Multivariate semiparametric control charts for mixed-type data.

A useful tool that has gained popularity in the Quality Control area is the control chart which monitors a process over time, identifies potential changes, understands variations, and eventually improves the quality and performance of the process. This article introduces a new class of multivariate semiparametric control charts for monitoring multivariate mixed-type data, which comprise both continuous and discrete random variables (rvs). Our methodology leverages ideas from clustering and Statistical Process Control to develop control charts for MIxed-type data.

The Bradyrhizobium japonicum fsrB gene is essential for utilization of structurally diverse ferric siderophores to fulfill its nutritional iron requirement.

In Bradyrhizobium japonicum, iron uptake from ferric siderophores involves selective outer membrane proteins and non-selective periplasmic and cytoplasmic membrane components that accommodate numerous structurally diverse siderophores. Free iron traverses the cytoplasmic membrane through the ferrous (Fe ) transporter system FeoAB, but the other non-selective components have not been described. Here, we identify fsrB as an iron-regulated gene required for growth on iron chelates of catecholate- and hydroxymate-type siderophores, but not on inorganic iron.

TLR7 agonism accelerates disease in a mouse model of primary Sjögren's syndrome and drives expansion of T-bet B cells.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of exocrine tissue, resulting in loss of tears and saliva. Patients also experience many extra-glandular disease manifestations. Treatment for pSS is palliative, and there are currently no treatments available that target disease etiology.

Worldview Orientations and Personal and Social Risk Perceptions for COVID-19 in a U.S. Population-Based Sample.

Adoption of COVID-19 preventive behaviors involves considering personal risk and the risk to others. Consequently, many COVID-19 prevention measures are intended to protect both the individual engaging in the behavior and others in the population. Yet, the preponderance of research is focused on perceptions of an individual's personal risk, making risk perception for others a critical area for investigation.

Preliminary feasibility of animated video education designed to empower patients' referral to kidney transplantation.

Background: Referral for kidney transplantation is influenced by patient education; digital technologies can enhance broad information accessibility. This single-group study tested the feasibility and acceptability of patient-centered self-directed educational animated videos to improve mediators of kidney transplant referral.

Methods: Community-based adults with chronic kidney disease stage ≥4 invited from a clinical registry or self-responding to flyers viewed eight sequential videos (19:36 min total duration) remotely on their own device.

Modeling and Stiffness-based Continuous Torque Control of Lightweight Quasi-Direct-Drive Knee Exoskeletons for Versatile Walking Assistance.

State-of-the-art exoskeletons are typically limited by low control bandwidth and small range stiffness of actuators which are based on high gear ratios and elastic components (e.g., series elastic actuators).

Patient perceptions by race of educational animations about living kidney donation made for a diverse population.

Introduction: This qualitative study sought to identify potential design and delivery alterations to inform cultural adaptation of educational animations about living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT)-previously developed for a diverse population-to better fit Black Americans' needs.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 88 transcripts derived from interviews and focus groups conducted with diverse target users (62 kidney failure patients, 36 prior/potential donors, and 11 care partners) to develop 12 animations about LDKT, named KidneyTIME. Statements were abstracted and coded pertaining to cognitive and communication barriers to LDKT, and the perceived value of using the videos to learn and share the information with social network members using content analysis.

Implementing a Novel Statewide Network to Support Emergency Department-initiated Buprenorphine Treatment.

Introduction: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine, represent an evidence-based treatment that supports long-term recovery and reduces risk of overdose death. Patients in crisis from opioid use disorder (OUD) often seek care from emergency departments (ED). The New York Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals (MATTERS) network is designed to support ED-initiated buprenorphine and urgent referrals to long-term care for patients suffering from OUD.

An acyl-adenylate mimic reveals the structural basis for substrate recognition by the iterative siderophore synthetase DesD.

Siderophores are conditionally essential metabolites used by microbes for environmental iron sequestration. Most Streptomyces strains produce hydroxamate-based desferrioxamine (DFO) siderophores composed of repeating units of N-hydroxy-cadaverine (or N-hydroxy-putrescine) and succinate. The DFO biosynthetic operon, desABCD, is highly conserved in Streptomyces; however, expression of desABCD alone does not account for the vast structural diversity within this natural product class.

Myocardial injury, troponin release, and cardiomyocyte death in brief ischemia, failure, and ventricular remodeling.

Troponin released from irreversibly injured myocytes is the gold standard biomarker for the rapid identification of an acute coronary syndrome. In acute myocardial infarction, necrotic cell death is characterized by sarcolemmal disruption in response to a critical level of energy depletion after more than 15 min of ischemia. Although troponin I and T are highly specific for cardiomyocyte death, high-sensitivity assays have demonstrated that measurable circulating levels of troponin are present in many normal subjects.

