Dance and Emotional Intelligence: Mitigating Anxiety in the Modern Teen

The purpose of this thesis study was to find if emotional intelligence could be increased through participation in dance classes, and if that increase of emotional intelligence could mitigate anxiety in teens today. The researcher held four dance classes with a total of five 15–16- year-old volunteer participants, all with dance experience. Two research instruments were used and data were analyzed quantitatively. The research questions explored were: Q1 What immediate effects do participating in a dance class have on emotional intelligence? Q2 Which components of emotional intelligence develop the most from participating in dance? The data demonstrated that participation in dance classes can increase emotional intelligence. Increased emotional intelligence and involvement in dance can have an effect on the reduction of anxiety in teens today. More research on dance and emotional intelligence in conjunction would be needed to solidify these findings. A longer study would provide more in- depth data to analyze in order to interpret what kind of immediate and longstanding effects dance and emotional intelligence would have on anxiety

Novel Class 1 Integron Harboring Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Wastewater-Derived Bacteria as Revealed by Functional Metagenomics

Combatting antibiotic resistance is critical to our ability to treat infectious diseases. Here, we identified and characterized diverse antimicrobial resistance genes, including potentially mobile elements, from synthetic wastewater treatment microcosms exposed to the antibacterial agent triclosan. After seven weeks of exposure, the microcosms were subjected to functional metagenomic selection across 13 antimicrobials. This was achieved by cloning the combined genetic material from the microcosms, introducing this genetic library into E. coli, and selecting for clones that grew on media supplemented with one of the 13 antimicrobials. We recovered resistant clones capable of growth on media supplemented with a single antimicrobial, yielding 13 clones conferring resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. Antibiotic susceptibility analysis revealed resistance ranging from 4 to \u3e50 fold more resistant, while one clone showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. Using both Sanger and SMRT sequencing, we identified the predicted active gene(s) on each clone. One clone that conferred resistance to tetracycline contained a gene encoding a novel tetA-type efflux pump that was named TetA(62). Three clones contained predicted active genes on class 1 integrons. One integron had a previously unreported genetic arrangement and was named In1875. This study demonstrated the diversity and potential for spread of resistance genes present in human-impacted environments

The Association Between Low Health Literacy and Attitudes, Behaviors and Knowledge that Influence Engagement in Cancer Screening and Prevention Activities

Background: Health literacy is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon. While health literacy has historically been measured using instruments that assess reading and numeracy, comprehension of spoken information is also important. The purpose of this study was to identify adults with low health literacy using a multi-dimensional assessment of health literacy and to explore whether low health literacy was associated with variables likely to affect engagement in cancer prevention and screening activities. Methods: A random sample of English speaking adults aged 40-70 were invited to participate from: Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Hawaii, Colorado, and Fallon Community Health Plan Massachusetts. The Cancer Message Literacy Test-Listening, the Cancer Message Literacy Test-Reading, and the Lipkus Numeracy Scale were all used to assess aspects of health literacy. We also assessed self-efficacy, provider trust, and fatalism. Participants self-reported demographic data, health seeking behavior, and media use. Results: Out of 1074 adults, 48% were white, 73% were educated beyond high school, and 53% rated their health as very good or excellent. Compared to others, adults with low health literacy were more likely to avoid physician visits (p \u3c .001), more fatalistic about cancer (p Conclusions: In this population of insured adults, we identified differences among adults with low health literacy which may impact their engagement in cancer prevention and screening activities. These findings have important implications for health care interactions and public health communication. Understanding the reasons for these beliefs and behaviors may suggest ways to target and tailor communication for this vulnerable population

The association between health literacy and cancer-related attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge

Using a multidimensional assessment of health literacy (the Cancer Message Literacy Test-Listening, the Cancer Message Literacy Test-Reading, and the Lipkus Numeracy Scale), the authors assessed a stratified random sample of 1013 insured adults (40-70 years of age). The authors explored whether low health literacy across all 3 domains (n =111) was associated with sets of variables likely to affect engagement in cancer prevention and screening activities: (a) attitudes and behaviors relating to health care encounters and providers, (b) attitudes toward cancer and health, (c) knowledge of cancer screening tests, and (d) attitudes toward health related media and actual media use. Adults with low health literacy were more likely to report avoiding doctor\u27s visits, to have more fatalistic attitudes toward cancer, to be less accurate in identifying the purpose of cancer screening tests, and more likely to avoid information about diseases they did not have. Compared with other participants, those with lower health literacy were more likely to say that they would seek information about cancer prevention or screening from a health care professional and less likely to turn to the Internet first for such information. Those with lower health literacy reported reading on fewer days and using the computer on fewer days than did other participants. The authors assessed the association of low health literacy with colorectal cancer screening in an age-appropriate subgroup for which colorectal cancer screening is recommended. In these insured subjects receiving care in integrated health care delivery systems, those with low health literacy were less likely to be up to date on screening for colorectal cancer, but the difference was not statistically significant

The Grizzly, January 31, 1986

Nursing Homes: A Solution for the Elderly? Investigation 1 • Fetterolf Nears Completion • Smokers and Non-Smokers Must Meet Half Way • Horrible Hunger Continues • A Look at a Better Ursinus • Can a Dream Become a Reality? • The Limelight Shines on Lynne Edwards • Profile: John French Adds a Musical Twist • Pain Brings Gain for the Swimmin\u27 Women • Gymnasts Vaulting Into a New Season • Track Season Starts at the Gun • Basketball Hall of Fame Cites Women\u27s Team as Second in All-Time Victories • Wellness Bear Spotted! • Applications Being Taken for St. Andrew\u27s Scholarship • Women\u27s Studies Program Seeks Campus Wide Interest • Profile: Mr. Rue Keeps Records Straight • Ursinus Professor Publishes Books on Pennsylvania Dutch • Ursinus Professor\u27s Philosophy Text Publishedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1155/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, January 31, 1986

Nursing Homes: A Solution for the Elderly? Investigation 1 • Fetterolf Nears Completion • Smokers and Non-Smokers Must Meet Half Way • Horrible Hunger Continues • A Look at a Better Ursinus • Can a Dream Become a Reality? • The Limelight Shines on Lynne Edwards • Profile: John French Adds a Musical Twist • Pain Brings Gain for the Swimmin\u27 Women • Gymnasts Vaulting Into a New Season • Track Season Starts at the Gun • Basketball Hall of Fame Cites Women\u27s Team as Second in All-Time Victories • Wellness Bear Spotted! • Applications Being Taken for St. Andrew\u27s Scholarship • Women\u27s Studies Program Seeks Campus Wide Interest • Profile: Mr. Rue Keeps Records Straight • Ursinus Professor Publishes Books on Pennsylvania Dutch • Ursinus Professor\u27s Philosophy Text Publishedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1155/thumbnail.jp

The Tetraspanin Protein Peripherin-2 Forms a Complex with Melanoregulin, a Putative Membrane Fusion Regulator

Peripherin-2, the product of the rds gene, is a tetraspanin protein. In this study, we show that peripherin-2 forms a complex with melanoregulin (MREG), the product of the Mreg locus. Genetic studies suggest that MREG is involved in organelle biogenesis. In this study, we explore the role of this protein in processes associated with the formation of disk membranes, specialized organelles of photoreceptor rod cells. MREG antibodies were generated and found to be immunoreactive with a 28 kDa protein in retinal extracts, bovine OS, ARPE-19 cells, and rat RPE. MREG colocalized with peripherin-2 in WT (CB6F1/J) and in rds+/- retinas. Western blots of serial tangential sections confirmed the close association of these two proteins within the IS and basal outer segment of rods. Immunoprecipitation (IP) of OS extracts showed formation of a complex between MREG and peripherin-2-ROM-1 hetero-oligomers. This interaction was confirmed with pulldown analyses in which the GST-PerCter protein selectively pulled down His-MREG and His-MREG selectively pulled down PerCter. Biacore analysis using peptide inhibitors and per-2 truncation mutant studies allowed us to map the MREG binding site on per-2 to the last five residues of the C-terminus (Gln341-Gly346), and kinetic data predicted a KD of 80 nM for PerCter-MREG binding. Finally, the effect of MREG on photoreceptor specific membrane fusion was assayed using a disk-plasma membrane cell free assay. Preincubation of target membranes with MREG resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of fusion with an IC50 in the submicromolar range. Collectively, these results suggest that this newly identified protein regulates peripherin-2 function. © 2007 American Chemical Society

Proteome wide association studies of LRRK2 variants identify novel causal and druggable proteins for Parkinson\u27s disease

Common and rare variants in the LRRK2 locus are associated with Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) risk, but the downstream effects of these variants on protein levels remain unknown. We performed comprehensive proteogenomic analyses using the largest aptamer-based CSF proteomics study to date (7006 aptamers (6138 unique proteins) in 3107 individuals). The dataset comprised six different and independent cohorts (five using the SomaScan7K (ADNI, DIAN, MAP, Barcelona-1 (Pau), and Fundació ACE (Ruiz)) and the PPMI cohort using the SomaScan5K panel). We identified eleven independent SNPs in the LRRK2 locus associated with the levels of 25 proteins as well as PD risk. Of these, only eleven proteins have been previously associated with PD risk (e.g., GRN or GPNMB). Proteome-wide association study (PWAS) analyses suggested that the levels of ten of those proteins were genetically correlated with PD risk, and seven were validated in the PPMI cohort. Mendelian randomization analyses identified GPNMB, LCT, and CD68 causal for PD and nominate one more (ITGB2). These 25 proteins were enriched for microglia-specific proteins and trafficking pathways (both lysosome and intracellular). This study not only demonstrates that protein phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS) and trans-protein quantitative trail loci (pQTL) analyses are powerful for identifying novel protein interactions in an unbiased manner, but also that LRRK2 is linked with the regulation of PD-associated proteins that are enriched in microglial cells and specific lysosomal pathways

A Review of Volatile Organic Compound Contamination in Post-Industrial Urban Centers: Reproductive Health Implications Using a Detroit Lens

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of aromatic or chlorinated organic chemicals commonly found in manufactured products that have high vapor pressure, and thus vaporize readily at room temperature. While airshed VOCs are well studied and have provided insights into public health issues, we suggest that belowground VOCs and the related vapor intrusion process could be equally or even more relevant to public health. The persistence, movement, remediation, and human health implications of subsurface VOCs in urban landscapes remain relatively understudied despite evidence of widespread contamination. This review explores the state of the science of subsurface movement and remediation of VOCs through groundwater and soils, the linkages between these poorly understood contaminant exposure pathways and health outcomes based on research in various animal models, and describes the role of these contaminants in human health, focusing on birth outcomes, notably low birth weight and preterm birth. Finally, this review provides recommendations for future research to address knowledge gaps that are essential for not only tackling health disparities and environmental injustice in post-industrial cities, but also protecting and preserving critical freshwater resources