Kmasker--a tool for in silico prediction of single-copy FISH probes for the large-genome species Hordeum vulgare.

Specific localization of large genomic fragments by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is challenging in large- genome plant species due to the high content of repetitive sequences. We report the automated work flow (Kmasker) for in silico extraction of unique genomic sequences of large genomic fragments suitable for FISH in barley. This method can be widely used for the integration of genetic and cytogenetic maps in plants and other species with large and complex genomes if the probe sequence (e.g. BACs, sequence contigs) and a low coverage (8-fold) of unassembled sequences of the species of interest are available. Kmasker has been made publicly available as a web tool at http://webblast.ipk-gatersleben.de/kmasker.

Does neighbourhood walkability moderate the effects of mass media communication strategies to promote regular physical activity?

BACKGROUND: Mass media campaigns are widely used in Australia and elsewhere to promote physical activity among adults. Neighbourhood walkability is consistently shown to be associated with walking and total activity. Campaigns may have different effects on individuals living in high and low walkable neighbourhoods. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare pre- and post-campaign cognitive and behavioural impacts of the Heart Foundation's Find Thirty every day® campaign, in respondents living in high and lower walkable neighbourhoods. METHODS: Pre- and post-campaign cross-sectional survey data were linked with objectively measured neighbourhood walkability. Cognitive and behavioural impacts were assessed using logistic regression stratified by walkability. RESULTS: Cognitive impacts were significantly higher post-campaign and consistently higher in respondents in high compared with lower walkable neighbourhoods. Post campaign sufficient activity was significantly higher and transport walking significantly lower, but only in residents of lower walkable areas. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impacts of mass media physical activity campaigns may be enhanced by living in a more walkable neighbourhood.

Would you Find Thirty online? Website use in a Western Australian physical activity campaign.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Mass media campaigns have used a range of traditional media (television, radio and print) to communicate health messages. In the past decade the Internet has added to these traditional methods with Web 2.0, smart phone technology and interactive media. 'Find Thirty every day(®)', a Western Australia population-wide mass media campaign delivered over 2 years, used a combination of traditional mass media, a website, online resources and banner advertising. The aim of the present study is to describe the use of the Find Thirty every day(®) website during the campaign media activities of May 2008-June 2010. METHODS: Cross-sectional self-reported survey data were collected from a random sample of adults using a computer-assisted telephone interview over the period February-March 2010. Objective online analytical measures of unique visits to the Find Thirty every day(®) website were collected between June 2008 and June 2010. RESULTS: Monthly visitors to the Find Thirty every day(®) website increased from 3193 in 2009 to 4374 in 2010. During the last two media waves (October 2009 and February 2010), site visits were 5388 and 5272 per month, respectively. CONCLUSION: The impact of the Find Thirty every day(®) website was a positive outcome, considering the minimal online presence. SO WHAT? Health communication campaign planners should maximise the potential synergy of traditional mass media and new social media in future campaigns. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary approach that includes communication researchers, experts in information systems and a creative team experienced in online environments will need to be the way forward.

Reliability and validity testing of a single-item physical activity measure.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a new single-item physical activity screening tool, suitable for assessing respondents' eligibility for behaviour change interventions. DESIGN: Two single-item assessment tools were developed, one using a "past week" recall period, the other using a "past month" recall period. A quota sampling system was used to recruit 480 adults from across England, Scotland and Wales. Half the sample completed the past-week question and half completed the past-month version. Test-retest reliability was assessed over a 2- to 5-day period. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the UK Active People Survey. All surveys were completed via telephone interviews. RESULTS: Both versions of the single-item instrument demonstrated strong reproducibility (r=0.72-0.82), using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. The past-week recall question showed strong agreement in the classification of respondents meeting the current physical activity recommendation (kappa=0.63, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.72).Concurrent validity over the past week compared to the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was modest (r=0.53) and slightly weaker for the past month compared to the Active People Survey (r=0.33-0.48). CONCLUSION: Both versions of the new single-item measure performed as well as other short physical activity tools in terms of reliability and concurrent validity. Criterion validity testing of the single-item measure is recommended to establish its ability to assess objectively measured physical activity levels. In addition, further research to assess the responsiveness of the single-item measure in detecting changes in physical activity will inform its usefulness in programme evaluation.

