Voices From the Field: A Quality Improvement Project for Progressive Tinnitus Management 2.0.

Purpose: Tinnitus is a common health condition in the general population, with increased prevalence among military Veterans. Tinnitus is, in fact, the most prevalent military service-connected disability. There is no cure for tinnitus, but interventions are available to help patients manage their reactions to tinnitus and reduce its functional impact.

Auditory System Injury on the Battlefield-Solutions for Point-of-Injury and Prolonged Casualty Care: A DOTmLPF-P Analysis.

Introduction: "Good hearing" (DoDI 6030.03 6.5&6.

Antibodies targeting the fusion peptide on the HIV envelope provide protection to rhesus macaques against mucosal SHIV challenge.

The fusion peptide (FP) on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer can be targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Here, we evaluated the ability of a human FP-directed bNAb, VRC34.01, along with two vaccine-elicited anti-FP rhesus macaque mAbs, DFPH-a.

Trispecific antibody targeting HIV-1 and T cells activates and eliminates latently-infected cells in HIV/SHIV infections.

Agents that can simultaneously activate latent HIV, increase immune activation and enhance the killing of latently-infected cells represent promising approaches for HIV cure. Here, we develop and evaluate a trispecific antibody (Ab), N6/αCD3-αCD28, that targets three independent proteins: (1) the HIV envelope via the broadly reactive CD4-binding site Ab, N6; (2) the T cell antigen CD3; and (3) the co-stimulatory molecule CD28. We find that the trispecific significantly increases antigen-specific T-cell activation and cytokine release in both CD4 and CD8 T cells.

Anti-viral efficacy of a next-generation CD4-binding site bNAb in SHIV-infected animals in the absence of anti-drug antibody responses.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1 are promising immunotherapeutic agents for treatment of HIV-1 infection. bNAbs can be administered to SHIV-infected rhesus macaques to assess their anti-viral efficacy; however, their delivery into macaques often leads to rapid formation of anti-drug antibody (ADA) responses limiting such assessment. Here, we depleted B cells in five SHIV-infected rhesus macaques by pretreatment with a depleting anti-CD20 antibody prior to bNAb infusions to reduce ADA.

Design and evaluation of a dynamic air cushion for pressure ulcers prevention.

Wheelchair users have a higher risk of developing pressure ulcers due to prolonged seated pressure. Pressure ulcers can be painful, may require surgical intervention, and even become life-threatening if infection occurs. To prevent pressure ulcers from forming the patient must either offload themselves or rely on a caregiver to move them allowing pressure redistribution over the seated area.

Stepping up: retention in HIV care within an integrated health care transition program.

Strategies are needed to optimize HIV health care transition (HCT). We describe HCT outcomes within the University of Maryland STEP Program, which is built upon integration of an adult HIV provider and navigator into the pediatric clinic, and coordinated collaboration between pediatric and adult HIV multi-disciplinary care teams. These outcomes were compared to a historical institutional HCT cohort (= 50) which attempted transition in an earlier time period (2004-2012).

Interactions of human mesenchymal stromal cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a Mitogenic proliferation assay.

Background: Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a potentially important therapeutic modality. MSCs suppress peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in vitro, suggesting a mechanism for suppressing inflammatory responses in vivo. This study details the interactions of PBMCs and MSCs.

Quantification of the Peripapillary Microvasculature in Eyes with Glaucomatous Paracentral Visual Field Loss.

Purpose: To quantify abnormalities in the peripapillary microvasculature in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and paracentral visual field (VF) loss.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Participants: Thirty-three POAG patients, including 15 with paracentral VF loss and 18 with peripheral VF loss, and 31 control participants underwent swept-source OCT angiography (OCTA) of the peripapillary region.

Use of multiple potency assays to evaluate human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Background: There is broad interest in the use of cell therapies and cell products for treatment of a variety of diseases and problems. Of interest to the military, cellular therapies have the potential to confer tremendous benefit for treatment of both acute and chronic injuries. Although many different cell therapy products are currently under investigation, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are good candidates, based on their ability to respond to inflammation, limit vascular permeability, and modulate immune responses to injury.

Analysis of PFAAs in American alligators part 2: Potential dietary exposure of South Carolina hunters from recreationally harvested alligator meat.

Exposure to perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) has been linked to many harmful health effects including reproductive disorders, developmental delays, and altered liver and kidney function. Most human exposure to environmental contaminants, including PFAAs, occurs through consumption of contaminated food or drinking water. This study uses PFAA data from meat samples collected from recreationally harvested American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in South Carolina to assess potential dietary exposure of hunters and their families to PFAAs.

Analysis of PFAAs in American alligators part 1: Concentrations in alligators harvested for consumption during South Carolina public hunts.

Environmental contamination resulting from the production or release of harmful chemicals can lead to negative consequences for wildlife and human health. Perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) were historically produced as protective coatings for many household items and currently persist in the environment, wildlife, and humans. PFAAs have been linked to immune suppression, endocrine disruption, and developmental toxicity in wildlife and laboratory studies.

Patterns of Systemic Hypertension among Adults with Perinatally Acquired HIV.

Patients with perinatally acquired HIV may be at risk for the development of age-related non-AIDS diseases. The primary aim of this study was to describe patterns of systemic hypertension among a cohort of adults (≥18 years) with perinatally acquired HIV. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adults (≥18 years) with perinatally acquired HIV infection.

Multifaceted biological insights from a draft genome sequence of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta.

Manduca sexta, known as the tobacco hornworm or Carolina sphinx moth, is a lepidopteran insect that is used extensively as a model system for research in insect biochemistry, physiology, neurobiology, development, and immunity. One important benefit of this species as an experimental model is its extremely large size, reaching more than 10 g in the larval stage. M.

Fabrication of SnO2 Asymmetric Membranes for High Performance Lithium Battery Anode.

Alloy electrode material like tin dioxide (SnO2) possesses much higher specific capacity as compared to commercial graphite anode in lithium ion battery (783 vs 372 mAh g(-1)). However, the huge volume change (260%) of SnO2-based anode during the alloying and dealloying process can cause significant electrode pulverization and rapid capacity loss. Herein we report the synthesis of SnO2 asymmetric membranes via a unique combination of phase inversion and sol-gel chemistry to overcome this big challenge.

The EBM-DPSER conceptual model: integrating ecosystem services into the DPSIR framework.

There is a pressing need to integrate biophysical and human dimensions science to better inform holistic ecosystem management supporting the transition from single species or single-sector management to multi-sector ecosystem-based management. Ecosystem-based management should focus upon ecosystem services, since they reflect societal goals, values, desires, and benefits. The inclusion of ecosystem services into holistic management strategies improves management by better capturing the diversity of positive and negative human-natural interactions and making explicit the benefits to society.

Food choices made by low-income households when feeding their pre-school children: a qualitative study.

The growing concern about poor dietary practices among low-income families has led to a 'victim blaming' culture that excludes wider social and environmental factors, which influence household food choices. This small-scale qualitative study investigated influences on the diets of young children in families on a low income in the West Midlands, UK. Using semi-structured interview schedule, rich data was gathered through individual interviews with 11 mothers of pre-school children.

Reproductive health decision-making in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and young adults.

With widespread access to antiretroviral therapy in the United States, many perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) children are surviving into adolescence and adulthood, becoming sexually active and making decisions about their reproductive health. The literature focusing on the reproductive decisions of individuals behaviorally infected with HIV can serve as a springboard for understanding the decision-making process of PHIV+ youth. Yet, there are many differences that critically distinguish reproductive health and related decision-making of PHIV+ youth.

Effects of robust vocabulary instruction and multicultural text on the development of word knowledge among African American children.

Purpose: To examine the effect of a systematic vocabulary instructional technique in African American 2nd-grade children with below average vocabulary skills. An additional goal was to examine the role of book type in the retention of novel vocabulary words.

Method: Using an adapted alternating treatments design, storybooks were used as a source for contextualizing vocabulary words in the context of robust vocabulary training.

Increasing print awareness in preschoolers with language impairment using non-evocative print referencing.

Purpose: This study examined the extent to which using non-evocative, explicit referencing of print concepts during shared storybook reading in the context of language therapy facilitated print concept knowledge in children with language impairment.

Method: Five children, ages 4 to 5 years, were provided scripted input on 20 print concepts during shared storybook reading that was incorporated into individualized 30-min language intervention sessions that were conducted in the children's classroom twice weekly. The children were not required to make any response to the input on print concepts, and the input was secondary to instruction in the language targets during the 10-min shared storybook reading activity.

Antiretroviral therapy of pediatric HIV infection: making hope a reality.

Over the past 3 years, the treatment and prognosis of HIV-1 infection have been revolutionized by a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, the ability to monitor viral replication and drug resistance in the host, and the availability of potent combination chemotherapy. While most of the studies that have led to this transformation have been done in adults, the results can be applied to the care of children. Data from trials of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children are now being presented or published.

Reliability and validity of the Adolescent Family Life Satisfaction Index.

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the Adolescent Family Life Satisfaction Index. The self-report questionnaire was tested for internal consistency reliability. Tests for construct validity, concurrent validity, and internal consistency reliability provided support for the use of the over-all Adolescent Family Life Satisfaction Index, Parental Subscale, and Sibling Subscale for the measurement of adolescents' reports of satisfaction with family life.