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Improved Information (improved + information)
Selected AbstractsUnderstanding and beliefs of diabetes in the UK Bangladeshi populationDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009S. M. Choudhury Abstract Aims, To examine the understanding and beliefs of people with diabetes from the Bangladeshi community living in the UK. Methods, Structured interviews were carried out with 14 people invited to a peer educational programme. All interviews were on a one-to-one basis and were in Sylheti or in English. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by two independent researchers. Results, The majority of participants did not know what caused diabetes. Knowledge of the management of diabetes was linked to controlling sugar intake and a number of participants reported eating bitter foods such as bitter gourd to control their diabetes. There was little access to information as many participants did not speak English and did not have a Bengali-speaking doctor. The majority of participants felt that education classes should teach them what the doctor thought was important and that these classes would best be advertised by word of mouth. Therefore, participants were quite passive about their own self management and relied very strongly on the doctor's views and recommendations. Conclusions, Findings from this study can be used to help health professionals working with Bangladeshi people. There is a need for improved information for Bangladeshi people and much of this information might need to come from health professionals. In addition, there is a need for increased awareness by health professionals of practices used by Bangladeshi people, such as eating bitter gourd (which may enhance the effects of rosiglitazone), and the influence these practices could have on the individual's diabetes management. [source] Consumer Welfare and the Loss Induced by Withholding Information: The Case of BSE in ItalyJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2004Mario Mazzocchi The paper develops a measure of consumer welfare losses associated with withholding information about a possible link between BSE and vCJD. The Cost of Ignorance (COI) is measured by comparing the utility of the informed choice with the utility of the uninformed choice, under conditions of improved information. Unlike previous work that is largely based on a single equation demand model, the measure is obtained retrieving a cost function from a dynamic Almost Ideal Demand System. The estimated perceived loss for Italian consumers due to delayed information ranges from 12 percent to 54 percent of total meat expenditure, depending on the month assumed to embody correct beliefs about the safety level of beef. [source] ANTHOCYANIN INTERACTIONS WITH DNA: INTERCALATION, TOPOISOMERASE I INHIBITION AND OXIDATIVE REACTIONSJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2008MICHAEL R. WEBB ABSTRACT Anthocyanins and their aglycone anthocyanidins are pigmented flavonoids found in significant amounts in many commonly consumed foods. They exhibit a complex chemistry in aqueous solution, which makes it difficult to study their chemistry under physiologic conditions. Here we used a gel electrophoresis assay employing supercoiled DNA plasmid to examine the ability of these compounds (1) to intercalate DNA; (2) to inhibit human topoisomerase I through both inhibition of plasmid relaxation activity (catalytic inhibition) and stabilization of the cleavable DNA,topoisomerase complex (poisoning); and (3) to inhibit or enhance oxidative single-strand DNA nicking. We found no evidence of DNA intercalation by anthocyan(id)ins in the physiologic pH range for any of the compounds used in this study , cyanidin chloride, cyanidin 3- O -glucoside, cyanidin 3,5- O -diglucoside, malvidin 3- O -glucoside and luteolinidin chloride. The anthocyanins inhibited topoisomerase relaxation activity only at high concentrations (>50 µM), and we could find no evidence of topoisomerase I cleavable complex stabilization by these compounds. However, we observed that all of the anthocyan(id)ins used in this study were capable of inducing significant oxidative DNA strand cleavage (nicking) in the presence of 1 mM dithiothreitol, while the free radical scavenger, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), at concentrations typically used in similar studies, completely inhibited DNA nicking. Finally, we proposed a mechanism to explain the anthocyan(id)in-induced oxidative DNA cleavage observed under our experimental conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study provided improved understanding of the mechanisms by which anthocyan(id)ins interact with DNA. By characterizing the chemistry and solution properties of these important dietary components, we obtained improved information on how the anthocyan(id)ins might function in living systems. [source] A block-on-ring tribocorrosion setup for combined electrochemical and friction testingLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007M.S. Jellesen Abstract The combined action of corrosion and wear can cause degradation of equipment, and thereby financial losses related to the renewal or repair of damaged equipment. In the food industry, metal degradation is a major concern since metal release eventually can cause health risks for consumers. This study describes a block-on-ring testing facility used to determine sliding wear, and additionally allowing for electrochemical measurements, such as potentiodynamic polarization curves and potentiostatic monitoring of current and potential. To verify the reliability and reproducibility of this block-on-ring tribocorrosion setup, the tribological and electrochemical behaviour of stainless steel sliding against a ceramic ring in sulphuric acid has been determined. Furthermore, a case taken from the food industry has been examined. The study shows that results made on the described block-on-ring testing facility are reliable and can provide improved information about material properties when the material is exposed to combined chemical and mechanical degradation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sharing obstetric care: barriers to integrated systems of careAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2000WENDY DAWSON Objectives: To map the provision of shared obstetric care in Victoria, and investigate the views of care providers about the ways in which current practice could be improved. Method: All Victorian public hospitals with <300 births per annum and a purposive sample of hospitals with <300 births per annum were mailed a questionnaire seeking information about current practice. Interviews with key informants (n = 32) were conducted at four case study sites. Results: The response rate to the hospital survey was 98% (42/43). Fourteen different models of shared care were identified. Two,thirds of hospitals with <300 births per annum (16/28) had three or more different models of shared care. Six hospitals (15%) had written guidelines for all models of shared care offered; 13 (32%) had written guidelines covering some models. Practice varied considerably in relation to: exclusion criteria, recommended schedule of visits and use of patient,held records. There was little consensus about the content of visits and responsibility fa covering particular aspects of care. Few hospitals (6/42) had written information for women about shared care. Care providers expressed divergent views regarding the question of where ultimate responsibility lies for individual patient care and for the overall management of shared care. Conclusions: Current funding arrangements provide strong incentives to expand enrolment in shared obstetric care. Expansion of shared care has occurred without the development of formal, consultative and agreed arrangements between providers, or adequate provision for monitoring, evaluation and review. The variety, complexity and fluidity of models of shared care and lack of agreed procedures contribute to difficulties experienced by both providers and women participating in shared care. Implications: Detailed evidence,based agreed guidelines developed in consultation with hospital and community providers, and provision of improved information to women about what to expect in shared care arrangements are urgently required. [source] | ||||||||||