SNTF immunostaining reveals previously undetected axonal pathology in traumatic brain injury

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a common feature of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may also be a predominant pathology in mild TBI or “concussion”. The rapid deformation of white matter at the instant of trauma can lead to mechanical failure and calcium-dependent proteolysis of the axonal cytoskeleton in association with axonal transport interruption. Recently, a proteolytic fragment of alpha-II spectrin, “SNTF”, was detected in serum acutely following mild TBI in patients and was prognostic for poor clinical outcome. However, direct evidence that this fragment is a marker of DAI has yet to be demonstrated in either humans following TBI or in models of mild TBI. Here, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine for SNTF in brain tissue following both severe and mild TBI. Human severe TBI cases (survival <7d; n = 18) were compared to age-matched controls (n = 16) from the Glasgow TBI archive. We also examined brains from an established model of mild TBI at 6, 48 and 72 h post-injury versus shams. IHC specific for SNTF was compared to that of amyloid precursor protein (APP), the current standard for DAI diagnosis, and other known markers of axonal pathology including non-phosphorylated neurofilament-H (SMI-32), neurofilament-68 (NF-68) and compacted neurofilament-medium (RMO-14) using double and triple immunofluorescent labeling. Supporting its use as a biomarker of DAI, SNTF immunoreactive axons were observed at all time points following both human severe TBI and in the model of mild TBI. Interestingly, SNTF revealed a subpopulation of degenerating axons, undetected by the gold-standard marker of transport interruption, APP. While there was greater axonal co-localization between SNTF and APP after severe TBI in humans, a subset of SNTF positive axons displayed no APP accumulation. Notably, some co-localization was observed between SNTF and the less abundant neurofilament subtype markers. Other SNTF positive axons, however, did not co-localize with any other markers. Similarly, RMO-14 and NF-68 positive axonal pathology existed independent of SNTF and APP. These data demonstrate that multiple pathological axonal phenotypes exist post-TBI and provide insight into a more comprehensive approach to the neuropathological assessment of DAI

Assessment of Window Types in Natural Ventilation of Hotels in Taraba State

Natural ventilation provides the needed amount of good air quality through a natural process of allowing air in and out of buildings through the windows in order to achieve thermal comfort. There has been poor ventilation problem in hotels due to choice of windows which causes sick building syndrome. This research is aimed at specifying window types for effective ventilation in hotels. This is to be achieved through ascertaining of the window types used in hotels, ascertaining the window sizes used in hotels and to analyse the various window types in order to specify the effective types for hotels. In carrying out the objectives, two hotels were selected from each of the three senatorial zones in Taraba State where primary data were collected from a total of six selected hotels through direct observation. Secondary data in relation to natural ventilation and window types were gotten through review of literature. The data collected were analysed, using descriptive statistics. Findings and deduction were made. The concluding part of this research highlights the need and importance of using window types that provide the maximum ventilation in hotel rooms and other spaces. Recommendations were made for windows with high ventilation percentage to be used in hotels for effective ventilation. Keywords: Hotel, Natural Ventilation, Sick building syndrome, thermal comfort, windo

Promoting Community and Population Health in Public Health and Medicine: A Stepwise Guide to Initiating and Conducting Community-engaged Research

Various methods, approaches, and strategies designed to understand and reduce health disparities, increase health equity, and promote community and population health have emerged within public health and medicine. One such approach is community-engaged research. While the literature describing the theory, principles, and rationale underlying community engagement is broad, few models or frameworks exist to guide its implementation. We abstracted, analyzed, and interpreted data from existing project documentation including proposal documents, project-specific logic models, research team and partnership meeting notes, and other materials from 24 funded community-engaged research projects conducted over the past 17 years. We developed a 15-step process designed to guide the community-engaged research process. The process includes steps such as: networking and partnership establishment and expansion; building and maintaining trust; identifying health priorities; conducting background research, prioritizing “what to take on”; building consensus, identifying research goals, and developing research questions; developing a conceptual model; formulating a study design; developing an analysis plan; implementing the study; collecting and analyzing data; reviewing and interpreting results; and disseminating and translating findings broadly through multiple channels. Here, we outline and describe each of these steps

Gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori: a combined analysis of 12 case control studies nested within prospective cohorts

