Zwitterionic alginate derivative as a new delivery platform for enhanced blood circulation.

Purpose: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a synthetic polymer known for its hydrophilicity and biocompatibility, has long been used in drug delivery systems to prevent non-specific protein adsorption and to extend the blood circulation time of drug carriers and protein drugs. However, PEG has several drawbacks including poor stability, accumulated toxicity, and immunogenicity induced by repeated injections. Recently, zwitterionic polymers, known for their super-hydrophilic and antifouling properties, have been considered excellent alternatives to PEG.

Effects of photobiomodulation on multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive therapy increasingly used for pain, inflammation, and tissue repair, yet a comprehensive synthesis of its effectiveness across multiple health outcomes remains lacking. Herein, we aimed to systematically assess the clinical effects and strength of evidence for PBM across a wide range of health outcomes using data from existing meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses of RCTs, searching five databases up to December 8, 2023.

Modeling and Validation of a Proton Therapy Couch Top.

Purpose: This paper describes the modeling of the kVue One Proton couch top (CQ Medical, Avondale, PA) for use in treatment planning system (TPS), and the verification of the calculated effect of the model in the TPS against measured radiological properties.

Material And Methods: The kVue One Proton couch top consists of a higher-density shell surrounding a lower-density core. The radiological properties of the kVue One Proton couch top, as assessed by range pullback of direct and oblique incidence proton beams, were measured and used to evaluate different density overrides in a model of the couch top base created in the TPS, RayStation 12ASP1 (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden).

Global, Regional, and National Trends in Maternal Mortality Ratio Across 37 High Income Countries From 1990 to 2021, With Projections up to 2050: A Comprehensive Analysis From the WHO Mortality Database.

Background: Understanding the global trends and future projections of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is crucial as it can provide insights into improving policies and healthcare systems aimed at enhancing the quality of obstetric care and reducing preventable deaths. Given recent reports of increasing MMR trends in some high-income countries (HICs), we aimed to analyze the global trends of MMR from 1990 to 2021 and project future trends until 2050 across 37 countries.

Methods: Age-standardized country-specific MMR for 37 countries from 1990 to 2021 were assessed through a locally weighted scatter plot smoother (LOESS) curve, with weighting based on individual country populations, utilizing the World Health Organization Mortality Database.

Associations Between Exercise Training, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Mortality: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses.

Background: Numerous studies support the association of exercise training, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with both mortality and morbidity outcomes. The results across studies have been inconsistent, and no umbrella reviews have yet been conducted on this topic.

Methods: We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies by screening articles in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases from inception to 30 April 2024.

Exploring User Experience and the Therapeutic Relationship of Short-Term Avatar-Based Psychotherapy: Qualitative Pilot Study.

Background: The rapid advancement of telehealth has led to the emergence of avatar-based psychotherapy (ABP), which combines the benefits of anonymity with nonverbal communication. With the adoption of remote mental health services, understanding the efficacy and user experience of ABP has become increasingly important.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the user experience and therapeutic relationship formation in short-term ABP environments, focusing on psychological effects, user satisfaction, and critical factors for implementation.

Global, regional, and national trends in drug use disorder mortality rates across 73 countries from 1990 to 2021, with projections up to 2040: a global time-series analysis and modelling study.

Background: Drug use disorder (DUD) poses a major public health crisis globally, necessitating immediate attention to global trends and future projections to develop effective health policies and interventions. Thus, we aimed to estimate the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 and future projections of DUD deaths until 2040 across 73 countries.

Methods: In this time-series analysis and modelling study, we investigated the global trends in DUD mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 using the WHO Mortality Database and forecasted future trends through 2040.

Racial Discrimination and Multiple Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Objective: We aimed to systematically investigate the associations between racial discrimination and various health outcomes and to evaluate the certainty of evidence from existing meta-analyses of observational studies.

Method: We systemically searched the associations between racial discrimination and health outcomes for PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, WoS, and Google Scholar up until January 31, 2024. Notably, the included studies were predominantly conducted in the USA and Europe, limiting the generalizability of our findings to a global context.

