Photo-crosslinked Diels-Alder and thiol-ene polymer networks.

Compositions of ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether methacrylate (EGDEMA), a vegetable oil based alkyl methacrylate (C13MA), and furfuryl methacrylate (FMA) were terpolymerized for dual-crosslinked networks with tailored mechanical and thermal properties. Specifically, initiators for continuous activator regeneration (ICAR) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) afforded materials with tailored glass transition temperature ( ) and incorporation of furan and norbornene functionalities within a single chain. The terpolymer with high furan and norbornene functionality (Ter2: = 0.

Multi-tensor fixel-based metrics in tractometry: application to multiple sclerosis.

Traditional Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics are affected by crossing fibers and lesions. Most of the previous tractometry works use the single diffusion tensor, which leads to limited sensitivity and challenging interpretation of the results in crossing fiber regions. In this work, we propose a tractometry pipeline that combines white matter tractography with multi-tensor fixel-based metrics.

Hospital antimicrobial stewardship funding and resourcing impact on broad-spectrum antibiotic use: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) aim to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by optimizing antibiotic use including reducing unnecessary broad-spectrum therapy. This study evaluates the impact of ASP funding and resources on the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Ontario hospitals.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of antimicrobial use (AMU) across 63 Ontario hospitals from April 2020 to March 2023.

Patient, Caregiver, and Provider Perspectives on Improving Provider-Patient Interactions in Hemodialysis: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Improving interactions between people receiving hemodialysis and health care providers of facility-based hemodialysis care is a top priority for patients, caregivers, and health care providers.

Objective: To identify challenges for high-quality clinical interactions in facility-based hemodialysis care as well as potential solutions.

Design: Multicentre qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews to elicit the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and health care providers.

Predicting CRISPR-Cas9 off-target effects in human primary cells using bidirectional LSTM with BERT embedding.

Motivation: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system is a ground-breaking genome editing tool, which has revolutionized cell and gene therapies. One of the essential components involved in this system that ensures its success is the design of an optimal single-guide RNA (sgRNA) with high on-target cleavage efficiency and low off-target effects. This is challenging as many conditions need to be considered, and empirically testing every design is time-consuming and costly.

Assessing floral trait variation in () across an elevational gradient.

Unlabelled: Flower morphology often changes over altitude, although the patterns themselves can be variable, with flowers being either smaller or larger. Floral trait variation is often considered in the context of pollinator-mediated selection. However, other explanations, including underlying genetics and plasticity, resource availability and floral enemies have been proposed.

Evoked and entrained pupillary activity while moving to preferred tempo and beyond.

People synchronize their movements more easily to rhythms with tempi closer to their preferred motor rates than with faster or slower ones. More efficient coupling at one's preferred rate, compared to faster or slower rates, should be associated with lower cognitive demands and better attentional entrainment, as predicted by dynamical system theories of perception and action. We show that synchronizing one's finger taps to metronomes at tempi outside of their preferred rate evokes larger pupil sizes, a proxy for noradrenergic attention, relative to passively listening.

Effect of vasopressin on brain and cardiac tissue during neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asphyxiated post-transitional piglets.

Background: Epinephrine is currently the only recommended cardio-resuscitative medication for use in neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as per consensus of science and treatment recommendations. An alternative medication, vasopressin, may be beneficial, however there is limited data regarding its effect on cardiac and brain tissue following recovery from neonatal CPR.

Aim: To compare the effects of vasopressin and epinephrine during resuscitation of asphyxiated post-transitional piglets on cardiac and brain tissue injury.

Initial Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Hospitalization in Young Children.

Background: Data on mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine effectiveness (VE) in children aged 6 months to 5 years are limited. The objectives of this study were to assess mRNA-1273 vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related hospitalization among children aged 6 months to 5 years during the initial 5 months of the vaccination campaign rollout, as well as to determine whether VE varied by age group (6 months to <2 years vs 2 to 5 years).

Methods: We used a test-negative study with linked health administrative data in Ontario, Canada, to evaluate vaccine effectiveness of mRNA-1273 against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19-related hospitalization from July 28 to December 31, 2022.

Serotype Distribution Among US Adults Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia, 2019-2020.

Background: Serotype-specific urinary antigen detection (UAD) assay results can be used to estimate the serotype contribution among adults with pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to guide recommendations regarding higher-valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).

Methods: Adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with radiographic evidence of CAP were prospectively enrolled in 4 US cities from November 2019 to December 2020, overlapping the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data were collected by patient interview and medical chart review.

Enhancing the quality of lentil proteins via combination with whey proteins based on a dual process: a novel strategy through the incorporation of complexation and fermentation.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing a distinguished alternative to human consumption of animal-based proteins. The application of lentil proteins in the food industry is typically limited due to their poor solubility and digestibility. An innovative method of balancing lentil-whey protein (LP-WP) complexes with higher-quality protein properties was established to address this issue, which coupled a pH-shifting approach with fermentation treatment.

Transforming neonatal nursing in India: challenges, opportunities, and the way forward.

Neonatal care is essential for the well-being of newborns, particularly premature or critically ill patients. Despite advancements in medical technology and evidence-based practice, India faces significant challenges in neonatal nursing, including resource limitations, inconsistent training, and inadequate policy support. This paper examines the current state of neonatal nursing in India, highlighting disparities between urban and rural areas, and comparing them to global practices.

Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Genetic Differences Between Symbiodiniaceae Populations Among Reproductively and Geographically Isolated Colonies in Western Australia.

Significant genetic differentiation between Symbiodiniaceae populations in coral hosts can be induced by a range of factors including geography, latitude, depth, temperature and light utilisation. The conventional method of measuring Symbiodiniaceae diversity involving the ITS2 region of rDNA has several limitations, stemming from insufficient genetic resolution and the multi-copy nature of the marker. This could be improved by using higher throughput whole genome sequencing to identify fine-scale population genetic differences and provide new insight into factors influencing coral-Symbiodiniaceae associations.

