No abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to January 2014 which evaluated the effects of electronic reminders on patient adherence to medication in chronic disease care. A random-effects model was used to pool the outcome data. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine a set of moderators. Data from 20 studies, representing 22 RCTs, were synthesized. Thirteen trials utilized short message service (SMS) reminders, three used pager reminders and six employed electronic alarm device-triggered reminders. The meta-analysis showed that the use of electronic reminders was associated with a significant, yet small, improvement in patient adherence to medication (pooled Cohen's d=0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.18, 0.41). The effect was sensitive to sample size, type of disease and intervention duration. The frequency and type of electronic reminders appeared to have no moderating effect on medication adherence. The use of electronic reminders seems to be a simple and potentially effective way of improving patient adherence to chronic medication. Future research should concern the optimum strategies for the design and implementation of electronic reminders, with which the effectiveness of the reminders is likely to be augmented.

The energy of turbulence in the universe, which cascades from large fluid scales to small kinetic scales, is believed to be dissipated through conversion to thermal or nonthermal kinetic energy. However, identifying the dissipation processes and measuring the dissipation rate in turbulence remain challenging. Based on unprecedented highquality measurements of space plasma turbulence by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, we propose a novel approach to measure the scale-dependent spectrum of the energy conversion rate between the fluctuating electromagnetic energy and plasma kinetic energy. The energy conversion rate spectrum is found to show a positive bulge around the ion kinetic scale, which clearly indicates the dissipation of the turbulent energy. The energy dissipation rate around the ion scale is estimated to be 0.5×10 6 J kg −1 s −1. This work provides basic information on local dissipation in magnetosheath turbulence and sets up a new paradigm for studying the dissipation of universal plasma turbulence.

Tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives characterized with distinct aggregation-induced-emission, attempted to aggregate with doxorubicin (Dox) to formulate the interior compartment of polymeric nanoparticulate, served as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor to promote emission of acceptor Dox. Accordingly, this FRET formulation allowed identification of Dox in complexed form by detecting FRET. Important insight into the Dox releasing can be subsequently explored by extracting complexed Dox (FRET) from the overall Dox via direct single-photon excitation of Dox. Of note, functional catiomers were used to complex with FRET partners for a template formulation, which was verified to induce pH-responsive release in the targeted subcellular compartment. Hence, this well-defined multifunctional system entitles in situ observation of the drug releasing profile and insight on drug delivery journey from the tip of injection vein to the subcellular organelle of the targeted cells.

The use of CHITs appears to be more effective than usual care in improving glycemic control for patients with diabetes. However, their effectiveness did not remain consistent over time and in other patient outcomes. Further efforts are required to examine long-term effects of CHITs and to explore factors that can moderate the effects over time.