Publications by authors named "Brooks N"

We report here the discovery and characterization of three novel bacteriophages infecting . These siphoviruses were isolated from soil collected in urban areas around Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Mycobacteriphages Idergollasper, FoulBall, and Schuy are assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster O based on gene content similarity, and have prolate capsids typical for this cluster.

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Introduction: Although hernia repair constitutes a significant portion of surgical training, education around more complex hernia concepts such as abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) or paraesophageal hernia repair may be lacking. We developed and implemented a pre-rotation quiz for residents on an AWR and minimally invasive surgery service. We also investigated the staff and resident perception of resident knowledge and experience of the rotation before and after quiz implementation.

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Spinal fractures, spinal cord injuries, and nerve root injuries are commonly encountered entities for spine surgeon. While many cases have well-researched presentations, outcomes, and standards of care there are many patients for which the appropriate clinical management is less clear. Other patients present with injuries with clear treatment preferences that are impossible to implement based on comorbidities or preference.

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This is a critical review of the data supporting current endoscopic surgical techniques for the spine, limitations, economic barriers to adoption, and the future of the field. Endoscopic spine approaches can be applied to all levels of the spine, with many robust trials supporting its clinical outcomes. Although financial limitations with starting an endoscopic program can be justified by its cost effectiveness and positive societal impact, challenges facing its widespread adoption are present and more endoscopic spine programs are needed.

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Neuroinflammation that is caused by microglia, the main immune cells of the brain, contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. Psychedelics, including psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), possess certain anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, should be considered as drug candidates for treating neuroinflammatory pathologies. When ingested, psilocybin is rapidly dephosphorylated to yield psilocin, which crosses the blood-brain barrier and exerts psychotropic activity by interacting with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors (5-HTRs) on neurons.

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Background: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is widely used for staging high-grade lymphoma, with the time to evaluate such studies varying depending on the complexity of the case. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) within the reporting workflow has the potential to improve quality and efficiency. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the influence of an integrated research prototype segmentation tool implemented within diagnostic PET/CT reading software on the speed and quality of reporting with variable levels of experience, and to assess the effect of the AI-assisted workflow on reader confidence and whether this tool influenced reporting behaviour.

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Purpose: There are large disparities in the impact of diabetes on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and outcomes by sex and gender. Achieving health equity requires understanding risks and medication efficacy in female patients, especially now, as novel pharmacologic treatments are transforming the diabetes and CVD treatment landscape. This review examines 2 bodies of research that can inform sex differences in CVD in patients with diabetes: female-specific risk factors for CVD and sex-related limitations of clinical trial research in evaluating novel diabetes and CVD treatments.

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Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains an incurable disease stage with ineffective treatments options. Here, the androgen receptor (AR) coactivators CBP/p300, which are histone acetyltransferases, were identified as critical mediators of DNA damage repair (DDR) to potentially enhance therapeutic targeting of CRPC. Key findings demonstrate that CBP/p300 expression increases with disease progression and selects for poor prognosis in metastatic disease.

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Eukaryotic cells are characterized by multiple chemically distinct compartments, one of the most notable being the nucleus. Within these compartments, there is a continuous exchange of information, chemicals, and signaling molecules, essential for coordinating and regulating cellular activities. One of the main goals of bottom-up synthetic biology is to enhance the complexity of synthetic cells by establishing functional compartmentalization.

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Youth offer valuable insight on health communication needs and solutions in their communities. We propose youth participatory action communication research (YPACR) as a model for health campaign development that engages youth perspectives in applying systematic theory-informed communication research to addressing youth-identified health priorities. YPACR informed a series of paid high school internship programs in West Philadelphia, in which youth interns identified mental health help-seeking communication as a need among peers.

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Introduction: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic illness characterized by marked functional limitations and fatigue. Electronic health records can be used to estimate incidence of ME/CFS but may have limitations.

Methods: The authors used International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnosis codes to identify all presumptive cases of ME/CFS among 9- to 39-year-olds from 2006 to 2017.

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High pressure is both an environmental challenge to which deep sea biology has to adapt, and a highly sensitive thermodynamic tool that can be used to trigger structural changes in biological molecules and assemblies. Lipid membranes are amongst the most pressure sensitive biological assemblies and pressure can have a large influence on their structure and properties. In this chapter, we will explore the use of high pressure small angle X-ray diffraction and high pressure microscopy to measure and quantify changes in the lateral structure of lipid membranes under both equilibrium high pressure conditions and in response to pressure jumps.

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The current study estimated effects of intervention dose (attendance) of a cognitive behavioral prevention (CBP) program on depression-free days (DFD) in adolescent offspring of parents with a history of depression. As part of secondary analyses of a multi-site randomized controlled trial, we analyzed the complete intention-to-treat sample of 316 at-risk adolescents ages 13-17. Youth were randomly assigned to the CBP program plus usual care (n=159) or to usual care alone (n=157).

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We present a method for achieving hyperspectral magnetic imaging in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) region based on high-harmonic generation (HHG). By interfering two mutually coherent orthogonally-polarized and laterally-sheared HHG sources, we create an EUV illumination beam with spatially-dependent ellipticity. By placing a magnetic sample in the beamline and sweeping the relative time delay between the two sources, we record a spatially resolved interferogram that is sensitive to the EUV magnetic circular dichroism of the sample.

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Introduction: There is no consensus regarding optimal curricula to teach cognitive elements of general surgery. The American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE) aims to measure trainees' progress in attaining this knowledge. Resources like question banks (QBs), Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE) curriculum, and didactic conferences have mixed findings related to ABSITE performance and are often evaluated in isolation.

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The actin cytoskeleton and its elaborate interplay with the plasma membrane participate in and control numerous biological processes in eukaryotic cells. Malfunction of actin networks and changes in their dynamics are related to various diseases, from actin myopathies to uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis. Importantly, the biophysical and mechanical properties of actin and its assemblies are deeply intertwined with the biological functions of the cytoskeleton.

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The present study examined distinctions between child (n = 30) and adult (n = 212) sexual homicide offenders (SHOs) in Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the limited international research on the subject. Data, primarily sourced from judges' sentencing comments on AustLII and New Zealand Legal Information Institute, revealed significant differences. Child SHOs displayed elevated rates of pedophilia, sexual deviance, and adverse childhood experiences, including sexual abuse.

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Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains an incurable disease stage with ineffective treatments options. Here, the androgen receptor (AR) coactivators CBP/p300, which are histone acetyltransferases, were identified as critical mediators of DNA damage repair (DDR) to potentially enhance therapeutic targeting of CRPC. Key findings demonstrate that CBP/p300 expression increases with disease progression and selects for poor prognosis in metastatic disease.

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Developing multifunctional nanomaterials through environmentally friendly and efficient approaches is a pivotal focus in nanotechnology. This study aimed to employ a biogenic method to synthesize multifunctional copper oxide nanoparticles (LI-CuO NPs) with diverse capabilities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and seed priming properties, as well as photocatalytic organic dye degradation and wastewater treatment potentials using leaf extract. The synthesized LI-CuO NPs were extensively characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

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Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a devastating event that can cause permanent loss of function or disability. Time to surgical decompression of the spinal cord affects outcomes and is a critical principle in management of tSCI. One of the major determinants of time to decompression is transport time.

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Purpose Of Review: Although many environmental exposures (e.g., air pollution) are geographically patterned and persist as a result of historic economic policies (e.

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The purpose of this paper is to review the data supporting current endoscopic surgical techniques for the spine and the potential challenges and future of the field. The origins of endoscopic spine surgery can be traced back many decades, with many important innovations throughout its development. It can be applied to all levels of the spine, with many robust trials supporting its clinical outcomes.

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Problematic substance use and addiction is a growing crisis in the United States. As a result, identifying factors that effectively promote addiction recovery is, currently, of particular societal importance. Informed by evidence that-while addiction can be perpetuated by stress-related impulsivity and decreased self-regulation-perceived social support is protective against addiction, we test a model for addiction recovery as a form of posttraumatic growth (PTG), focused specifically on close relationships and personal strength-two domains of PTG.

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