Showing papers by "Flinders University published in 2005"
TL;DR: Detailed polling of transcription start and termination sites and analysis of previously unidentified full-length complementary DNAs derived from the mouse genome provide a comprehensive platform for the comparative analysis of mammalian transcriptional regulation in differentiation and development.
Abstract: This study describes comprehensive polling of transcription start and termination sites and analysis of previously unidentified full-length complementary DNAs derived from the mouse genome. We identify the 5' and 3' boundaries of 181,047 transcripts with extensive variation in transcripts arising from alternative promoter usage, splicing, and polyadenylation. There are 16,247 new mouse protein-coding transcripts, including 5154 encoding previously unidentified proteins. Genomic mapping of the transcriptome reveals transcriptional forests, with overlapping transcription on both strands, separated by deserts in which few transcripts are observed. The data provide a comprehensive platform for the comparative analysis of mammalian transcriptional regulation in differentiation and development.
3,412 citations
TL;DR: Melioidosis is a disease of public health importance in southeast Asia and northern Australia that is associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans, and the role of preventative measures, earlier clinical identification, and better management of severe sepsis are required to reduce the burden of this disease.
Abstract: Melioidosis, caused by the gram-negative saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a disease of public health importance in southeast Asia and northern Australia that is associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans. It has the potential for epidemic spread to areas where it is not endemic, and sporadic case reports elsewhere in the world suggest that as-yet-unrecognized foci of infection may exist. Environmental determinants of this infection, apart from a close association with rainfall, are yet to be elucidated. The sequencing of the genome of a strain of B. pseudomallei has recently been completed and will help in the further identification of virulence factors. The presence of specific risk factors for infection, such as diabetes, suggests that functional neutrophil defects are important in the pathogenesis of melioidosis; other studies have defined virulence factors (including a type III secretion system) that allow evasion of killing mechanisms by phagocytes. There is a possible role for cell-mediated immunity, but repeated environmental exposure does not elicit protective humoral or cellular immunity. A vaccine is under development, but economic constraints may make vaccination an unrealistic option for many regions of endemicity. Disease manifestations are protean, and no inexpensive, practical, and accurate rapid diagnostic tests are commercially available; diagnosis relies on culture of the organism. Despite the introduction of ceftazidime- and carbapenem-based intravenous treatments, melioidosis is still associated with a significant mortality attributable to severe sepsis and its complications. A long course of oral eradication therapy is required to prevent relapse. Studies exploring the role of preventative measures, earlier clinical identification, and better management of severe sepsis are required to reduce the burden of this disease.
1,324 citations
TL;DR: The UGT nomenclature is updated to include new genes identified in the human, mouse and rat genomes and in other mammalian species to prevent confusion when the same gene is given different names.
Abstract: Several novel UDP glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes, mainly UDP glucuronosyltransferases, have been identified in the human, mouse and rat genomes and in other mammalian species. This review provides an update of the UGT nomenclature to include these new genes and prevent the confusion that arises when the same gene is given different names. The new genes are named following previously established recommendations, taking into consideration evolutionary relatedness and the names already in general usage in the literature. The mammalian UGT gene superfamily currently has 117 members that can be divided into four families, UGT1, UGT2, UGT3 and UGT8. The 5-exon genes of the UGT1 family each contain a unique first exon, plus four exons that are shared between the genes; the exons 1 appear to have evolved by a process of duplication, leading to the synthesis of proteins with identical carboxyl-terminal and variable amino-terminal domains. Exon-sharing is also seen with the 6-exon UGT2A1 and UGT2A2 genes. However, UGT2A3 and those of the UGT2B (six exons), UGT3 (seven exons) and UGT8 gene families (five or six exons) do not share exons and most likely were derived by a process of duplication of all exons in the gene. Most UGT1 and UGT8 enzymes have been characterized in detail; however, the catalytic functions of the UGT3A enzymes and several UGT2 enzymes remain to be characterized.
793 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the research implications of using multi-methods within a broad qualitative approach by drawing on the experience of conducting two childhood obesity-focused qualitative studies of Australian children's perceptions and experiences of place, space and physical activity.
Abstract: This article explores the research implications of using multi-methods within a broad qualitative approach by drawing on the experience of conducting two childhood obesity-focused qualitative studies of Australian children’s perceptions and experiences of place, space and physical activity. Children described and depicted their physical activities and experiences: in focus group interviews, by mapping their local, social and recreational spaces and by photographing their meaningful places, spaces and activities using a Photovoice approach. The authors describe, reflect on and critique their chosen research approach, discussing the value, utility and pitfalls associated with using multiple methods with children. The article concludes that using multiple methods in researching children’s experiences is a valuable approach that does not merely duplicate data but also offers complementary insights and understandings that may be difficult to access through reliance on a single method of data collection.
772 citations
552 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that social capital is multifaceted and its relationship with health is complex and that socio-economic factors are of relatively greater importance in determining health.
445 citations
TL;DR: The Australia-modified KPS is a useful modification of the Karnofsky Performance Status that is more appropriate for clinical settings that include multiple venues of care such as palliative care.
Abstract: The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) is a gold standard scale. The Thorne-modified KPS (TKPS) focuses on community-based care and has been shown to be more relevant to palliative care settings than the original KPS. The Australia-modified KPS (AKPS) blends KPS and TKPS to accommodate any setting of care. Performance status was measured using all three scales for palliative care patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in South Australia. Care occurred in a range of settings. Survival was defined from enrollment to death. Ratings were collected at 1600 timepoints for 306 participants. The median score on all scales was 60. KPS and AKPS agreed in 87% of ratings; 79% of disagreements occurred within 1 level on the 11-level scales. KPS and TKPS agreed in 76% of ratings; 85% of disagreements occurred within one level. AKPS and TKPS agreed in 85% of ratings; 87% of disagreements were within one level. Strongest agreement occurred at the highest levels (70–90), with greatest disagreement at lower levels (≤40). Kappa coefficients for agreement were KPS-TKPS 0.71, KPS-AKPS 0.84, and AKPS-TKPS 0.82 (all p < 0.001). Spearman correlations with survival were KPS 0.26, TKPS 0.27 and AKPS 0.26 (all p < 0.001). AKPS was most predictive of survival at the lower range of the scale. All had longitudinal test-retest validity. Face validity was greatest for the AKPS. The AKPS is a useful modification of the KPS that is more appropriate for clinical settings that include multiple venues of care such as palliative care.
391 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the nature of trust in the police in general terms and related to the problem of distrust in governance, and the problematic nature of the trust of the police is considered; structural features as well as performance aspects are invoked to explain distrust of police.
Abstract: Police reform is widely undertaken in developing and post-authoritarian countries. The starting point for analysis of this phenomenon, it is suggested, is the absence of public trust in police that characterizes police-community relations in these countries. Without public trust in police, ‘policing by consent’ is difficult or impossible and public safety suffers. The nature of trust is examined in general terms and related to the problem of trust in governance. Then, the problematic nature of trust of the police is considered; structural features as well as performance aspects are invoked to explain distrust of police. In the penultimate section, the question of how to build trustworthy police forces is examined in the light of what has been learnt about the difficulties of maintaining or establishing trust in police. Process as well as substantive improvements each play a role here. In addition to building trust, ways of institutionalizing distrust are needed. The article concludes by pointing to some i...
340 citations
TL;DR: Survival time may be enhanced by strong social networks among older Australians, and these may be important in lengthening survival.
Abstract: Study objectives: To examine if social networks with children, relatives, friends, and confidants predict survival in older Australians over 10 years after controlling for a range of demographic, health, and lifestyle variables.
Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study (the Australian longitudinal study of aging)
Setting: Adelaide, South Australia.
Participants: 1477 persons aged 70 years or more living in the community and residential care facilities.
Main results: After controlling for a range of demographic, health, and lifestyle variables, greater networks with friends were protective against mortality in the 10 year follow up period. The hazard ratio for participants in the highest tertile of friends networks compared with participants in the lowest group was 0.78 (95%CI 0.65 to 0.92). A smaller effect of greater networks with confidants (hazard ratio = 0.84; 95%CI = 0.71 to 0.98) was seen. The effects of social networks with children and relatives were not significant with respect to survival over the following decade.
Conclusions: Survival time may be enhanced by strong social networks. Among older Australians, these may be important in lengthening survival.
326 citations
TL;DR: It was concluded that young girls with heavier actual weight and perceptions of being overweight were particularly vulnerable to developing low self-esteem.
