The problem of this research may be stated as a study of the relationship between successful weight reduction on the part of people involved in a group program, and the two variables of ego strength and social participation.

A research report submitted to Faculty of Health Sciences, as a requirement for completion of Masters of Medicine in Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2018 / Background. Candidemia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. The mortality rate ranges between 21% and 76%. Non-albicans candida (NAC) is increasing in incidence and resistance to azoles. Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have numerous risk factors which predispose them as a group to invasive candidemia. Methods. A retrospective case control study of candidemia in VLBW infants admitted to the neonatal unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJAH) between 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2017 was undertaken. Clinical and demographic characteristics of VLBW infants who developed candidemia, commonest Candida species, antifungal susceptibility profiles and outcomes defined as death were identified. 71 infants with confirmed positive blood cultures for candidemia from the NHLS database were selected and each case was allocated 3 controls; the final sample comprised 284 infants. Results. Bacterial sepsis, chronic lung disease (CLD), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and NEC surgery, other surgery, anaemia and ventilation, all showed a strong association with development of candidemia in the infants. The most common isolate was Candida parapsilosis (59.1%), followed by Candida albicans (30.9%). The cases of candidemia overall and NAC isolates increased over the study years. Resistance to azoles by NAC was demonstrated. Mortality was 31.2% and 28.2% in controls and cases respectively. The difference in death between the two groups was not statistically significant. 7 A research report submitted to Faculty of Health Sciences WITS, as a requirement for completion of Masters of Medicine; Paediatrics. Johannesburg, South Africa 2018. Conclusions. The study demonstrated a predominance of NAC isolates, increasing rate of candidemia and increased resistance to azoles. Stricter infection control measures and medical intervention strategies should be implemented / GR 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of six- and twelve-second time intervals of eccentric strength training among college males. Thirty-eight students were used in two experimental groups and one control group. Subjects in the two experimental groups trained three days a week for seven consecutive weeks and were required to perform two sets -of eccentric exercise with three repetitions in each set for either six- or twelve-second intervals, depending upon the experimental group assignment. Results indicated that there was a significant differ ence between the experimental groups' mean strength gain and that of the control group. There was no significant difference between the two experimental groups.

Adult overweight and obesity is a life-threatening health concern worldwide. Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for severely obese individuals however, there is a moderate risk for weight regain. This study evaluated perception of food, supportive resistance resources, and nutrition knowledge, which play important roles in successful weight loss post bariatric surgery. Participants completed a three-part questionnaire at three time intervals: prior to surgery, 2 months post-surgery, and 5 months post-surgery. Results show that bariatric patients’ eating behavior significantly changes post bariatric surgery, but a disordered perception of food remains. Bariatric surgery patients believe support from significant others and family are most important and physical activity will help prevent weight regain. Results indicate that bariatric patients’ nutrition knowledge decreases over time and additional nutrition education may be needed within the first-year post-surgery. More research should be conducted in the area of bariatric surgery and how to prevent weight regain.

Yes / Obesity is a global public health concern. Interventions rely predominantly on managing dietary intake and increasing physical activity; however, sustained adherence to behavioral regimens is often poor. The lack of sustained motivation, self-efficacy, and poor adherence to behavioral regimens are recognized barriers to successful weight loss. Avatar-based interventions achieve better patient outcomes in the management of chronic conditions by promoting more active engagement. Virtual representations of self can affect real-world behavior, acting as a catalyst for sustained weight loss behavior. We evaluated whether a personalized avatar, offered as an adjunct to an established weight loss program, can increase participant motivation, sustain engagement, optimize service delivery, and improve participant health outcomes. A feasibility randomized design was used to determine the case for future development and evaluation of avatar-based technology in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from general practitioner referrals to a 12-week National Health Service weight improvement program. The main outcome measure was weight loss. Secondary outcome measures were quality-of-life and self-efficacy. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistical tests and exploratory comparison between intervention and control arms. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through interviews and analyzed using framework approach. Health Research Authority ethics approval was granted. Overall, 10 men (n=7, 70% for routine care and avatar and n=3, 30% for routine care) and 33 women (n=23, 70% for intervention and n=10, 30% for routine care) were recruited. Participants' initial mean weight was greater in the intervention arm than in the routine care arm (126.3 kg vs 122.9 kg); pattern of weight loss was similar across both arms of the study in T0 to T1 period but accelerated in T1 to T2 period for intervention participants, suggesting that access to the self-resembling avatar may promote greater engagement with weight loss initiatives in the short-to-medium term. Mean change in participants' weight from T0 to T2 was 4.5 kg (95% CI 2.7-6.3) in the routine care arm and 5.3 kg (95% CI 3.9-6.8) in the intervention arm. Quality-of-life and self-efficacy measures demonstrated greater improvement in the intervention arm at both T1 (105.5 for routine care arm and 99.7 for intervention arm) and T2 (100.1 for routine care arm and 81.2 for intervention arm). Overall, 13 participants (n=11, 85% women and n=2, 15% men) and two health care professionals were interviewed about their experience of using the avatar program. Participants found using the personalized avatar acceptable, and feedback reiterated that seeing a future self helped to reinforce motivation to change behavior. This feasibility study demonstrated that avatar-based technology may successfully promote engagement and motivation in weight loss programs, enabling participants to achieve greater weight loss gains and build self-confidence. ISRCTN Registry 17953876; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17953876. / This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (Research for Patient Benefit program [project reference PB-PG-1215-20016]).

No description available.

No description available.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 O42 / Master of Science

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United Kingdom. Recent studies suggest that obesity is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness and higher recurrence rates after treatment. Prognosis may therefore be improved by maintaining healthy weight but research on weight management is relatively scarce. Therefore a weight management programme was designed for prostate cancer patients and a pilot feasibility trial conducted with the aim to evaluate the compliance and effectiveness. Three preliminary studies; a systematic review, a questionnaire survey and qualitative research among patients and their partners, were carried out to inform the optimal design and delivery of the intervention. To identify effective components of the intervention, 778 titles and abstracts were screened in a systematic review. Twenty randomised controlled trials were included in the final review which consisted of six diet interventions, eight exercise interventions and six combined diet and exercise interventions. 256 men completed a mailed questionnaire survey and 48 participants (34 men and 14 partners) participated in six focus group discussions. This mixed-methods research informed the choice of the components, setting and mode of delivery of the intervention. A pilot feasibility study using a two arm randomised controlled trial design compared change in weight and quality of life (QoL) between a 12 week package of a group session, consultant's encouragement letter, monthly individual telephone-based dietitian-led consultations, web-based self-help resources, and pedometer in the intervention group and no intervention in a wait-list control group. 286 men with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer from UCAN (Urology CANcer Charity) Care Centre database were invited to participate of whom 95 responded. Sixty-two eligible men were randomly assigned to intervention (n=31) or wait-list control group (n=31) using minimisation on age, BMI and time since diagnosis. One man in the intervention group and three in the control group withdrew before baseline data collection. Another four men in the intervention group cannot be accommodated into the group schedule. The mean age of the remaining 54 participants at enrolment was 65.5 years (SD 5.6), mean weight 88.9 kg (SD 11.7), BMI 29.6 kgm-2 (SD 2.9) and QoL score 76.6 points (SD 19.0), with no significant difference between the two groups. At 12 weeks, the weight change in the intervention group was greater than in the wait-list control group with a significant group difference of −2.13 kg (95% CI −3.50 to −0.76 kg); p=0.003. The general QoL score change in the intervention group was also greater than in the wait-list control group with a significant group difference of +11.9 points (95% CI 4.6 to 19.2); p=0.002, after adjustment for baseline age, BMI and time since diagnosis. Over weeks 13-24, the intervention group continued to lose weight with a median (IQR) weight change of −1.25 (−3.45, 0.38) kg, which contributed to the overall weight change of −3.40 kg (95% CI −5.27 to −1.53 kg); p=0.001, from week 0-24. The wait-list control was offered a lower-cost mini-intervention of a consultant's encouragement letter, pedometer and the access to the same self-help resources of the weight management programme, but no group meeting or dietetic consultation, from week 13-24. Over this period, the mini-intervention group had a significant weight loss with a weight change of −2.37 kg (95% CI −3.24 to −1.50 kg); p=<0.001. There was no significant change in general QoL or any individual functional or symptom scales in either the intervention or wait-list control group from 12 to 24 weeks. This study can contribute to the future work in this new area which could help to improve clinical outcome in men treated for prostate cancer and inform clinical practice.