Diet Quality Outcomes of a Cooperative Extension Diabetes Prevention Program.

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in improving diet quality (DQ) in community settings is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the DQ changes of Extension DPP participants. METHODS: A single-group, repeated-measures design was used to evaluate an Extension-implemented DPP using the PreventT2 curriculum. Participants were overweight adults with or at high risk for prediabetes (n = 88). Weight and DQ (Healthy Eating Index-2015, Dietary Screener Questionnaire) were evaluated using mixed-effects regression. RESULTS: There was no change in the Healthy Eating Index-2015 total score. Predicted fiber, fruit, and vegetable intake increased (P < 0.05) but remained below recommendations. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Clinically meaningful DQ changes of Extension DPP participants were limited. The effect of the DPP on DQ in Extension and other implementation settings should be evaluated through randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Prevention Program curriculum revisions that include more specific dietary goals and educational tools may promote greater DQ changes in DPP participants.

Codesigning a social prescribing pathway to address the social determinant of health concerns of children with cerebral palsy and their families in Australia: a protocol for a mixed-methods formative research study.

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health (SDH) are contributors to health inequities experienced by some children with cerebral palsy and pose barriers to families engaging with complex and fragmented healthcare systems. There is emerging evidence to support 'social prescribing' interventions that systematically identify SDH concerns and refer patients to non-medical social care support and services to address their needs. To date, social prescribing has not been trialled specifically for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, in Australia. This study aims to codesign a social prescribing programme to address SDH concerns of children with cerebral palsy and their families who attend one of the three tertiary paediatric rehabilitation services in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a qualitative multi-site study conducted at the three NSW paediatric hospitals' rehabilitation departments using a codesign approach. Children aged 12-18 years with cerebral palsy, parents/caregivers of children (aged 0-18 years) with cerebral palsy, and clinicians will be involved in all stages to codesign the social prescribing programme. The study will consist of three components: (1) 'what we need', (2) 'creating the pathways' and (3) 'finalising and sign off'. This project is overseen by two advisory groups: one group of young adults with cerebral palsy and one group of parents of young people with cerebral palsy. The study will be guided by the biopsychosocial ecological framework, and analysis will follow Braun and Clark's thematic approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the human research ethics committee of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. This codesign study will inform a future pilot study of feasibility and acceptability, then if indicated, a pilot clinical trial of efficacy. We will collaborate with all project stakeholders to disseminate findings and undertake further research to build sustainable and scalable models of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12622001459718.

Examining the Relationship Between Existing Community Resources and Community Leaders' Perceptions of Resilience and Rural Health During COVID-19.

This study explored the relationship between existing community resources and community leaders' perceptions of resilience and rural health during COVID-19. Observational data of material capitals (e.g., grocery stores and physical activity resources) present in five rural communities involved in a health promotion project were collected and compared with key informant interviews of perceived community health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis compares the differences in community leaders' perceptions of resilience during the pandemic to the actual material capitals of the community. While these rural counties were average in terms of available physical activity and nutritional resources, the onset of the pandemic led to varying degrees of disruption in access due to structural closures of mainstay resources, as well as residents perceiving that they cannot or should not access available resources. In addition, county coalition progress was stalled as individuals and groups could not gather together to complete projects, such as building playground equipment. This study demonstrates that existing quantitative instruments, such as NEMS and PARA, fail to take into account perceived access and utility of resources. Therefore, practitioners should consider multiple ways to evaluate resources, capacity, and progress on a health intervention or program and consider community voice to ensure feasibility, relevance, and sustainability-especially when faced with a public health emergency like COVID-19.

Community Gardens: A Catalyst for Community Change.

Community gardens are increasing in popularity and are associated with extensive physical and mental health benefits, increased access to fresh produce, and increased social connections. However, evidence is primarily from research in urban and school settings, and little is known about the role of community gardens in rural settings as part of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to promote health. This study explores the implementation of community gardens as part of an obesity prevention project, titled Healthier Together (HT), in five rural Georgia counties with limited food access and high obesity prevalence (>40%) using a mixed-methods research design that included data from project records, a community survey, interviews, and focus groups with county coalition members. Nineteen community gardens were implemented across five counties, 89% distributed produce direct to consumers, and 50% were integrated into the food system. Few (8.3%) of the survey respondents (n = 265) identified gardens as a food source, but 21.9% reported using an HT garden in the past year. Themes emerging from interviews (n = 39) and five focus groups suggested community gardens were a catalyst for broader community health change by increasing awareness of the value and absence of healthy food and generating excitement for future PSE initiatives to more comprehensively address food and physical activity access. Practitioners should consider placement of rural community gardens to optimize access to and distribution of produce as well as communication and marketing strategies to increase engagement and leverage gardens as gateways for PSE approaches to improve rural health.

Implementation of the Diabetes Prevention Program in Georgia Cooperative Extension According to RE-AIM and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Increased dissemination of the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is imperative to reduce type 2 diabetes. Due to its nationwide reach and mission to improve health, Cooperative Extension (Extension) is poised to be a sustainable DPP delivery system. However, research evaluating DPP implementation in Extension remains scant. Extension professionals delivered the DPP in a single-arm hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation study. Semi-structured interviews with Extension professionals were conducted at three time points. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided interview coding and analysis. Constructs were rated for magnitude and valence and evaluated as facilitators or barriers of RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) outcomes. The program reached 119 participants, was adopted by 92% (n = 12/13) of trained Extension professionals and was implemented according to CDC standards: all programs exceeded the minimum 22-session requirement (26 ± 2 sessions). The program was effective in achieving weight loss (5.0 ± 5.2%) and physical activity (179 ± 122 min/week) goals. At post-intervention, eight professionals (67%) had begun or planned to maintain the intervention within the next 6 months. Several facilitators were identified, including Extension leadership structure, organizational compatibility, and technical assistance calls. Limited time to recruit participants was the primary barrier. Positive RE-AIM outcomes, facilitated by contextual factors, indicate Extension is an effective and sustainable DPP delivery system. Extension and other DPP implementers should plan strategies that promote communication, the program's evidence-base, recruitment time, and resource access. Researchers should explore DPP implementation in real-world settings to determine overall and setting-specific best practices, promote intervention uptake, and reduce diabetes.

Qualitative Exploration of Cultural Influence on a Rural Health-Promotion Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a conceptualization of cultural influence on perceptions of a rural food and physical activity policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change project to inform public health research and practice. DESIGN: Basic qualitative research design, semistructured phone interviews with community health coalition members. SETTING: Five rural Southern counties (obesity prevalence > 40%). PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine community coalition members. INTERVENTION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention High Obesity Program. PSE initiatives to increase access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities through a community coalition model. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Social norms and cultural influences surrounding community members' food preferences, physical activity behavior, and future hopes for community development. ANALYSIS: Abductive content analysis. RESULTS: Major categories on food social norms (subcategories: physical health, eating habits, and food preference), race relations, generational factors, physical activity social norms, and hopes for the community (subcategories: increased engagement, health, awareness, cohesion, and inspiration) were discussed in relation to the progress of PSE initiatives. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Because of community member perceptions, PSE initiatives became associated with factors beyond food and fitness, such as race relations, generational differences, and community cohesion. A focus on increased youth and church involvement, community values, relationship building, and input from diverse voices can be foundational to culturally-appropriate PSE efforts in rural settings.

