Gloria San Miguel

Atrial natriuretic hormone prohormone gene expression in cardiac and extra-cardiac tissues of diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

The present investigation was designed to determine if the mechanism for the increased atrial natriuretic peptides within the circulation of diabetic animals involves atrial natriuretic hormone prohormone (proANH) gene expression upregulation. The tissue specificity of this potential upregulation of the proANH gene was investigated in a spontaneous model of type 2 diabetes, i.e. the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat with comparison to age-matched non-diabetic Wistar rats from which the GK colony was originally derived. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that proANH gene expression was increased 3.1-fold in the left heart ventricle, 5-fold in lung, 2-fold in kidney, 3-fold within mucosa and 1.8-fold within muscle of gastric antrum (p < 0.05 for each) of GK rats compared to Wistar rats. There was no significant increase in proANH gene expression in atria and right ventricle of the heart of GK rats compared to Wistars. These results indicate that steady-state ANH prohormone mRNA levels increase within the left ventricle and extracardiac tissues in type 2 diabetic animals. This enhanced gene expression is a functional increase with its expressed proteins (4 peptide hormones; ANPs) increasing 2–6 fold within the circulation of GKs. The greater increase in proANH messenger RNA in the extracardiac tissues compared to the amount of increase within the heart and the greater tissue mass of these combined extra cardiac tissues suggests the majority of the increase in ANPs within the circulation of diabetics is secondary to increased synthesis in extracardiac tissues. This also suggests that there is a systemic regulatory mechanism of proANH gene expression not only within the heart but also within the lung, gastrointestinal tract and kidney. Diabetes is the first disease in which there is more upregulation of ANH prohormone in extracardiac tissues compared to upregulation within the heart itself.

Introducing Biospecimen Science to Communities: Tools from Two Cities

Background: This article describes community-engaged processes employed by two Community Network Program Center (CNPC) sites located in Tampa, Florida, and Buffalo, New York, toward the development of Spanish/English educational products about biobanking and biospecimen research.Methods: Each CNPC carried out a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach that underscored six essential components that moved concepts to a final educational product in a highly participatory fashion. The similar CBPR processes at the two locations focused on the same topic, resulted in different engagement approaches and tools for their respective communities: 1) DVD and brochure toolkit and 2) PowerPoint, group program with audience response system (ARS).Results: We detail a comparison of methods and applications for using these tools among diverse community groups to advance understandings about genetic and biomedical research technologies.Conclusion: Ultimately, these tools and associated educational efforts emphasize the critical value of co-learning among academic and community members in biobanking and biospecimen research.

Four cardiac hormones increase circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone and testosterone

This study was designed to determine whether four peptide hormones consisting of amino acids 1–30—long-acting natriuretic hormone (LANH), 31–67 (vessel dilator), 79–98 (kaliuretic hormone), and 99–126 (atrial natriuretic hormone [ANH])—of the 126 amino acid atrial natriuretic prohormone increase the circulating concentration of testosterone in healthy humans (n=30). Vessel dilator, kaliuretic hormone, LANH, and ANH increased the circulating concentration of testosterone 3.8, 2.6, 3.9, and 3.4-fold, respectively (p<0.01 for each), when infused at 100 ng/(kg of body wt·min) for 60 min. The increases in testosterone lasted 2.5–3 h after cessation of the respective atrial natriuretic peptides’ infusions. ANH, vessel dilator, LANH, and kaliuretic hormone increased luteinizing hormone (LH) 3-to 8.4-fold (p<0.001) during infusion, with the maximal increase in LH being 6.7- to 11.7-fold (p<0.001) secondary to these cardiac hormones. Vessel dilator and kaliuretic hormone increased LH before increasing testosterone in a sequential fashion. These data suggest that four peptide hormones—ANH, LANH, vessel dilator, and kaliuretic hormone—increase the circulating con-centrations of LH and testosterone in humans.

Development and validation of the biobanking attitudes and knowledge survey-Spanish (BANKS-SP).

