Addressing Disparities in Access to Information for Hispanic Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs

Objectives: Utilizing a diffusion of innovation (DOI) framework, the study seeks to increase access to information for Hispanic families of children with special health care needs (SHCN) by increasing their use of Family-to-family Centers (F2Fs) in their states. Methods: Focus groups were implemented of both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Hispanic families in two states with a confirming Delphi procedure exploring factors within DOI framework related to using F2Fs and the nature of current family communication networks. Results: Families seeking information at key change points turn to formal sources, although Spanish-speaking families, noted that due to language barriers, they also turned to family and friends. Families prefer getting information in one-on-one encounters rather than via technologies. F2Fs being staffed by parents of children with SHCN is a relative advantage over other sources of information and race or ethnicity of the staff was not an essential feature in using F2Fs, although services in Spanish was. Findings indicated that cultural values might impede turning outside the family for support and that concerns about federally funded programs serving all families or being suddenly cut impacted families views of using F2Fs. Conclusions: Increasing the use of F2Fs by Hispanic families will entail increasing awareness and acceptance of the centers by their social networks and by social marketing efforts that focus on factors identified. In addition, at the policy level, there needs to be a recognition of the strong preference for person-to-person support rather than technological approaches, which has fiscal implications

Geminate and nongeminate recombination of triplet excitons formed by singlet fission.

We report the simultaneous observation of geminate and nongeminate triplet-triplet annihilation in a solution-processable small molecule TIPS-tetracene undergoing singlet exciton fission. Using optically detected magnetic resonance, we identify recombination of triplet pairs directly following singlet fission, as well as recombination of triplet excitons undergoing bimolecular triplet-triplet annihilation. We show that the two processes give rise to distinct magnetic resonance spectra, and estimate the interaction between geminate triplet excitons to be 60 neV.EPSRC [grant no. EP/J017361/1 and EP/G060738/1]. E. Oppenheimer Foundation and St. Catherine's College, Cambridge. NSF [CMMI- 1255494].This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.238701

Discovery of Novel Adenosine Receptor Agonists That Exhibit Subtype Selectivity.

A series of N(6)-bicyclic and N(6)-(2-hydroxy)cyclopentyl derivatives of adenosine were synthesized as novel A1R agonists and their A1R/A2R selectivity assessed using a simple yeast screening platform. We observed that the most selective, high potency ligands were achieved through N(6)-adamantyl substitution in combination with 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido or 5'-hydroxymethyl groups. In addition, we determined that 5'-(2-fluoro)thiophenyl derivatives all failed to generate a signaling response despite showing an interaction with the A1R. Some selected compounds were also tested on A1R and A3R in mammalian cells revealing that four of them are entirely A1R-selective agonists. By using in silico homology modeling and ligand docking, we provide insight into their mechanisms of recognition and activation of the A1R. We believe that given the broad tissue distribution, but contrasting signaling profiles, of adenosine receptor subtypes, these compounds might have therapeutic potential.This study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF professorship PP00P2_123536 and PP00P2_146321 to M.L.), the BBSRC (G.L., BB/G01227X/1 and BB/M00015X/1), an MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (I.W. MR/J003964/1), and the EPSRC (A.K., EP/G500045/1).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the American Chemical Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b0140

Implementing Autism Screening for Latino Children in Primary Care: Perspectives from Parents and Providers

While Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities are being diagnosed at increasing rates, there is strong evidence of disparities in rates of identification and utilization of services by Latino children as compared to non-Latino children. Attempts to reduce these disparities include culturally-informed early screening for ASD risk. In preparation for initiation of a screening program in a primary care setting serving primarily Latino children, focus groups and interviews were conducted with Latino parents (N=31), medical staff (N=15), health care providers (N=4) to better understand the barriers and facilitators to engagement around developmental concerns that contribute to the low identification and service use for Latino children with autism. Using a thematic analysis approach, focus group and interview data revealed themes organized around three issues impacting engagement of Latino parents in screening for ASD: 1) information exchange, 2) culture, and 3) structure. In particular, parents and providers, felt that it was important to connect on the importance of developmental issues, address health literacy, acknowledge differences in language, beliefs, and values, and address structural barriers, like length of patient/provider interaction. Information obtained through this qualitative study informed the intervention, Supported Screening, to facilitate screening and referral for ASD at primary care sites that serve predominantly Latino families

Mutual enlightenment: A toolbox of concepts and methods for integrating evolutionary and clinical toxinology via snake venomics and the contextual stance

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease that may claim over 100,000 human lives annually worldwide. Snakebite occurs as the result of an interaction between a human and a snake that elicits either a defensive response from the snake or, more rarely, a feeding response as the result of mistaken identity. Snakebite envenoming is therefore a biological and, more specifically, an ecological problem. Snake venom itself is often described as a “cocktail”, as it is a heterogenous mixture of molecules including the toxins (which are typically proteinaceous) responsible for the pathophysiological consequences of envenoming. The primary function of venom in snake ecology is pre-subjugation, with defensive deployment of the secretion typically considered a secondary function. The particular composition of any given venom cocktail is shaped by evolutionary forces that include phylogenetic constraints associated with the snake’s lineage and adaptive responses to the snake’s ecological context, including the taxa it preys upon and by which it is predated upon. In the present article, we describe how conceptual frameworks from ecology and evolutionary biology can enter into a mutually enlightening relationship with clinical toxinology by enabling the consideration of snakebite envenoming from an “ecological stance”. We detail the insights that may emerge from such a perspective and highlight the ways in which the high-fidelity descriptive knowledge emerging from applications of -omics era technologies – “venomics” and “antivenomics” – can combine with evolutionary explanations to deliver a detailed understanding of this multifactorial health crisis.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion/[BMC 2004-01432]//EspañaMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovacion/[BFU 2007-61563]//EspañaMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovacion/[BFU 2010-173730]//EspañaMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovacion/[BFU 2013-42833-P]//EspañaMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovacion/[BFU 2017-89103-P]//EspañaNorwegian Research Council/[No.287462.]/NFR/NoruegaNational Health and Medical Research Council/[Grant 13/093/002 AVRU]/AustraliaDBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance/[IA/I/19/2/504647]//IndiaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP

Site-specific Photocross-linking Reveals That SecGlp and TRAM Contact Different Regions of a Membrane-inserted Signal Sequence

A chemically charged amber suppressor tRNA was used to introduce the photoactivatable amino acid (Tmd)Phe at a selected position within the signal sequence of the secretory protein preprolactin. This allowed the interactions of the NH -terminal, the central, and the COOH-terminal regions of the signal sequence to be investigated during insertion into the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We found that different regions of the nascent chains were photocross-linked to different ER proteins. The TRAM protein (translocating chain-associating membrane protein) contacts the NHz-terminal region of the signal sequence while the mammalian Sec6lp contacts the hydrophobic core of the signal sequence and regions COOH-terminal of this. These results suggest that the ER translocation complex is composed of heterologous protein subunits which contadcti stinct regions of nascent polypeptides during their membrane insertion

Multifactorial Patterns of Gene Expression in Colonic Epithelial Cells Predict Disease Phenotypes in Experimental Colitis

Background— The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex and the need to identify molecular biomarkers is critical. Epithelial cells play a central role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. We previously identified five “signature” biomarkers in colonic epithelial cells (CEC) that are predictive of disease phenotype in Crohn\u27s disease. Here we investigate the ability of CEC biomarkers to define the mechanism and severity of intestinal inflammation. Methods— We analyzed the expression of RelA, A20, pIgR, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 in CEC of mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) acute colitis or T-cell-mediated chronic colitis. Factor analysis was used to combine the five biomarkers into two multifactorial principal components (PCs). PC scores for individual mice were correlated with disease severity. Results— For both colitis models, PC1 was strongly weighted toward RelA, A20, and pIgR, and PC2 was strongly weighted toward TNF and MIP-2, while the contributions of other biomarkers varied depending on the etiology of inflammation. Disease severity was correlated with elevated PC2 scores in DSS colitis and reduced PC1 scores in T-cell transfer colitis. Downregulation of pIgR was a common feature observed in both colitis models and was associated with altered cellular localization of pIgR and failure to transport IgA. Conclusions— A multifactorial analysis of epithelial gene expression may be more informative than examining single gene responses in IBD. These results provide insight into the homeostatic and proinflammatory functions of CEC in IBD pathogenesis and suggest that biomarker analysis could be useful for evaluating therapeutic options for IBD patients

Guns, germs, and trees determine density and distribution of gorillas and chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa

We present a range-wide assessment of sympatric western lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla and central chimpanzees Pan troglodytes troglodytes using the largest survey data set ever assembled for these taxa: 59 sites in five countries surveyed between 2003 and 2013, totaling 61,000 person-days of fieldwork. We used spatial modeling to investigate major drivers of great ape distribution and population trends. We predicted density across each taxon’s geographic range, allowing us to estimate overall abundance: 361,900 gorillas and 128,700 chimpanzees in Western Equatorial Africa—substantially higher than previous estimates. These two subspecies represent close to 99% of all gorillas and one-third of all chimpanzees. Annual population decline of gorillas was estimated at 2.7%, maintaining them as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. We quantified the threats to each taxon, of which the three greatest were poaching, disease, and habitat degradation. Gorillas and chimpanzees are found at higher densities where forest is intact, wildlife laws are enforced, human influence is low, and disease impacts have been low. Strategic use of the results of these analyses could conserve the majority of gorillas and chimpanzees. With around 80% of both subspecies occurring outside protected areas, their conservation requires reinforcement of anti-poaching efforts both inside and outside protected areas (particularly where habitat quality is high and human impact is low), diligent disease control measures (including training, advocacy, and research into Ebola virus disease), and the preservation of high-quality habitat through integrated land-use planning and implementation of best practices by the extractive and agricultural industries.Additional co-authors: Nicolas Bout, Thomas Breuer, Genevieve Campbell, Pauwel De Wachter, Marc Ella Akou, Fidel Esono Mba, Anna T. C. Feistner, Bernard Fosso, Roger Fotso, David Greer, Clement Inkamba-Nkulu, Calixte F. Iyenguet, Max Kokangoye, Hjalmar S. Kühl, Stephanie Latour, Bola Madzoke, Calixte Makoumbou, Guy-Aimé F. Malanda, Richard Malonga, Victor Mbolo, David B. Morgan, Prosper Motsaba, Gabin Moukala, Brice S. Mowawa, Mizuki Murai, Christian Ndzai, Tomoaki Nishihara, Zacharie Nzooh, Lilian Pintea, Amy Pokempner, Hugo J. Rainey, Tim Rayden, Heidi Ruffler, Crickette M. Sanz, Angelique Todd, Hilde Vanleeuwe, Ashley Vosper, Ymke Warren, and David S. Wilki