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Atherosclerosis continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The precise evaluation of the extent of an atherosclerotic plaque is essential for forecasting its likelihood of causing health concerns and tracking treatment outcomes. When compared to conventional methods used, nanoparticles offer clear benefits and excellent development opportunities for the detection and characterisation of susceptible atherosclerotic plaques. In this review, we analyse the recent advancements of nanoparticles as theranostics in the management of atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on applications in drug delivery. Furthermore, the main issues that must be resolved in order to advance clinical utility and future developments of NP research are discussed. It is anticipated that medical NPs will develop into complex and advanced next-generation nanobotics that can carry out a variety of functions in the bloodstream.

SARS-CoV-2 is a newly identified member of the coronavirus family that has caused the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This rapidly evolving and unrelenting SARS-CoV-2 has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of millions worldwide. As of 23 August 2021, a total of 211,373,303 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed globally with a death toll of 4,424,341. A strong understanding of the infection pathway of SARS-CoV-2, and how our immune system responds to the virus is highly pertinent for guiding the development and improvement of effective treatments. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of neutralising antibodies (NAbs) and their implications in clinical practice. The aspects include the pathophysiology of the immune response, particularly humoral adaptive immunity and the roles of NAbs from B cells in infection clearance. We summarise the onset and persistence of IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies, and we explore their roles in neutralising SARS-CoV-2, their persistence in convalescent individuals, and in reinfection. Furthermore, we also review the applications of neutralising antibodies in the clinical setting—from predictors of disease severity to serological testing to vaccinations, and finally in therapeutics such as convalescent plasma infusion.

As an innovative technology, transparent soil similar material can actively promote the development of soil model experiments by clarifying the structure, ratio, and strength characteristics. In order to study the factors affecting the mechanical properties of transparent soil materials, fused quartz is chosen as the aggregate material, nano-scale hydrophobic fumed silica is used as the binder, and a mixture of dodecane and No. 15 white oil is employed as the constituent material for transparent soils. In this study, indoor direct shear tests are conducted, and the range method is used to analyze the factors of quartz particle size, binder content and proportion, moisture content and dry density of the mixture solution. The relationship between the strength properties of transparent soil material and the above variables are quantitatively investigated. The results show that the transparent soil similar material can exhibit softening or hardening properties by changing the proportion of influencing factors, which can be suitable to most soils. Dry density has the most significant impact on cohesion while particle size of quartz has the greatest influence on the internal friction angle. The strength parameter of transparent soil has exponential distribution relationship with moisture content and linear distribution relationship with dry density. The cohesion and powder content are distributed exponentially while the internal friction angle and powder content are linearly distributed. As the particle size of quartz increases, the cohesion decreases overall and the internal friction angle increases. The strength parameters of transparent soil have a logarithmic distribution relationship with the unevenness coefficient of particle size and a linear relationship with the curvature coefficient of particle size. This study has established a quantitative control relationship between the key parameters of transparent soil materials and their mechanical properties. The revealed correlations between gradation of particles and strength parameters can serve as a guideline for simulation and visualization techniques based on transparent soils. It is of great significance for the visualization of the evolution mechanisms of geotechnical disasters.

Singapore's aging population, projected to reach 18.7% by 2030, will increase chronic disease burden and strain healthcare resources. Digital health technologies, like Singapore's HealthHub Application (HHA), are crucial for improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. However, the use of HHA among older adults in Singapore remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of HHA use among community-dwelling Singaporeans and identify factors associated with its use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a public housing estate in Singapore, using random sampling to select housing units. Eligibility criteria included being a Singaporean or permanent resident, aged 40 years and above, possessing English proficiency, and absence of cognitive impairment. Participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire in English covering socio-demographics, health literacy, use of digital health technologies, and perceptions of HHA. Responses were categorized and analysed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression. Of the 422 completed responses, 216 (51.2%) of participants reported HHA use. Higher HHA usage was associated with younger age, higher education levels, and greater self-perceived knowledge of health management. Older adults, particularly those aged 70 and above, and participants with secondary education or below had significantly lower HHA usage compared to their counterparts. Additionally, better health literacy as measured by positive perceptions of health knowledge were significantly associated with HHA usage. The adoption of digital health technologies like HHA is lower among older adults with lower education and health knowledge in Singapore. Targeted efforts to improve digital skills, awareness, and usability are needed to promote HHA uptake and support equitable healthcare access in an aging population.

