Antibiotic-Induced Immunosuppression-A Focus on Cellular Immunity.

Antibiotics are the fundamental treatment for bacterial infections. However, they are associated with numerous side effects. Their adverse effects on the immune system are increasingly recognised, with several mechanisms identified.

Complementary, integrative, and standard rehabilitative therapies in a military population with chronic predominantly musculoskeletal pain: a pragmatic clinical trial with SMART design.

There is growing acceptance for combining complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies with standard rehabilitative care (SRC) for chronic pain management, yet little evidence on the best sequence of therapies. We investigated whether starting with CIH therapies or SRC is more effective in reducing pain impact. Participants were 280 service members with predominantly (88%) musculoskeletal chronic pain referred to an interdisciplinary pain management center who were randomized to a twice weekly program of either CIH therapies (n = 140) or SRC (n = 140) for the 3-week first stage of treatment.

Nonlinear Stress-Induced Transformations in Collagen Fibrillar Organization, Disorder and Strain Mechanisms in the Bone-Cartilage Unit.

By developing a 3D X-ray modeling and spatially correlative imaging method for fibrous collagenous tissues, this study provides a comprehensive mapping of nanoscale deformation in the collagen fibril network across the intact bone-cartilage unit (BCU), whose healthy functioning is critical for joint function and preventing degeneration. Extracting the 3D fibril structure from 2D small-angle X-ray scattering before and during physiological compression reveals of dominant deformation modes, including crystallinity transitions, lateral fibril compression, and reorientation, which vary in a coupled, nonlinear, and correlated manner across the cartilage-bone interface. A distinct intermolecular arrangement of collagen molecules, and enhanced molecular-level disorder, is found in the cartilage (sliding) surface region.

Fatigue and Sleep-related Impairment as Predictors of the Effect of Nonpharmacological Therapies for Active duty Service Members With Chronic Pain: A Secondary Analysis of a Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: First-line treatments for chronic pain include selected complementary and integrative health therapies, including spinal manipulation, acupuncture, yoga, and massage; and standard rehabilitative care, including physical and occupational therapies. This study aimed to uncover critical factors that contribute to pain impact and the effectiveness of complementary and integrative health therapies and standard rehabilitative care among people with chronic pain, with a focus on the role of sleep-related impairment.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a pragmatic randomized clinical trial of 280 U.

Peak Lower-Extremity Power Unadjusted for Body Mass Predicts Fastball Velocity in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers.

King, BW, Snow, TK, and Millard-Stafford, M. Peak lower-extremity power unadjusted for body mass predicts fastball velocity in collegiate baseball pitchers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The relationship between lower-extremity power production and fastball velocity in collegiate pitchers remains unclear.

Swirls and scoops: Ice base melt revealed by multibeam imagery of an Antarctic ice shelf.

Knowledge gaps about how the ocean melts Antarctica's ice shelves, borne from a lack of observations, lead to large uncertainties in sea level predictions. Using high-resolution maps of the underside of Dotson Ice Shelf, West Antarctica, we reveal the imprint that ice shelf basal melting leaves on the ice. Convection and intermittent warm water intrusions form widespread terraced features through slow melting in quiescent areas, while shear-driven turbulence rapidly melts smooth, eroded topographies in outflow areas, as well as enigmatic teardrop-shaped indentations that result from boundary-layer flow rotation.

Dementia Ideal Care: Ecosystem Map of Best Practices and Care Pathways Enhanced by Technology and Community.

Background: Globally, much work has been done by nonprofit, private, and academic groups to develop best practices for the care of people living with dementia (PLWD), including Alzheimer's disease. However, these best practices reside in disparate repositories and tend to focus on one phase of the patient journey or one relevant group.

Objective: To fill this gap, we developed a Dementia Ideal Care Map that everyone in the dementia ecosystem can use as an actionable tool for awareness, policy development, funding, research, training, service delivery, and technology design.

Early dynamic changes to monocytes following major surgery are associated with subsequent infections.

Background: Post-operative infections are a common cause of morbidity following major surgery. Little is understood about how major surgery perturbs immune function leading to heightened risk of subsequent infection. Through analysis of paired blood samples obtained immediately before and 24 h following surgery, we evaluated changes in circulating immune cell phenotype and function across the first 24 h, to identify early immune changes associated with subsequent infection.

TAVAC: comprehensive review of currently available hemostatic products as adjunct to surgical hemostasis.

Background: The use of hemostatic agents by general surgeons during abdominal operations is commonplace as an adjunctive measure to minimize risks of postoperative bleeding and its downstream complications. Proper selection of products can be hampered by marginal understanding of their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. While a variety of hemostatic agents are currently available on the market, the choice of those products is often confusing for surgeons.

Ultra-low oxygen, liquid sample cell for in situ synchrotron-based small-wide angle scattering (SAXS-WAXS).

Here, we report the design and successful implementation of an ultra-low oxygen sample cell for use on the SAXS-WAXS (small-wide angle x-ray scattering) beamline I22 at DIAMOND. The rigorous exclusion of oxygen is found to require double jacketing with purge gas throughout the entire system, pipework, pumps, and the sample cell itself. This particularly includes a "double-window" arrangement at the sample location to accommodate the very tight geometrical restrictions of the sample position.

Predictors of Sustained Response to Functional Restoration in a Military Population.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine if improvement in pain impact and functional performance following a functional restoration (FR) program was sustained up to 6 months posttreatment and to identify predictors of sustained improvement.

Materials And Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected during randomized clinical trial. Study population included 108 US active duty service members who completed an FR program, as well as 3- and/or 6-month follow-up assessments.