318 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary evidence that the “NeuroMarker” battery is reliable for test-retest assessments is provided and the results suggest that the standardized approach has utility for providing sensitive clinical and treatment evaluations across age groups.
Abstract: NeuroMarker combines EEG and ERP measures with neurocognitive tests in a fully computerized and standardized testing system. It is designed for use across the lifespan and has a large normative database of over 1,000 subjects. This study was a preliminary evaluation of "NeuroMarker" in subjects spanning four decades. Twenty-one healthy subjects (12-57 years) were tested at baseline and four weeks later. From the "Neuromarker" battery, the authors analyzed EEG data (eyes open and closed) and ERPs elicited during auditory oddball (N100, P200, N200, P300) and working memory (P150, P300) tasks. Concomitant neuropsychological data, acquired using a touch-screen system, comprised measures of sensori-motor, attention, verbal, executive, and memory function. Test-retest data were examined using analyses of variance and correlational procedures (corrected for multiple comparisons), with parallel analyses of age. EEG data did not differ across sessions, and showed high test-retest reliability (.71-.95), particularly for theta and delta (>.85). ERP components also showed sound reliability, particularly for sites where components are maximal: fronto-central N100 (.76-.77), centro-parietal P300 (.78-.81) to oddball targets, N100 and P200 (.74-.86) to oddball non-targets, and P150 amplitude and latency (.84-.93) to working memory stimuli. Neuropsychological tests showed a similarly sound level of consistency (on average, .70), with the most consistent tests tapping simple motor function, estimated intelligence, switching of attention (Part 2), verbal interference response time and memory intrusions (.71-.89). Age and sex did not have a differential impact on reliability for EEG, ERP, or neuropsychology measures. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the "NeuroMarker" battery is reliable for test-retest assessments. The results suggest that the standardized approach has utility for providing sensitive clinical and treatment evaluations across age groups.
TL;DR: Crusted scabies often occurs in patients with identifiable immunosuppressive risk factors and in patients without such risk factors, it is possible that the crusted response to infection results from a tendency to preferentially mount a Th2 response.
TL;DR: The preservation of these structures is consistent with the functional importance of the thalamo‐limbic circuits in sensory integration, arousal, emotion, and memory, and lends credence to the idea that later‐maturing cortical regions are more vulnerable to age‐related morphologic changes.
Abstract: Patterns of gray matter (GM) loss were measured in 223 healthy subjects spanning eight decades. We observed significant clusters of accelerated loss in focal regions of the frontal and parietal cortices, including the dorsolateral frontal cortex, pre- and postcentral gyrus, and the inferior and superior parietal lobes. The rate of loss in these clusters was approximately twice that of the global average. By contrast, clusters of significant GM preservation were found in limbic and paralimbic structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, and the cingulate gyrus. In these clusters, GM loss was attenuated significantly relative to the global rate. The preservation of these structures is consistent with the functional importance of the thalamo-limbic circuits in sensory integration, arousal, emotion, and memory, and lends credence to the idea that later-maturing cortical regions are more vulnerable to age-related morphologic changes. Moreover, the limbic findings act as a frame of reference to explore further the effects of stress and learning on these structures in an evidence-based manner across age.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors employ a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (COHERENS) in a fully prognostic mode to study the circulation and water mass properties of the Persian Gulf.
Abstract: . We employ a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (COHERENS) in a fully prognostic mode to study the circulation and water mass properties of the Persian Gulf – a large inverse estuary. Our findings, which are in good agreement with observational evidence, suggest that the Persian Gulf experiences a distinct seasonal cycle in which a gulf-wide cyclonic overturning circulation establishes in spring and summer, but this disintegrates into mesoscale eddies in autumn and winter. Establishment of the gulf-wide circulation coincides with establishment of thermal stratification and strengthening of the baroclinic exchange circulation through the Strait of Hormuz. Winter cooling of extreme saline (>45) water in shallow regions along the coast of United Arab Emirates is a major driver of this baroclinic circulation.
TL;DR: Among a host of novel therapeutics for ocular neovascularization, 2 inhibitorsoftheangiogenicagentvascularendothelialgrowth factor (VEGF)—pegaptanib sodium and ranibizumab— are poised for imminent clinical application, however, the need for repeated intraocular injection of these agents and the potential for localandsystemicadverseeffects pose hurdles for these emerging therapies.