Six organophosphate esters (OPEs) with different octanol-air partition coefficient ( K OA ) were measured from gas and particle samples collected from an urban area of Central China between June 2018 and May 2019. The highest concentration of total OPEs (∑ 6 OPEs) in total suspended particle (TSP) were found in winter, followed by spring, autumn, and summer. ∑ 6 OPEs showed significant positive correlation with TSP concentration ( p < 0.01), significant negative correlation with temperature ( p < 0.01), weak negative linear correlations with relative humility ( p < 0.05), and no significant correlations with wind speed ( p > 0.05). Although OPEs were not detected in polyurethane foams (PUFs), the poly-parameter linear free energy relationship model (pp-LFER) estimated particle fractions of OPEs ( f part pp-LFERg/p ) were below 2.73% for Tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), Tris (chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and Tributyl phosphate (TnBP); 67.8% for Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP); and above 99.6% for TBOEP and TCrP. The concentrations of particle-bound TPhP, TCrP, and TBOEP estimated by pp-LFER ( C part pp-LFERg/p ) were 0.19, 0.09, and 0.05 ng/m 3 , which were in good agreement with measurements. However, the estimated C part pp-LFERg/p of TCEP, TCIPP, and TnBP showed obvious differences with measured data. According to filter-air partitioning estimated by pp-LFER, the strong adsorption of gaseous OPEs to glass fiber filter (GFF) may be responsible to the underestimation. Besides, the weak adsorption of gaseous OPEs to PUF is likely to be another important reason for the discrepancy between measured and modeled results. Therefore, the risk assessment of gaseous OPEs should be of concern in the further research.

Timely discovery and disposal of road risk sources constitute the cornerstone of road operation safety. Presently, the detection of road risk sources frequently relies on manual inspections via inspection vehicles, a process that is both inefficient and time-consuming. To tackle this challenge, this paper introduces a novel automated approach for detecting road risk sources, termed the multi-scale lightweight network (MSLN). This method primarily focuses on identifying road surfaces, potholes, and scattered objects. To mitigate the influence of real-world factors such as noise and uneven brightness on test results, pavement images were carefully collected. Initially, the collected images underwent grayscale processing. Subsequently, the median filtering algorithm was employed to filter out noise interference. Furthermore, adaptive histogram equalization techniques were utilized to enhance the visibility of cracks and the road background. Following these preprocessing steps, the MSLN model was deployed for the detection of road risk sources. Addressing the challenges associated with two-stage network models, such as prolonged training and testing times, as well as deployment difficulties, this study adopted the lightweight feature extraction network MobileNetV2. Additionally, transfer learning was incorporated to elevate the model’s training efficiency. Moreover, this paper established a mapping relationship model that transitions from the world coordinate system to the pixel coordinate system. This model enables the calculation of risk source dimensions based on detection outcomes. Experimental results reveal that the MSLN model exhibits a notably faster convergence rate. This enhanced convergence not only boosts training speed but also elevates the precision of risk source detection. Furthermore, the proposed mapping relationship coordinate transformation model proves highly effective in determining the scale of risk sources.

A model of allergic rhinitis (AR) in BALB/c mice was established and evaluated to provide experimental subjects for further research. Preparation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), including isolation, expansion culture, passaging, cryopreservation, and preparation of cell suspensions, provided materials for experimental research and clinical treatment. The mouse AR model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal injection and the nasal stimulation induction method, and the model had a good effect and high repeatability. GFP-labeled hUCMSCs had good effects and were stable cells that could be used for tracking in animals. Transplantation of hUCMSCs by intraperitoneal and tail vein injections had a specific effect on the AR model of mice, and tail vein injection had a better effect. Tracking of hUCMSCs in vivo showed that the three groups of mice had the greatest number of hUCMSCs in the nose at week 2. The mouse AR model was used to evaluate the efficacy of hUCMSC transplantation via multiple methods for AR. The distribution of hUCMSCs in vivo was tracked by detecting green fluorescent protein (GFP), and the treatment mechanism of hUCMSCs was elucidated. This study provides technical methods and a theoretical basis for the clinical application of hUCMSCs.

