This study investigated the contribution of pulse starches (PSs) to the slowly digestible starch (SDS) properties observed in pulses. Purified pulse starches from 17 commonly consumed pulses were examined, focusing on their digestion kinetics using a pancreatic alpha-amylase (PAA) and rat intestinal acetone powder (RIAP) mixture. Chickpea starch, exhibiting a slow digestibility profile, was incorporated as an ingredient to confer slow digestibility to refined wheat flour bread.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreviously, we have identified and characterized 4,6-α-glucanotransferase enzymes of the glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 70 (GH70) that cleave (α1→4)-linkages in amylose and introduce (α1→6)-linkages in linear chains. The 4,6-α-glucanotransferase of 121, for instance, converts amylose into an isomalto/malto-polysaccharide (IMMP) with 90% (α1→6)-linkages. Over the years, also, branching sucrase enzymes belonging to GH70 have been characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe glycemic carbohydrates we consume are currently viewed in an unfavorable light in both the consumer and medical research worlds. In significant part, these carbohydrates, mainly starch and sucrose, are looked upon negatively due to their rapid and abrupt glucose delivery to the body which causes a high glycemic response. However, dietary carbohydrates which are digested and release glucose in a slow manner are recognized as providing health benefits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndividuals in a major depressive episode often display impairment in cognitive control, and this impairment exists outside of the acute phase of illness. Impairment in cognitive control also has been associated with exposure to childhood adversity (CA). The current study examined whether exposure to CA can explain variance in a component of cognitive control-inhibitory control-independent of diagnostic status in young adults with and without a history of depression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders are highly comorbid, sharing many similar symptoms, including impairments in cognitive control. Deficits in cognitive control could be a potential mechanism underlying impaired emotion regulation in mood disorders.
Methods: Participants were 44 individuals with no history of mental illness (healthy controls, HC), 31 individuals in the remitted state of MDD (rMDD), and 18 individuals who met lifetime DSM-IV-TR criteria for rMDD and an anxiety disorder in remission (Comorbid).
New York-Presbyterian, a sprawling $5 billion academic medical center complex based in Manhattan, houses two Ivy League medical schools. Yet in recent years, the system has grown to nine hospitals, including several in New York City's outer boroughs and nearby suburbs. Modern Healthcare recently spoke with CEO Dr.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent work showed that unsupervised learning of a complex environment activates synaptic proteins essential for the stabilization of long-term potentiation (LTP). The present study used automated methods to construct maps of excitatory synapses associated with high concentrations of one of these LTP-related proteins [CaMKII phosphorylated at T286/287, (pCaMKII)]. Labeling patterns across 42 sampling zones covering entire cross sections through rostral hippocampus were assessed for two groups of rats that explored a novel two-room arena for 30 min, with or without a response contingency involving mildly aversive cues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommunities of poor, low-income immigrants with limited English proficiency and disproportionate health burdens pose unique challenges to health providers and policy makers. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital developed the Regional Health Collaborative, a population-based health care model to improve the health of the residents of Washington Heights-Inwood. This area is a predominantly Hispanic community in New York City with high rates of asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Aging Hum Dev
October 2011
This study examined diverse older adults' (n = 396, ages 50+) views about how to stay mentally sharp. We conducted 42 focus groups in four languages at nine United States locations using a standardized discussion guide and methods. The groups represented African Americans, American Indians, Chinese Americans, Latinos, Whites other than Latinos, and Vietnamese Americans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity may promote cognitive health in older adults. Popular media play an important role in preventive health communication. This study examined articles discussing associations between physical activity and cognitive health in top-circulating magazines targeting older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis cross-sectional study examined the relationships between social support, HIV disclosure, and depression among 340 rural African American women with HIV disease living in the southeastern United States. Three aspects of social support (perceived availability of support, sources of available support, and satisfaction with available support) were measured along with HIV disclosure and depression. Perceived availability of support (p < .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMessages promoting physical activity (PA) to maintain cognitive health (CH) may increase PA and enhance CH among older persons. This study examined older adults' perceptions of PA and CH. We conducted 10 focus groups with irregularly active older Black and White women and men (N = 55), ages 65 to 74 in South Carolina.