Investigation of the catalytic and structural roles of conserved histidines of human coproporphyrinogen oxidase using site-directed mutagenesis

Background: The catalytic contribution of four conserved histidines of human coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) has been investigated using site-directed mutagenesis to change histidine (H) into alanine (A). Material/Methods: The wild-type and mutant enzyme forms were analyzed for their ability to utilize coproporphyrinogen-III, mesoporphvrinogen-VI, and harderoporphyrinogen as substrates. Results: Wild-type CPO had specific activities of 4.9 +/- 0.9 nmole product/min/mg for coproporphyrinogen-III, 1.7 +/- 0.7 nmole ptoduct/min/mg for mesoporphyrinogen-VI, and 5.1 +/- 1.8 nmole product/min/mg for harderoporphyrinogen. The four mutant enzymes were catalytically competent With all three substrates, but to varying degrees. The most affected Mutant was the H158A enzyme which exhibited approximately 50-fold lower activity than wild-type recombinant CPO. Conclusions: Thus, His 158 of human CPO may have a role ill the active site, but none of the conserved histidine residues of human coproporphyrinogen oxidase is essential for catalytic activity although changes in histidines have been implicated in the disease state hereditary coproporphyria

Laborem Exercens and the Subjective Dimension of Work in Economics and Finance

The objective dimension of work involves the person acting on external objects through the process of economic production. But because persons tend toward self-realization, and because work is an integral part of this process, the person is also the subject of work. The subjective dimension of work involves work as a creative process operating on the person performing the work. In the encyclical Laborem Exercens, John Paul II argues that the subjective dimension of work is primary and that the primary basis of the value of work is the subject: man himself. This does not mean that the economic value of work is independent of the work performed, nor that the wage paid cannot reflect the marginal value of the work. However, John Paul II states that the primary value of work is not economic at all since the wage itself represents a secondary value. By identifying the historical roots of this error, John Paul II also identifies the starting point for economists who seek to re-integrate the subjective dimension of work into economic and financial theory. This paper summarizes the subjective dimension of work as presented in Laborem Exercens, presents a framework that integrates the subjective and objective dimensions, and highlights the changes to our financial logic when this subjective dimension is given its proper place in economic and financial models

Saving Our Sisters: Effects of a Computer-Based Version of SISTA on the HIV-Related Behaviors of African American Women

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are infectious diseases wreaking irreparable havoc on the lives of millions all around the world. Of those infected and affected by HIV in the United States, African Americans disproportionately bear the burden of this disease, which has resulted in a major crisis within the African American community. In 2010, African Americans accounted for approximately 44% of all new HIV infections among adolescents, 13 years of age and older, and adults [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012). These statistics become even more dismal when both race and gender enter the equation. In regards to global HIV/AIDS, the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age is AIDS-related illnesses (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS], 2012). According to the CDC (2012), 64% of estimated new HIV infections in women in the United States in 2010 were in African Americans. This study examined the effectiveness of increasing protective HIV behaviors through the use of the SAHARA program, a computer-based, gender-specific and culturally appropriate HIV behavioral intervention program. More specifically, the SAHARA intervention was created to encourage consistent condom use during penetrative vaginal sex through mediating components of the intervention such as HIV knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, barriers to condom use, and frequency of partner communication for a population of African American women living in areas of Kentucky and Georgia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from college campuses and community areas. Fifty-two African American female study participants completed surveys through the use of a quasi-experimental non-randomized pretest-posttest design. Significant group differences were observed for scores on STD/HIV Risk Behavior Knowledge and Condom Barrier Scale. Results suggest that the SAHARA prevention intervention produced clinically significant changes in STD/HIV knowledge and perception of condom barriers in the SAHARA group compared to the control group

HIV RISKS, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV), AND DEPRESSION AMONG A SAMPLE OF WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND WOMEN (WSMW)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between interpersonal partner violence (IPV), HIV risks, and depression among a sample of adolescent females who have sex with men and women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). YRBSS data was obtained from representative samples of students in grades 9-12. The study sample was comprised of adolescent and young women who self-identified as having sex with men and women (WSMW)(N=526). The primary exposure was sexual behavior (having sexual intercourse with both male and female partners). The primary outcomes were intimate partner violence, HIV-related risks (i.e., being sexually active, early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, sex while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, sex without a condom). Depression was examined as a moderator. Chi-square analysis was used to examine these categorical variables. Results: An association between IPV, HIV-related risks, and depression for adolescent and young WSMW was detected. The study revealed significant relationships between IPV and sexual activity, early sexual debut, being currently sexually active, using alcohol and/or drugs before sex, and no use of condoms during sex. Depression appeared to be associated with IPV and some HIV-related risk behavior, such as, sexual activity, sexual debut, and use of alcohol and/or drugs at last act of sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Considering the association between IPV, HIV-related risks, and depression, interventions that encourage sensitive and appropriate care to adolescent and young WSMW youth within schools, health service systems, and community agencies is essential

