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Introduction: Coma is a medical emergency, and optimal management, especially in a resource-poor setting, depends on knowledge of its aetiology and predictors of outcome. This study aimed to provide hospital-based data on the prevalence, etiology, and outcome of non traumatic coma (NTC) in adults at a tertiary level in Cameroon. Methods: A three year retrospective cohort study of medical records of patients aged 18 years and above, who presented in coma of non-traumatic origin at a Cameroon emergency department (ED) was conducted. Data related to sociodemographic, clinical findings, investigations, etiology of the coma, and outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 408 patients were recruited, 214 (52.5 %) were males. The mean age was 55.9 ± 16.6 years. NTC accounted for 2.2 % of all consultations at the ED during the period of study. Stroke (29.6 %), infections (19.8 %), and metabolic disorders (12.6 %) were the most frequent cause of NTC. Etiology was unknown in 23.3 % of our participants. The in-hospital mortality was 66.4 %. Duration of hospitalization ≤ 3 days, GCS 〈 6, serum creatinine level 〉 13 mg/L, and administration of adrenergic drugs were predictors of mortality. Overall survival rate was 44.3 % after 5 days of admission. Conclusion: Non-traumatic coma had various aetiologies. Stroke accounted for almost one third of cases. About three out of five patients died in hospital. Deep coma, high serum creatinine level, short hospital stay and administration of adrenergic medications were independent predictors of mortality.

The efficacy of the BCG vaccine, a widely recognized tuberculosis vaccine, has shown varying degrees of effectiveness, ranging from 0% to 80%. Sirohydrochlorin cobaltochelatase (CbiX), found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, plays a crucial role in the bacteria metabolism, making it a promising target for future vaccine and drug development. Although several studies had been published regarding its role in M. tuberculosis vitamin B-12 metabolism, the potentials of CbiX protein as a vaccine candidate had not been widely discussed nor explored. This study focuses on the cloning and expression of the Rv0259c gene obtained from a clinical isolate of M. tuberculosis, as well as the exploration of CbiX protein epitopes. The Rv0259c gene was isolated by PCR, cloned into the pGEM®-TEasy vector, and subsequently sub-cloned into the pTrcHisA expression vector. Sanger sequencing, followed by BLASTN and BLASTX analyses, confirmed the presence of the CbiX protein-encoding gene. The amino acid sequence was predicted using BioEdit v.7.0.11, and a three-dimensional (3D) model was generated using SwissModel. Exploration for both B and T-cell epitopes was conducted using IEDB Ellipro, MHCI, and MHCII tools, revealing highly immunogenic epitopes, indicating the potential of CbiX as a vaccine candidate. Alignment using MAFFT between the putative amino acid sequence and CbiX proteins available in the NCBI database identified an amino acid variation (A182), situated outside the B-cell epitopes but within the T-cell epitopes. In silicoanalysis of HLA allele frequency predicted vaccine coverage of 86.14%±10.77%, with two significant epitope cores identified: AASAHPHVT and RRVAVASFL (both highly antigenic and showing high-frequency HLA allele binding), suggesting the protein might be a potential antigen for a future vaccine candidate. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-04-07 Full Text: PDF

