Use of HSC Targeted LNP to Generate a Mouse Model of Lethal α-Thalassemia and Treatment via Lentiviral Gene Therapy.

-Thalassemia (AT) is one of the most commonly occurring inherited hematological diseases. However, few treatments are available, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only available therapeutic option for patients with severe AT. Research into AT has remained limited due to a lack of adult mouse models, with severe AT typically resulting in in utero lethality. By using a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) targeting the receptor CD117 and delivering a Cre mRNA (mRNACreLNPCD117), we were able to delete floxed -globin genes at high efficiency in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) ex vivo. These cells were then engrafted in the absence or presence of a novel α-globin expressing lentiviral vector (ALS20I). Myeloablated mice transplanted with mRNACreLNPCD117-treated HSC showed a complete knockout of -globin genes. They demonstrated a phenotype characterized by the synthesis of hemoglobin H (-tetramers,  or HbH), aberrant erythropoiesis, and abnormal organ morphology, culminating in lethality approximately eight weeks following engraftment. Mice receiving mRNACreLNPCD117-treated HSC with at least one copy of ALS20I survived long-term with normalization of erythropoiesis, decreased the production of HbH, and ameliorated the abnormal organ morphology. Furthermore, we tested ALS20I in erythroid progenitors derived from -globin-KO CD34+ and cells isolated from patients with both deletional and non-deletional HbH disease, demonstrating improvement in -globin/-globin mRNA ratio and reduction in the formation of HbH by HPLC. Our results demonstrate the broad applicability of LNP for disease modeling, characterization of a novel severe mouse model of AT, and the efficacy of ALS20I for treating AT.

Mild Disease Course of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis without Pertussis Toxin: Brain Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Similar Signaling to Active Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a powerful model to study multiple sclerosis (MS). One of the approaches for EAE is to actively immunize with myelin-derived peptides with immune adjuvants. One of the commonly used immune adjuvants is pertussis toxin (PTx), without which EAE disease is mild with relatively longer onset. However, pertussis toxin can also inhibit G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling so it can confound investigations into the role of GPCRs in EAE or therapies designed to target GPCRs. Since EAE via active immunization without PTx results in a relatively mild disease state, we wanted to confirm that appropriate signaling molecules for the disease were being induced in one target tissue (i.e., brain). RNA-Seq analysis of whole brain tissue demonstrated that the MS signaling pathway was strongly activated in symptomatic mice. In addition, there was activation of Th1 (IFN signaling), Th2 (IL-4 signaling), and Th17 (IL-17 signaling). In comparing canonical pathways from our mouse mild EAE brains with a human MS atlas, EAE shared the most pathways with active and inactive lesions. An advantage of this approach is that disease induction is slower to develop and results in modest clinical signs, which likely more closely mimic human disease onset.

Oxytocin and Vasopressin Gene Expression in the Brain as Potential Biomarkers for Cannabidiol Therapeutic Efficacy.

Over the last several years, there has been increased interest in cannabidiol (CBD) to treat various ailments such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation. The potential for CBD as an anti-inflammatory therapy has come, in part, from its demonstrated ability to suppress neuroinflammation in autoimmune diseases, such as the mouse model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The increased use of CBD strongly suggests that more research is necessary to elucidate its safety and efficacy and determine the mechanisms by which it acts. Thus, we conducted two separate studies. In the first, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of brains of female mice undergoing EAE in the presence and absence of CBD was conducted to identify potential genes that mediated its neuroprotective effects when efficacious. In the second, we assessed some of the same genes in male and female mice treated with CBD in the absence of an immune stimulus. Together, these data showed that CBD modestly increased oxytocin (Oxt) and arginine vasopressin (vasopressin, Avp) gene expression in the brains of mice, regardless of whether there was active inflammation. Overall, these data suggest that Oxt and Avp might act as biomarkers for CBD exposure.

