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We have included opacity tables in our stellar evolution code that enable us to model accurately the structure of stars composed of mixtures with carbon and oxygen independently enhanced relative to solar. We present tests to demonstrate the effects of the new tables. Two of these are practical examples: the effect on the evolution of a thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch star and a Wolf–Rayet star. The changes are small but perceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have been shown to reduce pruritus and improve associated inflammatory skin lesions in canine atopic dermatitis (cAD)., Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ilunocitinib, in comparison to oclacitinib, for the control of cAD in a randomised, blinded trial., Animals: Three-hundred-and-thirty-eight dogs with cAD., Materials and Methods: Dogs were randomised to receive oclacitinib (0.4-0.6 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days; then once daily) or ilunocitinib (0.6-0.8 mg/kg once daily), for up to 112 days. Owners assessed pruritus using an enhanced Visual Analog Scale (PVAS). Investigators assessed skin lesions using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th interaction (CADESI-04)., Results: Reduction in pruritus and CADESI-04 scores was similar for both treatment groups from Day (D)0-D14. PVAS scores increased between D14 and D28 for oclacitinib and decreased for ilunocitinib. On D28 to D112, mean PVAS and CADESI-04 scores were significantly lower for ilunocitinib compared to oclacitinib (p ≤ 0.003 and p ≤ 0.023, respectively). On D28 to D112, a greater number of ilunocitinib-treated dogs achieved clinical remission of pruritus (i.e. PVAS score <2). Subjective assessment of overall response was significantly better for ilunocitinib on D28 to D112 (p ≤ 0.002). Both drugs demonstrated similar safety throughout the study., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Ilunocitinib rapidly and safely controlled signs of cAD. Ilunocitinib demonstrated significantly better control of pruritus and skin lesions compared to oclacitinib, with more dogs achieving clinical remission of pruritus., (© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of ESVD and ACVD.)

Dominant mutations in serine palmitoyltransferase long chain base subunit 1 ( SPTLC1 ) , a known cause of hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1), are a recently identified cause of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS) with slow progression. We present a case of SPTLC1- associated JALS followed for 30 years. She was initially evaluated at age 22 years for upper extremity weakness. She experienced gradual decline in muscle strength with development of weakness and hyperreflexia in lower extremities and diffuse fasciculations in the upper extremities at 26 years. She lost independent ambulation at age 45 years. Pulmonary function declined from a forced vital capacity of 94% predicted at 27 years to 49% predicted at 47 years, and she was hospitalized twice for respiratory failure. To our knowledge, this is the longest documented follow-up period of JALS caused by a de novo pathogenic variant in SPTLC1 ., Competing Interests: Aparna Ajjarapu, BA, received funding from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center grant (NIH P50NS053672). Shawna M.E. Feeley, MS, LGC has no conflicts of interest. Dr. Michael E. Shy, MD receives support from NCATS and NINDS for the Inherited Neuropathies Consortium (2U54NS065712), a member of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN). The INC also receives support from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Charcot Marie Tooth Association (CMTA). He has no other disclosures to declare that are relevant to the present manuscript. Christina Trout, RN, MSN has no conflicts of interest. Dr. Stephen Zuchner, MD, PhD has consulted for Applied Therapeutics and Dtx Pharma. He is an unpaid board member of UDN Foundation, TGP Foundation, and the advisory boards for MDA and CMTA. Dr. Steven A. Moore, MD, PhD receives funding from the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center Grant (NIH P50NS053672). He has nothing else to disclose. Dr. Katherine D. Mathews receives funding from the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center Grant (NIH P50NS053672) and the Centers for Disease Control (U01 DD001248). She serves as an advisory board member for MDA and the FSH Society; is a board member for the Friedreich Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA); receives clinical trial funding from PTC Therapeutics, Sarepta Therapeutics, Pfizer, Reata, Italfarmaco, CSL Behring, AMO Pharma, FibroGen, and Retrotope; and serves as an industry consultant for Sarepta, AskBio, ML Bio, Dyne (no personal compensation)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Blended biocomposites created from