Evaluating effects of burn injury characteristics on quality of life in pediatric burn patients and caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric burn patients' and caregivers' quality of life (QoL), while identifying clinical characteristics correlated with psychological stress. METHODS: Pediatric burn patients at an ABA-verified institution from November 2019-January 2021 were included. Caregivers of patients 0-4 years completed the Infant's Dermatology QoL Index (IDQOL). Patients> 4-16 years completed the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) measured caregivers' stress. Generalized linear mixed models evaluated associations between assessment scores and burn characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 27.3% (39/143) of IDQOL and 53.1.% (41/96) of CDLQI scores indicated that patients' burns caused moderate to extremely large effects on QoL. In caregivers, 4.5% (7/159) scored> 14 on the SPRINT, warranting further PTSD evaluation. For the IDQOL, each additional 1% TBSA burn was associated with a 2.75-point increase (p = 0.05), and patients sustaining 2nd degree deep partial thickness burns scored an average of 3.3 points higher compared to 2nd degree superficial partial thickness burns (P < 0.01). CLDQI and SPRINT scores demonstrated a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: QoL is impacted in a substantial proportion of pediatric burn patients. Larger TBSA and increased burn depths cause significantly more psychological stress in children, and caregivers may require more extensive psychological evaluation.

Raspberry Ketone Trifluoroacetate Trapping of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae)in Hawaii.

Melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), is a serious pest of tropical horticulture, causing damage to cucurbits, other fruiting vegetables, and certain tree fruits. The deployment of male lures comprises an important component of several detection and control strategies for this pest, with the main male attractant currently in use being cuelure (CL). A novel fluorinated analog of CL, raspberry ketone trifluoroacetate (RKTA), has been developed for the control of Bactrocera tryoni, a related pest; here, we test this compound for attraction to Z. cucurbitae. In outdoor screen cage testing, observations showed both more flies on filter papers, and a higher percentage of flies feeding, on papers treated with RKTA than on those with CL or melolure (ML). Field trapping with both yellow sticky traps and bucket traps found that RKTA captured more flies during the first 6 h of trapping than CL, while trap captures in the subsequent 18 h did not differ between the two lures. When comparing combined 24 h trap captures, yellow sticky traps containing RKTA captured more flies than those with CL, while bucket trap captures did not vary by lure. Analysis of lures weathered on filter paper found that nearly all applied RKTA hydrolyzed to RK within 6 h. Fine-scale melon fly behaviors digitally recorded in the field showed median resting distances from the lure of responding flies were shorter for RKTA than for CL. This study demonstrates the inherent attractiveness of RKTA while also highlighting the instability of this compound due to hydrolysis.

Analysis of volatile profiles of green Hawai'ian coffee beans damaged by the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei).

BACKGROUND: The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, is the most destructive insect pest of coffee globally, causing significant losses in yield and leading to 'off' flavors in damaged beans. Automated headspace sampling (AHS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to investigate changes in the volatile profiles of CBB-damaged green coffee beans. Green coffee from three coffee farms on the island of Hawai'i were sorted into three levels of CBB damage: non-damaged, slightly damaged (1-2 pinholes/bean), and heavily damaged (> 2 pinholes/bean). RESULTS: Distinct differences were found between green coffee bean samples based on the amounts of eight prominent volatiles. The amount of CBB damage was particularly correlated with the amount of both hexanal and 2-pentylfuran. Principal component analysis showed clustering of non-damaged green beans, which did not overlap with the slightly or heavily damaged clusters. Good separation was also found between a mixture of 50% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee. However, 20% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee clusters showed strong overlap. CONCLUSION: Understanding the effects of CBB damage on coffee flavor profiles is critical to quality control for this valuable agricultural product. The results of this study show that the volatile profiles of green coffee beans vary with CBB damage. With specific volatile profiles for CBB-damaged coffee identified, coffee samples can be tested in the lab, or potentially on the farm or in coffee mills, to identify high levels of CBB damage that may lead to off flavors and a reduction in product quality and value. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Over-the-counter access to emergency contraception without age restriction: an opinion of the Women's Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Family planning remains a high priority area for the United States, with goals to increase the proportion of pregnancies that are intended, reduce pregnancy rates among adolescents, and increase contraceptive use prioritized in the Healthy People 2020 objectives. Contraception intended for use after unprotected intercourse, known as emergency contraception, remains underutilized. Levonorgestrel is one method of oral emergency contraception, which prevents fertilization and does not disrupt an already established pregnancy; thus, timing of administration is critical. Despite data demonstrating safety and efficacy, evidence-based decision making has been overshadowed by politically charged actions involving levonorgestrel emergency contraception for over a decade. The Women's Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy supports expanded access to levonorgestrel emergency contraception and removal of barriers such as age restrictions on the nonprescription drug product. Pharmacists remain a key provider of emergency contraceptive services and can help ensure timely access. In states where direct pharmacy access to emergency contraception is available, pharmacists are encouraged to participate. Education, research, and advocacy are other important responsibilities for pharmacists in this arena.

A Prospective Evaluation of the Effects of a 12-Week Outpatient Exercise Program on Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes in Patients with Epilepsy.

Purpose. We hypothesized that patients randomized to an exercise program would demonstrate a measurable improvement in behavioral outcomes with no adverse clinical outcomes, as compared with control patients.Methods. This randomized, prospective, parallel, and controlled study spanned 12 weeks. Twenty-eight patients were randomized either to participate in a supervised exercise program (Exercise) or to continue their current level of activity with no planned intervention (Control). The Exercise group worked with an exercise physiologist three times per week. At specific intervals, behavioral (QOLIE-89, POMS, PSDQ, Self-Esteem) and clinical (seizure activity, antiepileptic drug (AED) concentrations) outcomes were measured.Results. Twenty-three patients completed the study (Exercise n = 14, Control n = 9). Of the four patients in the Exercise group with active seizures, two had no change, one had an increase, and one had a decrease in seizure activity. Of the three patients in the Control group with active seizures, one had no change, one had an increase, and one had a decrease in seizure activity. In all patients, there was <26% coefficient of variation in AED concentrations over the 12-week study, suggesting little or no impact of the exercise intervention. The overall quality of life and two domain scores improved from baseline to Week 12 in the Exercise group (P = 0.031), while the Control group score did not change (P = 0.943). In the Exercise group, there were several measures of physical self-concept and vigor that improved and total mood disturbance decreased from the beginning to the end of the program.Conclusion. This is the first randomized, controlled study of exercise in patients with epilepsy. Behavioral outcomes are positively influenced by moderate exercise and there is no impact on seizure frequency. This suggests that exercise should not be discouraged in the care of epilepsy patients. The ability to offer an exercise program adds a health promotion component to the current plan of care provided by our comprehensive epilepsy program.