Pediatric Developmental Screening: Understanding and Selecting Screening Instruments

Based on a review of research on developmental screening instruments, provides a manual for selecting and applying tools for screening for both general and specific problems. Includes an interactive questionnaire that links to the recommended instrument

Efficient collision detection for real-time simulated environments

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-68).by Paul Jay Dworkin.M.S

Nonspecific eddy current heating in magnetic field hyperthermia

In this Perspective article, we explore the definition and use of clinical tolerability metrics associated with nonspecific eddy current heating in magnetic field hyperthermia (MFH). We revisit the origins of the “Brezovich criterion,” Hof ≤ 485 MA m−1s−1, as it is applied to axial time-varying magnetic fields H (t) = Ho sin(2πft) and the human torso. We then consider alternative metrics, including the “maximal specific absorption rate” (SARmax) of eddy-current-induced power absorbed per unit mass of tissue. With reference to previously published clinical data and the results of two volunteer studies in our laboratory, we show that the SARmax metric is both suitable and reliable. We also show how it may be extracted from in silico finite element models to cope with confounding effects such as anatomical hot spots and non-axial-field geometries. We note a parallel with a standardized metric, the “local SAR” used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We suggest that the limits established in clinical MRI (that the local SAR, averaged over 10 g of tissue and 6 min of treatment, should not exceed 20 mW g−1 in the torso or head, and 40 mW g−1 in the limbs) might be regarded as a good starting point for the design of MFH interventions. We conclude with the recommendation that the SARmax metric is adopted for future use in the development of clinically safe and tolerable MFH equipment

Distribution of plasma folate forms in hemodialysis patients receiving high daily doses of l-folinic or folic acid

Distribution of plasma folate forms in hemodialysis patients receiving high daily doses of l-folinic or folic acid.BackgroundWe have previously reported that a daily oral high dose of l-folinic acid for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in hemodialysis patients does not provide significantly greater reduction in fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) levels than an equimolar dose of folic acid. The present study uses the affinity/HPLC method to analyze the distribution of plasma folate forms in patients who received l-folinic acid versus those who received folic acid. This was done to investigate claims that renal insufficiency is associated with impaired folate interconversion, a stance that is supportive of the premise that tHcy lowering in these patients is more efficacious with folinic acid and other reduced folates, than folic acid.MethodsForty-eight chronic and stable hemodialysis patients were block-randomized, based on their screening predialysis tHcy levels, sex, and dialysis center, into two groups treated for 12 weeks with oral folic acid at 15 mg/day or an equimolar amount (20 mg/day) of oral l-folinic acid. All 48 subjects also received 50 mg/day of oral vitamin B6 and 1 mg/day of oral vitamin B12. Folate distribution was determined in plasma of 46 participants (Folinic acid group, N = 22; Folic acid group, N = 24) by using the affinity/HPLC method, with electrochemical (coulometric) detection.ResultsBoth groups had similar baseline geometric means of plasma total folate and similar folate forms distribution. Following treatment, both groups demonstrated similar marked elevation in plasma total folate (geometric mean of the increase: Folinic acid group, +337 ng/mL; Folic acid group, +312 ng/mL; P = 0.796). In the folinic acid-treated group, practically all of the increase in total folate was due to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. In the folic acid-treated group 5-methyltetrahydrofolate accounted for 35% of the increase in total folate and the remainder was unmethylated folic acid.ConclusionsData from the present findings suggest that defects in folate absorption or impairment in folate interconversion are not the cause of the persistent hyperhomocysteinemia in hemodialysis patients

The promises and limitations of gender-transformative health programming with men: critical reflections from the field

Since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, researchers and practitioners have engaged in a series of efforts to shift health programming with men from being gender-neutral to being more gender-sensitive and gender-transformative. Efforts in this latter category have been increasingly utilised, particularly in the last decade, and attempt to transform gender relations to be more equitable in the name of improved health outcomes for both women and men. We begin by assessing the conceptual progression of social science contributions to gender-transformative health programming with men. Next, we briefly assess the empirical evidence from gender-transformative health interventions with men. Finally, we examine some of the challenges and limitations of gender-transformative health programmes and make recommendations for future work in this thriving interdisciplinary area of study

“Real Men Don't”: Constructions of Masculinity and Inadvertent Harm in Public Health Interventions

Research shows that constraining aspects of male gender norms negatively influence both women’s and men’s health. Messaging that draws upon norms of masculinity in health programming has been shown improve both women’s and men’s health, but some types of public health messaging (e.g., “Man Up!”) can reify harmful aspects of hegemonic masculinity that programs are working to change. We critically assess the deployment of hegemonic male norms in one particular STD campaign known as “Man Up.” We draw on ethical paradigms in public health to challenge programs that reinforce harmful aspects of gender norms and suggest the use of gender-transformative interventions that challenge constraining masculine norms and have been shown to have a positive effect on health behaviors

Detection of Organics at Mars: How Wet Chemistry Onboard SAM Helps

For the first time in the history of space exploration, a mission of interest to astrobiology could be able to analyze refractory organic compounds in the soil of Mars. Wet chemistry experiment allow organic components to be altered in such a way that improves there detection either by releasing the compounds from sample matricies or by changing the chemical structure to be amenable to analytical conditions. The latter is particular important when polar compounds are present. Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), on the Curiosity rover of the Mars Science Laboratory mission, has onboard two wet chemistry experiments: derivatization and thermochemolysis. Here we report on the nature of the MTBSTFA derivatization experiment on SAM, the detection of MTBSTFA in initial SAM results, and the implications of this detection

AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Sickle Cell Disease Pain

Pain in sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and high health care costs. Although episodic acute pain is the hallmark of this disorder, there is an increasing awareness that chronic pain is part of the pain experience of many older adolescents and adults. A common set of criteria for classifying chronic pain associated with SCD would enhance SCD pain research efforts in epidemiology, pain mechanisms, and clinical trials of pain management interventions, and ultimately improve clinical assessment and management. As part of the collaborative effort between the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks public-private partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Pain Society, the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks-American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy initiative developed the outline of an optimal diagnostic system for chronic pain conditions. Subsequently, a working group of experts in SCD pain was convened to generate core diagnostic criteria for chronic pain associated with SCD. The working group synthesized available literature to provide evidence for the dimensions of this disease-specific pain taxonomy. A single pain condition labeled chronic SCD pain was derived with 3 modifiers reflecting different clinical features. Future systematic research is needed to evaluate the feasibility, validity, and reliability of these criteria. Perspective: An evidence-based classification system for chronic SCD pain was constructed for the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations Innovations Opportunities and Networks-American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy initiative. Applying this taxonomy may improve assessment and management of SCD pain and accelerate research on epidemiology, mechanisms, and treatments for chronic SCD pain

Tick-borne Relapsing Fever Caused by Borrelia hermsii, Montana

Five persons contracted tick-borne relapsing fever after staying in a cabin in western Montana. Borrelia hermsii was isolated from the blood of two patients, and Ornithodoros hermsi ticks were collected from the cabin, the first demonstration of this bacterium and tick in Montana. Relapsing fever should be considered when patients who reside or have vacationed in western Montana exhibit a recurring febrile illness

Selection for Replicases in Protocells

PMCID: PMC3649988This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited