Development of a rapid antigen-based lateral flow assay for tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses.

Tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses (SFRs) continue to cause severe illness and death in otherwise-healthy individuals due to lack of a timely and reliable diagnostic laboratory test. We recently identified a diagnostic biomarker for SFRs, the putative N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase RC0497. Here, we developed a prototype laboratory test that targets RC0497 for diagnosis of SFRs.

Large-scale and long-term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis.

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, and potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use of wildlife cameras (2012-2022) with a case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using a multifaceted approach. We (i) synthesised information from a literature review; (ii) conducted an online questionnaire of 132 professionals; (iii) hosted an in-person workshop of 28 leading experts representing academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government; and (iv) mapped camera trap usage based on all sources.

The learning curve and outcomes of 1038 endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary tumor surgeries - A single surgical team experience.

Background: Pituitary adenomas rank third among adult intracranial tumors, with an incidence of 3.9- 7.4 cases/per 100,000 annually.

Health Needs Assessment of Unhoused Youth in Charleston, South Carolina.

Background: Over 35 000 youth experience homelessness on any given night in the United States (US). Unhoused youth experience unique physical and mental health challenges and face barriers in every social determinant of health (SDoH), which may be amplified in the LGBTQ+ population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to define characteristics of the unhoused youth population and their utilization of healthcare to inform programs to meet their needs.

Zearalenone exposure differentially affects the ovarian proteome in pre-pubertal gilts during thermal neutral and heat stress conditions.

Zearalenone (ZEN), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, causes endocrine disruption and porcine reproductive dysfunction. Heat stress (HS) occurs when exogenous and metabolic heat accumulation exceeds heat dissipation. Independently, HS and ZEN both compromise swine reproduction; thus, the hypothesis investigated was two-pronged: that ZEN exposure would alter the ovarian proteome and that these effects would differ in thermal neutral (TN) and HS pigs.

Sex-based Differences in Patient Perspectives and Experiences With Shoulder, Hip, and Knee Arthroplasty.

Introduction: Sex disparities in presentation of osteoarthritis and utilization of joint replacement surgery (JRS) have been demonstrated. The role of patients' unique perspectives on JRS on their treatment decisions is poorly understood.

Methods: JRS candidates who were offered JRS but declined surgical treatment completed this survey.

Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis With Intact Rotator Cuff and Severe Glenoid Retroversion.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed an Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis with Intact Rotator Cuff and Severe Glenoid Retroversion. Evidence-based information, in conjunction with the clinical expertise of physicians, was used to develop the criteria to determine the appropriateness of various treatments of shoulder osteoarthritis with intact rotator cuff and severe glenoid retroversion. The AUC for Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis with Intact Rotator Cuff and Severe Glenoid Retroversion were derived by identifying scenarios evident during the clinical decision-making process on this topic.

Heat stress alters the ovarian proteome in prepubertal gilts.

Heat stress (HS) occurs when exogenous and metabolic heat accumulation exceeds heat dissipation; a thermal imbalance that compromises female reproduction. This study investigated the hypothesis that HS alters the ovarian proteome and negatively impacts proteins engaged with insulin signaling, inflammation, and ovarian function. Prepubertal gilts (n = 19) were assigned to one of three environmental groups: thermal neutral with ad libitum feed intake (TN; n = 6), thermal neutral pair-fed (PF; n = 6), or HS (n = 7).

Effects of High-protein and High-fiber Diets on Weight and Glucose Regulation in Spiny Mice ().

Despite the long-term contributions of the spiny mouse () to research, basic knowledge of appropriate nutrition is lacking for this species. In the wild, spiny mice eat a high-fiber, high-protein food source. In the research setting, spiny mice are prone to obesity that can lead to diabetes mellitus.

ARCHERY: a prospective observational study of artificial intelligence-based radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck and prostate cancer - study protocol.

Introduction: Fifty per cent of patients with cancer require radiotherapy during their disease course, however, only 10%-40% of patients in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have access to it. A shortfall in specialised workforce has been identified as the most significant barrier to expanding radiotherapy capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based software has been developed to automate both the delineation of anatomical target structures and the definition of the position, size and shape of the radiation beams.

Phenotypic, endocrinological, and metabolic effects of zearalenone exposure and additive effect of heat stress in prepubertal female pigs.

