Cryptosporidiosis: an emerging, highly infectious threat.

Cryptosporidium parvum, a leading cause of persistent diarrhea in developing countries, is a major threat to the U.S. water supply. Able to infect with as few as 30 microscopic oocysts, Cryptosporidium is found in untreated surface water, as well as in swimming and wade pools, day-care centers, and hospitals. The organism can cause illnesses lasting longer than 1 to 2 weeks in previously healthy persons or indefinitely in immunocompromised patients; furthermore, in young children in developing countries, cryptosporidiosis predisposes to substantially increased diarrheal illnesses. Recent increased awareness of the threat of cryptosporidiosis should improve detection in patients with diarrhea. New methods such as those using polymerase chain reaction may help with detection of Cryptosporidium in water supplies or in asymptomatic carriers. Although treatment is very limited, new approaches that may reduce secretion or enhance repair of the damaged intestinal mucosa are under study

Recognition of the Asthmatic Componnent of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure from various causes is occasionally associated with or confused with asthma. Therefore, asthma should be considered and looked for in all patients with respiratory failure. Sputum eosinophilia when present is the most important indication that asthma may be important. Steroids used early and aggressively are usually indicated and effective

Structure and vibrational spectra of ozone

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityToday there are evidences, in the literature, that much effort and money are being expended on the vital study of the formation and distribution of ozone in the atmosphere, and on its effect on plant, human life, and meteorology. However, the structure of the molecule itself has not yet been unambiguously defined. This paper presents the main body of evidence that could be gathered from the literature in an attempt to justify any one of the various proposed molecular models. This was not accomplished. Now any model, if correct, should be substantiated through a study of the infra-red vibrational spectrum, for this spectrum is determined entirely by the classical vibrations of the nucleii of the atoms composing the molecule. If this data is complete a model of the molecule can be described in terms of masses, force constants (analogous to ordinary spring constants), and lengths of the chemical bond

Increasing Medicare Wellness Visit Participation in a Primary Care Clinic

Background: Medicare Wellness Visits (MWV) came into use in 2011 to provide Medicare patients and their providers a chance to create a 5 to 10 year plan to prevent illness, disease, and disability. These visits are often underutilized due to various barriers on both the provider and patient side. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess provider barriers to conducting MWVs and provide an educational tool that will assist providers in increasing the number of MWVs conducted within this system. Design: This is a descriptive, quasi-experimental study to assess provider barriers combined with a Quality improvement project that will focus on overcoming one of these barriers. Methods: Provider barriers to MWVs were assessed via electronic survey. The educational tool, the ‘Differences Between Visits’ chart, was introduced to providers at a single primary care clinic within the healthcare system. Providers were educated on how to use the chart. After two months, a second survey was sent to the providers at the clinic to assess whether the chart was helpful and if providers would be willing to continue using it. Results: Twelve respondents participated in the initial survey on provider barriers. Providers responded that the most important reason they did not complete MWVs was that they felt they already completed the requirements of the MWV during other visits and their patients want to discuss current health issues instead of discussing preventative measures. However, eight-three percent of the twelve respondents were somewhat or very likely to increase the number of MWVs they performed. After deployment of the ‘Differences Between Visits’ chart, one-hundred percent of the 4 providers who responded were satisfied with the chart and are somewhat or extremely likely to continue using the chart. Discussion: In this study, providers seemed willing to improve the rate of MWVs they conducted and were receptive to the educational tool that was provided. Further research should be completed to identify strengths and weakness of the educational tool and what, if any, impact the tool has on completion of MWVs

The Galax Gatherers: The Gospel among the Highlanders

https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_appalachian-echoes/1003/thumbnail.jp

Motor development and skill acquisition in elementary aged students

Mastering physical movement occurs through motor learning and experience. Motor development is needed for successful acquisition of sport and other physical skills. A lack of motor skills has been associated with decreased physical activity later in life, which has been linked to a variety of hypokinetic diseases. This study examined motor learning and skill acquisition in elementary age children. Twenty 2nd-5th grade students were recruited through the local school system. Subjects did not have any injuries that would preclude them from performing three basic skills (modified squat, tree, and arm and leg raises). IRB approval, parental consent, and student assent were obtained prior to the start of the study. Each participant completed a demographic questionnaire that included age, grade, gender, and right or left hand and leg dominance. Subjects were randomly assigned into one of three groups: visual, auditory, or no feedback. Subjects viewed a video that demonstrated the proper form and technique for each of the three movements. After a light warm-up, each subject performed each of the movements 12 times while receiving feedback based on their group. Each subject was asked to give self-efficacy feedback on how confident they were that they could master each movement before the movements began and then after trials 4, 8, and 12. At the end of the trials, subjects were asked an open response question regarding their experience. The research team determined at what trial, if at all, mastery was met for each movement based on specific set of skill requirements. Statistical analysis determined if differences in mastery existed based on feedback mechanisms, self-efficacy, or other demographic data. This project was supported by the MSU Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Controlling nuisance black vultures in Missouri

Vultures play a critical role in the environment as scavengers of carrion. They provide an important ecological service in consuming carrion which reduces the risk of diseases from spreading in the environment. Turkey and black vultures, as with all other wildlife, will take advantage of resources available to them, unfortunately this can cause issues when it involves human dwellings and in some cases livestock operations. Black vultures, in particular, are increasing in population and their aggressive nature can cause problems for livestock producers in Missouri. Unlike their less-aggressive cousin, the turkey vulture, black vultures are known to gang up and prey on calves, piglets, lambs, and newborn goats. They sometimes attack cows that are ill or giving birth. Black vultures can also cause property damage and problems by damaging rubber seals and windshield wipers on parked vehicles, canvas awnings and seating on boats, and rubber or vinyl materials on rooftops. Legally, black vultures are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (fws.gov/laws /lawsdigest/migtrea.html). Their migratory range extends for thousands of miles from North America to the lower portions of South America, crossing national boundaries. It is illegal to harm or take (kill) black vultures without a permit.Written by Robert A. Pierce II (MU Extension State Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist), Travis Guerrant (State Director, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services-Missouri/Iowa)Includes bibliographical reference

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli.

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), an increasingly recognized cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries, has been particularly associated with persistent diarrhea (more than 14 days), a major cause of illness and death. Recent outbreaks implicate EAEC as a cause of foodborne illness in industrialized countries. The pathogenesis of EAEC infection is not well understood, but a model can be proposed in which EAEC adhere to the intestinal mucosa and elaborate enterotoxins and cytotoxins, which result in secretory diarrhea and mucosal damage. EAEC's ability to stimulate the release of inflammatory mediators may also play a role in intestinal illness

Characterizing the metabolic phenotype of intestinal villus blunting in Zambian children with severe acute malnutrition and persistent diarrhea

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is widespread throughout the tropics and in children is associated with stunting and other adverse health outcomes. One of the hallmarks of EED is villus damage. In children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) the severity of enteropathy is greater and short term mortality is high, but the metabolic consequences of enteropathy are unknown. Here, we characterize the urinary metabolic alterations associated with villus health, classic enteropathy biomarkers and anthropometric measurements in severely malnourished children in Zambia. Methods/Principal findings: We analysed 20 hospitalised children with acute malnutrition aged 6 to 23 months in Zambia. Small intestinal biopsies were assessed histologically (n = 15), anthropometric and gut function measurements were collected and the metabolic phenotypes were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Endoscopy could not be performed on community controls children. Growth parameters were inversely correlated with enteropathy biomarkers (p = 0.011) and parameters of villus health were inversely correlated with translocation and permeability biomarkers (p = 0.000 and p = 0.015). Shorter villus height was associated with reduced abundance of metabolites related to gut microbial metabolism, energy and muscle metabolism (p = 0.034). Villus blunting was also related to increased sucrose excretion (p = 0.013). Conclusions/Significance: Intestinal villus blunting is associated with several metabolic perturbations in hospitalized children with severe undernutrition. Such alterations include altered muscle metabolism, reinforcing the link between EED and growth faltering, and a disruption in the biochemical exchange between the gut microbiota and host. These findings extend our understanding on the downstream consequences of villus blunting and provide novel non-invasive biomarkers of enteropathy dysfunction. The major limitations of this study are the lack of comparative control group and gut microbiota characterization