A superstable sandwich-type composite of a single-benzene-based fluorophore and chitosan as a fluorescent authentication barcode.

Management of diseases through medication accounts for the largest portion of treatment, with people worldwide relying on a variety of medicines to treat and prevent minor to severe diseases in modern society. However, the recent increased use of counterfeit medicines rather than certified medication has emerged as a serious social concern. This study introduces a new hybrid material, named SBBF-chitosan (SC), which integrates a single-benzene-based fluorophore (SBBF) and chitosan, serving as a fluorescence-based authentication barcode for certified medication. The synthesis and characterization of SC, along with an analysis of its photophysical properties, were systematically conducted. SC demonstrated bright emission with high stability under various environmental conditions. In vitro analyses and in vivo animal experiment results further indicated the safety of SC for oral intake, even when directly incorporated into medicines. We are confident that this newly developed formulation SC provides a fundamental solution to address the challenges posed by counterfeit medicines, thereby safeguarding medication authenticity.

Effect of intramolecular energy transfer in a dual-functional molecular dyad on the performance of solution-processed TADF OLEDs.

This paper introduces the design concept of a dual-functional molecular dyad tailored specifically for solution-processable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Cy-tmCPBN, characterized by an asymmetric molecular dyad structure, integrates a host unit (tmCP) and a multiple-resonance (MR) emitter (CzBN) via a non-conjugated cyclohexane linker. Cy-tmCPBN exhibited efficient intramolecular energy transfers (EnTs) from tmCP to the CzBN unit, as confirmed by time-resolved fluorescence experiments. The fluorescence lifetime of the tmCP unit was approximately three times shorter in a highly diluted solution of Cy-tmCPBN than in a mixed solution of Cy-tmCP and Cy-CzBN. In addition, Cy-tmCPBN exhibited excellent solubility and film-forming ability, making it suitable for solution processing. Notably, OLEDs utilizing Cy-tmCPBN achieved over twice the brightness and improved external quantum efficiency of 12.3% compared to OLEDs using Cy-CzBN with the same concentration of CzBN in the emitting layer. The improved OLED performance can be explained by the increased EnT efficiency from Cy-tmCP to Cy-tmCPBN and the intramolecular EnT within Cy-tmCPBN. In our dual-functional dyad, incorporating both host and emitter units in an asymmetric molecular dyad structure, we induced a positive synergy effect with the host moiety, enhancing OLED performance through intramolecular EnT.

The degree of respiratory depression according to the effect-site concentration in remimazolam target-controlled infusion: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is not only associated with a lower incidence of respiratory depression than propofol but also in itself has the risk of respiratory depression. OBJECTIVE: We investigated respiratory depression following remimazolam infusion, targeting different effect-site concentrations using target-controlled infusion. DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital, Suwon, South Korea, from April 2022 to November 2022. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seven patients scheduled for general anaesthesia were randomised into three groups targeting remimazolam effect-site concentrations of 500 (RMZ-500) (n = 36), 1000 (RMZ-1000) (n = 35) and 1500 ng ml-1 (RMZ-1500) (n = 36). INTERVENTIONS: Remimazolam was solely infused for 10 min according to target effect-site concentrations. According to the degree of SpO2 decrease, oxygen desaturations were managed with the following respiratory supports: jaw-thrust for SpO2 less than 97%, 100% oxygen delivery for SpO2 less than 93% and assisted ventilation for SpO2 less than 90%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of each respiratory support, along with respiratory variables (at baseline, 5 min and 10 min after remimazolam infusion) and loss of consciousness were observed for 10 min after remimazolam target-controlled infusion. RESULTS: Both RMZ-1000 and RMZ-1500 required more frequent respiratory support than RMZ-500 (both P < 0.001), with nearly identical frequencies between RMZ-1000 and RMZ-1500. In terms of respiratory support, the incidence of assisted ventilation was significantly lower in RMZ-500 (2.8%) than RMZ-1000 (48.6%) and RMZ-1500 (50%) (P < 0.001). RMZ-1000 and RMZ-1500 achieved loss of consciousness in all patients; RMZ-500 only achieved loss of consciousness in 86.1% of patients (P = 0.010). In patients who maintained spontaneous respiration, tidal volume decreased by 41 to 48% and respiratory rate increased by 118 to 158% at 5 and 10 min, significantly compared to baseline in all groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam infusion, like that of other benzodiazepines, led to respiratory depression, which was more prominent at higher target effect-site concentrations. Therefore, appropriate countermeasures should be developed to prevent oxygen desaturation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRIS (https://cris.nih.go.kr), identifier: KCT0006952.

Mediating Effect of Self-Control on the Relationship between Obesity-Related Stress and Weight Control Behavior among Female College Students with Overweight and Obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether self-regulation acts as a mediating factor in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior, targeting Korean female college students. Obesity-related stress and weight control behaviors are important factors affecting an individual's health and well-being, and self-control, a psychological trait, can play a pivotal role in regulating how individuals respond to stress and engage in weight management behaviors. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive correlational design. A total of 109 female college students with overweight and obesity participated in the study. We used a self-report questionnaire to measure obesity-related stress, self-control, and degree of weight control behavior. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and bootstrapping using Hayes' PROCESS macro for mediation. RESULTS: Significant relationships between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), obesity-related stress and self-control (r = -0.36, p < 0.001), and weight control behavior and self-control (r = 0.26, p < 0.001) were observed. Self-control showed an indirect mediating effect on the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior (Β = 0.37, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Through the research results, it was confirmed that self-control is a factor that has a mediating effect in the relationship between obesity-related stress and weight control behavior among female college students with overweight and obesity. These results underscore the importance of addressing self-control strategies in interventions aimed at promoting healthy weight management among female college students with overweight or obesity.

Preoperative Intrathecal Morphine is Associated With Reduced Postoperative Pain, Agitation, and Delirium In Living Donor Kidney Transplantation Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium after organ transplantation can lead to increased length of hospital stay and mortality. Because pain is an important risk factor for delirium, perioperative analgesia with intrathecal morphine (ITM) may mitigate postoperative delirium development. We evaluated if ITM reduces postoperative delirium incidence in living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) recipients. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-six patients who received LDKT between 2014 and 2018 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Recipients who received preoperative ITM (ITM group) were compared with those who did not (control group). The primary outcome was postoperative delirium based on the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit results during the first 4 postoperative days. RESULTS: Delirium occurred in 2.6% (4/154) and 7.0% (10/142) of the ITM and control groups, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14; P = .031), recent smoking (OR: 7.87, 95% CI: 1.43-43.31; P = .018), preoperative psychotropics (OR: 23.01, 95% CI: 3.22-164.66; P = .002) were risk factors, whereas ITM was a protective factor (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06-0.89; P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ITM showed an independent association with reduced post-LDKT delirium. Further studies and the development of regional analgesia for delirium prevention may enhance the postoperative recovery of transplant recipients.

Identification of VWA5A as a novel biomarker for inhibiting metastasis in breast cancer by machine-learning based protein prioritization.

Distant metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer (BC). The timing of distant metastasis differs according to subtypes of BCs and there is a need for identification of biomarkers for the prediction of early and late metastasis. To identify biomarker candidates whose abundance level can discriminate metastasis types, we performed a high-throughput proteomics assay using tissue samples from BCs with no metastasis, late metastasis, and early metastasis, processed data with machine learning-based feature selection, and found that low VWA5A could be responsible for shorter duration of metastasis-free interval. Low expression of VWA5A gene in METABRIC cohort was associated with poor survival in BCs, especially in hormone receptor (HR)-positive BCs. In-vitro experiments confirmed tumor suppressive effect of VWA5A on BCs in HR+ and triple-negative BC cell lines. We found that expression of VWA5A can be assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on archival tissue samples. Decreasing nuclear expression of VWA5A was significantly associated with advanced T stage and lymphatic invasion in consecutive BCs of all subtypes. We discovered lower expression of VWA5A as the potential biomarker for metastasis-prone BCs, and our results support the clinical utility of VWA5A IHC, as an adjunctive tools for prognostication of BCs.