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During their education, preservice teachers begin to assume professional responsibilities and gain pedagogical knowledge. However, the question remains whether preservice teachers intend to use instructional practices that are effective in meeting their assumed responsibilities. Thus, we examined the concordance between preservice teachers' responsibilities and their intended instructional practices. At the start of the semester there was no concordance. At the end of the semester there was high concordance in two instances: Responsibility for student motivation negatively predicted performance goal-oriented practices; responsibility for teaching positively predicted rationales and negatively predicted extrinsic rewards. Instructional practices associated with responsibility for achievement and motivation were not concordant. We discuss how preservice teachers understand these responsibilities and their readiness to adopt evidence-based practices.

Children treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) often face difficulties with long-term morbidities associated with neurologic injuries and lifesaving PICU interventions termed Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). In an effort to identify and address critical issues related to PICS, we developed an integrated model of care whereby children and families participate in follow-up clinics with a neuropsychologist and a critical care physician. To demonstrate preliminary impact, we present pilot findings on the early identification and treatment of PICS in a cohort of infants and young children in our program through a combination of multi-professional direct assessment and parent proxy questionnaires. Thirty-three infants and children, ages 3–72 months, participated in our initial follow-up clinic where issues related to physical health/recovery, development/cognition, mood/behavior, and quality of life were screened 1-3 months after discharge from the PICU. In comparison to pre-hospitalization functioning, direct assessment revealed new neurological concerns identified by the critical care physician in 33.3% of participants and new neurocognitive concerns identified by the neuropsychologist in 36.4% of participants. Caregiver reported measures showed significant issues with patient cognitive functioning, emotional functioning, sleep, and impact on the family. Participants and families experienced significant difficulties related to changes in functioning and disability. Parents/caregivers and clinicians demonstrated agreement on functioning across a variety of indicators; however, important divergence in assessments were also found highlighting the importance of multiple assessments and perspectives. New PICS morbidities are common in the early phase of recovery after discharge in infants, young children and their families. Results demonstrate the benefits and need for timely PICU follow-up care that involves collaboration/integration of physicians, neuropsychologists, and families to identify and treat PICS issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined outcomes following the implementation of employer-wide vending standards, designed to increase healthy snack and beverage options, on the proportion of healthy v. less healthy sales, sales volume and revenue for snack and beverage vending machines.Design: A single-arm evaluation of a policy utilizing monthly sales volume and revenue data provided by the contracted vendor during baseline, machine conversion and post-conversion time periods. Study time periods are full calendar years unless otherwise noted.Setting: Property owned or leased by the City of Philadelphia, USA.Subjects: Approximately 250 vending machines over a 4-year period (2010-2013).Results: At post-conversion, the proportion of sales attributable to healthy items was 40 % for snacks and 46 % for beverages. Healthy snack sales were 323 % higher (38·4 to 162·5 items sold per machine per month) and total snack sales were 17 % lower (486·8 to 402·1 items sold per machine per month). Healthy beverage sales were 33 % higher (68·2 to 90·6 items sold per machine per month) and there was no significant change in total beverage sales (213·2 to 209·6 items sold per machine per month). Revenue was 11 % lower for snacks ($US 468·30 to $US 415·70 per machine per month) and 21 % lower for beverages ($US 344·00 to $US 270·70 per machine per month).Conclusions: Sales of healthy vending items were significantly higher following the implementation of employer-wide vending standards for snack and beverage vending machines. Entities receiving revenue-based commission payments from vending machines should employ strategies to minimize potential revenue losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Mutations in the Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) gene underlie the development of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which currently represents the leading genetic cause of mortality in infants and toddlers. SMA is characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons and muscle atrophy. Although SMA is often considered to be a motor neuron disease, accumulating evidence suggests that muscle cells themselves may be affected by low levels of SMN. Here, we examine satellite cells, tissue-resident stem cells that play an essential role in the growth and repair of skeletal muscle, isolated from a severe SMA mouse model (Smn −/−; SMN2 +/+). We found similar numbers of satellite cells in the muscles of SMA and wild-type (Smn +/+; SMN2 +/+) mice at postnatal day 2 (P2), and, when isolated from skeletal muscle using cell surface marker expression, these cells showed comparable survival and proliferative potential. However, SMA satellite cells differentiate abnormally, revealed by the premature expression of muscle differentiation markers, and, especially, by a reduced efficiency in forming myotubes. These phenotypes suggest a critical role of SMN protein in the intrinsic regulation of muscle differentiation and suggest that abnormal muscle development contributes to the manifestation of SMA symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To describe a novel case management strategy for a small breed dog diagnosed with septic pericarditis. Case summary: An 8-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier presented for evaluation of pericardial effusion and persistent hypoglycemia. The dog had been hospitalized at a primary care facility for acute onset of vomiting, lethargy, inappetance, and painful abdominal distension. Pericardial effusion was detected and upon referral, cytologic examination revealed a suppurative exudate with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The dog was treated with pericardiocentesis and placement of an indwelling pericardial catheter. Subtotal pericardiectomy was performed and a thoracotomy tube was utilized postoperatively. A penicillin-susceptible Bacteroides species was cultured from the pericardial fluid and was treated with a 6-week course of antibiotics. The dog was discharged from the hospital and clinical signs have not recurred in over 2 years. New or unique information provided: Septic pericarditis, an uncommon cause of canine pericardial effusion, has been described primarily in large breed dogs and in association with bacterial infection secondary to Hordeum grass (foxtail) awn migration. This case was unique in that the dog was a small breed with no evidence of foreign body penetration or other precipitating cause for the pericarditis. In a novel management plan, an indwelling pericardial catheter was employed to stabilize the dog before subtotal pericardiectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Infection is the leading cause of death among burn survivors, with sepsis associated with more extensive burns. Conventional diagnostic criteria are insensitive in this population. We examined a novel diagnostic ELISA based on Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) linked to an immunoglobulin Fc domain, which measures the concentration of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) across a broad range of bacterial and fungal organisms, for diagnosis and antimicrobial management of sepsis in burn patients. Methods We prospectively enrolled burn patients with ≥15% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns into groups of noninfected, sepsis, or incipient infection, and healthy volunteers. Sepsis was defined by clinical actions responsive to sepsis. The FcMBL ELISA was performed daily using fresh whole blood. Burn subjects were sampled daily until completing antimicrobials, for 14 days if noninfected, and once for healthy controls. Differences in median PAMP concentrations between groups were assessed with the Kruskal–Wallis test, including multiple comparisons between categories. Results 14 burn patients (3 noninfected, of whom 1 died prior to sampling, 4 Sepsis, 7 Incipient) were enrolled. The median (25–75% CI) PAMP concentration was 0.53 (0.12–1.34) ng/mL in healthy controls, 3.725 (2.53–5.94) ng/mL in noninfected, 2.22 (1.42–4.62) ng/mL in incipient, and 1.59 (0.83–2.29) ng/mL in sepsis groups. PAMP concentrations in sepsis were different (P = 0.0057) from noninfected, but incipient did not differ from noninfected (P = 0.2025). The dynamic range was lower in healthy controls (2.69 ng/mL) than incipient (4.57 ng/mL), sepsis (4.70 ng/mL), or noninfected (5.90 ng/mL). PAMP elevations correlated with clinical deterioration from infection, and were not associated with OR visits for debridement and grafting. 7 of 11 infected patients had declining PAMP levels at completion of antimicrobial therapy. 2 subjects had PAMP elevations associated with Aspergillus molds in their burn wounds. Conclusion The FcMBL ELISA assay may be useful for diagnosis of infection in burn patients, and may facilitate earlier discontinuation of antimicrobials. This assay may also have a novel utility for early diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of review: Children surviving the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with neurologic illness or injury have long-term morbidities in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning termed postintensive care syndrome (PICS). In this article, we review acute and longitudinal management strategies available to combat PICS in children with acquired brain injury. Recent findings: Few intervention studies in this vulnerable population target PICS morbidities. Small studies show promise for both inpatient- and outpatient-initiated therapies, mainly focusing on a single domain of PICS and evaluating heterogeneous populations. While evaluating the effects of interventions on longitudinal PICS outcomes is in its infancy, longitudinal clinical programs targeting PICS are increasing. A multidisciplinary team with inpatient and outpatient presence is necessary to deliver the holistic integrated care required to address all domains of PICS in patients and families. Summary: While PICS is increasingly recognized as a chronic problem in PICU survivors with acquired brain injury, few interventions have targeted PICS morbidities. Research is needed to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social outcomes in survivors and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric critical care survivors often suffer persisting multisystem health problems and are left with treatment needs that go unmet due to limits in current care models. We proposed that integration of neuropsychology into neurocritical care follow-up provides incremental benefit to the identification and treatment of persisting complications and reduction in co-morbidities.Basic Procedures: The aims of this study were three-fold. First, we described pilot programs at two pediatric hospitals as models for implementing systematic follow-up care with interdisciplinary clinic teams consisting of critical care, neurology, and neuropsychology. Second, we described working models specific to neuropsychological service delivery in these programs. Third, we presented preliminary data from the first six months of one of the pilot programs in order to examine incremental benefit of neuropsychology in improving patient care and parent satisfaction.Main Findings: A total of 16 patients (age range three to 17 years) were seen by neuropsychology within the first six months of the program. Results showed that integration of neuropsychology into follow-up care resulted in recommendations being made for services or concerns not already addressed in 81% of cases. Parents reported high satisfaction, endorsing the highest possible rating on 96% of all items. Parents reported that neuropsychological consultation improved their understanding and communication with their child, and helped them know what to expect from their child during postacute recovery.Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggest that integration of neuropsychology into neurocritical care follow-up programs contributes to parent satisfaction and may provide incremental benefit to patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]