bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
V-050 WEDGE RESECTION AND CLOSURE OF ENTEROCUTANEOUS SMALL BOWEL FISTULA CONTAINING MESH FOLLOWING PREVIOUS INCISIONAL HERNIA REPAIR
Authors: Ewan H , Zanellato A
Published: October 2022

Aim

To demonstrate a technique to manage complications of mesh migration into bowel and subsequent enterocutaneous fistula following incisional hernia repair that avoids large laparotomy, adhesiolysis, removal of all abdominal wall mesh, and risk of bowel injury.

Methods

A 74 year old developed an enterocutaneous fistula with migration of mesh into the small bowel following an incisional hernia repair with sublay mesh. She’d previously had multiple laparotomies and subsequently turned down for surgical management of her fistula due to the hostile nature of her abdomen and complication risk. She developed pancreatitis and the increase in intra-abdominal pressure made her fistula unmanageable. Following a period of parental feeding and a contrast follow-through study, surgery to resect the fistula containing mesh and primary closure with minimal adhesiolysis was performed.

Results

Subcutaneous tissue around the fistula was resected down to fascia. Bowel was mobilised 5cm and a foley catheter inserted to check diameter. Mesh was resected with part of the small bowel which was then closed. Pre-peritoneal space was dissected to remove a further segment of mesh invading bowel. Posterior rectus sheath was cleared for 5cm before abdominal wall closure in 3 layers. No complaints or problems reported after 2 years follow-up.

Conclusions

This technique avoids laparotomies, associated adhesiolysis and large enterectomy with the associated risks. A limited wedge resection of mesh and small bowel for enterocutaneous fistula can be done and eliminates the need to remove all abdominal wall mesh in such scenarios. Another tool in the arsenal for complex patients.
V-051 URINARY BLADDER HERNIA: THE PATIENT IS ALWAYS RIGHT
Authors: Gadgil M
Published: October 2022

Inguinal bladder hernia is rare condition found in about 1–5% of inguinal hernias.

Unless suspected, it can be missed and can cause injury to the urinary bladder.

We hereby present a video of one such rare variety of inguinal bladder hernia which was missed by all preop investigstions done as a result of unequivocal clinical findings and not taking patients verbatim too seriously.
V-052 REAL TIME TRANSILLUMINATION TECHNIQUE FOR AVOIDING VASCULAR INJURY DURING IPOM
Authors: Gadgil M
Published: October 2022

Injury to inferior epigastric vessels during tacking is the Achilles heel of the traditional IPOM method of Lap ventral hernia repair.

Although surface marking preoperatively with USG guidance and / or other ingenious methods are described, none of them are in real time and hence, not fool proof.

We hereby describe real time transillumination technique of localising inferior epigastric pedicle during IPOM to avert a catastrophe.
Transanal versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for mid and low rectal cancer (Ta-LaTME study): multicentre, randomized, open-label trial
Authors: Serra-Aracil Xavier , Zarate Alba , Bargalló Josep , Gonzalez Anna , Serracant Anna , Roura Jordi , Delgado Salvadora , Mora-López Laura ,   Ta-LaTME study Group, Serra-Aracil Xavier , Zarate Alba , Gonzalez Anna , Pallisera-Lloveras Anna , Garcia-Nalda Albert , Rebasa-Cladera Pere , Ballesteros Eva , Pericay Carlos , Navarro-Soto Salvador , Mora-López Laura , Serra-Pla Sheila , Bargalló Josep , Serracant Anna , Cayetano Ladislao , Lamas Susana , Roura Jordi , Bonfill Joan , Delgado Salvadora , Pando J A
Published: October 2022

Background

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that tries to avoid conversion to open surgery. However, specific intraoperative complications and local recurrences have cast some doubt on the suitability of the technique. The primary endpoint of the present study was a composite outcome of conversion surgery. Secondary objectives were to assess postoperative recovery, and pathological and oncological outcomes.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre, randomized, controlled open-label study of patients diagnosed with mid and low rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent laparoscopic TaTME or laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME). The TaTME technique comprised intracorporeal resection and anastomosis. Main outcomes were conversion to open surgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity, mortality, pathological, oncological results, and survival. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol analyses were performed.

Results

The study was conducted between April 2015 and May 2021. Patients were randomized to the LaTME (57 patients) or TaTME (59) group. Fifty patients from the LaTME group and 55 from the TaTME group were eligible for mITT analysis. The procedure was converted to open surgery in 11 patients (11 per cent): 10 (20 per cent) in the LaTME group and 1 (2 per cent) in the laparoscopic TaTME group (difference 18.8, 95 per cent c.i. 30 to 7; P = 0.003). No significant differences were found in terms of postoperative recovery and morbidity at 30 days; nor were there significant differences in anastomotic leakage, although it was less common in laparoscopic TaTME. With a median follow-up of 39 months, there were three instances of local recurrence (6.1 per cent) in the LaTME group and one (1.8 per cent) in the laparoscopic TaTME group (95 per cent c.i. 60 to 69; P = 0.3). Registration number: NCT02550769 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Conclusion

