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Utilizing a deep ultraviolet light assisted anneal and a “flat” Al13 hydroxo cluster precursor generates scalable, hydrophobic cotton textiles.

The use of a novel inorganic nanoscale cluster (Al[(μ-OH)2Co(NH3)4]3(NO3)6) was investigated for its utility as a precursor for AlCoOx films. Mixed-metal aluminum and cobalt oxide thin films were solution deposited from the novel cluster solution via the spin-coating method on Si (100) and quartz substrates. The films were annealed at increasing temperatures up to 800 °C, and characterization of these films via TEM and XRD confirms binary Co3O4 crystalline phase present in an amorphous Al2O3 network. Films are relatively smooth (Rrms < 4 nm), polycrystalline, and demonstrate a tunable optical response dominated by Co3O4 with two electronic transitions.

Despite the "fourth threat" of administrative demands, department chairs of surgery are expected to continue being a "triple threat": productive in research, outstanding in teaching, and exemplary in practice. Increased demands despite limited time are the catch-22 of promotion. This study investigated the influence of becoming department chair on scholarly vigor.The surgeons listed in the Society of Surgical Chairs Membership Directory website (n = 118) were included in this study. Three measures were compared during the pre- and post-promotion phases: (1) research productivity (annual publications); (2) authorship position in publications (first-authorship, co-authorship, and senior-authorship); and (3) scholarly impact (m-index and National Institute of Health funding).The median [interquartile range] number of publications per year increased post-promotion versus pre-promotion (7.64 [3.81-14.15] vs 4.12 [2.08-7.03], Plt; .0005). The median [interquartile range] number of first-authorship publications per year decreased (0.50 [0.00-1.00] vs 0.64 [0.32-1.22], Plt; .05), whereas the median [interquartile range] number of co-authorship (4.23 [1.98-9.70] vs 2.02 [1.02-3.95], Plt; .0005) and senior-authorship (1.87 [0.99-4.03] vs 1.00 [0.36-2.24], Plt; .0005) publications per year increased post-promotion. The mean ± standard deviation m-index increased post-promotion (1.67 ± 1.19 vs 1.23 ± 0.83, Plt; .01). The mean ± standard deviation annual National Institute of Health grant funding amount of 48% (n = 57) of the department chairs increased post-promotion ($365,000 ± $899,000 vs $98,000 ± $143,000 pre-promotion, Plt; .05).The fourth threat of administrative demands is not a threat to the triple threat. This study showed the department chairs' continued scholarly vigor after promotion, providing insight into their tenacity, resilience, and dedication.

Objective Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that colchicine may have metabolic and cardiovascular and benefits in at-risk patients; however, the mechanisms through which colchicine may improve outcomes are still unclear. We sought to examine colchicine’s effects on circulating inflammatory and metabolic molecules in adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods Blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention during a double-blind randomized controlled trial in which 40 adults with obesity and MetS were randomized to colchicine 0.6 mg or placebo twice-daily for 3 months. Serum samples were analyzed for 1305 circulating factors using the SomaScan Platform. The Benjamini–Hochberg procedure was used to adjust the false discovery rate (FDR) for multiple testing. Results At baseline, age (48.0 ± 13.8 vs. 44.7 ± 10.3 years) and BMI (39.8 ± 6.4 vs. 41.8 ± 8.2 kg/m2) were not different between groups. After controlling for the FDR, 34 molecules were significantly changed by colchicine. Colchicine decreased concentrations of multiple inflammatory molecules, including C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and resistin, in addition to vascular-related proteins (e.g., oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor, phosphodiesterase 5A). Conversely, relative to placebo, colchicine significantly increased concentrations of eight molecules including secreted factors associated with metabolism and anti-thrombosis. Conclusions In adults with obesity, colchicine significantly affected concentrations of proteins involved in the innate immune system, endothelial function and atherosclerosis, uncovering new mechanisms behind its cardiometabolic effects. Further research is warranted to investigate whether colchicine’s IL-6 suppressive effects may be beneficial in COVID-19.

