Impact of Race on 30-Day Complication Rates After Elective Complex Spinal Fusion (≥5 Levels): A Single Institutional Study of 446 Patients.

Objective: Racial disparities have been shown to affect surgical outcomes. However, the effect of race on complex spinal fusion outcomes remains understudied. The aim of this study is to determine if patient race affects 30-day complication rates after elective complex spinal fusion (≥5 levels).

Computational approach to predict species-specific type III secretion system (T3SS) effectors using single and multiple genomes.

Background: Many gram-negative bacteria use type III secretion systems (T3SSs) to translocate effector proteins into host cells. T3SS effectors can give some bacteria a competitive edge over others within the same environment and can help bacteria to invade the host cells and allow them to multiply rapidly within the host. Therefore, developing efficient methods to identify effectors scattered in bacterial genomes can lead to a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions and ultimately to important medical and biotechnological applications.

Malaria in HIV-Infected Children Receiving HIV Protease-Inhibitor- Compared with Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Based Antiretroviral Therapy, IMPAACT P1068s, Substudy to P1060.

Background: HIV and malaria geographically overlap. HIV protease inhibitors kill malaria parasites in vitro and in vivo, but further evaluation in clinical studies is needed.

Methods: Thirty-one children from Malawi aged 4-62 months were followed every 3 months and at intercurrent illness visits for ≤47 months (September 2009-December 2011).

Association between antibiotic use among pregnant women with urinary tract infections in the first trimester and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study 1997 to 2011.

Background: Previous studies noted associations between birth defects and some antibiotics (e.g., nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides) but not others (e.

The HemQ coprohaem decarboxylase generates reactive oxygen species: implications for the evolution of classical haem biosynthesis.

Bacteria require a haem biosynthetic pathway for the assembly of a variety of protein complexes, including cytochromes, peroxidases, globins, and catalase. Haem is synthesised via a series of tetrapyrrole intermediates, including non-metallated porphyrins, such as protoporphyrin IX, which is well known to generate reactive oxygen species in the presence of light and oxygen. Staphylococcus aureus has an ancient haem biosynthetic pathway that proceeds via the formation of coproporphyrin III, a less reactive porphyrin.

Genotoxicity assessment of the flavouring agent, perillaldehyde.

Perillaldehyde, a natural monocyclic terpenoid found most abundantly in the herb perilla, has a long history of use as a flavouring ingredient to add spiciness and citrus taste to foods. Previously, it was judged to be safe by several international expert panels. To confirm the safety of flavourings placed on the European Union list of flavourings, perillaldehyde was selected by the European Food Safety Authority as a representative of a subgroup of alicyclic aldehyde flavouring substances to be evaluated for genotoxic potential.

Responses by hospital complaints managers to recommendations for systemic reforms by health complaints commissions.

Objective This paper explores how hospital complaints managers react to recommendations for systemic quality reforms by health complaints commissions in response to complaints by patients in Queensland and New South Wales. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with complaints managers in 17 hospitals. Interview transcripts were then thematically analysed and data on responses to health complaint commissions was organised in relation to Valerie Braithwaite's typology of motivational postures.

Impact of Age on Change in Self-Image 5 Years After Complex Spinal Fusion (≥5 Levels).

Background: Spinal deformities that require ≥5 fusion levels are difficult and challenging for both the surgeon and patient. Corrections of moderate to severe deformities have been shown to improve patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and provide patients with a better quality of life. Self-image is an important PRO because it sheds insight into the patient's perception of health, as well as serving as a proxy of satisfaction for patients with spine deformity undergoing corrective surgery.

A content analysis of the UK press response to the diagnosis of Ebola in a British healthcare worker.

Background: The Ebola epidemic led to considerable media attention, which may influence public risk perception. Therefore, this study analysed the UK press response following diagnosis of a British healthcare worker (HCW) with Ebola.

Methods: Using the Nexis database, the frequency of Ebola-related articles in UK national newspaper articles was mapped.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation and Three-Dimensional Tissue Formation Attenuate Clonal Epigenetic Differences in Trichohyalin.

The epigenetic background of pluripotent stem cells can influence transcriptional and functional behavior. Most of these data have been obtained in standard monolayer cell culture systems. In this study, we used exome sequencing, array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), miRNA array, DNA methylation array, three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering, and immunostaining to conduct a comparative analysis of two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines used in engineering of 3D human epidermal equivalent (HEE), which more closely approximates epidermis.

IgG subclass switching and clonal expansion in cutaneous melanoma and normal skin.

B cells participate in immune surveillance in human circulation and tissues, including tumors such as melanoma. By contrast, the role of humoral responses in cutaneous immunity is underappreciated. We report circulating skin-homing CD22+CLA+B cells in healthy volunteers and melanoma patients (n = 73) and CD22+ cells in melanoma and normal skin samples (n = 189).

