Renal response to seven days of lower body positive pressure in the squirrel monkey

As a ground-based model for weightlessness, the response of the chair-trained squirrel monkey to lower body positive pressure (LBPP) was evaluated in a length of study similar to a typical Space Shuttle mission (7 days). Results were compared to time control experiments that included chair-sitting without exposure to LBPP. Chronic exposure to LBPP results in an acute diuretic and natriuretic response independent of changes in plasma aldosterone concentrations and produces a chronic reduction in fluid volume lasting the duration in the stimulus

A Motivational Climate Intervention and Exercise-Related Outcomes: A Longitudinal Perspective

While researchers have suggested that the social context in exercise settings is linked to individuals’ physical activity motivation and potential exercise-related outcomes, few research designs have examined the nuance of those relationships. Moreover, interventions targeting the social context of exercise settings are sparse, so the potential impact of staff training on members’ motivation to exercise are not well known. Drawing from two major motivation theories, achievement goal perspective theory and self-determination theory, this study considered an intervention with fitness center staff from the members’ perspectives. Members completed a survey before and after an intervention designed to help staff create a high caring, task-involving, and low ego-involving motivational climate. Using a half-longitudinal structural equation model, participants’ perceptions of the motivational climate, basic psychological needs, exercise motivation, and exercise experiences (including commitment to exercise, life satisfaction, body image) were modeled pre-post intervention. The model revealed significant latent mean differences for post-intervention constructs, with participants experiencing a more positive motivational climate, higher competence and relatedness, intrinsic motivation, commitment, life satisfaction, and body image. The final mediation model demonstrated tenable fit, with perceptions of climate having significant, direct and indirect effects on commitment, life satisfaction, and body image. Our study supports that the motivational climate contributes to an optimal social context for exercise where basic psychological needs are nurtured, intrinsic motivation is fostered, and individuals experience well-being benefits, including increased life satisfaction. Further, short and targeted training meetings with fitness center staff can result in members’ perceiving a significant change in the motivational climate

Psychometric Properties of the Abbreviated Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to develop an abbreviated version of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire (PMCEQ-A) to provide a more practical instrument for use in applied exercise settings. In the calibration step, 2 shortened versions’ measurement and latent model values were compared to each other and the original PMCEQ using a 3-group CFA invariance testing approach with previously collected exercise setting data (N = 5,427). Based on the model fit and reliability values, the 12-item version performed better than the 17-item version. The resultant 12-item PMCEQ-A’s CFA model estimates were then compared to the PMCEQ’s model values for 2 different, previously conducted studies of exercise settings (N = 414 and 770). The more parsimonious 12-item PMCEQ-A can be used by exercise psychology researchers to gain insight into members’ perspectives on the motivational climate and may lead to developing effective strategies to enhance members’ experiences and commitment

Ethnic/Racial Differences in Social Studies Skills: A Texas, Multiyear Analysis

Investigated in this study was the degree to which differences were present in social studies skills as a function of ethnicity/race (i.e., Asian, White, Hispanic, and Black) of Texas high school students.  Data were obtained from the Texas Education Agency Public Education Information Management System for all Texas high school students for the 2004-2005 to the 2011-2012 school years.  In this study, statistically significant differences were present in the social studies skills by student ethnicity/race.  Asian students had statistically higher average raw scores in four of the five social studies skills objectives examined than White students.  Additionally, White students had statistically significantly higher average raw scores than Hispanic students, and Hispanic students had statistically significantly higher average raw scores than Black students for the eight years of data examined.  A clear stair-step effect was present by student ethnicity/race in social studies performance.  Suggestions for policy and for practice were made, along with recommendations for future research. &nbsp

Use of Soil Electroconductivity in a Multistage Soil-Sampling Scheme

The inherent variability of pasturelands makes it difficult to sample soils and accurately characterize a pasture. Indirect methods such as soil electroconductivity (EC) can be used to rapidly, noninvasively, and inexpensively quantify soil variability. The objective of this study was to determine if rapidly collected, georeferenced soil information could be used to propose an accurate, multistage sampling scheme for five soil variables in a central Iowa pasture. Results from this study suggest that the use of noninvasively collected soil EC and topographic data along with fuzzy k-means clustering can be used to delineate relatively homogeneous sampling zones. Consequently, these easily defined sampling zones can beneficially serve as a more directed approach to soil sampling

Adipose Tissue Architecture and Gestational Weight Gain in Normoglycemic Pregnancies

Objective: To investigate histologic architecture of subcutaneous (SQAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) growth in relationship to gestational weight gain (GWG). Epidemiological data suggest that SQAT expansion may be protective of obesity related co-morbidities, whereas VAT expansion is associated with Type-2 diabetes risk. We hypothesized that in normal gravidas, GWG would be associated with hypertrophy of SQAT and not VAT. Methods: A subset of subjects enrolled in the Pregnancy & Postpartum Observational Dietary Study (PPODS) and undergoing Cesarean delivery had SQAT (midline superior edge Pfannenstiel incision) and VAT (inferior omental periphery) biopsies after neonatal delivery, uterine closure and hemostasis achievement. Excised tissues were fixed and stained. Average adipocyte size and capillary density were assessed in 10 independent sections per AT depot per subject. GWG determined by the difference of weight at first visit and immediately postpartum (1-4 days post-op). GWG plotted vs mean SQAT or VAT adipocyte size. Results: Table illustrates general clinical characteristics of the 5 subjects. Figure A demonstrates SQAT and VAT mean adipocyte size with representative sections from patient E depicted above bar graphs representing means and SEM from 5 patients. SQ adipocytes were significantly larger than those from VAT. Significant positive correlation was noted between GWG and SQAT adipocyte size (Figure B), but not VAT adipocyte size (Figure C). Discussion: Preliminary results reveal that in normal pregnancies, GWG is associated with changes in SQAT but not VAT architecture, which reflects lipid accumulation. These results are consistent with the model that SQAT is specifically adapted for healthy lipid storage, and provides a basis for comparison between normal gravidas and those with GDM

