Health-promoting behaviors and social support of women of reproductive age, and strategies for advancing their health: Protocol for a mixed methods study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Determining the health-promoting behaviors of women during the important period of reproduction provides valuable information for designing appropriate intervention programs for advancing women's health. There is no study on the health-promoting behaviors of women of reproductive age in Iran. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore these health-promoting behaviors for the purpose of developing comprehensive and culturally sensitive health advancement strategies for Iranian women.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study has a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. The follow-up explanation model is used to elaborate the quantitative results by collecting qualitative data from participants who could best assist in elucidating the results. The study is conducted in two sequential phases. The first phase is a population-based cross-sectional survey in which 1350 Iranian women of reproductive age are selected by proportional random multistage cluster sampling of the 22 main municipal sectors of Tehran, Iran. Questionnaires are completed through a face-to-face interview. The second phase is a qualitative study in which participants are selected using purposive sampling in the form of extreme case sampling on the basis of health-promoting behavior scores. The qualitative phase is based on data collected from focus group discussions or individual in-depth interviews. A conventional qualitative content analysis approach is used, and the data are managed with a computer-assisted program. Women's health-promoting strategies are developed using the qualitative and quantitative results, a review of the related literature, and the nominal group technique among experts.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The findings of this mixed methods sequential explanatory study, obtained using a culturally sensitive approach, provide insights into the health behavioral factors that need to be considered if preventive strategies and intervention programs are to be designed to promote women's health in the community.</p

Nerve Growth Factor Stimulates Interaction of Cayman Ataxia Protein BNIP-H/Caytaxin with Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 in Differentiating Neurons

Mutations in ATCAY that encodes the brain-specific protein BNIP-H (or Caytaxin) lead to Cayman cerebellar ataxia. BNIP-H binds to glutaminase, a neurotransmitter-producing enzyme, and affects its activity and intracellular localization. Here we describe the identification and characterization of the binding between BNIP-H and Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase. BNIP-H interacted with Pin1 after nerve growth factor-stimulation and they co-localized in the neurites and cytosol of differentiating pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and the embryonic carcinoma P19 cells. Deletional mutagenesis revealed two cryptic binding sites within the C-terminus of BNIP-H such that single point mutants affecting the WW domain of Pin1 completely abolished their binding. Although these two sites do not contain any of the canonical Pin1-binding motifs they showed differential binding profiles to Pin1 WW domain mutants S16E, S16A and W34A, and the catalytically inert C113A of its isomerase domain. Furthermore, their direct interaction would occur only upon disrupting the ability of BNIP-H to form an intramolecular interaction by two similar regions. Furthermore, expression of Pin1 disrupted the BNIP-H/glutaminase complex formation in PC12 cells under nerve growth factor-stimulation. These results indicate that nerve growth factor may stimulate the interaction of BNIP-H with Pin1 by releasing its intramolecular inhibition. Such a mechanism could provide a post-translational regulation on the cellular activity of BNIP-H during neuronal differentiation. (213 words

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) are a heterogeneous group of rare neurological disorders involving both central and peripheral nervous system, and in some case other systems and organs, and characterized by degeneration or abnormal development of cerebellum and spinal cord, autosomal recessive inheritance and, in most cases, early onset occurring before the age of 20 years. This group encompasses a large number of rare diseases, the most frequent in Caucasian population being Friedreich ataxia (estimated prevalence 2–4/100,000), ataxia-telangiectasia (1–2.5/100,000) and early onset cerebellar ataxia with retained tendon reflexes (1/100,000). Other forms ARCA are much less common. Based on clinicogenetic criteria, five main types ARCA can be distinguished: congenital ataxias (developmental disorder), ataxias associated with metabolic disorders, ataxias with a DNA repair defect, degenerative ataxias, and ataxia associated with other features. These diseases are due to mutations in specific genes, some of which have been identified, such as frataxin in Friedreich ataxia, α-tocopherol transfer protein in ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED), aprataxin in ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA1), and senataxin in ataxia with oculomotor apraxia (AOA2). Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by ancillary tests such as neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging, scanning), electrophysiological examination, and mutation analysis when the causative gene is identified. Correct clinical and genetic diagnosis is important for appropriate genetic counseling and prognosis and, in some instances, pharmacological treatment. Due to autosomal recessive inheritance, previous familial history of affected individuals is unlikely. For most ARCA there is no specific drug treatment except for coenzyme Q10 deficiency and abetalipoproteinemia

A utilização do lazer como estratégia para integração de familiares/acompanhantes em enfermaria de pediatria La utilización de la recreación como estrategia para integración de familiares/acompañantes en enfermaría pediatrica The utilization of leisure as strategy for the integration of relatives/companion in a pediatric ward

O objetivo deste estudo é relatar a experiência de alunos de graduação em Enfermagem na implantação de um projeto de extensão que utiliza o lazer como estratégia de intervenção aos familiares ou outros acompanhantes de crianças hospitalizadas, numa clínica pediátrica de um hospital universitário do interior do estado de São Paulo. As atividades do grupo, que consistem na realização de trabalhos manuais, desenhos, artesanato, relaxamento, costura, oficinas pedagógico-educativas, dentre outras, foram desenvolvidas em dois encontros semanais, com duração mínima de duas horas cada. Trata-se da utilização do lazer não apenas para distração e passatempo, mas também para que, na busca de minimizar eventos negativos decorrentes do processo de hospitalização, os pais, outros familiares e acompanhantes de crianças e adolescentes internados possam se integrar, de forma criativa, ao processo de cuidado destes clientes.<br>La finalidad de este estudio es relatar la vivencia de alumnos de pregrado en la implantación de un proyecto de extensión que utiliza actividades de recreación como estrategia de intervención a los familiares/acompañantes de niños hospitalizados, en la clínica pediátrica de un hospital universitario en el interior del estado de São Paulo. Las actividades del grupo, que abarcan la realización de trabajos manuales, dibujos, artesanía, relajamiento, costura, oficinas pedagógico-educativas, entre otras, se desarrollaron en dos encuentros semanales, con duración mínima de dos horas cada. Se trata de la utilización de la recreación no sólo para distracción y pasatiempo, pero también para que, al tentarse minimizar eventos negativos resultantes del proceso de hospitalización, los padres y otros familiares y acompañantes de niños y adolescentes internados puedan ser integrados, de forma creativa, al proceso de cuidado de esos clientes.<br>This study aims to report on undergraduate nursing students' experience in the implantation of an extension project that uses leisure activities as a strategy for intervention for family members or other companions of hospitalized children, at the pediatric clinic of a University Hospital in the interior of Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The group's activities, which involve handwork, drawing, artwork, relaxation, sewing, pedagogical-educational workshops, and others, were accomplished during two weekly meetings of at least two hours each. Leisure is used not only for distraction and pastime, but also, in trying to minimize negative events that result from the hospitalization process, to allow for the creative integration of parents and other relatives and companions of hospitalized children and adolescents into the care process for these clients