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US Patent 8129133 - Devices and Methods for the Rapid, Reliable Detection and Determination of Acrylamide Concentration in Food Substances and Prevention of Acrylamide Formation in the Same
No full textA device and associated analytical method to use for the sensitive detection and accurate, rapid determination of acrylamide in food substances is presented. Also described is the use of a kit device and associated analytical method in which a user can quickly and easily ascertain the amount of acrylamide in food substances with ease and in any location, including a non-laboratory environment. Such detection device and method may be comprised of a sample collection area on which a sample of food, after being mixed in a solution, is placed for example on the substrate of a biochip that includes an enzyme that along with a co-enzyme or catalyst, facilitates the conversion of either acrylamide to acrylonitrile or the conversion of acrylamide to ammonia
Invasive Aspergillosis as an Under-recognized Superinfection in COVID-19.
No full textPulmonary aspergillosis has been increasingly reported following severe respiratory viral infections. Millions have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, placing large numbers of patients at-risk for COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Prompt recognition of this syndrome and is paramount to improve outcomes
Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness of SRS-7 as an Outcomes Assessment Instrument for Operatively Treated Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity.
No full textStudy designA retrospective analysis.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to compare the normality, concurrent validity, internal consistency, responsiveness, and dimensionality of an item response theory-derived seven-question instrument (SRS-7), against the Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r) questionnaire in operatively treated patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).Summary of background dataCompared with SRS-22r, SRS-7 (which has been validated in operatively treated patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis) has advantages of being short, unidimensional, and linear.MethodsA prospective database of ASD patients was queried for patients 18 years or older who were operatively treated, and who answered pre- and postoperative (at 2-year follow-up) SRS-22r questions (n = 276). Corresponding SRS-7 scores were calculated using answers to SRS-22r items 1, 4, 6, 10, 18, 19, and 20. Significance was set at a P value less than 0.01.ResultsSRS-7 and SRS-22r were normally distributed preoperatively but not postoperatively. SRS-7 and SRS-22r scores had high correlation both preoperatively (r = 0.76, P ConclusionSRS-7 is a valid, reliable, responsive, and unidimensional instrument, which can be used as a short-form alternative to the SRS-22r for assessing global changes in patient-reported outcomes over time in patients with ASD.Level of evidence3
Biomechanics, evaluation, and management of subaxial cervical spine injuries: A comprehensive review of the literature.
No full textStudy designLiterature review.ObjectivesIt has been reported that 2.4-3.7% of all blunt trauma victims suffer some element of cervical spine fracture, with the majority of these patients suffering from C3-7 (subaxial) involvement. With the improvement of first-response to trauma in the community, there are an increasing number of patients who survive their initial trauma and thus arrive at the hospital in need of further evaluation, stabilization, and management of these injuries.MethodsA comprehensive literature review compiled all relevant data on the biomechanics, imaging, evaluation, and medical and surgical management strategies for subaxial cervical spine fractures.ResultsAfter review of the current literature on subaxial cervical spine biomechanics, imaging characteristics, evaluation strategies and surgical and orthopedic management techniques, the authors created a comprehensive review and protocol for management of subaxial cervical spine fractures.ConclusionsThe subaxial cervical spine is biomechanically and anatomically unique from the remainder of the spinal axis. Evaluation of subaxial cervical spine injuries is nuanced, and improper management of these injuries can lead to significant patient morbidity and even death. This provides a comprehensive review combining anatomy, imaging characteristics, evaluation strategies, and surgical and orthopedic management principles for subaxial cervical spine fractures
How Good Are Surgeons at Achieving Their Preoperative Goal Sagittal Alignment Following Adult Deformity Surgery?
