Reward Differences Between Adolescents from a Native American Community and Adolescents from a Non-Native American Community

Differences in preferred rewards of male and female Native American and non-Native America adolescents were examined using the Native American version of the Survey of Rewards for Teens (SORT-NA). The SORT-NA is a self-report survey which examines preferences across eight domains: sports, food, entertainment, excursions, interests and hobbies, social activities, social related activities, and a miscellaneous category. Results indicated significant differences in reward preference across culture in two domains, and across gender in five domains

Reward Differences Between Adolescents from a Native American Community and Adolescents from a Non-Native American Community

Differences in preferred rewards of male and female Native American and non-Native America adolescents were examined using the Native American version of the Survey of Rewards for Teens (SORT-NA). The SORT-NA is a self-report survey which examines preferences across eight domains: sports, food, entertainment, excursions, interests and hobbies, social activities, social related activities, and a miscellaneous category. Results indicated significant differences in reward preference across culture in two domains, and across gender in five domains

Reward Differences Between Adolescents From A Native American Community And Adolescents From A Non-Native American Community

Differences in preferred rewards of male and female Native American and non-Native America adolescents were examined using the Native American version of the Survey of Rewards for Teens (SORT-NA). The SORT-NA is a self-report survey which examines preferences across eight domains: sports, food, entertainment, excursions, interests and hobbies, social activities, social related activities, and a miscellaneous category. Results indicated significant differences in reward preference across culture in two domains, and across gender in five domains

Refractive index dynamics of InAs/GaAs quantum dots

The refractive index dynamics of an InAs/InGaAs/GaAs dots-in-a-well semiconductor optical amplifier is calculated and compared with experimental results. The fast and slow recovery timescales together with the behaviour with increasing injection are reproduced and explained in terms of the density of carriers available in upper quantum dot and continuum states. Also, a Coulomb-mediated shift of the dot susceptibility is suggested as responsible for the fast recovery of the phase. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC. (DOI: 10.1063/1.4813472

Is facet joint distraction a cause of postoperative axial neck pain after ACDF surgery?

Introduction: Intervertebral distraction in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been postulated to injure the degenerative facet joints posteriorly and increase postoperative pain and disability. This study aims to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of facet distraction and postoperative patient reported outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative pathologies was performed. Each patient received lateral cervical spine x-rays at the immediate postoperative time point and were split into groups based on the amount of facet distraction measured on these films: Group A: \u3c 1.5 mm; Group B: 1.5-2.0 mm; and Group C: \u3e 2.0 mm. Patients reported outcome measures were obtained preoperatively and at 1-year postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare outcomes between groups. Results: A total of 229 patients were included with an average follow-up of 19.8 [19.0, 20.7] months with a mean facet joint distraction of 1.7mm. There were 87 patients in Group A, 76 patients in Group B, and 66 patients in Group C. Patients significantly improved across all outcome measures from baseline to postoperatively (p \u3c 0.05). There was no difference between groups at any time point with respect to outcome scores (p \u3e 0.05). Multiple regression analysis did not identify increasing distraction as a predictor of patient outcomes. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between patient outcomes and the amount of facet distraction after ACDF surgery. Multivariate analysis did not find a correlation between facet distraction and overall HRQOL outcome

Analyzing international medical graduate research productivity for application to US neurosurgery residency and beyond: A survey of applicants, program directors, and institutional experience

