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1. Teacher Shortages in New York State: New Teachers' Certification Pathways, Certification Areas, District of Employment, and Retention in the Same District. Study Brief. REL 2022-109

Author

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) (ED/IES), Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast & Islands (ED/IES), Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), Zweig, J., Lemieux, C., Shakman, K., O'Dwyer, L., and Schillaci, R.

Abstract

New York State is experiencing teacher shortages in specific subject areas. One way to address these shortages is through the certification and placement of new teachers. This study explored the pathways through which new teachers between 2015/16 and 2017/18 earned certificates, their certification areas, and their subsequent placement and retention in districts across the state, particularly high-need districts. While the majority of new teachers earned certificates through the traditional in-state pathway, this varied somewhat by certification area. The proportion of teachers who earned certificates through the individual evaluation pathway was higher for the shortage certification area of career and technical education than for other certification areas. The most frequent certification area was the shortage certification area of special education, while the shortage certification areas of career and technical education and bilingual special education were among the least frequent. New York City district schools employed new teachers who earned certificates through the alternative in-state pathway at a higher rate than other types of high-need districts (rural, large city--not New York City, and other urban/suburban) as well as average- and low-need districts. New teachers employed in high-need districts had higher rates of retention in the same district for a second year than new teachers employed in average- and low-need districts. Just 5 percent of new teachers in New York State were uncertified. [For the full report, see ED615881. For the Study Snapshot, see ED615882. For the appendixes, see ED615884.]

Published
2021

2. Using Enhanced Coaching of Teachers to Improve Reading Achievement in Grades PreK-2 in Chicago Public Schools. Study Brief. REL 2021-113

Author

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) (ED/IES), Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (ED/IES), American Institutes for Research (AIR), Berg, J., Silander, M., Bowdon, J., O'Dwyer, L., and Dunn-Grandpre, H.

Abstract

Chicago Public Schools is working to improve early literacy outcomes through a multiyear professional development initiative for preK-2 teachers. The P-2 Balanced Literacy Initiative aims to improve literacy instruction by training teachers to implement effective early literacy instruction balancing systematic foundational skills instruction with reading and writing instruction involving rich, complex texts. The study compared the reading achievement of students who attended schools that received the enhanced supports (priority schools) with the reading achievement of students who attended similar schools that received only the initiative's standard supports (nonpriority schools). It also examined differences between priority and nonpriority schools in teachers' and administrators' participation in professional development sessions and looked at the successes and challenges of implementation. The study found that one year after implementation of the initiative, attending a priority school did not lead to higher end-of-year reading achievement than attending a nonpriority school after other factors were adjusted for. Teachers and administrators in priority schools were more likely than those in nonpriority schools to participate in the initiative's core professional development sessions. This Study Brief to the full report presents: (1) Why this study?; (2) What was studied and how?; (3) Findings; and (4) Implications. [For the full report, see ED617588. For the Study Snapshot, see ED617589. For the appendixes, see ED617591.]

Published
2021

6. Loss, grief and growth - interpretative phenomenological analysis of trauma in asylum-seekers and refugees

Author

Taylor, S, Charura, D, Williams, G, Shaw, M, Allan, J, Cohen, E, Meth, F, and O'Dwyer, L

Abstract

The experiences of a group of twelve asylum-seekers and refugees based in the United Kingdom (UK) were investigated using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to examine the nature of the trauma experienced by the participants, including the possibility of resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Participants undertook a two-stage interview process - an introductory interview focused around significant artefacts chosen by participants, then a second interview engaging in a more general exploration of their experiences of trauma. Four superordinate themes were extracted from the interview data: (1) loss (2) struggle (3) memory and (4) helping coping strategies. The experience of trauma was characterized by symptoms of suicidal ideation, sleeping problems, flashbacks and high levels of anxiety. A lack of social support and the protracted nature of the asylum-seeking process were particularly problematic. However, characteristics relating to resilience and PTG were also reported, including increased gratitude and a desire to be of service. Religion was reported as a significant source of psychological support.

Published
2020

7. Dissecting the phenotypic heterogeneity in sensory features in autism spectrum disorder: a factor mixture modelling approach

Author

Tillmann, J, Uljarevic, M, Crawley, D, Dumas, G, Loth, E, Murphy, D, Buitelaar, J, Charman, T, Ahmad, J, Ambrosino, S, Auyeung, B, Baumeister, S, Beckmann, C, Bourgeron, T, Bours, C, Brammer, M, Brandeis, D, Brogna, C, de Bruijn, Y, Chakrabarti, B, Cornelissen, I, Acqua, FD, Ecker, C, Faulkner, J, Frouin, V, Garces, P, Goyard, D, Hayward, H, Hipp, J, Johnson, MH, Jones, EJH, Kundu, P, Lai, M-C, D'ardhuy, XL, Lombardo, M, Lythgoe, DJ, Mandl, R, Mason, L, Meyer-Lindenberg, A, Moessnang, C, Mueller, N, O'Dwyer, L, Oldehinkel, M, Oranje, B, Pandina, G, Persico, AM, Ruggeri, B, Ruigrok, A, Sabet, J, Sacco, R, Toro, R, Tost, H, Waldman, J, Williams, SCR, Wooldridge, C, Zwiers, MP, Tillmann, J, Uljarevic, M, Crawley, D, Dumas, G, Loth, E, Murphy, D, Buitelaar, J, Charman, T, Ahmad, J, Ambrosino, S, Auyeung, B, Baumeister, S, Beckmann, C, Bourgeron, T, Bours, C, Brammer, M, Brandeis, D, Brogna, C, de Bruijn, Y, Chakrabarti, B, Cornelissen, I, Acqua, FD, Ecker, C, Faulkner, J, Frouin, V, Garces, P, Goyard, D, Hayward, H, Hipp, J, Johnson, MH, Jones, EJH, Kundu, P, Lai, M-C, D'ardhuy, XL, Lombardo, M, Lythgoe, DJ, Mandl, R, Mason, L, Meyer-Lindenberg, A, Moessnang, C, Mueller, N, O'Dwyer, L, Oldehinkel, M, Oranje, B, Pandina, G, Persico, AM, Ruggeri, B, Ruigrok, A, Sabet, J, Sacco, R, Toro, R, Tost, H, Waldman, J, Williams, SCR, Wooldridge, C, and Zwiers, MP

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in the phenotypic presentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is apparent in the profile and the severity of sensory features. Here, we applied factor mixture modelling (FMM) to test a multidimensional factor model of sensory processing in ASD. We aimed to identify homogeneous sensory subgroups in ASD that differ intrinsically in their severity along continuous factor scores. We also investigated sensory subgroups in relation to clinical variables: sex, age, IQ, social-communication symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviours, adaptive functioning and symptoms of anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-two children and adults with ASD between the ages of 6 and 30 years with IQs varying between 40 and 148 were included. First, three different confirmatory factor models were fit to the 38 items of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Then, latent class models (with two-to-six subgroups) were evaluated. The best performing factor model, the 7-factor structure, was subsequently used in two FMMs that varied in the number of subgroups: a two-subgroup, seven-factor model and a three-subgroup and seven-factor model. RESULTS: The 'three-subgroup/seven-factor' FMM was superior to all other models based on different fit criteria. Identified subgroups differed in sensory severity from severe, moderate to low. Accounting for the potential confounding effects of age and IQ, participants in these sensory subgroups had different levels of social-communicative symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviours, adaptive functioning skills and symptoms of inattention and anxiety. LIMITATIONS: Results were derived using a single parent-report measure of sensory features, the SSP, which limits the generalisability of findings. CONCLUSION: Sensory features can be best described by three homogeneous sensory subgroups that differ in sensory severity gradients along seven continuous factor scores. Identified sensory subgro

Published
2020

11. An evaluation of a local Gypsy and Traveller Health Improvement Project

Author

Warwick-Booth, L, Woodward, J, and O'Dwyer, L

Abstract

Gypsies and Traveller community members belong to a community that has been described as the most excluded in the UK. Furthermore, the health status of this community is considerably poorer than other English speaking ethnic minority groups. Gypsy and Traveller communities in Britain experience wide-ranging inequalities, notably in relation to health. In recognition of this, one CCG within West Yorkshire has employed a specialist outreach nurse to work with the local Traveller and Gypsy community, with a remit to improve the health of this population, initially over a one-year period, subsequently extended to two years. This work is being evaluated by Leeds Beckett University, who will present the early qualitative findings from this on-going evaluation. So far the data shows that the community members face numerous barriers to accessing services, report complex health needs and will work with the outreach nurse, whose role is perceived as acceptable. Her work is also resulting in self-reported health improvements. A key lesson from the implementation of this model of care thus far is the importance of trust in successfully implementing such an intervention.

Published
2018

12. Wise Up To Cancer - can it make a difference? Executive Summary

Author

Seims, A, Woodward, J, White, J, Bunyan, A-M, and O'Dwyer, L

Subjects
health care economics and organizations
Abstract

A summary of the evaluation of Wise Up To Cancer. A Community Health Initiative funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, aiming to improve cancer outcomes.

Published
2018

13. Wise Up To Cancer - can it make a difference?

Author

Seims, A, Woodward, J, White, J, Bunyan, A-M, and O'Dwyer, L

Abstract

This document reports the findings of 'Wise Up To Cancer' a Community Health Initiative, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research. The aims of Wise Up To Cancer were to; decrease behaviours associated with cancer risk, increase awareness of cancer signs and symptoms,, increase cancer screening rates and increase signposting to other services.

Published
2018

15. The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP): Design and methodologies to identify and validate stratification biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders

Author

Loth, E., Charman, T., Mason, L., Tillmann, J., Jones, E., Wooldridge, C., Ahmad, J., Auyeung, B., Brogna, C., Ambrosino, S., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Baumeister, S., Beckmann, C., Brammer, M., Brandeis, D., Bolte, Sven, Bourgeron, T., Bours, C., De Bruijn, Y., Chakrabarti, B., Crawley, D., Cornelissen, I., Acqua, F., Dumas, G., Durston, S., Ecker, C., Faulkner, J., Frouin, V., Garces, P., Goyard, D., Hayward, H., Ham, L., Hipp, J., Holt, R., Johnson, M., Isaksson, J., Kundu, P., Lai, M., D'Ardhuy, X., Lombardo, M., Lythgoe, D., Mandl, R., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Moessnang, C., Mueller, N., O'Dwyer, L., Oldehinkel, M., Oranje, B., Pandina, G., Persico, A., Ruigrok, A., Ruggeri, B., Sabet, J., Sacco, R., Cáceres, A., Simonoff, E., Toro, R., Tost, H., Waldman, J., Williams, S., Zwiers, M., Spooren, W., Murphy, D., Buitelaar, J., Loth, E., Charman, T., Mason, L., Tillmann, J., Jones, E., Wooldridge, C., Ahmad, J., Auyeung, B., Brogna, C., Ambrosino, S., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Baumeister, S., Beckmann, C., Brammer, M., Brandeis, D., Bolte, Sven, Bourgeron, T., Bours, C., De Bruijn, Y., Chakrabarti, B., Crawley, D., Cornelissen, I., Acqua, F., Dumas, G., Durston, S., Ecker, C., Faulkner, J., Frouin, V., Garces, P., Goyard, D., Hayward, H., Ham, L., Hipp, J., Holt, R., Johnson, M., Isaksson, J., Kundu, P., Lai, M., D'Ardhuy, X., Lombardo, M., Lythgoe, D., Mandl, R., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Moessnang, C., Mueller, N., O'Dwyer, L., Oldehinkel, M., Oranje, B., Pandina, G., Persico, A., Ruigrok, A., Ruggeri, B., Sabet, J., Sacco, R., Cáceres, A., Simonoff, E., Toro, R., Tost, H., Waldman, J., Williams, S., Zwiers, M., Spooren, W., Murphy, D., and Buitelaar, J.

Abstract

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: The tremendous clinical and aetiological diversity among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been a major obstacle to the development of new treatments, as many may only be effective in particular subgroups. Precision medicine approaches aim to overcome this challenge by combining pathophysiologically based treatments with stratification biomarkers that predict which treatment may be most beneficial for particular individuals. However, so far, we have no single validated stratification biomarker for ASD. This may be due to the fact that most research studies primarily have focused on the identification of mean case-control differences, rather than within-group variability, and included small samples that were underpowered for stratification approaches. The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP) is to date the largest multi-centre, multi-disciplinary observational study worldwide that aims to identify and validate stratification biomarkers for ASD. Methods: LEAP includes 437 children and adults with ASD and 300 individuals with typical development or mild intellectual disability. Using an accelerated longitudinal design, each participant is comprehensively characterised in terms of clinical symptoms, comorbidities, functional outcomes, neurocognitive profile, brain structure and function, biochemical markers and genomics. In addition, 51 twin-pairs (of which 36 had one sibling with ASD) are included to identify genetic and environmental factors in phenotypic variability. Results: Here, we describe the demographic characteristics of the cohort, planned analytic stratification approaches, criteria and steps to validate candidate stratification markers, pre-registration procedures to increase transparency, standardisation and data robustness across all analyses, and share some 'lessons learnt'. A clinical characterisation of the cohort is given in the companion paper (Charman et al., accepted). Conclusi on

