Conductive polymers derived from iron, ruthenium, and osmium metalloporphyrins: The shish-kebab approach

The synthesis and characterization of pyrazine-bridged polymers of iron(II/III), ruthenium(II/III), and osmium(II/III) octaethylporphyrin (dubbed “shish-kebab” polymers) are presented. Optical and dc conductivity measurements reveal that the ruthenium and osmium polymers, when partially oxidized, are highly conductive. Electrochemical and ESR results are presented that indicate the existence of an interesting metal-centered conduction pathway. Unlike most of the previously reported porphyrinic molecular metals in which the conduction electrons are macrocyclic-based, electron transport in these materials proceeds exclusively along the metal-pyrazine backbone.     

Genetic Analysis Workshop II: combined segregation, linkage, and association analysis

A combined segregation, linkage, and association analysis using the program COMBIN was performed on the simulated pedigree data prepared for the Second Genetic Analysis Workshop. The model used in COMBIN is described and the presented results illustrate its effectiveness in the analysis of such data. Linkage analysis was performed and maps for each linkage group are presented.     

Effects of Advertising: A Qualitative Analysis of Young Adults’ Engagement with Social Media About Food

Young adults are constantly exposed to energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverages, particularly through advertising. Exposure can influence poor food choices and negatively impact health. This study aimed to understand young adults’ attitudes and experiences associated with food-related advertisements, particularly on social media. This qualitative analysis involved n = 166 Australian 18 to 24-year-olds who were involved in a four-week online conversation on different areas relating to health, social media, and eating. Inductive thematic analysis was utilised on two forums on the recall and perceptions of food-related advertisements. Young adults commonly mentioned aspects of the marketing mix (promotion, product, price, and place) in food advertisements. Participants were more readily able to recall energy-dense, nutrient-poor food advertisements compared to healthy food-related advertisements. Digital advertisements were often discussed alongside the use of ad-blockers and algorithms which tailored their social media viewing to what they like. Participants felt constant exposure to unhealthy food advertisements hindered their ability to realise healthy eating behaviours and created feelings of guilt. This current analysis highlights the need to provide an advertising environment that appropriately motivates healthy eating and a food environment that allows healthy food to be the affordable and convenient option.     

Engineered NS1 for Sensitive,Specific Zika Virus Diagnosis from Patient Serology

Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) belong to the Flaviviridae family of viruses spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas. Accurate diagnostic tests to differentiate the 2 infections are necessary for patient management and disease control. Using characterized ZIKV and DENV patient plasma in a blind manner, we validated an ELISA and a rapid immunochromatographic test for ZIKV detection. We engineered the ZIKV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) for sensitive serologic detection with low cross reactivity against dengue and developed monoclonal antibodies specific for the ZIKV NS1 antigen. As expected, the serologic assays performed better with convalescent than acute plasma samples; the sensitivity ranged from 71% to 88%, depending on the performance of individual tests (IgM/IgG/NS1). Although serologic tests were generally less sensitive with acute samples, our ZIKV NS1 antibodies were able to complement the serologic tests to achieve greater sensitivity for detecting early infections.     

Is a Titanium Implant for Total Knee Arthroplasty Better? A Randomized Controlled Study

BackgroundLighter weight and lower modulus are potential advantages of titanium (Ti) implants over cobalt chrome (CoCr) implants in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study was conducted to determine whether Ti implants in TKA resulted in better clinical outcomes and radiologic results.MethodsOne hundred and eight patients (216 knees) with knee arthritis warranting bilateral primary TKA were randomly allocated to undergo Ti rotating-platform TKA in one knee and CoCr rotating-platform TKA in the contralateral knee. The mean follow-up period was 5.3 years (range, 1-7 years). The weight of Ti implants was one-third lighter than that of CoCr implants (133.9 g vs 390.1 g, P < .01). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using clinical scores, patient preferences (lightness, comfort, naturalness, and satisfaction), gait analysis (kinetic and kinematic data), range of motion, and degree of pain. Radiologic results were evaluated based on the radiolucent line (RLL), degree of medial tibial bone loss, and loosening as seen on X-ray.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in clinical scores or patient preference. Regarding implant weight, approximately 70% of patients did not perceive the Ti implant as lighter. No significant differences were observed in gait analysis, range of motion, or degree of pain. The RLL was seen in 9% of the Ti implant group and 19% of the CoCr implant group.ConclusionThe lighter Ti implant did not show any clinical benefit over CoCr implants. The lightness of the Ti implant is not sufficient to matter or be noticeable. However, the Ti implant showed lower rate of RLL than the CoCr implant.Level of Evidencelevel I, randomized controlled trial.     

Frailty,Race/Ethnicity,Functional Status,and Adverse Outcomes After Total Hip/Knee Arthroplasty: A Moderation Analysis

BackgroundAlthough frailty has been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), prior studies have not examined how race/ethnicity might moderate these associations. We aimed to assess race/ethnicity as a potential moderator of the associations of frailty and functional status with arthroplasty outcomes.MethodsThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients who underwent THA or TKA from 2011 to 2017. Frailty was assessed using the modified frailty index. Regression analyses were conducted to examine associations connecting frailty/functional status with 30-day readmission, adverse discharge, and length of stay (LOS). Further analyses were conducted to investigate race/ethnicity as a potential moderator of these relationships.ResultsWe identified 219,143 TKA and 130,022 THA patients. Frailty and nonindependent functional status were positively associated with all outcomes (P < .001). Compared to White non-Hispanic patients, Black non-Hispanic patients had higher odds for all outcomes after TKA (P < .001) and for adverse discharge/longer LOS after THA (P < .001). Similar associations were observed for Hispanics for the adverse discharge/LOS outcomes. Race/ethnicity moderated the effects of frailty in TKA for all outcomes and in THA for adverse discharge/LOS. Race/ethnicity moderated the effects of nonindependent function in TKA for adverse discharge/LOS and on LOS alone for THA.ConclusionDisparities for Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic patients persist for readmission, adverse discharge, and LOS. However, the effects of increasing frailty and nonindependent functional status on these outcomes were the most pronounced among White non-Hispanic patients.     

Higher Undercarboxylated to Total Osteocalcin Ratio Is Associated With Reduced Physical Function and Increased 15-Year Falls-Related Hospitalizations: The Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women

Evidence from animal models suggests that undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is involved in muscle mass maintenance and strength. In humans, the ucOC to total (t)OC ratio may be related to muscle strength and perhaps physical function and falls risk, but data are limited. We tested the hypothesis that ucOC and ucOC/tOC ratio are associated with muscle function (muscle strength and physical function) in older women and 15-year falls-related hospitalizations. Serum tOC and ucOC were assessed in 1261 older women (mean age 75.2 ± 2.7 years) forming the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women (1998 to 2013). Timed-up-and-go (TUG) and grip strength were assessed at baseline and at 5 years. Falls-related hospitalizations (14.5-year follow-up) were captured by the Hospital Morbidity Data Collection, via the Western Australian Data Linkage System. At baseline, women with higher ucOC/tOC ratio (quartile 4) had slower TUG performance compared with quartile 1 (~0.68 seconds, p < .01). Grip strength and 5-year change of TUG and grip were not different (p > .05) between quartiles. Fear of falling limiting house, outdoor, and combined activities was significantly different across quartiles (p < .05). Higher ucOC/tOC was significantly associated with poorer TUG performance at baseline and 5-year change in performance, increased walking aid use, and fear of falling (all p < .05). Higher ucOC was related to lower grip strength at baseline (p < .05) but not 5-year change in strength. Those with the highest ucOC/tOC had greater falls-related hospitalizations (unadjusted log rank, p = .004) remaining significant after adjusting for key variables (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.57, p = .004). We identified a large proportion of older women with high ucOC/tOC ratio who had reduced physical function, including its long-term decline and increased risk of falls-related hospitalizations. Early identification of women at higher risk can enable prevention and intervention strategies to occur, reducing risk for injurious falls. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)..     

Learning curve could affect oncologic outcome of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

Background/ObjectiveRecent prospective studies have shown poorer oncologic outcomes following minimally invasive surgery, which has led many surgeons to deeply inspect their practices. We reviewed our experience and evaluated the results of radical hysterectomy in patients with early stage cervical cancer.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with early stage cervical cancer (Ia1 - IIa1) who were treated with radical hysterectomy from May 2006 to Dec 2016. Patients were divided into three groups according to the surgical approach: radical abdominal hysterectomy (RAH), laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH), and robot-assisted radical hysterectomy (RRH).ResultsLearning curves of each type of surgery were obtained using the cumulative sum method. Survival rates were compared using Kaplan–Meier curves. To analyze the learning curve of a single surgeon, 89 patients were selected from the whole population. Learning curves of each group showed two distinct phases. The minimum number of cases required to achieve surgical improvement were 16 in RAH, 13 in LRH, and 21 in RRH. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival did not vary between RAH and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (p = .828 and p = .757, respectively). However, when stratified by the phases of the learning curves, patients included in the early phase of MIS showed a poorer PFS (p = .014).ConclusionsSurgical proficiency could significantly affect the oncologic outcome in MIS. A prospective study regarding sufficient surgical competence is necessary for elaborate analysis of the feasibility of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy.     

Preoperative Estimated Risk of Microvascular Invasion is Associated with Prognostic Differences Following Liver Resection Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Early Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Annals of Surgical Oncology - The aim of this study was to examine prognostic differences between liver resection (LR) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma...