Large language model based mutations in genetic improvement.

Ever since the first large language models (LLMs) have become available, both academics and practitioners have used them to aid software engineering tasks. However, little research as yet has been done in combining search-based software engineering (SBSE) and LLMs. In this paper, we evaluate the use of LLMs as mutation operators for genetic improvement (GI), an SBSE approach, to improve the GI search process.

Females translate male mRNA transferred during mating.

Although RNA is found in the seminal fluid of diverse organisms, it is unknown whether it is functional within females. We developed a proteomic method (VESPA, Variant Enabled SILAC Proteomic Analysis) to test the hypothesis that male seminal fluid RNA is translated by females. We found 67 male-derived, female-translated proteins (mdFTPs) in female lower reproductive tracts, many with predicted functions relevant to reproduction.

Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction using docetaxel and Rose Bengal loaded Microbubbles for targeted Chemo-Sonodynamic therapy treatment of prostate cancer.

Docetaxel (DTX) chemotherapy is commonly used in the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer demonstrating modest improvements in survival. As these patients are often elderly and the chemotherapy treatment is not targeted, it is often poorly tolerated. More targeted approaches that increase therapeutic efficacy yet reduce the amount of toxic chemotherapy administered are needed.

Females translate male mRNA transferred during mating.

Although RNA is found in the seminal fluid of diverse organisms, it is unknown whether this RNA is functional within females. Here, we develop an experimental proteomic method called VESPA (Variant Enabled SILAC Proteomic Analysis) to test the hypothesis that male seminal fluid RNA is translated by females. We find strong evidence for 67 male-derived, female-translated proteins (mdFTPs) in female lower reproductive tracts at six hours postmating, many with predicted functions relevant to reproduction.

Enhancing Antifungal Treatment of with Hypericin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers in Hydrogels: Characterization, In Vitro, and In Vivo Photodynamic Evaluation.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a worldwide public health problem caused predominantly by the opportunistic polymorphic fungus , whose pathogenicity is associated with its morphological adaptability. To potentiate the treatment of -induced VVC by an alternative method as photodynamic therapy (PDT), hypericin (Hy), a potent photosensitizer compound was incorporated into a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) and dispersed in hydrogel (HG).

Methods: After preparation of the sonication process, an NLC loaded with Hy was dispersed in HG based on Poloxamer 407 and chitosan obtaining Hy.

Treatment of Periodontal Infections, the Possible Role of Hydrogels as Antibiotic Drug-Delivery Systems.

With the advancement of biomedical research into antimicrobial treatments for various diseases, the source and delivery of antibiotics have attracted attention. In periodontal diseases, antibiotics are integral in positive treatment outcomes; however, the use of antibiotics is with caution as the potential for the emergence of resistant strains is of concern. Over the years, conventional routes of drug administration have been proven to be effective for the treatment of PD, yet the problem of antibiotic resistance to conventional therapies continues to remain a setback in future treatments.

Is insomnia severity a moderator of the associations between obstructive sleep apnea severity with mood and diabetes-related distress?

Purpose: This study examined insomnia severity as a moderator of the associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity with impaired mood and diabetes-related distress in adults with OSA and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This secondary analysis used pooled baseline data from two randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of treatment of OSA or insomnia in adults with T2D. Participants for this analysis had OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index [AHI] ≥ five events/hour obtained from an in-home sleep apnea testing device) and completed questionnaires on insomnia, mood, and diabetes-related distress.

Considerations in Building a School-Based Vision Program.

The burden of childhood visual impairment and disparities in access to pediatric vision care remain pressing issues in the United States. School-based vision programs (SBVPs) serve as one approach to advancing health equity. Operating at the intersection of schools and healthcare, SBVPs can increase access to pediatric vision services, improve academic performance, and facilitate referrals to community vision care providers.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Telehealth Augmented With a CBT Smartphone Application to Address Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: A Randomized Pilot Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of phone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with an adjunctive smartphone application CBT MobileWork-DM to improve self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Participants were 12 patients with T2DM on antihyperglycemic medication and had an A1C level of 8 or greater. A randomized controlled pilot study assessed treatment as usual (TAU) T2DM care versus a phone-delivered CBT (6, 8, or 12 weekly sessions) augmented with a CBT skills practice smartphone application.

Nanotechnology-augmented sonodynamic therapy and associated immune-mediated effects for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is emerging as a cancer treatment alternative with significant advantages over conventional therapies, including its minimally invasive and site-specific nature, its radical antitumour efficacy with minimal side effects, and its capacity to raise an antitumour immune response. The study explores the efficacy of SDT in combination with nanotechnology against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A nanoparticulate formulation (HPNP) based on a cathepsin B-degradable glutamate-tyrosine co-polymer that carries hematoporphyrin was used in this study for the SDT-based treatment of PDAC.

How do Android developers improve non-functional properties of software?

Nowadays there is an increased pressure on mobile app developers to take non-functional properties into account. An app that is too slow or uses much bandwidth will decrease user satisfaction, and thus can lead to users simply abandoning the app. Although automated software improvement techniques exist for traditional software, these are not as prevalent in the mobile domain.

Photodynamic therapy-mediated hypericin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers against vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Introduction And Aim: The indiscriminate use and adverse effects of the main conventional antifungal agents compromise the effectiveness of treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), mainly caused by the species Candida albicans. This study evaluated the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and the in vitro and in vivo anti-candida potential of the hypericin (HYP)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC).

Materials And Methods: Empty NLC and NLC-HYP were characterized by the dynamic light scattering technique and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the average particle size distribution and its morphologies.

Depression in Collegiate Runners and Soccer Players: Relationships with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Ferritin, and Fractures.

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships between depression versus serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D), serum ferritin (ferritin), and fractures across a competitive season. The authors conducted a prospective observational study (both pre- and post-season testing) on 51 collegiate soccer and cross-country athletes from a Midwest University. Our main outcome measure was depression, measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Immunotherapy toxicity: identification and management.

The widespread adoption of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of various cancer types, including metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which has long been associated with poor prognostic outcomes. In particular, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target and inhibit programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), have shown promising results in the treatment of patients with metastatic TNBC. However, while manipulating the immune system to induce antitumor response, ICIs can also lead to a unique set of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), which differ from standard chemotherapy toxicities due to their immune-based origin.

Comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia and its associations with mood and diabetes-related distress in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Study Objectives: Previous research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia frequently coexist and are prevalent in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study compared mood and diabetes-related distress among OSA, insomnia, and comorbid OSA and insomnia groups in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted with baseline data from 2 independent randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of OSA and insomnia treatment.

A single microbubble formulation carrying 5-fluorouridine, Irinotecan and oxaliplatin to enable FOLFIRINOX treatment of pancreatic and colon cancer using ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction.

FOLFIRINOX and FOLFOXIRI are combination chemotherapy treatments that incorporate the same drug cocktail (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan) but exploit an altered dosing regimen when used in the management of pancreatic and colorectal cancer, respectively. Both have proven effective in extending life when used to treat patients with metastatic disease but are accompanied by significant adverse effects. To facilitate improved tumour-targeting of this drug combination, an ultrasound responsive microbubble formulation loaded with 5-fluorouridine, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FIRINOX MB) was developed and its efficacy tested, together with the non-toxic folinic acid, in preclinical murine models of pancreatic and colorectal cancer.

Teacher and school staff perspectives on their role in school-based vision programs.

Objective: School-based vision programs (SBVPs) are one approach to increase access to vision care by providing vision screenings, eye examinations, and eyeglasses directly in schools. Few studies report on the perspectives of teachers and staff, who are important stakeholders, on SBVPs. We examined teacher and staff perspectives on their involvement in SBVPs.

Combining sonodynamic therapy with chemoradiation for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer are limited and survival prospects have barely changed over the past 4 decades. Chemoradiation treatment (CRT) has been used as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with borderline resectable disease to reduce tumour burden and increase the proportion of patients eligible for surgery. Antimetabolite drugs such as gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil are known to sensitise pancreatic tumours to radiation treatment.

Stakeholders' Perceptions of a School-Based Eye Care Programme in Baltimore, MD.

Purpose: To explore stakeholders' perceptions of a school-based vision programme (SBVP).

Methods: We conducted 20 focus groups with 105 parents and teachers at schools in Baltimore, MD, that participated in a SBVP. Facilitators used a semi-structured interview guide to discuss participants' perceptions of the SBVP.

Sonodynamic therapy complements PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibition in a murine model of pancreatic cancer.

The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI's) in the past decade has proven transformative in the area of immuno-oncology. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis has been particularly well studied and monoclonal antibodies developed to block either the receptor (anti PD-1) or its associated ligand (anti PD-L1) can generate potent anti-tumour immunity in certain tumour models. However, many "immune cold" tumours remain unresponsive to ICI's and strategies to stimulate the adaptive immune system and make these tumours more susceptible to ICI treatment are currently under investigation.

Engagement in Health Care From the Perspective of Older Adults.

Patient engagement is essential for improving health outcomes and lowering health care costs. The use of patient portals is becoming increasingly important for patient health care engagement. A convenience sample of 100 community-dwelling older adults completed a battery of surveys to explore the use of patient portals as an engagement tool.

Synthesis of a gemcitabine-modified phospholipid and its subsequent incorporation into a single microbubble formulation loaded with paclitaxel for the treatment of pancreatic cancer using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction.

Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane®) is a standard of care chemotherapy combination used in the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. While the combination has shown a survival benefit when compared to gemcitabine monotherapy, it is associated with significant off-target toxicity. Ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has emerged as an effective strategy for the site-specific deposition of drug-payloads.