Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes and Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2)

The current SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) outbreak has reached pandemic proportions with a large global imprint. In December 2019, COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and has continued largely unabated. The SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) is much talked about currently; however, it is worth noting that there are several different coronaviruses known to man, with most of them being responsible for causing illness in animals. Seven (7) types of coronaviruses are identified as causing illnesses in humans. Of the seven human coronavirus infections, four involve mild upper respiratory tract complaints that produce slight symptoms of the common cold. Conversely, the other three human coronavirus infections present more severe consequences as recently demonstrated by the SARS-CoV-2. These deadly outbreaks of pneumonia can have consequences that are far-reaching and are global in nature. SARS-CoV was the first new viral pandemic of the 21st century. It had its beginnings in southern China during November 2002 having started mysteriously; It was contained in 2004 after having spread to five continents and thirty-three countries, infecting approximately 8000 people. MERS-CoV the virus that the causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and Jordan and has since registered roughly 2,220 confirmed cases and 790 deaths

Correlates of Caffeinated Energy Drinks, Substance Use, and Behavior Among Adolescents

Background: Caffeinated energy drinks (CCEDs) are frequently consumed by adolescents aged 10-19, yet the effects of consumption on adolescent behavior are not well understood. Previous research has identified positive associations between CCED use and other substances such as alcohol and marijuana but studies among adolescents are lacking. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using data collected from the 2019 Alcohol, Drug Addition, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board/Wood County Educational Service Center’s youth survey. Ten public schools in Wood County, Ohio participated (n=6,152). Results: CCED use was common among our sample (43.4% overall). Reported consumption increased with age and was positively associated with alcohol use and cough medicine use. Furthermore, CCED use was associated with three behavioral outcome categories: anger, delinquency, and negative mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Due to the ubiquity of use and associated substance use and behavioral outcomes, CCED use among youth requires more attention

Improving Adherence for Children with Diabetes

This chapter provides critical information on diabetes in children. Ideas for improving adherence to the child’s medical regimen are reviewed. In addition, factors that may hinder adherence are presented. Ideas for clinicians are presented in a case study

Peer Support and Psychosocial Pain Management Strategies for Children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This paper reviews information on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in children. Children with this chronic illness often experience pain related to their condition. They also can experience social isolation. This paper reviews psychosocial information on peer support and cognitive behavioral pain management strategies. The information presented in this paper provides new insights for health professionals assisting children and families in coping with psychological facets of this disease. Research focusing on ways by which peers and friends can support the child’s use of psychological pain management strategies will provide new information for the literature

Kiss and spit: the dual roles of Toxoplasma rhoptries

Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled, eukaryotic parasite that can only reproduce inside a host cell. Upon entry, this Apicomplexan parasite co-opts host functions for its own purposes. An unusual set of apical organelles, named rhoptries, contain some of the machinery that is used by T. gondii both for invasion and to commandeer host functions. Of particular interest are a group of injected protein kinases that are among the most variable of all the T. gondii proteins. At least one of these kinases has a major effect on host-gene expression, including the modulation of key regulators of the immune response. Here, we discuss these recent findings and use them to propose a model in which an expansion of host range is a major force that drives rhoptry-protein evolution