Killer whale fecal samples: How to get the most out of a single extraction.

Fecal samples are a non-invasive and relatively accessible matrix for investigating physiological processes in resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations. The high lipid content of the diet (primarily salmonids) leads to lower density fecal material and slower dispersion, facilitating sample collection. As fecal discharge is relatively infrequent and the volume of sample is variable, maximizing analytical options is an important consideration. Here we present an extraction methodology to measure hormones and lipid content from the same fecal aliquot. Lipid extractions are commonly conducted using chloroform and methanol from Folch or Bligh and Dyer (B&D), while alcohol is the primary solvent for hormone extraction. We evaluated the possibility of using the methanol layer from lipid extractions to assess fecal steroid hormone levels. Folch and B&D methanol residues were assayed form metabolites of progesterone (PMs) and corticosterone (GCs), and results were compared to aliquots extracted in 70 % ethanol. Hormone concentrations measured in the methanol layer from Folch and B&D extractions were 55 % to 79 % lower than concentrations in 70 % ethanol. We developed mathematical corrections, using linear regression models fitted to Folch or B&D methanol vs 70 % ethanol hormone concentrations (p < 0.01). Fecal concentrations of PMs and GCs from methanol extractions were biologically validated and are significantly higher in confirmed pregnant females compared to non-pregnant individuals (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that lipid extraction protocols may be used for the analysis of multiple biomarkers, maximizing the use of small-volume samples.

A public health approach to modern slavery in the United Kingdom: a codeveloped framework.

OBJECTIVES: Modern slavery is a public health challenge. The objective of this research was to build and refine a public health approach to addressing it. STUDY DESIGN: This was a participatory qualitative study with a proof-of-concept exercise. METHODS: Nine deliberative workshops with 65 people working across the antislavery sector. Thematic analysis of qualitative data. Of the nine workshops, two were proof of concept. These explored and tested the public health framework devised. RESULTS: Participants contributed to the development of a public health framework to modern slavery that included multiple elements across national, local, and service levels. There were six 'C's to national components: policy that was coherent, co-ordinated, consistent, comprehensive, co-operative and compliant with international law. Local components centred on effective local multiagency partnerships and service design and delivery focussed on trauma-informed, flexible, person-centred care. CONCLUSIONS: A public health approach to modern slavery is a promising development in the antislavery field in the United Kingdom and globally. It was well supported by workshop participants and appeared to be operable. Barriers to its implementation exist, however, including the challenge of intersectoral working and an incongruent policy environment.

Umbilical Cord Blood Use for Admission Blood Tests of VLBW Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) for admission laboratories is an approach to decrease anemia risk in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. We hypothesized that UCB use results in higher hemoglobin concentration [HgB] around 24 hours of life. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized control trial among VLBW infants whose admission laboratories were drawn from UCB (n = 39) or the infant (n = 41) in three U.S. military NICUs (clinicaltrials.gov#NCT02103296). RESULTS: No demographic differences were observed between groups. UCB infants had higher [HgB] at 12 to 24 hours of life (15.5 vs. 14.0 g/dL, p = 0.02). The median time to first transfusion was 17 days longer in the experimental group (p = 0.04), and at discharge, their number of donor exposures was lower (1.1 vs. 1.8, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In the first 24 hours of life that is a period of higher risk for hemodynamic instability, UCB utilization for admission bloodwork in VLBW infants results in higher [HgB]. KEY POINTS: · Umbilical cord blood laboratory work in preterm infants is feasible.. · Cord blood use for admission laboratories results in increased hemoglobin in the first 24 hours of life.. · Cord blood use for admission laboratories delays time to first transfusion in preterm infants..

Impact of P inputs on source-sink P dynamics of sediment along an agricultural ditch network.

