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Introduction: Speech Language Therapy First Point of Contact Clinic (SLT-FPOCC) models can assist assessment of low-risk patient populations referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) services. To further improve ENT waitlist management and compliance with best-practice care, consideration of other low-risk populations that could be safely managed through this service model is needed. The aims of this paper are to evaluate the clinical and service outcomes of completing vocal cord check (VCC) assessments for patients' pre and post thyroid/parathyroid surgery within an SLT-FPOCC model and examine consumer perceptions. Methods & Procedures: The service followed existing SLT-FPOCC procedures, with ENT triaging referrals, then SLT completing pre- and postoperative VCC assessment (interview, perceptual assessment, flexible nasendoscopy), with assessment data later reviewed by ENT to diagnose laryngeal pathology. Clinical and service outcomes were collected prospectively. Patients completed an anonymous post-service satisfaction survey. Results: Of the first 100 patients referred for preoperative VCCs, SLT assessment identified 42 with dysphonia and 30 reporting dysphagia, while ENT confirmed 9 with significant preoperative anatomical findings. Eighty-three underwent surgery, with 63 (95 nerves at surgical risk) returning for a postoperative VCC. Postoperative VCC identified three temporary neuropraxias (3.2%) and three unilateral vocal fold paresis (3.2%). Patients were highly satisfied with the service. All 163 pre-/postoperative VCCs were completed with no adverse events. Conclusion & Implications: The current data support SLT-FPOCC service expansion to include pre and post thyroid/parathyroid surgery VCC checks, with positive consumer perception. The model supports delivery of best practice management (i.e., pre- and postoperative VCC) for patients receiving surgery for thyroid/parathyroid dysfunction, and associated efficiencies for ENT services.

