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Static automated perimetry (SAP) remains a mainstay of functional assessment of the visual field in diseases of the visual pathway, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. The fundamental psychophysical task of responding to stimuli of different levels of contrast has remained minimally changed since its inception in the 1980s, and this is potentially the root of several unresolved issues involving the technique. Enduring issues include the optimisation of SAP parameters for maximising defect detection, the influence of subjective behaviour on the response, structure-function discordance, and ageing- and disease-related changes of the visual pathway. Addressing these issues has been a focus of our research program and is the subject of this manuscript. We will review some of the basic psychophysical principles and methods that have contributed to the development of SAP and their contributions to its output measurements. Parameters that are interrogated include stimulus size and background luminance and their modification to improve defect defection in glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. We propose frameworks for optimising testing parameters and leveraging the results for changing clinical care. In our pursuit of optimising the structure-function relationship in the eye, several areas of research have been developed and explored, including: the reconciliation of subjective responses in perimetry; by minimising sources of biases, such as Method of Limits we have been able to equate static and kinetic perimetry outputs in relation to underlying structural loci. This also formed the basis for our clustering framework, which groups together statistically similar structural and functional test locations to maximise structure-function concordance. Throughout the manuscript, we review the scientific underpinnings of clinical measurements, framing application into real-world patients to improve clinical practice., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Materials and devices that harvest acoustic energy can enable autonomous powering of microdevices and wireless sensors. However, traditional acoustic energy harvesters rely on brittle piezoceramics, which have restricted their use in wearable electronic devices. To address these limitations, this study involves the fabrication of acoustic harvesters using electrospinning of the piezoelectric polymer PVDF-TrFE onto fabric-based electrodes. Two-dimensional (2D) Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene flakes were used to induce polarization locking of the electrospun PVDF-TrFE for optimal electromechanical performance of PVDF-TrFE. The mechanically robust, lightweight, and flexible device was demonstrated to detect and harvest energy in the sound frequency range of 50 to 1000 Hz at sound levels between 60 and 95 dB, while exhibiting a high sensitivity of 37 VPa -1 , which is higher than previously reported values for PVDF-based sound harvesters. The maximum output power can reach 19 mW/cm 3 under 200 Hz and 95 dB. The development of this material opens a future pathway for powering small electronic devices, such as implantable biomedical devices, smart wearable technology, and remote Internet-of-Things devices.

Background: Studies exploring early life-course BMI trajectories and subsequent mental health outcomes are limited but may provide important insights for early intervention. We investigated associations between BMI trajectories from 0 to 18 years and mental health outcomes in emerging adulthood., Methods: Data were obtained from 434 participants in the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study (MACS). Anthropometric data were collected across 26 timepoints from infancy to age 25 and group-based trajectory modelling was used to develop BMI trajectories from 0.1 to 18 years. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress (MSPD) and likely depression were assessed at age 18 and 25 years. Associations between BMI trajectories and mental health at 25 years and change in mental health between 18 and 25 years were estimated using logistic regression. History of asthma, hay fever or eczema were independently examined as potential effect modifiers., Results: Five BMI trajectories were identified from 1 month to 18 years. When compared to the stable average BMI trajectory, we found an increased risk of MSPD (OR = 2.97; 95%CI: 1.09,8.06) and likely depression (3.56; 1.39,9.12) at age 25 in the average increasing-to-high trajectory. This group also had a greater likelihood of new-onset depression (4.82; 1.54,15.0) from 18 to 25 years of age., Limitations: MACS participants are not representative of the general population and mental health data was not available before 18 years of age., Conclusion: Excessive weight gain across the childhood transition was associated with poorer mental health in emerging adulthood, highlighting the importance of monitoring growth to allow for early identification and stratification of individuals at risk of poor mental health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Issue Addressed: The 2022 Oral health messages for Australia were reviewed, revised and published in 2023. This study adapted these messages from a value-based communication perspective to support Dental Health Services Victoria population health programs and resources., Methods: A modified Delphi RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was adopted. An expert panel was convened, which included public oral health professionals and health promotion practitioners at Dental Health Services Victoria. The 2022 Oral health messages for Australia were reviewed and adapted to ensure consistency and relevance to consumers and health professionals. Once there was general agreement by the expert panel on the Dental Health Services Victoria health promotion messages for oral health, a follow-up anonymous survey was sent to the expert panel to rate their level of agreement. Additionally, the messages were evaluated for ease of readability with an anonymous survey of consumers., Results: A total of 23 participants were invited on the expert panel, of which 16 agreed to participate. Considerations were made to reflect a broad perspective across disciplines in public oral health professionals encompassing expertise in policy, advocacy and health promotion. Broadly, there was agreement to adapt all of the 2022 Oral health messages for Australia. The level of agreement by the expert panel ranged from 73% to 100%. Amongst 13 consumer respondents to the survey, the level of agreement ranged from 62% to 100%., Conclusion: There was sufficient rationale to adapt the 2022 Oral health messages for Australia for the Victorian context by using a value-based messaging approach. SO WHAT?: This study demonstrated that adaption was necessary to the 2022 Oral health messages for Australia, potentially leading to more impactful health promotion messages for oral health in Victoria., (© 2024 Australian Health Promotion Association.)

The Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) is the main measurement acquisition algorithm used on the Humphrey Field Analyser, the most commonly used instrument for visual field (VF) assessment worldwide. We compare the sensitivity outputs and reliability parameters of the three currently available SITA algorithms-SITA Standard (SS), Fast (SF), and Faster (SFR), with a focus on the newly released SFR and the 24-2C test grid. SFR displays similar sensitivity outputs to SS and SF, but may not be interchangeable with SS in eyes with more severe VF loss. The reliability metric with the greatest impact on VF reliability is the level of false positives, although the recommended 15 % false positive cut off may be inappropriate as a threshold for judging whether a test is reliable and should be included for use in SFR. Finally, the 24-2C grid may be useful in flagging the presence of a clustered central VF defect, while the 10-2 grid can be used to more comprehensively characterize central field defects. We also discuss strategies to improve testing frequency in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two-dimensional (2D) nanoarchitectonics involve the creation of functional material assemblies and structures at the nanoscopic level by combining and organizing nanoscale components through various strategies, such as chemical and physical reforming, atomic and molecular manipulation, and self-assembly. Significant advancements have been made in the field, with the goal of producing functional materials from these nanoscale components. 2D nanomaterials, in particular, have gained substantial attention due to their large surface areas which are ideal for numerous surface-active applications. In this review article, nanoarchitectonics of 2D nanomaterials based biomedical applications are discussed. We aim to provide a concise overview of how nanoarchitectonics using 2D nanomaterials can be applied to dental healthcare, with an emphasis on biosensing and drug delivery. By offering a deeper understanding of nanoarchitectonics with programmable structures and predictable properties, we hope to inspire new innovations in the dental bioapplications of 2D nanomaterials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Enhancing patient comprehension of their health is crucial in improving health outcomes. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in distilling medical information into a conversational, legible format can potentially enhance health literacy. This review aims to examine the accuracy, reliability, comprehensiveness and readability of medical patient education materials (PEMs) simplified by AI models. A systematic review was conducted searching for articles assessing outcomes of use of AI in simplifying PEMs. Inclusion criteria are as follows: publication between January 2019 and June 2023, various modalities of AI, English language, AI use in PEMs and including physicians and/or patients. An inductive thematic approach was utilised to code for unifying topics which were qualitatively analysed. Twenty studies were included, and seven themes were identified (reproducibility, accessibility and ease of use, emotional support and user satisfaction, readability, data security, accuracy and reliability and comprehensiveness). AI effectively simplified PEMs, with reproducibility rates up to 90.7% in specific domains. User satisfaction exceeded 85% in AI-generated materials. AI models showed promising readability improvements, with ChatGPT achieving 100% post-simplification readability scores. AI's performance in accuracy and reliability was mixed, with occasional lack of comprehensiveness and inaccuracies, particularly when addressing complex medical topics. AI models accurately simplified basic tasks but lacked soft skills and personalisation. These limitations can be addressed with higher-calibre models combined with prompt engineering. In conclusion, the literature reveals a scope for AI to enhance patient health literacy through medical PEMs. Further refinement is needed to improve AI's accuracy and reliability, especially when simplifying complex medical information., (© 2024 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.)

This work comments on an article published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Virology . Rhabdomyolysis is a complex condition with symptoms such as myalgia, changes to urination, and weakness. With the potential for substantial kidney impairment, it has also been shown to be a severe complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, various theoretical explanations exist for the development of rhabdomyolysis induced acute kidney injury (RIAKI) in COVID-19 infection, including the accumulation of released striated muscle myoglobin in the urine (myoglobinuria). In their article, they (2024) demonstrate in a retrospective study that RIAKI in COVID-19 patients tended to have elevated levels of C-reactive protein, ferritin, and procalcitonin. These patients also had poorer overall prognoses when compared to COVID-19 patients who have acute kidney injury (AKI) due to other causes. It is clear from these findings that clinicians must closely monitor and assess for the presence of rhabdomyolysis in COVID-19 patients who have developed AKIs. Moreover, additional research is required to further understand the mechanisms behind the development of RIAKI in COVID-19 patients in order to better inform treatment guidelines and protocols., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Peto's paradox, which highlights the lower-than-expected cancer rates in larger and/or longer-lived species, is a cornerstone of discussions at the intersection of ecology, evolution, and cancer research. It prompts investigations into how species with traits that theoretically increase cancer risk manage to exhibit cancer resistance, with the ultimate goal of uncovering novel therapies for humans. Building on these foundational insights, we propose expanding the research focus to species that, despite possessing traits beyond size and longevity that theoretically increase their cancer risk, exhibit unexpected cancer resistance. Testing Peto's paradox without interference from transient dynamics also requires considering species that are at an equilibrium between cancer risks and defenses, which is increasingly challenging due to anthropogenic activities. Additionally, we argue that transmissible cancers could significantly help in understanding how the metastatic process might be naturally suppressed. This research perspective is timely and aims to support the continued and in-depth identification of anti-cancer adaptations retained throughout evolution in the animal kingdom., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE).)

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease impacting the synovial joint complex, yet transcriptional changes specific to shoulder OA remain underexplored. This study aims to profile transcriptomic changes in periarticular tissues from patients undergoing shoulder replacement for OA. By correlating these profiles with QuickDASH scores-a validated measure of worsening shoulder function-this research seeks to understand the gene expression changes associated with clinical decline. Capsular tissue biopsies from shoulder OA patients were compared with those from a control group undergoing shoulder stabilization for recurrent instability. This investigation forms part of a larger transcriptomic analysis of painful shoulder conditions which will address the current gap in knowledge regarding the molecular and genetic underpinnings of shoulder OA, rotator cuff tears and cuff-tear arthropathy., Results: The analysis revealed that genes most strongly associated with increasing QuickDASH scores across tissues were linked to inflammation and stress response. Key pathways involved interleukins, chemokines, complement components, nuclear response factors, and immediate early response genes, reflecting a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signalling. Additionally, this study identified unique gene expression patterns in shoulder OA not previously observed in hip and knee OA, along with novel genes implicated in shoulder OA, highlighting areas for future targeted investigation. Trial registration This investigation has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), registered on the 26th of March 2018, registration number: 12618000431224, accessible from: https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374665&isReview=true., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethics approval was obtained through the Research Administration Officer | Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity (REGI) Unit of Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), Reference number 15.15. All patients were required to read and understand the English-language Patient Information Form and give voluntary written informed consent, which was obtained from all patients participating in the study. Participation in the study was voluntary and without financial incentive. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The emergence of resistance against current antimalarial treatments has necessitated the need for the development of novel antimalarial chemotypes. Toward this goal, we recently optimised the antimalarial activity of the dihydroquinazolinone scaffold and showed it targeted PfATP4. Here, we deconstruct the lactam moiety of the tricyclic dihydroquinazolinone scaffold and investigate the structure-activity relationship of the truncated scaffold. It was shown that SAR between scaffolds was largely transferrable and generated analogues with potent asexual stage activity. Evaluation of the truncated analogues against PfATP4 mutant drug-resistant parasite strains and in assays measuring PfATP4-associated ATPase activity demonstrated retention of PfATP4 as the molecular target. Analogues exhibited activity against both male and female gametes and multidrug resistant parasites. Limited efficacy of analogues in a P. berghei asexual stage mouse model was attributed to their moderate metabolic stability and low aqueous stability. Further development is required to address these attributes toward the potential use of the dihydroquinazolinone class in a curative and transmission blocking combination antimalarial therapy., (© 2024 The Authors. ChemMedChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Drug resistance against antimalarials is rendering them increasingly ineffective and so there is a need for the development of new antimalarials. To discover new antimalarial chemotypes a phenotypic screen of the Janssen Jumpstarter library against the P. falciparum asexual stage was undertaken, uncovering the cyclopropyl carboxamide structural hit class. Structure-activity analysis revealed that each structural moiety was largely resistant to change, although small changes led to the frontrunner compound, WJM280, which has potent asexual stage activity (EC 50 40 nM) and no human cell cytotoxicity. Forward genetics uncovered that cyclopropyl carboxamide resistant parasites have mutations and an amplification in the cytochrome b gene. Cytochrome b was then verified as the target with profiling against cytochrome b drug-resistant parasites and a mitochondrial oxygen consumption assay. Accordingly, the cyclopropyl carboxamide class was shown to have slow-acting asexual stage activity and activity against male gametes and exoerythrocytic forms. Enhancing metabolic stability to attain efficacy in malaria mouse models remains a challenge in the future development of this antimalarial chemotype., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

The relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor (RXFP3) and its native ligand, relaxin-3, are expressed in specific populations of brain neurons, and research on this system has focused on its role in the central nervous system. However, some studies have indicated that relaxin-3 and RXFP3 are also expressed in peripheral organs, including the gut. In this study, we characterised the identity of RXFP3-expressing cells in the gastrointestinal tract, using RXFP3-Cre/tdTomato reporter mice. We identified RXFP3-tdTomato expression in neurons throughout the small and large intestine, in cells in the lamina propria of the colon, and in enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine. We characterised the frequency and phenotype of the RXFP3-tdTomato + enteroendocrine cells in both the duodenum and distal ileum and discovered that the reporter was expressed in populations of cells that co-express 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), cholecystokinin (CCK), secretin, peptide YY (PYY), oxyntomodulin, neurotensin, ghrelin, or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Faithful co-expression of Cre and RXFP3 mRNA was confirmed in RXFP3-Cre mice using multiplex, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (via RNAscope™). Our results indicate that RXFP3 is expressed by the LIN, X, K, Onecut3, and EC enteroendocrine cell types. In light of the key physiological roles of these cells, this study highlights the potential for relaxin-3 signalling via RXFP3 in enteroendocrine cells to modulate digestion, metabolism, food intake, and inflammatory processes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the current state of endoscopy services in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) by quantifying human and material resources, including the number of trained endoscopists and nurses, the types of procedures performed, and the availability and maintenance of endoscopic equipment., Methods and Results: A mixed methods survey was conducted in 2023, targeting doctors and nurses who participated in the WGO-FNU-ANZGITA endoscopy training program as well as non-participants. Survey invitations were sent through email, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Data were collected from 16 sites across 12 PICs, achieving an 85% response rate. Survey results indicated a total of 58 endoscopists (2.1/100000 population) and 52 nurses (1.9/100000 population), with a majority having received training through international partnerships. Basic endoscopy services, such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy, were widely available, but advanced procedures were limited to a few sites. Most sites reported using donated equipment, with significant challenges in equipment maintenance and repair. The availability of functional endoscopes averaged four per site. Common issues included outdated equipment, lack of qualified personnel, and insufficient funding for new equipment., Conclusion: Despite efforts to enhance endoscopy services in PICs through international collaborations, significant gaps remain, particularly in terms of advanced procedural capacity and equipment maintenance. Recommendations include expanding training programs, improving equipment maintenance infrastructure, securing funding for new equipment, and fostering stronger partnerships to support the sustainability of endoscopy services. Addressing these areas can enhance the quality and availability of endoscopy services, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for populations in PICs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Introduction: This article reviews the ethical issues surrounding obesity in public health and clinical contexts. We examine how obesity intersects with medical and social norms that raise questions of liberty, fairness, safety, and effectiveness or consequences., Sources of Data: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar., Areas of Agreement: We identify three main areas of agreement that are pertinent to ethical analysis of obesity: stigma is considered harmful, there needs to be a more-than personal responsibility approach, and a general acceptance of a global rise in body weight., Areas of Controversy: There are many areas of controversy, we limit our focus to four: conflicts of interest in the creation of guidelines and policies, mortality rates, whether weight is a meaningful proxy for health, and how to treat childhood obesity., Areas Timely for Developing Research: Post-genomic explanations, such as exposure to endocrine disrupting toxins, and development of epigenomics and microbiomics in the form of personalized nutrition are two developing areas we identify., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract hosts a diverse microbiota composed of trillions of microorganisms that play crucial roles in maintaining human homeostasis, health, and overall well-being. Dietary polyphenols, primarily found in edible plants, exhibit intricate interactions with the GI microbiota. These polyphenols undergo biotransformation by microbial activity and can modulate the growth of microorganisms, either promoting or inhibiting their proliferation. The composition of microbes in different segments of the GI tract is highly variable and directly influences polyphenols' metabolism. Consequently, it is essential to examine the transformation of the microbiota by dietary polyphenols. Despite their significance, the collective impact of dietary polyphenols, GI site, and GI microbiota remains an underexplored area of study, warranting further investigation. This review aims to address the existing research gap by focusing on the site-specific effects of polyphenols on the oral, esophageal, gastric, small intestinal (duodenum, jejunum, ilium), and large intestinal microbiota.

The aim of this investigation was to comparatively assess the antioxidant and polyphenol compounds in fresh moringa pods sourced from two different regions in Australia, namely Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WAU). Total polyphenol content varied between 1.64 and 5.97 mg GAE/g in moringa pod samples from QLD, while it ranged from 2.84 to 4.31 mg GAE/g in WAU samples. Total flavonoid content in QLD and WAU samples averaged 4.62 and 4.24 mg QE/g, respectively. Total condensed tannin content in QLD and WAU samples averaged 2.07 and 1.60 mg CE/g, respectively. The QLD samples had higher DPPH (2.87 vs. 2.74 mg AAE/g), ABTS (15.0 vs. 12.9 mg AAE/g), and total antioxidant capacity (2.34 vs. 1.46 mg AAE/g) than WAU samples. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 111 polyphenol compounds in moringa pod samples, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Some compounds were prevalent across most samples, such as 3-sinapoylquinic acid and theaflavin. The study revealed that moringa pods contain a high concentration of polyphenols with strong antioxidant capacity. These findings highlight the substantial influence of regional effects on the polyphenol content and bioactive properties of moringa pods., (© 2024 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Plants depend heavily on soil nutrients for growth, development and defence. Nutrient availability is crucial not only for sustaining vital biochemical processes but also for mounting effective defences against a diverse array of pathogens. Macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium significantly influence plant defence mechanisms by providing essential building blocks for the synthesis of defence compounds, immune signalling and physiological responses like stomatal regulation. Micronutrients like zinc, copper and iron are essential for balancing reactive oxygen species and other reactive compounds in plant immune responses. Although substantial circumstantial evidence links nutrient availability to plant defence, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have only recently started to be understood. This review focuses on summarizing recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which nitrogen, phosphorus and iron interact with plant defence mechanisms and explores the potential for engineering nutritional immunity in crops to enhance their resilience against pathogens., (© 2024 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) gene encodes a type-I trans-membrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed in many cancerous epithelial cells and promotes tumor progression by regulating the expression of several oncogenes like c-myc and other cyclins. Because of this tumorigenic association, the EpCAM gene has been a potential target for anti-cancer therapy in recent days. Herein, it is attempted to knockout the proto-oncogenic EpCAM expression by efficiently delivering an all-in-one Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) plasmid via a lipid nanoparticle system made out of synthetic stimuli-sensitive lipids. The plasmid possesses the necessary information in the form of a guide RNA targeted to the EpCAM gene. The aptamer decorated system selectively targets EpCAM overexpressed cells and efficiently inhibits the genetic expression. It has explored the pH-responsive property of the developed lipid nanoparticles and monitored their efficacy in various cancer cell lines of different origins with elevated EpCAM levels. The phenomenon has further been validated in vivo in non-immunocompromised mouse tumor models. Overall, the newly developed aptamer decorated lipid nanoparticle system has been proven to be efficacious for the delivery of EpCAM-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the leading causes of young-onset dementia before age 65, typically manifesting as abnormal behavior (in behavioral variant FTD) or language impairment (in primary progressive aphasia). Although FTD affects all populations across the globe, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and genetics derives primarily from studies conducted in North America and Western Europe. Globally, biomedical research for FTD is hindered by variable access to diagnosis, discussed in this group's earlier article, and by reduced access to expertise, funding, and infrastructure. This perspective paper was produced by two professional interest areas of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) and discusses the field's current status on the cross-cultural aspects of basic and translational research in FTD (including that focused on epidemiology, genetics, biomarkers, and treatment). It subsequently provides a summary of gaps and needs to address the disparities and advance global FTD biomedical research., (© 2024 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)

