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This study evaluated the potential consequences of the redefined joint European/American electrocardiographic criteria for an established myocardial infarction (MI). New and previous diagnostic Q-wave criteria were used in patients with stable angina pectoris. Seventy-nine patients with and 77 patients without a documented previous MI were compared using the results of myocardial perfusion imaging at rest as a reference. With the new Q-wave criteria, 71% of the former group and 40% of the latter had evidence of established MI compared with 33% and 3% when using the previous criteria (p <0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 71%, 60%, 64%, and 67% for the new criteria versus 33%, 97%, 93%, and 59% with the previous criteria. These data suggest that that the new Q-wave criteria may be too nonspecific, resulting in an inappropriately high number of false-positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To provide a legal epidemiology review of state-level policies that regulate the direct delivery of recreational and medical cannabis in the United States. Methods. We conducted a comprehensive review to identify all relevant policies as of July 1, 2024. Specifically, we developed a coding scheme to capture laws governing (1) direct delivery of recreational cannabis, (2) licensing for direct delivery of recreational cannabis, (3) direct delivery of medical cannabis to qualifying patients, and (4) medical cannabis delivery solely from caregivers to qualified patients. Results. Fourteen states authorized the direct delivery of recreational cannabis to adults. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia permitted the direct delivery of medical cannabis to qualifying patients. Twelve states allowed the delivery of medical cannabis to patients exclusively through caregivers. There were numerous variations in the licensing and authorization of recreational and medical cannabis delivery. Conclusions. States varied in how the delivery of cannabis was regulated. Public Health Implications. A comprehensive review of state-level policies on cannabis delivery highlights the diverse approaches and their implications for recreational and medical cannabis access. ( Am J Public Health . Published online ahead of print November 14, 2024:e1-e13. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307874).

Background: In heart failure, the capacity of the lymphatic system dictates symptoms of circulatory congestion. This study aimed at describing structural and functional changes of the lymphatic system in patients with chronic right-sided heart failure., Methods: Individuals with long-standing severe tricuspid valve regurgitation and symptoms of heart failure were compared with age- gender- and weight-matched controls. Lymphatic structure and function were examined using non-contrast MR lymphangiography and near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Microvascular fluid dynamics and distribution were evaluated using strain gauge plethysmography and bio-impedance., Results: In total nine patients and nine controls were included. Lymphatic morphology was unchanged in cases compared to controls with similar thoracic duct diameters 3.1(2.1-3.5) mm vs. 2.0(1.8-2.4) mm (p-value = 0.11), similar lymphatic classifications (p-value 0.34), and an identical number of lymphatic vessels in the legs 6 ± 1 vs. 6 ± 3 vessels/field (p-value = 0.72). Lymphatic function was comparable with contraction frequencies of 0.5 ± 0.2 and 0.5 ± 0.3 /min (p-value = 0.52) and a maximal lymphatic pumping pressure of 60 ± 13 and 57 ± 12 mmHg (p-value = 0.59) for cases and controls respectively. Finally, microvascular capillary filtration, isovolumetric threshold, and fluid distribution were similar between groups (p-value≥0.16 for all comparisons)., Conclusion: In this small exploratory study, individuals with severe secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation and right-sided heart failure displayed a largely similar lymphatic anatomy and function. Thoracic duct diameter displayed a trend towards increased size in the patient group. We speculate that cases were indeed stable and optimally treated at the time of examination, and with a lymphatic system largely unaffected by any of the current or prior hemodynamic changes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The use of cigars for blunts (i.e., cannabis rolled in cigar paper) is well-documented; prevalence of cigar and blunt use and associated characteristics are less studied., Methods: Pooled data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed in 2023. Respondents aged 12+ who reported past 30-day cigar use were categorized into three mutually exclusive use categories: (1) exclusively cigars, (2) exclusively blunts, and (3) both cigars and blunts. We examined associations between cigar-blunt use categories and sociodemographic characteristics., Results: Among respondents aged 12+ who reported past 30-day cigar use, 48.6% (95% CI=47.6-49.6) reported exclusive cigar use; 44.3% (95% CI=43.3-45.3) reported exclusive blunt use; and 7.2% (95% CI=6.8-7.6) reported cigars and blunts. The prevalence differed by age, with exclusive blunt use most prevalent among youth (72.5% [95% CI=70.7-74.3]) and young adults (62.4% [95% CI=61.4-63.5]), and exclusive cigar use most prevalent among adults 26+ (61.2% [95% CI=59.8-62.5]). Exclusive blunt users smoked more days in the past month (17.5; 95% CI=16.8-18.2), compared to 13.8 days (95% CI=13.2-14.4) for cigar and blunt users, and 7.7 days (95% CI=7.5-8.0) for exclusive cigar users. There were significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, with female (41.6%; 95% CI=40.3-42.9) and Hispanic (18.2%; 95% CI=17.3-19.2) participants more likely to report exclusive blunt use., Conclusions: Exclusive blunt use was the most prevalent pattern of past-30-day cigar use among youth and young adults. Those who use cigars as blunts smoked more cigars per month, suggesting this may be an important group for education and policy efforts., Implications: Studies that aggregate cigars and blunts into one group may limit potentially meaningful subgroup risk profiles. Additionally, when assessing cigar use, particularly among youth and young adults, it is important to consider blunt use to avoid missing youth who exclusively use cigars for blunts and may not consider blunts as cigar products. Accurate measurement may better inform tobacco and cannabis regulatory actions. Finally, given the high prevalence of blunt use among youth and young adults identified in the present study, additional education efforts may be warranted for this population to reduce long-term risks., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Anthropogenic changes to the environment expose wildlife to many pollutants. Among these, tropospheric ozone is of global concern and a highly potent pro-oxidant. In addition, human activities include several other implications for wildlife, e.g., changed food availability and changed distribution of pathogens in cities. These co-occurring habitat changes may interact, thereby modulating the physiological responses and costs related to anthropogenic change. For instance, many food items associated with humans (e.g., food waste and feeders for wild birds) contain relatively more ω6-than ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Metabolites derived from ω6-PUFAs can enhance inflammation and oxidative stress towards a stimulus, whereas the opposite response is linked to ω3-derived metabolites. Hence, we hypothesized that differential intake of ω6-and ω3-PUFAs modulates the oxidative stress state of birds and thereby affects the responses towards pro-oxidants. To test this, we manipulated dietary ω6:ω3 ratios and ozone levels in a full-factorial experiment using captive zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ). Additionally, we simulated an infection, thereby also triggering the immune system's adaptive pro-oxidant release (i.e., oxidative burst), by injecting lipopolysaccharide. Under normal air conditions, the ω3-diet birds had a lower antioxidant ratio (GSH/GSSG ratio) compared to the ω6-diet birds. When exposed to ozone, however, the diet effect disappeared. Instead, ozone exposure overall reduced the total concentration of the key antioxidant glutathione (tGSH). Moreover, the birds on the ω6-rich diet had an overall higher antioxidant capacity (OXY) compared to birds fed a ω3-rich diet. Interestingly, only the immune challenge increased oxidative damage, suggesting the oxidative burst of the immune system overrides the other pro-oxidative processes, including diet. Taken together, our results show that ozone, dietary PUFAs, and infection all affect the redox-system, but in different ways, suggesting that the underlying responses are decoupled despite that they all increase pro-oxidant exposure or generation. Despite lack of apparent cumulative effect in the independent biomarkers, the combined single effects could together reduce overall cellular functioning and efficiency over time in wild birds exposed to pathogens, ozone, and anthropogenic food sources., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ziegler, Jensen, Jiménez-Gallardo, Rissler, Gudmundsson, Nilsson and Isaksson.)

Aim: To summarise, interpret and synthesize research findings on patients' and nurses' experiences of caring in nursing across clinical practices., Background: Caring is a universal element of nursing; however, economic restrictions often negatively impact health services, and time shortages and limited numbers of staff may characterize care encounters. It is unclear how these contextual conditions affect patients' and nurses' experiences of caring., Design and Methods: This integrative literature review covers papers published between 2000 and 2022. Four databases-PubMed, PsycINFO (via Ovid), MEDLINE (via Ovid) and CINAHL (via EBSCO)-were systematically searched for eligible papers in May 2022. The included studies were critically appraised. Content analysis was performed to interpret and synthesize the findings. In accordance with the EQUATOR guidelines, the PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S checklists were used. An Integrative review methodology guided the process., Findings: In total, 33 studies were included in the review. Three themes captured the experiences of caring in nursing: (1) the complexity of the nursing care context, (2) the professionalism of the nurse, and (3) the trusting patient-nurse relationship., Conclusion: The experience of caring in nursing depended on nurses' competence and discretion in the personal encounter framed by the nursing context. The caring relationship was based on reciprocity, but it remains asymmetrical, as the nurse had the power and responsibility to empower the patient. Barriers, such as increased demands for efficiency and resource scarcity, may hinder the experience of caring in nursing., Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: By promoting an ongoing discussion of caring in nursing, nurse management can systematically support nurses in reflecting on their practice in diverse and complex clinical contexts., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution was made due to the study design., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Evaluating right ventricular (RV) function remains a challenge. Recently, novel echocardiographic assessment of RV myocardial work (RVMW) by non-invasive pressure-strain loops was proposed. This enables evaluation of right ventriculoarterial coupling and quantifies RV dyssynchrony and post-systolic shortening. We aimed to assess RVMW in patients with different etiologies of RV dysfunction and healthy controls. We investigated healthy controls (n=17), patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR; n=22), and patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PCPH; n=20). Echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed to assess 1) RV global constructive work (RVGCW; work needed for systolic myocardial shortening and isovolumic relaxation), 2) RV global wasted work (RVGWW; myocardial shortening following pulmonic valve closure), and 3) RV global work efficiency (RVGWE; describes the relation between RV constructive and wasted work). RVGCW correlated with invasive RV stroke work index (r=0.66, P<0.001) and increased in tandem with higher afterload, i.e., was low in healthy controls (454±73 mmHg%), moderate in patients with FTR (687±203 mmHg%), and highest among patients with PCPH (881±255 mmHg%). RVGWE was lower and RVGWW was higher in patients with FTR (86±8% and 91 mmHg% [53-140]) or PCPH (86±10% and 110 mmHg% [66-159]) as compared with healthy controls (96±3% and 10 mmHg%). RVMW by echocardiography provides a promising index of RV function to discriminate between patients with RV volume or pressure overload. The prognostic value of this measure needs to be settled in future studies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: In 2011, Boston restricted cigar sales to packages of at least 4 cigars unless sold at a minimum of $2.50 per cigar. Nearly 200 localities in Massachusetts have since adopted policies establishing minimum pack quantities of 2-5 or minimum prices of $2.50-5.00 per cigar. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of these policies on youth cigar use., Methods: Biennial data from 1999 to 2019 were obtained from the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey and analyzed in 2023. Final analytic samples included 15,674 youth for the Boston analyses and 35,674 youth for the statewide analyses. For Boston, change in use was examined from prepolicy (1999-2011) to postpolicy (2012-2019). For statewide analyses, the percentage of the state covered by a policy was estimated. Multivariable logistic regressions examined the impact of cigar policies on cigar and cigarette use. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and stratified by sex and race., Results: Policy enactment was associated with significant decreases in the odds of cigar use in Boston (AOR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.17-0.47) and statewide (AOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98-0.99), with similar findings for cigarette use. Results were consistent among males and females statewide but only among males in Boston. By race statewide and in Boston, odds of cigar use decreased significantly among White, Black, and Hispanic youth, but not youth of other races., Conclusions: These findings indicate small increases in the quantity and price of cigar packs could discourage young people from purchasing and using cigars, providing significant benefits for local tobacco control efforts., (Copyright © 2023 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are used to store perishable biological contents and are among the most energy-intensive equipment in laboratory buildings, biobanks, and similar settings. To ensure reliable and efficient operation, it is essential to implement data-driven fault detection and diagnostic algorithms, along