Regular Decrease Research Articles

Landscape fragmentation and regularity lead to decreased carbon stocks in basins: Evidence from century-scale research

Landscapes evolution have significantly altered the Earth's energy balance and biogeochemical cycles, thereby exacerbating climate change. This, in turn, affects surface characteristics and the provision of ecosystem services, especially carbon storage. While recent centuries have witnessed unprecedented landscape changes, limited long-term studies have offered insights into the comparison between present-day features and historical conditions. This study utilized historical reconstruction data and remote sensing imagery to assess landscape evolution and its consequences for carbon stocks over 300 years. Employing multiple regression and random forest models were selected to quantify the influence of key landscape metrics on carbon stocks in the Dongting Lake basin, allowing for a thorough analysis across different sub-basins and land types. The results revealed that intensified human disturbances led to increased landscape fragmentation (+82%), regularity (+56%), and diversity (+37%) within the basin. Moreover, carbon stocks decreased from 4.13 Gt to 3.66 Gt, representing an 11.4% loss, with soil carbon stock experiencing the most considerable reduction (0.24 Gt, 51%). These changes in carbon stock metrics corresponded to shifts in landscape patterns, both undergoing significant transitions at the turn of the 21st century. Meanwhile, fragmentation and regularity played a vital role in explaining carbon stock changes, as their increase contributes to greater carbon losses. Likewise, an increase in landscape diversity correlated with decreased carbon stocks, challenging the prevailing notion that enhanced diversity promotes carbon stocks. The influence of landscape patterns on carbon stocks varies notably across distinct land types. An increase in the dominance of farmland and built-up land led to decreased carbon stocks, while the opposite holds true for forestland. Similarly, a decrease in regularity for farmland, forestland, and built-up land benefits carbon storage, while grassland demonstrates the opposite trend. These findings offer insights for countries and regions in the early stages of development or approaching development, suggesting improvements in land use practices and strategies to address climate change. This involves offsetting land-based carbon emissions through changes in landscape spatial configuration.

The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters

BackgroundIt has been reported that capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET) increases blood circulation, hemoglobin oxygenation and temperature in muscles. The attributed benefits of these changes have been linked to improved athletic performance, enhanced muscle flexibility and fastening recovery from exercise-induced fatigue. For all of this, the present research aims to investigate whether the application of CRET 24 h before exercise affects the accelerometric pattern in horses during exercise. Six sound Standardbred trotters were subjected to a CRET session of 40 min of duration, applied on both sides of the neck, back and croup, 24 h before a training session. Training sessions consisted of a warming-up (WU) for 6400 m and a training bout (TB) at their maximal training speed for 1600 m. The same protocol was followed for the device off (sham protocol), also applied 24 h before the training session. CRET and sham experiments were separated by one week, the order of application of both was randomly defined for each individual and drivers were blinded for the duration of the experiment. During the training sessions, horses wore an accelerometer fixed at the sternal level. Speed, stride frequency (SF), length (SL), regularity and symmetry and accelerometric activities were measured during WU and TB.ResultsCRET increased speed, mediolateral and total accelerometric activities during WU and speed, SL, dorsoventral, longitudinal and total accelerometric activities during TB, but stride regularity and symmetry decreased.ConclusionThe application of CRET 24 h before exercise increased speed and accelerometric activities, results that highlight the need to evaluate the interaction between CRET and training in order to develop new methods to limit fatigue. However, the decrease in stride regularity and symmetry after CRET application could be negative effects, which could be attributed to the increased speed.

Unraveling the Role of Enkephalin Signaling in Respiratory Control

Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) is the primary cause of death during opioid overdose characterized by a dramatic decrease in respiratory frequency and regularity. Opioid drugs cause neural depression in the ventral respiratory column (VRC) of the medulla via activation of mu-opioid receptors (MORs) that partially contribute to breathing cessation. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of endogenous opioid signaling in respiratory modulation. This study investigates the role of endogenous MORs ligands, enkephalins encoded by the Penk gene, in breathing control. To test whether enkephalin-expressing neurons of the preBӧtzinger Complex (preBӧtC) — the inspiratory rhythm-generating region of the VRC — are necessary for breathing rhythmogenesis, we permanently silenced the region’s Penk+ population via AAV1 injections encoding tetanus toxin light chain. Using whole-body plethysmography, we recorded the animals' respiratory performance within 14 days post-injection. During the second week of testing, we observed unexpected mortality in some experimental but not control animals; post-hoc analysis of breathing traces revealed the development of severe tachypnea in succumbed mice. These data suggest that Penk+ preBӧtC cells are integral for normal respiration. Still, these observations did not assess the specific contribution of enkephalin, as opposed to other types of signaling, to breathing stability. To directly dissect the effects of enkephalin on respiratory rhythm, we utilized optogenetics and pharmacological approaches in brainstem slice preparation from neonatal mice. Brief optogenetic activation of Penk+ neurons in the preBӧtC evoked population bursts while prolonged stimulation increased the rhythm frequency. However, the application of MOR antagonist Naloxone did not affect the network’s responses to light stimulations indicating the lack of MOR/enkephalin involvement in mediating these excitatory effects. High fidelity and temporal coordination of evoked bursts implicated glutamatergic transmission as the primary mechanism of excitation. Likewise, we were able to optogenetically drive respiratory rhythm in urethane-anesthetized spontaneously breathing adult mice by stimulating the preBӧtC. Further, there was a small but significant difference in breathing responses in the presence of Naloxone compared to control conditions. We hypothesized that longitudinal projections to the VRC that might be disrupted during slice preparation contributed enkephalin to the respiratory circuits in the whole-body preparation. We utilized recombinase-dependent reporter mice crosses and retrograde AAV tracers to identify brain-wide Penk inputs to the preBӧtC. Using conventional and light sheet fluorescence microscopy, we located regions in the pons, midbrain, and forebrain that send direct enkephalinergic projections to the VRC. Functional characterizations of these projections will potentially uncover state-dependent mechanisms of respiratory modulation via endogenous opioids. Untimely, this study will help elucidate the role of enkephalin signaling in breathing control and may establish therapeutic targets for preventing OIRD. R01HL166317, R00HL145004. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The ablation threshold and incubation effect in picosecond laser surface treatment of CFRP

The ablation threshold of carbon fiber is a critical parameter to consider in the laser surface treatment of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), as it is necessary to design process parameters based on the threshold fluence to ensure process quality and efficiency. The incubation effect is a key factor influencing the ablation threshold, and a more rational incubation model contributes to a more accurate prediction of the ablation threshold. The conventional incubation model describes the regular decrease of the ablation threshold with an increasing pulse number. However, experimental findings show that the time interval of pulses is also a significant factor affecting the ablation and incubation process. In this study, the conventional incubation model was improved by comprehensively considering the time interval and space interval of pulses, which shows better prediction ability of ablation threshold under different parameter sets. The temperature history of CFRP under picosecond laser irradiation was calculated to support the rationality of the optimized incubation model. In addition, the laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) and the ablation of carbon fibers and resin were investigated based on the ablation threshold.

Subcoercive field dielectric response of 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3)-0.5(BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3) thin film: Peculiar third harmonic signature of phase transitions and residual ferroelectricity

Subcoercive field non-linearities in 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3)-0.5(BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3) (BCTZ 50/50) thin film elaborated using pulsed laser deposition are studied using permittivity and phase angle of the third harmonic measurements as a function of the AC measuring field EAC and temperature. The global phase transition temperature Tmax for which the permittivity is maximum, decreases from 330 to 260 K when EAC increases. Rayleigh analysis of the AC field dependence of the relative permittivity shows a regular decrease in the domain wall motion contributions as temperature increases up to Tmax and an even more pronounced decrease above Tmax. This measurement reveals that the ferroelectric behavior subsists 70 K above the global phase transition. The phase angle of the third harmonic at temperatures below 275 K is characteristic of a conventional ferroelectric and from 275 K to Tmax=330 K of a relaxor. Above Tmax, the thin film exhibits a peculiar phase angle of the third harmonic, which consists of −180°→−225°→+45°→0° instead of the −180°→−90°→0° found for relaxor. This peculiar behavior is observed only on heating and is tentatively attributed to changes in the correlations between polar nanoregions.

Evaluation of photoreceptor features in retinitis pigmentosa with cystoid macular edema by using an adaptive optics fundus camera.

Cystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an important complication causing visual dysfunction. We investigated the effect of CME on photoreceptors in RP patients with previous or current CME, using an adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera. We retrospectively observed the CME and ellipsoid zone (EZ) length (average of horizontal and vertical sections) by optical coherence tomography. The density and regularity of the arrangement of photoreceptor cells (Voronoi analysis) were examined at four points around 1.5° from superior to inferior and temporal to nasal. We also performed a multivariate analysis using CME duration, central macular thickness and transversal length of CME. We evaluated 18 patients with previous or current CME (18 eyes; age, 48.7 ± 15.6 years) and 24 patients without previous or current CME (24 eyes; age, 46.0 ± 14.5 years). There were no significant differences in age, logMAR visual acuity, or EZ length. In groups with and without CME, cell density was 11967 ± 3148 and 16239 ± 2935 cells/mm2, and sequence regularity was 85.5 ± 3.4% and 88.5 ± 2.8%, respectively; both parameters were significantly different. The correlation between photoreceptor density and age was more negative in group with CME. The CME group tended toward greater reductions in duration of CME. Complications of CME in RP patients may lead to a decrease in photoreceptor density and regularity. Additionally, a longer duration of CME may result in a greater reduction in photoreceptor density.

Resistance band training with functional electrical stimulation improves force control capabilities in older adults: a preliminary study.

Resistance band training (RBT) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) may be an effective exercise regimen for improving age-related motor impairments. This preliminary study investigated the potential effects of bimanual RBT with FES on upper limb motor functions in older adults. This study randomly assigned 22 elderly people to the bimanual RBT with FES (Bi-RBT+FES) group and the RBT without FES (Bi-RBT) group. All participants performed isometric hand-grip force control tasks in unimanual (dominant and non-dominant) and bimanual conditions before and after four weeks of exercise for each group. We quantified the mean force, force accuracy, force variability, and force regularity at two targeted force levels (i.e., 10 % and 40 % of maximum voluntary contraction; MVC) to estimate changes in force control capabilities. The results revealed that the Bi-RBT+FES group demonstrated a greater force accuracy in the dominant hand at 10 % of MVC after training. Non-dominant hands in the Bi-RBT+FES group increased force accuracy at 40 % of MVC and reduced force variability collapsed across two targeted force levels. Both groups showed a decrease in force regularity after training. These preliminary results indicate that Bi-RBT+FES may be a viable option to facilitate functional recovery of the upper limbs in older adults.

10037-SPE-3 APPROACH TO SAFE AND RELIABLE BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY APPLYING INTRAOPERATIVE GAMMA OSCILLATION REGULARITY ANALYSIS

Abstract In primary brain tumors, the complexity of Electroencephalogram (EEG) has been reported to be higher compared to healthy individuals. In gliomas, a significant decrease in gamma oscillation regularity in the tumor-surrounding brain cortex has been demonstrated. It is considered acceptable to remove the areas with significantly decreased gamma oscillation regularity as non-functional regions with deteriorated normal brain function. This article introduces the practical application of safe and reliable brain tumor surgery using an approach from non-functional regions through intraoperative analysis of gamma oscillation regularity. The patient had undergone a partial resection surgery for a left temporal lobe tumor at another hospital and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. Upon transfer to our hospital, the patient exhibited mild motor aphasia but had good comprehension. Language dominance was determined to be on the left side through the WADA test. Approximately 50% of the tumor, which was enhanced near the Broca's area and Wernicke's area, remained after the first surgery. We performed a non-awake extraction surgery for the residual tumor using intraoperative analysis of gamma oscillation regularity. By depicting a non-functional field during the operation, almost all of the tumors to be contrasted were removed without exacerbation of symptoms. Since the non-functional field can be depicted intraoperatively, surgery can be performed safely even in patients who cannot tolerate awake surgery. Brain tumor surgery using intraoperative analysis of gamma oscillation regularity is considered highly beneficial.

