Genomic Selection Signals in Andean Highlanders Reveal Adaptive Placental Metabolic Phenotypes That Are Disrupted in Preeclampsia.

Background: The chronic hypoxia of high-altitude residence poses challenges for tissue oxygen supply and metabolism. Exposure to high altitude during pregnancy increases the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal growth restriction and alters placental metabolism. High-altitude ancestry protects against altitude-associated fetal growth restriction, indicating hypoxia tolerance that is genetic in nature.

Association Between Device Type and Type IIIb Endoleaks Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Objective: Endoleaks following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) can lead to the need for re-intervention and aortic rupture. Given the recent recall of a specific thoracic stent graft type due to concerns about type IIIb endoleak (T3bE), in which blood leaks through the stent graft fabric, the aim was to characterise patterns of T3bEs among available TEVAR devices.

Methods: Reports related to thoracic stent grafts in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed.

Stent Graft-induced Aortic Wall Injury: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes.

Background: Stent graft-induced new entry has been described in thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortic dissection. The incidence of stent graft-induced aortic wall injury (SAWI) related to iatrogenic injury in nondissections is incompletely described. We describe incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of SAWI.

Barriers to Prescribing Targeted Therapies for Patients With NSCLC With Highly Actionable Gene Variants in the Veterans Affairs National Precision Oncology Program.

Purpose: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panels are frequently completed for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with highly actionable gene variants have improved outcomes and reduced toxicities with the use of corresponding targeted agents. We sought to identify barriers to targeted agent use within the Veterans Health Affairs' National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP).

Long-term outcomes of aortic root replacement for endocarditis.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) involving the aortic valve and root is associated with high risk requiring thoughtful surgical decision-making. The impact of valve and conduit choices and patient factors on long-term outcomes in this patient population is poorly documented.

Methods: From January 1976 to December 2013, 485 patients underwent aortic root and valve replacement at a single institution.

Community capacity coach: Embedded support to implement evidenced-based prevention.

Given the pervasive nature of child abuse and neglect, multilevel public health approaches are necessary. Implementation science can help in understanding the most effective ways to build infrastructure and support delivery of such approaches. In this theoretical paper, we describe the implementation of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), an evidence-based population-level parenting program in South Carolina.

Constrictive Pericarditis After Lung Transplantation.

Background: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare, but increasingly recognized long-term postoperative complication of lung transplantation. Heightened clinical suspicion, improved diagnostic imaging, and effective surgical treatment of the disease have led to progressive awareness of the pathology. We present our institutional experience with constrictive pericarditis after lung transplant in an effort to investigate the cause and natural history of the disease.

Mental Health of Homeless Youth: Moderation by Peer Victimization and Teacher Support.

The link between youth homelessness and mental health functioning was examined using state population-representative 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data. The moderating role of victimization and perceived teacher support also was examined. Consistent with hypotheses, results indicated that homelessness was associated with greater mental health challenges, more victimization, and less teacher support.

E6AP/UBE3A catalyzes encephalomyocarditis virus 3C protease polyubiquitylation and promotes its concentration reduction in virus-infected cells.

The encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) 3C protease (3C) is one of a small number of viral proteins whose concentration is known to be regulated by the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here we report that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH7/UBE2L3 and the ubiquitin-protein ligase E6AP/UBE3A are components of a previously unknown EMCV 3C-polyubiquitylating pathway. Following the identification of UbcH7/UBE2L3 as a participant in 3C ubiquitylation, we purified a UbcH7-dependent 3C-ubiquitylating activity from mouse cells, which we identified as E6AP.

The Student-Teacher Relationship Quality of Abused Children.

Considering the association between children's quality of relationships with teachers and their academic adjustment, information pertaining to how abused children are functioning in their relationships with teachers could be useful in promoting their academic success- yet there has been limited research in this area. The purpose of this study was to use cluster analyses to explore within-group differences in relational schemas and quality of student-teacher relationships for 70 abused children. Two clusters of abused children emerged, and as hypothesized, there were significant differences in student-teacher relationships for the two clusters.

Ambient Ammonia Exposures in an Agricultural Community and Pediatric Asthma Morbidity.

Background: Large-scale animal feeding operations compromise regional air quality in the rural US through emission of pollutants, such as ammonia gas. Exposure to airborne pollution from animal feeding operations may cause pediatric asthma exacerbations in surrounding communities.

Objectives: To describe spatial and temporal patterns in ambient ammonia concentrations in an agricultural region, and to investigate associations between short-term fluctuations in ammonia and subsequent changes in respiratory health in children with asthma.

Case cluster of pneumoconiosis at a coal slag processing facility.

Background: During an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of a small coal slag processing plant with 12 current workers, four cases of pneumoconiosis were identified among former workers.

Methods: The OSHA investigation consisted of industrial hygiene sampling, a review of medical records, and case interviews.

Results: Some personal sampling measurements exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for total dust exposures of 15 mg/m(3), and the measured respirable silica exposure of 0.

Migration of Beryllium via Multiple Exposure Pathways among Work Processes in Four Different Facilities.

Inhalation of beryllium is associated with the development of sensitization; however, dermal exposure may also be important. The primary aim of this study was to elucidate relationships among exposure pathways in four different manufacturing and finishing facilities. Secondary aims were to identify jobs with increased levels of beryllium in air, on skin, and on surfaces; identify potential discrepancies in exposure pathways, and determine if these are related to jobs with previously identified risk.

Development of a passive air sampler to measure airborne organophosphorus pesticides and oxygen analogs in an agricultural community.

Organophosphorus pesticides are some of the most widely used insecticides in the US, and spray drift may result in human exposures. We investigate sampling methodologies using the polyurethane foam passive air sampling device to measure cumulative monthly airborne concentrations of OP pesticides chlorpyrifos, azinphos-methyl, and oxygen analogs. Passive sampling rates (m(3)d(-1)) were determined using calculations using chemical properties, loss of depuration compounds, and calibration with side-by-side active air sampling in a dynamic laboratory exposure chamber and in the field.

A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for measurement of organophosphorus pesticides and their oxygen analogs in air sampling matrices.

A rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed for determination of levels of the organophosphorus (OP) pesticides chlorpyrifos (CPF), azinphos methyl (AZM), and their oxygen analogs chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPF-O) and azinphos methyl-oxon (AZM-O) on common active air sampling matrices. XAD-2 resin and polyurethane foam (PUF) matrices were extracted with acetonitrile containing stable-isotope labeled internal standards (ISTD). Analysis was accomplished in Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode, and analytes in unknown samples were identified by retention time (±0.

Development of a unique multi-contaminant air sampling device for a childhood asthma cohort in an agricultural environment.

This research describes the design, deployment, performance, and acceptability of a novel outdoor active air sampler to provide simultaneous measurements of multiple contaminants at timed intervals for the Aggravating Factors of Asthma in Rural Environment (AFARE) study-a longitudinal cohort of 50 children in Yakima Valley, Washington. The sampler was constructed of multiple sampling media connected to individual critical orifices and a rotary vane vacuum pump. It was connected to a timed control valve system to collect 24 hours samples every six days over 18 months.

Comparison of polyurethane foam and XAD-2 sampling matrices to measure airborne organophosphorus pesticides and their oxygen analogs in an agricultural community.

Side-by-side active air sampling for the organophosphorus (OP) pesticide, chlorpyrifos (CPF) and its oxygen analog, chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPF-O) was conducted with two recommended air sampling matrices: OSHA Versatile Sampling (OVS) tubes with XAD-2 resin, polyurethane foam (PUF) tubes, and passive PUF deposition disks. The study compared the proportion of artificially transformed CPF-O in the laboratory and in the field during a tree fruit application in Washington State. Lab results demonstrated that the NIOSH-recommended OVS tubes artificially transformed up to 32% of CPF to CPF-O during the sampling process, whereas PUF tubes had little to no artificial transformation (⩽0.

Presence of organophosphorus pesticide oxygen analogs in air samples.

A number of recent toxicity studies have highlighted the increased potency of oxygen analogs (oxons) of several organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. These findings were a major concern after environmental oxons were identified in environmental samples from air and surfaces following agricultural spray applications in California and Washington State. This paper reports on the validity of oxygen analog measurements in air samples for the OP pesticide, chlorpyrifos.