A survey study of the attitudes and experiences of adults with intellectual disability regarding participation in research.

BACKGROUND: Historically, people with intellectual disability have been exploited in and excluded from scientific research. To facilitate greater representation of adults with intellectual disability as research respondents, we sought to understand their interest in research participation and factors affecting their willingness to volunteer to participate, such as the core value of trust. METHODS: Our survey measured attitudes of adults with intellectual disability towards research in general and research specifically involving adults with intellectual disability as respondents, as well as their prior research experiences, trust of researchers and interest in future research participation. RESULTS: Participants reported positive attitudes towards research and strong interest in future participation opportunities, and trust of researchers was positively correlated to both. The belief that 'research about adults with intellectual disability is very important' also predicted participants' interest in future research participation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that adults with intellectual disability support the direct involvement of adults with intellectual disability in research as respondents. Trustworthy rapport with researchers and positive views about research foster greater inclusion of this population.

The response of adult human saphenous vein endothelial cells to combined pressurized pulsatile flow and cyclic strain, in vitro.

Adult human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HVEC) were cultured in a compliant tubular device and evaluated by Northern hybridization for the effects of combined pressurized pulsatile flow and cyclic strain on the expression of mRNAs for endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). The hemodynamic environment was designed to mimic shear stress conditions at the distal anastomosis of a saphenous vein graft, a common site of intimal proliferation. Steady-state mRNA levels in experimental tubes were expressed relative to that in controls. No changes were observed in ET-1 mRNA after 1 and 24 hr, but a 50% decrease in experimental cultures was observed after 48 hr in the vascular simulating device. Similar results were obtained for ecNOS mRNA, although a subgroup (4 of 11) showed a significant decrease (>50%) by 24 hr. For tPA mRNA, no change was observed after 1 hr, but a significant decrease (>60%) was measured after 24 hr and no message was detectable after 48 hr. Steady-state levels for PAI-1 mRNA remained unchanged through 48 hr of treatment. These results show that pressure, pulsatile flow, and cyclic strain, when applied in concert, differentially alter vasoactive and fibrinolytic functions in HVEC. Moreover, the dramatic decrease in steady-state levels of tPA mRNA is consistent with a shift toward an increased thrombotic state.