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Purpose: The aims of the study were to bring in healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, provide cardiac health promotion information, and build a community-based partnership with a rural community in West Alabama by soliciting members of the community to participate in and attend a play on cardiovascular health promotion. Sample: The sample population was mostly older African American community members from a non-incorporated, rural area along with individuals from surrounding communities in an Alabama Black Belt county. Through community collaboration, 67 persons were recruited to participate as actors via reading a script and (n =13) and all remaining persons were audience members for the community play (n = 54). Method: This study utilized a community-based participatory research approach with a qualitative, descriptive research design. The Farmers Theater Toolkit, which utilizes a readers theater technique was used to bring cardiovascular health promotion information to a rural community setting. Findings: The majority of audience participants either strongly or somewhat agreed that what they learned from the community play would help them make better food choices (96.3%). Conclusion: Utilizing the Farmers Theater Toolkit in a rural community was an innovative, fun way to share health promotion information. The citizens of this community were very welcoming to the researcher and were excited to partner with an academic institution. Health promotion education may reduce health risk behaviors such as unhealthy food choices. This type of intervention may serve as an impetus to making better food choices. Keywords: rural community, theater, health eating, health promotion DOI: https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v22i1.696

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) can develop into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), however, the factors which determine how this occurs are unknown. Here, the authors illustrate the role of PPARδ in the upregulation of CCL2, resulting in an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and driving the progression of PanIN to PDAC.

Abstract Background Bronchiectasis in children is an important, but under-researched, chronic pulmonary disorder that has negative impacts on health-related quality of life. Despite this, it does not receive the same attention as other chronic pulmonary conditions in children such as cystic fibrosis. We measured health resource use and health-related quality of life over a 12-month period in children with bronchiectasis. Methods We undertook a prospective cohort study of 85 children aged

In this study, a two-prong strategy was devised to reduce fat-uptake in deep-fat fried fish by developing a low cost, sustainable and product-friendly edible coating using fish processing by-products and replacement of corn starch in batter with sweet potato starch. Edible coatings (protein concentrations of 0, 5%, 10%, and 15%) were prepared from fish protein isolates using isoelectric solubilization and precipitation. Coating with 15% protein and sweet potato starch-based batter resulted in the highest reduction of fat-uptake and moisture loss of fried fish by 85% and 8.21%, respectively. Coated samples had lower L* values. However, samples with sweet potato starch-based batter had better textural properties. The results of this study suggest that edible coating in combination with a batter containing sweet potato starch could be useful in reducing the fat-uptake reduction and improve the physicochemical properties of the fried fish.

The recent push for more authentic teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics indicates a shared agreement that undergraduates require greater exposure to professional practices. There is considerable variation, however, in how "authentic" science education is defined. In this paper we present our definition of authenticity as it applies to an "authentic" large-scale undergraduate research experience (ALURE); we also look to the literature and the student voice for alternate perceptions around this concept. A metareview of science education literature confirmed the inconsistency in definitions and application of the notion of authentic science education. An exploration of how authenticity was explained in 604 reflections from ALURE and traditional laboratory students revealed contrasting and surprising notions and experiences of authenticity. We consider the student experience in terms of alignment with 1) the intent of our designed curriculum and 2) the literature definitions of authentic science education. These findings contribute to the conversation surrounding authenticity in science education. They suggest two things: 1) educational experiences can have significant authenticity for the participants, even when there is no purposeful design for authentic practice, and 2) the continuing discussion of and design for authenticity in UREs may be redundant.

