Health survey research on children with physical disabilities in Canada

Knowledge about health behaviours of children with physicaldisabilities is important in health promotion efforts to preventthe development of secondary conditions. To this end, we discussthe feasibility of including children with physical disabilities,e.g. spina bifida and cerebral palsy, in mainstream children'shealth behaviour surveys, e.g. the international Health Behaviourof School-aged Children: A WHO Cross-national Survey (HBSC).Our findings showed that the survey questions about lifestyles,peers, family and schools were relevant to these children. However,recruitment of a representative sample and survey administrationrequired considerable adaptation to recommended protocol. Wepropose that for children with moderate or severe disabilities,who have low reading skills or motor problems, special substudieslinked to national health behaviour surveys should be carriedout. However, for a more population-based approach, the utilityof routinely including questions about physical disabilitiesand other health problems in national and international healthbehaviour surveys should be investigated.     

Age-related health risk behaviors of adolescents with physical disabilities

Objective: To investigate age-related differences in health risk behaviors in 11–12-, 13–14-, and 15–16-year-old adolescents with physical disabilities.Method: Health survey data from 319 adolescents with physical disabilities were compared with the same data from 7 020 adolescents in a national sample.     

Relationship between movement and aggregation of centrioles in syncytia and formation of microtubule bundles.

Previous reports from this laboratory have provided evidence suggesting that microtubules and 10-nm filaments serve both cytoskeletal and force-generating functions in the intracellular movement and positioning of nuclei in syncytia. It has been found that, during the process of cell fusion and nuclear migration in syncytia induced by the paramyxovirus simian virus 5, centrioles are transported in the cytoplasm and form large aggregates. These aggregates are usually found in regions adjacent to rows of aligned nuclei and large bundles of microtubules and 10-nm filaments. Colchicine prevents the translocation and aggregation of centrioles, but cytochalasin B has little effect on this process. These results suggest that the same cytoskeletal elements that are involved in nuclear migration and positioning--i.e., microtubules and 10-nm filaments--are also involved in the transport of centrioles. The possibility that aggregates of centrioles may serve as centers for the organization of microtubules and 10-nm filaments into the large bundles observed in the syncytia is discussed.     

Extended antiretroviral treatment interruption in HIV-infected patients with long-term suppression of plasma HIV RNA

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of extended treatment interruption (TI) in chronic HIV infection among patients successfully treated with antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: An observational analysis of 25 patients in a prospectively followed cohort with chronic HIV infection, viral loads <500 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL for at least 6 months, and an interruption in therapy of >/=28 days duration was carried out. Follow up was divided into 3-month time periods for analysis. The effects of time period, stratification group and stratification group by time period interactions on CD4 counts were tested using a mixed model. Univariate comparisons among patient characteristics and responses were performed using Fisher's exact test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: At initiation of TI, the median CD4 count was 799 cells/microL. TI duration was a median of 7.1 months. HIV RNA rebounded to a median maximum level of 75 000 copies/mL. Maximum viral rebound was significantly greater in patients who were male, had lipodystrophy and had zenith HIV RNA prior to TI of >/=50 000 copies/mL. Lower CD4 cell counts were observed during TI in patients with lipodystrophy, zenith HIV RNA >/=50 000 copies/mL, history of AIDS, HIV infection >/=5 years and presuppression CD4 count 相似文献   

Microtubules and microfilaments during cell spreading and colony formation in PK 15 epithelial cells.

We have studied the distribution of microtubules and microfilaments during the cell spreading and subsequent colony formation in PK 15 pig kidney epithelial cells using indirect immunofluorescence. During the cell spreading on a solid substratum, microtubules grew out from the region around the nucleus, and a collar of microfilament bundles formed around the cell periphery. Although virtually all well-spread cells showed a complex microtubular network, distinctly different patterns of stress fibers were observed. In small colonies, the most commonly observed pattern was a ring of microfilament bundles that appeared to be in register between adjacent cells and encircled the entire colony in a fashion similar to that seen in single cells. In large colonies (more than 50 cells), approximately 60% of the cells displayed clearly stained microfilament bundles, either at the cell periphery or throughout their cytoplasm, whereas in the remaining 40%, no microfilament bundles were observed and only the outline of the cells was delineated by interaction with anti-actin. Such "negative" cells were seen in groups alongside "positive" cells (i.e., cells possessing extensive stress fiber networks) within the same colony. Independent of their stress fiber phenotype, all cells maintained a flattened shape and an extensive network of microtubules. We suggest that dense microfilament bundles are not a uniform feature of well-spread PI 15 cells in culture and that a loss of microfilament bundle occurs in some cells.     

