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In this study, the conversion of monosaccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) using different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was investigated in various conditions. Among all the investigated DESs, [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid], based on choline chloride and trichloroacetic acid with the ratio 1:1, showed the highest catalytic activity. A maximum 5-HMF yield was 82 % for 1 h at 100 °C using [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid] as a catalyst from fructose. [ChCl][trichloroacetic acid] could be recovered and reused three times with a slight loss in activity. Our work demonstrated the low-cost and effective method for the synthesis of 5-HMF from carbohydrates., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Moisturizers play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier by increasing stratum corneum hydration (SCH) and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). According to dermatology and allergy guidelines, moisturizers should be applied on the skin within 3 min after bathing or showering. However, there is very little evidence supporting this recommendation. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of immediate and delayed moisturizing after bathing/washing on the improvement of SCH and TEWL., Methods: This was a crossover study of 60 healthy Vietnamese volunteers aged 18-25 years. In each subject, SCH and TEWL levels were measured at three areas: non-moisturized, immediate moisturizing after washing, and delayed moisturizing at 30 min after washing., Results: In non-moisturized skin, SCH and TEWL levels were significantly different from the baseline at 60 min after washing, while significantly decreased TEWL levels were observed immediately after moisturizing. In addition, moisturized skin had significantly higher SCH and lower TEWL levels compared with non-moisturized areas at every time point (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the percentage changes of SCH and TEWL levels from baseline did not differ between immediately and delayed moisturized areas., Conclusions: Tested moisturizer helped increase SCH and decrease TEWL; however, there was no difference in moisturizing effectiveness between immediate and delayed moisturizing in healthy skin. The recommendation of immediate application of moisturizers after bathing/washing should be reconsidered, and more studies are needed to establish a stronger recommendation., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) based on ruthenium complex N719 as sensitizer have received much attention due to their affordability and high efficiency. However, their best performance is only achieved when using volatile organic solvents as electrolyte solutions, which are unstable under prolonged thermal stress. Thus, we developed a new series of 1-alkenyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic liquids used as robust DSC electrolytes. These ionic liquids exhibit low viscosity, high conductivity, and thermal stability. The implementation of 1-but-3-enyl-3-methyl-imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [ButMIm]OTf, into DSCs gave the best photovoltaic performance. The results are fairly comparable to those reports for other popular ionic liquid electrolytes currently used in DSC field. An insightful discussion on the relationship between the structure of these new ionic liquids and the J - V characterization as well as electrochemical impedance measurement of DSCs will give more interesting information. The results are useful for large-scale outdoor application of DSCs., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Pay-for-performance (P4P) programmes have been introduced in numerous developing countries with the goal of increasing the provision and quality of health services through financial incentives. Despite the popularity of P4P, there is limited evidence on how providers achieve performance gains and how P4P affects health system quality by changing structural inputs. We explore these two questions in the context of Rwanda's 2006 national P4P programme by examining the programme's impact on structural quality measures drawn from international and national guidelines. Given the programme's previously documented success at increasing institutional delivery rates, we focus on a set of delivery-specific and more general structural inputs. Using the programme's quasi-randomized roll-out, we apply multivariate regression analysis to short-run facility data from the 2007 Service Provision Assessment. We find positive programme effects on the presence of maternity-related staff, the presence of covered waiting areas and a management indicator and a negative programme effect on delivery statistics monitoring. We find no effects on a set of other delivery-specific physical resources, delivery-specific human resources, delivery-specific operations, general physical resources and general human resources. Using mediation analysis, we find that the positive input differences explain a small and insignificant fraction of P4P's impact on institutional delivery rates. The results suggest that P4P increases provider availability and facility operations but is only weakly linked with short-run structural health system improvements overall., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Purpose: Psychometric evaluation with tools such as the faecal incontinence quality of life scale is an essential component of clinical assessment. Currently, there is no translated Traditional Chinese version of the scale. A validated translated version may help to improve the quality of healthcare received in countries with Chinese minorities (0.5, 1.2 and 4.0% of the UK, USA and Australian population, respectively) as well as local population of Hong Kong. The purpose of this study is to validate the Traditional Chinese version of the faecal incontinence quality of life scale (FIQL)., Methods: The FIQL questionnaire was translated into Traditional Chinese Language followed by linguistic validation. It was then tested on 55 patients with faecal incontinence and 93 controls in the colorectal outpatients clinic. Faecal incontinence severity index was also used for the assessment of disease severity., Results: Internal consistency was good/excellent for all scales (Cronbach's alpha >0.70, between 0.71 and 0.93). The intra-class correlation indicated a high stability over time with coefficients ranging between 0.78 and 0.90. Test and retest of all four scales found no significant differences of mean scores between baseline and retest. The mean faecal incontinence quality of life scale scores of all four domains improved significantly after treatment of 10 patients whose faecal incontinence severity index scores decreased by 50 % of their pre-treatment scores, hence indicating good sensitivity., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the linguistic and psychometric validity of the traditional Chinese version of the faecal incontinence quality of life scale.

