Historical Relationships of Atlantic Slope River Drainages

An analysis of the historical relationships of 19 river drainages (St. Lawrence to Altamaha) on the Atlantic slope of the Appalachian Mountains was conducted using the shared presence of 124 native species of cyprinid fishes. This analysis resulted in an area cladogram that suggests that the rivers of the southern Atlantic slope were historically connected to the drainage of three southern rivers (Flint, Chattahoochee, and Apalachicola) which drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The mid Atlantic and northern Atlantic slope rivers appear to be historically related in support of earlier hypotheses that the mid Atlantic region provided a refugium for fishes to disperse to the north following the retreat of the glacier and rising sea levels at the end of the Pleistocene. Methods for testing these conclusions are discussed

Dasatinib as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Identification of a systemically acting and universal small molecule therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy would be an enormous advance for this condition. Based on evidence gained from studies on mouse genetic models, we have identified tyrosine phosphorylation and degradation of β-dystroglycan as a key event in the aetiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Thus, preventing tyrosine phosphorylation and degradation of β-dystroglycan presents itself as a potential therapeutic strategy. Using the dystrophic sapje zebrafish, we have investigated the use of tyrosine kinase and other inhibitors to treat the dystrophic symptoms in this model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dasatinib, a potent and specific Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was found to decrease the levels of β-dystroglycan phosphorylation on tyrosine and to increase the relative levels of non-phosphorylated β-dystroglycan in sapje zebrafish. Furthermore, dasatinib treatment resulted in the improved physical appearance of the sapje zebrafish musculature and increased swimming ability as measured by both duration and distance of swimming of dasatinib-treated fish compared with control animals. These data suggest great promise for pharmacological agents that prevent the phosphorylation of β-dystroglycan on tyrosine and subsequent steps in the degradation pathway as therapeutic targets for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Nursing Innovation: Step to Full Practice Licensure

Background/local problem With the inception of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 the healthcare system was challenged to be efficient, effective, and patient centered. This transformation has challenged the nursing profession to work to the highest level of the nursing licensure. Nurses hold the distinction of being the largest profession working in healthcare, providing not only much of the direct patient care but also leadership. The Institute of Medicine 2010 The Future of Nursing Report called for nurses to reach for higher education and to become collaborative leaders in implementing change in the healthcare arena. Diabetes is a complex and expensive clinical problem, that requires nursing leadership to create innovations to efficiently and effectively meet patient needs. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an exemplar project that illustrates an advanced practice nurse utilizing research, theory and practice to create a quality improvement project and thus practice to the fullest extent of the nursing licensure to solve a local problem of ineffective diabetic education. Lessons learned and evidence that supports an innovative video diabetic educational program will be discussed to enable others to peruse similar work and/or similar process. Methods After observing and validating a clinical problem, related theories and research were evaluated to create an intervention aimed at improving healthcare quality. Garrand’s Matrix Method was used to guide a search of the literature. A database search resulted in 1219 articles for a preliminary review with 12 articles found to be specific to video education and diabetes. Within these articles themes were identified and a quality improvement project using the plan, do, study, act process was planned. Interventions This presentation will discuss 1) the research process including: formation of clinical questioning, PICO formulation, searching for the best evidence, and translating evidence into practice using theory and 2) evidence guiding a quality improvement project for individuals with Type II diabetes in a primary care setting. The broad focus is on utilization of technology to improve the knowledge of individuals with Type II diabetes. Conclusion/Implications This presentation will help nurses formulate clinical questions and proceed to quality improvement projects. It will highlight the leadership that is available in nursing profession and serve as an example of how nursing knowledge is generating practice improvements and thus provide an example of working at the fullest extent of the nursing license to create solutions to local problem

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations before and after treatment of an ovarian granulosa cell tumour in a cat

Case summary A 15-year-old female cat was presented for investigation of progressive behavioural changes, polyuria, polydipsia and periuria. An ovarian granulosa cell tumour was identified and the cat underwent therapeutic ovariohysterectomy (OHE). The cat’s clinical signs resolved, but 6 months later it was diagnosed as having an anaplastic astrocytoma and was euthanased. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration prior to OHE was increased vs a control group of entire and neutered female cats. Following OHE, serum AMH concentration decreased to <1% of the original value. Relevance and novel information Serum AMH measurement may represent a novel diagnostic and monitoring tool for functional ovarian neoplasms in cats

Life After Being a Pathology Department Chair III: Reflections on the "Afterlife".

The Association of Pathology Chairs Senior Fellows Group provided reflections on activities that have kept them engaged and inspired after stepping down as chair. They offered advice to current chairs who were considering leaving their positions and also to individuals contemplating becoming pathology chairs. A majority (35/41) responded: 60% maintained teaching/mentoring activities; 43% engaged in hobbies; 40% took other administrative positions including deans, medical center chief executive officers, and residency program directors; 31% continued research; 28% wrote books; 20% performed community service; 14% led professional organizations; 14% developed specialized programs; 11% engaged in clinical service; and 11% performed entrepreneurial activities. Most individuals had several of these activities. One-third indicated that those considering becoming chair should be able to place faculty and department needs before their own. One-fourth emphasized the need to know why one wants to become chair, the need to develop clear goals, and the need to know what one wants to accomplish as chair before applying for and accepting the position. More than half (57%) indicated that before stepping down as chair, one should have a clear plan and/or professional goals that can be served by stepping down. Some even suggested that this be in place before applying for the chair. Almost two-thirds (63%) indicated they had no regrets stepping down as chair. These findings may be valuable to those contemplating stepping down from or stepping into any department chair position or other academic leadership role

Use of subcutaneous ureteral bypass systems as a bridge to definitive ureteral repair in a cat with bilateral ureteral ligation secondary to complicated ovariohysterectomy

A kitten presented with acute kidney injury, bilateral hydronephrosis and proximal hydroureter, three days following bilateral ureteral ligation, during a complicated ovariohysterectomy procedure. Clinical signs were anorexia, lethargy, weakness, hypothermia, nausea, pain and anuria, associated with marked azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. Insufficient response to medical management alone led to emergency surgical placement of bilateral subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) systems, resulting in dramatic improvement in azotaemia and acidosis and resolution of hyperkalaemia. Elective bilateral neoureterocystostomy was performed the next day. The cat was clinically well for three months until the left SUB cystostomy catheter migrated out of the bladder resulting in uroabdomen. At this time, fluoroscopy demonstrated normal ureteral function bilaterally, so both SUBs were removed. Following recovery from surgery the cat has remained clinically normal. This report highlights the possibility of temporary SUB placement as a bridge to definitive ureteral repair in cases of accidental ureteral ligation

Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS)

With funding from the Race-to-the-Top grant, we are working with Oregon State University researchers to conduct a validation study to support the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). The QRIS provides technical assistance to child care facilities to improve quality, as well as ratings for child care facilities to help parents in decision-making. Center staff are collecting standardized observational measures of child care quality statewide to assess the extent to which QRIS ratings correspond to observed quality