Combined SIRT3 and SIRT5 deletion is associated with inner retinal dysfunction in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness in working adults in the industrialized world. In addition to vision loss caused by macular edema and pathological angiogenesis, DR patients often exhibit neuronal dysfunction on electrophysiological testing, suggesting that there may be an independent neuronal phase of disease that precedes vascular disease. Given the tremendous metabolic requirements of the retina and photoreceptors in particular, we hypothesized that derangements in metabolic regulation may accelerate retinal dysfunction in diabetes. As such, we induced hyperglycemia with streptozotocin in mice with monoallelic Nampt deletion from rod photoreceptors, mice lacking SIRT3, and mice lacking SIRT5 and tested multiple components of retinal function with electroretinography. None of these mice exhibited accelerated retinal dysfunction after induction of hyperglycemia, consistent with normal-appearing retinal morphology in hyperglycemic Sirt3 −/− or Sirt5 −/− mice. However, mice lacking both SIRT3 and SIRT5 (Sirt3 −/− Sirt5 −/− mice) exhibited significant evidence of inner retinal dysfunction after induction of hyperglycemia compared to hyperglycemic littermate controls, although this dysfunction was not accompanied by gross morphological changes in the retina. These results suggest that SIRT3 and SIRT5 may be involved in regulating neuronal dysfunction in DR and provide a foundation for future studies investigating sirtuin-based therapies

Nationwide Perspectives and Experiences of Gay and Bisexual Male 4-H Alums

While 4-H espouses to be inclusive of all, the reality is often that the bulk of membership within 4-H community clubs is viewed with a heteronormative lens of participation. Recognizing that existing studies of gay and bisexual individuals who grew up in 4-H do not exist, this study is novel and critical to begin to fill the research gap and provide evidence of the experiences of gay male youth in 4-H. A total of 165 gay and bisexual men who are 4-H alumni shared what about 4-H helped them feel included, that they belonged, and what about the experience caused them to feel excluded. Respondents also offer advice to help 4-H leaders create welcoming and inclusive environments where LGBTQ+ children may thrive. Furthermore, based on the findings, recommendations for the Cooperative Extension System and future studies are offered

Laying the Groundwork: Telling Our Story - Minnesota Community Land Trusts

The Minnesota Community Land Trust Coalition (MCLTC) is a coalition of ten community land trusts in Minnesota. In 2006, the coalition began a data collection initiative to collect a determined set of data. The following project was conducted to determine data collection methods and practices to answer the following question: What are the data collection and reporting practices of the MCLTC members? The four components to this project include interviewing appropriate staff of MCLTC members; interviewing appropriate staff in a sample of other agencies in Minnesota who collect data on additional affordable homeownership activities; surveying other CLTs in the nation about their data collection and reporting practices; and researching options for future data collection, reporting, and sharing.Prepared in partnership with the Minnesota Community Land Trust Coalition by the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), administered by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota

Counselling for (disadvantaged) students: Models of intervention and experiences at two european universities

Higher Education is experiencing a critical reform process in which, among other things, the importance of the social dimension has been highlighted. The essential role that the University has to play in promoting social cohesion and reducing inequalities should be translated into the provision of adequate services to students and the creation of more flexible pathways (London Communiqué, ). As a consequence, international studies (such as the Eurostudent project ) have been promoted, allowing a first characterisation of the different “publics” that enter Higher Education, and providing statistical and comparable data on many European countries. However, it is necessary to go beyond this information, adopting a more in–depth perspective that allows us to go deeply into the daily reality of non–traditional students. This paper presents the process and results of research that has been developed in two university contexts which have different traditions regarding the provision of support services for students: the University of Seville and the University of Nottingham. First, a description of the profiles of non–traditional students in both contexts is made, emphasising some of the problems and difficulties they experience. This information comes from the analysis of written narratives of a total of students ( in the University of Seville and at the University of Nottingham). Second, existing services in both universities are described, exploring the opinions of the technical staff of these services concerning the mechanisms and support strategies commonly used. This information has been collected through open– question interviews of technical staff and people in charge of the support services in both universities. Beyond looking at the comparison between the services and profiles in both contexts, the results are intended to serve as a reflection of the strengths and weaknesses in the support given to students with non–traditional profiles, who may present disadvantages and the risk of social and academic exclusio

Mental healthcare for asylum-seekers and refugees residing in the United Kingdom: a scoping review of policies, barriers, and enablers.

BACKGROUND: Since 2011, a large influx of asylum-seekers and refugees has put pressure on the UK's under-resourced national health services and mental health services. Asylum-seekers and refugees (ASR) may experience traumatic events pre-departure, life-threating circumstances on their journeys, and difficulties integrating into host countries related to immigration policies, social isolation, poor living conditions, and unemployment, all of which can significantly affect their mental health. This topic is increasingly important due to the numbers of people seeking asylum and growing concern for their mental health on resettlement. This study examined UK-wide policies and guidance, healthcare practices, barriers, and enablers of mental healthcare for ASR residing in the UK. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's 2005 framework, which included semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from non-governmental organisations, academia, UK National Health Service, and community groups. We synthesised and analysed literature and interview data thematically to examine current barriers and potential enablers of ASR mental health support in the UK. RESULTS: We included 39 literature sources, of 1,638 identified, and 10 stakeholder interviews. Sources, most published in 2019 (n = 13), included data from England (n = 13), Scotland (n = 3), Wales (n = 3), and Northern Ireland (n = 2) and covered access to care (n = 16), mental health disorders (n = 7), impacts on health (n = 7), barriers to care (n = 13), policies and plans (n = 4), and clinical recommendations (n = 3). Synthesised themes from literature and interviews included existing barriers (i.e. communication difficulties and lack of funding, resources, and political will) and potential enablers (i.e. proposed provision practices, social needs of ASR, and policy changes). CONCLUSIONS: There is a gap in the literature regarding UK-wide assessment of access and delivery of mental healthcare for ASR in the UK. Time sensitive and culturally appropriate approaches are needed, with greater funding and resource support from the UK Government. This study provides justification for a call to relax hostile environment policies, and for ASR-specific mental health services and support to be considered within the UK. Further research is needed to assess implementation of guidelines across the UK

Characterization of Playa Basins on the High Plains of Texas by

Authorization for use or reproduction of any original material contained in this publication, i.e., not obtained from other sources, is freely granted. The Board would appreciate acknowledgment. The use of brand names in this publication does not indicate an endorsement by the Texas Water Development Board or the State of Texas. Published and distributed by th

Public-private partnerships: an evaluation of propositions for successful community coalitions

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on March 26, 2012Dissertation advisor: Robert HermanVitaIncludes bibliographical references (p. 68-73)Thesis (Ph.D.)--Henry W. Bloch School of Management. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2012Objective: To evaluate coalition members' perceptions of key coalition building propositions (i.e., leadership, communication and formal structures) as predictors of coalition success (i.e., improving community outcomes by reducing hospital readmission rates and improving coordination of patient care). Method: A survey was conducted and included a variety of coalition building propositions to measure coalition members' perceptions of coalition success. The survey questions related to leadership, communication and formal rules, structures and procedures were used for the purposes of hypothesis testing.Results: The relationship between the set of all independent variables (i.e., leadership, communication and formal rules, structures and procedures) and the coalition's effectiveness at improving the quality of care transitions in their community is statistically significant (p =.000) and a positive multiple correlation exists (.428). Conclusion: The findings revealed a positive but weak relationship between all but one of independent variables (i.e., leadership, communication, formal structures and procedures) and the coalition's perceived effectiveness at improving the quality of care transitions in their community. In contrast, there does not seem to be a relationship between any of the independent variables (controlling for the others) and coalition members' perceptions of effectiveness in reducing hospital readmission rates.Objectives and literature review -- Study methodology -- Results -- Discussion, Conclusions and significance -- Limitations and future research -- Appendix A. Community action theory propositions -- Appendix B. Coalition surve

South Dakota Pregnancy Survey 2016 Data Report

The South Dakota Department of Health, in conjunction with the EA Martin Program at South Dakota State University, conducted a 2016 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)-like surveillance project. The 2016 South Dakota PRAMS-like survey was a statewide population-based survey based on a stratified random sample of women who gave birth to a live-born infant, thereby allowing rates to be estimated for South Dakota mothers giving birth in 2016. The topics included in this survey were selected to enhance our understanding of maternal attitudes and behaviors around the time of pregnancy and the weighted response rate was 67.6%