What are the factors associated with neighborhood park visits and health in Alabama? A cross-sectional study using a path model.

This study seeks to examine the effect of the characteristics of park users, park characteristics, and the neighborhood environment on park visits and the resultant perceived health status of residents living in Alabama, US. One hundred and eighty-nine participants, representing residents from 49 counties in Alabama, were recruited via a random-digit dial method to complete a telephone survey related to park visits. Data collection spanned 11 months. Results from the path analysis indicated a few significant direct effects: park location and body mass index (BMI) were the only two factors significantly associated with park visits, with race being marginally significant; and work status was significantly associated with perceived health. Our findings suggest park proximity, and high BMI are related to park visits and work status is related to perceived health among Alabamians. It is recommended that more neighborhood parks are needed for promoting Alabamians to visit them more frequently.

Pediatric dental care use and parent- or caregiver-rated oral health among Alabama children enrolled in Medicaid.

BACKGROUND: Reducing caries and improving access to dental care is a public health challenge. Understanding low use of dental care is of critical importance. This study estimated parent- or caregiver-reported prevalence and identified factors associated with children's dental care use, including the association with children's oral health. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of children enrolled in Medicaid in Alabama, using data from the 2017 statewide Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Health Plan Survey, was conducted. Associations were measured using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logit regression and generalized linear model postestimation of least-squares means. RESULTS: The 6-month prevalence of children receiving dental care was 70.4%. Children aged 0 through 3 years (aPR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.91) had lower prevalence of care than other age groups. The prevalence of low-rated oral health was 9.2%. Low-rated oral health was associated with not receiving dental care (aPR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.87) and parental education of 8th grade or less (aPR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.20 to 3.98). Falsification tests determined that dental care use was not associated with ratings for overall health (aPR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.52) or emotional health (aPR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.33). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that children not receiving dental care had low-rated oral health; however, as a cross-sectional study, it was not possible to assess the temporality of this relationship. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Oral health care providers should continue to recognize their role in educating parents and providing anticipatory guidance on children's oral health.

Oxygen-distribution within 3-D collagen I hydrogels for bone tissue engineering.

Tissue engineering (TE) approaches typically envisage the structural and functional reconstitution of previously damaged tissue in situ. An adequate three-dimensional environment is therefore of fundamental importance for the designated cells associated to the scaffold material. The sufficient supply with nutrients and oxygen in vitro and in vivo mark thereby critical challenges of TE. In this study, we intended to analyse the level of locally dissolved oxygen within 3-D cell-loaded collagen I gels in vitro. For the analysis of the oxygen levels in situ, we employed an optical fibre-based micro sensor setup, as well as a camera supported non-invasive optical sensor foil based technique. These complementary analytical tools enable the identification, localization, and temporal follow-up investigation of specified regions of interest within TE constructs. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAdMSCs) cultured in collagen I gels under normoxic conditions were analysed periodically and kinetically up to 70 days - thereby revealing dynamic changes of the level of dissolved oxygen inside the gel constructs. Dependent on the applied cell concentration, the in vitro oxygen concentration (cO2) within the gels reached physiological ranges (7-9%) after 21 days, or 35 days of culture. The minimal cO2 was measured after 35 days in vitro, featuring an oxygen level of 4.8 ±â€¯1.3%. Upon prolonged culture, a plateau-like status of the cO2 around 8-9% established, indicating a change in the physiological activity of the cells under investigation. The expression patterns of BCL2, CASP3 and MCM5 revealed significant differences among the proliferative and apoptotic stages of the cell-loaded samples at the investigated time points of 7 and 70 days in culture. In summary, these data show the temporary dynamic nature of the oxygen distribution in cell-loaded gel constructs. The applied technique is an ideal tool for the evaluation of multiple parameters affecting the oxygen distribution in vitro. We conclude that it takes 5 weeks for establishing an equilibrium of cO2. Levels reached in a 3-D gel construct are comparable with physiological oxygenation ranges in bone-associated tissues.

Man Versus Machine: Comparing Double Data Entry and Optical Mark Recognition for Processing CAHPS Survey Data.

OBJECTIVE: Historically, double data entry (DDE) has been considered the criterion standard for minimizing data entry errors. However, previous studies considered data entry alternatives through the limited lens of data accuracy. This study supplies information regarding data accuracy, operational efficiency, and cost for DDE and Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) for processing the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems 5.0 survey. METHODS: To assess data accuracy, we compared error rates for DDE and OMR by dividing the number of surveys that were arbitrated by the total number of surveys processed for each method. To assess operational efficiency, we tallied the cost of data entry for DDE and OMR after survey receipt. Costs were calculated on the basis of personnel, depreciation for capital equipment, and costs of noncapital equipment. RESULTS: The cost savings attributed to this method were negated by the operational efficiency of OMR. There was a statistical significance between rates of arbitration between DDE and OMR; however, this statistical significance did not create a practical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The potential benefits of DDE in terms of data accuracy did not outweigh the operational efficiency and thereby financial savings of OMR.

Biocompatibility study of three distinct carbon pastes for application as electrode material in neural stimulations and recordings.

Neural interfaces hold great promise for research and treatment of a wide variety of neurological diseases. Medical electrodes are designed to interface with the nervous system and provide control signals for neural prostheses. We fabricated previously a hook-up neural electrode. Here we investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of three commercial carbon pastes used for printing the conductor tracks of this electrode. At first, the carbon pastes were characterized with respect to their microstructure and chemical composition. SEM images showed a grainy texture that is associated to the carbon/graphite microparticles dispersed by the polymeric binder. All the three pastes contained in major proportions carbon and in different proportions other elements. The surface roughness analysis evidenced differences in the smoothness of the carbon paste surfaces. Sterilization procedures did not alter the microstructure or surface morphology of the pastes. Finally, cell viability based on -(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and fluorescence staining experiments proved non-cytotoxicity and suitability of the studied carbon pastes as electrode material for measuring neural activity during surgeries (up to a certain time period).

