Prolonged Hyperglycemia Causes Visual and Cognitive Deficits in .

The present study induced prolonged hyperglycemia (a hallmark symptom of Type 2 diabetes [T2DM]) in (zebrafish) for eight or twelve weeks. The goal of this research was to study cognitive decline as well as vision loss in hyperglycemic zebrafish. Fish were submerged in glucose for eight or twelve weeks, after which they were assessed with both a cognitive assay (three-chamber choice) and a visual assay (optomotor response (OMR)).

Responses of Manduca sexta larvae to heat waves.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and other extreme weather events experienced by organisms. How does the number and developmental timing of heat waves affect survival, growth and development of insects? Do heat waves early in development alter performance later in development? We addressed these questions using experimental heat waves with larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. The experiments used diurnally fluctuating temperature treatments differing in the number (0-3) and developmental timing (early, middle and/or late in larval development) of heat waves, in which a single heat wave involved three consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature of 42°C.

Atomic-Scale Superlubricity in TiCO@MoS Layered Heterojunctions Interface: A First Principles Calculation Study.

The two dimensional (2D)-layered transition-metal carbides and nitrides (MXene) have been proved to be an excellent solid lubricant owing to their high mechanical strength, low shearing strength, and self-lubricating properties. However, the interfacial friction behavior between Ti C ( = 1, 2) MXene and its heterogeneous system is not thoroughly exploited yet. Here, four types of van der Waals structures (TiCO@TiCO, TiCO@TiCO MoS@MoS, and TiCO@MoS) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Responses of larvae to heat waves.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and other extreme weather events experienced by organisms. How does the number and developmental timing of heat waves affect survival, growth and development of insects? Do heat waves early in development alter performance later in development? We addressed these questions using experimental heat waves with larvae of the tobacco hornworm, The experiments used diurnally fluctuating temperature treatments differing in the number (0-3) and developmental timing (early, middle and/or late in larval development) of heat waves, in which a single heat wave involved three consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature of 42°C. Survival to pupation declined with increasing number of heat waves.

Growth, stress, and acclimation responses to fluctuating temperatures in field and domesticated populations of .

Diurnal fluctuations in temperature are ubiquitous in terrestrial environments, and insects and other ectotherms have evolved to tolerate or acclimate to such fluctuations. Few studies have examined whether ectotherms acclimate to diurnal temperature fluctuations, or how natural and domesticated populations differ in their responses to diurnal fluctuations. We examine how diurnally fluctuating temperatures during development affect growth, acclimation, and stress responses for two populations of : a field population that typically experiences wide variation in mean and fluctuations in temperature, and a laboratory population that has been domesticated in nearly constant temperatures for more than 300 generations.

Pharmacodynamics-based approach for efficacious human dose projection of BMS-986260, a small molecule transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 inhibitor.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has a wide array of biological effects. For decades, tumor biology implicated TGF-β as an attractive therapeutic target due to its immunosuppressive effects. Toward this end, multiple pharmaceutical companies developed a number of drug modalities that specifically target the TGF-β pathway.

Technical Note: Integrating an open source Monte Carlo code "MCsquare" for clinical use in intensity-modulated proton therapy.

Purpose: To commission an open source Monte Carlo (MC) dose engine, "MCsquare" for a synchrotron-based proton machine, integrate it into our in-house C++-based I/O user interface and our web-based software platform, expand its functionalities, and improve calculation efficiency for intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Methods: We commissioned MCsquare using a double Gaussian beam model based on in-air lateral profiles, integrated depth dose of 97 beam energies, and measurements of various spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs). Then we integrated MCsquare into our C++-based dose calculation code and web-based second check platform "DOSeCHECK.

Automation of routine elements for spot-scanning proton patient-specific quality assurance.

Purpose: At our institution, all proton patient plans undergo patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA) prior to treatment delivery. For intensity-modulated proton beam therapy, quality assurance is complex and time consuming, and it may involve multiple measurements per field. We reviewed our PSQA workflow and identified the steps that could be automated and developed solutions to improve efficiency.

Response to Comment on "Precipitation drives global variation in natural selection".

The comment by Myers-Smith and Myers focuses on three main points: (i) the lack of a mechanistic explanation for climate-selection relationships, (ii) the appropriateness of the climate data used in our analysis, and (iii) our focus on estimating climate-selection relationships across (rather than within) taxonomic groups. We address these critiques in our response.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Most Active Copper ATRP Catalyst Based on Tris[(4-dimethylaminopyridyl)methyl]amine.

The tris[(4-dimethylaminopyridyl)methyl]amine (TPMA) as a ligand for copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is reported. In solution, the [Cu(TPMA)Br] complex shows fluxionality by variable-temperature NMR, indicating rapid ligand exchange. In the solid state, the [Cu(TPMA)Br][Br] complex exhibits a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry (τ = 0.

What Are the Environmental Determinants of Phenotypic Selection? A Meta-analysis of Experimental Studies.

Although many selection estimates have been published, the environmental factors that cause selection to vary in space and time have rarely been identified. One way to identify these factors is by experimentally manipulating the environment and measuring selection in each treatment. We compiled and analyzed selection estimates from experimental studies.

Precipitation drives global variation in natural selection.

Climate change has the potential to affect the ecology and evolution of every species on Earth. Although the ecological consequences of climate change are increasingly well documented, the effects of climate on the key evolutionary process driving adaptation-natural selection-are largely unknown. We report that aspects of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, along with the North Atlantic Oscillation, predicted variation in selection across plant and animal populations throughout many terrestrial biomes, whereas temperature explained little variation.

