Calibrated forceps model of spinal cord compression injury.

Compression injuries of the murine spinal cord are valuable animal models for the study of spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal regenerative therapy. The calibrated forceps model of compression injury is a convenient, low cost, and very reproducible animal model for SCI. We used a pair of modified forceps in accordance with the method published by Plemel et al. (2008) to laterally compress the spinal cord to a distance of 0.35 mm. In this video, we will demonstrate a dorsal laminectomy to expose the spinal cord, followed by compression of the spinal cord with the modified forceps. In the video, we will also address issues related to the care of paraplegic laboratory animals. This injury model produces mice that exhibit impairment in sensation, as well as impaired hindlimb locomotor function. Furthermore, this method of injury produces consistent aberrations in the pathology of the SCI, as determined by immunohistochemical methods. After watching this video, viewers should be able to determine the necessary supplies and methods for producing SCI of various severities in the mouse for studies on SCI and/or treatments designed to mitigate impairment after injury

Endogenous Proliferation after Spinal Cord Injury in Animal Models

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in motor and sensory deficits, the severity of which depends on the level and extent of the injury. Animal models for SCI research include transection, contusion, and compression mouse models. In this paper we will discuss the endogenous stem cell response to SCI in animal models. All SCI animal models experience a similar peak of cell proliferation three days after injury; however, each specific type of injury promotes a specific and distinct stem cell response. For example, the transection model results in a strong and localized initial increase of proliferation, while in contusion and compression models, the initial level of proliferation is lower but encompasses the entire rostrocaudal extent of the spinal cord. All injury types result in an increased ependymal proliferation, but only in contusion and compression models is there a significant level of proliferation in the lateral regions of the spinal cord. Finally, the fate of newly generated cells varies from a mainly oligodendrocyte fate in contusion and compression to a mostly astrocyte fate in the transection model. Here we will discuss the potential of endogenous stem/progenitor cell manipulation as a therapeutic tool to treat SCI

Biological considerations for a new approach to regulating genetically modified crops in the United States

The debate over GM crops is one of the most controversial issues of recent decades. The debate has many dimensions, including environmental impacts, benefits and risks to human health, intellectual property rights, adequacy of biosafety regulations, and fundamental ethical acceptability. The potential benefits of GM crops are numerous, including improved nutritional value, decreased production costs, resistance to pests, and reduced pesticide use. However, there are also substantial and complex health, environmental, and social risks, including effects on gene flow and biodiversity, creation of new toxins or allergens in food, consolidation of seed companies, and restricted access to genetic information and methods. Current US regulations are imposed only on crops produced through recombinant DNA methods, though all of these risks apply to crops modified through conventional biotechnologies as well. I argue that this current regulatory system impedes progress by presenting large obstacles to even low risk GM crops with medical and economic benefits. I suggest that a better approach would be a tiered system that takes into account the specific biological properties of the modified traits, the biology of the crops in which they are produced, and the environments in which they are grown

