AEROBIC BLOOD CULTURES AND COMPARISON TO CLINICAL FINDINGS OF FREE-RANGING GREEN TURTLES () IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.

Positive blood cultures have been identified in debilitated, stranded, and deceased green turtles (), suggestive of septicemia. Interpretation of these results is often difficult because multiple studies have previously identified bacteremia in clinically healthy reptiles. In this study, paired blood cultures and skin cultures obtained after aseptic preparation of the venipuncture site were collected from 50 immature free-ranging green turtles from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Life Over Limb: Why Not Both? Revisiting Tourniquet Practices Based on Lessons Learned From the War in Ukraine.

The use of tourniquets for life-threatening limb hemorrhage is standard of care in military and civilian medicine. The United States (U.S.

Rethinking limb tourniquet conversion in the prehospital environment.

We have highlighted the issue of overuse of tourniquets and described why tourniquet conversion and replacement should be taught and done in the prehospital setting.

HtrA1 prevents and reverses α-synuclein aggregation, rendering it non-toxic and seeding incompetent.

Parkinson disease (PD) is closely linked to the misfolding and accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) into Lewy bodies. HtrA1 is a PDZ serine protease that degrades fibrillar tau, which is associated with Alzheimer disease (AD). Further, inactivating mutations to mitochondrial HtrA2 have been implicated in PD.

An astrocyte BMAL1-BAG3 axis protects against alpha-synuclein and tau pathology.

The circadian clock protein BMAL1 modulates glial activation and amyloid-beta deposition in mice. However, the effects of BMAL1 on other aspects of neurodegenerative pathology are unknown. Here, we show that global post-natal deletion of Bmal1 in mouse tauopathy or alpha-synucleinopathy models unexpectedly suppresses both tau and alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and related pathology.

Integrating terrestrial scavenging ecology into contemporary wildlife conservation and management.

Scavenging plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health and contributing to ecological functions; however, research in this sub-discipline of ecology is underutilized in developing and implementing wildlife conservation and management strategies. We provide an examination of the literature and recommend priorities for research where improved understanding of scavenging dynamics can facilitate the development and refinement of applied wildlife conservation and management strategies. Due to the application of scavenging research broadly within ecology, scavenging studies should be implemented for informing management decisions.

PLASMA SEPARATOR TUBES DO NOT HAVE ANY OVERT EFFECTS ON ROUTINE PLASMA CHEMISTRY DATA OF GREEN SEA TURTLES ().

Plasma separator tubes (PSTs) are a variant of lithium heparin blood tube containing a polymer gel, which, when centrifuged, creates a physical barrier between plasma and blood cells. Their use is common in laboratory procedures of reptilian species. This study aimed to determine whether the use of plasma separator tubes impacts plasma biochemistry data in green sea turtles () at time of collection and after 24 hr of contact time with the separator gel after centrifugation at refrigerator temperature.

The Occurrence of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in Northern Georgia Wild and Captive Snake Populations.

Ophidiomycosis, or snake fungal disease, is an emerging wildlife disease caused by the Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola fungus. The fungus can result in high mortality rates among infected snakes and has been documented across much of the eastern US, including southern Georgia. However, little is known about ophidiomycosis in northern Georgia.

Combined treatment of disfiguring facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis complex with surgical debulking and topical sirolimus.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant disorder that causes the formation of hamartomatous tumors such as facial angiofibromas (FAs). We present a combination of surgical debulking via shave biopsy, curettage, and electrocautery followed by application of sirolimus ointment 1% to the nose to treat FAs in the setting of TSC. This novel approach achieved an optimal therapeutic response in our patient with minimal recurrence of FAs after 1 year of follow-up.

Integrating (Ashmead, 1904) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) into Management Programs for (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Apple Orchards: Impact of Insecticide Applications and Spray Patterns.

(Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive species in the United States, where it has caused significant damage to specialty crops, including apples. While integrated pest management techniques have been developed for in apple, including spray application techniques, it is unknown how these techniques affect foraging, adventive (Ashmead, 1904) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), and its offspring. In this study, egg masses (unparasitized and 2 and 7 day parasitized pre-treatment) were placed in apple orchards in treated and untreated locations that received full block insecticide applications or reduced application techniques, including border row or alternate row middle applications.

Smoking is associated with adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas: a nationwide multicenter analysis.

Microabstract: The effect of smoking on adrenal cancer is poorly understood. A clear association of adrenal adenoma and adrenocortical carcinoma with smoking among the United States population is observed. This association points to the possibility of environmental carcinogenic and/or lifestyle factors contributing to adrenal cancer formation.

Three Cases Describing Outcomes of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation for Complex Wound Healing.

Background: We describe 3 cases where negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) was used as an adjunctive therapy for 3 chronic wounds.

Cases: Three patients (2 males and 1 female), ranging in age from 28 to 53 years, presented with complex, infected wounds: (1) a diabetic foot ulcer with underlying infection, (2) a dehisced abdominal wound with enterocutaneous fistula, and (3) a large wound of the upper torso and axillary region resulting from soft tissue necrosis. Negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time was initiated by instilling normal saline or an antiseptic solution; the solution was left in place for 3 to 10 minutes.

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis: A Complicated Febrile Urinary Tract Infection Detected by Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department.

Background: Febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) include a spectrum of pathologies from uncomplicated pyelonephritis to urosepsis, including xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP). Most febrile UTIs are treated with antibiotics alone, but studies indicate nearly 12% of cases of presumed simple pyelonephritis require emergent urologic intervention. How to identify these individuals, while limiting unnecessary advanced imaging and delays in diagnosis, challenges all emergency providers.

Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya: Emerging Arboviruses in the New World.

The arboviruses that cause dengue, chikungunya, and Zika illnesses have rapidly expanded across the globe in recent years, with large-scale outbreaks occurring in Western Hemisphere territories in close proximity to the United States (U.S.).

Mitochondrial metabolism of pyruvate is essential for regulating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

It is well known that mitochondrial metabolism of pyruvate is critical for insulin secretion; however, we know little about how pyruvate is transported into mitochondria in β-cells. Part of the reason for this lack of knowledge is that the carrier gene was only discovered in 2012. In the current study, we assess the role of the recently identified carrier in the regulation of insulin secretion.

Chronic treatment with the AMP-kinase activator AICAR increases glycogen storage and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscles but does not reduce hyperglucagonemia and hyperglycemia in insulin deficient rats.

This study tested whether the glycogen-accumulating effect of chronic in vivo pharmacological 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation could improve glycemic control under conditions of insulin deficiency. Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic through the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and then treated for 7 consecutive days with the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR). Subsequently, glycogen content and synthesis, glucose oxidation, and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) were determined in oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscles.

Frequent food insecurity among injection drug users: correlates and concerns.

Background: Food insecurity and nutrition are two topics that are under-researched among injection drug users (IDUs). Our study examined the extent and correlates of food insecurity among a sample of IDUs and explored whether there is an association between food insecurity and injection-related HIV risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using interviewer-administered questionnaires.

Biphasic peptide amphiphile nanomatrix embedded with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for stimulated osteoinductive response.

Formation of the native bone extracellular matrix (ECM) provides an attractive template for bone tissue engineering. The structural support and biological complexity of bone ECM are provided within a composite microenvironment that consists of an organic fibrous network reinforced by inorganic hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles. Recreating this biphasic assembly, a bone ECM analogous scaffold comprising self-assembling peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers and interspersed HA nanoparticles was investigated.

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells synergistically enhanced by biomimetic peptide amphiphiles combined with conditioned medium.

An attractive strategy for bone tissue engineering is the use of extracellular matrix (ECM) analogous biomaterials capable of governing biological response based on synthetic cell-ECM interactions. In this study, peptide amphiphiles (PAs) were investigated as an ECM-mimicking biomaterial to provide an instructive microenvironment for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in an effort to guide osteogenic differentiation. PAs were biologically functionalized with ECM isolated ligand sequences (i.

Operator error and system deficiencies: analysis of 508 mining incidents and accidents from Queensland, Australia using HFACS.

Historically, mining has been viewed as an inherently high-risk industry. Nevertheless, the introduction of new technology and a heightened concern for safety has yielded marked reductions in accident and injury rates over the last several decades. In an effort to further reduce these rates, the human factors associated with incidents/accidents needs to be addressed.

Successful outcome in severe traumatic brain injury: a case study.

This case study describes the management of a 54-year-old male who presented to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being assaulted. He underwent an emergent bifrontal decompressive hemicraniectomy for multiple, severe frontal contusions. His postoperative course included monitoring of intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, partial pressure of brain oxygen, brain temperature, and medical management based on HUP's established TBI algorithm.

Correlation of an adenine-specific conformational change with the ATP-dependent peptidase activity of Escherichia coli Lon.

Escherichia coli Lon, also known as protease La, is a serine protease that is activated by ATP and other purine or pyrimidine triphosphates. In this study, we examined the catalytic efficiency of peptide cleavage as well as intrinsic and peptide-stimulated nucleotide hydrolysis in the presence of hydrolyzable nucleoside triphosphates ATP, CTP, UTP, and GTP. We observed that the k(cat) of peptide cleavage decreases with the reduction in the nucleotide binding affinity of Lon in the following order: ATP > CTP > GTP approximately UTP.

Logistical aspects of large telemedicine networks. 2: Measurement of network activity.

We carried out a retrospective review of the videoconference activity records in a university-run hospital telemedicine studio. Usage records describing videoconferencing activity in the telemedicine studio were compared with the billing records provided by the telecommunications company. During a seven-month period there were 211 entries in the studio log: 108 calls made from the studio and 103 calls made from a far-end location.