Postmortem distribution of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in 51 cases.

The prevalence of mitragynine (kratom) in forensic toxicology casework has steadily increased over time. Readily available and currently legal, mitragynine is widely used for its stimulant and, depending on concentration, sedative effects. Our laboratory analyzed various fluid and tissue specimens from 51 postmortem cases to investigate the distribution of mitragynine and its active metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Human myofibroblasts increase the arrhythmogenic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have the potential to remuscularize infarcted hearts but their arrhythmogenicity remains an obstacle to safe transplantation. Myofibroblasts are the predominant cell-type in the infarcted myocardium but their impact on transplanted hiPSC-CMs remains poorly defined. Here, we investigate the effect of myofibroblasts on hiPSC-CMs electrophysiology and Ca handling using optical mapping of advanced human cell coculture systems mimicking cell-cell interaction modalities.

Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin alter the contractility of living porcine heart slices.

The cardiotoxicity risk of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has been the subject of intensive research triggered by safety concerns in COVID-19 patients. HCQ and AZM have been associated with QT interval prolongation and drug-induced arrhythmias, however other cardiotoxicity mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Our group has pioneered the living heart slice preparation, an platform that maintains native cardiac tissue architecture and physiological electrical and contractile properties.

Porcine Organotypic Epicardial Slice Protocol: A Tool for the Study of Epicardium in Cardiovascular Research.

The epicardium has recently gained interest in the cardiovascular field due to its capacity to support heart regeneration after ischemic injury. Models to study the epicardium of large animals are limited and mainly based on epicardial cell isolation/differentiation from stem cells, followed by 2D cells culture. In this method paper, we describe the procedure to obtain and culture 3D organotypic heart slices presenting an intact epicardium, as a novel model to study the epicardial physiology and activation.

Associations of Obesity and Neighborhood Factors With Urinary Stone Parameters.

Introduction: Obesity is associated with kidney stone disease, but it is unknown whether this association differs by SES. This study assessed the extent to which obesity and neighborhood characteristics jointly contribute to urinary risk factors for kidney stone disease.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with kidney stone disease evaluated with 24-hour urine collection (2001-2020).

Development of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Application Ontology for the Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) network.

Clinical data networks that leverage large volumes of data in electronic health records (EHRs) are significant resources for research on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data harmonization is a key challenge in seamless use of multisite EHRs for COVID-19 research. We developed a COVID-19 application ontology in the national Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) network that enables harmonization of data elements that are critical to COVID-19 research.

Myocardial Viability Imaging using Manganese-Enhanced MRI in the First Hours after Myocardial Infarction.

Early measurements of tissue viability after myocardial infarction (MI) are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning but are challenging to obtain. Here, manganese, a calcium analogue and clinically approved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, is used as an imaging biomarker of myocardial viability in the first hours after experimental MI. Safe Mn dosing is confirmed by measuring in vitro beating rates, calcium transients, and action potentials in cardiomyocytes, and in vivo heart rates and cardiac contractility in mice.

Development of a COVID-19 Application Ontology for the ACT Network.

Clinical data networks that leverage large volumes of data in electronic health records (EHRs) are significant resources for research on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Data harmonization is a key challenge in seamless use of multisite EHRs for COVID-19 research. We developed a COVID-19 application ontology in the national Accrual to Clinical Trials (ACT) network that enables harmonization of data elements that that are critical to COVID-19 research.

Furanocoumarin with Phytotoxic Activity from the Leaves of (Rutaceae).

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of leaves was carried out to identify phytotoxic and antifungal constituents. A novel phytotoxic furanocoumarin 8-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)-marmesin acetate () and its deacyl analog 8-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)-marmesin () were isolated. The X-ray crystal structure determination is reported for the first time for .

A state-based approach to genomics for rare disease and population screening.

Purpose: The Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI) is a state-funded effort to provide genomic testing. AGHI engages two distinct cohorts across the state of Alabama. One cohort includes children and adults with undiagnosed rare disease; a second includes an unselected adult population.

Structure of CF: A Gas-Phase Electron Diffraction and Quantum Chemical Computational Study of a Remarkably Distorted Fluorofullerene.

The equilibrium molecular structure of the gaseous fluorofullerene CF has been determined for the first time by the electron diffraction method with the use of quantum chemical calculations up to the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPP level of theory. Vibrational amplitudes and quadratic and cubic force constants were calculated by density functional theory methods. It was found that the sample under study consists of the isomer of symmetry, 81(4)%, with a small amount of the isomer of symmetry, in good accordance with HPLC-MS (atmospheric pressure photoionization), HPLC-UV/vis, and NMR spectroscopic data.

Introduction to the D-SPECT for Technologists: Workflow Using a Dedicated Digital Cardiac Camera.

The D-SPECT is a dedicated cardiac camera that incorporates a solid-state semiconductor detector. This camera differs greatly from conventional SPECT/CT systems, resulting in significant differences in patient imaging. This continuing education article focuses on the specifications of both SPECT/CT and D-SPECT systems, radiopharmaceutical dosing requirements, imaging workflows, and some disadvantages of using each camera system.

Recruiting diversity where it exists: The Alabama Genomic Health Initiative.

Lack of diversity among genomic research participants results in disparities in benefits from genetic testing. To address this, the Alabama Genomic Health Initiative employed community engagement strategies to recruit diverse populations where they lived. In this paper, we describe our engagement techniques and recruitment strategies, which resulted in significant improvement in representation of African American participants.

Duration of therapeutic coma and outcome of refractory status epilepticus.

Objective: Examine the association of duration of therapeutic coma (TC) with seizure recurrence, morbidity, and mortality in refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Define an optimal window for TC that provides sustained seizure control and minimizes complications.

Methods: Retrospective, observational cohort study involving patients who presented with RSE to the University of Alabama at Birmingham or the University of California at San Francisco from 2010 to 2016.

Role of Non-Myocyte Gap Junctions and Connexin Hemichannels in Cardiovascular Health and Disease: Novel Therapeutic Targets?

The heart is a complex organ composed of multiple cell types, including cardiomyocytes and different non-myocyte populations, all working closely together to determine the hearts properties and maintain normal cardiac function. Connexins are abundantly expressed proteins that form plasma membrane hemichannels and gap junctions between cells. Gap junctions are intracellular channels that allow for communication between cells, and in the heart they play a crucial role in cardiac conduction by coupling adjacent cardiomyocytes.

Isolation of a phytotoxic isocoumarin from Diaporthe eres-infected Hedera helix (English ivy) and synthesis of its phytotoxic analogs.

Background: The fungus Diaporthe eres was isolated from a fungal pathogen-infected leaf of Hedera helix (English ivy) exhibiting necrosis. It is hypothesized that the causative fungus produces phytotoxins as evidenced by necrotic lesions on the leaves.

Results: The fungus was isolated and grown in Czapek Dox broth culture medium and potato dextrose broth culture medium and identified as Diaporthe eres.

Traumatic Amputation of Finger From an Alligator Snapping Turtle Bite.

Legend states that the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) should be handled with extreme caution as it has jaw strength powerful enough to bite a wooden broomstick in half. Tales of bite injuries from what is the largest freshwater turtle in North America exist anecdotally, yet there are few descriptions of medical encounters for such. The risk of infection from reptilian bites to the hand in an aquatic environment warrants thorough antibiotic treatment in conjunction with hand surgery consultation.

Phomalactone from a Phytopathogenic Fungus Infecting ZINNIA elegans (ASTERACEAE) Leaves.

Zinnia elegans Jacq. plants are infected by a fungus that causes dark red spots with necrosis on leaves, particularly in late spring to the middle of summer in the Mid-South of the United States. This fungal disease causes the leaves to wilt and eventually kills the plant.

False carbamazepine positives due to 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxycarbamazepine breakdown in the GC-MS injector port.

During the investigation of aviation accidents, postmortem specimens from accident victims are submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) for toxicological analysis. A case recently received by CAMI screened positive for the anticonvulsant medication carbamazepine (CBZ; Tegretol(®)) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The CBZ found during this routine screening procedure was subsequently confirmed using a CBZ-specific GC-MS procedure.

An evaluation of 25B-, 25C-, 25D-, 25H-, 25I- and 25T2-NBOMe via LC-MS-MS: method validation and analyte stability.

As potent serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor agonists, the NBOMe class of drugs including 25B-, 25C-, 25D-, 25H-, 25I- and 25T2-NBOMe is frequently abused due to the intense hallucinations that they induce. From the limited literature available, the concentration of these NBOMe compounds reported in postmortem cases is exceedingly low. In most instances, published concentrations are <0.

1,4-Cyclohexanedione. Composition, molecular structures, and internal dynamics of the vapor: an electron diffraction investigation augmented by molecular orbital calculations.

Electron diffraction experiments on the vapor of 1,4-cyclohexanedione have been carried out at a nominal temperature of 435 K. The results are consistent with the presence of a mixture of a chair form of C2h symmetry and a twisted boat form of D2 symmetry. The former has the familiar dynamic properties of a semirigid molecule, but the D2 form undergoes a large-amplitude twisting motion (pseudorotation) that degrades the symmetry to C2.