Clinical advantages of incorporating predicted weekly anatomy in IMPT optimization with reduced setup error.

Background: In head and neck (H&N) cancer treatment, a conventional setup error (SE) of 3mm is often used in robust optimization (cRO3mm). However, cRO3mm may lead to excessive radiation doses to organs at risk (OARs) and does not purposefully compensate for interfractional anatomy variations.

Purpose: This study introduces a method using predicted images from an anatomical model and a reduced 1mm SE uncertainty for robust optimization (aRO1mm), aiming to decrease the dose to OARs without affecting the coverage of the clinical target volume (CTV).

Increased Incidence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Knee and Hip Prosthetic Joint Infection.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of knee and hip arthroplasty. Past literature has shown that gram-positive bacteria are commonly responsible for these infections, although limited research exists studying the changes in the microbial profile of PJIs over time. This study sought to analyze the incidence and trends of pathogens responsible for PJI over three decades.

Pelvic floor dysfunction in rural postpartum mothers in the United States: prevalence, severity, and psychosocial correlates.

Unlabelled: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common gynecological problem; however, women residing in rural communities may refrain from seeking treatment for PFD. The purpose of this study was to characterize severity of PFD among postpartum women residing in rural communities (<50,000 residents) in the United States and explore the demographic and psychosocial correlates of PFD.

Methods: A survey packet comprised of the Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20) and Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ) as well as the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Screening (EPDS), items from the Canadian Sexual Health Indicator (CSHI) survey, and demographic questions were distributed via electronic link following recruitment using social media.

"We don't talk about it enough": Perceptions of pelvic health among postpartum women in rural communities.

Purpose: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted to explore perceptions and experiences related to pelvic health in the postpartum period among a cohort of women residing in communities with less than 50,000 residents.

Methods: A semi-structured interview approach guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior was used. Postpartum individuals (<6 months since childbirth) were interviewed in the fall/winter of 2021-2022.

Intraprocedural ergonomics of vascular surgeons.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the ergonomic postural risk (EPR) for musculoskeletal posture of vascular surgeons performing open and endovascular procedure types and with various adjunctive equipment using wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. The hypothesis was that EPR will increase with increased physical and mental demand as well as with procedural complexity.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted at a large, quaternary academic hospital located at two sites.

An Elvitegravir Nanoformulation Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier and Suppresses HIV-1 Replication in Microglia.

Even with an efficient combination of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which significantly decreases viral load in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-positive individuals, the occurrence of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) still exists. Microglia have been shown to have a significant role in HIV-1 replication in the brain and in subsequent HAND pathogenesis. However, due to the limited ability of ART drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after systemic administration, in addition to efflux transporter expression on microglia, the efficacy of ART drugs for viral suppression in microglia is suboptimal.

CLONAL SPREAD OF 1B/O:8 IN MULTIPLE ZOO SPECIES.

(YE) bioserotype 1B/O:8 (YE 1B/O:8) was identified in routine culture of a variety of zoo species housed at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) from April to July 2011. Animal cases representing 12 species had YE detected from 34 cases during routine fecal monitoring and/or during postmortem examination: Coquerel's sifakas (, two cases), black & white (BW) ruffed lemurs (, six cases), red ruffed lemurs (, seven cases), white handed gibbon one case), black lemurs ( three cases), mongoose lemurs (, two cases), African hunting dogs (, five cases), agile gibbons (, three cases), siamangs (, two cases), colobus monkey (, one case), argus pheasant (, one case), and orangutan (, one case). Most species were not symptomatic; however, three symptomatic cases in Coquerel's sifakas (two) and a white handed gibbon (one) showed clinical signs of diarrhea and lethargy that resulted in death for the Coquerel's sifakas.

Genistein treatment duration effects biomarkers of cell motility in human prostate.

Background: Long term dietary consumption of genistein by Chinese men is associated with decreased PCa metastasis and mortality. Short term treatment of US men with prostate cancer (PCa) with genistein decreases MMP-2 in prostate tissue. MEK4 regulates MMP-2 expression, drives PCa metastasis, and genistein inhibits MEK4, decreases MMP-2 expression and dietary dosing inhibits human PCa metastasis in mice.

Dietary Vitamin D Intake for the Elderly Population: Update on the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Vitamin D.

Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency can be diagnosed with measurements of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). Most vitamin D is derived from sunlight (80%), so serum 25OHD levels are lowest in late winter and early spring. Dietary vitamin D in North America is small, about 100 to 200 IU daily.

Methamphetamine potentiates HIV-1gp120-induced microglial neurotoxic activity by enhancing microglial outward K current.

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse not only increases the risk of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection, but exacerbates HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) as well. The mechanisms underlying the co-morbid effect are not fully understood. Meth and HIV-1 each alone interacts with microglia and microglia express voltage-gated potassium (K) channel K1.

A Tunable, Three-Dimensional In Vitro Culture Model of Growth Plate Cartilage Using Alginate Hydrogel Scaffolds.

Defining the final size and geometry of engineered tissues through precise control of the scalar and vector components of tissue growth is a necessary benchmark for regenerative medicine, but it has proved to be a significant challenge for tissue engineers. The growth plate cartilage that promotes elongation of the long bones is a good model system for studying morphogenetic mechanisms because cartilage is composed of a single cell type, the chondrocyte; chondrocytes are readily maintained in culture; and growth trajectory is predominately in a single vector. In this cartilage, growth is generated via a differentiation program that is spatially and temporally regulated by an interconnected network composed of long- and short-range signaling mechanisms that together result in the formation of functionally distinct cellular zones.

