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Summary: Background: Rational planning of community policies and programs (CPPs) to prevent obesity requires an understanding of CPP objectives associated with dietary behaviours. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify objectives of CPPs associated with healthful dietary behaviours. Methods: An observational study identified 4026 nutrition CPPs occurring in 130 communities in the prior 6 years. Dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables, added sugar and sugar‐sweetened beverages, among others, were reported among 5138 children 4–15 years of age from the communities, using a Dietary Screener Questionnaire with children age 9 years and older (parent assisted) or parent proxies for younger children. CPPs were documented through key informant interviews and characterized by their intensity, count, and objectives including target dietary behaviour and food environment change strategy. Associations between dietary intakes and CPP objectives were assessed using hierarchical statistical models. Results: CPPs with the highest intensity scores that targeted fast food or fat intake or provided smaller portions were associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake (0.21, 0.19, 0.23 cup equivalents/day respectively with p values <0.01, 0.04, 0.03). CPPs with the highest intensity scores that restricted the availability of less healthful foods were associated with lower child intakes of total added sugar (−1.08 tsp/day, p < 0.01) and sugar from sugar‐sweetened beverages (−1.63 tsp/day, p = 0.04). Similar associations were observed between CPP count and dietary outcomes. No other significant associations were found between CPP target behaviours or environmental strategies and dietary intakes/behaviours. Conclusion: CPPs that targeted decreases in intakes of less healthful foods and/or aimed to modify the availability of less healthful foods and portions were associated with healthier child dietary behaviours. What is already known about this subject: Community programs and policies (CPPs) use a range of strategies to prevent obesity, based on 'practice tested' models and those with emerging evidence about their success.Yet, understanding the relationship of types and features of CPPs that contribute to success of CPPs, including program and policy objectives in the context of the whole community effort, would inform rational planning for obesity prevention. What this study adds: We studied dietary intakes of 5138 children 4–15 years of age and objectives of CPPs (dietary behaviours targeted and food environment change strategies) in a diverse sample of 130 communities across the USA.We found significant associations between CPPs that aimed to modify community food environments (by restricting availability of less healthful foods and beverages and instituting smaller portion sizes) and higher fruit and vegetable (FV) intake as well as lower sugar and sugar‐sweetened beverage intake. We also found associations between CPPs that targeted less healthful dietary behaviours (fat, fast food) with higher child FV intake. Yet, dietary intakes of interest were not generally consistent with the dietary targets reported by CPPs, e.g. those targeting FV were not associated with higher intakes of FV.Our findings suggest potential benefits from a greater focus of CPPs on food environments. Further evaluation is recommended to identify causal relationships between objectives of CPPs and child diets, and which combinations of CPP objectives are most successful. This article is part of the supplement: The Healthy Communities Study: Examining Community Programs, Policies and Other Characteristics in Relation to Child Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The impact of community‐based obesity prevention efforts on child nutrition has not been adequately studied. Objective: Examine relationships between number, type and intensity of community programs and policies (CPPs) and child nutrition. Methods: An observational study of 5138 children (grades K–8) in 130 U.S. communities was conducted in 2013–2015. CPPs were identified by 10–14 key informant interviews per community. CPPs were characterized based on: count, intensity, number of different strategies used and number of different behaviours targeted. Scores for the prior 6 years were calculated separately for CPPs that addressed primarily nutrition, primarily physical activity (PA) or total combined. Child intakes were calculated from a dietary screener and dietary behaviours were based on survey responses. Multi‐level statistical models assessed associations between CPP indices and nutrition measures, adjusting for child and community‐level covariates. Results: Implementing more types of strategies across all CPPs was related to lower intakes of total added sugar (when CPPs addressed primarily PA), sugar‐sweetened beverages (for nutrition and PA CPPs) and energy‐dense foods of minimal nutritional value (for total CPPs). Addressing more behaviours was related to higher intakes of fruit and vegetables (for nutrition and total CPPs) and fibre (total CPPs). Higher count and intensity (PA and total CPPs) were related to more consumption of lower fat compared with higher fat milk. A higher count (PA CPPs) was related to fewer energy‐dense foods and whole grains. No other relationships were significant at P < 0.05. Conclusion: Multiple characteristics of CPPs to prevent obesity appear important to improve children's diets. What is already known about this subject? Multi‐component and multi‐sector community interventions are recommended to prevent child obesity.Little is known about whether community programs and policies implemented in the U.S. are improving child nutrition; a better understanding of these efforts and their relationship to child nutrition can help inform community efforts. What this study adds? We conducted an observational study collecting dietary data from over 5000 children ages 4–15 years and retrospective data on community programs and policies in a diverse sample of 130 communities across the U.S.Different features of community policies and programs were related to better child nutrition – there is likely no 'single' or 'simple' solution.Policy and food environments that support children''s healthy food choices in conjunction with delivering information and enhancing skills are associated with better diets.It is important to target changes in multiple dietary behaviours – not only increasing healthy foods and beverages, but also limiting less healthy ones. This article is part of the supplement: The Healthy Communities Study: Examining Community Programs, Policies and Other Characteristics in Relation to Child Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The influence of community characteristics on the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention efforts is not well understood. Objective: Examine the interaction of community characteristics with the relationship between community programmes and policies (CPPs) and dietary intake. Methods: An observational study of 5138 children in grades K‐8 in 130 US communities was conducted in 2013–2015. Key informant interviews identified and characterized CPPs. CPP scores were generated for the number of target behaviours (CPP‐Behav) and the number of behaviour change strategies (CPP‐Strat) addressed by all CPPs and CPPs with nutrition goals over the prior 