The Impact of Activating Agents on Non-Enzymatic Nucleic Acid Extension Reactions.

Non-enzymatic template-directed primer extension is increasingly being studied for the production of RNA and DNA. These reactions benefit from producing RNA or DNA in an aqueous, protecting group free system, without the need for expensive enzymes. However, these primer extension reactions suffer from a lack of fidelity, low reaction rates, low overall yields, and short primer extension lengths.

Distribution and prevalence of antibodies to Trichinella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the United States.

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a reservoir for over 100 viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens that are transmissible to humans, livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife in North America. Numerous historical local surveys and results from a nation-wide survey (2006-2010) indicated that wild pigs in the United States act as reservoirs for Trichinella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, two zoonotic pathogens of importance for human and animal health.

Role of helicity in the nonenzymatic template-directed primer extension of DNA.

Complexing a DNA primer with an RNA template showed improved nonenzymatic template-directed primer extension, attributed to a shift in the DNA helicity from a B-type towards an A-type helix. A 2-fold (deoxyadenosine) and 4.5-fold (deoxycytidine) increase in conversion from initial DNA primer to a primer + 1 nucleotide product was observed.

Impact of a family history of hypertension and physical activity on left ventricular mass.

Background: A positive family history of hypertension (FHH) (+FHH) is associated with elevated left ventricular mass (LVM). Regular physical activity (PA) may eliminate differences in LVM between +FHH and negative family history of hypertension (-FHH) adults. The aim of this study was to determine if a +FHH is associated with a greater LVM compared to a -FHH group within a sample of young, mostly active healthy adults with and without statistically controlling for PA.

Visits to the Pediatric Emergency Department for Eye Conditions Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The use of the emergency department (ED) has been increasing, and many visits occur for non-urgent conditions. A similar trend was found among adult visits to the ED for ocular conditions. In this study we analyzed the impact of sociodemographic factors, presentation timing, and the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric ED (PED) encounters for ophthalmologic conditions.

Support Models for Addiction Related Treatment (SMART) for pregnant women: Study protocol of a cluster randomized trial of two treatment models for opioid use disorder in prenatal clinics.

Introduction: The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy increased nearly five-fold over the past decade. Despite this, obstetric providers are less likely to treat pregnant women with medication for OUD than non-obstetric providers (75% vs 91%). A major reason is many obstetricians feel unprepared to prescribe medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Aspirin as a Treatment for ARDS: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: There is no pharmacologic treatment for ARDS. Platelets play an important role in the pathophysiology of ARDS. Preclinical, observational, and clinically relevant models of ARDS indicate aspirin as a potential therapeutic option.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal and Infant Outcomes Among Opioid-Exposed Mother-Infant Dyads in Massachusetts (2017-2019).

To examine the extent to which differences in medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in pregnancy and infant neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) outcomes are associated with maternal race/ethnicity. We performed a secondary analysis of a statewide quality improvement database of opioid-exposed deliveries from January 2017 to April 2019 from 24 hospitals in Massachusetts. We used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression to model the association between maternal race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, or Hispanic) and prenatal receipt of MOUD, NOWS severity, early intervention referral, and biological parental custody at discharge.

Over-the-counter bite splints: A randomized controlled trial of compliance and efficacy.

Background: Occlusal splints are often used to curb the impacts of sleep bruxism (SB) on the dentition, and over-the-counter (OCT) options are becoming increasingly popular. OTC splints are usually fabricated at home by patients, but not routinely evaluated by dental professionals. It is unclear how OCT splints compare with more traditional splints that receive dental oversight.

Measuring actual learning versus feeling of learning in response to being actively engaged in the classroom.

We compared students' self-reported perception of learning with their actual learning under controlled conditions in large-enrollment introductory college physics courses taught using 1) active instruction (following best practices in the discipline) and 2) passive instruction (lectures by experienced and highly rated instructors). Both groups received identical class content and handouts, students were randomly assigned, and the instructor made no effort to persuade students of the benefit of either method. Students in active classrooms learned more (as would be expected based on prior research), but their perception of learning, while positive, was lower than that of their peers in passive environments.

Graphene Oxide as a Multifunctional Platform for Intracellular Delivery, Imaging, and Cancer Sensing.

Graphene oxide (GO), the most common derivative of graphene, is an exceptional nanomaterial that possesses multiple physical properties critical for biomedical applications. GO exhibits pH-dependent fluorescence emission in the visible/near-infrared, providing a possibility of molecular imaging and pH-sensing. It is also water soluble and has a substantial platform for functionalization, allowing for the delivery of multiple therapeutics.

Setting Up a Point-of-Care Testing Service in a Greenfield, Quaternary Hospital: An Implementation Review.

Context.—: The health care industry is growing rapidly and is continually seeking more-innovative ways to deliver patient care. The growing demands of clinicians seeking faster and more-efficient ways of providing care to their patients presents challenges to clinical laboratory services.

The molecular basis of JAK/STAT inhibition by SOCS1.

The SOCS family of proteins are negative-feedback inhibitors of signalling induced by cytokines that act via the JAK/STAT pathway. SOCS proteins can act as ubiquitin ligases by recruiting Cullin5 to ubiquitinate signalling components; however, SOCS1, the most potent member of the family, can also inhibit JAK directly. Here we determine the structural basis of both these modes of inhibition.

Individuality of masticatory performance and of masticatory muscle temporal parameters.

Objective: Mammalian mastication serves to improve intra-oral food reduction. Insufficient food reduction creates potential swallowing problems, whereas over-reduction may accelerate tooth wear and increase feeding time. Either extreme has consequences.

Weight gain in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus among Latinas.

Aim: To evaluate the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) in early pregnancy and incidence of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Latinas.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2039 Latinas using pooled data from two medical centres in Massachusetts. Gestational weights were abstracted from medical records and GWG was categorized as low, appropriate and excessive according to 2009 Institute of Medicine Guidelines.

Relationships between chewing rate, occlusion, cephalometric anatomy, muscle activity, and masticatory performance.

Objective: Mastication consists of rhythmic jaw openings and closings. Recent studies suggest that muscle mechanical properties determine the rhythmic rate; however, speed-accuracy tradeoffs may also play a role. This study evaluated how variation in chewing rate affected chewing performance, how masticatory muscle activity varied with chewing rate, and whether morphology and demographics contributed to performance.

Managing Bias in Palliative Care: Professional Hazards in Goals of Care Discussions at the End of Life.

Background: In the setting of end-of-life care, biases can interfere with patient articulation of goals and hinder provision of patient-centered care. No studies have addressed clinician bias or bias management specific to goals of care discussions at the end of life.

Objectives: To identify and determine the prevalence of palliative care clinician biases and bias management strategies in end-of-life goals of care discussions.

Comparison of Access to Nurse Practitioners in Primary Healthcare across Three Team Structures.

The addition of nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary healthcare (PHC) is intended to improve accessibility. This study compared access to NP services in consultative, dyad and multiprofessional team structures in Nova Scotia. Accessibility indicators included NP appointment wait times, after-hours coverage and acceptance of new patients.