The association between influenza vaccine effectiveness and egg-based manufacturing technology: literature review and US expert consensus.

Background: Influenza is associated with significant disease burden in the US and is currently best controlled by vaccination programs. Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is low and may be reduced by several factors, including egg adaptations. Although non-egg-based influenza vaccines reportedly have greater VE in egg-adapted seasons, evidence for egg adaptations' reduction of VE is indirect and dissociated, apart from two previous European consensuses.

Kar4, the yeast homolog of METTL14, is required for mRNA m6A methylation and meiosis.

KAR4, the yeast homolog of the mammalian mRNA N6A-methyltransferase complex component METTL14, is required for two disparate developmental programs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: mating and meiosis. To understand KAR4's role in yeast mating and meiosis, we used a genetic screen to isolate 25 function-specific mutant alleles, which map to non-overlapping surfaces on a predicted structure of the Kar4 protein (Kar4p). Most of the mating-specific alleles (Mat-) abolish Kar4p's interaction with the transcription factor Ste12p, indicating that Kar4p's mating function is through Ste12p.

Kar4, the Yeast Homolog of METTL14, is Required for mRNA m A Methylation and Meiosis.

Unlabelled: , the yeast homolog of the mammalian mRNA N A-methyltransferase complex component , is required for two disparate developmental programs in : mating and meiosis. To understand 's role in yeast mating and meiosis, we used a genetic screen to isolate 25 function-specific mutant alleles, which map to non-overlapping surfaces on a predicted structure of the Kar4 protein (Kar4p). Most of the mating-specific alleles (Mat ) abolish Kar4p's interaction with the transcription factor Ste12p, indicating that Kar4p's mating function is through Ste12p.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa PumA acts on an endogenous phenazine to promote self-resistance.

The activities of critical metabolic and regulatory proteins can be altered by exposure to natural or synthetic redox-cycling compounds. Many bacteria, therefore, possess mechanisms to transport or transform these small molecules. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 synthesizes phenazines, redox-active antibiotics that are toxic to other organisms but have beneficial effects for their producer.

Redox-Based Regulation of Bacterial Development and Behavior.

Severe changes in the environmental redox potential, and resulting alterations in the oxidation states of intracellular metabolites and enzymes, have historically been considered negative stressors, requiring responses that are strictly defensive. However, recent work in diverse organisms has revealed that more subtle changes in the intracellular redox state can act as signals, eliciting responses with benefits beyond defense and detoxification. Changes in redox state have been shown to influence or trigger chromosome segregation, sporulation, aerotaxis, and social behaviors, including luminescence as well as biofilm establishment and dispersal.

Young Adult Utilization of a Smoking Cessation Website: An Observational Study Comparing Young and Older Adult Patterns of Use.

Background: There is little research on how young adults or young adult subgroups utilize and engage with Web-based cessation interventions when trying to quit smoking. Addressing this knowledge gap is important to identify opportunities to optimize the effectiveness of online cessation programs across diverse young adult users.

Objective: This study examines utilization of the BecomeAnEX.

Sustainability of Community-Based Youth Smoking Cessation Programs: Results From a 3-Year Follow-Up.

A national survey of 591 community-based youth smoking cessation programs provided an opportunity to assess the sustainability of health promotion programming over a 3-year period. Initial survey questions were mapped to five sustainability domains (local ownership, organizational alignment, resources, demand, and standard operating procedures) and examined to identify correlates of sustained operation. Follow-up surveys were completed with 305 programs.

Efficacy of smoking-cessation interventions for young adults: a meta-analysis.

Context: Approximately 22% of U.S. young adults (aged 18-24 years) are smokers.

A national evaluation of community-based youth cessation programs: end of program and twelve-month outcomes.

Most youth cessation treatment research consists of efficacy studies in which treatments are evaluated under optimal conditions of delivery. Less is known about the effectiveness of youth cessation treatments delivered in real-world, community based settings. A national sample of 41 community-based youth cessation programs participated in a longitudinal evaluation to identify site, program, and participant characteristics associated with successful cessation.

A national evaluation of community-based youth cessation programs: design and implementation.

Although widely available, little is known about the effectiveness of youth cessation treatments delivered in real-world settings. The authors recruited a nonprobability sample of 41 community-based group-format programs that treated at least 15 youth per year and included evidence-based treatment components. Data collection included longitudinal surveys of youth participants (n = 878); posttreatment surveys of program leaders (n = 77); and one-time surveys of organizational leaders (n = 64)and community leaders in education, health, and juvenile justice (n = 94).

