Differential Effect Research Articles

Neutron phase filtering for separating phase- and attenuation signal in aluminium and anodic aluminium oxide

Neutron imaging has gained significant importance as a material characterisation technique and is particularly useful to visualise hydrogenous materials in objects opaque to other radiations. Fields of application include investigations of hydrogen in metals as well as metal corrosion, thanks to the fact that neutrons can penetrate metals better than e.g. X-rays and are highly sensitive to hydrogen. However, at interfaces refraction effects sometimes obscure the attenuation image, which is used for hydrogen quantification. Refraction, a differential phase effect, diverts the neutron beam away from the interface in the image leading to intensity gain and intensity loss regions, which are superimposed to the attenuation image, thus obscuring the interface region and hindering quantitative analyses of e.g. hydrogen content in the vicinity of the interface. For corresponding effects in X-ray imaging, a phase filter approach was developed and is generally based on transport-of-intensity considerations. Here, we compare such an approach, that has been adapted to neutrons, with another simulation-based assessment using the ray-tracing software McStas. The latter appears superior and promising for future extensions which enable fitting forward models via simulations in order to separate phase and attenuation effects and thus pave the way for overcoming quantitative limitations at refracting interfaces.

Inhibitory effects of chlorhexidine-loaded calcium carbonate nanoparticles against dental implant infections

This study aimed to design sustained released biodegradable calcium carbonate nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine (CHX-loaded NPs) and to investigate the early osteogenic differentiation and antimicrobial effects on the important bacteria involved in infections of dental implants. The microemulsion method was used to prepare the calcium carbonate nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using conventional methods. The release pattern determination and the biodegradation test were performed for the prepared nanoparticles. For the early osteogenic differentiation test of the prepared nanoparticles, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected in human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs). The antimicrobial effects of the nanoparticles were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sizes of free calcium carbonate nanoparticles and CHX-loaded NPs were 105 ± 1.63 and 118 ± 1.47 nm and their zeta potentials were − 27 and − 36, respectively. A 50% degradation of nanoparticles was achieved after 100 days. These nanoparticles showed a two-stage sustained release pattern in vitro. Microscopic images revealed that the morphology of free calcium carbonate nanoparticles primarily took on a spherical calcite form, while CHX-loaded NPs predominantly exhibited a cauliflower-like vaterite polymorph. The nanoparticles increased the activity of ALP in cells in two weeks significantly (p < 0.05). Antimicrobial and antibiofilm results showed an efficient effect of the prepared nanoparticle against the studied bacteria. Calcium carbonate nanoparticles are an efficient multifunctional vector for chlorhexidine and can be used as a bioactive antibacterial agent against various oral microorganisms to prevent implant infections.

The Influence of Green Tourism Differentiation and Green Marketing on Tourist Visit Decisions through Visit Interest in Paharangan Village Agrotourism

Indonesia, as a country rich in natural resources and biodiversity, has a great opportunity to develop an environmentally friendly tourism sector. In the last two decades, there has been an increasing interest in tourism development, especially with regard to green tourism. This study aims to empirically test the effect of green tourism differentiation and green marketing on tourists’ decisions to visit certain destinations. The independent variables for this analysis are green tourism differentiation and green marketing. The dependent variable is visit decision. The intervening variable is visit interest. The sample for this research draws from tourists who are visiting or have already visited Paharangan Village Agrotourism. The engineering method, non-probability sampling, was used for the sampling. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires directly to respondents, totalling as many as 130 questionnaires, and multiple linear regression and path analyses were conducted. The results show that while green tourism differentiation and green marketing significantly positively affect visit decision and visit interest of tourists, visit interest does not affect visit decision, and visit interest is not proven as an intervening variable between green tourism differentiation and green marketing on visiting decisions. Keywords: green tourism differentiation, green marketing, visit interest, visit decision

Fabrication and Characterization of a Creatinine Sensor using Differential Extended-Gate Field Effect Transistors

Fabrication and Characterization of a Creatinine Sensor using Differential Extended-Gate Field Effect Transistors

Health shocks and households’ welfare in Ghana: does social assistance mitigate the effects?

PurposeHealth shocks are among the factors that have impeded households from experiencing better welfare. To mitigate the consequences of these shocks, individuals have sought to enrol in a formal insurance scheme or borrow from banks. This study estimates the effects of health shocks on households' welfare while examining the mitigating role of social assistance in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized the three-stage least squares and feasible generalized least squares to estimate the impact of health shocks on households' welfare.FindingsThe authors find that health shocks put households at risk, particularly disability and severe illness, which significantly limits individuals’ ability to smooth consumption to increase welfare. We further find that hospitalization due to illness significantly allows households to increase welfare through consumption. Finally, we find that social assistance has the potential to reduce these adverse effects of shocks conditioned on the type of shock and the outcome variable in question.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, we only used cross-sectional data for the two waves and therefore lacked panel data across time for analyses. Second, the data do not provide information on the exact amount of cash received by beneficiaries, so it was quite impossible to measure the exact effect of social assistance on welfare. We could only track whether or not having such assistance could mitigate the effect of a health shock.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of the findings is that Ghana needs to build a resilient health system in order to withstand the health shocks of individuals.Originality/valueNo study has attempted to investigate the differential effect of health shocks – hospitalization, disability and labour days lost due to illness in Ghana. Our choice is dependent on the fact that these shocks have been an issue for many households in Ghana, thus the need to examine their impact on individual well-being. Second, social assistance has been Ghana’s flagship social protection programme, but what is missing in the literature is whether this programme is capable of reducing the effect of health shocks faced by beneficiaries’ households in Ghana.

You’ll never seek alone: The impact of active labour market policies on finding a job

Using the administrative records of the Spanish Public Employment Service for the period 2018–2019, we analysed the impact of participation in job search assistance and training programmes on the chances of unemployed jobseekers finding employment, as well as the quality of the job obtained. Propensity score matching techniques were used to evaluate the effectiveness of these programmes. We found that participation exerted a positive and significant differential effect on the probability of transition from unemployment to employment and on the probability of finding a job of intermediate quality compared to non-participation. This positive impact was largely due to the effect of training programmes, the magnitude of which persisted even as the period elapsed between participation and exit towards employment increased, whereas job search assistance was less effective over time. The positive influence of participation appeared to be more intense for specific socioeconomic groups.

Do political elite endorsements influence online mobilization? A study of Twitter behavior in Narendra Modi’s 2019 election campaigns

ABSTRACT Modern campaigns increasingly rely on social media to influence voters, with Twitter offering affordances that enable direct communication between politicians and the public. However, scholars remain divided over the effectiveness of engaging ordinary Twitter users for mobilizing support online. This article seeks to address this issue by examining whether endorsements from political elites influence the tweeting behavior of ordinary users. Using a quasi-experimental design, we analyze an original dataset of tweets made by users who were mentioned (N = 27,634; 36.62 million tweets) and not mentioned (N = 27,672; 16.30 million tweets) by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16th March 2019, during his national election campaign. Our analysis reveals that, on average, users mentioned by Modi exhibited a greater increase in tweet activity compared to those not mentioned. However, this surge in activity proved to be only temporary, suggesting that mentions by political elites facilitate immediate mobilization but are not necessarily self-sustaining. Furthermore, no evidence was found of a differential effect based on users’ pre-existing engagement levels. Our findings offer important insights into political leaders’ strategic use of Twitter in campaigns and contribute to the theoretical understanding of Twitter's role in mobilization and interactivity by bringing in diverse perspectives from the Global South.

Effect of Osteogenic Metabolic Differentiation of Silver Nanoparticles-based Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts on Orthodontic Tooth Movement.

AgNPs were synthesized using a tannic acid reduction method and characterized accordingly. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Normal group, Group A (orthodontic tooth movement after alveolar bone defect repair with a blood clot), and Group B (orthodontic tooth movement after alveolar bone defect repair with AgNPs), with five rats in each group. Morphological changes in periodontal tissues were visualized. hPDLFs were treated with 0 μM (Ctrl), 25 μM (L-AgNPs), 50 μM (M-AgNPs), and 100 μM (H-AgNPs) AgNPs to assess cell proliferation via the MTT assay, calcification via alizarin red staining, and osteogenic differentiation and genes/proteins' expression associated with the I3K/Akt signaling pathway through quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. AgNP diameter was approximately 20 nm. Relative to the normal group, both Group A and Group B exhibited increased widths of the periodontal ligament (PDL) while displaying a decrease in cell counts within the PDL (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the L-AgNPs, M-AgNPs, and H-AgNPs groups exhibited a notable elevation in the number of calcified nodules in hPDLFs, along with elevated alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, osteocalcin, osterix, type I collagen, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B versus Ctrl (P < 0.05). AgNPs are beneficial in enhancing the biological functions of the PDL, promoting the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues, indicating their potential clinical value in orthodontic treatments.

