bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical performance of the fully automated Lumipulse plasma p‐tau217 assay in mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia
Authors: Dyer Adam H. , Dunne Jean , Dolphin Helena , Morrison Laura , O'Connor Antoinette , Fullam Sarah , Kenny Tara , Fallon Aoife , O'Dowd Sean , Bourke Nollaig M. , Conlon Niall P. , Kennelly Sean P. ,   for the TIMC‐BRAiN Study Group
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)217 is a leading blood‐biomarker for the detection of amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology. We assessed the performance of a fully automated plasma p‐tau217 immunoassay to detect Aβ pathology in mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/mild dementia.

Methods

Paired plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained at time of diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) in a specialist memory service. Plasma p‐tau217 was measured using the Lumipulse immunoassay platform and ability to detect CSF‐defined Aβ positivity assessed.

Results

Of 148 participants (69.4 ± 6.5 years; 54.1% female), 101 had MCI and 47 mild dementia. Median plasma p‐tau217 was > 4‐fold higher in Aβ+ vs Aβ− individuals with an area under the curve of 0.92 (0.87–0.97). Application of 90%, 95%, and 97.5% sensitivity/specificity thresholds for plasma p‐tau217 may have obviated the need for more than half of LPs.

Discussion

Our real‐world data support the clinical use of fully automated plasma p‐tau217 immunoassays, although further studies in more diverse cohorts are required.

HIGHLIGHTS

Plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)217 was measured using a fully automated immunoassay (Lumipulse).

P‐tau217 was > 4‐fold higher in amyloid beta (Aβ)+ versus Aβ− individuals.

Plasma p‐tau217 had an area under the curve of 0.92 for detection of Aβ status.

Using a previously proposed two‐threshold approach may avoid more than half of lumbar punctures.
Prediction of 90 day mortality in elderly patients with acute HF from e‐health records using artificial intelligence
Authors: Weller Joconde , Gutton Johann , Hocquet Guillaume , Pellet Leïla , Aroulanda Marie‐José , Bruandet Amélie , Theis Didier , Boudis Fabio , Cador Romain , Zweigenbaum Pierre , Buronfosse Anne , de Groote Pascal , Komajda Michel
Published: February 2025

Aims

Mortality risk after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) is high, especially in the first 90 days. This study aimed to construct a model automatically predicting 90 day post‐discharge mortality using electronic health record (EHR) data 48 h after admission and artificial intelligence.

Methods

All HF‐related admissions from 2015 to 2020 in a single hospital were included in the model training. Comprehensive EHR data were collected 48 h after admission. Natural language processing was applied to textual information. Deaths were identified from the French national database. After variable selection with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, a logistic regression model was trained. Model performance [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)] was tested in two independent cohorts of patients admitted to two hospitals between March and December 2021.

Results

The derivation cohort included 2257 admissions (248 deaths after hospitalization). The evaluation cohorts included 348 and 388 admissions (34 and 38 deaths, respectively). Forty‐two independent variables were selected. The model performed well in the derivation cohort [AUC: 0.817; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.789–0.845)] and in both evaluation cohorts [AUC: 0.750; 95% CI (0.672–0.829) and AUC: 0.723; 95% CI (0.644–0.803]), with better performance than previous models in the literature. Calibration was good: ‘low‐risk’ (predicted mortality ≤8%), ‘intermediate‐risk’ (8–12.5%) and ‘high‐risk’ (>12.5%) patients had an observed 90 day mortality rate of 3.8%, 8.4% and 19.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

The study proposed a robust model for the automatic prediction of 90 day mortality risk 48 h after hospitalization for decompensated HF. This could be used to identify high‐risk patients for intensification of therapeutic management.
Regioselective Formal Hydroamidation of Alkynes: Synthesis of α‐Substituted Acrylamides
Authors: Park Cheong Hoon , Lim Seeun , Jung Byunghyuck , Lee Yunmi
Published: February 2025

The formal hydroamidation of alkyne is a powerful synthetic method that enables the formation of various α,β‐unsaturated amides. In this article, the efficient formal hydroamidation of terminal and internal alkynes is described, which constitutes the Ni‐catalyzed α‐selective hydroalumination of alkynes and subsequent treatment with isocyanates. This method is gram‐scalable and the synthetic utility is highlighted by the synthesis of a β‐lactam from α‐phenyl acrylamide.
Characteristics of Ultrasonic Response and Macro‐Meso Damage Model During the Loading Process of Single‐Fissure Sandstone
Authors: Han Tengfei , Pan Chao , Zuo Yujun , Li Shujian , Cao Juncai , Yan Lin , Hong Xu
Published: February 2025

