Atrial Fibrillation Post-Lung Lobectomy

According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation affected 2.66 million individuals in the United States in 2010 and is expected to double by year 2050 (Sanoski, 2010, p. S11). Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF), a classification of atrial fibrillation (AF), can occur after thoracic surgery and is an ongoing source of morbidity and mortality (Imperatori et al., 2012). There is a 10-20% occurrence rate of POAF after non-cardiac surgery, such as a lung lobectomy, and a 40% incidence rate after a pneumonectomy (Omae & Kanmura, 2012, p. 429). Cardiovascular events such as heart failure, cerebral infarction, renal failure, and infection are significant complications associated with POAF (Omae & Kanmura, 2012, p. 429). Patients that develop POAF have a greater length of hospital stay, require more monitoring and care, and increased nursing support (Laidler & Rutherford, 2014, p. 274). The impact of POAF on patient outcomes has prompted zealous inquiries to seek the best measures for prevention and treatment of this complication after thoracic surgery (Omae & Kanmura, 2012, p. 429)

PCSK9 induces a pro-inflammatory response in macrophages

Intraplaque release of inflammatory cytokines from macrophages is implicated in atherogenesis by inducing the proliferation and migration of media smooth muscle cells (SMCs). PCSK9 is present and released by SMCs within the atherosclerotic plaque but its function is still unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that PCSK9 could elicit a pro-inflammatory effect on macrophages. THP-1-derived macrophages and human primary macrophages were exposed to different concentrations (0.250\u2009\uf7\u20092.5\u2009\ub5g/ml) of human recombinant PCSK9 (hPCSK9). After 24\u2009h incubation with 2.5\u2009\ub5g/ml PCSK9, a significant induction of IL-1\u3b2, IL-6, TNF-\u3b1, CXCL2, and MCP1 mRNA, were observed in both cell types. Co-culture of THP-1 macrophages with HepG2 overexpressing hPCSK9 also showed the induction of TNF-\u3b1 (2.4\u2009\ub1\u20090.5 fold) and IL-1\u3b2 (8.6\u2009\ub1\u20091.8 fold) mRNA in macrophages. The effect of hPCSK9 on TNF-\u3b1 mRNA in murine LDLR-/- bone marrow macrophages (BMM) was significantly impaired as compared to wild-type BMM (4.3\u2009\ub1\u20091.6 fold vs 31.1\u2009\ub1\u20096.1 fold for LDLR-/- and LDLR+/+, respectively). Finally, a positive correlation between PCSK9 and TNF-\u3b1 plasma levels of healthy adult subjects (males 533, females 537) was observed (B\u2009=\u20098.73, 95%CI 7.54\u2009\uf7\u20099.93, p\u2009<\u20090.001). Taken together, the present study provides evidence of a pro-inflammatory action of PCSK9 on macrophages, mainly dependent by the LDLR

A rapid method for determining arachidonic:eicosapentaenoic acid ratios in whole blood lipids: correlation with erythrocyte membrane ratios and validation in a large Italian population of various ages and pathologies

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), are important for good health conditions. They are present in membrane phospholipids.The ratio of total n-6:n-3 LCPUFA and arachidonic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (AA and EPA), should not exceed 5:1. Increased intake of n-6 and decreased consumption of n-3 has resulted in much higher, ca 10/15:1 ratio in RBC fatty acids with the possible appearance of a pathological "scenario". The determination of RBC phospholipid LCPUFA contents and ratios is the method of choice for assessing fatty acid status but it is labour intensive and time consuming. AIMS OF THE STUDY: [i] To describe and validate a rapid method, suitable for large scale population studies, for total blood fatty acid assay; [ii] to verify a possible correlation between total n-6:n-3 ratio and AA:EPA ratios in RBC phospholipids and in whole-blood total lipids, [iii] to assess usefulness of these ratio as biomarkers of LCPUFA status. METHODS: 1 Healthy volunteers and patients with various pathologies were recruited.2 Fatty acid analyses by GC of methyl esters from directly derivatized whole blood total lipids and from RBC phospholipids were performed on fasting blood samples from 1432 subjects categorised according to their age, sex and any existing pathologies.AA:EPA ratio and the total n-6:n-3 ratio were determined. RESULTS: AA:EPA ratio is a more sensitive and reliable index for determining changes in total blood fatty acid and it is correlated with the ratio derived from extracted RBC phospholipids. CONCLUSIONS: The described AA:EPA ratio is a simple, rapid and reliable method for determining n-3 fatty acid status

A complex phenotype in a child with familial HDL deficiency due to a novel frameshift mutation in APOA1 gene (apoA-IGuastalla)

Background We describe a kindred with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) deficiency due to APOA1 g ene mutation in which comorbidities affected the phenotypic expression of the disorder. Methods An overweight boy with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and HDL deficiency (HDL cholesterol 0.39 mmol/L, apoA-I 40 mg/dL) was investigated. We sequenced the candidate genes for HTG ( LPL, APOC2 , APOA5, GPIHBP1, LMF1 ) and HDL deficiency ( LCAT, ABCA1 and APOA1 ), analyzed HDL subpopulations, measured cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of sera and constructed a model of the mutant apoA-I. Results No mutations in HTG-related genes, ABCA1 and LCAT were found. APOA1 sequence showed that the proband, his mother and maternal grandfather were heterozygous of a novel frameshift mutation (c.546_547delGC), which generated a truncated protein (p.[L159Afs*20]) containing 177 amino acids with an abnormal C-terminal tail of 19 amino acids. Trace amounts of this protein were detectable in plasma. Mutation carriers had reduced levels of LpA-I, preβ-HDL and large HDL and no detectable HDL-2 in their plasma; their sera had a reduced CEC specifically the ABCA1-mediated CEC. Metabolic syndrome in the proband explains the extremely low HDL cholesterol level (0.31 mmol/L), which was half of that found in the other carriers. The proband's mother and grandfather, both presenting low plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were carriers of the β-thalassemic trait, a condition known to be associated with a reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a reduced prevalence of cardiovascular disease. This trait might have delayed the development of atherosclerosis related to HDL deficiency. Conclusions In these heterozygotes for apoA-I truncation, the metabolic syndrome has deleterious effect on HDL system, whereas β-thalassemia trait may delay the onset of cardiovascular disease

Prácticas corporales y educación del cuerpo: el discurso neurocientífico como imposible para la enseñanza

Es por todos conocido que, de unos años a esta parte, asistimos a una colonización del discurso neurocientífico para explicar lo que acontece en nuestras vidas, y la Educación Física no es ajena a este fenómeno. Paralelamente, podemos advertir que las explicaciones provenientes de este campo se mixturan con teorías espirituales/emocionales (New Age) que se suponen autorizadas en ese mismo campo ‘neuro-científico’, y penetran en todos los otros campos de saber, por los que la educación y la enseñanza quedan permeadas, atravesadas y moldeadas también por estas. Es nuestra intención analizar la trama de esos discursos para pensar en sus efectos sobre la enseñanza, el cuerpo, el sujeto y las prácticas corporales. Proponemos que se trata de dispositivos de mercantilización de cuño ‘cognitivo-conductual’ que desplazan, reemplazan, y reducen: el sujeto al individuo/máquina neuronal (orgánico, singular, completo y susceptible de fallas); la ética a la moral; el cuerpo a redes neuronales, cerebro y funciones de la ‘mente’; el profesor a ‘coach’, orientador o facilitador; la enseñanza a la domesticación o la manipulación; y la comunidad a la suma de individuos. Trataremos de avanzar, muy rudimentariamente, sobre dos categorías de análisis: a) La educación emocional para el emprendedurismo en educación y b) el gerenciamiento del yo para el aprendizaje.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Prácticas corporales y educación del cuerpo: el discurso neurocientífico como imposible para la enseñanza

Es por todos conocido que, de unos años a esta parte, asistimos a una colonización del discurso neurocientífico para explicar lo que acontece en nuestras vidas, y la Educación Física no es ajena a este fenómeno. Paralelamente, podemos advertir que las explicaciones provenientes de este campo se mixturan con teorías espirituales/emocionales (New Age) que se suponen autorizadas en ese mismo campo ‘neuro-científico’, y penetran en todos los otros campos de saber, por los que la educación y la enseñanza quedan permeadas, atravesadas y moldeadas también por estas. Es nuestra intención analizar la trama de esos discursos para pensar en sus efectos sobre la enseñanza, el cuerpo, el sujeto y las prácticas corporales. Proponemos que se trata de dispositivos de mercantilización de cuño ‘cognitivo-conductual’ que desplazan, reemplazan, y reducen: el sujeto al individuo/máquina neuronal (orgánico, singular, completo y susceptible de fallas); la ética a la moral; el cuerpo a redes neuronales, cerebro y funciones de la ‘mente’; el profesor a ‘coach’, orientador o facilitador; la enseñanza a la domesticación o la manipulación; y la comunidad a la suma de individuos. Trataremos de avanzar, muy rudimentariamente, sobre dos categorías de análisis: a) La educación emocional para el emprendedurismo en educación y b) el gerenciamiento del yo para el aprendizaje.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Prácticas corporales y educación del cuerpo: el discurso neurocientífico como imposible para la enseñanza

Es por todos conocido que, de unos años a esta parte, asistimos a una colonización del discurso neurocientífico para explicar lo que acontece en nuestras vidas, y la Educación Física no es ajena a este fenómeno. Paralelamente, podemos advertir que las explicaciones provenientes de este campo se mixturan con teorías espirituales/emocionales (New Age) que se suponen autorizadas en ese mismo campo ‘neuro-científico’, y penetran en todos los otros campos de saber, por los que la educación y la enseñanza quedan permeadas, atravesadas y moldeadas también por estas. Es nuestra intención analizar la trama de esos discursos para pensar en sus efectos sobre la enseñanza, el cuerpo, el sujeto y las prácticas corporales. Proponemos que se trata de dispositivos de mercantilización de cuño ‘cognitivo-conductual’ que desplazan, reemplazan, y reducen: el sujeto al individuo/máquina neuronal (orgánico, singular, completo y susceptible de fallas); la ética a la moral; el cuerpo a redes neuronales, cerebro y funciones de la ‘mente’; el profesor a ‘coach’, orientador o facilitador; la enseñanza a la domesticación o la manipulación; y la comunidad a la suma de individuos. Trataremos de avanzar, muy rudimentariamente, sobre dos categorías de análisis: a) La educación emocional para el emprendedurismo en educación y b) el gerenciamiento del yo para el aprendizaje.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 4

