bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing Voter Participation Through Health Care–Based Voter Registration
Authors: McCabe Katherine , Zhu Yinlu , Bajaj Simar S. , Martin Alister F.
Published: June 2024

Importance

Young people and historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups are poorly represented in the democratic process. Addressing voting inequities can make policy more responsive to the needs of these communities.

Objective

To assess whether leveraging health care settings as venues for voter registration and mobilization is useful, particularly for historically underrepresented populations in elections.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In 2020, nonpartisan nonprofit Vot-ER partnered with health care professionals and institutions to register people to vote. This cross-sectional study analyzed the demographics and voting behavior of people mobilized to register to vote in health care settings, including hospitals, community health centers, and medical schools across the US. The age and racial and ethnic identity data of individuals engaged through Vot-ER were compared to 2 national surveys of US adults, including the 2020 Cooperative Election Study (CES) and the 2020 American National Election Study (ANES).

Exposure

Health care–based voter registration.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were age composition, racial and ethnic composition, and voting history.

Results

Of the 12 441 voters contacted in health care settings, 41.9% were aged 18 to 29 years, 15.9% were identified as African American, 9.6% as Asian, 12.7% as Hispanic, and 60.4% as White. This distribution was significantly more diverse than the racial and ethnic distribution of the ANES (N = 5447) and CES (N = 39 014) samples, of which 72.5% and 71.19% self-identified as White, respectively. Voter turnout among health care–based contacts increased from 61.0% in 2016 to 79.8% in 2020, a turnout gain (18.8–percentage point gain) that was 7.7 percentage points higher than that of the ANES sample (11.1–percentage point gain). Demographically, the age distribution of voters contacted in health care settings was significantly different from the ANES and CES samples, with approximately double the proportion of young voters aged 18 to 29 years.

Conclusion and Relevance

This cross-sectional study suggests that health care–based voter mobilization reaches a distinctly younger and more racially and ethnically diverse population relative to those who reported contact from political campaigns. This analysis of the largest health care–based voter mobilization effort points to the unique impact that medical professionals may have on voter registration and turnout in the 2024 US elections. In the long term, health equity initiatives should prioritize expanding voting access to address the upstream determinants of health in historically marginalized communities.
Consent Form Reporting on ClinicalTrials.Gov, 2013-2023
Authors: Axson Sydney A. , Ramachandran Reshma , Lisenby Alexa , Giordano Nicholas A.
Published: June 2024

This cross-sectional study examines the availability of consent forms for National Institutes of Health–funded trials on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Hofmeister Effects in Supramolecular Chemistry for Anion‐Modulation to Stabilize Zn Anode
Authors: Zhang Guoqun , Fu Lulu , Chen Yuan , Fan Kun , Zhang Chenyang , Dai Huichao , Guan Linnan , Mao Minglei , Ma Jing , Wang Chengliang
Published: June 2024

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered as promising candidates for the next‐generation large‐scale energy storage, which, however, is facing the challenge of instable Zn anodes. The anion is pivotal in the stability of anodes, which are not being paid enough attention to. Herein, the modulation of anions is reported using the Hofmeister series in supramolecular chemistry to boost the stability of Zn anodes. It is found that the right‐side anions in the Hofmeister series (e.g., OTf−) can enhance the Zn2+ transference number, increase the Coulombic efficiency, facilitate uniform Zn deposition, reduce the freezing point of electrolytes, and thereby stabilize the Zn anodes. More importantly, the right‐side anions can form strong interaction with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) compared to the left‐side anions, and hence the addition of β‐CD can further enhance the stability of Zn anodes in OTf−‐based electrolytes, showing enhancement of cycling lifespan in the Zn//Zn symmetric cells more than 45.5 times with β‐CD compared with those without β‐CD. On the contrary, the left‐side anions show worse rate performance after the addition of β‐CD. These results provide an effective and novel approach for choosing anions and matching additives to stabilize the anodes and achieve high‐performance AZIBs through the Hofmeister effect.
Symmetry‐Determined Lasing from Incommensurate Moiré Nanoparticle Lattices
Authors: Fasanelli Fabio M. , Freire‐Fernández Francisco , Odom Teri W.
Published: June 2024

This paper describes how moiré plasmonic nanoparticle lattices can exhibit lasing action over a broad wavelength and wavevector range. Moiré nanolithography is combined with the PEEL (Photolithography, Etching, Electron‐beam deposition, and Lift‐off) process to fabricate in‐plane incommensurate lattices with optical properties beyond the restricted geometries of Bravais lattices. Because of increased rotational symmetry, moiré lattices support a larger number of transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes relative to their periodic base lattices. It is found that multidirectional lasing characteristics can be predicted by the symmetry of the moiré reciprocal lattice. Incommensurate moiré plasmonic lattices combine advantages of the dense band structures observed in aperiodic lattices with that of predicted modes in Bravais lattices for light‐based technologies in coherent light sources and multiplexed data transfer.
High‐Throughput Experimentation Unveils Composition – Structure – Conductivity Relationships in the Extended LiPON System
Authors: Berthou William , Legallais Maxime , Sorieul Stéphanie , Yildirim Gunay , Bousquet Bruno , Motto‐Ros Vincent , Le Cras Frédéric
Published: June 2024

