Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

The mediating effect of critical thinking between interest in learning and caring among nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Previous studies have explored the influence of interest in learning on caring and critical thinking, as well as the relationship between caring and critical thinking. However, the mediating effect of critical thinking in interest learning and caring among nursing students has not been clarified. Methods Nursing students who enrolled for the 2021/2022 academic year in diploma, undergraduate, or graduate programs in five provinces of China (Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Hunan and Macao). An online survey with a convenience sampling method was employed to collect data. The questionnaires were administered to 692 participants between January 20 and 26, 2022. Amos 26.0 was employed to establish the structural equation modelling and analyze the mediating effect of critical thinking on interest in learning and caring. Results The first regression equation showed that interest in learning significantly influenced caring (β = 0.339, p <  0.001). The third regression equation showed that critical thinking significantly influenced caring (β = 0.494, p <  0.001). The effect of interest in learning on caring was less in the third equation than in the first equation (β = 0.154 vs β = 0.339), which indicates partial mediation. Furthermore, interest in learning had an indirect positive effect (β = 0.186, p <  0.001) on caring mediated by critical thinking, with 95% confidence interval of 0.142 to 0.233. Conclusions Critical thinking was a significant mediator of the relationship between interest in learning and caring. It is suggested that nursing colleges and instructors should take into account students’ interest in learning and critical thinking as potential intervention elements to enhance caring

The validity and reliability of four measures of gambling behaviour in a sample of Singapore University students

The primary aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of measures for detecting problem gamblers for use with university students in a Singapore context. The four instruments commonly used in gambling research, the DSM-IV, GA-20, SOGS and CPGI were administered to a sample of students (n = 193) from a representative cross section of faculties from one university. The CPGI was found to be the most reliable (α = 0.922) and valid in terms of construct validity as demonstrated by factor analysis. Despite being a lengthy instrument it is recommended that future studies such as randomized controlled trials of problem gambling interventions in Singapore adopt a modified version of the CPGI, made simpler and easier to use with fewer items and more appropriate terminology

Additional file 1 of Chinese version of Yoon Critical Thinking Disposition Instrument: validation using classical test theory and Rasch analysis

Supplementary Material

Is simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant the most cost-effective strategy for type 1 diabetes patients with renal failure?

Introduction: Simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant (SPK) has shown beneficial outcomes in type 1 diabetes patients with renal failure (IDDM-RF). The objective of this study was to assess its cost-effectiveness compared with other treatment strategies for IDDM-RF. Methods: A decision analytic model was developed for IDDM-RF treatment with four possible strategies: deceased donor kidney transplant (DDKT), living donor kidney transplant (LDKT), SPK and dialysis. A cost-utility analysis from the healthcare provider perspective was conducted based on a five-year model. Local data were used whenever possible except for SPK survival variables, wherein data from United Network for Organ Sharing and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients were used. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of uncertainties around key variables. Results: In the baseline analysis, LDKT was the most cost-effective strategy with the lowest cost per quality-adjusted life year gained, i.e. SGD77,068, followed by SPK (SGD82,991), DDKT (SGD92,432) and dialysis (SGD181,192). The DDKT was extended dominated by dialysis and LDKT strategies. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios with dialysis as a reference for LDKT and SPK strategies were SGD43,094 and SGD56,201, respectively. Both strategies are considered highly cost-effective under World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In the sensitivity analysis, a 6% increase in both SPK kidney graft survival and patient survival would make SPK the most cost-effective strategy. Conclusions: Both LDKT and SPK are highly cost-effective strategies in the treatment of IDDM-RF. SPK is potentially the most cost-effective strategy if a 6% increase in both SPK kidney graft survival and patient survival is achieved

Innovative Proven Clinical-Research Strategies for Participant Recruitment and Retention

The ability to successfully recruit and retain research participants is an important precursor to conducting a successful clinical trial. With respect to participant recruitment, we discuss potential strategies used in well-known and successful research studies to reach out to the targeted populations, including public education on the importance of clinical trials and the use of new media in reaching out to a wider population. The measures used by research studies to engage their participants and their healthcare providers to optimise participant retention are also examined. We conclude by discussing how these strategies may be adapted for use in Singapore

Would sneezing increase the risk of passengers contracting airborne infection?:A validated numerical assessment in a public elevator

An elevator is a machine that vertically transports people between different levels of a building. It is a typical confined space for contracting airborne diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study is to examine the dispersion of sneeze particles on the infection risk among passengers in a public elevator. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model representing an elevator was constructed. A CFD model was verified and validated based on the onsite measurement data. Renormalization Group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model developed based on the Eulerian tracking approach was used to simulate the airflow, while the discrete phase model (DPM) developed based on the Lagrangian tracking approach was used to simulate the particle dispersion during sneezing process. Simulation results show that particle concentration increased by 10 % and 2 % in case 2 (ceiling-mounted air supply diffuser and one low-level exhaust outlet) and case 3 (ceiling-mounted air supply diffuser and exhaust outlet), respectively. In contrast, case 4 shows that integration of the ceiling-mounted air supply diffuser with two-sided low-level exhaust outlet) minimized the particle adherence by 34 % on the manikin, from the time of 0 s – 5 s. Thus, ventilation strategy demonstrated in case 4 is sufficient to minimize particle dispersion and has a particle reduction rate of 0.006 kg/m3 ∙ s. Although case 1 (ceiling-mounted air supply diffuser and ceiling-mounted exhaust outlet) could prevent the particles trapped on the manikin from 0 s to 5 s, it does not perform well from the time of 5 s – 10 s.</p