The protein phosphatase with EF-hand domain 1 is a calmodulin-binding protein that interacts with proteins involved in sperm capacitation, binding to the zona pellucida, and motility.

Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells whose fertilizing and motility functions highly depend on intracellular Ca2+ -mediated events and protein posttranslational modifications like phosphorylation. Our group previously identified PPEF1, the Ser/Thr phosphatase with EF-hand domain 1, among calmodulin-affinity pulled down sperm proteins. As the mammalian ortholog of the Drosophila phosphatase rdgC that dephosphorylates rhodopsin, PPEF1 has been studied mostly in the retina. The presence and importance of this Ca2+ /calmodulin-binding protein phosphatase has not been studied in sperm or testicular functions despite its high expression level. In this study, we show that PPEF1 is present in testicular germ cells, and in mouse, human and bull spermatozoa where it is localized predominantly in the neck and acrosome areas. Different transcript variants encoding four predicted isoforms were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in bull testis, spermatocytes and spermatids. Phosphatase activity of immunoprecipitated sperm PPEF1 was detected using the substrate pNPP and analysis of the coimmunoprecipitated proteins reveal an enrichment in the biological processes of sperm capacitation, binding to the zona pellucida and motility. Although this is the first demonstration of the presence of PPEF1 in sperm and testicular germ cells, its involvement in sperm fertilizing ability and motility, and the mechanisms regulating its activity remain to be further investigated.

Study on the role of calmodulin in sperm function through the enrichment and identification of calmodulin-binding proteins in bovine ejaculated spermatozoa.

Calmodulin is a small, highly conserved acidic protein present at high levels in spermatozoa that mediates numerous intracellular Ca2+ -dependent events. Sperm motility and fertilizing ability results from an array of biochemical pathways under Ca2+ control, in which the importance of calmodulin is not fully understood. The role of calmodulin in sperm function has been mostly assessed using antagonists. Nevertheless, few known calmodulin-regulated enzymes have been described in spermatozoa regarding their involvement in sperm function. To further understand the role of this important Ca2+ mediator in spermatozoa, different studies were also undertaken to investigate and to identify sperm calmodulin-binding proteins and determine their localization and subcellular distribution as an attempt to elucidate the role of this important Ca2+ mediator. In the present study, sperm calmodulin-binding proteins were identified by mass spectrometry after Ca2+ -dependent biotinylated-calmodulin binding on sperm head proteins subjected to 2D electrophoresis and transferred on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane. Calmodulin binding protein identification was also done on detergent extracted whole sperm proteins pulled down in a Ca2+ -dependent manner by calmodulin-conjugated sepharose beads. In this latter group, 300 proteins were identified in at least two experiments out of three, and those identified in the three independent experiments were analyzed for overrepresented biological processes using the Bos taurus Gene Ontology database. Proteins with known function in reproductive processes, fertilization, sperm-egg recognition, sperm binding to the zona pellucida, regulation of sperm capacitation, and sperm motility were identified and further emphasize the importance of calmodulin in sperm function.

Knowledge, Activation, and Costs of the Pharmacists' Pneumonia Prevention Program (PPPP): A Novel Senior Center Model to Promote Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease (PD), but 40% of older adults remain unvaccinated nationwide, with even greater nonvaccination rates among African Americans (AAs). Prior studies suggest that insufficient knowledge contributes to low vaccination rates. The Pharmacists' Pneumonia Prevention Program (PPPP) was designed to improve older adults' knowledge about PD and pneumococcal vaccination (PV). OBJECTIVE: To measure PPPP's effect on knowledge and activation in a predominantly AA population and determine program costs. METHODS: PPPP uses a senior center model with a pharmacist presentation, actors' skit, and small-group action planning. Knowledge about PD risk, transmission, symptoms, and PV side effects was assessed at baseline (BL), postintervention (PT), and 3 months (M3) and analyzed using an intention-to-treat (ITT) approach. Actions taken (got vaccinated, spoke to doctor or pharmacist, discussed with family/friends) were assessed at M3. PPPP costs ($US 2013) included staff time, PV, actor, and site fees. RESULTS: Of 276 attending PPPP, 190 consented and were included in the ITT sample, which was largely black (80.5%) and female (76.3%) and had a mean age of 74.4 years. Knowledge improved by 46.8% (BL vs PT), with significant gains in all domains. At M3, knowledge improved by 54.2% vs BL, indicating sustained gains; 37.2% of previously unvaccinated participants reported receiving PV by M3. Program cost was $119 per attendee. CONCLUSION: PPPP significantly improved PD and PV knowledge. It could be delivered more efficiently by holding larger events on fewer dates, staffing with volunteers where appropriate, and utilizing a local pharmacy to manage the vaccine supply.

Modeling predictors of changes in glycemic control and diabetes-specific quality of life amongst adults with type 1 diabetes 1 year after structured education in flexible, intensive insulin therapy.

