Race and gender disparities in preventive health activity engagement of older adults in the southeastern United States.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine preventive-health-activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults participating in student-led health screenings in east Alabama. From 2017-2019, health professions students conducted health screenings at 23 community and independent living sites to assess medical and social needs of adults. Clients' responses to questions regarding vaccinations (flu/pneumonia/shingles), cancer screenings (colon/sex-specific), and other (dental/vision) screenings were aggregated to create a preventive health behavior (prevmed) score. Chi-square, t-tests, and regression analyses were conducted. Data from 464 adults ages 50-99 (72.9±10.1) years old were analyzed. The sample was 71.3% female, 63.1% Black/African American (BA), and 33.4% rural. Linear regression indicated BA race (p=0.001), currently unmarried (p=0.030), no primary care provider (p<0.001) or insurance (p=0.010), age <65 years (p=0.042) and assessment at a residential site (p=0.037) predicted lower prevmed scores. Social factors predict preventive health activity engagement in community-dwelling adults in east Alabama, indicating several opportunities to improve health outcomes.

Anti-GM-CSF otilimab versus sarilumab or placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to targeted therapies: a phase III randomised trial (contRAst 3).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of otilimab, an anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to conventional synthetic (cs) and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or Janus kinase inhibitors. METHODS: ContRAst 3 was a 24-week, phase III, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Patients received subcutaneous otilimab (90/150 mg once weekly), subcutaneous sarilumab (200 mg every 2 weeks) or placebo for 12 weeks, in addition to csDMARDs. Patients receiving placebo were switched to active interventions at week 12 and treatment continued to week 24. The primary end point was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology ≥20% response (ACR20) at week 12. RESULTS: Overall, 549 patients received treatment. At week 12, there was no significant difference in the proportion of ACR20 responders with otilimab 90 mg and 150 mg versus placebo (45% (p=0.2868) and 51% (p=0.0596) vs 38%, respectively). There were no significant differences in Clinical Disease Activity Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, pain Visual Analogue Scale or Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores with otilimab versus placebo at week 12. Sarilumab demonstrated superiority to otilimab in ACR20 response and secondary end points. The incidence of adverse or serious adverse events was similar across treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Otilimab demonstrated an acceptable safety profile but failed to achieve the primary end point of ACR20 and improve secondary end points versus placebo or demonstrate non-inferiority to sarilumab in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04134728.

Anti-GM-CSF otilimab versus tofacitinib or placebo in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to conventional or biologic DMARDs: two phase 3 randomised trials (contRAst 1 and contRAst 2).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of otilimab, an antigranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Two phase 3, double-blind randomised controlled trials including patients with inadequate responses to methotrexate (contRAst 1) or conventional synthetic/biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cs/bDMARDs; contRAst 2). Patients received background csDMARDs. Through a testing hierarchy, subcutaneous otilimab (90/150 mg once weekly) was compared with placebo for week 12 endpoints (after which, patients receiving placebo switched to active interventions) or oral tofacitinib (5 mg two times per day) for week 24 endpoints. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology response ≥20% (ACR20) at week 12. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat populations comprised 1537 (contRAst 1) and 1625 (contRAst 2) patients. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: proportions of ACR20 responders were statistically significantly greater with otilimab 90 mg and 150 mg vs placebo in contRAst 1 (54.7% (p=0.0023) and 50.9% (p=0.0362) vs 41.7%) and contRAst 2 (54.9% (p<0.0001) and 54.5% (p<0.0001) vs 32.5%). Secondary endpoints: in both trials, compared with placebo, otilimab increased the proportion of Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) low disease activity (LDA) responders (not significant for otilimab 150 mg in contRAst 1), and reduced Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores. Benefits with tofacitinib were consistently greater than with otilimab across multiple endpoints. Safety outcomes were similar across treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although otilimab demonstrated superiority to placebo in ACR20, CDAI LDA and HAQ-DI, improved symptoms, and had an acceptable safety profile, it was inferior to tofacitinib. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: NCT03980483, NCT03970837.

Using Large-Group Simulation Incorporating a Variety of Media Formats in Innovating Interprofessional Education.

ABSTRACT: Innovative teaching strategies incorporated into curricula can prepare students for interprofessional practice and have a positive impact on patient outcomes and team dynamics in health care. Our team of faculty from nursing, social work, and pharmacy developed and implemented an activity using simulation in the large classroom to improve students' perceptions of working in interprofessional teams. Effectiveness was assessed using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey with a pretest-posttest design. Our experience indicated that this teaching approach can be an effective strategy for maximizing resources and providing meaningful interprofessional student experiences.

Effectiveness of a brief group behavioural intervention on psychological distress in young adolescent Syrian refugees: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Millions of young adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) affected by humanitarian crises experience elevated rates of poor mental health. There is a need for scalable programs that can improve the mental health of young adolescents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a nonspecialist delivered group-based intervention (Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE)) to improve young adolescents' mental health. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this single-blind, parallel, controlled trial, Syrian refugees aged 10 to 14 years in Jordan were identified through screening of psychological distress as defined by scores ≥15 on the Paediatric Symptom Scale. Participants were randomised to either EASE or enhanced usual care (EUC) involving referral to local psychosocial services (on a 1:1.6 ratio). Participants were aware of treatment allocation but assessors were blinded. Primary outcomes were scores on the Paediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC; internalising, externalising, and attentional difficulty scales) assessed at week 0, 9 weeks, and 3 months after treatment (primary outcome time point). It was hypothesised that EASE would result in greater reductions on internalising symptoms than EUC. Secondary outcomes were depression, posttraumatic stress, well-being, functioning, school belongingness, and caregivers' parenting and mental health. Between June 2019 and January 2020, 1,842 young adolescent refugees were screened for eligibility on the basis of psychological distress. There were 520 adolescents (28.2%) who screened positive, of whom 471 (90.6%) agreed to enter the trial. Overall, 185 were assigned to EASE and 286 to EUC, and 169 and 254 were retained at 3 months for EASE and EUC, respectively. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that at 3 months, EASE resulted in greater reduction on the PSC-internalising scale than EUC (estimated mean difference 0.69, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.19; p = 0.007; effect size, 0.38) but there were no differences for PSC-externalising (estimated mean difference 0.24, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.91; p = 0.49; effect size, -0.10), PSC-attentional problem (estimated mean difference -0.01, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.54; p = 0.97; effect size, -0.01) scores, or on depression, posttraumatic stress, well-being, functioning, or school belongingness. Relative to EUC, caregivers in EASE had less psychological distress (estimated mean difference 1.95, 95% CI 0.71 to 3.19; p = 0.002) and inconsistent disciplinary parenting (mean difference 1.54, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.05; p < 0.001). Secondary analyses that (a) focused on adolescents with probable internalising disorders; (b) completed the 3-month assessment; and (c) controlled for trauma exposure did not alter the primary results. Mediation analysis indicated that for caregivers in the EASE condition, reduction in inconsistent disciplinary parenting was associated with reduced attentional (ß = 0.11, SE 0.07; 95% CI 0.003, 0.274) and internalising (ß = 0.11, SE 0.07; 95% CI 0.003, 0.274) problems in their children. No adverse events were attributable to the intervention. A limitation was that EUC was not matched to EASE in terms of facilitator attention or group involvement. CONCLUSIONS: EASE led to reduced internalising problems in young refugee adolescents and was associated with reduced distress and less inconsistent disciplinary parenting in caregivers. This intervention has the potential as a scalable intervention to mitigate young adolescents' emotional difficulties in LMIC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospectively registered at Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12619000341123.

Examining the Impact of Structured, Reflective Prebriefing on Student Performance During Simulation.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about the impact of prebriefing on students' experiences of learning with simulation. This mixed-methods study evaluated the impact of prebriefing activities on nursing students' satisfaction, confidence, and performance of nursing skills during a simulation. Findings revealed students who experienced a structured, more robust prebriefing had improved performance during the simulation and reported higher levels of confidence and satisfaction in learning compared to a group that experienced a standard prebriefing. Findings are significant to the profession, they support the incorporation of structured, reflective prebriefing activities in simulation-based experiences.

