Economics as a Source of National Power

War by Other Means: Geoeconomics and Statecraft, by Robert D. Blackwill and Jennifer Harri

Longevity of daily oral Vitamin D3 supplementation:Differences in 25OHD and 24,25(OH)2D observed 2 years after cessation of a 1-year randomized controlled trial (VICtORy RECALL)

Purpose To determine the longevity of vitamin D status following cessation of vitamin D3 supplementation, 2 and 3 years after a 1 year randomised double blind placebo controlled trial: (Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Risk (VICtORY)); and to investigate possible predictive factors. Method Of the 305 Caucasian non-smoking postmenopausal women randomised to ViCtORY (2009-2010), participants who had not taken vitamin D supplements since the trial ended were invited to attend follow up visits. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25OH2D) were measured by dual tandem mass spectrometry of serum samples following removal of protein and de-lipidation; the original RCT samples were re-analysed simultaneously. Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) was measured by monoclonal immunoassay. Results In March 2012 and March 2013, 159 women (mean (SD) age 67.6 (2.1) years) re-attended, distributed between the original treatment groups: daily vitamin D3 400IU; 1000IU; and placebo. One month after the RCT ended (March 2010) the proportion of women in placebo, 400IU, and 1000IU vitamin D3 groups, respectively, with 25OHD0.001, n=46,44,54); 42%, 33%, 12% (2y, p=0.002,n=50,48,57) and 45%, 27%, 29% (3y, p=0.138, n=47,45,51,). VDBP was a predictor of circulating 25OHD longevity (beta for VDBP in µg/ml:0.736; 95% CI 0.216-1.255,p=0.006) but not 24,25OH2D

Effect of Finnish sauna baths on the white blood cells count in physically active young males

Wstęp i cel pracy. Zabiegi w saunie, często stosowane zarówno w sporcie, jak i rekreacji, są obecnie przedmiotem zainteresowania coraz szerszego grona badaczy. Celem pracy było zbadanie wpływu jednorazowej oraz powtarzanych kąpieli w saunie fińskiej na zmianę objętości osocza i ilościowe zmiany leukocytów u młodych aktywnych fizycznie mężczyzn. Materiał i metody. Zbadano 16 mężczyzn w wieku od 20–23 lat, poddawanych kąpielom w saunie fińskiej w temperaturze około 90 °C, wilgotności 5–20%. Zabiegi złożone były z 10 kąpieli (3 × 15 min, z dwuminutowym chłodzeniem) przez okres miesiąca. Przed pierwszą i dziesiątą sauną, 10 minut po nich oraz po 24h pobierano krew. Wskaźniki hematologiczne zostały skorygowane o zmianę objętości osocza (%ΔPV). Wyniki. Wystąpił spadek objętości osocza i masy ciała badanych zarówno po pierwszej, jak i ostatniej saunie. Większy średni ubytek objętości osocza zanotowano po ostatniej kąpieli w saunie w porównaniu z pierwszym zabiegiem. W obrazie białokrwinkowym badanych po pierwszej i dziesiątej saunie nie zaobserwowano zmian w całkowitej liczbie leukocytów. Nieistotny wzrost całkowitej liczby krwinek białych stwierdzono 24 godziny po zakończeniu pierwszej i dziesiątej sauny. Po pierwszej i ostatniej kąpieli stwierdzono wzrost liczby neutrofili oraz spadek limfocytów, monocytów i eozynofili. Wnioski. Ubytek objętości osocza i spadek masy ciała na skutek intensywnego pocenia był większy po serii 10 zabiegów w saunie w porównaniu do pojedynczego zabiegu. Sauna nie spowodowała zmian w całkowitej ilości leukocytów, uwzględniając zmianę objętości osocza na skutek odwodnienia. Po pierwszej i po ostatniej saunie zanotowano przesunięcie stosunku neutrofili do limfocytów na korzyść neutrofili prawdopodobnie na skutek działania hormonu wzrostu i adrenaliny.Introduction. Sauna treatments, often used in sports and recreation, are now of interest to a wide range of researchers. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of single and repeated Finnish sauna baths on plasma volume changes and quantitative alteration in leukocytes in physically active young males. Material and Methods. The study enrolled 16 males aged 20–23, who had taken 10 Finnish sauna baths (within a onemonth period of time) at a temperature of about 90°C, and humidity of 5–20%. Each bath was composed of three 15-minute attendances, with 2-minute cooling between heat exposures. Fasting blood samples were taken 6 times: before the first and tenth sauna, 10 minutes after the first and tenth sauna, and after 24 hours. The haematological variables were adjusted for plasma volume changes (%Δ PV). Results. The study showed a decrease in body weight and plasma volume of the subjects after both the first and the last sauna. The highest average loss of plasma volume was recorded after the last sauna, as compared with the first treatment. There were no changes in the total number of leukocytes after the first or the tenth sauna. The increase in total white blood cell count was found 24 hours after the first and tenth sauna, but it was not significant. The number of neutrophils rose and the numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils declined after the first and last sauna. Conclusion. The loss of plasma volume and weight loss due to heavy sweating was greater after 10 saunas, compared to a single treatment. A sauna does not alter the total number of leukocytes considering correction for plasma volume changes due to dehydration. A shift in the neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio in favour of neutrophils was noted, probably due to the effect of growth hormone and adrenaline