with energy optimization techniques. This study presents labelled and long-term ULT-freezer performance dataset, the first of its kind, derived from 53 ULT freezers featuring two different control strategies. The dataset comprises high-resolution historical operation data spanning up to 10 years. More than 10 attributes are recorded from the freezing chamber and critical locations in the refrigeration systems. The dataset is labelled with regular events, such as door openings, as well as fault events obtained from 46 service reports. A scalable data pipeline, consisting of extraction, transformation, and loading processes, is developed to convert the raw data into a format ready for analysis. The dataset can be utilized to support the development of data-driven models and algorithms that advance the intelligent digital operation of ULT freezers., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Purpose of Review: The goals of this study were to identify smartphone apps targeting youth tobacco use prevention and/or cessation discussed in the academic literature and/or available in the Apple App Store and to review and rate the credibility of the apps. We took a multiphase approach in a non-systematic review that involved conducting parallel literature and App Store searches, screening the returned literature and apps for inclusion, characterizing the studies and apps, and evaluating app quality using a standardized rating scale., Recent Findings: The negative consequences of youth tobacco use initiation are profound and far-reaching. Half of the youth who use nicotine want to quit, but quit rates are low. The integration of smartphone apps shows promise in complementing and enhancing evidence-based youth tobacco prevention and treatment methods., Summary: Consistent with prior reviews, we identified a disconnect between apps that are readily accessible and those that have an evidence base, and many popular apps received low quality scores. Findings suggest a need for better integration between evidence-based and popular, available apps targeting youth tobacco use., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors declare no competing interests.

Background: Angiogenesis has increasingly been a target for imaging and treatment over the last decade. The integrin α v β 3 is highly expressed in cells during angiogenesis and are therefore a promising target for imaging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the PET tracer [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD as a marker of angiogenesis following MI and its ability to predict cardiac functional parameters., Methods: First, the real-time interaction between [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD and integrin α v β 3 was investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Second, an animal study was performed to investigate the [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD uptake in the infarcted area after one and four weeks following MI in a rat model (MI = 68, sham surgery = 36). Finally, the specificity of the [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD tracer was evaluated ex vivo using histology, autoradiography, gamma counting and flow cytometry., Results: SPR showed that [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD has a high affinity for integrin α v β 3 , forming a strong and stable binding. PET/CT showed a significantly higher uptake of [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD in the infarcted area compared to sham one week (p < 0.001) and four weeks (p < 0.001) after MI. The uptake of [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD after one week correlated to end diastolic volume (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and ejection fraction (r = - 0.71, p < 0.001) after four weeks., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD has a high affinity for integrin α v β 3 , which enables the evaluation of angiogenesis and remodeling. The [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD uptake after one week indicates that [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD may be used as an early predictor of cardiac functional parameters and possible development of heart failure after MI. These encouraging data supports the clinical translation and future use in MI patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objectives: State ceiling pre-emption laws effectively limit the authority of local governments to regulate numerous public health issues, including tobacco. While general trends in the number of state tobacco pre-emption laws have been well-documented, less is known about the specific content of these laws. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the content of current state tobacco pre-emption laws and captures the salient features of these laws., Study Design: This was a comparative analysis of tobacco pre-emption laws in the United States., Methods: The study team collected data about tobacco pre-emption laws from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System. Trained legal researchers further verified and reviewed each law's content using the Westlaw database. A coding scheme was developed to capture and analyse these laws' most salient features., Results: State tobacco pre-emption laws use various terms to indicate the pre-emption of a local authority, including supersede, pre-empt, uniform, exclusive, and consistent. State laws cover numerous general topics and vary widely in explicit terminology of authorities and fields pre-empted. Several state laws included grandfathering exceptions and a few allowed exceptions for particular local jurisdictions., Conclusions: State laws that undermine local tobacco control efforts from implementing more stringent laws pose a threat to public health. These laws vary widely in their scope across the U.S., and local jurisdictions should be empowered to enact and maintain tobacco control measures that protect their communities from the harms of tobacco use and exposure., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cigars are available in a range of pack quantities, which contrasts regulations requiring cigarettes to be sold in packs of 20 or greater. Smaller packages may be associated with increases in initiation while larger packs may lead consumers to smoke more. The purpose of this study was to inform pack quantity regulations by examining whether usual cigar pack quantity purchased was associated with use, initiation, and discontinuation among youth and adults for four cigar types: premium cigars, large cigars, cigarillos, and filtered cigars., Methods: We analyzed waves 1-5 (2013-2019) of the adult and waves 2-5 (2014-2019) of the youth Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Samples included those responding to the item on pack quantity and providing data at all waves (adults: premium cigars [N = 536], large cigars [N = 1,272], cigarillos [N = 3,504], filtered cigars [N = 1,281]; youth: premium cigars [N = 55], large cigars [N = 217], cigarillos [N = 1514], filtered cigars [N = 266]). Generalized estimating equation models examined the population-averaged effects of pack quantity on cigar use, initiation, and discontinuation., Results: Adult pack quantity was positively associated with the days used per month for premium cigars (b: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.34), large cigars (b: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.25), cigarillos (b: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.24), and filtered cigars (b: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.10), and positively associated with amount smoked per day for all cigar types. Youth pack quantity was positively associated with days used per month for premium cigars (b: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.33, 1.43), large cigars (b: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.43, 1.15), and cigarillos (b: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.34). Adult initiation was associated with pack quantity for filtered cigars (b: -2.22, 95% CI: -4.29, -0.13), as those who initiated purchased smaller pack quantities compared to those who did not initiate that wave. Pack quantity was not associated with discontinuation for adults or youth., Conclusions: Cigar use increased as usual pack quantity purchased increased across cigar types for youth and adults. Small increases in pack quantity (e.g., one additional cigar) are likely to result in consuming less than one additional day per month, though larger increases (e.g., 10 additional cigars per pack) may result in greater use., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Over 250 US localities have adopted cigar pack quantity and price policies. No empirical studies exist on their impact on tobacco use., Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact of cigar policies on cigar and cigarette use among (1) Minnesota youth (n=569,528, triennially 2007-2019); (2) New York youth (n=111,236, annually 2000-2020), (3) New York adults (n=62,295, annually 2003-2019), and (4) District of Columbia (DC) adults (n=5027, annually 2015-2019). We estimated the county-level policy coverage for 15 local policies in Minnesota. Differences-in-differences approach was used to compare the policy in NYC with the rest of the state (no policy). We examined changes in DC use before and after policy implementation. Analyses adjust for sociodemographic characteristics., Results: In Minnesota, youth in counties with a greater proportion of the population covered by a policy had lower odds of cigar use (AOR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.38-0.69). Similarly, adult cigar use in DC declined following policy enactment (AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46-0.93). Cigarette use also decreased in both Minnesota and DC following policy enactment. However, in New York, the NYC policy did not have a significant impact on cigar use among youth (AOR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.47-1.93) or adults (AOR: 1.98; 95% CI: 0.85-1.37) in NYC compared to the rest of the state. The only significant effect in NYC was reduced odds for adult cigarette use (AOR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68-0.92)., Conclusions: Findings suggest regulating cigar packaging could decrease cigar consumption without increasing cigarette consumption, but effects may differ across jurisdictions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No conflict declared., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the arterial uptake of the inflammatory macrophage targeting PET tracer [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE in patients with no or known cardiovascular disease (CVD) to investigate potential differences in uptake., Methods: Seventy-nine patients who had undergone [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging for neuroendocrine neoplasm disease were retrospectively allocated to three groups: controls with no known CVD risk factors (n = 22), patients with CVD risk factors (n = 24), or patients with known ischemic CVD (n = 33). Both maximum, mean of max and most-diseased segment (mds) standardized uptake value (SUV) and target-to-background ratio (TBR) uptake metrics were measured and reported for the carotid arteries and the aorta. To assess reproducibility between different reviewers, Bland-Altman plots were made., Results: For the carotid arteries, SUV max (P = .03), SUV mds (0.05), TBR max (P < .01), TBR mds (P < .01), and mean-of-max TBR (P = .01) were overall shown to provide a group-wise difference in uptake. When measuring uptake values in the aorta, a group-wise difference was only observed with TBR mds (P = .04). Overall, reproducibility of the reported uptake metrics was excellent for SUVs and good to excellent for TBRs for both the carotid arteries and the aorta., Conclusion: Using [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE PET imaging as a marker of atherosclerotic inflammation, we were able to demonstrate differences in some of the most frequently reported uptake metrics in patients with different degrees of CVD. Measurements of the carotid artery as either maximum uptake values or most-diseased segment analysis showed the best ability to discriminate between the groups., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

E-cigarette use is prevalent among youth in the United States. Historically, local communities have been a catalyst for adopting evidence-based tobacco control policies. However, some states have ceiling preemption laws that prevent more stringent statutes from being enacted at the city or county level and inhibit tobacco control efforts. The current study documents state preemption laws regarding e-cigarette advertising, licensure, indoor clean air, and youth access. We conducted a systematic synthesis of state statutes to identify states with e-cigarette preemption laws. Data were collected on four policy categories being preempted: advertising, licensure, clean indoor air, and youth access. Laws were compiled, and the content was verified using the Westlaw legal database. In the US, 25 states preempt stricter local e-cigarette regulations in 55 laws. Of these states, 19 preempt advertising regulations, 11 preempt licensure requirements, four preempt ordinances for indoor clean air, and 21 preempt youth access. A broad range of terms was employed to describe preemption, yet few states explicitly used the term "preempt." E-cigarette ceiling preemption laws inhibit public health progress and prevent local authorities from addressing the popularity of e-cigarettes among adolescents.States without preemption laws should be encouraged to adopt language that expressly saves local authority., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives. To comprehensively catalog and review state e-cigarette delivery sales laws as well as capture their scope and dimensions. Methods. We conducted an in-depth review to determine whether states had at least 1 form of e-cigarette delivery sales law. We coded laws for 5 key policy domains: (1) delivery terminology used in laws, (2) age verification requirements, (3) packaging label requirements, (4) permit or registration requirements, and (5) fines and penalties for violations. Results. Overall, 34 states had e-cigarette delivery sales laws with varying scopes and dimensions. In 27 states, these laws required at least 1 form of age verification requirements. We identified mandatory packaging labels in 12 states, and 7 states where permits were required. There were considerable differences among states on the scale of fines and penalties for violations. Conclusions. Our findings reveal extensive heterogeneity in e-cigarette delivery sales laws among states, particularly regarding the scope and dimensions of these laws. Public Health Implications. The mapping of e-cigarette delivery sales policies showed several potential loopholes that may diminish their effectiveness. ( Am J Public Health . 2023;113(5):568-576. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307228).

