Practical Protocol Research Articles

Methodological approaches in vitrification: Enhancing viability of bovine oocytes and invitro-produced embryos.

Cryopreservation of bovine oocytes and embryos is essential for long-term preservation and widespread distribution of genetic material, particularly in bovine invitro embryo production, which has witnessed substantial growth in the past decade due to advancements in reproductive biotechnologies. Among current cryopreservation methods, vitrification has emerged as the preferred cryopreservation technique over slow freezing for preserving oocytes and invitro-produced (IVP) embryos, as it effectively addresses membrane chilling injury and ice crystal formation. Nonetheless, challenges remain and a simple and robust vitrification protocol that guarantees the efficiency and viability after warming has not yet been developed. Furthermore, although slow cooling can easily be adapted for direct transfer, an easier and more practical vitrification protocol for IVP embryos is required to allow the transfer of IVP embryos on farms using in-straw dilution. In addition, the susceptibility of bovine oocytes and embryos to cryoinjuries highlights the need for novel strategies to improve their cryotolerance. This manuscript examines various methodological approaches for increasing the viability of bovine oocytes and IVP embryos during vitrification. Strategies such as modifying lipid content or mitigating oxidative damage have shown promise in improving cryotolerance. Additionally, mathematical modelling of oocyte and embryo membrane permeability has facilitated the rational design of cryopreservation protocols, optimizing the exposure time and concentration of cryoprotectants to reduce cytotoxicity.

Neurologic Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse People: A Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Implications.

To summarize the literature on neurologic care for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people and provide implications for clinical practice. There are limited data on the frequency and management of neurologic conditions among TGD people. TGD people have a higher prevalence of various neurologic conditions compared with cisgender or general population cohorts, including migraine, subjective cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, functional disorders, and cerebrovascular disease. Gender-affirming hormone therapy interacts with commonly prescribed neurologic medications and increases stroke risk among transfeminine people. Sex hormones and sex chromosomes may play a role in neurodegeneration and disability progression in neuroimmunologic diseases. Clitoral reduction surgeries on intersex children can cause neurologic disability and sexual dysfunction in adulthood. Socioeconomic disparities among TGD people contribute to health care barriers. Neurologists should consider the unique experiences and health care needs of TGD people in their clinical practice and research protocols.

Transient bradycardia during local anaesthesia to the oral cavity under intravenous sedation and its associate factors: a prospective observational study

BackgroundLocal anaesthesia in dental procedures is generally safe, although the occurrence of transient bradycardia (TB) has occasionally been reported. TB is often associated with two reflexes, the trigeminal cardiac reflex (TCR) and the vasovagal reflex (VVR) and is characterised by a rapid decrease in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). The prevalence of TCR is considered low, and its predictors have not been thoroughly investigated, although an association with the gag reflex has been suggested in recent years.MethodsThis prospective study assessed TB occurrence during local anaesthesia and its potential associated factors. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to categorise discomforts during dental treatment, and various anxiety scales were used to measure patients’ anxiety levels. We investigated HR variability during local anaesthesia administration under sedation and the association between the incidence of TB and gag reflex. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with TB occurrence.ResultsThe prospective analysis included 188 patients of 234 initial patients. The analysis revealed a high TB incidence rate of 41% during local anaesthesia administration under sedation. No severe hypotensive events occurred, indicating a relatively benign nature of TB during local anaesthesia. TB occurrence was significantly higher in the group of patients with the gag reflex. Further analysis revealed that both gag reflex and trait anxiety were significantly associated with TB occurrence, whereas dental phobia did not directly correlate with TB.ConclusionThis study highlights the prominent occurrence of TB during local anaesthesia in dental treatment, which is primarily attributed to TCR activation. The identification of gag reflex and trait anxiety as independent factors associated with TB development may pave the way for TB prevention measures. Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms of TCR and perform safer dental procedures under sedation. Future studies should also aim to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying TB during local anaesthesia through direct measurements of neural activity. A better understanding of TB in dentistry is crucial for improving patient safety and optimising dental practice protocols.

Diagnosis and Management of Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: A Comprehensive Review of Major Guidelines.