Ten Lessons Learned in the Implementation of Mobile, Community-Based Interprofessional Clinics.

ABSTRACT: Incorporation of interprofessional activities within health profession programs is critical to prepare students for practice. Faculty at our institution saw a need to incorporate interprofessional education in the nursing, pharmacy, social work, and dietetics program curricula. We collaborated with a medical school in the area to develop a mobile, community-based interprofessional clinic to deliver care and education and address the needs of older adults while also providing unique, meaningful learning opportunities for students. We describe several lessons learned from our experience of developing and implementing this interprofessional clinic.

Effect of parachute delivery on red blood cell (RBC) and plasma quality measures of blood for transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Parachute airdrop offers a rapid transfusion supply option for humanitarian aid and military support. However, its impact on longer-term RBC survival is undocumented. This study aimed to determine post-drop quality of RBCs in concentrates (RCC), and both RBCs and plasma in whole blood (WB) during subsequent storage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-two units of leucodepleted RCC in saline, adenine, glucose, mannitol (SAGM) and 22 units of nonclinical issue WB were randomly allocated for air transportation, parachute drop, and subsequent storage (parachute), or simply storage under identical conventional conditions (4 ± 2°C) (control). All blood products were 6-8 days post-donation. Parachute units were packed into Credo Cubes, (Series 4, 16 L) inside a PeliCase (Peli 0350) and rigged as parachute delivery packs. Packs underwent a 4-h tactical flight (C130 aircraft), then parachuted from 250 to 400 ft before ground recovery. The units were sampled aseptically before and after airdrop at weekly intervals. A range of assays quantified the RBC storage lesion and coagulation parameters. RESULTS: Blood units were maintained at 2-6°C and recovered intact after recorded ground impacts of 341-1038 m s-2 . All units showed a classical RBC storage lesion and increased RBC microparticles during 42 days of storage. Fibrinogen and clotting factors decreased in WB during storage. Nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between Control and Parachute groups. Air transportation and parachute delivery onto land did not adversely affect, or shorten, the shelf life of fresh RBCs or WB. DISCUSSION: Appropriately packaged aerial delivery by parachute can be successfully used for blood supply.

Using Invitational Theory to Examine Nursing Students' Experiences of Their Learning Environment.

AIM: The aim of this study was to test Purkey's invitational theory to evaluate unique aspects of the learning environment in nursing education. BACKGROUND: Faculty evaluate student learning but rarely students' unique experiences within learning environments. METHOD: This interpretive phenomenological analysis explored students' perceptions of their prelicensure learning environments. Twelve participants from two private bachelor of science in nursing programs were interviewed about their experiences. RESULTS: Students' perceptions of what helped (invited) their learning and hindered (disinvited) their learning included thematic aspects of learning environments based on Purkey's theory: people, places, processes, policies, and programs. Findings illustrate facets of the learning environment often not considered by educators in planning learning environments most conducive to student learning. CONCLUSION: Purkey's theory is a plausible framework for nurse educators to evaluate learning environments from students' perspectives and may provide valuable data about the unique milieu that promotes or hinders successful learning.

A classification algorithm to predict chronic pain using both regression and machine learning - A stepwise approach.

This secondary data analysis study aimed to (1) investigate the use of two sense-based parameters (movement and sleep hours) as predictors of chronic pain when controlling for patient demographics and depression, and (2) identify a classification model with accuracy in predicting chronic pain. Data collected by Oregon Health & Science University between March 2018 and December 2019 under the Collaborative Aging Research Using Technology Initiative were analyzed in two stages. Data were collected by sensor technologies and questionnaires from older adults living independently or with a partner in the community. In Stage 1, regression models were employed to determine unique sensor-based behavioral predictors of pain. These sensor-based parameters were used to create a classification model to predict the weekly recalled pain intensity and interference level using a deep neural network model, a machine learning approach, in Stage 2. Daily step count was a unique predictor for both pain intensity (75% Accuracy, F1 = 0.58) and pain interference (82% Accuracy, F1 = 0.59). The developed classification model performed well in this dataset with acceptable accuracy scores. This study demonstrated that machine learning technique can be used to identify the relationship between patients' pain and the risk factors.

