Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Bridging the Gap Between Genetics and Oral Health: An Individual Case Study

Cleft Lip and Palate Syndrome (CL/P) is a condition that occurs in vitro, during fetal development. Because the majority of CL/P cases occur in underdeveloped nations, the families of CL/P patients are typically characterized by impoverished homes. These are the very people who cannot afford to pay for folic acid supplements, or reconstructive and reparative surgeries. Many families struggle under the extreme pressure of raising a child with CL/P. In these nations, the child often cannot receive the proper care they need, and usually are the product of unsuccessful surgeries. The stress of a CL/P patient is incredibly high, both physically and emotionally. However, the life of a caregiver of a CL/P patient must be close to, if not equivalent to, that of the patient (Gowda, et. al, 2013.). A study was executed that provided a unique scope into the life of CL/P families in order to gain a fresh perspective on the quality of life of a caregiver of a CL/P patient. This was a pilot study, as most studies pertaining to CL/P are geared toward researching the patient. Using statistical analysis, researchers employed a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) as a basis to determine the overall health of the patient\u27s home life, from the perspective of the caregiver, who recorded their personal Mental Health (MH). The results strongly suggested that the caregivers suffered from poor MH overall. What little research had been conducted prior to that, suggested that the child\u27s condition had nothing to do with the quality of quality of life (QOL) of the caregiver. The current research contradicted these older and obsolete concepts strongly, showing that caregivers of a certain demographic typically struggled with their QOL. These caregivers, specifically, were the mothers of young CL/P patients, typically infants. However, the results showed that the amount of time a caregiver spends with a CL/P patient is directly proportional to the caregiver\u27s perception of their QOL. A caregiver who spends a great deal of time with the patient is more likely to value their life and have a positive outlook, seeing the importance of their role within the life of the patient. More studies like these should be conducted, as the future and hope of recovery of a CL/P patient depends greatly on the ability of a caregiver to perform their duties

Action of antimicrobial peptides against bacterial biofilms

Microbes are known to colonize surfaces and form biofilms. These biofilms are communities of microbes encased in a self-produced matrix that often contains polysaccharides, DNA and proteins. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been used to control the formation and to eradicate mature biofilms. Naturally occurring or synthetic antimicrobial peptides have been shown to prevent microbial colonization of surfaces, to kill bacteria in biofilms and to disrupt the biofilm structure. This review systemically analyzed published data since 1970 to summarize the possible anti-biofilm mechanisms of AMPs. One hundred and sixty-two published reports were initially selected for this review following searches using the criteria 'antimicrobial peptide' OR 'peptide' AND 'mechanism of action' AND 'biofilm' OR 'antibiofilm' in the databases PubMed; Scopus; Web of Science; MEDLINE; and Cochrane Library. Studies that investigated anti-biofilm activities without describing the possible mechanisms were removed from the analysis. A total of 17 original reports were included which have articulated the mechanism of antimicrobial action of AMPs against biofilms. The major anti-biofilm mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides are: (1) disruption or degradation of the membrane potential of biofilm embedded cells; (2) interruption of bacterial cell signaling systems; (3) degradation of the polysaccharide and biofilm matrix; (4) inhibition of the alarmone system to avoid the bacterial stringent response; (5) downregulation of genes responsible for biofilm formation and transportation of binding proteins

Development and Validation of a Modified Multiple Errands Test for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Background: The aims of the current study were to adapt a version of the MET for people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) and assess its ecological and construct validity. Material and Methods: Using a correlational design, 40 participants with IDs were invited to complete a battery of neuropsychological assessments and the modified Multiple Errands Test for Intellectual Disabilities (mMET-IDs). Results: The ability to successfully complete tasks on the mMET-IDs correlated significantly with measures of the Supervisory Attentional System, namely, the Tower of London Test and the Six Parts Test. However, performance on the mMET-IDs and the Six Parts Test could be accounted for by Verbal IQ and receptive vocabulary. The mMET-IDs failed to correlate with the DEX-IR. Conclusions: The mMET-IDs can be successfully used to assess some aspects of the Supervisory Attentional System in people with IDs. Further development is needed, however, to improve the ecological validity of the mMET-IDs

Rocks Associated With the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Unconformity in Southwestern Indiana

The purpose of this field conference is to acquaint participants with strata that are associated with the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian unconformity in southwestern Indiana. Criteria which aid in distinguishing between Mansfield strata of Pottsville (early Pennsylvanian) age and classic formations of Chester (late Mississippian) age will receive considerable attention in discussions at evening meetings and on the outcrop. Inspection of limestone and sandstone quarries will afford an insight into the economic products of Chester and Mansfield rocks

Lunar Environment Simulation for a High Performance Motor

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) through a CSA contractor, Argo Space/Robotics Division, partnered to perform environmental performance tests on a high torque producing motor. CSA provided the motor and NASA provided a thermal vacuum chamber capable of achieving high vacuum (P < 1 E-5 torr) and temperatures between 25 and 400 K. NASA also provided a dynamometer system capable of measuring and or applying break torque between 0 and 28 Nm. The two primary goals of the test were to simulate sun exposed and shadow condition expected on the lunar surface in order to determine survivability of the motor at extreme temperature conditions and to operate the motor under a constant break load of 6.8 Nm in the temperature range of 30K to 415K. A secondary objective of the test was to operate the motor for 15 km under 6.8 Nm of load. The primary goals of the test were fully achieved. The secondary goal was partially achieved

VIRTUAL LABORATORY ON AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY MEDICINES

Universities Australia Indigenous Strategy 2017–2020 aims to “ensure all students will encounter and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural content as integral parts of their course of study”. Universities across Australia are endeavouring to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge into their curricula in a respectful, meaningful and sustainable manner. At Macquarie University, situated on Dharug land, the Mudang-Dali (‘to live’ in the Dharug language) Indigenous Connected Curriculum Framework is providing academics with the confidence and support to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, values and philosophies into curriculum. With this support, in Session 1 2020, we developed a laboratory on customary medicines that incorporates a yarning circle, bush food and medicines garden tour, water extraction and chromatographic fractionation of an Australian medicinal plant, and analysis of antioxidant activity (aligned with customary use) of the extract and fractions therein. Designed to be interactive, hands-on and communal, with the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions this laboratory was quickly pivoted into a successful virtual laboratory. This presentation will describe the core components of the laboratory, which interweave Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, and the adaptability of this laboratory for online and face-to-face teaching in the tertiary (and secondary) sectors