Recent years have seen significant advances in diagnostic testing of central nervous system (CNS) function and disease. However, there remain challenges in developing a comprehensive suite of non- or minimally invasive assays of neural health and disease progression. Due to the direct connection with the CNS, structural changes in the neural retina, retinal vasculature and morphological changes in retinal immune cells can occur in parallel with disease conditions in the brain. The retina can also, uniquely, be assessed directly and non-invasively. For these reasons, the retina may prove to be an important "window" for revealing and understanding brain disease. In this review, we discuss the gross anatomy of the eye, focusing on the sensory and non-sensory cells of the retina, especially microglia, that lend themselves to diagnosing brain disease by imaging the retina. We include a history of ocular imaging to describe the different imaging approaches undertaken in the past and outline current and emerging technologies including retinal autofluorescence imaging, Raman spectroscopy, and artificial intelligence image analysis. These new technologies show promising potential for retinal imaging to be used as a tool for the diagnosis of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and others and the assessment of treatment success., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Non-paddy cropping systems play a significant role in food production. However, excessive nitrogen loss from non-paddy soils through nitrate leaching and ammonia volatilization poses a significant challenge to environmental sustainability. In this study, microcosm and field-scale experiments were conducted to explore the potential for using hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to mitigate nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions, aiming at filling gaps in knowledge regarding the underlying biochemical mechanisms. The results show that input of micromolar H 2 O 2 from either artificial addition or natural rainwater into soils in the presence of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) could trigger Fenton-like reaction, which inhibited microbially mediated nitrification of soil-borne ammonium but did not affect the growth of the test crop plant (water spinach). In the absence of Fe 3 O 4 , input of rainwater-borne H 2 O 2 into non-paddy soils caused reduction in the emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). There was a trend showing that the degree of reduction in N 2 O and CO 2 fluxes increased with increasing concentration of rainwater-borne H 2 O 2 . It was likely that microbially mediated reduction of iron oxides took place during rainfall events, providing Fe(II) that is needed for reaction with rainwater-borne H 2 O 2 , triggering Fenton-like reaction to inhibit the soil microbes that mediate production of N 2 O and CO 2 in the soils. The findings obtained from this study have implications for developing strategies to manage soil‑nitrogen to minimize its environmental impacts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The rapid expansion of varied network systems, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), has led to an increasing range of cyber threats. Ensuring robust protection against these threats necessitates the implementation of an effective Intrusion Detection System (IDS). For more than a decade, researchers have delved into supervised machine learning techniques to develop IDS to classify normal and attack traffic. However, building effective IDS models using supervised learning requires a substantial number of benign and attack samples. To collect a sufficient number of attack samples from real-life scenarios is not possible since cyber attacks occur occasionally. Further, IDS trained and tested on known datasets fails in detecting zero-day or unknown attacks due to the swift evolution of attack patterns. To address this challenge, we put forth two strategies for semi-supervised learning-based IDS where training samples of attacks are not required: (1) training a supervised machine learning model using randomly and uniformly dispersed synthetic attack samples; (2) building a One Class Classification (OCC) model that is trained exclusively on benign network traffic. We have implemented both approaches and compared their performances using 10 recent benchmark IDS datasets. Our findings demonstrate that the OCC model based on the state-of-art anomaly detection technique called usfAD significantly outperforms conventional supervised classification and other OCC-based techniques when trained and tested considering real-life scenarios, particularly to detect previously unseen attacks., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Clinical Relevance: Clinical skills training is essential in optometry curricula to develop core graduate entry competencies, including self-directed learning to facilitate life-long learning. Efficient and efficacious approaches are required to optimise student and educator time and resources., Background: A video library of optometric clinical skills was created in 2012 to support self-directed student learning and face-to-face training. Use of videos in higher education generally increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained above pre-pandemic levels. This study aimed to capture and evaluate student access patterns in the library to determine which videos were accessed most, and if this changed with training stage and following the pandemic., Methods: Data on student viewing and critique submission were extracted for 71 videos from a clinical skills video library from 2018 to 2023. The number of videos viewed by students was analysed by year, cohort, video type (gold standard, scripted errors, summary, and student generated) and video category (history, screening, refraction, anterior segment, posterior segment and tonometry)., Results: First-year students viewed the most videos, and this decreased significantly during and following the pandemic. Overall, the number of videos viewed decreased with increasing course stage. Video access, by category, aligned with the curriculum. Views were highest for gold standard and student videos. Viewing of scripted error videos and submission of critiques of procedural videos was low for all course stages and years., Conclusion: A web-based video library of optometric clinical skills was used for self-directed learning, mostly by students early in their training. Similar resources developed in the future should align with curriculum and include exemplar and student-based videos. Exploration of student and educator perspectives regarding factors that impact engagement with the online library warrants investigation to facilitate optimal integration in post-pandemic times.