A high‐throughput experimental approach is developed to assess the correlations between chemical composition, structure and conduction properties of inorganic solid ionic conductors. This approach covers the preparation of a large number of samples by combinatorial synthesis, followed by fast characterization of the material library. The approach is primarily based on combinatorial synthesis by magnetron co‐sputtering and the characterization of thin film samples where lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) is chosen as a case study. A library of 76 LiPON materials is prepared in one experiment from the reactive co‐sputtering of LiPO3 and Li3PO4 in a N2 atmosphere. A specific sample design allows conducting thickness and impedance measurements, Raman spectroscopy, then fast and spatially‐resolved chemical analysis by Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) on each material. Particular developments are devoted to this technique to achieve quantitative analysis of lithium in thin films. The materials cover a wide range of compositions with 0.95<Li/P<2.03 and a high N/P nitrogen content of ≈1.0‐1.2. Two distinct compositional ranges can be distinguished. For 0.95<Li/P<1.2, conductivity increases and the PO3− chains gradually disappear, whereas for 1.2<Li/P<2.03, conductivity stabilizes despite continuous structural evolution, in parallel with an increase in charge carrier concentration.
Sustainable Chitin‐Derived 2D Nanosheets with Hierarchical Ion Transport for Osmotic Energy Harvesting
Authors: Xiang Zhongrun , Chen Yu , Xie Zhijiang , Yuan Kaiyu , Shu Yue , Chen Pan , Wang Huiqing , Ye Dongdong
Published: June 2024

Generating electricity from salinity‐gradient waters with nanofluidic structures is a promising approach for achieving zero‐emission energy goals and addressing escalating energy crises. However, the ingenious design and development of biomass membranes that satisfy the requirements of sustainability, low‐cost, long‐term stability, and high output power density is a crucial challenge. This work reports two‐dimensional (2D) hierarchical‐structured chitin nanosheets (2D H‐CNS) with abundant micro‐/nano‐pore structures through chemical modification, acid vapor treatment, and ultrasound‐assisted exfoliation. The results showed that surface charge modification not only promotes the loosening and controllable exfoliation of the dense chitin structure into ultra‐thin 2D H‐CNS (1.34 nm) but also increases the porosity and enhances the ion transport flux and selectivity of the nanosheets. Furthermore, experimental and simulation confirm that hierarchical ion transport in nanosheet‐assembled membranes (2D‐HM) substantially enhances ion transport performance, with an 18.5 times improvement in ion conductance over dense nanosheet‐assembled membranes (2D‐DM). Furthermore, 2D‐HM embedded in an energy harvesting system achieved an output power density of 2.59 W m−2, 2.51 times that of 2D‐DM. This study promotes the development of all‐biomass materials with high‐performance osmotic energy harvesting.
Temporal progression of tau pathology and neuroinflammation in a rhesus monkey model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Beckman Danielle , Diniz Giovanne B. , Ott Sean , Hobson Brad , Chaudhari Abhijit J. , Muller Scott , Chu Yaping , Takano Akihiro , Schwarz Adam J. , Yeh Chien‐Lin , McQuade Paul , Chakrabarty Paramita , Kanaan Nicholas M. , Quinton Maria S. , Simen Arthur A. , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Morrison John H.
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION

The understanding of the pathological events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has advanced dramatically, but the successful translation from rodent models into efficient human therapies is still problematic.

METHODS

To examine how tau pathology can develop in the primate brain, we injected 12 macaques with a dual tau mutation (P301L/S320F) into the entorhinal cortex (ERC). An investigation was performed using high‐resolution microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and fluid biomarkers to determine the temporal progression of the pathology 3 and 6 months after the injection.

RESULTS

Using quantitative microscopy targeting markers for neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, as well as fluid and imaging biomarkers, we detailed the progression of misfolded tau spreading and the consequential inflammatory response induced by glial cells.

DISCUSSION

By combining the analysis of several in vivo biomarkers with extensive brain microscopy analysis, we described the initial steps of misfolded tau spreading and neuroinflammation in a monkey model highly translatable to AD patients.

Highlights

Dual tau mutation delivery in the entorhinal cortex induces progressive tau pathology in rhesus macaques.

Exogenous human 4R‐tau coaptates monkey 3R‐tau during transneuronal spread, in a prion‐like manner.

Neuroinflammatory response is coordinated by microglia and astrocytes in response to tau pathology, with microglia targeting early tau pathology, while astrocytes engaged later in the progression, coincident with neuronal death.

Monthly collection of CSF and plasma revealed a profile of changes in several AD core biomarkers, reflective of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation as early as 1 month after injection.
High‐density implantable neural electrodes and chips for massive neural recordings
Authors: Wang Longchun , Suo Yanxing , Wang Jiahao , Wang Xuanqi , Xue Kai , An Jingjing , Sun Xun , Chen Qinyu , Tang Xiaochen , Zhao Yang , Ji Bowen , Liu Jingquan
Published: June 2024

High‐density neural recordings with superior spatiotemporal resolution powerfully unveil cellular‐scale neural communication, showing great promise in neural science, translational medicine, and clinical applications. To achieve such, many design and fabrication innovations enhanced the electrode, chip, or both for biocompatibility improvement, electrical performance upgrade, and size miniaturization, offering several thousands of recording sites. However, an enormous gap exists along the trajectory toward billions of recording sites for brain scale resolution, posing many more design challenges. This review tries to find possible insight into mitigating the gap by discussing the latest progress in high‐density electrodes and chips for neural recordings. It emphasizes the design, fabrication, bonding techniques, and in vivo performance optimization of high‐density electrodes. It discusses the promising opportunities for circuit‐level and architecture‐level multi‐channel chip design innovations. We expect that joint effort and close collaboration between high‐density electrodes and chips will pave the way to high‐resolution neural recording tools supporting cutting‐edge neuroscience discoveries and applications.
Breast cancer risk reduction: Beyond pharmacologic intervention
Authors: Dent Susan , Tumlinson Robin , Guha Avirup , Moore Heather
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease share common risk factors, and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in women in North America. Nonpharmacologic approaches such as lifestyle modifications can decrease this risk but may be constrained by social determinants of health.
The negative outlook: Long‐term follow up of ThyroSeq negative and low‐risk nodules
Authors: Perry Raquel A. , Lee Megan F. , Jug Rachel C. , Dash Rajesh C. , Rocke Daniel J. , Jiang Xiaoyin “Sara”
Published: June 2024

Background

Molecular testing of thyroid nodules is an essential tool to help risk stratify nodules with indeterminate cytology. Although ThyroSeq testing has been around for over a decade, there is a paucity of long‐term follow‐up data on cytologically indeterminate nodules that are determined to be molecularly negative or low‐risk. The objective of this study is to assess the outcomes of nodules with indeterminate cytology (Bethesda III or IV) and negative or low‐risk ThyroSeq results.

Methods

This is a single academic institution retrospective cohort study. Patients with at least one thyroid nodule sampled with fine‐needle aspiration who underwent ThyroSeq testing from 2012 to 2018 and had negative or low‐risk ThyroSeq results on a cytologically indeterminate sample (n = 159 patients, 167 nodules) were included in the study. Outcomes include the false‐negative rate and negative predictive value of each test version, as well as follow‐up length for each nodule.

Results

There were 159 patients with a mean age of 58 years (7–84 years) included in this study; the majority were female (81.8%). The mean follow‐up was 4.0 years. Of 167 nodules, three were found to be malignant on resection (1.8%). The negative predictive value for the entire cohort was 98.2% and it was 89.3% for the surgical series.

Conclusion

ThyroSeq testing has good negative predictive value and can help risk stratify cytologically indeterminate nodules. Routine follow‐up allows for safe monitoring of nodules for features suggestive of malignancy.
Phytochemical profile of Tunisian Pistacia lentiscus fruits oil: Antioxidant, antiplatelet, and cytotoxic activities assessment
Authors: Ameur Raoudha Ben , Hadjkacem Basma , Ayadi Mohamed , Ikram Ben Amor , Feki Amira , Gargouri Jalel , Gargouri Ali , Allouche Noureddine
Published: June 2024

This study aims to comprehensively examine the chemical composition, physicochemical characterization, as well as antioxidant and antiplatelet activities of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil (PLFO). Our results showed that the prominent class of fatty acids was represented by monounsaturated fatty acids (42.73%), followed by saturated fatty acids (33.99%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (23.13%). The different ratios of fatty acids were determined (PUFA/MUFA = 0.54, PUFA/SAFA = 0.68 and MUFA/SAFA = 1.25). The obtained results related to saturated and polysaturated fatty acids ratios were in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The principal fatty acid (FA) consisted in oleic acid (41.32%), followed by linoleic acid (23.08%). A comparison was made with Moroccan and Algerian PLFO showing that Tunisian PLFO is the richest in linoleic acid. The main tentatively identified triacylglycerols, which are in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated forms, were SLL+PLO (19.73%), OOL+LnPP (13.12%) and POO (10.57%). The primary sterol identified in PLFO was β‐sitosterol (80.19%). However, tocopherols were quantified at a content of 1249.16 mg g–1 of oil. The effect on platelet aggregation was evaluated on human platelet‐rich plasma treated with various PLFO concentrations, dissolved in ethanol (named POE) and then induced by ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid (AA). The outcome revealed that 8 µL mL–1 of POE strongly inhibited ADP‐induced platelet aggregation in humans. Additionally, the expression of CD63 and P‐selectin as markers of platelet secretion, and  αΙΙβ3 integrin activation were assessed by flow cytometry. It has been found that PLFO significantly reduced platelet activation as well as alpha and dense granule secretion. Moreover, the cytotoxicity assay on normal HEK‐293 cells, the hemolysis test and the platelet viability confirmed that PLFO is a safe substance. These findings are valuable for assessing the nutritional composition of PLFO within a preventive and/or therapeutic framework in a clinical context.

