Homozygosity mapping to the USH2A locus in two isolated populations.

Usher syndrome is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterised by progressive visual loss from retinitis pigmentosa and moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Usher syndrome is estimated to account for 6-10% of all congenital sensorineural hearing loss. A gene locus in Usher type II (USH2) families has been assigned to a small region on chromosome 1q41 called the UHS2A locus. We have investigated two families with Usher syndrome from different isolated populations. One family is a Norwegian Saami family and the second family is from the Cayman Islands. They both come from relatively isolated populations and are inbred families suitable for linkage analysis. A lod score of 3.09 and 7.65 at zero recombination was reached respectively in the two families with two point linkage analysis to the USH2A locus on 1q41. Additional homozygosity mapping of the affected subjects concluded with a candidate region of 6.1 Mb. This region spans the previously published candidate region in USH2A. Our study emphasises that the mapped gene for USH2 is also involved in patients from other populations and will have implications for future mutation analysis once the USH2A gene is cloned.

Nutrition and health status assessment of community-residing elderly in New York City: a pilot study.

Ninety-five percent of persons over the age of 65 years live in the community and benefit from community-based health and nutrition services. The purpose of this project was to evaluate diet, function, and mental health in 40 men and women aged 65 years and older who were residing in a large metropolitan community. Nutritional status was assessed using two 24-hour recalls, 5 days of food records, a food frequency, and anthropometric measurements. Participants responded to standardized activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living instruments and an investigator-developed, performance-based appraisal of food preparation and management. Cognition and mood were assessed using the Folstein Mini-Mental Examination and the Yesavage Depression Scale. The nutrient intakes for individuals were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and the Food Guide Pyramid. Mean energy intake was 1,625 kcal (range = 787 to 2,910 kcal); 7 persons consumed more than 2,000 kcal. The mean vitamin and mineral intake for participants met the RDAs except for calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium intakes. The average percentages of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 53%, 16%, and 30%, respectively. Nutritional assessments of subjects with and without congregate meals were contrasted. Six of the 13 congregate-meal participants were at nutritional risk, compared with 6 of 27 not receiving congregate meals. The interrelationships of diet, functional status, and mental health factors were examined along with recommendations for future data collection in similar studies.

A cost effective approach to functional assessment.

No abstract available for this article.

Pragmatic learning and media courses at New York University.

The responses of students who were exposed to pragmatic and conventional learning models with regard to activities were analyzed and compared for content. Seventeen categories representing the students' thoughts and feelings about crafts emerged from the content analysis. These categories were divided into three content areas: pragmatic concepts, nonpragmatic concepts, and feelings. The 17 concepts were subjected to statistical analysis (i.e., group t tests). As anticipated, exposure to the pragmatic learning model resulted in significant positive changes in pragmatic concepts and feelings and, to a lesser degree, in nonpragmatic concepts. Additionally, exposure to the pragmatic learning model resulted in fewer negative remarks about crafts and their use in therapy. These findings were supported by a case study and may aid educators in designing media education courses.

Media education based on the philosophy of pragmatism.

The responsibility for crafts instruction at New York University was transferred recently from the Art Department to the Department of Occupational Therapy, where a new model of media education has been developed. This change resulted from the difficulties students and faculty experienced in integrating craft activities with occupational therapy's conceptual foundations and the realities of practice. These problems are not unique to this university but are common throughout our profession. This paper will discuss these problems and an attempt at their solution by outlining a model for media education based on historical and philosophical concepts pertinent to the profession. This model demonstrates the academic justification for the development and presentation of media education courses by occupational therapy faculty.

Pragmatism as a foundation for occupational therapy curricula.

This paper shows that the founders of occupational therapy adhered to the philosophy of pragmatism. A structure for curriculum design based on this philosophy is presented. It is proposed that clarifying our foundational philosophy to students by means of this structure would enhance their synthesis of occupational therapy concepts.

Computers and the private practitioner in occupational therapy.

Computer application to thc area of occupational therapy practice is a relatively recent undertaking. Because of the absence of pertinent literature, suggestions given for potential uses are derived from imagination and from recent experience. As a therapist in private practice, concerned with cost and efficiency as well as quality treatment, the computer is examined as an administrative and research tool. Therapists are given guidelines so as to choose whether and where to initiate computer use. Next, computers and tasks are subjected to activity analysis, suggesting idaptations for use and proposing some treatment applications. Potential hazards and future needs are discussed, including computer literacy in education of therapists, compatibility of hardware/software, and communication between therapists.