Effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on blood lipids and adiposity of rats fed diets rich in saturated versus unsaturated fat

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may decrease adiposity and improve blood lipid profiles under some conditions. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of CLA supplementation on blood lipid profiles and adiposity of rats fed a diet containing a primarily saturated fat versus a diet containing a primarily unsaturated fat. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of four diets containing coconut oil, coconut oil with CLA, corn oil or corn oil with CLA. After 28 days, blood was collected and serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triacylglycerols (TG) were assessed. Food intake, body weights, and epididymal fat pads were measured. No significant differences (p>0.05) were noted among groups for amount of food consumed, weight gained, food efficiency ratio or serum TG concentrations. TC concentrations were lower (p<0.05) in the CLA-supplemented rats that were fed coconut oil but not those consuming corn oil. Serum HDL-C was lower (p<0.05) in rats consuming corn oil but was not significantly different (p>0.05) for CLA supplemented groups. Epididymal fat pads weighed significantly more (p<0.05) in the coconut oil fed group compared to the corn oil fed group, but there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the corn oil and coconut oil + CLA group. Overall, this study suggests that CLA is more beneficial for control of blood lipids and adiposity when supplemented to a diet rich in saturated versus unsaturated fat.     

Parent's language of interview and access to care for children with special health care needs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the parent's language of interview and the access to care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). METHODS: We used the 2001 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs to compare socio-demographic characteristics and health care access variables among CSHCN with parents who interviewed in English and another language. Additional multivariate analyses explored the effect of language of interview on access to health care for the subgroup of Hispanic respondents. RESULTS: CSHCN with non-English-speaking parents were from less-educated and lower-income families and were more likely to lack insurance and have conditions that greatly affected their activities. These children were also more likely to have inadequate insurance (odds ratio [OR]=11.29), have an unmet need for family support services (OR=1.88), lack a personal doctor or nurse (OR=1.98), lack a usual source of care (OR=1.89), and lack family-centered care (OR=1.74). Non-English-speaking parents were more likely to report having employment consequences (OR=1.94) and spending over $500 out-of-pocket annually on the child's health care needs (OR=1.49). The likelihood of Hispanic children experiencing health care access barriers compared with non-Hispanic children was reduced when language was controlled for and several disparities between Hispanic children and other children became insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: CSHCN with non-English-speaking parents were more likely to be from disadvantaged families and to experience barriers to access than were CSHCN with English-speaking parents. Systems of care for CSHCN should consider the needs and challenges experienced by families whose primary language is not English.     

广州、南宁市汽车安全带佩戴状况调查

目的 调查广州、南宁市汽车安全带佩戴情况。方法 采用随机抽样的方法，按照3种不同类型的道路选取观察点，在4个不同时间段对目标车辆进行观察。结果 司机安全带正确佩戴率南宁市（63．8％）高于广州市（49．3％），而不正确佩戴率广州市（22．9％）高于南宁市（8．1％）；乘客安全带佩戴率广州市高于南宁市，包括正确佩戴率和不正确佩戴率；安全带佩戴率受道路类型、时间、性别和车型等的影响，正确佩戴率高速路高于其他道路、白天高于晚上、女性高于男性、小型汽车高于其他车型，不正确佩戴率工作151高于周末。结论 广州市男性出租车司机安全带不正确佩戴率高；两地区周末和晚上佩戴安全带率较低，应加大执法力度；加强宣传教育，提高司乘人员佩戴安全带的意识。     

PBPK model for radioactive iodide and perchlorate kinetics and perchlorate-induced inhibition of iodide uptake in humans.

Detection of perchlorate (ClO4-) in several drinking water sources across the U.S. has lead to public concern over health effects from chronic low-level exposures. Perchlorate inhibits thyroid iodide (I-) uptake at the sodium (Na+)-iodide (I-) symporter (NIS), thereby disrupting the initial stage of thyroid hormone synthesis. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to describe the kinetics and distribution of both radioactive I- and cold ClO4- in healthy adult humans and simulates the subsequent inhibition of thyroid uptake of radioactive I- by ClO4-. The model successfully predicts the measured levels of serum and urinary ClO4- from drinking water exposures, ranging from 0.007 to 12 mg ClO4-/kg/day, as well as the subsequent inhibition of thyroid 131I- uptake. Thyroid iodine, as well as total, free, and protein-bound radioactive I- in serum from various tracer studies, are also successfully simulated. This model's parameters, in conjunction with corresponding model parameters established for the male, gestational, and lactating rat, can be used to estimate parameters in a pregnant or lactating human, that have not been or cannot be easily measured to extrapolate dose metrics and correlate observed effects in perchlorate toxicity studies to other human life stages. For example, by applying the adult male rat:adult human ratios of model parameters to those parameters established for the gestational and lactating rat, we can derive a reasonable estimate of corresponding parameters for a gestating or lactating human female. Although thyroid hormones and their regulatory feedback are not incorporated in the model structure, the model's successful prediction of free and bound radioactive I- and perchlorate's interaction with free radioactive I- provide a basis for extending the structure to address the complex hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback system. In this paper, bound radioactive I- refers to I- incorporated into thyroid hormones or iodinated proteins, which may or may not be bound to plasma proteins.     