No full textStudy designMulticenter, prospective cohort.ObjectivesMalalignment following adult spine deformity (ASD) surgery can impact outcomes and increase mechanical complications. We assess whether preoperative goals for sagittal alignment following ASD surgery are achieved.MethodsASD patients were prospectively enrolled based on 3 criteria: deformity severity (PI-LL ≥25°, TPA ≥30°, SVA ≥15 cm, TCobb≥70° or TLCobb≥50°), procedure complexity (≥12 levels fused, 3-CO or ACR) and/or age (>65 and ≥7 levels fused). The surgeon documented sagittal alignment goals prior to surgery. Goals were compared with achieved alignment on first follow-up standing radiographs.ResultsThe 266 enrolled patients had a mean age of 61.0 years (SD = 14.6) and 68% were women. Mean instrumented levels was 13.6 (SD = 3.8), and 23.2% had a 3-CO. Mean (SD) offsets (achieved-goal) were: SVA = -8.5 mm (45.6 mm), PI-LL = -4.6° (14.6°), TK = 7.2° (14.7°), reflecting tendencies to undercorrect SVA and PI-LL and increase TK. Goals were achieved for SVA, PI-LL, and TK in 74.4%, 71.4%, and 68.8% of patients, respectively, and was achieved for all 3 parameters in 37.2% of patients. Three factors were independently associated with achievement of all 3 alignment goals: use of PACs/equivalent for surgical planning (P P = .009), and surgery not including a 3-CO (P = .037).ConclusionsSurgeons failed to achieve goal alignment of each sagittal parameter in ∼25-30% of ASD patients. Goal alignment for all 3 parameters was only achieved in 37.2% of patients. Those at greatest risk were patients with more severe deformity. Advancements are needed to enable more consistent translation of preoperative alignment goals to the operating room
Developing a Vocabulary of Feeling: The Spirituality of Black Feminist Self-Repair
No full textIn this dissertation, I analyze the critical, creative, and personal work of Toni Morrison, Hortense Spillers, and Alice Walker in order to suggest that spirituality can be a useful component of Black feminist self-repair. Within the scope of Black women’s literary history, I argue that Morrison, Spillers, and Walker each functioned as three figures from Afrodiasporic spiritual traditions: the griot, the conjurer, and the medium, respectively. This project contends that there is significant overlap between spirituality and magic, the latter of which is defined as the use of ritual activities or observances which are intended to influence the course of events or to manipulate the natural world. In the context of this project, I interpret “magic” as a collection of stylistic choices, inherited traditions, and behaviors that enable Black Americans to repair the psychic, physical, and emotional damage that has been internalized in the wake of the transatlantic slave trade and Jim Crow segregation. This practice of self-repair through magic draws on ritual activities and observances that exist within both Afrodiasporic spiritual traditions as well as a body of Black feminist literary knowledge that has been passed down through generations of Black women writers. I contend that Black Americans’ ability to perform self-repair through spirituality is a practice of world-making that is rooted in Black feminist thought. </p
The Effect of Shorter Treatment Regimens for Hepatitis C on Population Health and Under Fixed Budgets.
No full textBackgroundDirect acting antiviral hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies are highly effective but costly. Wider adoption of an 8-week ledipasvir/sofosbuvir treatment regimen could result in significant savings, but may be less efficacious compared with a 12-week regimen. We evaluated outcomes under a constrained budget and cost-effectiveness of 8 vs 12 weeks of therapy in treatment-naïve, noncirrhotic, genotype 1 HCV-infected black and nonblack individuals and considered scenarios of IL28B and NS5A resistance testing to determine treatment duration in sensitivity analyses.MethodsWe developed a decision tree to use in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the cost-effectiveness of recommended treatment durations and the population health effect of these strategies given a constrained budget. Outcomes included the total number of individuals treated and attaining sustained virologic response (SVR) given a constrained budget and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.ResultsWe found that treating eligible (treatment-naïve, noncirrhotic, HCV-RNA ConclusionsEight-week therapy provides good value, and wider adoption of shorter treatment could allow more individuals to attain SVR on the population level given a constrained budget. This analysis provides an evidence base to justify movement of the 8-week regimen to the preferred regimen list for appropriate patients in the HCV treatment guidelines and suggests expanding that recommendation to black patients in settings where cost and relapse trade-offs are considered
Human Trafficking, the Church, and You
No full textThere are more slaves on planet earth right now than at any other point in history. This thesis works to highlight the reality of human trafficking, share stories of victims and survivors, study the canon of Scripture proving that this conversation matters to God, hear from experts currently engaged in this work, and offer practical options for individuals and churches to join in the fight to end human trafficking. I believe Christians should be leading the charge to advocate, legislate, and do something about modern day slavery. This is a criminal empire that is seemingly in the dark, but it is hidden in plain sight. My prayer is that this thesis shines a light on the atrocity that is human trafficking. The primary methodology of this thesis includes the sharing of testimonies, stories, and realities that others have produced and shared over the last several decades. In the grand scheme of the world, this topic has not been widely discussed or written about. In order to honor those currently doing this work, I labored to include a wide variety of resources that shine a light on human trafficking. This underscores the scope of the issue while engaging with other voices in the conversation. I will begin by offering an accurate assessment of what trafficking is and looks like. I will highlight why this should matter to Christians and churches by engaging Scripture, theologians of the past and present, and existing scholarly work. I will then interview leaders from three different organizations about the work they do and what their suggestions would be for individuals and churches to be engaged in the fight against trafficking. Finally, I will take all of this data and research and conclude by offering my recommendations for individuals and churches to make a difference in their neighborhoods, communities, country, and the world. I believe this project is feasible, manageable, and needed by our society. I believe it will make a difference, and lives will be saved because of it.</p
A non-neutralizing glycoprotein B monoclonal antibody protects against herpes simplex virus disease in mice.
