279 research outputs found
Disparités régionales dans la propension des Canadiennes à vivre en famille recomposée
Cette recherche situe l'importance des familles recomposĂ©es dans quatre rĂ©gions canadiennes (Atlantique, QuĂ©bec, Ontario et Ouest) Ă partir des donnĂ©es de deux enquĂȘtes rĂ©trospectives sur la famille menĂ©es en 1984 et en 1990. La premiĂšre partie de l'analyse fournit une estimation de l'ampleur du phĂ©nomĂšne dans les quatre rĂ©gions retenues, au moment oĂč les deux enquĂȘtes ont Ă©tĂ© rĂ©alisĂ©es. La seconde partie examine dans quelle mesure les modalitĂ©s d'entrĂ©e dans le premier Ă©pisode en famille recomposĂ©e, vĂ©cu par les rĂ©pondantes rejointes en 1990, diffĂšrent d'une rĂ©gion Ă l'autre, et de quelle façon la propension des femmes Ă connaĂźtre cette expĂ©rience s'est modifiĂ©e au fil des gĂ©nĂ©rations; elle fournit Ă©galement des informations sur la durĂ©e et le type d'issue de ces Ă©pisodes familiaux. Plus globalement, l'analyse longitudinale des recompositions familiales permet de dĂ©gager les grands traits des modĂšles de constitution familiale existants dans les quatre rĂ©gions Ă©tudiĂ©es et d'esquisser l'Ă©volution attendue de ce type de famille.This study examines the relative distribution of step-families across four Canadian regions (Atlantic Provinces, QuĂ©bec, Ontario and the West), using data from two retrospective surveys on the family conducted in 1984 and 1990. The first part of the analysis measures the propensity of women to live in step-families in the four regions at the time of the two surveys. Based upon the 1990 survey, the second part examines the extent to which the methods of forming a step-family differ from one region to another, and the manner in which the propensities of women to experience this situation for the first time has changed over generations; it also provides information on the length and the result of these family episodes. More generally, the longitudinal analysis of family recomposition enables one to identify the major trends in family composition across the four regions studied, and to sketch the expected evolution of step-families in these regions
Implication de la carnosine musculaire chez le porc en croissance dans la dĂ©termination des caractĂšres de qualitĂ© de la viande et mesure des niveaux dâexpression de gĂšnes associĂ©s Ă son mĂ©tabolisme
Pour amĂ©liorer la compĂ©titivitĂ© de l'industrie porcine, le porc canadien doit ĂȘtre attrayant et prĂ©senter un avantage unique qui permettrait Ă cette industrie de se dĂ©marquer des autres produits alimentaires. La carnosine pourrait offrir un tel avantage et ainsi aider l'industrie porcine Ă obtenir une plus grande part de marchĂ©, tout en modifiant les perceptions nĂ©gatives liĂ©es Ă la consommation de viande. La carnosine fut, en 1900, le premier peptide jamais isolĂ© Ă partir de matĂ©riel biologique. Chez l'homme, certaines propriĂ©tĂ©s curatives ont Ă©tĂ© associĂ©es Ă la consommation de carnosine. Ces propriĂ©tĂ©s peuvent ĂȘtre expliquĂ©es, en partie, par la capacitĂ© de la carnosine Ă inhiber la glycation non enzymatique des protĂ©ines et leurs agrĂ©gations au cours du vieillissement. Mais son potentiel d'amĂ©liorer la qualitĂ© de la viande de porc est tout aussi intĂ©ressant Ă dĂ©velopper. En effet, la carnosine musculaire agirait comme tampon de pH, ce qui permettrait de ralentir lâacidification dans le muscle squelettique. La carnosine prĂ©sente Ă©galement des propriĂ©tĂ©s antioxydantes, ce qui peut aussi contribuer Ă amĂ©liorer la qualitĂ© de la viande. Ce projet de maĂźtrise fait partie dâun programme de recherche plus large ayant pour objectif d'augmenter la teneur en carnosine musculaire chez le porc en croissance afin de diffĂ©rencier et de donner une valeur ajoutĂ©e au porc canadien. Dans cette Ă©tude, nous avons supposĂ© quâun contenu Ă©levĂ© en carnosine musculaire serait associĂ© Ă de meilleurs paramĂštres de qualitĂ© de la viande chez le porc en croissance et que l'expression des gĂšnes liĂ©s au mĂ©tabolisme de la carnosine serait modulĂ©e chez les porcs ayant diffĂ©rents niveaux de carnosine musculaire, de mĂȘme que dans les muscles de porcs de diffĂ©rentes races. En second lieu, nous avons