The present study sought to identify the cognitive features and speech features that might distinguish cerebral infarction patients by using artificial intelligence. A total of 117 patients were divided into the lacunar group, non-lacunar cerebral infarction group, and control group from Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital. The cognitive features were created from the Chinese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic (MoCA-B) and the speech features were created from the cookie theft picture description task. Cerebral infarction patients, including lacunar and non-lacunar groups, had lower cognitive scores than the control group, with the non-lacunar group performing more poorly. The fluency task showed significant differences among the three groups, with the non-lacunar cerebral infarction group differing most from the control group. Non-lacunar and lacunar cerebral infarction groups performed worse than the control group in memory tasks, with the non-lacunar infarction group performing more poorly. Artificial intelligence technology was used to analyze speech data from patients completing tasks, revealing differences in acoustic features between the non-lacunar and lacunar cerebral infarction groups. Cognitive performance is a important distinguishing features of cerebral infarction. Some acoustic features may play an important role in distinguishing lacunar infarction from non-lacunar infarction.
To compare the clinical and histopathological outcomes of topical Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) combined with autologous blood versus N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in the management of experimentally induced corneal perforations with tissue loss. Thirty-four eyes of 29 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups: ABS combined with autologous blood (n = 10), autologous blood alone (n = 9), NBCA (n = 10), and untreated controls (n = 5). A standardized 1-mm full-thickness central corneal perforation was created using a biopsy punch to simulate tissue loss. Clinical examinations were performed on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21 to assess wound leakage, anterior chamber depth, corneal edema, and inflammation. On day 21, corneal transparency and histopathological findings (stromal fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration) were evaluated. During the first postoperative week, the ABS group showed significantly less wound leakage and anterior chamber shallowing compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Adhesive dislodgement requiring reapplication was significantly more frequent in the NBCA group (p = 0.012). At the end of the follow-up (day 21), the ABS group demonstrated significantly better corneal transparency (p = 0.027). Histopathologically, stromal fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced in the ABS-treated eyes (p < 0.05). Topical ABS combined with autologous blood provides better clinical stability and more favorable biological healing than NBCA. These findings suggest that ABS may serve as a biologically advantageous alternative for the temporary management of corneal perforations.
In clinical practice, ion supplementation therapy has demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, due to the spatiotemporal dynamics of ion imbalance following SCI, targeted phase-adapted ion supplementation strategies for SCI repair remain challenging. To address this issue, a spatiotemporally adapted metal-ion delivery system, Mg-Zn-doped bilayer bioactive glasses (Mg-Zn/BGs), was developed. It had a diameter of approximately 125 nm and comprised an Mg/BGs outer shell and a Zn/BGs inner core. The core-shell structure of Mg-Zn/BGs enables phase-specific sustained release of Mg2+/Zn2+ during SCI pathological progression. The early release of Mg2+ attenuated macrophage-induced inflammation by promoting macrophage polarization toward M2 type, which further inhibited scar formation, and thereby created a favorable microenvironment for subsequent neural regeneration. The release of Zn2+ at the late phase effectively promoted neural cell proliferation and regeneration, which was accompanied by axonal regeneration and re-myelination, leading to significant behavioral recovery of SCI mice. This study highlights the essential regulatory functions of metal ions across distinct stages of SCI recovery, demonstrating the development of a core-shell structured delivery platform capable of stage-optimized ion release. The engineered Mg-Zn/BGs effectively bridges the therapeutic gap between inflammation modulation and neuronal tissue regeneration, offering a potential solution for SCI treatment through its dual-phase ion coordination mechanism.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which drive synaptic damage. Proteomic analysis in an AD mouse model identified significant downregulation of Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase (NNT), a mitochondrial enzyme crucial for maintaining redox balance by regenerating NADPH. This loss created a pro-oxidant shift, sensitizing neurons to amyloid-β (Aβ) toxicity and triggering mitochondrial collapse-evidenced by loss of membrane potential and depletion of energy and antioxidants. NNT deficiency alone was sufficient to induce AD-like synaptic loss and cognitive deficits, independent of amyloid or tau pathology. Functionally, NNT acted as a metabolic-transcriptional hub, promoting pro-synaptic gene expression and synaptic protein homeostasis. It supported synaptic resilience through dual mechanisms: preserving redox balance to protect synaptic components and facilitating clearance of toxic Aβ accumulation. These findings could position NNT dysfunction as a critical, non-amyloid factor in AD pathogenesis, linking mitochondrial bioenergetics to synaptic integrity. Enhancing NNT activity thus represents a promising therapeutic strategy to bolster metabolic resilience and cognitive function in AD.
