Exposure to Airborne Particulate Matter and Undernutrition in Young Rats: An In-Depth Histopathological and Biochemical Study on Lung and Excretory Organs.

Environmental stressors, such as air particulate matter (PM) and nutrient deficiencies, can significantly impact crucial organs involved in detoxifying xenobiotics, including lungs, liver, and kidneys, especially in vulnerable populations like children. This study investigated the effect of 4-week exposure to Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA) on these organs in young rats under growth-restricted nutrition (NGR). We assessed histological, histomorphometric and biochemical parameters.

Suitability of the OMOP Common Data Model for Mapping Datasets of Medical Research Studies Using the Example of a Multicenter Registry.

Common Data Models (CDM) are developed to solve integration problems that arise in the secondary use of health data. The OMOP CDM is such a model that is mainly used for healthcare data, so this paper examines whether it is also suitable for mapping research data. An exemplary research dataset is mapped to the model and the model is tested for suitability.

Tibial Baseplate Microstructure Governs High Cycle Fatigue Fracture In Vivo.

Previous studies report rare occurrences of tibial baseplate fractures following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, at a microstructural scale, it remains unclear how fatigue models developed in vitro apply to fractures in vivo. In this study, we asked: (1) do any clinical factors differentiate fracture patients from a broader revision sample; and (2) in vivo, how does microstructure influence fatigue crack propagation? We identified three fractured tibial baseplates from an institutional review board exempt implant retrieval program.

Wear, Material Transfer, and Electrocautery Damage Are Ubiquitous on CoCrMo Femoral Knee Retrievals.

Despite high total knee arthroplasty (TKA) survivorship after 10 years (92%-99%), a gap persists where patient satisfaction lags clinical success. Additionally, while cobalt chrome molybdenum (CoCrMo) use decreases in primary total hip arthroplasty, the alloy continues to be widely used in TKA femoral components. In vivo, CoCrMo degradation may be associated with adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) and compared with the hip, the damage mechanisms that may release metal in the knee and the potential biological effects remain poorly understood.

Congenital Abnormalities of Kidneys and Urinary Tract: A Top--Down Review of the Embryology and Imaging Appearance.

Congenital abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) encompass a spectrum of pathology ranging in severity from incidental findings to marked deviations of anatomic form and function. The imaging appearance of CAKUT generally reflects a deviation from normal embryologic development. Common and uncommon congenital abnormalities of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra are reviewed with an emphasis on the imaging appearance and embryologic origin so that they may be promptly identified and treated when encountered in clinical practice.

The Effects of Cognitive Remediation on Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Illness: A Meta-analytic Investigation of Efficacy.

Background And Hypothesis: The number of clinical efficacy trials of Cognitive Remediation (CR), a behavioral intervention consisting of cognitive task practice and/or strategy training to improve cognitive skills in schizophrenia, has increased substantially over the past 25 years. While recent reviews have highlighted the effects of CR on cognition and function, CR effects on negative symptoms remain understudied. Given the overlap between negative symptoms and cognition, CR effects might be expected.

Cognitive training for schizophrenia: Do race and ethnicity matter?

Racial disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and outcome have been well-established for people with schizophrenia. While cognitive remediation treatments have been shown to produce mild to moderate improvements in cognition for people with schizophrenia, few studies have examined racial/ethnic differences in treatment response. This study employed a secondary analysis of data from two randomized, single-blind controlled trials (N = 119) investigating the efficacy of two forms of cognitive training, to explore potential racial/ethnic differences in targeted outcomes.

Reactive oxygen species, electrode potential and pH affect CoCrMo alloy corrosion and semiconducting behavior in simulated inflammatory environments.

Crevice corrosion in modular taper junctions of hip or knee replacements using cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys remains a clinical concern. Non-mechanically-driven corrosion has been less explored compared to mechanically assisted crevice corrosion. This study hypothesized that solution chemistry within crevices, inflammation, and cathodic electrode potential shifts during fretting result in low pH and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), affecting oxide film behavior.

Titanium-Titanium Junctions in the Knee Corrode, Generating Damage Similar to the Hip.

Background: Previous studies identified corrosion between the modular tibial components of total knee arthroplasty devices. However, gaps persist. Compared to the hip, damage modes that occur within taper junctions in the knee remain poorly understood.

Chronic exposure to TiO micro- and nano particles: A biochemical and histopathological experimental study.

The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of long-term exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO) micro- (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) (six and 12 months) on the biochemical and histopathological response of target organs using a murine model. Male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with a suspension of TiO NPs (5 nm; TiO-NP5 group) or MPs (45 μm; TiO-NP5 group); the control group was injected with saline solution. Six and 12 months post-injection, titanium (Ti) concentration in plasma and target organs was determined spectrometrically (ICP-MS).

Air pollution induces morpho-functional, biochemical and biomechanical vascular dysfunction in undernourished rats.

Air pollution (gases and particulate matter -PM) and child undernutrition are globally recognized stressors with significant consequences. PM and its components breach the respiratory alveolar-capillary barrier, entering the vasculature transporting not only harmful particles and its mediators but, altering vascular paracrine and autocrine functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA), on the vasculature of young animals with nutritional growth retardation (NGR).

Usefulness of serum amyloid A for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis in cats: A prospective evaluation.

Background: The diagnosis of pyelonephritis in cats is challenging and development of a noninvasive and accurate biomarker is needed.

Hypotheses: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is increased in cats with pyelonephritis, but not in cats with other urinary tract diseases.

Animals: A cohort of 125 cats (149 observations).

Description of serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration and of urinary SDS-AGE pattern in dogs with ACTH dependent hyperadrenocorticism.

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and patterns of urinary protein separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE) have not been investigated as biomarkers in dogs with ACTH-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADHAC). This exploratory prospective study aimed to evaluate SDMA, serum creatinine (sCR), and SDS-AGE in dogs with ADHAC with and without proteinuria (ADHAC-P and ADHAC-nP, respectively). Thirty-five pet dogs classified as ADHAC-P (n=16), ADHAC-nP (n=6) and healthy (n=13) were included.

Do metacognitive therapies for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders work? A meta-analytic investigation.

Recent reviews and meta-analyses of metacognitive therapy for schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD) have included uncontrolled studies, single-session interventions, and/or analyses limited to a single form of metacognitive therapy. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of metacognitive therapies more broadly based on controlled trials (CT) of sustained treatments. We conducted a pre-registered meta-analysis of controlled trials that investigated the effects of meta-cognitive therapies on primary positive symptom outcomes, and secondary symptom, function and/or insight measures.

Increasing temperature accelerates Ti-6Al-4V oxide degradation and selective dissolution: An Arrhenius-based analysis.

Ti-6Al-4V selective dissolution occurs in vivo on orthopedic implants as the leading edge of a pitting corrosion attack. A gap persists in our fundamental understanding of selective dissolution and pre-clinical tests fail to reproduce this damage. While CoCrMo clinical use decreases, Ti-6Al-4V and the crevice geometries where corrosion can occur remain ubiquitous in implant design.

Decreased immune response in undernourished rats after air pollution exposure.

Children are highly vulnerable subpopulation to malnutrition and air pollution. We investigate, in a rat nutritional growth retardation (NGR) model, the impact of Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA) on the lung immune response using in vitro and ex vivo methods. In vitro: Alveolar macrophages (AM) were isolated from Control (C) and NGR animals, cultured and treated with ROFA (1-100 µg/ml) for 24 h.

Fretting and Fretting Corrosion Behavior of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-Nb-Zr Alloys in Air and Physiological Solutions.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of orthopedic implants has increased in recent years, providing benefits to surgeons, patients, and implant companies. Both traditional and new titanium alloys are under consideration for AM-manufactured implants. However, concerns remain about their wear and corrosion (tribocorrosion) performance.

Urology Mythbusters: Does prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux in children vary by race?

In this edition of Mythbusters, we examine the premise that prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children varies by race. Specifically, we consider whether there is evidence supporting the contention that VUR is more common in White children and less common in Black children. Statements regarding the lower prevalence of VUR in Black children are ubiquitous in both research papers and reviews.

Clinical Outcomes Associated with Amoxicillin Treatment for Acute Otitis Media in Children.

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common reason children are prescribed antibiotics. Bacteria that produce beta-lactamase are an increasingly frequent cause of AOM and may be resistant to amoxicillin, the currently recommended treatment for AOM. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of children treated with amoxicillin for AOM and assessed whether outcomes vary by infecting pathogen or beta-lactamase production.

Oxide degradation precedes additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V selective dissolution: An unsupervised machine learning correlation of impedance and dissolution compared to Ti-29Nb-21Zr.

Additively manufactured (AM) Ti-6Al-4V devices are implanted with increasing frequency. While registry data report short-term success, a gap persists in our understanding of long-term AM Ti-6Al-4V corrosion behavior. Retrieval studies document β phase selective dissolution on conventionally manufactured Ti-6Al-4V devices.