Search

Introduction: This study examines the postschool outcomes for youths with deafblindness, aged 18--30 years, in the areas of independent living, employment, and friendships. Methods: Survey data were collected on 80 youths with deafblindness across the United States. Data addressed postschool outcomes, in addition to youths' demographics and high school experiences. Results: The findings of this study suggest that very few youths were living independentlyor engaged in paid employment.Conversely, itwas reported that the vast majority of youths had friends, and most youths had five or more friendships. Associations between the youths' demographics, high school experiences, and postschooloutcomes showthat youths with higher skills in reading and problem-solving were more apt to have been educated in inclusive secondary education settings, had access to the general education curriculum, and to have experienced positive postschool outcomes. Transition planning for these youths was not significantly associated with their postschool outcomes. Discussion: These findings are consistent with trends in previous studies regarding postschool outcomes for youths with deafblindness. Future research is needed in formal transition planning and what additional factors may need to be better understood in providing opportunities in postschool life for youths with deafblindness. Implications for practice: Findings from this study suggest better inclusion efforts are needed for students with deafblindness in terms of associated opportunities and experiences that would prepare them for paid employment and independent living, along with social engagement and friendships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about a study that explores university-bound Lebanese students' motivation to learn English as a foreign language (EFL) in the U.S. The study respondents composed of 180 Lebanese students whose motivations to learn EFL were determined. Findings implicated that integrative motivation, effort, valence, expectancy, and self-estimation of the students' abilities were the internally related determinants for the learning while instrumental motivation was only related to integrative motivation and valence. Most of the female students are more motivated when compared to their male counterparts with this situation similarly occurring in level II and level III proficiency students.

Abstract: Background: The current research environment for academic surgeons demands that extramural funding be obtained. Financial support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is historically the gold standard for funding in the biomedical research community, with the R01 funding mechanism viewed as indicator of research independence. The NIH also supports a mentor-based career development mechanism (K-series awards) in order to support early-stage investigators. The goal of this study was to investigate the grants successfully awarded to pediatric surgeon-scientists and then determine the success of the K-series award recipients at achieving research independence. Methods: In July 2012, all current members of the American Pediatric Surgery Association (APSA) were queried in the NIH database from 1988–2012 through the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools. The following factors were analyzed: type of grant, institution, amount of funding, and funding institute or center. Results: Among current APSA members, there have been 83 independent investigators receiving grants, representing 13% of the current APSA membership, with 171 independent grants funded through various mechanisms. Six percent currently have active NIH funding, with $7.2 million distributed in 2012. There have been 28 K-series grants awarded. Of the recipients of expired K08 awards, 39% recipients were subsequently awarded an R01 grant. A total of 63% of these K-awarded investigators transitioned to an independent NIH award mechanism. Conclusions: Pediatric surgeon-scientists successfully compete for NIH funding. Our data suggest that although the K-series funding mechanism is not the only path to research independence, over half of the pediatric surgeons who receive a K-award are successful in the transition to independent investigator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapy for several malignant and non-malignant hematologic conditions. However, patients undergoing HSCT are at increased risk of developing serious cardiovascular events. Whether cardiovascular risks differ by the type of transplantation strategy used, allogeneic versus autologous HSCT, is unknown. Leveraging the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2019), we assessed the incidence of early cardiovascular events by HSCT mode (allogeneic vs autologous). The primary outcome was the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The secondary outcome was the occurrence of any major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as acute heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI), symptomatic atrial or ventricular arrhythmia or heart block, and cardiovascular death. Outcomes were compared between those undergoing allogeneic versus autologous HSCT. Multivariable regression, adjusting for cardiovascular and cancer-related factors, was used to define the association between pre-HSCT factors and MACE. We further assessed the effect of acute cardiovascular events on in-patient mortality by calculating adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and p-values. Overall, 64,705 weighted hospitalizations for HSCT were identified, of which 22,655 (35.0%) were allogeneic HSCT and 42,050 (65.0%) were autologous HSCT. The prevalence of AF was 9.1%, and 12.1% for any arrhythmia. In multivariable regression, allogeneic HSCT was associated with higher adjusted odds of peri-HSCT acute heart failure (aOR 2.64; 1.86-3.76; p < 0.0001), QT prolongation (aOR 1.40; 1.04-1.88; p = 0.025), MI (aOR 2.87; 1.16-7.11; p = 0.023), any major cardiovascular complication (aOR 1.16; 1.03-1.32; p = 0.016), and inpatient mortality (aOR 4.87; 3.60-6.58; p < 0.0001). Following cerebrovascular events, AF was the strongest predictor of mortality. Allogeneic HSCT was associated with higher odds of in-hospital cardiovascular complications among patients undergoing HSCT., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the growth rate of sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) and determine its relationship to adverse outcomes., Methods: A retrospective review of all pathology-confirmed isolated SCT patients evaluated with at least two documented ultrasounds and followed through hospital discharge between 2005 and 2012 was conducted. SCT growth rate was calculated as the difference between tumor volumes on a late- and early-gestation ultrasound divided by the difference in time. Outcomes were death, high-output cardiac failure (HOCF), hydrops, and preterm delivery. Student's t-test, receiver operator characteristics, Fisher's Exact test, and Pearson's correlation were performed., Results: Of the 28 study subjects, there were 3 in utero demises and 2 neonatal deaths. Significantly faster SCT growth rates were seen in all adverse outcomes, including death (p<0.0001), HOCF (p=0.005), and preterm delivery (p=0.009). There was a significant association with adverse outcomes at >61cm(3)/week (AUC=0.87, p=0.001, LR=4.52). Furthermore, there was an even greater association with death at >165cm(3)/week (AUC=0.93, p=0.003, LR=18.42). Growth rate was directly correlated with the percent of solid tumor (r=0.60, p=0.0008)., Conclusion: Faster SCT growth is associated with adverse outcomes. SCT growth rate determined by ultrasound is an effective prognostic indicator for adverse outcomes and easily applied to patient management., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Clerkship directors (CDs) are key educators and active clinicians. In 2003, the Alliance for Clinical Education published standards for CD resources and responsibilities, but how reality compares is unknown., Methods: Representatives from each core clinical disciplines' CD organizations created an electronic survey that CDs received in 2006-2007., Results: More than 500 CDs responded, including 71 surgeons. Surgeons reported spending approximately 27% of professional time on education. Most have codirectors, so total CD effort approximates the greater than 50% Alliance for Clinical Education guidelines. No disciplines' CDs have more than one support staff as recommended. Surgeons have the least clinic time, but the most inpatient weeks and many publications. Surgery CD concerns are curricula and simulation; few believe being a CD impairs academic advancement and more than 95% believe it enhances work satisfaction., Conclusions: Surgery CDs are clinically active and academically productive. Although few surgery CDs have the recommended support staff, more than 95% report being a CD enhances work satisfaction.