Scleral Lens Use in the Management of Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid.

Purpose: Symptom management in Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid (OCP) is challenging because of the progressive factors of dry eye, scarring, trichiasis, and vision impairment. We set out to evaluate the benefits and therapeutic effects of scleral contact lenses in the management of OCP.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed over a database of 20 patients (36 eyes) fitted with scleral lenses (SL) at the Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University from May 2018 to April 2021.

Stochasticity in dietary restriction-mediated lifespan outcomes in Drosophila.

Dietary restriction (DR) is widely considered to be one of the most potent approaches to extend healthy lifespan across various species, yet it has become increasingly apparent that DR-mediated longevity is influenced by biological and non-biological factors. We propose that current priorities in the field should include understanding the relative contributions of these factors to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of DR. Our work conducted in two laboratories represents an attempt to unify DR protocols in Drosophila and to investigate the stochastic effects of DR.

Qualitative Exploration and Proof of Concept Toward the Development of the Burnout Assessment for Developmental Disability Settings (BADDS) for Behavioral Health Providers.

The present evaluation aimed to begin development of a survey tool for measuring workplace stressors specific to behavioral health providers in clinical settings for autism and related developmental disabilities: the Burnout Assessment for Developmental Disability Settings (BADDS). BADDS development was guided by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS; Cella et al., (Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 63(11), 1179-1194, 2010) procedures.

Self-rated health differences between exclusive e-cigarette users and exclusive cigarette smokers: evidence from the 2017-2019 Scottish Health Survey.

The comparative health implications of e-cigarette use versus traditional cigarette smoking remain a critical focus in public health research. This cross-sectional study examined differences in self-rated general health between exclusive e-cigarette users and exclusive cigarette smokers, using data from the 2017-2019 Scottish Health Survey. A total of 2484 adults (aged 16 and above) were included and categorized as exclusive e-cigarette users (n = 565) or exclusive cigarette smokers (n = 1919).

A Composite Endpoint of Liver Surgery (CELS): Development and Validation of a Clinically Relevant Endpoint Requiring a Smaller Sample Size.

Background: The feasibility of trials in liver surgery using a single-component clinical endpoint is low because single endpoints require large samples due to their low incidence. The current study sought to develop and validate a novel composite endpoint of liver surgery (CELS) to facilitate the generation of more feasible and robust high-level evidence in the field of liver surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, or colorectal liver metastasis were identified using a multi-institutional database.

Development and biological evaluation of a novel CEACAM6-targeted PET tracer for distinguishing malignant nodules in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening effectively reduces lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) mortality. However, accurately evaluating the malignant potential of indeterminate lung nodules remains a challenge. Carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), a potential biomarker for distinguishing benign pulmonary nodules from LUAD, may be leveraged for noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to aid LUAD diagnosis.

Facile Fabrication of Injectable Multifunctional Hydrogels Based on Gallium-Polyphenol Networks with Superior Antibacterial Activity for Promoting Infected Wound Healing.

Multifunctional hydrogels hold significant promise for promoting the healing of infected wounds but often fall short in inhibiting antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and their clinical translation is limited by complex preparation processes and high costs. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel is developed by combining metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) formed by tannic acid (TA) and gallium ions (Ga⁺) with chitosan (CS) through a simple one-step method. The resulting CS-TA-Ga⁺ (CTG) hydrogel is cost-effective and exhibits desirable properties, including injectability, self-healing, pH responsiveness, hemostasis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.

Serotonin Receptors Polymorphisms Are Associated With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.

Background: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder characterized by sudden, recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting. The pathophysiology of CVS is not known but genetic factors that regulate emetic neurocircuitry have been proposed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether different variations in genes encoding serotonin receptors (HTRs) are associated with susceptibility to CVS and/or CVS symptoms.

Triggered "On/off" Luminescent Polypeptide Bowl-Shaped Nanoparticles for Selective Lighting of Tumor Cells.

Functional polymeric nanoparticles, especially those with anisotropic structures, have shown significant potential and advantages in biomedical applications including detecting, bioimaging, antimicrobial and anticancer. Herein, tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and azobenzene modified polypeptides of poly((-glutamic acid) tetraphenylethylene-stat-(-glutamic acid)) (P(GATPE-stat-GA)) and poly((-glutamic acid) azobenzene-stat-(-glutamic acid)) (P(GAAzo-stat-GA) are synthesized, which self-assemble into bowl-shaped nanoparticles (BNPs) with controlled diameter, opening size and fluorescent property individually, or by co-assembly. Due to the quenching effect of azobenzene, the fluorescence of the coassembled BNPs is completely inhibited.

Genetic Variants of the IL-23/IL-17 Axis and Its Association With Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: The objective of this systematic review was to identify genetic variants of the IL-23, IL-17, IL-23R and IL-17R genes and isoforms and its possible association with increased development of periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Methods: A systematic review was prepared according to the guidelines, registered in the OSF database with the registration number: 10.17605/OSF.

An Occult Primary Thymic Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma With Sjögren's Syndrome Revealed by CXCR4 Targeted Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an extranodal low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma that extremely rarely localises to the mediastinum. A 34-year-old female with chronic arthralgia, sicca and rash was found to have a well-demarcated mediastinal cystic mass with equivocal nodular enhancement within the cystic wall on chest CT during a workup for Sjögren's syndrome. Subsequent Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT revealed focal uptake increase within the cystic capsule.

Bioprinted Micro-Clots for Kinetic Analysis of Endothelial Cell-Mediated Fibrinolysis.

Vascular hypo-fibrinolysis is a historically underappreciated and understudied aspect of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This paper describes the development of a micro-clot dissolution assay for quantifying the fibrinolytic capacity of endothelial cells - a key driver of VTE development. This assay is enabled using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) to bioprint microscale fibrin clots over human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Taxonomic and phylogenetic biases in translocated angiosperm plant species across European countries.

Conservation translocations are a well-known conservation tool used to reverse the effects of local population extinctions and restore ecosystems. Compared with mammals and birds, plants are underrepresented in translocation programs, and little is known about the potential taxonomic and phylogenetic biases of plant translocation efforts. We aimed to assess how translocated plant species may contribute to the conservation of phylogenetic diversity (PD) among European countries.

Colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma: clinicopathologic analysis of two large cohorts and literature review confirm poor prognosis and reveal prognostic aspects.

Aims: We compiled two cohorts of colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) to describe its histologic and molecular aspects using modern parameters to compare them with literature reports using meta-analysis of cohorts and individual case series.

Methods And Results: We identified 53 colorectal ASC from 19 North American academic medical centres, in addition to national database reports on 94 Dutch cases. We analysed available clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features and patient outcome.

Bumblebees prefer sulfoxaflor-contaminated food and show caste-specific differences in sulfoxaflor sensitivity.

More than 30% of human food crop yield requires animal pollination. In addition, successful crop production depends on agrochemicals to control pests. However, agrochemicals can have negative consequences on beneficial insect pollinators, such as bees.

Synergistic anti-cancer effects of piezoelectric hexagonal boron nitride nanocarriers for controlled doxorubicin release.

Aims: This study aims to develop a piezoelectric drug delivery system based on hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBNs).

Materials And Methods: hBNs were synthesized using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and characterized through imaging and spectroscopic techniques. Their piezoelectric properties were evaluated to confirm their functionality.

Cooperative and non-cooperative additions involving a silicon atom and a redox-active ligand.

The silylene [(dpp-bian)Si:] (1), where dpp-bian is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene, exhibits remarkable reactivity with a variety of substrates. It reacts with chloroform and water O-H and C-Cl bond activation to yield oxidative addition products 2 and 3, respectively. Reactions of 1 with dibenzylideneacetone and tolane involve exclusively the silicon atom and result in [4 + 1]- and [2 + 1]-cycloaddition products 4 and 6.

Evaluation of co‑inhibition of ErbB family kinases and PI3K for HPV‑negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The ErbB/HER family of protein‑tyrosine kinases and PI3K represent crucial targets in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A combination therapy of afatinib (ErbB inhibitor) and copanlisib (PI3K inhibitor), both Food and Drug Administration‑approved kinase inhibitors, can suppress the growth of human papillomavirus (HPV)‑positive HNSCC. The current study further evaluated the efficacy and clinical potential of this combination therapy for the treatment of HPV‑negative HNSCC and .

Exploring the experiences of cardiovascular perfusionists during philanthropic cardiac surgery in low-income countries.

: Medical mission trips address the global burden of cardiac disease, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where limited access to cardiac surgery exacerbates challenges faced by affected individuals. However, a lack of literature exists on the experiences of perfusionists involved in these missions, despite their crucial role in delivering cardiac surgery services. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the experiences of cardiovascular perfusionists involved in philanthropic cardiac surgery in low-income countries.

Motivational constructs: Real, causally powerful, not psychologically constructed.

Murayama and Jach criticize the use of high-level motivational constructs in psychology, urging psychologists to "unpack" the black box. These constructs are alleged to be "psychological constructions" with no causal powers of their own. I argue that this view is mistaken, and that high-level motivational constructs are causal even when unpacked in terms of underlying computational, algorithmic, and implementational processes.

Mapping QTLs for early leaf spot resistance and yield component traits using an interspecific AB-QTL population in peanut.

Early leaf spot (ELS), caused by (syn. ), is a highly damaging peanut disease worldwide. While there are limited sources of resistance in cultivated peanut cultivars, wild relatives carry alleles for strong resistance, making them a valuable strategic resource for peanut improvement.

Correlation of gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography - Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging with histopathology characteristics in carcinoma prostate patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (Ga-PSMA PET) is being increasingly used in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) for the staging and detection of lymph node (LN) metastases, despite a lack of prospective, validated evidence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the PSMA PET findings (maximum standardized uptake [SUV] value) and the final histopathology results (Gleason Grade [GG], and LN positivity) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Methods: This is a single centre, prospective, observational study of 63 consecutive eligible patients treated at a tertiary care centre in India.

Gum Arabic induced assembly of cellulose nanocrystals in aqueous media.

Entropy-driven assembly of nematic liquid-crystal phases of cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) in aqueous suspensions results in the emergence of a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase (N* phase). We report that a solvated, non-adsorbing, highly branched natural polysaccharide, Gum Arabic (GA), strongly affects the assembly of the SCNCs and modifies the phase diagram: GA leads to significant crowding of the SCNC rods and induces a new liquid-liquid phase transition, where SCNC-rich and GA-rich droplets coexist. The solvated GA does not induce coagulation or gelation of the suspended SCNCs (at low concentrations of 1-3 wt% of GA).