Patterns of Mental Health and their Associations with Spirituality in Women Exposed to Adversity

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are independently associated with negative psychological outcomes. Spirituality has been linked to positive outcomes. The present study interviewed 183 women exposed to recent IPV and/or living with HIV. Latent profile analysis was used to identify patterns of mental health (depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress) and examine their associations with spirituality. Four profiles emerged: Very Low Distress, Low Distress, High Average Distress, and Very High Distress. Women in the Very Low and Low Distress groups reported higher spirituality than women in the High Average and Very High Distress groups. Findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the varying levels of mental health distress among women exposed to physical and socioemotional adversities and connecting these experiences to spirituality. Findings may contribute to the development of novel interventions aimed at improving mental health among women exposed to adversity by emphasizing benefits of incorporating spirituality

PROFILES OF SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOSITY AMONG DIVERSE YOUNG ADULTS: RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEANING-MAKING AND WELL-BEING

Spirituality and religiosity are salient constructs in the lives of young adults and are associatedwith several positive physical and mental health outcomes. A significant body of researchsuggests that these constructs should be assessed concurrently and multidimensionally to gain afull understanding of these phenomena. The current study examined patterns ofspirituality/religiosity, associations between such patterns and positive outcomes, anddemographic predictors of patterns in an understudied population. A total of 199 racially diverse,non-university attending young adults were recruited from a job-preparedness program situatedin the Midsouth United States. Participants completed measures of demographics, multiplemeasures of spirituality and religiosity, meaning-making, and well-being. Latent profile analysiswas used to identify patterns of spirituality/religiosity (based on scores across multiple measuresof spirituality and religiosity) and associations between these profiles and meaning-making andwell-being were examined. Demographic predictors of class membership (i.e., race and ethnicity,gender) were also examined. Hypotheses included the following: 1) Several distinct typologiesof spirituality/religiosity will emerge and typologies will be characterized by differing levels ofspirituality/religiosity; 2) Spirituality/religiosity typologies characterized by high levels ofspirituality/religiosity will be significantly and positively associated with well-being andmeaning-making; and 3) Identifying as a man or White/European American will predictmembership in classes characterized by lower spirituality/religiosity. Four profiles emerged,including Class 1 (Average S/R, Higher Negative Religious Coping Class), Class 2 (HighReligiosity, Mixed Spirituality), Class 3 (Low Religiosity, Low to Average Spirituality), andClass 4 (Highest S/R and Lower Negative Religious Coping). Consistent with hypotheses,identifying as White/European American or male were found to be significant predictors ofclass membership. Generally, classes characterized by higher spirituality/religiosity wereassociated with greater meaning-making and well-being compared to classes characterized bylower spirituality/religiosity. These findings offer novel contributions to the literature byhighlighting the heterogeneity and salience of spirituality/religiosity patterns. Findings extendthe current research literature by examining spirituality/religiosity among an understudiedpopulation of non-university attending young adults and highlight the need to examinemechanisms behind these relationships. Interventions aimed at improving well-being andmeaning-making among this population may be enriched by elements of spirituality/religiosity

Thyroid hormone levels within reference range are associated with heart rate, cardiac structure, and function in middle-aged men and women

Background: Triiodothyronine (T3) has many effects on the heart, and marked changes in cardiac function and structure occur in patients with (subclinical) thyroid disease. We investigated whether between-subject variation in thyroid hormone levels within the euthyroid range is also associated with heart rate and echocardiographic heart function and structure. Methods: Subjects were selected from the Asklepios study (n=2524), a population-representative random sample of patients aged between 35 and 55 years, free from overt cardiovascular disease at baseline. Analyses were restricted to 2078 subjects (1013 women and 1065 men), not using antihypertensive or thyroid medication nor having antithyroperoxidase antibody levels above clinical cut-off or thyrotropin (TSH) levels outside the reference range. All subjects were phenotyped in-depth and underwent comprehensive echocardiography, including diastolic evaluation. Thyroid function parameters were determined by automated electrochemiluminescence. Results: Heart rate was robustly positively associated with (quartiles of) free T3 (FT3) and T3, both in subjects with TSH levels within reference (0.27-4.2 μU/L) and in narrow TSH range (0.5-2.5 μU/L; p<0.0001). FT3 and T3 were negatively associated with left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume but positively associated with relative wall thickness. Total T3 (TT3) was associated with enhanced ventricular contraction (as assessed by tissue Doppler imaging). Free thyroxine, FT3, and TT3 were positively associated with late ventricular filling, and TT3 was associated with early ventricular filling. Conclusion: We have demonstrated a strong positive association between thyroid hormone levels within the euthyroid range and heart rate, and more subtle effects on cardiac function and structure. More specifically, we suggest a smaller LV cavity size (with increased relative wall thickness), an enhanced atrial and ventricular contraction, and LV relaxation with higher circulating thyroid hormones. These results illustrate that variation in thyroid hormone levels, even within the reference range, exerts effects on the heart

