Effects of Ketogenic Diets on Autistic Symptoms of Female EL Mice

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a restricted carbohydrate, high fat and sufficient protein metabolic therapy that elevates ketones as an alternative fuel source, and that reduces seizures in persons with epilepsy which is often comorbid with autism. Autism is characterized by communication deficits, decreased sociability and repetitive behaviours. A restrictive KD reverses symptoms in the BTBR mouse model of autism but its severity is a factor in its clinical applicability. In a study with the EL mouse model of epilepsy and autism, sex-dependent effects were found where only females displayed the behavioural effects of the KD. In the current study, a strict and a milder KD were tested on female EL mice to compare their effects on behavior, blood chemistry and body weight. This study investigated if increased ketones and lowered blood glucose were necessary for behavioural improvement. In order to do so, female EL mice were fed either a standard rodent chow control diet, the restrictive KD or the moderate KD from five weeks of age. At eight weeks of age, behavioral testing, using the 3-chamber test which measures sociability and self-directed repetitive behaviour (grooming), were conducted in order to determine whether autistic symptoms were still present. In addition, the social transmission of food preference test which measures sociability as well was carried out. Weight, blood glucose and ketone levels were also measured. The diets had very similar behavioural effects on the animals, increasing sociability and reducing repetitive behaviours. Interestingly, the moderate KD caused increased weight and did not lower blood glucose yet still improved autistic behaviours. This suggests that caloric restriction and lowered blood glucose may not be necessary for improved behaviours as had previously been thought. Also, a clinical strength KD may possibly be beneficial for autistic children and should be further studied

Elementary Retention: Elementary Educators' Perception and Experience

Over the last century and a half, grade retention, a controversial intervention, has been used as a strategy to improve academic achievement with at-risk students. This study sought to learn about educators’ perceptions of grade retention and how different variables affect faculty members decisions in the retention process. In addition, it sought to find interventions used with at-risk students throughout the academic process. The design used for this research was non-experimental using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The data collection instrument was an on-line survey created by the research team using SurveyMonkey. The quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed that elementary educators employed in Northern Indiana public schools supported the use of student grade retention. The findings were in disagreement with results of previous studies

EVALUATION OF THE NEW OPTION B+ PREGNANT MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION (PMTCT) PROGRAM FOR HIV INFECTED WOMEN AT HOSPITAL FACILITIES: CASE STUDY AT THE RAHIMA MOOSA MOTHER AND CHILD HOSPITAL, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.

Study Objective The objectives of this study are: (1) to explore the impact of the national consolidated guidelines for Option B+ PMTCT on the work of healthcare professionals at both clinical and management levels (including nurses, physicians and management) (2) to understand pregnant HIV-positive women views and experiences with ART for life, as a way to better manage the Option B+ PMTCT programme within state hospitals Research Questions The following research questions will be used to explore both perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients: 1.How have the national consolidated guidelines for Option B+ PMTCT affected the work of healthcare professionals? 2.What are pregnant HIV-positive women’s views and experiences about going on lifetime treatment with ARVs?ABSTRACT Background. South Africa’s National Department of Health has adopted World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2013 consolidated guidelines on the use of ARVs for treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The guidelines include changes for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) through Option B+. Option B+ aims to reduce the HIV prevalence rate amongst these women by placing them on ART for life, no matter their CD4 count. As a result, in January 2015, these guidelines were implemented for the PMTCT programme at RMMCH. Little is known about the impact of these new guidelines on the work of healthcare professionals in state hospitals. Most importantly, no research has focused on how these changes have affected adherence for the patients. Purpose. The purpose of this research project is (1) to explore the impact of the Option B+ PMTCT programme on the work of healthcare professionals, and (2) to understand pregnant HIV-positive women views and experiences with ART for life, as a way to better manage the Option B+ PMTCT programme. Methods. A qualitative study design is used with a phenomenological approach. The methodology uses demographic questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals and patients. The study is situated in Johannesburg, South Africa. Findings. The findings demonstrate that work has changed and become difficult to manage for all healthcare professionals because of (1) the need for strengthening indicators for tracking to decrease loss to follow-up (LTFU); (2) inconsistency in delivery of counseling and support services and the need for communication across clinical departments; and (3) the lack of compassion and understanding by service providers. The difficult healthcare environment has affected overall views and experiences of pregnant HIV-positive women going on ART for life. All 55 patient participants responded that they chose to take the fixed-dose combination (FDC) for life to protect the health of the baby and felt ART for life can be stopped after giving birth. Conclusion. Implications for future research include the need to address changes within the healthcare system at both clinical and management levels. It is crucial to incorporate the perspective of patients in policy implementation; uptake and adherence are key indicators in informing whether the Option B+ PMTCT programme is being adapted into state hospitals effectively. There needs to be extensive research on how to strengthen indicators for long term scalability and sustainability of the programme. Future evaluations need to address, will interdisciplinary collaboration within hospitals improve the management and understanding of Option B+?ThesisMaster of Science (MSc

