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Purpose. To report a case of postoperative endophthalmitis after combined cataract extraction and iStent inject implantation. Observation. A 70-year-old male with a nuclear sclerotic cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma underwent an uneventful phacoemulsification cataract extraction with implantation of an intraocular lens and an iStent inject trabecular bypass stent. The patient was prescribed a postoperative regimen of ofloxacin 0.3% and prednisolone acetate 1%, 1 drop four times a day each. On postoperative day five, he presented to the emergency room for eye pain and had 4+ mixed cells in the anterior chamber (AC) without hypopyon or vitritis on exam. Prednisolone 1% eye drops were increased from four times a day to every two hours while awake. Overnight, he developed worsening vision and severe eye pain. The next morning, he was found to have increased AC cells, vitritis, and intraretinal hemorrhages and was diagnosed with endophthalmitis. The patient underwent a vitreous tap and intravitreal injections of vancomycin (1 mg/0.1 mL) and amikacin (0.4 mg/0.1 mL). Cultures grew Staphylococcus epidermidis. Lab work-up revealed underlying neutropenia. Visual acuity eventually recovered to 20/20. Conclusion and Importance. This report highlights a case of endophthalmitis associated with placement of the iStent inject. The infection was well-controlled after administration of intravitreal antibiotics without removal of the iStent inject, and visual acuity eventually recovered to 20/20. Surgeons should be aware of endophthalmitis risk following combined iStent inject placement, and good recovery is possible without removal of the implant.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are being utilized widely in many different industries, including agriculture, medicine, and the military. They contain many distributed sensors to monitor physical or environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. and use various communication technologies, including WiFi, radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, and ZigBee. ZigBee is always a preferred choice for applications in WSNs. ZigBee has remarkable capabilities, such as saving energy and transmitting data over long distances. ZigBee end devices, as well as a ZigBee coordinator (ZC) and a ZigBee router (ZR), are crucial components of the WSNs. This article discusses the fundamentals of the ZigBee network, one of the most popular data transmission technologies in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Additionally, we want to discuss the ZigBee communication technologies and their applications, particularly in the networks. Different scenarios for mobile agents including their routing protocols in WSNs are considered. Simulation results of different scenarios demonstrate how easily scalability can be achieved and provide a foundation for further ZigBee application development. At last, some conclusions and ideas are presented for considerations.

β-sitosterol derived from Clinacanthus nutans Lindau was tested for its in vitro osteogenic activity using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. Our results indicated that β-sitosterol was non-toxic to the cells cultured at a concentration

The use of motorized scooters is gaining popularity in Canada and elsewhere. This study aims to summarize characteristics of injuries related to use of motorized scooters using data from the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP) and to analyze trends. The eCHIRPP collects information associated with the injury event and clinical information related to treatment (the injured body part, the nature of the injury, injury intent and treatment received) from 11 pediatric and 9 general hospitals across Canada.A free-text search using keywords identified 523 cases related to motorized scooter injuries between January 2012 and December 2019. Most of the injuries reported were among males (62.7%). Fracture/dislocation was the most frequent injury (36.9%), and 14.3% of all patients were admitted to hospital. Joinpoint regression showed a statistically significant increase in injuries related to motorized scooter use between 2012 and 2017 (annual percent change of 18.4%).Study findings indicate the need for continued preventive efforts and improved educational messages on safe riding and the importance of the use of protective equipment to prevent injuries among riders.L’utilisation des trottinettes motorisées gagne en popularité au Canada comme ailleurs. Cette étude vise à résumer les caractéristiques des traumatismes liés à l’utilisation des trottinettes motorisées selon les données de la plate-forme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d’information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT) et à en analyser les tendances. L’eSCHIRPT recueille des renseignements sur l’événement ayant entraîné le traumatisme et des données cliniques sur le traitement (la partie du corps touchée, la nature et l’intentionnalité du traumatisme ainsi que le traitement administré) auprès de 11 hôpitaux pédiatriques et de 9 hôpitaux généraux du Canada.Une recherche en texte libre à l’aide de mots-clés a permis de relever 523 cas de traumatismes liés à l’utilisation d’une trottinette motorisée entre janvier 2012 et décembre 2019. La plupart des traumatismes signalés concernaient des hommes (62,7 %). Le traumatisme le plus fréquent était une fracture ou une luxation (36,9 %) et 14,3 % de l’ensemble des patients ont été admis à l’hôpital. Une régression Joinpoint a montré une augmentation statistiquement significative des traumatismes liés à l’utilisation d’une trottinette motorisée entre 2012 et 2017 (variation annuelle de 18,4 %).Les résultats de notre étude indiquent qu’il faut poursuivre les efforts de prévention et améliorer les messages éducatifs sur la conduite sécuritaire et l’importance de l’utilisation d’un équipement de protection pour prévenir les traumatismes chez les utilisateurs.We used data from the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP) to analyze electric scooter incident injuries in Canada. Injuries related to motorized scooter use increased statistically significantly between 2012 and 2017, and almost two­thirds of the people seen in participating emergency departments underwent treatment or observation, with one­third requiring follow­up treatment. Over half of the injuries were the result of a fall, and more than onequarter occurred in traffic. Over one­third of the cases involved injury to more than one body part, with head injuries the most common (25% of reported incidents). Almost half of those who gave information on protective equipment use reported using it, most often a helmet.Nous avons utilisé les données de la plate-forme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d’information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT) pour analyser l’information sur les traumatismes liés aux incidents de trottinette électrique au Canada. Les traumatismes liés à l’utilisation d’une trottinette motorisée ont augmenté de façon statistiquement significative entre 2012 et 2017. En outre, près des deux tiers des personnes examinées dans les services d’urgence participants ont subi un traitement ou ont été placés en observation et le tiers d’entre elles ont eu besoin d’un traitement de suivi. Plus de la moitié des traumatismes résultaient d’une chute et plus du quart avaient eu lieu dans la circulation. Plus du tiers des cas concernaient des traumatismes à plus d’une partie du corps, les blessures à la tête étant les plus fréquentes (25 % des incidents signalés). Près de la moitié des personnes ayant fourni de l’information sur l’utilisation d’équipement de protection ont indiqué en utiliser, le plus souvent un casque.

