Low-dose lipopolysaccharide exposure during oocyte maturation disrupts early bovine embryonic development.

Gram-negative bacteria release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin elicits robust immune responses capable of disrupting normal ovarian function contributing to female infertility. However, effects of subclinical or non-detectable infections on oocyte competence and subsequent embryo development remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exposing bovine oocytes to low LPS doses on oocyte and embryo competence. Bovine oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and matured with vehicle-control or increasing doses of LPS (0.01, 0.1, and 1 µg/mL) for 21 h. Oocytes (n = 252) were evaluated for nuclear maturation. A set of embryos from LPS-matured oocytes (n = 300) were cultured for 8 d to evaluate day 3 cleavage rates and day 8 blastocyst rates along with blastocyst cell counts. A subset of oocytes (n = 153) was fertilized and cultured for time-lapse image capture and analysis of embryo development. Results demonstrate no significant treatment differences among treatment groups in percent of oocytes at germinal vesicle (GV; P = 0.90), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD; P = 0.13), meiosis I (MI; P = 0.26), or metaphase II (MII; P = 0.44). Likewise, treatment differences were not observed in cleavage rates (P = 0.97), or blastocyst rates (P = 0.88) evaluated via traditional microscopy. Treatment with LPS did not affect total blastocyst cell count (P = 0.68), as indicated by trophectoderm (P = 0.83), and inner cell mass (P = 0.21) cell counts. Time-lapse embryo evaluation demonstrated no differences among control or LPS matured oocytes in number of zygotes that did not cleave after fertilization (P = 0.84), or those that cleaved but arrested at the 2-cell stage (P = 0.50), 4-cell (P = 0.76), prior to morula (P = 0.76). However, embryos derived from oocytes challenged with 0.1 µg/mL LPS tended to have reduced development to the morula stage compared with vehicle-treated controls (P = 0.06). Additionally, the percentage of blastocysts derived from oocytes matured in 0.01 µg/mL LPS tended to decrease compared to vehicle-treated controls (11.38 and 25.45 %, respectively; P = 0.09). Similarly, the proportion of oocytes that developed to the blastocyst stage was greater in vehicle-treated controls (25.45 %) compared with embryos derived from oocytes matured in 0.1 and 1 µg/mL (5.92 and 6.55 %, respectively; P = 0.03) LPS. These data suggest LPS-matured oocytes that subsequently underwent in vitro fertilization, experienced decreased competence to develop to the blastocyst stage.

Results of language for health: cardiovascular disease nutrition education for Latino English-as-a-second-language students.

This report presents the final evaluation of Language for Health, part of a federally funded initiative to develop heart disease prevention interventions for low-literate populations. Language for Health specifically intervened with recent immigrants enrolled in English-as-a-second-language classes, incorporating nutritional behavior change materials into English-language curricula. Latino participants (n = 732) were exposed to either nutrition education or stress management classes (attention-placebo group) designed specifically for low-English-literate adults. Participants completed physiological measures assessing blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, waist and hip circumference, and weight. Self-report surveys were administered to collect students' nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, self-reported fat avoidance behaviors, and demographic information. Data were collected at baseline, 3-month posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Results indicated long-term effects of the intervention on nutrition knowledge and fat avoidance, yet only short-term effects on total cholesterol:HDL ratio and systolic blood pressure.

Maintained vasodilatory response to cromakalim after inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis.

Activation of vascular smooth-muscle adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) causes membrane hyperpolarization, reduced entry of Ca2+ through L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and subsequent smooth-muscle relaxation. Conversely, opening of endothelial KATP channels elicits hyperpolarization but may induce Ca2+ influx and stimulation of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) because these cells appear not to possess L-type Ca2+ channels. We therefore hypothesized that EDNO contributes to KATP channel-mediated vasodilation. To test this hypothesis, we examined vasodilatory responses to the KATP channel opener cromakalim in conscious rats, perfused rat tail artery segments, and isolated perfused rat lungs in the presence or absence of the EDNO synthesis inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Additionally, we compared the effect of cromakalim with the EDNO-dependent dilator bradykinin on NO production and intracellular Ca2+ in cultured rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Vasodilatory profiles to cromakalim were unaffected by L-NNA in conscious rats, tail arteries, and isolated lungs. Consistent with these results, cromakalim had no apparent effect on either NO synthesis or Ca2+ levels in cultured endothelial cells. These data suggest a lack of a role for EDNO in contributing to KATP-channel-mediated vasodilation in the rat.

Project Salsa: development and institutionalization of a nutritional health promotion project in a Latino community.

PURPOSE: Project Salsa was a community-based effort seeking to promote health through nutritional behavior change in a Latino community of San Diego, California. The purpose of this article is to report on program factors related to long-term institutionalization of Project Salsa interventions. DESIGN: Project Salsa was a demonstration rather than an experimental project. To ensure maximum sensitivity to the needs and values of the community, Project Salsa began with an extensive health needs assessment, including development of an advisory council, telephone survey, archival research, and key informant interviews. SETTING: Project Salsa interventions took place in San Ysidro, California, located near the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to Tijuana from 1987 to 1992. SUBJECTS: The intervention community had 14,500 residents, of which nearly 83% were Latino. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions included coronary heart disease risk factor screenings, meal preparation classes, newspaper columns, point-of-purchase education, school health and cafeteria programs, and breast-feeding promotion. MEASURES: Institutionalization of intervention components. RESULTS: Two of the interventions, the risk factor screenings and school health programs, are still in operation 4 years after the end of project funding. CONCLUSIONS: Four factors common to institutionalized components are presented in the paper.