Understanding multifactorial influences on the continuum of maternal weight trajectories in pregnancy and early postpartum: study protocol, and participant baseline characteristics

BACKGROUND: Maternal and offspring immediate and long-term health are affected by pregnancy weight gain and maternal weight. This study was designed to determine feasibility of: 1) recruiting a socio-economically and racially/ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women into a longitudinal observational study, including consenting the women for serial biologic specimen evaluations; 2) implementing comprehensive assessments (including biologic, anthropometric, behavioral, cognitive/psychosocial and socio-demographic, and cultural measures) at multiple time points over the study period, including collecting biologic specimens at planned and unplanned pregnancy delivery times; and 3) retaining the sample for one year into the postpartum period. Additionally, the study will provide preliminary data of associations among hypothesized predictors, mediators and moderators of pregnancy and post-partum maternal and infant weight trajectories. The study was conceptualized under a Biopsychosocial Model using a lifespan approach. Study protocol and baseline characteristics are described. METHODS/DESIGN: We sought to recruit a sample of 100 healthy women age 18-45 years, between 28-34 weeks gestation, with singleton pregnancies, enrolled in care prior to 17 weeks gestation. Women provide written consent for face-to-face (medical history, anthropometrics, biologic specimens), and paper-and-pencil assessments, at five time points: baseline (third trimester), delivery-associated, and 6-weeks, 3-months and 6-months postpartum. Additional telephone-based assessments (diet, physical activity and breastfeeding) administered baseline and three-months postpartum. Infant weights are collected until 1-year of life. We seek to retain 80% of participants at six-months postpartum and 80% of offspring at 12-months. 110 women were recruited. Sample characteristics include: mean age 28.3 years, BMI 25.7 kg/m(2), and gestational age at baseline visit of 32.5 weeks. One-third of cohort was non-white, over a quarter were Latina, and almost a quarter were non-US born. The cohort majority was multigravida, had graduated high school and/or had higher levels of education, and worked outside the home. DISCUSSION: Documentation of study feasibility and preliminary data for theory-driven hypothesis of maternal and child factors associated with weight trajectories will support future large scale longitudinal studies of risk and protective factors for maternal and child health. This research will also inform intervention targets facilitating healthy maternal and child weight

A comparison of pneumolysin activity and concentration in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit endophthalmitis model

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the in vitro activity and concentration of Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumolysin correlated to the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis. Five S. pneumoniae clinical endophthalmitis strains were grown in media to similar optical densities (OD), and extracellular milieu was tested for pneumolysin activity by hemolysis of rabbit red blood cells. Pneumolysin concentration was determined using a sandwich ELISA. Rabbit vitreous was injected with 102 colony-forming units (CFU) of 1 of 2 different strains with low hemolytic activity (n = 10 and 12 for strains 4 and 5, respectively) or 1 of 3 different strains with high hemolytic activity (n = 12 per strain). Pathogenesis of endophthalmitis infection was graded by slit lamp examination (SLE) at 24 hours post-infection. Bacteria were recovered from infected vitreous and quantitated. The SLE scores of eyes infected with strains having high hemolytic activity were significantly higher than the scores of those infected with strains having low hemolytic activity (P < 0.05). Pneumolysin concentration in vitro, however, did not correlate with hemolysis or severity of endophthalmitis. Bacterial concentrations from the vitreous infected with 4 of the strains were not significantly different (P > 0.05). These data suggest that pneumolysin hemolytic activity in vitro directly correlates to the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae endophthalmitis. The protein concentration of pneumolysin, however, is not a reliable indicator of pneumolysin activity

Journey to a Heart Safe Community

Riding the Wave of Wellness Conference a UNC-Wilmington from the Building Healthy Academic Communities organizatio

Influence of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Pathways on Longitudinal Symptom Experiences in Children With Leukemia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes) and inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-8) biomarkers on symptom trajectories during the first 18 months of childhood leukemia treatment. Method: A repeated-measures design was used to evaluate symptoms experienced by 218 children during treatment. A symptom cluster (fatigue, pain, and nausea) was explored over four time periods: initiation of post-induction therapy, 4 and 8 months into post-induction therapy, and the beginning of maintenance therapy (12 months postinduction). F2-isoprostanes and IL-8 were evaluated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected at baseline (diagnosis) and then at the four time periods. The longitudinal relationships of these biomarkers with the symptom cluster were examined using the longitudinal parallel process. Results: Pain and fatigue levels were highest during the post-induction phases of treatment and decreased slightly during maintenance therapy, while nausea scores were relatively stable. Even in the later phases of treatment, children continued to experience symptoms. CSF levels of the biomarkers increased during the post-induction phases of treatment. Early increases in the biomarkers were associated with more severe symptoms during the same period; patients who had increased biomarkers over time also experienced more severe symptoms over time. Conclusions: Findings reveal that children experienced symptoms throughout the course of leukemia treatment and support hypothesized longitudinal relationships of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers with symptom severity. Activation of the biomarker pathways during treatment may explain underlying mechanisms of symptom experiences and identify which children are at risk for severe symptoms.National Institutes of Health [R01CA1693398]This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]