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Purpose: To examine the relationship between acculturation indicators and metabolic syndrome among Hispanic adults living in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas metropolitan area. Methods: This study utilized secondary data collected from a larger 2014 study among 128 Hispanic adults living in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington. The current study examined two research questions: (1) Is there a relationship between acculturation indicators (nativity, duration in the United States, and the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics score) and metabolic syndrome among Hispanic adults living in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington? (2) Is there a relationship between acculturation indicators and the individual markers associated with metabolic syndrome (high waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated fasting blood glucose, elevated blood triglycerides, and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol among Hispanic adults living in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington? Results: Most participants were female (aged 40 and older) born outside of the United States. More than half of the participants had been in the United States fewer than 20 years and revealed loweracculturation scores. More than one-third of the participants also had metabolic syndrome. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher among females compared to males. Most participants had abnormal high-density lipoprotein and waist circumference. Acculturation scores and nativity were not associated with abnormal metabolic syndrome markers. Duration in the United States was not associated with metabolic syndrome markers of high waist circumference, reduced high-density lipoprotein, and elevated blood triglycerides. However, duration in the United States was associated with metabolic syndrome markers of high blood pressure and elevated fasting blood glucose. Conclusions and Recommendations: Acculturation is a multifaceted, dynamic phenomenon that influences health at multiple levels. Future studies can explore a range of social-ecological factors that interact with acculturation and health. Because metabolic syndrome is considered a "lifestyle syndrome," there is an additional need to examine behavioral health and relationships among diet, physical activity, and acculturation. Through a social-ecological and culturally relevant lens, health education specialists can lead interprofessional efforts to promote health literacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors among Hispanic individuals and communities. These action steps can be integral components of professional preparation programs that offer students opportunities to engage in service learning and develop core competencies in their disciplines.

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to: (a) evaluate the effectiveness of a required Health-Related Fitness (HRF) course in changing dietary behaviors among community college (CC) students, and (b) explore student perceptions about the effectiveness of HRF curriculum activities in changing behaviors. Methods: Pre- and post-semester data were gathered from 76 CC students (aged 18-34) enrolled in four HRF courses on a CC campus in Texas. Pre- and post-survey questions included demographic and dietary behavior questions from the College Student Health Survey. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data, while repeated measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) analyses were used to analyze dietary behaviors. Dietary behaviors were measured by fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, meal patterns (breakfast, fast food, restaurant eating), and sugar sweetened beverage intake (soda, diet soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, coffee drinks, and other sweetened beverages). Frequency statistics were conducted on themes emerging from open-ended questions (post-survey). Results: No significant changes were found in FV consumption. There were meaningful changes in dietary patterns, including significant increases in breakfast eating, significant decreases in sports drink consumption, and decreases in other sugar-sweetened beverage categories. Most students (96.1%) reported that the HRF course was beneficial. Participants' curriculum recommendations included additional instructional time regarding selection and preparation of healthier foods. Sustainability suggestions included tracking, motivation, support, and continuing education. Conclusions: Significant changes among meal patterns and sugar-sweetened beverages represent positive shifts, yet additional instructional time and course activities may be warranted to increase FV consumption. The HRF course appears to be a valuable intervention for teaching healthy lifestyle behaviors to the young adult population. Recommendations: Additional research is needed to compare different age groups, gender and ethnic differences, and four-year vs. CC students. Longitudinal studies can be helpful in determining long-term influences of HRF courses on students' health behaviors. Focus groups can also be implemented to capture additional information regarding students' perceptions about the HRF course and modifications to enhance learning and promote lasting healthy behavior change. Additionally, experiential learning activities can be integrated to enhance retention of learning and develop students' self-efficacy for adopting healthy dietary behaviors.

This research explores how faculty members' conceptions of assessment and confidence in assessment change as a result of an instructor training course. Based on a sample of 27 faculty members enrolled in a semester-long instructional development course, this survey-based study provides initial evidence that faculty members can develop confidence in assessment while adopting increasingly complex conceptions of assessment. Based on this study's findings, we argue that instructional development programs for college faculty have a critical role to play in stimulating faculty learning about assessment of student learning and are an important component in promoting a positive assessment culture.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how [the Council on Social Work Education's] (CSWE's) 2008 shift placing more emphasis on research have affected newly trained social workers' use of evidence-based practice (EBP). This qualitative study examined the educational and practice experiences of newly trained social workers and how those experiences influence the use of EBP and empirically supported interventions/treatments in the field. Thirteen newly graduated social workers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Twenty-three codes emerged from the interviews, with the most prominent theme being a sense of overall confusion about EBP. Other themes included lack of educational preparation, lack of agency resources, and prohibitive agency culture. Implications for social work education and practice are discussed.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. University health and physical education programs have a unique opportunity to assist in childhood obesity prevention through service-learning programs. However, prior to the implementation of service-learning curricula, it is imperative to gain insight in the unique needs of the selected community. The purpose of this study was to understand a service-learning community through exploring parent, teacher, and student perceptions about healthy lifestyles, barriers to achieving healthy lifestyles, and what families and schools can do to help prevent childhood obesity. During the spring and summer of 2004, researchers conducted focus groups of children, parents, and teachers in a minority, low-income neighborhood located within a West Texas city. Results revealed that childhood obesity prevention was a challenge for the population in this study. The complex interplay between personal factors, environment and situations, and the underlying issue of poverty all interacted to influence behavior in a striking way. University service-learning programs can play a unique role in childhood obesity prevention through teaching university students how to develop essential cultural competencies and communication skills that can enhance relationships and strengthen family involvement in the health education process. (Contains 1 figure.)

This study assessed the perceptions of school psychologists toward effectiveness and use of instructional adaptations in inclusive classrooms with the Adaptation Evaluation Instrument (AEI; Schumm & Vaughn, 1991). The sample included 59 regular members of the Texas Association of School Psychologists (TASP). Items receiving the highest and lowest effectiveness ratings are discussed as well as items with highest and lowest use ratings. Results also showed 28 of 30 items had significant differences between use and effectiveness ratings. Factor analyses indicated a number of factors for use and effectiveness; however, there were no similarities in these factors. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows orthopaedic surgeons to assess Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the distal femur in children. When surgical fixation is indicated, headless compression screws can be used to stabilize the fragment and allow it to heal. During screw placement it is important to make sure the screw is not too long or it may cross the physis, leading to physeal growth arrest. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal screw length for osteochondritis dissecans fixation of the pediatric distal femur. A secondary objective was to compare the thickness of the epiphysis of the pediatric distal femur at different locations and screw trajectories. Methods: This retrospective, IRB-approved, single-institution study identified 113 pediatric patients (ages 6-17 years old) with a knee MRI from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2020. A total of 6 measurements were obtained on each pediatric MRI by two residents. The longitudinal axis of the femur was used as a reference trajectory. Three measurements were obtained from medial femoral condyle and lateral femoral condyle, respectively. The lengths measured were from the anteromedial (AM), posteromedial (PM), and distalmedial (DM) on the medial femoral condyle to the physis. On the lateral femoral condyle, the anterolateral (AL), posterolateral (PL), and distallateral (DL) were measured. 2 sample t-testing, chi-square analysis, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were utilized to find significant associations. Results: Of the 113 pediatric knees identified, 32 did not meet inclusion criteria, yielding 81 patients for final analysis. The average epiphyseal thickness of the bone was 25.5 mm ± 4.2 (CI 24.5 – 26.4, range 14.1 – 33.1). There was a difference in epiphyseal thickness based on screw trajectory () with the average thickness being 23.0, 22.2, 30.5, 29.3, 25.5, and 22.3 mm for the AM, AL, PM, PL, DM and DL respectively. There was a negative correlation between increasing age and epiphyseal cartilage thickness (). There was a positive correlation between increasing age and bone only epiphyseal thickness (). Conclusion: Our study outlines important measurements that orthopedic surgeons must be aware of when operating on OCD lesions in pediatric patients. These results can aid in determining the appropriate screw length that can be implanted into the pediatric distal femur to avoid damaging the distal femur. Our study results show that the optimal screw length to use in pediatric OCD lesion is 18mm in order to avoid physeal disturbance in the majority of pediatric patients. Figure 1. Sagittal MRI of the lateral distal femur showing the projection used to measure the anterolateral (AL), posterolateral(PL), and distallateral (DL) distances to the physis Figure 2. Sagittal MRI of the medial distal femur showing the projection used to measure the anteromedial (AM), posteromedial (PM), and distalmedial (DM) distances to the physis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minority children have the highest US uninsurance rates; Latino and African-American children account for 53 % of uninsured American children, despite comprising only 48 % of the total US child population. The study aim was to examine parental awareness of and the reasons for lacking health insurance in Medicaid/ CHIP-eligible minority children, and the impact of the children's uninsurance on health, access to care, unmet needs, and family financial burden. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a consecutive series of uninsured, Medicaid/CHIP-eligible Latino and African-American children was recruited at 97 urban Texas community sites, including supermarkets, health fairs, and schools. Measures/outcomes were assessed using validated instruments, and included sociodemographic characteristics, uninsurance duration, reasons for the child being uninsured, health status, special healthcare needs, access to medical and dental care, unmet needs, use of health services, quality of care, satisfaction with care, out-ofpocket costs of care, and financial burden. Results: The mean time uninsured for the 267 participants was 14 months; 5 % had never been insured. The most common reason for insurance loss was expired and never reapplied (30 %), and for never being insured, high insurance costs. Only 49 % of parents were aware that their uninsured child was Medicaid/CHIP eligible. Thirty-eight percent of children had suboptimal health, and 2/3 had special healthcare needs, but 64 % have no primary-care provider; 83 % of parents worry about their child's health more than others. Unmet healthcare needs include: healthcare, 73 %; mental healthcare, 70 %; mobility aids/devices, 67 %; dental, 61 %; specialty care, 57 %; and vision, 46 %. Due to the child's health, 35 % of parents had financial problems, 23 % cut work hours, and 10 % ceased work. Higher proportions of Latinos lack primary-care providers, and higher proportions of African-Americans experience family financial burden. Conclusions: Half of parents of uninsured minority children are unaware that their children are Medicaid/CHIP-eligible. These uninsured children have suboptimal health, impaired access to care, and major unmet needs. The child's health causes considerable family financial burden, and one in 10 parents ceased work. The study findings indicate urgent needs for better parental education about Medicaid/CHIP, and for improved Medicaid/CHIP outreach and enrollment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date Presented 04/02/2022 Online Photovoice methods were used to examine the lived experience of OT students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adaptations enabled participation as a means of safely exploring the students' lived experiences. Participants became coresearchers in the thematic analysis process while exploring feasibility and accessibility of the adaptations. Preliminary thematic results include the importance of attuned facilitators and the role of co-collaboration in the research process. Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Selingo Additional Authors and Speakers: Virginia 'Ginny' Stoffel Contributing Authors: Melissa Barcelona, Dawon Lee, Miranda Massey, Nikki Panganiban, Hailey Pink, Mariah Schaller, Isabella Smith, Zach Smith [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates the mimicry of HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 in Houston, Texas. Researchers did one hundred seventy clinical trials and assessed greater than 30 vaccines that are candidates for induction of antibodies neutralization and T cell cytotoxic. Moreover, they found vital risk reduction of incurring HIV infection.

