Typhimurium infection inhibits macrophage IFNβ signaling in a TLR4-dependent manner.

Type I Interferons (IFNs) generally have a protective role during viral infections, but their function during bacterial infections is dependent on the bacterial species. and can inhibit type I IFN signaling. Here we examined the role of type I IFN, specifically IFNβ, in the context of serovar Typhimurium (STm) macrophage infections and the capacity of STm to inhibit type I IFN signaling.

BBQ methods: streamlined workflows for bacterial burden quantification in infected cells by confocal microscopy.

Accurate quantification of bacterial burden within macrophages, termed bacterial burden quantification (BBQ), is crucial for understanding host-pathogen interactions. Various methods have been employed, each with strengths and weaknesses. This article addresses limitations in existing techniques and introduces two novel, automated methods for BBQ within macrophages based on confocal microscopy data analysis.

Exploring dental students' attitudes toward patient-centered management of dental fear.

Purpose/objectives: A patient-centered care (PCC) paradigm undergirds modern dental education. PCC is particularly relevant in the management of patient dental fear. The aims of this study were three-fold: (a) to examine the preliminary psychometric properties of an author-designed survey administered to explore dental fear knowledge and perceptions, (b) to assess how 4th-year dental students regard dental fear, (c) and to investigate the relationship between students' knowledge and perceptions of dental fear and their clinical behavior.

BBQ methods: Streamlined workflows for Bacterial Burden Quantification in infected cells by confocal microscopy.

Accurate quantification of bacterial burden within macrophages, termed Bacterial Burden Quantification (BBQ), is crucial for understanding host-pathogen interactions. Various methods have been employed, each with strengths and weaknesses. This article addresses limitations in existing techniques and introduces two novel automated methods for BBQ within macrophages based on confocal microscopy data analysis.

inhibits type I interferon signaling to avoid cell-intrinsic host cell defense.

The host type I interferon (IFN) response protects against infections. Other bacterial pathogens inhibit type I IFN-mediated cell signaling; however, the interaction between this signaling pathway and has not been well described. Here, we demonstrate that inhibits the IFN-β signaling pathway but does not inhibit IFN-γ-mediated cell signaling.

Pillar[6]MaxQ: A Potent Supramolecular Host for Sequestration of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl.

Pillar[6]MaxQ (P6AS) functions as an sequestration agent for methamphetamine and fentanyl. We use H NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry, and molecular modelling to deduce the geometry and strength of the P6AS•drug complexes. P6AS forms tight complexes with fentanyl (K=9.

Incidence and Timing of Thrombocytopenia in Patients Receiving Impella Ventricular Assist Device Support.

Impella devices are used in patients with cardiogenic shock or during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Although thrombocytopenia is a known complication in patients receiving Impella support, the incidence and timing of thrombocytopenia remain unknown in this patient population. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with a left-sided Impella device inserted for more than 24 hours between February 2016 and December 2019.

Stereogradient Poly(Lactic Acid) from meso-Lactide/L-Lactide Mixtures.

The production of L-lactide from L-lactic acid involves a substantial formation of meso-lactide as an impurity, and, upon polymerization with the industrial catalyst tin octanoate, results in poly(L-lactic acid) of reduced crystallinity due to stereoerrors randomly distributed along the polymer chains. We describe a new approach wherein, instead of avoiding stereoerrors by removing the meso-lactide prior to polymerization, the stereoerrors in the polymer are tolerated, by crowding them in a stereogradient copolymer. A zirconium complex of an amine tris(phenolate) ligand is found to exhibit very high syndioselectivity in the ring opening polymerization catalysis of meso-lactide at room temperature, and gives rise to stereogradient copolymers in the polymerization of mixtures of meso-lactide/L-lactide in the melt at 180 °C.

Phase Change Material with Gelation Imparting Shape Stability.

Blending two gelators with different chemistries (12-hydroxystearic acid and a bis-urea derivative, Millithix MT-800) was used to impart shape stability to CrodaTherm 29, a bio-based phase change material (PCM), melting/crystallizing at near-ambient temperature. The gelators immobilized the PCM by forming an interpenetrating fibrillar network. 15 wt % concentration of the gelators was found to be effective in preventing liquid PCM leakage.

Anthracene-Walled Acyclic CB[n] Receptors: in vitro and in vivo Binding Properties toward Drugs of Abuse.

We report studies of the interaction of six acyclic CB[n]-type receptors toward a panel of drugs of abuse by a combination of isothermal titration calorimetry and H NMR spectroscopy. Anthracene walled acyclic CB[n] host (M3) displays highest binding affinity toward methamphetamine (K =15 nM) and fentanyl (K =4 nM). Host M3 is well tolerated by Hep G2 and HEK 293 cells up to 100 μM according to MTS metabolic and adenylate kinase release assays.

Ketofol for Procedural Sedation and Analgesia in the Pediatric Population.

The combination of ketamine and propofol, commonly referred to as ketofol, is sometimes used for procedural sedation and analgesia in the pediatric emergency department. This article reviews the pharmacology, dosing, and indications, as well as adverse effects and contraindications of ketamine, propofol, and ketofol.

Context Matters: Social Psychological Factors That Underlie Academic Performance across Seven Institutions.

To enhance equity and diversity in undergraduate biology, recent research in biology education focuses on best practices that reduce learning barriers for all students and improve academic performance. However, the majority of current research into student experiences in introductory biology takes place at large, predominantly White institutions. To foster contextual knowledge in biology education research, we harnessed data from a large research coordination network to examine the extent of academic performance gaps based on demographic status across institutional contexts and how two psychological factors, test anxiety and ethnicity stigma consciousness, may mediate performance in introductory biology.

