Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Interventions: An Evidence-Based Practice Project

This Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) project examined the following question: What are the characteristics and effectiveness of trauma-informed care (TIC) approaches on health and participation (well-being, quality of life) outcomes for populations who have experienced trauma

Molecular Modeling Study for Inhibition Mechanism of Human Chymase and Its Application in Inhibitor Design

Human chymase catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Three chymase inhibitors with very similar chemical structures but highly different inhibitory profiles towards the hydrolase function of chymase were selected with the aim of elucidating the origin of disparities in their biological activities. As a substrate (angiotensin-I) bound crystal structure is not available, molecular docking was performed to dock the substrate into the active site. Molecular dynamics simulations of chymasecomplexes with inhibitors and substrate were performed to calculate the binding orientation of inhibitors and substrate as well as to characterize conformational changes in the active site. The results elucidate details of the 3D chymase structure as well as the importance of K40 in hydrolase function. Binding mode analysis showed that substitution of a heavier Cl atom at the phenyl ring of most active inhibitor produced a great deal of variation in its orientation causing the phosphinate group to interact strongly with residue K40. Dynamics simulations revealed the conformational variation in region of V36-F41upon substrate and inhibitor binding induced a shift in the location of K40 thus changing its interactions with them. Chymase complexes with the most activecompound and substrate were used for development of a hybrid pharmacophore model which was applied in databases screening. Finally, hits which bound well at the active site, exhibited key interactions and favorable electronic properties were identified as possible inhibitors for chymase. This study not only elucidates inhibitorymechanism of chymase inhibitors but also provides key structural insights which will aid in the rational design of novel potent inhibitors of the enzyme. In general, the strategy applied in the current study could be a promising computational approach and may be generally applicable to drug design for other enzymes

Student engagement and perceptions of blended-learning of a clinical module in a veterinary degree program.

Blended learning has received much interest in higher education as a way to increase learning efficiency and effectiveness. By combining face-to-face teaching with technology-enhanced learning through online resources, students can manage their own learning. Blended methods are of particular interest in professional degree programs such as veterinary medicine in which students need the flexibility to undertake intra- and extramural activities to develop the range of competencies required to achieve professional qualification. Yet how veterinary students engage with blended learning activities and whether they perceive the approach as beneficial is unclear. We evaluated blended learning through review of student feedback on a 4-week clinical module in a veterinary degree program. The module combined face-to-face sessions with online resources. Feedback was collected by means of a structured online questionnaire at the end of the module and log data collected as part of a routine teaching audit. The features of blended learning that support and detract from students’ learning experience were explored using quantitative and qualitative methods. Students perceived a benefit from aspects of face-to-face teaching and technology-enhanced learning resources. Face-to-face teaching was appreciated for practical activities, whereas online resources were considered effective for facilitating module organization and allowing flexible access to learning materials. The blended approach was particularly appreciated for clinical skills in which students valued a combination of visual resources and practical activities. Although we identified several limitations with online resources that need to be addressed when constructing blended courses, blended learning shows potential to enhance student-led learning in clinical courses

The Upper Extremity Prosthetic Prescrlption User Satisfaction And Indicators For Change

It has been documented that there are between 85,000 to 90,000 individuals with upper limb-loss in the United States, half of whom wear no prosthesis at all. The question of why some people with upper-limb loss do not wear, and actively use their prosthesis, must be asked. In order to address some of these issues, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (I1RR) in Houston, Texas, applied for a grant from the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), a newly formed center under the National Institute of Health (NTH) In September, 1992, TIRR was awarded a two-year grant designed to accomplish the following; (1) to establish a national data base of persons with upper-limb loss and (2) to develop a comprehensive survey to evaluate their past use, current needs and preferences, and specific considerations that will help define future upper-limb prosthetic research The original intent of this grant was to focus on an improved design of an electric prosthesis only in response to a tremendous number of telephone calls and remarks recorded in a one-page survey from body-powered prosthetic users, additional goals have been included that will address (1) the identified shortcomings of body-powered and electric prostheses and (2) the essential functions that users of bodv-powered and electric prostheses identify as being necessary in the design of a better upper-limb prosthesis