To investigate the effect of bursal acromial reconstruction (BAR) using an acellular dermal allograft on glenohumeral joint kinematics including maximum abduction angle, glenohumeral superior ...translation, cumulative deltoid force, and subacromial contact pressure.
In this dynamic biomechanical cadaveric shoulder study, 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (age 53.4 ± 14.2 years, mean ± standard deviation) were tested using a dynamic shoulder testing system. Maximum abduction angle (MAA), glenohumeral superior translation (ghST), maximum cumulative deltoid force (cDF), and subacromial peak contact pressure (sCP) were compared across 3 conditions: (1) intact shoulder; (2) massive retracted irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear (psRCT) according to Patte III; and (3) BAR. Additionally, humeral head containment was measured using contact pressure.
Compared with the simulated psRCT, BAR significantly increased mean MAA and significantly decreased ghST (P < .001, respectively) and cDF (P = .017) Additionally, BAR was found to significantly decrease sCP compared with psRCT (P = .024).
In a dynamic biomechanical cadaveric shoulder simulator, resurfacing the undersurface of the acromion using the BAR technique leads to significantly improved ghST, MAA, cDF, and sCP compared with the irreparable rotator cuff tear.
With the BAR technique, native humeral containment may be restored, which can potentially delay progressive subacromial and glenoidal abrasive wear and improve overall shoulder function. As such, the proposed BAR technique can be considered as a technically feasible and potentially cost- and timesaving procedure, as no bone anchors are needed, glenoidal or humeral side graft ruptures can be avoided, and postoperative rehabilitation can be started immediately. However, future clinical studies are needed.
Population monitoring is critical for informing the management and conservation of rare Hawaiian forest birds. In 2017, we used point‐transect distance sampling methods to estimate population ...densities of birds on Haleakalā Volcano on east Maui island. We estimated the populations and ranges of three island‐endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers, including the endangered ‘Ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei), the endangered Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill; Pseudonestor xanthophrys), and the Maui ʻAlauahio (Paroreomyza montana newtoni). We examined population trends back to 1980, and our 2017 density estimates were the lowest ever recorded for each species. Most concerning was the status of Kiwikiu, with a 71% decline in population since 2001 to a current population of 157 (95% CI 44–312) birds. The population of ‘Ākohekohe similarly decreased by 78% to a current population of 1768 (1193–2411) birds. For both species, population declines were due to declines in density and contraction of ranges from lower elevations. Both species are now restricted to ranges of less than 3000 ha. We surveyed ~ 91% of the range of Maui ‘Alauahio and estimated a population of 99,060 (88,502–106,954) birds, a 41% decrease since the highest estimate in 1992. Contraction of ranges to higher elevations is consistent with evidence that the impacts of avian malaria are being exacerbated by global warming trends. Our results indicate that the landscape control of either avian malaria transmission or its vector (Culex mosquitoes) will be a pre‐requisite to preventing the extinction of endemic forest birds in Hawaii.
RESUMEN
Estimaciones y tendencias poblacionales de tres especies endémicas de trepadores de miel hawaianos en la isla de Maui
El monitoreo poblacional es fundamental para informar sobre la gestión y la conservación de aves forestales raras aves de Hawai. En 2017, utilizamos métodos de muestreo de distancia de transectos puntuales para estimar las densidades de población de aves en el volcán Haleakalā en la isla este de Maui. Estimamos las poblaciones y áreas de distribución de tres trepadores de miel hawaianos endémicos de la isla, incluido la especie en peligro de extinción ‘Ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei), la especie en peligro de extición Kiwikiu (Pico de loro de Maui; Pseudonestor xanthophrys) y el Alauahio de Maui (Paroreomyza montana newtoni). Examinamos las tendencias de la población desde 1980, y nuestras estimaciones de densidad de 2017 fueron las más bajas jamás registradas para cada especie. Lo más preocupante fue el estado de Kiwikiu, con una disminución del 71% en la población desde 2001 a una población actual de 157 (IC del 95%: 44–312) aves. La población de ‘Ākohekohe disminuyó de manera similar en un 78% a una población actual de 1768 (1193–2411) aves. Para ambas especies, la disminución de la población se debió a la disminución de la densidad y la contracción de los rangos de las elevaciones más bajas. Ambas especies están ahora restringidas a áreas de distribución de menos de 3000 ha. Muestreamos ~ 91% del rango del Alauahio Maui y estimamos una población de 99,060 (88,502‐106,954) aves, una disminución del 41% desde la estimación más alta en 1992. La contracción de rangos hacia elevaciones más altas son consistentes con evidencia de que los impactos de la malaria aviar se ve agravada por las tendencias del calentamiento global. Nuestros resultados indican que el control del paisaje de la transmisión de la malaria aviar o de su vector (mosquitos Culex) será un prerrequisito para prevenir la extinción de l.
Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis, which are ...mechanistically important in preeclampsia.
We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 control subjects. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the upregulation, and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, were elevated in preeclamptic women compared with controls in the latter two thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In 2 independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic angiotensin II rat, we observed elevated EET, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MsPPOH). Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity.
Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.
Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is now delivering data on fine-scale animal movement at near-global scale. Linked with remotely sensed environmental data, this offers a ...biological lens on habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health; a global network of animal sentinels of environmental change.
Hyperfunctional glabellar frown lines can transmit facial miscues that adversely affect emotional communication, increase perceptions of age, and diminish self-esteem.
To evaluate the efficacy of ...letibotulinumtoxinA in mitigating the negative psychological impact associated with moderate to severe glabellar lines and to assess subject satisfaction with treatment outcome in the BLESS phase 3 clinical trials.
Baseline and posttreatment assessments were made using validated subject-administered instruments: Modified Skindex-16 Glabellar Line Quality of Life (GL-QoL) Scale, Facial Assessment and Cosmetic Evaluation Questionnaire (FACE-Q) Appraisal of Lines Between Eyebrows Scale, FACE-Q Age Appraisal Visual Analog Scale, and FACE-Q Satisfaction with Outcome Scale. An integrated analysis using pooled BLESS data was conducted on these secondary end points.
Among enrolled and treated subjects ( N = 1,272), 85.5% had moderate to severe psychological impact at baseline. LetibotulinumtoxinA subjects experienced significant improvements compared with placebo on all measures. Mean improvement to Week 4 for the Modified Skindex-16 GL-QoL Scale overall score was -33.84 for letibotulinumtoxinA subjects compared with -1.37 for placebo subjects ( p < .001). Attenuation of psychological burden was highly correlated with improvement in glabellar line severity ( p < .0001).
LetibotulinumtoxinA significantly improved the psychosocial burden associated with glabellar lines across all trials. Treated subjects experienced improved quality of life, younger perceived age, and satisfaction with treatment outcome.
Scapular winging represents a rare phenomenon that most commonly results from nerve damage to either the long thoracic nerve, spinal accessory nerve, or, less commonly, the dorsal scapular nerve. ...This injury results in an abnormal scapulohumeral interaction during kinetic motion known as scapular dyskinesis. In this case report, the patient presented with scapular dyskinesis and medial scapular winging caused by overhead weight-lifting exercises, and a long thoracic nerve injury was diagnosed. Physicians are encouraged to consider long thoracic nerve damage in a patient with a history of repetitive overhead movements who presents with scapular dyskinesis and the corresponding restriction of overhead arm motions. Potential mechanisms of injury and treatment options are also discussed.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a lack of knowledge about the novel virus and a lack of widely available tests, getting first feedback about being infected was not easy. To support ...all citizens in this respect, we developed the mobile health app Corona Check. Based on a self-reported questionnaire about symptoms and contact history, users get first feedback about a possible corona infection and advice on what to do. We developed Corona Check based on our existing software framework and released the app on Google Play and the Apple App Store on April 4, 2020. Until October 30, 2021, we collected 51,323 assessments from 35,118 users with explicit agreement of the users that their anonymized data may be used for research purposes. For 70.6% of the assessments, the users additionally shared their coarse geolocation with us. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report about such a large-scale study in this context of COVID-19 mHealth systems. Although users from some countries reported more symptoms on average than users from other countries, we did not find any statistically significant differences between symptom distributions (regarding country, age, and sex). Overall, the Corona Check app provided easily accessible information on corona symptoms and showed the potential to help overburdened corona telephone hotlines, especially during the beginning of the pandemic. Corona Check thus was able to support fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus. mHealth apps further prove to be valuable tools for longitudinal health data collection.
•Expanded Potential Stem Cell Medium (EPSCM) stably maintains human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs).•EPSCM-maintained human PSCs can undergo hematopoietic differentiation in vitro.•A human ...SPI1-reporter PSC line enables study of in vitro hematopoiesis.
Pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation in vitro represents a powerful and tractable model to study mammalian development and an unlimited source of cells for regenerative medicine. Within hematology, in vitro PSC hematopoiesis affords novel insights into blood formation and represents an exciting potential approach to generate hematopoietic and immune cell types for transplantation and transfusion. Most studies to date have focused on in vitro hematopoiesis from mouse PSCs and human PSCs. However, differences in mouse and human PSC culture protocols have complicated the translation of discoveries between these systems. We recently developed a novel chemical media formulation, expanded potential stem cell medium (EPSCM), that maintains mouse PSCs in a unique cellular state and extraembryonic differentiation capacity. Herein, we describe how EPSCM can be directly used to stably maintain human PSCs. We further demonstrate that human PSCs maintained in EPSCM can spontaneously form embryoid bodies and undergo in vitro hematopoiesis using a simple differentiation protocol, similar to mouse PSC differentiation. EPSCM-maintained human PSCs generated at least two hematopoietic cell populations, which displayed distinct transcriptional profiles by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. EPSCM also supports gene targeting using homologous recombination, affording generation of an SPI1 (PU.1) reporter PSC line to study and track in vitro hematopoiesis. EPSCM therefore provides a useful tool not only to study pluripotency but also hematopoietic cell specification and developmental-lineage commitment.
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