bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling Impurities: A Comprehensive RP-HPLC Method for Accurate Atorvastatin Impurity Analysis in Pharmaceuticals Using an Accuracy Profile Approach
Authors: El Kacemi Mounir , El Orche Aimen , El Bourakadi Khadija , Benchekroun Yassine Hameda , Echerfaoui Fouad , Karrouchi Khalid , Bouatia Mustapha , El Karbane Miloud
Published: July 2024

Background

Accurate determination of active pharmaceutical ingredients and impurities is essential for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medications. This study focuses on the validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for quantifying atorvastatin and its impurities, addressing a critical aspect of pharmaceutical analysis.

Objective

The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive validation study for the HPLC method, covering specificity assessment, response function establishment, and a detailed analysis of precision, trueness, and tolerance intervals. The emphasis is on demonstrating the method’s precision, accuracy, and stability-indicating capabilities across various concentrations and compounds.

Methods

The HPLC method is validated through rigorous assessments, including specificity, response function establishment, and analyses of precision, trueness, and tolerance intervals. Induced degradation experiments are conducted to explore atorvastatin’s behavior under extreme conditions. Insights into the compound’s synthesis and degradation pathways are provided through a proposed mechanism for intramolecular esterification.

Results

The results affirm the precision, accuracy, and stability-indicating capabilities of the validated HPLC method. The method effectively differentiates between atorvastatin and its impurities, showcasing its suitability for pharmaceutical quality control.

Conclusions

The validated HPLC method emerges as a robust and reliable tool for atorvastatin analysis, contributing significantly to pharmaceutical research and quality control. Its application ensures the safety and efficacy of medications, reinforcing its role in pharmaceutical analysis.

Highlights

This study not only validates a crucial HPLC method for atorvastatin analysis but also provides insights into the compound’s behavior under extreme conditions and its synthesis and degradation pathways. The validated method serves as a cornerstone in pharmaceutical research and quality control, ensuring medication safety and efficacy.
Headspace Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Method for Determination of Class-I Residual Solvents in Several Drug Substances: Method Evaluation by Quality by Design Statistical Tool
Authors: Sayyad Kousrali , Kowtharapu Leela Prasad , Mondal Tanmoy
Published: July 2024

Background

Class-I residual solvents such as 1,1-dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane are toxic, environmental hazards, and carcinogenic to humans. A headspace-gas chromatography–mass spectrometer is a sophisticated instrument for the quantification of residual solvents at lower limits.

Objective

An exact, sensitive, reliable, and fast method was developed to determine 1,1-dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and 1,2-dichloroethane present in different drug substances using a headspace-gas chromatography–mass spectrometer.

Methods

Helium is used as a carrier gas. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is used as a diluent, and the stationary phase is a DB-624 (60 m × 0.25 mm × 1.4 μm film thickness) column with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min.

Results

The concentration LODs for 1,1-dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and 1,2-dichloroethane were 0.24, 5, 0.12, 0.06, and 0.15 ppm. The concentrations LOQs for the aforementioned impurities were 0.8, 15, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.5 ppm. The linearity was assessed over the range from LOQ to 120% of the specification level.

Conclusion

The current method's system suitability, precision, linearity, and accuracy parameters were assessed in accordance with the United states pharmacopeia (USP) < 1225> and International Conference on Harmonization of technical standards for the registration of medicines for human use (ICH) Q2(R2), and the results were within the acceptance criteria.

Highlights

No research studies have been reported on determining class-I residual solvents in lincomycin hydrochloride, dapagliflozin, vonoprazan fumarate, and telmisartan drug substances. The proposed research aims to develop a common method for the quantification of class-I residual solvents for drug substances. The quality by design (QbD) concept is utilized in performance verification.
Evaluating foliar insecticides and economic thresholds for Tychius picirostris (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) management in Oregon white clover seed production
Authors: Tiwari Grace , Kaur Navneet , Anderson Nicole P , Tanner K Christy , Lightle Danielle M , Willette Alison R , Donovan Brian C , Dorman Seth J
Published: July 2024

The clover seed weevil, Tychius picirostris Fabricius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a major pest in Oregon white clover seed crops. Reliance on synthetic pyrethroid insecticides and limited availability of diverse modes of action (MoAs) has increased insecticide resistance selection in regional T. picirostris populations, emphasizing the need to evaluate novel chemistries and rotational strategies for effective insecticide resistance management (IRM). The efficacy of 8 foliar insecticide formulations for managing T. picirostris adult and larval life stages was determined in small and large-plot field trials across 2 crop years. In both years, bifenthrin (Brigade 2EC), the grower’s standard, showed negligible adult and larval suppression. Insecticide formulations with isocycloseram and cyantraniliprole active ingredients reduced adult and larval populations when applied at BBCH 59–60 (prebloom) and BBCH 65–66 (full bloom) growth stages, respectively. While differences in T. picirostris abundance were observed among insecticide treatments, seed yield differences were not detected in large-plot trials. Larval abundance was correlated with reduced seed yield, and an economic threshold of ≥3 larvae per 30 inflorescences was determined as a conservative larval threshold to justify foliar applications of diamide insecticides. Additional commercial white clover seed fields were surveyed to compare larval scouting techniques, including a standard Berlese funnel and a grower’s do-it-yourself funnel. Both larval extraction techniques were correlated and provided similar estimates of larval abundance. These findings demonstrate new MoAs, optimal insecticide application timing, and larval monitoring methods that can be incorporated into an effective T. picirostris IRM program in white clover seed crops.
F-actin and heparan sulfate proteoglycan distribution in female mosquito salivary glands and ducts
Authors: Bowers Doria Fassbinder , Ciano Kristin Ann
Published: July 2024

Directly involved in the “suck-and-spit” physiology, female mosquito salivary glands (SGs) primarily imbibe blood for egg development and release anticoagulants to keep blood flowing. Indirectly involved, mosquitoes can uptake arboviruses during blood feeding from a viremic host. This research examined the presence of the filamentous cytoplasmic contractile protein (F-actin) and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), in the female mosquito SGs. Immunofluorescent antibody labeling of actin molecules or HSPG combined with anatomy suggests that F-actin forms a network in the SG lobe parenchymal cells attached to intralobar ducts by HSPG. In addition, F-actin twists around intralobar SG ducts in a beaded manner, altogether involved in the expulsion of SG secretions. This arrangement in female Aedes aegypti SGs, suggests that F-actin structures are integrally involved in transmitting infectious agents into hosts.
Prevalence of cancer survivors in the United States
Authors: Tonorezos Emily , Devasia Theresa , Mariotto Angela B , Mollica Michelle A , Gallicchio Lisa , Green Paige , Doose Michelle , Brick Rachelle , Streck Brennan , Reed Crystal , de Moor Janet S
Published: July 2024

Background

With aging of the population and improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care, the number of cancer survivors in the United States has increased; updated prevalence estimates are needed.

Methods

Cancer prevalence on January 1, 2022, was estimated using the Prevalence Incidence Approach Model, utilizing incidence, survival, and mortality. Prevalence by age decade, sex, and time from diagnosis was calculated. The percentage of cancer survivors in the projected US population by age and sex was calculated as the ratio of the sex-specific projected prevalence to the sex-specific projected US population.

Results

There were an estimated 18.1 million US cancer survivors as of January 1, 2022. From 2022 to 2030, the number of US cancer survivors is projected to increase to 21.6 million; by 2040, the number is projected to be 26 million. Long-term survivors are highly prevalent; in 2022, 70% of cancer survivors had lived 5 years or more after diagnosis, and 11% of cancer survivors had lived 25 years or more after diagnosis. Among all US females aged 40-54 years, 3.6% were cancer survivors; among females aged 65-74 years, 14.5% were cancer survivors; among females aged 85 years and older, 36.4% were cancer survivors. Among all US males aged 40-54 years, 2.1% were cancer survivors; among males aged 65-74 years, 16% were cancer survivors; and among those aged 85 years and older, 48.3% were cancer survivors.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors are growing in number. In the United States, most cancer survivors are long-term and very long-term survivors, representing a substantial proportion of the US population.
Intracellular calcium dysregulation in heart and brain diseases: Insights from induced pluripotent stem cell studies
Authors: Zhang Huayang , Ren Xueming , Wu Chunyu , He Xinsen , Huang Zhengxuan , Li Yangpeng , Liao Lei , Xiang Jie , Li Miaoling , Wu Lin
Published: July 2024

The central nervous system (CNS) plays a role in regulating heart rate and myocardial contractility through sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, and the heart can impact the functional equilibrium of the CNS through feedback signals. Although heart and brain diseases often coexist and mutually influence each other, the potential links between heart and brain diseases remain unclear due to a lack of reliable models of these relationships. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can differentiate into multiple functional cell types, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine may offer tools to clarify the mechanisms of these relationships and facilitate screening of effective therapeutic agents. Because calcium ions play essential roles in regulating both the cardiovascular and nervous systems, this review addresses how recent iPSC disease models reveal how dysregulation of intracellular calcium might be a common pathological factor underlying the relationships between heart and brain diseases.
Shengqing Jiangzhuo capsule ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by improving Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Yanna , Li Min , Lai Weijie , Dong Xin , Zhang Shu , Zhang Liangyou , Chen Gangyi
Published: July 2024

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major contributor to end-stage renal failure, and lacking effective treatment options. Shengqing Jiangzhuo capsule (SQJZJN), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with known efficacy in chronic kidney disease, has not been thoroughly investigated for its potential in DN protection.

