A Critical Appraisal of the Application of Frailty and Sarcopenia in the Spinal Oncology Population.

Study Design: Systematic review and clinimetric analysis.

Objectives: Frailty and sarcopenia predict worse surgical outcomes among spinal degenerative and deformity-related populations; this association is less clear in the context of spinal oncology. Here, we sought to identify frailty and sarcopenia tools applied in spinal oncology and appraise their clinimetric properties.

405 nm violet-blue light inactivates hepatitis C cell culture virus (HCVcc) in ex vivo human platelet concentrates and plasma.

Added safety measures coupled with the development and use of pathogen reduction technologies (PRT) significantly reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) from blood products. Current approved PRTs utilize chemical and/or UV-light based inactivation methods. While the effectiveness of these PRTs in reducing pathogens are well documented, these can cause tolerable yet unintended consequences on the quality and efficacy of the transfusion products.

Synthesis of Palladium Nanoparticles by Electrode-Respiring Biofilms.

Electroactive microorganisms such as can couple organic electron donor oxidation to the respiration of electrode surfaces, colonizing them in the process. These microbes can also reduce soluble metal ions, such as soluble Pd, resulting in metallic nanoparticle (NP) synthesis. Such NPs are valuable catalysts for industrially relevant chemical production; however, their chemical and solid-state syntheses are often energy-intensive and result in hazardous byproducts.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Is an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has adverse effects in cardiovascular diseases, independent of BMI. Estrogen levels may affect EAT accumulation. Little is known about the predictors and potential impact of EAT in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).