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Background: Neurologically critically ill patients present with unique disease trajectories, prognostic uncertainties, and challenges to end-of-life (EOL) care. Acute brain injuries place these patients at risk for underrecognized symptoms and unmet EOL management needs, which can negatively affect their quality of care and lead to complicated grief in surviving loved ones. To care for patients nearing the EOL in the neurointensive care unit, health care clinicians must consider neuroanatomic localization, barriers to symptom assessment and management, unique aspects of the dying process, and EOL management needs. Aim: We aim to define current best practices, barriers, and future directions for EOL care of the neurologically critically ill patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conserve or restore juvenile fish habitat, resource managers, restoration practitioners, and engineers need fine-scale information to understand what conditions they need to preserve or what specifications are needed to create new habitat. The objective of this study was to develop statistical models using a dataset of 18 coastal ponds in Southwest Florida, USA, to predict the abundance of juvenile common snook Centropomus undecimalis (hereafter snook) and presence of juvenile tarpon Megalops atlanticus, both of which are flagship species used for conservation and restoration of subtropical and tropical wetlands. Model predictors included water conditions and characteristics of vegetation, sediment, and geographic position. Modeling results indicated that juvenile snook used coastal ponds that were directly connected to tidal creeks. In contrast, juvenile tarpon were more likely to be present in coastal ponds that were separated from tidal creeks by dense mangrove forest (e.g., elevation > 0.48 m above Mean Low Water) characterized by highly organic sediment and low dissolved oxygen, to which tarpon are well adapted. Overlap between snook abundance and tarpon presence was greatest where connections between ponds and the nearest tidal creek were at a relatively low elevation (e.g., -0.12 m relative to Mean Low Water). Although these findings are most applicable to management and conservation of populations in areas along the Gulf coast of Florida (i.e., in areas of similar tidal range and coastal geomorphology), incorporating more detailed habitat surveys to better capture landscape context, geomorphology, and connectivity into fish sampling designs should be broadly applicable to estuarine fish ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mindfulness has been proposed as a potential intervention for eating disorders (EDs). However, a better understanding of the relationships between state mindfulness and restrictive ED symptoms for those with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa (AN-spectrum) is needed to design effective mindfulness-based interventions. Additionally, individualized longitudinal modeling of state mindfulness and ED behaviors could inform development of personalized mindfulness-based interventions for those with AN-spectrum disorders. Methods: Participants (n = 18; 784 data points per participant; 14,112 data points) with AN-spectrum disorders completed four daily ecological momentary assessments of ED behaviors, nonjudgment, acceptance, and present-moment awareness for 14 days. Contemporaneous and temporal group-level and idiographic (i.e., one-person, individual) networks were calculated to identify associations among mindfulness variables and ED behaviors. Results: In contemporaneous networks (i.e., within a single timepoint), present-moment awareness was negatively associated with eating small meals but positively associated with avoiding foods due to anxiety. Acceptance was positively associated with eating small meals. In temporal networks, nonjudgment was negatively associated with following eating rules and avoiding foods due to anxiety, whereas acceptance negatively predicted restriction prospectively. Idiographic networks were heterogenous; state mindfulness facets demonstrated positive and negative associations with ED behaviors depending on the individual. Conclusions: At the group level, state mindfulness tends to relate to lower engagement in restrictive ED behaviors over time. High heterogeneity in individual networks illustrates the need for personalized assessment of relationships between state mindfulness and ED behaviors. These types of methodologies can lead to the development of personalized mindfulness-based interventions for those with AN-spectrum disorders. Preregistration: This study is not preregistered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with coma experience heightened emotional distress stemming from simultaneous stressors. Stress and coping frameworks can inform psychosocial intervention development by elucidating common challenges and ways of navigating such experiences but have yet to be employed with this population. The present study therefore sought to use a stress and coping framework to characterize the stressors and coping behaviors of family caregivers of patients with SABI hospitalized in ICUs and recovering after coma. Methods: Our qualitative study recruited a convenience sample from 14 US neuroscience ICUs. Participants were family caregivers of patients who were admitted with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; had experienced a comatose state for > 24 h; and completed or were scheduled for tracheostomy and/or gastrostomy tube placement. Participants were recruited < 7 days after transfer out of the neuroscience ICU. We conducted live online video interviews from May 2021 to January 2022. One semistructured interview per participant was recorded and subsequently transcribed. Recruitment was stopped when thematic saturation was reached. We deductively derived two domains using a stress and coping framework to guide thematic analysis. Within each domain, we inductively derived themes to comprehensively characterize caregivers' experiences. Results: We interviewed 30 caregivers. We identified 18 themes within the two theory-driven domains, including ten themes describing practical, social, and emotional stressors experienced by caregivers and eight themes describing the psychological and behavioral coping strategies that caregivers attempted to enact. Nearly all caregivers described using avoidance or distraction as an initial coping strategy to manage overwhelming emotions. Caregivers also expressed awareness of more adaptive strategies (e.g., cultivation of positive emotions, acceptance, self-education, and soliciting social and medical support) but had challenges employing them because of their heightened emotional distress. Conclusions: In response to substantial stressors, family caregivers of patients with SABI attempted to enact various psychological and behavioral coping strategies. They described avoidance and distraction as less helpful than other coping strategies but had difficulty engaging in alternative strategies because of their emotional distress. These findings can directly inform the development of additional resources to mitigate the long-term impact of acute psychological distress among this caregiver population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Inherent structural and functional properties of biotechnology-derived therapeutic biologics make them susceptible to light- and temperature-induced degradation and consequently can influence their quality. Photosensitivity of therapeutic proteins continues to be examined, but the commonalities and trends of storage conditions and information about light and temperature sensitivity among currently licensed therapeutic proteins has not been previously surveyed. Methods: Using a comprehensive and relational database approach, we conducted a scientific survey of all licensed biotechnology-derived drug products with the goal of providing evidence-based information about recommended storage conditions of formulations sorted by light- and temperature-related attributes as described for each product at licensure. Results: We report the prevalence of indications for light and temperature sensitivity in formulations categorized by their presentation type, number of doses, container type, dosage form and active molecule type. We also report the storage temperature range across formulations and diluents for reconstitution and dilution. Formulations with excipients that potentially facilitate light-induced and thermal degradation were also noted. Conclusions: The result of our analysis indicates that light and temperature sensitivity are prevalent across therapeutic protein formulations. However, when a formulation is reconstituted or diluted, both light and temperature sensitivity are less clear. In addition, light and temperature sensitivity are more well defined in liquid formulations than lyophilized powder formulations, and more well defined in products manufactured in autoinjectors, prefilled-syringes, and pens than products in vials. Overall, our report provides a data-driven summary of storage conditions among therapeutic protein formulations to support the development of future biologic drug products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) penalizes hospitals for higher than expected 30-day mortality rates using methods without accounting for condition severity risk adjustment. For patients with stroke, CMS claims did not quantify stroke severity until recently, when the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) reporting began. Objective: Examine the predictive ability of claim-based NIHSS to predict 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital readmission in patients with ischemic stroke. Design: Retrospective cohort study of Medicare claims data. Patients: Medicare beneficiaries with ischemic stroke (N=43,241) acute hospitalization between October 2016 and November 2017. Measurements: All-cause 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital readmission. NIHSS score was derived from ICD-10 codes and stratified into the following: minor to moderate, moderate, moderate to severe, and severe categories. Results: Among 43,241 patients with ischemic stroke with NIHSS from 2,659 US hospitals, 64.6% had minor to moderate stroke, 14.3% had moderate, 12.7% had moderate to severe, and 8.5% had a severe stroke,10.1% died within 30 days, 12.1% were readmitted within 30 days. The NIHSS exhibited stronger discriminant property (C-statistic 0.83, 95% CI: 0.82–0.84) for 30-day mortality compared to Elixhauser (0.74, 95% CI: 0.73–0.75). A monotonic increase in the adjusted 30-day mortality risk occurred relative to minor to moderate stroke category: hazard ratio [HR]=2.92 (95% CI=2.59–3.29) for moderate stroke, HR=5.49 (95% CI=4.90–6.15) for moderate to severe stroke, and HR=7.82 (95% CI=6.95–8.80) for severe stroke. After accounting for competing risk of mortality, there was a significantly higher readmission risk in the moderate stroke (HR=1.11, 95% CI=1.03–1.20), but significantly lower readmission risk in the severe stroke (HR=0.84, 95% CI=0.74–0.95) categories. Limitation: Timing of NIHSS reporting during hospitalization is unknown. Conclusions: Medicare claim–based NIHSS is significantly associated with 30-day mortality in Medicare patients with ischemic stroke and significantly improves discriminant property relative to the Elixhauser comorbidity index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognition of pathogen-or-damage-associated molecular patterns is critical to inflammation. However, most pathogen-or-damage-associated molecular patterns exist within intact microbes/cells and are typically part of non-diffusible, stable macromolecules that are not optimally immunostimulatory or available for immune detection. Partial digestion of microbes/cells following phagocytosis potentially generates new diffusible pathogen-or-damage-associated molecular patterns, however, our current understanding of phagosomal biology would have these molecules sequestered and destroyed within phagolysosomes. Here, we show the controlled release of partially-digested, soluble material from phagolysosomes of macrophages through transient, iterative fusion-fission events between mature phagolysosomes and the plasma membrane, a process we term eructophagy. Eructophagy is most active in proinflammatory macrophages and further induced by toll like receptor engagement. Eructophagy is mediated by genes encoding proteins required for autophagy and can activate vicinal cells by release of phagolysosomally-processed, partially-digested pathogen associated molecular patterns. We propose that eructophagy allows macrophages to amplify local inflammation through the processing and dissemination of pathogen-or-damage-associated molecular patterns. The detection of conserved motifs by pattern recognition receptors is a crucial component of the innate detection of pathogens and danger signals via conserved pattern recognition receptors. Here the authors define a pathway that transfers partially digested material from the phagolysosomal pathway of macrophages to release at the plasma membrane which is associated with enhanced inflammatory potential, by a process they introduce as eructophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of a collagenous connective tissue scar after penetrating injuries to the brain or spinal cord has been described and investigated for well over 100 years. However, it was studied almost exclusively in the context of penetrating injuries that resulted in infiltration of meningeal fibroblasts, which raised doubts about translational applicability to most CNS injuries where the meninges remain intact. Recent studies demonstrating the perivascular niche as a source of fibroblasts have debunked the traditional view that a fibrotic scar only forms after penetrating lesions that tear the meninges. These studies have led to a renewed interest in CNS fibrosis not only in the context of axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, but also across a spectrum of CNS disorders. Arising with this renewed interest is some discrepancy about which perivascular cell gives rise to the fibrotic scar, but additional studies are beginning to provide some clarity. Although mechanistic studies on CNS fibrosis are still lacking, the similarities to fibrosis of other organs should provide important insight into how CNS fibrosis can be therapeutically targeted to promote functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many species, both males and females possess sexual signals, but most research focuses on understanding signal expression in males. Females are often assumed to possess signals as a non-functional by-product of selection on males, but increasing evidence demonstrates functional explanations for variation in female signals. Theory suggests that—for many bird species—differences in long-term fitness associated with female signaling are more likely to be driven by variation in offspring quality than quantity, but research paradigms developed for studying male signals have primarily focused on counting offspring produced. Here, we tested the hypothesis that female ornamentation reliably signals the ability to incubate effectively. We used temperature loggers placed in the nest of common yellowthroat warblers (Geothlypis trichas) to record incubation behavior across multiple breeding attempts. Incubation bout length and the onset of daily activity were highly variable between females, but repeatable within females across multiple nesting attempts. Females with longer bouts and later onset of activity had higher hatching success. Wing length and plumage coloration were not related to incubation length or onset of activity, but were correlated with the total percentage of time spent on the nest each day. However, there was only a trend for repeatability in percentage of time spent on the nest and this measure was not correlated with any metrics of offspring quality or hatching success that we recorded. Therefore, we did not find any single aspect of incubation behavior that was (i) consistent, (ii) related to nestling quality or success, and (iii) signaled by ornamentation. Our results demonstrate the importance of variation in incubation behavior, but also suggest that ornaments are of limited utility as a signal of incubation ability in this species. Nevertheless, our study highlights the need to explore alternative fitness proxies in order to understand variation in female ornamentation. Significance statement: Choosing a high-quality mate is an important determinant of reproductive success and animals often attend to elaborate ornaments as signals of quality during mate choice. In many species, both males and females have ornaments, but most research has focused on male signals and female mate choice. We found that female incubation behavior is associated with both plumage ornaments and hatching success, but there was no single signal that provided reliable information about the aspects of incubation behavior that were related to reproductive success. Our findings suggest that understanding female ornamentation may depend on considering the specific ways that females contribute to offspring survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic characteristics of chromophore-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have led to extensive photophysical studies in an effort to capitalize on the potency of precisely controlled chromophore ensembles. Several examples have laid the foundation that demonstrates how photophysical properties of chromophores can be manipulated by tuning their communications (interactions) through integration within a MOF matrix. The main focus of this review is on harnessing the versatile MOF platform to accentuate the photophysical properties of integrated chromophores. In particular, this review will highlight chromophore dynamics that enhance, alter, or tune the photoluminescence response of single- and multi-chromophore-containing scaffolds, as well as alignment-guided anisotropic fluorescence. Building upon this groundwork, utilization of a hybrid crystalline motif can induce preferential orientation of chromophores resulting in enhanced communication and tailored behavior compared to randomly oriented emissive molecules. Moreover, frameworks that produce upconverted emission via sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (sTTA), excited-state absorption (ESA), energy transfer upconversion (ETU), multi-photon absorption (MPA), or second-harmonic generation (SHG) can invoke dynamic control of material properties using photochromic linkers and will be discussed herein with a focus on the effects of chromophore alignment. Integration within a framework is a vehicle to fuse chromophores into solid-state platforms, opening an avenue for chromophore utilization in applications such as portable electronics that require solids or thin films. For those reasons, the design of chromophore-containing MOFs with desirable properties that rely on the alignment and communication of hundreds of chromophores within a single platform is a pressing demand for the development of futuristic technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The steady development of biotechnology-derived therapeutic biologics over the last few decades has generated drugs that are now standard medical treatments for a range of indications. While the development of protein products has surged in recent years, the formulation and delivery of these complex molecules have relied on drug-specific studies and, in some instances, data from non-proteinaceous drug products. The commonalities, trends, and gaps in excipient technologies used to support the development of therapeutic proteins largely remain unexplored due to the drug-specific nature of many formulations. Methods: Using a comprehensive and relational database approach, we aimed to provide a scientific survey of all approved or licensed biotechnology-derived drug products with the goal of providing evidence-based information on common attributes and trending features in protein product excipients. We examined 665 formulations, and 395 unique formulations based on having unique excipients within them, that supported 211 therapeutic proteins as of June 2020. Results: We report the prevalence of each excipient class and excipient chemical used in eight different drug types including monoclonal antibodies, antibody conjugates, cytokines and growth factors, enzymes, polypeptide hormones, pulmonary surfactants, recombinant fusion proteins, and toxins. We also report the prevalence by excipient type among all therapeutic proteins, in the context of each drug's recommended pH range, concentration ranges for excipients, and route of administration. Conclusions: The results of our analyses indicate certain excipients common to monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and polypeptide hormones. We also report on excipients unique to protein drug products, such as amino acids, solubilizers, and lyoprotectants. Overall, our report summarizes the current landscape of excipients used in marketed biotechnology-derived therapeutic biologic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arene dearomatization reactions are an important class of synthetic technologies for the rapid assembly of unique chemical architectures. Herein, we report a catalytic protocol to initiate a carboamination/dearomatization cascade that proceeds through transient sulfonamidyl radical intermediates formed from native sulfonamide N–H bonds leading to 1,4-cyclohexadiene-fused sultams. Importantly, this work demonstrates a facile approach to employ two-dimensional aromatic compounds as modular building blocks to generate richly substituted, three-dimensional compounds. These reactions occur at room temperature under visible light irradiation and are catalyzed by the combination of an iridium(III) photocatalyst and a dialkyl phosphate base. Reaction optimization, substrate scope, mechanistic features, and synthetic applications of this transformation are presented. Arene dearomatization reactions allow chemists to rapidly build unique chemical architectures from largely available starting materials. Here, the authors show a photocatalytic carboamination/dearomatization cascade process leading to 1,4-cyclohexadiene-fused sultams via N-centered radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic characteristics of chromophore-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have led to extensive photophysical studies in an effort to capitalize on the potency of precisely controlled chromophore ensembles. Several examples have laid the foundation that demonstrates how photophysical properties of chromophores can be manipulated by tuning their communications (interactions) through integration within a MOF matrix. The main focus of this review is on harnessing the versatile MOF platform to accentuate the photophysical properties of integrated chromophores. In particular, this review will highlight chromophore dynamics that enhance, alter, or tune the photoluminescence response of single- and