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Biomedical subjects

M Story

Publications and source records attributed to M Story.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The cloning and characterization of a new stress response protein. A mammalian member of a family of theta class glutathione s-transferase-like proteins.

Using differential display, a cDNA fragment was identified as being overexpressed in a mouse lymphoma cell line that had gained resistance to cell death after exposure to a variety of agents used in cancer therapy. The full-length cDNA of 1.1 kb that was cloned contained an open reading frame coding for a previously unidentified 28-kDa mammalian protein, p28. p28 showed significant homologies to a large family of stress response proteins that contain a glutathione S-transferase (GST) domain. In correspondence with the sequence homology, p28 was found to bind glutathione; however, GST or glutathione peroxidase activity could not be demonstrated. Northern analysis of the mRNA of this protein showed abundant expression in mouse heart and liver tissues, whereas anti-p28 antibody binding identified p28 expression in mouse 3T3 cells and early passage mouse embryo fibroblasts. Subcellular protein fractionation revealed p28 localization in the cytoplasm, but with thermal stress p28 relocated to the nuclear fraction of cellular proteins. Based on sequence homology and protein activity we conclude that p28 acts as a small stress response protein, likely involved in cellular redox homeostasis, and belongs to a family of GST-like proteins related to class theta GSTs.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1999

Weight-related attitudes and behaviors in fourth grade American Indian children.

OBJECTIVE: American Indian children have a high prevalence of obesity, yet little is known about weight-related attitudes and the prevalence of dieting in this population. This study assessed weight concerns, body size perceptions, weight reduction attempts, and weight loss methods in fourth grade American Indian children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants (n = 304) attended one of eight schools in the Pathways Feasibility Study. Question and answer choices were read to children by trained staff, and children marked their own answers. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent of the children reported that they had tried to lose weight. The most common strategy for weight reduction was exercising more. Girls were more likely than boys to be dissatisfied with their body size (48% of girls vs. 34% of boys desired a slimmer body size; 22% of girls vs. 15% of boys desired a larger body size; p<0.001). Children who had tried to lose weight were more likely to indicate that the size they most desired and the most healthy size were smaller than their perceived size (p<0.001). Children who reported trying to lose weight were also more likely to want to be skinnier and to be unhappy about their weight than were children who did not report trying to lose weight (p<0.001 for both). DISCUSSION: We conclude that weight loss attempts and weight-related concerns are prevalent in American Indian children at a young age.

Arizona↗
PubMed1999

Sociodemographic and personal characteristics of adolescents engaged in weight loss and weight/muscle gain behaviors: who is doing what?

