The socio-demographic determinants and nutritional consequences of food insecurity of a group of New Zealand children : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Nutritional Science, at Massey University

Food security among individuals exists when there is stable access to the kind of adequate, nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate diet needed to maintain an active, healthy life (Campbell, 1991; Bickel et al., 2000). There is evidence that food insecurity - the lack of such an access - exists among some segments of the New Zealand population (Parnell. 1997; Russell et al., 1999; Parnell et al., 2001). There has been little research into the nutritional impact of food insecurity in New Zealand children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of socio-demographic and food security status on the nutrition and health of New Zealand children. The sample chosen for this study were a group of 183 children, aged one to 14 years, from Auckland's western suburbs, who participated in the Validation study; part of the pilot for the Children's Nutrition Survey conducted during 2000. Of the 183 children who participated in this study, 60 were Maori, 63 were Pacific and 60 were European. Demographic, anthropometric and medical history data were obtained during interviews, and dietary data was based on 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Statistical analysis, including two-sample t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis, ordinal and binary logistic regressions using the MINITAB 13.31 program (Minitab Inc., 2003), was performed on the data set. Any relationship was considered significant if the p-value was less than 0.05. This study reported a high prevalence of food insecurity in the sample group, with 39% of all children living in households that sometimes or often did not have enough money to buy food. Household income, the educational status of the food preparer, the occupation of the main provider, the type of dwelling (rented versus owned) and ethnicity were significant predictors of food insecurity in the children in this study (p < 0.0005). Children from food-insecure households and children from low-income households, or children whose main provider was of a low occupational status or receiving a government benefit, or children whose food preparer left school early, or children from large-sized households living in rented homes, all had significantly lower intakes of fruit, vegetables, milk products and protein-rich foods such as meat. Food-insecure preschool children were also significantly more likely not to meet the RDI for nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium and selenium than food-secure preschool children. Most food-insecure school-age children did not meet the recommended values for energy, fibre, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin A and zinc. Poor dietary habits were observed amongst the food insecure, with most eating takeaways on a frequent basis. Food insecurity was not significantly associated with overweight or obesity, or other measures of health status, in the group of children in this study. However, significantly higher BMI values were reported among food-insecure children, and Maori and Pacific children had higher BMI values than European or Other children. A stronger association was found between BMI and socio-economic status. Children living in low-income households or in rented dwellings, or whose food preparer left school at an early age, had higher median BMI values than children from higher income households or living in households where the home was owned, or whose food preparer had stayed at school for longer or had an undergraduate degree. An important finding of this study was the high prevalence of food insecurity amongst Pacific children or children whose food preparer was of Pacific ethnicity. However, caution needs to be applied when drawing conclusions from this study, as the sample in the study was not a true representation of the New Zealand population. Some ethnic groups were under-represented, while households from the higher end of the income spectrum were over-represented in the sample chosen for the study. The results of this study are also subjective to limitations associated with the measurement of food insecurity (Blumberg & Bialostosky, 1999; Tarasuk & Beaton, 1999) and dietary assessment methods (Briefel et al., 1997; Gibson, 2002). There are also currently no nation-specific cut-off values for classifying NZ children as obese or overweight. The proposed Children's National Nutrition Survey will determine the prevalence of food insecurity in a random population based sample. This study provides evidence that food insecurity and low socio-economic status can have a negative impact on the nutritional and health status of NZ children. Its findings provide a strong case for an increased public focus on the nutritional status of Pacific children. Future research is needed to assess the impact of nutritional education programs on food-insecure households with children

Distance deviation measure of contouring variability

Background. Several methods that are currently used for contouring analysis have problems providing reliable and/ or meaningful results. In this paper a solution to these problems is proposed in a form of a novel measure, which was developed based on requirements defined for contouring studies. Materials and methods. The proposed distance deviation measure can be understood as an extension of the closest point measures in such a way that it does not measure only distances between points on contours but rather analyse deviation of distances to both/all contours from each image point/voxel. The obtained result is information rich, reliable and provided in a form of an image, enabling detailed topographic analysis. In addition to image representation, results can be further processed into angular representation for compact topographic analysis or into overall scalar estimates for quick assessment of contour disagreement. Results. Distance deviation method is demonstrated on a multi observer contouring example with complex contour shapes, i.e., with pronounced extremes and void interior. The results are presented using the three proposed methods. Conclusions. The proposed method can detect and measure contour variation irrespective of contour complexity and number of contour segments, while the obtained results are easy to interpret. It can be used in various situations, regarding the presence of reference contour or multiple test contours

