Prävalenz von SARS-CoV-2 auf der Augenoberfläche

Das neuartige Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 und die Coronaviruskrankheit COVID-19 stellen die Medizin, Wissenschaft und die Gesellschaft seit Beginn der Pandemie im Frühjahr 2020 weltweit vor große Herausforderungen. Durch die Präsenz des Eingangsrezeptors von SARS- CoV-2 auf der Augenoberfläche herrschte im Bereich der Ophthalmologie zu Beginn der Pandemie große Unklarheit darüber, ob eine singuläre virale Aktivität von SARS-CoV-2 auf der Augenoberfläche möglich sei. Asymptomatische Patientinnen und Patienten, welche trotz negativer Abstriche aus dem Nasopharynx positive Bindehautabstriche vorweisen, könnten potenzielle Überträgerinnen und Überträger des Virus sein, ohne als solche identifiziert zu werden. Um dieses Risiko zu überprüfen, wurden im Rahmen der Studie neben den obligatorischen Nasenrachenabstrichen zusätzliche Abstriche der Konjunktiven der unteren Augenlider von allen 1145 im Studienzeitraum stationär aufgenommenen asymptomatischen Patientinnen und Patienten vorgenommen und mittels real-time RT-PCR ausgewertet. Es wurden insgesamt 2290 Bindehautabstriche vorgenommen. Zusätzlich wurden demographische Faktoren wie Geschlecht, Alter, Ethnie, die Einnahme verschiedener Medikamente (ACE-Hemmer, systemische/topische Immunsuppressiva, systemische/topische antivirale Medikamente) sowie das Tragen von Kontaktlinsen notiert. Es konnte festgestellt werden, dass keiner der aufgenommenen Patienten positive Bindehautabstriche vorwies. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit sich durch einen asymptomatischen Patienten ausschließlich über den Kontakt zu den Bindehäuten zu infizieren, ist demnach sehr gering. Außerdem kann geschlussfolgert werden, dass das Risiko einer isolierten konjunktivalen viralen Aktivität bei Patientinnen und Patienten mit negativen RT-PCR- Ergebnissen der Nasenrachenabstriche nahezu auszuschließen ist. Es scheint also nicht von Notwendigkeit zu sein in einer Augenklinik bei stationärer Aufnahme von Patienten zusätzlich zu den obligatorischen Nasenrachenabstrichen auch Bindehautabstriche vorzunehmen. Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen auch im Bereich der Korneatransplantation, dass das Risiko Empfängerinnen und Empfänger durch Hornhautspenden asymptomatischer und durch die obligatorischen Nasenrachenabstriche negativ getesteten Spenderinnen und Spendern zu infizieren gegen Null verläuft. Die erzielten Ergebnisse müssen allerdings vor dem Hintergrund interpretiert werden, dass für diese Studie ausschließlich asymptomatische Patientinnen und Patienten untersucht wurden und im Studienzeitraum nur wenige aktive COVID-19- Fälle in Köln verzeichnet wurden

Toward a Theory of Teacher Education for Justice-Oriented STEM

Among the multiple perspectives as to the focus of education policy, there has been much recent attention paid to both STEM and social justice education. While these approaches are often seen in opposition with each other, in this paper we explore the possibility of combining these two aims as we begin to develop a theory of teacher education for justice-oriented STEM education

The Impact of Dance Movement Interventions on Psychological Health in Older Adults without Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Lifestyle-based multimodal interventions that integrate physical, sensory, cognitive and social enrichment are suggested to promote healthy mental aging and resilience against aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objectives: This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of dance movement interventions (DMI) as an integrated mind–body activity on outcomes of psychological health in older adults. Methods: Pre-registration was carried out with PROSPERO (CRD42021265112). PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating the effects of DMI (>4 weeks’ duration) compared to comparators on measures of psychological health (primary outcome) and cognitive function (additional outcome) among older adults without dementia (aged ≥55). Data of 14 primary RCT (n = 983, n-DMI = 494, n-control = 489) were synthesized using a random effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation. Results: DMI had a small positive effect on overall psychological health (g = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.53; p = 0.02, I2 = 65.04) compared to control conditions. Small effects of DMI on positive and negative psychological domains as well as quality of life were not statistically significant. DMI had a medium positive effect on general cognitive function (g = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.89, p = 0.02, I2 = 79.61) over comparators. None of the primary intervention studies evaluated measures of neuroplasticity. Conclusions: We found that DMI was effective in promoting mental health amongst older adults without dementia, suggesting that the multimodal enrichment tool is a potential strategy for health promotion and prevention of AD. High-quality intervention studies are needed to expand evidence on DMI-induced changes in specific psychological domains and identify underlying neurophysiological correlates

