Health is wealth: methods to improve attendance in a lifestyle intervention for a largely immigrant Filipino-American sample.

Diabetes prevention requires lifestyle changes, and traditional educational programs for lifestyle changes have had low attendance rates in ethnic populations. This article describes the development and implementation of an educational program, emphasizing retention strategies, cultural tailoring and community participation. Community-based participatory research approaches were used to adapt and test the feasibility of a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention (named Health is Wealth) for Filipino-American adults at risk for diabetes (n = 40) in order to increase program attendance.

Allometric scaling of Wingate anaerobic powertest scores in women.

In this study, we developed allometric exponents for scaling Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) power data that are effective in controlling for body mass (BM) and lean body mass (LBM) and established a normative WAnT data set for college-age women. One hundred women completed a standard WAnT Allometric exponents and percentile ranks for peak (PP) and mean power (MP) were established. Allometric exponents were applied to WAnT scores for an independent sample (n=31) to assess external validity.

First Report of Association of Mucor circinelloides on Noni (Morinda citrifolia) in Hawaii.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a popular medicinal plant found in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. The fruit and juice extracts have properties that are reportedly therapeutic for diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer (1,4). In our studies on noni juice produced from fruit collected from the Kohala and Puna districts of the island of Hawaii from 2008 to 2010, Mucor circinelloides f.

Assisted reproduction technologies alter steroid delivery to the mouse fetus during pregnancy.

Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and are common treatments for infertility. Although generally successful, ART warrant further investigations due to emerging perinatal issues, especially low birth weight. Herein we extend our previous work demonstrating higher steroid clearance in murine ART placentas by examining steroid biosynthesis and the directional flow of steroids in the maternal-placental-fetal units.

Offline oxygen isotope analysis of organic compounds with high N:O.

Although the advantages of online δ(18)O analysis of organic compounds make its broad application desirable, researchers have encountered NO(+) isobaric interference with CO(+) at m/z 30 (e.g. (14)N(16)O(+), (12)C(18)O(+)) when analyzing nitrogenous substrates.

Kinetic measurements for enzyme immobilization.

Enzyme kinetics is the study of the chemical reactions that are catalyzed by enzymes, with a focus on their reaction rates. The study of an enzyme's kinetics considers the various stages of activity, reveals the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme, correlates its value to assay conditions, and describes how a drug or a poison might inhibit the enzyme. Victor Henri initially reported that enzyme reactions were initiated by a bond between the enzyme and the substrate.

Calculation of the effect of pressurizing gases on the resonant modes of single-crystal parallelepiped.

Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy provides for an experimental determination of the elastic moduli of a solid sample. The moduli are extracted by matching a theoretically computed resonant spectrum to the experimental vibrational spectrum. To determine the pressure dependence of the moduli, the vibrational spectrum can be taken with the sample in a pressurizing gas.

Anthropometry increases 1 repetition maximum predictive ability of NFL-225 test for Division IA college football players.

The purpose of this study was to compare existing 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press prediction equations in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division IA college football players and determine if the error associated with the prediction of 1RM bench press from the National Football League (NFL)-225 test could be reduced through the addition of anthropometric measurements. Anthropometric measures, 1RM bench press, NFL-225 test repetitions to fatigue, and body composition data were collected on 87 Division IA football players (mean+/-SD age 19.9+/-1.

Nutrient concentrations within and below root zones from applied chicken manure in selected Hawaiian soils.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chicken manure (CM) application rates on nutrient concentrations within and below the root zone of sweet corn (Zea mays L. subsp. mays) under Hawaiian conditions.

Biomass and nutrient concentration of sweet corn roots and shoots under organic amendments application.

Two field experiments were conducted at the Waimanalo research station on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii to study the effect of chicken (CM) and dairy (DM) manures on biomass and nutrient concentration in sweet corn roots and shoots. Sweet corn (super sweet 10, Zea Mays L. subsp.

Ketoconazole enantiomer for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The impact of hypercortisolism on multiple metabolic conditions is well recognized; the metabolic manifestations of Cushing's syndrome overlap with those seen in type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Ketoconazole (KTZ), a widely used antifungal agent that inhibits various enzymes in adrenal cortisol synthesis, is effective in treating hypercortisolemia, but its use is limited by toxicities. KTZ is a racemic compound of two cis-enantiomers: (2R,4S)-(+)-KTZ and (2S,4R)-(-)-KTZ.

Development of a modified Margaria-Kalamen anaerobic power test for American football athletes.

This study examined a modification of the Margaria-Kalamen test for football players. The football stair climb test (FST) protocol used in this study increased the vertical displacement (20 steps, 3.12 m) so that the mean best time for the test was 2.

Topical antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections: review of the literature.

Uncomplicated skin infections account for almost 200 million physician-office visits in the USA annually. Treating these infections is estimated to cost in excess of US$350 million each year. The primary etiology of these infections is Staphylococcus aureus, over 60% of which is estimated to be methicillin resistant across the USA.

Validation of the human activity profile in HIV-positive individuals on HAART.

Objectives: This study tested the validity of the Human Activity Profile (HAP) in an HIV-positive population receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The HAP is a 94-item questionnaire for estimating functional capacity based on estimated metabolic equivalents for activities of daily living.

