Dynamics of Water Intrusion in Polyelectrolyte-Bound Kaolinite: An Insight into Durability Mechanisms via Atomistic Modeling.

This research addresses interaction mechanisms of water-soluble polymers used as soil mineral stabilizers via atomistic classical molecular dynamics (MD). Specifically, this study addresses polyelectrolyte interactions with kaolinite, a ubiquitous clay mineral, in soils. The two water-soluble polymeric species evaluated are PSS: poly(4-sodium styrenesulfonate) and PDADMAC: poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). The primary focus is the evaluation of water migration through a polymer-kaolinite composite system, the resulting molecular arrangement and interactions, and the extents of water migration through the polymeric phase-binding kaolinite interfacial planes. Mean square displacement (MSD) analysis was used to quantify the motion of the system species from the MD trajectories by calculation of self-diffusion coefficients and comparison of the curves obtained. The MD results indicate that water infiltrates the polyelectrolyte phase adhering to the mineral interfaces. Nevertheless, the MSD analysis results indicate a 55.8% reduction in water self-diffusion with respect to pure mineral-confined water. This is a compelling indication that polyelectrolytes can hinder water movement. Most importantly, MSD analysis of both polyelectrolyte species shows that the movement of the chains is negligible relative to that of water. These results strongly suggest that the movement of polymer phases is restricted only to local chain mobility and a rather bound state to the mineral surfaces prevails.

The ART of cryopreservation and its changing landscape.

The purpose of this review is to educate the reader on the role that cryopreservation has played and continues to play in the ever-evolving field of assisted reproductive technologies, specifically in clinical human fertility treatment. We discuss the science behind the cryopreservation methods and investigated some of the major considerations that any clinic or cryobank faces in terms of risks and liabilities, physical challenges that accompany the constantly growing collection of cryopreserved specimens, and what this means on the ethical and legal front. Finally, we take a glimpse in the future to explore what may be on the horizon for the preservation of gametes and reproductive tissues.

Fertility Issues in Polycystic Ovarian Disease: A Systematic Approach.

The triad of hirsutism, amenorrhea, and enlarged polycystic ovaries first was described in 1935 and later become known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS are more likely to have cardiometabolic challenges that also have an indirect relationship to their fertility and fertility outcomes. Despite these challenges, their fertile life span appears to be longer. Ovulation induction is considered first-line management of infertility in women with PCOS, with letrozole superior to clomiphene. Women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization are high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome but also have a higher live birth rate compared with controls.

Ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in an oncology patient with etonogestrel implant in place.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of a young woman who presented for fertility preservation and underwent ovarian stimulation with an etonogestrel implant in place. METHODS: A 24-year old, gravida 0, with an etonogestrel implant and newly diagnosed lower extremity sarcoma and DVT desiring oocyte cryopreservation prior to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. To avoid delay in her oncologic care and allow for continued use of contraception post-retrieval, the patient underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) without removal of the etonogestrel implant. RESULTS: Baseline labs included follicle-stimulating hormone 9 mIU/mL, luteinizing hormone 4.9 mIU/mL, estradiol 42 pg/mL, anti-Müllerian hormone 5.1 ng/mL, and antral follicle count greater than 40. The patient was placed on an antagonist protocol and stimulated with 125 IU Gonal-F and 75 IU Menopur. She received a total of 12 days of gonadotropin stimulation. On the day of trigger, her estradiol was 1472 pg/mL, lead follicle 21.5 mm with a total of 25 follicles measured > 12 mm. She was triggered with 5000 U hCG. She had a total of 23 oocytes retrieved, 17 of which were metaphase II and vitrified. CONCLUSIONS: COH and successful oocyte cryopreservation can be achieved in patients with an etonogestrel implant in situ without apparent detrimental effects to oocyte yield or maturity. Due to the etonogestrel implant's inhibitory effects on LH, it is recommended to use an hCG trigger for final oocyte maturation.

Pathophysiology and management of classic galactosemic primary ovarian insufficiency.