The study of the damage mechanics characteristics and failure mechanisms of fractured rock is crucial for evaluating the deterioration process of rock mechanical properties. Focused on single‐fissure sandstone, this study conducts triaxial compression tests with real‐time ultrasonic monitoring to investigate the relationship between ultrasonic wave propagation patterns and stress evolution in single‐fissure rocks. By utilizing ultrasonic wave velocities to establish macroscopic damage variables for fractured rocks and employing the Weibull probability distribution model to define mesoscopic damage variables, a coupled macro‐meso damage constitutive model for fractured rock was developed in conjunction with continuum damage theory. The reliability of the model was validated through analysis of experimental data. Results indicate that under triaxial compression conditions, the ultrasonic wave velocity of fractured sandstone exhibits non‐monotonic variations with stress. Damage evolution involves an initial weakening followed by a damage accumulation stage. Wave velocity is negatively correlated with damage extent during the damage growth phase and shows a negative correlation with crack width during stress loading. In addition, the failure mode of rock is basically shear failure and tensile‐shear mixed failure. The rock crack initiates at the tip of the prefabricated crack and extends to the top, bottom, or side of the specimen at a certain angle with the prefabricated crack. These findings provide significant guidance for understanding the mechanical behavior of fractured sandstone and optimizing mining engineering design.
Hybrid CBSQI‐WENO Schemes for Convection‐Diffusion Problems
Authors: Kumar Barik Prasanta , Kisan Dond Asha , Hasan Amjad , Kumar Rakesh
Published: February 2025

The B‐spline Quasi‐Interpolation (BSQI) based numerical scheme is a successful method for obtaining the solution to partial differential equations under sufficient regularity conditions. However, it can lead to instability and spurious oscillations in the numerical solution when high gradients or discontinuities are present. To address this issue, this article proposes a hybrid version of the BSQI scheme to solve convection‐diffusion problems. The hybrid scheme combines the Cubic BSQI (CBSQI) scheme with the fifth‐order Weighted Essentially Non‐Oscillatory (WENO) method to approximate the convective flux, and is able to compute the solution in a non‐oscillatory manner. Further, we have introduced an approximate smoothness indicator for the larger stencil of the WENO scheme, derived from the smoothness indicator of the lower‐order stencils. The approximate smoothness indicator is used as a troubled‐cell indicator in a hybrid scheme and has allowed us to develop an efficient version of the WENO‐AO(5,3) scheme (Balsara et al. J. Comp. Phy. 2016), which we call WENO‐AOA(5,3) scheme. Additionally, we propose a fifth‐order hybrid scheme that combines a finite‐difference approximation with the WENO‐AOA(5,3) scheme to solve convection‐diffusion equations. To validate the proposed schemes, we conduct tests on multiple 1D and 2D cases. The hybrid schemes produce comparable results to the WENO scheme while being more computationally efficient. Specifically, the hybrid schemes are 50%–70% more efficient than the WENO‐AOA(5,3) scheme, while the WENO‐AOA(5,3) scheme has a 2%–15% advantage over the WENO‐AO(5,3) scheme.
Regional Changes in the Fetal Telencephalic Wall Diffusion Metrics Across Late Second and Third Trimesters
Authors: Calixto Camilo , Cortes‐Albornoz Maria C. , Velasco‐Annis Clemente , Karimi Davood , Afacan Onur , Warfield Simon K. , Gholipour Ali , Jaimes Camilo
Published: February 2025

During the second and third trimesters of human gestation, the brain undergoes rapid neurodevelopment thanks to critical processes such as neuronal migration, radial glial scaffolding, and synaptic sprouting. Unfortunately, gathering high‐quality MRI data on the healthy fetal brain is complex, making it challenging to understand this development. To address this issue, we conducted a study using motion‐corrected diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to analyze changes in the cortical gray matter (CP) and sub‐cortical white matter (scWM) microstructure in 44 healthy fetuses between 23 and 36 weeks of gestational age. We automatically segmented these two tissues and parcellated them into eight regions based on anatomy, including the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes, cingulate, sensory and motor cortices, and the insula. We were able to observe distinct patterns of diffusion MRI signals across these regions. Specifically, we found that in the CP, fractional anisotropy (FA) consistently decreased with age, while mean diffusivity (MD) followed a downward‐open parabolic trend. Conversely, in the scWM, FA exhibited an upward‐open parabolic trajectory, while MD followed a downward‐open parabolic trend. Our study underscores the potential for diffusion as a biomarker for normal and abnormal neurodevelopment before birth, especially since most neurodiagnostic tools are not yet available at this stage.
Social Support, Happiness, State Anxiety, and Passion at Work Among Medical Staff Members During Times of Armed Conflict in Israel
Authors: Shamir‐Balderman Orit , Shamir Michal
Published: February 2025

This study examined the relationship of social support, happiness, state anxiety, and passion at work (PAW) among medical staff members during armed conflict in Israel. Using snowball sampling, this research investigated how these factors interact in healthcare settings during crisis periods. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between happiness and harmonious PAW, whereas no relationship was found with obsessive PAW. State anxiety showed a negative correlation with harmonious passion. Social support patterns indicate that healthcare workers relied primarily on immediate supervisors and colleagues rather than formal organizational services, with high support levels reported from significant others and family compared to moderate organizational support. These findings extend previous research by outlining how psychological factors influence different forms of PAW during specific crisis events. The current research has important implications for healthcare organisations in developing effective support mechanisms and crisis management strategies.
The Impact of Armed Conflict in Northern Nigeria on Reproductive Autonomy and Unmet Need for Family Planning: A Difference‐in‐Differences Propensity Score Matching Approach
Authors: Vilier Lieke , Groot Wim
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

In Northern Nigeria, entrenched patriarchal norms, high maternal mortality rates, low contraceptive use, and a fragile healthcare system exacerbated by conflict pose significant challenges to reproductive autonomy and family planning. This study investigates the impact of conflict exposure on women's unmet family planning needs and reproductive autonomy, including contraceptive decision‐making, discussing condom use, and declining sexual advances.

