To explore the design, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of stimuli-responsive solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for biofilm-targeted drug delivery, highlighting recent advances and future directions. Biofilm-associated infections present a significant challenge in healthcare owing to the protective extracellular matrix (EPS), which restricts antibiotic penetration and promotes biofilm resistance. SLNs have emerged as promising drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility, drug-loading capacity, and controlled release characteristics. Stimuli-responsive SLNs, which release drugs in response to environmental triggers such as pH, enzymes, temperature, and light, offer enhanced targeting and improved drug delivery efficiency to biofilms. Notable preclinical examples include ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, rifampin and tobramycin - all of which have been formulated in SLNs/NLCs with improved antibiofilm activity versus free drug in vitro and in some in vivo models. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that SLN-based formulations significantly reduce biofilm biomass and enhance antibiotic efficacy against biofilm-associated infections. Stimuli-responsive SLNs facilitate deeper penetration of biofilms, thereby improving drug retention and therapeutic outcomes. However, challenges such as limited drug-loading capacity, stability, manufacturability, and clinical translation remain significant barriers to the widespread adoption of SLN-based therapies. Stimuli-responsive SLNs represent a promising strategy for overcoming biofilm resistance and enhancing antibiotic delivery. Although preclinical data are promising, addressing formulation challenges and improving scalability are essential for successful clinical translation. Further research on optimizing SLN design and understanding biofilm interactions will be critical for advancing SLN-based therapies for biofilm-associated infections.
Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) containing volatile phytotherapeutics such as thymol (T), carvacrol (C), and eugenol (E) present significant formulation challenges, even when solidified. Their instability and interactions with coatings often hinder intestinal delivery. To address these limitations, we developed solid SMEDDS consisting of pellets (microcrystalline cellulose/magnesium aluminometasilicate/chitosan) and enteric capsules (CEC) for enhanced intestinal delivery. Based on solubility and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams, SMEDDS formulations (SES1-3) differing in component ratios (glycerol monooleate/caprylocaproyl macrogol-8 glycerides/diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) with 5% w/w of each drug were identified, demonstrating nano-scale droplet sizes (PDI <0.4) and showing no phase separation over 6 months. Thermodynamic stability and liquid-state NMR revealed particle size variations with preserved structural integrity. The lead formulation SES1 exhibited superior ex-vivo intestinal permeation (T-SES1). CECs filled with T-, C-, and E-loaded SES1 pellets, respectively, prepared via extrusion/spheronization, exhibited in-vitro gastro-resistant release, and achieved > 85% drug release within 120  min after a pH change to 6.8 during a one-year stability study (25 °C; 60% RH). FTIR-ATR analysis of the CEC internal surface confirmed the temperature-dependent restructuring of hypromellose and E sorption, a phenomenon not observed with C or T, which is likely attributable to physicochemical distinctions. Oral administration of CEC with T-SES1-pellets (0.5  mg/kg) in piglets demonstrated a delayed peak plasma concentration (Cmax 11.67  ng/mL at 9 h) and sustained systemic exposure (AUC 119.8 ng·h/mL). These in-vivo findings substantiate the gastro-protective effect and enhanced intestinal absorption, positioning the pellet/CEC system as a promising strategy for the application of volatile phytotherapeutics in current pharmacotherapy.
The efficient cytosolic delivery of nucleic acid molecular machines remains a major challenge due to the dual barriers of the cell membrane and endosomal sequestration. Here, we report a class of amphiphilic framework nucleic acids (ampFNAs) that enable direct cytosolic delivery involving energy-independent traversal of lipid membranes. Among several designed geometries, a rigid rod-like six-helix bundle functionalized with a single cholesterol moiety exhibits superior cellular binding and internalization. We find that this ampFNA can enter cells through a cholesterol-dependent, lipid raft-mediated pathway, capable of bypassing endosomal entrapment. Compared to the commercial transfection reagent Lipofectamine 3000 (Lipo3000), the ampFNA platform exhibits reduced lysosomal entrapment. When delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the ampFNA-mediated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene silencing was achieved with efficiency comparable to Lipo3000. By targeting the proto-oncogene Bcl-2, the ampFNA induced an apoptotic rate of 31.3% in the tumor cell population. Our work establishes ampFNAs as a programmable, efficient, and biocompatible platform for the development of next‑generation smart nucleic acid delivery machines for precision medicine.
