Decisive role of P42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase in Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced migration of human mesenchymal stem cells.

In past years, medical interest in Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive ingredient of the Cannabis plant, has been renewed due to the elucidation of the endocannabinoid system and diverse other receptor targets involved in biological cannabinoid effects. The present study therefore investigates the impact of THC on the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are known to be involved in various regenerative processes such as bone healing. Using Boyden chamber assays, THC was found to increase the migration of adipose-derived MSCs.

Body mass index and the risk of asthma in adults.

Asthma and obesity are both chronic conditions and their prevalences have risen in affluent societies. A positive association between asthma and being overweight or obese has been reported in children and women, but associations in men are less clearly described. The objective of this study was to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and asthma in men and women of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic background living in New York State, USA.

Maternal and infant factors associated with failure to thrive in children with vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: the prospective, P2C2 human immunodeficiency virus multicenter study.

Objective: Many children with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) have chronic problems with growth and nutrition, yet limited information is available to identify infected children at high risk for growth abnormalities. Using data from the prospective, multicenter P2C2 HIV study, we evaluated the relationships between maternal and infant clinical and laboratory factors and impaired growth in this cohort.

Methods: Children of HIV-1-infected women were enrolled prenatally or within the first 28 days of life.

Do obese inner-city children with asthma have more symptoms than nonobese children with asthma?

Objective: To test whether obesity is associated with decreased peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), increased asthma symptoms, and increased health service use.

Design/methods: Secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional convenience sample.

Setting: Emergency departments (EDs) and primary care clinics in 8 inner-city areas in 7 cities.

Association of being overweight with greater asthma symptoms in inner city black and Hispanic children.

Objective: To determine whether the weight status of inner city black and Hispanic children with asthma differs from that of their peers and to assess whether overweight asthmatic children experience greater asthma symptoms.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study in an ambulatory chest clinic of an inner city medical center.

Methods: We studied black and Hispanic children aged 2 to 18 years (n = 209) with the single diagnosis of asthma.

Assessment of nutritional, clinical, and immunologic status of HIV-infected, inner-city patients with multiple risk factors.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional, clinical, and immunologic factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected, inner-city patients with multiple risk factors.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional nutrition evaluation of patients with HIV infection.

Setting: Patients were interviewed at the outpatient clinic at Mt Sinai Medical Center, New York City, NY.

Cultural Aspects of Nutrition in Adolescents.

By the year 2010, as many as 38% of American adolescents may belong to ethnic minorities. Nutritional education and counseling programs must take into account the diverse cultural patterns of Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic populations, all of whom may be divided into subgroups with varying dietary habits.

Current recommendations for breast-feeding in cystic fibrosis centers.

In recent years, breast-feeding has been strongly recommended, and the decision to breast-feed is made by a large percentage of women before pregnancy. We performed a survey to determine the current recommendations given to mothers in cystic fibrosis (CF) centers. For mothers of infants with CF, 77% of centers recommend breast-feeding alone or with pancreatic enzyme supplements and/or hydrolyzed formula.

Health and nutrition survey in a group of urban homeless adults.

Homeless persons eat foods from municipal and privately run shelters, fast-food restaurants, delicatessens, and garbage bins. Data on the adequacy of the diets and the nutritional status of homeless persons are sparse. Therefore, we surveyed the nutritional adequacy of the dietary intake, the quality of shelter meals, and objective clinical parameters indicative of nutritional status in a heterogeneous group of urban homeless persons.

Assessment of the nutritional status of urban homeless adults.

Homeless people eat foods at municipal and charity run shelters, fast-food restaurants, delicatessens, and from garbage bins. Data on the adequacy of the diets and the nutritional status of homeless persons are sparse. Therefore, nutritional indicators of 55 urban homeless subjects were assessed, and a high prevalence of risk factors was identified.

Efficacy of a nonrestricted fat diet in patients with cystic fibrosis.

We sought to determine if an increased oral intake with a noninvasive nutrition program in patients with cystic fibrosis could influence growth, weight gain, and pulmonary function. Thirty-seven patients, aged 2 to 27 years, were instructed to consume a nonrestricted fat diet during an intervention period of 4 years. The results showed that patients increased the mean energy intake significantly to a level of more than 120% of the recommended daily allowance.

Teaching self-management skills to cystic fibrosis patients and its effect on their caloric intake.

This study was undertaken to examine whether cystic fibrosis patients who received nutrition counseling based on self-management skills had an increased caloric intake and enhanced body mass index (kg/m2) values. Thirty-seven patients, aged 4 to 29 years, were placed on a nonrestricted nutrition program for a study period of 4 years. Bandura's self-management principles were applied in counseling patients to meet their nutrition needs.

Nutritional assessment of pediatric patients admitted to an acute-care pediatric service utilizing anthropometric measurements.

Two hundred consecutive pediatric patients were given a nutritional assessment at the time of their admission to the hospital. A weight-for-height below the 5th percentile was an indication of acute depletion and a height-for-age below the 5th percentile a sign of chronic depletion. Measurement of weight-for-height and/or height-for-age was below the 5th percentile in 32% of those assessed.