Research Spotlight

Dixon-Ibarra, A., S. Driver, M. Nery-Hurwit and H. VanVolkenburg (2017). “Qualitative evaluation of a physical activity health promotion programme for people with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting.” J Appl Res Intellect Disabil: 2017 Aug [Epub ahead of print].

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BACKGROUND: There is a lack of health promotion programming designed to change the physical activity environment of the group home setting. The Menu-Choice programme assists staff in creating physical activity goals alongside residents with intellectual disabilities and provides strategies to incorporate activity into the group home schedule. The purpose of this study was to complete a process evaluation of Menu-Choice utilizing qualitative methods. METHODS: Twelve participants, who completed a 10-week pilot intervention (n = 7 staff, mean age 42; n = 5 residents, mean age 52), participated in face-to-face interviews. Participants represented five group home sites involved in the intervention. RESULTS: Meta-themes included: (i) Programme training, (ii) Programme implementation, (iii) Programme physical activity, (iv) Programme barriers, (v) Programme facilitators and (vi) Programme feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in programme training and simplified programme materials are needed to accommodate identified barriers for implementation. The importance of obtaining increased agency support and policy change is highlighted.

Keller, D. S., H. M. Joshi, M. Rodriguez-Justo, D. Walsh, J. C. Coffey and M. Chand (2017). “Using fluorescence lymphangiography to define the ileocolic mesentery: Proof of concept for the watershed area using real-time imaging.” Tech Coloproctol: 2017 Aug [Epub ahead of print].

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Recent advances in mesenteric science have demonstrated that the mesentery is a continuous structure with a ‘watershed’ area at the mesenteric apex between the right colon and terminal ileum, where lymphatic flow can proceed either proximally or distally. With this new understanding of the anatomy, functional features are emerging, which can have an impact on surgical management. Fluorescence lymphangiography or lymphoscintigraphy with indocyanine green allows real-time visualization of lymphatic channels, which highlights sentinel lymph nodes and may facilitate identification of the ideal margins for mesenteric lymphadenectomy during bowel resection for colon cancer. By using this novel technology, it is possible to demonstrate a watershed area in the ileocolic region and may facilitate more precise mesenteric dissection. In the present study, we provide proof of concept for the ileocolic watershed area using fluorescence lymphangiography.

Zhou, K., M. A. Spillman, K. Behbakht, J. M. Komatsu, J. E. Abrahante, D. Hicks, B. Schotl, E. Odean, K. L. Jones, M. W. Graner and L. T. Bemis (2017). “A method for extracting and characterizing rna from urine: For downstream pcr and rnaseq analysis.” Anal Biochem 536: 8-15.

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Readily accessible samples such as urine or blood are seemingly ideal for differentiating and stratifying patients; however, it has proven a daunting task to identify reliable biomarkers in such samples. Noncoding RNA holds great promise as a source of biomarkers distinguishing physiologic wellbeing or illness. Current methods to isolate and characterize RNA molecules in urine are limited. In this proof of concept study, we present a method to extract and identify small noncoding RNAs in urine. Initially, quantitative reverse transcription PCR was applied to confirm the presence of microRNAs in total RNA extracted from urine. Once the presence of micro RNA in urine was confirmed, we developed a method to scale up RNA extraction to provide adequate amounts of RNA for next generation sequence analysis. The method described in this study is applicable to detecting a broad range of small noncoding RNAs in urine; thus, they have wide applicability for health and disease analyses.

Trotter, J. F. (2017). “Controversies in liver transplantation: A new series for the journal.” Liver Transpl: 2017 Aug [Epub ahead of print].

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Controversy is synonymous with liver transplantation where the stakes are high and the resources, in terms of donors, are limited. Much of the debate surrounds disputes about the best application of new medications and procedures in this field which has rapidly evolved over the past few decades. The outcomes of liver transplant recipients have vastly improved over the years through medical advances including improved surgical techniques, effective antimicrobial therapy, and more efficacious immunosuppression.

Wolford, L. M. (2017). “Understanding tmj reactive arthritis.” Cranio 35(5): 274-275.

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There are many different joint pathologies that can affect the TMJ patient. One of the most common of these conditions, but least understood, is reactive arthritis (ReA). ReA, or seronegative spondyloarthropathy, is an inflammatory disease in joints usually caused by venereal and respiratory bacteria. ReA commonly develops in the mid teens through the 4th decade, predominately in females, and can cause TMJ pain, arthritis, and condylar resorption. Systemic symptoms of ReA may include joint pain, fever, fatigue, back pain, degenerative joint disease, polyarthritis, and dysfunction of the immune system. The most common bacteria that cause ReA are from 2 genera: Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. The specific species include C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, M. genitalium, M. pneumoniae, and M. fermentans [1–5].