Is Dapsone Gel Safe and Effective for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not dapsone gel is safe and effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris. STUDY DESIGN: A review of three English language studies published in 2007. Includes two randomized, double-blind, controlled trials and one open label, noncomparative study. DATA SOURCES: Randomized, controlled trials comparing dapsone gel to vehicle gel control were found using PubMed and Cochrane database. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Success on the Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) and reduction in acne lesion counts RESULTS: The two randomized, controlled trials and the open-label noncomparative study showed that dapsone gel was effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Results from the Draelos et al and Raimer et al studies showed patients had success on the GAAS and had a reduction in acne lesion counts. The Lucky et al study showed that patients had a reduction in acne lesions counts. All three studies also demonstrated that dapsone gel was safe when used to treat acne vulgaris. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the randomized, controlled trials and open-label noncomparative study indicate that dapsone gel for the treatment of acne vulgaris is safe and effective

Exploring Occupation as a Determinant of Health and its Contribution to Understanding Health Inequities

Within health literature, occupation is understood as employment whereas in occupational science the concept of occupation encompasses all the things that people want or need to do. The objective of this pragmatic-oriented, qualitative study was to elicit the perspectives of occupational scientists on occupation as a determinant of health or concept that shapes health and well-being and secondly, to identify questions from an occupational lens to address health inequities in health assessments and interventions. Purposive sampling was used to recruit occupational science experts and data were collected through focus groups. Eight occupational scientists participated. A thematic analysis of data was conducted and a visual concept map was constructed to identify relationships between themes. Findings were organized into two central themes: (a) differentiating occupation; concepts that define occupation outside of just employment, and (b) connecting occupation to health; concepts that are health promoting, jeopardizing, or depriving. Occupational questions were offered for use alongside health assessments, particularly the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA). A holistic and non-structural occupational perspective may broaden the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to understand complex and hidden sources of health inequities

Art Therapy and Parts Work in the Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Literature Review

In recent decades, there has been an ever-expanding interest in addressing the effects of trauma. Additionally, more attention is being focused on the insidious and compounding effects of complex trauma. Within the context of this increased spotlight, a range of therapies have been born to address these effects. Art therapy is one example of a modality that uses art materials to externalize. Parts work is a group of theories that addresses the intrapsychic relationships that govern our thoughts, feelings, sensations and actions. Two parts work theories, structural dissociation and internal family systems, are explored in this thesis. This literature review focuses on the qualities that may contribute to the compatibility of art therapy and parts work in the treatment of complex trauma

Creating Opportunity for Immigrant Women and Girls in the Chicago Region: Recommendations for the Chicago Foundation for Women's Civic Plan

Division sought to understand what economic, health, and violence-related issues are most pressing for immigrant women in the Chicago region, their families, and their communities. These findings are the result of a research and information gathering process with Chicago-area immigrant women, social service providers who work with immigrant communities, a literature review on related topics, and a scan of change efforts in other states and localities related to issues impacting immigrant women and their families. This report documents the key issues facing immigrant women in the Chicago region and prioritizes those concerns into actionable micro- and systems-level recommended change efforts. The Chicago Foundation for Women is building the concerns of immigrant women into their Civic Plan, and other community organizations and advocates can learn from the voices of impacted women themselves to ensure their efforts are aligned with the true needs and desires of the community

An Introduction to Revisiting Development Studies Education and an Invitation to Rethink Teaching, Learning and Knowledge Production in the Neoliberal University

We are at a moment of growing critical self-reflection in the field of development studies—heightened by debates on decolonization—that is opening up difficult conversations on teaching, learning and knowledge production for development studies education. This special issue augments these conversations and revisits development studies education within the context of the ‘neoliberal university’. It is our contention that we cannot engage with the expansive project of rethinking development studies education, without elaborating on higher education institutions (HEIs) as the site where change is mediated, managed and resourced. The articles in this volume give empirically grounded and interrelated narratives that elucidate the relationships between development studies and the neoliberal university from a range of disciplinary and geographical perspectives. They allow us to make two salient contributions, firstly, on the role of HEIs as a site of engagement and entanglement between development practice and development studies, and secondly, on the ways in which the neoliberalization of higher education shapes development studies pedagogy. It is our hope that these articles are read as a timely intervention and invitation to rethink development studies education in this context

