Camelina circRNA landscape: Implications for gene regulation and fatty acid metabolism.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closed-loop RNAs forming a covalent bond between their 3' and 5' ends, the back splice junction (BSJ), rendering them resistant to exonucleases and thus more stable compared to linear RNAs. Identification of circRNAs and distinction from their cognate linear RNA is only possible by sequencing the BSJ that is unique to the circRNA. CircRNAs are involved in the regulation of their cognate RNAs by increasing transcription rates, RNA stability, and alternative splicing.

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Mobile Vaping Cessation Program in Adults Who Vape Daily: Cohort Study.

Background: In the United States, e-cigarettes, or vapes, are the second most commonly used tobacco product. Despite abundant smartphone app-based cigarette cessation programs, there are few such programs for vaping and even fewer supporting data.

Objective: This exploratory, prospective, single-arm, remote cohort study of the Pivot vaping cessation program assessed enrollment and questionnaire completion rates, participant engagement and retention, changes in attitudes toward quitting vaping, changes in vaping behavior, and participant feedback.

Long- and short-read sequencing methods discover distinct circular RNA pools in Lotus japonicus.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed single-stranded RNAs, generated through a back-splicing process that links a downstream 5' site to an upstream 3' end. The only distinction in the sequence between circRNA and their linear cognate RNA is the back splice junction. Their low abundance and sequence similarity with their linear origin RNA have made the discovery and identification of circRNA challenging.

Advancing Intact Protein Quantitation with Updated Deconvolution Routines.

Analysis of intact proteins by mass spectrometry enables direct quantitation of the specific proteoforms present in a sample and is an increasingly important tool for biopharmaceutical and academic research. Interpreting and quantifying intact protein species from mass spectra typically involves many challenges including mass deconvolution and peak processing as well as determining optimal spectral averaging parameters and matching masses to theoretical proteoforms. Each of these steps can present informatic hurdles, as parameters often need to be tailored specifically to the data sets.

Long-Term Outcomes of a Comprehensive Mobile Smoking Cessation Program With Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Adult Smokers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Increased smartphone ownership has led to the development of mobile smoking cessation programs. Although the related body of evidence, gathered through the conduct of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), has grown in quality and rigor, there is a need for longer-term data to assess associated smoking cessation durability.

Objective: The primary aim was to compare smoking cessation outcomes at 52 weeks in adult smokers randomized to a mobile smoking cessation program, Pivot (intervention), versus QuitGuide (control).

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Mobile Smoking Cessation Program With Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Adult Smokers: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death, underscoring ongoing need for evidence-based solutions. Pivot, a US Clinical Practice Guideline-based mobile smoking cessation program, comprises a personal carbon monoxide breath sensor; a smartphone app; in-app, text-based human-provided coaching; nicotine replacement therapy; and a moderated web-based community. Promising Pivot cohort studies have established the foundation for comparative assessment.

Durability of Abstinence After Completing a Comprehensive Digital Smoking Cessation Program Incorporating a Mobile App, Breath Sensor, and Coaching: Cohort Study.

Background: Despite decreasing prevalence over the last several decades, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, underscoring the need for innovative, effective solutions. Pivot is a novel, inclusive smoking cessation program designed for smokers along the entire spectrum of readiness to quit. Pivot leverages proven methods and technological advancements, including a personal portable breath carbon monoxide sensor, smartphone app, and in-app text-based coaching.

Assessment of a Personal Interactive Carbon Monoxide Breath Sensor in People Who Smoke Cigarettes: Single-Arm Cohort Study.

Background: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Existing evidence-based treatments are underutilized and have seen little recent innovation. The success of personal biofeedback interventions in other disease states portends a similar opportunity in smoking cessation.

Initial Assessment of a Comprehensive Digital Smoking Cessation Program That Incorporates a Mobile App, Breath Sensor, and Coaching: Cohort Study.

Background: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, excess health care expenditure, and lost work productivity. Otherwise effective evidence-based treatments have had limited success owing to challenges with access, engagement, and scale. Pivot is a comprehensive digital smoking cessation program that incorporates a Food and Drug Administration-cleared carbon monoxide breath sensor, smartphone app, and text-based human coaching.

A Comprehensive Digital Program for Smoking Cessation: Assessing Feasibility in a Single-Group Cohort Study.

Background: Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide. Evidence-based approaches are available, but few people access them. Although digital solutions offer great promise for population reach, few multicomponent programs exist.

Outcomes of hyoid suspension for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of hyoid myotomy and suspension as a treatment of hypopharyngeal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Complete ablation of esophageal epithelium with a balloon-based bipolar electrode: a phased evaluation in the porcine and in the human esophagus.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic and the histologic effects of a balloon-based bipolar radiofrequency electrode for ablation of porcine and human esophageal epithelium.

Methods: All procedures were performed with a balloon-based, bipolar radiofrequency system that creates a circumferential, thin-layer epithelial ablation zone within the esophagus. In Phase I, multiple ablations were created in 10 farm swine, followed by acute euthanasia and histologic assessment for completeness of epithelial removal and ablation depth.

The Stretta procedure: device, technique, and pre-clinical study data.

The initial concept of delivering RF energy to the gastroesophageal junction for the treatment of GERD was based on the well-established safety profile and scientific clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of this technology in other disease states. As described in this article, the Stretta procedure is an endoluminal procedure inducing collagen tissue contraction, remodeling, and modulation of the triggering threshold for transient LES relaxations. The preclinical experience with this device included feasibility studies to determine optimal treatment parameters and device design.

Delivery of radiofrequency energy to the lower oesophageal sphincter and gastric cardia inhibits transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations and gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease.

Background And Aims: Radiofrequency energy (RFe) treatment to the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and gastric cardia is a new luminally delivered therapy proposed as an alternative treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, it is unclear how RFe achieves its antireflux effect. This study investigated the effects of RFe on mechanisms of spontaneous reflux in patients with GORD.

Radiofrequency energy delivery to the gastric cardia inhibits triggering of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and gastroesophageal reflux in dogs.

Background: Delivery of radiofrequency energy to the lower esophageal sphincter and gastric cardia is a new endoluminal technique proposed for the treatment of reflux disease. The mechanisms by which it achieves its effects are unclear. The study assessed the effect of radiofrequency energy delivery to the gastric cardia on the triggering of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and gastroesophageal reflux in dogs.

Radio-frequency energy delivery to the anal canal for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Purpose: In this prospective study we investigated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of radio-frequency energy delivery deep to the mucosa of the anal canal for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Methods: We studied ten patients with fecal incontinence of varying causes. All patients underwent anoscopy, anorectal manometry, endorectal ultrasound, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing at baseline and six months.

The Stretta procedure for the treatment of GERD: 6 and 12 month follow-up of the U.S. open label trial.

Background: This multicenter prospective study investigated the longer-term (12 month) safety and efficacy of radiofrequency energy delivery for the treatment of GERD.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted of 118 patients with chronic heartburn and/or regurgitation who required antisecretory medication daily and had demonstrated pathologic esophageal acid exposure, a sliding hiatal hernia ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy delivery for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the Stretta procedure.

Background: The delivery of temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy has been utilized effectively for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, sleep-disordered breathing, joint laxity, tumors, and cardiac dysrhythmias. The mechanism of action of RF delivery, depending on the specific disease pathophysiology, is related to wound contraction/remodeling or nerve pathway ablation. More recently, temperature-controlled RF energy delivery has been applied for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The temporalis muscle flap for reconstruction after head and neck oncologic surgery.

Objective: To explain the applications, technique, and potential complications of the temporalis muscle flap used for immediate or delayed reconstruction of head and neck oncologic defects.

Study Design: Fresh cadaver dissection and 5-year retrospective chart review.

Methods: A fresh cadaver dissection was performed to illustrate the surgical anatomy of the temporalis muscle flap with attention to specific techniques useful in avoiding donor site morbidity (facial nerve injury and temporal hollowing).

Radiofrequency energy delivery to the gastroesophageal junction for the treatment of GERD.

Background: In this multi-center study, the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery to the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were investigated.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with classic symptoms of GERD (heartburn and/or regurgitation), a daily anti-secretory medication requirement, and at least partial symptom response to drugs were enrolled. All patients had pathologic esophageal acid exposure by 24-hour pH study, a 2 cm or smaller hiatal hernia, grade 2 or less esophagitis, and no significant dysmotility or dysphagia.

In vivo model of histologic changes after treatment with the superpulsed CO(2) laser, erbium:YAG laser, and blended lasers: a 4- to 6-month prospective histologic and clinical study.

Background And Objective: To compare the in vivo histologic effects of the pulsed carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and erbium:ytrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) lasers and to assess the effects of combining CO(2) and Er:YAG laser modalities during a single treatment session. We previously reported 10 patients treated with four laser regimens: CO(2) alone, CO(2)/Er:YAG, Er:YAG alone, Er:YAG/CO(2) with time points at 1 hour and 7 days between laser treatment and histologic analysis. This study found that the optimal treatment consisted of limited CO(2) laser passes followed by Er:YAG.

The validity of ex vivo laser skin treatment for histological analysis. A prospective controlled study.

Background: Laser treatment of skin following removal from human subjects has been the staple of laser research. However, no study has been done to assess the efficacy of ex vivo skin for predicting the behavior of laser treatments in living human tissue.

Objective: To assess the validity of the ex vivo model by comparing histological characteristics of skin treated with laser prior to and following its removal in rhytidectomy.

Radiofrequency ablation of the nerve to the corrugator muscle for elimination of glabellar furrowing.

Glabellar furrows are caused by hyperdynamic activity of the corrugator supercilii muscles. A minimally invasive, percutaneous technique for eliminating glabellar furrows is described. An insulated, bipolar needle is inserted vertically through the eyebrow skin to entrap the corrugator nerve plexus.

Augmentation of lower esophageal sphincter pressure and gastric yield pressure after radiofrequency energy delivery to the gastroesophageal junction: a porcine model.

Background: An endoscopic technique that eliminates gastroesophageal reflux disease would be of benefit to patients. The endoscopic delivery of radiofrequency energy to the porcine gastroesophageal junction was investigated and its effect on lower esophageal sphincter pressure, gastric yield pressure, and histology was assessed.

Methods: Twenty pigs underwent esophageal manometry and endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin (100 units) into the lower esophageal sphincter.

Radiofrequency energy tissue ablation for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to turbinate hypertrophy.

Objective/hypothesis: We hypothesized that the success rate of radiofrequency energy (RFe) tissue ablation of the inferior turbinate for nasal obstruction achieved by previous investigators would be improved by using a longer needle electrode and creating two lesions per turbinate.

Methods: Ten patients with nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively enrolled. A 40-mm needle delivered RFe to two sites in each inferior turbinate.