Novel multi-nozzle spray coating technology for the continuous production and isolation of drug nanoparticles.

Different strategies have been employed to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drug candidates, including nanomaterials like polymeric and raw-drug nanoparticles. A multitude of top-down and bottom-up approaches have been reported in the literature to date to produce such products, but the adoption of bottom-up methods in industry is still limited due to technical challenges like low yields, particle aggregation, and inadequate rheological properties. This work presents a novel technology termed multi-nozzle supercritical enhanced nano-coating (MUSENC) for the simultaneous production and isolation of drug nanoparticles.

Determination of precipitating factors for breakthrough seizures among patients with epilepsy in a tribal area of Jharkhand: A retrospective study.

Background: Breakthrough seizures are an essential aspect to consider while treating epilepsy. No study has been done on the precipitating factors for breakthrough seizures in the tribal area of Jharkhand. Hence, awareness regarding the possible precipitating factors of breakthrough seizures is vital to prevent their occurrence.

Machine-learning driven strategies for adapting immunotherapy in metastatic NSCLC.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), either as monotherapy (ICI-Mono) or combined with chemotherapy (ICI-Chemo), improves survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, prospective guidance for choosing between these options remains limited, and single-feature biomarkers like PD-L1 prove inadequate. We develop a machine learning model using clinicogenomic data from four cohorts (MD Anderson n = 750; Mayo Clinic n = 80; Dana-Farber n = 1077; Stand Up To Cancer n = 393) to predict individual benefit from adding chemotherapy.

Protocol for the economic evaluation alongside the PARTICIPATE (PArticipatory Research model for medicaTIon adherenCe In People with diAbetes and hyperTEnsion) multicenter cluster randomized trial.

Introduction: Using the community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology, sustained peer group treatment has effectively improved medication adherence. Although many studies investigate the effectiveness of peer group therapy, there is a lack of evidence addressing the cost-effectiveness of CBPR models in low- and middle-income countries. This protocol outlines the methods for the economic evaluation of the PArticipatory Research model for medicaTIon adherenCe In People with diAbetes and hyperTEnsion (PARTICIPATE) trial to determine whether the CBPR approach to enhance medication adherence among patients with diabetes and/or hypertension is cost-effective in India.

Research progress on treatment-associated pneumonitis in lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and immunotherapy.

Radiotherapy and immunotherapy - both important facets of modern cancer treatment - provide therapeutic benefits, but also raise concerns from potential concomitant adverse effects. One such adverse event, treatment-associated pneumonitis (TAP), can cause profound changes in quality of life of patients with thoracic malignancies. The aim of this review is to elucidate the pathogenesis, incidence, risk factors, differential diagnosis, and management of pneumonitis induced by the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy for lung cancer.

Biomechanical evaluation of temporomandibular joint implants and periprosthetic bone under unilateral and bilateral clenching.

To ensure the long-term success of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) implants, it is imperative to understand their biomechanical performances. This study aims to compare the biomechanical performance of two stock implants (narrow and standard) under unilateral and bilateral clenching during both osseointegrated and non-osseointegrated conditions. Finite element models of a human mandible were developed from QCT data, with the left TMJ being replaced by the implants.

Bayesian Analysis of Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) Score for Mortality Prediction in Critically Ill Patients.

Background And Aims: Malnutrition has a considerable influence on critically ill patients by increasing mortality and poorer clinical outcomes. The modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score is commonly used to assess nutritional risk and predict death; however, its sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-off values differ between studies. This study uses a Bayesian approach to assess the accuracy of the mNUTRIC score in predicting mortality in critically ill patients.

Does severe mucositis impair oncological outcome in head and neck cancer patients? A pooled analysis of two prospective studies with long-term follow-up.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequently reported radiotherapy (RT)-induced acute toxicity in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients. Severe OM may be a dose-limiting condition, which can affect oncological outcomes. Therefore, we conducted a pooled analysis of two prospective studies with long-term follow-up to evaluate the impact of grade ≥3 OM on outcomes.

Dopamine D receptor agonists abrogate neuroendocrine tumour angiogenesis to inhibit chemotherapy-refractory small cell lung cancer progression.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is difficult to treat due to its aggressiveness, early metastasis, and rapid development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we show that treatment with a dopamine D receptor (DR) agonist reduces tumour angiogenesis in multiple in vivo xenograft models of human SCLC, thereby reducing SCLC progression. An FDA-approved DR agonist, cabergoline, also sensitized chemotherapy-resistant SCLC tumours to cisplatin and etoposide in patient-derived xenograft models of acquired chemoresistance in mice.

A bacterial cellulose-polydopamine based injectable hydrogel for enhanced hemostasis in acute wounds.

An injectable hydrogel hemostat composed of bacterial cellulose (BC), polydopamine and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is presented as a biocompatible alternative to generally cytotoxic commercial hemostats. In this system, polydopamine (PDA) was coated on BC fibers by oxidative polymerization, and CMC was added to improve matrix injectability, as confirmed by rheological analysis showing shear thinning behavior. The composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess its physical, chemical and topographical characteristics.

Reversible Alkaline Sulfur Cathode Based on Six-Electron Electrochemistry for Advanced Aqueous Sulfur Batteries.

Aqueous sulfur batteries are promising for high-performance and low-cost energy storage. However, their energy density is limited by low battery voltages due to the negative potential [ = -0.51 V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)] of low valent sulfur redox (S/S) and low discharge capacity (∼300 mA h g) of high valent sulfur redox (SO/SO or S/S).

Pyruvate kinase M2 activation reprograms mitochondria in CD8 T cells, enhancing effector functions and efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy.

