The effect of video gaming on physical activity among nursing home residents

There are approximately 1.5 million residents living in nursing homes in the United States. For those living in this environment, opportunities to participate in health promoting behaviors, such as physical activity, have been limited (Kayser-Jones, 2009). The use of video game technology is now being used related to health and health benefits with older adults (Primack et al., 2012). Because there have been limited research studies conducted in long-term care environments related to physical activity and health promotion, current research is needed to further explore these phenomena. The purposes of this study were as follows: (1) to describe the use of video game technology, specifically the Nintendo Wii, with older adults living in long term care facilities; (2) to determine if there is a relationship among personal factors, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and physical activity; and (3) to examine the effects of this video game technology perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and perceived self-efficacy for physical activity using a 6-week intervention with nursing home residents. Pender’s Promotion Model was used as a guiding framework for this study. Twenty-four participants, primarily Caucasian (n=20, 83.3%) women (n=16, 66.7%) were recruited from four nursing homes in and around central North Carolina. Prior to the start of the intervention, data were collected by face to face interviews on current self-reported level of physical activity and prior use of a technological device, as well as other pre-intervention measures. The majority of the sample reported being very physically active and had prior experience using a technological device. The intervention period lasted for 6 weeks, meeting twice per week for 45 minute sessions. The sessions included a 15 minute educational component followed by 30 minutes of Nintendo Wii game play. From the data gathered prior to the intervention, it was ascertained that the majority of the study participants reported currently engaging in physical activity (87.4%). Many of the participants (83.3%) reported prior use of a technological device, with the computer being the most commonly reported. Using the scores from the multiple regression analysis (F (6, 22) = 2.49, p =.07, R2 = .48, R2Adjusted = .29) revealed no significant predictors of physical activity at posttest. Paired t-tests revealed no significant change in key variables between before and after intervention. Although the study the findings were not statistically significant, the intervention provided some useful clinical information that can be used in the development of future physical activity programs for residents in long-term care facilities. The use of video games with older adults is a feasible, inexpensive method to assist them in physical activity maintenance. Initiating interventions that are tailored to older adults, focused on health promoting behaviors such as physical activity, within long-term care facilities can help reduce to maintain the functional ability of residents in long-term care

Nonproteolytic Roles of 19S ATPases in Transcription of CIITApIV Genes

Accumulating evidence shows the 26S proteasome is involved in the regulation of gene expression. We and others have demonstrated that proteasome components bind to sites of gene transcription, regulate covalent modifications to histones, and are involved in the assembly of activator complexes in mammalian cells. The mechanisms by which the proteasome influences transcription remain unclear, although prior observations suggest both proteolytic and non-proteolytic activities. Here, we define novel, non-proteolytic, roles for each of the three 19S heterodimers, represented by the 19S ATPases Sug1, S7, and S6a, in mammalian gene expression using the inflammatory gene CIITApIV. These 19S ATPases are recruited to induced CIITApIV promoters and also associate with CIITA coding regions. Additionally, these ATPases interact with elongation factor PTEFb complex members CDK9 and Hexim-1 and with Ser5 phosphorylated RNA Pol II. Both the generation of transcripts from CIITApIV and efficient recruitment of RNA Pol II to CIITApIV are negatively impacted by siRNA mediated knockdown of these 19S ATPases. Together, these results define novel roles for 19S ATPases in mammalian gene expression and indicate roles for these ATPases in promoting transcription processes

Crystal growth and superconductivity of FeSe_x

Single crystals FeSe_x have been grown in evacuated sealed quartz tube using a NaCl/KCl flux. The products include two crystal structures of tetragon and hexagon. The electronic transport and magnetic properties measurements of FeSe_x single crystal exhibits a superconducting transition at about 10K.Comment: 9 pages, 4 Figure

Unusual Ventilatory Response to Exercise in Patient with Arnold-Chiari Type 1 Malformation after Posterior Fossa Decompression

We present a case of a 17-year-old Hispanic male with Arnold-Chiari Type 1 [AC-Type 1] with syringomyelia, status post decompression, who complains of exercise intolerance, headaches, and fatigue with exertion. The patient was found to have diurnal hypercapnia and nocturnal alveolar hypoventilation. Cardiopulmonary testing revealed blunting of the ventilatory response to the rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting in failure of the parallel correlation between increased CO2 levels and ventilation; the expected vertical relationship between PETCO2 and minute ventilation during exercise was replaced with an almost horizontal relationship. No new pathology of the brainstem was discovered by MRI or neurological evaluation to explain this phenomenon. The patient was placed on continuous noninvasive open ventilation (NIOV) during the day and CPAP at night for a period of 6 months. His pCO2 level decreased to normal limits and his symptoms improved; specifically, he experienced less headaches and fatigue during exercise. In this report, we describe the abnormal response to exercise that patients with AC-Type 1 could potentially experience, even after decompression, characterized by the impairment of ventilator response to hypercapnia during exertion, reflecting a complete loss of chemical influence on breathing with no evidence of abnormality in the corticospinal pathway

Formative research to promote lupus awareness and early screening at Historically Black College and University (HBCU) communities in South Carolina

