Differences in Pertussis Incidence by Race and Ethnicity in the United States, 2010-2017.

Background: An increased pertussis burden has been demonstrated among Hispanic or Latino and American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) infants. However, data on potential disparities among other age and racial groups are limited. Methods: We analyzed pertussis cases reported through Enhanced Pertussis Surveillance from 2010 to 2017. Pertussis and severe pertussis incidence were calculated by race (White, Black or African American, AI/AN, and Asian or Pacific Islanders), ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic or non-Latino), and age. Results: Compared with White persons, overall incidence was lower among Black or African American (incidence rate ratio [IRR], .57; 95% confidence interval [CI], .53-.61), AI/AN (IRR, 0.65; 95% CI, .58-.72), and Asian or Pacific Islander persons (IRR, 0.39; 95% CI, .35-.43). Overall incidence of pertussis was higher (1.5-fold; 95% CI, 1.37-1.60) among Hispanic or Latino compared with non-Hispanic or non-Latino adults, potentially related to household size or lower pertussis vaccine uptake among adult Hispanic or Latino cases. Severe pertussis incidence was similar among Black or African American and AI/AN persons compared with White persons. Among infants, severe pertussis incidence was 1.4-fold higher (95% CI, 1.03-1.82) among Black or African American infants than among White infants, and 2.1-fold higher (95% CI, 1.67-2.57) among Hispanic or Latino infants than non-Hispanic or non-Latino infants. Conclusions: The contrast between lower reported incidence but similar or higher severe pertussis incidence among Black or African American and AI/AN persons compared with White persons warrants further investigation and may reflect underdiagnosis or underreporting of mild disease.

Microplastic and PTFE contamination of food from cookware.

Microplastics are a prolific environmental contaminant that have been evidenced in human tissues. Human uptake of microplastic occurs via inhalation of airborne fibres and ingestion of microplastic-contaminated foods and beverages. Plastic and PTFE-coated cookware and food contact materials may release micro- and nanoplastics into food during food preparation. In this study, the extent to which non-plastic, new plastic and old plastic cookware releases microplastics into prepared food is investigated. Jelly is used as a food simulant, undergoing a series of processing steps including heating, cooling, mixing, slicing and storage to replicate food preparation steps undertaken in home kitchens. Using non-plastic cookware did not introduce microplastics to the food simulant. Conversely, using new and old plastic cookware resulted in significant increases in microplastic contamination. Microplastics comprised PTFE, polyethylene and polypropylene particulates and fibrous particles, ranging 13-318 µm. Assuming a meal was prepared daily per the prescribed methodology, new and old plastic cookware may be contributing 2409-4964 microplastics per annum into homecooked food. The health implications of ingesting microplastics remains unclear.

Assessing the Impact of the 2020 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Case Definition for Pertussis on Reported Pertussis Cases.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) pertussis case definition was modified; the main change was classifying PCR-positive cases as confirmed, regardless of cough duration. Pertussis data reported through Enhanced Pertussis Surveillance (EPS) in seven sites and the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) were used to evaluate the impact of the new case definition. METHODS: We compared the number of EPS cases with cough onset in 2020 to the number that would have been reported based on the prior (2014) CSTE case definition. To assess the impact of the change nationally, the proportion of EPS cases newly reportable under the 2020 CSTE case definition was applied to 2020 NNDSS data to estimate how many additional cases were captured nationally. RESULTS: Among 442 confirmed and probable cases reported to EPS states in 2020, 42 (9.5%) were newly reportable according to the 2020 case definition. Applying this proportion to the 6,124 confirmed and probable cases reported nationally in 2020, we estimated that the new definition added 582 cases. Had the case definition not changed, reported cases in 2020 would have decreased by 70% from 2019; the observed decrease was 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a substantial decrease in reported pertussis cases in the setting of COVID-19, our data show that the 2020 pertussis case definition change resulted in additional case reporting compared with the previous case definition, providing greater opportunities for public health interventions such as prophylaxis of close contacts.

Incontinence Is an Independent Risk Factor for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Urinary incontinence has been linked to worse postoperative pain, decreased physical function, and reduced quality of life in patients following total joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether incontinence is associated with increased postoperative medical and joint complications following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national insurance database. Thirty-two thousand eight hundred eleven patients with incontinence who underwent primary THA were identified and matched 1:4 with 129,073 patients without incontinence. Ninety-one thousand nine hundred thirty-five patients with incontinence who underwent primary TKA were matched 1:4 with 367,285 patients without incontinence. Medical and joint complication rates at 90 days and 2 years, respectively, were then compared for patient cohorts using multivariable logistic regressions. Results: Patients who underwent primary THA with incontinence had statistically higher rates of dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, aseptic revisions, and overall joint complications compared to controls. Patients who underwent primary TKA with incontinence had higher rates of mechanical failure, aseptic revision, and all-cause revision compared to controls. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an association between patients with incontinence and higher rates of dislocation, periprosthetic fractures, aseptic revisions, and overall joint complications following primary THA compared to controls. Patients with incontinence experience higher rates of mechanical failure, aseptic revision, and all-cause revision following TKA compared to controls. As such, perioperative management of urinary incontinence may help mitigate the risk of postoperative complications.

Association of Smokeless Tobacco and Complications Following Ankle and Hindfoot Arthrodesis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the rates of postoperative complications following ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis among current smokeless tobacco users and people who smoke compared to matched controls, and (2) compare rates of postoperative complications in current smokeless tobacco users vs people who smoke tobacco cigarettes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national database. For patients who underwent ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis, smokeless tobacco users (n = 131) and people who smoke (n = 1948) were matched 1:4 with controls, and smokeless tobacco users (n = 131) were matched 1:4 with people who smoke tobacco cigarettes (n = 524). Orthopaedic complications within 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years were compared using multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Within 90 days of ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of hardware removal (odds ratio [OR] 5.01, 95% CI 1.65-15.20), wound disruption or dehiscence (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.21-7.44), and pooled complications (16.0% vs 5.9%, OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.50-5.38) compared with tobacco-naïve controls. The rates of hardware removal, wound disruption and dehiscence, and pooled complications remained significant in the smokeless tobacco cohort at 1 and 2 years. At 2 years following ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis, smokeless tobacco users additionally demonstrated significantly higher rates of infection (OR 6.08, 95% CI 1.15-32.05) and nonunion (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.31-4.20) compared with tobacco-naïve controls. Within 90 days of ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly lower rates of malunion or nonunion than patients who smoke tobacco cigarettes (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.97), whereas all other complications were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of complications following ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis compared with tobacco-naïve controls, and physicians should screen for smokeless tobacco use specifically and encourage cessation before operating electively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Electrode position and cognitive outcome following deep brain stimulation surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPI) deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectively treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) but may be associated with cognitive and psychiatric changes in some patients. Evaluation of changes in cognitive and psychiatric symptoms following DBS is complicated by changes in these symptoms that occur as part of the natural disease course. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether electrode position was associated with changes in neurocognitive symptoms in patients who underwent STN and GPI DBS. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with PD who underwent DBS from 2008 to 2019. Cognitive and psychiatric outcomes included Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) score, presence of impulsive-compulsive behavior (ICB), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, and overall cognitive status grade determined by comprehensive neuropsychology testing (normal, mild impairment, moderate impairment, and dementia). Pre- and postoperative comparisons were performed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired t-test. Patients with and without cognitive decline were compared using a Mann-Whitney U-test or unpaired t-test. A chi-square test was used for categorical comparisons. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients were included (mean age 62.5 ± 7.9 years). At a mean postoperative follow-up from DBS of 13.0 ± 12.7 (range 6-66) months, there was an improvement in ICB (26.3% preoperatively vs 15.0% postoperatively, p = 0.017), but a decline in MMSE score (28.6 ± 1.6 vs 27.6 ± 2.0, p < 0.001) and overall cognitive status (normal: 66.2% vs 39.2%; mild: 12.3% vs 17.7%; moderate: 21.5% vs 33.1%; dementia: 0.0% vs 10.0%; p < 0.001). Patients undergoing STN DBS had a worse decline in overall cognitive status than patients who underwent GPI DBS (p = 0.006). Postoperative cognitive decline was associated with a more medial electrode position only for patients who underwent STN DBS. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive change was observed in some patients with PD who underwent both GPI and STN DBS, likely due partly to underlying disease progression. Compared with GPI DBS, STN DBS was associated with a greater likelihood of cognitive decline. In STN but not GPI DBS, cognitive decline was associated with medialized electrode position, suggesting modulation of nonmotor STN divisions may contribute to cognitive changes following STN DBS.

Identifying potential high-risk zones for land-derived plastic litter to marine megafauna and key habitats within the North Atlantic.

