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This study investigated the effects of supplementation with a cyanidin- and delphinidin-rich extract (CDRE) on the postprandial dysmetabolism, inflammation, and redox and insulin signaling, triggered by the consumption of a high fat meal (HFM) in healthy individuals. Participants (n = 25) consumed a 1026-kcal HFM simultaneously with either the CDRE providing 320.4 mg of anthocyanins (90% cyanidin and delphinidin) or placebo. Diets were randomly assigned in a double blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Blood was collected prior to (fasted, time 0), and for 5 h after meal consumption; plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated. AC metabolites were detected in serum as early as 30 min after CDRE consumption. The CDRE mitigated HFM-induced endotoxemia, reducing increases in plasma LPS and LPS-binding protein. The CDRE also reduced other events associated with HFM-triggered postprandial dysmetabolism including: i) plasma glucose and triglyceride increases; ii) TNFα and NOX4 upregulation in PBMC; and iii) JNK1/2 activation in PBMC. The CDRE did not significantly affect HFM-mediated increases in plasma insulin, GLP-1, GLP-2, GIP, and LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and IKK phosphorylation in PBMC. In summary, dietary AC, i.e. cyanidin and delphinidin, exerted beneficial actions against unhealthy diets by modulating the associated postprandial dysmetabolism, endotoxemia, alterations of glycemia and lipidemia, and redox and insulin signaling.

Consumption of diets high in fat and/or fructose content promotes tissue inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, activating signals (e.g. NF-κB/JNK) that downregulate the insulin cascade. Current evidence supports the concept that select flavonoids can mitigate obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This work investigated if supplementation with the anthocyanidins (AC) cyanidin and delphinidin could attenuate the adverse consequences of consuming a high fat diet (HFD) in mice. Consumption of an AC-rich blend mitigated HFD-induced obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (impaired responses to insulin and glucose). HFD-fed mice were characterized by increased liver lipid deposition and inflammation, which were also attenuated upon AC supplementation. HFD caused liver oxidative stress showing an increased expression of NADPH oxidases, generators of superoxide and H2O2, and high levels of oxidized lipid-protein adducts. This was associated with the activation of the redox sensitive signals IKK/NF-κB and JNK1/2, and increased expression of the NF-κB-regulated PTP1B phosphatase, all known inhibitors of the insulin pathway. In agreement with an improved insulin sensitivity, AC supplementation inhibited oxidative stress, NF-κB and JNK activation, and PTP1B overexpression. Thus, cyanidin and delphinidin consumption either through diet or by supplementation could be a positive strategy to control the adverse effects of Western style diets, including overweight, obesity, and T2D. Modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and NF-κB/JNK activation emerge as relevant targets of AC beneficial actions.

We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), and survival for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), stratified by 1‐year mortality risk at diagnosis. Adults diagnosed with PAH at the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit between 2012 and 2019 were included. Patients were categorized as low, intermediate, or high risk for 1‐year mortality at diagnosis. Demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, HCRU, costs, HRQoL, and survival were analyzed. Overall, 1717 patients were included: 72 (5%) at low risk, 941 (62%) at intermediate risk, and 496 (33%) at high risk. Low‐risk patients had lower HCRU prediagnosis and 1‐year postdiagnosis than intermediate‐ or high‐risk patients. Postdiagnosis, there were significant changes in HCRU, particularly inpatient hospitalizations and accident and emergency (A&E) visits among high‐risk patients. At 3 years postdiagnosis, HCRU for all measures was similar across risk groups. Low‐risk patients had lower EmPHasis‐10 scores (indicating better HRQoL) at diagnosis and at 1‐year follow‐up compared with intermediate‐ and high‐risk patients; only the score in the high‐risk group improved. Median overall survival decreased as risk category increased in analyzed subgroups. Low‐risk status was associated with better 1‐year survival and HRQoL compared with intermediate‐ and high‐risk patients. HCRU decreased in high‐risk patients postdiagnosis, with the most marked reduction in A&E admissions. The pattern of decreased per‐patient inpatient hospitalizations and A&E visits at 3 years postdiagnosis suggests that a diagnosis of PAH helps to decrease HCRU in areas that are key drivers of costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the technical infrastructure required to track student use of web-based resources in an introductory chemistry course, the design of a student dashboard, and the results from analyzing student web-based resource use. Students were tracked as they interacted with online homework problems and high quality course content videos. These videos were developed using funds from the National Science Foundation. We found that students did not use the online video resources as much as expected. If students do not use web-based resources, practitioners and researchers need to (i) track and analyze student use, (ii) implement strategies to increase student use, and (iii) only invest in resources students will use. This Communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the Select 2016 BCCE Presentations ACS CHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education online ConfChem held from October 30 to November 22, 2016.

