The impact of knowledge and social influences on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs and intentions

OBJECTIVES: Many health promotion educational interventions assume that increasing knowledge directly influences beliefs, intentions and behaviour, whereas research suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient for behavioural change. Social cognition frameworks such as the Theory of Reasoned Action propose a central role for beliefs and social normative influences. This Scottish study evaluates the role of knowledge and social influences (subjective norms, exposure to breast-feeding, social barriers) on beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed or bottle-feed. Social influences from family and peers are investigated.DESIGN: A cross-sectional between-subjects observational design was used. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 229 (46%) male and 267 (54%) female adolescents aged 11-18 years.SETTING: Participants completed questionnaires during lessons at three secondary schools in Central Scotland.RESULTS: Knowledge about health benefits of breast-feeding was generally poor. Analyses found that perceived social barriers to breast-feeding moderated the relationship between knowledge and beliefs. More knowledge, positive beliefs and supportive subjective norms also predicted future intentions to breast-feed. Parental norms exerted greater influence than peer norms on adolescents' breast-feeding beliefs.CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and social influences are important predictors of positive breast-feeding beliefs and future intentions to breast-feed in adolescents. This has important implications for breast-feeding health promotion interventions in young people.     

Detection and assessment of risk factors associated with natural concurrent infection of Trypanosoma evansi and Anaplasma marginale in dairy animals by duplex PCR in eastern Punjab

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Duplex PCR consisting of two primer sets within a single mixture for the simultaneous detection of Anaplasma marginale and Trypanosoma evansi was...     

Mutant prevention concentration,pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic integration,and modeling of enrofloxacin data established in diseased buffalo calves

The pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling of enrofloxacin data using mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of enrofloxacin was conducted in febrile buffalo calves to optimize dosage regimen and to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The serum peak concentration (C_max), terminal half‐life (t_1/2K₁₀₎, apparent volume of distribution (Vd_(area)/F), and mean residence time (MRT) of enrofloxacin were 1.40 ± 0.27 μg/mL, 7.96 ± 0.86 h, 7.74 ± 1.26 L/kg, and 11.57 ± 1.01 h, respectively, following drug administration at dosage 12 mg/kg by intramuscular route. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration, and MPC of enrofloxacin against Pasteurella multocida were 0.055, 0.060, and 1.45 μg/mL, respectively. Modeling of ex vivo growth inhibition data to the sigmoid E_max equation provided AUC_24 h/MIC values to produce effects of bacteriostatic (33 h), bactericidal (39 h), and bacterial eradication (41 h). The estimated daily dosage of enrofloxacin in febrile buffalo calves was 3.5 and 8.4 mg/kg against P. multocida/pathogens having MIC₉₀ ≤0.125 and 0.30 μg/mL, respectively, based on the determined AUC_24 h / MIC values by modeling PK/PD data. The lipopolysaccharide‐induced fever had no direct effect on the antibacterial activity of the enrofloxacin and alterations in PK of the drug, and its metabolite will be beneficial for its use to treat infectious diseases caused by sensitive pathogens in buffalo species. In addition, in vitro MPC data in conjunction with in vivo PK data indicated that clinically it would be easier to eradicate less susceptible strains of P. multocida in diseased calves.     

Horticultural crops tackling stresses: genetic and epigenetic alterations

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Food is indispensable for fulfilling the nutritional requirements of living beings. The principal source of food, nutrition and feed are horticultural...     

Chemical constituents in mature green and red fruits of some varieties of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Fresh red fruits of twelve chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties had higher dry matter, crude protein, ascorbic acid, phosphorous, zinc and copper contents than the corresponding mature green fruits. Varietal variations with respect of these constitutents were also observed.     

Studies on some physico-chemical changes associated with fruit ripening in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill.)

The fruits of two tomato varieties were analysed at five stages of maturity, viz. mature green, turning, pink, red and red ripe, for some physico-chemical changes associated with fruit ripening. Fruit weight and size, pericarp thickness, drymatter, ascorbic acid, sugars, protein, N, P, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were observed to increase with maturity and reached maximum or near maximum at red stage. The acidity was maximum at turning or pink stage and then decreased to a minimum level at red ripe stage. Varietal differences were present.     

Studies of the evaluation of different genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for yield and mineral contents

Six genotypes of potato were compared with two commercial cultivars, Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri, Chamatkar for their yield and mineral contents (i.e., iron, copper, zinc, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). There were significant differences amongst different genotypes with respect to yield and mineral contents. The cultivar Kufri Chandramukhi, which gave also significantly highest tuber yield during both years, was found to be richest in copper, zinc and potassium. The genotypes EM/B-1601 and JF-4835 were found to be highest in iron content. The highest quantities of sodium, potassium, and magnesium were detected in the cultivar Kufri Chamatkar. The genotype J.F. 5106 was also found to be rich in magnesium content which was comparable to Kufri Chamatkar. The highest quantities of phosphorus and calcium were found in genotypes J.F. 4835 and EM/B-859 respectively. The genotype J.F. 547 was found to be poorest in iron, copper, zinc, sodium and potassium.     

Classification of Rice Based on Statistical Analysis of Pasting Properties and Apparent Amylose Content: The Case of Oryza glaberrima Accessions from Africa

The diversity of 1,020 Oryza glaberrima rice accessions being kept at the Genetic Resources Unit of the Africa Rice Center with a varied range of apparent amylose content (AAC) and pasting properties was explored with cluster analysis. Rice cultivars are usually characterized according to grain dimensions, AACs, and gelatinization temperatures; however, this work focused on grouping African rice accessions based on their pasting properties and AAC. Using the Ward method of hierarchical cluster analysis, 1,020 rice accessions were initially distributed into five major clusters and further into 23 subclusters. The distribution pattern indicated that clusters I, II, III, IV, and V formed 27.6, 10.2, 15.8, 23.7, and 22.6% of the entire population, respectively. Although some of the groups had similar AAC, their pasting properties were very different, making it imperative for further investigations. Peak viscosity highly correlated (P < 0.01) with trough, breakdown, and final viscosities in all five clusters, whereas correlation between peak viscosity and AAC was not significant within clusters II and IV. Additionally, this categorization serves as a tool for exploring materials that can be employed in the development of rice cultivars for specific end uses.     

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on nutritive values of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum L.) fruits

The effect of different levels of nitrogen N₀ (0), N₁ (60), N₂ (80) and N₃ (100) kg/ha and phosphorus P₀ (0), P₁ (32), P₂ (48) and P₃ (64) kg/ha on the nutrient composition of sweet pepper fruits was investigated. Dry matter content was found to increase at N₀ level at highest concentration of phosphorus and as well as at P₀ level at highest concentration of nitrogen. At P₂ concentration, at different levels of nitrogen, the ascorbic acid content was more as compared to that at other levels of phosphorus. Protein content was found to increase with increasing nitrogen doses and was also found to increase at maximum dose of nitrogen with increasing concentration of phosphorus. Capsaicin content was found to be more at P₂ level at different doses of nitrogen. The uptake of phosphorus by the pepper fruit was found to increase at N₀ and N₂ levels. Maximum uptake of phosphorus and dry matter content was observed at N₀P₃ levels. Maximum protein, ascorbic acid and capsaicin contents were found at N₃P₂ level.