Food Insecurity among Low-Income Households with Children Participating in a School-Based Fruit and Vegetable Co-Op.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nutrition intervention on food insecurity among low-income households with children. Data were collected from 371 parent−child dyads in a quasi-experimental evaluation study of a 1-year intervention (n = 6 intervention schools receiving Brighter Bites, n = 6 wait-list control schools), and longitudinal follow-up of the intervention group 2 years post-intervention in Houston, Texas. Data were collected at three timepoints: at baseline and 1 year for all participants, and at 2 year follow-up for the intervention group (the wait-list control group received the intervention during that time). At baseline, most parents reported food insecurity (60.6%; 70% intervention group, 53.6% control). Food insecurity decreased significantly from 81.3% to 61.7% [(−0.32, −0.07) p = 0.002] among intervention participants immediately post-intervention. After adjusting for ethnicity, 2 years post-intervention the predicted percentage of participants reporting food insecurity decreased significantly by roughly 35.4% from 76.4% at baseline to 41.0% [(−0.49, −0.22), p < 0.001]. Between-group changes were not significant. The re-sults of this study demonstrated a significant positive impact of Brighter Bites on food security in the short and long-term among low-income households with children, albeit results should be in-terpreted with caution.

Determining the learning curve for a novel microsurgical procedure using histopathology.

PURPOSE: Wet laboratories are becoming an increasingly important training tool as part of a push to a proficiency-based training model. We created a microsurgical wet laboratory to investigate the utility of histopathology use in assessing surgical outcomes and determine the learning curve of a novel microsurgical procedure. METHODS: A microsurgical wet laboratory was established using pig eyes to simulate the human cornea. Three novice surgeons and an experienced surgeon performed an anterior cornea lamellar dissection and the duration of the procedure was recorded. With the aid of histological analysis, the thickness and characteristics of the dissected graft was recorded. The number of attempts to complete the experiment, defined as three successful dissections with mean thickness below 100 µm, was documented. RESULTS: The use of histopathology was highly successful allowing in-depth analysis of the dissected graft for each attempt. Trainees reached the endpoint of the study in 21, 26 and 36 attempts (mean: 28 attempts) whilst the corneal surgeon completed the experiment in 12 attempts (p = 0.07). Mean dissection thickness decreased over time for all participants. The mean dissection time for trainees was 10.6 ± 4.2 min compared to the corneal surgeon with a mean of 8.2 ± 3.1 min (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: We propose a corneal wet laboratory model that allows for simple, efficient, and flexible microsurgical training. The use of histopathological analysis allows for careful graft analysis, providing objective feedback throughout the training exercise. Trainees demonstrated improvements in the three key aspects of the procedure: accuracy as evidenced by decreasing histological thickness, confidence by self-report and fluidity by decreasing duration of the procedure.

Impact of a Virtual Culinary Medicine Curriculum on Biometric Outcomes, Dietary Habits, and Related Psychosocial Factors among Patients with Diabetes Participating in a Food Prescription Program.

Culinary medicine is an evidence-based approach that blends the art of cooking with the science of medicine to inculcate a healthy dietary pattern. Food prescription programs are gaining popularity in the Unites States, as a means to improve access to healthy foods among patient populations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation and preliminary impact of A Prescription for Healthy Living (APHL) culinary medicine curriculum on biometric and diet-related behavioral and psychosocial outcomes among patients with diabetes participating in a clinic-led food prescription (food Rx) program. We used a quasi-experimental design to assess APHL program impact on patient biometric outcome data obtained from electronic health records, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (n = 33 patients in the APHL group, n = 75 patients in the food Rx-only group). Pre-post surveys were administered among those in the APHL group to monitor program impact on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Results of the outcome analysis showed significant pre-to-post reduction in HbA1c levels among participants within the APHL group (estimated mean difference = -0.96% (-1.82, -0.10), p = 0.028). Between-group changes showed a greater decrease in HbA1c among those participating in APHL as compared to food Rx-only, albeit these differences were not statistically significant. Participation in APHL demonstrated significant increases in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, fewer participants reported that cooking healthy food is difficult, increased frequency of cooking from scratch, and increased self-efficacy in meal planning and cooking (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the results of our pilot study suggest the potential positive impact of a virtually-implemented culinary medicine approach in improving health outcomes among low-income patients with type 2 diabetes, albeit studies with a larger sample size and a rigorous study design are needed.

