Thygesenmahmood1470

Focal sources (FS) are believed to be important triggers and a perpetuation mechanism for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Detecting FS and determining AF sustainability in atrial tissue can help guide ablation targeting. We hypothesized that sustained rotors during FS-driven episodes indicate an arrhythmogenic substrate for sustained AF, and that non-invasive electrical recordings, like electrocardiograms (ECGs) or body surface potential maps (BSPMs), could be used to detect FS and AF sustainability. Computer simulations were performed on five bi-atrial geometries. FS were induced by pacing at cycle lengths of 120-270 ms from 32 atrial sites and four pulmonary veins. Self-sustained reentrant activities were also initiated around the same 32 atrial sites with inexcitable cores of radii of 0, 0.5 and 1 cm. FS fired for two seconds and then AF inducibility was tested by whether activation was sustained for another second. ECGs and BSPMs were simulated. Equivalent atrial sources were extracted using second-on.Melanocytes are specialized neural crest-derived cells present in the epidermal skin. These cells synthesize melanin pigment that protects the genome from harmful ultraviolet radiations. Perturbations in melanocyte functioning lead to pigmentary disorders such as piebaldism, albinism, vitiligo, melasma, and melanoma. Zebrafish is an excellent model system to understand melanocyte functions. The presence of conspicuous pigmented melanocytes, ease of genetic manipulation, and availability of transgenic fluorescent lines facilitate the study of pigmentation. learn more This study employs the use of wild-type and transgenic zebrafish lines that drive green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression under mitfa and tyrp1 promoters that mark various stages of melanocytes. Morpholino-based silencing of candidate genes is achieved to evaluate the phenotypic outcome on larval pigmentation and is applicable to screen for regulators of pigmentation. This protocol demonstrates the method from microinjection to imaging and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based dissection of phenotypes using two candidate genes, carbonic anhydrase 14 (Ca14) and a histone variant (H2afv), to comprehensively assess the pigmentation outcome. Further, this protocol demonstrates segregating candidate genes into melanocyte specifiers and differentiators that selectively alter melanocyte numbers and melanin content per cell, respectively.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease that results in disorders of glucose metabolism, such as insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Dysregulated glucose metabolism is an important manifestation of the disease and is the key to its pathogenesis. Therefore, studies involving evaluation of glucose metabolism in PCOS are of utmost importance. Very few studies have quantified hepatic glucose production directly in PCOS models using non-radioactive glucose tracers. In this study, we discuss step-by-step instructions for the quantification of the rate of hepatic glucose production in a PCOS mouse model by measuring M+2 enrichment of [6,6-2H2]glucose, a stable isotopic glucose tracer, via gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GCMS). This procedure involves creation of stable isotopic glucose tracer solution, use of tail vein catheter placement and infusion of the glucose tracer in both fasting and glucose-rich states in the same mouse in tandem. The enrichment of [6,6-2H2]glucose is measured using pentaacetate derivative in GCMS. This technique can be applied to a wide variety of studies involving direct measurement of the rate of hepatic glucose production.

A journal's quality is often assessed by its impact factor, a measure of the number of times a journal's published articles are cited in the scientific literature. However, the impact factor may not adequately measure a journal's influence on practice. As an alternative approach, we analyzed referenced articles of the 2015 and 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Treatment Guidelines, arguably the most influential document on STI prevention and care in the Unites States.

Referenced articles in the 2015 and 2021 guidelines were abstracted and analyzed by source and year of publication, and sources were ranked by frequency of citation.

Of 892 citations in 2015 and 1454 citations in 2021, the most frequently cited reference sources included the journals Sexually Transmitted Diseases (14.0% and 12.8% in 2015 and 2021, respectively), Clinical Infectious Diseases (7.5% and 8.2%), and Sexually Transmitted Infections (5.6% and 6.4%).

Sexually transmitted infection specialty journals influence STI prevention and practice beyond what would be expected from the journals' impact factor alone.

Sexually transmitted infection specialty journals influence STI prevention and practice beyond what would be expected from the journals' impact factor alone.

In NYC, 91% of sexually transmitted infection clinic patients reported pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use that matched detection of PrEP in their serum. Self-report had 80% sensitivity and 96% specificity (kappa = 0.79) compared to measured PrEP. Our findings suggest that self-report may be a valid indicator of PrEP uptake.

In NYC, 91% of sexually transmitted infection clinic patients reported pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use that matched detection of PrEP in their serum. Self-report had 80% sensitivity and 96% specificity (kappa = 0.79) compared to measured PrEP. Our findings suggest that self-report may be a valid indicator of PrEP uptake.

The National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) trains clinical providers to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographics of clinical providers and to correlate the number of training episodes with STI rates at the county level.

Registration data were collected between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2020, in a custom Learning Management System from clinical providers taking NNPTC training. Using the 2018 STI surveillance data, counties were divided into quartiles based on reportable STI case rates and the number of county-level training events was compared per quartile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (Armonk, NY) and SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1 (Cary, NC).

From 2015 to 2020, the NNPTC trained 21,327 individuals, predominantly in the nursing professions and working in a public health environment. In multivariate analysis, the number of training events was significantly associated with higher STI rates at the county level (P < 0.0001) and the state where a prevention training center is located (P < 0001).

The analysis suggests that NNPTC trainings are reaching the clinical providers working in geographic areas with higher STI rates.

The analysis suggests that NNPTC trainings are reaching the clinical providers working in geographic areas with higher STI rates.

Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and Black transgender women face a disproportionate risk of incarceration and sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV, yet research on the longitudinal association between incarceration and STI/HIV risk in these groups is limited.

We used data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061 study conducted among BSMM and Black transgender women in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, restricting analyses to those who returned for the 6-month follow-up visit when recent incarceration was measured (n = 1169). Using inverse probability of treatment weighting, we measured associations between incarceration and next 6-month multiple partnerships; selling or buying sex; condomless anal intercourse; and incident chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. We explored differences by study city, and among BSMM who had sex with men only, BSMM who had sex with men and women, and Black transgender women.

Approximately 14% reported past 6-month incarceration. Incarceration was associated with next 6-month selling sex (adjusted risk ratio [ARR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.87) in the overall sample and multiple partnerships among BSMM who had sex with men and women (ARR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.63) and transgender women (ARR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.22-2.57). There is evidence suggesting that incarceration may predict gonorrhea (ARR, 2.35; 95% CI, 0.95-5.77), with particularly strong associations observed in Los Angeles (ARR, 6.48; 95% CI, 1.48-28.38).

Incarceration may increase STI/HIV risk among BSMM and Black transgender women. Additional mixed-methods research is needed to validate associations and understand pathways.

Incarceration may increase STI/HIV risk among BSMM and Black transgender women. Additional mixed-methods research is needed to validate associations and understand pathways.

Antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium is a global concern, as therapeutic options are limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated genetic determinants and strain diversity in M. genitalium-positive surveillance specimens from symptomatic primary health care center attendees in South Africa (2015-2018). A secondary objective was to investigate for an association between M. genitalium strain type, HIV serostatus, and antimicrobial resistance.

A total of 196 M. genitalium-positive specimens from adult males and females presenting with genital discharge to primary health care centers were tested for resistance-associated mutations in 23S rRNA, parC and gyrA. A dual-locus sequence type (DLST) was assigned to M. genitalium strains based on the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the semiconserved 5' region of the mgpB gene (MG191-sequence typing) as well as the enumeration of short tandem repeats within the lipoprotein gene (MG309 ines.

Automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIAs) are the most common first step at high-volume laboratories for syphilis screening. If the initial screening test is reactive, 1 more treponemal test is required, resulting in increased cost. In this multicenter study, we aimed to determine the correlation between the CMIA signal-to-cutoff ratio (S/Co) and the confirmatory tests to reduce unnecessary confirmatory testing.

Eight hospitals from 5 provinces participated in this study. All laboratories used Architect Syphilis TP CMIA (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL) for initial screening. Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) were used as confirmatory tests according to the reverse or European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control algorithms. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimal S/Co ratio to predict the confirmation results.

We evaluated 129,346 serum samplet-effective reverse screening algorithm with a treponemal CMIA S/Co ratio ≥10.4, obviating the need for secondary treponemal testing in about 71% of the screening-reactive samples. This would substantially reduce the confirmatory testing volume and laboratory expenses. However, in high-risk group patients with CMIA positive results, S/Co ratio less then 10.4, and negative TPHA and RPR, FTA-ABS may be used for confirmation.