Sub-phonemic featural dimensions mediate consonantal co-occurrence biases in a cross-linguistically consistent manner

Studies of segmental co-occurrence constraints have consistently produced evidence consistent with a cross-linguistic anti-similarity bias for consonants (e.g. Frisch et al. (2004), Pozdniakov &amp; Segerer (2007), Walter (2010), Doucette et al. (2024)). The current study tests whether, in spite of this universal similarity avoidance bias, there are cross-linguistically consistent featural harmony biases the world's lexicons. In particular, we test for the presence of a nasal consonant harmony bias, given the fact that categorical nasal consonant harmony is attested in multiple language families and that nasal harmony is phonetically-motivated. A Bayesian negative binomial model of 91 typologically diverse languages' type frequencies for two-consonant words shows evidence of a weak but reliable cross-linguistic bias in favor of nasal harmony, as well as a comparable bias in favor of voicing harmony. The findings also show patterns consistent with a similarityavoidance bias, most notably a strong cross-linguistic bias against coronal harmony. Taken together, these findings support the notion that similarity-based co-occurrence constraints may be feature dependent in cross-linguistically consistent ways, and more generally that featural dimensions are relevant for understanding the role of segmental redundancy in lexicons

Synthesis, Characterization and Reactions of Compounds, Containing Anion [Mo2Br8H]3-. Crystal Structure of (pipH)3[Mo2Br8H] (pip = piperidine)

Preparation and characterization of (pyH)3[Mo2Br8H] (py = pyridine) (1), (pipH)3[Mo2BrgH] (pip=piperidine) (2), and (morphH)2(H703)[Mo2Br8H] (morph=morpholine (3) are described. (pipH)3[Mo2Br8H] (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2jc with a = 15.378(4), b = 12.149(7), c = 16.870(5) Å, p = 107.40(2)° and Z = 4; 1855 data with I > 3oil) were refined to R = 0.069, Rw = 0.073. The structure of erystallographically asymmetric [Mo2Br8H]3~ anion revealed a greater trans effect of the p-ñ than that of the /i-Br, found also in the case of other [Mo2X8H]3“, X = Cl, Br, I anions. Two reaction pathways dominate the chemistry of compounds containing [Mo2Br8H]3_, as found in the studies of reactions with pyridine, HBr(aq) and CH3COOH(aq) and they can be represented schematically as (a) Mof + H“ + H+ -> Mof + H2, and (b) Mof + H~ -» Mof + H+

Anhydrous polymeric zinc(II) penta­noate

The structure of the title compound, poly[di-μ-penta­noato-zinc(II)], [Zn{CH3(CH2)3COO}2]n, consists of a three-dimensional polymeric layered network with sheets parallel to the (100) plane, in which tetra­hedrally coordinated zinc(II) ions are connected by penta­noate bridges in a syn–anti arrangement. The hydro­carbon chains are in the fully extended all-trans conformation and are arranged in a tail-to-tail double bilayer

Increasing incidence of life-threatening pertussis: A retrospective cohort study in New Zealand.

Background Infectious disease (ID) hospitalisation rates are increasing in New Zealand (NZ), especially in preschool children, and Māori and Pacific people. We aimed to identify risk factors for ID hospitalisation in infancy within a birth cohort of NZ children, and to identify differences in risk factors between ethnic groups. Methods We investigated an established cohort of 6846 NZ children, born in 2009-10, with linkage to a national dataset of hospitalisations. We used multivariable logistic regression to obtain odds ratios (OR) for factors associated with ID hospitalisation in the first year of life, firstly for all children, and then separately for Māori or Pacific children. Results In the whole cohort, factors associated with ID hospitalisation were Māori (OR=1.49, 95%CI 1.17-1.89) or Pacific (2.51, 2.00-3.15) vs. European maternal ethnicity, male gender (1.32, 1.13-1.55), low birthweight (1.94, 1.39-2.66), exclusive breastfeeding for <4 months (1.22, 1.04-1.43), maternal experience of healthcare racism (1.60, 1.19-2.12), household deprivation (most vs. least deprived quintile of households [1.50, 1.12-2.02]), day-care attendance (1.43, 1.12-1.81), and maternal smoking (1.55, 1.26-1.91). Factors associated with ID hospitalisation for Māori infants were: high household deprivation (2.16, 1.06-5.02) and maternal smoking (1.48, 1.02-2.14); and for Pacific infants: delayed immunization (1.72, 1.23-2.38), maternal experience of healthcare racism (2.20, 1.29-3.70), and maternal smoking (1.59, 1.10-2.29). Conclusions: Māori and Pacific children in NZ experience a high burden of ID hospitalisation. Some risk factors, for example maternal smoking, are shared while others are ethnic-specific. Interventions aimed at preventing ID hospitalisations should address both shared and ethnic-specific factors

