Dancing brains: dance as a key motivator for success in mathematics

A growing body of research supports the notion that dance enhances cognitive function as well as providing an enjoyable means of learning, as evidenced by recent news items and experiments such as that of Professor Michael Duncan of Coventry University as shown in the recent BBC documentary ‘The Truth About Getting Fit’ (BBC 50:43-57:00) where dance was declared “unusually beneficial” (Michael Mosley, 50:47) for the brain. Lynnette Overby, Beth Post and Diane Newman espouse the “bodies-on” nature of interdisciplinary dance stating that dance is: Uniquely suited to support conceptual learning because the dance vocabulary is expressed in terms of the body, space, time, and force – concepts also fundamental to understanding the universe (2005, Preface xi). Other scholars such as Anne Watson, Anne Green-Gilbert (BrainDance) and Eric Jensen, and on-going programmes such as Learning Through the Arts and Project Zero support the notion that dance is beneficial for the mind and useful as a means of interdisciplinary learning. In addition, neuroscience research shows that 85% of learners are predominantly kinesthetic learners (Jensen, 2010) and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities agrees that there are: Documented significant links between arts integration models and academic and social outcomes for students, efficacy for teachers, and school-wide improvements in culture and climate (PCAH 2011 in Wheeler and Bogard 2013, p.4). In my action research project carried out in Primary Schools in Canada, using a quasi-experimental approach and pre-/post data, it was clear that the increase in motivation to learn, along with increase in attainment was evident with students also enjoying both subjects more than they anticipated or experienced prior. In this paper, therefore, I will explore the notion of an equal interdisciplinary partnership of dance and mathematics that increases motivation and enhances learning in both subjects

Enhancing mathematics through dance: an investigation into the possibility of raising attainment in primary geometry through the use of dance as a teaching tool

Masters' in Teaching Dance research dissertation

A TATA binding protein regulatory network that governs transcription complex assembly

A portion of the assembly process involving the regulation of the TATA binding protein (TBP) throughout the yeast genome is modeled and experimentally tested

Gut-brain connection affects overall health

Medical and dietetic students often co-author a column for the Daily Reflector under Dr. Kolasa's byline. The students research the topic a reader or patient has asked. Dr. Kolasa reviews their draft for technical accuracy, patient friendly language, people first language. She fact checks the study or other evidence-based reference the student provides. If a physician review is appropriate, Dr. Kolasa requests a colleague from ECU physicians to review the article. The final draft is submitted to the Reflector with the editor having the final say. The headline is written by the Reflector headline writer. The food and nutrition column has run weekly since 1987. Starting in 2020, in addition to the Daily Reflector, the article is published in daily and weekly papers owned by the Adams Publishing Group East (https://adamspg.com)This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column is discussing the topic of the gut-brain axis, and how our nutrition can affect its health.Non

A systematic review to assess the quality, feasibility, and efficacy of electronic patient platforms designed to support adolescents and young adults with cancer

Background: A range of innovative websites, mobile technologies, eHealth and mHealth platforms now exist to support Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with cancer. Previous systematic reviews have tended to focus on the identification of technology-driven applications and solutions, yet little attention has been paid to understanding component features of existing platforms. Therefore, a systematic review has been conducted to assess the quality, feasibility, and efficacy of a range of digital health interventions, including websites, mobile technologies, mHealth and eHealth platforms. The review focuses on AYA aged between 13 - 39 years and platforms developed specifically for and targeted at AYA living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis. Design / Methods: A search string was applied to a number of bibliographic databases including MEDLINE, CINHAL and PUBMED. The search strategy included a range of Medical Subject Headings and a range of relevant keywords for the interventions of interest in this review. To allow comprehensive synthesis of studies included in the review, data were extracted, appraised and evaluated. Adapted versions of previously identified coding schematics were used to assess the mode of delivery and quality of patient platforms. Methodological quality of included papers was assessed using the Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers from a Variety of Fields (QualSyst). Results: The review is currently in progress. The review will be completed by the end of 2017 and thus, findings will be known by the time of the CBC Digital Health Conference in 2018. Conclusion: The focus of this systematic review provides a necessary and important step in characterising the potential utility of technology-based interventions for young people with cancer to ensure success in terms of future development and implementation of appropriate and meaningful digital health interventions for this population

Developing technology-based interventions for infectious diseases: ethical considerations for young sexual and gender minority people

Compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, young sexual and gender minority (YSGM) people are more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs; e.g., HIV) and to face adverse consequences of emerging infections, such as COVID-19 and mpox. To reduce these sexual health disparities, technology-based interventions (TBIs) for STIs and emerging infections among YSGM adolescents and young adults have been developed. In this Perspective, we discuss ethical issues, ethical principles, and recommendations in the development and implementation of TBIs to address STIs and emerging infections among YSGM. Our discussion covers: (1) confidentiality, privacy, and data security (e.g., if TBI use is revealed, YSGM are at increased risk of discrimination and family rejection); (2) empowerment and autonomy (e.g., designing TBIs that can still function if YSGM users opt-out of multiple features and data collection requests); (3) evidence-based and quality controlled (e.g., going above and beyond minimum FDA effectiveness standards to protect vulnerable YSGM people); (4) cultural sensitivity and tailoring (e.g., using YSGM-specific models of prevention and intervention); (5) balancing inclusivity vs. group specificity (e.g., honoring YSGM heterogeneity); (6) duty to care (e.g., providing avenues to contact affirming healthcare professionals); (7) equitable access (e.g., prioritizing YSGM people living in low-resource, high-stigma areas); and (8) digital temperance (e.g., being careful with gamification because YSGM experience substantial screen time compared to their peers). We conclude that a community-engaged, YSGM-centered approach to TBI development and implementation is paramount to ethically preventing and treating STIs and emerging infections with innovative technology

Loss‐of‐function mutations in the <i>ALPL </i>gene presenting with adult onset osteoporosis and low serum concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by rickets and low circulating concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) caused by mutations in ALPL. Severe HPP presents in childhood but milder forms can present in adulthood. The prevalence and clinical features of adult HPP are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of low serum total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in a clinic‐based population of adult osteoporotic patients. We searched for patients with low ALP in a cohort of 3285 patients referred to an osteoporosis clinic over a 10‐year period and performed mutation screening of ALPL in those with low ALP (≤40 U/L) on two or more occasions. These individuals were matched with four clinic controls with a normal ALP. We also evaluated the prevalence of low ALP and ALPL mutations in 639 individuals from the general population from the same region. We identified 16/3285 (0.49%) clinic patients with low ALP and 14 (87.5%) had potentially pathogenic variants in ALPL. Eight of these individuals were heterozygous for mutations previously described in HPP and 2 were heterozygous for novel mutations (p.Arg301Trp and p.Tyr101X). These mutations were not found in clinic controls or in the general population. Eight patients with low ALP, including 4 with ALPL mutations, were treated with bisphosphonates for an average of 6.5 years. In these individuals, the rate of fractures during treatment was comparable to that in normal ALP clinic controls who were treated with bisphosphonates. We conclude that heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in ALPL are common in osteoporosis patients with low ALP. Further studies are required to determine how best these individuals should be treated. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

A Comprehensive Resource for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Primary Tauopathies.

Primary tauopathies are characterized neuropathologically by inclusions containing abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and clinically by diverse neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor impairments. Autosomal dominant mutations in the MAPT gene cause heterogeneous forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tauopathy (FTLD-Tau). Common and rare variants in the MAPT gene increase the risk for sporadic FTLD-Tau, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). We generated a collection of fibroblasts from 140 MAPT mutation/risk variant carriers, PSP, CBD, and cognitively normal controls; 31 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from MAPT mutation carriers, non-carrier family members, and autopsy-confirmed PSP patients; 33 genome engineered iPSCs that were corrected or mutagenized; and forebrain neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we present a resource of fibroblasts, iPSCs, and NPCs with comprehensive clinical histories that can be accessed by the scientific community for disease modeling and development of novel therapeutics for tauopathies

A qualitative process evaluation of Social Recovery Therapy for enhancement of social recovery after first-episode psychosis (SUPEREDEN3)

Background: Many individuals with first-episode psychosis experience severe and persistent social disability despite receiving specialist early intervention. The SUPEREDEN3 trial assessed whether augmenting early intervention services with social recovery therapy (SRT) would lead to better social recovery. Aims: A qualitative process evaluation was conducted to explore implementation and mechanisms of SRT impact from the perspective of SUPEREDEN3 participants. Method: A subsample of trial participants (n=19) took part in semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Trial participants were early intervention clients aged 16-35 years with severe and persistent social disability. Both SRT plus early intervention and treatment as usual arm participants were interviewed to facilitate better understanding of the context in which SRT was delivered and aid identification of mechanisms specific to SRT. Results: The six themes identified were used to generate an explanatory model of SRT’s enhancement of social recovery. Participant experiences highlight the importance of the therapist cultivating increased self-understanding and assertively encouraging clients to face feared situations in a way that is perceived as supportive, while managing ongoing symptoms. The sense of achievement generated by reaching targets linked to personally meaningful goals promotes increased self-agency, and generates hope and optimism. Conclusions: The findings suggest potentially important processes through which social recovery was enhanced in this trial, which will be valuable in ensuring the benefits observed can be replicated. Participant accounts provide hope that, with the right support, even clients who have persistent symptoms and the most severe disability can make a good social recovery