Unraveling atmospheric mercury dynamics at Mauna Loa through the isotopic analysis of total gaseous mercury.

Our investigation seeks to uncover the intricate nature of mercury dynamics in the free troposphere through analysis of the isotopic composition of total gaseous elemental mercury (TGM) at the high altitude Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO, 3397 m) in Hawaii, USA. By focusing on this unique site, we aim to provide essential insights into the behavior and cycling of mercury, contributing valuable data to a deeper understanding of its global distribution and environmental impacts. Forty-eight hours of TGM sampling from January to September 2022 revealed significant variations in δHg (-1.

Mobile laboratory measurements of air pollutants in Baltimore, MD elucidate issues of environmental justice.

The City of Baltimore, MD has a history of problems with environmental justice (EJ), air pollution, and the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Current chemical transport models lack the resolution to simulate concentrations on the scale needed, about 100 m, to identify the neighborhoods with anomalously high air pollution levels. In this paper we introduce the capabilities of a mobile laboratory and an initial survey of several pollutants in Baltimore to identify which communities are exposed to disproportionate concentrations of air pollution and to which species.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Controls Pulmonary Macrophage Lipid Raft Size and Inflammation.

Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) controls the biophysical organization of plasma membrane sphingolipid/cholesterol-enriched lipid rafts to exert anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in lymphocytes. However, the impact of DHA on the spatial arrangement of alveolar macrophage lipid rafts and inflammation is unknown.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine how DHA controls lipid raft organization and function of alveolar macrophages.

Healthcare Impacts Associated with Federally Declared Disasters-Hurricanes Gustave and Ike.

People impacted by disasters may have adverse non-communicable disease health effects associated with the disaster. This research examined the independent and joint impacts of federally declared disasters on the diagnosis of hypertension (HTN), diabetes (DM), anxiety, and medication changes 6 months before and after a disaster. Patients seen in zip codes that received a federal disaster declaration for Hurricanes Gustave or Ike in 2008 and who had electronic health records captured by MarketScan were analyzed.

Same-Admission Microvascular Maxillofacial Ballistic Trauma Reconstruction Using Virtual Surgical Planning: A Case Series and Systematic Review.

Study Design: Retrospective case series; systematic review.

Objective: It is unknown whether the use of virtual surgical planning (VSP) to facilitate same-admission microsurgical reconstruction of the mandible following acute maxillofacial ballistic trauma (MBT) is sufficient to achieve definitive reconstruction and functional occlusion.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent microsurgical reconstruction of the mandible using VSP after acute MBT.

Establishment of RCPA national guidelines for selective reporting of antimicrobials: processes, challenges and measuring the impact.

Objectives: In 2016, The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) initiated the formation of a working group comprising medical microbiologists to establish guidelines to assist Australian laboratories to implement selective and cascade reporting of antimicrobials-the first guidelines of this type in the world.

Methods: A 2017 audit of antimicrobial reporting in Australian and New Zealand laboratories identified significant opportunities for improvement and standardization of selective reporting.

Results: The first draft of the RCPA Selective Reporting Guidelines was circulated to all RCPA Microbiology fellows for feedback in August 2018 and the first version was published in February 2019.

State-wide genomic epidemiology investigations of COVID-19 in healthcare workers in 2020 Victoria, Australia: Qualitative thematic analysis to provide insights for future pandemic preparedness.

Background: COVID-19 has affected many healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. We performed state-wide SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiological investigations to identify HCW transmission dynamics and provide recommendations to optimise healthcare system preparedness for future outbreaks.

Methods: Genome sequencing was attempted on all COVID-19 cases in Victoria, Australia.

Electronic portal image enhancement based on nonuniformity correction in wavelet domain.

Purpose: Electronic portal images are one of the most important tools to verify the ongoing radiotherapy treatment through comparison with a reference image generated during treatment planning. In this procedure, two images are geometrically matched by means of visible bone or other landmarks of interest such as implanted fiducials. However, the intrinsically poor contrast and low spatial resolution of portal images can limit image quality.