Pediatric Rattlesnake Envenomation: A Simulation Scenario With Optional Health Equity, Virtual Facilitation, and Senior Learner Modifications.

Rattlesnake envenomation is an uncommon but urgent cause of presentation for emergency care. Recognition of envenomation, timely administration of antivenom when indicated, and recognition of antivenom reactions are of critical importance to mitigate the local, hematologic, and systemic effects of Crotaline venom. This technical report describes the presentation and use of a simulation-based scenario of an envenomated child who requires treatment with antivenom.

In Vitro and In Vivo Sequestration of Methamphetamine by a Sulfated Acyclic CB[n]-Type Receptor.

We report the synthesis of two new acyclic sulfated acyclic CB[n]-type receptors (TriM0 and Me TetM0) and investigations of their binding properties toward a panel of drugs of abuse (1-13) by a combination of H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. TetM0 is the most potent receptor with K ≥10  M toward methamphetamine, fentanyl, MDMA and mephedrone. TetM0 is not cytotoxic toward HepG2 and HEK 293 cells below 100 μM according to MTS metabolic and adenylate kinase release assays and is well tolerated in vivo when dosed at 46 mg kg .

Meta-analysis of Gender Performance Gaps in Undergraduate Natural Science Courses.

To investigate patterns of gender-based performance gaps, we conducted a meta-analysis of published studies and unpublished data collected across 169 undergraduate biology and chemistry courses. While we did not detect an overall gender gap in performance, heterogeneity analyses suggested further analysis was warranted, so we investigated whether attributes of the learning environment impacted performance disparities on the basis of gender. Several factors moderated performance differences, including class size, assessment type, and pedagogy.

From Salt to Stroke-Evaluation of a Media Campaign for Sodium Reduction in Philadelphia.

Excess dietary sodium contributes to the burden of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Media-based health education campaigns are one strategy to raise awareness among populations at greater risk for stroke, including African Americans. During 2014-2015, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health conducted a health education campaign using radio, print news, and transit ads, to promote awareness of the link between dietary sodium, hypertension and stroke, and encourage reduced consumption of high sodium foods.

Formative research to address vaccine hesitancy in Tajikistan.

Introduction: Incomplete childhood vaccination is associated with caregiver vaccine hesitancy, conceptualized by "3 Cs": high complacency, low confidence, and low convenience. To expand on existing evidence drawn primarily from the Americas and Europe, and develop culturally appropriate interventions, this research explored drivers of vaccine hesitancy in the Central Asian country of Tajikistan.

Methods: In twelve diverse districts, clinic-based immunization record abstraction identified purposive samples of children who were up-to-date (N = 300) or not (N = 300) on all first year vaccines.

Synergistic Effect of Two Organogelators for the Creation of Bio-Based, Shape-Stable Phase-Change Materials.

Two organogelators of different chemistry (a fatty acid derivative and a -urea derivative), as well as their blends, were used to impart shape stability to a bio-based phase-change material (PCM) bearing a near-ambient phase-transition temperature. Characterization of the individual gelators and their blends revealed their ability to immobilize the PCM by forming a continuous fibrillar network. The fibrils formed by the fatty acid derivative were helical, while the -urea derivative formed smooth fibrils.

In Vitro and In Vivo Sequestration of Phencyclidine by Me Cucurbit[8]uril*.

We report investigations of the use of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) macrocycles as an antidote to counteract the in vivo biological effects of phencyclidine. We investigate the binding of CB[8] and its derivative Me CB[8] toward ten drugs of abuse (3-9, 12-14) by a combination of H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry in phosphate buffered water. We find that the cavity of CB[8] and Me CB[8] are able to encapsulate the 1-amino-1-aryl-cyclohexane ring system of phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine as well as the morphinan skeleton of morphine and hydromorphone with K values ≤50 nm.

A Call for Data-Driven Networks to Address Equity in the Context of Undergraduate Biology.

National efforts to improve equitable teaching practices in biology education have led to an increase in research on the barriers to student participation and performance, as well as solutions for overcoming these barriers. Fewer studies have examined the extent to which the resulting data trends and effective strategies are generalizable across multiple contexts or are specific to individual classrooms, institutions, or geographic regions. To address gaps in our understanding, as well as to establish baseline information about students across contexts, a working group associated with a research coordination network (Equity and Diversity in Undergraduate STEM, EDU-STEM) convened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November of 2019.

Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Teacher Workshop Enhanced with DNA Instructional Cases to Impact Content Knowledge and Confidence.

In an effort to address K-8 teacher confidence in STEM and increase basic genetics knowledge to a level consistent with its importance in society, we have developed, implemented, and evaluated a 7-day teacher professional development workshop. The overarching goal of our workshop is to facilitate the implementation of innovative DNA-based classroom activities in K-8 classrooms by (i) increasing teacher content knowledge, (ii) increasing teacher confidence in teaching STEM, and (iii) developing teacher interest in using engaging activities, so they are empowered to teach new content in compelling ways. We relied on case-based learning to provide relevance and context to scientific content that was not initially familiar to many of the teachers.

A SHORT TEACHING RESIDENCY SPANNING 1,657 MILES.

In scientific disciplines, most postdoctoral fellowships focus on research training. Postdoctoral fellows ("postdocs") develop research expertise and research projects that they will use in future independent faculty positions. This research focus often precludes opportunities for undergraduate teaching.