Biomimetic 3D Hydrogels with Aligned Topography for Neural Tissue Engineering.

Spinal cord trauma leads to the destruction of the highly organized cytoarchitecture that carries information along the axis of the spinal column. Currently, there are no clinically accepted strategies that can help regenerate severed axons after spinal cord injury (SCI). Hydrogels are soft biomaterials with high water content that are widely used as scaffolds to interface with the central nervous system (CNS).

Non-prescribing clinicians' treatment orientations and attitudes toward treatments for opioid use disorder: Rural differences.

Introduction: The United States has experienced substantial increases in opioid use for more than two decades. This growth has impacted rural areas where overdoses have risen drastically during this time period and more often involve prescription opioids than in urban areas. Medications for opioid use disorders (MOUDs) are highly underutilized in rural settings due to lack of access, inadequate prescribing, and stigma.

Medications for opioid use disorder during incarceration and post-release outcomes.

Background: Continuation or initiation of MOUDs during incarceration could improve post-release outcomes by preventing return to opioid use and reducing risk of overdose. People with OUD involved in the criminal legal system are a vulnerable population, yet little research has comprehensively examined post-release outcomes associated with receiving MOUDs in jail and prison settings.

Methods: The authors conducted a review of published peer-reviewed literature on post-release outcomes associated with the use of MOUDs in correctional settings to determine implications for further research and policy.

A decrease in the neuroprotective effects of acute spinal cord decompression according to injury severity: introducing the concept of a ceiling effect.

Objective: Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is followed by a prolonged period of secondary neuroglial cell death. Neuroprotective interventions, such as surgical spinal cord decompression, aim to mitigate secondary injury. In this study, the authors explore whether the effect size of posttraumatic neuroprotective spinal cord decompression varies with injury severity.

Budget impact of next-generation sequencing for diagnosis of TB drug resistance in Moldova.

Diagnosing drug resistance is critical for choosing effective TB treatment regimens. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) represents an alternative approach to conventional phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) for diagnosing TB drug resistance. We undertook a budget impact analysis estimating the costs of introduction and routine use of NGS in the Moldovan National TB Programme.

Blood Flow Changes Associated with Spinal Cord Injury Assessed by Non-linear Doppler Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is clinically used to image the microcirculation at lower imaging frequencies (<2 MHz). Recently, plane-wave acquisitions and Doppler processing have revealed improved microbubble sensitivity, enabling CEUS use at higher frequencies (15 MHz) and the ability to image simultaneously blood flow in the micro- and macrocirculations. We used this approach to assess acute and chronic blood flow changes within contused spinal cord in a rodent spinal cord injury model.

"I Didn't Know Massages Could Do That:" A qualitative analysis of the perception of hospitalized patients receiving massage therapy from specially trained massage therapists.

Objective: This study examined the perception and experience of hospitalized palliative care eligible patients receiving massage therapy from specially trained massaged therapist.

Design: Twenty hospitalized palliative care eligible patients received three differing doses of massage therapy from specially trained massage therapists. Patients were interviewed about their experience and perception related to the massage.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Assessment of Local Hemodynamic Changes Following a Rodent Contusion Spinal Cord Injury.

Introduction: Severe trauma to the spinal cord leads to a near complete loss of blood flow at the injury site along with significant hypoperfusion of adjacent tissues. Characterization and monitoring of local tissue hypoperfusion is currently not possible in clinical practice because available imaging techniques do not allow for assessment of blood flow with sufficient spatial and temporal resolutions. The objective of the current study was to determine whether ultrafast contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging could be used to visualize and quantify acute hemodynamic changes in a rat traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) model.

Modeling Zika Virus Transmission Dynamics: Parameter Estimates, Disease Characteristics, and Prevention.

Because of limited data, much remains uncertain about parameters related to transmission dynamics of Zika virus (ZIKV). Estimating a large number of parameters from the limited information in data may not provide useful knowledge about the ZIKV. Here, we developed a method that utilizes a mathematical model of ZIKV dynamics and the complex-step derivative approximation technique to identify parameters that can be estimated from the available data.

Spatial vs. temporal controls over soil fungal community similarity at continental and global scales.

Large-scale environmental sequencing efforts have transformed our understanding of the spatial controls over soil microbial community composition and turnover. Yet, our knowledge of temporal controls is comparatively limited. This is a major uncertainty in microbial ecology, as there is increasing evidence that microbial community composition is important for predicting microbial community function in the future.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound to visualize hemodynamic changes after rodent spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) causes an almost complete loss of blood flow at the site of injury (primary injury) as well as significant hypoperfusion in the penumbra of the injury. Hypoperfusion in the penumbra progresses after injury to the spinal cord and is likely to be a major contributor to progressive cell death of spinal cord tissue that was initially viable (secondary injury). Neuroprotective treatment strategies seek to limit secondary injury.

Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Raised Intraspinal Pressure after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to permanent neurological impairment. Currently, the only clinically effective intervention for patients with acute SCI is surgical decompression by removal of impinging bone fragments within 24 h after injury. Recent clinical studies suggest that elevated intraparenchymal spinal pressure (ISP) limits functional recovery following SCI.

Should we still use vitamin A to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia?

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidity in preterm infants, and it can be prevented in some infants with vitamin A prophylaxis. Vitamin A, once widely used in neonatal intensive care, was scarce for the last few years, but has become available again at a much higher price, leading to dilemmas about its routine use. In this review we discuss experimental, clinical and socioeconomic evidence related to BPD, and provide a framework for clinicians and policy-makers to evaluate the value of vitamin A treatment and make decisions about its use for prevention of BPD.

The Case for Lung Cancer Screening: What Nurses Need to Know.

Background: Lung cancer screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (LDCT) can improve high-risk individuals' chances of being diagnosed at an earlier stage and increase survival.

Objectives: The aims of this article are to present the risk factors associated with the development of lung cancer, identify patients at high risk for lung cancer qualifying for LDCT screening, and understand the importance of early lung cancer detection through the use of LDCT screening.

Methods: PubMed and CINAHL® databases were searched with key words lung cancer screening to identify full-text academic articles from 2004-2014.

Evaluation of TLR4 Inhibitor, T5342126, in Modulation of Ethanol-Drinking Behavior in Alcohol-Dependent Mice.

Aims: Several lines of evidence support a critical role of TLR4 in the neuroimmune responses associated with alcohol disorders and propose inhibitors of TLR4 signaling as potential treatments for alcoholism. In this work, we investigated the effect of T5342126 compound, a selective TLR4 inhibitor, on excessive drinking and microglial activation associated with ethanol dependence.

Methods: We used 2BC-CIE (two-bottle choice-chronic ethanol intermittent vapor exposure) paradigm to induce ethanol dependence in mice.

Initial Development of C.A.T.E.S.: A Simulation-Based Competency Assessment Instrument for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.

Purpose: Determine content validity of global statements and operational definitions and choose scenarios for Competency, Assessment, Technology, Education, and Simulation (C.A.T.

Pilot Study of Massage to Improve Sleep and Fatigue in Hospitalized Adolescents With Cancer.

Background: Adolescents with cancer experience many troubling symptoms, including sleep disruptions that can affect mood and quality of life. Massage is a safe and popular intervention that has demonstrated efficacy in pediatric and adult patients with cancer. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a massage intervention to help with sleep in hospitalized adolescent oncology patients.

Aspen shaving versus chip bedding: effects on breeding and behavior.

The choice of laboratory cage bedding material is often based on both practical and husbandry issues, whereas behavioral outcomes rarely appear to be considered. It has been noted that a breeding success difference appears to be associated with the differential use of aspen chip and aspen shaving bedding in our facility; therefore, we sought to analyze breeding records maintained over a 20-month period. In fact, in all four mouse strains analyzed, shaving bedding was associated with a significant increase in average weanlings per litter relative to chip bedding.

Simulation with synergy and community energy.

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) have a crucial role in the management and care of critically ill newborns and infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Their role responsibilities range from daily management of care, oversight of unit and bedside education, execution of advanced procedures, and attendance at high-risk deliveries. During their educational program, there is a mix of didactic and clinical training.