Publications by authors named "Pennington M"

We demonstrated a mechanochromic chameleon packaging that quantitatively visualizes damage based on the polydiacetylene blue-to-red color transition. The applied pressures on the damage can be conveniently read by taking a photograph via a homemade mobile app called the "Pressure Analysis App". The key aspects of the development were 1) the adjustment of the sensitivity by adding guest molecules into the PDA matrix, 2) quantitative calibration, and 3) the accurate reading of the pressure from RGB images based on the calibration.

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Background: Rising cancer care costs are becoming cost prohibitive for lower income people worldwide. We developed the Warburg protocol as a low-cost option for the treatment of cancer that was inspired. It was developed to exploit an Achilles heel which is a hallmark of cancer cells; the metabolic requirement for higher levels of glucose than normal cells.

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Background: Preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remains a critical national focus for health care facilities. This notion is particularly true for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), where the associated mortality rates for HD-CLABSI range from 12% to 25%. Studies show that the use of central venous catheter (CVC) end caps coated with antiseptic agents, such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) on HD-CVCs, can reduce the incidence of CLABSIs.

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Background: Peer support has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of mental health disorders among firefighters. This pilot project had two aims: (1) to assess training satisfaction and knowledge, self-efficacy, and skills development of Texas firefighters participating in the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Peer Support Training, and (2) to determine if newly trained peer support specialists would use monthly phone supervision.

Methods: The study included 14 Texas firefighters who enrolled in the IAFF Peer Support Training.

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Background: Opioids are commonly used to provide analgesia during and after congenital heart surgery. The effects of exposure to opioids on neurodevelopment in neonates and infants are not well understood.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the associations between cumulative opioid exposure (measured in morphine mg equivalent) over the first year of life and 2-year neurodevelopmental outcomes (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third/Fourth Edition [Bayley-III/IV] cognitive, language, and motor scores).

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The development of critical care stimulated brain death criteria formulation in response to concerns on treatment resources and unregulated organ procurement. The diagnosis centered on irreversible loss of brain function and subsequent systemic physiologic collapse and was subsequently codified into law. With improved critical care, physiologic collapse (while predominant) is not inevitable-provoking criticisms of the ethical and legal foundation for brain death.

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Background Wrist fractures have increased over the past several decades. The objective of this study was to identify all-cause and sports-related incidence rates of wrist fractures presenting to emergency departments (EDs) in the United States (U.S.

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Article Synopsis
  • Animal research, particularly using Göttingen minipigs, is essential for developing medical countermeasures for chemical defense, reducing the need for non-human primates.
  • Studies on drugs like atropine, 2-PAM, and diazepam showed predictable pharmacokinetics and physiological safety in minipigs, mirroring human data for atropine and partially for others.
  • The findings suggest that Göttingen minipigs are a suitable alternative for large animal testing, and further research in this model can enhance treatment strategies against nerve agents.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used and prescribed medications because of their important role in reducing inflammation and pain, in addition to their non-addictive properties and safety profiles. However, some studies have documented an association between NSAIDs and delayed union or nonunion of joint arthrodesis procedures due to a potential inhibition of the bone's inflammatory healing response. As a result, some orthopedic surgeons hesitate to prescribe NSAIDs after an arthrodesis procedure.

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Aims: The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early intervention for psychosis (EIP) services are well established in high-income countries but not in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the scarcity of local evidence, several EIP services have been implemented in LMICs. Local evaluations are warranted before adopting speciality models of care in LMICs.

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Background: Intraoperative hypotension is common during noncardiac surgery and is associated with postoperative myocardial infarction, acute kidney injury, stroke, and severe infection. The Hypotension Prediction Index software is an algorithm based on arterial waveform analysis that alerts clinicians of the patient's likelihood of experiencing a future hypotensive event, defined as mean arterial pressure < 65 mmHg for at least 1 min.

Methods: Two analyses included (1) a prospective, single-arm trial, with continuous blood pressure measurements from study monitors, compared to a historical comparison cohort.