Graduates of Roosevelt High School remember their experiences, specifically the principals. Bernard Watson introduces the other authors' personal reflections by describing the environment, his relationships with the principals and his fellow students, and the long-term effects of the school on its graduates. Following this introduction, Randall C. Morgan remembers his grandfather, H. Theo Tatum, who everyone knew and respected and who crafted a sense of excellence in the students. The other two principals--Warren Anderson and Robert Eugene Jones--are remembered by their children. Rosemary Davis remembers her father, Anderson, as being energized by teaching, learning, and interacting with teachers and students. He believed in producing well-rounded students, those with both physical as well as intellectual skills. Byron Jones remembers his father, Robert Jones, as also having a passion for teaching and leading. He honored students' achievements and increased the number who graduated with honors. These personal memories support the importance of leadership within an elite African-American school's culture.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the years between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages in an attempt to promote language "preservation, revitalization and promotion." Such statements convey more than advocacy; they also convey complex politics and histories surrounding settler-colonial and Indigenous encounters through, with, and for Indigenous languages and community practices. What will those encounters look and sound like at the end of the decade? This review traces trajectories toward possible outcomes and political configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), considered as the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease, is characterized by isolated memory impairment and cerebral gray matter volume (GMV) alterations. Previous structural MRI studies in aMCI have been mainly based on univariate statistics using voxel-based morphometry. Objective: We investigated structural network differences between aMCI patients and cognitively normal older adults by using source-based morphometry, a multivariate approach that considers the relationship between voxels of various parts of the brain. Methods: Ninety-one aMCI patients and 80 cognitively normal controls underwent structural MRI and neuropsychological assessment. Spatially independent components (ICs) that covaried between participants were estimated and a multivariate analysis of covariance was performed with ICs as dependent variables, diagnosis as independent variable, and age, sex, education level, and site as covariates. Results: aMCI patients exhibited reduced GMV in the precentral, temporo-cerebellar, frontal, and temporal network, and increased GMV in the left superior parietal network compared to controls (pFWER < 0.05, Holm-Bonferroni correction). Moreover, we found that diagnosis, more specifically aMCI, moderated the positive relationship between occipital network and Mini-Mental State Examination scores (pFWER < 0.05, Holm-Bonferroni correction). Conclusions: Our results showed GMV alterations in temporo-fronto-parieto-cerebellar networks in aMCI, extending previous results obtained with univariate approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health has become a controversial topic worldwide. The social media, pandemic, and societal trends are found to have strong link to the rise of mental health conditions. Mental health shows a paramount importance to the overall well-being of an individual and significantly affected by the mindset, anxiety, and psychological well-being. This study aims to determine the relationship among mindset, anxiety, and psychological well-being of senior high school students atSaint Mary’s University. The descriptive, comparative, and correlational research designs and thematic analysis were utilized in analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data gathered from the 508 senior high school students. Findings reveal that students predominantly have growth mindset with some fixed ideas and experienced moderate levels of anxiety but they have high psychological well-being. Moreover, it is found that there is a significant difference in the type of mindset based on academic standing (p=.005), the level of anxiety based on sex (p=.001) and strands (p=.007), and the level of psychological well-being based on socioeconomic status (p=.026). Furthermore, results shows that there is a significant relationship between mindset and psychological well-being (r=.366, p=.000). However, it is found that there is no significant relationship between mindset and anxiety and anxiety and psychological well-being. Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mindset, anxiety, and psychological well-being, as well as to develop effective interventions to support students' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Speech Language Therapy First Point of Contact Clinic (SLT‐FPOCC) models can assist assessment of low‐risk patient populations referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) services. To further improve ENT waitlist management and compliance with best‐practice care, consideration of other low‐risk populations that could be safely managed through this service model is needed. The aims of this paper are to evaluate the clinical and service outcomes of completing vocal cord check (VCC) assessments for patients' pre and post thyroid/parathyroid surgery within an SLT‐FPOCC model and examine consumer perceptions. Methods & Procedures: The service followed existing SLT‐FPOCC procedures, with ENT triaging referrals, then SLT completing pre‐ and postoperative VCC assessment (interview, perceptual assessment, flexible nasendoscopy), with assessment data later reviewed by ENT to diagnose laryngeal pathology. Clinical and service outcomes were collected prospectively. Patients completed an anonymous post‐service satisfaction survey. Results: Of the first 100 patients referred for preoperative VCCs, SLT assessment identified 42 with dysphonia and 30 reporting dysphagia, while ENT confirmed 9 with significant preoperative anatomical findings. Eighty‐three underwent surgery, with 63 (95 nerves at surgical risk) returning for a postoperative VCC. Postoperative VCC identified three temporary neuropraxias (3.2%) and three unilateral vocal fold paresis (3.2%). Patients were highly satisfied with the service. All 163 pre‐/postoperative VCCs were completed with no adverse events. Conclusion & Implications: The current data support SLT‐FPOCC service expansion to include pre and post thyroid/parathyroid surgery VCC checks, with positive consumer perception. The model supports delivery of best practice management (i.e., pre‐ and postoperative VCC) for patients receiving surgery for thyroid/parathyroid dysfunction, and associated efficiencies for ENT services. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known: Assessment of laryngeal function via flexible nasoendoscopy is recommended best practice for patients pre and postthyroid/parathyroid surgery, as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a low incidence (<10%), yet well‐recognised risk of these surgeries. Traditionally, general surgeons refer presurgical patients to ear, nose and throat (ENT) for vocal cord check (VCC) assessment. However, with access to specialist outpatient services under increasing pressure, there is growing support for utilisation of other health professionals, such as speech‐language therapists working in first point of contact (FPOCC) models, to assist with the administration of pre‐ and postsurgical assessments of such low‐risk populations. What this study adds: This work expands on the emerging body of evidence for speech language therapy (SLT) led FPOCC models within ENT outpatient services, providing clinical and service outcomes to support the safety of a new model designed to administer VCCs for patients pre and post thyroid/parathyroid surgery. Adopting a similar model to a prior published SLT‐led FPOCC model, the trained SLT completes the pre‐ and postsurgical VCC including flexible nasoendoscopy and videostroboscopy, with images and clinical information then presented to ENT for diagnosis and management planning. This study also provides the first data on consumer perceptions of this type of service model. Clinical implications of this study: Data on 100 consecutive presurgical patients revealed positive service findings, supporting the safety of this model. Nature and incidence of clinical findings pre and post surgery were consistent with previously published studies using traditional models of care (i.e., ENT completing the flexible nasendoscopy). Consumer perception was positive. This model enables delivery of pre‐and postsurgical assessments for patients receiving thyroid/parathyroid surgery, consistent with best practice care, and reduces burden on ENT services. In total 163 ENT appointments were avoided with this model, with positive implications for ENT waitlist management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors can stimulate antitumor immunity but can also induce toxicities termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Colitis is a common and severe irAE that can lead to treatment discontinuation. Mechanistic understanding of gut irAEs has been hampered because robust colitis is not observed in laboratory mice treated with checkpoint inhibitors. We report here that this limitation can be overcome by using mice harboring the microbiota of wild-caught mice, which develop overt colitis following treatment with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. Intestinal inflammation is driven by unrestrained activation of IFNg-producing CD4+ T cells and depletion of peripherally induced regulatory T cells through Fcγ receptor signaling. Accordingly, anti-CTLA-4 nanobodies that lack an Fc domain can promote antitumor responses without triggering colitis. This work suggests a strategy for mitigating gut irAEs while preserving antitumor stimulating effects of CTLA-4 blockade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hate crimes, which stem from prejudiced attitudes, have a distributionally detrimental impact on societal stability. Although inter-group contacts are potentially an effective means for reducing prejudice and subsequently decreasing the number of hate crimes, scholars have recently recognized the possibility of negative contacts that might actually amplify prejudice. As a result, the question of whether intergroup contacts truly possess the ability to effectively decrease hate crime numbers remains inconclusive. In addition, prior contact research primarily relies on laboratory experiments because the establishment of intergroup contacts in a field setting is challenging. Examination of the effectiveness of intergroup contacts hence merits further investigation in a real-world setting. In this article, we propose that ride-hailing services, which naturally connect individuals from different backgrounds, offer an avenue to facilitate intergroup contacts in practice, which could potentially reduce prejudice and the volume of hate crimes. Leveraging the staggered introduction of this technology into counties in the United States, we conducted a series of analyses to empirically evaluate the contact effects in the open field. Our analysis reveals a notable decrease in the number of hate crimes (particularly a 5.75% reduction in racial hate crimes) after the introduction of ride-hailing services. These findings remained consistent across various robustness tests. Additional moderation analysis suggests that the increased interaction between different groups, facilitated by ride-hailing services, is the most likely explanation for the observed decrease in hate crimes. We further conducted an extensive survey involving real ride-hailing drivers and passengers. The results from our survey provide direct evidence that ride-hailing services create natural and constructive environments where positive interactions and mutual understanding can develop among diverse groups of people. This, in turn, helps mitigate prejudice and hate crimes within society, as observed in our analysis. This study not only extends the existing body of literature on contact theory but also sheds light on how modern technologies can play a pivotal role in curtailing hate crime, yielding both theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The dataset presents a 43 year-long reanalysis of pollen seasons for three major allergenic genera of trees in Europe: alder (Alnus), birch (Betula), and olive (Olea). Driven by the meteorological reanalysis ERA5, the atmospheric composition model SILAM predicted the flowering period and calculated the Europe-wide dispersion pattern of pollen for the years 1980–2022. The model applied an extended 4-dimensional variational data assimilation of in-situ observations of aerobiological networks in 34 European countries to reproduce the inter-annual variability and trends of pollen production and distribution. The control variable of the assimilation procedure was the total pollen release during each flowering season, implemented as an annual correction factor to the mean pollen production. The dataset was designed as an input to studies on climate-induced and anthropogenically driven changes in the European vegetation, biodiversity monitoring, bioaerosol modelling and assessment, as well as, in combination with intra-seasonal observations, for health-related applications.

