Still Scholarworks (A.T. Still University)
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Lipidomics of homeoviscous adaptation to low temperatures in Staphylococcus aureus utilizing exogenous straight-chain unsaturated fatty acids
No full textAbstract
It is well established that Staphylococcus aureus can incorporate exogenous straight-chain unsaturated fatty acids (SCUFAs) into membrane phospho- and glyco-lipids from various sources in supplemented culture media, and when growing in vivo in an infection. Given the enhancement of membrane fluidity when oleic acid (C18:1Δ9) is incorporated into lipids, we were prompted to examine the effect of medium supplementation with C18:1Δ9 on growth at low temperatures. C18:1Δ9 supported the growth of a cold-sensitive, branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA)-deficient mutant at 12°C. Interestingly, we found similar results in the BCFA-sufficient parental strain. We show that incorporation of C18:1Δ9 and its elongation product C20:1Δ9 into membrane lipids was required for growth stimulation and relied on a functional FakAB incorporation system. Lipidomics analysis of the phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diglycosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) lipid classes revealed major impacts of C18:1Δ9 and temperature on lipid species. Growth at 12°C in the presence of C18:1Δ9 also led to increased production of the carotenoid pigment staphyloxanthin; however, this was not an obligatory requirement for cold adaptation. Enhancement of growth by C18:1Δ9 is an example of homeoviscous adaptation to low temperatures utilizing an exogenous fatty acid. This may be significant in the growth of S. aureus at low temperatures in foods that commonly contain C18:1Δ9 and other SCUFAs in various forms
The Revisions of the First Autobiography of AT Still, the Founder of Osteopathy, as a Step towards Integration in the American Healthcare System: A Comparative and Historiographic Review
No full textIntroduction: Osteopathy was originally introduced in rural America in 1874 as a comprehensive therapeutic approach aimed at promoting health. This approach was distinct and often conflicting with conventional/allopathic therapeutic methods available at that time to fight disease. We argue that, in struggling to achieve recognition within the American healthcare system and within the educational academic field that was about to be structured, the American osteopathic profession tried to protect itself from the charges of sectarism by starting to embrace principles of the biomedical paradigm. Methods: A comparative and historiographic review of the second version of the autobiography of AT Still (1908), the founder of osteopathy, against the first (1897) was chosen as an example of the adaptation of the American osteopathic profession to its evolving academic environment. Results: Although there were only a few substantial variations, we argue that they aimed to dampen the non-biological components of osteopathy, namely, its philosophical, spiritual, religious, emotional, and Native American roots, in an effort to gain respect and recognition within the emerging gold standard of the Western medical system. The shift towards a distinct, fully integrated profession within regulated Western healthcare systems was perceived by many professionals as a threat to AT Still’s original ideas, and the trend started when he was alive. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a crucial conversation regarding the future of the professional identity must take place within the osteopathic community
Careers in Skull Base and Open Cerebrovascular Surgery: Factors Associated with Academic Job Placement
No full textIntroduction: Fellowship training has become increasingly sought after by neurosurgeons aiming for academic careers over the last two decades. This study assesses American Board of Neurological Surgeons board-certified neurosurgeons specializing in skull base or open cerebrovascular surgery between 2013 and 2023, focusing on identifying academic career predictors through demographic and academic outputs. Methods: The study utilized the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Neurosurgical Fellowship Training Program Directory to identify neurosurgeons certified from 2013 to 2023, gathering demographic details and academic productivity from Scopus. Results: Among 173 neurosurgeons, 87.86% were male, 36.36% were graduates from top 40 National Institutes of Health-funded medical schools, and 49.42% completed their residency in highly ranked departments. In univariate analysis, predictors for an academic career included publishing in the field before residency (p = 0.03054), a higher h-index before and after residency (p = 0.03976 and 0.0003101), and increased publication volume during and up to 3 years post-fellowship (2.284e-06). Multivariate analysis found that publication volume during and up to 3 years post-fellowship (odds ratio [OR] = 4.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.07-11.9, p = 0.0003) and basic science publications (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.05-5.49, p = 0.038) were the most significant predictors of academic career placement. Conclusion: The study underscores the strong link between the academic career success of neurosurgeons trained in skull base and open cerebrovascular surgery and their research productivity, particularly publication volume during key career stages and involvement in basic science research. This highlight sustained research activity as a critical determinant of academic career achievement, surpassing the influence of training institution prestige
Did Implementation of Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative Initiative Reduce the Post-Operative Infection Rate Elective Colorectal Surgery? A Community Hospital Experience
No full textCanine Animal Assisted Therapy: Educating OTP and Students
Get PDFCanine animal assisted therapy demonstrates health benefits throughout numerous populations and healthcare environments. Unfortunately, there is limited literature and resources available regarding how to utilize canine animal assisted therapy within the profession of occupational therapy. The capstone project proposed the following question due to the limited resources available: within the profession of occupational therapy, would an educational course on how to utilize an animal assisted therapy canine increase the knowledge, confidence, and interest of use within the profession? An educational workshop, Canines in Occupational Therapy, was developed throughout the 12-week capstone experience and administered on March 30th, 2024, at A.T. Still University, as well as online through Zoom. The project administered a voluntary pre- and post-survey prior to and after the completion of the workshop to measure occupational therapy practitioners and students’ growth in confidence, interest, and knowledge. Sixteen participants’ surveys went through a data analysis and found that all mean scores for knowledge and confidence increased, with p values of statistical significance. The participants’ interest mean change score decreased by 0.06 from pre- to post- workshop, which demonstrates a small change. These findings indicate after taking a 4-hour workshop, interest slightly decreased which would be assumed due to the workshop length. Overall, the educational workshop was successful and effective in increasing occupational therapists and students’ knowledge and confidence with canine animal assisted therapy within the profession
The Effect of the Safe and Sound Protocol on the Emotional Regulation of Children: The Caregiver Experience
Get PDFIntroduction: Emotional regulation is a complex process that develops throughout one\u27s lifetime. Emotional dysregulation can be due to an individual’s unbalanced physiological state leading the vagus nerve into a “fight or flight” mode (Auditory Processing Center, 2022). The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) targets the autonomic nervous system through filtered music to improve social-emotional functioning by bringing safety to the nervous system.
Methods: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of the SSP on emotional regulation in children through the caregivers perspective. Participants were chosen if their child had difficulties with emotional regulation. They completed a caregiver education session to learn about the SSP, how to implement it at home, and completed the pre assessments, goal attainment scaling (GAS), the pediatric symptom checklist (PSC) and brain body center sensory scale (BBCSS). The children completed the SSP at home with a phone call check-in. Post listening, the participants completed the PSC, BBCSS and the GAS. All the goals created for the GAS were grouped into eight common themes regarding emotional regulation. The data was analyzed to determine the change pre- and post -listening.
Results: The data collected for the PSC, BBCSS and GAS all showed change from pre to post listening. 19 participants completed pre and post PSC and BBCSS while 20 completed the GAS. The p-value shows statistical significance for PSC and GAS. The PSC mean score from pre to post was 2.85, BBCSS was 6.52 and GAS was 7.5100. Out of the eight themed goals, all but one showed change from pre to post listening.
Discussion: The results of the study showed change in emotional regulation after listening to the SSP. Occupational therapists may use the SSP as a way to regulate the nervous system to improve emotional regulation and allow children to better participate in therapy
Muslim Collegiate Student-Athletes\u27 Experience With Fasting During Ramadan While Participating in Sport
No full textContext: As colleges and universities continue to focus on creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments, it is important to gain more knowledge on the experiences that Muslim student-athletes have while fasting during the month of Ramadan. Although previous researchers have investigated the physical effects of fasting on the body, little is known about the challenges or support Muslim student-athletes experience while fasting and participating in sport during Ramadan. Objective: To explore the experiences of Muslim collegiate student-athletes regarding fasting during Ramadan while participating in sports. Design: Qualitative research study. Setting: Individual video interviews. Patients or Other Participants: Twelve Muslim collegiate student-athletes (4 women, 8 men; age ¼ 19.9 6 1.4 years) from 7 universities across 7 states were interviewed. Data Collection and Analysis: A semistructured interview guide consisting of questions pertaining to the Muslim student-athletes\u27 beliefs, challenges, experiences, and feelings was developed to gather perceptions of fasting during Ramadan while participating in sport. Data were analyzed by a multianalyst research team and coded into common themes and categories via a multiphase consensus process. Results: Four major themes emerged from the interview process: the significance of fasting and Ramadan (familial influence, religious belief, and introspection and spiritual growth), intrinsic challenges (physical challenges, mental and emotional challenges, and time constraints), extrinsic challenges (lack of available resources, knowledge and curiosity of others, and lack of understanding by others), and various types of support (sport-specific support, community support, and desired support) that affected athletes\u27 experiences with fasting during Ramadan while participating in sport. Conclusions: The athletic community should seek to better support Muslim student-athletes and respect the importance of fasting during Ramadan. Parties interested in the success of these athletes in sport should improve their understanding regarding Ramadan and the desired support of Muslim student-athletes during fasting
Inclusive Steps for Paving the Path for Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Athletic Training Research
No full textSurgical vs nonsurgical treatments in patients with anterior open-bite have similar effects in occlusal function: a 2-year follow-up study
No full textIntroduction This study aimed to investigate changes in bite force (BF) and occlusal contact area after anterior open-bite (AOB) treatment and compare the changes in surgical vs nonsurgical treatment. Methods This retrospective study included patients with AOB compared with normal occlusion. AOB was corrected by either intrusion of the maxillary molars (intrusion group, n = 19) or orthognathic surgery (surgery group, n = 37). The control group (n = 35) had a normal overbite relationship. Records of lateral cephalograms, BF, and occlusal contact area taken before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 2 years after (T2) orthodontic treatment were compared within and among the 3 groups. Results The open-bite group, including intrusion and surgery groups, had a lower BF and less occlusal contact area than the control group at T0 and T1 (P \u3c0.001). However, there were no significant differences among the 3 groups at T2 (P \u3e0.05). The intrusion and surgery groups showed no significant differences throughout the observation period extending from T0 to T2 (P \u3e0.05). Although BF and occlusal contact area decreased at T1 compared with T0, they increased during retention and showed higher values at T2 than at T0. Conclusions Treatment of AOB improved BF and occlusal contact area 2 years posttreatment. Orthognathic surgery and molar intrusion using orthodontic miniscrews can improve occlusal function similarly. Orthodontists can select either method depending on malocclusion severity and patient demand