Generation of KCL036 research grade human embryonic stem cell line carrying a mutation in the HTT gene.

The KCL036 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from an embryo donated for research that carried an autosomal dominant mutation affecting one allele of the HTT gene encoding huntingtin (38 trinucleotide repeats; 14 for the normal allele). The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment.

Generation of KCL028 research grade human embryonic stem cell line carrying a mutation in the HTT gene.

The KCL028 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from an embryo donated for research that carried an autosomal dominant mutation affecting one allele of the HTT gene encoding huntingtin (43 trinucleotide repeats; 21 for the normal allele). The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment.

Generation of KCL027 research grade human embryonic stem cell line carrying a mutation in the HTT gene.

The KCL027 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from an embryo donated for research that carried an autosomal dominant mutation affecting one allele of the HTT gene encoding huntingtin (43 trinucleotide repeats; 21 for the normal allele). The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment.

Generation of KCL012 research grade human embryonic stem cell line carrying a mutation in the HTT gene.

The KCL012 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from an embryo donated for research that carried an autosomal dominant mutation affecting one allele of the HTT gene encoding huntingtin (46 trinucleotide repeats; 17 for the normal allele). The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment.

Generation of KCL031 clinical grade human embryonic stem cell line.

The KCL031 human embryonic stem cell line was derived from a normal healthy blastocyst donated for research. The ICM was isolated using laser microsurgery and plated on γ-irradiated human foreskin fibroblasts. Both the derivation and cell line propagation were performed in an animal product-free environment and under current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards.

Differential genotoxicity of acrylamide in the micronucleus and Pig-a gene mutation assays in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice.

Acrylamide is used in many industrial processes and is present in a variety of fried and baked foods. In rodent carcinogenicity assays, acrylamide exposure leads to tumour formation at doses lower than those demonstrated to induce genotoxic damage. We evaluated the potential of acrylamide to induce structural DNA damage and gene mutations in rodents using highly sensitive flow cytometric analysis of micronucleus and Pig-a mutant frequencies, respectively.

GSK6853, a Chemical Probe for Inhibition of the BRPF1 Bromodomain.

The BRPF (Bromodomain and PHD Finger-containing) protein family are important scaffolding proteins for assembly of MYST histone acetyltransferase complexes. A selective benzimidazolone BRPF1 inhibitor showing micromolar activity in a cellular target engagement assay was recently described. Herein, we report the optimization of this series leading to the identification of a superior BRPF1 inhibitor suitable for in vivo studies.

Twinning and major birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2007.

Background: Twinning has been associated with many types of birth defects, although previous studies have had inconsistent findings. Many studies lack information about potential confounders, particularly use of fertility treatment. Our objective was to assess the association between twinning and birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).

Discovery and Optimization of Potent, Selective, and in Vivo Efficacious 2-Aryl Benzimidazole BCATm Inhibitors.

To identify BCATm inhibitors suitable for in vivo study, Encoded Library Technology (ELT) was used to affinity screen a 117 million member benzimidazole based DNA encoded library, which identified an inhibitor series with both biochemical and cellular activities. Subsequent SAR studies led to the discovery of a highly potent and selective compound, 1-(3-(5-bromothiophene-2-carboxamido)cyclohexyl)-N-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxamide (8b) with much improved PK properties. X-ray structure revealed that 8b binds to the active site of BACTm in a unique mode via multiple H-bond and van der Waals interactions.

Testing Allele Transmission of an SNP Set Using a Family-Based Generalized Genetic Random Field Method.

Family-based association studies are commonly used in genetic research because they can be robust to population stratification (PS). Recent advances in high-throughput genotyping technologies have produced a massive amount of genomic data in family-based studies. However, current family-based association tests are mainly focused on evaluating individual variants one at a time.

Large-scale production of megakaryocytes from human pluripotent stem cells by chemically defined forward programming.

The production of megakaryocytes (MKs)--the precursors of blood platelets--from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers exciting clinical opportunities for transfusion medicine. Here we describe an original approach for the large-scale generation of MKs in chemically defined conditions using a forward programming strategy relying on the concurrent exogenous expression of three transcription factors: GATA1, FLI1 and TAL1. The forward programmed MKs proliferate and differentiate in culture for several months with MK purity over 90% reaching up to 2 × 10(5) mature MKs per input hPSC.

Epiboly generates the epidermal basal monolayer and spreads the nascent mammalian skin to enclose the embryonic body.

Epiboly is a morphogenetic process that is employed in the surface ectoderm of anamniotes during gastrulation to cover the entire embryo. We propose here that mammals also utilise this process to expand the epidermis and enclose the body cavity and spinal cord with a protective surface covering. Our data supports a model whereby epidermal spreading is driven by the primary establishment of the epidermal basal progenitor monolayer through radial cell intercalation of a multi-layered epithelium towards the basal lamina.