Introduction L’utilisation des trottinettes motorisées gagne en popularité au Canada comme ailleurs. Cette étude vise à résumer les caractéristiques des traumatismes liés à l’utilisation des trottinettes motorisées selon les données de la plate-forme électroniquedu Syst ème canadien hospitalier d’information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT) et à en analyser les tendances. L’eSCHIRPT recueille des renseignements sur l’événement ayant entraîné le traumatisme et des données cliniques sur le traitement (la partie du corps touchée, la nature et l’intentionnalité du traumatisme ainsi que le traitement administré) auprès de 11 hôpitaux pédiatriques et de 9 hôpitaux généraux du Canada. Résultats Une recherche en texte libre à l’aide de mots-clés a permis de relever 523 cas de traumatismes liés à l’utilisation d’une trottinette motorisée entre janvier 2012 et décembre 2019. La plupart des traumatismes signalés concernaient des hommes (62,7 %). Le traumatisme le plus fréquent était une fracture ou une luxation (36,9 %) et 14,3 % de l’ensemble des patients ont été admis à l’hôpital. Une régression Joinpoint a montré une augmentation statistiquement significative des traumatismes liés à l’utilisation d’une trottinette motorisée entre 2012 et 2017 (variation annuelle de 18,4 %). Conclusion Les résultats de notre étude indiquent qu’il faut poursuivre les efforts de prévention et améliorer les messages éducatifs sur la conduite sécuritaire et l’importance de l’utilisation d’un équipement de protection pour prévenir les traumatismes chez les utilisateurs.

This report highlights a case of irreversible bilateral cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis related to dupilumab therapy for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). After 38 years of AD, the patient began dupilumab therapy and achieved disease control. Two years into treatment, his ophthalmic examination was significant for bilateral cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis with severe foreshortening of the inferior conjunctival fornices, symblepharon, and ankyloblepharon, which persisted even after topical steroid eye drops and discontinuation of dupilumab. Treating dermatologists should be aware of this potential irreversible adverse effect, and we recommend that patients are monitored for ocular complications while on dupilumab therapy.

Introduction Si la consommation de cocaïne est à l’origine de nombreuses blessures et intoxications, seul un nombre limité d’études a porté sur les blessures liées à la cocaïne. Cette étude a permis d’analyser un large éventail de blessures et d’intoxications liées à la consommation de cocaïne seule et en combinaison avec d’autres substances au Canada,à l’aide des données de surveillance sentinelle saisies dans la plateforme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d’information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT). Méthodologie Nous avons extrait les dossiers correspondant aux blessures et aux intoxications liées à la consommation de cocaïne, seule ou en combinaison avec d’autres substances, saisis dans la base de données de l’eSCHIRPT entre janvier 2012 et décembre 2019 pour tous les groupes d’âge. Nous avons effectué des analyses descriptives afin d’obtenir la répartition des caractéristiques des patients et des blessures au sein des dossiers mentionnant des intoxications et des blessures liées à la consommation de cocaïne seule ou en combinaison avec d’autres substances. Nous avons réalisé des analyses statistiques afin de déterminer la proportion de blessures liées à la cocaïne pour 100 000 dossiers consignés dans l’eSCHIRPT. Nous avons évalué les tendances relatives aux blessures liées à la cocaïne en utilisant la variation annuelle en pourcentage (VAP). Résultats Des blessures et des intoxications liées à la cocaïne ont été signalées dans 123 dossiers pour 100 000 dossiers consignés dans l’eSCHIRPT. Des 1 482 patients qui se sont présentés aux urgences des établissements participant au SCHIRPT en lien avec ce type de blessure ou d’intoxication, la majorité avaient consommé de la cocaïne en combinaison avec une ou plusieurs substances (80,0 %; n = 1 186) plutôt que de la cocaïne seule (20,0 %; n = 296). Sur l’ensemble des dossiers associés à la cocaïne, l’intoxication était le diagnostic le plus fréquent (62,7 %; n = 930) et la plupart des blessures et des intoxications étaient non intentionnelles (73,5 %; n = 1 090). Globalement, les déclarations d’incidents relatifs à la cocaïne ont connu une hausse dans l’eSCHIRPT pour tous les groupes d’âge (VAP [total] = 47,8 %, p < 0,05) au cours de la période à l’étude (2012­2019). Conclusion La proportion plus importante de blessures et d’intoxications liées à la cocaïne chez les adolescents et les jeunes adultes ainsi que la consommation simultanée de cocaïne et d’autres substances révélées par notre étude témoignent de l’importance de procéder à une surveillance exhaustive des blessures et des intoxications liées à la cocaïne ainsi qu’à des interventions de santé publique fondées sur des données probantes

We report a case of a 53-year-old HIV-negative patient in San Francisco, California, USA, with no classic mpox prodromal symptoms or skin lesions who experienced fulminant, vision-threatening scleritis, keratitis, and uveitis. Deep sequence analysis identified monkeypox virus RNA in the aqueous humor. We confirmed the virus on the cornea and sclera by PCR.

An 80-year-old male with a distant 10 pack-years smoking history and squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the scalp diagnosed 15 years ago presented with a new right nasal bulbar conjunctival lesion found to be invasive SCCA. The patient was started on interferon alfa-2b for 5 months until there was no evidence of residual disease. During a follow-up visit 10 months after diagnosis and during routine ophthalmic follow-up, an enlarged right submandibular lymph node was found through neck palpation and revealed to be SCCA without extranodal extension. The lesion was likely to have metastasized from his right conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (CSCCA). Regional lymph nodes are a commonplace of metastasis for CSCCA making neck palpation a reasonable and recommended part of clinical examination to monitor for metastasis. This is the first known case of identifying regional metastasis of CSCCA through neck palpation.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of choroidal metastasis.We conducted a systematic review of all reported cases of choroidal metastases treated with PDT in literature, and included the cases from our institution, for a comprehensive meta-analysis.We identified 52 tumors in 40 eyes of 34 patients. The mean age was 60 years (range 28-77). The mean tumor thickness was 1.9 mm (range 0-4.8 mm), whereas the mean largest basal diameter was 8.2 mm (range 1.5-30 mm) on presentation. After an average of 1.4 treatment visit, PDT resulted in decreased tumor thickness (mean 1.9 mm before vs. 1.0 mm after PDT, P0.0001) and decreased central macular thickness (mean 454 µm before vs. 289 µm after PDT, P = 0.03). After PDT, 82% of tumors had reduced thickness, and subretinal fluid resolved in 75% of eyes. Photodynamic therapy also resulted in stable or improved vision in 78% of treated eyes (logMAR 0.50 before vs. 0.56 after PDT, P = 0.54). No adverse events were reported, and PDT was effective in treating the most common choroidal metastases (tumor control rate of 94% in 16 lung adenocarcinoma and 92% in 26 breast carcinoma metastasis cases).Photodynamic therapy is effective at controlling tumors and preserving vision in patients with some choroidal metastases. Because of its minimal time commitment and good safety profile, PDT should be considered as a potential first-line treatment for small choroidal metastases.