supposĂ© que des polymorphismes d'un seul nuclĂ©otide (SNP), observĂ©s sur les gĂšnes liĂ©s au mĂ©tabolisme de la carnosine, pourraient aussi affecter le dĂ©pĂŽt de carnosine musculaire chez le porc. Un total de 282 porcs de race pure a Ă©tĂ© utilisĂ© pour ce projet, incluant 85 Duroc, 92 Landrace et 105 Yorkshire, lesquels provenaient de 16 producteurs diffĂ©rents Ă travers le Canada. Ces porcs sont entrĂ©s Ă la station de Deschambault (QuĂ©bec, Canada) entre 10 Ă 16 jours dâĂąge, ont tous Ă©tĂ© Ă©levĂ©s dans des conditions similaires et abattus Ă 120 kg de poids vif. Les carcasses ont Ă©tĂ© suivies individuellement Ă lâabattoir pour permettre lâĂ©chantillonnage du muscle longissimus thoracis immĂ©diatement aprĂšs la mort de lâanimal et de prendre les mesures de qualitĂ© de la viande, 24 h postmortem. Les valeurs de qualitĂ© de la viande et de carnosine musculaire Ă©taient disponibles au dĂ©but de ce projet de maĂźtrise (projet de recherche antĂ©rieur). Dans un premier temps, les niveaux dâexpression gĂ©nique de gĂšnes du mĂ©tabolisme de la carnosine ont Ă©tĂ© mesurĂ©s par la mĂ©thode de PCR en temps rĂ©el. Les gĂšnes sĂ©lectionnĂ©s incluent des enzymes (ABAT, 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase; CARNS1, carnosine synthase 1; CNDP1, CNDP dipeptidase 1; CNDP2, CNDP dipeptidase 2; HDC, histidine decarboxylase) et des transporteurs (SLC6A6, solute carrier family 6, member 6; SLC15A1, solute carrier family 15, member 1; SLC15A2, solute carrier family 15, member 2; SLC15A3, solute carrier family 15, member 3; SLC15A4, solute carrier family 15, member 4; SLC36A1, solute carrier family 36, member 1) reliĂ©s au mĂ©tabolisme de la carnosine. Les gĂšnes ABAT, CDNP1, HDC, SLC15A1 et SLC15A2 ont Ă©tĂ© abandonnĂ©s puisque leurs transcrits Ă©taient indĂ©tectables ou prĂ©sents Ă de trĂšs faibles quantitĂ©s. En ce qui concerne les autres gĂšnes, lâanalyse des rĂ©sultats a rĂ©vĂ©lĂ© un effet de race pour lâexpression gĂ©nique de CARNS1, CNDP2 et SLC36A1, les valeurs les plus Ă©levĂ©es Ă©tant observĂ©es chez les porcs de race Duroc, lesquels prĂ©sentent Ă©galement des niveaux plus Ă©levĂ©s en carnosine musculaire. Pour chaque race, les animaux ont Ă©tĂ© regroupĂ©s en trois catĂ©gories selon leur teneur en carnosine musculaire (Bas, Moyen et ĂlevĂ©). Pour les Duroc, l'abondance en ARNm de la CARNS1 est plus Ă©levĂ©e pour le groupe Bas que pour les groupes Moyen et ĂlevĂ© en carnosine. Ce rĂ©sultat laisse croire Ă un possible rĂ©trocontrĂŽle de la carnosine musculaire sur la transcription de la CARNS1, lâenzyme responsable de sa synthĂšse. Pour les gĂšnes SLC15A3 et SLC15A4, nous observons des niveaux dâARNm plus Ă©levĂ©s chez les animaux Ă haute teneur en carnosine. Ainsi, des niveaux plus Ă©levĂ©s de carnosine musculaire pourraient entrainer une augmentation de la transcription de SLC15A3 et SLC15A4, deux gĂšnes impliquĂ©s dans le transport de la carnosine. Dans un deuxiĂšme temps, lâeffet de la quantitĂ© de carnosine musculaire sur diffĂ©rents caractĂšres de qualitĂ© de la viande a aussi Ă©tĂ© Ă©tudiĂ©. Ces rĂ©sultats nous dĂ©montrent que les porcs ayant des niveaux de carnosine Ă©levĂ©s, prĂ©sentent Ă©galement une meilleure qualitĂ© de la viande, tel que dĂ©montrĂ© par un pH Ă 24h plus Ă©levĂ©, une meilleure capacitĂ© de rĂ©tention dâeau et une diminution des indices de couleur b* (couleur jaune) et L* (luminance).Enfin, une recherche de polymorphismes dâADN a aussi Ă©tĂ© effectuĂ©e sur quatre gĂšnes cibles (CARNS1, SLC6A6, SLC15A3 et SLC15A4) ayant un fort potentiel dâaffecter les niveaux de carnosine musculaire. Les sĂ©quences codantes et 3âUTR de chacun de ces gĂšnes ont tout dâabord Ă©tĂ© sĂ©quencĂ©es sur une population restreinte de 28 Duroc, 27 Landrace et 30 Yorkshire, incluant des porcs prĂ©sentant de faibles et de hauts niveaux de carnosine musculaire. Un total de 27 SNPs ont Ă©tĂ© identifiĂ©s pour ces quatre gĂšnes. De ce nombre, quatre SNPs furent sĂ©lectionnĂ©s pour effectuer le gĂ©notypage de la population entiĂšre (n = 590). De ces SNPs, deux entrainent un changement dâacide aminĂ© dans le gĂšne SLC15A4 (SNP c.658A>G : Ile220Val; SNP c.818G>A : Ser273Asn)) et deux autres SNPs dans le gĂšne SLC15A3 se retrouvent sur un site reconnu par un micro-ARN (c.