GENDER PRIVILEGE AND THE CULTURE OF THE ONTARIO SCHOOL SYSTEM: A MID- TO LATE TWENTIETH-CENTURY CASE STUDY OF A MALE PUBLIC SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL

This study uses an adapted public history methodology of a local case study to analyze interviews conducted with a former Ontario teacher and principal. It draws on literature and historical documents regarding teaching between the 1950s–1980s to examine the typical experience of public school professionals in that time and discuss structural trends and beliefs regarding credentialism, local school board organization, and gender in the Ontario education system.

Test–retest, retest, and retest: Growth curve models of repeat testing with Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT)

Computerized neuropsychological testing has become an important tool in the identification and management of sports-related concussions; however, the psychometric effect of repeat testing has not been studied extensively beyond test–retest statistics. The current study analyzed data from Division I collegiate athletes who completed Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) baseline assessments at four sequential time points that varied over the course of their athletic careers. Administrations were part of a larger National Institutes of Health (NIH) study. Growth curve modeling showed that the two memory composite scores increased significantly with successive administrations: Change in Verbal Memory was best represented with a quadratic model, while a linear model best fit Visual Memory. Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites showed no significant linear or quadratic growth. The results demonstrate the effect of repeated test administrations for memory composite scores, while speed composites were not significantly impacted by repeat testing. Acceptable test–retest reliability was demonstrated for all four composites as well

A Technology-Mediated Behavioral Weight Gain Prevention Intervention for College Students: Controlled, Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: Both men and women are vulnerable to weight gain during the college years, and this phenomenon is linked to an increased risk of several chronic diseases and mortality. Technology represents an attractive medium for the delivery of weight control interventions focused on college students, given its reach and appeal among this population. However, few technology-mediated weight gain prevention interventions have been evaluated for college students. OBJECTIVE: This study examined a new technology-based, social media-facilitated weight gain prevention intervention for college students. METHODS: Undergraduates (n =58) in two sections of a public university course were allocated to either a behavioral weight gain prevention intervention (Healthy Weight, HW; N=29) or a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination awareness intervention (control; N=29). All students were enrolled, regardless of initial body weight or expressed interest in weight management. The interventions delivered 8 lessons via electronic newsletters and Facebook postings over 9 weeks, which were designed to foster social support and introduce relevant educational content. The HW intervention targeted behavioral strategies to prevent weight gain and provided participants with a Wi-Fi-enabled scale and an electronic physical activity tracker to facilitate weight regulation. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to examine within- and between-group differences in measures of self-reported weight control practices and objectively measured weight. Use of each intervention medium and device was objectively tracked, and intervention satisfaction measures were obtained. RESULTS: Students remained weight stable (HW: -0.48+1.9 kg; control: -0.45+1.4 kg), with no significant difference between groups over 9 weeks (P =.94). However, HW students reported a significantly greater increase in the number of appropriate weight control strategies than did controls (2.1+4.5 vs -1.1+3.4, respectively; P =.003) and there was no increase in inappropriate weight control behaviors (P =.11). More than 90% of students in the HW arm opened the electronic newsletters each week, and the average number of Facebook interactions (comments and likes) per student each week was 3.3+1.4. Each self-monitoring device was initialized by 90% of HW students. On average, they used their physical activity tracker for 23.7+15.2 days and their Wi-Fi scale for 14.1+13.1 days over the 9 weeks. HW students rated the intervention favorably. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term effect of this technology-based weight gain prevention intervention for college students is promising and merits evaluation over a longer duration to determine whether engagement and behavioral improvements positively affect weight outcomes and can be maintained