Published
2017

16. The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP): Clinical characterisation

Author

Charman, T., Loth, E., Tillmann, J., Crawley, D., Wooldridge, C., Goyard, D., Ahmad, J., Auyeung, B., Ambrosino, S., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Baumeister, S., Beckmann, C., Bolte, Sven, Bourgeron, T., Bours, C., Brammer, M., Brandeis, D., Brogna, C., De Bruijn, Y., Chakrabarti, B., Cornelissen, I., Acqua, F., Dumas, G., Durston, S., Ecker, C., Faulkner, J., Frouin, V., Garcés, P., Ham, L., Hayward, H., Hipp, J., Holt, R., Isaksson, J., Johnson, M., Jones, E., Kundu, P., Lai, M., D'Ardhuy, X., Lombardo, M., Lythgoe, D., Mandl, R., Mason, L., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Moessnang, C., Mueller, N., O'Dwyer, L., Oldehinkel, M., Oranje, B., Pandina, G., Persico, A., Ruggeri, B., Ruigrok, A., Sabet, J., Sacco, R., Cáceres, A., Simonoff, E., Toro, R., Tost, H., Waldman, J., Williams, S., Zwiers, M., Spooren, W., Murphy, D., Buitelaar, J., Charman, T., Loth, E., Tillmann, J., Crawley, D., Wooldridge, C., Goyard, D., Ahmad, J., Auyeung, B., Ambrosino, S., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Baumeister, S., Beckmann, C., Bolte, Sven, Bourgeron, T., Bours, C., Brammer, M., Brandeis, D., Brogna, C., De Bruijn, Y., Chakrabarti, B., Cornelissen, I., Acqua, F., Dumas, G., Durston, S., Ecker, C., Faulkner, J., Frouin, V., Garcés, P., Ham, L., Hayward, H., Hipp, J., Holt, R., Isaksson, J., Johnson, M., Jones, E., Kundu, P., Lai, M., D'Ardhuy, X., Lombardo, M., Lythgoe, D., Mandl, R., Mason, L., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Moessnang, C., Mueller, N., O'Dwyer, L., Oldehinkel, M., Oranje, B., Pandina, G., Persico, A., Ruggeri, B., Ruigrok, A., Sabet, J., Sacco, R., Cáceres, A., Simonoff, E., Toro, R., Tost, H., Waldman, J., Williams, S., Zwiers, M., Spooren, W., Murphy, D., and Buitelaar, J.

Abstract

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: The EU-AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP) is to date the largest multi-centre, multi-disciplinary observational study on biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The current paper describes the clinical characteristics of the LEAP cohort and examines age, sex and IQ differences in ASD core symptoms and common co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. A companion paper describes the overall design and experimental protocol and outlines the strategy to identify stratification biomarkers. Methods: From six research centres in four European countries, we recruited 437 children and adults with ASD and 300 controls between the ages of 6 and 30 years with IQs varying between 50 and 148. We conducted in-depth clinical characterisation including a wide range of observational, interview and questionnaire measures of the ASD phenotype, as well as co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Results: The cohort showed heterogeneity in ASD symptom presentation, with only minimal to moderate site differences on core clinical and cognitive measures. On both parent-report interview and questionnaire measures, ASD symptom severity was lower in adults compared to children and adolescents. The precise pattern of differences varied across measures, but there was some evidence of both lower social symptoms and lower repetitive behaviour severity in adults. Males had higher ASD symptom scores than females on clinician-rated and parent interview diagnostic measures but not on parent-reported dimensional measures of ASD symptoms. In contrast, self-reported ASD symptom severity was higher in adults compared to adolescents, and in adult females compared to males. Higher scores on ASD symptom measures were moderately associated with lower IQ. Both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms were lower in adults than in children and adolescents, and males with ASD had higher levels of inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms than females

Published
2017

17. Fractional anisotropy changes in Alzheimer's disease depend on the underlying fiber tract architecture: a multiparametric DTI study using joint independent component analysis

Author

Teipel SJ, Grothe MJ, Filippi M, Fellgiebel A, Dyrba M, Frisoni GB, Meindl T, Bokde ALW, Hampel H, Klöppel S, Hauenstein K, the EDSD study group, Agosta F, Barkhof F, Blautzik J, Bokde AL, Ewers M, Fischer F, Frolich L, Hausner L, Hentschel F, Hull M, Jessen F, Kljajevic V, Kloppel S, O'Dwyer L, Pievani M, Pouwels PJ, Teipel, Sj, Grothe, Mj, Filippi, M, Fellgiebel, A, Dyrba, M, Frisoni, Gb, Meindl, T, Bokde, Alw, Hampel, H, Klöppel, S, Hauenstein, K, the EDSD study, Group, Agosta, F, Barkhof, F, Blautzik, J, Bokde, Al, Ewers, M, Fischer, F, Frolich, L, Hausner, L, Hentschel, F, Hull, M, Jessen, F, Kljajevic, V, Kloppel, S, O'Dwyer, L, Pievani, M, and Pouwels, Pj

Subjects
Male, White Matter/pathology, pathology [Cognitive Dysfunction], pathology [Pyramidal Tracts], Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis/pathology, Pyramidal Tracts, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated, methods [Diffusion Tensor Imaging], pathology [Alzheimer Disease], ddc:616.89, pathology [Brain], methods [Image Processing, Computer-Assisted], pathology [White Matter], methods [Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging], Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Anisotropy, Nerve Degeneration/pathology, pathology [Axons], General Neuroscience, diagnosis [Alzheimer Disease], pathology [Nerve Degeneration], Brain, General Medicine, White Matter, Pyramidal Tracts/pathology, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods, Europe, Psychiatry and Mental health, Clinical Psychology, medicine.anatomical_structure, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Disease Progression, Female, Psychology, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods, Fiber tract, White matter, Alzheimer Disease, Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods, Fractional anisotropy, mental disorders, medicine, Dementia, Humans, Cognitive Dysfunction, Brain/pathology, ddc:610, Aged, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated/pathology, pathology [Nerve Fibers, Myelinated], Mild Cognitive Impairment/diagnosis/pathology, medicine.disease, Independent component analysis, Axons, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Axons/pathology, Early Diagnosis, diagnosis [Cognitive Dysfunction], Corticospinal tract, Nerve Degeneration, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Neuroscience, Diffusion MRI
Abstract