Image processing and object detection in aerial images have to deal with a lot of trouble due to the existence of haze, smoke, dust in the atmosphere. These factors can blur objects and severely decline image quality which might lead to incorrect or missing object detection. To solve this problem, this study shows a method that can reduce the bad effect of haze on object detection in aerial images. A combination of a dehazing method called Feature Fusion Attention Network (FFA-Net) and an object detection method named Probabilistic Anchor Assignment (PAA) was conducted to evaluate two hypotheses: (1) haze was a noisy factor and (2) haze was treated as part of objects. Through extensive experiments, the selective dehazing hypothesis, which was used for truck objects, improved the detection result of car and bus from 19.6% to 21.9% and 0.7% to 4.4%, respectively, on the UAVDT-Benchmark-M dataset. This result showed that our approach was effective.

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is an emerging technology with commercial potential to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into net zero or negative emission products. In microalgae-based CCU, microalgae utilize CO2 and sunlight to generate biomass for commercial applications. This paper reviews the current state of microalgal culture development for CCU and highlights its potential contribution to addressing climate change challenges. Current microalgal culture systems have not been designed for high throughput biomass growth and carbon capture. Raceways, high-rate algal ponds, and photobioreactors are the most widely used for microalgal cultivation at a large-scale. The limitations of these systems are related to microalgal growth requirements. Ponds are operated at narrow depth to ensure sufficient light distribution and thus need a large land surface. CO2 gas needs to be in a dissolved form for efficient utilization by microalgae. Innovative system designs to achieve optimized distribution of light, nutrient, and CO2 utilization for enhanced biomass production are crucial to achieve large-scale CO2 capture by microalgae. Data corroborated in this review highlights several innovative techniques to deliver CO2 effectively and enhance light illumination to microalgal cells. Submerged and internal illuminations can enhance light distribution without compromising culture volume and land requirements. CO2 delivery technique selections mainly depend on CO2 sources. The carbonation column appears to be the best option regarding efficiency, easy operation, and simple design. The downstream processes of microalgal culture (i.e. harvesting, biomass utilization, and water reuse) are important to make microalgae-based CCU a significant contribution to global carbon mitigation solutions.

BackgroundCongenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the predominant cause for chronic kidney disease below 30 years of age. Many monogenic forms have been discovered mainly due to comprehensive genetic testing like exome sequencing (ES). However, disease-causing variants in known disease-associated genes still only explain a proportion of cases. Aim of this study was to unravel the underlying molecular mechanism of syndromic CAKUT in two multiplex families with presumed autosomal recessive inheritance.Methods and ResultsES in the index individuals revealed two different rare homozygous variants inFOXD2,a transcription factor not previously implicated in CAKUT in humans: a frameshift in family 1 and a missense variant in family 2 with family segregation patterns consistent with autosomal-recessive inheritance. CRISPR/Cas9-derivedFoxd2knock-out (KO) mice presented with bilateral dilated renal pelvis accompanied by renal papilla atrophy while extrarenal features included mandibular, ophthalmologic, and behavioral anomalies, recapitulating the phenotype of humans withFOXD2dysfunction. To study the pathomechanism ofFOXD2-dysfunction-mediated developmental renal defects, in a complementary approach, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated KO ofFoxd2in ureteric-bud-induced mouse metanephric mesenchyme cells. Transcriptomic analyses revealed enrichment of numerous differentially expressed genes important in renal/urogenital development, includingPax2andWnt4as well as gene expression changes indicating a cell identity shift towards a stromal cell identity. Histology ofFoxd2KO mouse kidneys confirmed increased fibrosis. Further, GWAS data (genome-wide association studies) suggests thatFOXD2could play a role for maintenance of podocyte integrity during adulthood.ConclusionsIn summary, our data implicate thatFOXD2dysfunction is a very rare cause of autosomal recessive syndromic CAKUT and suggest disturbances of the PAX2-WNT4 cell signaling axis contribute to this phenotype.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) facilitate many applications in different fields and are well-known in both academic and industrial areas. The networks mainly include sensors, networking parts and a data processing center to collect data for a variety of purposes. However, the energy consumption problem in the networks is always a critical problem that many researchers are looking for good solutions. In this paper, we propose a data collection method that uses mobile sensors attached with bigger energy storages to collect data from static sensors. In addition, we propose a hybrid energy harvesting scheme to harvest energy from ambient environments to support static sensors to prolong the network lifetime. Some algorithms are provided to support the networks either with data collection or harvesting energy. We outline various possibilities for powering the gadgets with solar and RF energy gathering. In particular, all the circuits that are constructed using mathematical equations are offered. All of the network possibilities are clarified using simulation and experimental results. The outcomes are encouraging and useful.