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by pharmaceuticals is a growing threat worldwide. The antidepressant fluoxetine is one such pharmaceutical that is frequently detected in aquatic ecosystems, and has been found to alter the behaviour and physiology of exposed wildlife. Few studies, however, have investigated potential combined effects on behaviour and metabolic rate. In addition, exposures are often short in duration and rarely conducted under ecologically relevant conditions. Here, we examined the impacts of long-term fluoxetine exposure on boldness (exploration, activity, and antipredator behaviour), metabolic rate, and morphology in male guppies (Poecilia reticulata). Specifically, fish were exposed for 8 months (corresponding to approximately two overlapping generations) in semi-natural mesocosms to one of three treatments: an unexposed control (0 ng L -1 ), or low or high fluoxetine (mean measured concentrations: 30 ng L -1 and 292 ng L -1 , respectively). Following exposure, we quantified male exploratory behaviour and activity in a novel environment (maze arena) and antipredator behaviour in the presence or absence of a live predator (spangled perch, Leiopotherapon unicolor), as well as metabolic rate and morphology (mass, standard length, and scaled mass index). Fluoxetine exposure did not significantly alter boldness, metabolic rate, mass, or standard length. However, fluoxetine exposure did alter body condition, whereby fish in the high treatment had a higher scaled mass index than control fish. Our results, considered alongside previous work, underscore the importance of exposure duration in mediating the effects of fluoxetine on fitness-related traits. Continued research under extended exposure periods (i.e., spanning multiple generations) is essential if we are to accurately predict the ecological impacts of fluoxetine on exposed wildlife, and their underlying mechanism(s)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The larval excretions/secretions (ES) of blowflies contain proteolytic enzymes and bacteria that assist with tissue breakdown. Decomposition fluid (DF) contains organic and inorganic waste products from cell death. This study investigated if human DNA recovery from blood was impacted by exposure to ES and DF over time. Lucilia sericata ES were collected daily from 50 larvae, and all available DF was collected from two fetal piglets left to decompose for 2 weeks. Daily for 3-5 days, 28 μL-30 μL of ES, DF, or a 1:1 mixture of the fluids was added to 30 μL of blood on cotton. Three bloodstains per treatment were sampled every 12 h up to 3 days and at 1 and 2 weeks after initial addition of fluid. No PCR inhibition was detected, but DNA degradation increased over time, primarily in samples exposed to ES and ES/DF mixtures. The amount of DNA recovered decreased over time, but generally more DNA was recovered from DF samples than other samples. Full profiles, or partial profiles suitable for routine database searching (14-39 alleles), were generated from all DF and ES samples and at least one mixture sample at all timepoints. Partial profiles of between 1 and 13 alleles were obtained from all other mixture samples, except one mixture sample which generated no profile. These findings indicate bloodstain evidence recovered from maggot-infested and/or decomposing bodies may generate forensically useful DNA evidence and should be analyzed as quickly as possible after collection or stored appropriately to prevent further degradation., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Forensic Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Background: Airway guidelines recommend pre-oxygenation of obstetric patients to an end tidal oxygen concentration (etO 2 ) ≥90%. High flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) achieves this in 60% of pregnant people. However face mask (FM) pre-oxygenation also may not achieve this target in all patients. In this study we determined whether HFNO pre-oxygenation is non-inferior to FM pre-oxygenation., Methods: This randomised controlled crossover non-inferiority trial was conducted on healthy participants of gestational age ≥37 weeks in a simulated environment. Participants underwent pre-oxygenation for three minutes with HFNO and FM oxygen in randomised order. HFNO was delivered at a maximal flow of 70 l.min -1 and FM oxygen at 10 l.min -1 . The primary outcome was etO 2 on first expired breath after pre-oxygenation. Non-inferiority was defined as a mean difference in first etO 2 between groups of ≤5%., Results: Seventy participants were randomised with 62 analysed. Age (mean (SD)), gestation (median (IQR)), and body mass index (median (IQR)), were 34.7 (4.6) years, 39 (38.4, 39.4) weeks, 29 (26.6, 32.4) kg.m -2 respectively. First etO 2 after HFNO pre-oxygenation was greater than after FM pre-oxygenation (HFNO pre-oxygenation mean (SD) 90.2 (3.9)% versus FM pre-oxygenation 88.7 (3.0)%; mean difference = 1.45%, 95% CI 0.19 to 2.72%; p = 0.025. Forty-four (71%) participants achieved ≥90% first etO 2 concentration after HFNO pre-oxygenation versus 27 (44%) after FM pre-oxygenation (p = 0.002)., Conclusions: In this cohort of pregnant people at term in a simulated environment, pre-oxygenation with HFNO was not inferior to FM pre-oxygenation. FM pre-oxygenation did not achieve pre-oxygenation targets in over 50% of participants., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Customizable manufacturing of ex vivo cell engineering is driven by the need for innovations in the biomedical field and holds substantial potential for addressing current therapeutic challenges; but it is still only in its infancy. Micro- and nanoscale-engineered materials are increasingly used to control core cell-level functions in cellular engineering. By reprogramming or redirecting targeted cells for extremely precise functions, these advanced materials offer new possibilities. This influences the modularity of cell reprogramming and reengineering, making these materials part of versatile and emerging technologies. Here, the roles of micro- and nanoscale materials in cell engineering are highlighted, demonstrating how they can be adaptively controlled to regulate cellular reprogramming and core cell-level functions, including differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, user-defined gene expression, and epigenetic changes. The current reprogramming routes used to achieve pluripotency from somatic cells and the significant potential of induced pluripotent stem cell technology for translational biomedical research are covered. Recent advances in nonviral intracellular delivery modalities for cell reprogramming and their constraints are evaluated. This paper focuses on emerging physical and combinatorial approaches of intracellular delivery for cell engineering, revealing the capabilities and limitations of these routes. It is showcased how these programmable materials are continually being explored as customizable tools for inducing biophysical stimulation. Harnessing the power of micro- and nanoscale-engineered materials will be a step change in the design of cell engineering, producing a suite of powerful tools for addressing potential future challenges in therapeutic cell engineering., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The glucose transporter GLUT4 is integral for optimal skeletal muscle performance during exercise, as well as for metabolic health. Physiological regulation of GLUT4 translocation during exercise and increased GLUT4 expression following exercise involves multiple, redundant signalling pathways. These include effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS contribute to GLUT4 translocation that increases skeletal muscle glucose uptake during exercise and stimulate signalling pathways that increase GLUT4 expression. Conversely, ROS can also inhibit GLUT4 translocation and expression in metabolic disease states. The opposing roles of ROS in GLUT4 regulation are ultimately linked to the metabolic state of skeletal muscle and the intricate mechanisms involved give insights into pathways critical for exercise performance and implicated in metabolic health and disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Professor Sean McGee and Professor Mark Hargreaves own equity in Imitex Pty Ltd. Professor Sean McGee also owns equity in Ambetex Pty Ltd. The activities of these companies have no relationship to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Isoxaben is a pre-emergent herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. While the phytotoxic mechanism is not completely understood, isoxaben interferes with cellulose synthesis. Certain mutations in cellulose synthase complex proteins can confer isoxaben tolerance; however, these mutations can cause compromised cellulose synthesis and perturbed plant growth, rendering them unsuitable as herbicide tolerance traits. We conducted a genetic screen to identify new genes associated with isoxaben tolerance by screening a selection of Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA mutants. We found that mutations in a FERREDOXIN-NADP(+) OXIDOREDUCTASE-LIKE (FNRL) gene enhanced tolerance to isoxaben, exhibited as a reduction in primary root stunting, reactive oxygen species accumulation and ectopic lignification. The fnrl mutant did not exhibit a reduction in cellulose levels following exposure to isoxaben, indicating that FNRL operates upstream of isoxaben-induced cellulose inhibition. In line with these results, transcriptomic analysis revealed a highly reduced response to isoxaben treatment in fnrl mutant roots. The fnrl mutants displayed constitutively induced mitochondrial retrograde signalling, and the observed isoxaben tolerance is partially dependent on the transcription factor ANAC017, a key regulator of mitochondrial retrograde signalling. Moreover, FNRL is highly conserved across all plant lineages, implying conservation of its function. Notably, fnrl mutants did not show a growth penalty in shoots, making FNRL a promising target for biotechnological applications in breeding isoxaben tolerance in crops., (© 2024 The Author(s). Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To utilise ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) measurements acquired using widefield optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans spanning 55° × 45° to explore the link between co-localised structural parameters and clinical visual field (VF) data., Methods: Widefield OCT scans acquired from 311 healthy, 268 glaucoma suspect and 269 glaucoma eyes were segmented to generate GCIPL thickness measurements. Estimated ganglion cell (GC) counts, calculated from GCIPL measurements, were plotted against 24-2 SITA Faster visual field (VF) thresholds, and regression models were computed with data categorised by diagnosis and VF status. Classification of locations as VF defective or non-defective using GCIPL parameters computed across eccentricity- and hemifield-dependent clusters was assessed by analysing areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCCs). Sensitivities and specificities were calculated per diagnostic category., Results: Segmented linear regression models between GC counts and VF thresholds demonstrated higher variability in VF defective locations relative to non-defective locations (mean absolute error 6.10-9.93 dB and 1.43-1.91 dB, respectively). AUROCCs from cluster-wide GCIPL parameters were similar across methods centrally (p = 0.06-0.84) but significantly greater peripherally, especially when considering classification of more central locations (p < 0.0001). Across diagnoses, cluster-wide GCIPL parameters demonstrated variable sensitivities and specificities (0.36-0.93 and 0.65-0.98, respectively), with the highest specificities observed across healthy eyes (0.73-0.98)., Conclusions: Quantitative prediction of VF thresholds from widefield OCT is affected by high variability at VF defective locations. Prediction of VF status based on cluster-wide GCIPL parameters from widefield OCT could become useful to aid clinical decision-making in appropriately targeting VF assessments., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of College of Optometrists.)

