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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. 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]

Research Summary: This study examines whether different entrepreneurship subsidies signal initial public offering (IPO) firms' quality to external investors. We employ a quasi‐natural experiment by exploiting the exogenous, staggered introduction of "Eight‐Point Code" inspections to Chinese provinces, which anticorruption campaign impacts how subsidies match firm quality. Based on a difference‐in‐differences analysis of 584 IPOs, we find that research and development (R&D) subsidies match highly innovative firms regardless of government corruption, but investors interpret R&D subsidies as a quality signal only when government corruption is low. High‐growth subsidies match high‐growth firms only when government corruption is low; however, investors do not interpret high‐growth subsidies as a quality signal regardless of government corruption. Our study contributes by examining subsidy–firm matching and investors' interpretations to isolate the signaling effect of entrepreneurship subsidies. Managerial Summary: Do initial public offering (IPO) investors interpret different entrepreneurship subsidies as signals of entrepreneurial firms' quality? We find that when government corruption is high, research and development (R&D) subsidies are matched to high‐quality firms, but high‐growth (HG) subsidies are not; nevertheless, because of dubious subsidy–firm matching under high corruption, neither R&D nor HG subsidies signal firm quality to IPO investors. When government corruption is low, both R&D and HG subsidies are matched to high‐quality firms; however, because of the distinct nature of innovation and growth, IPO investors interpret only R&D subsidies as a signal of quality, ignoring HG subsidies. Our findings suggest that investors' interpretations of entrepreneurship subsidies depend on subsidy type as well as subsidy–firm matching under different anticorruption regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As health systems face increasing demands, non‐medical prescribing is a workforce redesign strategy adopted within some services. Despite successful implementation in other professional groups, non‐medical prescribing within speech pathology (SP) has not yet been described. Aims: To provide a descriptive account of the development and planned implementation of two SP prescribing models. Methods & Procedures: The evolution of two SP‐led prescribing models, including relevant training and credentialing, for use of (1) nystatin oral drops (100,000 units/mL); and (2) lidocaine (lignocaine) and phenylephrine nasal spray (5 mg/500 μg/spray), in the outpatient setting is detailed. Challenges to implementation are outlined. Main Contribution: The development of relevant governance structures, a research evidenced‐based project evaluation framework, and an overview of training pathways and credentialing was successfully completed. However, implementation of the models was unable to be achieved. A thorough review of the requirements and a discussion of contextual considerations that had a negative influence on the implementation of SP‐led prescribing within this specific service context is provided. Conclusions & Implications: The successful implementation of SP‐led prescribing is complex and highly context dependent. This work offers a discussion and review of the complexities of introducing a non‐medical prescribing model in an outpatient hospital setting. What this paper adds: What is already known on the subject: Allied Health prescribing is an emerging practice area aiming to reduce current pressures on health services. SP‐led prescribing has not been thoroughly investigated in the Australian context. What this study adds to existing knowledge: This study describes the development of a SP‐led prescribing process in the outpatient setting, and a thorough review and discussion of the drivers and barriers to the model's implementation. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The successful implementation of SP‐led prescribing was identified to be complex from a legislative and operational perspective, as well as being highly context dependent. This study further highlights the importance of a thorough context evaluation and workflow mapping prior to full‐scale implementation of SP prescribing trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying individuals who recently experienced a romantic reltionship breakup allows us to investigate mood disturbances in otherwise healthy individuals. In our study, we aimed to identify distinct depressive symptom trajectories following breakup and investigate whether these trajectories relate to personality traits and cognitive control. Subjects (n = 87) filled out questionnaires (RRS‐NL‐EXT trait rumination and NEO‐FFI neuroticism) and performed cognitive tasks (trail making test, Stroop task) during a period of 30 weeks. To identify distinct depressive symptom trajectories ('trajectory groups'), we performed K‐means clustering on the consecutive (assessed every 2 weeks) Major Depression Inventory scores. This resulted in four trajectory groups; 'resilience', 'fast recovery', 'slow recovery' and 'chronic distress'. The 'slow recovery group' and the 'chronic distress group' were found to have higher neuroticism and trait rumination levels compared to the 'resilience group', and the 'chronic distress group' also had higher neuroticism levels than the 'fast