200 research outputs found
Factors and associations for physical activity in severely obese adults during a two-year lifestyle intervention
No full text<p>First author: Randi Jepsen. </p
Impact of blood source and component manufacturing on neurotrophin content and in vitro cell wound healing
No full textBackground: We evaluated neurotrophin (NF) levels and their impact on in vitro cell wound healing in eye drops from differently prepared blood sources (cord blood [CB], and peripheral blood [PB]) in the same donor, to avoid intrasubject biological variability. Materials and methods: Twenty healthy adult donor PB samples, and twenty CB samples acquired at the time of delivery were processed to obtain serum (S), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-poor plasma (PPP), and S retrieved from PRP after activation with Ca-gluconate (PRP-R). The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were assessed with a Luminex xMAP (Luminex Corporation), and by using multikine kits from R&D system, and were statistically analysed in the eight different preparations. The impact of S, PRP, PPP, PRP-R from both sources on a cell line responding to NF supplementation (MIO-M1, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK) was tested with a scratch wound assay, and analysed by IncuCyte S3 equipment. Results: All the preparations from CB showed higher NF levels, except for BDNF where no difference was found as compared to PB. PRP showed higher NF levels with respect to S, PPP and PRP-R in this decreasing order. Younger donors in PB contributed with higher NF levels. The scratch assay showed different cell migration results, with a complete wound closure only recorded with the supplementation of CB-S, and a progressive reduction by using PRP, PRP-R, and PPP from both sources. Discussion: Protocols of preparation and choice of blood source determine different NF levels in the final products. The therapeutic use of a natural neurotrophin pool from blood sources might have a clinical impact in several different settings. Efforts are needed to standardise the manufacturing and the product content in order to establish and modulate the posology of the final supplementation
Must be treated with respect: evolving ethics and curation of Mesoamercian human remains
No full textThis paper explores the ethical protocols for the handling of human remains sourced in Central America and stored in academic collections within the United States. Although all such institutions profess a commitment that osteological remains “Must be treated with respect,” the definition of what constitutes “respect” is often subjective. My research and data collected will draw upon the international mandates that govern the exportation, storage, study, and conservation of human remains with attention to three aspects that contribute to the legal framework in which human remains fall: 1) The laws and where they originate; 2) The organizations that maintain these laws; and 3) The extent by which these laws are applied and enforced. I will compare varying internal policies directed towards the conservation and handling of human remains in four academic institutions. As these policies and practices are necessarily institution-specific, they will be compared to demonstrate areas of significant alignment and areas of contrast. The ultimate goal is to establish how following ethical guidelines can become a sustainable feature in archaeological practice by crafting a framework in which ethical principles are designed in such a way that they can have a positive impact on the quality of scientific data. This position is supported by a demonstration of how standardization in ethical issues has consequences for the standardization in the scientific method and long-term conservation of remains. Other improvements discussed include the possibility for enhanced international cultural diplomacy to impact the overall discipline of archaeology in the public perception of its role as a steward of important cultural heritage.M.A.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Randi Renee Ragsdal
The search for the chimera
No full textSession 1 Mr. Randi will give an update of his lecture to the American Physical Society on the occasion of his award of the 1989 Forum Prize. The citation said: "for his unique defense of Science and the scientific method in many disciplines, including physics, against pseudoscience, frauds and charlatans. His use of scientific techniques has contributed to refuting suspicious and fraudulent claims of paranormal results. He has contributed significantly to public understanding of important issues where science and society interact". He is a professional magician and author of many books. He worked with John Maddox, the Editor of Nature to investigate the claims of "water with memory"
Plasmalogens: Free Radical Reactivity and Identification of Trans Isomers Relevant to Biological Membranes
No full textPlasmalogens are membrane phospholipids with two fatty acid hydrocarbon chains linked to L-glycerol, one containing a characteristic cis-vinyl ether function and the other one being a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) residue linked through an acyl function. All double bonds in these structures display the cis geometrical configuration due to desaturase enzymatic activity and they are known to be involved in the peroxidation process, whereas the reactivity through cis-trans double bond isomerization has not yet been identified. Using 1-(1Z-octadecenyl)-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C18 plasm-20:4 PC) as a representative molecule, we showed that the cis-trans isomerization can occur at both plasmalogen unsaturated moieties, and the product has characteristic analytical signatures useful for omics applications. Using plasmalogen-containing liposomes and red blood cell (RBC) ghosts under biomimetic Fenton-like conditions, in the presence or absence of thiols, peroxidation, and isomerization processes were found to occur with different reaction outcomes due to the particular liposome compositions. These results allow gaining a full scenario of plasmalogen reactivity under free radical conditions. Moreover, clarification of the plasmalogen reactivity under acidic and alkaline conditions was carried out, identifying the best protocol for RBC membrane fatty acid analysis due to their plasmalogen content of 15–20%. These results are important for lipidomic applications and for achieving a full scenario of radical stress in living organisms
Interplay between European regulation and national policies in biodiversity conflict reconciliation
No full textSuccessful public conservation policies at various governmental levels have increased some populations of protected species to the extent that they are causing damage to human activities. As a reaction public authorities are developing biodiversity reconciliation policies. Finland and Germany have both created reconciliation policies including a package of measures like management of population, support of technical measures and compensation for damage. All these measures are affected by European policy and law, though no special reconciliation policy has been adopted at European level. This article explores the options European legislation offers and the restrictions it imposes on member states. Based on experiences with German and Finnish biodiversity reconciliation policies, the interrelationship between European and national regulation is elaborated, leading to suggestions for better coordination of reconciliation policies between different governmental levels. --Biodiversity conflict reconciliation,European regulation,fisheries and aquaculture,local damage management,nature conservation,policy instruments
