Showing papers by "Temple University published in 2023"

Proof-of-concept: SCENTinel 1.1 rapidly discriminates COVID-19-related olfactory disorders

Abstract: Abstract It is estimated that 20%–67% of those with COVID-19 develop olfactory disorders, depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. However, there is an absence of quick, population-wide olfactory tests to screen for olfactory disorders. The purpose of this study was to provide a proof-of-concept that SCENTinel 1.1, a rapid, inexpensive, population-wide olfactory test, can discriminate between anosmia (total smell loss), hyposmia (reduced sense of smell), parosmia (distorted odor perception), and phantosmia (odor sensation without a source). Participants were mailed a SCENTinel 1.1 test, which measures odor detection, intensity, identification, and pleasantness, using one of 4 possible odors. Those who completed the test (N = 287) were divided into groups based on their self-reported olfactory function: quantitative olfactory disorder only (anosmia or hyposmia, N = 135), qualitative olfactory disorder only (parosmia and/or phantosmia; N = 86), and normosmia (normal sense of smell; N = 66). SCENTinel 1.1 accurately discriminates quantitative olfactory disorders, qualitative olfactory disorders, and normosmia groups. When olfactory disorders were assessed individually, SCENTinel 1.1 discriminates between hyposmia, parosmia, and anosmia. Participants with parosmia rated common odors less pleasant than those without parosmia. We provide proof-of-concept that SCENTinel 1.1, a rapid smell test, can discriminate quantitative and qualitative olfactory disorders, and is the only direct test to rapidly discriminate parosmia.

MICU1 regulates mitochondrial cristae structure and function independently of the mitochondrial Ca ²⁺ uniporter channel

Abstract: MICU1 is a calcium (Ca2+)-binding protein that regulates the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter channel complex (mtCU) and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. MICU1 knockout mice display disorganized mitochondrial architecture, a phenotype that is distinct from that of mice with deficiencies in other mtCU subunits and, thus, is likely not explained by changes in mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ content. Using proteomic and cellular imaging techniques, we found that MICU1 localized to the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) and directly interacted with the MICOS components MIC60 and CHCHD2 independently of the mtCU. We demonstrated that MICU1 was essential for MICOS complex formation and that MICU1 ablation resulted in altered cristae organization, mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial membrane dynamics, and cell death signaling. Together, our results suggest that MICU1 is an intermembrane space Ca2+ sensor that modulates mitochondrial membrane dynamics independently of matrix Ca2+ uptake. This system enables distinct Ca2+ signaling in the mitochondrial matrix and at the intermembrane space to modulate cellular energetics and cell death in a concerted manner.

Multiscale assessment of oviposition habitat associations and implications for management in the spotted lanternfly ( <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> ), an emerging invasive pest

Abstract: Control of incipient invaders—established invasive species in the early stages of spreading—can be inhibited by incomplete knowledge of the species' habitat use. By identifying consistent habitat associations for incipient invaders early, control efforts can be more effective. Yet, because habitat associations are the result of multiscale processes, approaches are needed for integrating data collected across scales to identify them. We employed a hierarchical, multiscale approach to identify oviposition habitat associations in the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an incipient invasive species of high concern in the United States. We targeted four oviposition habitat spatial scales most likely to be used by lanternflies and the spatial scales of explanatory habitat variables most easily used by managers to locate egg masses to control. Spotted lanternflies exhibited oviposition habitat associations at the landscape, site, and tree scales. Overall, lanternflies oviposited more frequently at sites and on trees with low canopy cover in the surrounding landscape indicating higher use of human-impacted habitat. Additionally, they oviposited more frequently on trees from the Acer genus and in the crowns of larger trees beyond the reach of managers without special equipment. The duration a site had been invaded had opposing effects on oviposition at the site and tree scales. Despite high variation in the number of eggs per egg mass, no habitat variables explained this variation, suggesting more work is needed to understand spotted lanternfly reproductive output. Synthesis and applications: Our results indicate that a multiscale approach is needed for spotted lanternfly control with unique strategies for locating egg masses at sites and on trees that vary in invasion duration. Specifically, at younger sites at the invasion edge, managers should expect patchy colonization of sites, yet when a site is colonized, many trees will have egg masses. Comparatively, older sites at the invasion core are more likely to have egg masses present, yet often at a lower density, which may make them difficult to find on individual trees. Based on our results, we assert that multiscale investigations of habitat associations would likely inform the control of other incipient invasive species as well.