Although various 3-dimensional (3D) facial scanners have been used in clinical practice, comparative data on their precision and clinical acceptability remain limited. In particular, quantitative and qualitative evaluations comparing industrial handheld, stationary, and smartphone-based scanners, essential for evidence-based device selection, are lacking. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare and evaluate the 3D data precision of 3 clinically used facial scanners. A mannequin replicating human facial features was created, with Ø4-cm spheres attached to the forehead and bilateral lateral regions. The industrial handheld scanner (IHS) (Artec Space Spider), stationary facial scanner (SFS) (Arc-4), and smartphone with depth camera (SDC) (iPhone) were used to scan the mannequin's head. Scan data were superimposed using the best-fit algorithm in reverse engineering software program (Geomagic control X) to calculate the root mean square (RMS) deviation and a color map of shell-to-shell deviations. Digital distance measurements between the spheres were made, and qualitative evaluation included texture and polygon size. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model (α=.05). The mean RMS deviation was 0.05 mm, 0.23 mm, and 0.36 mm for IHS, SFS, and SDC, respectively (P<.001). A color map comparison showed that IHS had minimal superimposition error, while SDC displayed more prominent spots and greater deviations, particularly in the center and on the periphery. Distances between reference points were significantly higher for SFS than IHS and SDC. IHS produced the smallest polygons and accurately reproduced curved regions, while SFS and SDC showed larger, more irregular polygons. IHS had the highest precision, followed by SFS and SDC. IHS's handheld nature may reduce unscannable areas, improving accuracy. While SDC showed lower precision, its deviation of 0.36 mm was still clinically acceptable for facial scanning.
The rapid expansion of short-form educational video platforms has substantially increased public access to health information; however, the characteristics and quality of videos concerning patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of short-form videos related to PDA posted on TikTok and Bilibili. The Chinese keyword "patent ductus arteriosus" was used to retrieve relevant videos from TikTok and Bilibili, yielding 140 videos for the final analysis. Uploaders were classified according to publicly available account information. Professional uploaders were defined as accounts identifying the uploader as a healthcare professional and displaying official platform verification and/or an explicit affiliation with a recognized medical institution. Credentials were verified using publicly visible profile elements, including verification badges, profile descriptions, professional titles, and stated institutional affiliations. All included videos were independently evaluated by two reviewers. Because paired reviewer-level ratings were available for the Global Quality Score (GQS), inter-rater reliability for GQS was assessed before consensus adjudication using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and quadratic weighted Cohen's kappa. Video quality and reliability were assessed using five established instruments: the Global Quality Score (GQS), Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), the JAMA benchmark criteria, and modified DISCERN (mDISCERN). Only the first 100 algorithm-ranked videos from each platform were screened, in order to reflect the content most likely to be encountered by typical users, although this approach may preferentially capture videos favored by platform recommendation systems. No independent clinical subject-matter expert (such as a neonatologist or cardiologist) was separately involved in the formal scoring process; instead, the evaluation focused on quality, reliability, transparency, and understandability using established assessment instruments. Clinical accuracy was not independently assessed or adjudicated in this study. A total of 140 short videos related to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were included in the analysis, with 57 from Bilibili and 83 from TikTok. TikTok videos demonstrated significantly higher audience engagement than those on Bilibili, with markedly greater numbers of likes, favorites, shares, and comments. Bilibili videos were slightly longer in duration, and there was no significant difference in posting time between the two platforms. Videos on TikTok also achieved significantly higher scores across all five quality assessment tools-mDISCERN, GQS, VIQI, PEMAT, and the JAMA benchmark-and most high-quality videos were uploaded by professional individuals. In the present study, these professional individuals were defined