recovery group'. Moreover, the 'chronic distress group' showed worse overall trail making test performance than the 'resilience group'. Taken together, our findings show that distinct patterns of depressive symptom severity can be observed following breakup and that personality traits and cognitive flexibility seem to play a role in these depressive symptom patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit flies are among the most destructive horticultural pests. For Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the sterile insect technique (SIT) is the main control method used in southeastern Australia. SIT involves the mass rearing of Qfly, sterilisation of pupae by irradiation, transport to release centres, and release of sterile Qfly to disperse into the environment. Mating of sterile and wild flies results in no offspring; thus, the wild population rapidly decreases. Previously, research has mainly focused on improvements within the production facility. However, transport from production facility to release sites is also an essential component in all SIT programs. Here, we examined historical records from the Victorian SIT program between 2002 and 2013 in three seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). We compared quality control (QC) data of irradiated fly pupae at the mass‐rearing facility in New South Wales (limited transport) to those of pupae transported to a release centre in Victoria (extensive transport). After extensive transport, pupal weight (−0.3 mg, or −3%) and flight ability (an overall 26% decline) were lower across all seasons, but particularly in spring. Adult emergence was lower across all seasons (an overall 23% decline), but particularly in summer. All three QC parameters were more variable after extensive transport. We discuss potential causes of the observed decreased pupal quality and avenues of future research to mitigate transport losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sterile insect technique is an effective tool to manage a range of pest insects, including the true fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). As part of the process, pupae are dispatched from a mass‐rearing facility for several hundred km to a rearing out centre typically located near the release sites. Transportation of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), pupae from mass production facilities to field release sites is known to negatively affect fly quality. To determine which quality parameters are affected, we assessed adult emergence, flight ability, and rate of fliers between irradiated and non‐irradiated flies that were or were not transported long distance. Pupal weight was not affected by irradiation or transport. We found that transportation and irradiation of pupae resulted in a decrease in percentage fly emergence, flight ability, and fliers. Transportation and irradiation both resulted in 8% reduction in emergence of flies. Additionally, we found that transportation resulted in an increase in the rate of deformity by 65% and irradiation could increase deformity by 75%. Compounding these losses, both transportation and irradiation resulted in the decline of number of fliers by approximately 23% each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses articles in the journal and his thoughts about the subject of a research agenda focused upon participatory language and climate justice.

The assessment of military camouflage is a key consideration in the modern military field. Traditionally, the assessment relies on traditional human visual detection tests because a large scale multi‐level and multi‐factor experiments are time‐ and resource‐consuming. One aspect of camouflage assessment, to which this current study pertains, entails improving upon or "enhancing" an existing or "selected" design. The current study presents a new and practical approach for enhancing the selected military camouflage by utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) of %L*, %a*, and %b* in CIELAB color space. Ten participants were recruited to evaluate 35 variations of %L*, %a*, and %b* on camouflage similarity index (CSI) and reaction time (RT). Based on RSM, the optimum combination occurs at L*: 61.4966, a*: −5.6505, and b*: 10.5114. In addition, a predictive algorithm to calculate the optimum shift of %L*, %a*, and %b* from the original camouflage to the improved camouflage derived from RSM is also proposed. The optimum shift occurs at −25%L*, −55%a*, and + 80%b*. In the end, a new design guideline is proposed for the enhancement of selected military camouflage, which adopts the present study's research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive characterization of gas hydrate system offshore the western Black Sea was performed through an integrated analysis of geophysical data. We detected the bottom‐simulating reflector (BSR), which marks, in this area, the base of gas hydrate stability. The observed BSR depth does not fit the theoretical steady state base of gas hydrate stability zone (BGHSZ). We show that the disparity between the BSR and predicted BGHSZ is the result of a transient state of the hydrate system due to the ongoing reequilibrium since the Last Glacial Maximum. When gas hydrates are brought outside the stability zone due to changes in temperature and sea level, their dissociation generates an increase in interstitial pore pressure. This process is favorable to the recrystallization of gas hydrates and delays the upward migration of the hydrate stability zone explaining