Research: South Dakota State University, Fall 2016

CONTENTS: Cattle primary host for new influenza virus [page] 1Statisticians evaluate probability models for crime scene evidence [page] 2Beef reproduction research to increase sperm, embryo survival [page] 4Chemicals in ice core reveal climate-changing events [page] 6New pediatric drug delivery method uses corn, milk proteins [page] 8Strategic application key to biochar application [page] 8Outstanding Scholars:Collaborative projects brings pioneer women to life [page] 9Nurses to learn substance abuse intervention technique [page] 9Dietitian targets weight management, goal-setting to improve health [page] 10Photovoltaic group helps Pakistani scientists harness sun\u27s energy [page] 10New capabilities will advance soybean nodule research [page] 11Understanding L1 elements in mouse can impact human health [page] 11https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/research_mag/1009/thumbnail.jp

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Osteoporosis in Canadian adult cystic fibrosis patients: A descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal autosomal recessive genetic disease in the Caucasian population. Osteoporosis is increasingly being recognised as an important complication in people with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A descriptive study of adult cystic fibrosis patients receiving care at a Canadian tertiary care hospital was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis, the prevalence of non-vertebral fractures, and the change in bone mineral density during the course of a year. Data on bone mineral density were obtained for 40 adult cystic fibrosis patients by reviewing dual x-ray absorptiometry scans taken at baseline (when annual scans became standard clinical practice) and one year prior to baseline. Data on prevalent fractures were obtained by reviewing all available patient charts. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from an existing clinic database. RESULTS: Over half of the 40 patients had reduced T- and Z-scores at baseline. For the 27 patients who had data available one year prior to baseline, total hip and lumbar spine bone mineral density had decreased by 3.04% and 0.86% after one year while total body bone mineral density had not changed significantly. Four prior non-vertebral fractures were reported in three patients (1,146 patient-years). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that osteoporosis is a significant problem in adult cystic fibrosis patients, and constitutes the first published evidence of cystic fibrosis bone disease in Canadians

Savings estimates for the United States Environmental Protection Agency?s ENERGY STAR voluntary product labeling program

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary energy efficiency-labeling program operated jointly by the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Since the program inception in 1992, ENERGY STAR has become a leading international brand for energy efficient products. ENERGY STAR's central role in the development of regional, national, and international energy programs necessitates an open process whereby its program achievements to date as well as projected future savings are shared with committed stakeholders. Through 2006, US EPA?S ENERGY STAR labeled products saved 4.8 EJ of primary energy and avoided 82 Tg C equivalent. We project that US EPA?S ENERGY STAR labeled products will save 12.8 EJ and avoid 203 Tg C equivalent over the period 2007-2015. A sensitivity analysis examining two key inputs (carbon factor and ENERGY STAR unit sales) bounds the best estimate of carbon avoided between 54 Tg C and 107 Tg C (1993 to 2006) and between 132 Tg C and 278 Tg C (2007 to 2015)

Affording Degree Completion: An Experimental Study of Completion Grants at Accessible Public Universities

To improve college affordability and graduation rates, universities are increasingly allocating “completion grants” to students who are nearing the finish line but facing financial challenges. Using an experimental design and common program model across 11 broad-access public universities in ten states, we assessed the impact of a completion grants averaging $1,200 distributed among more than 14,000 students. We find that, despite university expectations that most students were near completion, only two-thirds of students eligible to receive a completion grant graduated within the academic year. Receiving a completion grant did not improve that rate. However, nearly all eligible students (95%) graduated within three years or were still working on their degrees. While completion grants are intended to enhance equity, we do not find evidence that they exerted positive impacts for marginalized groups as designed in this study. Moreover, while there was some program implementation variation across universities, it did not lead to differences in program impact

Phosphorylation of DCC by Fyn mediates Netrin-1 signaling in growth cone guidance

Netrin-1 acts as a chemoattractant molecule to guide commissural neurons (CN) toward the floor plate by interacting with the receptor deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC). The molecular mechanisms underlying Netrin-1–DCC signaling are still poorly characterized. Here, we show that DCC is phosphorylated in vivo on tyrosine residues in response to Netrin-1 stimulation of CN and that the Src family kinase inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 block both Netrin-1–dependent phosphorylation of DCC and axon outgrowth. PP2 also blocks the reorientation of Xenopus laevis retinal ganglion cells that occurs in response to Netrin-1, which suggests an essential role of the Src kinases in Netrin-1–dependent orientation. Fyn, but not Src, is able to phosphorylate the intracellular domain of DCC in vitro, and we demonstrate that Y1418 is crucial for DCC axon outgrowth function. Both DCC phosphorylation and Netrin-1–induced axon outgrowth are impaired in Fyn−/− CN and spinal cord explants. We propose that DCC is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation and that Fyn is essential for the response of axons to Netrin-1

Potentially inappropriate prescribing in long-term care residents and its association with probable delirium.

Objective: Medications can increase the risk of delirium due to drug toxicities, polypharmacy, and drug interactions. This study examined potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) of medication and its association with probable delirium among long-term care residents. Approach: We conducted a cross-sectional study of long-term care residents in Ontario, Canada between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019. Routinely collected long-term care resident assessment data from the Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimum Dataset (RAI-MDS) was linked to prescription claims data to ascertain probable delirium and medication use in the two weeks preceding the index assessment. PIP was measured via the STOPP/START criteria and Beers criteria, with residents classified as having 0, 1, 2, or 3+ PIPs. Associations between PIP and probable delirium was assessed via bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Results The study population included 171,190 long-term care residents. The mean age was 84.5 years, 66.8% were female, and 62.9% had dementia. Probable delirium was documented on 3.7% of resident assessments. Over half (51.8%) of residents had 1+ PIP and 21% had 3+ PIPs according to the STOPP/START criteria. The odds of probable delirium increased as the number of PIPs increased. Probable delirium was 1.86 times more likely (95% confidence interval 1.74-1.98) in residents with 3+ PIPs compared to those with no PIPs after confounder adjustment. Similar findings were observed when PIP was evaluated using the Beers criteria. Conclusion This population-based study highlighted that potentially inappropriate medication prescribing was highly prevalent and was significantly associated with the increased likelihood of probable delirium among long-term care residents