What is and isn’t working: Factors involved in sustaining community‐based health and participation initiatives for people ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities

As people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) age, it is important that I/DD agencies are prepared to support healthy ageing in homes and in communities. This study explored supports and barriers to sustaining community‐based health and participation initiatives (CBHPI) for people ageing with I/DD living in group homes managed by agencies. The study utilized interviews and photovoice with 70 participants—35 individuals with I/DD and 35 management/direct support agency staff. Data were analysed through content analysis and triangulation of data where five themes emerged: Agency values and policies related to healthy ageing; resources and staff competencies; communication between management and staff; community/university partnerships; and peer relations. Findings show that I/DD agencies and people with I/DD value CBHPI, but they find them difficult to sustain due to limited resources and lack of training specific to ageing with I/DD. Conducting system‐level research within I/DD agencies to include first‐person accounts of people with I/DD, staff and management provides insight on how to effectively support the needs of people with I/DD to improve their health and community participation as they age.     

Two novel SNPs in the promoter region of PKR gene in hepatitis C patients and their impact on disease outcome and response to treatment

Background and study aims

The double-stranded RNA dependent protein kinase (PKR) plays a vital role in the immune system. During HCV infection, PKR has antiviral effect by inhibition of protein synthesis of the HCV. The functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PKR promoter region might have a relation to HCV disease outcome and response to treatment. The objective of the present work was threefold. First, it proposed an optimized protocol for PCR amplification of PKR promoter. Second, it screened the promoter region of PKR gene in HCV Egyptian patients to detect the possible SNPs’ function. Third, to study the association between the detected SNPs and the response to treatment.

Distribution of casein mRNA between free and membrane-bound polysomes during induction of lactogenesis in the rabbit

The presence of casein mRNA in free and membrane-bound polysomes was estimated during lactogenesis induced by prolactin injected into pseudopregnant rabbits and during the course of pregnancy. Casein mRNA was visualized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after isolation by poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography and quantified by hybridization with its complementary DNA. Synthesis of casein by both kinds of polysomes was evaluated by translation in a cell-free system followed by immunoprecipitation of the casein synthesized. The presence of nascent casein chains in polysomes was determined by their capacity to bind I¹²⁵I] anti-casein. The ability of tissue to secrete casein was estimated by immunoprecipitation of the labelled casein in the medium during incubation of mammary explants with [¹⁴C] aminoacids.The concentration of casein mRNA was always higher in membrane-bound than in free polysomes. Prolactin increased simultaneously the concentration in both types of polysomes. In the lactating rabbit, about 95% and 5% of total polysomal casein mRNA was found in membrane-bound and in free polysomes respectively. In the pseudopregnant rabbit, before prolactin treatment, these values were 65% and 35%. Under the action of prolactin, this proportion was progressively shifted; after 4 days treatment, the balance observed at lactation was reached. The capacity of the tissue to secrete casein was induced more slowly than casein synthesis itself.     

Adopting,manipulating, transforming: Tactics used by gender practitioners in South African NGOs to translate international gender policies into local practice

This paper looks at what is lost and gained through the process of translating international policy from a global to a local space. It does this by sharing results from a multisite ethnographic study of gender practices in foreign-funded South African health organisations. This study identifies a number of tactics used by practitioners to deal with the funding constraints and unique knowledge systems that characterise local spaces, including: using policy to appeal to donors; merging gender with better resourced programmes; and redirecting funding allocations. These tactics point to how practitioners are adopting, manipulating and transforming international policies in order to suit their everyday working realities.     

Implementing a Knowledge Translation Intervention in Long-Term Care: Feasibility Results From the Vitamin D and Osteoporosis Study (ViDOS)

ObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility of implementing an interdisciplinary, multifaceted knowledge translation intervention within long-term care (LTC) and to identify any challenges that should be considered in designing future studies.DesignCluster randomized controlled trial.SettingForty LTC homes across the province of Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsLTC teams composed of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other staff.MeasurementsCluster-level feasibility measures, including recruitment, retention, data completion, and participation in the intervention. A process evaluation was completed by directors of care indicating which process/policy changes had been implemented.ResultsRecruitment and retention rates were 22% and 63%, respectively. Good fidelity with the intervention was achieved, including attendance at educational meetings. After ViDOS, 7 process indicators were being newly implemented by more than 50% of active intervention homes.ConclusionDespite recruitment and retention challenges, the multifaceted intervention produced a number of policy/process changes and had good intervention fidelity. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01398527.     

中文科技期刊英文编辑中“回译”应用——以《环境与职业医学》杂志为例

是国外科研人员了解中国科研成果最快捷的途径,英文摘要是否符合语法规范和准确传达原文信息直接影响文章的可读性和被引率。鉴于我国学术期刊英文摘要语言和编校质量较差的现状,本文探讨＂回译＂——一种在国际翻译实践中采用的方法,在中国科技期刊英文编辑中的应用,并通过《环境与职业医学》杂志编辑过程中的实例,分析回译的作用：查漏补缺,明确句子结构,提示表达差异,准确传达原文的信息,梳理中文表达。     

Long non-coding RNAs in development and disease: conservation to mechanisms

Our genomes contain the blueprint of what makes us human and many indications as to why we develop disease. Until the last 10 years, most studies had focussed on protein-coding genes, more specifically DNA sequences coding for proteins. However, this represents less than 5% of our genomes. The other 95% is referred to as the ‘dark matter’ of our genomes, our understanding of which is extremely limited. Part of this ‘dark matter’ includes regions that give rise to RNAs that do not code for proteins. A subset of these non-coding RNAs are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which in particular are beginning to be dissected and their importance to human health revealed. To improve our understanding and treatment of disease it is vital that we understand the molecular and cellular function of lncRNAs, and how their misregulation can contribute to disease. It is not yet clear what proportion of lncRNAs is actually functional; conservation during evolution is being used to understand the biological importance of lncRNA. Here, we present key themes within the field of lncRNAs, emphasising the importance of their roles in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of cells, as well as patterns in their modes of action. We discuss their potential functions in development and disease using examples where we have the greatest understanding. Finally, we emphasise why lncRNAs can serve as biomarkers and discuss their emerging potential for therapy. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.     

Development of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms‐Japanese version: Pilot study

There is currently no reliable and valid multidimensional instrument for measuring psychological symptoms among Japanese university students. The purpose of this pilot study was to translate the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms‐62 (CCAPS‐62) into Japanese and evaluate its validity and reliability. Following robust translation procedures, the CCAPS‐Japanese was created. In the validation study, 2,758 undergraduate students from 11 universities (mean age = 19.08 ± 1.85 years) completed the CCAPS‐Japanese. The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the theoretical eight‐factor structure model of the CCAPS‐Japanese with the exclusion of seven items. The decision to retain/remove items was made by evaluating factor loadings and model fit indices while considering cultural equivalence and structural validity. Using the finalized 55‐item CCAPS‐Japanese, further analyses demonstrated that the eight subscales had acceptable to good internal consistencies (α = .61–.89). Thus, the tool's validity and reliability were established. The CCAPS‐Japanese may be appropriate for assessing the psychological concerns of Japanese university students.