BACKGROUND The earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada were marked by a significant surge in COVID cases and COVID-related deaths among residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF; also known as centres d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée [CHSLD] in Québec). As part of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel were mobilized for an initial emergency domestic deployment to the hardest-hit LTCFs (Operation LASER LTCF) to support the remaining civilian staff in ensuring the continued delivery of care to residents. Akin to what was observed following past CAF international humanitarian missions, there was an expected increased risk of exposure to multiple stressors that may be psychologically traumatic and potentially morally injurious in nature (i.e., related to important values; e.g., witnessing human suffering). Emerging data from healthcare workers exposed to the unprecedented medical challenges and dilemmas of the early pandemic stages was also pointing to such experiences being associated with increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. OBJECTIVE To identify and quantify the individual-, group-, and organizational-level risk and resilience factors associated with moral distress, moral injury and traditional mental health and well-being outcomes of Operation (Op) LASER LTCF CAF personnel. METHODS A multimethod research initiative was conducted, consisting of two primary data collection studies (a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews). The quantitative arm was a complete enumeration survey with online self-report questionnaires administered at three timepoints (3, 6, and 12 months post-deployment). The qualitative arm consisted of individual interviews conducted virtually, with a focus on understanding the nuanced lived experiences of individuals taking part in the Op LASER LTCF deployment. RESULTS CAF personnel deployed to Op LASER LTCF (n = 2,595) were invited to participate in the study. Overall, 1,088, 582, and 497 individuals responded to the survey at Time 1 (3 months), Time 2 (6 months), and Time 3 (12 months) post-deployment, providing a participation rate of 41.9%, 22.4%, and 19.2% for Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3, respectively. Data for all three timepoints was obtained from 212 participants (representing 19.5% of all Time 1 responses). The target sample size for qualitative interviews was set at approximately 50, with considerations for resourcing and data saturation. Interest in participating in qualitative interviews surpassed expectations with over 200 individuals expressing interest; this allowed for purposive sampling across key characteristics, including gender, rank, Op LASER LTCF role, and province. In total, 53 interviews were conducted. CONCLUSIONS The data generated by this research is being used to inform and better understand the well-being and mental health of Op LASER LTCF personnel over time, identify general and Op LASER LTCF-specific risk and protective factors, provide necessary supports to the military personnel who served in this mission, and to inform preparation and interventions for future missions, especially those more of a domestic and humanitarian nature.

With the impact of global climate change, natural disasters such as prolonged drought, earthquakes, and tsunamis, have constantly increased over recent decades, putting those living in these areas in great danger. A natural disaster warning system has been established as an indispensable need to minimize possible high risks that cause human casualties. Several current natural disaster warning systems focus on building wireless sensor networks for forecasting and monitoring disasters as well as natural phenomena. This paper aims to develop a comprehensive model that integrates data visualization operations to identify and simultaneously predict threat proceedings in natural disasters. This technique can handle big data based on sensing data from wireless sensor networks and shows overview graphs about disasters' variability, floods, and earthquakes, in the areas. Based on the results collected from data visualization techniques, the system can issue alerts about the interest of the region in real time. In addition, we propose some levels for the warning system in which the networks only focus on the area with essential data that must be warned. This can save energy consumption for other areas of safety. This work shows promising points of effectiveness.

BackgroundVaping prevalence rates have increased among Canadian youth. Evidence suggests that vaping poses significant health risks to children and adolescents.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to investigate epidemiological characteristics of acute injury/illness cases due to the inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents across Canada and to explore factors contributing to severe cases.MethodsData from the 2019 Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program cross-sectional survey on vaping-related injury/illness were used. Analyses focused on injury/illness cases (n=71) among children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years who presented to participating paediatricians for a harm related to the inhalation of vaping aerosols. We conducted descriptive analyses and performed logistic regression to explore associations between severe presentations requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) admission and selected case characteristics.ResultsOf the 71 reported injury/illness cases related to inhalation of vaping aerosols, 56% of patients were male, and 68% were aged 15 to 17 years. Nicotine vaping was reported in 42% of cases, and cannabis vaping in 24%. Fifty-four per cent presented with respiratory distress, 18% with symptoms of nicotine toxicity, and 41% required hospitalization and/or admission to the ICU. Cases presenting with respiratory distress were more likely to be hospitalized/admitted to the ICU (odds ratio [OR]=5.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.76 to 16.39).ConclusionsThe inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents may contribute to acute injury/illness. Clear associations between study variables and severe cases could not be established due to a small sample size. Additional research is needed to determine predictors and preventable risk factors of severe vaping-related injuries.

We have shown that membrane-associated guanylate kinase with inverted domain structure-1 (MAGI1), a scaffold protein with six PSD95/DiscLarge/ZO-1 (PDZ) domains, is involved in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) activation and atherogenesis in mice. In addition to causing acute respiratory disease, influenza A virus (IAV) infection plays an important role in atherogenesis and triggers acute coronary syndromes and fatal myocardial infarction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the function and regulation of MAGI1 in IAV-induced EC activation. Whereas, EC infection by IAV increases MAGI1 expression, MAGI1 depletion suppresses IAV infection, suggesting that the induction of MAGI1 may promote IAV infection. Treatment of ECs with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) increases MAGI1 expression and IAV infection, suggesting that MAGI1 is part of the mechanistic link between serum lipid levels and patient prognosis following IAV infection. Our microarray studies suggest that MAGI1-depleted ECs increase protein expression and signaling networks involve in interferon (IFN) production. Specifically, infection of MAGI1-null ECs with IAV upregulates expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), interferon b1 (IFNb1), myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1) and 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 2 (OAS2), and activate STAT5. By contrast, MAGI1 overexpression inhibits Ifnb1 mRNA and MX1 expression, again supporting the pro-viral response mediated by MAGI1. MAGI1 depletion induces the expression of MX1 and virus suppression. The data suggests that IAV suppression by MAGI1 depletion may, in part, be due to MX1 induction. Lastly, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) translocates to the nucleus in the absence of IRF3 phosphorylation, and IRF3 SUMOylation is abolished in MAGI1-depleted ECs. The data suggests that MAGI1 inhibits IRF3 activation by maintaining IRF3 SUMOylation. In summary, IAV infection occurs in ECs in a MAGI1 expression-dependent manner by inhibiting anti-viral responses including STATs and IRF3 activation and subsequent MX1 induction, and MAGI1 plays a role in EC activation, and in upregulating a pro-viral response. Therefore, the inhibition of MAGI1 is a potential therapeutic target for IAV-induced cardiovascular disease.

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are emerging as a severe stressor in marine ecosystems. Extreme warm sea surface temperatures during MHWs often exceed the optimal thermal range for more than one generation of tropical coastal zooplankton. However, it is relatively unknown whether transgenerational plasticity (TGP) to MHWs may shape the offspring's fitness, particularly in an ecologically relevant context with biotic interactions such as predation stress. We addressed these novel research questions by determining the survival, reproductive success, and grazing rate of the copepod Pseudodiaptomus incisus exposed to MHW and fish predator cues (FPC) for two generations (F1 and F2). The experiment was designed in a full orthogonal manner with 4 treatments in F1 and 16 treatments in F2 generation. In both generations, MHW reduced P. incisus survival, reproductive parameters, and grazing by 10%–62% in MHW, but these parameters increased by 2%–15% with exposure to FPC, particularly at control temperature. F2 reproductive success and grazing rate as indicated by cumulative fecal pellets were reduced by 20%–30% in F1-MHW, but increased by ~2% in F1-FPC. Strikingly, MHW exposure reduced 17%–18% survival, but transgenerational exposure to MHWs fully ameliorated its lethal effect and this transgenerational effect was independent of FPC. Increased survival came with a cost of reduced reproductive success, constrained by reduced grazing. The rapid transgenerational MHW acclimation and its associated costs are likely widespread and crucial mechanisms underlying the resilience of coastal tropical zooplankton to MHWs in tropical coastal marine ecosystems.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is the most common blood cancer in adults. Although 2 out of 3 AML patients go into total remission after chemotherapies and targeted therapies, the disease recurs in 60%-65% of younger adult patients within 3 years after diagnosis with a dramatically decreased survival rate. Therapeutic oligonucleotides are promising treatments under development for AML as they can be designed to silence oncogenes with high specificity and flexibility. However, there are not many well validated approaches for safely and efficiently delivering oligonucleotide drugs. This issue could be resolved by utilizing a new generation of delivery vehicles such as extracellular vesicles (EVs).In this study, we harness red blood cell-derived EVs (RBCEVs) and engineer them via exogenous drug loading and surface functionalization to develop an efficient drug delivery system for AML. Particularly, EVs are designed to target CD33, a common surface marker with elevated expression in AML cells via the conjugation of a CD33-binding monoclonal antibody onto the EV surface.The conjugation of RBCEVs with the CD33-binding antibody significantly increases the uptake of RBCEVs by CD33-positive AML cells, but not by CD33-negative cells. We also load CD33-targeting RBCEVs with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting FLT3-ITD or miR-125b, 2 common oncogenes in AML, and demonstrate that the engineered EVs improve leukaemia suppression in in vitro and in vivo models of AML.Targeted RBCEVs represent an innovative, efficient, and versatile delivery platform for therapeutic ASOs and can expedite the clinical translation of oligonucleotide drugs for AML treatments by overcoming current obstacles in oligonucleotide delivery.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergy of self-brand connection and materialism on brand love and the negative impact of this relationship. Brand-love consumers display compulsive buying behavior because of their obsessive bond with their favorite brand. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to check the hypotheses and path analyses. The findings suggested that self-brand connection and materialism trigger brand love with emotional connections. Brand love, in return, was linked to higher levels of compulsive buying. Obsessive passion positively mediated the relationship between brand love and compulsive buying. Brand love also led to negative consequences concerning material behavior, self-identity connection, and obsessive passion. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Late socialist countries are transforming faster than ever. Across China, Laos and Vietnam, where market economies coexist with socialist political rhetoric and the Communist party state’s rule, sweeping processes of change open up new vistas of imaginaries of the future alongside uncertainty and anxiety. These countries are three of very few living examples that combine capitalist economics with party state politics. Consequently, societal transformations in these contexts are subject to pressures and agendas not found elsewhere, and yet they are no less subject to global forces than elsewhere. As all three countries maintain substantial rural populations, and because those rural areas are themselves places of change, how rural people across these changing contexts undertake future making is a timely and significant question. The contributions in the issue address this question by engaging with lived experiences and government agendas across Laos, China and Vietnam, showing a politics of development in which desire and hope are entangled with the contradictions and struggles of late socialism.

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, it aims to clarify the moderating role of self-esteem (SE) and susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty. Second, the study proposes modeling the mediation role of brand love and outlining how SE and SNI affect the consumer-brand relationship. Finally, the study explores the impact of brand love on brand loyalty: the moderating role of self-esteem and social influences, as the literature regarding this is still lacking.,Data were collected via an online survey, which yielded 218 responses. Structural equation modeling was used to predict the research model.,The findings indicate that both SE and SNI mediate the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty. Additionally, consumers love the focal brands positively relates to SE and SNI. In return, SE and SNI lead to brand loyalty. The tight relationship of SE and SNI affects the connection between brand love and brand loyalty.,The data has been collected in Vietnam, which creates a limitation regarding the study’s cross-cultural nature and the economic context. Thus, the study should be conducted in different cultures and economies (both developing and developed countries) to enhance the generalizability in consumer-brand relationships.,Brand managers should conduct more advertising in brand communities to enhance the influence of SNI and emphasize unique features of the brands, to attract consumers through the overlap of SE.,The findings can contribute to enhancing unique brand identity and self-motivation will increase consumer loyalty, increasing the revenue of a specific brand. Moreover, as acceptable peers contribute to making purchase decisions, boosting the brand community will maintain current consumers and attract additional potential consumers from the current consumer relationships.,This study contributes to consumer psychology by indicating both SNI and SE as the mediators in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty and how the consumer-brand relationship can be enabled.,El proposito de este trabajo es triple. En primer lugar, pretende aclarar el papel moderador de la autoestima (SE) y la susceptibilidad a la influencia normativa (SNI) en la relacion entre el amor y la lealtad a la marca. En segundo lugar, el estudio propone modelar el papel mediador del amor a la marca y esbozar como la autoestima y la SNI afectan a la relacion consumidor-marca. Por ultimo, el estudio explora los factores que afectan a la relacion entre el amor a la marca y la lealtad a la misma, ya que aun no existe literatura al respecto.,Los datos se recogieron mediante una encuesta en linea, que arrojo 218 respuestas. Se utilizo el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) para predecir el modelo de investigacion.,Los hallazgos indican que tanto la autoestima como la SNI median la relacion entre el amor y la lealtad a la marca. Ademas, el amor de los consumidores por las marcas focales se relaciona positivamente con la autoestima y la SNI. En cambio, la autoestima y la SNI conducen a la lealtad a la marca. La estrecha relacion de la autoestima y la SNI afecta la conexion entre el amor a la marca y la lealtad a la misma.,Los datos se han recogido en Vietnam, lo que crea una limitacion en cuanto a la naturaleza transcultural del estudio y el contexto economico. Asi pues, el estudio deberia realizarse en diferentes culturas y economias (tanto de paises en desarrollo como desarrollados) para aumentar la posibilidad de generalizacion en las relaciones entre consumidores y marcas.,Los gerentes de marca deberian hacer mas publicidad en las comunidades de marcas para aumentar la influencia de la SNI y hacer hincapie en las caracteristicas singulares de las marcas, a fin de atraer a los consumidores mediante la superposicion de la autoestima.,Las conclusiones pueden contribuir a mejorar la identidad de una marca unica, y la automotivacion aumentara la lealtad de los consumidores, incrementando los ingresos de una marca especifica. Ademas, como los pares aceptables contribuyen a la toma de decisiones de compra, el impulso de la comunidad de marcas mantendra a los consumidores actuales y atraera a otros consumidores potenciales de las relaciones de consumo actuales.,Este estudio contribuye a la psicologia del consumidor al indicar que tanto la SNI como la autoestima son los mediadores en la relacion entre el amor y la lealtad a la marca y la forma en que se puede habilitar la relacion consumidor-marca.,本文有三方面的研究目的。第一，明确自尊（SE）和易受规范影响（SNI）在品牌喜爱与品牌忠诚关系中的调节作用。第二，建立品牌喜爱的中介作用模型，并概述SE和SNI如何影响消费者与品牌的关系。最后，探讨品牌喜爱对品牌忠诚度的影响：自尊和社会影响因素的调节作用，目前有关这方面的文献还比较缺乏。,通过在线调查收集数据，共收到218份答复。采用结构方程模型进行预测研究模型。,研究结果表明，自尊和易受规范影响都对品牌喜爱和品牌忠诚度之间的关系起到了调节作用。此外，消费者对焦点品牌的喜爱与自尊和易受规范影响具有正相关关系。反过来，自尊和易受规范影响又会导致品牌忠诚。自尊和易受规范影响的紧密关系影响了品牌喜爱和品牌忠诚之间的联系。,由于本次研究数据是在越南收集的，造成了研究的跨文化性质和经济背景的局限性。因此，未来的研究可以在不同的文化和经济体（包括发展中国家和发达国家）进行，以提高关于消费者与品牌关系结论的普遍性。,品牌管理者可以在品牌社区中增强广告宣传，提高易受规范影响的影响力，同时强调品牌的独特性，与自尊因素相结合来吸引消费者。,本文研究结果有助于增强独特的品牌识别和自我激励，提高消费者的忠诚度，增加特定品牌的收入。此外，由于合适的同伴有助于消费者做出购买决策，提升品牌社区可以维持现有消费者，并通过现有消费者关系吸引更多的潜在消费者。,本研究提出了自尊和易受规范影响是品牌喜爱和品牌忠诚关系的调节变量，并且进一步阐释了它们如何促成消费者与品牌的关系，从而为消费者心理学做出了贡献。

