Identification of Phthalates in Medications and Dietary Supplement Formulations in the United States and Canada

Background: In animal studies, some ortho-phthalates, including di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), have been shown to be reproductive and developmental toxicants. Human studies show widespread population exposure to background levels of phthalates. Limited evidence suggests that particularly high exposure levels may result from orally ingested medicinal products containing phthalates as excipients (inactive ingredients)

Colloid Transport in Porous Media: A Review of Classical Mechanisms and Emerging Topics

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of InterPore, we present an interdisciplinary review of colloid transport through porous media. This review aims to explore both classical colloid transport and topics that fall outside that purview and thus offer transformative insights into the physics governing transport behavior. First, we discuss the unique colloid characteristics relative to molecules and larger particles. Then, the classical advection?dispersion?filtration models (both conceptual and mathematical) of colloid transport are introduced as well as anomalous transport behaviors. Next, the forces of interaction between colloids and porous media surfaces are discussed. Fourth, applications that are interested in maximizing the transport of colloids through porous media are considered. Then the concept of motile, active biocolloids is introduced, and finally, colloid swarming as a newly recognized mode of transport is summarized.Fil: Molnar, Ian L.. York University; CanadáFil: Pensini, Erica. School Of Engineering; CanadáFil: Asad, Md Abdullah. York University; CanadáFil: Mitchell, Chven A.. Department Of Physics And Astronomy; Estados UnidosFil: Nitsche, Ludwig C.. College Of Engineering; Estados UnidosFil: Pyrak-Nolte, Laura J.. Department Of Physics And Astronomy; Estados UnidosFil: Miño, Gastón Leonardo. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Bioingeniería y Bioinformática; ArgentinaFil: Krol, Magdalena M.. York University; Canad

It\u27s Time to Listen: There is Much to be Learned from the Sounds of Tropical Ecosystems

Knowledge that can be gained from acoustic data collection in tropical ecosystems is low‐hanging fruit. There is every reason to record and with every day, there are fewer excuses not to do it. In recent years, the cost of acoustic recorders has decreased substantially (some can be purchased for under US$50, e.g., Hill et al. 2018) and the technology needed to store and analyze acoustic data is continuously improving (e.g., Corrada Bravo et al. 2017, Xie et al. 2017). Soundscape recordings provide a permanent record of a site at a given time and contain a wealth of invaluable and irreplaceable information. Although challenges remain, failure to collect acoustic data now in tropical ecosystems would represent a failure to future generations of tropical researchers and the citizens that benefit from ecological research. In this commentary, we (1) argue for the need to increase acoustic monitoring in tropical systems; (2) describe the types of research questions and conservation issues that can be addressed with passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) using both short‐ and long‐term data in terrestrial and freshwater habitats; and (3) present an initial plan for establishing a global repository of tropical recordings

Camilla: A Centaur reconnaissance and impact mission concept

Centaurs, minor planets with a semi-major axis between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune (5–30 AU), are thought to be among the most diverse small bodies in the solar system. These important targets for future missions may have recently been Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), which are thought to be chemically and physically primitive remnants of the early solar system. While the Kuiper Belt spans distances of 30–50 AU, making direct observations difficult, Centaurs' proximity to the Earth and Sun make them more accessible targets for robotic missions. Thus, we outline a mission concept designed to reconnoiter 10199 Chariklo, the largest Centaur and smallest ringed body yet discovered. Named for a legendary Centaur tamer, the conceptual Camilla mission is designed to fit under the cost cap of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) New Frontiers program, leveraging a conservative payload to support a foundational scientific investigation to these primitive bodies. Specifically, the single flyby encounter utilizes a combined high-resolution camera/VIS-IR mapping spectrometer, a sub-mm point spectrometer, and a UV mapping spectrometer. In addition, the mission concept utilizes a kinetic impactor, which would provide the first opportunity to sample the composition of potentially primitive subsurface material beyond Saturn, thus providing key insights into solar system origins. Such a flyby of the Chariklo system would provide a linchpin in the understanding of small body composition, evolution, and transport of materials in the solar system

Prevention of Growth Failure in Turner Syndrome: Long-Term Results of Early Growth Hormone Treatment in the “Toddler Turner” Cohort

Introduction: In the randomized “Toddler Turner” study, girls who received growth hormone (GH) starting at ages 9 months to 4 years (early-treated [ET] group) had marked catch-up growth and were 1.6 ± 0.6 SD taller than untreated (early-untreated [EUT]) control girls after 2 years. However, whether the early catch-up growth would result in greater near-adult height (NAH) was unknown. Therefore, this extension study examined the long-term effects of toddler-age GH treatment on height, pubertal development, and safety parameters. Methods: Toddler Turner study participants were invited to enroll in a 10-year observational extension study for annual assessments of growth, pubertal status, and safety during long-term GH treatment to NAH for both ET and EUT groups. Results: The ET group was taller than the EUT group at all time points from preschool to maturity and was significantly taller at the onset of puberty (p = 0.016), however, the difference was not significant at NAH. For the full cohort (ET + EUT combined, n = 50) mean (± SD) NAH was 151.2 ± 7.1 cm at age 15.0 ± 1.3 years. NAH standard deviation score (SDS) was within the normal range (>−2.0) for 76% of ET and 60% of EUT subjects (68% overall) and correlated strongly with height SDS at GH start (r = 0.78; p < 0.01), which in turn had a modest inverse correlation with age at GH start (i.e., height SDS declined with increasing age in untreated girls [r = −0.30; p = 0.016]). No new safety concerns arose. Conclusion: Although the ET group was taller throughout, height SDS at NAH was not significantly different between groups due to catch-down growth of ET girls during lapses in GH treatment after the Toddler study and similar long-term GH exposure overall. Early initiation of GH by age 6 years, followed by uninterrupted treatment during childhood, can prevent ongoing growth failure and enable attainment of height within the normal range during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood

Understanding ownership of patient care: A dual-site qualitative study of faculty and residents from medicine and psychiatry

Introduction: With changes in duty hours and supervision requirements, educators have raised concerns about erosion of patient care ownership by resident physicians. However, the definition of ownership is unclear. This qualitative study investigated definitions of ownership in medicine and psychiatry faculty and residents. Methods: The authors distributed an anonymous online survey regarding definitions of ownership to faculty and residents at the psychiatry and internal medicine residency programs at the University of Washington and the Harvard Longwood psychiatry residency and conducted a qualitative analysis of free-text responses to identify emergent themes. Results: 225 faculty (48.6%) and 131 residents (43.8%) across the three programs responded. Responses yielded themes in five domains: Physician Actions, Physician Attitudes, Physician Identity, Physician Qualities, and Quality of Patient Care. All groups identified themes of advocacy, communication and care coordination, decision-making, follow through, knowledge, leadership, attitudes of going ‘above and beyond’ and ‘the buck stops here’, responsibility, serving as primary provider, demonstrating initiative, and providing the best care as central to ownership. Residents and faculty had differing perspectives on ‘shift work’ and transitions of care and on resident decision-making as elements of ownership. Discussion This study expanded and enriched the definition of patient care ownership. There were more similarities than differences across groups, a reassuring finding for those concerned about a decreasing understanding of ownership in trainees. Findings regarding shared values, shift work, and the decision-making role can inform educators in setting clear expectations and fostering ownership despite changing educational and care models