Long-term impact of a school-based nutrition intervention on home nutrition environment and family fruit and vegetable intake: A two-year follow-up study.

Long-term data on maintenance of intervention effects of health promotion programs targeting fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake in children is lacking. We conducted a two-year follow-up of Brighter Bites, a school-based nutrition education and food co-op intervention found to be effective in increasing child intake of F&V. A one-group, pre-post evaluation design was used to assess the two-year post intervention impact of the program on child and parent dietary intake and home nutrition environment. In 2016-2017 school year, we conducted a follow up of 262 parent-child dyads who had previously participated in Brighter Bites in a 2013-2015 evaluation study in six low-income Texas elementary schools. Child dietary intake was measured using a parent-reported food frequency questionnaire, and surveys measured parent F&V intake, and home nutrition environment. Results of a multi-level regression analysis showed that, two years post-intervention, as compared to baseline, there was a significant increase in child intake of fruit, vegetable, and fiber, and significant decreases in total fat intake and percent daily calories from sugary beverages (p < 0.05). Parent dietary data showed significant increases in fruit intake, and intake of F&V combined (p < 0.05). Changes in home nutrition environment included: increased frequency of cooking behaviors, increased usage of nutrition facts labels in making grocery purchasing decisions, and increased food availability of F&V (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates potential long-term sustained impact of a comprehensive school-based intervention among low-income children and their families.

Impact of a Pilot School-Based Nutrition Intervention on Fruit and Vegetable Waste at School Lunches.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the preliminary impact of the Brighter Bites nutrition intervention on decreasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) waste at school lunches among fourth- and fifth-grade children. METHOD: This was a nonrandomized pre-post-controlled study in Houston and Dallas, TX. Two schools received the Brighter Bites intervention (n = 76), and 1 comparison school (n = 39), during the 2017-2018 school year. Brighter Bites is a 16-week school-based nutrition intervention providing weekly distribution of fresh F&V plus nutrition education. Main outcome measures were direct observation and weights to measure the number of F&V dishes selected at school lunches, amount of F&V wasted (gm), and related nutrient waste (4 time points/child). Mixed-effects linear regression analysis was used to determine change in F&V selection and waste over time. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease over time in proportion of F&V selected among those in the comparison school, but not the intervention schools (P < .001). Compared with children in the comparison group, those receiving Brighter Bites showed a significant decrease in the amount of F&V wasted at each meal (P < .001) and per item (P < .05) at the end of both 8 and 16 weeks of intervention. There were significant decreases in waste of energy (kcal); dietary fiber (gm); vitamins B1, B3, and B6 (mg); total folate (µg); and B12 (µg) among those receiving Brighter Bites (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although absolute food or nutrient changes were small even when significant, programs such as Brighter Bites may contribute to a healthy intake. Future studies are warranted that include a larger sample size with a stringent, cluster-randomized control trial design and consideration for other covariates.

HPV genotyping and E6/E7 transcript assays for cervical lesion detection in an Asian screening population-Cobas and Aptima HPV tests.