College Freshmen Students’ Perspectives on Weight Gain Prevention in the Digital Age: Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND: College freshmen are highly vulnerable to experiencing weight gain, and this phenomenon is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and mortality in older adulthood. Technology offers an attractive and scalable way to deliver behavioral weight gain prevention interventions for this population. Weight gain prevention programs that harness the appeal and widespread reach of Web-based technologies (electronic health or eHealth) are increasingly being evaluated in college students. Yet, few of these interventions are informed by college students\u27 perspectives on weight gain prevention and related lifestyle behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess college freshmen students\u27 concern about weight gain and associated topics, as well as their interest in and delivery medium preferences for eHealth programs focused on these topics. METHODS: Web-based surveys that addressed college freshmen students\u27 (convenience sample of N=50) perspectives on weight gain prevention were administered at the beginning and end of the fall 2015 semester as part of a longitudinal investigation of health-related issues and experiences in first semester college freshmen. Data on weight gain prevention-related concerns and corresponding interest in eHealth programs targeting topics of potential concern, as well as preferred program delivery medium and current technology use were gathered and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A considerable proportion of the freshmen sample expressed concern about weight gain (74%, 37/50) and both traditional (healthy diet: 86%, 43/50; physical activity: 64%, 32/50) and less frequently addressed (stress: 82%, 41/50; sleep: 74%, 37/50; anxiety and depression: 60%, 30/50) associated topics within the context of behavioral weight gain prevention. The proportion of students who reported interest in eHealth promotion programs targeting these topics was also generally high (ranging from 52% [26/50] for stress management to 70% [35/50] for eating a healthy diet and staying physically active). Email was the most frequently used electronic platform, with 96% (48/50) of students reporting current use of it. Email was also the most frequently cited preferred eHealth delivery platform, with 86% (43/50) of students selecting it. Facebook was preferred by the second greatest proportion of students (40%, 20/50). CONCLUSIONS: Most college freshmen have concerns about an array of weight gain prevention topics and are generally open to the possibility of receiving eHealth interventions designed to address their concerns, preferably via email compared with popular social media platforms. These preliminary findings offer a foundation to build upon when it comes to future descriptive investigations focused on behavioral weight gain prevention among college freshmen in the digital age

Иммунологические предикторы отторжения почечного трансплантата в раннем послеоперационном периоде

ПОЧЕК ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯПЕРЕСАДКА ПОЧКИПОЧЕЧНАЯ ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЯПОСЛЕОПЕРАЦИОННЫЙ ПЕРИОДТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИОННАЯ ИММУНОЛОГИЯТРАНСПЛАНТАТА ОТТОРЖЕНИЕДЕНДРИТНЫЕ КЛЕТКИДЕНДРИТИЧЕСКИЕ КЛЕТКИLIN-HLA-DR+CD11C+CD123-LIN-HLA-DR+CD11C-CD123+Цель. Выявить иммунологические предикторы отторжения почечного трансплантата в раннем послеоперационном периоде. Материал и методы. Из 197 реципиентов почечного трансплантата были сформированы 3 группы. Группа ПФТ (n=101) – пациенты с удовлетворительной первичной функцией трансплантата. Группа ДФТ (n=82) – пациенты с