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Researchers from Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, China have developed antibacterial food-preservative paper incorporating ceramic pigments. The paper was created by coating silver onto red ceramic powder using the electroless plating method. The ceramic pigments have a porous crystalline structure, and the silver particles were successfully loaded onto the surface and into the pores of the ceramic. The paper was tested using spinach as an example, and it was found that while the ceramic preservative paper did not have antibacterial properties, it reduced weight loss from the spinach and increased retention of vitamin C and chlorophyll. The antibacterial preservative papers inhibited the growth of bacteria by over 99% and preserved the spinach more effectively. The researchers concluded that the antibacterial food-preservative paper has great potential in food packaging applications. [Extracted from the article]

A report from investigators at Peking Union Medical College in Beijing, China compares two urine tests, the Congo-red dot paper test (CRD) and dipstick urinalysis, for screening preeclampsia in pregnant women. The study found that the agreement between the two tests was modest, with the CRD test having higher specificity but lower sensitivity compared to urinalysis. The researchers concluded that urinalysis is a better diagnostic test for preeclampsia, but CRD could aid in the diagnosis and combining the two tests may improve performance. Further research is needed for potential clinical practice. [Extracted from the article]

A new report from the University of Turku discusses the importance of international collaboration among early-stage researchers (ESRs) in nursing science. The paper aims to identify the optimal forms of collaboration and the challenges faced by individual researchers and organizations in strengthening international collaboration during the ESR phase. The research emphasizes the need for expanded and long-term collaboration to develop nursing science, improve nursing care, patient outcomes, and benefit society. The report is based on previous literature and the authors' experiences in collaboration between Estonia and Finland. [Extracted from the article]

A recent preprint abstract discusses a cryopreservation strategy for storing myoblasts, which are cells involved in skeletal muscle health, in paper-based scaffolds. The goal of this research is to make it easier for the broader biology community to use three-dimensional tissue-engineered models for studying skeletal muscle pathophysiology and developing therapeutic agents. The researchers developed a protocol using commercially available reagents that allows myoblasts to be cryopreserved in a format that can be easily transferred to users without expertise in skeletal muscle cell culture. The study validates that the cryopreserved myoblasts maintain cell viability, differentiation, and function, and demonstrates successful shipping and use of the tissues by collaborators. The researchers also applied their method to study muscle endogenous repair. This research has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]

A recent research study conducted by the University of Sheffield explores the social and economic dimensions of food sustainability in relation to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNRs). The study emphasizes the need to consider these dimensions alongside environmental factors when developing policies that aim to address both health and sustainability goals. The researchers highlight the importance of understanding the trade-offs and compromises that may arise when making policy decisions in this field. They suggest that framing food as an issue and considering different perspectives can help navigate these challenges. The full research paper can be accessed for free through the provided link. [Extracted from the article]

A white paper from Loyola University Medical Center discusses the use of regional anesthesia in transplantation surgery. The paper highlights the lack of standardized practices in this area and the need for guidelines. The research conducted a literature review on various transplantation surgeries and their associated regional anesthetic techniques. The findings support the use of regional anesthesia for postoperative pain control in abdominal transplant surgeries. The paper provides specific information on regional anesthesia in liver, kidney, pancreas, intestinal, and uterus transplants. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Bhaikaka University in Gujarat, India, examined the level of cognitive domains and the weightage of various topics in the undergraduate summative examination question paper of community medicine. The study found that the cognitive domains assessed in the subject across all five universities were unsatisfactory, and the weightage of marks allotted to topics varied. The researchers concluded that there is a need to develop a question paper plan that facilitates a systematic distribution based on different levels of cognitive domains and topics. This study provides new insights into the assessment methods used in community medicine education. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, has explored the use of molecularly imprinted polymer paper-based analytical devices (MIP-PADs) for biomarker detection. MIP-PADs have the potential to improve the selectivity and specificity of paper-based analytical devices, making them more effective in complex analysis conditions and samples. The study highlights the fabrication and characterization processes of MIP-PADs, discusses their applications in biological samples, and evaluates their potential for commercialization. This research is the first of its kind to assess MIP-PADs for biomarker analysis. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad, Iraq have developed a spectrophotometric method and a paper-based microfluidic device for the quantitative determination of Amoxicillin in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations. The detection method involves a coupling reaction of Amoxicillin with diazotized sulfadimidine in an alkaline medium, and the reaction product is measured at a specific wavelength. The paper-based microfluidic device can be used for the semi-quantitative determination of Amoxicillin in pure solution and commercial pharmaceutical products for rapid screening. This research provides a low-cost and portable method for analyzing active pharmaceutical ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study from the University Hospital Center in Lisbon, Portugal, highlights the importance of addressing coronary and structural heart disease in cancer patients. While there has been increased awareness of cardiotoxicity in cancer patients, the focus has primarily been on myocardial systolic dysfunction and heart failure. Limited evidence and guidelines exist for dealing with coronary and structural heart disease in this population. To address this gap, the Portuguese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and the Cardio-Oncology Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology have collaborated to produce a position paper on cardiac intervention in cancer patients, with a focus on percutaneous techniques. The paper provides a brief review of available evidence and practical considerations based on the authors' experience in the field. [Extracted from the article]