The pervasive use of plastic in modern society has led to plastic litter becoming ubiquitous within the ocean. Land-based sources of plastic litter are thought to account for the majority of plastic pollution in the marine environment, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among the most common items found. In the marine environment, plastic is a transboundary pollutant, with the potential to cause damage far beyond the political borders from where it originated, making the management of this global pollutant particularly complex. In this study, the risks of land-derived plastic litter (LDPL) to major groups of marine megafauna - seabirds, cetaceans, pinnipeds, elasmobranchs, turtles, sirenians, tuna and billfish - and a selection of productive and biodiverse biogenic habitats - coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, saltmarsh and kelp beds - were analysed using a Spatial Risk Assessment approach. The approach combines metrics for vulnerability (mechanism of harm for megafauna group or habitat), hazard (plastic abundance) and exposure (distribution of group or habitat). Several potential high-risk zones (HRZs) across the North Atlantic were highlighted, including the Azores, the UK, the French and US Atlantic coasts, and the US Gulf of Mexico. Whilst much of the modelled LDPL driving risk in the UK originated from domestic sources, in other HRZs, such as the Azores archipelago and the US Gulf of Mexico, plastic originated almost exclusively from external (non-domestic) sources. LDPL from Caribbean islands - some of the largest generators of marine plastic pollution in the dataset of river plastic emissions used in the study - was noted as a significant input to HRZs across both sides of the Atlantic. These findings highlight the potential of Spatial Risk Assessment analyses to determine the location of HRZs and understand where plastic debris monitoring and management should be prioritised, enabling more efficient deployment of interventions and mitigation measures.

Adult Reconstruction Surgeons Manage Patients With Higher Medical Complexities and Still Achieve Comparable Outcomes to Sports Medicine Surgeons Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Orthopaedic surgeons who are fellowship-trained in adult reconstruction (AR) specialize specifically in total joint arthroplasty, including total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, TKA procedures are not only performed by AR surgeons. The purpose of this study was to compare the patient demographics and postoperative outcomes of patients who had a TKA procedure performed by an AR surgeon vs a sports medicine (SM) surgeon. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national insurance database. Patients who underwent a primary elective TKA procedure by an AR surgeon (n = 56,570) and an SM surgeon (n = 72,888) were identified. Patient demographics, rates of joint complications within 2 years, and medical complications within 90 days postoperatively were compared using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Compared to the cohort of patients undergoing TKA by SM surgeons, the patient cohort of AR surgeons had a higher mean Elixhauser comorbidity index (4.2 vs 4.0, P < .001), and had significantly higher rates of several comorbidities. Within 90 days, patients of AR surgeons demonstrated significantly lower rates of acute kidney injury and transfusions. When compared to patients of SM surgeons, patients of AR surgeons demonstrated significantly lower rate of manipulation under anesthesia or lysis of adhesions within 2 years. Rates of all other joint-related complications were statistically comparable between the 2 cohorts. Conclusions: As a cohort, AR surgeons perform TKA on a higher-risk cohort of patients compared to sports medicine surgeons. Despite the higher-risk patient population, outcomes of TKA by AR surgeons appear equivalent compared to their SM colleagues.

Microplastic shape influences fate in vegetated wetlands.

Coastal areas are prone to plastic accumulation due to their proximity to land based sources. Coastal vegetated habitats (e.g., seagrasses, saltmarshes, mangroves) provide a myriad of ecosystem functions, such as erosion protection, habitat refuge, and carbon storage. The biological and physical factors that underlie these functions may provide an additional benefit: trapping of marine microplastics. While microplastics occurrence in coastal vegetated sediments is well documented, there is conflicting evidence on whether the presence of vegetation enhances microplastics trapping relative to bare sites and the factors that influence microplastic trapping remain understudied. We investigated how vegetation structure and microplastic type influences trapping in a simulated coastal wetland. Through a flume experiment, we measured the efficiency of microplastic trapping in the presence of branched and grassy vegetation and tested an array of microplastics that differ in shape, size, and polymer. We observed that the presence of vegetation did not affect the number of microplastics trapped but did affect location of deposition. Microplastic shape, rather than polymer, was the dominant factor in determining whether microplastics were retained in the sediment or adhered to the vegetation canopy. Across the canopy, microfibre concentrations decreased from the leading edge to the interior which suggests that even on a small-scale, vegetation has a filtering effect. The outcome of this study enriches our understanding of coastal vegetation as a microplastics sink and that differences among microplastics informs where they are most likely to accumulate within a biogenic canopy.