Psychological comorbidity, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders, is more often the rule than the exception among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research shows that prevalence estimates for specific psychological disorders differ by gender; however, little is known about whether these patterns persist in the presence of a comorbid PTSD diagnosis. This study examined gender differences in prevalence estimates for conditions comorbid with PTSD using medical records for 523,626 active duty U.S. Sailors and Marines who entered the military over an 8-year period. Using chi-square tests of independence, we detected statistically significant gender differences for specific comorbid conditions in the subsample of 9,447 service members with a PTSD diagnosis. Women were more likely than men to have PTSD with comorbid adjustment, OR = 1.35; depressive, OR = 1.71; and generalized anxiety or other anxiety disorders, OR = 1.16, with the largest effects for eating, OR = 12.60, and personality disorders, OR = 2.97. In contrast, women were less likely than men to have a diagnosis of PTSD with comorbid alcohol use, OR = 0.69, and drug use disorders, OR = 0.72, with the largest effects for insomnia, OR = 0.42, and traumatic brain injury, OR = 0.17. No significant gender differences emerged for comorbid bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, panic/phobic, psychotic, or somatoform/dissociative disorders, ps = .029-.314. The results show gender differences in conditions comorbid with PTSD generally align with internalizing and externalizing dimensions. Differences in comorbidities with PTSD between women and men could have implications for treatment development and delivery.

Health-deteriorating effects of obesity include chronic inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). A recent pilot human trial reported reduced IR in colchicine-treated vs. placebo-treated adults with obesity. Thus, we examined anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of two commonly employed dosing regimens of colchicine, 0.2 mg/kg and 0. 02mg/kg, in a high-fat diet (HFD; 45%) mouse obesity model. We placed male C57BL/6J mice on HFD from ages 8 through 16 weeks. At age 12 weeks, mice were randomized to: high-dose colchicine (CHD 0.2 mg/kg, n=28), low dose colchicine (CLD, 0. 02mg/kg, n=26) or vehicle (V, n=26), injected intraperitoneally (IP) for 4 weeks. Serum CRP was measured by ELISA. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and fasting IP glucose tolerance (GTT) and insulin-tolerance (ITT) tests were performed at baseline and following treatment. Hepatic tissue was processed for immunoblotting to determine expression of NLRP3 and caspase-1. Changes in pre- vs. post-treatment serum CRP were significantly different in the CHD group (Mean±SD: -0.57±3.1µg/mL) vs. V (+3.64±2.9µg/mL; p Presentation: No date and time listed

OBJECTIVE: To examine if colchicine’s anti-inflammatory effects would improve measures of lipolysis and distribution of leukocyte populations in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in which 40 adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were randomized to colchicine 0.6mg or placebo twice-daily for 3 months. Noninsulin-suppressible (l(0)), insulin-suppressible (l(2)), and maximal (l(0)+l(2)) lipolysis rates were calculated by minimal model analysis. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. SAT leukocyte populations were characterized by flow cytometry analysis from biopsied samples obtained pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Colchicine treatment significantly decreased l(2) and l(0)+l(2) versus placebo (p’s 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In adults with obesity and MetS, colchicine appears to improve insulin regulation of lipolysis and reduce markers of systemic inflammation independent of an effect on local leukocyte distributions in SAT. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which colchicine affects adipose tissue metabolic pathways in adults with obesity and MetS.

Among active duty service members, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses have increased dramatically since 2000. Because psychiatric comorbidity is more common for PTSD than for other mental health disorders, we examined the prevalence estimates of disorders comorbid or trimorbid with PTSD in this study. The medical records of 523,626 female and male active duty Sailors and Marines who entered the U.S. military between 2006 and 2013 were examined for diagnoses of PTSD and 14 potentially comorbid disorders. Results showed that 1.8% of military members had a PTSD diagnosis; among those with PTSD, 83.3% had a comorbid mental health disorder, and 62.2% had a third (i.e., trimorbid) disorder. Most frequently, PTSD co-occurred with depressive disorder (49.0%), adjustment disorder (37.0%), generalized anxiety disorder (36.1%), and alcohol use disorder (26.9%). All disorders we examined were significantly more likely to be diagnosed in service members with PTSD than in those without PTSD, odds ratios = 1.52-29.63. For service members with PTSD, comorbid mental health disorders are the rule rather than the exception. Consequently, it is important that clinicians also assess for other disorders and select treatment options that address both PTSD and comorbid conditions.

