Associations between Cord Blood Leptin Levels and Childhood Adiposity Differ by Sex and Age at Adiposity Assessment.

Lower cord blood leptin levels have been associated with lower and higher adiposity in childhood and associations seem to differ according to the child’s age, methods of adiposity assessment and sex. Our aim was to investigate sex-specific associations of cord blood leptinemia with childhood adiposity at birth, 3 and 5 years of age. We measured cord blood leptin using Luminex immunoassays in 520 offspring from the Gen3G cohort.

Associations of maternal insulin sensitivity during pregnancy with childhood central adiposity in the Genetics of Glucose regulation in Gestation and Growth (Gen3G) cohort.

Background: Childhood obesity has been associated with prenatal exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia, but we lack understanding about maternal insulin physiologic components that contribute to this association.

Objectives: Evaluate the association between maternal insulin sensitivity during pregnancy and adiposity measures in childhood.

Methods: In 422 mother-child pairs, we tested associations between maternal insulin sensitivity measures at ~26 weeks of pregnancy and child adiposity measures, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition and anthropometry (body mass index and waist circumference) at ~5 years.

Maternal glucose in pregnancy is associated with child's adiposity and leptin at 5 years of age.

Background: Exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia in pregnancy has been associated with childhood obesity. Leptin regulation might be involved in this 'adiposity programming' and may depend on timing of exposure.

Objectives: To investigate associations of maternal glycaemia at different periods in pregnancy with childhood adiposity and leptin levels at 5 years of age.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor mediates the excitation of preoptic GABAergic neurons by bombesin.

Bombesin, a pan agonist of the bombesin-like peptide receptor family, elicits potent hypothermia when applied centrally. The signaling mechanisms involved are not known. Here we report that GABAergic preoptic neurons express gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors and are directly excited by GRP or bombesin.

Arsenic inhibits mast cell degranulation via suppression of early tyrosine phosphorylation events.

Exposure to arsenic is a global health concern. We previously documented an inhibitory effect of inorganic Arsenite on IgE-mediated degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells (Hutchinson et al., 2011; J.

Health and Functioning in Grandparents After a Young Grandchild's Death.

This cross-sectional study examined the physical and mental health, grief and role functioning of 136 grandparents in the first year after death of their young grandchild (newborn through 6 years). Grandparents were 36-77 years old; 73% female; 24% Hispanic, 38% Black/African American, and 38% White. Mean age of the 115 deceased grandchildren was 12.

Dissecting a role of evolutionary-conserved but noncritical disulfide bridges in cysteine-rich peptides using ω-conotoxin GVIA and its selenocysteine analogs.

Conotoxins comprise a large group of peptidic neurotoxins that use diverse disulfide-rich scaffolds. Each scaffold is determined by an evolutionarily conserved pattern of cysteine residues. Although many structure-activity relationship studies confirm the functional and structural importance of disulfide crosslinks, there is growing evidence that not all disulfide bridges are critical in maintaining activities of conotoxins.

Acculturation and health status among Hispanic American elders.

Purpose: Hispanic Americans are at risk for health-related problems. Disparities in diseases such as diabetes and obesity, poor access to health services, and lack of health insurance have placed Hispanic Americans at a disadvantage. Sociocultural factors such as acculturation and its relationship to health require further investigation.

Transitin is required for the differentiation of avian QM7 myoblasts into myotubes.

Transitin is a nestin-like intermediate filament protein co-expressed with vimentin in the precursor cells of the myogenic and neurogenic lineages of the avian embryo. To understand its role in myogenesis, stable cell lines expressing transitin-targeted siRNAs were derived from the quail muscle cell line QM7. When cells were cultured in differentiation medium, we found that transitin knockdown prevented myoblast fusion and myotube formation.

Innovative strategies for incorporating gerontology into BSN curricula.

To prepare nurses in providing competent care to older adults, schools of nursing at the Otterbein College and the Florida International University, supported by American Association of Colleges of Nursing/John A. Hartford Foundation, developed innovative strategies for incorporation of gerontological content into their BSN curricula. Both nursing programs integrated these innovative gerontological learning experiences into sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level baccalaureate courses; developed independent gerontology courses, including online courses; supported the development of faculty expertise and sensitivity in elder care; and established new and/or enhanced existing community partnerships.

APN-physician collaboration in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies.

Purpose: To examine: (a) frequency and focus of APN-physician collaborations in a clinical trial in which half of physician prenatal care for women with high-risk pregnancies was substituted with APN prenatal care delivered in women's homes; and (b) characteristics of women requiring greater numbers of collaborations.

Design And Methods: Descriptive study with secondary analysis of data from 83 of the original trial's 85 intervention participants followed by APNs prenatally through 8 weeks postpartum. APN practices, recorded in logs, included APN interactions with the women and the physician, and type of APN contact (e.

Driving and dementia: a review of the literature.

In North American society driving is closely linked with independence. Unfortunately, the freedom to operate a motor vehicle may be lost when an individual develops a specific medical diagnosis. The complex issue of dementia and driving safety is frequently encountered by health care professionals.

Nurses' perceptions: when is it a medication error?

This study investigates nurses' perceptions of medication errors and appropriate reporting. Results of the study suggest that nurses may not report because of fear of reprisal. Further, there may be a need to allow for nursing judgment in some instances; at those time, the term "medication error" may not be the most appropriate.

Cultural diversity in Florida nursing programs: a survey of deans and directors.

To determine how nursing programs in the state of Florida promote and integrate cultural diversity, a survey of deans and directors was conducted. Of 90 deans and directors surveyed, 46 (51%) responded. The ethnic composition of students and faculty in the respondents' programs was examined in comparison with that of the Florida population.

Learning style as a predictor of drug dosage calculation ability.

This study measured the learning style in mathematics of nursing students to determine if there was a correlation with their ability to calculate drug dosages. The results seem to indicate that instructors can improve the ability of their students to calculate drug dosages by integrating instructional methods that 1) reinforce the student's preferred learning style; and 2) require the student to use both sequential, step-by-step, paper and pencil processing and global, all-at-once mental processing.

Drug calculation errors of baccalaureate nursing students.

Most researchers who study the dosage calculation skills of nursing students have looked at the mathematical or computational ability of the students. The authors report findings from a study that analyzed the dosage calculation errors of nursing students from conceptual, mathematical, and measurement perspectives.

Models for leadership development.

With the current emphasis on developing nursing leaders, many developing countries are looking outside for a broader perspective and expertise upon which they can proceed with continuing education and higher-learning programmes for nurses. The possibilities are vast, yet not all models are appropriate for all countries. Nurses and educational institutions are thus constantly on the lookout for the answer to fit their particular needs.

Toxic effect of cysteine against Salmonella typhimurium.

Cysteine was shown to be toxic to Salmonella typhimurium. The mechanism of this toxicity may be due, at least in part, to cysteine's ability to cause deoxyribonucleic acid strand scissions.