Rural-Urban Differences in Physical Activity Tracking and Engagement in a Web-Based Platform.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the well-established health benefits of regular participation in physical activity, most adults do not meet recommended exercise guidelines. In rural communities, limited local resources and geographic dispersion make engaging in regular activity particularly difficult. Web-based solutions offer a potential solution for addressing physical activity disparities between rural and urban areas. METHODS: This study examined the physical activity logs of users (n = 6695) of a web-based platform called Walk Georgia, comparing residents of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. We tabulated descriptive statistics for variables of interest, cross-tabulated for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan groups. We then used independent-samples t tests to compare logged activity between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan residing user groups. RESULTS: In the analysis of group type (n = 6654), users were more likely to enroll in the program as part of a group than as individuals (n = 4391; 65.9%), particularly for users in metropolitan areas (3558 of 5192; 68.5%). Although the groups shared certain activities, nonmetropolitan residents were more likely than metropolitan residents to engage in maintenance-based activities. Nonmetropolitan residents earned fewer program points for their activity than metropolitan users (P = .007), largely because of lower average exercise difficulty (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The web-based platform was effective in helping individuals track physical activity. Despite engaging in similar amounts of physical activity by time, on average, users in nonmetropolitan areas engaged in less rigorous and more maintenance-based tasks than users in metropolitan areas. One strategy for increasing physical activity among rural populations may be to leverage social support provided by group enrollment in such programming.

Exercise and Protein Effects on Strength and Function with Weight Loss in Older Women.

Obesity negatively affects lower extremity physical function (LEPF) in older adults. Exercise and a higher protein diet are both known to positively and independently affect body composition, muscle strength, and LEPF during weight loss; however, their potential interactive effects have not been well characterized in older women. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the relative efficacy of a higher protein diet with or without exercise to improve body composition, muscle strength, and LEPF in older inactive overweight/obese women after weight loss. METHODS: Postmenopausal women (body mass index = 31.1 ± 5.1 kg·m, 69.2 ± 3.6 yr) completed a 6-month weight loss program after randomization to three groups (n = 72 randomized; 15% dropout): 1) higher protein diet (PRO, ~30% energy from protein; n = 20), 2) PRO plus exercise (PRO + EX; n = 19), or 3) a conventional protein control diet plus EX (CON + EX, ~18% energy from protein; n = 22). EX was supervised, multicomponent (aerobic, muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility), and three sessions per week. Body composition was measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, leg strength by isokinetic dynamometry, and LEPF via 6-min walk, 8-ft up and go, and 30-s chair stand tests. RESULTS: Changes in weight (-7.5 ± 4.1 kg; -9.2% ± 4.8%), fat mass, and leg lean mass did not differ among groups (all P > 0.50). Despite weight loss, muscle strength improved in the exercise groups (PRO + EX and CON + EX) but it declined in the PRO group (P = 0.008). For all LEPF measures, the PRO group had attenuated improvements compared with both PRO + EX and CON + EX (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exercise during weight loss is critical to preserve strength and enhance LEPF; however, a higher protein diet does not appear to influence body composition, muscle strength, or LEPF changes when combined with multicomponent exercise.

Mixed methods evaluation of implementation and outcomes in a community-based cancer prevention intervention.

BACKGROUND: Community-based educational programs can complement clinical strategies to increase cancer screenings and encourage healthier lifestyles to reduce cancer burden. However, implementation quality can influence program outcomes and is rarely formally evaluated in community settings. This mixed-methods study aimed to characterize implementation of a community-based cancer prevention program using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), determine if implementation was related to participant outcomes, and identify barriers and facilitators to implementation that could be addressed. METHODS: This study utilized quantitative participant evaluation data (n = 115) and quantitative and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with program instructors (N = 13). At the participant level, demographic data (age, sex, insurance status) and behavior change intention were captured. Instructor data included implementation of program components and program attendance to create a 7-point implementation score of fidelity and reach variables. Degree of program implementation (high and low) was operationalized based on these variables (low: 0-4, high: 5-7). Relationships among degree of implementation, participant demographics, and participant outcomes (e.g., intent to be physically active or limit alcohol) were assessed using linear or ordinal logistic mixed effects models as appropriate. Interview data were transcribed and coded deductively for CFIR constructs, and constructs were then rated for magnitude and valence. Patterns between ratings of high and low implementation programs were used to determine constructs that manifested as barriers or facilitators. RESULTS: Program implementation varied with scores ranging from 4 to 7. High implementation was related to greater improvements in intention to be physically active (p <  0.05), achieve a healthy weight (p <  0.05), and limit alcohol (p <  0.01). Eight constructs distinguished between high and low implementation programs. Design quality and packaging, compatibility, external change agents, access to knowledge and information, and experience were facilitators of implementation and formally appointed internal implementation leaders was a barrier to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: As higher implementation was related to improved participant outcomes, program administrators should emphasize the importance of fidelity in training for program instructors. The CFIR can be used to identify barriers and/or facilitators to implementation in community interventions, but results may be unique from clinical contexts.

Nutrition Intervention to Hispanic Groups: Pilot Studies with Children and Caregivers.

Childhood obesity is a pressing public health issue, especially in the Hispanic community. Two pilot studies were performed; Study 1 was performed to assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on the nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Hispanic children in an after-school program. Nutrition educational lessons were administered 1 h per week. Evaluation was conducted as a baseline Pre-test, a Post-test (following the last session) and a 4-month follow-up. Children showed a significant decrease in the consumption of less-healthy foods from the time of the Pre-test to the Post-test measure (P < .05) and could identify healthy foods. Study 2 was performed to assess the effect of a nutrition education intervention on Hispanic children's caregivers' willingness to engage in healthy behaviors. Caregivers increased their willingness to engage in healthy behaviors (P < .05). This indicates that knowledge and attitudes about foods can be altered, and that caregiver education is needed so to ensure that healthy foods are available in a child's diet and to reinforce positive attitudes about foods.

An Evaluation of Inter-coder and Intra-coder Reliability for 24-Hour Dietary Recall Data Entered in WebNEERS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inter-coder (between-coder) and intra-coder (within-coder) reliability among trained data coders who enter 24-hour dietary recall data collected through Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program operations in the state of Georgia. DESIGN: This study employed multiple cross-sectional evaluations of inter-coder reliability and a short-term longitudinal evaluation of intra-coder reliability. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Study participants consisted of trained data coders (n = 9) who were employed during the 12-month period of evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were inter-coder and intra-coder reliability across data entered into the Web-based Nutrition Education Evaluation and Reporting System. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 24. Descriptive statistics were generated and inter-coder and intra-coder reliability were assessed using 2-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Results of this evaluation indicated good to excellent inter-coder reliability among all coders, and excellent intra-coder reliability among the majority of coders. However, some notable inconsistencies were identified within the intra-coder reliability analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Future strategies to improve data quality within Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program operations might include enhanced training for data coders, implementation of error detection protocols, expansion of the Web-based Nutrition Education Evaluation and Reporting System database, and exploration of automated, computer-assisted administration of 24-hour dietary recalls.

Individual and Group-Based Engagement in an Online Physical Activity Monitoring Program in Georgia.

INTRODUCTION: Given the rising prevalence of obesity in the United States, innovative methods are needed to increase physical activity (PA) in community settings. Evidence suggests that individuals are more likely to engage in PA if they are given a choice of activities and have support from others (for encouragement, motivation, and accountability). The objective of this study was to describe the use of the online Walk Georgia PA tracking platform according to whether the user was an individual user or group user. METHODS: Walk Georgia is a free, interactive online tracking platform that enables users to log PA by duration, activity, and perceived difficulty, and then converts these data into points based on metabolic equivalents. Users join individually or in groups and are encouraged to set weekly PA goals. Data were examined for 6,639 users (65.8% were group users) over 28 months. We used independent sample t tests and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare means between individual and group users. Two linear regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with activity logging. RESULTS: Users logged 218,766 activities (15,119,249 minutes of PA spanning 592,714 miles [41,858,446 points]). On average, group users had created accounts more recently than individual users (P < .001); however, group users logged more activities (P < .001). On average, group users logged more minutes of PA (P < .001) and earned more points (P < .001). Being in a group was associated with a larger proportion of weeks in which 150 minutes or more of weekly PA was logged (B = 20.47, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Use of Walk Georgia was significantly higher among group users than among individual users. To expand use and dissemination of online tracking of PA, programs should target naturally occurring groups (eg, workplaces, schools, faith-based groups).

