Surveillance for Soil-Transmitted Helminths in High-Risk County, Mississippi, USA.

Recent reports of hookworm infection in Alabama, USA, has prompted surveillance in Mississippi, given the states' similar environmental conditions. We collected stool specimens from 277 children in Rankin County, Mississippi. Kato-Katz microscopic smear, agar plate culture, and quantitative PCR indicated no soil-transmitted helminths. Nevertheless, further surveillance in other high-risk Mississippi counties is warranted.

Parasitic Disease Surveillance, Mississippi, USA.

Surveillance for soil-transmitted helminths, strongyloidiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis was conducted in Mississippi, USA. PCR performed on 224 fecal samples for all soil-transmitted helminths and on 370 samples for only Necator americanus and Strongyloides stercoralis identified 1 S. stercoralis infection. Seroprevalences were 8.8% for Toxocara, 27.4% for Cryptosporidium, 5.7% for Giardia, and 0.2% for Strongyloides parasites.

Factors Associated with Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test Results in Outpatient Health Facilities and Emergency Departments Among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years - Mississippi, September-November 2020.

As of December 14, 2020, children and adolescents aged <18 years have accounted for 10.2% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases reported in the United States.* Mitigation strategies to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, among persons of all ages, are important for pandemic control. Characterization of risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and adolescents can inform efforts by parents, school and program administrators, and public health officials to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. To assess school, community, and close contact exposures associated with pediatric COVID-19, a case-control study was conducted to compare exposures reported by parents or guardians of children and adolescents aged <18 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing (case-patients) with exposures reported among those who received negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results (control participants). Among 397 children and adolescents investigated, in-person school or child care attendance ≤14 days before the SARS-CoV-2 test was reported for 62% of case-patients and 68% of control participants and was not associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-1.3). Among 236 children aged ≥2 years who attended child care or school during the 2 weeks before SARS-CoV-2 testing, parents of 64% of case-patients and 76% of control participants reported that their child and all staff members wore masks inside the facility (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.8). In the 2 weeks preceding SARS-CoV-2 testing, case-patients were more likely to have had close contact with a person with known COVID-19 (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.0-5.0), have attended gatherings† with persons outside their household, including social functions (aOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.5) or activities with other children (aOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.3-8.4), or have had visitors in the home (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2-2.9) than were control participants. Close contacts with persons with COVID-19 and gatherings contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and adolescents. Consistent use of masks, social distancing, isolation of infected persons, and quarantine of those who are exposed to the virus continue to be important to prevent COVID-19 spread.

Parasitic Infection Surveillance in Mississippi Delta Children.

Some recent studies suggest ongoing transmission of parasitic diseases in the American South; however, surveys in Mississippi children are lacking. We enrolled 166 children (median age 8 years, range 4-13 years) from the Mississippi Delta region and carried out multi-parallel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Necator americanus, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides stercoralis on their stool samples. Dried blood spots were obtained for multiplex serology antibody detection. Of 166 children, all reported having flushable toilets, 11% had soil exposure, and 34% had a pet dog or cat. None had prior diagnosis or treatment of parasitic disease. Multi-parallel real-time PCRs were negative on the 89 stool DNA extracts available for testing. Dried blood spot testing of all 166 children determined the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to Toxocara spp. (3.6%), Cryptosporidium (2.4%), S. stercoralis, Fasciola hepatica, and Giardia duodenalis (all 0%). In conclusion, parasitic infections and exposure were scarce in this population. Larger studies of at-risk populations are needed.

Preferences for teaching methods in a baccalaureate nursing program: how second-degree and traditional students differ.

Accelerated baccalaureate nursing programs are in great demand in the United States. Currently there are 197 such programs, but little research has been conducted on student characteristics and program outcomes. This quantitative study explores preferences of second-degree students and traditional generic students with regard to teaching methods and relationships with faculty. The results indicate that statistically significant differences exist between the two groups of students. Three areas of significance are ability for self-directed learning, expectations of faculty and classroom structure, and obtaining a grade that really matters.

Generational (age) differences in nursing students' preferences for teaching methods.

A generational age transformation is occurring in nursing classrooms across the United States. Nurse educators need to prepare for the different values and expectations of students from Generation X and the newly emerging Generation Y in the educational environment. This quantitative, descriptive research begins to examine the preferences and expectations of these generations regarding teaching methods.

Pathophysiological changes associated with the exposure of sustained delivery of glucocorticoids on pituitary adenoma cell line.

Glucocorticoid receptor rich tissues such as pituitary cells express tissue specific 11 beta hydroxysteroid type 1 enzyme, which causes cortisol to act as an autocrine, anti-proliferative, pro-differentiation stimulus in normal tissue. In pituitary tumor cells there is a strong correlation indicating a shift from 11 beta hydroxysteroid type 1 enzyme activity to 11 beta hydroxysteroid type 2 enzyme activity. This shift causes an anti-proliferative effect, which may be effective in suppressing tumor activity. Overall, the results indicated a decreased in cell number for both acute and chronic administration over a 96 hour period without inducing cellular damage (MDA), reactive nitric intermediates (nitric oxide) or reducing cellular antioxidant status (glutathione). Cortisol administration cause an increase in the number of hyperchromic nuclei suggesting cell cycle regulation. These findings conclude that cortisol administration to pituitary tumor cells may offer a future means of treatment for hypophysectomized patients.

Evaluation of insulin-like growth factor-1 and parathyroid hormone on growth characteristics of MG-63 cells.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Parathyroid hormones (PTH) are major endocrine secretions that contribute to bone formation. The purpose of this experiment was to examine MG-63 bone like cells after treatment with PTH and IGF-1 in low (1 ug), medium (5 ug), and high (50 ug) dosage levels. MG-63 cells were plated onto a 24 well tissue culture plate at a density of 1 x 1--5 cells per well. The experiment was designed to evaluate cell counts, cell damage (MDA), protein levels, calcium levels, alkaline phosphatase levels, and cellular morphology after 24, 48, and 72 hours post incubation with IGF-1 and PTH. Both hormones stimulated cellular mitotic division as evidenced by morphology and cell numbers. There was an inverse relationship between dose and cell number with the lower dose of IGF-1 and PTH causing the most increase. In both hormones, the exposure to the highest dose induced the largest MDA level increase. However, in the protein levels, few changes in protein levels were found with IGF-1, but PTH showed an increase of protein levels over the time periods. Morphological evaluation showed prominent nucleoli and cellular division throughout both treatments, however the cells with IGF-1 became extremely elongated and the cells with PTH became rather plump. The information gathered suggests that IGF-1 and PTH have an anabolic effect on MG-63 and the effect is dose dependent with both treatments with the lower dose being more effective.

Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents: what's new?

As providers of care for children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), it is imperative that the school nurse is familiar both with the legal framework guiding protection of these students' rights in school and with ongoing developments regarding management of this disorder. Federal legislation, designed to prevent discrimination and to allow children and adolescents with certain disabilities and chronic disorders such as Type 1 DM to fully participate in activities within the academic setting, is a major consideration for those providing care in schools. Understanding of recent developments and future trends in the management of Type 1 DM is essential for the school nurse to facilitate optimal care for students with this disorder. These consist of new types and activity of insulin preparations, alternative devices for insulin delivery, improvements in glucose monitoring, and changes in nutritional management along with upcoming developments in Type 1 DM management.