the anomalously deep BSR. The BSR depth, which is commonly used to derive geothermal gradient values by assuming steady state conditions, is used here to derive the maximum excess pore pressure at the BGHSZ. Derived excess pore pressure values of 1–2 MPa are probably the result of the low permeability of hydrate‐bearing sediments. Higher pore pressure values derived at the location of a fault system could cause hydrofracturing enabling the free gas to cross the gas hydrate stability zone and emerge at the seafloor, forming the flares observed in close vicinity to where the shallow gas hydrates were sampled. Key Points: There is a discrepancy between observed BSR depth and theoretical steady state base of gas hydrate stability zoneThe transient state of the hydrate system is due to excess pore pressure related to hydrate dissociationBSR depth is used to derive maximum excess pore pressure at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the potential role of the Maudsley Staging Method (MSM) in the prediction of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) outcome in severely depressed adults. Method: Between August 2015 and August 2017, 73 consecutive patients with a major depressive episode (DSM‐IV‐TR) scheduled for ECT were recruited. Prior to their first ECT session, the MSM was completed to assess the level of therapy resistance. To determine the reduction in depression severity and response and remission rates, symptom severity was assessed at baseline and within one week after the last ECT session using the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17). Results: The percentage of symptom reduction following ECT was best predicted by the MSM episode duration and depression severity factors (R2 completer sample 0.24). Episode duration alone was the best predictor of remission (area under the ROC curve for completers: 0.72). Adding age to the models increased their predictive capacity. Conclusion: An adapted version of the MSM gauging shorter episode duration, more severe depressive symptoms and older age is significantly associated with ECT effectiveness in adults with severe recurrent depression and is thus highly suitable for use in clinical practice, promoting the shared treatment decision‐making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plunging ranulas are rare mucous extravasation pseudocysts that arise in the floor of the mouth and pass into the submandibular space of the neck. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnosis, surgical management and outcomes of patients with a plunging ranula at our institution in South East Queensland over a 10‐year period. Methods: A retrospective analysis of adult patients diagnosed with and treated for plunging ranula between 2006 and 2016 at Logan Hospital was conducted. Patient demographics, preoperative investigations, surgical management and post‐operative outcomes were collected from medical records. Results: A total of 18 adult patients were treated for plunging ranula. Of the 18 cases, 17 were treated via transoral excision of the sublingual gland. The mean age at presentation was 28.8 years with a 3:1 female to male predominance. Fifty‐six percent of patients were of Polynesian descent. The success rate was 94% with only one patient experiencing recurrence and requiring re‐excision of remnant sublingual gland tissue. Three patients (17%) developed complications related to post‐operative bleeding. There was a slight predominance for right‐sided disease (56%) compared with left and one case of bilateral plunging ranulas in this series. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that excision of the sublingual gland is an effective and safe treatment for plunging ranula. The majority of plunging ranulas occur in patients aged <30 years with a higher incidence in patients of Polynesian heritage, which is consistent with previous studies suggesting a possible underlying genetic predisposition for this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs), the leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-based antigen receptors of jawless fish, have great utility in a wide variety of biochemical and biological applications, similar to classical Ig-based antibodies. VLR-based reagents may be particularly useful when traditional antibodies are not available. An anti-idiotype lamprey VLR, VLR39, has previously been identified that recognizes the heavy-chain CDR3 of the B-cell receptor (BCR) of a leukemic clone from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). VLR39 was used successfully to track the re-emergence of this clone in the patient following chemotherapy. Here, the crystal structure of VLR39 is presented at 1.5 Å resolution and compared with those of other protein-specific VLRs. VLR39 adopts a curved solenoid fold and exhibits substantial structural similarity to other protein-binding VLRs. VLR39 has a short LRRCT loop that protrudes outwards away from the concave face and is similar to those of its protein-specific VLR counterparts. Analysis of the VLR39-BCR interaction by size-exclusion chromatography and biolayer interferometry using the scFv version of the BCR confirms that VLR39 recognizes the BCR Fv region. Such VLR-based reagents may be useful for identifying and monitoring leukemia in CLL patients and in other clinical diagnostic assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Animal studies have increasingly highlighted the role of macrophages in the development of delayed gastric emptying. However, their role in the pathophysiology