Methods

This study employs a kernel‐based difference‐in‐differences model using data from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (2008, 2013, 2018) linked with conflict incident data from the Armed Conflict Location and Events Database.

Results

Results suggest that conflict exposure is generally associated with women's reproductive autonomy, with effects varying over time and between urban and rural settings. Specifically, urban conflict exposure before 2013 was found to be associated with an increased ability for women to refuse sexual advances and a reduction in unmet family planning needs. Conflict exposure during 2014–2018 is found to be associated with an increased ability for women to request condom use and an increased ability to refuse sex.

Conclusion

The diverse outcomes, which predominantly show positive associations between conflict exposure and women's reproductive autonomy, may be attributed to the presence of humanitarian assistance, changed fertility preferences and altered gender norms during conflict.
Hiding in Plain Sight—Relapsing Polychondritis Disguised as Hip Arthritis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Li Zhanxia , Ren Tao
Published: February 2025

Background

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by episodic inflammation of cartilaginous tissues. Its diverse clinical manifestations frequently pose diagnostic challenges and lead to misdiagnosis.

Methods

We present a 59‐year‐old female initially diagnosed with refractory hip osteoarthritis based on persistent left hip pain unresponsive to conventional anti‐inflammatory therapy. Subsequent development of stridor and dyspnea prompted comprehensive evaluation, including laryngotracheal imaging, autoimmune serology, and multidisciplinary consultation. Diagnostic criteria for RP were applied in accordance with revised Michet criteria.

Results

Tracheal stenosis secondary to tracheal chondritis and iritis were identified, confirming the diagnosis of RP. Following initiation of corticosteroid therapy, the patient exhibited marked clinical improvement.

Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of enhanced clinical awareness regarding atypical presentations of RP, particularly when accompanied by evolving systemic symptoms. A multidisciplinary diagnostic approach is advocated to facilitate early detection and improve patient outcomes.
High‐risk human papillomavirus genotypes in previously unscreened reproductive‐age women in Ethiopia: A community‐based cohort study
Authors: Kebede Habtamu Biazin , Mekuria Selamawit , Asegid Nahom , Forslund Ola , Borgfeldt Christer , Jerkeman Mats , Mihret Adane , Abebe Tamrat
Published: February 2025

High‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotype is needed for adequate cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination program evaluation as recommended by different guidelines. We aimed to assess the rate of HPV infection and HPV genotype distribution using vaginal self‐sampling in a cohort of unscreened reproductive‐age women in Ethiopia. A community‐based cohort study was conducted with women aged 23–46 living in Adama, Ethiopia. A total of 885 self‐collected vaginal swabs were obtained and tested for hrHPV genotypes with the real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique. The overall hrHPV prevalence was 21.1% (187/885, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.5–24.0). Among women living with human immunodeficiency virus, 46% (30/56) (95% CI: 33.7–59) were hrHPV positive compared with 19% (157/820) (95% CI: 16.2–22) of human immunodeficiency virus‐negative women. The most frequent genotypes were HPV16 (3.1%), HPV51 (3.1%), HPV35 (2.6%), HPV56 (2.6%), HPV52 (2.4%), HPV31 (2.5%), and HPV39 (2.5%). Among the 187 HPV‐positive women in self‐samples, HPV 16/18 was found in 21% (39), HPV 16/18/45 was found in 24% (44), and HPV 16/18/31/33/45/52/58 was prevalent in 56% (104). Out of 116 biopsies, 7% (8) had cervical intraepithelial lesions and worse identified. Of these eight cervical intraepithelial lesions and worse patients, only 25% tested positive for HPV‐16; none tested positive for HPV‐18 or 45. One out of five women tested positive for hrHPV genotypes. Other HPV genotypes not covered by the quadrivalent HPV vaccine but associated with clinically significant cervical high‐grade lesions or cancer were detected in 75%. It is more effective to prevent cervical cancer by switching to the nine‐valent HPV vaccine.
Field burning in the mountainous agricultural areas of western Japan—Rice field and levee
Authors: Fushimi Akihide , Shimizu Yuta , Ikemura Yoshiaki , Kihara Nahoko
Published: February 2025

In mountainous agricultural regions of western Japan, the labor shortage caused by the aging population has made it difficult to manage the levee slopes around rice paddies. Therefore, we considered converting the weedy levee into lawn levee to reduce the number of mowing times and to set fires during the agricultural off‐season from October to April. As first step, to understand the current state of burning of the weedy levee, we conducted a survey of burn traces on the surface of the rice fields and on the slopes of levees from October to April in mountainous agricultural areas of Hiroshima prefecture. Burn traces on the surfaces of rice fields were found in many places, both across the entire field and in parts, in October after the rice harvest, which is thought to be influenced by the weather before the burning. Burn traces on the slopes of rice levees were found in many places, across the entire field, in March before farm work began. There were also many burn traces in patches in both October and March. It is thought that burning was carried out after grass was cut and collected. The height of lawn levee is much smaller than that of current weeds. By converting the vegetation to Zoysia grass turf on levees, it will be possible to carry out safe burning, which is thought to lead to reduced labor required for managing rice levees in Japan's mountainous agricultural regions.
Neighborhood Cohesion and Symptoms of Anxiety Across Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States
Authors: Albrecht Soto Sara L. , Santos‐Lozada Alexis R.
Published: February 2025

This study evaluates whether the association between neighborhood cohesion and frequency of anxiety symptoms varies by racial/ethnic group in the United States (US). Our study includes 89,617 respondents ages 18 and older from the National Health Interview Survey (2013–2018). We fit multivariate generalized linear regression models with interactions between neighborhood cohesion and race/ethnicity to test our hypotheses. We find that greater neighborhood social cohesion is associated with a lower frequency of anxiety symptoms for all racial/ethnic groups. However, this relationship was strongest for NL‐Whites and Asians compared to NL‐Black and Latine adults. No significant differences in this relationship were found between NL‐Black, Latine, and Asian adults. Our study suggests that examining markers of mental health, such as anxiety symptoms, among the US population should consider variations in associations by race/ethnicity to expand our understanding of contextual factors that are associated with these outcomes. Population‐based assessments of mental health markers should consider how sociocultural mechanisms operate differently by race/ethnicity.
Comparison of Methods for Isolation and Characterization of Total and Astrocyte‐Enriched Extracellular Vesicles From Human Serum and Plasma
Authors: Figueroa‐Hall Leandra K. , Burrows Kaiping , Alarbi Ahlam M. , Hannafon Bethany N. , Hladik Cole , Tan Chibing , Ramesh Rajagopal , Stewart Jennifer L. , Risbrough Victoria B. , Paulus Martin P. , Teague T. Kent
Published: February 2025

Extracellular vesicles (EV) which play critical roles in intercellular communication, have garnered interest as biomarkers with researchers studying brain‐related disease processes due to their ability to be isolated from various biofluids. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, play a critical role in neuronal regulation and function. As such, EV enriched from astrocytes can be used to interrogate cargo and identify mechanisms by which astrocytes communicate with other cells of the central nervous system or shed light on pathophysiological conditions. This manuscript compared five EV isolation methods (differential ultracentrifugation [dUC], precipitation, precipitation + purification, silicon carbon resin and size exclusion chromatography [SEC]) using small volumes of human plasma and serum with a focus on immunocapture of astrocyte‐enriched EV (AEEV), with the excitatory amino acid transporter 1, or GLAST. Methods were evaluated on yield, purity, recovery and downstream application to include immunoassays for tetraspanin, immune and astrocyte markers. Results revealed that whilst precipitation‐based methods such as ExoQuick yielded higher EV concentrations, size exclusion (SmartSEC, qEV) provided greater purity, emphasizing a trade‐off between yield and purity. This study provides a comprehensive resource for researchers in selecting EV isolation methods tailored to small biobanked clinical samples, with the goal of advancing biomarker discovery in Neuroscience.
Oral Ad5 Vector‐Based SARS‐CoV‐2 Vaccine Effectively Induces Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Mao Tongyao , Zhang Peng , Jiang Surui , Li Dandi , Li Jinsong , Zhang Qing , Wang Hong , Kong Xiangyu , Duan Zhaojun
Published: February 2025

Mucosal immunity is essential for preventing viral infections through the mucosal route. The emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 variants have posed additional hurdles to the efficiency of existing vaccines. The rapid development of novel vaccines that generate broad mucosal and systemic immunity could be the most effective strategy to address this issue. In this study, we developed a recombinant and replication‐deficient type‐5 adenoviral vaccine with a built‐in double‐strand RNA adjuvant and the vaccine expresses the SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron BA.1 spike (S) antigen (hereinafter referred to as “the oral vaccine”). We found that two doses of the oral vaccine in BALB/c mice generated long‐lasting S‐specific mucosal and systemic immune responses, as well as broad neutralizing antibodies and SIgA antibodies. In addition, we found that compared to an mRNA vaccine booster, using the oral vaccine as a booster could induce both effective mucosal and systemic immunity, addressing the limitation of mRNA vaccines in eliciting mucosal immunity. Prospective oral vaccines require further investigation into development and potential applications, particularly viral challenge experiments, before clinical trials.
Chemical Composition Dependent Raman Scattering Spectroscopy of MBE Grown Manganese ‐ Based Bismuth Telluride Topological Insulator Thin Films
Authors: Kumar N. , Ishchenko Denis V. , Milekhin Ilya A. , Kyrova Ekaterina D. , Fedosenko Evgeny V. , Milekhin Alexander G. , Tereshchenko Oleg E.
Published: February 2025

Chemical composition dependent vibrational modes of manganese‐based bismuth telluride (MBT) magnetic topological insulators thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy were studied by Raman spectroscopy and compared with the vibrational modes of Bi2Te3 films. Intensity of TO mode was much stronger in Bi efficient MBT film. In contrast, vibrational cross‐section of LO mode was stronger in Bi deficient MBT compound. TO mode corresponds to in‐plane vibrations of Bi‐Te atomic layers. Deficiency of Bi atoms in the MBT indicated that the vibrational degree of freedom of Bi‐Te in the septuple unit cell was less probable. Antisymmetric out‐of‐phase vibration of Te‐Te atoms resulted in LO mode in which Bi atom was stationary, therefore vibrational cross‐section of this mode for Bi deficient MBT film was stronger. A resonantly excited Eg and A1g modes was observed at excitation energy 1.57 eV associated to deformation potential and Frohlich electron–phonon coupling, respectively.
Differences in anti‐obesity effects between raw and ripened Pu‐erh tea polyphenols: impact on gut microbiota enterotypes
Authors: Ning Zichen , Pan Weipeng , Huang Yayan , Zhang Na , Zheng Bingde , Zhang Xueqin , Xiao Meitian , Yang Yucheng , Ye Jing
Published: February 2025

Background

Pu‐erh tea, a dark tea from China, is classified into raw and ripened types. Both have significant anti‐obesity effects. Polyphenols are among their major bioactive components. This study aimed to explore the anti‐obesity properties and mechanisms of raw (R‐TP) and ripened (F‐TP) Pu‐erh tea polyphenols.

Results

The results showed that R‐TP and F‐TP significantly reduced body weight, improved insulin resistance, and enhanced glucose and lipid metabolism in high‐fat‐diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Mild differences were observed in their impact on fat metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and inflammation levels. Both R‐TP and F‐TP were able to restore the disrupted intestinal flora caused by HFD treatment, returning them to a composition and levels similar to those of normal mice. Interestingly, the gut microbiota of all the mice could be reclassified into three enterotypes (enterotype Type‐1, Type‐2, and Type‐HFD). Lactobacillaceae predominated in Type‐1. Lactobacillaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Lachnospiraceae were the most common in Type‐2. Type‐HFD was primarily composed of Atopobiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae. The small differences in the effects of R‐TP and F‐TP may be due to variations in enterotypes.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that R‐TP and F‐TP can alleviate obesity by regulating the enterotype of gut microbiota, suggesting that they possess the potential for application in the treatment of obesity and the development of anti‐obesity agents. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluating YouTube Videos for Resident Education in Free Flap Surgery
Authors: Meci Andrew , Bollig Craig , Tseng Christopher C. , Goyal Neerav
Published: February 2025

Objective

The ease of access of online videos and the popularity of visual learning have made YouTube a popular educational resource. We analyzed the utility of YouTube videos for graduate medical education about free flap surgery using a cross‐sectional study design.

Methods

Using the phrases “free flap surgery” and “free flap head and neck,” YouTube videos for inclusion were identified. Videos were analyzed by free flap surgeons using Modified DISCERN, Global Quality Score (GQS), and JAMA Benchmark metrics of video quality, educational value, and transparency, respectively. Statistical analysis of video metadata and expert‐determined scores was performed.

Results

In total, 44 videos with 517,227 combined views were analyzed. Most videos were intra‐operative (63.6%), published by physicians (34.1%) or medical institutions (22.7%), and had health professional target audiences (95.5%). The mean Modified DISCERN score was 15.4/25, with most videos classified as “fair” (54.6%). The mean GQS was 4.17/5 and the mean JAMA Benchmark was 2.7/4. Higher Modified DISCERN scores were significantly associated with health professional target audiences (p = 0.04) and webinars (p = 0.03). Higher GQS was also significantly associated with a health professional target audience (p < 0.01), and higher JAMA scores with YouTube verification (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Routine YouTube searches may not yield results ideal for resident education in head and neck free flap surgery. While many videos are of good educational value, lower transparency and reliability scores raise concerns of biased information. It is important to consider vetted educational or health care sources for resident surgical education.

Level of Evidence

Level IV (cross‐sectional study).
Ionogel Adhesives: From Structural Design to Emerging Applications
Authors: Huang Yangyu , Zhu He , Zhang Qi , Zhu Shiping
Published: February 2025

Adhesives are indispensable in both daily household applications and advanced industrial settings, where they must deliver exceptional bonding performance. Ionogel adhesives, which feature a supporting polymer network infused with ionic liquid (IL), have emerged as promising candidates due to their unique structural and functional properties. The presence of ionic species within ionogels promotes non‐covalent interactions—such as ionic bonds, ion‐dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding—that enhance both cohesion within the material and adhesion to various substrates. These characteristics make ionogels ideal for applications that require robust adhesive performance, especially in demanding environments. Despite the growing interest in ionogel adhesives, a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in this area is lacking. This paper aims to fill this gap by categorizing ionogel adhesives based on their composition and discussing strategies to enhance their adhesive properties. Additionally, novel ionogel adhesives designed for specific applications are highlighted. Finally, the current state of research is summarized, and offers insights into the challenges and future opportunities for the development of ionogel adhesives.
Morphology of Nanometer‐Sized PEDOT:PSS Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Zixian , Liu Xinlu , Luo Qi , Zhou Xianmin , Zhou Qijin , Liu Yang , Zhou Yinhua
Published: February 2025

Solution‐processed conducting polymer complex of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been widely used in the fields of organic electronics and optoelectronics due to its outstanding electronic properties and processing superiority. It is important to understand the nanostructure of PEDOT:PSS to manipulate its electronic properties. In this work, it is reported that PEDOT:PSS nanoparticles with an average size of ≈22 nm are observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) by diluting the dispersion and by alcohol treatment. Specifically, the traditional dispersion (1.0–1.3 wt.%) is diluted one million times and then treated with ultrasonication and polar alcohols. The treatments of ultrasonication and polar alcohols help to reduce the entanglement of PEDOT:PSS chains and remove excess PSS, which leads to the exposure of the nanometer‐sized PEDOT:PSS particles. Moreover, quantum‐sized PEDOT:PSS dots with a size range of 2–3 nm are observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Policy center releases maternal health equity recommendations
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2025

Despite the rates of maternal deaths declining, such deaths persist in the Black population, according to the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, following the release of its key policy recommendations to address the systemic disparities affecting maternal health outcomes. The center pointed to maternal mortality data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the National Vital Statistics System, (NVSS) which revealed a decline in maternal mortality rates in the United States in 2023.
Multinuclear Interleaving of 1H CEST, Water T2*, and 23Na MRI at 3 T
Authors: Lopez Kolkovsky Alfredo L. , Wang Chencai , Yao Jingwen , Ellingson Benjamin M.
Published: February 2025

MRI in vivo is a powerful clinical diagnosis tool as it allows acquiring noninvasively images with an ample range of contrasts. Advanced imaging techniques such as chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) allow measuring metabolic information including pH. Sodium tissue concentration, which can be measured by 23Na MRI, is sensitive to changes in different pathological conditions. The routine clinical application of these techniques is limited by the required additional scan time. Multinuclear interleaved techniques allow reducing the total acquisition scan time by performing the pulse sequence elements of a 1H imaging sequence during the idle times typically used in 23Na MRI to allow magnetization recovery and reduce T1 weighting. An interleaved radial amine CEST and sodium (INTERLACED) pulse sequence was developed on a clinical scanner to simultaneously map acidity or T2* decay with 23Na signal, reducing the total scan time by 46% relative to sequential mononuclear acquisitions and without introducing any significant bias, as demonstrated in vitro. Dynamic INTERLACED measures were performed in the leg during a 5‐min plantar flexion exercise and during a second plantar flexion exercise immediately followed by a 5‐min voluntary isometric contraction. The results showed increased T2* and 23Na signal during recovery in the gastrocnemius (GAS) while only an increase in 23Na signal was observed in the soleus (SOL). During the isometric contraction, T2* decreased in GAS, SOL, and the tibialis anterior; the 23Na signal increased in GAS and SOL; and the magnetization transfer asymmetry increased in GAS, in agreement with an increase of intracellular sodium and acidification of the extracellular space. Our approach requires no hardware modifications, facilitating its inclusion in clinical routine at 3 T. Furthermore, it could benefit functional studies by enabling the acquisition of dynamic multinuclear information simultaneously from the same transient state.
synMARSS—An End‐To‐End Platform for the Parametric Generation of Synthetic In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectra
Authors: Landheer Karl , Treacy Michael , Instrella Ronald , Chioma Igwe Kay , Döring André , Kreis Roland , Juchem Christoph
Published: February 2025

Synthetic magnetic resonance spectra (MRS) are mathematically generated spectra which can be used to investigate the assumptions of data analysis strategies, optimize experimental design, and as training data for the development and validation of machine learning tools. In this work, we extend Magnetic Resonance Spectrum Simulator (MARSS), a popular MRS basis set simulation tool, to be able to generate synthetic spectra for an arbitrary MRS sequence. The extension, referred to as synMARSS, converts a basis set as well as a set of NMR, tissue‐related and additional sequence parameters into high‐quality synthetic spectra via a parametric model. synMARSS is highly versatile, incorporating T1 and T2 relaxation, arbitrary line shape distortions and diffusion, while also quickly generating the large amount of training data needed for machine learning applications. Additionally, we extend MARSS to non‐1H nuclei, such as 2H, 13C, and 31P. We use synthetic spectra to investigate the effects of approximating 14N heteronuclear coupling as weak homonuclear coupling, which was found to have small effects on the quantified concentrations for major metabolites for the implementation of PRESS at short echo time, but these effects increased at longer echo times.
Geographic Accessibility to Clinical Trials for Head and Neck Cancers in the United States
Authors: Sharma Shiven , Alkurdi Dany , Alkurdi Ezdean , Patel Dev , Alani Omar , Sharma Keshav , Saran Ekambir , Carr Michele M.
Published: February 2025

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are becoming more common, thereby gaining greater attention within the medical community. This retrospective trend analysis examined geographical access to HNC clinical trials in the United States from 2005 to 2024, utilizing Census data and the Haversine formula. A search of ClinicalTrials.gov identified 23,450 trial sites, with 18,394 initiated before 2020. Although linear regression revealed a slight annual increase in trial initiation (37.947 trials/year, R² = 0.014, P = .625), most observed trends did not reach statistical significance. The proportion of the population residing within 1 mile of the trials saw a minor increase (0.328%/year, R² = 0.178, P = .064). Accessibility remained consistent throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, despite a decline in trial initiation during 2020. Enhancing access to trials, especially for marginalized populations, could improve patient engagement and clinical results.
Long‐Term Outcomes Following Radiotherapy for Pediatric Salivary Gland Tumors
Authors: Augustin Etzer M. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Bradley Julie A. , Fortune E. Charles , Dagan Roi , Morris Christopher G. , Bradfield Scott M. , Vega Raymond B. Mailhot
Published: February 2025

Background

In contrast to adult salivary gland tumors, our institutional guidelines utilize lower radiation doses, smaller target margins, and proton therapy (PT) to minimize radiation to children's developing skull base anatomy. Herein, we report outcomes of our pediatric management approach.

Procedures

We identified 31 pediatric patients with salivary gland tumors treated with PT at our institution between 2006 and 2023. Most common histologies were mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 14), acinic cell carcinoma (n = 5), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 5). Eight patients with radiographic lymphadenopathy underwent neck dissection prior to presentation, with selective dissections involving <4 nodal levels in 7/8 cases. The gross tumor volume (GTV) encompassed the residual tumor and tumor bed. Clinical target volume (CTV1), defined as GTV + 1 cm margin, received 50.4 Gy. Prophylactic nodal irradiation was administered to three patients. CTV2 equaled the GTV and was treated to a median total dose of 64.8 Gy (range, 61.2–70.8). Toxicity was assessed with CTCAE Version 5.0.

Results

Median follow‐up was 7.5 years (range, 1.2–15). Overall survival (OS) was 96%, and local control was 94%. There were no nodal recurrences. Acute toxicities were limited to mucositis requiring opioids and transient Grade 3 dermatitis. The most serious late toxicity involved the auditory system, including three patients requiring hearing aids, one with chronic otitis media, one with osteonecrosis of the mastoid, and one with external canal stenosis. There was neither Grade 4 toxicity nor second malignancy.

Conclusions

Conservative neck management and moderate‐dose PT delivered to smaller volumes resulted in excellent long‐term disease control and limited toxicity in children with common salivary gland tumors.
Factors Associated with Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zare Parisa , Ahmadkhani Alireza , Taherifard Ehsan , Apelian Shant , Behjoo Hoda , Taherifard Erfan
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is frequently associated with cardiovascular complications, with cardiac involvement being evident in the electrocardiogram (ECG). This study aimed to systematically research the literature to investigate factors associated with ECG abnormalities in SCD patients.

Method

Five online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar were reviewed using a broad search strategy to identify original studies reporting factors associated with abnormal ECG findings among patients with SCD. Using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software, various effect sizes—odds ratios (ORs), mean differences, and correlation coefficients—were analyzed, pooled with a random effects model, and visualized through forest plots.

Results

Data analysis from 23 studies covering 2943 SCD patients revealed increased odds of prolonged QTc interval (2.54, 95% CI = 1.34–4.83), ST segment elevation (9.23, 95% CI = 3.15–27.07), and ST segment depression (3.82, 95% CI = 1.99–7.33) during crises. Patients with moderate SCD severity had higher odds of having any ECG abnormalities compared to those with mild severity (2.80, 95% CI = 1.47–5.33). No significant associations were observed between moderate and mild severity for left ventricular hypertrophy, sinus arrhythmia, and sinus tachycardia, or between male and female for having any ECG abnormalities, left ventricular hypertrophy, and prolonged QTc interval. Additionally, mean hemoglobin level was 0.60 mg/dL lower (95% CI = −0.91 to 0.28) in those with prolonged QTc interval.

Conclusion

This study highlights the link between SCD status and severity, and hemoglobin, and ECG abnormalities. It emphasizes the need for cardiac monitoring, caution with QTc‐prolonging medications, and routine ECG assessments to prevent cardiovascular complications in these high‐risk patients.
Expanding the OMOP Common Data Model to Support Perinatal Research in Network Studies
Authors: Abellan Alicia , Burn Edward , Trinh Nhung T. H. , Burkard Theresa , Callahan Alison , Fernández‐Bertolín Sergio , Hurley Eimir , Rodriguez Clara , Segundo Elena , Morales Daniel R. , M. E. Nordeng Hedvig , Duarte‐Salles Talita
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership common data model (OMOP‐CDM) is a useful tool for large‐scale network analysis but currently lacks a structured approach to pregnancy episodes. We aimed to develop and implement a perinatal expansion for the OMOP‐CDM to facilitate perinatal network research.

Methods

We collaboratively developed a perinatal expansion with input from domain experts and stakeholders to reach consensus. The structure and vocabularies followed the OMOP‐CDM ontological framework principles. We tested the expansion using SIDIAP and Norwegian databases. We developed a diagnostics package for quality control assessment and conducted a descriptive analysis on the captured perinatal data mapped to the OMOP‐CDM.

Results

The perinatal expansion consists of a pregnancy table and an infant table, each with required and optional variables incorporated into standardized vocabularies. Quality assessment of the perinatal expansion table in SIDIAP and Norwegian databases demonstrated accurate capture of perinatal characteristics. Descriptive analysis measured the number of pregnancies (SIDIAP: 646 530; Norway: 746 671), pregnancy outcomes (e.g., 0.5% stillbirths in SIDIAP and 0.4% in Norway), gestational length (median [IQR] in days, SIDIAP: 273 [56–280]; Norway: 280 [273–286]), number of infants (Norway: 758 806), and birth weight (median [IQR] in grams, Norway: 3520 [3175–3860)], among other relevant variables.