Recyclability level and quantity decisions of electronic manufacturers under four recycling systems of extended producer responsibility

Some electronic manufacturers and groups have left or are planning to leave the default recycling system that regulates their responsibilities for end-of-life (EoL) products. A legislative menu in the extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework allows manufacturers to choose the rate or cost model freely. In this paper, we model four potential recycling systems to study how two firms with brand differentiation should choose legislative models. We analyze the effect of take-back rate and brand differentiation on the firms’ equilibrium decisions, identify the condition in which firms leave the default plan, and further compare economic and environmental outcomes among all recycling systems. We find that only the cost system creates free-riding avenues because the current cost allocation mechanism by market shares does not concern the environmental contributions of members. We also find that the hybrid system (which includes rate-cost and cost-rate systems) provides higher design incentives than the basic case (which includes rate and cost systems), contrasting to the conventional wisdom in which the rate system has superior design incentives. Finally, our results demonstrate that the rate-cost system performs better economic and environmental benefits due to the perfect match between differentiated manufacturers and legislative models.

Strengthening behaviors and strength differential effect of nano-ZrB2-particle/AA6xxx alloy composites

This paper reports the correlation between strengthening behaviors and strength differential effect of nano-ZrB2-particle/AA6xxx alloy composites. The microstructures were characterized and mechanical properties of composites were investigated. This study examines the different strengthening behaviors under tension and compression. The changes of strain direction surrounding the nano-ZrB2 particles during the plastic deformation were analyzed with the aid of finite element analysis. The distribution of rotation angles of the strain directions indicates a different symmetric characteristic in compression and tension. The established relationship between strength differential effect and strengthening behaviors suggests that the asymmetry of strain surrounding the nano-ZrB2 particles during the deformation is responsible for the strength differential effect.

Sex/gender effects of glial reactivity on preclinical Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Glial reactivity may contribute to sex/gender differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Here, we investigated the differential effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glial markers on AD pathology and neurodegeneration by sex/gender among cognitively unimpaired older adults at increased risk of developing AD. We included 397 participants from the ALFA+ cohort with CSF Aβ42/40, p-tau181, sTREM2, YKL40, and GFAP, magnetic resonance imaging-based hippocampal volume (n = 299), and amyloid burden (centiloids) measured with [18F] flutemetamol positron emission tomography (n = 341). We ran multiple linear regression models to assess the association between glial markers, AD pathology and hippocampal volumes and their interaction with sex/gender, usingFalse Discovery Rateto correctfor multiple comparisons. Glial markers significantly contributed to explain amyloid burden, tau pathology, and hippocampal volumes, beyond age and/or primary AD pathology in a sex/gender-specific manner. Compared to men, women showed increased amyloid burden (centiloids) and CSF p-tau181 with increasing levels of sTREM2 and YKL40, and YKL40 and GFAP, respectively. Compared to women, men with greater tau burden showed lower hippocampal volumes as CSF YKL40 levels increased. Overall, our findings suggest that glial reactivity may contribute to sex/gender differences in AD progression, mostly, downstream amyloid. Further research identifying sex/gender-specific temporal dynamics in AD development is warranted to inform clinical trials.