The conversion rate was significantly lower in laparoscopic TaTME than in LaTME. At centres with experienced surgeons, laparoscopic TaTME can avoid conversion to open surgery.
Temporal mirror-symmetry in functional signals recorded from rat barrel cortex with optical coherence tomography
Authors: Chiu Kai-Shih , Tanifuji Manabu , Sun Chia-Wei , Rajagopalan Uma Maheswari , Nakamichi Yu
Published: October 2022

Functional optical coherence tomography (fOCT) detects activity-dependent light scattering changes in micro-structures of neural tissue, drawing attention as in vivo volumetric functional imaging technique at a sub-columnar level. There are 2 plausible origins for the light scattering changes: (i) hemodynamic responses such as changes in blood volume and in density of blood cells and (ii) reorientation of dipoles in cellular membrane. However, it has not been clarified which is the major contributor to fOCT signals. Furthermore, previous studies showed both increase and decrease of reflectivity as fOCT signals, making interpretation more difficult. We proposed combination of fOCT with Fourier imaging and adaptive statistics to the rat barrel cortex. Active voxels revealed barrels elongating throughout layers with mini-columns in superficial layers consistent with physiological studies, suggesting that active voxels revealed by fOCT reflect spatial patterns of activated neurons. These voxels included voxels with negative changes in reflectivity and those with positive changes in reflectivity. However, they were temporally mirror-symmetric, suggesting that they share common sources. It is hard to explain that hemodynamic responses elicit positive signals in some voxels and negative signals in the other. On the other hand, considering membrane dipoles, polarities of OCT signals can be positive and negative depending on orientations of scattering particles relative to the incident light. Therefore, the present study suggests that fOCT signals are induced by the reorientation of membrane dipoles.
Dysregulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling leads to comorbid anxiety inDip2aKO mice
Authors: Ma Jun , Li Kai , Sun Xue , Liang Jia-Nan , An Xian-Quan , Tian Meng , Li Jing , Yan Fang , Yin Yue , Yang Ying-Ao , Chen Fei-Yang , Zhang Lu-Qing , He Xiao-Xiao , He Zi-Xuan , Guo Wei-Xiang , Zhu Xiao-Juan , Yu Hua-Li
Published: October 2022

Autism is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. We have previously shown that Dip2a knockout (KO) induces autism-like behaviors in mice. However, the role of Dip2a in other psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this paper, we revealed that Dip2a KO mice had comorbid anxiety. Dip2a KO led to a reduction in the dendritic length of cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons. Molecular mechanism studies suggested that AMPK was overactivated and suppressed the mTOR cascade, contributing to defects in dendritic morphology. Deletion of Dip2a in adult-born hippocampal neurons (Dip2a conditional knockout (cKO)) increased susceptibility to anxiety upon acute stress exposure. Application of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK), an inhibitor of mTOR, rescued anxiety-like behaviors in Dip2a KO and Dip2a cKO mice. In addition, 6 weeks of high-fat diet intake alleviated AMPK-mTOR signaling and attenuated the severity of anxiety in both Dip2a KO mice and Dip2a cKO mice. Taken together, these results reveal an unrecognized function of DIP2A in anxiety pathophysiology via regulation of AMPK-mTOR signaling.
Deaf Children’s Engagement with American Sign Language-English Bilingual Storybook Apps
Authors: Herzig Melissa , Allen Thomas E
Published: October 2022

Design features of American Sign Language (ASL)-English bilingual storybook apps on the tablet computers, based on learning research, are intended to facilitate independent and interactive learning of English print literacy and of ASL skill among young learners. In 2013, the Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning introduced the first in a series of storybook apps for the iPad based on literacy and reading research. The current study, employing a sample of signing deaf children examined children’s self-motivated engagement with the various design features presented in the earliest of the apps, The Baobab, and analyzed the relationships of engagement with ASL skill and age of first exposure to ASL, ASL narrative ability, and grade-appropriate English reading ability. Results indicated a robust level of engagement with the app, and a relationship between app pages specifically targeting reading and early exposure and skill levels in ASL. No evidence of relationships between narrative and vocabulary skills and app reading engagement was found. Topics for future research, and strategies for app improvement are discussed.
Wheat NAM genes regulate the majority of early monocarpic senescence transcriptional changes including nitrogen remobilization genes
Authors: Andleeb Tayyaba , Knight Emilie , Borrill Philippa
Published: October 2022

