Increases in salience of ethnic identity at work: the roles of ethnic assignation and ethnic identification

To better understand how ethnicity is actually experienced within organisations, we examined reported increases in ethnic identity salience at work and responses to such increases. Thirty British black Caribbean graduate employees were interviewed about how and when they experienced their ethnic identity at work. The findings demonstrated that increased salience in ethnic identity was experienced in two key ways: through ‘ethnic assignation’ (a ‘push’ towards ethnic identity) and ‘ethnic identification’ (a ‘pull’ towards ethnic identity). We explore how and when ethnic assignation and ethnic identification occur at work, and their relevance to how workplaces are experienced by this group of minority ethnic employees. The findings suggest the need for further research attention to the dynamic and episodic nature of social identity, including ethnic identity, within organisations, and to the impact of such increases in salience of social identities on behaviour at work

A unique combination of nutritionally active ingredients can prevent several key processes associated with atherosclerosis in vitro

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease that leads to more global mortalities each year than any other ailment. Consumption of active food ingredients such as phytosterols, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and flavanols are known to impart beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease although the combined actions of such agents in atherosclerosis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to screen a nutritional supplement containing each of these active components for its anti-atherosclerotic effect on macrophages in vitro.The supplement attenuated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 in human and murine macrophages at physiologically relevant doses. The migratory capacity of human monocytes was also hindered, possibly mediated by eicosapentaenoic acid and catechin, while the ability of foam cells to efflux cholesterol was improved. The polarisation of murine macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype was also attenuated by the supplement.The formulation was able to hinder multiple key steps of atherosclerosis development in vitro by inhibiting monocyte recruitment, foam cell formation and macrophage polarisation towards an inflammatory phenotype. This is the first time a combination these ingredients has been shown to elicit such effects and supports its further study in preclinical in vivo models

Expanding the Distinctive Neuroimaging Phenotype of ACTA2 Mutations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arg179His mutations in ACTA2 are associated with a distinctive neurovascular phenotype characterized by a straight course of intracranial arteries, absent basal Moyamoya collaterals, dilation of the proximal internal carotid arteries, and occlusive disease of the terminal internal carotid arteries. We now add to the distinctive neuroimaging features in these patients by describing their unique constellation of brain malformative findings that could flag the diagnosis in cases in which targeted cerebrovascular imaging has not been performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neuroimaging studies from 13 patients with heterozygous Arg179His mutations in ACTA2 and 1 patient with pathognomonic clinicoradiologic findings for ACTA2 mutation were retrospectively reviewed. The presence and localization of brain malformations and other abnormal brain MR imaging findings are reported. RESULTS: Characteristics bending and hypoplasia of the anterior corpus callosum, apparent absence of the anterior gyrus cinguli, and radial frontal gyration were present in 100% of the patients; flattening of the pons on the midline and multiple indentations in the lateral surface of the pons were demonstrated in 93% of the patients; and apparent "squeezing" of the cerebral peduncles in 85% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because α-actin is not expressed in the brain parenchyma, only in vascular tissue, we speculate that rather than a true malformative process, these findings represent a deformation of the brain during development related to the mechanical interaction with rigid arteries during the embryogenesis

Patterns of avian diversification in Borneo: The case of the endemic Mountain Black-eye (Chlorocharis emiliae)

The Mountain Black-eye (Chlorocharis emiliae) is an endemic white-eye (Zosteropidae) of Borneo with a unique ‘‘sky island’’ distribution. We compared mitochondrial ND2, ND3, Cytb, and control region DNA sequences (2,194 nucleotides) to study the phylogeographic relationships of five populations of this species that span its range: Mounts Kinabalu, Trus Madi, Murud, Mulu, and Pueh. These comparisons showed that black-eyes are divided into two main clades that correspond generally to subspecific morphological groups: one in Sabah, Malaysia (Kinabalu and Trus Madi), and one in Sarawak, Malaysia (Murud, Mulu, and Pueh). The genetic and morphologic subdivision of black-eyes disputes the expected merging of populations during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), when montane forest presumably expanded and provided the opportunity for currently isolated populations to intermingle. Instead the genetic aging of black-eye populations indicates they diversified long before the LGM, and either did not expand sufficiently in range during the LGM to reach one another, or were reproductively isolated by the time of the LGM and thus prevented from interbreeding. Moreover, the subdivision between black-eyes in Sabah and Sarawak means that this species (and probably several other montane species) has a phylogeographic structure remarkably similar to Borneo’s lowland bird populations, which are presumed to have evolved under different paleo-geographic conditions. The similar phylogeographic pattern found in both montane and lowland species requires that we rethink the causes of bird population diversification on the island of Borneo

Current considerations for clinical management and care of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights from the 1st International Workshop of the Canadian NASH Network (CanNASH).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 8 million Canadians. NAFLD refers to a disease spectrum ranging from bland steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nearly 25% of patients with NAFLD develop NASH, which can progress to liver cirrhosis and related end-stage complications. Type 2 diabetes and obesity represent the main risk factors for the disease. The Canadian NASH Network is a national collaborative organization of health care professionals and researchers with a primary interest in enhancing understanding, care, education, and research around NAFLD, with a vision of best practices for this disease state. At the 1st International Workshop of the CanNASH network in April 2021, a joint event with the single topic conference of the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL), clinicians, epidemiologists, basic scientists, and community members came together to share their work under the theme of NASH. This symposium also marked the initiation of collaborations between Canadian and other key opinion leaders in the field representative of international liver associations. The main objective is to develop a policy framework that outlines specific targets, suggested activities, and evidence-based best practices to guide provincial, territorial, and federal organizations in developing multidisciplinary models of care and strategies to address this epidemic

The Lab4P consortium of probiotics attenuates atherosclerosis in LDL receptor deficient mice fed a high fat diet and causes plaque stabilization by inhibiting inflammation and several pro-atherogenic processes

Scope Previous studies showed that Lab4 probiotic consortium plus Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 (Lab4P) reduced diet-induced weight gain and plasma cholesterol levels in C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). The effect of Lab4P on atherosclerosis is not known and was therefore investigated. Methods and results Atherosclerosis-associated parameters were analyzed in LDL receptor deficient mice fed HFD for 12 weeks alone or supplemented with Lab4P. Lab4P increased plasma HDL and triglyceride levels and decreased LDL/VLDL levels. Lab4P also reduced plaque burden and content of lipids and macrophages, indicative of dampened inflammation, and increased smooth muscle cell content, a marker of plaque stabilization. Atherosclerosis arrays showed that Lab4P altered the liver expression of 19 key disease-associated genes. Lab4P also decreased the frequency of macrophages and T-cells in the bone marrow. In vitro assays using conditioned media from probiotic bacteria demonstrated attenuation of several atherosclerosis-associated processes in vitro such as chemokine-driven monocytic migration, proliferation of monocytes and macrophages, foam cell formation and associated changes in expression of key genes, and proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Conclusion This study provides new insights into the anti-atherogenic actions of Lab4P together with the underlying mechanisms and supports further assessments in human trials

Impact of organised programs on colorectal cancer screening

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been shown to decrease CRC mortality. Organised mass screening programs are being implemented in France. Its perception in the general population and by general practitioners is not well known.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two nationwide observational telephone surveys were conducted in early 2005. First among a representative sample of subjects living in France and aged between 50 and 74 years that covered both geographical departments with and without implemented screening services. Second among General Practionners (Gps). Descriptive and multiple logistic regression was carried out.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-five percent of the persons(N = 1509) reported having undergone at least one CRC screening, 18% of the 600 interviewed GPs reported recommending a screening test for CRC systematically to their patients aged 50–74 years. The odds ratio (OR) of having undergone a screening test using FOBT was 3.91 (95% CI: 2.49–6.16) for those living in organised departments (referent group living in departments without organised screening), almost twice as high as impact educational level (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.19–3.47).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CRC screening is improved in geographical departments where it is organised by health authorities. In France, an organised screening programs decrease inequalities for CRC screening.</p