Long-term Studies Research Articles

Short-term effects of opioids during therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of opioids during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on short-term outcomes in neonates with neonatal encephalopathy (NE).MethodsMulticenter retrospective study of neonates with moderate/severe NE from Jan. 2013–Feb 2021. Opioid exposure was classified as positive (>0.1 mg/kg) or negative (no exposure or ≤0.1 mg/kg) based on cumulative morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate clinical outcomes.ResultsOne hundred and twenty neonates were included. Adjusted analyses indicated that opioid exposure was associated with an increase in (1) length of hospitalization, (2) hypotension/use of vasopressors, and (3) need for and longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Many findings persisted even after adjusting for site and the presence of confirmed seizures (a marker of disease severity).DiscussionOpioid use during TH was associated with adverse effects on short-term outcomes. Caution should be exercised when using opioids during TH until longer-term neurodevelopmental outcome studies can be conducted in larger cohorts.

Micro-CT Analysis of Pore Structure in Upland Red Soil Under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes

This study hypothesized that long-term fertilization alters the pore structure and aggregate stability in upland red soil. A long-term fertilization experiment in Qiyang, Hunan, was conducted with three treatments: no fertilization (CK), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilization (NPK), and nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium combined with pig manure (NPKOM). X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning technology was used to assess three-dimensional pore structures at both the soil column (50 mm diameter and 50 mm height) and aggregate scales (diameter 3–5 mm), alongside the evaluation of the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Results showed that the soil organic carbon content (SOC) increased by 44.8% in NPK and 112.5% in NPKOM compared to CK. NPKOM improved the aggregate stability by 51.6%, whereas NPK had no significant effect. At the soil column scale, NPK increased the total porosity by 13.7% but reduced larger pores (>0.06 mm), whereas NPKOM decreased the total porosity by 7.8% and increased larger pores. At the aggregate scale, NPKOM increased the porosity for pores >0.098 mm by 7.6 times compared to CK and 9.5 times compared to NPK. In conclusion, long-term NPKOM significantly enhances the SOC and aggregate stability and promotes larger pore formation, unlike NPK, which mainly increases SOC but does not improve the soil structure.

Enhanced soil carbon storage and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biomass in a long-term nutrient management under soybean-based cropping system.

To ensure the sustainability of crop production and ecosystem functioning, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms governing soil carbon (C) sequestration and soil health is essential. This study examined the effects of three nutrient management practices (organic, inorganic, and integrated) and two cropping systems (soybean-wheat and soybean-chickpea), on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soil C-sequestration in a long-term (12 years) field experiment. We measured the stocks of soil organic carbon, total glomalin-related soil protein, pertinent soil quality parameters such as microbial biomass carbon, and β-glucosidase activity along with AMF biomass [microscopic parameters and 16:1ω5cis phospholipid fatty acid (AM PLFA) and neutral lipid fatty acid (AM NLFA)]. It was observed that the measures of AMF biomass were positively correlated with the soil organic carbon stocks, total glomalin-related soil protein stocks, and soil quality parameters. Organic practice recorded significantly higher AMF spores, mycorrhizal colonization percentage, AM PLFA (2.58 nmol g-1 soil), AM NLFA (7.95 nmol g-1 soil), soil organic carbon stocks (15.78 Mg ha-1), total glomalin-related soil protein stocks (2.10 Mg ha-1), and soil quality parameters such as microbial biomass carbon, and β-glucosidase activity than inorganic and integrated practices. In comparison to soybean-chickpea, C-sequestration was higher in soybean-wheat. Principal component analysis validated the said results and differentiated soybean-wheat under organic practice from the rest of the treatments. In conclusion, our results suggest that organic management in conjunction with soybean-wheat crop rotation enhances AMF and can be recommended for improving soil quality and C sequestration without compromising crop yield.

