Predicting individual outcomes after radical cystectomy in urothelial variants with Cancer of the Bladder Risk Assessment (COBRA) score.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Cancer of the Bladder Risk Assessment (COBRA) score in patients with urothelial variants. METHODS: Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and anatomopathological data were collected from patients with urothelial carcinoma who underwent radical cystectomy at the Institute of Cancer of São Paulo between May 2008 and December 2022. Patients with the presence of at least 10% of any urothelial variants in the radical cystectomy specimens' anatomopathological exam were included in the study. The COBRA score and derivatives were applied and correlated with oncological outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 680 patients [482 men (70.9%) and 198 women (29.1%)]; 66 years (IQR 59-73) underwent radical cystectomy for bladder tumor, and of these patients, a total of 167 patients presented any type of urothelial variant. The median follow-up time was 28.77 months (IQR 12-85). The three most prevalent UV were squamous differentiation (50.8%), glandular differentiation (31.3%), and micropapillary differentiation (11.3%). The subtypes with the worst prognosis were sarcomatoid with a median survival of 8 months (HR 1.161; 95% CI 0.555-2.432) and plasmacytoid with 14 months (HR 1.466; 95% CI 0.528-4.070). The COBRA score for patients with micropapillary variants demonstrated good predictive accuracy for OS (log-rank P = 0.009; 95% IC 6.78-29.21) and CSS (log-rank P = 0.002; 95% IC 13.06-26.93). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the COBRA score proved an effective risk stratification tool for urothelial histological variants, especially for the micropapillary urothelial variant. It may be helpful in the prognosis evaluation of UV patients after radical cystectomy.

The effect of landing zone toricity on scleral lens fitting characteristics and optics.

PURPOSE: The fit and optical performance of a scleral lens is affected by the alignment of the landing zone with the underlying ocular surface. The aim of this research was to quantify the effect of landing zone toricity upon scleral lens fitting characteristics (rotation and decentration) and optics (lens flexure) during short-term wear. METHODS: Scleral lenses with nominal landing zone toricities of 0, 100, 150 and 200 µm were worn in a randomised order by 10 young healthy participants (mean [SD] 24 [7] years) for 30 min, with other lens parameters held constant. Scleral toricity was quantified using a corneo-scleral profilometer, and lens flexure, rotation, and decentration were quantified using over-topography during lens wear. Repeated measures analyses were conducted as a function of landing zone toricity and residual scleral toricity (the difference between scleral and lens toricity) for eyes with 'low' magnitude scleral toricity (mean: 96 µm) and 'high' magnitude scleral toricity (mean: 319 µm). RESULTS: Toric landing zones significantly reduced lens flexure (by 0.37 [0.21] D, p < 0.05) and lens rotation (by 20 [24]°, p < 0.05) compared with a spherical landing zone. Horizontal and vertical lens decentration did not vary significantly with landing zone toricity. These trends for flexure, rotation, and decentration were also observed for eyes with 'low' and 'high' magnitude scleral toricity as a function of residual scleral toricity. CONCLUSION: Landing zones with 100-200 µm toricity significantly reduced lens flexure (by ~62%) and rotation (by ~77%) but not horizontal or vertical lens decentration, compared with a spherical landing zone, when controlling for other confounding variables. The incorporation of a toric landing zone, even for eyes with lower magnitude scleral toricity (~100 µm), may be beneficial, particularly for front surface optical designs.

Effect of finish line location and saliva contamination on the accuracy of crown finish line scanning.

PURPOSE: Intraoral scanners are used widely as an alternative to conventional impressions, but studies on the influence of finish line location and saliva contamination on scanning trueness are lacking. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of finish line location and saliva contamination on the scanning trueness of crown finish lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three ivorine teeth were prepared for all-ceramic crowns with finish lines placed equigingivally, 0.5 mm subgingivally, and 1.0 mm subgingivally. A single-cord technique was used for gingival retraction, and a total of 180 intraoral scans were made using two intraoral scanners (Emerald; Planmeca USA Inc., Hoffman Estates, IL, USA & Trios 3; 3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). The prepared teeth were separated from the dentoform and scanned using the same intraoral scanners to create reference scans. All scans were imported to the design software (Dental System 2019; 3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). After marking the finish lines of prepared teeth, intraoral scans were aligned to the reference scans for comparisons. Vertical and horizontal marginal discrepancies were measured at four different measuring points (buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal) and analyzed. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The average vertical and horizontal discrepancies from various groups ranged from -33 to 440 µm. For both intraoral scanners, subgingival finish line groups showed greater vertical and horizontal discrepancies compared with equigingival finish line groups. Saliva contamination significantly increased both vertical and horizontal discrepancies for all finish line locations. The discrepancy increases due to saliva contamination were greater for the subgingival groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subgingival finish lines were not accurately captured using the intraoral scanners. The presence of saliva significantly reduced scanning trueness, and this was amplified when the finish lines were located subgingivally.

Patient-to-nurse ratios: Balancing quality, nurse turnover, and cost.

We consider the problem of setting appropriate patient-to-nurse ratios in a hospital, an issue that is both complex and widely debated. There has been only limited effort to take advantage of the extensive empirical results from the medical literature to help construct analytical decision models for developing upper limits on patient-to-nurse ratios that are more patient- and nurse-oriented. For example, empirical studies have shown that each additional patient assigned per nurse in a hospital is associated with increases in mortality rates, length-of-stay, and nurse burnout. Failure to consider these effects leads to disregarded potential cost savings resulting from providing higher quality of care and fewer nurse turnovers. Thus, we present a nurse staffing model that incorporates patient length-of-stay, nurse turnover, and costs related to patient-to-nurse ratios. We present results based on data collected from three participating hospitals, the American Hospital Association (AHA), and the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). By incorporating patient and nurse outcomes, we show that lower patient-to-nurse ratios can potentially provide hospitals with financial benefits in addition to improving the quality of care. Furthermore, our results show that higher policy patient-to-nurse ratio upper limits may not be as harmful in smaller hospitals, but lower policy patient-to-nurse ratios may be necessary for larger hospitals. These results suggest that a "one ratio fits all" patient-to-nurse ratio is not optimal. A preferable policy would be to allow the ratio to be hospital-dependent.

Distinctive Adsorption Mechanism and Kinetics of Immunoglobulin G on a Nanoscale Polymer Surface.

Elucidation of protein adsorption beyond simple polymer surfaces to those presenting greater chemical complexity and nanoscopic features is critical to developing well-controlled nanobiomaterials and nanobiosensors. In this study, we repeatedly and faithfully track individual proteins on the same nanodomain areas of a block copolymer (BCP) surface and monitor the adsorption and assembly behavior of a model protein, immunoglobulin G (IgG), over time into a tight surface-packed structure. With discrete protein adsorption events unambiguously visualized at the biomolecular level, the detailed assembly and packing states of IgG on the BCP nanodomain surface are subsequently correlated to various regimes of IgG adsorption kinetic plots. Intriguing features, entirely different from those observed from macroscopic homopolymer templates, are identified from the IgG adsorption isotherms on the nanoscale, chemically varying BCP surface. They include the presence of two Langmuir-like adsorption segments and a nonmonotonic regime in the adsorption plot. Via correlation to time-corresponding topographic data, the unique isotherm features are explained with single biomolecule level details of the IgG adsorption pathway on the BCP. This work not only provides much needed, direct experimental evidence for time-resolved, single protein level, adsorption events on nanoscale polymer surfaces but also signifies mutual linking between specific topographic states of protein adsorption and assembly to particular segments of adsorption isotherms. From the fundamental research viewpoint, the correlative ability to examine the nanoscopic surface organizations of individual proteins and their local as well as global adsorption kinetic profiles will be highly valuable for accurately determining protein assembly mechanisms and interpreting protein adsorption kinetics on nanoscale surfaces. Application-wise, such knowledge will also be important for fundamentally guiding the design and development of biomaterials and biomedical devices that exploit nanoscale polymer architectures.

An evaluation of the Paycheck Protection Program using administrative payroll microdata.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a principal element of the fiscal stimulus enacted by Congress in response to the COVID-19 economic shock, was intended to assist small businesses to maintain employment and wages during the crisis, as well as cover other expenses. We use high-frequency administrative payroll data from ADP-one of the world's largest payroll processing firms-to estimate the causal effect of the PPP on the evolution of employment at PPP-eligible firms relative to PPP-ineligible firms, where eligibility is determined by industry-specific firm-size cutoffs. Our estimates indicate that the PPP boosted employment at eligible firms by between 2 percent to 5 percent at its peak effect around mid-May 2020. The boost to employment waned thereafter and ranged from no effect to a 3 percent boost at the end of 2020. Our estimates imply that employers retained an additional 3.6 million jobs as of mid-May 2020, and 1.4 million jobs at the end of 2020, as a consequence of PPP. The estimated cost per year of employment retained was $ 169 , 000 to $ 258 , 000 , equal to 3.4 to 5.2 times median earnings.

A 3D-Printed Guide to Assist in Sinus Slot Preparation for the Optimization of Zygomatic Implant Axis Trajectory.

Zygomatic implants have become a predictable treatment modality for the rehabilitation of the severely atrophic maxilla. Due to differing anatomic variations, proximity to vital anatomic structures and limited intraoperative visibility, the placement of zygomatic implants can be a difficult task; compromised implant positioning may ultimately lead to postoperative surgical and prosthetic complications. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate a technique that allows for the transfer of the sinus slot position. Ultimately, this optimizes zygomatic implant axis trajectory from preoperative prosthetic planning by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3-dimensional (3D) planning software to fabricate a stereolithographic 3D-printed surgical guide.

The role of interleukin-33 in chronic rhinosinusitis.

RATIONALE: Interleukin (IL)-33, a new member of the IL-1 family, is constitutively expressed in epithelial tissues and lymphoid organs and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. However, the role of IL-33 in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of IL-33 in the pathophysiology of CRSwNP. METHODS: We investigated IL-33 expression and its cellular origins in the nasal polyps (NPs) of human subjects by immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and multiplex cytokine assays. Correlations between IL-33 expression and other inflammatory markers were also explored. To investigate the role of IL-33 in CRSwNP, anti-IL-33 antibody was used in a murine model of CRS. RESULTS: Uncinate process tissues from control (19), CRSsNP (61), CRSwNP (69) and NP tissues (71) were used in this study. Increased expression of IL-33 mRNA and protein in patients with CRSwNP compared with controls was observed. The concentration of IL-33 protein in CRSwNP was positively correlated with the number of neutrophils and the expression of several Th1 and Th17 inflammatory markers, including interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-1ß, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17A, IL-22, and various markers for neutrophil recruitment. However, protein levels of IL-5 and quantity of eosinophils were inversely correlated with levels of IL-33. The expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 was negatively correlated with IL-33 protein levels, while the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 was positively correlated with IL-33 protein levels. In animal studies, IL-33 expression was upregulated in the CRSwNP group compared with controls. Anti-IL-33 treatment reduced the thickness of oedematous mucosa, subepithelial collagen deposition, and infiltration of neutrophils, but infiltration of eosinophils was not reduced. This treatment also inhibited the expression of neutrophilic inflammatory cytokines, but not IL-4. In addition, the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular adhesion molecule 1 and CXCL-2 in the nasal mucosa was suppressed in mice treated with anti-IL-33 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a role for IL-33 in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP via neutrophil recruitment. Therefore, anti-IL-33 may provide a new treatment strategy to target infiltrating neutrophils in CRSwNP.

Ephrin-B/EphB Signaling Is Required for Normal Innervation of Lingual Gustatory Papillae.

The innervation of taste buds is an excellent model system for studying the guidance of axons during targeting because of their discrete nature and the high fidelity of innervation. The pregustatory epithelium of fungiform papillae is known to secrete diffusible axon guidance cues such as BDNF and Sema3A that attract and repel, respectively, geniculate ganglion axons during targeting, but diffusible factors alone are unlikely to explain how taste axon terminals are restricted to their territories within the taste bud. Nondiffusible cell surface proteins such as Ephs and ephrins can act as receptors and/or ligands for one another and are known to control axon terminal positioning in several parts of the nervous system, but they have not been studied in the gustatory system. We report that ephrin-B2 linked ß-galactosidase staining and immunostaining was present along the dorsal epithelium of the mouse tongue as early as embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5), but was not detected at E14.5, when axons first enter the epithelium. Ephrin-B1 immunolabeling was barely detected in the epithelium and found at a somewhat higher concentration in the mesenchyme subjacent to the epithelium. EphB1 and EphB2 were detected in lingual sensory afferents in vivo and geniculate neurites in vitro. Ephrin-B1 and ephrin-B2 were similarly effective in repelling or suppressing outgrowth by geniculate neurites in vitro. These in vitro effects were independent of the neurotrophin used to promote outgrowth, but were reduced by elevated levels of laminin. In vivo, mice null for EphB1 and EphB2 exhibited decreased gustatory innervation of fungiform papillae. These data provide evidence that ephrin-B forward signaling is necessary for normal gustatory innervation of the mammalian tongue.

Benefits of the Retrocaruncular Approach to the Medial Orbit: A Clinical And Anatomic Study.

BACKGROUND: Current trends in the management of medial orbital wall fractures are toward the development of transconjunctival incisions and the use of endoscopic-assisted methods. Different authors have suggested variations of the medial transconjunctival approach. METHODS: (1) In 30 fresh cadaver orbits, the classic transcaruncular approach was compared with the precaruncular and retrocaruncular approach under magnified dissection. (2) A retrospective analysis was conducted on a series of 20 consecutive patients that underwent primary repair of medial orbital wall fractures using a retrocaruncular approach without endoscopic assistance. Postoperative computed tomography scans were obtained for all patients and were evaluated by 3 experienced clinicians. RESULTS: (1) Anatomic dissections showed that all 3 approaches provided excellent exposure of the entire medial orbital wall. The transcaruncular and precaruncular approaches, however, (a) both resulted in exposure of the upper and lower tarsi when incisions greater than 10 mm were used; (b) both required a transition from the preseptal plane to the postseptal plane when combined with inferior fornix incisions. (2) A clinical study of 20 patients showed all reconstructions were possible without endoscopic assistance, resulting in no postoperative complications. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed anatomic orbital reconstruction in all patients judged as excellent by the clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Medial orbital wall fractures can be successfully repaired using transconjunctival incisions without using endoscopes. The retrocaruncular approach surpasses the transcaruncular and precaruncular methods due to its decreased risk of postoperative lid complications and its ability to be directly carried to the inferior conjunctival fornix.

Phosphine Gas Adsorption in a Series of Metal-Organic Frameworks.

For the first time, phosphine adsorption has been evaluated in a series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Open-metal coordination sites were found to significantly enhance the ability of MOFs to adsorb highly toxic phosphine gas, with the identity of the open-metal site also modulating the amount of gas adsorbed. The MOFs studied outperform activated carbon, a commonly used material to capture phosphine.

Self-Assembled Block Copolymers as a Facile Pathway to Create Functional Nanobiosensor and Nanobiomaterial Surfaces.

Block copolymer (BCP) surfaces permit an exquisite level of nanoscale control in biomolecular assemblies solely based on self-assembly. Owing to this, BCP-based biomolecular assembly represents a much-needed, new paradigm for creating nanobiosensors and nanobiomaterials without the need for costly and time-consuming fabrication steps. Research endeavors in the BCP nanobiotechnology field have led to stimulating results that can promote our current understanding of biomolecular interactions at a solid interface to the never-explored size regimes comparable to individual biomolecules. Encouraging research outcomes have also been reported for the stability and activity of biomolecules bound on BCP thin film surfaces. A wide range of single and multicomponent biomolecules and BCP systems has been assessed to substantiate the potential utility in practical applications as next-generation nanobiosensors, nanobiodevices, and biomaterials. To this end, this Review highlights pioneering research efforts made in the BCP nanobiotechnology area. The discussions will be focused on those works particularly pertaining to nanoscale surface assembly of functional biomolecules, biomolecular interaction properties unique to nanoscale polymer interfaces, functionality of nanoscale surface-bound biomolecules, and specific examples in biosensing. Systems involving the incorporation of biomolecules as one of the blocks in BCPs, i.e., DNA-BCP hybrids, protein-BCP conjugates, and isolated BCP micelles of bioligand carriers used in drug delivery, are outside of the scope of this Review. Looking ahead, there awaits plenty of exciting research opportunities to advance the research field of BCP nanobiotechnology by capitalizing on the fundamental groundwork laid so far for the biomolecular interactions on BCP surfaces. In order to better guide the path forward, key fundamental questions yet to be addressed by the field are identified. In addition, future research directions of BCP nanobiotechnology are contemplated in the concluding section of this Review.

Strength and Functional Outcomes Following Achilles Tendon Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: The proposed advantages of hamstring autograft reconstruction when compared to alternative procedures, such as flexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer, V-Y lengthening, and allograft reconstruction, are improved healing and reproduction of normal tendon biomechanics and reduced morbidity within the foot and ankle. In this study, we examined the effect of Achilles tendon reconstruction using hamstring autografts on strength and functional outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent Achilles repair with a hamstring autograft for insertional or midsubstance tendinopathy, delayed diagnosis of rupture, or infection after primary repair were evaluated for inclusion. Forty-six patients were identified; 12 further augmented with an FHL transfer are included in the analysis. Isokinetic testing was completed with a Biodex dynamometer under supervision of a physical therapist masked to surgical side. Pre- and postoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS, before March 2016) or Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS, after March 2016) surveys were collected. RESULTS: For knee flexion, peak torque was not significantly different when comparing operative and nonoperative sides at 180 degrees/second (45.38 Nm vs 45.96 Nm; P = .69) nor at 300 degrees/second (44.2 Nm vs 47.02 Nm; P = .069). Knee extension absolute peak torque was only found to be significantly weaker on the operative side at the faster testing (75.5 Nm vs 79.56 Nm; P < .05). Peak ankle plantarflexion torque was significantly weaker on the operative side at both the slower speed (60 degrees/second: 39.9 Nm vs 48.76 Nm; P < .005) and the faster speed (120 degrees/second: 31.3 Nm vs 40.7 Nm; P < .001). Average power for ankle plantarflexion did not differ significantly from the operative side to the nonoperative side in the slower test (26.46 W vs 27.48 W; P = .60) but did significantly differ on the faster test (32.13 W vs 37.63 W; P = .041). At an average of 19.9 months postoperation, all physical function and pain-related patient-reported outcome scores showed clinically and statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Achilles reconstruction with a hamstring autograft ± FHL transfer allowed patients with severe Achilles pathology to return to good subjective function, with modest deficits in calf strength compared with the uninjured side. Overall knee flexion strength did not appear impaired. These results suggest that hamstring autograft reconstruction is a viable method to treat these complex cases involving a lack of healthy tissue, allowing patients to return to symptom-free physical function and athletic activity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Interventions for Optimization of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in real-world practice remains suboptimal. It is unclear which interventions are most effective at addressing current barriers to GDMT in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Objective: To perform a systematic review to identify which types of system-level initiatives are most effective at improving GDMT use among patients with HFrEF. Evidence Review: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were queried from January 2010 to November 2023 for randomized clinical trials that implemented a quality improvement intervention with GDMT use as a primary or secondary outcome. References from related review articles were also included for screening. Quality of studies and bias assessment were graded based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Findings: Twenty-eight randomized clinical trials were included with an aggregate sample size of 19 840 patients. Studies were broadly categorized as interdisciplinary interventions (n = 15), clinician education (n = 5), electronic health record initiatives (n = 6), or patient education (n = 2). Overall, interdisciplinary titration clinics were associated with significant increases in the proportion of patients on target doses of GDMT with a 10% to 60% and 2% to 53% greater proportion of patients on target doses of ß-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, respectively, in intervention groups compared with usual care. Other interventions, such as audits, clinician and patient education, or electronic health record alerts, were also associated with some improvements in GDMT utilization, though these findings were inconsistent across studies. Conclusions and Relevance: This review summarizes interventions aimed at optimization of GDMT in clinical practice. Initiatives that used interdisciplinary teams, largely comprised of nurses and pharmacists, most consistently led to improvements in GDMT. Additional large, randomized studies are necessary to better understand other types of interventions, as well as their long-term efficacy and sustainability.

Advancing the care of individuals with cancer through innovation & technology: Proceedings from the cardiology oncology innovation summit 2020 and 2021.

As cancer therapies increase in effectiveness and patients' life expectancies improve, balancing oncologic efficacy while reducing acute and long-term cardiovascular toxicities has become of paramount importance. To address this pressing need, the Cardiology Oncology Innovation Network (COIN) was formed to bring together domain experts with the overarching goal of collaboratively investigating, applying, and educating widely on various forms of innovation to improve the quality of life and cardiovascular healthcare of patients undergoing and surviving cancer therapies. The COIN mission pillars of innovation, collaboration, and education have been implemented with cross-collaboration among academic institutions, private and public establishments, and industry and technology companies. In this report, we summarize proceedings from the first two annual COIN summits (inaugural in 2020 and subsequent in 2021) including educational sessions on technological innovations for establishing best practices and aligning resources. Herein, we highlight emerging areas for innovation and defining unmet needs to further improve the outcome for cancer patients and survivors of all ages. Additionally, we provide actionable suggestions for advancing innovation, collaboration, and education in cardio-oncology in the digital era.

Application of a high surface area solid-phase microextraction air sampling device: collection and analysis of chemical warfare agent surrogate and degradation compounds.

This work examines a recently improved, dynamic air sampling technique, high surface area solid-phase microextraction (HSA-SPME), developed for time-critical, high-volume sampling and analysis scenarios. The previously reported HSA-SPME sampling device, which provides 10-fold greater surface area compared to commercially available SPME fibers, allowed for an increased analyte uptake per unit time relative to exhaustive sampling through a standard sorbent tube. This sampling device has been improved with the addition of a type-K thermocouple and a custom heater control circuit for direct heating, providing precise (relative standard deviation ∼1%) temperature control of the desorption process for trapped analytes. Power requirements for the HSA-SPME desorption process were 30-fold lower than those for conventional sorbent-bed-based desorption devices, an important quality for a device that could be used for field analysis. Comparisons of the HSA-SPME device when using fixed sampling times for the chemical warfare agent (CWA) surrogate compound, diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), demonstrated that the HSA-SPME device yielded a greater chromatographic response (up to 50%) relative to a sorbent-bed method. Another HSA-SPME air sampling approach, in which two devices are joined in tandem, was also evaluated for very rapid, low-level, and representative analysis when using discrete sampling times for the compounds of interest. The results indicated that subparts per billion by volume concentration levels of DIMP were detectable with short sampling times (∼15 s). Finally, the tandem HSA-SPME device was employed for the headspace sampling of a CWA degradation compound, 2-(diisopropylaminoethyl) ethyl sulfide, present on cloth material, which demonstrated the capability to detect trace amounts of a CWA degradation product that is estimated to be less volatile than sarin. The rapid and highly sensitive detection features of this device may be beneficial in decision making for law enforcement, military, and civilian emergency organizations and responders, providing critical information in a contaminated environment scenario when time is of the essence.

Surface orientation affects the direction of cone growth by Leptolyngbya sp. strain C1, a likely architect of coniform structures Octopus Spring (Yellowstone National Park).

Laminated, microbially produced stromatolites within the rock record provide some of the earliest evidence for life on Earth. The chemical, physical, and biological factors that lead to the initiation of these organosedimentary structures and shape their morphology are unclear. Modern coniform structures with morphological features similar to stromatolites are found on the surface of cyanobacterial/microbial mats. They display a vertical element of growth, can have lamination, can be lithified, and observably grow with time. To begin to understand the microbial processes and interactions required for cone formation, we determined the phylogenetic composition of the microbial community of a coniform structure from a cyanobacterial mat at Octopus Spring, Yellowstone National Park, and reconstituted coniform structures in vitro. The 16S rRNA clone library from the coniform structure was dominated by Leptolyngbya sp. Other cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria were present in much lower abundance. The same Leptolyngbya sp. identified in the clone library was also enriched in the laboratory and could produce cones in vitro. When coniform structures were cultivated in the laboratory, the initial incubation conditions were found to influence coniform morphology. In addition, both the angle of illumination and the orientation of the surface affected the angle of cone formation demonstrating how external factors can influence coniform, and likely, stromatolite morphology.

Electrical control of optical plasmon resonance with graphene.

Surface plasmon has the unique capability to concentrate light into subwavelength volume. Active plasmon devices using electrostatic gating can enable flexible control of the plasmon excitations, which has been demonstrated recently in terahertz plasmonic structures. Controlling plasmon resonance at optical frequencies, however, remains a significant challenge because gate-induced free electrons have very weak responses at optical frequencies. Here we achieve efficient control of near-infrared plasmon resonance in a hybrid graphene-gold nanorod system. Exploiting the uniquely strong and gate-tunable optical transitions of graphene, we are able to significantly modulate both the resonance frequency and quality factor of gold nanorod plasmon. Our analysis shows that the plasmon-graphene coupling is remarkably strong: even a single electron in graphene at the plasmonic hotspot could have an observable effect on plasmon scattering intensity. Such hybrid graphene-nanometallic structure provides a powerful way for electrical control of plasmon resonances at optical frequencies and could enable novel plasmonic sensing down to single charge transfer events.

Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues.

Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.

Risk Factors Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolus.

Background: Ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus (PM) tend to result in inferior clinical outcomes compared to other ankle fractures. However, it is unclear which specific risk factors and fracture characteristics are associated with negative outcomes in these fractures. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for poor postoperative patient-reported outcomes in patients with fractures involving the PM. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who sustained ankle fractures involving the PM between March 2016 and July 2020 and had preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. In total, 122 patients were included for analysis. One patient (0.8%) had an isolated PM fracture, 19 (15.6%) had bimalleolar ankle fractures involving the PM, and 102 (83.6%) had trimalleolar fractures. Fracture characteristics including the Lauge-Hansen (LH) and Haraguchi classifications and posterior malleolar fragment size were collected from preoperative CT scans. Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. The association between various demographic and fracture characteristics with postoperative PROMIS scores was assessed. Results: Involvement of more malleoli was associated with worse PROMIS Physical Function (P = .04), Global Physical Health (P = .04), and Global Mental Health (P < .001), and Depression scores (P = .001). Elevated BMI was also associated with worse PROMIS Physical Function (P = .0025), Pain Interference (P = .0013), and Global Physical Health (P = .012) scores. Time to surgery, fragment size, Haraguchi classification, and LH classification were not associated with PROMIS scores. Conclusion: In this cohort, we found that trimalleolar ankle fractures were associated with inferior PROMIS outcomes compared with bimalleolar ankle fractures involving the PM in multiple domains. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.