In vivo measurement of strain in the periodontal space of pig (Sus scrofa) incisors using in-fiber Bragg sensors.

The incisor teeth in pigs, Sus scrofa, function in association with a disc-shaped snout to explore the environment for potential food. Understanding how mechanical loading applied to the tooth deforms the periodontal ligament (PDL) is important to determining the role of periodontal mechanoreceptors during food exploration and feeding. The objective of this study was to use fiber Bragg (FBG) sensors to measure strain in vivo within the PDL space of pig incisors.

Evolution of short linear motifs and disordered proteins Topic: yeast as model system to study evolution.

Evolutionary preservation of protein structure had a major influence on the field of molecular evolution: changes in individual amino acids that did not disrupt protein folding would either have no effect or subtly change the 'lock' so that it could fit a new 'key'. Homology of individual amino acids could be confidently assigned through sequence alignments, and models of evolution could be tested. This view of molecular evolution excluded large regions of proteins that could not be confidently aligned, such as intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) that do not fold into stable structures.

Mutually exclusive mutation profiles define functionally related genes in muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Muscle Invasive bladder cancer is known to have an abundance of mutations, particularly in DNA damage response and chromatin modification genes. The role of these mutations in the development and progression of the disease is not well understood. However, a mutually exclusive mutation pattern between gene pairs could suggest gene mutations of significance.

Towards Ending Immunization Inequity.

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) are responsible for a significant portion of mortality across the life course in both low-income countries and in medium- and high-income countries. Yet, countries are consistently below the adult influenza vaccination targets, with rates in recent times even falling in some areas. (1) The study Towards Ending Immunization Inequity seeks to understand the various factors that contribute to the accessibility and effectiveness of vaccine-related messages and campaigns including the effects of social determinants, with the knowledge that these opportunities for communication represent a unique policy lever to improving uptake rates of vaccination in the most at-risk communities.

One Health Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Seropositivity among Pets in Households with Confirmed Human COVID-19 Cases-Utah and Wisconsin, 2020.

Approximately 67% of U.S. households have pets.

Expression of cathepsins B and D by cancer stem cells in head and neck metastatic malignant melanoma.

We have previously demonstrated cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations in head and neck metastatic malignant melanoma (HNmMM), and the expression of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by these CSCs. Cathepsins B, D and G are involved in carcinogenesis and constitute bypass loops of the RAS. This study investigated the expression and localization of cathepsins B, D and G, in relation to these CSCs.

Infection control response to an outbreak of OXA-23 carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a skilled nursing facility in Utah.

Background: Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter species are a growing public health threat, yet are not nationally notifiable, and most states do not mandate reporting. Additionally, there are no standardized methods to detect Acinetobacter species colonization.

Methods: An outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) was identified at a Utah ventilator unit in a skilled nursing facility.

Effectiveness of a multicenter training programme to teach point-of-care vascular ultrasound for the detection of peripheral arterial disease in people with diabetes.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme to teach a focused bedside ultrasound scan (PAD-scan; Podiatry Ankle Duplex Scan) for the detection of arterial disease in people with diabetes.

Methods: Five podiatrists and one diabetologist across two hospitals were enrolled in a structured training programme consisting of a training course (1-day), supervised scanning (5-weeks), independent scanning (3-weeks) and a final evaluation of performance (1-day).Time, technical skills and accuracy (level of agreement with vascular scientist PAD-scan assessment) were assessed for every supervised scan and again for the final evaluation of performance.

Urinary 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid (3-HPMA) concentrations in dogs with acute spinal cord injury due to intervertebral disc herniation.

The aim of this study was to investigate urinary 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid (3-HPMA), a metabolite of acrolein, as a novel biomarker in acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) due to intervertebral disc herniation in dogs. Urine from 10 client-owned dogs with ASCI collected at presentation and 10 control dogs was analyzed for 3-HPMA. The median urinary 3-HPMA concentration in ASCI dogs was significantly higher than in control dogs, but was not correlated with the severity of ASCI.

Home parenteral nutrition: a multi-professional approach.

This article explores the complexities of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and how it has developed as a home therapy. It examines the various indications and treatment options, discussing access and the associated complications. The relationship between the multiprofessional team is paramount to the success of the therapy.

Failure of a VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide vaccine to protect foals against experimental Rhocococcus equi pneumonia despite induction of VapA-specific antibody and interferon-γ response.

We evaluated the immunogenic and protective potential of a recombinant VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 vaccine in neonatal foals undergoing experimental Rhodococcus equi challenge. Foals (n = 8) were vaccinated by intramuscular injection on days 1 and 15 of the study; control foals (n = 7) received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. All foals were challenged by intrabronchial administration of 5 × 10⁶ R.

Significance of preoperative MRI in establishing levels of augmentation for percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Objectives: To determine whether X-ray, computed tomography (CT), bone scan, and clinical impression accurately reflect the level of vertebral fracture in patients about to undergo vertebroplasty.

Design: Retrospective observational study, utilizing patient inpatient notes, referral correspondence, and clinicians' private notes.

Setting: Single center - all patients referred to one pain medicine physician for vertebroplasty who subsequently had the procedure.

Repeat-pulse 13CO2 labeling of canola and field pea: implications for soil organic matter studies.

Both the quantity and quality of plant residues can impact soil properties and processes. Isotopic tracers can be used to trace plant residue decomposition if the tracer is homogeneously distributed throughout the plant. Continuous labeling will homogeneously label plants but is not widely accessible because elaborate equipment is needed.

New Zealand optometrists 2006: demographics, working arrangements and hours worked.

Background: Optometry is a regulated health profession in NZ, with limited student places. With 650 registered optometrists in 2005, the optometrist to population ratio was 1 : 6,291 with no apparent national shortage. If optometrists registered in NZ do not actually live there, a workforce shortage is possible.

Coupled field analysis of heat flow in the near field of a microwave applicator for tumor ablation.

Microwave tumor ablation (MTA) offers a new approach for the treatment of hepatic neoplastic disease. Reliable and accurate information regarding the heat distribution inside biological tissue subjected to microwave thermal ablation is important for the efficient design of microwave applicators and for optimizing experiments, which aim to assess the effects of therapeutic treatments. Currently there are a variety of computational methods based on different vascular structures in tissue, which aim to model heat distribution during ablation.

Are methylmercury concentrations in the wetlands of Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia, Canada, dependent on geology?

In the relatively pristine ecosystem in Kejimkujik Park, Nova Scotia, methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in loons, Gavia immer, are among the highest recorded anywhere in the world. This study investigated the influence of bedrock lithology on MeHg concentrations in wetlands. Twenty-five different wetland field sites were sampled over four different bedrock lithologies; Kejimkujik monzogranite, black sulfidic slate, gray slate, and greywacke.

X-ray microanalytical studies of mineral localization in the needles of white pine (Pinus strobus L.).

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) shoots from mature trees were collected from two sites of contrasting soil pH: the Glendon campus of York University in Toronto, Ontario (pH 6.7 at 40 cm); and Muskoka near Huntsville, Ontario (pH 4.

Factors enhancing and inhibiting the development of primary medical care in community health centres.

This study examined factors inhibiting and enhancing the development of primary medical care within community health centres. Nine centres with medical services, representing a range of financial administrative arrangements and a spread of locations, were selected for investigation. A modified version of the Community Health Accreditation and Standards Project (CHASP) review process was developed to look at areas of health service functioning.

Silica in higher plants.

Opaline silica deposits are formed by many vascular (higher) plants. The capacity of these plants for silica absorption varies considerably according to genotype and environment. Plant communities exchange silica between soil and vegetation, especially in warmer climates.