No full textThere is an unmet need for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for prevention or as adjunctive treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease. Most vaccine and mAb efforts focus on neutralizing antibodies, but for HSV this strategy has proven ineffective. Preclinical studies with a candidate HSV vaccine strain, ΔgD-2, demonstrated that non-neutralizing antibodies that activate Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) provide active and passive protection against HSV-1 and HSV-2. We hypothesized that this vaccine provides a tool to identify and characterize protective mAbs. We isolated HSV-specific mAbs from germinal center and memory B cells and bone marrow plasmacytes of ΔgD-2-vaccinated mice and evaluated these mAbs for binding, neutralizing, and FcγR-activating activity and for protective efficacy in mice. The most potent protective mAb, BMPC-23, was not neutralizing but activated murine FcγRIV, a biomarker of ADCC. The cryo-electron microscopic structure of the Fab-glycoprotein B (gB) assembly identified domain IV of gB as the epitope. A single dose of BMPC-23 administered 24 hours before or after viral challenge provided significant protection when configured as mouse IgG2c and protected mice expressing human FcγRIII when engineered as a human IgG1. These results highlight the importance of FcR-activating antibodies in protecting against HSV
Optimizing Adsorption Energies of Reaction Products and Intermediates on Metal/Metal Oxide Catalysts to Achieve High Activity and Tunable Selectivity in Solid-Gas Phase Reactions
No full textThe solid-gas phase reactions, such as CO2 hydrogenation, the Fischer-Tropsh process, CO oxidation, and ammonia synthesis are one of the heterogenous catalytic reactions which have been emerged as a critical process in chemical and energy industries for a sustainable future. It needs a catalyst to change the chemical reaction pathway and enables the reaction to happen under milder condition. Metal catalysts supported on the metal oxide or unsupported metal crystallites have shown various catalytic behavior in different catalytic reactions. It can be divided into categories, catalysts with small sizes, such as single atoms, nanoclusters and nanoparticles, and also bulk catalysts. Bulk metal oxides or mixed oxides are widely used as heterogeneous catalysts in the current industry due to their ability for large-scale synthesis. However, the complex surface structures of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides, such as various oxidation states, oxygen vacancies, chemical nature of the active site (acid or base), are difficult to be characterized and developed by empirical methods. With the development of nanoscience and nanomaterials, nano-sized catalysts are well-studied. However, it lacks large-scale synthetic methods for practical use.
To design catalysts for heterogeneous reactions, the Sabatier’s principle is used that the relationship of the catalytic activity and adsorption energies of reactants, products or intermediates is a volcano curve. To fit the volcano curve and predict the most optimal catalyst composition. The reaction mechanisms need to be studied and understood to determine the rate-limiting step. Based on that, better design of process and catalyst composition can be developed for efficiently producing a desirable product.
In Chapter 2, the rate-limiting step for producing methanol in CO2 hydrogenation reaction under ambient pressure is to desorb methanol from the indium oxide surface. Therefore, we’ve designed a two-temperature process to use a photothermal effect to desorb methanol by quickly flipping the reaction temperature to a higher set temperature.
In Chapter 3, the key to achieving high CO selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation reaction is to control the binding strength of reaction intermediate *CO. A one-step synthesis method, glycine-nitrate combustion was developed to synthesize a rhodium-based catalyst supported on high entropy oxide. The selectivity of this reaction can be tuned by changing the composition of elements in metal oxide support.
In Chapter 4, the rate-limiting step of the ammonia decomposition reaction is desorbing N2. Following the same combustion synthesis method in Chapter 3, we used empirical experiments to determine the most optimal composition in bulk CoMo bicatalyst when Co/Mo molar ratio is at 6:1. And the same ammonia decomposition catalytic activity can be achieved compared to the noble ruthenium-based catalyst, just by increasing the mass of catalyst, which is accessible here.
One variable to be tuned in the catalyst composition limits the enhancement of catalytic activity. However, multiple variables to be tuned at the same time is impractical to analyze data and conclude it by human-being. With the simple synthesis method that we’ve developed for synthesizing bulk catalysts. It’s promising and practical to provide training data for artificial intelligence to optimize the composition of earth-abundant catalysts to replace the noble metal catalyst in the future in the solid-gas phase reactions.
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