312 research outputs found
Recall this Book 16: De/Industrialization with Christine Walley
No full textOn a blustery fall morning, RTB welcomed Christine Walley, anthropologist and author of Exit Zero: Family and Class in Postindustrial Chicago. In the early 1980s Chris's father, along with thousands of other steel workers, lost his job when the mills in Southeastern Chicago closed. The book is part of a multimodal project, including the documentary film, Exit Zero: An Industrial Family Story, (with director Chris Boebel) and an NEH-funded digitization project of the Southeastern Chicago Historical Museum, a community-based archive of materials related to the neighborhood. How can academics begin conversations about class and deindustrialization with those most negatively affected by the precarious economic present? What is the secret to unpacking the great diversity hidden behind the phrase "white working class"? This episode's signature RTB move (fleeing the present, only to discover echoes of its misery back in the past) takes us to Elizabeth Gaskell's novel North and South, published in 1854 just as industrialization in the North of England was taking off. In Recallable Books, Elizabeth lingers in England's North to recommend George Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier. Chris points out how Jane Addams's Twenty Years at Hull House (though perhaps patronizing in some ways) shows us 19th century projects for combating the dislocation and suffering of deindustrialization. John goes against type by anteing up the most current of our recallable books, Joseph O'Neill's The Dog
Late-breaking abstract: Gene environment interaction analysis of obesity and asthma
No full textBackgroundAsthma and obesity are common diseases with considerable impact on public health. Prospective studies showed that obesity is a risk factor for developing asthma and a causal relation has been proposed. However, there is limited evidence for the existence of shared genetic effects and it is not yet clear how obesity and genetic factors jointly influence the risk of developing asthma.ObjectiveWe sought to determine whether obesity (body mass index of 30 or greater) modifies the risk of developing asthma and to assess whether there is evidence for a causal relation linking the genetic risk of developing obesity with asthma.MethodsThe analyses were performed in genotyped individuals of two northern Finland birth cohorts. The discovery set (NFBC1966) and the in silico replication set (NFBC1986) comprised a sample of 4182 and 1441 individuals. The presence of asthma was determined by self-report of a physician diagnosis of asthma, and body mass index (BMI) was measured at time of clinical examination (at 31 and 16 years old respectively). Sixty SNPs previously associated with asthma or obesity from the GWAS catalogue were analysed. The gene environment interactions were formally tested with a full interaction model using logistic regression. The significant interactions (P<0.05) found in the discovery dataset were meta-analysed with results of the replication set using fixed and random effects model.ResultsWe prioritized six significant (P<0.05) SNP interactions in the discovery set for replication (Fig. 1). Only one of the prioritized loci was previously associated with obesity (BMI). After meta-analysis with the replication set, we identified one directionally consistent interaction with obesity (P < 6.5x10-3) in rs2786098 near DENND1B, a SNP previously associated with asthma (Fig. 2). After meta-analysis, we did not find significant or directionally consistent interactions in SNPs previously associated with BMI or Obesity.ConclusionOur limited dataset suggests that obesity modifies the genetic risk of developing asthma. We did not found evidence for the hypothesis that obesity causes asthma
The genetics of human obesity
No full textObesity is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries, and is also becoming increasingly prevalent in the developing world. Although environmental factors are important, there is considerable evidence that genes also have a significant role in its pathogenesis. The identification of genes that are involved in monogenic, syndromic and polygenic obesity has greatly increased our knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie this condition. In the future, dissection of the complex genetic architecture of obesity will provide new avenues for treatment and prevention, and will increase our understanding of the regulation of energy balance in humans
The Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Human Obesity
No full textObesity is becoming one the leading causes of mortality in the western world. Although
environment is a factor in its development, it is highly heritable and despite a number of genes
that have been found to be associated to the disease its genetics are still poorly understood.
Discovery of genetic pathways that influence obesity risk can provide a better understanding of
the pathophysiology of the disease and identify possible pharmacological targets for its
treatment.
This project was designed to investigate possible genetic associations between five candidate
genes and severe obesity in both adult and child French Caucasians (n=2,822). Tag SNPs were
chosen along with a selection of common SNPs not in the HapMap database and genotyped
using Sequenom iPLEX assays. Putative associations were discovered to obesity in three
genes, SIRT1 (corrected p-values: 0.034, 0.019), APLN (corrected p-value: 0.017) and IL11
(corrected p-value: 0.016), although associations do not withstand genome-wide correction.
SIRT1 and IL11 SNPs were subsequently genotyped within a family cohort for which
transcription data in adipose tissue was available. In this cohort, SIRT1 genotypes were
nominally associated with BMI (corrected p-values: 0.014, 0.019, 0.014) and a significant
difference in expression levels of the gene was observed between lean and obese individuals
(p=1.6x10-35) providing suggestive evidence of a role of this gene in the development of obesity.
Expression and genotypes of another gene, IRS1 were also analysed and although no
significant associations to obesity were found, an association between SNP variation and gene
expression was discovered (corrected p-value: 1.0x10-5). Another aim of this project was to investigate the possibility that DNA methylation influences
obesity risk. Firstly, a method for the measurement of the quantitative trait of DNA methylation
status at individual CpG sites was developed using direct sequencing. Next, methylation in the
leptin gene CpG island was measured in a subset of 184 case-control samples and a nominal
association was discovered between the quantitative measurement of methylation at a single
CpG site and obesity (p=0.013).
In summary, putative associations to obesity have been discovered with genetic variants as well
as transcription levels and CpG methylation. Replication in other populations is required in order
to confirm these associations
Decks awash: Pregnancy and nutrition
No full textElizabeth Newson and Dr. Mary Mackey, Nutritionists, and Dr. Robert Walley, Obstetrician, discuss the nutritional needs of pregnant women in Newfoundland and Labrador.Decks awash was a television programme produced by the Extension Service of Memorial University of Newfoundland. The television series, which aired on the Newfoundland Broadcasting Company network, was initiated in 1962 and ran until 1977. -- Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
Characterising Nutrient Flux and Carrying Capacity of an Urban Vertical Farming System with Hydroponic and Synthetic Aquaponic Inputs
No full textRecommended from our members
Eumeces anthracinus
No full textNumber of Pages: 6Integrative BiologyEarth and Planetary Science
The effectiveness of interventions to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children: a systematic review
No full textSevere acute malnutrition (SAM) arises as a consequence of a sudden period of food shortage and is associated with loss of a person’s body fat and wasting of their skeletal muscle. Many of those affected are already undernourished and are often susceptible to disease. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable as they require extra nutrition for growth and development, have comparatively limited energy reserves and depend on others. Undernutrition can have drastic and wide-ranging consequences for the child’s development and survival in the short and long term. Despite efforts made to treat SAM through different interventions and programmes, it continues to cause unacceptably high levels of mortality and morbidity. Uncertainty remains as to the most effective methods to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to treat infants and children aged < 5 years who have SAM.Data sourcesEight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, CAB Abstracts Ovid, Bioline, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, EconLit EBSCO and The Cochrane Library) were searched to 2010. Bibliographies of included articles and grey literature sources were also searched. The project expert advisory group was asked to identify additional published and unpublished references.Review methodsPrior to the systematic review, a Delphi process involving international experts prioritised the research questions. Searches were conducted and two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were applied to the full texts of retrieved papers by one reviewer and checked independently by a second. Included studies were mapped to the research questions. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Differences in opinion were resolved through discussion at each stage. Studies were synthesised through a narrative review with tabulation of the results.ResultsA total of 8954 records were screened, 224 full-text articles were retrieved, and 74 articles (describing 68 studies) met the inclusion criteria and were mapped. No evidence focused on treatment of children with SAM who were human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive, and no good-quality or adequately reported studies assessed treatments for SAM among infants < 6 months old. One randomised controlled trial investigated fluid resuscitation solutions for shock, with none adequately treating shock. Children with acute diarrhoea benefited from the use of hypo-osmolar oral rehydration solution (H-ORS) compared with the standard World Health Organization-oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS). WHO-ORS was not significantly different from rehydration solution for malnutrition (ReSoMal), but the safety of ReSoMal was uncertain. A rice-based ORS was more beneficial than glucose-based ORSs, and provision of zinc plus a WHO-ORS had a favourable impact on diarrhoea and need for ORS. Comparisons of different diets in children with persistent diarrhoea produced conflicting findings. For treating infection, comparison of amoxicillin with ceftriaxone during inpatient therapy, and routine provision of antibiotics for 7 days versus no antibiotics during outpatient therapy of uncomplicated SAM, found that neither