Predictors of HPV Vaccination Series Completion in Philadelphia Adolescents

Research Aim: This study analyzed data from the Philadelphia KidsPlus Immunization information System (IIS) to look at factors associated with HPV vaccine series completion. Note: Student capstone presentation also available at: http://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/190

Absence of prostate oedema obviates the need for delay between fiducial marker insertion and radiotherapy simulation

Introduction: Fiducial markers (FMs) are commonly inserted into the prostate for image guided radiation therapy. This study aimed to quantify prostate oedema immediately following FM insertion compared to prostate volumes measured a week later, at the time of simulation for radiation therapy. Methods: Thirty patients underwent a verification computed tomography (VCT) scan in treatment position immediately after the fiducial insertion and their planning computed tomography scan (PCT) one week after. Patient data sets were retrospectively evaluated, comparing prostate volumes and planning target volumes (PTV). Volumes were delineated by a single radiation oncologist, blinded to whether the scan was VCT or PCT. Distances between the FMs were measured on both scans. Descriptive statistics described the data, DICE similarity co-efficient (DSC) calculated, and paired t-tests were used to compare paired data. Results: The median prostate volume was 35.09 cc and 36.31 cc for VCT and PCT data sets, respectively, and median PTV was 118.56 cc and 127.04 cc for VCT and PCT, respectively. There was no significant difference in prostate volumes (P = 0.3037) or PTV (P = 0.1279), with a DSC of 0.87 (range 0.76-0.91) and 0.91 (range 0.85 to 0.95), respectively. Similarly, there was no significant difference in distance between fiducial markers (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates no statistically significant difference in prostate or PTV volumes (P > 0.05) between the CT acquired at fiducial marker insertion compared with the CT acquired a week later. Therefore, oedema is not significant enough to justify a delay between FM insertion and simulation

Prenatal Lead Exposure Risk Assessment by Vermont Maternity Care Providers

Introduction. One percent of women of childbearing age in the U.S. have blood lead levels ≥ 5 ug/dL, which are associated with maternal hypertension during pregnancy, neural tube and cardiac defects in infants, low birth weight, prematurity, and spontaneous abortion. It is unknown whether obstetrics providers in Vermont are screening their pregnant patients for lead levels and educating them on lead exposure risks. Objective. To gain an understanding of current lead screening practices in Vermont and issue recommendations for disseminating lead screening information. Methods. We developed and e-mailed a survey to practicing OB/GYN physicians, maternity care focused family medicine physicians, nurse midwives, and professional midwives. The survey assessed current screening practices for lead exposure in their pregnant patients, interest in receiving statewide guidelines, and guideline dissemination preferences. Results. Of the 41 respondents, 12% currently conduct risk assessments for lead exposure with all of their pregnant patients. Fifty four percent of maternity providers give all of their patients educational materials about lead exposure and risk of toxicity. Seventy one percent of maternity providers think that having guidelines provided by the Vermont Department of Health would encourage them to begin or continue lead exposure screening. The two preferred methods of communicating guidelines to physicians were grand rounds and email whereas non-physician providers preferred email and webinar. Discussion. The majority of pregnant patients in Vermont are not properly assessed or educated about lead risks. However, there is interest in having statewide standardized lead risk assessment guidelines, with dissemination preferences differing by provider type.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1248/thumbnail.jp

Effects of Soy Peptide on Dendritic Cells

poster abstractInnate immunity is mediated by effector cells, including NK cells, dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and polymorphonuclear phagocytes, which can respond immediately after activation through receptors encoded by germ-line genes. Innate immune responses represent the first line of defense in immunosurveillance. Interventions that enhance the functions of innate immunity will be an important armamentarium to human health. We recently exploited a natural dietary soy peptide called lunasin to improve the immune functions. The hypothesis was that lunasin peptide has stimulatory effects on immune cells. To test this hypothesis, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy donors were stimulated with or without lunasin. We found that lunasin is capable of stimulating DCs to up-regulate chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, and CCL4), cytokines (TNFα and IFNα), and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86). In addition, lunasin-treated DCs can provide NK with required signals for activation. Taken together, our results support the immunomodulatory activity of soy peptide on DCs, which leads to enhancement of innate immunity