Independently, both heat stress (HS) and zearalenone (ZEN) compromise female reproduction, thus the hypothesis that ZEN would affect phenotypic, endocrine, and metabolic parameters in pigs with a synergistic and/or additive impact of HS was investigated. Prepubertal gilts (n = 6-7) were assigned to: thermoneutral (TN) vehicle control (TC; n = 6); TN ZEN (40 μg/kg; TZ; n = 6); pair-fed (PF; n = 6) vehicle control (PC; n = 6); PF ZEN (40 μg/kg; PZ; n = 6); HS vehicle control (HC; n = 7); and HS ZEN (40 μg/kg; HZ; n = 7) and experienced either constant 21.0 ± 0.

Exploring the impact of recovery funding on the well-being and health workforce capability of rural practices during natural disasters and emergencies.

Introduction: This study examines the impact of funding provided to support the well-being of rural health practitioners and their practice staff following the 2019-2022 bushfires.

Objective: To assess the benefits and implications of grant funding for rural practices to aid recovery following bushfires in NSW, Australia.

Design: An explanatory sequential mixed method design consisted of a survey and a thematic analysis of semi-structured Interviews.

Resident Perceptions of Virtual Reality Versus Dry Lab Simulation for Advanced Shoulder Arthroscopy Resident Training.

Introduction: Surgical training using simulation can fill gaps in traditional surgical residency learning. We hypothesize that arthroscopy training conducted on a virtual reality simulator will be preferred by orthopaedic surgery residents over a traditional dry lab simulation model.

Methods: 38 orthopaedic surgery residents at a single U.

The contribution of muscle spindles to position sense measured with three different methods.

The sense of limb position is important, because it is believed to contribute to our sense of self-awareness. Muscle spindles, including both primary and secondary endings of spindles, are thought to be the principal position sensors. Passive spindles possess a property called thixotropy which allows their sensitivity to be manipulated.

Sex-Based Differences in the Utilization of Shoulder, Hip, and Knee Arthroplasty.

Introduction: Studies show that females have a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis, worse symptoms, but lower rates of joint replacement surgery (JRS). The reason for this remains unknown.

Methods: A database of JRS candidates was created for patients seen in 2019 at an academic center.

Delivery of gold nanoparticle-conjugated M2e influenza vaccine in mice using coated microneedles.

As a prospective influenza vaccination platform, a microneedle patch offers advantages such as self-administration and reduction of needle-phobia-associated vaccination avoidance. In an effort to design a broadly protective influenza vaccine we have previously developed a vaccine formulation containing the highly conserved ectodomain sequence of the M2 influenza protein (M2e) attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with CpG as a soluble adjuvant (AuNP-M2e + sCpG). Our previous studies have used the intranasal route for vaccination and demonstrated broad protection from this vaccine.

Morphological variation of the Pan talus relative to that of Gorilla.

Objectives: Differences in talar articular morphology relative to locomotion have recently been found within Pan and Gorilla. Whole-bone talar morphology within, and shared variation among, Pan and Gorilla (sub)species, however, has yet to be investigated. Here we separately analyze talar external shape within Pan (P.

Feasibility of a Peer Mentor Training Program for Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: An Educational Program Evaluation.

Rationale And Objective: The 'PEER-HD' multicenter study tests the effectiveness of peer mentorship to reduce hospitalizations in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. In this study, we describe the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the mentor training program.

Study Design: Educational program evaluation including the following aspects: (1) description of training content, (2) quantitative analysis of feasibility and acceptability of the program, and (3) quantitative pre-post analysis of efficacy of the training to impart knowledge and self-efficacy.

Correction: Vu et al. Specific Changes in Rosette Lipids during Freezing Can Be Associated with Freezing Tolerance. 2022, , 385.

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Airway clearance therapy in the school environment: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Adherence to airway clearance therapy (ACT) in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is reported to be below 50% and inability to sustain daily care is linked to poor health outcomes. Through a collaboration between a CF care center and several schools, we hypothesized that ACT completed at school by pediatric CF patients will improve lung function while decreasing pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), days of antibiotics (abx) and hospitalizations.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study at a single CF care center consisting of 50 CF patients age < 18 at time when data was recorded (2012-2020).

Scrambled eggs-Negative impacts of heat stress and chemical exposures on ovarian function in swine.

Exposure to environmental toxicants and hyperthermia can hamper reproduction in female mammals including swine. Phenotypic manifestations include poor quality oocytes, endocrine disruption, infertility, lengthened time to conceive, pregnancy loss, and embryonic defects. The ovary has the capacity for toxicant biotransformation, regulated in part by the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase signaling pathway.