6 years in each community. Dietary intake was assessed by dietary screener and included intake of sugar from sugar‐sweetened beverages; energy‐dense foods; fruits and vegetables; whole grains; and fibre. Multivariate statistical models assessed the interactions between US region, urbanicity, community‐level income, and community‐level race/ethnicity and CPP scores in relation to dietary intake. Results: CPP‐Strat was positively associated with healthier dietary intakes in the Northeast and West, and in high Hispanic communities; the reverse was true in the South, and in high African–American and low‐income communities. The CPP‐Behav was positively associated with healthier dietary intakes in the South and rural areas, and the reverse was true in the West. Conclusion: The relationships between CPP index scores and dietary intake were most strongly influenced by region and urbanicity and to a lesser extent by community‐level race/ethnicity and income. Findings suggest that different considerations may be needed for childhood obesity prevention efforts in communities with different characteristics. What is already known about this subject: There are disparities in obesity, dietary intake and physical activity levels by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and region in the US.Similar multi-component and multisector approaches to prevention of obesity are implemented across the country in communities with diverse characteristics.Little is known about the relative effectiveness of obesity prevention efforts in communities with different characteristics. What this study adds: We found that region, urbanicity, community-level income, and community level race/ethnicity modify the association between childhood obesity prevention efforts and dietary intake.We identified which aspects of obesity prevention efforts appear to influence the association between childhood obesity prevention efforts and dietary intake in communities with different characteristics.Our findings suggest that different approaches to childhood obesity prevention and promotion of healthy eating may be needed depending on region and urbanicity, and to a more limited extent, community income and race/ethnicity. This article is part of the supplement: The Healthy Communities Study: Examining Community Programs, Policies and Other Characteristics in Relation to Child Weight, Diet, and Physical Activity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background - Recent data indicate that higher risk of cardiovascular disease may result from mild elevation of serum homocysteine, which has been linked to low blood levels of folate and vitamin B12. Folate fortification of food may increase the risk of masking B12 deficiency in older people. Thus, it is important to have population-based prevalence estimates of low levels of folate and vitamin B12 and elevated homocysteine amongst older people. Objective - To provide prevalence estimates of serum folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine using a representative group of older Australians. Design - During 1997-2000, 3508 persons aged 50 years or older were examined in a population-based cohort study conducted in two postcode areas, west of Sydney. Of these, 2963 participants (84%) provided fasting blood for estimates of serum folate, vitamin B12 and total homocysteine. Outcome - Low serum B12 (<185pmol/L) was found in 22.9% of participants and low serum folate (<6.8nmol/L) in 2.3% of participants. Elevated serum homocysteine (>15µmol/L) was found in 20.8% of men and 13.7% of women. Conclusions - Low serum levels of vitamin B12 are relatively frequent in older Australians and a substantial proportion have elevated serum homocysteine levels, which are of public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the potential impact of different models of folate fortification of Australian foods on the folate intakes of older Australians., Design: Dietary data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire from people attending a population-based health study., Setting: Two postcode areas west of Sydney, Australia., Subjects: A total of 2895 people aged over 49 y, obtained from a door knock census (79% of 3654 subjects examined)., Main Outcome Measures: The folate intake in this population was estimated using four different models: (1) pre-fortification folate values; (2) current voluntary folate fortification in Australia; (3) universal fortification of all foods permitted to add folate, at 25% recommended dietary intake (RDI) per reference serve; and (4) universal fortification of all foods permitted to add folate, at 50% RDI per reference serve. The increased bioavailability of synthetic folic acid (SFA) was included in the analysis., Results: At current voluntary folate fortification, approximately 65% of this population consume 320 microg dietary folate equivalents (DFE) or more per day from diet and supplements, and 0.4% (n=10) consume greater than the recommended upper safety level of 1000 microg from SFA. More than 95% of this older population would be expected to consume more than 320 microg DFE from diet and supplements with universal fortification at 50% of the RDI, and 0.5% (n=14) may consume greater than 1000 microg/day of SFA., Conclusions: There is unlikely to be a large increase in the proportion of older persons who are likely to consume more than the upper safety level of intake with universal folate fortification. As most of those who currently or are predicted to consume over 1000 microg SFA take supplements containing folic acid, it is highly recommended that vitamin B12 be included in any vitamin supplements containing folate., Sponsorship: This study was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Objective: To describe the measured dietary intakes and anthropometry of a large, free-living population of middle-aged and older Australians who participated in the Australian Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), and to identify the socio-demographic characteristics associated with attainment or non-attainment of dietary goals., Method: Anthropometry and dietary intakes were compared with current population dietary goals and Recommended Dietary Intakes for 2,873 people (79% of eligible residents) aged > or = 49 years who participated in the BMES. Nutrient intakes were measured by a validated food frequency questionnaire., Results: Nutrients for which mean intakes deviated most from nutrition goals included: percentages of energy from total and saturated fat, carbohydrate and alcohol (men), as well as absolute intakes of calcium, zinc and fibre. More than half the men (60%) and women (54%) were overweight or obese. Several micro-nutrient goals were more likely to be met in households where the respondents and/or their spouses were independent. Married men were more likely to meet goals for fibre and iron, but less likely to meet the goal for cholesterol. Several goals were more likely to be met by men and women who had qualifications after leaving school, those with higher job status and non-pensioners, suggesting an socio-economic status dimension., Conclusions and Implications: These results indicate that over- rather than under-nutrition is more prevalent among community-dwelling older people, although under-nutrition should not be overlooked. Particular sub-groups that are less likely to meet some dietary goals may require targeting in community nutrition interventions.

