Giant unilamellar vesicles composed of a ternary mixture of phospholipids and cholesterol exhibit coexisting liquid phases over a range of temperatures and compositions. A significant fraction of lipids in biological membranes are charged. Here, we present phase diagrams of vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids, which are zwitterionic; phosphatidylglycerol (PG) lipids, which are anionic; and cholesterol (Chol). Specifically, we use DiPhyPG-DPPC-Chol and DiPhyPC-DPPG-Chol. We show that miscibility in membranes containing charged PG lipids occurs over similarly high temperatures and broad lipid compositions as in corresponding membranes containing only uncharged lipids, and that the presence of salt has a minimal effect. We verified our results in two ways. First, we used mass spectrometry to ensure that charged PC/PG/Chol vesicles formed by gentle hydration have the same composition as the lipid stocks from which they are made. Second, we repeated the experiments by substituting phosphatidylserine for PG as the charged lipid and observed similar phenomena. Our results consistently support the view that monovalent charged lipids have only a minimal effect on lipid miscibility phase behavior in our system.
Background Context: Lumbar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an intervention used to treat facet-mediated chronic low back pain. In some studies with methods consistent with clinical practice guidelines, RFA results in improvements in pain and functional limitations. However, in other studies, RFA demonstrates limited benefit. Despite unanswered questions regarding efficacy of RFA, its use is widespread. Purpose: To describe trends in the utilization and cost of lumbar RFA and lumbar facet injections. Study Design/ Setting: Retrospective cohort study. Patient Sample: The sample was derived from the IBM/Watson MarketScan ® Commercial Claims and Encounters Databases from 2007-2016. Outcome Measures: Longitudinal trends in the distribution and quantity of lumbar facet injections before lumbar RFA, corticosteroid administration during lumbar facet injections, progression to lumbar RFA after lumbar facet injections, lumbar RFA utilization, and costs of these interventions. Methods: Two primary cohorts were identified from patients who received lumbar RFA or lumbar facet injection procedures. Utilization rates per 100,000 enrollees were determined for both
Preoperative chronic opioid use is a predictor of TKR. Using this association and others, a TKA revision risk calculator was generated at http://www.bit.do/tka.
Strokes promote immunosuppression, partially from increased sympathetic activity. Altering sympathetic drive with β-blockers has variably been shown to improve stroke outcomes. This study adds to this literature using propensity score matching to limit confounding and by examining the effects of selective and non-selective β-blockers. Prospective data from acute ischemic stroke admissions at a single center from July 2010-June 2015 were analyzed. Outcomes included infection (urinary tract infection [UTI], pneumonia, or bacteremia), discharge modified Rankin Score (mRS), and in-hospital death. Any selective and non-selective β-blocker use during the first 3 days of admission were investigated with propensity score matching. A sensitivity analysis was also performed. This study included 1431 admissions. Any β-blocker use was associated with increased infections (16.4 vs. 10.7%, p = 0.030). Non-selective β-blocker use was associated with increased infections (18.9 vs. 9.7%, p = 0.005) and UTIs (13.0 vs. 5.5%, p = 0.009). Selective β-blocker use was not associated with infection. There were no associations between β-blocker use and in-hospital death or discharge mRS. In the sensitivity analysis, the association between non-selective β-blocker use and urinary tract infections persisted (12.5 vs. 4.2%, p = 0.044). No associations with death or mRS were found. Early β-blocker use after ischemic stroke may increase the risk of infection but did not change disability or mortality risk. The mechanism may be mediated by β-adrenergic receptor antagonism given the different effects seen with selective versus non-selective β-blocker use.
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