The importance of contrast sensitivity testing in children

Aim: To discuss the information contrast sensitivity (CS) testing can provide over visual acuity testing, and review the literature relating to CS deficits in children to determine whether there is an optimum test available. Methods: A literature search of databases available through the University of Liverpool library was performed. All searches related to the importance of CS in children, paediatric conditions affecting CS and current clinical tests available for the assessment of CS. Results: Many paediatric conditions exist where CS is defective, often despite ‘normal’ visual acuity (VA): for example, optic pathway gliomas, myopia and primary congenital glaucoma. The finding of a loss of CS has been found to be more prominent and disturbing to an individual than a loss of VA, emphasising the importance of CS assessments in children. Therefore, the clinical assessment of CS in children is valuable in terms of strategies to support the child and establishing the individual’s functional level of vision. Unfortunately, current paediatric clinical tests of CS have failed to demonstrate the same standards and repeatability and reliability as adult tests for the assessment of CS. Conclusions: The range of functional deficits that accompany paediatric ocular disease require more assessments for full evaluation of visual function than standard VA tests. However, reliable assessments for paediatric CS are limited. A new paediatric CS test may be of clinical value

A Systematic Evaluation of the Evidence for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Vaccine Efficacy on Reproductive Performance in Sows

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus was estimated in 2005 to cost U.S. pork producers $560 million annually, of which$67 million was attributed to reproductive disorders in breeding herds. The objective of this report was to provide a comprehensive, systematic review and quality assessment of all available research reports evaluating the use of commercial PRRS vaccines in breeding stock. To achieve the study objective, the systematic review methodology was adopted. The objective of this review therefore was to answer the question, “What is the effect of vaccination with a commercially available PRRS vaccine on the reproductive performance of breeding age female swine?” Four components of the question for a systematic review for an intervention consist of the population of interest, intervention, comparator, and outcome of interest (PICO). All potentially relevant primary research studies were identified, screened for relevance, assessed for standard design features, and if passing both the relevance and quality criterion, were extracted. The evaluation allows us the conclusion that there is a large volume of evidence discussing the effects of PRRS vaccination on reproductive parameters, but the studies are variable in the consistency of reporting and the approach used to measure these values. Based on the evidence gathered from this systematic review a positive benefit on reproductive parameters is reported with the use of vaccination. Practitioners bear the responsibility of assessing the validity of the experimental design and analysis as part of determining the evidentiary value of the conclusions relative to the vaccination decision they are making

Scaling Dual Enrollment in Rural Communities: A Case Study of Three Rural Texas High Schools

Dual enrollment is a powerful mechanism to support college readiness and success for high school students across the country. Rural schools provide unique advantages but face distinct challenges in creating effective dual enrollment opportunities for students. This case study examines how three rural schools in Texas addressed three challenges rural schools face: overcoming distance to higher education partners, supporting students in navigating the college environment, and building staff capacity to support dual enrollment

Monitorización y tendencias de la deposición de N en España, incluyendo polvo sahariano

The chemical composition of the atmosphere has significantly changed in the last century, mostly due to increased emissions of gases and particles derived from human activities. Several studies have analyzed the trends in the chemical composition of rainwater and atmospheric deposition in recent decades in central and northern Europe. However, for Spain there is a lack of studies at national level. Up to now, analyses of decadal trends are only available from a few individual stations.In this paper we first present the different methods to measure atmospheric deposition. Then we compile a list of atmospheric deposition monitoring stations in Spain and review the available time series, for series longer than 10 years, with special attention to the trends of N, S and African dust. Finally, we indicate future research directions to fill the gaps in knowledge about patterns and trends of atmospheric deposition at a national level.La composición química de la atmósfera ha cambiado significativamente en los últimos 100 años principalmente debido al aumento de las emisiones de gases y partículas derivadas de las actividades humanas. Numerosos estudios han descrito las tendencias de la composición química de la lluvia y la deposición atmosférica en países del centro y norte de Europa. Sin embargo, para España no existen estudios a escala nacional y actualmente sólo disponemos de análisis de las tendencias en algunas estaciones individuales en puntos concretos del territorio.En este trabajo primero presentamos los distintos métodos de medida de la deposición atmosférica. A continuación, realizamos una recopilación de estaciones de monitoreo de la deposición atmosférica en España y revisamos las tendencias de las series temporales largas disponibles (más de 10 años) con especial atención a las tendencias de N, S y del polvo africano. Finalmente, indicamos futuras direcciones de investigación para completar las lagunas en el conocimiento sobre pautas y tendencias de la deposición atmosférica a nivel nacional

Normative Values for Near and Distance Clinical Tests of Stereoacuity.