Senescence enables the remobilization of nitrogen and micronutrients from vegetative tissues of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) into the grain. Understanding the molecular players in this process will enable the breeding of wheat lines with tailored grain nutrient content. The NAC transcription factor NAM-B1 is associated with earlier senescence and higher levels of grain protein, iron, and zinc contents due to increased nutrient remobilization. To investigate how related NAM genes control nitrogen remobilization at the molecular level, we carried out a comparative transcriptomic study using flag leaves at 7 time points (3, 7, 10, 13, 15, 19, and 26 days after anthesis) in wild type and NAM RNA interference lines with reduced NAM gene expression. Approximately 2.5 times more genes were differentially expressed in wild type than NAM RNA interference plants during this early senescence time course (6,508 vs 2,605 genes). In both genotypes, differentially expressed genes were enriched for gene ontology terms related to photosynthesis, hormones, amino acid transport, and nitrogen metabolism. However, nitrogen metabolism genes including glutamine synthetase (GS1 and GS2), glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and asparagine synthetase (ASN1) showed stronger or earlier differential expression in wild-type than in NAM RNA interference plants, consistent with higher nitrogen remobilization. The use of time course data identified the dynamics of NAM-regulated and NAM-independent gene expression changes during senescence and provides an entry point to functionally characterize the pathways regulating senescence and nutrient remobilization in wheat.
Genome of the endangered Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, Heloderma charlesbogerti, reveals evolutionary relationships of squamates and declines in effective population sizes
Authors: Dyson Carl J , Pfennig Aaron , Ariano-Sánchez Daniel , Lachance Joseph , Mendelson III Joseph R , Goodisman Michael A D
Published: October 2022

Many lizard species face extinction due to worldwide climate change. The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, Heloderma charlesbogerti, is a member of the Family Helodermatidae that may be particularly imperiled; fewer than 600 mature individuals are believed to persist in the wild. In addition, H. charlesbogerti lizards are phenotypically remarkable. They are large in size, charismatically patterned, and possess a venomous bite. Here, we report the draft genome of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard using DNA from a wild-caught individual. The assembled genome totals 2.31 Gb in length, similar in size to the genomes of related species. Single-copy orthologs were used to produce a novel molecular phylogeny, revealing that the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard falls into a clade with the Asian Glass Lizard (Anguidae) and in close association with the Komodo Dragon (Varanidae) and the Chinese Crocodile Lizard (Shinisauridae). In addition, we identified 31,411 protein-coding genes within the genome. Of the genes identified, we found 504 that evolved with a differential constraint on the branch leading to the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Lastly, we identified a decline in the effective population size of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard approximately 400,000 years ago, followed by a stabilization before starting to dwindle again 60,000 years ago. The results presented here provide important information regarding a highly endangered, venomous reptile that can be used in future conservation, functional genetic, and phylogenetic analyses.
The GARP complex is required for filamentation in Candida albicans
Authors: Hossain Saif , Robbins Nicole , Cowen Leah E
Published: October 2022

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes superficial infections in immunocompetent individuals, as well as life-threatening systemic disease in immunocompromised patients. A key virulence trait of this pathogen is its ability to transition between yeast and filamentous morphologies. A functional genomic screen to identify novel regulators of filamentation previously revealed VPS53 as being important for morphogenesis. Vps53 belongs to the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which mediates retrograde trafficking from the endosome to the trans-Golgi network. Here, we explored the role of the entire GARP complex in regulating morphogenesis. Deletion of any of the four genes encoding GARP complex subunits severely impaired filamentation in response to diverse filament-inducing cues, including upon internalization by macrophages. Genetic pathway analysis revealed that while hyperactivation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling is insufficient to drive filamentation in GARP complex mutants, these strains are capable of filamentation upon overexpression of transcriptional activators or upon deletion of transcriptional repressors of hyphal morphogenesis. Finally, compromise of the GARP complex induced lipotoxicity, and pharmacological inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis phenocopied genetic compromise of the GARP complex by impairing filamentation. Together, this work identifies the GARP complex as an important mediator of filamentation in response to multiple inducing cues, maps genetic circuitry important for filamentation upon compromise of GARP function, and supports a model whereby GARP deficiency impairs lipid homeostasis, which is important for supporting filamentous growth in C. albicans.
Associations of Religious Service Attendance With Cognitive Function in Midlife: Findings From The CARDIA Study
Authors: Nelson Isabel S , Kezios Katrina , Elbejjani Martine , Lu Peiyi , Yaffe Kristine , Zeki Al Hazzouri Adina
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Growing evidence suggests that religiosity is an important social determinant of health, including cognitive health. Yet most prior work focused on older adults or was conducted in racially and denominationally homogeneous regional samples. This study investigates the association of religious service attendance in midlife with cognitive function later in midlife.

Methods

Using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a racially and geographically diverse prospective cohort study, we explored the association of religious service attendance in midlife with cognitive function 5 years later. Cognitive function was measured using four cognitive tests administered by CARDIA technicians. Multivariable linear regression was used for analyses. Primary analyses controlled for sociodemographics, physical health, depression, and prior religious involvement. Sensitivity analyses additionally controlled for baseline cognition and social support.

Results

Our study population included 2,716 participants (57.2% female, 44.9% Black, and mean age 50). In primary analyses, attending services more than weekly (compared to never) in midlife was associated with better global cognition (β = 0.14 standard deviations, 95% [confidence interval] CI = 0.02, 0.26) and verbal memory (β = 0.17 standard deviations, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.30), but not with processing speed (β = 0.04 standard deviations, 95% CI = −0.08, 0.16). A reverse association was observed with executive function (β = −0.16 standard deviations, 95% CI = −0.30, −0.02). Most findings persisted in analyses accounting for loss to follow-up via inverse probability weighting.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that frequent involvement in religious services at midlife is associated with better global cognition and verbal memory but worse executive function. There was no association with processing speed.
Combining different 3-D global and regional seismic wave propagation solvers towards box tomography in the deep Earth
Authors: Adourian S , Lyu C , Masson Y , Munch F , Romanowicz B
Published: October 2022

In previous publications, we presented a general framework, which we called ‘box tomography’, that allows the coupling of any two different numerical seismic wave propagation solvers, respectively outside and inside a target region, or ‘box’. The goal of such hybrid wavefield computations is to reduce the cost of computations in the context of full-waveform inversion for structure within the target region, when sources and/or receivers are located at large distances from the box. Previously, we had demonstrated this approach with sources and receivers outside the target region in a 2-D acoustic spherical earth model, and demonstrated and applied this methodology in the 3-D spherical elastic Earth in a continental scale inversion in which all stations were inside the target region. Here we extend the implementation of the approach to the case of a 3-D global elastic earth model in the case where both sources and stations are outside the box. We couple a global 3-D solver, SPECFEM3D_GLOBE, for the computation of the wavefield and Green’s functions in a reference 3-D model, with a regional 3-D solver, RegSEM, for the computation of the wavefield within the box, by means of time-reversal mirrors. We briefly review key theoretical aspects, showing in particular how only the displacement is needed to be stored at the boundary of the box. We provide details of the practical implementation, including the geometrical design of the mirrors, how we deal with different sizes of meshes in the two solvers, and how we address memory-saving through the use of B-spline compression of the recorded wavefield on the mirror. The proposed approach is numerically efficient but also versatile, since adapting it to other solvers is straightforward and does not require any changes in the solver codes themselves, as long as the displacement can be recovered at any point in time and space. We present benchmarks of the hybrid computations against direct computations of the wavefield between a source and an array of stations in a realistic geometry centred in the Yellowstone region, with and without a hypothetical plume within the ‘box’, and with a 1-D or a 3-D background model, down to a period of 20 s. The ultimate goal of this development is for applications in the context of imaging of remote target regions in the deep mantle, such as, for example, Ultra Low Velocity Zones.
Localization Properties of High-Energy Eigenfunctions on Flat Tori
Authors: Enciso Alberto , García-Ruiz Alba , Peralta-Salas Daniel
Published: October 2022

We consider the question of when the Laplace eigenfunctions on an arbitrary flat torus ${\mathbb {T}}_\Gamma :={\mathbb {R}}^d/\Gamma $ are flexible enough to approximate, over the natural length scale of order $1/\sqrt \lambda $ where $\lambda \gg 1$ is the eigenvalue, an arbitary solution of the Helmholtz equation $\Delta h + h=0$ on ${\mathbb {R}}^d$. This problem is motivated by the fact that, by the asymptotics for the local Weyl law, “approximate Laplace eigenfunctions” do have this approximation property on any compact Riemannian manifold. What we find is that the answer depends solely on the arithmetic properties of the spectrum. Specifically, recall that the eigenvalues of ${\mathbb {T}}_\Gamma $ are of the form $\lambda _k=Q_\Gamma (k)$, where $Q_\Gamma $ is a quadratic form and $k\in {\mathbb {Z}}^d$. Our main result is that the eigenfunctions of ${\mathbb {T}}_\Gamma $ have the desired approximation property if and only if $Q_\Gamma $ is a multiple of a quadratic form with integer coefficients. In particular, the set of lattices $\Gamma $ for which this approximation property holds has measure zero but includes all rational lattices. A consequence of this fact is that when $Q_\Gamma $ is a multiple of a quadratic form with integer coefficients, Laplace eigenfunctions exhibit an extremely flexible behavior over scales of order $1/\sqrt \lambda $. In particular, there are eigenfunctions of arbitrarily high energy that exhibit nodal components diffeomorphic to any compact hypersurface of diameter $O(1/\sqrt \lambda )$.
Application of therapeutic drug monitoring to the treatment of bacterial central nervous system infection: a scoping review
Authors: Arkell Paul , Wilson Richard , Watkins Killian , Antcliffe David B , Gilchrist Mark , Wilson Mark , Rawson Timothy M , Holmes Alison
Published: October 2022

Background

Bacterial central nervous system (CNS) infection is challenging to treat and carries high risk of recurrence, morbidity, and mortality. Low CNS penetration of antibiotics may contribute to poor clinical outcomes from bacterial CNS infections. The current application of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to management of bacterial CNS infection was reviewed.

Methods

Studies were included if they described adults treated for a suspected/confirmed bacterial CNS infection and had antibiotic drug concentration(s) determined that affected individual treatment.

Results

One-hundred-and-thirty-six citations were retrieved. Seventeen manuscripts were included describing management of 68 patients. TDM for vancomycin (58/68) and the beta-lactams (29/68) was most common. Timing of clinical sampling varied widely between studies and across different antibiotics. Methods for setting individual PK-PD targets, determining parameters and making treatment changes varied widely and were sometimes unclear.

Discussion

Despite increasing observational data showing low CNS penetration of various antibiotics, there are few clinical studies describing practical implementation of TDM in management of CNS infection. Lack of consensus around clinically relevant CSF PK-PD targets and protocols for dose-adjustment may contribute. Standardised investigation of TDM as a tool to improve treatment is required, especially as innovative drug concentration-sensing and PK-PD modelling technologies are emerging. Data generated at different centres offering TDM should be open access and aggregated to enrich understanding and optimize application.
Pre-treatment HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral therapy-naive adults in Eastern Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ntamatungiro Alex J , Kagura Juliana , Weisser Maja , Francis Joel M
Published: October 2022

Background

Pre-treatment HIV drug resistance (PDR) may result in increased risk of virological failure and acquisition of new resistance mutations. With recently increasing ART coverage and periodic modifications of the guidelines for HIV treatment, there is a need for an updated systematic review to assess the levels of the PDR among adults newly initiating ART in Eastern Africa.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for studies published between 1 January 2017 and 30 April 2022 in the MEDLINE Complete and CINAHL Complete, searched simultaneously using EBSCOhost, and Web of Science. To determine the overall PDR prevalence estimates, we extracted data from eligible articles and analysed prevalence estimates using Stata 14.2.

Results

A total of 22 eligible observation studies were selected. The studies included a total of 5852 ART-naive people living with HIV. The overall pooled prevalence of PDR was 10.0% (95% CI: 7.9%–12.0%, I2 = 88.9%) and 9.4% (95% CI: 7.0%–11.9%, I2 = 90.4%) for NNRTIs, 2.6% (95% CI: 1.8%–3.4%, I2 = 69.2%) for NRTIs and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3%–1.2%, I2 = 29.0%) for PIs. No major integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI)-related mutations were identified.

Conclusions

We observed a moderate overall PDR prevalence among new ART initiators in this study. PDR to NNRTIs is more prevalent, underscoring the importance of the current WHO recommendation for replacement of NNRTIs by INSTIs. PDR to NRTIs was low but notable, which warrants continuous surveillance of pre-existing resistance to the dolutegravir co-administered NRTI in Eastern Africa.
Practical Steps to Writing a Scientific Manuscript
Authors: Grimm Lars J , Harvey Jennifer A
Published: October 2022

Writing a scientific manuscript can be a very intimidating process for new writers. However, writing a scientific research article can be broken down into discrete steps to make the process more digestible. Radiology manuscripts have common conventions that differ from research in technical and other medical fields. The practical steps summarized within describe what to do before you start writing, successful writing strategies, and common writing styles. Templates for producing an abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion are outlined, along with tips to collect references and produce high quality figures. All writers can benefit from an outside writing perspective, and the practical steps described should ease the transition from a blank page to a finished manuscript.
Perspective on Biology and Management of Bed Bugs: Introduction
Authors: Lee Chow-Yang , Wang Changlu , Su Nan-Yao
Published: October 2022

Bed bugs are an important group of medical and urban insect pests. They are obligate blood-feeders. Their bites may cause skin irritation and allergic reactions and, under some circumstances, may lead to mental and other health issues. Despite numerous discoveries on the biology of these obnoxious pests and progress in control strategies over the last two decades, bed bugs continue to preferentially plague those from low socioeconomic communities because the poor generally could not afford effective control options. As a result, such infestations in poorer communities serve as a reservoir for wider society. This Special Collection of the Perspective on Biology and Management of Bed Bugs presents nine original research papers on bed bug detection, insecticide performance and resistance, nonchemical treatment, fungal biopesticides, and pest management procurement and contracts. We hope that these investigative findings will spur research on safer, more affordable, and effective control options in the future.
Open and arthroscopic management of femoroacetabular impingement: a review of current concepts
Authors: Hassan Mahad M , Farooqi Ali S , Feroe Aliya G , Lee Alexander , Cusano Antonio , Novais Eduardo , Wuerz Thomas H , Kim Young-Jo , Parisien Robert L
Published: October 2022

