Barriers to Full Participation in the Individualized Education Program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Parents

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) mandates that schools facilitate parent participation in planning the Individual Education Program (IEP). However, culturally and linguistically diverse parents are less likely to feel fully included in the IEP process. In this article we examine three sources of cross-cultural communication difficulties: verbal and non-verbal communication styles, bureaucratic procedures, and cultural assumptions about disability and intervention. We conclude by suggesting schools use an empathetic approach to improve communication in the IEP process

Antioxidant Activities of Curry Leaves (Murayya Koeniigi) and Salam Leaves (Eugenia Polyantha)

This study aimed to extract the active antioxidant compounds from curry leaves (Murayya koeniigi) and salam leaves (Eugenia polyantha) using three types of solvent; water, ethanol (50%) and hexane, and determine the total polyphenols contents, activity of free radicals scavenging using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing power of the extract of those materials. The result showed that curry leaves extracted using water contain a higher amount of polyphenols than other solvent extracts, while for the salam leaves, ethanol (50%) extracts give a higher polyphenol content than others. Total polyphenols extracts had a positive correlation with antioxidant activity in both DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing power. Extracts that contain a high amount of polyphenols also exhibit high antioxidant activity. The result indicated that the polarity level of the solvent will determine extraction result and its antioxidant activit

Roles of binding elements, FOXL2 domains, and interactions with cJUN and SMADs in regulation of FSHβ.

We previously identified FOXL2 as a critical component in FSHβ gene transcription. Here, we show that mice deficient in FOXL2 have lower levels of gonadotropin gene expression and fewer LH- and FSH-containing cells, but the same level of other pituitary hormones compared to wild-type littermates, highlighting a role of FOXL2 in the pituitary gonadotrope. Further, we investigate the function of FOXL2 in the gonadotrope cell and determine which domains of the FOXL2 protein are necessary for induction of FSHβ transcription. There is a stronger induction of FSHβ reporter transcription by truncated FOXL2 proteins, but no induction with the mutant lacking the forkhead domain. Specifically, FOXL2 plays a role in activin induction of FSHβ, functioning in concert with activin-induced SMAD proteins. Activin acts through multiple promoter elements to induce FSHβ expression, some of which bind FOXL2. Each of these FOXL2-binding sites is either juxtaposed or overlapping with a SMAD-binding element. We determined that FOXL2 and SMAD4 proteins form a higher order complex on the most proximal FOXL2 site. Surprisingly, two other sites important for activin induction bind neither SMADs nor FOXL2, suggesting additional factors at work. Furthermore, we show that FOXL2 plays a role in synergistic induction of FSHβ by GnRH and activin through interactions with the cJUN component of the AP1 complex that is necessary for GnRH responsiveness. Collectively, our results demonstrate the necessity of FOXL2 for proper FSH production in mice and implicate FOXL2 in integration of transcription factors at the level of the FSHβ promoter

Niveles de glucosa y triglicéridos en plasma seminal y motilidad espermática en COBAYOS alimentadas con 10% más en energÍa digestible

The objective the study was to determine the levels of glucose and triglycerides in seminal plasma of 10 guinea pigs, which were fed for a period of 2 months with a diet containing 10% more ED. The level of glucose found in seminal plasma was 11.59 ± 0.5 mg/dL and triglyceride value was 55.95 ± 3.2 mg/dL, while the motility was 97% on average. We conclude that in guinea pigs the levels both glucose and triglycerides were increased by major level of ED in feed, but the spermatic motility was not.El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar los niveles de los componentes energéticos (glucosa y triglicéridos) en el plasma seminal y la motilidad espermática de 10 cobayos, los cuales fueron alimentados por un período de 2 meses con una dieta 10% mayor en energía digestible (ED). El nivel de glucosa encontrado en plasma seminal fue de 11.59 ± 0.5 mg/dL y el valor de triglicéridos fue de 55.95 ± 3.2 mg/dL, mientras que la motilidad promedio fue de 95%. Concluimos que en cobayos los niveles de glucosa y triglicéridos se incrementan al aumentar el nivel de ED en dieta sin producir alteraciones en la motilidad espermática

Correlaciones entre la infección por microquistes de S. lamacanis y CK-MB, Ast y LDH alpacas

