pH-responsive cationic guar gum-based multifunctional hydrogel with silver nanoenzymes: Combined photothermal antibacterial therapy and antioxidant properties for MRSA infected wound healing.

Managing wounds infected with multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria remains a significant public health challenge in clinical settings. While multifunctional hydrogels are commonly employed to treat skin infections, there is a scarcity of hydrogels that effectively combine cationic guar gum (CG) with both potent antimicrobial and safe therapeutic actions. This study introduces a novel pH responsive, dual-dynamically crosslinked hydrogel (CFC-PDA/Ag), synthesized by crosslinking CG with polydopamine (PDA)-coated silver nanozymes (PDA/PM-AgNPs).

Enhancing stability of fermented egg white gels: Influence of guar and xanthan gum addition order during yogurt-like fermentation.

Egg white gels prepared through fermentation, similar to yogurt production, offer a high-protein, zero-fat alternative to traditional dairy products. This study investigated the impact of guar gum (GG) and xanthan gum (XG) as rheological modifiers on the stability of fermented egg white gels. Rheological analysis revealed that the addition of both gums significantly influenced gel properties, with XG demonstrating superior performance.

Discovery and development of INNA-051, a TLR2/6 agonist for the prevention of complications resulting from viral respiratory infections.

Viral respiratory infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The diversity of viruses implicated, coupled with their propensity for mutation, ignited an interest in host-directed antiviral therapies effective across a wide range of viral variants. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are potential targets for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals given their central role in host immune defenses.

The Feasibility of Personalized Endpoints in Assessing Treatment Outcomes in Rare Disease: A Pilot Study of Goal Attainment Scaling in SCN2A-Associated Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy.

Objectives: For individuals living with rare neurodevelopmental disorders, especially those who are at the most severe end of the spectrum, standardized outcome measures may lack the sensitivity to capture small but meaningful changes. Personalized endpoints such as Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) allow the assessment of treatment response across variable baseline states and disease manifestations and thus provide a highly sensitive measure of efficacy. The current study tested the feasibility of using GAS in rare SCN2A-associated developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (SCN2A-DEE).

Ultrasound characteristics and risk factors of female patients with pelvic varicose veins and concomitant chronic pelvic pain.

Objective: The study aims to elucidate clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of female patients diagnosed with pelvic varicose veins (PVV) and to assess potential risk factors associated with incidences of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in this population.

Methods: Clinical and ultrasound data were retrospectively collected from female patients with PVV at Beijing Shijitan Hospital between December 2017 and October 2022. Patient cohorts were divided into two groups based on whether they had been experiencing non-periodic pelvic pain over six months, consistent with the symptoms of CPP.

Congenital isolated left ventricular non-compaction in two juvenile dogs.

Two juvenile (five- and 10-month-old), male, neutered, Jack Russel terrier cross dogs, each presented primarily for respiratory signs of varying severity, were included in the study. The first presented for coughing and weakness, and the other presented in respiratory distress. A cardiac murmur was absent in both.

A feasibility study on the use of near infrared spectroscopy to predict fatty acid concentration in intact black soldier fly reared in different waste streams.

The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are well known to utilise a wide variety of organic waste streams, delivering a product rich in protein (30-50%) and lipids (15-49%) and other micronutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to predict the concentration of fatty acids in BSFL reared in different commercial waste streams. Intact BSFL samples were analysed using a bench top NIR instrument where calibration models for fatty acids were developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression.

Multi-stakeholder perspectives into the experiences of siblings when a child is critically ill: A qualitative systematic review.

Objectives: A child's critical illness and admission to intensive care can have significant short- and long-term impacts for the parents and hospitalized child. While experiences of parents have been explored, the impact on siblings remains unclear. The aim was to systematically review and synthesize qualitative research exploring the experiences of siblings when a child is critically ill, from the perspectives of siblings and relevant key stakeholders.

Neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate the global prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with Robin sequence (RS) at one year or more of age.

Study Design: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Emcare, MedNAR and Cochrane library were searched systematically from inception to 31st May 2024. Studies reporting on the neurodevelopmental (global, cognitive, or motor) outcomes in children with RS were included.

Detecting ion-specific forces between fatty acid colloids and salt crystals in brines using colloidal probe AFM.

Hypothesis: Ion-specific forces in concentrated salt solutions play critical roles in many applications, ranging from biology to engineering, e.g., separating water-soluble minerals in brines by flotation using air bubbles.

Challenges faced by international nursing students undertaking graduate research: Contemporary issues.

Globalisation has resulted in universities around the world accepting an increasing number of culturally and linguistically diverse students, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge, strengthens cultural awareness and develops a globally adaptive nursing workforce. Graduate research students play an important role in Australian universities' education and research efforts. However, there are limited student perspectives and voices that explore the challenges and barriers faced by international nursing students undertaking graduate research.

