Self -management factors, influences, and conditions for type 2 diabetes among Black ethnic groups in Miami, Florida and Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

The Dahlgren and Whitehead ecological theory provides the framework for a cross-sectional design to compare socio-demographic characteristics, living and working conditions, and lifestyle daily habits as well as cultural and ecological factors among six diabetic multiethnic Black groups in Miami and Abidjan. Approximately 180 Black Americans (African-, Caribbean-, and Haitian-) and 180 Black Africans (Akan, Malinke, and Krou) aged 20 years and older were surveyed. During the preliminary of this study participants' attitudes and behaviors were qualitatively assessed (N=60) and a tool was developed to describe, in the main study (N=360), differences in participants' strength of commitment to diabetes lifestyle self-management. Despite similarities found in terms of age and gender, statistically significant differences were also found within and among groups in terms of living and working conditions, education level, and religion. African American groups were more likely to participate in more diabetes classes than Haitian Americans and Caribbean Americans. However, African Americans were less likely to adhere to daily dietary and weight control regimens. Although, Black African groups reported limited access to equipment, facilities, and financial support they were more likely to follow dietary and weight control recommendations than Black American groups. Overall, African American participants showed the poorest attitudes towards recommended foods, Caribbean American respondents reported the best attitudes and behaviors towards weight control regimens, and the Malinke group had significantly more strength of commitment to successful weight control. Furthermore, Black African groups had significantly more strength of commitment to successful dietary adherence and significantly less support for weight control than Black American groups. ^ Significant differences found within Black groups suggest that understanding each patient's conditions may help healthcare professionals in initiating individualized appropriate counseling before goal setting, and in developing culturally relevant type 2 diabetes management programs. Moreover, significant differences exist in strength of commitment to lifestyle adherence among Black groups in Miami and Abidjan. Cultural, socio-demographic factors and self-management habits may explain differences in participants' outcomes. At the policy level, Black groups should not be approached as a homogenous group and assessment of the vulnerability of each ethnic group may be necessary in the decision-making process.^

Application and evaluation of an Institute of Medicine approach to dietary assessment and planning in long -term care

The primary purpose of these studies was to determine the effect of planning menus using the Institute of Medicine's (IOMs) Simple Nutrient Density Approach on nutrient intakes of long-term care (LTC) residents. In the first study, nutrient intakes of 72 subjects were assessed using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and IOM methodology. The intake distributions were used to set intake and menu planning goals. In the second study, the facility's regular menus were modified to meet the intake goals for vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D and calcium. An experiment was used to test whether the modified menu resulted in intakes of micronutrients sufficient to achieve a low prevalence (<3%) of nutrient inadequacies. Three-day weighed food intakes for 35 females were adjusted for day-to-day variations in order to obtain an estimate of long-term average intake and to estimate the proportion of residents with inadequate nutrient intakes. ^ In the first study, the prevalence of inadequate intakes was determined to be between 65-99% for magnesium, vitamin E, and zinc. Mean usual intakes of Vitamin D and calcium were far below the Adequate Intakes (AIs). In the experimental study, the prevalence of inadequacies was reduced to <3% for zinc and vitamin E but not magnesium. The groups' mean usual intake from the modified menu met or exceeded the AI for calcium but fell short for vitamin D. Alternatively, it was determined that addition of a multivitamin and mineral (MVM) supplement to intakes of the regular menu could be used to achieve goals for vitamin E, zinc and vitamin D but not calcium and magnesium. ^ A combination of menu modification and MVM supplementation may be necessary to achieve a low prevalence of micronutrient inadequacies among LTC residents. Menus should be planned to optimize intakes of those nutrients that are low in an MVM, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. A MVM supplement should be provided to fill the gap for nutrients not provided in sufficient amounts by the diet, such as vitamin E and vitamin D. ^

The relationship among serum levels of manganese superoxide dismutase and mitochondrial DNA 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine, and dietary antioxidants intake in type 2 diabetes

