Effect of Augmented Eccentric Training in Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a six-week augmented eccentric load program on rate of force development (RFD), center of pressure (COP) excursion and performance in the five-time-sit-to-stand (STS-5) in older adults. Eighteen moderately active older adults, (≥ 60 years) participated in this study. Subjects were separated into two groups; one group added augmented eccentric training in addition to resistance training (AEL) and a resistance training only group (RT). The AEL group participated in a six-week AEL training program that consisted of six lower extremity body exercises. Eccentric phases of each exercise movement were augmented beginning with no weight and increasing by five percent weekly up to 20 percent body weight. AEL group improved the time to complete the clinical STS-5 fall risk assessment test by -2.21 ± 1.50 s, p = 0.03. AEL demonstrated a significant increase in the RFD moving from 785 ± 176 N·s-1 to 1041 ± 187 N·s-1 (p = 0.02) during chair rising. AEL showed significant improvements in M-L and (A-P) excursion from right foot during quiet standing, 0.075 ± 0.07 m to 0.003 ± 0.01 m and 0.157 ± 0.11 to 0.005 ± 0.01. AEL improved M-L excursion in right foot and A-P excursion of left foot compared to baseline, 0.457 ± 0.20 m to 0.012 ± 0.00 m, p =0.002 and 0.465 ± 0.15 m to 0.013 ± 0.01 m, p = 0.0001. Therefore, AEL training may be a beneficial exercise prescription for older adults

Global public health training in the UK: preparing for the future.

BACKGROUND: Many major public health issues today are not confined by national boundaries. However, the global public health workforce appears unprepared to confront the challenges posed by globalization. We therefore sought to investigate whether the current UK public health training programme adequately prepares its graduates to operate in a globalized world. METHODS: We used mixed methods involving an online cross-sectional survey of UK public health trainees on the international content of the Faculty of Public Health's written examination, a qualitative review of the Faculty's 2007 training curriculum and a questionnaire survey of all training deaneries in the UK. RESULTS: We found that global health issues are not addressed by the current training curriculum or in the written examination despite trainee interest for this. Many of the deaneries were also unreceptive to international placements. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the recognized educational legitimacy of global health placements and the favourable UK policy context, the opportunities and international content of public health training remain limited. In order to retain its position as a leader in the field of public health, the UK needs to adapt its training programme to better reflect today's challenges

Zebrafish as a Model for Developmental Neurotoxicity Assessment: The Application of the Zebrafish in Defining the Effects of Arsenic, Methylmercury, or Lead on Early Neurodevelopment

Developmental exposure to neurotoxic chemicals presents significant health concerns because of the vulnerability of the developing central nervous system (CNS) and the immature brain barrier. To date, a short list of chemicals including some metals have been identified as known developmental neurotoxicants; however, there are still numerous chemicals that remain to be evaluated for their potential developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). To facilitate evaluation of chemicals for DNT, the zebrafish vertebrate model system has emerged as a promising tool. The zebrafish possesses a number of strengths as a test species in DNT studies including an abundance of embryos developing ex utero presenting ease in chemical dosing and microscopic assessment at all early developmental stages. Additionally, rapid neurodevelopment via conserved molecular pathways supports the likelihood of recapitulating neurotoxic effects observed in other vertebrates. In this review, we describe the biological relevance of zebrafish as a complementary model for assessment of DNT. We then focus on a metalloid and two metals that are known developmental neurotoxicants (arsenic, methylmercury, and lead). We summarize studies in humans and traditional vertebrate models and then detail studies defining the toxicity of these substances using the zebrafish to support application of this model system in DNT studies

"I'm not the same person I was, she's not; none of us are": The experience of mothering a self-harming adolescent daughter

Self-harm is a pervasive phenomenon, with an increasing number of adolescents using such behaviours in response to their distress. Much research has been undertaken to establish the aetiology and management of self-harm, as well as the impact on those that self-harm. However, little research has been completed with a focus on the impact of self-harm on the primary caregiver, most often the mother. As many adolescents who self-harm do not connect with clinical services, how the primary caregiver is affected, challenged and able to cope is vital to their own wellbeing as well as the recovery of the child.Semi-structured interviews were completed with six participants, all mothers of daughters who self-harmed between the ages of 15 and 18 years. Their accounts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology that explores the lived experience of a particular phenomenon using a small sample.Two main superordinate themes emerged from the data: 1) Impact of self-harm on the mothers’ self (with a focus on their ideology of mothering, destabilisation and loss) and 2) The existence of self-harm as an omnipresent phenomenon (with a focus on self-harm as relentless, isolating and creating fear). Additionally, this study supports the primary position that mothers may have to support and manage their child’s self-harm, thus indicating the vital requirement for greater practical and emotional support for the mothers themselves

A route to sub-diffraction-limited CARS Microscopy

We theoretically investigate a scheme to obtain sub-diffraction-limited resolution in coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. We find using density matrix calculations that the rise of vibrational (Raman) coherence can be strongly suppressed, and thereby the emission of CARS signals can be significantly reduced, when pre-populating the corresponding vibrational state through an incoherent process. The effectiveness of pre-populating the vibrational state of interest is investigated by considering the excitation of a neighbouring vibrational (control) state through an intense, mid-infrared control laser. We observe that, similar to the processes employed in stimulated emission depletion microscopy, the CARS signal exhibits saturation behaviour if the transition rate between the vibrational and the control state is large. Our approach opens up the possibility of achieving chemically selectivity sub-diffraction-limited spatially resolved imaging

Variability in antifungal and antiviral use in hospitalized children

We analyzed antifungal and antiviral prescribing among high-risk children across freestanding children’s hospitals. Antifungal and antiviral days of therapy varied across hospitals. Benchmarking antifungal and antiviral use and developing antimicrobial stewardship strategies to optimize use of these high cost agents is needed.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:743–746</jats:p