Hand Motor Dysfunction Is Associated with Both Subjective and Objective Cognitive Impairment across the Dementia Continuum.

INTRODUCTION: Motor dysfunction is an important feature of early-stage dementia. Gait provides a non-invasive biomarker across the dementia continuum. Gait speed and rhythm aid risk stratification of incident dementia in subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and are associated with cognitive domains in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. However, hand movement analysis, which may be more accessible, has never been undertaken in SCI and rarely in MCI or dementia. We aimed to address this gap and improve understanding of hand motor-cognitive associations across the dementia continuum. METHODS: A total of 208 participants were recruited: 50 with dementia, 58 MCI, 40 SCI, and 60 healthy controls. Consensus diagnoses were made after comprehensive gold-standard assessments. A computer key-tapping test measured frequency, dwell-time, rhythm, errors, and speed. Associations between key-tapping and cognitive domains and diagnoses were analysed using regression. Classification accuracy was measured using area under receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Hand frequency and speed were associated with memory and executive domains (p ≤ 0.001). Non-dominant hand rhythm was associated with all cognitive domains. Frequency, rhythm, and speed were associated with SCI, MCI, and dementia. Frequency and speed classified ≥94% of dementia and ≥88% of MCI from controls. Rhythm of the non-dominant hand classified ≥86% of dementia and MCI and 69% of SCI. CONCLUSION: Our findings show hand motor dysfunction occurs across the dementia continuum and, similar to gait, is associated with executive and memory domains and with cognitive diagnoses. Key-tapping performance differentiated dementia and MCI from healthy controls. More research is required before recommending key-tapping as a non-invasive motor biomarker of cognitive impairment.

Cytoreduction and HIPEC for Gastric Carcinomatosis: Multi-institutional Analysis of Two Phase II Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: There are no approved locoregional therapies for peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric adenocarcinoma (GA). Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) represents a potential treatment for advanced GA with isolated peritoneal metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two separate single-institution phase II, single-arm studies evaluating CRS-HIPEC using cisplatin with mitomycin C (NIH: NCT03092518, MDACC: NCT02891447) in patients with GA and confirmed peritoneal metastasis were analyzed. The primary endpoint of each trial was overall survival (OS). Clinical, pathologic, and treatment variables were analyzed for association with outcomes. RESULTS: Over 4 years, 41 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from GA underwent CRS-HIPEC. All patients had synchronous peritoneal metastasis and received systemic chemotherapy as front-line therapy. A total of 23 patients also received laparoscopic HIPEC prior to open CRS-HIPEC. The majority (63%, n = 26) were male, and median PCI score at CRS-HIPEC was 2. Median OS was 24.9 months from diagnosis and 14.4 months from CRS-HIPEC. Three-year OS was 25% from diagnosis and 22% from CRS-HIPEC. Median RFS was 7.4 months. The rate of 30-day Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications was 32%; specifically, the rate of anastomotic leak was 22%. Multivariable analysis identified the number of pathologically positive lymph nodes as an independent predictor of postoperative OS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and isolated peritoneal metastasis treated with CRS-HIPEC, 3-year OS was 22% from CRS-HIPEC, and complications were common. The number of pathologic lymph node metastases was inversely correlated with overall survival. Further investigation of CRS-HIPEC for GA should include patient selection based on response to systemic chemotherapy or incorporate novel intraperitoneal treatment strategies.

Effectiveness of JYNNEOS Vaccine Against Diagnosed Mpox Infection - New York, 2022.

In 2022, an international Monkeypox virus outbreak, characterized by transmission primarily through sexual contact among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), resulted in 375 monkeypox (mpox) cases in the state of New York outside of New York City (NYC).*,† The JYNNEOS vaccine (Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccine, Bavarian Nordic), licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against mpox as a 2-dose series, with doses administered 4 weeks apart,§ was deployed in a national vaccination campaign.¶ Before this outbreak, evidence to support vaccine effectiveness (VE) against mpox was based on human immunologic and animal challenge studies (1-3). New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducted a case-control study to estimate JYNNEOS VE against diagnosed mpox in New York residents outside of NYC, using data from systematic surveillance reporting. A case-patient was defined as a man aged ≥18 years who received a diagnosis of mpox during July 24-October 31, 2022. Contemporaneous control patients were men aged ≥18 years with diagnosed rectal gonorrhea or primary syphilis and a history of male-to-male sexual contact, without mpox. Case-patients and control patients were matched to records in state immunization systems. JYNNEOS VE was estimated as 1 - odds ratio (OR) x 100, and JYNNEOS vaccination status (vaccinated versus unvaccinated) at the time of diagnosis was compared, using conditional logistic regression models that adjusted for week of diagnosis, region, patient age, and patient race and ethnicity. Among 252 eligible mpox case-patients and 255 control patients, the adjusted VE of 1 dose (received ≥14 days earlier) or 2 doses combined was 75.7% (95% CI = 48.5%-88.5%); the VE for 1 dose was 68.1% (95% CI = 24.9%-86.5%) and for 2 doses was 88.5% (95% CI = 44.1%-97.6%). These findings support recommended 2-dose JYNNEOS vaccination consistent with CDC and NYSDOH guidance.

Lutispora saccharofermentans sp. nov., a mesophilic, non-spore-forming bacterium isolated from a lab-scale methanogenic landfill bioreactor digesting anaerobic sludge, and emendation of the genus Lutispora to include species which are non-spore-forming and mesophilic.

A novel anaerobic, mesophilic, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain m25T) was isolated from methanogenic enrichment cultures obtained from a lab-scale methanogenic landfill bioreactor containing anaerobic digester sludge. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, rod-shaped, and motile by means of a flagellum. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.11 mol%. The optimal NaCl concentration, temperature and pH for growth were 2.5 g l-1, 35 °C and at pH 7.0, respectively. Strain m25T was able to grow in the absence of yeast extract on glycerol, pyruvate, arginine and cysteine. In the presence of 0.2 % yeast extract, strain m25T grew on carbohydrates and was able to use glucose, cellobiose, fructose, raffinose and galactose. The novel strain could utilize glycerol, urea, pyruvate, peptone and tryptone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15  :  0, C14  :  0, C16  :  0 DMA (dimethyl acetal) and iso-C15 : 0 DMA. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was closely related to Lutispora thermophila EBR46T (95.02 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Genome relatedness was determined using both average nucleotide identity and amino acid identity analyses, the results of which both strongly supported that strain m25T belongs to the genus Lutispora. Based on its unique phylogenetic features, strain m25T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Lutispora. Moreover, based on its unique physiologic features, mainly the lack of spore formation, a proposal to amend the genus Lutispora is also provided to include the non-spore-forming and mesophilic species. Lutispora saccharofermentans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is m25T (=DSM 112749T=ATCC TSD-268T).

Health Reporting from Different Data Sources: Does it Matter for Mental Health?

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are typically stigmatized conditions associated with negative stereotypes, which may lead individuals to underreport them. Thus, survey data may be subject to biases. Although administrative data has some limitations, it is an alternative data source that may be considered more objective. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to identify the degree of agreement between survey and administrative health care data for mental health conditions, factors affecting underreporting, and whether underreporting also occurs for physical health conditions. METHODS: We used Ontario data from the Canadian Community Health Survey linked to health records to examine the presence of mental health conditions (i.e., schizophrenia and mood disorders) and select physical health conditions (i.e., diabetes and cancer). Using administrative data as the reference standard, we created four categories for each health condition based on the level of agreement between the two data sources: consistent cases and non-cases (i.e. individuals with concordant data based on their reported health condition), and people who were found to underreport and overreport a condition (i.e. where the condition was present in the administrative data, but not in the survey data and vice-versa, respectively). The overall level of agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic. Probit regressions were estimated to determine the factors affecting underreporting. RESULTS: The Kappa statistics for mood disorder was fair (k= 0.26) and moderate for schizophrenia (k = 0.49). Physical health conditions had higher kappa values (diabetes, k = 0.81; ever having cancer, k = 0.68), with the exception of currently having cancer (k = 0.24). Underreporting was highest for the most stigmatizing condition, schizophrenia (63%), followed by mood disorders (39%) and cancer (39%), and lowest for diabetes (25%). Older age, being born in Africa and Asia, and being employed all increased the probability of underreporting among individuals identified in the administrative data; the opposite held for social assistance. DISCUSSION: We extended previous work on mental health reporting by combining survey data with administrative data to examine the level of agreement between respondents' self-reported mental health and administrative records. The data include some mental disorders not studied previously. We examined the entire adult population; this is important because prevalence of schizophrenia may be less common among older population groups due to higher mortality among this patient population. Additionally, there may be potential age-related differences in stigma and mental health conditions. The administrative health data captured only health services covered by the public provincial health insurance plan and thus did not capture medical care provided by psychologists, social workers, and nurses. While this would affect Kappa statistic values, it does not directly affect the underreporting analyses. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION AND USE: Our results suggest that disclosure of mental health conditions may differ by the level of stigma, which has implications for obtaining accurate estimates of mental health prevalence from self-reported data sources.

Chiral Inversion of 2-Arylpropionic Acid Enantiomers under Anaerobic Conditions.

This work examined the chiral inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids (2-APAs) under anaerobic conditions and the associated microbial community. The anaerobic condition was simulated by two identical anaerobic digesters. Each digester was fed with the substrate containing 11 either pure (R)- or pure (S)-2-APA enantiomers. Chiral inversion was evidenced by the concentration increase of the other enantiomer in the digestate and the changes in the enantiomeric fraction between the two enantiomers. Both digesters showed similar and poor removal of 2-APAs (≤30%, except for naproxen) and diverse chiral inversion behaviors under anaerobic conditions. Four compounds exhibited (S → R) unidirectional inversion [flurbiprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, and 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propionic acid], and the remaining seven compounds showed bidirectional inversion. Several aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial genera (Candidatus Microthrix, Rhodococcus, Mycobacterium, Gordonia, and Sphingobium) were identified in both digesters and predicted to harbor the 2-arylpropionyl-CoA epimerase (enzyme involved in chiral inversion) encoding gene. These genera presented at low abundances, <0.5% in the digester dosed with (R)-2-APAs and <0.2% in the digester dosed with (S)-2-APAs. The low abundances of these genera explain the limited extent of chiral inversion observed in this study.

Controlled Substance Prescription History among Individuals Who Died of an Accidental Opioid-Involved Drug Overdose in Rhode Island.

Background: Accidental opioid-involved overdose deaths are increasing nationally in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is unclear if this reflects a change in populations most at risk. Objective: To determine whether the demographic characteristics and controlled substance prescription history of accidental opioid-involved drug overdose decedents in 2020 differed from prior years. Methods: We identified accidental opioid-involved overdose decedents using Rhode Island (RI) State Medical Examiner's Office data. Decedents were linked to the RI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database. We compared demographic characteristics and prescription history by year of death. Results: From 2018 to 2020, 763 RI residents died from accidental opioid-involved overdose in RI. From 2018 to 2019, deaths decreased by 7%, but then increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020. Demographic characteristics were similar by year of death (all p > 0.05). The percentage of decedents with a prior opioid prescription and a prior benzodiazepine prescription declined from 2018 to 2020 (p < 0.01 and p = 0.03). Conclusions: We found that opioid-involved overdose deaths in RI are increasing overall, but without significant changes in demographics. While prior exposure to some controlled substances did decline over time, it is not clear if these changes reflect more responsible prescribing practices, or a more concerning pattern such as patient abandonment or decreased healthcare access. More studies are needed to better describe the current trend of increasing opioid-involved deaths while also pursuing current evidence-based interventions.

Direct Anterior Approach for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Lowers the Risk of Dislocation Compared to the Posterior Approach: A Single Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND: One purported benefit of the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a lower rate of postoperative dislocation. METHODS: An institutional database was used to identify 8840 primary THAs performed from 2003 to 2020 including 5065 (57%) performed using the DAA and 3775 (43%) performed via the posterior approach (PA). Direction and mechanism of dislocation were determined from chart review. Outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier survivorship with dislocation as the endpoint and a Cox multivariate regression was used to investigate factors associated with dislocation. The mean follow-up was 1.7 ± 2.0 years for the DAA and 3.1 ± 3.3 years for the PA. RESULTS: The 0.5% (26/5065) incidence of dislocation among DAA hips was significantly less than the 3.3% (126/3775) among PA cases (P < .001). The majority of dislocations were posterior (DAA 57%, PA 79%) and occurred during activities of daily living (DAA 82%, PA 77%). Five-year survivorship was significantly higher for the DAA group compared to the PA group (99.1% vs 95.4%, P < .001). Dislocation risk was 4.9 times higher for the PA compared to the DAA (hazard ratio = 4.9, 95% confidence interval = 3.2-7.5, P < .001). Increasing head diameter reduced the risk (hazard ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence interval = 0.57-0.86, P < .001). The 0.2% incidence (10/5065) of revision for instability among the DAA group was significantly lower than the 1.1% (43/3775) rate for the PA group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Compared to primary THAs performed with the PA, DAA cases had a lower risk of dislocation, higher survivorship with dislocation as an endpoint, and a lower risk of revision for instability in this single institution cohort.

A Postmortem Analysis of Polyethylene Damage and Periprosthetic Tissue in Rotating Platform and Fixed Bearing Tibial Inserts.

BACKGROUND: Mobile bearing designs are intended to reduce wear, but mixed results were reported from retrieval analyses. Postmortem evaluation (PM) provides the opportunity to assess polyethylene damage in successful implants. We compared damage patterns, MRI presentation, and histology between mobile-bearing and fixed tibial inserts retrieved postmortem and compared these results to our prior findings from implants retrieved at revision. METHODS: Eleven postmortem knees with rotating platform (RP) implants and 13 with fixed bearing (FB) implants were examined. All were MRI scanned, and tissue samples were collected from standardized regions for histology. Polyethylene inserts were subjectively scored to assess articular, backside, and PS post surfaces for damage modes and severity. RESULTS: Average duration of implantation was 9.3 years (1.7-19.6 years). Surface burnishing was the most common polyethylene damage mode. Average damage scores were higher for RP (53.4) compared to FB inserts (34.4) due to greater backside damage (13.4 for RP vs 1.4 for FB). A minimal difference in damage was observed on the articular surfaces (37.4 RP vs 30.0 FB). Mild innate macrophage reactions were seen in 8 (72.7%) RP and 5 (45.5%) FB specimens. Polyethylene particles were identified in 7 (63.6%) RP and 3 (27.7%) FB specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Postmortem inserts showed low damage levels and mild tissue reactions compared to those reported for implants removed at revision arthroplasty. Nonetheless, trends in comparing RP and FB inserts were consistent with those seen in retrieval analyses, demonstrating the usefulness of retrieval studies in capturing performance differences among TKA designs.

Adaptations to a Concurrent Exercise Training Program in Inactive Aging Women.

ABSTRACT: Wadsworth, DD, Rodriguez-Hernandez, M, Huffman, LS, McDonald, JR, Spring, KE, and Pascoe, DD. Adaptations to a concurrent exercise training program in inactive aging women. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3217-3223, 2022-This study assessed the effect of a 10-week, sprint interval concurrent exercise training program on body composition and muscular strength in aging women. Sixty-five inactive women (age, 40-64 years) were randomized into 2 sprint interval exercise programs, 0% incline and 6% incline. Sprint interval training was performed to achieve 95% of each subject's age-predicted maximal heart rate for a series of 40 seconds of work followed by 20 seconds of passive recovery. An undulating resistance training protocol, composed of 30 sessions, was performed by each group throughout the study. Dual-energy X-ray absorption scans were assessed body composition, and 1 repetition maximum was performed to assess muscular strength. Subjects in both groups significantly reduced fat mass by approximately 0.35 kg ( p = 0.002), and visceral adipose tissue by 0.05 kg ( p = 0.032). There were significant increases in lean body mass by approximately 0.50 kg ( p = 0.005), lower-body muscular strength by approximately 46.83 kg ( p < 0.001), and upper-body muscular strength by approximately 11.68 kg ( p < 0.001). No significant between-groups interactions were observed. A sprint interval training concurrent exercise training program is an effective strategy to improve body composition and muscular strength in inactive, aging women. Muscular strength improvements resulting from this intervention are particularly important because muscular strength losses are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality.

Use of three-dimensional printing for adapting and optimizing smartphone ophthalmoscopy to existing SD-OCT instrumentation for rodent and teleost ocular research.

Use of animal models for human vision research is now pervasive. To address a range of technical challenges, laboratories either modify existing equipment or purchase products that are purpose designed. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology now allows the do-it-yourself capability to invent, innovate, and manufacture for a specific purpose. Ophthalmic imaging is often used with a range of other sophisticated experimental retinal imaging techniques, such as spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The handheld smartphone camera and cost-effective, readily available professional-quality apps now allow accessible high-definition video ophthalmic image recording. However, to our knowledge, there are few reports of adapting smartphone ophthalmic imaging to existing experimental SD-OCT imaging instrumentation. This would offer better accuracy, reproducibility, and most importantly, precision. The objective of the present study was to use 3D printing to enhance the functionality and precision of existing SD-OCT instrumentation and smartphone-based ophthalmic imaging through construction of a custom 3D-printed assembly. The assembly can be controlled either manually or by the highly precise rodent stage of the SD-OCT instrument. Using this technical approach, 3D printing facilitated a novel methodology for high-quality ophthalmic imaging with low cost and ease of production either manually or by enhancing existing SD-OCT instrumentation.

History of Methadone and Buprenorphine Opioid Agonist Therapy Among People Who Died of an Accidental Opioid-Involved Overdose: Rhode Island, January 1, 2018-June 30, 2020.

To guide intervention efforts, we identified the proportion of individuals previously engaged in opioid agonist therapy among people who died of an accidental opioid-involved overdose. Most individuals (60.9%) had never received any prior buprenorphine or methadone treatment. Individuals who died of an overdose in 2020 had a similar demographic profile and treatment history compared with prior years. To prevent additional accidental opioid-involved overdose deaths, efforts should be directed toward linking individuals to care.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Rhode Island From a Statewide Random Sample.

Objectives. To characterize statewide seroprevalence and point prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Rhode Island.Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of randomly selected households across Rhode Island in May 2020. Antibody-based and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests for SARS-CoV-2 were offered. Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans/Blacks were oversampled to ensure adequate representation. Seroprevalence estimations accounted for test sensitivity and specificity and were compared according to age, race/ethnicity, gender, housing environment, and transportation mode.Results. Overall, 1043 individuals from 554 households were tested (1032 antibody tests, 988 PCR tests). The estimated seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 2.1% (95% credible interval [CI] = 0.6, 4.1). Seroprevalence was 7.5% (95% CI = 1.3, 17.5) among Hispanics/Latinos, 3.8% (95% CI = 0.0, 15.0) among African Americans/Blacks, and 0.8% (95% CI = 0.0, 2.4) among non-Hispanic Whites. Overall PCR-based prevalence was 1.5% (95% CI = 0.5, 3.1).Conclusions. Rhode Island had low seroprevalence relative to other settings, but seroprevalence was substantially higher among African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos. Rhode Island sits along the highly populated northeast corridor, making our findings broadly relevant to this region of the country. Continued monitoring via population-based sampling is needed to quantify these impacts going forward.

Rhode Island's Opioid Overdose Hospital Standards and Emergency Department Naloxone Distribution, Behavioral Counseling, and Referral to Treatment.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the influence of the Levels of Care for Rhode Island Emergency Departments and Hospitals for Treating Overdose and Opioid Use Disorder (Levels of Care) on emergency department (ED) provision of take-home naloxone, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of Rhode Island ED visits for opioid overdose from 2017 to 2018 was performed using data from a statewide opioid overdose surveillance system. Changes in provision of take-home naloxone, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment before and after Levels of Care implementation were assessed using interrupted time series analysis. We compared outcomes by hospital type using multivariable modified Poisson regression models with generalized estimating equation estimation to account for hospital-level variation. RESULTS: We analyzed 245 overdose visits prior to Levels of Care implementation (January to March 2017) and 1340 overdose visits after implementation (hospital certification to December 2018). After implementation, the proportion of patients offered naloxone increased on average by 13% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6% to 20.4%). Prior to implementation, the proportion of patients receiving behavioral counseling and treatment referral was declining. After implementation, this decline slowed and stabilized, and on average 18.6% more patients received behavioral counseling (95% CI 1.3% to 35.9%) and 23.1% more patients received referral to treatment (95% CI 2.7% to 43.5%). Multivariable analysis showed that after implementation, there was a significant increase in the likelihood of being offered naloxone at Level 1 (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.31 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.61]) and Level 3 (aRR 3.13 [95% CI 1.08 to 9.06]) hospitals and an increase in referrals for medication for opioid use disorder (from 2.5% to 17.8%) at Level 1 hospitals (RR 7.73 [95% CI 3.22 to 18.55]). Despite these increases, less than half of the patients treated for an opioid overdose received behavioral counseling or referral to treatment CONCLUSION: The establishment of ED policies for treatment and services after opioid overdose improved naloxone distribution, behavioral counseling, and referral to treatment at hospitals without previously established opioid overdose services. Future investigations are needed to better characterize implementation barriers and evaluate policy influence on patient outcomes.

Compersion: When Jealousy-Inducing Situations Don't (Just) Induce Jealousy.

Emotional reactions to a partner's extradyadic romantic interests are assumed to be negative and characterized by jealousy, an emotional state that arises over a perceived threat to one's relationship. Yet, reactions may also be positive, and involve compersion, or taking joy in one's partner's pleasure in other sexual and relational encounters. Although some have argued that compersion is the opposite of jealousy, research suggests that compersion and jealousy may not be opposing constructs, despite being treated this way in both theoretical and empirical research. Using a convenience sample of polyamorous (N = 3530) and monogamous (N = 1358) individuals, we draw on theories of jealousy, emotional ambivalence, and emotional forecasting to examine people's anticipated affective responses to hypothetical situations involving a partner's extradyadic relations and assess whether experience with having a partner engage in extradyadic relations was associated with anticipating less jealousy and more compersion. Results suggest that people in polyamorous relationships report less jealousy and more compersion with their partners, and that personal experience involving a partner's extradyadic romantic interests predicted more compersion and less jealousy, with experience predicting greater increases in compersion among monogamous than polyamorous participants. Finally, while anticipated compersion was associated with greater relationship satisfaction, neither jealousy nor ambivalence was associated with relationship satisfaction. These results further demonstrate that individuals can experience both positive and negative reactions to a partner's extradyadic relations, both based on actual experience and projection of responses to future events, and that real-life experiences are important in anticipating these emotions.

Socioeconomic Status and Melanoma in Canada: A Systematic Review.

As melanoma is one of the leading cancers in average years of life lost per death from disease, screening and early diagnosis are imperative to decrease morbidity and mortality. Socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to be associated with melanoma incidence. However, it is unclear if this association holds true in universal healthcare systems where screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are available to all patients. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence on the association of SES and melanoma incidence in Canada. A comprehensive search of PubMed and EMBASE yielded 7 studies reporting on melanoma incidence or outcomes with respect to SES in Canada. High SES was associated with increased melanoma incidence across all studies, which encompassed all Canadian provinces, and time periods spanning from 1979 to 2012. Studies also reported an increasing incidence of melanoma over time. There were substantial discrepancies in melanoma incidence across Canadian provinces, after controlling for SES and demographic characteristics. Populations of lower SES and living within certain healthcare regions had increased risks of advanced melanoma at diagnosis. This review highlights the potential for inequities in access to care even within a universal healthcare system. Future research is needed to characterize specific risk factors within different patient groups and within the universal health system context in order to implement targeted strategies to lower melanoma incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

Periprosthetic Femur Fracture Risk: Influenced by Stem Choice, Not Surgical Approach.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic femur fracture (PFF) remains a common reason for failure after total hip arthroplasty (THA). For over 10 years, our institution has performed both anterior approach (AA) and posterolateral (PL) approaches for primary THA with multiple stem designs. The aim of this study is to determine the 90-day relative risk of PFF with regard to approach and stem design. METHODS: A retrospective review of our institutional database was performed on all patients undergoing primary THA from 2007 to 2018 using AA or PL approaches. Five surgeons performing 6309 THAs (AA = 4510; PL = 1799) using single-wedge taper (n = 2417) or fit-and-fill (n = 3892) stems were included. PFF occurring within 90 days of the index procedure were analyzed. Differences in PFF rates, fracture location, stem type, and treatment method were assessed. Comparisons were made using a Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The 90-day revision rate for fracture was 0.3%. Clinically significant fractures requiring cerclage cabling, stem change, revision, or open reduction internal fixation occurred in 0.9% of patients (intraoperative = 37, 0.6%; postoperative = 17, 0.3%). Cox regression found PFF risk was significant for female patients (P = .008), patients older than age 65 (P < .01), single-wedge taper stems (P = .05), and for cases with collarless stems (P = .04). Among PFF cases that required surgical intervention, risk factors were female sex, age older than 65, and body mass index under 25 (P < .05). Collarless stems were 2.6 times more likely to result in PFF than collared stems (P = .04). Single-wedge taper stems were 2.3 times more likely to result in PFF than fit-and-fill stems (P = .05). Approach was not found to be an independent risk factor for PFF (P = .85). CONCLUSION: Our single-center experience demonstrates the risk of periprosthetic fracture within 90 days of surgery is significantly lower with collared stems and fit-and-fill stem designs. Female sex, age over 65, and body mass index below 25 nearly double the PFF risk. Surgical approach did not influence fracture rates.

Custom Triflange Cups: 20-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: The custom triflange acetabular component is used during revision THA to address severe acetabular bone loss. Midterm results are promising, with low rates of loosening and triflange revision reported. However, reoperation and overall complication rates remain high. We aim to investigate our institution's custom triflange experience over 20 years by evaluating implant survivorship, reoperations, complications, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Prospectively collected data were reviewed for 50 patients undergoing revision THA with the use of a triflanged component from January 2000 to December 2018. 94% among these cases had a known outcome or minimum two year follow-up. Outcomes related to the triflange component were recorded, including revisions, reoperations, surgical complications, medical complications, Harris hip scores, and patient satisfaction. Phone interviews were conducted with patients whose recent follow-up exceeded 2 years. Radiographic review was performed to define implants as either stable or unstable. RESULTS: The average Harris hip scores improved 24 points (49 to 73; P < .001). 91% of eligible patients were satisfied at follow-up. One patient was scheduled for revision at an outside institution during the study period. There were 2 reoperations (1 acute infection and 1 screw removal). One patient died due to pulmonary thromboembolism. A Trendelenberg gait was present in 46% (23/50) of patients. There were 14 major complications (28%). Dislocation (12%) was the most common complication. CONCLUSION: Custom triflange components provide a reliable solution for managing complex acetabular defects in revision THA. Patients should be counseled on magnitude of surgery and the high incidence of complications, specifically infection and dislocation.

Effect of acute nitrite infusion on contractile economy and metabolism in isolated skeletal muscle in situ during hypoxia.

KEY POINTS: Increased plasma nitrite concentrations may have beneficial effects on skeletal muscle function. The physiological basis explaining these observations has not been clearly defined and it may involve positive effects on muscle contraction force, microvascular O2 delivery and skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism. In the isolated canine gastrocnemius model, we evaluated the effects of acute nitrite infusion on muscle force and skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism. Under hypoxic conditions, but in the presence of normal convective O2 delivery, an elevated plasma nitrite concentration affects neither muscle force, nor muscle contractile economy. In accordance with previous results suggesting limited or no effects of nitrate/nitrite administrations in highly oxidative and highly perfused muscle, our data suggest that neither mitochondrial respiration, nor muscle force generation are affected by acute increased concentrations of NO precursors in hypoxia. ABSTRACT: Contrasting findings have been reported concerning the effects of augmented nitric oxide (NO) on skeletal muscle force production and oxygen consumption ( V̇O2 ). The present study examined skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and contractile economy in an isolated muscle preparation during hypoxia (but normal convective O2 delivery) with nitrite infusion. Isolated canine gastrocnemius muscles in situ (n = 8) were studied during 3 min of electrically stimulated isometric tetanic contractions corresponding to ∼35% of V̇O2peak . During contractions, sodium nitrite (NITRITE) or sodium chloride (SALINE) was infused into the popliteal artery. V̇O2 was calculated from the Fick principle. Experiments were carried out in hypoxia ( FIO2  = 0.12), whereas convective O2 delivery was maintained at normal levels under both conditions by pump-driven blood flow ( Q̇ ). Muscle biopsies were taken and mitochondrial respiration was evaluated by respirometry. Nitrite infusion significantly increased both nitrite and nitrate concentrations in plasma. No differences in force were observed between conditions. V̇O2 was not significantly different between NITRITE (6.1 ± 1.8 mL 100 g-1  min-1 ) and SALINE (6.2 ± 1.8 mL 100 g-1  min-1 ), even after being 'normalized' per unit of developed force (muscle contractile economy). No differences between conditions were found for maximal ADP-stimulated mitochondrial respiration (both for complex I and complex II), leak respiration and oxidative phosphorylation coupling. In conclusion, in the absence of changes in convective O2 delivery, muscle force, muscle contractile economy and mitochondrial respiration were not affected by acute infusion of nitrite. The previously reported positive effects of elevated plasma nitrite concentrations are presumably mediated by the increased microvascular O2 availability.

Application of ecological and evolutionary theory to microbiome community dynamics across systems.

A fundamental aim of microbiome research is to understand the factors that influence the assembly and stability of host-associated microbiomes, and their impact on host phenotype, ecology and evolution. However, ecological and evolutionary theories applied to predict microbiome community dynamics are largely based on macroorganisms and lack microbiome-centric hypotheses that account for unique features of the microbiome. This special feature sets out to drive advancements in the application of eco-evolutionary theory to microbiome community dynamics through the development of microbiome-specific theoretical and conceptual frameworks across plant, human and non-human animal systems. The feature comprises 11 research and review articles that address: (i) the effects of the microbiome on host phenotype, ecology and evolution; (ii) the application and development of ecological and evolutionary theories to investigate microbiome assembly, diversity and stability across broad taxonomic scales; and (iii) general principles that underlie microbiome diversity and dynamics. This cross-disciplinary synthesis of theoretical, conceptual, methodological and analytical approaches to characterizing host-microbiome ecology and evolution across systems addresses key research gaps in the field of microbiome research and highlights future research priorities.