Clinical Implementation of a Proton Dose Verification System Utilizing a GPU Accelerated Monte Carlo Engine.

Purpose: To develop a clinical infrastructure that allows for routine Monte Carlo dose calculation verification of spot scanning proton treatment plans and includes a simple biological model to aid in normal tissue protection.

Materials And Methods: A graphical processing unit accelerated Monte Carlo dose engine was used as the calculation engine for dose verification on spot scanning proton plans. An infrastructure was built around this engine that allows for seamless exporting of treatment plans from the treatment planning system and importing of dose distribution from the Monte Carlo calculation via DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine).

Plasticity of upper thermal limits to acute and chronic temperature variation in Manduca sexta larvae.

In many ectotherms, exposure to high temperatures can improve subsequent tolerance to higher temperatures. However, the differential effects of single, repeated or continuous exposure to high temperatures are less clear. We measured the effects of single heat shocks and of diurnally fluctuating or constant rearing temperatures on the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) for final instar larvae of Manduca sexta Brief (2 h) heat shocks at temperatures of 35°C and above significantly increased CTmax relative to control temperatures (25°C).

Observer Performance in the Detection and Classification of Malignant Hepatic Nodules and Masses with CT Image-Space Denoising and Iterative Reconstruction.

Purpose: To determine if lower-dose computed tomographic (CT) scans obtained with adaptive image-based noise reduction (adaptive nonlocal means [ANLM]) or iterative reconstruction (sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction [SAFIRE]) result in reduced observer performance in the detection of malignant hepatic nodules and masses compared with routine-dose scans obtained with filtered back projection (FBP).

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board and was compliant with HIPAA. Informed consent was obtained from patients for the retrospective use of medical records for research purposes.

Fluctuating temperatures and ectotherm growth: distinguishing non-linear and time-dependent effects.

Most terrestrial ectotherms experience diurnal and seasonal variation in temperature. Because thermal performance curves are non-linear, mean performance can differ in fluctuating and constant thermal environments. However, time-dependent effects--effects of the order and duration of exposure to temperature--can also influence mean performance.

Musculoskeletal symptoms amongst clinical radiologists and the implications of reporting environment ergonomics--a multicentre questionnaire study.

This multicentre study aimed to assess compliance of the reporting environment with best ergonomic practice and to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms related to working as a radiologist. All 148 radiology trainees and consultants in 10 hospitals across the region were invited to complete a musculoskeletal symptoms and reporting ergonomics questionnaire. Best ergonomic reporting practice was defined, following literature review, as being able to alter the following: monitor, desk, chair and armrest height, chair back support, ambient light, and temperature.

A meta-analysis of telemedicine success in Africa.

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) tools to improve the efficiency of professionalism at work is increasing every time under the dynamic digital environment. Tools such as telemedicine, tele-education, and health informatics have of late been incorporated in the health sector to enable easy access to essential services, for example, in medical areas from referral centers by the patients on one hand and enabling the doctor to doctor consultations for the benefit of patients. Unfortunately, observations indicate dearth efforts and commitment to optimize use of the tools in the majority of the countries south of the Sahara.

Cannabinoid receptor antagonist-induced striated muscle toxicity and ethylmalonic-adipic aciduria in beagle dogs.

Ibipinabant (IBI), a potent cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist, previously in development for the treatment of obesity, causes skeletal and cardiac myopathy in beagle dogs. This toxicity was characterized by increases in muscle-derived enzyme activity in serum and microscopic striated muscle degeneration and accumulation of lipid droplets in myofibers. Additional changes in serum chemistry included decreases in glucose and increases in non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol, and metabolic acidosis, consistent with disturbances in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

What do we need to know prior to thinking about incorporating an epigenetic evaluation into safety assessments?

The International Life Sciences Institute, Health and Environmental Sciences Institute sponsored a workshop entitled "State of the Science: Evaluating Epigenetic Changes," hosted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, 28-30 October 2009. The goal was to evaluate and enhance the scientific knowledge base regarding epigenetics and its role in disease, including potential relationships between epigenetic changes and transgenerational effects. A distinguishing aspect of the workshop was the highly interactive discussion session on the final morning.

Workplace-based assessment in radiology-where to now?

Assessment of doctors is in a state of flux. Traditional methods of assessment have been critically examined and found inherently limited. The wholesale shift towards outcome-orientated education in the last 10 years has led to the relatively rapid development of a radically different method of assessment.

Mapping high-fidelity volume rendering for medical imaging to CPU, GPU and many-core architectures.

Medical volumetric imaging requires high fidelity, high performance rendering algorithms. We motivate and analyze new volumetric rendering algorithms that are suited to modern parallel processing architectures. First, we describe the three major categories of volume rendering algorithms and confirm through an imaging scientist-guided evaluation that ray-casting is the most acceptable.

An immersive simulation system for provoking and analyzing cataplexy.

Cataplexy, a sudden loss of voluntary muscle control, is one of the hallmark symptoms of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Cataplexy is usually triggered by strong, spontaneous emotions, such as laughter, surprise, fear or anger, and is more common in times of stress. The Sleep Disorders Unit and the Biomedical Imaging Resource at Mayo Clinic are developing interactive display technology for reliably inducing cataplexy during clinical monitoring.