Sex-specific cardiovascular adaptations to simulated microgravity in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Men and women have different cardiovascular responses to spaceflight; however, few studies have focused on direct comparisons between sexes. We investigated the mechanisms of aortic stiffening in socially and sexually mature 20-week-old male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats exposed to hindlimb unloading (HLU) for 14 days. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was greater in the aortic arch of females after HLU versus control females (n = 6-8).

Rete anomaly of the middle cerebral artery: case series of 13 patients from the Northeastern United States.

Background: Rete middle cerebral artery (MCA) is a rare anomaly of the intracranial circulation that mimics congenital Moyamoya disease (MMD). Similar to MMD, it is reported almost exclusively in East-Asian ethnicities. Here, we report 13 patients with rete MCA anomaly from a predominantly non-Asian background in the USA.

Impact of alcohol use disorder on inpatient hospitalizations: A comparison of outcomes between urban and rural Veterans Affairs hospitals.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality that disproportionately affects rural residents and Veterans.

Objective: To evaluate the burden of AUD in admissions at rural and urban hospitals within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) comparing patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year mortality rates.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients admitted to VHA hospitals from 2016 to 2020, with a primary or secondary diagnosis related to AUD.

Aerosolized Harmful Algal Bloom Toxin Microcystin-LR Induces Type 1/Type 17 Inflammation of Murine Airways.

Harmful algal blooms are increasing globally and pose serious health concerns releasing cyanotoxins. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), one of the most frequently produced cyanotoxins, has recently been detected in aerosols generated by the normal motions of affected bodies of water. MC-LR aerosol exposure has been linked to a pro-inflammatory influence on the airways of mice; however, little is understood about the underlying mechanism or the potential consequences.

Making waves: The progress of management strategies for cleaning and rinsing of PFAS-impacted fire suppression systems.

Aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicles often contain residual levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) due to the global use of legacy and current use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for class B firefighting. However, numerous countries are transitioning to fluorine-free foam (F3) alternatives. There is, thus, an urgent need to develop efficient methods to rinse and clean interior ARFF surfaces thereby avoiding expensive replacement costs and preventing further discharge of PFAS to the environment.

An Exploration of Cognitive Diagnosis in Medical Education: Constructing Comprehensive Feedback for Enhanced Student Learning.

Feedback stands as a cornerstone in facilitating knowledge and skill acquisition, particularly in the realm of self-directed learning. Drawing from Vygotskian theory, which posits learning as an apprenticeship process within the zone of proximal development (ZPD), effective feedback becomes a crucial scaffold for students navigating their educational journey. This article delves into the significance of feedback, guided by Hattie and Timperley's three pivotal questions.

Cumulative Health Risk from Exposure Load (CHREL): Looking at multi-chemical exposures through the lens of biomonitoring guidance values.

Exposure load (EL) is an indicator of multiple chemical exposures based on human biomonitoring data. We used EL methodology and human biomonitoring health-based guidance values (HB2GVs) as exposure thresholds to create a new metric called Cumulative Health Risk from Exposure Load (CHREL). HB2GVs are derived by calculating the concentration of a biomarker consistent with a health protective exposure guidance value.

Osteoarthritis as a Systemic Disease Promoted Prostate Cancer In Vivo and In Vitro.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing worldwide, and previous work found that OA increases systemic cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), which has also been implicated in prostate cancer (PCa). As such, we sought to investigate whether OA augments PCa progression. Cellular proliferation and migration of RM1 murine PCa cells treated with interleukin (IL)-1α, COMP, IL-1α + COMP, or conditioned media from cartilage explants treated with IL-1α (representing OA media) and with inhibitors of COMP were assessed.

Race-ethnicity, age, and heart failure in ischemic stroke.

Objectives: Race-ethnic disparities contribute to cardiovascular morbidity. Heart failure (HF) is highly prevalent in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and associated with worse outcomes. We hypothesized race-ethnic differences exist in the prevalence of HF among patients with AIS, particularly in younger patients, and in a manner not fully explained by cardiovascular profiles.

Evaluation and refinement of Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale for medical students.

Purpose: This study evaluated the underlying subdomain structure of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) for medical students and refined the instrument to measure the subdomains to provide evidence for construct validity. Developing self-directed learners is a well-recognized goal amongst medical educators. The SDLRS has been frequently used, however, lack of construct validity makes it difficult to interpret results.

Racial-Ethnic disparities in stroke prevalence among patients with heart failure.

Racial-ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence and outcomes of heart failure (HF) and are presumed to be related to differences in cardiovascular risk factor burden and control. There is little data on stroke disparities among patients with HF or the factors responsible. We hypothesized disparities in stroke prevalence exist among patients with HF in a manner not fully explained by burden of cardiovascular disease.

Antithrombotic Treatment for Stroke Prevention in Cervical Artery Dissection: The STOP-CAD Study.

Background: Small, randomized trials of patients with cervical artery dissection showed conflicting results regarding optimal stroke prevention strategies. We aimed to compare outcomes in patients with cervical artery dissection treated with antiplatelets versus anticoagulation.

Methods: This is a multicenter observational retrospective international study (16 countries, 63 sites) that included patients with cervical artery dissection without major trauma.

Effects of photon irradiation in the presence and absence of hindlimb unloading on the behavioral performance and metabolic pathways in the plasma of Fischer rats.

The space environment astronauts experience during space missions consists of multiple environmental challenges, including microgravity. In this study, we assessed the behavioral and cognitive performances of male Fisher rats 2 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation with photons in the absence or presence of simulated microgravity. We analyzed the plasma collected 9 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation for distinct alterations in metabolic pathways and to determine whether changes to metabolic measures were associated with specific behavioral and cognitive measures.

A Review of Numerical Models of Radiation Injury and Repair Considering Subcellular Targets and the Extracellular Microenvironment.

Astronauts in space are subject to continuous exposure to ionizing radiation. There is concern about the acute and late-occurring adverse health effects that astronauts could incur following a protracted exposure to the space radiation environment. Therefore, it is vital to consider the current tools and models used to describe and study the organic consequences of ionizing radiation exposure.

Lung Cancer in Ever- and Never-Smokers: Findings from Multi-Population GWAS Studies.

Background: Clinical, molecular, and genetic epidemiology studies displayed remarkable differences between ever- and never-smoking lung cancer.

Methods: We conducted a stratified multi-population (European, East Asian, and African descent) association study on 44,823 ever-smokers and 20,074 never-smokers to identify novel variants that were missed in the non-stratified analysis. Functional analysis including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) colocalization and DNA damage assays, and annotation studies were conducted to evaluate the functional roles of the variants.

Neurovascular dysfunction associated with erectile dysfunction persists after long-term recovery from simulations of weightlessness and deep space irradiation.

There has been growing interest within the space industry for long-duration manned expeditions to the Moon and Mars. During deep space missions, astronauts are exposed to high levels of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and microgravity which are associated with increased risk of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are causative factors in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction, although the effects of spaceflight on erectile function have been unexplored.

A review of innovative approaches for onsite management of PFAS-impacted investigation derived waste.

The historic use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has led to widespread detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in groundwater, soils, sediments, drinking water, wastewater, and receiving aquatic systems throughout the United States (U.S.).

Stroke and Mechanical Circulatory Support in Adults.

Purpose Of The Review: Short-term and durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices represent life-saving interventions for patients with cardiogenic shock and end-stage heart failure. This review will cover the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment of stroke in this patient population.

Recent Findings: Short-term devices such as intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, TandemHeart, and Venoatrial Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation, as well as durable continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), improve cardiac output and blood flow to the vital organs.