LSU Health Digital Scholar (Louisiana State Univ.)
Not a member yet
8182 research outputs found
Sort by
Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
No full textWe summarize the basic insights that mathematical and computational modeling has provided so far into how the intrinsic properties of midbrain dopamine neurons might contribute to their electrical activity in vivo, particularly with respect to the integration of their synaptic inputs. We emphasize modeling subpopulations with different responses to noise, depolarization, and hyperpolarization. Topics include conductance-based single-compartment models with Hodgkin-Huxley-type equivalent circuits and mass balances, bifurcation theory and fast/slow analyses, pacemaking, degeneracy, bursting, dynamic clamp, Markov models of ion channels, linking electrical and metabolic activity, synaptic integration in the balanced state in vivo, and multicompartmental models with spatially extended morphologies
Evaluation of the user experience for a point of care molecular test for causes of vaginitis
Full text linkBackground: Vaginitis is a major cause of healthcare visits in the US, costing over $1.2 billion annually. Point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) could improve accuracy of diagnosis and treatment during initial visit for vaginitis compared to send-out NAATs. Methods: A secondary analysis of data was collected from test operators at POC testing sites where the Xpert Xpress Multiplex Vaginal Panel test (“MVP test”) was performed. Users completed a survey assessing their experience with the instrument system and the PCR-based MVP test. Results: The MVP test demonstrated consistent performance, measured by positive and negative percent agreement, across all user categories, including both trained and untrained staff. Performance was evaluated based on job function (clinicians, non-clinicians, support staff) and educational level (bachelor’s degree or higher, associate’s degree or some college, high school diploma/general educational development (GED) with technical certification), with no significant differences in performance (P \u3e 0.082 and P \u3e 0.050, respectively). User feedback from 19 operators showed that 15/19 (79%) of users found the GeneXpert Xpress Instrument System easy to set up, and 18/19 (96%) found the test instructions easy to follow. Users described the system as user-friendly with clear instructions and helpful videos. Overall, 19/19 (100%) agreed that the MVP test was easy to perform. Conclusions: Availability of accurate POC diagnostics will only be useful if the test can be performed by any potential user. Our study results suggest that the MVP test was acceptable to users and that results were accurate regardless of user qualifications. Thus, this test has the potential to improve the immediate clinical outcome by supporting accurate, same day treatment for causes of vaginitis
Bioactive Supramolecular Polymers for Skin Regeneration Following Burn Injury
No full textSevere deep dermal burns present a significant challenge for the clinician, often resulting in complications including infection, scarring, and potentially multisystem organ failure. The current standard of care, which involves debridement and skin coverage, has improved survival rates but remains insufficient for optimal tissue regeneration and functional recovery. Additionally, there can be limited donor skin availability with severe burns, leading to the use of skin substitutes to be applied with varying degrees of success reported. Biomaterial scaffolds, designed to reduce the reliance on skin grafting, could promote improved healing and patient outcomes. Recent research has focused on promoting the proliferative phase of wound healing through the use of extracellular matrix (ECM) mimetic scaffolds; however, these constructs continue to exhibit critical limitations, including mechanical fragility, heightened infection susceptibility, limited morphological conformity to host tissue architecture, and the necessity for secondary surgical intervention for scaffold retrieval. This study presents a bioactive supramolecular polymer capable of rapid self-assembly into nanofibers, which act as a scaffold to promote tissue regeneration following burn injury. The scaffold is biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of presenting a bioactive peptide designed to reduce acute inflammation and promote keratinocyte migration in the scaffold. The supramolecular polymers significantly accelerated early wound healing in a clinically relevant deep dermal murine burn injury model. This work provides a promising approach to the development of biomaterials that combine both therapeutic strategies, with scaffolding to promote skin regeneration following severe burn injury
Trauma Team Activation Criteria Effectiveness for the Management of Geriatric Patient Fall Injuries
No full textFalls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly, yet standardized trauma activation guidelines for this population remain lacking. This study analyzed trauma activation criteria for geriatric patients (\u3e65 years) at a level 1 trauma center, focusing on overtriage and undertriage rates. A retrospective review of 500 patients assessed activation levels, discharge outcomes, and ICU admissions. Overtriage, defined as discharge home post-activation, occurred in 18.5% of lower-level activations, compared to 3.7% in non-activations and 10.7% in higher activations. Undertriage, defined as ICU admission or mortality despite low or no activation, was observed in 29% of non-activated patients and 45.6% of lower-level activations. These findings highlight significant gaps in current triage practices, emphasizing the need for improved, standardized activation criteria to optimize resource allocation and outcomes for the growing geriatric trauma population
Case Report: Disseminated herpes simplex virus complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a neonate
Full text linkNeonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection carries a high mortality rate due to its potential to cause disseminated disease involving multiple organ systems, which can rapidly progress to shock and death if not promptly treated. In rare cases, neonates may mount an uncontrolled inflammatory response leading to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome. We present a case of neonatal HSV infection complicated by HLH, highlighting the challenges of managing both conditions concurrently. Our therapeutic approach demonstrated a reduction in systemic inflammation and viral load; however, despite these efforts, the patient developed multiorgan failure and ultimately died from the initial disease process. This case underscores the severity of neonatal HSV infection and emphasizes the critical role pediatricians play in early identification of transmission risk factors and prevention strategies
Genome sequence of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei G277-1.1, a clinical strain that forms enhanced biofilms with Streptococcus mutans
No full textLacticaseibacillus paracasei G277-1.1 was isolated from dental plaque of a patient with severe early childhood caries. It forms synergistic biofilms with Streptococcus mutans in vitro. Here, we report its high-quality genome sequence, revealing insights on its inter-species interaction with S. mutans
Corrigendum to “The intersection of race and sex on the clinical and cognitive progression of multiple sclerosis” [Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 466 (2024) 123260]
No full textThe authors regret that an error occurred in Fig. 3 of the published article. Specifically, the significance labels were misaligned, and the comparison of disease duration between Black and White women was inadvertently omitted. This error in graph formatting can lead to misinterpretation of the results. The corrected Fig. 3, presented below, highlights the central findings of our study: that both race and sex intersect to shape the clinical course of multiple sclerosis. In particular, the missing comparison underscores how disease durations in our sample differed between Black and White women. This is a key element in understanding disparities in multiple sclerosis outcomes in our publication. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused and hope that the corrected figure further underscores the importance of considering social drivers and demographic factors in neurological disease research.[Figure presented
Treatment management for rosacea: current pharmacological and non-pharmacological options
No full textINTRODUCTION: Rosacea is a chronic skin condition classified into four subtypes: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous, and ocular involvement. The physical symptoms and recurrent nature can impact patient quality of life. Effective treatment requires a phenotype-directed strategy that addresses both clinical features and patient concerns. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes current treatment guidelines and therapeutic options for rosacea, categorized into topical agents, oral medications, procedural interventions, and lifestyle modifications. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify relevant studies. EXPERT OPINION: Rosacea management is most effective when treatment is individualized based on phenotype. Topical medications such as metronidazole, azelaic acid, ivermectin, and minocycline are used as first-line treatment for mild to moderate rosacea. Oral medications, including doxycycline and minocycline, are efficacious in treating mild to moderate forms of rosacea. Oral medications can be prescribed in combination with topical therapy. Pulse dye lasers, intense pulsed light, and other laser therapies can be used for severe rosacea. Procedural interventions such as electrosurgery, dermabrasion, and surgical resurfacing may be necessary in cases with severe phymatous changes. Alongside these medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding known triggers and implementing sun protection, are essential for managing rosacea flare-ups and preventing exacerbations
Gastric Sarcina ventriculi: A Report on Two Cases
No full text: Sarcina ventriculi is a rare Gram-positive coccus that thrives in acidic environments such as the human stomach. It has been increasingly identified in individuals with delayed gastric emptying and has been reported in association with various gastric disorders. However, its exact pathogenic role is not fully understood and remains controversial. : We present two cases of patients, one with a small bowel obstruction and the other with epigastric pain, both diagnosed with Sarcina ventriculi infection by histological examination of gastric biopsies. The patients were managed with a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor, resulting in symptom resolution and clearance of Sarcina ventriculi upon follow-up examinations. : This report explores the pathogenicity of Sarcina ventriculi by documenting its presence in symptomatic patients without other identifiable pathogens and demonstrating complete symptom resolution following targeted therapy. These findings raise the possibility of Sarcina ventriculi\u27s pathogenic potential under specific clinical conditions, suggesting it may act as more than a benign colonizer
