Search

The major concerns in university-industry research relationships, discussed from an industrial viewpoint, include: research and development (R&D) within the firm, for an industry, and for a society; types of R&D organizations; working with universities and government labs; potential problems; and possible directions for the future. (MSE)

No practical methods are presently available for measurement of alveolar bone activity at one instant of time. However, roentgenological methods making measurements at 2 different times can be used to assess alveolar bone activity. The most sensitive, specific and accurate method for this purpose presently in use is 125I absorptiometry. This method has the further advantage of giving the patient minimal radiation exposure. New methodology is under development which obviates the need for fixed geometry and could provide a 3-dimensional image of alveolar bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the management of mild diastolic hypertension (90 to 104 mm Hg) using a nonpharmacologic intervention with that using propranolol or placebo.Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design.Setting: University-based ambulatory care center.Participants: Two hundred seven men and 105 women, 22 to 59 years of age, 73% white, who had mild diastolic hypertension untreated for at least eight weeks.Interventions: 1) a multicomponent lifestyle modification intervention (lifestyle focus group, or LFG) administered in eight weekly meetings + placebo, 2) LFG + propranolol, 3) propranolol alone, and 4) placebo alone, followed for 12 months.Measurements: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and self-reported adverse effects at each of nine follow-up visits; fasting total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose at baseline and 12 months; 24-hour urine sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), three-day food records and physical activity questionnaire at three and 12 months; and a quality of life questionnaire at 12 months.Main Results: The mean decreases in DBP at 12 months were: 8.5 mm Hg in the LFG + propranolol group; 7.7 mm Hg in the propranolol-only group; 5.9 mm Hg in the placebo-only group; and 5.4 mm Hg in the LFG + placebo group. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance showed that level of baseline DBP (p < 0.0001), time of follow-up (p < 0.0001), and propranolol use (p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with a decrease in DBP at 12 months. Despite reductions in urinary Na+ (-35 mEq; 95% CI = -50, -19), dietary Na+ (-521 mg; 95% CI = -710, -332), total calories ingested (-238; 95% CI = -335, -140), and weight (-1.4 lb; 95% CI = -3.7, +0.8), and significant increases in dietary K+ (+294 mg; 95% CI = +107, +480) and in mets-minutes of exercise (+43; 95% CI = +20, +67) at three months, assignment to the LFG intervention had no effect on DBP at three or 12 months. The subjects assigned to take propranolol more frequently reported fatigue during ordinary activities, sleep disturbance, decrease in sexual activity, and depressed feelings, when compared with the subjects taking placebo, but the numbers of study withdrawals did not differ by drug assignment. No significant difference in total cholesterol and glucose levels was observed by group assignment. Triglycerides increased significantly in the subjects assigned to propranolol (mean difference = +20 mg/dL; 95% CI of difference +1.5, +39). There was no difference in the responses to 21 quality of life items between the subjects assigned to propranolol and those assigned to placebo.Conclusions: This multicomponent lifestyle modification intervention was unable to promote persistent behavior changes and thus was inferior to propranolol therapy for the treatment for mild diastolic hypertension. Future research should focus on single modifiable factors to lower blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methodology for the use of subtraction radiography in the study of human periodontal disease is described in detail to include: 1) design and fabrication of a system for taking standardized radiographs; 2) generation of interpretable subtraction images; 3) adjunctive, quantitative methods for analyses of digitized radiographic images; 4) reference standard for periodontally healthy individuals. Correct use of our system for taking standardized radiographs can provide a sufficient number of pairs of radiographs for the study of patients with severe periodontitis using subtraction radiography. Changes in bone mass observed on subtraction images can be quantified by measurement of their areas and their relationship to the alveolar crest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crestal interdental bone in 15 untreated subjects with periodontitis was monitored over a 6-month period. Whereas 9% of interdental sites exhibited bone loss, 4% exhibited bone gain. The sites of bone loss were found in 9 of the subjects. 2 subjects demonstrated gain as well as loss, with 1 subject demonstrating only gain Pocket depth, gingival index and plaque index values were of little value in predicting bone change seen by subtraction. Results from subtraction radiography are consistent with exacerbation and remission at crestal alveolar bone sites in untreated periodontitis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A standardized radiographic series of incrementally increasing alveolar crestal defects in skulls were subjected to analyses by subtraction radiography and computer assisted quantitative densitometric analysis. Subjects were able to detect change using subtraction radiography in alveolar bone defects with bone loss in the range of 1-5 percent as measured by 125I absorptiometry. Quantitative densitometric analyses utilizing radiographic pairs adjusted for differences in contrast (gamma corrected) can be used to follow longitudinal changes at a particular alveolar bone site. Such measurements correlate with change observed by 125 absorptiometry (r = 0.82-0.94). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine fluctuations in alveoIar bone mass in individuals with periodontitis as compared to those with healthy periodontal tissues. Measurements were made on 9 adults with periodontitis. at 32 sites exhibiting radiographically dctectable loss in bone height and bleeding on probing. Iodine absorptiometry is well suited for longitudinal studies of alveolar bone mass changes in patients since it permits quantitative measurement of bone mineral in absolute terms. The pattern of bone mass changes at periodontitis sites indicate that loss of alveolar bone occurs in an episodic manner.