Abstract Background We have previously shown headache to be highly prevalent in Cameroon. Here we present the attributed burden. We also perform a headache-care needs assessment. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey among adults (18–65 years) in the general population. Multistage cluster-sampling in four regions (Centre, Littoral, West and Adamawa), home to almost half the country’s population, generated a representative sample. We used the standardised methodology of the Global Campaign against Headache, including the HARDSHIP questionnaire, with diagnostic questions based on ICHD-3 and enquiries into symptom burden, impaired participation (lost productivity and disengagement from social activity), quality of life (QoL) using WHOQoL-8, and willingness to pay (WTP) for effective care. We defined headache care “need” in terms of likelihood of benefit, counting all those with probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) or other headache on ≥ 15 days/month (H15 +), with migraine on ≥ 3 days/month, or with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) and meeting either of two criteria: a) proportion of time in ictal state (pTIS) > 3.3% and intensity ≥ 2 (moderate-to-severe); or b) ≥ 3 lost days from paid and/or household work in the preceding 3 months. Results Among 3,100 participants, mean frequency of any headache was 6.7 days/month, mean duration 13.0 h and mean intensity 2.3 (moderate). Mean pTIS was 9.8%, which (with prevalence factored in) diluted to 6.1–7.4% of all time in the population. Most time was spent with H15 + (5.3% of all time), followed by TTH (1.0%) and migraine (0.8%). For all headache, mean lost days/3 months were 3.4 from paid work, 3.0 from household work and 0.6 from social/leisure activities, diluting to 2.5, 2.2 and 0.6 days/3 months in the population. QoL (no headache: 27.9/40) was adversely impacted by pMOH (25.0) and other H15 + (26.0) but not by migraine (28.0) or TTH (28.0). WTP (maximally XAF 4,462.40 [USD 7.65] per month) was not significantly different between headache types. An estimated 37.0% of adult Cameroonians need headache care. Conclusion Headache disorders in Cameroon are not only prevalent but also associated with high attributed burden, with heavily impaired participation. Headache-care needs are very high, but so are the economic costs of not providing care.

The development of science and technology today constrain the educators to adapt, use, or even develop tools or applications as learning media, including Arabic language learning. In MTs Al-Yusra Gorontalo City, digital technology has been utilized as Arabic language learning media, with most teachers using PowerPoint programs for teaching, but the designs are still simple and not interactive. Therefore, this article aimed to develop Arabic language learning media based on digital technology with interactive multimedia designs using PowerPoint program based on iSpring Suite 11 and test its feasibility. This research method is Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE development model. The subjects of this study were eighth-grade students of MTs Al-Yusra Gorontalo City, with a sample size of 20. Media expert assessment, subject matter expert, language expert, students, and teachers were used as research data and analyzed descriptively in percentage. Based on this research, a product was obtained with a subject matter expert assessment of 82% in the highly valid category, media expert assessment of 82.5% in the highly valid category, and language expert assessment of 73.3% in the quite valid category. Students' response to media usage was in the good category with a score of 72%, and teachers' response to the ease of media usage was 76%. Based on these research results, it can be concluded that interactive multimedia with Power Point application based on iSpring Suite 11 in Arabic language subjects is feasible to be used as Arabic language learning media.

ABSTRACT Background This systematic review aims to highlight the scope of pharmacogenomics research within global Indigenous populations. This review also explores the barriers and facilitators of pharmacogenomics research within this population. Methodology A systematic review of literature was conducted to identify and present an understanding of current empirical evidence demonstrating the conduct of genomics or pharmacogenomics research within global Indigenous populations (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021257226). Using key search terms, relevant databases were searched for articles published between January 2010 and July 2022. Screening, data extraction, and analysis was conducted using well‐defined inclusion criteria. Quality assessment and risk of bias appraisal was conducted using the mixed methods appraisal tool. Indigenous community engagement and participation in genomics research was assessed using the social‐ecological framework. Results From the 427 articles identified, 77 articles met inclusion criteria and underwent full‐text screening. Of these, 30 articles were included in the final review, with 16 being quantitative and 14 either qualitative or mixed methods studies. Most studies were conducted with native Indigenous populations from the United States of America (36%). Content analysis revealed that studies either explored genetic variations associated with disease in Indigenous populations (23%) or markers for drug metabolism (30%) or were designed to understand perspectives of genomics research within this population (47%). Perspectives included the exploration of the role of participants in research, benefits or outcomes achieved from participation in genomics research, and levels of Indigenous engagement and participation in genomics research. Conclusions This review highlights a growing gap in Indigenous genomics research globally. It presents several important considerations from Indigenous participants, identifying how researchers can co‐create culturally safe and inclusive design, implementation, analysis, and subsequent outcomes of genomics research involving Indigenous people. Indigenous governance, self‐determination and leadership is essential, with researchers required to be responsive to such fundamental partnerships for research to progress.

Despite the potential of smart clothing, which allows collecting and processing data about the user's conditions and reactions, the environment in which they are inserted and connecting with other artifacts around them, aiming to facilitate daily activities and improve quality of life, problems environmental issues already faced by the clothing sector can be worsened due to the incorporation of electronic components in clothing. Design can contribute to reversing this situation through interventions within the scope of the concept of these products as well as in the associated services and systems. This article presents a review of the state of the art on the topic, with an emphasis on identifying the main environmental impacts and challenges of smart clothing from the perspective of the product life cycle, to contribute to the informational quality of the Designers involved in the project of this product category.

Bullous Pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune blistering disorder with unknown aetiology. During the last decades, its association with various common comorbidities, including cardiovascular, metabolic, neuropsychiatric, and neoplastic disorders, has been established. However, in recent years an increasing number of BP cases have also been reported in association with rarer diseases, including Acquired Reactive Perforating Collagenosis (ARPC). Patients with coexisting BP and ARPC have been reported to share common clinical features including metabolic comorbidities e.g., Diabetes Mellitus (DM). As the evolution from ARPC cutaneous involvement to classic BP lesions has been more frequently described, it has been suggested that it may represent a new clinical variant of BP with a specific pathogenetic background. Here is reported a challenging case in which a typical onset of BP was later followed by the eruption of atypical ARPC lesions in a patient with multiple non-compensated metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities.

The “T” vein is a tributary of The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) located in the upper third of the leg with a perpendicular course to the GSV. It usually crosses the tibial bone and feeds by reflux of varicose veins of the lateral aspect of the leg. It is of surgical interest because it is involved with a significant percentage of varicose networks. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of the T vein pattern in a cohort of patients affected by Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), as well as its possible association with Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) of the lateral aspect of the leg. One thousand nine hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients (1441 females and 481 males) were evaluated from January 2013 to May 2024 by means of clinical examination and the same Duplex Ultrasound Scanning (DUS) protocol. We assessed the frequency of patients presenting with the T vein pattern and the percentage of patients in which it causes symptomatic reflux. We also evaluated the susceptibility, respectively in the T vein and in the CVI cohort, of venous ulcerations (C5-C6 clinical classes according to the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological, CEAP, classification) in the medial and/or in the medial and lateral aspect of the leg vs exclusively in the lateral aspect of the leg. A p-value

Abstract A Hollow Cathode Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (HC-PECVD) reactor was used to deposit silver doped Diamond-Like Carbon (Ag-DLC) films on Ti6Al4V alloy employing two methodologies: i) producing a silicon interlayer, using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as silicon precursor, varying the argon flow of the hollow cathode; and ii) carbonitriding the substrate. Profilometry, Raman, and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), as well as nanohardness, micro-scratch, scratch, and VDI 3198 indentation tests were used to evaluate the characteristics of the films and their adhesion on the substrates. The results demonstrated that the argon flow can be used for tuning the Ag-DLC film’s hardness, toughness, and adherence on silicon interlayers. The carbonitriding process, in turn, provided an improvement in the film toughness compared with non-carbonitrided samples. Considering the lower cost and easier handling of N2 compared to the silicon precursors commonly available (TMS, HDMSO, SiH4, etc.), the carbonitriding process proved more appropriate to improve the adhesion of the Ag-DLC films on the Ti6Al4V alloy.

Abstract Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). In tumor cells the MCPyV large T antigen (LT-Ag) is frequently found truncated and this is considered a major tumor-specific signature. The role of MCPyV in other, non-MCC tumours, is little known. Viral DNA and/or tumour-specific mutations have been sometimes detected in different tumours, but such data are not unequivocal and the involvement of the virus in the tumorigenesis is not clear. In a previous study, we demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of MCPyV DNA in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) porocarcinoma tissues compared to the normal skin. In the present study, we investigated the presence of truncating mutations in MCPyV LT-Ag coding region in porocarcinoma specimens. Using several overlapped PCR primer pairs, the complete LT-Ag sequence from two biopsies were obtained. No truncating mutations were detected. The lack of truncating mutations in LT-Ag sequence does not seem to support the role of MCPyV in porocarcinoma oncogenesis. However, an oncogenetic mechanism, different from that proposed for MCC and not associated with the LT-Ag mutations/deletions, cannot be excluded. Further studies of more sequences coding for LT-Ag would be needed to verify this hypothesis.