Background and Objective: Data on the predictors of chronic cough development in young children are scarce. Our primary objective was to examine the factors associated with young children developing a chronic cough, with a focus on childcare attendance.Methods: A secondary analysis of data collected in a prospective cohort study of children presenting to three emergency departments and three primary healthcare centers in southeast Queensland, Australia. Eligible children where those aged

During the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as potential therapeutics, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) stands as an essential part of the process in identification and optimisation of candidate AMP. Standard methods for AST, developed almost 60 years ago for testing conventional antibiotics, are not necessarily fit for purpose when it comes to determining the susceptibility of microorganisms to AMP. Without careful consideration of the parameters comprising AST there is a risk of failing to identify novel antimicrobials at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is leading the planet toward a post-antibiotic era. More physiologically/clinically relevant AST will allow better determination of the preclinical activity of drug candidates and allow the identification of lead compounds. An important consideration is the efficacy of AMP in biological matrices replicating sites of infection, e.g., blood/plasma/serum, lung bronchiolar lavage fluid/sputum, urine, biofilms, etc., as this will likely be more predictive of clinical efficacy. Additionally, specific AST for different target microorganisms may help to better predict efficacy of AMP in specific infections. In this manuscript, we describe what we believe are the key considerations for AST of AMP and hope that this information can better guide the preclinical development of AMP toward becoming a new generation of urgently needed antimicrobials.

BackgroundEmerging data suggests a possible role for cysteamine as an adjunct treatment for pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF) that continue to be a major clinical challenge. There are no studies investigating the use of cysteamine in pulmonary exacerbations of CF. This exploratory randomized clinical trial was conducted to answer the question: In future pivotal trials of cysteamine as an adjunct treatment in pulmonary exacerbations of CF, which candidate cysteamine dosing regimens should be tested and which are the most appropriate, clinically meaningful outcome measures to employ as endpoints?Methods and findingsMulticentre double-blind randomized clinical trial. Adults experiencing a pulmonary exacerbation of CF being treated with standard care that included aminoglycoside therapy were randomized equally to a concomitant 14-day course of placebo, or one of 5 dosing regimens of cysteamine. Outcomes were recorded on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 and included sputum bacterial load and the patient reported outcome measures (PROMs): Chronic Respiratory Infection Symptom Score (CRISS), the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R); FEV1, blood leukocyte count, and inflammatory markers. Eighty nine participants in fifteen US and EU centres were randomized, 78 completed the 14-day treatment period. Cysteamine had no significant effect on sputum bacterial load, however technical difficulties limited interpretation. The most consistent findings were for cysteamine 450mg twice daily that had effects additional to that observed with placebo, with improved symptoms, CRISS additional 9.85 points (95% CI 0.02, 19.7) p = 0.05, reduced blood leukocyte count by 2.46x109 /l (95% CI 0.11, 4.80), p = 0.041 and reduced CRP by geometric mean 2.57 nmol/l (95% CI 0.15, 0.99), p = 0.049.ConclusionIn this exploratory study cysteamine appeared to be safe and well-tolerated. Future pivotal trials investigating the utility of cysteamine in pulmonary exacerbations of CF need to include the cysteamine 450mg doses and CRISS and blood leukocyte count as outcome measures.Clinical trial registrationNCT03000348; www.clinicaltrials.gov.

this study was premised on the observation that the construction and presentation of the self is a prominent feature of the life of every politician. That conbstruction of the self, is even more blatant with female politicians who in their political journeys have to contend with the turbulence of cultural beliefs that have led to politics being a male dominated vocation. Using the idea of persona, a concept that explains the presentation of the self and "masks" that people wear to construct themselves, this study explored the personas that Margaret Nasha adopted in order to overcome male chauvinism, cultural huddles, and struggle for women empowerment that were inherent in Botswana politics. Specifically, this paper explored the construction of the self by Margaret Nasha in order to identify what personas she negotiated and constructed , and how she deployed and employed those personas in her political engagements to be able to become: a Member of Parliament (MP), Assistant Minister, Minister, and finally the Speaker of the Botswana Parliament. Using Document Analysis and Semi-Structured Interviewing methods, this study has unearthed that Margaret Nasha adopted multiple personas that enabled her to navigate the rough, too demanding and male dominated political terrain. Those personas enabled her to become one of the most decorated female politicians in Botswana. This study has also established that Margaret Nasha benefitted immensely from the political personas that were espoused by her political counterparts, most predominantly her male political colleagues.

Abstract Background To evaluate immunisation coverage, timeliness and predictors of delayed receipt in urban Australian Indigenous children during the first 18 months of life. Methods Cross-sectional retrospective analysis of data collected from 140 Australian Indigenous children aged

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections with cough (ARIwC) contribute considerably to childhood morbidity, yet few studies have examined the cost of these illnesses among Australian children. Moreover, of the few studies that have, none are inclusive of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, despite this population experiencing a greater burden of respiratory illnesses. This study aimed to determine the costs of ARIwC among urban Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children from the perspective of caretakers, the public healthcare system, and employers.Methods: This cost of illness study used data collected from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged

Despite demonstrable need, men’s utilization of sexual and reproductive health services remains low. This low utilization may particularly affect low-income men, given the disproportionate prevalence of unintended pregnancy in low-income populations. Bolstering men’s utilization of sexual and reproductive health services requires understanding the services that are most relevant to them. Semistructured interviews about fatherhood, fertility intention, and contraceptive use were conducted with 58 low-income Black and White men in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis to determine common themes that were most relevant to the men interviewed. The primacy of financial stability emerged as a dominant theme in men’s perceptions of fatherhood readiness, successful fathering, and fertility intentions. However, men had children despite feeling financially unprepared, and their contraceptive use was not always congruent with their stated fertility intentions. Some men described financial services as a feature of family planning services that they would find useful. Because of the salience of financial stability in preparation for fatherhood, integrating financial counseling and job skills training into the context of sexual and reproductive health services could be a useful structural intervention to increase men’s use of family planning services and to provide them with the support they say they need as fathers.

Growing evidence has linked early trauma with severe psychiatric consequences. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a potentially debilitating mental health condition found among some youth in foster care and foster care alumni. However, the current child welfare practice response has not met the demands in both assessment and intervention. This critical review aims to use the evidence to reshape the child welfare response to trauma in children and adolescents. We begin with research on the psychiatric consequences of child maltreatment and issues related to diagnostic assessment for PTSD. Next, we compare major foster care/alumni studies showing considerably higher rates of PTSD among young foster care recipients and alumni than among nationally comparable groups. To inform practice on childhood trauma, we then summarize current evidence-based interventions showing effectiveness with PTSD. Finally, we address new dimensions, such as gene-environment research, posttraumatic growth, and implications for reshaping child welfare practice and foster care.

Little is known about the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult alumni of foster care and its demographic and contextual correlates. This is one of the first studies to report on racial/ethnic and gender differences and the influence of foster care experiences (i.e., revictimization during foster care, placement change rate, and placement in kinship care) on past year PTSD. Findings revealed significant gender disparities and a moderating influence of kinship care on the relationship between gender and PTSD, as well as increased risk associated with a history of emotional and sexual abuse. Recommendations are made for clinical and systemic intervention. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Learning is an important aspect of active ageing, yet older people are not often included in discussions of the issue. Older people vary in their need, desire, and ability to learn, and this is evident in the context of technology. The focus of the data analysis for this paper was on determining the place of learning and technology in active ageing. The paper describes results from 2,645 respondents aged from 50 to 74+ years, in Australia, to a 178-item variable postal survey. The survey measured aspects of learning; work; social, spiritual and emotional status; health; vision; home; life events; and demographics. There was also an open-ended question about being actively engaged in life. Ordinal regression analysis showed that interest in learning, keeping up to date, valuing communication, being younger, and being male are predictors of learning about technology. The results are at variance with an earlier analysis of our data which showed that women are generally more interested in learning. The open statements contained mentions of learning about technology for the purposes of communication, learning, family links, keeping up to date, enjoyment, staying mentally alert, and just using the computer. These results are discussed in terms of the subtle but important differences between needing and wanting to learn about technology and the opportunities for such learning by older people. A list of sample websites for seniors is appended. (Contains 3 tables and 1 footnote.)

