Estimating cardiovascular effects of influenza vaccination in older adults: a target trial emulation using proximal causal inference.

Background: The substantial burden of cardiovascular diseases highlights the urgent need for cost-effective interventions to mitigate their impact. While existing evidence on the cardioprotective effect of the influenza vaccine comes primarily from populations with cardiovascular comorbidities, these studies remain susceptible to several sources of bias, including immortal time bias and unmeasured confounding. To attenuate these limitations, our study aimed to assess the effect of influenza vaccination on cardiovascular events in an older population in China, utilizing a target trial emulation framework in conjunction with a proximal causal inference (PCI) approach.

Developing A Novel Algorithm to Identify Incident and Prevalent Dementia in Medicare Claims. The ARIC Study.

There is an urgent need to improve dementia ascertainment robustness in real-world studies assessing drug effects on dementia risk. We developed algorithms to dementia identification algorithms using Medicare claims (inpatient/outpatient/prescription) from 3,318 Visit 5 (2011-2013) and 1,828 Visit 6 (2016-2017) participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, validated against ARIC's rigorous syndromic dementia classification. Algorithm performance was compared to existing algorithms (Jain, Bynum, Lee).

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Asthma Exacerbations: An Application of High-Dimensional Iterative Causal Forest to Identify Subgroups.

Background: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP1RA) may reduce asthma exacerbation (AE) risk, but it is unclear which populations benefit most. Recent pharmacoepidemiologic studies have employed iterative causal forest (iCF), a machine learning (ML) algorithm, to identify subgroups with heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs). While iCF does not rely on prior knowledge of treatment-variable interactions, it may be constrained by missing or poorly defined variables in pharmacoepidemiologic studies.

Direct and Sustainable Regeneration of Spent LiCoO Cathodes Using an Eco-Friendly Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Approach.

Current recycling methods of spent lithium cobalt oxide cathodes, primarily for high-temperature roasting and metal leaching, are often energy-intensive and environmentally damaging. This paper introduces a novel, low-impact method using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of glycerol and lithium chloride, which, instead of serving for metal ion leaching, serves as a lithium carrier and reductant. This approach directly supplements lithium ions and reduces Co at mild conditions (80 °C) and ambient pressure, facilitating the direct regeneration of spent LiCoO materials.

High-dimensional Iterative Causal Forest (hdiCF) for Subgroup Identification Using Health Care Claims Data.

We tested a novel high-dimensional approach (using 1 ordinal variable per code with up to four levels: zero, occurred once, sporadically, or frequent) against the standard high-dimensional propensity score (hdPS) method (up to 3 binary variables per code) for detecting heterogeneous treatment effects (HTE). Using the iterative causal forest (iCF) subgrouping algorithm, we analyzed a new-user cohort of 8,075 sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and 7,313 glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists from a 20% random Medicare sample (2015-2019) with ≥1-year parts A/B/D enrollment and without severe renal disease. We extracted the top 200 prevalent codes across diagnoses, procedures, and prescriptions during the 1-year baseline.

[Clinical application of a novel quantum dot immunofluorescence method for rapid detection of IgE in nasal secretions in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis].

This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of total IgE （tIgE） and specific IgE （sIgE） levels in nasal secretions for diagnosing allergic rhinitis. The investigation is enhanced through an improved method of nasal secretion collection and advanced quantum dot immunofluorescence detection technology. A total of 88 subjects were enrolled in this study, and demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected through standardized questionnaires.

Direct and Low-Temperature Regeneration of Degraded LiFePO₄ Cathodes at Ambient Conditions Using Green and Sustainable Deep Eutectic Solvent.

The definite lifespan of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO, LFP) batteries necessitates the advancement of cost-effective, nature-friendly, and productive recycling techniques for spent LFP batteries. In this study, ethylene glycol (CHO), a sustainable and economical small organic molecule, is employed as a multifunctional hydrogen-bonding donor, along with lithium chloride (LiCl), a readily accessible Li source and hydrogen-bonding acceptor. Together, they form a novel Li-salt deep eutectic solvent (DES) through hydrogen bonding interactions.

Comparative effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on cardiovascular outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a target trial emulation study.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are both recommended as first-line antihypertensive agents for patients with diabetes. While pharmacological mechanisms suggest that ACEIs may provide better cardiovascular protection than ARBs, this potential benefit has not been fully established in previous observational studies of patients with diabetes.

Methods: An active-comparator new-user design within target trial emulation framework was implemented using Yinzhou Regional Health Care Database (YRHCD).

Statin Use and Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Chinese Population: A Target Trial Emulation Study.

Background And Objectives: Statins have been shown to prevent major vascular events in a wide range of individuals. However, their potential mechanisms-such as impairing fibrinogen cleavage and reducing thrombin generation-raise concerns on increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Given the inconsistent findings of previous trials and observational studies, this study aims to assess the effect of statins on ICH risk in Chinese population.

Caution in Handling Switchers in Pharmacoepidemiologic Studies Estimating Treatment Effects: The Example of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Real-world evidence assessing dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i)'s risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is conflicting. One study modelling DPP4i as a time varying exposure (TVE) observed a harmful effect in a UK population, while an active-comparator new-user (ACNU) study observed a null effect in a US population. To assess the impact of study design in estimating treatment effect, we implemented both designs in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink population from 2007-2022.

Application of methodological strategies to address unmeasured confounding in real-world vaccine safety and effectiveness study: a systematic review.

