Deaths Associated With Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Residents in 50 States and the District of Columbia, 2016-2017.

BACKGROUND: Mortality associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been well-documented nationally, but an examination across regions and jurisdictions may inform health-care planning. METHODS: To document HCV-associated deaths sub-nationally, we calculated age-adjusted, HCV-associated death rates and compared death rate ratios (DRRs) for 10 US regions, 50 states, and Washington, D.C., using the national rate and described rate changes between 2016 and 2017 to determine variability. We examined the mean age at HCV-associated death, and rates and proportions by sex, race/ethnicity, and birth year. RESULTS: In 2017, there were 17 253 HCV-associated deaths, representing 4.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.07-4.20) deaths/100 000 standard population, in a significant, 6.56% rate decline from 4.42 in 2016. Age-adjusted death rates significantly surpassed the US rate for the following jurisdictions: Oklahoma; Washington, D.C.; Oregon; New Mexico; Louisiana; Texas; Colorado; California; Kentucky; Tennessee; Arizona; and Washington (DRRs, 2.87, 2.77, 2.24, 1.62, 1.57, 1.46, 1.36, 1.35, 1.35, 1.35, 1.32, and 1.32, respectively; P < .05). Death rates ranged from a low of 1.60 (95% CI, 1.07-2.29) in Maine to a high of 11.84 (95% CI, 10.82-12.85) in Oklahoma. Death rates were highest among non-Hispanic (non-H) American Indians/Alaska Natives and non-H Blacks, both nationally and regionally. The mean age at death was 61.4 years (range, 56.6 years in West Virginia to 64.1 years in Washington, D.C.), and 78.6% of those who died were born during 1945-1965. CONCLUSIONS: In 2016-2017, the national HCV-associated mortality declined but rates remained high in the Western and Southern regions and Washington, D.C., and among non-H American Indians/Alaska Natives, non-H Blacks, and Baby Boomers. These data can inform local prevention and control programs to reduce the HCV mortality burden.

Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear HRV Dynamics Across Exercise Intensities After Menopause.

The authors compared the linear and nonlinear heart rate variability dynamics from rest through maximal exercise in postmenopausal women who trained at either moderate or high intensities. The outcome variables included the RR triangular index, TINN, SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2, DFA α1, DFA α2, and α1/α2. Maximal exercise reduced SD1, SD2, DFA α1, DFA α2, α1/α2, RRTri, and TINN in both groups and increased SD1/SD2 (p < .05). Two minutes of active recovery produced significant increases in SD1, SD2, DFA α1, and TINN, compared with exercise in both groups (p < .0001). There was also a significant main effect between groups for RRTri during exercise recovery, with the moderate group achieving higher levels (p < .04). The authors have shown that both moderate and vigorous exercise training can lead to a healthy response to maximal exercise and recovery, with the moderate group having a slightly improved recovery in the triangular index.

Orthorexia nervosa: Assessment and correlates with gender, BMI, and personality.

This study investigated whether orthorexia nervosa (ON; characterized by an obsessive fixation on eating healthy) may be predicted from the demographics variables of gender and BMI, and from the personality variables of self-esteem, narcissism, and perfectionism. Participants were 459 college students, who completed several online questionnaires that assessed these variables. A principal components analysis confirmed that the Eating Habits Questionnaire (Gleaves, Graham, & Ambwani, 2013) assesses three internally-consistent ON components: healthy eating behaviors, problems resulting from those behaviors, and positive feelings associated with those behaviors. A MANOVA and its tests of between subjects effects then revealed significant interactions between gender and BMI, such that for men but not women, a higher BMI was associated with greater symptomatology for all ON components. Partial correlation analyses, after controlling for gender and BMI, revealed that both narcissism and perfectionism were positively correlated with all aspects of ON symptomatology.

Rising Mortality Associated With Hepatitis C Virus in the United States, 2003-2013.

In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is increasing. From 2003-2013, the number of deaths associated with HCV has now surpassed 60 other nationally notifiable infectious conditions combined. The increasing HCV-associated mortality trend underscores the urgency in finding, evaluating, and treating HCV-infected persons.

Integrated RNA extraction and RT-PCR for semi-quantitative gene expression studies on a microfluidic device.

