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Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using high‐density surface electromyography (HD‐sEMG) for swallowing assessment by comparing the quantitative parameters and topographic patterns of HD‐sEMG between post‐irradiated patients and healthy individuals. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers and ten post‐irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were recruited. 96‐channel HD‐sEMG was recorded although each participant consumed different consistencies of food (thin and thick liquid, puree, congee, and soft rice). Dynamic topography was generated from the root mean square (RMS) of the HD‐sEMG signals to illustrate the anterior neck muscle function in the swallowing process. The averaged power of muscles and the symmetry of swallowing patterns were assessed by objective parameters including average RMS, Left/Right Energy Ratio, and Left/Right Energy Difference. Results: The study showed different swallowing patterns between patients with dysphagia and healthy individuals. The mean RMS values were higher in the patient group compared to the healthy group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Asymmetrical patterns were shown in patients with dysphagia. Conclusion: HD‐sEMG is a promising technique that could be used to quantitatively evaluate the average power of neck muscles and the symmetry of swallowing activities in patients with swallowing difficulties. Level of Evidence: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2920–2928, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the stability analysis and stabilization of periodic piecewise positive systems. By constructing a time‐scheduled copositive Lyapunov function with a time segmentation approach, an equivalent stability condition, determined via linear programming, for periodic piecewise positive systems is established. Based on the asymptotic stability condition, the spectral radius characterization of the state transition matrix is proposed. The relation between the spectral radius of the state transition matrix and the convergent rate of the system is also revealed. An iterative algorithm is developed to stabilize the system by decreasing the spectral radius of the state transition matrix. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique virus-cell interaction in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies implies targeting the viral latent-lytic switch is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the lack of specific and efficient therapeutic agents to induce lytic cycle in these cancers is a major challenge facing clinical implementation. We develop a synthetic transcriptional activator that specifically activates endogenous BZLF1 and efficiently induces lytic reactivation in EBV-positive cancer cells. A lipid nanoparticle encapsulating nucleoside-modified mRNA which encodes a BZLF1-specific transcriptional activator (mTZ3-LNP) is synthesized for EBV-targeted therapy. Compared with conventional chemical inducers, mTZ3-LNP more efficiently activates EBV lytic gene expression in EBV-associated epithelial cancers. Here we show the potency and safety of treatment with mTZ3-LNP to suppress tumor growth in EBV-positive cancer models. The combination of mTZ3-LNP and ganciclovir yields highly selective cytotoxic effects of mRNA-based lytic induction therapy against EBV-positive tumor cells, indicating the potential of mRNA nanomedicine in the treatment of EBV-associated epithelial cancers., (© 2024. The Author(s).)