Comparing the delay with different anticoagulants before elective electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation/flutter.

Aims: To assess the impact of the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants upon the outcomes from elective electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.

Methods: This is a retrospective comparison of delay to elective cardioversion with different anticoagulants. The data was gathered from a large regional hospital from January 2013 to September 2017.

The lifecycle of anvil clouds and the top-of-atmosphere radiation balance over the tropical west Pacific.

Observations from a geostationary satellite are used to describe the lifecycle of mesoscale convective systems (MCS), their associated anvil clouds, and their effects on the radiation balance over the warm pool of the tropical west Pacific Ocean. In their developing stages, MCS primarily consist of clouds that are optically thick and have a negative net cloud radiative effect (CRE). As MCS age, ice crystals in the anvil become larger, the cloud top lowers somewhat, and clouds with neutral and positive net CRE become more common.

Effects of folic acid food fortification scenarios on the folate intake of a multi-ethnic pregnant population.

Objective: To simulate effects of different scenarios of folic acid fortification of food on dietary folate equivalents (DFE) intake in an ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women.

Design: A forty-four-item FFQ was used to evaluate dietary intake of the population. DFE intakes were estimated for different scenarios of food fortification with folic acid: (i) voluntary fortification; (ii) increased voluntary fortification; (iii) simulated bread mandatory fortification; and (iv) simulated grains-and-rice mandatory fortification.

Cellular stress is a prerequisite for glucose-induced mitochondrial matrix alkalinization in pancreatic β-cells.

Changes in mitochondrial and cytosolic pH alter the chemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The proton chemical gradient contributes to mitochondrial ATP synthesis as well as the uptake and release of metabolites and ions from the organelle. Here mitochondrial pH and ΔpH were studied for the first time in human pancreatic β-cells.

Metastatic disease in a dog with a well-differentiated perianal gland tumor.

Fine-needle aspirates from a perianal mass on an 8-year-old, intact male, Miniature Poodle presenting for tenesmus showed a uniform population of well-differentiated hepatoid cells with no notable criteria of malignancy. The cytologic diagnosis was a perianal gland tumor, with adenoma likely given the cytomorphology. The abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple, markedly enlarged, intra-abdominal lymph nodes.

Triangulating abuse liability assessment for flavoured cigar products using physiological, behavioural economic and subjective assessments: a within-subjects clinical laboratory protocol.

Introduction: In the USA, Food and Drug Administration regulations prohibit the sale of flavoured cigarettes, with menthol being the exception. However, the manufacture, advertisement and sale of flavoured cigar products are permitted. Such flavourings influence positive perceptions of tobacco products and are linked to increased use.

Compared with Cow Milk, a Growing-Up Milk Increases Vitamin D and Iron Status in Healthy Children at 2 Years of Age: The Growing-Up Milk-Lite (GUMLi) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) are significant pediatric health issues in New Zealand and Australia and remain prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in young children globally.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of a micronutrient-fortified, reduced-energy growing-up milk (GUMLi) compared with cow milk (CM) consumed for 1 y on dietary iron and vitamin D intakes and the status of New Zealand and Australian children at 2 y of age.

Methods: The GUMLi Trial was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in 160 healthy 1-y-old New Zealand and Australian children conducted in 2015-2017.

A reverse metabolic approach to weaning: in silico identification of immune-beneficial infant gut bacteria, mining their metabolism for prebiotic feeds and sourcing these feeds in the natural product space.

Background: Weaning is a period of marked physiological change. The introduction of solid foods and the changes in milk consumption are accompanied by significant gastrointestinal, immune, developmental, and microbial adaptations. Defining a reduced number of infections as the desired health benefit for infants around weaning, we identified in silico (i.

Treatment of Active Crohn's Disease with Exclusive and Partial Enteral Nutrition: A Pilot Study in Adults.

Background And Aim: Enteral nutrition (EN) is not commonly used for the treatment of adults with active Crohn's disease (CD), despite patient interest in nutrition-based alternatives to corticosteroids and evidence of efficacy in paediatric CD. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of 2 different EN regimens on disease symptoms, nutrition and inflammatory markers in young adults with active CD.

Methods: A prospective non-randomized pilot study of adults aged 16-40 years with active CD on endoscopy or imaging was undertaken.

Measuring Children's Sodium and Potassium Intakes in NZ: A Pilot Study.

Low sodium and high potassium intakes in childhood protect against rises in blood pressure (BP) and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. Our aim was to pilot methods for collection of 24-h urine samples (gold standard) and diet recalls to assess sodium and potassium intakes and their food sources in 30 children aged 8⁻11 years at one New Zealand primary school. A diverse sample ( = 27) was recruited over a two-week period.

Herbivore biocontrol and manual removal successfully reduce invasive macroalgae on coral reefs.

Invasive macroalgae pose a serious threat to coral reef biodiversity by monopolizing reef habitats, competing with native species, and directly overgrowing, and smothering reef corals. Several invasive macroalgae ( clade E, s clade A and B, , and ) are established within Kāne'ohe Bay (O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA), and reducing invasive macroalgae cover is a coral reef conservation and management priority. Invasive macroalgae control techniques, however, are limited and few successful large-scale applications exist.