Ultrafast Coherent Exciton Couplings and Many-Body Interactions in Monolayer WS2.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are quantum confined systems with interesting optoelectronic properties, governed by Coulomb interactions in the monolayer (1L) limit, where strongly bound excitons provide a sensitive probe for many-body interactions. Here, we use two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) to investigate many-body interactions and their dynamics in 1L-WS2 at room temperature and with sub-10 fs time resolution. Our data reveal coherent interactions between the strongly detuned A and B exciton states in 1L-WS2. Pronounced ultrafast oscillations of the transient optical response of the B exciton are the signature of a coherent 50 meV coupling and coherent population oscillations between the two exciton states. Supported by microscopic semiconductor Bloch equation simulations, these coherent dynamics are rationalized in terms of Dexter-like interactions. Our work sheds light on the role of coherent exciton couplings and many-body interactions in the ultrafast temporal evolution of spin and valley states in TMDs.

Evaluation of an ambulatory care pathway for patients with nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy.

Introduction: Cases of nitrous oxide (N2O)-induced myeloneuropathy are increasing at UK hospitals. At our centre, a dedicated ambulatory care pathway, endorsed nationally, was established to treat and monitor patients with N2O-myeloneuropathy in 2021 and refined through three audit cycles. We analysed the outcomes of patients on this pathway to better understand factors associated with non-engagement. Alongside, a novel approach using WhatsApp for questionnaire delivery was trialled in an attempt to improve engagement with treatment. Methods: Patients on the N2O ambulatory care pathway were identified from MDT meeting lists from 9 September 2022 to 25 April 2023. Clinical data were collected via electronic clinical records, including the most recent neurological examination and reason for discharge from the pathway. Patients identified from MDT lists from 27 January 2023 to 14 March 2023 were approached to participate in weekly 12-item surveys, delivered via WhatsApp. This was approved as a service development project with approval for WhatsApp use given by the chief clinical information officer. Results: 35/56 (62.5%) patients were discharged from ambulatory care due to non-attendance and 17/56 (30.4%) completed their treatment course. The median time from initial presentation to discharge was 49 days. 24/40 (60.0%) of patients with a final neurological examination documented had a residual deficit, with objective sensory deficits most common. 12 patients were approached to receive weekly questionnaires via WhatsApp. 5/8 who expressed interest returned a consent form. All participants were withdrawn due to non-response or participant choice. 1/5 returned more than two surveys. Conclusion: Despite poor participation in surveys delivered via WhatsApp, novel approaches are needed to improve engagement with patients on the N2O ambulatory care pathway.

CarcSeq detection of lorcaserin-induced clonal expansion of Pik3ca H1047R mutants in rat mammary tissue.

Lorcaserin is a 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C (serotonin) receptor agonist and a non-genotoxic rat carcinogen, which induced mammary tumors in male and female rats in a two-year bioassay. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated by gavage daily with 0, 30, or 100 mg/kg lorcaserin, replicating bioassay dosing but for shorter duration, 12 or 24 weeks. To characterize exposure and eliminate possible confounding by a potentially genotoxic degradation product, lorcaserin and N-nitroso-lorcaserin were quantified in dosing solutions, terminal plasma, mammary and liver samples using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. N-nitroso-lorcaserin was not detected, supporting lorcaserin classification as non-genotoxic carcinogen. Mammary DNA samples (n = 6/dose/timepoint) were used to synthesize PCR products from gene segments encompassing hotspot cancer driver mutations (CDMs), namely regions of Apc, Braf, Egfr, Hras, Kras, Nfe2l2, Pik3ca, Setbp1, Stk11, and Tp53. Mutant fractions (MFs) in the amplicons were quantified by CarcSeq, an error corrected next-generation sequencing approach. Considering all recovered mutants, no significant differences between lorcaserin dose groups were observed. However, significant dose-responsive increases in Pik3ca H1047R mutation were observed at both timepoints (ANOVA, p < 0.05), with greater numbers of mutants and mutants with greater MFs observed at 24 weeks as compared to 12 weeks. These observations suggest lorcaserin promotes outgrowth of spontaneously occurring Pik3ca H1047R mutant clones leading to mammary carcinogenesis. Importantly, this work reports approaches to analyze clonal expansion and demonstrates CarcSeq detection of the carcinogenic impact (selective Pik3ca H0147R mutant expansion) of a non-genotoxic carcinogen using a treatment duration as short as 3 months.

Allostatic load as a predictor of postoperative complications in patients with breast cancer.

Allostatic load (AL) is a biological measure of cumulative exposure to socioenvironmental stressors (e.g., poverty). This study aims to examine the association between allostatic load (AL) and postoperative complications (POC) among patients with breast cancer. Females ages 18+ with stage I-III breast cancer who received surgical management between 01/01/2012-12/31/2020 were identified in the Ohio State Cancer registry. The composite AL measure included biomarkers from the cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and renal systems. High AL was defined as composite scores greater than the cohort's median (2.0). POC within 30 days of surgery were examined. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis examined the association between AL and POC. Among 4459 patients, 8.2% had POC. A higher percentage of patients with POC were unpartnered (POC 44.7% vs no POC 35.5%), government-insured (POC 48.2% vs no POC 38.3%) and had multiple comorbidities (POC 32% vs no POC 20%). Patients who developed POC were more likely to have undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by axillary lymph node dissection (POC 51.2% vs no POC 44.6%). High AL was associated with 29% higher odds of POC (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.63). A one-point increase in AL was associated with 8% higher odds of POC (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.16) and a quartile increase in AL was associated with 13% increased odds of POC (aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.26). Among patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, increased exposure to adverse socioenvironmental stressors, operationalized as AL, was associated with higher odds of postoperative complications.

Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Mesh in Chest-wall Reconstruction: A 27-year Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the success of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh in chest-wall reconstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent ePTFE (Gore-Tex®) chest-wall reconstruction. The main outcome was a mesh-related event, defined as a mesh-related reoperation (e.g., mesh infection requiring debridement with/without explant, tumor recurrence with explant) and/or structural dehiscence/mesh loosening with/without a hernia. Demographics and surgical outcomes were reported. RESULTS: 246 reconstructions met inclusion (1994-2021). Fifty-five (22.4%) reconstructions had mesh-related events within a median of 1.08 years (IQR 0.08, 4.53) postoperatively; those without had a stable chest for a median of 3.9 years (IQR, 1.59, 8.23, p<0.001). Forty-one (16.6%) of meshes became infected, requiring reoperation. Eighty-eight percent (36/41) were completely explanted; 8.3% (3/36) required additional mesh placement. Predictors of mesh-related events were prior chest-wall radiation (OR=9.73, CI 3.47 to 30.10, p<0.001), higher BMI (OR 1.08, CI 1.01 to 1.16, p=0.019), and larger defects (OR 1.48, CI 1.02 to 2.17, p=0.042). The risk of mesh-related events with obesity was higher with prior chest-wall radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Most (78%) patients with an ePTFE mesh had a stable reconstruction after a median of 4 years. Obesity, larger defects, and prior chest-wall radiation were associated with a higher risk of a mesh-related event mostly due to mesh infections. Seventeen percent of reconstructions had reoperation for mesh infection; 88% were completely explanted. Only 8% required replacement mesh, suggesting that experienced surgeons can safely manage them without replacement. Future studies should compare various meshes for high-risk patients to help guide the optimal mesh selection.

Preoperative cognitive performance and its association with postoperative complications in vascular surgery patients: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment affects nearly half of vascular surgery patients, but its association with postoperative outcomes remains poorly understood. This study explores the link between preoperative cognitive performance and postoperative complications, including postoperative delirium, in vascular surgery patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on vascular surgery patients aged ≥65. Preoperative cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and postoperative complications were evaluated using the Comprehensive Complication Index. The association was analyzed through multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 110 patients (18.2 â€‹% female, mean age 73.8 â€‹± â€‹5.7 years), cognitive impairment was evident in 48.2 â€‹%. Of the participants, 29 (26.3 â€‹%) experienced postoperative complications, among which 11 (10 â€‹%) experienced postoperative delirium. The adjusted odds ratio for the association between cognitive performance and postoperative complications was 1.19 (95 â€‹% CI 1.02-1.38; p â€‹= â€‹0.02). CONCLUSION: Worse preoperative cognitive performance correlated with increased odds of postoperative complications and postoperative delirium in vascular surgery patients.

Severity of effect considerations regarding the use of mutation as a toxicological endpoint for risk assessment: A report from the 8th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT).

Exposure levels without appreciable human health risk may be determined by dividing a point of departure on a dose-response curve (e.g., benchmark dose) by a composite adjustment factor (AF). An "effect severity" AF (ESAF) is employed in some regulatory contexts. An ESAF of 10 may be incorporated in the derivation of a health-based guidance value (HBGV) when a "severe" toxicological endpoint, such as teratogenicity, irreversible reproductive effects, neurotoxicity, or cancer was observed in the reference study. Although mutation data have been used historically for hazard identification, this endpoint is suitable for quantitative dose-response modeling and risk assessment. As part of the 8th International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing, a sub-group of the Quantitative Analysis Work Group (WG) explored how the concept of effect severity could be applied to mutation. To approach this question, the WG reviewed the prevailing regulatory guidance on how an ESAF is incorporated into risk assessments, evaluated current knowledge of associations between germline or somatic mutation and severe disease risk, and mined available data on the fraction of human germline mutations expected to cause severe disease. Based on this review and given that mutations are irreversible and some cause severe human disease, in regulatory settings where an ESAF is used, a majority of the WG recommends applying an ESAF value between 2 and 10 when deriving a HBGV from mutation data. This recommendation may need to be revisited in the future if direct measurement of disease-causing mutations by error-corrected next generation sequencing clarifies selection of ESAF values.

Surgical outcomes in surgical oncology patients who participated in a family involvement program.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence regarding the relationship between family involvement and outcomes in gastrointestinal oncology patients after surgery. To evaluate the effect of a family involvement program for patients undergoing oncologic gastrointestinal surgery on unplanned readmissions within 30 days after surgery. METHODS: A multicenter patient-preference cohort study compared 2 groups: patients who participated in the family involvement program versus usual care. The program comprised involvement of family caregivers in care and training of health care professionals in family-centered care. Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of the FIP on the number of unplanned readmissions up to 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included complications sensitive to fundamental care activities, emergency department visits, intensive care unit admissions, hospital length of stay, and the need for professional home care after discharge. RESULTS: Of the 301 patients included, 152 chose the family involvement program, and 149 chose usual care. Postoperative readmissions occurred in 25 (16.4%) patients in the family involvement program group, and 15 (10.1%) in the usual care group (P = .11). A significant reduction of 16.2% was observed in the need for professional home care after discharge in the family involvement program group (P < .01). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in the other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: The family involvement program did not reduce the number of unplanned readmissions, but it led to a substantial reduction in-home care, which suggests an economic benefit from a societal perspective. Implementation of the family involvement program should, therefore, be considered in clinical practice.

Comparison of Various Functional Assessment Tools to Identify Older Patients Undergoing Aortic Aneurysm Repair at Risk for Postoperative Complications.

BACKGROUND: To estimate whether the benefits of aortic aneurysm repair will outweigh the risks, determining individual risks is essential. This single-center prospective cohort study aimed to compare the association of functional tools with postoperative complications in older patients undergoing aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients (≥65 years) who underwent aortic aneurysm repair were included. Four functional tools were administered: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); the 4-Meter Walk Test (4-MWT); handgrip strength; and the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI). Primary outcome was the association between all tests and 30-day postoperative complications. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, the odds ratio for MoCA was 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.450; 3.157; P = 0.723), for 4-MWT 0.63 (95% CI 0.242; 1.650; P = 0.348), for GFI 1.82 (95% CI 0.783; 4.323, P = 0.162), and for weak handgrip strength 4.78 (95% CI 1.338; 17.096, P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Weak handgrip strength is significantly associated with the development of postoperative complications after aortic aneurysm repair. This study strengthens the idea that implementing a quick screening tool for risk assessment at the outpatient clinic, such as handgrip strength, identifies patients who may benefit from preoperative enhancement with help from, for example, Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, eventually leading to better outcomes for this patient group.

Does a participatory live music practice support nurses to deliver compassionate care to hospitalised patients? A qualitative study.