8125 Long-term Effects of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on Lipid Profile

Abstract Disclosure: G. Le: None. S. Pinkson: None. J. Trejo: None. D. Tripathy: None. Long-term Effects of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on Lipid Profile There is differential effect of long-term Estrogen and Testosterone therapy on lipid profile. While oral estradiol therapy in post-menopausal women has been associated with increased serum triglyceride and HDL, testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men decreases total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the long-term effects of Estrogen and Testosterone on lipid profile in transgender patients are not clear. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the long-term effects of GAHT in transgender men and women followed in Endocrinology Clinic at Veterans Affairs Hospital. 36 transgender men (age 38 ± 2 years, on IM Testosterone cypionate) and 54 transgender women (age 46 ± 2 years, 36 on E2 tablet, 12 on patch, 6 on IM) were followed for 46 ± 5 months and 61 ± 5 months, respectively. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and BMI were compared before and after initiation of therapy. As expected, following GAHT, total testosterone was higher (546 ± 48 vs. 35 ± 9 ng/dL, P&amp;lt;0.001) in transgender men; in transgender women, serum E2 was higher (110 ± 9 vs. 26 ± 2 pg/dL, P&amp;lt;0.001) and total testosterone was suppressed (444 ± 29 ng/dL vs. 66 ± 13 ng/dL). In transgender men, after a follow-up period of approximately 4 years, there were no significant changes in lipid profile (total cholesterol 178 ± 8 vs. 175 ± 8 mg/dL, triglyceride 121 ± 4 vs 134 ± 12 mg/dL, HDL 47 ± 2 vs. 44 ± 2 mg/dL, LDL 107 ± 7 vs. 106 ± 8 mg/dL, all p=NS). Similarly in transgender women, no difference in lipid profile (total cholesterol 170 ± 5 vs. 175 ± 4 mg/dL, triglyceride 118 ± 7 vs 140 ± 9 mg/dL, HDL 49 ± 2 vs. 53 ± 3 mg/dL, LDL 99 ± 4 vs. 97 ± 4 mg/dL, all p=NS) was observed after 5 years of GAHT. There were no differences in lipid profile regardless of E2 tablet, patch or IM therapy. In transgender men, there was an increase in diastolic blood pressure (72 ± 3 vs. 76 ± 2 mmHg, P&amp;lt;0.05) while in transgender women there was decrease in systolic blood pressure (124 ± 2 vs. 118 ± 2 mmHg, p&amp;lt;0.005), and slight increase in BMI (28 ± 0.9 vs. 30 ± 1 kg.m2, P&amp;lt;0.005). In conclusion, long-term testosterone therapy in transgender men and estrogen therapy in transgender women was not associated with worsening lipid profile. Estrogen therapy was associated with lower BP in transgender women and testosterone therapy led to higher BP in transgender men. Presentation: 6/2/2024

8125 Long-term Effects of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on Lipid Profile

Abstract Disclosure: G. Le: None. S. Pinkson: None. J. Trejo: None. D. Tripathy: None. There is differential effect of long-term Estrogen and Testosterone therapy on lipid profile. While oral estradiol therapy in post-menopausal women has been associated with increased serum triglyceride and HDL, testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men decreases total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the long-term effects of Estrogen and Testosterone on lipid profile in transgender patients are not clear. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the long-term effects of GAHT in transgender men and women followed in Endocrinology Clinic at Veterans Affairs Hospital. 36 transgender men (age 38 ± 2 years, on IM Testosterone cypionate) and 54 transgender women (age 46 ± 2 years, 36 on E2 tablet, 12 on patch, 6 on IM) were followed for 46 ± 5 months and 61 ± 5 months, respectively. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and BMI were compared before and after initiation of therapy. As expected, following GAHT, total testosterone was higher (546 ± 48 vs. 35 ± 9 ng/dL, P&amp;lt;0.001) in transgender men; in transgender women, serum E2 was higher (110 ± 9 vs. 26 ± 2 pg/dL, P&amp;lt;0.001) and total testosterone was suppressed (444 ± 29 ng/dL vs. 66 ± 13 ng/dL). In transgender men, after a follow-up period of approximately 4 years, there were no significant changes in lipid profile (total cholesterol 178 ± 8 vs. 175 ± 8 mg/dL, triglyceride 121 ± 4 vs 134 ± 12 mg/dL, HDL 47 ± 2 vs. 44 ± 2 mg/dL, LDL 107 ± 7 vs. 106 ± 8 mg/dL, all p=NS). Similarly in transgender women, no difference in lipid profile (total cholesterol 170 ± 5 vs. 175 ± 4 mg/dL, triglyceride 118 ± 7 vs 140 ± 9 mg/dL, HDL 49 ± 2 vs. 53 ± 3 mg/dL, LDL 99 ± 4 vs. 97 ± 4 mg/dL, all p=NS) was observed after 5 years of GAHT. There were no differences in lipid profile regardless of E2 tablet, patch or IM therapy. In transgender men, there was an increase in diastolic blood pressure (72 ± 3 vs. 76 ± 2 mmHg, P&amp;lt;0.05) while in transgender women there was decrease in systolic blood pressure (124 ± 2 vs. 118 ± 2 mmHg, p&amp;lt;0.005), and slight increase in BMI (28 ± 0.9 vs. 30 ± 1 kg.m2, P&amp;lt;0.005). In conclusion, long-term testosterone therapy in transgender men and estrogen therapy in transgender women was not associated with worsening lipid profile. Estrogen therapy was associated with lower BP in transgender women and testosterone therapy led to higher BP in transgender men. Presentation: 6/2/2024

