Layer-Specific Strain Analysis in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to evaluate layer-specific strain according to etiology and assess whether subtle changes in longitudinal and circumferential layer strain are involved in predicting cardiac mortality during a two-year follow-up in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy admitted with heart failure decompensation.

Methods: 97 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and a left ventricle ejection fraction ≤ 40% were recruited, 51 with ischemic and 46 with nonischemic etiologies. Conventional and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) were conducted in dilated cardiomyopathy patients with a compensated phase of heart failure before discharge.

Covalent Functionalisation of rGO and Nanodiamonds: Complementary Versatility and Applicability of Azomethine Ylide, Nitrile Oxide and Nitrone.

The existing synthetic protocols for the direct functionalization of carbon-based nanomaterials often entail limitations due to their harsh reaction conditions, which require the use of high temperatures for extended periods. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing mild and efficient synthetic protocols around 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Beginning with the well-established azomethine ylide derivatization, we progress to the utilization of nitrile oxide, and of nitrone derivatives for the functionalization of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as well as of nanodiamonds (NDs).

Vaccination should be everyone's business: Challenges in vaccinating pregnant women against influenza in the Republic of Moldova.

Obstetricians/gynecologists are not included in annual influenza training and have contraindicated influenza vaccines to pregnant individuals, representing a missed opportunity for a provider recommendation.

An evaluation of the National Influenza Vaccination Program in the Republic of Moldova, 2023-2024.

During the 2023-2024 influenza season, the Republic of Moldova, a lower-middle income country seeking accession into the European Union, independently financed their influenza vaccine supply transitioning from external support from the Partnership for International Vaccine Initiatives, a collaboration conceived in 2015. As part of this transition, a mixed-methods evaluation was conducted from May 2023 - January 2024 to identify current strengths and weaknesses of the influenza vaccination program. A total of 157 interviews were conducted: one with the National Immunization Program (NIP), six with district health officers, 18 at health facilities, 18 with caregivers/parents, 34 with healthcare workers, 43 with adults with chronic diseases, 19 with pregnant women, and 13 vaccine observation sessions; further five expert interviews with an international organization, the insurance company, senior government officials in public health and within the ministry of health, and those involved with COVID-19 were conducted.

Mapping the Sun's coronal magnetic field using the Zeeman effect.

Regular remote sensing of the magnetic field embedded within the million-degree solar corona is severely lacking. This reality impedes fundamental investigations of the nature of coronal heating, the generation of solar and stellar winds, and the impulsive release of energy into the solar system via flares and other eruptive phenomena. Resulting from advancements in large aperture solar coronagraphy, we report unprecedented maps of polarized spectra emitted at 1074 nm by Fe atoms in the active corona.