Resilience and Social Support among College Students with Disabilities

Since the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, individuals with disabilities have found enhanced opportunities in various areas of living. The numbers of students with disabilities in institutions of postsecondary education have also increased in the past few decades; however, despite this increase, the degree completion rates of students with disabilities continue to lag in comparison to their non-disabled peers in colleges and universities. As such, most universities currently have a designated office or department of disability accommodations designed to provide academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Nonetheless, current rehabilitation research is lacking in knowledge regarding interventions designed to facilitate the postsecondary educational success of students with disabilities. The present study aimed to investigate whether two specific factors, resilience and perceived social support, correlated with the academic success of students with disabilities in postsecondary educational settings. Results indicated little-to-no correlation between grade point average (GPA) and resilience and GPA and perceived social support. A small-to-medium correlation was found between resilience and perceived social support, thereby indicating these two variables have a positive correlation among a sample of college students with disabilities enrolled in postsecondary education settings. Analysis of qualitative data indicated three primary categories of factors which participants believed contributed to their resilience levels. The discussion includes implications of these findings in postsecondary settings that serve students with disabilities

Monitoring of Vitiligo Patches Over 6 Months to Validate Dermoscopic Findings of Lesional Stability

Background: Previously laid down criteria for lesional stability of vitiligo are inconsistent. Longitudinal data on correlation between dermoscopic features of vitiligo and disease activity is limited. Objective: To sequentially determine the dermoscopic features of vitiligo and to assess their association with the dynamic nature of the vitiligo patch. Methods: Sixty patients with 200 vitiligo patches fulfilling the inclusion criteria on medical therapy were subjected to sequential clinical and dermoscopic examination for 6 months. Baseline lesional photographs, dermoscopy and tracing of the patch was made and repeated at 6 months. The follow up tracing was superimposed onto the baseline tracing. Based on the increase or decrease in size, their outcomes were grouped as responsive, progressive and quiescent. Paired analysis of dermoscopic features was done between baseline, and their follow up after 6 months. Results: Well defined border was associated with static nature of the vitiligo patch and ill-defined borders and trichrome pattern depicted its dynamic nature. Statistically significant increase in leukotrichia and satellite lesions amongst progressive patches and a decrease amongst responsive patches was observed. Pigment network changes were statistically significant for both responsive and progressive patches. Satellite lesions and micro-Koebner’s phenomena was suggestive of progressive disease, while perifollicular pigmentation and perilesional hyperpigmentation was suggestive of repigmenting disease and proved to be an early marker for response to therapy. Conclusions: Repeated dermoscopic evaluation of lesions in a serial manner to assess disease activity helps understand their evolving nature and is a valuable tool in planning appropriate further treatment

Regenerative callus induction and biochemical analysis of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni

Stevia Leaves are the principal source of stevioside, which is estimated to be 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar. Stevioside has clinical significance as they are reported to maintain glucose levels in human blood. Owing to the difficulties in propagation of stevia through seeds and vegetative methods, callus culture has been an efficient alternative for generation of stevioside. The aim of this study is to develop an efficient and standardized protocol for maximum induction and multiplication of callus from a leaf. Callus culture was established from leaves in MS basal media fortified with various combinations (BAP, NAA, 2,4-D, KN, IBA) and concentrations of phytohormones. The best callusing (100%) was recorded in MS media supplemented with (2,4-D 1.0mg/l + NAA 1.0mg/l). The callus was harvested after 4 weeks and screened for the presence of various bioactive compounds. The qualitative results showed that the extracts of callus contained bioactive compounds like flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, tannins, sterols and saponins thereby making callus one of the sources for extraction of various secondary metabolites

Behavioral Artistry: Examining the Relationship Between the Interpersonal Skills and Effective Practice Repertoires of Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners

Article describes study which investigated interpersonal skills associated with the concept of behavioral artistry (BA), a repertoire of practitioner behaviors including care, attentiveness, and creativity, among others, associated with the effective delivery of applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment

An Unusual Case of Facial Steatocystoma Multiplex: A Clinicopathologic and Dermoscopic Report

Background: Steatocystoma multiplex is a benign skin disorder originating from the sebaceous and nevoid ducts. Commonly classified under hamartomas, they are distributed over the trunk, neck, axillae, and groin. Methods: A 28-year-old male patient complained of multiple, asymptomatic skin-colored nodules over the face of 10-year duration. Clinical examination confirmed the historic findings of nontender, polysized, flesh-colored papules and nodules over the said distribution. Results: On histopathology, a cyst was noted in the mid-dermis, lined by stratified squamous, agranular epithelium, which contained degenerated keratin. Nonpolarized dermoscopy showed a structureless, cream-colored area, and polarized dermoscopy revealed a distinctive, well-circumscribed, yellowish hue which was superimposed over the facial pseudoreticular pigmentary pattern. The findings were compatible with steatocystoma multiplex, and the patient was taken up for radiofrequency ablation. Conclusion: Herein, we report a rare variant of steatocystoma multiplex limited to the face and scalp subjected to dermatoscopy and characteristic histological correlation. To the best of our knowledge and following a literature search, dermoscopic features of this condition have not been reported thus far