Evidence and rationale supporting return of bowel sounds as an unreliable indicator of the end of postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a quality improvement project on implementing an electronic change-of-shift report on a gastrointestinal surgical oncology unit at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center using Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB). Engaging bedside nurses and other team members in such focus areas as improving the safety and quality of patient care and improving the effectiveness of care teams are some of the goals of TCAB. The outcome of using TCAB was assessed using baseline data. The design of a computer-based report template was led by a nurse on the core team. Among the advantages of the electronic report are timely process and cost savings.

The article recounts the history of Cologne, Texas from its establishment after the U.S. Civil War to its decline in the 20th century. Details are given relating how it was established after the war by the former slaves Joseph Smith and George Washington. It narrates how they opened a freight and passenger business and the centrality of freed slaves to its community identity. Discussion is also given to the emigration out of the area in the mid-1900s and its final disappearance.

The adult, sacoglossan sea slug, Elysia clarki (Pierce et al. in Molluscan Res 26, ), sequesters functional chloroplasts in cells of the digestive diverticula from four species of macroalgae in the order Bryopsidales ( Penicillus capitatus, Penicillus lamourouxii, Halimeda incrassata, and Halimeda monile). Feeding experiments were conducted in December, 2003, using individuals raised in the laboratory from egg masses laid by E. clarki adults which had been collected from Grassy Key, Florida, USA, and 29 species of macroalgae collected from the Florida Keys, Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs, Florida, or Woods Hole, Massachusetts or obtained from the Culture Collection of Algae at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas . For the first 14-day post-metamorphosis, juveniles ate only the thin filamentous species, Bryopsis plumosa or Derbesia tenuissima. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the chloroplasts from both algae were sequestered intracellularly in juvenile slugs. Individuals offered any other macroalga, including the four species fed on by adults, did not feed on or incorporate any chloroplasts, and soon died. Juveniles switched from B. plumosa to P. capitatus at a length of ∼ 1.0 cm, and fixed for microscopy 14 days later had intact intracellular chloroplasts from both algae. Nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast gene, rbcL, from DNA extracted from E. clarki, collected from Vaca Key, Florida, were aligned with 22 other available macroalgal rbcL sequences indicating that these E. clarki adults had fed on three species of algae in the Bryopsidales including Bryopsis pennata, and TEM results partially confirmed this conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 10% of U.S. children are reported as being sexually abused each year. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which Texas non-public schools provided child sexual abuse prevention (CSAP) programs. Questionnaires were sent to all non-public K-schools (K-12) in Texas. Data were obtained from 177 schools. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for each survey question to determine the extent of CSAP programs. Program effectiveness also was assessed. Only 24% of the respondents reported using a student-based prevention program. Family involvement, CSAP training for faculty and staff and program evaluation were minimal. Further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinos have the highest US childhood uninsurance rate of any race/ethnicity, but little is known about effective ways to eliminate this disparity. We evaluated the effects of parent mentors--Latino parents with children covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program--on insuring Latino children in a randomized, controlled, community-based trial of 155 uninsured children conducted in the period 2011-15. Parent mentors were trained to assist families in getting insurance coverage, accessing health care, and addressing social determinants of health. We found that parent mentors were more effective than traditional methods in insuring children (95 percent versus 69 percent), achieving faster coverage and greater parental satisfaction, reducing unmet health care needs, providing children with primary care providers, and improving the quality of well-child and subspecialty care. Children in the parent-mentor group had higher quality of overall and specialty care, lower out-of-pocket spending, and higher rates of coverage two years after the end of the intervention (100 percent versus 70 percent). Parent mentors are highly effective in insuring uninsured Latino children and eliminating disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]