Are 3D Tumor Cell Spheroids a Utile System for the In Vitro Evaluation of Diagnostic Radiotracers?

By possibly bridging the gap between 2D cell assays and applications, tumor cell spheroid cultures offer promising avenues for advancing innovation in nuclear medicine. Regarding the evaluation of therapeutic radioligands, tumor cell spheroids have been successfully used to assess the therapeutic efficacy against human tumors. However, studies employing spheroids for testing diagnostic tracers are missing.

Advancing modified biochar for sustainable agriculture: a comprehensive review on characterization, analysis, and soil performance.

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of various feedstocks. It can be further modified to enhance its properties and is referred to as modified biochar (MB). The research interest in MB application in soil has been on the surge over the past decade.

Changing Treatment and Metastatic Disease Patterns in Patients with EGFR Mutated NSCLC: An Academic Thoracic Medical Investigator's Consortium Registry Analysis.

Introduction: Osimertinib is now a standard first-line (1L) therapy for EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) advanced NSCLC. We aimed to characterize patterns of therapy and longitudinal risk of brain and liver metastasis in a cohort of EGFRm NSCLC.

Methods: Patients with metastatic EGFRm NSCLC who received 1L systemic therapy at sites within the Academic Thoracic Medical Investigator's Consortium were included; demographic and clinical data including treatment patterns were described.

COVID-19 policies and tuberculosis services in private health sectors of India, Indonesia, and Nigeria.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges in the field of global health. Nigeria, Indonesia and India are three high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries with large private health sectors. Both TB and the private health sector faced challenges in these countries because of COVID-19.

'Good morning Metro shoppers!' Food insecurity, COVID-19 and the emergence of roll-call neoliberalism.

From April 2020 to December 2021, the Canadian federal government earmarked $330,000,000 through the Emergency Food Security Fund to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 global pandemic. These funds were disbursed through a handful of national and regional emergency food and food justice agencies to smaller front-line organizations for the purchase of emergency food provisions and personal protective equipment, and to hire additional workers. We theorize these dynamics within the broader processes of neoliberalization and argue that the Canadian federal government was conscripting food justice and community development organizations into its efforts to address dramatically increasing rates of food insecurity across the country through charity emergency food provisioning.

Tumor burden with AFP improves survival prediction for TACE-treated patients with HCC: An international observational study.

Background & Aims: Current prognostic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are not extensively validated and widely accepted. We aimed to develop and validate a continuous model incorporating tumor burden and biology for individual survival prediction and risk stratification.

Methods: Overall, 4,377 treatment-naive candidates for whom TACE was recommended, from 39 centers in five countries, were enrolled and divided into training, internal validation, and two external validation datasets.

Effect of randomised blood pressure lowering treatment and intensive glucose control on dementia and cognitive decline according to baseline cognitive function and other subpopulations of individuals with type 2 diabetes: Results from the ADVANCE trial.

Background And Aims: Accumulating evidence indicates that reducing high blood pressure (BP) prevents dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Furthermore, although diabetes is a risk factor for dementia and MCI, there is uncertainty of the effect of intensive glucose control on these endpoints. This study aimed to determine the effects of BP-lowering (vs placebo) and intensive glucose-lowering (vs standard control) treatments according to baseline cognition and other characteristics on dementia and cognitive decline (CD) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

The substance use profiles of adults who sought mental health and addiction services through a centralized intake process in Nova Scotia (2020-2021).

Background: Despite the increasing substance use in Canada, our understanding of how substance use varies based on the intersections of gender, ethnicity/race, and income sources among preclinical populations remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate, among clients of mental health and addiction (MHA) intake in Nova Scotia: 1) the prevalence of substance use by gender, ethnicity, and income source; 2) the routes of substance administration; 3) factors associated with substance use. Understanding how gender, ethnicity, and income sources intersect to influence substance use patterns is essential for designing prevention and treatment strategies tailored to an individual's unique needs.

A stress paradox: the dual role of the unfolded protein response in the placenta.

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy and is essential for fetal development and maternal health. As an endocrine organ, proper placental function requires continual production, folding, and transport of proteins and lipids. Central to these processes is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a dynamic organelle responsible for maintaining cellular protein and lipid synthesis and processing.

Effects of -derived antioxidants on human health: the past, present and future.

Dietary intake of berries has demonstrated significant potential in preventing many risk factors associated with metabolic syndromes in the human population. In recent years, a multitude of research has shown the role of antioxidants derived from berries on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Several studies have also investigated the effect of berry consumption on their ability to modulate the risk factors associated with oxidative stress, vascular function, inflammation, and lipid metabolism.

Patient activation and support needs in patients after ICU discharge: A UK survey of critical illness survivors.

Background: Understanding the degree to which patients are actively involved, confident and capable of engaging with self-management and rehabilitation could be an initial step in guiding individualised supportive strategies for people after critical illness.

Aims: To assess the levels of active involvement with self management among ICU survivors using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), explore associations between patient characteristics and PAM results, and investigate its relationship with patients' support needs at key transition points during the recovery process.

Methods: Eligible participants received both the PAM and Support Needs After Critical care (SNAC) questionnaires by post.

Treatment of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum Using Trichloroacetic Acid 80.

Objective: We sought to analyze the effectiveness, recurrence, safety, and patient satisfaction rates following xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) treatment with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 80%.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients treated with TCA 80% for XP between January 2012 and August 2022. A prospective telephone questionnaire was administered to the same patient population to evaluate recurrence, patient satisfaction, and side effects.