The quality switchgrass depends on the year of vegetation of the culture

The purpose of the research was to find out the peculiarities of the formation of seed quality, specifically germination energy, germination and 100 kernel weight of switchgrass, depending on the period of its vegetation.
 Methods. Laboratory, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical.
 Results. It was found that the quality of the seeds did not depend on the year of sowing. On average over four years, germination energy and germination of seeds collected from switchgrass plants sown in 2009 (the 10th year of vegetation) were 64% and 65%, respectively. The same indicators of the plants sown in 2014 (8th year of vegetation) were significantly lower and accounted for 57 and 60%, respectively. In 2016, (3rd year of vegetation) they were significantly higher — 74 and 75%. Study of the factors that affect seed qualityrevealed, that the greatest influence of the ‘vegetation period’ factor was 52.2%, and the influence of the ‘vegetation conditions’ factor was much smaller and amounted to 16.6%. Studies of seed germination by years of vegetation of switchgrass of all sowing years did not reveal a natural decrease of this indicator depending on the year of sowing.
 Conclusions. Germination energy and germination of switchgrass depended not so much on the year of sowing but on the period of vegetation; no regular decrease or increase of these indicators was found. Significantly higher indicators of germination energy and germination were obtained in all years of vegetation from plants sown in 2011 and 2012.

Achieving thermochromic upconversion of Tm3+ for high-sensitive nanoprobe and information encryption

Upconversion-based optical thermometry has many merits, such as quick temperature response, higher thermal sensitivity and robust reliability. However, the previous works were mainly focused on the thermally coupled emissions, limiting their thermal sensitivity due to the intrinsic constraint by small energy gaps (e.g., <2000 cm−1) according to Boltzmann distribution theory. Here, we report a design of NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+@NaYF4 core-shell nanostructure to achieve thermochromic upconversion and high thermal sensitivity by taking advantage of nonthermally coupled upconversion emissions of Tm3+. We show that the blue upconversion emission of Tm3+ at 475 nm (1G4→3H6) exhibits a regular decrease with elevating temperature, while its deep-red emission at 696 nm (3F2,3→3H6) presents an increase. Such a feature leads to a rapid rise of luminescence intensity ratio (I696 nm/I475 nm) and the optimal relative sensitivity (Sr) reaches 2.79 % K−1 (503 K). More interestingly, the sample gives rise to a gradual emission color change from blue to purplish-red with lifting temperature. Our results offer a new class of upconversion-based nonoprobe with high thermal sensitivity and observable emission color variation, showing a great potential for nanoprobe and information security.

Abstract 16997: Cardiomyocyte-Autonomous and Microtubule Dependent Mechanisms Are Sufficient to Mediate Load-Dependent T-Tubule Remodeling

Background: Mechanical overload is an established contributor to T-tubule (TT) remodeling and associated dyssynchronous Ca 2+ release leading to abnormal excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyopathies. We examined the induction of pathological TT remodeling in isolated cardiomyocytes and the involvement of microtubules (MT) in this process. Methods: Adult rat ventricular myocytes (aRVMs) were cultured with applied variable in vitro load for 48hrs at either physiological (10kPa) or pathological (50kPa) stiffness, using custom magnetorheological elastomers with tunable stiffness. Cells were stained with Di-8-ANEPPS and Fluo-4-AM and imaged using confocal microscopy. Field stimulation of cells allowed for Ca 2+ transient acquisition via line scans. Protein expression changes were determined via Western blotting. IF staining allowed for visualization of the MT network and relevant TT proteins (TCAP, JPH2, BIN1). MT and tyrosination state dependency of remodeling was investigated by 1μM nocodazole (MT depolymerizer), taxol (MT stabilizer), and tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL) treatments to alter the MT network accordingly. Results: Compared to the physiological stiffness group, aRVMs subjected to pathologically increased stiffness exhibited a 14.7% decrease in density, 18.9% decrease in regularity, and a 26.6% increase in luminal dimension of the TT system, along with an increase in longitudinal elements (p&lt;0.05). The changes in both Ca 2+ handling parameters and protein expression resembled those typical of the in vivo myopathic phenotype. This included a 21.7% decrease in amplitude, along with a 33.7%, 29.8% and 21.1% increase in time to peak (TTP), variance in TTP, and the signal decay tau, respectively (p&lt;0.05). Treatment of pathologically loaded cells with taxol worsened TT remodeling, specifically with respect to TT density which decreased by 12.5% compared to nontreatment cells, and longitudinal elements which increased by 24%. Increased MT tyrosination through TTL treatment showed a 37% recovery in TT density in cells cultured at pathological stiffness compared to nontreatment cells (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that load-induced TT remodeling occurs via a cardiomyocyte autonomous, MT-dependent mechanism.

Heat transfer prediction during curing of thick part of unsaturated polyester resin containing nanoparticles of graphene oxide and modified graphene oxide

AbstractIn this study, the challenges of using nanoparticles such as graphene oxide (GO) and modified graphene oxide (MGO) in the production of thick parts were investigated. In addition, using various kinetic models, the trend of temperature increases in pure unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), and UPR containing GO and MGO were investigated. The heat transfer equations were solved using programming code in MATLAB software. In the following, the role of the variation in density, convection heat transfer coefficient, and thermal conductivity coefficient on the prediction of temperature at different points of the parts is evaluated. The findings indicated that the choice of the kinetic model can play an effective role in predicting the temperature in the parts. An increased temperature causes a decrease in the structural regularity of the resin network and intensifies phonon scattering to decrease, and will eventually cause a decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient.Highlights The mathematical modeling was developed on the curing of unsaturated polyester nanocomposite. The cure kinetic models and thermal properties had important roles in the model accuracy. The best prediction of temperature changes was provided by Vyazovkin's model. The results of developed model satisfactorily matched the experimental data.

Study of the Structural Properties of NiCl2:Al2O3 Thin Film Prepared by Chemical Thermal Spraying Technique

Background: The structural properties of films are studied by several techniques, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) is one of the most reliable methods that were adopted in this research, so will explain it in some detail, in addition to assays (SEM ) that give information on surface morphology. Materials and Methods: The thermochemical spraying technique was used to prepare the thin films. Results: The results showed that increasing the temperature led to a decrease in the average particle size, in contrast to the doping process. Conclusion: The reason for the decrease in particle size is due to the increase in the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) in addition to an increase in the crystallization of the thin films, and also the membrane becomes more regular and crystalline defects decrease and increase.

Natural biomass carbon Dots-Based fluorescence sensor for high precision detection of vitamin B12 in serum

Vitamin B12(Vit B12) is an essential micronutrient for body growth, and abnormal levels of Vit B12 in the human body are closely associated with the prediction of certain diseases. Hence, a rapid, sensitive, and environment-friendly approach for Vit B12 detection was set up. Herein, the Bird's nest carbon dots (B-CDs) are synthesized by using a bird's nest and distilled water as precursors. One-step hydrothermal synthesis has created B-CDs without toxic ingredients or surface chemical modifications. The prepared B-CDs exhibited outstanding characteristics including excellent water solubility, brilliant fluorescence performance great biocompatibility, and fine stability in a broad pH range of 3.0–11.0 and high ionic strength solution. The experiment revealed that the fluorescence of the reaction system showed a regular decrease after the interaction of B-CDs with Vit B12. Additionally, there was an excellent linear relationship between the F/F0 of B-CDs and the concentration of Vit B12. The linear range was 0 ∼ 100 µM, R2 was 0.9929, and the detection limit was 0.24 µM. Finally, the proposed method successfully detected Vit B12 in human serum samples with recoveries of 96.2 %-100.3 %, showing broad clinical prospects.

Static and cyclic liquefaction of granular materials considering grain morphology

In this study, a series of undrained monotonic and cyclic triaxial shear tests were performed on glass sands to evaluate the effect of grain morphology on the static and cyclic undrained response of granular materials. The grain morphology of five test materials prepared with two glass sands with significant shape discrepancy was quantified with an image-based method. The test results show that as the overall regularity decreases, the peak and steady state stress ratios increase, and the dilatancy is suppressed. The development of excess pore water pressure and accumulated axial strain as well as the rate of stiffness degradation are lowered as the overall regularity decreases. The results also reveal that excess pore water pressure is correlated well with the cyclic stiffness degradation index. The liquefaction resistance decreases with the increase of the overall regularity.

Change of Rotation Measure during the Eclipse of a Black Widow PSR J2051−0827

Black widows are millisecond pulsars ablating their companions. The material blown from the companion blocks the radio emission, resulting in radio eclipses. The properties of the eclipse medium are poorly understood. Here, we present direct evidence of the existence of magnetic fields in the eclipse medium of the black widow PSR J2051−0827 using observations made with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope. We detect a regular decrease in rotation measure (RM) in the egress of the eclipse, changing from 60 to −28.7 rad m−2. The RM gradually changes back to normal when the line of sight moves away from the eclipse. The estimated line-of-sight magnetic field strength in the eclipse medium is ∼0.1 G. The RM reversal could be caused by a change in the magnetic field strength along the line of sight due to binary orbital motion. The RM reversal phenomenon has also been observed in some repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs), and the study of spider pulsars may provide additional information about the origin of FRBs.

Synthesis and characterization of a new ordered rhombohedral pyrochlore family Ln3Sb3Cu2O14 (Ln=Pr,Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy) with more detailed study of the Sm compound

New polycrystalline compound with a rhombohedral pyrochlore structure and chemical formula Sm3Sb3Cu2O14 was synthesized in air by solid-state reaction method. The compound crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, with R-3m space group and Z = 3. Lattice parameters are a = 7.41681(2) Å and c = 17.24845(5) Å. The electrical resistivity, measured by impedance spectroscopy, highlights a semiconductor behavior with an activation energy Ea = 0.47 eV. The dielectric properties show a regular decrease of permittivity with temperature, the dielectric loss decreases at low temperature and remain stable around 0.8 at high temperature. Using UV–vis Diffuse Reflectance, we can assume that the band gap is around 3.28 eV. The magnetic susceptibility of Sm3Sb3Cu2O14, measured from 5 K to 800 K, shows Curie-Weiss paramagnetism behavior with a significant Van Vleck contribution from the Sm+3 magnetic cation.

Some problem questions in studying the properties of dynamically vulcanized polymer systems based on ethylene/1-hexene copolymer and nitrile butadiene rubber

The article presents the results of a study of the influence of the type and concentration of nitrile butadiene rubber on the main physical and mechanical properties of polymer compositions based on compatibilized ethylene/1-hexene copolymer (EHC*). SKN-18, SKN-26, and SKN-40 were used as nitrile butadiene rubber. The compatibilizer – polyethylene-graft-methacrylic acid was used to improve the compatibility of the mixed components of the mixture. At the first stage, the task of the study was to investigate the effect of the concentration of the considered nitrile rubbers on such properties of the compositions as yield strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, melt flow rate and heat resistance. It was found that, regardless of the type of used nitrile butadiene rubber, with an increase in its content in the composition of the ethylene/1-hexene copolymer, a regular decrease in strength parameters, heat resistance, and melt fluidity is observed. It is shown that with the loading of 30 wt% SKN-18 or 40 wt% SKN-26 and SKN-40 into the composition of the ethylene/1-hexene copolymer phase inversion occurs in the composite materials, according to which the dispersed phase becomes a dispersed medium. The thermomechanical properties of the considered samples were studied. It was found that in those samples in which phase inversion occurred, a region of a highly elastic plateau is formed, which increases with an increase in the content of the rubber component. This area indicates the formation of elastomer with rubber properties. The regularities of crystallization of the compositions depending on the content of the amorphous component were studied by the method of stepwise dilatometry. The mechanism of crystal formation was studied depending on the content of the amorphous component. The influence of the crosslinking agent concentration – dicumyl peroxide on the main properties of dynamically vulcanized elastomers has been studied.

New therapeutic perspective in the prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection

IntroductionHyperimmune globulin Cytotect CP® is a candidate for cytomegalovirus congenital infection prevention. We previously demonstrated its efficacy to prevent villi infection in our first-trimester placenta explants up to day 7, but with an inefficiency at day 14 (Coste-Mazeau et al., Microorganisms, 2021). As this could impact clinical efficacy, we now study the effect of weekly administration of Cytotect CP® on the prevention of villi infection. MethodsHuman embryonic lung fibroblast cells were infected at confluence with the endothelial strain TB40/E. Placentae were collected from voluntary pregnancy terminations (8–14 weeks of gestation) from cytomegalovirus-seronegative women. After 5 days of infection of the cells, villi explants were simultaneously added on sponges with Cytotect CP® at various concentrations. After 7 days, Cytotect CP® was renewed in only half of the plates. Villi were collected at days 7 and 14 with or without medium renewal. We compared the viral load by duplex quantitative PCR cytomegalovirus/albumin and the toxicity by measuring β-hCG concentrations in the supernatants with and without medium renewal. ResultsWe did not find any efficacy of Cytotect CP® at day 14 when Cytotect CP® is not renewed, but a regular decrease of the viral load when the immunoglobulins were renewed at day 7, with an EC50 = 0.52 U/mL. We did not observed toxicity of Cytotect CP® with or without renewal of the molecule. ConclusionCytotect CP® is more effective when renewed at day 7. The prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection could be enhanced by reducing the spacing of doses.

Google searches for stress urinary incontinence treatment options: a worldwide trend analysis in the synthetic mesh controversy era.

To analyze trends in worldwide public interest in the treatment options for stress urinary incontinence around the latest FDA 2019 ban on vaginal mesh for prolapse. We used the web-based tool Google Trends to analyse online searches related to the following terms: 'pelvic floor muscle exercises', 'continence pessary', 'pubovaginal slings', 'Burch colposuspension', 'midurethral slings', 'injectable bulking agents'. Data were expressed as relative search volume on a scale of 0-100. Comparisons of annual relative search volume and average annual percentage change, were analyzed to assess loss or gain of interest. Finally, we assessed the impact of the last FDA alert. The mean annual relative search volume for midurethral slings was 20% in 2006 and significantly decreased until 8% in 2022 (p < 0.01). A regular decrease interest was recorded for autologous surgeries but a regain of interest for pubovaginal slings was registered since 2020 (+ 2.8%; p < 0.01). Conversely, a steep interest was noted for injectable bulking agents (average annual percentage change: + 4.4%; p < 0.01) and conservative therapies (p < 0.01). When trends were compared before and after the FDA 2019 alert, a lower research volume was found for midurethral slings, while a higher research volume was observed all others treatments (all p < 0.05). The online public researches about midurethral slings have considerably decreased following warnings on the use of transvaginal mesh. There seems to be a growing interest in conservative measures, bulking agents, and recently pubovaginal slings.