Mechanisms regulating cAMP-mediated growth of bovine neonatal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Neonatal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) exhibit enhanced growth capacity and increased growth responses to mitogenic stimuli compared with adult PASMCs. Because intracellular signals mediating enhanced growth responses in neonatal PASMCs are incompletely understood, we questioned whether 1) Gq agonists increase cAMP content and 2) increased cAMP is proproliferative. Endothelin-1 and angiotensin II increased both cAMP content and proliferation in neonatal but not in adult PASMCs. Inhibition of protein kinase C and protein kinase A activity nearly eliminated the endothelin-1- and angiotensin II-induced growth of neonatal PASMCs. Moreover, cAMP increased proliferation in neonatal but not in adult cells. Protein kinase C-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was expressed in both cell types, suggesting that insensitivity to stimulation of cAMP in adult cells was not due to decreased enzyme expression. Our data collectively indicate that protein kinase C stimulation of cAMP is a critical signal mediating proliferation of neonatal PASMCs that is absent in adult PASMCs and therefore may contribute to the unique proproliferative phenotype of these neonatal cells

Nationally representative equations that include resistance and reactance for the prediction of percent body fat in Americans

Resistance and reactance collected by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) can be used in equations to estimate percent body fat at relatively low cost and subject burden. To our knowledge no such equations have been developed in a nationally representative sample

How to state general qualitative facts in Psychology?

International audienceIn what form should qualitative psychological statements have to be in order to be general and falsifiable? I show how basic qualitative measurement systems can be defined that allow for the detection and testing of general relational facts of the if-then form in a well-defined range of potential qualitative, static or dynamic, multivariate observations. The formal framework permits the pointing out of general research problems falling under the scope of empirical investigation

Influence of tree species and forest land use on soil hydraulic conductivity and implications for surface runoff generation

Forest planting is increasingly being incorporated into land management policies to mitigate diffuse pollution and localised flooding because forest soils are associated with enhanced hydraulic properties and lower surface runoff compared to soils under other vegetation types. Despite this, our understanding of the effects of different tree species and forest land use on soil hydraulic properties is limited. In this study we tested for the effects of two tree species, sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), subject to contrasting land use systems, namely ungrazed forest and livestock grazed forest, on soil surface saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) at a long term (23 year) experimental site in Scotland. Additionally these forest land use systems were compared to grazed pasture. Kfs was found to be significantly higher under ungrazed Scots pine forest (1239 mm hr− 1) than under ungrazed sycamore forest (379 mm hr− 1) and under both of these forest types than under pasture (32 mm hr− 1). However, this measure did not differ significantly between the sycamore and Scots pine grazed forest and pasture. It was inferred, from comparison of measured Kfs values with estimated maximum rainfall intensities for various return periods at the site, that surface runoff, as infiltration excess overland flow, would be generated in pasture and grazed forest by storms with a return period of at least 1 in 2 years, but that surface runoff is extremely rare in the ungrazed forests, regardless of tree species. We concluded that, although tree species with differing characteristics can create large differences in soil hydraulic properties, the influence of land use can mask the influence of trees. The choice of tree species may therefore be less important than forest land use for mitigating the effects of surface runoff

Cardiometabolic Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Patterns in U.S. Youth

Introduction Daily or weekly averages of physical activity and sedentary behavior could mask patterns of behavior throughout the week that independently affect cardiovascular health. We examined associations between day-to-day physical activity and sedentary behavior latent classes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in U.S. youth. Methods Data were from 3984 youth ages 6-17 yr from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-2006) and from previously published accelerometry latent classes characterizing average counts per minute and percent of wear time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations of the classes with waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-C and LDL-C, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Results Participants spent 50.4% of the day in sedentary behavior and 5.3% of the day in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Average counts per minute were 516.4 for a 7-d period. Significant differences in CVD risk factors were between extreme classes with few differences observed in intermediate classes. Youth in latent class 4 (highest average counts per minute) had lower systolic blood pressure (-4.11 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -7.74 to -0.55), lower glucose (-4.25 mg·dL-1, 95% CI = -7.84 to -0.66]), and lower insulin (-6.83 μU·mL-1, 95% CI = -8.66 to -4.99]) compared with youth in class 1 (lowest average counts per minute). Waist circumference was lower for the least sedentary class (-2.54 cm, 95% CI = -4.90 to -0.19) compared with the most sedentary class. Some associations were attenuated when classes were adjusted for mean physical activity or sedentary level. Conclusions There is some indication that patterns, in addition to the total amount of physical activity and sedentary behavior, may be important for cardiovascular health in youth. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine associations between physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns and changes in CVD risk factors

