Fecal Transplant vs Vancomycin for Recurrent Clostridium Diffile

Objective: To compare fecal transplant and vancomycin in the treatment of recurrent clostridium difficile to determine which has the higher cure rate. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Pubmed, Google Scholar, and TRIP database using the search terms “recurrent clostridium difficile.” Filters were implemented in the Pubmed database including: randomized control trials, English, and published in the past 5 years. Records were screened for RCT with fecal transplant and full-text. Results: van Nood et al. revealed an initial cure rate of 81% for the infusion group, and a re-treated cure rate of 94%, compared to the vancomycin alone group of 31% cure rate and the vancomycin plus bowel lavage group of 23% cure rate. Cammarota et al. determined an initial cure rate of 65% for the infusion group, and a re-treated cure rate of 90%, compared to the vancomycin only group of 26% cure rate. Conclusion: An initial abbreviated dose of vancomycin at the start of fecal transplant has a significantly higher cure rate in treating recurrent clostridium difficile infections when compared to standard vancomycin therapy

Recent H-alpha results on pulsar B2224+65's bow-shock nebula, the "Guitar"

We used the 4 m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) at Lowell observatory in 2014 to observe the Guitar Nebula, an Hα bow-shock nebula around the high-velocity radio pulsar B2224+65. Since the nebula`s discovery in 1992, the structure of the bow-shock has undergone significant dynamical changes. We have observed the limb structure, targeting the "body" and "neck" of the guitar. Comparing the DCT observations to 1995 observations with the Palomar 200-inch Hale telescope, we found changes in both spatial structure and surface brightness in the tip, head, and body of the nebula

Testing the Surface Brightness Fluctuation Method on Dwarf Galaxies in the COSMOS Field

Dwarf galaxies are important tracers of small-scale cosmological structure, yet much of our knowledge about these systems comes from the limited sample of dwarf galaxies within the Local Group. To make a comprehensive inventory of dwarf populations in the local Universe, we require effective methods for deriving distance estimates for large numbers of faint, low surface brightness objects. Here we test the surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) method, traditionally applied to brighter early-type galaxies, on a sample of 20 nearby dwarf galaxies detected in the COSMOS field. These objects are partially resolved in HST ACS images, and have confirmed redshift distances in the range 17-130 Mpc. We discuss the many model choices required in applying the SBF method, and explore how these affect the final distance estimates. Amongst other variations on the method, when applying the SBF method, we alter the standard equation to include a term accounting for the power spectrum of the background, greatly improving our results. For the most robust modelling choices, we find a roughly Gaussian SBF signal that correlates linearly with distance out to distances of 50-100 Mpc, but with only a fraction of the power expected. At larger distances, there is excess power relative to that predicted, probably from undetected point sources. Overall, obtaining accurate SBF distances to faint, irregular galaxies remains challenging, but may yet prove possible with the inclusion of more information about galaxy properties and point source populations, and the use of more advanced techniques.Comment: 18 pages, 26 figures, accepted by MNRA

Assessing the Awareness of Lead Hazards in the Greater Burlington Area

Introduction. Lead is a heavy metal found in and around homes built before 1978, comprising more than 80% of the housing stock in Chittenden County, Vermont. Lead exposure during infancy and childhood can have deleterious effects on development. Our study assessed baseline community understanding of potential household lead hazards in Chittenden County, Vermont. Methods.. 123 paper, 10-question surveys were randomly administered to Chittenden County, VT residents to assess recognition of lead toxicology symptoms and awareness of lead safety programs. Scores were treated as continuous variables, demographically grouped, and analyzed using non-parametric statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney & Kruskal-Wallis). Individual questions were treated as dichotomous variables, demographically grouped and analyzed using chi-squared testing. Results.. 48% of survey participants understood the interaction between ADHD and lead or knew the importance of window maintenance. 54.5% were aware of the Burlington Lead Program\u27s assistance program. Participants earning less than $60,000 and those with less than a graduate degree scored statistically lower (p Conclusion.. Lesser-known lead poisoning symptoms and home interventions that decrease lead exposure should be emphasized to the community. High-risk groups requiring targeted education include those who rent, have lower income and education levels. Primary care providers could serve a larger role in educating patients. Additional efforts should be made to publicize services offered by the Burlington Lead Program.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1241/thumbnail.jp

Telehealth Competency Questionnaire-Consumer: Psychometric Validation of a Client-centered Measure

To effectively access telehealth services, individuals must possess certain competencies; yet, telehealth consumer focused measures are limited. The purpose of this study was to describe the development and validation of the Telehealth Competency Questionnaire – Consumer (TCQ-C). Among a sample of adults with chronic health conditions (n=134), findings showed that the TCQ-C is comprised of one factor that accounts for 66.6% of the variance, and internal consistency of subscales are good (range α = 0.80-0.87) and may be used for clinical or research purposes. The TCQ-C demonstrated moderate concurrent validity with the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire-Usability subscale (r = 0.728, p<.001), and significantly discriminates between adults >65 years and those younger as well as those with and without previous telehealth experience. The TCQ-C is a psychometrically sound instrument to evaluate baseline competencies among telehealth consumers so that education, research, and clinical practices are tailored to increase effective engagement between clients and providers

Multiple imputation of missing covariates for the Cox proportional hazards cure model

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134146/1/sim7048_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134146/2/sim7048.pd

Awareness of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: can information on guidelines prevent overestimation?