The effect of increased ambulatory activity on markers of chronic low-grade inflammation: evidence from the PREPARE programme randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To investigate whether an exercise intervention programme, with or without pedometer use, is effective at reducing chronic low-grade inflammation in those with impaired glucose tolerance. METHODS: Using baseline and 12-month data from the Pre-diabetes Risk Education and Physical Activity Recommendation and Encouragement (PREPARE) programme randomized controlled trial, we investigated whether the pedometer or the standard version of the PREPARE programme is associated with reduced chronic low-grade inflammation. Outcomes included interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, fasting and 2 h post-challenge glucose values and objectively measured ambulatory activity. RESULTS: Seventy-four participants (31% female; mean age, 65 years; body mass index, 29.3 ± 4.8 kg/m(2) ) were included, of which 26 were in the control group and 24 were in each intervention group. At 12 months there was an increase in ambulatory activity of 1351 and 1849 steps/day in the standard and pedometer group, respectively, compared with control conditions; however, there was no significant change in markers of chronic low-grade inflammation. Across the pooled study sample, change in ambulatory activity was significantly correlated with change in interleukin-6 (r = -0.32, P = 0.01) after adjustment for group, age, sex, ethnicity, aspirin and statin medication, baseline body mass index and change in body mass index. Change in interleukin-6 was also significantly correlated with change in 2 h glucose after adjustment for the same variables (r = 0.26, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to show reductions in markers of chronic low-grade inflammation following an intervention that promoted modest increases in ambulatory activity; however, across the study sample, increased ambulatory activity was associated with reduced interleukin-6, independent of obesity.

Reduction of ferricytochrome C may underestimate superoxide production by monocytes.

Superoxide production by stimulated phagocytes is commonly measured by reduction of ferricytochrome C, with specificity of the assay assumed if the reaction is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Most preparations of ferricytochrome C contain a small proportion in the reduced (ferro) form, and this is also formed by the reaction of ferricytochrome C with superoxide. The generation of other reactive oxygen intermediates, such as hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radical, could cause oxidation of ferrocytochrome C and consequent underestimation of superoxide production. In support of this, it has been demonstrated that exogenous catalase enhanced the reduction of ferricytochrome C by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated human monocytes. Control experiments confirmed that this was due to enhanced detection rather than increased production of superoxide. In addition, SOD was found to promote oxidation of ferrocytochrome C by PMA-stimulated human monocytes, but this was also inhibited by catalase. These effects of catalase and SOD on ferricytochrome C reduction/ferrocytochrome C oxidation were also demonstrated when superoxide was produced independently of monocytes by a xanthine and xanthine oxidase generating system. It is concluded that the assay of superoxide, using 'SOD inhibitable' reduction of ferricytochrome C, underestimates superoxide production.

Review of United States data on neoplasms in rheumatoid arthritis.

Relatively sparse literature developed during the past 30 years that sought to characterize the relationship of rheumatoid arthritis to neoplasms. The past decade has seen added concern over possible oncogenic effects of cytotoxic agents now used to manage some patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Acquisition of unambiguous data is complicated by the fact that the cumulative incidence of cancer in the general population exceeds 30 percent, and that most studies have insufficient patient numbers, duration follow-up, and attention to age, sex, race, or known etiologic agents. Thus, it is not surprising to find reports that cancer incidence is high, low, or unchanged in rheumatoid arthritis. Although equally ambiguous data were accumulated concerning potential neoplasm-inducing effects of cytotoxic drugs, concern is justified in relation to increased frequency of bladder cancer after cyclophosphamide and acute leukemia following alkylating agents.

Mesenteric angiopathy, intestinal gangrene, and midgut carcinoids.

Twenty-six cases of carcinoid-related mesenteric angiopathy and intestinal infarction (three from our institution and 23 previously reported cases) were reviewed. Twenty patients presented with acute abdominal findings, including peritonitis (13 cases), intestinal obstruction (five cases), and bleeding per rectum (two cases). Fifteen patients (75%) experienced antecedent symptoms of abdominal pain and/or diarrhea, averaging 2.5 years in duration. Twelve patients (46%) exhibited symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Mesenteric angiography in three cases demonstrated encasement and segmental branch narrowing or occlusion of major mesenteric vessels. Eleven patients underwent resection and primary bowel anastomosis with an early survival rate of 91%. Four additional patients who underwent lesser surgical procedures and five patients who did not undergo operation all died. Elastic vascular sclerosis (EVS) was identified in 19 of 22 cases with available histologic material (86%). These changes were observed in proximity to as well as distant to the primary tumor. In general, the severity of EVS did not correlate with the likelihood of gut ischemia. Although not the sole cause of intestinal gangrene in patients with midgut carcinoids, EVS may contribute significantly to the evolution of these ischemic changes.

