The impact of the Prime Time Sister Circles® (PTSC) on blood pressure of low-income mid-life African American women in the United States.

There is a pressing need to develop and evaluate culturally tailored, community-based interventions that address hypertension management among low-income African American women. We employed a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the Prime Time Sister Circles® Program in reducing blood pressure and body mass index among low-income African American women ages with hypertension. Study participants (N = 339) were African American women aged 40-75 years who were diagnosed with hypertension and received their primary care at government funded health centers in Washington, D.

Preclinical safety study of a fully implantable, sub-scalp ring electrode array for long-term EEG recordings.

Objective: Long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings can aid diagnosis and management of various neurological conditions such as epilepsy. In this study we characterize the safety and stability of a clinical grade ring electrode arrays by analyzing EEG recordings, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography (CT) imaging with long-term implantation and histopathological tissue response.

Approach: Seven animals were chronically implanted with EEG recording array consisting of four electrode contacts.

Critical role of chemical potential to assure effective encapsulation.

Hypothesis: In emulsification-polymerisation avoiding monomer escape from emulsion droplets is the key to successful encapsulation. So far, it is believed that (1) a hydrophobe needs to be included and (2) free-micelles of surfactant need to be depleted. However, these criteria do not always work.

Not all low grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus is the same: using specific histological criteria in predicting progression to neoplasia.

Barrett's oesophagus with low grade dysplasia (LGD) is a risk factor for progression to high grade dysplasia (HGD) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC); however, only a subgroup of LGD will progress. We used a combination of specific histological criteria to identify patients with LGD who are more likely to progress to HGD or OAC. LGD slides from 38 patients within the progressor group (PG) and 17 patients from the non-progressor group (NPG) were obtained and reviewed by two expert GI pathologists, to be stratified by the same four specific histological variables identified by Ten Kate et al.

Classifying Retinal Degeneration in Histological Sections Using Deep Learning.

Purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are increasingly being used to classify retinal diseases. In this study we investigated the ability of a convolutional neural network (CNN) in categorizing histological images into different classes of retinal degeneration.

Methods: Images were obtained from a chemically induced feline model of monocular retinal dystrophy and split into training and testing sets.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Introduction of New Food Proteins.

New forms of protein are being developed at a rapid rate as older forms of protein, particularly meat and poultry, are coming under attack for nutritional, environmental, food safety, and animal welfare issues. To date, the FDA and USDA have split oversight of the new technologies that include genetic engineering and precision fermentation. Because these new products address the problems associated with traditional proteins, consumer demand appears to be overcoming fundamental fears associated with innovative foods.

User experiences using FLAME: A Case study modelling conflict in large enterprise system implementations.

The complexity of systems now under consideration (be they biological, physical, chemical, social, etc), together with the technicalities of experimentation in the real-world and the non-linear nature of system dynamics, means that computational modelling is indispensible in the pursuit of furthering our understanding of complex systems. Agent-based modelling and simulation is rapidly increasing in its popularity, in part due to the increased appreciation of the paradigm by the non-computer science community, but also due to the increase in the usability, sophistication and number of modelling frameworks that use the approach. The Flexible Large-scale Agent-based Modelling Environment (FLAME) is a relatively recent addition to the list.

In vivo feasibility of epiretinal stimulation using ultrananocrystalline diamond electrodes.

Objective: Due to their increased proximity to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), epiretinal visual prostheses present the opportunity for eliciting phosphenes with low thresholds through direct RGC activation. This study characterised the in vivo performance of a novel prototype monolithic epiretinal prosthesis, containing Nitrogen incorporated ultrananocrystalline (N-UNCD) diamond electrodes.

Approach: A prototype implant containing up to twenty-five 120 × 120 µm N-UNCD electrodes was implanted into 16 anaesthetised cats and attached to the retina either using a single tack or via magnetic coupling with a suprachoroidally placed magnet.

Sutural loading in bone- versus dental-borne rapid palatal expansion: An ex vivo study.

Objectives: To measure and compare the success rate and strains generated during bone- (BRPE) and dental-borne rapid palatal expansion (DRPE) at the alveolar bone, zygomaticomaxillary (ZMS) and internasal (INS) sutures. Additionally, the magnitude and the pattern of midpalatal suture (MPS) separation in the 2 groups was assessed.

Setting And Sample Population: The study was performed ex vivo using 28 pig heads.

Prepared for practice? UK Foundation doctors' confidence in dealing with ethical issues in the workplace.

This paper investigates the medical law and ethics (MEL) learning needs of Foundation doctors (FYs) by means of a national survey developed in association with key stakeholders including the General Medical Council and Health Education England. Four hundred sevnty-nine doctors completed the survey. The average self-reported level of preparation in MEL was 63%.

A Retrospective Mixed Longitudinal Study of Tooth Formation in Children With Clefts.

Objective: To test for systematic age changes in cleft children based on dental age.

Design: Retrospective case-control longitudinal study.

Setting: One orthodontic solo practice.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: Clinicopathologic comparison with blinded histologic assessment.

