An evaluation of mepolizumab as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma.

Introduction: Clinical experience with anti-interleukin (IL)-5 biologic therapies for severe asthma has been increasing, alongside deeper and broader research focusing on the role of IL-5 and the IL-5 targeted mepolizumab. This review aims to provide an update of the evidence on the role of IL-5 and mepolizumab, with discussions of the benefits of mepolizumab and its future potential, to promote the comprehension of the pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches to asthma.

Areas Covered: For this narrative review, we conducted a database search in PubMed and Embase using the keywords 'IL-5' and 'mepolizumab,' focusing on randomized controlled trials and real-world studies up to September 2024.

Taming Highly Enolizable Aldehydes via Enzyme Catalysis for Enantiocomplementary Construction of β-Hydroxyphosphonates.

Taming highly enolizable aldehydes for catalytic asymmetric C-C coupling with nucleophiles remains an elusive challenge compared to widely explored simple alkyl or aryl aldehydes. Herein, we use ThDP-dependent enzymes to realize the direct C-C coupling of highly enolizable 2-phosphonate aldehydes with in situ-generated dynamically reversible nucleophiles (acyl anions). Unlike NHC-mediated reactions that yield complex mixtures of multiple adducts, our enzymatic process selectively produces biologically active β-hydroxy phosphonates with high yields (up to 95%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

De novo root regeneration from leaf explant: a mechanistic review of key factors behind cell fate transition.

De novo root regeneration (DNRR) involves activation of special cells after wounding, along with the converter cells, reactive oxygen species, ethylene, and jasmonic acid, also playing key roles. An updated DNRR model is presented here with gene regulatory networks. Root formation after tissue injury is a type of plant regeneration known as de novo root regeneration (DNRR).

Denture use and a slower rate of cognitive decline among older adults with partial tooth loss in China: A 10-year prospective cohort study.

Objective: Denture use has been shown to improve nutritional intake and diet quality in people with tooth loss. Despite evidence linking tooth loss and dementia, few studies have examined the association between denture use and cognitive decline. We investigated the relationship between denture use and cognitive decline among Chinese older adults with tooth loss.

Visualization of Hg Stress on Plant Health at the Subcellular Level Revealed by a Highly Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor.

The presence of Hg causes substantial stress to plants, adversely affecting growth and health by disrupting cell cycle divisions, photosynthesis, and ionic homeostasis. Accurate visualization of the spatiotemporal distribution of Hg in plant tissues is crucial for the management of Hg pollution; however, the related research is still at its early stage. Herein, a small-molecule amphiphilic fluorescent probe (termed ) was developed for the specific detection of Hg with a high sensitivity (~16 nM).

Transitions in treatment: A systematic review and meta-aggregation of preferences and barriers in switching from oral to long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV and stakeholders.

Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has significantly enhanced health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). With the evolution of treatment options, there is an increasing interest in the development of long-acting injectable formulations of antiretroviral drugs. These formulations present a promising alternative to oral ART.

Oral Lactoferrin-Responsive Formulation Anchoring around Inflammatory Bowel Region for IBD Therapy.

Oral formulation is the ideal treatment method for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy, but the mucosal damage and diarrhea symptoms impede the drug retention around the inflammatory region, severely limiting IBD therapeutic efficacy. To address this, an oral astaxanthin (Ast) precise delivery formulation is developed with the selective Ast anchoring around the inflammatory region by the novel lactoferrin (LF)-responsive flocculation. This formulation also heightens the apparent solubility of Ast with the minimized edible safety risks for the edible raw materials.

Shared genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes with muscle mass and function and frailty reveals comorbidity etiology and pleiotropic druggable targets.

Background: Delineating the shared genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes with muscle mass and function and frailty is essential for unraveling the common etiology and developing holistic therapeutic strategies for these co-existing conditions.

Methods: In this genome-wide pleiotropic association study, we performed multi-level pairwise trait pleiotropic analyses using genome-wide association study summary statistics from up to 461,026 European ancestry individuals to dissect the shared genetic factors and causal relationships of type 2 diabetes and seven glycemic traits with four muscle mass- and function-related phenotypes and the frailty index.

Results: We first identified 27 pairs with significant genetic correlations through the linkage disequilibrium score regression and high-definition likelihood analysis.

Multiple approaches to advance health equity in nursing science: Recruitment, data, and dissemination.

Ensuring equitable care and health outcomes for all populations is essential in nursing science. However, achieving health equity in nursing science necessitates a multifaceted approach to address the complex factors influencing health disparities. This paper presented the keynote address delivered at the Advanced Methods Conference hosted by the Council for Advancement of Nursing Science in 2023.

Association between birth weight and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the UK Biobank: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Birth weight has been reported to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood, but the results have not yet been determined. This study aims to analyse the potential association of birth weight with COPD risk in UK Biobank.

Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis for participants without baseline COPD in UK Biobank.

AI-based medication adherence prediction in patients with schizophrenia and attenuated psychotic disorders.

