Chemically induced cone degeneration in the 13-lined ground squirrel.

Animal models of retinal degeneration are critical for understanding disease and testing potential therapies. Inducing degeneration commonly involves the administration of chemicals that kill photoreceptors by disrupting metabolic pathways, signaling pathways, or protein synthesis. While chemically induced degeneration has been demonstrated in a variety of animals (mice, rats, rabbits, felines, 13-lined ground squirrels (13-LGS), pigs, chicks), few studies have used noninvasive high-resolution retinal imaging to monitor the cellular effects.

Human iPSC-derived photoreceptor transplantation in the cone dominant 13-lined ground squirrel.

Several retinal degenerations affect the human central retina, which is primarily comprised of cones and is essential for high acuity and color vision. Transplanting cone photoreceptors is a promising strategy to replace degenerated cones in this region. Although this approach has been investigated in a handful of animal models, commonly used rodent models lack a cone-rich region and larger models can be expensive and inaccessible, impeding the translation of therapies.

Sparse-view synchrotron X-ray tomographic reconstruction with learning-based sinogram synthesis.

Synchrotron radiation can be used as a light source in X-ray microscopy to acquire a high-resolution image of a microscale object for tomography. However, numerous projections must be captured for a high-quality tomographic image to be reconstructed; thus, image acquisition is time consuming. Such dense imaging is not only expensive and time consuming but also results in the target receiving a large dose of radiation.

Cone photoreceptor reflectance variation in the northern tree shrew and thirteen-lined ground squirrel.

images of human cone photoreceptors have been shown to vary in their reflectance both spatially and temporally. While it is generally accepted that the unique anatomy and physiology of the photoreceptors themselves drives this behavior, the exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated as most studies on these phenomena have been limited to the human retina. Unlike humans, animal models offer the ability to experimentally manipulate the retina and perform direct and comparisons.

Men's perception and understanding of male-factor infertility in the UK.

Male-factor infertility is a common but stigmatised issue, and men often do not receive the emotional support and the information they need. This study sought to understand awareness of male fertility issues compared to female fertility among the UK general male public, and also what were perceived as being the optimum methods for providing support for affected men, emotionally and through information. Men feel that male infertility is not discussed by the public as much as female infertility.

A Case of Right Renal Arteriovenous Malformation Mimicking the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in the Emergency Department.

Background: Renal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of massive hematuria, and patients with renal AVM may present with symptoms like urinary tract infections in the emergency department.

Case Report: A 37-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of hematuria, urinary hesitancy, and severe suprapubic pain that had been present for a few hours. A urine examination revealed no pyuria, but urine occult blood for 3+ and a red blood cell count of >100 per high-power field.

Understanding the Role of Dopant Metal Atoms on the Structural and Electronic Properties of Lithium-Rich LiNiMnO Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Improving the stability of lithium-rich cathode materials is important in refining the overall performance of lithium-ion batteries. Here, we have proposed doping of different metal atoms such as K, Ca, Cd, and Al in different sites of LiNiMnO, and we have investigated their structural and electronic properties using first-principles calculations. We found that the Ni ions in the pristine LiNiMnO structure maintained the +3 oxidation state for a longer time and resulted in the structural deformation during the long cycling process.

Clinical Trial of MGMT(P140K) Gene Therapy in the Treatment of Pediatric Patients with Brain Tumors.

Gene transfer targeting hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in children has shown sustained therapeutic benefit in the treatment of genetic diseases affecting the immune system, most notably in severe combined immunodeficiencies affecting T-cell function. The HSC compartment has also been successfully targeted using gene transfer in children with genetic diseases affecting the central nervous system, such as metachromatic leukodystrophy and adrenoleukodystrophy. HSCs are also a target for genetic modification in strategies aiming to confer drug resistance to chemotherapy agents so as to reduce off-target toxicity, and to allow for chemotherapy dose escalation with the possibility of enhanced therapeutic benefit.

Can Geriatric Psychiatry Patients Complete Symptoms Self-Reports Using Tablets? A Randomized Study.

