Fatiguing Trunk Flexor Exercise Decreases Pain Sensitivity in Postpartum Women

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common in the general population and among postpartum women. Abdominal muscle exercise is often used to treat LBP, but it is unknown if fatiguing abdominal muscle exercise can produce exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Objectives: To assess pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at rest and following fatiguing trunk flexor exercise (EIH) in (1) nulligravid and postpartum women to evaluate the impact of pregnancy and childbirth and (2) nulligravid women and men to examine sex differences. Methods: Seventy healthy adults (31 postpartum women, 23 nulligravid women, 16 men) participated. Postpartum and nulligravid women were tested twice (16–18 weeks apart) to identify changes in EIH with postpartum recovery. PPTs were measured at the nailbed and superior rectus abdominis before and after exercise to investigate systemic and local EIH, respectively. Rectus abdominis muscle thickness was assessed with ultrasound. Results: Postpartum women reported lower PPTs than nulligravid women at the abdomen (p \u3c 0.05) whereas postpartum women had lower PPTs at the nailbed during the first session only. Men reported higher nailbed PPTs (p = 0.047) and similar PPTs at the abdomen than women (p = 0.294). All groups demonstrated EIH at the abdomen (p \u3c 0.05). Systemic EIH was absent in postpartum and nulligravid women (p \u3e 0.05), while men demonstrated hyperalgesia. Local EIH was positively associated with muscle thickness for men and women, which was not significant at the second timepoint. Limitations: Acute exercise response may not reflect changes that occur with exercise training. Conclusion: Fatiguing trunk flexor exercise produced local EIH for all groups including postpartum and nulligravid women. Clinically, trunk exercises may be useful for acute pain relief for clinical populations that are characterized by pain and/or weakness in the abdominal region muscles in populations with abdominal pain syndromes

Teens, Social Media, and Privacy

Teens share a wide range of information about themselves on social media sites; indeed the sites themselves are designed to encourage the sharing of information and the expansion of networks. However, few teens embrace a fully public approach to social media. Instead, they take an array of steps to restrict and prune their profiles, and their patterns of reputation management on social media vary greatly according to their gender and network size

The characterization of adaptor protein homologues in Plasmodium falciparum

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-171).Plasmodium falciparum is becoming increasingly more resistant to regular antimalarial drugs, making it necessary to identify novel drug candidates and drug targets. Components of the endocytic and secretory pathway in asexual stage parasites are attractive targets because they play a fundamental role in the normal processes of parasite metabolism. Adaptor protein complexes are components of protein coats that associate with transport vesicles of the endocytic and secretory pathways in mammalian cells. Homologues of several adaptor protein subunits are encoded by the parasite genome. The presence of these genes suggests that the parasite experiences clathrin-mediated transport processes. This study reports the cloning and characterization of selected malarial homologues of these adaptor proteins, namely three medium (μ) chain adaptin homologues and two sigma (σ) chains

Understandings of Education in an African Village: The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Embracing an Ecosocial Worldview for Climate Justice and Collective Healing

We are faced with an ongoing global climate crisis, the more recent public health crisis brought on by COVID-19, increased racial and police violence, ableism, and the intersecting injustices surrounding gender and sexuality. From an autoethnographic perspective, we argue the urgent need for a shift in worldview from one that is more human-centric to an ecosocial worldview that takes into account the global connections that we can no longer ignore. An ecosocial worldview acknowledges the inextricable relationships of humans within our context of a global ecosystem. When we embrace this worldview, we can approach and address injustices that are mutually beneficial and healing for both people and the planet, understood as climate justice. We reflect on our journeys to an ecosocial world view and discuss how climate justice work from an ecosocial worldview, can promote the repairing of broken relationships among individuals, communities, self, and the planet. This paper shares reflections and perspectives for individual and collective healing, such as eco-therapy, gratitude, teaching, and adopting a sustainable, life-enhancing pace. These healing and reflective practices within the context of climate justice are also important factors in building and maintaining individual and community resilience to current and future crises

Radical Self-care for Social Workers in the Global Climate Crisis

Social work entities around the world are increasingly highlighting professional responsibilities for addressing the global climate crisis. Gradual environmental degradation, more extreme climate change events, and related environmental injustices affect individuals and communities every day. Often, social workers experience vicarious trauma from work with those immediately impacted. Working within the context of the global climate crisis brings further risk. Social workers may be personally impacted, and/or experiencing our own challenges, such as climate anxiety and eco-grief. Thus, radical self-care is a dire need as social workers promote sustainable communities and environments and seek ecological justice for all. This paper discusses the health and mental health impacts of the compounding factors of the climate crisis, modern technology, and current political contexts. Activism for change and eco-therapeutic strategies are presented as radical self-care for social workers, in both academic and practice-based settings. These strategies are essential for recognizing, legitimizing, and addressing the need for radical self-care practices in the global climate crisis

Occupational Therapy Assistant Students’ Perceptions of using Standardized Patient Encounters as a Replacement for Traditional Level I Fieldwork

Standardized patient encounters are being utilized more often in occupational therapy education as a replacement for traditional fieldwork. While there is a growing body of research to support the use of this model in developing student skillsets and confidence, there remains limited information on the topic, and no studies which look at its use with occupational therapy assistant students. Twenty-four occupational therapy assistant students participated in standardized patient encounters which served as a replacement for traditional Level I fieldwork. All students completed an anonymous supplementary course evaluation regarding their experiences. A secondary analysis of the data looked at their perceptions of a standardized patient encounter model for fieldwork and how it did or did not prepare them for future Level II clinicals. Quantitative and qualitative data exposed aspects of these experiences which students found to be most and least effective. Overall, data showed moderate support for use of standardized patient encounters to support student confidence and skills in anticipation of Level II fieldwork. The student perception of these types of experiences is influenced by environmental (e.g., structure) and personal (e.g., student personality) factors. Success requires adequate preparation of all involved parties. Use of standardized patient encounters should be researched further to determine its impact on fieldwork performance evaluation scores and future employment

System-level intersectoral linkages between the mental health and non-clinical support sectors: a qualitative systematic review

Objectives: Concerns about fragmented mental health service delivery persist, particularly for people with severe and persistent mental illness. The objective was to review evidence regarding outcomes attributed to system-level intersectoral linkages involving mental health services and non-clinical support services, and to identify barriers and facilitators to the intersectoral linkage process