Photoinduced polyelectrolyte complexation for the formation of stable films with reversible crosslinking.

Thin films formed by complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes have significant potential in applications such as separation membranes, biocompatible or anticorrosion coatings, and drug delivery systems. While layer-by-layer deposition is a reliable method for producing conformal films, this multi-step process limits scalability. In this study, we functionalize polymers with photoactive protecting and crosslinking groups, allowing a one-step approach for preparing polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) films.

Ultra-high molecular weight polymer synthesis aqueous dispersion polymerization.

The synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW, ≥ 10 g mol) polymers is generally complicated by the high viscosity of the resulting polymer solution. We report the synthesis of UHMW double-hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) by leveraging polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) to obtain concentrated but free-flowing dispersions of UHMW water-soluble particles. By polymerizing -acryloylmorpholine (NAM) from a poly(,-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) macroiniferter in the presence of a kosmotropic salt ((NH)SO), the salt sensitivity of the resultant poly(NAM) (PNAM) block induced self-assembly to result in free-flowing dispersions of polymeric particles ( < 6 Pa·s), despite the UHMW and high concentration of the newly formed block copolymer.

Quality of life in chiropractic students pre- and post-COVID-19 lockdowns utilizing the Short-Form Health Survey-36.

Objective: To compare previously recorded quality of life scores of students at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to those after New Zealand (NZ) COVID lockdowns.

Methods: Previously recorded students' SF-36 questionnaires were collected before (2019) and after (2022) the lockdowns. Student populations were independent at each time point (pre- and post-lockdown) and were compared between 2019 and 2022 using unpaired Wilcoxon tests and to similarly aged and NZ normative data.

Sustained release of a novel non-fibrate PPARα agonist from microparticles for neuroprotection in murine models of age-related macular degeneration.

Prior research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist fenofibrate on diabetic retinopathy. In the present study, a novel non-fibrate PPARα agonist, A190, was designed with higher potency and selectivity than fenofibrate in PPARα agonism. A190 was encapsulated in biodegradable microparticles (A190-MP) to ensure sustained drug release, with detection in the retina up to 6 months following a single intravitreal injection.

Genomic interrogation of invasive group A (iGAS) epidemiology and COVID-19 impacts in Victoria, Australia: a 6-year retrospective study.

Background: Invasive group A (iGAS) cases have increased globally in 2022-2023, raising concerns within the medical and public health communities, including in Australia, while this impact is polyclonal in nature the worldwide spread and dominance of M1 has been particularly concerning.

Methods: To investigate these changes and prepare to implement routine genomic surveillance of iGAS for public health purposes, we performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on iGAS isolates from Victoria, Australia between 2017 and 2022. Genomic analyses were conducted to determine the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and population dynamics of iGAS.