Conformation and protein interactions of intramolecular DNA and phosphorothioate four-way junctions.

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the structure and protein recognition features of branched DNA four-way junctions in an effort to explore the therapeutic potential of these molecules. The classic immobile DNA 4WJ, J1, is used as a matrix to design novel intramolecular junctions including natural and phosphorothioate bonds. Here we have inserted H2-type mini-hairpins into the helical termini of the arms of J1 to generate four novel intramolecular four-way junctions.

Lumbar spine evaluation: accuracy on abdominal CT.

Objective: To determine if the lumbar spine can be accurately evaluated on an abdominal CT.

Methods: The electronic medical records at our institution were searched to find all consecutive patients who had an abdominal CT within 12 months of a lumbar spine MRI obtained between 01 November 2010 and 31 October 2015. The abdominal CT studies were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion for the presence of any significant lumbar spine abnormalities.

Reuse and reduce: abdominal CT, lumbar spine MRI, and a potential 1.2 to 3.4 billion dollars in cost savings.

Purpose: To determine how much money could potentially be saved by re-evaluating a patient's prior recent abdominal CT for lumbar spine pathology instead of ordering a lumbar spine MRI.

Methods: Abdominal CT studies, from all consecutive patients who had an abdominal CT within 12 months prior to a lumbar spine MRI obtained between 11/1/15 and 5/30/16, were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion for the presence of any significant lumbar spine abnormalities. CT studies that accurately reflected all normal and abnormal findings when compared to the standard of reference, the prospectively interpreted lumbar spine MR imaging reports, were used to indicate which lumbar spine MRI studies potentially could have been avoided and to calculate the potential cost savings.

Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers for monitoring phenanthrene in stormwater.

Pollution from highway stormwater runoff has been an increasing area of concern. Many structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been implemented for stormwater treatment and management. One challenge for these BMPs is to sample stormwater and monitor BMP performance.

Impact of improved air quality during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta on multiple cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes.

Substantial evidence supports an association between ambient air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM*) and ozone (O3), and acute cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity. There is increasing interest in accountability research to evaluate whether actions taken to reduce air pollution will result in reduced morbidity. This study capitalized on a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of a local, short-term intervention effort to reduce traffic in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games (July 19-August 4).