Ethnic Identity and Acculturation of English as Second Language Learners: Implications for School Counselors

Ethnic identity and acculturation are significant issues of English as Second Language students in the intermediate grades. Research has encompassed acculturation and ethnic identity as two distinct elements that differentiate particular ethnic groups. The present study investigates acculturation and ethnic identity and their correlation across groups. This article presents a measure of ethnic identity to understand the relationships to demographic variables. The results of this research study support significant correlations between total ethnic identity of ESL students and identity achievement

Sampling related individuals within ponds biases estimates of population structure in a pond‐breeding amphibian

Effective conservation and management of pond‐breeding amphibians depends on the accurate estimation of population structure, demographic parameters, and the influence of landscape features on breeding‐site connectivity. Population‐level studies of pond‐breeding amphibians typically sample larval life stages because they are easily captured and can be sampled nondestructively. These studies often identify high levels of relatedness between individuals from the same pond, which can be exacerbated by sampling the larval stage. Yet, the effect of these related individuals on population genetic studies using genomic data is not yet fully understood. Here, we assess the effect of within‐pond relatedness on population and landscape genetic analyses by focusing on the barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) from the Nebraska Sandhills. Utilizing genome‐wide SNPs generated using a double‐digest RADseq approach, we conducted standard population and landscape genetic analyses using datasets with and without siblings. We found that reduced sample sizes influenced parameter estimates more than the inclusion of siblings, but that withinpond relatedness led to the inference of spurious population structure when analyses depended on allele frequencies. Our landscape genetic analyses also supported different models across datasets depending on the spatial resolution analyzed. We recommend that future studies not only test for relatedness among larval samples but also remove siblings before conducting population or landscape genetic analyses. We also recommend alternative sampling strategies to reduce sampling siblings before sequencing takes place. Biases introduced by unknowingly including siblings can have significant implications for population and landscape genetic analyses, and in turn, for species conservation strategies and outcomes

Endothelial Senescence and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a COVID-19 Based Hypothesis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious illness of unknown etiology, characterized by debilitating exhaustion, memory impairment, pain and sleep abnormalities. Viral infections are believed to initiate the pathogenesis of this syndrome although the definite proof remains elusive. With the unfolding of COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in this condition has resurfaced as excessive tiredness, a major complaint of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, often lingers for a long time, resulting in disability, and poor life quality. In a previous article, we hypothesized that COVID-19-upregulated angiotensin II triggered premature endothelial cell senescence, disrupting the intestinal and blood brain barriers. Here, we hypothesize further that post-viral sequelae, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, are promoted by the gut microbes or toxin translocation from the gastrointestinal tract into other tissues, including the brain. This model is supported by the SARS-CoV-2 interaction with host proteins and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Conversely, targeting microbial translocation and cellular senescence may ameliorate the symptoms of this disabling illness

Diagnóstico de la fertilidad de suelos en dos parcelas para cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao) y café (Coffea arábica) en el municipio de San Buenaventura

En el norte del departamento de La Paz, la frontera agrícola fue incrementándose vertiginosamente por el ingreso del cultivo de caña de azúcar, actividades ganaderas, asentamientos en áreas para la extracción ilegal de la madera, entre otras, que van en desmedro de la biodiversidad; el trabajo consistió en diagnosticar la fertilidad de suelos para la implementación de cultivos con cacao y café, en dos comunidades (San Silvestre y Esmeralda), tomando como base los datos obtenidos por Miranda et al. (2021) sobre análisis físico-químico de suelos. El procedimiento fue: a) sistematización de información secundaria y primaria, b) análisis de ingresos y salidas de nutrientes del suelo y c) dosificación de nutrientes en base al balance de los mismos para el cultivo de cacao y café. De acuerdo al análisis realizado, En la comunidad Esmeralda para tener adecuados rendimientos en cacao se debe adicionar 738.5 kg N ha-1 y 76.07 kg P2O5 ha-1 y en café 212.5 kg N ha-1, los mismos por su bajo porcentaje de saturación de acidez no requieren encalado. En la comunidad San Silvestre, se requiere adición de 788.09 kg N ha-1, 229.03 kg P2O5 ha-1 y 403.86 kg K2O para el cultivo de cacao y para el cultivo de café 262.09 kg N ha-1 21.20 kg P2O5. Por otro lado, los suelos presentan un alto porcentaje de saturación de acidez recomendado con 46.73 %, mayor al porcentaje de saturación de cultivo de cacao (20 %) y café (25 %) sugiriendo la adición de 4.327 kg de cal agrícola para el cultivo de cacao por planta y 0.439 kg para el cultivo de café, sugiriendo los mismos ser aplicados en dos etapas

Inflammatory markers and bone mass in children with overweight/obesity: the role of muscular fitness