Abstract: OLECULAR MEDICINE OFFERS PROMISE FOR THE preventionofvisionlosscausedbyocularneovascularization in diabetic retinopathy and exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). During the past decade, significant advances have been made in angiogenesis research, such that the understanding about new vessel formation in disease has increased considerably. This knowledge has led to the development of numerous inhibitors of angiogenesis. Among a host of novel therapeutics for ocular neovascularization, 2 inhibitorsoftheangiogenicagentvascularendothelialgrowth factor (VEGF)—pegaptanib sodium and ranibizumab— are poised for imminent clinical application. However, the need for repeated intraocular injection of these agents and thepotentialforlocalandsystemicadverseeffectsmaypose hurdles for these emerging therapies. Conventional Treatments Have Limitations
TL;DR: Overall, 1 in every 2 children examined had otoscopic signs consistent with suppurative ear disease and 1 in 4 children had a perforated tympanic membrane.
Abstract: Middle ear disease (otitis media) is common and frequently severe in Australian Aboriginal children. There have not been any recent large-scale surveys using clear definitions and a standardised middle ear assessment. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of middle ear disease (otitis media) in a high-risk population of young Aboriginal children from remote communities in Northern and Central Australia. 709 Aboriginal children aged 6–30 months living in 29 communities from 4 health regions participated in the study between May and November 2001. Otitis media (OM) and perforation of the tympanic membrane (TM) were diagnosed by tympanometry, pneumatic otoscopy, and video-otoscopy. We used otoscopic criteria (bulging TM or recent perforation) to diagnose acute otitis media. 914 children were eligible to participate in the study and 709 were assessed (78%). Otitis media affected nearly all children (91%, 95%CI 88, 94). Overall prevalence estimates adjusted for clustering by community were: 10% (95%CI 8, 12) for unilateral otitis media with effusion (OME); 31% (95%CI 27, 34) for bilateral OME; 26% (95%CI 23, 30) for acute otitis media without perforation (AOM/woP); 7% (95%CI 4, 9) for AOM with perforation (AOM/wiP); 2% (95%CI 1, 3) for dry perforation; and 15% (95%CI 11, 19) for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The perforation prevalence ranged from 0–60% between communities and from 19–33% between regions. Perforations of the tympanic membrane affected 40% of children in their first 18 months of life. These were not always persistent. Overall, 1 in every 2 children examined had otoscopic signs consistent with suppurative ear disease and 1 in 4 children had a perforated tympanic membrane. Some of the children with intact tympanic membranes had experienced a perforation that healed before the survey. In this high-risk population, high rates of tympanic perforation were associated with high rates of bulging of the tympanic membrane.
TL;DR: The potential of Indigenous natural resource management activities to promote and preserve Indigenous health in remote areas of northern Australia is explored.
TL;DR: The introduction of smoking bans in psychiatric inpatient settings is possible but would need to be a clearly and carefully planned process involving all parties affected by the bans.
Abstract: Objective: This paper reviews the findings from 26 international studies that report on the effectiveness of smoking bans in inpatient psychiatric settings. The main aim is to identify which proces...
TL;DR: A review examining the concept of sleep and its antithesis of fatigue considers the evidence on nurses' ability to cope with the demands of continually changing hours of work, their safety, and the impact any manifestations of sleep disruption may have on the care of their patients.
Abstract: Aim. This paper reports a review examining the concept of sleep and its antithesis of fatigue, and considers the evidence on nurses’ ability to cope with the demands of continually changing hours of work, their safety, and the impact any manifestations of sleep disruption may have on the care of their patients. While many aspects of this paper may apply to nursing in general, special consideration is given to nurses in the critical care environment.
Background. Night duty rotations are common practice in nursing, and particularly in specialist units. It is essential that nurses working in these environments are able to maintain careful and astute observation of their vulnerable patients, and concern arises when they may be unable to do so. Research suggests that fatigue can negatively affect nurses’ health, quality of performance, safety and thus patient care, and that the effects of fatigue may be exacerbated for nurses over 40 years of age.
Method. The literature was examined for the 10-year period up to December 2003. The databases searched were Ovid, Proquest, Blackwell Science, EBSCO Online, Australian Health Review and WebSPIRS, using the keywords of, shiftwork, rosters, intensive care, fatigue, sleep deprivation and sleep studies.
