Born criminal: The criminalization of African Americans

This study examined the factors that have contributed to the overrepresentation of Black Americans in the criminal justice system

oPOSSUM: integrated tools for analysis of regulatory motif over-representation

The identification of over-represented transcription factor binding sites from sets of co-expressed genes provides insights into the mechanisms of regulation for diverse biological contexts. oPOSSUM, an internet-based system for such studies of regulation, has been improved and expanded in this new release. New features include a worm-specific version for investigating binding sites conserved between Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae, as well as a yeast-specific version for the analysis of co-expressed sets of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes. The human and mouse applications feature improvements in ortholog mapping, sequence alignments and the delineation of multiple alternative promoters. oPOSSUM2, introduced for the analysis of over-represented combinations of motifs in human and mouse genes, has been integrated with the original oPOSSUM system. Analysis using user-defined background gene sets is now supported. The transcription factor binding site models have been updated to include new profiles from the JASPAR database. oPOSSUM is available at http://www.cisreg.ca/oPOSSUM

Towards resolving the transcription factor network controlling myelin gene expression

In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is produced from spirally-wrapped oligodendrocyte plasma membrane and, as exemplified by the debilitating effects of inherited or acquired myelin abnormalities in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, it plays a critical role in nervous system function. Myelin sheath production coincides with rapid up-regulation of numerous genes. The complexity of their subsequent expression patterns, along with recently recognized heterogeneity within the oligodendrocyte lineage, suggest that the regulatory networks controlling such genes drive multiple context-specific transcriptional programs. Conferring this nuanced level of control likely involves a large repertoire of interacting transcription factors (TFs). Here, we combined novel strategies of computational sequence analyses with in vivo functional analysis to establish a TF network model of coordinate myelin-associated gene transcription. Notably, the network model captures regulatory DNA elements and TFs known to regulate oligodendrocyte myelin gene transcription and/or oligodendrocyte development, thereby validating our approach. Further, it links to numerous TFs with previously unsuspected roles in CNS myelination and suggests collaborative relationships amongst both known and novel TFs, thus providing deeper insight into the myelin gene transcriptional network

Evaluation of an inter-professional workshop to develop a psychosocial assessment and child-centred communication training programme for paediatricians in training

BACKGROUND: The quality of psychosocial assessment of children in consultations varies widely. One reason for this difference is the variability in effective mental health and communication training at undergraduate and post-qualification levels. In recognition of this problem, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in the United Kingdom have developed the Child in Mind Project that aims to meet this deficit in medical training. This paper describes the evaluation of a workshop that explored the experiences and expectations of health care professionals in the development of a training programme for doctors. METHODS: The one-day inter-professional workshop was attended by 63 participants who were invited to complete evaluation forms before and immediately after the workshop. RESULTS: The results showed that the workshop was partially successful in providing an opportunity for an inter-professional group to exchange ideas and influence the development of a significant project. Exploring the content and process of the proposed training programme and the opportunity for participants to share experiences of effective practice were valued. Participants identified that the current culture within many health care settings would be an obstacle to successful implementation of a training programme. Working within existing training structures will be essential. Areas for improvement in the workshop included clearer statement of goals at the outset and a more suitable environment for the numbers of participants. CONCLUSIONS: The participants made a valuable contribution to the development of the training programme identifying specific challenges. Inter-professional collaborations are likely to result in more deliverable and relevant training programmes. Continued consultation with potential users of the programme – both trainers and trainees will be essential

Effects of a renal rehabilitation exercise program in patients with CKD: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with CKD have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease associated with or exacerbated by inactivity. This randomized, controlled study investigated whether a renal rehabilitation exercise program for patients with stages 3 or 4 CKD would improve their physical function and quality of life. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: In total, 119 adults with CKD stages 3 and 4 were randomized, and 107 of these patients proceeded to usual care or the renal rehabilitation exercise intervention consisting of usual care plus guided exercise two times per week for 12 weeks (24 sessions). Physical function was determined by three well established performance-based tests: 6-minute walk test, sit-to-stand test, and gait-speed test. Health-related quality of life was assessed by the RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences in self-reported level of activity, 6-minute walk test, and sit-to-stand test scores were observed between the usual care (n=48) and renal rehabilitation exercise (n=59) groups, although baseline gait-speed test score was higher in the renal rehabilitation exercise group (P CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week/24-session renal rehabilitation exercise program improved physical capacity and quality of life in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if these findings will translate into decreased mortality rates

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) is the Nation’s largest nutritional assistance program and the cornerstone of Federal Government efforts to alleviate hunger in the United States and its territories. SNAP benefits are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). They are issued by individual States and redeemable at any authorized FNS SNAP retailer, which includes an increasing number of farmers markets. SNAP benefits are accessed via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that is processed using electronic funds transfer technology. EBT cards look and operate like bank-issued debit cards. SNAP benefits are accessed by swiping the EBT card on a point-of-sale (POS) terminal at an FNS retailer location and entering a personal identification number (PIN). FNS SNAP retailers can either use EBT-only machines, which look like standard commercial POS terminals and are provided for free by FNS, or supply their own terminals. EBT-only machines require electricity and a phone line connection, and accepts only EBT cards. Many FNS SNAP retailers choose to pay for commercial POS terminals that accept EBT, debit, and credit cards on the same machine. Electrical hookups and phone line connections are not available at many farmers market sites, preventing the use of the free EBT-only machines. Even when market managers and vendors are willing and able to invest in wireless POS terminals, the technology can be difficult to manage and promote at farmers markets. Operating an EBT machine requires an FNS license. FNS allows markets to obtain a single FNS license for all eligible vendors at the market. SNAP benefits are redeemed using one centrally located POS terminal; transactions are processed throughout the farmers markets using scrip (paper certificates, tokens, or receipts). SNAP customers redeem their benefits by swiping their EBT cards at the POS terminal in exchange for scrip, which they can use to buy eligible food products. This process is similar to one sometimes used for accepting credit and debit cards at farmers markets. While it is possible for individual vendors to have their own FNS license and POS terminal, scrip projects are the most common way for farmers markets to accept SNAP benefits. This handbook is a how-to guide for accepting SNAP benefits at farmers markets. Topics include why to accept SNAP benefits, how to install EBT systems at farmers markets, how to use scrip projects to accept SNAP benefits at farmers markets, how to become an FNS snap retailer, what equipment is required to accept SNAP benefits at farmers markets, and how to make SNAP EBT succeed at farmers markets