BACKGROUND: Prevalence rates of behaviors aimed at weight loss and weight/muscle gain among adolescents were examined across sociodemographic and personal anthropometric variables to provide insight into these behaviors and identify high-risk subgroups. METHODS: A statewide representative sample of 7th, 9th, and 11th grade public school students from Connecticut completed a classroom-administered survey on adolescent health in 1995-1996. The study sample in the present analysis included 9,118 adolescents. RESULTS: The most frequently reported weight control behavior was exercise followed by dieting. Disordered eating (vomiting, diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics) over the previous week was reported by 7.4% of the girls and 3.1% of the boys. Steroids were used by 0.5% of the girls and 2.3% of the boys. Girls in the highest BMI category were at greatest risk for disordered eating behaviors while boys in the lowest BMI category were at greatest risk for steroid use. African American and Hispanic girls were less likely than Caucasians to diet and exercise, but were more likely to report behaviors aimed at weight gain. Relatively high rates of disordered eating behaviors were reported by African American and Hispanic boys. Older girls reported slightly more dieting and disordered eating and less exercise than younger girls. Youth from low socioeconomic backgrounds were at greater risk for disordered eating than youth from high socioeconomic backgrounds. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a need to widen our scope of thinking with regard to who is concerned with their body shape/size and at risk for engaging in potentially dangerous behaviors aimed at either weight loss or muscle gain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Soft drink consumption among US children and adolescents: nutritional consequences.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether carbonated soft drink consumption is associated with consumption of milk, fruit juice, and the nutrients concentrated in these beverages. DESIGN: Data collected as part of the 1994 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals were analyzed. Information on food and nutrient intake was derived from 2 days of dietary recall data collected via an in-person interview. SUBJECTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Nationally representative sample of people of all ages residing in the United States (response rate = 76.2%). Analyses were restricted to children aged 2 to 18 years (N = 1,810). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict the odds of low milk and juice consumption by soft drink consumption level. To determine whether intake of select nutrients varied by soft drink consumption, multiple linear regression modeling was conducted. Analyses were conducted using sample weights and software appropriate for the survey design. RESULTS: Energy intake was positively associated with consumption of nondiet soft drinks. For example, mean adjusted energy intake was 1,830 kcal/day for school-aged children who were nonconsumers of soft drinks compared with 2,018 kcal/day for children in this age group who consumed an average of 9 oz of soda or more per day. Those in the highest soft drink consumption category consumed less milk and fruit juice compared with those in the lowest consumption category (nonconsumers). CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition education messages targeted to children and/or their parents should encourage limited consumption of soft drinks. Policies that limit children's access to soft drinks at day care centers and schools should be promoted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Diet and physical activity patterns of Lakota Indian adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed specific dietary practices and overall physical activity patterns of Lakota adults residing on Indian reservations in South Dakota. Perceived barriers to changing dietary and physical activity behaviors were also examined. DESIGN: A convenience sample of Lakota adults was surveyed. Data on consumption of higher-fat foods, fruit and vegetable intake, use of sugar-sweetened beverages, physical activity patterns, and barriers to change in diet and physical activity were collected via in-person interviews. SUBJECTS/SETTING: A total of 219 adults from 2 adjacent reservations in South Dakota participated. RESULTS: Higher-fat foods consumed most frequently included margarine and butter (32.0% > or = 5 times per week); eggs (30.1% > or = 5 times per week); whole milk (25.7% > or = 5 times per week); potato chips, corn chips, and popcorn (15.1% > or = 5 times per week); and bacon and sausage (13.3% > or = 5 times per week). Few subjects reported consuming fruit on a daily basis. Vegetables were consumed somewhat more frequently. Most subjects reported engaging in mild or moderate physical activities 3 or more times per week, although women were found to engage in moderate and strenuous physical activities less frequently than men. Major barriers to fruit intake included expense (16.4%), quality (14.2%), and availability (13.2%). Barriers to vegetable intake mentioned most frequently included availability (11.4%), cost (10.4%), and quality (9.1%). Taste was the most frequently mentioned barrier to cutting intake of high-fat foods (27.9%). Lack of child care (15.8%), lack of time (14.7%), and safety concerns (14.6%) were the most salient barriers to regular exercise. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition interventions are needed that address the major barriers to diet change reported by Lakota adults. Efforts to increase physical activity should focus on Lakota women and should address the identified barriers to regular exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Factors influencing food choices of adolescents: findings from focus-group discussions with adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess adolescents' perceptions about factors influencing their food choices and eating behaviors. DESIGN: Data were collected in focus-group discussions. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The study population included 141 adolescents in 7th and 10th grade from 2 urban schools in St Paul, Minn, who participated in 21 focus groups. ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using qualitative research methodology, specifically, the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Factors perceived as influencing food choices included hunger and food cravings, appeal of food, time considerations of adolescents and parents, convenience of food, food availability, parental influence on eating behaviors (including the culture or religion of the family), benefits of foods (including health), situation-specific factors, mood, body image, habit, cost, media, and vegetarian beliefs. Major barriers to eating more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products and eating fewer high-fat foods included a lack of sense of urgency about personal health in relation to other concerns, and taste preferences for other foods. Suggestions for helping adolescents eat a more healthful diet include making healthful food taste and look better, limiting the availability of unhealthful options, making healthful food more available and convenient, teaching children good eating habits at an early age, and changing social norms to make it "cool" to eat healthfully. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that if programs to improve adolescent nutrition are to be effective, they need to address a broad range of factors, in particular environmental factors (e.g., the increased availability and promotion of appealing, convenient foods within homes schools, and restaurants).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in American Indian School children and adolescents in the Aberdeen area: a population study.

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the prevalences of overweight and obesity in American Indian children and adolescents attending schools in the Aberdeen area Indian Health Service (including SD, ND, IA, NE). METHODS: Stature and weight were measured for 12559 children aged 5-17y and prevalences of overweight and obesity were determined relative to gender and age-specific national reference data for the body mass index (BMI). Those with BMI > 85th percentile were considered overweight and those with BMI > 95th percentile were considered obese. RESULTS: Age-adjusted prevalences of overweight were 39.1% and 38.0% for males and females, respectively, and corresponding age-adjusted prevalences for obesity were 22.0% and 18.0%, respectively. There were few regular changes in prevalences of overweight across ages for either gender, or for obesity in females. Prevalences of obesity in males increased systematically with age and exceed prevalences in females at many ages. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity based on elevated BMI are highly prevalent among American Indian youth. Even at the youngest school ages, overweight is more than twice as likely as national patterns and obesity is more than three times as prevalent. Primary prevention must begin very early among these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

School-based approaches for preventing and treating obesity.

