Stroke risk factors and awareness study

Abstract only availableCerebrovascular Accidents, also known as strokes, are the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that more than 275,000 people die from strokes every year (American Heart Association 2003). In 2002, it was calculated that over 5,400,000 people suffered from a stroke. 2,400,000 of those were males, and 3,000,000 of those who suffered from a stroke were females (American Heart Association 2003). The highest prevalence of strokes occurs within the African American Population. In 2002, around 8% of the total African American population suffered from a stroke, which averages out to be a total of about 111,000 people (American Heart Association 2003). Hispanics are close behind with around 6.4% of their population suffering from strokes in 2002. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is limited or completely cut off. It causes the brain not to be able to function properly and can even cause paralysis on one or both sides of the body. Strokes involve a long recovery process if there is any recovery at all. It seems as though most people do not know and understand how great the risk factors are for strokes. Although the risks for strokes are high, they could be minimized if people take the time and become educated on what are actually those risk factors. People are also unaware of how much it costs our country to provide the health care and aide for stroke victims/survivors. It is estimated that over $393 billion dollars were spent in 2003. People do not seem to think strokes affect as many people as they actually do. The purpose of this research is to see how much peers in the LSMOAMP program actually know about signs and symptoms as wells as risk factors for strokes. A twenty question survey was developed. Questions were derived from a review of the literature. The participants completed the survey. The survey served a dual purpose. It provided information regarding current awareness about strokes among participants in LSMOAMP. It was also a tool to enhance awareness about strokes. If the participants began to think about the questions that they did not know, then that would allow them to delve deeper into the knowledge that they should acquire about stroke risk factors.Louis Stokes Missouri Alliance for Minority Participatio

Yours, Mine, or Ours? Exploring the Role of Cultural Values in Sharing Economy Services

The sharing economy offers consumers an alternative to ownership by exchanging value through technology-based services. As the growth of sharing economy practices continue to emerge, business scholars have only recently begun to study how cultural differences impact the sharing economy. Specifically, few studies have examined individual cultural values. Therefore, this study explores whether differences in cultural values, using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, account for consumers’ attitudes and participation in sharing economy services (SES). Two studies employing a mix-method approach will be conducted to gain a thorough understanding of the sharing economy from both the consumers’ and the peer providers’ perspective. This research is one of the first papers to investigate the influence of cultural values in the sharing economy at the individual level as most research has only focused at the national level. These results may further our understanding of the sharing economy and its interaction across cultures

Understanding the neurobiology of executive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders

PhD ThesisBoth schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are characterised by deficits in cognitive function, particularly in those executive functions subserved by the prefrontal cortex. In order to further our understanding of the neuropathophysiology of cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders, this thesis examined structural and functional changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in rodent models mimicking some aspects of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Chosen models were subchronic phencyclidine (PCP), chronic administration of corticosterone to flatten the glucocorticoid rhythm (CORT) and maternal immune activation (MIA). These models mimic glutamate hypofunction, hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis dysfunction and maternal infection, respectively. Behavioural studies established that PCP induced a selective deficit in attentional set shifting whilst CORT and MIA induced reversal learning deficits. In vitro electrophysiological studies established a novel model for measuring synaptic transmission in the infralimbic (IL) region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Synaptic transmission was shown to be mediated by glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and to be subject to inhibitory modulation by serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA). Differential changes in both basal synaptic transmission and in the monoaminergic modulation of synaptic transmission were evident in the three animal models. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the three animal models induced differential changes in the numbers of particular subtypes of GABAergic interneurones, suggesting that GABAergic activity in the mPFC was altered. These studies demonstrate that models of select features of psychiatric disorders, glutamate hypofunction, HPA axis dysfunction, and prenatal infection, induce deficits in executive function present in psychiatric disorders. These differential behavioural outcomes might be explained by differential changes in synaptic transmission in the mPFC and in the expression of GABAergic interneurones in the mPFC induced in the three models

Investigating the effects of common dietary isoflavones on breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and potassium channel activity

Epidemiological evidence suggests that due to its high isoflavone (genistein and daidzein) content a diet rich in soy could protect against breast cancer, particularly tumours expressing oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα+). Isoflavones are weakly oestrogenic, and have other wide ranging cellular activities. Contradictory in vitro evidence means that isoflavones’ mechanism(s) of action remain to be elucidated. ERα+ MCF7 and ERα-/ERβ+ MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and apoptosis were quantified at a range of achievable serum concentrations of genistein or daidzein (0.01nM to 31.6μM) with or without pre-/post-menopausal 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels (1nM and 1pM). Additionally, cell volume regulation and macroscopic K+ current modulation by isoflavones and E2 in MCF7 cells were investigated. In MCF7 cells isoflavones (≥1μM) induce apoptosis, even in the presence of E2, but this did not reverse the synergistic effect of postmenopausal E2 and isoflavones on proliferation. Isoflavones slightly reduced MDA-MB-231 proliferation at all concentrations, dropping dramatically at 31.6μM. This response was partially maintained in the presence of postmenopausal E2. Isoflavones also induced markers of apoptosis. Treating MCF7 with 1nM E2 or 1μM genistein resulted in cell swelling, and a significant increase in whole cell current (E2 only), indicating a proliferative response. Conversely, treatment with 31.6μM genistein resulted in shrinkage, and inhibition of outward K+ current (not statistically significant). Daidzein treatment inhibited current to a lesser extent. Co-treatment with K+ channel blockers indicated the hEAG channel as a potential molecular target of genistein in MCF7. These results suggest that in ERα+ breast cancers, isoflavones may act by inducing apoptosis, shrinkage, and inhibition of hEAG current. There was no evidence suggesting that isoflavones reduce E2-promoted ERα+ cancer cell proliferation. Importantly, the inhibition of K+ channel activity by isoflavones represents a novel target for anti-cancer therapies. However, even low levels of isoflavones may be beneficial chemotherapeutic agents against ERα-/ERβ+ breast cancer, indicating an urgent requirement for further characterization of the effects of isoflavones in these breast cancers.sub_dnbsunpub1282_ethesesunpu

A qualitative study of physical activity drivers in autistic individuals using COM-B:Autistic and non-autistic perspectives

BackgroundDespite evidence of the health benefits of physical activity in non-autistic populations and the additional benefits for autistic populations, physical activity levels remain stubbornly low in autistic individuals. Understanding the determinants of physical activity is essential in order to support intervention development.MethodsThe current research applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Capability Opportunity Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model of behaviour to identify determinants of physical activity behaviour, mechanisms of action, and potentially efficacious behaviour change techniques. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with autistic adults (N = 4) and children (N = 2), parents of autistic children (N = 4), and stakeholders in autism care and support (N = 5). A deductive approach was taken to map themes onto TDF and COM-B.ResultsParticipants identified three overarching themes: Discordance between autistic and non-autistic perspectives; physically active environments; and autonomy and choice. Eight subthemes were identified and mapped onto COM-B and TDF. Recommendations for intervention development are made and potential behaviour change techniques are identified.ConclusionsGiven the important role of care providers, future research should focus on the attitudes and behaviours of individuals who care for and support autistic individuals to identify barriers and drivers of physical activity promotion, particularly for individuals with high support needs. An argument is made for co-design in future intervention development

Sleep duration and incidence of obesity in infants, children and adolescents : a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

Study Objective: To assess the prospective relationship between sleep and obesity in a paediatric population. Methods: We performed a systematic search using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane (up to 25th September 2017). Included studies were prospective, had follow-up >1 year, had duration of sleep at baseline, and measures of incidence of overweight or obesity and/or changes in body mass index (BMI) z-score and BMI during follow-up. We extracted relative risks or changes in BMI z-score or BMI and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and pooled them using a random effect model. Results: Forty-two studies were included but, as there was significant heterogeneity, results are presented by age strata. Short sleep was associated with a greater risk of developing overweight or obesity in infancy (7 Studies, 14 738 participants, RR: 1.40; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.65; p<0.001), early childhood (8 Studies, 31 104 participants, RR: 1.57; 1.40 to 1.76; p<0.001), middle childhood (3 studies, 3 005 participants, RR: 2.23; 2.18 to 2.27; p<0.001) and adolescence (3 studies, 26 652 participants, RR: 1.30; 1.11 to 1.53; p<0.002). Sleep duration was also associated with a significant change in BMI z-score (14 studies, 18 cohorts, 31 665 participants) (mean difference -0.03; -0.04 to -0.01 per h sleep; P=0.001) and in BMI (16 studies, 24 cohorts, 24 894 participants) (mean difference -0.03 kg/m2; -0.04 to -0.01 for every h of increase in sleep; P=0.001). Conclusions: Short sleep duration is a risk factor or marker of the development of obesity in infants, children and adolescents

A Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry Validated Geometric Model for the Calculation of Body Segment Inertial Parameters of Young Females

The purpose of this study was to validate a new geometric solids model, developed to address the lack of female specific models for body segment inertial parameter estimation. A second aim was to determine the effect of reducing the number of geometric solids used to model the limb segments on model accuracy. The ‘full’ model comprised 56 geometric solids, the ‘reduced’ 31, and the ‘basic’ 16. Predicted whole-body inertial parameters were compared with direct measurements (reaction board, scales), and predicted segmental parameters with those estimated from whole-body DXA scans for 28 females. The percentage root mean square error (%RMSE) for whole-body volume was <2.5% for all models, and 1.9% for the full model. The %RMSE for whole-body center of mass location was <3.2% for all models. The %RMSE whole-body mass was <3.3% for the full model. The RMSE for segment masses was <0.5 kg (<0.5%) for all segments; Bland-Altman analysis showed the full and reduced models could adequately model thigh, forearm, foot and hand segments, but the full model was required for the trunk segment. The proposed model was able to accurately predict body segment inertial parameters for females, more geometric solids are required to more accurately model the trunk