Evaluation of a New Adolescent Social Communication Assessment: The Transition Pragmatics Interview.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the psychometric functioning of a new criterion-referenced assessment of adolescent social communication, the Transition Pragmatics Interview (TPI), based on the synthesis model of pragmatics. Two ways of interpreting item difficulty were explored: (a) as a function of the synthesis model elements of social communication ability that items were designed to assess, and (b) as a function of the developmental level required for a successful response based on an adapted situational-discourse-semantics (SDS) model (Norris & Hoffman, 1993). METHOD: Thirty-seven participants aged 14-22 years completed the TPI. Responses were analyzed using Rasch analysis to evaluate the functioning of the scale and to determine item difficulty. Items were coded for the SDS developmental level required for an adequate response. The mean Rasch item difficulty for items at each SDS developmental level was analyzed for the five adapted SDS domains. RESULTS: Consistent with the first approach for interpreting item difficulty, TPI items varied in difficulty as a function of the element of social communication they were designed to assess (p < .001). Interpreting item difficulty based on the adapted SDS model was not supported: Items requiring higher SDS developmental levels were not more difficult than those requiring less (p = .55). CONCLUSIONS: The TPI responses fit the Rasch model, supporting the TPI as a unidimensional measure and supporting the use of all items together to compute a single number that summarizes the level of social communication for each examinee. The item ordering from least to most difficult was consistent with prior findings on adolescent social communication development. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26018545.

Delivery Characterization of SPL84 Inhaled Antisense Oligonucleotide Drug for 3849 + 10 kb C- > T Cystic Fibrosis Patients.

Recent advances in the therapeutic potential of RNA-related treatments, specifically for antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based drugs, have led to increased numbers of ASO regulatory approvals. In this study, we focus on SPL84, an inhaled ASO-based drug, developed for the treatment of the pulmonary disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Pulmonary drug delivery is challenging, due to a variety of biological, physical, chemical, and structural barriers, especially when targeting the cell nucleus. The distribution of SPL84 throughout the lungs, penetration into the epithelial cells and nucleus, and structural stability are critical parameters that will impact drug efficacy in a clinical setting. In this study, we demonstrate broad distribution, as well as cell and nucleus penetration of SPL84 in mouse and monkey lungs. In vivo and in vitro studies confirmed the stability of our inhaled drug in CF patient-derived mucus and in lung lysosomal extracts. The mobility of SPL84 through hyperconcentrated mucus was also demonstrated. Our results, supported by a promising preclinical pharmacological effect of full restoration of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel activity, emphasize the high potential of SPL84 as an effective drug for the treatment of CF patients. In addition, successfully tackling the lung distribution of SPL84 offers immense opportunities for further development of SpliSense's inhaled ASO-based drugs for unmet needs in pulmonary diseases.

Altering the viscoelastic properties of mucus-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms affects antibiotic susceptibility.

The viscoelastic properties of biofilms are correlated with their susceptibility to mechanical and chemical stress, and the airway environment in muco-obstructive pulmonary diseases (MOPD) facilitates robust biofilm formation. Hyperconcentrated, viscoelastic mucus promotes chronic inflammation and infection, resulting in increased mucin and DNA concentrations. The viscoelastic properties of biofilms are regulated by biopolymers, including polysaccharides and DNA, and influence responses to antibiotics and phagocytosis. We hypothesize that targeted modulation of biofilm rheology will compromise structural integrity and increase antibiotic susceptibility and mucociliary transport. We evaluate biofilm rheology on the macro, micro, and nano scale as a function of treatment with a reducing agent, a biopolymer, and/or tobramycin to define the relationship between the viscoelastic properties of biofilms and susceptibility. Disruption of the biofilm architecture is associated with altered macroscopic and microscopic moduli, rapid vector permeability, increased antibiotic susceptibility, and improved mucociliary transport, suggesting that biofilm modulating therapeutics will improve the treatment of chronic respiratory infections in MOPD.

Design of a 3000-Pixel Transition-Edge Sensor X-Ray Spectrometer for Microcircuit Tomography.

Feature sizes in integrated circuits have decreased substantially over time, and it has become increasingly difficult to three-dimensionally image these complex circuits after fabrication. This can be important for process development, defect analysis, and detection of unexpected structures in externally sourced chips, among other applications. Here, we report on a non-destructive, tabletop approach that addresses this imaging problem through x-ray tomography, which we uniquely realize with an instrument that combines a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a transition-edge sensor (TES) x-ray spectrometer. Our approach uses the highly focused SEM electron beam to generate a small x-ray generation region in a carefully designed target layer that is placed over the sample being tested. With the high collection efficiency and resolving power of a TES spectrometer, we can isolate x-rays generated in the target from background and trace their paths through regions of interest in the sample layers, providing information about the various materials along the x-ray paths through their attenuation functions. We have recently demonstrated our approach using a 240 Mo/Cu bilayer TES prototype instrument on a simplified test sample containing features with sizes of ∼ 1 µm. Currently, we are designing and building a 3000 Mo/Au bilayer TES spectrometer upgrade, which is expected to improve the imaging speed by factor of up to 60 through a combination of increased detector number and detector speed.

Validating the Persian Intuitive Eating Scale-2 Among Breast Cancer Survivors Who Are Overweight/Obese.

Women with breast cancer are at risk of being overweight/obese which may consequently increase mortality. Intuitive eating is an adaptive eating behavior which might be beneficial for weight outcomes. The present study validated the Persian Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) among overweight/obese Iranian females with breast cancer. Women who were overweight/obese with breast cancer (n = 762; mean ± SD age = 55.1 ± 5.7 years) completed the following questionnaires: IES-2, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-6), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form-12 (SF-12), Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis were applied to examine the psychometric properties of the IES-2. Associations between IES-2 score and other scale scores were assessed. CFA and Rasch analysis suggested that the Persian IES-2 had robust psychometric properties and all IES-2 items were meaningful in their embedded domains. The four-factor structure of the Persian IES-2 was confirmed. Concurrent validity was supported by the positive correlations between the IES-2 score and scores on the GSE-6, SF-12 mental component, and BAS-2. Negative correlations were found between the IES-2 score and the HADS (anxiety and depression subscales), WBIS, and EAT-26. The present study demonstrated that the Persian IES-2 is a well-designed instrument and is applicable for women who are overweight/obese with breast cancer.

Rasch Analysis for Instrument Development: Why, When, and How?

This essay describes Rasch analysis psychometric techniques and how such techniques can be used by life sciences education researchers to guide the development and use of surveys and tests. Specifically, Rasch techniques can be used to document and evaluate the measurement functioning of such instruments. Rasch techniques also allow researchers to construct "Wright maps" to explain the meaning of a test score or survey score and develop alternative forms of tests and surveys. Rasch techniques provide a mechanism by which the quality of life sciences-related tests and surveys can be optimized and the techniques can be used to provide a context (e.g., what topics a student has mastered) when explaining test and survey results.

Effects of Panax ginseng, zearalenol, and estradiol on sperm function.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. METHODS: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta (ERα and ERß)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. RESULTS: Zearalenol-but not estradiol (E2)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone (P4) and ionophore. CONCLUSION: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including P4, E2, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

Impact of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function.

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) and the isoflavone puerarin in functional toxicological tests on spermatozoa and to assess the affinity of extracts and pure isoflavones for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta (ERα, ERß) in receptor binding assays. Capacitation, acrosome reaction and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were analyzed using microscopic analysis. Kudzu, but not puerarin, reduced motility of sperm. Puerarin reduced the percent spontaneous acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. The pathways used by kudzu that affect sperm function are not fully mirrored by puerarin. Puerarin, kudzu and its other phytoestrogenic components displayed preferential affinity for ERß, however the diverse effects of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function implicate the involvement of multiple signaling systems.

Predictors of bariatric surgery among an interested population.

BACKGROUND: Severely obese patients considering bariatric surgery face a difficult decision given the tradeoff between the benefits and risks of surgery. The objectives of this study was to study the forces driving this decision and improve our understanding of the decision-making process. METHODS: A 64-item survey was developed to assess factors in the decision-making process for bariatric surgery. The survey included the decisional conflict scale, decision self-efficacy scale, EuroQol 5D, and the standard gamble. Patients were recruited from a regularly scheduled bariatric surgery interest group meeting associated with a large, university-based bariatric practice and administered a survey at the conclusion of the interest group. Logistic regression models were used to predict who pursued or still planned to pursue surgery at 12 months. RESULTS: 200 patients were recruited over an 8-month period. Mean age was 45 years; mean BMI was 48 kg/m(2), and 77% were female. The 12-month follow-up rate was 95%. At 12 months, 33 patients (17.6%) had surgery and 30 (16.0%) still planned to have surgery. There was no association between age, gender, or obesity-associated conditions and surgery or plan to have surgery. Patients having surgery or still planning to have surgery had significantly worse scores for quality of life and better scores for decisional conflict (indicating readiness to make a decision). CONCLUSION: The decision to have bariatric surgery is strongly associated with patients' perceptions of their current quality of life. In addition, lower decisional conflict and higher self-efficacy are predictive of surgery. Interestingly, factors that clinicians might consider important, such as gender, age, and the presence of obesity-associated co-morbidities did not influence patients' decisions.