Phosphorus (P) loss from intensive dairy farms is a pressure on water quality in agricultural catchments. At farm scale, P sources can enter in-field drains and open ditches, resulting in transfer along ditch networks and delivery into nearby streams. Open ditches could be a potential location for P mitigation if the right location was identified, depending on P sources entering the ditch and the source-sink dynamics at the sediment-water interface. The objective of this study was to identify the right location along a ditch to mitigate P losses on an intensive dairy farm. High spatial resolution grab samples for water quality, along with sediment and bankside samples, were collected along an open ditch network to characterise the P dynamics within the ditch. Phosphorus inputs to the ditch adversely affected water quality, and a step change in P concentrations (increase in mean dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from 0.054 to 0.228 mg L-1) midway along the section of the ditch sampled, signalled the influence of a point source entering the ditch. Phosphorus inputs altered sediment P sorption properties as P accumulated along the length of the ditch. Accumulation of bankside and sediment labile extractable P, Mehlich 3 P (M3P) (from 13 to 97 mg kg-1) resulted in a decrease in P binding energies (k) to < 1 L mg-1 at downstream points and raised the equilibrium P concentrations (EPC0) from 0.07 to 4.61 mg L-1 along the ditch. The increase in EPC0 was in line with increasing dissolved and total P in water, demonstrating the role of sediment downstream in this ditch as a secondary source of P to water. Implementation of intervention measures are needed to both mitigate P loss and remediate sediment to restore the sink properties. In-ditch measures need to account for a physicochemical lag time before improvements in water quality will be observed.

Influence of artificial drainage system design on the nitrogen attenuation potential of gley soils: Evidence from hydrochemical and isotope studies under field-scale conditions.

In North Atlantic Europe intensive dairy farms have a low nitrogen (N) use efficiency, with high N surpluses often negatively affecting water quality. Low feed input systems on heavy textured soils often need artificial drainage to utilise low cost grassland and remain profitable. Heavy textured soils have high but variable N attenuation potential, due to soil heterogeneity. Furthermore, drainage system design can influence the potential for N attenuation and subsequent N loadings in waters receiving drainage from such soils. The present study utilises end of pipe, open ditch and shallow groundwater sampling points across five sites in SW Ireland to compare and rank sites based on N surplus, water quality and "net denitrification", and to develop a conceptual framework for the improved management of heavy textured dairy sites to inform water quality N sustainability. This includes both drainage design and "net denitrification" criterion, as developed within this study.N surplus ranged from 211 to 292 kg N/ha (mean of 252 kg N/sourha) with a common source of organic N across all locations. The predicted soil organic matter (SOM) N release potential from top-subsoil layers was high, ranging from 115 to >146 kg N/ha. Stable isotopes analyses showed spatial variation in the extent of specific N-biotransformation processes, according to drainage location and design. Across all sites, nitrate (NO3-N) was converted to ammonium (NH4+-N), which migrated offsite through open ditch and shallow groundwater pathways. Using the ensemble data the potential for soil N attenuation could be discriminated by 3 distinct groups reflecting the relative dominance of in situ N-biotransformation processes deduced from water composition: Group 1 (2 farms, ranked with high sustainability, NH4+ < 0.23 mg N/l, δ15N-NO3- > 5‰ and δ18O-NO3- > 10‰), low NH4+-N concentration coupled with a high denitrification potential; Group 2 (1 farm with moderate sustainability, NH4+ < 0.23 mg N/l, δ15N-NO3- < 8‰ and δ18O-NO3- < 8‰), low NH4+-N concentration with a high nitrification potential and a small component of complete denitrification; Group 3 (2 farms, ranked with low sustainability, NH4+ > 0.23 mg N/l, 14‰ > Î´15N-NO3- > 5‰ and 25‰ > Î´18O-NO3- > -2‰), high NH4+-N concentration due to low denitrification. The installation of a shallow drainage system (e.g. mole or gravel moles at 0.4 m depth) reduced the "net denitrification" ranking of a site, leading to water quality issues. From this detailed work an N sustainability tool for any site, which presents the relationship between drainage class, drainage design (if present), completeness of denitrification, rate of denitrification and NH4-N attenuation was developed. This tool allows a comparison or ranking of sites in terms of their N sustainability. The tool can also be used pre-land drainage and presents the consequences of future artificial land drainage on water quality and gaseous emissions at a given site.