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common femoral and/or acetabular abnormality that can cause progressive damage to the hip and osteoarthritis. FAI can be the result of femoral head/neck overgrowth, acetabular overgrowth or both femoral and acetabular abnormalities, resulting in a loss of native hip biomechanics and pain upon hip flexion and rotation. Radiographic evidence can include loss of sphericity of the femoral neck (cam impingement) and/or acetabular retroversion with focal or global overcoverage (pincer impingement). Operative intervention is indicated in symptomatic patients after failed conservative management with radiographic evidence of impingement and minimal arthritic changes of the hip, with the goal of restoring normal hip biomechanics and reducing pain. This is done by correcting the femoral head–neck relationship to the acetabulum through femoral and/or acetabular osteoplasty and treatment of concomitant hip pathology. In pincer impingement cases with small lunate surfaces, reverse periacetabular osteotomy is indicated as acetabular osteoplasty can decrease an already small articular surface. While surgical dislocation is regarded as the traditional gold standard, hip arthroscopy has become widely utilized in recent years. Studies comparing both open surgery and arthroscopy have shown comparable long-term pain reduction and improvements in clinical measures of hip function, as well as similar conversion rates to total hip arthroplasty. However, arthroscopy has trended toward earlier improvement, quicker recovery and faster return to sports. The purpose of this study was to review the recent literature on open and arthroscopic management of FAI.
An Innovation to Expand the Reach of Peer Support: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
Authors: Goldstein Karen M , Voils Corrine I , Bastian Lori A , Heisler Michele , Olsen Maren K , Woolson Sandra , White-Clark Courtney , Zervakis Jennifer , Oddone Eugene Z
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Peer support is a well-established part of veteran care and a cost-effective way to support individuals pursuing health behavior change. Common models of peer support, peer coaching, and mutual peer support have limitations that could be minimized by building on the strengths of each to increase the overall reach and effectiveness. We conducted a 12-week, proof-of-concept study to test the acceptability and feasibility of a hybrid model of peer support which supplements dyadic mutual peer support with as-needed peer coaching.

Materials and Methods

We tested our novel peer support model within the context of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction as a support mechanism for the promotion of heart-healthy diet and exercise behaviors. We recruited peer buddies (participants who would be matched with each other to provide mutual support) with at least one uncontrolled CVD risk factor (i.e., blood pressure, weight, or diabetes) and peer coaches (individuals who would provide additional, as-needed support for peer buddies) with a recent history of CVD health behavior improvement. We aimed for 50% of peer buddies to be women to assess for potential gender differences in intervention engagement. Participants received didactic instruction during three group sessions, and peer dyads were instructed to communicate weekly with their peer buddy to problem-solve around action plans and behavioral goals. We tracked frequency of dyadic communication and conducted semi-structured interviews at the intervention’s end to assess acceptability.

Results

We recruited three peer coaches and 12 peer buddies. Ten buddies (five dyads) met at the first group session, and all were still in weekly contact with each other at week 12. Peer buddies had a mean of 8.75 out of 12 possible weekly peer buddy communications (range 6-15 in total). Peer coaches provided additional support to four participants over 12 weeks. Participants reported liking the intervention, including mixed-gender groups. Clarity and expectation setting around the role of peer coaches were important.

Conclusions

The supplementation of mutual peer support with as-needed peer coaching is an acceptable and feasible way to expand the potential reach and effectiveness of peer support for behavior change among veterans.
Suicide Risk Among Military Veterans in the Southwestern United States Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Doran Neal , Gress-Smith Jenna , Raja Pushpa , Waddell Jack T , Davis Luther , De La Rosa Sarah , Hurwitz Vanessa , Kratz Kris , Louis Ryan , Moore Jeanie , Peoples Lana
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Military Veterans have an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population, but less is known about changes in risk with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, or whether any changes have been moderated by psychiatric or demographic factors. The primary objective was to test the hypothesis that the likelihood of suicide attempt or death by suicide was stable during the first year of the pandemic versus the preceding year for the full sample. A second objective was to test the hypothesis that, in contrast, risk increased for Veteran subgroups characterized by traditional risk factors (e.g., psychiatric diagnosis).

Materials and Methods

We extracted electronic health record data for 771,570 Veterans who received one or more health care visits between March 13, 2019, and March 12, 2021, at eight VA hospitals across the southwestern United States. Primary outcome measures were suicide attempts and deaths by suicide. Predictor variables included psychiatric diagnoses and demographic factors.

Results

Multivariable models indicated that the odds of death by suicide did not change during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the odds of making a suicide attempt declined. Veterans treated for major depression were at heightened risk for attempting suicide in both years, but the association was smaller during the pandemic than the year prior. In contrast, the relative risk of attempt for Veterans who were never married and Veterans treated for a non-alcohol, non-opioid substance-use disorder increased during the pandemic.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings suggest that the pandemic has not led to an increase in suicidal behavior, which is consistent with other studies, although the degree of decline varied across diagnostic and demographic groups. Further longitudinal research is needed to evaluate whether the prolonged nature of COVID-19 may lead to changes in risk over time.
Parameter estimation with the current generation of phenomenological waveform models applied to the black hole mergers of GWTC-1
Authors: Mateu-Lucena Maite , Husa Sascha , Colleoni Marta , Estellés Héctor , García-Quirós Cecilio , Keitel David , Planas Maria de Lluc , Ramos-Buades Antoni
Published: October 2022

We consider the 10 confidently detected gravitational-wave signals in the GWTC-1 catalog, which are consistent with mergers of binary black hole systems, and perform a thorough parameter estimation re-analysis. This is made possible by using computationally efficient waveform models of the current (fourth) generation of the IMRPhenom family of phenomenological waveform models, which consists of the IMRPhenomX frequency-domain models and the IMRPhenomT time-domain models.The analysis is performed with both precessing and non-precessing waveform models with and without subdominant spherical harmonic modes. Results for all events are validated with convergence tests, discussing in particular the events GW170729 and GW151226. For the latter and the other two lowest-mass events, we also compare results between two independent sampling codes, bilbyand lalinference. We find overall consistent results with the original GWTC-1 results, with all Jensen–Shannon divergences between the previous results using IMRPhenomPv2 and our default IMRPhenomXPHM posteriors below 0.045 bits. However, we also discuss cases where subdominant harmonics and/or precession influence the posteriors.
Novae in M51: a new, much higher rate from multi-epoch HST data
Authors: Mandel Shifra , Shara Michael M , Zurek David , Conroy Charlie , van Dokkum Pieter
Published: October 2022

Accurate determination of the rates of nova eruptions in different kinds of galaxies gives us strong constraints on those galaxies’ underlying white dwarf and binary populations, and those stars’ spatial distributions. Until 2016, limitations inherent in ground-based surveys of external galaxies – and dust extinction in the Milky Way – significantly hampered the determination of those rates and how much they differ between different types of galaxies. Infrared Galactic surveys and dense cadence Hubble Space Telescope(HST)-based surveys are overcoming these limitations, leading to sharply increased nova-in-galaxy rates relative to those previously claimed. Here, we present 14 nova candidates that were serendipitously observed during a year-long HST survey of the massive spiral galaxy M51 (the ‘Whirlpool Galaxy’). We use simulations based on observed nova light curves to model the incompleteness of the HST survey in unprecedented detail, determining a nova detection efficiency ϵ = 20.3 per cent. The survey’s M51 area coverage, combined with ϵ, indicates a conservative M51 nova rate of $172^{+46}_{-37}$ novae yr−1, corresponding to a luminosity-specific nova rate (LSNR) of $\sim\!10.4^{+2.8}_{-2.2}$ novae yr−1/1010L⊙,K. Both these rates are approximately an order of magnitude higher than those estimated by ground-based studies, contradicting claims of universal low nova rates in all types of galaxies determined by low cadence, ground-based surveys. They demonstrate that, contrary to theoretical models, the HST-determined LSNR in a giant elliptical galaxy (M87) and a giant spiral galaxy (M51) likely do not differ by an order of magnitude or more, and may in fact be quite similar.
Hypermitotic meningiomas harbor DNA methylation subgroups with distinct biological and clinical features
Authors: Choudhury Abrar , Chen William C , Lucas Calixto-Hope G , Bayley James C , Harmanci Akdes S , Maas Sybren L N , Santagata Sandro , Klisch Tiemo , Perry Arie , Bi Wenya Linda , Sahm Felix , Patel Akash J , Magill Stephen T , Raleigh David R
Published: October 2022

Background

Meningiomas, the most common primary intracranial tumors, can be separated into 3 DNA methylation groups with distinct biological drivers, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Alternative meningioma grouping schemes using copy number variants, gene expression profiles, somatic short variants, or integrated molecular models have been proposed. These data suggest meningioma DNA methylation groups may harbor subgroups unifying contrasting theories of meningioma biology.

Methods

A total of 565 meningioma DNA methylation profiles from patients with comprehensive clinical follow-up at independent discovery (n = 200) or validation (n = 365) institutions were reanalyzed and classified into Merlin-intact, Immune-enriched, or Hypermitotic DNA methylation groups. RNA sequencing from the discovery (n = 200) or validation (n = 302) cohort were analyzed in the context of DNA methylation groups to identify subgroups. Biological features and clinical outcomes were analyzed across meningioma grouping schemes.

Results

RNA sequencing revealed differential enrichment of FOXM1 target genes across two subgroups of Hypermitotic meningiomas. Differential expression and ontology analyses showed the subgroup of Hypermitotic meningiomas without FOXM1 target gene enrichment was distinguished by gene expression programs driving macromolecular metabolism. Analysis of genetic, epigenetic, gene expression, or cellular features revealed Hypermitotic meningioma subgroups were concordant with Proliferative or Hypermetabolic meningiomas, which were previously reported alongside Merlin-intact and Immune-enriched tumors using an integrated molecular model. The addition of DNA methylation subgroups to clinical models refined the prediction of postoperative outcomes compared to the addition of DNA methylation groups.

Conclusions

Meningiomas can be separated into three DNA methylation groups and Hypermitotic meningiomas can be subdivided into Proliferative and Hypermetabolic subgroups, each with distinct biological and clinical features.
Menthol Cigarette Use Among Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes, 2008–2020: Rapid Growth and Widening Inequities in the United States
Authors: Goodwin Renee D , Ganz Ollie , Weinberger Andrea H , Smith Philip H , Wyka Katarzyna , Delnevo Cristine D
Published: October 2022

Introduction

In April 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to issue a product standard banning menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. Given the potential relevance of national estimates of menthol use to pending legislation, this study estimated the prevalence of menthol use among U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes in 2020 and investigated changes in menthol use from 2008 to 2019 by sociodemographics, mental health, and substance use.