Estimating the cost-effectiveness of maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination in Australia: A dynamic and economic modelling analysis.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness, with younger infants at greatest risk of hospitalisation. With the recent approval of a maternal RSV vaccine in Australia, it is timely to evaluate its potential costs and health benefits in Australia.

Methods: We applied an integrated dynamic and economic evaluation model to estimate specific outcomes of RSV disease and the cost-effectiveness of a year-round maternal RSV vaccination program in Australia.

Dietary variety and the relationship between polypharmacy and incident disability among Japanese community-dwelling older adults: A longitudinal study.

Objectives: This study examined the association between polypharmacy and incident disability across the dietary variety score (DVS) strata among community-dwelling older adults.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study with community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 in Aichi, Japan.

Main Outcome Measures: Polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 concomitant prescription drugs per day.

Evaluating AI Capabilities in Bariatric Surgery: A Study on ChatGPT-4 and DALL·E 3's Recognition and Illustration Accuracy.

Background: With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education, tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 and DALL·E 3 have potential applications in enhancing learning materials. This study aims to evaluate ChatGPT-4o's proficiency in recognizing bariatric surgical procedures from illustrations and assess DALL·E 3's effectiveness in generating accurate surgical illustrations.

Methods: Illustrations of six bariatric surgical procedures (One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Biliopancreatic Diversion, and Adjustable Gastric Banding) were sourced from the IFSO Atlas of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Antarctic Expeditions: A Systematic Review of the Physiological, Nutritional, Body Composition and Psychological Responses to Treks Across the Continental Ice.

Background: Antarctic expeditions, although supported by scientific knowledge, face various challenges, with little research conducted to explore the physical demands that explorers experience.

Objective: To summarise physiological, psychological, body composition and nutritional changes faced during trek expeditions in the Antarctic's continental portion.

Design: Systematic review.

International experiences of implementing the Fundamentals of Care Framework in nursing curricula.

Objectives: To explore university-based nurse educators' experiences of implementing the Fundamentals of Care Framework in nursing curricula.

Methods: A qualitative research design employing interpretative phenomenological analysis was used. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with eight nursing educators in five different countries.

- a large-scale dataset of 3D medical shapes for computer vision.

Objectives: The shape is commonly used to describe the objects. State-of-the-art algorithms in medical imaging are predominantly diverging from computer vision, where voxel grids, meshes, point clouds, and implicit surface models are used. This is seen from the growing popularity of ShapeNet (51,300 models) and Princeton ModelNet (127,915 models).

Intermarrying MOF Glass and Lead Halide Perovskites for Artificial Photosynthesis.

The development of efficient artificial photosynthesis systems is crucial for sustainable chemical production, as they mimic natural processes to convert solar energy into chemical products, thereby addressing both energy and environmental challenges. The main bottlenecks in current research include fabricating highly selective, stable, and scalable catalysts, as well as effectively harnessing the full spectrum of light, particularly the low-energy, long-wavelength portion. Herein, we report a novel composite photocatalyst system based on lead halide perovskites embedded in functionalized MOF glass.

Positive effect of erythromycin on ineffective oesophageal motility in laryngopharyngeal reflux patients: Room for a novel treatment?

Introduction: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) management guidelines are currently derived from the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) which has been shown to be poorly effective in controlling symptoms for these patients. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that has been used extensively as a prokinetic agent for the gastrointestinal tract. The management of LPR with prokinetics is a novel therapy being investigated with regard to its effectiveness.

Exploring the Role of Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Psychological Distress on Quality of Life in Individuals Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Despite reports of brain fog in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), empirical research into this phenomenon has been lacking. This study aimed to validate a brain fog scale and explore the relationships between IBD symptom activity, brain fog, fatigue, psychological distress, and quality of life (QoL).

Method: A cross-sectional online study.

Motion analysis for objective evaluation of psychomotor skills in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Background: This study aims to digitalize surgical maneuvers in ESS using a motion capture system under standardized conditions provided by 3D printed-sinus models.

Methodology: Forty-seven otolaryngologists performed ESS on 3D printed models manufactured from computed tomography (CT) images of actual patients. Participants were classified to 3 groups according to the objective structured technical skills assessment score.

A tribute to Laszlo Zaborszky: pioneering discoveries in the basal forebrain and inspiring generations of neuroscientists.

This editorial celebrates the 80th birthday of Distinguished Professor Laszlo Zaborszky, co-founder of Brain Structure and Function, and reflects on his monumental contributions to neuroscience, particularly his pioneering work on the cholinergic basal forebrain. Professor Zaborszky's research has reshaped our understanding of this brain region's organization and function, uncovering its critical role in cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and attention. His findings have challenged longstanding assumptions, demonstrating that the cholinergic projections to the cortex are highly organized, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.