Enhancement of Transdermal Drug Delivery: Integrating Microneedles with Biodegradable Microparticles.

This investigation aimed to enhance transdermal methotrexate delivery through human skin by employing Dr. Pen microneedles and poly(d,l-lactide--glycolide) acid microparticles formulated from eight polymer grades (Expansorb DLG 95-4A, DLG 75-5A, DLG 50-2A, DLG 50-5A, DLG 50-8A, DLG 50-6P, DLG 50-7P, and DLL 10-15A). A comprehensive characterization of the microparticles was performed, encompassing various parameters such as size, charge, morphology, microencapsulation efficiency, yield, release kinetics, and chemical composition.

Efficacy of peripheral nerve stimulation in refractory postamputation pain: A narrative review.

The management of postamputation pain remains a significant clinical challenge, with existing therapeutic approaches often yielding inconsistent outcomes. Neuromodulation techniques, particularly peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), have emerged as promising interventions. However, the evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) remains limited.

Digital analysis of the relationship between maximum bite force and 3-dimensional arrangement of mandibular first molars.

Background: Bite force is one of the important factors that determine the chewing efficiency of molars. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of the maximum bite force (MBF) to the 3-dimensional (3D) arrangement of the first mandibular molars in Angle's class I healthy adults using a digital protocol.

Material And Methods: Subjects were 33 adults (16 males and 17 females) aged 18-25, with Angle's class I occlusions and healthy dentitions.

Gratitude for Bystander Action Varies by Peer Intervention and Social Norms.

Gratitude is associated with increased social integration, which may counter the loneliness stemming from repeated peer victimization. The gratitude youth feel after different types of bystander action may depend on which behaviors are most congruent with personal beliefs. Face and honor cultures provide social norms for expectations and interpretations of behavior, including how to act during and after interpersonal conflict.

Single-Larva RNA Sequencing Reveals That Red Sea Urchin Larvae Are Vulnerable to Co-Occurring Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions have been increasing rapidly in recent years, driving pH and oxygen levels to record low concentrations in the oceans. Eastern boundary upwelling systems such as the California Current System (CCS) experience exacerbated ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) due to the physical and chemical properties of the transported deeper waters. Research efforts have significantly increased in recent years to investigate the deleterious effects of climate change on marine species, but have not focused on the impacts of simultaneous OAH stressor exposure.

Lanmodulin-Decorated Microbes for Efficient Lanthanide Recovery.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for many clean energy technologies. Yet, they are a limited resource currently obtained through carbon-intensive mining. Here, bio-scaffolded proteins serve as simple, effective materials for the recovery of REEs.

The diagnostic accuracy of umbilical cord procalcitonin in predicting early-onset neonatal infection.

Introduction: To determine the threshold of umbilical cord blood procalcitonin for early-onset neonatal infection diagnosis.

Method: This prospective study was conducted on 126 neonates in the neonatal care unit of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Vietnam, from June 01, 2023 to August 31, 2024. All neonates showed signs at birth or risk factors for early-onset infection (EOI) and were divided into two groups: EOI group and non-EOI group.

A generative model for inorganic materials design.

The design of functional materials with desired properties is essential in driving technological advances in areas like energy storage, catalysis, and carbon capture. Generative models provide a new paradigm for materials design by directly generating novel materials given desired property constraints, but current methods have low success rate in proposing stable crystals or can only satisfy a limited set of property constraints . Here, we present MatterGen, a model that generates stable, diverse inorganic materials across the periodic table and can further be fine-tuned to steer the generation towards a broad range of property constraints.

Hardy-Rand-Rittler colour vision testing in cone and cone-rod dystrophies: correlation with structural and functional outcome measures.

Purpose: To determine how Hardy-Rand-Rittler (HRR) colour vision testing correlates with visual functional and structural assessments in Cone and Cone-Rod Dystrophy.

Methods: Thirty-four Cone and 69 Cone-Rod Dystrophy patients diagnosed by electroretinography (ERG) at the Save Sight Institute in Sydney were included in a retrospective analysis. Each patient's HRR colour vision test scores were compared with markers of cone and rod system function including visual acuity (VA), ERG responses, changes on Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Fundus Autofluorescence.

Biomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis: A Review of the Role of IL-13 and the Impact of Tralokinumab Treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that can significantly affect quality of life. Presence, severity, and therapeutic response of AD are traditionally reported through clinical assessments including the Eczema Area and Severity Index or Investigator's Global Assessment. These clinical rating scales are visual assessments used in clinical trials to denotate AD severity.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Black Soybean [ (L.) Merr] by Using RAPD and ISSR Markers.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Black soybeans [<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr] are among the important crops, but the cultivated resources are normally low-yielding, susceptible to diseases and low profit. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the genetic diversity of black soybean germplasms for breeding programs.

Nutrition literacy in Vietnamese pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

Inadequate nutrition intake during pregnancy elevates the risk of adverse health outcomes during pregnancy, with potential long-term repercussions for both mother and child, extending to subsequent generations. Current initiatives to improve individual dietary habits emphasize promoting nutrition literacy (NL), which encompasses the ability to access, comprehend, and use basic nutrition information and services necessary for making appropriate nutrition decisions. However, there were limited data on the NL of pregnant women in Vietnam.

Fractional tackles: leveraging player tracking data for within-play tackling evaluation in American football.

Tackling is a fundamental defensive move in American football, with the main purpose of stopping the forward motion of the ball-carrier. However, current tackling metrics are manually recorded outcomes that are inherently flawed due to their discrete and subjective nature. Using player tracking data, we present a novel framework for assessing tackling contribution in a continuous and objective manner.

Comparing Five Generations of ActiGraph Devices using an Orbital Shaker.

Introduction: ActiGraph accelerometers are used extensively to objectively assess physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. Here, we present an objective validation of five generations of ActiGraph sensors to characterize potential differences in output arising from changes to hardware or firmware.

Methods: An orbital shaker generated accelerations from 0 to 3700 milli-g in a randomized order to test the wGT3X-BT, GT9X, CentrePoint Insight Watch (CPIW) 1.

New therapies to treat cardiac amyloidosis.

Purpose Of Review: Review advancements in therapies for transthyretin (ATTR-CM) and immunoglobulin light chain (AL-CM) cardiac amyloidosis.

Recent Findings: In ATTR-CM, tafamidis remains the cornerstone therapy, with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for over 5 years. Acoramidis, another transthyretin stabilizer, has very recently been FDA-approved following positive results in the ATTRibute-CM trial.

The structure and correlates of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire among U.S. racial/ethnic groups.

Research on externalizing psychopathology has relied heavily on White samples to generate core knowledge, with few studies examining variability in its components, including grandiose narcissism, across racial/ethnic groups. This preregistered (https://osf.io/n4s3f/) study addressed the following research questions: (1) Is there evidence for measurement invariance of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) across racial/ethnic groups?; (2) Are there racial/ethnic group differences in (a) mean levels of the two NARQ subscales: admiration and rivalry, and (b) correlations between NARQ subscales and self-esteem?; (3) Do variations in ethnic identity commitment account for any observed group differences in the mean levels and correlations? The sample consisted of 1,248 U.

Your Blood is Out for Delivery: Considerations of Shipping Time and Temperature on Degradation of RNA from Stabilized Whole Blood.

Remote research studies are an invaluable tool for reaching populations with limited access to large medical centers or universities. To expand the remote study toolkit, we previously developed homeRNA, which allows for at-home self-collection and stabilization of blood and demonstrated the feasibility of using homeRNA in high temperature climates. Here, we expand upon this work through a systematic study exploring the effects of high temperature on RNA integrity (represented as RNA Integrity Number, RIN) through in-lab and field experiments.

Risk of cardiovascular disease following degarelix versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Prostate cancer treatment involves hormonal therapies that may carry cardiovascular risks, particularly for long-term use. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists, such as degarelix, may offer advantages over agonists, but comprehensive comparative cardiovascular outcomes are not well established. This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the cardiovascular safety profiles of degarelix compared to those of traditional GnRH agonists, providing critical insights for optimizing treatment strategies.

Psychological ownership and knowledge sharing: Key psychological drivers of sustainable tourist behavior.

As the green transformation sweeps across industries in the digital age, tourism stakeholders face a pressing need to utilize online platforms and digital influencers for sustainability messaging. Drawing on the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework, this study investigates the influence of green ownership psychology and green knowledge sharing on tourists' repatronage intentions. It focuses on the mediating role of cooperative green activity programs and the moderating impact of tourists' green trust in social media influencers.

Midodrine for Intradialytic Hypotension.

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common occurrence in hemodialysis. IDH occurs when there is a drop in blood pressure along with hypotensive symptoms. There are various causes of IDH, and it is important to consider proper management of this condition.