External Validation of Equations that Use Demographic and Anthropometric Measurements to Predict Percent Body Fat

Objective: Numerous equation to predict percent body fat using demographics and anthropometrics have been published but external validation of these equations is limited. The objective of this study was to validate published equations that use anthropometrics for prediction of percent body fat using external data. Methods: Data were from the Visceral Fat, Metabolic Rate, and Coronary Heart Disease Risk I (VIM I) Study and the Fels Longitudinal Study (Fels). VIM I was conducted in a subset of subjects from the CARDIA study and included black and white adults 28–40 years (n = 392). Fels consisted of white participants 8–88 years (n = 1,044). Percent body fat assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in these two studies was compared to results calculated using 13 equations from Stevens et al. and nine other published equations. Results: In general, the Stevens equations performed better than equations from other studies. For example, equation “I“ in women in VIM I, Fels adults, and Fels youth, R2 estimates were 0.765, 0.757 and 0.789, respectively. In men the estimates were 0.702 in VIM I, 0.822 in Fels adults and 0.905 in Fels youth. None of the results from the nine published equations showed R2 this high in corresponding groups. Conclusions: Our results indicate that several of the Stevens equations have external validity superior to that of nine other published equations among varying age groups, genders and races

Solving Constraints in Model Transformations

Constraint programming holds many promises for model driven software development (MDSD). Up to now, constraints have only started to appear in MDSD modeling languages, but have not been properly reflected in model transformation. This paper introduces constraint programming in model transformation, shows how constraint programming integrates with QVT Relations - as a pathway to wide spread use of our approach - and describes the corresponding model transformation engine. In particular, the paper will illustrate the use of constraint programming for the specification of attribute values in target models, and provide a qualitative evaluation of the benefit drawn from constraints integrated with QVT Relations

ACC/AHA Special Report: Clinical Practice Guideline Implementation Strategies: A Summary of Systematic Reviews by the NHLBI Implementation Science Work Group: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened an Implementation Science Work Group to assess evidence-based strategies for effectively implementing clinical practice guidelines. This was part of a larger effort to update existing clinical practice guidelines on cholesterol, blood pressure, and overweight/obesity. OBJECTIVES: Review evidence from the published implementation science literature and identify effective or promising strategies to enhance the adoption and implementation of clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted on 4 critical questions, each focusing on the adoption and effectiveness of 4 intervention strategies: (1) reminders, (2) educational outreach visits, (3) audit and feedback, and (4) provider incentives. A scoping review of the Rx for Change database of systematic reviews was used to identify promising guideline implementation interventions aimed at providers. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed a priori for each question, and the published literature was initially searched up to 2012, and then updated with a supplemental search to 2015. Two independent reviewers screened the returned citations to identify relevant reviews and rated the quality of each included review. RESULTS: Audit and feedback and educational outreach visits were generally effective in improving both process of care (15 of 21 reviews and 12 of 13 reviews, respectively) and clinical outcomes (7 of 12 reviews and 3 of 5 reviews, respectively). Provider incentives showed mixed effectiveness for improving both process of care (3 of 4 reviews) and clinical outcomes (3 reviews equally distributed between generally effective, mixed, and generally ineffective). Reminders showed mixed effectiveness for improving process of care outcomes (27 reviews with 11 mixed and 3 generally ineffective results) and were generally ineffective for clinical outcomes (18 reviews with 6 mixed and 9 generally ineffective results). Educational outreach visits (2 of 2 reviews), reminders (3 of 4 reviews), and provider incentives (1 of 1 review) were generally effective for cost reduction. Educational outreach visits (1 of 1 review) and provider incentives (1 of 1 review) were also generally effective for cost-effectiveness outcomes. Barriers to clinician adoption or adherence to guidelines included time constraints (8 reviews/overviews); limited staffing resources (2 overviews); timing (5 reviews/overviews); clinician skepticism (5 reviews/overviews); clinician knowledge of guidelines (4 reviews/overviews); and higher age of the clinician (1 overview). Facilitating factors included guideline characteristics such as format, resources, and end-user involvement (6 reviews/overviews); involving stakeholders (5 reviews/overviews); leadership support (5 reviews/overviews); scope of implementation (5 reviews/overviews); organizational culture such as multidisciplinary teams and low-baseline adherence (9 reviews/overviews); and electronic guidelines systems (3 reviews). CONCLUSION: The strategies of audit and feedback and educational outreach visits were generally effective in improving both process of care and clinical outcomes. Reminders and provider incentives showed mixed effectiveness, or were generally ineffective. No general conclusion could be reached about cost effectiveness, because of limitations in the evidence. Important gaps exist in the evidence on effectiveness of implementation interventions, especially regarding clinical outcomes, cost effectiveness and contextual issues affecting successful implementation