multi-chromophore-containing scaffolds, as well as alignment-guided anisotropic fluorescence. Building upon this groundwork, utilization of a hybrid crystalline motif can induce preferential orientation of chromophores resulting in enhanced communication and tailored behavior compared to randomly oriented emissive molecules. Moreover, frameworks that produce upconverted emission via sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (sTTA), excited-state absorption (ESA), energy transfer upconversion (ETU), multi-photon absorption (MPA), or second-harmonic generation (SHG) can invoke dynamic control of material properties using photochromic linkers and will be discussed herein with a focus on the effects of chromophore alignment. Integration within a framework is a vehicle to fuse chromophores into solid-state platforms, opening an avenue for chromophore utilization in applications such as portable electronics that require solids or thin films. For those reasons, the design of chromophore-containing MOFs with desirable properties that rely on the alignment and communication of hundreds of chromophores within a single platform is a pressing demand for the development of futuristic technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mindfulness training for smoking cessation may work by lessening the association between craving and smoking. However, no studies have tested whether baseline craving may be an indicator of individual smokers who might benefit more from receiving mindfulness training. Methods: This study evaluated baseline craving strength and frequency as treatment moderators in a randomized controlled trial for smoking cessation comparing mobile (smartphone-based) mindfulness training plus ecological momentary assessment (MMT-EMA) to ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Participants included 325 adult smokers (71.7% female; 81.4% White; mean age = 41.27). Craving strength and frequency were assessed with the Craving Experiences Questionnaire. Smoking was measured as cigarettes per day (CPD) at baseline and six-month follow-up. Moderated regression models were conducted. Results: There was a significant interaction between treatment group and craving strength, but not craving frequency, in the prediction of smoking. Follow-up analyses indicated that baseline craving strength predicted benefit from receiving MMT-EMA, such that higher craving strength at baseline was significantly associated with greater reductions in CPD from baseline to six months in the MMT-EMA group, but not in the EMA group. Conclusions: Findings suggest that baseline craving strength may be a prognostic marker of benefit from smartphone app-delivered mindfulness training for smoking cessation. Future work is warranted for understanding baseline craving as a moderator of mindfulness training for smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an effective group-based aftercare treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), yet few studies have examined moderators of MBRP efficacy. This secondary data analysis evaluated individual gender and group gender composition (e.g., proportion of women relative to men in each therapy group) as treatment moderators of MBRP. Methods: The analysis sample included 186 individuals with SUDs randomized to MBRP or relapse prevention (RP) as an aftercare treatment. Outcomes included number of heavy drinking days and drug use days at the 12-month follow-up. Results: There were no treatment moderation effects for models with heavy drinking days as the outcome (all ps >.05). Group gender composition, but not individual gender, moderated the effect of treatment condition on drug use days (p <.01). Individuals who received MBRP had significantly fewer drug use days at 12 months than those who received RP, but only among individuals in therapy groups comprising one-third or more women (p < 0.0001). Specifically, all women and men who received MBRP in groups with one third or more women were abstinent from drugs at month 12, whereas those in RP groups with one third or more women had an average of about eight drug use days at month 12 (corresponding to a large between-treatment condition effect size). Conclusions: Group-based MBRP may be more efficacious than group-based RP, particularly when women compose at least one third of the therapy group. Further research is warranted on gender and group gender composition as moderators of MBRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive database of the optical response in the form of complex dielectric function (ε) spectra of magnetron co-sputtered CdSe1−xSx alloy thin films is developed spanning the full 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 range of compositions. A parametric model is presented and used to determine ε describing each film while in both as-deposited and thermally annealed states. This model combines a critical point electronic transition lineshape and an Urbach tail in the above- and below-bandgap portions of the measured spectrum, respectively, while maintaining first derivative continuity. Additionally, this hybrid parametric description of ε automatically determines the Urbach energy (EU) describing the width of the sub-bandgap absorption tail, thereby providing a relative measure of the defect density of the modeled material. These as-deposited CdSe1−xSx films are generally found to be the most defective at intermediate compositions with some EU reaching energies > 200 meV. Annealing reduces EU in all films to a relatively uniform value < 100 meV for all compositions. Leveraging the full ε database in modeling CdS-CdSe bi-layer stacks is demonstrated to be effective in detecting the composition gradients resulting from inter-diffusion upon annealing. The accuracy of this technique is verified through excellent agreement with cross sectional energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an effective treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). However, evidence is primarily based on studies of closed groups, and few studies support flexible formats of MBRP, such as rolling groups. This non-randomized, open trial evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, dose-response relations, and mechanisms of rolling admission MBRP ("Rolling MBRP") offered as part of short-term residential treatment for SUD. Rolling MBRP was developed prior to the trial through an iterative process over several years. Participants included 109 adults (46% female, 74.3% racial/ethnic minorities, mean age = 36.40). Rolling MBRP was offered to all patients in the program 2×/week, and attendance was tracked. Outcomes were craving, self-efficacy, mental health, mindfulness, and self-compassion at discharge. Self-reported out-of-session mindfulness practice was examined as a mediator of attendance-outcome relations. Analyses involved multiple regression and mediation models. Feasibility was demonstrated by good attendance rates. Acceptability was demonstrated by high engagement in mindfulness practice and high satisfaction ratings. Total sessions attended did not predict outcomes at discharge. However, attending 2+ sessions (versus one or none) significantly predicted better mental health and higher mindfulness at discharge, and these effects were mediated by informal and formal mindfulness practice. Total sessions attended had significant indirect effects on craving, self-compassion, mindfulness, and mental health, via mindfulness practice. Results support the feasibility and acceptability of Rolling MBRP and suggest mindfulness practice may be a key mechanism driving effects of MBRP on other key mechanisms during the recovery process, such as decreased craving and improved mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme environments typically require costly adaptations for survival, an attribute that often translates to an elevated influence of habitat conditions on biotic communities. Microbes, primarily bacteria, are successful colonizers of extreme environments worldwide, yet in many instances, the interplay between harsh conditions, dispersal, and microbial biogeography remains unclear. This lack of clarity is particularly true for habitats where extreme temperature is not the overarching stressor, highlighting a need for studies that focus on the role other primary stressors (e.g., toxicants) play in shaping biogeographic patterns. In this study, we leveraged a naturally paired stream system in southern Mexico to explore how elevated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) influences microbial diversity. We sequenced a portion of the 16S rRNA gene using bacterial primers for water sampled from three geographically proximate pairings of streams with high (> 20 μM) or low (~ 0 μM) H2S concentrations. After exploring bacterial diversity within and among sites, we compared our results to a previous study of macroinvertebrates and fish for the same sites. By spanning multiple organismal groups, we were able to illuminate how H2S may differentially affect biodiversity. The presence of elevated H2S had no effect on overall bacterial diversity (p = 0.21), a large effect on community composition (25.8% of variation explained, p < 0.0001), and variable influence depending upon the group—whether fish, macroinvertebrates, or bacteria—being considered. For bacterial diversity, we recovered nine abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that comprised a core H2S-rich stream microbiome in the region. Many H2S-associated OTUs were members of the Epsilonproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, which both have been implicated in endosymbiotic relationships between sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and eukaryotes, suggesting the potential for symbioses that remain to be discovered in these habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To review the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in the healthcare setting and outline best practices in the prevention and management of chronic HBV in healthcare professionals. Recent Findings: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public health burden and chronically infects an estimated 257 million persons worldwide. HBV represents one of the most important occupational risks for healthcare workers (HCWs) due to efficient transmission through percutaneous exposure of HBV-infected blood and blood-contaminated body fluids. Although the incidence of HCW-patient transmission of HBV has decreased significantly since 2000, ongoing deficits in HCW testing, vaccination, and confirmation of immunity, as well as post-exposure management protocols, raise concern for ongoing risk for nosocomial exposure. Summary: Established recommendations of the AASLD, CDC, and SHEA provide guidance to clinicians on the prevention and management of chronic HBV in healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium oxide was synthesized using the non-hydrolytic sol-gel method. Reactions with two different vanadium precursors, VCl3 and VOCl3, were investigated at room temperature. All raw and heat-treated samples were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy coupled with scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. For the VCl3 precursor, crystalline V2O5 was formed following heat treatments between 200 and 250 °C. Broad diffraction features, indicative of nanocrystalline material, were observed in dried samples for VOCl3, while heat treatment to 250 °C produced well-crystallized V2O5. Interesting porous morphologies with large crystallographic coherence lengths were observed for the heat-treated samples. Nanocrystalline V2O5 was synthesized at low temperature using the non-hydrolytic sol-gel method.Well-defined V2O5 crystallized after heating to 200 to 250 °C.Precursor-dependent morphologies include spheres, fibrous webs and platelets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different components of learned birdsongs change at different rates across generations, and the rate of change may correspond to the information carried by each component. To characterize the role of the buzz segment of Savannah sparrow songs, we examined recordings from southeastern Canada and the northeastern US and fully characterized buzz segments in songs recorded from two populations: one on Kent Island, NB, Canada and another in Williamstown, MA, USA. Buzzes varied geographically: Kent Island buzzes had higher mean frequencies and shorter pulse periods than Williamstown buzzes and the differences between the two populations persisted over time. Population-specific buzz characteristics also appeared to be resistant to change. Variants appeared on Kent Island in the late 1980s and were learned by some younger birds; however, these buzz variants disappeared by 2011. We conducted a playback experiment and found that males from both populations had longer responses to local buzzes. Therefore, buzz structure varies geographically; population characteristics of the buzz persist through time despite the introduction of variant forms; and territorial males discriminate between buzzes from different populations. The learned buzz segment of the song may thus serve as a population marker for Savannah sparrows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female preference for older or more disease-resistant males are both possible outcomes of parasite-mediated sexual selection, but the extent to which infection alters the development of ornaments to yield signals of male age and health has rarely been explored. In a longitudinal study of 61 male common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas), age-related increases in the size of the melanin-based mask and carotenoid-based bib were not correlated among young males, likely owing to differences in how blood parasites affect ornament development. Infection with trypanosomes and hemosporidians in a male’s first breeding season was associated with slower growth of the mask; uninfected males attained large masks in their second breeding season, while infected males attained large masks in their third breeding season. In contrast, the bib size of males increased every year regardless of infection. As a consequence, different populations of males are identified by the largest ornaments—older males in the case of bib and a combination of older males and young, uninfected males in the case of mask. Although mask is thus the more informative trait with respect to male health, females prefer large bibs in our population. If infection is opportunistic, young, uninfected males may not possess good genes for parasite resistance but simply good luck, and it may benefit females to prefer older males who are more likely to have withstood prior episodes of selection. A “pure” signal of age may be a more reliable signal of resistance to parasites than an ornament whose expression is modulated by infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter (SOM) turnover increasingly is conceptualized as a tension between accessibility to microorganisms and protection from decomposition via physical and chemical association with minerals in emerging soil biogeochemical theory. Yet, these components are missing from the original mathematical models of belowground carbon dynamics and remain underrepresented in more recent compartmental models that separate SOM into discrete pools with differing turnover times. Thus, a gap currently exists between the emergent understanding of SOM dynamics and our