The Clash of Microbiomes: From the Food Matrix to the Host Gut

Food fermentation has led to the improvement of the safety characteristics of raw materials and the production of new foodstuffs with elevated organoleptic characteristics. The empirical observation that these products could have a potential health benefit has garnered the attention of the scientific community. Therefore, several studies have been conducted in animal and human hosts to decipher which of these products may have a beneficial outcome against specific ailments. However, despite the accumulating literature, a relatively small number of products have been authorized as ‘functional foods’ by regulatory bodies. Data inconsistency and lack of in-depth preclinical characterization of functional products could heavily contribute to this issue. Today, the increased availability of omics platforms and bioinformatic algorithms for comprehensive data analysis can aid in the systematic characterization of microbe–microbe, microbe–matrix, and microbe–host interactions, providing useful insights about the maximization of their beneficial effects. The incorporation of these platforms in food science remains a challenge; however, coordinated efforts and interdisciplinary collaboration could push the field toward the dawn of a new era.

Metal Allergy in Tracheostomy Tube Placement Resulting in Complete Subglottic Stenosis: A Case Report

Objectives: Metal hypersensitivity reaction to surgical implants is a well- known phenomenon that is associated with pain, swelling, inflammation, and decreased efficacy of the implant. We present a unique case of a patient with placement a metal Jackson tracheostomy tube that led to expeditious total subglottic stenosis. Methods: The patient was a 33-year old, severely atopic woman with history of asthma exacerbations requiring several intubations for acute respiratory failure with several subsequent tracheal dilations with steroid injections, and eventual tracheostomy placement with a metal Jackson tracheostomy tube that led to expeditious total subglottic stenosis. Results: Initial intervention included performing an airway evaluation, CO2 laser, and steroid injection of the area of complete subglottic stenosis. Follow up several months later revealed little improvement in level of tracheal narrowing proximal to the tracheostomy tube. Patient did not have shortness of breath but continued to be aphonic. Cricotracheal versus tracheal resection have been proposed but surgical morbidity was deemed too high due to patient’s obesity. Conclusions: Metal hypersensitivity reactions are well known phenomena as it relates to surgical implants in other surgical specialties but are seldom reported within the ear, nose and throat literature. Oftentimes, it takes astute observation to diagnose and establish a connection. Prompt recognition and treatment can be acquired from interdisciplinary collaboration with allergy.

Curing the Common Curriculum

Professional degree programs in higher education are increasingly under fire on matters of quality, proficiency, and cost. To address these issues and anticipated controversies, the authors of this chapter provide context to the process of developing a micro-credentialing system at the central university level at Florida International University (FIU) and how it was adapted at its medical school as an innovative tool for developing medical student skill sets. Through a use-case, the authors highlight examples of common challenges identified within professional degree programs, how they were addressed at FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine using the centralized micro-credentialing system, and the planning and implementation stages of a formalized micro-credential program in undergraduate medical education. Finally, the authors discuss the potential for micro-credentials to supplement or replace dual degree programs, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and influence the future of entrustable professional activities of professional practice in medical education.

Leveraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Improve Technology Dependency and Intercultural Competencies

In this chapter, the authors discussed the use of virtual exchange (VE) courses in a global context to prepare college students, including journalism students and pre-service teachers, for technology dependency and intercultural competencies through the faculty-librarian-instructional designer collaboration. They shared the pedagogical and technological issues encountered when implementing the VE courses with their international partner professors and described their journey of an ongoing process of collaboration and problem solving prior to and during the pandemic. Concrete examples were provided to demonstrate how they used VE to produce meaningful student learning outcomes and to expand accessible international education. The authors also discussed future research and further implementation of the VE courses.

The potential of robotics for the development and wellbeing of children with disabilities as we see it

BACKGROUND: Rapid technological development has been opening new possibilities for children with disabilities. In particular, robots can enable and create new opportunities in therapy, rehabilitation, education, or leisure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to share experiences, challenges and learned lessons by the authors, all of them with experience conducting research in the field of robotics for children with disabilities, and to propose future directions for research and development. METHODS: The article is the result of several consensus meetings to establish future research priorities in this field. RESULTS: Robots have a huge potential to support children with disabilities: they can play the role of a play buddy, of a mediator when interacting with other children or adults, they can promote social interaction, and transfer children from the role of a spectator of the surrounding world to the role of an active participant. To fulfill their potential, robots have to be “smart”, stable and reliable, easy to use and program, and give the just-right amount of support adapted to the needs of the child. Interdisciplinary collaboration combined with user centered design is necessary to make robotic applications successful. Furthermore, real-life contexts to test and implement robotic interventions are essential to refine them according to real needs. CONCLUSIONS: This article outlines a research agenda for the future of robotics in childcare and supports the establishment of R4C – Robots for Children, a network of experts aimed at sharing ideas, promoting innovative research, and developing good practices on the use of robots for children with disabilities.

Designing the physical environment for inpatient palliative care: a narrative review

BackgroundIt is essential that the physical environments in which inpatient palliative care is provided support the needs of patients and the facilitate the multidimensional delivery of palliative care. This review aims to identify the features and characteristics of inpatient palliative care environments that enhance or detract from the patient experience; and identify opportunities for progress within this field.MethodThree databases were searched: MEDLINE (1946–2020), PsycINFO (1806–2020) and CINAHL (1937–2020). Articles were screened by title and abstract with included studies read in full for data extraction. Data synthesis involved thematic analysis informed by the findings of the included literature. Inclusion criteria were studies with empirical methodology examining adult palliative care in the hospital, hospice or nursing home environment. Studies that examined palliative care delivered within the emergency department, ICU or within the home were excluded, as were those related to paediatric palliative care.ResultsFour main themes were identified: the provision of privacy, facilitating interactions with family, facilitating comfort through homeliness and connections to nature.ConclusionsThe board acceptance of single rooms as the preeminent design solution for supporting privacy, dignity and family interaction, alongside current conceptions of homeliness that typically focus on matters of interior design, are limiting possibilities for further design innovation within palliative care settings. Research that investigates a broader set of design strategies through which the built environment can support care, alongside enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, could positively contribute to patient and family experiences of inpatient palliative care.

modern problems and prospects of music formation and art education development during COVID-19

This article aims to assess the problems and prospects of the development and formation of music and art education given the impact of the pandemic COVID-19. Methodology. The research formed a model for the creative development of pupils and students of music and art education based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Skills for Jobs database. Results. Creativity is shaped by the hands-on activities of students, their music, and art education. Basic creativity skills are best formed through interdisciplinary collaboration toward STEM-education. Research shows that math skills, science, and engineering have a positive effect on students' creativity in hands-on product creation during art courses. Technical skills are important, but they stimulate creativity when students independently decide to use them in a specific, student-defined task. The novelty effect of technology is temporary in creativity stimulation, whereas the student's independent decision to use specific technical skills accordingly to a self-defined problem and task stimulates creativity in the long run. COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-standing challenges and barriers for arts and music education as well as ways to solve those challenges.