BACKGROUND: High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) detection and genotyping by Cobas HPV test has become an important technical platform in cervical cancer screening. It may be used as a co-test with cervical cytology or as a standalone test. Aptima HPV assay (AHPV) is another hrHPV test detecting 13 genotypes through qPCR based amplification of viral E6/E7 transcripts. Partial genotyping with Aptima HPV 16 18/45 genotype assay (AHPV GT) on positive samples is possible. Evidence supporting the performance of AHPV in Asian populations is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To compare the performances of Cobas and AHPV in detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and triage of cytologically equivocal smears in a cohort of Hong Kong women. STUDY DESIGN: 442 liquid based cytology (LBC) residues with biopsy confirmed diagnoses were evaluated by both AHPV and Cobas HPV tests. RESULTS: Overall, there was a moderate agreement between AHPV and Cobas (κ = 0.5082, 95% CI: 0.492-0.672). The sensitivities of AHPV and Cobas for detecting biopsy confirmed HSIL or worse lesions (HSIL+) were 96.71% (95% CI: 92.49%-98.92%) and 97.37% (95% CI: 93.40%-99.28%) respectively. AHPV demonstrated significantly higher specificity than Cobas (37.85% vs 23.96%, p < 0.0001). Both tests could identify all ASC-US and AGC cases with HSIL + in follow-up biopsies, but AHPV showed a significantly higher specificity in both settings (ASC-US: 28.81% vs 11.86%, p < 0.0001; AGC: 55.00% vs 20.00%, p = 0.0233). CONCLUSIONS: Both AHPV and Cobas were equally sensitive in detecting high-grade SIL in both scenarios of screening and ASC-US or AGC triage but AHPV showed a higher specificity.

Lessons Learned From the Implementation of Brighter Bites: A Food Co-op to Increase Access to Fruits and Vegetables and Nutrition Education Among Low-Income Children and Their Families.

BACKGROUND: Food co-op models have gained popularity as a mechanism for offering affordable, quality produce. We describe the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from implementation of a school-based program using a food co-op model combined with nutrition education to improve access to and intake of fresh fruits and vegetables among low-income children and their families. METHODS: Brighter Bites is a 16-week intervention comprising of fresh produce deliveries, recipe demonstrations, and nutrition education. A mixed-methods approach was used comprising survey and focus group data collected from Brighter Bites staff, parents, and teachers. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were computed for the survey data collected. RESULTS: Brighter Bites was implemented across 9 schools, serving a total of 1530 predominantly low-income families in the 2013-2014 school year. Brighter Bites distributed an average 60.2 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per family per week. Lessons learned included the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure of food banks and schools to implement the program, early school and parent engagement, and incorporating strategies to track and optimize engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Clear expectations and reliable partnerships are keys to the delivery of the Brighter Bites program.

Evaluating a school-based fruit and vegetable co-op in low-income children: A quasi-experimental study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new school-based food co-op program, Brighter Bites (BB), to increase fruit and vegetable intake, and home nutrition environment among low-income 1st graders and their parents. This was a non-randomized controlled comparative effectiveness trial (2013-2015). Six schools received BB (n=407 parent-child dyads); six comparison schools implemented a coordinated school health program (n=310 parent-child dyads) in Houston, Texas, 2013-2015. Brighter Bites (BB) is a 16-week school-based food co-op comprising weekly distribution of fresh produce (50 servings); nutrition education in schools and for parents; and weekly recipe tastings. Measurements included parent-reported home nutrition environment surveys, and food frequency questionnaires for parent and child. Intervention effects were examined using multivariate analyses. At baseline, the sample was 71% Hispanic, 24% African American; 43% of 1st graders were overweight/obese. Children receiving BB had significant increases in intake of fruit servings (P=0.046), vegetable servings (P=0.049), and decreased intake of added sugars (P=0.014). Among parents, there were significant increases in fruit consumed (P=0.032); vegetable intake increased baseline to midpoint but not post-intervention. Among BB families, there were significant improvements in the home environment including understanding and usage of nutrition facts labels to make food purchases (P<0.05), frequency of cooking (P=0.007), rules and practices regarding eating family meals (P=0.022), serving fruits (P=0.005) and vegetables (P=0.028) at meals, and limiting portion sizes (P=0.016). In conclusion, a school-based food co-op model shows promising results in improving dietary habits and home nutrition environment among low-income families.