Forty-five children aged 6-14 years with primary nocturnal enuresis were randomised to determine whether desmopressin is more effective than amitriptyline and whether the combination of amitriptyline/desmopressin is more effective than amitriptyline or desmopressin alone. Amitriptyline dosage was 25 mg for children 6-10 years and 50 mg for children aged 10-14 years. Desmopressin (20 micrograms) was given in the same dosage for all age groups. After a run-in period of 2 weeks, children were treated for 16 weeks and then observed for 12 weeks. In the amitriptyline group mean wet nights per week decreased from 5.8 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 1.9 (P < 0.0005); in the desmopressin group mean wet nights per week decreased from 6.0 +/- 0.9 to 4.7 +/- 1.7 (P < 0.02); in the amitriptyline/desmopressin group mean wet nights per week decreased from 6.3 +/- 0.9 to 3.3 +/- 2.5 (P < 0.0006). When comparing the groups, amitriptyline/desmopressin and amitriptyline were statistically more effective than desmopressin in week 6 (P < 0.009), week 8 (P < 0.03) and week 10 (P < 0.04). No significant side effects occurred. At this dose amitriptyline was more effective than desmopressin and the combination of desmopressin and amitriptyline did not confer any additional benefit.

Dietary data from the Western Sydney Dietary Survey 1989-90 (n = 512) was used to investigate: 1. the prevalence and predictors of underreporting of energy intake, 2. the effects on results of excluding data from underreporters for analysis of mean nutrient intakes, and 3. the proportion of energy intake supplied by macronutrients and proportions of subjects who met dietary goals. The proportion whose measured energy intakes from a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) were below cutpoints for biologic plausibility was 28.5 per cent; it was higher for subjects who had BMI > 25 and were female. Point estimates for mean intakes of energy and nutrients were all greater when data from underreporters were excluded, but nutrient intakes expressed as percentages of energy intake remained largely unchanged. Increases in estimated mean population intake for each nutrient ranged from 7 per cent to 14 per cent for males, and 12 per cent to 17 per cent for females. Estimates of the percentages of the sample who did not meet dietary goals were significantly lower for a number of nutrients when underreporters were excluded. We conclude that: 1. results expressed as a percentage of energy intake are not affected by the exclusion of energy underreporters, and 2. estimates of the proportion of populations meeting some nutrient goals and associations between diet and disease are likely to change meaningfully and significantly with the exclusion of data from underreporters.