Finding needles in a haystack: a methodology for identifying and sampling community-based youth smoking cessation programs.

Background: Surveys of community-based programs are difficult to conduct when there is virtually no information about the number or locations of the programs of interest. This article describes the methodology used by the Helping Young Smokers Quit (HYSQ) initiative to identify and profile community-based youth smoking cessation programs in the absence of a defined sample frame.

Methods: We developed a two-stage sampling design, with counties as the first-stage probability sampling units.

Use of program evaluation in community youth tobacco cessation programs.

Objective: To examine the inclusion of program evaluation components in a national sample of youth tobacco cessation programs.

Methods: Program administrators were interviewed to ascertain program characteristics associated with the inclusion of program evaluation components.

Results: Two thirds of all surveyed programs (n=591) had an evaluation component; most included attendance, user satisfaction, and quitting measures.

Implementation fidelity of packaged teen smoking cessation treatments delivered in community-based settings.

Efficacious 'packaged' teen smoking cessation treatment programs, those developed by national organizations, are widely disseminated to local communities to help teens quit smoking. The implementation fidelity of these programs in community settings has not been documented. The efficacy of these programs could be lessened if they are not implemented as intended.

Internally-developed teen smoking cessation programs: characterizing the unique features of programs developed by community-based organizations.

We have compared the unique features of teen tobacco cessation programs developed internally by community-based organizations (N=75) to prepackaged programs disseminated nationally (N=234) to expand our knowledge of treatment options for teen smokers. Internally-developed programs were more likely offered in response to the sponsoring organization's initiative (OR=2.16, p<0.

Therapy for specific problems: youth tobacco cessation.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States. The majority of children smoke their first cigarette in early adolescence, and many older teens have well-established dependence on nicotine. Efforts to promote and support smoking cessation among these youth smokers are critical.

Use of tobacco cessation treatments among young adult smokers: 2005 National Health Interview Survey.

Objectives: We compared use of smoking cessation treatments and factors associated with treatment use among young adult smokers and other adult smokers.

Methods: We used data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey core and cancer control supplement. The sample consisted of 6511 current smokers, of whom 759 were aged 18-24 years.

A national survey of tobacco cessation programs for youths.

Objectives: We collected data on a national sample of existing community-based tobacco cessation programs for youths to understand their prevalence and overall characteristics.

Methods: We employed a 2-stage sampling design with US counties as the first-stage probability sampling units. We then used snowball sampling in selected counties to identify administrators of tobacco cessation programs for youths.

Human participants challenges in youth-focused research: perspectives and practices of IRB administrators.

The purpose of this research was to understand institutional review board (IRB) challenges regarding youth-focused research submissions and to present advice from administrators. Semistructured self-report questionnaires were sent via e-mail to administrators identified using published lists of universities and hospitals an Internet searches. Of 183 eligible institutions, 49 responded.

Reversible laser marking process in anthraquinone dye films.

A reversible laser marking material is described which is based on a photothermal transformation between a crystalline and amorphous phase of an anthraquinine dye film. It is shown that the material is stable in ambient conditions in either the crystalline or amorphous phase. The transformation from the crystalline to the amorphous phase can be accomplished with a 6.

Plasmacytoma of the testis.

We report a case of plasmacytoma of the testis without evidence of bone or immunoglobulin abnormalities. The presentation, evaluation and management of this extremely unusual tumor are reviewed.

Comparative evaluation of intravenous urogram and ultrasound in prostatism.

The combination of renal ultrasound, abdominal scout film, and urine analysis detected all significant renal pathology in 53 patients before surgery for prostatism. It is suggested that these combined examinations in conjunction with a blood urea nitrogen determination can replace urography in the preoperative screening of these patients.

Kaposi sarcoma limited to glans penis.

Two cases of Kaposi sarcoma are presented. In each case the lesion had a bluish discoloration and was painless. Excision of lesions with wider margins was adequate therapy.

Epoxycholesterols in secretions and tissues of normal, benign, and cancerous human prostate glands.

Extracts of prostatic secretions taken from 25 control subjects, twenty-three to seventy-five years of age, were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) for cholesterol and possible epoxycholesterol content. Only subjects fifty-three years or older exhibited any signs of prostatic enlargement. Whereas cholesterol (893 +/- 133 micrograms/ml) was found in all prostatic secretions, the carcinogenic epoxycholesterols (22.