Environmental DNA analysis of river herring in Chesapeake Bay: A powerful tool for monitoring threatened keystone species.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has emerged as a powerful tool to detect and quantify species abundance in aquatic environments. However, relatively few studies have compared the performance of eDNA-based abundance estimates to traditional catch or survey approaches in the field. Here, we have developed and field-tested a qPCR assay to detect eDNA from alewife and blueback herring (collectively known as 'river herring'), comparing eDNA-based presence and abundance data to traditional methods of quantification (ichthyoplankton sampling and adult observations).

Pharmacokinetics of furosemide after intravenous, oral and transdermal administration to cats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of furosemide in cats following intravenous (IV), oral and transdermal administration.

Methods: This study used six healthy adult cats in a three-phase design to compare plasma furosemide concentrations in cats that received one IV 2 mg/kg dose of furosemide, one oral 2 mg/kg dose of furosemide and 3 days of q12h dosing with 2 mg/kg furosemide transdermally applied to the ear pinna.

Results: After IV administration the elimination half-life was (mean and coefficient of variation) 2.

Occurrence of major complications after cochlear implant surgery in Ireland.

Objectives: Cochlear implantation (CI) is considered an effective and relatively safe procedure for patients with severe-profound hearing loss. However, severe complications are reported in several studies. The purpose of this study was to report the frequency and management of major complications following CI surgery at the National CI Programme (NCIP) in Ireland.

A Comparison of the National Football League's Annual National Football League Combine 1999-2000 to 2015-2016.

Fitzgerald, CF and Jensen, RL. A Comparison of the National Football League's annual National Football League combine 1999-2000 to 2015-2016. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 771-781, 2020-The purpose of this study was to determine if elite football players are becoming bigger, faster, and stronger over the past decade by analyzing individual performances at the National Football League's (NFL) Combine.

Statistical adjustment of culture-independent diagnostic tests for trend analysis in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), USA.

Background: Culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs) are increasingly used to diagnose Campylobacter infection in the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). Because CIDTs have different performance characteristics compared with culture, which has been used historically and is still used to diagnose campylobacteriosis, adjustment of cases diagnosed by CIDT is needed to compare with culture-confirmed cases for monitoring incidence trends.

Methods: We identified the necessary parameters for CIDT adjustment using culture as the gold standard, and derived formulas to calculate positive predictive values (PPVs).

Initial surgical experience following implementation of lung cancer screening at an urban safety net hospital.

Background: Safety net hospitals provide care mostly to low-income, uninsured, and vulnerable populations, in whom delays in cancer screening are established barriers. Socioeconomic barriers might pose important challenges to the success of a lung cancer screening program at a safety net hospital. We aimed to determine screening follow-up compliance, rates of diagnostic and treatment procedures, and the rate of cancer diagnosis in patients classified as category 4 by the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS 4).

Does Patient Education Augment Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Preparedness and Attendance? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate patient attendance and preparedness for pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) after comparing standard counseling versus standard counseling plus an educational video.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of 200 patients in a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery practice was performed in a tertiary care referral center. Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 educational modalities after being prescribed PFPT.

SULFATION PATHWAYS: Alternate steroid sulfation pathways targeted by LC-MS/MS analysis of disulfates: application to prenatal diagnosis of steroid synthesis disorders.

The steroid disulfates ( bis-sulfates) are a significant but minor fraction of the urinary steroid metabolome that have not been widely studied because major components are not hydrolyzed by the commercial sulfatases commonly used in steroid metabolomics. In early studies, conjugate fractionation followed by hydrolysis using acidified solvent (solvolysis) was used for the indirect detection of this fraction by GC-MS. This paper describes the application of a specific LC-MS/MS method for the direct identification of disulfates in urine, and their use as markers for the prenatal diagnosis of disorders causing reduced estriol production: STSD (steroid sulfatase deficiency), SLOS (Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome) and PORD (P450 oxidoreductase deficiency).

Optical Voltage Sensing Using DNA Origami.

We explore the potential of DNA nanotechnology for developing novel optical voltage sensing nanodevices that convert a local change of electric potential into optical signals. As a proof-of-concept of the sensing mechanism, we assembled voltage responsive DNA origami structures labeled with a single pair of FRET dyes. The DNA structures were reversibly immobilized on a nanocapillary tip and underwent controlled structural changes upon application of an electric field.

Innovative Practice in Advancement of Academic Nurse Educator Careers: Developing Scholarship From Program Grants.

We describe an innovative practice in advancing careers of academic nurse educators: demonstrating scholarly productivity from program grants. Scholarly productivity is often narrowly defined, especially in research-intensive institutions. The expectation may be a career trajectory based on the traditional scholarship of discovery.