Abstract Microglia play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis, but the mechanisms underlying microglia dysfunction and toxicity remain to be elucidated. To investigate the effect of neurodegenerative disease-linked genes on the intrinsic properties of microglia, we studied microglia-like cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), termed iMGs, harboring mutations in profilin-1 (PFN1) that are causative for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS-PFN1 iMGs exhibited evidence of lipid dysmetabolism, autophagy dysregulation and deficient phagocytosis, a canonical microglia function. Mutant PFN1 also displayed enhanced binding affinity for PI3P, a critical signaling molecule involved in autophagic and endocytic processing. Our cumulative data implicate a gain-of-toxic function for mutant PFN1 within the autophagic and endo-lysosomal pathways, as administration of rapamycin rescued phagocytic dysfunction in ALS-PFN1 iMGs. These outcomes demonstrate the utility of iMGs for neurodegenerative disease research and implicate microglial vesicular degradation pathways in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

ImportanceA standardized pathology classification system for melanocytic lesions is needed to aid both pathologists and clinicians in cataloging currently existing diverse terminologies and in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The Melanocytic Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (MPATH-Dx) has been developed for this purpose.ObjectiveTo revise the MPATH-Dx version 1.0 classification tool, using feedback from dermatopathologists participating in the National Institutes of Health-funded Reducing Errors in Melanocytic Interpretations (REMI) Study and from members of the International Melanoma Pathology Study Group (IMPSG).Evidence reviewPracticing dermatopathologists recruited from 40 US states participated in the 2-year REMI study and provided feedback on the MPATH-Dx version 1.0 tool. Independently, member dermatopathologists participating in an IMPSG workshop dedicated to the MPATH-Dx schema provided additional input for refining the MPATH-Dx tool. A reference panel of 3 dermatopathologists, the original authors of the MPATH-Dx version 1.0 tool, integrated all feedback into an updated and refined MPATH-Dx version 2.0.FindingsThe new MPATH-Dx version 2.0 schema simplifies the original 5-class hierarchy into 4 classes to improve diagnostic concordance and to provide more explicit guidance in the treatment of patients. This new version also has clearly defined histopathological criteria for classification of classes I and II lesions; has specific provisions for the most frequently encountered low-cumulative sun damage pathway of melanoma progression, as well as other, less common World Health Organization pathways to melanoma; provides guidance for classifying intermediate class II tumors vs melanoma; and recognizes a subset of pT1a melanomas with very low risk and possible eventual reclassification as neoplasms lacking criteria for melanoma.Conclusions and relevanceThe implementation of the newly revised MPATH-Dx version 2.0 schema into clinical practice is anticipated to provide a robust tool and adjunct for standardized diagnostic reporting of melanocytic lesions and management of patients to the benefit of both health care practitioners and patients.

ABSTRACT There is good evidence that the results of a restoration program depend largely on the landscape context. In restoration projects, it is crucial to consider the previous land uses and covers and landscape configuration as they have a significant impact on the entire process, especially seed dispersal and natural regeneration of sites. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the effect of landscape (i.e., land use) on restoration success of total planting, seed sowing and natural regeneration sites in the Atlantic Forest biome, southeast Brazil. The methodology employed was based on demonstration units of restoration. The focus was on regenerant richness and abundance indicators, along with land use and land cover data (class area) from 2010, 2015, and 2020, obtained from the MapBiomas Project. Generalized linear models and correlation analysis were used for the study. We hypothesize that a landscape with more forest and natural regeneration cover (mosaic of agriculture and pasture) would positively affect regenerants in restored sites, which we only observed for natural regeneration treatment sites. In active restoration treatment sites, mosaic of agriculture and pasture was negatively and farming was positively associated to regenerants. We also found greater density and richness of regenerants in natural regeneration treatment sites than in seed sowing and seedling planting. The influence of the surrounding landscape, particularly mosaic, played a crucial role in this success. In addition, land use cover history, as we observed in classes in the last five and ten years, did explain regenerants in studied sites. Thus, results show that the characterization of landscape context and previous land-use history is essential to understand the limitations to succession and define cost-effective restoration strategies.

Estas notas presentan reflexiones surgidas a partir de nuestras investigaciones en torno a cómo y para qué se utilizan las plataformas de trabajo en la Argentina, a partir del análisis de tres actividades: reparto, servicios virtuales calificados y microtareas. Buscaremos responder dos preguntas: ¿se trata de trabajos autónomos o dependientes? ¿cómo articulan estos trabajadores los ingresos generados en las plataformas con otras fuentes de ingresos? Sostenemos aquí que estos trabajos desafían las formas tradicionales de abordar el mundo del trabajo, pues se trata de empleos híbridos, que muchas veces se enmarcan en situaciones laborales también híbridas.

The escalating global prevalence of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity necessitates the development of novel oral medications. Agonism at G-protein coupled receptor-119 (GPR119) has been recognized for modulation of metabolic homeostasis in T2D, obesity, and fatty liver disease. However, off-target effects have impeded the advancement of synthetic GPR119 agonist drug candidates. Non-systemic, gut-restricted GPR119 agonism is suggested as an alternative strategy that may locally stimulate intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EEC) for incretin secretion, without the need for systemic drug availability, consequently alleviating conventional class-related side effects. Herein, we report the preclinical acute safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of novel GPR119 agonist compounds ps297 and ps318 that potentially target gut EEC for incretin secretion. In a proof-of-efficacy study, both compounds demonstrated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion capability during glucose and mixed-meal tolerance tests in healthy mice. Furthermore, co-administration of sitagliptin with investigational compounds in diabetic db/db mice resulted in synergism, with GLP-1 concentrations rising by three-fold. Both ps297 and ps318 exhibited low gut permeability assessed in the in-vitro Caco-2 cell model. A single oral dose PK study conducted on healthy mice demonstrated poor systemic bioavailability of both agents. PK measures (mean ± SD) for compound ps297 (Cmax 23 ± 19 ng/mL, Tmax range 0.5 – 1 h, AUC0–24 h 19.6 ± 21 h*ng/mL) and ps318 (Cmax 75 ± 22 ng/mL, Tmax range 0.25 – 0.5 h, AUC0–24 h 35 ± 23 h*ng/mL) suggest poor oral absorption. Additionally, examinations of drug excretion patterns in mice revealed that around 25 % (ps297) and 4 % (ps318) of the drugs were excreted through faeces as an unchanged form, while negligible drug concentrations (

In engineering applications, the frequency analysis represents a first and practical step to collect relevant parameters for structural and mechanical diagnostics. Any possible material / component degradation and deterioration can be prematurely detected by frequency modifications that exceed a certain alert value. In this paper, the attention is given to the dynamic mechanical analysis of commercial photovoltaic (PV) modules, in which the solar cells are typically encapsulated in thin viscoelastic interlayers made of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), which are primarily responsible for the load-bearing capacity of the sandwich PV system. As a major effect of ageing, ambient conditions, non-uniform / cyclic thermal gradients, humidity and even extreme mechanical / thermal loads, the rigidity of these films can largely modify and decrease, thus possibly affecting the mechanical capacity of the PV module, and even exposing the solar cells to fault. Knowledge of the effective bonding level is an important step for diagnostic purposes. In this regard, the present study is based on a preliminary but extensive parametric Finite Element (FE) numerical investigation of full-scale commercial PV modules of typical use in buildings. The attention is given – for PV module arrangements of technical interest – to the effect of EVA stiffness in terms of vibration modes and especially frequency sensitivity. As shown, when compared to newly installed PV modules, any kind of stiffness decrease is associated to major frequency modifications for the composite system, and in the worst configuration, such a frequency scatter can decrease down to -40% the original condition. Such a marked stiffness decrease would be implicitly associated to a weak mechanical performance of the sandwich section, with major stress peaks and deflections in the PV system, even under ordinary loads. The presented results, in this sense, suggest that major consequences can be prevented and minimized by monitoring the vibration frequency of PV modules.