on the basis of publicly visible healthcare-related identity information and platform verification status. When stratified by uploader type, videos created by professionals consistently outperformed those from non-professional individuals and institutions in both quality scores and engagement metrics. Professional videos were predominantly found on TikTok. Correlation analyses indicated weak to moderate positive associations between most quality indicators and likes, favorites, and shares on both platforms, although the correlation coefficients remained low. Notably, the average JAMA benchmark score was approximately half of the maximum possible score on both platforms. Inter-rater reliability for GQS was acceptable, with a single-measure ICC of 0.632, an average-measure ICC of 0.774, and a quadratic weighted Cohen's kappa of 0.630. The overall quality of PDA-related health information on major Chinese short-video platforms appears to be moderate. TikTok and professional uploaders demonstrated clear advantages in reliability, comprehensibility, and communication effectiveness. Platform attributes and uploader background exert significant influence on video quality and dissemination performance. Future efforts should focus on strengthening platform oversight, encouraging greater involvement of qualified healthcare professionals, and standardizing the disclosure of information sources and conflicts of interest. Such measures are essential for improving the accuracy, quality, and trustworthiness of online cardiovascular health information and for better supporting parents of children with PDA and the general public. These findings should be interpreted as reflecting informational quality, structure, transparency, and understandability rather than independently verified clinical accuracy.
Difficult facemask ventilation is an entity that lacks a robust definition, leading to inconsistent identification in clinical practice and research. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an objective classification and numeric score for difficult facemask ventilation. Four hundred patients who required tracheal intubation for ear, nose and throat or maxillofacial surgery participated in this prospective single centre study. After induction of anaesthesia, facemask ventilation was attempted using pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome was difficult facemask ventilation documented as an alert in the patient health records. An independent observer assessed for potential indicators of difficult facemask ventilation: two-handed grip; oral airway use; jaw thrust; senior consultant anaesthetist taking over; conversion to manual rescue ventilation; peripheral oxygen saturation drop; tidal volume; and leak fraction. Difficult facemask ventilation occurred in 43 (10.8%) patients. Five eligible indicators were selected by cross-validated least absolute shrinkage selector operator regression and used to develop a multivariable logistic regression model (MASCAN model) and score (MASCAN score). These indicators were: two-handed grip; oral airway use; jaw thrust; tidal volume ≤ 2 ml.kg-1; and peripheral oxygen saturation drop ≥ 10%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96 (95%CI 0.93-0.98) for the MASCAN model and 0.94 (95%CI 0.91-0.98) for the MASCAN score. The MASCAN score is an objective, data-driven classification for difficult facemask ventilation with clearly defined thresholds that may improve airway documentation and inform future airway management. Researchers studied 400 patients having head and neck surgery. After the patients were given an anaesthetic, doctors used a facemask to ventilate them. The researchers looked for signs that facemask ventilation was difficult, such as using two hands to hold the mask, using an oral airway tool, doing a jaw thrust, low airflow into the lungs or seeing oxygen levels drop. They then created a new classification system called the MASCAN score to help measure how difficult facemask ventilation was. Doctors sometimes find it hard to ventilate patients with a facemask during anaesthesia. There has not been a clear and reliable way to measure and document this problem. The researchers wanted to create a simple and objective system that doctors could use to communicate difficult facemask ventilation more easily and accurately. About 1 in 10 patients had difficult facemask ventilation. The researchers found five important signs that reliably describe difficult facemask ventilation. These include using two hands to hold the mask, using an oral airway tool, doing a jaw thrust, low airflow into the lungs and a drop in oxygen levels. The new MASCAN score was very good at classifying difficult facemask ventilation and may help doctors improve their record keeping and future patient care.
