Identifying the sex chromosome and sex determination genes in the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is globally one of the most economically important ectoparasites of cattle costing the agriculture industry billions of dollars annually. Resistance to chemical control measures has prompted the development of novel methods of control. Recent advancements in genetic control measures for human and other animal vectors have utilized sex determination research to manipulate sex ratios, which have shown promising results in mosquitoes namely Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi.

Beyond the Norm: Acute Multifocal Diverticulitis.

Colonic diverticulitis is inflammation of diverticula, which are sac-like protrusions in the colonic wall. It is thought that increased intraluminal pressure and trapped food leads to inflammation. Newer theories suggest that alterations in the gut microbiome and chronic inflammation play a role as well.

A new record of fleas from nilgai antelope in southern Texas and fleas from other wildlife.

Wildlife are hosts of ectoparasites, such as fleas and ticks that may transmit human and animal pathogens. Little is known about the ecology of many ectoparasite species native to southern Texas, or their role in pathogen maintenance and transmission. Much attention has been given to the role of nonnative nilgai antelope as cattle fever tick hosts and agents of dispersal, but little attention has been given to other ectoparasites that may utilize nilgai antelope as hosts.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist: Maximizing Return on Investment.

The United States health care system is facing an unprecedented nursing shortage, increasing complexity of care, and fewer experienced nurse mentors. These factors contribute to a cycle of burnout, turnover, decreased quality and safety, and a worsening financial bottom line. Improving these contributing factors depends on our ability to mitigate the structural causes of burnout and turnover.

The limits of nudging: Results of a randomized trial of text messages to promote home-based caregiving and reduce perceptions of stigma for COVID-19 patients in Kenyan informal settlements.

During the early stages of the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments searched for effective means to rapidly disseminate information about how to prevent the disease and care for sick household members. In June 2020, the government of Kenya considered sending text messages, a behavioral nudging approach, to inform and persuade the public to practice home-based care for those who were infected. We conducted a randomized evaluation of simple informational messages compared to messages targeting personal and social benefits for those receiving the messages.

Heritable Chronic Cholestatic Liver Diseases: A Review.

Chronic cholestasis due to heritable causes is usually diagnosed in childhood. However, many cases can present and survive into adulthood. The time course varies considerably depending on the underlying etiology.

Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Rare Entity.

Neuroendocrine tumors are typically low-malignancy growths arising from neuroectodermal cells of neural crest origin. Neuroendocrine carcinoma, on the other hand, represents a high-malignancy form of these tumors. While rare in the liver, they often indicate metastasis when present.

Etiologies of Splenic Venous Hypertension: A Review.

Splenic venous hypertension or left-sided portal hypertension is a rare condition caused by an obstruction of the splenic vein. Usually, it presents with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the absence of liver disease. Etiologies can be classified based on the mechanism of development of splenic vein hypertension: compression, stenosis, inflammation, thrombosis, and surgically decreased splenic venous flow.

Colonizing the Unlikely: in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Chronic diarrhea is a common condition that medical professionals often encounter. We present an unusual case of chronic diarrhea in a relatively young, immunocompetent man that was attributed to . The patient's clinical presentation was not specific, and he underwent workup for common infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune causes, all unrevealing.

A Case of Herpes Simplex Virus Colitis in an Immunosuppressed Patient.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause severe disseminated infections in immunocompromised patients. Gastrointestinal tract involvement seldom includes the colon. We present a rare case of disseminated cutaneous HSV infection with concomitant colonic involvement in an immunosuppressed patient.

A Novel Home for Hemangiomas: Sclerosing Hemangioma in the Pancreas.

Pancreatic hemangiomas, predominantly in female patients, are rare benign vascular tumors. We report a unique case of an incidentally discovered pancreatic sclerosing hemangioma. The patient's clinical presentation and imaging were concerning for an abdominal mass.

