A Grounded Qualitative Analysis of the Effect of a Focus Group on Design Process in a Virtual Internship

A key component associated with the development of an entrepreneurial mindset is the ability to understand customerneeds and consider this when developing a product. This study sought to understand whether the inclusion of a customerfocus group as part of a virtual internship created any differences in the design processes of sophomore engineeringstudents (114 students). The Nephrotex virtual internship requires that students design a dialysis membrane by optimizinga selection of four components: membrane polymer, polymerization process, processing surfactant, and carbon nanotubepercentage. We found that sophomores who engaged in a focus group during the virtual internship Nephrotex showed(statistically) equal focus on cost versus technical measures of design performance during the focus group. Despite this,design cost was lower in the section that participated in a focus group, with no decrease in product quality. This indicatesthat customer voice may be an important factor in decreasing product cost. We also found that sophomore studentsprioritized their interviewing of customers within the focus group towards end users, such as the patient and nephrologist.Qualitative analysis of sophomore responses demonstrated that they found utility in the focus group (30% of participants)but did not necessarily believe that the customers had useful knowledge of the relevant design attributes (17% ofparticipants). Such realizations may have contributed to the equivalent quality and decreased costs associated with thedesigns of sophomores who participated in a focus group

Selective Autophagy of Mitochondria on a Ubiquitin-Endoplasmic-Reticulum Platform

The dynamics and coordination between autophagy machinery and selective receptors during mitophagy are unknown. Also unknown is whether mitophagy depends on pre-existing membranes or is triggered on the surface of damaged mitochondria. Using a ubiquitin-dependent mitophagy inducer, the lactone ivermectin, we have combined genetic and imaging experiments to address these questions. Ubiquitination of mitochondrial fragments is required the earliest, followed by auto-phosphorylation of TBK1. Next, early essential autophagy proteins FIP200 and ATG13 act at different steps, whereas ULK1 and ULK2 are dispensable. Receptors act temporally and mechanistically upstream of ATG13 but downstream of FIP200. The VPS34 complex functions at the omegasome step. ATG13 and optineurin target mitochondria in a discontinuous oscillatory way, suggesting multiple initiation events. Targeted ubiquitinated mitochondria are cradled by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) strands even without functional autophagy machinery and mitophagy adaptors. We propose that damaged mitochondria are ubiquitinated and dynamically encased in ER strands, providing platforms for formation of the mitophagosomes

Selective autophagy of mitochondria on a ubiquitin-endoplasmic reticulum platform

Correction: Developmental Cell, Volume 55, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.002The dynamics and co-ordination between autophagy machinery and selective receptors during mitophagy are unknown. Also unknown is whether mitophagy depends on pre-existing membranes, or is triggered on the surface of damaged mitochondria. Using a ubiquitin-dependent mitophagy inducer, the lactone ivermectin, we have combined genetic and imaging experiments to address these questions. Ubiquitination of mitochondrial fragments is required earliest followed by autophosphorylation of TBK1. Next, early essential autophagy proteins FIP200 and ATG13 act at different steps whereas ULK1/2 are dispensable. Receptors act temporally and mechanistically upstream of ATG13 but downstream of FIP200. The VPS34 complex functions at the omegasome step. ATG13 and optineurin target mitochondria in a discontinuous oscillatory way suggesting multiple initiation events. Targeted ubiquitinated mitochondrial are cradled by endoplasmic reticulum strands even without functional autophagy machinery and mitophagy adaptors. We propose that damaged mitochondria are ubiquitinated and dynamically encased in ER strands providing platforms for formation of the mitophagosomes.Peer reviewe

Cholera- and Anthrax-Like Toxins Are among Several New ADP-Ribosyltransferases

Chelt, a cholera-like toxin from Vibrio cholerae, and Certhrax, an anthrax-like toxin from Bacillus cereus, are among six new bacterial protein toxins we identified and characterized using in silico and cell-based techniques. We also uncovered medically relevant toxins from Mycobacterium avium and Enterococcus faecalis. We found agriculturally relevant toxins in Photorhabdus luminescens and Vibrio splendidus. These toxins belong to the ADP-ribosyltransferase family that has conserved structure despite low sequence identity. Therefore, our search for new toxins combined fold recognition with rules for filtering sequences – including a primary sequence pattern – to reduce reliance on sequence identity and identify toxins using structure. We used computers to build models and analyzed each new toxin to understand features including: structure, secretion, cell entry, activation, NAD+ substrate binding, intracellular target binding and the reaction mechanism. We confirmed activity using a yeast growth test. In this era where an expanding protein structure library complements abundant protein sequence data – and we need high-throughput validation – our approach provides insight into the newest toxin ADP-ribosyltransferases

Acute effect of smoking and smoking abstinence on energy intake and appetite-related hormones blood concentrations

The effect of smoking on energy balance and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of the present study is to examine the acute effect of smoking and its abstinence on energy intake, subjective feelings of appetite and related hormones. Fourteen healthy smokers participated in a randomized, crossover study consisting of two trials: the Cigarette trial (participants smoked two cigarettes of their brand within 15 min) and the Sham trial (they were asked to hold the cigarette as smoking, but without lighting it). After 45 min the participants were offered an ad libitum variety of snacks, and their intake was recorded. Blood samples were taken at fasting, before the ad libitum meal and 1 h after and were analyzed for obestatin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, cholecystokinin and insulin levels. Subjective feelings of hunger, satiety and desired to eat, as well as smoking craving were evaluated by visual analog scales. Mean energy intake at the ad libitum meal was 825 ± 310 kcal in the Sham trial and 673 ± 245 kcal in the Cigarette trial (p = 0.010). No significant intervention effects were observed for the reported appetite feelings or the appetite-related hormones levels. In conclusion, smoking was found to have an acute effect on dietary intake; this was not explained by changes in the hormonal levels that were evaluated. More research is needed to confirm these results in more prolonged periods of abstinence and explore other pathways through which smoking and its abstinence affect energy balance. © 2017 Elsevier Inc

Investigating perceptions and beliefs of roma about healthcare services in a provincial general hospital

Introduction: According to estimates, about 7 to 9 million Roma live in Europe, nowadays, out of whom two thirds are living in Central and Eastern Europe. Available studies in various countries show that Roma are experiencing racist behavior by representatives of health system because of their cultural diversity. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore perceptions, feelings and beliefs of Greek Roma about public health structures and their satisfaction with health care services. Material and Μethod: The study sample consisted of 80 Greek Roma hospitalized in the General Hospital of Larisa. The present study was a cross sectional one and data was collected by the completion of the “Scale of attitudes, emotions and satisfaction of Roma health services”. Data analysis was conducted by the Statistical Package fSPSS-22 while Pearson correlation, t-test and anova were used. Results: 31.3% of Roma were men and 68.8% women with a mean age 46.23 years. Moreover, 71.3% reported to be dissatisfied (mostly by doctors and nurses), 67.5% claimed to receive discrimination in hospital, and 60% reported that none of health care services do really care about them. Low total score in the scale of attitudes and satisfaction of Roma about health services, had participants using health services (p=0.040), those having a family member with health problem (p=0.022) as well as their hospitalization (p=0.004). Furthermore, more positive scored in the scale of attitudes, feelings, and satisfaction with health services, participants whose income come from their own work (p=0.004), who had health insurance, (p=0.008) and their monthly income was over than 200€. Conclusions: Roma in the present sample expressed openly negative feelings about public health services and care provided by healthcare professionals. Their attitude depends on several social factors while also is noticed a lack of knowledge about access to health services and how it can be provided appropriately. Continuous education of health professionals regarding provided care to individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds, is essential. © 2019, Hellenic Nurses Association. All rights reserved

Serum oxidizability, total antioxidant status and albumin serum levels in patients with aneurysmal or arterial occlusive disease

Objectives: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to estimate the extent of oxidative stress in patients with aneurysmal and arterial occlusive disease (AAOD) by analyzing the magnitude of serum oxidizability, total antioxidant status and serum antioxidants and to evaluate their potential clinical significance. Design and methods: The study was conducted on 47 patients with AAOD and 49 healthy individuals. Oxidative stress was assessed by: a) copper-induced lipid oxidation described in terms of "lag-time" (tLAG) and "maximal rate of accumulation of absorbing products" (RA) and b) the measurement of serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and hydrophilic serum antioxidants (albumin, uric acid, transferrin, bilirubin). LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were also estimated. Results: A decrease of tLAG and albumin levels in patients as compared to controls was observed. tLAG was negatively correlated with RA in both patients and controls. RA and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between the two groups. HDL-cholesterol was decreased in patients in comparison to controls. There is statistically significant evidence that low albumin serum levels are associated with increased risk of AAOD. Conclusions: The results support the involvement of oxidative stress in AAOD. Significant alterations in serum oxidizability were found in patients with AAOD and low albumin serum levels were correlated with the disease. Clinical evaluation of both findings needs further investigation. © 2008 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists