The bioproduction of astaxanthin: A comprehensive review on the microbial synthesis and downstream extraction.

Astaxanthin is a valuable orange-red carotenoid with wide applications in agriculture, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals areas. At present, the biological synthesis of astaxanthin mainly relies on Haematococcus pluvialis and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous. With the rapid development of synthetic biology, more recombinant microbial hosts have been genetically constructed for astaxanthin production including Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica. As multiple genes (15) were involved in the astaxanthin synthesis, it is particularly important to adopt different strategies to balance the metabolic flow towards the astaxanthin synthesis. Furthermore, astaxanthin is a fat-soluble compound stored intracellularly, hence efficient extraction methods are also essential for the economical production of astaxanthin. Several efficient and green extraction methods of astaxanthin have been reported in recent years, including the superfluid extraction, ionic liquid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction. Accordingly, this review will comprehensively introduce the advances on the astaxanthin production and extraction by using different microbial hosts and strategies to improve the astaxanthin synthesis and extraction efficiency.

Synergistic and stepwise treatment of resveratrol and catechol in Haematococcus pluvialis for the overproduction of biomass and astaxanthin.

To increase the production of biomass and astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis to meet the high market demand for astaxanthin, this study recruited two typical and negligible phytohormones (namely resveratrol and catechol) for the stepwise treatments of H. pluvialis. It was found that the hybrid and sequential treatments of resveratrol (200 µmol) and catechol (100 µmol) had achieved the maximum astaxanthin content at 33.96 mg/L and 42.99 mg/L, respectively. Compared with the hybrid treatment, the physiological data of H. pluvialis using the sequential strategy revealed that the enhanced photosynthetic performance via the Calvin cycle by RuBisCO improved the biomass accumulation during the macrozooid stage; meanwhile, the excessive ROS production had occurred to enhance astaxanthin production with the help of NADPH overproduction during the hematocyst stage. Overall, this study provides improved knowledge of the impacts of phytohormones in improving biomass and astaxanthin of H. pluvialis, which shed valuable insights for advancing microalgae-based biorefinery.

Electrophoresis of a weakly charged dielectric fluid droplet in a cylindrical pore.

Electrophoresis of a weakly charged dielectric droplet with constant surface charge density in a chargeless cylindrical pore is investigated theoretically in this study, focusing on the boundary confinement effect of the double layer, which in turn determines the ultimate motion of the droplet. A patched pseudo-spectral method based on the Chebyshev polynomial is adopted to solve the resulting governing fundamental electrokinetic equations. Mobility reversal, among other interesting phenomena, is observed when the droplet is in a narrow cylindrical pore. No such observation was made in the corresponding motion of a rigid particle. The droplet with a thick double layer may even move against the prediction based on the Coulomb electrostatic law, for instance, a positively charged droplet may move against the electric field. The significant enhancement of the motion-deterring double layer polarization due to the severe steric boundary confinement within a narrow cylindrical pore is found to be responsible for this seemingly peculiar phenomenon. Moreover, smaller droplets may move in the opposite direction of the larger ones. The results are useful in capillary electrophoresis involving droplets in particular and migration of droplets through narrow channels in general.

Continuous selenite biotransformation and biofuel production by marine diatom in the presence of fulvic acid.

In this study, the biochemical response of Phaeodactylum tricornutum to varying concentrations of inorganic selenium (Se) was investigated. It was observed that, when combined with fulvic acid, P. tricornutum exhibited enhanced uptake and biotransformation of inorganic Se, as well as increased microalgal lipid biosynthesis. Notably, when subjected to moderate (5 and 10 mg/L) and high (20 and 40 mg/L) concentrations of selenite under fulvic acid treatment, there was a discernible redirection of carbon flux towards lipogenesis and protein biosynthesis from carbohydrates. In addition, the key parameters of microalgae-based biofuels aligned with the necessary criteria outlined in biofuel regulations. Furthermore, the Se removal capabilities of P. tricornutum, assisted by fulvic acid, were coupled with the accumulation of substantial amounts of organic Se, specifically SeCys. These findings present a viable and successful approach to establish a microalgae-based system for Se uptake and biotransformation.

Sustained Retinal Defocus Increases the Effect of Induced Myopia on the Retinal Astrocyte Template.

The aim of this article is to describe sustained myopic eye growth's effect on astrocyte cellular distribution and its association with inner retinal layer thicknesses. Astrocyte density and distribution, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer (IPL) thicknesses were assessed using immunochemistry and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography on seventeen common marmoset retinas (Callithrix jacchus): six induced with myopia from 2 to 6 months of age (6-month-old myopes), three induced with myopia from 2 to 12 months of age (12-month-old myopes), five age-matched 6-month-old controls, and three age-matched 12-month-old controls. Untreated marmoset eyes grew normally, and both RNFL and IPL thicknesses did not change with age, with astrocyte numbers correlating to RNFL and IPL thicknesses in both control age groups. Myopic marmosets did not follow this trend and, instead, exhibited decreased astrocyte density, increased GFAP+ spatial coverage, and thinner RNFL and IPL, all of which worsened over time. Myopic changes in astrocyte density, GFAP+ spatial coverage and inner retinal layer thicknesses suggest astrocyte template reorganization during myopia development and progression which increased over time. Whether or not these changes are constructive or destructive to the retina still remains to be assessed.

Early Alterations in Inner-Retina Neural and Glial Saturated Responses in Lens-Induced Myopia.

Purpose: Myopic marmosets are known to exhibit significant inner retinal thinning compared to age-matched controls. The purpose of this study was to assess inner retinal activity in marmosets with lens-induced myopia compared to age-matched controls and evaluate its relationship with induced changes in refractive state and eye growth. Methods: Cycloplegic refractive error (Rx), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and photopic full-field electroretinogram were measured in 14 marmosets treated binocularly with negative contact lenses compared to 9 untreated controls at different stages throughout the experimental period (from 74 to 369 days of age). The implicit times of the a-, b-, d-, and photopic negative response (PhNR) waves, as well as the saturated amplitude (Vmax), semi-saturation constant (K), and slope (n) estimated from intensity-response functions fitted with Naka-Rushton equations were analyzed. Results: Compared to controls, treated marmosets exhibited attenuated b-, d-, and PhNR waves Vmax amplitudes 7 to 14 days into treatment before compensatory changes in refraction and eye growth occurred. At later time points, when treated marmosets had developed axial myopia, the amplitudes and implicit times of the b-, d-, and PhNR waves were similar between groups. In controls, the PhNR wave saturated amplitude increased as the b + d-wave Vmax increased. This trend was absent in treated marmosets. Conclusions: Marmosets induced with negative defocus exhibit early alterations in inner retinal saturated amplitudes compared to controls, prior to the development of compensatory myopia. These early ERG changes are independent of refraction and eye size and may reflect early changes in bipolar, ganglion, amacrine, or glial cell physiology prior to myopia development. Translational Relevance: The early changes in retinal function identified in the negative lens-treated marmosets may serve as clinical biomarkers to help identify children at risk of developing myopia.

Predictive Models for Assessing Patients' Response to Treatment in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Background and objective: The treatment landscape of metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has evolved significantly over the past two decades. Despite this, the optimal therapy for patients with mPCa has not been determined. This systematic review identifies available predictive models that assess mPCa patients' response to treatment. Methods: We critically reviewed MEDLINE and CENTRAL in December 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. Only quantitative studies in English were included with no time restrictions. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the PROBAST tool. Data were extracted following the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews criteria. Key findings and limitations: The search identified 616 citations, of which 15 studies were included in our review. Nine of the included studies were validated internally or externally. Only one study had a low risk of bias and a low risk concerning applicability. Many studies failed to detail model performance adequately, resulting in a high risk of bias. Where reported, the models indicated good or excellent performance. Conclusions and clinical implications: Most of the identified predictive models require additional evaluation and validation in properly designed studies before these can be implemented in clinical practice to assist with treatment decision-making for men with mPCa. Patient summary: In this review, we evaluate studies that predict which treatments will work best for which metastatic prostate cancer patients. We found that existing studies need further improvement before these can be used by health care professionals.

Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor in Tobacco Smoking-Associated Lung Cancer Development.

Cancer remains a significant global health concern, with lung cancer consistently leading as one of the most common malignancies. Genetic aberrations involving receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are known to be associated with cancer initiation and development, but RTK involvement in smoking-associated lung cancer cases is not well understood. The Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) is a receptor that plays a critical role in lung cancer development. Its signaling pathway affects the growth and survival of cancer cells, and high expression is linked to poor prognosis and resistance to treatment. Several reports have shown that by activating IGF-1R, tobacco smoke-related carcinogens promote lung cancer and chemotherapy resistance. However, the relationship between IGF-1R and cancer is complex and can vary depending on the type of cancer. Ongoing investigations are focused on developing therapeutic strategies to target IGF-1R and overcome chemotherapy resistance. Overall, this review explores the intricate connections between tobacco smoke-specific carcinogens and the IGF-1R pathway in lung carcinogenesis. This review further highlights the challenges in using IGF-1R inhibitors as targeted therapy for lung cancer due to structural similarities with insulin receptors. Overcoming these obstacles may require a comprehensive approach combining IGF-1R inhibition with other selective agents for successful cancer treatment.

Revision Surgery Risk After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Versus Acute Total Hip Arthroplasty in Geriatric Acetabular Fractures: A Nationwide Study.

BACKGROUND: The aging population has contributed to a rising incidence of acetabular fractures in older patients, yet current evidence guiding surgical treatment is limited by small sample sizes. This study used a nationwide database to investigate outcomes in older patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus acute total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: The PearlDiver database was queried for patients aged 60 years and older with an acute acetabular fracture who underwent ORIF or acute THA (2010 to 2021). ORIF patients were matched 1:1 to THA patients based on age, sex, US region, insurance plan, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score. Patients with less than 2 years of follow-up were excluded. The primary outcome was revision surgery. RESULTS: Of 120,032 patients with an acetabular fracture, 3,768 (3.1%) underwent surgical treatment: 1,482 (39.3%) THA and 2,286 (60.7%) ORIF. Mean age was 71.0 ± 6.51 years. Mean follow-up duration was 5.2 ± 2.1 years. THA patients were slightly older (72.4 versus 70.2 years), had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (3.3 versus 2.7), and had a higher percentage of female patients (62.5% versus 32.2%). After matching, 962 ORIF and 962 THA patients were included. ORIF patients had longer LOS (10.7 versus 8.1 days). ORIF patients were less likely to experience joint infections and periprosthetic fractures, but more likely to experience transfusions. The overall revision surgery rate within 10 years was 14.8% in the ORIF cohort and 6.2% in the THA cohort. In the ORIF cohort, 13.5% of patients had a delayed conversion to THA. CONCLUSIONS: In this large national database, acute with or without internal fixation for geriatric acetabular fractures was associated with lower rates of revision surgery within 10 years when compared with a matched cohort undergoing ORIF. ORIF was associated with increased LOS, increased transfusion risk, and lower risk of joint infection and periprosthetic fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Choroidal Morphology and Photoreceptor Activity Are Related and Affected by Myopia Development.

Purpose: The choroid is critical for the regulation of eye growth and is involved in the pathogenesis of myopia-associated ocular complications. This study explores the relationship among choroidal biometry, photoreceptor activity, and myopic growth in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with lens-induced myopia. Methods: A total of 34 common marmosets aged 92 to 273 days old were included in this study. Axial myopia was induced in 17 marmosets using negative soft contact lenses and 17 marmosets served as untreated controls. Cycloplegic refraction (RE) and vitreous chamber depth (VCD) were measured using autorefraction and A-scan ultrasonography, respectively. Choroidal scans were obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and binarized to calculate subfoveal choroidal thickness (ChT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), and LA/SA. To assess photoreceptor activity, the a-wave of the full-field electroretinogram was measured. Regression models were used to investigate the relationship between outcome measures. Results: Eyes induced with axial myopia (RE = -7.14 ± 4.03 diopters [D], VCD = 6.86 ± 0.39 mm) showed significant reductions (4.92-21.24%) in all choroidal parameters (ChT, TCA, LA, SA, CVI, and LA/SA) compared to controls (RE = -1.25 ± 0.60 D, VCD = 6.58 ± 0.26 mm, all P < 0.05), which changed as a function of refraction and vitreous elongation, and were associated with a decrease in the a-wave amplitude. Further, multiple regression showed that a combination of ChT and CVI could well predict RE and VCD. Conclusions: This study reports the existence of significant alterations in choroidal morphology in non-human primate eyes induced with myopia. The changes in choroidal anatomy were associated with reduced light-adapted a-wave amplitude. These findings may represent early markers for reduced visual performance and chorioretinal complications known to occur in eyes with large degrees of myopia.

Sustainable biosurfactant production from secondary feedstock-recent advances, process optimization and perspectives.

Biosurfactants have garnered increased attention lately due to their superiority of their properties over fossil-derived counterparts. While the cost of production remains a significant hurdle to surpass synthetic surfactants, biosurfactants have been anticipated to gain a larger market share in the coming decades. Among these, glycolipids, a type of low-molecular-weight biosurfactant, stand out for their efficacy in reducing surface and interfacial tension, which made them highly sought-after for various surfactant-related applications. Glycolipids are composed of hydrophilic carbohydrate moieties linked to hydrophobic fatty acid chains through ester bonds that mainly include rhamnolipids, trehalose lipids, sophorolipids, and mannosylerythritol lipids. This review highlights the current landscape of glycolipids and covers specific glycolipid productivity and the diverse range of products found in the global market. Applications such as bioremediation, food processing, petroleum refining, biomedical uses, and increasing agriculture output have been discussed. Additionally, the latest advancements in production cost reduction for glycolipid and the challenges of utilizing second-generation feedstocks for sustainable production are also thoroughly examined. Overall, this review proposes a balance between environmental advantages, economic viability, and societal benefits through the optimized integration of secondary feedstocks in biosurfactant production.

Nexus of food waste and climate change framework: Unravelling the links between impacts, projections, and emissions.

This communication explores the intricate relationship between food waste and climate change, considering aspects such as impacts, projections, and emissions. It focuses on the pressing issue of waste generation and its potential consequences if current trends persist, and emphasises the importance of efficient solid waste management in improving environmental quality and fostering economic development. It also highlights the challenges faced by developing countries in waste collection and disposal, drawing comparisons with the waste utilisation methods used by developed nations. The review delves into the link between food waste and climate change, noting the paradoxical situation of food wastage against the backdrop of global hunger and malnutrition. It underscores the scientific evidence connecting food waste to climate change and its implications for food security and climate systems. Additionally, it examines the environmental burden imposed by food waste, including its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of resources such as energy, water, and land. Besides environmental concerns, this communication also highlights the ethical and socioeconomic dimensions of food waste, discussing its influence on Sustainable Development Goals, poverty, and social inequality. The communication concludes by advocating for collective action and the development of successful mitigation strategies, technological solutions, and policy interventions to address food waste and its climate impacts. It emphasises the need for collaboration, awareness, and informed decision-making to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future.

Identification of microplastics in raw and treated municipal solid waste landfill leachates in Hong Kong, China.

Plastics are indispensable in modern society but also pose a persistent threat to the environment. In particular, microplastics (MPs) have a substantial environmental impact on ecosystems. Municipal solid waste landfill leachates are a source of MPs, but leakage of MPs from leachates has only been reported in a few studies. As a modern city, Hong Kong has a remarkably high population density and a massive plastic waste generation. However, it depends on conventional landfilling for plastic waste management and traditional thermal ammonia stripping for leachate treatment. Yet, the MP leakage from landfill leachates in Hong Kong has not been disclosed. This is the first study that aimed to identify, quantify, and characterise MPs in raw and treated leachates, respectively, from major landfill sites in Hong Kong. The concentrations of MPs varied from 49.0 ± 24.3 to 507.6 ± 37.3 items/L among the raw leachate samples, and a potential correlation was found between the concentration of MPs in the raw leachate sample from a given landfill site and the annual leachate generation of the site. Most MPs were 100-500 µm fragments or filaments and were transparent or yellow. Regarding the polymeric materials among the identified MPs, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene were the most abundant types, comprising 45.30% and 21.37% of MPs, respectively. Interestingly, leachates treated by ammonia stripping contained higher concentrations of MPs than raw leachate samples, which demonstrated that the traditional treatment process may not be sufficient regarding the removal of emerging pollutants, such as MPs. Overall, our findings provide a more comprehensive picture of the pollution of MPs in landfill leachates in Hong Kong and highlight the urgent need for adopting the consideration of MPs into the conventional mindset of waste management systems in Hong Kong.

Expedited surgery does not increase transfusion rates for patients with geriatric hip fracture taking factor Xa inhibitors.

Objectives: Geriatric patients who sustain hip fractures and are taking factor Xa inhibitors (Xa-I) experience surgical delay. Our institution developed a pharmacokinetic protocol to formally guide and expedite surgical timing for these patients. The protocol is based on the patient's renal function and timing of last Xa-I dose. For patients with impaired renal function, longer wait times are recommended. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of this protocol for patients with geriatric hip fracture taking Xa-I. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Level 1 trauma center. Patients/Participants: A total of 164 patients aged 65 and older who were taking Xa-I before admission and underwent hip fracture surgery; 68 patients in the Standard group (2014-2018) and 96 patients in the Expedited group (2020-2022, after protocol implementation). Intervention: Hip fracture surgery. Main Outcome Measurements: Time to surgery (TTS), transfusion rate, blood loss, 90-day complication rates. Results: The median TTS was significantly shorter in the Expedited group (28.6 hours, interquartile range 21.3 hours) than in the Standard group (44.8 hours, interquartile range 21.1 hours) (P < .001). There were no differences in overall transfusion rates. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that time to surgery was not predictive of transfusion rate in all patients (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99-1.02, P = .652). There were no differences in blood loss or rates of 90-day complications. Conclusion: Geriatric patients with hip fractures and taking factor Xa inhibitors may warrant earlier surgery without an increased risk of transfusion or bleeding. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III.

Life cycle environmental benefits of recycling waste liquor and chemicals in production of lignocellulosic bioethanol.

In recent decades, numerous bioconversion processes and techniques have been developed to utilize lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock in the production of bio-based fuels and materials. However, waste treatment, an important sub-system, is seldom considered in the life cycle assessment of lignocellulose derived products. This study comprehensively investigated the environmental impacts of bioethanol and electricity cogeneration from sugarcane bagasse, with a focus on recycling techniques adopted in waste treatment. A life cycle assessment indicated that high recycle rate of black liquor, acid and waste washing water can substantially reduce the consumption of fresh water, related chemicals and energy by 70-80%. Environmental impacts relating to global warming, acidification potential and primary energy demand can be decreased by 5-10 times or even entirely eliminated. These study outcomes demonstrate significant environmental benefits of integrating waste recycling techniques into lignocellulose biorefinery process, providing a solid foundation for future industrial development.

Substrate-related factors and kinetic studies of Carbohydrate-Rich food wastes on enzymatic saccharification.

Food waste biorefinery is a sustainable approach to producing green chemicals, however the essential substrate-related factors hindering the efficacy of enzymatic hydrolysis have never been clarified. This study explored the key rate-limiting parameters and mechanisms of carbohydrate-rich food after different cooking and storing methods, i.e., impacts of compositions, structural diversities, and hornification. Shake-flask enzymatic kinetics determined the optimal dosages (0.5 wt% glucoamylase, 3 wt% cellulase) for food waste hydrolysis. First order kinetics and simulation results determined that reaction coefficient (K) of cooked starchy food was âˆ¼ 3.63 h-1 (92 % amylum digestibility) within 2 h, while those for cooked cellulosic vegetables were 0.25-0.5 h-1 after 12 h of hydrolysis. Drying and frying reduced âˆ¼ 71-89 % hydrolysis rates for rice, while hydrothermal pretreatment increased the hydrolysis rate by 82 % on vegetable wastes. This study provided insights into advanced control strategy and reduced the operational costs by optimized enzyme doses for food waste valorization.

Comparison of Demographic Characteristics and Social Determinants of Health Between Adults With Diagnosed HIV and All Adults in the U.S.

Introduction: Quantifying disparities in social determinants of health between people with HIV and the total population could help address health inequities, and ensure health and well-being among people with HIV in the U.S., but estimates are lacking. Methods: Several representative data sources were used to assess differences in social determinants of health between adults with diagnosed HIV (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Medical Monitoring Project) and the total adult population (U.S. Census Bureau's decennial census, American Community Survey, Household Pulse Survey, the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements; the Department of Housing and Urban Development's point-in-time estimates of homelessness; and the Bureau of Justice Statistics). The differences were quantified using standardized prevalence differences and standardized prevalence ratios, adjusting for differences in age, race/ethnicity, and birth sex between people with HIV and the total U.S. population. Results: Overall, 35.6% of people with HIV were living in a household with an income at or below the federal poverty level, and 8.1% recently experienced homelessness. Additionally, 42.9% had Medicaid and 27.6% had Medicare; 39.7% were living with a disability. Over half (52.3%) lived in large central metropolitan counties and 20.6% spoke English less than very well based on survey responses. After adjustment, poverty (standardized prevalence difference=25.1%, standardized prevalence ratio=3.5), homelessness (standardized prevalence difference=8.5%, standardized prevalence ratio=43.5), coverage through Medicaid (standardized prevalence difference=29.5%, standardized prevalence ratio=3.0) or Medicare (standardized prevalence difference=7.8%), and disability (standardized prevalence difference=30.3%, standardized prevalence ratio=3.0) were higher among people with HIV than the total U.S. population. The percentage of people with HIV living in large central metropolitan counties (standardized prevalence difference=13.4%) or who were recently incarcerated (standardized prevalence ratio=5.9) was higher than the total U.S. population. Conclusions: These findings provide a baseline for assessing national-level disparities in social determinants of health between people with HIV and the total U.S. population, and it can be used as a model to assess local disparities. Addressing social determinants of health is essential for achieving health equity, requiring a multipronged approach with interventions at the provider, facility, and policy levels.

Enhancing methane production from anaerobic digestion of secondary sludge through lignosulfonate addition: Feasibility, mechanisms, and implications.

This study explores the feasibility of using lignosulfonate, a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, to facilitate sludge anaerobic digestion. Biochemical methane potential assays revealed that the maximum methane production was achieved at 60 mg/g volatile solids (VS) lignosulfonate, 22.18 % higher than the control. One substrate model demonstrated that 60 mg/g VS lignosulfonate boosted the hydrolysis rate, biochemical methane potential, and degradation extent of secondary sludge by 19.12 %, 21.87 %, and 21.11 %, respectively, compared to the control. Mechanisms unveiled that lignosulfonate destroyed sludge stability, promoted organic matter release, and enhanced subsequent hydrolysis, acidification, and methanogenesis by up to 31.30 %, 74.42 % and 28.16 %, respectively. Phytotoxicity assays confirmed that lignosulfonate promoted seed germination and root development of lettuce and Chinese cabbage, with seed germination index reaching 170 ± 10 % and 220 ± 22 %, respectively. The findings suggest that lignosulfonate addition offers a sustainable approach to sludge treatment, guiding effective management practices.

Increased Duration and Frequency of Lateral C-Arm Draping Does Not Increase Contamination Rates.

This study sought to quantify the rate of culture-positive drape contamination with varying degrees of drape manipulation for intra-operative fluoroscopic imaging. In this prospective cohort study, 30 patients with operatively closed lower extremity fractures were evaluated. The clip-drape technique was employed to cover the emitter. Swab samples were collected for bacterial growth. A t-test was applied for statistical comparison. Three of 30 cases (10% of operations) showed evidence of contamination. There was no statistically significant difference between duration of drape use or the amount of drape manipulations. None of the 30 patients in this study developed surgical site infection 90-days post-surgery. The clip drape technique for lateral fluoroscopy appears to be effective in maintaining surgical field sterility. Moreover, the number of drape manipulations and length of time the drape was in use was not related to drape contamination. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 32(2):107-110, 2023).

Age exacerbates the effect of myopia on retinal capillaries and string vessels.

The retinal vasculature supplies oxygen and nutrition to the cells and is crucial for an adequate retinal function. In myopia, excessive eye growth is associated with various anatomical changes that can lead to myopia-related complications. However, how myopia-induced ocular growth affects the integrity of the aged retinal microvasculature at the cellular level is not well understood. Here, we studied how aging interacts with myopia-induced alteration of the retinal microvasculature in fourteen marmoset retinas (Callithrix jacchus). String vessel and capillary branchpoint were imaged and quantified in all four capillary plexi of the retinal vasculature. As marmosets with lens-induced myopia aged, they developed increasing numbers of string vessels in all four vascular plexi, with increased vessel branchpoints in the parafoveal and peripapillary retina and decreased vessel branchpoints in the peripheral retina. These myopia-induced changes to the retinal microvasculature suggest an adaptive reorganization of the retinal microvascular cellular structure template with aging and during myopia development and progression.