Influence of hyaluronan on endometrial receptivity and embryo attachment in sheep

An increasing number of reports suggests a role of hyaluronan (HA) in female reproduction and interest in its application in assisted reproduction is rising. However, there are contrasting data about the effectiveness of adding HA to the embryo-transfer medium on improving pregnancy rates. Using sheep as an experimental model, the studies reported here analysed the impact of HA infusion into the uterus on embryo attachment to uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and expression of selected markers of uterine receptivity. On Day 14 after natural mating (pre-attachment), uterine horns were infused with either (n = 4 each): PBS (control), HA (1 mg mL–1), HA + hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2; 300 IU mL–1) or 4-methyl-umbelliferone (HA-synthesis inhibitor; 4MU, 1 mM). HA immunostaining on uterine sections collected on Day 17 was negative in the 4MU group and weak in the HA+Hyal2 group. In contrast to 4MU, which resulted in 100% attachment, HA infusion blocked embryo attachment in all treated animals. This was accompanied by the disappearance of mucin 1 and increased expression of osteopontin and CD44v6 in the LE of uteri with attached embryos. In conclusion, the presence of HA at the embryo–maternal interface during embryo implantation resulted in reduced endometrial receptivity and inhibited the interaction of trophoblasts with the LE, whereas clearance of HA favoured embryo attachment

Signatures of anthocyanin metabolites identified in humans inhibit biomarkers of vascular inflammation in human endothelial cells

Scope The physiological relevance of contemporary cell culture studies is often perplexing, given the use of unmetabolized phytochemicals at supraphysiological concentrations. We investigated the activity of physiologically relevant anthocyanin metabolite signatures, derived from a previous pharmacokinetics study of 500 mg 13C5-cyanidin-3-glucoside in 8 healthy participants, on soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human endothelial cells. Methods and results Signatures of peak metabolites (previously identified at 1, 6 and 24 h post-bolus) were reproduced using pure standards and effects were investigated across concentrations ten-fold lower and higher than observed mean (<5 μM) serum levels. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated VCAM-1 was reduced in response to all treatments, with maximal effects observed for the 6 h and 24 h profiles. Profiles tested at ten-fold below mean serum concentrations (0.19-0.44 μM) remained active. IL-6 was reduced in response to 1, 6 and 24 h profiles, with maximal effects observed for 6 h and 24 h profiles at concentrations above 2 μM. Protein responses were reflected by reductions in VCAM-1 and IL-6 mRNA, however there was no effect on phosphorylated NFκB-p65 expression. Conclusion Signatures of anthocyanin metabolites following dietary consumption reduce VCAM-1 and IL-6 production, providing evidence of physiologically relevant biological activity

Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Milled Glass as Partial Substitute for Cement

This work reports the outcome of an experiment carried out by using milled glass (MG) of varying percentages (20%, 40% and 60% by weight)of cement in concrete making. MG was sourced for and milled to required fineness. The concrete was batched with mix ratio of 1։2։ 4. Concrete Cube specimens produced were allowed to cure for 7-28 days and compressive strength, slump and setting time tests were carried out and were compared with those of conventional concrete (0% MG). Results obtained showed that compressive strength of the concrete increased with increase in length of curing age, but decreased as the percentage of MG increased. However, the strength still remained in the allowable range of workability for concrete in line with British standard. MG replacement of 20% was found to be the most suitable mix considering the strength and safe use of the concrete. It was concluded that MG replacement of 20% showed no significant loss in strength compared to the control sample and is stable and could be acceptable in most concrete. At the long run. Waste glass that currently constitutes waste concern in built environment in Nigeria can best be managed through alternative use in concrete production

The Construct and Predictive Validity of Instruments Measuring the Psychosocial Correlates of Television Viewing

Background: Many studies have examined the consequences of prolonged television viewing, but few studies have examined the psychological states that contribute to this behavior. In this study, we evaluated the construct and predictive validity of psychosocial correlates of television viewing in a population of African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: AA BCS (N = 342, Mean age = 54 years) completed measures of decisional balance, self-efficacy, family support, and time spent watching television online. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was used to examine the construct and predictive validity as well as the differential item functioning of the instruments among population subgroups. Results: The construct validity of the measures was supported among subgroups. The scales were measuring the construct similarly among the education and body size groups, but not among age groups. Subsequent analysis indicated that pros (β = -0.19, P \u3c 0.05), cons (β = 0.18, P \u3c 0.05), and self-efficacy (β = -0.16, P \u3c 0.05) were significantly associated with time spent watching television. Conclusions: Minor modifications may be needed to support the validity and reliability of the decisional balance and self-efficacy subscales among older survivors. More studies are needed to modify these measures to establish sufficient levels of construct and predictive validity in this population

Improving Access to Community Health Resources

My capstone project included a collaborative effort between myself, community members, and local organizations to improve the accessibility of community health resources and health outcomes of community members. My approach included creating an accessible website in different languages to hold up-to-date community health resources and essential details regarding access. These resources can fall into the social determinants of health categories such as economic stability, education access, health care access, neighborhood and built environment social, and community context. This project was important in helping to prevent poor health outcomes, such as community members getting diagnosed with preventative chronic diseases, which can hurt the individual and the larger community by increasing healthcare costs and the doctor-to-patient ratio. Research has noted that health literacy can be the extent to which an individual can obtain, interpret, and comprehend a basic level of health information. Creating a centralized website to hold resources that are accurate and updated for community members while also addressing ways to improve accessibility and utilization works to benefit all stakeholders involved in this project

Accuracy and repeatability of wrist joint angles in boxing using an electromagnetic tracking system

© 2019, The Author(s). The hand-wrist region is reported as the most common injury site in boxing. Boxers are at risk due to the amount of wrist motions when impacting training equipment or their opponents, yet we know relatively little about these motions. This paper describes a new method for quantifying wrist motion in boxing using an electromagnetic tracking system. Surrogate testing procedure utilising a polyamide hand and forearm shape, and in vivo testing procedure utilising 29 elite boxers, were used to assess the accuracy and repeatability of the system. 2D kinematic analysis was used to calculate wrist angles using photogrammetry, whilst the data from the electromagnetic tracking system was processed with visual 3D software. The electromagnetic tracking system agreed with the video-based system (paired t tests) in both the surrogate ( 0.9). In the punch testing, for both repeated jab and hook shots, the electromagnetic tracking system showed good reliability (ICCs > 0.8) and substantial reliability (ICCs > 0.6) for flexion–extension and radial-ulnar deviation angles, respectively. The results indicate that wrist kinematics during punching activities can be measured using an electromagnetic tracking system

Influence of LAR and VAR on Para-Aminopyridine Antimalarials Targetting Haematin in Chloroquine-Resistance

Antimalarial chloroquine (CQ) prevents haematin detoxication when CQ-base concentrates in the acidic digestive vacuole through protonation of its p-aminopyridine (pAP) basic aro- matic nitrogen and sidechain diethyl-N. CQ export through the variant vacuolar membrane export channel, PFCRT, causes CQ-resistance in Plasmodium falciparum but 3-methyl CQ (sontochin SC), des-ethyl amodiaquine (DAQ) and bis 4-aminoquinoline piperaquine (PQ) are still active. This is determined by changes in drug accumulation ratios in parasite lipid (LAR) and in vacuolar water (VAR). Higher LAR may facilitate drug binding to and blocking PFCRT and also aid haematin in lipid to bind drug. LAR for CQ is only 8.3; VAR is 143,482. More hydrophobic SC has LAR 143; VAR remains 68,523. Similarly DAQ with a phenol sub- stituent has LAR of 40.8, with VAR 89,366. In PQ, basicity of each pAP is reduced by distal piperazine N, allowing very high LAR of 973,492, retaining VAR of 104,378. In another bis quinoline, dichlorquinazine (DCQ), also active but clinically unsatisfactory, each pAP retains basicity, being insulated by a 2-carbon chain from a proximal nitrogen of the single linking piperazine. While LAR of 15,488 is still high, the lowest estimate of VAR approaches 4.9 million. DCQ may be expected to be very highly lysosomotropic and therefore potentially hepatotoxic. In 11 pAP antimalarials a quadratic relationship between logLAR and logRe- sistance Index (RI) was confirmed, while log (LAR/VAR) vs logRI for 12 was linear. Both might be used to predict the utility of structural modifications

‘More Finance’ or ‘Better Finance’ in Output Growth Volatility Literature : Evidence from a Global Perspective

This paper extends the work of Beck et al. (2006, Financial intermediary development and growth volatility : Do intermediaries dampen or magnify shocks? Journal of International Money and Finance 25, 1146-1167) by expanding the measures of finance to capture the qualitative and efficiency nature of the financial sector, rather than measuring the size of the sector. The study used a large dataset for 71 countries covering the period 1999-2011 and relied on system-GMM estimates. It was found that “more finance” (i.e quantitative measures) indicators have strong evidence of dampening effect on output growth volatility, while the “better finance” (efficiency measures) indicators have weak evidence of output growth volatility reducing influence. The exact effect of both monetary and real shocks is mixed across the different measures of financial development. The interaction between financial development indicators and the two sources of shocks indicates that the output volatility reduction arising from the shock is enhanced in the presence of “better finance or qualitative finance”. This concretely reinforces the superior role of “better finance” in mobilizing, distributing and utilizing saving to mitigate against shocks within these economies. The results are robust to different checks and as a policy implication, the study advocates for reforms of the financial sector

Global financial cycles and exchange rate forecast:A factor analysis

This study applies portfolio balance theory in forecasting exchange rate. The study further argues for the need to account for the role of Global Financial Cycle (GFCy). As such, the first stage of the analysis is estimate a GFCy model and obtain the idiosyncratic shock. Next, we use the results in the first stage as a predictor for exchange rate. The study builds dataset for 20 advanced and emerging countries from 1990Q1-2017Q2. Among other things, there are three important results to note. First, our approach to forecast exchange rate is able to beat the benchmark random walk model. Second, the best prediction is made at short term forecasting horizons, i.e. 1 and 4 quarters forecast ahead. Third, the performance of the early sample size outweighs that of the late sample size

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia: Incidence, Microbiological Profile, And Measures Taken To Reduce

Background: One of the most common hospital acquired infection in intensive care units is&nbsp;ventilator- associated pneumonia (VAP). The reported incidences range greatly, from 5 to&nbsp;40%, depending upon the diagnostic criteria used and hospital setting. Extended periods of&nbsp;mechanical ventilation and lengthy ICU stays are linked to VAP. Ventilator associated&nbsp;pneumonia (VAP) accounts for 9-27% of mechanically ventilated patients.&nbsp;Aim and Objective: To measure the incidence of VAP, the implicated pathogens, and efficacy&nbsp;of measures taken to reduce the incidence of VAP in a Tertiary care Hospital.&nbsp;Material and methods: This was a combined retrospective and prospective active surveillance&nbsp;study carried out in a tertiary care setting in southern part of India over a period of four years.&nbsp;The study was performed in two phases. First phase was the assessment phase which was&nbsp;retrospective in nature while second phase was the intervention phase and was prospective in&nbsp;nature. In first phase CDC criteria were followed to identify VAP cases retrospectively from&nbsp;hospital data, lab reports and patient records (Hospital Information System [HIS]).&nbsp;In the second phase multiple interventional measures were applied including introducing&nbsp;services of the above three mentioned health care professionals and effect on VAP rate was&nbsp;studied thereafter.&nbsp;Results: In the present study the VAP rates in first phase were observed to be 12.83 per 1000&nbsp;ventilator days. Modifications in the VAP treatment protocol like implementing VAP care&nbsp;bundle, use of frequent subglottic aspiration/suctioning technique, early weaning protocols,&nbsp;titrated sedation and presence of a full time intensivist, daily microbiologist rounds and&nbsp;involvement of a dedicated HICC nurse helped in reduction of incidence to 7.39 per 1000&nbsp;ventilator days.&nbsp;Conclusion: A multi-speciality approach along with strict adherence to standard protocols&nbsp;revealed reduction in VAP rate (p &lt;0.001)