The effects of resistance training in patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome

Clinical Rheumatology - Resistance training (RT) is well tolerated and has shown promise for decreasing fatigue. However, the effects of RT have never been examined in primary Sjogren’s...     

Body composition and newborn birthweight in pregnancies of adolescent and mature women

Teenage pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects for the mother and the newborn (NB). In order to compare body composition (BC) between adolescents (Ad) and mature women (MW) during pregnancy and to determine the difference in birthweight and perinatal morbidity, pregnant Ad (n = 40) and MW (n = 227) were studied. BC changes between the second and third trimesters were determined by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and birthweight and NB morbidity were evaluated. During the second and third trimesters of the pregnancy, fat mass was lower in the Ad group [16 kg (13–19)] than in the MW group [22 kg (17–27)] (P < 0.01; median and quartiles 1–3). Fat‐free mass increased by 3.09 kg (2.29–4.20) and 2.20 kg (1.0–3.59) (P ≤ 0.01), and total body water increased by 2.77 L (0.84–4.49) vs. 2.04 L (0.55–3.89) (P = 0.36), in the Ad and MW groups, respectively (median and quartiles 1–3). Birthweight was not significantly different between NBs of Ad (3223 ± 399 g) and NBs of MW (3312 ± 427 g, P = 0.22). The youngest Ad (<18 year old, n = 8) had NB with lower birthweight than MW (3031 ± 503 g, P = 0.06). NBs of Ad mothers showed a non‐significant trend towards a higher rate of morbidity relative to the NBs of MW. In conclusion, the BC of Ad differs from that of MW during pregnancy. In addition, the NB infants of Ad mothers tended to have a lower birthweight than those from MW, a result that suggests that the Ad should be in strict prenatal control.     

Cockroach allergens: Environmental distribution and relationship to disease

Cockroach allergy has been recognized as an important cause of asthma. Exposure to high levels of cockroach allergens in the home is a major risk factor for symptoms in sensitized individuals. Previously identified allergens from Blatella germanica and Periplaneta americana include Bla g 2 (inactive aspartic proteinase), Bla g 4 (calycin), Bla g 5 (glutathione-S-transferase), Bla g 6 (troponin), the Group 1 cross-reactive allergens Bla g 1 and Per a 1, Per a 3 (arylphorin), and Per a 7 (tropomyosin). The primary site of cockroach allergen accumulation is the kitchen. However, lower levels of allergen can be found in bedding, on the bedroom floor, and in sofa dust. Strategies for decreasing exposure to cockroach have been investigated. The results suggest that a sustained decrease in cockroach allergen levels is difficult to accomplish, even after successful extermination of cockroach populations. The use of recombinant cockroach allergens may lead to the development of new approaches to asthma treatment in the future.     

A straightforward method to produce decellularized dermis‐based matrices for tumour cell cultures

Decellularized matrices are steadily gaining popularity to study the biology of cells and tissues, as they represent a biomimetic environment in which cells can recapitulate certain behaviours that share similarities with those observed in vivo. Basically, biochemistry, microstructure and mechanics of the decellularized matrices are the most valuable properties that differentiate these culturing systems from conventional bidimensional models. Several procedures to decellularize tissues have been proposed so far, with the common aim to preserve the tissue chemical/physical properties of the original tissue. However, these processes are complex, time‐consuming and expensive. In this work, we propose a cost‐effective, easy‐to‐produce decellularized dermal matrix, derived from animal skin. The chemical/physical processes to obtain the matrices proved to not alter matrix structure and did not induce cytotoxicity issues. To test the validity of the decellularized matrices as a model to study the behaviour of tumour cells in vitro, we performed microstructural and mechanical investigations as well as cell proliferation assays. In particular, three different tumour cell lines were used, which proliferated and invaded the matrix with no additional treatments. Decellularized skin scaffold, presented in this work, could be a strong competitor for conventional 3D systems like synthetic porous scaffolds or hydrogels. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fostering interprofessional collaborative practice in acute care through an academic-practice partnership

An interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) environment was implemented in four inpatient acute care unit accountable care teams (ACT) through an academic-practice partnership. An action research methodology was implemented to empower healthcare professionals and promote ownership and sustainment of the IPCP strategies. Healthcare professionals on the ACT units, students, and faculty engaged in the multi-year project. Interventions included staff engagement exercises and coaching and support of individual ACT unit IPCP strategies and education. Healthcare professional outcome data were collected in the form of participant surveys, measuring collaboration about care decisions and the extent to which professionals engaged in a culture of safety, collected at baseline and 6-month intervals. Healthcare outcome measures of the ACT units were also collected at baseline and 6-month intervals. Students had clinical learning experiences in the IPCP settings and completed post clinical surveys. Implementation of the interventions resulted in a positive trend in the healthcare professionals, although statistical significance was not observed. Student outcome data demonstrated statistically significant positive learning outcomes. Healthcare outcome measures demonstrated a significant decrease in readmissions and an overall decrease in catheter-associated urinary tract infections over time. Other measures were not significantly impacted. In conclusion, an academic – practice partnership can strengthen and support an IPCP environment by allowing healthcare clinicians to be directly involved in the selection and implementation of IPCP strategies and contribute to improved professional, healthcare and student outcomes.