Cellulolytic microorganisms are considered to be key players in biorefinery, especially for the utilization of plant biomass. These organisms have been isolated from various environments. The Red Sea is one of the seas with high biodiversity and a unique environment, characterized by high water temperature and high salinity . However, there is little information regarding cellulases in Red Sea environments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the Red Sea as a gene resource for microbial cellulase. I first surveyed microbial cellulases in the Red Sea using a method called metagenomes, and then investigated their abundance and diversity. My survey revealed that the Red Sea biome has a substantial abundance and a wide range of cellulase enzymes with substantial abundance, when compared with those in other environments. Next, I tried to isolate cellulase-active microorganisms from the Red Sea and I successfully obtained seven strains of four different taxonomic groups. These strains showed a similarity of 99% identity to Aspergillus ustus, 99% to Staphylococcus pasteuri, 99% to Bacillus aerius and 99% to Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme assay I conducted, revealed that these strains actually secreted active cellulases. These results suggest that the Red Sea environment can be, indeed, an excellent gene resource of microbial cellulases.

The purpose of this study was to examine how recruitment and selection processes are conducted at the Robben Island Museum and the challenges associated with it. Correct implementation of the recruitment and selection practices is crucial in order for the organisation to fill the right positions with the right people who are experienced and competent. In other words, organisations should strive for excellence in ensuring that there is conformity to legal prescripts whenever the recruitment and selection of employees commence. A qualitative research design was applied in order to achieve the primary aim of this study. Data collection techniques that were utilised to collect information comprised interviews and document analysis. A group of fourteen (14) purposively selected participants, namely seven operational staff members and seven managers were chosen for interviews. Data that was obtained was analysed through qualitative content analysis. The major findings of the study indicate that the Robben Island Museum recruits potential candidates through various means such as newspaper advertisements, employment agencies, headhunting, job posting and online recruitment. The study found that although qualifications are seen to be necessary during the recruitment and selection processes but do not seem to be seriously considered as part of the selection criteria. Essentially, the study identified some inconsistencies and failure to adhere to the recruitment and selection policy during recruitment and selection processes. Therefore, the processes of recruiting and selecting potential employment candidates should be undertaken in accordance with organisational policies and in a professional manner. / Public Administration and Management

Well-Child Examinations are an integral part of monitoring growth and development for children. These visits allow for establishment of a therapeutic relationship between patient and caregiver, and provide opportunities to screen for underlying conditions while simultaneously following growth and development milestones. Well-child examinations provide opportunities for parents to voice concerns and help to identify those children at risk for delays or underlying medical conditions. When these conditions are identified early, they tend to have an improvement of outcomes. Since the core items to be included in wellness examinations vary by age, insurance provider, and risk factors, our aim is to measure and improve the knowledge and comprehension of examination components among a group of Family Medicine resident physicians that provide primary care to a pediatric population. Provider knowledge and understanding was measured by means of a set of multiple-choice questions prior to an educational session. A post-educational examination was then administered to assess recruitment and retention of information. There appeared to be an overall positive trend toward increased knowledge base following the education session, indicating and improvement of understanding and medical knowledge.

Millions of men, as a result of the natural aging process, injury, illness, and medical therapies, experience a decline in testosterone levels that necessitate a need for testosterone supplementation therapy (TST). The signs and symptoms of testosterone decline may occur gradually, and low testosterone levels may be misdiagnosed as other medical conditions. Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in testing of testosterone levels and the use of TST. With so many men now on TST, it is essential for health care professionals to know the signs and symptoms, the causes of testosterone decline, how testosterone deficiency is diagnosed, what pathological changes are associated with testosterone decline, and the benefits and risks of TST. In addition, health care providers need to be aware of the various forms of testosterone available as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. This article provides a brief overview of testosterone deficiency, TST treatment options and guidelines, and the risks and benefits associated with of TST.

