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In recent years there have been several attempts to examine Ethnobiology from an evolutionary perspective. I discuss several potential sources of confusion in applying Evolutionary concepts to Ethnobiology. Ethnobiological discussions of evolution have focused more on changes in human populations, or on human impacts upon plants used by humans for a variety of purposes, than on the processes typically emphasized in discussions by biologists studying evolution. There has been little acknowledgment of how the field of biological evolution is changing in the 21st Century. In this article I focus on recent developments in evolutionary thinking that could be effectively integrated into Ethnobiological concepts. These include 1) The increased importance of individual organisms in understanding both population dynamics and microevolutionary change (i.e. APG-2449 mw natural selection). This change in focus creates the potential for incorporating understandings from Indigenous people who recognize a different set of dynamics thatbject to climate change would be greatly improved by working closely with Indigenous peoples and incorporating concepts from these traditions into practices on a global scale. BACKGROUND AIMS Key obstacles in human iNKT cell translational research and immunotherapy include the lack of robust protocols for dependable expansion of human iNKT cells and the paucity of data on phenotypes in post-expanded cells. METHODS We delineate expansion methods using interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7 and allogeneic feeder cells and anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 stimulation by which to dependably augment Th2 polarization and direct cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood CD3+Vα24+Vβ11+ iNKT cells. RESULTS Gene and protein expression profiling demonstrated augmented Th2 cytokine secretion (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) in expanded iNKT cells stimulated with anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 antibodies. Cytotoxic effector molecules including granzyme B were increased in expanded iNKT cells after CD2/CD3/CD28 stimulation. Direct cytotoxicity assays using unstimulated expanded iNKT cell effectors revealed α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer)-dependent killing of the T-ALL cell line Jurkat. Moreover, CD2/CD3/CD28 stimulation of expanded iNKT cells augmented their (α-GalCer-independent) killing of Jurkat cells. Co-culture of expanded iNKT cells with stimulated responder cells confirmed contact-dependent inhibition of activated CD4+ and CD8+ responder T cells. DISCUSSION These data establish a robust protocol to expand and novel pathways to enhance Th2 cytokine secretion and direct cytotoxicity in human iNKT cells, findings with direct implications for autoimmunity, vaccine augmentation and anti-infective immunity, cancer immunotherapy and transplantation. BACKGROUND Large-scale adverse events (LSAEs) involve unsafe clinical practices stemming from system issues that may affect multiple patients. Although literature suggests a supportive organizational culture may protect against system-related adverse events, no study has explored such a relationship within the context of LSAEs. This study aimed to identify whether staff perceptions of organizational culture were associated with LSAE incidence. METHODS The team conducted an exploratory analysis using the 2008-2010 data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) All Employee Survey (AES). LSAE incidence was the outcome variable in two facilities where similar infection control practice issues occurred, leading to LSAEs. For comparison, four facilities where LSAEs had not occurred were selected, matched on VA-assigned facility complexity and geography. The AES explanatory factors included workgroup-level (civility, employee engagement, leadership, psychological safety, resources, rewards) and hospital-level Likert-type scales for four cultural factors (group, rational, entrepreneurial, bureaucratic). Bivariate analyses and logistic regressions were performed, with individual staff as the unit of analysis from the anonymous AES data. RESULTS Responses from 209 AES participants across the six facilities in the sample indicated that the four comparison facilities had significantly higher mean scores compared to the two LSAE facilities for 9 of 10 explanatory factors. The adjusted analyses identified that employee engagement significantly predicted LSAE incidence (odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval = 0.37-0.90). CONCLUSION Staff at the two exposure facilities in this study described their organizational culture to be less supportive. Lower scores in employee engagement may be a contributing factor for LSAEs. OBJECTIVE To test the acceptability and effectiveness of a lay-coach-facilitated, videoconferenced, short-term behavioral activation (Tele-BA) intervention for improving social connectedness among homebound older adults. METHODS We employed a two-site, participant-randomized controlled trial with 89 older adults (averaging 74 years old) who were recipients of, and initially screened by, home-delivered meals programs. All participants reported loneliness; many reported being socially isolated and/or dissatisfaction with social support. Participants received five weekly videoconference sessions of either Tele-BA or Tele-FV (friendly visits; active control). Three primary outcomes were social interaction (Duke Social Support Index [DSSI] Social Interaction Subscale), subjective loneliness (PROMIS Social Isolation Scale), and DSSI Satisfaction with Social Support Subscale. Depression severity (PHQ-9) and disability (WHODAS 2.0) were secondary outcomes. Mixed-effects regression models were fit to evaluate outcomes at 6- and 12-weeks follow-up. RESULTS Compared to Tele-FV participants, Tele-BA participants had greater increase in social interaction (t [81] = 2.42, p = 0.018) and satisfaction with social support (t [82] = 2.00, p = 0.049) and decrease in loneliness (t [81] = -3.08, p = 0.003), depression (t [82] = -3.46, p = 0.001), and disability (t [81] = -2.29, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION A short-term, lay-coach-facilitated Tele-BA is a promising intervention for the growing numbers of homebound older adults lacking social connectedness. The intervention holds promise for scalability in programs that already serve homebound older adults. More research is needed to solidify the clinical evidence base, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of Tele-BA delivered by lay coaches for homebound and other older adults.
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