AAVrh10 Gene Therapy Ameliorates Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disease in Canine Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbe Disease).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD), or Krabbe disease, is an inherited, neurologic disorder that results from deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme, galactosylceramidase. Most commonly, deficits of galactosylceramidase result in widespread central and peripheral nervous system demyelination and death in affected infants typically by 2 years of age. Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the current standard of care in children diagnosed prior to symptom onset.

The PHARMS (Patient Held Active Record of Medication Status) feasibility study: a research proposal.

Medication errors are a major source of preventable morbidity, mortality and cost and many occur at the times of hospital admission and discharge. Novel interventions (such as new methods of recording medication information and conducting medication reconciliation) are required to facilitate accurate transfer of medication information. With existing evidence supporting the use of information technology and the patient representing the one constant in the care process, an electronic patient held medication record may provide a solution.

Ensuring Patient Safety and Access in Cancer Care.

The inability to obtain the right high-quality cancer care in a timely and safe manner can have devastating results for patients. As cancer care becomes inundated with cutting edge and novel treatments, such as personalized medicine, oral chemotherapy, biosimilars, and immunotherapy, new safety challenges are emerging at increasing speed and complexity. Moreover, shifting federal healthcare policies could have significant implications for the safety and access to high-quality and effective cancer care for millions of patients with cancer.

Ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation before oncology treatment: A retrospective cohort of 157 patients.

This is a retrospective cohort study aiming to examine the response of oncology patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for fertility preservation and to review the incidence of short-term complications. The study group consisted by all oncology patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation (n = 157) between April 2009 and April 2016. Patients undergoing COS for IVF/ICSI for male factor only infertility in the same time period (n = 2,128) provided a comparator group.

Caregiver burden of parents of young children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: There is a paucity of research examining the impact of informal caregiving on parents of young children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to examine caregiver burden and identify risk factors associated with high caregiver burden in mothers and fathers of young children with CF.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of parents of young children with CF.

Attendance at Prescribed Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in a Diverse, Urban Urogynecology Population.

Background: Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a common and effective treatment for several pelvic floor disorders, but there is limited knowledge about adherence to the therapy or what factors influence attendance.

Objective: To determine rates of PFPT attendance (initiation and completion) as well as correlates of PFPT attendance.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

How much variation in oocyte yield after controlled ovarian stimulation can be explained? A multilevel modelling study.

Study Question: How much variation in oocyte yield after controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) can be accounted for by known patient and treatment characteristics?

Summary Answer: There is substantial variation in the COS responses of similar women and in repeated COS episodes undertaken by the same woman, which cannot be accounted for at present.

What Is Already Known: The goal of individualized COS is to safely collect enough oocytes to maximize the chance of success in an ART cycle. Personalization of treatment rests on the ability to reduce variation in response through modifiable factors.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Perineal Lacerations in a Diverse Urban Healthcare System.

Objectives: The aim of the study was o determine whether variations exist between races/ethnicities in perineal laceration at first vaginal delivery.

Methods: We assessed first vaginal deliveries greater than 35 weeks gestation, for a four-year period, in our diverse urban healthcare system. Predictor variable was race/ethnicity with outcome variable of none, first-, second-, third-, or fourth-degree perineal laceration.

Pre-operative guided imagery in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: a randomized trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine if pre-operative guided imagery (GIM) would help women to feel more prepared, less anxious, and have higher satisfaction scores 6 weeks after surgery compared with routine care.

Methods: Eligible women planning to undergo pelvic floor surgery were enrolled and randomized. The GIM group received an institution-specific CD that uses GIM to detail day of surgery (DOS) events and expectations.

Better palliative care for people with a dementia: summary of interdisciplinary workshop highlighting current gaps and recommendations for future research.

Background: Dementia is the most common neurological disorder worldwide and is a life-limiting condition, but very often is not recognised as such. People with dementia, and their carers, have been shown to have palliative care needs equal in extent to those of cancer patients. However, many people with advanced dementia are not routinely being assessed to determine their palliative care needs, and it is not clear why this is so.

Value Tools for Patients in Cancer Care.

In order to empower patients as partners in their healthcare decisions, there is an identified need for value tools that provide enough information to help them make decisions regarding their cancer care journey. NCCN convened a multistakeholder working group to identify the gaps and needs of current value tools and develop a set of findings and recommendations for the evolution of value tools for patients. The findings and recommendations of the working group were then presented at the Value Tools for Patients in Cancer Care Patient Advocacy Summit in December 2016, and multistakeholder roundtable panel discussions explored these findings and recommendations along with additional items.