Assessing Medication Redistribution Practices Between Long-term Care Facilities, Free Clinics, and Charitable Pharmacies in Ohio

Every year, U.S. hospitals and long-term care facilities flush millions of unused medications down the drain, pumping contaminants into America\u27s drinking water. These discarded medications could be expired, spoiled, or simply unused. Patients may leave behind unused medications if they refuse to take them, cannot tolerate them, or pass away. Few of our country\u27s 5,700 hospitals and 45,000 long-term care homes keep data on the pharmaceutical waste they generate. Based on a small sample study, the Associated Press was able to project a national estimate of at least 250 million pounds of pharmaceuticals are wasted annually. Some nursing home facilities and state jails report throwing away anywhere from 700 to 1,000 pills a month, and up to 12,000 a year. This leads to an annual loss of $5 billion in wasted drugs. This is billions of dollars literally being flushed away. Medication redistribution is the solution to this problem. Many facilities are starting to participate in medication redistribution practices. The purpose of this study was to conduct market research on the current medication redistribution practices in Ohio. We surveyed both free clinics and charitable pharmacies as well as assisted living and long-term care facilities. The goal was to discover potential areas of improvement where we can be better stewards of our resources and decrease medication waste. References Donn, J, Mendoza, M, Pritchard, J. AP IMPACT: Health care industry sends tons of drugs into nation\u27s wastewater system. Associated Press Writers. 2014. SIRUM. www.SIRUM.org. Accessed March 2, 2015

Self-renewal of teratocarcinoma and embryonic stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells derived from preimplantation embryos, primordial germ cells or teratocarcinomas are currently unique in undergoing prolonged symmetrical self-renewal in culture. For mouse embryonic stem (ES)cells, self-renewal is dependent on signals from the cytokine leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and from either serum or bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). In addition to the extrinsic regulation of gene expression,intrinsic transcriptional determinants are also required for maintenance of the undifferentiated state. These include Oct4, a member of the POU family of homeodomain proteins and a second recently identified homeodomain protein, Nanog. When overexpressed, Nanog allows ES cells to self-renew in the absence of the otherwise obligatory LIF and BMP signals. Although Nanog can act independent of the LIF signal, a contribution of both pathways provides maximal self-renewal efficiency. Nanog function also requires Oct4. Here, we review recent progress in ES cell self-renewal, relate this to the biology of teratocarcinomas and offer testable hypotheses to expose the mechanics of ES cell self-renewal

Investigating the Effect of Air Conditioning on Radon

Radon is an invisible and dangerous noble gas that seeps up from the ground. Breathing in too much radon may cause lung cancer. When a room is not ventilated properly and closed up for a long time, it can lead to dangerous amounts of radon filling up. Radon is everywhere around us, and any amount of radon may be dangerous. In order to lower the threats from radon, rooms must recirculate fresh air. The average radon level outside is 0.4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). The recommended radon level in a room is under 4.0 pCi/L. As the use of air conditioning increases, the need to open windows is no longer a necessity. The aim of this study is to justify whether or not air conditioning lowers radon level. The study’s hypothesis is that air conditioning will lower the radon level. This study will conduct two rounds of experiments at Marianas Baptist Academy. The radon in the rooms will be measured by a tool called the E-PERM. Electrets that collect ions and act as an ion sensor will be placed in three rooms for four days. Doors must remain shut during the four days. The first round will be managed in an environment where no air is entered into the room. The second round will be in an environment where air conditioning occurs. After each round, the electrets will be placed on a SPER reader to measure the voltage. The voltage will then be used to calculate the radon concentration in units of pCi/L. The study is ongoing and the results will be discussed and presented at a further date

Model to predict the response of correlation spectroscopy gas detection systems for CH₄

We present a comprehensive model of a correlation spectroscopy gas sensor for CH4. Response and performance are predicted for typical fibre optic-coupled systems

Study protocol for a comparative effectiveness trial of two models of perinatal integrated psychosocial assessment: The PIPA project