Global, Regional, and National Trends in Liver Disease-Related Mortality Across 112 Countries From 1990 to 2021, With Projections to 2050: Comprehensive Analysis of the WHO Mortality Database.

Background: Liver disease causes over two million deaths annually worldwide, comprising approximately 4% of all global fatalities. We aimed to analyze liver disease-related mortality trends from 1990 to 2021 using the World Health Organization (WHO) Mortality Database and forecast global liver disease-related mortality rates up to 2050.

Methods: This study examined age-standardized liver disease-related death rates from 1990 to 2021, employing data from the WHO Mortality Database across 112 countries across five continents.

Global Burden of Vaccine-Associated Chronic Urticaria, 2010-2023: From the Global Pharmacovigilance Database.

Purpose: The etiology and pathophysiology of vaccine-associated chronic urticaria (CU) remain unclear, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the global burden and long-term trends of vaccine-associated CU, with a focus on the associated vaccines and the distribution of cases across different age groups and sexes.

Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization international pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase), which encompasses reports from 156 countries and territories between 1968 and 2023, we systematically analyzed the global burden and long-term trends in vaccine-associated CU reports (total individual case safety reports = 131,255,418).

Global trends of secondhand smoke exposure among young adolescents from 27 countries, 2003-2021: findings from the World Health Organization database.

The issue of adolescent secondhand smoke (SHS) is globally significant, given that it serves as a preventable risk factor for disease prevalence and mortality rates among youth. This study evaluates trends in adolescent SHS across 27 countries from 2003 to 2021, aiming to identify global variations and sex-specific differences, providing insights for future policy recommendations. The data for this study were collected from the Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted by the World Health Organization, 2003-2021.

Comorbid health outcomes in patients with schizophrenia: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

There is no comprehensive umbrella review exploring the connection between schizophrenia and various health outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review existing meta-analyses about schizophrenia-associated comorbid health outcomes and validate the evidence levels. We performed an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies to explore comorbid health outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia.

Strongly quenched activatable theranostic nanogel for precision imaging-guided photodynamic therapy and enhanced immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are innovative immunotherapeutic agents for cancer. However, their low therapeutic efficacy in patients with large or rapidly growing tumors, along with their high cost, represents a notable limitation in their clinical applications. Therefore, new and safe strategies must be developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs in clinical settings.

National and Regional Trends in the Prevalence of Hypertension in South Korea Amid the Pandemic, 2009-2022: Nationwide Study of Over 3 Million Individuals.

Background: Understanding the association between hypertension prevalence and socioeconomic and behavioral variables during a pandemic is essential, and this analysis should extend beyond short-term trends.

Objective: This study aims to examine long-term trends in the prevalence of participants diagnosed with and receiving treatment for hypertension, using data collected by a nationally representative survey from 2009 to 2022, which includes the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Methods: A nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study used data collected from the South Korea Community Health Survey between 2009 and 2022.

Comorbid health conditions in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Background: We aimed to systematically review meta-analyses on the link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a broad range of psychiatric, physical, and behavioral health conditions (PROSPERO; no.CRD42023448907).

Results: We identified 22 meta-analyses that included 544 primary studies, covering 76 unique conditions in over 234 million participants across 36 countries and six continents.

Global burden of anticancer drug-induced acute kidney injury and tubulointerstitial nephritis from 1967 to 2023.

This study aims to figure out the worldwide prevalence of anticancer therapy-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and the relative risk of each cancer drug. We conducted an analysis of VigiBase, the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database, 1967-2023 via disproportionate Bayesian reporting method. We further categorized the anticancer drugs into four groups: cytotoxic therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Comorbid physical health outcomes in patients with bipolar disorder: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Background: Although several meta-analyses have examined the association between bipolar disorder (BD) and its comorbid health outcomes, this evidence has not been comprehensively assembled.

Objective: We aimed to systematically review existing meta-analyses based on multiple physical outcomes and validate the evidence level by examining the existing certainty of evidence.

Methods: We systematically searched databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and CINAHL, for articles published up to July 2023.