Strategies to Promote Oral Motor Skills and Progression of Foods for Infants and Young Children with Feeding Concerns

Eating is a primary occupation for individuals from birth through adulthood. However, some infants and young children experience difficulty and frustration as they begin to eat and transition to foods with texture. Field, Garland, and Williams (2003) determined that up to 80% of children with developmental disabilities experienced problems with feeding. There is a need for providing education and support for the families of these children (White-Traut & Norr, 2009). Pilkington (2006) conveyed that supporting and building the parent\u27s capacity for caring for their child resulted in enhanced outcomes for the infant or child. Current resources may not be parent-friendly or may not provide appropriate, detailed strategies that apply to a child with feeding difficulties. In order to address this issue, the goal of this scholarly project was to create a manual that occupational therapists could use to educate and support parents and caregivers. The primary methodology used to create this product included an extensive review of the literature, including research articles, textbooks, and resources currently available to families and caregivers. The Ecological Model of Occupation primarily guided the development of the resource manual based on the relationship between person, context, and the task, and the impact that these variables have on performance. This resource manual contains research-based educational materials that offer useful strategies that occupational therapists can use when providing interventions to promote advancement of feeding skills and assist with the progression of foods for infants and toddlers with feeding difficulties. Areas of focus include the role of the occupational therapist and the role of the parent in teaching their child to eat. Typical feeding skill development is outlined to assist parents in understanding sequential steps to feeding development. Environmental factors and positioning strategies are addressed for infants and toddlers. A variety of treatment interventions and recommendations to assist in improving feeding for infants and young children are also provided

Analysis and Prediction of Rainfall and Storm Surge Interactions in the Clear Creek Watershed using Unsteady-State HEC-RAS Hydraulic Modeling

This study presents an unsteady-state hydraulic model analysis of hurricane storm surge and rainfall-runoff interactions in the Clear Creek Watershed, a basin draining into Galveston Bay and vulnerable to flooding from both intense local rainfalls and storm surge. Storm surge and rainfall-runoff have historically been modeled separately, and thus the linkage and interactions between the two during a hurricane are not completely understood. This study simulates the two processes simultaneously by using storm surge stage hydrographs as boundary conditions in the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s – River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model. Storm surge hydrographs for a severe hurricane were generated in the Advanced Circulation Model for Oceanic, Coastal, and Estuarine Waters (ADCIRC) model to predict the flooding that could be caused by a worst-case scenario. Using this scenario, zones have been identified to represent areas in the Clear Creek Watershed vulnerable to flooding from storm surge, rainfall, or both

Unmet supportive care needs of breast, colorectal and testicular cancer survivors in the first 8 months post primary treatment:A prospective longitudinal survey

Objectives To explore the supportive care needs of cancer survivors, the characteristics of patients with high levels of unmet need, changes in unmet need after treatment ends and differences in unmet needs of breast, colorectal and testicular survivors. Methods The method used was a prospective longitudinal mailed survey. Unmet needs, measured by 25-item modified Cancer Survivors Unmet Needs survey at baseline (immediately post-treatment) and 8 months later, were analysed descriptively. Results Of 434 breast, 186 colorectal and 75 testicular patients responding at baseline, 56.2%, 65.6% and 50.7%, respectively, had no unmet needs, the top decile having >= 10 (breast) or seven (colorectal and testicular) different needs and seven different unmet needs. The most frequently reported unmet need (all groups) was fear of cancer recurrence. Unmet needs fell significantly at 8 months for breast patients. Some patients reported new needs. Needs were lowest amongst colorectal survivors and differed between the three groups. Higher levels of unmet needs (breast and colorectal) were associated with having had chemotherapy. Conclusion Most survivors reported few unmet needs, but a small proportion have persisting or emerging needs. Routine or regular monitoring of unmet needs is required so that healthcare professionals can deliver personalised care based on individual needs, preferences and circumstances

New leads against drug-resistant organisms : shifting the focus in discovery towards rapid phenotypic screening and mechanism of action