PurposeExtensive literature exists on normative stereoacuity values for younger children, but there is less information about normative stereoacuity in older children/adults. Individual stereotests cannot be used interchangeably-knowing the upper limit of normality for each test is important. This report details normative stereoacuity values for 5 near/distance stereotests drawn from a large sample of participants aged 16-40 years, across 3 studies.MethodsParticipants (n=206, mean age 22.18±5.31 years) were administered the following stereotests: TNO, Preschool Randot, Frisby, Distance Randot, and Frisby-Davis 2. Medians and upper limits were calculated for each test.ResultsUpper limits for each stereotest were as follows: TNO (n=127, upper limit=120" arc), Preschool Randot (PSR, n=206, upper limit=70" arc), Frisby (n=206, upper limit=40" arc), Distance Randot (n=127, upper limit=160" arc), and Frisby-Davis 2 (n=109, upper limit=25" arc).ConclusionsNormative values for each stereotest are identified and discussed with respect to other studies. Potential sources of variation between tests, within testing distances, are also discussed

Analysis of Joint Dysfunction During an Aging- Simulation, Laboratory Exercise for Allied Health Students

The aim of this experiment was to (1) develop and assess a joint-dysfunction simulation learning and sensitization activity for a Human Anatomy and Physiology I lab on joint structure and function (Part A) and (2) quantify the range of motion experienced during the simulation (Part B). The lab protocol allowed 318 allied health students to experience some of the physical limitations of aging, specifically arthritis, by asking them to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) while wearing simulation equipment that inhibited their range of movement. In Part A, students completed a pre- simulation survey, which assessed the students’ knowledge about the elderly and arthritis. Most of the students (74.8%) responded that they do have family members who have experienced joint pain or immobility, and 145 students disagreed when asked if arthritis is a problem only experienced by the elderly. When asked if older people become more confused, 118 students agreed, and then if older people don’t contribute much to society, 154 students strongly disagreed. The majority of the students felt comfortable with the elderly and had positive thoughts about them. For the acts of daily living, students completed four simple tasks with and without taped hands, designed to simulate arthritis. For each task, time to completion significantly increased (p<0.001) with the addition of tape. Students then completed a post-simulation survey, which assessed the success of the simulation. When asked if they experienced difficulty with the task with the addition of tape, most students agreed that it was more difficult with the tape, which suggests the tape was an effective method to simulate arthritis. Almost all of the students agreed that the simulation was interesting, which promotes the idea of future research. In part B, 21 volunteers completed the same ADLs while wearing an electronic, finger goniometer. This device electronically measured subject’s degree of mobility while completing ADLs, with no constrictions and then once again with the addition of tape. Flexion and extension were observed and the change in range of motion was calculated by comparing flexion during the tasks with the value obtained while the subject performed full flexion (i.e., calibration). Increases in the time to completion of each task were similar to the data collected during the simulation in Part A, but the smaller sample size led to significant increase only when writing their name (p=0.012) and texting a message (p=0.007). Restrictions led to a decrease the subject’s range of motion for each of the tasks; however, because of equipment issues resulting in a smaller sample size, it is difficult to assess an accurate change in the range of motion in terms of flexion and extension. Alternate equipment could be considered to observe the complex motions, both flexions and extensions, required for each of the tasks and how they may change with the addition of simulation materials. Future research that expands upon the idea of an arthritis simulation for allied health students could further improve the effectiveness and reality of the simulation, which will increase a student’s understanding of aging and arthritis

Relative bioavailability of iron and folic acid from a new powdered supplement compared to a traditional tablet in pregnant women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Deficiencies of iron and folic acid during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for the fetus, thus supplements are recommended. Adherence to current tablet-based supplements is documented to be poor. Recently a powdered form of micronutrients has been developed which may decrease side-effects and thus improve adherence. However, before testing the efficacy of the supplement as an alternate choice for supplementation during pregnancy, the bioavailability of the iron needs to be determined. Our objective was to measure the relative bioavailability of iron and folic acid from a powdered supplement that can be sprinkled on semi-solid foods or beverages versus a traditional tablet supplement in pregnant women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighteen healthy pregnant women (24 – 32 weeks gestation) were randomized to receive the supplements in a crossover design. Following ingestion of each supplement, the changes (over baseline) in serum iron and folate over 8 hours were determined. The powdered supplement contained 30 mg of iron as micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate with an emulsifier coating and 600 μg folic acid; the tablet contained 27 mg iron from ferrous fumarate and 1000 μg folic acid.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall absorption of iron from the powdered supplement was significantly lower than the tablet (p = 0.003). There was no difference in the overall absorption of folic acid between supplements. Based on the differences in the area under the curve and doses, the relative bioavailability of iron from powdered supplement was lower than from the tablet (0.22).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The unexpected lower bioavailability of iron from the powdered supplement is contrary to previously published reports. However, since pills and capsules are known to be poorly accepted by some women during pregnancy, it is reasonable to continue to explore alternative micronutrient delivery systems and forms of iron for this purpose.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00789490</p