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus is a severe chronic autoimmune disorder that disproportionately impacts young African Americans. Increasing lupus awareness in this high-risk group may be an effective approach to ultimately improving lupus outcomes. To begin to address this disparity, this report describes qualitative data to be utilized in the development of a campaign to enhance awareness of lupus on Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) campuses. Methods Two focus groups (N = 14) were held with African American students in the network of HBCU’s in South Carolina to examine perspectives of focus group participants on knowledge, awareness, and experiences with lupus. Results Five key emergent themes included: (1) Lupus Knowledge and Awareness, (2) Barriers for Not Seeking Healthcare, (3) Fatalism for Disease Burden, (4) Lifestyle Debilitation, and (5) Elevation of Education and Advocacy for Lupus. Additionally, five key recommendations emerged to improve lupus awareness and support, including: (1) remaining positive, (2) developing a supportive network, (3) the importance of increasing advocacy efficacy, and (4) messaging strategies around lupus, and (5) providing education to foster knowledge around the clinical impacts of lupus. Conclusion Participants in our study stressed the necessity of lupus education and awareness among African American youth and expressed the desire for resources that would enable them to advocate for themselves and their families. Given the early age of onset for lupus, it is therefore vital to include African American youth in increasing education and awareness about lupus

Knockdown of 19S ATPases does not activate the heat shock response.

<p>HeLa cells were transfected with HSE-Luciferase reporter, control siRNA, or S6a siRNA and were treated with MG132 six hrs prior to harvest. Cells were harvested following 48 hrs of incubation, lysed in cell lysis buffer, and analyzed by Luciferase assay. Luciferase readings obtained were normalized by Bradford assay. Data shown represents values obtained from three independent experiments. The negative control is a mixture of non-inducible reporter construct and constitutively expressing Renilla luciferase construct. The positive control is an inducible transcription factor-responsive construct expressing firefly luciferase, and a constitutively expressing Renilla luciferase construct.</p

Reduced expression of 19S ATPases via siRNA negatively impacts the generation of long transcripts from CIITA pIV.

<p>(A–B, D–E, G–H) Cells were transfected with siRNA, and mRNA was quantitated using CIITA mRNA primers and probes specific for transcripts from CIITA exon IV and exon VII. CIITA mRNA generated was normalized to GAPDH. Data shown represent the mean ± SEM of three biologically independent experiments. (C, F, I) Expression of Sug1, S7, and S6a was specifically decreased using ATPase specific siRNA (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0091200#pone.0091200.s001" target="_blank">Figure S1A, S1B, and S1C</a>). Blots shown are representative of three biologically independent experiments.</p

The 26S proteasome is composed of a 20S proteolytic core capped on one or both ends by 19S regulatory particle.

<p>The 20S core is a hollow cylindrical structure composed of two heptameric rings of α-subunits and two heptameric rings of β-subunits. The 19S regulatory particle is composed of a base and lid component. The lid component consists of nine non-ATPase subunits and the base is composed of six ATPases (S7, S4, S6a, S10b, Sug1 and S6b) and three non-ATPases (S1, S2, and S5b). Polyubiquitinated proteins are recognized, deubiquitinated, and unfolded by the 19S regulatory particle and the unfolded proteins are translocated to the 20S core where proteins are degraded into small peptides.</p

19S ATPases associate with the CIITA pIV proximal promoter.

<p>(A, C,E) ChIP assays were carried out in HeLa cells stimulated with IFN-γ for 0–2 hrs. Cell lysates were immunoprecipitated (IP’d) with control antibody or with antibody to endogenous 19S ATPase S6a, Sug1, or S7 and associated DNA was isolated and analyzed by real-time PCR using primers and probe spanning the CIITApIV proximal promoter. Real time PCR values were normalized to the total amount of DNA in the reaction (Input). IP values are represented as ATPase binding to CIITApIV promoter DNA relative to unstimulated samples. (B,D,F) ChIP signal at the inactive gene CD4. The control IgG values were 0.004±0.001. Values for control IgG and either Sug1 IP, S7 IP or S6a IP represent the mean ± SEM of three biologically independent experiments * p<0.05.</p

19S ATPases bind CIITA pIV within the coding region.

<p>(A–I) ChIP assays were carried out in HeLa cells stimulated with IFN-γ for 0–2 hrs. Cell lysates were IP’d with control antibody or with antibody to endogenous Sug1 (A and B), S7 (D and E), or S6a (G and H) and associated DNA was isolated and analyzed by real-time PCR using primers and probes spanning CIITApIV exon IV (A, C, E) and exon VII (B, D, F). Real time PCR IP values were normalized to the total amount of DNA (input); IP values are represented as ATPase binding to CIITApIV exon IV or exon VII DNA relative to unstimulated samples. (C,F,I) ChIP signal at the inactive gene CD4. The control IgG values were 0.005±0.001. Values for control and IP represent mean ± SEM of three biologically independent experiments. *p<0.05, **p<0.005. G. Mobility shift assay of Sug1 with a 90 nucleotide single stranded DNA on a native 8% polyacrylamide gel with a tris-borate magnesium running buffer; 0.7<b> </b>µM DNA, 0.85 µM sug1, and 500 µM ATP. DNA was visualized with SYBER Green II dye.</p