Background Stimulus-responsive degradable mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs) have shown great promise as drug carriers via enhancing the efficiency of drug delivery and accelerating the degradation of nanocarriers. However, it remains a great challenge to develop novel light-enabled spatial and temporal degradable MONs with both superior responsiveness for efficient anti-cancer drug delivery and safe exocytosis. Results We report a novel photo-responsive degradable hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoplatform (HMONs@GOQD). The platform is based on organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) containing singlet oxygen (1O2)-responsive bridged organoalkoxysilanes and wrapped graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs). The unique hollow mesoporous structure of the HMONs guarantees an excellent drug loading and release profile. During light irradiation, 1O2 produced by the GOQDs leads to the degradation of the organosilica nanoparticles, resulting in enhanced local drug release. Conclusions We carried out in vitro and in vivo experiments using DOX as a model drug; DOX-HMONs@GOQDs exhibited high biocompatibility, accelerated degradation, and superior therapeutic efficacy during light irradiation, indicating a promising platform for clinical cancer therapy.Background The aim of the current study was to examine the internal structure and convergent and discriminant validity of the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI) in a Greek sample of community-dwelling adults in a major Greek city. Methods The authors developed a Greek version of the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI-Gr). It was translated following cross-cultural adaptation procedures for self-report measures and administered to community members (N = 884). Participants completed a brief demographic survey, the MQLI-Gr, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42). Results The MQLI-Gr is brief, easy to use, and demonstrates strong internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .90). In terms of internal structure there were mixed results. In terms of discriminant validity, statistically significant differences in mean MQLI-Gr scores were observed between two groups those with none-mild symptoms versus those with severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (p less then .05). The MQLI-Gr was also able to discriminate among groups assumed to vary on quality of life; marital status, income, and employment. In terms of convergent validity, results were in the expected direction, with participants reporting high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, also reporting lower quality of life on the MQLI-Gr (p less then .001). Conclusion Consistent with other translations, the MQLI-Gr demonstrated feasibility, strong internal consistency, and good convergent and discriminant validity. This is the first step in the development of a psychometrically sound measure to assess quality of life in a community-dwelling population in Greece. With the addition of further validation studies, this measure will be a useful tool for assessing the quality of life in the Greek community.Background People's eating behavior is assumed to be influenced by what other people do (perceived descriptive norms) and what others approve of (perceived injunctive norms). It has been suggested that adolescents are more susceptible to peer norms than parental norms, because they experience a strong need for group acceptance that leads to conforming to peer group norms. The current study examined changes in snacking behavior and four types of social norms (i.e., parental and peer descriptive and injunctive norms) that promoted fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents. This study was the first to examine whether snacking behavior also influenced norm perceptions by testing the directionality of these associations. Methods The study consisted of 819 participants (M [SD] age = 11.19 [1.36]; 46.1% boys), collected at three time points (T1 = 2016, T2 = 2017 and T3 = 2018) during the MyMovez project. Self-reported frequency of snack consumption, perceived parental and peer descriptive and injunctive norms wers expecting their children to snack healthy had a positive influence on healthy snacking behavior whereas only acting as a healthy role model did not. Future research should address the possible interaction between descriptive and injunctive norms. Research should also take into account the bi-directional relations between eating behaviors and normative perceptions.Background In the international agenda, it has become common to assert that the assessment of health system governance using a practical tool is crucial. This approach can help us better understand how health systems are being steered as well as to identify gaps in the decision-making process and their causes. The authors developed a new assessment tool, the Health Policymaking Governance Guidance Tool (HP-GGT), that was designed to be conceptually sound and practical. This tool enables policy-makers and stakeholders to systematically review and assess health system governance at policy-making level. This article presents first use of the HP-GGT in Lebanon, together with generated results, recommendations, and discusses how these results improve governance practices when initiating new health policy formulation processes. Methods The HP-GGT, which is a multidimensional structured tool, was used retrospectively to assess and review the process used to develop a new mental health strategy; this process was compsential for improved policy-making. The HP-GGT was able to provide a general overview and an in-depth assessment of a policy formulation process related to governance issues according to international good practices that should be applied while formulating health policies in any field. The HP-GGT was found to be a practical tool that was useful for policy-makers when used in Lebanon and awaits applications in other low- and middle-income countries to further show its validity and utility.Background Proteinuria is a major marker of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and the predictor of cardiovascular mortality. The rapid development of renal failure is expected in those patients who have higher level of proteinuria however, some patients may have slow decline of renal function despite lower level of urinary protein excretion. The different mechanical (visco-elastic) and chemical properties, as well as the proteome profiles of urinary proteins might explain their tubular toxicity mechanism. Brillouin light scattering (BLS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopies are non-contact, laser optical-based techniques providing visco-elastic and chemical property information of probed human biofluids.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ly333531.html  We proposed to study and compare these properties of urinary proteins using BLS and SERS spectroscopies in nephrotic patient and validate hybrid BLS-SERS spectroscopy in diagnostic of urinary proteins as well as their profiling. The project ultimately aims for the development of an optical spectroscopic sensor for rapid, non-contact monitoring of urine samples from patients in clinical settings.