Water is one of the developments that Vietnamese government has already committed and this sector always plays an important role in socio-economic life of Vietnam. The Government and Vietnamese people have been trying to improve infrastructure, enhance living standards for people and national socio-economic development. However, in terms of water, Vietnam still has to face many challenges that require a lot of efforts to deal with. Now, in Hanoi, especially the outskirts of the city, there is a huge lack of water works, causing negative impacts on community’s life and the quality of environment. Water distribution systems play a critical role in supplying sufficient water to users with acceptable quantity, pressure, and quality. Risk assessment has been recognized as a useful tool to identify the hazard, analyse vulnerabilities, and risks, and select proper mitigation measures. A questionnaire has been designed including 51 factors that create risk events that can occur during construction works implementation. Risk matrix was used as basis for quantitative risk analysis to determine the most critical risks which were a great impact on project and also to indicate moderate risks that must be taken into consideration. The study analysis and assessment of risks are based on survey questionnaires, which achieved the following findings: 1) there are 26 main risks influencing schedule delays; 2) scientifically ranks influence every single risk on schedule delays; 3) making recommendations can reduce or eliminate influencing factors. This study provides a valuable reference which helps investors and contractors finish on schedule to ensure the benefits when building the Water Supply Projects.

Breast cancer cells release a large quantity of biocargo-bearing extracellular vesicles (EVs), which mediate intercellular communication within the tumour microenvironment and promote metastasis. To identify EV-bound proteins related to metastasis, we used mass spectrometry to profile EVs from highly and poorly metastatic breast cancer lines of human and mouse origins. Comparative mass spectrometry indicated that integrins, including αv and β1 subunits, are preferentially enriched in EVs of highly metastatic origin over those of poorly metastatic origin. These results are consistent with our histopathological findings, which show that integrin αv is associated with disease progression in breast cancer patients. Integrin αv colocalizes with the multivesicular-body marker CD63 at a higher frequency in the tumour and is enriched in circulating EVs of breast cancer patients at late stages when compared with circulating EVs from early-stage patients. With a magnetic bead-based flow cytometry assay, we confirmed that integrins αv and β1 are enriched in the CD63

BackgroundDespite reductions in exposure for workers and the general public, radon remains a leading cause of lung cancer. Prior studies of underground miners depended heavily upon information on deaths among miners employed in the early years of mine operations when exposures were high and tended to be poorly estimated.ObjectivesTo strengthen the basis for radiation protection, we report on the follow-up of workers employed in the later periods of mine operations for whom we have more accurate exposure information and for whom exposures tended to be accrued at intensities that are more comparable to contemporary settings.MethodsWe conducted a pooled analysis of cohort studies of lung cancer mortality among 57,873 male uranium miners in Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the United States, who were first employed in 1960 or later (thereby excluding miners employed during the periods of highest exposure and focusing on miners who tend to have higher quality assessments of radon progeny exposures). We derived estimates of excess relative rate per 100 working level months (ERR/100 WLM) for mortality from lung cancer.ResultsThe analysis included 1.9 million person-years of observation and 1,217 deaths due to lung cancer. The relative rate of lung cancer increased in a linear fashion with cumulative exposure to radon progeny (ERR/100 WLM=1.33; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.88). The association was modified by attained age, age at exposure, and annual exposure rate; for attained ages

Introduction L’objectif général de cette étude était de montrer comment utiliser les renseignements recueillis dans le cadre du Programme de la sécurité des produits de consommation (le Programme) pour identifier certains dangers émergents. Plus spécifiquement, il s’agissait de caractériser et de quantifier les tendances en matière de vapotage en utilisant les rapports d’incident reçus au cours des cinq dernières années dans le cadre du Programme. Méthodologie Les données recueillies dans le cadre du Programme ont été extraites pour la période du 1er janvier 2015 au 30 septembre 2019. Nous avons synthétisé les données sous forme de statistiques descriptives et nous avons quantifié les tendances en utilisant la variation annuelle en pourcentage. Dans le but d’établir des comparaisons reposant sur les caractéristiques des rapports d’incident lié au vapotage, nous avons utilisé les rapports proportionnels de blessures (RPB) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % correspondants, ce qui permet de comparer les blessures liées au vapotage à l’ensemble des blessures signalées dans le cadre du Programme. Résultats Au total, 71 rapports d’incident lié au vapotage ont été reçus dans le cadre du Programme entre le 1er janvier 2015 et le 30 septembre 2019. Au cours de cette période, la hausse de la variation annuelle en pourcentage quant au nombre de rapports d’incident reçus s’est établi à environ 73 % annuellement (p $lt; 0,05). Parmi les blessures signalées, 41 % étaient des brûlures. Le nombre de rapports d’incident touchant les hommes (RPB = 1,89; IC à 95 % : 1,51 à 2,36) et les 15 à19 ans (RPB = 11,53; IC à 95 % : 4,95 à 26,8) en lien avec le vapotage était, en proportion, supérieur à celui de l’ensemble des autres signalements dans le cadre du Programme. Conclusion Bien que le nombre de rapports d’incident lié aux produits de vapotage soit faible, les résultats de notre analyse laisse penser que ces incidents sont davantage susceptibles de survenir au sein de certains groupes, en particulier chez les hommes et chez les jeunes.

The phenomenon of photon upconversion, in which a system absorbs two or more photons of lower energy and emits a photon of higher energy, has been used in numerous applications, including non-destructive bioimaging, deep-penetrating photodynamic therapy, catalysis, and photovoltaic devices. To date, photon upconversion has been observed typically in inorganic nanocrystals, nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, supramolecular assemblies, and organic dyads. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy for harnessing photon upconversion-supramolecular upconversion-based on host-guest chemistry. We have identified a box-like fluorescent tetracationic host incorporating a thiazolothiazole emitter, which can accommodate a guest-sensitizer, 5,15-diphenylporphyrin, inside its cavity, and demonstrated that the host-guest inclusion complex displays triplet-fusion upconversion when the guest is excited with low-energy light. The strategy of supramolecular upconversion has been employed successfully in two other host-guest complexes-with hosts comprised of anthracene emitters and a 5,15-diphenylporphyrin guest-corroborating the fact that this strategy is a general one and can be applied to the design of a new family of host-guest complexes for photon upconversion. More importantly, supramolecular upconversion is accessible in solution under dilute conditions (μM) compared to most of the existing approaches that require significantly higher concentrations (mM) of emitters and/or sensitizers. Transient absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory have been employed in order to confirm a triplet-fusion upconversion mechanism. Host-guest complexation-mediated supramolecular photon upconversion eliminates multiple issues in the existing systems related to high working concentrations, high incident laser power, and low optical penetration depths.

Electronic cigarettes are devices that deliver nicotine to the user by heating an e-liquid. In Canada, the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act became law on May 23, 2018. The purpose of this study was to describe the cases of injuries and poisonings associated with e-cigarette and vaping substances that presented to Canadian emergency departments within the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program network between 2011 and 2019. A total of 68 cases were retrieved (54.4% males). Of the 68 cases, 8 occurred between 2011 and 2014, while 35 (51.5%) occurred in 2018 or 2019. Ingestions, inhalations and burns were observed.La cigarette électronique est un dispositif qui, lorsque le liquide à vapoter qu’il contient est chauffé, relâche de la nicotine dans l’organisme de l’utilisateur. Au Canada, la Loi sur le tabac et les produits de vapotage a été adoptée le 23 mai 2018. L’étude dont on rend compte dans cet article avait pour but de décrire les cas de traumatismes et d’intoxications associés à la cigarette électronique et aux substances de vapotage des personnes qui se sont présentées dans un service des urgences du Canada entre 2011 et 2019, cas enregistrés dans la base de données électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d’information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT). On a extrait au total 68 cas (dont 54,4 % de sexe masculin). Parmi eux, 8 pour la période 2011 à 2014 et 35 (51,5 %) en 2018 et 2019. On a relevé des ingestions, des inhalations et des brûlures.Of 68 cases of injury or poisoning due to e-cigarette use or vaping between 2011 and 2019, 54.4% involved males. Of the 68 cases, 8 occurred between 2011 and 2014 while 35 (51.5%) occurred in 2018 or 2019. The annual percent change (APC) was 50.7% (95% CI: 15.9–96.1). Children under 5 years of age who either ingested the e-juice or vaping liquid or inhaled from the device accounted for 52.9% of incidents. In two cases, the device’s battery exploded in the pocket of an adult male, causing a burn to the thigh. There were 3 traumatic brain injuries as a result of a fall subsequent to vaping.Parmi les 68 cas de traumatisme ou d’intoxication causés par l’usage de la cigarette électronique ou le vapotage entre 2011 et 2019, 54,4 % concernaient des patients de sexe masculin. Parmi les 68 cas, 8 dataient de 2011 à 2014 et 35 (51,5 %) de 2018 et 2019. La variation annuelle en pourcentage (VAP) a été de 50,7 % (IC à 95 % : 15,9 à 96,1). Des enfants de moins de 5 ans ayant ingéré ou inhalé du liquide à vapoter à même le dispositif comptent pour 52,9 % des incidents. Dans deux cas, la pile du dispositif a explosé dans la poche d’un adulte, provoquant une brûlure à la cuisse. Trois traumatismes cérébraux se sont produits en raison d’une chute survenue à la suite d’une activité de vapotage.

Collisional intermolecular interactions between excited states form short-lived dimers and complexes that lead to the emergence of excimer/exciplex emission of lower energy, a phenomenon which must be differentiated from the photoluminescence (PL) arising from the monomeric molecules. Although the utilization of noncovalent bonding interactions, leading to the generation of excimer/exciplex PL, has been investigated extensively, precise control of the aggregates and their persistence at very low concentrations remains a rare phenomenon. In the search for a fresh approach, we sought to obtain exciplex PL from permanent structures by incorporating anthracene moieties into pyridinium-containing mechanically interlocked molecules. Beyond the optical properties of the anthracene moieties, their π-extended nature enforces [π···π] stacking that can overcome the Coulombic repulsion between the pyridinium units, affording an efficient synthesis of an octacationic homo[2]catenane. Notably, upon increasing the ionic strength by adding tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, the catenane yield increases significantly as a result of the decrease in Coulombic repulsions between the pyridinium units. Although the ground-state photophysical properties of the free cyclophane and the catenane are similar and show a charge-transfer band at ∼455 nm, their PL characters are distinct, denoting different excited states. The cyclophane emits at ∼562 nm (quantum yield ϕ

On 28 September 2018, an earthquake and tsunami hit West Sulawesi, destroying homes, mosques and livelihoods, displacing 80,000 people and killing at least 2000. Immediately, thousands of volunteer...

