Policies, Practices, and Pedagogies: A Qualitative Study of LGBTQ+ Representation in the Physical Therapy Profession

Introduction APTA collects demographic data regarding racial diversity, but ignores gender and sexual diversity In the US, 4.5 percent of adults identified as LGBTQ+ In Minnesota, 4.1 percent of adults identified as LGBTQ+ Objective Gain an improved understanding of the shared experiences and the potential underlying barriers that practicing and student PTs and PTAs from gender/sexual minorities in Minnesota encounter Results of the study will be used to assist MNPTA task force to improve diversity in PT/PTA education and practice in Minnesota Methods The seven participants were practicing PT/PTAs or student from Minnesota Recruitment through flyer via email and distributed at MNPTA educational events, or personally invited by PI 90 minute online focus groups moderated by a PI Discussed choice of career path, perceived barriers, shared life experiences, and thoughts of improving LGBTQ+ acceptances and equality Groups were audio recorded, de-identified, transcribed, cleaned and then imported into NVIVO 12 software and coded Conclusion Participants shared similar experiences across multiple aspects of their lives and encountered similar barriers and challenges as student and practicing PT/PTAs in Minnesota Future research should be conducted to explore the solutions proposed by participants and determine if there are other common major themes that exist Clinical Relevance Important to understand barriers that LBGTQ+ PT/PTAs face in order to address the health disparities that exist in the Physical Therapy Profession in Minnesota Create an environment that is more inclusive and more representative of the growing diversity that exists in physical therapy by putting potential solutions into action Important to have PTs who are educated on the health disparities that exist in LBGTQ+ and uniquely understand their patients\u27 need

Practices and Pedagogies: A Qualitative Study of LGBTQ+ Representation in Physical Therapy

Introduction U.S. LGBTQ+ community represents 4.5% of the total population.1 MN LGBTQ+ community represents ~4% of total population.2 Unclear what percentage of LGBTQ+ are represented in PT/PTA professions. APTA/MNPTA are attempting efforts to improve diversity in PT/PTA professions.3 Objective Aim to understand the successes, barriers, and shared experiences of under-represented who established careers as PTs or PTAs. Methods Subjects PT/PTA clinicians and students from the LGBTQ+ community Four Focus Groups Recruitment through flyers and PT/PTA programs in MN Virtual 90-minute focus groups 2-4 participants with 2 PIs and 2 trained students Data Analysis Audio recorded, transcribed and de-identified using Temi.com Coding and analysis using NVIVO12 Major Themes Major Theme 1: Belonging A sense of being approved of and accepted by society in general.4 Major Theme 2: Insufficiencies Something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations.4 Major Theme 3: Microaggressions Actions that often unconsciously expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a marginalized group.4 Major Theme 4: Potential Solutions Something that is used or done to deal with and end a problem.4 Conclusion Lacking feeling of belonging/support Invisible minority “Insufficiencies” All types of diversity “Solutions” Clinical Relevance Need to address microaggressions in the class/clinic Promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance and visibility in PT/PTA education Improve representation and understanding in the clinic to increase comfort and safety of LGBTQ+ clinicians, students and patients Use of preferred pronouns Multiple options for gender and sexual identity in forms Education for clinicians regarding LGBTQ+ issues Welcoming pamphlets and signag

Discovering Barriers to Diversity in Physical Therapy

Introduction APTA defines diversity: “the racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in physical therapy education relative to their numbers in the general population, as well as individuals from geographically underrepresented areas, lower economic strata, and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds” 9.7 percent of DPT students identified as URM nationally. In Minnesota, 96.75 percent of persons with PT licenses self identify as White. This study is the directive of the MNPTA Methods Participants were PT/PTA professionals or students from Minnesota. Average Age: 34.17 STD 12.47 Four 120 minute focus groups moderated by a PI. Discussed successes, barriers, and experiences encountered throughout their professional, educational, and personal life. Audio was de identified, transcribed, cleaned, and coded line by line into NVIVO 12 (QSR International Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia) software. Conclusions Primary Themes from the focus groups were: Barriers, Diversity, Grit, Divine Intervention, and Suggestions to Improve Diversity. Subthemes were: Societal Challenges, Academic Experiences/Challenges, Financial Challenges, Diversity Challenges/Struggles, Awareness of Diversity, Need for Diversity in PT, Outreach, Mentorship, and Exposure. Focus group research provided more in depth perspectives regarding diversity within the physical therapy profession. Implications Recommend early and ongoing mentorship and outreach initiatives beginning in primary school to increase awareness of the profession. Sub themes within this study will hopefully assist the MNPTA to create effective programs for URM individuals pursuing the PT/PTA profession. Address health disparities that limit URM from accessing physical therapy services. Future research: to continue this study design with participants from the LGBTQ+ community and the socioeconomically and educationally disadvantaged population

