful, and it therefore is appropriate to attempt weight reduction with a balanced diet moderately restricted in calories. A reduction of 500 calories per day below the weight maintenance level is reasonable and can be expected to produce weight loss of about 1 lb per week. For those type II diabetic patients who are not able to lose weight and are at least twice their ideal body weight, gastric reduction surgery could be considered. The Glycemic Index of Foods is a new concept that has not been evaluated adequately. Recent evidence suggests that differences among foods are reduced when the foods are combined in a meal and thus raises questions about the utility of glycemic indexing. The longstanding restriction on the use of sucrose in the diabetic diet is without scientific basis. Recognizing this, the American Diabetes Association recently sanctioned consumption of modest amounts of sucrose in the diabetic diet. Although conclusive evidence is not yet available that high fiber diets improve glycemic control or reduce serum lipids in diabetic persons, it appears reasonable to encourage the consumption of natural foods high in soluble fiber. Vegetables (particularly legumes), oats, and many fruits are good sources. The American Diabetes Association recommends a goal of 40 g of soluble fiber intake per day. The dietary treatment of diabetes is likely to be more successful if physicians learn more about its essential features and pay it greater attention. The goals of dietary therapy are difficult to achieve and often require significant sacrifices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Subclinical infection as a cause of inflammation in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-exclusive hypertensive disorder, is the major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality, with a greater importance in developing countries. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia has been the object of recent studies by our group. We have described elevated levels of inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein) in preeclamptic patients and demonstrated that Latin-American women present a higher degree of inflammation than women from developed countries. We have results that suggest that chronic subclinical infections and insulin resistance are the most probable causes of the increased inflammation in preeclampsia. Moreover, we showed that early treatment of urinary and vaginal infections decreased the incidence of preeclampsia. We also have evidence that suggests that inflammation leads to endothelial dysfunction, predisposing women to develop preeclampsia. Increased levels of inflammation markers and endothelial dysfunction are found in the early stages of pregnancy in women who later on develop preeclampsia. Appropriate prenatal care programs, including screening and treatment of urinary, vaginal, and periodontal infections in early pregnancy and prevention of factors that predispose to insulin resistance, such as excessive weight gain during pregnancy, may reduce the incidence of preeclampsia in Latin-American women.     

Learning about Activity and Understanding Nutrition for Child Health (LAUNCH): Rationale,design, and implementation of a randomized clinical trial of a family-based pediatric weight management program for preschoolers

Obesity affects nearly 2 million preschool age children in the United States and is not abating. However, research on interventions for already obese preschoolers is limited. To address this significant gap in the literature, we developed an intervention targeting obesity reduction in 2 to 5 year olds, Learning about Activity and Understanding Nutrition for Child Health (LAUNCH). This paper describes the rationale, design, participant enrollment, and implementation of a 3-arm randomized, parallel-group clinical trial comparing LAUNCH to a motivational-interviewing intervention (MI) and standard care (STC), respectively. Whereas LAUNCH was designed as a skills based intervention, MI focused on addressing the guardian's motivation to make changes in diet and activity and providing tools to do so at the guardian's level of readiness to implement changes. Child body mass index z-score was the primary outcome, assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment (Month 6), and 6 and 12 month follow-ups (Months 12 and 18). Mechanisms of weight change (e.g., dietary intake, physical activity) and environmental factors associated with weight (e.g., foods available in the home, caregiver diet) were also assessed.This study is unique because it is one of the few randomized controlled trials to examine a developmentally informed, clinic and home skills based behavioral family intervention for preschoolers who are already obese. Being obese during the preschool years increases the likelihood of remaining obese as an adult and is associated with serious health conditions; if this intervention is successful, it has the potential to change the health trajectories for young children with obesity.     

A risk reduction model for late-onset preeclampsia: a theory for using low-intensity exercises to enhance cardiac homeostasis in nursing research and practice

Viewing late-onset preeclampsia as an autonomic dysregulation is a new approach. It is one that will provide nurses and other clinicians with theory-based prenatal care choices that focus on enhancing homeostasis rather than prediction. The dominant prediction model manages the disease based on one biomedical pathway even though the disease is believed to be heterogeneous. Unlike early-onset preeclampsia, which involves severe placental pathophysiology and thus should be left for medical research, late-onset preeclampsia--intact placenta with maternal cardiovascular dysregulation--may be prevented with a lifestyle intervention, in particular, low-intensity exercise. This article discusses a nursing approach to promote health and reduce risks even when the etiology of the disease remains unknown.     

UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN THE DIETARY DESTRUCTION OF N,N-DIMETHYLAMINOAZOBENZENE (BUTTER YELLOW) AND IN THE PRODUCTION OF ANEMIA IN RATS

Crude linoleic acid incorporated with or without butter yellow in a synthetic diet proved to be toxic for rats. The toxic effect manifested itself in loss of weight, progressive anemia of the secondary type, leucopenia, and pediculosis. It could be neutralized preventively and therapeutically by administration of yeast. The toxicity of the diet containing linoleic acid appears to be due to oxidative break-down products of the unsaturated fatty acid. The color of the same diet when it contained crude linoleic acid supplemented with butter yellow faded progressively in the presence of air (O₂), even at room temperature. Purified preparations of linoleic acid and, to a less degree, purified preparations of arachidonic and oleic acids have shown the same destructive effect on butter yellow in vitro. Brown (unpolished) or white rice contains a stabilizer (antioxidant) for the preservation of butter yellow. In experiments on the production of hepatoma in rats following the ingestion of butter yellow, rice on one hand and crisco or butter fat on the other hand have proved to be procarcinogenic. These results would seem to be correlated with the preservation of butter yellow in the diet and in the intestine, because of the antioxidant in rice and the low supply of unsaturated fatty acids,respectively.     

A Systematic Review Comparing Group Prenatal Care to Traditional Prenatal Care

This systematic review compares pregnancy outcomes and maternal satisfaction for women in group prenatal care versus those in traditional prenatal care. Keyword searches in multiple databases identified 12 studies that compared pregnancy outcomes and/or maternal satisfaction between prenatal group care and traditional care. In 11 of the 12 studies reviewed, women receiving group care had equivalent or improved pregnancy outcomes compared with traditional care, including decreased incidence of preterm birth, increased birth weight, improved weight gain during pregnancy, increased adequacy of prenatal care and greater prenatal knowledge. Maternal satisfaction with group prenatal care was high in all but one study.