BackgroundThe authors investigated perceived discrepancies between the neurosurgical research productivity of international medical graduates (IMGs) and US medical graduates (USMGs) through the perspective of program directors (PDs) and successfully matched IMGs.MethodsResponses to 2 separate surveys on neurosurgical applicant research productivity in 115 neurosurgical programs and their PDs were analyzed. Neurosurgical research participation was analyzed using an IMG survey of residents who matched into neurosurgical residency within the previous 8 years. Productivity of IMGs conducting dedicated research at the study institution was also analyzed.ResultsThirty-two of 115 (28%) PDs responded to the first research productivity survey and 43 (37%) to the second IMG research survey. PDs expected neurosurgery residency applicants to spend a median of 12–24 months on research (Q1-Q3: 0–12 to 12–24; minimum time: 0–24; maximum time: 0–48) and publish a median of 5 articles (Q1-Q3: 2–5 to 5–10; minimum number: 0–10; maximum number: 4–20). Among 43 PDs, 34 (79%) ranked “research institution or associated personnel” as the most important factor when evaluating IMGs' research. Forty-two of 79 (53%) IMGs responding to the IMG-directed survey reported a median of 30 months (Q1-Q3: 18–48; range: 4–72) of neurosurgical research and 12 published articles (Q1-Q3: 6–24; range: 1–80) before beginning neurosurgical residency. Twenty-two PDs (69%) believed IMGs complete more research than USMGs before residency. Of 20 IMGs conducting dedicated neuroscience/neurosurgery research at the study institution, 16 of 18 who applied matched or entered a US neurosurgical training program; 2 applied and entered a US neurosurgical clinical fellowship.ConclusionThe research work of IMGs compared to USMGs who apply to neurosurgery residency exceeds PDs' expectations regarding scientific output and research time. Many PDs perceive IMG research productivity before residency application as superior to USMGs. Although IMGs comprise a small percentage of trainees, they are responsible for a significant amount of US-published neurosurgical literature. Preresidency IMG research periods may be improved with dedicated mentoring and advising beginning before the research period, during the period, and within a neurosurgery research department, providing a formal structure such as a research fellowship or graduate program for IMGs aspiring to train in the US

Study Protocol - Accurate assessment of kidney function in Indigenous Australians: aims and methods of the eGFR Study

Background: There is an overwhelming burden of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease among Indigenous Australians. In this high risk population, it is vital that we are able to measure accurately kidney function. Glomerular filtration rate is the best overall marker of kidney function. However, differences in body build and body composition between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians suggest that creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate derived for European populations may not be appropriate for Indigenous Australians. The burden of kidney disease is borne disproportionately by Indigenous Australians in central and northern Australia, and there is significant heterogeneity in body build and composition within and amongst these groups. This heterogeneity might differentially affect the accuracy of estimation of glomerular filtration rate between different Indigenous groups. By assessing kidney function in Indigenous Australians from Northern Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia, we aim to determine a validated and practical measure of glomerular filtration rate suitable for use in all Indigenous Australians

Phenotypic and functional characterization of macrophages with therapeutic potential generated from human cirrhotic monocytes in a cohort study

AbstractBackground aimsMacrophages have complex roles in the liver. The aim of this study was to compare profiles of human monocyte-derived macrophages between controls and cirrhotic patients, to determine whether chronic inflammation affects precursor number or the phenotype, with the eventual aim to develop a cell therapy for cirrhosis.MethodsInfusion of human macrophages in a murine liver fibrosis model demonstrated a decrease in markers of liver injury (alanine transaminase, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase) and fibrosis (transforming growth factor-β, α-smooth muscle actin, phosphatidylserine receptor) and an increase in markers of liver regeneration (matrix metalloproteinases [MMP]-9, MMP-12 and TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis). CD14+ monocytes were then isolated from controls. Monocytes were matured into macrophages for 7 days using a Good Manufacturing Practice–compatible technique.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the mean number of CD14+ monocytes isolated from cirrhotic patients (n = 9) and controls (n = 10); 2.8 ± SEM 0.54 × 108 and 2.5 ± 0.56 × 108, respectively. The mean yield of mature macrophages cultured was also not significantly different between cirrhotic patients and controls (0.9 × 108 ± 0.38 × 108, with more than 90% viability and 0.65 × 108 ± 0.16 × 108, respectively. Maturation to macrophages resulted in up-regulation of a number of genes (MMP-9, CCL2, interleukin [IL]-10 and TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis). A cytokine and chemokine polymerase chain reaction array, comparing the control and cirrhotic macrophages, revealed no statistically significant differences.ConclusionsMacrophages can be differentiated from cirrhotic patients' apheresis-derived CD14 monocytes and develop the same pro-resolution phenotype as control macrophages, indicating their suitability for clinical therapy