Genome-wide association of major depression: description of samples for the GAIN Major Depressive Disorder Study: NTR and NESDA biobank projects.

To identify the genomic regions that confer risk and protection for major depressive disorder (MDD) in humans, large-scale studies are needed. Such studies should collect multiple phenotypes, DNA, and ideally, biological material that allows gene expression analysis, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies. In this paper, we briefly review linkage studies of MDD and then describe the large-scale nationwide biological sample collection in Dutch twin families from the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and in participants in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Within these studies, 1862 participants with a diagnosis of MDD and 1857 controls at low liability for MDD have been selected for genome-wide genotyping by the US Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Genetic Association Information Network. Stage 1 genome-wide association results are scheduled to be accessible before the end of 2007. Genome-wide association results are open-access and can be viewed at the dbGAP web portal (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Approved users can download the genotype and phenotype data, which have been made available as of 9 October 2007

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (congenital absence of uterus and vagina) – phenotypic manifestations and genetic approaches

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome affects at least 1 out of 4500 women and has for a long time been considered as a sporadic anomaly. Congenital absence of upper vagina and uterus is the prime feature of the disease which, in addition, is often found associated with unilateral renal agenesis or adysplasia as well as skeletal malformations (MURCS association). The phenotypic manifestations of MRKH overlap various other syndromes or associations and thus require accurate delineation. Since MRKH manifests itself in males, the term GRES syndrome (Genital, Renal, Ear, Skeletal) might be more appropriate when applied to both sexes. The MRKH syndrome, when described in familial aggregates, seems to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with an incomplete degree of penetrance and variable expressivity. This suggests the involvement of either mutations in a major developmental gene or a limited chromosomal deletion. Until recently progress in understanding the genetics of MRKH syndrome has been slow, however, now HOX genes have been shown to play key roles in body patterning and organogenesis, and in particular during genital tract development. Expression and/or function defects of one or several HOX genes may account for this syndrome

Оценка качества образования на основе компетентностного подхода

В работе представлен практический опыт оценки качества образования в новом формате компетентностного подход

Genetic loci associated with heart rate variability and their effects on cardiac disease risk

Reduced cardiac vagal control reflected in low heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with greater risks for cardiac morbidity and mortality. In two-stage meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies for three HRV traits in up to 53,174 individuals of European ancestry, we detect 17 genome-wide significant SNPs in eight loci. HRV SNPs tag non-synonymous SNPs (in NDUFA11 and KIAA1755), expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) (influencing GNG11, RGS6 and NEO1), or are located in genes preferentially expressed in the sinoatrial node (GNG11, RGS6 and HCN4). Genetic risk scores account for 0.9 to 2.6% of the HRV variance. Significant genetic correlation is found for HRV with heart rate (-0.74 < r(g) < -0.55) and blood pressure (-0.35 < r(g) < -0.20). These findings provide clinically relevant biological insight into heritable variation in vagal heart rhythm regulation, with a key role for genetic variants (GNG11, RGS6) that influence G-protein heterotrimer action in GIRK-channel induced pacemaker membrane hyperpolarization

Erratum: Genetic loci associated with heart rate variability and their effects on cardiac disease risk

Correction to article number 15805 published in June 2017 in Nature Communications, vol 8

Erratum: Genetic loci associated with heart rate variability and their effects on cardiac disease risk

Correction to article number 15805 published in June 2017 in Nature Communications, vol 8