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Native American youth endure a complex interplay of factors that portend greater risk-taking behaviors and contribute to marked health disparities experienced in adolescence. The Asdzáán Be'eená ("Female Pathways" in Navajo) program was developed as a primary prevention program to prevent substance use and teen pregnancy among Navajo girls. The Asdzáán Be'eená program consists of 11 lessons delivered to dyads of girls ages 8 to 11 years and their female caregivers. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact on risk and protective factors were assessed through a pre-/post study design. Data were collected from girls and their female caregivers at baseline, immediate, and 3 months postprogram completion. Forty-seven dyads enrolled in the study, and 36 completed the 3-month evaluation. At 3 months postprogram, girls reported significant increases in self-esteem, self-efficacy, parent-child relationship, social support, cultural, and sexual health knowledge. Caregivers reported increased family engagement in Navajo culture and parent-child communication and improved child functioning (fewer internalizing and externalizing behaviors). Findings suggest Asdzáán Be'eená has potential to break the cycle of substance use and teen pregnancy in Native communities by improving protective and reducing risk factors associated with these adverse health outcomes. Additional rigorous efficacy trials are necessary to establish program effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study which examined the effects of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The study is intended to prove the effectiveness of USPIO for the assessment of cellular myocardial inflammation after acute MI in humans. Based on the results, USPIO has potential for evaluating cellular myocardial inflammation and left ventricular remodelling.

The article presents a study which aimed to develop a safe method of labeling competent peripheral blood mononuclear cells using superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIO) and to evaluate its potential for magnetic resonance cell tracking in humans. The researchers used a phased-dosing study. They found that human peripheral mononuclear cells can be labeled with SPIO without affecting their efficacy and safe for magnetic resonance cell tracking.

The article discusses a study to determine whether the uptake of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO) can be used to find areas of cellular inflammation within the wall of the abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and whether it correlates with aneurysm growth rates. Patients from the outpatient aneurysm surveillance program at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh were recruited. It suggests that an evaluation of USPIO uptake with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to detect focal hotspots of inflammation in asymptomatic AAA.

The article presents a study that investigated the theory that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) short-term consumption delays the ventilatory threshold (V T) onset and increases uptake of maximal oxygen (VO 2max). Nineteen healthy adults were given EGCG or placebo pills which they took before every exercise testing. VO 2max and V T were determined using the calorimetry data gathered during their exercise testing. Results revealed that short-term consumption of EGCG increased VO 2max and had no effect on maximal cardiac output. The study concludes that short-term EGCG consumption increased VO 2max but did not affect maximal cardiac output, which suggests that it may increase arterial-venous oxygen difference.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a surgical sciences e-learning programme in supporting the academic development of surgical trainees during their preparation for professional examination., Background: In 2007, a 3-year online part-time Master of Surgical Sciences (MSc) degree programme was launched, utilizing an innovative platform with virtual case scenarios based on common surgical conditions addressed by the curriculum relating to the Membership Examination of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS). Multiple-choice questions with feedback and discussion boards facilitated by expert clinical tutors provided formative assessment. Summative assessment comprised written examination at the end of each of the first 2 years (equivalent to MRCS level), culminating in submission of a research dissertation in year 3 toward an MSc., Methods: Students' age, gender, and level at entry to the programme were documented. Anonymized student feedback from 2008 to 2012 was examined using online questionnaires, and performance in the MSc programme was compared to MRCS examination outcomes for students who had consented to release of their results., Results: A total of 517 surgical trainees from 40 countries were recruited over the 6-year period, and 116 MSc students have graduated to date. Of 368 students, 279 (76%) were foundation doctors (interns) and had not commenced formal surgical training on enrolling in the MSc programme. However, level at entry did not influence performance (P > 0.05 across all 3 years). Average pass rates since the programme launched, for those students completing all of the required assessments, were 84% ± 11% in year 1, 85% ± 10% in year 2, and 88% ± 7% in year 3 of the MSc programme. MSc students had significantly higher MRCS pass rates than nonenrolled trainees (67% vs 51%, P < 0.01, n = 352). There was a significant correlation between MRCS examination performance and overall performance in the MSc (R = 58%; P < 0.01, n = 37). Of 248 respondents, 202 (81%) considered that the MSc would improve their chances of gaining a surgical training post, and 224 (90%) would recommend the programme to their peers., Conclusions: The online MSc programme supports academic development of trainees in the early years of surgical training, is well received by students, and is associated with improved success in their professional examination.

Rationale: Reactive hyperemia (RH) in the forearm circulation is an important marker of cardiovascular health, yet the underlying vasodilator signaling pathways are controversial and thus remain unclear., Objective: We hypothesized that RH occurs via activation of inwardly rectifying potassium (KIR) channels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and is largely independent of the combined production of the endothelial autocoids nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins in young healthy humans., Methods and Results: In 24 (23±1 years) subjects, we performed RH trials by measuring forearm blood flow (FBF; venous occlusion plethysmography) after 5 minutes of arterial occlusion. In protocol 1, we studied 2 groups of 8 subjects and assessed RH in the following conditions. For group 1, we studied control (saline), KIR channel inhibition (BaCl2), combined inhibition of KIR channels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (BaCl2 and ouabain, respectively), and combined inhibition of KIR channels, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, NO, and prostaglandins (BaCl2, ouabain, L-NMMA [N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine] and ketorolac, respectively). Group 2 received ouabain rather than BaCl2 in the second trial. In protocol 2 (n=8), the following 3 RH trials were performed: control; L-NMMA plus ketorolac; and L-NMMA plus ketorolac plus BaCl2 plus ouabain. All infusions were intra-arterial (brachial). Compared with control, BaCl2 significantly reduced peak FBF (-50±6%; P<0.05), whereas ouabain and L-NMMA plus ketorolac did not. Total FBF (area under the curve) was attenuated by BaCl2 (-61±3%) and ouabain (-44±12%) alone, and this effect was enhanced when combined (-87±4%), nearly abolishing RH. L-NMMA plus ketorolac did not impact total RH FBF before or after administration of BaCl2 plus ouabain., Conclusions: Activation of KIR channels is the primary determinant of peak RH, whereas activation of both KIR channels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase explains nearly all of the total (AUC) RH in humans.

Purpose: Exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) is reported to occur in approximately 50% of highly trained male endurance athletes. Few studies have examined EIAH in women and the prevalence remains unclear. It has been reported that some female subjects who develop EIAH possess maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) values that are within 15% of their predicted value. This is unique to women, where EIAH has generally been reported in men who have a high VO2max. The primary objective of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of EIAH in a large female population with a wide range of VO2max values. It was hypothesized that EIAH would occur with a greater prevalence and at relatively lower predicted VO2max than that previously reported in males., Methods: Young women (N = 52; 26.5 +/- 4.9 yr) performed a cycle test to exhaustion to determine VO2max, and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2) was monitored via pulse oximetry. All subjects were tested during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. A >/= 4% drop in SaO2 represented EIAH., Results: Values for VO2max were variable (VO2max range: 28.0-61.3 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). EIAH was present in 67% of the women with N = 19 displaying mild EIAH (92-94%SaO2) and N = 16 displaying moderate EIAH (87-91%SaO2)., Conclusion: It appears that the prevalence of EIAH in women is slightly greater than the 50% prevalence value that is typically reported for highly fit men.