Learning is an important aspect of aging productively. This paper describes results from 2645 respondents (aged from 50 to 74+ years) to a 165-variable postal survey in Australia. The focus is on learning and its relation to work; social, spiritual, and emotional status; health; vision; home; life events; and demographic details. Clustering analysis showed that learning and health were most important. The relationship between variables was then investigated using the Gamma test by age, and factor and regression analyses. Of the respondents, 6% discussed learning in the open statement on the questionnaire. Implications are drawn from the results for learning. (Contains 1 table.)

Graduate students in education at Ohio State University discuss benefits of a course "Essentials of Journal Editing" for illuminating aspects of the publishing process; results of an on-line survey about graduate students' experiences with scholarly publication; plans for an on-line student-developed journal in comparative education; and recommendations to improve student access to publishing information and opportunities. (SV)

This Australian study compared effects of relative-size magnification and relative-distance magnification on the reading rates of 24 adults with normal vision and 22 adults with low vision. For the subjects with low vision, the magnification method did not affect their reading rates, although subjects with normal vision showed slower reading at close distances (relative-distance magnification). (DB)

To create biomechanical models of five common coital positions, and evaluate the degree of contact and forces against the clitoris. To evaluate clitoral blood flow before and after engaging in these positions. Biomechanical models were rendered of a male and female pelvis in the following coital positions: face-to-face/female above, sitting/face-to-face, face-to-face/male above (with and without pillow), and kneeling/rear entry. The thrusting force and gravitational force were estimated for the pelvis(es) providing the main forces. The areas of contact between the pelvises were identified and highlighted. Sonography of the clitoris was performed before and after a healthy volunteer couple engaged in each position, using a Philips Lumify™ ultrasound (Koninklijke Philips N.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands) with a L12-4 linear array transducer (4–12 MHz). The biomechanical models for each position, with the exception of kneeling/rear entry, reveal a large amount of contact with the clitoris. Clitoral blood flow increased after engaging in each position except for kneeling/rear entry. Positions in which the gravitational force of the thrusting partner was in the same direction of (and thereby augmenting) the thrusting force resulted in intense clitoral blood flow (face-to-face/female above, and face-to-face/male above). Augmenting the face-to-face/male above position with a pillow generated a component of the male pelvic gravitational force in the direction of the clitoris; this resulted in more blood flow to all components of the cavernous body. From a biomechanical perspective, different coital positions vary in their potential to stimulate the clitoris. These positions lead to variable increases in clitoral blood flow, concordant with our biomechanical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A survey of the 12 major low vision clinics in Australia is reported, focusing on (1) patient characteristics; and (2) planning, organization, outreach, admission procedures, personnel, and services provided. Results showed that increased services were being provided to rural regions through satellite clinics or private optometric practices. (Author/JDD)

Purpose: The aims of the study were to bring in healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, provide cardiac health promotion information, and build a community-based partnership with a rural community in West Alabama by soliciting members of the community to participate in and attend a play on cardiovascular health promotion. Sample: The sample population was mostly older African American community members from a non-incorporated, rural area along with individuals from surrounding communities in an Alabama Black Belt county. Through community collaboration, 67 persons were recruited to participate as actors via reading a script and (n =13) and all remaining persons were audience members for the community play (n = 54). Method: This study utilized a community-based participatory research approach with a qualitative, descriptive research design. The Farmers Theater Toolkit, which utilizes a readers theater technique was used to bring cardiovascular health promotion information to a rural community setting. Findings: The majority of audience participants either strongly or somewhat agreed that what they learned from the community play would help them make better food choices (96.3%). Conclusion: Utilizing the Farmers Theater Toolkit in a rural community was an innovative, fun way to share health promotion information. The citizens of this community were very welcoming to the researcher and were excited to partner with an academic institution. Health promotion education may reduce health risk behaviors such as unhealthy food choices. This type of intervention may serve as an impetus to making better food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-arginine and its precursor and metabolite, l-citrulline, are two amino acids involved in the production of nitric oxide (NO). As a result, they increase blood flow and have been used to treat male sexual dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate whether a topical gel containing l-arginine and l-citrulline could increase blood flow to the clitoris. Sonography of the clitoris was performed on a healthy 32-year-old volunteer before and after applying the gel externally to the vulva. The "before" scans were obtained using a neutral ultrasound gel (without l-arginine or l-citrulline). This allowed us to verify that the observations were due to the active ingredients of the gel, and not from massage associated with its application. Control images without gel could not be obtained, since acquisition of ultrasound images requires ultrasound gel in order to reduce acoustic impedance. The scans were obtained with a Philips Lumify™ ultrasound (Koninklijke Philips N.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands) with a L12-4 linear array transducer (4–12 MHz). Clitoral blood flow was assessed qualitatively (color Doppler images), as well as quantitatively (peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and resistive index of the deep artery of the clitoris). Clitoral blood flow and velocities increased after application of the gel containing l-arginine and l-citrulline at the time points assessed (5 and 15 minutes). Difficulty achieving clitoral stimulation is a major cause of sexual dysfunction. Clinicians can use these findings to counsel patients about using gels to increase clitoral blood flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on professionals' interpersonal skills is reviewed as a basis for selecting material for inclusion in an optometry program. Specific recommendations are made about skills necessary for enhancing patient relationships, obtaining information from patients, and providing information to patients. (MSE)

