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The Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on the Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
No full textConsumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) like aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and steviol glycosides has dramatically increased over the past few decades. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each NNS, which is the amount that is safe for consumption, has been established by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is believed this daily amount does not increase the risk for cancer or other health-related ailments. However, the impact of NNS on the gut microbiome is still inconclusive and studies in humans are lacking. The limited number of studies performed in animals, in vitro and in vivo, as well as humans have suggested that gut microbiome dysbiosis can potentially increase risk for diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of NNS consumption on the diversity of the gut microbiome in healthy humans. A literature search of Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Viterbo University's Todd Wehr Memorial Library online databases yielded four studies including 130 total participants reporting the impact of aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and stevia consumption on the alpha diversity, as measured by the Shannon Index, of the gut microbiome. No overall changes or statistically significant differences were observed in alpha diversity between the intervention and controls. The results of this meta-analysis warrant further research on this topic
Exploring the Development of Counseling Self-efficacy Among Chinese Counselors and Counselor Trainees
No full textThe purpose of this dissertation is to explore the development of counseling self-efficacy among Chinese counselors and counselor trainees. Utilizing the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES), this study investigates the perceptions and influences of various factors such as current residence, education level, professional status, counseling experience, and supervisory experience on self-efficacy. Data were collected from 128 participants through a comprehensive survey administered via Qualtrics, ensuring diverse representation. The findings reveal significant predictors of counseling self-efficacy, providing insights into the professional development of counselors in China. This research aims to enhance counselor training programs and improve mental health services within the unique cultural context of China
Evaluating The Effects Of Dexmedetomidine on the Quality of Pediatric Recovery Post-Inhalation Anesthesia
No full textInhalation agents are one common way to deliver anesthesia to children since they are often induced via mask inhalation before venous access is obtained. Delirious behavior and agitated states during emergence and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are the primary drawbacks of inhalation agents. The use of dexmedetomidine, also known as Precedex, has been shown to decrease emergence agitation in pediatric patients, reduce opioid requirements, and incidences of PONV, allowing for a smoother transition out of anesthesia. Despite its growing use, the optimal dosing for intraoperative dexmedetomidine has not been determined in children. The aim of this quality improvement project is to determine if dexmedetomidine administration delays post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) times in local clinical practice. A retrospective chart review of 60 pediatric patients (dexmedetomidine or no dexmedetomidine) was completed. Thirty patients who did not receive dexmedetomidine in 2020, as compared to 30 patients who did receive dexmedetomidine in 2024. The dexmedetomidine group was separated into three subcategories: < 0.3 mcg/kg, 0.31-0.4 mcg/kg, and 0.41-0.5 mcg/kg. Comparison of the groups included pain scores, time in Phase I and Phase II recovery, and need for additional medication postoperatively. The overall findings indicated a decrease in the time to discharge for all age groups during Phases I and II recovery in the dexmedetomidine group. Fentanyl usage intraoperatively in both groups ranged from 1-2 mcg/kg, and the need for additional medication postoperatively was 8 patients in 2020 and 1 patient in 2024 for Phase I
Discovering Antibiotic Producers from Soil Bacteria
No full textNewly discovered bacteria in soil will inhibit growth of known bacteria therefore providing an extractable antibiotic
Telemedicine Compared to Traditional Office Visits for Orthopedic Postoperative Care
No full textThe use of telemedicine in orthopedic hand surgery postoperative care is limited since the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine visits compared to face-to-face visits while maintaining quality of care in an orthopedic surgery hand specialty department for low-risk postoperative surgery along with evaluating concerns prohibiting telemedicine utilization by staff. Themes from the literature regarded patient satisfaction with telemedicine visit and examination accuracy of the examination during the telemedicine visit with the provider. A quasi-experimental design was utilized for this study. Patients were divided into groups consisting of face-to-face or telemedicine visits and a modified Press-Ganey questionnaire was provided to patients at the preoperative and 2- and 6-week postoperative visits. Providers were provided with a 1-time survey. Twelve patients participated. Patient satisfaction results revealed visit type is related to visit purpose. For preoperative visits, patients preferred face-to-face (67%); 2-week postoperative visit patient preferred face-to-face (63%); and at 6 weeks postoperative, patients preferred telephone (50%). With all visit types, patients were "very satisfied" (94%) while one patient was "very not satisfied" (6%). Seven providers completed the survey with results revealing providers prefer face-to-face visits (100%). Providers were not satisfied (42.9%) when asked if they could provide quality care utilizing telemedicine and 57.1% do not utilize telemedicine visits. Metrics that contribute to patient satisfaction were maintained with telemedicine visits thus making telemedicine visits a valuable option for care. Survey results show that providers may be reluctant to perform telemedicine visits due to personal preferences
Does the Mediterranean Diet Affect Cardiometabolic Parameters?