Classic galactosemia is an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism associated with early-onset primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in young women. Our understanding of the consequences of galactosemia upon fertility and fecundity of affected women is expanding, but there are important remaining gaps in our knowledge and tools for its management, and a need for continued dialog so that the special features of the condition can be better managed. Here, we review galactosemic POI and its reproductive endocrinological clinical sequelae and summarize current best clinical practices for its management. Special consideration is given to the very early-onset nature of the condition in the pediatric/adolescent patient. Afterward, we summarize our current understanding of the reproductive pathophysiology of galactosemia, including the potential action of toxic galactose metabolites upon the ovary. Our work establishing that ovarian cellular stress reminiscent of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is present in a mouse model of galactosemia, as well as work by other groups, are summarized. LAY SUMMARY: Patients with the condition of classic galactosemia need to maintain a strict lifelong diet that excludes the sugar galactose. This is due to having mutations in enzymes that process galactose, resulting in the buildup of toxic metabolic by-products of the sugar. Young women with classic galactosemia often lose the function of their ovaries very early in life (termed 'primary ovarian insufficiency'), despite adherence to a galactose-restricted diet. This means that in addition to the consequences of the disease, these women also face infertility and the potential need for hormone replacement therapy. This article summarizes current strategies for managing the care of galactosemic girls and women and also what is known of how the condition leads to early primary ovarian insufficiency.

A Mentorship Program for Academic Obstetrician Gynecologists that Improved Publication and Overall Confidence for Success.

This article aims to evaluate the impact of a mentorship program to enhance the training of clinical and research scientists in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN). A departmental course was developed for junior faculty and fellows based on their areas of interest. The research was IRB-approved. The curriculum consisted of monthly interactive workshops for an interdisciplinary group of trainees in OBGYN. Themes included research, education, and leadership in academic OBGYN. There was a strong emphasis on participatory exercises. Examples of curriculum topics included manuscript publication and review, grant writing, working with an IRB, promotion, and time management. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed participants' confidence in skills related to the course topics. Generalized linear models were used to assess changes in post-course response, using each question as the dependent variable and an indicator for post-course as the predictor variable. The control group was composed of junior faculty and fellows before the course was initiated. Outcome measures included the number and impact factor of published manuscripts. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess outcome measures. Of the 118 attendees, 26 (22.0%) were junior faculty, 35 (29.66%) were clinical fellows, and 28 (23.7%) were research fellows, other research staff, or students. For each 3-year course series, an average of 20 participants completed the post-course surveys, of which 72% were clinical fellows, 22% were assistant professors, and 5% were instructors. The data revealed a statistically significant change in the participant's overall confidence in skills related to research, education, and leadership when comparing the cumulative results from the pre-to-post course surveys (p < 0.001). Specifically, participants noted improved confidence in their skills related to clinical and translation research (p < 0.001) and leadership and academic career advancement (p = 0.001). Additionally, junior faculty and clinical fellows who attended the course had a higher number of publications during the course period compared with controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively). This subspecialty-tailored, departmental training program was effective in increasing junior faculty and clinical fellows' confidence in skills related to career advancement and research and in the number of peer-reviewed publications.

Novel treatment avenues for uterine leiomyoma: a new implication for endothelin?

Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61), an angiogenic factor whose expression is decreased in fibroids. The aim of the present study was to determine if CYR61 secretion in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is regulated by hypoxia and through the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. SMCs from fibroids (fSMC) and the adjacent myometrium smooth muscle cells (mSMCs) were extracted from ten women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids and cultured with or without 1.0 µM of an ETA receptor antagonist for 24 h under either normal or hypoxic oxygen conditions. Cellular secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and CYR61 were measured via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in the cell culture media. SMCs were collected to determine cell proliferation and CYR61 protein expression via Western blot. ET-1 secretion was significantly increased in fSMC and was decreased with blockade of the ETA receptor under both normoxia (P=0.0004) and hypoxia (P=0.008). CYR61 expression was decreased in fSMCs and significantly increased with blockade of the ETA receptor under hypoxia (P=0.04). Cell proliferation decreased with ETA blockade under normoxia (P=0.0001) and hypoxia (P=0.001). These results suggest that suppression of CYR61 secretion in fSMC is regulated by the ET-1 and that blockade with ETA could be considered for a future treatment option.