Discussion and Conclusion

We developed and implemented a perinatal expansion that captures important variables for perinatal research and allows interoperability with existing tables in the OMOP‐CDM, which is expected to facilitate future network studies. The publicly available diagnostics package enables testing the implementation of the extension table and the quality and completeness of available data on pregnancy and pregnancy‐related outcomes in databases mapped to the OMOP CDM.
Prevalence and treatment outcomes of persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Johnson Brandon , Johnson Nathaniel , Staab Jeffrey , Esterov Dmitry
Published: February 2025

Background

Persistent postural‐perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic functional vestibular disorder that is a potential sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Currently, little is known about how patients with TBI associated PPPD respond to typical PPPD treatment modalities.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of TBI as a precipitant for PPPD and assess outcomes of usual treatment.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Electronic medical records from a tertiary care center.

Participants

Patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed with PPPD secondary to TBI between January 2015 and December 2022 who underwent 6 months of treatment with at least one return clinic visit.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Patients' best clinical global impression‐improvement scale (CGI‐I) score following 6 months of treatment were collected and then compared with previously published literature, with CGI‐I scores of 1or 2 (indicating the patient was “very much” or “much” improved, respectively) considered treatment responders.

Results

In total, 134 (8.9%) of 1503 patients had a TBI as the triggering event for PPPD. The mean age of this cohort was 47.6 years with most of these cases occurring after a mild TBI (85.8%). The proportion of females with post‐TBI PPPD (58.2%) was significantly lower than the proportion with PPPD due to all causes (p < .037). The most common treatment prescribed was vestibular therapy (82.2%), and 53.3% of patients were considered treatment responders after 6 months. Patients with TBI‐induced PPPD had a significantly worse mean CGI‐I score (2.49 ± 1.1) when compared to prior literature (1.71 ± 0.83) (p < .001).

Conclusions

This study found a 9% prevalence of PPPD following TBI in the largest cohort studied to date. Patients who developed PPPD following TBI did not respond as well to standard treatments as patients with other causes of the disorder, and thus may require closer clinical follow‐up to assess treatment efficacy.
Insights Into Cold Atmospheric Plasma Triggered Self‐Assembly of Keratin Protein
Authors: Bhatt Priya , Sankaranarayanan Kamatchi
Published: February 2025

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is a novel method for biomaterial fabrication, inducing physicochemical changes in biomolecules. Keratin, an industrial waste product valued for its biocompatibility and biodegradability, formed self‐assembled structures under CAP treatment, as revealed by SEM. Zeta analysis showed increased surface charge, while TGA and XRD confirmed enhanced crystallinity with sharp‐edged nanocrystalline structures. Unique self‐assembly behaviors were observed in un‐dialyzed and dialyzed keratin. CAP modified keratin's self‐assembly through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), inducing physical changes without altering its chemical structure or native conformation. This highlights CAP's potential to tailor keratin properties for specific applications.
The Causal Role of Immune Cell Phenotypes and Inflammatory Factors in Childhood Asthma: Evidence From Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Feng Zhoushan , Jia Chunhong , Han Bin , Chen Xiaochun , Mei Jingwen , Qiao Shicun , Wu Xiaohong , Wu Fan
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study utilizes Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship between immune cell phenotypes, inflammatory factors, and childhood asthma, aiming to enhance our understanding and management of the disease.

Methods

A two‐sample MR approach was used to explore the causal relationships between 731 immune cell phenotypes, 91 inflammatory factors, and childhood asthma. The main analysis was performed using inverse variance weighting (IVW), with additional methods like weighted median, MR‐Egger, and weighted mode. Statistical significance was further assessed using false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Sensitivity analyses assessed heterogeneity (Cochran's Q test) and pleiotropy (MR‐Egger, MR‐PRESSO), while reverse causality was evaluated using the Steiger test. Findings were further validated through cohort studies and meta‐analyses to ensure robustness.

Results

Among 91 inflammatory factors, DNER, IL‐18 R1, and Osteoprotegerin increased childhood asthma risk, while CDCP1 and VEGF‐A were protective (p < 0.05). Of 731 immune cell phenotypes, 45 showed significant links to asthma, with protective effects from CD45RA+ CD8+ T cells and HLA−DR+ NK cells, and increased risk from IgD‐CD38‐ B cells and CD8dim T cells (p < 0.05). Specific SSC‐A parameters and higher MFI values for CD19, CD28, and CD3 were protective, while elevated MFI for CCR2 on monocytes and CD86 on myeloid dendritic cells increased risk. However, after further FDR correction, no statistically significant results were identified. Nonetheless, sensitivity and replication analyses, including meta‐analysis, confirmed the robustness of these associations.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the complex interplay between immune system dysregulation and childhood asthma. By identifying specific inflammatory factors and immune cell phenotypes linked to asthma risk and protection, the findings offer valuable insights into disease pathogenesis. While these results highlight potential targets for precision‐based therapeutic interventions, further research is needed to validate these associations and translate them into clinical applications.