Translation from Preclinical Research to Clinical Trials: Transdermal Drug Delivery for Neurodegenerative and Mental Disorders.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), particularly dementia, provide significant problems to worldwide healthcare systems. The development of therapeutic materials for various diseases has a severe challenge in the form of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Transdermal treatment has recently garnered widespread favor as an alternative method of delivering active chemicals to the brain. This approach has several advantages, including low invasiveness, self-administration, avoidance of first-pass metabolism, preservation of steady plasma concentrations, regulated release, safety, efficacy, and better patient compliance. Topics include the transdermal method for therapeutic NDs, their classification, and the mechanisms that allow the medicine to enter the bloodstream through the skin. The paper also discusses the obstacles and potential outcomes of transdermal therapy, emphasizing the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches.

Epilepsy self-management mobile health application: A needs assessment in people with epilepsy and caregivers in Viet Nam.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine (1) the needsof Vietnamese people with epilepsy (PWE) and their caregivers for self-management mobile health applications and (2) the self-management features expected to be included in an application. METHODS: The survey consisted of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to PWE and caregivers from the age of 18 in Vietnam through online platforms and onsite at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital and University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, from February 2022 to May 2022. The questionnaire assessed the participants' attitudes toward epilepsy self-management mobile applications, their willingness to use applications, and their expectations of the contents of an application. RESULTS: Responses from 103 participants were submitted. Eighty-one participants (78.6%) reported using a smartphone, but only 50.6% of those claimed to know about self-management applications. Most respondents (70.9%) thought the applications would be useful for disease self-management, and 68.9% were willing to use epilepsy self-management applications. In addition, the most expected features to be included in self-management applications were epilepsy information, seizure first aid, connecting with medical professionals, and a seizure diary. CONCLUSION: Most Vietnamese PWE and caregivers had a willingness to use epilepsy self-management applications.The expected features are related to all aspects of self-management, including information, seizure, medication, and safety management.

Evaluation of the long-term protection conferred by an organosilicon-based disinfectant formulation against bacterial contamination of surfaces.

AIMS: The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of an organosilicon-based, commercially available antimicrobial formulation in the My-shield® product line against bacterial surface contamination. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antimicrobial product was tested in vitro for its long-term persistence on surfaces and effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in comparison to 70% ethanol and 0.1% or 0.6% sodium hypochlorite. Field testing was also conducted over 6 weeks at a university athletic facility. In vitro studies demonstrated the log reductions achieved by the test product, 70% ethanol, and 0.1% sodium hypochlorite were 3.6, 3.1, and 3.2, respectively. The test product persisted on surfaces after washing and scrubbing, and pre-treatment with this product prevented S. aureus surface colonization for up to 30 days. In comparison, pre-treatment with 70% ethanol or 0.6% sodium hypochlorite was not protective against S. aureus biofilm formation after seven days. The field test demonstrated that weekly applications of the test product were more effective at reducing surface bacterial load than daily applications of a control product. CONCLUSIONS: The test product conferred greater long-term protection against bacterial growth and biofilm formation by S. aureus than ethanol and sodium hypochlorite. Even with less frequent applications, the test product maintained a high level of antimicrobial activity.

Pachyonychia congenita: A father and son with a novel variant in the KRT16 gene.

This study underscores the significance of identifying the clinical manifestations of pachyonychia congenita (PC) and emphasizes the patterns of genetic inheritance. A 12-month-old boy presented with a "white hairy tongue" and, following a comprehensive evaluation, was diagnosed with PC. His father exhibited similar symptoms. Genetic testing revealed a KRT16 pathogenic variant (c.616 T > G) in both the patient and his father, marking it as a novel variant in the PC literature. This case contributes to a broader understanding of PC's genetic diversity and its clinical presentations.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions from Gac Fruit and Utilization of Peel-Derived Biochar for Crystal Violet Dye Removal.

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) is a prominent source of carotenoids, renowned for its exceptional concentration of these compounds. This study focuses on optimizing the extraction of active components from the aril of gac fruit by evaluating the effects of extraction temperature, solid-liquid ratio, and extraction time. The primary objective is to maximize the yield of gac oil while assessing its antioxidant capacity. To analyze the kinetics of the solid-liquid extraction process, both first-order and second-order kinetic models were employed, with the second-order model providing the best fit for the experimental data. In addition, the potential of gac fruit peel as a precursor for biochar production was investigated through carbonization. The resultant biochars were evaluated for their efficacy in adsorbing crystal violet (CV) dye from aqueous solutions. The adsorption efficiency of the biochars was found to be dependent on the carbonization temperature, with the highest efficiency observed for BCMC550 (91.72%), followed by BCM450 (81.35%), BCMC350 (78.35%), and BCMC250 (54.43%). The adsorption isotherm data conformed well to the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption behavior. Moreover, the adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. These findings underscore the potential of gac fruit and its byproducts for diverse industrial and environmental applications, highlighting the dual benefits of optimizing gac oil extraction and utilizing the peel for effective dye removal.

Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia on AuCu Single-atom Alloy Aerogels under Wide Potential Window.

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO3RR) is very attractive for nitrate removal and ammonia production in industrial processes. However, the nitrate reduction reaction is characterized by intense hydrogen competition at strong reduction potentials, which greatly limits the Faraday efficiency at strong reduction potentials. Herein, we reported an AuxCu single-atom alloy aerogels (AuxCu SAAs) with three-dimensional network structure with significant nitrate reduction performance of Faraday efficiency (FE) higher than 90% over a wide potential range (0 ~ -1 VRHE). The FE of the catalyst was close to 100% at a high reduction potential of -0.8 VRHE, accompanying with NH3 yield reaching 6.21 mmol h-1 cm-2. More importantly, the catalyst maintained a long-term operation over 400 h at 400 mA cm-2 for the NO3RR using a continuous flow system in a H-cell. Experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrate that the catalyst can lower the energy barrier for the hydrogenation reaction of *NO2, leading to a rapid consumption of the generated *H, facilitate the hydrogenation process of NO3RR, and inhibit the competitive HER at high overpotentials, which efficiently promotes the nitrate reduction reaction, especially in industrial applications.

Enhanced Charge Carrier Dynamics on Sb2 Se3 Photocathodes for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia.

Ammonia (NH3 ) is recognized as a transportable carrier for renewable energy fuels. Photoelectrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (PEC NO3 RR) offers a sustainable solution for nitrate-rich wastewater treatment by directly converting solar energy to ammonia. In this study, we demonstrate the highly selective PEC ammonia production from NO3 RR by constructing a CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode. The constructed CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode achieves an ammonia Faraday efficiency (FE) of 88.01 % at -0.2 VRHE and an ammonia yield as high as 15.91 µmol h-1 cm-2 at -0.3 VRHE with an excellent onset potential of 0.43 VRHE . Dynamics experiments and theoretical calculations have demonstrated that the CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 photocathode possesses high light absorption capacity, excellent carrier transfer capability, and high charge separation and transfer efficiencies. The photocathode can effectively adsorb the reactant NO3 - and intermediate, and the CoCu co-catalyst increases the maximum Gibbs free energy difference between NO3 RR and HER. Meanwhile, the Co species enhances the spin density of Cu, and increases the density of states near the Fermi level in pdos, which results in a high PEC NO3 RR activity on CoCu/TiO2 /Sb2 Se3 . This work provides a new avenue for the feasibility of efficient PEC ammonia synthesis from nitrate-rich wastewater.

Effectiveness and Pharmacokinetic Exposures of First-Line Drugs Used to Treat Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Optimal doses of first-line drugs for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis in children and young adolescents remain uncertain. We aimed to determine whether children treated using World Health Organization-recommended or higher doses of first-line drugs achieve successful outcomes and sufficient pharmacokinetic (PK) exposures. METHODS: Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and trial registries from 2010 to 2021. We included studies in children aged <18 years being treated for drug-susceptible tuberculosis with rifampicin (RIF), pyrazinamide, isoniazid, and ethambutol. Outcomes were treatment success rates and drug exposures. The protocol for the systematic review was preregistered in PROSPERO (no. CRD42021274222). RESULTS: Of 304 studies identified, 46 were eligible for full-text review, and 12 and 18 articles were included for the efficacy and PK analyses, respectively. Of 1830 children included in the efficacy analysis, 82% had favorable outcomes (range, 25%-95%). At World Health Organization-recommended doses, exposures to RIF, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol were lower in children than in adults. Children ≤6 years old have 35% lower areas under the concentration-time curve (AUCs) than older children (mean of 14.4 [95% CI 9.9-18.8] vs 22.0 [13.8-30.1] µg·h/mL) and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had 35% lower RIF AUCs than HIV-negative children (17.3 [11.4-23.2] vs 26.5 [21.3-31.7] µg·h/mL). Heterogeneity and small sample sizes were major limitations. CONCLUSIONS: There is large variability in outcomes, with an average of 82% favorable outcomes. Drug exposures are lower in children than in adults. Younger children and/or those with HIV are underexposed to RIF. Standardization of PK pediatric studies and individual patient data analysis with safety assessment are needed to inform optimal dosing.

