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To improve cancer disparities among under-represented minority (URM) populations, better representation of URM individuals in cancer research is needed. The San Diego State University and University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center Partnership is addressing cancer disparities through an educational program targeting undergraduate URM students. The Partnership provides a paid intensive summer research internship enriched with year-round activities that include educational sessions, a journal club, mentorship, social activities, and poster sessions and presentations. Program evaluation through follow-up surveys, focus groups, and other formal and informal feedback, including advisory and program steering committees, are used to improve the program. Long-term follow-up among scholars (minimum of 10 years) provides data to evaluate the program's long-term impact on scholars' education and career path. Since 2016, 63 URM undergraduate students participated in the scholar program. At the year-2 follow-up (2016 cohort; n = 12), 50% had completed their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or applied to graduate or medical school. Lessons learned during the course of the program led to implementation of changes to provide a better learning experience and increase overall program satisfaction. Updates were made to recruitment timeline, improvements of the recruitment processes, refinement of the program contracts and onboarding meetings, identification of essential program coordinator skills and responsibilities, adjustments to program components, and establishment of a well-mapped and scheduled evaluation plan. The Partnership identified best practices and lessons learned for implementing lab-based internship scholar programs in biomedical and public health fields that could be considered in other programs.

BackgroundDietary strategies that help patients adhere to a weight reduction diet may increase the likelihood of weight loss maintenance and improved long-term health outcomes. Regular nut consumption has been associated with better weight management and less adiposity. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a walnut-enriched reduced-energy diet to a standard reduced-energy-density diet on weight, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and satiety.MethodsOverweight and obese men and women (n = 100) were randomly assigned to a standard reduced-energy-density diet or a walnut-enriched (15% of energy) reduced-energy diet in the context of a behavioral weight loss intervention. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 3- and 6-month clinic visits. Participants rated hunger, fullness and anticipated prospective consumption at 3 time points during the intervention. Body measurements, blood pressure, physical activity, lipids, tocopherols and fatty acids were analyzed using repeated measures mixed models.ResultsBoth study groups reduced body weight, body mass index and waist circumference (time effect p

Regular nut consumption is associated with lower adiposity and reduced weight gain in adulthood. Walnut feeding studies have observed minimal effect on body weight despite potential additional energy intake. Several mechanisms may explain why consuming nuts promotes weight control, including increased early phase satiety, possibly reflected in postprandial response of gastrointestinal and pancreatic peptides hypothesized to affect appetite. The purpose of this study was to compare postprandial insulin, glucagon and gastrointestinal peptide response and satiety following a meal with ∼54% of energy from walnuts or cream cheese, using a within-subject crossover study design in overweight/obese adults (N = 28). Sixty minutes after the walnut-containing meal, glucagon-like peptide-1 was lower than after the reference meal (p=0.0433), and peptide YY, cholecystokinin and ghrelin did not differ after the two meals. Sixty and 120 min after the walnut-containing meal, pancreatic polypeptide (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0002) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (p

We recently reported that interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory marker associated with breast pathology and the development of breast cancer, decreases with diet intervention and weight loss in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant obese women. Here, we tested whether an individual's genotype at an IL6 SNP, rs1800795, which has previously been associated with circulating IL-6 levels, contributes to changes in IL-6 levels or modifies the effect of diet composition on IL-6 in these women. We genotyped rs1800795 in overweight/obese women (N = 242) who were randomly assigned to a lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy) diet; a lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy) diet; or a walnut-rich (18% energy), higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy) diet in a 1-year weight loss intervention study of obesity-related biomarkers for breast cancer incidence and mortality. Plasma IL-6 levels were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. At baseline, individuals with a CC genotype had significantly lower IL-6 levels than individuals with either a GC or GG genotype (p < 0.03; 2.72 pg/mL vs. 2.04 pg/mL), but this result was not significant when body mass index (BMI) was accounted for; the CC genotype group had lower BMI (p = 0.03; 32.5 kg/m² vs. 33.6 kg/m²). We did not observe a 2-way interaction of time*rs1800795 genotype or diet*rs1800795 genotype. Our findings provide evidence that rs1800795 is associated with IL-6 levels, but do not support a differential interaction effect of rs1800795 and diet composition or time on changes in circulating IL-6 levels. Diet intervention and weight loss are an important strategy for reducing plasma IL-6, a risk factor of breast cancer in women, regardless of their rs1800795 genotype.

