Physical, Psychosocial, and Practical Burden of Patients Receiving Care for Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Canada: A Mixed-Methods Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Documentation of the disease's description and treatment experience of Canadian patients is limited but of interest given the aging population and resultant implications for healthcare systems. A mixed-methods study was conducted to understand the challenges experienced by patients living in Canada with AMD to identify areas of need and for potential reform.

species associated with in South Africa, including two novel species.

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are small wood-boring insects that live in an obligate symbiosis with fungi, which serve as their primary food source. Beetles residing in the genus have evolved a unique association with a clade of that falls within the aptly named Ambrosia Clade (AFC). The discovery of the invasive polyphagous shot hole borer, , in South Africa, has heightened awareness of ambrosia beetles and their symbionts in the country.

Polyandry contributes to (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) rearing.

Background: Marelli, 1926 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the main defoliating beetles in plantations. Biological control with egg parasitoids is one of the main control strategies for this pest and a constant supply of fresh host eggs is required to rear the parasitoids. Polyandry can influence oviposition by increasing female fecundity and fertility; however, the high density of individuals in laboratory colonies can lead to male harassment, resulting in lower reproduction rate.

It takes a village: A pilot study of a group telehealth intervention for support persons affected by opioid use disorder.

Introduction: Opioid use disorder (OUD) has devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities. The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is a Support Person (SP)-focused intervention that aims to increase SPs' communication strategies, positive reinforcement/rewards, and social support. This pilot study, called eINSPIRE (INtegrating Support Persons Into REcovery), adapted CRAFT for delivery via group telehealth.

There is hope and help: Reach and reception of a methamphetamine education campaign in Los Angeles County, California.

Introduction: In the context of increasing rates of methamphetamine (meth) overdose in Los Angeles County, California, USA, in 2021 the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health relaunched , a methamphetamine public education campaign built on Rescue Agency's Strategic Framework.

Methods: To assess campaign reach and reception, we examined media data and an online cross-sectional post-campaign survey in 2021 with a convenience sample of 750 county residents ages 18-54 who had used meth, were at-risk, or had personal relationships with people at-risk. We assessed campaign awareness, receptivity, and perceived effectiveness.

Safety and Efficacy of Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Therapy in Patients With Retinal Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of ocular gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched systematically for controlled or non-controlled interventional gene therapy studies using key words related to retinal diseases, gene therapy, and AAV vectors.

Implementation of Specialty Tobacco Use Disorder Services in a Community Health Setting: Support for Enhanced Prescription Practices.

Objectives: Although public efforts to reduce tobacco use have been successful, millions of US adults currently smoke tobacco. Reducing the public health burden of tobacco use disorder (TUD) and eliminating disparities experienced by underresourced communities requires increased accessibility to services. The goal of this study was to assess whether prescriptions for evidence-based medications for tobacco treatment showed steeper growth rates among community health clinics providing specialty TUD services as compared with treatment as usual.

Unusual Clinical Presentation of Clear Cell Sarcoma in a Young Woman.

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare but aggressive malignancy that typically occurs in young adults and is characterized by soft tissue tumors of the extremities. CCS can be difficult to distinguish from metastatic melanoma based solely on histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) because of the significant overlap between them. However, it is imperative to get an accurate clinical diagnosis, as it informs disease staging and treatment options for patient care.

Evaluation of an in vitro experimental platform of human polarized intestinal epithelial monolayers for the hazard assessment of insecticidal proteins.

Previous work demonstrated the utility of using human-derived intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines cultured as polarized monolayers on Transwell® filters to differentiate between hazardous and non-hazardous proteins. The current study seeks to further resolve appropriate concentrations for evaluating proteins of unknown hazard potential using the IEC experimental platform and leverages these parameters for evaluating the potential toxicity of insecticidal proteins characteristic of those expressed in genetically modified (GM) agricultural biotechnology crops. To establish optimal test protein concentrations, effects of several known hazardous (C.

Susceptibility of Eucalyptus trees to defoliation by the Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus sp. n. 2, is enhanced by high foliar contents of 1,8-cineole, oxalic acid and sucrose and low contents of palmitic and shikimic acid.

Gonipterus sp. n. 2 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) is an invasive, commercially important weevil that causes large-scale defoliation of Eucalyptus trees.

Natural infection of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) with entomopathogenic nematodes in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

White grubs are root feeding larvae of beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) that are sporadic pests in agriculture and can lead to economic damage. The grubs feed on the roots of plants, while the adult beetle can bore into underground stems, as well as cause defoliation of plants. Sporadic incidence of larvae with symptoms of nematode infections were detected in wattle and sugarcane plantations in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Efficacy of Commercially Available Entomopathogenic Agents against the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer in South Africa.