ABSTRACT In ecotonal Cerrado areas, the addition of Amazonian and Atlantic Forest species mainly occurs through connections between forest areas and forest physiognomies. In this context, the biome is a unique region for research on the influence of geographical and historical factors on its biota. In tropical ecotonal regions, integrated communities can exist on soils that present variations in fertility, physical properties and depth, which results in heterogeneity of physiognomies. It was tested the hypothesis that edaphic conditions related to calcium availability are significantly related to species composition and structural parameters in two physiognomies. The study was conducted in the Cerrado of the Chapada das Mesas National Park (CMNP) in the city of Carolina, Northeast Brazil, and the sample universe consisted of 18 areas in two physiognomies. The initial hypothesis was confirmed. The results and inferences about the vegetation structure and physical-chemical parameters of the soil, suggest that the management for conservation of the CMNP must consider the particularities of the Cerrado physiognomies and the vegetation responses to environmental filters, such as edaphic conditions and associations with other organisms.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for intrauterine transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women are poorly understood. Numerous factors are considered to be involved, including placental barrier, obstetric environment, high viral load, and positivity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). This study was conducted to investigate the role of placenta barrier, clinical, and viral factors in intrauterine transmission of HBV. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,353 pregnant women who underwent HBsAg screening. Eighty-four (6.2%) women were detected as HBsAg positive and were examined for HBsAg level, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBeAg/hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) status, and HBV DNA presence in cord blood. Quantitative HBV DNA was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Eighty-four of 1,353 subjects were HBsAg-positive. HBV DNA was positive in 28/84 (33.7%) maternal sera, 19/79 (24.05%) placental specimens, and 9/83 (10.84%) in cord blood. There were significant associations between HBV DNA in maternal serum (p=0.000) and placental tissue (p=0.000) with HBV DNA in the cord blood. No clinical factors were associated with HBV DNA transmission in cord blood. Sixty percent of viral load >5.3 log10 copies/mL were found in the cord blood, of which 43.8% HBeAg positive and 3.1% HBeAg negative. CONCLUSION: Reduced transmission via compartments established the placenta’s barrier function in mother-to-child transmission. A high maternal viral load and positive HBeAg were risk factors for intrauterine transmission, while negative HBeAg still has the possibility of transmission. KEYWORDS: mother-to-child transmission, hepatitis B virus, intrauterine

Abstract Current definitions of migraine that are based mainly on clinical characteristics do not account for other patient’s features such as those related to an impaired quality of life, due to loss of social life and productivity, and the differences related to the geographical distribution of the disease and cultural misconceptions which tend to underestimate migraine as a psychosocial rather than neurobiological disorder. Global differences definition, care access, and health equity for headache disorders, especially migraine are reported in this paper from a collaborative group of the editorial board members of the Journal of Headache and Pain. Other components that affect patients with migraine, in addition to the impact promoted by the migraine symptoms such as stigma and social determinants, are also reported.

Introduction: Indoor air quality can affect the spread of airborne microorganisms which can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The quality and quantity of airborne microorganisms are responsible for mortality and morbidity in infection-prone hosts such as patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The research aims to determine the quality of microorganisms in the air, identify the types of aerobic bacteria, and assess the physical parameters of the air in the ICU. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive observational method. Air specimens were collected using the MAS-100 NT tool with blood agar plate solid culture media, which then incubated in an aerobic atmosphere for 24 hours at 37±2°C. Observation and measurement of air microbiological quality was by counting the number of microorganisms in CFU/m3 and identification of bacteria using MALDI-TOF MS. Results and Discussion: The maximum concentration of microorganisms in the air exceeds the standard value, and the average value of the concentration of microorganisms in the air is 736 CFU/m3. The most common types of aerobic bacteria in the air were Bacillus sp. (n=12), Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n=5), and Staphylococcus aureus (n=5). There was an increase in physical parameters in the form of average temperature (26.24°C) and humidity (70%) with a ventilation system and air regulation using mechanical ventilation sourced from a split air conditioner with an exhaust fan without a high-efficiency particulate-absorbing (HEPA) filter. Conclusion: Low indoor air quality has the potential to increase the concentration of microorganisms and bacterial findings in the air

