Ambient beta particle radioactivity and lung cancer survival: Results from the Boston Lung Cancer Study.

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation is known to increase the risk of lung cancer. However, studies on the effect of environmental radiation associated with ambient particle air pollution on lung cancer survival are limited. We investigated the association between ambient beta particle radioactivity (PR-β) after a diagnosis and lung cancer survivals.

Controlled Growth of ZIF-8 Membranes on GO-Coated α-Alumina Supports via ZnO Atomic Layer Deposition for Improved Gas Separation.

This study presents a novel approach for fabricating ZIF-8 membranes supported on α-alumina hollow fibers through the introduction of a graphene oxide (GO) gutter layer and the application of zinc oxide (ZnO) Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The method successfully addressed key challenges, including excessive precursor penetration and membrane thickness. The introduction of the GO layer and subsequent ZnO ALD treatment significantly reduced membrane thickness to approximately 300 nm and eliminated delamination issues between the GO layer and the alumina support.

Vaping habits and respiratory symptoms using a smartphone app platform.

Background: Widespread use of e-cigarette (EC) or vaping products causes respiratory disorders including the nationwide outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in 2019. Chronic adverse health effects are now being reported as well. To address this important public health issue, an innovative approach of epidemic control and epidemiologic study is required.

Effect of lipid emulsion on vasoconstriction induced by epinephrine or norepinephrine in isolated rat aorta.

Background: Epinephrine (EPI) or norepinephrine (NOR) is widely used to treat cardiovascular collapse during lipid emulsion (LE) resuscitation for drug toxicity. However, the effect of LE on the vasoconstriction caused by EPI or NOR remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an LE (Intralipid) on the vasoconstriction caused by EPI and NOR in isolated rat aorta.

Effects of antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents on postvaccination SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections, antibody response, and serological cytokine profile.

Background: Despite immunization, patients on antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents have a heightened risk of COVID-19 infection. However, accurately attributing this risk to specific medications remains challenging.

Methods: An observational cohort study from December 11, 2020 to September 22, 2022, within a large healthcare system in San Diego, California, USA was designed to identify medications associated with greatest risk of postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Intermittent Fasting Reduces Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Downregulating Lipocalin-2 and Galectin-3.

Intermittent fasting (IF), an alternating pattern of dietary restriction, reduces obesity-induced insulin resistance and inflammation. However, the crosstalk between adipose tissue and the hippocampus in diabetic encephalopathy is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the protective effects of IF against neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in high-fat diet(HFD)-fed mice.

N-Carbon-Doped Binary Nanophase of Metal Oxide/Metal-Organic Framework for Extremely Sensitive and Selective Gas Response.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly ordered structures exhibiting sub-nanometer porosity, possess significant potential for diverse gas applications. However, their inherent insulative properties limit their utility in electrochemical gas sensing. This investigation successfully modifies the electrical conductivity of zeolitic imidazolte framework-8 (ZIF-8) employing a straightforward surface oxidation methodology.

A thematic analysis of bereaved adults' meaning-making experience of loss through playing video games.

Introduction: Recalling personal memories on the loss and deriving new meanings from them is deemed necessary for adapting to bereavement. Recent studies suggest that games can afford players meaningful experiences that can support players through stressful life events, but its potential on the meaning-making of loss has not been much explored. To address this gap, we investigated the bereaved players' experiences of playing commercial video games that elicited their personal memories of loss and what meanings they derived from those experiences.

ZIF-L to ZIF-8 Transformation: Morphology and Structure Controls.

The control of the structure, shape, and components of metal-organic frameworks, in which metal ions and organic ligands coordinate to form crystalline nanopore structures, plays an important role in the use of many electrochemical applications, such as energy storage, high-performance photovoltaic devices, and supercapacitors. In this study, systematic controls of synthesis variables were performed to control the morphology of ZIF-8 during the ZIF-L-to-ZIF-8 transformation of ZIF-L, which has the same building block as ZIF-8 but forms a two-dimensional structure. Furthermore, additional precursors or surfactants (Zn, 2mIm, and CTAB) were introduced during the transition to determine whether the alteration could be regulated.

Facile Fabrication of α-Alumina Hollow Fiber-Supported ZIF-8 Membrane Module and Impurity Effects on Propylene Separation Performance.

The separation of C olefin and paraffin, which is essential for the production of propylene, can be facilitated by the ZIF-8 membrane. However, the commercial application of the membrane has not yet been achieved because the fabrication process does not meet industrial regulatory criteria. In this work, we provide a straightforward and cost-effective membrane fabrication technique that permits the rapid synthesis of ZIF-8 hollow fiber membranes.

