Social and behavioral correlates of sleep health among adults receiving medication treatment for opioid use disorder

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and its treatment (MOUD) are associated with altered sleep health. The purposes are to (1) describe profiles of sleep health among adults using medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and (2) examine the associations between multi-level individual, family, neighborhood, and social characteristics and sleep profiles. We hypothesized that poor quality of life, adverse life experiences, addiction behavior, dysfunctional family and social interactions, and negative neighborhood characteristics are associated with negative profiles of sleep health. This study comprised baseline analyses of the NIH/HEAL-funded CLOUDS study (Collaboration Linking Opioid Use Disorder and Sleep). We obtained self-report measures of sleep health and indicators of multi-level individual, family, and neighborhood factors. We identified sleep health profiles with K-means cluster analysis and examined the associations between these multi-level factors and sleep health profiles. The sample included 165 participants (M age = 42, SD =11.4 years; N  = 73/42.2% female; N  = 37/22.4% Black or more than one race). We identified four sleep health profiles: Healthy sleep (Profile A; 30.3%); mild insomnia/late sleep timing (Profile B: 20%); clinical insomnia/long sleep (Profile C: 25.5%); and insomnia with excessive daytime sleepiness (Profile D: 23.6%). There were statistically significant differences across sleep profiles in physical and psychological health, addiction use and risk, family function, neighborhood esthetic quality, and perceptions of community support, with more adverse factors associated with poorer sleep health. Research is needed to understand the causal directions of these relationships and promote multi-level interventions to promote sleep health.

Pre-lacteal feeding practices, determinants, and early health outcomes among children under 2 years of age in Nogob Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

Pre-lacteal feeding, the provision of foods or liquids other than breast milk before breastfeeding, undermines optimal infant feeding and increases neonatal morbidity. Evidence from pastoralist settings in Ethiopia is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, determinants, and early health outcomes of pre-lacteal feeding among children aged 2 years in the Nogob Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2025 among 609 mother – infant pairs attending seven health centers and one primary hospital. Stratified and systematic sampling were applied. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals identified determinants and associated neonatal outcomes. Pre-lacteal feeding prevalence was 40.1% (95% CI: 36.2%–44.0%), with plain water, sugar water, and animal milk being the most common. Determinants included rural residence (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.30–3.22), no antenatal care (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.28–3.45), birth order ≥5 (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.25–3.35), maternal illiteracy (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.65–5.10), and cesarean delivery (AOR = 4.55; 95% CI: 1.72–12.10). Pre-lacteal feeding increased the odds of neonatal complications (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.35–3.95). Pre-lacteal feeding is common in the Nogob zone and is linked to adverse neonatal outcomes. Maternal education, antenatal care promotion, early breastfeeding initiation, and culturally sensitive community interventions are essential to reduce pre-lacteal feeding and improve neonatal health in pastoralist settings.

A review on synthetic methodologies of thiazolo[3,4- a ]quinoxalines

The skeleton of thiazoloquinoxaline is a remarkable structural system that belongs to the thiazole ring fused with quinoxaline nucleus. Some thiazoloquinoxalines increase the diversity of certain biological properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, and antiamoebic activities. The current review article represents a survey of the literature covering the synthetic strategies leading to thiazolo[3,4- a ]quinoxalines.

Cyclodextrin-based carriers for targeted drug delivery

Cyclodextrin‐based drug delivery systems provide a robust platform for designing targeted nanocarriers that efficiently encapsulate, stabilize, and deliver poorly soluble drugs to specific sites. Their unique ability to form host – guest complexes and construct supramolecular networks adorned with tailored ligands allows precise targeting of diseased areas, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects. This review provides an overview of recent advances in cyclodextrin‐based carriers for targeted drug delivery. It examines a wide array of ligand-functionalized systems, from conjugates and assemblies to branched polymers and nanosponges, organized according to their target organs, including the brain, eyes, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and breast. The discussion is grounded in an extensive literature search, highlighting strategies such as the incorporation of active targeting ligands, stimuli‐responsive release mechanisms, and dual-function theragnostic platforms. Although cyclodextrin‐based systems have demonstrated promising improvements in drug solubility, stability, and target specificity, challenges remain with regard to overcoming biological barriers and minimizing off‐target effects. The authors believe that continued optimization of carrier design, combined with advances in targeting and stimuli‐responsive technologies, will be crucial for translating these innovative systems into effective clinical therapies.

Mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock: a tool, not the treatment

Advancing melanoma treatment with nanoparticles: from chemotherapy to combination therapies

Nanoparticle (NPs)-based therapies have ushered in a paradigm shift in melanoma treatment, addressing key challenges in conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy, such as drug delivery, specificity, and therapeutic efficacy. This review highlights important chemotherapies, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, and dacarbazine, delivered via NPs, which improve bioavailability, reduce systemic toxicity, and overcome drug resistance. Additionally, combination therapies involving chemotherapy with photothermal, photodynamic, hyperthermic, or immunotherapy treatments leverage synergies that enhance tumor regression and promote immunogenic cell death. NPs incorporating RNA interference and gene targeting have been developed to silence oncogenic pathways, enabling precision molecular targeting. Natural compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and honokiol, delivered via NPs, show strong anticancer effects. Moreover, advanced platforms such as microneedles, hydrogels, and metal-based NPs enhance drug delivery, skin penetration, controlled release, and enable real-time monitoring with ultrasound and molecular imaging. We also discuss the potential challenges in the clinical translation of NPs-based therapies, including tumor targeting, bioavailability, multidrug resistance, immune system interactions, stability, and off-target effects. It also addresses the need for personalized, multifunctional delivery systems and strategies to overcome clinical translation barriers for effective treatment.

