Background/objectives: Limited data exist on the role neighborhood-level social determinants of health (SDOH) play in health care utilization in pediatric patients with common, nonelective surgical conditions. We aimed to test the hypothesis that lower neighborhood-level SDOH are associated with increased health care utilization in pediatric acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients aged younger than 19 years, hospitalized through emergency departments, and diagnosed with AUA.
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) hold great promise for next-generation safe, durable and energy-dense battery technology. However, solid-state sulfur conversion reactions are kinetically sluggish and primarily constrained to the restricted three-phase boundary area of sulfur, carbon and solid electrolytes, making it challenging to achieve high sulfur utilization. Here we develop and implement mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) in sulfur cathodes to replace conventional solid electrolytes and invoke conversion reactions at sulfur-MIEC interfaces in addition to traditional three-phase boundaries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnalyzing the local microenvironment of tumor cells can provide significant insights into their complex interactions with their cellular surroundings, including immune cells. By quantifying the prevalence and distances of certain immune cells in the vicinity of tumor cells through a neighborhood analysis, patterns may emerge that indicate specific associations between cell populations. Such analyses can reveal important aspects of tumor-immune dynamics, which may inform therapeutic strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe age-associated mutational state of clonal haematopoiesis (CH) is linked to multiple adverse health outcomes. As higher risk CH can lead to progressive neoplastic or vascular disease, there is interest in developing clinical trials to mitigate risk associated with CH. Given the high prevalence of CH, data from clinical trials could have broad public health implications for screening and therapy.
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