The Relationship Between Alternative Fieldwork Approaches and Student Competence and Confidence for Occupational Therapy in Behavioral Health

Purpose: The purpose of this case-series study was to assess the relationship between three instructional methods that fall within the parameters of the revised Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education fieldwork objective C.1.9 and perceived student competence and confidence in providing therapy services in a behavioral health setting. Methods: The study included a convenience sample of (n=49) graduate students enrolled in an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program and a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Midwest. The participants attended a presentation on bipolar disorder and were randomly assigned to engage in one of three instructional methods: (a) lived experience academics, (b) problem-based learning, and (c) standardized patients to further learn about bipolar disorder. Results: Analyses revealed no significant interaction effects on competence across instructional methods but did reveal significant main effects of group and time on confidence. Confidence increased across all instructional methods and exhibited a significant difference between the lived experience academics and standardized patient. Significance: The study results demonstrate a need for further research on how to best prepare occupational therapy students for behavioral health settings

Increased Clusterin Expression in Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy

Purpose: To compare the relative expression of peroxiredoxin (Prx) proteins in normal human corneal endothelium with endothelium in corneas affected by Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and between normal human endothelium and epithelial/stromal tissue. Methods: Human corneal endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complexes from normal and FED corneal buttons were dissected from the epithelium/stroma. For proteomic analysis, HCEC-DM protein extracts were separated by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Relative differences in protein spot density was analyzed. Proteins of interest, including Prx isoforms, were identified by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis compared the relative expression of Prx isoforms in normal and FED endothelium and between normal endothelium and normal epithelium/stroma. Expression of Prx-2 mRNA was compared by using real-time PCR. Results: Proteomic analysis identified differences in the relative expression of Prx isoforms between normal and FED endothelium. Western blot analysis confirmed that expression of Prx-2, −3, and −5 was significantly decreased (P \u3c 0.05) in FED cells. Normal HCECs expressed significantly (P \u3c 0.05) higher levels of Prx-2 and −3 than did the epithelium/stroma. Expression of Prx-5 was not significantly different (P \u3e 0.05) in the endothelium versus the epithelium/stroma. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that Prx-2 mRNA was significantly decreased (P = 0.027) in FED samples. Conclusions: Prx proteins were identified in human corneal endothelium. The fact that Prx-2 and −3 were expressed at significantly higher levels in HCEC-DM compared with the epithelium/stroma reflects the different physiologic activities of individual corneal cell types. Significantly decreased expression of Prx-2, −3, and −5 in FED may suggest an alteration in the ability of endothelial cells to withstand oxidant-induced damage and may be closely related to the pathogenesis of this disease

Decreased Expression of Peroxiredoxins in Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy

Purpose: To compare the relative expression of peroxiredoxin (Prx) proteins in normal human corneal endothelium with endothelium in corneas affected by Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy (FED) and between normal human endothelium and epithelial/stromal tissue. Methods: Human corneal endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complexes from normal and FED corneal buttons were dissected from the epithelium/stroma. For proteomic analysis, HCEC-DM protein extracts were separated by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Relative differences in protein spot density was analyzed. Proteins of interest, including Prx isoforms, were identified by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry. Western blot analysis compared the relative expression of Prx isoforms in normal and FED endothelium and between normal endothelium and normal epithelium/stroma. Expression of Prx-2 mRNA was compared by using real-time PCR. Results: Proteomic analysis identified differences in the relative expression of Prx isoforms between normal and FED endothelium. Western blot analysis confirmed that expression of Prx-2, −3, and −5 was significantly decreased (P \u3c 0.05) in FED cells. Normal HCECs expressed significantly (P \u3c 0.05) higher levels of Prx-2 and −3 than did the epithelium/stroma. Expression of Prx-5 was not significantly different (P \u3e 0.05) in the endothelium versus the epithelium/stroma. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that Prx-2 mRNA was significantly decreased (P = 0.027) in FED samples. Conclusions: Prx proteins were identified in human corneal endothelium. The fact that Prx-2 and −3 were expressed at significantly higher levels in HCEC-DM compared with the epithelium/stroma reflects the different physiologic activities of individual corneal cell types. Significantly decreased expression of Prx-2, −3, and −5 in FED may suggest an alteration in the ability of endothelial cells to withstand oxidant-induced damage and may be closely related to the pathogenesis of this disease

“Take Off 4-Health�: Nutrition Education Curriculum for a Healthy Lifestyle Camp for Overweight Youth

There is evidence that residential summer weight loss camps can be effective to initiate or support the small change approach to address childhood obesity. This report describes the development and evaluation of nutrition education for overweight adolescents attending a three week healthy lifestyle camp. Campers were given a diet prescription based on MyPryamid and self-selected their meals and snacks that were served family style. The curriculum included eating strategies known to contribute to healthy weight in youth. Campers demonstrated improved ability to estimate portion sizes. Thirty-four campers completed the three week experience with a weight loss considered to be safe. Note: the deposited item is not the final published version, but rather is the last revised manuscript sent to the publisher

The iCook 4-H Study: An Intervention and Dissemination Test of a Youth/Adult Out-of-School Program

