Comparing Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Sleep Disturbance with Physical Activity in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Purpose: To evaluate physical activity and sleep health in community dwelling older adults through use of activity monitors, physical capacity tests, self-reported sleep health, physical health measures, and participation in social roles. We wanted to know how these measures may or may not play a significant role in future physical therapy treatment. Our hypothesis was that self- reported sleep quality and sleep disturbance is correlated to physical activity in community dwelling older adults

A Subpopulation of Smooth Muscle Cells, Derived from Melanocyte-Competent Precursors, Prevents Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus is a life-threatening condition frequent in premature newborns but also present in some term infants. Current mouse models of this malformation generally lead to perinatal death, not reproducing the full phenotypic spectrum in humans, in whom genetic inheritance appears complex. The ductus arteriosus (DA), a temporary fetal vessel that bypasses the lungs by shunting the aortic arch to the pulmonary artery, is constituted by smooth muscle cells of distinct origins (SMC1 and SMC2) and many fewer melanocytes. To understand novel mechanisms preventing DA closure at birth, we evaluated the importance of cell fate specification in SMC that form the DA during embryonic development. Upon specific Tyr::Cre-driven activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling at the time of cell fate specification, melanocytes replaced the SMC2 population of the DA, suggesting that SMC2 and melanocytes have a common precursor. The number of SMC1 in the DA remained similar to that in controls, but insufficient to allow full DA closure at birth. Thus, there was no cellular compensation by SMC1 for the loss of SMC2. Mice in which only melanocytes were genetically ablated after specification from their potential common precursor with SMC2, demonstrated that differentiated melanocytes themselves do not affect DA closure. Loss of the SMC2 population, independent of the presence of melanocytes, is therefore a cause of patent ductus arteriosus and premature death in the first months of life. Our results indicate that patent ductus arteriosus can result from the insufficient differentiation, proliferation, or contractility of a specific smooth muscle subpopulation that shares a common neural crest precursor with cardiovascular melanocytes

Suppression of Autophagy Dysregulates the Antioxidant Response and Causes Premature Senescence of Melanocytes

YesAutophagy is the central cellular mechanism for delivering organelles and cytoplasm to lysosomes for degradation and recycling of their molecular components. To determine the contribution of autophagy to melanocyte (MC) biology, we inactivated the essential autophagy gene Atg7 specifically in MCs using the Cre-loxP system. This gene deletion efficiently suppressed a key step in autophagy, lipidation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (LC3), in MCs and induced slight hypopigmentation of the epidermis in mice. The melanin content of hair was decreased by 10–15% in mice with autophagy-deficient MC as compared with control animals. When cultured in vitro, MCs from mutant and control mice produced equal amounts of melanin per cell. However, Atg7-deficient MCs entered into premature growth arrest and accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage, ubiquitinated proteins, and the multi-functional adapter protein SQSTM1/p62. Moreover, nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)–dependent expression of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1, and glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 was increased, indicating a contribution of autophagy to redox homeostasis in MCs. In summary, the results of our study suggest that Atg7-dependent autophagy is dispensable for melanogenesis but necessary for achieving the full proliferative capacity of MCs

Illicit drug contamination of the Bristol Pound local currency

Reports have shown the prevalence of the contamination of banknotes with a number of different drugs. These studies have focused on investigating drug contamination levels on currency which is either nationally or even international distributed. To present there has been no studies undertaken on banknotes circulating in well-defined and limited geographic areas. In this present study we have investigated the presence of drug contamination on the Local Currency, circulating in a known geographic area in and around the city of Bristol, UK; the Bristol Pound (£B). The effect of sample size was investigated and a post-hoc statistical power analysis undertaken. Following liquid extraction with the aid of sonication, levels of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, MDMA, ketamine and methamphetamine were determined by liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Seven samples of each denomination in circulation were investigated. The calculated median values per note were 2030 ng cocaine, 91.9 ng benzoylecgonine, 0.779 ng methamphetamine, 62.8 ng MDMA and 3440 ng ketamine. This study focuses on our preliminary studies and to our knowledge this is the first investigation focused on the drug contamination of a Local Currency

Rôle de ß-caténine dans le développement des mélanocytes de la peau et du coeur

PARIS7-Bibliothèque centrale (751132105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Transcriptomic Analysis of Mouse Embryonic Skin Cells Reveals Previously Unreported Genes Expressed in Melanoblasts

Studying the development of melanoblasts, precursors of melanocytes, is challenging owing to their scarcity and dispersion in the skin embryo. However, this is an important subject because diverse diseases are associated with defective melanoblast development. Consequently, characterizing patterns of expression in melanoblasts during normal development is an important issue. This requires isolating enough melanoblasts during embryonic development to obtain sufficient RNA to study their transcriptome. ZEG reporter mouse line crossed with Tyr::Cre mouse line was used to label melanoblasts by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) autofluorescence. We isolated melanoblasts by FACS from the skin of E14.5–E16.5 embryos, and obtained sufficient cells for large-scale transcriptomic analysis after RNA isolation and amplification. We confirmed our array-based data for various genes of interest by standard quantitative real-time RT-PCR. We demonstrated that phosphatase and tensin homolog was expressed in melanoblasts but BRN2 was not, although both are involved in melanomagenesis. We also revealed the potential contribution of genes not previously implicated in any function in melanocytes or even in neural crest derivatives. Finally, the Schwann cell markers, PLP1 and FABP7, were significantly expressed in melanoblasts, melanocytes, and melanoma. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the transcriptomic analysis of purified melanoblasts at different embryonic stages and reveals the involvement of previously unreported genes in melanoblast development

Activité réflexive novatrice auprès d’étudiantes en sciences infirmières sur la diversité culturelle dans les soins

Résumé Contexte : Le développement de la compétence culturelle des étudiantes en sciences infirmières est reconnu comme une solution permettant de favoriser une approche de soins sensibles à la culture de chaque personne ainsi que de réduire les situations d’inégalités dans les soins (Blanchet Garneau, 2013; AIIC, 2010). But : Le but de cet article est de présenter l’élaboration et la mise à l’essai d’une activité réflexive visant à stimuler la réflexion d’étudiantes en sciences infirmières sur les différentes réalités entourant la pratique infirmière en contexte de diversité culturelle. Méthode : Une activité réflexive a été élaborée par une étudiante à la maîtrise en sciences infirmières en collaboration avec trois professeures chercheures spécialisées en formation infirmière. Le modèle du développement de la compétence culturelle de Blanchet Garneau (2013) ainsi que des écrits clés portant sur la pratique réflexive en sciences infirmières ont guidé l’élaboration de l’activité réflexive. Cette activité a été mise à l’essai avec deux groupes de cinq étudiantes et un groupe de deux étudiantes (n=12). Les participantes étaient invitées à discuter en groupe de situations vécues en contexte de diversité culturelle. À la fin de l’activité, elles ont rempli un questionnaire sur leur perception de l’apprentissage réalisé ainsi que sur leur appréciation générale. Résultats: Les questions de réflexion posées par l’animatrice durant l’activité réflexive ont permis aux participantes de discuter de quelques composantes du modèle du développement de la compétence culturelle de Blanchet Garneau. Leurs réponses au questionnaire d’évaluation permettent d’observer qu’elles ont pu prendre conscience de l’importance de considérer les croyances et les valeurs des patients dans leurs soins. Elles ont aussi pris conscience de leur pouvoir comme infirmière de réduire les inégalités dans les soins. Conclusion: La pratique réflexive semble être une avenue prometteuse pour guider le développement de la compétence culturelle des étudiantes en sciences infirmières. L’activité réflexive présentée pourrait être utilisée pour la formation initiale ou continue. Mots-clés : compétence culturelle, pratique réflexive, formation infirmière, apprentissage expérientiel, inégalités dans les soins de santé. Abstract Context: The development of nursing students’ cultural competency is recognized as a way to promote culturally sensitive care and to reduce health care disparities (AIIC, 2010; Blanchet Garneau, 2013). Purpose: In this paper, we present the development and implementation of a reflective activity aiming to promote students’ reflection on the different realities of nursing practice in a culturally diverse context. Method: A Master’s student in Nursing developed the reflective activity in collaboration with three academics who specialize in nursing education. The Blanchet Garneau (2013) model of cultural competence development and key writings on reflective practice in nursing guided the conception of the reflective activity. The participants were invited to discuss clinical situations they had experienced with someone whose values or beliefs differed from their own. The activity was tested with two groups of five and one group of two nursing students (n=12). After completing the activity, they filled out a survey about their perceived learning and their appreciation of the activity. Results: The reflective questions helped the students discuss some of the components of Blanchet Garneau’s model. The activity allowed students to appreciate the importance of considering their patients’ values and beliefs in their care. Some of them also reported becoming aware of their power, as nurses, in reducing health care disparities. Conclusion: Reflective practice seems to be a promising strategy to guide the development of nursing students’ cultural competency. Nursing educators in both clinical and educational settings could use this reflective activity. Key words : cultural competency, reflective practice, nursing education, experiential learning, health care disparities