Abstract Mechanical ventilation in myasthenic crisis is not standardized and is at high risk of failure. We investigated liberation from mechanical ventilation during myasthenic crisis using a prolonged spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) and sequential pulmonary function tests (PFT). In this retrospective monocenter study, we included patients admitted for a first episode of myasthenic crisis between January 2001 and January 2018. The primary outcome was the incidence of weaning failure upon first extubation in our cohort of patients with MC. Secondary objectives were to determine risk factors and outcome associated with weaning failure upon first extubation in MC. We also compared the characteristics of patients with prolonged weaning. 126 episodes of MC were analyzed. Patient’s age was 64 [42–76] years with 72/126 (56.5%) being women. The median delay between weaning initiation and first extubation was 6 [3–10] days and the median total length of MV was 14 [10–23] days. 118/126 (93.7%) patients underwent prolonged SBT of 8 h or more prior to first extubation. The overall weaning failure rate was 18/126 (14.3%). Extubation was more often successful when the factor precipitating the myasthenic crisis was identified (86/108 (79.6%) vs. 8/18 (44.4%); p = 0.004), whereas PFT was similar in failure or successes. Most weaning failures upon first extubation attempt (11/18; 61%) were attributed to an insufficient stabilization of myasthenia gravis. Duration of mechanical ventilation, an infectious trigger and maximal inspiratory pressure upon intubation were independent risk factors for prolonged weaning. In myasthenic crisis, a standardized protocol including prolonged SBT and respiratory function tests might improve the success of first extubation without prolonging mechanical ventilation. The results of this single center study warrant further evaluation in interventional trials.