Development of chlorine-induced lung injury in the anesthetized, spontaneously breathing pig.

Chlorine is a toxic industrial chemical produced in vast quantities globally, being used in a range of applications such as water purification, sanitation and industrial processes. Its use and transport cannot be restricted; exposure may occur following accidental or deliberate releases. The OPCW recently verified the use of chlorine gas against civilians in both Syria and Iraq. Chlorine inhalation produces damage to the lungs, which may result in the development of an acute lung injury, respiratory failure and death. Treatment remains an intractable problem. Our objective was to develop a clinically relevant pre-clinical model of a moderate to severe lung injury in the pig. This would enable future assessment of therapeutic drugs or interventions to be implemented in the pre-hospital phase after exposure. Due to the irritant nature of chlorine, a number of strategies for exposing terminally anesthetized pigs needed to be investigated. A number of challenges (inconsistent acute changes in respiratory parameters; early deaths), resulted in a moderate to severe lung injury not being achieved. However, most pigs developed a mild lung injury by 12 h. Further investigation is required to optimize the model and enable the assessment of therapeutic candidates. In this paper we describe the exposure strategies used and discuss the challenges encountered in establishing a model of chlorine-induced lung injury. A key aim is to assist researchers navigating the challenges of producing a clinically relevant model of higher dose chlorine exposure where animal welfare is protected by use of terminal anesthesia.

A prospective observational study of acute traumatic coagulopathy in traumatic bleeding from the battlefield.

BACKGROUND: Acute trauma coagulopathy (ATC) after military trauma has not been comprehensively studied. ATC is defined as a prolonged prothrombin time ratio (PTr) or reduced clot amplitude (A5) in viscoelastic testing. Compared to civilian trauma, military trauma has more injuries from explosions and gunshot wounds (GSWs), potentially leading to a different pathophysiology for traumatic coagulopathy. This study aimed to characterize military ATC on admission to a military hospital in Afghanistan and to explore any differences due to the mechanism of injury. METHODS: Severely injured military casualties were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken on admission and after routine testing, waste plasma was prepared, frozen, and transported to the United Kingdom for in-depth hemostatic analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-seven percent of casualties had ATC defined by a PTr greater than 1.2 and 19% when defined by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) A5 less than 36 mm. Coagulation factor depletion correlated with degree of shock, particularly factor V (p < 0.01), factor X (p < 0.01), and fibrinogen levels (p < 0.01). Thrombin generation was well preserved. Fibrinolytic biomarkers were raised correlating with the degree of shock (p < 0.01), and 8% of casualties had hyperfibrinolysis on ROTEM analysis. Plasmin-antiplasmin complexes (p < 0.01) and d-dimer levels (p = 0.01) were higher and clot firmness lower (p = 0.02) in those injured by explosion compared to GSW's. CONCLUSIONS: ATC was present and correlated with shock, similar to civilian trauma. Thrombin generation remained adequate. Fibrinogen and factor V levels were disproportionately low but still sufficient to allow clot formation. Fibrinolysis is a key feature, probably due to a tissue plasminogen activator surge at the time of injury. Blast injuries are associated with a greater activation of fibrinolysis than GSWs.

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Hematopoietic Populations in Rat Bone Marrow. Impact of Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock.

Severe injury and hemorrhagic shock (HS) result in multiple changes to hematopoietic differentiation, which contribute to the development of immunosuppression and multiple organ failure (MOF). Understanding the changes that take place during the acute injury phase may help predict which patients will develop MOF and provide potential targets for therapy. Obtaining bone marrow from humans during the acute injury phase is difficult so published data are largely derived from peripheral blood samples, which infer bone marrow changes that reflect the sustained inflammatory response. This preliminary and opportunistic study investigated leucopoietic changes in rat bone marrow 6 h following traumatic injury and HS. Terminally anesthetized male Porton Wistar rats were allocated randomly to receive a sham operation (cannulation with no injury) or femoral fracture and HS. Bone marrow cells were flushed from rat femurs and immunophenotypically stained with specific antibody panels for lymphoid (CD45R, CD127, CD90, and IgM) or myeloid (CD11b, CD45, and RP-1) lineages. Subsequently, cell populations were fluorescence-activated cell sorted for morphological assessment. Stage-specific cell populations were identified using a limited number of antibodies, and leucopoietic changes were determined 6 h following trauma and HS. Myeloid subpopulations could be identified by varying levels CD11b expression, CD45, and RP-1. Trauma and HS resulted in a significant reduction in total CD11b + myeloid cells including both immature (RP-1(-)) and mature (RP-1+) granulocytes. Multiple B-cell lymphoid subsets were identified. The total percentage of CD90+ subsets remained unchanged following trauma and HS, but there was a reduction in the numbers of maturing CD90(-) cells suggesting movement into the periphery. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Guidelines for using animal models in blast injury research.