TITLE: Racial disparities associated with colon cancer screening in a nationally representative sample; A cross-sectional study AUTHOR INFO Yorandos Tafesse MD1 Manik Ahuja PhD, MA1 Author Affiliations: 1College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, United States Colon cancer impacts nearly 2 million individuals in the U.S. each year. Early detection of colon cancer using colonoscopy can reduce the risk of mortality. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine screening for colon cancer for all adults 50 to 75 years of age. Colon cancer screening behavior is different across a variety of predictor variables. Previous studies have identified older age, male gender, higher education, higher income, marriage, and the presence of chronic diseases to be associated with increased odds of colon cancer screening. However, less is known about the role of racial differences in screening. This study aims to determine if colon cancer screening rates are different between Whites and racial minorities in the United States controlling for potential confounders. This research can help bridge the existing gap on this topic and aid in identifying high-risk racial groups that could be targeted by future intervention strategies. We used cross-sectional data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative U.S. telephone-based survey of adults aged 18 years or older. We extracted data for adults age 50 or older (n=10,972). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the association between race and colon cancer screening. We also included chronic disease status, alcohol use, smoking, gender, and age in our model. Chronic disease status was coded as self-report 2 or more, 1 and 0 chronic diseases (referent), which included the summation of heart disease, hypertension, COPD, and diabetes. Overall, colon cancer screening is as follows among Whites (77.2%), Blacks (72.4%), Asian (60.1%), American Indian/Alaska Native (69.7%), and Hispanic (68.6%). Logistic regression results revealed that having 2 or more chronic diseases (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.53,1.96), 1 chronic disease (OR=1.45; 95% CI 1.31,1.65), and female gender (OR=1.14; 95% CI 1.04,1.23) were associated with higher odds of screening. Race/ethnic minority status (OR=0.72; 95% CI 0.65, 0.81), low income (OR=0.64; 95% CI 0.57,0.70), and less than high school education (OR=0.71; 95% CI 0.59,0.84) were associated with lower odds of screening. Our research showed that racial minorities have lower odds of colon cancer screening after adjusting for gender, age, chronic diseases, income, and education status. Preventive practices should focus on increasing awareness on and availability of colon cancer screening means to racial minorities in the United States. Further research on the association between race and other screening modalities will help maximize the impacts of targeted interventions.

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Osteoporosis, the most common human bone disease, affects 8 million American women and has significant morbidity and mortality. Screening is important in older women and younger postmenopausal women with additional risk factors for osteoporosis/fracture. Preventive measures include avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol/caffeine intake, and falls in addition to maintaining adequate calcium/vitamin D intake and exercise. Estrogen/hormone therapy may be considered in some patients. Various medications have proven efficacy in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, potential adverse effects such as hypocalcemia, worsening of renal impairment, and osteonecrosis of the jaw must be considered. The optimal duration of therapy requires further investigation.

Osteoporosis, the most common human bone disease, affects 8 million American women and has significant morbidity and mortality. Screening is important in older women and younger postmenopausal women with additional risk factors for osteoporosis/fracture. Preventive measures include avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol/caffeine intake, and falls in addition to maintaining adequate calcium/vitamin D intake and exercise. Estrogen/hormone therapy may be considered in some patients. Various medications have proven efficacy in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, potential adverse effects such as hypocalcemia, worsening of renal impairment, and osteonecrosis of the jaw must be considered. The optimal duration of therapy requires further investigation.

Objectives: To validate the revised 12-item revised Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory-Epilepsy for Youth (NDDI-E-Y), a self-report screening tool for depressive symptoms tailored to youth ages 12–17 with epilepsy. Methods: Youth at two sites completed the NDDI-E-Y during a routine epilepsy visit. Youth at one site also completed the Children's Depression Inventory-2 (CDI-2). Seizure and demographic data were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted. Internal consistency, area under the curve (AUC), and construct validity were assessed. Results: NDDI-E-Y questionnaires were analyzed for 143 youth. The coefficient for internal consistency for the NDDI-E-Y was 0.92. Factor analyses suggested a one-factor solution with all 12 items loading on the factor. The NDDI-E-Y was positively correlated with the CDI-2 (N = 99). Sensitivity and specificity of the NDDI-E-Y were high. Significance: Reliability and construct validity were established for the revised 12-item NDDI-E-Y. The NDDI-E-Y is a brief, free measure of depressive symptoms that can be administered during a routine epilepsy visit.

The primary goal of cancer screening is to reduce cancer-related mortality without incurring significant harm. Screening efforts for solid tumors, therefore, have targeted the precursors of the most common and the most deadly cancers—breast, cervical, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer. Balancing risk and benefit has led to controversy regarding the timing of cancer screening—when to begin, how often to screen and when to stop—and the nature of the modality of cancer screening—invasive or noninvasive, laboratory-centered or imaging-centered. Evidence-based guidelines published by general medical societies, subspecialty societies and publicly funded task forces on population-based screening aid healthcare providers in making individualized decisions with their patients.