Sex-based differences in risk of revision for infection after hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle arthroplasty in osteoarthritis patients: a multinational registry study of 4,800,000 implants.

Background And Purpose:  We aimed to determine sex differences for periprosthetic joint infections after primary arthroplasty of the hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder in osteoarthritis patients in an international perspective.

Methods:  This is a multinational combined arthroplasty registry study. Each arthroplasty registry performed Cox-regression analysis of their data and reported the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with an a priori designed data form.

Association between genomic instability score and progression-free/overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed non-BRCA1/2 ovarian cancer.

Objective: We sought to describe the association between genomic instability score (GIS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with newly diagnosed, non-BRCA1/2 ovarian cancer.

Methods: Homologous recombinant deficiency (HRD) status was based on a cutoff of ≥42 GIS; patients <42 were categorized with homologous recombination proficiency (HRP). We collected type and duration of maintenance therapy, among other variables, and built a multivariate model with landmark analysis at 6 months from baseline and applied it for time-dependent variables.

Inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity on [Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE/[Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT predicts response to [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT in neuroendocrine tumor patients.

Background: Indices of tumor heterogeneity on somatostatin receptor PET/CT scans may potentially serve as predictive biomarkers of treatment efficacy in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients undergoing [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PRRT.

Methods: NET patients who underwent [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE therapy at the University of Iowa from August 2018 to February 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Radiomic features on the pre-PRRT somatostatin receptor PET/CT were evaluated using a custom MIM Software® LesionID workflow.

Factors associated with an inconclusive result from commercial homologous recombination deficiency testing in ovarian cancer.

Introduction: Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing is used to determine the appropriateness of poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and no germline/somatic BRCA1/2 alterations. Myriad MyChoice CDx reports a genomic instability score (GIS) to quantify the level of HRD, with a positive score defined as ≥42. The authors sought to define factors associated with obtaining an inconclusive HRD test result.

Use of Baclofen Premedication as an Analgesic Adjuvant in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Randomized Trial.

Introduction:  Baclofen, a clinically available GABA receptor agonist, produces nonopioid analgesia in multiple models of pain but has had limited studies related to perioperative pain control. The present study seeks to study effects of baclofen on postoperative pain measures and opioid use in adult patients subjected to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Methods: Using a placebo-controlled, double-blind methodology, a single 10 mg oral dose of baclofen or placebo was given prior to a surgery in 34 patients undergoing PCNL.

Individual canopy tree species maps for the National Ecological Observatory Network.

The ecology of forest ecosystems depends on the composition of trees. Capturing fine-grained information on individual trees at broad scales provides a unique perspective on forest ecosystems, forest restoration, and responses to disturbance. Individual tree data at wide extents promises to increase the scale of forest analysis, biogeographic research, and ecosystem monitoring without losing details on individual species composition and abundance.

Differential Serum Peptidomics Reveal Multi-Marker Models That Predict Breast Cancer Progression.

Here, we assess how the differential expression of low molecular weight serum peptides might predict breast cancer progression with high confidence. We apply an LC/MS-MS-based, unbiased 'omics' analysis of serum samples from breast cancer patients to identify molecules that are differentially expressed in stage I and III breast cancer. Results were generated using standard and machine learning-based analytical workflows.

Guidance on assessing the potential impacts of selenium in freshwater ecosystems.

Despite decades of fate and effects studies, environmental selenium (Se) contamination and management remain an issue for many freshwater systems in North America. Several regulatory bodies have promulgated updated targets or management levels for Se; however, additional guidance on best practices for monitoring Se to protect freshwater aquatic life is warranted. In this article, we describe current approaches to assessing the ecological risks of Se in impaired freshwater systems and outline recommended methods for collecting and analyzing biological and abiotic samples and interpreting data.

Lumbar and Thoracic Vertebrae Segmentation in CT Scans Using a 3D Multi-Object Localization and Segmentation CNN.

Radiation treatment of cancers like prostate or cervix cancer requires considering nearby bone structures like vertebrae. In this work, we present and validate a novel automated method for the 3D segmentation of individual lumbar and thoracic vertebra in computed tomography (CT) scans. It is based on a single, low-complexity convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture which works well even if little application-specific training data are available.

Asynchronous Video Directly Observed Therapy to Monitor Short-Course Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Observing medication ingestion through self-recorded videos (video directly observed therapy [VDOT]) has been shown to be a cost-effective alternative to in-person directly observed therapy (DOT) for monitoring adherence to treatment for tuberculosis disease. VDOT could be a useful tool to monitor short-course latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing VDOT (intervention) and clinic-based DOT (control) among patients newly diagnosed with LTBI who agreed to a once-weekly 3-month treatment regimen of isoniazid and rifapentine.

A re-activation model for Yb intensity modulated brachytherapy sources accounting for spatiotemporal isotopic composition.

Background: Intensity modulated brachytherapy based on partially shielded intracavitary and interstitial applicators is possible with a cost-effective Yb production method. Yb is a traditionally expensive isotope suitable for this purpose, with an average γ-ray energy of 93 keV. Re-activating a single Yb source multiple times in a nuclear reactor between clinical uses was shown to theoretically reduce cost by approximately 75% relative to conventional single-activation sources.

A comparison of cemented femoral fixation via anterior versus posterior approach total hip arthroplasty: an analysis of 60,739 total hip arthroplasties.

Background: Anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (THA) decreases the rate of dislocation but increases femoral-sided complications in the way of periprosthetic fractures and component loosening. A cemented prosthesis may reduce femoral-sided complications and improve the risk:benefit profile of anterior approach THA.

Methods: Data from the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry were analysed for patients undergoing primary THA via the anterior or posterior approach using a cemented polished femoral stem from January 2015 to December 2021.

Caloric Restriction Improves Spatial Learning Deficits in Tau Mice.

Background: Caloric restriction (CR) has been recognized for its benefits in delaying age-related diseases and extending lifespan. While its effects on amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models are well-documented, its effects on tauopathy, another hallmark of AD, are less explored.

Objective: To assess the impact of a short-term 30% CR regimen on age-dependent spatial learning deficits and pathological features in a tauopathy mouse model.

Gaps and inconsistencies in the current knowledge and implementation of biosafety and biosecurity practices for rickettsial pathogens.

Introduction: Rickettsia spp. and Orientia spp. are the causes of neglected infections that can lead to severe febrile and systemic illnesses in humans.