Coping Strategies to Promote Mental Wellness

Coping Strategies to Promote Mental Wellness Over eight weeks, our nursing school leadership team collaborated with a Seattle non- profit agency whose mission is to provide resources, planning, and housing to families with children experiencing homelessness. Our team’s overarching goal by the end of this project, based on the needs expressed by the agency, was to create a tool that provides resources and coping skills to families experiencing homelessness to improve mental health and promote wellness. Background The population that is served by the agency includes families with at least one child under the age of eighteen, children with medical needs, and pregnant women, all of whom are experiencing homelessness (Agency, personal communication, Sep 20, 2023). Outreach for these families is conducted on the phone by appointment, in the community, or by walk-in appointments; guests often don’t return after assistance and resources are provided. According to the agency liaison, there is a high level of stressors seen in this population, including gun violence, theft and other violent crime, past trauma, prevalence of past drug use that causes temptations, and additional personal stressors for the individuals in this community (Agency, personal communication, Sep 20, 2023). The agency serves the unhoused population in South Seattle and collaborates with a secondary agency that provides temporary housing. When our team completed a windshield survey of the area, we observed cracked sidewalks, abandoned buildings, and a large encampment for unhoused individuals across the street. The team also observed environmental stressors such as, loud construction sites, an abundance of liquor stores, convenience stores, abandoned vehicles, and a lack of grocery and retail stores. According to Seattle statistics, “11,751 people [were] experiencing homelessness on one night in January, with 53% sheltered and 43% unsheltered... [which] reflects a 5% increase compared to 2019 count” (City of Seattle, 2023). Despite the continued efforts of the City of Seattle to create more affordable housing with a widespread movement to bring people indoors, the number of individuals who are unhoused continues to increase, and available city resources struggle to keep up with the growing population that is unhoused. According to the Seattle Police Department, crime in the area has increased significantly since 2019. The violent crimes reached a 15-year high in 2022, which is a 4% increase compared to 2021 (Seattle Police Department, 2023). People who are unhoused are already at an increased risk of suffering from mental health disorders, with crime being a significant contributor of stress among individuals who are unhoused, especially for families with children (Lippert & Lee, 2015). Various stressors such as crime, commonly seen in individuals who are unhoused, can exacerbate existing mental health problems by undermining economic stability, safety, and social integration (Lippert & Lee, 2015). The increased stressors exacerbating mental illness prompted a need for education on coping strategies. We established the nursing diagnosis for this population as a knowledge deficit related to healthy coping strategies, as evidenced by the agency liaison reporting the need for resources that promote mental wellness and provide healthy coping mechanisms. Activities/Rationale The priority coping strategies we chose are box breathing, guided imagery, and muscle relaxation (Norelli, 2018). These coping skills are clinically shown to reduce tension, anxiety, physical and psychological challenges. As pictured above, increased mental distress, mental health issues, and associated stress related to homelessness are extremely prevalent among the population the agency serves. The following coping skills can be used anywhere, without the need for equipment, materials, or internet access. The box breathing exercise involves breathing in through the nose, holding the breath, and slowly breathing out. The duration of each step can be adjusted per individual preferences. The second coping mechanism is guided imagery, which involves visualizing a calm environment by recalling a distant memory or imagining a happy place while using the five senses to visualize the setting. The final coping strategy involves progressive muscle relaxation, a series of tensing and relaxing the different muscles of the body. The chosen delivery method is through a pamphlet, which can be disseminated to the agency\u27s guests either in person or electronically in the form of a PDF. The pamphlet can be folded into a small, pocket-sized piece that can then be inserted into a protective plastic badge holder, attached to a badge reel. The plastic badge holder serves the purpose to ensure that the pamphlet is durable and sustainable even in the target community’s living environments with harsh weather conditions. In addition, we have included a QR code on the back of the pamphlet which can be utilized to keep the information available on personal devices. Outcome This project had two main goals; the first outcome to achieve was to give unhoused families access to mental health coping strategies and tools to manage stress and anxiety. This goal was met, as our group produced and provided a pamphlet to the agency that contains three different coping strategies that can be used to improve mental wellness. While there were many other possible coping strategies available, we strategically narrowed down to three evidenced- based tools that can be easily completed anywhere the families may be. The second goal was to give unhoused families immediate access to mental health resources outside of the provided coping strategies. We provided the crisis line phone number on the front of the pamphlet, as well as in the coping card section. The rationale was to provide a resource for immediate assistance, that connects the guest to a trained crisis interventionist who can then provide additional resources. Overall, both goals were met in terms of the content of the mental wellness pamphlet. The team sought to evaluate the implementation of the mental wellness pamphlet, a three- question qualitative survey was sent to the agency; however, there was inadequate time for agency to disseminate to staff, thus responses beyond our two agency liaisons could not be evaluated. In addition, assessing the effectiveness of the pamphlet is not feasible; firstly, the population will receive the pamphlet upon completion of the project and thus cannot be surveyed after use. Secondly, walk-in guests receive assistance and resources one time and often do not return. Conclusion The wellness pamphlet will provide a convenient and accessible resource for the South Seattle population dealing with stressors that negatively impact their mental health. We’ve accomplished this by creating flexibility and providing a choice between carrying the pamphlet, badge holder, or QR code. This enables the clients to readily execute the coping skills wherever they are. Limitations identified pertain to the inability to directly assess the population and evaluate implementation of coping strategies, and agency being given inadequate time to disseminate and return qualitative evaluation survey prior to the project deadline. Moreover, the goals were met by providing simplified mental health resources through implementation of coping strategies and providing the crisis line phone number. Lastly, future projects could include an outreach program that focuses on teaching coping strategies to the community. References City of Seattle. (2023). Addressing homelessness. https://www.seattle.gov/human- services/reports-and-data/addressing-homelessness City of Seattle. (2023). Homelessness action plan. Office of the Mayor. https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/one-seattle-initiatives/homelessness-action-plan Gibbs, K. D., Jones, J. T., LaMark, W., Abdulmooti, S., Bretz, L., Kearney, K. D., Narendorf, S. C., & Santa Maria, D. M. (2023). Coping during the COVID‐19 pandemic among young adults experiencing homelessness and unstable housing: A qualitative study. Public Health Nursing, 40(1), p. 17-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13136 Lippert, A., & Lee, B. (2015). Stress, coping, and mental health differences among homeless people. Sociology Inquiry, 85(3), p. 343-374. https://doi.org/10.1111/soin.12080 Mayne, S.L., DiFiore, G., Hannan, C., Virudachalam, S., Glanz, K., & Fiks, A. G. (2022). Association of neighborhood social context and perceived stress among mothers of young children. Academic Pediatrics, 22(8), 1414-1421.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.03.013 Norelli, S., Long, A., & Krepps, J. (2018). Relaxation techniques. StatsPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL). https://europepmc.org/article/nbk/nbk513238#__NBK513238_dtls__ Seattle Police Department. (2023). Crime report 2022. https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/Police/Reports/2022_SPD_CRIME_RE PORT_FINAL.pd

In-vehicle nitrogen dioxide concentrations in road tunnels

There is a lack of knowledge regarding in-vehicle concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO) during transit through road tunnels in urban environments. Furthermore, previous studies have tended to involve a single vehicle and the range of in-vehicle NO concentrations that vehicle occupants may be exposed to is not well defined. This study describes simultaneous measurements of in-vehicle and outside-vehicle NO concentrations on a route through Sydney, Australia that included several major tunnels, minor tunnels and busy surface roads. Tests were conducted on nine passenger vehicles to assess how vehicle characteristics and ventilation settings affected in-vehicle NO concentrations and the in-vehicle-to-outside vehicle (I/O) concentration ratio. NO was measured directly using a cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) technique that gave a high temporal and spatial resolution. In the major tunnels, transit-average in-vehicle NO concentrations were lower than outside-vehicle concentrations for all vehicles with cabin air recirculation either on or off. However, markedly lower I/O ratios were obtained with recirculation on (0.08–0.36), suggesting that vehicle occupants can significantly lower their exposure to NO in tunnels by switching recirculation on. The highest mean I/O ratios for NO were measured in older vehicles (0.35–0.36), which is attributed to older vehicles having higher air exchange rates. The results from this study can be used to inform the design and operation of future road tunnels and modelling of personal exposure to NO

Policy Feedback and the Politics of the Affordable Care Act

There is a large body of literature devoted to how “policies create politics” and how feedback effects from existing policy legacies shape potential reforms in a particular area. Although much of this literature focuses on self‐reinforcing feedback effects that increase support for existing policies over time, Kent Weaver and his colleagues have recently drawn our attention to self‐undermining effects that can gradually weaken support for such policies. The following contribution explores both self‐reinforcing and self‐undermining policy feedback in relationship to the Affordable Care Act, the most important health‐care reform enacted in the United States since the mid‐1960s. More specifically, the paper draws on the concept of policy feedback to reflect on the political fate of the ACA since its adoption in 2010. We argue that, due in part to its sheer complexity and fragmentation, the ACA generates both self‐reinforcing and self‐undermining feedback effects that, depending of the aspect of the legislation at hand, can either facilitate or impede conservative retrenchment and restructuring. Simultaneously, through a discussion of partisan effects that shape Republican behavior in Congress, we acknowledge the limits of policy feedback in the explanation of policy stability and change

