Treatment of Tobacco Use in Preconception Care

Maternal and Child Health Journal -     

Comparison of near heterophoria tests under varying conditions on an adult sample

PURPOSE: This study compared the near phoria measurement using the Bernell muscle balance card with and without prism neutralization, using both trial frame and phoropter correction, and compared with the conventional Maddox rod method. METHODS: Forty young normal Chinese adults had their near phoria measured with trial frame correction using the conventional muscle balance card method (method 1). Any deviation was compensated with a prism bar as an alternative approach (method 2). The conventional Maddox rod method (method 3) was also carried out for comparison. These three methods were repeated with phoropter correction and considered as methods 4, 5 and 6. RESULTS: The phorias obtained from these six methods were not significantly different from each other (repeated measures anova, p > 0.05). More than half of the subjects were exophoric. Although the difference in phoria was not significant, phoria measurement using phoropter correction yielded a greater coefficient of variation. CONCLUSIONS: Near phoria measurement using the muscle balance card conducted with trial frame correction was less variable, and was also more natural and similar to a real reading situation. The use of prism for compensation did not affect the phoria results. Exophoria seems to be more common than esophoria in young Chinese adults.     

The Feasibility of Using Computrition Software for Nutrition Research—A Pilot Study

We evaluated the feasibility of using Computrition to design and implement a low vs. typical sodium meal plan intervention for older adults. Dietitians used Computrition to design a 7-day meal plan with three caloric levels (≤1750, 2000, ≥2250 kcals/day) and two sodium densities (low = 0.9 mg/kcal; n = 11 or typical = 2 mg/kcal; n = 9). Feasibility was determined by post-hoc definitions of effectiveness, sodium compliance, palatability of diet, sustainability, and safety. Given the low number of participants in one of the three calorie groups, the higher calorie groups were combined. Thus, comparisons are between low vs. typical meal plans at two calorie levels (≤1750 or ≥2000 kcals/day). Overall, regardless of the calorie group, the meal plans created with Computrition were effective in reaching the targeted sodium density and were safe for participants. Furthermore, individuals appeared to be equally compliant and reported similar palatability across meal plans. However, one of the three criteria for the sustainability definition was not met. In conclusion, we successfully used Computrition to design low and typical sodium meal plans that were effective, compliable, and safe. Future studies of older adults in similar settings should focus on improving the palatability of the meal plans and scaling this protocol to larger studies in older adults.     

The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r?=?0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.

     

Contribution of computed tomography in the diagnosis of symptomatic epilepsy

The aim of this retrospective study was to document the various causes of epilepsy determined by computed tomography (CT). We studied 205 CT scans carried out in patients with symptomatic epilepsy. We identified 52 (25.36%) pathological causes: 18 cases (34.62%) of infectious lesions, predominantly toxoplasmosis, 9 cases (17.30%) of tumors, 9 cases (17.30%) of vascular lesions and 8 cases (15.39%) of post-traumatic and atrophic lesions. CT is of great value in the diagnosis of epilepsy, not only in the assessment of the disease, but also for identifying the lesion responsible for the seizures, which may be treatable. It is advisable to carry out a CT scan for any patient presenting with symptomatic epilepsy.     

Bacteroides fragilis subverts mucosal biology: from symbiont to colon carcinogenesis

The human body comprises fewer host cells than bacterial cells, most of which are obligate anaerobes residing in the gut. The symbiont Bacteroides fragilis constitutes a relatively small proportion (up to 1%–2%) of cultured fecal bacteria, but colonizes most humans. There are 2 classes of B. fragilis distinguished by their ability to secrete a zinc-dependent metalloprotease toxin, B. fragilis toxin (BFT). Strains that do not secrete BFT are nontoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF), and those that do are called enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF). ETBF can induce clinical pathology, including inflammatory diarrhea, although asymptomatic colonization may be common. Intestinal inflammation is mediated by BFT, as yet the only known virulence factor of ETBF. Recent experimental evidence demonstrating that ETBF-driven colitis promotes colon tumorigenesis has generated interest in the potential contribution of ETBF to human colon carcinogenesis. Critical questions about the epidemiology of chronic, subclinical human colonization with ETBF and its impact on the biology of the colon need to be addressed.