Prevention for a Healthier California: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities

Estimates how much the state and the nation could save in healthcare costs by investing in disease prevention through community programs that increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and reduce tobacco use. Provides examples of prevention efforts

A Survey and Performance Guide of Selected Chamber Works for Trombone by Frigyes Hidas

This paper focuses on three selected works for trombone ensemble written by Frigyes Hidas. At least two of the three were written with the purpose of establishing a trombone ensemble. His compositional style blends early Hungarian folk music with twentieth-century compositional techniques. Hidas employs Bulgarian rhythms and rhythmic pulses as well as asymmetrical rhythms to create his unique compositional style. His use of parallel and contrary motion in his writing and voice leading allows performers, especially young performers, to better understand tuning principles. These pieces are accessible for young performers yet challenging for more accomplished performers, each allowing the performers to make musical choices and to develop a unique and personal musical style. Hidas’ contributions to the brass repertory, while not extensive, are important to the brass community and worthy of further study and performance

Effects of Acute Cold Exposure on Plasma Biomarkers Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Background and Aims: The underlying cause of the majority of the cases of CVD is atherosclerosis, which is a condition initiated and progressed by chronic inflammation and hyperlipidemia. We are interested in evaluating the efficacy of cold-exposure to increase shivering- and non-shivering thermogenesis energy expenditure (RMR) as a non-pharmaceutical weight loss tool analogous to low intensity exercise. Naturally, we are concurrently evaluating the possible effects of cold exposure on risk factors associated with CVD risk. Inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators are used as biomarkers for CVD risk. This proposed study aims to measure cardiovascular inflammatory and lipid biomarkers to expand our knowledge of cold exposure and CVD risk. The two biomarkers collected during this study were Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-β) and Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2). The hypothesis was that there would be no change in biomarker values before and after cold exposure. Methods: Twenty subjects were recruited and subjected to a 30-min cold exposure test while a metabolic cart collected metabolic data via indirect calorimetry. Venous plasma collected at: pre cold exposure, immediately after cold exposure, and 2 hours post cold exposure was centrifuged for subsequent biomarkers analysis. Results: RMR increases dramatically during acute cold exposure during shivering and remains increased 5 minutes after the cessation of shivering. Five minutes post-cold exposure, RMR rapidly decreases to pre-cold exposure RMR and is maintained for up to 120 minutes. There was no change in CCL2 values when comparing the three stages. IL-β values increased between blood draws immediately after cold exposure and 2 hours post cold exposure, however this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusions: With these pilot results, we conclude that cold exposure has no effect on biomarkers for CVD risk. However, this study was limited by 1) accuracy of analysis techniques, 2) cold exposure protocol, 3) analysis of only two representative biomarkers. Further biomarker analysis is underway for a more comprehensive picture of the purported cold exposure effects

Perioperative Anesthetics and Adjuvant Anxiolytics for Cataract Surgery Patients

Cataract Surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide. It has high rates of success, and minimal adverse outcomes. In spite of the surgery’s effectiveness, patients frequently report perioperative anxiety. This anxiety is often treated with pharmacologic sedation; however, evidence suggests that this is unnecessary, and can lead to poorer patient outcomes. There is evidence that other adjuvant therapies exist which can decrease the need for higher levels of pharmacologic sedation; this paper explores some of these adjuvant therapies

Molybdenum carbide catalysts for water–gas shift

Molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) was demonstrated to be highly active for the water–gas shift of a synthetic steam reformer exhaust stream. This catalyst was more active than a commercial Cu–Zn–Al shift catalyst under the conditions employed (220–295°C and atmospheric pressure). In addition, Mo 2 C did not catalyze the methanation reaction. There was no apparent deactivation or modification of the structure during 48 h on‐stream. The results suggest that high surface area carbides are promising candidates for development as commercial water–gas shift catalysts.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44257/1/10562_2004_Article_327161.pd

Constructing a gene expression atlas of Chia (Salvia hispanica)

• Salvia hispanica, also known as Chia, is an annual plant of the mint family, Lamiaceae. Chia is a vascular plant with perennating buds initially formed at or within the soil surface. Chia grows to roughly one meter tall at maturity, with leaves growing in opposite arrangement, small purple flowers, and black, grey, or white oval shaped seeds between 1 and 2mm lengthwise. • More known for its ornamental use in the terra cotta pot “Chia-pet”, Chia has been a staple in human diets since pre-Columbian times. Currently Chia is popularly used for its health properties. Chia’s high concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids offer health benefits in childhood development as well as in lowering risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adults. Chia seeds consist of between 25 and 40 percent oil, of which 80% are essential omega oils. Chia is promising as a diversified field crop in its ability to grow well in arid environments. • Our research is focused on achieving broad understanding of the transcriptomic profile of chia, based on selected tissues at various stages of development, in order to provide knowledge and understanding of its Omega oils and broader potential as a human food source. The chia subspecies, Salba, was used for this study

Adjacent thoracic lymph node metastases originating from two separate primary cancers: case report

Reported is an unusual case of adjacent thoracic lymph nodes demonstrating metastases from two different primary malignancies. A 51 year-old woman with a previous history of bilateral breast cancer underwent a radical gastro-oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the oesophagus. The resection specimen demonstrated breast and oesophageal metastases in adjacent thoracic lymph nodes. Mechanisms for this phenomenon, including the known local immune suppression on lymphoid cells by oesophageal carcinoma cells, are discussed