BS O03 - One-stage conversion of Adjustable Gastric band (AGB) to One-anastomosis Gastric Bypass (cOAGB) versus Sleeve Gastrectomy (cSG): A single-center experience with a short and mid-term Follow-up

Abstract Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band was a common bariatric procedure . However; due to its failure rate some patients sought another revisional surgery. In which, we compared two of the most common Bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) performed nowadays: the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic one- anastomosis gastric bypass. Method A prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2022 at a single medical center, which included 77 patients undergoing single-stage conversion to (cOAGB) vs (cSG). Patients were reassessed for weight loss, associated medical problems remission and post-operative complications at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results Group (I) was 43 patients who underwent cOAGB and Group (II) was 34 patients who underwent cSG. The BMI was calculated post-operative at three visits. Both groups had no statistically significant values at 6 and 12 months follow-up. However, patients who underwent cOAGB after 18 months of follow-up achieved lower BMI than those who underwent cSG . Regarding EBWL% there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after 6, 12 and 18 months follow-up. Regarding associated medical problems remission with follow-up 18 months post-operative , there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups Conclusion This study suggests that the conversion of LAGB to either cOAGB or cSG could be feasibly performed in a single-stage operation. cOAGB had a significant difference as regards the weight loss results than cSG among the mid-term follow-up. However, there is no significant difference in the postoperative complications and the resolution of the co-morbidities. Therefore, cOAGB could provide a reliable alternative but needs to be substantiated in future long-term studies.

MRI-guided neurolysis for the treatment of chronic refractory knee pain: a case report.

Chronic refractory pain poses a significant challenge in knee joint pathologies, especially after exhaustion of conservative, arthroscopic, and endoprosthetic therapy options. This case report illustrates an innovative approach using MRI-assisted chemical neurolysis of a genicular nerve to manage persistent knee pain after arthroscopy. A 62-year-old male patient with chronic refractory knee pain, primarily localized at the inferomedial part of the knee, underwent high-resolution MRI to visualize the genicular nerves. This allowed for targeted ethanol-based neurolysis of the inferomedial genicular nerve. Following the procedure, the patient experienced substantial pain reduction for the follow-up duration of 4months. The successful use of MRI-assisted chemical neurolysis offers a promising alternative treatment for patients with refractory knee pain, providing long-lasting pain relief without major side effects. This technique has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic knee pain While these initial results are encouraging, it is important to note that further research, including both short-term and long-term studies, as well as randomized controlled trials, is warranted to establish the efficacy and safety of this treatment method in broader populations before it can be considered for routine incorporation into pain management practices.

Abstract 4134308: Re-evaluating the safety profile of Semaglutide: An updated meta-analysis

Background: Semaglutide is increasingly used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Ensuring safety of this medication is crucial for its clinical use. This meta-analysis evaluates the safety profile of semaglutide across patient populations and treatment durations. Methods: Randomized controlled trials assessing the safety of semaglutide versus placebo, with specified treatment durations were identified. The primary outcome was occurrence of any cardiovascular adverse events. Secondary outcomes included sudden cardiac death, adverse events leading to death, adverse events, gastrointestinal side effects, occurrence of hypoglycemia and new-onset neoplasm. Results: A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria with a combined sample size of 57,911 participants. The meta-analysis revealed that the adverse event associated with semaglutide is gastrointestinal in nature (nausea and vomiting). No significant differences were observed between semaglutide and comparator groups. (See Figure 1) Conclusion: Semaglutide appears to have a favorable safety profile across diverse patient populations and treatment durations, supporting its continued use in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. It is generally well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events. Clinicians should be aware of these findings and monitor patients accordingly. Further long-term studies are warranted to assess the safety of semaglutide in clinical practice.

Metastasis-directed ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with pulmonary oligometastases: a long-term multicenter study.

Ablation is a promising approach for eliminating intrathoracic metastases. We compared the effectiveness of a combination of metastasis-directed ablation and systemic therapy with that of systemic therapy alone for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) having pulmonary oligometastases. We analyzed 679 patients with HCC and pulmonary oligometastases from seven tertiary hospitals. A total of 372 patients received systemic therapy (System group), whereas 307 patients received the combination therapy of pulmonary oligometastases ablation and systemic therapy (Ablation + System group). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.7 ± 0.6 and 11.5 ± 0.6months in the System and Ablation + System groups, respectively. The Ablation + System group exhibited significantly better PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.85; P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.65; 95% CI 0.52-0.81; P < 0.001) than the System group. The subgroup analysis revealed that OS (HR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.65-1.28; P = 0.590) and PFS (HR, 0.81; 95% CI 0.62-1.05; P = 0.100) did not differ between tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and TKI plus programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapies in the Ablation + system group. In addition, PFS (HR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.38-0.74; P < 0.001) and OS (HR, 0.66; 95% CI 52-0.84; P < 0.001) showed obviously different for intrahepatic tumors with partial response (PR) status. The application of a combination of ablation of pulmonary oligometastases and systemic therapy resulted in longer PFS and OS than systemic therapy alone.

Abstract 4134957: Survival and Cardiac Recovery in Pediatric Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Long-term Cohort Study of Risk Factors, Prognosis, and Health Outcomes Followed into Adulthood

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of pediatric heart failure (HF), but there is limited literature on its long-term prognosis and treatment outcomes. We examined risk factors for long-term morbidity and mortality and outcomes of care in childhood-onset DCM. Methods: Electronic medical records from a tertiary care pediatric hospital (SickKids, Toronto, Canada) were used to retrospectively follow children ages 0–18 years with DCM from January 1, 2001 to July 1, 2017. Provincial healthcare administrative data was used to monitor outcomes recorded outside of SickKids, following patients during the same time period and into adulthood (age &gt;18 years) until August 31, 2023. We compared DCM cases, with or without echocardiographic recovery (LVEDD z score &lt; 2 and LVEF ≥ 55%), and controls matched on sex, age, and urban/rural residence on a range of health and health service outcomes. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, heart transplant (HT), and inpatient admission for HF. Among cases, Cox proportional hazards regression with backwards selection was used to identify demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics associated with each primary outcome, with candidate variables selected based on univariate analysis and clinical judgment. Results: We studied 156 patients with DCM and 780 controls for a median of 14.8 years. Median age at the end of follow-up was 16.2 years. Compared with controls, DCM cases had higher rates of all-cause death, HT, and HF admission (all P &lt;0.001), as well as chronic kidney disease ( P &lt;0.001) and diabetes ( P =0.002). Compared to cases with recovered DCM (n=53), non-recovered cases had higher rates of death, HT, and HF admission (all P &lt;0.001). On multivariable analysis, beta blockers were associated with reduced mortality risk (HR 0.343, 95% CI 0.162–0.727). Using any HF medication (HR 0.205, 95% CI 0.102–0.412) and living in an urban versus a rural area (HR 0.166, 95% CI 0.048–0.573) decreased HT risk. Idiopathic (HR 4.16, 95% CI 1.42–12.2) or sarcomeric mutation-related (HR 9.86, 95% CI 2.30–42.3) DCM were associated with higher HT risk than myocarditis-related DCM. Conclusions: While childhood DCM is associated with long-term adverse health and increased health care utilization, patients who recover have improved morbidity and mortality. Treatment (e.g. medication or access to urban specialist care) was associated with lower mortality and HT risk in DCM.

Long-term Follow-up Study for Fractured and Non-Fractured Hand Enchondromas Treated by Sole Curettage

Background: Enchondromas are the most common primary tumors in the small tubular bones of the hand and fractures are often the result of thinned cortical bone. The main question was whether fractured enchondromas influence the long-term clinical and radiological outcome. Methods: Between 2000 and 2019, 57 patients with previously treated fractured (group I) and non-fractured (group II) hand enchondromas (34 female, 23 male, mean age was 39.4 years, ± 13.7) were evaluated for clinical and radiological treatment outcomes. SF-36 and DASH questionnaires as well as patient reported experience measures were used to assess subjective health outcomes. Subsequently, 43 patients underwent clinical and radiological follow-ups. Comparative evaluation of objective treatment outcomes in both groups was conducted in terms of hand functionality, perioperative complications, recurrence rates, and osteogenesis. Results: Almost half the patients suffered enchondromas with fractures (49.1%, n=28). Two patients received additional k-wire-stabilization due to intraoperative instability. Defect resolution could be reached in 97.7% (n=42) of all cases. No recurrence of enchondroma was observed. Groups were equal regarding radiological and clinical outcomes. The patient reported experiences were predominantly positive (86%), both cohorts had good to very good results with a DASH mean score of 4 (±6.3). The SF-36 demonstrated a return to normal quality of life in both groups. Mean follow-up time was 7.78 years (±4.8). Conclusions: Sole curettage of enchondromas yields effective outcomes with good to excellent results regardless of the presence of a fracture. Long-term radiological follow-up is not required until symptomatic recurrence. .

Abstract 4134630: Focal Delivery of Antiplatelet Therapy to Prevent Post-Stent Bleeding in High-Risk Patients

Background: Over 3 million percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are performed yearly to treat coronary artery stenosis. Stent thrombosis is a catastrophic complication associated with high morbidity and mortality, and its prevention requires the use of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which increases bleeding risk. Within the first 30 days after PCI, the mortality of DAPT-associated major bleeding is on par with recurrent myocardial infarction. Research question: No stent system that provides focal antiplatelet activity to prevent stent thrombosis exists, eliminating the need for systemic DAPT and subsequent bleeding risk. Aim: To address this unmet need, we have developed such a stent, termed “the ticagrelor coated stent” (TCS). Methods: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 12-aminododecylphosphonic acid (ADPA) were formed on cobalt-chromium stents. The amine tail group of ADPA was used to link the ticagrelor molecule through a Mitsunobu reaction and confirmed via infrared spectroscopy. Coating uniformity was validated via atomic force microscopy. In an ex-vivo porcine arterio-venous fistula model, the ticagrelor-coated stents (TCS) were placed in alternating series adjacent to uncoated bare metal stents (BMS). Similarly, TCS and everolimus-eluting stents were placed in the porcine left circumflex arteries for acute (7 days) and chronic (35 days) studies. Results: ( Figure 1 ): Grossly, no thrombus was seen on the TCS compared to the BMS. Platelet and micro-thrombi adherence were significantly reduced on TCS. Notably, inflammation, measured by neutrophil and monocyte adherence, was also reduced by approximately 10-fold on the TCS vs the BMS. Angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathology results show the TCS widely patent without systemic DAPT. Conclusion: These findings show that TCS prevents stent thrombosis through focal anti-platelet action and may reduce the bleeding risk associated with prolonged use of systemic DAPT. Long-term safety and efficacy studies are underway.

E -cigarettes and kidney health: current knowledge and future perspectives.

Chronic conventional cigarette smoking has been closely linked to incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population. It is associated with the acceleration of pre-existing CKD and failure of kidney allograft function. Cessation of conventional cigarette smoking is effective in reducing the increased risk of smoking induced kidney damage. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge and future study perspectives of the impact of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) use on kidney health. The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the use of electronic nicotine delivering systems, also called e-cigs. Compared to conventional cigarette smoking, little is known concerning the effects of e-cigs use on kidney health. A few cross-sectional studies suggest an association between vaping and kidney damage (albuminuria, reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate) in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, limited animal experiments indicate that e-cigs constituents/aerosols may lead to structural and functional kidney damage. The renal health effects of e-cigs remain largely uncertain and make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about e-cigs use and kidney health. The relatively new popularity of e-cigs, the wide variability in device design and e-liquid formulations, and the lack of standardized methods to measure daily or life-long e-cigs exposure make it challenging to conduct comprehensive long-term studies. Nephrologists should actively address smoking habits in their patients and urge cessation of conventional cigarette smoking as well as e-cigs use to prevent CKD progression and improve overall health.

The contribution of tropical long-term studies to mycology.

Fungi are arguably the most diverse eukaryotic kingdom of organisms in terms of number of estimated species, trophic and life history strategies, and their functions in ecosystems. However, our knowledge of fungi is limited due to a distributional bias; the vast majority of available data on fungi have been compiled from non-tropical regions. Far less is known about fungi from tropical regions, with the bulk of these data being temporally limited surveys for fungal species diversity. Long-term studies (LTS), or repeated sampling from the same region over extended periods, are necessary to fully capture the extent of species diversity in a region, but LTS of fungi from tropical regions are almost non-existent. In this paper, we discuss the contributions of LTS of fungi in tropical regions to alpha diversity, ecological and functional diversity, biogeography, hypothesis testing, and conservation-with an emphasis on an ongoing tropical LTS in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. We show how these contributions refine our understanding of Fungi. We also show that public data repositories such as NCBI, IUCN, and iNaturalist contain less information on tropical fungi compared to non-tropical fungi, and that these discrepancies are more pronounced in fungi than in plants and animals.

Comparative Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy vs. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on phase angle (PhA) and other bioimpedance measures among adults with obesity, comparing the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including studies up to May 2024 from MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Eligible studies assessed PhA changes pre- and post-bariatric surgery in adults with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Data on PhA, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), body cell mass (BCM), weight, and BMI were extracted and analyzed. Results: Thirteen studies with a total of 1124 patients were included. Significant PhA reductions were observed at 6 months post-surgery (effect size: −1.00; 95% CI: −1.11 to −0.89; p &lt; 0.001), with a more substantial reduction in RYGB patients compared to SG. FM and FFM decreased significantly at 12 months (FM: −27.58; 95% CI: −32.58 to −22.57; p &lt; 0.001; FFM: −10.51; 95% CI: −12.81 to −8.94; p &lt; 0.001). Weight and BMI showed marked reductions at 6 months (Weight: −31.42 kg; 95% CI: −37.28 to −25.26; p &lt; 0.001; BMI: −11.39; 95% CI: −12.60 to −10.18; p &lt; 0.001), with sustained decreases at 12 and 24 months. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery significantly reduces PhA, FM, FFM, weight, and BMI, with initial greater impacts observed in RYGB compared to SG. PhA shows potential as a marker for monitoring post-surgical recovery and nutritional status. Further long-term studies and standardized measurement protocols are recommended to optimize patient management.

Understanding the connection and relation between sleep and depression in a tertiary health-care center: Insights from a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and depression, with which a new hypothesis could be generated, that is, sleep disturbance can be a prodromal event rather than a symptom of depression. Many long-term studies have identified insomnia as a risk factor for the onset or recurrence of depression in young, middle-aged, and older people and it can also increase the risk of self-harm and suicide, which can also exacerbate the medical comorbidity conditions and also increase the substance intake. Materials and Methods: Those patients attending the psychiatry outpatient department of tertiary Health-care center for 6 months were considered. Those patients who were diagnosed with depression as per the International Classification of Diseases-11 depression criteria were taken after getting proper informed consent from them. Then, those patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were taken into the study and evaluated with self-structured pro forma including details regarding the sociodemographic profile, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index Scale to assess the severity of depression and sleep disturbance. Results: The prevalence of sleep disturbance in depressive individuals was found to be 78% (140). The significance was established between the severity of depression and the severity of insomnia (P&lt;0.001), along with sleep duration (P&lt;0.001), insomnia type (P=0.002), benzodiazepine usage (P&lt;0.001) and self-harm ideas/attempts (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Sleep is considered a major aspect of holistic care, as it may have an impact on the severity, frequency and duration of depression and its remission along with quality of life and mortality rate.

Photothermally Active Quantum Dots in Cancer Imaging and Therapeutics: Nanotheranostics Perspective.

Cancer is becoming a global threat, as the cancerous cells manipulate themselves frequently, resulting in mutants and more abnormalities. Early-stage and real-time detection of cancer biomarkers can provide insight into designing cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Nanoparticle and quantum dot (QD)-based approaches have been recognized as clinically relevant methods to detect disease biomarkers at the molecular level. Over decades, as an emergent noninvasive approach, photothermal therapy has evolved to eradicate cancer. Moreover, various structures, viz., nanoparticles, clusters, quantum dots, etc., have been tested as bioimaging and photothermal agents to identify tumor cells selectively. Among them, QDs have been recognized as versatile probes. They have attracted enormous attention for imaging and therapeutic applications due to their unique colloidal stability, optical and physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, easy surface conjugation, scalable production, etc. However, a few critical concerns of QDs, viz., precise engineering for molecular imaging and sensing, selective interaction with the biological system, and their associated toxicity, restrict their potential intervention in curing cancer and are yet to be explored. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no specific regulation for the approval of nanomedicines. Therefore, these nanomedicines undergo the traditional drug, biological, and device approval process. However, the market survey of QDs is increasing, and their prospects in translational nanomedicine are very promising. From this perspective, we discuss the importance of QDs for imaging, sensing, and therapeutic usage pertinent to cancer, especially in its early stages. Moreover, we also discuss the rapidly growing translational view of QDs. The long-term safety studies and cellular interaction of these QDs could enhance their visibility and bring photothermally active QDs to the clinical stage and concurrently to FDA approval.