Multipolaron Complexes in Conducting Polymers: The Importance of Hole–Hole Repulsion in Charge Delocalization

Abstract: Multipolaron complexes in p-doped poly(3-hexylthiophene) films are investigated theoretically for polaron-anion configurations in which stationary dopant anions are positioned on both sides of the polymer chain, within the lamellar region. Complexes as large as tetrapolarons, consisting of four anions and an equal number of mobile holes, are considered. It is found that the mid-IR absorption band (P1) red-shifts and the hole ionization potential decreases as the complex grows in size, from a single polaron to a tetrapolaron. Such behavior is shown to arise mainly from enhanced hole delocalization due to hole–hole repulsion and has important implications for charge transport in organic materials.

Implementation of Screening Guidelines in Early Esophageal Cancer

Abstract: Evaluate the adoption and clinical impact of endoscopic resection (ER) in early esophageal cancer.Staging for early esophageal cancer is largely inaccurate. Assessment of the impact ER on staging accuracy is unknown as is the implementation of ER.We retrospectively reviewed 2,608 patients captured in the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD) between 2015 and 2020. Patients with clinical T1 (cT1) and T2 (cT2) esophageal cancer without nodal involvement (N0) who were treated with upfront esophagectomy were included. Staging accuracy was assessed by clinical-pathologic concordance among patients staged with and without ER. We also sought to measure adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) staging guidelines for esophageal cancer staging, specifically the implementation of ER.For early esophageal cancer, CT/PET/EUS accurately predicts pathologic tumor (T) stage 58.5% of the time. Addition of ER to staging was related to a decrease in upstaging from 17.6% to 10.8% (P=0.01). Adherence to staging guidelines with CT/PET/EUS improved from 58.2% between 2012-2014 to 77.9% between 2015 -2020. However, when ER was added as a staging criterion, adherence decreased to 23.3%. Increased volume of esophagectomies within an institution was associated with increased staging adherence with ER (P=0.008).The use of CT/PET/EUS for staging of early esophageal cancer is accurate in only 56.3% of patients. ER may increase staging accuracy as it is related to a decrease in upstaging. ER is poorly utilized in staging of early esophageal cancer. Barriers to implementation of ER as a staging modality should be identified and corrected.

Network revenue management with online inverse batch gradient descent method

Abstract: We consider a general class of price-based network revenue management problems that a firm aims to maximize revenue from multiple products produced with multiple types of resources endowed with limited inventory over a finite selling season. A salient feature of our problem is that the firm does not know the underlying demand function that maps prices to demand rate, which must be learned from sales data. It is well known that for almost all classes of demand functions, such as linear, exponential, multinomial logit and nested logit models, the revenue rate function is not concave in the products' prices but is concave in products' market shares (or price-controlled demand rates). This creates challenges in adopting any stochastic gradient descent based methods in the price space. We propose a novel nonparametric learning algorithm termed online inverse batch gradient descent (IGD) algorithm. This algorithm proceeds in batches. In each batch, the firm implements each product's perturbed prices, and then uses the sales information to estimate the market shares. Leveraging these estimates, the firm carries out a stochastic gradient descent step in the market share space that takes into account the relative inventory scarcity for the entire horizon, and then inversely maps the updated market shares back to the price space to obtain the prices for the next batch. Moreover, we also propose an inventory adjusted algorithm (IGD-I) that the feasible market share set is dynamically adjusted to capture the real-time relative inventory scarcity for the remaining season. For the large scale systems wherein all resources' inventories and the length of the horizon are proportionally scaled by a parameter k, we establish a dimension-independent regret bound of O(k4 ÷5log k). This result is independent of the number of products and resources and works for a continuum action-set prices and the demand functions that are only once differentiable. Our theoretical result guarantees the efficacy of both algorithms in the high dimensional systems where the number of products or resources is large and the prices are continuous. Our algorithms also numerically outperform the existing algorithms in the literature. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Transfer rate prediction at self-service customer support platforms in insurance contact centers

Abstract: Customer support constitutes the face of a brand and plays a critical role in shaping customers retention and loyalty. To facilitate customer contacts and to reduce the corresponding operating costs, organizations resort to self-service interaction channels. However, dealing with self-service customer support platforms has been identified to be one of the most frustrating aspects of a poor customer contact experience. This paper builds on real data from contact centers of a major U.S. insurance company, covering about 10 million calls, to study transfer rate at the interactive voice-response platform. We develop an empirical model to analyze features that exert significant impact on the likelihood that a call arrived to the platform is eventually transferred to a live agent. We find evidence that caller types, specific caller intents, trying distinct channels, and payment attempts can help predicting the transfer outcome. Our study confirms the importance of a caller’s location attribute and evinces that the size and composition of the set of effective features and their directions vary substantially across different states. Our results provide managers with several actionable insights to enhance the customer contact experience. For example, our feature selection analysis enables designing personalized interactive voice-response systems based on customer-contact features. Identifying those calls expected to be transferred at any time can guide recruiting and scheduling a workforce with appropriate skill sets. In addition, the transfer rate is a key input variable for various decision making problems arising in the management of call center operations. • Analyzing feature selection on individual-level call transfer rate using big data. • Developing a machine learning model to predict a customer’s call transfer outcome. • Formulating actionable insights to introduce personalized customer support systems.

