A multisite validation of brain white matter pathways of resilience to chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain (CBP) is a global health concern with significant societal and economic burden. While various predictors of back pain chronicity have been proposed, including demographic and psychosocial factors, neuroimaging studies have pointed to brain characteristics as predictors of CBP. However, large-scale, multisite validation of these predictors is currently lacking.

Computer simulations of entropic cohesion in reversibly crosslinked polymers.

Reversibly crosslinked polymer networks - polymer networks that can undergo bond association and dissociation reactions - rearrange their structures while maintaining their overall integrity, thus resulting in unique properties such as self-healing, reprocessability, shape memory and adaptability. Here, we show that the introduction of crosslinks, whether reversible or permanent, directly impacts the equilibrium polymer density and hence the material's surface tension. For a limiting case where the bonds are the same size as the polymer chain bonds, simulations, Flory hypotheses and thermodynamic calculations show that the crosslinks induce an increased entropic cohesion in the liquid.

Predicting Time in Range Without Hypoglycaemia Using a Risk Calculator for Intermittently Scanned CGM in Type 1 Diabetes.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of clinical and socio-economic factors on glycaemic control and construct statistical models to predict optimal glycaemic control (OGC) after implementing intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1072 type 1 diabetes patients (49.0% female) from three centres using isCGM systems.

Unveiling the Photoluminescence Mechanism of Carbonized Polymer Dots: Evolution and Synergistic Photoluminescence of Multiple Molecular Fluorophores.

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) are a class of exceptional fluorescent materials with diverse applications. However, their photoluminescence (PL) mechanism remained enigmatic and controversial, hindering further development and application. While molecular fluorophores explain primary fluorescence in some CPDs, the overall PL of CPDs still cannot be fully explained, such as their excitation-dependent behaviors, let alone the modulation of PL.

Factors Associated With Depression in Caregivers of Adults With Down Syndrome.

Background: Family caregivers of those with developmental disabilities have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with caregivers of those without development disability. Few studies have examined factors that contribute to caregiver depression, including the appraisal of caregiving responsibilities and the physical fitness and daily function of the care recipient. The purpose of this study was to identify intrapersonal (caregiver) and interpersonal (care recipient) factors associated with depressive symptoms in caregivers of adults with Down syndrome (DS).

Emerging bioengineering breakthroughs in precision diagnosis and therapy for endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are debilitating gynecological conditions that severely affect the quality of life of women. Traditional diagnostic and treatment methods, including laparoscopic surgery and hormonal therapy, face significant limitations such as incomplete lesion detection, high recurrence rates, and adverse side effects. Emerging bioengineering technologies offer promising solutions for precise diagnosis and therapy of these diseases.

Determinants of Liraglutide Treatment Discontinuation in Type 1 Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of ADJUNCT ONE and ADJUNCT TWO Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies.

Introduction: Two phase 3 randomized controlled studies (ADJUNCT ONE (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01836523), ADJUNCT TWO (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02098395)) evaluated liraglutide (1.

Direct covalent attachment of fluorescent molecules on plasma polymerized nanoparticles: a simplified approach for biomedical applications.

Polymeric nanoparticles surface functionalised with fluorescent molecules hold significant potential for advancing diagnostics and therapeutic delivery. Despite their promise, challenges persist in achieving robust attachment of fluorescent molecules for real-time tracking. Weak physical adsorption, pH-dependent electrostatic capture, and hydrophobic interactions often fail to achieve stable attachment of fluorescent markers.

Wellbeing of Family Carers of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: Longitudinal Study.

Background: Longitudinal studies of family carers of people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic have been very rare. This study investigated trajectories of family-carer wellbeing and the impact of the caring role on carers' health over four time points measured during the COVID-19 pandemic and after all public health restrictions had been lifted (between December 2020 and late 2022) across the United Kingdom.

Methods: Family carers of adults with intellectual disabilities participated through a co-designed, online survey at four time points across the pandemic (2020-2022).

Quantum optical phase, rigged Hilbert spaces and complementarity.

We place Loudon's quantum treatment of optical phase in in its historical context, and outline research that it inspired. We show how it led Pegg and Barnett to their quantum phase formalism, explaining the challenges that they overcame to define phase operators and phase eigenstates rigorously. We show how the formalism essentially constructs an extended rigged Hilbert space that supports strong limits of the phase operators and includes their eigenstates.

Quality and readability of online information on Keratoconus in Portugal and Brazil.

Introduction: Keratoconus patients turn to the internet for answers to their disease expectations. Webpages are not filtered or submitted to evaluation before getting published. We aim to evaluate the quality and readability of the online information regarding keratoconus in Portugal and Brazil.

Testing an HPV Vaccine Decision Aid for 27- to 45-Year-Old Adults in the United States: A Randomized Trial.

Background: In the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among 27- to 45-y-olds (mid-adults) is recommended based on shared clinical decision making with a health care provider. We developed a patient decision aid tool to support the implementation of this mid-adult HPV vaccination guideline. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a patient decision aid tool for HPV vaccination, HPV DECIDE, compared with an information fact sheet among mid-adults who have not received the HPV vaccine.

Value of P-wave Parameters in Predicting Outcomes of Repeat Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been established as an effective management option for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). We aimed to explore the role of P-wave parameters in a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in predicting the success of repeat PAF ablation.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients who underwent a second AF ablation procedure for PAF in a UK tertiary center after an index ablation conducted between 2018 and 2019 and a repeat ablation up to 2021.

Narrative review of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with more than 1.9 million new cases reported in 2020, and is associated with major survival challenges, particularly in patients with locally advanced colon cancer (LACC). LACC often involves T4 invasion or extensive nodal involvement and requires a multidisciplinary approach for management.

Raman microscopy of the Cu/LiAlGe(PO) solid electrolyte interphase.

LiAlGe(PO) (LAGP) is a promising solid-state electrolyte (SSE) for solid-state batteries but suffers from side reactions with Li metal resulting in cracking and interfacial resistance rise which hinders its practical application. Herein, in operando Raman spectroscopy was performed to gain insights into local chemical and structural transformations of the Cu/LAGP interface during cathodic polarization.

LncRNA PVT1 Promotes Intracranial Aneurysm Development via USP10/KLF4/NLRP3 Axis-Mediated Pyroptosis in Human Cerebral Smooth Muscle Cells.

Our previous research identified that lncRNA PVT1 is upregulated in patients with IA. However, the precise functions of PVT1 in IA remain unclear. We compared the levels of PVT1, caspase-3, caspase-1, and NLRP3 in normal and IA patients.

An effective drug-free hydrogel for accelerating the whole healing process of bacteria-infected wounds.

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process involving hemostasis, inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and tissue remodeling. This process is highly susceptible to bacterial infection, which often leads to impaired and delayed wound repair. While antibiotic therapy remains the primary clinical approach for treating bacteria-infected wounds, its widespread use poses a significant risk of developing bacterial resistance.

Methanolic Extract of Morchella esculenta (Ascomycota) Prevents Chemotherapy-Related Cardiotoxicity in Tumor-Bearing Mice.

The quest for bioactives that confer protection against chemotherapy induced cardio toxicity is a front-line area of cardio oncology research. Species of genus Morchella have been used in traditional medicine to treat asthma, wound healing, cough, cold, indigestion, excessive phlegm and breathlessness. M.

Quantitative LC-QToF-MS Analysis of Mycochemicals in Amanita muscaria, Psilocybe spp. (Agaricomycetes), and Consumer Products.

The psychedelic mushroom market has expanded rapidly due to changing regulations and increasing consumer demand. Product diversity now extends beyond traditional capsules and tablets to include gummies, powders, and confectionery items, complicating quality control efforts. To assess the quality and potential adulteration of Amanita musca-ria and Psilocybe cubensis-based products, a validated LC-QToF-MS method was developed.

Human Cytomegalovirus Replication Enhanced By Placental MicroRNAs.

Placental trophoblasts constitute the interface between the fetal and maternal environments and physically prevent maternal-fetal viral transmission. However, congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the early stages of pregnancy results in severe symptoms in the fetus. HCMV is the most common causative agent of intrauterine infection.

Accurate predictions of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity from comprehensive analysis.

An unprecedented amount of SARS-CoV-2 data has been accumulated compared with previous infectious diseases, enabling insights into its evolutionary process and more thorough analyses. This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 features as it evolved to evaluate its infectivity. We examined viral sequences and identified the polarity of amino acids in the receptor binding motif (RBM) region.

The satiety hormone cholecystokinin gates reproduction in fish by controlling gonadotropin secretion.

Life histories of oviparous species dictate high metabolic investment in the process of gonadal development leading to ovulation. In vertebrates, these two distinct processes are controlled by the gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), respectively. While it was suggested that a common secretagogue, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), oversees both functions, the generation of loss-of-function fish challenged this view.

A Comprehensive Review Highlighting the Prospects of Phytonutrient Berberine as an Anticancer Agent.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from various medicinal plants, emerges as a potential therapeutic agent against diverse human diseases. It has particularly shown notable anticancer efficacy against breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and liver cancer. Berberine results in inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppressing angiogenesis, positioning it as a versatile, multitargeted therapeutic tool against cancer.

Integration of online and offline teaching mode in biochemistry and molecular biology courses.

To enhance the effectiveness of integrating online and offline teaching, 1545 clinical and preventive medicine students from 2019 to 2021 were randomly allocated to two groups, A and B. The curriculum was divided into two segments. Initially, two groups were established for the first segment, covering an introduction to Biomolecular and Material Metabolism.