Genotypic differences in larval olfactory discrimination in twoDrosophila melanogaster strains

Wild-type (+B) and compound chromosome mutant(bB) Drosophila melanogaster larvae were tested in a U-maze. FreshDrosophila food or food and larvae were placed in each of the two goals (+B only in goal 1,bB in goal 2) and served as stimulus. Separate trials were conducted using +B andbB larvae to test for preference in the maze. Significantly more test larvae went to the arm of the maze containing their own strain as stimulus when (1) both goals contained larvae, (2) one goal contained homogenetic larvae and the other fresh food only, and (3) the goals contained biotic residues of stimulus larvae. The strength of the stimulus necessary to elicit the response differed for the two strains, the +B strain apparently being more sensitive. As the density of the stimulus larvae was increased, the choices of the test larvae became statistically nonsignificant and the number of larvae remaining in the starting arm of the maze increased. The data suggested that the strains of larvae utilized here have the capacity for olfactory discrimination.Part of this investigation was supported by National Institutes of Health Award 1 F 32 NS05155-01 CMS from the Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke to A. P.     

Damaged chromatin does not prevent the exit from metaphase I in fused mouse oocytes

The presence of checkpoint mechanisms which are able to recognize damaged chromatin and thereafter to prevent exit from metaphase I has been investigated in giant mouse oocytes produced by fusion of a normal metaphase I oocyte with an equivalent oocyte with damaged chromatin. The presence of damaged chromatin did not prevent the onset of anaphase I in both sets of chromatin in the fused cells. Interestingly, fused or unfused cells containing only damaged chromatin failed to enter anaphase and persisted instead in a metaphase-like state. These results demonstrate the fragility of checkpoint controls in mammalian female germ cells.      

Polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners,p,p′-DDE,and hexachlorobenzene in maternal and fetal cord blood from mothers in upstate New York

Whole blood samples were taken from 101 women (26±4 years) entering maternity facilities in upstate New York. At birth, fetal cord blood was also collected. The samples were analyzed for 74 polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners,p,p-DDE, mirex, and hexachlorobenzene by glass capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Maternal blood contained 3.5±1.1 ng total PCB/g whole blood and fetal cord blood contained 2.4±1.0 ng total PCB/g whole blood, which indicate that the women are less contaminated than women surveyed elsewhere in the U.S. Of the 77 compounds measured, only 20 occurred in more than 10% of the maternal samples at levels >0.01 ng/g. Mirex was not detected. Although the concentration of the majority of congeners,p,p-DDE and hexachlorobenzene correlated in maternal and fetal cord blood, 2,5,2,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl and hexachlorobenzene crossed the placenta preferentially. Apparently, the population contains vestiges of Aroclor^® 1242 (the PCB mixture used in electrical equipment) and Aroclor^® 1260 (the mixture used as a plasticizer).p,p- DDE was the pollutant present at highest concentration (maternal 3.8±0.8 ng/g, fetal cord 1.9±0.9 ng/g).     

Longitudinal Examination of Prenatal Tobacco Switching Behaviors and Birth Outcomes,Including Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) and Dual Use

Maternal and Child Health Journal - In the US, approximately 8% of pregnant women smoke, and 5–11.9% currently use ENDS products. The health effects of ENDS use are debated; however, most...     

Impact of COVID-19 Among Immigrant and Communities of Color Living with HIV in Oregon, 2020: Two Pandemics Rooted in Racism

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Over 8100 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Oregon are at risk of acquiring COVID-19, and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by both...     

Elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is associated with poor long-term survival and graft failure after lung transplantation

PurposeWe aimed to assess the prognostic value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) on long-term outcomes and graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients receiving a lung transplant at our institution from 2011 to 2014. The primary exposure was elevated NLR at the time of transplant, defined by NLR>4. The primary outcomes were graft failure and three-year all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to analyze outcomes.Results95 patients were included. 40 patients (42%) had an elevated NLR. Elevated NLR was associated with graft failure (OR: 4.7 [1.2–18.8], p = 0.02), and three-year mortality (OR: 5.4 [1.3–23.2], p = 0.03) on multivariate logistic regression. Patients with elevated NLR demonstrated significantly lower survival on Kaplan-Meier analysis (50% versus 74%, p = 0.02). The c-statistic for our multivariate model was 0.91.ConclusionElevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is associated with poor long-term survival and graft failure after lung transplantation.     