Operational Definitions, Observation, and Behavioral Recording in Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract: Behavior observation is an integral component in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) when supporting individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this chapter, we unpack the importance of selecting target behaviors, precisely defining target behaviors, and measuring target behaviors when designing behavior analytic assessment and intervention. We describe common strategies that are used to measure behavior including direct methods, derivative measures, and time sampling. Moreover, crucial elements of optimum behavior measurement including reliability, accuracy, and validity are delineated. Last, we describe strategies for calculating interobserver agreement (IOA), unpack differences, and highlight their importance when supporting individuals with ASD.

Shifting Sands: An Analysis of College Access Deserts from 2001 to 2019

Abstract: Recent higher education scholarship has recognized the continuing importance of place in college opportunities for students. One of these frames that has been growing in prominence are college access deserts - areas of the country without two public two-year colleges or a public four-year college that accepts at least 75% of applicants. This paper constructs an open access dataset of college access deserts for 2001 to 2019 and argues that education scholars, especially those using this construct, need to carefully consider and state collegiate classifications and the time period of analysis. Using this dataset and data from the American Community Survey, I find that racialized patterns of college access exist when examining 2010 to 2019 that are obscured in single year analysis, particularly for regions with higher than average populations of Black or American Indian/Alaskan Native residents. Scholars of higher education can use this open access dataset of college access deserts to further understand racialized patterns while using principles of open science.

Success or Self-Sufficiency? The Role of Race in Refugees’ Long-Term Economic Outcomes

Abstract: Abstract The United States has always prided itself as providing safe haven to those who are persecuted. Yet, the United States did not develop policy for admitting and resettling refugees until 1980. Unlike Asians and Europeans, African refugees in the 1980s were chosen primarily based on skill, but no research thus far examines whether this strategy led to greater long-term economic success for African refugees. This article examines racial differences in refugees’ likelihood of living in poverty, receiving welfare income, engaging in full-time employment and wages between 1990 and 2019. I find that refugees show improvement in all four outcomes. African refugees, however, earn less than nearly all other groups in all time periods suggesting blocked mobility, particularly among men. Analyses focus on the 1982–1987 entry cohort of refugees who had access to more assistance than future cohorts. Consequently, these findings likely show the best-case scenario for refugees’ long-term economic outcomes.