We have prepared and characterized hydrosulfide-selective ChemFET devices based on a nitrile butadiene rubber membrane containing tetraoctylammonium nitrate as a chemical recognition element that is applied to commercially available field-effect transistors. The sensors have fast (120 s) reversible responses, selectivity over other biologically relevant thiol-containing species, detection limits of 8 mM, and a detection range from approximately 5 to 500 mM. Sensitivities are shown to be 53 mV per decade at pH 8. Use of this compact, benchtop sensor platform requires little training - only the ability to measure DC voltage, which can be accomplished with a conventional multimeter or a simple analog data acquisition device paired with a personal computer. To the best of our knowledge, this report describes the first example of direct potentiometric measurement of the hydrosulfide ion in water.

Introduction Subsyndromal PTSD (sub-PTSD) is associated with functional impairment and increased risk for full PTSD. This study examined factors associated with progression from sub-PTSD to full PTSD symptomatology among previously deployed military veterans. Materials and Methods Data were drawn from a longitudinal survey of Navy and Marine Corps personnel leaving military service between 2007 and 2010 administered immediately before separation (baseline) and ~1 year later (follow-up). Survey measures assessed PTSD symptoms at both times; the baseline survey also assessed potential predictors of symptom change over time. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of progression from sub-PTSD to full PTSD status. Results Compared to those with no or few PTSD symptoms at baseline, individuals with sub-PTSD were almost three times more likely to exhibit full PTSD symptomatology at follow-up. Risk factors for symptom increase among those with sub-PTSD included moderate or high levels of combat exposure and utilization of fewer positive coping behaviors. Use of prescribed psychotropic medication was protective against symptom increase. Conclusion This study identified several predictors of symptom increase in military veterans with sub-PTSD. Interventions targeting modifiable risk factors for symptom escalation, including behavioral and pharmacological treatments, may reduce rates of new-onset PTSD in this population.

Background: Obesity-associated inflammation promotes adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and contributes to the progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that colchicine may improve metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes; however, colchicine’s effects on metabolic and inflammatory measures within AT remain unclear. Methods: The aim of this study was to examine if colchicine’s anti-inflammatory effects would improve measures of lipolysis and immune cell populations in subcutaneous AT (SAT). This is a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in which 40 nondiabetic adults with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were randomized to colchicine 0.6mg or placebo twice daily for 3 months. Blood samples for insulin, glucose, and free fatty acids were collected in the fasted state and during a frequently-sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Noninsulin-suppressible (l0), insulin-suppressible (l2), and maximal (l0+l2) lipolysis rates were calculated by minimal model analysis. Body composition was determined by DXA. SAT immune cell populations were characterized by flow cytometry fluorescence-activated single cell sorting of the stromovascular fractions obtained after collagenase digestion of SAT samples obtained using a mini-liposuction technique pre- and post-intervention. Results: Data from 18 subjects in the colchicine group (Mean ± SD: age 48.4 ± 13.5 y; BMI 39.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2; sex: female 72.2%) and 18 subjects in the placebo group (age 44.7 ± 10.2 y; BMI 41.8 ± 8.2 kg/m2; sex: female 77.8%) were available for this study. Colchicine treatment significantly reduced l2 (p = 0.04) and l0+l2 (p = 0.04) versus placebo. These changes were significantly associated with reductions in systemic inflammation, including the changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations, white blood cell count, circulating monocyte and neutrophil populations, and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (p’s < 0.015). Colchicine did not significantly alter SAT immune cell population distributions (p’s > 0.05). Conclusions: In adults with obesity and MetS, colchicine may improve insulin action at the level of AT. These improvements were positively associated with the suppression of systemic inflammation. However, no local AT inflammatory cell populations were significantly affected by colchicine use in our study, suggesting that colchicine’s systemic, rather than local, anti-inflammatory effects may be more consequential in ameliorating AT metabolic pathways in MetS. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying colchicine’s effects in AT, as these investigations could potentially shed light on treatments to improve metabolic outcomes in human obesity.

AIMS: Hemolysis of serially-collected insulin serum samples frequently causes falsely-low measured concentrations due to release of intracellular insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). We investigated if bacitracin, an in vitro IDE inhibitor, could prevent hemolysis-induced insulin degradation during insulin sensitivity testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from adults undergoing serial sampling for insulin sensitivity. A dose-finding study measured insulin from experimentally-hemolyzed samples containing five bacitracin concentrations (0–2.5g/L) and from non-experimentally-hemolyzed samples. To confirm utility of bacitracin in the clinical setting, we compared insulin in samples collected with and without 1g/L bacitracin from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT), where hemolysis often occurs accidentally. RESULTS: In the dose-finding study, bacitracin 0.25g/L, 1g/L, and 2.5g/L all maximally prevented insulin degradation in experimentally-hemolyzed samples. Among FSIVGTT unintentionally-hemolyzed samples, insulin concentrations from bacitracin-containing samples were significantly higher than from those without bacitracin (p

Introduction: Increased circulating free fatty acid (FFA) due to impaired control of adipocyte triglyceride lipolysis contributes to the development of obesity-related insulin resistance (IR). However, it is less clear whether there are differences in the relationship between lipolysis and skeletal muscle vs hepatic IR, or how these relationships are influenced by age, race, sex, body composition, or inflammation. We investigated the associations of lipolytic rate (LR) with skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, as evidenced by insulin sensitivity index (SI), and hepatic IR, as measured by HOMA-IR. Methods: 46 healthy, non-diabetic adults with obesity (BMI 39.8±6.9 kg/m2) and 11 lean (BMI 25.6±2.1 kg/m2) adults (40% NHB, 20% HISP, 37% NHW, 3% Asian; 65% female; age 45.8±12.6y) underwent fasting blood draws and an insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT). LR was calculated by a mathematical minimal model that estimated basal lipolysis and insulin-mediated lipolysis stimulated by insulin modulation of FFA during the FSIVGTT; SI was derived from Bergman’s minimal model. Body composition was determined by DXA. Using ANCOVA, we examined how LR was related to SI and HOMA-IR, controlling for age, race, and sex. Secondary analyses examined if the differences seen could be accounted for by differences in total fat mass or hsCRP. Results: As expected, LR was significantly elevated in adults with obesity (Mean±SD: 0.069±0.047 vs. 0.0052±0.00084 mEq/L*min, p.05), LR remained correlated with SI (B= -.24, p.05). By contrast, for HOMA-IR, even after including total fat mass and hsCRP in the model, the effect of LR was still observed (B= +.30, p

Introduction: Low-grade chronic inflammation, due in part to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, increases with increasing adiposity and plays a significant role in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, to date, the efficacy of anti-inflammatory medications to improve aspects of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is not well established. As colchicine has been shown to prevent assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome and ameliorate other inflammatory conditions, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for improving metabolic and inflammatory outcomes in adults with obesity and MetS. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in which 40 non-diabetic adults with obesity, MetS, and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP≥ 2.0 mg/L) were randomized to colchicine 0.6 mg or placebo twice daily for three months. Fasting labs, insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT), and body composition by DXA were performed at baseline and 3-month follow up. The primary outcome was change in FSIVGTT insulin sensitivity (SI) as measured by Bergman’s minimal model. Secondary outcomes included changes in other metabolic parameters and inflammatory markers. ANCOVA was used to examine differences between treatment arms, with age, sex, baseline body fat%, and Δbody fat% as covariates. Data were analyzed according to intention-to-treat and reported as mean±SD. Results: Colchicine significantly reduced inflammatory indices, including hsCRP (-2.8±2.9 vs. 0.4±2.8 mg/L, p=.002), ESR (-5.5±6.4 vs. 0.6±6.3 mm/hr, p=.007), white blood cell count (-1.09±1.23 vs. 0.29±1.16 K/µL, p=.002), and absolute neutrophil count (-1.06±1.05 vs. 0.12±0.93 K/µL, p

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for improving metabolic and inflammatory outcomes in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Adults with obesity and MetS, but who did not have diabetes, were randomized to colchicine 0.6 mg or placebo capsules twice daily for 3 months. The primary outcome was change in insulin sensitivity (SI ) as estimated by insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Secondary outcomes included changes in other metabolic variables and inflammatory markers. RESULTS Of 40 participants randomized (21 colchicine, 19 placebo), 37 completed the trial. Compared with placebo, colchicine significantly reduced C-reactive protein (P

BACKGROUND: Colchicine has received renewed interest for its potential beneficial effects in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. This has presumed to be primarily due to its anti-inflammatory effects; however, limited data exist regarding colchicine’s impact on other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To examine if colchicine’s anti-inflammatory actions would lead to reduced circulating concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in metabolically unhealthy individuals. We also examined if colchicine would improve concentrations of other atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study in which 40 adults with metabolic syndrome were randomized to colchicine 0.6mg or placebo twice daily for three months. Blood samples were collected in the fasted state. OxLDL was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure other lipoprotein particle subfraction concentrations. RESULTS: As compared with placebo, colchicine reduced markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and GlycA (p’s0.05). CONCLUSION: Although colchicine may have benefit in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in at-risk individuals, we found no evidence that these effects are due to improvements in circulating atherogenic lipoprotein particle concentrations. Further studies are needed to confirm whether colchicine increases circulating oxLDL and small LDL levels in adults with metabolic syndrome. If true, additional research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association.

