Gastric pseudoaneurysm in the setting of Loey’s Dietz Syndrome

Loey’s Dietz syndrome is a disorder of connective tissue caused by a mutation in the genes that encode transforming growth factor (TGF) beta receptor 1 and 2. It is an autosomal dominant disorder similar to Marfan’s syndrome but with a more aggressive clinical course. Patients with Loey’s-Dietz syndrome have progressive dilatation of the aortic root that can lead to aortic dissection and rupture. The location of non-aortic arterial aneurysms may be wide spread but often occur in the head and neck vessels.peer-reviewe

Method of radiographic inspection of wooden members

The invention is a method to be used for radiographic inspection of a wooden specimen for internal defects which includes the steps of introducing a radiopaque penetrant into any internal defects in the specimen through surface openings; passing a beam of radiation through a portion of the specimen to be inspected; and making a radiographic film image of the radiation passing through the specimen, with the radiopaque penetrant in the specimen absorbing the radiation passing through it, thereby enhancing the resulting image of the internal defects in the specimen

RNA interference approaches for treatment of HIV-1 infection.

HIV/AIDS is a chronic and debilitating disease that cannot be cured with current antiretroviral drugs. While combinatorial antiretroviral therapy (cART) can potently suppress HIV-1 replication and delay the onset of AIDS, viral mutagenesis often leads to viral escape from multiple drugs. In addition to the pharmacological agents that comprise cART drug cocktails, new biological therapeutics are reaching the clinic. These include gene-based therapies that utilize RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the expression of viral or host mRNA targets that are required for HIV-1 infection and/or replication. RNAi allows sequence-specific design to compensate for viral mutants and natural variants, thereby drastically expanding the number of therapeutic targets beyond the capabilities of cART. Recent advances in clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated the promise of RNAi therapeutics, reinforcing the concept that RNAi-based agents might offer a safe, effective, and more durable approach for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, there are challenges that must be overcome in order for RNAi therapeutics to reach their clinical potential. These include the refinement of strategies for delivery and to reduce the risk of mutational escape. In this review, we provide an overview of RNAi-based therapies for HIV-1, examine a variety of combinatorial RNAi strategies, and discuss approaches for ex vivo delivery and in vivo delivery

Germania: The Nazi Party and the Third Reich through the Lens of Classical Architecture

This thesis examines the influence of classical architectural styles and principles on architectural projects in Germany during the Third Reich. My research focuses on major projects completed by the state and does not delve into private buildings or other structures. All of the data was gathered from scholarly publications of repute and photographs to determine how Adolf Hitler’s regime utilized Greek and Roman stylistic elements in an attempt to revive the power and culture of Germany during a time of strife, as well as how Nazi architecture reflected Hitler’s personal ambition as dictator. Additionally, the thesis doubles as an expansion of my classics Capstone project completed in the fall of 2020. Upon examination of many of Germany’s most prominent undertakings during the 1930s and 40s, it is apparent that the Nazi obsession with Greco-Roman architecture stems mostly from Hitler individually, and that Hitler’s love of classical visual arts was built the as propaganda to evoke admiration and enthusiasm for a new leader and a new form of government. People all over the world have interpreted classical architecture in many different ways, but the perpetual controversy over the perceived connection between far-right authoritarianism and classical imagery (largely caused by the NSDAP’s undertakings) suggests that Hitler’s architectural campaigns have had long-term social and cultural effects throughout the Western Hemisphere

A rare case of renal thrombotic microangiopathy associated with Castleman’s disease

BACKGROUND: Castleman’s disease (CD) is an uncommon, heterogeneous lympho-proliferative disorder leading to high circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Renal involvement has been only described in a limited number of small studies. Herein, we report a rare case of renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with CD and investigate the podocyte expression of VEGF in the renal biopsy prior to initiation of treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-year-old male presented with fever, diarrhea, diffuse lymphadenopathy, ascites and acute kidney injury. Laboratory tests for hemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura were negative. The kidney biopsy showed TMA. An excisional lymph node biopsy was consistent with CD, plasma cell variant. Immunofluorescence staining showed suppressed podocyte VEGF expression. Chemotherapy that inhibits production of inflammatory mediators including IL-6 and VEGF led to complete recovery of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Our case illustrates a rare renal histological feature of CD. IL-6 and VEGF are postulated to suppress glomerular VEGF expression, thereby causing renal TMA. Therapy directed against these inflammatory mediators may have important therapeutic implications

Cybersecurity on My Mind: Protecting Georgia Consumers from Data Breaches

In a world where vast amounts of personal informationare obtained and stored by countless organizations andbusinesses in the public and private sector, data breaches, due to negligence or nefarious hacking, are a far toocommon occurrence. The results of a data breach can beserious and widespread, from public humiliation toidentity theft and national security crises. In an effort toprotect consumers from the potentially devastating effectsof data breaches, the Federal Trade Commission hasbegun to take enforcement action against businesses whosedata security practices are alleged to be unfair anddeceptive. Theoretically, states can take similar actionsunder their Little FTC Acts or data breach notificationlaws.This Note argues that Georgia\u27s Little FTC Act, theFair Business Practices Act, and data breach notificationlaw, the Georgia PersonalIdentity ProtectionAct, provideinsufficient protection from data breaches for Georgiaconsumers and insufficient recourse for those harmed bybreaches. This Note also proposes several changes inGeorgia\u27s statutory scheme that would incentivizeorganizations to implement stronger data securitymeasures and provide better remedies for injuredconsumers

Testing the Waters: The Social Contexts of Homeowner Flood Mitigation

South Louisiana regularly experiences effects from flooding. This study looks at what homeowners are doing to reduce their losses from floods through the practices of flood mitigation. I developed four hypotheses to predict homeowners\u27 mitigation behavior. (1) Homeowners with a history of flooding are likely to mitigate more than those without previous flooding. (2) High-disposable-income homeowners are more likely to mitigate than lowdisposable- income homeowners. (3) The stronger the place attachment among homeowners, the higher the likelihood they will mitigate. (4) Homeowners who have experienced effective mitigation measures in the past are more likely to mitigate than those who have not. To test these hypotheses, a survey was administered in five different neighborhoods throughout Orleans and Jefferson parishes having high concentrations of repeatedly flooded homes. The findings suggest severity of past flooding, disposable savings, strong relationships with neighbors, and discussion of flooding with neighbors are the strongest predictors of flood mitigation

Unearthing Threshold

In addition to responding to its immediate physical context, architectural form has the capacity to reveal and celebrate history, promoting an understanding of the relationship of site and region to historic conditions no longer in their original form. Within the built environment, architecture has an inherent ability to influence the experience and perception of historical relationships. This can be achieved through prescribed interactions with the constructed form, beginning before one enters the building, and continuing through the program. The exterior begins to engage the visitor through both site and facade. The building itself, as well as its response to physical and historical context, may actively participate in the experience and the intended perception of the visitor. As one enters the building, interactions within the program continue to enhance the experience, making the visitor more acutely aware of the disparate elements and conditions of past and present. This thesis contends that architecture can act as a unifier and agent of interaction by conveying historical conditions within a modern context, through which teh awareness of historical relationships occurs. Through this thesis, the intention will be to investigate how history can be revealed through architectural form and one\u27s perception of the juxtaposition of past and present