Ecotoxicity of Biodegradable Microplastics and Bio-based Microplastics: A Review of in vitro and in vivo Studies.

As biodegradable and bio-based plastics increasingly replace conventional plastics, the need for a comprehensive understanding of their ecotoxicity becomes more pressing. This review systematically presents the ecotoxicity of the microplastics (MPs) from different biodegradable plastics and bioplastics on various animals and plants. High doses of polylactic acid (PLA) MPs (10%) have been found to reduce plant nitrogen content and biomass, and affect the accumulation of heavy metals in plants.

Antivenom Administration After Rattlesnake Envenoming in Arizona Does Not Directly Diminish Pain.

The onset, progression, and severity of pain following rattlesnake envenomation are highly variable between patients. Pain can be severe and persistent, seemingly refractory to opioid analgesics. The ability of antivenom to directly relieve pain has not been well studied.

Effect of Self-Measuring Blood Pressure Program on Hypertension Control: Analysis by Diabetes Status, Age, Gender, and Race in Rural Arizona.

Background: Rural areas face numerous health challenges, including workforce shortages, limited training opportunities, and delayed care. These disparities can be mitigated by self-management interventions for diseases such as hypertension. This study assessed the implementation of a Self-Measuring Blood Pressure (SMBP) program in rural Arizona, documenting its barriers and patient experiences.

First report of foliar blight of castor bean caused by in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is cultivated agriculturally for oil and ornamentally for its bright foliage and seed. Ornamental castor bean has naturalized in many areas of the world, including the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, where it is not planted commercially. In a survey conducted in 2019 in Sinaloa, wild castor bean was found widely affected by a foliar blight with symptoms similar to Alternaria ricini previously described in the United States (Stevenson 1945) and in the state of Chiapas, Mexico (López-Guillén et al.

Metal complex-based probes for the detection of chloride ions.

Chloride ions play vital roles in a variety of biological and environmental processes, making their accurate and efficient detection critical for both research and practical applications. In this perspective, we explore the recent advancements in the development of metal complex-based probes for chloride ion detection, with a focus on complexes involving transition and lanthanide metals. These probes offer remarkable selectivity and sensitivity, achieved through diverse mechanisms such as metal coordination, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and halogen or chalcogen bonding.

Comparing Patient Communication Event Demand for External Ring Fixators to Other Common Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Procedures: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Surgeons may hesitate to apply external ring fixators (ERFs) due to perceived high clinical burden. This study aims to quantify the relative demand of ERFs compared with other common foot and ankle procedures. Understanding the demand of ERFs can provide insights into postoperative experiences, potentially decreasing intimidation of their use.

Elucidating the high affinity copper(II) complexation by the iron chelator deferasirox provides therapeutic and toxicity insight.

Deferasirox (Def), an orally administered iron-chelating drug, has drawn significant interest in repurposing for anticancer application due to the elevated Fe demand by cancer cells. But there are also concerns about its severe off target health effects. Herein Cu(II) binding is studied as a potential off target interaction.

Innovative Dual Combination Cospray-Dried Rock Inhibitor/l-Carnitine Inhalable Dry Powder Aerosols.

This study introduces novel cospray-dried (Co-SD) formulations of simvastatin, a Nrf2 activator ROCK inhibitor, with l-carnitine as molecular mixtures in various molar ratios for targeted pulmonary inhalation aerosol delivery in pulmonary hypertension, optimized for excipient-free dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The two components were spray-dried at various molar ratios by using different starting feed solution concentrations and process parameters. In addition to comprehensive physicochemical characterization, in vitro aerosol dispersion performance as DPIs using two FDA-approved DPI devices with different shear stress properties, in vitro viability as a function of dose on 2D human pulmonary cellular monolayers and on 3D small airway epithelia human primary cultures at the air-liquid interface (ALI), and in vitro transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) at the ALI were conducted.

Adsorptive immobilization of cadmium and lead using unmodified and modified biochar: A review of the advances, synthesis, efficiency and mechanisms.

Biochar is an environmentally friendly adsorbent material with excellent adsorption performance due to its extensive pore structure, large specific surface area, and numerous surface functional groups. It is commonly used to treat inorganic and organic pollutants. In recent years, with increasing focus on controlling soil pollution caused by heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), the potential application of biochar has attracted much attention.

Perceived neighborhood disorder and achieving HIV viral suppression among adults living with HIV: A cross-sectional study.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for achieving and maintaining viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLWH). While individual factors affecting HIV viral suppression have been extensively studied, there is less attention on community-level factors, specifically perceived neighborhood disorder. This study aims to assess the relationship between perceived neighborhood disorder and achieving virologic suppression among people living with HIV.

Evaluating the Effect of Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels Among Women Firefighters.

To assess whether depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. We used data from a sample of women firefighters from the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study. Participant demographics, reproductive history, and self-reported clinical diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were collected with serum for AMH analysis at enrollment.

Endothelial-specific CXCL12 regulates neovascularization during tissue repair and tumor progression.