Mitochondria regulate T cell functions and response to immunotherapy. We show that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) activation enhances mitochondria-dependent effector functions in CD8 and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Multi-omics and C-glucose tracer studies showed that PKM2 agonism alters one-carbon metabolism, decreasing methionine levels, resulting in hypomethylated nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and functions.

Surface N- or O-linked glycans on bovine spermatozoa play minimal role in evading macrophage mediated phagocytosis.

Bull spermatozoa possess glycocalyx made of carbohydrate moieties attached to proteins and lipids on their membranes that is involved in fertility associated functions including immune evasion in the female reproductive tract. The current study aimed to establish whether the differences in the glycocalyx of spermatozoa provide selective advantage in evading phagocytosis mediated by female macrophages. Based on removal of either N- or O-linked surface glycans from the spermatozoa, their susceptibility to phagocytosis by macrophages was assessed in bovines () through flow cytometry.

Reference Standards for Stretched Penile Length in Indian Boys.

Introduction: Stretched penile length (SPL) is a vital anthropometric measurement for providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic information. SPL variations can indicate congenital anomalies or systemic disorders and are influenced by genetic, ethnic, and environmental factors. Despite its clinical importance, comprehensive age-stratified reference data for SPL in Indian children are lacking.

Bright fluorescent biocompatible Magnozyme nanoclusters for brain-cellin-vivo live imaging.

Multifluorescent, water-dispersible magnesium nanoclusters (Magnozyme) were obtained using a simple and economical synthesis procedure. The prepared particles were 4 nm in size, and they exhibited significant emission at 450, 545, and 628 nm with multiple excitations of 366,469 and 560 nm wavelengths. The prepared particle exhibited a maximum absolute quantum yield of 21.

Utilization and Outcomes of the 21-Gene Recurrence Score in pN2 Breast Cancer Patients.

Background/aim: The 21-gene assay recurrence score (RS) can guide the use of chemotherapy for the management of patients with pN0- 1 [1-3 positive lymph nodes (LNs)] breast cancer. However, practice patterns based on this assay, as well as associated outcomes, have not been evaluated for patients with pN2 (4-9 positive LNs) disease.

Patients And Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients with newly-diagnosed, non-metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, Her2-negative, pN2 breast cancer who underwent adjuvant endocrine therapy and had a known RS.

Evaluating the radiosensitivity of the oral microbiome to predict radiation-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A prospective trial.

Background: Predicting the occurrence and/or severity of oral mucositis (OM) before commencing radiotherapy (RT) remains very difficult. The aim of this prospective trial was to investigate whether the radiation sensitivity of oral keratinocytes from head and neck (H&N) cancer patients correlates with severe OM.

Methods: Oral microbiopsies of healthy gingival mucosa were collected from 63H&N cancer patients undergoing (chemo)RT, of which 58 samples were useable.

The Determinants of Toxicity in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer With a Focal, Intraprostatic "Microboost".

Purpose: A single-phase 3 trial has demonstrated that prostate radiation therapy with a focal, intraprostatic "microboost" can improve disease control without an overall increase in toxicity. It is unclear how these results generalize to other treatment schedules and protocols.

Methods And Materials: A systematic search of PubMed and the Cochrane review was performed for studies published on or before September 1, 2023.

Economic burden of breast cancer in India, 2000-2021 and forecast to 2030.

Background Breast cancer represents a significant public health concern in India, accounting for 28% of all cancer diagnoses and imposing a substantial economic burden. This study introduces a novel approach to forecasting the number of breast cancer cases (based on prevalence rates) and estimating the associated economic impact in India using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Methods Data on the prevalence of breast cancer in India from 2000 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database.

Measuring up: Ensuring Intra- and Interobserver Reliability in Stretched Penile Length with the SPLINT Technique.

Background: A discrepancy between the true and measured value of stretched penile length (SPL) may be a result of errors that can either be systematic or random. Hence, it becomes important to focus on the quality of measurements to prevent any iatrogenic harm to the patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of intra- and interobserver variations in the measurement of SPL with the SPLINT technique.

Room-Temperature-Stabilized Alpha Tin Nanocrystals for In Vivo Toxicology Evaluation and Photothermal Therapy Corroborated by FFT Modeling.

Herein, we unveil a remarkable finding for synthesizing room-temperature-stable, nontoxic, ultrasmall free-standing diamond cubic tin nanocrystals (α-Sn) with beta forms in the aqueous phase, avoiding conventional approaches that typically use toxic elements or large reactive substrates (Si/InSb) to stabilize α-Sn above 13 °C. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of free-standing alpha tin with extraordinary stability up to 80 °C and in the aqueous phase at room temperature, which was supported by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization methods. This synthetic approach eliminates the need to use hazardous materials, bulky substrates, and elevated temperatures, offering a safer, low-cost, and more sustainable alternative.

Locoregional Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Several locoregional therapies (LRTs) for nonmetastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are available; however, a global comparison of the relative efficacy of each is needed.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and direct, pairwise meta-analytic comparison of all identified randomized clinical trials evaluating the treatment of nonmetastatic HCC.

Data Sources: A comprehensive search of PubMed and the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meetings from January 1, 2010, to November 1, 2023, was performed.

Asymmetric Janus Nanofibrous Agar-Based Wound Dressing Infused with Enhanced Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties.

In the present study, we have developed an agar-based asymmetric Janus nanofibrous wound dressing comprising a support and an electrospun layer with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, respectively, to facilitate healing effectively. The support layer containing agar and silver nitrate was fabricated by using solvent casting for sustained release, combating the dose-dependent cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles, where nanoparticles were synthesized using a one-pot reduction method. The electrospun layer, fabricated with a mixture of agar and polycaprolactone infused with gallic acid, was electrospun over the support layer to impart antioxidant properties.