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study identified perceived physical activity (PA) enablers and barriers among a racially/ethnically and geographically diverse group of older adults. Data were from 42 focus groups conducted with African Americans, American Indians, Latinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, and non-Hispanic Whites (hereafter Whites). Constant-comparison methods were used to analyze the data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis cross-sectional study examined relationships between HIV-related stigma, social support, and depression in a sample of 340 HIV-infected African American women living in rural areas of the Southeastern United States. Three aspects of social support (availability of different types of support, sources of support, and satisfaction with support) and two aspects of HIV-related stigma (perceived stigma and internalized stigma) were measured. Perceived availability of support (p < .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Cognitive impairment in older adults is a major cause of functional disability. Interest in protecting brain health is likely to grow as the US population ages and more people have experiences with cognitive decline. Recent scientific evidence suggests that physical activity, heart-healthy diets, and social involvement may help to maintain brain health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Evidence suggests that physical activity and healthy diets may help to maintain cognitive function, reducing risks of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Using a cross-cultural focus, we describe older adults' awareness about cognitive health, and their ideas about how to inform and motivate others to engage in activities that may maintain brain health.
Design And Methods: Nineteen focus groups were conducted in 3 states (California, North Carolina, South Carolina) with 177 adults aged 50 years and older.
Purpose: To examine perceptions about aging well in the context of cognitive health among a large and diverse group of older adults.
Design And Methods: Forty-two focus groups were conducted with older adults living in the community (N = 396; White, African American, American Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hispanic). Participant descriptions of "someone who you think is aging well" were analyzed.
Purpose Of The Study: To describe processes used in the Healthy Brain project to manage data collection, coding, and data distribution in a large qualitative project, conducted by researchers at 9 universities in 9 states.
Design And Methods: Project management protocols included: (a) managing audiotapes and surveys to ensure data confidentiality, data tracking and distribution; (b) managing qualitative data to ensure the accuracy and confidentiality of transcription; (c) training in qualitative methods and use of qualitative software; and (d) managing participant survey data and analysis.
Results: The project team coded and managed qualitative and survey data for 69 focus groups with more than 500 participants.
Background: Mortality from prostate cancer (PrCA) in African-American (AA) men is significantly higher than in European-American (EA) men.
Methods: Purposive sampling identified 25 AA men >or=45 years for interviews/focus groups. Participants were asked about cancer information-seeking behaviors, capacity to use information, and recommendations for messages and message delivery.
Prostate cancer (PrCA) is the most diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, especially among African American (AA) men. The purpose of this formative study was to explore the implications of applying Nutbeam's multidimensional health literacy framework to AA men's understanding of PrCA information. Participants were 25 AA men aged 45 and older in South Carolina.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective And Participants: The authors investigated the effect of physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable intake, and alcohol use on 6-month weight change in 193 college freshmen (78.8% white, 88.2% women, 94.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Health Care Poor Underserved
February 2008
This qualitative study explored perceptions and experiences of HIV-positive rural African American women regarding availability, accessibility, and quality of health care and social services. Twenty-two women residing in rural areas of South Carolina were recruited to participate in one of three focus groups. A conceptual model of health services utilization was used to guide the study and served as a framework for coding data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper describes development, implementation, and evaluation strategies of a longitudinal geriatric curriculum, the Senior Mentor Program (SMP). The rationale for exposing undergraduate medical students to healthy, community-dwelling older adults is to use the relationship and activities as vehicles for improving knowledge of aging and providing students experience with aging as a stage and process. The University of South Carolina School of Medicine's major aim in geriatrics is to prepare students to become skilled physicians in care of older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommunity-based organizations (CBOs), particularly minority-based CBOs, are instrumental in the delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention programs and services. Despite a tremendous need, many CBOs lack the capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate targeted prevention interventions to serve culturally diverse populations. This article describes a comprehensive, innovative curriculum for building capacity within CBOs providing HIV prevention programming.
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