Development of a Small Animal Ankle Arthrodesis Model.

Background: Our understanding of the biology of ankle arthrodesis is based largely on work in spine and long bone animal models. However, the local soft tissue and vascular anatomy of the foot and ankle is different from that of the spine. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to develop a small animal ankle arthrodesis model.

Improving Community Health While Satisfying a Critical Community Need: A Case Study for Nonprofit Hospitals.

Background: School-based student health screenings identify issues that may affect physical and intellectual development and are an important way to maintain student health. Nonprofit hospitals can provide a unique resource to school districts by assisting in the timely completion of school-based screenings and meet requirements of the Affordable Care Act. This case study describes the collaboration between an academic medical center and a local school district to conduct school-based health screenings.

Listeria floridensis sp. nov., Listeria aquatica sp. nov., Listeria cornellensis sp. nov., Listeria riparia sp. nov. and Listeria grandensis sp. nov., from agricultural and natural environments.

Sampling of agricultural and natural environments in two US states (Colorado and Florida) yielded 18 Listeria-like isolates that could not be assigned to previously described species using traditional methods. Using whole-genome sequencing and traditional phenotypic methods, we identified five novel species, each with a genome-wide average BLAST nucleotide identity (ANIb) of less than 85% to currently described species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and amino acid sequences of 31 conserved loci showed the existence of four well-supported clades within the genus Listeria; (i) a clade representing Listeria monocytogenes, L.

Effects of a web-based patient activation intervention to overcome clinical inertia on blood pressure control: cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Only approximately half of patients with hypertension have their blood pressure controlled, due in large part to the tendency of primary care providers (PCPs) not to intensify treatment when blood pressure values are elevated.

Objective: This study tested the effect of an intervention designed to help patients ask questions at the point of care to encourage PCPs to appropriately intensify blood pressure treatment.

Methods: PCPs and their patients with hypertension (N=500) were recruited by letter and randomized into 2 study groups: (1) intervention condition in which patients used a fully automated website each month to receive tailored messages suggesting questions to ask their PCP to improve blood pressure control, and (2) control condition in which a similar tool suggested questions to ask about preventive services (eg, cancer screening).

Efficacy of a weight-loss website based on positive deviance. A randomized trial.

Background: Web-based interventions for weight control could promote more-widespread dissemination of weight-loss opportunities; however, they remain limited in effectiveness. Incorporating weight-control practices used by individuals with long-term weight-loss success ("positive deviants") may improve the efficacy of web-based weight control interventions.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of AchieveTogether, a web-based weight-loss intervention for adults based on user-generated weight-loss strategies from successful weight losers.

Practices associated with weight loss versus weight-loss maintenance results of a national survey.

Background: Few studies have examined the weight-control practices that promote weight loss and weight-loss maintenance in the same sample.

Purpose: To examine whether the weight control practices associated with weight loss differ from those associated with weight-loss maintenance.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 1165 U.

A web-based patient activation intervention to improve hypertension care: study design and baseline characteristics in the web hypertension study.

Background: Despite the known health risks of hypertension, many hypertensive patients still have uncontrolled blood pressure. Clinical inertia, the tendency of physicians not to intensify treatment, is a common barrier in controlling chronic diseases. This trial is aimed at determining the impact of activating patients to ask providers to make changes to their care through tailored feedback.

Long-term weight loss maintenance in the United States.

Context: Although the rise in overweight and obesity in the United States is well documented, long-term weight loss maintenance (LTWLM) has been minimally explored.

Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlates of LTWLM among US adults.

Design, Setting And Participants: We examined weight data from 14 306 participants (age 20-84 years) in the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Quality control within the Asthma Clinical Research Network.

Quality control and assurance are very important issues for multicenter clinical investigation. Although such investigation usually states that those factors are part of the investigation, at best this occurs to a minimal extent. Indeed, to ensure the best possible investigatory results with the least amount of variance between centers, the Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN) instituted strict written criteria that were continually overviewed.

The organization of the Asthma Clinical Research Network: a multicenter, multiprotocol clinical trials team.

Asthma is an increasingly serious cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, affecting approximately 12 million people, including men and women, children and adults, and all racial and ethnic groups. It is now recognized that asthma is a complex disease of varied etiology triggered by a number of factors such as allergens, drugs, chemicals, exercise, cold dry air, infections, and emotions. Asthma is a chronic disease requiring multiple medications to treat and control symptoms as well as medications thought to control the underlying inflammation.

Analysis of the factor V Leiden mutation using the READIT Assay.

Background: A variety of methods exist for the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in amplified segments of genomic DNA. We show the application of a novel SNP scoring tool for analysis of the factor V Leiden mutation.

Methods And Results: We have developed a novel method for analyzing SNPs.

Retinoid X receptor isotype identity directs human vitamin D receptor heterodimer transactivation from the 24-hydroxylase vitamin D response elements in yeast.

Unlike estrogen and progesterone receptors that operate as homodimers on response elements, retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and vitamin D receptors (VDRs) can function as heterodimers. Studies concerning the significance of heterodimeric partnerships are usually performed utilizing mammalian or insect cells. These cells express endogenous nuclear receptors, making it impossible to assign a role for one receptor subtype over another while studying the function of transfected receptor(s).

Functional analysis of Drosophila factor 5 (TFIIF), a general transcription factor.

Factor 5 is a Drosophila RNA polymerase II initiation factor that also affects the elongation phase of transcription. We have used a cDNA encoding the large subunit of factor 5 (F5a) to produce recombinant F5a (rF5a). Antibodies directed against peptides deduced from the sequence of the F5a cDNA recognized rF5a and the large subunit of factor 5 purified from Kc cells.

Stability of Drosophila RNA polymerase II elongation complexes in vitro.

We show that nuclear extract from Drosophila Kc cells supports efficient elongation by RNA polymerase II initiated from the actin 5C promoter. The addition of 0.3% Sarkosyl, 1 mg of heparin per ml, or 250 mM KCl immediately after initiation has two effects.

Molecular cloning of a putative tetrodotoxin-resistant rat heart Na+ channel isoform.

Voltage-gated Na+ channels in mammalian heart differ from those in nerve and skeletal muscle. One major difference is that tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant cardiac Na+ channels are blocked by 1-10 microM TTX, whereas TTX-sensitive nerve Na+ channels are blocked by nanomolar TTX concentrations. We constructed a cDNA library from 6-day-old rat hearts, where only low-affinity [3H]saxitoxin receptors, corresponding to TTX-resistant Na+ channels, were detected.

Microgeographic variation in the diets of garter snakes.

Diets of the terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) and the common garter snake (T. sirtalis) were studied at 22 sites in an area of about 250 km in northern California, during the summers of 1978-80. Overall, T.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus: new serologic findings.

A child with neonatal lupus was evaluated and found to possess serum anti Ro(SSA) antibodies. The cutaneous lesions and anti Ro(SSA) antibodies disappeared during the next 5 mo. The infant's mother was asymptomatic but possessed anti Ro(SSA) and anti La(SSB) antibodies.