3D geometry and architecture of a normal fault zone in poorly lithified sediments: A trench study on a strand of the Baza Fault, central Betic Cordillera, south Spain

Successive excavation of 13 trenches of different orientations reveals the complexity of a normal fault zone in Pliocene-Pleistocene unconsolidated sediments on a strand of the Baza Fault, central Betic Cordillera, south Spain. These trenches and the excavation floor are interpreted and integrated to reconstruct the 3D geometry and internal architecture of the fault zone. The structure consists of two main fault strands: an eastern one with a few hundred metres throw and a western one with at least 15 m throw. These strands interact and gradually merge to the south, bounding a main deformation zone narrowing from ∼7 to 1 m along strike. Fault-bounded rock bodies, clay and sand smears, and clay injections define the structure. These features are highly variable in 3D. In the northern part of the outcrop, deformation is localized around the main strands, brittle in the west and more ductile to the east. As the strands and their fault zones increasingly interact, fault throw, rock deformation and maturity of the structure increase. Mechanical stratigraphy also controls the style of deformation. A realistic representation of this 4D picture of fault deformation is critical for modelling fluid flow in shallow to possibly deep, faulted sedimentary reservoirs.This research was founded by research group VIGROB053 (University of Alicante)

Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Dietary Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Hispanic Men: Perceptions of Health Professionals

Objectives: Hispanic Americans have a higher prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) compared to non-Hispanic whites, and are at greater risk for developing diabetes-related complications. Barriers and facilitators to dietary managment of T2DM among this population may be particularly influenced by culture and gender, where traditional gender roles and values prevent Hispanic men from engaging in healthy dietary self-management behaviors. Despite this, research focusing on dietary management of T2DM among Hispanic men is scant. This study aimed to assess perceived barriers and facilitators, as well as perceived influences of culture and gender on the dietary management of T2DM among Hispanic men, as reported by health care professionals. Methods: Key informant interviews (n=17) with health professionals working with Hispanic men were conducted to examine perceived barriers and facilitators when addressing the dietary needs of this population. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a content analysis approach to identify themes related to culture and gender influences of T2DM dietary management. Results: Barriers and facilitators surrounding culture, gender, socioeconomic status and structural policies within the healthcare system emerged as dominant themes. Barriers relating to culture and gender were identified by participants, with many perceiving Hispanic men\u27s dependency on others to prepare their food as a primary barrier. Cultural foods and values and traditional gender roles were also perceived to influence dietary management of T2DM. Factors relating to socioeconomic status and the complexities within the healthcare system were also identified as barriers. Implementing cultural competency and relationship-building strategies were perceived facilitators for health professionals to implement. Many believed systemic changes within the healthcare system are needed to facilitate increased engagement and adherence among Hispanic men. Increasing coordination among health professionals involved in diabetes care, as well as the support available to Hispanic men to ensure this population receives sufficient access to health care, were among the most desired facilitators identified. Conclusions: Hispanic men face multiple challenges to dietary management of T2DM due to their unique circumstances created by the intersecting roles of culture, gender, and socioeconomic status. To address the underlying causes of diet-related health disparities, future research should focus on the intersectionality of these barriers. Health professionals and institutions would benefit from increased funding which supports training in cultural competency and behavior change counseling strategies, in addition to the implementation of patient-centered care coordination initiatives, to ultimately allow for increased knowledge of diabetes, dietary management, and self-efficacy in skills related to preparing healthy foods among Hispanic men

Community Pediatrics and Growing Kids South Burlington An assessment of collaboration between area pediatricians and integrated services for families of young children in South Burlington, VT

Background: It is widely accepted for pediatric and family medicine practitioners to use developmental screening tools for effective identification of children who require additional support. A recent study in Pediatrics reported that between 2002 and 2009, the percentage of pediatricians using standardized screening tools for developmental delay increased from 23.0% to 47.7%. While improvement was found, less than half of pediatricians used these tools. In addition, it is known that early intervention for children requiring extra support is essential for preventing further delay in reaching milestones. Practitioners’ use of screening tools and their collaboration with their community resources can contribute to better delivery of these services and aid in children meeting developmental milestones.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1070/thumbnail.jp

CRISPR/Cas9 interrogation of the mouse Pcdhg gene cluster reveals a crucial isoform-specific role for Pcdhgc4.

The mammalian Pcdhg gene cluster encodes a family of 22 cell adhesion molecules, the gamma-Protocadherins (γ-Pcdhs), critical for neuronal survival and neural circuit formation. The extent to which isoform diversity-a γ-Pcdh hallmark-is required for their functions remains unclear. We used a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to reduce isoform diversity, targeting each Pcdhg variable exon with pooled sgRNAs to generate an allelic series of 26 mouse lines with 1 to 21 isoforms disrupted via discrete indels at guide sites and/or larger deletions/rearrangements. Analysis of 5 mutant lines indicates that postnatal viability and neuronal survival do not require isoform diversity. Surprisingly, given reports that it might not independently engage in trans-interactions, we find that γC4, encoded by Pcdhgc4, is the only critical isoform. Because the human orthologue is the only PCDHG gene constrained in humans, our results indicate a conserved γC4 function that likely involves distinct molecular mechanisms

Serum Antibody Levels to the Pneumocystis jirovecii Major Surface Glycoprotein in the Diagnosis of P. jirovecii Pneumonia in HIV+ Patients

infection has never been developed. major surface glycoprotein recombinant fragment C1 (MsgC1) in 110 HIV+ patients with active PcP (cases) and 63 HIV+ patients with pneumonia due to other causes (controls) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cases had significantly higher IgG and IgM antibody levels to MsgC1 than the controls at hospital admission (week 0) and intervals up to at least 1 month thereafter. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of IgG antibody levels increased from 57.2%, 61.7% and 71.5% at week 0 to 63.4%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, at weeks 3–4. The sensitivity, specificity and PPV of IgM antibody levels rose from 59.7%, 61.3%, and 79.3% at week 0 to 74.6%, 73.7%, and 89.8%, respectively, at weeks 3–4. Multivariate analysis revealed that a diagnosis of PcP was the only independent predictor of high IgG and IgM antibody levels to MsgC1. A high LDH level, a nonspecific marker of lung damage, was an independent predictor of low IgG antibody levels to MsgC1.The results suggest that the ELISA shows promise as an aid to the diagnosis of PCP in situations where diagnostic procedures cannot be performed. Further studies in other patient populations are needed to better define the usefulness of this serologic test

Towards assembling the internal ice stratigraphy in coastal regions of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica

The internal ice stratigraphy as imaged by radar is an integrated archive of the atmospheric- oceanographic, and ice-dynamic history that the ice sheet has experienced. It provides an observational constraint for ice flow modeling that has been used for instance to predict age-depth relationships at prospective ice-coring sites in Antarctica’s interior. The stratigraphy is typically more disturbed and more difficult to image in coastal regions due to faster ice flow. Yet, knowledge of ice stratigraphy across ice shelf grounding lines and further seawards is important to help constrain ocean-induced melting and associated stability. Here, we present preliminary results of synthesizing information from radar stratigraphic characteristics from airborne and ground-based radar surveys that have been collected for specific projects starting from the 1990s onwards focusing on ice marginal zones of Antarctica. The key data is based on airborne surveys from the German Alfred Wegener Institute’s polar aircrafts equipped with a 150 MHz radar. In the meantime this system has been replaced by an ultra-wide band 150-520 MHz radar. The older data will provide a baseline with extensive coverage that can be used for model calibration and change detection over time. We aim to provide metrics of the radio stratigraphy (e.g. shape and slope of internal reflection horizons) as well as classified prevalent stratigraphy types that can be used to calibrate machine learning approaches such as simulation based inference. The data obtained will be integrated in coordination efforts within the SCAR AntArchitecture Action Group

UReCA, the NCHC Web journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity

Our vision is an academic community without borders, a connected network of aspirational students committed to the advancement of knowledge and appreciation of the arts. UReCA fosters the exchange of intellectual and creative work between undergraduate students, providing a platform where students can engage with and contribute to the advancement of their individual fields. UReCA was first conceived by Johnny MacLean (Southern Utah University) and Brian White (Graceland University) at an annual NCHC conference in Phoenix, Arizona. MacLean and White noticed that while several academic outlets existed for honors faculty and administrators, there was an absence of student-focused publications within the NCHC community. Inspired by the experiential education model used by Partners in the Parks, Johnny and Brian saw another opportunity for honors students to engage in experiential learning. Their vision: an international undergraduate journal, peer reviewed and produced for the web by an interdisciplinary community of honors students