Publications by authors named "Mark Phillips"

Gas-phase oxidation in a laser-produced plasma is significantly influenced by the availability of oxygen in and around the plume. In this study, we investigate the role of target-derived and ambient oxygen on AlO formation in plasmas generated from aluminum (Al) and AlO targets in air and argon, respectively. Our results highlight that gas-phase oxidation occurs early during the evolution of AlO plasmas in argon, in contrast to Al plasmas in air, where the initial exclusion of oxygen from the plume delays the chemical reactions.

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Chronic inflammation contributes to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV (PLWH). The immune mechanisms driving atherosclerosis progression in PLWH remain unclear. This study conducted comprehensive assessments of medium-sized coronary arteries and aorta from deceased PLWH and controls without HIV using DNA/RNA assays, spatial transcriptomics, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to compare the cost-utility of three carpal tunnel release methods: open carpal tunnel release (OCTR), endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR), and carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance (CTR-US) to understand which is the most cost-effective from a societal perspective.
  • Using a decision tree model and a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), the analysis evaluated total costs and QALYs gained for each method.
  • Results showed that CTR-US was the least costly option and provided better QALY improvement compared to both OCTR and ECTR, making CTR-US the preferred treatment choice.
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  • This study conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare various surgical approaches for treating pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures, focusing on their outcomes and complications.
  • Data were collected from 26 studies involving 1461 patients, revealing that the lateral and posterior surgical approaches have a higher risk of negative events compared to closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP), and anterior and medial approaches.
  • Overall, the anterior and medial approaches provided better functional and cosmetic outcomes with fewer complications, making them superior options compared to the lateral and posterior approaches.
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Objective To compare the quality of responses from three chatbots (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and AskOE) across various orthopaedic surgery therapeutic treatment questions. Design We identified a series of treatment-related questions across a range of subspecialties in orthopaedic surgery. Questions were "identically" entered into one of three chatbots (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and AskOE) and reviewed using a standardized rubric.

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Topic: To assess the anatomic and visual effects of facedown positioning (FDP) advice in patients undergoing vitrectomy with gas tamponade for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) and to explore differential treatment effects by macular hole size and FDP duration.

Clinical Relevance: The necessity and duration of FDP for FTMH closure remain contentious, with no consensus guidelines.

Methods: Prospectively registered systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing FDP with no FDP (nFDP) across the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases and clinical trial registries from January 2000 to March 2023 (CRD42023395152).

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Objective: The fragility index (FI) of a meta-analysis evaluates the extent that the statistical significance can be changed by modifying the event status of individuals from included trials. Understanding the FI improves the interpretation of the results of meta-analyses and can help to inform changes to clinical practice. This review determined the fragility of ophthalmology-related meta-analyses.

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Experimental evolution studies that feature selection on life-history characters are a proven approach for studying the evolution of aging and variation in rates of senescence. Recently, the incorporation of genomic and transcriptomic approaches into this framework has led to the identification of hundreds of genes associated with different aging patterns. However, our understanding of the specific molecular mechanisms underlying these aging patterns remains limited.

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The liver, the largest internal organ and a metabolic hub, undergoes significant declines due to aging, affecting mitochondrial function and increasing the risk of systemic liver diseases. How the mitochondrial three-dimensional (3D) structure changes in the liver across aging, and the biological mechanisms regulating such changes confers remain unclear. In this study, we employed Serial Block Face-Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM) to achieve high-resolution 3D reconstructions of murine liver mitochondria to observe diverse phenotypes and structural alterations that occur with age, marked by a reduction in size and complexity.

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The kidney filters nutrient waste and bodily fluids from the bloodstream, in addition to secondary functions of metabolism and hormone secretion, requiring an astonishing amount of energy to maintain its functions. In kidney cells, mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and help maintain kidney function. Due to aging, the efficiency of kidney functions begins to decrease.

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Purpose Of Review: Over the past decade, the number of studies published using network meta-analyses (NMAs) has rapidly increased, and there have been continued advancements to further advance this analysis approach. Due to the fast moving and changing landscape in the infancy of NMA methodology, there is a lack of consistency and standardization for this approach. This article aims to summarize the crucial components of an NMA for both future readers, and for potential NMA authors.

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Dissecting the molecular basis of adaptation remains elusive despite our ability to sequence genomes and transcriptomes. At present, most genomic research on selection focusses on signatures of selective sweeps in patterns of heterozygosity. Other research has studied changes in patterns of gene expression in evolving populations but has not usually identified the genetic changes causing these shifts in expression.

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We report a case of torsional diplopia caused by presumed torsional anomalous retinal correspondence after myectomy of previously asymmetrically anteriorized inferior oblique muscles for inferior oblique overaction. Given this patient's experience, it may be prudent to operate with caution on previously anteriorized inferior oblique muscles, especially when anteriorization is performed at a very young age.

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Age-related atrophy of skeletal muscle, is characterized by loss of mass, strength, endurance, and oxidative capacity during aging. Notably, bioenergetics and protein turnover studies have shown that mitochondria mediate this decline in function. Although exercise has been the only therapy to mitigate sarcopenia, the mechanisms that govern how exercise serves to promote healthy muscle aging are unclear.

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This study, utilizing SBF-SEM, reveals structural alterations in mitochondria and myofibrils in human heart failure (HF). Mitochondria in HF show changes in structure, while myofibrils exhibit increased cross-sectional area and branching. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses indicate concomitant dysregulation in key pathways.

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Article Synopsis
  • New therapies for geographic atrophy (GA) are now available, allowing for better management in clinical settings.
  • A living systematic review found that inhibiting complement factors C3 and C5 may reduce the growth of GA over 12 and 24 months, with little difference in side effects compared to sham treatments.
  • However, these treatments do not seem to improve visual acuity significantly and may lead to more ocular adverse effects and new cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
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During aging, muscle gradually undergoes sarcopenia, the loss of function associated with loss of mass, strength, endurance, and oxidative capacity. However, the 3D structural alterations of mitochondria associated with aging in skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues are not well described. Although mitochondrial aging is associated with decreased mitochondrial capacity, the genes responsible for the morphological changes in mitochondria during aging are poorly characterized.

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Introduction: Geriatric Fracture Centers (GFCs) are dedicated treatment units where care is tailored towards elderly patients who have suffered fragility fractures. The primary objective of this economic analysis was to determine the cost-utility of GFCs compared with usual care centres.

Methods: The primary analysis was a cost-utility analysis that measured the cost per incremental quality-adjusted life-year gained from treatment of hip fracture in GFCs compared with treatment in usual care centres from the societal perspective over a 1-year time horizon.

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The role of ambient oxygen gas (O2) on molecular and nanoparticle formation and agglomeration was studied in laser ablation plumes. As a lab-scale surrogate to a high explosion detonation event, nanosecond laser ablation of an aluminum alloy (AA6061) target was performed in atmospheric pressure conditions. Optical emission spectroscopy and two mass spectrometry techniques were used to monitor the early to late stages of plasma generation to track the evolution of atoms, molecules, clusters, nanoparticles, and agglomerates.

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Introduction: Hyaluronic acid (HA) use to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been extensively investigated in the literature. There are also multiple economic assessments comparing intra-articular HAs with oral anti-inflammatory medicines and other conservative measures (NSAIDs), as well as different types and formulations of HA. Owing to the broad landscape of evidence across this area, it is important to further understand the empirical data comparing HA products, as well as the health economic implications that exist between commercially available HAs.

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