Standards 2016: Raising the Bar at Cedarville University

The ACPE Standards 2016 emphasize interprofessionalism to prepare students for working in healthcare teams, focus on curricular and co-curricular experiences to advance professional development, and underscore the importance of assessment. Cedarville University School of Pharmacy has sought to address these standards by incorporating interprofessional education, curricular and co-curricular professional development opportunities, and outcomes-based assessment. In their first year, students participate in interprofessional communication activities with nursing students. In their third year, they participate in a week-long ACLS training with nursing students and a fast-forward rounds case with nursing and social work students. A weekly, interprofessional trauma unit IPPE with medical and nursing students also is available. Students across the curriculum participate in a co-curricular, interprofessional activity, where students from pharmacy, nursing, medicine and other health professions use motivational interviewing to improve health outcomes in the local homeless population. Secondly, students’ professional development is the focus of several curricular and co-curricular opportunities. For example, student organizations, such as APhA-ASP, have bimonthly officer leadership development sessions. The Leadership and Business course incorporates essential skills by teaching students business skills, communication, professionalism and etiquette. Students create a business plan, attend a formal business dinner and participate in a business proposal Shark Tank event. Finally, all curricular activities are tied to outcomes-based assessment. The outcomes from each course are assessed for student achievement. Those scores are mapped to program outcomes in order to provide an objective and quantifiable way to measure how well we are meeting our learning outcomes and our program goals

Evaluation of Changes in Teamwork Perceptions after Experiencing a Diverse Team

Objectives: Working in teams during professional school prepares students for collaborating with future team members. The objective is to evaluate whether attitudes and perceptions of working on a team change over the course of a semester. Method: To achieve diversity among the teams, P1 and P2 students were assigned to teams based on demographics (i.e., ethnicity and gender), personality type, and StrengthsFinder® data. Students were surveyed prior to the start of fall semester (when teams were announced) as well as prior to the spring semester. The survey (15 items, 5-point Likert-type, strongly agree-strongly disagree) assessed attitudes and perceptions of working in teams as well as the optimal team diversity. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were performed using SPSS v.21.0, with α=0.05 for statistical significance. Results: Students at two universities (P1=122, P2=114) completed the assessments. Student perceptions significantly changed on 7 of 15 questions (p\u3c0.05), and there were no differences between universities. As the semester progressed, more students were unsure or agreed that working in teams consisting of different learning styles (65%) or personality types (68%) improved interpersonal communication. Students also were more likely to agree or strongly-agree that teams can produce excellent outcomes (82%). Furthermore, students were more likely to disagree that they had to assume more work in a team setting (86%). Implications: Understanding the different characteristics that encompass a successfully functioning group can help in designing effective teams. Working in diverse teams can improve team functioning and alter student perceptions and attitudes towards teamwork

Morphological and functional changes associated with a 12-week self-guided exercise programme of overweight adults: A pilot study

sch_die71pub4120pubOCE

Morphological and health-related changes associated with a 12-week self-guided exercise programme in overweight adults: a pilot study

Over 12 weeks, supervised physical activity (PA) interventions have demonstrated improvements in morphological and health parameters, whereas community walking programmes have not. The present study piloted a self-guided programme for promoting PA and reducing sedentary behaviour in overweight individuals and measured its effect on a range of health outcomes. Six male and 16 female sedentary adults aged 48.5 ± 5.5 years with body mass index (BMI) 33.4 ± 6.3 kg m-2 were assessed for anthropometric variables, blood pressure, functional capacity, well-being and fatigue. After an exercise consultation, participants pursued their own activity and monitored PA points weekly. At baseline, mid-point and 12 weeks, eight participants wore activity monitors, and all participants undertook a 5-day food diary to monitor dietary intake. In 17 completers, mass, BMI, sit-to-stand, physical and general fatigue had improved by 6 weeks. By 12 weeks, waist, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), diastolic blood pressure, well-being and most fatigue dimensions had also improved. Throughout the intervention, PA was stable, energy intake and lying time decreased and standing time increased; thus, changes in both energy intake and expenditure explain the health-related outcomes. Observed changes in function, fatigue and quality of life are consistent with visceral fat loss and can occur at levels of weight loss which may not be considered clinically significant. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Validation of a short questionnaire for estimating dietary calcium intakes

Item not available in this repository.Summary Concern about calcium supplements, and mainly minor side effects (e.g. constipation) impacting on compliance, means that assessing dietary calcium intake is important. There is no suitable biomarker. Compared to food diaries, a short questionnaire was an efficient way of confirming that patients had adequate calcium intakes (>700 or >1,000 mg) Introduction Calcium is usually given alongside treatments for osteoporosis, but recent concerns about potential side effects have led to questioning whether supplements are always necessary. It is difficult to assess calcium intake in a clinical setting and be certain that the patient is getting enough calcium. The aim of this study was to determine whether a short questionnaire for estimating dietary calcium intakes in a clinical setting was fit for purpose. Methods We assessed dietary calcium intakes using a short questionnaire (CaQ) in patients attending an osteoporosis clinic (n=117) and compared them with calcium intakes obtained from a 7-day food diary (n=72) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (n=33). Results Mean (SD) daily calcium intakes from the CaQ were 836 (348)mg; from the diaries, 949 (384)mg; and from the FFQ, 1,141 (387)mg. The positive predictive value (PPV) was >80 % for calcium cut-offs>700 mg and 70 % for cutoffs>1,000 mg. The calcium intakes for the false positives results were not far below the cut-off. For 1,200 mg, the PPV was 67 % or less. Conclusion The CaQ is an adequate tool for assessing whether a patient has daily calcium intakes above 700 or 1,000 mg; if below these cut-offs, it is possible that the patient still has enough calcium in the diet, which could be clarified by questioning the patient further. As there were few patients with calcium intakes above 1,200 mg a day, the CaQ cannot be recommended as a tool for confirming higher dietary calcium intakes.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2694-525pubpu