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). This cross-sectional study examined the relationship among serum levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), dietary antioxidant intakes and glycemic control in African Americans (n=209) and Haitian Americans (n=234) with and without T2D. ^ African Americans had higher BMI (32.8 vs. 29.3 kg/m2), higher energy intake (2148 vs. 1770 kcal), and were more educated as compared to Haitian Americans; all variables were significant at p < .001. Serum levels of 8OHdG and MnSOD for African Americans (1691.0 ± 225.1 pg/ml, 2538.0 ± 1091.8 pg/ml; respectively) were significantly higher than for Haitian Americans (1626.2 ± 222.9, 2015.8 ± 656.3 pg/ml; respectively). 8OHdG was negatively correlated with MnSOD ( r = -.167, p < .001) in T2D. Having T2D was negatively correlated with MnSOD (r = -.337; p < .01) and positively correlated with 8OHdG (r = .500; p < .01). African Americans and Haitian Americans with T2D had fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of 143.0 ± 61.0 mg/dl and 157.6 ± 65.5 mg/dl, and A1C of 7.5 ± 1.8 % and 8.4 ± 2.4 %, respectively. African Americans and Haitian Americans without T2D had FPG levels of 95.8 ± 13.2 mg/dl and 98.7 ± 16.9 mg/dl, and A1C of 5.9 ± 0.4% and 6.0 ± 0.5%, respectively. Dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin D were negatively correlated with FPG (r = -.21; r = -.19, p < .05) respectively. Carotenoids negatively correlated with A1C (r = -.19, p < .05). Lower levels of MnSOD were associated with lower levels of zinc, r = .10, p < .05, and higher levels of carotenoids r = -.10, p < .05. Higher levels of 8OHdG were associated with lower levels of Vitamin D, r = -.14, p < .01, and carotenoids, r = -.09, p < .05. ^ The results demonstrate greater oxidative mtDNA damage in persons with T2D compared to those without T2D and in African Americans compared with Haitian Americans. The inverse relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants and oxidative stress implies a potential to reduce oxidative stress with diet. ^

From theory-inspired to theory-based interventions : A protocol for developing and testing a methodology for linking behaviour change techniques to theoretical mechanisms of action

This research is funded by UK Medical Research Council grant number MR/L011115/1

The feasibility of determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medication organisation devices compared with usual care for older people in a community setting : systematic review, stakeholder focus groups and feasibility randomised controlled trial

This project was funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 50. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Prognostic value of lymph node ratio and extramural vascular invasion on survival for patients undergoing curative colon cancer resection

Peer reviewed

A qualitative evaluation of the Scottish Staff and Associate Specialist Development Programme

Acknowledgements Our thanks to all those who took part in the interviews, and to Gillian Campbell for her help in organising these interviews. Our thanks to NHS Education for Scotland for commissioning us to carry out this project. Funding Our thanks to NHS Education for Scotland (NES) for funding this research. JC and PJ received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Reporting behaviour change interventions : do the behaviour change technique taxonomy v1, and training in its use, improve the quality of intervention descriptions?

Acknowledgements This research was funded by the MRC via its Methodology Panel: ‘Strengthening evaluation and implementation by specifying components of behaviour change interventions’ Ref: G0901474/1. We thank the participants who took part in the studies that form this research. We also thank Derek Johnston (Emeritus Professor, University of Aberdeen) for his guidance on statistical analyses.

Prevalence of chronic pain in the UK : a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful for the input of Professor Blair Smith (University of Dundee): his counsel early in the project, and his advice and comments regarding the search strategy; and Professor Danielle van der Windt (Keele University) for helpful advice and comments. Funding The British Pain Society provided financial assistance to AF with the costs of this project. PC was partly supported by an Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre grant (reference: 18139).

From Theory-Inspired to Theory-Based Interventions : A Protocol for Developing and Testing a Methodology for Linking Behaviour Change Techniques to Theoretical Mechanisms of Action

This research is funded by UK Medical Research Council grant number MR/L011115/1. We would like to thank the 105 experts in behaviour change who have committed their time and offered their expertise for study 2 of this research. We are also very grateful to all those who sent us peer-reviewed behaviour change intervention descriptions for study 1. Finally, we would like thank Dr. Emma Beard and Dr. Dan Dediu for their statistical input and to all the researchers, particularly Holly Walton, who have assisted in the coding of papers for study 1.

Methods and processes for development of a CONSORT extension for reporting pilot randomized controlled trials

Peer reviewed

Low frequency of cigarette smoking and the risk of head and neck cancer in the INHANCE consortium pooled analysis