Arterial Zones That Take a Pause in Early Plaque Development

Abstract: HomeArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular BiologyVol. 43, No. 5Arterial Zones That Take a Pause in Early Plaque Development Free AccessEditorialPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessEditorialPDF/EPUBArterial Zones That Take a Pause in Early Plaque Development Kevin Jon Williams Kevin Jon WilliamsKevin Jon Williams Correspondence to: Kevin Jon Williams, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Medical Research Bldg, 3420 N Broad St, Room 220, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Email E-mail Address: [email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0000-2159 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Search for more papers by this author Originally published30 Mar 2023https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319302Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2023;43:650–653This article is a commentary on the followingCapacity for LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Retention Predicts the Course of Atherogenesis in the Murine Aortic ArchOther version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: March 30, 2023: Ahead of Print Just as we know the cause of polio or rickets, we now know the root cause of atherosclerosis: cholesterol-rich lipoproteins that contain apoB (apolipoprotein B) become retained, or trapped, within the arterial wall. These retained apoB lipoproteins are modified by local enzymes and other processes, and the resulting material provokes a series of strikingly maladaptive responses that perversely lead to accelerated trapping of additional cholesterol-rich apoB lipoproteins, plaque growth, and plaque progression (Figure [A]).1–7Download figureDownload PowerPointFigure. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and other cholesterol-rich, apoB (apolipoprotein B)-containing lipoproteins, once they become retained and modified within the arterial wall, cause atherosclerosis. A, The response-to-retention model of initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Arrows are color coded to indicate crucial mechanisms in the retention and early modification of cholesterol-rich apoB lipoproteins within the arterial wall (yellow) and then strikingly maladaptive local responses to the retained and modified material that lead to plaque growth and progression (red). Lewis et al8 focused on early LDL entry and retention, as well as early recruitment of macrophages. B, Summary of the findings by Lewis et al in the central zone of the inner curvature region of the proximal murine aorta after 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, with speculations about the physical state of the LDL retained there. “Pause” indicates the finding by Lewis et al of retained LDL in the central zone but without known, maladaptive responses yet at that time point. Foam cell: a macrophage or smooth muscle cell that has accumulated intracellular droplets of lipid. C-TRL indicates cholesterol- and triglyceride-rich apoB-containing lipoprotein; ChEase, cholesteryl esterase; IDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; Lp(a), lipoprotein(a); LP, lipoprotein; LpL, lipoprotein lipase; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; PG, proteoglycan; SMase, sphingomyelinase; SMC, smooth muscle cell; TF, tissue factor; and UC, unesterified cholesterol. Adapted from Williams and Tabas4 with permission. Copyright ©2005, American Heart Association.See accompanying article on page 637But we can still learn from early plaque development. In this issue of ATVB, Lewis et al8 present the latest in a series of studies from the Bentzon laboratory using elegant techniques in animal models to investigate key questions concerning atherosclerosis initiation and its initial progression. In their current work, these authors assessed entry of exogenous fluorescently labeled LDL (low-density lipoprotein) into the murine aortic wall during the first hour after intravenous injection, as well as a snapshot of the most recent retention by examining accumulation of fluorescently labeled exogenous LDL within the aortic wall 18 hours after intravenous injection.Crucially, Lewis et al used a novel combination of 2 state-of-the-art methods and saw new processes in new detail. First, the authors compared hypercholesterolemic versus normocholesterolemic mice using a sophisticated experimental approach to ensure equal clearance of exogenous labeled LDL; hence equal arterial exposure to the labeled LDL during the 1- and 18-hour periods. Yet the authors achieved highly unequal arterial exposure to endogenous unlabeled LDL that did, or did not, compete with labeled LDL at the level of the arterial wall. Second, labeled LDL within the aortic wall was assessed using high-resolution quantitative imaging that Lewis et al validated to be linear with the dose of labeled LDL (r2=0.92).The initial goal of Lewis et al was to resolve a conflict in the literature between LDL entry9 versus LDL retention1,10–12 as the rate-limiting step in early atherogenesis. While pursuing these studies, Lewis et al8 made an unexpected finding: a zone within the inner (lesser) curvature region of the proximal murine aorta with unusual properties during early atherogenesis. The authors found that 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia decreased 18-hour retention of labeled LDL in the inner curvature region of the proximal aortic arch. But the decrease was almost entirely limited to a narrow strip right along the inner curvature, which the authors called the central zone (see Graphic Abstract and Figure 3A and 3C in the study by Lewis et al for helpful schematics of aortic anatomy). Still within the inner curvature region, but a bit up the aortic wall on each side of the central zone, are 2 border zones, dorsal and ventral, where 18-hour LDL retention was unaffected by 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia. It was in the dorsal and ventral border zones where early macrophage recruitment occurred, as well as plaque development by 6 to 12 weeks of hypercholesterolemia. In the same time frames, the central zone was spared.Large variations in these parameters over such short distances within the inner curvature of the proximal murine aortic arch are a surprise. These differences became apparent only after 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, perhaps concealing them in prior studies.Why? What makes the central zone different from immediately nearby regions in its responses to a few weeks of hypercholesterolemia? Lewis et al found that 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia did not suppress 1-hour LDL entry into the central zone and did not detectably suppress levels of several key proretentive molecules there (Figure S9 in the study by Lewis et al). Moreover, by rapidly inducing or correcting hypercholesterolemia, the authors concluded that circulating labeled LDL and circulating endogenous LDL did not detectably compete for retention within the central zone. Yet, after 