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) represents a significant contributor of maternal and neonatal morbidity complicating a significant proportion of pregnancies worldwide. The aim of this review was to summarize and compare the most recently published guidelines on the diagnosis and management of this critical pregnancy complication. A comparative review of 3 recently updated national guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada on PPROM was conducted. There is an overall agreement that the diagnosis of PPROM should be mainly based on sterile speculum examination and patient's history, followed by additional tests in equivocal cases, although the accuracy and contribution of both ultrasound and amniotic proteins tests in the diagnosis remain debatable. Following PPROM confirmation, all guidelines recommend the performance of vaginal and rectal swabs, the evaluation of fetal and maternal status, the administration of antibiotics and corticosteroids, and the immediate induction of labor, if severe complications are identified. Expectant management from viability until late preterm period is universally recommended; nevertheless, there are discrepancies on the optimal timing of delivery. Magnesium sulfate should be administered in case of imminent preterm delivery; however, there is no consensus on the upper gestational age limit. Recommendations on inpatient and outpatient management of PPROM are also inconsistent. Moreover, there is no common guidance on the use of tocolysis or antibiotic regimens. Finally, all medical societies agree that closer surveillance of future pregnancies is required. PPROM remains the most common identifiable risk factor of preterm delivery, despite constant improvement in prenatal provision of care. Thus, the establishment of consistent international practice protocols for the timely and accurate diagnosis and the optimal management of this complication seems of vital importance and will hopefully lead to significant reduction of the associated adverse outcomes.

Enhancing accuracy of surgical stylus-tip tracking: A comparative calibration study

Accurate determination of the position of surgical stylus-tip is crucial for informed decision-making in computer-assisted surgery. This study assesses the accuracy of various calibration methods for stylus-tip tracking. A novel template-based calibration method is proposed, offering a practical protocol for assessing surgical stylus-tip accuracy. Relative position and orientation errors are measured using two custom-made phantoms and compared with those from existing techniques. Experimental results shows that our proposed method achieves greater positional accuracy (mean: 1.73 mm; range: 0.53-3.42 mm) compared to the geometry-based method (mean: 3.78 mm; range: 2.52-5.05 mm) and the algebraic-based method (mean: 2.47 mm; range: 1.52-3.52 mm). In terms of orientation accuracy, our method also performs slightly better (mean: 0.95 deg; range: 0-3.41 deg) than the geometry-based method (mean: 1.03 deg; range: 0-3.36 deg) and the algebraic-based method (mean: 1.01 deg; range: 0-3.22 deg). The advantages of our method are highlighted, demonstrating its potential for application in the operating room.

Oral Diltiazem Prophylaxis for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Robotic Lobectomy

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) prophylaxis with diltiazem has not been studied after robotic lobectomies. We aimed to determine whether prophylaxis with oral diltiazem is associated with a lower rate of AF after robotic lobectomy. MethodsA retrospective review of all robotic lobectomies during an 8-year period was conducted. After our practice protocol change (September 2014), patients undergoing lobectomy were prescribed prophylactic oral diltiazem postoperatively to reduce the incidence of AF. Demographics, operative variables, smoking history, diagnosis, and rate of postoperative AF were collected. Study groups were defined as group 1 (operated before protocol change without postoperative oral diltiazem prophylaxis administered) and group 2 (operated after protocol change and postoperative oral diltiazem prophylaxis administered). Statistical analysis included Student t test, χ2 test, and univariate/multivariable and propensity score matching analysis. ResultsAfter excluding patients with history of AF (n = 48), beta-blocker/calcium-channel blocker use (n = 177), and patients who did not receive diltiazem prophylaxis after protocol change (n = 60), 333 remained for analysis (group 1 [n = 133], group 2 [n =200]). There were no significant differences regarding demographics, smoking status, or operative characteristics. Overall length of stay was similar between groups (P = .2). There was no difference in the rate of postoperative AF (group 1, 7% [9 of 133] vs group 2, 8% [16 of 200]; P = .6). After multivariable analysis, only male sex showed significantly higher odds of postoperative AF (odds ratio, 3.24, 95% CI, 1.18-8.86, P = .02). ConclusionsOral diltiazem prophylaxis after robotic lobectomy was not associated with a lower rate of postoperative AF. Its use could be tailored to those at higher risk of postoperative AF to achieve its therapeutic benefit.

Modular Universal Tumor and Revision System Prostheses in Patients with Bone Cancer of the Lower Limbs: A Narrative Review of Functional Outcomes.

The optimal management of bone tumors requires a multidisciplinary strategy to guarantee high-quality care. At specialized centers, the medical team responsible for managing patients with bone cancer comprises oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and rehabilitation specialists. The goal of treatment is to achieve long-term survival with minimal disability and pain. Postoperative rehabilitation is a fundamental therapeutic approach to enhance functionality and sustain the utmost quality of life following a limb-sparing surgery. Currently, megaprostheses are used for reconstructing bone defects after tumor resection, but in the literature, only a few studies have investigated rehabilitation outcomes in terms of functionality and impact on daily activities. This narrative review explores the functional and quality of life outcomes after the implantation of MUTARS® prostheses in patients with lower extremity bone tumors. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus using the following MESH terms: "MUTARS", "Megaprosthesis", "bone", "tumors", "metastasis", "lower limb", "rehabilitation", "outcome", and "quality of life", and 10 studies were included. The most frequent oncological pathology was found to be primitive bone tumors treated with modular prostheses. The outcome measures used were the Henderson et al. classification, Harris Hip Scale, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score, Visual Analog Scale, Range Of Motion, Karnofsky Performance Scale, and quality of life questionnaire. MUTARS® is a well-established treatment option after bone tumor resection, although it involves extensive and complex post-resection reconstruction that exposes joints and tissues to substantial mechanical stress. Proper rehabilitation after MUTARS® surgery is a fundamental therapeutic step, although there is still insufficient evidence in the literature focusing on functional and rehabilitative outcomes. Therefore, more studies and guidelines are needed to define standardized rehabilitation protocols for clinical practice after orthopedic oncologic surgery.

A practical assessment protocol for clinically relevant P-glycoprotein-mediated drug-drug interactions.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) may influence the effectiveness and safety of medication treatment, which may require additional monitoring, dose adjustment or avoidance of certain drugs. DDIs involving P-glycoprotein (P-gp) affect many drugs, but current official product information is often insufficient to guide the management of these DDIs in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to describe a protocol to assess DDIs involving P-gp and to develop and implement practice recommendations for clinically relevant P-gp-mediated DDIs that affect clinical outcomes through changes in systemic drug exposure. A combined literature review and expert opinion approach will be used according to the following seven steps: set up an expert panel (step 1), establish core concepts and definitions (step 2), select potential P-gp-modulators (i.e., P-gp-inducers and -inhibitors) and P-gp-substrates to be evaluated (step 3), select and extract evidence-based data, and present findings in standardized assessment reports (step 4), discuss and adopt classifications and practice recommendations with the expert panel (step 5), publish and integrate information and alerts in clinical decision support systems (CDSS) (step 6), (re)assessments of DDIs and potential new DDIs when new information is available or when initiated by healthcare providers (step 7). The expert panel will classify potential P-gp-modulators and -substrates as clinically relevant P-gp-inducer, -inhibitor and/or -substrate and draw conclusions about which combinations of classified modulators and substrates will lead to clinically relevant DDIs. This may include the extrapolation of conclusions for DDIs where limited or no data are available, based on the pharmacological characteristics of these drugs. For (potential) DDIs that are considered to be clinically relevant, practice recommendations will be developed. This protocol describes a standardized, evidence- and expert opinion-based assessment of P-gp-mediated DDIs that affect clinical outcomes. This approach will generate alerts with practice recommendations for clinically relevant DDIs and transparent rationales for DDIs that are considered to be irrelevant. These recommendations will improve individual patient care by supporting healthcare professionals to make consistent decisions on how to manage P-gp mediated DDIs.