Objectives To examine which inflammatory markers are associated with bone mass and whether this association varies according to muscular fitness in children with overweight/obesity. Methods Plasma interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), epidermal growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), and C-reactive protein were analyzed in 55 children aged 8–11 years. A muscular fitness score was computed. Bone mineral content (BMC) of the total body-less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine (LS) were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results IL-6 (β = −0.136) and VEGF (β = −0.099) were associated with TBLH BMC, while TNF-α (β = −0.345) and IL-1β (β = 0.212) were associated with LS BMC (P < 0.05). The interaction effect of muscular fitness showed a trend in the association of VEGF with TBLH BMC (P = 0.122) and TNF-α with LS BMC (P = 0.057). Stratified analyses by muscular fitness levels showed an inverse association of VEGF with TBLH BMC (β = −0.152) and TNF-α with LS BMC (β = −0.491) in the low-fitness group, while no association was found in the high-fitness group. Conclusion IL-6, VEGF, TNF-α, and IL-1β are significantly associated with bone mass. Higher muscular fitness may attenuate the adverse effect of high VEGF and TNF-α on bone mass

Bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy after transurethral prostatic resection: a case report

BACKGROUND: Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy affects the anterior portion of the optic nerve and is characterized by sudden, painless visual loss. The affected eye has a relative afferent pupillary defect. The typical funduscopic appearance includes optic disc edema, with associated nerve fiber layer hemorrhage. Risk factors include advanced age, systemic hypertension, nocturnal hypotension, diabetes mellitus, and a small cup-to-disc ratio. Bilateral presentation is rare. Postoperative optic neuropathy has been associated with nonocular surgery; risk factors include a combination of prolonged surgical times, acute systemic hypotension, anemia due to blood loss, or prone positioning. We report for the first time a patient with bilateral, simultaneous anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after elective transurethral prostatic resection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year old man underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The preoperative blood pressure was 140/85 mmHg, hemoglobin 15.9 g/dL, and hematocrit 48.6%. Two hours postoperatively, the blood pressure, hemoglobin, and hematocrit dropped dramatically. One day later, transient horizontal diplopia developed. Funduscopy showed a congenitally small cup-to-disc ratio without papillary edema. Other ocular findings were unremarkable. By 4 days postoperatively, sudden and painless amaurosis bilaterally developed when the patient awoke with nausea and vomiting. Visual acuity was no light perception bilaterally. The optic discs were swollen with small hemorrhages. Scans of the head and orbits and electrolyte levels were normal. There were no responses on visual evoked potentials bilaterally. The blood pressure was 90/50 mm Hg, the hemoglobin 7.0 g/dL, and the hematocrit 22.9%, necessitating infusion of three units of packed red blood cells. The blood pressure, hematocrit, and hemoglobin increased to normal levels. Three months later the visual acuity remained no light perception. The pupils were unreactive and there was marked optic disc atrophy bilaterally. CONCLUSION: Bilateral and simultaneous acute ischemic optic neuropathy may be a rare but devastating surgical complication. The combination of anemia and hypotension may increase the risk of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy postoperatively after transurethral prostatic resection

Gender Inequalities in Diagnostic Inertia around the Three Most Prevalent Cardiovascular Risk Studies: Protocol for a Population-Based Cohort Study

Evidence shows that objectives for detecting and controlling cardiovascular risk factors are not being effectively met, and moreover, outcomes differ between men and women. This study will assess the gender-related differences in diagnostic inertia around the three most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors: dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, and to evaluate the consequences on cardiovascular disease incidence. This is an epidemiological and cohort study. Eligible patients will be adults who presented to public primary health care centers in a Spanish region from 2008 to 2011, with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or/and diabetes and without cardiovascular disease. Participants’ electronic health records will be used to collect the study variables in a window of six months from inclusion. Diagnostic inertia of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes is defined as the registry of abnormal diagnostic parameters—but no diagnosis—on the person’s health record. The cohort will be followed from the date of inclusion until the end of 2019. Outcomes will be cardiovascular events, defined as hospital admission due to ischemic cardiopathy, stroke, and death from any cause. The results of this study could inform actions to rectify the structure, organization and training of health care teams in order to correct the inequality

Cardiac Safety of TGF-β Receptor I Kinase Inhibitor LY2157299 Monohydrate in Cancer Patients in a First-in-Human Dose Study

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling plays an important role in the fetal development of cardiovascular organs and in the repair mechanisms of the heart. Hence, inhibitors of the TGF-β signaling pathway require a careful identification of a safe therapeutic window and a comprehensive monitoring of the cardiovascular system. Seventy-nine cancer patients (67 glioma and 12 solid tumor) enrolled in a first-in-human dose study and received the TGF-β inhibitor LY2157299 monohydrate (LY2157299) as monotherapy (n = 53) or in combination with lomustine (n = 26). All patients were monitored using 2D echocardiography/color and Spectral Doppler (2D Echo with Doppler) every 2 months, monthly electrocardiograms, thorax computer tomography scans every 6 months, and monthly serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin I, cystatin C, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Administration of LY2157299 was not associated with medically relevant cardiovascular toxicities, including patients treated ≥6 months (n = 13). There were no increases of troponin I, BNP, or hs-CRP or reduction in cystatin C levels, which may have been considered as signs of cardiovascular injury. Blood pressure was generally stable during treatment. Imaging with echocardiography/Doppler showed an increase in mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation by two grades of severity in only one patient with no concurrent clinical symptoms of cardiovascular injury. Overall, this comprehensive cardiovascular monitoring for the TGF-β inhibitor LY2157299 did not detect medically relevant cardiac toxicity and hence supports the evaluation of LY2157299 in future clinical trials