Accu-Beads as a quality control measure for manual and automated methods of measuring sperm concentration-an observational study.

PURPOSE: To determine the precision and accuracy of Accu-Beads and their utility as a quality control product for manual and automated measurements of sperm concentration. METHODS: This observational study was performed at an Assisted Reproductive Technology laboratory in a tertiary-care, university hospital. To simulate sperm concentration, bead concentrations were measured with the use of a manual and an automated method. RESULTS: The manual counts did not vary significantly from the automated counts regardless of the concentration. However, the counts did vary between lots of low concentration of Accu-Beads and between the two different types of fixed counting chambers. The two bead concentrations used in this study were below the 95 % confidence interval for the values listed by the manufacturer. CONCLUSION(S): In our laboratory, Accu-Beads met enough of the requirements of a good control material to be acceptable for daily quality control use, especially if we set our own ranges of acceptability for each vial of Accu-Beads. It is necessary to evaluate each new lot of Accu-Beads when they are received and again if they are used with a different counting chamber.

Temperature variations within and between incubators-a prospective, observational study.

PURPOSE: To determine if there is a temperature variation within and between incubators. METHODS: This prospective, experimental trial with external controls was performed at an Assisted Reproductive Technology laboratory in a tertiary-care, university hospital. Temperature values were taken at various locations within and between incubators. RESULTS: Even though they were both set to 37.0 °C, the same make and model incubators had significantly different internal temperatures. Temperatures differed significantly among top, middle and bottom shelves and between fronts and backs of shelves. CONCLUSION(S): We found temperatures differed within and between our front-loading incubators. Thus, laboratory personnel should evaluate their incubators for temperature variations within and between incubators and, if temperatures differ significantly, develop a plan to deal with discrepancies.

The heat is on: room temperature affects laboratory equipment--an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ambient room temperature on equipment typically used in in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: We set the control temperature of the room to 20 °C (+/-0.3) and used CIMScan probes to record temperatures of the following equipment: six microscope heating stages, four incubators, five slide warmers and three heating blocks. We then increased the room temperature to 26 °C (+/-0.3) or decreased it to 17 °C (+/-0.3) and monitored the same equipment again. We wanted to determine what role, if any, changing room temperature has on equipment temperature fluctuation. RESULTS: There was a direct relationship between room temperature and equipment temperature stability. When room temperature increased or decreased, equipment temperature reacted in a corresponding manner. Statistical differences between equipment were found when the room temperature changed. What is also noteworthy is that temperature of equipment responded within 5 min to a change in room temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Clearly, it is necessary to be aware of the affect of room temperature on equipment when performing assisted reproductive procedures. Room and equipment temperatures should be monitored faithfully and adjusted as frequently as needed, so that consistent culture conditions can be maintained. If more stringent temperature control can be achieved, human assisted reproduction success rates may improve.

Changes in long luteal protocol affects the number of days of stimulation: evolution of an assisted reproductive technology practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the types of drugs used in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation influence the number of days of stimulation. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study of couples presenting at an assisted reproductive technology (ART) facility January 1997 through December 2007 included patients who were < 40 years of age, had a body mass index (BMI) of 20-35, used fresh sperm or oocytes, had > or = 3 embryos available on day 3, never had previous ART, and did not use a gestational carrier. Data analysis was limited to patients treated with long luteal stimulation. Data were separated into two groups: patients stimulated with urinary drugs and those stimulated with recombinant drugs. RESULTS: The groups were not different in age and day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone values, but were different in BMI, diagnoses, and fertilization methods. There were a significantly greater number of days of stimulation, total number of follicles produced, and peak estradiol level in the recombinant group. The recombinant group had less drug given per day, less endometrial thickness, and fewer embryos transferred. CONCLUSION: A change in our long luteal stimulation protocol appears to have lengthened the days of stimulation for our patients without altering pregnancy rate.