This paper describes the development of a microfluidic methodology, using RNA extraction and reverse transcription PCR, for investigating expression levels of cytochrome P450 genes. Cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, including many commonly prescribed drugs, therefore information on their expression is useful in both pharmaceutical and clinical settings. RNA extraction, from rat liver tissue or primary rat hepatocytes, was performed using a silica-based solid-phase extraction technique. Following elution of the purified RNA, amplification of target sequences for the housekeeping gene, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the cytochrome P450 gene CYP1A2, was carried out using a one-step reverse transcription PCR. Once the microfluidic methodology had been optimized, analysis of control and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced primary rat hepatocytes were used to evaluate the system. As expected, GAPDH was consistently expressed, whereas CYP1A2 levels were found to be raised in the drug-treated samples. The proposed system offers an initial platform for development of both rapid throughput analyzers for pharmaceutical drug screening and point-of-care diagnostic tests to aid provision of drug regimens, which can be tailor-made to the individual patient.

Effects of video modeling on addition word-problem performance of students with autism spectrum disorder.

Many students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience academic challenges and difficulties. These struggles are especially pronounced in mathematics with students with ASD performing significantly below than their peers without disabilities on measures of mathematical performance. The current study used a single case experimental design with concurrent multiple probe across students to investigate the effects of a point-of-view video modeling (POVM) intervention on accuracy of addition with regrouping word problems. The participants were three secondary grade level students with ASD. Findings showed that each student demonstrated considerable improvement during intervention over baseline levels, and subsequently sustaining their performance through the maintenance phase. Limitations, implications for practitioners and future research directions are presented.

Teaching students with ASD to solve fraction computations using a video modeling instructional package.

BACKGROUND: With the surge of intervention research examining ways of supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive settings, there remains a need to examine how technology supports could enhance students' learning by offering one size fits one instruction. Furthermore, intervention studies focused on teaching students with ASD how to solve fractions are scarce. AIMS: The purpose of this research study was to examine the effects of providing instruction via video modeling (VM), concrete manipulatives, a self-monitoring checklist, and practice for comprehension check on the accuracy of fraction problem solving of three middle school students with ASD. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Through the use of single-case multiple probe across students experimental design, we examined whether a functional relation existed between the intervention and students' improved accuracy of solving simple proper fraction problems. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: All three students improved the accuracy of solving simple proper fraction problems from baseline to intervention sessions and two students generalized the skill to solving whole proper fraction problems. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The intervention consisting of VM and concrete manipulatives along with additional behavioral strategies offers an option for teachers to accommodate diverse learning needs of students with ASD in a variety of settings.

Is Vigorous Exercise Training Superior to Moderate for CVD Risk after Menopause?

Postmenopausal women have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease through many factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle and reduced heart rate variability (HRV). Endurance training improves coronary risk but the role of exercise intensity is unclear. The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of moderate versus vigorous exercise on cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. Thirty-six postmenopausal women who self-reported training at moderate (3-5.9 METS; n=18; age 58.9±4.4yr) or vigorous intensities (>6 METS; n=18; age 59.7±5.2yr) participated. C-reactive protein (CRP), HRV, VO 2 max, and stress (Perceived Stress Survey, Menopause Rating Scale) were measured. Groups were compared using independent samples t- tests, and associations of exercise intensities with CRP and HRV were assessed using multiple regression. CRP, HRV, and VO 2 max were similar ( p >0.05). Vigorous exercise had lower stress subscale scores ( p <0.01) and higher counter-stress subscale scores compared to moderate ( p <0.05). There was a positive association between time spent in vigorous exercise and HRV ( p <0.05).Vigorous exercise may not confer additional benefits in CRP and HRV over moderate, except for stress reduction. However, more time spent in vigorous exercise was associated with higher HRV. Therefore, increased parasympathetic tone may provide cardioprotection after menopause.

Learning with Technology: Video Modeling with Concrete-Representational-Abstract Sequencing for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a video modeling intervention with concrete-representational-abstract instructional sequence in teaching mathematics concepts to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A multiple baseline across skills design of single-case experimental methodology was used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention on the acquisition and maintenance of addition, subtraction, and number comparison skills for four elementary school students with ASD. Findings supported the effectiveness of the intervention in improving skill acquisition and maintenance at a 3-week follow-up. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Video-Based Intervention in Teaching Fraction Problem-Solving to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a point-of-view video modeling intervention to teach mathematics problem-solving when working on word problems involving subtracting mixed fractions with uncommon denominators. Using a multiple-probe across students design of single-case methodology, three high school students with ASD completed the study. All three students demonstrated greater accuracy in solving fraction word problems and maintained accuracy levels at a 1-week follow-up.