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, 18-hour retention of labeled LDL was down in the central zone, apparently from some intrinsic property; macrophages were not recruited there yet; and the central zone was relatively protected from imminent plaque development.Again, why? Remarkably, the answer appears to be that the aortic wall in the central zone had simply become clogged up with endogenous LDL that occupied binding sites on the extracellular matrix, thereby leaving 1-hour entry of labeled LDL intact but impairing 18-hour retention of recently injected labeled LDL (Figure [B]). Lewis et al8 point out that, after 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia, the total pool of arterial wall LDL, assessed by fluorescent staining for total apoB protein, was more pronounced in the central zone than in the border zones.In other words, the aortic zone with the highest current content of LDL was protected from macrophage recruitment and atheroma formation, at least for a few weeks.How does the central zone tolerate a substantial amount of retained LDL that remains apparently inert for several weeks, without overtly provoking maladaptive responses leading to plaque formation? It’s an old question: how an arterial segment might remain healthy after the entry of lipoproteins?1 The question arose from human data: several articles reported lipoprotein-derived lipid accumulation in human arteries but without progression to frank atherosclerosis, at least not right away.1,5,13–15A major contribution of Lewis et al is that their work identifying the central zone may finally provide an experimental model of this important, but incompletely understood, human phenomenon. Here are some possibilities that can now be addressed experimentally. Is the central zone an immune-privileged site?16 Does the content of normal resident intimal myeloid cells, expression of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), or other features considered distinctive of the atherosclerosis-prone inner curvature of the proximal murine aorta17 differ between the central zone and the border zones? Based on prior work from their laboratory and others, Lewis et al8 hypothesized that short-range variations in the velocities and directions of blood flow in the proximal murine aortic arch could be an underlying cause. If so, the shapes of the endothelial cells might differ.17But let’s not forget the lipoproteins. A key study by Torzewski et al was the first to my knowledge to use the word “inert” to describe retained apoB lipoproteins in the human arterial wall that have, so far, provoked no immune infiltrate.14 These apparently inert lipoproteins in arteries from human children and especially infants contained apoB but had undergone little or no enzymatic or oxidative modifications.14Tools exist to assess the physical state, chemical composition, and degree and type of modifications of the endogenous retained LDL in the central zone versus the border regions. Monoclonal antibodies can distinguish unmodified, versus enzymatically modified, versus oxidized LDL within the arterial wall.18 Imaging mass spectrometry can assess the spatial distribution of retained and modified lipids.19 My guess is that the LDL retained within the border zones after 3.5 weeks of hypercholesterolemia will show overt signs of enzymatic modifications, whereas LDL within the central zone will not (Figure [B]). If so, we will need to identify which enzymes and other factors modify the earliest retained LDL from inert to pathogenic, first in the border zones and then in the central zone. Figure [A] illustrates several specific candidates.Further upstream, why might such differences exist between the central and border zones or between childhood arteries and adult arteries? For example, nonuniform distribution of arterial wall sphingomyelinase could contribute to focal development of atherosclerotic lesions at susceptible sites.20 In this context, Lewis et al’s fluorescent staining for acid sphingomyelinase protein may not necessarily reflect the enzyme’s ability to lipolyze retained LDL.21,22 Where do the key enzymes come from in the earliest lesion? Endothelial cells,23 the normal resident myeloid cells noted above,23 smooth muscle cells,1,24 fibroblasts,23 or other cell types, or infiltrated from the circulation?23 Or, in the case of the central zone, infiltrated from nearby plaques in the border zones? Can the human phenomenon of inert retained apoB lipoproteins be put to use?25Lewis et al have identified an unusual microenvironment in the central zone of the proximal murine aorta that merits further investigation, especially given that zones that take a pause in early plaque development also exist in the arteries of humans.Article InformationSources of FundingK.J. Williams acknowledges support from the Ruth and Yonatan Ben-Avraham Fund.Disclosures K.J. Williams reports an ownership interest in Hygieia, Inc.FootnotesFor Sources of Funding and Disclosures, see page 652.The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the editors or of the American Heart Association.Correspondence to: Kevin Jon Williams, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Medical Research Bldg, 3420 N Broad St, Room 220, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Email [email protected]eduReferences1. Williams KJ, Tabas I. The response-to-retention hypothesis of early atherogenesis.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1995; 15:551–561. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.15.5.551LinkGoogle Scholar2. Camejo G, Hurt-Camejo E, Wiklund O, Bondjers G. Association of apo B lipoproteins with arterial proteoglycans: pathological significance and molecular basis.Atherosclerosis. 1998; 139:205–222. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(98)00107-5CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Pentikäinen MO, Öörni K, Ala-Korpela M, Kovanen PT. Modified LDL – trigger of atherosclerosis and inflammation in the arterial intima.J Intern Med. 2000; 247:359–370. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.2000.00655.xCrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Williams KJ, Tabas I. Lipoprotein retention—and clues for atheroma regression.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005; 25:1536–1540. doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000174795.62387.d3LinkGoogle Scholar5. Nakashima Y, Fujii H, Sumiyoshi S, Wight TN, Sueishi K. Early human atherosclerosis: accumulation of lipid and proteoglycans in intimal thickenings followed by macrophage infiltration.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007; 27:1159–1165. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.106.134080LinkGoogle Scholar6. Borén J, Williams KJ. The central role of arterial retention of cholesterol-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: a triumph of simplicity.Curr Opin Lipidol. 2016; 27:473–483. doi: 10.1097/MOL.0000000000000330CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Borén J, Chapman MJ, Krauss RM, Packard CJ, Bentzon JF, Binder CJ, Daemen MJ, Demer LL, Hegele RA, Nicholls SJ, et al. Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: pathophysiological, genetic, and therapeutic insights: a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel.Eur Heart J. 2020; 41:2313–2330. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz962CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Lewis EA, Muñiz-Anquela R, Redondo-Angulo I, González-Cintado L, Labrador-Cantarero V, Bentzon JF. Capacity for LDL (low-density lipoprotein) retention predicts the course of atherogenesis in the murine aortic arch.Arterioscler Thomb Vasc Biol. 2023; 43:637–649. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.122.318573LinkGoogle Scholar9. Nielsen LB, Nordestgaard BG, Stender S, Kjeldsen K. Aortic permeability to LDL as a predictor of aortic cholesterol accumulation in cholesterol-fed rabbits.Arterioscler Thromb. 1992; 12:1402–1409. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.12.12.1402LinkGoogle Scholar10. Schwenke DC, Carew TE. Initiation of atherosclerotic lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits. II. Selective retention of LDL vs. selective increases in LDL permeability in susceptible sites of arteries.Arteriosclerosis. 1989; 9:908–918. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.9.6.908LinkGoogle Scholar11. Skålén K, Gustafsson M, Rydberg EK, Hultén LM, Wiklund O, Innerarity TL, Borén J. Subendothelial retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in early atherosclerosis.Nature. 2002; 417:750–754. doi: 10.1038/nature00804CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Tran-Lundmark K, Tran P-K, Paulsson-Berne G, Fridén V, Soininen R, Tryggvason K, Wight TN, Kinsella MG, Borén J, Hedin U. Heparan sulfate in perlecan promotes mouse atherosclerosis: roles in lipid permeability, lipid retention, and smooth muscle cell proliferation.Circ Res. 2008; 103:43–52. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.108.172833LinkGoogle Scholar13. Jürgens G, Chen Q, Esterbauer H, Mair S, Ledinski G, Dinges HP. Immunostaining of human autopsy aortas with antibodies to modified apolipoprotein B and apoprotein(a).Arterioscler Thromb. 1993; 13:1689–1699. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.13.11.1689LinkGoogle Scholar14. Torzewski M, Navarro B, Cheng F, Canisius A, Schmidt T, Bhakdi S, Urban R, Lackner KJ. Investigation of Sudan IV staining areas in aortas of infants and children: possible prelesional stages of atherogenesis.Atherosclerosis. 2009; 206:159–167. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.01.038CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar15. Otsuka F, Kramer MCA, Woudstra P, Yahagi K, Ladich E, Finn AV, de Winter RJ, Kolodgie FD, Wight TN, Davis HR, et al. Natural progression of atherosclerosis from pathologic intimal thickening to late fibroatheroma in human coronary arteries: a pathology study.Atherosclerosis. 2015; 241:772–782. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.05.011CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. Niederkorn JY. See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil: the lessons of immune privilege.Nat Immunol. 2006; 7:354–359. doi: 10.1038/ni1328CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar17. Cybulsky MI, Cheong C, Robbins CS. Macrophages and dendritic cells: partners in atherogenesis.Circ Res. 2016; 118:637–652. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306542LinkGoogle Scholar18. Torzewski M, Klouche M, Hock J, Meßner M, Dorweiler B, Torzewski J, Gabbert HE, Bhakdi S. Immunohistochemical demonstration of enzymatically modified human LDL and its colocalization with the terminal complement complex in the early atherosclerotic lesion.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998; 18:369–378. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.18.3.369LinkGoogle Scholar19. Lehti S, Sjövall P, Käkelä R, Mäyränpää MI, Kovanen PT, Öörni K. Spatial distributions of lipids in atherosclerosis of human coronary arteries studied by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry.Am J Pathol. 2015; 185:1216–1233. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.01.026CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar20. Tabas I, Li Y, Brocia RW, Xu SW, Swenson TL, Williams KJ. Lipoprotein lipase and sphingomyelinase synergistically enhance the association of atherogenic lipoproteins with smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix. A possible mechanism for low density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a) retention and macrophage foam cell formation.J Biol Chem. 1993; 268:20419–20432. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9258(20)80745-5CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar21. Schissel SL, Jiang XC, Tweedie-Hardman J, Jeong TS, Camejo EH, Najib J, Rapp JH, Williams KJ, Tabas I. Secretory sphingomyelinase, a product of the acid sphingomyelinase gene, can hydrolyze atherogenic lipoproteins at neutral pH: implications for atherosclerotic lesion development.J Biol Chem. 1998; 273:2738–2746. doi: 10.1074/jbc.273.5.2738CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar22. Sneck M, Nguyen SD, Pihlajamaa T, Yohannes G, Riekkola ML, Milne R, Kovanen PT, Öörni K. Conformational changes of apoB-100 in SMase-modified LDL mediate formation of large aggregates at acidic pH.J Lipid Res. 2012; 53:1832–1839. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M023218CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar23. Marathe S, Schissel SL, Yellin MJ, Beatini N, Mintzer R, Williams KJ, Tabas I. Human vascular endothelial cells are a rich and regulatable source of secretory sphingomyelinase. Implications for early atherogenesis and ceramide-mediated cell signaling.J Biol Chem. 1998; 273:4081–4088. doi: 10.1074/jbc.273.7.4081CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar24. Lacolley P, Regnault V, Nicoletti A, Li Z, Michel J-B. The vascular smooth muscle cell in arterial pathology: a cell that can take on multiple roles.Cardiovasc Res. 2012; 95:194–204. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvs135CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar25. Torzewski M. The initial human atherosclerotic lesion and lipoprotein modification—a deep connection.Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22:114488. doi: 10.3390/ijms222111488CrossrefGoogle Scholar Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesCapacity for LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Retention Predicts the Course of Atherogenesis in the Murine Aortic ArchEsmeralda A. Lewis, et al. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2023;43:637-649 May 2023Vol 43, Issue 5 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2023 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319302PMID: 36994726 Originally publishedMarch 30, 2023 KeywordsEditorialssphingomyelinaseapolipoproteinsextracellular matrixplaque, atherosclerotichypercholesterolemiamacrophageslipoproteins, LDLPDF download Advertisement SubjectsAnimal Models of Human DiseaseAtherosclerosisEtiologyGenetically Altered and Transgenic ModelsLipids and CholesterolPathophysiology

Novel techniques for assessment of bone tissue material properties

Abstract: Purpose of review The purpose of this review will be to shed light on novel techniques for assessment of bone tissue material properties. Recent findings Recently there has been an increase in modalities to investigate bone tissue material properties. Historically, clinicians treating patients with bone disorders have relied upon the use of bone mineral density (BMD) as assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Although DXA provides an ability to screen at a large-scale population level, it only explains about 60% of the fracture risk. Recent advances include the use of imaging modalities, responses to load, and novel infrared (IR) techniques. Summary These newer techniques have not reached a point for population level screening; however, they may inform the science of bone biology further and help discern various bone disease states.

Cosmetic surgical and minimally invasive treatments

Abstract: This entry provides an overview of psychosocial issues related to cosmetic medical treatments, including surgical and minimally invasive procedures. It includes a discussion of psychological factors that motivate individual patients to seek treatment. Psychiatric conditions commonly seen in these patients are described. Studies that have investigated changes in psychosocial status following successful treatment are reviewed. The article highlights two newer areas of research—body contouring after massive weight loss and genital procedures. It concludes with a discussion of how mental health professionals and physicians can collaborate to identify psychologically appropriate patients and maximize the psychosocial benefits of these procedures.

Crystallization and Shape Memory Effect

Abstract: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are intelligent class of polymers that change shape in response to an appropriate stimulus. Or, in other words, SMPs are highly deformable materials that can be pre-programmed to memorize and recover from a temporary shape and return to their original form when triggered with an external stimulus. Due to their attractive properties, such as minimal toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable properties, SMPs find great application in biomedical field. This chapter details the different types of SMPs and the factors that determine and influence the shape memory effect of polymers. Moreover, the molecular mechanism underlying the shape memory effect, the steps of shape memory cycle, and the biomedical and other applications of the SMPs are discussed in detail with suitable examples.

Law Without Markets?

Abstract: In a series of legal fields, from constitutional law to contracts to competition law, the market mechanism has provided a claimed neutral baseline against which to measure rights and remedies. While that neutrality was always somewhat fictional, its rhetorical strength bolstered classical liberals, Chicago School adherents, and others who favored the translation of market ordering into the positive legal framework. But increasingly, “the market” as an open, almost nature-given provider of neutral, homogenous prices may not be true. Increasingly, digital platforms match and target consumers with individualized offers and pricing. Law has relied on the concept of open, uniform markets—if this perception wanes, what will this mean for legal doctrines based on market neutrality as a keystone?

Periocular Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma: A Case Report and a Major Review

Abstract: In Brief Purpose: To describe a patient with periocular microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) and to review the clinical presentation, systemic work-up, histopathologic features, and outcome of all previously reported periocular MAC. Methods: A major literature review. PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases were searched for all well-documented cases of periocular MAC. Results: The final analysis yielded 93 patients with MAC, 48 (52%) females, 39 (42%) males, and 6 with sex not specified (6%) with an average age of 56 years (range 3 days–95 years). Most tumors were localized to the eyebrow (26/93, 28%) and lower eyelid (20/93, 22%). Of patients with known information, MAC most commonly presented as a nodule (37/68, 54%) or plaque (20/68, 29%) with poorly-defined margins (20/51, 39%) and distortion of eyelid margin (13/51, 25%). Orbital involvement at any point of the disease course was seen in 20 of 93 (22%) patients. An accurate histopathologic diagnosis on initial biopsy was made in 25 of 70 (36%) cases. Initial management included surgical excision (47/93, 51%), Mohs micrographic surgery (17/93, 18%), and excision with frozen section control of margins (8/93, 9%). Aggressive or recurrent MAC was managed with multimodal therapies, including adjuvant radiation (10/34, 29%). The average follow-up after the last treatment was 3 years (median 2, range 0.2–20 years). In total, 33 of 86 (38%) tumors recurred, and 6 of 87 (7%) metastasized. Disease-related mortality occurred in 3 of 79 (4%) of patients. Conclusions: Periocular MAC is frequently misdiagnosed on initial biopsy and has a tendency for recurrence and locally aggressive behavior, highlighting the importance of accurate timely diagnosis, and appropriate management. Précis:A review of 93 patients with periocular microcystic adnexal carcinoma demonstrated that this tumor is frequently misdiagnosed both clinically and histopathologically on initial biopsy and has the tendency for recurrence and locally aggressive behavior.

Data from Integrative Metatranscriptomic Analysis Reveals Disease-specific Microbiome–host Interactions in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract: <div><p>Studies on the microbiome of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have been limited to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Here, laser microdissection coupled with brute-force, deep metatranscriptome sequencing was employed to simultaneously characterize the microbiome and host transcriptomes and predict their interaction in OSCC. The analysis involved 20 HPV16/18-negative OSCC tumor/adjacent normal tissue pairs (TT and ANT) along with deep tongue scrapings from 20 matched healthy controls (HC). Standard bioinformatic tools coupled with in-house algorithms were used to map, analyze, and integrate microbial and host data. Host transcriptome analysis identified enrichment of known cancer-related gene sets, not only in TT versus ANT and HC, but also in the ANT versus HC contrast, consistent with field cancerization. Microbial analysis identified a low abundance yet transcriptionally active, unique multi-kingdom microbiome in OSCC tissues predominated by bacteria and bacteriophages. HC showed a different taxonomic profile yet shared major microbial enzyme classes and pathways with TT/ANT, consistent with functional redundancy. Key taxa enriched in TT/ANT compared with HC were <i>Cutibacterium acnes</i>, <i>Malassezia restricta</i>, Human Herpes Virus 6B, and bacteriophage Yuavirus. Functionally, hyaluronate lyase was overexpressed by <i>C. acnes</i> in TT/ANT. Microbiome-host data integration revealed that OSCC-enriched taxa were associated with upregulation of proliferation-related pathways. In a preliminary <i>in vitro</i> validation experiment, infection of SCC25 oral cancer cells with <i>C. acnes</i> resulted in upregulation of MYC expression. The study provides a new insight into potential mechanisms by which the microbiome can contribute to oral carcinogenesis, which can be validated in future experimental studies.</p>Significance:<p>Studies have shown that a distinct microbiome is associated with OSCC, but how the microbiome functions within the tumor interacts with the host cells remains unclear. By simultaneously characterizing the microbial and host transcriptomes in OSCC and control tissues, the study provides novel insights into microbiome-host interactions in OSCC which can be validated in future mechanistic studies.</p></div>

Spiroligomer‐Based Macrocycles for Atomically Precise Membranes

Abstract: Here, we report a new class of peptidomimetic macrocycles with well-defined three-dimensional structures and low conformational flexibility. They are assembled from fused-ring spiro-ladder oligomers (spiroligomers) by modular solid-phase synthesis. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance confirms their shape persistency. Triangular macrocycles of tunable sizes assemble into membranes with atomically precise pores, which exhibit size and shape-dependent molecular sieving towards a series of structurally similar compounds. The exceptional structural diversity and stability of spiroligomer-based macrocycles will be explored for more applications.

Beyond myopia in communications and the sociology of media

Abstract: This special issue of Information, Communication, and Society (ICS) is edited by the Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology (CITAMS) section of the American Sociological Association and includes papers that were first presented at either the 2021 or 2022 ASA meetings or Media Sociology Symposia. For this special issue, an innovative editorial approach was taken that brought the editing process into a graduate classroom. That process is described below along with a brief introduction to themes of the selected articles. Key themes for this special issue include content analysis, ethics, privacy, new economy, and digital inequality.

Red Blood Cell Transfusion Prior to Lung Transplantation: Impact on Patient Outcomes

Abstract: There is an established association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and increased mortality and morbidity in cardiac surgery; however, there is little data demonstrating the influence of blood transfusion while awaiting lung transplantation. Therefore, our study compared the impact of pretransplant RBC transfusion on patient survival and post-transplantation adverse events. Adult lung transplant patient data were extracted retrospectively using the United Network for Organ Sharing thoracic database. Patients were stratified into two groups based on pretransplant transfusion status. In total, 28,217 patients were analyzed in our study (transfused: n = 1,415 and not transfused: n = 26,802). There was an increasing trend in pretransplant transfusion rates from 2006 to 2020. Transfused patients had a higher incidence of adverse events post-transplantation, including dialysis, stroke, and acute organ rejection before discharge. Multivariable survival analysis found an increased mortality risk in patients who required pretransplant transfusion(s) compared to those who did not have a transfusion (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.41; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome development between groups (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.82-1.04; p = 0.185). To conclude, our study provides data to suggest that RBC transfusion(s) before lung transplantation are associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality, but have no association with chronic graft rejection development.