A proposed methodology for measuring the effects of binaural beats in music on concentration, working memory, and calmness following the Garcia-Argibay Protocol

Binaural beats are perceived when two different frequencies are presented dichotically to a listener, causing the perception of a beating sound. They have been associated with beneficial effects on cognitive functions such as learning, concentration, and creativity. Studies however often yield incomparable or inconclusive results, due to inconsistent methodologies. Through a systematic examination, following the Garcia-Argibay Protocol, we aim to provide a more detailed understanding of the effects of binaural beats in music on cognitive functions. Specifically, we will compare auditory stimulation with music containing binaural beats of the alpha and gamma frequencies to a control condition presenting music without binaural beats. We will measure the differential effect of 12 Hz and 40 Hz binaural beats on working memory performance, operationalized through the N-back task, and investigate the impact of these frequencies on concentration levels measured via the global-local task. Lastly, heart rate will be used as a continuous measurement throughout the experiment in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the different frequencies in inducing calmness.

Differential effect of plakoglobin in restoring the tumor suppressor activities of p53-R273H vs. p53-R175H mutants.

The six most common missense mutations in the DNA binding domain of p53 are known as "hot spots" and include two of the most frequently occurring p53 mutations (p53-R175H and p53-R273H). p53 stability and function are regulated by various post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, sumoylation, methylation, and interactions with other proteins including plakoglobin. Previously, using various carcinoma cell lines we showed that plakoglobin interacted with wild-type and several endogenous p53 mutants (e.g., R280K, R273H, S241F, S215R, R175H) and restored their tumor suppressor activities in vitro. Since mutant p53 function is both mutant-specific and cell context-dependent, we sought herein, to determine if plakoglobin tumor suppressive effects on exogenously expressed p53-R273H and p53-R175H mutants are similarly maintained under the same genetic background using the p53-null and plakoglobin-deficient H1299 cell line. Functional assays were performed to assess colony formation, migration, and invasion while immunoblotting and qPCR were used to examine the subcellular distribution and expression of specific proteins and genes that are typically regulated by or regulate p53 function and are altered in mutant p53-expressing cell lines and tumors. We show that though, plakoglobin interacted with both p53-R273H and p53-R175H mutants, it had a differential effect on the transcription and subcellular distribution of their gene targets and their overall oncogenic properties in vitro. Notably, we found that plakoglobin's tumor suppressive effects were significantly stronger in p53-R175H expressing cells compared to p53-R273H cells. Together, our results indicate that exploring plakoglobin interactions with p53-R175H may be useful for the development of cancer therapeutics focused on the restoration of p53 function.

