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Visual interpretation is extremely important in human geography as the primary technique for geographers to use photograph data in identifying, classifying, and quantifying geographic and topological objects or regions. However, it is also time‐consuming and requires overwhelming manual effort from professional geographers. This paper describes our interdisciplinary team's efforts in integrating computer vision models with geographers' visual image interpretation process to reduce their workload in interpreting images. Focusing on the dune segmentation task, we proposed an approach called DCV2I${\bf DCV}^2{\bf I}$ featuring a deep dune segmentation model to identify dunes and label their ranges in an automated way. By developing a tool to connect our model with ArcGIS—one of the most popular workbenches for visual interpretation, geographers can further refine the automatically generated dune segmentation on images without learning any CV or deep learning techniques. Our approach thus realized a noninvasive change to geographers' visual interpretation routines, reducing their manual efforts while incurring minimal interruptions to their work routines and tools they are familiar with. Deployment with a leading Chinese geography research institution demonstrated the potential of DCV2I${\bf DCV}^2{\bf I}$ in supporting geographers in researching and solving drylands desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vulnerability of trees to insect herbivory can be influenced by forest structure and diversity. Associational resistance theory posits that trees surrounded by diverse neighbours are likely to suffer reduced herbivory. However, the underlying mechanisms of this effect are debated, with accumulating evidence suggesting that leaf traits could mediate the strength and direction of the diversity‐herbivory relationships.To determine the role of tree trait variation in mediating this relationship, we measured leaf herbivory and nine morphological and nutritional leaf traits known to influence herbivory on 394 focal trees of twelve species cultivated in monocultures and mixtures of four, eight, and sixteen species in a 4‐year‐old large‐scale manipulated tree diversity experiment.A reduction in the proportion of focal trees in species‐rich neighbourhoods resulted in increased leaf carbon: nitrogen ratio of focal trees, which mediated a reduction in insect herbivory. Moreover, an increase in plant height apparency, defined as the disparity in total height between a focal tree and its closest neighbours, indirectly amplified herbivory by reducing leaf phosphorus concentration.Synthesis: The study suggests that neighbourhood diversity and physical structure can indirectly affect herbivory on a focal plant by modifying its leaf trait. Accounting for the functional differences between forests could enhance our understanding of diversity–herbivory relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printed drug delivery systems have gained tremendous attention in pharmaceutical research due to their inherent benefits over conventional systems, such as provisions for customized design and personalized dosing. The present study demonstrates a novel approach of drop-on-demand (DoD) droplet deposition to dispense drug solutions precisely on binder jetting-based 3D printed multi-compartment tablets containing 3 model anti-viral drugs (hydroxychloroquine sulfate - HCS, ritonavir and favipiravir). The printing pressure affected the printing quality whereas the printing speed and infill density significantly impacted the volume dispersed on the tablets. Additionally, the DoD parameters such as nozzle valve open time and cycle time affected both dispersing volume and the uniformity of the tablets. The solid-state characterization, including DSC, XRD, and PLM, revealed that all drugs remained in their crystalline forms. Advanced surface analysis conducted by microCT imaging as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Deep Learning (DL) model validation showed a homogenous drug distribution in the printed tablets even at ultra-low doses. For a four-hour in vitro drug release study, the drug loaded in the outer layer was released over 90%, and the drug incorporated in the middle layer was released over 70%. In contrast, drug encapsulated in the core was only released about 40%, indicating that outer and middle layers were suitable for immediate release while the core could be applied for delayed release. Overall, this study demonstrates a great potential for tailoring drug release rates from a customized modular dosage form and developing personalized drug delivery systems coupling different 3D printing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, various innovative technologies have been developed for the enhanced delivery of biologics as attractive formulation targets including polymeric micro and nanoparticles. Combined with personalized medicine, this area can offer a great opportunity for the improvement of therapeutics efficiency and the treatment outcome. Herein, a novel manufacturing method has been introduced to produce protein-loaded chitosan particles with controlled size. This method is based on an additive manufacturing technology that allows for the designing and production of personalized particulate based therapeutic formulations with a precise control over the shape, size, and potentially the geometry. Sprayed multi adsorbed-droplet reposing technology (SMART) consists of the high-pressure extrusion of an ink with a well determined composition using a pneumatic 3D bioprinting approach and flash freezing the extrudate at the printing bed, optionally followed by freeze drying. In the present study, we attempted to manufacture trypsin-loaded chitosan particles using SMART. The ink and products were thoroughly characterized by dynamic light scattering, rheometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These characterizations confirmed the shape morphology as well as the protein integrity over the process. Further, the effect of various factors on the production were investigated. Our results showed that the concentration of the carrier, chitosan, and the lyoprotectant concentration as well as the extrusion pressure have a significant effect on the particle size. According to CD spectra, SMART ensured Trypsin's secondary structure remained intact regardless of the ink composition and pressure. However, our study revealed that the presence of 5% (w/v) lyoprotectant is essential to maintain the trypsin's proteolytic activity. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the viability of SMART as a single-step efficient process to produce biologics-based stable formulations with a precise control over the particulate morphology which can further be expanded across numerous therapeutic modalities including vaccines and cell/gene therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ramulus Mori (RM, Sangzhi) and Cortex Mori (CM, Sangbaipi) both come from the Chinese medicinal plant mulberry tree. CM is usually used to relieve cough, while RM is usually used to treat pain. There are no studies on the quality control of RM and CM based on their analgesic and anti‐inflammatory constituents associated with their traditional use. The chemical profiles of CM and RM were confusing. Some CM had similar profiles to RM, but some did not. Objective: We aimed to reveal the chemical differences between RM and CM and to evaluate their quality. Materials and Methods: Their chemical differences were studied using metabolomic analysis based on UHPLC‐ESI‐MS data. The contents of five quality marker candidates were determined by UHPLC‐PDA. The analgesic activities of morusin and kuwanon C were assessed by an acetic acid‐induced writhing test. Results: CM was characterized by chemical diversity, whereas RM had good homogeneity. Four groups of CM were classified based on their chemicals. The chemical profiles of CM group 4 were more similar to that of RM. Eighteen putative features were identified based on an MS‐Finder search and fragmentation rules. Content limits for four quality markers with anti‐inflammatory or analgesic activities were proposed for RM. Furthermore, a possible biosynthetic relationship between kuwanon C, kuwanon G, and morusin was hypothesized based on the high Pearson coefficient between kuwanon G and morusin. Conclusion: The obtained results may be useful in the evaluation of RM and CM and afford insight into the biosynthetic pathway of Diels–Alder adducts in Morus. The chemical differences between Cortex Mori and Ramulus Mori were revealed by metabolomic analysis based on UHPLC‐MS. Cortex Mori showed chemical diversity, whereas Ramulus Mori displayed good homogeneity. Four compounds with anti‐inflammatory or analgesic activities were proposed as quality markers and their content limits were recommended using UHPLC‐PDA method. After Pearson correlation analysis on five quality marker candidates, a possible biosynthetic pathway of the Diels‐Alder adduct and cyclized diene part was hypothesized based on the high Pearson coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancements in cutting-edge technologies and rapid development of medical sciences, patient-focused drug development (PFDD) through additive manufacturing (AM) processes is gathering more interest in the pharmaceutical area than ever. Hence, there is an urgent need for researchers to comprehensively understand the influence of three-dimensional design on the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDSs). For this research, fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing was investigated, and phenytoin (PHT) was selected as the model drug. The primary purpose of the current investigation was to understand the influence of AM process on the pharmaceutical products' quality. A series of comparative studies, including morphology, solid-state analysis, and in vitro drug release studies between additive manufactured filaments (printlets) and extruded filaments, were conducted. The FDM-based AM showed adequate reproducibility by manufacturing printlets with consistent qualities; however, the model slicing orientation significantly affected the print qualities. The texture analysis studies showed that the mechanical properties (breaking behavior) of additive manufactured printlets were varied from the extruded filaments. Additionally, the higher printing temperature also influenced the solid state of the drug where the process assisted in PHT's amorphization in the printed products, which further affected their mechanical properties and in vitro drug release performances. The current investigation illustrated that the AM process would change the printed objects' macrostructure over the conventional products, and the printing temperature and slicing will significantly affect the printing process and product qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent, progressive inflammation and destruction of cartilaginous tissue. Respiratory involvement is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Airway management during anaesthesia in these patients can be challenging and may result in failed oxygenation and death. Increased physiological demand during pregnancy further complicates anaesthesia planning. Collaborative management under a multidisciplinary team of obstetricians, obstetric anaesthetists, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist is essential. We report a case of a parturient with relapsing polychondritis and severe respiratory involvement for caesarean section under combined epidural-spinal anaesthesia and discuss the anaesthetic management based on current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prolong the circulation time of drug, PEGylation has been widely used via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, thereby providing new hope for better treatment. However, PEGylation also brings the "PEG dilemma", which is difficult for the cellular absorption of drugs and subsequent endosomal escape. As a result, the activity of drugs is inevitably lost after PEG modification. To achieve successful drug delivery for effective treatment, the crucial issue associated with the use of PEG-lipids, that is, “PEG dilemma” must be addressed. In this paper, we introduced the development and application of nanocarriers with cleavable PEGylation, and discussed various strategies for overcoming the PEG dilemma. Compared to the traditional ones, the vehicle systems with different environmental-sensitive PEG-lipids were discussed, which cleavage can be achieved in response to the intracellular as well as the tumor microenvironment. This smart cleavable PEGylation provides us an efficient strategy to overcome “PEG dilemma”, thereby may be a good candidate for the cancer treatment in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional oral dosage forms may not always be optimal especially for those patients suffering from dysphasia or difficulty swallowing. Development of suitable oral thin films (OTFs), therefore, can be an excellent alternative to conventional dosage forms for these patient groups. Hence, the main objective of the current investigation is to develop oral thin film (OTF) formulations using novel solvent-free approaches, including additive manufacturing (AM), hot-melt extrusion, and melt casting. AM, popularly recognized as 3D printing, has been widely utilized for on-demand and personalized formulation development in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, in general active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are dissolved or dispersed in polymeric matrices to form amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). In this study, acetaminophen (APAP) was selected as the model drug, and Klucel™ hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) E5 and Soluplus® were used as carrier matrices to form the OTFs. Amorphous OTFs were successfully manufactured by hot-melt extrusion and 3D printing technologies followed by comprehensive studies on the physico-chemical properties of the drug and developed OTFs. Advanced physico-chemical characterizations revealed the presence of amorphous drug in both HME and 3D printed films whereas some crystalline traces were visible in solvent and melt cast films. Moreover, advanced surface analysis conducted by Raman mapping confirmed a more homogenous distribution of amorphous drugs in 3D printed films compared to those prepared by other methods. A series of mathematical models were also used to describe drug release mechanisms from the developed OTFs. Moreover, the in vitro dissolution studies of the 3D printed films demonstrated an improved drug release performance compared to the melt cast or extruded films. This study suggested that HME combined with 3D printing can potentially improve the physical properties of formulations and produce OTFs with preferred qualities such as faster dissolution rate of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]