Over the past century, antibiotic therapy has been successful in nearly eliminating a former leading cause of death. Mortality records from the past 100 years in the US show a decrease from 46% of deaths due to infectious diseases, to just 3% in 2010. While the use of antibiotics has had a tremendously positive impact on healthcare, the subsequent rise of antibiotic resistance in pathogens has threatened to reverse recent advances in public health and the study of antibiotic mechanisms has gained significant interest. Issues leading to emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens include overprescribing of antibiotics and abuses by the agricultural industry, with 50% of manufactured antibiotics used in agriculture, rather than the medical field as originally intended. Misuse, by failure to regard antibiotics as an inestimable resource, coupled with stagnation in discovery of new antibiotics, has led to the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Approaches to combat drug resistant pathogens include large scale screening of natural sources, such as plants and fungi, for antimicrobial compounds with diverse chemical scaffolds and prioritization of antimicrobials operating by mechanisms of action which bacteria encounter infrequently. Due to the emergence of resistance, the World Health Organization considers Gram-negative pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii a top priority for therapeutic development. Using this priority pathogen and a phenotypic, agar plate-based assay, a unique library of extracts from 2,500 diverse fungi was screened for antimicrobial activity against a highly virulent, drug resistant strain of A. baumannii (AB5075). The most potent hit from this screen was an extract from the fungi Tolypocladium sp., which was found to produce pyridoxatin. Another active extract from the fungi Trichoderma deliquescens was characterized and yielded Trichokonin VII and Trichokonin VIII. Evaluation of pyridoxatin against A. baumannii (AB5075) in a broth microdilution assay revealed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 38.0µM, which was the strongest lead compared to the known antibiotic levofloxacin MIC of 27.7µM. Mass spectrometry, Marfey’s analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were utilized to confirm the structures of Trichokonin VII and Trichokonin VIII in comparison to previous reports. In an in vivo Galleria mellonella model, pyridoxatin tested at 150 mg/kg exhibited minimal toxicity (90% survival) and promising antimicrobial efficacy (50% survival) after 5 days. Trichokonin VII and Trichokonin VIII tested at 150 mg/kg were toxic, with 20% survival and 40% survival after 5 days, respectively. The findings of this project suggest that pyridoxatin may serve as a lead compound for the development of antimicrobials against A. baumannii. They also demonstrate the value of the phenotypic screening approach employed here to uncover diverse lead antimicrobial compounds. A second approach to counteracting antimicrobial resistance was taken with a botanical extract mechanism of action classification prediction method that was developed using metabolomics in the model antimicrobial system of Hypericum calycinum (creeping St. John’s wort) against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Antimicrobial botanicals, such as H. calycinum, exhibit unique mechanisms of action due to a complex array of compounds and combination effects which challenges bacteria in developing resistance. MRSA strain USA300 LAC AH1263, a model organism we observed with susceptibility to H. calycinum, is a clinically relevant drug-resistant pathogen rapidly developing resistance. To evaluate these qualities, metabolomics analyses were conducted on the spent media from MRSA cultures incubated with various treatments. The treatments included sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of six clinically relevant antibiotics representing three mechanisms of action. Also included in the study were a H. calycinum extract, an H. calycinum active fraction, or the pure botanical compound hyperforin commonly found in Hypericum calycinum. Previously developed metabolomics data processing techniques were refined for evaluating profiles of the spent media and narrowing down features detected across all samples from 8,900 features to a list of 32 unique features (ions detected by the mass spectrometer) associated with mechanism of action. Further investigation of the identities of these features and biochemical studies to confirm the antimicrobial mechanism of action of H. calycinum against MRSA are necessary to validate the model in predicting antimicrobial mechanism of action in botanical extracts

An Intersection of Laws: Citizens United v. FEC

The Georgia State University College of Law will hold a one-day symposium on Friday, November 12, 2010, to discuss the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC. In Citizens United, the Court overruled Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and portions of McConnell v. FEC, holding bans on corporate independent campaign expenditures are unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Specifically, the Georgia State Law Review symposium will focus on how this case reflects the intersection of First Amendment Law, Corporate Law, and Election Law. The symposium itself will feature three 90-minute panel discussions focusing on each of these discreet areas. In addition, we will have a lunch time presentation by Heather Gerken of Yale Law School and a 60-minute panel discussion focusing on the impact of the decision on the Midterm Elections

A Cystine-Rich Whey Supplement (Immunocal®) Provides Neuroprotection from Diverse Oxidative Stress-Inducing Agents In Vitro

Oxidative stress is a principal mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration. Therefore, nutritional enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses may represent a viable treatment option. We investigated the neuroprotective properties of a unique whey protein supplement (Immunocal®) that provides an essential precursor (cystine) for synthesis of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). Primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), NSC34 motor neuronal cells, or HT22 hippocampal cells were preincubated in medium containing Immunocal and then subsequently treated with agents known to induce oxidative stress. Immunocal protected CGNs against neurotoxicity induced by the Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1, the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, CuCl2, and AlCl3. Immunocal also significantly reduced NSC34 cell death due to either H2O2 or glutamate and mitigated toxicity in HT22 cells overexpressing β-amyloid1-42. The neuroprotective effects of Immunocal were blocked by inhibition of γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase, demonstrating dependence on de novo GSH synthesis. These findings indicate that sustaining GSH with Immunocal significantly protects neurons against diverse inducers of oxidative stress. Thus, Immunocal is a nutritional supplement worthy of testing in preclinical animal models of neurodegeneration and in future clinical trials of patients afflicted by these diseases

Valuing Nature through multiple lenses: highlights from the Valuing Nature PCT Programme (2014–2021)

This is the final report for the Valuing Nature Programme. The aim of the report is less about sharing its achievements, but about discussing what worked and what did not work as well, in the hope that recently initiated and future programmes may benefit from the lessons learned

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Oral Prevalence in Scotland (HOPSCOTCH):a feasibility study in dental settings

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of undertaking a full population investigation into the prevalence, incidence, and persistence of oral Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Scotland via dental settings. Male and female patients aged 16-69 years were recruited by Research Nurses in 3 primary care and dental outreach teaching centres and 2 General Dental Practices (GDPs), and by Dental Care Teams in 2 further GDPs. Participants completed a questionnaire (via an online tablet computer or paper) with socioeconomic, lifestyle, and sexual history items; and were followed up at 6-months for further questionnaire through appointment or post/online. Saline oral gargle/rinse samples, collected at baseline and follow-up, were subject to molecular HPV genotyping centrally. 1213 dental patients were approached and 402 individuals consented (participation rate 33.1%). 390 completed the baseline questionnaire and 380 provided a baseline oral specimen. Follow-up rate was 61.6% at 6 months. While recruitment was no different in Research Nurse vs Dental Care Team models the Nurse model ensured more rapid recruitment. There were relatively few missing responses in the questionnaire and high levels of disclosure of risk behaviours (99% answered some of the sexual history questions). Data linkage of participant data to routine health records including HPV vaccination data was successful with 99.1% matching. Oral rinse/gargle sample collection and subsequent HPV testing was feasible. Preliminary analyses found over 95% of samples to be valid for molecular HPV detection prevalence of oral HPV infection of 5.5% (95%CI 3.7, 8.3). It is feasible to recruit and follow-up dental patients largely representative / reflective of the wider population, suggesting it would be possible to undertake a study to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and determinants of oral HPV infection in dental settings

Nitrogen Inventory in the Nooksack-Fraser Transboundary Watershed

The Nooksack-Fraser transboundary area (2639 km2) is home to communities with a strong base in farming, fisheries and outdoor recreation. Water quality issues impact parts of this area, where sewage effluent and animal waste are potential sources of both fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and nitrogen (N) in the environment. Excessive nitrogen loading can lead to eutrophication in coastal areas, and nitrate contamination of groundwater. The Nooksack-Fraser Transboundary Nitrogen (NFT-N) project was developed to determine the sources and fates of N in the watershed using data on energy use, transportation, fertilization, wastewater treatment plants, livestock operations, wildlife and more. This project brings together stakeholders, agencies, and scientists on both sides of the international border to achieve a first characterization of N inventories and fluxes across the watershed. A comprehensive N assessment can benefit N management by providing key information on source distribution. Focusing on agricultural activities first, we estimate using crop-specific fertilizer recommendations that the requirements for synthetic fertilizer N on the US side of the watershed ranges between 1855 and 3184 metric tons (MT). Application of livestock manure to crops is equal to, or perhaps more than, fertilizer requirements, ranging between 1926 and 3963 MT N per year. The combined septic and sewage input of N falls between 71 and 84 MT per year, while atmospheric deposition contributes 527 MT N per year. Preliminary results for the US side demonstrate the importance of N inputs from agriculture. Results will be refined by updating values, adding other components, integrating with the existing Canadian budget, and understanding connections between inputs and N fates in ground and surface water. The budget will be used to examine the impacts of N policy and management across the boundary (US-Canada), and to support future efforts in developing sustainable N use and management plans in the region