"I Missed School to Take Care of Someone Else": Middle and High School Students' Caregiving Responsibilities as a Reason for Absenteeism

BACKGROUND

Middle and high school students who are involved in caregiving for aging, chronically ill, and/or disabled family members report more learning challenges compared to their non-caregiving peers. However, little is known about how many students miss school to take care of someone else, and which students are most likely to have this experience. Such knowledge could reveal an important, largely unrecognized reason for school absences and educational disparities.

METHODS

Our research-practice partnership surveyed middle-and-high schoolers across Rhode Island public schools in 2022.

RESULTS

Among 55,746 students (45% White non-Latinx; 21% Latinx; 45% girls), 13.80% reported they had missed school to take care of someone else, with up to 35% in some districts. Students who missed school for caregiving were disproportionately girls, non-binary, transgender, or preferred not to report gender, older youth, and from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and from urban districts.

CONCLUSIONS

Children's experiences caregiving for others may be an important and overlooked contributor to absenteeism and achievement gaps, especially in urban areas. We suggest school policies to better serve these students.

Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues

Aging, often considered a result of random cellular damage, can be accurately estimated using DNA methylation profiles, the foundation of pan-tissue epigenetic clocks. Here, we demonstrate the development of universal pan-mammalian clocks, using 11,754 methylation arrays from our Mammalian Methylation Consortium, which encompass 59 tissue types across 185 mammalian species. These predictive models estimate mammalian tissue age with high accuracy (r > 0.96). Age deviations correlate with human mortality risk, mouse somatotropic axis mutations and caloric restriction. We identified specific cytosines with methylation levels that change with age across numerous species. These sites, highly enriched in polycomb repressive complex 2-binding locations, are near genes implicated in mammalian development, cancer, obesity and longevity. Our findings offer new evidence suggesting that aging is evolutionarily conserved and intertwined with developmental processes across all mammals.

DNA methylation networks underlying mammalian traits

Using DNA methylation profiles (n = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in HOXL subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors. The methylation state of some modules responds to perturbations such as caloric restriction, ablation of growth hormone receptors, consumption of high-fat diets, and expression of Yamanaka factors. This study reveals an intertwined evolution of the genome and epigenome that mediates the biological characteristics and traits of different mammalian species.

Multi-species and multi-tissue methylation clocks for age estimation in toothed whales and dolphins

The development of a precise blood or skin tissue DNA Epigenetic Aging Clock for Odontocete (OEAC) would solve current age estimation inaccuracies for wild odontocetes. Therefore, we determined genome-wide DNA methylation profiles using a custom array (HorvathMammalMethyl40) across skin and blood samples (n = 446) from known age animals representing nine odontocete species within 4 phylogenetic families to identify age associated CG dinucleotides (CpGs). The top CpGs were used to create a cross-validated OEAC clock which was highly correlated for individuals (r = 0.94) and for unique species (median r = 0.93). Finally, we applied the OEAC for estimating the age and sex of 22 wild Norwegian killer whales. DNA methylation patterns of age associated CpGs are highly conserved across odontocetes. These similarities allowed us to develop an odontocete epigenetic aging clock (OEAC) which can be used for species conservation efforts by provide a mechanism for estimating the age of free ranging odontocetes from either blood or skin samples.

A Critical Review of State-of-the-Art and Emerging Approaches to Identify Fracking-Derived Gases and Associated Contaminants in Aquifers

High-volume, hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) is widely applied for natural gas and oil production from shales, coals, or tight sandstone formations in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and is being widely considered by other countries with similar unconventional energy resources. Secure retention of fluids (natural gas, saline formation waters, oil, HVHF fluids) during and after well stimulation is important to prevent unintended environmental contamination, and release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Here, we critically review state-of-the-art techniques and promising new approaches for identifying oil and gas production from unconventional reservoirs to resolve whether they are the source of fugitive methane and associated contaminants into shallow aquifers. We highlight future research needs and propose a phased program, from generic baseline to highly specific analyses, to inform HVHF and unconventional oil and gas production and impact assessment studies. These approaches may also be applied to broader subsurface exploration and development issues (e.g., groundwater resources), or new frontiers of low-carbon energy alternatives (e.g., subsurface H₂ storage, nuclear waste isolation, geologic CO₂ sequestration).

Effect of age, sex, and season on the variation in blood analytes of a clinically normal ex situ population of killer whales (Orcinus orca)

Background

The effects of sex, age, and season on blood analyte concentrations have not been investigated for the killer whale (Orcinus orca). Defining these changes provides background data for improving the care of managed populations and defines normal changes that could occur in wild counterparts.

Objectives

We aimed to define hematologic and serum biochemical variation by age, sex, and season for an ex situ killer whale population.

Methods

Blood samples collected from killer whales during normal wellness exams were retrospectively identified. Killer whales were categorized by age; calf (0‐2.9 years), juvenile (3‐10.9 years), early adult (11‐20.9 years), adult (21‐30.9 years), and aged (>30.9 years); sex; and season. Standard CBC and biochemistry were collated, and only samples without evidence of disease were used. A mixed effects maximum likelihood regression with animal identification (ID) as the random effects variable was used to compare groups with a significance set at P ≤ 0.01.

Results

All analytes differed by age, while only four differed by sex. Red blood cell parameters and associated renal analytes increased with age, while liver‐associated analytes and glucose decreased. Season affected 59% of the blood analytes.

Conclusions

Aged killer whales showed strong evidence of altered physiology as compared with younger animals. Anemia did not develop with age as was observed in one bottlenose dolphin population. Observed decreases in renal function could be caused by chronic disease or dehydration. Decreases in immune function parameters suggest immune senescence. These results provide background data for evaluating the health of managed and free‐ranging killer whales.

Development and evaluation of deep intra-uterine artificial insemination using cryopreserved sexed spermatozoa in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Since its development in bottlenose dolphins, widespread application of AI with sex-selected, frozen-thawed (FT) spermatozoa has been limited by the significant expense of the sorting process. Reducing the total number of progressively motile sperm (PMS) required for an AI would reduce the sorting cost. As such, this research compared the efficacy of small-dose deep uterine AI with sexed FT spermatozoa (SEXED-SMALL; ~50×10(6)PMS, n=20), to a moderate dose deposited mid-horn (SEXED-STD, ~200×10(6)PMS; n=20), and a large dose of FT non-sexed spermatozoa deposited in the uterine body (NONSEXED-LARGE, 660×10(6)PMS, n=9). Ten of the 11 calves resulting from use of sexed spermatozoa were of the predetermined sex. Similar rates of conception (NONSEXED-LARGE: 78%, SEXED-STD: 60%, SEXED-SMALL: 57%) and total pregnancy loss (TPL: NONSEXED-LARGE: 28.6%; SEXED-STD: 41.0%; SEXED-SMALL: 63.6%) were observed across groups, but early pregnancy loss (EPL, <day 120 post-conception) was greater (P=0.04) for SEXED-SMALL (54.5%) compared to NONSEXED-LARGE (0%). Animals experiencing EPL were older (31.3 y, P=0.007) than those that calved (21.4y) or did not conceive (19.4y). After excluding females ≥25y, SEXED-SMALL (15.4%) had a tendency for having reduced calving rates compared to NONSEXED-LARGE (50.0%; P=0.08), while SEXED-STD did not differ (40.0%, 4/10; P=0.341). Current findings indicate that acceptable conception and calving rates using sexed FT spermatozoa are achieved after mid-horn deposition of 200×10(6) PMS, when used with females aged less than 25 y.

Deep intra-uterine artificial inseminations using cryopreserved spermatozoa in beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)

Artificial insemination (AI) with liquid-stored spermatozoa and sperm cryopreservation using directional freezing (DF) have been successful in the beluga. This study built on this foundation to develop a deep intra-uterine AI technique with frozen-thawed semen in beluga. Forty-two ejaculates from one male were cryopreserved using DF technology and subsequently used for 10 insemination attempts with seven females. Percentage pre- and post-thaw progressive motility and viability were (mean +/- SD) 73.0 +/- 12.2, 38.4 +/- 8.8, 88.0 +/- 0.1, and 59.3 +/- 15.7%, respectively. A series of GnRH injections (3 x 250 microg, IV, 1.5 to 2 h apart) were used to induce ovulation, once a growing follicle >2.5 cm in diameter was visualized via trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Artificial insemination was performed at 30.1 +/- 3.8 h post-initial GnRH injection with semen deposited in the uterine horn, 92.6 +/- 16.2 cm beyond the genital opening using a flexible endoscope. The external cervical os (cEOS) was located beyond a series of 5 to 10 vaginal rings, 44.8 +/- 9.3 cm from the external genital opening. The internal bifurcation of the uterus was 27 +/- 6.8 cm beyond the cEOS. Ovulation occurred at 8.5 +/- 7.6 h post-AI. Two of 10 inseminations (20%) resulted in pregnancy. The first pregnancy resulted in twins; both calves were born 442 d after AI, with one surviving. The second pregnancy is ongoing. These findings represent the first successful application of AI using frozen-thawed semen in beluga, and are important examples of how assisted reproductive technologies can provide tools for the global management of threatened species.

Seasonality, estrous cycle characterization, estrus synchronization, semen cryopreservation, and artificial insemination in the Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

The reproductive physiology of the Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens, was characterized to facilitate the development of artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved spermatozoa. Specific objectives were to: 1) describe reproductive seasonality of the Pacific white sided dolphins; 2) describe urinary LH and ovarian steroid metabolites during the estrous cycle; 3) correlate LH and ovarian steroidal metabolite patterns to ultrasound-monitored follicular growth and ovulation; and 4) assess the efficacy of synchronizing estrus, sperm collection/cryopreservation, and intrauterine insemination. Ovulations (64%, n=37) and conceptions (83%, n=18) occurred from August to October. Peak mean serum testosterone (24 ng/ml), cross-sectional testicular area (41.6 cm2), and sperm concentration (144.3×107 sperm/ml) occurred in July, August, and September respectively. Spermatozoa were only found in ejaculates from July to October. Estrous cycles (n=22) were 31 d long and were comprised of a 10 d follicular and 21 d luteal phase. Ovulation occurred 31.2 h after the onset of the LH surge and 19.3 h after the LH peak. Follicular diameter and circumference within 12 h of ovulation were 1.52 and 4.66 cm respectively. Estrus synchronization attempts with altrenogest resulted in 17 (22%) ovulatory cycles with ovulation occurring 21 d post-altrenogest. Ten AI attempts using cryopreserved semen resulted in five pregnancies (50%). The mean gestation length was 356 days (range 348–367). These data provide new information on the Pacific white-sided dolphin's reproductive physiology and collectively enabled the first application of AI in this species.

Adverse events and near miss reporting in the NHS

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a multicentre study on adverse event and near miss reporting in the NHS and to explore the feasibility of creating a national system for collecting these data.

DESIGN

Prospective voluntary reporting by staff with anonymised transfer of data was used by a national system to collect data from 18 NHS trusts.

PARTICIPANTS

Staff from 12 acute trusts, three mental health trusts, two ambulance trusts, and one primary care trust.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURED

Number of incidents, date and time of incident, patient age and sex, clinical speciality, location, outcome, risk rating, type and description of incident.

RESULTS

A total of 28 998 incidents were reported including 11 766 (41%) slips, trips and falls, 2514 (9%) medication management incidents, 2429 (8%) resource issues, and 2164 (7%) treatment issues. 138 catastrophic and 260 major adverse outcomes were reported. Slips, trips and falls (n = 11 766) were the most common type of incident.

CONCLUSIONS

Voluntary reporting by staff when linked to a multicentre data collecting system can yield information on a large number of incidents. This provides support for the principle of creating a national IT system to collect and analyse incident data.

Expression analysis of secreted and cell surface genes of five transformed human cell lines and derivative xenograft tumors

Background

Since the early stages of tumorigenesis involve adhesion, escape from immune surveillance, vascularization and angiogenesis, we devised a strategy to study the expression profiles of all publicly known and putative secreted and cell surface genes. We designed a custom oligonucleotide microarray containing probes for 3531 secreted and cell surface genes to study 5 diverse human transformed cell lines and their derivative xenograft tumors. The origins of these human cell lines were lung (A549), breast (MDA MB-231), colon (HCT-116), ovarian (SK-OV-3) and prostate (PC3) carcinomas.

Results

Three different analyses were performed: (1) A PCA-based linear discriminant analysis identified a 54 gene profile characteristic of all tumors, (2) Application of MANOVA (Pcorr < .05) to tumor data revealed a larger set of 149 differentially expressed genes. (3) After MANOVA was performed on data from individual tumors, a comparison of differential genes amongst all tumor types revealed 12 common differential genes. Seven of the 12 genes were identified by all three analytical methods. These included late angiogenic, morphogenic and extracellular matrix genes such as ANGPTL4, COL1A1, GP2, GPR57, LAMB3, PCDHB9 and PTGER3. The differential expression of ANGPTL4 and COL1A1 and other genes was confirmed by quantitative PCR.

Conclusion

Overall, a comparison of the three analyses revealed an expression pattern indicative of late angiogenic processes. These results show that a xenograft model using multiple cell lines of diverse tissue origin can identify common tumorigenic cell surface or secreted molecules that may be important biomarker and therapeutic discoveries.

