A combined photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and laser absorption spectrometry flash photolysis apparatus for simultaneous determination of reaction rates and product branching.

In recent years, predictions of product branching for reactions of consequence to both combustion and atmospheric chemistry have outpaced validating experiments. An apparatus is described that aims to fill this void by combining several well-known experimental techniques into one: flash photolysis for radical generation, multiple-pass laser absorption spectrometry (LAS) for overall kinetics measurements, and time-resolved photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI TOF-MS) for product branching quantification. The sensitivity of both the LAS and PI TOF-MS detection techniques is shown to be suitable for experiments with initial photolytically generated radical concentrations of ∼1 × 10 molecules cm.

Phenyl radical + propene: a prototypical reaction surface for aromatic-catalyzed 1,2-hydrogen-migration and subsequent resonance-stabilized radical formation.

The C9H11 potential energy surface (PES) was experimentally and theoretically explored because it is a relatively simple, prototypical alkylaromatic radical system. Although the C9H11 PES has already been extensively studied both experimentally (under single-collision and thermal conditions) and theoretically, new insights were made in this work by taking a new experimental approach: flash photolysis combined with time-resolved molecular beam mass spectrometry (MBMS) and visible laser absorbance. The C9H11 PES was experimentally accessed by photolytic generation of the phenyl radical and subsequent reaction with excess propene (C6H5 + C3H6).

Effect of gentamicin and levels of ambient sound on hearing screening outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit: A pilot study.

Objective: Hearing loss rates in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) run at 2-15%, compared to 0.3% in full-term births. The etiology of this difference remains poorly understood.

Ultrasound-Assisted Distal Radius Fracture Reduction.

Introduction Closed reduction of distal radius fractures (CRDRF) is a commonly performed emergency department (ED) procedure. The use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) to diagnose fractures and guide reduction has previously been described. The primary objective of this study was to determine if the addition of PoCUS to CRDRF changed the perception of successful initial reduction.

Taste Disturbance Due to Cochlear Implant Stimulation.

Objective: To characterize stimulation of taste fibers in the facial nerve following cochlear implantation.

Patient: A 34-year old presented with reversible dysgeusia following activation of a cochlear implant.

Intervention: Reprogramming targeted to specific offending electrodes reduced symptom intensity.

Pedestrian traffic deaths among residents, visitors, and homeless persons--Clark County, Nevada, 2008-2011.

Motor vehicle collisions and crashes are a leading cause of death among Nevada residents aged 5-34 years, representing 14% of all injury deaths in that age group in 2010. During 2008-2011, a total of 173 pedestrian deaths from motor vehicle collisions occurred in Nevada, accounting for 16% of motor vehicle deaths in the state. Approximately 75% (2 million persons) of Nevada residents live in Clark County, which includes the city of Las Vegas.

Direct kinetic measurements of reactions between the simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO and alkenes.

The simplest Criegee Intermediate (CH2OO), a well-known biradical formed in alkene ozonolysis, is known to add across double bonds. Here we report direct experimental rate measurements of the simplest Criegee Intermediate reacting with C2–C4 alkenes obtained using the laser flash photolysis technique probing the recently measured B(1)A′ ← X(1)A′ transition in CH2OO. The measured activation energy (298–494 K) for CH2OO + alkenes is Ea ≈ 3500 ± 1000 J mol(–1) for all alkyl substituted alkenes and Ea = 7000 ± 900 J mol(–1) for ethene.

Evaluation of the novel respiratory virus surveillance program: Pediatric Early Warning Sentinel Surveillance (PEWSS).

Objectives: Infections caused by respiratory viruses are associated with recurrent epidemics and widespread morbidity and mortality. Routine surveillance of these pathogens is necessary to determine virus activity, monitor for changes in circulating strains, and plan for public health preparedness. The Southern Nevada Health District in Las Vegas, Nevada, recruited five pediatric medical practices to serve as sentinel sites for the Pediatric Early Warning Sentinel Surveillance (PEWSS) program.

Eight years of Legionnaires' disease transmission in travellers to a condominium complex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Travel is a risk factor for Legionnaires' disease. In 2008, two cases were reported in condominium guests where we investigated a 2001 outbreak. We reinvestigated to identify additional cases and determine whether ongoing transmission resulted from persistent colonization of potable water.

Suspected transmission of norovirus in eight long-term care facilities attributed to staff working at multiple institutions.

This study reports on gastroenteritis outbreaks suspected of being norovirus infections in eight long-term care facilities. A descriptive epidemiological investigation was used to depict sources of infections and control measures. Outbreaks affected 299 (31%) of 954 residents and 95 (11%) of 843 staff.

Endemic foodborne botulism among Alaska Native persons--Alaska, 1947-2007.

