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Stabilization of Argan Oil Nanoemulsions Using Chitosan Extracted from Pink Shrimp Shells
Full text linkThis study investigates the use of chitosan, extracted from pink shrimp shells, as a stabilizer for argan oil nanoemulsions. Chitosan was obtained through demineralization, deproteination, bleaching, deacetylation, and purification, then characterized through potentiometric titration, viscometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and purity assessments. The resulting chitosan was used to stabilize nanoemulsions formulated with extra-virgin argan oil and a nonionic surfactant using the phase inversion composition (PIC) method. The stability of the nanoemulsion was assessed through light scattering, zeta potential, viscosity, and pH measurements. The extracted chitosan exhibited high purity, a deacetylation degree of 88.34%, a molecular weight of 408.809 kDa, and a crystalline index of 66.36%. Chitosan significantly improved nanoemulsion stability, maintaining droplet integrity for over six months at 40 °C. Higher chitosan concentrations increased droplet size, viscosity, and stability, indicating strong polymer adsorption. These findings demonstrate the potential of shrimp waste-derived chitosan as a sustainable stabilizer for argan oil nanoemulsions, promoting effective bioactive compound delivery and environmental sustainability
Evaluation of Wound Dehiscence Rate Between Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) and Ankle Arthrodesis (AA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Full text linkIntroduction
Total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) are surgical interventions used for patients with degenerative ankle arthritis. Historically, AA has been the standard treatment for ankle arthritis; however, in recent years, TAR has become just as popular, if not more so. The TARVA study, a randomized controlled trial examining the outcomes of each procedure for a population with end-stage osteoarthritis, reports similar results between the two procedures, except that TAR may have a higher incidence of wound dehiscence. TAR typically requires a larger incision than AA, which may influence patient selection for the procedure. However, data from the TARVA study was limited to UK patients, making it unclear whether these findings apply to other populations with different healthcare systems and implants. Our study aims to evaluate the rates of wound dehiscence between TAR and AA by conducting a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis.
Methods
We queried PubMed and CINAHL following PRISMA guidelines for papers published from 2010 to the present with the search criteria: “total ankle arthroplasty” OR “TAR” OR “total ankle replacement” OR “TAA” OR “ankle implant” AND “ankle arthrodesis” OR “AA” OR “ankle fusion” AND “wound dehiscence.” We excluded papers that were not in English, were not full text, were not comparative studies, were not meta-analyses, and lacked outcomes on wound complications. Studies were collected from the databases, and data were then extracted regarding wound dehiscence in TAR and AA treatment groups. We compiled this data and created a contingency table. We then calculated the odds ratio (OR) and event rates for the two treatments, using MedCalc (https://www.medcalc.org/calc/odds_ratio.php) to calculate our confidence interval (CI) and p-value.
Results
We started with 777 papers, and after removing duplicates, we were left with 770. Following the title and abstract screening, we narrowed it down to 19 articles for a full text review to determine eligibility. After completing the full text review, we found 4 articles (TAR: n = 2647, AA: n = 1727) to include in the final review. Among the four papers examining TAR and AA, one reported that TAR had higher rates of wound complications, another indicated that AA had higher rates of wound complications, while the remaining two papers found no significant difference between the two
procedures. The event rate of wound dehiscence in the TAR group was 4.9%, compared to 5.4% in the AA group (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.685 to 1.184, p = 0.451).
Discussion
While the TARVA study revealed a higher rate of wound dehiscence in the TAR group, our cumulative data showed no significant difference between the two procedures. The differences in our findings can be attributed to study design and the heterogeneity of results in our cumulative data. A weakness of our study is that we included studies in our review and meta-analysis that are not randomized controlled trials. Although we cannot conclude that there is no difference in wound dehiscence rates, we can inform surgeons that there is a lack of conclusive data on this issue. We hope that this information may better prepare providers in selecting the appropriate surgical intervention for their patients to reduce post-operative wound dehiscence
Library Talk and Everything Else - 2025-02-06
No full texthttps://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/libtalk/1008/thumbnail.jp
Library Talk and Everything Else - 2025-01-30
No full texthttps://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/libtalk/1011/thumbnail.jp
Library Talk and Everything Else - 2025-02-27
No full texthttps://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/libtalk/1010/thumbnail.jp
Exploring Dissertation Chairs’ Lived Experiences with Dissertation Students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
No full textIn this qualitative study, we delved into the lived experiences of dissertation chairs at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Our study aimed to understand how dissertation chairs fostered dissertation students’ navigational, aspirational, linguistic, familial, social, and resistant capital. We collected data through semi-structured interviews with nine dissertation chairs at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The findings revealed that dissertation chairs played a crucial role in supporting dissertation students’ navigational, aspirational, familial, social, and resistant capital. The implications of our findings underscore the urgent need for continuous programmatic efforts to bridge the gap between doctoral coursework and the dissertation experience through the implementation of structured mentorship and alignment of the curriculum
Uniform robot relocation is hard in only two directions even without obstacles
No full textGiven n unit-sized robots contained within a square grid surrounded by four walls, we ask the question of whether it is possible to move a particular robot a to a specific grid location b by performing a sequence of global step operations in which all robots move one grid step in the same cardinal direction (if not blocked by a wall or other blocked robots). We show this problem is NP-complete when restricted to just two directions (south and west). This answers the simplest fundamental problem in uniform global unit tilt swarm robotics. We then consider a relaxed version of this problem called row relocation in which the goal is to move a robot a to a specific row regardless of its horizontal placement. We show that if asking about the first row of the square grid (bottom-most), then this version of the problem is solvable in polynomial time. Finally, we discuss several areas for future research and open problems
Interactive AI Technology for Dementia Caregivers: Needs and Implementation Evidence
No full textThe increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) places growing strains on family caregivers. This study employs a mixed-method approach to investigate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting ADRD caregivers, guided by a conceptual framework of caregiver needs, AI capabilities, implementation factors, and outcomes. We analyzed qualitative data from interviews with Mexican American caregivers (n = 24) and focus groups with rural dementia caregivers (n = 31), alongside a systematic review of 20 studies on interactive AI in dementia care. Our analyses of qualitative data findings revealed a demand for interactive agile AI solutions emphasizing emotional and social support. The systematic review highlighted diverse AI applications, their benefits, and challenges such as tech literacy and cultural considerations. By combining these methods, we provided a comprehensive view of caregiver needs and AI technology’s current state and identified gaps between requirements and existing solutions. The study underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and caregiver engagement in AI design, advocating for innovative, culturally sensitive approaches to support diverse caregiver groups
Can targeting the FGF23-αKlotho signaling system delay phosphate-driven organ damage?
Full text linkIntroduction: Inexorable high serum phosphate levels in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients deteriorate the functionality of the musculoskeletal, renal, and cardiovascular systems, thereby contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Higher phosphate balance has also been correlated with increased mortality rates in individuals with normal renal function, independent of other comorbidities. Clinical and epidemiological studies of CKD patients and healthy subjects, alongside evidence of accelerated aging in murine models induced by excessive phosphate loading, indicate that phosphate toxicity is a driver of premature aging and age-related organ damage.
Area covered: This article briefly discusses the causes and consequences of phosphate toxicity in the context of organ damage and aging while also elaborating on the therapeutic potential of the fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) hormone signaling system in alleviating phosphate toxicity in patients with normal kidney function and CKD.
Expert opinion: Human age-associated disorders may be delayed through dietary programs or pharmacological interventions capable of modulating the activity of FGF23 signaling to reduce the systemic phosphate burden
Impact of metabolically healthy obesity on post percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A nationwide propensity matched analysis
Full text linkBackground
Obesity paradox in post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes among acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is a known controversy. However, these studies included patients who had diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. We studied relationship between metabolically healthy obesity (MHO—without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia) and in-hospital post-PCI outcomes among AMI patients. Methods
We extracted data from National Inpatient Sample 2020 using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes for admissions of AMI patients who underwent PCI. We then identified patients with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia using Elixhauser comorbidity index and Clinical Classifications Software and excluded them. Then, using Elixhauser comorbidity index, we identified patients with and without obesity, defined as BMI \u3e 30 kg/m2 and propensity score matching was done for age and sex. Later, multivariable regression analysis was done for in-hospital post-PCI outcomes. Results
Among 25605 metabolically healthy patients who had AMI and underwent PCI, 2825 had obesity, and 22780 didn\u27t. After propensity score matching (PSM) for age and sex, both cohorts had 2795 patients each. There was no statistically significant difference in in-hospital all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.63–2.10, p = 0.661), post-PCI stroke (aOR 1.17, 95 % CI 0.50–2.75, p = 0.714), acute kidney injury (aOR 1.20, 95 % CI 0.84–1.72, p = 0.322), post-PCI bleeding (aOR 1.04, 95 % CI 0.35 to 3.12, p = 0.940) and intra or post-PCI cardiac arrest (aOR 1.14, 95 % CI 0.30 to 4.42, p = 0.835) between both cohorts. Conclusions
No statistically significant association was found between obesity and post-PCI outcomes in metabolically healthy patients with AMI. Larger studies are needed to explore the controversial “obesity paradox” in cardiovascular diseases