Phase I trial of a monoclonal antibody specific for alphavbeta3 integrin (MEDI-522) in patients with advanced malignancies, including an assessment of effect on tumor perfusion.

At present, a variety of agents targeting tumor angiogenesis are under clinical investigation as new therapies for patients with cancer. Overexpression of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin on tumor vasculature has been associated with an aggressive phenotype of several solid tumor types. Murine models have shown that antibodies targeting the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin can affect tumor vasculature and block tumor formation and metastasis. These findings suggest that antibodies directed at alpha(v)beta(3) could be investigated in the treatment of human malignancies. The current phase I dose escalation study evaluated the safety of MEDI-522, a monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin, in patients with advanced malignancies. Twenty-five patients with a variety of metastatic solid tumors were treated with MEDI-522 on a weekly basis with doses ranging from 2 to 10 mg/kg/wk. Adverse events were assessed weekly; pharmacokinetic studies were done; and radiographic staging was done every 8 weeks. In addition, dynamic computed tomography imaging was done at baseline and at 8 weeks in patients with suitable target lesions amenable to analysis, to potentially identify the effect of MEDI-522 on tumor perfusion. Treatment was well tolerated, and a maximum tolerated dose was not identified by traditional dose-limiting toxicities. The major adverse events observed were grade 1 and 2 infusion-related reactions (fever, rigors, flushing, injection site reactions, and tachycardia), low-grade constitutional and gastrointestinal symptoms (fatigue, myalgias, and nausea), and asymptomatic hypophosphatemia. Dynamic computed tomography imaging suggested a possible effect on tumor perfusion with an increase in contrast mean transit time from baseline to the 8-week evaluation with increasing doses of MEDI-522. No complete or partial responses were observed. Three patients with metastatic renal cell cancer experienced prolonged stable disease (34 weeks, >1 and >2 years) on treatment. With this weekly schedule of administration, and in the doses studied, MEDI-522 seems to be without significant toxicity, may have effects on tumor perfusion, and may have clinical activity in renal cell cancer. These findings suggest the MEDI-522 could be further investigated as an antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of cancer.     

Feasibility and acceptability of a motivational interviewing breastfeeding peer support intervention

An uncontrolled study with process evaluation was conducted in three U.K. community maternity sites to establish the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a novel breastfeeding peer‐support intervention informed by motivational interviewing (MI; Mam‐Kind). Peer‐supporters were trained to deliver the Mam‐Kind intervention that provided intensive one‐to‐one peer‐support, including (a) antenatal contact, (b) face‐to‐face contact within 48 hr of birth, (c) proactive (peer‐supporter led) alternate day contact for 2 weeks after birth, and (d) mother‐led contact for a further 6 weeks. Peer‐supporters completed structured diaries and audio‐recorded face‐to‐face sessions with mothers. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of mothers, health professionals, and all peer‐supporters. Interview data were analysed thematically to assess intervention acceptability. Audio‐recorded peer‐support sessions were assessed for intervention fidelity and the use of MI techniques, using the MITI 4.2 tool. Eight peer‐supporters delivered the Mam‐Kind intervention to 70 mothers in three National Health Service maternity services. Qualitative interviews with mothers (n = 28), peer‐supporters (n = 8), and health professionals (n = 12) indicated that the intervention was acceptable, and health professionals felt it could be integrated with existing services. There was high fidelity to intervention content; 93% of intervention objectives were met during sessions. However, peer‐supporters reported difficulties in adapting from an expert‐by‐experience role to a collaborative role. We have established the feasibility and acceptability of providing breastfeeding peer‐support using a MI‐informed approach. Refinement of the intervention is needed to further develop peer‐supporters' skills in providing mother‐centred support. The refined intervention should be tested for effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial.