Load cell protection device Patent

Load cell protection device using spring-loaded breakaway mechanis

The Senate’s torture report shows how hamstrung Congressional oversight of the intelligence community really is

On December 9th, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released the executive summary of its longer report into the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) use of ‘enhanced interrogation methods’ after 9/11. Jennifer Kibbe writes that the report is replete with examples of the CIA’s inaccurate representations concerning its programs, and its lack of cooperation with the committee’s investigation. She argues that the report illustrates the difficulties that Congress faces in holding highly secretive agencies such as the CIA to account

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to liver grafts: An improved method to maximize infectivity

Background. Adenoviral gene therapy in liver transplantation has many potential applications, but current vector delivery methods to grafts lack efficiency and require high titers. In this study, we attempted to improve gene delivery efficacy using three different delivery methods to liver grafts with adenoviral vector encoding the LacZ marker gene (AdLacZ). Methods. AdLacZ was delivered to cold preserved rat liver grafts by: (1) continuous perfusion via the portal vein (portal perfusion), (2) continuous perfusion via both the portal vein and hepatic artery (dual perfusion), and (3) trapping viral perfusate in the liver vasculature by clamping outflow (clamp technique). Results. Using 1x109 plaque-forming units of Ad-LacZ (multiplicity of infection of 0.4), transduction rate in 3-hr preserved liver grafts, determined by 5-bromo-4-chromo-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside staining and β-galactosidase assay 48 hr after transplantation, was best with clamp technique (21.5±2.7% 5-bromo-4-chromo-3-indolyl-β-D- galactopyranoside-positive cells and 81.1±3.6 U/g β-galactosidase), followed by dual perfusion (18.5±1.8%, 66.6±19.4 U/g) and portal perfusion (8.8±2.5%, 19.7±15.4 U/g). Further studies using clamp technique demonstrated a near-maximal gene transfer rate of 30% at multiplicity of infection of 0.4 with prolonged cold ischemia to 18 hr. Transgene expression was stable for 2 weeks and slowly declined to 7.8±12.1% at day 28. Lack of inflammatory response was confirmed by histopathological examination and liver enzymes. Transduction was selectively induced in hepatocytes with nearly no extrahepatic transgene expression in the lung and spleen. Conclusions. The clamp technique provides a highly efficient viral gene delivery method to cold preserved liver grafts. This method offers maximal infectivity of adenoviral vector with minimal technical manipulation

Racial Differences in the Effect of Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor on Improved Walking Distance in Peripheral Artery Disease: The PROPEL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background The effects of race on response to medical therapy in people with peripheral artery disease ( PAD ) are unknown. Methods and Results In the PROPEL (Progenitor Cell Release Plus Exercise to Improve Functional Performance in PAD) Trial, PAD participants were randomized to 1 of 4 groups for 6 months: supervised treadmill exercise+granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( GM - CSF ) (Group 1), exercise+placebo (Group 2), attention control+ GM - CSF (Group 3), or attention control+placebo (Group 4). Change in 6-minute walk distance was measured at 12- and 26-week follow-up. In these exploratory analyses, groups receiving GM - CSF (Groups 1 and 3), placebo (Groups 2 and 4), exercise (Groups 1 and 2), and attention control (Groups 2 and 4) were combined, maximizing statistical power for studying the effects of race on response to interventions. Of 210 PAD participants, 141 (67%) were black and 64 (30%) were white. Among whites, GM - CSF improved 6-minute walk distance by +22.0 m (95% CI : -4.5, +48.5, P=0.103) at 12 weeks and +44.4 m (95% CI : +6.9, +82.0, P=0.020) at 26 weeks, compared with placebo. Among black participants, there was no effect of GM - CSF on 6-minute walk distance at 12-week ( P=0.26) or 26-week (-5.0 m [-27.5, +17.5, P=0.66]) follow-up, compared with placebo. There was an interaction of race on the effect of GM - CSF on 6-minute walk change at 26-week follow-up ( P=0.018). Exercise improved 6-minute walk distance in black ( P=0.006) and white ( P=0.034) participants without interaction. Conclusions GM - CSF improved 6-minute walk distance in whites with PAD but had no effect in black participants. Further study is needed to confirm racial differences in GM - CSF efficacy in PAD . Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 01408901

Intra-islet GLP-1, but not CCK, is necessary for β-cell function in mouse and human islets

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK) are gut-derived peptide hormones known to play important roles in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion, appetite, and food intake. We have previously demonstrated that both GLP-1 and CCK are produced in the endocrine pancreas of obese mice. Interestingly, while GLP-1 is well known to stimulate insulin secretion by the pancreatic β-cells, direct evidence of CCK promoting insulin release in human islets remains to be determined. Here, we tested whether islet-derived GLP-1 or CCK is necessary for the full stimulation of insulin secretion. We confirm that mouse pancreatic islets secrete GLP-1 and CCK, but only GLP-1 acts locally within the islet to promote insulin release ex vivo. GLP-1 is exclusively produced in approximately 50% of α-cells in lean mouse islets and 70% of α-cells in human islets, suggesting a paracrine α to β-cell signaling through the β-cell GLP-1 receptor. Additionally, we provide evidence that islet CCK expression is regulated by glucose, but its receptor signaling is not required during glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). We also see no increase in GSIS in response to CCK peptides. Importantly, all these findings were confirmed in islets from non-diabetic human donors. In summary, our data suggest no direct role for CCK in stimulating insulin secretion and highlight the critical role of intra-islet GLP-1 signaling in the regulation of human β-cell function

Association of 6-Minute Walk Performance and Physical Activity With Incident Ischemic Heart Disease Events and Stroke in Peripheral Artery Disease.

BackgroundWe determined whether poorer 6-minute walk performance and lower physical activity levels are associated with higher rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) events in people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD).Methods and resultsFive hundred ten PAD participants were identified from Chicago-area medical centers and followed prospectively for 19.0±9.5 months. At baseline, participants completed the 6-minute walk and reported number of blocks walked during the past week (physical activity). IHD events were systematically adjudicated and consisted of new myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and cardiac death. For 6-minute walk, IHD event rates were 25/170 (14.7%) for the third (poorest) tertile, 10/171 (5.8%%) for the second tertile, and 6/169 (3.5%) for the first (best) tertile (P=0.003). For physical activity, IHD event rates were 21/154 (13.6%) for the third (poorest) tertile, 15/174 (8.6%) for the second tertile, and 5/182 (2.7%) for the first (best) tertile (P=0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking, body mass index, comorbidities, and physical activity, participants in the poorest 6-minute walk tertile had a 3.28-fold (95% CI 1.17 to 9.17, P=0.024) higher hazard for IHD events, compared with those in the best tertile. Adjusting for confounders including 6-minute walk, participants in the poorest physical activity tertile had a 3.72-fold (95% CI 1.24 to 11.19, P=0.019) higher hazard for IHD events, compared with the highest tertile.ConclusionsSix-minute walk and physical activity predict IHD event rates in PAD. Further study is needed to determine whether interventions that improve 6-minute walk, physical activity, or both can reduce IHD events in PAD

Associations of Weight Change With Changes in Calf Muscle Characteristics and Functional Decline in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background Among people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease, obesity is associated with faster functional decline than normal weight. The association of weight loss with functional decline in peripheral artery disease is unknown. Methods and Results Adults with an ankle-brachial index <0.90 were identified from Chicago-area hospitals in 2002-2004. Weight and 6-minute walk distance were measured annually. Weight change categories were weight loss or gain (≥5 pounds/year at ≥1 visit) or stable (weight change <5 pounds at each visit). Participants reported whether weight loss was "intentional" or "unintentional." Calf muscle area was measured with computed tomography every 2 years. Associations of weight change with changes in calf muscle area and 6-minute walk distance were analyzed using mixed-effects models and adjusted for age, body mass index, ankle-brachial index, physical activity, and other confounders. Among 389 participants, mean ankle-brachial index was 0.63±0.16, mean age was 74.5±7.8, and mean body mass index was 28.1±5.1 kg/m2. Over 3.23±1.37 years, muscle area declined more in adults with intentional weight loss versus stable or gain (pair-wise comparisons, P<0.001). Intentional weight loss was associated with less annual decline in 6-minute walk distance than weight gain (intentional loss, 3.7 m; stable, -14.0 m; gain, -28.5 m; unintentional loss, -20.8 m; pair-wise comparison intentional loss versus gain, P=0.003). Conclusions Despite a greater loss of calf muscle area, adults with peripheral artery disease who intentionally lost ≥5 pounds experienced less functional decline than those who gained weight. A randomized trial is needed to establish whether benefits of weight loss in peripheral artery disease outweigh potential adverse effects

Cancer Informatics for Cancer Centers (CI4CC): Building a Community Focused on Sharing Ideas and Best Practices to Improve Cancer Care and Patient Outcomes.

Cancer Informatics for Cancer Centers (CI4CC) is a grassroots, nonprofit 501c3 organization intended to provide a focused national forum for engagement of senior cancer informatics leaders, primarily aimed at academic cancer centers anywhere in the world but with a special emphasis on the 70 National Cancer Institute-funded cancer centers. Although each of the participating cancer centers is structured differently, and leaders' titles vary, we know firsthand there are similarities in both the issues we face and the solutions we achieve. As a consortium, we have initiated a dedicated listserv, an open-initiatives program, and targeted biannual face-to-face meetings. These meetings are a place to review our priorities and initiatives, providing a forum for discussion of the strategic and pragmatic issues we, as informatics leaders, individually face at our respective institutions and cancer centers. Here we provide a brief history of the CI4CC organization and meeting highlights from the latest CI4CC meeting that took place in Napa, California from October 14-16, 2019. The focus of this meeting was "intersections between informatics, data science, and population science." We conclude with a discussion on "hot topics" on the horizon for cancer informatics