Minimally Invasive Access to the Pericardium for the Active and Adjustable Cardiac Support Device

According to the American Heart Association, congestive heart failure affected 5.7 million Americans age 20 and older in 2006, and had an estimated direct and indirect cost of $37.2 billion in 2009. Heart assist devices are proving useful in a population where the demand for donor hearts is much greater than the supply. These technologies have successfully improved heart function, but current devices bypass heart pathways, and require invasive surgical methods for placement. Dr. Criscione proposed the Active and Adjustable Cardiac Support Device (AACSD) that allows the heart to maintain some intrinsic motion to restore normal function in the myocytes of a failing heart. Ventricular recovery follows the uniform application of pressure, working on the principle that mechanical stimuli are the key to repairing a mechanical organ. There is a need for a less invasive surgical technique to place the AACSD into the pericardial space. The Pericardial Access and Support System (PASS) is designed to gain access to the pericardium through a 1-2 inch sub-xiphoid incision in ovine models, reducing recovery time, trauma, and costs of the surgery. The design process followed FDA design controls intended to produce a safe and effective device. This includes forming user needs and product function into design input requirements and translating requirements into detailed design specifications. Verification plans were made to confirm that the specifications are consistent with the requirements. Once a physical device is manufactured, validation will ensure that the product satisfies user needs

Developing the repository manager community

This paper describes activities which have taken place within the UK institutional repository (IR) sector focusing on developing a community of practice through the sharing of experiences and best practice. This includes work done by the UK Council of Research Repositories (UKCoRR) and other bodies, together with informal activities, such as sharing the experience of organising Open Access Week events. The paper also considers future work to be undertaken by UKCoRR to continue developing the community

Executive functions and the ω-6-to-ω-3 fatty acid ratio: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The ω-6 (n-6) to ω-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) ratio (n-6:n-3 ratio) was previously shown to be a predictor of executive function performance in children aged 7-9 y. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to replicate and extend previous findings by exploring the role of the n-6:n-3 ratio in executive function performance. We hypothesized that there would be an interaction between n-3 and the n-6:n-3 ratio, with children with low n-3 performing best with a low ratio, and those with high n-3 performing best with a high ratio. DESIGN: Children were recruited on the basis of their consumption of n-6 and n-3 FAs. The executive function performance of 78 children aged 7-12 y was tested with the use of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and a planning task. Participants provided blood for plasma FA quantification, and the caregiver completed demographic and activity questionnaires. We investigated the role of the n-6:n-3 ratio in the entire sample and separately in children aged 7-9 y (n = 41) and 10-12 y (n = 37). RESULTS: Dietary and plasma n-6:n-3 ratio and n-3 predicted performance on working memory and planning tasks in children 7-12 y old. The interaction between dietary n-6:n-3 ratio and n-3 predicted the number of moves required to solve the most difficult planning problems in children aged 7-9 y and those aged 10-12 y, similar to results from the previous study. There was also an interaction between the plasma n-6:n-3 ratio and n-3 predicting time spent thinking through the difficult 5-move planning problems. The n-6:n-3 ratio and n-3 predicted executive function performance differently in children aged 7-9 y and in those aged 10-12 y, indicating different optimal FA balances across development. CONCLUSIONS: The n-6:n-3 ratio is an important consideration in the role of FAs in cognitive function, and the optimal balance of n-6 and n-3 FAs depends on the cognitive function and developmental period studied. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02199808

The archaeal transamidosome for RNA-dependent glutamine biosynthesis

Archaea make glutaminyl-tRNA (Gln-tRNAGln) in a two-step process; a non-discriminating glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-GluRS) forms Glu-tRNAGln, while the heterodimeric amidotransferase GatDE converts this mischarged tRNA to Gln-tRNAGln. Many prokaryotes synthesize asparaginyl-tRNA (Asn-tRNAAsn) in a similar manner using a non-discriminating aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (ND-AspRS) and the heterotrimeric amidotransferase GatCAB. The transamidosome, a complex of tRNA synthetase, amidotransferase and tRNA, was first described for the latter system in Thermus thermophilus [Bailly, M., Blaise, M., Lorber, B., Becker, H.D. and Kern, D. (2007) The transamidosome: a dynamic ribonucleoprotein particle dedicated to prokaryotic tRNA-dependent asparagine biosynthesis. Mol. Cell, 28, 228–239.]. Here, we show a similar complex for Gln-tRNAGln formation in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus that allows the mischarged Glu-tRNAGln made by the tRNA synthetase to be channeled to the amidotransferase. The association of archaeal ND-GluRS with GatDE (KD = 100 ± 22 nM) sequesters the tRNA synthetase for Gln-tRNAGln formation, with GatDE reducing the affinity of ND-GluRS for tRNAGlu by at least 13-fold. Unlike the T. thermophilus transamidosome, the archaeal complex does not require tRNA for its formation, is not stable through product (Gln-tRNAGln) formation, and has no major effect on the kinetics of tRNAGln glutamylation nor transamidation. The differences between the two transamidosomes may be a consequence of the fact that ND-GluRS is a class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, while ND-AspRS belongs to the class II family