NASA, Boeing, and Defense Activities: For the Use of Geopolymers for Space Construction

Good day readers. And with the rate at which our planet earth is being destroyed due to climate change and other catastrophe. That has created serious peril. Food shortages would soon be manifested. So it is wise for us being homosapiens occupy other places to live. And for this to be successful materials would play a significant role for housing us. One of which are Geopolymers

Pioneers against Stigma: Access to Family Planning in the Caribbean

In the English-speaking Caribbean, internationally-funded local NGOs pioneered the introduction of family planning, a game-changer in women’s empowerment, ensuring access to women who cannot afford private physicians. These NGOs faced social controversy and cleared the space for governments to introduce the service in primary care clinics. As governments have cautiously stepped into this space, Family Planning Associations have lost clientele and not benefitted from significant government contributions. After 50 years, they remain fragile and dependent on foreign funds. They have been buffeted by the winds of the US Gag Rule, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the drive from IPPF to provide more comprehensive services, including abortion. Small size and stigma are obstacles to attracting high quality board members, and grant reductions make staff salaries unattractive to skilled professionals. The purpose of the paper is to explore the history, growth, gender bias, and the struggles for sustainability among family planning associations across the Caribbean region

Understanding patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy in two South African districts.

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage is South Africa’s biggest obstacle to 90-90-90 achievement. Many people living with HIV who are not on ART have started but experienced interrupted treatment. A major programmatic challenge is how to return them to care. We aim to describe patients reinitiating ART in two districts to inform these efforts. As part of evaluating a campaign to return patients to care (Welcome Back Campaign), we asked lay counsellors to collect data on all patients reinitiating ART. Data collection started in August 2021 and we report data through September 2021 for two districts, one metropolitan and one district municipality. Two hundred and seventeen forms were completed, 120 from Cape Town and 97 from Sedibeng. Fifty-eight percent (n = 126) of reinitiating patients were women. Thirty-two percent (n = 68) had interrupted treatment for three months or less, while 40% (n = 85) had interrupted treatment for more than 12 months. The commonest reported reason for interruption in Cape Town was relocation or mobility (27%; n = 32), followed by difficulty getting time off work (15%; n = 17) and disclosure issues (9%; n = 11). In Sedibeng the top reasons were difficulty getting time off work (21%; n = 20), relocation (18%; n = 17) and long waiting times (12%; n = 12). Women were more likely to report disclosure issues and being scared to come back to the clinic as a reason for interrupting, while men were more likely to cite staff attitude. Reasons for returning to care included worry about being off ART (38%; n = 82), feeling sick (15%; n = 34) and tracing (12%; n = 27). Men were more likely to report illness and improved accessibility as a reason for seeking care, while women were more likely to report media messaging. It is critical that health services are supportive of patients reinitiating ART after interruptions, and that more enabling systems for patients moving between clinics are developed. Nudges should be developed to encourage people already worried about having interrupted treatment to reinitiate it

Workplace wellbeing among health care workers providing HIV services in primary care in Johannesburg: a mixed methods study

BackgroundBurnout among Health Care workers (HCWs) impacts on provider-patient relations and quality of care. Anova Health Institute (Anova) is a large South African non-profit organization and PEPFAR/USAID implementing partner. We conducted a study among HCWs providing HIV-related services in primary care settings in Johannesburg, South Africa, to examine levels of burnout, understand factors affecting workplace wellbeing, and explore strategies to prevent burnout.MethodsWe used a sequential mixed-method approach. Data were collected between February and April 2022. The first phase consisted of a survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to measure levels of burnout. We then interviewed a subset of survey participants to understand the experiences that may affect wellbeing. We used descriptive statistics to quantify burnout rates for each MBI dimension (emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization). Qualitative data analysis was guided by the Job Demands-Resources Framework that explores the interactions between demands and resources in the workplace.ResultsSurvey findings (n = 194) revealed that although depersonalization rates were low at 6%, 21% of participants had high emotional exhaustion and 24% reported low professional accomplishment. Less than half (41%, n = 80) had scores in the high category for any one of the three MBI-HSS dimensions. The MBI-HSS dimensions differed significantly by type of work and job title. Roving positions (HCW working in more than one health facility) were more likely to experience higher emotional exhaustion and lower professional accomplishment. Qualitative findings (n = 25) indicate that a number of job demands, including high workload, inadequate mental health support, and challenging relationships with stakeholders, had a negative effect on HCWs’ wellbeing. However, finding meaningfulness in their work, working as a team, and practicing autonomy were experienced as resources that reduced the negative effect of these demands.ConclusionWhile measured burnout syndrome rates were low, various experiences negatively impacted at least one in five HCW. We identified key resources that provided buffering against workplace stressors. We recommend that as well as addressing key drivers of burnout, access to these resources should be fostered, for example by strengthening interventions that offer recognition, and promoting team interactions through social activities and support groups

Families living with psychosis:a comparison of British white and Afro-Caribbean relatives

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