Abstract Purpose This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Thai Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) instrument in menopausal Thai women with a history of breast cancer. Methods Two hundred and ninety women with a history of breast cancer who reported hot flashes completed the Thai MENQOL. Internal consistency reliability and item analysis were used to evaluate the reliability of the Thai MENQOL. Construct validity was evaluated by examining the correlations between the self-reported hot flash frequency and severity with the vasomotor MENQOL subscale (convergent validity); and assessed using exploratory factor analysis (structural validity). Results The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the MENQOL total scale was 0.86 and for the vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, sexual domains were 0.73, 0.78, 0.81, and 0.83, respectively. Self-reported frequency and severity of hot flashes were correlated significantly with the vasomotor subscale (r's ≥ 0.50, p's < 0.001). The single item "increased facial hair" was poorly correlated with most items (r = 0.13). Confirmatory factor analysis supported four factors explaining 42.35% of the total variance. Item-domain correlation analysis showed that all items correlated more strongly with their own domains than with other domains. Conclusions The Thai version of the MENQOL demonstrates good psychometric properties (internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and structural validity). We recommend removal of the single item, "increased facial hair" from the Thai version due to low correlations with most items. The Thai MENQOL can be used to measure menopause-related quality of life in Thai women with a history of breast cancer experiencing menopausal symptoms. Highlights • Provides evidence for the validity of the Thai Menopause Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). • Sets the stage for intervention research around menopause in Thai women now that a valid questionnaire is available. • The first study to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai MENQOL questionnaire in breast cancer women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health organisations and agencies in Botswana have in recent years robustly embarked on comprehensive campaigns for safe male circumcision. Noticeably aiming at promoting the health of males in Botswana, and that of females by extension, safe male circumcision messages revolved around the fact that male circumcision improves the hygiene of the penis and reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, the chances of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease infections, as well as the chances of getting cancer of the penis. To reach a large number of males with information about safe male circumcision, ambient communication was one of the methods that was used. Given that the concept of "ambient communication" was conceived and developed in Western cultural and communication environments, where the development of scientific knowledge about safe male circumcision first emerged, the objective of this study was to unearth whether or not the ambient communication method was used effectively and in ways that conformed with the socio-cultural contexts of males in Botswana and could potentially spark public engagements and communicative interactions. Using observation and semi-structured interview methods, the results showed that despite traces of sound strategic communication planning, the distribution of ambient advertising media was disproportionate and left many apposite public spaces unused. It is recommended that many more strategic local sites such as pubs, stores, bus bays, shelters at hitch-hiking spots, the sides and backs of cars and donkey carts, the outside of doors and many other local sites and non-places be used to spectacularly advertise messages about safe male circumcision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]