Cholesterol pericarditis is an extremely rare type of pericarditis characterized by a continuous pericardial effusion containing high amounts of cholesterol crystals. This case report of a 51-year-old male with syncopal episodes and a massive, cholesterol-rich pericardial effusion highlights the interdisciplinary approach and rationale in treating this rare condition of largely unknown pathogenesis.

Birds breeding in urban environments have lower reproductive output compared to rural conspecifics, most likely because of food limitation. However, which characteristics of urban environments may cause this deficiency is not clear. Here, we investigated how tree composition within urban territories of passerine birds is associated with breeding probability and reproductive success. We used 7 years of data of breeding occupancy for blue and great tits (Cyanistes caeruleus; Parus major) and several reproductive traits for great tits, from 400 urban nest boxes located in 5 parks within the city of Malmö, Sweden. We found that tits, overall, were less likely to breed in territories dominated by either non-native trees or beech trees. Great tit chicks reared in territories dominated by non-native trees weighed significantly less, compared to territories with fewer non-native trees. An earlier onset of breeding correlated with increased chick weight in great tits. Increasing number of common oak trees (Quercus robur) was associated with delayed onset of breeding in great tits. Notably, as offspring survival probability generally increased by breeding earlier, in particular in oak-dominated territories, our results suggest that delayed onset of breeding induced by oak trees may be maladaptive and indicate a mismatch to this food source. Our results demonstrate that tree composition may have important consequences on breeding success of urban birds, but some of these effects are not consistent between years, highlighting the need to account for temporal effects to understand determinants of breeding success and inform optimal management in urban green spaces., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

There is a long history of avian studies investigating the impacts of urbanization. While differences in several life-history traits have been documented, either between urban and rural populations or across generalized urbanization gradients, a detailed understanding of which specific environmental variables cause these phenotypic differences is still lacking. Here, we quantified several local environmental variables coupled to urbanization (air pollution, tree composition, ambient temperature, and artificial light at night [ALAN]) within territories of breeding great tits (Parus major). We linked the environmental variables to physiological measures of the nestlings (circulating fatty acid composition [FA], antioxidant capacity and an oxidative damage marker [malondialdehyde; MDA]), to garner a mechanistic understanding of the impact of urbanization. We found that the antioxidant capacity of nestlings decreased with higher numbers of oak trees and levels of PM 2.5 (airborne particulate matter with a diameter < 2.5 μm). Furthermore, the ratio of ω6:ω3 polyunsaturated FAs, important for immune function, was positively correlated with PM 2.5 concentration, while being negatively associated with ambient temperature and number of non-native trees in the territory. Body mass and wing length both increased with the number of local oak trees. We also show, through a principal component analysis, that while the environmental variables fall into an urbanization gradient, this gradient is insufficient to explain the observed physiological responses. Therefore, accounting for individual environmental variables in parallel, and thus allowing for interactions between these, is crucial to fully understand the urban ecosystem., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no competing interests associated with this manuscript., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

An increasing number of patients are living with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and/or heart failure. Treatment options and prognostic tools are lacking for many of these patients. Our aim was to investigate the prognostic value of imaging angiogenesis and macrophage activation via positron emission tomography (PET) in terms of functional improvement after cell therapy. Myocardial infarction was induced in rats. Animals were scanned with [ 18 F]FDG PET and echocardiography after four weeks and randomized to allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs, n = 18) or saline ( n = 9). Angiogenesis and macrophage activation were assessed before and after treatment by [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD and [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE. There was no overall effect of the treatment. Rats that improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had higher uptake of both [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD and [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE at follow-up ( p = 0.006 and p = 0.008, respectively). The uptake of the two tracers correlated with each other (r = 0.683, p = 0.003 pre-treatment and r = 0.666, p = 0.004 post-treatment). SUVmax at follow-up could predict improvement in LVEF ( p = 0.016 for [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD and p = 0.045 for [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE). High uptake of [ 68 Ga]Ga-RGD and [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE PET after injection of ASCs or saline preceded improvement in LVEF. The use of these tracers could improve the monitoring of heart failure patients in treatment.

Background: This study aimed to identify the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following head trauma., Methods: This study is a prospective cross-sectional study. Initially, a targeted search for the identification of patients with the international classification of diseases (ICD-10) diagnosis of cerebral commotio at relevant emergency units in the Northern Region of Denmark was done. This was followed by a clinical examination to determine the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) within this population. Of the 295 patients diagnosed with commotio cerebri during a 4-and-a-half month period, 85 patients were included. All patients underwent clinical examination in a mechanical repositional chair wearing Video Frenzel Goggles. Additional examinations included a complete video head impulse test., Results: A total of six patients were identified with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) following minor head trauma. Bilateral BPPV, multicanal BPPV, and BPPV of a single semicircular canal were identified. All patients experienced relief of benign paroxysmal positional vertigorelated symptoms within 3 treatment sessions. Five patients were identified with a pathological video head impulse test, 54 with an inconclusive examination, and 15 with a normal video head impulse test., Conclusion: The incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following minor head trauma was 7%. A relatively high number of atypical subtypes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was found. When applying strict criteria for the interpretation of video head impulse test examination, the number of patients with inconclusive video head impulse test examination was higher than expected and 6.7% of patients had a pathological video head impulse test examination. No relationship between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and pathological video head impulse test was observed.

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using positron emission tomography (PET) tracers is an essential tool in investigating diseases and treatment responses in cardiology. 82 Rubidium ( 82 Rb)-PET imaging is advantageous for MPI due to its short half-life, but cannot be used for small animal research due to the long positron range. We aimed to correct for this, enabling MPI with 82 Rb-PET in rats., Methods: The effect of positron range correction (PRC) on 82 Rb-PET was examined using two phantoms and in vivo on rats. A NEMA NU-4-inspired phantom was used for image quality evaluation (%standard deviation (%SD), spillover ratio (SOR) and recovery coefficient (RC)). A cardiac phantom was used for assessing spatial resolution. Two rats underwent rest 82 Rb-PET to optimize number of iterations, type of PRC and respiratory gating., Results: NEMA NU-4 metrics (no PRC vs PRC): %SD 0.087 versus 0.103; SOR (air) 0.022 versus 0.002, SOR (water) 0.059 versus 0.019; RC (3 mm) 0.219 versus 0.584, RC (4 mm) 0.300 versus 0.874, RC (5 mm) 0.357 versus 1.197. Cardiac phantom full width at half maximum (FWHM) and full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) (no PRC vs. PRC): FWTM 6.73 mm versus 3.26 mm (true: 3 mm), FWTM 9.27 mm versus 7.01 mm. The in vivo scans with respiratory gating had a homogeneous myocardium clearly distinguishable from the blood pool., Conclusion: PRC improved the spatial resolution for the phantoms and in vivo at the expense of slightly more noise. Combined with respiratory gating, the spatial resolution achieved using PRC should allow for quantitative MPI in small animals., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is rarely performed and has been associated with high mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical outcome and functional capacity following isolated TV surgery in contemporary practice., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent isolated TV surgery at our institution from 2013 to 2019. Our cohort was identified using the Western Denmark Heart Registry. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using patients' medical records. The clinical and echocardiographic status was reported for patients who survived beyond 1 year., Results: We included 43 patients [mean age 65.2 ± 13.8, median European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II 1.8 (interquartile range 2.0)]. Twelve (27.9%) had prior cardiac surgery. Up to 90-day follow-up, no patient died and major morbidity was limited to 4 patients (9.3%) requiring pacemaker implantation and 1 patient requiring 2 reoperations. Within 1 year, 4 patients (9.3%) died. Nine patients (20.1%) required single readmission for cardiac reasons during the median follow-up of 38.4 months (interquartile range 30.9 months). All patients who survived beyond 1 year (n = 39) completed clinical follow-up. At follow-up, 38/39 (97.4%) patients were New York Heart Association I or II compared to 12/39 (30.8%) preoperatively (P = 0.001). The presence of oedema and intensity of diuretic treatment were significantly reduced (P = 0.005 and P = 0.008, respectively). Echocardiographic follow-up showed significant improvement of TV dysfunction in all patients., Conclusions: Our results suggest that isolated TV surgery can be performed safely and greatly improve patients' functional status. Our findings support the importance of optimal surgical timing and patient selection., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of semaglutide, a long acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on atherosclerotic inflammation and calcification using a multimodality positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) approach., Methods: Atherosclerotic New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to an intervention- (n = 12) or placebo group (n = 11) receiving either semaglutide or saline-placebo. PET/CT imaging was done before and after 16-weeks of intervention. Three different radiotracers were used: [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE for imaging of activated macrophages, [ 18 F]FDG imaging cellular metabolism and [ 18 F]NaF PET visualizing micro-calcifications. Tracer uptake was quantified by maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ) and target-to-background-ratio (TBR max ). Animals were euthanized for autoradiographic imaging and histological analyses., Results: A reduction in activated macrophage tracer-uptake was observed in the semaglutide group (SUV max : p = 0.001 and TBR max : p = 0.029). When imaging cellular metabolism, an attenuation of SUV max and TBR max was observed in the semaglutide group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.044). We found no difference in uptake of the micro-calcification tracer between the two groups (SUV max : p = 0.62 and TBR max : p = 0.36). Values of macrophage density in the vessel wall were significantly correlated with SUV max values of the activated macrophage (r = 0.54, p = 0.0086) and cellular metabolism tracers (r = 0.51, p = 0.013)., Conclusions: Semaglutide decreased vascular uptake of tracers imaging activated macrophages and cellular metabolism but not micro-calcifications compared to a saline placebo. This supports the hypothesis that semaglutide reduces atherosclerotic inflammation by means of decreased activated macrophage activity., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The ongoing wide-scale introduction of nonnative plants across the world may negatively influence native invertebrate fauna, due to a lack of coevolved traits related to the novel plants, e.g., unique phytochemicals or shifted phenology. Nonnative plants, specifically trees, are common in urban environments, areas that already pose novel habitats to plants and wildlife through a wide array of anthropogenic factors. For example, impervious surfaces contribute to increased ambient temperatures, the so-called urban heat island effect (UHI), which can affect local plant phenology. Yet, few studies have simultaneously studied the effects of urbanization and tree species origin on urban invertebrate communities. We measured the city-level UHI and phenology of nine native and seven nonnative tree species in five city-center parks in southern Sweden, as well as four common native species in a rural control forest. We quantified the abundance of invertebrates on a subset of native and nonnative tree species through shake sampling, sticky traps, and frass collection. In the urban environment, nonnative trees hosted significantly fewer invertebrates compared to native trees. Furthermore, the nonnative trees had a delayed phenology compared to native species, while the peak of caterpillars associated with the subset of trees surveyed for this measure was significantly earlier compared to that of the native species studied. The effect of tree species origin on urban invertebrate abundance was of a greater magnitude (effect size) than the effect of urbanization on invertebrate abundance in native tree hosts. Hence, the results indicate that the impact of nonnative vegetation may be a stronger driver of invertebrate declines in urban areas than other factors. As the effect of species origin on tree phenology was at a level comparable to the urban effect, increasing prevalence of nonnative vegetation can potentially obscure effects of urbanization on phenology in large-scale studies, as well as induce mismatches to invertebrate populations. Since parks harbor a large proportion of urban biodiversity, native trees play a crucial role in such habitats and should not be considered replaceable by nonnative species in terms of conservation value., (© 2021 The Authors. Ecological Applications published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.)

Mixed-linkage glucan, which is widely distributed in grasses, is a polysaccharide highly abundant in cell walls of grass endosperm and young vegetative tissues. Lichenases are enzymes that hydrolyze mixed-linkage glucan first identified in mixed-linkage glucan-rich lichens. In this study, we identify a gene encoding a lichenase we name Brachypodium distachyon LICHENASE 1 (BdLCH1), which is highly expressed in the endosperm of germinating seeds and coleoptiles and at lower amounts in mature shoots. RNA in situ hybridization showed that BdLCH1 is primarily expressed in chlorenchyma cells of mature leaves and internodes. Disruption of BdLCH1 resulted in an eight-fold increase in mixed-linkage glucan content in senesced leaves. Consistent with the in situ hybridization data, immunolocalization results showed that mixed-linkage glucan was not removed in chlorenchyma cells of lch1 mutants as it was in wild type and implicate the BdLCH1 enzyme in removing mixed-linkage glucan in chlorenchyma cells in mature vegetative tissues. We also show that mixed-linkage glucan accumulation in lch1 mutants was resistant to dark-induced degradation, and 8-week-old lch1 plants showed a faster rate of starch breakdown than wild type in darkness. Our results suggest a role for BdLCH1 in modifying the cell wall to support highly metabolically active cells., (© 2021 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has in recent literature been described as an independently progressive disorder associated with a poor prognosis. Studies have emphasized the importance of a more proactive approach in treating TR in order to prevent progression of right ventricular dysfunction and ultimately right heart failure. These findings have renewed interest in surgical treatment for isolated TR whilst also fueling rapid advancements in transcatheter therapies, as argued in this review.

The Sardinian dhole (Cynotherium sardous) 1 was an iconic and unique canid species that was endemic to Sardinia and Corsica until it became extinct at the end of the Late Pleistocene. 2-5 Given its peculiar dental morphology, small body size, and high level of endemism, several extant canids have been proposed as possible relatives of the Sardinian dhole, including the Asian dhole and African hunting dog ancestor. 3 , 6-9 Morphometric analyses 3 , 6 , 8-12 have failed to clarify the evolutionary relationship with other canids.We sequenced the genome of a ca-21,100-year-old Sardinian dhole in order to understand its genomic history and clarify its phylogenetic position. We found that it represents a separate taxon from all other living canids from Eurasia, Africa, and North America, and that the Sardinian dhole lineage diverged from the Asian dhole ca 885 ka. We additionally detected historical gene flow between the Sardinian and Asian dhole lineages, which ended approximately 500-300 ka, when the land bridge between Sardinia and mainland Italy was already broken, severing their population connectivity. Our sample showed low genome-wide diversity compared to other extant canids-probably a result of the long-term isolation-that could have contributed to the subsequent extinction of the Sardinian dhole., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aim: To test the hypothesis that treatment with liraglutide can reduce cardiac adipose tissue., Materials and Methods: LIRAFLAME is a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel clinical study. Participants with type 2 diabetes were randomized to treatment with liraglutide 1.8 mg/d or placebo for 26 weeks. Computed tomography was performed at baseline and at end of treatment to evaluate the cardiac adipose tissue volume, quantified automatically. We report the results of a secondary endpoint evaluating changes in cardiac adipose tissue., Results: A total of 102 participants were randomly assigned to liraglutide (n = 51) or placebo (n = 51). At baseline, the mean (SD) cardiac adipose tissue volume was comparable between the liraglutide and the placebo group (232.6 [112.8] vs. 227.0 [103.2] mL; P = 0.80). The mean change in body weight was -3.7 (-4.8, -2.6) kg in the liraglutide and -0.18 (-0.76, 0.40) kg in the placebo group. From baseline to end of treatment the mean cardiac adipose tissue change was -11.5 (95% confidence interval -17.6, -5.4) mL in the liraglutide (P < 0.001) and -0.01 (-5.3, 5.3) mL in the placebo (P = 1.00) groups. The reduction in cardiac adipose tissue was significantly greater in the liraglutide compared to the placebo group (mean difference -11.4 [-19.4, -3.3] mL; P = 0.006), but significance was lost after adjustment for changes in body mass index (P = 0.46)., Conclusion: Treatment with liraglutide for 26 weeks was associated with a reduction in cardiac adipose tissue compared to placebo. The reduction was not independent of weight loss, suggesting that this is not a drug-specific effect., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Quantification of coronary artery inflammation and atherosclerosis remains a challenge in high-risk individuals. In this study we sought to investigate if the glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide has a direct anti-inflammatory effect in the coronary arteries using positron emission tomography (PET) with a radioactive tracer targeting activated macrophages in the vessel-wall., Methods: Thirty randomly selected participants with type 2 diabetes from the placebo-controlled trial LIRAFLAME were enrolled in this sub-study. Participants were, prior to enrollment in this sub-study, randomized to either treatment with daily liraglutide (n=15) or placebo (n=15). Both groups underwent a combined [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan of the heart at baseline and after 26 weeks of treatment. Coronary artery uptake of [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE were measured as maximum standardized uptake values (SUV max ); and means of the maximum values (mSUV max ), both values were calculated at the level of each participant and each individual coronary-segment., Results: SUV max and mSUV max values decreased significantly in the liraglutide group both at the participant level (SUV max : p=0.013; mSUV max : p=0.004) and at the coronary-segment level (SUV max : p=0.001; mSUV max : p<0.0001). No change was observed in the placebo group neither at the participant level (SUV max : p=0.69; mSUV max : p=0.67) or at the coronary-segment level (SUV max : p=0.49; mSUV max : p=0.30). When comparing the mean change in uptake values between the two groups at both the participant level (SUV max : p=0.076; mSUV max : p=0.077) and the coronary segment level (SUV max : p=0.13; mSUV max : p=0.11) a borderline significant difference was observed. Baseline SUV max [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE uptake values showed a weak positive correlation with the inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (τ =0.26, p=0.045)., Conclusion: Liraglutide treatment for 26-weeks caused a significant reduction in [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE uptake in the coronary arteries whereas this was not seen in the placebo treated group. In addition, [ 64 Cu]Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT as a marker of coronary inflammation correlated with the systemic inflammation marker hs-CRP., Competing Interests: AK has received consultancy fees from Novo Nordisk and is an inventor on a patent of [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE. RR, BS, TH, and PR have shares in Novo Nordisk A/S. BS and EZ are now employees of Novo Nordisk A/S. PR has received the following: Consultancy and/or speaking fees (to Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen) from AbbVie, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi Aventis; Research grants to institution from AbbVie, AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Jensen, Zobel, von Scholten, Rotbain Curovic, Hansen, Rossing, Kjaer and Ripa.)

A numerical study demonstrates the effects of flooding on subsurface hydrological flowpaths and nitrate removal in anoxic groundwater in riparian zones with a top peat layer. A series of two-dimensional numerical simulations with changing conditions for flow (steady state or transient with flooding), hydrogeology, denitrification, and duration of flooding demonstrate how flowpaths, residence times, and nitrate removal are affected. In periods with no flooding groundwater flows horizontally and discharges to the river through the riverbed. During periods with flooding, shallow groundwater is forced upwards as discharge through peat layers that often have more optimal conditions for denitrification caused by the presence of highly reactive organic matter. The contrast in hydraulic conductivity between the sand aquifer and the overlying peat layer, as well as the flooding duration, have a significant role in determining the degree of nitrate removal., (© 2021 National Ground Water Association.)

Effects of lifelong physical activity on tendon function have been investigated in cross-sectional studies, but these are at risk of "survivorship" bias. Here, we investigate whether lifelong side-specific loading is associated with greater cross-sectional area (CSA), mechanical properties, cell density (DNA content), and collagen cross-link composition of the male human patellar tendon (PT), in vivo. Nine seniors and six young male lifelong elite badminton players and fencers were included. CSA of the PT obtained by 3-tesla MRI and ultrasonography-based bilateral PT mechanics were assessed. Collagen fibril characteristics, enzymatic cross links, nonenzymatic glycation (autofluorescence), collagen, and DNA content were measured biochemically in PT biopsies. The elite athletes had a ≥15% side-to-side difference in maximal knee extensor strength, reflecting chronic unilateral sport-specific loading patterns. The PT CSA was greater on the lead extremity compared with the nonlead extremity (17%, P = 0.0001). Furthermore, greater tendon stiffness (18%, P = 0.0404) together with lower tendon stress (22%, P = 0.0005) and tendon strain (18%, P = 0.0433) were observed on the lead extremity. No effects were demonstrated from side-to-side for glycation, enzymatic cross link, collagen, and DNA content (50%, P = 0.1160). Moreover, tendon fibril density was 87 ± 28 fibrils/μm 2 on the lead extremity and 68 ± 26 fibrils/μm 2 on the nonlead extremity (28%, P = 0.0544). Tendon fibril diameter was 86 ± 14 nm on the lead extremity and 94 ± 14 nm on the nonlead extremity (-9%, P = 0.1076). These novel data suggest that lifelong side-specific loading in males yields greater patellar tendon size and stiffness possibly with concomitant greater fibril density but without changes of collagen cross-link composition. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present data demonstrate that lifelong side-specific loading yields greater patellar tendon structure on the lead extremity without affecting glycation that is associated with aging. These novel data suggest that lifelong side-specific habitual loading induce structural alterations that may serve to improve the mechanical properties of the tendon.