Prior Local Therapy and First-Line Apalutamide in Patients With Nonmetastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Preclinical studies suggest that exposure to prostate-directed local therapy (LT) may influence the efficacy of subsequent systemic therapy including androgen receptor pathway inhibitors. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support this premise in patients with nonmetastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). To determine whether exposure to prior prostate-directed LT (radical prostatectomy [RP], radiation therapy [RT], or both) played any effect-modifying role in the treatment effect of apalutamide on metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with nmCRPC. This post hoc secondary analysis used individual patient data from SPARTAN (Study of Apalutamide [ARN-509] in Men With Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer), a phase 3, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted at 332 sites in 26 countries. Between October 14, 2013, and December 15, 2016, patients with nmCRPC and a prostate-specific antigen doubling time of 10 months or less were randomly assigned to apalutamide vs placebo; all patients received androgen deprivation therapy. The final data analysis was performed on December 31, 2023. Prior prostate-directed LT. Separate Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed for OS and MFS, which included prior LT, treatment group, and an interaction term, in addition to a minimally sufficient set of confounders. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs for MFS and OS were determined for the apalutamide groups with or without prior LT. Among the 1179 evaluable patients included in this analysis, 795 received prior LT and 384 did not. The median age of patients with and without prior LT was 70 (IQR, 45-90) years and 75 (IQR, 50-95) years, respectively. The median follow-up was 52.0 (IQR, 51.5-52.8) months. A differential treatment effect of apalutamide on MFS was observed between patients with and without prior LT (P for interaction = .009), with greater benefits for those with prior LT (adjusted HR, 0.22 [95% CI, 0.17-0.27]) compared with those without prior LT (adjusted HR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.25-0.51]). However, there was insufficient evidence of a differential treatment effect on OS among subgroups stratified by exposure to prior LT (P for interaction = .23), with improved OS in the subgroup with prior LT (adjusted HR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.57-0.92]) but no significant difference in OS in the subgroup without prior LT (adjusted HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.64-1.31]). This post hoc analysis of the SPARTAN trial provides evidence of an interaction between prior LT and apalutamide in patients with nmCRPC, with a clinically significant and more favorable treatment effect from apalutamide on MFS among patients with prior LT. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01946204.

Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescent Mothers Living With and Without HIV: A Pre- and During–COVID-19 South African Cohort Analysis

PurposeAdolescent mothers face heightened economic and social vulnerabilities, which can place them at increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), prepandemic, and during COVID-19. However, few studies examine this population, and even less disaggregate findings by HIV status. MethodsWe analyzed data from 834 South African adolescent mothers, 35% living with HIV (LHIV), who reported on physical, psychological, and sexual IPV exposure at two interviews: 2018-2019 (prepandemic) and 2021-2022 (during COVID-19). We estimated lifetime prevalence of IPV, disaggregating by HIV status. We used inverse weighted probability multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression to examine changes in IPV between the two periods and if changes in IPV differed by HIV status. ResultsA quarter of adolescent mothers had experienced any IPV during COVID-19, quadruple prepandemic levels (24.7% vs. 6.0%). The increase was driven by surges in physical (+15.7%) and psychological (+11.2%) IPV. In both periods, psychosocial and physical IPV were the most prevalent forms and the most common combination among those who had experienced multiple forms of IPV. Exposure to any IPV was significantly more prevalent among those LHIV compared to those without HIV, prepandemic (9.5% vs. 4.1%, p = .026) and during COVID-19 (31.8% vs. 20.6%, p < .001). Adjusted models revealed an 18.2% significant increase in the average predicted probability of reporting IPV during COVID-19 compared to prepandemic, with no differential effect by HIV status. DiscussionAdolescent mothers experienced a significantly higher burden of IPV during COVID-19 than prepandemic, with those LHIV experiencing the highest level. Initiatives to reduce IPV need to reach adolescent mothers, particularly those living with HIV.

Differential plasma cytokine variation following X-ray or proton brain irradiation using machine-learning approaches

PurposeX-ray and proton irradiation have been reported to induce distinct modifications in cytokine expression in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a dissimilar inflammatory response between X-rays and protons. We aimed to investigate the differences in cytokine profiles early following fractionated brain irradiation with X-rays or protons and their relationship with leukocyte subpopulations in rodents. Materials and methodsOur study utilized data from 80 tumor-free mice subjected to X-ray or proton brain irradiation in four fractions of 2.5Gy. Sixteen non-irradiated mice were used as the controls. Blood was collected 12h postirradiation to examine the profile of 13 cytokines. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and tree-based modeling were used to investigate the relationship between cytokine levels and leukocyte subpopulation variations following irradiation in the blood. ResultsRegardless of the irradiation type, brain irradiation resulted in a notable elevation in the plasma levels of IFN-γ and MCP-1. The use of either X-ray or proton beam had differential effect on plasma cytokine levels following brain irradiation. Specifically, X-ray irradiation was associated with significantly increased plasma levels of IFN-β, IL-12p70, and IL-23, along with a decreased level of IL-1α, in comparison to proton irradiation. Correlation analysis revealed distinct cytokine regulatory patterns between X-ray and proton brain irradiation. PCA highlighted the association of MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IFN-γ with neutrophils, monocytes, and naïve T-cells following X-ray irradiation. TNF-α and IL-23 levels correlated with naïve CD4+-cells following proton irradiation. Tree-based models demonstrated that high TNF-α level resulted in an increase in naïve T-cells, neutrophils, and monocytes, whereas low IL-6 level was associated with decreases in these cell counts. ConclusionOur findings revealed distinct inflammatory responses induced by X-ray irradiation in contrast to proton brain irradiation, as demonstrated by the differential regulation of cytokines in the bloodstream. Moreover, the study highlighted the association between specific cytokine levels and various leukocyte subpopulations. Further investigation is essential to accurately determine the impact of proton and X-ray brain irradiation on the inflammatory response and the efficacy of radiotherapy treatment.

Recovery of Comfort and Capability After Upper Extremity Fracture Is Predominantly Associated With Mindset: A Longitudinal Cohort From the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relative influence of mindset and fracture severity on 9-month recovery trajectories of pain and capability after upper extremity fractures. METHODS: Design: Secondary use of longitudinal data. Setting: Single Level-1 trauma center in Oxford, United Kingdom. Patient selection: English-speaking adults with isolated proximal humerus, elbow, or distal radius fracture managed operatively or nonoperatively were included, and those with multiple fractures or cognitive deficit were excluded. Outcome measures and comparisons: Incapability (Quick-DASH) and pain intensity (11-point rating scale) were measured at baseline, 2–4 weeks, and 6–9 months after injury. Cluster analysis was used to identify statistical groupings of mindset (PROMIS Depression and Anxiety, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) and fracture severity (low/moderate/high based on OTA/AO classification). The recovery trajectories of incapability and pain intensity for each mindset grouping were assessed, accounting for various fracture-related aspects. RESULTS: Among 703 included patients (age 59 ± 21 years, 66% women, 16% high-energy injury), 4 statistical groupings with escalating levels of distress and unhelpful thoughts were identified (fracture severity was omitted considering it had no differentiating effect). Groups with less healthy mindset had a worse baseline incapability (group 2: β = 4.1, 3: β = 7.5, and 4: β = 17) and pain intensity (group 3: β = 0.70 and 4: β = 1.4) (P &lt; 0.01). Higher fracture severity (β = 4.5), high-energy injury (β = 4.0), and nerve palsy (β = 8.1) were associated with worse baseline incapability (P &lt; 0.01), and high-energy injury (β = 0.62) and nerve palsy (β = 0.76) with worse baseline pain intensity (P &lt; 0.01). Groups 3 and 4 had a prolonged rate of recovery of incapability (β = 1.3, β = 7.0) and pain intensity (β = 0.19, β = 1.1) (P &lt; 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher levels of unhelpful thinking and feelings of distress regarding symptoms experienced worse recovery of pain and incapability, with a higher effect size than fracture location, fracture severity, high-energy injury, and nerve palsy. These findings underline the importance of anticipating and addressing mental health concerns during recovery from injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Role of Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate in inducing odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells

Abstract Background: Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is an efficient, reproducible, and biological antioxidant of clinical utility, which may also be preferred for obtaining human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) for the purpose of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Aim and Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of PDTC on the propagation and differentiation of hDPSCs. Materials and Methods: hDPSCs were isolated by explant culture method and characterized for stem cell properties using flow cytometry method. The effects of PDTC-induced odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSC at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 mM) were determined by staining for mineralization. Results: Mineralization was more prominent and significantly higher in the induced hDPSCs treated with 1.0 mM concentration of PDTC. Conclusion: PDTC at 1.0 mM concentration could have a significant pharmacological role in activating and enhancing odontogenic differentiation of dental stem cells and make it an important step in regenerative dentistry.