Background: Mass-media campaigns such as Change4Life use messaging to promote physical activity guidelines. Raising knowledge of MVPA guidelines within UK adults is a main goal of current mass media campaigns aimed at increasing engagement in MVPA. As this may help to inform accurate perceptions of adults' own MVPA level it is an important area of investigation. Subjective norms, health status and normal walking intensity may also influence adult's awareness of their own MVPA behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that greater knowledge of MVPA guidelines, supportive subjective norms, lower self-reported health status and intensity of typical walking pace are associated with accurate awareness of MVPA engagement within a sample of UK adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study of UK adults was conducted. UK adults who subscribed to the National Academic Mailing List Service (JISCMail) were sent an invitation to complete an online survey. 1,724 UK adults completed the online survey which included items on minutes spent in MVPA, awareness of MVPA using constructs highlighted by the precaution adoption process model, subjective norms, knowledge of guidelines, health status and demographics. Results: The sample was 70% female, 57% aged under 45, 93% White and 69% in full-time employment. 62% reported their health to be above average, while 62% demonstrated accurate awareness of their own physical activity level, only 18% correctly reported the MVPA guidelines and 51% reported high subjective norms towards MVPA. Logistic regression analyses identified high subjective norms (OR = 1.84, CI: 1.29, 2.63, p = .001), average or below average health status (OR = .71, CI: .53 .97, p = .001), and a self-reported regular walking pace of moderate-to-vigorous (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.05, 1.63, p = .02) to be associated with accurate MVPA awareness. Knowledge of MVPA guidelines was not associated with MVPA awareness. Conclusions: Mass media campaigns, such as Change4Life, inform the general public of MVPA guidelines. Campaign messages may be more influential targeting subjective norms instead of knowledge of guidelines, thereby raising awareness of personal MVPA behaviour amongst inactive adults and increasing motivation to engage in more MVPA

Efficient targeted mutagenesis in the monarch butterfly using zinc finger nucleases

The development of reverse-genetic tools in non-model insect species with distinct biology is critical to establish them as viable model systems. The eastern North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), whose genome is sequenced, has emerged as a model to study animal clocks, navigational mechanisms and the genetic basis of long-distance migration. Here, we developed a highly efficient gene-targeting approach in the monarch using zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), engineered nucleases that generate mutations at targeted genomic sequences. We focused our ZFN approach on targeting the type 2 vertebrate-like cryptochrome gene of the monarch (designated cry2), which encodes a putative transcriptional repressor of the monarch circadian clockwork. Co-injections of mRNAs encoding ZFNs targeting the second exon of monarch cry2 into one nucleus stage embryos led to high frequency non-homologous end-joining-mediated, mutagenic lesions in the germline (up to 50%). Heritable ZFN-induced lesions in two independent lines produced truncated, nonfunctional CRY2 proteins, resulting in the in vivo disruption of circadian behavior and the molecular clock mechanism. Our work genetically defines CRY2 as an essential transcriptional repressor of the monarch circadian clock and provides a proof of concept for the use of ZFNs for manipulating genes in the monarch butterfly genome. Importantly, this approach could be used in other lepidopterans and non-model insects, thus opening new avenues to decipher the molecular underpinnings of a variety of biological processes

Improving Parenting to Promote School Readiness: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Books Can…© Public Library Program

The present study examines associations between parents’ involvement in an enhanced storytime program and parenting knowledge and efficacy for supporting their child’s socioemotional development and book reading. Books Can…© was developed by a public library to teach parents important child development information and strategies for supporting their child’s socioemotional learning. Parents and their young children participated in a 6-week interactive program that included book reading, songs, interactive activities, and parenting tips. Parents (n =119) completed questionnaires both prior to and after participating in the program. Multilevel general linear models compared responses to survey items before and after the program, indicating significant increases in parent knowledge, attitudes, and reading behavior by the end of the program. This study provides preliminary support documenting the benefits of the Books Can…© program. Moreover, results highlight public libraries and enhanced storytime programs as meaningful settings for promoting family involvement in children’s early learning