Uniqueness of Parent Advocates: The Power of Lived Experience

Abstract This study highlighted the unique elements of the role played by parent advocates (PAs) with lived child welfare experience in supporting families affected by the child welfare system. These elements set PAs apart from other professionals and included non-professionalized peer support, experiential expertise, a strong sense of identification, authenticity, legitimized empathy and understanding, and critical consciousness. As parent peer support programs gain popularity in child welfare services, it is imperative to understand and define these distinctive elements that underpin the PA role, as they serve as the foundation for novel approaches to working with, supporting, and empathizing with parents navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of PAs in engaging stigmatized and marginalized parents. PA experiential expertise, coupled with training in child welfare policies, positioned them as trusted sources of information and system navigators for parents. Shared experiences and cultural backgrounds helped create a strong bond and a sense of relatability. Through their authentic and legitimized empathy and understanding, PAs provided reassurance and fostered a sense of validation and acceptance. Finally, PAs exhibited critical consciousness, challenging power dynamics and inequalities within the child welfare system. Through empowerment and advocacy, PAs helped amplify parents’ voices, countering stigma, discrimination, and bias. These unique elements of PA role can be invaluable and transformative to child welfare agencies. Integrating the voices of parent advocates could lead to a better understanding of the challenges families face and improve the child welfare system and services. As a growing workforce in the field of child welfare, efforts to build, nurture, and advance the PA role are needed. Balancing between professionalization and maintaining the unique characteristics and authenticity of PA role is a critical consideration for the future of parent peer support in child welfare

Accidental hepatic artery ligation in humans

Despite the vast amount of information from experimental animals, it has been difficult to obtain a clear-cut picture of the effects of ligation of the hepatic artery in humans with relatively normal livers. The last complete review of this subject in 1933 indicated that a mortality in excess of 50 per cent could be expected in non-cirrhotic patients with injury of the hepatic artery or its principal branches. Five cases of dearterialization of the normal human liver have been observed. These were due to accidental interruption of the right hepatic artery in four and the proper hepatic artery in one. The injured vessel was repaired in one case and ligated in the others. In four of the five patients the vascular disruption was the sole injury. In the other the common bile duct was also lacerated. There was no evidence of hepatic necrosis in any case although one patient died from complications of common duct repair. Transient changes in SGOT and temporary low grade bilirubinemia were commonly noted. In addition, all cases of ligation of the hepatic artery reported since 1933 have been compiled. On the basis of reviewed, as well as the presently reported cases, it is concluded that ligation of the hepatic artery or one of its branches in the patient with relatively normal hepatic function is not ordinarily fatal in the otherwise uncomplicated case. Adequate perfusion of the liver can usually be provided by the remaining portal venous flow and whatever arterial collaterals are present, unless additional factors further reduce the portal venous flow or increase hepatic oxygen need. These factors include fever, shock and anoxia. The key to therapy in unreconstructed injuries to the hepatic artery is avoidance of these secondary influences. © 1964

(Re)mixin’ & flowin’: Examining the literacy practices of African American language speakers in an elementary two-way immersion bilingual program

This dissertation examined the ways in which African American Language (AAL) speakers utilized AAL in various discursive contexts in an elementary two-way immersion (TWI) Spanish/English dual-language program. In this study, I problematize the notion of TWI programs as an additive program for AAL speakers by investigating the phenomenon from three critical frameworks that ungirded the study: Critical Race Theory (CRT) (Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1995), Raciolinguistics (Alim, Rickford, & Ball, 2016; Flores & Rosa, 2015; Rosa, 2016), and Ethnography of Communication (Hymes, 1972). More specifically, these frameworks were utilized to understand the ways in which AAL speakers utilized AAL, how teachers included and excluded AAL, and how the structure of the dual-language program can operate to dismiss or repress AAL with monoglossic language policies and insufficient teacher preparation. This ethnographic case study was situated in three, TWI kindergarten and first grade classrooms that were located in a mid-sized, Midwestern community, near a large public university. Data was collected over the course of about two academic calendar years and included a variety of data sources: audio and video-recorded observations, field notes, informal conversations with the teachers, and print and digital marketing materials that were used for the advertisement of the dual-language program. Data was analyzed using open coding with a critical lens. Findings demonstrated that AAL speakers exercised student agency as they utilized AAL in a variety of discursive contexts, as they did not let the monoglossic language policies discourage them from fluidly moving throughout their linguistic repertoires. Data also showed that the TWI program often operated to repress AAL with language separatism that forced teachers and students in a position of policing AAL language use. Implications for bilingual education and teacher preparation programs are shared and a call for progressive strides towards the inclusion of AAL in multilingual spaces is recommended

Effectiveness of Three Foodservice Equipment Training Interventions for Food and Nutrition Students

This study evaluated students’ (N = 65) reported knowledge, competence, and comfort in using foodservice equipment, as well as confidence in training others after completing one of the following interventions: 1) two food/nutrition courses, and foodservice supervised practice rotations, 2) equipment introduction, and competency exam, and 3) equipment training, practice lab, and competency exam. Foodservice operations and dietetics programs should consider implementing Intervention 3 because there was a significant increase in knowledge, competence, comfort, and confidence using equipment from pre- to post-intervention, it yielded the highest post-intervention scores, and most students received \u3e86% for their actual skill

Innovating Cultural Competence Education for Nurses

Objective To improve cultural competency levels of registered nurses on the Mother/Baby unit by educating nurses. Background Demographics are shifting in the U.S. with an increase in minority populations. Research has revealed insufficient education or a complete absence of education, resulting in nurses that are not equipped to adequately care for culturally diverse patients. Methods The Evidence-Based Practice Improvement (EBPI) Model guided the development and implementation of the project. A cultural competence education module was developed utilizing resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Outcomes were measured using a pretest/posttest design tool, the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Healthcare Professionals- Revised (IAPCC-R) to assess cultural competency levels. Results A paired sample t-test was used to determine if there was a significant change between pretest and posttest scores in 14 participants. Scores significantly increased (p=0.002) from 73.57 at pretest to 81.64 at posttest. Items were summed to create subscales scores for awareness, desire, skill, knowledge and encounters. Scores significantly increased for all constructs, though knowledge did not significantly increase. Conclusion Cultural competence education increased the overall cultural competency levels of registered nurses on the Mother/Baby unit. Implication for Nurses Culturally competent education has been associated with improved awareness, desire, skill and encounters, which in turn supports patient-centered care