Medium doses of daily vitamin D decrease falls and higher doses of daily vitamin D3 increase falls: A randomized clinical trial.

Falls are a serious health problem in the aging population. Because low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased fall rates, many trials have been performed with vitamin D; two meta-analyses showed either a small effect or no effect of vitamin D on falls. We conducted a study of the effect of vitamin D on serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and data on falls was collected as a secondary outcome.

Inhibition of autophagic turnover in β-cells by fatty acids and glucose leads to apoptotic cell death.

Autophagy, a cellular recycling process responsible for turnover of cytoplasmic contents, is critical for maintenance of health. Defects in this process have been linked to diabetes. Diabetes-associated glucotoxicity/lipotoxicity contribute to impaired β-cell function and have been implicated as contributing factors to this disease.

SU-E-T-286: Verification of Treatment Delivery Monitor Unit (MU) Calculation and Dose Estimation of Bilateral Total Body Irradiation (TBI).

Purpose: TBI treatment delivery MU and patient dose estimation are calculated manually at our institution. This study was to verify the accuracyof MU calculation and dose estimation of bilateral TBI by application of tissue heterogeneity correction.

Methods: Twelve TBI patients were simulated from neck to thigh in bilateral TBI position.

Current management of the short bowel syndrome.

Short bowel syndrome is a challenging clinical problem that benefits from a multidisciplinary approach. Much progress has recently been made in all aspects of management. Medical intestinal rehabilitation should be the initial treatment focus, and several new potential pharmacologic agents are being investigated.

An enhanced 13-week bioassay: an alternative to the 2-year bioassay to screen for human carcinogenesis.

The 2-year rodent bioassay has become the standard carcinogenicity screen for chemicals, despite concerns of costs, time, and excessive doses. More importantly, there are increasing concerns regarding its relevance to human carcinogenic risk, especially for non-DNA reactive chemicals. Cancer risk can be increased either by direct damage to DNA (DNA reactivity) or by increased cell proliferation.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for suspected malignancy: have advancements in radiographic imaging improved results?

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of recent improvements in radiographic imaging in detecting malignant pancreatic disease.

Methods: A review of 132 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for suspected malignancy from 1998 to 2005 was performed. Since 1998, patients were evaluated with helical computed tomography and since 2002 with multidetection scanners.

Casodex treatment induces hypoxia-related gene expression in the LNCaP prostate cancer progression model.

Background: The changes in gene expression profile as prostate cancer progresses from an androgen-dependent disease to an androgen-independent disease are still largely unknown.

Methods: We examined the gene expression profile in the LNCaP prostate cancer progression model during chronic treatment with Casodex using cDNA microarrays consisting of 2305 randomly chosen genes.

Results: Our studies revealed a representative collection of genes whose expression was differentially regulated in LNCaP cells upon treatment with Casodex.

Physical demands of vacuuming in women using different models of vacuum cleaners.

Purpose: Women continue to have the primary responsibility for housekeeping, even after a cardiac event. Vacuuming is one housekeeping task that is often reported as difficult to perform due to angina symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy expenditure and hemodynamic responses associated with vacuuming using five different models of vacuum cleaners.

Heart xenograft survival with chimeric pig donors and modest immune suppression.

Objective: To assess the use of donor pigs with cellular chimerism for prevention of acute rejection with modest immune suppression. The clinical use of pig organ xenografts is currently precluded by severe acute rejection, which resists standard immune suppression.

Summary Background Data: For long-term survival of pig organ xenografts, immune suppression significantly greater than used with allografts would currently be necessary, leaving the recipient immune deficient and at increased risk for infections.

The FAMMM syndrome: epidemiology and surveillance strategies.

Research into the epidemiology of the melanoma-prone FAMMM syndrome, molecular genetics of the occurrences of melanoma, the photobiology of DNA damage/repair, diagnostic epiluminescence, microscopic/imaging techniques, and a new concept of photoprotection have altered melanoma strategies in surveillance and prevention. Molecular genetic research has implicated the importance of hereditary aspects of melanoma and associated malignancies. High-risk pedigrees can be identified through an informatic analysis of the occurrence patterns of melanoma and systemic cancers in kindreds.

FUSE-binding protein is developmentally regulated and is highly expressed in mouse and chicken embryonic brain.

GAP-43 modulates axon guidance and neuronal plasticity. In vitro, FUSE-binding protein (FBP) binds to a segment of GAP-43 mRNA which regulates the stability of the transcript. FBP has also been shown to bind to a c-myc cis element and regulate transcription.

Cryptic promoter activity within the backbone of a plasmid commonly used to prepare promoter/reporter gene constructs.

This report demonstrates that the plasmids, pBLCAT2 and pBLCAT3, which are used widely for the preparation of promoter reporter gene constructs, exhibit cryptic promoter activity when expressed in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells and their differentiated cells. The promoterless plasmid pBLCAT3 is used widely because it has two multiple cloning sites. We demonstrate that the activity of the cryptic promoter present in pBLCAT3 is increased dramatically by an enhancerlike region of the murine k-FGF gene.