No full textThe aim of this study is to investigate to what degree individuals choose to consume foods aligning with the Mediterranean diet and the impact it has on cardio-metabolic parameters, including lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, and body composition. By examining the relationship between dietary patterns and key health outcomes, this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health and metabolic function. The current study is a cross-sectional design of 10 participants aged 18-50 with a BMI of 18-40 kg/m2. Participants met once with the research investigator to evaluate BMI, fasting blood glucose, lipid panel, and body composition. This study also utilized a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess correlations between components of the Mediterranean diet and cardiometabolic parameters. We found: 1) the correlation of body fat percentage to dietary carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, folate, and riboflavin had no statistically significant relationships, but had strong R values; 2) the correlation of BMI to dietary saturated fats had no statistically significant relationship, but had a strong R value; and 3) the correlation of BMI to Folate also had no statistically significant relationship but did have a strong R value. Due to the lack of significant findings, further research is needed to investigate whether the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in terms of cardio-metabolic parameters are consistent across diverse populations, or if there are differences in the effectiveness of this dietary pattern based on race or ethnicity. Understanding these potential disparities could help tailor dietary recommendations to better meet the specific needs and health outcomes of different populations
Media's Impact on the Dietary Intake of Older Adult Women: A Qualitative Study
No full textAim: Older adult women are often a population that is understudied when it comes to nutrition and media. This study explored factor's influencing dietary intake among older adult women, specifically the media throughout their lifespan. Subjects and methods: Three focus groups were held with 4 primarily retired White females aged 65-74 years in a Midwest state. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Participants also completed an 8-item sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: All participants were not aware of nutrition education or received nutrition education through the public school system in which they attended. Many participants revealed that their parents were in control of their exposure to media and controlled their dietary intake in their adolescence. Meals were made by their parents, more specifically their mothers, and they ate them without question. Participants saw a high number of commercials regarding food and diets. It was common among participants to see messaging surrounding appearance, weight loss, and food in the media throughout their lives. Conclusion: By addressing the commonalities among women and their experiences around nutrition and the media in their lives, we can better equip health professionals to understand the complexities surrounding older adult women and nutrition
Exploring Factors That Influence Community Trust in Their Local School Districts
No full textThis quantitative research study in the upper Midwest investigated the relationship between various factors, including communication, strategic planning, and academic achievement, and their impact on the perceived public school district trustworthiness of mid-sized districts. Contrary to initial hypotheses, the study found no significant correlation between these factors and trust levels. However, the research did reveal a complex interplay between perceived leadership ability and community trust. While high perceived leadership ability was associated with increased self-trust among administrators, it paradoxically led to a decrease in community trust. In addition, results showed that the development and implementation of a social media plan, while enhancing the perception of district leadership's benevolence and ability, conversely diminished community trust. These findings suggest that one cannot just look at how traditional measures of school performance, such as communication strategies, strategic planning implementation, and academic achievement, influence community trust in school districts. This study advocates for digging deeper, past the presence of these items in a district, to determine if the processes and procedures used in developing communication strategies and implementing a strategic planning process in a district play a role in influencing community trust in their local school district. Further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons for the discrepancies found and to identify effective strategies for building and maintaining trust in educational institutions
How Can Technical Colleges Use Trauma-Informed Care to Foster Servant Leadership?
No full textThis research centers around the definitions and applications of trauma and trauma-informed care with college students. The research also applies suggestions for practice with students, how it applies to larger communities, and the implications of servant leadership. Research was conducted using a wide-variety of books, articles, videos, and conversations. Findings concluded that technical college students who have experienced trauma/ are currently experiencing it, will benefit from practices that center around the trauma- informed principles. However, given the lack of research amongst this population of students, more research is needed to better understand proper practices and outcomes for technical college students experiencing the effects
of trauma