Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of the Taking Care of Us Intervention for Couples Living With Heart Failure.

Background And Objectives: Despite the significant impact of heart failure on both members of the care dyad, few interventions focus on optimizing the health of the dyad. The current study examined the feasibility and acceptability of the novel Taking Care of Us (TCU) program with mid-late-life couples living with heart failure and explored preliminary efficacy.

Research Design And Methods: This NIH Stage I study used a 2-arm randomized controlled trial with pretest-post-test design and an additional 5-month follow-up to compare TCU with an educational counseling attention-control condition.

A Possible Phenotype-to-Genotype Association of Novel Single-Nucleotide Variants in the Coding Exons of the Gene to Arterial Aneurysmal and Dissection Diseases.

After reporting the first known clinical case associating compound heterozygous single-nucleotide variants in Exon 2 of to aortic aneurysmal and iliac dissection, we began prospective surveillance in our vascular genetic practice for similar cases. Herein, we present nine (9) subjects from a total cohort of 135 with arterial aneurysms or dissections who revealed single-nucleotide variants in with no other alterations in a panel of 35 genes associated with aneurysmal and dissection disorders. Five out of nine (5/9) single-nucleotide variants were in Exon 1, and four out of nine (4/9) mutations were in Exon 2, both of which are principal coding exons for this gene.

Temporal and spatial variations of urban surface temperature and correlation study of influencing factors.

Urban overheating significantly affects thermal comfort and livability, making it essential to understand the relationship between urban form and land surface temperature (LST). While the horizontal dimensions of urban form have been widely studied, the vertical structures and their impact on LST remain underexplored. This study investigates the influence of three-dimensional urban form characteristics on LST, using ECOSTRESS sensor data and four machine learning models.

Exploring the influence of media and social factors on altruistic behavior using the general learning model and norm activation theory.

Altruism is beneficial to society as it promotes mental and physical health alongside economic and societal growth. Previous studies have indicated, however, that people tend not to engage in altruistic behaviors toward strangers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the factors that motivate individuals to participate in altruistic actions.

Magnesium/methanol-d1: a practical reductive deuteration system for the deuterium labeling of α,β-unsaturated esters, nitriles and amides.

The use of magnesium and methanol in the reduction of various functional groups has been well established. In this study, we present a reductive deuteration system using Mg/CHOD, which successfully facilitates the conversion of α,β-unsaturated esters, amides, and nitriles to their saturated counterparts. This protocol achieves good yields and high degrees of deuterium incorporation, while avoiding defunctionalization in the presence of various functional groups.

Recent advances in the reactions of isatin-derived MBH carbonates for the synthesis of spirooxindoles.

As one of the main fragments in medical drugs, spirooxindole has received considerable attention from organic and medicinal chemists. In the past few decades, chemists have been searching for more straightforward and efficient methods to produce compounds containing a spirooxindole fragment. In this regard, isatin-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates have been widely used as versatile building blocks for the synthesis of spirooxindole structures.

Iloprost-Loaded Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Membranes for Enhanced Healing of Colon Anastomosis.

Despite the variety of proposed solutions, anastomotic leakage is still a critical complication after colorectal surgery, which causes increased clinical mortality and morbidity. By enhancing microcirculation in the colonic mucosa, the use of Iloprost (Ilo) has shown promising results for the healing of anastomosis. The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of Ilo-impregnated Polycaprolactone:Gelatin electrospun membranes (PCL/Gel/Ilo) on anastomosis repair and intra-abdominal adhesion behavior in the Rat colon.

Celecoxib paradoxically induces COX-2 expression and astrocyte activation through the ERK/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway in the cerebral cortex of rats.

Previous studies have shown that celecoxib or NSAID may paradoxically induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and trigger inflammation-like responses in airway smooth muscle cells and renal mesangial cells. Despite the extensive research on celecoxib, its atypical biological effect on the induction of COX-2 in astroglial cells within the central nervous system (CNS) remains unexplored. In the present study, we investigated the impact of celecoxib on COX-2 and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) expression and explored the mechanisms underlying celecoxib-regulated COX-2 expression in cortical astrocytes of rats.

Medical students' perception of a unique humanistic mentoring program in a religious university: a convergent parallel mixed methods study.

Background: The medical school of Tzu Chi University in Taiwan offers a unique, group-based, humanistic mentoring program as a complement to the programs mentored by faculty members and school counselors. The humanistic mentors are senior volunteers who are subject-matter experts in various fields and who embody the spirit of humanism in their lives. The average mentee-to-mentor ratio is around 3.

Conditioned serum-free culture medium accomplishes adhesion and proliferation of bovine myogenic cells on uncoated dishes.

To establish a sustainable cultured meat technology, a low-cost culture medium must be developed without expensive biological materials such as serum and coating substances. However, even adhering bovine myogenic cells to uncoated culture dishes in the serum-free medium is challenging. We found that serum-free culture medium conditioned by HepG2 and NIH/3T3 cells not only accomplished the cell adhesion on uncoated culture dishes (the serum-containing medium : the serum-free medium : the conditioned medium = 6722 ± 1500 : 2210 ± 319 : 5985 ± 1558 cells/cm), but also induced proliferation comparable to that observed in a serum-containing medium (the serum-containing medium : the serum-free medium : the conditioned medium = 10,050 ± 2814 : 2200 ± 707 : 8998 ± 3890 cells/cm).

Incidence of venous thromboembolism in fracture below the knee with and without chemical thromboprophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Low rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been found in patients with isolated orthopaedic trauma below the knee. Many surgeons routinely provide chemical thromboprophylaxis in these injuries, however. This is not without inherent risks, and this remains a controversial topic in perioperative care in orthopaedic trauma.

Expert-based physical activity guidelines for metabolic and bariatric surgery patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) can improve outcomes through a physically active lifestyle. Despite ongoing research, clinical recommendations for physical activity (PA) are not fully developed. For this review, 39 articles representing 24 randomized clinical trials satisfied inclusion criteria.

High-stable bimetallic AgCu nanoalloys with core-shell structures for sustainable antibacterial and biofouling mitigation in nanofiltration.

Nanofiltration (NF) is crucial for advancing water purification and wastewater reuse technologies. Incorporating biocidal nanoparticles (NPs) such as AgNPs and CuNPs is promising for developing antibacterial and antibiofouling NF membranes, while their application is limited by NPs aggregation, high cost, and severe ion release. In this study, we developed novel NF membranes by integrating bimetallic AgCu nanoalloys via an in-situ reduction and coordination method facilitated by a polydopamine/polyethyleneimine (PDA/PEI) intermediate layer.

Conservation of structure and dynamic behavior in triazine macrocycles with opportunities for subtle control of hinge motion.

Modifying the backbone of 24-atom macrocycles allows tailoring of physical properties (octanol-water partition coefficients, log ) while conserving both conformation and the barrier to dynamic, hinge-like motion. Structure is determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The barrier can be subtly tuned by modifications that appear to preclude fully revolute motion and efficient π-stacking of the two subunits.

Novel Treatment of 3D-Printed Short-Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyamide (3D-SCFRPA66) Using Homogeneous Low-Potential Electron Beam Irradiation (HLEBI) and Ductility Enhancement.

In short-carbon-fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 articles shaped by 3D printing (3D-SCFRPA66), the interfaces between printed layers are often susceptible to damage, and the composite is excessively brittle. Therefore, a novel treatment for 3D-printed short-carbon-fiber-reinforced polyamide (3D-SCFRPA66) using homogeneous low-potential electron beam irradiation (HLEBI) to enhance tensile properties was investigated. In 3D-SCFRPA66 samples, ductility was measured based on the following parameters: strain at tensile strength (corresponding to homogeneous deformation) () and resistance energy to homogeneous deformation, a measure of toughness (), which were both substantially increased.

Primary arthrodesis versus open reduction internal fixation for acute Lisfranc injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The presence of a Lisfranc injury alone is considered a surgical indication in most patients. Indications for primary arthrodesis (PA) versus open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), however, is a topic of debate among surgeons. Conflicting data exists as to which treatment modality leads to improved patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), reoperations, and complications.

Outcomes of A2/A2B to B Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Study.

Background A2/A2B to B kidney transplantation has the potential to increase transplant access for traditionally disadvantaged blood group B minority candidates. Despite prior reports of positive post-transplant safety and clinical success, A2/A2B to B kidney transplantation remains underutilized in the United States. This study aims to investigate the post-transplant outcomes of A2/A2B to B kidney transplants performed at our center.

Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen suppresses colorectal cancer growth in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant disease around the world. Because the hosts' immunity plays a great part in regulating tumor cells' growth and progression, immunotherapies have therefore aroused great interest in treating cancers. Currently, scientists have investigated the use of Schistosoma-derived soluble egg antigens (SEA), which is known as a strong immune modulator, in treating a series of immune-related diseases.

Questionnaire format of modified frailty index as a predictor for 30-day readmission and length of stay in elderly patients undergoing multi-level lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: Frailty is a spectrum describing a demographic more likely to experience adverse events such as falls, disability, and hospital admission which can be quantified by the modified frailty index (mFI). Several studies have associated increased mFI score with higher rates of hospital readmission and length of stay (LOS). This study tests the predictive value of a frailty questionnaire based on the mFI on LOS and 30-day readmission rates.

Disparities in disaster healthcare: A review through a pandemic lens.

Objective: To provide an overview of the literature on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on healthcare disparities in various groups, in relation to social determinants of health (SDOH) and longstanding social disparities.

Design: The Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) addressed the impact of health disparities in disaster planning and response. A workgroup composed of seven physicians with academic and deployment disaster medicine experience was formed.

Modified Frailty Index Questionnaire as a Predictor of Discharge Destination in Elderly Patients Undergoing Multilevel Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Background: Frailty is defined as a state in which depletion of physiologic reserves causes multisystem impairments independent of natural senescence. This phenomenon can be quantified by the 11-point modified frailty index (mFI-11). This study determines whether an 11-point patient questionnaire developed from the mFI-11 can be used as a predictor for discharge destination following multilevel lumbar interbody fusion surgery in elderly patients.

Uniform anchoring of MoS nanosheets on MOFs-derived CoFeO porous nanolayers to construct heterogeneous structural configurations for efficient and stable overall water splitting.

Rational interfacial engineering and morphology modulation are recognized as effective strategies to modulate the electronic structure and improving the activity of spinel materials. In this paper, we report a strategy of Fe-induced creation of porous nanolayers of CoFeO with unique morphology derived from MOFs by introducing ferrocene, and then constructed CoFeO/MoS heterostructures were fabricated by homogeneously anchoring MoS nanosheets onto the surface of CoFeO. The triple synergistic effect of heterogeneous interfaces, highly active Mo(IV) sites, and unsaturated S effectively accelerates the cycling process between Fe(III)/Fe(II) and Co(III)/Co(II), which in turn enhances the adsorption of reactive intermediates on the active sites, as further corroborates by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Flexible fixation versus open reduction internal fixation and primary arthrodesis for ligamentous Lisfranc injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Flexible fixation (FF) has allowed treatment of isolated ligamentous Lisfranc injuries while preserving joint motion. We hypothesize that patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), complications, and return-to-activity rates will be similar between patients undergoing FF versus those undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) or primary arthrodesis (PA).

Methods: Databases included PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and clinicaltrials.