Antihypertensive Effects of a Sodium Thiosulfate-Loaded Nanoparticle in a Juvenile Chronic Kidney Disease Rat Model.

Sodium thiosulfate (STS), a precursor of hydrogen sulfide (HS), has demonstrated antihypertensive properties. Previous studies have suggested that HS-based interventions can prevent hypertension in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the clinical application of STS is limited by its rapid release and intravenous administration.

Preparation of antibacterial cellulose nanocrystals-graft-poly[2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate] nanoparticles and their applications on creating wound dressings with a bacterial shielding property.

Bacterial infections in wounds, especially in patients with chronic conditions like diabetic wounds, pose significant treatment challenges. Addressing the susceptibility to infection is crucial, and the development of functional dressings to prevent bacterial invasion has proven a promising strategy. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), derived from bio-resources and functioning as nanoparticles (NPs), were modified with poly[2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PTA) through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to create CNCs-graft-PTA NPs (CNPs).

Exploring the Impact of an Interactive Electronic Pegboard on Manual Dexterity and Cognitive Skills of Patients With Stroke: Preliminary Analysis.

Background: As individuals age, the incidence and mortality rates of cerebrovascular accidents significantly rise, leading to fine motor impairments and cognitive deficits that impact daily life. In modern occupational therapy, assessing manual dexterity and cognitive functions typically involves observation of patients interacting with physical objects. However, this pen-and-paper method is not only time-consuming, relying heavily on therapist involvement, but also often inaccurate.

Characterizing Two Hybrid Exercise-Cognitive Training Interventions With Neurophysiological and Behavioral Indexes in Post-Stroke Patients With Cognitive Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Combined exercise and cognitive training have been evidenced to be effective in cognitive and physical functions in post-stroke survivors. Recent interest has gradually shifted to technology-aided cognitive rehabilitation. However, clear neural makers or comprehensive behavioral indexes used for evaluating rehabilitation remain unexplored.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Elite Female Tug-of-War Athletes: Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis.

Tug-of-War (TOW) games involve repetitive hand movements and vigorous force, raising the risk of peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in TOW athletes remains unclear. We hypothesize that elite female TOW athletes have a higher prevalence of CTS than the general population.

A comparative study of titanium complexes bearing 2-(arylideneamino)phenolates and 2-((arylimino)methyl)phenolates as catalysts for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide.

Titanium complexes bearing 2-(arylideneamino)phenolates and 2-((arylimino)methyl)phenolates were synthesized, and their catalytic activities in the polymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide were studied. Among five-membered ring Ti complexes bearing 2-(arylideneamino)phenolates, FCl-Ti exhibited the highest level of catalytic activity ([CL] : [FCl-Ti] = 100 : 1, where [CL] = 2 M, and conv. = 86% at 60 °C after 9 h).

Electroencephalogram Alpha Oscillations in Stroke Recovery: Insights into Neural Mechanisms from Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mirror Therapy in Relation to Activities of Daily Life.

The goal of stroke rehabilitation is to establish a robust protocol for patients to live independently in community. Firstly, we examined the impact of 3 hybridized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-mirror therapy interventions on activities of daily life (ADL) in stroke patients. Secondly, we explored the underlying therapeutic mechanisms with theory-driven electroencephalography (EEG) indexes in the alpha band.

Can a prolonged healing pressure injury be benefited by using an AI mattress? A case study.

Background: Pressure injuries are a common and serious issue for bedridden residents in long-term-care facilities. Areas of bony prominences, such as the scapula, sacrum, and heels, are more likely to develop pressure injuries. The management of pressure injury wounds include dressing changes, repositioning, away from moisture, decreasing the occurrence of friction and shear, and more.

Recent Advances in Engineering Carriers for siRNA Delivery.

RNA interference (RNAi) technology has been a promising treatment strategy for combating intractable diseases. However, the applications of RNAi in clinical are hampered by extracellular and intracellular barriers. To overcome these barriers, various siRNA delivery systems have been developed in the past two decades.

Lidocaine inhibits migration of tenocytes by downregulating focal adhesion kinase and paxillin phosphorylation.

Lidocaine is the most frequently applied local infiltration anesthetic agent for treating tendinopathies. However, studies have discovered lidocaine to negatively affect tendon healing. In the current study, the molecular mechanisms and effects of lidocaine on tenocyte migration were evaluated.

Foot Plantar Pressure Profile Alteration after Microsurgical Great Toe-to-thumb Transfer.

Background: Microsurgical great toe-to-thumb transfer (mGTT) is a widely used procedure when immediate replantation of thumb is not feasible. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of plantar pressure profile of the donor foot after mGTT.

Methods: Twenty patients receiving microsurgical great toe-to-hand transfer between 1985 to 2014, and 16 healthy subjects were recruited.

Attenuation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition via SGLT2 inhibition and diabetic cataract suppression by dapagliflozin nanoparticles treatment.

Aims: Chronic hyperglycemia triggers overproduction of AKR1B1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B) and receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE), which causes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of diabetic mellitus (DM) cataracts. However, it is unclear whether EMT in LECs is related to abnormal increase of SGLT2. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, also known as dapagliflozin (Dapa) can be used to treat diabetes.

Creation of Chitosan-Based Nanocapsule-in-Nanofiber Structures for Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Drug Co-Delivery and Their Dressing Applications in Diabetic Wounds.

