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Time spent in the outdoors has been proven to benefit individuals of all ages mentally and physically. For example, exposure to nature reduces stress levels, induces relaxation, and provides Vitamin D. Prior research has linked free play outdoors to helping elementary children focus better in the classroom, reducing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reducing the risk of nearsightedness, and producing happier, healthier children. As result of various legislative acts, school districts have felt more pressure to increase academic performance, oftentimes reducing or eliminating recess. This study extends prior research by focusing on parent, college student, and teacher perspectives on how important play, such as recess, is to them as a parent, student, and/or educator. The findings indicate that all of the focus groups perceive recess to be highly important for the many health, social, and behavioral benefits.

Time spent in the outdoors has been proven to benefit individuals of all ages mentally and physically. For example, exposure to nature reduces stress levels, induces relaxation, and provides Vitamin D. Prior research has linked free play outdoors to helping elementary children focus better in the classroom, reducing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, reducing the risk of nearsightedness, and producing happier, healthier children. As result of various legislative acts, school districts have felt more pressure to increase academic performance, oftentimes reducing or eliminating recess. This study extends prior research by focusing on parent, college student, and teacher perspectives on how important play, such as recess, is to them as a parent, student, and/or educator. The findings indicate that all of the focus groups perceive recess to be highly important for the many health, social, and behavioral benefits., Children are experiencing more rigorous academic requirements beginning as early as kindergarten. Standardized tests have become a mainstream focus for K-12 institutions, and the entry-level requirements for a 5-year-old starting [...]

Background: Parkinson's disease has been identified as a risk factor for severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. However, whether the significant high risk of death from COVID-19 in people with Parkinson's disease is specific to the disease itself or driven by other concomitant and known risk factors such as comorbidities, age, and frailty remains unclear. Objective: To investigate clinical profiles and outcomes of people with Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonian syndromes who tested positive for COVID-19 in the hospital setting in a multicentre UK-based study. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of Parkinson's disease patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test admitted to hospital between February 2020 and July 2021. An online survey was used to collect data from clinical care records, recording patient, Parkinson's disease and COVID-19 characteristics. Associations with time-to-mortality and severe outcomes were analysed using either the Cox proportional hazards model or logistic regression models, as appropriate. Results: Data from 552 admissions were collected: 365 (66%) male; median (inter-quartile range) age 80 (74–85) years. The 34-day all-cause mortality rate was 38.4%; male sex, increased age and frailty, Parkinson's dementia syndrome, requirement for respiratory support and no vaccination were associated with increased mortality risk. Community-acquired COVID-19 and co-morbid chronic neurological disorder were associated with increased odds of requiring respiratory support. Hospital-acquired COVID-19 and delirium were associated with requiring an increase in care level post-discharge. Conclusions: This first, multicentre, UK-based study on people with Parkinson's disease or atypical parkinsonian syndromes, hospitalised with COVID-19, adds and expands previous findings on clinical profiles and outcomes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine parameter combinations for effective drug delivery of intranasal spray steroids to the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) and maxillary sinus (MS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods: Each patient's sinonasal cavity was reconstructed from computed tomography scans. Intranasal airflow and drug particle transport were simulated using computational fluid dynamic modeling. Airflow simulations were performed at 15 Pascal inhalation pressure. Intranasal spray particles of 1–100 μm were simulated at release speeds of 1, 5, and 10 m/s from 6 release locations (Bottom, Center, Top, Lateral, Lateral‐Bottom, and Lateral‐Top) at a nozzle insertion depth of 15 mm. Drug delivery simulations were performed in the head tilted forward position. Results: Maximal OMC deposition was 0.78%–12.44%, while maximal MS deposition was 0.02%–1.03% across all simulations. In general, particles between 6 and 10 μm had the best OMC (at 1 m/s particle velocity) and MS (at 10 m/s particle velocity) deposition. Particles ranging from 21 to 30 μm also had superior OMC deposition. The lateral and lateral‐top spray release locations produced maximum OMC deposition, but no one release location demonstrated an increase in MS deposition. Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that it is challenging to determine a common set of intranasal spray parameter combinations for effective drug delivery to the OMC and MSs. Although drug particle size and spray particle velocity seem to impact particle deposition patterns, spray release location appears to vary with anatomical differences between subjects, particularly when the MS is the target location for particle deposition. Laryngoscope, 133:1036–1043, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though the United Nations has recognized that access to work is a fundamental human right, access to this right is commonly denied to persons with disabilities throughout the world. Their [...]