• Title/Summary/Keyword: University of California

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Cyt1Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis Enhances Mosquitocidal Activity of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 Against Aedes aegypti but not Culex quinquefasciatus

  • Park, Hyun-Woo;Pino, Brent C.;Kozervanich-Chong, Switzerlyna;Hafkenscheid, Erika A.;Oliverio, Ryan M.;Federici, Brian A.;Bideshi, Dennis K.
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • 제23권1호
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    • pp.88-91
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    • 2013
  • The Cyt1Aa protein of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis is known to synergize mosquitocidal proteins of B. thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus strains. Cyt1Aa is highly lipophilic, and after binding in vivo to the midgut microvillar membrane serves as a "receptor" for mosquitocidal Cry proteins, which subsequently form cation channels that kill mosquito larvae. Here we report that Cyt1Aa can serve a similar function for lepidopteran-specific Cry proteins of B. thuringiensis in certain mosquito larvae. Engineering Cyt1Aa into the HD-1 isolate of B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki enhanced toxicity against $4^{th}$ instars of Aedes aegypti, but not against $4^{th}$ instars of Culex quinquefasciatus.

Theoretically Informed Correlates of Hepatitis B Knowledge among Four Asian Groups: The Health Behavior Framework

  • Maxwell, Annette E.;Stewart, Susan L.;Glenn, Beth A.;Wong, Weng Kee;Yasui, Yutaka;Chang, L. Cindy;Taylor, Victoria M.;Nguyen, Tung T.;Chen, Moon S.;Bastani, Roshan
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • 제13권4호
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    • pp.1687-1692
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    • 2012
  • Background: Few studies have examined theoretically informed constructs related to hepatitis B (HBV) testing, and comparisons across studies are challenging due to lack of uniformity in constructs assessed. The present analysis examined relationships among Health Behavior Framework factors across four Asian American groups to advance the development of theory-based interventions for HBV testing in at-risk populations. Methods: Data were collected from 2007-2010 as part of baseline surveys during four intervention trials promoting HBV testing among Vietnamese-, Hmong-, Korean- and Cambodian-Americans (n = 1,735). Health Behavior Framework constructs assessed included: awareness of HBV, knowledge of transmission routes, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, doctor recommendation, stigma of HBV infection, and perceived efficacy of testing. Within each group we assessed associations between our intermediate outcome of knowledge of HBV transmission and other constructs, to assess the concurrent validity of our model and instruments. Results: While the absolute levels for Health Behavior Framework factors varied across groups, relationships between knowledge and other factors were generally consistent. This suggests similarities rather than differences with respect to posited drivers of HBV-related behavior. Discussion: Our findings indicate that Health Behavior Framework constructs are applicable to diverse ethnic groups and provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity of the Health Behavior Framework.

Exploring Occupational and Behavioral Risk Factors for Obesity in Firefighters: A Theoretical Framework and Study Design

  • Choi, Bong-Kyoo;Schnall, Peter;Dobson, Marnie;Israel, Leslie;Landsbergis, Paul;Galassetti, Pietro;Pontello, Andria;Kojaku, Stacey;Baker, Dean
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제2권4호
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    • pp.301-312
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    • 2011
  • Firefighters and police officers have the third highest prevalence of obesity among 41 male occupational groups in the United States (US). However, few studies have examined the relationship of firefighter working conditions and health behaviors with obesity. This paper presents a theoretical framework describing the relationship between working conditions, health behaviors, and obesity in firefighters. In addition, the paper describes a detailed study plan for exploring the role of occupational and behavioral risk factors in the development of obesity in firefighters enrolled in the Orange County Fire Authority Wellness Fitness Program. The study plan will be described with emphasis on its methodological merits: adopting a participatory action research approach, developing a firefighter-specific work and health questionnaire, conducting both a cross-sectional epidemiological study using the questionnaire and a sub-study to assess the validity of the questionnaire with dietary intake and physical activity measures, and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the body mass index as an obesity measure in comparison to skinfold-based percent body fat. The study plan based on a theoretical framework can be an essential first step for establishing effective intervention programs for obesity among professional and voluntary firefighters.