AIM: To gain more insight into how nurses experience a participatory live music practice in relation to their ability to deliver compassionate care to medically hospitalised patients. DESIGN: Qualitative interpretive design. METHODS: Sixteen nurses participating in a live music practice with patients were interviewed using in-depth interviews with open-ended questions. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and subsequently coded. Theory-driven inductive and deductive approaches were applied in thematic data analysis. RESULTS: We identified four themes: (1) Nurses' empathy and compassion; (2) The caring nurse-patient relationship; (3) Person-centred approaches to care and (4) Nurses' subjective wellbeing. By observing patients' reactions to the music, nurses described that they obtained a deeper insight and understanding of patients' emotional wellbeing. These observations led to increased feelings of compassion in patient contact and stimulated informal communication between nurses and patients through a sense of shared humanity. According to nurses, these aspects positively affected collaboration with patients in delivering care and stimulated them to pursue person-centred approaches to care. Participating in the live music practice also positively affected nurses' wellbeing, enhanced relaxation and created an ambiance in which compassion could be expressed. CONCLUSION: A live music practice can positively contribute to the delivery of compassionate care by providing meaningful shared moments that increase feelings of empathy and compassion and strengthen the caring relationship. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Offering a live music practice at the ward and bedside offers a unique possibility to enhance engagement in person-centred, compassionate care. IMPACT: While compassion and compassionate care are essential component of nursing, nurses often experience multiple barriers to its provision in daily practice. An innovative way to stimulate compassionate care is through the participation of nurses and patients in a live music practice, providing a meaningful moment shared between them. This stimulates feelings of shared humanity and bonding in the caring relationship. REPORTING METHOD: The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ). No Patient or Public Contribution.

Longitudinal study of immunity to SARS-CoV2 in ocrelizumab-treated MS patients up to 2 years after COVID-19 vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To plot the trajectory of humoral and cellular immune responses to the primary (two-dose) COVID-19 mRNA series and the third/booster dose in B-cell-depleted multiple sclerosis (MS) patients up to 2 years post-vaccination; (2) to identify predictors of immune responses to vaccination; and (3) to assess the impact of intercurrent COVID-19 infections on SARS CoV-2-specific immunity. METHODS: Sixty ocrelizumab-treated MS patients were enrolled from NYU (New York) and University of Colorado (Anschutz) MS Centers. Samples were collected pre-vaccination, and then 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-primary series, and 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks post-booster. Binding anti-Spike antibody responses were assessed with multiplex bead-based immunoassay (MBI) and electrochemiluminescence (Elecsys®, Roche Diagnostics), and neutralizing antibody responses with live-virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay. Spike-specific cellular responses were assessed with IFNγ/IL-2 ELISpot (Invitrogen) and, in a subset, by sequencing complementarity determining regions (CDR)-3 within T-cell receptors (Adaptive Biotechnologies). A linear mixed-effect model was used to compare antibody and cytokine levels across time points. Multivariate analyses identified predictors of immune responses. RESULTS: The primary vaccination induced an 11- to 208-fold increase in binding and neutralizing antibody levels and a 3- to 4-fold increase in IFNγ/IL-2 responses, followed by a modest decline in antibody but not cytokine responses. Booster dose induced a further 3- to 5-fold increase in binding antibodies and 4- to 5-fold increase in IFNγ/IL-2, which were maintained for up to 1 year. Infections had a variable impact on immunity. INTERPRETATION: Humoral and cellular benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in B-cell-depleted MS patients were sustained for up to 2 years when booster doses were administered.

Positive Nipple Margins in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: Management of Nipples Containing Cancer or Atypia.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is an oncologically safe approach for breast cancer treatment and prevention; however, there are little long-term data to guide management for patients whose nipple margins contain tumor or atypia. METHODS: NSM patients with tumor or atypia in their nipple margin were identified from a prospectively maintained, single-institution database of consecutive NSMs. Patient and tumor characteristics, treatment, recurrence, and survival data were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 3158 NSMs were performed from June 2007 to August 2019. Nipple margins contained tumor in 117 (3.7%) NSMs and atypia only in 164 (5.2%) NSMs. Among 117 nipple margins that contained tumor, 34 (29%) margins contained invasive cancer, 80 (68%) contained ductal carcinoma in situ only, and 3 (3%) contained lymphatic vessel invasion only. Management included nipple-only excision in 67 (57%) breasts, nipple-areola complex excision in 35 (30%) breasts, and no excision in 15 (13%) breasts. Only 23 (24%) excised nipples contained residual tumor. At 67 months median follow-up, there were 2 (1.8%) recurrences in areolar or peri-areolar skin, both in patients with nipple-only excision. Among 164 nipple margins containing only atypia, 154 (94%) nipples were retained. At 60 months median follow-up, no patient with atypia alone had a nipple or areola recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Nipple excision is effective management for nipple margins containing tumor. No intervention is required for nipple margins containing only atypia. Our results support broad eligibility for NSM with careful nipple margin assessment.