Advice on exercise from a family physician can help sedentary patients to become active.

OBJECTIVES: To test the effectiveness, in the setting of primary health care, of verbal advice on exercise from a family physician (FP) combined with supporting written information. DESIGN: A controlled trial with subjects allocated to a control group or one of two intervention groups using a balanced design based on day of the week. SETTING: Ten general practices in Perth, Western Australia. SUBJECTS: All sedentary patients consulting an FP. INTERVENTION: Verbal advice on exercise from the FP and a pamphlet on exercise mailed to the patient's home address within 2 days of his/her visit to the doctor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Level of physical activity at follow-up. RESULTS: 6,351 adult patients attending an FP practice completed a screening questionnaire, and 763 sedentary adults were recruited to the project. The response to follow-up, via a postal survey at 1, 6, and 12 months after the index consultation was 70%, 60%, and 57%, respectively. At 1 month a subsample of the control and intervention subjects were contacted for a telephone interview to verify self-reported levels of activity (n = 136). Treating all nonresponders as sedentary, at 1 month significantly more subjects in the combined intervention groups reported doing some physical activity (40%) compared with the control group (31%). Similarly, at 6 months, 30% of the control group and 38% of the combined intervention groups were "now active." There was very little change at follow-up at 12 months (31% control and 36% intervention groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: A simple intervention aimed at the promotion of physical activity to sedentary patients in general practice can help reduce inactivity.

Tailored advice on exercise--does it make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: A controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of verbal advice from a family physician (FP) combined with either "standard" or "tailored" written information on physical activity in increasing the levels of physical activity in sedentary patients. DESIGN: Sedentary patients (n = 763) were recruited through ten family practices and allocated to a control group or one of two intervention groups. Brief advice on physical activity was given by the FP during the consultation and either a standard or tailored pamphlet was mailed to the home address of patients assigned to the intervention groups within two days of their visit to the FP. RESULTS: The response to follow-up, via a postal survey at one, six, and twelve months after the index consultation was 70%, 60%, and 57%, respectively. Treating all nonresponders as sedentary, the results revealed that although more tailored subjects reported some physical activity at each follow-up compared with the standard group, these differences were not significant. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in movement across the stages of readiness to exercise at follow-up between subjects in the tailored group who received material targeting their current stage (precontemplation or contemplation) and the standard group who received generic material that addressed both stages. CONCLUSION: These findings do not concur with the results from previous research in the areas of nutrition and smoking cessation where additional benefits were seen with a tailored intervention. Future research on the application of the principles of "tailoring" to the promotion of physical activity should focus on identifying which, if any, physical, social, psychological or environmental variables should be addressed to produce improved outcomes over and above the effects of well designed generic materials.

Understanding how people process health information: a comparison of tailored and nontailored weight-loss materials.

Health information tailored to meet individuals' unique needs has been shown to be more effective than generic information in promoting risk-reducing behavior changes. To explore mechanisms underlying tailoring's effectiveness, this study randomly assigned 198 overweight adults to receive weight-loss materials that were (a) tailored to the individual, (b) in an American Heart Association (AHA) brochure, or (c) AHA-content formatted to look like tailored materials. Participants who received tailored materials had more positive thoughts about the materials, positive personal connections to the materials, positive self-assessment thoughts, and positive thoughts indicating behavioral intention than those who received either of the untailored materials. The tailoring of health information can significantly improve the chances the information will be thoughtfully considered and can stimulate prebehavioral changes such as self-assessment and intention.

The clinical value of rapid C-reactive protein measurement in cerebro-spinal fluid.

C-Reactive protein (CRP) has been measured in 90 consecutive CSF specimens using both latex agglutination and an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). In the 60 CSF specimens otherwise normal by standard biochemical and microbiological criteria, the median CRP level was 32 micrograms/l (95% confidence limits, 0-108 micrograms/l) and in the remaining abnormal specimens the median level was 176 micrograms/l (95% confidence limits, 110-325 micrograms/l, p = 0.001). C-Reactive protein was detected by a commercial latex agglutination kit at a level of approximately 120 micrograms/l and all significant CNS bacterial infections were positive (7 bacterial meningitis, 2 infected shunts). In addition, viral encephalitis, extensive intracranial malignancy and subarachnoid haemorrhage gave positive agglutinations, but not in every case. A further nine specimens with a minor elevation of CRP level were detected by IRMA (median 76 micrograms/l), but this was of little practical significance. We have shown that normal CSF C-reactive protein levels are very low and we conclude that latex agglutination set at a sensitivity of 120 micrograms/l, although only semi-quantitative, is a rapid and useful method to assess CSF C-reactive protein in routine clinical practice and, when positive, is strong supporting evidence for bacterial infection.

Stage of readiness to exercise in ethnically diverse women: a U.S. survey.

PURPOSE: To assess stage of readiness to exercise and readiness to be physically active in a national survey of women aged 40 yr and over from various racial/ethnic groups (the U.S. Women's Determinants Study). METHOD: The prevalence of each stage was determined and compared across race/ethnicity. In addition, the level of misclassification between self-report of stage of readiness to exercise/be physically active and self-reported participation in specific exercise behavior was evaluated. RESULTS: Data were collected from a total of 2912 U.S. women via telephone survey over a 1-yr period (black 26%, American Indians/Alaskan Natives 25%, Hispanics 23%, and whites 26%). Over half the total sample was staged as currently undertaking regular exercise (maintenance stage, 55%), 25% indicated they were in precontemplation, and 15% were in contemplation stage. Few women were in preparation and action stages. There were statistically significant differences between the minority groups. Specifically, black women (OR 0.53, 95% 0.31-0.91) were less likely to be in the active stages (e.g., preparation, action, maintenance) than Hispanics and Alaskan Native/American Native women, and this was true after controlling for important sociodemographic and health variables (age, education, BMI, and smoking). The additional analysis of a modified stage question developed to assess readiness to be more physically active (150 min.wk(-1)) may have provided inflated results (82% in maintenance), possibly due to the complexity of the questions. The level of misclassification between measures ranged from 5 to 20%. CONCLUSION: These results have important implications for the use of stage of change measures with populations of older ethnically diverse women particularly and the popularity of modifying stage questions to reflect "lifestyle" or moderate-intensity physical activity.

Effects of tailored, personalized and general health messages on physical activity.

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem. Patient education programs and materials that are customized to address the unique needs and concerns of specific patients have shown promise in changing a range of health related behavior, although findings to date for physical activity have been equivocal. In this study a randomized controlled trial was conducted among 272 adult primary care patients to compare the effectiveness of tailored, personalized and general health messages, and usual medical care in promoting leisure time physical activity (LTA) and physical activities of daily living (PADLs). Patients in the tailored group were more likely to increase PADLs than were patients in the personalized, general and control groups (65% vs. 46% vs. 56% vs. 54%) and less likely to being doing fewer PADLs at follow-up (18% vs. 38% vs. 38% vs. 38%; chi 2 = 12.2, df = 6, p = 0.056). There were no significant differences for LTAs. To help maximize the effectiveness of future tailored interventions on physical activity, studies should seek to identify the social, psychological and environmental variables that are most important to include in tailored materials.

Developing national physical activity guidelines for Australians.

The process and outcome of developing National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians is described. The guidelines provide a means of incorporating new data on physical activity into public health education.

Developments in National Physical Activity Policy: an international review and recommendations towards better practice.

Physical activity (PA) is increasingly considered an important public health issue and as such requires the development of good public health policy. This paper provides a summary of the literature on policy development and defines what a policy on PA may usefully comprise. The results of an international review of national level PA policies, using a defined set of criteria, are reported. Considerable similarities were found in the methods and approaches to policy development on PA across countries, with most adopting an intersectoral approach, with consultation and partnership between sectors occurring at a high level of government. The need for action across the lifespan is recognised, as is the need for multiple strategies across a variety of settings. A review of Australian PA policy found that, after promising strategic developments through Active Australia in the late 1990s, PA policy and the role of the federal health sector has become less clear, with PA policy existing now only as a component part integrated into other chronic disease prevention policy initiatives. Recommendations towards better practice in policy making are made with particular reference to developing a clearly defined integrated national PA policy in the Australian context.