Performance, safety, and biocompatibility of a novel PFO closure device in a long-term porcine model.

Background: As the catheter-based device closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is expanding, novel devices aim to address the limitations of first-generation occluders (e.g. bulk, erosion, dislodgment).

Breaking Bad News: Integrating the Spikes Model into Medical School Curriculum.

Introduction: Breaking bad news to patients is a daunting yet inevitable task for most physicians. When done poorly, physicians can cause further pain to the patients while creating great distress for themselves; therefore, it is important medical students learn effective and compassionate techniques. The SPIKES model was created as a guiding framework for providers to use when breaking bad news.

Adherence Rate of Pediatric Lipid Screening at a Rural, Independently Owned Primary Care and Multispecialty Clinic.

Background: In 2011, the AAP endorsed the recommendation of National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for universal lipid screening in children 9-11 and 17-21 years old given the increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity. In 2017, a study conducted by the AAP showed low adherence with universal pediatric lipid screening. The purpose of this retrospective chart review is to assess the adherence rate for pediatric lipid screening at a rural, independently owned primary care and multispecialty clinic.

Healthcare Provider Perceptions of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality During Simulation Training.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between quantitative and perceived cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance when healthcare providers have access to and familiarity with audiovisual feedback devices.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: In situ simulation events throughout a pediatric quaternary care center where the use of continuous audiovisual feedback devices during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is standard.

Relative Abundances of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata in Coculture Biofilms Impact Biofilm Structure and Formation.

is a member of the normal human microbiota and often resides on mucosal surfaces such as the oral cavity or the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to their commensality, species can opportunistically become pathogenic if the host microbiota is disrupted or if the host immune system becomes compromised. An important factor for pathogenesis is its ability to form biofilm communities.

Characterization of an evolved carotenoids hyper-producer of Saccharomyces cerevisiae through bioreactor parameter optimization and Raman spectroscopy.

An evolutionary engineering approach for enhancing heterologous carotenoids production in an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was used previously to isolate several carotenoids hyper-producers from the evolved populations. β-Carotene production was characterized in the parental and one of the evolved carotenoids hyper-producers (SM14) using bench-top bioreactors to assess the impact of pH, aeration, and media composition on β-carotene production levels. The results show that with maintaining a low pH and increasing the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) from 8.

Tissue Doppler Imaging-derived Diastolic Function Assessment in Children With Sickle Cell Disease and Its Relation With Ferritin.

Diastolic dysfunction has been shown to occur earlier than systolic dysfunction in iron overload states in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived E/E' has emerged as a noninvasive marker of diastolic function. We sought to determine diastolic function in children with SCD and study its relation with iron overload.

Defects in laterality with emphasis on heterotaxy syndromes with asplenia and polysplenia: an autopsy case series at a single institution.

Heterotaxy is a rare disease with high morbidity and mortality. Controversy exists over how to classify these syndromes with most cases stratified into asplenia/polysplenia syndromes or right/left isomerism. In an effort to review comprehensively specific pheonotypes associated with heterotaxy syndromes, we reviewed published cases series, adopted a classification scheme based on spleen status, and evaluated autopsy cases retrospectively with abnormal laterality at our institution.

Evolved osmotolerant Escherichia coli mutants frequently exhibit defective N-acetylglucosamine catabolism and point mutations in cell shape-regulating protein MreB.

Biocatalyst robustness toward stresses imposed during fermentation is important for efficient bio-based production. Osmotic stress, imposed by high osmolyte concentrations or dense populations, can significantly impact growth and productivity. In order to better understand the osmotic stress tolerance phenotype, we evolved sexual (capable of in situ DNA exchange) and asexual Escherichia coli strains under sodium chloride (NaCl) stress.

Obesity in trauma: outcomes and disposition trends.

Background: Obesity's effect on the outcomes of trauma patients remains inconclusive.

Methods: A retrospective review of all falls, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), and penetrating trauma patients admitted from January 2008 to December 2012 was performed. The outcomes evaluated included mortality, length of stay at hospital, and discharge disposition.

Bedside and radiologic procedures in the critically ill obese patient.

Performance of procedures upon the obese critically ill patient in the ICU or in the radiology suite, require certain considerations. Additional staff, equipment and proper ergonomics are often necessary to perform these procedures safely for both patient and staff.

Bilateral projections from rat MI whisker cortex to the neostriatum, thalamus, and claustrum: forebrain circuits for modulating whisking behavior.

In rats, whisking behavior is characterized by high-frequency synchronous movements and other stereotyped patterns of bilateral coordination that are rarely seen in the bilateral movements of the limbs. This suggests that the motor systems controlling whisker and limb movements must have qualitative or quantitative differences in their interhemispheric connections. To test this hypothesis, anterograde tracing methods were used to characterize the bilateral distribution of projections from the whisker and forepaw regions in the primary motor (MI) cortex.

Contralateral corticothalamic projections from MI whisker cortex: potential route for modulating hemispheric interactions.

Rat whisking behavior is characterized by high amounts of bilateral coordination in which whisker movements on both sides of the face are linked. To elucidate the neural substrate that might mediate this bilateral coordination, neuronal tracers were used to characterize the bilateral distribution of corticothalamic projections from primary motor (MI) cortex. Some rats received tracers in the MI whisker region, whereas others received tracers in the MI forepaw region.

Critical care obstetrics and gynecology.

The critical care aspects of obstetrics and pregnancy are varied and demand that critical care practitioners have a thorough knowledge of fetal and maternal changes in physiology as pregnancy progresses. Pregnancy can affect every organ system; and organ-specific conditions as well as syndromes that span multiple organ systems were described. Care of the critically ill, pregnant patient requires a true multidisciplinary approach for optimal outcomes.

Vocal parameters of aerobic instructors with and without voice problems.

Aerobic instructors frequently experience vocal fatigue and are at risk for the development of vocal fold pathology. Six female aerobic instructors, three with self-reported voice problems and three without, served as subjects. Measures of vocal function (perturbation and EGG) were obtained before and after a 30-minute exercise session.