BackgroundObesity is a risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer incidence and premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer mortality, which may be explained by several metabolic and hormonal factors (sex hormones, insulin resistance, and inflammation) that are biologically related. Differential effects of dietary composition on weight loss and these metabolic factors may occur in insulin-sensitive vs. insulin-resistant obese women.ObjectiveTo examine the effect of diet composition on weight loss and metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory factors in overweight/obese women stratified by insulin resistance status in a 1-year weight loss intervention.Methods and resultsNondiabetic women who were overweight/obese (n=245) were randomly assigned to a lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy) diet; a lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy) diet; or a walnut-rich (18% energy), higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy) diet. All groups lost weight at follow-up (P

BackgroundOptimal macronutrient distribution of weight loss diets has not been established. The distribution of energy from carbohydrate and fat has been observed to promote differential plasma lipid responses in previous weight loss studies, and insulin resistance status may interact with diet composition and affect weight loss and lipid responses.Methods and resultsOverweight and obese women (n=245) were enrolled in a 1-year behavioral weight loss intervention and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study groups: a lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy) diet; a lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy) diet; or a walnut-rich, higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy) diet. Blood samples and data available from 213 women at baseline and at 6 months were the focus of this analysis. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were quantified and compared between and within groups. Triglycerides decreased in all study arms at 6 months (P

ObjectiveTo test whether a weight loss program promotes greater weight loss, glycemic control, and improved cardiovascular disease risk factors compared with control conditions and whether there is a differential response to higher versus lower carbohydrate intake.Research design and methodsThis randomized controlled trial at two university medical centers enrolled 227 overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes and assigned them to parallel in-person diet and exercise counseling, with prepackaged foods in a planned menu during the initial phase, or to usual care (UC; two weight loss counseling sessions and monthly contacts).ResultsRelative weight loss was 7.4% (95% CI 5.7-9.2%), 9.0% (7.1-10.9%), and 2.5% (1.3-3.8%) for the lower fat, lower carbohydrate, and UC groups (P < 0.001 intervention effect). Glycemic control markers and triglyceride levels were lower in the intervention groups compared with UC group at 1 year (fasting glucose 141 [95% CI 133-149] vs. 159 [144-174] mg/dL, P = 0.023; hemoglobin A1c 6.9% [6.6-7.1%] vs. 7.5% [7.1-7.9%] or 52 [49-54] vs. 58 [54-63] mmol/mol, P = 0.001; triglycerides 148 [134-163] vs. 204 [173-234] mg/dL, P < 0.001). The lower versus higher carbohydrate groups maintained lower hemoglobin A1c (6.6% [95% CI 6.3-6.8%] vs. 7.2% [6.8-7.5%] or 49 [45-51] vs. 55 [51-58] mmol/mol) at 1 year (P = 0.008).ConclusionsThe weight loss program resulted in greater weight loss and improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

A randomized controlled trial of weight loss and weight loss maintenance among overweight or obese women was performed to test if a free prepared meal and incentivized structured weight loss program promoted greater weight loss and weight loss maintenance at 2 years compared with usual care. The structured weight loss program was found to result in greater weight loss over 2 years compared to usual care.

Objective To describe the performance characteristics and validate a folate-specific focused recall approach to estimating folate intake. Design In a cross-sectional study, folate-specific recalls were used to estimate subjects' average daily folate intake from seven days of dietary recall over a one-month period. This estimate was compared to an estimate of the average daily folate intake obtained using the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and to plasma folate and homocysmine concentrations. Subjects Subjects were women aged 21 to 47 years and were recruited from the university community. Thirty-three subjects were recruited, and 28 subjects completed the study. Intervention After an initial clinic visit, during which a baseline blood sample was collected for measurement of plasma folate and total homocysteine concentrations, subjects participated in focused dietary recall interviews by telephone and/or Internet (e-mail). At the end of the month, subjects completed the FFQ. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures were to describe how well the focused recalls were able to describe relative dietary folate intake as compared to the FFQ and if the focused recall method estimate correlated with plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Statistical analyses Estimated folate intakes were ranked by tertiles using the two dietary assessment approaches and the rankings were compared. The Spearman correlation test was used to compare the focused recall and the FFQ dietary data to plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Results Estimated folate intake inclusive of supplements was 411.4±192.8 (mean±SD)Μg/day based on focused recalls and 458.5±221.5/xg/day based on the FFQ. Exclusive of supplements, estimated folate intake from the diet was 327.8±30.2 Μg/day based on focused recalls and 373.5±155.6/zg/day based on the FFQ. The ranking comparison of focused recalls vs the FFQ demonstrated a concordance of 44% without supplements and 67% with supplements for the highest tertile, and 56% without supplements and 67% with supplements for the lowest tertile. Estimated folate intake based on focused recalls was correlated significantly with plasma homocysteine (r=-0.443, P Applications A focused dietary recall approach is a useful method for collecting information on folate intake in women. Estimated folate intake based on the focused recall approach is reasonably correlated with plasma folate and total homocysteine concentrations even in this small sample of women. Accurate data on folate intake can form the basis of dietary counseling to increase intake of this important micronutrient in the target population of young women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:991-1000., Folate is an essential micronutrient that functions as a co-enzyme in one-carbon transfers in the synthesis of DNA and in other biochemical reactions. The term folate encompasses not only folic [...]

Data collected over a period of 18 years were analyzed vis-a-vis risk factors for serious antisocial behavior in 375 young adults living in the community. Early aggression and hostility, acting-out behavior, academic difficulties, and negative family environment were identified as precursors of later deviance, and different patterns were found for males and females.

Conclusions. We identified several new or reemerging associations with positive TST including cross border travel, staying in a foreign home, and eating raw dairy products. The strong associations with BCG receipt and more recent previous TST may represent falsely positive reactions, booster phenomena, or may be markers for a population that is truly at greater risk for TB infection. Unlike studies conducted in nonborder areas, we found no association between positive TB skin tests and contact with a TB case or a foreign visitor. Efforts to control pediatric TB in San Diego need to address local risk factors including consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and cross-border travel. The interpretation of a positive TST in a young child in San Diego who has received BCG is problematic. tuberculosis, epidemiology, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective To describe the performance characteristics and validate a folate-specific focused recall approach to estimating folate intake. Design In a cross-sectional study, folate-specific recalls were used to estimate subjects'' average daily folate intake from seven days of dietary recall over a one-month period. This estimate was compared to an estimate of the average daily folate intake obtained using the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and to plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Subjects Subjects were women aged 21 to 47 years and were recruited from the university community. Thirty-three subjects were recruited, and 28 subjects completed the study. Intervention After an initial clinic visit, during which a baseline blood sample was collected for measurement of plasma folate and total homocysteine concentrations, subjects participated in focused dietary recall interviews by telephone and/or Internet (e-mail). At the end of the month, subjects completed the FFQ. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures were to describe how well the focused recalls were able to describe relative dietary folate intake as compared to the FFQ and if the focused recall method estimate correlated with plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Statistical analyses Estimated folate intakes were ranked by tertiles using the two dietary assessment approaches and the rankings were compared. The Spearman correlation test was used to compare the focused recall and the FFQ dietary data to plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Results Estimated folate intake inclusive of supplements was 411.4±192.8 (mean±SD) μg/day based on focused recalls and 458.5±221.5 μg/day based on the FFQ. Exclusive of supplements, estimated folate intake from the diet was 327.8±30.2 μg/day based on focused recalls and 373.5±155.6 μg/day based on the FFQ. The ranking comparison of focused recalls vs the FFQ demonstrated a concordance of 44% without supplements and 67% with supplements for the highest tertile, and 56% without supplements and 67% with supplements for the lowest tertile. Estimated folate intake based on focused recalls was correlated significantly with plasma homocysteine (r=−0.443, P<.02) and was marginally significantly correlated with plasma folate (r=0.354; P=.06) concentrations. Applications A focused dietary recall approach is a useful method for collecting information on folate intake in women. Estimated folate intake based on the focused recall approach is reasonably correlated with plasma folate and total homocysteine concentrations even in this small sample of women. Accurate data on folate intake can form the basis of dietary counseling to increase intake of this important micronutrient in the target population of young women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:991-1000. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]