El presente estudio tuvo objetivo determinar la correlación entre el número de microquistes de S. lamacanis en miocardio (N°Mq) y los niveles en sangre de las enzimas CK-MB, AST y LDH en alpacas, a fin de usarlos como predictores de salud o grado de infección por sarcocystiosis. Se utilizaron 41 alpacas de 3-5 años de edad del matadero Municipal Ninacaca, Pasco-Perú, las muestras de sangre se colectaron ante-mortem y las de miocardio post-mortem. El 100 % de los animales presentaron microquistes de S. Lamacanis, y los coeficientes de correlación entre el N°Mq y CK-MB fue de 0.17, AST 0.04 y para LDH 0.06. Se concluye que la correlación es muy baja o casi nula, por lo que las enzimas evaluadas no tendrían mayor importancia para determinar daño cardiaco por infección de microquistes de S. Lamacanis en alpacas

Cambios en los parámetros fisiológicos por diarrea neonatal en crías de alpaca

Alpacas in the pre-weaning stage often present neonatal diarrhoea, usually of infectious type, causing high mortality. This study determined the physiological parameters and their changes in animals with diarrhoea. In total, 79 neonate alpacas less than 60 days of age from Pasco and Junín regions, Peru, were used. Of them, 60 had clinical diarrhoea lasting 1 to 3 days, and 19 were healthy (controls). Heart and respiratory rate, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, body temperature, capillary refill time, and mucous color were determined. A significant increase in heart rate in crias with diarrhea compared to healthy ones was found (p<0.05). Besides, no differences in other physiological parameters between diseased and apparently healthy offspring was found.Las crías de alpaca en la etapa pre-destete cursan con frecuencia con cuadros diarreicos, por lo general de tipo infeccioso, causantes de alta mortalidad. El presente estudio determinó los parámetros fisiológicos y sus cambios en animales con diarrea. Se utilizaron 79 alpacas neonatas menores de 60 días de edad de las zonas de Pasco y Junín, Perú. De ellas, 60 cursaban con cuadros de diarrea entre 1 a 3 días y 19 estaban sanas (controles). Se determinó la frecuencia cardiaca y respiratoria, saturación de la sangre por la presión parcial de oxígeno, temperatura corporal, tiempo de llenado capilar y coloración de las mucosas. Se encontró un aumento significativo de la frecuencia cardiaca (p<0.05) en crías con diarrea en comparación a las sanas, no habiendo diferencias en los demás parámetros fisiológicos entre crías enfermas y aparentemente sanas

Inflammatory breast cancer: dynamic contrast-enhanced MR in patients receiving bevacizumab. Initial experience

To retrospectively compare three dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (dynamic MR imaging) analytic methods to determine the parameter or combination of parameters most strongly associated with changes in tumor microvasculature during treatment with bevacizumab alone and bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory or locally advanced breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in accordance with the institutional review board of the National Cancer Institute and was compliant with the Privacy Act of 1974. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Patients with inflammatory or locally advanced breast cancer were treated with one cycle of bevacizumab alone (cycle 1) followed by six cycles of combination bevacizumab and chemotherapy (cycles 2-7). Serial dynamic MR images were obtained, and the kinetic parameters measured by using three dynamic analytic MR methods (heuristic, Brix, and general kinetic models) and two region-of-interest strategies were compared by using two-sided statistical tests. A P value of .01 was required for significance. RESULTS: In 19 patients, with use of a whole-tumor region of interest, the authors observed a significant decrease in the median values of three parameters measured from baseline to cycle 1: forward transfer rate constant (Ktrans) (-34% relative change, P=.003), backflow compartmental rate constant extravascular and extracellular to plasma (Kep) (-15% relative change, P<.001), and integrated area under the gadolinium concentration curve (IAUGC) at 180 seconds (-23% relative change, P=.009). A trend toward differences in the heuristic slope of the washout curve between responders and nonresponders to therapy was observed after cycle 1 (bevacizumab alone, P=.02). The median relative change in slope of the wash-in curve from baseline to cycle 4 was significantly different between responders and nonresponders (P=.009). CONCLUSION: The dynamic contrast-enhanced MR parameters Ktrans, Kep, and IAUGC at 180 seconds appear to have the strongest association with early physiologic response to bevacizumab. Clinical trial registration no. NCT0001654

Design of 280 GHz feedhorn-coupled TES arrays for the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER

We describe 280 GHz bolometric detector arrays that instrument the balloon-borne polarimeter SPIDER. A primary science goal of SPIDER is to measure the large-scale B-mode polarization of the cosmic microwave background in search of the cosmic-inflation, gravitational-wave signature. 280 GHz channels aid this science goal by constraining the level of B-mode contamination from galactic dust emission. We present the focal plane unit design, which consists of a 16$\times$16 array of conical, corrugated feedhorns coupled to a monolithic detector array fabricated on a 150 mm diameter silicon wafer. Detector arrays are capable of polarimetric sensing via waveguide probe-coupling to a multiplexed array of transition-edge-sensor (TES) bolometers. The SPIDER receiver has three focal plane units at 280 GHz, which in total contains 765 spatial pixels and 1,530 polarization sensitive bolometers. By fabrication and measurement of single feedhorns, we demonstrate 14.7$^{\circ}$ FHWM Gaussian-shaped beams with $<$1% ellipticity in a 30% fractional bandwidth centered at 280 GHz. We present electromagnetic simulations of the detection circuit, which show 94% band-averaged, single-polarization coupling efficiency, 3% reflection and 3% radiative loss. Lastly, we demonstrate a low thermal conductance bolometer, which is well-described by a simple TES model and exhibits an electrical noise equivalent power (NEP) = 2.6 $\times$ 10$^{-17}$ W/$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, consistent with the phonon noise prediction.Comment: Proceedings of SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 201

Co-morbid cannabis use disorder and chronotype are associated with mood symptom onset in people with bipolar disorder

Comorbid cannabis use disorder (CUD) is disproportionately high in people with bipolar disorder (BD) and has been associated with worsening of BD symptoms. However, many people with BD report regularly using cannabis to ameliorate symptoms, including sleep disturbances. Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are hallmark features of BD that often precede the onset of mood symptoms. Genetic studies indicate that circadian disruption may predispose individuals towards both problematic cannabis use and BD, rather than cannabis use directly impacting BD symptoms. To further disentangle these hypotheses, we aimed to investigate the relationship between chronotype, cannabis use disorder (CUD) and BD mood symptoms. Data from 212 participants with BD I from the Pharmacogenomics of Bipolar Disorder study dataset were analyzed for this study. Participants were stratified by those diagnosed with co-morbid CUD and BD symptom variables, including the mean number of mood episodes per year and age of mood symptom onset for both depression and mania symptoms. The Basic Language Morningness scale (BALM) was used to assess chronotype. There was no interaction between morningness levels and CUD on BD symptoms, however both lower morningness and CUD were independently associated with earlier age of mood symptom onset. However, patients who reported initiating cannabis use post mood symptom onset had an earlier mood symptom age of onset compared to those who reported initiating cannabis use prior to mood symptom onset. These findings could provide further evidence that circadian rhythm disruption could be an underlying factor that predisposes individuals toward both CUD and BD

Efficacy, feasibility and tolerability of ketogenic diet for the treatment of poor response to bariatric surgery

AbstractPurpose: Poor response to bariatric surgery, namely insufficient weight loss (IWL) or weight regain (WR), is a critical issue in the treatment of obesity. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy, feasibility, and tolerability of very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) for the management of this condition. Methods: A real-life prospective study was conducted on twenty-two patients who experienced poor response after bariatric surgery and followed a structured VLCKD. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, muscular strength, biochemical analyses, and nutritional behavior questionnaires were evaluated.Results: A significant weight loss (mean 14.1 ± 4.8%), mostly due to fat mass, was observed during VLCKD with the preservation of muscular strength. The weight loss obtained allowed patients with IWL to reach a body weight significantly lower than that obtained at the post-bariatric surgery nadir and to report the body weight of patients with WR at the nadir observed after surgery. The significantly beneficial changes in nutritional behaviors and metabolic profiles were observed without variations in kidney and liver function, vitamins, and iron status. The nutritional regimen was well tolerated, and no significant side effects were detected.Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the efficacy, feasibility, and tolerability of VLCKD in patients with poor response after bariatric surgery.Abstract Purpose: Poor response to bariatric surgery, namely insufficient weight loss (IWL) or weight regain (WR), is a critical issue in the treatment of obesity. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy, feasibility, and tolerability of very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) for the management of this condition. Methods: A real-life prospective study was conducted on twenty-two patients who experienced poor response after bariatric surgery and followed a structured VLCKD. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, muscular strength, biochemical analyses, and nutritional behavior questionnaires were evaluated. Results: A significant weight loss (mean 14.1 ± 4.8%), mostly due to fat mass, was observed during VLCKD with the preservation of muscular strength. The weight loss obtained allowed patients with IWL to reach a body weight significantly lower than that obtained at the post-bariatric surgery nadir and to report the body weight of patients with WR at the nadir observed after surgery. The significantly beneficial changes in nutritional behaviors and metabolic profiles were observed without variations in kidney and liver function, vitamins, and iron status. The nutritional regimen was well tolerated, and no significant side effects were detected. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the efficacy, feasibility, and tolerability of VLCKD in patients with poor response after bariatric surgery