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows the simultaneous measurement of several diffusion indices that provide complementary information on the substrate of white matter alterations in neurodegenerative diseases. These indices include fractional anisotropy (FA) as measure of fiber tract integrity, and the mode of anisotropy (Mode) reflecting differences in the shape of the diffusion tensor. We used a multivariate approach based on joint independent component analysis of FA and Mode in a large sample of 138 subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, 37 subjects with cerebrospinal fluid biomarker positive mild cognitive impairment (MCI-AD), and 153 healthy elderly controls from the European DTI Study on Dementia to comprehensively study alterations of microstructural white matter integrity in AD dementia and predementia AD. We found a parallel decrease of FA and Mode in intracortically projecting fiber tracts, and a parallel increase of FA and Mode in the corticospinal tract in AD patients compared to controls. Subjects with MCI-AD showed a similar, but spatially more restricted pattern of diffusion changes. Our findings suggest an early axonal degeneration in intracortical projecting fiber tracts in dementia and predementia stages of AD. An increase of Mode, parallel to an increase of FA, in the corticospinal tract suggests a more linear shape of diffusion due to loss of crossing fibers along relatively preserved cortico-petal and cortico-fugal fiber tracts in AD. Supporting this interpretation, we found three populations of fiber tracts, namely cortico-petal and cortico-fugal, commissural, and intrahemispherically projecting fiber tracts, in the peak area of parallel FA and Mode increase.

Published
2014
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19. Identification and validation of biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders

Author

Loth, E., Spooren, W., Ham, L.M., Isaac, M.B., Auriche-Benichou, C., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Broich, K., Bolte, S., Bourgeron, T., Charman, T., Collier, D., Andres-Trelles, F. de, Durston, S., Ecker, C., Elferink, A., Haberkamp, M., Hemmings, R., Johnson, M.H., Jones, E.J.H., Khwaja, O.S., Lenton, S., Mason, L., Mantua, V., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Lombardo, M.V., O'Dwyer, L., Okamoto, K., Pandina, G.J., Pani, L., Persico, A.M., Simonoff, E., Tauscher-Wisniewski, S., Llinares-Garcia, J., Vamvakas, S., Williams, S., Buitelaar, J.K., Murphy, D.G.M., Loth, E., Spooren, W., Ham, L.M., Isaac, M.B., Auriche-Benichou, C., Banaschewski, T., Baron-Cohen, S., Broich, K., Bolte, S., Bourgeron, T., Charman, T., Collier, D., Andres-Trelles, F. de, Durston, S., Ecker, C., Elferink, A., Haberkamp, M., Hemmings, R., Johnson, M.H., Jones, E.J.H., Khwaja, O.S., Lenton, S., Mason, L., Mantua, V., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Lombardo, M.V., O'Dwyer, L., Okamoto, K., Pandina, G.J., Pani, L., Persico, A.M., Simonoff, E., Tauscher-Wisniewski, S., Llinares-Garcia, J., Vamvakas, S., Williams, S., Buitelaar, J.K., and Murphy, D.G.M.

Abstract

Item does not contain fulltext

Published
2015

20. Developmentally Stable Whole-Brain Volume Reductions and Developmentally Sensitive Caudate and Putamen Volume Alterations in Those With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Unaffected Siblings

Author

Greven, C.U., Bralten, J., Mennes, M.J.J., O'Dwyer, L., Hulzen, K.J.E. van, Rommelse, N.N.J., Schweren, L.J., Hoekstra, P.J., Hartman, C.A., Heslenfeld, D., Oosterlaan, J., Faraone, S.V, Franke, B., Zwiers, M.P., Arias Vasquez, A., Buitelaar, J.K., Greven, C.U., Bralten, J., Mennes, M.J.J., O'Dwyer, L., Hulzen, K.J.E. van, Rommelse, N.N.J., Schweren, L.J., Hoekstra, P.J., Hartman, C.A., Heslenfeld, D., Oosterlaan, J., Faraone, S.V, Franke, B., Zwiers, M.P., Arias Vasquez, A., and Buitelaar, J.K.

Abstract

Contains fulltext : 154998.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Importance: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder. It has been linked to reductions in total brain volume and subcortical abnormalities. However, owing to heterogeneity within and between studies and limited sample sizes, findings on the neuroanatomical substrates of ADHD have shown considerable variability. Moreover, it remains unclear whether neuroanatomical alterations linked to ADHD are also present in the unaffected siblings of those with ADHD. Objective: To examine whether ADHD is linked to alterations in whole-brain and subcortical volumes and to study familial underpinnings of brain volumetric alterations in ADHD. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, we included participants from the large and carefully phenotyped Dutch NeuroIMAGE sample (collected from September 2009-December 2012) consisting of 307 participants with ADHD, 169 of their unaffected siblings, and 196 typically developing control individuals (mean age, 17.21 years; age range, 8-30 years). Main Outcomes and Measures: Whole-brain volumes (total brain and gray and white matter volumes) and volumes of subcortical regions (nucleus accumbens, amygdala, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, and brainstem) were derived from structural magnetic resonance imaging scans using automated tissue segmentation. Results: Regression analyses revealed that relative to control individuals, participants with ADHD had a 2.5% smaller total brain (beta = -31.92; 95% CI, -52.69 to -11.16; P = .0027) and a 3% smaller total gray matter volume (beta = -22.51; 95% CI, -35.07 to -9.96; P = .0005), while total white matter volume was unaltered (beta = -10.10; 95% CI, -20.73 to 0.53; P = .06). Unaffected siblings had total brain and total gray matter volumes intermediate to participants with ADHD and control individuals. Significant age-by-diagnosis interactions showed that older age was linked to smaller caudate (P

Published
2015

22. Brain volumetric correlates of autism spectrum disorder symptoms in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Author

O'Dwyer, L., Tanner, C., Dongen, E.V. van, Greven, C.U., Bralten, J.B., Zwiers, M.P., Franke, B., Oosterlaan, J., Heslenfeld, D., Hoekstra, P., Hartman, C.A., Rommelse, N.N.J., Buitelaar, J.K., O'Dwyer, L., Tanner, C., Dongen, E.V. van, Greven, C.U., Bralten, J.B., Zwiers, M.P., Franke, B., Oosterlaan, J., Heslenfeld, D., Hoekstra, P., Hartman, C.A., Rommelse, N.N.J., and Buitelaar, J.K.

Abstract

Contains fulltext : 136213.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms frequently occur in subjects with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While there is evidence that both ADHD and ASD have differential structural correlates, no study to date has investigated these structural correlates within a framework that robustly accounts for the phenotypic overlap between the two disorders. The presence of ASD symptoms was measured by the parent-reported Children's Social and Behavioural Questionnaire (CSBQ) in ADHD subjects (n = 180), their unaffected siblings (n = 118) and healthy controls (n = 146). ADHD symptoms were assessed by a structured interview (K-SADS-PL) and the Conners' ADHD questionnaires. Whole brain T1-weighted MPRAGE images were acquired and the structural MRI correlates of ASD symptom scores were analysed by modelling ASD symptom scores against white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) volumes using mixed effects models which controlled for ADHD symptom levels. ASD symptoms were significantly elevated in ADHD subjects relative to both controls and unaffected siblings. ASD scores were predicted by the interaction between WM and GM volumes. Increasing ASD score was associated with greater GM volume. Equivocal results from previous structural studies in ADHD and ASD may be due to the fact that comorbidity has not been taken into account in studies to date. The current findings stress the need to account for issues of ASD comorbidity in ADHD.