Reduced body weight or increased muscle quality: Which is more important for improving physical function following exercise and weight loss in overweight and obese older women?

The purpose of this study was to examine the relative contributions of changes in muscle quality and body composition to changes in lower-extremity physical function (LEPF) following a 6-month exercise and weight loss intervention in overweight and obese older women. Thirty-eight overweight and obese (BMI = 30.0 ±â€¯4.4 kg/m2) older (age = 69.3 ±â€¯4.1 y) women completed 6 months of multicomponent exercise (cardiorespiratory, resistance, balance and flexibility training) and weight loss (hypocaloric diet that reduced energy intake by ~500 kcal/d). Body composition was measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle quality (N-m/kg) was defined as maximal concentric isokinetic knee torque divided by upper-leg lean mass. The standardized scores of four objective measures of physical function were summed to yield a composite LEPF Z-score. At 6 months, there were significant reductions in body weight (-9.6 ±â€¯3.5%, p < 0.01), absolute fat mass (-6.8 ±â€¯2.4 kg, p < 0.01) and relative adiposity (-4.9 ±â€¯2.1%, p < 0.01). There were also improvements in both muscle quality (+1.6 ±â€¯1.8 N-m/kg, p < 0.01) and individual measures of LEPF (11-57%, p < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression indicated that increased muscle quality was the strongest independent predictor of an improvement in LEPF Z-score (standardized ß = 0.64, p < 0.01) and explained 34% of the variance. A reduction in body weight also predicted an improvement in LEPF, independent of the change in muscle quality. In conclusion, muscle quality can be increased in the presence of clinically meaningful weight loss, and is the primary determinant of improved physical function in overweight/obese older women.

Flexible Eating Behavior Predicts Greater Weight Loss Following a Diet and Exercise Intervention in Older Women.

Eating behaviors (cognitive restraint, flexible and rigid restraint, disinhibition, hunger) have been associated with obesity and weight loss success in middle-aged individuals, but little is known about these relationships in older adults. This study examined relationships between eating behaviors and weight loss in overweight/obese older women (n = 61; 69 ± 3.6 years; body mass index = 31.1 ± 5.0 kg/m2) completed a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention. Baseline, postintervention, and change measures of eating behaviors (51-items Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) were assessed for relationships with weight loss. In the final regression model, an increase in flexible restraint accompanied by a decrease in rigid restraint predicted greater weight loss (adjusted R2 = 0.21, Model F (4, 56) = 4.97, P < 0.01). No associations were found with disinhibition or hunger and degree of weight loss (all P > 0.05). Results suggest encouraging a flexible approach to eating behavior and discouraging rigid adherence to a diet may lead to better intentional weight loss for overweight and obese older women.

A Twelve-Week Lifestyle Program to Improve Cardiometabolic, Behavioral, and Psychological Health in Hispanic Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of a 12-week lifestyle program on cardiometabolic, behavioral, and psychological outcomes among overweight Hispanic children and adolescents. DESIGN: A case series study with pre- and post-test analyses. Subjects/Settings/Location: A convenience sample of high-risk pediatric primary care patients (n = 22; 6 girls, 16 boys; M age = 11.73 ± 1.39 years) and their guardians in the Southeast United States. INTERVENTION: Twice per week 60 min (total of 24 h) of moderate-to-vigorous intensity boxing exercise training, 12 h of nutrition education for guardians, and a 30-min pediatrician appointment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiometabolic (height [m], weight [kg], waist circumference [cm], body-mass index [BMI], BMI-z, BMI%, cholesterol [mg/dL], triglycerides [mg/dL], glucose [mg/dL], and low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [mg/dL]), behavioral (objective free time physical activity [PA] and sedentary time [min/day]), and psychological (self-determined exercise motivation) outcomes were measured/calculated, and paired-samples t-tests were conducted. RESULTS: A significant reduction was observed in waist circumference t(17) = -2.57, p = 0.020, d = 0.64; BMI% t(15) = -2.53, p = 0.023, d = 0.20; fasting glucose t(15) = -6.43, p < 0.001, d = 1.67; and amotivation (-) t(17) = -2.29, p = 0.036, d = 0.64; whereas a significant increase was identified in moderate t(10) = 4.01, p = 0.002, d = 1.23 and vigorous t(10) = 3.41, p = 0.007, d = 1.07 intensity PA; intrinsic motivation t(17) = 2.71, p = 0.015, d = 0.38; and introjected regulation t(17) = 2.74, p = 0.014, d = 0.64. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week lifestyle program can be effective in improving selected health markers among overweight Hispanic children and adolescents. The positive changes in fasting glucose, BMI, and waist suggest that the participants are currently at lower risk for both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease as a result of the Confidence, Ownership, Responsibility, and Exercise program.

Comparison of Intake of Animal and Plant Foods and Related Nutrients in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors and Controls.

This study's objective is to assess differences in dietary intakes in breast cancer survivors (n = 13) and women without a history of breast cancer (controls, n = 71). In a cross-sectional design, intake of foods, food groups, nutrients, and non-nutritive sweeteners was assessed using participant-completed three-day food records. All women were postmenopausal (mean age (SD) 58.5 (±3.8) y, 95% White, 2.4% Asian Pacific, and 2.4% Black). The two groups did not differ in age, energy intake, or body mass index (p > 0.05). Compared to controls, survivors consumed less dairy products, animal protein, total protein, and calcium, but more legumes, noncitrus fruit, and carbohydrates (p ≤ 0.05). Calcium intakes were of particular concern in survivors who consumed an average of 686 mg calcium/d, which is <60% of the recommended 1200 mg/d. Given the important role of calcium in bone health and protein in muscle function among aging women, breast cancer survivors may benefit from consultation with a Registered Dietitian or other health professional knowledgeable in nutritional recommendations for postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.

Pericytes synthesize renin.

AIM: To investigate renin expression in pericytes during normal kidney development and after deletion of angiotensinogen, the precursor for all angiotensins. METHODS: We examined the distribution of renin expressing cells by immunoshistochemistry in the interstitial compartment of wild type (WT) and angiotensinogen deficient (AGT -/-) mice at different developmental stages from embryonic day 18 (E18: WT, n = 4; AGT -/-, n = 5) and at day 1 (P1: WT, n = 5; AGT -/-, n = 5), 5 (P5: WT, n = 7; AGT -/-, n = 8), 10 (P10: WT, n = 3; AGT -/-, n = 5), 21 (P21: WT, n = 7; AGT -/-, n = 5), 45 (P45: WT, n = 3; AGT -/-, n = 3), and 70 (P70: WT, n = 2; AGT -/-, n = 2) of postnatal life. We quantified the number of pericytes positive for renin at all the developmental stages mentioned above and compared the results of AGT -/- mice to their WT counterparts. RESULTS: In WT mice, renal interstitial pericytes synthesize renin in early life supporting a lineage relationship with renin cells in the vasculature. The number of pericytes positive for renin per area of 0.32 mm(2) (density) in WT mice was maintained from fetal life till weaning age (E18 = 4.25 ± 0.63, P1 = 3.75 ± 0.48, P5 = 3.75 ± 0.48, P10 = 4 ± 0.71, P21 = 3.8 ± 0.58) and markedly decreased in adult life (P45 = 1.2 ± 0.37, P70 = 0.8 ± 0.20). On the other hand, in AGT -/- mice the density of pericytes expressing renin was not significantly different from WT mice at E18 and P1: E18 = 5.75 ± 0.50 vs 4.25 ± 0.63 (P = 0.106), P1 = 9.25 ± 3.50 vs 3.75 ± 0.48 (P = 0.175) but significantly increased from P5 till P70: P5 = 38.25 ± 5 vs 3.75 ± 0.48 (P = 0.0004), P10 = 173 ± 7.50 vs 4 ± 0.70 (P = 5.24567 × 10(-7)), P21 = 83 ± 6.70 vs 3.8 ± 0.58 (P = 2.97358 × 10(-6)), P45 = 49 ± 3.50 vs 1.2 ± 0.37 (P = 8.18274 x 10(-7)) and P70 = 17.8 ± 2.30 vs 0.8 ± 0.20 (P = 3.51151 × 10(-5)). The AGT -/- mice showed a marked increase in the number of pericytes per field studied starting from P5, reaching its peak at P10, and then a gradually decreasing until P70. CONCLUSION: Interstitial pericytes synthesize renin during development and the number of renin-expressing pericytes increases in response to a homeostatic threat imposed early in life such as lack of angiotensinogen.