Initial results of 'Language for Health': cardiovascular disease nutrition education for English-as-a-second-language students.

Low literacy skills may negatively affect health through misuse of medication, inability to follow medical directions or due to limitations placed on the consumer's ability to access health information. The association between low literacy among adults and cardiovascular disease has not been thoroughly investigated in some ethnic groups. The purpose of this comprehensive study is to describe the results of a nutritional-related cardiovascular health program for limited English proficient adults enrolled in English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes. Subjects (n = 408), nearly 87% of whom were Latino, were exposed to either nutrition education (intervention group) or stress management (attention-placebo control group) classes designed specifically for ESL classes. Subjects completed physiological measures assessing blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, waist and hip circumference, and body mass. Self-report surveys were administered to collect students' nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Data were collected at baseline, 3 month post-test and 6 month follow-up. Analyses showed that differential group change was seen for fat avoidance, nutrition knowledge, HDL and total cholesterol:HDL ratio, but, for the two latter variables, the effect was not maintained at the 6 month follow-up. Both groups showed positive changes in blood pressure, total cholesterol and nutrition-related attitudes. Results showed moderate success of the intervention, but suggest contamination between experimental groups may have occurred.

Effects of gender and acculturation on nutrition-related factors among limited-English proficient Hispanic adults.

Hispanic adults (n = 132) attending adult English language classes completed self-report surveys that assessed gender, acculturation level, and nutrition-related factors (i.e., knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, intentions, and fat avoidance). Descriptive statistics showed low nutrition knowledge among the group overall, although beliefs that changes in diet lead to better health, self-efficacy for changing diet, and intentions to make positive changes in diet were quite high. Analysis of variance procedures showed women avoided dietary fat and had greater intentions to make positive dietary changes than did men. In addition, higher acculturation level was related to greater dietary fat avoidance. Gender-by-acculturation interactions were seen for nutrition knowledge and beliefs, indicating complex relationships for these two nutrition variables. Results suggest that dietary interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risks need to take into account that nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors may vary by gender and the acculturation level of the targeted Hispanic group.

Correlates of compliance with measurement protocols in a Latino nutrition-intervention study.

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that attrition and noncompliance in longitudinal health intervention studies contribute to bias in both internal and external validity. However, little is known about rates and correlates of compliance with measurement protocols among Latinos. This article investigates correlates of compliance with follow-up physical measurement protocols among Latino subjects in a nutrition-oriented cardiovascular disease prevention program targeting low-English literate adults. METHODS: Correlates of compliance, measured at baseline, included four classes of variables: demographic characteristics, physical measures, health behaviors, and nutrition-related psychological variables. Subjects were categorized into one of three compliance groups: on-time compliers, late or "reluctant" compliers, and noncompliers. Approximately 36% of subjects complied on time, 25% complied late, and 39% did not comply. RESULTS: Analyses showed that, relative to on-time and late compliers, noncompliers tended to be male, younger, of lower income and Spanish-literacy level, to drink more alcohol, to be less physically active, and to have lower dietary fat avoidance scores. No significant differences were found for other factors considered (e.g., physical health measures). CONCLUSIONS: These results generally reflect those of non-Hispanics that indicate that individuals at greater "risk" are less likely to comply with study protocols. Such results may be useful for designing culturally appropriate cohort maintenance strategies for longitudinal studies with Latinos.

Development of a protocol to assess dietary intake among Hispanics who have low literacy skills in English.

Hispanic adults who had low literacy in English (n = 14.3) and who attended community college English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes, completed 24-hour dietary recalls using version 2.5 of the computerized Minnesota Nutrition Data System (NDS), which included many Hispanic foods. The purposes of our study were to assess the appropriateness of NDS for a Hispanic group who had low literacy in English, to describe the development and implementation of training procedures for NDS interviewers, and to discuss the special problems that occurred using the enhanced version of NDS. Further, nutrient, intakes for the study population, as calculated using NDS, were compared with nutrient estimates from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). Results suggest that version 2.5 of NDS is a useful tool for collecting dietary information for Hispanics who have low literacy in English. Challenges encountered during data collection for this study could be categorized into three types: regional differences in foods, food preparation differences, and lack of appropriate options in NDS for preparation methods. Generally, the study group and HHANES participants had similar intakes, although the study group tended to have a more healthful nutrition profile. Overall, findings indicate that NDS is a promising assessment tool for nutrition practitioners who work with Hispanics who have low literacy in English. Continued improvements to the NDS system can correct its shortcomings related to regional/ cultural food differences.

Differences in cancer-risk-related behaviors in Latino and Anglo adults.

METHODS. Latino (n = 358) and Anglo (n = 113) adults living in the San Diego area were surveyed on nutrition, smoking, and cancer screening behaviors. The Latino respondents were dichotomized into a low (L-Latino) or high (H-Latino) acculturation group according to a median split of an acculturation index. RESULTS. After controlling for age, years of education, gender, marital status, and income, significant cross-cultural differences were found in saturated fat/cholesterol avoidance, and fiber and high calorie food consumption. L-Latino respondents had the lowest degree of saturated fat/cholesterol avoidance, followed by H-Latinos and Anglos. A pattern of decreasing consumption with increasing acculturation was observed for fiber and high calorie foods. Significant differences were found among women in the prevalence of Pap smear exams, with L-Latinas having the lowest prevalence of ever and in the past year having had a Pap smear, followed by H-Latinas and Anglos. A similar significant pattern was observed among women 50 years of age or older with respect to the prevalence of ever having had a mammogram.