Hyaluronic acid facilitates chondrogenesis and matrix deposition of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells and human chondrocytes co-cultures.

Clinical success on cartilage regeneration could be achieved by using available biomaterials and cell-based approaches. In this study, we have developed a composite gel based on collagen/hyaluronic acid (Coll-HA) as ideal, physiologically representative 3D support for in vitro chondrogenesis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) co-cultured with human articular chondrocytes (hAC). The incorporation of hyaluronic acid (HA) attempted to provide an additional stimulus to the hAMSCs for chondrogenesis and extracellular matrix deposition. Coll-HA gels were fabricated by directly mixing different amounts of HA (0-5%) into collagen solution before gelation. hACs and hAMSCs were co-cultured at different ratios from 100% to 0% in steps of 25%. Thus, five different co-culture groups were tested in the various Coll-HA 3D matrices. HA greatly impacted the cell viability and proliferation as well as the mechanical properties of the Coll-HA gel. The effective Young's modulus changed from 5.8 to 9.0kPa with increasing concentrations of HA in the gel. In addition, significantly higher amounts of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were detected that seemed to be dependent on HA content. The highest HA concentration used (5%) resulted in the lowest Collagen type X (Col10) expression for most of the cell culture groups. Unexpectedly, culturing in these gels was also associated with decreased SOX9 and Collagen type II (Col2) expression, while Collagen type III (Col3) and metalloproteinase 13 notably increased. By using 1% HA, a positive effect on SOX9 expression was observed in the co-culture groups. In addition, a significant increase in GAGs production was also detected. Regarding co-culturing, the group with 25% hAMSCs+75% hACs was the most chondrogenic one considering SOX9 and Col2 expression as well as GAGs production. This group showed negligible Col10 expression after 35days of culture independently of the gel used. It also featured the highest effective Young's modulus (9.9kPa) when cultivated in the 1% HA matrix. Concerning the level of dissolved oxygen in situ, the groups with a higher amount of hAMSCs showed lower oxygen levels (40-58% O2) compared to hACs (63-74% O2). This might be attributed to the higher cellular metabolism and proliferation rate of the hAMSCs. Interestingly, lower oxygen was detected in the HA-containing gels when compared to plain collagen. This may contribute to the better chondrogenesis observed in these groups. Altogether, our results indicated that HA may favor chondrogenesis, but its effect highly depends on the concentration used. Additionally, co-culture of hACs with hAMSCs also favors chondrogenesis and especially increases extracellular matrix production and decreases hypertrophy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In the clinical situation, large cartilage defects can be treated with MACT. However, this is a two-stage procedure, which increases the risk for the patient. Moreover, culturing chondrocytes leads to dedifferentiation. The matrix used for MACT is a collagen-based scaffold. In this study, it was demonstrated that hyaluronic acid, a natural component of the extracellular matrix, supplementation to a collagen hydrogel stimulates chondrogenic differentiation in a dose dependent manner. 1% HA showed the best overall results. Furthermore, exchanging 25% of human articular chondrocytes with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells didn't change the chondrogenic potential, but reduced going in unwanted pathways and improved biomechanical properties. This could translate to a one-step procedure and shows the potential of inducing differentiation by natural biomaterials.

Environmental Health Priorities of Residents and Environmental Health Professionals: Implications for Improving Environmental Health Services in Rural Versus Urban Communities.

Previous research has suggested differences between public and professional understanding of the field of environmental health (EH) and the role of EH services within urban and rural communities. This study investigated EH priority differences between 1) rural and urban residents and 2) residents and EH professionals, and presents quantitative and qualitative methods for establishing locality-specific EH priorities. Residents (N = 588) and EH professionals (N = 63) in Alabama identified EH priorities via a phone or online survey. We categorized rurality of participant residences by rural-urban commuting area codes and population density, and tested whether or not EH priorities were different between urban and rural residents. Built environment issues, particularly abandoned houses, and air pollution were high priorities for urban residents-whereas, water and sanitation issues, and paper mill-related pollution were high priorities in rural communities. EH professionals ranked food safety and water and sanitation issues as higher priorities than residents did. Results highlight the importance of urbanicity on environmental risk perception and the utility of simple and inexpensive engagement methods for understanding these differences. Differences between residents and EH professionals suggest improving stakeholder participation in local-level EH decision making might lead to greater awareness of EH services, which might in turn improve support and effectiveness of those services.

Synthesis of ROS scavenging microspheres from a dopamine containing poly(ß-amino ester) for applications for neurodegenerative disorders.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by a substantial decrease of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The neurological deterioration during PD can be, in part, attributed to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Radical scavengers have previously been shown to protect dopaminergic cells from toxic effects in vitro. Hence, new approaches need to be investigated to improve the administration of antioxidants in order to provide neuroprotection. Polymers exhibiting catechol structures offer one such approach due to their interesting physicochemical properties. In the present study a photocrosslinkable dopamine-containing poly(ß-amino ester) (DPAE) was synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and dopamine hydrochloride using Michael type addition. A water-in-oil emulsion technique was used to photo-crosslink the polymer into spherical microparticles. DPAE microspheres featured excellent scavenging properties towards 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals in a dose dependent manner and could even reduce the dissolved oxygen content of physiological solution. Furthermore, the concentrations required for radical scavenging were shown to be non-toxic towards dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells as well as primary astrocytes and primary embryonic rat ventral midbrain cultures.