Performing the Parryscope technique gently for office tubal patency assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a novel approach to office tubal patency assessment through infusing air into saline during flexible office hysteroscopy. We also provide data addressing pain and patient experience relative to hysterosalpingography (HSG). DESIGN: Video presentation of clinical technique with supportive crossover data (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Its University of Mississippi Medical Center Institutional Review Board protocol number is 2013-0230. SETTING: Academic hospital. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing office hysteroscopy and ultrasound, with a subset also having HSG. INTERVENTION(S): Air infusion into saline during office hysteroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The focus is on demonstrating how the technique appears and is performed, with supplemental Likert data addressing subjective pain and preference relative to HSG. RESULT(S): When performed as described, this office technique has 98.3%-100% sensitivity to tubal occlusion and 83.7% specificity. The gentle technique is central to accurate outcomes, which is facilitated through use of a small-caliber (<3 mm), flexible hysteroscope and avoiding uterine overdistention. Patients are far more likely to report maximum discomfort with HSG. Among patients who also had HSG, 92% somewhat or strongly prefer hysteroscopic assessment. Also, 96% of patients reporting maximum discomfort with HSG had mild to no discomfort with the described technique. CONCLUSION(S): Air-infused saline at flexible office hysteroscopy can accurately, gently, and rapidly assess tubal patency. Coupled with strong patient preference for this technique over HSG, it is a promising option for evaluating fertility. CLINICAL TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02005263.

A GPU-Accelerated Approach for Feature Tracking in Time-Varying Imagery Datasets.

We propose a novel parallel connected component labeling (CCL) algorithm along with efficient out-of-core data management to detect and track feature regions of large time-varying imagery datasets. Our approach contributes to the big data field with parallel algorithms tailored for GPU architectures. We remove the data dependency between frames and achieve pixel-level parallelism. Due to the large size, the entire dataset cannot fit into cached memory. Frames have to be streamed through the memory hierarchy (disk to CPU main memory and then to GPU memory), partitioned, and processed as batches, where each batch is small enough to fit into the GPU. To reconnect the feature regions that are separated due to data partitioning, we present a novel batch merging algorithm to extract the region connection information across multiple batches in a parallel fashion. The information is organized in a memory-efficient structure and supports fast indexing on the GPU. Our experiment uses a commodity workstation equipped with a single GPU. The results show that our approach can efficiently process a weather dataset composed of terabytes of time-varying radar images. The advantages of our approach are demonstrated by comparing to the performance of an efficient CPU cluster implementation which is being used by the weather scientists.

Differential control of metabolic and cardiovascular functions by melanocortin-4 receptors in proopiomelanocortin neurons.

We examined the role of melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R) in proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) neurons in regulating metabolic and cardiovascular functions. Using Cre-loxP technology, we selectively rescued MC4R in Pomc neurons of mice with whole body MC4R deficiency (MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice). Body weight, food intake, and whole body oxygen consumption (Vo2) were determined daily, and blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature were measured 24 h/day by telemetry. An intracerebroventricular cannula was placed in the right lateral ventricle for intracerebroventricular infusions. Littermate MC4R-deficient (LoxTB-MC4R) mice were used as controls. After control measurements, the MC4R antagonist (SHU-9119; 1 nmol/h) was infused intracerebroventricularly for 7 days. Compared with LoxTB-MC4R mice, MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice were less obese (47 ± 2 vs. 52 ± 2 g) and had increased energy expenditure (2,174 ± 98 vs. 1,990 ± 68 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), but food intake (4.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.3 g/day), BP (112 ± 1 vs. 109 ± 3 mmHg), and HR [557 ± 9 vs. 551 ± 14 beats per minute (bpm)] were similar between groups. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion increased food intake (4.2 ± 0.2 to 6.1 ± 0.5 g/day) and body weight (47 ± 2 to 52 ± 2 g) in MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice, while no changes were observed in LoxTB-MC4R mice. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion also increased BP and HR by 5 ± 1 mmHg and 60 ± 8 bpm in MC4R-Pomc-Cre mice without altering BP or HR in LoxTB-MC4R mice. These results indicate that MC4Rs in Pomc neurons are important for regulation of energy balance. In contrast, while activation of MC4R in Pomc neurons facilitates the BP response to acute stress, our data do not support a major role of MC4R in Pomc neurons in regulating baseline BP and HR.

Activation of the central melanocortin system contributes to the increased arterial pressure in obese Zucker rats.

