I Have Always Loved West Virginia, But... : How Archival Projects Can Complicate, Build, and Reimagine Place-Based Literacies

This article shares the outcomes of a collaborative project between multimedia writing students and a local history center in which students created online exhibits about an important event in labor history: the Battle of Blair Mountain. The main outcome discussed is the enhancement of place-based literacy, including complication of simplistic narratives about place, illumination of less visible stakeholders, deeper understanding of hidden identity markers, and contextualization of relationships between artifacts and personal histories. Ultimately, this article demonstrates the value of archival research and the stories such research unveils as a means to re-imagine places and their people in more ethical, nuanced representations

A Close and Supportive Interparental Bond During Pregnancy Predicts Greater Decline in Sexual Activity From Pregnancy to Postpartum: Applying an Evolutionary Perspective

A common topic for advice given to parents after childbirth – both from relationship experts and popular media – is how to “bounce back” to one’s pre-pregnancy sexuality, with warnings that postpartum declines in sexual frequency will take a serious toll on one’s relationship. However, these admonishments may not accurately reflect the ways in which the unique reproductive context of pregnancy and the postpartum transition alter associations between sexual frequency and relationship quality. Evolutionary perspectives on reproductive strategies would suggest that in the postpartum context, decreased sexual activity would help target parental investment in the current offspring (rather than creating new offspring); however, if the parental relationship is lacking in intimacy and support, continued sexual activity may help seal the cracks in the bond. We tested this theory in a longitudinal dyadic study of changes in relationship quality and sexual frequency from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum among 159 heterosexual couples. We found that across three different measures of relationship quality taken from interviews and behavioral observation of couple interactions, higher relationship quality (i.e., greater support, intimacy, and responsiveness) predicted greater decline in sexual frequency whereas sexual frequency remained relatively stable in lower quality relationships. These findings suggest that, during the postpartum transition, decreased sexual frequency may not be a reliable signal of poor relationship quality

Mitochondrial targeting of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax : Role of the Bax carboxy-terminal tail.

Here, I address the function of the carboxy-terminal hydrophobic helix of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. There has been considerable controversy as to whether this sequence is required for the targeting and insertion of Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane. The Bax carboxy-terminal tail is tucked into a hydrophobic pocket within the closed/inactive conformation of Bax. Apoptotic stimulation results in an opening of the Bax conformation, exposing a mitochondrial-targeting signal and subsequent insertion of Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane. Here, I confirm that the Bax tail alone can specifically target and anchor a cytosolic passenger protein to the mitochondria. Surprisingly, however, I find that the carboxy-terminal tail is not responsible for the specific targeting of Bax to the mitochondria rather than other cellular membranes. Specifically, replacing the Bax tail with an ER-targeting tail-anchor had no effect on Bax mitochondrial targeting, in the context of full-length Bax. This contrasts to the targeting function of tail-anchor signals in other tail-anchored proteins. In addition, I demonstrated that the Bax tail has a negative regulatory effect on Bax activation. Mutations that disrupt the interaction of the Bax tail with the hydrophobic pocket resulted in an open/active conformation of Bax and constitutive mitochondrial targeting. Deletion of the Bax tail also resulted in an open/active conformation of Bax, however the anchor-deleted form of Bax was not associated with mitochondria. This indicates a requirement of the Bax tail for mitochondrial translocation. By introducing charged residues into the tail sequence to block insertion of the sequence into the hydrophobic bilayer, I show that insertion of the Bax tail is required for Bax mitochondrial targeting. My data support a model whereby the Bax tail must be released from its hydrophobic pocket to initiate the change into an open/active conformation. The tail then functions as an anchor to stabilize Bax at the mitochondrion after the initial addressing step

The Effects of an Undergraduate Research on Pre-Service Teachers’ Notions of STEM Education and Educational Research

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) often lack the self-efficacy necessary to effectively implement STEM education into their classrooms. Undergraduate research experiences (URE) can help fill this void by providing opportunities for PSTs to engage with STEM content and K–12 students in a field-based research context. This case study details the impact a URE had on PSTs’ STEM self-efficacy and views on research. The URE consisted of STEM curriculum development, teaching the curriculum at a local middle school, gathering research data, and presenting results at academic conferences. Participation in the URE positively influenced the PSTs’ self-efficacy in STEM and changed their perceptions regarding research. This research provides practical value to educator preparation programs (EPPs) as an option to enhance STEM education for PSTs

An Integrated Relational Framework of Depressed Mood and Anhedonia During Pregnancy

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test a unified framework that integrates several theories into a cohesive model to explain the interplay between neuroticism and intimate relationship quality as risk factors for prenatal depression. Background: There is a notable spike in risk for depression during pregnancy, and the processes unfolding in the interparental relationship during this important time in the family life cycle might serve to mitigate or enhance this risk. Yet there is a need for theory-driven research integrating multiple conceptual frameworks to explicate the role of intimate relationship quality in depression. Method: In a sample of 154 pregnant, cohabiting couples, multiple domains of intimate relationship quality were assessed using a semistructured clinical interview. An ecologically valid assessment of core depressive features was implemented, such that daily reports of depressed mood and anhedonia captured the pervasiveness of those symptoms for 2 weeks. Results: The hypothesized, integrated model was supported for the following two dimensions of intimate relationship quality: conflict management for women and partner support for men. Neuroticism predicted depressive symptoms indirectly through poorer relationship quality and interacted with poorer relationship quality to influence depressive symptoms. In addition, poor sexual quality predicted paternal depressive symptoms, and this effect intensified at higher levels of neuroticism; however, neuroticism did not predict sexual quality. Conclusions: This integrated approach to studying risk for depression has implications for future research and clinical practice, particularly for clinicians working with pregnant couples when one or both partners are experiencing symptoms of depression