Evaluation and treatment of facial feminization surgery: part I. forehead, orbits, eyebrows, eyes, and nose

  • Dang, Brian N.;Hu, Allison C.;Bertrand, Anthony A.;Chan, Candace H.;Jain, Nirbhay S.;Pfaff, Miles J.;Lee, James C.;Lee, Justine C.
    • Archives of Plastic Surgery
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    • 제48권5호
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    • pp.503-510
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    • 2021
  • Facial feminization surgery (FFS) incorporates aesthetic and craniofacial surgical principles and techniques to feminize masculine facial features and facilitate gender transitioning. A detailed understanding of the defining male and female facial characteristics is essential for success. In this first part of a two-part series, we discuss key aspects of the general preoperative consultation that should be considered when evaluating the prospective facial feminization patient. Assessment of the forehead, orbits, hairline, eyebrows, eyes, and nose and the associated procedures, including scalp advancement, supraorbital rim reduction, setback of the anterior table of the frontal sinus, rhinoplasty, and soft tissue modifications of the upper and midface are discussed. In the second part of this series, bony manipulation of the midface, mandible, and chin, as well as soft tissue modification of the nasolabial complex and chondrolaryngoplasty are discussed. Finally, a review of the literature on patient-reported outcomes in this population following FFS is provided.

Helical coils augment embolization of the middle meningeal artery for treatment of chronic subdural hematoma: A technical note

  • Arvin R. Wali;Alexander Himstead;Javier Bravo;Michael G. Brandel;Brian R. Hirshman;J. Scott Pannell;Andrew D. Nguyen;David R. Santiago-Dieppa
    • Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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    • 제25권2호
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    • pp.214-223
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    • 2023
  • Embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) is a safe and effective adjunct in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma. While prior authors describe the use of coils to assist embolization by preventing reflux through eloquent collaterals, we de- scribe the use of coils to further open the MMA, allowing the administration of greater amounts of embolisate for a more robust embolization. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that helical coils can safely open the MMA following the administration of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. This allows for more embolisate to be administered into the MMA for more effective treatment. A retrospective review was conducted at our institution including intraoperative images and postoperative clinical and radiographic follow up. Failure rates using MMA embolization with PVA and helical coil augmentation were compared to failure rates in the literature of MMA embolization with PVA or ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymer alone. A total of 8 cases were reviewed in which this technique was implemented. There were no immediate complications after treatment. All patients that underwent helical coil embolization following the administration of PVA had increased amount of embolisate delivered into the MMA. All patients at follow up had resolution of the subdural hematoma on outpatient imaging. Helical coil embolization allows for more embolisate administration into the MMA and provides a technical advantage for patients that fail traditional techniques of embolization. Case series are taking place to further test this hypothesis and identify the ideal patient population that may gain maximal yield from this novel technique.

Ultrashort Echo Time MRI (UTE-MRI) Quantifications of Cortical Bone Varied Significantly at Body Temperature Compared with Room Temperature

  • Jerban, Saeed;Szeverenyi, Nikolaus;Ma, Yajun;Guo, Tan;Namiranian, Behnam;To, Sarah;Jang, Hyungseok;Chang, Eric Y.;Du, Jiang
    • Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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    • 제23권3호
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    • pp.202-209
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: To investigate the temperature-based differences of cortical bone ultrashort echo time MRI (UTE-MRI) biomarkers between body and room temperatures. Investigations of ex vivo UTE-MRI techniques were performed mostly at room temperature however, it is noted that the MRI properties of cortical bone may differ in vivo due to the higher temperature which exists as a condition in the live body. Materials and Methods: Cortical bone specimens from fourteen donors ($63{\pm}21$ years old, 6 females and 8 males) were scanned on a 3T clinical scanner at body and room temperatures to perform T1, $T2^*$, inversion recovery UTE (IR-UTE) $T2^*$ measurements, and two-pool magnetization transfer (MT) modeling. Results: Single-component $T2^*$, $IR-T2^*$, short and long component $T2^*s$ from bi-component analysis, and T1 showed significantly higher values while the noted macromolecular fraction (MMF) from MT modeling showed significantly lower values at body temperature, as compared with room temperature. However, it is noted that the short component fraction (Frac1) showed higher values at body temperature. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for careful consideration of the temperature effects on MRI measurements, before extending a conclusion from ex vivo studies on cortical bone specimens to clinical in vivo studies. It is noted that the increased relaxation times at higher temperature was most likely due to an increased molecular motion. The T1 increase for the studied human bone specimens was noted as being significantly higher than the previously reported values for bovine cortical bone. The prevailing discipline notes that the increased relaxation times of the bound water likely resulted in a lower signal loss during data acquisition, which led to the incidence of a higher Frac1 at body temperature.