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Measurements of oxidative metabolic capacity following the ablation of rat sensorimotor cortex and the administration of amphetamine were examined to determine their effects on the metabolic dysfunction that follows brain injury. Twenty-four hours after surgery, rats sustaining either sham operations or unilateral cortical ablation were administered a single injection of D-amphetamine (2 mg/kg; i.p.) or saline and then sacrificed 24 h later. Brain tissue was processed for cytochrome oxidase histochemistry, and 12 bilateral cerebral areas were measured, using optical density as an index of the relative amounts of the enzyme. Compared with that of the control groups, cytochrome oxidase in the injured animals was significantly reduced throughout the cerebral cortex and in 5 of 11 subcortical structures. This injury-induced depression of oxidative capacity was most pronounced in regions of the hemisphere ipsilateral to the ablation. Animals given D-amphetamine had less depression of oxidative capacity, which was most pronounced bilaterally in the cerebral cortex, red nucleus, and superior colliculus; and in the nucleus accumbens, caudateputamen, and globus pallidus ipsilateral to the ablation. The ability of D-amphetamine to alleviate depressed cerebral oxidative metabolism following cortical injury may be one mechanism by which drugs increasing noradrenaline release accelerate functional recovery in both animals and humans.

Purpose: Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular dysfunction following their diagnosis; however, hypertension remains underexplored within this context. This retrospective cohort study examined the incidence of hypertension in breast cancer survivors and the association of race with hypertension risk among them. Methods: Data for this study were abstracted from the electronic health records of women diagnosed with Stages I–III breast cancer. Incident hypertension diagnosis was identified through International Classification of Diseases codes. Bivariate associations were tested using Student's t‐test and chi‐squared test of independence. Bivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine demographic and clinical factors that may have been associated with the development of hypertension. Results: A total of 664 women were included. Most women were 50 years of age or younger (52.0%), White (33.0% Black), and received a mastectomy (80.6%). Overall, 45.5% of the cohort developed hypertension. The 1‐year hypertension‐free survival estimates were 47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41–54) in Black women and 73% (95% CI, 69–77) in White women (p < 0.0001). Besides race, statistically significant predictors of hypertension included: age greater than 50 (vs. ≤50) (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09–1.80) and residing in a non‐metropolitan area (vs. metropolitan) (adjusted HR: 1.60; 95% CI, 1.19–2.16). Conclusions: This study suggests that breast cancer survivors who are older, Black, or residing in non‐metropolitan areas may benefit from added surveillance and hypertension prevention strategies during treatment. Future studies are needed to identify contributors to the observed racial and geographic disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of the coordination polymer, [Cu2(Me2pz)(TCNQ)] (Me2pz = 2,5-dimethylpyrazine) is described. The structure of [Cu2(Me2pz)(TCNQ)] is comprised of 2D sheets with mean plane sheet-to-sheet separations closer than that of graphene sheets in graphite. Electrical conducticity measurements on the framework indicate semiconductor behaviour with a σ300K = 9.8 × 10−8 S cm−1 and an Ea = 0.43(3) eV. Density functional theory studies reveal a band structure comprised predominatly by donor TCNQ and acceptor Me2pz ligand-p oribtals. This investigation also resulted in the formation of Cu(TCNQ) (phase I) from the reaction mixture that yielded [Cu2(TCNQ)(Me2pz)]. A redetermination of the crystal structure of Cu(TCNQ) is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retention of engineering students is important because more than half of the students who begin engineering programs in the United States will not earn an engineering degree. A literature review showed the importance of academic advising in retaining students in engineering programs. Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the level of satisfaction students have with the information provided by advisors on a variety of matters. A questionnaire was developed to assess a set of factors related to the satisfaction of students towards the services provided by advisors. The questionnaire was administered among pre-engineering students enrolled in an engineering class at a Southeastern university. It was supplemented by a focus group interview. The study demonstrated that the students were most satisfied with core issues such as course-specific information. The students were less satisfied with immediate information provided on questions such as insight into teaching styles of specific instructors, getting paired with mentors, and recommendations of alternative majors. They were reasonably satisfied with longer-term issues such as career opportunities and the provision of tutorial services. Based on these findings, the paper provides suggestions regarding how both academic advisors and faculty can collaborate and better meet the needs of undergraduate engineering students. (Contains 1 table.)