Effects of Niacin and Vitamin D on Endothelial Cell Angiogenic Function and Vascular Regeneration During Lipotoxicity

Observational studies have suggested an association between low levels of niacin and vitamin D and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Both vitamins have been shown to improve endothelial functions and vascular regeneration following vascular injury, however, it appears vitamin D may promote or inhibit neovascularization in a context-dependent manner. We hypothesized that supplementation of vitamin D alone and in combination with niacin, would improve endothelial cell function under lipotoxic conditions and promote revascularization and functional recovery in obese mice with ischemic injury. Matrigel assays, mRNA microarray analyses and growth rate assays were used to investigate angiogenic function of endothelial cells exposed to the saturated fatty acid, palmitate. Supplementation with vitamin D, niacin, and the combination improved endothelial tube formation and stability in high palmitate. Supplementation with vitamin D markedly decreased expression of cell cycle regulators, where niacin induced stable expression of miR126, a known regulator of angiogenesis. In diet-induced obese mice with acute ischemic injury, treatment with niacin, but not vitamin D or the combination, improved hind limb functional recovery. No significant improvements in revascularization, regeneration, inflammation, or fibrosis were observed. In conclusion, although both vitamins promoted in vitro endothelial cell angiogenic function, only niacin improved functional recovery following ischemic injury

Conference Papers

“Zora Neale Hurston and Caribbean-U.S. Crosscurrents in Literature and Culture” Dr. Jeff Karem, Professor, Cleveland State University Hoodoo in Zora Neale Hurston\u27s Fiction and Folklore. Dr. Pearlie Mae Peters, Professor, Rider Universit

Models and metaphors: complexity theory and through-life management in the built environment

Complexity thinking may have both modelling and metaphorical applications in the through-life management of the built environment. These two distinct approaches are examined and compared. In the first instance, some of the sources of complexity in the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment are identified. The metaphorical use of complexity in management thinking and its application in the built environment are briefly examined. This is followed by an exploration of modelling techniques relevant to built environment concerns. Non-linear and complex mathematical techniques such as fuzzy logic, cellular automata and attractors, may be applicable to their analysis. Existing software tools are identified and examples of successful built environment applications of complexity modelling are given. Some issues that arise include the definition of phenomena in a mathematically usable way, the functionality of available software and the possibility of going beyond representational modelling. Further questions arising from the application of complexity thinking are discussed, including the possibilities for confusion that arise from the use of metaphor. The metaphor of a 'commentary machine' is suggested as a possible way forward and it is suggested that an appropriate linguistic analysis can in certain situations reduce perceived complexity

Abnormal ECG Findings in Athletes: Clinical Evaluation and Considerations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation with electrocardiography is normal practice for most sporting bodies. Awareness about sudden cardiac death in athletes and recognizing how screening can help identify vulnerable athletes have empowered different sporting disciplines to invest in the wellbeing of their athletes. RECENT FINDINGS: Discerning physiological electrical alterations due to athletic training from those representing cardiac pathology may be challenging. The mode of investigation of affected athletes is dependent on the electrical anomaly and the disease(s) in question. This review will highlight specific pathological ECG patterns that warrant assessment and surveillance, together with an in-depth review of the recommended algorithm for evaluation

Effective advertising for non-profit charities : how humanisation, proximal distance, and facial expression affects donations.

The purpose of this research is to determine how proximal distance, humanisation, and emotion in non-profit advertising affects donation intention, attitude towards the advertisement, attitude towards the charity, and willingness to recommend the charity to a friend. The study also tested for a difference in donation intention between high and low levels of religiosity and between regular donors and those who do not make regular donations to non-profit charities. The research sampled participants from New Zealand churches and American Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers, using Turk Prime. This study used a mainstream quantitative approach through an online survey. The study was a 2 x 2 x 3 between-subjects factorial design. The independent variables were proximal distance (low or high), emotion (sad or happy) and humanisation (No, low, or high). The dependent variables were donation intention, attitude towards the advertisement, attitude towards the charity and willingness to recommend the charity. A MANCOVA was conducted to test the interactions between the independent and the dependent variables, while controlling for covariate variables. Independent-sample t-tests were also conducted to test for differences in donation intention. While the majority of the results were not statically significant, there was, in the New Zealand church sample, a statically significant interaction between humanisation and emotion on the willingness to recommend the charity to a friend. Emotion also had a statistically significant effect on attitude towards the charity and level of recommendation. The covariate guilt was statistically significant and interacted with attitude towards the charity and recommendation. In the MTurk sample, donation intention was higher for high levels of cognitive and affective religiosity. There was also a significant difference in donation intention between those who regularly give to charity, and those who do not. The implications of these results are discussed and are followed by the research implications, limitations, and areas for future research

Conference Papers

“Zora Neale Hurston and Caribbean-U.S. Crosscurrents in Literature and Culture” Dr. Jeff Karem, Professor, Cleveland State University Hoodoo in Zora Neale Hurston\u27s Fiction and Folklore. Dr. Pearlie Mae Peters, Professor, Rider Universit

Fear acquisition and extinction in offspring of mothers with anxiety and depressive disorders

Maternal anxiety and depression are significant risk factors for the development of these disorders in offspring. The pathways through which risk is conferred remain unclear. This study examined fear acquisition and extinction in 26 children at high risk for emotional disorders by virtue of maternal psychopathology (n = 14 with a mother with a principal anxiety disorder and n = 12 with a mother with a principal unipolar depressive disorder) and 31 low risk controls using a discriminative Pavlovian conditioning procedure. Participants, aged between 7 and 14 years, completed 16 trials of discriminative conditioning of two geometric figures, with (CS+) and without (CS−) an aversive tone (US), followed by 8 extinction trials (4 × CS+, 4 × CS−). In the context of comparable discriminative conditioning, children of anxious mothers showed larger skin conductance responses during extinction to the CS+ compared to the CS−, and to both CSs from the first to the second block of extinction trials, in comparison with low risk controls. Compared to low risk controls, children of depressed mothers showed smaller skin conductance responses to the CS+ than the CS− during acquisition. These findings suggest distinct psychophysiological premorbid risk markers in offspring of anxious and depressed mothers