*35C>T and c.*52C>T). Des analyses dâassociation ont ensuite Ă©tĂ© effectuĂ©es afin de dĂ©terminer lâeffet des diffĂ©rents SNPs et diplotypes sur les caractĂšres de qualitĂ© de la viande et sur les niveaux de carnosine et dâansĂ©rine (analogue mĂ©thylĂ© de la carnosine). Nos rĂ©sultats dĂ©montrent quâune sĂ©lection en faveur du gĂ©notype c.658AA ou du diplotype AA/GG pour le gĂšne SLC15A4 rĂ©sulterait en une augmentation de carnosine musculaire et une amĂ©lioration de certains paramĂštres de qualitĂ© de la viande tels que la couleur, la rĂ©tention dâeau et le pH Ă 24 h. Collectivement ces rĂ©sultats montrent que les porcs prĂ©sentant de hauts niveaux de carnosine musculaire prĂ©sentent Ă©galement une meilleure qualitĂ© de la viande. De plus, les niveaux dâexpression de certains gĂšnes du mĂ©tabolisme de la carnosine sont modulĂ©s selon la race de porc (influence gĂ©nĂ©tique possible) et aussi selon le contenu de carnosine musculaire. Enfin, une amĂ©lioration gĂ©nĂ©rale de la qualitĂ© de la viande serait possible par la sĂ©lection dâallĂšles favorables du gĂšne SLC15A4. Cependant, les frĂ©quences observĂ©es pour les allĂšles mineures du SNP c.658A>G (i.e. Duroc, 0.01; Landrace, 0.09) suggĂšrent une amĂ©lioration gĂ©nĂ©tique limitĂ©e chez les Duroc et les Landrace
Understanding the training and education needs of homecare workers supporting people with dementia and cancer: a systematic review of reviews
Many people with dementia, supported by family carers, prefer to live at home and may rely on homecare support services. People with dementia are also often living with multimorbidities, including cancer. The main risk factor for both cancer and dementia is age and the number of people living with dementia and cancer likely to rise. Upskilling the social care workforce to facilitate more complex care is central to national workforce strategies and challenges. Training and education development must also respond to the key requirements of a homecare workforce experiencing financial, recruitment and retention difficulties. This systematic review of reviews provides an overview of dementia and cancer training and education accessible to the homecare workforce. Findings reveal there is a diverse range of training and education available, with mixed evidence of effectiveness. Key barriers and facilitators to effective training and education are identified in order to inform future training, education and learning development for the homecare workforce supporting people with dementia and cancer
Chemotherapy-Response Monitoring of Breast Cancer Patients Using Quantitative Ultrasound-Based Intra-Tumour Heterogeneities
© 2017 The Author(s). Anti-cancer therapies including chemotherapy aim to induce tumour cell death. Cell death introduces alterations in cell morphology and tissue micro-structures that cause measurable changes in tissue echogenicity. This study investigated the effectiveness of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parametric imaging to characterize intra-tumour heterogeneity and monitor the pathological response of breast cancer to chemotherapy in a large cohort of patients (n = 100). Results demonstrated that QUS imaging can non-invasively monitor pathological response and outcome of breast cancer patients to chemotherapy early following treatment initiation. Specifically, QUS biomarkers quantifying spatial heterogeneities in size, concentration and spacing of acoustic scatterers could predict treatment responses of patients with cross-validated accuracies of 82 ± 0.7%, 86 ± 0.7% and 85 ± 0.9% and areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.75 ± 0.1, 0.80 ± 0.1 and 0.89 ± 0.1 at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the start of treatment, respectively. The patients classified as responders and non-responders using QUS biomarkers demonstrated significantly different survivals, in good agreement with clinical and pathological endpoints. The results form a basis for using early predictive information on survival-linked patient response to facilitate adapting standard anti-cancer treatments on an individual patient basis