Peer-led walking programme to increase physical activity in inactive 60- to 70-year-olds: Walk with Me pilot RCT

Background Levels of physical activity decline with age. Some of the most disadvantaged individuals in society, such as those with a lower rather than a higher socioeconomic position, are also the most inactive. Peer-led physical activity interventions may offer a model to increase physical activity in these older adults and thus help reduce associated health inequalities. This study aims to develop and test the feasibility of a peer-led, multicomponent physical activity intervention in socioeconomically disadvantaged community-dwelling older adults. Objectives The study aimed to develop a peer-led intervention through a rapid review of previous peer-led interventions and interviews with members of the target population. A proposed protocol to evaluate its effectiveness was tested in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Design A rapid review of the literature and the pilot study informed the intervention design; a pilot RCT included a process evaluation of intervention delivery. Setting Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. Participants Fifty adults aged 60–70 years, with low levels of physical activity, living in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, recruited though community organisations and general practices. Interventions ‘Walk with Me’ is a 12-week peer-led walking intervention based on social cognitive theory. Participants met weekly with peer mentors. During the initial period (weeks 1–4), each intervention group participant wore a pedometer and set weekly step goals with their mentor’s support. During weeks 5–8 participants and mentors met regularly to walk and discuss step goals and barriers to increasing physical activity. In the final phase (weeks 9–12), participants and mentors continued to set step goals and planned activities to maintain their activity levels beyond the intervention period. The control group received only an information booklet on active ageing. Main outcome measures Rates of recruitment, retention of participants and completeness of the primary outcome [moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity measured using an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) at baseline, 12 weeks (post intervention) and 6 months]; acceptability assessed through interviews with participants and mentors. Results The study planned to recruit 60 participants. In fact, 50 eligible individuals participated, of whom 66% (33/50) were female and 80% (40/50) were recruited from general practices. At 6 months, 86% (43/50) attended for review, 93% (40/43) of whom returned valid accelerometer data. Intervention fidelity was assessed by using weekly step diaries, which were completed by both mentors and participants for all 12 weeks, and checklists for the level of delivery of intervention components, which was high for the first 3 weeks (range 49–83%). However, the rate of return of checklists by both mentors and participants diminished thereafter. Outcome data indicate that a sample size of 214 is required for a definitive trial. Limitations The sample was predominantly female and somewhat active. Conclusions The ‘Walk with Me’ intervention is acceptable to a socioeconomically disadvantaged community of older adults and a definitive RCT to evaluate its effectiveness is feasible. Some modifications are required to ensure fidelity of intervention delivery is optimised. Future research needs to identify methods to recruit males and less active older adults into physical activity interventions

Alcohol use and misuse: What are the contributions of occupation and work organization conditions?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This research examines the specific contribution of occupation and work organization conditions to alcohol use and misuse. It is based on a social-action model that takes into account agent personality, structures of daily life, and macro social structures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data come from a representative sample of 10,155 workers in Quebec, Canada. Multinomial regression models corrected for sample design effect have been used to predict low-risk and high-risk drinking compared to non-drinkers. The contribution of occupation and work organization conditions (skill used, decision authority, physical and psychological demands, hours worked, irregular work schedule, harassment, unionization, job insecurity, performance pay, prestige) have been adjusted for family situation, social network outside the workplace, and individual characteristics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to non-qualified blue-collars, both low-risk and high-risk drinking are associated with qualified blue-collars, semi-qualified white-collars, and middle managers; high-risk drinking is associated with upper managers. For constraints-resources related to work organization conditions, only workplace harassment is an important determinant of both low-risk and high-risk drinking, but it is modestly moderated by occupation. Family situation, social support outside work, and personal characteristics of individuals are also associated with alcohol use and misuse. Non-work factors mediated/suppressed the role of occupation and work organization conditions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Occupation and workplace harassment are important factors associated with alcohol use and misuse. The results support the theoretical model conceptualizing alcohol use and misuse as being the product of stress caused by constraints and resources brought to bear simultaneously by agent personality, structures of daily life, and macro social structures. Occupational alcohol researchers must expand their theoretical perspectives to avoid erroneous conclusions about the specific role of the workplace.</p

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data