The anatomy of exhumed river-channel belts: Bedform to belt‐scale river kinematics of the Ruby Ranch Member, Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA

Many published interpretations of ancient fluvial systems have relied on observations of extensive outcrops of thick successions. This paper, in contrast, demonstrates that a regional understanding of palaeoriver kinematics, depositional setting and sedimentation rates can be interpreted from local sedimentological measurements of bedform and barform strata. Dune and bar strata, channel planform geometry and bed topography are measured within exhumed fluvial strata exposed as ridges in the Ruby Ranch Member of the Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA. The ridges are composed of lithified stacked channel belts, representing at least five or six re‐occupations of a single‐strand channel. Lateral sections reveal well‐preserved barforms constructed of subaqueous dune cross‐sets. The topography of palaeobarforms is preserved along the top surface of the outcrops. Comparisons of the channel‐belt centreline to local palaeotransport directions indicate that channel planform geometry was preserved through the re‐occupations, rather than being obscured by lateral migration. Rapid avulsions preserved the state of the active channel bed and its individual bars at the time of abandonment. Inferred minimum sedimentation durations for the preserved elements, inferred from cross‐set thickness distributions and assumed bedform migration rates, vary within a belt from one to ten days. Using only these local sedimentological measurements, the depositional setting is interpreted as a fluvial megafan, given the similarity in river kinematics. This paper provides a systematic methodology for the future synthesis of vertical and planview data, including the drone‐equipped 2020 Mars Rover mission, to exhumed fluvial and deltaic strata

Resolution of Clinical Signs of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Trauma Patients

Objectives: The ATS/IDSA Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) guidelines suggest that clinical improvement of VAP should be apparent within 3–6 days. This study evaluated resolution of clinical signs of VAP in trauma patients after diagnosis. Methods: Critically injured adults admitted to the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) from June 1, 2006, to December 31, 2007, and subsequently given a diagnosis of VAP were retrospectively assessed. Clinical signs, including derangements of maximum temperature (Tmax), white blood cell (WBC) count, and PaO2/FiO2, were evaluated on days 1–16 after VAP diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise stated. Clinical parameters after VAP were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA with the Tukey test for multiple comparisons. Results: A total of 82 patients were identified. Data for the 34 patients without concurrent infections are presented. Demographic data include: Age 46 ± 17 years; 71% men; 94% blunt trauma; median (IQR) Injury Severity Score 29.5 (24–38); duration of mechanical ventilation 33 ± 27 days; ICU length of stay (LOS) 39 ± 25 days; hospital LOS 53 ± 33 days. Clinical signs following VAP diagnosis: Tmax (°F): Day 1=101.8 ± 1.3, Day 3=101.1 ± 1.1, Day 6=101.1 ± 1.4, Day 16=100.1 ± 3. Compared to Day 1, there was a significant reduction in Tmax at days 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 (p\u3c0.05 for all). WBC count (cells per microliter): day 1 = 12.9 ± 5, day 3 = 13.7 ± 5, day 6 = 14.4 ± 5, and day 16 = 13.8 ± 6. There was no significant difference in WBC on days 1–16 (p=0.42). PaO2/FiO2: day 1 = 232 ± 108, day 3 = 200 ± 87, day 6 = 218 ± 104, day 16 = 246 ± 126. Differences in PaO2/FiO2 on days 1–16 did not reach statistical significance (p=0.06). Conclusion: Improvement of clinical parameters after a VAP diagnosis is delayed in trauma patients. Alternative methods for determining resolution should be investigated. Published in To be published in Critical Care Medicine’s December 2009 supplement

Resolution of Clinical Signs in Trauma Intensive Care Unit Patients Following Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

