Genetic and Molecular Factors in Drug-Induced Liver Injury: A Review

The diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is challenging and based on complex diagnostic criteria. DILI falls into two main categories i) intrinsic 'dose-dependent' Type A reactions ii) 'idiosyncratic' or Type B reactions (which are usually not predictable). Idiosyncratic reactions can be immunoallergic (hypersensitivity), or metabolic, although overlap between categories can occur. The aim of this review is to summarise the general view of underlying mechanisms in DILI and to highlight individual risk factors for developing hepatotoxicity. Polymorphisms of bioactivation/ toxification pathways through CYP450 enzymes (Phase I), detoxification reactions (Phase II) and excretion/transport (Phase III) are explored together with immunological factors that might determine DILI. The importance of establishing a multidisciplinary and multi-centric network to promote the understanding and research in hepatotoxicity is underlined. Challenges such as genetic analyses for association studies and whole genome studies, pharmacogenetic testing and future approaches to study DILI are considered. Knowledge regarding these operational mechanisms could provide further insight for the prospective identification of susceptible patients at risk of developing drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

Evaluation of a Web-based Performance Program for Wildland Firefighters

Peña Cueto, José M., M.S., Spring 2018 Health and Human Performance Evaluation of a web-based performance program for wildland firefighters Chairperson: Dr. Annie Sondag, PhD Introduction: In an effort to increase work capacity and reduce occupational injury rates and mortality rates among wildland firefighters, a web-based performance program named The Black was developed. The training program was designed to provide evidence-based training specific to wildland firefighters’ needs. Purpose: A formative and process evaluation of the program was conducted to study the user rates, and user’s attitudes and preferences regarding the program during the pilot of its first phase. Methodology: A sequential mixed-methods design was utilized for this evaluation. Qualitative interviews were conducted with firefighters who attended an introductory seminar. Interview data was utilized by program evaluators in the creation of a predominantly quantitative instrument to survey firefighters who were invited to participate in the first-year program pilot. Results: Nine firefighters were interviewed and thirty-six partially or fully completed survey responses were collected. Despite users’ positive attitudes toward the program’s content and high regard for the expertise of its developers, evaluation data brought to light issues with usability of the program’s online platform and other content delivery methods. Incompatibilities with, and lack of adaptability to the target population’s traditional practices and seasonal needs were also noted. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of the wildland firefighter population makes it a uniquely challenging population to provide a standardized training program for. Further segregation of content to address specific needs of sub-populations conveyed through compatible delivery methods, along with the application of concepts from Diffusion of Innovations Theory, may lead to the widespread utilization of The Black

New accurate measurement of 36ArH+ and 38ArH+ ro-vibrational transitions by high resolution IR absorption spectroscopy

The protonated Argon ion, $^{36}$ArH$^{+}$, has been identified recently in the Crab Nebula (Barlow et al. 2013) from Herschel spectra. Given the atmospheric opacity at the frequency of its $J$=1-0 and $J$=2-1 rotational transitions (617.5 and 1234.6 GHz, respectively), and the current lack of appropriate space observatories after the recent end of the Herschel mission, future studies on this molecule will rely on mid-infrared observations. We report on accurate wavenumber measurements of $^{36}$ArH$^{+}$ and $^{38}$ArH$^{+}$ rotation-vibration transitions in the $v$=1-0 band in the range 4.1-3.7 $\mu$m (2450-2715 cm$^{-1}$). The wavenumbers of the $R$(0) transitions of the $v$=1-0 band are 2612.50135$\pm$0.00033 and 2610.70177$\pm$0.00042 cm$^{-1}$ ($\pm3\sigma$) for $^{36}$ArH$^{+}$ and $^{38}$ArH$^{+}$, respectively. The calculated opacity for a gas thermalized at a temperature of 100 K and a linewidth of 1 km.s$^{-1}$ of the $R$(0) line is $1.6\times10^{-15}\times N$($^{36}$ArH$^+$). For column densities of $^{36}$ArH$^+$ larger than $1\times 10^{13}$ cm$^{-2}$, significant absorption by the $R$(0) line can be expected against bright mid-IR sources

Electrolysis cell for the manufacture of persulfates

A cell for the electrolytic generation of persulfates, characterized by the fact that a housing acts as cathode, is made of metal, and consists of a lower electrolytically active section and an upper electrolytically inactive section. It is designed so that there is produced the greatest possible current density suited to produce the desired electrolysis effect. This invention, compared to the devices used until now, exhibits considerable advantages whereby it is particularly suited for the production of potassium persulfate

Young with Down Syndrome and recreation swimming activity: Inclusion posibilities

El propósito del estudio fue analizar las percepciones de los agentes participantes y los factores que inciden en la inclusión de un niño con síndrome de Down (SD) en un programa de natación recreativa. Los participantes fueron: un joven con SD, nueve jóvenes sin discapacidad diagnosticada, la monitora de natación, el coordinador de la actividad y la madre del niño con SD. El presente estudio, basado en una metodología cualitativa, recogió la información a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas, observación sistemática y diario de la investigadora. La utilización de un proceso inductivo permitió categorizar la información y obtener los siguientes resultados: es necesaria una mayor coordinación entre los agentes implicados, adaptar el programa en función de las características de todos los participantes, mejorar la formación específica de los técnicos responsables y la fluidez de la comunicación entre los agentes implicados para posibilitar la inclusión del niño con SD a través de la natación recreativaThe purpose of this study was to analyse the perceptions of the participant agents and factors affecting the inclusion of a child with Down syndrome (DS) in a recreational swimming activity program. Program participants included: a child with DS, nine children without diagnosed disabilities, the swimming instructor, the mother of a child with DS and the coordinator of the activity. This study was based on qualitative research approach and data were collected through semi-structured interviews, systematic observation and research diary. The following results were obtained after the inductive process: the need of greater coordination among those involved, designs appropriate programs based on the characteristics of all participants, improve specific training of technicians responsible as well as improve the communication of the agents participating in order to enable the inclusion of a child with DS in a recreational swimming activit