Methods

Eight-week-old male C57BLKS/J db/db, C57BLKS/J db/m mice, and human glomerular mesangial cell (HMC) cells cultured with high glucose were used as experimental models in this study.

Results

The in vivo investigation showed that SQJZJN can significantly ameliorate renal pathological damage, reduce serum creatinine, and lower urinary microalbumin levels in db/db mice. In vitro, SQJZJN treatment mitigated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a reduction in renal cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, SQJZJN activated the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway by promoting nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase heavy subunit (γ-GCS), and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expressions, while decreasing Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) expressions.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that SQJZJN exerts a protective effect on DN, potentially through the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway.
Neutrophil phagocytic activity in SCA subjects
Authors: Onwuka-Kalu Chima Okpo , Akpotuzor Josephine O
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Subjects with SCA are highly susceptible to life-threatening infections. The exact mechanism of immunodeficiency in this condition remains uncertain as different researchers have varying findings in their respective immunological studies. This study is aimed to comparatively determine the phagocytic competence of neutrophils of sickle cell subjects and immunological response in blood transfusion.

Methods

This study was carried out on 100 subjects in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, Nigeria, comprising 41 SCA subjects and 59 subjects that were used as controls after confirming their Hb electrophoresis as “AA” in the laboratory. These subjects were within the ages of 2-25 years. The blood samples were analyzed for neutrophils, and some blood count parameters using standard methods and P < .05 were used to determine the level of confidence.

Results

Neutrophil function activity of SCA subjects was observed to be reduced significantly (P < .05) compared with the control subjects. The total white cell, packed cell volume, and relative differential counts were elevated significantly (P < .05) when compared with the control subjects except for lymphocytes, which was significantly reduced in SCA patients. Neutrophil function activity was significantly lower in the symptomatic subjects. Those transfused with blood revealed significantly higher total white cell and eosinophil counts, whereas their lymphocyte and monocyte counts significantly reduced.

Conclusion

This work has shown that SCA subjects have impaired neutrophil function activity as well as depressed immune cells as reflected in the blood count.
Surgical management of anomalous aortic right coronary artery discovered during acute type A aortic dissection: a case report
Authors: Hooda Zamaan , Rifai Yasmine , LeBow Elissa , Bustamante John Paul , Cerda Luis , Zaku Bledi
Published: July 2024

Anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) is a rare anatomic anomaly that is present in ~1% of the general population, and is often discovered incidentally through imaging performed for another purpose. Despite being an uncommon phenomenon, aberrant right coronary arterial origins can have devastating manifestations in half of affected patients. These include myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, syncope, and sudden cardiac death secondary to ischemia of the cardiac tissue. This report describes a case of a 48-year-old female patient that was initially found to have ST-elevation myocardial infarction. During cardiac catheterization, the patient was discovered to have a type A aortic dissection. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted, and she was immediately transferred to the operating room for repair. During the procedure, an anomalous RCA was discovered with its origin in the dissected tissue, which was initially ligated and then bypassed using greater saphenous vein graft.
The ‘wilds of Brompton’: Mapping Nineteenth-Century Women Writers’ Early Careers in the Sociable London Suburbs
Authors: Bourrier Karen , Jacobson Dan , Brosz John
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we geocode the residences of nineteenth-century Brompton residents to the level of the building in order to argue that literary sociability and propinquity – leading to face-to-face interaction with writers, editors, artists, actors, and publishers – may have played a more important role in the formation of women’s literary careers than scholars have yet recognized. Taking the popular novelist and poet Dinah Craik as our case study, we argue that the walkability as well as the informal and inexpensive literary sociability of the area made Brompton a fertile ground for the early careers of nineteenth-century women writers. Following Alan Liu’s work in Critical Infrastructure studies, we attempt through mapping to reanimate connections that have been lost to time, establishing the importance of Brompton as a literary, artistic, and intellectual neighbourhood in the nineteenth century, and of propinquity in supporting the careers of women writers. Expanding on Sarah Bilston’s recent work on the suburbs as fertile grounds for the careers of Victorian women writers, we add a spatial dimension to Robert Darnton’s well-known print network, placing the private home, a site of literary sociability, as a central node in public print networks.
TP53 mutations in myeloid neoplasms: implications for accurate laboratory detection, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Zhang Linsheng , Abro Brooj , Campbell Andrew , Ding Yi
Published: July 2024

Genetic alterations that affect the function of p53 tumor suppressor have been extensively investigated in myeloid neoplasms, revealing their significant impact on disease progression, treatment response, and patient outcomes. The identification and characterization of TP53 mutations play pivotal roles in subclassifying myeloid neoplasms and guiding treatment decisions. Starting with the presentation of a typical case, this review highlights the complicated nature of genetic alterations involving TP53 and provides a comprehensive analysis of TP53 mutations and other alterations in myeloid neoplasms. Currently available methods used in clinical laboratories to identify TP53 mutations are discussed, focusing on the importance of establishing a robust testing protocol within clinical laboratories to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable results. The treatment implications of TP53 mutations in myeloid neoplasms and clinical trial options are reviewed. Ultimately, we hope that this review provides valuable insights into the patterns of TP53 alterations in myeloid neoplasms and offers guidance to establish practical laboratory testing protocols to support the best practices of precision oncology.
The safety and efficacy of transfusing red blood cells stored for different durations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cheng Fu , Yang Dongmei , Chen Jie , Qin Li , Tan Bin
Published: July 2024

Objective

The aim of this work was to resolve the uncertainty of whether transfusion of fresher red blood cells (RBCs) is better or not with regard to the safety and efficacy.

Methods

This systematic review was performed in accordance with our protocol registered on PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022379183).

Results

After a literature search, 13,247 records were identified, and 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 53,859 participants were eligible and included in this review. The results in our review suggested that there was no significant effect of fresher vs older RBCs on mortality (relative risk [RR] = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99-1.09; P = .39; I2 = 0%), transfusion reactions (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.57-1.33; P = .64; I2 = 0%). However, the transfusion of fresher RBCs might increase the risk of nosocomial infection (RR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; P = .02; I2 = 0%), whereas there was no significant difference in the fresh vs old subgroup (RR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.12; P = .28; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion

Our study updated and reinforced the evidence of previously published systematic reviews that support the safety and efficiency of current practice of issuing the oldest available RBCs in the blood bank inventory.
Optically quiet, but FUV loud: results from comparing the far-ultraviolet predictions of flare models with TESS and HST
Authors: Jackman James A G , Shkolnik Evgenya L , Loyd R O Parke , Richey-Yowell Tyler
Published: July 2024

The far-ultraviolet (FUV) flare activity of low-mass stars has become a focus in our understanding of the exoplanet atmospheres and how they evolve. However, direct detection of FUV flares and measurements of their energies and rates are limited by the need for space-based observations. The difficulty of obtaining such observations may push some works to use widely available optical data to calibrate multiwavelength spectral models that describe UV and optical flare emission. These models either use single temperature blackbody curves to describe this emission, or combine a blackbody curve with archival spectra. These calibrated models would then be used to predict the FUV flare rates of low-mass stars of interest. To aid these works, we used TESS optical photometry and archival HST FUV spectroscopy to test the FUV predictions of literature flare models. We tested models for partially (M0–M2) and fully convective (M4–M5) stars, 40 Myr and field age stars, and optically quiet stars. We calculated FUV energy correction factors that can be used to bring the FUV predictions of tested models in line with observations. A flare model combining optical and NUV blackbody emission with FUV emission based on HST observations provided the best estimate of FUV flare activity, where others underestimated the emission at all ages, masses, and activity levels, by up to a factor of 104 for combined FUV continuum and line emission and greater for individual emission lines. We also confirmed previous findings that showed optically quiet low-mass stars exhibit regular FUV flares.
When are galactic winds molecular?
Authors: Vijayan Aditi , Krumholz Mark R
Published: July 2024

The molecular phase of supernova-driven outflows originates from the cold, molecular gas in the disc of a star-forming galaxy, and may carry a substantial fraction of the wind mass flux in some galaxies, but it remains poorly understood. Observations of this phase come mostly from very nearby galaxies due its low-surface brightness and covering fraction, and simulations often lack the spatial resolution necessary to resolve it. Here, we analytically estimate the survivability of this phase in order to understand under what conditions a galactic wind can contain a significant molecular phase. We show that the molecular content of outflows is primarily determined by two dimensionless numbers: a generalized Eddington ratio describing the strength of the outflow and the dissociation parameter, an ionization parameter-like quantity describing the strength of the radiation field per baryon. We apply this model to a sample of galaxies and show that, while any molecules entrained in the winds of normal star-forming galaxies should be destroyed close to the galactic disc, the outflows of strong starburst should become increasingly dominated by molecules.
Fate of supernova progenitors in massive binary systems
Authors: Kinugawa Tomoya , Horiuchi Shunsaku , Takiwaki Tomoya , Kotake Kei
Published: July 2024

How massive stars end their lives depends on the core mass, core angular momentum, and hydrogen envelopes at death. However, these key physical facets of stellar evolution can be severely affected by binary interactions. In turn, the effectiveness of binary interactions itself varies greatly depending on the initial conditions of the binaries, making the situation much more complex. We investigate systematically how binary interactions influence core–collapse progenitors and their fates. Binary evolution simulations are performed to survey the parameter space of supernova progenitors in solar metallicity binary systems and to delineate major evolutionary paths. We first study fixed binary mass ratios ($q=M_2/M_1$ = 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9) to elucidate the impacts of initial mass and initial separation on the outcomes, treating separately Type Ibc supernova, Type II supernova, accretion-induced collapse (AIC), rapidly rotating supernova (Ibc-R), black hole formation, and long gamma ray burst (long GRB). We then conduct 12 binary population synthesis model calculations, varying the initial condition distributions and binary evolution parameters, to estimate various supernova fractions. We obtain a Milky Way supernova rate $R_{\rm SN} = (1.78$–$2.47) \times 10^{-2} \, {\rm yr}^{-1}$ which is consistent with observations. We find the rates of AIC, Ibc-R, and long GRB to be $\sim 1/100$ the rate of regular supernovae. Our estimated long GRB rates are higher than the observed long GRB rate and close to the low luminosity GRB rate, although care must be taken considering our models are computed with solar metallicity. Furthering binary modelling and improving the inputs one by one will enable more detailed studies of these and other transients associated with massive stars.
X-ray flux and spectral variability of the blazar OJ 287 with Suzaku
Authors: Zhou Dongtao , Zhang Zhongli , Gupta Alok C , Kushwaha Pankaj , Wiita Paul J , Gu Minfeng , Xu Haiguang
Published: July 2024

We present analyses of Suzaku XIS light curves and spectra of the BL Lac object OJ 287 with observations positioned primarily around proposed recurrent optical outbursts. The first two observations were performed in 2007 April 10–13 (epoch 1) and 2007 November 7–9 (epoch 2) that, respectively, correspond to a low and a high optical state and which, within the binary supermassive black hole model for OJ 287, precede and follow the impact flare. The last three observations, made consecutively during 2015 May 3–9 (epoch 3), were during the post-impact state of the 2013 disc impact and are the longest continuous X-ray observation of OJ 287 taken before the optical outburst in 2015 December. Intraday variability is found in both the soft (0.5–2 keV) and hard (2–10 keV) bands. The discrete correction function analysis of the light curves in both bands peaks at zero lag during epochs 2 and 3, indicating that the emission in both bands was cospatial and emitted from the same population of leptons. Power spectral densities of all three light curves are red noise dominated, with a rather wide range of power spectrum slopes. These X-ray spectra are overall consistent with power laws but with significantly different spectral indices. In the 2015 observations the X-ray spectrum softens during the flare, showing an obvious soft X-ray excess that was not evident in the 2007 observations. We discuss the implications of these observations on the jet, the possible accretion disc, and the binary supermassive black hole model proposed for the nearly periodic optical flaring of OJ 287.
A two-phase model of galaxy formation: I. The growth of galaxies and supermassive black holes
Authors: Mo Houjun , Chen Yangyao , Wang Huiyuan
Published: July 2024

We develop a model for galaxy formation and the growth of supermassive black holes (SMBHs), based on the fact that cold dark matter haloes form their gravitational potential wells through a fast phase with rapid change in the potential, and that the high universal baryon fraction makes cooled gas in haloes self-gravitating and turbulent before it can form rotation-supported discs. Gas fragmentation produces subclouds so dense that cloud–cloud collision and drag on clouds are not significant, producing a dynamically hot system of subclouds that form stars and move ballistically to feed the central SMBH. Active galactic nucleus (AGN) and supernova feedback is effective only in the fast phase, and the cumulative effects are to regulate star formation and SMBH growth, as well as to reduce the amount of cold gas in haloes to allow the formation of globally stable discs. Using a set of halo assembly histories, we demonstrate that the model can reproduce a number of observations, including correlations among SMBH mass, stellar mass of galaxies and halo mass, the number densities of galaxies and SMBH, as well as their evolution over the cosmic time.
Personal Characteristics Associated With Switching From Cigarettes to Noncombustible Tobacco and Nicotine Products Among U.S. Adults: Findings From PATH Study Waves 1–5
Authors: Sharma Akshika , Kasza Karin A , O’Connor Richard J , Felicione Nicholas J
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Reducing the disease burden from tobacco smoking may encompass switching to noncombustible (NCs), along with cessation. This study evaluates factors associated with switching to NCs (e-cigarettes, smokeless, and snus) versus continued smoking, complete cessation, or dual use.

Aims and Methods

Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health adult data were analyzed in three 2-year wave pairs across 2013–2019 to assess product transitions among people who exclusively smoked tobacco. Generalized estimating equations examined demographics, smoking characteristics, perceptions, and messaging exposure as predictors of transitions from cigarette smoking.

Results

Ages 18–44 years (ref = 65+; aORs = 3.79–5.92), males (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.01, 1.37]), and perceiving NCs as less harmful than smoking (ref = not; aOR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.28, 1.69]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus continued smoking, while being Black (ref = White; aOR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.26, 0.48]) or Hispanic (ref = non-Hispanic; aOR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.45, 0.78]) were negatively associated. Ages 18–64 years (aORs = 2.49–5.89), noticing promotional ads (ref = not; aOR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.14, 1.58]), daily light or heavy smoking (ref = nondaily; aORs = 2.33–3.72), and smoking within 30 minutes of waking (ref=>30 minutes; aOR = 1.47, 95% CI [1.18, 1.85]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus cessation, while being Black (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.38, 0.74]) or Hispanic (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.38, 0.71]) were negatively associated. Incomes of $10 000–≥$100 000 (ref ≤ $10 000; aORs = 2.08–3.13) and daily heavy smoking (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.11, 3.48]) were positively associated with switching to NCs versus dual use, while being male (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.29, 0.65]) was negatively associated.

Conclusions

Transitioning to NCs was unequally distributed among sociodemographic groups and smoking characteristics. The mere availability of NCs may not promote health equity. Continued market and regulatory efforts that promote both smoking cessation and transitioning to NCs among various populations may promote public health gains.

Implications

This study examines factors associated with transitioning from smoking to noncombustible tobacco product use. We examined three different product use scenarios that may be associated with varied levels of exposure to harm. We observed that younger ages and perceiving NCs as less harmful than cigarettes were more likely to transition to NCs as compared to continued smoking and cessation, while Black or Hispanic individuals were less likely to transition to NCs. This highlights the need for more focused harm reduction efforts for racial and ethnic minority populations as a complementary strategy to cessation to reduce health disparities from smoking.
Identifying E-cigarette Content on TikTok: Using a BERTopic Modeling Approach
Authors: Lee Juhan , Ouellette Rachel R , Murthy Dhiraj , Pretzer Ben , Anand Tanvi , Kong Grace
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The use of hashtags is a common way to promote e-cigarette content on social media. Analysis of hashtags may provide insight into e-cigarette promotion on social media. However, the examination of text data is complicated by the voluminous amount of social media data. This study used machine learning approaches (ie, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers [BERT] topic modeling) to identify e-cigarette content on TikTok.

Aims and Methods

We used 13 unique hashtags related to e-cigarettes (eg, #vape) for data collection. The final analytic sample included 12 573 TikTok posts. To identify the best fitting number of topic clusters, we used both quantitative (ie, coherence test) and qualitative approaches (ie, researchers checked the relevance of text from each topic). We, then, grouped and characterized clustered text for each theme.

Results

We evaluated that N = 18 was the ideal number of topic clusters. The 9 overarching themes were identified: Social media and TikTok-related features (N = 4; “duet,” “viral”), Vape shops and brands (N = 3; “store”), Vape tricks (N = 3; “ripsaw”), Modified use of e-cigarettes (N = 1; “coil,” “wire”), Vaping and girls (N = 1; “girl”), Vape flavors (N = 1; “flavors”), Vape and cigarettes (N = 1; “smoke”), Vape identities and communities (N = 1; “community”), and Non-English language (N = 3; Romanian and Spanish).

Conclusions

This study used a machine learning method, BERTopic modeling, to successfully identify relevant themes on TikTok. This method can inform future social media research examining other tobacco products, and tobacco regulatory policies such as monitoring of e-cigarette marketing on social media.

Implications

This study can inform future social media research examining other tobacco products, and tobacco regulatory policies such as monitoring of e-cigarette marketing on social media.
The Public Health Impact of a Ban on Flavored Cigars: A Decision-Theoretic Policy Framework
Authors: Levy David T , Cadham Christopher , Mok Yoonseo , Travis Nargiz , Buszkiewicz James H , Jeon Jihyoun , Fleischer Nancy L , Meza Rafael
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Half of adult cigar users report flavored cigars as their usual brand. The Food and Drug Administration proposed prohibiting “all characterizing flavors in cigars” and “menthol… in cigarettes.” We provide evidence on cigar and cigarette transitions and a framework to assess the impact of a U.S. flavored cigar ban.

Aims and Methods

Using Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health survey waves 1–4, we estimated use patterns and annual transitions among flavored cigars, non-flavored cigars, cigarettes, and among adults aged 18–34 and aged ≥35. We also consider electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)-related transitions. We developed a decision-theoretic framework for examining the impact of a flavored cigar ban alone, and the impact of a flavored cigar with a menthol cigarette ban with and without a non-tobacco flavored ENDS ban.

Results

Cigar users exhibited less stable use than cigarette users, with a large portion of cigar users switching to cigarette use each year. Past studies provide limited information on transitions between cigar and ENDS use. Our policy framework suggests that imposing a flavored cigar ban alone may be partially undermined by the substitution of menthol cigarettes for flavored cigars. While adding a menthol cigarette to a flavored cigar ban is expected to improve public health, a simultaneously implemented ENDS may offset some of the gains.

Conclusions

Our analysis suggests the information necessary to gauge the public health impact of a cigar flavor ban alone and with flavor bans on cigarettes and ENDS. Further research is needed on ENDS vis-a’-vis cigar use, and the impact of enforcement and non-flavor-related policies on flavor ban effectiveness.