The commitment of health personnel in initiatives for improving their working conditions is recognised as a key condition for the success and the sustainability of such initiatives. Healthcare organisations are faced with the challenge of deploying strategies needed to mobilise this commitment. The objective of this article is to present the results of a qualitative evaluation of a bottom-up co-construction project aimed at engaging oncology staff in four Québec healthcare organisations in a process of transformation and improvement of their working environment. As part of our constructivist approach, we utilised a qualitative method, which involved conducting one-on-one interviews and gathering documentary data, including survey results, to assess the development and implementation of an intervention across four oncology units. We conducted one-on-one interviews from January 26, 2023 to March 5, 2023 with 17 workers from different categories. We collected documentary data that cover the pre-implementation activities, the co-construction workshops, and the intervention implementation. All collected data were coded and analysed using QDA Miner 6.0, and our findings were validated iteratively throughout the project, involving regular interaction with participants. Fourteen areas of vulnerability emerged across the four dimensions studied, and six were targeted by workers as priorities: emotional exhaustion; role conflict; ability to learn; leadership; team cohesion; and communication. Interventions developed to address the prioritised areas included: co-development workshops; training sessions aimed at enhancing workers' control over their working environment; team connectivity through professional and social activities; staffing and workload reviews; support from a psychosocial professional; and coaching. According to workers, most improvements occurred in two targeted areas, team cohesion and communication, even in the units where these issues were not prioritised at first. Participants pinpointed some factors that facilitated the implementation of the intervention and its impact (engagement, organisational support, the bottom-up approach) and others that created constraints (staff shortages, conflicting priorities, level of commitment). This exploratory work offers insightful perspectives on how a bottom-up co-construction approach can serve as a lever to engage workers to improve their work experience. It may inspire other healthcare organisations, both in oncology and in other fields of activity.
The National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Surgery created a series of examinations including Subject Exams, United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps 1-3, ABS In-Training Exam, and the ABS Qualifying and Certifying Exams originally designed as staged assessments of clinical competence. These exams have evolved beyond licensure requirements into high-stakes screening tools for residency and even surgical fellowship selection. Recent efforts to de-emphasize standardized testing have sparked substantial debate within the medical community. We examine whether standardized tests reflect a true measure of trainee competence and its impact on trainees from low socioeconomic status. We also explored the downstream impact of de-emphasizing standardized testing, shifting selection from objective test scores towards more subjective factors such as research experience, letters of recommendations, and medical school reputation.
Critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often require enteral nutrition, making the successful placement of nasoenteric tubes crucial for improving nutritional outcomes and recovery. This retrospective study explored the clinical variables affecting the first-attempt success of blind bedside nasoenteric tube placement in patients in the ICU and Emergency ICU (EICU) between August 2020 and July 2022. The tubes were placed using standardized protocols, and the placement was confirmed via radiographic imaging. In total, 622 patients were included in the study. The baseline demographics, including sex, age, and body mass index, did not differ between the successful and unsuccessful first-attempt groups. However, the successful group had higher nutritional risk scores (NRS2002), higher Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and lower mechanical ventilation and acute gastrointestinal injury rates (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified NRS2002 (continuous variable), mechanical ventilation, the placement period (morning vs. afternoon), and severe gastrointestinal injury as significant predictors of successful tube placement. Furthermore, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression identified seven key variables. Multivariable logistic regression- and LASSO-based models were created using their respective key variables, both of which demonstrated moderate discrimination (areas under the curve = 0.735 and 0.751, respectively). The models were validated through calibration and decision curve analyses. This study underscores the importance of optimizing tube placement protocols through a comprehensive assessment of clinical variables, which may increase success rates and improve patient outcomes. Future studies should focus on validating these models across larger populations and exploring personalized intervention strategies.