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"Older Adults with ASD: The Consequences of Aging." Insights from a series of special interest group meetings held at the International Society for Autism Research 2016-2017
A special interest group (SIG) entitled "Older Adults with ASD: The Consequences of Aging" was held at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meetings in 2016 and 2017. The SIG and subsequent meetings brought together, for the first time, international delegates who were members of the autistic community, researchers, practitioners and service providers. Based on aging autism research that is already underway in UK, Europe, Australia and North America, discussions focussed on conceptualising the parameters of aging when referring to autism, and the measures that are appropriate to use with older adults when considering diagnostic assessment, cognitive factors and quality of life in older age. Thus, the aim of this SIG was to progress the research agenda on current and future directions for autism research in the context of aging. A global issue on how to define 'aging' when referring to ASD was at the forefront of discussions. The âagingâ concept can in principle refer to all developmental transitions. However, in this paper we focus on the cognitive and physical changes that take place from mid-life onwards. Accordingly, it was agreed that aging and ASD research should focus on adults over the age of 50 years, given the high rates of co-occurring physical and mental health concerns and increased risk of premature death in some individuals. Moreover, very little is known about the cognitive change, care needs and outcomes of autistic adults beyond this age. Discussions on the topics of diagnostic and cognitive assessments, and of quality of life and well-being were explored through shared knowledge about which measures are currently being used and which background questions should be asked to obtain comprehensive and informative developmental and medical histories. Accordingly, a survey was completed by SIG delegates who were representatives of international research groups across four continents, and who are currently conducting studies with older autistic adults. Considerable overlap was identified across different research groups in measures of both autism and quality of life, which pointed to combining data and shared learnings as the logical next step. Regarding the background questions that were asked, the different research groups covered similar topics but the groups differed in the way these questions were formulated when working with autistic adults across a range of cognitive abilities. It became clear that continued input from individuals on the autism spectrum is important to ensure that questionnaires used in ongoing and future are accessible and understandable for people across the whole autistic spectrum, including those with limited verbal abilities
Tissue-mimicking phantoms for photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging
In both photoacoustic (PA) and ultrasonic (US) imaging, overall image quality is influenced by the optical and acoustical properties of the medium. Consequently, with the increased use of combined PA and US (PAUS) imaging in preclinical and clinical applications, the ability to provide phantoms that are capable of mimicking desired properties of soft tissues is critical. To this end, gelatin-based phantoms were constructed with various additives to provide realistic acoustic and optical properties. Forty-micron, spherical silica particles were used to induce acoustic scattering, IntralipidÂź 20% IV fat emulsion was employed to enhance optical scattering and ultrasonic attenuation, while India Ink, Direct Red 81, and Evans blue dyes were utilized to achieve optical absorption typical of soft tissues. The following parameters were then measured in each phantom formulation: speed of sound, acoustic attenuation (from 6 to 22 MHz), acoustic backscatter coefficient (from 6 to 22 MHz), optical absorption (from 400 nm to 1300 nm), and optical scattering (from 400 nm to 1300 nm). Results from these measurements were then compared to similar measurements, which are offered by the literature, for various soft tissue types. Based on these comparisons, it was shown that a reasonably accurate tissue-mimicking phantom could be constructed using a gelatin base with the aforementioned additives. Thus, it is possible to construct a phantom that mimics specific tissue acoustical and/or optical properties for the purpose of PAUS imaging studies