Abstract Background Tuberculosis spondylitis accounts for approximately 50% of all cases of skeletal tuberculosis. Vitamin D plays a role in the immune system. Vitamin D helps in the activation of TLR-2 and TLR-4, which play a role in the process of tuberculosis infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oral supplementation with vitamin D on TLR-2 and TLR-4 levels in tuberculosis spondylitis patients. Methods The true Experiment Design Pretest–Posttest with Control Group (Pretest–Posttest with Control Group) was used for this research. TLR-2 and TLR-4 were measured by ELISA. Repeated ANOVA, ANOVA tests, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality tests on the SPSS program were used to statistically analyze the results. Result In the dose groups of 10,000 IU and 5000 IU, significant increases in the levels of vitamin D, TLR-2, and TLR-4 were observed at weeks 4 and 8 (p 50 ng/dl to optimally act as an immunomodulator.

Background: Studies on miRNA highlight its significance as an immunomarker for several diseases, including tuberculosis. This study aimed to determine the difference between miR-425-5p and miR-4523 expressions in patients with active pulmonary TB (PTB), latent TB infection (LTBI), and lymph node TB (LNTB), whose diagnosis remains challenging. Methods: This case–control study was performed on blood samples obtained from 23 patients with PTB, 21 with LTBI, 21 with LNTB, and 25 healthy controls (HC). miRNA hsa-miR-425-5p and hsa-miR-4523 expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: RT-qPCR showed that hsa-mir-425-5p and hsa-mir-4523 expression levels were significantly different among the four groups (PTB, LTBI, LNTB, and HCs). The hsa-mir-425-5p miRNA expression level in LNTB was higher than that in LTBI (p = 0.003). Meanwhile, the hsa-mir-4523 miRNA expression was downregulated in PTB and LNTB than in LTBI (p

Human leishmaniasis is facing important epidemiological changes in Southern Europe, driven by increased urbanization, climate changes, emerging of new animal reservoirs, shifts in human behavior and a growing population of immunocompromised and elderly individuals. In this evolving epidemiological landscape, we analyzed the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human leishmaniasis in the Tuscany region of Central Italy. Through a multicentric retrospective analysis, we collected clinical and demographic data about all cases of leishmaniasis recorded between 2018 and 2023. We observed 176 cases of human leishmaniasis, with 128 (72.7%) visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and 47 (26.7%) cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Among these, 92.2% of VL and 85.1% of CL cases were autochthonous. The cumulative incidence of autochthonous human leishmaniasis was 0.22 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018, but reached 1.81/100,000 in 2023. We identified three main areas of transmission: around the city of Florence (North-East Tuscany), around Grosseto city (South-West Tuscany) and Elba Island. Our findings confirm that the epidemiology of leishmaniasis is undergoing significant changes in Central Italy. Awareness towards this emerging health threat and surveillance strategies need to be improved in order to reliably assess the disease’s burden. Further research is needed in a “One-Health” perspective, to clarify the epidemiological dynamics at the environmental, reservoir, vector and human levels. The role of climate change and specific climatic factors affecting the epidemiological patterns of human leishmaniasis should be assessed. Further knowledge in these fields would promote targeted control and prevention strategies at regional and national levels.