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) may be present in 1–17% of pregnant women. Monitoring of thyroid function in euthyroid pregnant women positive for anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb+) is recommended. Objective: To determine the prevalence and possible clinical and biological risk factors of biochemical progression (rise in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) > 2.5 mU/L) at second blood sampling during pregnancy, in euthyroid women (TSH ≤ 2.5 mU/L) according to their TPOAb status. Methods: This study included demographic and biological data from two previously published cohorts (n = 274 women from August 1996 to May 1997 Copenhagen cohort, and n = 66 women from January 2013 to December 2014 Brussels cohort) having at least two measurements of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) and at least one of TPOAb during spontaneously achieved singleton pregnancies. Results: The majority of women studied did not show biochemical progression. Only 4.2% progressed, significantly more frequently among TPOAb+ women, as compared to TPOAb− group (9.4 vs 2.7%, P = 0.015). No rise in serum TSH > 4 mU/L at 2nd sampling was observed. Higher baseline TSH levels were associated with biochemical progression in both TPOAb+ (P = 0.05) and TPOAb− women (P < 0.001), whereas maternal age, BMI, multiparity, smoking, FT4, and TPOAb concentrations were not significantly different between women with and without progression. Conclusions: Only a minority of euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity presented biochemical progression and none with a TSH > 4 mU/L. Larger studies are needed to better target the subset of women who would benefit most from repeated thyroid function monitoring during pregnancy.

Abstract Background The implementation of digital disease surveillance systems at national levels in Africa have been challenged by many factors. These include user applicability, utility of IT features but also stable financial support. Funding closely intertwines with implementations in terms of geographical reach, disease focus, and sustainability. However, the practice of evidence sharing on geographical and disease coverage, costs, and funding sources for improving the implementation of these systems on the continent is unclear. Objectives To analyse the key characteristics and availability of evidence for implementing digital infectious disease surveillance systems in Africa namely their disease focus, geographical reach, cost reporting, and external funding support. Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature for the period 2003 to 2022 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022300849). We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE over Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and websites of WHO, Africa CDC, and public health institutes of African countries. We mapped the distribution of projects by country; identified reported implementation cost components; categorised the availability of data on cost components; and identified supporting funding institutions outside Africa. Results A total of 29 reports from 2,033 search results were eligible for analysis. We identified 27 projects implemented in 13 countries, across 32 sites. Of these, 24 (75%) were pilot projects with a median duration of 16 months, (IQR: 5–40). Of the 27 projects, 5 (19%) were implemented for HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis, 4 (15%) for malaria, 4 (15%) for all notifiable diseases, and 4 (15%) for One Health. We identified 17 cost components across the 29 reports. Of these, 11 (38%) reported quantified costs for start-up capital, 10 (34%) for health personnel compensation, 9 (31%) for training and capacity building, 8 (28%) for software maintenance, and 7(24%) for surveillance data transmission. Of 65 counts of external funding sources, 35 (54%) were governmental agencies, 15 (23%) foundations, and 7 (11%) UN agencies. Conclusions The evidence on costing data for the digitalisation of surveillance and outbreak response in the published literature is sparse in quantity, limited in detail, and without a standardised reporting format. Most initial direct project costs are substantially donor dependent, short lived, and thus unsustainable.

