Developing enterprise culture in a northern educational authority in the UK: involving trainee teachers in learning-orientated evaluation

In this paper we discuss our use of innovative methods - at least in the context of regeneration evaluation - to help evaluate an enterprise project in northern England, paying particular attention to the involvement of trainee teachers. We discuss the methods used and critically appraise the methods and methodology, present some emerging findings from the trainee teachers strand and conclude by discussing the place of what might be termed 'learning-orientated evaluation' in relation to the currently dominant output-focussed evaluation paradigm.</p

Unilateral ureteral obstruction impairs renal antioxidant enzyme activation during sodium depletion

Unilateral ureteral obstruction impairs renal antioxidant enzyme activation during sodium depletion.BackgroundObstructive nephropathy leads to progressive renal tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis and is associated with sodium wasting and sodium depletion. Renal damage resulting from unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) may be aggravated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced by a variety of processes. Ideally, deleterious effects of ROS are attenuated by antioxidant enzymes, including the superoxide dismutases, glutathione peroxidases, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferases. The general paradigm is that tissue damage occurs when ROS production is greater than the protective capacity of the antioxidant enzymes.MethodsThis study was designed to investigate the response of renal antioxidant enzymes to UUO and sodium depletion. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats received normal-sodium or sodium-depleted diets and were subjected to UUO or sham operation. Obstructed (UUO), intact opposite, or sham-operated kidneys were harvested after 14days, and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in kidney homogenates. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured in these homogenates at 3 and 14days after UUO or sham operation as an index of ROS production.ResultsRenal interstitial area, a measure of fibrosis, was increased by UUO and was doubled in sodium-depleted animals. Sodium depletion increased manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidases, and glutathione-S-transferase activities in sham-operated kidneys but not in UUO kidneys. Relative to intact opposite kidneys, UUO kidneys had reduced activities of catalase, manganese superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase in normal-sodium animals and all antioxidant enzymes tested in sodium-depleted animals. Renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were increased by three days of UUO and were increased further by 14days of sodium depletion.ConclusionIn summary, sodium depletion increased several renal antioxidant enzymes, consistent with a stress response to increased ROS production. Further, UUO not only reduced antioxidant enzyme activities but also inhibited increases seen with sodium depletion. We conclude that suppression of renal antioxidant enzyme activities by UUO contributes to the progression of renal injury in obstructive nephropathy, a process exacerbated by sodium depletion

Software for researching of stress-strain state of the spine

В работе рассматривается архитектура и результаты работы приложения для моделирования напряженно-деформированного состояния позвоночника на основании данных, полученных с помощью оборудования DIERS formetric.The paper discusses the architecture and results of the application for modeling the stress-strain state of the spine based on data obtained using DIERS formetric equipment

Effects of the Selective GSK3B Inhibitor, Tideglusib, on Ethanol Consumption, Anxiety-like Behavior, Taste Preference, and Downstream Proteins

Background: We have shown modulations in glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) abundance or activity regulate ethanol consumption, suggesting potential as a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here we report the GSK3B inhibitor tideglusib’s actions on ethanol consumption, basal behaviors, and modulation of GSK3B targets. Methods: C57BL/6J males and females received i.g. 200mg/kg tideglusib, except drinking-in-the-dark (males;100mg/kg i.p.). Drinking-in-the-dark (DID): Mice given 20% ethanol 4-hours, 4-days/week x 3 weeks and then i.p. tideglusib or vehicle x 4 days in a Latin Square design with ethanol consumption measured daily. Light/Dark Box: Mice gavaged with tideglusib or vehicle and i.p. injected with 1.8g/kg ethanol or saline then tested for 10-min. Taste Preference: Mice received tideglusib x 6 days and then tested daily for saccharin or quinine taste preference. Western Blots: Mice received tideglusib or vehicle i.g. 3x/week for 2-weeks and mPFC assayed for phosphorylated and total GSK3B, Dynamin1, and PSD-95. Results: Tideglusib decreased ethanol DID consumption, transiently increased locomotion, and had no effect on anxiety-like behaviors or taste preference. Only total Dynamin1 showed tideglusib-induced modulation where females had increased Dynamin1 and decreased pDynamin1/total Dynamin1. Conclusion: Tideglusib is a promising AUD therapeutic, rapidly decreasing ethanol consumption in a binge-drinking model. Tideglusib is likely not reducing consumption by altering taste or anxiety-like behaviors. Dynamin1 is integral in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis and requires GSK3B-induced rephosphorylation. Tideglusib increased Dynamin1 levels likely represent a compensatory response to decreased GSK3B activity, providing insight to tideglusib’s mechanism in ethanol behaviors. Funded by NIAAA grant R01AA027581.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1177/thumbnail.jp

The TiM system: developing a novel telehealth service to improve access to specialist care in motor neurone disease using user-centered design

Objectives: Attendance at a specialist multidisciplinary motor neurone disease (MND) clinic is associated with improved survival and may also improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions. However, patients struggle to travel to clinic and may experience difficulties between clinic visits that may not be addressed in a timely manner. We wanted to explore how we could improve access to specialist MND care. Methods: We adopted an iterative, user-centered co-design approach, collaborating with those with experience of providing and receiving MND care including patients, carers, clinicians, and technology developers. We explored the unmet needs of those living with MND, how they might be met through service redesign and through the use of digital technologies. We developed a new digital solution and performed initial testing with potential users including clinicians, patients, and carers. Results: We used these findings to develop a telehealth system (TiM) using an Android app into which patients and carers answer a series of questions about their condition on a weekly basis. The questions aim to capture all the physical, emotional, and social difficulties associated with MND. This information is immediately uploaded to the internet for review by the MND team. The data undergoes analysis in order to alert clinicians to any changes in a patient or carer’s condition. Conclusions: We describe the benefits of developing a novel digitally enabled service underpinned by participatory design. Future trials must evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the TiM system within a clinical environment