Contrast gain control occurs independently of both parvalbumin-positive interneuron activity and shunting inhibition in auditory cortex.

Contrast gain control is the systematic adjustment of neuronal gain in response to the contrast of sensory input. It is widely observed in sensory cortical areas and has been proposed to be a canonical neuronal computation. Here, we investigated whether shunting inhibition from parvalbumin-positive interneurons-a mechanism involved in gain control in visual cortex-also underlies contrast gain control in auditory cortex.

Atypical cadherin FAT4 orchestrates lymphatic endothelial cell polarity in response to flow.

The atypical cadherin FAT4 has established roles in the regulation of planar cell polarity and Hippo pathway signaling that are cell context dependent. The recent identification of FAT4 mutations in Hennekam syndrome, features of which include lymphedema, lymphangiectasia, and mental retardation, uncovered an important role for FAT4 in the lymphatic vasculature. Hennekam syndrome is also caused by mutations in collagen and calcium binding EGF domains 1 (CCBE1) and ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 3 (ADAMTS3), encoding a matrix protein and protease, respectively, that regulate activity of the key prolymphangiogenic VEGF-C/VEGFR3 signaling axis by facilitating the proteolytic cleavage and activation of VEGF-C.

Potential new tool for anemia screening: An evaluation of the performance and usability of the TrueHb Hemometer.

In low- and middle-income countries, many women experience anemia during pregnancy due to insufficient dietary intake of key micronutrients, parasitic infections, hemoglobinopathies, and chronic infections. Maternal anemia increases perinatal risks for both mothers and infants, and slow progress to reduce the prevalence may be due in part to the lack of affordable tools to quantify hemoglobin levels in antenatal care (ANC) clinics. A simple, inexpensive, accurate, and robust diagnostic is needed to measure hemoglobin in ANC.

Topological Analysis of Ag-Ag and Ag-N Interactions in Silver Amidinate Precursor Complexes of Silver Nanoparticles.

A series of silver amidinate complexes has been studied both experimentally and theoretically, in order to investigate the role of the precursor complex in the control of the synthesis of silver nanoparticles via an organometallic route. The replacement of the methyl substituent of the central carbon atom of the amidinate anion by a -butyl group allows for the crystallization of the tetranuclear silver amidinate complex instead of a mixture of di- and trinuclear silver amidinate complexes and , as obtained with a methyl substituent. The relative stabilities and dissociation schemes of various isomeric arrangements of silver atoms in are investigated at the computational DFT level of calculation, depending on the substituents of the amidinate ligand.

Treatment regimens and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in youth with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: Data from SEARCH (United States) and YDR (India) registries.

Objective: To compare treatment regimens and glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) levels in Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) using diabetes registries from two countries-U.S. SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth (SEARCH) and Indian Registry of youth onset diabetes in India (YDR).

Nanocrystal-ligand interactions deciphered: the influence of HSAB and p in the case of luminescent ZnO.

Despite all the efforts made by the scientific community to rationalize the interaction of organic molecules with nanocrystals (Ncs), we are still at the level of the empirical recipe when the material behavior in solution is concerned. In an effort to address this issue, the analysis of the luminescence measurements of ZnO Ncs in the presence of various organic substrates using a Langmuir adsorption model was carried out to determine for the first time the affinity constants and the number of binding sites as well as to rank the interaction strengths of these substrates with regard to ZnO Ncs. The results were confirmed by NMR spectroscopic studies, which, besides, provided a deep understanding of the substrate-ZnO Nc interactions.

A hybrid approach to record linkage using a combination of deterministic and probabilistic methodology.

Objective: The disjointed healthcare system and the nonexistence of a universal patient identifier across systems necessitates accurate record linkage (RL). We aim to describe the implementation and evaluation of a hybrid record linkage method in a statewide surveillance system for congenital heart disease.

Materials And Methods: Clear-text personally identifiable information on individuals in the Colorado Congenital Heart Disease surveillance system was obtained from 5 electronic health record and medical claims data sources.

Estimating the prevalence of congenital heart disease among adolescents and adults in Colorado adjusted for incomplete case ascertainment.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs), the most common type of birth defect in the United States, are increasing in prevalence in the general population. Though CHD prevalence at birth has been well described in the United States at about 1%, little is known about long-term survival and prevalence of CHDs beyond childhood. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CHDs among adolescents and adults in Colorado.

Clinical profile at diagnosis with youth-onset type 1 and type 2 diabetes in two pediatric diabetes registries: SEARCH (United States) and YDR (India).

Background: Over the last decades, diabetes in youth has increased in both India and the United States, along with the burden of long-term complications and healthcare costs. However, there are limited standardized population-based data in contemporary youth cohorts for comparison of clinical and demographic characteristics of diabetes for both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D).

Methods: In partnership, we harmonized demographic and clinical data from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth (SEARCH) registry in the United States and the Registry of People with Diabetes with Youth Age at Onset (YDR) in India to the structure and terminology of the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model.

Diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis among youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Results from SEARCH (United States) and YDR (India) registries.

Background: There is significant global variation in the prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis among youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, data for youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are limited, even in developed countries. We compared the prevalence of DKA at diagnosis among individuals with T1D and T2D from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth (SEARCH) and the Registry of Youth Onset Diabetes in India (YDR) registries.

The nature and extent of upper limb associated reactions during walking in people with acquired brain injury.

Background: Upper limb associated reactions (ARs) are common in people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Despite this, there is no gold-standard outcome measure and no kinematic description of this movement disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the upper limb kinematic variables most frequently affected by ARs in people with ABI compared with a healthy cohort at matched walking speed intention.

Distinct cellular roles for PDCD10 define a gut-brain axis in cerebral cavernous malformation.

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a genetic, cerebrovascular disease. Familial CCM is caused by genetic mutations in , , or Disease onset is earlier and more severe in individuals with mutations. Recent studies have shown that lesions arise from excess mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MEKK3) signaling downstream of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulation by lipopolysaccharide derived from the gut microbiome.

The reproducibility and responsiveness of subjective assessment of upper limb associated reactions in people with acquired brain injury during walking.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine inter-rater, test-retest and intra-rater reproducibility and responsiveness of subjective assessment of upper limb associated reactions in people with acquired brain injury using (1) the 'Qualifiers Scale' of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework, and (2) visually estimated elbow flexion angle during walking.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: A brain injury rehabilitation centre, Melbourne, Australia.

An audit of the outcomes of the College of Surgeons general surgery final examinations.

Background: An audit of the Fellowship of the College of Surgeons (FCS) of South Africa examination results has not been previously performed. The purpose of this study was to review and determine any predictors of outcome (pass or fail).

Methods: The results of the FCS(SA) final examinations from October 2005 to and including October 2014, were retrieved from the College of Medicine of South Africa database.

Hepatic insulin sensitivity is improved in high-fat diet-fed Park2 knockout mice in association with increased hepatic AMPK activation and reduced steatosis.

Park2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase known for its role in mitochondrial quality control via the mitophagy pathway. Park2 KO mice are protected from diet-induced obesity and hepatic insulin sensitivity is improved in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Park2 KO mice even under body weight-matched conditions. In order to better understand the cellular mechanism by which Park2 KO mice are protected from diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance, we determined changes in multiple pathways commonly associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, namely levels of bioactive lipid species, activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and changes in cytokine levels and signaling.

Hemodynamic regulation of perivalvular endothelial gene expression prevents deep venous thrombosis.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and secondary pulmonary embolism cause approximately 100,000 deaths per year in the United States. Physical immobility is the most significant risk factor for DVT, but a molecular and cellular basis for this link has not been defined. We found that the endothelial cells surrounding the venous valve, where DVTs originate, express high levels of FOXC2 and PROX1, transcription factors known to be activated by oscillatory shear stress.

Donor-host Lymphatic Anastomosis After Murine Lung Transplantation.

Background: Establishing lung lymphatic drainage is thought to be important for successful lung transplantation. To date, there has been a complete absence of knowledge of how lymphatic connections are reestablished after lung transplant, despite evidence suggesting that this does indeed occur. The present study aimed to elucidate whether and how lymphatic anastomosis occurs after lung transplant.

Behavioral interventions for pediatric insomnia: one treatment may not fit all.

Study Objectives: Behavioral interventions for pediatric insomnia are cost-effective and benefit most families, but there is no evidence indicating which treatments are most suitable for specific patient populations. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the moderating role of infant separation anxiety in two brief interventions for infant sleep problems.

Methods: Ninety-one infants aged 9-18 months (61% boys) with pediatric insomnia were randomized to either Checking-in, a Graduated extinction protocol which involves gradual separation from parents, or to the Camping-out intervention, in which parental presence is maintained.

How well did our students match? A peer-validated quantitative assessment of medical school match success: the match quality score.

: Assessment of an individual medical school's performance in the match is an important outcome of the educational program. Unfortunately, student rank lists are not public. A method to objectively gauge the quality of an institution's match regardless of student preference has not been described in the literature.

Blood doping: Then and now. A narrative review of the history, science and efficacy of blood doping in elite sport.

As the line between excellent and exceptional athletic performance narrows and as the financial remuneration for exceptional performance increases, unscrupulous athletes and their trainers will strive to enhance performance regardless of cost. One method of performance enhancement is by the augmentation of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood through blood doping. We discuss the science behind erythropoiesis and means by which these processes can be exploited to the potential advantage of the athlete.

Hemostasis stimulates lymphangiogenesis through release and activation of VEGFC.

Hemostasis associated with tissue injury is followed by wound healing, a complex process by which damaged cellular material is removed and tissue repaired. Angiogenic responses are a central aspect of wound healing, including the growth of new lymphatic vessels by which immune cells, protein, and fluid are transported out of the wound area. The concept that hemostatic responses might be linked to wound healing responses is an old one, but demonstrating such a link in vivo and defining specific molecular mechanisms by which the 2 processes are connected has been difficult.

Post-lung transplantation abdominopelvic complications: the role of multimodal imaging.

Lung transplantation (LT) is an established method for treating end-stage lung disease. Although most of the post-lung transplant imaging surveillance is focused on chronic lung allograft rejection, abdominopelvic complications have been reported in 7-62% of patients. The reported wide range of post-LT abdominopelvic complications is thought to be secondary to lack of current standardized definitions.

Removable Composite Electrode Made of Silver Nanoparticles on Pyrolyzed Photoresist Film for the Electroreduction of 4-Nitrophenol.

Access to removable nanocomposite electrodes for electrosensing of pollutants is of great importance. However, the preparation of reproducible and reliable carbon electrodes decorated with metallic nanoparticles, a prerequisite for trustworthy devices, remains a challenge. Here we describe an innovative and easy method to prepare such electrodes.