Multiplex RT-PCR provides improved diagnosis of skin and nail dermatophyte infections compared to microscopy and culture: a laboratory study and review of the literature.

Dermatophytes are the most common cause of superficial mycosis, estimated to affect 20% to 25% of the general population. We assessed the performance of a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) multiplex assay for diagnosis of dermatophytosis. To evaluate sensitivity and specificity, 10 known bacteria and 10 known fungi commonly found on skin, as well as 105 samples with culture confirmed dermatophytosis were tested using Dermatophyte and Fungi assay (AusDiagnostics, Sydney, Australia), a novel multiplex assay for diagnosis of dermatophytosis in skin and nail.

Advanced Three-Dimensional Technologies in Craniofacial Reconstruction.

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the evolution of three-dimensional computer-aided reconstruction and its current applications in craniofacial surgery. 2.

Over-The-Counter Analgesics: A Meta-Synthesis of Pain Self-Management in Adolescents.

Background: The consumption prevalence of OTC medication ranges between 57% and 78% among adolescents in the United States of America; however, the reasons for self-medication with OTC analgesics have not been systematically examined.

Aims: The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to generate new knowledge and theoretical understanding of adolescents' use of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics.

Design: Qualitative meta-ethnography using Noblit and Hare's (1988) approach.

Slide Tracheoplasty for Tracheal Cartilaginous Sleeve in a Patient With Apert Syndrome.

Apert syndrome is a form of acrocephalosyndactyly involving craniosynostosis, syndactyly, and less commonly, tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS), a potential cause of tracheal stenosis. Slide tracheoplasty is performed in children with tracheal stenosis. No reports exist for its application in stenosis related to TCS.

Extending the Reach of Craniofacial Free Flaps Using the Descending Branch of the Lateral Circumflex Femoral Vessels.

Summary: Craniofacial free tissue transfer is sometimes complicated by insufficient pedicle length and/or paucity of recipient vessels. A saphenous vein graft can be used to reach the high-flow, large-caliber vessels of the neck, but because of the vein's taper and thick wall, there is often a mismatch. Following the principle of like-for-like, the authors prefer the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels to achieve a more anatomical pedicle extension for free tissue transfer in complex craniofacial reconstruction.

Using a Data-Driven Improvement Methodology to Decrease Surgical Site Infections in a Community Neurosurgery Practice: Optimizing Preoperative Screening and Perioperative Antibiotics.

Objective: We used a data-driven methodology to decrease the departmental surgical site infection rate to a goal of 1%.

Methods: A prospective interventional study with historical controls comparing preimplementation/intervention (unknown methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus [MSSA]/methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] status and standard weight and drug allergy-based preoperative antibiotics) with postimplementation/intervention (optimized preoperative chlorhexidine showers, MSSA/MRSA screening, MSSA/MRSA decolonization, and optimized preoperative antibiotic order set implementation). The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was used for case surveillance.

Socioeconomic and clinical factors influencing treatment selection in microtia and aural atresia.

Objectives: Patients with microtia and aural atresia have multiple options for treatment of conductive hearing loss (CHL) and auricle reconstruction; however, little is known about the factors influencing treatment selection. This study aims to review the socioeconomic and clinical data of microtia/atresia patients to evaluate congruency with national data and whether these factors affect treatment decisions.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients evaluated in the microtia and atresia multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) at a tertiary academic children's hospital between 2008 and 2018.

Copper(I) and silver(I) complexes of anthraldehyde thiosemicarbazone: synthesis, structure elucidation, anti-tuberculosis/cytotoxic activity and interactions with DNA/HSA.

A reaction of copper(i) halides (X = I, Br, Cl) and silver(i) halides with 9-anthraldehyde thiosemicarbazone (9-Hanttsc, H1L) and triphenylphosphine produced halogen-bridged dinuclear complexes, [M2(μ2-X)2(η1-S-9-Hanttsc)2(Ph3P)2] (M = Cu, X = Cl, 1; Br, 2; I, 3; M = Ag, X = Cl, 4; Br, 5). A similar reaction of 9-anthraldehyde-N1-methyl thiosemicarbazone (9-Hanttsc-N1-Me, H2L) with Ph3P and silver(i) halides yielded sulfur-bridged dimers, [Ag2X2(μ2-S-9-Hanttsc-N1-Me)2(Ph3P)2] (X = Cl, 9; Br, 10), however with copper(i) halides insoluble compounds were formed, which upon the addition of one extra mole of Ph3P gave mononuclear complexes of the formula [CuX(η1-S-9-Hanttsc-N1-Me)(Ph3P)2] (X = Cl, 6; Br, 7; I, 8). All of the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR (1H, 13C) spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray crystallography (2, 5, 6, and 9).

Outcomes of Airway Management in Micrognathia and Retrognathia Patients Born at Fetal versus Nonfetal Centers.

Objectives: There is a paucity of evidence to guide the perinatal management of difficult airways in fetuses with micrognathia. We aimed to (1) develop a postnatal grading system based on the extent of airway intervention required at birth to assess the severity of micrognathic airways and (2) compare trends in airway management and outcomes by location of birth [nonfetal center (NFC), defined as a hospital with or without an NICU and no fetal team, versus fetal center (FC), defined as a hospital with an NICU and fetal team].

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prenatal and postnatal records of all neonates diagnosed with micrognathia from January 2010 to April 2018 at a quaternary children's hospital.

Cost comparison of different treatment approaches of dacryocystitis and dacrocystocele.

Purpose: Congenital dacrocystocele with potential for dacryocystitis are common ophthalmic findings in children. There are multiple surgical approaches to open the mucocele. In this study, we look at the financial impact of these different approaches.

Ascorbic acid: The chemistry underlying its antioxidant properties.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an unusual antioxidant in that it donates a single reducing equivalent, and the radical it forms, monodehydroascorbate, reacts preferentially with radicals instead of with non-radical compounds. This happens because removal of an electron from monodehydroascorbate would create a tricarbonyl structure that is energetically unfavored. Instead of forming this structure, ascorbic acid oxidizes only to monodehydroascorbate, and monodehydroascorbate reacts with other radicals, oxidizing by mechanisms that may circumvent formation of this unfavored structure.

A Survey on Knowledge Gaps in Assessment and Management of Severe Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Health Care Providers.

Severe drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are often encountered by health care professionals (HCPs). We evaluated knowledge of doctors and pharmacists in the assessment and management of severe DHRs using a structured questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 metropolitan hospital networks in Melbourne, Australia.

Early Diagnosis and Intervention for Airway-Obstructing Neonatal Plexiform Neurofirbomatosis.

Background: Respiratory distress is a frequent occurrence in neonates, typically caused by a variety of pulmonary conditions. Accurate diagnosis of the cause is vital to appropriately treat neonates and prevent long-term complications. Neck masses rarely cause respiratory distress in this setting but should be considered when clinical signs indicate.

Mentoring: A vital link in nurse practitioner development.

Mentoring has been recognized in the discipline since the inception of nursing as a profession. The core elements of mentoring are a formal dyadic relationship, reciprocity, mutual respect, professional growth, personal development, trustworthiness, objectives, and a pathway to meet the objectives, clear expectations, shared values, personal connection, provision of a safe place for asking hard questions, navigation of roadblocks, and using lessons learned. Mentoring is important at all stages of professional development.

Distribution of injected fat-soluble vitamins in plasma and tissues of nursery pigs.

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of fat-soluble vitamin injection on plasma and tissue vitamin status in nursery pigs.

Methods: A total of 16 pigs (initial body weight: 7.15±1.

Dinucleating Amino-Phenolate Platform for Zinc Catalysts: Impact on Lactide Polymerization.

We report imine- and amine-based dinucleating ligands bearing a bisphenol backbone and explore their coordination chemistry with zinc to form zinc alkyl, alkoxide, acetate, and amide complexes. Full characterization of the complexes shows that this ligand framework can support dinuclear and trinuclear complexes. We explore the reactivity of the zinc alkyl and alkoxide complexes as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of lactide and compared this reactivity to analogous mononuclear complexes.