of human gastroparesis is unclear. Our aim was to determine changes in macrophages and other cell types in the gastric antrum muscularis propria of patients with diabetic and idiopathic gastroparesis. Methods Full thickness gastric antrum biopsies were obtained from patients enrolled in the Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium (11 diabetic, 6 idiopathic) and 5 controls. Immunolabeling and quantitative assessment was done for interstitial cells of Cajal ( ICC) (Kit), enteric nerves protein gene product 9.5, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, tyrosine hydroxylase), overall immune cells ( CD45) and anti-inflammatory macrophages ( CD206). Gastric emptying was assessed using nuclear medicine scintigraphy and symptom severity using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index. Results Both diabetic and idiopathic gastroparesis patients showed loss of ICC as compared to controls (Mean [standard error of mean]/hpf: diabetic, 2.28 [0.16]; idiopathic, 2.53 [0.47]; controls, 6.05 [0.62]; P=.004). Overall immune cell population ( CD45) was unchanged but there was a loss of anti-inflammatory macrophages ( CD206) in circular muscle (diabetic, 3.87 [0.32]; idiopathic, 4.16 [0.52]; controls, 6.59 [1.09]; P=.04) and myenteric plexus (diabetic, 3.83 [0.27]; idiopathic, 3.59 [0.68]; controls, 7.46 [0.51]; P=.004). There was correlation between the number of ICC and CD206-positive cells ( r=.55, P=.008). Enteric nerves ( PGP9.5) were unchanged: diabetic, 33.64 (3.45); idiopathic, 41.26 (6.40); controls, 46.80 (6.04). Conclusion Loss of antral CD206-positive anti-inflammatory macrophages is a key feature in human gastroparesis and it is associates with ICC loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HoloLens by Microsoft Corp. is the world's first untethered Mixed Reality (MR) Head Mounted Display (HMD) system, released to developers in March 2016 as a Development Kit. We review in this paper the various display requirements and subsequent optical hardware choices we made for HoloLens. Its main achievements go along performance and comfort for the user: it is the first fully untethered MR headset, with the highest angular resolution and the industry's largest eyebox. It has the first inside-out global sensor fusion system including precise head tracking and 3D mapping all controlled by a fully custom on-board GPU. Based on such achievements, HoloLens came out as the most advanced MR system today. Additional features may be implemented in next generations MR headsets, leading to the ultimate experience for the user, and securing the upcoming fabulous AR/MR market predicted by most analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vast body of literature exists showing functional and structural dysfunction within the brains of patients with disorders of consciousness. However, the function (fluorodeoxyglucose FDG-PET metabolism)-structure (MRI-diffusion-weighted images; DWI) relationship and how it is affected in severely brain injured patients remains ill-defined. FDG-PET and MRI-DWI in 25 severely brain injured patients (19 Disorders of Consciousness of which 7 unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, 12 minimally conscious; 6 emergence from minimally conscious state) and 25 healthy control subjects were acquired here. Default mode network (DMN) function-structure connectivity was assessed by fractional anisotropy (FA) and metabolic standardized uptake value (SUV). As expected, a profound decline in regional metabolism and white matter integrity was found in patients as compared with healthy subjects. Furthermore, a function-structure relationship was present in brain-damaged patients between functional metabolism of inferior-parietal, precuneus, and frontal regions and structural integrity of the frontal-inferiorparietal, precuneus-inferiorparietal, thalamo-inferioparietal, and thalamofrontal tracts. When focusing on patients, a stronger relationship between structural integrity of thalamo-inferiorparietal tracts and thalamic metabolism in patients who have emerged from the minimally conscious state as compared with patients with disorders of consciousness was found. The latter finding was in line with the mesocircuit hypothesis for the emergence of consciousness. The findings showed a positive function-structure relationship within most regions of the DMN. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3707-3720, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used to suppress or eradicate fruit flies. It is critical to be able to identify sterile and wild flies so that informed decisions can bemade during eradication activities. The current dye marking approach can be flawed on a small number of occasions, and a genetic method is needed to test suspect misidentified samples. As a proof of concept, a single multiplex PCR with nine microsatellite markers was used to study the genetic structure of Queensland fruit flies Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) in 11 locations in southern New South Wales. Cluster analysis demonstrated that one cluster was exclusive to the sterile mass-reared flies. A second distinct cluster was exclusive for one site in a wetter cooler area. The other sites were admixture of two main clusters. These ninemicrosatellite markers could be used to distinguish laboratory-reared flies from field flies. The mass-reared flies would need to be reanalysed after each introduction of wildness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the role of brain networks in emotion regulation and post-traumatic complaints in the sub-acute phase after non-complicated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Experimental design Fifty-four patients with mTBI (34 with and 20 without complaints) and 20 healthy controls (group-matched for age, sex, education, and handedness) were included. Resting-state fMRI was performed at four weeks post-injury. Static and dynamic functional connectivity were studied within and between the default mode, executive (frontoparietal and bilateral frontal network), and salience network. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D). Principal Observations Regarding within-network functional connectivity, none of the selected brain networks were different between groups. Regarding between-network interactions, patients with complaints exhibited lower functional connectivity between the bilateral frontal and salience network compared to patients without complaints. In the total patient group, higher HADS-D scores were related to lower functional connectivity between the bilateral frontal network and both the right frontoparietal and salience network, and to higher connectivity between the right frontoparietal and salience network. Furthermore, whereas higher HADS-D scores were associated with lower connectivity within the parietal midline areas of the bilateral frontal network, higher HADS-A scores were related to lower connectivity within medial prefrontal areas of the bilateral frontal network. Conclusions Functional interactions of the executive and salience networks were related to emotion regulation and complaints after mTBI, with a key role for the bilateral frontal network. These findings may have implications for future studies on the effect of psychological interventions. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1645-1654, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The number of insect eradication programmes is rising in response to globalisation. A database of arthropod and plant pathogen eradications covers 1050 incursion responses, with 928 eradication programmes on 299 pest and disease taxa in 104 countries (global eradication database ). METHODS A subset of the database was assembled with 211 eradication or response programmes against 17 species of fruit flies (Tephritidae) in 31 countries, in order to investigate factors affecting the outcome. RESULTS The failure rate for fruit fly eradication programmes was about 7%, with 0% for Ceratitis capitata ( n = 85 programmes) and 0% for two Anastrepha species ( n = 12 programmes), but 12% for 13 Bactrocera species ( n = 108 programmes). A number of intended eradication programmes against long-established populations were not initiated because of cost and other considerations, or evolved during the planning phase into suppression programmes. Cost was dependent on area, ranged from $ US 0.1 million to $ US 240 million and averaged about $ US 12 million (normalised to $ US in 2012). In addition to the routine use of surveillance networks, quarantine and fruit destruction, the key tactics used in eradication programmes were male annihilation, protein bait sprays (which can attract both sexes), fruit destruction and the sterile insect technique. CONCLUSIONS Eradication success generally required the combination of several tactics applied on an area-wide basis. Because the likelihood of eradication declines with an increase in the area infested, it pays to invest in effective surveillance networks that allow early detection and delimitation while invading populations are small, thereby greatly favouring eradication success. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The SCN5A-encoded voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5 is expressed in human jejunum and colon. Mutations in NaV1.5 are associated with gastrointestinal motility disorders. The rat gastrointestinal tract expresses voltage-gated sodium channels, but their molecular identity and role in rat gastrointestinal electrophysiology are unknown. Methods The presence and distribution of Scn5a-encoded NaV1.5 was examined by PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in rat jejunum. Freshly dissociated smooth muscle cells were examined by whole cell electrophysiology. Zinc finger nuclease was used to target Scn5a in rats. Lentiviral-mediated transduction with sh RNA was used to target Scn5a in rat jejunum smooth muscle organotypic cultures. Organotypic cultures were examined by sharp electrode electrophysiology and RT- PCR. Key Results We found NaV1.5 in rat jejunum and colon smooth muscle by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry using two other antibodies of different portions of NaV1.5 revealed the presence of the ion channel in rat jejunum. Whole cell voltage-clamp in dissociated smooth muscle cells from rat jejunum showed fast activating and inactivating voltage-dependent inward current that was eliminated by Na+ replacement by NMDG+. Constitutive rat Scn5a knockout resulted in death in utero. NaV1.5 sh RNA delivered by lentivirus into rat jejunum smooth muscle organotypic culture resulted in 57% loss of Scn5a mRNA and several significant changes in slow waves, namely 40% decrease in peak amplitude, 30% decrease in half-width, and 7 mV hyperpolarization of the membrane potential at peak amplitude. Conclusions & Inferences Scn5a-encoded NaV1.5 is expressed in rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle and it contributes to smooth muscle electrophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]