We demonstrate a scalable continuous feed method for the synthesis of polymer Janus nanoparticles with different composition and with different aspect ratios between lobes, including with one hard cross-linked polystyrene lobe and one soft film-forming poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (P(MMA-co-BA)) lobe, through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated emulsion polymerization. Snowman shaped particles of size around 40 nm are synthesized through a continuous monomer feeding method, which enables kilogram-scale synthesis of diverse polymer Janus nanoparticles, with a solids content greater than 30%. The Janus nanoparticles with the soft P(MMA-co-BA) lobes spontaneously self-assemble around solid particles in an aqueous phase, forming a thin (5 -100 nm) polymer film that completely encapsulates the solid particles. The process is achieved at room temperature and under mild conditions. The film-forming Janus nanoparticles show excellent encapsulation ability for a variety of solid particles, such as organic and inorganic pigments, carbon nanotubes and calcite, without requiring polymerization to be conducted in the presence of the solid particles. When the Janus nanoparticles were used to encapsulate calcite particles in low sheen paints, the encapsulation provided superior stain resistance to the formed paint film.

Nanoparticles (NPs) hold great potential as therapeutics, particularly in the realm of drug delivery. They are effective at functional cargo delivery and offer a great degree of amenability that can be used to offset toxic side effects or to target drugs to specific regions in the body. However, there are many challenges associated with the development of NP-based drug formulations that hamper their successful clinical translation. Arguably, the most significant barrier in the way of efficacious NP-based drug delivery systems is the tedious and time-consuming nature of NP formulation—a process that needs to account for downstream effects, such as the onset of potential toxicity or immunogenicity, in vivo biodistribution and overall pharmacokinetic profiles, all while maintaining desirable therapeutic outcomes. Computational and AI-based approaches have shown promise in alleviating some of these restrictions. Via predictive modeling and deep learning, in silico approaches have shown the ability to accurately model NP-membrane interactions and cellular uptake based on minimal data, such as the physicochemical characteristics of a given NP. More importantly, machine learning allows computational models to predict how specific changes could be made to the physicochemical characteristics of a NP to improve functional aspects, such as drug retention or endocytosis. On a larger scale, they are also able to predict the in vivo pharmacokinetics of NP-encapsulated drugs, predicting aspects such as circulatory half-life, toxicity, and biodistribution. However, the convergence of nanomedicine and computational approaches is still in its infancy and limited in its applicability. The interactions between NPs, the encapsulated drug and the body form an intricate network of interactions that cannot be modeled with absolute certainty. Despite this, rapid advancements in the area promise to deliver increasingly powerful tools capable of accelerating the development of advanced nanoscale therapeutics. Here, we describe computational approaches that have been utilized in the field of nanomedicine, focusing on approaches for NP design and engineering.

Maternity protection is a normative fundamental human right that enables women to combine their productive and reproductive roles, including breastfeeding. The aim of this study is to examine the uptake of Vietnam’s maternity protection policy in terms of entitlements and awareness, perceptions, and gaps in implementation through the lens of formally employed women. In this mixed methods study, we interviewed 494 formally employed female workers, among whom 107 were pregnant and 387 were mothers of infants and conducted in-depth interviews with a subset of these women (n = 39). Of the 494 women interviewed, 268 (54.3%) were working in blue-collar jobs and more than 90% were contributing to the public social insurance fund. Among the 387 mothers on paid maternity leave, 51 (13.2%) did not receive cash entitlements during their leave. Among the 182 mothers with infants aged 6–11 months, 30 (16.5%) returned to work before accruing 180 days of maternity leave. Of 121 women who had returned to work, 26 (21.5%) did not receive a one-hour paid break every day to express breastmilk, relax, or breastfeed, and 46 (38.0%) worked the same or more hours per day than before maternity leave. Although most women perceived maternity leave as beneficial for the child’s health (92.5%), mother’s health (91.5%), family (86.2%), and society (90.7%), fewer women perceived it as beneficial for their income (59.5%), career (46.4%), and employers (30.4%). Not all formally employed women were aware of their maternity protection rights: women were more likely to mention the six-month paid maternity leave (78.7%) and one-hour nursing break (62.3%) than the other nine entitlements (2.0–35.0%). In-depth interviews with pregnant women and mothers of infants supported findings from the quantitative survey. In conclusion, although Vietnam’s maternity protection policy helps protect the rights of women and children, our study identified implementation gaps that limit its effectiveness. To ensure that all women and their families can fully benefit from maternity protection, there is a need to increase awareness of the full set of maternity entitlements, strengthen enforcement of existing policies, and expand entitlements to the informal sector.

Purpose of Review As both a cholesterol acceptor and carrier in the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is putatively atheroprotective. However, current pharmacological therapies to increase plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration have paradoxically failed to prevent or reduce atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given that free cholesterol (FC) transfer between surfaces of lipoproteins and cells is reversible, excess plasma FC can be transferred to the cells of peripheral tissue sites resulting in atherosclerosis. Here, we summarize potential mechanisms contributing to this paradox and highlight the role of excess free cholesterol (FC) bioavailability in atherosclerosis vs. atheroprotection. Recent Findings Recent findings have established a complex relationship between HDL-c concentration and atherosclerosis. Systemic scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) knock out (KO) mice exhibit with increased diet-induced atherosclerosis despite having an elevated plasma HDL-c concentration compared to wild type (WT) mice. The greater bioavailability of HDL-FC in SR-B1 vs. WT mice is associated with a higher FC content in multiple cell types and tissue sites. These results suggest that dysfunctional HDL with high FC bioavailability is atheroprone despite high HDL-c concentration. Summary Past oversimplification of HDL-c involvement in cholesterol transport has led to the failures in HDL targeted therapy. Evidence suggests that FC-mediated functionality of HDL is of higher importance than its quantity; as a result, deciphering the regulatory mechanisms by which HDL-FC bioavailability can induce atherosclerosis can have far-reaching clinical implications.