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Background The bovine upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiome includes opportunistic pathogens that cause respiratory disease and stress associated with maternal separation and transportation contributes to the severity of this respiratory disease. Stress is known to alter the gut microbiome but little is known regarding the effect of stress on the URT microbiota. This study used six-month old suckling beef calves to investigate whether maternal separation (weaned), by itself or combined with transportation (weaned + transport), altered the URT microbiome and host immune responses to resident opportunistic pathogens. Results Taxonomic and functional composition of the URT microbiome in suckling and weaned beef calves did not change significantly when serially sampled over a one-month period. Subtle temporal changes in the URT microbiome composition were observed in weaned + transport calves. Total bacterial density was lower ( p  < 0.05) on day 4 post-weaning in both the weaned and weaned + transport groups when compared to suckling calves. In addition, significant ( p  < 0.05) temporal changes in the density of the opportunistic pathogens, M. haemolytica and P. multocida , were observed independent of treatment but these changes did not correlate with significantly increased ( p  < 0.05) serum antibody responses to both of these bacteria in the weaned and weaned + transport groups. Serum antibody responses to My. bovis , another opportunistic pathogen, remained unchanged in all treatment groups. Weaning, by itself and in combination with transportation, also had significant ( p  < 0.05) short- (2 to 8 days post-weaning) and long-term (28 days post-weaning) effects on the expression of adrenergic receptor genes in blood leukocytes when compared to age-matched suckling beef calves. Conclusions Maternal separation (weaning) and transportation has minor effects on the taxonomic and functional composition of the URT microbiome and temporal changes in the density of opportunistic pathogen residing in the URT did not correlate with significant changes in immune responses to these bacteria. Significant changes in adrenergic receptor expression in blood leukocytes following weaning, with or without transportation, suggests altered neuroimmune regulation should be further investigated as a mechanism by which stress can alter host-microbiome interactions for some opportunistic respiratory pathogens that reside in the URT.

Raised Up Down Yonder attempts to shift focus away from why black youth are \"problematic\" to explore what their daily lives actually entail. Howell travels to the small community of Hamilton, Alabama, to investigate what it is like for a young black person to grow up in the contemporary rural South. What she finds is that the young people of Hamilton are neither idly passing their time in a stereotypically languid setting, nor are they being corrupted by hip hop culture and the perils of the urban North, as many pundits suggest. Rather, they are dynamic and diverse young people making their way through the structures that define the twenty-first-century South. Told through the poignant stories of several high school students, Raised Up Down Yonder reveals a group that is often rendered invisible in society. Blended families, football sagas, crunk music, expanding social networks, and a nearby segregated prom are just a few of the fascinating juxtapositions. Howell uses personal biography, historical accounts, sociolinguistic analysis, and community narratives to illustrate persistent racism, class divisions, and resistance in a new context. She addresses contemporary issues, such as moral panics regarding the future of youth in America and educational policies that may be well meaning but are ultimately misguided.

BackgroundAcute intestinal infections are common conditions causing high morbidity and mortality especially in the young and elderly, resulting in a significant burden on health service resources and the economy. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance are fluid and nutritional management; however, this does not reduce the duration of diarrhoea and the challenge of treating diarrhoea itself remains. We investigated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of intestinal adsorbent Enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) compared with standard care in adults with acute diarrhoea.MethodsThis was a randomised controlled trial enrolling 105 subjects to receive the medical device Enterosgel up to six times daily for up to 8 days with standard care (oral rehydration solution), or standard care alone. The primary endpoint was the duration of diarrhoea (hours) from randomisation to first non-loose stool in the Enterosgel versus control group.ResultsA total of 51 subjects were randomised into the Enterosgel group and 54 into the control group, after excluding missing data, the data from 43 subjects in each group were analysed. Duration of diarrhoea was significantly shorter in the Enterosgel group at 27 hours versus 39 hours in the control group (HR was 1.74 [95% CI 1.06 to 2.87]) (p=0.03). This yielded a number needed to treat value of 5. Enterosgel was well tolerated and safe with no serious adverse events. One serious diarrhoea-related event resulting in hospitalisation was reported in the control group.ConclusionsEnterosgel treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of diarrhoea in adults with patient-reported acute diarrhoea, compared with standard care. These findings support the role of Enterosgel in acute diarrhoea especially in vulnerable groups where rapid resolution of symptoms is required. Reduction in symptom duration could translate to less healthcare costs and socioeconomic burden.Trial registration numberISRCTN20758708

ObjectiveIrritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D) is a common and challenging condition that significantly reduces quality of life. Enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) is an intestinal adsorbent which sequesters harmful molecules and is safe and effective in acute infective diarrhoea. This randomised controlled multicentre trial aimed to investigate its safety and efficacy in patients with IBS-D.DesignAfter a 2-week screening phase, participants were randomised into an 8-week double-blind phase, followed by an 8-week open-label and follow-up phase. Participants recorded stool consistency, pain and global symptoms in e-diaries and questionnaires. The primary outcome was the percentage of responders on a composite abdominal pain (≥30% decrease in the weekly score) and stool consistency (50% reduction in days per week with at least one stool of BSFS type 6 or 7) score during at least 4 weeks of the treatment period.Results440 patients with IBS-D were randomised to the double-blind phase with 393 continuing to the open-label phase. The Primary outcome responder rate by intention-to-treat for enterosgel versus placebo was 37.4% vs 24.3% (OR 1.95, NNT 8, p=0.002). Enterosgel also improved stool consistency (48.5% vs 32.5%, p<0.0001) abdominal pain (53.3% vs 40.2%, p=0.003), stool frequency (treatment effect −0.32 (−0.62 to −0.02)) and urgency (treatment effect −0.59 (−0.85 to −0.33)). 60% of patients reported adequate relief of symptoms after open-label treatment. Adverse event frequency was similar in both groups, with no serious events attributable to enterosgel.ConclusionEnterosgel is safe and effective in IBS-D, providing an alternative to the limited current treatment options.Trial registration number ISRCTN17149988.

Praise notes have the potential to positively influence student behavior and relationships. Few studies have examined the social validity of praise, however, and these studies have focused on students' perceptions. The purpose of this study was to describe student, parent, and teacher perceptions of a school-wide praise note intervention at a Title I elementary school. Twenty-three teachers, 203 parents, and 203 students completed surveys regarding a pre-existing praise note intervention. Surveys consisted of 13 quantitative items and two open-ended questions. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that participants had positive perceptions of praise notes. Participants also believed that praise notes helped improve relationships, home/school communication, and student behavior. Results also suggest that praise notes are sustainable and have a good level of buy-in. While parents liked praise notes and believed that praise notes improved home/school communication, teachers seemed unaware of parents' enthusiasm. Implications and limitations of this study are addressed.

The use of teacher-written praise notes has the potential to positively influence student classroom behavior and relationships. However, few studies have examined the social validity of praise in schools. The purpose of this study was to evaluate student, teacher, and parent perceptions of a school-wide praise note intervention implemented by teachers at a Title I elementary school. Social validity surveys were completed by 23 teachers, 203 parents, and 203 students at the end of the school year. Results indicated that participants believed praise notes helped improve classroom behavior, relationships, and home-school communication. Results also suggested that praise notes were sustainable and had a good level of teacher buy-in, though suggestions for improvement were noted. Implications and limitations of this study are addressed.

College students are reporting higher levels of stress and feel they lack adequate coping mechanisms. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine how accurately students can estimate their resonant frequency breaths-per-minute (Optimal BPM) after engaging in 4 weeks of daily breathing practice. Specifically, we wanted to know if daily breathing practice would increase students' awareness of their breathing and improve their accuracy in identifying their current breathing rate. Increasing awareness of current bodily state is a key component of stress management and breathing practice has found to be particularly powerful in reducing stress and improving health. A total of 36 students participated in the study, with an average age of 21 years and 65% female. Optimal BPM was determined using the emWave PC power spectrum display in combination with the EZ-Air Breath Pacer loosely following the protocol for training subjects to breath at their resonant frequency in Lehrer et al. (2000). Students practiced breathing for an average of 20 min per day approximately 5 days a week over the 4-week period. At baseline, 24% of student accurately identified their current breathing rate. At the 4-week follow-up, 50% of students accurately identified their breathing rate. Students also reported decreased total stress (p < .01) and lower levels of headache, fatigue, etc. (p < .01) at the conclusion of the study. As time spent in breathing practice increased, levels of headache, etc., decreased (r = -.38, p = .01). Given the simplicity of breathing exercises and the wide availability of CDs and other portable equipment, breathing practice represents an excellent way to reduce stress and increase well-being in college student populations.