had a significant effect on recovery at the end of follow-up. No evidence mapped to the next three questions on factors that affect sustainability of programmes, long-term survival and readmission rates, the clinical effectiveness of management strategies for treating children with comorbidities such as tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori infection and the factors that limit the full implementation of treatment programmes. Comparison of treatment for SAM in different settings showed that children receiving inpatient care appear to do as well as those in ambulatory or home settings on anthropometric measures and response time to treatment. Longer-term follow-up showed limited differences between the different settings. The majority of evidence on methods for correcting micronutrient deficiencies considered zinc supplements; however, trials were heterogeneous and a firm conclusion about zinc was not reached. There was limited evidence on either supplementary potassium or nicotinic acid (each produced some benefits), and nucleotides (not associated with benefits). Evidence was identified for four of the five remaining questions, but not assessed because of resource limitation.LimitationsThe systematic review focused on key questions prioritised through a Delphi study and, as a consequence, did not encompass all elements in the management of SAM. In focusing on evidence from controlled studies with the most rigorous designs that were published in the English language, the systematic review may have excluded other forms of evidence. The systematic review identified several limitations in the evidence base for assessing the effectiveness of interventions for treating young children with severe acute malnutrition, including a lack of studies assessing the different interventions; limited details of study methods used; short follow-up post intervention or discharge; and heterogeneity in participants, interventions, settings, and outcome measures affecting generalisability.ConclusionsFor many of the most highly ranked questions evidence was lacking or inconclusive. More research is needed on a range of topic areas concerning the treatment of infants and children with SAM. Further research is required on most aspects of the management of SAM in children < 5 years, including intravenous resuscitation regimens for shock, management of subgroups (e.g. infants < 6 months old, infants and children with SAM who are human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive) and on the use of antibiotics.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Technology Assessment programme.<br/
Re-thinking Whitbread v. Walley: Liberal Justice and the Judicial Review of Damages Caps Under Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
No full textThis paper advances a theoretically-driven reconstruction of s.7 Charter doctrine, which currently precludes protection for personal injury damages. Proceeding from a standpoint built on deontological strains of tort theory, the author dissects the reasoning in Whitbread v. Walley, the governing authority on the applicability of s. 7 to legislated damages caps. In three stages, the author argues that in the contemporary context, theoretical and doctrinal support for Whitbread is weak. First, when tort rights are theorized non-instrumentally, rights to personal injury damages fall squarely within the irreducible sphere of personal autonomy now protected by s. 7. Second, recent developments, both in civil recourse theory and in Charter doctrine, suggest thatrights topersonal injury damages can no longer be treated as beyond the realm of constitutionaljurisprudence. Third, and most importantly, the specter of Lochner v. New York can no longer be invoked tojustify the wholesale exclusion of tort rights from s. 7protection. Discrete heads of damage can be separated into two categories: those based entirely on rights to bodily integrity (bodily claims), and those based at leastpartly on distributive entitlements (distributive claims). The author argues that constitutional doctrine can protect morally legitimate bodily claims by protecting some heads of damage (nonpecuniary damage and cost of care), and by leaving heads of damage based on morally imperfect distributive claims (past income loss and loss of earning capacity) to the policy discretion of the state. The article concludes with a short discussion of s. 1 issues, and of some possible broader applications of the bodily - distributive claim framework
Sentimental Journey/Winter Journey: Araki Nobuyoshi's Contemporary Shishōsetsu
No full textSenchimentaru na tabi fuyu no tabi or Sentimental Journey/Winter Journey, a photobook created and published by photographer Araki Nobuyoshi in 1991, documented two highly personal events of the photographer's life. The first section consists of twenty-two images of Araki's 1971 honeymoon with his wife Yōko Aoki, while the second section features ninety-one images and an essay documenting the last six months of Yōko's life in 1989-90. This thesis measures SJ/WJ against a Japanese literary tradition invoked by Araki in his opening manifesto: the shishōsetsu. A genre of writing from the early 1900's that read like a confessional or personal diary, the shishōsetsu was regarded as a `true' story insofar as it revealed a totally transparent `author' within a totally transparent `text.' Given these criteria, this thesis determines the success of Araki's SJ/WJ as a true-to-life autobiography
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