The Implementation of Virtual Instruction in Relation to X-ray Anatomy and Positioning in a Chiropractic Degree Program: A Descriptive Paper.

This article provides information regarding the introduction of virtual education into classroom instruction, wherein a method of classroom instruction was developed with the use of a computer, digital camera, and various software programs. This approach simplified testing procedures, thus reducing institutional costs substantially by easing the demand for manpower, and seemed to improve average grade performance. Organized files with hundreds of digital pictures have created a range of instructor resources. Much of the new course materials were organized onto compact disks to complement course notes. Customizing presentations with digital technology holds potential benefits for students, instructors and the institution.

Blastocyst rate and live births from vitrification and slow-cooled two-cell mouse embryos.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a closed vitrification system, compare vitrification to a slow-cooled cryopreservation method, and compare the pup rate between both methods using two-cell mouse embryos. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective animal study. SETTING: Hospital-based IVF practice. ANIMAL(S): B6C3F1 mouse embryos. INTERVENTION(S): Two-cell mouse embryos were cryopreserved using a slow-cooled or vitrification method and then thawed at a later date. The embryos were cultured and transferred to recipient females. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Embryos were observed for blastocyst rate and pups were observed for phenotypic anomalies and weighed at 30, 60, and 90 days after birth. RESULT(S): Neither the blastocyst rate, pup rate, nor pup weights were significantly different when the two cryopreservation methods were compared. CONCLUSION(S): Because there were no differences in blastocyst rates, pup rates, or pup weights, we plan to further investigate the potential effects of vitrification on genotypic damage via the Comet Assay.

Effect of human granulosa cell co-culture using standard culture media on the maturation and fertilization potential of immature human oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether culture of immature human oocytes with and without autologous cumulus cells (CC) in standard culture medium would provide additional oocytes for use in IVF procedures. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Hospital-based IVF practice. PATIENT(S): Sixty-one women undergoing 62 IVF-embryo transfer procedures between August 2004 and June 2005. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Oocyte maturation after culture with and without CC, oocyte fertilization, and zygote cleavage. RESULT(S): Culture with CC did not alter the maturation rate for metaphase I (M I) oocytes to the metaphase II (M II) stage. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes cultured with CC matured at a significantly higher rate than did GV oocytes cultured without CC. Although acceptable fertilization rates were obtained (62.1%), "usable" embryo yield was very low (13.0%). CONCLUSION(S): This study demonstrated good maturation of M I oocytes but poor maturation of GV oocytes in standard culture medium. Of the immature oocytes that did mature, were fertilized, and cleaved to embryos, only a very small number were actually suitable for patient use. Therefore, these extended culturing techniques were inefficient in maturing and providing additional oocytes/embryos for patient use. The use of specialized in vitro maturation medium may improve the utility of this process.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of microorganisms in an assisted reproductive technology facility.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the environmental microorganisms associated with two assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Two ART laboratories at Greenville Hospital System (GHS) University Medical Center in Greenville, South Carolina. PATIENT(S): None. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitative and qualitative analysis of colony-forming units (CFU; bacteria and fungi) and particles from an embryology clean room and an andrology laboratory. RESULT(S): Within these laboratories, three of the sites sampled differed significantly in the mean number of CFU per plate. These sites included external laboratory surfaces, laboratory room air, and air within cell-culture incubators. The mean number of viable CFU per cubic meter of laboratory room air differed significantly between the two laboratories. A total of 23 unique microbial species were isolated from the andrology laboratory, whereas 10 unique species were isolated from the embryology clean room. CONCLUSION(S): The data herein suggest that the increased positive control measures used in the embryology clean room are effective in minimizing environmental biologic contamination.

Incubator management in an assisted reproductive technology laboratory.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of incubator management on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. DESIGN: Series of retrospective and controlled, randomized studies. SETTING: Tertiary care infertility practice. PATIENT(S): Mammalian gametes/embryos. INTERVENTION(S): Evaluation of human and bovine oocytes/embryos cultured in various environmental conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Fertilization and embryo development rate as well as clinical pregnancy rate (PR). CONCLUSION(S): Here we review the general topic of incubator management as it pertains to ART. Discussed within the context of this article will be our experiences as they relate to incubator management. Details as they apply to incubator environment also will include gamete/embryo positions within incubator, air quality, and quality control.