Published
2014

23. Special care dentistry: how prepared are we?

Author

Yeaton, S., primary, Moorthy, A., additional, Rice, J., additional, Coghlan, D., additional, O'Dwyer, L., additional, Green, E., additional, Sultan, A., additional, Guray, S., additional, Mohamad, N. A., additional, Aslam, N., additional, and Freedman, L., additional

Published
2014
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24. First report and description of a Cyrilia sp. ( Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) from a freshwater Cururu Stingray Potamotrygon cf. histrix ( Elasmobranchii: Potamotrygonidae), from the Amazon Region, Brazil.

Author

Magro, N M, Oliveira, A T, and O'Dwyer, L H

Subjects
APICOMPLEXA, HAEMOGREGARINIDAE, FRESHWATER stingrays, POTAMOTRYGON hystrix, PARASITEMIA
Abstract

A haemogregarine is described in 12 cururu stingray ( Potamotrygon cf. histrix), from Mariuá Archipelago, Negro River, in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. All animals, both male and female, were parasitized by the haemogregarine and parasitaemia varied between 0.8% and 10% of erythrocytes. The stages observed included trophozoites or merozoites, suspected meronts, and gamonts presumed to be of two types, macrogamonts and microgamonts. Most stages were observed inside mature erythrocytes, while others were extracellular. The stages observed were most similar to those characteristics of the genus Cyrilia, than to any other fish haemogregarine and may represent a new Cyrilia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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25. Special care dentistry: how prepared are we?

Author

Yeaton, S., Moorthy, A., Rice, J., Coghlan, D., O'Dwyer, L., Green, E., Sultan, A., Guray, S., Mohamad, N. A., Aslam, N., and Freedman, L.

Subjects
DENTAL students, DENTAL schools, PRACTICE of dentistry, COMMUNITY dental services, DENTAL care, TRAINING
Abstract

Aim To assess and evaluate the confidence of the undergraduate dental team in Irish dental schools regarding their training in the field of special care dentistry ( SCD). Method A questionnaire was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental teams within Cork University Dental School and Hospital ( CUDSH) and Dublin Dental University Hospital ( DDUH). The data were analysed to assess for differences between the median responses of the various groups. Results A total of 139 students participated in the study; 82 from DDUH (59 dental science students, seven dental hygiene students and 16 dental nursing students) and 57 from CUDSH (43 dental science students and 14 dental hygiene students). Twenty-two per cent ( n = 30) of respondents agreed that their training had been sufficient in providing treatment or assistance for patients requiring SCD. Seventy-five per cent agreed that more emphasis should be placed on clinical training in SCD ( n = 76). Thirty-one per cent of students anticipated a high level of confidence in treating patients requiring SCD upon graduation ( n = 43), with dental science students feeling the least prepared amongst the dental team. Conclusion Confidence levels of the undergraduate dental team were low with regard to SCD. The existing hands-on clinical training in SCD was deemed insufficient by the respondents. Students believed more emphasis should be placed on SCD training in the undergraduate curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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28. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Hepatozoon canis in dogs from urban and rural areas in Southeast Brazil.

Author

de Miranda, R. L., O'Dwyer, L. H., de Castro, J. R., Metzger, B., Rubini, A. S., Mundim, A. V., Eyal, O., Talmi-Frank, D., Cury, M. C., and Baneth, G.

Subjects
*APICOMPLEXA, *POLYMERASE chain reaction, *DISEASE prevalence, *BLOOD sampling
Abstract

The objective of this survey was to investigate the prevalence of Hepatozoon infection in dogs in the rural and urban areas of Uberlândia, Brazil by PCR and molecular characterization. DNA was obtained from blood samples collected from 346 local dogs from both genders and various ages. Seventeen PCR products from positive blood samples of urban dogs and 13 from the rural dogs were sequenced. Partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene indicated that all 30 dogs were infected with Hepatozoon canis similar in sequence to H.?canis from southern Europe. Four local dog sequences were submitted to GenBank (accessions JN835188; KF692038; KF692039; KF692040). This study indicates that H.?canis is the cause of canine hepatozoonosis in Uberlândia and that infection is similarly widespread in rural and urban dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014
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30. Using diffusion tensor imaging and mixed-effects models to investigate primary and secondary white matter degeneration in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Author

O'Dwyer L, Lamberton F, Bokde AL, Ewers M, Faluyi YO, Tanner C, Mazoyer B, O'Neill D, Bartley M, Collins DR, Coughlan T, Prvulovic D, Hampel H, O'Dwyer, Laurence, Lamberton, Franck, Bokde, Arun L W, Ewers, Michael, Faluyi, Yetunde O, Tanner, Colby, and Mazoyer, Bernard

Subjects
*ALZHEIMER'S disease, *BIOLOGICAL models, *BRAIN, *COGNITION disorders, *HIPPOCAMPUS (Brain), *DIGITAL image processing, *LONGITUDINAL method, *MAGNETIC resonance imaging, *NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests, *NEURODEGENERATION
Abstract

White matter (WM) degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be a key indicator of early damage in AD. Here, we analyzed WM diffusion tensor data using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics in conjunction with mixed-effects models. Four indices of diffusion were assessed in 61 healthy control, 19 non-amnestic MCIs, 14 amnestic MCIs, and 9 AD patients. The aim of the study was to use advanced mixed-effects models to investigate the retrogenesis hypothesis of AD, which suggests that tracts that are late to myelinate in ontogenetic development are the earliest to be affected in AD. Our results show that a number of late-myelinating pathways, including the parahippocampal region and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, were predominantly affected by changes in WM volume. Conversely, early-myelinating pathways were found to be affected by a combination of both WM and gray matter (GM) atrophy. A model of the entire WM structure of the brain returned GM models for two indices of diffusion, suggesting that more complex regional landscapes of diffusion lie hidden beneath a global analysis of the entire brain. Our results warn against an explanation of white matter damage that points simply to one of two mechanisms: secondary degeneration or direct damage of myelin. We suggest that tracts may be affected by both mechanisms, with the balance depending on whether tracts are early or late-myelinating. A greater understanding of the pattern of WM changes in AD may prove useful for the early detection of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2011
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32. Saccade dysmetria indicates attenuated visual exploration in autism spectrum disorder

Author

Bast, N., Mason, L., Freitag, C. M., Smith, T., Portugal, A. M., Poustka, L., Banaschewski, T., Johnson, M., Ahmad, J., Ambrosino, S., Auyeung, B., Baron-Cohen, S., Baumeister, S., Beckmann, C. F., Bolte, S., Bourgeron, T., Bours, C., Brammer, M., Brandeis, D., Brogna, C., Bruijn, Y. d., Buitelaar, J. K., Chakrabarti, B., Charman, T., Cornelissen, I., Crawley, D., Dell'Acqua, F., Dumas, G., Durston, S., Ecker, C., Faulkner, J., Frouin, V., Garces, P., Goyard, D., Ham, L., Hayward, H., Hipp, J., Holt, R., Jones, E. J. H., Kundu, P., Lai, M. -C., D'Ardhuy, X. L., Lombardo, M. V., Loth, E., Lythgoe, D. J., Mandl, R., Marquand, A., Mennes, M., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Moessnang, C., Murphy, D. G. M., Oakley, B., O'Dwyer, L., Oldehinkel, M., Oranje, B., Pandina, G., Persico, A., Ruggeri, B., Ruigrok, A., Sabet, J., Sacco, R., San Jose Caceres, A., Simonoff, E., Spooren, W., Tillmann, J., Toro, R., Tost, H., Waldman, J., Williams, S. C. R., Wooldridge, C., Zwiers, M. P., and The EU-AIMS LEAP Group

Subjects
Male, medicine.medical_specialty, cerebellum, Cerebellar Ataxia, Eye Movements, genetic structures, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Audiology, eye tracking, brainstem, 03 medical and health sciences, 0302 clinical medicine, ddc:150, Dysmetria, biomarker, Eye tracking, locus coeruleus, pupillometry, visual attention, Saccades, Developmental and Educational Psychology, medicine, Humans, Attention, 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences, ddc:610, 05 social sciences, Infant, Newborn, Cognition, Fixation (psychology), medicine.disease, Motor coordination, Psychiatry and Mental health, Autism spectrum disorder, Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health, Saccade, Female, Psychology, 030217 neurology & neurosurgery, Pupillometry, Neurotypical, 050104 developmental & child psychology
Abstract

Background: Visual exploration in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by attenuated social attention. The underlying oculomotor function during visual exploration is understudied, whereas oculomotor function during restricted viewing suggested saccade dysmetria in ASD by altered pontocerebellar motor modulation. Methods: Oculomotor function was recorded using remote eye tracking in 142 ASD participants and 142 matched neurotypical controls during free viewing of naturalistic videos with and without human content. The sample was heterogenous concerning age (6–30 years), cognitive ability (60–140 IQ), and male/female ratio (3:1). Oculomotor function was defined as saccade, fixation, and pupil‐dilation features that were compared between groups in linear mixed models. Oculomotor function was investigated as ASD classifier and features were correlated with clinical measures. Results: We observed decreased saccade duration (∆M = −0.50, CI [−0.21, −0.78]) and amplitude (∆M = −0.42, CI [−0.12, −0.72]), which was independent of human video content. We observed null findings concerning fixation and pupil‐dilation features (POWER = .81). Oculomotor function is a valid ASD classifier comparable to social attention concerning discriminative power. Within ASD, saccade features correlated with measures of restricted and repetitive behavior. Conclusions: We conclude saccade dysmetria as ASD oculomotor phenotype relevant to visual exploration. Decreased saccade amplitude and duration indicate spatially clustered fixations that attenuate visual exploration and emphasize endogenous over exogenous attention. We propose altered pontocerebellar motor modulation as underlying mechanism that contributes to atypical (oculo‐)motor coordination and attention function in ASD.

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37. The Top-20 Studies About Anterior Shoulder Instability From an Altmetric Analysis Had Higher Levels of Evidence Than Those From a Traditional Bibliometric Analysis.

Author

O'Dwyer L, Ledingham C, Davey MS, Kerin A, Huszar A, and Cassidy JT

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the characteristics of the top-20 studies about anterior shoulder instability according to the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) with total citation counts., Methods: Two separate searches were performed for articles related to anterior shoulder instability. The Altmetric search identified the top-20 articles according to AAS. A bibliometric search using Web of Science identified the top-20 most-cited articles. Altmetric criteria were applied to the bibliometric list and vice versa., Results: The AAS from the Altmetric list ranged from 44 to 432. The highest AAS from the bibliometric search was 70. One study appeared in both lists. Most online mentions were from X (formerly Twitter). The geographical breakdown of X mentions saw 71 countries appearing in the Altmetric search versus 21 in the bibliometric search. The total citations in the bibliometric list ranged from 91 to 358 versus 0 to 121 for the Altmetric list. The Altmetric top-20 list contained 8 studies that were Level II or higher versus 3 in the bibliometric list., Conclusions: The top-20 studies according to AAS or citation count are not the same. The top-20 studies by AAS are composed of studies at higher levels of evidence versus the top-20 studies when listed by citation count., Clinical Relevance: Electronic searches are an important way to access information in the modern world. Different search options generate results according to different parameters and may generate different results for the same query. It is important to understand these differences so that users have a better understanding of where the most clinically useful information can be found, especially regarding medical conditions., Competing Interests: All authors (L.O., C.L., M.S.D., A.K., A.H., J.T.C.) declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Published
2024
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38. Is there only one species of Hepatozoon infecting Brazilian caimans? Integrative taxonomy unveiling the parasite's diversity.

Author

Úngari LP, Netherlands EC, Santos ALQ, Viana LA, da Silva RJ, and O'Dwyer LH

Subjects
Animals, Brazil, Eucoccidiida classification, Eucoccidiida genetics, Eucoccidiida isolation & purification, Coccidiosis parasitology, Coccidiosis veterinary, Coccidia classification, Coccidia isolation & purification, Coccidia genetics, Phylogeny, Alligators and Crocodiles parasitology
Abstract

Hepatozoon spp. are the most common haemoparasites reported from reptiles around the world, however, only six species have been described infecting crocodilians. In Brazil, Hepatozoon caimani Carini, 1909 is currently the only recognized species from the caiman hosts. This study provides new data on the diversity of species of Hepatozoon infecting Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus) using molecular data and phylogenetic analysis, with additional support of morphological data of developmental stages from host blood and tissue. Forty-four individuals were collected and screened for haemogregarines, and blood and tissue samples were analysed by light microscopy with 31 (70.45%) infected. Hepatozoon spp. blood developmental stages included immature and mature gamonts with or without cytoplasmic vacuoles and free gamonts. Additionally, merogonic developmental stages were found in the liver and spleen of infected hosts. Based on the morphological and molecular data, this study identified two possible different species of Hepatozoon, being one of them the H. caimani with intragenotypic divergence.