Restricting dietary sodium reduces plasma sodium response to exercise in the heat.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia can be life-threatening. Excessive hypotonic fluid ingestion is the primary etiological factor but does not explain all variability. Possible effects of chronic sodium intake are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary sodium affects plasma sodium concentration [Na+ ] during exercise in the heat, when water intake nearly matches mass loss. Endurance-trained men (n = 9) participated in this crossover experiment. Each followed a low-sodium (lowNa) or high-sodium (highNa) diet for 9 days with 24-h fluid intakes and urine outputs measured before experimental trials (day 10). The trials were ≥2 week apart. Trials comprised 3 h (or if not possible to complete, to exhaustion) cycling (55% VO2max ; 34 °C, 65% RH) with water intake approximating mass loss. Plasma [Na+ ], hematocrit, sweat and urine [Na+ ], heart rate, core temperature, and subjective perceptions were monitored. Urine [Na+ ] was lower on lowNa 24 h prior to (31 ± 24, 76 ± 30 mmol/L, P = 0.027) and during trials (10 ± 10, 52 ± 32 mmol/L, P = 0.004). Body mass was lower on lowNa (79.6 ± 8.5, 80.5 ± 8.9, P = 0.03). Plasma [Na+ ] was lower on lowNa before (137 ± 2, 140 ± 3, P = 0.007) and throughout exercise (P = 0.001). Sweat [Na+ ] was unaffected by diet (54.5 ± 40, 54.5 ± 23 mmol/L, P = 0.99). Heart rate and core temperature were higher on lowNa (P ≤ 0.001). Despite decreased urinary sodium losses, plasma sodium was lower on lowNa, with decreased mass indicating (extracellular) water may have been less, explaining greater heart rate and core temperature. General population health recommendations to lower salt intake may not be appropriate for endurance athletes, particularly those training in the heat.

Fluid deprivation increases isotonic NaCl intake, but not hypertonic salt intake, under normal and heated conditions in obese Zucker rats.

In the course of exposure to fluid deprivation and heated environment, mammals regulate their hydromineral balance and body temperature by a number of mechanisms including sweating, water and salt intakes. Here we challenged obese Zucker rats, known to have a predisposition to hypertension, with 0.9%NaCl alone or with 2%NaCl solution + water to drink under fluid deprivation and heated conditions. Food and fluid intakes, body weight, diuresis and natriuresis were measured daily throughout. Serum aldosterone levels and Na(+) concentration were also analyzed. Data showed that obese and lean rats presented similar baseline measurements of food, 0.9%NaCl and fluid intakes, diuresis and fluid balance; whereas hypertonic 2%NaCl consumption was almost absent. Before and during fluid deprivation animals increased isotonic but not hypertonic NaCl intake; the obese showed significant increases in diuresis and Na(+) excretion, whereas, total fluid intake was similar between groups. Heat increased isotonic NaCl intake and doubled natriuresis in obese which were wet on their fur and displayed a paradoxical increase of fluid gain. Fluid deprivation plus heat produced similar negative fluid balance in all groups. Body weight losses, food intake and diuresis reductions were amplified under the combined conditions. Animals exposed to 2%NaCl showed higher circulating levels of aldosterone and obese were lower than leans. In animals which drank 0.9%NaCl, obese showed higher serum levels of Na(+) than leans. We conclude that in spite of their higher sensitivity to high salt and heat obese Zucker rats can control hydromineral balance in response to fluid deprivation and heat by adjusting isotonic NaCl preference with sodium balance and circulating levels of aldosterone. This suggests a key hormonal role in the mechanisms underlying thermoregulation, body fluid homeostasis and sodium intake.

Sustainability assessment of electrokinetic bioremediation compared with alternative remediation options for a petroleum release site.