Association of F11 polymorphism rs2289252 with deep vein thrombosis and related phenotypes in population of Latvia

Introduction

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has a strong inherited predisposition that is partly explained by the strong genetic risk factors such as mutations in factor V, prothrombin, antithrombin III, protein C and S genes. Only recently the first GWAS have been performed on DVT resulting in discovery of novel genetic variants, however, the information on the common polymorphisms predisposing to the risk of DVT is still scarce.

Materials and Methods

Here we selected six SNPs (rs5361 in SELE, rs2066865 in FGG, rs2227589 in SERPINC1, rs1613662 in GP6, rs13146272 in CYP4V2, rs2289252 in F11) reported to be associated with venous thrombosis conditions and studied the association of these common variants in selected case (n = 177) and control (n = 235) groups from population of Latvia. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan hybridization probe SNP genotyping assay.

Results

Patients with DVT had a significantly higher frequency of F11 rs2289252 polymorphism (p = 0.001; OR [95%CI] = 1.61 [1.20-2.14]). When stratified by recurrence of DVT the tendency was observed that the same SNP had higher OR value in group of DVT patients with repeated episodes of DVT compared to patients with single DVT episode (p = 0.009; OR [95%CI] = 2.27[1.22-4.21] and p = 0.009; OR [95%CI] = 1.52[1.11-2.08] respectively), but due to limited group of cases this finding should be replicated.

Conclusion

We conclude that F11 gene variant rs2289252 contribute to inherited forms of DVT incidence and correlation of other analysed SNPs should be explored in populations with greater sample size and associated with various thrombosis related traits.     

Effects of steric encumbrance of iridium(iii) complex core on performance of solution-processed organic light emitting diodes

Iridium(iii) complexes are the most frequently applied commercialized green and red emitters for organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays. Throughout years a significant research effort has been devoted to modify these compounds, in order to make them suitable for cost-effective solution-processing techniques, such as inkjet printing. To achieve this, the inherent tendency of the complex molecules to form poorly emissive aggregates needs to be suppressed. In many cases this has been achieved by an encapsulation of the iridium(iii) complex core with dendritic structures, composed of either passive or charge-transporting fragments. In order to validate this approach, we acquired three structural analogues of the conventional green emitter Ir(ppy)₃, which possess gradually increasing sterical encumberment at the complex surface. Corresponding OLEDs were examined, with three distinctively different active emissive layer compositions in terms of charge transportation characteristics. The results show that in the all scenarios the unmodified Ir(ppy)₃ outperforms the compounds with attached bulky groups. The in-device performance of the emitter is directly related to its charge trapping ability, which is being compromised in the presence of dendritic auxiliary substituents.

Attachment of bulky groups to the surface of irdium(iii) complex core obstructs its charge trapping ability and reduces OLED performance.     

Caring for the terminally ill: experiences of Latvian family caregivers

AIM: To increase understanding of the experiences and needs of family caregivers of terminally ill persons in Latvia. BACKGROUND: Latvia has high death rates from cardiovascular disease and cancer, and families care for the terminally ill with little preparation and support. Health professionals also have little preparation in supporting these patients and families at the end of life. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in the summer of 2004 in Latvia. Data collection was by semi-structured interviews with caregivers (n=18) whose care recipients died at least 1 year previously. FINDINGS: The caregiver narratives addressed experiences that paralleled the trajectory of the patient's illness: the disruption of normal life patterns; taking on the caregiver role; establishing new patterns and learning role competencies; engaging in preparation for dying; and the gains and losses of the caregiving experience as seen in retrospect. CONCLUSIONS: The caregiver narratives suggested a need for more education in practical caregiving; access to patient care equipment and supplies; and a need for ongoing support and guidance by knowledgeable medical personnel during caregiving.