Performance of Fentanyl Immunoassays in an ED Patient Population.

Background: Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid fueling the current opioid crisis in the United States. While emergency department (ED) visits due to opioid-related overdoses, injection complications, and withdrawals become increasingly more frequent, fentanyl is not detected in routine toxicology testing. We evaluated 2 FDA-approved fentanyl immunoassays in a sampled ED population.

The working angle in low-abrasive air polishing has an influence on gingival damage-an ex vivo porcine model.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of instrumentation angle during low-abrasive air polishing (LAA) on the oral gingiva using an ex vivo porcine model.

Material And Methods: Six tissue samples from each of 14 porcine mandibles were randomly selected and instrumented. Two different LAA powders (glycine 25 μm, tagatose 15 μm) were investigated.

The impact of preoperative immune checkpoint inhibitors on kidney and bladder cancer surgeries: a systematic review.

Therapies based on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab, have proven effective in the treatment of metastatic urological neoplasms. Recently, it has been hypothesized that the use of this type of treatment prior to surgery could lead to an increased difficulty in renal and bladder surgeries. The literature concerning this topic, however, is still scarce and non-consensual.

Human Retinal Microvasculature-on-a-Chip for Drug Discovery.

Retinal cells within neurovascular units generate the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) to regulate the local retinal microenvironment and to limit access to inflammatory cells. Breakdown of the endothelial junctional complexes in the BRB negatively affects neuronal signaling and ultimately causes vision loss. As new therapeutics are being developed either to prevent barrier disruption or to restore barrier function, access to physiologically relevant human in vitro tissue models that recapitulate important features of barrier biology is essential for disease modeling, target validation, and toxicity assessment.

Animal-based welfare indicators of 4 slow-growing broiler genotypes for the approval in an animal welfare label program.

For broiler genotypes to be merchandized under the animal welfare label of the German Animal Welfare Federation, several animal-based welfare indicators with upper limits are listed in a criteria catalog. We compared the prevalence of animal-based welfare indicators in 4 slow-growing broiler genotypes [Ranger Classic (RC), Ranger Gold (RG), Rowan Ranger (RoR), and Rambler Ranger (RaR)] in terms of potential approval of these genotypes for a German animal welfare label program. Chicks were housed in 16 floor pens, of which 8 had access to a winter garden.

Temporal and Environmental Factors Driving and Populations and Their Associations With Harmful Algal Blooms in South Carolina Detention Ponds and Receiving Tidal Creeks.

Incidences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and infections have increased over recent decades. Numerous studies have tried to identify environmental factors driving HABs and pathogenic populations separately. Few have considered the two simultaneously, though emerging evidence suggests that algal blooms enhance growth and survival.

[Symptom Validation in Independent Medical Evaluations].

High prevalence rates of non-authentic complaints identified by experts in the field of insurance medicine draw attention to the risk of services, which are of limited availability and financially compensated, being used in ways that are not goal-oriented. Therefore, symptom validity testing has become a growing issue to prevent non-targeted monetary compensations. This paper outlines the best-evaluated methods and instruments.

Functional Somatic Syndromes: Skin Temperatures and Activity Measurements Under Ambulatory Conditions.

Functional somatic syndromes are mostly associated with pain and emotional distress. As one marker for the autonomic stress response, the distal skin temperature decreases during psychological stress. In patients with functional somatic syndromes, the distal skin temperature under baseline conditions (without stress induction) is usually lower than in healthy subjects, which could be due to the sustained presence of pain-related stress in such patients.

A spatial assessment of baseline nutrient and water quality values in the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin, South Carolina, USA.

The Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin (South Carolina, USA) National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) encompasses some of the least developed USA coastline. Yet, periodic sampling showed that certain regions have higher nutrient, fecal coliform, and chlorophyll a levels, often with lower dissolved oxygen, than other South Carolina estuaries. To evaluate the spatial extent of these issues, a summer (2008) baseline study was conducted.

What is being measured, and by whom? Facilitation of communication on technical measures amongst competent authorities in the implementation of the European Union Broiler Directive (2007/43/EC).

The European Union (EU) Broiler Directive (2007/43/EC) is unique amongst current EU Directives, which address animal welfare, in that it uses outcome data collected at abattoirs and on farm to monitor on-farm broiler welfare and vary the maximum permitted stocking density on farm. In this study, we describe how, by bringing together personnel from the competent authorities in 22 member states (MSs) who have responsibility for implementing the Directive, and engaging in exchange of information and technical methods regarding the Broiler Directive, it has been possible to identify differences in approach with regard to 'what data is being collected, and by whom' across EU MSs. Online questionnaires and workshop exercises enabled us to identify priority areas for knowledge transfer and training.

[German translation and validation of the Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM)].

Objective: In the present study, the German-language version of the Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) by Peacock and Wong was validated in a student population. SAM is a relatively short questionnaire (28 items) that evaluates a current, stress-triggering event. The theoretical background is provided by the stress model of Lazarus and Folkman.

The effects of three chemical algaecides on cell numbers and toxin content of the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaenopsis sp.