Sustainable management practices can be applied to the remediation of contaminated land to maximise the economic, environmental and social benefits of the process. The Sustainable Remediation Forum UK (SuRF-UK) have developed a framework to support the implementation of sustainable practices within contaminated land management and decision making. This study applies the framework, including qualitative (Tier 1) and semi-quantitative (Tier 2) sustainability assessments, to a complex site where the principal contaminant source is unleaded gasoline, giving rise to a dissolved phase BTEX and MTBE plume. The pathway is groundwater migration through a chalk aquifer and the receptor is a water supply borehole. A hydraulic containment system (HCS) has been installed to manage the MTBE plume migration. The options considered to remediate the MTBE source include monitored natural attenuation (MNA), air sparging/soil vapour extraction (AS/SVE), pump and treat (PT) and electrokinetic-enhanced bioremediation (EK-BIO). A sustainability indictor set from the SuRF-UK framework, including priority indicator categories selected during a stakeholder engagement workshop, was used to frame the assessments. At Tier 1 the options are ranked based on qualitative supporting information, whereas in Tier 2 a multi-criteria analysis is applied. Furthermore, the multi-criteria analysis was refined for scenarios where photovoltaics (PVs) are included and amendments are excluded from the EK-BIO option. Overall, the analysis identified AS/SVE and EK-BIO as more sustainable remediation options at this site than either PT or MNA. The wider implications of this study include: (1) an appraisal of the management decision from each Tier of the assessment with the aim to highlight areas for time and cost savings for similar assessments in the future; (2) the observation that EK-BIO performed well against key indicator categories compared to the other intensive treatments; and (3) introducing methods to improve the sustainability of the EK-BIO treatment design (such as PVs) did not have a significant effect in this instance.

Screening for HIV-related neurocognitive impairment in clinical practice: challenges and opportunities.

With increasingly successful management of HIV, focus has shifted away from AIDS-related complications to other chronic co-morbidities. For HIV-related cognitive problems, the true aetiopathogenesis and epidemiology remains unclear. Rather than a systematic review, this paper presents the challenges and the opportunities we faced in establishing our own clinical service. Papers were identified using Pubmed and the terms "screening", "HIV" and "neurocognitive". This article covers the background of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) with a focus on HIV-related neurocognitive impairment (NCI), detailing classification, prevalence, diagnostic categories and diagnostic uncertainties. Screening is discussed, including a comparison of the available screening tools for cognitive deficits in HIV-infected patients and the importance of practice effects. Discussed also are the normal ranges and the lack thereof and potential investigations for those found to have impairments. We conclude by discussing the role of NCI screening in routine clinical care at the current time.

Systemic Scuticociliatosis (Philasterides dicentrarchi) in sharks.

Scuticociliatosis is an economically important, frequently fatal disease of marine fish in aquaculture, caused by histophagous ciliated protozoa in the subclass Scuticociliatida of the phylum Ciliophora. A rapidly lethal systemic scuticociliate infection is described that affected aquarium-captive zebra sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum), Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni), and a Japanese horn shark (Heterodontus japonicus). Animals died unexpectedly or after a brief period of lethargy or behavioral abnormality. Gross findings included necrohemorrhagic hepatitis and increased volumes of celomic fluid. Histologically, 1 or more of a triad of necrotizing hepatitis, necrotizing meningoencephalitis, and thrombosing branchitis were seen in all cases, with necrotizing vasculitis or intravascular fibrinocellular thrombi. Lesions contained variably abundant invading ciliated protozoa. Molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction from formalin-fixed tissues identified these as the scuticociliate Philasterides dicentrarchi (syn. Miamiensis avidus), a novel and potentially emergent pathogen in sharks.

Development and Implementation of Health and Wellness CBT for Individuals with Depression and HIV.

Rates of depression are reported to be between 22-33% in adults with HIV, which is double that of the general population. Depression negatively affects treatment adherence and health outcomes of those with medical illnesses. Further, it has been shown in adults that reducing depression may improve both adherence and health outcomes. To address the issues of depression and non-adherence, Health and Wellness (H&W) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication management (MM) treatment strategies have been developed specifically for youth living with both HIV and depression. H&W CBT is based on other studies with uninfected youth and upon research on adults with HIV. H&W CBT uses problem-solving, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral strategies to decrease adherence obstacles and increase wellness. The intervention is delivered in 14 planned sessions over a 6-month period, with three different stages of CBT. This paper summarizes the feasibility and acceptability data from an open depression trial with 8 participants, 16-24 years of age, diagnosed with HIV and with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnosis of depression, conducted at two treatment sites in the Adolescent Trials Network (ATN). Both therapists and subjects completed a Session Evaluation Form (SEF) after each session, and results were strongly favorable. Results from The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician (QIDS-C) also showed noteworthy improvement in depression severity. A clinical case vignette illustrates treatment response. Further research will examine the use of H&W CBT in a larger trial of youth diagnosed with both HIV and depression.

Providing one-to-one care in labour. Analysis of 'Birthrate Plus' labour ward staffing in real and simulated labour ward environments.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of the 'Birthrate Plus' (BR+) midwife staffing system to cope with variability of workload on labour wards. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of labour ward workload and computer simulation of labour wards. SETTING: The labour ward of a city hospital. POPULATION: A total of 5800 births (1 year). METHODS: The variation in births by time and day was analysed over a 1-year period. Three months of BR+ data were analysed for variation of workload by case mix. A computer simulation model was built to allow prediction of the impact of changing resource levels or shift patterns, and to forecast the impact of changing number of births per year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Labour ward overloading (when either the number of women or the BR+ Workload Index exceeds the scheduled midwife availability). RESULTS: Labour ward overload occurred 37% of the time when applying the BR+ method. Underlying patterns of workload were present and simulation indicated that overload could be reduced by 15-25% if available resources were matched more closely to known patterns of workload. Simulation also indicated that smaller units are predicted to suffer from overload more often than larger units, and are more prone to severe overload. CONCLUSIONS: The BR+ formula for midwife staffing leaves labour wards vulnerable to significant periods of overload. Matching resource levels to known patterns of workload may reduce the occurrence of overload. Simulation indicates that smaller units need higher relative staffing levels to provide the same level of 1:1 care to mothers in labour.

Rates of Preeclampsia and Post-preeclamptic Cardiovascular Disease Among US Military Servicewomen: A Retrospective Case-cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive-inflammatory disorder of pregnancy, poses acute risks of seizures, stroke, and heart attack during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks post-delivery. Recent data suggest that residual increased risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) linger for much longer, possibly decades, after PE pregnancies. In civilian studies, PE and the major vascular events resulting from it disproportionately affect women from minority groups, especially African American women. The Military Health System (MHS) provides equal access to care for all active-duty servicewomen (ADSW), thus theoretically mitigating disparities. Racial/ethnic breakdown for PE and post PE CVD has not been studied in the MHS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified healthy pregnancies in the MHS electronic health records of ADSW in the years 2009/2010 and those with a PE diagnosis. Patients with preexisting conditions of PE or CVD based on a look-back period of two calendar years were excluded. Cases were matched to controls based on age at pregnancy within 5 years and race/ethnicity. Cohort was assessed for diagnosed CVDs, race, age, and service during 2011-2017. Time to first CVD event was assessed with Cox proportional hazards model, results reported as relative risks (95% CI). All variables were summarized using mean (SD) for normally distributed continuous variables; non-normal continuous variables were characterized by median [IQR] and categorical variables were summarized by counts and frequencies. All statistical testings were two-sided with a significance level of 5% and were completed using SAS-EG version 9.2 or R version 3.5.2. RESULTS: From an analysis of 106,808 inpatient ADSW records, PE incidence by race is 11.8% for White, 12% for African American, 11.4% for Asian/Pacific Islander, 11.2% for Native American, 9.5% for Other, and 7.6% for unknown (not documented) race. Thus, in the US Military, African American women have comparable (0.2% higher) PE rate than White women in contrast with civilian studies that often report much higher incidence in the African American population. Using Asians as referent group, PE increases the risk of CVD. White women have a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.47 95%CI (1.15-1.88), African Americans a HR of 1.51 95% CI (1.18-1.93), and Other a HR of 1.39 95% CI (1.01-1.91). CONCLUSION: In this study, we report overall higher incidence of PE in military women than what is published for civilian women in all races and across all services. Importantly, we do not find significantly higher numbers of PE and post-PE CVD for African American, compared to White women in the military. Our study is not designed to address differences between military and civilian PE epidemiology, but these results deserve further exploration. This study shines light on a health risk unique to women, which we found to be more prevalent in the US Military than published civilian population. Further study to determine the details of long-term morbidity, disability, and death attributable to PE (CVD, stroke, and kidney diseases) are needed to design optimal medical management protocols, ensure readiness for duty, and protect our Women Warfighters.

