Targeted Transcriptome Analysis of Beef Cattle Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus.

Background: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an endemic virus of North American cattle populations with significant economic and animal health impacts. While BVDV infection has a myriad of clinical manifestations, a unique and problematic outcome is the establishment of a persistently infected (PI) animal following in utero viral infection. While it is well established that PI animals serve as a constant reservoir of BVDV, the mechanism for the maintained infection remains unknown despite multiple theories.

Impact of pharmacy involvement on care gap closure in Managed Medicaid patients.

Purpose: A population health pharmacy team was developed to improve health and increase reimbursement for patients with value-based care plans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacy involvement on care gap closure in Managed Medicaid patients.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of Managed Medicaid patients seen at outpatient facilities.

Chronic inflammation decreases arcuate kisspeptin expression in male sheep.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria induces an immune response and impairs reproduction through suppression of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), subsequently luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. While there is evidence that acute inflammation inhibits kisspeptin, little is known about the impact of chronic inflammation on this key reproductive neuropeptide in livestock species. Thus, we sought to examine a central mechanism whereby LPS suppresses LH secretion in sheep.

Short-Term Cannabidiol with Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Cannabis use is frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD), despite inadequate evidence of benefits and risks.

Objective: The aim is to study short-term efficacy and tolerability of relatively high cannabidiol (CBD)/low Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to provide preliminary data for a longer trial.

Methods: Persons with PD with ≥20 on motor Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) who had negative cannabis testing took cannabis extract (National Institute of Drug Abuse) oral sesame oil solution for 2 weeks, increasing to final dose of 2.

Automated Quantifiable Assessments of Sensorimotor Function Using an Instrumented Fragile Object.

Accurate assessment of hand dexterity plays a critical role in informing rehabilitation and care of upper-limb hemiparetic stroke patients. Common upper-limb assessments, such as the Box and Blocks Test and Nine Hole Peg Test, primarily evaluate gross motor function in terms of speed. These assessments neglect an individual's ability to finely regulate grip force, which is critical in activities of daily living, such as manipulating fragile objects.