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms are a growing concern for public health and safety, due in part to the production of the hepatotoxin microcystin by certain species, including Microcystis aeruginosa. Management strategies for controlling cyanobacteria blooms include algaecide treatments, often with copper sulfate, and more recently oxidizers such as sodium percarbonate that produce hydrogen peroxide. This study assessed the effects of two copper-containing algaecides and one sodium percarbonate-containing algaecide on mitigating cell numbers and toxin content of cultured M.

Comparison of methods for evaluating acute and chronic toxicity in marine sediments.

Sublethal test methods are being used with increasing frequency to measure sediment toxicity, but little is known about the relative sensitivity of these tests compared to the more commonly used acute tests. The present study was conducted to compare the sensitivity of several acute and sublethal methods and to investigate their correlations with sediment chemistry and benthic community condition. Six sublethal methods (amphipod: Leptocheirus plumulosus survival, growth, and reproduction; polychaete: Neanthes arenaceodentata survival and growth; benthic copepod: Amphiascus tenuiremis life cycle; seed clam: Mercenaria mercenaria growth; oyster: Crassostrea virginica lysosome destabilization; and sediment-water interface testing with mussel embryos, Mytilus galloprovincialis) and two acute methods (amphipod survival with Eohaustorius estuarius and L.

[Importance of the rearing period for laying hens in alternative systems].

Feather pecking and cannibalism are still major problems in alternative systems for laying hens. Literature and practical experience indicate that unfavourable rearing conditions might be important risk factors for the occurrence of these behavioural disturbances during the laying period. Typical rearing conditions of laying hens from 50 rearing units in Germany and Austria are presented.

Linkages between cellular biomarker responses and reproductive success in oysters--Crassostrea virginica.

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate if there were relationships between lysosomal destabilization or glutathione concentrations and gamete viability of oysters, Crassostrea virginica. Oysters were collected from field sites during the peak spawning period (May-June) during 2001 and 2002. Lysosomal destabilization rates and glutathione concentrations of hepatopancreas tissues (e.

Identification and characterization of an IgG binding protein in the secretion of the rat coagulating gland.

A merocrine released protein (named 115k protein) was highly enriched from the secretion of the rat coagulating gland. The protein has a molecular mass of 115 kDa as calculated by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Furthermore, the 115 kDa protein is glycosylated, and carries Man, GlcNAc, Gal, Fuc and sialic acid residues.

Seasonal variation in lysosomal destabilization in oysters, Crassostrea virginica.

Lysosomal destabilization assays have been used as valuable biomarkers of pollutant exposures in a variety of bivalve and fish species. The responses of oysters, Crassostrea virginica, deployed at and native to various reference and degraded sites were evaluated for lysosomal destabilization during both summer and winter seasons. In both native and deployed oysters, lysosomal destabilization rates tended to be higher during the winter at both reference and polluted sites.

Comparative in situ and laboratory sediment bioassays with juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria.

Sediment toxicity assays were conducted with juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria to compare the results of laboratory assays and in situ deployments. Juvenile clams were deployed for one week at a variety of degraded and undegraded sites in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. USA, during the summers of 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Vibrational dynamics of myoglobin determined by the phonon-assisted Mössbauer effect.

The phonon-assisted Mössbauer effect is used to determine the partial phonon density of states of the iron within the active center of deoxymyoglobin, carboxymyoglobin, and dry and wet metmyoglobin between 40 and 300 K. Between 0 and 1 meV the iron density of states increases quadratically with the energy, as in a Debye solid. Mean sound velocities are extracted from this slope.

Expression of P-glycoprotein in the gills of oysters, Crassostrea virginica: seasonal and pollutant related effects.

The expression of p-glycoprotein (p-gp) in aquatic organisms has been proposed as a biomarker of pollution exposure. Previous research has provided evidence that p-gp is inducible by organic xenobiotics and that p-gp is overexpressed in mussels from degraded areas. However, seasonal changes in expression at polluted sites has not been described previously.

Expression of P-glycoprotein in southeastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica.

These studies provide important fundamental information regarding the expression of P-glycoprotein (p-gp) in southeastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Using rhodamine transport studies, p-gp activity was detected in newly fertilized embryos. A monoclonal antibody (C219) was used to evaluate p-gp expression in oyster tissues.

Nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation by deoxymyoglobin.

Nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation is used to determine the quadrupole splitting and the mean square displacement of the iron atom in deoxymyoglobin in the temperature range between 50 K and 243 K. Above 200 K an abnormally fast decay of the forward scattered intensity at short times after the synchrotron flash is observed, which is caused by protein-specific motions. The results strongly support the picture that protein dynamics seen at the position of the iron can be understood by harmonic motions in the low temperature regime while in the physiological regime diffusive motions in limited space are present.

Biomarker studies with juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) deployed in-situ.

Hatchery-reared juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were deployed in situ for approximately 1 month from mid-May to mid-June of 1996 at sites that were classified as reference, agricultural, suburban, or urban/industrial. Cellular responses (lysosomal destabilization, glutathione concentrations, lipid peroxidation, heat shock proteins, metallothioneins, and multi-xenobiotic resistance proteins) were analysed, and their efficacy as biomarkers of stress was evaluated. Increased lysosomal destabilization, glutathione depletion, increased lipid peroxidation, and induction of heat shock proteins and metallothioneins were observed at many of the polluted sites, but increases in multixenobiotic resistance proteins were not.