Animal Therapy Benefits on Socialization of Individuals with Disabilities

Animal therapy is one of several intervention used for recreational therapy that improves the emotional health of individuals who are recovering from a traumatic brain injury or other health or disability issues. In turn this intervention helps patients recover faster from injury versus patients who do not have an animal assistant (Fine, 2010). With brain trauma patients, they have to learn how to re-socialize into society. Many patients develop anxiety and depression following a traumatic brain injury (Jorge, Robinson, Starkstein, and Arndt, 1993; McCauley, Boake, Levin, Contant, and Song, 2010; Moore, Terryberry-Spohr, and Hope, 2005). This results in difficulty to re-enter society and function as a member of the community. However, through animal assisted therapy, patients form bonds that allow them to feel comfortable, gain confidence, and have lower stress levels while interacting with others (Jorgenson, 1997; Barker and Dawson, 1998). This study will investigate the health benefits, recovery rate, and re-socialization of animal therapy for individuals who suffered traumatic brain injuries. A review of literature will be the foundation for this study. Results indicate that patients who have an animal assistant are more likely to re-socialize with an increased emotional health rather than patients who do not have an animal assistant.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_graduategallery/1063/thumbnail.jp

Applying Symbolic Interaction Theory to Staff Training: An Empowerment Philosophy

Symbolic Interaction Theory is a “theoretical approach to understanding the relationship between humans and society where human action and interaction is understandable only through meaningful communication or symbols” (Boundless, 2016). This theory is suggestive of empowerment given the notion that people are active participants in shaping their experiences. Empowerment means allowing employees the freedom to make decisions, with the outcome cited in research being higher job satisfaction (Goffman, 1967; Seligman, 2002; Diller, Shedroff, and Rhea, 2008). Given that job training can be disruptive and stressful (Cannon-Bowers & Salas, 1998; Saks 1994), the application of Symbolic Interaction Theory to staff training needs investigation. This study will investigate whether Symbolic Interaction Theory can be functionally used as a staff training philosophy. A literature review as well as interviews with management experts was the methodology employed in the study. Results indicate that giving new hires more discretion with training processes can reduce the associated stress of starting a new job, positively impact learning, and enhance the transition into the new agency.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_graduategallery/1064/thumbnail.jp

Trail Town Certification: Paintsville, KY Resident Interest in Economic Improvement

As early as the 1960s (Harnik, 2001), Americans were interested in the idea of implementing trails in towns for economic purposes. After the success of many trail programs, similar projects began to be developed and in the early 2000s, the desire to create trails near communities led to the development of Trail Towns. Kentucky Trail Towns aim to grant communities benefits such as increased tourism and exposure, leading to economic boosts (Trail Town, 2015). A survey was developed in order to provide necessary information to aid community leadership as they work on their trail town application. This project sought to identify resident knowledge of and attitudes towards current and potential tourism attractions in Paintsville, KY. The survey targets general community views including the community regard of the current economy and perceived need for economic improvements. Surveys were distributed both on location and online from fall 2014 through fall 2015. The results from the survey (N=344) indicate respondents interest in new economic developments. Respondents also indicated dissatisfaction with current job opportunities and economic growth within the community. With many respondents also showing a great interest in outdoor activities, and general tourism outcomes, the results appear to indicate approval for Trail Town certification. What the survey results indicate for Paintsville are that, thus far, resident interest in certification is high. While more data is needed, the results can be passed on the Paintsville City Management and from there, to Kentucky Trail Town organizers who will determine certification.https://encompass.eku.edu/swps_graduategallery/1034/thumbnail.jp

Applying Symbolic Interaction Theory to Staff Training: An Empowerment Philosophy

Symbolic Interaction Theory is a “theoretical approach to understanding the relationship between humans and society where human action and interaction is understandable only through meaningful communication or symbols” (Boundless, 2016). This theory is suggestive of empowerment given the notion that people are active participants in shaping their experiences. Empowerment means allowing employees the freedom to make decisions, with the outcome cited in research being higher job satisfaction (Goffman, 1967; Seligman, 2002; Diller, Shedroff, and Rhea, 2008). Given that job training can be disruptive and stressful (Cannon-Bowers & Salas, 1998; Saks 1994), the application of Symbolic Interaction Theory to staff training needs investigation. This study will investigate whether Symbolic Interaction Theory can be functionally used as a staff training philosophy. A literature review as well as interviews with management experts was the methodology employed in the study. Results indicate that giving new hires more discretion with training processes can reduce the associated stress of starting a new job, positively impact learning, and enhance the transition into the new agency

Chondro/osteoblastic and cardiovascular gene modulation in human artery smooth muscle cells that calcify in the presence of phosphate and calcitriol or paricalcitol

