Sensitivity training in the athletic department

The purpose of this research was to determine the perception of sensitivity training by athletic trainers in selected National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic training departments. A survey was developed based on the purpose and delivered to 50 participants, completed, and returned for data analysis. The participants in this study consisted of NCAA Division I male and female athletic trainers (i.e. certified athletic trainers by the National Athletic Trainers\u27 Association). The 25 athletic trainers who responded were from the following conferences:1) The Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC), 2) The Big Ten, 3) The Pacific Ten Conference (PAC Ten) and, 4) Southeastern Conference (SEC). The results of the study were presented as follows: a) frequencies, percentages, tables and graphs were used to present demographic information in questions 1-6, b) fi-equencies, percentages, tables, and graphs were used to exhibit information in research questions 7-20, and c) fi-equencies, tables, and graphs were used to present information in research questions 21-28. The conclusions that were drawn fi-om this research are as follows: 1) the majority of the athletic trainers surveyed were not required to go through sensitivity training, 2) the majority of the athletic trainers who were not required to go through sensitivity training did not see a need for such training, 3) the majority of those who had not gone through sensitivity training were willing to attend sessions if they were offered, 4) the majority of those who had sensitivity training, felt they gained something or realized some biases, 5) a majority of the participants were most willing to discuss gender issues within sensitivity training sessions, and 6) a majority of the participants have had to deal with gender issues that could be viewed as negative

Conceptualizations of lesbians and lesbian relationships

There have been many studies that examine the attitudes of heterosexuals towards lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (Herek & Capitanio, 1999 & 1996; Engstrom & Sedlacek, 1997; Kite & Whitley, 1996; Whitley & Kite, 1995; Pratte, 1993; and Kite, 1984). Currently, there is no qualitative research that focuses on a particular population\u27s conceptualizations of lesbians. The need for this study lies in the abundance of stereotypes surrounding both lesbians and heterosexual men\u27s view of lesbians as well as the lack of research. For these reasons, the purpose of the study is to examine the conceptualization of lesbians and lesbian relationships by white, heterosexual, single, 25- 32 year old, college-educated, men, and, secondly, to examine the role socialization plays in this conceptualization. Qualitative research methodology is used for this research and queer theory is the theoretical frame. Long interviews are conducted with nine participants in order to provide their perspective. Four major themes emerge from the interviews: The Road to Conceptualization, Beliefs Regarding Lesbians and Lesbian Relationships, Conceptualization by Comparison, and Conceptualization via Struggle. There are also numerous sub-themes revealed from the data analysis

Measuring <i>KRAS </i>Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA by Droplet Digital PCR and Next-Generation Sequencing

Measuring total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or cancer-specific mutations herein has presented as new tools in aiding the treatment of cancer patients. Studies show that total cfDNA bears prognostic value in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and that measuring cancer-specific mutations could supplement biopsies. However, limited information is available on the performance of different methods. Blood samples from 28 patients with mCRC and known KRAS mutation status were included. cfDNA was extracted and quantified with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) measuring Beta-2 Microglobulin. KRAS mutation detection was performed using ddPCR (Bio-Rad) and next-generation sequencing (NGS, Ion Torrent PGM). Comparing KRAS mutation status in plasma and tissue revealed concordance rates of 79% and 89% for NGS and ddPCR. Strong correlation between the methods was observed. Most KRAS mutations were also detectable in 10-fold diluted samples using the ddPCR. We find that for detection of KRAS mutations in ctDNA ddPCR was superior to NGS both in analysis success rate and concordance to tissue. We further present results indicating that lower amount of plasma may be used for detection of KRAS mutations in mCRC

Relationship between Lipoprotein (a) and cognitive function – Results from the Berlin Aging Study II

It has been suggested that an age-related loss of cognitive function might be driven by atherosclerotic effects associated with altered lipid patterns. However, the relationship between Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and healthy cognitive aging has not yet been sufficiently investigated. For the current analysis we used the cross-sectional data of 1,380 Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) participants aged 60 years and older (52.2% women, mean age 68 ± 4 years). We employed the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD)-Plus test battery to establish latent factors representing continuous measures of domain specific cognitive functions. Regression models adjusted for APOE genotypes, lipid parameters and other risk factors for cognitive impairment were applied to assess the association between Lp(a) and performance in specific cognitive domains. Men within the lowest Lp(a)-quintile showed better cognitive performance in the cognitive domain executive functions and processing speed (p = 0.027). No significant results were observed in women. The results of the current analysis of predominantly healthy BASE-II participants point towards an association between low Lp(a) concentrations and better cognitive performance. However, evidence for this relationship resulting from the current analysis and the employment of a differentiated cognitive assessment is rather weak

Using blood test parameters to define biological age among older adults: association with morbidity and mortality independent of chronological age validated in two separate birth cohorts

Biomarkers defining biological age are typically laborious or expensive to assess. Instead, in the current study, we identified parameters based on standard laboratory blood tests across metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and kidney functioning that had been assessed in the Berlin Aging Study (BASE) (n = 384) and Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) (n = 1517). We calculated biological age using those 12 parameters that individually predicted mortality hazards over 26 years in BASE. In BASE, older biological age was associated with more physician-observed morbidity and higher mortality hazards, over and above the effects of chronological age, sex, and education. Similarly, in BASE-II, biological age was associated with physician-observed morbidity and subjective health, over and above the effects of chronological age, sex, and education as well as alternative biomarkers including telomere length, DNA methylation age, skin age, and subjective age but not PhenoAge. We discuss the importance of biological age as one indicator of aging.Peer Reviewe

Epigenome-wide association study in peripheral tissues highlights DNA methylation profiles associated with episodic memory performance in humans

The decline in episodic memory (EM) performance is a hallmark of cognitive aging and an early clinical sign in Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease (AD). In this study, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) using DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles from buccal and blood samples for cross-sectional (n = 1019) and longitudinal changes in EM performance (n = 626; average follow-up time 5.4 years) collected under the auspices of the Lifebrain consortium project. The mean age of participants with cross-sectional data was 69 &plusmn; 11 years (30&ndash;90 years), with 50% being females. We identified 21 loci showing suggestive evidence of association (p &lt; 1 &times; 10&minus;5) with either or both EM phenotypes. Among these were SNCA, SEPW1 (both cross-sectional EM), ITPK1 (longitudinal EM), and APBA2 (both EM traits), which have been linked to AD or Parkinson&rsquo;s disease (PD) in previous work. While the EM phenotypes were nominally significantly (p &lt; 0.05) associated with poly-epigenetic scores (PESs) using EWASs on general cognitive function, none remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Likewise, estimating the degree of &ldquo;epigenetic age acceleration&rdquo; did not reveal significant associations with either of the two tested EM phenotypes. In summary, our study highlights several interesting candidate loci in which differential DNAm patterns in peripheral tissue are associated with EM performance in humans

Impact of Whole Genome Doubling on Detection of Circulating Tumor DNA in Colorectal Cancer

Objective: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a candidate biomarker of cancer with practice-changing potential in the detection of both early and residual disease. Disease stage and tumor size affect the probability of ctDNA detection, whereas little is known about the influence of other tumor characteristics on ctDNA detection. This study investigates the impact of tumor cell whole-genome doubling (WGD) on the detection of ctDNA in plasma collected preoperatively from newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods: WGD was estimated from copy numbers derived from whole-exome sequencing (WES) data of matched tumor and normal DNA from 833 Danish CRC patients. To explore if tumor WGD status impacts ctDNA detection, we applied tumor-informed ctDNA analysis to preoperative plasma samples from all patients. Results: Patients with WGD+ tumors had 53% increased odds of being ctDNA positive (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.12–2.09). After stratification for UICC stage, the association persisted for Stage I (OR = 2.44, 95%CI: 1.22–5.03) and Stage II (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.11–2.81) but not for Stage III (OR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.44–1.53) patients. Conclusion: The presence of WGD significantly increases the probability of detecting ctDNA, particularly for early-stage disease. In patients with more advanced disease, the benefit of WGD on ctDNA detection is less pronounced, consistent with increased DNA shedding from these tumors, making ctDNA detection less dependent on the amount of ctDNA released per tumor cell

A mathematical model of quorum sensing regulated EPS production in biofilm communities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Biofilms are microbial communities encased in a layer of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS matrix provides several functional purposes for the biofilm, such as protecting bacteria from environmental stresses, and providing mechanical stability. Quorum sensing is a cell-cell communication mechanism used by several bacterial taxa to coordinate gene expression and behaviour in groups, based on population densities.</p> <p>Model</p> <p>We mathematically model quorum sensing and EPS production in a growing biofilm under various environmental conditions, to study how a developing biofilm impacts quorum sensing, and conversely, how a biofilm is affected by quorum sensing-regulated EPS production. We investigate circumstances when using quorum-sensing regulated EPS production is a beneficial strategy for biofilm cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We find that biofilms that use quorum sensing to induce increased EPS production do not obtain the high cell populations of low-EPS producers, but can rapidly increase their volume to parallel high-EPS producers. Quorum sensing-induced EPS production allows a biofilm to switch behaviours, from a colonization mode (with an optimized growth rate), to a protection mode.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A biofilm will benefit from using quorum sensing-induced EPS production if bacteria cells have the objective of acquiring a thick, protective layer of EPS, or if they wish to clog their environment with biomass as a means of securing nutrient supply and outcompeting other colonies in the channel, of their own or a different species.</p

Phenome-wide association analysis of LDL-cholesterol lowering genetic variants in PCSK9

Abstract: Background: We characterised the phenotypic consequence of genetic variation at the PCSK9 locus and compared findings with recent trials of pharmacological inhibitors of PCSK9. Methods: Published and individual participant level data (300,000+ participants) were combined to construct a weighted PCSK9 gene-centric score (GS). Seventeen randomized placebo controlled PCSK9 inhibitor trials were included, providing data on 79,578 participants. Results were scaled to a one mmol/L lower LDL-C concentration. Results: The PCSK9 GS (comprising 4 SNPs) associations with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels were consistent in direction with treatment effects. The GS odds ratio (OR) for myocardial infarction (MI) was 0.53 (95% CI 0.42; 0.68), compared to a PCSK9 inhibitor effect of 0.90 (95% CI 0.86; 0.93). For ischemic stroke ORs were 0.84 (95% CI 0.57; 1.22) for the GS, compared to 0.85 (95% CI 0.78; 0.93) in the drug trials. ORs with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were 1.29 (95% CI 1.11; 1.50) for the GS, as compared to 1.00 (95% CI 0.96; 1.04) for incident T2DM in PCSK9 inhibitor trials. No genetic associations were observed for cancer, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or Alzheimer’s disease – outcomes for which large-scale trial data were unavailable. Conclusions: Genetic variation at the PCSK9 locus recapitulates the effects of therapeutic inhibition of PCSK9 on major blood lipid fractions and MI. While indicating an increased risk of T2DM, no other possible safety concerns were shown; although precision was moderate