UK Libraries: Your Partner in Data Management, Data Sharing, and Data Preservation

This presentation: Defines Data Discusses why research data management (RDM) is important Discusses the Data Lifecycle and RDM Tools Discusses how UK Libraries can help with RD

Creating an Interactive Guide to Support Health Disparities Competency

Authors share their educational resource developed for the health sciences, that guides users in awareness of health disparities, vulnerable populations, and social determinants of health, directing them to specific guidance and resources available through the library

A Case Study in Revitalizing a State Library Association and Keeping It Vital during COVID

The Kentucky Medical Library Association (KMLA) is an organization dedicated to building a networking community and providing resources to the health sciences and medical librarians of Kentucky. Medical and health science libraries within the state of Kentucky are encouraged to become annual members of KMLA. Organization membership exists on two levels: (1) individual and (2) institutional. Individual membership includes access to three KMLA business meetings a year, voting rights at business meetings, any conferences KMLA holds, an opportunity for continuing education (CE) reimbursement, and access to any CEs presented by KMLA. Institutional memberships are unique in that they provide interlibrary loan reciprocity among member institutions. Over the previous four years, KMLA has experienced diminishing membership, a lack of interest from members in serving on the KMLA Executive Committee, insufficient documentation on association practices, and a centric involvement that surrounded Louisville institutions. Kentucky has endured several hospital closures and restructurings over the last five years. That change has also brought about several medical library closures; despite that, Kentucky health sciences and medical libraries have seen a recent growth in new health sciences and medical librarians. In turn, KMLA’s Executive Committee (President, Secretary, and Treasurer) has noticed a change in overall KMLA membership, attendance, and interest

Providers’ Stigmas and the Effects on Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: A Scoping Review

Introduction: One of the most prevalent, dangerous stigmas in health care is the complex bias toward patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). This stigma damages the vital patient–provider relationship, further perpetuating the opioid epidemic. Purpose: Unfortunately, research on the relationship between OUD and provider stigma is greatly lacking. To fill this gap, the present in-depth study undertakes a scoping review of research on providers’ stigma toward OUD in order to determine how enacted stigma affects treatment plans. Methods: Four databases were used to identify articles published from 1999 to 2021. A comprehensive search strategy was developed through a collaborative process between the researchers and a medical librarian. The researchers used the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and expanded upon by Levac et al.(2010) to chart study characteristics and themes. Results: A total of 196 search items were retrieved. After de-duplication (n=31), remaining articles were screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria detailed in the protocol. After both a title/abstract review and full-text review, an additional 158 articles were removed. This yielded a total of seven articles. Three main themes were identified in the literature: (1) rural–urban differences in bias; (2) provider concern regarding legal implications and regulatory concerns; and (3) the belief that OUD is a moral failing rather than a medical diagnosis. Implications: Additional research should further analyze prescribed treatment plans for patients with OUD and utilize this information to create future considerations aimed at reducing opioid-related stigma in healthcare in Appalachia

The effects of peripheral and central high insulin on brain insulin signaling and amyloid-β in young and old APP/PS1 mice

Hyperinsulinemia is a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro experiments describe potential connections between insulin, insulin signaling, and amyloid-β (Aβ), but in vivo experiments are needed to validate these relationships under physiological conditions. First, we performed hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with concurrent hippocampal microdialysis in young, awake, behaving APP(swe)/PS1(dE9) transgenic mice. Both a postprandial and supraphysiological insulin clamp significantly increased interstitial fluid (ISF) and plasma Aβ compared with controls. We could detect no increase in brain, ISF, or CSF insulin or brain insulin signaling in response to peripheral hyperinsulinemia, despite detecting increased signaling in the muscle. Next, we delivered insulin directly into the hippocampus of young APP/PS1 mice via reverse microdialysis. Brain tissue insulin and insulin signaling was dose-dependently increased, but ISF Aβ was unchanged by central insulin administration. Finally, to determine whether peripheral and central high insulin has differential effects in the presence of significant amyloid pathology, we repeated these experiments in older APP/PS1 mice with significant amyloid plaque burden. Postprandial insulin clamps increased ISF and plasma Aβ, whereas direct delivery of insulin to the hippocampus significantly increased tissue insulin and insulin signaling, with no effect on Aβ in old mice. These results suggest that the brain is still responsive to insulin in the presence of amyloid pathology but increased insulin signaling does not acutely modulate Aβ in vivo before or after the onset of amyloid pathology. Peripheral hyperinsulinemia modestly increases ISF and plasma Aβ in young and old mice, independent of neuronal insulin signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The transportation of insulin from blood to brain is a saturable process relevant to understanding the link between hyperinsulinemia and AD. In vitro experiments have found direct connections between high insulin and extracellular Aβ, but these mechanisms presume that peripheral high insulin elevates brain insulin significantly. We found that physiological hyperinsulinemia in awake, behaving mice does not increase CNS insulin to an appreciable level yet modestly increases extracellular Aβ. We also found that the brain of aged APP/PS1 mice was not insulin resistant, contrary to the current state of the literature. These results further elucidate the relationship between insulin, the brain, and AD and its conflicting roles as both a risk factor and potential treatment

Efficacy of power training to improve physical function in individuals diagnosed with frailty and chronic disease: A meta-analysis

Muscle power training with emphasis on high-velocity of concentric movement improves physical functionality in healthy older adults, and, maybe superior to traditional exercise programs. Power training may also be advantageous for patients with acute and chronic illnesses, as well as frail individuals. To determine the efficacy of power training compared with traditional resistance training on physical function outcomes in individuals diagnosed with frailty, acute illness or chronic disease. PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, PEDro, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. (1) at least one study group receives muscle power training of randomized controlled trial (RCT) (2) study participants diagnosed as prefrail, frail or have an ongoing acute or chronic disease, condition or illness; (3) study participants over the age of 18; (4) publication in English language; (5) included physical function as the primary or secondary outcome measures. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for inclusion and graded the methodological quality using Cochrane Risk-of- Bias tool for RCTs. Fourteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. In seven studies, muscle power training was more effective at improving physical function compared to control activities with a mean fixed effect size (ES) of 0.41 (p = 0.006; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.71). Power training and conventional resistance training had similar effectiveness in eight studies with a mean fixed ES of 0.10 (p = 0.061; 95% CI –0.01 to 0.40). Muscle power training is just as efficacious for improving physical function in individuals diagnosed with frailty and chronic disease when compared to traditional resistance training. The advantages of power training with reduced work per session may support power training as a preferential exercise modality for clinical populations. The findings should be interpreted with caution since generalizability is questioned due to the heterogeneity of patient populations enrolled and participants were relatively mobile at baseline

TREM2 deficiency attenuates neuroinflammation and protects against neurodegeneration in a mouse model of tauopathy

Significance Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and is a major public health problem for which there is currently no disease-modifying treatment. There is an urgent need for greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in patients to create better therapeutic options. Recently, genetic studies uncovered novel AD risk variants in the microglial receptor, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). Previous studies suggested that loss of TREM2 function worsens amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque-related toxicity. In contrast, we observe TREM2 deficiency mitigates neuroinflammation and protects against brain atrophy in the context of tau pathology. These findings indicate dual roles for TREM2 and microglia in the context of amyloid versus tau pathology, which are important to consider for potential treatments targeting TREM2.</jats:p

Older Adults and Photo-Elicited Perspectives on Shopping for Groceries in a Changing Community

Background: A community experiencing gentrification created challenges for older adults and their ability to access food. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine barriers and facilitators perceived by three urban-dwelling older adults during their grocery shopping experiences. Methods: The researchers conducted photo-elicitation supported interviews to gather information on grocery shopping from three older adults attending a local senior center. Photo-elicited interviews were conducted, and the thematic analysis examined the participants’ perspectives on their experiences. Results: Thematic analysis revealed the participants’ experiences in a changing landscape. In the categories of community resources, transportation, and the store, analysis revealed the following themes: encountering obstacles, becoming frustrated, and identifying strategies and facilitators. These themes represent a process for older adults whereby they adapt to obtain their needed or desired items when shopping for groceries. Conclusion: In a community facing urban renewal and gentrification, older adults encountered obstacles and adapted in ways that were productive but not always safe or supportive of good health. This study illustrates the adaptive (or maladaptive) strategies of the participants who are managing change in their community. Advocating for affordable transportation in communities and modifying grocery store layout can support the older adult shoppers