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  • A study at the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve in San Diego investigated tobacco-related pollutants, focusing on nicotine and cotinine levels in urban waters from November 2019 to February 2022.
  • Sampling occurred at two outfall sites (Noyes St. and Olney St.) during both wet and dry seasons, revealing significant variations in nicotine concentrations, with a peak of 50.75 ng/L at Noyes St. compared to 1.46 ng/L at Olney St.
  • The results indicated that nicotine levels were consistently higher during wet seasons, likely due to tobacco litter entering the reserve through stormwater runoff, highlighting the under-explored issue of tobacco pollution in urban natural reserves.
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Preiser's disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the scaphoid, is a rare condition that is incompletely understood in regard to pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. There have been numerous case reports and case series evaluating a variety of conservative and operative interventions, but optimal treatment has not been well established. We describe the case of a 20-year-old female with stage II Preiser's disease that was managed with a vascularized bone graft from the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery, in addition to temporary dorsal wrist-spanning bridge plate fixation.

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Background: Working dogs exposed to narcotics might require reversal in the field.

Objective: To explore the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of naloxone administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) to reverse fentanyl sedation in working dogs.

Animals: Ten healthy, working dogs aged 1.

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  • First responders like firefighters and EMTs experience high stress and potential trauma, leading to a significant rate of PTSD, with around 37% screening positive in this study.
  • The study employed a sophisticated analysis method to examine the relationships between different PTSD symptoms, finding that internal re-experiencing is a key factor influencing other symptoms such as negative affect and avoidance.
  • Limitations include the focus on treatment-seeking individuals, suggesting that future research should also consider non-treatment-seeking responders and analyze firefighters and EMTs separately for better understanding.
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  • Emergency responders, particularly firefighter/paramedics, may experience burnout and altered compassion satisfaction based on their attitudes towards the proximity of supervised injection facilities (SIFs).
  • A survey of 54 firefighters revealed that those with negative views about SIFs experienced higher levels of burnout and lower compassion satisfaction compared to those with neutral or positive views.
  • The study emphasizes the need for better education and mental health support for emergency responders working near SIFs, suggesting that addressing these attitudes can improve their overall well-being.
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Aims: The aim of this study was to capture 12-month outcomes from a representative multicentre cohort of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), describe the pattern of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 12 months, and identify predictors of these outcome measures.

Methods: Patients listed for a primary TAA at 19 NHS hospitals between February 2016 and October 2017 were eligible. PROMs data were collected preoperatively and at six and 12 months including: Manchester-Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire (MOXFQ (foot and ankle)) and the EuroQol five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L).

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The use of viral vectors to treat genetic diseases has increased substantially in recent years, with over 2,000 studies registered to date. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have found particular success in the treatment of eye related diseases, as exemplified by the approval of voretigene neparvovec-rzyl. To bring new therapies to market, regulatory agencies typically request qualified or validated bioshedding studies to evaluate release of the vector into the environment.

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  • Firefighters face behavioral health challenges but often avoid seeking help due to mental health stigma, particularly internal stigma regarding treatment.
  • The study introduced a peer-led campaign called Stamp Out Stigma (SOS) aimed at reducing stigma within the fire service through testimonials and training interventions.
  • Results showed that participation in the SOS workshop significantly lowered both self-stigma and internalized stigma among firefighters, indicating its effectiveness in encouraging openness towards mental health treatment.
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The viral safety of biological products is ensured by tests throughout the production chain, and, for certain products, by steps in the manufacturing process enabling the elimination or inactivation of viruses. Current testing programs include sample inoculation in animals and embryonic eggs. Following the 3Rs principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal-use methods, such techniques are intended to be replaced not only for ethical reasons but also because of their inherent technical limitations, their long turnaround times, and their limits in virus detection.

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A high performing male with an unmethylated full mutation in the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 () gene surpassed our expectations into young adulthood. Although initial genetic findings helped make a correct fragile X syndrome (FXS) determination, the report was insufficient. Ten years later, we repeated and conducted additional genetic and clinical studies to determine whether more information could assist with treatment and counseling.

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The aim of this case report is to review and compare the clinical, radiologic, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features, along with the treatment of a case of ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma. In addition, a report of the existing published literature with an emphasis on treatment will be described to provide information on this rare but aggressive tumor. The family of odontogenic ghost cell tumors comprises a spectrum of lesions characterized by odontogenic epithelium with ghost cell keratinization and calcifications.

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