We have previously demonstrated that leptin-mediated activation of the central nervous system (CNS) melanocortin system reduces appetite and increases sympathetic activity and blood pressure (BP). In the present study we examined whether endogenous melanocortin system activation, independent of leptin's actions, contributes to the regulation of BP and metabolic functions in obese Zucker rats, which have mutated leptin receptors. The long-term cardiovascular and metabolic effects of central melanocortin-3/4 receptor (MC3/4R) antagonism with SHU-9119 were assessed in lean (n = 6) and obese (n = 8) Zucker rats. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured 24-h/day by telemetry and an intracerebroventricular cannula was placed in the brain lateral ventricle. After stable control measurements, SHU-9119 was infused intracerebroventricularlly (1 nmol/h) for 10 days followed by a 10-day recovery period. Chronic CNS MC3/4R antagonism significantly increased food intake and body weight in lean (20 ± 1 to 45 ± 2 g and 373 ± 11 to 432 ± 14 g) and obese (25 ± 2 to 35 ± 2 g and 547 ± 10 to 604 ± 11 g) rats. No significant changes were observed in plasma glucose levels in lean or obese rats, whereas plasma leptin and insulin levels markedly increased in lean Zucker rats during CNS MC3/4R antagonism. Chronic SHU-9119 infusion in obese Zucker rats reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR by 6 ± 1 mmHg and 24 ± 5 beats/min, whereas in lean rats SHU-9119 infusion reduced HR by 31 ± 9 beats/min while causing only a transient decrease in MAP. These results suggest that in obese Zucker rats the CNS melanocortin system contributes to elevated BP independent of leptin receptor activation.

Statistical analysis of cloud-cover mitigation of optical turbulence in the boundary layer.

One atmospheric phenomenon that adversely affects laser propagation is optical turbulence. From ten months of observation, the refractive index structure constant in the atmospheric boundary layer was found to be significantly reduced under widespread cloudy conditions. The refractive index structure constant (C(n) (2)) depends upon the turbulent flux of momentum, sensible and latent heat. The intensity of a propagating laser beam will not be degraded nearly as much as would be expected under clear or lightly scattered cloud conditions. New experimental data are presented that support this hypothesis. The refractive index structure constant was measured for various cloud-cover conditions.

Designing and implementing an undergraduate health administration program for nontraditional students.

This paper describes the development and implementation of an undergraduate health administration program for nontraditional students at a Hispanic serving institution. The program had to meet the needs of a diverse, adult student population, the local community, and the future leadership requirements of the healthcare industry. As such, the program was designed as a "bridge" for full-time employed healthcare licensed professionals seeking to complete a baccalaureate degree and obtain positions in the healthcare management field. It answered the call of the local community to strengthen partnerships between business and education by offering the program at healthcare employer worksites. Furthermore, the program addressed three needs of the healthcare industry: (1) the recognized shortage of future healthcare leaders, (2) the under-representation of minorities in the industry, and (3) proposed changes in health administration programs' curricula to focus on competencies in the areas of communication skills, decision making, ethical leadership, and self-development.

Comparison of microbial receptor assay and liquid chromatography for determination of penicillin G and amoxicillin in milk powder.

A microbial receptor assay (Charm II Tablet Beta-Lactam Test) and liquid chromatography (LC) were compared for determination of penicillin G (PG) and amoxicillin (AMOX) in reconstituted milk powder. Nonfat dry milk and whole dry milk were reconstituted (10%, w/v) to concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 ppb PG; nonfat dry milk was reconstituted (10%, w/v) to 0, 7.5, 10, and 15 ppb AMOX. Reconstituted samples were analyzed blindly by each method. Concentrations determined by both methods demonstrated good agreement. A significant difference between methods (p < or = 0.05) was observed only for 7.5 ppb PG in defatted dry milk. Significant differences were not observed between known concentrations and concentrations determined by the Charm II assay for PG or AMOX in defatted dry milk and PG in whole dry milk. Results by LC showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between known and measured concentrations at 10 ppb PG in both milks and 0 ppb AMOX in defatted dry milk. These results suggest that both the microbial receptor assay and LC may be useful for determination of PG and AMOX near safe level and tolerance, respectively, in reconstituted milk powder.

Image segmentation using association rule features.

A new type of texture feature based on association rules is described. Association rules have been used in applications such as market basket analysis to capture relationships present among items in large data sets. It is shown that association rules can be adapted to capture frequently occurring local structures in images. The frequency of occurrence of these structures can be used to characterize texture. Methods for segmentation of textured images based on association rule features are described. Simulation results using images consisting of man made and natural textures show that association rule features perform well compared to other widely used texture features. Association rule features are used to detect cumulus cloud fields in GOES satellite images and are found to achieve higher accuracy than other statistical texture features for this problem.