Objectives: Uses of real-world data to evaluate vaccine safety and effectiveness are often challenged by unmeasured confounding. The study aimed to review the application of methods to address unmeasured confounding in observational vaccine safety and effectiveness research.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42024519882), and searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus for epidemiological studies investigating influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as exposures, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as outcomes, published between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023.

The Therapeutic Role of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Childhood Residual Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Residual obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in childhood OSA even after upper airway obstruction removal by adenotonsillectomy. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is becoming a popular treatment in stomatology but lacks adequate evidence of effectiveness in childhood OSA. Our study attempts to evaluate the effect of OMT on childhood OSA by subjective and objective methods.

Small molecule APOL1 inhibitors as a precision medicine approach for APOL1-mediated kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease affects ~10% of people worldwide and there are no disease modifying therapeutics that address the underlying cause of any form of kidney disease. Genome wide association studies have identified the G1 and G2 variants in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene as major contributors to a subtype of proteinuric kidney disease now referred to as APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). We hypothesized that inhibition of APOL1 could have therapeutic potential for this genetically-defined form of kidney disease.

SIRT5 inhibits glycolysis and nasal type extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma cell proliferation by catalyzing the desuccinylation of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase.

Background: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) is a malignant tumor harboring a poor prognosis and unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. This study was performed to explore the pathogenesis and exact etiology of ENKTL. Methods Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to investigate the expression of SIRT5 and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), as well their correlation with ENKTL overall survival.

A Novel Mitochondrial-Related Gene Signature for the Prediction of Prognosis and Therapeutic Efficacy in Lower-Grade Glioma.

Lower-grade glioma (LGG) is a common primary brain tumor with a highly heterogeneous clinical presentation, and its prognosis cannot be accurately predicted by current histopathology. It has been found that mitochondria play an important role in hypoxia, angiogenesis, and energy metabolism in glioma, and mitochondrial function may have an important impact on LGG prognosis. The goal of this study was to develop a novel prognostic model based on Mitochondrial-related genes (MRGs).

High-dimensional Iterative Causal Forest (hdiCF) for Subgroup Identification Using Health Care Claims Data.

We recently developed a machine-learning subgrouping algorithm, iterative causal forest (iCF), to identify subgroups with heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs) using predefined covariates. However, such predefined covariates may miss or poorly define important features leading to inaccurate subgrouping. To address such limitations, we developed a new semi-automatic subgrouping algorithm, hdiCF, which adapts methodology from high-dimensional propensity score for feature recognition in claims data.

The Effect of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Hemoglobin A1c Variability and Acute Kidney Injury: A Causal Mediation Analysis.

Purpose: The role of lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) variability in the effect of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. We compared AKI risk between SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) initiators. Additionally, we aimed to explore the extent to which SGLT2i's influence on AKI risk is mediated by reducing long-term HbA1c variability.

Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Asthma Exacerbations: Which Patients Benefit Most?

Although recent evidence suggested that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) might reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations, it remains unclear which subpopulations might derive the most benefit from GLP1RA treatment. To identify characteristics of patients with asthma that predict who might benefit the most from GLP1RA treatment using real-world data. We implemented an active-comparator, new-user design analysis using commercially ensured patients 18-65 years of age from MarketScan data for 2007-2019 and identified two cohorts: GLP1RAs versus thiazolidinediones and GLP1RAs versus sulfonylureas.

Cu(I)-Glutathione Assembly Supported on ZIF-8 as Robust and Efficient Catalyst for Mild CO Conversions.

The Cu-glutathione (GSH) redox system, essential in biology, is designed here as a supramacromolecular assembly in which the tetrahedral 18e Cu(I) center loses a thiol ligand upon adsorption onto ZIF-8, as shown by EXAFS and DFT calculation, to generate a very robust 16e planar trigonal single-atom Cu(I) catalyst. Synergy between Cu(I) and ZIF-8, revealed by catalytic experiments and DFT calculation, affords CO conversion into high-value-added chemicals with a wide scope of substrates by reaction with terminal alkynes or propargyl amines in excellent yields under mild conditions and reuse at least 10 times without significant decrease in catalytic efficiency.

Bridge-layered decompression technique for vertebral artery-involved hemifacial spasm: technical note.

Background: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is most effectively treated with microvascular decompression (MVD). However, there are certain challenges in performing MVD for HFS when the vertebral artery (VA) is involved in compressing the facial nerve (VA-involved). This study aimed to introduce a "bridge-layered" decompression technique for treating patients with VA-involved HFS and to evaluate its efficacy and safety to treat patients with HFS.

A fast-charging/discharging and long-term stable artificial electrode enabled by space charge storage mechanism.

Lithium-ion batteries with fast-charging/discharging properties are urgently needed for the mass adoption of electric vehicles. Here, we show that fast charging/discharging, long-term stable and high energy charge-storage properties can be realized in an artificial electrode made from a mixed electronic/ionic conductor material (Fe/LiM, where M = O, F, S, N) enabled by a space charge principle. Particularly, the Fe/LiO electrode is able to be charged/discharged to 126 mAh g in 6 s at a high current density of up to 50 A g, and it also shows stable cycling performance for 30,000 cycles at a current density of 10 A g, with a mass-loading of ~2.

Serum Proteomic Analysis Revealed Biomarkers for Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps Pathophysiology.

Background: Individuals with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(eCRSwNP) exhibited worse outcomes and higher postoperative recurrence rates. This study aimed to identify biomarkers that can aid in the early differentiation of eCRSwNP and enhance our comprehension of its pathophysiology.

Methods: We recruited two independent cohorts.