первичной дисфункцией трансплантата без эпизодов отторжения. Группа ОПТ (n=14) – пациенты с первичной дисфункцией и отторжением почечного трансплантата. Ранняя функция почечного трансплантата оценивалась на 7-е сутки после операции по уровню креатинина крови. При показателях ниже 300 мкмоль/л функция считалась первичной, при значениях, равных или превышающих 300 мкмоль/л, а также при возникновении необходимости в диализе на первой неделе после трансплантации состояние классифицировалось как дисфункция почечного трансплантата. В раннем послеоперационном периоде определяли количество дендритных клеток LIN-HLA-DR+ с фенотипом LIN-HLA-DR+CD11c+CD123- (mDC) и LIN-HLA-DR+CD11c-CD123+ (pDC) в жидкости из дренажа, установленного к почечному трансплантату во время операции. С целью прогнозирования отторжения почечного трансплантата были определены предиктивные характеристики уровня mDC и pDC в дренажной жидкости и выявлены диагностические возможности данного показателя. Результаты. Выявлено, что отторжение почечного трансплантата характеризуется значимым ростом общего числа дендритных клеток (ДК) в дренажной жидкости, преимущественно за счет миелоидных. Определены предиктивные характеристики по уровню миелоидных и плазмацитоидных ДК в дренажной жидкости. Точка отсечения уровня миелоидных дендритных клеток определена на уровне 60,32%, а для плазмацитоидных соответствовала 39,68%. Заключение. При уровне миелоидных дендритных клеток в дренажной жидкости более либо равном 60,32%, а плазмацитоидных менее либо равном 39,68% прогнозируется отторжение почечного трансплантата с чувствительностью 99% и 93% соответственно и специфичностью 89% и 91% соответственно.Objective. To determine the immunological predictors of renal graft rejection in the early postoperative period. Methods. Three groups were formed out of the 197 renal graft recipients. The group PGF (n=101) was made up of patients with satisfactory primary graft function. The group PGD (n = 82) included patients with primary graft dysfunction without episodes of rejection. The group RGR (n=14) consisted of patients with primary dysfunction and renal graft rejection. On the 7th day after transplantation the early kidney graft function was assessed on the basis of serum creatinine levels. When the serum creatinine value was lower than 300 mol/L the function was considered to be primary, at a creatinine concentration was equal to or higher than 300 mol/L, as well as in the case of need for maintenance dialysis on the first week after transplantation, the state was classified as the renal graft dysfunction. In the early postoperative period, the number of LIN-HLA-DR+ dendritic cells with the LIN- HLA-DR+CD11c+CD123- and LIN-HLA-DR+CD11c-CD123+ phenotypes in the fluid from the drainage installed to the kidney graft during surgery was determined. Predictive characteristics of the mDC and pDC levels in the drainage fluid were determined to predict renal graft rejection, and diagnostic capability of this indicator were identified. Results. It has been revealed that renal graft rejection is characterized by a significant growth of the total number of dendritic cells in the drainage fluid, mainly due to myeloid ones. Predictive characteristics were determined by the level of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the drainage fluid. The cut-off point of the level of myeloid dendritic cells was determined at the level of 60.32%, and for plasmacytoid dendritic cells it corresponded to 39.68%. Conclusion. With the level of myeloid dendritic cells in the drainage fluid greater or equal 60.32%, and plasmacytoid cells lower or equal 39.68%, renal graft rejection is predicted with a sensitivity of 99% and 93%, respectively, and a specificity of 89% and 91%, respectively

