Distribution of \u3cem\u3eMycobacterium ulcerans\u3c/em\u3e in Aquatic Environments in Ghana

Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a necrotizing skin disease prevalent in 30 countries of West Africa and Australia. The disease begins as a painless nodule or papule that, if left untreated, can lead to ulceration that can cover much of the body. Though not usually fatal, morbidity is high, especially in rural areas where the disease is prevalent. Epidemiological evidence has linked incidence of Buruli ulcer to slow moving or stagnant waters, but despite this, the mode of transmission is not known. Evidence for M. ulcerans in aquatic environments has relied on detection based upon PCR targeting IS2404, an insertion sequence once thought to be specific for M. ulcerans. In the past few years a growing body of evidence has shown IS2404 present in a number of aquatic mycobacterial species. Although the use of PCR primers targeting the mycolactone toxin has increased the sensitivity of M. ulcerans PCR, many ulcerans-like mycobacteria also contain the mycolactone genes. In the studies presented in this body of work we applied variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) typing methods to environmental samples in order to map the distribution of M. ulcerans in aquatic environments in Ghana both endemic and non-endemic for Buruli ulcer. Environmental samples were collected using standardized ecological methods of sampling from 2004 until 2007. VNTR profiling was also used to genotype tissue samples of patients with Buruli ulcer in an effort to link environmental samples to human cases. Finally, the ability of M. ulcerans to associate and survive within amoeba was also tested. Results from this work demonstrate the presence of M. ulcerans in both endemic and nonendemic aquatic environments in Ghana and the association with protists. Considerable M. ulcerans heterogeneity was also found between patient and environmental samples. Results also support the use of VNTR profiling for confirmation of M. ulcerans in environmental samples, and for molecular epidemiology

Research Methods for Understanding Library Support Needs

Learn about an adaptation of an Ithaka S+R-based methodology used to assess the library support needs of departments and programs. The theoretical, practical, and ethical elements of research are all discussed

Research Methods for Understanding the Library Support Needs of Academic Departments and Programs

https://doi.org/10.7275/gnnq-mp88Learn about an adaptation of an Ithaka S+R-based methodology used to assess the library support needs of departments and programs. The theoretical, practical, and ethical elements of research are all discussed

Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Oligomers in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Azurin Solutions

We have employed laser-induced liquid bead ion desorption mass spectroscopy (LILBID MS) to study the solution behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin as well as two mutants and corresponding Re-labeled derivatives containing a Re(CO)_(3)(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)^+ chromophore appended to a surface histidine. LILBID spectra show broad oligomer distributions whose particular patterns depend on the solution composition (pure H_(2)O, 20−30 mM NaCl, 20 and 50 mM NaP_i or NH_(4)P_i at pH = 7). The distribution maximum shifts to smaller oligomers upon decreasing the azurin concentration and increasing the buffer concentration. Oligomerization is less extensive for native azurin than its mutants. The oligomerization propensities of unlabeled and Re-labeled proteins are generally comparable, and only Re126 shows some preference for the dimer that persists even in highly diluted solutions. Peak shifts to higher masses and broadening in 20−50 mM NaP_i confirm strong azurin association with buffer ions and solvation. We have found that LILBID MS reveals the solution behavior of weakly bound nonspecific protein oligomers, clearly distinguishing individual components of the oligomer distribution. Independently, average data on oligomerization and the dependence on solution composition were obtained by time-resolved anisotropy of the Re-label photoluminescence that confirmed relatively long rotation correlation times, 6−30 ns, depending on Re−azurin and solution composition. Labeling proteins with Re-chromophores that have long-lived phosphorescence extends the time scale of anisotropy measurements to hundreds of nanoseconds, thereby opening the way for investigations of large oligomers with long rotation times

Reliability of Shoulder Goniometric Measurements in Persons Who Are Elderly

The population of the United States is rapidly aging; this is exemplified by the cohort of Baby-Boomers who make up a large part of the population. This becomes relevant to physical therapists, as our clients will reflect this graying of America. There is a lack of research regarding normative values for shoulder range of motion (ROM) in the elderly population. Due to many different factors in the aging process, there may be a decline in ROM in elderly persons. Current normative values may not be applicable to this population. Two pilot studies were conducted measuring active and passive shoulder ROM in persons 60 years of age and older. Shoulder measurements included the following: flexion, extension, abduction, and internal and external rotation. Fifteen individuals participated in the first pilot study, twelve in the second, with a subset of nine individuals who participated in both studies. Upon completion of both pilot studies, the researchers were unable to establish intrarater reliability. The researchers then focused their attention to the factors that may affect reliability of goniometric measurements. There are many factors that can play a part in the reliability of the motion available at a particular joint and the subsequent measurement of that joint. Some of those factors include physiological effects of aging, participant effort, cognitive effects of aging, the use of substitution patterns of movement, and inconsistent and inaccurate measurements taken by physical therapy students

Toward a Defined Role for Occupational Therapy in Foster Care Transition Programming

Youth who age out of the foster care system and transition to adulthood face challenges that are exacerbated by a history of trauma, severed relationships, and instability of living and educational placements. A review of the literature demonstrates poor outcomes overall for this population. Occupational therapists are positioned to meet the needs that arise during this time; however, a review of emerging roles for occupational therapists is necessary to describe how occupational therapists can best fulfill gaps in current programming. Through a review of the literature and a preliminary mixed-methods study, this paper establishes a direction for the inclusion of occupational therapy for youth aging out of foster care using the Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) model as a structure. Federal, state, and local organizations provide resources to assist transitioning foster youth. However, there is a lack of collaborative, individualized, and evidence-based approaches reporting good outcomes. Specific occupational therapy interventions are suggested to delineate our role with this high-risk population during transition to independent living: both novel interventions and additions to current evidence-based programming

A Scoping Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Pap Testing in Women with Disabilities and Serious Mental Illnesses: Thirty Years After the Americans with Disabilities Act

Background: Thirty years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, promising equal access to health services for people with disabilities and serious mental illness, research on Pap testing continues to uncover health disparities among women with disabilities and women with serious mental illnesses, including those that identify as an ethnic/racial minority. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to describe and present the literature on the barriers and facilitators women with disabilities and women with serious mental illnesses face with receiving a Pap test using the social ecological model. We also examined the degree to which racial/ethnic minority women were included in these articles. Method: A scoping review was conducted where the research team searched United States academic literature from 1990 through February 2020 in PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL using general subject headings for disability, mental illness, and Pap testing. Results: Thirty-two articles met inclusion criteria. More barriers than facilitators were mentioned in articles. Barriers and facilitators are organized into three groups according to social ecological model and include individual (e.g., socioeconomic status, anxiety, education), interpersonal (e.g., family, living environment), and organizational factors (health care provider training, health care system). Participant’s race/ethnicity were often reported but minoritized populations were often not the focus of articles. Conclusions: More articles discussed the difficulties that women with disabilities and women with serious mental illnesses face with receiving a Pap test than facilitators to Pap testing. Additional research should focus on the intersectionality race/ethnicity and women with disabilities and women with serious mental illnesses in relation to Pap testing

Outcomes from an Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Practice-Scholar Apprenticeship Program

The introduction of the occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) program to the field of occupational therapy (OT) education was intended to advance the field by developing future leaders, increasing advanced practice, and promoting scholarship in practice. Limited information to date is available regarding outcomes of the OTD program related to the future research potential of graduates. One such approach to promoting the scholarship of practice among OTD graduates is the use of the practice-scholar model. The practice-scholar model is designed to build research skills among OTD students to encourage their ongoing commitment to evidence-based practice through implementing their own research in practice. Founded in 2014, the Northern Arizona University (NAU) entry-level OTD program has implemented the practice-scholar model through their practice-scholar apprenticeship (PSA) program. The NAU PSA program involves a mentorship experience with OTD students engaging in faculty and/or community clinician led research. The purpose of this paper is to share evaluation results of the NAU PSA program related to the research development among the program’s graduates. NAU OTD students completed pre and post surveys regarding their expectations towards research and a post qualitative feedback session. Students reported statistically significant improvements in their research self-efficacy skills. Qualitatively students identified their developed research skills, the importance of research and their desire to continue implementing research in the future. The field of OT should continue to identify structural ways to support research in practice to realize the potential of future OTD practitioners

Relational care and co-operative endeavour:Reshaping dementia care through participatory secondary data analysis

Dementia is emerging from the shadows of societal exclusion and stigma. The engagement within society for people who are marginalised is coconstructed through the everyday practices that take place between them and those around them. However, this is inherently political, positioning people as active and activist in the relationship of their lives with their communities. The research aimed to interrogate an existing qualitative dataset in partnership with people living with dementia to inform the development of a way of working with people with dementia that is empowering. In this qualitative secondary data analysis project, we (1) analysed data through two theoretical lenses: Douglas’ cultural theory of risk and Tronto’s Ethic of Care, and (2) co-analysed the data together with people living with dementia during 14 workshops. The design involved cycles of presenting, interpreting, representing and reinterpreting the data and findings between multiple stakeholders. We identified a granular understanding of the way relationships change for people with dementia and how subtle factors and nuanced behaviour contribute to social exclusion, or support social inclusion. The results support relational care through the co-operative endeavour (of co-operative communication, cooperative action and co-operative care) in promoting the inclusion of people living with dementia