Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep. This literature review aimed to determine if myofunctional therapy (MT) could be an effective treatment for OSA. The goal of MT is to induce changes in weak and dysfunctional upper airway muscles. The literature suggests that myofunctional therapy may reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate OSA.https://dune.une.edu/dh_studpost/1013/thumbnail.jp

Molecular analyses on host-seeking black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) reveal a diverse assemblage of Leucocytozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemospororida) parasites in an alpine ecosystem

BACKGROUND: Molecular studies have suggested that the true diversity of Leucocytozoon (Apicomplexa: Haemospororida) species well exceeds the approximately 35 currently described taxa. Further, the degree of host-specificity may vary substantially among lineages. Parasite distribution can be influenced by the ability of the parasite to infect a host, vector preferences for certain avian hosts, or other factors such as microhabitat requirements that increase the probability that vertebrate hosts and vectors are in frequent contact with each other. Whereas most studies of haemosporidians have focused on passerine hosts, sampling vectors in the same habitats may allow the detection of other lineages affecting other hosts. METHODS: We sampled abundant, ornithophilic black flies (Simuliidae) across a variety of sites and habitats in the Colorado Rocky Mountains throughout the summer of 2007. Black flies were screened with PCR using Leucocytozoon-specific primers that amplify a portion of the cytochrome b gene, and the sequences were compared to the haplotypes in the MalAvi database. Infections of Leucocytozoon from birds sampled in the same area were also included. RESULTS: We recovered 33 unique haplotypes from the black flies in this study area, which represented a large phylogenetic diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites. However, there were no clear patterns of avian host species or geography for the distribution of Leucocytozoon haplotypes in the phylogeny. CONCLUSIONS: Sampling host-seeking vectors is a useful way to obtain a wide variety of avian haemosporidian haplotypes from a given area and may prove useful for understanding the global patterns of host, parasite, and vector associations of these ubiquitous and diverse parasites. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0952-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Fun versus Practical: Physiological Responses and Preference of Exercise Equipment

The elliptical cross trainer has become a popular a mode of exercise, but can only be used indoors. The StreetStrider was designed as an outdoor elliptical-bike. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the elliptical or the StreetStrider was more enjoyable, and to compare the physiological variables for energy expenditure, heart rate (HR), VO2, and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). METHODS: Thirty participants (15 male, 15 female, mean age=22±2) from Cleveland State University exercised for 20 minutes at 75% of their age predicted maximal heart rate on the StreetStrider and elliptical. Energy expenditure was measured with a COSMED K4b metabolic system. Participants’ RPE was recorded every five minutes using the Borg Scale for Rate of Perceived Exertion. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18. A paired sample t-test compared physiological responses. A one-way ANOVA analyzed gender differences. A significance level of .05 was used to determine significance. RESULTS: No significant differences were shown in energy expenditure (p=.930), HR (p=.098), or in average RPE (p=.529) between the exercise trials. A preference survey concluded that most subjects found the StreetStrider more enjoyable than the elliptical. CONCLUSION: The StreetStrider is more enjoyable than the elliptical and as effective in energy expenditure, and could serve as a substitute for the elliptical.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2014/1034/thumbnail.jp

Comparison of Electronic and Mechanical Handgrip Devices in Lowering Blood Pressure

Hypertension causes billions of deaths per year (Millar et al., 2013). The Zona PlusTM is an expensive tool designed to lower blood pressure (BP) using isometric exercise. This exercise may be achieved using a less expensive Handgrip Dynamometer. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to determine if the Zona or Handgrip Dynamometer is more efficient at lowering BP and most cost effective for patients. METHODS: Twenty subjects used the Zona and twenty subjects used the dynamometer three times per week for six weeks. BP was taken once per week prior to the treatment. A maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was recorded for each hand before every treatment. Participants were required to hold the handgrip at 30% of their MVC for four two-minute contractions. A paired samples T test was used to analyze changes in participants’ BP. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the BP changes between the Zona and the Handgrip. RESULTS: The results indicated no significant changes in participants’ pre- and post- treatment after training when using the Zona for either stolic (p=0.225) or diastolic BP (p=1.000). There was also no significant difference in participants’ post treatment systolic BP (p=0.199), however, the post treatment for diastolic increased significantly (p=0.027 BP between those that used the Zona PlusTM and Handgrip Dynamometer. CONCLUSION: Though the Dynamometer is more cost efficient, neither the Zona nor the Dynamometer resulted in lowered BP.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2014/1037/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 27, 2016

How UC Students Get the News • International Students Sound Off on Election • Attorney General Candidate Discusses Platform • UC Alumni on the Campaign Trail • Local Volunteers Get Out the Vote • Opinions: The Difficulties of Voting from Past to Present; The Future of the Supreme Court is on the Ballot • UC Students Weigh in on Pro-Athlete Protests • Rein Wrestles Political Issueshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1653/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 20, 2017

Record Store Day Comes to Collegeville • Seismic Step Shares History and Tradition • Q&A with Incoming Music Professor • Jazzfest to Swing into Action Next Weekend • At the Intersection of Art and Meaning, Student Musicians Find Their Sound • Inside a Campus Tradition: The Story of the Heefner Organ • Opinions: Let More Life Carry You Through the Summer; Get it Together and Listen to Kendrick Lamar\u27s Album • UC Athletes Share the Best Pump-Up Music Before Competition • UC Baseball Captain Also Hitting the High Notes in a Capella Clubhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1667/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 15, 2016

Board Chair Marcon Resigns Amid Controversy • Meet the Interim Board Chair • Black Girl Dangerous Comes to Speak at Ursinus • Student Work Hits the Stage • A Creative Approach to Raising Awareness • Opinions: Choose the America You Wish to be a Part of ; Students\u27 Guide to Weekends at Reimert • Field Hockey Off to a Hot Start, Looking for Redemption • You Bend \u27Em, We Mend \u27Em: The Life of an Athletic Trainerhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1648/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, December 8, 2016

Music and Mocha Meet at Steel City • Collegeville Staple Speck\u27s Chicken Offers Unique, Throwback Experience • Local Pizza Place Looking for Love • International Perspective: Japanese TA Reflects on Dining Etiquette • Study Abroad Student Shares Experiences with Foreign Cuisine • Two UC Students Find an Appetizing Off-Campus Job • Opinions: Navigating Dietary Restrictions On and Off Campus; Car Access Impacts Students\u27 Dining Experiences • Senior Athletes Share Helpful Tips on Nutritionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1657/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 10, 2016

Ursinus Picks New Dean / VPAA after Months-Long Search • Innovation and Discovery Center Breaks New Ground • Q&A with Anupy Singla • International Perspective: Chinese Teaching Assistant Embraces the Freedom to be Herself in the U.S. • U-Speak Talk to Explore Under-Represented Voices • Women Entrepreneurs Share Stories of Success • Opinions: Offensive Costumes are Micro-aggressions; UC Needs In-Person Activism to Make Progress • Wrestling Looks to Win it All in 2016-2017 • Field Hockey Tops Conference Once Againhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1655/thumbnail.jp