The permits governing longer combination vehicle (LCV) activity in Canada aim to leverage LCV productivity advantages relative to other truck configurations while subjecting LCV operations to stringent regulatory controls. As of 2016, nine of the 13 provinces and territories permit LCV operations on a 17 000 km highway network. This article synthesizes LCV regulations in these jurisdictions within five categories: (i) carrier permit requirements, (ii) truck size and weight limits, (iii) equipment requirements, (iv) operating conditions, and (v) driver qualifications. While jurisdiction-specific differences remain, the synthesis reveals regulatory uniformity at the regional level. The article identifies how these regulations influence highway design, operations, and management decisions concerning the accommodation of LCV performance characteristics, the spatial and temporal control of LCV operations, the eligibility of drivers and carriers to operate LCVs, and opportunities for regulatory harmonization. As LCV activity increases, the need to formally consider the characteristics of LCVs within these decisions becomes more apparent. Key words: longer combination vehicles, truck regulations, traffic operations, geometric design. Les permis regissant l'activite des longs ensembles routiers (LER) au Canada ont pour but de tirer profit des avantages sur le plan de la productivite des LER par rapport a d'autres configurations de camion tout en en soumettant les operations de LER a des controles reglementaires rigoureux. A partir de 2016, neuf des 13 provinces et territoires permettent des operations de LER sur un reseau autoroutier de 17 000 km. Cet article synthetise les reglements concernant les LER dans ces competences en cinq categories: (i) les exigences relatives aux permis de transporteur; (ii) les limites par rapport a la taille et au poids du camion; (iii) les exigences en matiere d'equipement; (iv) les conditions d'operation et (v) les competences du chauffeur. Tandis que des differences propres a chaque competence demeurent, la synthese revele l'uniformite reglementaire au niveau regional. L'article identifie comment ces reglements influent sur les decisions relatives a la conception, a l'exploitation et a la gestion des routes, et ce, concernant l'adaptation des caracteristiques de rendement des LER, le controle spatial et temporel des operations de LER, l'admissibilite des chauffeurs et des transporteurs a operer des LER et des occasions pour l'harmonisation reglementaire. Comme l'activite des LER augmente, le besoin de formellement considerer les caracteristiques de LER dans ces decisions devient plus apparent. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: longs ensembles routiers, reglementations des camions, circulation, plan geometrique., Introduction In Canada, longer combination vehicles (LCVs) are truck configurations consisting of a tractor and two or three trailers or semitrailers with a combined length greater than 27.5 m. The [...]

Using hierarchical logistic regression with a nationally representative sample of state prisoners ("n" = 12,504), we found inmates with dual severe psychiatric and substance abuse disorders to be at higher risk of being assaulted and to assault others in prison than nonmentally ill inmates. Dually disordered inmates may be "importing" characteristics that put them at more risk of involvement in assaults. Next, more than 50% of assault victims were themselves the perpetrators of assault, and significant percentages of inmates reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses and physical and sexual victimizations. With other studies linking PTSD and being assaulted with revictimization and violence toward others, substance abuse, and poorer psychiatric outcomes, a study implication is providing inmates with effective trauma-relevant treatments. (Contains 2 tables and 6 notes.)

An estimated 500,000-plus people are on parole each year, many with serious co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. Using cross sectional, self-report data this study examined the relationships between parolee time to rearrest, serious mental illnesses, and substance dependency (n = 1,121). Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for demographic and criminal justice variables, parolees with serious psychiatric and substance dependence disorders were rearrested faster than nondually diagnosed parolees (p less than 0.05). An explanation is that compared with parolees without dual diagnoses, parole violations by dually diagnosed parolees are detected and punished more quickly because of closer parole supervision. (Contains 3 tables.)