Abstract Abundant carbon was identified on Mercury by MESSENGER, which is interpreted as the remnant of a primordial graphite flotation crust, suggesting that the magma ocean and core were saturated in carbon. We re-evaluate carbon speciation in Mercury’s interior in light of the high pressure-temperature experiments, thermodynamic models and the most recent geophysical models of the internal structure of the planet. Although a sulfur-free melt would have been in the stability field of graphite, sulfur dissolution in the melt under the unique reduced conditions depressed the sulfur-rich liquidus to temperatures spanning the graphite-diamond transition. Here we show it is possible, though statistically unlikely, that diamond was stable in the magma ocean. However, the formation of a solid inner core caused diamond to crystallize from the cooling molten core and formation of a diamond layer becoming thicker with time.

Introduction A proportion of people develop Long Covid after acute COVID-19, but with most studies concentrated in high-income countries (HICs), the global burden is largely unknown. Our study aims to characterise long-term COVID-19 sequelae in populations globally and compare the prevalence of reported symptoms in HICs and low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods A prospective, observational study in 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, including adults with confirmed COVID-19 assessed at 2 to

Abstract Objectives We aimed to assess the attitudes and perceptions of scholarly activity (SA) practices among emergency medicine (EM) physicians who are engaged in training residents. This study examined the belief and need for modern‐day SA, potential barriers, and department resources provided. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross‐sectional survey study of EM physicians across the United States identified from the American College of Emergency Physicians and American College of Osteopathic Physicians directories. The survey consisted of 18 items regarding demographics, attitude toward SA, department support, and questions regarding residency programs. Results A total of 660 survey recipients completed the survey out of a possible pool of 4296 individuals (15% response rate), of which 530 (80%) indicated they were core faculty. Of core faculty, 428 (80.8%) were part of an allopathic program, whereas 102 (19.2%) were part of an osteopathic program. Department support was provided for protected time (385; 58.3%), research staff (346; 52.4%), Institutional Review Board preparation (240; 36.4%), and biostatistics (314; 47.6%). Of all the institutional roles, the largest percentage (82/125, 65.6%) of chair/vice chair/associate chairs strongly agreed or agreed (score of 5 or 4 of 5) with the statement, “Overall, I am satisfied with the scholarly support provided by my department.” There was no difference in agreement with this statement between respondents in an allopathic versus osteopathic program (210/428, 49.1% allopathic; 45/102, 44.1% osteopathic). Conclusion There is a need for increased departmental support for SA. To optimally implement the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) SA requirements into strategy and action, the ACGME should consider providing EM residency programs with an outline of best SA practices to foster a uniform consensus across academic institutions.

The heart and kidney have a high energy requirement, but relatively little is known about their utilization of ketones as a potential energy source. We assessed the metabolism of the ketone tracer, carbon-11 acetoacetate (11C-AcAc), by the left and right ventricles of the heart and by the kidney using positron emission tomography (PET) in n = 10 healthy adults under four experimental conditions: a 4-h fast (fasted) ± a single 12 g oral dose of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB), and a single complete, liquid replacement meal (hereafter referred to as the “fed” condition) ± a single 12 g oral dose of D-BHB. Under these experimental conditions, the kinetics of 11C-AcAc metabolism fitted a two-compartment model in the heart and a three-compartment model in the kidney. Plasma ketones were about 10-fold higher with the oral dose of D-BHB. During the four conditions, tracer kinetics were broadly similar in the myocardium and kidney cortex. 11C-AcAc metabolism by the kidney pelvis was similar in three of the four study conditions but, later, peaked significantly higher than that in the cortex; the exception was that the tracer uptake was significantly lower in the fed condition without D-BHB. 11C-AcAc uptake was significantly inversely correlated with age in the kidney cortex, and its oxidative metabolism was significantly positively correlated with age in the left ventricle. D-BHB blunted the insulin, gastric inhibitory peptide, and C-peptide response to the meal. This PET methodology and these acute metabolic perturbations would be suitable for future studies assessing cardiorenal ketone metabolism in conditions in which heart and kidney functions are experimentally modified or compromised by disease.