The association of regional perinatal risk factors and neonatal intensive care capacity for Military Health System-insured newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize hospitals where military-insured newborns received care and test the association of regional perinatal risk with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) capacity. STUDY DESIGN: We identified birth hospitals for live newborns October 2015-December 2018 (n = 296,568) and assigned newborns to health service areas (HSAs). Perinatal risk factors and the number of neonatal special care beds and neonatologists were calculated at HSA levels. Cross-sectional correlation analyses assessed perinatal risk factors and capacity across HSAs. RESULTS: 27.0% (n = 10) of military birth hospitals had special care beds (intermediate and intensive) compared with 44.3% of civilian hospitals (n = 1224; p < 0.05). The number of special care beds and neonatologists per newborn varied more than twofold across regions and were only weakly associated with the proportion of higher risk newborns (R2 < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of meaningful association of regional perinatal risk with NICU capacity poses challenges for effective specialized care among military-associated newborns.

Continuous renal replacement therapy to reduce inflammation in a piglet hemorrhage-reperfusion extracorporeal membrane oxygenation model.

BACKGROUND: During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), circulation of blood across synthetic surfaces triggers an inflammatory response. Therefore, we evaluated the ability of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to remove cytokines and reduce the inflammatory response in a piglet hemorrhage-reperfusion ECMO model. METHODS: Three groups were studied: (i) uninjured controls (n = 11); (ii) hemorrhage-reperfusion while on venoarterial ECMO (30% hemorrhage with subsequent blood volume replacement within 60 min) (n = 8); (iii) treatment with CRRT after hemorrhage-reperfusion while on ECMO (n = 7). Hemodynamic parameters, oxygen utilization, and plasma and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cytokine levels were recorded and lung tissue samples collected for histologic comparison. RESULTS: Whereas mean arterial pressures decreased among hemorrhage-reperfusion piglets, ECMO with CRRT did not significantly alter mean arterial pressures or systemic vascular resistance and was able to maintain blood flow as well as oxygen delivery after hemorrhage-reperfusion. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, and BAL tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 increased as a result of hemorrhage-reperfusion while on ECMO. After a 6-h period of CRRT, plasma IL-6 and BAL TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 levels decreased. CONCLUSION: Data suggest CRRT may decrease inflammatory cytokine levels during the initial phase of ECMO therapy following hemorrhage-reperfusion while maintaining cardiac output and oxygen utilization.