Published
2024
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39. The European Innovation Network as a hub for medicines innovation in Europe.

Author

Agricola E, Auriche-Benichou C, Baiao H, Blanquie O, Bodea T, Boráň T, Borg JJ, Cordo' V, Di Marzo M, Dmowski Rugholm L, Ehmann F, Hauksdóttir Hvannberg R, Herold R, Irs A, Jurkovič Mlakar S, Klaus R, Kolehmainen J, Lahorte C, Löbker W, Mäkinen Salmi A, Nuevo Ordoñez Y, O'Dwyer L, Pasmooij AMG, Saeterdal I, Spakova B, Starokozhko V, Ziegele B, and Zywiec K

Subjects
Europe, Humans, Drug Industry organization & administration, Drug Discovery
Published
2024
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41. Phylogenetic position of Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 (Digenea: Gorgoderidae), a parasite of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Brazil.

Author

Alcantara EP, Úngari LP, Müller MI, Ferreira-Silva C, Emmerich E, O'Dwyer LH, and Silva RJ

Subjects
Animals, Anura, Phylogeny, Brazil, Bayes Theorem, Parasites, Trematoda genetics
Abstract

During a parasite survey in Brazilian amphibians from São Paulo state, Brazil, Gorgoderina parvicava Travassos, 1922 was found in the urinary bladder (11 adult worms) and (five juvenile worms) in the kidneys of the pepper-frog Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824). Parasites were examined by microscopy and 28S rDNA and COI gene were sequenced and analyzed for the molecular study. The phylogenetic reconstructions resulted in identical topologies with highly supported values in the nodes in most clades using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods and positioned G. parvicava in the subclade formed by species of subfamily Gorgoderinae parasitizing the urinary bladder of amphibians. Molecular phylogenetic data showed that this species is related to other species of Gorgoderina. In addition, new molecular data and the analyses of genetic distances provide extra comparative data, which can be applied in further investigations on the taxonomic status and the diversity among Gorgoderina spp. and host-parasite relationships.

Published
2023
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42. Peripartum care of persons with obesity: a scoping review of recommendations and practical tools for implementation.

Author

Kominiarek MA, Cassimatis I, Peace J, Premkumar A, Toledo P, and O'Dwyer L

Subjects
Adult, Anticoagulants, Humans, Obesity therapy, Surgical Wound Infection prevention & control, Antibiotic Prophylaxis methods, Peripartum Period
Abstract

Objective: Despite the growing prevalence of obesity among reproductive aged persons in the USA, evidence-based guidelines for peripartum care are lacking. The objective of this scoping review is to identify obesity-related recommendations for peripartum care, evaluate grades of evidence for each recommendation, and identify practical tools (eg, checklists, toolkits, care pathways and bundles) to support their implementation in clinical practice., Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to December 2020 for eligible studies addressing peripartum care in persons with obesity., Study Eligibility Criteria: Inclusion criteria were published evidence-rated recommendations and practical tools for peripartum care of persons with obesity., Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: Pairs of independent reviewers extracted data (source, publication year, content and number of recommendations, level and grade of evidence, description of tool) and identified similarities and differences among the articles., Results: Of 18 315 screened articles, 18 were included including 7 articles with evidence-rated recommendations and 11 practical tools (3 checklists, 3 guidelines, 1 care bundle, 1 flowchart, 1 care pathway, 1 care map and 1 protocol). Thirteen of 39 evidence-rated recommendations were based on expert opinion. Recommendations related to surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and subcutaneous tissue closure at caesarean delivery received the highest grade of evidence. Some of the practical tools included a checklist from the USA regarding anticoagulation after caesarean delivery (evidence-supported recommendation), a bundle for surgical site infections after caesarean delivery in Australia (evidence did not support recommendation) and a checklist with content for several aspects of peripartum care from Canada (evidence supported seven of nine definitive recommendations)., Conclusion: The recommendations for peripartum care for persons with obesity are based on limited evidence and few practical tools for implementation exist. Future work should focus on developing practical tools based on high-quality studies., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Published
2022
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43. First molecular assessment on Cosmocerca spp. from Brazilian anurans and description of a new species of Cosmocerca (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) from the white-spotted humming frog Chiasmocleis albopunctata (Boettger, 1885) (Anura: Microhylidae).

Author

Alcantara EP, Ebert MB, Müller MI, Úngari LP, Ferreira-Silva C, Emmerich E, Santos ALQ, O'Dwyer LH, and da Silva RJ

Subjects
Animals, Brazil, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Phylogeny, Anura parasitology, Ascaridida
Abstract

Cosmocerca spp. are common nematode parasites of amphibians. We provide herein molecular data for two species of Cosmocerca and describe a new species, Cosmocerca albopunctata n. sp., using light microscopy and molecular data (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 - COI mtDNA). Cosmocerca albopunctata n. sp. can be easily distinguished from other congeneric species by the combination of characteristics such as body size, length of spicules and gubernaculum, and the arrangements and number of caudal papillae (7 + 1:1 + 1:6). The phylogenetic results based on the partial COI mtDNA sequences clustered the new species in a monophyletic clade along with the other sequences of Cosmocerca spp. Therefore, our results contribute to the knowledge about the species diversity and genetic data for Cosmocerca spp. in the Neotropical region.

Published
2022
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45. Myxobolus spp. (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) in the circulating blood of fishes from Goiás and Mato Grosso States, Brazil: case report.

Author

Úngari LP, Vieira DHMD, Santos ALQ, Silva RJD, and O'Dwyer LH

Subjects
Animals, Brazil, Fishes, Gills, Humans, Phylogeny, Cnidaria, Fish Diseases, Myxobolus, Myxozoa, Parasitic Diseases, Animal
Abstract

Myxosporidiosis is an infectious disease caused by myxozoans of the Phylum Cnidaria, Class Myxosporea, and Order Bivalvulida, considered a common parasite in fresh and saltwater fishes that parasitize many organs, especially gills. In the present study, 49 specimens of fishes belonging to eight genera: Tetragonopterus, Leporinus, Myleus, Pirinampus, Rhapiodon, Pygocentrus, Ageneiosus, and Serrasalmus were collected and blood smears were made, fixed with absolute methanol, and stained with Giemsa 10% to survey hemoparasites. However, myxospores were found in the circulating blood of five (10.20%) fishes belonging to genus Tetragonopterus, Myleus, and Pygocentrus. Two morphological types of Myxobolus spp. were identified in all the five fish specimens analyzed. Usually, investigations on myxozoans in fish are carried out with the search for plasmodia or cysts in the fish organs and observation of the cavity of organs. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of also examining the blood of these animals, since these parasites can cause severe pathogenic diseases in fish. Thus, the blood analyses can proportionate preventive sanitary control for commercial fish avoiding economic loss.

Published
2021
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46. Measuring women's experiences of maternity care: A systematic review of self-report survey instruments.

Author

Beecher C, Greene R, O'Dwyer L, Ryan E, White M, Beattie M, and Devane D

Subjects
Female, Humans, Maternal Health Services, Maternal-Child Nursing, Pregnancy, Psychometrics, Obstetrics standards, Quality of Health Care, Self Report standards, Surveys and Questionnaires standards
Abstract

Background: Recognition of the measurement of women's experiences of their maternity care as a critical component of care quality evaluation has led to a proliferation of instruments to measure this concept. However, the suboptimal methodological and psychometric quality of these instruments, or the lack of reporting of same, hinders the credibility and efficient use of the arising results, which often serve as an indicator for the direction of limited resources within maternity services., Aim: To review systematically and critically appraise self-report survey instruments measuring women's experiences of their maternity care., Methods: A systematic review was conducted using comprehensive searches of the CINAHL, OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE citation databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and a stepped approach employed to facilitate evaluation of the methodological and psychometric quality of included instruments., Findings: 4905 records were obtained from database searches. Additional records were obtained via reference checking and by expert suggestion. Following stepped screening, 40 papers related to 20 instruments are included in this review. Findings indicate that evidence of the methodological and psychometric quality have not been reported for many included instruments., Conclusions: Published evidence of the methodological and psychometric quality of self-report survey instruments to evaluate women's experiences of their maternity care is lacking. The conduct and reporting of future development processes of such instruments can be improved. Systematic review PROSPERO registration: CRD42018105325., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Published
2021
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47. Measuring women's experiences of maternity care: protocol for a systematic review of self-report survey instruments.

Author

Beecher C, Greene R, O'Dwyer L, Ryan E, White M, Beattie M, and Devane D

Subjects
Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Systematic Reviews as Topic, Maternal Health Services supply & distribution, Midwifery, Quality of Health Care, Self Report, Surveys and Questionnaires standards
Abstract

Background: The use of survey instruments to measure women's experiences of their maternity care is regarded internationally as an indicator of the quality of care received. To ensure the credibility of the data arising from these instruments, the methodological quality of development must be high. This paper reports the protocol for a systematic review of self-report instruments used to measure women's experiences of their maternity care., Methods: Citation databases CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE will be searched from 2002 to 2018 using keywords including women, experience, maternity care, questionnaires, surveys, and self-report. Citations will be screened by two reviewers, in two rounds, for inclusion as per predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction forms will be populated with data, extracted from each study, to evaluate the methodological quality of each survey instrument and the criteria for good measurement properties using quality criteria. Data will also be extracted to categorise the items included in each survey instrument. A combination of a structured narrative synthesis and quantitate summaries in tabular format will allow for recommendations to be made on the use, adaptation and development of future survey instruments., Discussion: The value of survey instruments that evaluate women's experiences of their maternity care, as a marker of quality care, has been recognised internationally with many countries employing the use of such instruments to inform policy and practice. The development of these instruments must be methodologically sound and the instrument itself fit for the purpose and context in which it is used. This protocol describes the methods that will be used to complete a systematic review that will serve as a guide for choosing the most appropriate existing instruments to use or adapt so that they are fit for purpose, in addition to informing the development of new instruments., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42018105325.

Published
2020
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48. Economic burden of food allergy: A systematic review.

Author

Bilaver LA, Chadha AS, Doshi P, O'Dwyer L, and Gupta RS

Subjects
Cost of Illness, Health Care Costs, Humans, Food Hypersensitivity economics
Abstract

Objective: To assess the economic burden of food allergy (FA) worldwide., Data Sources: PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on the Wiley platform were searched to identify literature that assessed direct, out-of-pocket, and opportunity costs of FA. All databases were searched back to their inception, and no language or date limits were applied., Study Selections: We included primary studies that examined direct medical, out-of-pocket, or opportunity costs and/or lost labor productivity in food allergic adults and/or children and their families., Results: Eleven papers met our inclusion criteria, of which ed7 addressed direct medical, 7 addressed out-of-pocket, and 5 addressed opportunity costs. Estimates were based on data that reflected costs for a patient with FA (individual level) or costs for a household with a food allergic patient (household level). The mean individual-level direct medical costs ($2081) were much higher than the mean household-level costs ($806). The mean individual-level out-of-pocket ($1874) and opportunity ($1038) and opportunity cost were lower than the mean household-level out-of-pocket ($3339) and opportunity ($4881) costs. Household-level estimates of lost opportunity costs imposed the largest economic burden attributable to FA., Conclusion: Most of the economic burden studies reviewed measured components of economic burden that are unique to individuals with FA but did so in noncomparable ways. Addressing cost burdens and measuring them using standardized instruments and methods will be critical to better understand the economic burden of FA globally., (Copyright © 2019 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Published
2019
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50. Attachment, Bushfire Preparedness, Planning, and Response among Animal Guardians: A South Australian Case Study.

Author

O'Dwyer L and Thompson K

Abstract

Background: Animal ownership has been identified as a risk factor for human survivability of natural disasters. Animal guardians have been reported to react or act in ways that may put their own safety and that of emergency services personnel at risk when faced with a natural disaster. Recent research has suggested that this risk factor could be reconfigured as a protective factor, whereby desires to save animals from natural disaster harm could motivate increased planning and preparedness behaviours amongst animal guardians. However, there has been no research to determine if bushfire planning and response behaviours differ between pet owners with low and high attachment; and how the relationship may differ in relation to small or large animals., Methods and Procedure: We investigated the relationship between people's emotional attachment to different types of pets and their preparation and actions during the Pinery bushfire in South Australia in November 2015. Thirty-four people who were impacted by the fire participated in an online survey. Data were collected about their preparedness, planning and response behaviours as well as their animal attachment (high or low)., Results: We identified 10 characteristics (behaviours, attributes, skills and beliefs) associated with high animal attachment scores, and eight associated with low animal attachment scores., Discussion: Our discussion of the differences in demographics, preparedness, planning and response characteristics of participants with high and low animal attachment confirms research suggesting that animal guardians take risks to save their animals during disasters. Our findings also support recent propositions that animal attachment and ownership could be used to increase the natural disaster preparedness and survivability of animal guardians. However, making sure that animal attachment functions as a protective factor requires active and effective intervention through education, behaviour change and social marketing strategies. Whilst our study is high in ecological validity, future research with larger samples sizes is required to determine the generalisability of our findings to animal owners and guardians in other locations, facing fires with other characteristics, especially for owners and guardians with low levels of attachment.

Published
2018
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