Evaluation of the Population and Poverty Research Initiative (PopPov)

Since 2005, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, with collaboration and co-funding from research councils in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and Norway and from the World Bank, has invested in a portfolio of social science research on the relationship between population dynamics and micro- and macroeconomic outcomes. It is known as the Population and Poverty Research Initiative (PopPov), and its geographic focus is on subSaharan Africa (SSA). The starting premises that led to the development of PopPov were that evidence showing that population dynamics could affect economic outcomes might increase the interest of ministers of finance in funding population policies and that they might be most convinced by rigorous research done by respected economists. The core aim of the program has been to build (or, in some cases, rebuild) and advance the field of economic demography, orienting the work toward research that would be relevant for policy and would increase recognition by economic policymakers of the value of lowering the rate of population growth and investing in family planning (FP). The program also aimed to strengthen the capacity of researchers in SSA. The PopPov initiative tried to achieve these aims through four main components: (1) grants to support research on PopPov core topics of interest, (2) fellowships to support graduate students preparing their doctoral dissertations, (3) conferences and workshops to support the development of networking opportunities, and (4) other dissemination activities. PopPov has funded 56 doctoral fellows and, together with its partners, has supported 61 research projects. Seven international conferences and additional workshops have been held, and there have been several other dissemination activities. The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) and the Center for Global Development (CGD) have been the secretariats for PopPov. Since 2008, the Institute of International Education (IIE) has administered the fellowship program.In November 2012, to help guide its decisions about both the substance and means of future investments, the foundation issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an evaluation of PopPov. The RAND Corporation was selected to conduct the evaluation

Robust structure-based resonance assignment for functional protein studies by NMR

High-throughput functional protein NMR studies, like protein interactions or dynamics, require an automated approach for the assignment of the protein backbone. With the availability of a growing number of protein 3D structures, a new class of automated approaches, called structure-based assignment, has been developed quite recently. Structure-based approaches use primarily NMR input data that are not based on J-coupling and for which connections between residues are not limited by through bonds magnetization transfer efficiency. We present here a robust structure-based assignment approach using mainly HN–HN NOEs networks, as well as 1H–15N residual dipolar couplings and chemical shifts. The NOEnet complete search algorithm is robust against assignment errors, even for sparse input data. Instead of a unique and partly erroneous assignment solution, an optimal assignment ensemble with an accuracy equal or near to 100% is given by NOEnet. We show that even low precision assignment ensembles give enough information for functional studies, like modeling of protein-complexes. Finally, the combination of NOEnet with a low number of ambiguous J-coupling sequential connectivities yields a high precision assignment ensemble. NOEnet will be available under: http://www.icsn.cnrs-gif.fr/download/nmr

Mineral trioxyde aggregate versus calcium hydroxide in apexification of non vital immature teeth: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulp necrosis is one of the main complications of dental trauma. When it happens on an immature tooth, pulp necrosis implies a lack of root maturation and apical closure. A therapy called apexification is required to induce the formation of a calcified apical barrier allowing a permanent and hermetic root filling. The aim of this prospective randomized clinical trial is to compare Mineral Trioxide Aggregate(MTA)with Calcium Hydroxide(CH)as materials used to induce root-end closure in necrotic permanent immature incisors.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study, promoted by AP-HP, was approved by the ethics committee(CPP Paris Ile de France IV). 34 children aged from 6 to 18 years and presenting a non-vital permanent incisor are selected. Prior to treatment, an appropriate written consent has to be obtained from both parents and from children. Patients are then randomly assigned to either the MTA(experimental)or CH(control)groups. Recalls are performed after 3, 6 and 12 months to determine the presence or absence of a calcified apical barrier through the use of clinical and radiographic exams. Additional criteria such as clinical symptoms, apical radiolucencies, periapical index(PAI)are also noted.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov no. <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00472173">NCT00472173</a> (First inclusion: May 10, 2007; Last inclusion: April 23, 2009; study completed: April 15, 2010)</p

Seniors with Parkinson's Disease: Initial Medical Treatment

Parkinson's disease most often presents after age 60, and patients in this age group are best managed with levodopa therapy as the primary treatment modality. Unlike young-onset parkinsonism (onset <age 40), this older age group is much less prone to subsequent development of levodopa responsive instability (dyskinesias, fluctuations). When these problems do occur in seniors, they usually can be managed by medication adjustments. The treatment goal is to keep patients active and engaged; levodopa dosage should be guided by the patients' responses and not arbitrarily limited to low doses, which may compromise patients' lives

Exchange protein activated by cAMP: Drug target and biomarker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common adult leukemia in the Western world, is associated with the accumulation of B-lymphocytes due to decreased apoptosis. The second messenger 3’5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) promotes apoptosis by unknown mechanisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from patients with CLL. The actions of cAMP are mediated by protein kinase A (PKA) and Exchange protein activated by cAMP-1 (Epac-1). Using real-time PCR we find that compared to PBMC from healthy subjects, CLL-cells have elevated Epac-1 and decreased PKA regulatory subunit RIIβ mRNA expression. Studies using traditional PCR reveal that this increase in Epac-1 mRNA expression does not result from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of Epac-1. Use of fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) (to assess annexin 5 staining, a marker for apoptosis) revealed that 48 hr treatment with an Epac-selective analog (8-pCPT-2Me-cAMP [8Me], 50 μM) inhibited apoptosis of CLL-cells but that a PKA-selective analog (N6-Phenyladenosine-cAMP [N6], 50 μM) induced apoptosis. Inhibition of Rap-1, the downstream mediator of Epac-1, with N-4-[2(R)-Amino-3-mercaptopropyl]amino-2-naphthylbenzoyl-(L)-leucine methyl ester [GGTI-298] (100 nM–10 μM, 48h) increased apoptosis of CLL-cells and prevented the anti-apoptotic effect of Epac activation. These results reveal that CLL is associated with increased Epac-1 expression and that unlike PKA activation, Epac-1 activation (in a Rap-1 dependent manner) enhances the survival of the malignant B-cells. Approaches that decrease the expression and function of Epac-1 and increase the expression and function of PKA thus may be beneficial in treating CLL by increasing the pro-apoptotic effects of cAMP

Exchange protein activated by cAMP : drug target and biomarker in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common adult leukemia in the Western world, is associated with the accumulation of B-lymphocytes due to decreased apoptosis. The second messenger 3'5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) promotes apoptosis by unknown mechanisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from patients with CLL. The actions of cAMP are mediated by protein kinase A (PKA) and Exchange protein activated by cAMP-1 (Epac-1). Using real-time PCR we find that compared to PBMC from healthy subjects, CLL-cells have elevated Epac-1 and decreased PKA regulatory subunit RIIβ mRNA expression. Studies using traditional PCR reveal that this increase in Epac-1 mRNA expression does not result from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of Epac-1. Use of fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) (to assess annexin 5 staining, a marker for apoptosis) revealed that 48 hr treatment with an Epac- selective analog (8-pCPT-2Me-cAMP [8Me], 50 [mu]M) inhibited apoptosis of CLL-cells but that a PKA-selective analog (N6- Phenyladenosine-cAMP [N6], 50 [mu]M) induced apoptosis. Inhibition of Rap-1, the downstream mediator of Epac-1, with N-4-[2(R)-Amino-3-mercaptopropyl]amino-2- naphthylbenzoyl-(L)-leucine methyl ester [GGTI-298] (100 nM - 10 [mu]M, 48h) increased apoptosis of CLL-cells and prevented the anti-apoptotic effect of Epac activation. These results reveal that CLL is associated with increased Epac-1 expression and that unlike PKA activation, Epac-1 activation (in a Rap-1 dependent manner) enhances the survival of the malignant B-cells. Approaches that decrease the expression and function of Epac-1 and increase the expression and function of PKA thus may be beneficial in treating CLL by increasing the pro-apoptotic effects of cAM

Formation and Mechanical Properties of Membranes Formed at the Surface of Walnut Stain Extract Solutions

International audienceMaterials based on biological molecules and produced without external energy sources may represent avenues for the design of new applications as self-healing and self-replicating compounds. Herein the synthesis of self-standing membranes from walnut stain extracts when exposed to ambient air is presented. These membranes are mechanically robust and do not entirely decompose upon heating up to 800 °C. They are composed of microorganisms (not yet identified) from the ambient air which are hold together by a dense extracellular matrix. The molecules of this extracellular matrix have been characterized by means of force extension curves performed by Atomic Force Microscopy

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for vascular surgery: an evidence map and scoping review

Abstract Background Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) interventions aim to improve patient outcomes. Vascular surgery patients have unique requirements and it is unclear which ERAS interventions are supported by an evidence base. Methods We conducted a scoping review to identify ERAS randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the biomedical or nursing literature. We assessed interventions for applicability to vascular surgery and differentiated interventions given at preadmission, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative surgery stages. We documented the research in an evidence map. Results We identified 76 relevant RCTs. Interventions were mostly administered in preoperative (23 RCTs; 30%) or intraoperative surgery stages (35 RCTs; 46%). The majority of studies reported mortality outcomes (44 RCTs; 58%), but hospital (27 RCTs; 35%) and intensive care unit (9 RCTs; 12%) length of stay outcomes were less consistently described. Conclusion The ERAS evidence base is growing but contains gaps. Research on preadmission interventions and more consistent reporting of key outcomes is needed

Programs for Care System Transitions in Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Although transitions between health care systems are common when patients move between jobs or insurers, they are especially difficult to navigate when patients with mental health conditions leave an integrated system, such as the Military Health System (MHS). The authors synthesize evidence from studies of interventions that facilitate transitions between mental health care systems, such as the transition from the MHS to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).The authors searched multiple research databases, reference-mined bibliographies of existing reviews, and consulted with experts to identify existing evaluations of transition support interventions. Key informants helped identify pertinent populations of interest who are transitioning between health care systems.Seventeen studies evaluating different approaches met inclusion criteria. Studies reported on different outcomes, and few could be combined in aggregated analyses. Analyses showed that care transition interventions can increase outpatient mental health service use, but the overall body of evidence is limited