Objective: To describe outcomes from intervention and dissemination of iCook 4-H. Design: Five-state, community-based participatory research and a randomized, controlled trial followed by a 5-state, nonrandomized dissemination test of the iCook 4-H curriculum with control and treatment groups. Setting: Community and university sites. Participants: Youths aged 9−10 years and their adult food preparer; 228 dyads in the intervention and 74 dyads in dissemination. Intervention(s): Theoretical frameworks were Social Cognitive Theory and the experiential 4-H learning model. Six 2-hour, biweekly sessions on cooking, eating, and playing together followed by monthly newsletters and boosters until 24 months, expanded to 8 sessions for dissemination. Main Outcome Measure(s): Youth body mass index (BMI) z-scores, measured height and weight, and youth/adult program outcome evaluations surveys. Analysis: Linear mixed models, group, time, and group £ time interaction for BMI z-score and program outcomes changes. Significance levels = P ≤ .05; interaction term significance = P ≤ .10. Results: In intervention, treatment BMI z-scores increased compared with controls based on significant interaction (P = .04). For odds of being overweight or obese at 24 months, there was no significant interaction (P = .18). In dissemination, based on significant interaction, treatment youths increased cooking skills (P = .03) and treatment adults increased cooking together (P = .08) and eating together (P = .08) compared with controls. Conclusions and Implications: iCook 4-H program outcomes were positive for mealtime activities of cooking and eating together. The program can be successfully implemented by community educators. The increase in BMI z-scores needs further evaluation for youths in cooking programs

The iCook 4-H Study: An Intervention and Dissemination Test of a Youth/Adult Out-of-School Program

Objective To describe outcomes from intervention and dissemination of iCook 4-H. Design Five-state, community-based participatory research and a randomized, controlled trial followed by a 5-state, nonrandomized dissemination test of the iCook 4-H curriculum with control and treatment groups. Setting Community and university sites. Participants Youths aged 9–10 years and their adult food preparer; 228 dyads in the intervention and 74 dyads in dissemination. Intervention(s) Theoretical frameworks were Social Cognitive Theory and the experiential 4-H learning model. Six 2-hour, biweekly sessions on cooking, eating, and playing together followed by monthly newsletters and boosters until 24 months, expanded to 8 sessions for dissemination. Main Outcome Measure(s) Youth body mass index (BMI) z-scores, measured height and weight, and youth/adult program outcome evaluations surveys. Analysis Linear mixed models, group, time, and group × time interaction for BMI z-score and program outcomes changes. Significance levels = P ≤ .05; interaction term significance = P ≤ .10. Results In intervention, treatment BMI z-scores increased compared with controls based on significant interaction (P = .04). For odds of being overweight or obese at 24 months, there was no significant interaction (P = .18). In dissemination, based on significant interaction, treatment youths increased cooking skills (P = .03) and treatment adults increased cooking together (P = .08) and eating together (P = .08) compared with controls. Conclusions and Implications iCook 4-H program outcomes were positive for mealtime activities of cooking and eating together. The program can be successfully implemented by community educators. The increase in BMI z-scores needs further evaluation for youths in cooking programs

Development of the iCook 4-H Curriculum for Youth and Adults: Cooking, Eating, and Playing Together for Childhood Obesity Prevention

The objective was to describe the development process of a curriculum (iCook 4-H) targeted to low-income, rural, and/or diverse youths and their adult primary meal preparer to promote cooking, eating, and playing together. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of grounding the curriculum in Social Cognitive Theory and applying the experiential 4-H learning model using a multiphased, community-based participatory approach with cyclical development and evaluation, and key modifications made for dissemination and distribution. Findings across 4 testing phases over 6 years and 5 states demonstrated the time-intensive, cyclical process that required flexibility with fidelity to form a hands-on, interactive curriculum

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of diseas

Achievement of the planetary defense investigations of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was the first to demonstrate asteroid deflection, and the mission's Level 1 requirements guided its planetary defense investigations. Here, we summarize DART's achievement of those requirements. On 2022 September 26, the DART spacecraft impacted Dimorphos, the secondary member of the Didymos near-Earth asteroid binary system, demonstrating an autonomously navigated kinetic impact into an asteroid with limited prior knowledge for planetary defense. Months of subsequent Earth-based observations showed that the binary orbital period was changed by –33.24 minutes, with two independent analysis methods each reporting a 1σ uncertainty of 1.4 s. Dynamical models determined that the momentum enhancement factor, β, resulting from DART's kinetic impact test is between 2.4 and 4.9, depending on the mass of Dimorphos, which remains the largest source of uncertainty. Over five dozen telescopes across the globe and in space, along with the Light Italian CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids, have contributed to DART's investigations. These combined investigations have addressed topics related to the ejecta, dynamics, impact event, and properties of both asteroids in the binary system. A year following DART's successful impact into Dimorphos, the mission has achieved its planetary defense requirements, although work to further understand DART's kinetic impact test and the Didymos system will continue. In particular, ESA's Hera mission is planned to perform extensive measurements in 2027 during its rendezvous with the Didymos–Dimorphos system, building on DART to advance our knowledge and continue the ongoing international collaboration for planetary defense

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of disease