Wake Forest University

Breast cancer therapy associated changes in thoracic aortic distensibility in those with or without hypertension (UPBEAT WF-97415)

Aortic stiffness or reduced distensibility may contribute to adverse cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke. This study assessed changes in thoracic ascending aortic distensibility (AAD) in breast cancer (BC) patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic ch...

Raman Response of Monolayer Graphene Upon Varying TCNE Adsorption

ABSTRACT Graphene is the prototype two‐dimensional material with an intriguing Dirac‐like electronic dispersion relation. To control graphene's material properties, the non‐covalent adsorption of molecular species remains a promising approach and has been proven to have high pote...

Quantitative MRI changes in neck muscle size and composition following long‐duration spaceflight

Abstract Long‐duration spaceflight poses several challenges to human health, including muscle loss and fat deposition. To mitigate these effects, exercise countermeasures are prescribed. This study aimed to measure neck muscle size and composition changes with long‐duration space...

Leg Muscle Assessment by HR-pQCT and DXA: Associations Between Imaging Measures and Muscle Function in Adults with Obesity – A Pilot Study

Abstract Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) are used for bone assessment but also image adjacent soft tissue. This pilot study examined association between HR-pQCT-measured leg muscle cross-sectional ar...

Patterns of head and neck pain and obstructive sleep apnea in women with macromastia: A cross‐sectional analysis

Abstract Objectives/Background Symptomatic macromastia, or breast hypertrophy, is associated with musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms, including headache and neck pain. Though insurers list headache as an indication for breast reduction surgery, its relationship to specific...

Modeling the effect of drug courts in North Carolina counties

Abstract Background Illicit opioid overdose death rates drastically increased across North Carolina through 2023. We sought to study the impact of drug courts and what conditions can make their presence more or less effective. Methods We analyzed counts of illicit opioid overdose...

Formulation characteristics, safety, and accessibility of conditioners for textured hair

Textured hair, characterized by curved follicular architecture and increased mechanical fragility, requires tailored conditioning strategies to maintain hair and scalp health. Hair conditioners are widely used among individuals with textured hair; however, systematic evaluation o...

Terrestrial paleoenvironments and paleoclimate during the Miocene climate optimum at Buluk, East Turkana, Kenya

Understanding the environmental and climatic context of Neogene fossil localities in eastern Africa is critical for determining potential drivers of evolution in our hominoid ancestors and their floral and faunal communities. In this study, we reconstructed paleoenvironments and...

A compact, wireless fluorimeter system for continuous, real-time monitoring of tissue perfusion via in vivo fluorescence signals

In vivo fluorescence signals provide physiological and pathological insights for the interpretation of biological states associated with anatomical abnormalities or disease. Conventional methods for measuring fluorescence signals rely on bulky, costly instrumentation for imaging...

0008Cardiovascular Mortality by Smoking Status Across Levels of Arterial Stiffness: Findings from NHANES 2005–2016

Objective To examine whether the association between smoking status and cardiovascular (CV) mortality differs by arterial stiffness, assessed by pulse pressure index (PPI), among U.S. adults without baseline cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We analyzed 16,605 adults aged ≥40...

Impact of simulated galactic cosmic radiation exposure on ovarian follicle development in mice

Exposure to galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) during deep space missions poses substantial risks to female reproductive (ovarian) and overall health, presenting a fundamental challenge for future exploration missions. To examine ovarian responses, 22-week-old C57BL/6J mice were exp...

A Systematic Review (and Meta-Analysis) and Global Expert Consensus Statements (U-POP): The Manchester Procedure

Abstract Introduction and Hypothesis The Manchester procedure (MP) is the oldest uterus-sparing technique for uterine prolapse and has traditionally been used to treat cervical elongation (CE). However, its optimal application remains unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the be...

Clinical Documentation Completeness in Orofacial Cleft Care Across High-Resource and Surgical Mission Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective To compare documentation completeness between preoperative records for children with orofacial cleft treated at a high-resource U.S. pediatric center and an itinerant surgical mission program. Design Cross-sectional analysis of a previously published, harmonized 2-cohor...

Adiposity and Cognitive Performance in Older Men and Women from the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)

BACKGROUND: Aging is accompanied by changes in body composition and cognition. Although adiposity has been linked to metabolic dysfunction and dementia risk, associations with specific cognitive domains in later life remain unclear. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined as...

Analysis of Bladder Dysfunction Etiology and Comorbid Disease Processes

Abstract Purpose of Review Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), encompassing both storage and voiding dysfunction, frequently coexist with systemic metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, and functional comorbidities. This review analyzes the pathophysiology, clinical manifestat...

A Scoping Review of Psychological Distress Outcomes in NICU Healthcare Providers

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a demanding work environment that provides medical care for acutely ill and premature infants while supporting parents experiencing significant stress and psychological distress. This scoping review is the first to examine quantitative r...

Prioritizing Global Health Education in Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowships: An Applicant Survey

Abstract Background Global Health (GH) is expanding, offering an increasing number of opportunities for engagement to trainees in medical schools and residency programs. This expansion of opportunities has not yet reached those at the fellowship level, particularly in Critical Ca...

Pilot of a Micro‐Randomized Factorial Trial of Self‐Monitoring Feedback in a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention

ABSTRACT Background The provision of self‐monitoring feedback has been demonstrated to improve weight loss program outcomes; however, there is little evidence to support how this feedback should be delivered. Micro‐randomized factorial trial designs can examine the proximal impac...

AANEM Consensus‐Based Guideline for Grading the Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

ABSTRACT Electrodiagnostic (EDX) reports for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) often include a description of severity, but considerable variability in approach creates confusion for referring physicians, patients, and EDX practitioners. The purpose of this project was t...

Impact of caloric restriction on biological aging: insights from a composite biomarker index in older adults

Abstract Caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan and delays age-related diseases in model organisms, yet its effects on biological aging in humans remain unclear. We pooled data from seven randomized CR trials ( n = 829) and examined randomization to CR and change in weight wit...