The invasive ambrosia beetle, , was first reported in South Africa in 2018. The beetle has now spread to eight provinces of the country and has had a devastating impact on both native and non-native tree species. This is especially true for trees located in urban and peri-urban environments.

Human Airway Basal Cells Undergo Reversible Squamous Differentiation and Reshape Innate Immunity.

Histological and lineage immunofluorescence examination revealed that healthy conducting airways of humans and animals harbor sporadic poorly differentiated epithelial patches mostly in the dorsal noncartilage regions that remarkably manifest squamous differentiation. analysis demonstrated that this squamous phenotype is not due to intrinsic functional change in underlying airway basal cells. Rather, it is a reversible physiological response to persistent Wnt signaling stimulation during differentiation.

STAT3 mutation-associated airway epithelial defects in Job syndrome.

Background: Job syndrome is a disease of autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES). Patients harboring STAT3 mutation are particularly prone to airway remodeling and airway infections.

Objectives: Airway epithelial cells play a central role as the first line of defense against pathogenic infection and express high levels of STAT3.

Characterisation of the Alarm Pheromone of Bathycoelia Distincta (Pentatomidae).

Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae) is the dominant pest in South African macadamia orchards, where adults are responsible for causing severe yield losses. Similar to other hemipterans, B. distincta release volatile compounds from scent glands that can deter natural enemies and act as an alarm signal among conspecifics.

Transcellular biosynthesis of leukotriene B orchestrates neutrophil swarming to fungi.

Neutrophil swarming is an emergent host defense mechanism triggered by targets larger than a single neutrophil's capacity to phagocytose. Swarming synergizes neutrophil functions, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and coordinates their deployment by many interacting neutrophils. The potent inflammatory lipid mediator leukotriene B (LTB) has been established as central to orchestrating neutrophil activities during swarming.

Diversity and Molecular Barcoding of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Associated with Macadamia in South Africa.

Stink bugs are major pests of macadamia in South Africa. Accurate identification and knowledge of species composition are important to inform management practices. The overall aims of this study were to identify stink bug species from macadamia orchards in South Africa using morphology, and to establish a DNA database based on the gene region.

Providing Low-barrier Addiction Treatment Via a Telemedicine Consultation Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Los Angeles, County: An Assessment 1 Year Later.

Background: Los Angeles County Department of Health Services provides medical care to a diverse group of patients residing in underresourced communities. To improve patients' access to addiction medications during the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services established a low-barrier telephone service for DHS providers in March 2020, staffed by DATA-2000-waivered providers experienced with prescribing addiction medications. This study describes the patient population and medications prescribed through this service during its initial 12 months.

Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder in primary care clinics: an evaluation of common implementation strategies and outcomes.

Background: To combat the opioid epidemic in the USA, unprecedented federal funding has been directed to states and territories to expand access to prevention, overdose rescue, and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Similar to other states, California rapidly allocated these funds to increase reach and adoption of MOUD in safety-net, primary care settings such as Federally Qualified Health Centers. Typical of current real-world implementation endeavors, a package of four implementation strategies was offered to all clinics.

Genetic diversity of the two-spotted stink bug Bathycoelia distincta (Pentatomidae) associated with macadamia orchards in South Africa.

The South African macadamia industry is severely affected by a complex of stink bugs, dominated by the two-spotted stink bug, Bathycoelia distincta Distant (Pentatomidae). This species was first discovered during the spring of 1984 in the Limpopo province. Although considerable effort has been spent trying to manage this pest, it continues to be a pest of concern for the macadamia industry.

PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF SPONTANEOUS RELEASE OF VITREOMACULAR TRACTION: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To review predictive factors of spontaneous vitreomacular traction (VMT) release.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Studies comparing spontaneously released VMT to persistent VMT were included.

Collaboration Leading to Addiction Treatment and Recovery from Other Stresses (CLARO): process of adapting collaborative care for co-occurring opioid use and mental disorders.

Background: Opioid use disorders (OUD), co-occurring with either depression and/or PTSD, are prevalent, burdensome, and often receive little or low-quality care. Collaborative care is a service delivery intervention that uses a team-based model to improve treatment access, quality, and outcomes in primary care patients, but has not been evaluated for co-occurring OUD and mental health disorders. To address this treatment and quality gap, we adapted collaborative care for co-occurring OUD and mental health disorders.

Alginates for Protection Against Pepsin-Acid Induced Aerodigestive Epithelial Barrier Disruption.

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are chronic conditions caused by backflow of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus and proximal aerodigestive tract, respectively. Mucosal barrier dysfunction resultant from the synergistic actions of chemical injury and the mucosal inflammatory response during reflux contributes to symptom perception. Alginates effectively treat symptoms of mild to moderate GERD and have recently shown benefit for LPR.