BACKGROUND: The magnitude of the association between Helicobacter pylori and incidence of gastric cancer is unclear. H pylori infection and the circulating antibody response can be lost with development of cancer; thus retrospective studies are subject to bias resulting from classifi- cation of cases as H pylori negative when they were infected in the past. AIMS: To combine data from all case control studies nested within prospective cohorts to assess more reliably the relative risk of gastric cancer associated with H pylori infection.To investigate variation in relative risk by age, sex, cancer type and subsite, and interval between blood sampling and cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Studies were eligible if blood samples for H pylori serology were collected before diagnosis of gastric cancer in cases. Identified published studies and two unpublished studies were included. Individual subject data were obtained for each. Matched odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the association between H pylori and gastric cancer. RESULTS: Twelve studies with 1228 gastric cancer cases were considered. The association with H pylori was restricted to noncardia cancers (OR 3.0; 95% CI 2.3–3.8) and was stronger when blood samples for H pylori serology were collected 10+ years before cancer diagnosis (5.9; 3.4–10.3). H pylori infection was not associated with an altered overall risk of cardia cancer (1.0; 0.7–1.4). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that 5.9 is the best estimate of the relative risk of non-cardia cancer associated with H pylori infection and that H pylori does not increase the risk of cardia cancer. They also support the idea that when H pylori status is assessed close to cancer diagnosis, the magnitude of the non-cardia association may be underestimated

‘Concussion’ is not a true diagnosis

In current usage, ‘concussion’ describes a clinical presentation, but does not identify the underlying pathological process and therefore cannot be considered a true diagnosis. However, mounting evidence indicates diffuse axonal injury as a likely pathological substrate for concussion, thereby providing a framework to develop true diagnostic criteria

Atuação do enfermeiro no contexto da acreditação hospitalar: uma revisão integrativa

Objective: Understand the role of nurses in the context of Hospital Accreditation. Method: This was an integrative literature review, carried out between January and June 2019, on the basis of Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Specific Nursing Databases, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Original articles were selected, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, that presented reports or experiences of the nurse's performance in contexts of Hospital Accreditation of the National Accreditation Organization. The articles were analyzed through content analysis. Results: As a result, 10 articles were found that responded to the objective of the study and emerged three thematic categories referring to the role of the nurse: Assistance, Administrative and Educational. In care, nurses perform activities to evaluate results and actions, use and develop indicators, apply protocols, control medications, products and equipment, articulation between the multidisciplinary team and incorporation of safety measures. In the administrative area, carrying out planning, setting goals, participating in commissions, developing quality policies and reorganizing work. As an educator, the nurse develops actions to strengthen the culture of safety and quality. Concluded that was understood that the nurse had skills and abilities that assisted in the Hospital Accreditation process, which were important for the accreditation of the hospital institution.Objetivo: comprender el papel del enfermero en el contexto de la acreditación hospitalaria. Método: Se trata de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, realizada entre enero y junio de 2019, sobre la base de la literatura latinoamericana y caribeña en ciencias de la salud, bases de datos de enfermería específicas, índice acumulativo de literatura de enfermería y salud afín y sistema de análisis y recuperación de literatura médica en línea. Se seleccionaron artículos originales, en portugués, inglés y español, que presentaban informes o experiencias sobre el desempeño del  enfermero en contextos de acreditación hospitalaria de la Organización Nacional de Acreditación. Los artículos fueron analizados mediante análisis de contenido. Resultados: Como resultado, se encontraron 10 artículos que respondieron al objetivo del estudio y emergieron tres categorías temáticas relacionadas con el rol del enfermero: Asistencial, Administrativo y Educativo. En el asistencial, el enfermero realiza actividades para evaluar resultados y acciones, usar y desarrollar indicadores, aplicar protocolos, controlar medicamentos, productos y equipos, articulación entre el equipo multidisciplinario e incorporación de medidas de seguridad. En el área administrativa, realiza la planificación, establece metas, participa en comisiones, desarrolla políticas de calidad y reorganiza el trabajo. Como educador, el enfermero desarrolla acciones para fortalecer la cultura de seguridad y calidad. Conclusión: el enfermero tenía habilidades y destrezas que ayudan en el proceso de acreditación del hospital, que son importantes para la acreditación de la institución hospitalaria.Objetivo: compreender a atuação do enfermeiro no contexto da Acreditação Hospitalar. Metodo: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada de janeiro a junho de 2019, nas bases Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Bases de Dados Específica da Enfermagem, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) e Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Foram selecionados artigos originais, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, que apresentassem relatos ou experiências da atuação do enfermeiro em contextos de Acreditação Hospitalar da Organização Nacional de Acreditação. Os artigos foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. Resultado. Como resultado encontraram-se 10 artigos que respondiam ao objetivo do estudo e emergiram três categorias temáticas referentes ao papel do enfermeiro: Assistencial, Administrativo e Educativo. Na assistência, o enfermeiro exerce atividades de avaliação de resultados e ações, emprego e elaboração de indicadores, aplicação de protocolos, controle de medicamentos, produtos e equipamentos, articulação entre a equipe multiprofissional e incorporação de medidas de segurança. No administrativo, realização de planejamento, estabelecimento de metas, participação em comissões, desenvolvimento de políticas de qualidade e reorganização do trabalho. Como educador, o enfermeiro desenvolve ações de fortalecimento da cultura de segurança e qualidade. Concluiu-se que o enfermeiro possuía competências e habilidades que auxiliavam no processo de Acreditação Hospitalar, importantes para o credenciamento da instituição hospitalar