Unique Genetic Features of Lean NAFLD: A Review of Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25% of the global population. About 20% have a normal body mass index (BMI) and a variant known as lean NAFLD. Unlike typical NAFLD cases associated with obesity and diabetes, lean NAFLD causes liver disease by mechanisms not related to excess weight or insulin resistance.

Evidence-based approach to mitigate cumulative stress in pediatric nurses through the development of respite rooms.

Background: The cumulative stress toll on nurses increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. An evidence-based practice (EBP) project was conducted to understand what is known about the impacts of cumulative stress within nursing and if there are ways to mitigate stress during a nurse's shift.

Aim/implementation: A project team from three clinical units completed an extensive literature review and identified the need to promote detachment while supporting parasympathetic recovery.

Evaluation of occupational health and safety intervention for the waste and sanitation workers in Bangladesh during COVID-19.

Waste and sanitation workers in South-Asian countries are vulnerable to injuries and diseases, including COVID-19. In Bangladesh, an intervention was implemented during COVID-19 to lower these workers' occupational health risks through training and PPE distribution. We assessed how the intervention affected their occupational health behaviors using a randomized cluster trial in 10 Bangladeshi cities, including seven intervention and three control areas.

Emerging therapeutic options for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a prevalent cause of chronic liver disease and ranks third among the causes of transplantation. In the United States alone, annual medical costs are approximately 100 billion dollars. Unfortunately, there is no Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for its treatment.

Longitudinal Changes in Cerebral Perfusion, Perivascular Space Volume, and Ventricular Volume in a Healthy Cohort Undergoing a Spaceflight Analog.

Background And Purpose: A global decrease in brain perfusion has recently been reported during exposure to a ground-based spaceflight analog. Considering that CSF and glymphatic flow are hypothesized to be propelled by arterial pulsations, it is unknown whether a change in perfusion would impact these CSF compartments. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship among changes in cerebral perfusion, ventricular volume, and perivascular space volume before, during, and after a spaceflight analog.

Hygiene knowledge and practices and determinants of occupational safety among waste and sanitation workers in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waste and sanitation workers provide essential services to society. In most low-and middle-income countries, they are often mistreated and lack access to necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene facilities that ensure occupational safety in workplaces. COVID-19 has also imposed serious health risks upon these worker groups.

The Current State of Neoadjuvant Therapy in Resectable Advanced Stage Melanoma.

The advent of effective immunotherapy and targeted therapy has significantly improved outcomes in advanced-stage resectable melanoma. Currently, the mainstay of treatment of malignant melanoma is surgery followed by adjuvant systemic therapies. However, recent studies have shown a potential role for neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of advanced-stage resectable melanoma.

A Race Against Time: Rapidly Progressing Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining condition that primarily manifests as mucocutaneous lesions; however, other organs have been implicated in disseminated disease. Fortunately, since the development of antiretroviral therapy, the incidence of KS among patients with human immunodeficiency virus has significantly declined. We report an atypical case of a rapidly progressing pulmonary KS to highlight the importance of prompt recognition of this condition, which can be challenging to distinguish from other pulmonary infectious diseases in immunocompromised individuals, as well as discuss the current treatment for this disease.

Bis(1-Methyl-ortho-Carboranyl)Borane.

The Lewis superacid, bis(1-methyl-ortho-carboranyl)borane, is rapidly accessed in two steps. It is a very effective hydroboration reagent capable of B-H addition to alkenes, alkynes, and cyclopropanes. To date, this is the first identified Lewis superacidic secondary borane and most reactive neutral hydroboration reagent.

Steering the Titanic: One tertiary care children's hospital's experience navigating safe sleep for hospitalized infants.

Background: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the leading cause of death in infants 1 month to 1 year of age in the United States. Despite extensive efforts in research and public education, rates of sleep-related infant death have plateaued since the late-1990s, largely due to unsafe sleep practices and environments.

Local Problem: A multidisciplinary team assessed our institution's compliance with its own infant safe sleep policy.