What is the best duration of steroid therapy for contact dermatitis (rhus)?

Scant evidence exists for the best duration of steroid therapy for contact dermatitis due to plants (rhus). Review articles recommend 10 to 21 days of treatment with topical or oral corticosteroids for moderate to severe contact dermatitis due to plants (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on review articles). The primary reason given for the duration of 2 to 3 weeks is to prevent rebound dermatitis

A CONSIDERATION OF THE DEVOLUTION OF FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Diverse needs and preferences across the United States provide justification for the devolution, or decentralization, of many Federal Government programs to the State or local level. The move toward devolution, however, has not been evidenced in U.S. agricultural policy, despite significant differences across States in such areas as commodity production, production costs, income distribution, and opportunities for off-farm work. The existing structure of USDA funding and program delivery already reflects an appreciation of the gains from devolution, with some programs accommodating differences in State and regional preferences. This report considers the implications of devolving $22 billion in 2003 budget outlays, mostly for domestic commodity and natural resource programs and rural development and housing programs. The local knowledge of needs and references is valuable and can provide the basis for increased program efficiency.Public policy, devolution, agricultural policy, program delivery, Agricultural and Food Policy,

Human System Drivers for Exploration Missions

Evaluation of DRM4 in terms of the human system includes the ability to meet NASA standards, the inclusion of the human system in the design trade space, preparation for future missions and consideration of a robotic precursor mission. Ensuring both the safety and the performance capability of the human system depends upon satisfying NASA Space Flight Human System Standards.1 These standards in turn drive the development of program-specific requirements for Near-earth Object (NEO) missions. In evaluating DRM4 in terms of these human system standards, the currently existing risk models, technologies and biological countermeasures were used. A summary of this evaluation is provided below in a structure that supports a mission architecture planning activities. 1. Unacceptable Level of Risk The duration of the DRM4 mission leads to an unacceptable level of risk for two aspects of human system health: A. The permissible exposure limit for space flight radiation exposure (a human system standard) would be exceeded by DRM4. B. The risk of visual alterations and abnormally high intracranial pressure would be too high.

Density functional theory and DFT+U study of transition metal porphines adsorbed on Au(111) surfaces and effects of applied electric fields

We apply Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the DFT+U technique to study the adsorption of transition metal porphine molecules on atomistically flat Au(111) surfaces. DFT calculations using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) exchange correlation functional correctly predict the palladium porphine (PdP) low-spin ground state. PdP is found to adsorb preferentially on gold in a flat geometry, not in an edgewise geometry, in qualitative agreement with experiments on substituted porphyrins. It exhibits no covalent bonding to Au(111), and the binding energy is a small fraction of an eV. The DFT+U technique, parameterized to B3LYP predicted spin state ordering of the Mn d-electrons, is found to be crucial for reproducing the correct magnetic moment and geometry of the isolated manganese porphine (MnP) molecule. Adsorption of Mn(II)P on Au(111) substantially alters the Mn ion spin state. Its interaction with the gold substrate is stronger and more site-specific than PdP. The binding can be partially reversed by applying an electric potential, which leads to significant changes in the electronic and magnetic properties of adsorbed MnP, and ~ 0.1 Angstrom, changes in the Mn-nitrogen distances within the porphine macrocycle. We conjecture that this DFT+U approach may be a useful general method for modeling first row transition metal ion complexes in a condensed-matter setting.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Gender differences in renal growth and function after uninephrectomy in adult rats

