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Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality and lacks modern therapy options. Modulated electro‐hyperthermia (mEHT) is an adjuvant therapy with demonstrated clinical efficacy for the treatment of various cancer types. In this study, we report that mEHT monotherapy stimulated interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) expression, and consequently cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2), which may favor a cancer‐promoting tumor microenvironment. Thus, we combined mEHT with nonsteroid anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): a nonselective aspirin, or the selective COX‐2 inhibitor SC236, in vivo. We demonstrate that NSAIDs synergistically increased the effect of mEHT in the 4T1 TNBC model. Moreover, the strongest tumor destruction ratio was observed in the combination SC236 + mEHT groups. Tumor damage was accompanied by a significant increase in cleaved caspase‐3, suggesting that apoptosis played an important role. IL‐1β and COX‐2 expression were significantly reduced by the combination therapies. In addition, a custom‐made nanostring panel demonstrated significant upregulation of genes participating in the formation of the extracellular matrix. Similarly, in the B16F10 melanoma model, mEHT and aspirin synergistically reduced the number of melanoma nodules in the lungs. In conclusion, mEHT combined with a selective COX‐2 inhibitor may offer a new therapeutic option in TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their extensive clinical use, opioids are characterized by several side effects. These complications, coupled with the ongoing opioid epidemic, have favored the rise of opioid-free-anesthesia (OFA). Herein, we perform the first pairwise meta-analysis of clinical outcomes for OFA vs opioid-based anesthesia (OBA) in patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Methods: We comprehensively searched medical databases to identify studies comparing OFA and OBA in patients undergoing cardiovascular or thoracic surgery. Pairwise meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Outcomes were pooled as risk ratios (RR) or standard mean differences (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Our pooled analysis included 919 patients (8 studies), of whom 488 underwent surgery with OBA and 431 with OFA. Among cardiovascular surgery patients, compared to OBA, OFA was associated with significantly reduced post-operative nausea and vomiting (RR, 0.57; P =.042), inotrope need (RR.84, P =.045), and non-invasive ventilation (RR,.54; P =.028). However, no differences were observed for 24hr pain score (SMD, −.35; P =.510) or 48hr morphine equivalent consumption (SMD, −1.09; P =.139). Among thoracic surgery patients, there was no difference between OFA and OBA for any of the explored outcomes, including post-operative nausea and vomiting (RR, 0.41; P =.025). Conclusion: Through the first pooled analysis of OBA vs OFA in a cardiothoracic-exclusive cohort, we found no significant difference in any of the pooled outcomes for thoracic surgery patients. Although limited to 2 cardiovascular surgery studies, OFA was associated with significantly reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting, inotrope need, and non-invasive ventilation in these patients. With growing use of OFA in invasive operations, further studies are needed to assess their efficacy and safety in cardiothoracic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon-silver anode has recently been shown to suppress dendrite formation in all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The role that silver plays in enabling the reversible deposition and stripping of lithium remains unknown. Furthermore, very little is known about the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of Li x Ag 1- x alloys. Here, we report on an in-depth first-principles study of phase stability and diffusion mechanisms in the Li-Ag alloy system. We identify two new intermetallic phases that are predicted to be stable in Li-rich Li x Ag 1- x alloys with stoichiometries of Li 3 Ag and Li 11 Ag 2 . Our calculations show that the peculiar and highly anharmonic energy surface of pure Li along the Bain and Burgers paths persists upon the addition of Ag to BCC Li. This has important implications for room-temperature phase stability and mechanical properties. We have also performed a systematic study of diffusion mechanisms in the Li x Ag 1- x alloy system as a function of alloy concentration x . Diffusion in alloys and intermetallics is mediated by vacancies. High vacancy formation energies are predicted in the Li x Ag 1- x alloy, especially in Ag-rich FCC solid solutions. Complex diffusion mechanisms are identified in the B2 and γ-brass intermetallic phases that include two-atom hops and second-nearest neighbor hops. The migration barriers are found to decrease with increasing Li concentration, with predictions of exceptionally low migration barriers of 0.1 eV in the D0 3 Li 3 Ag phase., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Background: Dual mobility (DM) bearings for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been proposed to reduce the risk of instability in high-risk patients; however, their utility in primary THA remains relatively unexplored. No previous reports have described whether surgical approach influences outcomes associated with DM implant systems. This study aims to compare patient reported outcomes and post-operative groin pain between patients undergoing anterior approach versus posterior approach following primary THA with DM implants., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent primary THA and received a DM implant between 2011-2021. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on surgical approach (anterior vs. posterior approach). Primary outcomes included the presence of substantial postoperative groin pain as well as readmission and revision rates. Demographic differences were assessed using chi-square and independent sample t-tests. Outcomes were compared using multilinear and logistic regressions., Results: Of the 495 patients identified, 55 (11%) underwent THA via the anterior approach and 440 (89%) via the posterior approach. Surgical time (100.24 vs. 109.42 minutes, p=0.070), length of stay (2.19vs.2.67 days,p=0.072), discharge disposition (p=0.151), and significant postoperative groin pain (1.8%vs.0.7%,p=0.966) did not statistically differ between the cohorts. 90-day readmission (9.1%vs.7.7%,p=0.823) and revision rate (0.0%vs.3.0%,p=0.993) did not significantly differ as well. Specifically, readmission (p=0.993) and revision (p=0.998) for instability did not significantly differ between the cohorts. We found no statistical difference in HOOS, JR (p=0.425), VR-12 PCS (p=0.718), and VR-12 MCS (p=0.257) delta score improvement from preoperative to 1-year follow-up between the two groups., Conclusion: Comparable outcomes following implantation of DM constructs may be achievable irrespective of the surgical approach employed. The incidence of iliopsoas injections for groin pain did not significantly differ between anterior and posterior approaches. Future investigation is needed to determine whether surgical approach influences long-term outcomes in patients receiving DM implants. Level of Evidence: III ., (Copyright © The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal 2022.)