Implications

Unlike menthol cigarette use and menthol bans, flavored cigar use and flavored cigar bans have received minimal attention. Transitions from cigars, especially dual and flavored use, are generally common compared to cigarettes. Our policy framework suggests important public health impacts. A flavored cigar ban absent a menthol cigarette ban may be partially undermined by the substitution of menthol cigarettes for flavored cigars. Adding a menthol cigarette ban is expected to offset such substitution and improve public health. However, simultaneously adding an ENDS with a flavored cigar and menthol cigarette ban may reduce the public health impact of a menthol cigarette and cigar flavor ban since flavored cigar users would be less able to substitute a lower-risk alternative.
Olive Oil Consumption, Risk Factors, and Diseases: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Fraga Shyrlei R O , Zago Lilia , Curioni Cintia C
Published: July 2024

Context

Olive oil is a vegetable oil that provides health benefits, including a reduction in free radicals and total cholesterol and prevention of chronic diseases. The escalating incidence of chronic diseases presents a substantial challenge to public health, prompting numerous studies to assess these health-related effects. Despite several systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing the association between olive oil consumption and specific health outcomes, there is no summary of the accumulated evidence from these reviews.

Objective

This umbrella review summarizes the evidence on olive oil consumption or intervention in adults and its association with multiple risk factors and diseases.

Data Sources

We retrieved systematic reviews of randomized trials or observational studies on oral interventions or the consumption of olive oil. The systematic search encompassed databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and CENTRAL from inception to February 6, 2023.

Data Extraction

Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool.

Data Analysis

Overall, 17 systematic reviews of randomized trials and observational studies, covering outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, glucose metabolism, inflammatory and oxidative markers, and all-cause mortality, were included. The evidence suggests a beneficial association between olive oil consumption and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. However, the evidence was less definitive for inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, and blood lipid outcomes. Several meta-analyses revealed high heterogeneity and wide confidence intervals, along with a limited number of randomized clinical trials.

Conclusion

Given the high heterogeneity and low quality of evidence, further studies involving randomized trials are imperative. Prioritizing an in-depth analysis of specific olive oil components and using a control group with distinct characteristics and different effects is strongly recommended.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022357290.
Skeletal Muscle Index–Based Cachexia Index as a Predictor of Prognosis in Patients With Cancer: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Xu Xintian , Tian Mengxing , Ding Chen Chen , Xu Huiting , Wang Huifen , Jin Xin
Published: July 2024

Context

Cachexia is associated with poor survival rates. In the clinical setting, the diagnosis of cancer cachexia is challenging. The cachexia index (CXI), a new index for predicting survival time, is a promising tool for diagnosing cancer cachexia; however, its efficacy in predicting patient survival has not been validated.

Objective

This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to explore the CXI’s prognostic value in patients with cancer.

Data Sources

The PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies to determine the association between CXI findings and prognosis.

Data Extraction

The outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-, disease-, and recurrence-free survival (PFS/DFS/RFS) rates, and the rate of complete response.

Data Analysis

The QUality In Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included trials. This meta-analysis comprised 14 studies involving 2777 patients. A low CXI was associated with decreased OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01–2.72; P < .001), PFS/DFS/RFS (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.68–2.22; P < .001), and complete response (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% CI 0.36–0.66; P < .001). Patients with a low CXI had a lower body mass index (mean difference [MD] −0.75, 95% CI −1.00 to 0.50; P < .001), skeletal muscle index (standardized MD −0.80, 95% CI −0.98 to −0.61; P < .001), and serum albumin level (MD −0.23, 95% CI −0.26 to −0.20; P < .001); and a higher neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (MD 1.88, 95% CI 1.29–2.47; P < .001) and more advanced disease stages (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.91; P = .001).

Conclusion

A low CXI was found to be associated with poor survival in patients with cancer. While the CXI is a promising marker for predicting cancer cachexia, further studies are required to verify its usefulness.
Extreme weather has variable effects on reproductive success of grassland songbirds at the northern extent of their range
Authors: Fisher Ryan J , Davis Stephen K
Published: July 2024

Grassland songbirds breeding in Canada and the United States have experienced significant population declines likely because of habitat loss and degradation. Many climate change models predict an increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme precipitation and temperature events that could place further pressures on declining species. We monitored the fate of 1,868 individual nesting attempts of 7 grassland songbird species in response to various precipitation and temperature measures over a 10-yr period (1997 to 2002 and 2004 to 2008) in Saskatchewan, Canada. Daily nest survival rates of 5 species, including 3 at-risk species, were negatively influenced by high levels of precipitation, although the amount of precipitation where declines in daily nest survival occurred varied. Daily nest survival rates of 2 species were negatively correlated with high temperatures. We failed to detect any relationship between precipitation or temperature and the number of fledglings produced from successful nests. Extreme weather events could add additional stressors to declining populations of grassland birds in Canada. Increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, specifically extreme precipitation events and short-term high temperatures, will likely lead to lower reproductive success for several species compared to current levels. This may be especially problematic for management of Anthus spragueii (Sprague’s Pipit) and Centronyx bairdii (Baird’s Sparrow), where a large proportion (> 75%) of the breeding population occurs near the northern edge of the Great Plains. The continuing loss and degradation of northern grasslands may limit the ability of these species to disperse and find favorable climate conditions.
Variation in defensive spines across juvenile instars of Daphnia magna
Authors: Diel Patricia , Kiene Marvin , Laforsch Christian
Published: July 2024

Various species of freshwater zooplankton feature defensive spines, spikes or spinules across a comparatively wide size range. Among those is Daphnia magna, which has previously been found to express an enhanced spinescence in response to the predatory tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis. This involves an elongated tail-spine, further protruding fornices and elongated, as well as further spread spinules along its carapace margins. Of these, the predator-induced trait changes concerning the spinules of D. magna at the age of first reproduction are known. However, their morphological development throughout the juvenile instars, in comparison to the changes of the prominent tail spine during the same periods, has thus far been unclear. Our study shows that D. magna expresses spinules across all investigated juvenile instars. Furthermore, during ontogeny, the development of D. magna’s rather small spinescence traits, i.e. the dorsal and ventral mean spinule length, as well as the dorsal spinules bearing area, in response to predation pressure, differs distinctly from that of the prominent tail-spine. Thus, our study provides further insight into the connectedness of traits contributing to the overall defensively enhanced spinescence of D. magna, with possible implications for the functional benefit of the traits at certain developmental periods.
Unpacking polarization: Antagonism and alignment in signed networks of online interaction
Authors: Fraxanet Emma , Pellert Max , Schweighofer Simon , Gómez Vicenç , Garcia David
Published: July 2024

Political conflict is an essential element of democratic systems, but can also threaten their existence if it becomes too intense. This happens particularly when most political issues become aligned along the same major fault line, splitting society into two antagonistic camps. In the 20th century, major fault lines were formed by structural conflicts, like owners vs. workers, center vs. periphery, etc. But these classical cleavages have since lost their explanatory power. Instead of theorizing new cleavages, we present the FAULTANA (FAULT-line Alignment Network Analysis) pipeline, a computational method to uncover major fault lines in data of signed online interactions. Our method makes it possible to quantify the degree of antagonism prevalent in different online debates, as well as how aligned each debate is to the major fault line. This makes it possible to identify the wedge issues driving polarization, characterized by both intense antagonism and alignment. We apply our approach to large-scale data sets of Birdwatch, a US-based Twitter fact-checking community and the discussion forums of DerStandard, an Austrian online newspaper. We find that both online communities are divided into two large groups and that their separation follows political identities and topics. In addition, for DerStandard, we pinpoint issues that reinforce societal fault lines and thus drive polarization. We also identify issues that trigger online conflict without strictly aligning with those dividing lines (e.g. COVID-19). Our methods allow us to construct a time-resolved picture of affective polarization that shows the separate contributions of cohesiveness and divisiveness to the dynamics of alignment during contentious elections and events.
Stress, job satisfaction, and workplace climate in Italian police workers
Authors: Maran Daniela Acquadro , Grandi Annalisa , Colombo Lara
Published: July 2024

Police job, because of its inherent characteristics, predisposes to work in stressful contexts on a daily basis. The features of the work environment, such as a good organizational climate, could play an important role in maintaining a good level of job satisfaction. The aim of the present study is to investigate, using OLS regressions, which climate dimensions predict job satisfaction and stress in a sample of police workers (N = 665) in Northern Italy. In addition, the differences between groups in terms of organizational climate and stress are examined, especially in relation to role (police officers vs. other roles) and gender. Results showed that all dimensions of workplace climate (except fairness, autonomy and communication) were positively and significantly associated with job satisfaction, while job description, job involvement, team and leadership were negatively and significantly associated with stress. Compared to the differences between groups, police officers showed significantly more critical scores on most of the variables included in the analyses (workplace climate and stress); in terms of gender, women showed more negative scores on stress symptoms (relational problems, emotional distress and physical problems) and more positive perceptions of organizational fairness. This study offers new insights into the critical role of police officers and gender differences in the police force. The importance of supporting and maintaining a good organizational climate in such a critical profession is also confirmed.
Why regulations on empirical claims in the media are justified
Authors: Park John J
Published: July 2024

In light of rampant fake news and disinformation in today's press and social media, I provide a new consequentialist argument that regulations on the media pertaining to certain false verifiable empirical facts are warranted. This contention is based in part on a collection of pre-existing empirical findings that I newly piece together from political science and psychology demonstrating that a post-truth society is likely with current media. My position is then defended from several counters, such as that it violates deontological rights to free speech and to freedom of the press, that free speech leads to the acquisition of truth, and that government regulators can be biased and corrupt.