Vitamin D sterol administration, a traditional treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism, may increase serum calcium and phosphorus, and has been associated with increased vascular calcification (VC). In vitro studies suggest that in the presence of uremic concentrations of phosphorus, vitamin D sterols regulate gene expression associated with trans-differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to a chondro/osteoblastic cell type. This study examined effects of vitamin D sterols on gene expression profiles associated with phosphate-enhanced human coronary artery SMC (CASMC) calcification. Cultured CASMCs were exposed to phosphate-containing differentiation medium (DM) with and without calcitriol, paricalcitol, or the calcimimetic R-568 (10(−11)–10(−7) M) for 7 days. Calcification of CASMCs, determined using colorimetry following acid extraction, was dose dependently increased (1.6- to 1.9-fold) by vitamin D sterols + DM. In contrast, R-568 did not increase calcification. Microarray analysis demonstrated that, compared with DM, calcitriol (10(−8) M) + DM or paricalcitol (10(−8) M) + DM similarly and significantly (P < 0.05) regulated genes of various pathways including: metabolism, CYP24A1; mineralization, ENPP1; apoptosis, GIP3; osteo/chondrogenesis, OPG, TGFB2, Dkk1, BMP4, BMP6; cardiovascular, HGF, DSP1, TNC; cell cycle, MAPK13; and ion channels, SLC22A3 KCNK3. R-568 had no effect on CASMC gene expression. Thus, SMC calcification observed in response to vitamin D sterol + DM may be partially mediated through targeting mineralization, apoptotic, osteo/chondrocytic, and cardiovascular pathway genes, although some gene changes may protect against calcification. Further studies to determine precise roles of these genes in development of, or protection against VC and cardiovascular disease are required. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 911–921, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc

A severe asthma disease signature from gene expression profiling of eripheral blood from UBIOPRED cohorts

Rationale: Stratification of asthma at the molecular level, especially using accessible biospecimens, could greatly enable patient selection for targeted therapy. Objectives: To determine the value of blood to identify transcriptional differences between clinically defined asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups, identify potential patient subgroups based on gene expression, and explore biological pathways associated with identified differences. Methods: Transcriptomics profiles were generated by microarray analysis of blood from 610 asthmatic and control participants in U-BIOPRED. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by ANOVA, including covariates for RNA quality, gender, and clinical site, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was applied. Patient subgroups based on DEGs were created by hierarchical clustering and topological data analysis. Measurements and Main Results: 1693 genes were differentially expressed between severe asthmatics and non-asthmatics. The differences to non-asthmatics in non-smoking severe and mild/moderate asthmatics were significantly related (r=0.76), with a larger effect size in the severe asthmatics. The majority, but not all, differences were explained by differences in circulating immune cell populations. Pathway analysis showed an increase in chemotaxis, migration, and myeloid cell trafficking in severe asthmatics, decreased B lymphocyte development and hematopoietic progenitor cells and lymphoid organ hypoplasia. Cluster analysis of DEGs created subgroups among the severe asthmatics that differed in molecular responses to oral corticosteroids. Conclusions: Blood gene expression differences between clinically defined subgroups of asthmatics and non-asthmatic individuals as well as subgroups of severe asthma defined by transcript profiles show the value of blood in stratifying asthma patients and identifying molecular pathways for further study

A severe asthma disease signature from gene expression profiling of peripheral blood from U-BIOPRED cohorts

Rationale: Stratification of asthma at the molecular level, especially using accessible biospecimens, could greatly enable patient selection for targeted therapy. Objectives: To determine the value of blood to identify transcriptional differences between clinically defined asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups, identify potential patient subgroups based on gene expression, and explore biological pathways associated with identified differences. Methods: Transcriptomics profiles were generated by microarray analysis of blood from 610 asthmatic and control participants in U-BIOPRED. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by ANOVA, including covariates for RNA quality, gender, and clinical site, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was applied. Patient subgroups based on DEGs were created by hierarchical clustering and topological data analysis. Measurements and Main Results: 1693 genes were differentially expressed between severe asthmatics and non-asthmatics. The differences to non-asthmatics in non-smoking severe and mild/moderate asthmatics were significantly related (r=0.76), with a larger effect size in the severe asthmatics. The majority, but not all, differences were explained by differences in circulating immune cell populations. Pathway analysis showed an increase in chemotaxis, migration, and myeloid cell trafficking in severe asthmatics, decreased B lymphocyte development and hematopoietic progenitor cells and lymphoid organ hypoplasia. Cluster analysis of DEGs created subgroups among the severe asthmatics that differed in molecular responses to oral corticosteroids. Conclusions: Blood gene expression differences between clinically defined subgroups of asthmatics and non-asthmatic individuals as well as subgroups of severe asthma defined by transcript profiles show the value of blood in stratifying asthma patients and identifying molecular pathways for further study