Aims and Methods

Nationally representative annual, cross-sectional data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which included participants ages 18 years and older residing in the United States from 2008 to 2019 and the 2020. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models to estimate trends in menthol use among adults who smoke cigarettes by sociodemographic, mental health and substance use variables (total analytic sample 2008–2019 n = 128 327).

Results

In 2020, 43.4% of adults who smoked cigarettes in the past month used menthol. Menthol use was most common among black adults (80%) and over 50% of those Hispanic, female, young (ages 18–34 years), lesbian/gay, with serious psychological distress, and with cigar use used menthol. Menthol use increased among adults who used cigarettes from 2008 to 2019, overall, and grew more rapidly among adults ages 26–34 years, Hispanic, light cigarette use (1–5 per day), and those who smoked cigars.

Conclusions

Menthol use has increased among U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes over the past decade. Enacting menthol bans could have a widespread public health impact, especially among younger and minoritized groups.

Implications

Menthol cigarette use increased among individuals who smoke cigarettes from 2008 to 2019 in the United States. In 2020, over 40% of smokers used menthol, and menthol use was considerably higher among adult smokers from racial/ethnic minoritized groups, who were younger and who reported mental health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeks to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes; our results suggest that such a ban is likely to have a wide-ranging impact on public health.
The first photometric investigation of the poor-thermal contact binary V749 Aurigae
Authors: Chang Lin-Feng , Zhu Li-Ying , Sarotsakulchai Thawicharat , Soonthornthum Boonrucksar
Published: October 2022

The multi-filter light curve analysis of V749 Aurigae (thereinafter V0749 Aur) is conducted for the first time. Its orbital period is improved from P = 0.409873 to 0.409890 d in this work. The photometric data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) were utilized to examine the revised orbital period. Then, the phased multi-filter light curves were computed with the new period, and analyzed with the Wilson–Devinney (W-D) code. The results reveal that V0749 Aur is a marginal contact binary with a large temperature difference of about ΔT = 1600 K. It is a poor thermal contact binary, the light curves of which depart from EW-type and show EB-type light variations. Thus, V0749 Aur belongs to a particular group of binaries, named B-type binaries, predicted by the Thermal Relaxation Oscillation (TRO) theory. In addition, the amplitude differences in different bands of the light curves, imply the existence of a third light. The contribution of the third light detected by the light curve analysis is consistent with the contribution of a visual star, which is in the same line of sight as V0749 Aur but at a different distance. With its marginal contact and short period properties, V0749 Aur merits further attention as a potential transitional sample in binary evolution.
Psychotic Like Experiences in Healthy Adolescents are Underpinned by Lower Fronto-Temporal Cortical Gyrification: a Study from the IMAGEN Consortium
Authors: Maitra Raka , Horne Charlotte M , O’Daly Owen , Papanastasiou Evangelos , Gaser Christian ,   IMAGEN list of authors, Banaschewski Tobias , Barker Gareth J , Bokde Arun L W , Desrivières Sylvane , Flor Herta , Grigis Antoine , Garavan Hugh , Gowland Penny , Heinz Andreas , Brühl Rüdiger , Martinot Jean-Luc , Paillère Martinot Marie-Laure , Artiges Eric , Nees Frauke , Papadopoulos Orfanos Dimitri , Lemaitre Herve , Paus Tomáš , Poustka Luise , Hohmann Sarah , Millenet Sabina , Fröhner Juliane H , Robinson Lauren , Smolka Michael N , Walter Henrik , Winterer Jeanne M , Whelan Robert , Burke Quinlan Erin , Ing Alex , Schumann Gunter ,   IMAGEN Consortium, Shergill Sukhi
Published: October 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Psychotic Like Experiences (PLEs) are widely prevalent in children and adolescents and increase the risk of developing psychosis. Cortical gyrification characterizes brain development from in utero till about the first 2 years of life and can be measured in later years as static gyrification changes demonstrating neurodevelopment and dynamic gyrification changes reflecting brain maturation during adolescence. We hypothesized that PLEs would be associated with static cortical gyrification changes reflecting a neurodevelopmental abnormality.

Study Design

We studied 1252 adolescents recruited in the IMAGEN consortium. We used a longitudinal study design, with Magnetic Resonance Imaging measurements at age 14 years and age 19 years; measurement of PLEs using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) questionnaire at age 19 years; and clinical diagnoses at age 23 years.

Study Results

Our results show static gyrification changes in adolescents with elevated PLEs on 3 items of the CAPE—voice hearing, unusual experiences of receiving messages, and persecutory ideas—with lower cortical gyrification in fronto-temporal regions in the left hemisphere. This group also demonstrated dynamic gyrification changes with higher cortical gyrification in right parietal cortex in late adolescence; a finding that we replicated in an independent sample of patients with first-episode psychosis. Adolescents with high PLEs were also 5.6 times more likely to transition to psychosis in adulthood by age 23 years.

Conclusions

This is the largest study in adolescents that demonstrates fronto-temporal abnormality of cortical gyrification as a potential biomarker for vulnerability to PLEs and transition to psychosis.