Blast injury is a very complex phenomenon and frequently results in multiple injuries. One method to investigate the consequences of blast injuries is with the use of living systems (animal models). The use of animals allows the examination and evaluation of injury mechanisms in a more controlled manner, allowing variables such as primary or secondary blast injury for example, to be isolated and manipulated as required. To ensure a degree of standardisation across the blast research community a set of guidelines which helps researchers navigate challenges of modelling blast injuries in animals is required. This paper describes the guidelines for Using Animal Models in Blast Injury Research developed by the NATO Health Factors and Medicine (HFM) Research Task Group 234.

Breaking barriers in trauma research: A narrative review of opportunities to leverage veterinary trauma for accelerated translation to clinical solutions for pets and people.

Trauma is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and companion animals. Recent efforts in procedural development, training, quality systems, data collection, and research have positively impacted patient outcomes; however, significant unmet need still exists. Coordinated efforts by collaborative, translational, multidisciplinary teams to advance trauma care and improve outcomes have the potential to benefit both human and veterinary patient populations. Strategic use of veterinary clinical trials informed by expertise along the research spectrum (i.e., benchtop discovery, applied science and engineering, large laboratory animal models, clinical veterinary studies, and human randomized trials) can lead to increased therapeutic options for animals while accelerating and enhancing translation by providing early data to reduce the cost and the risk of failed human clinical trials. Active topics of collaboration across the translational continuum include advancements in resuscitation (including austere environments), acute traumatic coagulopathy, trauma-induced coagulopathy, traumatic brain injury, systems biology, and trauma immunology. Mechanisms to improve funding and support innovative team science approaches to current problems in trauma care can accelerate needed, sustainable, and impactful progress in the field. This review article summarizes our current understanding of veterinary and human trauma, thereby identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for collaborative, translational research to improve multispecies outcomes. This translational trauma group of MDs, PhDs, and DVMs posit that a common understanding of injury patterns and resulting cellular dysregulation in humans and companion animals has the potential to accelerate translation of research findings into clinical solutions.

CBT for depression: a pilot RCT comparing mobile phone vs. computer.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports the results of a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the delivery modality (mobile phone/tablet or fixed computer) of a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for the treatment of depression. The aim was to establish whether a previously validated computerized program (The Sadness Program) remained efficacious when delivered via a mobile application. METHOD: 35 participants were recruited with Major Depression (80% female) and randomly allocated to access the program using a mobile app (on either a mobile phone or iPad) or a computer. Participants completed 6 lessons, weekly homework assignments, and received weekly email contact from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist until completion of lesson 2. After lesson 2 email contact was only provided in response to participant request, or in response to a deterioration in psychological distress scores. The primary outcome measure was the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Of the 35 participants recruited, 68.6% completed 6 lessons and 65.7% completed the 3-months follow up. Attrition was handled using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Both the Mobile and Computer Groups were associated with statistically significantly benefits in the PHQ-9 at post-test. At 3 months follow up, the reduction seen for both groups remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence to indicate that delivering a CBT program using a mobile application, can result in clinically significant improvements in outcomes for patients with depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12611001257954.

Resuscitation with whole blood or blood components improves survival and lessens the pathophysiological burden of trauma and haemorrhagic shock in a pre-clinical porcine model.