Gender differences in renal growth and function after uninephrectomy in adult rats.BackgroundIt is known that compensatory renal growth (CRG) following unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) increases both the size of the kidney and its functional capacity; however, few studies have investigated whether differences in CRG exist between the sexes. Our study examined the sex-related differences in remnant kidney growth and function two months following UNX.MethodsAdult male and female Wistar rats underwent either left UNX or sham operation and recovered for 8 to 10 weeks. Another group of female rats underwent ovariectomy (Ox), with vehicle, estrogen, or testosterone replacement: two-weeks postsurgery animals underwent UNX and recovered for 8 to 10 weeks. Metabolic studies, acute renal function studies [response to acute saline volume expansion (2 to 4% of body wt) or phosphate (Pi) infusions in thyroparathyroidectomized rats (to determine the transport maximum (TmPi)], and renal morphology were assessed at the end of the experimental period.ResultsTwo months post-UNX, male remnant kidneys grew 114 ± 7% of their excised kidney weight (KW), whereas female remnant kidneys grew only 57 ± 4% (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in the glomerular volume of male remnant kidneys (126.2 ± 13.4%, P < 0.001) compared with control kidney volume, whereas there was no change in glomerular volume in female remnant kidneys (20.2 ± 16.1%, P = NS). There was also glomerular and tubular damage in the male remnant kidneys, whereas female remnant kidneys were intact. Studies in Ox female rats supplemented with gonadal steroids determined that testosterone is the driving force for the enhanced remnant kidney growth and glomerular hypertrophy. Renal function studies determined that UNX males had significantly higher glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) than UNX females, although the GFR/single KW was not different between the sexes, indicating a proportional increase in GFR. Basal urinary sodium excretion and urine flow rates were significantly higher in anesthetized UNX rats than their sham-operated controls, and urinary sodium excretion and urine flow rates in UNX males were significantly higher than in UNX females. Both male and female UNX rats responded to volume expansion with an exaggerated initial sodium and urine excretion compared with their controls. Phosphate handling was not altered in UNX male rats; however, UNX female rats had increases in fractional Pi excretion that were associated with significant reductions in the maximum capacity for Pi reabsorption (2.10 ± 0.07 vs. 3.43 ± 0.24 μmol/ml GFR in female controls, P < 0.0001). This difference was also observed in Ox rats treated with estrogen and testosterone (2.31 ± 0.07 vs. 3.12 ± 0.11 μmol/ml GFR, P < 0.0007).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that sexual dimorphism exists in remnant kidney growth and function two months following UNX. Indeed, morphological abnormalities and impairment in renal phosphate handling are affected by gonadal steroids by two-months post-UNX. The fact that renal Pi transport was reduced in female but not male UNX rats may also have important implications during periods of high metabolic demand for phosphate in the female

Spendthrifts and Tightwads in Childhood: Feelings about Spending Predict Children’s Financial Decision Making

Adults differ in the extent to which they find spending money to be distressing; “tightwads” find spending money painful, and “spendthrifts” do not find spending painful enough. This affective dimension has been reliably measured in adults and predicts a variety of important financial behaviors and outcomes (e.g., saving behavior and credit scores). Although children’s financial behavior has also received attention, feelings about spending have not been studied in children, as they have in adults. We measured the spendthrift–tightwad (ST–TW) construct in children for the first time, with a sample of 5‐ to 10‐year‐old children (N = 225). Children across the entire age range were able to reliably report on their affective responses to spending and saving, and children’s ST–TW scores were related to parent reports of children’s temperament and financial behavior. Further, children’s ST–TW scores were predictive of whether they chose to save or spend money in the lab, even after controlling for age and how much they liked the offered items. Our novel findings—that children’s feelings about spending and saving can be measured from an early age and relate to their behavior with money—are discussed with regard to theoretical and practical implications. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144659/1/bdm2071_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144659/2/bdm2071.pd

The Ursinus Weekly, January 13, 1964

Dean Pettit plans sabbatical; Dr. Vorrath to act as Dean • MSGA president, Frank Stratton, announces Four Freshmen to give concert on February 20 • Student co-author of publication • Lorelei to be held Valentine\u27s Day • UC Circle elects 1964 officers • Chapel changes announced • Exchange planned with Lincoln U. • UC students hear Phila. Orchestra • Scholl resigns as IFC president; Bill Mack is elected to position • 3 new members initiated in Alpha Psi Omega • Whitians hold tea to honor women • Building and endowment needs for next decade total $10,000,000 • Editorial: Some suggestions; A new spirit • Discourse on drinking at UC • Joe and Penny Aronson in concert: A success • Greek gleanings • Letters to the editor • Results of Vatican Council topic of the Rev. Dowling • Report from Thailand • 2 for 2 week hikes Bears\u27 mark to 5-1 • Ursinus grapplers launch 1964 season successfully • Player of the week: Walt Korenkiewiczhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1262/thumbnail.jp

Individual nutrition therapy and exercise regime: A controlled trial of injured, vulnerable elderly (INTERACTIVE trial)

