Instrumented Mouthguard Decoupling Affects Measured Head Kinematic Accuracy.

Many recent studies have used boil-and-bite style instrumented mouthguards to measure head kinematics during impact in sports. Instrumented mouthguards promise greater accuracy than their predecessors because of their superior ability to couple directly to the skull. These mouthguards have been validated in the lab and on the field, but little is known about the effects of decoupling during impact.

A Supportive Heart Failure Care Program to Reduce Hospital Readmissions.

In the United States, heart failure (HF) is the leading reason for hospital readmissions, with 27% of Medicare recipients with HF being readmitted within 30 days The purpose of this quality improvement project was to decrease HF readmissions during their first 30 days of care with our home health agency. The Supportive Heart Failure Care education program was based on the results of a population assessment and included establishment of agency-wide best practices, nursing education sessions, and implementation of best practices focused on evidence-based self-management. After implementation of this project, the hospital readmission rate decreased from 32% to 21%.

Cation exchange as a single polishing step for conjugated peptides.

Purification of peptides typically includes expensive reverse phase (RP) processes, which utilize high pressure and large volumes of solvent. For two conjugated peptides, chromatography process development targeted a low-pressure aqueous process that could achieve target product purities of ≥95%, comparable to purities seen with traditional RP. A high throughput screening approach of different modalities was used to identify binding and elution conditions on a cation exchange resin and small-scale columns were used in order to assess impurity removal and process yield.

The role of the bacterial microbiota on reproductive and pregnancy health.

Recent assessments have examined the composition of bacterial communities influencing reproductive, pregnancy and infant health. The Microbiome Project has made great strides in sequencing the microbiome and identifying the vast communities of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies and much work continues to examine the individual contribution of bacteria on health and disease to inform future therapies. This review explores the current literature outlining the contribution of important bacteria on reproductive health among sexually active men and women, outlines gaps in current research to determine causal and interventional relationships, and suggests future research initiatives.

Serum Markers of Bone Turnover and Angiogenesis in Patients With Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw After Discontinuation of Long-Term Intravenous Bisphosphonate Therapy.

Purpose: To analyze serum markers of bone turnover, angiogenesis, endocrine function, and inflammation in patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) who discontinued long-term intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) therapy.

Patients And Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 25 BRONJ patients who had discontinued long-term intravenous BP therapy for an average of 11.4 ± 8.

CYP17 genotype modifies the impact of anthropometric variation on salivary estradiol in healthy women.

Several studies demonstrate that human ovarian function is responsive to the energetic environment, which has led to the development of theoretical models that explain this phenomenon. Although many genes are involved in ovarian hormone production, the possibility that genetic polymorphism may affect ovarian response to energetic conditions has not been considered. Cytochrome P450c17α is an enzyme that produces androgen precursors used to make estrogens during ovarian steroidogenesis, and is encoded by the CYP17 gene.

Salivary proteomics in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify differentially expressed salivary proteins in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) patients that could serve as biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis.

Subjects And Methods: Whole saliva obtained from 20 BRONJ patients and 20 controls were pooled within groups. The samples were analyzed using iTRAQ-labeled two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Gene x environment interactions impact endometrial function and the menstrual cycle: PROGINS, life history, anthropometry, and physical activity.

Objectives: We assessed the impact of a high frequency, functionally significant allelic variant of the progesterone receptor gene (PROGINS) on endometrial function and menstrual cycle characteristics. Further we asked whether PROGINS moderates the impact of life history characteristics, anthropometric measures, and physical activity on endometrial function.

Methods: Fifty-two women were genotyped for the PROGINS variant, provided life history information, and had anthropometric measurements made.

Periodontal disease as a risk factor for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Background: Previous case reports and animal studies suggest that periodontitis is associated with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). This case-control study is conducted to evaluate the association between clinical and radiographic measures of periodontal disease and BRONJ.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with BRONJ were matched with 48 controls.

Worldwide distribution of allelic variation at the progesterone receptor locus and the incidence of female reproductive cancers.

Objectives: Global patterns of the incidence of cancer are often attributed to environmental and lifestyle differences between regions. Less attention has been given to global patterns of allelic variation of genes that may contribute to the risk of developing cancer.

Methods: We genotyped samples from 21 populations for four variants of the progesterone receptor (PR) gene.

The economics and ethics of Hurricane Katrina.

How might free enterprise have dealt with Hurricane Katrina and her aftermath. This article probes this question at increasing levels of radicalization, starting with the privatization of several government “services” and ending with the privatization of all of them.

Dexamethasone enhances fertility and preovulatory serum prolactin levels in eCG/hCG primed immature rats.

Glucocorticoids have heterogeneous effects on reproductive function. We used a gonadotropin-primed, immature rat model to study the influence of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), given during the latter stages of follicular development, on litter size, the number of oocytes released, and pituitary hormone levels. Dexamethasone-treated females released a larger number of oocytes at ovulation and gave birth to larger litters indicating the oocytes were viable.

First record of Anguillicoloides crassus (Nematoda) in American eels (Anguilla rostrata) in Canadian estuaries, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

In the summer of 2007, American eels, Anguilla rostrata, from 2 localities on Cape Breton Island, were found to be infected with the swim bladder nematode Anguillicoloides crassus. This is the first documented report of this highly invasive parasite in Canadian waters. More than half of the yellow eels in Mira River (6 of 10), and 1 eel (of 5) from Sydney Harbour were infected.

Chronic hypoxia diminishes the proliferative response of Guinea pig uterine artery vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

The pregnancy-related size enlargement of the guinea pig uterine artery is partially accomplished by hyperplasia in all layers of the vessel wall. We sought to determine the separate and combined effects of chronic hypoxia and pregnancy on the proliferative capacity of uterine artery vascular smooth muscle cells (UA VSMCs). We established primary UA VSMC cultures from a total of 13 guinea pigs using an enzymatic digestion technique.

Human physiological adaptation to pregnancy: inter- and intraspecific perspectives.

Reproductive success requires successful maternal physiological adaptation to pregnancy. An interspecific perspective reveals that the human species has modified features of our haplorhine heritage affecting the uteroplacental circulation. We speculate that such modifications - including early implantation and deep, widespread invasion of fetal (trophoblast cells) into and resultant remodeling of maternal uterine vessels - are responses to or compensation for the biomechanical constraints imposed by bipedalism which, in turn, render our species susceptible to the pregnancy complication of preeclampsia.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor action blocks estrogen-induced uterine edema and implantation in rodents.

Estrogen induces a rapid increase in microvascular permeability in the rodent uterus, leading to stromal edema and a marked increase in uterine wet weight. This edema is believed to create an environment optimal for the growth and remodeling of the endometrium in preparation for implantation and pregnancy. Increased endometrial microvascular permeability also occurs in conjunction with implantation.

Chronic hypoxia diminishes pregnancy-associated DNA synthesis in guinea pig uteroplacental arteries.

Enlargement of the uterine artery (UA) during pregnancy is diminished in women residing at a high altitude. We asked whether chronic hypoxia alters the rise in DNA synthesis in uteroplacental vessels and, if so, whether the reduction is related to the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) observed under conditions of chronic hypoxia. We used bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling to measure DNA synthesis in all vascular layers of the UA, mesometrial arteries (MA), thoracic aorta and mesenteric artery of guinea pigs, residing throughout pregnancy at a low (1600 m) or high (3962 m) altitude.

Relaxin stimulates uterine edema via activation of estrogen receptors: blockade of its effects using ICI 182,780, a specific estrogen receptor antagonist.

Relaxin's ability to stimulate uterine growth is well established. The mechanisms by which relaxin exerts this effect, however, remain unclear. In light of previous work demonstrating peptide growth factor activation of estrogen receptors (ERs), the present study was conducted to determine if relaxin similarly stimulates ERs.

In vitro cytotoxicity of amalgams made with binary Hg-In liquid alloys.

Objective: Mercury vapor release from amalgams during setting significantly decreases when the amalgams are prepared with binary Hg-In liquid alloys. The objective of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of amalgams made with experimental Hg-In alloys with that of amalgam without In and a commercial In-containing amalgam.

Methods: Amalgam specimens were prepared by triturating a high-Cu alloy powder (Tytin, Kerr) with pure Hg or Hg-In liquid alloy containing 5, 20 or 50% In and also by triturating an In-containing high-copper alloy powder (Indiloy, Shofu) with pure Hg.

Determination of the flavor attributes of cooked beef from cross-bred Angus steers fed corn- or barley-based diets.

Eighteen commercial Angus cross-bred feedlot steers of similar hip height and live weight were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatment groups: corn-, corn/barley, or barleybased diets (n = 6 per treatment). Steers were fed for 102-103 days on their respective diets prior to slaughter. Live animal performance traits, carcass characteristics, total lipid and descriptive flavor and descriptive palatability attributes of beef strip loin steaks were determined.

Epidemiology of adult sexually transmitted disease agents in children being evaluated for sexual abuse.

This prospective study describes the epidemiology of adult sexually transmitted disease agents in 1538 children ages 1 to 12 years being evaluated for possible sexual abuse. Infections with these agents were related to the presence or absence of a history of sexual contact. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) was found in 2.