ability to improve terrestrial biogeochemical projections that rely on the existing models. In this opinion paper, we portray the SOM paradigm as a triangle composed of three nodes: conceptual theory, analytical measurement, and numerical models. In successful approaches, we contend that the nodes are connected—models capture the essential features of dominant theories while measurement tools generate data adequate to parameterize and evaluate the models—and balanced—models can inspire new theories via emergent behaviors, pushing empiricists to devise new measurements. Many exciting advances recently pushed the boundaries on one or more nodes. However, newly integrated triangles have yet to coalesce. We conclude that our ability to incorporate mechanisms of microbial decomposition and physicochemical protection into predictions of SOM change is limited by current disconnections and imbalances among theory, measurement, and modeling. Opportunities to reintegrate the three components of the SOM paradigm exist by carefully considering their linkages and feedbacks at specific scales of observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term resorbable mesh represents a promising technology for complex ventral and incisional hernia repair (VIHR). Preclinical studies indicate that poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) resorbable mesh supports strength restoration of the abdominal wall. This study evaluated outcomes of high-risk subjects undergoing VIHR with P4HB mesh.Methods: This was a prospective, multi-institutional study of subjects undergoing retrorectus or onlay VIHR. Inclusion criteria were CDC Class I, defect 10-350 cm2, ≤ 3 prior repairs, and ≥ 1 high-risk criteria (obesity (BMI: 30-40 kg/m2), active smoker, COPD, diabetes, immunosuppression, coronary artery disease, chronic corticosteroid use, hypoalbuminemia, advanced age, and renal insufficiency). Physical exam and/or quality of life surveys were performed at regular intervals through 18 months (to date) with longer-term, 36-month follow-up ongoing.Results: One hundred and twenty-one subjects (46M, 75F) with an age of 54.7 ± 12.0 years and BMI of 32.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2 (mean ± SD), underwent VIHR. Comorbidities included the following: obesity (n = 95, 78.5%), hypertension (n = 72, 59.5%), cardiovascular disease (n = 42, 34.7%), diabetes (n = 40, 33.1%), COPD (n = 34, 28.1%), malignancy (n = 30, 24.8%), active smoker (n = 28, 23.1%), immunosuppression (n = 10, 8.3%), chronic corticosteroid use (n = 6, 5.0%), advanced age (n = 6, 5.0%), hypoalbuminemia (n = 3, 2.5%), and renal insufficiency (n = 1, 0.8%). Hernia types included the following: primary ventral (n = 17, 14%), primary incisional (n = 54, 45%), recurrent ventral (n = 15, 12%), and recurrent incisional hernia (n = 35, 29%). Defect and mesh size were 115.7 ± 80.6 and 580.9 ± 216.1 cm2 (mean ± SD), respectively. Repair types included the following: retrorectus (n = 43, 36%), retrorectus with additional myofascial release (n = 45, 37%), onlay (n = 24, 20%), and onlay with additional myofascial release (n = 8, 7%). 95 (79%) subjects completed 18-month follow-up to date. Postoperative wound infection, seroma requiring intervention, and hernia recurrence occurred in 11 (9%), 7 (6%), and 11 (9%) subjects, respectively.Conclusions: High-risk VIHR with P4HB mesh demonstrated positive outcomes and low incidence of hernia recurrence at 18 months. Longer-term 36-month follow-up is ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved quantification of the factors controlling soil organic matter (SOM) stabilization at continental to global scales is needed to inform projections of the largest actively cycling terrestrial carbon pool on Earth, and its response to environmental change. Biogeochemical models rely almost exclusively on clay content to modify rates of SOM turnover and fluxes of climate-active CO2 to the atmosphere. Emerging conceptual understanding, however, suggests other soil physicochemical properties may predict SOM stabilization better than clay content. We addressed this discrepancy by synthesizing data from over 5,500 soil profiles spanning continental scale environmental gradients. Here, we demonstrate that other physicochemical parameters are much stronger predictors of SOM content, with clay content having relatively little explanatory power. We show that exchangeable calcium strongly predicted SOM content in water-limited, alkaline soils, whereas with increasing moisture availability and acidity, iron- and aluminum-oxyhydroxides emerged as better predictors, demonstrating that the relative importance of SOM stabilization mechanisms scales with climate and acidity. These results highlight the urgent need to modify biogeochemical models to better reflect the role of soil physicochemical properties in SOM cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) share cytokine and transcription factor expression with CD4+ Th2 cells, but functional diversity of the ILC2 lineage has yet to be fully explored. Here, we show induction of a molecularly distinct subset of activated lung ILC2, termed ILC210. These cells produce IL-10 and downregulate some pro-inflammatory genes. Signals that generate ILC210 are distinct from those that induce IL-13 production, and gene expression data indicate that an alternative activation pathway leads to the generation of ILC210. In vivo, IL-2 enhances ILC210 generation and is associated with decreased eosinophil recruitment to the lung. Unlike most activated ILC2, the ILC210 population contracts after cessation of stimulation in vivo, with maintenance of a subset that can be recalled by restimulation, analogous to T-cell effector cell and memory cell generation. These data demonstrate the generation of a previously unappreciated IL-10 producing ILC2 effector cell population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and histological properties of a fully absorbable poly-4-hydroxybutyrate/absorbable barrier composite mesh (Phasix™ ST) compared to partially absorbable (Ventralight™ ST), fully absorbable (Phasix™), and biologically derived (Strattice™) meshes in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair.Methods: Bilateral abdominal surgical defects were created in twenty-four Yucatan pigs, repaired with intraperitoneal (Phasix™ ST, Ventralight™ ST) or retromuscular (Phasix™, Strattice™) mesh, and evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks (n = 6 mesh/group/time point).Results: Prior to implantation, Strattice™ demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.001) strength (636.6 ± 192.1 N) compared to Ventralight™ ST (324.3 ± 37.1 N), Phasix™ ST (206.9 ± 11.3 N), and Phasix™ (200.6 ± 25.2 N). At 12 and 24 weeks, mesh/repair strength was significantly greater than NAW (p < 0.01 in all cases), and no significant changes in strength were observed for any meshes between 12 and 24 weeks (p > 0.05). Phasix™ mesh/repair strength was significantly greater than Strattice™ (p < 0.001) at 12 and 24 weeks, and Ventralight™ ST mesh/repair strength was significantly greater than Phasix™ ST mesh (p < 0.05) at 24 weeks. At 12 and 24 weeks, Phasix™ ST and Ventralight™ ST were associated with mild inflammation and minimal-mild fibrosis/neovascularization, with no significant differences between groups. At both time points, Phasix™ was associated with minimal-mild inflammation/fibrosis and mild neovascularization. Strattice™ was associated with minimal inflammation/fibrosis, with minimal neovascularization at 12 weeks, which increased to mild by 24 weeks. Strattice™ exhibited significantly less neovascularization than Phasix™ at 12 weeks and significantly greater inflammation at 24 weeks due to remodeling.Conclusions: Phasix™ ST demonstrated mechanical and histological properties comparable to partially absorbable (Ventralight™ ST) and fully resorbable (Phasix™) meshes at 12 and 24 weeks in this model. Data also suggest that fully absorbable meshes with longer-term resorption profiles may provide improved mechanical and histological properties compared to biologically derived scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse innate lymphoid cell (ILC) subtypes have been defined on the basis of effector function and transcription factor expression. ILCs derive from common lymphoid progenitors, although the transcriptional pathways that lead to ILC-lineage specification remain poorly characterized. Here we found that the transcriptional regulator TOX was required for the in vivo differentiation of common lymphoid progenitors into ILC lineage-restricted cells. In vitro modeling demonstrated that TOX deficiency resulted in early defects in the survival or proliferation of progenitor cells, as well as ILC differentiation at a later stage. In addition, comparative transcriptome analysis of bone marrow progenitors revealed that TOX-deficient cells failed to upregulate many genes of the ILC program, including genes that are targets of Notch, which indicated that TOX is a key determinant of early specification to the ILC lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex human traits are influenced by variation in regulatory DNA through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Because regulatory elements are conserved between humans and mice, a thorough annotation of cis regulatory variants in mice could aid in further characterizing these mechanisms. Here we provide a detailed portrait of mouse gene expression across multiple tissues in a three-way diallel. Greater than 80% of mouse genes have cis regulatory variation. Effects from these variants influence complex traits and usually extend to the human ortholog. Further, we estimate that at least one in every thousand SNPs creates a cis regulatory effect. We also observe two types of parent-of-origin effects, including classical imprinting and a new global allelic imbalance in expression favoring the paternal allele. We conclude that, as with humans, pervasive regulatory variation influences complex genetic traits in mice and provide a new resource toward understanding the genetic control of transcription in mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biological scaffolds must support a complex balance of resisting enzymatic degradation while promoting tissue remodeling. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of in vitro enzymatic exposure on the mechanical properties of biological scaffolds. It was hypothesized that exposure to an enzyme solution would result in decreased tensile strength and that crosslinked scaffolds would resist enzymatic degradation more effectively than noncrosslinked scaffolds.Methods: Nine scaffolds were evaluated (four porcine dermis: Permacol™, CollaMend™, Strattice™, XenMatrix™; two human dermis: AlloMax™, FlexHD(®); two bovine pericardium: Veritas(®), PeriGuard(®); and one porcine small intestine submucosa: Surgisis™). Ten specimens (n = 10) were hydrated in saline at 37 °C and subjected to uniaxial testing to establish baseline properties. 50 specimens (n = 50) were incubated in collagenase solution at 37 °C for 2, 6, 12, 24, or 30 h (n = 10 each group) followed by uniaxial tensile testing.Results: Tensile strength was significantly reduced after 30 h for CollaMend™, AlloMax™, Veritas(®), Strattice™, XenMatrix™, Permacol™, and FlexHD(®) (p < 0.01), while PeriGuard(®) demonstrated a slight increase in tensile strength (p = 0.0188). Crosslinked bovine pericardium (PeriGuard(®)) maintained greater tensile strength than noncrosslinked bovine pericardium (Veritas(®)) throughout all exposure periods (p < 0.0001). Similarly, crosslinked porcine dermis (Permacol™) maintained greater tensile strength than noncrosslinked porcine dermis (Strattice™ and XenMatrix™) throughout all exposure periods (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Materials that deteriorate rapidly after in vitro enzymatic exposure may also deteriorate rapidly in vivo, particularly when exposed to a wound environment with elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases. Permacol™, CollaMend™, Strattice™, FlexHD(®), and PeriGuard(®) survived the longest incubation period (30 h) and withstood mechanical testing. XenMatrix™, AlloMax™, Veritas(®), and Surgisis™ degraded more quickly and did not survive the longer exposure periods. Scaffolds that maintain strength characteristics after in vitro collagenase exposure may be advantageous for long-term hernia repair scenarios where elevated enzyme levels are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Permanent/nonresorbable hernia repair materials rely on profibrotic wound healing, and repair sites are commonly composed of disorganized tissue with inferior mechanical strength and risk of reherniation. Resorbable electrospun scaffolds represent a novel class of biomaterials, which may provide a unique platform for the design of advanced soft tissue repair materials. These materials are simple, inexpensive, nonwoven materials composed of polymer fibers that readily mimic the natural extracellular matrix. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate the physiomechanical properties of novel electrospun scaffolds to determine their suitability for hernia repair. Based on previous experimentation, scaffolds possessing ≥ 20 N suture retention strength, ≥ 20 N tear resistance, and ≥ 50 N/cm tensile strength are appropriate for hernia repair.Methods: Six novel electrospun scaffolds were fabricated by varying combinations of polymer concentration (10-12 %) and flow rate (3.5-10 mL/h). Briefly, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was dissolved in a solvent mixture and electrospun onto a planar metal collector, yielding sheets with randomly oriented fibers. Physiomechanical properties were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, laser micrometry, and mechanical testing.Results: Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated fiber diameters ranging from 1.0 ± 0.1 μm (10 % PCL, 3.5 mL/h) to 1.5 ± 0.2 μm (12 % PCL, 4 mL/h). Laser micrometry demonstrated thicknesses ranging from 0.72 ± 0.07 mm (12 % PCL, 10 mL/h) to 0.91 ± 0.05 mm (10 % PCL, 3.5 mL/h). Mechanical testing identified two scaffolds possessing suture retention strengths ≥ 20 N (12 % PCL, 10 mL/h and 12 % PCL, 6 mL/h), and no scaffolds possessing tear resistance values ≥ 20 N (range, 4.7 ± 0.9 N to 10.6 ± 1.8 N). Tensile strengths ranged from 35.27 ± 2.08 N/cm (10 % PCL, 3.5 mL/h) to 81.76 ± 15.85 N/cm (12 % PCL, 4 mL/h), with three scaffolds possessing strengths ≥ 50 N/cm (12 % PCL, 10 mL/h; 12 % PCL, 6 mL/h; 12 % PCL, 4 mL/h).Conclusions: Two electrospun scaffolds (12 % PCL, 10 mL/h and 12 % PCL, 6 mL/h) possessed suture retention and tensile strengths appropriate for hernia repair, justifying evaluation in a large animal model. Additional studies examining advanced methods of fabrication may further improve the unique properties of these scaffolds, propelling them into applications in a variety of clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical reactions are a powerful class of chemical transformations. However, the formation of radical species to initiate these reactions has often required the use of stoichiometric amounts of toxic reagents, such as tributyltin hydride. Recently, the use of visible-light-mediated photoredox catalysis to generate radical species has become popular, but the scope of these radical precursors has been limited. Here, we describe the identification of reaction conditions under which photocatalysts such as fac-Ir(ppy)3 can be utilized to form radicals from unactivated alkyl, alkenyl and aryl iodides. The generated radicals undergo reduction via hydrogen atom abstraction or reductive cyclization. The reaction protocol utilizes only inexpensive reagents, occurs under mild reaction conditions, and shows exceptional functional group tolerance. Reaction efficiency is maintained upon scale-up and decreased catalyst loading, and the reaction time can be significantly shortened when the reaction is performed in a flow reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo determine the genetic basis of early onset autosomal recessive Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (arBVMD) in a family with three affected children.DesignClinical and family-based genetic study.MethodsSeven subjects making up a family with three children affected by Best vitelliform macular dystrophy were studied. Standard ophthalmic exam with dilated ophthalmoscopy and imaging were performed in each individual. The eleven exons of BEST1were directly sequenced.ResultsAll three affected children have the clinical characteristic features of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy: large macular vitelliform lesions, scattered vitelliform lesions along the arcades and in the peripheral retina, and an accumulation of serous retinal fluid. A novel compound heterozygous mutation in the BEST1gene was found in the three affected individuals (L41P and I201T). The unaffected parents and children only harbor one heterozygous mutation.ConclusionarBVMD can be caused by the compound heterozygous mutation L41P and I201T in the BEST1gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to compare the physicomechanical properties of composite prostheses for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) through standard testing and a proposed classification system. Methods: Seven prostheses (four with absorbable barriers and 3 with nonabsorbable barriers) were evaluated. The barrier layer was removed, after which the area of the interstices and the diameter of the filaments were determined. The barrier layer was left intact during thickness, density, suture retention strength, tear resistance, uniaxial tensile, and ball-burst testing. Specimens were oriented parallel or perpendicular to their longest dimension during testing. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's posttest or an unpaired, two-tailed t-test was performed to determine whether differences existed due to mesh or orientation, and a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant differences were observed between mesh types and due to the orientation of the mesh during testing. Of the absorbable barrier meshes, Bard Sepramesh IP Composite demonstrated the greatest suture retention and tear strengths, followed by C-QUR mesh. Of the permanent barrier meshes, DUALMESH demonstrated the greatest suture retention strength in the perpendicular direction, followed by Bard Composix E/X. DUALMESH and Bard Composix E/X demonstrated equivalent suture retention strength in the parallel direction and equivalent tear resistance in both testing directions. All meshes demonstrated tensile strengths greater than the physiologically relevant range of 16-32 N/cm. Conclusions: This study provided a basic understanding of how the structural aspects of each mesh design influence functionality. Differences between composite barrier prostheses commonly used for LVHR were observed due to barrier type, mesh type, and orientation. A set of standard testing techniques and a classification system also were presented to define fully the properties of these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic fixation strength of fibrin sealant (FS) as an alternative method of fixation for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Methods: Representative mesh types for LVHR included one nonabsorbable barrier mesh (Composix) and three absorbable barrier meshes (Sepramesh, Proceed, and Parietex composite). Macroporous polypropylene mesh (Prolite Ultra) served as the control mesh. Three methods of fixation were used, namely, 0-polypropylene suture + FS (ARTISS 4 IU), FS alone (ARTISS), and tacks alone, to secure 3 × 4-cm pieces of mesh (10 of each combination) to the peritoneal surface of New Zealand white rabbit abdominal wall. After 2 h of incubation at 37°C, specimens underwent acute testing. Subsequently, a chronic phase was completed using the aforementioned fixation methods (10 of each combination), in which two 4 × 4-cm pieces of mesh were secured intraperitoneally in each of 75 New Zealand white rabbits, which survived 8 weeks until they were sacrificed. A transparent grid overlay was used to measure the mesh and adhesion area. Adhesion tenacity was characterized using the Garrard adhesion scale. In both the acute and chronic samples, a 3 × 3-cm area of mesh-tissue interface underwent lap shear testing at a rate of 0.42 mm/s using a tensiometer (Instron 5542). The maximum load sustained by the mesh-tissue construct was recorded as the acute fixation strength in newtons (N). Data are given as means ± standard error of the mean. Statistical significance ( p < 0.05) was determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) posttest or a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test (adhesion scores). Results: The acute fixation strength was significantly greater for all the meshes secured with either suture + FS or tacks alone than for FS alone ( p < 0.001 for all comparisons). All the meshes except Proceed demonstrated greater acute fixation strength with suture + FS than with tacks alone ( p ≤ 0.016). Composix achieved greater acute fixation with suture + FS than all the other meshes ( p ≤ 0.022). Acute fixation with suture + FS was greater for Parietex Composite and ProLite Ultra than for Proceed ( p ≤ 0.015). When the animals were sacrificed, 48 of 50 meshes fixed with FS alone were insufficiently affixed to the abdominal wall, which may have resulted in hernia recurrence in a hernia model. The chronic fixation strength was greater for all the mesh types with either suture + FS or tacks only than with FS alone ( p ≤ 0.0005). The chronic fixation strength was greater with suture + FS than with tacks for Proceed and ProLite Ultra ( p ≤ 0.013). Neither mesh area nor adhesion tenacity differed significantly with any mesh/fixation method combination. Conclusions: In a chronic rabbit model of LVHR, fixation strength with FS alone was inadequate for selected nonabsorbable and absorbable barrier-coated meshes. The acute and chronic fixation strengths of suture + FS were equivalent or superior to the fixation strength of tacks alone. Using a combination of suture and FS for mesh fixation in LVHR may provide adequate fixation while decreasing postoperative pain due to spiral titanium tacks. In this preclinical series, mesh secured to the peritoneal surface by FS alone may have led to early recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new means of activating molecules and bonds for chemical reactions is a fundamental objective for chemists. In this regard, visible-light photoredox catalysis has emerged as a powerful technique for chemoselective activation of chemical bonds under mild reaction conditions. Here, we report a visible-light-mediated photocatalytic alcohol activation, which we use to convert alcohols to the corresponding bromides and iodides in good yields, with exceptional functional group tolerance. In this fundamentally useful reaction, the design and operation of the process is simple, the reaction is highly efficient, and the formation of stoichiometric waste products is minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]