Trial registration Australian Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12607000017426.Background Proximal femoral fractures are amongst the most devastating consequences of osteoporosis and injurious accidental falls with 25–35% of patients dying in the first year post-fracture. Effective rehabilitation strategies are evolving however, despite established associations between nutrition, mobility, strength and strength-related functional outcomes; there has been only one small study with older adults immediately following fragility fracture where a combination of both exercise and nutrition have been provided. The aim of the INTERACTIVE trial is to establish whether a six month, individualised exercise and nutrition program commencing within fourteen days of surgery for proximal femur fracture, results in clinically and statistically significant improvements in physical function, body composition and quality of life at an acceptable level of cost and resource use and without increasing the burden of caregivers. Methods and Design This randomised controlled trial will be performed across two sites, a 500 bed acute hospital in Adelaide, South Australia and a 250 bed acute hospital in Sydney, New South Wales. Four hundred and sixty community-dwelling older adults aged > 70 will be recruited after suffering a proximal femoral fracture and followed into the community over a 12-month period. Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive a six month individualised care plan combining resistance training and nutrition therapy commencing within 14 days post-surgery. Outcomes will be assessed by an individual masked to treatment allocation at six and 12 months. To determine differences between the groups at the primary end-point (six months), ANCOVA or logistic regression will be used with models adjusted according to potential confounders. Discussion The INTERACTIVE trial is among the first to combine nutrition and exercise therapy as an early intervention to address the serious consequence of rapid deconditioning and weight loss and subsequent ability to regain pre-morbid function in older patients post proximal femoral fracture. The results of this trial will guide the development of more effective rehabilitation programs, which may ultimately lead to reduced health care costs, and improvements in mobility, independence and quality of life for proximal femoral fracture sufferers

Multi-omics studies demonstrate Toxoplasma gondii-induced metabolic reprogramming of murine dendritic cells

Toxoplasma gondii is capable of actively invading almost any mammalian cell type including phagocytes. Early events in phagocytic cells such as dendritic cells are not only key to establishing parasite infection, but conversely play a pivotal role in initiating host immunity. It is now recognized that in addition to changes in canonical immune markers and mediators, alteration in metabolism occurs upon activation of phagocytic cells. These metabolic changes are important for supporting the developing immune response, but can affect the availability of nutrients for intracellular pathogens including T. gondii. However, the interaction of T. gondii with these cells and particularly how infection changes their metabolism has not been extensively investigated. Herein, we use a multi-omics approach comprising transcriptomics and metabolomics validated with functional assays to better understand early events in these cells following infection. Analysis of the transcriptome of T. gondii infected bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) revealed significant alterations in transcripts associated with cellular metabolism, activation of T cells, inflammation mediated chemokine and cytokine signaling pathways. Multivariant analysis of metabolomic data sets acquired through non-targeted liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LCMS) identified metabolites associated with glycolysis, the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and arginine metabolism as major discriminants between control uninfected and T. gondii infected cells. Consistent with these observations, glucose uptake and lactate dehydrogenase activity were upregulated in T. gondii infected BMDC cultures compared with control BMDCs. Conversely, BMDC mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced in T. gondii-infected cells relative to mitochondria of control BMDCs. These changes to energy metabolism, similar to what has been described following LPS stimulation of BMDCs and macrophages are often termed the Warburg effect. This metabolic reprogramming of cells has been suggested to be an important adaption that provides energy and precursors to facilitate phagocytosis, antigen processing and cytokine production. Other changes to BMDC metabolism are evident following T. gondii infection and include upregulation of arginine degradation concomitant with increased arginase-1 activity and ornithine and proline production. As T. gondii is an arginine auxotroph the resultant reduced cellular arginine levels are likely to curtail parasite multiplication. These results highlight the complex interplay of BMDCs and parasite metabolism within the developing immune response and the consequences for adaptive immunity and pathogen clearance

The Ursinus Weekly, October 21, 1963

Cry the beloved country to be given at UC Wednesday • Dean Rothenberger in Who\u27s who of American women • Ursinus College is dinner host to 200 neighbors • College Bowl team selected by test • Report from the women\u27s customs committee • 1963 men\u27s customs report • Lantern seeks literary works • Soph bazaar, hop set for Nov. 2 • Spirit Committee plans cheering section • Romaine to lead freshmen; Banquet, dance follow election • Summer projects pre-medders topic • IRC plans first meeting • Editorial: College Bowl team; UC hootenanny • E. Blake on the summer of revolt • Letters to the editor • Parents Day, 1963 • Young Republicans plan for year • 80 UC students visit Winterthur • Have you read: Caravans • Greek gleanings • Former pastor named to Ursinus College faculty • Weekly reporter interviews Thai student • Navy team to visit Ursinus, October 23 • Juniors plan turnabout • John Adams given second going over • Yosts hold first English meeting • Wilkes grinds out 28-8 decision over Bears • UC stops Beaver and West Chester • Jim Garofolo new assistant coach • UC booters off to fast start • Intramural corner: Three team race developshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1254/thumbnail.jp