The article discusses research on BCL2A1, a lineage-specific antiapoptotic melanoma oncogene that confers resistance to BRAF inhibition, referencing a study by R. Haq and colleagues published in a 2013 issue of the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America."

Purpose: We qualitatively explored the unique needs and preferences for financial toxicity screening and interventions to address financial toxicity among adolescents and emerging adults (younger AYAs: 15-25 years) with cancer and their caregivers., Methods: We recruited English- or Spanish-speaking younger AYAs who were treated for cancer within the past 2 years and their caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore preferences for screening and interventional study development to address financial toxicity. The data were coded using conventional content analysis. Codes were reviewed with the study team, and interviews continued until saturation was reached; codes were consolidated into categories and themes during consensus discussions., Results: We interviewed 17 participants; nine were younger AYAs. Seven of the 17 preferred to speak Spanish. We identified three cross-cutting themes: burden, support, and routine, consistent, and clear. The burden came in the form of unexpected costs such as transportation to appointments, as well as emotional burdens such as AYAs worrying about how much their family sacrificed for their care or caregivers worrying about the AYA's physical and financial future. Support, in the form of familial, community, healthcare institution, and insurance, was critical to mitigating the effects of financial toxicity in this population. Participants emphasized the importance of meeting individual financial needs by routinely and consistently asking about financial factors and providing clear guidance to navigate these needs., Conclusion: Younger AYAs and their caregivers experience significant financial challenges and unmet health-related social needs during cancer treatment and often rely on key supports to alleviate these unmet needs. When developing interventions to mitigate financial toxicity, clinicians and health systems should prioritize clear, consistent, and tailorable approaches to support younger AYA cancer survivors and their families., (© 2024 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: COVID-19 added responsibilities to faculty in health-related fields. Educators in these areas have experienced pandemic-related role strain in both the clinical and academic settings., Purpose: This investigation sought to identify how health science faculty at one institution perceived challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic in their role and to glean opportunities for institutions to increase the degree of support for faculty., Methods: An analysis of narrative comments was conducted on a survey assessing burnout and well-being. The survey was distributed to full-time faculty within the College of Health Sciences at a four-year institution. Using the areas of work-life model as a guide, two free-text questions within the survey were analysed to identify major themes., Results: 39 participants contributed narrative responses to the qualitative, open-ended questions. Three themes emerged related to the areas of work-life categories: work-life imbalance, stress and unwellness, and unmet support needs. Strategies for enhanced well-being were noted to be workload management, administrative support, and wellness opportunities., Conclusions: This analysis provides insight into why health science faculty may be experiencing feelings of disengagement and exhaustion in their work. Enhanced workload and lack of community during the pandemic were major drivers of this phenomenon. Flexibility in workload, genuine concern and appreciation expressed by institutional leaders, and accessible wellness opportunities may help to offset these negative feelings.

Background: Three-dimensional printing is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for congenital heart disease (CHD) procedural planning and education. Cost and complexity currently limit the more widespread adoption of this technology. We sought to demonstrate the accuracy of 3D printed CHD models created from contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans using free software and an inexpensive desktop fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer., Methods: Solid segmentations of the intracardiac blood pool were created with the program ITK-SNAP. Using the computer program Meshmixer, the segmentation model was hollowed to create a 0.8 mm shell with the inner surface representing endocardium. Three-dimensional models were created on an FFF printer. Four arteries and a ventricular septal defect (VSD) were 3D printed and measured for accuracy. Five models were used to assess candidacy for biventricular surgical repair and one to guide an interventional catheterization., Results: All six patients underwent intervention planned with the 3D models. The computer model shell walls all achieved specifications within 0.05 mm of the designated 0.8 mm thickness and the original solid blood pool segmentation fit within the hollowed 3D model. The 3D printed arteries and VSD all measured accurately to within 0.5 mm of their source computer model., Conclusion: Accurate 3D printed models of complex, pediatric CHD may be created from volumetric MRI and CT studies using free online software and printed on an inexpensive desktop printer.

Pentec Health uses Pathway to Excellence standards and technology to reduce pain and anxiety during targeted drug delivery.