The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) technologies has created new opportunities and challenges in undergraduate nursing education. As educators seek to integrate these tools into curricula, understanding their current applications and implications is essential. This scoping review aimed to explore how generative AI is being utilized in undergraduate nursing education. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases for studies published between 2022 and March 2025. A total of 1641 records were identified, with 15 studies meeting the inclusion criteria following screening and full-text review. Included studies consisted of three qualitative studies, three teaching tips, and nine case studies. Three primary themes emerged: (1) applications of generative AI in nursing education, including its use for generating course materials and academic administrative tasks; (2) ethical considerations such as academic integrity, bias, and equitable access; and (3) faculty role and readiness, highlighting the need for professional development, clear policies, and institutional support. This scoping review highlights the emerging role of genAI in undergraduate nursing education, revealing both its promise and its complexity. From enhancing classroom engagement and administrative efficiency to raising concerns around bias and academic integrity, the integration of genAI demands thoughtful and ethical implementation. Faculty readiness and institutional guidance are pivotal to ensuring that these tools are used to enrich student learning rather than compromise professional and academic integrity. As the field continues to evolve, future research should focus on evaluating outcomes, addressing gaps in faculty training, and establishing best practices to harness the full potential of genAI in shaping the next generation of nurses.
Reconstruction of medium-sized palatal defects following maxillectomy represents a major challenge in maxillofacial surgery. The facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap has become a reliable reconstructive option due to its valid vascular supply and mucosal similarity. Numerous technical variants, have expanded its clinical applicability. However, limitations related to flap rotation through dentition or prosthetic structures may compromise outcomes. This note describes a novel surgical technique employing a superiorly based, reverse-flow FAMM flap transposed through a lateral maxillary sinus window. In a patient treated for invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma, the residual class IIa palatal defect, following the Brown classification, was planned to be reconstructed with a superiorly based FAMM flap. A lateral maxillary sinus access was created to allow direct insertion of the flap into the defect, avoiding conventional transoral passage. Donor site closure was achieved using a Bichat fat pad flap. The flap was successfully rotated through a 180° arc and positioned precisely within the defect, achieving tension-free closure and reliable re-establishment of the oro-antral barrier. No complications were observed. The patient was discharged seven days after surgery, with satisfactory primary healing and preservation of dentition and prosthetic structures. Clinical and radiographical follow-ups were performed every 6 months. Trans-sinus application of a reverse-flow FAMM flap represents a novel and versatile approach for medium-sized palatal defect reconstruction, minimizing mechanical trauma, preserving dental and prosthetic integrity, and offering an alternative to free tissue transfer, supporting functional and aesthetic rehabilitation.
Bone regeneration necessitates biomaterials that provide structural support while facilitating bioactive signaling. This study created a eugenol-loaded carboxymethyl cellulose/zinc oxide-hydroxyapatite (EUG-CMC/ZnO-HA) nanocomposite, which was evaluated using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. The nanocomposites attained a substantial drug loading of 28.9% and an encapsulation efficiency of 97.6%. In vitro studies revealed a pH-responsive, sustained release profile, with 87.5% of EUG released at pH 5.5, in contrast to 47% at pH 7.4 over 24 h. The sustained release mechanism is predominantly regulated by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions among CMC, HA, and EUG, in conjunction with Zn²⁺-mediated ionic interactions from ZnO. Furthermore, hydrophobic interactions within the CMC matrix augment drug retention, facilitating sustained release, which ensures prolonged availability of ZnO, while the gradual release of EUG mitigates local inflammation, collectively fostering osteogenic differentiation. The nanocomposite demonstrated strong antibacterial efficacy against four pathogens, as well as notable anti-inflammatory (82.5% inhibition) and antioxidant characteristics. Biocompatibility assessments on MG63 osteoblast-like cells demonstrated 97% survivability at 150 µg/mL, whereas scratch testing corroborated enhanced cell migration. RT-qPCR analysis revealed a significant, time dependent upregulation of osteogenic markers, with early-stage markers such as RUNX2 and BMP-2 exhibiting increased expression at initial time points, succeeded by elevated expression of mid-late-stage markers including COL1A1, OPN, and OCN, signifying progressive osteogenic differentiation. The transcriptional changes were associated with an 84% rise in calcium nodule accumulation, validating the composite's effectiveness in facilitating the progression from cellular commitment to full mineralization. The EUG-CMC/ZnO-HA nanocomposite functions as a sophisticated scaffold for bone wound healing by facilitating regulated medication administration and promoting tissue regeneration.
Academic practice partnerships facilitate a shared focus between practice and academic settings that encourages nursing leadership in both settings to work towards improving patient outcomes, facilitating new knowledge and optimizing the organizational aspects of clinical care. The purpose of this report is to describe a 17-year academic-practice partnership with a focus on research, referred to as the University of Maryland Nursing (UMNursing) Research Program. The goal of the academic research partnerships was to create collaborative research opportunities for faculty at the school of nursing and nursing staff at the academic medical center. Since 2007, 17 academic-partnership research grants were funded by the UMNursing Research Program and half of these pilot studies resulted in submissions to the National Institutes of Health for R21, R01 and center-level grants. A total of 9 manuscripts have been published. Academic-practice partnerships for research, such as the one described in this report, can be an alternative solution to alleviating national funding cuts while continuing to facilitate nursing research and building clinically relevant nursing knowledge. Sustained academic-practice partnerships can enhance nursing research capacity, leverage limited funding, and promote clinically relevant scholarship.
Neuroinflammation is a physiological response triggered by alterations in tissue homeostasis within the Central Nervous System (CNS); depending on the magnitude and chronicity of inflammation, it is considered a common state in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Neuroinflammation is a very complex and context-dependent condition, mediated by the activity of several pathways and molecules, thus the search of valuable targets and therapeutic strategies is a priority. This study proposes a systems biology approach to create a data network about genes, drugs, and related targets in the context of human neuroinflammation to identify new potential repurposed drug candidates. Each candidate drug was associated with a score that considered both the topological properties of the network and the biological functions of the proteins. The computational pipeline identified Fostamatinib as a potential repurposed candidate in neuroinflammation. To confirm the computational results, R406, the active metabolite of Fostamatinib inhibiting the Syk pathway, was assessed in two different human microglial in vitro models to verify its potential beneficial effects. Results evidenced the efficacy of R406 in counteracting the pro-inflammatory response in both models.
Competency-based nursing education is facilitated by creating a scaffolded structure of outcomes, assessments, and educational experiences that challenge students to grow in critical thinking, clinical, and professional skills. Given the interdependent nature of curricular elements and the faculty-student relationship, the success of a competency-based curriculum is dependent upon the structure built. Backward design can facilitate curriculum development, but depending on organizational structure within a nursing program, can be a substantial time and resource burden. The purpose of this article is to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be leveraged within this structure-building process to promote timely design and curricular transformation aligned with competency-based standards. Considering how AI tools should be employed for support, rather than replacement, of human efforts, an approach for utilization of AI-Assistant tools in developing outcomes and assessments is presented alongside a thoughtful consideration of how these tools could be further utilized in curricular evaluation and ongoing revisions. As the capabilities of these tools expand, so will opportunities for integration at all levels of the competency-based educational process.