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) is a rare skeletal dysplasia caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in COL2A1, with short-trunk stature and respiratory compromise during pregnancy. We report a 30-year-old primigravida with SEDC who achieved full-term delivery under multidisciplinary management. Fetal ultrasound findings suggested that the fetus also had SEDC. She was admitted at 33 weeks for respiratory monitoring. At 34 weeks, asymptomatic nocturnal SpO2 desaturation to 91% was detected; pulmonary embolism and cardiac dysfunction were excluded. Low-flow nocturnal oxygen supplementation (1 L/min) maintained SpO2 above 96%. An elective cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks for cephalopelvic disproportion, delivering a boy who required temporary ventilatory support and was diagnosed with SEDC through radiographic assessment. This case highlights the utility of maternal genetic diagnosis in anticipating fetal skeletal dysplasia and demonstrates that with careful respiratory surveillance and perinatal planning, expectant management to term is feasible even in cases of maternal SEDC.
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Reactive biological processes often hinge on rare collisions between particles whose transport is governed by disparate advective, diffusive, and sedimentary mechanisms. Biological cell-virus encounters offer a uniquely quantifiable instance of this general problem: collisions between particles whose transport is governed by entirely different physical mechanisms, yet whose interactions determine system-level function. In stagnant liquids, nanoscale viral vectors explore space only via slow Brownian diffusion, whereas microscale cells rapidly sediment, producing species separation that suppresses virus-cell interfacial interactions. Here we show that liquid absorption into a dry, macroporous sponge enhances viral-cellular interactions by shifting the system into an advection-dispersion regime that circumvents this sedimentation-diffusion limit. By integrating experimental results with a multiscale simulation model, we demonstrate that the tortuous sponge porosity converts capillary-driven flow into convective mixing, driving orders-of-magnitude increases in viral-cellular collision rates. Coupling these dispersive transport dynamics with a probabilistic capture model reveals that hydrodynamic dispersion accounts for the multifold enhancement in viral-cellular transduction efficiency observed in porous sponges. These results provide a quantitative framework for emergent collision dynamics in complex porous media and establish a generalizable strategy to optimize active transport in spatiotemporally heterogeneous biological systems.
Targeted drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract remains challenging because therapeutics must overcome multiple hierarchical barriers before reaching diseased tissue. Here, we present a multistage delivery platform that integrates magnetic microrobots, a pH-responsive protective coating, and platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles (PNPs) in one platform. A fillable design enables the formation of an internal magnetic layer for microrobot actuation, while the pH-responsive coating protects the cargo during transit and selectively degrades upon pH change, releasing cancer cell-targeting PNPs. In an in vitro colon cancer model that reproduces key gastrointestinal features, including flow, pH variation, and villi-like structures, this strategy increased nanoparticle retention and enhanced cancer cell cytotoxicity compared to nanoparticles administered alone. Ex vivo studies in porcine stomach and intestine further demonstrated robust locomotion on compliant and folded tissue surfaces. These results establish an environment-responsive hierarchical delivery strategy for more precise oral delivery in complex gastrointestinal settings.
Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge due to the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by dense stromal barriers and acidic niches that collectively restrict drug delivery and antitumor immunity. Here, we propose an "Alkaline-Hammer" strategy that combines pH modulation with alkaliptosis induction to overcome these obstacles. We engineered alkalizing sodium bicarbonate nanoparticles (JTC801-NaHCO3@TPGS NPs) using a thin-film hydration method. Upon delivery, these nanoparticles neutralize the acidic TME through sustained NaHCO3 release, while JTC801, a selective opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL1) antagonist, activates the NF-κB pathway to downregulate carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9). This dual action synergistically enhances intracellular alkalinization and induces alkaliptosis. Furthermore, we developed a laparoscopic intratumoral injection system to achieve precise delivery of JTC801-NaHCO3@TPGS NPs in orthotopic pancreatic tumor models. This strategy increased CD8+ T cells infiltration, reduced immunosuppressive populations (Tregs, MDSCs, and M2 macrophages), and elicited immunological memory, thereby converting immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" ones without evident systemic toxicity. These findings underscore the potential of localized alkaliptosis induction as a promising immunotherapeutic approach for pancreatic cancer.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing public health challenge in Nepal, driven by hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, and contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Access to equitable and affordable care remains limited, particularly in community settings. Task-sharing with Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), a national cadre of volunteer community health workers primarily engaged in maternal and child health, offers a potential strategy to improve community-based NCD management, but its feasibility requires careful assessment. During the formative phase of the SCALE-NCD project, this qualitative study explored community and health system perspectives on NCD care and community-based delivery models in Pokhara, Nepal. Data were collected through 17 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with community members, FCHVs, facility-based community health workers (FB-CHWs), and representatives from government, public health, academia, and telecommunications. Thematic analysis revealed five core findings. Community members recognized NCD risk factors but reported deep mistrust in government health services driven by negative care experiences, financial, and structural barriers. Perceptions of FCHVs were shaped by limited community exposure to their roles beyond maternal and child health. While some participants questioned FCHVs' capacity to manage NCDs, others valued their familiarity and accessibility when services were reliably supported. FCHVs and FB-CHWs emphasized that infrequent training, limited supervision, chronic stockouts, financial strain, and inconsistent incentives undermined service delivery and FCHV motivation. Stakeholders stressed that sustainable integration of community-based NCD care would require government resourcing, local ownership, and alignment with existing systems. Participants expressed cautious interest in mHealth strategies, including SMS and audio messages, to support awareness and follow-up. These findings informed the final design of SCALE-NCD, a multi-component task-sharing intervention, and underscore the importance of strengthening FCHV training and supervision, ensuring supplies and incentives, and building community trust through consistent, locally supported service delivery when scaling community-based NCD programs in similar resource-limited settings.
Demand for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services has increased substantially across health systems, placing pressure on specialist services and contributing to prolonged waiting times and inconsistent medication monitoring. Pharmacists have established expertise in medicines optimisation and, in some settings, are authorised to prescribe. Yet their role within ADHD care pathways remains poorly characterised.Kindly check and confirm the inserted city name in affiliations 3, 5, 6 and country name in affiliation 6 are correct and amend if necessary.Changes have been made, where necessary.   AIM: This scoping review aims to map the existing empirical evidence on pharmacist involvement in ADHD services, synthesise reported roles and impacts, and identify key evidence gaps to inform future research and service development. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley framework and reported using PRISMA-ScR guidance. Six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to December 2025. Empirical studies evaluating implemented pharmacist involvement in ADHD services were included, irrespective of study design. Data were charted and synthesised narratively across domains relating to clinical care, service delivery, economic outcomes, and barriers to implementation. Thirteen studies were included, published between 2008 and 2025, primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom. Most were service evaluations or pre-post studies, with one randomised trial. Pharmacists were involved in a broad range of activities, including medication initiation, titration, monitoring, follow-up, patient education, and service governance, often as independent prescribers or within collaborative multidisciplinary models. Reported impacts included improved adherence to recommended monitoring standards, increased service capacity, reduced waiting times, and more efficient workforce utilisation, with some evidence of potential cost savings. However, outcome measures varied widely, and patient-reported outcomes, comparative effectiveness, and implementation processes were inconsistently examined. This review identifies a small but expanding evidence base indicating potential roles for pharmacists in ADHD services, particularly in medicines management and service delivery. However, the absence of clearly defined service models and limited comparative and implementation-focused evidence constrain wider adoption across health systems. Further research is needed to inform scalable and sustainable approaches to pharmacist integration in ADHD care.
Triplet therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), docetaxel, and androgen receptor signaling inhibitors improves outcomes in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), but hematologic toxicity remains a major concern. The role of primary prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in real-world practice remains unclear. We evaluated its impact on toxicity and treatment delivery. This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 121 patients with mCSPC treated with ADT, docetaxel, and darolutamide across eight institutions (February 2023-December 2025). Primary G-CSF use was at physician discretion. Adverse events were graded per CTCAE v5.0. Relative cumulative dose (RCD) of docetaxel and febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence were assessed. Logistic regression identified factors associated with severe toxicity. Primary G-CSF was independently associated with reduced risk of grade ≥ 3 neutropenia (OR 0.087; 95% CI 0.030-0.25; p < 0.001) and FN (OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.030-0.78; p = 0.022). Without prophylaxis, grade ≥ 3 neutropenia and FN occurred in 64.9% and 23.4%, respectively, mostly during cycle 1. Primary G-CSF did not significantly improve overall RCD; however, patients with FN had lower RCD (80.0% vs. 93.3%, p = 0.035) and were less likely to achieve RCD > 80% (45.0% vs. 74.3%, p = 0.009). Docetaxel discontinuation was lower with primary G-CSF (p = 0.032). Primary prophylactic G-CSF was associated with reduced hematologic toxicity, while FN was strongly linked to impaired treatment delivery. Early G-CSF use may help prevent hematologic toxicity, particularly in patients at high risk of FN.