PURPOSE: In military trauma, disaster medicine, and casualties injured in remote locations, times to advanced medical and surgical treatment are often prolonged, potentially reducing survival and increasing morbidity. Since resuscitation with blood/blood components improves survival over short pre-surgical times, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of resuscitation afforded by blood/blood products or crystalloid resuscitation over extended 'pre-hospital' timelines in a porcine model of militarily relevant traumatic haemorrhagic shock. METHODS: This study underwent local ethical review and was done under the authority of Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Forty-five terminally anaesthetised pigs received a soft tissue injury to the right thigh, haemorrhage (30% blood volume and a Grade IV liver injury) and fluid resuscitation initiated 30 min later [Group 1 (no fluid); 2 (0.9% saline); 3 (1:1 packed red blood cells:plasma); 4 (fresh whole blood); or 5 (plasma)]. Fluid (3 ml/kg bolus) was administered during the resuscitation period (maximum duration 450 min) when the systolic blood pressure fell below 80 mmHg. Surviving animals were culled with an overdose of anaesthetic. RESULTS: Survival time was significantly shorter for Group 1 compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Despite the same triggers for resuscitation when compared to blood/blood components, saline was associated with a shorter survival time (P = 0.145), greater pathophysiological burden and significantly greater resuscitation fluid volume (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: When times to advanced medical care are prolonged, resuscitation with blood/blood components is recommended over saline due to the superior quality and stability of resuscitation achieved, which are likely to lead to improved patient outcomes.

Food Intake, Source, and Planning and Shopping Behavior Differences Among Hispanic, White, Black, and Asian Females.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity remains a high public health concern. Within the United States, there are noted disparities among different ethnic/racial groups in relation to obesity, especially for females. PURPOSE: The purpose of this secondary analysis project was to examine the differences in nutritional intake, food sources, and meal planning and food shopping between Hispanic, White, Black, and Asian females by abdominal obesity level in the United States. METHODS: The 2017-2018 National Health Nutrition Examination data was used. Major variables included race/ethnicity, waist circumference (WC), nutritional intake, food source, and food shopping and meal planning behaviors. Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, a series of two-way factorial analysis of variance, and odds ratio analyses were conducted to address research questions. FINDINGS: When comparing nutritional intake and food source by different racial/ethnic groups and abdominal obesity level, there were no interaction effects for all categories across groups. However, for the racial/ethnic main effects and obesity main effects, significant differences among groups were noted for nutritional intake and food source categories. There were no differences in food shopping and meal preparation between abdominal obesity and non-obese participants in each racial/ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities and differences were noted between racial/ethnic groups for nutritional intake and sources of food. However, no significant differences were noted between racial/ethnic groups for food shopping and meal preparation behaviors. More research should be done to confirm these findings and further understand food shopping and meal preparation behaviors.

Single and Multiplex Immunohistochemistry to Detect Platelets and Neutrophils in Rat and Porcine Tissues.

Platelet-neutrophil complexes (PNCs) occur during the inflammatory response to trauma and infections, and their interactions enable cell activation that can lead to tissue destruction. The ability to identify the accumulation and tissue localisation of PNCs is necessary to further understand their role in the organs associated with blast-induced shock wave trauma. Relevant experimental lung injury models often utilise pigs and rats, species for which immunohistochemistry protocols to detect platelets and neutrophils have yet to be established. Therefore, monoplex and multiplex immunohistochemistry protocols were established to evaluate the application of 22 commercially available antibodies to detect platelet (nine rat and five pig) and/or neutrophil (four rat and six pig) antigens identified as having potential selectivity for porcine or rat tissue, using lung and liver sections taken from models of polytrauma, including blast lung injury. Of the antibodies evaluated, one antibody was able to detect rat neutrophil elastase (on frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) sections), and one antibody was successful in detecting rat CD61 (frozen sections only); whilst one antibody was able to detect porcine MPO (frozen and FFPE sections) and antibodies, targeting CD42b or CD49b antigens, were able to detect porcine platelets (frozen and FFPE and frozen, respectively). Staining procedures for platelet and neutrophil antigens were also successful in detecting the presence of PNCs in both rat and porcine tissue. We have, therefore, established protocols to allow for the detection of PNCs in lung and liver sections from porcine and rat models of trauma, which we anticipate should be of value to others interested in investigating these cell types in these species.