Fatty Acids and Executive Functions: Behavioral Performance and Cortical Activation Across the Lifespan

An imbalance in the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio may be a preventable contributor to cognitive deficits across the lifespan. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are integral to neuronal growth and communication in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, brain areas that subserve executive functions (EF). EF are higher order cognitive functions that control thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. The present study focused on how the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids contributes to EF in children 7 to 12 years old and older adults 65 to 79 years old. One hundred fifty-two children were screened for their omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid intake using three 24-hour diet recalls, and 78 children representing equal recruitment of nine fatty acid intake patterns completed standardized measures of memory, working memory, and planning and one novel planning task, the Electric Maze Task (EMT). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) data were also collected. Eighty-eight older adults recruited for a study of cognitive decline also completed standardized measures of memory, working memory, and visual processing. The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio predicted performance on EF tasks among the children and older adults. The younger children (7- to 9-year-olds) and oldest adults (75- to 79-year-olds) benefitted from balanced ratios (e.g., low omega-3 and low omega-6). The older children (10- to 12-year-olds) and youngest adults (65- to 69-year-olds) benefitted from imbalanced ratios (e.g., high omega-3 and low omega-6). The ratio also predicted brain activity in the right and central prefrontal cortex associated with better performance on the EMT and planning problems. The balance of fatty acids likely supports the flexible use of prefrontal cortical resources necessary for complex EF. Different balances of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are optimal at different points in development, and additional work with the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio will help elucidate the optimal diet for cognitive function across the lifespan.Doctor of Philosoph

Sibling placement in foster care: exploring the context and possibility of sibling separation

Sibling placement in foster care has long been a contentious topic of discussion. The decision or desire to place siblings together when they must enter foster care has been based on policies, procedures, and strong preferences of child welfare agencies. There is much literature and research supporting the practice of placing siblings together; however little empirical research examining the context and possibility of sibling separation as it relates to foster parent and social worker perceptions has been conducted. Research based primarily on mixed methods of quantitative and quantitative aspects was undertaken and a small online survey conducted exploring: the experiences of foster parents caring for sibling groups in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL); the conditions under which separating siblings support the development of each child in the sibling group; and what foster parents and social workers think about separating siblings who are in care in the same home

Increasing the Delivery of Preventive Health Services in Public Education

The delivery of prevention services to children and adolescents through traditional healthcare settings is challenging for a variety of reasons. Parent- and community-focused services are typically not reimbursable in traditional medical settings, and personal healthcare services are often designed for acute and chronic medical treatment rather than prevention. To provide preventive services in a setting that reaches the widest population, those interested in public health and prevention often turn to school settings. This paper proposes that an equitable, efficient manner in which to promote health across the life course is to integrate efforts from public health, primary care, and public education through the delivery of preventive healthcare services, in particular, in the education system. Such an integration of systems will require a concerted effort on the part of various stakeholders, as well as a shared vision to promote child health via community and institutional stakeholder partnerships. This paper includes (1) examination of some key system features necessary for delivery of preventive services that improve child outcomes; (2) a review of the features of some common models of school health services for their relevance to prevention services; and (3) policy and implementation strategy recommendations to further the delivery of preventive services in schools. These recommendations include the development of common metrics for health outcomes reporting, facilitated data sharing of these metrics, shared organization incentives for integration, and improved reimbursement and funding opportunities

Omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid intake of children and older adults in the U.S.: dietary intake in comparison to current dietary recommendations and the Healthy Eating Index

Abstract Background Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) and their ratio have been shown to affect cognitive function in children and older adults. With these analyses, we aimed to describe omega-6 and omega-3 FA intake among children and older adults in light of FA intake recommendations and with consideration of overall diet. Methods Data were merged from two cross-sectional studies with 219 children 7 to 12 years old and one longitudinal study with 133 adults 65 to 79 years old. Demographic data, anthropometric data, and Healthy Eating Index scores were used to study relations among the omega-6 to omega-3 FA ratio and age, education, body mass index, and diet quality. FA intake, demographic, and anthropometric data were examined using partial correlations, t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results Most children and adults consumed at least the recommended amount of alpha-linolenic acid (LNA; omega-3) for their age and gender without consuming high amounts of linoleic acid (LA; omega-6), but did not consume sufficient eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; omega-) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; omega-3). The average omega-6 to omega-3 ratios in both groups were lower than previously reported. Eating lower ratios was associated with healthier diets and consuming adequate amounts of several other nutrients. No demographic or anthropometric variables were related to FA intake in children. Adults with a college degree had significantly lower ratios than those without a college degree. Conclusions American children and older adults are able to consume more balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratios than has been indicated by commodity data. However, very few American children met even the lowest recommendations for EPA and DHA intake. Research is needed to clarify recommendations for the optimal ratio across development, which may aid in increasing EPA and DHA intake and improving health outcomes in the United States. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02199808 13 July 2014, NCT01823419 (retrospectively registered) 20 March 2013, and NCT01515098 18 January 2012

From one amino acid to another: tRNA-dependent amino acid biosynthesis

Aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) are the essential substrates for translation. Most aa-tRNAs are formed by direct aminoacylation of tRNA catalyzed by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. However, a smaller number of aa-tRNAs (Asn-tRNA, Gln-tRNA, Cys-tRNA and Sec-tRNA) are made by synthesizing the amino acid on the tRNA by first attaching a non-cognate amino acid to the tRNA, which is then converted to the cognate one catalyzed by tRNA-dependent modifying enzymes. Asn-tRNA or Gln-tRNA formation in most prokaryotes requires amidation of Asp-tRNA or Glu-tRNA by amidotransferases that couple an amidase or an asparaginase to liberate ammonia with a tRNA-dependent kinase. Both archaeal and eukaryotic Sec-tRNA biosynthesis and Cys-tRNA synthesis in methanogens require O-phosophoseryl-tRNA formation. For tRNA-dependent Cys biosynthesis, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase directly attaches the amino acid to the tRNA which is then converted to Cys by Sep-tRNA: Cys-tRNA synthase. In Sec-tRNA synthesis, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA kinase phosphorylates Ser-tRNA to form the intermediate which is then modified to Sec-tRNA by Sep-tRNA:Sec-tRNA synthase. Complex formation between enzymes in the same pathway may protect the fidelity of protein synthesis. How these tRNA-dependent amino acid biosynthetic routes are integrated into overall metabolism may explain why they are still retained in so many organisms

Two distinct regions in Staphylococcus aureus GatCAB guarantee accurate tRNA recognition

In many prokaryotes the biosynthesis of the amide aminoacyl-tRNAs, Gln-tRNAGln and Asn-tRNAAsn, proceeds by an indirect route in which mischarged Glu-tRNAGln or Asp-tRNAAsn is amidated to the correct aminoacyl-tRNA catalyzed by a tRNA-dependent amidotransferase (AdT). Two types of AdTs exist: bacteria, archaea and organelles possess heterotrimeric GatCAB, while heterodimeric GatDE occurs exclusively in archaea. Bacterial GatCAB and GatDE recognize the first base pair of the acceptor stem and the D-loop of their tRNA substrates, while archaeal GatCAB recognizes the tertiary core of the tRNA, but not the first base pair. Here, we present the crystal structure of the full-length Staphylococcus aureus GatCAB. Its GatB tail domain possesses a conserved Lys rich motif that is situated close to the variable loop in a GatCAB:tRNAGln docking model. This motif is also conserved in the tail domain of archaeal GatCAB, suggesting this basic region may recognize the tRNA variable loop to discriminate Asp-tRNAAsn from Asp-tRNAAsp in archaea. Furthermore, we identified a 310 turn in GatB that permits the bacterial GatCAB to distinguish a U1–A72 base pair from a G1–C72 pair; the absence of this element in archaeal GatCAB enables the latter enzyme to recognize aminoacyl-tRNAs with G1–C72 base pairs