Repurposing DNase I and alginate lyase to degrade the biofilm matrix of dual-species biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown in artificial sputum medium: In-vitro assessment of their activity in combination with broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Background: Biofilm-associated pulmonary infections pose therapeutic challenges in cystic fibrosis patients, especially when involving multiple bacterial species. Enzymatic degradation of the biofilm matrix may offer a potential solution to enhance antibiotic efficacy. This study investigated the repurposing of DNase I, commonly used for its mucolytic activity in cystic fibrosis, to target extracellular DNA within biofilms, as well as potential synergies with alginate lyase and broad-spectrum antibiotics in dual-species biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

An e-learning pediatric cardiology curriculum for Pediatric Postgraduate trainees in Rwanda: implementation and evaluation.

Background: Access to pediatric sub-specialty training is a critical unmet need in many resource-limited settings. In Rwanda, only two pediatric cardiologists are responsible for the country's clinical care of a population of 12 million, along with the medical education of all pediatric trainees. To strengthen physician training opportunities, we developed an e-learning curriculum in pediatric cardiology.

A Group Visit for High-Risk Pediatric Asthma Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Asthma Care.

Introduction: Asthma disproportionately affects poor and minority children. Limited parental knowledge and confidence in asthma management, as well as stress from chronic illness, may contribute to poor outcomes. Novel approaches for providing care are essential for this vulnerable population.

Short- and long-term effects of leucine and branched-chain amino acid supplementation of a protein- and energy-reduced diet on muscle protein metabolism in neonatal pigs.

The objective of this study was to determine if enteral leucine or branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation increases muscle protein synthesis in neonates who consume less than their protein and energy requirements, and whether this increase is mediated via the upregulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway or the decrease in muscle protein degradation signaling. Neonatal pigs were fed milk replacement diets containing reduced energy and protein (R), R supplemented with BCAA (RBCAA), R supplemented with leucine (RL), or complete protein and energy (CON) at 4-h intervals for 9 (n = 24) or 21 days (n = 22). On days 9 and 21, post-prandial plasma amino acids and insulin were measured at intervals for 4 h; muscle protein synthesis rate and activation of mTOR-related proteins were determined at 120 min post-feeding in muscle.

Examining Cohort Effects in Developmental Trajectories of Substance Use.

The current study demonstrates the application of an analytic approach for incorporating multiple time trends in order to examine the impact of cohort effects on individual trajectories of eight drugs of abuse. Parallel analysis of two independent, longitudinal studies of high-risk youth that span ages 10 to 40 across 23 birth cohorts between 1968 and 1991 was conducted. The two studies include the Michigan Longitudinal Study (current analytic sample of n=579 over 12 cohorts between 1980-1991 and ages 10-27) and the Adolescent/Adult and Family Development Project (current analytic sample of n=849 over 11 cohorts between 1968-1978 and ages 10-40).

Profiling families in conflict: Multigenerational continuity in conflict predicts deleterious adolescent and adult outcomes.

The present study investigated the associations between multigenerational continuity in family conflict and current psychopathology symptoms and social impairment experienced by parents and adolescents. We sampled 246 families from a multigenerational, high-risk, longitudinal study of parents (G1s) and their children (G2s), followed from adolescence (Mage = 14.3 years, 57% female, 71% Caucasian, 26% Hispanic or Latino) to adulthood as well as the children of G2 targets (G3s; Mage = 12.

Comparing Psychiatric Symptoms among Children of Substance-Abusing Parents With Different Treatment Histories.

It appears that no studies to date have compared the psychiatric functioning of children of substance-abusing parents (COSs) across substance abuse treatment histories (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, residential).

Future directions in the developmental science of addictions.

This article addresses important future directions for the study of addictions, emphasizing the incorporation of developmental perspectives into how we think about substance use and disorder as unfolding processes over time and context for a heterogeneous group of individuals. These perspectives articulate complexities in the developmental processes that underlie change and continuity in human behavior over time. We consider two key developmental concepts, namely, "time" and "heterogeneity.

Advancements in using TiO2 bionanoconjugates for precision degradation of intracellular biological structures.

Due to their low cost, photocatalytic properties, and unique surface chemistry, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are among the most widely used nanoparticles in industry today. Over the last decade, TiO2 nanoparticles have also been chemically and biologically enhanced to create TiO2 bionanoconjugates that can be used for biological applications such as imaging and manipulating desired biological structures. This review particularly focuses on the manner in which these specific chemical and biological modifications in TiO2 bionanoconjugates alter pre and post photoexcitation events to enable precision degradation of intracellular biological structures.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in patients with terminal cancer.

Introduction: Patients with terminal cancer often experience marked anxiety that is associated with poor quality of life. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders, the approach needs to be adapted to address realistic concerns related to having cancer, such as worries about disease progression, disability, and death. In this pilot randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.

Understanding the diverse needs of children whose parents abuse substances.

In this review, we consider the potential service needs of children of substance abusing parents based on what we know about the risk outcomes faced by these children and the parenting deficits often present in these families. Importantly, our review does not address the etiological role of parental substance abuse in children's negative outcomes but instead we discuss the complex inter-related risk factors that often co-occur with and exacerbate risk associated with parental alcohol and drug use. We first review studies showing the elevated risk that children of substance abusing parents face in general for poorer academic functioning; emotional, behavioral, and social problems; and an earlier onset of substance use, faster acceleration in substance use patterns, and higher rates of alcohol and drug use disorders.

Anxiety disorders in long-term survivors of adult cancers.

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of anxiety disorders among long-term survivors of adult cancers. Using data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), we compared rates of anxiety disorders between long-term cancer survivors and individuals without a history of cancer.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of 9282 adults participated in a household survey to assess the prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders, a subset of whom also answered questions about medical comorbidities, including cancer.

Code status documentation in the outpatient electronic medical records of patients with metastatic cancer.

Background: Advanced care planning (ACP) is considered an essential component of medical care in the United States, especially in patients with incurable diseases. However, little is known about clinical practices in outpatient oncology settings related to discussing end-of-life care and documenting code status preferences in ambulatory medical records.

Objective: To assess the rate of documentation of code status in the electronic longitudinal medical records (LMR) of patients with metastatic cancer.

Circadian genes are expressed during early development in Xenopus laevis.

Background: Circadian oscillators are endogenous time-keeping mechanisms that drive twenty four hour rhythmic changes in gene expression, metabolism, hormone levels, and physical activity. We have examined the developmental expression of genes known to regulate circadian rhythms in order to better understand the ontogeny of the circadian clock in a vertebrate.

Methodology/principal Findings: In this study, genes known to function together in part of the core circadian oscillator mechanism (xPeriod1, xPeriod2, and xBmal1) as well as a rhythmic, clock-controlled gene (xNocturnin) were analyzed using in situ hybridization in embryos from neurula to late tailbud stages.