PRDM12 Is Transcriptionally Active and Required for Nociceptor Function Throughout Life.

PR domain-containing member 12 (PRDM12) is a key developmental transcription factor in sensory neuronal specification and survival. Patients with rare deleterious variants in PRDM12 are born with congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) due to the complete absence of a subtype of peripheral neurons that detect pain. In this paper, we report two additional CIP cases with a novel homozygous PRDM12 variant. To elucidate the function of PRDM12 during mammalian development and adulthood, we generated temporal and spatial conditional mouse models. We find that PRDM12 is expressed throughout the adult nervous system. We observed that loss of PRDM12 during mid-sensory neurogenesis but not in the adult leads to reduced survival. Comparing cellular biophysical nociceptive properties in developmental and adult-onset PRDM12 deletion mouse models, we find that PRDM12 is necessary for proper nociceptive responses throughout life. However, we find that PRDM12 regulates distinct age-dependent transcriptional programs. Together, our results implicate PRDM12 as a viable therapeutic target for specific pain therapies even in adults.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Staff perceptions of addressing lifestyle in primary health care: a qualitative evaluation 2 years after the introduction of a lifestyle intervention tool

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preventive services and health promotion in terms of lifestyle counselling provided through primary health care (PHC) has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality in the population. Health professionals in general are positive about and willing to develop a health-promoting and/or preventive role. A number of obstacles hindering PHC staff from addressing lifestyle issues have been identified, and one facilitator is the use of modern technology. When a computer-based tool for lifestyle intervention (CLT) was introduced at a number of PHC units in Sweden, this provided an opportunity to study staff perspectives on the subject. The aim of this study was to explore PHC staff’s perceptions of handling lifestyle issues, including the consultation situation as well as the perceived usefulness of the CLT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative study was conducted after the CLT had been in operation for 2 years. Six focus group interviews, one at each participating unit, including a total of 30 staff members with different professions participated. The interviews were designed to capture perceptions of addressing lifestyle issues, and of using the CLT. Interview data were analysed using manifest content analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two main themes emerged from the interviews: a challenging task and confidence in handling lifestyle issues. The first theme covered the categories responsibilities and emotions, and the second theme covered the categories first contact, existing tools, and role of the CLT. Staff at the units showed commitment to health promotion/prevention, and saw that patients, caregivers, managers and politicians all have responsibilities regarding the issue. They expressed confidence in handling lifestyle-related conditions, but to a lesser extent had routines for general screening of lifestyle habits, and found addressing alcohol the most problematic issue. The CLT, intended to facilitate screening, was viewed as a complement, but was not considered an important tool for health promotion/prevention.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Additional resources, for example in terms of manpower, may help to build the structures necessary for the health promotion/prevention task. Committed leaders could enhance the engagement among staff. Cooperation in multi-professional teams seems to be important, and methods or tools perceived by staff as compatible have a potential to be successfully implemented. Economic incentives rewarding quantity rather than quality appear to be frustrating to PHC staff.</p