Effects of the Quest to Lava Mountain Computer Game on Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors of Elementary School Children: A Pilot Group-Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based educational games present an opportunity for health education in school; however, their feasibility in school settings and effectiveness in changing behavior are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of the Quest to Lava Mountain (QTLM) computer game on dietary behaviors, physical activity behaviors, and psychosocial factors among ethnically diverse children in Texas. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental group-randomized controlled trial conducted during the 2012-2013 school year. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: A total of 107 children in fourth and fifth grade consented. There was an attrition rate of 8.8% with a final sample size of 44 children in three intervention schools, and a sample of 50 children in three comparison schools. Dietary intake was measured using two random 24-hour recalls, whereas child self-report surveys measured diet, physical activity, and psychosocial factors before and after the intervention. Process data on QTLM usability and back-end server data on QTLM exposure and progress achieved were collected. INTERVENTION: QTLM was implemented as part of the in-school or afterschool program. Recommended game exposure duration was 90 min/wk for 6 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of covariance or logistic regression models evaluated effects of QTLM on diet, physical activity, and psychosocial factors. Post hoc exploratory analysis examined the changes before and after the intervention in outcome variables among children in the intervention group. Significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Children played an average of 274±110 minutes (approximately 4.6 hours) of QTLM during the 6 weeks (51% of recommended dosage). Compared with the comparison group, children in the intervention group reported decreased sugar consumption (P=0.021) and higher nutrition/physical activity attitudes (P=0.041) pre- to postintervention. There were no significant effects of QTLM on physical activity. However, post hoc analysis showed that higher QTLM exposure and gaming progress was associated with increased frequency of physical activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: QTLM has some promising acceptability and initial effects on diet and physical activity behaviors among children in elementary school.

Comparison of the GenoFlow human papillomavirus (HPV) test and the Linear Array assay for HPV screening in an Asian population.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA detection in cervical cytology samples is useful for primary screening of cervical cancer and for triage of patients with equivocal cytological findings. The GenoFlow HPV array test (GF assay; Diagcor Bioscience Inc., Hong Kong) was recently developed to detect 33 HPV genotypes by a "flowthrough" hybridization technology. In this study, we assessed the analytical sensitivity and reproducibility of the GF assay and compared its genotyping results with those of the Linear Array (LA) assay (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN), using 400 archived liquid-based cytology samples representing the full range of cytology findings. Genotyping findings of the GF and LA assays were concordant or compatible for 93.44% of tested samples, with a good (κ = 0.797) to very good (κ = 0.812) strength of agreement for assay-common and oncogenic HPV types, respectively. The two assays showed good (κ = 0.635) agreement in detecting infections with multiple HPV genotypes. The lowest detection limits of the GF assay for HPV16 and HPV18 were 25 copies and 20 copies, respectively. Repeat testing of 60 samples by use of two different lots of the GF assay revealed no discordant results, suggesting good reproducibility of the assay. Both assays achieved approximately 80% and 100% sensitivity for identifying cases of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) with subsequent detection of LSIL+ and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or higher (HSIL+) in 2 years, respectively. Among ASC-US samples, the GF assay achieved the highest specificity (23.08%) for indicating subsequent identification of HSIL compared with the LA (19.23%) and Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) (8.97%) assays. The GF and LA assays showed significant discrepancy in detecting HPV genotypes 11, 26, 39, 52, and 66. More sensitive detection of HPV52 by GF assay offers an advantage in regions where HPV52 is more prevalent. The sensitivity of the GF assay for detecting patients with HSIL+ was noninferior to that of the LA assay.

An anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutritional supplement for hypoalbuminemic hemodialysis patients: a pilot/feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: A low serum albumin concentration < 3.8 g/dL, a marker of malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome, is observed in approximately half of all maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in the United States and is strongly associated with increased mortality. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that a novel oral nutritional intervention with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties taken during routine dialysis sessions is well tolerated and corrects hypoalbuminemia in MHD patients. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: An outpatient dialysis facility affiliated with a tertiary care community medical center with six equally distributed hemodialysis shifts and 163 MHD patients. PATIENTS: Among all MHD outpatients of three selected HD shifts (n = 81 patients), 21 subjects had a serum albumin level < 3.8 g/dL. One patient who was hospitalized before the intervention was excluded. The other three dialysis shifts, with 82 MHD outpatients including 20 hypoalbuminemic subjects, were observed as concurrent controls. INTERVENTION: The nutritional intervention included one can of Oxepa and one can of Nepro to be taken together orally during each routine hemodialysis session for 4 weeks. Each can contains 237 mL fluid. Oxepa provides 355 calories and 14.8 g protein per can, includes maltodextrin, medium-chain triglycerides, borage oil, and refined and deodorized fish oil, and is designed for critically ill patients with inflammation and oxidative stress. Each can of Oxepa includes 1,020 mg gamma-linolenic acid, 3,100 mg caprylic acid, 1,080 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 75 mg taurine, 2,840 IU vitamin A activity, 75 IU vitamin E, and 200 mg vitamin C. Nepro provides 475 calories and 16.7 g protein per can; includes high-oleic safflower oil, corn syrup solids, and fructo-oligosaccharides; and is tailored for the nutritional needs of MHD patients. Oxepa and Nepro also contain L-carnitine, 43 mg and 62 mg, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum albumin pretrial and posttrial. RESULTS: Studied outpatients (12 men and 8 women) were aged 60.4 +/- 13.0 (SD) years. Three patients had started MHD treatment between 1.5 and 3 months before the intervention. Nine patients were diabetic. Preintervention serum albumin, 3.44 +/- 0.34 g/dL (mean +/- SD) increased to 3.68 +/- 0.34 g/dL (P = .001) 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. In 16 patients, serum albumin level increased by 0.2 to 1.3 g/dL, whereas in 4 patients the serum albumin level decreased by 0.2 to 0.6 g/dL. Three patients reported diarrhea, and one diabetic patient had increased serum glucose values. No other side effects were noted. In 20 control outpatients not receiving nutritional intervention, serum albumin did not change from 3.46 +/- 0.20 to 3.47 +/- 10.44 g/dL (P = .47). CONCLUSIONS: In hypoalbuminemic MHD patients, a short-term in-center nutritional intervention with one can of Nepro and one can of Oxepa during HD is practical, convenient, well-tolerated, and associated with a significant increase in serum albumin level. Well-designed randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to verify the safety and effectiveness of this nutritional intervention and its impact on clinical outcome in hypoalbuminemic MHD patients.

The Nutritional and Inflammatory Evaluation in Dialysis patients (NIED) study: overview of the NIED study and the role of dietitians.

The absolute majority of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients die within 5 years of commencing dialysis treatment, mostly because of cardiovascular (CV) disease. The strongest and most common correlates of death in MHD patients are not conventional CV risk factors, but markers of protein-energy malnutrition and inflammation, together also known as malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS). Paradoxically, classic risk factors such as obesity and hypercholesterolemia are associated with better survival in MHD patients. It has been hypothesized that this so-called reverse epidemiology is caused by the overwhelming prevalence and dominating effect of MICS in MHD patients. Hence, the key to improving survival and quality of life in MHD patients may be a better understanding of MICS and its interactions with CV disease and outcome. The Nutritional and Inflammatory Evaluation in Dialysis Patients (NIED) study is a longitudinal multicenter cohort study that aims to examine these hypotheses. At any given semiannual round, approximately 360 MHD patients from 8 DaVita dialysis facilities in the Los Angeles area are examined; 900 MHD patients will be cumulatively studied by the end of this 5-year prospective study (October 2001 to September 2006). Repeated measures of markers of nutritional status and inflammation are performed by 10 to 12 dialysis unit dietitians while patients attend their routine HD treatment in their dialysis facilities. All-cause and CV mortality, hospitalization, and quality of life are studied as outcome measures. The collaborating dietitians are the main evaluators and play crucial roles in all aspects of the study. This article reviews the design and infrastructure of the NIED study and reports preliminary findings of the first 12 to 30 months of the study.