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Systemic and ocular associations of Keratoconus
No full textIntroductionKeratoconus (KC) is the most prevalent corneal ectasia in the world, and its pathogenesis is influenced by both ocular and systemic factors. This review explores the multifaceted associations between keratoconus and systemic health conditions, ocular characteristics, and various other environmental/exogenous factors, aiming to illuminate how these relationships influence the pathophysiology of the disease.Areas CoveredThis review will summarize the fundamental attributes of KC, review and discuss the systemic and ocular association of KC including molecular biomarkers, and provide an organized overview of the parallel alterations occurring within various biological pathways in KC.Expert OpinionDespite the substantial volume of research on keratoconus, the precise etiology of the disease remains elusive. Further studies are necessary to deepen our understanding of this intricate disorder and improve its management
The Asian American Dilemma in DEI: Finding Space in the Diversity Debates
No full textDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion, better known as DEI, has transformed higher education. Since its inception in the 1960s, DEI has experienced a series of highs and lows. In response to racial justice activism that emerged in 2020, DEI initiatives started to gain more traction. However, several new challenges threaten the future of DEI. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling striking down the use of affirmative action in admissions, the conservative backlash against Critical Race Theory, and the increase in racially targeted violence have slowed the momentum of DEI initiatives across the country. In addition, certain groups, like Asian Americans, face a unique dilemma in the diversity debates as racial and ethnic minorities that are considered overrepresented in higher education. This essay examines where Asian Americans fit in the diversity debates today and explores what the situation looks like for Asian Americans in higher education when DEI is under attack. It concludes by offering suggestions for making Asian Americans more visible and what institutions should be doing to enhance wellness for minorities on campus
Impact of Physical Therapy following Posterior Spinal Fusion: Assessment of Return to Activity and Level of Play
No full textResearch Question: In a cohort of patients ages 10-18 who undergo posterior spinal fusion (PSF), does participation in physical therapy (PT) lead to faster return to prior level of play, increased psychological readiness, and decreased back pain?Background and Significance: Scoliosis, or abnormal curvature of the spine, affects 2-3% of the United States population. Scoliosis can affect adolescents who want to participate in physical activity or their sport of choice. However, posterior spinal fusion (PSF) surgery, the most common surgery type for scoliosis patients, has a prolonged recovery time in comparison to other common adolescent orthopedic injuries. Furthermore, the intervention of physical therapy in the post-operative period and the effect on the timeline of return to sport has not been studies after PSF.Materials and Methods: To answer this question, I prospectively enrolled all patients undergoing PSF surgery who meet the following criteria: between the ages of 10-18, involved in any level of physical activity, prescribed physical therapy as a post-operative recovery intervention, and have undergone PSF surgery at Cook Children¿s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Once determined as eligible, each potential study participant was administered several surveys (SRS 22, SRS 30, VAS, Psychological readiness scale and an additional functional sports outcome) pre-operatively, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months following the surgery.Results: Preliminary results show that adolescents return to the same or higher levels of play with decreased back pain by 1 year following surgery. PT has proven benefits to increase strength, improve range of motion, and decrease back pain following various injuries and procedures and with further data collection, expect this study to influence recommendations for participation in physical therapy after posterior spinal fusion.Conclusion: Although the question of participation in physical therapy (PT) following PSF was not answerable with our current data set, its value in rehabilitation has been proven. This study can help to inform current guidelines on when adolescents who undergo PSF can expect to return to a similar or higher level of activities as compared to pre-surgery capabilities
How New Technology in Sports Impacts Fan Engagement
No full textThe integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, collectively referred to as Extended Reality (XR), has gained significant traction in the sports industry. This research investigates the impact of XR on sports fan engagement, with a particular focus on how these technologies influence different generational cohorts. A conceptual model is proposed, suggesting that Generation Z individuals exhibit stronger identification with sports teams compared to older generations. This enhanced loyalty, leads to the hypothesis that they perceive greater enhancement of their sports experience through XR technologies. Consequently, XR interventions may incentivize Gen Z's attendance at live games by providing immersive and interactive experiences. To test this conceptual model, a quantitative survey was conducted with 218 respondents across various age groups. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between Gen Z individuals, sports team identification, and perceived enhancement through XR experiences. Furthermore, an indirect effect was observed, wherein Gen Z's stronger team identification and perceived enhancement through XR indirectly influenced their willingness to attend physical sports games with XR features.
The study contributes empirical evidence to the growing field of XR research in sports and offers theoretical insights by building upon the literature on sports team identification. It provides practical implications for stakeholders in the sports industry, including teams, leagues, broadcasters, and marketers, by examining the current landscape of XR advancements and their integration within the realm of sports consumption. Limitations of the study and avenues for future research are addressed, highlighting the need for continued exploration into the complex interplay between technology, generational trends, and sports fandom
Anti-Virulence As A New Antibiotic Class: Searching For Novel Virulence Factors In B. Anthracis Through H2O2 Screening
No full textB. anthracis is a gram-positive, spore-forming bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of the deadly disease, anthrax. This pathogen produces a lethal infection due to the potency of its virulence factors in inflicting harm upon and counteracting host defenses. While anthrax toxin and capsule encoded in the B. anthracis plasmids are well-studied, there is minimal research into the over 5,000 chromosomal genes. To identify potential chromosomal virulence factors, a transposon mutant library was created to randomly disrupt genes in the B. anthracis Sterne strain?s chromosome. This library has been previously used to successfully screen for loss of virulence-associated phenotypes. In our current screen, we examined attenuation of mutants exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the form of H2O2. ROS are released by innate immune response cells and destroy invading pathogens lacking adequate defense mechanisms. While there are some known antioxidant-encoding genes in B. anthracis, like the catalase gene, we predict there are others that may influence the bacteria?s susceptibility to ROS. To search for additional genes, we screened over 1,300 transposon mutants using H2O2 and selected mutants with growth attenuation compared to wild-type B. anthracis Sterne. Mutants with increased H2O2 susceptibility were further tested to confirm in-vitro phenotypes. Ultimately, we want to screen selected mutants in the G. mellonella invertebrate infection models to prioritize mutants with both in-vitro and in-vivo phenotypes. Our goal is to discover novel virulence factors while also developing validated methods and procedures to study B. anthracis pathogenesis
Anxiety and Depression Among Different Races with Chronic Conditions in the US Prior to and During COVID-19
No full textResearch Question: Did different racial/ethnic groups with chronic conditions in the United States experience anxiety and depression differently during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to pre-COVID?Background and Significance: There is no doubt that COVID affected many peoples¿ lives drastically. There is plenty of research that illustrates how COVID affected people¿s anxiety and depression levels. However, research is lacking when it comes to those who suffer from chronic diseases. People who suffer from chronic diseases not only might have been at higher risk for adverse COVID outcomes but were also those who may have lost access to certain medical care. This study will evaluate how anxiety and depression levels changed in those patients with chronic diseases pre-COVID compared to post COVID. It will also evaluate how COVID affected anxiety and depression levels in those with chronic diseases compared to people who have no chronic diseases.Materials and Methods: We conducted an analysis of the Health Information National Trend Surveys 5 (HINTS 5) Cycle 4 data. The survey administration time was categorized into pre-COVID-19 (before March 11, 2020, weighted N = 77,501,549) and during COVID-19 (on and after March 11, 2020, weighted N = 37,222,019) periods. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and a comparison was made between the two periods. To assess the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with anxiety/depression, separate multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. These analyses were adjusted for variables such as age, sex, insurance, income, and education.Results: During the COVID-19 period, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic whites (NHW) with chronic conditions reported experiencing anxiety (24.3% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.0021) and depression (20.7% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.0034) compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. After adjusting for relevant factors, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for anxiety and depression among NHWs with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic was 2.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.10¿3.73, p = 0.025) and 2.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.17¿4.65, p = 0.018), respectively, when compared to NHWs surveyed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression increased among non-Hispanic white (NHW) adults with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there was no similar association observed among people of color
Formative Evaluation of CLABSI Adoption and Sustainment Interventions in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
No full textBackground: Pediatric patients require central venous catheters to maintain adequate hydration, nutritional status, and delivery of life-saving medications in the pediatric intensive care unit. Although central venous catheters provide critical medical therapies, their use increases the risk of severe infection, morbidity, and mortality. Adopting an evidence-based central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) bundle to guide nursing practice can decrease and sustain low CLABSI rates, but reliable and consistent implementation is challenging. This study aimed to conduct a mixed-methods formative evaluation to explore CLABSI bundle implementation strategies in a PICU.Methods:The team used The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to develop the interview guide and data analysis plan.Results:Facilitators and barriers for the CLABSI bundle occurred in four domains: inner setting, process, characteristics of individuals, and innovation characteristics in each cycle that led to recommended implementation strategy opportunities. The champion role was a major implementation strategy that facilitated the adoption and sustainment of the CLABSI bundle.Conclusions:Implementation Science Frameworks, such as Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), can be a beneficial framework to guide quality improvement efforts for evidence-based practices such as the CLABSI bundle. Using a champion role in the critical care setting may be an important implementation strategy for CLABSI bundle adoption and sustainment efforts
Zinc oxide nanoparticles mediate bacterial toxicity in Mueller-Hinton Broth via Zn2+
No full textAs antibiotic resistance increases and antibiotic development dwindles, new antimicrobial agents are needed. Recent advances in nanoscale engineering have increased interest in metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly zinc oxide nanoparticles, as antimicrobial agents. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are promising due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low production cost. Despite many studies demonstrating the effectiveness of zinc oxide nanoparticles, the antibacterial mechanism is still unknown. Previous work has implicated the role of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide, physical damage of the cell envelope, and/or release of toxic Zn2+ ions as possible mechanisms of action. To evaluate the role of these proposed methods, we assessed the susceptibility of S. aureus mutant strains, Delta katA and Delta mprF, to zinc oxide nanoparticles of approximately 50 nm in size. These assays demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide and electrostatic interactions are not crucial for mediating zinc oxide nanoparticle toxicity. Instead, we found that Zn2+ accumulates in Mueller-Hinton Broth over time and that removal of Zn2+ through chelation reverses this toxicity. Furthermore, we found that the physical separation of zinc oxide nanoparticles and bacterial cells using a semi-permeable membrane still allows for growth inhibition. We concluded that soluble Zn2+ is the primary mechanism by which zinc oxide nanoparticles mediate toxicity in Mueller-Hinton Broth. Future work investigating how factors such as particle morphology (e.g., size, polarity, surface defects) and media contribute to Zn2+ dissolution could allow for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles that possess chemical and morphological properties best suited for antibacterial efficacy
Contributing Factors to Food Insecurity for Older Adults Living in Tarrant County
No full textIn 2022, 9.1% of households with adults aged 65 or older were food insecure at some point during the year. A cross sectional descriptive design study evaluated current factors contributing to food insecurity (FI) among older adults living in vulnerable areas in Tarrant County, Texas. Research sites were identified using demographic information collected from US Census Bureau public data repositories and included household income, percent with a disability, percent without a car, age >65 years, percent >65 years with a disability, and percent >65 years in poverty. Meals On Wheels (MOW) of Tarrant County administration identified three at- risk community sites, which were Southside Community Center in Fort Worth (site 1), Bedford YMCA in Bedford (site 2), and Magnolia Apartments in Arlington (site 3). Following IRB approval, researchers interviewed 48 older adults at these sites. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo, respectively. Participants were 74.1+/-7.7 years of age with a range of 61-93 years. Over 83% (n=40) were female, while 16.7% (n=8) were male. Participants were 58.3% (n=28) White, 33.3% (n=16) Black/African American, and 6.3% (n=3) Asian. Over 29% (n=14) of participants identified as Hispanic. Participants (36.2%, n=17) agreed that ?Most older people I know are able to afford enough food to eat? and (66.7%, n=32) reported causes of FI related to finances including low income, loss or lack of jobs, inflation, lack of or limited government assistance. Participants at sites 1 and 2 reported that raising awareness is most needed, while those at site 3 reported that food was most needed to help older adults with FI. Knowing FI causes and barriers to resources informs the development of tailored solutions to improve the quality of life for older adults in these areas
“I got my brownie points for God”: Sensemaking and identity performance of short-term missionaries
No full textThis study employs sensemaking theory, identity and identification literature, post-colonial theory, and critical theory to investigate the influence of short-term mission trips on long-term religious identity and identification. Findings suggest that organizationally curated short-term experiences, such as short-term missions (STMs), are an effective means for organizations to impose an organizational identity and promote positive identification among members during the experience. However, the results of this study propose the counterproductive nature of these short-term experiences on long-term organizational identity and identification, as participants are likely to de-identify with the organization and deconstruct their organizationally imposed identity as they retrospectively make sense of the experience