Bringing Students’ Voices into Campus Conversations about Essential Learning Outcomes: A Survey of Students at a Mid-Sized State University

Stockton University, a mid-sized state university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United Stated, initiated the first of two pilots for implementation of its institutional outcomes during the fall semester 2014. At the beginning of that semester, in an effort to gauge students’ attitudes university-wide toward the value of the outcomes, the director of the pilot administered an exploratory survey to the entire student population (N=427). The survey contained eleven questions. The results indicate that students agree on their value. The student survey participants, however, identify five additional outcomes. Furthermore, student survey participants rank four of the student-identified outcomes of greater value than some of the institutional outcomes. The survey results also suggest that students could assume a more engaged role in campus conversations about core, institutional outcomes, thus, fostering authentic connection to the learning outcomes students seek and acquire while in college

Meta-validation of bipartite network projections

Monopartite projections of bipartite networks are useful tools for modeling indirect interactions in complex systems. The standard approach to identify significant links is statistical validation using a suitable null network model, such as the popular configuration model (CM) that constrains node degrees and randomizes everything else. However different CM formulations exist, depending on how the constraints are imposed and for which sets of nodes. Here we systematically investigate the application of these formulations in validating the same network, showing that they lead to different results even when the same significance threshold is used. Instead a much better agreement is obtained for the same density of validated links. We thus propose a meta-validation approach that allows to identify model-specific significance thresholds for which the signal is strongest, and at the same time to obtain results independent of the way in which the null hypothesis is formulated. We illustrate this procedure using data on scientific production of world countries.The configuration model, in its various formulations, is a widely used null model for statistical validation of bipartite network projections. Here, the authors show that different formulations might bring to very different results, and propose a meta-validation approach that allows to identify model-specific significance thresholds while remaining null-model independent

Nucleoli and Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein (PML) bodies are phase separated nuclear protein quality control compartments for misfolded proteins

We uncovered a role for nucleoli and PML-bodies as phase-separated protein quality control organelles that compartmentalize protein quality control factors and misfolded proteins for their efficient clearance. Failure to dispose misfolded proteins converts nucleoli and PML-bodies into a solid state that immobilizes ubiquitin, limiting its recycling for genome integrity maintenance

Promoting behavioural changes to improve oral hygiene in patients with periodontal diseases: a systematic review

Aim: This systematic review investigates the impact of specific interventions aiming at promoting behavioural changes to improve oral hygiene (OH) in patients with periodontal diseases. Methods: A literature search was performed on different databases up to March 2019. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of behavioural interventions on plaque and bleeding scores in patients with gingivitis or periodontitis were considered. Pooled data analysis was conducted by estimating standardized mean difference between groups. Results: Of 288 articles screened, 14 were included as follows: 4 studies evaluated the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) associated with OH instructions, 7 the impact of oral health educational programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapies, and 3 the use of self-inspections/videotapes. Studies were heterogeneous and reported contrasting results. Meta-analyses for psychological interventions showed no significant group difference for both plaque and bleeding scores. No effect was observed in studies applying self-inspection/videotapes. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the current evidence, OH may be reinforced in patients with periodontal diseases by psychological interventions based on cognitive constructs and MI principles provided by oral health professionals. However, no conclusion can be drawn on their specific clinical efficacy as measured by reduction of plaque and bleeding scores over time

Impact of risk factor control interventions for smoking cessation and promotion of healthy lifestyles in patients with periodontitis: a systematic review

Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to identify the most recent widely accepted guidelines for risk factor control interventions and to assess their impact in patients with periodontitis. Materials and methods: The electronic search strategy included a first systematic search to identify guidelines for interventions for smoking cessation, diabetes control, physical exercise (activity), change of diet, carbohydrate (dietary sugar) reduction and weight loss in the general population and a second systematic search to identify the studies evaluating these interventions in periodontitis patients. Results: A total of 13 guidelines and 25 studies were selected. Most guidelines included recommendations for all healthcare providers to provide interventions and follow-up counselling with the risk factors considered in the present review. In patients with periodontitis, interventions for smoking cessation and diabetes control were shown to improve periodontal health while the impact of dietary interventions and the promotion of other healthy lifestyles were moderate or limited. Conclusions: While aiming to improve treatment outcomes and the maintenance of periodontal health, current evidence suggests that interventions for smoking cessation and diabetes control are effective, thus emphasizing the need of behavioural support in periodontal care

Antimicrobial Challenge in Acute Care Surgery

The burden of infections in acute care surgery (ACS) is huge. Surgical emergencies alone account for three million admissions per year in the United States (US) with estimated financial costs of USD 28 billion per year. Acute care facilities and ACS patients represent boost sanctuaries for the emergence, development and transmission of infections and multi-resistant organisms. According to the World Health Organization, healthcare-associated infections affected around 4 million cases in Europe and 1.7 million in the US alone in 2011 with 39,000 and 99,000 directly attributable deaths, respectively. In this scenario, antimicrobial resistance arose as a public-health emergency that worsens patients’ morbidity and mortality and increases healthcare costs. The optimal patient care requires the application of comprehensive evidence-based policies and strategies aiming at minimizing the impact of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, while optimizing the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. The present review provides a snapshot of two hot topics, such as antimicrobial resistance and systemic inflammatory response, and three milestones of infection management, such as source control, infection prevention, and control and antimicrobial stewardship

Avaliação da toxicidade da sulfametazina em organismos aquáticos.

Resumo: Dentre os fármacos, o grupo dos antibióticos, entre eles as sulfonamidas, é considerado um dos mais importantes. Estes compostos são extensivamente utilizados na medicina humana, veterinária e na aquicultura, com o propósito de prevenir ou tratar infecções microbianas. Essas substâncias podem acumular-se no solo, sofrer lixiviação ou, ainda, ser transportada via escoamento superficial para os corpos hídricos. A fim de alcançar um maior entendimento sobre os efeitos das sulfonamidas, avaliou-se a toxicidade aguda da sulfametazina utilizando-se duas espécies de invertebrados aquáticos (Daphnia similis e Artemia salina) e o peixe (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Foram determinados os valores de concentração efetiva media (CE50-48h), relacionada à imobilidade dos microcrustáceos equivalente a 77,5-48h e >1000 mg L-¹ para D. similis e A. salina, respectivamente. Para o peixe P. mesopotamicus, não houve efeito letal. Considerando-se que estes compostos são administrados em doses elevadas, a avaliação do seu impacto em toda biota aquática parece aconselhável. Os valores, portanto auxiliam para o estabelecimento de concentrações máximas permissíveis de sulfametazina nos corpos de água. Abstract: Among the drugs, the group of antibiotics, including sulfonamides, is considered one of the most important. These compounds are extensively used in human, veterinary medicine and aquaculture, with the purpose of preventing or treating microbial infections. These substances can build up in the soil, leachate or even be transported via superficial runoff to water bodies. In order to achieve a better understanding of the effects of sulfonamides, the acute toxicity of sulfamethazine was evolved using two species of aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia similis and artemia salina) and fish (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Determined the average effective concentration values were (EC50-48h), related to immobility of microcrustaceans equivalent to 77.5-48h and>1000 mg L -1 for D. similis and A. salina, respectively. For the fish P. mesopotamicus not lethal effect was found. Considering that these compounds are administered in high doses, to assess their impact on aquatic biota all seems advisable. values thus help to establish allowable maximum concentrations of sulfamethazine in water bodies