Purpose of symposiumFrom September 6 – 8 2022, the Life/2022 Membrane Symposium was held in Frankfurt, Germany, and transmitted live to a worldwide internet audience. The event was part of the Life/Nephrology Campus initiative, a continuous educational platform for the nephrology community to expand knowledge and share expertise on contemporary topics in chronic kidney disease. We describe recent questions and advances in the field, and we underline challenges in the care of dialysis patients and opportunities for integration of new findings into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes in end stage kidney disease patients.TopicsMost patients with kidney failure are on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The scientific program of the symposium was developed around topics about the role, functional determinants, technical aspects, limitations, and clinical implications of membranes presently in use. International experts with clinical or technical expertise as well as scientific recognition within the nephrology community were asked to prepare their presentations based on their own experiences, perceptions, opinions, and sources of information. The symposium devoted a major portion to discussing novel approaches for improving membranes and treatment quality, including updates on innovative concepts that may could potentially transform the landscape of kidney replacement therapy for chronic kidney disease patients in the future.ImplicationsThe intent was to provide insights into current attention points for healthcare professionals new to the field of MHD, and to test a unique forum for continuing medical education integrating physician and patient experiences to promote changes in clinical practice. Furthermore, the symposium premiered a specifically developed mixed reality holographic 3D model to demonstrate recent dialyzer innovation diminishing protein fouling on membrane surfaces. As a continuous online educational platform for scientific exchange, this Life/2022 event provided online learning opportunities with on-demand content, with all symposium lectures freely available on nephrologycampus.com.

Summary: Background: Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS), which has been widely tested to reduce child stunting, has largely modest effects to date, but the mechanisms underlying these modest effects are unclear. Child stunting is a longstanding indicator of chronic undernutrition and it remains a prevalent public health problem. The infant gut microbiome may be a key contributor to stunting; and mother and infant fucosyltransferase (FUT) phenotypes are important determinants of infant microbiome composition. Methods: We investigated whether mother-infant FUT status (n = 792) and infant gut microbiome composition (n = 354 fecal specimens from 172 infants) modified the impact of an infant and young child feeding (IYCF) intervention, that included SQ-LNS, on stunting at age 18 months in secondary analysis of a randomized trial in rural Zimbabwe. Findings: We found that the impact of the IYCF intervention on stunting was modified by: (i) mother-infant FUT2+/FUT3− phenotype (difference-in-differences −32.6% [95% CI: −55.3%, −9.9%]); (ii) changes in species composition that reflected microbiome maturation (difference-in-differences −68.1% [95% CI: −99.0%, −28.5%); and (iii) greater relative abundance of B. longum (differences-in-differences 49.1% [95% CI: 26.6%, 73.6%]). The dominant strains of B. longum when the intervention started were most similar to the proficient milk oligosaccharide utilizer subspecies infantis, which decreased with infant age and differed by mother-infant FUT2+/FUT3− phenotypes. Interpretation: These findings indicate that a persistently “younger” microbiome at initiation of the intervention reduced its benefits on stunting in areas with a high prevalence of growth restriction. Funding: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UK DFID/Aid, Wellcome Trust, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, US National Institutes of Health, UNICEF, and Nutricia Research Foundation.

This Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article shows the calculation of evapotranspiration for selected sites throughout the state (plus one in Alabama, to cover the west side of the Florida Panhandle). Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents can vary in severity and origin, with GH replacement therapy proving effective in achieving genetic target height. Optimal outcomes are seen in those treated early and with higher doses. As patients approach adult height, priorities shift towards optimizing metabolic effects, maintaining body composition, and enhancing bone mass and muscle strength. Transitioning from pediatric to adult care presents challenges, including accurately identifying candidates for continued GH therapy, reevaluating persistent GHD, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Assessing readiness for transition and self-management skills is crucial. This Policy and Practice Review provides a comprehensive overview of current policies, regulations, and guidelines pertinent to managing GHD transition in Belgium. We integrate perspectives from national academic and nonacademic clinical stakeholders in pediatric and adult endocrine care to provide an updated policy framework. This framework underscores the importance of sustained GH therapy during transition, particularly for individuals with persistent GHD, with the goal of optimizing practices and improving outcomes during this critical period.

The Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article explains how the weather data were gathered and checked for quality. Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Objectives (1) To assess the progression of ultrasonography-detected synovitis in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in remission during 1 year of follow-up (2) to evaluate the ability of consecutive examinations of ultrasonography to predict relapse (R) or radiographic progression (RP) at 1 year.Methods Patients with RA (2010 American College of Rheumatology-European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria) in clinical remission (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)0.6 or DAS28-CRP>3.2 and any modification of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or glucocorticoids defined relapse. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate factors associated with R/RP at 1 year.Results PDUS was detected in 75 (65.2%), 66, 60, 46 and 29 of the 115 patients with RA at baseline and at months 3, 6, 9 and 12, respectively. 58 (50.4%) patients exhibited persistent PDUS. After 1 year, 22/85 (25.9%) experienced relapse and 12 (14.1%) showed RP. On multivariate analysis, factors predicting R/RP at 1 year were persistent PDUS (HR=2.98, p=0.014) and an increase in DAS28-CRP level at the visit before relapse (HR=4.36, p=0.004).Conclusion Persistent PDUS during follow-up, rather than at baseline, predicted worse outcome at 1 year and requires careful monitoring.