Objective: The capacity of machine-learning algorithms to predict medication adherence was assessed using data from AiCure, a computer vision-assisted smartphone application, which records the medication ingestion event.

Methods: Patients treated with BI 409306 were recruited from two Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled trials in schizophrenia (NCT03351244) and attenuated psychotic disorders (NCT03230097). A machine-learning model was optimized to predict overall trial adherence using AiCure data collected over three monitoring periods (7/10/14 days), adherence cut-offs (0.

Electrocatalysis degradation of biochemical tail water from coking wastewater using particle electrode with persulphate.

Due to the intricate composition and recalcitrant nature of coking wastewater, the biochemical effluent often fails to meet standards. This study explored the preparation of particle electrodes, utilizing activated carbon powder (PAC) loading single-element Fe, Co, and Ni, as well as dual-element Ni-Fe and Co-Fe as catalyst. The particle electrode system was integrated with persulphate (PS) activation to enhance its performance.

Reducing Stigma in Chinese Women Living With HIV/AIDS: Mixed Methods Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Background: Perceived stigma significantly impedes access to public health resources for women living with HIV/AIDS, highlighting the crucial need for interventions to empower individuals to overcome such barriers.

Objectives: This paper outlines the protocol for a pilot study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the Helping Overcome PErceived Stigma (HOPES) intervention employing the mixed methods-grounded in narrative transportation-theory in reducing perceived stigma among women living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: A total of 100 women living with HIV/AIDS will be randomized into two groups: the HOPES group and the control group.

COVID-19 Infection Experience and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Medical Staff: The Mediating Role of Professional Burnout.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between COVID-19 infection-related conditions and depressive symptoms among medical staff after easing the zero-COVID policy in China, and to further examine the mediating role of professional burnout.

Methods: A total of 1716 medical staff from all levels of health care institutions in 16 administrative districts of Beijing, China, were recruited to participate at the end of 2022 in this cross-sectional study. Several multiple linear regressions and mediating effects tests were performed to analyze the data.

The Jiangsu Biobank for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes (JBPCD) in China.

The Jiangsu Biobank for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes (JBPCD) is a community-based prospective cohort study initiated in Jiangsu province, to examine the burden of complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aims to better understand the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of T2DM complications to inform prevention and control strategies. From October 2013 to July 2014, 20,053 T2DM patients (7,862 males and 12,191 females) were recruited from Suzhou city and Huai'an city.

Exercise combined with vitamin D supplementation has additive health effects on short physical performance battery and stair climbing in older adults: a scope review of randomised controlled trials.

This scoping review aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise combined with vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle health in older individuals. We implemented a systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase, which was conducted from the time of library construction to January 2024. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials including men and women aged ≥ 65 years or mean age ≥ 65 years; exercise training and vitamin D supplementation; outcomes of muscular strength, function, muscular power, body composition and quality of life; and results compared with those of exercise intervention alone.

Age at diagnosis of diabetes, obesity, and the risk of dementia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: While Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) prevalence is increasing among younger individuals, few studies have examined how age at T2DM diagnosis relates to dementia risk in diabetic populations. We aimed to investigate the association between age at T2DM diagnosis and subsequent dementia risk, and to determine whether obesity moderates this relationship.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2002-2016) matched with its 2003 Diabetes Mail-Out Survey.

Features and Differences in Core Symptom Clusters in Home-Based Hospice Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Network Analysis.

Introduction: Patients with terminal-stage cancer frequently experience multiple symptoms simultaneously. Little is known about how core symptom clusters differ in advanced-cancer patients with different survival expectancies receiving hospice care. To identify the core symptom clusters of hospice-care cancer patients with different survival expectancies and compare the features of their symptom networks.

Innovative strategies in genitourinary cancer: the role of oncolytic viruses.

Urinary tumors pose a significant health threat because of their high prevalence and recurrence rates. Despite the availability of various treatment options, many patients poorly respond to traditional therapies, highlighting the urgent need for alternative approaches. Oncolytic viruses are promising therapeutic agents.

A comprehensive survey of space robotic manipulators for on-orbit servicing.

On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) robots are transforming space exploration by enabling vital maintenance and repair of spacecraft directly in space. However, achieving precise and safe manipulation in microgravity necessitates overcoming significant challenges. This survey delves into four crucial areas essential for successful OOS manipulation: object state estimation, motion planning, and feedback control.

Association Between Oral Hygiene Behaviours and Cognitive Decline in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the association between oral hygiene behaviour and cognitive decline in adults. The outcomes include changes in global cognitive function, visual attention, task switching and the risk of dementia.

Design: We conducted a systematic review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines.

A scoping review of interventions targeting HIV stigma in women living with HIV.

Since its initial detection in the 1980s, AIDS has become a significant global health threat, disproportionately affecting women. Stigma constitutes the substantial barrier to accessing healthcare for women living with HIV (WLWH). This scoping review based on the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework aimed to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical caregivers to develop intervention strategies and assess their effectiveness.