In adipose tissue, resistance to insulin's ability to increase glucose uptake can be induced by multiple factors, including obesity. Impaired insulin action may take place at different spatial loci at the cellular or subcellular level. To begin to understand the spatial response to insulin in human subcutaneous adipose tissue (hSAT), we developed a quantitative imaging method for activation of a major signaling node in the glucoregulatory insulin signaling pathway. After treatment with insulin or control media, biopsied tissues were immunostained for Akt phosphorylation at Thr-308/9 (pAkt) and then imaged by confocal fluorescence microscopy automated to collect a large grid of high resolution fields. In hSAT from 40 men and women with obesity, substantial heterogeneity of pAkt densities in adipocyte membranes were quantified in each image mosaic using a spatial unit of at least twice the size of the point spread function. Statistical analysis of the distribution of pAkt spatial units was best fit as the weighted sum of two separate distributions, corresponding to either a low or high pAkt density. A "high pAkt fraction" metric was calculated from the fraction of high pAkt distributed units over the total units. Importantly, upon insulin stimulation, tissues from the same biopsy showed either a minimal or a substantial change in the high pAkt fraction. Further supporting a two-state response to insulin stimulation, subjects with similar insulin sensitivity indices are also segregated into either of two clusters identified by the amount of membrane-localized pAkt.

Objective To update a previous assessment of birth defects among infants born to active duty U.S. military mothers who received the 2009–2010 pandemic H1N1 vaccine, in comparison to the 2008–2009 seasonal influenza vaccine, during pregnancy. Here, we updated the previous comparative analyses with a more refined definition for birth defects using an additional year of follow-up data from both inpatient and outpatient medical encounters. Methods The study population included 15,510 live born infants born to active duty mothers vaccinated during pregnancy with either the 2009–2010 pandemic H1N1 vaccine (n = 9033) or the 2008–2009 seasonal influenza vaccine (n = 6477). Birth defect cases were defined as those infants who received a birth defect diagnosis on one inpatient record or two outpatient records on different days within the first year of life. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between birth defects and maternal vaccination during pregnancy with pandemic H1N1 vaccine versus seasonal influenza vaccine. Results Infants born to mothers vaccinated during pregnancy with the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, versus the seasonal influenza vaccine, were not at increased odds of birth defects in univariable (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.95–1.34) or multivariable (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.96–1.35) models. Findings were not significant when further limited to first trimester exposure. Multivariable models were adjusted for infant sex and plurality; maternal age, race/ethnicity, marital status, service branch, military rank, and occupation; timing of vaccination; and receipt of vaccination(s) not routinely recommended during pregnancy. Conclusion Comparable to our previous analyses assessing birth defects diagnosed at birth, no significant association was found between the pandemic H1N1 vaccination during pregnancy and birth defects, versus the seasonal influenza vaccine. These findings are reassuring and provide additional support for H1N1-containing seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between spousal deployment and postpartum depression diagnosis among U.S. military wives, accounting for the timing of deployment with respect to pregnancy and delivery.A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the association between spousal deployment and postpartum depression among pregnant wives of active-duty service members. Electronic medical records for 161,454 births occurring between 2004 and 2009 were used to define postpartum depression. Three non-mutually exclusive exposure variables were created to categorize deployments as occurring before, during, or after the infant's delivery. A multivariable logistic regression model mutually adjusted for these exposure variables was fitted, producing an odds ratio for each of the three timing categories.A modest significant association was detected only in those whose husbands deployed in pregnancy and returned after delivery (i.e., deployed during delivery) [odds ratio (OR) 1.10, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.15]. An interactive effect between preexisting depression or anxiety and deployment during delivery was also detected in the data (OR 1.13, 95 % CI 1.07-1.20 for those without a preexisting diagnosis; OR 0.87, 95 % CI 0.80-0.95 for those with a preexisting diagnosis).Health care providers should continue to be aware of spousal deployment as a military-unique stressor in this population and rigorously screen for potential symptoms of postpartum depression, especially among those whose husbands are absent at delivery.