Algal docosahexaenoic acid affects plasma lipoprotein particle size distribution in overweight and obese adults.

Fish oils containing both EPA and DHA have been shown to have beneficial cardiovascular effects, but less is known about the independent effects of DHA. This study was designed to examine the effects of DHA on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and other biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in the absence of weight loss. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 36 overweight or obese adults were treated with 2 g/d of algal DHA or placebo for 4.5 mo. Markers of cardiovascular risk were assessed before and after treatment. In the DHA-supplemented group, the decrease in mean VLDL particle size (P ≤ 0.001) and increases in mean LDL (P ≤ 0.001) and HDL (P ≤ 0.001) particle sizes were significantly greater than changes in the placebo group. DHA supplementation also increased the concentrations of large LDL (P ≤ 0.001) and large HDL particles (P = 0.001) and decreased the concentrations of small LDL (P = 0.009) and medium HDL particles (P = 0.001). As calculated using NMR-derived data, DHA supplementation reduced VLDL TG (P = 0.009) and total TG concentrations (P = 0.006). Plasma IL-10 increased with DHA supplementation to a greater extent than placebo (P = 0.021), but no other significant changes were observed in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, or markers of inflammation with DHA. In summary, DHA supplementation resulted in potentially beneficial changes in some markers of cardiometabolic risk, whereas other markers were unchanged.

Atherosclerosis in survivors of Kawasaki disease.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that long-term survivors of low-risk Kawasaki disease (KD) have ongoing vascular inflammation and dysfunction and a higher risk of accelerated atherosclerosis than healthy control subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight patients with KD (7-20 years after acute illness) and 27 age-matched healthy control subjects were examined for medical and dietary history, serum markers of atherosclerotic risk and inflammation, carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) with vascular ultrasound scanning and arterial stiffness with applanation tonometry. RESULTS: Patients and control subjects were similar in age, sex, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, family history, diet, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, lipoprotein (a) level, homocysteine level, glucose level, insulin level, CIMT, arterial stiffness, C-reactive protein level, and inflammatory cytokine level. Levels of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were significantly higher in patients with KD than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of increased atherosclerosis. Small but significant differences in cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels could suggest increased future risk for atherosclerosis and warrant further study.

Mothering a 3- to 6-year-old child with hemiparesis.

Stroke is estimated to occur in approximately 2.5-3.2 children per 100,000 annually. While some aspects of mothering a disabled child are currently known, there are other aspects of this experience that remain unknown. Much of the research focuses on children who are severely disabled, thus leaving a gap in what is known about the experience of mothers of mildly to moderately disabled children. Little is understood about mothering children who have a less severe disability, and in particular, a 3- to 6-year old child with hemiparesis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the experience of mothering a 3- to 6-year old child with hemiparesis. This study incorporated a phenomenological approach using Colaizzi's descriptive methodology. The participants were five biological mothers of children aged 3-6 years who were diagnosed with hemiparesis following a stroke. The children were considered mildly to moderately disabled and required two to three therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or special education. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. By using Colaizzi's method for data analysis, the following six themes emerged: (1) Mothers' Way to Know, (2) Being Blown Away, (3) Gradual Awakening to an Uncertain Future, (4) Fiercely Advocating for My Child, (5) Living in a Middle World, and (6) A Heart Filled with Joy and Sorrow. This study provided data that were used to provide a beginning description of the experience of mothering a child with hemiparesis.

Risk factors associated with malnutrition in rural Jamaica

Risk factors associated with malnutrition were examined in Jamaica. Socio-economic data were obtained on 63 well-nourished and 14 malnourished children. Risk factors associated with malnutrition were birth weight less than 2.5kg (P < 0.01), maternal age equal to or greater than 25 years (P < 0.05) and landlessness (P < 0.05). Intervention aimed at reducing these factors can go a long way in reducing the malnutrition problem in developing countries (AU)