Background: Studies examining psychosocial and depression assessment programs in maternity settings have not adequately considered the context in which psychosocial assessment occurs or how broader components of integrated care, including clinician decision-making aids, may optimise program delivery and its cost-effectiveness. There is also limited evidence relating to the diagnostic accuracy of symptom-based screening measures used in this context. The Perinatal Integrated Psychosocial Assessment (PIPA) Project was developed to address these knowledge gaps. The primary aims of the PIPA Project are to examine the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of two alternative models of integrated psychosocial care during pregnancy: \u27care as usual\u27 (the SAFE START model) and an alternative model (the PIPA model). The acceptability and perceived benefit of each model of care from the perspective of both pregnant women and their healthcare providers will also be assessed. Our secondary aim is to examine the psychometric properties of a number of symptom-based screening tools for depression and anxiety when used in pregnancy. Methods: This is a comparative-effectiveness study comparing \u27care as usual\u27 to an alternative model sequentially over two 12-month periods. Data will be collected from women at Time 1 (initial antenatal psychosocial assessment), Time 2 (2-weeks after Time 1) and from clinicians at Time 3 for each condition. Primary aims will be evaluated using a between-groups design, and the secondary aim using a within group design. Discussion: The PIPA Project will provide evidence relating to the clinical- and cost- effectiveness of psychosocial assessment integrated with electronic clinician decision making prompts, and referral options that are tailored to the woman\u27s psychosocial risk, in the maternity care setting. It will also address research recommendations from the Australian (2011) and NICE (2015) Clinical Practice Guidelines

Esrrb Complementation Rescues Development of Nanog-Null Germ Cells.

The transcription factors (TFs) Nanog and Esrrb play important roles in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and during primordial germ-cell (PGC) development. Esrrb is a positively regulated direct target of NANOG in ESCs that can substitute qualitatively for Nanog function in ESCs. Whether this functional substitution extends to the germline is unknown. Here, we show that germline deletion of Nanog reduces PGC numbers 5-fold at midgestation. Despite this quantitative depletion, Nanog-null PGCs can complete germline development in contrast to previous findings. PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation of Nanog-null ESCs is also impaired, with Nanog-null PGCLCs showing decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. However, induced expression of Esrrb restores PGCLC numbers as efficiently as Nanog. These effects are recapitulated in vivo: knockin of Esrrb to Nanog restores PGC numbers to wild-type levels and results in fertile adult mice. These findings demonstrate that Esrrb can replace Nanog function in germ cells

Senior Recital: Thomas Kieffer, alto saxophone and Tyler Elvidge, trumpet

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degrees Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Mr. Kieffer studies saxophone with Sam Skelton. Mr. Elvidge studies trumpet with Douglas Lindsey.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1179/thumbnail.jp

Senior Capstone Lecture Recital: Chloe Lincoln, composition

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Arts in Music. Ms. Lincoln studies composition with Laurence Sherr.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1514/thumbnail.jp

Nanog Is the Gateway to the Pluripotent Ground State

SummaryPluripotency is generated naturally during mammalian development through formation of the epiblast, founder tissue of the embryo proper. Pluripotency can be recreated by somatic cell reprogramming. Here we present evidence that the homeodomain protein Nanog mediates acquisition of both embryonic and induced pluripotency. Production of pluripotent hybrids by cell fusion is promoted by and dependent on Nanog. In transcription factor-induced molecular reprogramming, Nanog is initially dispensable but becomes essential for dedifferentiated intermediates to transit to ground state pluripotency. In the embryo, Nanog specifically demarcates the nascent epiblast, coincident with the domain of X chromosome reprogramming. Without Nanog, pluripotency does not develop, and the inner cell mass is trapped in a pre-pluripotent, indeterminate state that is ultimately nonviable. These findings suggest that Nanog choreographs synthesis of the naive epiblast ground state in the embryo and that this function is recapitulated in the culmination of somatic cell reprogramming