The perks of being bold: Overconfidence predicts persistence
No full textOverconfidence is a widely researched bias that most people exhibit across a broad range of domains. Most of the past research has focused on the negative, dangerous consequences of overconfidence. In the present studies, following recent work that has identified some advantages of overconfidence, we explored persistence as an additional advantage. In the present research, overconfidence is operationalized as the degree to which self-assessed performance exceeds actual performance. Performance on each task was incentivized. We examined overconfidence and persistence in three different domains: logical reasoning, creative thinking, and effort expenditure. Across two studies (Ns = 304 and 306), evidence showed that overconfidence in one’s performance predicted a greater willingness to invest time and effort in working on all three tasks. Moreover, we also explored several personality predictors of overconfidence. The results showed that narcissism, risk seeking, and pride predicted higher levels of overconfidence, though some variation existed across tasks. These results suggest that overconfidence is associated with positive gains like persistence, which is in turn associated with success and aids the acquisition of valuable resources.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2020-08-01The student, Randi Vogt, accepted the attached license on 2018-07-06 at 10:23.The student, Randi Vogt, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2018-07-06 at 10:53.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2018-07-06 at 11:05.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #12754 on 2018-09-27 at 11:36:17Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-27T16:47:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Previous issue date: 2018-07-06Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 107892
Lift date: 2020-09-27T16:47:41Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemLimited Restriction Lifted for Item 107892 on 2020-09-28T09:15:22Z
Total Artificial Heart: A Retrospective Multiple-Case Analysis of Occupational Therapy in a Quaternary Hospital
No full textAbstract
Date Presented 3/31/2017
A retrospective multicase study of functional outcomes was done with patients with an implanted total artificial heart. Results show improved function with occupational therapy provided postoperatively. Knowledge and evidence can be used to develop and implement interventions for this population.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hannah Oldenburg
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jennifer Bergstrom, Gina Christensen
Contributing Authors: Caitlin Polley, Randi Privette, Maureen Musselmann, Mary Pyffereon, Charles Brannon</jats:p
IN-VITRO STUDY OF NGAL IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT IN HEMODIALYSIS AND HYPERIMMUNIZED PATIENTS
No full textBackground: In recent years, an increasing number of patients waiting for kidney transplant, showed the presence of alloantibodies against HLA antigens, and non-HLA. Evidence demonstrates the contribution of regulatory T cells (Treg) in modulating the immune response in different animal models and in clinical transplant, to suggest their potential use as markers of tolerance, rejection or prediction of organ transplant outcome. We have previously provided in vitro evidence that NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin), a known biomarker of renal injury, is able to induce immune tolerance by upregulating HLA-G expression and expansion of T regulatory cells in normal subjects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of NGAL on expression of HLA-G and influence on Treg populations in hemodialysis and hyperimmune patients.
Methods: We enrolled 30 subjects divided in 3 groups: 10 healthy subjects, 10 uremic patients on hemodialysis and 10 hyperimmunized patients. We carried out isolation and characterization of immunophenotypic lymphocyte population Treg from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
Results: Following treatment with increased doses of NGAL (80–640 ng/ml), an increased expression of HLA-G was observed in the population of CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ in patients on hemodialysis. This increase is also proportional to the percentage of Treg themselves in PBMCs and comparable to healthy controls
Efficiency of plasmapheresis: a comparison of three Italian Centres
No full textBackground. In order to support the economic and financial sustainability of the Italian health system, there is a need to define technically and economically efficient strategies that assure the self-sufficient apheretic production of plasma. Material and methods. Process and product costs at the Casa del Donatore (CD) in Bologna were determined on the basis of costing models used at Verona's Inter-hospital Department of Transfusional Medicine (IDTM) by academics from the University of Turin and those used at the Marche Regional IDTM by academics from Marche Polytechnic University. During the first phase, data was collected concerning donors, biological screening tests, the number of units produced/discarded, the materials used (individual pharmacy codes and related final expenditure), human resources (number, professional status, time involved, the number of activities per day, percentage productivity), equipment, and general costs. During the second phase, direct costs were verified and the costs common to the units produced were attributed using the functional principle. Results. The overall cost of a litre of plasma collected by means of apherisis (about € 280) was similar at the three centres, but there were differences in their cost structures that could be attributed to organisational choices, economic factors and/or structural variables. Plasmapheresis accounts for 24% of the plasma collected in Marche and the CD, but 17% of that collected in Verona, whereas the donation index is lower in the CD (1.8) than in the other two centres (2.2). The annual donor screening tests are substantially similar, but there are some differences in their timing (at the time of screening candidate donors or at the time of first donation). There are also some differences in the use of tests that are not required by law but are carried out in order to protect donors and recipients. The working times in three centres are similar, but personnel costs vary because of their different retribution policies. Discussion. Comparing the cost determinants at each centre made it possible to highlight changes that each can make in order to improve efficiency, and may lay the basis for doing the same in other organisational contexts
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