An Evaluation of Parent Preference for Prompting Procedures

Previous researchers have suggested that parent participation in intervention can enhance intervention and promote generalization of skills across settings. Thus, parents should be trained to implement behavioral interventions. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate parent preference for and acceptability of three commonly used prompting procedures. Experimenters trained parents of children with disabilities to use three evidence-based prompting strategies (i.e., least-to-most, most-to-least, and a progressive prompt delay). Once the parent reached the mastery criteria with each prompting procedure, his/her preference for each of the strategies was evaluated using a concurrent-chains arrangement. Additionally, treatment acceptability of all procedures was measured multiple times throughout the study. All participants met the mastery criteria for each of the prompting procedures and showed a preference for least-to-most prompting. Results suggested that parents’ acceptability for procedures prior to training were different than post-training/post-child practice. In addition, acceptability rating scores obtained at the end of the investigation corresponded to preference of intervention during the concurrent-chains arrangement. The data obtained during this study support the utility of objective measures for studying preference for behavioral skill-acquisition procedures

Leadership Program Outcomes Study: Essential elements of leadership trainings offered to marginalized populations

ln order to better understand the purpose of and best practices associated with non-profit organizations offering leadership trainings to their constituents, 14 participants from two different organizations were interviewed about their experiences. These organizations work with two unique populations, those with intellectual disabilities and at-risk teens. The individuals interviewed were asked the same questions and their responses were compiled to help find themes within these two leadership trainings. Based on their responses, a list of seven criteria was assembled regarding what makes a leadership training successful from the perspective of the participants. For organizations looking to offer similar programs to their constituents, this list can be used to set the foundation for the launch of their own leadership training

Utilization of Resistance and Balance Training in a Patient with Relapsing-Remitting MS: A Case Report

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a commonly diagnosed neurological disease, but standardized courses of treatment are not well established by research. Symptoms associated with MS can lead to significant primary and secondary complications, impacting an individual’s physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as quality of life. Although research is lacking, wellness programs including physical exercise and rehabilitation to address mobility deficits, are considered a standard for those with MS. Case description: The patient was a 76-year old female with 18-year diagnosis of Relapsing-Remitting MS. The patient’s chief complaint was right lateral hip pain, increasing losses of balance and significant weakness in left leg. The patient was referred to outpatient physical therapy for right hip pain and general strength and balance training. Interventions: The patient participated in therapy for 12 weeks, in which time emphasis was put on balance and lower extremity resistance training. The patient performed general lower extremity strengthening and functional tasks for strengthening throughout therapy sessions. Static and dynamic balance interventions were then integrated. Outcome measures: Outcome measures tested included the Musculoskeletal Functional Outcomes Survey, Five Time Sit to Stand Test, static balance, Forward Reach Test, and manual muscle testing. Discussion: The purpose of this case report is to identify interventions incorporated in the plan of care for an individual with MS and report this individual’s response to said interventions. This report will identify the patient’s response to balance and resistance training specifically. The patient displayed overall improvement in static balance, lower extremity strength, and decrease in objective fall risk

A Perspective of Aging from the Prose of Age Specific Birthday Cards

With a growing number of older people in the United States, it is important for social workers to acknowledge that ageism exists in our society and continue to research, study and understand the influences that contribute to it. Media outlets are one source that has been found to have an influence on people’s perceptions about older adults. A qualitative study was carried out to determine if the messages in age specific greeting cards that are produced specifically for individuals age 60 and older portray more positive or negative perceptions about aging or older individuals. The non-probability, convenience sample for this study included 83 greeting cards. Using Grounded Theory Method, the data from the prose of the cards was coded and major themes emerged. It was found that the messages presented in the greeting cards displayed many forms of ageism both positive and negative in nature. Future research on the messages presented in different forms of media and how it relates to ageism will be helpful in increasing social workers’ knowledge so that they will be prepared to assist older adults and their families with greater success through the end years of older adults’ lives

Pathogenesis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in growing pigs

A new reproductive and respiratory syndrome was recognized in the United States swine population in 1986. Tissue filtrates from affected pigs submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were used to experimentally inoculate gnotobiotic pigs and reproduce respiratory disease and lesions similar to what was observed on the farms of origin. Cytopathic effects and virus particles consistent with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were observed in cell culture. Virus isolation and serology techniques were standardized. Sixteen U.S. PRRSV isolates from herds with varying disease severity and the European Lelystad virus were plaque-purified. A cesarean-derived-colostrum-deprived pig model was developed to study and compare the pathogenicity of a selected subset of these isolates. Significant differences were detected in severity of clinical disease and gross and microscopic lung lesions. Isolates were grouped into low and high virulence categories. An immunohistochemistry technique for detection of PRRSV antigen in formalin-fixed tissues was developed and standardized for diagnostic and research purposes. PRRSV antigen was detected in alveolar macrophages, macrophages throughout the lymphoid system, dendritic-like cells in tonsil, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes, endothelial cells in the heart, and Kupffer cells in the liver. Temporal analysis of the distribution of virus by isolation, and antigen by immunohistochemistry, suggests that oronasal inoculation results in infection of the tonsil and viremia in 12 to 24 hours with subsequent widespread distribution throughout the respiratory and lymphoid systems. PRRSV was found to persist in tonsils and lung for more than 28 days. Pneumonia likely results from the lysis of alveolar macrophages, altered alveolar macrophage function, and the inflammatory response to the enzymes and cytokines released by PRRSV-induced damage to alveolar macrophages. The prolonged viremia, the persistent infections, and the ineffective immune response may be the result of widespread damage to antigen presenting cells within which PRRSV antigen was consistently demonstrated by immunohistochemistry

Application of Immunohistochemistry and ELISA for the Diagnosis of Neospora-Infected Cattle

Studies were undertaken to adapt diagnostic methods for use in our laboratory for detection of Neospora sp. infection in cattle. An immunohistochemical (IHC) test was used for detection of Neospora sp. antigen in tissues of aborted bovine fetuses. Neospora sp. antigen was detected most frequently in fetal brain tissue. Polyclonal antibodies were tested for specificity and sensitivity of the IHC. Sera were obtained from Neospora sp. infected dairy herds for use as positive and negative controls in the continuing development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) Surveillance Study

PMWS is characterized by a clinical history of wasting or poor performance in weaned pigs and by severe lymphoid depletion and histiocytic replacement of follicles in lymphoid tissues. The detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen or nucleic acids within characteristic microscopic lesions is required for the diagnosis of PMWS. Swine veterinarians submitted a specified set of samples from one hundred field cases that they felt fit the clinical definition of PMWS. All these cases were further analyzed for the presence or absence and scored for severity of the hallmark microscopic lesions (lymphoid depletion) of PMWS, the amount of PCV2 antigen associated with the lesions, and identification of concurrent bacterial and viral infections. Fifty-four of the 100 field cases were confirmed to be PMWS, whereas, no association with PCV2 was found in 46 of the cases. This highlights the need for further diagnostic testing, specifically histopathology and antigen detection, for confirmation of cases clinically suspected to be PMWS. This will become particularly important as vaccines for PCV2-associated diseases become approved for use

Lack of reproduction of the hallmark porcine circovirus type 2-associated lesions in a mouse model

BALB/c, C57BL6, and C3H/HeN mice were experimentally-infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). The mice were tested for their ability to become infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and to develop the hallmark PCV2-associated lymphoid depletion and histiocytic replacement of lymphoid follicles characteristic of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Since immunostimulation has been shown to increase PCV2-replication in the pig, half of the mice were immunostimulated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (KLH/ICFA) at the time of PCV2-inoculation. PCV2 inoculation was done twice at 4 and 5 weeks of age by using intramuscular and intranasal routes. Necropsies were performed in 5-day-intervals at 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, and 37 days post PCV2 inoculation. None of the mice developed clinical disease and none of the mice developed PCV2-associated lymphoid lesions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in-situ-hybridization (ISH) for PCV2-antigen/nucleic acids was performed on all tissues of all mice and was negative. PCR was done on pooled tissues and serum samples obtained at necropsy. The majority of the mice (101/111 PCV2 infected mice) were positive for PCV2-nucleic acids in tissue samples. Forty-one percent of the mice (46/111 PCV2 infected mice) were positive for PCV2-nucleic acids in serum samples. There was no difference between treatment groups or lines. This study confirms that mice can be infected with PCV2 and could be important in the epidemiology of PCV2; however, the mouse model may not be useful to understand the pathogenesis of PCV2- associated lesions

Refinement of a colostrum-deprived pig model for infectious disease research

Well-defined pig models are useful to study the pathogenicity of newly recognized pathogens or strains in pigs and serve as animal models for some human diseases. The conventional pig model, where research pigs are sourced from commercial high-health production systems, is commonly used due to the easiness of getting pigs in a timely manner. However, freedom of the pig for the pathogen of interest is important at study start and serological assays to screen pigs for antibodies against newly identified pathogens or molecular assays detecting all possible circulating pathogen variants may not yet exist. Using colostrum-deprived (CD) pigs is a good alternative strategy to circumvent passively-acquired immunity against the pathogen of interest or exposure to pathogens shortly after birth. However, CD pigs are difficult to rear as they are highly susceptible to infections, and mortality rates in the first few days of life are often very high. Herein we report on refinement of a CD pig model with consistent survival rates of 90–100% of the piglets. • Step-by-step protocol to derive and rear CD piglets with higher expected survival rates. • Pig housing improvement minimizes the risk of disease transmission. • Infectious virus disease research pig model purpose. Method name: Colostrum-deprived pig model, Keywords: Pig model, Infectious pathogens, Colostrum-deprived pigs, Naturally-farrowed, Artificially-reare

Effect of different adjuvants on PCV2-associated lesions

Ninety, 12-14 day old pigs were randomly assigned to five groups. Group 1 (n=19) pigs were vaccinated with a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) vaccine with an oil-in-water adjuvant (RespiSure®; Pfizer Animal Health, Inc.). Group 2 (n=17) pigs were vaccinated with a commercial M. hyopneumoniae vaccine with an aqueous adjuvant (Carbopol) (Suvaxyn® Respifend® MH; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Inc.). Group 3 (n=18) pigs were vaccinated using an oil-in-water adjuvanted vaccine containing the same amount and type of M. hyopneumoniae antigen as in group 2. Group 4 (n=18) pigs were vaccinated using an aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine containing the same amount and type of M. hyopneumoniae antigen as in group 2. Group 5 (n=18) pigs served as the controls and were sham-vaccinated with saline. Pigs were injected with 2 mL of one of the four M. hyopneumoniae vaccines at four and again at six weeks of age. PCV2 was inoculated intranasally on the day of the second vaccination at 6 weeks of age. Half of the pigs were necropsied at 21 days post inoculation (DPI). The remaining pigs were necropsied at 35 DPI. There were no differences among groups in clinical disease scores. At 21 DPI all vaccinated groups had significantly (p\u3c0.05) more severe lymphoid depletion than the saline injected group. At 35 DPI group 1 pigs had significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher amounts of PCV2 DNA in serum than pigs in groups 2, 4, and 5 as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. There was a significant (p\u3c0.05) increase in the severity of lymphoid depletion in the lymph nodes, tonsil, and spleen in groups 1 and 3 compared to groups 2, 4, and 5. Group 3 had significantly (p\u3c0.05) higher amounts of PCV2 antigen within lymph nodes, tonsil, and spleen compared to groups 2, 4 and 5. The results confirm that all adjuvants tested enhanced PCV2-induced lesions and oil-in-water products used in this study had a more severe effect