PURPOSE: The ATS/IDSA Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) guidelines suggest that clinical improvement of VAP should be apparent within 3-6 days. Anecdotally, such improvement has not been noted in trauma patients at our institution. The current study was conducted to evaluate resolution of clinical signs of VAP following diagnosis. METHODS: Critically injured adults admitted to the trauma intensive care unit (TICU) from 6/1/06-12/31/07 and subsequently diagnosed with VAP were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical signs, including derangements of maximum temperature (Tmax), white blood cell (WBC) count and Pa02/FiO2, were evaluated on days 1-16 following VAP diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise stated. Clinical parameters following VAP were compared using repeated measures ANOVA with the Tukey test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were identified. Data for the 34 patients without concurrent infections are presented. Demographic data include: Age 46 ± 17 years; 71% males; 94% blunt trauma; median (IQR) Injury Severity Score 29.5 (24 to 38); duration of mechanical ventilation 33 ± 27 days; ICU length of stay (LOS) 39 ± 25 days; hospital LOS 53 ± 33 days. Clinical signs following VAP diagnosis (Figure): Tmax (°F): Day 1=101.8 ± 1.3, Day 3=101.1 ± 1.1, Day 6=101.1 ± 1.4, Day 16=100.1 ± 3. Compared to Day 1, there was a significant reduction in Tmax at Days 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16 (p \u3c 0.05 for all). WBC count (cells/μL): Day 1=12.9 ± 5, Day 3=13.7 ± 5, Day 6=14.4 ± 5, Day 16=13.8 ± 6. There was no significant difference in WBC count on Days 1-16 (p=0.42). PaO2/FiO2: Day 1=232 ± 108, Day 3=200 ± 87, Day 6=218 ± 104, Day 16=246 ± 126. Differences in PaO2/FiO2 on Days 1-16 did not reach statistical significance (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In trauma patients, improvement of clinical parameters following diagnosis of VAP is delayed beyond the 3-6 day timeframe suggested in the ATS/IDSA guidelines. Alternative methods for determining resolution of VAP in trauma patients should be investigated. METHODS INTRODUCTIO

Resolution of Clinical and Laboratory Abnormalities after Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Trauma Patients

Background: Guidelines advise that patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) should respond clinically by Day 3 of antibiotics. White blood cell (WBC) count, maximum temperature (Tmax), and PaO2:FIO2 ratio are all said to respond significantly by Day 6. Resolution of abnormalities has not been evaluated in trauma patients. Methods: Retrospective review of trauma patients with VAP. The WBC count, Tmax, and PaO2:FIO2 were evaluated for 16 days after diagnosis. Patients were grouped into uncomplicated VAP, complicated VAP (those with inadequate empirical therapy [IEAT], VAP relapse/superinfection, or acute respiratory distress syndrome), and concurrent infection +VAP (those also infected at another site). Results: There were 126 patients (uncomplicated VAP= 29, complicated VAP = 69, and concurrent infection + VAP = 28). The mean Tmax in patients with uncomplicated VAP decreased significantly from diagnosis to Day 4 (Day 1: 39 – 0.5°C vs. Day 4: 38.6 – 0.7°C; p = 0.028) but never normalized. Their WBC counts and PaO2:FIO2 did not change significantly over the 16-day follow-up and never normalized.When comparing the three groups, the probability of resolving all three abnormalities was not different (p = 0.5). Conclusions: Clinical and laboratory abnormalities in critically injured patients with VAP do not resolve as quickly as suggested in the guidelines. Future studies should evaluate new methods to determine the response to antibiotic therapy in critically injured patients with VAP

Case study of a performance-active changing trans* male singing voice

A professional classical singer of more than 25 years (AZ) in his early 50s requested this voice researcher’s consultation and assistance in early 2014. He was about to start living full time as a trans* man. Despite his intention to be included in the low start/gradual increase testosterone option of the Trans* Male (previously, “FTM”) Singing Voice Program, the request contained a rather unconventional aspect: AZ would continue to sing while his voice was changing. The above request was integral with his singing history. After the introduction of safeguards and his informed consent, AZ was accepted onto the Program. Due to the highly individual circumstances, his participation was recorded as a case study. The study has aimed to replicate the particulars of the slow hormonal changes and continuing singing ability found in certain cisgender male adolescent voices. Despite dealing with an adult trans* male individual, the progress has been comparable. This has been achieved by carefully monitoring AZ’s low start/gradual increase testosterone administration in communication with the medical practitioner. The participant’s vocal health remained safeguarded and promoted by carefully individualized vocal tuition. This article will discuss the collective results of the case study, including the recordings and the data analysis

A Nuclear Export Signal in KHNYN Required for Its Antiviral Activity Evolved as ZAP Emerged in Tetrapods

The zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) inhibits viral replication by directly binding CpG dinucleotides in cytoplasmic viral RNA to inhibit protein synthesis and target the RNA for degradation. ZAP evolved in tetrapods and there are clear orthologs in reptiles, birds, and mammals. When ZAP emerged, other proteins may have evolved to become cofactors for its antiviral activity. KHNYN is a putative endoribonuclease that is required for ZAP to restrict retroviruses. To determine its evolutionary path after ZAP emerged, we compared KHNYN orthologs in mammals and reptiles to those in fish, which do not encode ZAP. This identified residues in KHNYN that are highly conserved in species that encode ZAP, including several in the CUBAN domain. The CUBAN domain interacts with NEDD8 and Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases. Deletion of the CUBAN domain decreased KHNYN antiviral activity, increased protein expression and increased nuclear localization. However, mutation of residues required for the CUBAN domain-NEDD8 interaction increased KHNYN abundance but did not affect its antiviral activity or cytoplasmic localization, indicating that Cullin-mediated degradation may control its homeostasis and regulation of protein turnover is separable from its antiviral activity. By contrast, the C-terminal residues in the CUBAN domain form a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal (NES) that is required for its antiviral activity. Deletion or mutation of the NES increased KHNYN nuclear localization and decreased its interaction with ZAP. The final 2 positions of this NES are not present in fish KHNYN orthologs and we hypothesize their evolution allowed KHNYN to act as a ZAP cofactor. IMPORTANCE The interferon system is part of the innate immune response that inhibits viruses and other pathogens. This system emerged approximately 500 million years ago in early vertebrates. Since then, some genes have evolved to become antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) while others evolved so their encoded protein could interact with proteins encoded by ISGs and contribute to their activity. However, this remains poorly characterized. ZAP is an ISG that arose during tetrapod evolution and inhibits viral replication. Because KHNYN interacts with ZAP and is required for its antiviral activity against retroviruses, we conducted an evolutionary analysis to determine how specific amino acids in KHNYN evolved after ZAP emerged. This identified a nuclear export signal that evolved in tetrapods and is required for KHNYN to traffic in the cell and interact with ZAP. Overall, specific residues in KHNYN evolved to allow it to act as a cofactor for ZAP antiviral activity

Reply to Comment on "Pervasive remagnetization of detrital zircon host rocks in the Jack Hills, Western Australia and implications for records of the early dynamo"

Determining the history of Earth's dynamo prior to the oldest known well-preserved rock record is one of the ultimate challenges in the field of paleomagnetism. Tarduno et al. (2015) argued that detrital zircons contain records of an active dynamo dating back to 4.2 billion years ago (Ga), 700 million years earlier than previously identified (Biggin et al., 2011 and Tarduno et al., 2010). However, this extraordinary claim requires evidence that the zircons have not been remagnetized during the intervening time since their formation. Weiss et al. (2015) argued that such evidence had yet to be provided, a conclusion that we find still firmly holds

The Induction of Autoimmune Arthritis and Sex differences in Mice Impact the Lung Inflammatory Response to Repetitive Inhalant Organic Dust Extract Exposures

Asthma, chronic bronchitis and COPD are common adverse respiratory health effects among persons exposed to agriculture organic dust work environments. Occupational inhalant exposures have been increasingly associated with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease development, particularly among males. Agriculture workers have increased risk of RA and generalized bone disease. Chronic lung disease is associated with production of characteristic autoantibodies associated with RA (e.g.anti-citrullinated antibodies), even in absence of RA disease. The mechanistic link between pulmonary inflammation and arthritis (and vice versa) remains poorly understood. Animal models are lacking.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/emet_posters/1004/thumbnail.jp