Practical applications: PLFO is mainly used to alleviate problems related to poor blood circulation, especially for women but it is also employed to treat problems such as heavy legs and varicose veins. Furthermore, PLFO would prevent certain diseases such as phlebitis, and alleviates various disorders, including cardiovascular problems.
What should applicants ask colleges before, and after, acceptance?
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: June 2024

Questions applicants should ask before applying, after acceptance, and before enrolling. Questions admission deans and recruiters should ask of accepted and enrolled applicants.
Nate Shalev Q&A: Trans inclusion and advocating for LGBTQ and Jewish people
Authors: May Rachel
Published: June 2024

When Nate Shalev navigated their previous jobs, they found themselves constantly having to train their supervisors and colleagues on trans inclusion. They decided to pivot — embracing the opportunity to launch a career based on advocacy. Now an inclusivity speaker and advisor at Revel Impact, they help organizations examine their biases and implement education and policies that make all members feel safe.
K.R. Drake: Using AI to save time and create better processes
Authors: D’Orio Wayne
Published: June 2024

COLUMBUS, OHIO – There are a lot of misconceptions about artificial intelligence and how to best use it in your job, but one of the biggest is also the easiest to dispel, according to K.R. Drake, Associate Registrar at New York University.
Porous AgPd Nanomushrooms with Enhanced Methanol Tolerance for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Cui Yueyi , Zhang Lei , Wang Qiyu , Fan Jinchang
Published: June 2024

Efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts with high methanol tolerance are essential for the development of direct methanol fuel cells. Herein, a novel synthesis method is presented for the production of porous AgPd nanomushrooms with adjustable Ag/Pd atomic ratios using a seed‐mediated epitaxial etching process. These Ag1Pd1 nanomushrooms display superior methanol tolerance in the ORR compared to other AgPd nanocrystals and commercial Pd/C catalysts. Specifically, the ORR activity of Ag1Pd1 nanomushrooms is observed to be nine times higher than that of commercial Pd/C when tested in an O2‐saturated 5 m methanol solution. Theoretical calculations suggest that the appropriate Ag/Pd atomic ratio in the nanomushrooms enables a balanced adsorption energy for both O2 and CH3OH, thereby achieving enhanced ORR activity and methanol tolerance simultaneously. This research introduces a new approach to the design of efficient ORR catalysts with high methanol tolerance.
Tau‐targeting nanoparticles for treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Pawar Shreya , Rauf Mohd Ahmar , Abdelhady Hosam , Iyer Arun K.
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of neural connections and decreased brain tissue volume. Initially affecting the hippocampus and entorhinal complex, which are responsible for memory, the disease later impacts the cerebral cortex, controlling language, logic, and social conduct. While the exact cause is unknown, genetic mutations and environmental factors are implicated. Diagnosis involves computed tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), Positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and lumbar punctures to detect brain abnormalities, protein deposits, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. AD features beta‐amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles that disrupt neuronal function, chronic inflammation, blood‐brain barrier impairment, brain atrophy, and neuronal death. There is no cure; current treatments manage symptoms and slow cognitive decline. Research into genetic, cellular, and molecular pathways aims to develop targeted therapies. Tau tangle accumulation is closely linked to AD, making it crucial to explore therapies that restore normal tau pathways and prevent tau accumulation. Nanoparticulate drug delivery technologies offer promise in this area. This review discusses the potential of nanotechnology‐based therapies to target AD‐related tau accumulation and restore normal tau protein mechanics, which could preserve neuronal transmission, synaptic integrity, and brain tissue volume.
Temporal organization of narrative recall is present but attenuated in adults with hippocampal amnesia
Authors: Evans Melissa J. , Clough Sharice , Duff Melissa C. , Brown‐Schmidt Sarah
Published: June 2024

Studies of the impact of brain injury on memory processes often focus on the quantity and episodic richness of those recollections. Here, we argue that the organization of one's recollections offers critical insights into the impact of brain injury on functional memory. It is well‐established in studies of word list memory that free recall of unrelated words exhibits a clear temporal organization. This temporal contiguity effect refers to the fact that the order in which word lists are recalled reflects the original presentation order. Little is known, however, about the organization of recall for semantically rich materials, nor how recall organization is impacted by hippocampal damage and memory impairment. The present research is the first study, to our knowledge, of temporal organization in semantically rich narratives in three groups: (1) Adults with bilateral hippocampal damage and severe declarative memory impairment, (2) adults with bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) damage and no memory impairment, and (3) demographically matched non‐brain‐injured comparison participants. We find that although the narrative recall of adults with bilateral hippocampal damage reflected the temporal order in which those narratives were experienced above chance levels, their temporal contiguity effect was significantly attenuated relative to comparison groups. In contrast, individuals with vmPFC damage did not differ from non‐brain‐injured comparison participants in temporal contiguity. This pattern of group differences yields insights into the cognitive and neural systems that support the use of temporal organization in recall. These data provide evidence that the retrieval of temporal context in narrative recall is hippocampal‐dependent, whereas damage to the vmPFC does not impair the temporal organization of narrative recall. This evidence of limited but demonstrable organization of memory in participants with hippocampal damage and amnesia speaks to the power of narrative structures in supporting meaningfully organized recall despite memory impairment.
White wine vinification and an expanded insight into pellicular macerations: bibliometric and bibliographic review
Authors: dos Santos José Ricardo Machado , Kempka Aniela Pinto
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

Pellicular macerations in the vinification of white wines involve the contact of grape skins and seeds with the must before, during or after alcoholic fermentation. Pre‐fermentative pellicular maceration aims to enrich the must with volatile compounds and aroma precursors. Fermentative maceration occurs during alcoholic fermentation, whereas post‐fermentative maceration is carried out after this process, associated with orange, amber or skin‐contact wines, which have experienced a growing global demand in recent years. In this context, this research aimed to conduct a bibliometric review on pellicular macerations in white wines using two search strategies on the specific platform for the period from 2010 to 2023. Additionally, we sought to identify research trends in this segment of the wine industry through a comprehensive literature review of the retrieved documents.

RESULTS

The results emphasized more studies on pre‐fermentative pellicular maceration than on long‐duration macerations during and after alcoholic fermentation. Alternative maceration techniques, such as grape freezing, were also observed as study subjects, including their effects on final wines. The research identified a wide variety of grapes explored in studies related to pellicular macerations of the Vitis vinifera L. species, with approximately 50 distinct nomenclatures identified. Regarding pre‐fermentative macerations, the contact time varied from 2 to 60 h, with the temperature range 1–20 °C.

CONCLUSION

The specific search for extended skin contact white wines revealed a limited number of available documents, indicating that studies related to this product style are promising and necessary, given the growing commercial relevance of this product profile. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Adjuvant chemotherapy versus preoperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer treated with curative‐intent resection: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Pereira Marina Alessandra , Ramos Marcus Fernando Kodama Pertille , Dias Andre Roncon , Yagi Osmar Kenji , Charruf Amir Zeide , de Castria Tiago Biachi , Ribeiro Ulysses
Published: June 2024

Background

Multimodal therapy (MMT), comprising surgery alongside perioperative chemotherapy (PCMT) or adjuvant chemotherapy (ACMT), has demonstrated improve in survival compared with surgery alone for advanced gastric cancer (GC). However, the moment of administering chemotherapy for GC is still a matter of debate. This study aimed to compare PCMT and ACMT in patients with locally advanced GC.

Method

We included all gastric adenocarcinoma treated with chemotherapy and curative‐intent resection. Using propensity score matching (PSM), patients who received PCMT were matched with patients undergoing ACMT for 10 pretreatment variables.

Results

Among the 552 patients with indication for MMT, 377 (68.3%) received combining chemotherapy (CMT): 116 (30.8%) PCMT and 261 (69.2%) ACMT. After PSM, 109 patients were matched in each group. All variables assigned in the score were well matched and both groups became equivalent. Patients receiving PCMT had less angiolymphatic and perineural invasion, less advanced pT, pN and pTNM stage than ACMT group (p < 0.001 for all). There was no difference in the postoperative complication rate between both groups (p = 0.551). After the matching, disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) became similar between PCMT and ACMT groups (DFS: 51.4% vs. 46.9%, p = 0.882, respectively; OS: 54.3% vs. 48.7%, p = 0.638, respectively).

Conclusion

After controlling for pretreatments characteristics, there was no significant difference in survival between GC patients who underwent perioperative and adjuvant CMT. PCMT did not result in an increase in survival, but it provides a decrease in the stage of the disease, with no difference in surgical outcomes.
Modeling the liquid‐liquid chromatography separation of cannabinoids from hemp extracts
Authors: Luca Simon Vlad , Gerigk Melanie , Arshad Ahmad Adeel , Minceva Mirjana
Published: June 2024

The separation of cannabinoids from hemp materials is nowadays one of the most promising industrial applications of liquid‐liquid chromatography (LLC). Despite various experimental research efforts to purify cannabinoids, there are currently few works on process modeling. Thus, this study aimed to explore a straightforward approach to model the LLC separation of cannabinoids from two hemp extracts with different compositions. The feed materials were simplified to mixtures of preselected key components (i.e., cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabigerol, and cannabinol). The elution profiles of cannabinoids were simulated using the equilibrium‐cell model with an empirical nonlinear correlation. The model parameters were derived from the elution profiles of single‐solute pulse injections. For the validation of the proposed approach, LLC separations with the two hemp extracts were performed in descending mode with the solvent system composed of hexane/methanol/water 10/8/2 (v/v/v). The injected sample concentrations were gradually increased from 5 to 100 mg/mL. The results showed that the approach could describe reasonably well the elution behavior of the cannabinoids, with deviations of only 1–2 min between simulated and experimental elution times. However, to improve the prediction accuracy, the model parameters can be refitted to the elution profiles of 3–4 systematically selected pulse injections with specific hemp extracts.
Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of ABA‐Type Polymer Peptide Conjugates: Insights into Supramolecular Structures and their Circular Dichroism Spectra
Authors: Obenauer Moritz L. , Dresel Johannes A. , Schweitzer Maren , Besenius Pol , Schmid Friederike
Published: June 2024

A combination of atomistic molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations and circular dichroism (CD) analysis is used to explore supramolecular structures of amphiphilic ABA‐type triblock polymer peptide conjugates (PPC). Using the example of a recently introduced PPC with pH‐ and temperature responsive self‐assembling behavior [Otter et al., Macromolecular Rapid Communications2018, 39, 1800459], this study shows how molecular dynamics simulations of simplified fragment molecules can add crucial information to CD data, which helps to correctly identify the self‐assembled structures and monitor the folding/unfolding pathways of the molecules. The findings offer insights into the nature of structural transitions induced by external stimuli, thus contributing to the understanding of the connection of microscopic structures with macroscopic properties.
Heat and momentum losses in $${\text {H}}_{2}$$–$${\text {O}}_{2}$$–$${\text {N}}_{2}/{\textrm{Ar}}$$ detonations: on the existence of set-valued solutions with detailed thermochemistry
Authors: Veiga-López F. , Faria L. , Melguizo-Gavilanes J.
Published: June 2024

The effect of heat and momentum losses on the steady solutions admitted by the reactive Euler equations with sink/source terms is examined for stoichiometric hydrogen–oxygen mixtures. Varying degrees of nitrogen and argon dilution are considered in order to access a wide range of effective activation energies, $$E_{\textrm{a,eff}}/R_{\textrm{u}}T_{0}$$

E
a,eff

/

R
u

T
0

, when using detailed thermochemistry. The main results of the study are discussed via detonation velocity-friction coefficient (D–$$c_{\textrm{f}}$$

c
f

) curves. The influence of the mixture composition is assessed, and classical scaling for the prediction of the velocity deficits, $$D(c_{\textrm{f,crit}})/D_{\textrm{CJ}}$$

D

(

c
f,crit

)

/

D
CJ

, as a function of the effective activation energy, $${E}_{\textrm{a,eff}}/R_{\textrm{u}} T_{0}$$

E
a,eff

/

R
u

T
0

, is revisited. Notably, a map outlining the regions where set-valued solutions exist in the $$E_{\textrm{a,eff}}/R_{\textrm{u}}T_{0}\text {--}{\alpha }$$

E
a,eff

/

R
u

T
0

--
α

space is provided, with $$\alpha $$
α
denoting the momentum–heat loss similarity factor, a free parameter in the current study.
Meningioma grading via diagnostic imaging: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Upreti Tushar , Dube Sheen , Pareek Vibhay , Sinha Namita , Shankar Jai
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Meningioma is the most common intracranial tumor, graded on pathology using WHO criteria to predict tumor course and treatment. However, pathological grading via biopsy may not be possible in cases with poor surgical access due to tumor location. Therefore, our systematic review aims to evaluate whether diagnostic imaging features can differentiate high grade (HG) from low grade (LG) meningiomas as an alternative to pathological grading.

Methods

Three databases were searched for primary studies that either use routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) to assess pathologically WHO-graded meningiomas. Two investigators independently screened and extracted data from included studies.

Results

24 studies met our inclusion criteria with 12 significant (p < 0.05) CT and MRI features identified for differentiating HG from LG meningiomas. Cystic changes in the tumor had the highest specificity (93.4%) and irregular tumor-brain interface had the highest positive predictive value (65.0%). Mass effect had the highest sensitivity (81.0%) and negative predictive value (90.7%) of all imaging features. Imaging feature with the highest accuracy for identifying HG disease was irregular tumor-brain interface (79.7%). Irregular tumor-brain interface and heterogenous tumor enhancement had the highest AUC values of 0.788 and 0.703, respectively.

Conclusion

Our systematic review highlight imaging features that can help differentiate HG from LG meningiomas.
The Modified Superomedial Pedicle Breast Reduction Technique for Cases with SN–N Distance Exceeding 33 cm
Authors: Panopoulou Georgina , Petrou Ilias , Savva Demetris , Vassiliou Andreas
Published: June 2024

Background

Symptomatic breast hypertrophy affects the quality of life of a large number of women globally. Many reduction mammoplasty techniques have been described for patients with breast hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to provide our clinic’s experience in utilizing the modified superomedial pedicle breast reduction technique in specific patients suffering from breast hypertrophy, with sternal notch-to-nipple distance of more than 33 cm.

Method

Our study included twenty patients who underwent, from January 2022 to December 2023, the modified superomedial pedicle breast reduction technique due to symptomatic breast hypertrophy with sternal notch-to-nipple distance of more than 33 cm in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at Nicosia General Hospital in Cyprus. Patient demographics, comorbidities, pre- and postoperative breast anthropometric measurements and surgical complications were recorded and analyzed.

Results

The average age at the time of the reduction was 48 years. The mean preoperative body mass index was 28.52 kg/m2. Patients’ comorbidities included one (5%) patient with diabetes, seven (35%) with obesity and three (15%) with hypertension. The mean preoperative sternal notch-to-nipple distance was 35.25 cm for the right breast and 34.90 cm for the left breast, while the mean postoperative was 20.65 cm for both breasts. The total mean resection weight of both breasts was 1643.45 g. Surgical complications were minor including two (10%) cases of local hematoma and one (5%) case of T-Junction wound breakdown. All patients were relieved from their preoperative symptoms and were satisfied with the final result.

Conclusion

Our modified superomedial pedicle technique is a safe, effective and versatile pedicle to be used with many advantages, in specific patients suffering from breast hypertrophy with sternal notch-to-nipple distance of more than 33 cm, including its shape and rotational abilities, viability of the nipple and excellent outcome of glandular plication and breast reshaping.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Imaging features for the identification of atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients
Authors: Lambert Anna Tancin , Sætre Dag Ottar , Ratajczak-Tretel Barbara , Gleditsch Jostein , Høie Gudrun , Al-Ani Riadh , Pesonen Maiju , Atar Dan , Aamodt Anne Hege
Published: June 2024

Background

Whether specific imaging aspects can be used to identify cryptogenic stroke (CS) patients with high risk of underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate brain-imaging features in CS patients and their utility as AF predictors.

Methods

The Nordic Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke study was a prospective observational study of CS and transient ischemic attack patients undergoing 12-month cardiac-rhythm monitoring, biomarker and clinical assessments. In this imaging sub-study, brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans from 106 patients were assessed for acute and chronic ischemic lesions in relation to AF occurrence and included in a score to predict AF. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the discriminative ability of the score and for its dichotomization for predictive model.

Results

Age, periventricular white-matter hyperintensities (PVWMH), acute lesion size, and vessel occlusion were significantly associated with AF. Acute and chronic cortical infarcts as well as chronic cerebellar infarcts were numerically more frequent in the AF group than the non-AF group. A score consisting of six features (0–6 points) was proposed (age ≥ 65 years, chronic cortical or cerebellar lesions, acute cortical lesions, PVWMH ≥ 2 in Fazekas scale, vessel occlusion, and acute lesion size ≥ 10 mm). Area under ROC curve was 0.735 and a score of ≥ 3 points was a predictor of AF.

Conclusions

The suggested score was shown to identify CS patients with an increased risk of underlying AF.
Anemia and iron metabolism disorders after single anastomosis sleeve ileal (SASI) bypass. Is it a real problem?
Authors: Parkitna Joanna , Binda Artur , Gonciarska Agnieszka , Jaworski Paweł , Kudlicka Emilia , Barski Krzysztof , Wawiernia Karolina , Jankowski Piotr , Wąsowski Michał , Kuryłowicz Alina , Tarnowski Wiesław
Published: June 2024

Purpose

SASI (single anastomosis sleeve ileal) bypass can lead to nutritional deficiencies, including disorders of iron metabolism and anemia. This study aims to evaluate the effect of SASI bypass on weight loss, anemia, and iron deficiency in patients with obesity during the follow-up period.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent SASI bypass at our hospital between January 2020 and February 2022.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 42 years (range 22–58). The average duration of the follow-up period was 26 months. The mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 90.1%, and total weight loss (%TWL) was 30.5%. During the postoperative observation period, anemia was identified in ten patients (25%), comprising 70% with normocytic anemia, 10% with microcytic anemia, and two macrocytic anemia cases (20%). Iron deficiency was observed in two patients (5%).

Conclusion

SASI bypass is an effective bariatric procedure in weight loss outcomes. However, there may be an increased risk of anemia and iron metabolism disruptions associated with this procedure. The common limb length (250 vs. 300 cm) did not significantly impact hemoglobin, iron, TIBC, ferritin levels, or anemia incidence among patients undergoing SASI bypass. The decrease in postoperative ferritin levels signifies a depletion in tissue iron reserves, thereby emphasizing the necessity for surveillance of iron homeostasis parameters following SASI bypass.
Assessment of undrained cyclic resistance of sand with non-plastic fines under sustained shear stress using a critical state interpretation
Authors: Tomasello Giuseppe , Porcino Daniela Dominica
Published: June 2024

There are many geotechnical applications involving dams, embankments and slopes where the presence of an initial static shear stress prior to the cyclic loadings plays an important role. The current paper presents the experimental results gathered from undrained cyclic simple shear tests carried out on non-plastic silty sand with fines content in the range 0-30% with the consideration of sustained static shear stress ratio (α). Two distinct parameters, namely the conventional state parameter Ψ, and the equivalent state parameter Ψ*, are introduced in the context of critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) framework to predict failure mode and undrained cyclic resistance (CRR) of investigated soils. It is proved that the failure patterns for silty sands are related to (a) the initial states of soils (Ψ or Ψ*) and (b) the combination of initial shear stress with respect to cyclic loading amplitude. At each α, the CRR-Ψ (or Ψ*) correlation can be well represented by an exponential trend which is practically unique for both clean sands and silty sands up to a threshold fines content (fthre≅24.5%). Varying α from low to high levels simply brings about a clockwise rotation of the CRR-Ψ (or Ψ*) curves around a point. This CRR-Ψ (or Ψ*) platform thus provides an effective methodology for investigating the impact of initial shear stress on the cyclic strength of both clean sands and silty sands. The methodology for estimating Ψ (or Ψ*) state parameters from in-situ cone penetration tests in silty sands is also discussed.
The association between COVID-19 vaccine/infection and new-onset asthma in children - based on the global TriNetX database
Authors: Yang Chiao-Yu , Shih Yu-Hsiang , Lung Chia-Chi
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of its potential long-term health effects, including its link to new-onset asthma in children. Asthma significantly impacts children’s health, causing adverse outcomes and increased absenteeism. Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between COVID-19 infection and higher rates of new-onset asthma in adults, raising concerns about its impact on children’s respiratory health.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study design was employed, using electronic medical records from the TriNetX database, covering January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Two cohorts of children aged 5 to 18 who underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing were analyzed: unvaccinated children with and without COVID-19 infection, and vaccinated children with and without infection. Propensity score matching was used to mitigate selection bias, and hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI were calculated to assess the risk of new-onset asthma.

Results

Our study found a significantly higher incidence of new-onset asthma in COVID-19 infected children compared to uninfected children, regardless of vaccination status. In Cohort 1, 4.7% of COVID-19 infected children without vaccination developed new-onset asthma, versus 2.0% in their non-COVID-19 counterparts within a year (HR = 2.26; 95% CI = 2.158–2.367). For Cohort 2, COVID-19 infected children with vaccination showed an 8.3% incidence of new-onset asthma, higher than the 3.1% in those not infected (HR = 2.745; 95% CI = 2.521–2.99). Subgroup analyses further identified higher risks in males, children aged 5–12 years, and Black or African American children. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of these findings.

Conclusion

The study highlights a strong link between COVID-19 infection and an increased risk of new-onset asthma in children, which is even more marked in those vaccinated. This emphasizes the critical need for ongoing monitoring and customized healthcare strategies to mitigate the long-term respiratory impacts of COVID-19 in children, advocating for thorough strategies to manage and prevent asthma amidst the pandemic.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a concept analysis
Authors: Varpaei Hesam Aldin , Farhadi Kousha , Mohammadi Mostafa , Khafaee pour khamseh Alireza , Mokhtari Tahereh
Published: June 2024

Background

Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a concern for clinicians that often presents post-surgery where generalized anesthesia has been used. Its prevalence ranges from 36.6% in young adults to 42.4% in older individuals. Conceptual clarity for POCD is lacking in the currently body literature. Our two-fold purpose of this concept analysis was to (1) critically appraise the various definitions, while also providing the best definition, of POCD and (2) narratively synthesize the attributes, surrogate or related terms, antecedents (risk factors), and consequences of the concept.

Method

The reporting of our review was guided by the PRISMA statement and the 6-step evolutionary approach to concept analysis developed by Rodgers. Three databases, including Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science, were searched to retrieve relevant literature on the concept of POCD. Two independent reviewers conducted abstract and full-text screening, data extraction, and appraisal. The review process yielded a final set of 86 eligible articles.

Result

POCD was defined with varying severities ranging from subtle-to-extensive cognitive changes (1) affecting single or multiple cognitive domains that manifest following major surgery (2), is transient and reversible, and (3) may last for several weeks to years. The consequences of POCD may include impaired quality of life, resulting from withdrawal from the labor force, increased patients’ dependencies, cognitive decline, an elevated risk of dementia, rising healthcare costs, and eventual mortality.

Conclusion

This review resulted in a refined definition and comprehensive analysis of POCD that can be useful to both researchers and clinicians. Future research is needed to refine the operational definitions of POCD so that they better represent the defining attributes of the concept.
Prevalence of cognitive frailty and its associated factors in a population of Iranian older adults
Authors: Ghanbarnia Mohammad Javad , Hosseini Seyed Reza , Ahangar Alijan Ahmadi , Ghadimi Reza , Bijani Ali
Published: June 2024

Background

In recent years cognitive frailty has emerged as an important predictor of adverse health outcomes in older adults. Herein, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive frailty in a population of community-dwelling older adults in Iran.

Method

This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the second cycle of the Amirkola Health and Aging Project (AHAP). Physical frailty and cognitive impairment were evaluated using the FRAIL questionnaire and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) respectively. Cognitive frailty was defined as co-existence of frailty and cognitive impairment without presence of dementia. Depression and disability were assessed using the Persian version of geriatric depression scale (GDS) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) questionnaire.

Results

Overall 1775 individuals (47.1% female) with mean age of 69.7 ± 7.3 years were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 12.0%. The prevalence of cognitive frailty among males and females was 4.3% and 20.7%, respectively. After adjusting for all possible confounders through binary logistic regression analysis, factors such as older age (OR 1.06, CI 1.03–1.09), female gender (OR 2.25, CI 1.42–3.57), illiteracy (OR 3.84, CI 2.03–8.29), more comorbidities (OR 1.21, CI 1.12–1.31), depression (OR 2.01, CI 1.40–2.86), and greater IADL disability (OR 1.68, CI 1.44–3.96), were independently and significantly associated with cognitive frailty.

Conclusion

In this population of Iranian older adults, prevalence of cognitive frailty was consistent with its estimated mean global prevalence. Age, gender, illiteracy, comorbidities, depression and IADL disability were associated with cognitive frailty. Further research is required to develop screening tools and prevention strategies.