BACKGROUND Caffeine and related methylxanthine compounds are recognized as having a diuretic action, and consumers are often advised to avoid beverages containing these compounds in situations where fluid balance may be compromised. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available literature concerning the effect of caffeine ingestion on fluid balance and to formulate targeted and evidence-b...

One of the most profound results of globalization has been the rapid rise in the number of Western-style fast food outlets around the world, particularly in Asian countries. The world’s largest fast food restaurant company, Yum! Brands Inc., operates nearly 38 000 restaurants (including KFC and Pizza Hut) around the world in more than 110 countries and territories, with 4650 fast food outlets i...

Artificial bone (PC, containing 3% indomethacin) with biocompatibility, inter-connective pore structure, and drug delivery ability was obtained from self-setting apatite/collagen composite cement. X-ray powder diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy suggested that PC consisted of carbonated apatite and had a structure similar to that of natural rat bone. The IMC release rates from a PC block contain...

BACKGROUND Overweight, obesity and their consequences are challenges to sustainable social and economic development in Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs). Complementing previous analyses for adults, the purpose of this paper is to synthesise available data on overweight, obesity and their risk factors in adolescents in the region. The resulting Pacific perspective for the younger ...

BACKGROUND Sugar-sweetened soft drinks have been linked to a number of adverse health outcomes such as high weight gain. Therefore, artificially sweetened soft drinks are often promoted as an alternative. However, the safety of artificial sweeteners has been disputed, and consequences of high intakes of artificial sweeteners for pregnant women have been minimally addressed. OBJECTIVE We exami...

OBJECTIVE To establish the correlations among the mineral components, progressive calcification process and clinical symptoms of calcific tendonitis. METHODS The morphology of the calcified deposits on the shoulders of 28 patients with calcific tendonitis was determined by high-resolution ultrasonography. The calcified deposit from each patient was aspirated and determined by the Fourier tran...

OBJECTIVE To determine if a school based educational programme aimed at reducing consumption of carbonated drinks can prevent excessive weight gain in children. DESIGN Cluster randomised controlled trial. SETTING Six primary schools in southwest England. PARTICIPANTS 644 children aged 7-11 years. INTERVENTION Focused educational programme on nutrition over one school year. MAIN OUTCOM...