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12; Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 [SDF-1]), most notably known for its role in embryogenesis and hematopoiesis, has been implicated in tumor pathophysiology and neovascularization. However, its cell-specific role and mechanism of action have not been well characterized. Previous work by our group has demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 modulates downstream CXCL12 expression following ischemic tissue injury.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the identity of trans and gender diverse youth.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, closure of schools and other public places changed the circumstances under which young people engaged in identity development. This qualitative study examines the impact of COVID-19 on the gender identity development of 295 transgender and gender diverse youth, ages 13-22. Responses to the open-ended question 'How has the COVID pandemic changed or affected your own understanding of your gender identity?' were analysed through thematic analysis.

Relationship between pain severity and self-perceived health among United States adults: A cross-sectional, retrospective database study.

Self-perceived health is related to outcomes such as morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the relationship between pain severity and self-perceived health, which could be useful to know to help improve health. This study assessed the association of pain severity and other contributing factors with self-perceived health among United States adults.

Diffractive hyperchromatic objective for chromatic confocal microscopy.

The limited focal shift of conventional achromatic objectives constrains the maximum imaging depth of chromatic confocal microscopes. To address this, we designed a hyperchromatic confocal microscope using diffractive optical elements, which was fabricated by single-point diamond turning (SPDT). This design takes advantage of the small Abbe number of diffractive optical elements to introduce a significant longitudinal chromatic shift.

Manipulating Backbone Planarity of Ester Functionalized Conjugated Polymer Constitutional Isomer Derivatives Blended with Molecular Acceptors for Controlling Photovoltaic Properties.

Exploring both electron donor and acceptor phase components in bulk heterojunction structures has contributed to the advancement of organic photovoltaics (OPV) realizing power conversion efficiencies reaching 20%. Being able to control backbone planarity of the donor polymer, while understanding its effects on the polymer conformation and photophysical properties, fosters the groundwork for further achievements in this realm. In this report, three isomeric PM7 derivatives are designed and synthesized where the benzodithiophene-4,8-dione structure is replaced by a quaterthiophene bridge carrying two ester moieties.

Myosin-dependent short actin filaments contribute to peripheral widening in developing stereocilia.

In the auditory and vestibular systems, stereocilia are actin-based protrusions that convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals. During development, stereocilia elongate and widen by adding filamentous actin (F-actin), attaining their mature shape necessary for mechanosensitive function. Myosin motors, including MYO3A/B and MYO15A, are required for normal stereocilia growth, but the regulation of actin and the impact of myosins on actin assembly remain unclear.

Science Vocabulary and Science Achievement of Children With Language/Literacy Disorders and Typical Language Development.

Purpose: This study examined science achievement; science vocabulary knowledge; and the relationship between science vocabulary, language skills, and science achievement in school-age children with language/literacy disorders (LLDs) and typical language development (TD).

Method: Thirty-nine sixth graders (11 with LLDs) completed standardized assessments and researcher-designed science vocabulary measures over Zoom. Scores for the AIMS Science, a standardized science assessment administered to all fourth-grade public-school students in Arizona, served as the outcome measure for science achievement.

Consensus Guideline for Care of Patients in the Prehospital and Aerospace Settings with Exposures to Hydrazine and Hydrazine Derivatives.

Objectives: Hydrazine (HZ) and Hydrazine Derivative (HZ-D) exposures pose health risks to people in industrial and aerospace settings. Several recent systematic reviews and case series have highlighted common clinical presentations and management strategies. Given the low frequency at which HZ and HZ-D exposures occur, a strong evidence base on which to develop an evidence-based guideline does not exist at this time.

Images: Combined positive air way pressure and atomoxetine-oxybutynin for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common sleep disorders. Positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) is considered the gold standard for treating OSA. Yet, optimal therapy might not be achieved in some cases of severe OSA, despite using maximum settings.

Guidance on Preoperative Management of Hand Surgery Patients Taking GLP-1 Receptor Agonists.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and may aid in weight loss efforts. The surgical management of patients taking GLP-1 agonists differs from others due to the slowed gastric emptying effects of GLP-1 medications. Patients taking these medications may have a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration during hand surgery than other patients, which affects their presurgical management.

Factors Associated With Increased Sex Diversity in Orthopaedic Trauma Association-Accredited Fellowship Training.

Introduction: This study quantifies the state of sex diversity in orthopaedic trauma training and analyzes fellowship program characteristics associated with greater sex diversity among trainees. We hypothesized that greater sex diversity among orthopaedic trauma fellows would be associated with the presence of female faculty.

Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of orthopaedic trauma faculty (2023 to 2024) and fellows (2009 to 2024).

Breaking the Cycle of Nurse Manager Presenteeism: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective: The aim was to describe the factors leading to, and explore the coping strategies and the consequences of, nurse manager presenteeism.

Background: Presenteeism, or presence at work while not fully performing, is prevalent among direct-care nurses, yet no studies have explored nurse manager presenteeism.

Methods: This study used a convergent mixed-methods design with 1:1 interviews, a demographic questionnaire, mental/physical health and work situation questions, and the Job Stress-Related Presenteeism Scale (JSPS).