the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between polysaccharides and structural proteins exhibit useful and unique properties. However, engineering these biopolymers into applicable forms is challenging due to the coupling of the material's physicochemical properties to its morphology, and the undertaking that comes with controlling this. In this particular study, numerous properties of the Bombyx mori silk and microcrystalline cellulose biocomposites blended using ionic liquid and regenerated with various coagulation agents were investigated. Specifically, the relationship between the composition of polysaccharide-protein bio-electrolyte membranes and the resulting morphology and ionic conductivity is explored using numerous characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanoindentation, and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed that when silk is the dominating component in the biocomposite, the ionic conductivity is higher, which also correlates with higher β-sheet content. However, when cellulose becomes the dominating component in the biocomposite, this relationship is not observed; instead, cellulose semicrystallinity and mechanical properties dominate the ionic conduction., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Introduction: Information on use of palliative care services among individuals with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is scant despite the clearly documented need., Methods: We examined associations between uptake of palliative care services by 233 males with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy aged 12 and older for both caregiver and affected male characteristics using the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network baseline interview., Results: Ninety-one percent of caregivers (213/233) used at least one palliative care service. Case management had the highest frequency of use (59%). Use of palliative care was more frequently associated with the characteristics of affected males, as were some individual palliative care services. Utilization of six individual services differed among Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network sites. While research suggests that pain is a frequent problem in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, only 12.5% reported use of pain management services., Discussion: Although palliative care use among families of males with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy is high overall, there is much variability in use of individual services. Use of palliative care is driven by disease experience in the affected male. Many of the care recommendations for these individuals highlight the importance for early involvement of palliative care professionals., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: To collect information about the needs of families affected by childhood-onset dystrophinopathies residing in the United States., Methods: Individuals with an eligible dystrophinopathy were identified by the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research network. Between September 2008 and December 2012, 272 caregivers completed a 48-item survey about needs related to information, healthcare services, psychosocial issues, finances, caregiver demographics, and the individual's functioning., Results: Overall, at least 80% of the survey items were identified as needs for more than one-half of caregivers. Among the needs identified, physical health and access to information were currently managed for most caregivers. Items identified as needed but managed less consistently were funding for needs not covered by insurance and psychosocial support., Conclusions: Healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and policymakers should be aware of the many needs reported by caregivers, and focus on addressing gaps in provision of needed financial and psychosocial services., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: K.D.M. receives funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant 2 U54 NS053672-11, the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DD000189), PTC Therapeutics Inc, Sarepta Therapeutics Inc, Pfizer Inc, FibroGen Inc, AMO, BMS, Santhera, Acceleron, Takeda, Reata, and Intalfarmaco. Previously, funding was received from GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly and Company, Prosensa Therapeutics BV/BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc, ViroPharma Inc, Marathon Pharmaceuticals LLC, aTyr Pharma Inc, and Horizon Pharma Ireland Ltd. K.D.M. is an advisory board member for Sarepta Therapeutics Inc and Santhera. K.D.M. is a scientific board member for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the FSH Society. K.D.M. received no personal funding aside from travel expense reimbursement. The remaining authors (K.M.C., K.E., C.T., P.A.R., and S.K.P.) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and multisystem involvement. Recent advances in management of individuals with DMD have prolonged survival. Lack of standardized care spurred an international collaboration to develop consensus-based care considerations for diagnosis and management. In this study, we evaluate adherence to considerations at selected sites., Methods: We collaborated with the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network. Our sample included males with DMD and Becker muscular dystrophy <21 years as of December 31, 2010, with 1 health care encounter on or after January 1, 2012. We collected data from medical records on encounters occurring January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2014. Adherence was determined when frequency of visits or assessments were at or above recommendations for selected care considerations., Results: Our analytic sample included 299 individuals, 7% of whom (20/299) were classified as childhood-onset Becker muscular dystrophy. Adherence for neuromuscular and respiratory clinician visits was 65% for the cohort; neuromuscular assessments and corticosteroid side effect monitoring measures ranged from 16% to 68%. Adherence was 83% for forced vital capacity and ≤58% for other respiratory diagnostics. Cardiologist assessments and echocardiograms were found for at least 84%. Transition planning for education or health care was documented for 31% of eligible males., Conclusions: Medical records data were used to identify areas in which practice aligns with the care considerations. However, there remains inconsistency across domains and insufficiency in critical areas. More research is needed to explain this variability and identify reliable methods to measure outcomes., Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2018 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Introduction Care Considerations supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy were published in 2010, but there has been limited study of implementation in the United States. Methods A questionnaire collecting information about standard care practices and perceived barriers was piloted by 9 clinic directors of facilities within the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research network. Results Six clinic directors completed the questionnaire; 1 adult-only clinic was excluded. Over 80% adherence was found for 30 of 55 recommendations examined. Greatest variability was for initiation of corticosteroids, bone health monitoring, type of pulmonary function testing, and psychosocial management. Barriers included unclear guidelines, inadequate time and funding, family-specific barriers and lack of empirical support for some recommendations. Discussion This pilot study showed implementation of the 2010 Care Considerations, except for recommendations based largely on expert consensus. Complete adherence requires more studies and active promotion.

An estimated 4.7 billion people live in regions exposed to soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal parasites that have significant impacts on the health of women smallholder farmers. The goal of this trial was to determine whether treatment with albendazole impacts the work capacity of these farmers. This is a prospective double-blind, randomized effectiveness trial. Participants ( N = 250) were randomly selected from safe motherhood groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prevalence/intensity of hookworm infection, hemoglobin, and demographics was obtained. At study (Time = 0), participants were randomized into treatment (albendazole 400 mg) and placebo (similar placebo tablet) groups. A step test was administered as a proxy metric for work capacity. Work capacity was defined as ∆heart rate before and after 3 minutes of step testing, in beats per minute. At study (time = 7 months), the step test was repeated and work capacity remeasured. The ∆work capacity (time = 0 minus time = 7 months) was the primary outcome. Investigators/field assistants were blinded to who was enrolled in groups, hookworm status, and step test results. Regression showed highly significant interactive effects of hookworm status and treatment group relative to ∆work capacity after controlling for resting pulse rate and age ( P < 0.002). Estimated marginal means for work capacity (WC) for each of four groups (hookworm positive plus placebo, hookworm positive plus treatment, hookworm negative plus placebo, and hookworm negative plus treatment) showed women who were hookworm positive and received treatment decreased heart rate by 9.744 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.42, 13.07) beats per minute (increased WC), whereas women who were hookworm positive and received placebo saw a nonsignificant decrease of 0.034 (95% CI: -3.16, 3.84) beats per minute. Treatment with albendazole was associated with improved aerobic work capacity posttreatment. Given modest costs of drug distributions, risk benefits of periodic deworming warrants further study in larger controlled trials.

Context: Youth- through masters-level competitive swimmers incur significant shoulder pain. Risk factors associated with shoulder pain include high swimming yardage, a lack of cross-training, decreased shoulder strength and reduced core endurance, and limited posterior shoulder and pectoral length. Since training, swimming exposure, and physical-performance measures have all been associated with shoulder pain, the methods used to train swimmers may influence the development of shoulder pain, yet studies delineating training methods are lacking., Objectives: To identify in-water and dry-land practices among youth- through masters-level swimmers in the United States (US) and describe the potential effects of training practices on swimmers' shoulders., Design: A Web-based survey was developed to identify common training practices in 5 areas: quantification of swimming and dry-land training and in-water techniques such as kicking drills, upper-body stretching, shoulder and core strengthening, and cross-training., Participants: 156 swim-team coaches or captains of youth, high school, and college swim teams and 196 masters swimmers participated (N = 352). There was geographic representation from across the US., Results: Responses indicated diverse training practices. However, most respondents used kicking drills, which may provoke shoulder pain due to prolonged poor positioning. High yardage swum by high school and college teams increases their risk of shoulder tendinopathy. Stretching and strengthening exercises and dosages commonly used were inconsistent with current research recommendations and lacked specificity in terms of addressing typical mobility restrictions and muscle weaknesses described in the swimming literature. Core strengthening and cross-training are frequently performed., Conclusions: Several areas of in-water and dry-land practice were identified that may put swimmers' shoulders at risk for injury. Further research regarding the safety and efficacy of training programs is recommended to determine optimal methods of injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Objective: To describe the occurrence of selected neurobehavioral concerns among males with a dystrophinopathy and to explore the associations with corticosteroid or supportive device use., Methods: Medical record abstraction of neurobehavioral concerns was conducted for 857 affected males from 765 families, born since 1982 and followed through 2011, and enrolled in the population-based Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking, and Research Network. Cumulative probabilities for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior problems, and depressed mood were calculated from Kaplan-Meier estimates for the subsample of oldest affected males (n = 765). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for corticosteroid and supportive device use were estimated from Cox regression models with time-dependent covariates., Results: Of the 857 affected males, 375 (44%) had at least 1 of the 3 selected neurobehavioral concerns; a similar percentage (45%) was found among the 765 oldest affected males. The estimated cumulative probabilities among these oldest affected males were 23% for ADHD, 43% for behavior problems, and 51% for depressed mood. Corticosteroid (HR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.75-3.16) and mobility device (HR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.06-2.21) use were associated with behavior problems. Use of a mobility device (HR = 3.53, 95% CI = 2.13-5.85), but not corticosteroids, was associated with depressed mood. ADHD was not significantly associated with corticosteroid or mobility device use. Respiratory assist device use was not examined due to low numbers of users before onset of neurobehavioral concerns., Conclusion: Selected neurobehavioral concerns were common among males with a dystrophinopathy. Reported associations highlight the importance of increased monitoring of neurobehavioral concerns as interventions are implemented and disease progresses.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is an increasingly reported parasite in Europe that develops in dogs after ingestion of infective third stage larvae (L3) that reside in gastropod molluscs which are needed to complete the parasite's life-cycle. Infection can produce a diversity of clinical signs, determined by involvement of the respiratory, neurological, and/or coagulation system, with a likely fatal outcome in the absence of treatment. Few drugs have been shown to reliably prevent infection, and data on treatment of infections is limited. A controlled, randomized, partially blinded laboratory study was therefore executed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination tablet of spinosad/milbemycin oxime in dogs inoculated with approximately 250 A. vasorum L3. Sixteen healthy nematode free adult dogs were randomly allocated to two study groups of 8 dogs each. Thirty days post inoculation (dpi) all dogs in the fed state were treated: dogs in group B were treated with spinosad and milbemycin oxime at the dose rates of 45-60 mg/kg and 0.75-1.0mg/kg bodyweight, respectively, approximately the lower half portion of the expected full unit dose range; dogs in group A were treated with placebo tablets. All dogs were euthanized and necropsied 56-58 dpi. The heart and lungs were examined to determine the presence of A. vasorum. All placebo group dogs were infected