Schools have the potential to make valuable contributions to both the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. This article reviews the research on school-based interventions to prevent and treat obesity. A literature search from 1965 to the present on school-based treatment of obesity, identified 11 controlled experimental studies. The results show positive, though modest short-term results. Relatively few primary prevention research studies, targeted specifically to preventing obesity, have been conducted. Therefore, efficacy has not been established. Both primary and secondary obesity interventions have a role in schools. A comprehensive, integrated model for school-based obesity prevention is presented. This model, building upon the comprehensive school health program model, consists of eight interacting components: health instruction; health services; school environment; food service; school-site health promotion for faculty and staff; social support services; physical education classes; and integrated and linked family and community health promotion efforts. While multi-faceted community-wide efforts are needed to address the growing problem of obesity, schools are in a unique position to play a pivotal role in promoting healthy lifestyles and helping to prevent obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The epidemic of obesity in American Indian communities and the need for childhood obesity-prevention programs.

American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesity. The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in American Indians shows the adverse effects that obesity has in these communities. Obesity has become a major health problem in American Indians only in the past 1-2 generations and is believed to be associated with the relative abundance of high-fat foods and the rapid change from active to sedentary lifestyles. Intervention studies are urgently needed in American Indian communities to develop and test effective strategies for weight reduction. The poor success rate of adult obesity treatment programs in the general population points to the need to develop prevention approaches aimed toward children. Because eating and physical activity practices are formed early in life and may be carried into adulthood, prevention programs that encourage increased physical activity and healthful eating habits targeted toward young people need to be developed and tested. To be most effective, interventions must be developed with full participation of the American Indian communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Multisite formative assessment for the Pathways study to prevent obesity in American Indian schoolchildren.

We describe the formative assessment process, using an approach based on social learning theory, for the development of a school-based obesity-prevention intervention into which cultural perspectives are integrated. The feasibility phase of the Pathways study was conducted in multiple settings in 6 American Indian nations. The Pathways formative assessment collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data identified key social and environmental issues and enabled local people to express their own needs and views. The quantitative, structured data permitted comparison across sites. Both types of data were integrated by using a conceptual and procedural model. The formative assessment results were used to identify and rank the behavioral risk factors that were to become the focus of the Pathways intervention and to provide guidance on developing common intervention strategies that would be culturally appropriate and acceptable to all sites.

Asian People↗
PubMed1999

Development of a questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in American Indian children.

One aim of the Pathways study is to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of American Indian children in grades 3-5 regarding physical activity and diet in. This article describes the development of a culturally sensitive, age-appropriate questionnaire to assess these variables. The questionnaire was designed to be administered in the classroom in two 30-min sessions. Questions were developed to assess 4 key areas: physical activity, diet, weight-related attitudes, and cultural identity. Potential questions were written after review of relevant literature and existing questionnaires. Numerous and extensive revisions were made in response to input from structured, semistructured, and informal data collection. Questions were pretested in 32 children in grades 3-5 by using semistructured interviews. Test-retest reliability and the internal consistency of scales were examined in 371 fourth-grade children and subsequently in 145 fourth-grade children. Questions were reviewed by American Indians from the communities involved in the Pathways study several times during the developmental process. The process described here serves as one model for the development of a culturally appropriate tool to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in American Indian children.

Asian People↗
PubMed1999

Pathways family intervention for third-grade American Indian children.

The goal of the feasibility phase of the Pathways family intervention was to work with families of third-grade American Indian children to reinforce health behaviors being promoted by the curriculum, food service, and physical activity components of this school-based obesity prevention intervention. Family behaviors regarding food choices and physical activity were identified and ranked according to priority by using formative assessment and a literature review of school-based programs that included a family component. The family intervention involved 3 primary strategies designed to create an informed home environment supportive of behavioral change: 1) giving the children "family packs" containing worksheets, interactive assignments, healthful snacks, and low-fat tips and recipes to take home to share with their families; 2) implementing family events at the school to provide a fun atmosphere in which health education concepts could be introduced and reinforced; and 3) forming school-based family advisory councils composed of family members and community volunteers who provided feedback on Pathways strategies, helped negotiate barriers, and explored ideas for continued family participation. For strategy 2, a kick-off Family Fun Night provided a series of learning booths that presented the healthful behaviors taught by Pathways. At an end-of-year Family Celebration, a healthy meal was served, students demonstrated newly learned Pathways activities, and certificates were presented in recognition of completion of the Pathways curriculum. Based on evaluation forms and attendance rosters, strategies 1 and 2 were more easily implemented and better received than strategy 3. Implications for developing family involvement strategies for intervention programs are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in adolescents.