The study introduced a new therapeutic agent, fucoidan, which can offer potential medical treatments including anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant activities, as well as anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. Fucoidan was included in sustained release formulations expected for an effective plasma drug concentration for approximately 24 h. The matrices based on the two polymers hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were prepared with various ratios between the polymers and fucoidan. The dissolution profiles of various matrix tablets performed in enzyme-free simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) for 24 h indicated a higher potential of PEO-based matrix tablets in sustaining release of fucoidan. The swelling and erosion of the tablets were also characterized to elucidate the difference among those dissolution profiles.

Aim: To give a comprehensive review of current literature on robotic rectal cancer surgery., Methods: A systematic review of current literature via PubMed and Embase search engines was performed to identify relevant articles from january 2007 to november 2013. The keywords used were: "robotic surgery", "surgical robotics", "laparoscopic computer-assisted surgery", "colectomy" and "rectal resection"., Results: After the initial screen of 380 articles, 20 papers were selected for review. A total of 1062 patients (male 64.0%) with a mean age of 61.1 years and body mass index of 24.9 kg/m(2) were included in the review. Out of 1062 robotic-assisted operations, 831 (78.2%) anterior and low anterior resections, 132 (12.4%) intersphincteric resection with coloanal anastomosis, 98 (9.3%) abdominoperineal resections and 1 (0.1%) Hartmann's operation were included in the review. Robotic rectal surgery was associated with longer operative time but with comparable oncological results and anastomotic leak rate when compared with laparoscopic rectal surgery., Conclusion: Robotic colorectal surgery has continued to evolve to its current state with promising results; feasible surgical option with low conversion rate and comparable short-term oncological results. The challenges faced with robotic surgery are for more high quality studies to justify its cost.

Background: This single-center, prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare the short-term clinical outcome between laparoscopic-assisted versus open total mesorectal excision (TME) with anal sphincter preservation (ASP) in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Long-term morbidity and survival data also were recorded and compared between the two groups., Methods: Between August 2001 and August 2007, 80 patients with mid and low rectal cancer were randomized to receive either laparoscopic-assisted (40 patients) or open (40 patients) TME with ASP. The median follow-up time for all patients was 75.7 (range 16.9-115.7) months for the laparoscopic-assisted group and 76.1 (range 4.7-126.6) months for the open group. The primary endpoint of the study was short-term clinical outcome. Secondary endpoints included long-term morbidity rate and survival. Data were analyzed by intention-to-treat principle., Results: The demographic data of the two groups were comparable. Postoperative recovery was better after laparoscopic surgery, with less analgesic requirement (P < 0.001), earlier mobilization (P = 0.001), lower short-term morbidity rate (P = 0.043), and a trend towards shorter hospital stay (P = 0.071). The cumulative long-term morbidity rate also was lower in the laparoscopic-assisted group (P = 0.019). The oncologic clearance in terms of macroscopic quality of the TME specimen, circumferential resection margin involvement, and number of lymph nodes removed was similar between both groups. After curative resection, the probabilities of survival at 5 years of the laparoscopic-assisted and open groups were 85.9 and 91.3 %, respectively (P = 0.912). The respective probabilities of being disease-free were 83.3 and 74.5 % (P = 0.114)., Conclusions: Laparoscopic-assisted TME with ASP improves postoperative recovery, reduces short-term and long-term morbidity rates, and seemingly does not jeopardize survival compared with open surgery for mid and low rectal cancer ( http://ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00485316).