Background The tumorigenesis of infused umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) is being preclinically evaluated. Methods We observed tumor formation in NOD SCID mice after a single subcutaneous injection of hUC-MSCs and the effect of these cells on tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. Three generations (P5, P7, and P10) of hUC-MSCs (1 × 10 7 ) from two donors (hUC-MSC1 and hUC-MSC2) were inoculated subcutaneously into NOD SCID mice. Subcutaneous transplantation models were established in NOD SCID mice with human cervical cancer HeLa cells (solid tumor) and human B cell lymphoma Raji cells (hematological tumor). Then, the animals were euthanized, gross dissection was performed, and tissues were collected. Various organs were observed microscopically to identify pathological changes and tumor metastasis. Results In the tumorigenesis experiment, no general anatomical abnormalities were observed. In the tumor promotion experiment, some animals in the HeLa groups experienced tumor rupture, and one animal died in each of the low- and medium-dose hUC-MSC groups. The results may have occurred due to the longer feeding time, and the tumor may have caused spontaneous infection and death. Pathological examination revealed no metastasis to distant organs in any group. In the Raji tumor model, some animals in each group experienced tumor rupture, and one animal in the medium-dose hUC-MSC group died, perhaps due to increased tumor malignancy. Thus, hUC-MSCs neither promoted nor inhibited tumor growth. No cancer cell metastasis was observed in the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys or other important organs, except that pulmonary venule metastasis was observed in 1 animal in the model group. Conclusions Injected hUC-MSCs were not tumorigenic and did not significantly promote or inhibit solid or hematological tumor growth or metastasis in NOD SCID mice.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most prevalent non‐communicable disease worldwide. Nanotheranostics have made significant progress in the biomedical field, presenting an avenue to overcome the limitations of conventional approaches towards MI, in which personalized interventions have enhanced nanotherapeutic efficacy. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nanoscale materials have been modified through alteration of their physical and chemical properties such as structure, size, and surface, thereby improving target sensitivity and specificity. This revolutionary technology has also been accomplished through precision therapeutics in MI. In this review, we discuss advanced nanoparticle designs utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of MI that could be applied to deliver personalized treatment and improve patient outcomes. Nanotheranostics has revolutionized our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying myocardial infarction (MI), guiding the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies. This review provides an overview of the technological breakthroughs of nanoparticles (NPs) in drug delivery systems (DDS) for treating MI, describes advanced NP designs used to deliver personalized treatment and improve patient outcomes, and highlights future directions.

Background: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) require effective bracing to control curve progression. However, most traditional spinal braces commonly pose challenges in terms of undesired bulkiness and restricted mobility. Recent advancements have focused on innovative brace designs, utilizing novel materials and structural configurations to improve wearability and functionality. However, it remains unclear how effective these next-generation braces are biomechanically compared to traditional braces. Objectives: This review aimed to analyze the design features of next-generation AIS braces and assess their biomechanical effectiveness via reviewing contemporary studies. Methods: Studies on newly designed scoliosis braces over the past decade were searched in databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, EBCOHost and SpringerLink. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cohort Studies was adopted to evaluate the quality of the included studies. The data extracted for biomechanical effect analysis included brace components/materials, design principle, interfacial pressure, morphological changes, and intercomparison parameters. Results: A total of 19 studies encompassing 12 different kinds of braces met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Clinical effectiveness was reported in 14 studies, with an average short-term Cobb angle correction of 25.4% (range: 12.41–34.3%) and long-term correction of 18.22% (range: 15.79–19.3%). This result aligned broadly with the previously reported efficacy of the traditional braces in short-term cases (range: 12.36–31.33%), but was lower than the long-term ones (range: 23.02–33.6%). Two included studies reported an interface pressure range between 6.0 kPa and 24.4 kPa for novel braces, which was comparable to that of the traditional braces (4.8–30.0 kPa). Additionally, five of six studies reported the trunk asymmetric parameters and demonstrated improvement in trunk alignment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that most newly designed scoliosis braces could achieve comparable biomechanical efficacy to the conventional designs, particularly in interface pressure management and Cobb angle correction. However, future clinical adoption of these novel braces requires further improvements of ergonomic design and three-dimensional correction, as well as more investigation and rigorous evidence on the long-term treatment outcomes and cost-effectiveness.