Effect of in vitro ribosylation on the dynamic fracture behavior of mature bovine cortical bone.

In this study, the fracture behavior of ribosylated bovine cortical bone is investigated under loading conditions simulating a fall event. Single edge notched specimens, separated into a control group (n = 11) and a ribosylated group (n = 8), were extracted from the mid-diaphysis of a single bovine femur harvested from a mature cow. A seven-day ribosylation process results in the accumulation of Advanced-Glycation End Products (AGEs) cross-links and AGE adducts.

Surface forces and friction between Langmuir-Blodgett polymer layers in a nonpolar solvent.

Optimization of boundary lubrication by tuning the confined molecular structures formed by surface-active additives such as surfactants and polymers is of key importance to improving energy efficiency in mechanical processes. Here, using the surface forces apparatus (SFA), we have directly measured the normal and shear forces between surface layers of a functionalised olefin copolymer (FOCP) in n-dodecane, deposited onto mica using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The FOCP has an olefin backbone decorated with a statistical distribution of polar-aromatic groups, with a structure that we term as "centipede".

Effect of dexamethasone dose on outcomes in acute COVID-19 disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The impact of different doses of dexamethasone on outcomes from acute COVID-19 pneumonia is unknown.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised control trials comparing different doses of dexamethasone in adult patients with COVID-19. High dose dexamethasone treatment was defined as 12-24 mg daily, whereas low-dose treatment was 6-8 mg daily.

Transcutaneous auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Median Nerve Stimulation reduce acute stress in young healthy adults: a single-blind sham-controlled crossover study.

Stress is a major determinant of health and wellbeing. Conventional stress management approaches do not account for the daily-living acute changes in stress that affect quality of life. The combination of physiological monitoring and non-invasive Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) represents a promising technological approach to quantify stress-induced physiological manifestations and reduce stress during everyday life.

Evaluation of cataract formation in fish exposed to environmental radiation at Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Recent studies apparently finding deleterious effects of radiation exposure on cataract formation in birds and voles living near Chernobyl represent a major challenge to current radiation protection regulations. This study conducted an integrated assessment of radiation exposure on cataractogenesis using the most advanced technologies available to assess the cataract status of lenses extracted from fish caught at both Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan. It was hypothesised that these novel data would reveal positive correlations between radiation dose and early indicators of cataract formation.

TAVAC: choledochoscopy disposable scopes, and the single-stage vs. two-stage approach to choledocholithiasis.

Background: Previous studies have been published evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of clearing the common bile duct of stones using a single-stage approach (LCBDE + LC) versus a two-stage approach (ERCP followed by LC). These studies have demonstrated that a single-stage approach offers similar outcomes and morbidities as a two-stage approach, with the added benefit of a lower cost and shorter length of stays. However, it is significant we understand why LCBDE is not commonly performed currently and also the lapse in surgical trainee exposure and competence in LCBDE.

Respiratory fluoroquinolone monotherapy vs. β-lactam plus macrolide combination therapy for hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Guidelines recommend respiratory fluoroquinolone monotherapy or β-lactam plus macrolide combination therapy as first-line options for hospitalized adults with mild-to-moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Efficacy of these regimens has not been adequately evaluated.

Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing respiratory fluoroquinolone monotherapy and β-lactam plus macrolide combination therapy in hospitalised adults with CAP was performed.

Flotation-Based T Cell Isolation, Activation, and Expansion from Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Samples Using Microbubbles.

The process of isolating T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to establish ex vivo cultures is crucial for research, clinical testing, and cell-based therapies. In this study, a simple, novel protocol to isolate, activate, and expand T cells from PBMCs ex vivo is presented. This study utilizes functionalized buoyancy-activated cell sorting (BACS) technology to isolate and activate T cells.

Ocean variability beneath Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf driven by the Pine Island Bay Gyre strength.

West Antarctic ice-shelf thinning is primarily caused by ocean-driven basal melting. Here we assess ocean variability below Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS) and reveal the importance of local ocean circulation and sea-ice. Measurements obtained from two sub-ice-shelf moorings, spanning January 2020 to March 2021, show warming of the ice-shelf cavity and an increase in meltwater fraction of the upper sub-ice layer.

Use of a treadmill, lift, and carry battery as a composite functional performance test: analysis of data from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in a military population participating in a functional restoration program.

Background: The treadmill, lift, and carry (TLC) battery is a composite functional performance test created to measure the effectiveness of a functional restoration (FR) program in a military population.

Purpose: To determine the validity, reliability, and minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) of the individual tests and the composite TLC battery.

Methods: We assessed the validity by mean differences, effect sizes, and standardized response means pre- and post-FR; and by correlations between the TLC battery and other established measures.

Prognostic value of plasma circulating tumor DNA fraction across four common cancer types: a real-world outcomes study.

Background: Genomic analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is increasingly incorporated into the clinical management of patients with advanced cancer. Beyond tumor profiling, ctDNA analysis also can enable calculation of circulating tumor fraction (TF), which has previously been found to be prognostic. While most prognostic models in metastatic cancer are tumor type specific and require significant patient-level data, quantification of TF in ctDNA has the potential to serve as a pragmatic, tumor-agnostic prognostic tool.

Collagen pre-strain discontinuity at the bone-Cartilage interface.

The bone-cartilage unit (BCU) is a universal feature in diarthrodial joints, which is mechanically-graded and subjected to shear and compressive strains. Changes in the BCU have been linked to osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Here we report existence of a physiological internal strain gradient (pre-strain) across the BCU at the ultrastructural scale of the extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents, specifically the collagen fibril.