An investigation of West Sussex general dental practitioners' awareness, attitudes and adherence to NICE dental recall guidelines.

AIMS: The overall aim of this study was to determine whether general dental practitioners (GDPs) in West Sussex were aware of and followed National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on dental recalls. The study also aimed to identify factors in the GDPs' practice of dentistry that could affect their adherence to NICE guidelines and to gain some insight into their views on this topic and how these might affect their adherence. METHODS: A postal questionnaire, which had previously been piloted, and an explanatory letter were sent to a random sample of 195 GDPs representing 50% of the GDPs contracted to the West Sussex Primary Care Trust. Those who did not respond were sent the questionnaire and letter for a second time. The questionnaire consisted of 50 questions that covered awareness of, attitudes towards and adherence to the NICE guidelines on dental recalls, risk factors, and the GDPs' practising profile. Resulting data were entered into a database and, where appropriate, statistically tested with the chi-square test, with the level of statistical probability set at P<0.5. RESULTS: Data were obtained from the 50 questions in the questionnaires. Only key results are presented in this abstract. Ten of the 195 GDPs had either moved away from the area or were orthodontists. The final sample was therefore 185, of whom 117 returned questionnaires, a response rate of 63%. Seventy-three per cent of the respondents had qualified in United Kingdom. Sixty-five per cent were male. The mean age of respondents was 43 years. Seventy-one per cent worked as GDPs within the General Dental Services (GDS) or Personal Dental Services. Concerning NICE recall guidelines, 94% stated that they were aware of them, 61% said they agreed with them, and 64% that they adhered to them. Female GDPs were statistically far more likely to state that they followed NICE guidelines ( P =0.0043). Seventy per cent of GDPs reported that they still recalled their patients at six-month intervals and only 3% that they recalled their patients according to need. Eighty-five per cent reported taking radiographs at two-year intervals and/or according to patient need, and 68% that they gave oral hygiene advice six monthly or at every recall. Risk assessments were reported as being always carried out by 65% of responding GDPs for caries, 83% for periodontal disease, and 81% for oral cancer. Ninety per cent reported that they thought risk factors were relevant when setting the recall interval and 82% thought that six-monthly recalls allowed appropriate screening to take place. CONCLUSIONS: Only 3% of responding GDPs recalled their patients according to patient need, in line with NICE recall guidelines, although the majority of GDPs agreed with the guidelines and stated that they adhered to them; however, this was in contrast to the 70% of GDPs who continued to recall at six-month intervals. The majority of GDPs thought that less frequent recalls would not allow for early caries, periodontal disease and oral malignancy diagnosis, and did not think that access to NHS dentistry would be improved. They also did not believe that excessive NHS money was spent on over-frequent dental examinations. There would appear to be significant obstacles to altering the recall habits of dentists because of the way that dentists practise.