Innovations in Genicular Outcomes Registry (IGOR): protocol for a real-world registry study of treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability among US adults and most commonly affects the knee. Guidelines for knee OA treatment include behavioral, nonpharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical interventions. While emerging knee OA treatments show promise for pain control, data gaps remain regarding the efficacy, safety, comparative effectiveness, and real-world value of treatments.

Early prediction of preeclampsia using the first trimester vaginal microbiome.

Preeclampsia is a severe obstetrical syndrome which contributes to 10-15% of all maternal deaths. Although the mechanisms underlying systemic damage in preeclampsia-such as impaired placentation, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation-are well studied, the initial triggers of the condition remain largely unknown. Furthermore, although the pathogenesis of preeclampsia begins early in pregnancy, there are no early diagnostics for this life-threatening syndrome, which is typically diagnosed much later, after systemic damage has already manifested.

Canonical terpene synthases in arthropods: Intraphylum gene transfer.

Insects employ terpenoids for communication both within and between species. While terpene synthases derived from isoprenyl diphosphate synthase have been shown to catalyze terpenoid biosynthesis in some insects, canonical terpene synthases (TPS) commonly found in plants, fungi, and bacteria were previously unidentified in insects. This study reveals the presence of genes in insects, likely originating via horizontal gene transfer from noninsect arthropods.

The impact of relaxation music (Weightless by Marconi Union) on production performance, welfare, and hematological and biochemical blood parameters in broiler chickens.

The study evaluated the impact of relaxation music on the production performance, welfare, and blood parameters of broiler chickens. Literature indicates that specific music genres, as environmental enrichment, can improve animal welfare and production outcomes. The research involved 1,200 Ross 308 chickens divided into control (C) and experimental (M) groups.

Electrochemical lithium extraction from hectorite ore.

Electrochemical technologies add a unique dimension for ore refinement, representing tunable methods that can integrate with renewable energy sources and existing downstream process flows. However, the development of electrochemical extraction technologies has been impeded by the technological maturity of hydro- and pyro-metallurgy, as well as the electrical insulating properties of many metal oxide ores. The fabrication and use of carbon/insulating material composite electrodes has been a longstanding method to enable electrochemical activation.