Critical Role of Nanomaterial Mechanical Properties in Drug Delivery, Nanovaccines and Beyond.

Nanomaterials have become essential in the daily lives, finding applications in food, skincare, drugs, and vaccines. Traditionally, the surface chemistry of nanoparticles (NPs) is considered the key factor in determining their interactions with biological systems. However, recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of nanomaterials are equally important in regulating nano-bio interactions, though they have often been overlooked.

Chromatin-based memory as a self-stabilizing influence on cell identity.

Cell types are traditionally thought to be specified and stabilized by gene regulatory networks. Here, we explore how chromatin memory contributes to the specification and stabilization of cell states. Through pervasive, local, feedback loops, chromatin memory enables cell states that were initially unstable to become stable.

CLEC12B regulates melanocyte immunity and homeostasis in the skin through the STAT1/IRF1 axis.

CLEC12B is a C-type lectin receptor involved in the inhibition of natural killers-mediated cytotoxicity. We have previously shown that CLEC12B is predominantly expressed on melanocytes, inhibits melanin production and pigmentation as well as proliferation of melanoma. To date, the role of CLEC12B in skin immunity is unknown.

Enhancing Reflective Practice Using Prompts in Online Submission of Case Reports (OSCAR): An Exploratory Study Among Medical Students in Rural Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships.

Introduction: Medical students learn to reflect to gain new insights into self and practice; however, allowing for reflection within a busy curriculum is challenging. In this study we embedded reflective writing prompts (RWP) into an existing assessment item, Online Submission of Case Reports (OSCAR), to investigate whether this minimalistic scaffolding intervention could develop students' reflective capacity and increase their exposure to rural social determinants of health.

Methods: This study is framed by ontological realism and informed by an interpretivist stance.

Sleep discrepancy and brain glucose metabolism in community-dwelling older adults.

Sleep discrepancy (negative discrepancy reflects worse self-reported sleep than objective measures, such as actigraphy, and positive discrepancy the opposite) has been linked to adverse health outcomes. This study is first to investigate the relationship between sleep discrepancy and brain glucose metabolism (assessed globally and regionally via positron emission tomography), and to evaluate the contribution of insomnia severity and depressive symptoms to any associations. Using data from cognitively unimpaired community-dwelling older adults ( = 68), cluster analysis was used to characterise sleep discrepancy (for total sleep time (TST), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency (SE)), and logistic regression was used to explore sleep discrepancy's associations with brain glucose metabolism, while controlling for insomnia severity and depressive symptoms.

Bone Ingrowth Simulation Within the Hexanoid, a Novel Scaffold Design.

The utilization of bone scaffold implants represents a promising approach for repairing substantial bone defects. In recent years, various traditional scaffold structures have been developed and, with advances in materials biology and computer technology, novel scaffold designs are now being evaluated. This study investigated the effects of a novel scaffold unit cell design (Hexanoid) through a computational framework, comparing its performance to that of four well-known scaffold designs.

Ultrasound transducer disinfection for percutaneous procedures: A review of the evidence supporting guideline recommendations.

Introduction/purpose: There are varying international recommendations regarding the minimum level of disinfection required for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures. While some guidelines recommend high-level disinfection (HLD), others question the additional benefit this delivers over low-level disinfection (LLD).

Methods: This narrative review identifies current guidelines and evaluates the evidence used to support disinfection recommendations for ultrasound transducers used in percutaneous procedures.

Ultrasound imaging of the femoral and saphenous nerves.

Introduction: Iatrogenic and traumatic injuries to the femoral and saphenous nerves, and their branches are uncommon but can be a cause of clinically pertinent lower limb dysfunction and neuralgia. Despite this, direct sonographic imaging of these nerves is not commonly requested or performed.

Methods: A review of the literature regarding the detailed relative anatomy, sonographic technique to image these nerves and their branches and their normal and abnormal appearances was conducted.

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing simulations of temocillin in liver transplanted paediatric patients: a prospective, open-label, non-randomized study.

Objectives: Temocillin is a β-lactam antibiotic used for preventing or treating bacterial infections in liver-transplanted children. We characterized its pharmacokinetics in plasma and ascitic fluid and proposed dosing regimens that maximize achievement of effective drug exposures in this patient group.

Methods: Patients aged 6-36 months received 25 mg/kg/12h (n=14) or 25 mg/kg/8h (n=23).

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.

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.

RESCUE - Rapid, Effective, Safe Communication in Emergency Departments: A cross-sectional e-survey.

Background: Effective staff-to-staff and patient-provider communication in the Emergency Department (ED) is essential for safe, quality care. Routine wearing of Personal-Protective-Equipment (PPE) has introduced new challenges to communication. We aimed to understand the perspectives of ED staff about communicating while wearing PPE, and to identify factors contributing to communication success, breakdown, and repair.

Eradication of commercial tobacco related disease and death.

The eradication of the commercial tobacco industry is a crucial goal for health and well-being, particularly from a public health and health justice perspective. The term 'eradication' is applied in epidemiology to mean the process and outcome of elimination of the-commercial tobacco industry as a human-made-agent of disease and death. In this commentary, we outline why the eradication of the tobacco industry is necessary, urgent and realistic.

Proteomic analysis of natural photoheterotrophic mixed consortium for biohydrogen production under nongrowing conditions.

A biohydrogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates(PHA)-producing natural photoheterotrophic mixed culture composed mainly by Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Clostridium sp was studied by a proteomic analysis under non-growth conditions (nitrogen-absence and organic acids). Proteins in C. pasteurianum were upregulated, particularly those related to stress response.

Seroprevalence of canine distemper virus antibodies in free-roaming dogs in Cambodia.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) can infect a wide range of mammalian carnivores and can cause severe illness and death. Domestic dogs may be an important source of this virus for endangered wild carnivores. The objective of this study was to establish the presence of CDV in rural areas of Cambodia bordering three established protected habitats, and to determine the seroprevalence of CDV in free-roaming dogs inhabiting these areas.

Unified Knowledge-Guided Molecular Graph Encoder with multimodal fusion and multi-task learning.

The remarkable success of Graph Neural Networks underscores their formidable capacity to assimilate multimodal inputs, markedly enhancing performance across a broad spectrum of domains. In the context of molecular modeling, considerable efforts have been made to enrich molecular representations by integrating data from diverse aspects. Nevertheless, current methodologies frequently compartmentalize geometric and semantic components, resulting in a fragmented approach that impairs the holistic integration of molecular attributes.

Electronic and paper delivery of parent proxy and children's report of two scar-specific patient-reported outcome measures (Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale): An equivalence study.

Introduction: The Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) are used in burn scar assessment to quantify patient health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). These questionnaires were developed using pen-and-paper delivery methods; however, there is a push towards electronic delivery of these questionnaires in both clinical practice and research. Equivalence testing is required to ensure that validity of these paper questionnaires is maintained electronically.

Coupling of response biomarkers between tumor and peripheral blood in patients undergoing chemoimmunotherapy.

Platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibodies has shown promising results in mesothelioma. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying its efficacy are not well understood and there are no predictive biomarkers to guide treatment decisions. Here, we combine time course RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with pre-treatment tumor transcriptome data from the single-arm, phase 2 DREAM trial (N = 54).

Status of coral, giant clam and sea cucumber communities including CITES listed species on a remote Australian coral reef atoll and the potential impact of illegal fishing.

Following a recent dramatic increase in illegal fishing by Indonesian fishing vessels in Australian waters in 2022, we conducted an extensive survey of coral reef communities covering 33,000 m at Mermaid Reef Marine Park in the Rowley Shoals off north-western Australia in July 2022. Species richness of sea cucumbers was 13 species (three CITES listed) and 6 species of giant clams (all CITES listed). The most abundant sea cucumber species were the low or intermediate value, asexually reproducing species Holothuria atra and H.

Mildly acidic pH boosts up CO conversion to isobutyrate in H driven gas fermentation system.

As a greenhouse gas, massive carbon dioxide (CO) has been generated due to organic matter degradation in wastewater treatment processes. Microbial gas fermentation offers a promising approach to capture CO and generate various valuable chemicals. However, limited studies have achieved branched or medium-chain fatty acids production via gas fermentation.

Does methylene blue improve outcomes in patients with post-cardiac surgery vasoplegic syndrome?

Objectives: A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol described in ICVTS. The question addressed was: "In patients with vasoplegic syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), does adjunctive methylene blue improve outcomes including reduced mortality, morbidity and vasopressor requirements?"

Methods: Ovid Medline was searched using a reported search algorithm. Articles that represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question were selected, tabulated and discussed.

Potential Evolutionary Convergence in Trophic Adaptations of Two Booidean Snake Lineages as Evidenced by Skull Morphology.

Booidean snakes are a diverse and widespread lineage with an intriguing evolutionary and biogeographic history. By means of cranial morphology and osteology, this study investigates the evolutionary convergence in the Neotropical genera Boa and Corallus on the one hand and the Malagasy clade comprising Acrantophis and Sanzinia on the other. We hypothesize that the mostly arboreal Corallus and Sanzinia present larger jaws and longer teeth to keep hold of the prey and resist gravity and torsional forces acting on their skull while hanging from branches, while terrestrial genera such as Acrantophis show thinner jaws with shorter teeth because they can rely on the full length of their coils to immobilize and constrict the prey together with a substrate that supports the whole of their body.