Background and Aim: Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners., Method: Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N = 588, 76.3% female) aged 18-84 years (M = 55.34, SD = 14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used., Results: Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes. Multigroup moderation analysis showed that older adult and younger adult CA owners experienced similar moderate levels of loneliness, while in younger adults this moderate loneliness was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older adults., Conclusion: Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Flexible zinc (Zn) batteries have gained considerable attention as wearable energy storage devices because of their inherent safety and high theoretical capacity. However, conventional Zn anodes suffer from dendrite growth, high rigidity, and poor cycling stability issues, hindering their practical application in flexible zinc-ion batteries. Herein, a dendrite-free and flexible Zn anode is designed using direct ink writing (DIW) printed MXene as a flexible and highly conductive current collector and MXene-wrapped Zn powder (ZnP) as the active material by carefully optimising the rheological properties of MXene-based dispersion. As a result, the synergistic effects of the MXene-based current collector and the MXene protective layer promoted dendrite-free Zn deposition and prevented side reactions, achieving an outstanding cycling performance that exceeded 130 h at a high depth of discharge of 30%. When paired with a Vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 )-based cathode, the flexible full cell demonstrated stable electrochemical performance under mechanical deformation and can power electronic devices, presenting a promising pathway for the development of flexible zinc-ion batteries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background and Objectives: Screening for elder abuse can improve detection, but many health providers lack the necessary skills and confidence. To address this, training for health providers on elder abuse screening was co-designed as part of a trial aimed at improving elder abuse detection and response., Research Design and Methods: Between March and April 2023, 7 health providers and 10 older people and family carers participated in two national Australian online codesign workshops. Using the World Café method, discussions focused on what knowledge and skills health providers needed for screening; clinical and social issues affecting screening and referral; and support older people needed throughout the process. Data were thematically analyzed., Results: Participants said health providers should take a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to screening, and explain the limits of confidentiality to older people. Clinical, social, and systemic issues such as dementia, ethnic diversity, and housing availability complicated screening and referrals. To facilitate disclosure, participants said health providers needed to reflect on whether they held ageist views. There were differing opinions on the length of the training and if all health providers or only social workers should screen for abuse., Discussion and Implications: Participants' feedback on trauma-informed care, consent, and cognitive impairment concorded with evidence on best practice responses to elder abuse and were integrated in the training. Given operational constraints in health services, feedback from health providers about the training length and the inclusion of all health providers in screening were prioritized. The training is being evaluated in a national trial., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America.)

Background: Hypertension significantly contributes to premature mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for effective self-care to manage its complications. However, there is limited research on self-care practices among hypertensive patients in Ethiopia. This study assessed self-care practices and associated factors in hypertensive patients at public hospitals in North Shewa zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia., Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 450 participants using multi-stage sampling and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were processed with Epi-Data 4.6.0.6 and analyzed using SPSS 23. Descriptive statistics summarized the results, while bivariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with self-care practices. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, with significance at p  < 0.05., Results: Out of 450 participants, 231 (51.3, 95% CI: 46.4-55.6%) exhibited poor hypertension self-care practices. Factors associated with poor self-care included having a college-level education (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-0.95), university-level education (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13-0.98), being widowed/widower (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.05-27.2), poor knowledge of hypertension (AOR = 4.51, 95% CI: 2.44-8.59), inadequate stress management (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.64-5.74), and first diagnosis during a check-up (AOR = 7.72, 95% CI: 4.22-13.8)., Conclusion: This study highlights inadequate self-care among hypertensive individuals, affected by factors such as education, marital status, knowledge, stress management, and diagnostic practices. Personalized interventions focusing on health education, stress management, and proactive screening are essential for improving health outcomes. Additionally, psychological support enhances emotional well-being and self-care engagement in hypertension patients, leading to better health outcomes and quality of life., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kebede, Yosef, Bilchut, Workie, Shifera and Mezgebu.)

Clinical Relevance: As registered health professionals, optometrists have a responsibility to apply ethical reasoning skills to ensure the best outcomes for their patients., Background: The ability to apply ethical knowledge in practical situations has emerged as a crucial skillset for health professionals. This research aimed to highlight the potential benefits and challenges associated with employing case-based scenario workshops as a method for teaching the application of ethical knowledge., Methods: An intervention study was conducted at an Australian university to establish whether a case-based ethics workshop could improve the confidence of optometry students in navigating ethical dilemmas. Prior to completing the workshop, optometry students were invited to complete a survey, and the survey was repeated at the end of each workshop., Results: Fifty nine students completed the pre-workshop survey, and 49 students completed the post-workshop survey. A Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference in the baseline confidence levels of students who had prior or no prior experience in tertiary education, healthcare work or eyecare work. There was a statistically significant improvement in confidence navigating ethical dilemmas (Z = -2.541, p  = 0.011) from 53% very or moderately confident pre-workshop to 82% post-workshop., Conclusion: These results suggest that case-based ethics workshops are an effective educational tool that should be considered for incorporation into optometry and other health profession courses.

Introduction: Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly developing speciality where innovation-especially in teaching practices-is vital. With workforce and capacity shortages, synthesis of classical educational theories and novel strategies utilising virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) provide opportunities to make teaching as efficient and effective as possible. The aim of this review is to examine the literature on different approaches in IR teaching and learning in undergraduates and postgraduates., Methods: Literature was reviewed using a comprehensive search strategy with relevant keywords. Articles were limited to 2013-2023. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, British Education Index and ERIC, in addition to a manual review of references., Results: Of the 2903 unique abstracts reviewed by the authors, 43 were relevant to the purpose of this study. The major pedagogical approaches identified were categorised into the following-traditional master-apprentice mentoring, virtual reality/simulation, physical models, and remote teaching. VR simulations enable practise free from the limits of time and risk to patients, as well as potential for standardised formal curricula. AI has the capability to enhance training simulations and assessment of trainees. With recent events necessitating innovation in online remote teaching, programs that are accessible whilst arguably imparting just as much clinical knowledge as in-person education have now been developed., Conclusion: Mentoring has conventionally been the standard for radiology teaching, however there are now several alternative pedagogical approaches available to the IR community. A combination of the most effective ideas within each is the optimal method by which IR should be taught., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health issue, with 604,000 diagnoses and 342,000 deaths in 2020. Despite the importance of early detection, only 5% of eligible women in Ethiopia are screened. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of cervical cancer screening uptake among reproductive-age women at selected public hospitals in southwest Ethiopia., Methods: A case-control study involving 392 women (98 cases and 294 controls) aged 15-49 was conducted across three hospitals. Cases were women aged 15 to 49 who had cervical cancer screening, while controls were reproductive-age women seeking antenatal care or family planning but not screened. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with pretested questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 25. Bivariate analysis identified candidate variables with P-values < 0.25, and a multivariable logistic regression model determined factors with P-values < 0.05 as significant for cervical cancer screening uptake., Results: Determinants of cervical cancer screening uptake included high knowledge of screening (AOR=6.23; 95%CI: 1.96, 19.79), a positive attitude toward screening (AOR=6.12; 95%CI: 2.40, 15.58), women aged 30-39 (AOR=3.94; 95%CI: 1.79, 8.63) and 40-49 (AOR=3.54; 95%CI: 1.52, 8.22), and those who reached health facilities within 60 minutes (AOR=2.32; 95%CI: 1.21, 4.45)., Conclusion: The study pinpointed age, knowledge, attitude toward cervical cancer screening, and accessibility to health facilities within a 60-minute radius as pivotal factors impacting cervical cancer screening uptake among reproductive-age women. These findings highlight the importance of targeted education, promoting positive attitudes, and enhancing healthcare accessibility to improve screening uptake and reduce the burden of cervical cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yosef, Birhanu, Shifera, Bekele and Asefa.)

While it is recognised that most, if not all, multicellular organisms harbour neoplastic processes within their bodies, the timing of when these undesirable cell proliferations are most likely to occur and progress throughout the organism's lifetime remains only partially documented. Due to the different mechanisms implicated in tumourigenesis, it is highly unlikely that this probability remains constant at all times and stages of life. In this article, we summarise what is known about this variation, considering the roles of age, season and circadian rhythm. While most studies requiring that level of detail be done on humans, we also review available evidence in other animal species. For each of these timescales, we identify mechanisms or biological functions shaping the variation. When possible, we show that evolutionary processes likely played a role, either directly to regulate the cancer risk or indirectly through trade-offs. We find that neoplastic risk varies with age in a more complex way than predicted by early epidemiological models: rather than resulting from mutations alone, tumour development is dictated by tissue- and age-specific processes. Similarly, the seasonal cycle can be associated with risk variation in some species with life-history events such as sexual competition or mating being timed according to the season. Lastly, we show that the circadian cycle influences tumourigenesis in physiological, pathological and therapeutic contexts. We also highlight two biological functions at the core of these variations across our three timescales: immunity and metabolism. Finally, we show that our understanding of the entanglement between tumourigenic processes and biological cycles is constrained by the limited number of species for which we have extensive data. Improving our knowledge of the periods of vulnerability to the onset and/or progression of (malignant) tumours is a key issue that deserves further investigation, as it is key to successful cancer prevention strategies., Competing Interests: F.T. is an Editorial Board member of Evolutionary Applications and a co‐author of this article. To minimise bias, they were excluded from all editorial decision‐making related to the acceptance of this article for publication. The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Abdominal obesity, excess fat around the abdomen, is more harmful than other fat types and is a key diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome. It poses a growing global public health concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and determinants of abdominal obesity among adults in southwest Ethiopia., Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 624 adults in Semen Bench district, southwest Ethiopia was conducted from May 23 to June 23, 2022. The data was gathered using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. The data were analyzed using Stata version 18. A robust Poisson regression was used due to the abdominal obesity prevalence exceeding 10%. Variables with p -values < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable analysis. The adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) and 95% confidence interval were reported to indicate statistical significance and the strength of associations., Results: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 18% (95% CI: 15-21%). After adjusting for confounding variables, the determinants of abdominal obesity included participants aged 31-50 (APR = 3.62, 95% CI: 2.67-8.95) and 51-65 (APR = 3.24, 95% CI: 2.51-8.69), being female (APR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.63-4.98), having a low wealth index (APR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.19-3.76), physical inactivity (APR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.06-4.18), lack of adequate dietary diversity (APR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.09-6.42), and food insecurity (APR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.82-7.68)., Conclusion: The research revealed that 18% of the participants exhibited abdominal obesity. Factors such as advanced age, being female, having a low wealth index, physical inactivity, insufficient dietary diversity, and food insecurity were identified as contributors to abdominal obesity. Therefore, it is crucial to develop targeted interventions to address modifiable factors, as this can also help prevent the onset of non-communicable chronic diseases associated with abdominal obesity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yosef, Sebeta, Tekalign, Sisay, Bekele, Tesfaw and Shifera.)

Purpose: Large language models such as ChatGPT-3.5 are often used by the public to answer questions related to daily life, including health advice. This study evaluated the responses of ChatGPT-3.5 in answering patient-centered frequently asked questions (FAQs) relevant in glaucoma clinical practice., Design: Prospective cross-sectional survey., Participants: Expert graders., Methods: Twelve experts across a range of clinical, education, and research practices in optometry and ophthalmology. Over 200 patient-centric FAQs from authoritative professional society, hospital and advocacy websites were distilled and filtered into 40 questions across 4 themes: definition and risk factors, diagnosis and testing, lifestyle and other accompanying conditions, and treatment and follow-up. The questions were individually input into ChatGPT-3.5 to generate responses. The responses were graded by the 12 experts individually., Main Outcome Measures: A 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree) was used to grade ChatGPT-3.5 responses across 4 domains: coherency, factuality, comprehensiveness, and safety., Results: Across all themes and domains, median scores were all 4 ("agree"). Comprehensiveness had the lowest scores across domains (mean 3.7 ± 0.9), followed by factuality (mean 3.9 ± 0.9) and coherency and safety (mean 4.1 ± 0.8 for both). Examination of the individual 40 questions showed that 8 (20%), 17 (42.5%), 24 (60%), and 8 (20%) of the questions had average scores below 4 (i.e., below "agree") for the coherency, factuality, comprehensiveness, and safety domains, respectively. Free-text comments by the experts highlighted omissions of facts and comprehensiveness (e.g., secondary glaucoma) and remarked on the vagueness of some responses (i.e., that the response did not account for individual patient circumstances)., Conclusions: ChatGPT-3.5 responses to FAQs in glaucoma were generally agreeable in terms of coherency, factuality, comprehensiveness, and safety. However, areas of weakness were identified, precluding recommendations for routine use to provide patients with tailored counseling in glaucoma, especially with respect to development of glaucoma and its management., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Brown seaweed Ecklonia radiata harbors valuable polyphenols, notably phlorotannins, prized for their health benefits. This study optimized phlorotannin extraction via conventional solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods, utilizing variable concentrations of ethanol. Employing fractional factorial designs, key variables were identified. Steepest ascent/descent method and central composite rotatable designs refined optimal conditions, enhancing phlorotannin and polyphenol yields, and antioxidant capacities. Under optimized conditions, phlorotannin contents reached 2.366 ± 0.01 and 2.596 ± 0.04 PGE mg/g, total polyphenol contents peaked at 10.223 ± 0.03 and 10.836 ± 0.02 GAE mg/g. Robust antioxidant activity was observed: DPPH and OH radical scavenging capacities measured 27.891 ± 0.06 and 17.441 ± 0.08 TE mg/g, and 37.498 ± 1.12 and 49.391 ± 0.82 TE mg/g, respectively. Reducing power capacities surged to 9.016 ± 0.02 and 28.110 ± 0.10 TE mg/g. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses revealed enriched antioxidant compounds. Variations in polyphenol profiles were noted, potentially influencing antioxidant capacity nuances. This study illuminated the potential of E. radiata potential as a polyphenol source and offers optimized extraction methods poised to benefit various industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The field of organ transplantation is experiencing a transformative shift with the rise of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), which include gene therapies, somatic cell therapies, and tissue-engineered products. These therapies offer new, potentially curative treatments for longstanding medical challenges, impacting numerous patients. However, their adoption is hindered by complex regulatory frameworks, high production costs, and inconsistent access across Europe. The ESOT ATMP Task Force's position paper analyzes these challenges from research to clinical application, advocating for a coordinated strategy to position Europe as a leader in ATMP development. It proposes specific actions such as streamlining regulatory pathways to accelerate approvals, boosting funding for ATMP research, and creating specialized facilities for development and implementation. The paper also highlights the critical roles of patient engagement and real-world evidence in optimizing clinical and regulatory practices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Berishvili, Piemonti, de Koning, Lindstedt, Scholz, Scott, Auxenfans, Johnson, Martin, Gunther, Mey, Potena and Thaunat.)

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy poses serious risks by raising the likelihood of chronic infection in newborns by 90% and the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer by 25% in chronic infections. This study aimed to identify determinants of HBV infection among pregnant women in the Bench Sheko zone, Southwest Ethiopia., Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted from May 15 to July 15, 2022, in selected health facilities of the Bench Sheko zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Medical charts were reviewed to collect the HBsAg status of participants, as all pregnant women attending antenatal care underwent routine screening. It involved 228 pregnant women (76 HBV-positive cases and 152 HBV-negative controls). Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and analyzed using SPSS 21. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify significant determinants of HBV infection, and statistical significance was declared at p -value <0.05., Results: After controlling potential confounders, having no formal education (AOR = 4.94, 95% CI: 2.01, 8.29; P = 0.007 ), urban residency (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.43, 6.86; P = 0.010 ), history of unsafe abortion (AOR = 3.87, 95% CI: 2.17, 6.98; P < 0.001 ), sharing sharp materials (AOR = 8.43, 95% CI: 5.54, 10.9; P < 0.001 ), contact with HBV-infected persons in the family (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.72, 4.87; P < 0.001 ), tribal scarification (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.24, 8.91; P = 0.017 ), and history of unsafe tooth extraction (AOR = 4.52, 95% CI: 2.18, 9.76; P = 0.039 ) were identified as significant predictors of HBV infection., Conclusion: The study identifies multiple factors contributing to HBV infection in pregnant women. Therefore, it is crucial to promote safe abortion practices and the responsible use of sharp materials, avoid high-risk contact with infected individuals within the family, raise awareness about the risks associated with tribal scarification while advocating for safer practices, and offer education on safe tooth extraction methods to reduce the risk of HBV., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Yosef, Eyasu, Shifera, Abebe, Girma, Habte, Ahmed and Asefa.)

This research focuses on utilizing injection moulding to assess defects in plastic products, including sink marks, shrinkage, and warpages. Process parameters, such as pure cooling time, mould temperature, melt temperature, and pressure holding time, are carefully selected for investigation. A full factorial design of experiments is employed to identify optimal settings. These parameters significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of the final product. Soft computing methods, such as finite element (FE), help mitigate behaviour by considering different input parameters. A CAD model of a dashboard component integrates into an FE simulation to quantify shrinkage, warpage, and sink marks. Four chosen parameters of the injection moulding machine undergo comprehensive experimental design. Decision tree, multilayer perceptron, long short-term memory, and gated recurrent units models are explored for injection moulding process modelling. The best model estimates defects. Multiple objectives particle swarm optimisation extracts optimal process parameters. The proposed method is implemented in MATLAB, providing 18 optimal solutions based on the extracted Pareto-Front., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Emerging resistance to current antimalarials is reducing their effectiveness and therefore there is a need to develop new antimalarial therapies. Toward this goal, high throughput screens against the P. falciparum asexual parasite identified the pyrazolopyridine 4-carboxamide scaffold. Structure-activity relationship analysis of this chemotype defined that the N1-tert-butyl group and aliphatic foliage in the 3- and 6-positions were necessary for activity, while the inclusion of a 7'-aza-benzomorpholine on the 4-carboxamide motif resulted in potent anti-parasitic activity and increased aqueous solubility. A previous report that resistance to the pyrazolopyridine class is associated with the ABCI3 transporter was confirmed, with pyrazolopyridine 4-carboxamides showing an increase in potency against parasites when the ABCI3 transporter was knocked down. The low metabolic stability intrinsic to the pyrazolopyridine scaffold and the slow rate by which the compounds kill asexual parasites resulted in poor performance in a P. berghei asexual blood stage mouse model. Lowering the risk of resistance and mitigating the metabolic stability and cytochrome P450 inhibition will be challenges in the future development of the pyrazolopyrimidine antimalarial class., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

High-performance biocompatible composite materials are gaining attention for their potential in various fields such as neural tissue scaffolds, bio-implantable devices, energy harvesting, and biomechanical sensors. However, these devices currently face limitations in miniaturization, finite battery lifetimes, fabrication complexity, and rigidity. Hence, there is an urgent need for smart and self-powering soft devices that are easily deployable under physiological conditions. Herein, we present a straightforward and efficient fabrication technique for creating flexible/stretchable fiber-based piezoelectric structures using a hybrid nanocomposite of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and barium-titanium oxide (BT). These nanocomposite fibers are capable of converting biomechanical stimuli into electrical signals across various structural designs (knit, braid, woven, and coil). It was found that a stretchable configuration with higher output voltage (4 V) and a power density (87 μW cm -3 ) was obtained using nanocomposite coiled fibers or knitted fibers, which are ideal candidates for real-time monitoring of physiological signals. These structures are being proposed for practical transition to the development of the next generation of fiber-based biomedical devices. The cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of nanocomposite fibers were tested on human mesenchymal stromal cells. The obtained results suggest that the developed fibers can be utilized for smart scaffolds and bio-implantable devices.