Collaborative decision making improves interpersonal psychotherapy efficiency: A randomized clinical trial with postpartum women

Background: Randomized controlled trials of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and other psychotherapies for depression have required strict adherence to protocol and do not allow for clinical judgment in deciding frequency of sessions. To determine if such protocols were more effective than allowing therapists to use their clinical judgment, we compared “Clinician- Managed” IPT (CM-IPT), in which clinicians and patients with postpartum depression were allotted 12 sessions and determined collaboratively when to use them, to a once weekly 12 session protocol (“Standard IPT”). We hypothesized that CM-IPT would be more efficient, requiring fewer sessions to reach an equivalent acute outcome, and that CM-IPT would be superior over 12 months because “saved” sessions could be used for maintenance treatment. Method: We conducted a clinical trial including 140 postpartum outpatients with DSM-IV major depression who were randomly assigned to “Standard” IPT (N= 69) or CM-IPT (N= 71). Results: Both CM-IPT and S-IPT were highly efficacious with similar outcomes by 12 weeks but CM-IPT group utilized significantly fewer sessions. Both were superior to a waitlist control. Superiority comparisons at 12 months did not favor the CM-IPT condition. Limitations: Results should be replicated in a more diverse sample to increase generalizability. Conclusions: CM-IPT is more efficient in treating acute depression than mandated weekly IPT. Further, permitting clinicians and patients to use their collaborative judgment is likely to be a more efficient and effective way to conduct future research and to implement evidence-based psychotherapy in the community

PPARα contributes to protection against metabolic and inflammatory derangements associated with acute kidney injury in experimental sepsis

Abstract Sepsis‐associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant problem in critically ill children and adults resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Fundamental mechanisms contributing to sepsis‐associated AKI are poorly understood. Previous research has demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) expression is associated with reduced organ system failure in sepsis. Using an experimental model of polymicrobial sepsis, we demonstrate that mice deficient in PPARα have worse kidney function, which is likely related to reduced fatty acid oxidation and increased inflammation. Ultrastructural evaluation with electron microscopy reveals that the proximal convoluted tubule is specifically injured in septic PPARα deficient mice. In this experimental group, serum metabolomic analysis reveals unanticipated metabolic derangements in tryptophan‐kynurenine‐NAD+ and pantothenate pathways. We also show that a subgroup of children with sepsis whose genome‐wide expression profiles are characterized by repression of the PPARα signaling pathway has increased incidence of severe AKI. These findings point toward interesting associations between sepsis‐associated AKI and PPARα‐driven fatty acid metabolism that merit further investigation

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with a high rate of perioperative blood transfusion at the time of interval cytoreductive surgery

Abstract Background The oncologic safety of allogeneic blood transfusion in ovarian cancer patients is unknow. We sought to determine the prevalence and oncologic safety of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion during interval cytoreduction surgery among women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Methods We utilized retrospective chart review to identify a cohort of patients undergoing interval cytoreduction at a large academic tertiary referral center. We compared outcomes in patients who were exposed to perioperative blood transfusion compared with patients who were not exposed. Our primary endpoint was progression free survival; our secondary endpoint was overall survival. Baseline clinical characteristics were collected for patients in each group. Results Sixty-six women were included in the final cohort of women undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery after NACT. A total of 51 women (77%) were exposed to allogeneic perioperative pRBC transfusion. Fifteen women (23%) were not exposed to transfusion. The baseline characteristics were generally well matched. Women who were not exposed to a perioperative blood transfusion were more likely to have a normalized CA125 prior to undergoing cytoreductive surgery. Preoperative hemoglobin concentration was lower in the transfusion group (10.5 g/dLvs 11.5 g/dL, p < 0.009). Perioperative transfusion was not associated with a significant difference in progression free survival (PFS = 7.6 months for transfused, 9.4 months for not transfused; log-rank test p = 0.4617). Similarly, there was no observed difference between groups for overall survival (OS = 23.6 months for transfused, 22.5 months for not transfused; log-rank test p = 0.1723). Conclusions Women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian cancer are at high risk of exposure to blood transfusion at the time of interval cytoreductive surgery. Future studies will continue to evaluate the safety and impact of transfusion on ovarian cancer survival in this at risk population.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146137/1/12885_2018_Article_4882.pd

Lean body mass associated with upper body strength in healthy older adults while higher body fat limits lower extremity performance and endurance

Impaired strength adversely influences an older person\u27s ability to perform activities of daily living. A cross-sectional study of 117 independently living men and women (age = 73.4 9.4 year; body mass index (BMI) = 27.6 4.8 kg/m2) aimed to assess the association between body composition and: (1) upper body strength (handgrip strength, HGS); (2) lower extremity performance (timed up and go (TUG) and sit to stand test (STS)); and (3) endurance (6-minute walk (SMWT). Body composition (% fat; lean body mass (LBM)) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Habitual physical activity was measured using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPA) and dietary macronutrient intake, assessed using 24 h recalls and 3-day food records. Regression analyses included the covariates, protein intake (g/kg), MLTPA, age and sex. For natural logarithm (Ln) of right HGS, LBM (p \u3c 0.001) and % body fat (p \u3c 0.005) were significant (r2 = 46.5%; p \u3c 0.000). For left LnHGS, LBM (p \u3c 0.000), age (p = 0.036), protein intake (p = 0.015) and LnMLTPA (p = 0.015) were significant (r2 = 0.535; p \u3c 0.000). For SMW, % body fat, age and LnMLTPA were significant (r2 = 0.346; p \u3c 0.000). For STS, % body fat and age were significant (r2 = 0.251; p \u3c 0.000). LBM is a strong predictor of upper body strength while higher % body fat and lower physical activity are associated with poorer outcomes on tests of lower extremity performance