Trends of Adverse Drug Reaction Reports in a Hospitalized Psychiatric Population: Exploring Prescriber Discontinuations as Potential Unreported Adverse Drug Events.

The review of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is a safety mandate required by numerous organizations in the medication safety community. For adverse reactions to be properly reviewed, they must first be reported as potential events. There are notable challenges to ensure adequate and accurate reporting of ADRs that could be overcome if obstacles were better understood and addressed in a manner that is not punitive or threatening.

Characterization of the ganglioside recognition profile of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin LT-IIc.

The heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli and cholera toxin of Vibrio cholerae are related in structure and function. Each of these oligomeric toxins is comprised of one A polypeptide and five B polypeptides. The B-subunits bind to gangliosides, which are followed by uptake into the intoxicated cell and activation of the host's adenylate cyclase by the A-subunits.

A highly sensitive dual-readout assay for perfluorinated compounds based CdTe quantum dots.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two typical perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) that poss potential ecological toxicity. In this work, a fluorescence and resonance light scattering (RLS) dual-readout strategy for the detection of PFCs at picomole level based on the water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs) has been proposed. It is found that the CdTe QDs exhibit a quenching in the presence of PFCs and thus serve as useful probes for PFCs.

Using Focus Groups to Understand Dialysis Staff Perspectives on Delivering Transplant Education.

Introduction: Kidney transplant education in dialysis facilities could be optimized with internet resources, like videos, but most qualitative research predates widespread availability of online video education about kidney transplantation. To improve understanding of dialysis staff transplant education practices, as well as the potential value of video, we conducted focus groups of dialysis center staff members in Buffalo, NY.

Methods/approach: Seventeen focus groups (97 participants: 53 nurses, 10 dialysis technicians, 6 social workers, 6 dieticians, 7 administrative personnel, 2 trainees, and 1 insurance coordinator) from 8 dialysis facilities in Buffalo, NY, were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed.

Formative Usability of the Online Live Donor Kidney Transplant Education Tool Among Transplant Candidates.

Background: Web-based education may be a powerful tool to support transplant candidates' learning and communication about live donor kidney transplantation. Few educational interventions are web-based and have education sharing for living donor transplant as a primary goal.

Methods: Through user-centered design and iterative usability testing, we developed a web platform, called KidneyTIME, to support an educational intervention for adult transplant candidates.

Medical Cannabis for Headache Pain: a Primer for Clinicians.

Purpose Of Review: Public acceptance of Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis) as a therapeutic option grows despite lags in both research and clinician familiarity. Cannabis-whether as a medical, recreational, or illicit substance-is and has been commonly used by patients.

Immune-Intrinsic Myd88 Directs the Production of Antibodies With Specificity for Extracellular Matrix Components in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is predominantly seen in women. The disease is characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction in combination with serious systemic manifestations. At present, the causes of pSS are poorly understood.

The molecular identity of the characean OH transporter: a candidate related to the SLC4 family of animal pH regulators.

Characeae are closely related to the ancient algal ancestors of all land plants. The long characean cells display a pH banding pattern to facilitate inorganic carbon import in the acid zones for photosynthetic efficiency. The excess OH, generated in the cytoplasm after CO is taken into the chloroplasts, is disposed of in the alkaline band.

Effects of Preoperative Breathing Exercise on Postoperative Outcomes for Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Curative Intent Lung Resection: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the benefits of preoperative breathing exercises on hospital length of stay (LOS), pneumonia, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing surgical lung cancer resection.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched from inception to March 2021.

Study Selection: Only studies including preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and/or breathing exercises compared with a nontraining control group were included.

A Narrative Review of Qualitative Studies Describing Access to Kidney Transplantation.

Background: This review used the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of health behavior change to conceptualize the determinants of kidney transplant access behavior for adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods: A narrative review of qualitative studies of patient access to kidney transplantation was undertaken. Only articles in English were accessed.

Deep grey matter injury in multiple sclerosis: a NAIMS consensus statement.

Although multiple sclerosis has traditionally been considered a white matter disease, extensive research documents the presence and importance of grey matter injury including cortical and deep regions. The deep grey matter exhibits a broad range of pathology and is uniquely suited to study the mechanisms and clinical relevance of tissue injury in multiple sclerosis using magnetic resonance techniques. Deep grey matter injury has been associated with clinical and cognitive disability.

Tissue-specific activation of Myd88-dependent pathways governs disease severity in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Myd88 activation is an important driver of autoimmunity. Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction in combination with serious systemic disease manifestations. Myd88-dependent signaling networks remain incompletely understood in the context of pSS.

Complications in Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis: HCUP KID Analysis.

Objective: A small proportion of children with otitis media develop acute mastoiditis, which has the potential to spread intracranially and result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and management of complications related to pediatric acute mastoiditis using a national database.

Study Design: Retrospective review of 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database, part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.