Graphene Nanoribbon Hybridization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Membranes for Intrinsic Molecular Separation.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are promising for gas separation membrane, but their molecular cut-off differs from that expected from its intrinsic aperture structure because of their flexibility. Herein, we introduced graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) to rigidify the ZIF framework. Because the sp edge of the GNRs induces strong anchoring effects, the modified layer can be rigidified.

Household use of crop residues and fuelwood for cooking and newborn birth size in rural Bangladesh.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between type of cooking biomass fuels (crop residues vs fuelwood) and newborn birth outcomes in Bangladeshi children.

Methods: In this birth cohort study, pregnant women who were 18 years or older with ultrasound confirmed singleton pregnancy of ≤16 weeks of gestation were enrolled from two Bangladesh clinics between January 2008 and June 2011. Exposure to cooking biomass fuels during pregnancy was assessed by an administered questionnaire.

The impact of Long-Term PM constituents and their sources on specific causes of death in a US Medicare cohort.

Background: Our understanding of the impact of long-term exposures to PM constituents and sources on mortality is limited.

Objectives: To examine associations between long-term exposures to PM constituents and sources and cause-specific mortality in US older adults.

Methods: We obtained demographic and mortality data for 15.

Factors Influencing Academic Self-Efficacy Among Nursing Students During COVID-19: A Path Analysis.

Introduction: The shift to online learning owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is posing an additional challenge to academic success, particularly for students who speak English as a Second Language (ESL). This study aimed to examine the factors that contribute to academic self-efficacy among ESL nursing students.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study using path analysis with 113 undergraduate ESL nursing students in New York City.

Long-term nitrogen dioxide exposure and cause-specific mortality in the U.S. Medicare population.

Background: Since 1971, the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO) has remained at 53 ppb, the impact of long-term NO exposure on mortality is poorly understood.

Objectives: We examined associations between long-term NO exposure (12-month moving average of NO) below the annual NAAQS and cause-specific mortality among the older adults in the U.S.

Measuring Mitochondrial Electron Transfer Complexes in Previously Frozen Cardiac Tissue from the Offspring of Sow: A Model to Assess Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Changes.

The mitochondrial electron transfer complex (ETC) profile is modified in the heart tissue of the offspring born to an exercised sow. The hypothesis proposed and tested was that a regular maternal exercise of a sow during pregnancy would increase the mitochondrial efficiency of offspring heart bioenergetics. This hypothesis was tested by isolating mitochondria using a mild-isolation procedure to assess mitochondrial ETC and supercomplex profiles.

Improving Self-Confidence of Military Medical Providers With Joint Procedure Simulation: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Military medical providers are a unique population that encounter different environments across the world. From hospital clinics to war zones, these providers must perform procedures and rely on their training and skill to help their patients. This pilot study aimed to assess the self-confidence of military medical providers performing joint aspiration and injection before and after a simulation workshop in both clinical and austere settings.

Non-nutritive suck and airborne metal exposures among Puerto Rican infants.

Air pollution has been shown to impact multiple measures of neurodevelopment in young children. Its effects on particularly vulnerable populations, such as ethnic minorities, however, is less studied. To address this gap in the literature, we assess the associations between infant non-nutritive suck (NNS), an early indicator of central nervous system integrity, and air pollution exposures in Puerto Rico.

Umbilical Cord Blood Metal Mixtures and Birth Size in Bangladeshi Children.

Background: Studies have evaluated environmental exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), or lead (Pb) on birth size; however, information on potential effects of exposures to metal mixtures is limited.

Objectives: We assessed the association between metal mixtures (As, Cd, Mn, Pb) in umbilical cord blood and neonate size in Bangladeshi children.

Methods: In this birth cohort study, pregnant women who were of age with an ultrasound-confirmed singleton pregnancy of gestation were recruited from two Bangladesh clinics between 2008 and 2011.

Protracted hyperthermia and delayed rhabdomyolysis in ecstasy toxicity: A case report.

Rationale: Despite toxicity and unpredictable adverse effects, ecstasy use has increased in the United States. Onset of hyperpyrexia, rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), among other symptoms, occurs within hours of ingestion. Moreover, patients who experience hyperpyrexia, altered mental status, DIC, and multiorgan failure, rarely survive.

Arthroscopic Repair of Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Complete Repair with Aggressive Release Compared with Partial Repair Alone at a Minimum Follow-up of 5 Years.

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of large and massive rotator tears treated with arthroscopic complete repair with a posterior interval slide compared with partial repair without a posterior interval slide at a minimum follow-up of 5 years.

Methods: This study included 58 patients with large and massive rotator cuff tears that were unable to be treated with arthroscopic complete repair with an anterior interval slide and margin convergence alone. Each patient underwent either arthroscopic complete repair with an additional posterior interval slide and a subsequent side-to-side repair of the interval slide edge (complete-repair group) or arthroscopic partial repair with margin convergence and without the additional posterior interval slide (partial-repair group).