The association of Step-based metrics and adiposity in the Hispanic community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Objective: Examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of accelerometer measured step volume (steps/day) and cadence with adiposity and six-year changes in adiposity in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Methods: HCHS/SOL's target population was 60% female with a mean age of 41 years. Cross-sectional (n = 12,353) and longitudinal analyses (n = 9,077) leveraged adjusted complex survey regression models to examine associations between steps/day, and cadence with weight (kg), waist circumference (cm) and body mass index (kg/m2). Effect measure modification by covariates was examined. Results: Lower steps/day and intensity was associated with higher adiposity at baseline. Compared to those in the highest quartile of steps/day those in the lowest quartile have 1.42 95% CI (1.19, 1.70) times the odds of obesity. Compared to those in the highest categories of cadence step-based metrics, those in the lowest categories had a 1.62 95% CI (1.36, 1.93), 2.12 95% CI (1.63, 2.75) and 1.41 95% CI (1.16, 1.70) odds of obesity for peak 30-minute cadence, brisk walking and faster ambulation and bouts of purposeful steps and faster ambulation, respectively. Compared to those with the highest stepping cadences, those with the slowest peak 30-minute cadence and fewest minutes in bouts of purposeful steps and faster ambulation had 0.72 95% CI (0.57, 0.89) and 0.82 95% CI (0.60, 1.14) times the odds of gaining weight, respectively. Conclusion: Inverse cross-sectional relationships were found for steps/day and cadence and adiposity. Over a six-year period, higher step intensity but not volume was associated with higher odds of gaining weight

Childhood obesity intervention studies: A narrative review and guide for investigators, authors, editors, reviewers, journalists, and readers to guard against exaggerated effectiveness claims

Being able to draw accurate conclusions from childhood obesity trials is important to make advances in reversing the obesity epidemic. However, obesity research sometimes is not conducted or reported to appropriate scientific standards. To constructively draw attention to this issue, we present 10 errors that are commonly committed, illustrate each error with examples from the childhood obesity literature, and follow with suggestions on how to avoid these errors. These errors are as follows: using self-reported outcomes and teaching to the test; foregoing control groups and risking regression to the mean creating differences over time; changing the goal posts; ignoring clustering in studies that randomize groups of children; following the forking paths, subsetting, p-hacking, and data dredging; basing conclusions on tests for significant differences from baseline; equating “no statistically significant difference” with “equally effective”; ignoring intervention study results in favor of observational analyses; using one-sided testing for statistical significance; and stating that effects are clinically significant even though they are not statistically significant. We hope that compiling these errors in one article will serve as the beginning of a checklist to support fidelity in conducting, analyzing, and reporting childhood obesity research