Better understanding of food and human microbiomes through collaborative research on Inuit fermented foods.

Reports on fermented, animal-sourced foods made by Inuit around the circumpolar North have lacked consideration for their unique microbiota and the geo-socio-cultural contexts in which they are made, often resulting in reinforced negative stereotypes. Deficit-based approaches to studying Inuit fermented foods overlook the fact that they have long been considered healthy and integral to Inuit diets. Inuit have deep knowledge on the harvesting, preparation, sharing, and consumption of fermented foods that research efforts must learn from and acknowledge. Our preliminary research into Inuit animal-sourced fermented foods expands current knowledge about the microorganisms needed to make them, and points to a potential to understand how these and other fermented foods impact the human gut microbiome. We provide recommendations for microbiological research on Inuit fermented foods that centers Inuit knowledge within the specific geographic, social, and cultural contexts in which these foods are made.

OBEDIS Core Variables Project: European Expert Guidelines on a Minimal Core Set of Variables to Include in Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trials of Obesity Interventions.

Heterogeneity of interindividual and intraindividual responses to interventions is often observed in randomized, controlled trials for obesity. To address the global epidemic of obesity and move toward more personalized treatment regimens, the global research community must come together to identify factors that may drive these heterogeneous responses to interventions. This project, called OBEDIS (OBEsity Diverse Interventions Sharing - focusing on dietary and other interventions), provides a set of European guidelines for a minimal set of variables to include in future clinical trials on obesity, regardless of the specific endpoints. Broad adoption of these guidelines will enable researchers to harmonize and merge data from multiple intervention studies, allowing stratification of patients according to precise phenotyping criteria which are measured using standardized methods. In this way, studies across Europe may be pooled for better prediction of individuals' responses to an intervention for obesity - ultimately leading to better patient care and improved obesity outcomes.

Morphine Use in Renal Failure: A Case Report of Single-Dose Morphine Toxicity in a Patient Requiring Peritoneal Dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a case of morphine toxicity presumably caused by accumulation of its active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) secondary to reduced clearance by peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: We present the relevant history and laboratory data and review pertinent literature regarding the use of opioids in renal failure. RESULTS: A 76-year-old African-American female received one dose of morphine sulfate and developed signs and symptoms of morphine toxicity for 2 days, even after multiple peritoneal dialysis sessions. CONCLUSION: Because of reduced renal clearance of morphine and its metabolites in patients requiring peritoneal dialysis, morphine should be avoided as an analgesic option in this population due to increased risk of morphine toxicity.

The Association Between Skin Rashes and Work Environment, Personal Protective Equipment, and Hygiene Practices Among Female Farmworkers.

The objective of this study was to assess work-related hygiene practices and the frequency and location of skin rashes due to cutaneous contact with crop-associated materials (e.g., pesticides) for female nursery and fernery workers in Central Florida. A cross-sectional, community-based participatory research study of 237 female nursery and fernery workers between the ages of 19 and 43 years with significant cutaneous contact with foliage crops was conducted using a self-report questionnaire and a skin rash chart assessment tool. Of the 237 farmworkers surveyed, 37.1% ( n = 88) reported a rash on at least one area of their bodies. Women who were pregnant during the study were 4.7 times more likely to report more than 30% total body surface area (TBSA) covered by rash compared with non-pregnant fernery workers ( p = .045; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.04, 21.35]). Further research is needed to better understand the development of skin rashes among farmworkers, to generate effective prevention strategies.

Many disease-associated variants of hTERT retain high telomerase enzymatic activity.

Mutations in the gene for telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are associated with diseases including dyskeratosis congenita, aplastic anemia, pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Understanding the molecular basis of these telomerase-associated diseases requires dependable quantitative measurements of telomerase enzyme activity. Furthermore, recent findings that the human POT1-TPP1 chromosome end-binding protein complex stimulates telomerase activity and processivity provide incentive for testing variant telomerases in the presence of these factors. In the present work, we compare multiple disease-associated hTERT variants reconstituted with the RNA subunit hTR in two systems (rabbit reticulocyte lysates and human cell lines) with respect to telomerase enzymatic activity, processivity and activation by telomere proteins. Surprisingly, many of the previously reported disease-associated hTERT alleles give near-normal telomerase enzyme activity. It is possible that a small deficit in telomerase activity is sufficient to cause telomere shortening over many years. Alternatively, mutations may perturb functions such as the recruitment of telomerase to telomeres, which are essential in vivo but not revealed by simple enzyme assays.

Implementing the Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler (NutriSTEP®) in community health centres.

PURPOSE: Identifying nutrition-related problems during the early years may provide an opportunity to enhance parents' abilities to support healthy growth and development. The Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler (NutriSTEP®) is a validated, parent-administered questionnaire designed to identify preschool children at nutritional risk. Parents can complete NutriSTEP® in under five minutes. Parents' and staff's views of NutriSTEP® implementation feasibility were assessed in two community health centres. METHODS: Parents attending preschool immunization clinics were recruited. Parents, staff, and physicians were asked for their opinions on screening. RESULTS: The 412 (34%) parent questionnaires completed indicated that parents found NutriSTEP® easy to complete and helpful for identifying areas of nutrition concern. Staff estimated screening distribution took one to three minutes. Clerks and nurses expressed concern about additional workload and demands on parents. Managers believed NutriSTEP® was easy to implement. Physicians considered nutrition screening of preschoolers important, and felt that health centres were the best location for screening. CONCLUSIONS: NutriSTEP® was relatively easy to implement in two community health clinics. While staff expressed concern about increased workload, parents found it easy to complete and helpful.

Preschool nutrition risk in Calgary.

PURPOSE: Nutrition and lifestyle habits in early childhood may be key to supporting healthy growth. The Nutrition Screening Tool for Every Preschooler (NutriSTEP®), a validated screening questionnaire for preschool nutrition risk, was implemented in two community health centres. Study objectives were to identify the proportion of children at nutrition risk and to assess acceptance and impact of dietitian referrals. METHODS: Parents attending preschool immunization clinics were asked to complete a consent form, NutriSTEP®, and a parent questionnaire to gather demographics and perceptions of NutriSTEP®. Follow-up counselling by a dietitian was offered for parents of high-risk children, and parents who attended completed a follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS: Seven percent of the children screened were at high risk. Almost 50% of parents reported adverse feeding environment behaviours. When a parent's reported daily frequency of a child's consumption was used as a proxy for daily servings, the majority of children fell short in most food groups. Thirty-three percent of 30 parents of high-risk children completed dietitian counselling. Most parents (75%, n=6) who were counselled reported making changes as a result of counselling and were satisfied with the service (63%). CONCLUSIONS: NutriSTEP® was an effective tool for identifying preschool children at risk. Although few parents accepted referral to a pediatric dietitian, most who did made changes to improve nutrition and lifestyle risk factors.