Spring tidal currents produce homogeneous water columns in a number of estuaries that are moderately stratified during neap tides. In the York River estuary, this destratification redistributes ammonium and phosphate regenerated by the benthos as well as oxygen from the surface. This redistribution has significant implications for nutrient cycles, organism distributions, and the management of estuaries.

This paper describes an algorithm for calculating the biovolume of cells with simple shapes, such as bacteria, flagellates, and simple ciliates, from a 2-dimensional digital image. The method can be adapted to any image analysis system which allows access to the binary cell image--(i.e., the pixels, or (x,y) points, composing the cell. The cell image is rotated to a standard orientation (horizontal), and a solid of revolution is calculated by digital integration. Verification and a critical assessment of the method are presented. The algorithm accounts for irregularities in cell shape that conventional methods based on length, width, and geometrical formulas do not.

We report that the algal pavement just behind the reef crest at Enewetak Atoll produces nitrate at measurable rates. In situ and in vitro incubations with N-Serve indicate that the autotrophic pathway involving two separate organisms is effective in this oxidation of ammonia to nitrate. Significant nitrification is indicated throughout the reef environment; Nitrobacter agilis has specifically been identified as at least one of the organisms responsible for the terminal oxidation of nitrite to nitrate.

An education program to improve dietary compliance in insulin-dependent diabetics was evaluated from 1978 to 1980 at the Royal North Shore Hospital of Sydney. Dietary intake, biochemical status, health beliefs, knowledge, anthropometric and other measurements were made on 140 diabetics and their family members before and, where possible, 6 months after the program. Four aspects of compliance were assessed: dietary composition, body weight, carbohydrate spacing among meal periods and carbohydrate variation between days. There was a significant increase in the proportion of subjects who achieved the recommended goal of a high carbohydrate/low fat diet. Diabetics who complied with this recommendation were significantly more likely to have adequate glycemic control. Most of the participants were initially near ideal weight and there were few substantial weight changes. The proportions of diabetics with acceptable scores for carbohydrate spacing and variation did not change significantly. Subjects who complied with one aspect of the dietary regimen did not necessarily comply with other aspects. Dietary compliance was related to initial patterns of dietary intake but could not be predicted from any other factors such as demographic characteristics, duration of disease, knowledge or health beliefs, although this could have been due to small sample sizes.

Two Chesapeake Bay isolates of unicellular cyanobacteria belonging to the genus Synechococcus are described. Unicellular cyanobacteria are suspected to be important primary producers in estuarine and marine waters. One isolate (P-11-16) fluoresces red and forms green colonies. The other isolate (P-11-17) fluoresces orange and forms red colonies. Their ultrastructure is very similar to other isolates of Synechococcus except that spinae are formed and are attached to an outer wall layer not found in previously described species. The spinae are straight-walled cylinders, not flared at the base, are 44.0-65.0 nm in diameter, and range up to 2.7 micrometer in length. Substructure of the spinae wall consists of either material organized into stacks of rings or a strand of material helically coiled at a low (1-6 degrees) angle. Such material yielded a 6.0-9.2 nm cross-banding periodicity. Substructure of the rings or strand appeared to consist of bar-shaped, repeating units as seen in negatively stained material. Other procaryotic cell types with spinae, which were isolated from unincubated, natural seawater, are described.