Nanofiber meshes (NFMs) loaded with therapeutic agents are very often employed to treat hard-to-heal wounds such as diabetic wounds. However, most of the NFMs have limited capability to load multiple or hydrophilicity distinctive-therapeutic agents. The therapy strategy is therefore significantly hampered.

Rational Design of Bifunctional Microporous Organic Polymers Containing Anthracene and Triphenylamine Units for Energy Storage and Biological Applications.

In this study, we synthesized two conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), An-Ph-TPA and An-Ph-Py CMPs, using the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. These CMPs are organic polymers with p-conjugated skeletons and persistent micro-porosity and contain anthracene (An) moieties linked to triphenylamine (TPA) and pyrene (Py) units. We characterized the chemical structures, porosities, thermal stabilities, and morphologies of the newly synthesized An-CMPs using spectroscopic, microscopic, and N adsorption/desorption isotherm techniques.

Nanocellulose-reinforced, multilayered poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrophobic composites as an alternative sealing film.

A flexible, hydrophobic, and multilayered poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film evolved to replace a commercially available nonbiodegradable easy seal-paper (ES-PAPER) sealing film. First, environmentally friendly fillers, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) or cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), were added to produce PVA + CNC/CNF composites via blade coating and solution casting to strengthen the mechanical properties of PVA. Subsequently, biodegradable and hydrophobic materials, such as poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) and neat PLA, were added to prepare multilayered PEG-PLA and PLA hydrophobic composites using double-sided solution casting.

Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs and the Risk of Vascular Dementia in Patients with Spondyloarthritis: A Database Cohort Study.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that mainly affects the axial bones, and dementia is characterized by a decline in cognitive function, leading to dependence in everyday activity. Although the association between dementia and ankylosing spondylitis has been investigated, the influence of axSpA medication on dementia risk is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of dementia among axSpA patients and if the conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) can reduce the risk of dementia.

Improvement of Pain and Function by Using Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection in Patients with an Osteoarthritic Knee with Patellar Malalignment: An Electromyographic Study.

Objective: To determine the pain and electromyographic (EMG) amplitude ratio of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) to the vastus lateralis (VL) after botulinum toxin type A (BTA) was injected in the bilateral osteoarthritic knee of patients with patellar malalignment for analysis. Material and methods: A total of fifteen patients were recruited; the more symptomatic knee of each patient received a BTA injection (BTA side). The other set of patients were left untreated.

Biodegradable Carbon Dioxide-Derived Non-Viral Gene Vectors for Osteosarcoma Gene Therapy.

Osteosarcoma often occurs in children and adolescents with high invasiveness and high mortality. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) overexpressed in most tumors promotes cancer cell proliferation and transformation. PLK1 is considered as a therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.

Preparation of CO -Based Cationic Polycarbonate/Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers with an Optimal Fibrous Microstructure for Antibacterial Applications.

Utilizing CO as one of the monomer resources, poly(vinylcyclohexene carbonates) (PVCHCs) are used as the precursor for preparing cationic PVCHCs (CPVCHCs) via thiol-ene click functionalization. Through the functionalization, CPVCHC-43 with a tertiary amine density of 43% relative to the backbone is able to display a significantly antibacterial ability against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Recovery of walking ability in stroke patients through postacute care rehabilitation.

Background: Walking entails orchestration of the sensory, motor, balance, and coordination systems, and walking disability is a critical concern after stroke. How and to what extent these systems influence walking disability after stroke and recovery have not been comprehensively studied.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with stroke in the Post-acute care-Cerebrovascular Diseases (PAC-CVD) program.

Comparison of the effects between lasers applied to myofascial trigger points and to classical acupoints for patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome.

Background: To compare the immediate effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to classical acupoints versus trigger points for patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Methods: This was a single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. This study was performed in a university-affiliated medical center.

Sandwich-Structured, Hydrophobic, Nanocellulose-Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol as an Alternative Straw Material.

An environmentally friendly, hydrophobic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film was developed as an alternative to commercial straws for mitigating the issue of plastic waste. Nontoxic and biodegradable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibers (CNFs) were used to prepare PVA nanocomposite films by blade coating and solution casting. Double-sided solution casting of polyethylene-glycol-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-PLA) + neat PLA hydrophobic films was performed, which was followed by heat treatment at different temperatures and durations to hydrophobize the PVA composite films.

Organic/Inorganic Self-Assembled Hybrid Nano-Architectures for Cancer Therapy Applications.

Since the conceptualization of nanomedicine, numerous nanostructure-mediated drug formulations have progressed into clinical trials for treating cancer. However, recent clinical trial results indicate such kind of drug formulations has a limited improvement on the antitumor efficacy. This is due to the biological barriers associated with those formulations, for example, circulation stability, extravasation efficiency in tumor, tumor penetration ability, and developed multi-drug resistance.

The Comparison and Interpretation of Machine-Learning Models in Post-Stroke Functional Outcome Prediction.

Prediction of post-stroke functional outcomes is crucial for allocating medical resources. In this study, a total of 577 patients were enrolled in the Post-Acute Care-Cerebrovascular Disease (PAC-CVD) program, and 77 predictors were collected at admission. The outcome was whether a patient could achieve a Barthel Index (BI) score of >60 upon discharge.