Black Male Collegiate Athletes’ Perceptions of Their Career and Academic Preparation: A Mixed Methods Study

We employed a mixed methods approach with sequential explanatory design (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2017) and a Social Capital Theory framework (Bourdieu, 1977) to investigate three research questions: (1) In what ways were participants’ career and college readiness capital developed during high school? (2) How do participants view their academic and career growth and development prior to and after coming to college? (3) Who provided career and college development to participants in this study prior to their college entrance? Results revealed potential reasons why disparities existed between Black and White participants beginning in K-12 and continuing through college. Implications for anti-racist school counseling are given

Factor Analysis of the Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version

The Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A; Flessner et al., 2008) measures the degree to which hair pulling in Trichotillomania (TTM) can be described as “automatic” (i.e., done without awareness and unrelated to affective states) and/or “focused” (i.e., done with awareness and to regulate affective states). Despite preliminary evidence in support of the psychometric properties of the MIST-A, emerging research suggests the original factor structure may not optimally capture TTM phenomenology. Using data from a treatment-seeking TTM sample, the current study examined the factor structure of the MIST-A via exploratory factor analysis. The resulting two factor solution suggested the MIST-A consists of a 5-item “awareness of pulling” factor that measures the degree to which pulling is done with awareness and an 8-item “internal-regulated pulling” factor that measures the degree to which pulling is done to regulate internal stimuli (e.g., emotions, cognitions, and urges). Correlational analyses provided preliminary evidence for the validity of these derived factors. Findings from this study challenge the notions of “automatic” and “focused” pulling styles and suggest that researchers should continue to explore TTM subtypes

Clarifying the Relationship Between Trichotillomania and Anxiety

Although research has consistently linked unidimensional anxiety with Trichotillomania (TTM) severity, the relationships between TTM severity and anxiety dimensions (e.g., cognitive and somatic anxiety) are unknown. This knowledge gap limits current TTM conceptualization and treatment. The present study examined these relationships with data collected from ninety-one adults who participated in a randomized clinical trial for TTM treatment. Based on prior research, it was hypothesized that TTM severity would be related to the cognitive anxiety dimension and that psychological inflexibility would mediate the association. Hypotheses were not made regarding the relationship between TTM severity and somatic anxiety. Regression analyses indicated that only cognitive dimensions of anxiety predicted TTM severity and that psychological inflexibility mediated this relationship. Implications for the conceptualization and treatment of TTM are discussed

ANALYSIS OF SWITCHGRASS CHARACTERISTICS USING NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

Switchgrass varieties grown under various environments were investi-gated by dispersive and Fourier Transform Near-Infrared (NIR) spectro-meters. The collected NIR spectra were analyzed using multivariate approaches. More specifically, principal component analysis (PCA) and projection to latent structures (PLS) regression techniques were employed to classify and predict characteristics of the switchgrass samples. The multivariate results were compared to reflectance indices that are commonly used to study the physiological performance of plants. From near infrared spectra, discrimination between the two growth locations was successfully achieved by PCA. Separation based on the ecotype and the rate of fertilizer applied to the field was also possible by the multivariable analysis of the spectral data. For the classification/ discrimination of the switchgrass samples, the near infrared spectra collected by the dispersive and the Fourier Transform spectrometers provided similar results. From the two near infrared data sets robust models were developed to predict non-structural carbohydrates content and the rate of nitrogen applied to the field. However, the spectra collected by the dispersive spectrometer resulted in more accurate models for these samples

Rapid Heterotrophic Ossification with Cryopreserved Poly(ethylene glycol-) Microencapsulated BMP2-Expressing MSCs

Autologous bone grafting is the most effective treatment for long-bone nonunions, but it poses considerable risks to donors, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutics. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microencapsulation and BMP2 transgene delivery are being developed together to induce rapid bone formation. However, methods to make these treatments available for clinical applications are presently lacking. In this study we used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their ease of harvest, replication potential, and immunomodulatory capabilities. MSCs were from sheep and pig due to their appeal as large animal models for bone nonunion. We demonstrated that cryopreservation of these microencapsulated MSCs did not affect their cell viability, adenoviral BMP2 production, or ability to initiate bone formation. Additionally, microspheres showed no appreciable damage from cryopreservation when examined with light and electron microscopy. These results validate the use of cryopreservation in preserving the viability and functionality of PEG-encapsulated BMP2-transduced MSCs

A Latent Profile Analysis of Age of Onset in Pathological Skin Picking

Background Pathological Skin Picking (PSP) may begin at any age, but the most common age of onset is during adolescence. Age of onset is a potentially useful clinical marker to delineate subtypes of psychiatric disorders. The present study sought to examine empirically defined age of onset groups in adults with PSP and assess whether groups differed on clinical characteristics. Method Participants were 701 adult respondents to an internet survey, who endorsed recurrent skin picking with tissue damage and impairment. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify subtypes of PSP based on age of onset. Then subgroups were compared on demographic and clinical characteristics. Results The best fitting LPA model was a two-class solution comprised of a large group with average age of onset in adolescence (n = 650; 92.9% of the sample; Mean age of onset = 13.6 years) and a small group with average onset in middle adulthood (n = 50; 7.1% of the sample; Mean age of onset = 42.8 years). Relative to the early onset group, the late onset group reported significantly less focused picking, less skin picking-related impairment, lower rates of co-occurring body-focused repetitive behaviors, and trends towards reduced family history of PSP. Individuals in the late onset group also reported increased rates of comorbid depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, and were more likely to report that initial picking onset seemed related to or followed depression/anxiety and physical illness. Conclusion Findings suggest the presence of two distinct PSP age of onset groups: (1) an early onset group with average onset in adolescence, clinical characteristics suggestive of greater picking-related burden and familiality, and a profile more representative of the general PSP population; and (2) a late onset group with average onset in middle adulthood, increased co-occurring affective and trauma conditions, and initial onset associated with or following other mental health and physical problems. Future replication is needed to assess the validity and clinical utility of these subgroups

A Randomized Trial of High-Flow Oxygen Therapy in Infants with Bronchiolitis

BACKGROUND: High-flow oxygen therapy through a nasal cannula has been increasingly used in infants with bronchiolitis, despite limited high-quality evidence of its efficacy. The efficacy of high-flow oxygen therapy through a nasal cannula in settings other than intensive care units (ICUs) is unclear. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned infants younger than 12 months of age who had bronchiolitis and a need for supplemental oxygen therapy to receive either high-flow oxygen therapy (high-flow group) or standard oxygen therapy (standard-therapy group). Infants in the standard-therapy group could receive rescue high-flow oxygen therapy if their condition met criteria for treatment failure. The primary outcome was escalation of care due to treatment failure (defined as meeting ≥3 of 4 clinical criteria: persistent tachycardia, tachypnea, hypoxemia, and medical review triggered by a hospital early-warning tool). Secondary outcomes included duration of hospital stay, duration of oxygen therapy, and rates of transfer to a tertiary hospital, ICU admission, intubation, and adverse events. RESULTS: The analyses included 1472 patients. The percentage of infants receiving escalation of care was 12% (87 of 739 infants) in the high-flow group, as compared with 23% (167 of 733) in the standard-therapy group (risk difference, −11 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, −15 to −7; P<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the duration of hospital stay or the duration of oxygen therapy. In each group, one case of pneumothorax (<1% of infants) occurred. Among the 167 infants in the standard-therapy group who had treatment failure, 102 (61%) had a response to high-flow rescue therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Among infants with bronchiolitis who were treated outside an ICU, those who received high-flow oxygen therapy had significantly lower rates of escalation of care due to treatment failure than those in the group that received standard oxygen therapy. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and others; Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12613000388718.

A surgical team simulation to improve teamwork and communication across two continents: ViSIOT™ proof-of-concept study

Background: Team communication in operating rooms is problematic worldwide, and can negatively impact patient safety. Although initiatives such as the World Health Organization’s Surgical Safety Checklist have been introduced to improve communication, patient safety continues to be compromised globally, warranting the development of new interventions. Video-based social science methods have contributed to the study of communication in UK ORs through actual observations of surgical teams in practice. Drawing on this, the authors have developed a surgical team simulation-training model (ViSIOT™). A proof-of-concept study was conducted in the UK and USA to assess if the ViSIOT™ simulation-training has applicability and acceptability beyond the UK. Methods: ViSIOT™ training was conducted at two simulation centers in the UK and USA over a 10-month period. All surgical team participants completed a questionnaire (that assessed design, education, satisfaction and self-confidence in relation to the training). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed for the quantitative data and thematic analysis was conducted for the qualitative data. Results: There was strong agreement from all participants in terms of their perception of the course across all sub-sections measured. Nine themes from the qualitative data were identified. The two countries shared most themes, however, some emerged that were unique to each country. Conclusions: Practical developments in the course design, technology and recruitment were identified. Evidence of the course applicability in the USA provides further affirmation of the universal need for team communication training within ORs. Further studies are required to assess its effectiveness in improving communication in OR practice

Quantifying regional α -synuclein, amyloid β, and tau accumulation in Lewy body dementia

OBJECTIVE: Parkinson disease (PD) is defined by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. It affects multiple cortical and subcortical neuronal populations. The majority of people with PD develop dementia, which is associated with Lewy bodies in neocortex and referred to as Lewy body dementia (LBD). Other neuropathologic changes, including amyloid β (Aβ) and tau accumulation, occur in some LBD cases. We sought to quantify α-syn, Aβ, and tau accumulation in neocortical, limbic, and basal ganglia regions. METHODS: We isolated insoluble protein from fresh frozen postmortem brain tissue samples for eight brains regions from 15 LBD, seven Alzheimer disease (AD), and six control cases. We measured insoluble α-syn, Aβ, and tau with recently developed sandwich ELISAs. RESULTS: We detected a wide range of insoluble α-syn accumulation in LBD cases. The majority had substantial α-syn accumulation in most regions, and dementia severity correlated with neocortical α-syn. However, three cases had low neocortical levels that were indistinguishable from controls. Eight LBD cases had substantial Aβ accumulation, although the mean Aβ level in LBD was lower than in AD. The presence of Aβ was associated with greater α-syn accumulation. Tau accumulation accompanied Aβ in only one LBD case. INTERPRETATION: LBD is associated with insoluble α-syn accumulation in neocortical regions, but the relatively low neocortical levels in some cases suggest that other changes contribute to impaired function, such as loss of neocortical innervation from subcortical regions. The correlation between Aβ and α-syn accumulation suggests a pathophysiologic relationship between these two processes