Number of years of participation in some, but not all, types of physical activity during adolescence predicts level of physical activity in adulthood: Results from a 13-year study

Abstract: Background: Adolescent physical activity (PA) levels track into adulthood. However it is not known if type of PA participated in during adolescence is associated with PA levels later in life. We aimed to identify natural groupings of types of PA and to assess whether number of years participating in these different groupings during adolescence is related to PA level in early adulthood. Methods: 673 adolescents in Montreal, Canada, age 12–13 years at baseline (54 % female), reported participation in 29 physical activities every 3 months over 5 years (1999–2005). They also reported their PA level at age 24 years (2011–12). PA groupings among the 29 physical activities were identified using factor analysis. The association between number of years participating in each grouping during adolescence and PA level at age 24 was estimated using linear regression within a general estimating equation framework. Results: Three PA groupings were identified: “sports”, “fitness and dance”, and “running”. There was a positive linear relationship between number of years participating in sports and running in adolescence and PA level at age 24 years (β (95 % confidence interval) = 0.09 (0.04-0.15); 0.08 (0.01-0.15), respectively). There was no relationship between fitness and dance in adolescence and PA level at age 24. Conclusions: The association between PA participation in adolescence and PA levels in young adulthood may be specific to certain PA types and to consistency of participation during adolescence. Results suggest that efforts to establish the habit of participation in sports and running in adolescence may promote higher PA levels in adulthood

Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Adjunct to Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms are a condition characterized by the weakening of blood vessels in the brain, affecting approximately 1 in 5 individuals. Rupture of these fragile blood vessels can result significant brain bleeding, also known as subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to a stroke that can cause severe neurological deficits or death. Current treatment approaches involve either endovascular or open surgery. One of the most common treatments is endovascular surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that entails inserting a small catheter through the femoral or radial artery and navigating it to the location of the aneurysm in the brain. Depending on the anatomical features, the aneurysm sac is filled with small platinum coils, or a mesh metal stent which is placed to cover the aneurysm opening. The objective in both cases is to redirect blood flow and eliminate the risk of stroke. However, recurrent aneurysms occur in up to 30% of these procedures, necessitating multiple surgeries. Recent advancements have introduced novel endovascular devices such as bioresorbable stents to enhance the outcomes of aneurysm treatment. Additionally, allogeneic adult mesenchymal stem cells have shown promise in improving healing processes. This dissertation aims to expand our understanding of the impact of stem cells on aneurysm healing and how they can be effectively utilized to improve the outcomes of brain aneurysm treatments, including endovascular coiling and stenting

The Lived Experiences of African American Men Receiving Care from Nurse Practitioners in a Nurse-managed Clinic in an Urban Setting

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to discover lived experiences of African American men receiving primary health care from nurse practitioners in an urban nurse-managed clinic. Leininger's culture care theory was used as the organizing framework for this study. Thirteen African American men between the ages of eighteen and sixty-four, who were established patients at an urban nurse-managed clinic, and were covered by a county health plan for the underinsured, were recruited as participants for this study. An adaptation of Leininger's open-ended inquiry guide and the Sunrise Enabler were used along with Coalizzi's phenomenological method to assist with the collection and analysis of data. NVivo 8, a qualitative research software program, aided in data organization and subsequent analysis. The researchers analyzed audio-taped interviews and their own observatons in search of significant statements, meanings, and themes. The findings from this study may lead to a greater understanding of African American men's lived experiences when receiving care from nurse practitioners and may assist nurse practitioners in providing culturally congruent care that is satisfying and beneficial to African American men.Master'sCollege of Arts and Sciences: NursingUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117883/1/BelangerEtal.pd

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Both a Proinflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Effect on Saccular Aneurysm Formation in a Rabbit Model

Several studies have demonstrated a potential interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and saccular aneurysms. In this study, we sought to determine whether allogenic bone marrow-derived MSCs had the ability to prevent aneurysm formation in a known rabbit elastase aneurysm model. MSCs were injected intravenously in experimental rabbits at the time of surgical creation and two weeks postcreation and compared with control rabbits receiving vehicle injection. Angiography was used to compare aneurysm measurements four weeks postcreation, and aneurysms were harvested for histological properties. Serum was collected longitudinally to evaluate cytokine alterations. Serum from control animals was also utilized to perform in vitro tests with MSCs to compare the effect of the serologic environment in animals with and without aneurysms on MSC proliferation and cytokine production. While aneurysm morphometric comparisons revealed no differences, significant cytokine alterations were observed in vitro and in vivo, suggesting both anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory processes were occurring in the presence of MSCs. Histological analyses suggested that tunica intima hyperplasia was inhibited in the presence of MSCs.Peer Reviewe

Phase-dependent and task-dependent modulation of stretch reflexes during rhythmical hand tasks in humans

Phase-dependent and task-dependent modulation of reflexes has been extensively demonstrated in leg muscles during locomotory activity. In contrast, the modulation of reflex responses of hand muscles during rhythmic movement is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine whether comparable reflex modulation occurs in muscles controlling finger motions during rhythmic, fine-motor tasks akin to handwriting. Twelve healthy subjects performed two rhythmic tasks while reflexes were evoked by mechanical perturbations applied at various phases of each task. Electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from four hand muscles, and reflexes were averaged during each task relative to the movement phase. Stretch reflexes in all four muscles were found to be modulated in amplitude with respect to the phase of the rhythmic tasks, and also to vary distinctly with the tasks being conducted. The extent and pattern of reflex modulation differed between muscles in the same task, and between tasks for the same muscle. Muscles with a primary role in each task showed a higher correlation between reflex response and background EMG than other muscles. The results suggest that the modulation patterns observed may reflect optimal strategies of central–peripheral interactions in controlling the performance of fine-motor tasks. As with comparable studies on locomotion, the phase-dependency of the stretch reflexes implies a dynamically fluctuating role of proprioceptive feedback in the control of the hand muscles. The clear task-dependency is also consistent with a dynamic interaction of sensory feedback and central programming, presumably adapted to facilitate the successful performance of the different fine-motor tasks