Background: Foodborne botulism resulting from consumption of uncooked aquatic game foods has been an endemic hazard among Alaska Native populations for centuries. Our review was conducted to help target botulism prevention and response activities.

Methods: Records of Alaska botulism investigations for the period 1947-2007 were reviewed.

Using the Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (eFORS) to improve foodborne outbreak surveillance, investigations, and program evaluation.

Challenges exist in comparing foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) across states due to important differences in reporting practices and investigations. Variables such as FBDO size, population size, number of tourists, and suspected etiology are important to consider when interpreting FBDO data. Analysis of eFORS data can be valuable in improving state FBDO investigations.

Persistence of botulinum toxin in patients' serum: Alaska, 1959-2007.

Persistence of circulating toxin in patients with foodborne botulism is not well characterized. Recommendations for administration of botulinum antitoxin are ambiguous for patients with late-presenting disease, such as a Florida woman with toxin-positive serum 12 days after toxin ingestion. We reviewed Alaska records of foodborne outbreaks of botulism that occurred during 1959-2007 to examine the period after ingestion during which toxin was detected.

Hair methylmercury levels of mummies of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

Ancient human hair specimens can shed light on the extent of pre-historic exposures to methylmercury and provide valuable comparison data with current-day exposures, particularly for Indigenous Peoples who continue to rely upon local traditional food resources. Human hair from ancient Aleutian Island Native remains were tested for total and methylmercury (Hg, MeHg) and were radiocarbon dated. The remains were approximately 500 years old (1450 A.

Outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis associated with Alaskan oysters.

Background: Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis in the United States, typically is associated with the consumption of raw oysters gathered from warm-water estuaries. We describe a recognized outbreak of V. parahaemolyticus infection associated with the consumption of seafood from Alaska.

Detection and purification of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

We describe a blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic technique that allows the facile detection, quantitation and purification of three NADPH-producing enzymes. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase were detected simultaneously. Activity staining based on the formation of NADPH from the respective substrates and the subsequent precipitation of formazan enabled the relative quantitation of enzymatic activities, while Coomassie staining on one-dimensional or two-dimensional gels helped monitor the amount of protein associated with these enzymatic activities.

Adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acids and atherosclerosis in Alaska Natives and non-Natives.

Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 family are believed to protect against cardiovascular disease. A rich source of omega-3 PUFA is found in fish and marine mammals (seal, walrus, whale), which are a large part of the traditional diet of Alaska Natives (Eskimo, American Indians, Aleuts), a group that has been reported to have a lower mortality rate from cardiovascular disease than non-Natives. An autopsy study using standardized methods to evaluate the extent of atherosclerosis and its risk factors, and analyses of stored triglyceride fatty acids was conducted in a sample of Alaska Native subjects and non-Native subjects living in Alaska.

Aluminum-tolerant Pseudomonas fluorescens: ROS toxicity and enhanced NADPH production.

Aluminum (Al) triggered a marked increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O(2) (-) and H(2)O(2) in Pseudomonas fluorescens. Although the Al-stressed cells were characterized with higher amounts of oxidized lipids and proteins than controls, NADPH production was markedly increased in these cells. Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) analyses coupled with activity and Coomassie staining revealed that NADP(+) -dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH, E.

Human biomonitoring to optimize fish consumption advice: reducing uncertainty when evaluating benefits and risks.

National fish consumption advisories that are based solely on assessment of risk of exposure to contaminants without consideration of consumption benefits result in overly restrictive advice that discourages eating fish even in areas where such advice is unwarranted. In fact, generic fish advisories may have adverse public health consequences because of decreased fish consumption and substitution of foods that are less healthy. Public health is on the threshold of a new era for determining actual exposures to environmental contaminants, owing to technological advances in analytical chemistry.

Aluminum triggers decreased aconitase activity via Fe-S cluster disruption and the overexpression of isocitrate dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase: a metabolic network mediating cellular survival.

Although aluminum is known to be toxic to most organisms, its precise biochemical interactions are not fully understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that aluminum promotes the inhibition of aconitase (Acn) activity via the perturbation of the Fe-S cluster in Pseudomonas fluorescens. Despite the significant decrease in citrate isomerization activity, cellular survival is assured by the overexpression of isocitrate lyase and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-NADP+.

Association of regulatory issues with an echovirus 18 meningitis outbreak at a children's summer camp in Alaska.

We document an echovirus 18 meningitis outbreak occurring at a remote overnight children's camp in Alaska. The outbreak involved 26% of 113 camp residents, was associated with building overcrowding and occurred in a camp with a contaminated drinking water source. Lack of specific children's camp regulations and failure to implement and enforce existing regulations may have contributed to the outbreak.