Radiotherapy for Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression with Increased Doses: Final Results of the RAMSES-01 Trial

Simple Summary Patients with MESCC and favorable survival prognoses assigned to radiotherapy alone may benefit from increased doses. In a multi-center phase 2 trial, patients receiving 15 x 2.633 Gy or 18 x 2.333 Gy were evaluated and subsequently compared to a historical control group receiving 10 x 3.0 Gy. The phase 2 cohort, including 50 (of 62 planned) evaluable patients, showed promising results regarding 12-month local progression-free survival (LPFS), 12-month overall survival (OS), improvement of motor and sensory functions, post-radiotherapy ambulatory status, and relief of pain and distress. Radiotherapy with 15 x 2.633 Gy or 18 x 2.333 Gy was well tolerated and appeared more effective than 10 x 3.0 Gy with respect to LPFS and improvement of motor function.Abstract Patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and favorable survival prognoses may benefit from radiation doses exceeding 10 x 3.0 Gy. In a multi-center phase 2 trial, patients receiving 15 x 2.633 Gy (41.6 Gy10) or 18 x 2.333 Gy (43.2 Gy10) were evaluated for local progression-free survival (LPFS), motor/sensory functions, ambulatory status, pain, distress, toxicity, and overall survival (OS). They were compared (propensity score-adjusted Cox regression) to a historical control group (n = 266) receiving 10 x 3.0 Gy (32.5 Gy10). In the phase 2 cohort, 50 (of 62 planned) patients were evaluated for LPFS. Twelve-month rates of LPFS and OS were 96.8% and 69.9%, respectively. Motor and sensory functions improved in 56% and 57.1% of patients, and 94.0% were ambulatory following radiotherapy. Pain and distress decreased in 84.4% and 78.0% of patients. Ten and two patients experienced grade 2 and 3 toxicities, respectively. Phase 2 patients showed significantly better LPFS than the control group (p = 0.039) and a trend for improved motor function (p = 0.057). Ambulatory and OS rates were not significantly different. Radiotherapy with 15 x 2.633 Gy or 18 x 2.333 Gy was well tolerated and appeared superior to 10 x 3.0 Gy

Biomarker Expression and Clinical Outcomes in International Study of Chemoradiation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer:BIOEMBRACE

Purpose: BIOEMBRACE was designed to study the impact of biomarkers in addition to clinicopathological factors on disease outcomes in patients treated with chemoradiation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided brachytherapy (BT) for locally advanced cervical cancer in the EMBRACE study. Methods and Materials: Between 2018 and 2021, 8 EMBRACE-I sites contributed tumor tissue for the immunohistochemistry of p16, PD-L1, and L1CAM. These biomarkers and clinicopathological factors (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009 stage, nodal status, histology, and necrosis on MRI) were analyzed to predict poor response at BT (high-risk clinical target volume [HR-CTV] ≥ 40 cc) at BT) and 5-year local control, pelvic control, and disease-free survival. Interaction between p16, PD-L1, radiation therapy dose (HR-CTV D90), and disease outcomes was investigated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: Two hundred sixty-four patients were included. The median HR-CTV D90 was 89 Gy (86-95). P-16 positive status, PD-L1 &gt; 1%, and L1CAM ≥ 10% was noted in 86.6%, 20.1%, and 17.8% of patients, respectively. P16 negative status (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-5.7; P = .04) and necrosis on MRI (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3; P &lt; .02) independently predicted for HR-CTV ≥ 40 cc, as did the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage and tumor width &gt;5 cm. PD-L1 &gt; 1% was associated with reduced local (82% vs 94%; P = .02) and pelvic control (79% vs 89%; P = .02). HR-CTV D90 &lt; 85 Gy was associated with inferior 5-year local control in p16-positive patients, especially if PD-L1 was coexpressed. On multivariable analysis, PD-L1 &gt; 1% was the only independent factor for 5-year local control (hazard ratio, 3.3; P = .04) and L1CAM ≥ 50% for pelvic control (hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.3-23.3; P = .02). Conclusions: P16 negative status and tumor necrosis on MRI are independently associated with poor response to chemoradiation, whereas PD-L1 &gt; 1% and L1CAM ≥ 50% have an independent impact on local and pelvic control, suggesting an impact of biomarker expression on outcomes. Further validation is needed.</p