Funding • The pooled data coordination team (PBoffetta, MH, YCAL) were supported by National Cancer Institute grant R03CA113157 and by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research grant R03DE016611 • The Milan study (CLV) was supported by the Italian Association for Research on Cancer (Grant no. 10068). • The Aviano study (LDM) was supported by a grant from the Italian Association for Research on Cancer (AIRC), Italian League Against Cancer and Italian Ministry of Research • The Italy Multicenter study (DS) was supported by the Italian Association for Research on Cancer (AIRC), Italian League Against Cancer and Italian Ministry of Research. • The Study from Switzerland (FL) was supported by the Swiss League against Cancer and the Swiss Research against Cancer/Oncosuisse [KFS-700, OCS-1633]. • The central Europe study (PBoffetta, PBrenan, EF, JL, DM, PR, OS, NS-D) was supported by the World Cancer Research Fund and the European Commission INCOCOPERNICUS Program [Contract No. IC15- CT98-0332] • The New York multicentre study (JM) was supported by a grant from National Institute of Health [P01CA068384 K07CA104231]. • The study from the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center from Seattle (CC, SMS) was supported by a National Institute of Health grant [R01CA048996, R01DE012609]. • The Iowa study (ES) was supported by National Instituteof Health [NIDCR R01DE011979, NIDCR R01DE013110, FIRCA TW001500] and Veterans Affairs Merit Review Funds. • The North Carolina studies (AFO) were supported by National Institute of Health [R01CA061188], and in part by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [P30ES010126]. • The Tampa study (PLazarus, JM) was supported by National Institute of Health grants [P01CA068384, K07CA104231, R01DE013158] • The Los Angeles study (Z-F Z, HM) was supported by grants from National Institute of Health [P50CA090388, R01DA011386, R03CA077954, T32CA009142, U01CA096134, R21ES011667] and the Alper Research Program for Environmental Genomics of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. • The Houston study (EMS, GL) was supported by a grant from National Institute of Health [R01ES011740, R01CA100264]. • The Puerto Rico study (RBH, MPP) was supported by a grant from National Institutes of Health (NCI) US and NIDCR intramural programs. • The Latin America study (PBoffetta, PBrenan, MV, LF, MPC, AM, AWD, SK, VW-F) was supported by Fondo para la Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (FONCYT) Argentina, IMIM (Barcelona), Fundaco de Amparo a‘ Pesquisa no Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [No 01/01768-2], and European Commission [IC18-CT97-0222] • The IARC multicentre study (SF, RH, XC) was supported by Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS) of the Spanish Government [FIS 97/ 0024, FIS 97/0662, BAE 01/5013], International Union Against Cancer (UICC), and Yamagiwa-Yoshida Memorial International Cancer Study Grant. • The Boston study (KKelsey, MMcC) was supported by a grant from National Institute of Health [R01CA078609, R01CA100679]. • The Rome study (SB, GC) was supported by AIRC (Italian Agency for Research on Cancer). • The US multicentre study (BW) was supported by The Intramural Program of the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, United States. • The Sao Paolo study (V W-F) was supported by Fundacao de Ampara a Pesquisa no Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP No 10/51168-0) • The MSKCC study (SS, G-P Y) was supported by a grant from National Institute of Health [R01CA051845]. • The Seattle-Leo stud (FV) was supported by a grant from National Institute of Health [R01CA030022] • The western Europe Study (PBoffetta, IH, WA, PLagiou, DS, LS, FM, CH, KKjaerheim, DC, TMc, PT, AA, AZ) was supported by European Community (5th Frame work Programme) grant no QLK1-CT-2001- 00182. • The Germany Heidelberg study (HR) was supported by the grant No. 01GB9702/3 from the German Ministry of Education and Research.

Genome-wide association and genome partitioning reveal novel genomic regions underlying variation in gastrointestinal nematode burden in a wild bird

Acknowledgements This study was funded by a BBSRC studentship (MA Wenzel) and NERC grants NE/H00775X/1 and NE/D000602/1 (SB Piertney). The authors are grateful to Fiona Leckie, Andrew MacColl, Jesús Martínez-Padilla, François Mougeot, Steve Redpath, Pablo Vergara† and Lucy M.I. Webster for samples; Keliya Bai, Daisy Brickhill, Edward Graham, Alyson Little, Daniel Mifsud, Lizzie Molyneux and Mario Röder for fieldwork assistance; Gillian Murray-Dickson and Laura Watt for laboratory assistance; Heather Ritchie for helpful comments on manuscript drafts; and all estate owners, factors and keepers for access to field sites, most particularly Stuart Young and Derek Calder (Edinglassie), Simon Blackett, Jim Davidson and Liam Donald (Invercauld and Glas Choille), Richard Cooke and Fred Taylor† (Invermark) and T. Helps (Catterick).

Modelling the associations between fat-free mass, resting metabolic rate and energy intake in the context of total energy balance

Peer reviewed

What, who and when? Incorporating a discrete choice experiment into an economic evaluation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Medman study was funded by the Department of Health for England and Wales and managed by a collaboration of the National Pharmaceutical Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Company Chemist Association and the Co-operative Pharmacy Technical Panel, led by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. The research in this paper was undertaken while the lead author MT was undertaking a doctoral research fellowship jointly funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC). The Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), University of Aberdeen is funded by the Chief Scientific Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate.