Ethanol regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors: genomic and nongenomic mechanisms

gamma-Aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that, predominantly, mediate inhibitory synaptic transmission in the CNS. These receptors are pentameric complexes that are comprised of subunits from several classes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, ), with each class consisting of several isoforms. Chronic ethanol consumption alters GABA(A) receptor function producing cellular tolerance to GABA and ethanol, cross-tolerance to benzodiazepines and barbiturates, and sensitization to inverse agonists. Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that GABA(A) receptors play an important role in ethanol dependence and functional properties of GABA(A) receptor are altered following chronic ethanol administration. However, the exact mechanisms that account for alterations in GABA(A) receptor function following chronic ethanol administration have not been resolved. The mechanisms responsible for adaptation of GABA(A) receptors to chronic ethanol exposure may involve ethanol-induced changes in cell surface expression, subcellular localization, synaptic localization, receptor phosphorylation, neurosteroids, and/or changes in GABA(A) receptor subunit composition. In this review, we provide an overview of recent data pertaining to mechanisms that could be responsible for altered properties and expression of GABA(A) receptors following chronic ethanol administration.     

Perinatal depression screening: a systematic review of recommendations from member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Archives of Women's Mental Health - Perinatal depression (PND) screening recommendations are made by national, state-based and professional organisations; however, there is disagreement...     

Health care providers' perceptions of family caregivers' involvement in consultations within a geriatric hospital setting

This study explored health professionals' (HPs') experiences of interacting with family care-givers (FCs), and the strategies they employ during these interactions. Qualitative methods involved audio-taped and transcribed in-depth semi-structured interviews with 21 HPs (doctors, nurses) from the geriatric wards of two tertiary hospitals. Framework methods were used to analyze data. Seven main themes emerged: Variation in family behaviours; FCs face many challenges; Psychosocial factors influence FCs' behaviours; Attitudes, competing responsibilities and lack of resources influencing HPs' strategies and behaviours; Strategies employed by HPs to improve communication; HPs' self-care strategies; Impact of interactions on HPs and the healthcare system. Inter-relationships between the themes were then integrated into a three-part model. This study offered insights into HPs' perspectives, experiences, and behaviours in geriatric consultations where FCs are present. Findings emphasised the need for HP training programs to improve communication and collaboration between HPs, patients, and FCs.     

Team Science,Population Health,and COVID-19: Lessons Learned Adapting a Population Health Research Team to COVID-19

Our multidisciplinary research team is composed of 6 faculty with expertise in internal medicine, nephrology, maternal/fetal medicine, health services research, statistics, and community-based research, and 36 program staff including biostatisticians, nurses, program coordinators, program assistants, and medical assistants/phlebotomists. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it was having on our community, especially the ethnic minority population in inner-city Milwaukee, we felt it was critical to stay engaged and figure out how to ask meaningful research questions that are important to the community, are relevant to the times, and will lead to lasting change. While navigating this unprecedented challenge, our research team made difficult decisions but were able to engage our staff and respond to community needs. We organized our lessons learned to serve as a perspective on how to effectively remain committed to vision and serve our communities, while collecting evidence that can inform policy in difficult times.

Our multidisciplinary research team is composed of 6 faculty with expertise in internal medicine, nephrology, maternal/fetal medicine, health services research, statistics, and community-based research and 36 program staff including biostatistician, nurses, program coordinators, program assistants, and medical assistants/phlebotomists. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it was having on our community, especially the ethnic minority population in inner-city Milwaukee, we felt it was critical to stay engaged and figure out how to ask meaningful research questions that are important to the community, relevant to the times, and will lead to lasting change.Our team’s work is focused on addressing health disparities among vulnerable populations including the elderly, racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, and low-income primarily in the Greater Milwaukee Metro Area of Wisconsin. Milwaukee is the most diverse city in Wisconsin and recently became a minority-majority city with 53% of city residents of racial/ethnic minority background.¹ It is also one of the most segregated cities in the USA, where community-based research focused on addressing the underlying causes of health disparities is greatly needed.^2–4 At the start of the year, we had 3 large NIH-funded R01s, 2 career development grants, 1 diversity supplement, and 3 large foundation-funded research projects with total community-based recruitment targeted across the studies at roughly 2000 participants.^5–7 To accomplish this, we ramped up hiring to have 36 staff including biostatisticians, nurses, program coordinators, program assistants, and medical assistants/phlebotomists.Then, COVID-19 hit with shelter-in-place orders, school system closures, and limitations on public gatherings.⁸ Our institution placed restrictions on social contact with participants, recruitment was halted, and study staff were moved out of the community and into remote work environments. We were faced with significant challenges in supporting our research and our staff. The economic downfall from COVID-19 resulted in record-breaking levels of unemployment and the predominantly minority and low-income populations we served needed support despite our limitations.⁹ While navigating this unprecedented challenge, our research team had to make difficult decisions but were able to engage our staff and respond to community needs. These are the lessons learned in the process: