Service evaluation of weight outcomes as a function of initial BMI in 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/commercial weight management partnership scheme

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Radiosensitive melanoma cell line with mutation of the gene for ataxia telangiectasia.

The human melanoma cell lines MM96L, A2058 and HT144 were examined for sensitivity to ionizing radiation and UVB radiation. HT144 demonstrated a significant increase in sensitivity to ionizing and UVB radiation compared with the MM96L and A2058 cells. Sensitivity to both agents was associated with susceptibility to apoptosis. Using a protein truncation assay, a mutation for the gene for ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) was identified in HT144 cells. This was confirmed to be a homozygous mutation by subsequent sequencing of the abnormal region. Protein truncation assay of the other two cell lines showed no abnormality. The results suggest that somatic mutation of the A-T gene may be important in determining tumour radiosensitivity

Norepinephrine-evoked pain in fibromyalgia. A randomized pilot study [ISRCTN70707830]

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome displays sympathetically maintained pain features such as frequent post-traumatic onset and stimuli-independent pain accompanied by allodynia and paresthesias. Heart rate variability studies showed that fibromyalgia patients have changes consistent with ongoing sympathetic hyperactivity. Norepinephrine-evoked pain test is used to assess sympathetically maintained pain syndromes. Our objective was to define if fibromyalgia patients have norepinephrine-evoked pain. METHODS: Prospective double blind controlled study. Participants: Twenty FM patients, and two age/sex matched control groups; 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy controls. Ten micrograms of norepinephrine diluted in 0.1 ml of saline solution were injected in a forearm. The contrasting substance, 0.1 ml of saline solution alone, was injected in the opposite forearm. Maximum local pain elicited during the 5 minutes post-injection was graded on a visual analog scale (VAS). Norepinephrine-evoked pain was diagnosed when norepinephrine injection induced greater pain than placebo injection. Intensity of norepinephrine-evoked pain was calculated as the difference between norepinephrine minus placebo-induced VAS scores. RESULTS: Norepinephrine-evoked pain was seen in 80 % of FM patients (95% confidence intervals 56.3 – 94.3%), in 30 % of rheumatoid arthritis patients and in 30 % of healthy controls (95% confidence intervals 11.9 – 54.3) (p < 0.05). Intensity of norepinephrine-evoked pain was greater in FM patients (mean ± SD 2.5 ± 2.5) when compared to rheumatoid arthritis patients (0.3 ± 0.7), and healthy controls (0.3 ± 0.8) p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: Fibromyalgia patients have norepinephrine-evoked pain. This finding supports the hypothesis that fibromyalgia may be a sympathetically maintained pain syndrome

Mesocortical Dopamine Neurons Operate in Distinct Temporal Domains Using Multimodal Signaling

In vivo extracellular recording studies have traditionally shown that dopamine (DA) transiently inhibits prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons, yet recent biophysical measurements in vitro indicate that DA enhances the evoked excitability of PFC neurons for prolonged periods. Moreover, although DA neurons apparently encode stimulus salience by transient alterations in firing, the temporal properties of the PFC DA signal associated with various behaviors is often extraordinarily prolonged. The present study used in vivo electrophysiological and electrochemical measures to show that the mesocortical system produces a fast non-DA-mediated postsynaptic response in the PFC that appears to be initiated by glutamate. In contrast, short burst stimulation of mesocortical DA neurons that produced transient (\u3c4 s) DA release in the PFC caused a simultaneous reduction in spontaneous firing (consistent with extracellular in vivo recordings) and a form of DA-induced potentiation in which evoked firing was increased for tens of minutes (consistent with in vitro measurements). We suggest that the mesocortical system might transmit fast signals about reward or salience via corelease of glutamate, whereas the simultaneous prolonged DA-mediated modulation of firing biases the long-term processing dynamics of PFC networks

DIGITAL KITAMBO: DECOLONISING NARRATIVES AND BRINGING THE PAST INTO THE FUTURE AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA

The Swahili word ‘kitambo’, which refers to occurrences in the past that are understood to be at least indirectly connected to the speaker, can be used to describe experimental museology through digital cultural heritage. There is a need to improve access and enhance conservation goals within African cultural heritage institutions, and the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) has been developing innovative technologies and communication tools with the Kenya Heritage Resource Information System (KEHRIS). This paper will discuss Digital Kitambo—a pilot project completed at NMK from 2013 – 2019 to create the spatially integrated database KEHRIS, digitise 10,000 artefacts and specimens from the archaeology and palaeontology collections, and develop digital learning programmes to engage a wider audience. &nbsp;Qualitative research methodology included participant observation, qualitative interviews and focus groups with museum staff as well as focus groups with primary and secondary teachers to develop curricula for local schools. This paper traces the evolution of Digital Kitambo from its inception and reflects on both the successes and shortcomings of the initiative with particular attention to its goals of decolonising the museum’s collections and contributing to new national narratives by engaging the public through digital initiatives. &nbsp;A palavra swahili “Kitambo” refere-se a ocorrências passadas, ligadas ao orador, nem que seja de forma indireta; neste sentido, pode ser usada para descrever a museologia experimental através do património cultural digital. Verifica-se a necessidade de melhorar a acessibilidade e os objetivos de conservação nas instituições que conservam o património cultural africano. Nesta perspetiva, os Museus Nacionais do Quénia (NMK) têm vindo a desenvolver tecnologias inovadoras e ferramentas de comunicação com o Kenya Heritage Resource Information System (KEHRIS). O presente texto discute o Kitambo Digital - um projeto piloto, desenvolvido pelos NMK, entre 2013 e 2019, e que visava criar a base de dados espacialmente integrada no KEHRIS, tendo-se procedido à digitalização de 10.000 artefactos e espécimes das coleções de arqueologia e paleontologia, a par do desenvolvimento de programas de aprendizagem digital almejando envolver um público tão vasto quanto possível. A metodologia de investigação qualitativa incluiu a observação dos participantes, entrevistas qualitativas e grupos focais com os funcionários do museu, bem como com docentes do ensino básico e secundário, tendo como objetivo desenvolver currículos para as escolas locais. O texto traça a evolução do Kitambo Digital, desde o seu início, refletindo os seus pontos positivos e as suas vulnerabilidades, tendo particular atenção ao objetivo que diz respeito à descolonização das coleções do museu, contribuindo para o surgimento de novas narrativas nacionais e convocando a participação do público através da promoção e divulgação de iniciativas digitais

Family Perceptions of Palliative Care and Communication in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Few data exist on palliative care for trauma and acute care surgery patients. This pilot study evaluated family perceptions and experiences around palliative care in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) via mixed methods interviews conducted from February 1, 2020, to March 5, 2020, with 5 families of patients in the SICU. Families emphasized the importance of clear, honest communication, and inclusiveness in decision-making. Many interviewees were unable to recall whether goals-of-care discussions had occurred, and most lacked understanding of the patients’ illnesses. This study highlights the significance of frequent communication and goals-of-care discussions in the SICU

Chemical pressure effects on the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+-doped gallium nano-garnets

[EN] Nd3+-doped RE3Ga5O12 (RE = Gd, Y, and Lu) nano-crystalline garnets of 40-45 nm in size have been synthesized by a sol-gel method. With the decrease of the RE atom size, the chemical pressure related to the decreasing volumes of the GaO4 tetrahedral, GaO6 octahedral and REO8 dodecahedral units drive the nano-garnets toward a more compacted structure, which is evidenced by the change of the vibrational phonon mode frequencies. The chemical pressure also increases the crystal-field strength felt by the RE3+ ions while decreases the orthorhombic distortion of the REO8 local environment. These effects alter the absorption and emission properties of the Nd3+ ion measured in the near-infrared luminescence range from 0.87 to 1.43 ¿m associated with the 4 F3/2¿4 IJ (J = 9/2, 11/2, 13/2) transitions. The 4 F3/2 luminescence decay curves show non-exponential behavior due to dipole-dipole energy transfer interactions among Nd3+ ions that increases with pressure.Authors are grateful to The Governments of Spain and India for the Indo-Spanish Joint Programme of Bilateral Cooperation in Science and Technology (PRI-PIBIN-2011-1153/DST-INT-Spain-P-38-11). Dr. Venkatramu is grateful to DAE-BRNS, Government of India for the award of DAE Research Award for Young Scientist (No. 2010/20/34/5/BRNS/2223). This work have been partially supported by MINECO under The National Program of Materials (MAT2013-46649-C4-2-P/-3-P/-4-P), The Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Program (MALTA CSD2007-00045), by Fundacion CajaCanarias (ENER-01), and by the EU-FEDER funds. V. Monteseguro wishes to thank MICINN for the FPI grant (BES-2011-044596). 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