Frontal Plane Rotation of the First Ray in Hallux Valgus using Standing Computerized Tomography (CT)

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the difference in frontal plane rotation of the entire first ray in patients with and without hallux valgus using standing weightbearing computed tomography (CT). Ten feet of 10 patients with hallux valgus and 36 feet of 36 patients without hallux valgus were examined. Standing weightbearing CT scans and radiographs were taken for all subjects. Frontal plane measurements of the sesamoid apparatus, first metatarsal head, first metatarsal base, and medial cuneiform were performed. Frontal plane rotation of the first tarsometatarsal joint and intrinsic first metatarsal torsion was calculated. An independent 2 sample t test was used to compare means of outcomes of interest across control and treatment groups. Statistical significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05. There was a significant increase in pronation of the sesamoid apparatus (23.49° vs 6.60°) and first metatarsal head (17.79° vs 9.81°) in patients with hallux valgus. There was a significant increase in first metatarsal torsion toward pronation in patients with hallux valgus (22.28° vs 13.52°). No significant difference was detected in the rotation at the first tarsometatarsal joint or the frontal plane orientations of the first metatarsal base and medial cuneiform. By examining the frontal plane position of the entire first ray during weightbearing using standing CT in patients with and without hallux valgus, we determined the level at which pronation originates to be within the first metatarsal bone rather than the first tarsometatarsal joint.     

Predictors of clinical outcomes after non-operative management of symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that non-surgical management can be an effective treatment strategy for many patients with rotator cuff tears. Despite the prevalence of rotator cuff disease, few studies have examined the patient and tear related factors that predict outcomes of nonsurgical management in this cohort of patients.AIMTo identify factors that are associated with changes in patient reported outcomes over time in individuals with full-thickness rotator cuff tears treated without surgery. METHODSA cohort of 59 patients who underwent non-surgical management of full thickness rotator cuff tears with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were identified from our institutional registry. Patient demographics, comorbidities and tear characteristics were collected at initial presentation. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and at each clinical follow-up, which included Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Visual Analog Scale for pain and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation. Multi- and univariate regression analyses were used to determine the impact of each patient and tear related variable on final WORC scores and change in WORC scores throughout the study. RESULTSIn this non-surgical cohort, all patient-reported outcome measures significantly improved compared to baseline at 1 and 2-year follow-up. There was no significant difference in outcomes between 1 and 2 years. The average improvement surpassed the published minimal clinically important differences values for WORC, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Visual Analog Scale pain and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores. Regression analysis identified female gender (β = - 19.88, P = 0.003), smoking (β = -29.98, P = 0.014) and significant subscapularis fatty infiltration (β = -15.35, P = 0.024) as predictors of less favorable WORC scores at 1 year, and female gender (β = -19.09, P = 0.015) alone as a predictor of lower WORC scores at 2 years. Patients with symptom duration greater than 1 year at presentation reported less improvement in WORC scores at 1-year follow-up (β = -14.63, P = 0.052) and patients with traumatic tears reported greater improvements in WORC scores at 2-year follow-up (β = 17.37, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONPatients with full thickness rotator cuff tears can achieve and maintain clinically meaningful benefit from non-surgical management through 2-year follow-up. Female patients, smokers, and those with significant subscapularis fatty infiltration tend to have lower overall WORC scores at 1-year follow-up, and females also have lower WORC scores at 2-year follow-up. Patients presenting with symptoms greater than 1 year had less clinical improvement at 1-year follow-up, and those with traumatic tears had greater clinical improvement at 2-year follow-up.     

The growing threat of AIDS: how marketers must respond

The authors attempt to expand the dialogue between the health care industry and the marketing discipline on perhaps the most crucial issue facing health care marketers today--AIDS. They offer a critique of a JHCM article by Ronald Paul Hill. Their intent is to prompt a reconsideration of the normative propositions Hill suggests for health care marketers in response to the AIDS crisis.     

A comparison of informed consent for obstetric anaesthesia in the USA and the UK

The practice of 75 UK and 75 US obstetric anaesthetists in obtaining informed consent for obstetric anaesthesia (for caesarean section) and obstetric analgesia (for labour) was compared using a postal questionnaire. The response rate was approximately 60% for each group. Of the US anaesthetists 47% obtained separate written consent for obstetric anaesthesia compared to 22% of the UK group (P=0.012). Corresponding percentages for epidural analgesia were 52% for the US, and 15% for the UK (P < 0.001). Significantly more of the listed risks and benefits relating to general anaesthesia were discussed by the US anaesthetists compared to the UK group, median (interquartile range), 6 (4-7) and 3 (1-4), P < 0.001. There was no significant difference in discussion before regional anaesthesia but the US group discussed more information before epidural analgesia for labouring mothers obtunded by pain or drugs. These results suggest that discussion and documentation of informed consent for obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia could be improved in both countries, especially the UK.