at necropsy with counts ranging from 22 to 98 adult worms and a geometric mean worm count of 55.2. In contrast, the geometric mean worm count in the spinosad/milbemycin oxime group was 0.7 with worm numbers ranging from 0 to 8. The results of this study demonstrate that a single treatment with the tablet combination of spinosad and milbemycin oxime administered 30 dpi provided 98.8% preventive efficacy against development of adult A. vasorum infections. Monthly treatments with spinosad and milbemycin oxime have the potential to prevent the establishment of infections with A. vasorum in dogs., (Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Palliative care services that address physical pain and emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs may benefit individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)., Methods: The objective of this study was to describe the palliative care services that families of males with DMD report they receive. A questionnaire was administered to families of males with DMD born prior to January 1, 1982. Thirty-four families responded., Results: Most families (85%) had never heard the term palliative care. Only attendant care and skilled nursing services showed much usage, with 44% and 50% indicating receipt of these services, respectively. Receipt of other services was reported less frequently: pastoral care (27%); respite care (18%); pain management (12%); and hospice care (6%). Only 8 respondents (25%) reported having any type of directive document in place., Conclusion: The data suggest a need for improved awareness of palliative care and related services among families of young men with DMD., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

We have developed a PCR procedure to amplify DNA for quick identification of the economically important species from each of the six taxonomic groups in the plant pathogen genus Phytophthora. This procedure involves amplification of the 5.8S ribosomal DNA gene and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) with the ITS primers ITS 5 and ITS 4. Restriction digests of the amplified DNA products were conducted with the restriction enzymes RsaI, MspI, and HaeIII. Restriction fragment patterns were similar after digestions with RsaI for the following species: P. capsici and P. citricola; P. infestans, P. cactorum, and P. mirabilis; P. fragariae, P. cinnamomi, and P. megasperma from peach; P. palmivora, P. citrophthora, P. erythroseptica, and P. cryptogea; and P. megasperma from raspberry and P. sojae. Restriction digests with MspI separated P. capsici from P. citricola and separated P. cactorum from P. infestans and P. mirabilis. Restriction digests with HaeIII separated P. citrophthora from P. cryptogea, P. cinnamomi from P. fragariae and P. megasperma on peach, P. palmivora from P. citrophthora, and P. megasperma on raspberry from P. sojae. P. infestans and P. mirabilis digests were identical and P. cryptogea and P. erythroseptica digests were identical with all restriction enzymes tested. A unique DNA sequence from the ITS region I in P. capsici was used to develop a primer called PCAP. The PCAP primer was used in PCRs with ITS 1 and amplified only isolates of P. capsici, P. citricola, and P. citrophthora and not 13 other species in the genus. Restriction digests with MspI separated P. capsici from the other two species. PCR was superior to traditional isolation methods for detection of P. capsici in infected bell pepper tissue in field samples. The techniques described will provide a powerful tool for identification of the major species in the genus Phytophthora.

Two approaches to reducing the optical aberrations of concave diffraction gratings have been studied: holographically controlling the groove curvature and spacing, and shaping the optical substrate while keeping the grooves straight and equally spaced. We develop the theory of ellipsoidal holographic diffraction gratings and apply this theory to Rowland circle spectrographs. We show that ellipsoidal holographic gratings used in second order can yield high spectral resolutions across the spectral band. These gratings may be suitable for use in far-ultraviolet Rowland spectrographs with small bandpasses.

Two approaches to reducing the optical aberrations of concave diffraction gratings have been studied to obtain candidate grating designs for the Lyman/Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer mission. The first approach involves shaping the grating substrate while using straight and equally spaced grooves. The second approach involves using a gating substrate with a relatively simple figure and holographically controlling the groove curvature and spacing. We analyze and compare specific designs derived from both approaches.

Two approaches to reducing optical aberrations of concave grating spectrographs have been used, holographically controlling the groove curvature and spacing and reshaping the optical substrate while ruling the grooves conventionally. The latter approach, slightly deforming an ellipsoidal grating blank, can lead to diffractionlimited performance at a single far ultraviolet wavelength. When such a grating is used in a slitted Rowland circle spectrograph, the result is an extremely efficient spectrograph with spectral resolving power of approximately 30,000 and low astigmatism. Optical fabrication technology has advanced to the point where these exotic surface gratings are becoming practical.