Findings. There is consensus amongst researchers on the adverse psychological and physiological effects of night rotations on nurses when compared with their permanent night duty peers, particularly for those over 40 years of age. Evidence also suggests that the effects of fatigue on nurse performance may negatively affect the quality of patient care.
Conclusions. The literature reinforces concerns about the adverse relationship between fatigue and performance in the workplace. Optimal standards for patient care may be difficult to achieve for more mature nurses, who may suffer from sleep deprivation and health problems associated with rotational night work and disrupted physiological rhythms.
TL;DR: It appears likely that ingested RS acts as a metabolic substrate, thus creating the right conditions for B. lactis to exert its proapoptotic action, and this combination facilitates the apoptotic response to DNA damage by a cancer initiator in the colon of rats.
Abstract: Recent reports suggest that combinations of prebiotics and probiotics may be protective against colorectal cancer. We examined in rats the effects of probiotic bacteria, resistant starch (RS), and their interaction on luminal and epithelial events of relevance to the development of colorectal cancer. Lyophilized cultures (1 x 10(10) cfu/g) of Lactobacillus acidophilus and/or Bifidobacterium lactis were added at a concentration of 1% by weight to a semipurified diet containing either low-RS (no supplemented RS) or moderate-RS (10% Hi-maize) and fed to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 wk. Experimental end-points included cecal bacterial enumeration, fecal and cecal pH, SCFA levels, cell proliferation, and the acute apoptotic response to a genotoxic carcinogen (AARGC; measured 6 h after a single azoxymethane injection). A significant interaction between dietary RS and supplemental bacteria was observed for the AARGC in the colon and fecal pH (P < 0.01). Rats fed the moderate-RS diet in combination with B. lactis had a significantly greater AARGC in the colon than those fed that diet without B. lactis. Fecal pH was elevated in the moderate-RS fed rats supplemented with bacteria. The moderate-RS diet increased cell proliferation and crypt column height (P < 0.001) compared with the low-RS diet. SCFA levels and numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli species were also increased (P < 0.001) by the moderate-RS diet, whereas pH levels and total coliforms were lowered (P < 0.001). The synbiotic combination of RS and B. lactis significantly facilitated the apoptotic response to a genotoxic carcinogen in the distal colon of rats. It appears likely that ingested RS acts as a metabolic substrate, thus creating the right conditions for B. lactis to exert its proapoptotic action. Because the synbiotic combination of these agents facilitates the apoptotic response to DNA damage by a cancer initiator in the colon of rats, it warrants further study for its capacity to protect against colorectal cancer.
TL;DR: Results support the use of IntegNeuroTM as a computerized cognitive system and additional studies are needed to examine the clinical utility of the battery.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the preliminary validity of a newly developed battery of computerized cognitive measures, IntegNeuro. This standardized and semi-automated computerized battery assesses sensori-motor function, attention, new learning and memory, language fluency, executive function, and estimated intelligence. A total of 50 healthy individuals (aged 22-80 years) were included in the study. Correlational analyses revealed highly significant associations between the two cognitive batteries. These results support the use of IntegNeuro as a computerized cognitive system. Additional studies are needed to examine the clinical utility of the battery.
TL;DR: Results demonstrated that willingness to try familiar nonanimal foods was predicted by beliefs about the negative sensory properties of the foods and joy elicited by the thought of eating them.
TL;DR: This literature review exposes the nature and extent of physical and psychosocial morbidity and economic disadvantage, home palliative caregivers suffer as a direct result of their caregiving role and recommendations for enhancing caregiver support are outlined.
Abstract: This literature review exposes the nature and extent of physical and psychosocial morbidity and economic disadvantage, home palliative caregivers suffer as a direct result of their caregiving role. Research has demonstrated that caregivers providing support to individuals receiving palliative care report unmet needs for information, communication, service provision and support from health and community services. Three sets of challenges are highlighted in this literature review which help explain why the needs of home palliative caregivers are largely unmet: (i) barriers to seeking help; (ii) a dearth of research-based interventions focused on reducing the negative aspects of caregiving; and (iii) a number of impediments to effective policy and service development for family caregivers. Furthermore, invited submissions from caregivers echoed and confirmed the issues reported in the literature. Recommendations for enhancing caregiver support are outlined.
TL;DR: This paper investigated the relationship between several aspects of television viewing, in particular total exposure, selective viewing of specific genres, and motives for viewing, with body attitudes among adolescents, and found that total television time was not related to any body image variable for either boys or girls.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between several aspects of television viewing, in particular total exposure, selective viewing of specific genres, and motives for viewing, with body attitudes among adolescents. Participants were 1,452 secondary school students who completed questionnaire measures of eating disorder attitudes and symptomatology, internalization of appearance ideals, appearance schemas, and uses of television. Participants also provided a detailed account of their television watching in the previous week, from which measures of total exposure and viewing of specific genres were generated. It was found that total television time was not related to any body image variable for either boys or girls. However, the time spent watching soap operas was related to drive for thinness in both genders. This relationship was mediated by internalization and appearance schemas. The time spent watching soap operas and music videos was also related to drive for muscularity i...
TL;DR: Comparative analyses indicated that the type of people's job search motivation is an important predictor of people’s unemployment experience and wellbeing, beyond people's strength of motivation assessed within EVT through expectancies of finding a job and employment value.
Abstract: Previous unemployment research has directly tested hypotheses derived from expectancy-value theory (EVT; Feather, 1982, 1990), but no comparative analysis has been executed with another motivational framework. In one large study with 446 unemployed people, separate analyses provided good evidence for predictions derived from both EVT and self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000). Comparative analyses indicated that the type of people's job search motivation, as conceptualized through the notions of autonomous versus controlled motivation within SDT, is an important predictor of people's unemployment experience and well-being, beyond people's strength of motivation assessed within EVT through expectancies of finding a job and employment value. The importance of simultaneously testing two theoretical frameworks is discussed.
TL;DR: High-level evidence to vindicate the use of a particular approach or treatment to prevent or treat corneal graft rejection is lacking and experimental approaches to local allospecific immunosuppression are being developed but may be difficult to translate from the laboratory bench to the clinic.
01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: A new model to measure semantic similarity in the taxonomy of WordNet, using edge-counting techniques achieves a much improved result compared with other methods: the correlation with average human judgment on a standard 28 word pair dataset is better than anything reported in the literature.
Abstract: This paper presents a new model to measure semantic similarity in the taxonomy of WordNet, using edge-counting techniques We weigh up our model against a benchmark set by human similarity judgment, and achieve a much improved result compared with other methods: the correlation with average human judgment on a standard 28 word pair dataset is 0921, which is better than anything reported in the literature and also significantly better than average individual human judgments As this set has been effectively used for algorithm selection and tuning, we also cross-validate an independent 37 word pair test set (0876) and present results for the full 65 word pair superset (0897)
TL;DR: The hypothesis that a maternal diet high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fat can modify the programming of an offspring's glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, body composition, lipid metabolism, and insulin signaling is investigated.
Abstract: An intrauterine environment may play a role in predisposing a developing fetus to metabolic diseases during adulthood. We investigated the hypothesis that a maternal diet high in ω-6 polyunsaturated fat can modify the programming of an offspring's glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, body composition, lipid metabolism, and insulin signaling. High ω-6 polyunsaturated fat diets were fed to female rats 4 weeks before mating and throughout the gestation period. The offspring were maintained on chow diet. At 3 months of age, indirect calorimetry, oral glucose tolerance tests, and dual x-ray absorptiometry measurements were performed. Triglyceride content and β-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase activity were determined in the liver and quadriceps muscle. Expression levels of key insulin signaling pathway proteins were measured in the liver and quadriceps muscle of the 3-month-old offspring. Offspring from the fat-fed dams had significantly increased proportions of both total body fat and abdominal fat. All offspring displayed normal insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, although the offspring from the fat-fed dams were significantly more hyperinsulinemic 15 minutes after an oral glucose challenge. Whole body fuel oxidation was not altered. The offspring of fat-fed dams had significantly elevated liver triglyceride content. Insulin signaling protein expression levels in the offspring of fat-fed dams were consistent with reduced hepatic insulin sensitivity but increased quadriceps insulin sensitivity. A maternal diet high in ω-6 polyunsaturated fat evokes programming within the metabolic processes of the offspring that may predispose the offspring to the development of metabolic diseases.
TL;DR: It was concluded that cognitive experimental techniques aimed at reducing the vividness of visual, gustatory or olfactory imagery, might usefully be deployed to reduce unwanted food cravings.