Several disorders of energy metabolism have been treated with exogenous ketone bodies. The benefit of this treatment is best documented in multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) (MIM#231680). One might also expect ketone bodies to help in other disorders with impaired ketogenesis or in conditions that profit from a ketogenic diet. Here, we report the use of a novel preparation of dextro-β-hydroxybutyrate (D-βHB) salts in two cases of MADD and one case of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency (MIM#312170). The two patients with MADD had previously been on a racemic mixture of D- and L‑sodium hydroxybutyrate. Patient #1 found D-βHB more palatable, and the change in formulation corrected hypernatraemia in patient #2. The patient with PDH deficiency was on a ketogenic diet but had not previously been given hydroxybutyrate. In this case, the addition of D-βHB improved ketosis. We conclude that NHS101 is a good candidate for further clinical studies in this group of diseases of inborn errors of metabolism.

Improving irrigation efficiency can contribute greatly to reducing production costs of vegetables, making the industry more competitive and sustainable. This publication is intended to help growers to conserve water through the use of soil moisture sensors. Written by Rafael Muñoz-Carpena, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

The purpose of this publication is to familiarize irrigation managers, contractors, Extension agents, homeowners, and other interested persons with programming guidelines for an irrigation timer in Florida. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

This publication aims to provide basic information about rain sensors when incorporated into automatic irrigation systems. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

This publication discusses turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations from UF/IFAS. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

No abstract available

Background Half of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain undiagnosed by resting evaluation alone. Therefore, exercise testing is proposed. The diastolic stress test (DST), however, has limited sensitivity. We aimed to determine the clinical significance of adding the mean pulmonary artery pressure over cardiac output (mPAP/CO) slope to the DST in suspected HFpEF. Methods and Results In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients (n=1936) with suspected HFpEF underwent exercise echocardiography with simultaneous respiratory gas analysis. These patients were stratified by exercise E over e′ (exE/e′) and mPAP/CO slope, and peak oxygen uptake, natriuretic peptides (NT‐proBNP [N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide]), and score‐based HFpEF likelihood were compared. Twenty‐two percent of patients (n=428) had exE/e′3 mm Hg/L per min, 24% (n=464) had a positive DST (exE/e′≥15), and 54% (n=1044) had a normal DST and slope. Percentage of predicted oxygen uptake was similar in the group with exE/e′3 mm Hg/L per min despite a negative DST. These patients had HFpEF characteristics and a peak oxygen uptake as low as patients with a positive DST. Therefore, an elevated mPAP/CO slope might indicate HFpEF irrespective of the DST result.

Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. There has been an exponential increase in autism-related research since 2010, when the first Singapore Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on autism was published. Understanding of autism has since evolved to adopt a lifespan approach beyond that of a childhood condition. The aim of this CPG was to provide an updated set of recommendations for children and adolescents to aid clinical practice for professionals. Method: A multidisciplinary workgroup that comprised representatives from various sectors worked on this CPG. Clinical questions were organised into 10 different sections, each with its own subgroup of members. Seventeen existing international guidelines were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation II (AGREE-II) framework, of which 4 met criteria to act as references. Literature review across multiple databases was conducted between January 2011 to 2023; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE-like) methodology was used to synthesise evidence. Recommendation statements were derived, following Delphi-style consensus surveys among the workgroup. The draft guidelines underwent external review and public consultation before being formalised. Results: Recommendation and good practice statements pertaining to care of children and adolescents on the autism spectrum across 10 different sections were developed. Evidence matrices complement these recommendations and detail relevant evidence behind each recommendation statement. Conclusion: It is intended for these guidelines to promote effective management and healthcare services for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, by reinforcing good and evidence-based clinical practice within our national context.