More than meets the mouth: an exploration of mealtime meanings for toddlers in a childcare setting

Engagement in occupation and the experienced meaning of that occupation are interdependent and mutually transforming (Hasselkus, 2002). Therefore, changes in meaning are central to the development of occupation. However, few studies explore the occupational meanings experienced by young children. This observational study, set in a childcare center, explores the meaning of mealtime occupations of toddlers (age 13 to 24 months). A phenomenological method was used to identify and describe the various meanings of mealtime as experienced by toddlers. Five occupational meanings emerged from the data: satiating hunger, enjoying, adults as guides, being similar, and violation of expectations. Each of these meanings is discussed in terms of its impact on occupation both generally and in regards to learning to use the spoon. Finally, these meanings are discussed in terms of the Processes Transforming Occupation (PTO) model; considering the model's relevance to independent observations of occupational meaning

Preoperative platelet counts and postoperative outcomes in cancer surgery: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study

Platelets play roles in malignancy, wound healing, and immunity. Nevertheless, their significance in postoperative outcomes is not established. This is a retrospective cohort study of 100,795 patients undergoing cancer surgery in 2010 and 2014 in >500 hospitals. Patients were stratified into five groups based on preoperative platelet counts. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the risk of 30-day mortality, morbidities, readmission, and prolonged hospitalization using the mid-normal group as a reference. We adjusted for demographic variables, comorbidities, and operation complexity. In the 2014 cohort, multivariable analysis showed that mortality was higher in patients with thrombocytopenia (OR 1.49, 95% CI [1.23–1.81]), high-normal platelets (OR 1.29, [1.06–1.55]), and thrombocytosis (OR 1.78, [1.45–2.19]). Composite postoperative morbidity followed a similar trend with thrombocytopenia (OR 1.34, [1.25–1.43]), high-normal counts (OR 1.41, [1.33–1.49]), and thrombocytosis (OR 2.20, [2.05–2.36]). Concordantly, the risks of prolonged hospitalization and 30-day readmission followed the same pattern. These results were validated in a large colon cancer cohort from the 2010 database. In conclusion, platelet count is a prognostic indicator in cancer surgeries. This could be related to the role of platelets in wound healing and immunity on one hand, and propagating malignancy on the other

Determining Whether Drosophila melanogaster Have an Innate Directional Preference Based on the Ambient Magnetic Field of the Earth

The status of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for behavioral and genetic research makes it an attractive candidate for investigations of the genetic basis of magnetoreception. There are two main hypotheses for how animals detect Earth-strength magnetic fields. One hypothesis is that animals use magnetite, which forms long chains and serves as a magnetic dipole, while the other hypothesis is that animals have a light-dependent magnetic response utilizing cryptochrome. Several studies have found that Drosophila can orient to Earth-strength magnetic fields using a mechanism consistent with a cryptochrome-based magnetoreceptor, but the specifics of the findings have varied. For example, two studies found that Drosophila have an innate directional preference, while two studies found that Drosophila need to be trained in order to have a directional preference. Additionally, one study found that only male flies orient to magnetic fields, while the other studies found that both male and female flied orient to magnetic fields. To help resolve the conflicting results of these studies, we aimed to determine if Drosophila melanogaster have an innate directional preference and if orientation differs between males and females. We used a sequential Y-maze housed within a Faraday cage, the purpose of which was to block out any radio frequency (RF) fields that mat affect the choices of the flies

Adaptation of a Community Health Advisor Intervention to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans in the Southern United States

Community health advisor (CHA) interventions increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. Focus groups and learner verification were used to adapt National Cancer Institute CRC screening educational materials for delivery by a CHA to African American community health center patients. Such academic-community collaboration improves adoption of evidence-based interventions. This short article describes the adaptation of an evidence-based cancer education intervention for implementation in an African American community

Using Artificial Selection to Understand Orientation Behavior in Drosophila

Several studies suggest that the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster can use magnetic fields for orientation1-4; however, the responses to magnetic fields are not consistent across studies and experiments investigating the mechanism of magnetoreception rely on magnetic fields that are at least 10 times stronger than the magnetic field of the Earth5-6. We are attempting to determine whether Drosophila have the ability to detect Earth-strength magnetic fields by running flies through a progressive Y-maze and then selectively breeding the flies based on their choices in the maze. There are two main hypotheses about the mechanism of magnetoreception in animals. The first is based on the use of magnetite, which forms long chains and serves as a magnetic dipole and has been found in organisms such as bats7. The other hypothesis is based on a light-dependent magnetic response utilizing the cryptochromephotoreceptor8. While the predominant hypothesis is that fruit flies use cryptochrome to detect magnetic fields1-6, experimental results have shown that most invertebrates use magnetite or both magnetite and cryptochrome

Procedures for A Comparison of Electronic and Paper Versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Objective: To investigate older adults’ performance on the paper and electronic Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We hypothesized the paper MoCA scores would be significantly higher than electronic MoCA (eMoCA) scores. Design: Repeated measures and correlational design. Setting: General community and university clinic. Participants: A convenience sample of 40 adults over 65 years of age living in the community. Interventions: Participants completed the eMoCA and paper MoCA in a randomized order during a single session. Participants reported their touchscreen experience and comfort, and indicated their administration modality preferences. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were Paper MoCA and eMoCA total and subscale scores. Secondary outcome measures included participants reported touchscreen experience and comfort, as well as post administration preferences. Results: A moderate statistically significant correlation was found between performance on the eMoCA and the paper MoCA across all participants. Analysis comparing first administration modality only (eMoCA versus paper MoCA) found that there was not a statistically significant difference in total scores, however there was a statistically significant difference for the visuospatial/executive subscale, which required the test taker to physically interact with either the paper or the tablet. Across all subjects, there was a statistically significant correlation between experience with touchscreen devices and performance on the eMoCA, but not between modality preference and performance. Conclusion: Modality of administration can impact performance on assessments of cognition. Clinicians should consider the amount of experience with touchscreens prior to deciding which modality to use with a client

Psychotherapies provided for eating disorders by community clinicians: Infrequent use of evidence-based treatment

Abstract This study describes the psychological interventions used for eating disorders (EDs) by community practitioners. Of 573 clinicians we screened across Alberta, 130 (22.7%) had treated EDs; 118 (90.8%) were interviewed. Clinicians reported varied reasons for psychotherapy choice and diverse training experiences; the primary approaches used varied by education and field. The most common primary approach was eclectic (43.2%), followed by cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT; 22.9%). However, self-reported CBT clinicians used specific CBT techniques infrequently. Half of clinicians incorporated addictions-based techniques. These results indicate that ED treatment provided by community clinicians is varied and generally does not align with evidence-based practice guidelines