Electrified wire in situ fenestration (EWISF) represents an effective off-the-shelf option in time-sensitive endovascular procedures. This article highlights the importance of radiofrequency energy delivery duration for successful catheter crossing with subsequent ballooning and bridging stent placement. An 89-year-old man with symptomatic pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm was transferred to our endovascular center. Given the patient's advanced age and the urgent clinical scenario, an endovascular approach was preferred. Pre-stenting of the stenotic left renal artery (LRA) was followed by intentional coverage of both renal arteries using a tubular aortic endograft with suprarenal fixation (Endurant). The right renal artery was revascularized using a bare metal stent (Visi-Pro) via the parallel technique, whereas the LRA was targeted with EWISF. Intraoperatively, catheter crossing after initial EWISF proved highly challenging. A repeat EWISF procedure with prolonged radiofrequency application was required to accomplish revascularization. Distal extension with a bifurcated endograft, appropriately sized limbs, and subsequent implantation of a physician-modified thoracic endograft, to manage insufficient overlap between the previously implanted endografts, completed the operation. Electrified wire in situ fenestration is effective for endograft modification; prolonged energy delivery may be required to achieve catheter passage.Clinical ImpactThe electrified wire technique has emerged as a valuable alternative for in situ fenestration in urgent cases, enabling target vessel revascularization at low cost using readily available equipment. In a patient with a symptomatic pararenal aneurysm undergoing urgent endovascular repair, electrified wire in situ fenestration (EWISF) proved challenging. After intentional coverage of the renal artery ostium with a tubular aortic endograft, the initial EWISF attempt did not allow catheter passage through the endograft. A second attempt with prolonged electrical energy application ultimately enabled successful revascularization of the renal artery. Application duration may affect EWISF success, and acknowledgment of this parameter seems essential for enhanced technique reproducibility.
Maternal mortality remains a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Despite international efforts, nearly 95% of maternal deaths occur in these regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden. Limited knowledge of obstetric danger signs is a key factor contributing to delays in seeking care, which in turn increases the risk of preventable maternal complications. Evidence on maternal awareness in Somaliland is scarce. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Hargeisa, Somaliland. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2 to August 4, 2022, among pregnant women attending antenatal care services. A total of 222 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique from eight maternal and child health centers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested and structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was carried out. About 35.6% had a good knowledge specifically about pregnancy related obstetric danger signs. Only 57 women (25.7%) demonstrated overall good knowledge of obstetric danger signs across pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum periods. Knowledge was highest for vaginal bleeding (65% - 67%), while less visible complications such as convulsions and blurred vision were less frequently mentioned. Multivariate analysis revealed that secondary level education or higher (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.8-7.3), access to and usage of media (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.6), and institutional delivery (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6-7.2), were significant predictors of knowledge. Maternal knowledge of obstetric danger signs in Hargeisa was low. Targeted health education, broader use of mass media, and promoting institutional delivery are critical strategies to improve and reduce preventable maternal mortality.
The translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein is tightly regulated by both cellular trans-factors and cis-regulatory elements encoded within transcripts. Although transcript fate can be measured by transcript abundance or translation efficiency, separating the contribution of individual cis-element within a single transcript is an ongoing challenge. Current, massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) approaches enable systematic interrogation of cis-regulatory elements that control transcript stability, but translation-focused MPRAs remain technically limited and often inaccessible. Here we present Nascent Peptide Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification (NaP-TRAP), a reporter-based approach that simultaneously measures translation and mRNA abundance. Unlike previous methods, NaP-TRAP captures translation via immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged nascent peptide chains, providing instantaneous, frame-specific readouts without specialized instrumentation. The method is scalable from single reporters to complex libraries, and adaptable across in vivo and in vitro systems. NaP-TRAP is versatile, allowing assessment of cis-regulatory impact of elements distributed throughout the mRNA, from cap-to-tail. This article covers experimental design, reporter construction, sample processing, and computational analysis for both low- and high-throughput applications. Benchwork can be completed in 4 to 5 days, with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based readouts requiring only basic Microsoft Excel skills for data processing. Sequencing-based readouts require command-line and Python skills and add 2 to 3 days. NaP-TRAP thus offers an accessible, robust, and quantitative platform to decode the regulatory logic of mRNA translation and stability in diverse biological contexts. © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Design, assembly, and synthesis of NaP-TRAP reporter libraries Support Protocol: Design, assembly, and synthesis of NaP-TRAP individual reporters and spike-ins Basic Protocol 2: NaP-TRAP delivery by micro-injection in zebrafish embryos Alternate Protocol 1: NaP-TRAP delivery by transfection in cultured mammalian cells Basic Protocol 3: NaP-TRAP pulldown and RNA extraction Basic Protocol 4: Preparation of NaP-TRAP sequencing libraries Alternate Protocol 2: NaP-TRAP qPCR module for low-cost validation Basic Protocol 5: Computational analysis of NaP-TRAP MPRA data.
Short-term residential care (STRC) is a Dutch form of post-acute care intended to return older adults home to live independently, yet fewer than 55% of patients are discharged home. Because post-acute care costs are unevenly distributed, average cost trajectories may obscure clinically meaningful variation. This study examines variation in STRC cost trajectories and identifies patient characteristics associated with high-cost group membership. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal observational study using national health claims data from Statistics Netherlands for patients admitted to STRC between 1 February and 31 July 2022. Reimbursed costs across seven categories (STRC, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, district care, long-term care at home, nursing home admission, and geriatric rehabilitation) were measured from one month before to five months after admission. We defined a palliative care group a priori and applied group-based trajectory modelling to the remaining cohort. Two logistic regressions assessed patient-level predictors of high-cost membership. Among 16,278 patients, mean six-month costs were €29,859 (SD = €21,088). We identified an a priori palliative care group (n = 3,277; €23,200), a latent high-cost (n = 3,205; €58,478) and a latent low-cost (n = 9,796; €22,723) group. The high-cost group accounted for 39% of total costs, with the largest shares attributable to hospital care, nursing home admission, and longer STRC stays. These patients were more often readmitted to hospital within two weeks of discharge (16.9% versus 3.2%) and discharged to a nursing home (29.8% versus 10.7%). Dementia, institutional living, and several diagnosis groups (including stroke, oncology, organ failure, and cardiovascular disease) were associated with high-cost membership, but overall explanatory power was low (McFadden pseudo R² ≤ 0.05). STRC cost trajectories were highly skewed and poorly predicted by routinely available patient characteristics, suggesting cost variation reflects differences in care delivery more than patient case-mix. These findings point to three priorities: strengthening transitions from STRC back to home, critically evaluating STRC placement for patients likely to require nursing home admission, and scrutinizing hospital use during STRC episodes. Cost trajectories offer a promising outcome measure for evaluating intermediate and integrated care.
Rheumatoid arthritis is frequently accompanied by depressive symptoms, anxiety, and impaired health-related quality of life. Although exercise is recommended as part of comprehensive care, its effects on psychological outcomes and quality of life remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated structured exercise interventions for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and EBSCOhost were searched from inception to November 26, 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing structured exercise with non-exercise control conditions were included. Random-effects meta-analyses used Hedges'g standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE. The protocol was retrospectively registered with INPLASY (INPLASY202610082). Fifteen trials involving 1652 participants were included. Compared with non-exercise controls, structured exercise reduced depressive symptoms (11 trials, 685 participants; standardized mean difference, -0.49; 95% confidence interval, -0.70 to -0.28; P < 0.001; I² = 42%; moderate certainty). Low-certainty evidence suggested reductions in anxiety (7 trials, 403 participants; standardized mean difference, -0.45; 95% confidence interval, -0.65 to -0.25; P < 0.001; I² = 0%) and improvements in quality of life or health-related quality of life (7 trials, 564 participants; Hedges' g standardized mean difference, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.71; P = 0.001; I² = 50%). Subgroup analyses showed no statistically significant difference between conventional exercise and mind-body exercise. Structured exercise probably reduces depressive symptoms and may reduce anxiety and improve quality of life in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, supporting its use as an adjunct to comprehensive care. Larger, better-reported trials with longer follow-up are needed to clarify durability, clinical importance, and optimal delivery.