Progress toward understanding follicle development in vitro: appearances are not deceiving

The interactive factors that influence the developmental progress of a follicle and determine whether it will progress to ovulation or toward atresia, are highly complex. In vitro models are being developed that are intended to provide a simplified environment to facilitate understanding of the dynamics of the processes involved. The purpose of this overview is to evaluate progress to date and to focus attention on issues that need more careful consideration to improve the usefulness of the models. Basically, two approaches exist. One, attached follicle culture, employs either enzyme-digested or mechanically harvested follicles depending on the method but allows attachment of the follicles to the culture surface. This produces a rounded or flattened structure (depending on culture conditions) that is no longer an intact follicle. During this culture, the cells reorganize themselves, some remaining in contact with the oocyte and others attaching to the culture surface and proliferating. The other approach, intact 3-dimensional follicle culture, employs mechanically dissected preantral follicles that are cultured as free-floating intact structures. Intact follicle culture emulates the in vivo developmental pattern of the follicle more closely than a non-intact structure can, and thereby provides a favorable model to investigate the interaction between hormonal and paracrine factors in the development of the follicle in isolation from systemic effects. For example, intact follicle culture has begun to be used to investigate the local effects of several different steroids. In addition, the local effects of inhibin, activin, and follistatin and their interactions with locally produced growth factors and steroids as well as synergy with gonadotrophins are beginning to be investigated. In our laboratory, the focus is on the roles of gonadotrophins at different stages of follicle development, particularly the effect of FSH isoforms in modulating follicle development in vitro. Finally, an important issue that urgently needs to be addressed, for future studies of in vitro follicle development, is the rationalization and standardization of follicle culture conditions.

Using the Vista 350 telephone to communicate the results of home monitoring of diabetes mellitus to a central database and to provide feedback

PURPOSE

Self-monitoring of blood glucose has become routine practice in the management of diabetes mellitus. When all the data is complete, however, the amount of information to be taken into account when making therapeutic decisions becomes overwhelming not only for the patient but for the healthcare provider. Computers excel at processing large amounts of information quickly and impassively, which makes them potentially helpful for collating and communicating the data in a manner that facilitates decision-making by patient and healthcare provider. This should in turn improve control and help prevent acute and chronic complications.

METHOD

Using the Vista 350 telephone, we have developed a system that enables patients with diabetes to record home monitoring data to a central database and receive feedback summaries. A small trial was conducted to determine if the Vista 350 telephone is an acceptable and feasible method to communicate the results of home monitoring of diabetes mellitus to a central database and receive feedback summaries. A total of 35 volunteers with insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus in the London area were randomly allocated to either use the Vista 350 phone for 6 months, or to a control group that continued to use traditional methods for recording home monitoring data.

RESULTS

33 of the 35 patients enrolled completed the trial. All 16 patients who began using the phone continued to do so for 6 months confirming the feasibility of the system. Questionnaires completed at 3 and 6 months confirmed the Vista 350 telephone system to be acceptable to the subjects. The results will enable some minor modifications to be made to the telephone system before a larger definitive trial, designed to determine the effect on diabetes control, is conducted later this year.

Proteinases of rat mast cells. Peritoneal but not intestinal mucosal mast cells express mast cell proteinase 5 and carboxypeptidase A

Six basic proteins of 26 to 38 kDa with isoelectric points (pI) &gt; or = 8.5 were abundant in proteins separated by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE from adult rat peritoneal mast cells (MC). One was identified previously as rat mast cell proteinase (RMCP) 1, a chymase of 26 to 28 kDa, pI &gt; 9.0. Microsequence analyses showed that two polypeptides of about 29 and 30 kDa had NH2 terminal amino acid sequences homologous to mouse MC proteinase 5 (MCP-5), whereas the amino terminals of the 33, 35, and 36 kDa proteins were homologous to MC carboxypeptidase A (MC-CPA). Rabbit Abs produced against synthetic peptides of the identified NH2 terminal sequences were used in immunoblot studies. At least three proteins reacted with Abs to MC-CPA, whereas Abs to MCP-5 detected three adjacent polypeptides, rather than just the two identified by using microsequence analysis. Removal of oligosaccharide side chains using peptide:N-glycosidase F reduced the heterogeneity of each set of three polypeptides (MCP-5 and MC-CPA) to a band of each protein of a lower M(r). The serine proteinase inhibitor [3H]diisopropylfluorophosphate ([3H]DFP) bound to a proteinase of 30 to 35 kDa, which is probably MC tryptase (pI &lt; or = 6.0). Immunoblot analysis of proteins from intestinal mucosal mast cells showed RMCP-2, but not RMCP-1, MCP-5, or MC-CPA. This is the first report of MCP-5 in the rat and of clearly distinguishable glycosylated forms of MC CPA. These proteinases appear to be restricted in their distribution to selected MC populations, but little is known about their functions.