Few research studies with non-English-speaking audiences have been conducted to explore community members’ views on biospecimen donation and banking, and no validated Spanish-language multi-scale instruments exist to measure community perspectives on biobanking. This study describes the development and psychometric properties of the Biobanking Attitudes aNd Knowledge Survey-Spanish (BANKS-SP). The BANKS was translated into Spanish using the Brislin method of translation. Draft BANKS-SP items were refined through cognitive interviews, and psychometric properties were assessed in a sample of 85 Spanish-speaking individuals recruited at various community events in a three county area in central west Florida, USA. The final BANKS-SP includes three scales: attitudes, knowledge, and self-efficacy; as well as three single items, which evaluated receptivity and intention to donate a biospecimen for research. The final Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the two scales that use a Likert response format indicated adequate internal consistency (attitudes, α = .79; self-efficacy, α = .91). Intention to donate blood and intention to donate urine were positively correlated with attitudes, self-efficacy, and receptivity to learning more about biobanking (all p’s < .001). BANKS-SP-Knowledge was not statistically significantly correlated with other BANKS-SP scales or single items measuring intention to donate a biospecimen for research and receptivity for learning more about biospecimen research. The BANKS-SP attitudes and self-efficacy scales show evidence of satisfactory reliability and validity. Additional research should be conducted with larger samples to assess the BANKS-SP instrument’s reliability and validity. A valid and reliable Spanish-language instrument measuring Spanish-speaking community members’ views about biobanking may help researchers evaluate relevant communication interventions to enhance understanding, intention, and actual biospecimen donation among this population.

Erratum to: Development and validation of the biobanking attitudes and knowledge survey-Spanish (BANKS-SP)

Few research studies with non-English-speaking audiences have been conducted to explore community members’ views on biospecimen donation and banking, and no validated Spanish-language multi-scale instruments exist to measure community perspectives on biobanking. This study describes the development and psychometric properties of the Biobanking Attitudes aNd Knowledge Survey-Spanish (BANKS-SP). The BANKS was translated into Spanish using the Brislin method of translation. Draft BANKS-SP items were refined through cognitive interviews, and psychometric properties were assessed in a sample of 85 Spanish-speaking individuals recruited at various community events in a three county area in central west Florida, USA. The final BANKSSP includes three scales: attitudes, knowledge, and selfefficacy; as well as three single items, which evaluated receptivity and intention to donate a biospecimen for research. The final Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the two scales that use a Likert response format indicated adequate internal consistency (attitudes, α = .79; self-efficacy, α = .91). Intention to donate blood and intention to donate urine were positively correlated with attitudes, self-efficacy, and receptivity to learning more about biobanking (all p’s < .001). BANKS-SPKnowledge was not statistically significantly correlated with other BANKS-SP scales or single items measuring intention to donate a biospecimen for research and receptivity for learning more about biospecimen research. The BANKS-SP attitudes and self-efficacy scales show evidence of satisfactory reliability and validity. Additional research should be conducted with larger samples to assess the BANKS-SP instrument’s reliability and validity. A valid and reliable Spanish-language instrument measuring Spanish-speaking community members’ views about biobanking may help researchers evaluate relevant communication interventions to enhance understanding, intention, and actual biospecimen donation among this population.

Abstract B8: Bringing science to underserved communities: Using community-based participatory research to evaluate biobanking educational materials

Introduction: Biospecimen donation and banking from diverse populations are critical for translational cancer research. Yet, little is known about community members’ perceptions about biospecimen donation and banking. The objectives of this study are to develop instruments to examine perceptions of biospecimen donation and banking and evaluate the efficacy of biobanking educational materials. Methods: Guided by a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the study consists of two phases. In phase I, an instrument named Biobanking Attitudes and Knowledge Survey (BANKS) was developed in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) Biobanking Community Advisory Board to assess participants’ knowledge about and attitudes towards biospecimen collection, intention to donate biospecimens to a biobank, as well as self-efficacy regarding biospecimen donation. BANKS development and validation consists of iterative processes, including content analysis of 12 focus groups (n=95) for item generation; cognitive interviews (n=12 community members) to assess item comprehension and language appropriateness; content validity analyses with biobanking experts (n=5) to evaluate item relevancy to the constructs of interest (Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-efficacy); pilot-testing with community members; and instrument translation into Spanish. In Phase II, a small randomized control trial will be conducted with 60 community members to assess the efficacy of biobanking educational materials in increasing knowledge, positive attitudes, self-efficacy, and intentions to donate biospecimens to a biobank. The study will compare a multimedia biobanking educational intervention developed by TBCCN, with the National Cancer Institute brochure titled Providing Your Tissue for Research: What You Need to Know (NCI brochure). BANKS data will be collected following study enrollment (baseline), and then participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (TBCCN multimedia intervention or NCI brochure). Follow-up interviews using the BANKS will be conducted between 7 and 14 days after enrollment. Participants’ medical records will be reviewed to assess group differences in biospecimen donation consent rates. Results: Using a CBPR approach, the project has successfully developed and validated a culturally and linguistically appropriate instrument to assess community members’ knowledge, attitudes, intention, and self-efficacy related to biospecimen donation. The BANKS is comprised of 21 attitudes items, 17 knowledge items, 11 self-efficacy items, and 2 intention items. Phase II of the study is expected to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a multimedia biobanking educational intervention in improving perceptions of biospecimen donation and biobanking. Conclusion: Using a CBPR approach, data collected during this study have yielded a culturally appropriate instrument to assess community members’ perceptions about biobanking, the BANKS. The next step in the study is to use the BANKS to evaluate a multimedia biobanking intervention in increasing knowledge, positive attitudes, self-efficacy, and intention to donate biospecimens to a biobank among racial/ethnically and linguistically diverse populations in Tampa Bay, Florida. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B8.

Abstract A18: To bank or not to bank: Engaging community members in discussions about biobanking

Background: Efforts to develop personalized medicine and individualized cancer care must be undertaken with widespread participation in biobanking especially among ethnic/racial populations that disproportionally experience excess burden of cancer incidence and mortality. The concept of biobanks is thought to be a promising way to identify the links between genetic and environmental factors in relation to disease, particularly cancer. Yet there is skepticism among the general public about the purpose of these repositories. If public engagement, understanding, and trust are established, biobanks may serve as an important resource to address issues of limited generalizability that are present in current clinical and genomics research. This research describes a series of community engagement processes and formative research activities (phase I), part of an ARRA pilot project to assess community attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and informational needs on human biospecimen collection and biobanking. Congruent with the goals of the parent grant, the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network, an NCI-funded community networks program for tackling health disparities, this project supports the development of collaborative community-academic linkages resulting in tools that limit and/or eliminate barriers to closing the gap on cancer health disparities. Methods: Interactive activities undertaken to engage community members on the topic of biobanking included educational presentations, a biobanking tour, and formation of a Community Advisory Group (CAG). The CAG, comprised of key community stakeholders, provided ongoing feedback on study methods, recruitment strategies, focus group content, educational materials, and offered important community insights about biobanking. It is expected that these activities will add to a growing community level of understanding of biobanking as “opening new pathways for researchers to bring about new treatments.” Currently underway are a series of 12 focus groups and 10 key informant interviews examining community members’ knowledge and attitudes about biospecimen collection; motivations toward research participation; ethical concerns; and learning preferences for the topic. Results: Data gained from this formative research phase will aid in identification of strategies to effectively frame educational messages with deference to health literacy, cultural competency, and encourage informed decision making (phase II). In keeping with a community-based participatory approach, study outputs include: 1) a CAG that could be used to advise future studies and inform policies on biobanking research; 2) a set of educational communication tools for advancing understandings about biomedical technologies in an easy-to-understand manner; and 2) linkages to Minority Biospecimen/Biobanking-Geographic Management Program Regional initiatives (BMap-GMap). Conclusion: Use of community engagement methods to improve communications on biospecimen collection/biobanking is one way to bring constituents’ voices into discussions and influence the way biobanks are implemented. It is expected that public engagement from idea conception to implementation will prove central to mobilizing community participation in biobanking. Future studies are expected to test the efficacy of these tools for decision priming. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A18.