The CoREST repressor complex mediates phenotype switching and therapy resistance in melanoma.

Virtually all patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma develop resistance to MAPK inhibitors largely through nonmutational events. Although the epigenetic landscape is shown to be altered in therapy-resistant melanomas and other cancers, a specific targetable epigenetic mechanism has not been validated. Here, we evaluated the corepressor for element 1-silencing transcription factor (CoREST) epigenetic repressor complex and the recently developed bivalent inhibitor corin within the context of melanoma phenotype plasticity and therapeutic resistance. We found that CoREST was a critical mediator of the major distinct melanoma phenotypes and that corin treatment of melanoma cells led to phenotype reprogramming. Global assessment of transcript and chromatin changes conferred by corin revealed specific effects on histone marks connected to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated (EMT-associated) transcription factors and the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). Remarkably, treatment of BRAF inhibitor-resistant (BRAFi-R) melanomas with corin promoted resensitization to BRAFi therapy. DUSP1 was consistently downregulated in BRAFi-R melanomas, which was reversed by corin treatment and associated with inhibition of p38 MAPK activity and resensitization to BRAFi therapies. Moreover, this activity was recapitulated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796. These findings identify the CoREST repressor complex as a central mediator of melanoma phenotype plasticity and resistance to targeted therapy and suggest that CoREST inhibitors may prove beneficial for patients with BRAFi-resistant melanoma.

Trusted Information Sources About the COVID-19 Vaccine Vary in Underserved Communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the deadliest global public health events. In the United States, over 1.1 million individuals have died, and now COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death (CDC, 2023). Vaccine uptake has stalled among different demographics. Vaccine hesitancy, a delay in accepting or refusing vaccines, poses a significant challenge regardless of the availability of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. This study aimed to identify disparate COVID-19 vaccine uptake among individuals in Western New York. The primary objective was to identify the factors contributing to lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination within this population.Data were collected from 585 adults recruited from 20 Niagara and Erie Counties sites using a self-administered survey on vaccine hesitancy, vaccination status, and COVID-19-related characteristics. The survey included the adult Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (aVHS) and acquired information on demographic characteristics and COVID-19 impact, knowledge, and information sources. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a chi-squared test, a Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and a logistic regression model.Findings suggest that unvaccinated participants (n = 35) were concerned about vaccine side effects (48.6%). For vaccinated/unboosted participants (n = 52), they (40.0%) reported clinical concerns. After adjusting for gender and age, healthcare provider guidance and family guidance remained significant predictors of vaccination status, while clinical research studies were significant predictors of booster status. Findings from this study suggest public health interventions that target vaccine education and facilitate well-informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccines lead to less vaccine hesitancy.

Prevalence of microplastics in Peruvian mangrove sediments and edible mangrove species.

Mangrove ecosystems have been hypothesised as a potential sink of microplastic debris, which could pose a threat to mangrove biota and ecological function. In this field-study we establish the prevalence of microplastics in sediments and commercially-exploited Anadara tuberculosa (black ark) and Ucides occidentalis (mangrove crab) from five different zones in the mangrove ecosystem of Tumbes, Peru. Microplastic were evident in all samples, with an average of 726 ± 396 microplastics/kg for the sediment, although no differences between the different zones of the mangrove ecosystem were observed. Microplastic concentrations were 1.6± 1.1 items/g for the black ark and 1.9 ± 0.9 microplastics/g for the mangrove crab, with a difference in the microplastic abundance between species (p < 0.05), and between the gills and stomachs of the crab (p < 0.01). Human intake of microplastics from these species, for the population in Tumbes, is estimated at 431 items per capita per year. The outcomes of this work highlight that the mangrove ecosystem is widely contaminated with microplastics, presenting a concern for the marine food web and food security.

Inhalable Textile Microplastic Fibers Impair Airway Epithelial Differentiation.

Rationale: Microplastics are a pressing global concern, and inhalation of microplastic fibers has been associated with interstitial and bronchial inflammation in flock workers. However, how microplastic fibers affect the lungs is unknown. Objectives: Our aim was to assess the effects of 12 × 31 µm nylon 6,6 (nylon) and 15 × 52 µm polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) textile microplastic fibers on lung epithelial growth and differentiation. Methods: We used human and murine alveolar and airway-type organoids as well as air-liquid interface cultures derived from primary lung epithelial progenitor cells and incubated these with either nylon or polyester fibers or nylon leachate. In addition, mice received one dose of nylon fibers or nylon leachate, and, 7 days later, organoid-forming capacity of isolated epithelial cells was investigated. Measurements and Main Results: We observed that nylon microfibers, more than polyester, inhibited developing airway organoids and not established ones. This effect was mediated by components leaching from nylon. Epithelial cells isolated from mice exposed to nylon fibers or leachate also formed fewer airway organoids, suggesting long-lasting effects of nylon components on epithelial cells. Part of these effects was recapitulated in human air-liquid interface cultures. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of Hoxa5 after exposure to nylon fibers. Inhibiting Hoxa5 during nylon exposure restored airway organoid formation, confirming Hoxa5's pivotal role in the effects of nylon. Conclusions: These results suggest that components leaching from nylon 6,6 may especially harm developing airways and/or airways undergoing repair, and we strongly encourage characterization in more detail of both the hazard of and the exposure to microplastic fibers.

Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Medical and Surgical Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated increased complication risk after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who smoke cigarettes. It is unclear if smokeless tobacco use confers a similar impact. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate rates of postoperative complications after THA in smokeless tobacco users and people who smoke compared to matched controls, and (2) compare rates of postoperative complications in smokeless tobacco users versus patients who smoke. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national database. For patients who underwent primary THA, smokeless tobacco users (n = 950) and people who smoke (n = 21,585) were matched 1:4 with controls (n = 3,800 and 86,340, respectively), and smokeless tobacco users (n = 922) were matched 1:4 with people who smoke (n = 3,688). Joint complication rates within 2 years and medical complications within 90 days postoperatively were compared using multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Within 90 days of primary THA, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of wound disruption, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, acute kidney injury (AKI), cardiac arrest, transfusion, readmission and longer length of stay compared to tobacco naïve controls. Within 2 years, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of prosthetic joint dislocations and overall joint-related complications compared to tobacco naïve controls. CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of medical- and joint-related complications following primary THA. Smokeless tobacco use may be under-diagnosed in patients undergoing elective THA. Surgeons may consider delineating between smoking and smokeless tobacco use during preoperative counseling.

Talent identification and development in an English Premiership rugby union club: the perspectives of players and coaches.

The pathway towards senior professional status in sport is affected by a multitude of factors. An abductive examination of the talent identification and development processes at an English Premiership rugby union (RU) club was undertaken for the present study. Part one examined the perspectives on the selection and development processes of senior academy male players (n = 8), whereas part two explored the perceptions of male coaches (n = 7). A total of three focus groups were used. Three main themes were confirmed by players and coaches: (a) task constraints, (b) performer constraints, and (c) environmental constraints. Specifically, although athletes and coaches believed that performer constraints were highly impactful on players' career in RU, there were inconsistencies surrounding the task and environmental constraints. Despite an indication that three common themes impacted an players path, this preliminary study shows an imbalance in the understanding of some of the key factors perceived to be important for talent progression in the present rugby academy. More research using similar qualitative methods is recommended to better understand the differences in opinions between players and coaches. Meanwhile, practitioners should consider implementing objective and holistic strategies to improve the talent pathway in English RU academies.

The Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis Increases after Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.

Purpose: Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has been identified as a potential risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purposes of this study were as follows: to (1) examine the percentage of patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder procedures and later developed ipsilateral CTS within 1 year of the procedure, (2) determine the percentage of those patients with CTS who subsequently underwent an injection or release, and (3) examine comorbidities associated with developing CTS after surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR), labral repair, or biceps tenodesis were retrospectively identified in a national database. Within 1 year, we compared the rates of ipsilateral CTS diagnoses versus the contralateral side. The rates of comorbidities between those who did and did not develop CTS were also compared. Results: Within 1 year, arthroscopic RCR patients (1.47% vs 1.00%; odds ratio [OR], 1.48; P < .001) and arthroscopic labral repair patients (0.76% vs 0.52%; OR, 1.47; P < .001) had a significantly higher rate of ipsilateral carpal tunnel diagnosis versus contralateral side diagnosis. Arthroscopic RCR patients were also significantly more likely to have ipsilateral carpal tunnel injection (0.16% vs 0.11%; OR, 1.45; P < .001) and release (0.46% vs 0.37%; OR, 1.24; P < .001). Patients who had an ipsilateral carpal tunnel diagnosis following arthroscopic RCR and labral repair were both significantly older (both P < .001), a higher percentage of women (both P<.001), and more likely to have had a preoperative nerve block (both P < .05). Both cohorts had significantly higher mean Elixhauser comorbidity Index (P < .001) and more comorbidities. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of operative side CTS within 1 year following arthroscopic RCR and labral repairs. Arthroscopic RCR was also demonstrated to result in significantly higher rates of injections and carpal tunnel release. The cohort that developed ipsilateral CTS was older, had higher percentage of women, and had more comorbidities. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic III.

Culturing the Plastisphere: comparing methods to isolate culturable bacteria colonising microplastics.

Microplastics quickly become colonised by diverse microbial communities, known as the Plastisphere. There is growing concern that microplastics may support the enrichment and spread of pathogenic or antimicrobial resistant microorganisms, although research to support the unique role of microplastics in comparison to control particles remains inconclusive. Limitations to this research include the microbiological methods available for isolating adhered microbes. Culture-based methods provide some of the most established, accessible and cost-effective microbiological protocols, which could be extremely useful in helping to address some of the remaining key questions in Plastisphere research. Previous works have successfully cultured bacteria from plastics, but these have not yet been reviewed, nor compared in efficiency. In this study, we compared four common biofilm extraction methods (swabbing, sonication, vortexing, sonication followed by vortexing) to extract and culture a mixed community of bacteria from both microplastic (polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene) and control (wood and glass) particles. Biofilm extraction efficiency and viability of bacterial suspension was determined by comparing CFU/mL of four different groups of bacteria. This was verified against optical density and 16S rRNA qPCR. Overall, we found that all tested methods were able to remove biofilms, but to varying efficiencies. Sonicating particles with glass beads for 15 min, followed by vortexing for a further minute, generated the highest yield and therefore greatest removal efficiency of culturable, biofilm-forming bacteria.

Significant Changes in Resting Metabolic Rate Over a Competitive Match Week Are Accompanied by an Absence of Nutritional Periodization in Male Professional Soccer Players.

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is an important component of total daily energy expenditure; however, it is currently not understood how it varies across a typical competitive match week in professional soccer players. For the first time, we aimed to assess RMR throughout an in-season competitive week in professional soccer players. Additionally, we aimed to assess energy and carbohydrate intake across the same week. Twenty-four professional soccer players from an English Premier League club (age: 18 ± 1.6 years) completed the study. RMR was assessed each morning of a typical competitive match week (match day [MD] -3, -2, -1, +1, +2, and + 3), and dietary intake (including MD) was assessed daily via the remote food photography method and 24-hr recall. Daily training load was quantified using Global Positioning System, daily muscle soreness ratings were recorded, and body composition was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. There was a significant (p = .0004) increase in mean RMR of ∼261 kcal/day on MD + 1, compared with MD - 1. Additionally, volume of oxygen consumed significantly increased at MD + 1 (p = .0002) versus MD - 1. There were no significant differences in daily energy or carbohydrate intake across the competitive week (p > .05), with inadequate carbohydrate intakes on MD - 1 (∼3.9 g/kg body mass), MD (∼4.2 g/kg body mass), and MD + 1 (∼3.6 g/kg body mass) in relation to current recommendations. We report, for the first time, that RMR is significantly increased following a competitive match in professional soccer players. In addition, we confirm previous findings to reinforce that players exhibit inadequate nutrition periodization practices, which may impair physical performance and recovery.

In situ correlation between microplastic and suspended particulate matter concentrations in river-estuary systems support proxies for satellite-derived estimates of microplastic flux.

Rivers are key pathways for transporting microplastics from land to the oceans, yet microplastic flux estimates remain uncertain. Remote sensing allows repeated broad-scale measurements and can be used to extrapolate limited in situ observations. This study investigated the relationship between suspended particulate matter (SPM), a satellite-observable water quality parameter, and microplastic concentration in a partially mixed estuary (Tamar, UK). Microplastic concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.99 microplastics/m3, decreasing downstream. A significant correlation was found between SPM and microplastic concentration over two seasons. This relationship was used to compute a multiyear timeseries of proxy microplastic concentration from satellite imagery and produce estimates of annual proxy microplastic flux. This approach could be applied to investigate microplastic flux in other major rivers worldwide where such a relationship between microplastics and SPM exists. To apply this workflow elsewhere, the establishment of local SPM-to-microplastic relationships from in situ observations and local validation of remote sensing SPM algorithms are essential.