Enhancing Engagement in Older Adults with Alzheimer\u27s Disease at a Reminiscencce Therapy Adult Day Center

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative form of dementia, which can impair an individual’s executive functioning, orientation, and memory; ultimately leading to mood and behavior changes (Alzate, 2018). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting approximately 60% to 70% of the older adult population aged 65 and older (Santos da Silva, de Oliveira Alves, Barros Leite Slagueiro & Bezerra Barbosa, 2018). Currently, the number of individuals with dementia is estimated at approximately 50 million people worldwide and is expected to climb to 152 million people by the year 2050 (Rathbone, et. al, 2019). Damage to the brain develops slowly; about 10 to 20 years prior to the presentation of signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and the individual progressively declines over time, with death occurring approximately 7 to 10 years after onset (Alzate, 2018). While there is no current cure for Alzheimer’s disease, treatments to temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms are available to improve quality of life, as research continues (Pedroso, et al., 2018). Alzheimer’s disease has yet to reach an effective cure. However, based on the recent literature search, limited evidence-based research exists regarding the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy and its impact on occupational performance for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The objectives of this capstone project were to complete a needs assessment identifying the activity engagement and social participation related needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at an adult day care reminiscence therapy program and then propose program recommendations to the staff on adapting current activities to meet the identified population needs

Effects of 17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e) on Reproductive Endocrine Status in Mummichog (\u3cem\u3eFundulus Heteroclitus\u3c/em\u3e) Under Differing Salinity and Temperature Conditions

Waterborne exposure to 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen, has previously been shown to decrease reproductive endocrine status in the estuarine killifish or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus macrolepidotus; northern subspecies). To evaluate if variations in salinity or temperature holding conditions modify the effects of EE2 on gonad size, plasma reproductive steroid levels, and gonadal steroidogenesis, mummichog were exposed in vivo for 14 days to 0, 50 and 250 ng/L EE2 in 0, 16 and 32 ppt salinity at 18°C and to 0 and 250 ng/L EE2 at 10, 18 and 26°C at 16 ppt salinity. Effects due to salinity were limited; however, 250 ng/L EE2 decreased plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) levels and in vitro gonadal E2 production and plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) across all salinities. Higher temperatures triggered gonadal growth in both sexes as well as increased plasma E2 and gonadal E2 production in females, while 11-KT production was decreased in males. EE2 counteracted the effect of temperature as determined by depressed gonadal growth in males. In both exposures, the effects of EE2 on testosterone (T) production were variable. The use of steroidogenic precursors (25-OH cholesterol, and/or pregnenolone and/or testosterone) in the in vitro gonadal incubations indicated decreased E2 production in females and 11-KT production in males were predominately due to suppression of the terminal conversion step between T and E2 or 11-KT. Ovarian cyp19a gene expression was not affected by 250 ng/L EE2 compared to controls at 16 ppt and 18oC (the only treatment combinations tested). The lack of effects of salinity could be protective for a species spawning in such a variable environment. Gonadal growth at higher temperatures confirms previous work on northern mummichog while EE2 effects on gonadal growth could be due to temperature-related increases in EE2 uptake and/or increased susceptibility during gonadal maturation. In conclusion, the present work demonstrated that environmental conditions impact effects of EE2, including terminal steroid production in the gonads. These results should be considered in designing standardized estuarine fish reproductive bioassays and in understanding the potential effects of reproductive contaminants in estuarine environments

The Influence of Water Quality Characteristics on Vanadium Toxicity to Model Aquatic Organisms

Vanadium (V) is a contaminant of emerging concern for the Alberta oil sands region that could present a risk for aquatic organisms. Petroleum coke (PC) has been experimentally used to treat oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) to reduce organic toxicants. However, PC contains up to 1,000 mg of V per kg of PC, and during OSPW treatment V leaches from coke reaching levels of up to 7 mg/L in “treated” OSPW, a concentration that is toxic to aquatic organisms. Little information is available on how common water quality variables affect the toxicity of V to aquatic organisms. Furthermore, there is no clear understanding of the mechanism(s) of toxicity of V in aquatic organisms. Vanadium is a transition metal with several oxidation states, and could potentially elicit its toxicity through either ion imbalance or oxidative stress. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to (i) investigate the influence of key water chemistry variables representative of the Alberta oil sands region on V toxicity to freshwater organisms, and (ii) determine if ion imbalance and oxidative stress are part of its mechanism of toxicity. To describe how water chemistry influences V toxicity to two representative freshwater organisms, Daphnia pulex and Oncorhynchus mykiss, descriptive relationships were developed between those parameters that differ the most between OSPW and the Athabasca River. Results indicate that an increase in pH increases V acute toxicity to both species, whereas increasing alkalinity and sulphate ameliorate V toxicity to both species. Sodium only causes amelioration of V toxicity to daphnids above 325 mg/L. The mechanistic studies with Daphnia magna and O. mykiss suggest that concentrations of V close to their respective median lethal concentration (LC50) cause sodium imbalance in both species, as well as calcium imbalance in rainbow trout, and oxidative stress in O. mykiss. In conclusion, the influence of pH, alkalinity and sulphate on V toxicity should be considered when creating new acute water quality guidelines or local benchmarks for V. The mechanism of V toxicity to aquatic organisms includes ion imbalance and oxidative stress, but further mechanistic research will be needed to increase knowledge on the ecological risks of V contamination, which will enable the formulation of possible mitigation strategies

Vol. 22, No. 3

Contents: The Potential Implications of the University of Michigan Cases on Public Sector Employment: Opening Up Leadership in the Public Sector Workplace?, by Vickie A. Gillio with the assistance of Laura H. Anderson Recent Developments Further References, compiled by Yoo-Seong Songhttps://scholarship.kentlaw.iit.edu/iperr/1031/thumbnail.jp