Facilitators and barriers to using a DeskCycle as a sedentary behavior intervention in the work environment.

Background: Sedentary behavior is a public health threat with extensive health burden on society. High levels of sedentary behavior have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Individuals working in desk-related occupations are more likely to be sedentary for most of the day.

The Effectiveness of the DeskCycle in Reducing Sedentary Behavior Among Female Office Workers.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the DeskCycle in reducing sedentary behavior among female office workers at an educational institution.

Methods: This was a randomized control trial with a crossover design (N = 80). The intervention was conducted in two 8-week phases and included the DeskCycle and an informational handout with benefits and suggestions about the frequency of use.

Evaluation of the Fast Prior Authorization Technology Highway.

Background: Prior authorization (PA) is a utilization management tool used by health plans and pharmacy benefit managers where the payer requires additional documentation from health care providers before authorization of payment for a medication or procedure. PA processes are hypothesized to be more efficient if electronic transmission is utilized instead of manual submission.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of electronic PA (ePA) on approval rate and time to decision and to assess health care provider perception of using ePA.

Wnt Signaling in Vascular Calcification.

Cardiovascular disease is a worldwide epidemic and considered the leading cause of death globally. Due to its high mortality rates, it is imperative to study the underlying causes and mechanisms of the disease. Vascular calcification, or the buildup of hydroxyapatite within the arterial wall, is one of the greatest contributors to cardiovascular disease.

Mechanisms of the Osteogenic Switch of Smooth Muscle Cells in Vascular Calcification: WNT Signaling, BMPs, Mechanotransduction, and EndMT.

Characterized by the hardening of arteries, vascular calcification is the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals in the arterial tissue. Calcification is now understood to be a cell-regulated process involving the phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells into osteoblast-like cells. There are various pathways of initiation and mechanisms behind vascular calcification, but this literature review highlights the wingless-related integration site (WNT) pathway, along with bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and mechanical strain.