This review examines the bidirectional relationship between sleep instability and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on the hypothalamic orexinergic system as a key mechanistic link between these processes. Emerging evidence suggests that excessive orexin signaling contributes to insomnia and sleep fragmentation and may accelerate amyloid-β and tau accumulation by impairing glymphatic clearance and activating neurotoxic pathways. Conversely, progressive neurodegeneration can impair sleep-regulatory centers in the brainstem and hypothalamus, thereby creating a vicious cycle that may hasten cognitive decline. We further discuss therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway, with a focus on dual orexin receptor antagonists and complementary medical approaches. Notably, recent preclinical findings suggest that Panax ginseng extracts may inhibit orexin signaling and reactivate autophagy through the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, thereby attenuating neuronal damage. By synthesizing current mechanistic insights and clinical evidence, this review proposes that modulation of the orexinergic system, through pharmacological and integrative approaches, may represent a promising strategy for delaying disease progression and improving quality of life in older adults.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by a unique metabolic dependency on the hyperactivated tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, creating a distinct vulnerability to cuproptosis-a copper-dependent form of regulated cell death. However, metabolic plasticity allows tumor cells to evade single-pathway inhibition through compensatory glycolysis, limiting the efficacy of copper-based therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop integrated nanoplatforms capable of orchestrating a dual-pathway metabolic blockade to overcome this therapeutic resistance. Herein, we engineered a self-assembling copper-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) nanoreactor (Cu-EQ NP) designed to execute a synchronized dual-metabolic assault. The Cu-EQ NPs leverage the tumor microenvironment to release copper ions that trigger TCA-dependent cuproptosis, while the EGCG component simultaneously inhibits key glycolytic enzymes to prevent metabolic escape. Mechanistically, this lethality is self-amplified by EGCG-quinone-mediated depletion of glutathione (GSH) and the downregulation of the ATPase copper-transporting beta (ATP7B) efflux pump, leading to irreversible intracellular copper accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this metabolic collapse is highly immunogenic. In a syngeneic RM-1 mouse model, Cu-EQ NP-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) released damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that successfully transformed the immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironment. This remodeling was characterized by enhanced dendritic cell maturation, M2-to-M1 macrophage repolarization, and robust infiltration of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells, resulting in potent tumor regression. The Cu-EQ nanoreactor represents a precision nanomedicine strategy that converts the specific metabolic vulnerabilities of PCa into a fatal weakness. By integrating dual-metabolic disruption with robust immune activation, this platform offers a promising therapeutic paradigm for overcoming resistance in advanced prostate cancer.
The purpose of this project was to develop an efficient process for mapping an existing nursing curriculum to the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) New Essentials, through clear and visually engaging formats. This manuscript describes the implementation of this framework using a quality improvement design to operationalize technology in curriculum mapping. Qualtrics Surveys and Microsoft Excel were used to streamline the complex process of mapping of domains, spheres, competencies, and sub-competencies. A separate process using Gemini AI was used to create visualizations of where the New Essential concepts were presented in each program. This approach engaged faculty while markedly reducing their time and effort in mapping processes, focusing efforts on high-level validation and substantive curriculum revisions. The resulting visualizations offered a transparent, interpretable, and comprehensive representation of curriculum alignment.
The competition for nursing faculty has reached a crisis point, with over 2000 schools of nursing vying for a shrinking pool of qualified candidates. This shortage hits research-intensive institutions hardest because nurses may delay entry into academic research careers following extended clinical practice. Although strategic faculty recruitment and development in research-intensive institutions is critical for advancing science, little is known about successful organizational strategies implemented within research-intensive schools of nursing. This article presents organizational strategies for recruiting and developing research-intensive nursing faculty through a mission-driven, human-centered approach at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. The authors highlight three key approaches: mission-aligned recruitment practices, human-centered approaches to creating supportive environments, and the integration of individual- and organization-centered approaches to faculty development. Success requires recruiting faculty with diverse disciplinary expertise, implementing transparent processes, and achieving a balance between individual career aspirations and institutional research, education, and service priorities. As federal research priorities rapidly evolve and the shortage of research-intensive nursing faculty deepens, institutions must invest in adaptive recruitment strategies, robust mentoring programs, and equitable resource allocation to build sustainable research capacity and leadership pipelines.