Laboratory Studies Research Articles

Comparing FGFR-3 and TS-HDS Seropositive Small Fiber Neuropathy: Unique Patient Features, Symptoms, Laboratory, and Nerve Conduction Study Findings.

Small fiber neuropathy presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. To solve this challenge, efforts have been made to identify autoantibodies associated with this condition. Previous literature has often considered tri-sulfated heparin disaccharide (TS-HDS) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) as a singular seropositive group and/or focused primarily on symptomatic associations. One hundred seventy-two small fiber neuropathy patients with a Washington University Sensory Neuropathy panel were selected for TS-HDS seropositivity, FGFR-3 seropositivity, and seronegative controls. Data were collected to on the demographic, symptomatic, and laboratory profiles of each subgroup. Percent female (P = 0.0043), frequency of neuropathic pain symptoms (P = 0.0074), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.0293), vitamin D (P < 0.0001), and vitamin B12 (P = 0.0033) differed between the groups. Skin biopsy was more frequently normal within both the FGFR-3 and the TS-HDS cohort (P = 0.0253). TS-HDS and FGFR-3 display a distinct phenotype from both controls and one another. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) against FGFR-3 and IgM against TS-HDS may be individually valuable markers for the development of distinct clinical phenotypes.

Effects of a ketogenic diet on motor function and motor unit number estimation in aged C57BL/6 mice

ObjectivePathological, age-related loss of muscle function, commonly referred to as sarcopenia, contributes to loss of mobility, impaired independence, as well as increased risk of adverse health events. Sarcopenia has been attributed to changes in both neural and muscular integrity during aging. Current treatment options are primarily limited to exercise and dietary protein fortification, but the therapeutic impact of these approaches are often inadequate. Prior work has suggested that a ketogenic diet (KD) might improve healthspan and lifespan in aging mice. Thus, we sought to investigate the effects of a KD on neuromuscular indices of sarcopenia in aged C57BL/6 mice. DesignA randomized, controlled pre-clinical experiment consisting of longitudinal assessments performed starting at 22-months of age (baseline) as well as 2, 6 and 10 weeks after the start of a KD vs. regular chow intervention. SettingPreclinical laboratory study. Sample sizeThirty-six 22-month-old mice were randomized into 2 dietary groups: KD [n = 22 (13 female and 9 male)], and regular chow [n = 15 (7 female and 8 male)]. MeasurementsMeasures included body mass, hindlimb and all limb grip strength, rotarod for motor performance, plantarflexion muscle contractility, motor unit number estimations (MUNE), and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) as an index of neuromuscular junction transmission efficacy recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle. At end point, muscle wet weight and blood samples were collected to assess blood beta-hydroxybutyrate levels. Statistical analysisPrimary analyses were two-way mixed effects ANOVA (diet and time × diet) to determine the effect of a KD on indices of motor function (grip, rotarod) and indices of motor unit (MUNE) and muscle (contractility) function. ResultsBeta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was significantly higher at 10 weeks in mice on a KD vs control group (0.83 ± 0.44 mmol/l versus 0.42 ± 0.21 mmol/l, η2 = 0.265, unpaired t-test, p = 0.0060). Mice on the KD intervention demonstrated significantly increased hindlimb grip strength (diet, p = 0.0001; time × diet, p = 0.0030), all limb grip strength (diet, p = 0.0005; time × diet, p = 0.0523), and rotarod latency to fall (diet, p = 0.0126; time × diet, p = 0.0021). Mice treated with the KD intervention also demonstrated increased MUNE (diet, p = 0.0465; time × diet, p = 0.0064), but no difference in muscle contractility (diet, p = 0.5248; time × diet, p = 0.5836) or RNS (diet, p = 0.3562; time × diet, p = 0.9871). ConclusionKD intervention improved neuromuscular and motor function in aged mice. This pre-clinical work suggests that further research is needed to assess the efficacy and physiological effects of a KD on indices of sarcopenia.

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency : A Case Report

Introduction: Insufficient pituitary hormone output is referred to as hypopituitarism. Individuals experiencing lethargy, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, or generalized abdominal pain may be diagnosed with acute adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) insufficiency. This report detailed a unique instance of hypopituitarism in a patient who complained of nausea, vomiting, hypotension, hypoglycemia, and overall abdominal pain and soreness. Case presentation: A 65-year-old male presented to the outpatient department with complaints of a cough of 1-day duration on August 9/03/21 associated with 4 to 5 episodes of vomiting and pain in the abdomen, in addition to that whole body darkening, fatigue, and appetite loss of 6 months. weight loss intermittent sweating, and eyebrow and axillary hair loss. SOB with mild activity and also bilateral breast pain but no mass. Discussion: The diagnosis of hypothyroidism and inexplicable fatigue made us believe that there was an adrenal deficiency, which might be treated with cortisol around eight o’clock. Even though the patient with a high stress level the cortisol was immeasurable; so the diagnosis, of adrenal insufficiency, could be made. Other tests including ACTH and Imaging are usually needed to discover the subtype of insufficiency. The follow-up after 1 month showed no signs or symptoms left and a much better condition. Conclusion: When treating individuals who have fatigue that cannot be attributed to anything else, especially when weight loss and muscle weakness are present, adrenal insufficiency should be taken into consideration. A secondary adrenal insufficiency may exist even in the absence of skin pigmentation, which frequently triggers anxieties and ideas about Addison’s disease. If it is not identified promptly, it may potentially result in an adrenal crisis in situations with high-stress levels. Our patient presented with vague and largely mild symptoms related to early secondary adrenal insufficiency. These included nausea and vomiting, as well as fatigue. Laboratory studies indicated new hyponatremia and urine studies showed inappropriately normal urine sodium and osmolality. His morning serum cortisol was low, with borderline low ACTH, consistent with a secondary cause.

Preclinical models of bladder cancer: BBN and beyond.

Preclinical modelling is a crucial component of advancing the understanding of cancer biology and therapeutic development. Several models exist for understanding the pathobiology of bladder cancer and evaluating therapeutics. N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN)-induced bladder cancer is a commonly used model that recapitulates many of the features of human disease. Particularly in mice, BBN is a preferred laboratory model owing to a high level of reproducibility, high genetic fidelity to the human condition, and its relative ease of use. However, important aspects of the model are often overlooked in laboratory studies. Moreover, the advent of new models has yielded a variety of methodologies that complement the use of BBN. Toxicokinetics, histopathology, molecular genetics and sex can differ between available models and are important factors to consider in bladder cancer modelling.

Climate induced declines in maternal size may come at a cost to embryonic investment and larval performance in the American lobster

Many crustacean taxa mature at a smaller size in warmer thermal regimes. Over the past four decades, female lobsters American lobster (Homarus americanus) in the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine have also been reported to be maturing at significantly smaller sizes over time. Smaller females have lower fecundity, but whether they also produce lower quality eggs and larvae has been unclear. Here we examine the hypothesis that smaller females invest less energy per larva than larger females, thereby compromising post-hatch performance and survival. This study used a combination of laboratory and field studies to assess the maternal size effect on embryos and larvae. In a space-for-time comparison of lobsters from contrasting thermal regimes along the coast of New England, we also investigated how lobster collected from populations in cooler northern regions may respond to future warming. We found smaller females not only are less fecund, but their embryos are smaller and generally less well invested with lipids than those from larger females. Furthermore, stage I larvae from smaller females are smaller and have less energy reserves needed to survive starvation. Our geographic comparison also revealed that female lobsters living in the warmer thermal regime of southern New England are more fecund and produced larger eggs than females of the same size from colder regimes in the Gulf of Maine, and we cautiously interpret this novel finding as evidence of a counter-gradient adaptation that could compensate for smaller maturation size at lower latitudes, a phenomenon requiring further investigation. These results help to reveal the cascading effects warming can have on important reproductive and larval survival traits on an economically important species.

Lymphomatoid papulosis. Case in pediatric dermatological clinical practice

A clinical case of lymphomatoid papulosis in a 10-year-old boy is described, clinically characterized by the presence of ulcerating nodes that resolve with the atrophy formation. The patient’s differential diagnostic workup included cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, cutaneous tuberculosis, polyarteritis nodosa, erythema nodosum, deep lupus erythematosus, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Based on the history, clinical picture, as well as laboratory and instrumental studies, the patient was diagnosed with lymphomatoid papulosis. During the examination, no concomitant neoplastic diseases were identified in the patient. All elements resolved with the outcome being hyperpigmented spots and atrophy. To date, the relapse-free period of the disease in the patient is 10 months.

An Analysis of Intrapitch Variation in Joint and Segment Velocities With Throwing Arm Kinetics in High School and Professional Baseball Pitchers.

Improper sequencing order of maximal joint and segment velocities has been identified as an important predictor for both throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity. To investigate the intrapitcher variation of maximal segment velocities and the relationship to throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity in high school (HS) and professional (PRO) pitchers. Descriptive laboratory study. HS (n = 59) and PRO (n = 338) pitchers, instructed to throw 8 to 12 fastball pitches, were evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Maximal joint and segment velocities were calculated for each pitch, and the standard deviation of the maxima was calculated per pitcher. These standard deviations were used to classify pitchers as "low variance" or "high variance" for each segmental velocity subgroup, "overall low variance" or "overall high variance" based on cumulative segment velocity variation, or "population," with any pitcher eligible to be included in multiple subcategories. Maximal velocities and throwing arm kinetics were compared among the various subgroups. The HS low-variance shoulder internal rotation velocity subgroup (4949 ± 642 deg/s) had significantly lower maximal shoulder internal rotation velocity compared with HS population (5774 ± 1057 deg/s) (P < .001); similar findings were observed for PROs (5269 ± 835 vs 5824 ± 1076 deg/s; P < .001), as well as lower shoulder superior force compared with the PRO population (14.8% ± 8.8% vs 17.8% ± 8.8% body weight; P = .001). The PRO low-variance lead knee extension velocity subgroup had significantly lower maximal lead knee extension velocity (216 ± 135 vs 258 ± 125 deg/s; P = .001) and shoulder distractive force (111.5% ± 14.4% vs 115.6% ± 15.9% body weight; P = .003) compared with the PRO population. The PRO overall low-variance subgroup had significantly lower shoulder distractive force (111.8% ± 14.1% vs 119.6% ± 15.5% body weight; P = .008) and elbow anterior force (40.6% ± 5.0% vs 43.6% ± 6.2% body weight; P = .008) compared with the PRO overall high-variance subgroup. HS and PRO pitchers with low variance for joint and segment velocities achieved significantly lower maximal velocities in the subgroup of interest, while preserving ball velocity. PRO pitchers with overall low variance among multiple maximal joint and segment velocities demonstrated decreased shoulder distractive and elbow anterior force. PRO pitchers with low intrapitch variation in maximal joint and segment velocities may be viewed as kinetically conservative throwers. These pitchers with similarly maintained mechanics between pitches may have an increasingly regimented form that preserves kinetic forces about the throwing arm. The opposite may be true for PRO pitchers with increased variability in segmental velocities during their pitching motion, as they showed increased throwing arm kinetics including shoulder distractive and elbow anterior force compared with the overall low-variance group, theoretically increasing their risk of injury.

Indirect Head of the Rectus Femoris Tendon as a Graft for Segmental Hip Labral Reconstruction: An Anatomic, Radiographical, and Biomechanical Study in Comparison With Iliotibial Labral Reconstruction.

The indirect head of the rectus femoris (IHRF) tendon has been used as an autograft for segmental labral reconstruction. However, the biomechanical properties and anatomic characteristics of the IHRF, as they relate to surgical applications, have yet to be investigated. To (1) quantitatively and qualitatively describe the anatomy of IHRF and its relationship with surrounding arthroscopically relevant landmarks; (2) detail radiographic findings pertinent to IHRF; (3) biomechanically assess segmental labral reconstruction with IHRF, including restoration of the suction seal and contact pressures in comparison with iliotibial band (ITB) reconstruction; and (4) assess potential donor-site morbidity caused by graft harvesting. Descriptive laboratory study. A cadaveric study was performed using 8 fresh-frozen human cadaveric full pelvises and 7 hemipelvises. Three-dimensional anatomic measurements were collected using a 3-dimensional coordinate digitizer. Radiographic analysis was accomplished by securing radiopaque markers of different sizes to the evaluated anatomic structures of the assigned hip.Suction seal and contact pressure testing were performed over 3 trials on 6 pelvises under 4 different testing conditions for each specimen: intact, labral tear, segmental labral reconstruction with ITB, and segmental labral reconstruction with IHRF. After IHRF tendon harvest, each full pelvis had both the intact and contralateral hip tested under tension along its anatomic direction to assess potential site morbidity, such as tendon failure or bony avulsion. The centroid and posterior apex of the indirect rectus femoris attachment are respectively located 10.3 ± 2.6 mm and 21.0 ± 6.5 mm posteriorly, 2.5 ± 7.8 mm and 0.7 ± 8.0 mm superiorly, and 5.0 ± 2.8 mm and 22.2 ± 4.4 mm laterally to the 12:30 labral position. Radiographically, the mean distance of the IHRF to the following landmarks was determined as follows: anterior inferior iliac spine (8.8 ± 2.5 mm), direct head of the rectus femoris (8.0 ± 3.9 mm), 12-o'clock labral position (14.1 ± 2.8 mm), and 3-o'clock labral position (36.5 ± 4.4 mm). During suction seal testing, both the ITB and the IHRF reconstruction groups had significantly lower peak loads and lower energy to peak loads compared with both intact and tear groups (P = .01 to .02 for all comparisons). There were no significant differences between the reconstruction groups for peak loads, energy, and displacement at peak load. In 60° of flexion, there were no differences in normalized contact pressure and contact area between ITB or IHRF reconstruction groups (P > .99). There were no significant differences between intact and harvested specimen groups in donor-site morbidity testing. The IHRF tendon is within close anatomic proximity to arthroscopic acetabular landmarks. In the cadaveric model, harvesting of the IHRF tendon as an autograft does not lead to significant donor-site morbidity in the remaining tendon. Segmental labral reconstruction performed with the IHRF tendon exhibits similar biomechanical outcomes compared with that performed with ITB. This study demonstrates the viability of segmental labral reconstruction with an IHRF tendon and provides a detailed anatomic description of the tendon in the context of an arthroscopic labral reconstruction. Clinicians can use this information during the selection of a graft and as a guide during an arthroscopic graft harvest.

Activity-Dependent Compensation at the Hip and Ankle at 8 Years After the Reconstruction of Isolated and Combined Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.

After posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR), functional deficits at the knee can persist. It remains unclear if neighboring joints compensate for the knee during demanding activities of daily living. To assess long-term alterations in lower limb mechanics in patients after PCLR. Descriptive laboratory study. A total of 28 patients who had undergone single-bundle unilateral isolated or combined PCLR performed stair navigation, squat, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit tasks at 8.2 ± 2.2 years after surgery. Motion capture and force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Then, 3-dimensional hip, knee, and ankle kinematic data of the reconstructed limb were compared with those of the contralateral limb using statistical parametric mapping. Side-to-side differences at the knee were primarily found during upward-driven movements at 8 years after surgery. The reconstructed knee exhibited lower internal rotation during the initial loading phase of stair ascent versus the contralateral knee (P = .005). During the sit-to-stand task, higher flexion angles during the midcycle (P = .017) and lower external rotation angles (P = .049) were found in the reconstructed knee; sagittal knee (P = .001) and hip (P = .016) moments were lower in the reconstructed limb than the contralateral limb. In downward-driven movements, side-to-side differences were minimal at the knee but prominent at the ankle and hip: during stair descent, the reconstructed ankle exhibited lower dorsiflexion and lower external rotation during the midcycle versus the contralateral ankle (P = .006 and P = .040, respectively). Frontal hip moments in the reconstructed limb were higher than those in the contralateral limb during the stand-to-sit task (P = .010); during squats, sagittal hip angles in the reconstructed limb were higher than those in the contralateral limb (P < .001). Patients after PCLR exhibited compensations at the hip and ankle during downward-driven movements, such as stair descent, squats, and stand-to-sit. Conversely, residual long-term side-to-side differences at the knee were detected during upward-driven movements such as stair ascent and sit-to-stand. After PCLR, side-to-side differences in biomechanical function were activity-dependent and occurred either at the knee or neighboring joints. When referring to the contralateral limb to assess knee function in the reconstructed limb, concentric, upward-driven movements should be prioritized. Compensations at the hip and ankle during downward-driven movements lead to biases in long-term functional assessments.

Growth of brown trout in the wild predicted by embryo stress reaction in the laboratory.

Laboratory studies on embryos of salmonids, such as the brown trout (Salmo trutta), have been extensively used to study environmental stress and how responses vary within and between natural populations. These studies are based on the implicit assumption that early life-history traits are relevant for stress tolerance in the wild. Here we test this assumption by combining two data sets from studies on the same 60 families. These families had been experimentally produced from wild breeders to determine, in separate samples, (1) stress tolerances of singly kept embryos in the laboratory and (2) growth of juveniles during 6 months in the wild. We found that growth in the wild was well predicted by the larval size of their full sibs in the laboratory, especially if these siblings had been experimentally exposed to a pathogen. Exposure to the pathogen had not caused elevated mortality among the embryos but induced early hatching. The strength of this stress-induced change of life history was a significant predictor of juvenile growth in the wild: the stronger the response in the laboratory, the slower the growth in the wild. We conclude that embryo performance in controlled environments can be a useful predictor of juvenile performance in the wild.

Macromycetes determined in Yıldız Mountain (Sivas)

In this study macrofungi determined at Yıldız Mount (Sivas-Türkiye), through the identification on the samples collected between 2019-2020, are presented. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 62 species within 26 families were identified. Four of them belong to the division Ascomycota and 58 to Basidiomycota. The determined species are listed together with their collection localities, habitats, edibility status and voucher numbers.

The effect of PVP and PVA on hydrate formation kinetics of ethane and propane mixture in the presence of kaolin nanoparticles

AbstractThe blockage of gas transmission pipelines due to gas hydrates poses a significant challenge for the gas industry. Low‐dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHI) are utilized to influence the kinetics of hydrate formation, including nucleation, growth, and/or agglomeration. In the current study, a series of batch, isochoric, and isothermal tests were carried out to investigate the impacts of two LDHIs, poly N‐vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohols (PVA). This study examined the influence of these inhibitors on nucleation and growth of ethane+propane mixture in the presence of kaolin nanoparticles. In laboratory studies and using pure constituents, the rate of hydrate formation is low to investigate the inhibitors effect. To enhance the rate of hydrate formation, kaolin nanoparticles were utilized as they serve as a suitable representative for solid minerals commonly found in pipelines. The gas phase's compositional change were measured using a gas chromatograph. The results revealed that the growth stage of mixed‐gas exhibited two distinct steps, attributed to the formation of two different structures known as structure II and structure I. During the first step, structure II was formed, and the cavities were occupied by both gas components. In the second stage, structure I was formed by ethane. The effect of temperature on the induction time (nucleation rate) and the growth rate during the second stage was lower than that at the first stage. The increase in PVA concentration resulted in an increase in the induction time and a decrease in the rate of growth during the first stage. The performance of PVA was found to be affected by temperature. Lower temperatures resulted in the formation of less foam, providing improved performance for PVA at −0.5°C. PVP had a stronger impact on induction time and both growth steps compared to PVA, indicating stronger inhibitory impact of PVP on nucleation of hydrates initiated by propane and the growth of both propane and ethane hydrates.

Don’t forget your keys when trying to unlock the productivity of low-permeability coals

Low-permeability coal seam gas (CSG) wells have been the subject of laboratory research and modelling studies over the past decade, particularly focusing on the pressure-dependent permeability (PDP) behaviour of coals. These research efforts have progressed diagnostic methods to identify and quantify PDP and provide practical technologies to counter these effects. Firstly, machine learning methods based on drilling and historical well-test data can provide insight into the range of coal permeability during drilling. Next, the process of history-matching the after-closure pressures from a diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT), using reservoir simulators, can determine best-fit values for fracture compressibility, a key parameter for reservoir models. Finally, these data, along with DFIT reservoir pressure and permeability data, can inform the decision-making process regarding the most applicable completion strategy and aid developmental planning. For areas where vertical or surface-to-inseam (SIS) wells have been unsuccessful, new hydraulic fracturing technologies have been developed to enhance the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) in coals, using horizontal wells with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in excess of 20 stages. Recent laboratory and modelling of micro-proppants has extended prior laboratory and modelling studies and provided insight into proppant transport, embedment, and screen-out behaviour. These well stimulation technologies can be co-applied in new or existing CSG fields and are suitable for areas where overlapping tenements limit conventional, steel-based completion strategies. In conclusion, this paper will bring the key findings of these studies together in a cohesive framework and provide the workflows to implement these technologies for better productivity in low-permeability coals.

Clinical characteristics and aetiology of uveitis in a viral haemorrhagic fever zone.

Studies on uveitis in Sierra Leone were conducted prior to the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2013-16, which was associated with uveitis in 20% of survivors. They did not include imaging or investigation of tuberculosis and used laboratory services outside the country. We performed a cross-sectional study on patients presenting with uveitis to establish their clinical characteristics and identify the impact of in-country laboratory diagnoses. We invited uveitis cases presenting to Eye Clinics in Sierra Leone from March to September 2022 to participate in the study. They underwent a diagnostic work-up, including fundus and ocular coherence tomography imaging. Active uveitis cases underwent further investigations including serology and immunological tests for syphilis, tuberculosis, herpetic viruses and HIV and chest radiographs. We recruited 128 patients. The median age was 34 (IQR 19) years and there was an equal gender split. Panuveitis was the predominant anatomical uveitis type (n = 51, 40%), followed by posterior uveitis (n = 36, 28%). Bilateral disease affected 40 patients (31%). Active uveitis was identified in 75 (59%) cases. ICD 11 definition of blindness with VA < 3/60 occurred in 55 (33%) uveitis eyes. Aetiology of uveitis from clinical and laboratory assessment demonstrated that most cases were of undifferentiated aetiology (n = 66, 52%), followed by toxoplasmosis (n = 46, 36%). Trauma contributed to eight (6%) cases, syphilis to 5 (4%) cases and Ebola to 2 (2%). Uveitis was associated with high levels of visual impairment. Posterior and panuveitis contributed to the highest proportion of uveitis cases. Laboratory studies helped differentiate syphilis as a significant aetiology of uveitis.

Formation of N--bearing complex organic molecules in molecular clouds: Ketenimine, acetonitrile, acetaldimine, and vinylamine via the UV photolysis of C_2H_2 ice

Formation of N--bearing complex organic molecules in molecular clouds: Ketenimine, acetonitrile, acetaldimine, and vinylamine via the UV photolysis of C_2H_2 ice

Suppressed atmospheric chemical aging of cooking organic aerosol particles in wintertime conditions

Abstract. Cooking organic aerosol (COA) is one of the major constituents of particulate matter in urban areas. COA is oxidized by atmospheric oxidants such as ozone, changing its physical, chemical and toxicological properties. However, atmospheric chemical lifetimes of COA and its tracers such as oleic acid are typically longer than those that have been estimated by laboratory studies. We tackled the issue by considering temperature. Namely, we hypothesize that increased viscosity of COA at ambient temperature accounts for its prolonged atmospheric chemical lifetimes in wintertime. Laboratory-generated COA particles from cooking oil were exposed to ozone in an aerosol flow tube reactor for the temperature range of −20 to 35 °C. The pseudo-second-order chemical reaction rate constants (k2) were estimated from the experimental data by assuming a constant ozone concentration in the flow tube. The estimated values of k2 decreased by orders of magnitude for lower temperatures. The temperature dependence in k2 was fit well by considering the diffusion-limited chemical reaction mechanism. The result suggested that increased viscosity was likely the key factor to account for the decrease in chemical reactivity at the reduced temperature range, though the idea will still need to be verified by temperature-dependent viscosity data in the future. In combination with the observed global surface temperature, the atmospheric chemical lifetimes of COA were estimated to be much longer in wintertime (&gt; 1 h) than in summertime (a few minutes) for temperate and boreal regions. Our present study demonstrates that the oxidation lifetimes of COA particles will need to be parameterized as a function of temperature in the future for estimating environmental impacts and fates of this category of particulate matter.

Time-Dependent Bacterial Contamination of a Surgical Suction Tip.

Background: No in vitro surgical study has evaluated the time-dependent contamination of surgical suction tips compared with controls. Our purpose was to determine the difference in suction tip bacterial contamination rates between suction-positive and suction-negative tips. Materials and Methods: A matched-pair analysis of the contamination of surgical suction tips over a six-hour period was performed in two clean operating rooms. One suction tip was connected to standard wall suction (suction-positive group), with a matched control tip not connected to wall suction (suction-negative group). At time zero and then at hourly intervals for six hours, the distal 3 cm of suction tips were removed, placed in nutrient broth for 48 hours, then plate cultured. One hundred tips were collected for each time interval. Results: Eighty-two of 700 (11.7%) suction tips had bacterial contamination. Sixty-three (18.0%) of 350 suction-positive tips were contaminated, with 19 (5.4%) of the 350 suction-negative tips contaminated (χ2 = 26.7, p < 0.001). Suction tip contamination was time-dependent with the first significant difference between groups occurring after two hours of continuous suction (χ2 = 4.0, p = 0.04). Contamination rate in the suction-positive group increased significantly after one hour compared with time-zero controls (χ2 = 7.1, p = 0.008). There was no significant difference in frequency of positive cultures over time in the suction-negative group compared with time-zero controls. Conclusions: This is the first controlled laboratory study suggesting a time-dependent increase in positive suction tip cultures. From our data, operating room staff should have an awareness that suction tips represent a potential source of bacterial concentration. We recommend that when not in use, suction tip valves be closed if this feature is available, that hosing be manipulated to cease suction when not needed, that suckers be disconnected from tubing, or that suckers be exchanged at frequent intervals. Doing so may reduce bacterial contamination on the suction tip.

Can narrow-diameter implants enhance patient-reported outcomes for mandibular implant-retained overdentures?

A systematic review and meta-analysis. To evaluate and compare stability and functionality between narrow and standard implant-retained mandibular overdentures in edentulous patients from multiple perspectives. Assessments included clinical parameters [survival rate (SR) and marginal bone loss (MBL)], along with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The study protocol followed PRISMA criteria for reporting reviews and meta-analyses. Using appropriate keywords, electronic search was conducted in each of the following databases: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus, up to July 22, 2022. There were no restrictions based on language, publication type, or publication date. Additionally, ongoing studies were explored in ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP, while cross-references in each selected study were manually examined. The eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing narrow implants (diameter ≤ 3.5 mm) to standard implants (diameter > 3.5-4.5 mm) retaining mandibular overdentures in edentulous patients. Excluded were studies with unclear implant diameter information, fewer than 5 patients per group, observational studies, reviews, and laboratory studies. Two authors independently conducted study selection, data collection, and analysis, resolving any discrepancies through discussion with a third author. Methodological quality was assessed using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. Implant SR and MBL measurements at final follow-up were recorded, while patient satisfaction and OHRQoL were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS-100) and oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire, respectively. After duplicate removal, 782 publications and 83 registered clinical trials were identified, of which 26 were eligible for full-text assessment. Ultimately, the quantitative evaluation included 12 publications from 8 independent studies: 4 parallel design RCTs and 4 CCTs. Risk of bias assessment revealed variations among the studies, with only one study being rated as having low risk. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 3 years. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in SR and MBL between narrow and standard implant groups (p = 0.29 and p = 0.93, respectively), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 100% and I2 = 78%, respectively). Regarding PROMs, the narrow implant group showed significantly higher levels of patient satisfaction (mean difference (MD): 8.18; 95% CI: 5.83 to 10.53; p < 0.00001; I2 = 36%) and exhibited a significant improvement in OHRQoL (MD: -4.36; 95% CI: -6.83 to -1.89; p < 0.001; I2 = 55%) compared to the standard implant group. For implant-retained mandibular overdentures, the use of narrow implants is associated with comparable SR and MBL, along with higher patient satisfaction and better OHRQoL improvement as compared to standard implants, offering a viable alternative option for patients with diminished alveolar bone width.

'They are conspiring against us': How outgroup conspiracy theories stimulate environmental neglect in intergroup resource dilemmas.

Natural resources are limited, and people often share these limited resources in groups, which creates an intergroup resource dilemma. To understand individuals' sustainable behaviours in intergroup resource dilemmas in the context of group interactions, the present research systematically investigates the effect of outgroup conspiracy theories on sustainable behaviours and preliminarily explores the internal mechanism underlying this effect. First, a survey study (Study 1) relying on real-world intergroup relations first confirmed the negative correlation between outgroup conspiracy beliefs and sustainable intentions in intergroup resource dilemmas. Then, an online experimental study that utilized the real situation of a region in China (Study 2) tested the causal relationship between exposure to an outgroup conspiracy theory and sustainable intentions, as well as showing the mediating role of intergroup threat perception underlying this relationship. Finally, a preregistered experimental laboratory study (Study 3) further verified the causal effect of exposure to an outgroup conspiracy theory on sustainable behaviours, again confirming the mediating role of intergroup threat perception. In general, our research demonstrates that exposure to an outgroup conspiracy theory stimulates individuals' environmental neglect and reduces their sustainable behaviours by increasing their perceptions of intergroup threat when faced with intergroup resource dilemmas.

3-Dimensional Biomechanics of Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Male Professional Soccer Players.

The understanding of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury causation in soccer has improved over the past decades. Bidimensional video analyses have significantly augmented our awareness, representing to date the only practical method to describe injury biomechanics. However, the extent of the problem continues to raise serious concerns. To advance our understanding of the causal pathways leading to ACL injury with a large-scale reconstruction of 3-dimensional (3D) whole-body joint kinematics of injuries that occurred to male elite soccer players, as well as to compare the joint angle time course among situational patterns. Descriptive laboratory study. A total of 33 consecutive noncontact and indirect contact ACL injuries that occurred in 6 national and 2 international professional leagues (seasons 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 until December 2022) were analyzed: (1) multiview noncoaxial television images were inspected; (2) multiple camera views were taken from 400 ms before the initial ground contact to 200 ms after the injury frame; (3) a size-matched pitch was modeled and used to calibrate cameras; (4) a 3D skeletal model was adjusted to fit the player's pose in each frame/view; and (5) poses were interpolated, and Euler joint angles were extracted. The authors reconstructed the 3D lower limb joint kinematic curves preceding and during ACL injuries in 33 cases; notably, a sudden external (up to 5°) and then internal knee rotation was observed after the initial contact and before the injury frame. The overall kinematics at injury were knee moderately flexed (45.9°± 21.7°), abducted (4.3°± 5.1°), and externally rotated (3.0°± 6.4°); trunk shallowly flexed (17.4°± 12.5°) and rotated and tilted toward the injured side; and hip flexed (32.0°± 18.7°), abducted (31.1°± 12.0°), and slightly internally rotated (6.6°± 12.2°). Variable behaviors were observed at the ankle level. Via reconstruction of the sequence of whole-body joint motion leading to injury, we confirmed the accepted gross biomechanics (dynamic valgus trend). This study significantly enriches the current knowledge on multiplanar kinematic features (transverse and coronal plane rotations). Furthermore, it was shown that ACL injuries in male professional soccer players manifest through distinct biomechanical footprints related to the concurrent game situation. Interventions aimed at reducing ACL injuries in soccer should consider that environmental features (ie, situational patterns) affect injury mechanics.