Physiologically based modeling of LNP-mediated delivery of mRNA in the vascular system.

RNA therapeutics are an emerging, powerful class of drugs with potential applications in a wide range of disorders. A central challenge in their development is the lack of clear pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic relationship, in part due to the significant delay between the kinetics of RNA delivery and the onset of pharmacologic response. To bridge this gap, we have developed a physiologically based PK/pharmacodynamic model for systemically administered mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in mice. This model accounts for the physiologic determinants of mRNA delivery, active targeting in the vasculature, and differential transgene expression based on nanoparticle coating. The model was able to well-characterize the blood and tissue PKs of LNPs, as well as the kinetics of tissue luciferase expression measured by ex vivo activity in organ homogenates and bioluminescence imaging in intact organs. The predictive capabilities of the model were validated using a formulation targeted to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the model predicted nanoparticle delivery and luciferase expression within a 2-fold error for all organs. This modeling platform represents an initial strategy that can be expanded upon and utilized to predict the in vivo behavior of RNA-containing LNPs developed for an array of conditions and across species.

The Nanoscale Structure and Stability of Organic Photovoltaic Blends Processed with Solvent Additives.

Controlling the nanomorphology in bulk heterojunction photoactive blends is crucial for optimizing the performance and stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies. A promising approach is to alter the drying dynamics and consequently, the nanostructure of the blend film using solvent additives such as 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO). Although this approach is demonstrated extensively for OPV systems incorporating fullerene-based acceptors, it is unclear how solvent additive processing influences the morphology and stability of nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) systems. Here, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to probe the nanomorphology of two model OPV systems processed with DIO: a fullerene-based system (PBDB-T:PC71BM) and an NFA-based system (PBDB-T:ITIC). To overcome the low intrinsic neutron scattering length density contrast in polymer:NFA blend films, the synthesis of a deuterated NFA analog (ITIC-d52) is reported. Using SANS, new insights into the nanoscale evolution of fullerene and NFA-based systems are provided by characterizing films immediately after fabrication, after thermal annealing, and after aging for 1 year. It is found that DIO processing influences fullerene and NFA-based systems differently with NFA-based systems characterized by more phase-separated domains. After long-term aging, SANS reveals both systems demonstrate some level of thermodynamic induced domain coarsening.

Academic Promotions in Medicine: An Appraisal of Fairness.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the process of conferring academic rank or components of the promotion packet contribute to the lack of parity in academic advancement for women and individuals underrepresented in medicine (URMs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospective promotion applications to the position of associate professor or professor at Mayo Clinic from January 2, 2015, through July 1, 2019. Individuals with doctorate degrees who applied for either rank were included in the study. Data collected included demographic characteristics, curriculum vitae at time of application, committee score sheets, and deferral and approval decisions. Deferral rates for women compared with men and for URMs compared with non-URMs was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 462 people who applied for associate professor, 10% (n=46) were deferred. Those promoted had worked longer at Mayo Clinic (median, 6 years vs 2 years; P=.01), had more mentees (median, 6 vs 4; P=.02), authored more publications (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 39 [32-52] vs 30 [24-35]; P<.001), and were more likely to be on a National Institutes of Health or institutional grant (P<.05). Of the 320 people who applied for professor, 8.8% (n=28) were deferred. Those promoted had authored more publications (median [IQR], 77 [60-99] vs 56 [44-66]; P<.001) and were less likely to hold an elected office to a professional society (22.6% vs 39.3%; P=.05). There was no significant association between deferral status and sex (P>.4) or race/ethnicity (P>.9) for either rank. CONCLUSION: The process for academic advancement for professorships does not contribute to the gap in promotion rates for women and URMs.