Background: Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA), or macular lymphocytic arteritis, is defined by a primary lymphocytic vasculitis. However, the nosology of LTA has been controversial, with speculation that it may represent an indolent non-nodule-forming variant of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (cPAN).

Objective: This study compares the clinicopathologic features of patients with LTA or cPAN to assess if these conditions should be considered distinct entities.

Deformation of the zygomaticomaxillary and nasofrontal sutures during bone-anchored maxillary protraction and reverse-pull headgear treatments: An ex-vivo study.

Introduction: Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) is an emerging treatment that involves applying a protraction load to the maxillary bone. Although it is believed that such an approach results in better sutural separation, this has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess and compare the deformation of 1 circumaxillary suture (zygomaticomaxillary suture [ZMS]) and 1 facial suture (nasofrontal suture [NFS]) during BAMP and reverse-pull headgear (RPHG) treatment.

Reclaiming Phosphate from Waste Solutions with Fe(III)-Polysaccharide Hydrogel Beads for Photo-Controlled-Release Fertilizer.

Photoresponsive hydrogels from polysaccharides and Fe(III) were used as a new system to capture and release PO from waste solutions. Uptake of 0.6-1.

Class II correction: Extraction or nonextraction?

The patient with a Class II malocclusion, proclination, or moderate crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth, and a moderate-to-low mandibular plane angle is a treatment-planning challenge. The records of 3 patients are presented. For 2 of them, extraction treatment was used to resolve the Class II malocclusion problem.

Rethinking gamete donor care: A satisfaction survey of egg and sperm donors in the UK.

Objective: Despite poor clinic communication and staff treatment being reported by donors, high rates of overall satisfaction are still reported in surveys. This study will evaluate the importance of communication and interaction between donors and fertility clinic staff in gamete donor care.

Methods: We report on 120 egg and sperm donors' responses to a UK-wide online satisfaction survey.

Safety Studies for a 44-Channel Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis: A Chronic Passive Study.

Purpose: Following successful clinical outcomes of the prototype suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis, Bionic Vision Australia has developed an upgraded 44-channel suprachoroidal retinal prosthesis to provide a wider field of view and more phosphenes. The aim was to evaluate the preclinical passive safety characteristics of the upgraded electrode array.

Methods: Ten normal-sighted felines were unilaterally implanted with an array containing platinum electrodes (44 stimulating and 2 returns) on a silicone carrier near the area centralis.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis complicated by systemic involvement.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA) is a recently described entity defined by primary lymphocytic vasculitis; it typically has a chronic indolent course. We describe a patient who presented with clinical and histological findings consistent with LTA and later developed bilateral focal testicular infarcts as well as an acute median nerve neuropathy.

The Violence Epidemic in the African American Community: A Call by the National Medical Association for Comprehensive Reform.

While much progress has occurred since the civil rights act of 1964, minorities have continued to suffer disparate and discriminatory access to economic opportunities, education, housing, health care and criminal justice. The latest challenge faced by the physicians and public health providers who serve the African American community is the detrimental, and seemingly insurmountable, causes and effects of violence in impoverished communities of color. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number one killer of black males ages 10-35 is homicide, indicating a higher rate of violence than any other group.

Correlation between molecular analysis, diagnosis according to the 2015 WHO classification of unresected lung tumours and TTF1 expression in small biopsies and cytology specimens from 344 non-small cell lung carcinoma patients.

We investigated correlations between diagnosis according to the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of unresected lung tumours, molecular analysis and TTF1 expression in small biopsy and cytology specimens from 344 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. One case failed testing for EGFR, KRAS and ALK abnormalities and six had insufficient tumour for ALK testing. Overall mutation rate in 343 cases was 48% for the genes tested, with 19% EGFR, 33% KRAS and 4% BRAF mutations, and 5% ALK rearrangements detected.

Three cases of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis presenting with an annular eruption.

We describe three patients who presented with a striking erythematous non-blanching annular eruption and features of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA), with a prominent lymphocytic vasculitis involving deep dermal vessels. Lymphocytic inflammation was also evident in the superficial vessels and one patient had small superficial ulcers over the ankle area resembling livedoid vasculopathy (LV). Multiple biopsies demonstrated a persistent absence of neutrophils in the infiltrate consistent with a lymphocytic process.

Fixed-Dose Versus Off-Label Combination of Isosorbide Dinitrate Plus Hydralazine Hydrochloride: Retrospective Propensity-Matched Analysis in Black Medicare Patients with Heart Failure.

Introduction: Based upon the findings of the African-American Heart Failure Trial, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the fixed-dose combination of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) and hydralazine hydrochloride (HYD) (FDC-ISDN/HYD) as a new drug for treatment of heart failure (HF) in self-identified African Americans. According to the FDA, FDC-ISDN/HYD has no therapeutic equivalent. However, off-label combinations of the separate generic drugs ISDN and HYD (OLC-ISDN+HYD) or isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) and HYD (OLC-ISMN+HYD) are routinely substituted without any supporting outcome data.