The Novel Use of Umbilical Cord Blood to Obtain Complete Blood Counts for Critical Neonatal Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Neonates undergoing clinical evaluations are often subjected to potentially painful phlebotomy for laboratory tests. The use of cord blood laboratory values for admission has been suggested as a means to decrease the risk of painful venipuncture and anemia. METHODS: Peripheral and umbilical cord blood complete blood count (CBC) results were obtained from infants who required a CBC. Results were compared using the Sysmex XN heme analyzer (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). RESULTS:  White blood cell (WBC) and hemoglobin (HgB) values were significantly higher in peripheral samples than in cord samples. The mean cord WBC count was 14.1 × 103/mm3 versus 15.6 × 103/mm3 peripherally (p < 0.001). The mean cord HgB was 15.8 g/dL versus 16.8 g/dL peripherally (p < 0.001). Cord platelet (Plt) counts were, conversely, lower in peripheral samples than in cord samples (264.8 × 103/mm3 versus 242.3 × 103/mm3, respectively; p < 0.001). Although statistically different, the mean CBC values from both samples were within the reference ranges. Delayed cord clamping (DCC) increased peripheral versus cord HgB difference nearly threefold (0.6-1.7 g/dL; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cord blood is an acceptable source for CBC blood sampling in newborn infants and can be used for clinical decisions. CBC laboratory values for cord blood remained within the peripheral blood reference range, with slight variability between the two samples.

Ultrashort pulse generation from diode pumped mode-locked Yb3+:sesquioxide single crystal lasers.

We present diode pumped SESAM supported Kerr-lens mode locked laser operation based on Yb3+:Sc2O3 and Yb3+:Lu2O3 single crystals. Pulses as short as 71 fs with an average power of 1.09 W were obtained from an Yb3+:Lu2O3 single crystal. Yb3+:Sc2O3 delivered pulses as short as 81 fs with an average power of 840 mW. The mode locked laser operation was stable for longer than 2 hours.

Gene cascades ensure physiological function from optimal health to developing diseases.

Optimal physiological function throughout life is assured by activation, inhibition and/or modulation of multiple gene cascades resulting in new protein synthesis (possible biomarker), increased or decreased production of existing proteins, and other regulatory activities that maintain the organism in a relative healthy state for survival. Changes in physiological health state demand further (rapid) production/activation/inhibition/modulation of proteins that should ensure continued physiological functions in the short term, but these changes may not necessarily be ideal for long term survival. Medications, or even way of life changes, may help to stabilise overall organism's survival but cannot necessarily repair or reverse changes in gene expression already endured nor return the organism to an initial optimal healthy state.

The Impact of Graduate Medical Education on Scholarly Activity at a Military Medical Treatment Facility.

INTRODUCTION: Graduate medical education (GME) faculty and trainees have required scholarly activities to meet accreditation requirements. The impact of this contribution to the Military Health System, especially regarding innovations in military medicine, has not been previously examined. This study measured the contribution of GME in published manuscripts from a tertiary military medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Utilizing the Scopus database, published manuscripts from the primary military GME institutions for the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium were identified from 2008 to 2018. Manuscripts were sorted based on the number of citations in Scopus and analyzed for their overall impact in medicine to include military unique topics. RESULTS: A total of 3,700 manuscripts were identified through Scopus and based on a 10 citation minimum, 1,365 manuscripts were further analyzed; 1,152 (84.4%) included authors with GME affiliation and 554 (40.6%) had direct applicability to unique aspects of military medicine. The mean number of citations per manuscript was 39.2 ± 63.6; Mean Cite Score was 2.97 ± 2.14 and Field Weighted Citation Index of 2.22 ± 3.27. Analysis of number of citations (10-19; 20-39; or >40) did not show any significant differences in Cite Score or military relevance, whereas the percentage of military relevant articles remained consistent yearly. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of military medical research and addressing specific medical needs of the warfighter. Graduate medical education in a tertiary Military Health System facility has enormous impact in scholarly activity, in particular the importance related to military medicine topics that emphasize combat casualty care and military readiness.

Diurnal variation is lost in preterm deliveries before 28 weeks of gestation.

Preterm delivery is the primary cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Labour at term occurs as a culmination of maturational events in both the fetus and maternal uterus. This process exhibits diurnal variation, with the onset of labour being more common at night. We have confirmed that this diurnal variation is present in gestations between 28 and 36 weeks, but is absent below 28 weeks. We hypothesise that this is because before 28 weeks of gestation, the onset of labour may result from a pathological rather than a physiological process. This may have important implications regarding any pharmacological approach to the prevention and/or treatment of very early preterm labour.