Background: With our aging population and limited number of geriatric psychiatrists, innovations must be made in order to meet the growing demands for geriatric psychiatry services. Emerging technologies could greatly improve access to care and systematic data collection.

Methods: This randomized study compared completion rates and time to completion (primary outcomes) when using iPad technology vs.

Mobile Health Technology in Late-Life Mental Illness: A Focused Literature Review.

Objective: In an era of rising geriatric mental health care needs worldwide, technological advances can help address care needs in a cost-effective fashion. Our objective in this review was to assess whether mobile health technology, such as tablets and smartphones, are feasible to use in patients with late-life mental and cognitive disorders, as well as whether they were generally reliable modes of mental health/cognitive assessment.

Methods: We performed a focused literature review of MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and Embase databases, including papers specifically assessing the implementation of mobile health technologies: electronic tablets (e.

Tolerability and suitability of brief group mindfulness-oriented interventions in psychiatric inpatients: a pilot study.

Objective: Mindfulness-oriented therapies have a positive impact on patients' overall well-being and alleviate many psychiatric conditions. However, little is known about their use in people with severe mental illness. We aimed to identify which clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with suitability/tolerability of a brief group mindfulness-oriented therapy.

Does lower urine-specific gravity predict decline in renal function and hypernatremia in older adults exposed to psychotropic medications? An exploratory analysis.

Background: Exposure to psychotropic agents, including lithium, antipsychotics and antidepressants, has been associated with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). This is especially concerning in older adults already at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypernatremia with advanced aging. This study investigates whether commonly performed random urine-specific gravity (USG) tests can predict adverse NDI outcomes (CKD and hypernatremia) in psychotropic-exposed older adults.

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors and Hyponatremia in Acutely Medically-Ill Inpatients.

Background: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the mainstay of treatment for depression, anxiety, and many other conditions. However, they have been associated with an increased risk of hyponatremia. Little is known about the risk of SSRI-associated hyponatremia in certain potentially at-risk populations, such as patients with acute medical illnesses.

Health Canada Warning on Citalopram and Escitalopram--Its Effects on Prescribing in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.

Background: Reports have suggested that citalopram and escitalopram may prolong the QTc interval, leading Health Canada to issue a warning to limit their dosages in 2012. Little is known about the effects of this warning and similar ones (e.g.

Predictors of psychiatric re-hospitalization in older adults with severe mental illness.

Objective: Many patients with severe recurrent mental illness are approaching late life; however, little is known about psychiatric re-hospitalization in this population. Our objective was to identify predictors of psychiatric re-hospitalization.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all 226 geriatric patients (age ≥65 years) admitted to a tertiary care Canadian inpatient psychiatric unit between 2003 and 2008.

Medical comorbidity, acute medical care use in late-life bipolar disorder: a comparison of lithium, valproate, and other pharmacotherapies.

Objective: Bipolar disorder is associated with high rates of medical comorbidity, particularly in late life. Little is known about medical health service utilization and potential effects of bipolar pharmacotherapy. We hypothesized that lithium use would not be associated with higher rates of medical hospitalization.

Tropomyosin regulates cell migration during skin wound healing.

Precise orchestration of actin polymer into filaments with distinct characteristics of stability, bundling, and branching underpins cell migration. A key regulator of actin filament specialization is the tropomyosin family of actin-associating proteins. This multi-isoform family of proteins assemble into polymers that lie in the major groove of polymerized actin filaments, which in turn determine the association of molecules that control actin filament organization.

NEDD9 stabilizes focal adhesions, increases binding to the extra-cellular matrix and differentially effects 2D versus 3D cell migration.

The speed of cell migration on 2-dimensional (2D) surfaces is determined by the rate of assembly and disassembly of clustered integrin receptors known as focal adhesions. Different modes of cell migration that have been described in 3D environments are distinguished by their dependence on integrin-mediated interactions with the extra-cellular matrix. In particular, the mesenchymal invasion mode is the most dependent on focal adhesion dynamics.