Triiodothyronine and free thyroxine levels are differentially associated with metabolic profile and adiposity-related cardiovascular risk markers in euthyroid middle-aged subjects

Background: We previously showed that in healthy young men a less favorable body composition is associated with higher FT3 levels within the euthyroid range. Besides, a higher FT3-to-FT4 ratio has been related to a less favorable metabolic phenotype and more placental growth in pregnant women. In the present study, we therefore investigated whether serum TSH, thyroid hormone levels and the FT3-to-FT4 ratio are associated with metabolic and adiposity-related cardiovascular risk markers in a healthy population of middle-aged euthyroid men and women. Methods: Thyroid parameters were measured in 2524 generally healthy subjects from the Asklepios study (35-55yrs, mean age 46 years). Analyses were restricted to 2315 subjects (1138 women and 1177 men), not using thyroid medication, not having anti-TPO levels above clinical cut-off values nor TSH levels outside the reference range (0.27-4.2 mU/L). Twenty-seven percent of the women and 47.5% of the men were overweight, while 13% of women and 17% of men were obese. Twenty percent of the subjects were active smokers. Serum thyroid function parameters were determined by electrochemiluminescence. Results: (F) T3 and the FT3-to-FT4 ratio were positively related to BMI, waist circumference and components of the metabolic syndrome, i.e. triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose, and negatively with HDL-cholesterol levels, whereas FT4 was negatively associated to BMI, waist circumference and triglycerides (all p-values <0.001). TSH related positively to total cholesterol levels (p<0.01), triglycerides and to systolic and diastolic blood pressure (all p<0.001). The FT3-to-FT4 ratio was further positively associated to the adiposity-related inflammation markers interleukin-6 (IL6) and high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) and to pulse wave velocity. All associations were adjusted for sex, age, height and smoking and most associations persisted after additional adjustment for weight or waist circumference. Conclusion: In healthy euthyroid middle-aged men and women, higher (F) T3 levels, lower FT4 levels and thus a higher FT3-to-FT4 ratio are consistently associated with various markers of unfavorable metabolic profile and cardiovascular risk

Passive Pressure Modulation Mechanism for Improved Locomotion

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Winter 2021Our team was tasked with designing and fabricating a passive mechanism to assist with walking. Our sponsor, Steve Schrader, suffers from pes cavus, and experiences severe pain when walking. His current solution, the Disco Shoe, adds too much height and constrains blood flow in his foot, adding to his pain. The mechanism must reduce pressure in his metatarsal region and not impede his motion/allow for normative gait. It also must be affordable, durable, easy to clean, and be 3D printable. These requirements came from the sponsor and our own research into gait and similar products. To accomplish the requirements and their associated specifications, our team, with advice from Mr. Schrader came up with the Springblade design. This design aimed to absorb energy during heel strike and release it later to assist with push off, reducing pressure on the metatarsal region. The blades of the design also collapsed into a curved shape, mimicking rocker sole footwear, which is shown to reduce pressure on the foot. This design was analyzed using FEA (Hypermesh-Optistruct), in order to determine stress distributions and deformation. This allowed us to make predictions and some design changes prior to fabricating a physical prototype. We also performed multiple kinematic analyses of regular shoes vs. the Disco Shoe, the sponsor’s current solution. Using this analysis, we were able to create a standard for normative gait that the Springblade could be compared to. Following these analyses, the Springblade prototype was made using rubber. It was then tested in the Neurobionics lab alongside regular shoes and the Disco Shoe for comparison. After analyzing the data, we found that there was a slight reduction in the push off ground reaction force. Our analysis also showed a return to normative gait relative to the regular shoes. However, the overall length of the Springblade prototype made it difficult to push off, so that could have contributed to the data we obtained. The rubber was less stiff than the material we modeled with, so the blades collapsed more than anticipated, leading to less assistance during push off. After testing, several design changes were made, including reducing the length and number of blades. Blades were also thickened to increase stiffness. The sponsor’s orthotic was also integrated into the design. Moving forward, we recommend more iteration and prototyping. This will allow for more testing on the part of the sponsor, and he can continue to iterate on the design. Investigation into other methods of manufacturing will be beneficial since 3D printing will soon become expensive if used for every iteration. Testing with force or pressure plates might also improve feedback and design refinement.Steve Schrader: Alumnihttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167641/1/Team_24-Passive_Pressure_Modulation_Mechanism_for_Improved_Locomotion.pd

Reactivating Fetal Hemoglobin Expression in Human Adult Erythroblasts Through BCL11A Knockdown Using Targeted Endonucleases.