Maternal influences on the glucocorticoid concentrations of human milk: The STEPS study.

Background & Aims: Human milk (HM) contains a wide array of non-nutritive bioactive elements, including glucocorticoid hormones (glucocorticoid; cortisol and cortisone). The relationship between milk-borne glucocorticoids, measures of maternal health and patterns of breast-feeding is not yet established. This study was conducted to determine the influence of maternal and infant related biological and socio-demographic factors on the levels of glucocorticoids hormones in HM.

Evaluation of a Free Milk in Schools Program in New Zealand: Effects on Children's Milk Consumption and Anthropometrics.

Background: While dietary sources of calcium are important for bone health, the intake of milk and milk products decreases as children get older. A free milk in schools program may mitigate this decrease in milk consumption. We evaluated the Fonterra Milk for schools program (a free milk initiative) by determining changes in children's milk consumption and anthropometric measures over a 2-year period.

The DIAMOND trial - DIfferent Approaches to MOderate & late preterm Nutrition: Determinants of feed tolerance, body composition and development: protocol of a randomised trial.

Background: Babies born at moderate-late preterm gestations account for > 80% of all preterm births. Although survival is excellent, these babies are at increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. They also are at increased risk of adverse long-term health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

Obesity, underweight and BMI distribution characteristics of children by gross national income and income inequality: results from an international survey.

Background: Economic wealth and income inequality may impact on childhood BMI distribution by affecting overconsumption of food and sedentary forms of transportation and entertainment across the whole or some of the population.

Objectives: To determine whether BMI distribution of children differs by gross national income (GNI) per capita and Gini index derived from World Bank data.

Methods: Secondary analysis of largely self-reported height and weight data from a multi-country, cross-sectional study (ISAAC), of 77,963 children aged 6-7 (from 19 countries) and 205,388 adolescents aged 13-14 (from 36 countries), were used to examine underweight vs obesity prevalence and BMI distribution skewness, median and dispersion.

Agreement between Future Parents on Infant Feeding Intentions and Its Association with Breastfeeding Duration: Results from the Cohort Study.

Maternal intentions are believed to have the strongest influence on infant feeding. However, what has rarely been studied, are the associations of maternal and partner intentions, and the influence these factors have on infant feeding. Our objective was to describe breastfeeding intentions of pregnant women and their partners, agreement about these intentions, and whether this agreement is associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Maternal folic acid supplementation for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preeclampsia is a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Folic acid supplementation is recommended periconceptionally for the prevention of neural tube defects. Epidemiological evidence suggests that maternal folic acid supplementation may play a role in preventing other adverse birth outcomes.

Transplant renal vein thrombosis in a recipient with aberrant venous anatomy.

Renal vein thrombosis in a transplanted kidney is an uncommon but critical complication that can result in graft loss if management is delayed. A 31-year-old male with known atresia of the inferior vena cava who received a deceased donor renal transplant 7 years previously presented to hospital with severe graft site pain and a week of nausea, vomiting, and chills. Serum creatinine was markedly elevated from baseline.

Development of understanding of DOHaD concepts in students during undergraduate health professional programs in Japan and New Zealand.

Evidence in support of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis has reached the level where it can appropriately be used to inform practice. DOHaD informed interventions supporting primary noncommunicable disease risk reduction should target the pre- and periconceptional periods, pregnancy, lactation, childhood and adolescence. Such interventions are dependent on a health workforce (including dietitians, nurses, midwives, doctors, and nutrition teachers), that has a deep understanding of DOHaD concepts.

Preparing BSN Students for Engagement in Interprofessional Learning.

Interprofessional education in the undergraduate nursing curriculum is an important element for successful interprofessional collaboration and quality outcomes for patients. A correlational study was conducted to determine if professional nursing values were related to attitudes toward interprofessional learning. Results from a cross-sectional survey of 117 nursing students, using the revised Nurse Professional Values Scale and the revised Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, demonstrated a significant correlation between subscales from both instruments (p < .

Determinants of folic acid supplement use outside national recommendations for pregnant women: results from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with insufficient and excessive use of folic acid supplements (FAS) among pregnant women.

Design: A pregnancy cohort to which multinomial logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with duration and dose of FAS use.

Setting: The Growing Up in New Zealand child study, which enrolled pregnant women whose children were born in 2009-2010.

Proteomics and immunohistochemistry identify the expression of α-cardiac myosin heavy chain in the jaw-closing muscles of sooty mangabeys (order Primates).

Objective: The jaw-closing muscles of humans and nonprimate mammals express alpha-cardiac fibers but MyHC α-cardiac has not been identified in the jaw adductors of nonhuman primates. We determined whether MyHC α-cardiac is expressed in the superficial masseter and temporalis muscles of the sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys), an African Old World monkey that specializes on hard seeds.

Design: LC-MS/MS based proteomics was used to identify the presence of MyHC Iα.