Outbreak of Sexually Transmitted Nongroupable Neisseria meningitidis-Associated Urethritis, Vietnam.

We report on an outbreak of nongroupable Neisseria meningitidis-associated urethritis, primarily among men who have sex with men in southern Vietnam. Nearly 50% of N. meningitidis isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. This emerging pathogen should be considered in the differential diagnosis and management of urethritis.

Biodegradable Polymers for Micro Elastofluidics.

Micro elastofluidics is an emerging research field that encompasses characteristics of conventional microfluidics and fluid-structure interactions. Micro elastofluidics is expected to enable practical applications, for instance, where direct contact between biological samples and fluid handling systems is required. Besides design optimization, choosing a proper material is critical to the practical use of micro elastofluidics upon interaction with biological interface and after its functional lifetime. Biodegradable polymers are one of the most studied materials for this purpose. Micro elastofluidic devices made of biodegradable polymers possess exceptional mechanical elasticity, excellent bio compatibility, and structural degradability into non-toxic products. This article provides an insightful and systematic review of the utilization of biodegradable polymers in digital and continuous-flow micro elastofluidics.

Evidence for Suppression of Structure Growth in the Concordance Cosmological Model.

We present evidence for a suppressed growth rate of large-scale structure during the dark-energy-dominated era. Modeling the growth rate of perturbations with the "growth index" γ, we find that current cosmological data strongly prefer a higher growth index than the value γ=0.55 predicted by general relativity in a flat Lambda cold dark matter cosmology. Both the cosmic microwave background data from Planck and the large-scale structure data from weak lensing, galaxy clustering, and cosmic velocities separately favor growth suppression. When combined, they yield γ=0.633_{-0.024}^{+0.025}, excluding γ=0.55 at a statistical significance of 3.7σ. The combination of fσ_{8} and Planck measurements prefers an even higher growth index of γ=0.639_{-0.025}^{+0.024}, corresponding to a 4.2σ tension with the concordance model. In Planck data, the suppressed growth rate offsets the preference for nonzero curvature and fits the data equally well as the latter model. A higher γ leads to a higher matter fluctuation amplitude S_{8} inferred from galaxy clustering and weak lensing measurements, and a lower S_{8} from Planck data, effectively resolving the S_{8} tension.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection.

PURPOSES: Minimally invasive thyroid surgeries are universally accepted. We report on one, transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection. METHODS: A case series of 103 patients were operated on between December 2018 and December 2021. We performed transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) for 76 patients with a benign nodule, and 27 with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The patients with malignant nodules also underwent ipsilateral central neck dissection. The extent of surgery, operative time and operative complications were analyzed. RESULT: No cases were converted to open surgery. Average tumor size was 3.8 ± 1.62 cm, mean operative time was 116.5 ± 41.7 min, median blood loss 40.1 ± 49 mL. There were 95 patients with lobectomy and 8 patients with total thyroidectomy. Temporary hoarseness occurred in 9 patients (8.7 %). No patients developed permanent hoarseness. Twelve patients had middle chin numbness. CONCLUSION: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach, with or without central neck dissection, is a safe, effective and highly aesthetic treatment.

The Impact of LiDAR Configuration on Goal-Based Navigation within a Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework.

Over the years, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has shown great potential in mapless autonomous robot navigation and path planning. These DRL methods rely on robots equipped with different light detection and range (LiDAR) sensors with a wide field of view (FOV) configuration to perceive their environment. These types of LiDAR sensors are expensive and are not suitable for small-scale applications. In this paper, we address the performance effect of the LiDAR sensor configuration in DRL models. Our focus is on avoiding static obstacles ahead. We propose a novel approach that determines an initial FOV by calculating an angle of view using the sensor's width and the minimum safe distance required between the robot and the obstacle. The beams returned within the FOV, the robot's velocities, the robot's orientation to the goal point, and the distance to the goal point are used as the input state to generate new velocity values as the output action of the DRL. The cost function of collision avoidance and path planning is defined as the reward of the DRL model. To verify the performance of the proposed method, we adjusted the proposed FOV by ±10° giving a narrower and wider FOV. These new FOVs are trained to obtain collision avoidance and path planning DRL models to validate the proposed method. Our experimental setup shows that the LiDAR configuration with the computed angle of view as its FOV performs best with a success rate of 98% and a lower time complexity of 0.25 m/s. Additionally, using a Husky Robot, we demonstrate the model's good performance and applicability in the real world.

Performance Analysis of Multihop Full-Duplex NOMA Systems with Imperfect Interference Cancellation and Near-Field Path-Loss.

Outage probability (OP) and potential throughput (PT) of multihop full-duplex (FD) nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems are addressed in the present paper. More precisely, two metrics are derived in the closed-form expressions under the impact of both imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) and imperfect self-interference cancellation. Moreover, to model short transmission distance from the transmit and receive antennae at relays, the near-field path-loss is taken into consideration. Additionally, the impact of the total transmit power on the performance of these metrics is rigorously derived. Furthermore, the mathematical framework of the baseline systems is provided too. Computer-based simulations via the Monte Carlo method are given to verify the accuracy of the proposed framework, confirm our findings, and highlight the benefits of the proposed systems compared with the baseline one.

Bi-decadal trend of atmospheric emissions from thermal power plants in Mainland Southeast Asia: Implications on acid deposition and climate change Mitigation.

Steady increase in electricity generation and heavy reliance on coal in Mainland Southeast Asia (M-SEA) create huge pressure on the environment. This study used information collected from individual thermal power plants (TPPs) in M-SEA to calculate emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) for 2010, 2015 and 2019. The emissions were projected to 2030 following the latest national Power Development Plans. The emission results were analyzed in relation to the power development by country and fuel type, and environmental impacts. The region collective annual TPP emissions in 2019, in Gg/yr, were 27 PM2.5, 77 PM10, 0.7 BC, 4.9 OC, 255 SO2, 451 NOx, 91 CO, 12 NMVOC, 0.4 NH3, 260 CO2, 13 CH4, and 26 N2O. Coal-fired TPPs dominated the emissions of most species while NG-fired contributed the largest amounts of NH3 and CH4. Bi-decadal increase in energy production from TPPs of nearly 3 times is accompanied by 2.7 times increase in emissions. The 2010-2019 period saw average emissions increase by 1.9 times (TPPs' energy production increased 1.6 times), slightly higher than the rate of 1.4 times projected for 2019-2030 (double TPPs' energy production). The current intrusion rate of renewable energy accompanied by phasing-out of old TPPs are still by far insufficient to reverse the emission trend. Aggressive power development in Vietnam with its heavy coal reliance made it the largest emitter in 2019 and the projected for 2030, followed by Thailand. Spatially, higher emissions are seen over locations of large coal-fired TPPs in Vietnam and Thailand. Available rainwater composition monitoring data showed higher deposition amounts of sulfate and nitrate in areas located near or downwind of large TPPs. Significant GHG emissions projected for TPPs in 2030 indicated that TPPs should be the priority for emission reduction to achieve Nationally Determined Contribution targets. Emission database produced by this study can be used in dispersion modeling studies to assess impacts of TPPs on air quality, health, and acid deposition.

Effects of core buildup composite resin translucency on intraoral scanner accuracy: an in vitro study.

AIM: The accuracy of 3D images produced by an intraoral scanner (IOS) is affected by the optical characteristics of restorative materials such as metal, ceramic, and composite resin. The present in vitro study aimed to investigate the impact of core buildup composite resin translucency on IOS accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A core buildup procedure was performed on a proprietary 3D-printed model using injectable composite resins in four groups with different levels of translucency (highest to lowest: AE, A3, AO3, and EX). Ten experimental scans per group were performed using a Medit i700 IOS on a phantom head-mounted model. Reference scans were obtained using an industrial scanner (Solutionix C500). Values of accuracy (trueness and precision) for the respective groups were evaluated using mean deviation values following 3D superimposition. RESULTS: Composite resin translucency caused the scale reduction of the optical impressions. Values of trueness showed the highest scale reduction in AE, significantly, followed by A3, AO3, and EX. Considering 50 µm as the cut-off value of deviations for clinical acceptability, the analysis showed most deviations in AE and A3. Similar results were found with precision, where AE showed the highest deviation value statistically, followed by A3, AO3, and EX. CONCLUSIONS: Composite resin translucency affects the accuracy of optical impressions, causing a fitting error of CAD/CAM prostheses. The more translucent the composite resin, the less accurate the optical impression. This suggests the need for proper compensation during prosthesis designing for an optimal clinical result. In addition, practitioners should indicate in the digital workflow the proper restorative materials regarding not only the mechanical properties and esthetics, but also the optical characteristics.

