Promoting Nutrition and Wellness Statewide Through an Electronic Newsletter

The Words on Wellness (WOW) newsletter was designed as an electronic newsletter intended to provide research-based nutrition and wellness information to Iowans. An evaluation was conducted to assess to what extent the newsletter is being used by its readership and whether readers are making lifestyle changes as a result. Those who completed the online survey (n = 154) report making lifestyle changes and finding the information to be current, understandable, and relevant to their lives. These results indicate that the use of indirect nutrition and wellness educational materials (i.e., a newsletter) is effective in promoting research-based information that results in self-reported behavior change

Esophageal Mapping and Temperature Regulation for Catheter Ablation

The purpose of this document is to provide a development summary for a proposed esophageal temperature mapping device used during catheter ablation. Catheter ablation therapy is performed in the left atria with hot or cold materials to create scar tissue to treat atrial fibrillation. However, utilized temperatures and absorbed energies from the catheter can cause undesired esophageal damage. Therefore, this medical device is designed to monitor esophageal temperature and map its location during catheter ablation. If dangerous temperatures are reached, the device will alarm the surgeon. This document provides an in-depth overview of the esophageal temperaturemapping device’s development and contains seven sections: introduction and background, customer requirements and design specifications, stage gate process, description of final prototype design, prototype development, IQ/OQ/PQ, and conclusions and recommendations

Variation in Mating Dynamics across Five Species of Leiobunine Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opliones)

The study of mating choices often focuses on correlates of traits to the overall outcome of a mating interaction. However, mating interactions can proceed through a series of stages, with opportunities for assessment at each stage. We compared whether male or female size predicted mating interaction outcome across several stages of mating in five species of North American leiobunine harvestmen (commonly known as daddy longlegs). Leiobunine harvestmen have been previously shown to exhibit incredible morphological diversity consistent with a spectrum of male–female antagonism. Across all of the species, we found a general progression of female size predicting the outcome (success and timing) of early stages of interactions, and male size or male size relative to female size predicting the outcome and timing of later stages of interactions. We also found that size was not a strong predictor of outcome in the two species on the lower end of the antagonism spectrum. The variation in how female and male size predicted outcomes across species and stages of mating suggests that multiple mechanisms may operate to shape mating dynamics within and across species. Given the close relatedness of the species studied, the patterns we uncovered suggest a rapid evolution of the traits and processes predicting the outcome of mating interactions

Assessing and Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic Nutrition and Wellness Impacts on Iowans

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for indirect Extension programming. To ensure a consumer-focused response, we gathered data from 452 survey respondents regarding how the pandemic was affecting their food-related and health behaviors. The majority reported obtaining their food from a grocery store as they had prior to the pandemic, albeit less frequently, and having increased their home food preparation. Due to the pandemic, respondents were less physically active and more stressed and were seeking reliable nutrition and wellness information. We describe how we were able to facilitate an immediate response by repackaging and adapting existing programming to meet pressing client needs, and we identify broader implications of our work

Food Retailers’ Perspectives on Pilot Program Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating in SNAP Participants

Food retailers are key stakeholders in the development, implementation, and effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition pilot programs. Qualitative interviews were conducted to gather insight from food retailers regarding the feasibility of proposed strategies to improve food choices among SNAP participants. Two corporate and six local-level food retailer managers were identified for interviews based on SNAP participation, rural- urban code, and type of food retail settings in the selected counties. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed by four research team members, and themes were identified via consensus. Marketing, incentive, and disincentive program models were well-received, while restriction and stocking standards models were less well-received. Food retailers viewed simple programs with easy implementation and educational components positively. Driving sales and programs that align with corporate and social responsibility goals were important factors related to willingness to participate in pilot programs. Insights from this present study can inform future pilot programs and promote food retailer buy-in

The Association Between Discrimination and Sleep is Exacerbated in Individuals with Comorbid Chronic Health Conditions

Introduction: The consequences of recurrent, stressful daily experiences for sleep health appear intensified in individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Although discrimination has been associated with sleep outcomes, the role of comorbid chronic health conditions (CCHCs), and impact of perceived discrimination, remains unclear. The present study investigated (1) the associations between daily discrimination and sleep and (2) moderating roles of CCHCs and daily life interference and hardship. Methods: The current study utilized archival data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study II. Participants, 174 adults (51% female, Mage=57 yrs., SD=11.5 yrs.), completed 7 days of actigraphy, sleep diary, PSQI, and CCHC-reporting measures. Models examined the moderating effects of CCHCs, daily interference, and hardship on the association between discrimination and sleep. Results: Daily discriminatory experiences predicted numerous poor sleep outcomes, exacerbated for persons with higher CCHCs. Higher comorbidity (95% CI=5.40, 68.75) exacerbated the association between discrimination and TSTactigraphy, further strengthened by perceived hardship (95% CI=-3.75, -.40) and interference (95% CI=-3.65, -.30). Number of CCHCs, qualified by perceived hardship (95% CI=.00, .04) and interference (95% CI=.01, .05), predicted diary sleep quality above discrimination. The interaction between CCHCs and hardship predicted global PSQI scores (95% CI=-.91, -.12) beyond discrimination. Conclusion: Daily experiences of discrimination are associated with decreased sleep duration and quality. These associations were stronger for individuals with multiple CCHCs. Exacerbating CCHC effects were perpetuated by perceived interference and hardships, suggesting individual emotion regulation (ER) differences. Future research should attend to sleep-related consequences of differential discrimination-informed ER by persons with CCHCs.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1042/thumbnail.jp

Fibrillin-1 regulates the bioavailability of TGFβ1

We have discovered that fibrillin-1, which forms extracellular microfibrils, can regulate the bioavailability of transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, a powerful cytokine that modulates cell survival and phenotype. Altered TGFβ signaling is a major contributor to the pathology of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and related diseases. In the presence of cell layer extracellular matrix, a fibrillin-1 sequence encoded by exons 44–49 releases endogenous TGFβ1, thereby stimulating TGFβ receptor–mediated Smad2 signaling. This altered TGFβ1 bioavailability does not require intact cells, proteolysis, or the altered expression of TGFβ1 or its receptors. Mass spectrometry revealed that a fibrillin-1 fragment containing the TGFβ1-releasing sequence specifically associates with full-length fibrillin-1 in cell layers. Solid-phase and BIAcore binding studies showed that this fragment interacts strongly and specifically with N-terminal fibrillin-1, thereby inhibiting the association of C-terminal latent TGFβ-binding protein 1 (a component of the large latent complex [LLC]) with N-terminal fibrillin-1. By releasing LLC from microfibrils, the fibrillin-1 sequence encoded by exons 44–49 can contribute to MFS and related diseases

Facial nerve repair utilizing intraoperative repair strategies

Objectives To determine whether functional and anatomical outcomes following suture neurorrhaphy are improved by the addition of electrical stimulation with or without the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Methods In a rat model of facial nerve injury, complete facial nerve transection and repair was performed via (a) suture neurorrhaphy alone, (b) neurorrhaphy with the addition of brief (30 minutes) intraoperative electrical stimulation, or (c) neurorrhaphy with the addition electrical stimulation and PEG. Functional recovery was assessed weekly for 16 weeks. At 16 weeks postoperatively, motoneuron survival, amount of regrowth, and specificity of regrowth were assessed by branch labeling and tissue analysis. Results The addition of brief intraoperative electrical stimulation improved all functional outcomes compared to suturing alone. The addition of PEG to electrical stimulation impaired this benefit. Motoneuron survival, amount of regrowth, and specificity of regrowth were unaltered at 16 weeks postoperative in all treatment groups. Conclusion The addition of brief intraoperative electrical stimulation to neurorrhaphy in this rodent model shows promising neurological benefit in the surgical repair of facial nerve injury. Level of Evidence Animal study