Cultural models aim to support equitable and culturally meaningful healthcare. Cultural competence, cultural humility, and cultural safety are key examples of these models, equipping medical professionals with tools for effective patient care that extend beyond knowledge and skills. Importantly, the use of cultural models fosters an understanding that encourages individuals to reflect on how care is delivered. This reflective practice helps develop awareness of power imbalances and may contribute to reducing health inequities. The Traveller community, an indigenous ethnic minority with documented discrimination and excess health inequities, is an example of a group where culturally informed practice is essential. Limited research explores undergraduate medical students' understanding of cultural models generally or Traveller health as an example of culture specifically. In previous work completed by the authors, we identified an 'unlearning' needed in postgraduate medical training around cultural models and thus aimed to explore if this could be avoided at the undergraduate stage. We designed an educational workshop, and piloted delivery alongside a cultural mentor for the Northern Ireland Traveller community, to explore understanding of cultural models and cultural mentorship. Despite low engagement, feedback demonstrated that cultural mentorship and structured exploration of cultural models can prompt reflective learning among medical students. Participants identified a need for ongoing self-reflection when working with minority communities and highlighted gaps in prior knowledge of health amongst Traveller communities. Low uptake underscores challenges in attracting students to unfamiliar topics and in engagement with culturally informed education.
BackgroundBuprenorphine, an opium derivative, is approved as an analgesic. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the in vivo performance of an extended-release subcutaneous injection formulation of buprenorphine.MethodsThe extended-release formulation of buprenorphine was developed by Nano Daru Pharmaceutical Company to exhibit in vivo characteristics comparable to Sublocade®. We assessed the in vivo release profile, pharmacokinetic parameters, and histopathological characteristics of the prepared formulation in Sprague-Dawley rats.ResultsFollowing subcutaneous administration of the liquid formulation, a semi-solid drug reservoir was formed. The dimensions of the implant progressively diminished as a result of polymer biodegradation, with the largest size observed on Day 1 and the smallest on Day 35. A mean release of 84% of buprenorphine was observed over a 35-day period from the implant. No significant inflammatory cell infiltration was detected at the site of administration around the implants at different time points during the study period. The plasma concentration-time profile of the formulation showed an initial peak on Day 1 post-administration; buprenorphine levels then declined gradually, reaching their lowest concentration on Day 3. Subsequently, the concentration increased, reached a secondary peak, and then declined slowly thereafter.ConclusionAccording to the results, the plasma buprenorphine concentrations indicate sustained delivery of buprenorphine over a one-month period.
This retrospective study evaluates the dosimetric performance of coplanar versus non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for hippocampal avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) using the Monaco treatment planning system. Ten patients were replanned using four techniques: three coplanar configurations with two, three, and four arcs, and one plan with both coplanar and non-coplanar arcs. A prescription of 30 Gy in 10 fractions was delivered to the planning target volume (PTV). Increasing the number of coplanar arcs improved target coverage and homogeneity, with the four-arc coplanar plan achieving PTV coverage, conformity, and homogeneity comparable to the non-coplanar approach. All techniques met protocol constraints for hippocampal and organ-at-risk doses, although non-coplanar VMAT produced the lowest absolute hippocampal doses. Non-coplanar plans required higher monitor units and longer treatment times. Four-arc coplanar VMAT demonstrated comparable dosimetric performance with improved delivery efficiency, supporting its use as a practical alternative in settings where non-coplanar delivery is limited.
Vaping devices have emerged as one of the most popular delivery systems for nicotine consumption among young adults in the United States. Because of this trend, it is important to understand how health communication can be most effective for promoting vaping cessation among this population. Guided by the extended parallel process model (EPPM) and the extended elaboration likelihood model (EELM), this research examined the persuasiveness of message format and content on vaping cessation intentions. An experiment using a 2 (Threat: high vs. low) × 2 (Efficacy: high vs. low) × 2 (Message Format: non-narrative vs. narrative) was conducted online (n = 296). While EPPM cues (i.e., efficacy and threat) elicited hope but not fear, respectively, narrative messages elicited hope and fear via perspective-taking. These emotions, in turn, contributed toward quitting intentions. Our findings suggest that health messaging delivered in a narrative format is advantageous for cessation behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.