Substance use among incarcerated male population in Freetown, Sierra Leone: Prevalence, predictors, and risk profiles using the WHO ASSIST

This cross‑sectional study assessed the prevalence, predictors, and substance use risk profile among 333 incarcerated males at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre. The WHO-ASSIST tool was used for data collection. The risk of substance-related issues was categorised as low, moderate, or high. Logistic regression was done to identify predictors of lifetime substance use (Model I) and recent use within the past three months within or outside prisons (Model II). The prevalence of lifetime substance use was 88.6% (95% CI: 0.85–0.92), recent use 73.9% (95% CI: 0.69–0.79), and polysubstance use 77.2% (95% CI: 0.73–0.82). Tobacco (80.5%), cannabis (70.0%), alcohol (68.2%), and opioids (64.0%) were the most used substances. In adjusted models, older age, unmarried status, and rural residence were significant predictors of both lifetime and recent use, while education status was specifically associated with recent use. Risk profiles revealed a high level of dependence among tobacco users and moderate risk among most cannabis and opioid users. Substance use was notably high, with tobacco, cannabis, and opioids emerging as the primary substances of concern. These findings underscore the burden of substance use and highlight the need for targeted interventions and the integration of cessation programs within the correctional centre.

Analytical – numerical estimation of temperature distribution in living tissue by the DPL bio-heat model

Here, we used mathematical modeling to predict and simulate the behavior and effect of temperature on human skin, together with studying the effects of the blood perfusion parameters, the time of tissue exposure to the laser, and the effect of the delay times on temperature distribution on living tissue. The model that has been used is a dual-phase lag DPL bioheat transfer model. The solution of the model has been obtained by using the analytical scheme represented by Laplace transforms, as well as the numerical scheme represented by the implicit finite difference method. The paper involves comparing analytical and numerical solutions, a comparison between the temperature distribution according to various bio-heat models and the resulting thermal damage. The results of the DPL bioheat model have been compared with the previous study and it showed. A favorable convergence results have been presented graphically and discussed in detail.

Thermal amelioration in heat transfer rate using Oldroyd-B model hybrid nanofluid by CNTs-based kerosene oil flow in solar collectors applications

Thermal system efficiency improvement is critical in many technical applications such as automobile cooling systems, power production, microelectronics, heat exchangers, and air conditioning. In recent decades, the main question about solar energy analyses is how can heat energy be maximized which can be used in electrical energy applications for different purposes in solar-power ships. The present paper details the influence of nano-solid particles as well as an analysis of entropy formation on parabolic trough surface collector (PTSC) in solar power ships (SPS). Considerations are made on the effects of the porous medium, Darcy-Forchheimer as well as the non-Newtonian Oldroyd-B model in the present research. Impacts of thermal radiations, viscous dissipation, the penetrability of the surface, and hybridity nanoparticles are included to increase the heat transition capability of solar-powered ships. The dimensionless sundry factors that influence temperature, rate of heat transport, and velocity are shown via graphs and observation tables. Rate of heat transition in SPS is increased with the positive change in the effects of viscid dissipaiktive, thermal radiative, and sucking flowing. SWCNT/kerosene nanofluid has better thermodynamic capability than SWCNT-MWCNT/kerosene nanofluid. Thermal efficacy of SWCNT-MWCNT/Kerosene over SWCNT/kerosene is seen with a minimum of 2.399326%.

Neurological implications of cytokine storm and oxidative stress in COVID-19: pathophysiological insights and clinical perspectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved from a predominantly respiratory syndrome into a complex multisystem disorder with substantial neurological involvement. Increasing clinical reports and experimental findings indicate that both acute and persistent central nervous system (CNS) complications contribute significantly to disease burden; however, the biological mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 infection to neurological dysfunction remain fragmented and incompletely defined. Addressing this gap is essential for advancing mechanistic understanding and improving clinical management. Current data suggest that COVID-19-associated neurological manifestations arise from a convergence of immune dysregulation, oxidative injury, and neurovascular impairment. An exaggerated inflammatory response, marked by uncontrolled cytokine release, compromises blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, promotes endothelial dysfunction, enhances prothrombotic states, and ultimately facilitates neuronal damage. Simultaneously, virus-induced oxidative stress disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis, alters redox signaling, and activates glial cells, thereby amplifying neuroinflammatory pathways and fostering neurodegenerative processes. In parallel, several mechanisms of CNS entry have been proposed, including olfactory trans-synaptic dissemination, hematogenous spread through a weakened BBB, retrograde axonal transport, and leukocyte-mediated trafficking, each potentially contributing to disease severity. These interconnected pathogenic processes are reflected clinically in a wide spectrum of neurological outcomes, ranging from mild symptoms such as headache, anosmia, and cognitive disturbances to severe conditions including ischemic stroke, encephalopathy, seizures, acute necrotizing encephalitis, and acceleration of preexisting neurodegenerative disorders. Integrating these mechanistic insights is critical for early detection of neurological involvement, refinement of risk stratification, and development of targeted therapeutic strategies, particularly in light of the growing prevalence of post-acute neurological sequelae associated with “long COVID”.