Proteinases of rat mast cells. Peritoneal but not intestinal mucosal mast cells express mast cell proteinase 5 and carboxypeptidase A

Six basic proteins of 26 to 38 kDa with isoelectric points (pI) > or = 8.5 were abundant in proteins separated by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE from adult rat peritoneal mast cells (MC). One was identified previously as rat mast cell proteinase (RMCP) 1, a chymase of 26 to 28 kDa, pI > 9.0. Microsequence analyses showed that two polypeptides of about 29 and 30 kDa had NH2 terminal amino acid sequences homologous to mouse MC proteinase 5 (MCP-5), whereas the amino terminals of the 33, 35, and 36 kDa proteins were homologous to MC carboxypeptidase A (MC-CPA). Rabbit Abs produced against synthetic peptides of the identified NH2 terminal sequences were used in immunoblot studies. At least three proteins reacted with Abs to MC-CPA, whereas Abs to MCP-5 detected three adjacent polypeptides, rather than just the two identified by using microsequence analysis. Removal of oligosaccharide side chains using peptide:N-glycosidase F reduced the heterogeneity of each set of three polypeptides (MCP-5 and MC-CPA) to a band of each protein of a lower M(r). The serine proteinase inhibitor [3H]diisopropylfluorophosphate ([3H]DFP) bound to a proteinase of 30 to 35 kDa, which is probably MC tryptase (pI < or = 6.0). Immunoblot analysis of proteins from intestinal mucosal mast cells showed RMCP-2, but not RMCP-1, MCP-5, or MC-CPA. This is the first report of MCP-5 in the rat and of clearly distinguishable glycosylated forms of MC CPA. These proteinases appear to be restricted in their distribution to selected MC populations, but little is known about their functions.

N- and O-glycosylation and phosphorylation of the bar secretion leader derived from the barrier protease of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A secretion leader derived from a domain of the extracellular Barrier protease of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been expressed in wild-type and in mnn1, mnn9, and mnn1 mnn9 glycosylation mutant strains of S. cerevisiae. Structural comparison of the extracellular leader by mass spectrometry, peptide mapping, and elementary analysis proved that all strains produced a heterogeneous, heavily glycosylated polypeptide of 161 amino acids with both N- and O-glycosylation and phosphorylation. All three potential Asn N-linked sites were glycosylated to some extent with the expected structures. Neither the different growth media used nor the glycosylation mutations had significant effect on O-glycosylation with respect to both site selectivity and size of the carbohydrate structures. All 33 Ser and 21 Thr residues in the polypeptide were glycosylated at least partially, with an average of more than 2 mannoses/site. Although the mnn1 mutation blocks addition of alpha 1,3-linked mannose, the bar secretion domain expressed in the mnn1 and mnn1 mnn9 transformants unexpectedly contained some O-linked structures with at least 4 mannoses/chain. These O-linked structures were as large as when the leader was expressed in the mnn9 and wild-type strains. The bar secretion domain also had a previously undocumented phosphorylated O-linked structure.

Purification of PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB from human platelet extracts and identification of all three PDGF dimers in human platelets

We have developed a panel of monoclonal antibodies to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) which have variable specificities for the three dimeric forms of the molecule (AA, AB, and BB). We have used these antibodies to detect and immunoaffinity purify the individual dimers from human platelet rich plasma. Extracts of outdated platelet preparations were initially chromatographed over CM-Sepharose and then passed over the Sepharose-coupled monoclonal antibodies in series in selectively isolate the three dimeric forms of PDGF. The PDGF eluted from the affinity columns was subsequently further purified by reversed-phase HPLC. From 300 units of outdated platelet preparations, we purified 58 micrograms of PDGF-BB and 140 micrograms of PDGF-AB. Using the monoclonal antibodies to develop PDGF dimer-specific ELISAs, it was observed that all three PDGF dimer forms are present in fresh human platelet extracts and that the ratios of the three dimer forms vary depending upon the extraction conditions used. The identification of all three PDGF dimer forms in human platelets point to the need to view PDGF isolated from human platelets by conventional techniques as a mixture of all three forms and not solely as PDGF-AB.