Generation and characterization of antibodies specific for caspase-cleaved neo-epitopes: a novel approach

Apoptosis research has been significantly aided by the generation of antibodies against caspase-cleaved peptide neo-epitopes. However, most of these antibodies recognize the N-terminal fragment and are specific for the protein in question. The aim of this project was to create antibodies, which could identify caspase-cleaved proteins without a priori knowledge of the cleavage sites or even the proteins themselves. We hypothesized that many caspase-cleavage products might have a common antigenic shape, given that they must all fit into the same active site of caspases. Rabbits were immunized with the eight most prevalent exposed C-terminal tetrapeptide sequences following caspase cleavage. After purification of the antibodies we demonstrated (1) their specificity for exposed C-terminal (but not internal) peptides, (2) their ability to detect known caspase-cleaved proteins from apoptotic cell lysates or supernatants from apoptotic cell culture and (3) their ability to detect a caspase-cleaved protein whose tetrapeptide sequence differs from the eight tetrapeptides used to generate the antibodies. These antibodies have the potential to identify novel neo-epitopes produced by caspase cleavage and so can be used to identify pathway-specific caspase cleavage events in a specific cell type. Additionally this methodology may be applied to generate antibodies against products of other proteases, which have a well-defined and non-promiscuous cleavage activity

Soybean oil increases SERCA2a expression and left ventricular contractility in rats without change in arterial blood pressure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our aim was to evaluate the effects of soybean oil treatment for 15 days on arterial and ventricular pressure, myocardial mechanics and proteins involved in calcium handling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Wistar rats were divided in two groups receiving 100 μL of soybean oil (SB) or saline (CT) i.m. for 15 days. Ventricular performance was analyzed in male 12-weeks old Wistar rats by measuring left ventricle diastolic and systolic pressure in isolated perfused hearts according to the Langendorff technique. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures did not differ between CT and SB rats. However, heart rate was reduced in the SB group. In the perfused hearts, left ventricular isovolumetric systolic pressure was higher in the SB hearts. The inotropic response to extracellular Ca²⁺and isoproterenol was higher in the soybean-treated animals than in the control group. Myosin ATPase and Na⁺-K⁺ATPase activities, the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA2a) and sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) were increased in the SB group. Although the phosfolamban (PLB) expression did not change, its phosphorylation at Ser¹⁶was reduced while the SERCA2a/PLB ratio was increased.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In summary, soybean treatment for 15 days in rats increases the left ventricular performance without affecting arterial blood pressure. These changes might be associated with an increase in the myosin ATPase activity and SERCA2a expression.</p

Exploring the Relationship between Semantics and Space

The asymmetric distribution of human spatial attention has been repeatedly documented in both patients and healthy controls. Biases in the distribution of attention and/or in the mental representation of space may also affect some aspects of language processing. We investigated whether biases in attention and/or mental representation of space affect semantic representations. In particular, we investigated whether semantic judgments could be modulated by the location in space where the semantic information was presented and the role of the left and right parietal cortices in this task. Healthy subjects were presented with three pictures arranged horizontally (one middle and two outer pictures) of items belonging to the same semantic category. Subjects were asked to indicate the spatial position in which the semantic distance between the outer and middle pictures was smaller. Subjects systematically overestimated the semantic distance of items presented in the right side of space. We explored the neural correlates underpinning this bias using rTMS over the left and right parietal cortex. rTMS of the left parietal cortex selectively reduced this rightward bias. Our findings suggest the existence of an attentional and/or mental representational bias in semantic judgments, similar to that observed for the processing of space and numbers. Spatial manipulation of semantic material results in the activation of specialised attentional resources located in the left hemisphere