Typha (Cattail) Invasion in North American Wetlands: Biology, Regional Problems, Impacts, Ecosystem Services, and Management

Typha is an iconic wetland plant found worldwide. Hybridization and anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in large increases in Typha abundance in wetland ecosystems throughout North America at a cost to native floral and faunal biodiversity. As demonstrated by three regional case studies, Typha is capable of rapidly colonizing habitats and forming monodominant vegetation stands due to traits such as robust size, rapid growth rate, and rhizomatic expansion. Increased nutrient inputs into wetlands and altered hydrologic regimes are among the principal anthropogenic drivers of Typha invasion. Typha is associated with a wide range of negative ecological impacts to wetland and agricultural systems, but also is linked with a variety of ecosystem services such as bioremediation and provisioning of biomass, as well as an assortment of traditional cultural uses. Numerous physical, chemical, and hydrologic control methods are used to manage invasive Typha, but results are inconsistent and multiple methods and repeated treatments often are required. While this review focuses on invasive Typha in North America, the literature cited comes from research on Typha and other invasive species from around the world. As such, many of the underlying concepts in this review are relevant to invasive species in other wetland ecosystems worldwide

Internet tool to support self-assessment and self-swabbing of sore throat: Development and feasibility study

Background: Sore throat is a common problem and a common reason for the overuse of antibiotics. A web-based tool that helps people assess their sore throat, through the use of clinical prediction rules, taking throat swabs or saliva samples, and taking throat photographs, has the potential to improve self-management and help identify those who are the most and least likely to benefit from antibiotics. Objective: We aimed to develop a web-based tool to help patients and parents or carers self-assess sore throat symptoms and take throat photographs, swabs, and saliva samples for diagnostic testing. We then explored the acceptability and feasibility of using the tool in adults and children with sore throats. Methods: We used the Person-Based Approach to develop a web-based tool and then recruited adults and children with sore throats who participated in this study by attending general practices or through social media advertising. Participants self-assessed the presence of FeverPAIN and Centor score criteria and attempted to photograph their throat and take throat swabs and saliva tests. Study processes were observed via video call, and participants were interviewed about their views on using the web-based tool. Self-assessed throat inflammation and pus were compared to clinician evaluation of patients’ throat photographs. Results: A total of 45 participants (33 adults and 12 children) were recruited. Of these, 35 (78%) and 32 (71%) participants completed all scoring elements for FeverPAIN and Centor scores, respectively, and most (30/45, 67%) of them reported finding self-assessment relatively easy. No valid response was provided for swollen lymph nodes, throat inflammation, and pus on the throat by 11 (24%), 9 (20%), and 13 (29%) participants respectively. A total of 18 (40%) participants provided a throat photograph of adequate quality for clinical assessment. Patient assessment of inflammation had a sensitivity of 100% (3/3) and specificity of 47% (7/15) compared with the clinician-assessed photographs. For pus on the throat, the sensitivity was 100% (3/3) and the specificity was 71% (10/14). A total of 89% (40/45), 93% (42/45), 89% (40/45), and 80% (30/45) of participants provided analyzable bacterial swabs, viral swabs, saliva sponges, and saliva drool samples, respectively. Participants were generally happy and confident in providing samples, with saliva samples rated as slightly more acceptable than swab samples. Conclusions: Most adult and parent participants were able to use a web-based intervention to assess the clinical features of throat infections and generate scores using clinical prediction rules. However, some had difficulties assessing clinical signs, such as lymph nodes, throat pus, and inflammation, and scores were assessed as sensitive but not specific. Many participants had problems taking photographs of adequate quality, but most were able to take throat swabs and saliva samples

A deletion in GDF7 is associated with a heritable forebrain commissural malformation concurrent with ventriculomegaly and interhemispheric cysts in cats

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors.An inherited neurologic syndrome in a family of mixed-breed Oriental cats has been characterized as forebrain commissural malformation, concurrent with ventriculomegaly and interhemispheric cysts. However, the genetic basis for this autosomal recessive syndrome in cats is unknown. Forty-three cats were genotyped on the Illumina Infinium Feline 63K iSelect DNA Array and used for analyses. Genome-wide association studies, including a sib-transmission disequilibrium test and a case-control association analysis, and homozygosity mapping, identified a critical region on cat chromosome A3. Short-read whole genome sequencing was completed for a cat trio segregating with the syndrome. A homozygous 7 bp deletion in growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7) (c.221_227delGCCGCGC [p.Arg74Profs]) was identified in affected cats, by comparison to the 99 Lives Cat variant dataset, validated using Sanger sequencing and genotyped by fragment analyses. This variant was not identified in 192 unaffected cats in the 99 Lives dataset. The variant segregated concordantly in an extended pedigree. In mice, GDF7 mRNA is expressed within the roof plate when commissural axons initiate ventrally-directed growth. This finding emphasized the importance of GDF7 in the neurodevelopmental process in the mammalian brain. A genetic test can be developed for use by cat breeders to eradicate this variant.Peer reviewe

Werewolf, there wolf : Variants in hairless associated with hypotrichia and roaning in the lykoi cat breed

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.A variety of cat breeds have been developed via novelty selection on aesthetic, dermatological traits, such as coat colors and fur types. A recently developed breed, the lykoi (a.k.a. werewolf cat), was bred from cats with a sparse hair coat with roaning, implying full color and all white hairs. The lykoi phenotype is a form of hypotrichia, presenting as a significant reduction in the average numbers of follicles per hair follicle group as compared to domestic shorthair cats, a mild to severe perifollicular to mural lymphocytic infiltration in 77% of observed hair follicle groups, and the follicles are often miniaturized, dilated, and dysplastic. Whole genome sequencing was conducted on a single lykoi cat that was a cross between two independently ascertained lineages. Comparison to the 99 Lives dataset of 194 non‐lykoi cats suggested two variants in the cat homolog for Hairless (HR) (HR lysine demethylase and nuclear receptor corepressor) as candidate causal gene variants. The lykoi cat was a compound heterozygote for two loss of function variants in HR, an exon 3 c.1255_1256dupGT (chrB1:36040783), which should produce a stop codon at amino acid 420 (p.Gln420Serfs*100) and, an exon 18 c.3389insGACA (chrB1:36051555), which should produce a stop codon at amino acid position 1130 (p.Ser1130Argfs*29). Ascertainment of 14 additional cats from founder lineages from Canada, France and different areas of the USA identified four additional loss of function HR variants likely causing the highly similar phenotypic hair coat across the diverse cats. The novel variants in HR for cat hypotrichia can now be established between minor differences in the phenotypic presentations.Peer reviewe