Effect of propolis ethanol extract on myostatin gene expression and muscle morphometry of Nile tilapia in net cages.

Propolis can be used as growth enhancer due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-stimulant properties, but its effects on morphometry and muscle gene expression are largely unknown. The present study evaluates the influence of propolis on muscle morphometry and myostatin gene expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) bred in net cages. Reversed males (GIFT strain) with an initial weight of 170 ± 25 g were distributed in a (2 x 4) factorial scheme, with two diets (DPRO, commercial diet with 4% propolis ethanol extract and DCON, commercial diet without propolis, control) and four assessment periods (0, 35, 70, and 105 experimental days). Muscles were evaluated at each assessment period. Histomorphometric analysis classified the fiber diameters into four groups: <20 µm; 20-30 µm; 30-50 µm; and > 50 µm. RT-qPCR was performed to assess myostatin gene expression. Fibers < 20 µm diameter were more frequent in DPRO than in DCON at all times. Fiber percentages >30 µm (30-50 and > 50 µm) at 70 days were 25.39% and 40.07% for DPRO and DCON, respectively. There was greater myostatin gene expression at 105 days, averaging 1.93 and 1.89 for DCON and DPRO, respectively, with no significant difference in any of the analyzed periods. Propolis ethanol extract did not affect the diameter of muscle fibers or the gene expression of myostatin. Future studies should describe the mechanisms of natural products' effects on muscle growth and development since these factors are highly relevant for fish production performance.

Increasing cancer screening: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians believe preventive services are important, but perform these activities infrequently. Numerous studies have attempted to increase cancer screening, employing a variety of interventions with varying results. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies to identify effective office-based interventions for increasing cancer screening. Selected studies: (a) evaluated an intervention in a primary care setting, (b) addressed screening for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer, and (c) reported results allowing calculation of an effect size. Study qualities and results were coded, entered, and analyzed using DSTAT. RESULTS: Interventions targeting either physician or patient were equally successful (d = +0.1894 and d = +0.1756, respectively). However, studies targeting both physician and patient demonstrated a smaller effect size (d = +0.0514). Greater success was found for interventions targeting the physician both during and outside the patient visit (d = +0.1222 during visit, d = +0.1849 outside visit, d = +0.3375 both). Similarly, screening behavior improved when the physicians were the target of more than one, but not more than three, interventions (d = +0.1360, d = +0.2495, d = +0.6829, d = -0.0058). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer screening activities increase with interventions that target either the physician or the patient and, when physicians are targeted, multiple interventions to serve as behavior cues and increase awareness appear optimal.

Family practice residents and the elderly: fostering positive attitudes.

The population of elderly patients is steadily growing. Because physician attitudes toward caring for elderly patients are often negative, it is important to identify aspects of training that lead to favorable attitudes toward the practice of geriatrics. This study investigated the relationships among past casual experiences, educational experiences, level of training, faculty attitudes, and current resident attitudes. All Louisiana family practice residents (72) and program faculty members (35) were surveyed, with response rates of 69% and 86%, respectively. Residents generally held positive attitudes toward the elderly. Variables associated with positive resident attitudes were the amount of didactic training and faculty attitudes. No differences were found among the attitudes of residents at different levels of training. These findings highlight the importance of cognitive training and role modeling in geriatrics. Educational settings in which training occurs--classrooms, ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes--deserve careful consideration.

Research roles for family physicians.

This article describes five possible research roles for family physicians--tenure-track faculty member, clinical faculty member, practitioner-investigator, research network participant, and consumer of research--with the hope of encouraging more family physicians to identify an appropriate research role and contribute to the research mission of the discipline. In addition, issues specific to the various roles (eg, necessary skills, time for research) are identified and suggestions are provided for family physicians actively considering each role. Research has become critical to the future development of family medicine, and more family physicians (residents, faculty, and practitioners) need to become involved in research.