Smoking causes Type II diabetes (T2DM). However, there were limited research on the needs, concerns and intention of smokers with T2DM about quitting smoking. This study aimed to explore the behaviors and perceptions on smoking and quitting smoking in patients with T2DM. I conducted both qualitative and quantitative studies. The qualitative study involved T2DM patients who were current smokers or ex-smokers, and could communicate in Cantonese. Semi-structured focus group and individual in-depth interviews were conducted. The quantitative study was cross-sectional, using a standardized questionnaire to identify the intention to quit smoking, knowledge regarding the health risks of smoking and their determinants in T2DM smokers who (1) were aged 18 years or above; (2) can communicate in Cantonese; (3) had daily consumption of at least 2 cigarettes in the past 30 days; and (4) diagnosed with T2DM for at least 6 months with stable condition. Structured multiphase regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with intention to quit smoking and knowledge on the health impact of smoking. In the qualitative study, I recruited 22 current smokers and 20 ex-smokers with T2DM at data saturation. The current T2DM smokers did not quit smoking because of satisfaction with their current health status, misconceptions of no association between T2DM and smoking, and the perceived hazards of quitting. In contrast, ex-smokers had a positive evaluation of quitting smoking, accepted the quit advice from medical professionals and received more family support. Moreover, psychological addiction and weight gain after smoking cessation were the major barriers for T2DM patients to quit smoking. In the cross-sectional study, I recruited 526 smokers with T2DM from nine outpatient clinics specialized in diabetes. They scored on average 47.5 (95% CI=45.6-49.4) out of 0-100 in knowledge regarding health impact of smoking, and 389 (74%, 95% CI=70.3%-77.8%) of them were in pre-contemplation stage. The multiphase regression analysis showed that T2DM smokers with no intention to quit were those who smoked during alcohol drinking (OR=5.98, 95% CI=1.89-18.98, p=0.002). In contrast, those less likely associated with pre-contemplation stage were those who perceived a worse level of health (OR=0.41, 95%, CI=0.19-0.86, p=0.019), perceived greater importance of quitting (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.58-0.78, p<0.0001), had higher confidence of quitting (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.67-0.88, p<0.0001), or had more knowledge regarding health impact of smoking (OR=0.98, 95%, CI=0.97-0.999, p=0.035). In addition, a higher score on Decisional Balance Inventory-Cons of smoking (coefficient=1.61, 95% CI=0.56-2.66, p=0.003) or confidence in quitting was associated with a higher knowledge score (coefficient=1.30, 95% CI=0.59-2.01, p<0.001). Conclusively, this is the first study to assess the smoking behaviors and perceptions in patients with T2DM. Many T2DM smokers were reluctant to quit smoking due to inadequate knowledge of the health impact of smoking. Patient education, weight control and behavioral counseling are suggested as the critical components of an effective smoking cessation intervention for T2DM patients. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Philosophy

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and cause of death due to cancer in the United States. Death due to colorectal cancer is generally caused by hepatic metastasis rather than the primary tumor itself. The five-year survival rate is only 10% for patients whose colorectal cancer metastasized, which indicates the need for more effective therapies to treat colon cancer. The diet contains (1) preformed vitamin A as retinyl esters in animal-derived food sources and (2) provitamin A carotenoids in plant-derived food sources. Once absorbed, retinol is re-esterified and transported to the liver, the major site of vitamin A storage. Therefore, dietary vitamin A supplementation can increase retinol levels in the colon and liver, potentially affecting both primary colon tumors and liver metastases of the primary tumors. All-trans--retinoic acid (ATRA) is thought to regulate most of the effects of retinoids, via the ATRA/RAR/RARE pathway exerting an inhibitory effect on cancer growth and progression. As cancer progresses, colon cancer acquires the resistance to ATRA. The purpose of this study is to understand the mechanism by which retinol decreased the growth and progression of ATRA-resistant human colon cancer in vivo and in vitro. We first demonstrated that retinol decreased the growth of ATRA-resistant colon cancer cells by arresting cell cycle progression independent of the ATRA/RAR/RARE pathway. Next, we showed retinol inhibited ATRA-resistant human colon cancer cell invasion by decreasing MMP-2, -9 and PI3K activity in vitro. Finally, dietary vitamin A supplementation decreased the incidence and multiplicity of liver metastases in nude mice intrasplenically injected with ATRA-resistant human colon cancer cells. Taken together, these data suggest the possibility of dietary vitamin A supplementation for colon cancer therapy and prevention.

Thesis (D.Tech. degree in Nursing)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / While obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide, it is not regarded as negative or unacceptable among South African black socio-cultural groups. It is estimated that 29% of men and 56% of women in South Africa are obese. Variations in worldview create differences between perceived weight and actual weight which influence obesity levels and interventions. This makes it necessary to develop culturally congruent weight reduction interventions so that they are acceptable to targeted communities. The objective of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate a weight reduction intervention in Thulamela in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province.

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Symptoms associated with menopause are known to negatively affect quality of life for many women. Moreover, concern about risks associated with hormone replacement therapy can prompt women to seek non-pharmacological approaches to symptom management. Claims exist that yoga can be useful in the management of menopausal symptoms, possibly through modification of endocrine function. This study used a randomized controlled design to examine the effect of yoga on sedentary menopausal women with regard to menopausal symptoms, circulating hormones, musculoskeletal fitness, heart rate, blood pressure, and body mass index. Women participating in a traditional walking program served as the control group. Results indicate that both types of activity were beneficial for perimenopausal women, although the differences between yoga and walking for improvement in menopause symptoms were not statistically significant. The effects do not appear to be associated with hormonal changes. Musculoskeletal fitness in sedentary women improved with activity despite weight gain. / ix, 105 leaves ; 29 cm

An imbalance of the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium has been associated with disease progression in HIV-seropositive individuals. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in reducing the concentrations of oxidative stress markers. The objectives of the present cross-sectional study were to evaluate the dietary intake and nutritional supplementation practices of 24 HIV-seropositive persons in Montreal and explore the relationship between dietary intakes of antioxidant micronutrients (ascorbic acid, vitamin E, $ beta$-carotene, zinc, selenium), oxidative stress (plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), leukocyte glutathione (GSH)) and immunological indices (absolute CD4+ counts, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)). Unexpectedly, and paradoxically, a tendency to higher MDA concentrations in subjects with higher CD4+ counts was observed (r = 0.39, p $<$ 0.10). Moreover, supplementation with vitamin E was associated with significantly higher MDA concentrations (p $<$ 0.05). Ascorbic acid intake, even at levels in excess of the tissue saturation (200 mg/d) did not significantly lower MDA concentrations. Neither GSH concentrations nor CD4+ counts were significantly different between supplement users and non-users. In general, the small sample size of this study may have been in part responsible for the failure to detect statistical significance in some associations, however, trends were noted. These included the observation that vitamin supplement users were more likely to have a history of a clinical event associated with HIV infection (opportunistic infection, neoplasm, unintentional weight loss), have a longer duration of IV-seropositivity and have significantly higher MDA concentrations (p $<$ 0.05). In this study, it appears that antioxidants, and vitamin E in particular, were ineffective in reducing the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with HIV infection.

<p>Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for listeriosis, a food-borne disease, which may result in severe illness and possible death. The importance of L. monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen has been recognized since the 1980's when a correlation between the cunsumption of contaminated foodstuffs and human listeriosis outbreaks was observed. Listeriosis occurs with the ingestion of contaminated foods. The aim of this study involved developing DNA based methods to aid the food industry for the fast detection of L. monocytogenes in food products. Therefore assays were developed in such a way that they will have potential applications in the food idustry.</p>

<p>Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for listeriosis, a food-borne disease, which may result in severe illness and possible death. The importance of L. monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen has been recognized since the 1980's when a correlation between the cunsumption of contaminated foodstuffs and human listeriosis outbreaks was observed. Listeriosis occurs with the ingestion of contaminated foods. The aim of this study involved developing DNA based methods to aid the food industry for the fast detection of L. monocytogenes in food products. Therefore assays were developed in such a way that they will have potential applications in the food idustry.</p>

Background and Objective: Smoking is one of the major risk factors for chronic periodontitis. However, the mechanisms involved in tissue degradation due to cigarette smoking are not clear. Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are a system of molecules that regulate bone resorption. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), OPG and their relative ratio in GCF among periodontitis patients with varying smoking histories. Material and Methods: GCF samples were collected from 149 periodontitis patients who were never smokers (n=58), former smokers (n=39) and current smokers (n=52). sRANKL and OPG concentrations in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: sRANKL, OPG and their relative ratio were not statistically significant among the never smokers, former smokers and current smokers. However, OPG was significantly reduced and subsequently the sRANKL:OPG ratio was significantly increased in the high pack-years group as compared with never smokers. The positive correlation between packyears and sRANKL:OPG ratio was statistically significant even after adjusting for age and current smoking status. Conclusion: Increased lifetime exposure to cigarette smoking above a minimum threshold suppresses OPG production and leads to increased sRANKL:OPG. This may partially explain increased bone loss in smoking-related periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1352109 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry, 2009

Expectations from industry and the community ensure that we live in a 24-hour society. Increased demand for flexibility, capital utilisation and competition have initiated or extended shiftwork operations in many industry sectors such as mining, transport, defence, healthcare, manufacturing and security. The most common problems reported by shiftworkers are disturbed sleep and sleepiness. From a biological perspective this is not surprising because shiftworkers are often required to work at times when their mind and body are driven toward sleep. Shiftworkers may therefore be required to attempt sleep during the day; a time at which their mind and body are programmed to be awake and active. When sufficient recovery doesn't occur regularly, sleepiness and fatigue can accumulate. Traditionally, shiftwork and the work-related fatigue that it can create have been 'managed' by limiting the length of shifts and total number of hours worked per week, month or year. However, this approach fails to acknowledge key factors such as the time-of-day of work. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to provide the background, components and preliminary validations of a model to assess hours-of-work and fatigue in a scientifically appropriate manner. / thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 1999.