A consumer-based method for retailer equity measurement: Results of an empirical study
This research extends the consumer-based brand equity measurement approach to the measurement of the equity associated with retailers. This paper also addresses some of the limitations associated with current retailer equity measurement such as a lack of clarity regarding its nature and dimensionality. We conceptualise retailer equity as a four-dimensional construct comprising retailer awareness, retailer associations, perceived retailer quality, and retailer loyalty. The paper reports the result of an empirical study of a convenience sample of 601 shopping mall consumers at an Australian state capital city. Following a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling to examine the dimensionality of the retailer equity construct, the proposed model is tested for two retailer categories: department stores and speciality stores. Results confirm the hypothesised four-dimensional structure
Why do individuals engage in in-play sports betting? A qualitative interview study
Increasing technological advancements and changing consumer behavior has resulted in individuals having access to a wider range of online gambling markets and sporting events than ever before. Sports betting in real time has been aided by the accessibility of smartphone devices. Consequently, the popularity of live sports betting (i.e., 'in-play' betting) has spread across Europe and around the rest of world. The aim of the present exploratory study was to examine attitudes and opinions towards online sports betting. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 males and 2 females aged between 21 and 32 years. Participants were asked a range of semi-structured interview questions based on pre-determined topic areas. Socio-demographic data were collected and the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to assess problem gambling. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis in order to identify themes. Analysis of the transcripts identified several notable areas including the ease of engaging in in-play sports betting, motivations for engaging in in-play sports betting (including increased excitement, demonstrating knowledge/skill and response to live odds), and different reasons for using the âcash-outâ feature. The findings will contribute to the design of future research investigating in-play sports betting behaviours
Increased variability in ApcMin/+ intestinal tissue can be measured with microultrasound
Altered tissue structure is a feature of many disease states and is usually measured by microscopic methods, limiting analysis to small areas. Means to rapidly and quantitatively measure the structure and organisation of large tissue areas would represent a major advance not just for research but also in the clinic. Here, changes in tissue organisation that result from heterozygosity in Apc, a precancerous situation, are comprehensively measured using microultrasound and three-dimensional high-resolution microscopy. Despite its normal appearance in conventionally examined cross-sections, both approaches revealed a significant increase in the variability of tissue organisation in Apc heterozygous tissue. These changes preceded the formation of aberrant crypt foci or adenoma. Measuring these premalignant changes using microultrasound provides a potential means to detect microscopically abnormal regions in large tissue samples, independent of visual examination or biopsies. Not only does this provide a powerful tool for studying tissue structure in experimental settings, the ability to detect and monitor tissue changes by microultrasound could be developed into a powerful adjunct to screening endoscopy in the clinic
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