Effects of Customized Employment on the Independence of Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Participation in work during school is a known predictor of postsecondary employment for transition-age youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of work on skill development in major life domains. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of customized employment on the support needs of youth with IDD with a significant disability compared to those receiving treatment as usual.

Current Life Experiences in Veterans with Limb Loss: A Description of Survey Methods and Summary Results.

Purpose: To present the methods and summary findings of a nationwide survey on the current life experiences of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans with limb loss.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to Veterans with items covering sample demographics, summaries of health status, prosthesis usage and fit, employment experience, and use and satisfactions with support services and providers.

Results: 158 Veterans completed the survey.

The impact of competitive integrated employment on economic, psychological, and physical health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background: Although competitive integrated employment (CIE) has been established as a goal of employment research, policy, and practice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the secondary benefits of CIE are rarely discussed.

Aims: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesise research related to the association between CIE and improved economic, psychological health, and physical health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Materials & Methods: Our review searched peer-reviewed literature from seven electronic databases and screened 1110 peer-reviewed articles based on inclusion criteria established following PRISMA guidelines.

Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans with amputation: An exploration of resilience, employment and individual characteristics.

Background: Since 2002 approximately 1,700 US military service members have experienced trauma related amputations from injuries incurred in Afhanistan and Iraq (Fisher, 2015).

Objective: This study explores the variables of resilience, individual characteristics, and employment status of a sample of these Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and sustained an amputation.

Methods: Veterans identified through the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (N = 165) completed a survey on their experiences following amputation.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Facebook to impact the knowledge of evidence-based employment practices by individuals with traumatic brain injury: A knowledge translation random control study.

Background: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience difficulty with obtaining and maintaining employment post-injury. Although vocational rehabilitation (VR) can be one option to provide individuals with TBI support and services to lead to successful employment outcomes, information about these services can be difficult and confusing to navigate. Providing information on evidence-based employment practices to individuals with TBI through social media could be an effective approach.

Health benefits of herbs and spices: the past, the present, the future.

Unlabelled: Herbs and spices have a traditional history of use, with strong roles in cultural heritage, and in the appreciation of food and its links to health. Demonstrating the benefits of foods by scientific means remains a challenge, particularly when compared with standards applied for assessing pharmaceutical agents. Pharmaceuticals are small-molecular-weight compounds consumed in a purified and concentrated form.

Vocational outcomes for persons with severe physical disabilities: Design and implementation of workplace supports.

Clearly, the need for a skilled labor pool is great in today's economy. Yet, many people with significant disabilities are struggling to find jobs with the majority of them unemployed or underemployed [6]. There is a need to develop strategies that can effectively empower these individuals to become part of the nation's labor force.

Modulation of CD8 and CD3 by HIV or HIV antigens.

To investigate whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and HIV-1 antigens modulate surface and cytoplasmic CD8 or CD3, as well as CD4, we used cell permeabilization reagents, surface/cytoplasmic fluorescent staining, multiparameter flow cytometric techniques and an in vitro culture system in which relatively few lymphocytes are actively infected with HIV. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were: not stimulated, not stimulated but HIV-inoculated, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated, PHA/HIV-inoculated (PHA/HIV), or placed into media with soluble gp120, Rev or Nef. HIV inoculation and Nef had striking modulatory effects on CD8.

Mitogen-induced modulation of CD3, CD4, and CD8(1).

It is not clear whether CD3 contacts CD4 or CD8 directly, nor have the regulation and interregulation of expression of these three receptor molecules been determined. We explored these issues by first stimulating human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro with three well-characterized T-cell receptor-directed mitogens (phytohemagglutinin [PHA], concanavalin A [ConA], and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody [alphaCD3]) and then using multiparameter flow cytometric techniques to investigate modulation of surface (sur) and cytoplasmic (c) CD3, CD4, and CD8. Cultures with alphaCD3 had a rapid, large, and persistent decline in surCD3; the cCD3 median fluorescent intensity (MFI) declined gradually, over the entire culture period.

Short stature and delayed puberty in gymnasts: influence of selection bias on leg length and the duration of training on trunk length.

Background: Delays in bone age, the onset of puberty, and skeletal growth in gymnasts could be, in part, the reason for an interest in gymnastics, rather than being the result of vigorous exercise. We hypothesized that short stature and delayed bone age are present at the start of gymnastics, and training delays growth, producing short stature, even after retirement.

Methods: Sitting height and leg length were measured in 83 active female gymnasts, 42 retired gymnasts, and 154 healthy control subjects.

Increased expression of CD80 and CD86 in in vitro-infected CD3+ cells producing cytoplasmic HIV type 1 p24.

Determining the effects of HIV infection on the expression of cell surface molecules has been limited by an inability to differentiate between productively infected cells and those without productive infection. We inoculated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) antibody-negative donors with HIV; noninoculated cells were also examined. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, we differentiated cells actively producing HIV cytoplasmic p24 antigen during acute, in vitro HIV infection from those not producing detectable cytoplasmic p24.

Kawasaki disease and the T-cell antigen receptor.

We investigated the evidence for an infectious etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute vasculitis of unknown etiology, by assessing the effects of KD on the T cell antigen receptor variable beta region families (V beta). Using 3-color flow cytometry, we studied KD patients pre- and post-intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) therapy and at > 40 days post therapy, additionally comparing them to matched pediatric control patients (PCC) and their own healthy parents (one parent/KD child). Of all the V beta families examined, only V beta 2 exhibited statistically significant differences, between the pre- and post-IVIG samples and preIVIG and parent samples.

Immunoregulatory changes in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of unknown etiology, occurring in young children and treated with intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) to prevent significant cardiac morbidity and mortality. We studied KD patients pre- and post-IVIG therapy and at >40 days posttherapy, additionally comparing them with matched pediatric control patients and parents. Using three-color flow cytometry, we examined immune changes in KD, especially previously unassessed markers of T-lymphocyte activation, memory, and adhesion.

HIV antigens and T-cell receptor variable beta chain families.

The authors investigated whether the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has restrictive effects on the variable region of the beta chain (V beta) of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR), by in vitro cultivation of non-HIV-infected peripheral blood lymphocytes with one of six HIV antigens or heat-inactivated whole virus (HIV-HI). Resting and blastic CD4+ and CD8- cells were assessed with 3-colour cytofluorometry and monoclonal antibodies to various V beta families/subfamilies. The V beta families affected include V beta's 13.

The effects of mitogens, IL-2 and anti-CD3 antibody on the T-cell receptor V beta repertoire.

Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (Con A), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and monoclonal antibodies to CD3 (CD3MoAbs) are used for the assessment of the T-cell receptor (TCR) BV gene family expression in autoimmune disorders and multiple sclerosis, and to produce clones for assessment of cytokine profiles in progressive human immunodeficiency virus infection. The authors examined the effects of these stimulants on the TCR V beta repertoire of resting and blastic CD4+ and CD8+ normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes, using three-colour cytofluorometry and a panel of anti-TCR V beta monoclonal antibodies. IL-2 was associated with an increased percentage of blastic CD4+ cells expressing V beta 5.

Early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures in normal subjects and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Reconstruction from pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

Objective: To estimate early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures in normal subjects and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, and thus to assess the potential effect of restoring forces.

Methods: Early diastolic left ventricular inflow pressures were reconstructed using the ventricular blood as an accelerometer, by measuring velocity at 1 cm intervals within the left ventricle from mitral ring to apex by pulsed Doppler echocardiography, and differentiating the records to obtain the acceleration. Aortic component of second heart sound (A2) was used to fix relative timings.

Participation of the small molecular weight GTP-binding protein Rac1 in cell-free activation and assembly of the respiratory burst oxidase. Inhibition by a carboxyl-terminal Rac peptide.

NADPH-dependent superoxide generation was activated by anionic amphiphiles plus GTP gamma S in a cell-free system consisting of plasma membranes plus recombinant p47-phox, p67-phox, and the small GTP-binding protein Rac1. Rac1 was expressed in Escherichia coli both as the native form and as a mutant form (Rac1(C189S)) lacking the prenylation site. When preloaded with GTP gamma S, both Rac proteins supported activity to a level comparable to that seen using cytosol.

The respiratory burst oxidase of human neutrophils. Guanine nucleotides and arachidonate regulate the assembly of a multicomponent complex in a semirecombinant cell-free system.

We recently characterized a "semirecombinant" cell-free NADPH-oxidase system, comprised of plasma membrane plus the recombinant cytosolic proteins p47-phox and p67-phox, wherein superoxide generation was activated by an anionic amphiphile plus guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) (Uhlinger, D. J., Inge, K.

Reconstitution and characterization of the human neutrophil respiratory burst oxidase using recombinant p47-phox, p67-phox and plasma membrane.

Human neutrophil respiratory burst oxidase (NADPH-oxidase) activity can be reconstituted in a cell-free system consisting of plasma membrane, cytosol and an anionic amphiphile [e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or arachidonate].

Nutrition advice for athletes.

The authors discuss athletes' nutritional needs across a broad range of sports, and explain how the sports dietitian assists athletes with the practical aspects of sports nutrition. A general discussion of the various food components, their interactions and requirements, provides useful dietary information. The 'Guidelines for sensible weight loss programme' would be useful for most weight conscious patients.

Videocinematography of fresh and cryopreserved embryos: a retrospective analysis of embryonic morphology and implantation.

Eleven morphologic criteria were studied from videotapes of 323 fresh and 103 thawed embryos. The proportion of thawed embryos (30/39; 77%) with more than one abnormality was (P = 0.03) higher than that of fresh embryos (5/13; 38%), despite similar implantation rates (18% and 15%, respectively).

Duration of storage of cryopreserved human embryos.

The incidence of cell injury, embryo survival, and implantation following cryopreservation of zygotes and two- to five-cell embryos was studied in 100 patients in order to evaluate the effect of duration of storage. The incidence of individual cell survival was 58% regardless of the length of time kept in liquid nitrogen or the stage of the embryo at freezing. There were 104 of 208 (50%) thawed embryos that survived completely intact, and of those, 24 implanted successfully.

Localization and characterization of N-ethylmaleimide sensitive inhibitor(s) of thiol cathepsin activity from cultured nil and polyoma virus-transformed nil hamster cells.

Exposure of cultured Nil (a stable line of fibroblast cells from Syrian hamsters) or polyoma virus-transformed (PyNil) hamster fibroblasts to 0.5 mM N-ethylmaleimide for 5 minutes resulted in striking increases in thiol cathepsin activity in unfractionated cell-free lysates. The paradoxical increase in activity of the normally N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive cathepsins apparently occurred as the result of the protective compartmentalization of the cathepsins in the lysosomes (20,000 X g sedimented fraction) and the unprotected localization of an inhibitor(s) in the soluble cytoplasm (175,000 X g supernatant fraction).