Few studies have identified determinants of glycemic control (HbA1c) and diabetes-specific quality of life (DSQoL) in adults with type 1 diabetes. To identify factors predicting outcomes following structured diabetes education. 262 participants completed biomedical and questionnaire assessments before, and throughout 1 year of follow-up. The proportion of variance explained ranged from 28 to 62 % (DSQoLS) and 14-20 % (HbA1c). When change in psychosocial variables were examined, reduced hypoglycemia fear, lower 'perceived diabetes seriousness', greater self-efficacy and well-being predicted QoL improvements from baseline to 3-months. Increased frequency of blood glucose testing predicted improvements in HbA1c from baseline to 6-months. Greater benefits may be achieved if programs focus explicitly on psychosocial factors. Self-care behaviours did not predict HbA1c suggesting existing assessment tools need refinement. Evaluation of treatment mechanisms in self-management programs is recommended.

Resident Experiences in Pathways to Health for Cleveland Refugees: A Pilot Study.

Refugee families often report discomfort with navigating the United States health care system, while medical trainees feel unprepared to meet the needs of refugee families. Pediatric residents partnered with a local refugee resettlement organization to create and deliver a user-friendly health care navigation curriculum to newly arrived refugee families. Pediatric residents completed pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys to assess their comfort and interest in working with refugee populations. Residents reported high interest in working with refugees despite little direct experience working with this population. There was a significant increase in residents' reported understanding of refugee health as a result of this intervention. Future research is needed to assess the efficacy of such curricula for both refugee families and pediatric residents.

The influence of rurality on melanoma diagnosis in Indiana: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Research from across the United States has shown that rurality is associated with worse melanoma outcomes. In Indiana, nearly a quarter of all residents live in rural counties and an estimated 2180 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2023. AIMS: This study examines how geographical location affects the stage of melanoma diagnosis in Indiana, aiming to identify and address rural health disparities to ultimately ensure equitable care. METHODS AND RESULTS: Demographics and disease characteristics of patients diagnosed with melanoma at Indiana University Health from January 2017 to September 2022 were compared using Students t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. Patients from rural areas presented with more pathological stage T3 melanomas (15.0% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.001) in contrast to their urban counterparts. Additionally, rural patients presented with fewer clinical stage I melanomas (80.8% vs. 89.3%) and more clinical stage II melanomas (19.2% vs. 8.1%), compared to urban patients, with no stage III (p = 0.028). Concerningly, a significantly higher percentage of the rural group (40.7%) had a personal history of BCC compared to the urban group (22.6%) (p = 0.005) and fewer rural patients (78.0%) compared to urban patients (89.4%) received surgical treatment (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Patients from rural counties in Indiana have higher pathological and clinical stage melanoma at diagnosis compared to patients from urban counties. Additionally fewer rural patients receive surgical treatment and may be at higher risk of developing subsequent melanomas.

Pilot Survey: Police Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This piliot study assessed the experiences of police officers related to persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) via a survey assessing prior experience, comfort, knowledge, and ability to identify autistic persons. Fifty-one officers completed the survey: 52.9% reported previous ASD training, 34.8% reported personal experience with ASD, and 56.9% endorsed low overall knowledge of ASD. Officers reported neutral comfort (mean 3.24) and moderate practical knowledge (mean 3.74) [Likert scale 1-5; 5 = highest]. Those with previous training or with personal experience reported higher comfort and knowledge. Those with personal experience were more likely to recognize features of ASD in clinical vignettes. Further study is necessary to understand what additional training about ASD may be helpful to police officers.

The impact of reduced red and processed meat consumption on cardiovascular risk factors; an intervention trial in healthy volunteers.

Meat represents an important part of the diet for many adults, supplying essential amino acids and micronutrients. However, high red and processed meat (RPM) intake is implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia. This study aimed to reduce RPM consumption in healthy, non-obese omnivores (21-48 years), who ate RPM ≥4 times per week, and to investigate its effect on cardiovascular risk factors using a single-group longitudinal study design (comprising an initial 4-week baseline period, followed by a 12-week intervention). Participants (16M : 21F) were assessed before (BL) and after (T0) the pre-intervention period and before (T0), at week 6 (T6) and at the end of intervention (T12). In a subset (8M : 15F), haematological parameters were measured at BL, T6 and T12. Compared with BL, protein intake from RPM reduced by 67% at T6 and 47% at T12 (4-day dietary records). BMI, body fat mass, and blood pressure did not change over the intervention in the whole cohort, but mean total, LDL and HDL cholesterol were reduced in males at T12 (effect sizes -0.52, -0.41 and -0.15 mmol l-1, respectively; each P < 0.01), with no change in total : HDL ratio observed. In the study sub-set, haemoglobin concentration, plus red and white cell count fell during the intervention (estimated effect size ηp2 0.300, 0.301 and 0.354, respectively; each P < 0.001). It was possible for omnivores to approximately halve their RPM intake, and in males this dietary change appeared to reduce blood lipid concentrations. However, acute dietary changes to RPM intake may have had an unfavourable impact on haematological parameters.