The purpose of this article is to provide an update on promoting healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors in adolescents. In the first part of the article the authors discuss the importance of healthy eating and physical activity during adolescence, present national recommendations and guidelines for diet and activity, and briefly review major nutrition and physical activity concerns of adolescents today. The second part presents a review of diet- and activity-related health promotion and risk reduction factors in a variety of settings and provides recommendations for practitioners. Future research needs are also addressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Signal transduction during apoptosis; implications for cancer therapy.

Programmed cell death is a fundamental aspect of organismal development and stasis through its role in the maintenance of the balance between cell growth and cell death. If the balance is tipped, e.g. by unregulated cell growth, the result can be cancer. If tipped the other direction, e.g. by dysregulated cell death, and the result can again be cancer. The concept of dysregulated cell death, which until recently was not considered by oncologists, has forced a shift in the paradigm of cancer development. Along with this shift in thinking comes the likelihood that radiation and chemotherapy, both major modalities of cancer therapy, can benefit from strategies that modulate programmed cell death. One form of programmed cell death that is distinguished by its morphological features is called apoptosis. This form of programmed cell death is an energy dependent biochemically regulated process that is contingent upon a set of factors: the initial stimulatory event or in some cases a cellular insult, the organism, the cell type, the cellular environment, and other factors. This biochemical process is the result of the expression of a number of genes. In this review, the roles of several genes and gene families considered to be critical to the signal transduction cascade of apoptosis are described. Growth factors and cytokines are also discussed in the context of their interaction with these genes. We also discuss how these genes and their protein products are being used as prognostic indicators for cancer and cancer therapy and/or how they are the focus of strategies that either cause apoptosis or alter a cancer cell's propensity to initiate apoptosis when insulted by chemotherapy agents or radiation in the course of cancer therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Disordered eating among adolescents with chronic illness and disability: the role of family and other social factors.

OBJECTIVES: To compare prevalence rates of weight-control behaviors among adolescents with and without chronic illness and to explore the role of familial and other social factors on associations between disordered eating and chronic illness. DESIGN AND SETTING: Survey conducted in public schools in Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: A representative statewide population-based sample of 9343 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade public school students, of whom 1021 reported a chronic illness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disordered eating (vomiting, diet pills, and laxatives), dieting, and exercise for weight control; chronic illness status; family structure, family communication, parental caring, parental monitoring, parental expectations, peer support, and sexual and physical abuse. RESULTS: Adolescents with chronic illness were at greater risk for disordered eating than youth without chronic illness, after controlling for sociodemographic variables (girls: odds ratio, 1.59 [95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.14]; boys: odds ratio, 2.22 [95% confidence interval, 1.49-3.32]). Adolescents with chronic illness were less likely to come from 2-parent families; reported lower levels of family communication, parental caring, and parental expectations; and reported more sexual and physical abuse than youth without chronic illness. Male adolescents with chronic illness were more likely to report low peer support and low parental monitoring. Most of these familial-social factors were also associated with an increased prevalence of disordered eating. After familial-social factors were controlled for, however, associations between disordered eating and chronic illness remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with chronic illness are at greater risk for disordered eating behaviors than youth without chronic illness. Factors other than the familial-social factors assessed in this study may be contributing to this increased risk. In the clinical setting, youth with chronic illness need to be screened for disordered eating and familial and other social concerns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Agreement between survey and interview measures of weight control practices in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined agreement between survey and interview measures of weight control practices in a nonclinical sample of adolescents. METHOD: Surveys were administered in three school health classes. Clinical interviews were conducted in a student subsample (N = 43). RESULTS: Survey-based prevalences for eating behaviors in the past month were: trying to lose weight, 44%; binge eating, 41%; vomiting, 4.7%; laxative use, 0%; and fasting, 14%. Interview-based prevalences were 30%, 11.6%, 0%, 0% and 0%, respectively. Sensitivity was high for all behaviors assessed. However, positive predictive values were low. DISCUSSION: Surveys may be useful as preliminary screening tools for prevention programs, but may yield inflated estimates of unhealthy weight control practices in nonclinical adolescent populations. Research is needed to examine whether adolescents overreport weight control practices on surveys or whether they are less willing to disclose such practices in a private interview.

Adolescent↗