Microbial levels in a general hospital nursery and nursery with rooming-in facilities of a maternity hospital.

Thesis (M.S.

Assessing Legislative Interest for a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax in a Midwestern State

BACKGROUND: This study sought to ascertain the opinions of members of the Kansas Legislature regarding pending sugar-sweetened beverage taxation legislation, including perceptions that such a tax would generate revenue or be associated with personal sugar-sweetened beverage consumption habits. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design and was conducted by administering an electronic or telephone survey of the 2010-2011 Kansas Legislature. Publicly-listed contact information for the 165 members in both chambers of the 2010-2011 Kansas Legislature was obtained. State legislators were invited via e-mail, telephone, or both to complete the survey. The main outcome measure was the degree of agreement or disagreement with the idea of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. RESULTS: Seventy-eight legislators (47.3%) responded. Of these, 90.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages, and 86.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages if generated funds were set aside to subsidize healthy choices. Party affiliation, geographic area represented, and personal consumption of sugar-sweetened behaviors were not associated significantly with legislators’ opinions of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents in the Kansas Legislature reported opposing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. While some respondents identified obesity as a problem, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages was not a favorable option among Kansas legislators

The Iowa Homemaker vol.10, no.5

Spinach, Codliver Oil and Americanization by Mary H. Anderson, page 1 Prepare to Dye! by Helen Penrose and Elizabeth Flynn, page 2 Gas and It’s Family Tree by Thelma Carlson, page 3 Dance Your Way to Happiness by Jerry Martin, page 3 Who’s Boss, You or Your Kitchen? by Thelma Carlson, page 4 Make the Most of Linoleum by Edna Rhoads, page 4 “All the World’s a Stage..” by Mary Louise Murray, page 5 4-H Club by Clara Austen, page 6 Developing the You-ness of You by Grace Hoover, page 6 The Treasure Chest by Dorothy Clements, page 7 State Association by Marcia E. Turner, page 8 Open Season for Colds – Have One by Anafred Stephenson, page 9 The Child Who Will Not Eat by Lorraine Sandstrom, page 10 Editorial, page 11 Alumnae News, page 12 The Little Elves in Fondant by Thelma Carlson, page 13 Madame Browses in Books, page 1

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Regulates CD55 in Airway Epithelium

Airway epithelial CD55 down-regulation occurs in several hypoxia-associated pulmonary diseases, but the mechanism is unknown. Using in vivo and in vitro assays of pharmacologic inhibition and gene silencing, the current study investigated the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in regulating airway epithelial CD55 expression. Hypoxia down-regulated CD55 expression on small-airway epithelial cells in vitro, and in murine lungs in vivo; the latter was associated with local complement activation. Treatment with pharmacologic inhibition or silencing of HIF-1α during hypoxia-recovered CD55 expression in small-airway epithelial cells. HIF-1α overexpression or blockade, in vitro or in vivo, down-regulated CD55 expression. Collectively, these data show a key role for HIF-1α in regulating the expression of CD55 on airway epithelium

Towards establishing consistency in triage in a tertiary specialty

Clinical Genetics services provide a diagnostic, counselling and genetic testing service for children and adults affected by, or at risk of, a genetic condition, most of which are rare, and/or genetically heterogeneous. Appropriate triage of referrals is crucial to ensure that the most urgent referrals are seen as quickly as possible, without negatively impacting the waiting times of less urgent cases. We aimed to examine triage practice in six Clinical Genetic centres across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Thirteen simulated referrals were drafted based on common referrals to Clinical Genetics. Copies of each referral were forwarded to each centre, where 10 nominated clinicians were asked to triage each referral. Triaged referrals were returned to the coordinating author for analysis. An electronic questionnaire was contemporaneously completed by clinical leads in each unit to gather local demographic details and local operating procedures relevant to triage. Widespread inconsistencies were noted both within and between units, with respect to the acceptance of referrals to the services, prioritisation and designated clinic type. Referral rates, staffing levels and waiting lists varied widely between units. Inconsistencies observed between units are likely influenced by a number of factors, including staffing levels, referral rates and average family size. Inconsistency within units likely reflects the complex nature of many Clinical Genetic referrals, and triage guidelines should help improve decision-making in this setting

The Lived Clinical Experiences of Expatriate Athletic Trainers

Context: The international practice setting is gaining popularity for athletic trainers (ATs). Little has been investigated about the clinical experiences and challenges this setting presents. The purpose of this study was to create a baseline of understanding surrounding AT’s lived clinical experiences within the international practice setting. Methods: We used a consensual qualitative design and recruited credentialed ATs who are practicing the athletic training skillset outside the US. The Board of Certification supplied email addresses for recruitment (Sample: 23 total; 11 females, 12 males; 34 ± 7 years old. Representation was from fifteen different countries. Participants completed an electronic informed consent and demographic survey (Qualtrics® Inc., Provo, UT). Based on previous literature and in consultation with an international sports medicine expert, both interview and survey tools were developed, validated, and piloted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed by the lead investigator using teleconferencing software (Zoom, San Jose, CA). Three researchers coded transcripts using a consensual codebook to confirm domains, codes, and data saturation. Member checking, peer reviewing, and multiple researchers were used to triangulate data and enhance trustworthiness. Results: Three domains emerged during analysis: (1) Professional and Cultural Adaptations, (2) Healthcare Landscape, and (3) Personal Pathways and Motivators. Participants voiced struggles with self-efficacy, as well as detailed incongruities of their clinical roles and others’ understanding of their skill set as ATs. Clinicians detailed the versatility of ATs’ skillset filling clinical gaps within their country’s healthcare landscape. Institutional and intraprofessional relationships were expanded on and emphasized personal connections. Participants voiced challenges surrounding resources and adapting to their country’s legal systems. Interprofessional practice and collaboration, as well as cultural competence, was discussed as imperative to practice. A wide range of work settings within countries were regularly found. Conclusions: International ATs expressed a variety of ways that the AT skillset fits a unique international need. Both interprofessional relationships and intraprofessional practice were crucial; relationships were enhanced through communication skills, empathy, and cultural competence. While native clinicians had a consistent lack of knowledge of the AT skill, clinical advocacy and a strong desire to grow the international practice setting was salient to practitioners

Bostonia: The Boston University Alumni Magazine. Volume 9

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

On the pivotal role of PPARa in adaptation of the heart to hypoxia and why fat in the diet increases hypoxic injury

The role of peroxisome proliferator activated alpha (PPARα) -mediated metabolic remodeling in cardiac adaptation to hypoxia has yet to be defined. Here, mice were housed in hypoxia for 3 weeks before in vivo contractile function was measured using cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In isolated, perfused hearts, energetics were measured using 31P MR spectroscopy and glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation were measured using 3H labelling. Compared with normoxic, chow-fed control mouse heart, hypoxia decreased PPARα expression, fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial UCP3 levels, while increasing glycolysis, all of which served to maintain normal ATP concentrations and thereby ejection fractions. A high-fat diet increased cardiac PPARα expression, fatty acid oxidation and UCP3 levels, with decreased glycolysis. Hypoxia was unable to alter the high PPARα expression or reverse the metabolic changes caused by the high fat diet, with the result that ATP concentrations and contractile function decreased significantly. The adaptive metabolic changes caused by hypoxia in control mouse hearts were found to have already occurred in PPARα-/- mouse hearts, and sustained function in hypoxia despite an inability for further metabolic remodelling. We conclude that decreased cardiac PPARα expression is essential for adaptive metabolic remodelling in hypoxia, but is prevented by dietary fat