Digital Marketing Strategies and Brand Awareness of Afrinnovators Group Ltd

Purpose: In today's digital age, the significance of digital marketing strategies in enhancing brand awareness among businesses was emphasized. This research aimed to assess the influence of digital marketing strategies on brand awareness in Rwanda, focusing on Afrinnovators Group Ltd. The study had three objectives: to evaluate the impact of different digital marketing channels, the effect of digital marketing expenditure, and the role of social networking platforms on brand awareness. Methodology: The theoretical framework reviewed Bandura's Social Learning Theory, Howard's Consumer Behavior Theory, and Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving quantitative and qualitative research designs. The target population included 102 individuals, with a sample size of 81 respondents determined using Slovin's formula. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings: Regression analysis highlighted digital marketing expenditure as the most significant predictor of brand awareness, with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.096 (p = 0.022). Other predictors included social media marketing with a coefficient of 0.085 (p = 0.035) and search engine marketing with a coefficient of 0.078 (p = 0.041). The study concluded that strategic digital marketing efforts profoundly impacted brand awareness for Afrinnovators Group Ltd. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Recommendations included prioritizing social media marketing, enhancing email and search engine campaigns, and investing in online ads and videos. Future research was suggested to explore long-term effects, emerging technologies, and comparative studies to optimize digital marketing strategies. This study contributed to academic knowledge, offered practical implications for businesses, and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals by promoting economic growth.

NIMG-46. UNDERSTANDING PERMEABILITY CHANGES IN VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS AS PART OF THE DYNAMIC RESPONSE TO RADIOSURGERY USING GOLDEN-ANGLE RADIAL SPARSE PARALLEL IMAGING, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Vestibular schwannomas demonstrate different responses after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), commonly including a transient loss of internal enhancement on post contrast T1-weighted MRI thought to be due to an early reduction in tumor vascularity. We used dynamic contrast-enhanced based golden-angle radial sparse parallel (GRASP) MRI to characterize the vascular permeability changes underlying this phenomenon, with correlations to long-term tumor regression. Consecutive patients with vestibular schwannoma who underwent SRS between 2017-2019, had a transient loss of enhancement after SRS, and had long-term longitudinal GRASP studies (6, 12, and 24-36 months) were included in this retrospective cohort analysis (n = 19). Using GRAVIS, an analysis pipeline for GRASP studies, we extracted the key parameters normalized to the venous sinus from a region of interest within the tumor. The peak, area under the curve (AUC), and wash-in phase slope were significantly reduced at 6, 12, and 24 months after SRS (corrected p &amp;lt; 0.05), even while the internal enhancement returned in the tumors. Larger pre-SRS tumors were more likely to have a greater reduction in peak (p = 0.013) and AUC (p = 0.029) at 6 months. In a subset of patients (N = 13) with long-term follow-up, the median percentage reduction in tumor volume was 58% at median 62 months. These patients showed a strong correlation between changes in peak, AUC, and wash-in phase slope at 6 months and tumor volume at last follow-up. After SRS and loss of internal contrast uptake within the vestibular schwannomas, a slow vascular permeability dynamic found on GRASP studies persisted, suggesting the internal development of scar tissue. Moreover, the degree of reduction in GRASP parameters at 6 months positively predicted the degree of tumor regression long-term.

The Impact of Climate Change on Flowering Patterns and Productivity in Floriculture: A Comprehensive Review

The floriculture industry, a vital component of global horticulture, is increasingly threatened by climate change, which disrupts flowering patterns, reduces productivity, and alters the market value of ornamental crops. This review synthesizes current research on how climatic factors-such as temperature fluctuations, altered precipitation, elevated atmospheric CO₂, and extreme weather events-affect key aspects of floricultural crop growth and phenology. Rising temperatures accelerate flowering in many species but can also lead to heat stress, floral bud abortion, and reduced flower quality in sensitive crops like roses (Rosa hybrida) and snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus). Similarly, changes in precipitation patterns, including drought and waterlogging, further complicate floral development by impairing water and nutrient uptake. Elevated CO₂ generally promotes biomass accumulation and water-use efficiency but may not necessarily translate into improved floral yield or quality. To address these challenges, the adoption of adaptive strategies such as breeding climate-resilient varieties, implementing optimized agronomic practices, and utilizing controlled environment agriculture is critical. Future research must focus on species-specific and long-term studies to identify the differential impacts of climate change on diverse floricultural species. Moreover, multi-stressor impact assessments and exploration of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation are needed to develop cultivars capable of maintaining high performance under complex environmental conditions. Integrating climate models and decision support systems will further enable precise forecasting and strategic planning, supporting growers in mitigating climate-related risks. By advancing understanding in these areas, the floriculture industry can better adapt to changing climates and maintain economic sustainability, ensuring the continued success of this important sector amidst global environmental shifts.

Physiological oxygen concentration during sympathetic primary neuron culture improves neuronal health and reduces HSV-1 reactivation.

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) establishes a latent infection in peripheral neurons and periodically reactivates in response to a stimulus to permit transmission. In vitro models using primary neurons are invaluable to studying latent infection because they use bona fide neurons that have undergone differentiation and maturation in vivo. However, culture conditions in vitro should remain as close to those in vivo as possible. This is especially important when considering minimizing cell stress, as it is a well-known trigger of HSV reactivation. We recently developed an HSV-1 model system that requires neurons to be cultured for extended lengths of time. Therefore, we sought to refine culture conditions to optimize neuronal health and minimize secondary effects on latency and reactivation. Here, we demonstrate that culturing primary neurons under conditions closer to physiological oxygen concentrations (5% oxygen) results in cultures with features consistent with reduced stress. Furthermore, culture in these lower oxygen conditions diminishes the progression to full HSV-1 reactivation despite minimal impacts on latency establishment and earlier stages of HSV-1 reactivation. We anticipate that our findings will be useful for the broader microbiology community as they highlight the importance of considering physiological oxygen concentration in studying host-pathogen interactions.IMPORTANCEEstablishing models to investigate host-pathogen interactions requires mimicking physiological conditions as closely as possible. One consideration is the oxygen concentration used for in vitro tissue culture experiments. Standard incubators do not regulate oxygen levels, exposing cells to oxygen concentrations of approximately 18%. However, cells within the body are exposed to much lower oxygen concentrations, with physiological oxygen concentrations in the brain being 0.55%-8% oxygen. Here, we describe a model for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) latent infection using neurons cultured in 5% oxygen. We show that culturing neurons in more physiological oxygen concentrations improves neuronal health to permit long-term studies of virus-cell interactions and the impact on reactivation.

QLTI-09. CLINICAL TRIALS IN NEURO-ONCOLOGY: DESIGN, LOGISTICS, CHALLENGES, AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract Timely, secure and reliable transportation, precise handling and storage of biological specimens are critical for the success of clinical research. Research in neuro-oncology often involves complex assays such as next-generation sequencing where the integrityof brain tumor specimens is paramount. These challenges are pronounced in most Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), due to climatic factors and infrastructure limitations, necessitating stringent measures to preserve sample quality and their genetic data integrity for downstream analysis. In this study, we conducted extensive cohort analysis on 80 tissues randomly picked samples of the 3600 samples collected across India to assess the impact of collection protocols, transportation logistics, and long-term storage on the genetic material of tissues. The quality and quantity of the isolated nucleic acids was determined by BioAnalyzer and Qubit parameters. Tissue samples were collected and stored at -80°C in RNAstable® within 4-12 hrs of collection. The DNA and RNA obtained from tissue samples stored for over one year was found to be of good quality with corresponding DNA Integrity Number (DIN) and RNA Integrity Number (RIN)between 7-9. Also, optimum quantity of DNA and RNA was obtained for whole exome and transcriptome sequencing. Upon sequencing, these samples showed good read coverage of 100X or more. These findings provide critical insights into the measures necessary for optimizing sample preservation and transportation to ensure accurate research outcomes. The results indicate that appropriate sample collection, transportation, and long-term storage of bio-specimens can be used effectively for future research. Additionally, the outcome underscores the potential for long-term studies in neuro-oncology using archived biological samples without compromising data integrity.