Bayesian merging of numerical modeling and remote sensing for saltwater intrusion quantification in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

Saltwater intrusion has become one of the most concerning issues in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) due to its increasing impacts on agriculture and food security of Vietnam. Reliable estimation of salinity plays a crucial role to mitigate the impacts of saltwater intrusion. This study developed a hybrid technique that merges satellite imagery with numerical simulations to improve the estimation of salinity in the VMD. The salinity derived from Landsat images and by numerical simulations was fused using the Bayesian inference technique. The results indicate that our technique significantly reduces the uncertainties and improves the accuracy of salinity estimates. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient is 0.74, which is much higher than that of numerical simulation (0.63) and Landsat estimation (0.6). The correlation coefficient between the ensemble and measured salinity is relatively high (0.88). The variance of the ensemble salinity errors (5.0 ppt2) is lower than that of Landsat estimation (10.4 ppt2) and numerical simulations (9.6 ppt2). The proposed approach shows a great potential to combine multiple data sources of a variable of interest to improve its accuracy and reliability wherever these data are available.

Orange G degradation by heterogeneous peroxymonosulfate activation based on magnetic MnFe2O4/α-MnO2 hybrid.

Wastewater containing an azo dye Orange G (OG) causes massive environmental pollution, thus it is critical to develop a highly effective, environmental-friendly, and reusable catalyst in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for OG degradation. In this work, we successfully applied a magnetic MnFe2O4/α-MnO2 hybrid fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method for OG removal in water. The characteristics of the hybrid were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, vibrating sample magnetometry, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of operational parameters (i.e., catalytic system, catalytic dose, solution pH, and temperature) were investigated. The results exhibited that 96.8% of OG degradation was obtained with MnFe2O4/α-MnO2(1:9)/PMS system in 30 min regardless of solution pH changes. Furthermore, the possible reaction mechanism of the coupling system was proposed, and the degradation intermediates of OG were identified by mass spectroscopy. The radical quenching experiments and EPR tests demonstrated that SO4•̶, O2•̶, and 1O2 were the primary reactive oxygen species responsible for the OG degradation. The hybrid also displayed unusual stability with less than 30% loss in the OG removal after four sequential cycles. Overall, magnetic MnFe2O4/α-MnO2 hybrid could be used as a high potential activator of PMS to remove orange G and maybe other dyes from wastewater.

Engineering Stress in Thin Films: An Innovative Pathway Toward 3D Micro and Nanosystems.

Transformation of conventional 2D platforms into unusual 3D configurations provides exciting opportunities for sensors, electronics, optical devices, and biological systems. Engineering material properties or controlling and modulating stresses in thin films to pop-up 3D structures out of standard planar surfaces has been a highly active research topic over the last decade. Implementation of 3D micro and nanoarchitectures enables unprecedented functionalities including multiplexed, monolithic mechanical sensors, vertical integration of electronics components, and recording of neuron activities in 3D organoids. This paper provides an overview on stress engineering approaches to developing 3D functional microsystems. The paper systematically presents the origin of stresses generated in thin films and methods to transform a 2D design into an out-of-plane configuration. Different types of 3D micro and nanostructures, along with their applications in several areas are discussed. The paper concludes with current technical challenges and potential approaches and applications of this fast-growing research direction.

Environmental and health outcomes of single-use versus reusable duodenoscopes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The large-scale effects of duodenoscopes on the environment and public health have not been quantified. Our aim was to perform an exploratory life cycle assessment comparing environmental and human health effects of single-use duodenoscopes (SDs) and reusable duodenoscopes (RDs). METHODS: We evaluated 3 duodenoscopes: conventional RDs, RDs with disposable endcaps, and SDs. The primary outcomes were impacts on climate change and human health, complemented by multiple environmental impacts. RESULTS: Performing ERCP with SDs releases between 36.3 and 71.5 kg of CO2 equivalent, which is 24 to 47 times greater than using an RD (1.53 kg CO2) or an RD with disposable endcaps (1.54 kg CO2). Most of the impact of SDs comes from its manufacturing, which accounts for 91% to 96% of its greenhouse gas emission. The human health impact of RDs becomes comparable with the SD lower bound if disposable endcaps or other design modifications can reduce serious infection rates below a target rate of 23 cases per year (.0046%). CONCLUSIONS: Although SDs may provide incremental public health benefit compared with RDs, it comes at a substantially higher cost to the environment. As infection rates continue to decrease from more regimented cleaning protocols and enhanced designs such as disposable endcaps to facilitate cleaning, the negative impact to human health from contaminated RDs could be comparable with SDs.