Assessing the Safety of Pesticides in Food: How Current Regulations Protect Human Health.

Understanding the magnitude and impact of dietary pesticide exposures is a concern for some consumers. However, the ability of consumers to obtain and understand state-of-the-science information about how pesticides are regulated and how dietary exposure limits are set can be limited by the complicated nature of the regulations coupled with an abundance of sources seeking to cast doubt on the reliability of those regulations. Indeed, these regulations are sometimes not well understood within health care professions.

Novel first-year curriculum in high-value care.

Background: Most medical schools teach a high-value care (HVC) curriculum during the clinical years. Currently, there lacks any research demonstrating the effectiveness of the HVC curriculum taught to students in their first year of medical school.

Methods: A total of 118 of 466 first-year medical students at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine between 2013 and 2017 enrolled on an HVC course that provided the initial framework necessary to practice cost-conscious clinical medicine.

Treatment sequence of lenalidomide and hypomethylating agents and the impact on clinical outcomes for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Lenalidomide and hypomethylating agents (HMAs) azacitidine and decitabine are approved for treating myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), but optimal sequencing is unclear. Adults with MDS were identified from a US payer claims database (Inovalon MORE Registry) to compare outcomes with lenalidomide followed by HMA (LEN-HMA) or HMA followed by lenalidomide (HMA-LEN). There were 96 patients who received LEN-HMA and 89 who received HMA-LEN.

Voltage Control of a van der Waals Spin-Filter Magnetic Tunnel Junction.

Atomically thin chromium triiodide (CrI) has recently been identified as a layered antiferromagnetic insulator, in which adjacent ferromagnetic monolayers are antiferromagnetically coupled. This unusual magnetic structure naturally comprises a series of antialigned spin filters, which can be utilized to make spin-filter magnetic tunnel junctions with very large tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR). Here we report voltage control of TMR formed by four-layer CrI sandwiched by monolayer graphene contacts in a dual-gated structure.

Adapted Dance Improves Motor Abilities and Participation in Children With Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: This pilot study measured effects of an adapted dance program on motor abilities and participation in children with Down syndrome (DS) and explored caregivers' qualitative feedback regarding its benefits.

Methods: Children with DS participated in 20 weekly 1-hour adapted dance sessions. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) Dimensions D and E were administered before and after the program.

Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic Insulating State in Cation-Ordered Double-Perovskite Sr Fe Re O Films.

Ferromagnetic insulators (FMIs) are one of the most important components in developing dissipationless electronic and spintronic devices. However, FMIs are innately rare to find in nature as ferromagnetism generally accompanies metallicity. Here, novel room-temperature FMI films that are epitaxially synthesized by deliberate control of the ratio between two B-site cations in the double perovskite Sr Fe Re O (-0.

Analysis of venous thromboembolism in neurosurgical patients undergoing standard versus routine ultrasonography.

Routine screening of high-risk asymptomatic trauma or surgical patients for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is controversial. Studies suggest against screening while others recognize that some patients at high risk may benefit. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the benefit of routine screening using doppler ultrasonography for the early detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in post-operative neurosurgical patients.

Morphoproteomics and Biomedical Analytics Identify the c-Myc, EZH2, Sirt1 and CXCR4 Pathways as Potential Blocks to Differentiation Leading to Proliferation and Metastatic Potential in Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC) and Provide Therapeutic Options: A Case Study.

Unlabelled: Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a highly malignant tumor in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. Morphoproteomics has defined its biology to some degree, allowing the identification of targeted therapeutic options with clinical efficacy [1]. This study's objective was to identify putative SNUC pathways that are known to pose a block in differentiation both in early embryogenesis and in tumorigenesis or that might promote metastasis and recurrent disease.

Helmet Treatment of Infants With Deformational Brachycephaly.

Deformation of the cranium in infancy represents a spectrum of deformity, ranging from severe asymmetric yet proportional distortion of the skull in plagiocephaly, to nearly symmetric yet disproportional distortion in brachycephaly. As such, the condition is best described as with isolated plagiocephaly and/or isolated brachycephaly being at either ends of the spectrum. Due to its symmetric appearance, deformational brachycephaly is often incorrectly dismissed as being less concerning, and it has sometimes erroneously been reported that brachycephaly cannot be treated successfully with a cranial orthosis.

The ARID1B spectrum in 143 patients: from nonsyndromic intellectual disability to Coffin-Siris syndrome.

Purpose: Pathogenic variants in ARID1B are one of the most frequent causes of intellectual disability (ID) as determined by large-scale exome sequencing studies. Most studies published thus far describe clinically diagnosed Coffin-Siris patients (ARID1B-CSS) and it is unclear whether these data are representative for patients identified through sequencing of unbiased ID cohorts (ARID1B-ID). We therefore sought to determine genotypic and phenotypic differences between ARID1B-ID and ARID1B-CSS.

Post-Mortem Imaging Adjudicated Sudden Death: Causes and Controversies.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a catastrophic complication of many cardiac conditions often occurring without warning. In these cases, a post-mortem examination is required to elucidate the cause of death and is regarded as the 'gold standard'. However, in circumstances of certain religious/cultural beliefs and advanced body decomposition an alternative non-invasive approach would be preferred.

Ablation of Atrial Arrhythmias After the Atriopulmonary Fontan Procedure: Mechanisms of Arrhythmia and Outcomes.

Objectives: This study sought to describe atrial arrhythmia mechanisms, acute outcomes, and long-term arrhythmia burdens following catheter ablation in adult atriopulmonary (AP) Fontan patients.

Background: Atrial arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the AP Fontan population.

Methods: Sixty consecutive atrial arrhythmia ablations were reviewed in 42 AP Fontan patients (31 ± 8 years of age), performed between 1998 and 2017.

/PACT Expression Promotes Chemoresistance of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer.

For mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC), standard platinum-based therapy is largely ineffective. We sought to identify possible mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance of MOC and develop strategies to overcome this resistance. A kinome-based siRNA library screen was carried out using human MOC cells to identify novel targets to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Increasing participation in a vector control campaign: a cluster randomised controlled evaluation of behavioural economic interventions in Peru.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of strategies informed by behavioural economics for increasing participation in a vector control campaign, compared with current practice.

Design: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Arequipa, Peru.

Disruption of thrombo-inflammatory response and activation of a distinct cytokine cluster after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Unregulated inflammatory and thrombotic responses have been proposed to be important causes of early brain injury and worse clinical outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Objective: We hypothesize that SAH is characterized by an increased inflammatory and thrombotic state and disruption of associations between these states.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 60 patients with SAH.

Tuning magnetocrystalline anisotropy by cobalt alloying in hexagonal FeGe.

We show using both experimental and theoretical methods that cobalt substitution in the hexagonal ferromagnet FeGe suppresses the planar magnetic anisotropy and favors a uniaxial state. Uniaxial ferromagnetism is observed at room temperature for cobalt concentrations of only a few percent, and 10% substitution fully suppresses the planar magnetic structure at least down to 5 K, with only a small effect on the magnetization and Curie temperature. First principles calculations predict strong uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy and promising permanent magnet properties for higher cobalt concentrations.

Adverse effects of amiodarone therapy in adults with congenital heart disease.

Objective: Amiodarone is a highly effective antiarrhythmic therapy, however its toxicity profile often limits treatment. This is particularly relevant in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), who are often young and in whom other antiarrhythmic agents commonly fail or are contraindicated. We sought to determine incidence and predictors of adverse effects caused by amiodarone in adult CHD (ACHD).

Pink Esthetic Score Outcomes Around Three Implant-Abutment Configurations: 3-Year Results.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence that three different implant-abutment interface designs had on peri-implant mucosal outcomes as assessed by the pink esthetic score (PES) 3 years after delayed implant placement and immediate provisionalization.

Materials And Methods: Adult subjects (n = 141) requiring replacement of a bounded single tooth in the anterior maxilla as well as first premolar sites were randomized to receive one of three unique implant-abutment interface designs (conical interface [CI]; flat-to-flat interface [FI]; or platform-switch interface [PS]). Treatment included immediate provisionalization with prefabricated titanium abutments, followed by custom computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) zirconia abutments and cement-retained, all-ceramic crowns delivered after 12 weeks.

Increasing photoperiod stimulates the initiation of spring migratory behaviour and physiology in a facultative migrant, the pine siskin.

The transition to a migratory state involves coordinated changes in physiology and behaviour. In species with regular, predictable (obligate) migrations, increasing day length triggers the expression of a spring migratory state and androgens play an important role in stimulating its development. By contrast, we know little about the environmental cues and endocrine mechanisms that regulate migration in species with less predictable (facultative) migrations.

Clinical exome sequencing reveals locus heterogeneity and phenotypic variability of cohesinopathies.

Purpose: Defects in the cohesin pathway are associated with cohesinopathies, notably Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). We aimed to delineate pathogenic variants in known and candidate cohesinopathy genes from a clinical exome perspective.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients referred for clinical exome sequencing (CES, N = 10,698).

Complications associated with the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

The minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair (Nuss repair) is performed by pediatric general surgeons and pediatric and adult thoracic surgeons around the world. Complications related to pediatric surgical procedures are always a major concern for surgeons and their patients, and as with all surgery, especially pectus surgery, complications can be life-threatening. The purpose of this article is to discuss early and late complications of pectus excavatum surgery and potential preventive strategies to minimize them.

FABP4 as a key determinant of metastatic potential of ovarian cancer.

The standard treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer is primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. The extent of metastasis and invasive potential of lesions can influence the outcome of these primary surgeries. Here, we explored the underlying mechanisms that could increase metastatic potential in ovarian cancer.

The association between organizational cultural competence and teamwork climate in a network of primary care practices.

Background: A health system's commitment to delivering culturally competent care is essential in creating a culture of respect for patients, clinicians, and administrative staff. As the diversity of the health care workforce grows, gaining an understanding of the perspectives among different health care personnel and the value that they place on organizational cultural competence is a first step in developing more effective team environments.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether an association exists between perceptions of organizational cultural competence and teamwork climate among employees in a health system.

Locally Controlled Cu-Ion Transport in Layered Ferroelectric CuInPS.

Metal thiophosphates are attracting growing attention in the context of quasi-two-dimensional van der Waals functional materials. Alkali thiophosphates are investigated as ion conductors for solid electrolytes, and transition-metal thiophosphates are explored as a new class of ferroelectric materials. For the latter, a representative copper indium thiophosphate is ferrielectric at room temperature and, despite low polarization, exhibits giant negative electrostrictive coefficients.