Aim: To compare quality of life (QoL) outcomes in Chinese patients after curative laparoscopic vs open surgery for rectal cancer., Methods: Eligible Chinese patients with rectal cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic or open sphincter-preserving resection between July 2006 and July 2008 were enrolled in this prospective study. The QoL outcomes were assessed longitudinally using the validated Chinese versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires before surgery and at 4, 8, and 12 mo after surgery. The QoL scores at the different time points were compared between the laparoscopic and open groups. A higher score on a functional scale indicated better functioning, whereas a higher score on a symptom scale indicated a higher degree of symptoms., Results: Seventy-four patients (49 laparoscopic and 25 open) were enrolled. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of sociodemographic data, types of surgery, tumor staging, and baseline mean QoL scores. There was no significant decrease from baseline in global QoL for the laparoscopic group at different time points, whereas the global QoL was worse compared to baseline beginning at 4 mo but returned to baseline by 12 mo for the open group (P = 0.019, Friedman test). Compared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had significantly better physical (89.9 ± 1.4 vs 79.2 ± 3.7, P = 0.016), role (85.0 ± 3.4 vs 63.3 ± 6.9, P = 0.005), and cognitive (73.5 ± 3.4 vs 50.7 ± 6.2, P = 0.002) functioning at 8 mo, fewer micturition problems at 4-8 mo (4 mo: 32.3 ± 4.7 vs 54.7 ± 7.1, P = 0.011; 8 mo: 22.8 ± 4.0 vs 40.7 ± 6.9, P = 0.020), and fewer male sexual problems from 8 mo onward (20.0 ± 8.5 vs 76.7 ± 14.5, P = 0.013). At 12 mo after surgery, no significant differences were observed in any functional or symptom scale between the two groups, with the exception of male sexual problems, which remained worse in the open group (29.2 ± 11.3 vs 80.0 ± 9.7, P = 0.026)., Conclusion: Laparoscopic sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer is associated with better preservation of QoL and fewer male sexual problems when compared with open surgery in Chinese patients. These findings, however, should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size of the study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate a structured training programme for laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a university colorectal unit over a 6-year period., Methods: Data on patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy between November 2004 and October 2010 were analyzed. Operations were performed either by the consultant colorectal surgeons or colorectal fellows. The effectiveness and safety of our structured training programme were evaluated., Results: During the study period, 813 patients (478 men) with a median age 69 years (range 22-93) underwent laparoscopic colectomy. A total of 370 cases (45.5 %) were performed by four colorectal fellows. Overall, 674 patients (82.9 %) were classified as ASA I or II. The conversion rate was 3.7 %. The conversion rate, intra-operative blood loss, number of lymph nodes retrieved and post-operative recovery were similar between the two groups. When comparing with consultant group, the patients operated by fellows were: (1) significantly older; (2) more were operated on as emergency cases; (3) had pathologically less advanced tumours; (4) less patients with low rectal cancers. There were two surgical mortalities in this series. The morbidities between the two groups were similar. At the end of 3 years of training, the fellows had performed more than 85 cases of laparoscopic colectomies. The level of supervision decreased with increased experience. Finally, experienced fellows were able to supervise more junior colleagues on laparoscopic colectomies., Conclusions: Our results confirmed a structured training programme for laparoscopic colectomy is safe and effective. Reasonable results were achieved even though a high volume of cases were performed by surgical fellows.

Anti-CD25 antibodies are used as an induction therapy in islet allotransplantation for type 1 diabetes. Although previous reports suggested that anti-CD25 treatment may lead to depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and questioned its use in tolerance-promoting protocols for transplantation, the effect of anti-CD25 antibodies on the frequency and function of Tregs remains unclear. We examined the effect of anti-CD25 antibody, daclizumab, in vivo on Tregs in islet allograft recipients enrolled in a single-center study and monitored post-transplant. Our data shows that the reduction in CD25+ Treg cells observed post-transplant is due to masking of CD25 receptor by daclizumab and not due to depletion. In addition, using Treg marker, FoxP3, we show that anti-CD25+ ATG treatment leads to an increase in FoxP3+ Tregs post-transplant. These data suggest that anti-CD25-based therapy has beneficial effects on Tregs and combined with ATG may be a promising therapy for autoimmunity and transplantation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe how U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) pharmacists serving in jobs that are normal for them, but considerably different than those found in the private sector, are making a difference in advancing the nation's health., Summary: Pharmacists who serve in the Commissioned Corps of PHS fill roles that are considerably different than their counterparts in the private sector. Their work takes them out from behind the counter and into the world. Pharmacy officers advance the health and safety of the nation by their involvement in the delivery of direct patient care to medically underserved people, national security, drug vigilance, research, and policy-making endeavors. PHS pharmacists fill essential public health leadership and service roles throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and certain non-HHS federal agencies and programs. The Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institutes of Health, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Coast Guard are among the many federal agencies in which pharmacy officers are assigned., Conclusion: In each setting, PHS pharmacists find traditional roles augmented with assignments and challenges that broaden the scope of their practice.