In this contribution new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, exclusion, extinction and confirmations to the Italian administrative regions for taxa in the genera Androsace, Artemisia, Fragaria, Melampyrum, Myosotis, Petrorhagia, Phillyrea, Rosa, Rumex, Spiranthes, Trifolium, and Vicia. Furthermore, a new combination in the genus Omalotheca is proposed

Promoting healthy teenage behaviour across three European countries through the use of a novel smartphone technology platform, PEGASO fit for future: study protocol of a quasi-experimental, controlled, multi-Centre trial

BackgroundBehaviour change interventions targeting physical activity, diet, sleep and sedentary behaviour of teenagers show promise when delivered through smartphones. However, to date there is no evidence of effectiveness of multicomponent smartphone-based interventions. Utilising a user-centred design approach, we developed a theory-based, multi-dimensional system, PEGASO Fit For Future (PEGASO F4F), which exploits sophisticated game mechanics involving smartphone applications, a smartphone game and activity sensors to motivate teenagers to take an active role in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This paper describes the study protocol to assess the feasibility, usability and effectiveness (knowledge/awareness and behavioural change in lifestyle) of the PEGASO system.MethodsWe are conducting a quasi-experimental controlled cluster trial in 4 sites in Spain, Italy, and UK (England, Scotland) over 6 months. We plan to recruit 525, in a 2:1 basis, teenagers aged 13–16 years from secondary schools. The intervention group is provided with the PEGASO system whereas the comparison group continues their usual educational routine. Outcomes include feasibility, acceptance, and usability of the PEGASO system as well as between and within group changes in motivation, self-reported diet, physical activity, sedentary and sleeping behaviour, anthropometric measures and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle.DiscussionPEGASO F4F will provide evidence into the cross-cultural similarities and differences in the feasibility, acceptability and usability of a multi-dimensional smartphone based behaviour change intervention for teenagers. The study will explore facilitating factors, challenges and barriers of engaging teenagers to adapt and maintain a healthy lifestyle when using smartphone technology. Positive results from this ICT based multi component intervention may have significant implications both at clinical level, improving teenagers health and at public health level since it can present an influential tool against the development of chronic disease during adulthood.Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov Registration number: NCT02930148, registered 4 October 2016

A mobile phone intervention to improve obesity-related health behaviors of adolescents across Europe: An iterative co-design and feasibility study

Background:Promotion of physical activity, healthy eating, adequate sleep and reduced sedentary behavior in adolescents is a major priority globally given the current increase in population health challenges of non-communicable diseases and risk factors such as obesity. Adolescents are highly engaged with mobile technology, but the challenge is to engage them with mHealth technology. Recent innovations in mobile technology provide opportunities to promote a healthy lifestyle in adolescents. An increasingly utilized approach to facilitate increased engagement with mHealth technology is to involve potential users in the creation of the technology.Objective:To describe the process of and findings from co-designing and prototyping components of the PEGASO Fit for Future mHealth intervention for adolescents from different cultural backgrounds.Methods:Seventy-four adolescents aged 13-16 years from Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom participated in the co-design of the PEGASO Fit for Future technology. In three iterative cycles over 12 months, participants were involved in the co-design, refinement and feasibility testing of a system consisting of diverse mobile applications with a variety of functions and facilities to encourage healthy weight promoting behaviors. In the first iteration, participants attended a single workshop session and were presented with mock-ups or early-version prototypes of different apps for user requirements assessment and review. During the second iteration, prototypes of all apps were tested by participants for one week at home or school. In the third iteration, further developed prototypes were tested for two weeks. Participants’ use experience feedback and development ideas were collected from focus groups and completion of questionnaires.Results:For the PEGASO Fit for Future technology to be motivating and engaging, participants suggested that it should (i) allow personalization of the interface, (ii) have age-appropriate and easy to understand language (of icons, labels, instructions, notifications), (iii) provide easily accessible tutorials on how to use the app or navigate through a game, (iv) present a clear purpose and end goal, (v) have an appealing and self-explanatory reward systems, (vi) offer variation in gamified activities within apps and the serious game, and (vii) allow to seek peer-support and connect with peers for competitive activities within the technology.Conclusions:Incorporating adolescents’ preferences, the PEGASO Fit for Future technology combines the functions of a self-monitoring, entertainment, advisory, and social support tool. This was the first study demonstrating that it is possible to develop a complex smartphone-based technological system applying the principles of co-design to mHealth technology with adolescents across three countries. Findings of this study informed the development of an mHealth system for healthy weight promotion to be tested in a controlled multi-national pilot trial