We examined the efficiency, specificity, and mutational signatures of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 systems designed to target the gene encoding the transcriptional repressor BCL11A, in human K562 cells and human CD34+ progenitor cells. ZFNs and TALENs were delivered as in vitro transcribed mRNA through electroporation; CRISPR/Cas9 was codelivered by Cas9 mRNA with plasmid-encoded guideRNA (gRNA) (pU6.g1) or in vitro transcribed gRNA (gR.1). Analyses of efficacy revealed that for these specific reagents and the delivery methods used, the ZFNs gave rise to more allelic disruption in the targeted locus compared to the TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9, which was associated with increased levels of fetal hemoglobin in erythroid cells produced in vitro from nuclease-treated CD34+ cells. Genome-wide analysis to evaluate the specificity of the nucleases revealed high specificity of this specific ZFN to the target site, while specific TALENs and CRISPRs evaluated showed off-target cleavage activity. ZFN gene-edited CD34+ cells had the capacity to engraft in NOD-PrkdcSCID-IL2Rγnull mice, while retaining multi-lineage potential, in contrast to TALEN gene-edited CD34+ cells. CRISPR engraftment levels mirrored the increased relative plasmid-mediated toxicity of pU6.g1/Cas9 in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), highlighting the value for the further improvements of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in primary human HSPCs

‘I’d rather you didn’t come’: The impact of stigma on exercising with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common but hidden disorder, leading to stigma in everyday life. Despite stigma being widely researched, little is known about the impact of stigma for people with epilepsy within a sports and exercise setting. Using constructionist grounded theory, we explored the barriers and adaptations to exercise for people with epilepsy. Three focus groups (2-3 participants per group) and three semi-structured interviews were conducted (11 participants total). Stigma negatively impacted joining team sports, running groups, and disclosure to others. The effect of stigma was reduced by educating others about epilepsy, thus creating more awareness and understanding

History curriculum in the reform of Rio de Janeiro Municipal Department of Education

A proposta desse artigo é apresentar duas pesquisas que investigaram as mudanças realizadas no currículo de história da rede municipal do Rio de Janeiro, empreendidas pela gestão que atuou na Secretaria Municipal de Educação do Rio de Janeiro (SME/RJ) entre os anos de 2009 e 2013. Em busca da melhora da qualidade do ensino nas escolas, a SME/RJ iniciou uma reforma no currículo e no sistema de avaliação da rede, que incluiu a elaboração de Orientações curriculares e de Cadernos pedagógicos, no caso da disciplina escolar história. A primeira pesquisa foi realizada no contexto de produção dos Cadernos pedagógicos, a partir da atuação dos professores formuladores no trabalho de elaboração desse material. A segunda pesquisa investiga as modificações da política curricular realizadas por professores de história da rede que atuam no contexto da prática. O objetivo deste artigo é estabelecer um diálogo entre essas pesquisas, uma vez que ambas utilizaram como principal referencial teórico-metodológico, o ciclo de políticas (BOWE; BALL; GOLD, 1992). Considerando a complexidade das esferas da política, foi constatado que, ao circular pelos contextos estudados, a reforma curricular não foi simplesmente recebida e incorporada, mas modificada pelos sujeitos envolvidos, que produziram sentidos diferentes no texto original da política.This article presents two studies on the changes in the history curriculum of the municipal education system of Rio de Janeiro, which were undertaken by Rio de Janeiro Municipal Department of Education from 2009 to 2013. In an attempt to improve the quality of teaching, the Education Department launched a reform in the curriculum and the assessment system of municipal schools, which included the creation of Orientações curriculares (Curriculum guidelines) and Cadernos pedagógicos (Pedagogical notebooks) in the case of the history discipline. The first study was conducted in the context of the making of Cadernos pedagógicos and based on the work of teachers involved in it. The second study investigated the changes made in the curriculum policy by history teachers who work in classrooms in the municipal system. The goal of this article is to establish a dialogue between the studies, since both used the cycle of policies (BOWE; BALL; GOLD, 1992) as their main theoretical-methodological framework. Considering the complexity of the spheres of the policy, we found that, as the curriculum reform circulated in the contexts studied, it was not simply received and incorporated, but modified by the subjects involved, who produced meanings which differ from the original text of the policy