Methods: Twenty-six HIV-positive participants (24 male, 2 female; age 46.

A Compact Modular Teleoperated Robotic System for Laparoscopic Surgery.

Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgical procedures reduce patient trauma and recovery time, but the dexterity of the surgeon in laparoscopic surgery is reduced owing to the small incisions, long instruments and limited indirect visibility of the operative site inside the patient. Robotic surgical systems, teleoperated by surgeons from a master control console with joystick-type manipulation interfaces, have been commercially developed yet their adoption into standard practice may be limited owing to their size, complexity, cost and time-consuming setup, maintenance and sterilization procedures. The goal of our research is to improve the effectiveness of robot-assisted surgery by developing much smaller, simpler, modular, teleoperated robotic manipulator systems for minimally invasive surgery.

Computer-assisted CBT for depression & anxiety: increasing accessibility to evidence-based mental health treatment.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective nonpharmacological treatment for almost all mental disorders, especially anxiety and depression. The treatment is time limited, encourages self-help skills, is problem focused, is inductive, and requires that individuals develop and practice skills in their own environment through homework. However, most of those with mental health issues are unable to seek help because of factors related to treatment availability, accessibility, and cost.

Disparities in self-reported postpartum depression among Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women in Hawaii: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2004-2007.

Postpartum depression affects 10-20% of women and causes significant morbidity and mortality among mothers, children, families, and society, but little is known about postpartum depression among the individual Asian and Pacific Islander racial/ethnic groups. This study sought to indentify the prevalence of postpartum depression among common Asian and Pacific Islander racial/ethnic groups. Data from the Hawaii Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS), a population-based surveillance system on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after the birth of a live infant, were analyzed from 2004 through 2007 and included 7,154 women.

Weight gain in adolescents and their peers.

Despite the urgent public health implications, relatively little is yet known about the effect of peers on adolescent weight gain. We describe trends and features of adolescent BMI in a nationally representative dataset and document correlations in weight gain among peers. We find strong correlations between own body mass index (BMI) and peers' BMI's.

Ethnic variations in prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors among Asian and Pacific Islander adolescents in Hawaii.

Objectives: We examined ethnic variations in high-risk sexual behaviors among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) adolescents in comparison with White adolescents.

Methods: We obtained data from the 2003 Hawaii Youth Risk Behavior Survey on 4953 students in grades 9 through 12. We conducted chi(2) and logistic regression analyses on these data to examine the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors among Japanese, Filipino, Native Hawaiian, and White adolescents.

Reliability and accuracy of handheld stopwatches compared with electronic timing in measuring sprint performance.

This study assessed reliability of split times obtained by handheld stopwatches (HHSs) compared with electronic timing (ET) during a 200-m sprint. Two HHS timing methods were compared with ET: single-split timers (SST) and multiple-split timers (MST). Twenty-six timers without previous experience were given instruction and completed practice trials until good agreement was achieved between ET and HHS.

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlate with levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue within samples differing by HIV and lipoatrophy status.

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mtDNA-encoded respiratory chain proteins in subcutaneous (SC) fat from patients with HIV lipoatrophy have clearly demonstrated the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in this syndrome. Research in HIV lipoatrophy, however, has been severely hampered by the lack of a suitable surrogate marker in blood or other easily obtained clinical specimens as fat biopsies are invasive and mtDNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) do not consistently correlate with the disease process. We used a simple, rapid, quantitative 2-site dipstick immunoassay to measure OXPHOS enzymes Complex I (CI) and Complex IV (CIV), and rtPCR to measure mtDNA in 26 matched SC fat and PBMC specimens previously banked from individuals on potent antiretroviral (ARV) therapy with HIV lipoatrophy, on similar ARV therapy without lipoatrophy, and in HIV seronegative controls.

Implementation of evidence-based services for youth: assessing provider knowledge.

Although provider knowledge is a potential barrier in the dissemination of evidence-based services for youth, research in this area is currently limited by a lack of instrumentation. The present study examined the utility of the Knowledge of Evidence-Based Services Questionnaire (KEBSQ), a 40-item self-report measure designed to assess reporter knowledge of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in the treatment of youth psychopathology. The KEBSQ items encompass practice elements identified in both empirically supported and unsupported protocols used in the treatment of four prevalent childhood problem areas: anxious/avoidant, depressed/withdrawn, disruptive behavior, and attention/hyperactivity.

Prediction of anaerobic power values from an abbreviated WAnT protocol.

The traditional 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) is a widely used anaerobic power assessment protocol. An abbreviated protocol has been shown to decrease the mild to severe physical discomfort often associated with the WAnT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether a 20-second WAnT protocol could be used to accurately predict power values of a standard 30-second WAnT.

Acute phase phospholipids related to the cardiolipin of mitochondria in the sera of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic Ciguatera fish poisoning (CCFP), and other diseases attributed to chemicals, Gulf War, and marine toxins.

This study examined 328 CFS sera in a study with 17 CCFP, 8 Gulf War Veterans (GWV), 24 Prostate Cancer (PC), and 52 normal sera in the modified Membrane Immunobead Assay (MIA) procedure for CTX. Three hundred and twenty-eight CFS patients' sera were examined by the modified MIA with purified MAb-CTX and 91.2% gave a titre > or =1:40.