MHealth Service Effects for Negative Emotions Among Parents of Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This review aims to ascertain the effects of mHealth on negative emotions among parents of preterm infants and analyze the current state of mHealth services in this context. Caring for preterm infants often engenders negative emotions in parents, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Mobile Health (mHealth) services offer potential benefits for preterm infant care. However, there are several uncertainties regarding the impact of mHealth services on parental emotions. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) and quasi-RCT were published in English and Chinese until 2023 and are available in the electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAHL), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database were reviewed. Review Manager 5.4 was employed for random-effects meta-analysis. Seven RCTs and 6 quasi-RCTs with high risks were included, most of them were based on small sample size and single-centered. Meta-analysis demonstrated that mHealth interventions mitigated negative emotions, including anxiety (standard mean difference [SMD]=-1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.47 to -0.66; P<0.0001), depression (SMD=-1.94; 95% CI, -3.01 to -0.86; P<0.0001), and stress (SMD=-1.24; 95% CI, -2.07 to -0.40; P<0.0001), among parents of preterm infants. It is recommended to develop independent specialized software for mHealth, enhance theoretical underpinnings, and standardize practical protocols. Incorporating early recognition and screening of negative emotions within mHealth could offer comprehensive support for the mental health of parents with preterm infants. The mHealth-based interventions are needed to focus on the parents' emotional needs and minimize the impacts associated with mental stress.

Medical Emergencies in Dental Practice

Medical emergencies in Dental Practice:Abstract "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."– Albert Einstein.In the realm of dental practice, the presence of medical emergencies poses both challenges and opportunities for dental professionals.We will look into specific emergencies such as syncope,seizures, asthma attacks, allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, airway obstruction,diabetes-related issues, and cardiac emergencies. Each emergency will be discussed in terms of its occurrence in dental practice, underlying causes,symptoms, and effective treatment protocols. Two more important topics:Importance of history taking,Medico legal aspect of medical emergency in dental office will be seen.

The Effectiveness of a Self-Management and Multifactorial Program for Blood Pressure Control Among Older Home-Based Workers in Urban Bangkok, Thailand

Older adults aged between 50-65 years old have a high risk of hypertension. With the growing numbers of home-based workers among adults and older adults in Thailand, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management with a multifactorial program to control blood pressure among older adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants who worked as home-based workers aged between 50-65 years old were recruited from a community in the western area of Bangkok. Approximately 70 participants were randomly and equally assigned to the intervention and control groups (35 participants in each group). Participants in the intervention group received the program that consisted of education regarding food selection, work time management and arm swinging; a practical protocol, an exercise program, a heart rate monitor, a recorded book for facilitating participants’ progress to ensure their safety and efficiency in a health professional manner for a week/month. While those in the control group received usual care. A Knowledge Attitude Practice questionnaire was utilized to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice, which demonstrated a content validity index and Cronbach alpha of 0.80, respectively. The Citizen CH-403C was utilized to measure blood pressure and heart rate. Two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA was employed to analyze the differences in outcome scores at baseline, 3-month after program, and 6-month follow up. The results showed a significant increase in participant’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward hypertension and a decrease in blood pressure to nearly normal after 3months following the completion of the program and 6-month follow-up. Therefore, the self-management and multifactorial program could be an effective preventive intervention for older adults with pre-hypertension conditions to offer them valuable knowledge on work-life balance as well as to help prevent hypertension, and related stroke complications.

Synthesis of Sulfoxides by Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation of Sulfenate Anions with Aryl Thianthrenium Salts.

A novel and highly efficient Pd-catalyzed arylation of sulfenate anions with aryl thianthrenium salts is demonstrated. This procedure provides a practical protocol to synthesize various diaryl and alkyl aryl sulfoxides in moderate-to-good yields. The new approach shows mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance.

Best practices guidelines in the postoperative management of patients who underwent cervical and lumbar fusions.

There is a lack of standardization in spine surgery in particular, as relates to postoperative care for the most common spine procedures such as cervical and lumbar fusions. The goal of this study was to develop a standardized postoperative treatment protocol for common spine procedures such as cervical and lumbar fusion to reduce unnecessary visits, imaging studies, and create a standard for all spine surgeons to adhere while maintaining quality. We developed a best practices protocol (BPP) for postoperative spine care for anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). We compared outcome to retrospective controls (pre-BPP) and a national database [Quality Outcomes Database (QOD)/American Spine Registry (ASR)]. Pre-BPP retrospective controls (n=1,010) were compared to patients enrolled in BPP (n=750). BPP reduced postoperative visits (POV) from 2,201 to 1,061 (52%). Total additional imaging studies computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) beyond standard X-ray were reduced from 192 studies to 57 (70%); 53% for lumbar fusion and 67% for cervical fusion. Comparing pre-BPP to BPP groups for complications, the number of adverse events was reduced by 52% overall; 45% for lumbar fusion, and 62% for cervical fusion. A subset of BPP patients (n=450) with available data were compared to a national registry QOD and ASR where lumbar and cervical fusion patients showed comparable less lengths of stay, lower 3-month complication rates and lower readmission rates. This is one of the first studies to standardize postoperative spine care as a first step towards creating uniformly accepted models for value-based care (VBC) in spine surgery.

A Prototype Model of Zero Trust Architecture Blockchain with EigenTrust-Based Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance Protocol to Manage Decentralized Clinical Trials

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the emergence of decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs) due to patient retention, accelerate trials, improve data accessibility, enable virtual care, and facilitate seamless communication through integrated systems. However, integrating systems in DCTs exposes clinical data to potential security threats, making them susceptible to theft at any stage, a high risk of protocol deviations, and monitoring issues. To mitigate these challenges, blockchain technology serves as a secure framework, acting as a decentralized ledger, creating an immutable environment by establishing a zero-trust architecture, where data are deemed untrusted until verified. In combination with Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled wearable devices, blockchain secures the transfer of clinical trial data on private blockchains during DCT automation and operations. This paper proposes a prototype model of the Zero-Trust Architecture Blockchain (z-TAB) to integrate patient-generated clinical trial data during DCT operation management. The EigenTrust-based Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (T-PBFT) algorithm has been incorporated as a consensus protocol, leveraging Hyperledger Fabric. Furthermore, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been integrated to streamline data processing among stakeholders within the blockchain platforms. Rigorous evaluation has been done for immutability, privacy and security, mutual consensus, transparency, accountability, tracking and tracing, and temperature‒humidity control parameters.

The hygienist's role in the management of the implant patient in primary care.

The scope of practice for dental hygienists includes the care of implants and peri-implant tissues. Hygienists in primary care settings must therefore be competent and confident in assessing, managing, and treating implant restorations and their peri-implant health. Dental hygienists also play a key role in the education of patients on oral health as part of their daily practice, a recognised and valued aspect of their clinical care responsibilities. Dental hygienists and therapists therefore have a pivotal role as adjunct support in a patient's implant journey where they can offer essential support throughout their treatment period and can provide guidance and education at regular intervals.Using current guidelines, dental hygienists and therapists can create and implement practice protocols to help deliver the necessary clinical care during pre-implant, peri-implant, and post-implant phases of care. This article discusses the processes required to achieve a healthy implant patient, how the dental team can support the patient, and how clinicians can work together to achieve the best possible clinical outcome. This article will explore current evidence-based guidance and how to implement guidance in a practice setting, with protocols for all members of the dental team, with the final goal of a dentally healthy, motivated patient.

A (Dis)orderly Progression: The Lasting Impact of Pandemic on Community-Based Organizations

ABSTRACT Community-based organizations (CBOs) serving older ethnic minority adults, especially older immigrants, are vital to satisfy their complex social, health, and behavioral health needs. This study uses organizational theories and a case study approach to examine how the organizational responses to the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and progress beyond the pandemic-related responses. Four CBOs serving older Chinese immigrants in New York City were examined. Results indicate that driven by unmet psychosocial needs of older Chinese immigrants and public health measures, CBOs modified practice protocols and established (or strengthened) collaborative relationships with medical providers and other CBOs. COVID-19 responses include CBOs’ transformations in organizational structures (e.g. collaboration) and operational activities (e.g. telehealth). Successful transformations of CBOs were primarily due to prior adaptiveness to integrated care reform and assured needed resources before the pandemic; the transformation reflected orderly organizational progress rather than a temporary management strategy.

Ni-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cyclization/Amidation and Amination of 1,6-Enynes and 1,7-Enynes.

Transition-metal-catalyzed hydroamination of unsaturated hydrocarbons is an appealing synthetic tool for the construction of high value-added chiral amines. Despite significant progress in the asymmetric hydroamination of alkenes, allenes, and 1,3-dienes, asymmetric hydroamination of 1,6-enynes or 1,7-enynes remains rather limited due to the enormous challenges in controlling the chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity of the reaction. Herein, we report a Ni-catalyzed chemo- and enantioselective reductive cyclization/amidation and amination of 1,6-enynes and 1,7-enynes using dioxazolones or anthranils as nitrene-transfer reagents. This mild, modular, and practical protocol provides rapid access to a variety of enantioenriched 2-pyrrolidone and 2-piperidone derivatives bearing an aminomethylene group at the 4-position in good yields (up to 83%) with excellent enantioselectivities (40 examples, up to 99% ee).Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations indicate that the reaction is initiated by hydronickelation of alkynes followed by migratory insertion into alkenes, rather than by a [2+2+1] oxidative addition process of nickel to alkenes and alkynes.

Ni‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cyclization/Amidation and Amination of 1,6‐Enynes and 1,7‐Enynes

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroamination of unsaturated hydrocarbons is an appealing synthetic tool for the construction of high value‐added chiral amines. Despite significant progress in the asymmetric hydroamination of alkenes, allenes, and 1,3‐dienes, asymmetric hydroamination of 1,6‐enynes or 1,7‐enynes remains rather limited due to the enormous challenges in controlling the chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity of the reaction. Herein, we report a Ni‐catalyzed chemo‐ and enantioselective reductive cyclization/amidation and amination of 1,6‐enynes and 1,7‐enynes using dioxazolones or anthranils as nitrene‐transfer reagents. This mild, modular, and practical protocol provides rapid access to a variety of enantioenriched 2‐pyrrolidone and 2‐piperidone derivatives bearing an aminomethylene group at the 4‐position in good yields (up to 83%) with excellent enantioselectivities (40 examples, up to 99% ee). Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory calculations indicate that the reaction is initiated by hydronickelation of alkynes followed by migratory insertion into alkenes, rather than by a [2+2+1] oxidative addition process of nickel to alkenes and alkynes.

Bleached Hair as Standard Template to Insight the Performance of Commercial Hair Repair Products

The increasing demand for effective hair care products has highlighted the necessity for rigorous claims substantiation methods, particularly for products that target specific hair types. This is essential because the effectiveness of a product can vary significantly based on the hair’s condition and characteristics. A well-defined bleaching protocol is crucial for creating a standardized method to assess product efficacy, especially for products designed to repair damaged hair. The objective of this study was to create a practical bleaching protocol that mimics real-world consumer experiences, ensuring that hair samples exhibit sufficient damage for testing. This approach allows for a reliable assessment of how well various products can repair hair. The protocol serves as a framework for evaluating hair properties and the specific effects of each product on hair structure. Color, brightness, lightness, morphology, and topography were primarily used to understand the big differences in the hair fiber when treated with two repair benchmark products, K18® and Olaplex®, in relation to the Bleached hair. The devised bleaching protocol proved to be a fitting framework for assessing the properties of hair and the unique characteristics of each tested product within the hair fiber. This protocol offers valuable insights and tools for substantiating consumer claims, with morphological and mechanical methods serving as indispensable tools for recognizing and validating claims related to hair. The addition of K18® and Olaplex® demonstrated an increase in hair brightness (Y) and lightness (L* and a*) in relation to the Bleached samples, which were considered relevant characteristics for consumers. Olaplex®’s water-based nature creates a visible inner sheet, effectively filling empty spaces and improving the disulfide linkage network. This enhancement was corroborated by the increased number of disulfide bonds and evident changes in the FTIR profile. In contrast, K18®, owing to the lipophilic nature of its constituents, resulted in the formation of an external layer above the fiber. The composition of each of the products had a discrete impact on the fiber distribution, which was an outcome relevant to the determination of spreadability by consumers.

Ligand‐Boosted Copper Catalysis for Air‐Tolerant Methoxylation of (Hetero)aryl Halides With Sodium Methoxide

ABSTRACTAn air‐tolerant, simple yet highly efficient copper‐catalyzed methoxylation of (hetero)aryl bromides and some activated chlorides has been developed by using copper(II) chloride/2,2‐bipyridine as catalyst precursor. A wide range of (hetero)aryl bromides and electron‐deficient chlorides could be efficiently methoxylated in good to excellent yields at 1‐mol% catalyst loading albeit showing a functional group compatibility dependent on the electronic properties of aryl ring. Applications of the practical protocol have been demonstrated in multigram synthesis of 3,4,5‐trimethoxytoluene.