Abstract This study evaluated the mechanical properties and the chemical and thermal characteristics of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide for manufacturing via 3D printing. LDPE nanocomposites with different graphene oxide (GO) loadings (0.5% and 1.5%) were processed by a single-screw extruder. To characterize the pre-injected material, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal characterization with thermogravimetry (TGA) were used. The injected material was also characterized with mechanical impact and traction tests. The results showed that incorporating GO into the polymeric matrix added hydroxyl groups to the matrix structure, with a 39.13% increase in Young's modulus for LDPE-1.5%wtGO samples. Mechanical tests of 3D printed samples showed that, with an increase in the amount of GO in the polymer matrix, the composite loses ductility, enabling its use in 3D printing technologies and thus encouraging new studies on printed materials for various applications.

The stillbirth rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities in Australia is around double that of non-Indigenous women. While the development of effective prevention strategies during pregnancy and improving care following stillbirth for women and families in communities has become a national priority, there has been limited progress in stillbirth disparities. With community permission, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of community experiences, perceptions, and priorities around stillbirth. We undertook an Indigenous researcher-led, qualitative study, with community consultations guided by a cultural protection protocol and within an unstructured research framework. A total of 18 communities were consulted face-to-face through yarning interviews, focus groups and workshops. This included 54 community member and 159 health professional participants across remote, regional, and urban areas of Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and Northern Territory. Thematic analysis of consultation data identified common themes across five focus/priority areas to address stillbirth: Stillbirth or Sorry Business Baby care needs to be family-centered; using Indigenous “ways of knowing, being, and doing” to ensure cultural safety; application of Birthing on Country principles to maternal and perinatal care; and yarning approaches to improve communication and learning or education. The results underscore the critical need to co-design evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and community-acceptable resources to help reduce existing disparities in stillbirth rates.

Abstract Medical imaging represents the primary tool for investigating and monitoring several diseases, including cancer. The advances in quantitative image analysis have developed towards the extraction of biomarkers able to support clinical decisions. To produce robust results, multi-center studies are often set up. However, the imaging information must be denoised from confounding factors—known as batch-effect—like scanner-specific and center-specific influences. Moreover, in non-solid cancers, like lymphomas, effective biomarkers require an imaging-based representation of the disease that accounts for its multi-site spreading over the patient’s body. In this work, we address the dual-factor deconfusion problem and we propose a deconfusion algorithm to harmonize the imaging information of patients affected by Hodgkin Lymphoma in a multi-center setting. We show that the proposed model successfully denoises data from domain-specific variability (p-value < 0.001) while it coherently preserves the spatial relationship between imaging descriptions of peer lesions (p-value = 0), which is a strong prognostic biomarker for tumor heterogeneity assessment. This harmonization step allows to significantly improve the performance in prognostic models with respect to state-of-the-art methods, enabling building exhaustive patient representations and delivering more accurate analyses (p-values < 0.001 in training, p-values < 0.05 in testing). This work lays the groundwork for performing large-scale and reproducible analyses on multi-center data that are urgently needed to convey the translation of imaging-based biomarkers into the clinical practice as effective prognostic tools. The code is available on GitHub at this https://github.com/LaraCavinato/Dual-ADAE .

Abstract Despite numerous studies uncovering the neural signature of tactile processing, tactile afferent inputs relating to the contact surface has not been studied so far. Foot tactile receptors being the first stimulated by the relative movement of the foot skin and the underneath moving support play an important role in the sensorimotor transformation giving rise to a postural reaction. A biomimetic surface, i.e., complying with the skin dermatoglyphs and tactile receptors characteristics should facilitate the cortical processes. Participants (n = 15) stood either on a biomimetic surface or on two control surfaces, when a sudden acceleration of the supporting surface was triggered (experiment 1). A larger intensity and shorter somatosensory response (i.e., SEP) was evoked by the biomimetic surface motion. This result and the associated decrease of theta activity (5–7 Hz) over the posterior parietal cortex suggest that increasing the amount of sensory input processing could make the balance task less challenging when standing on a biomimetic surface. This key point was confirmed by a second experiment (n = 21) where a cognitive task was added, hence decreasing the attentional resources devoted to the balance motor task. Greater efficiency of the postural reaction was observed while standing on the biomimetic than on the control surfaces.

Abstract Background Iron deficiency can impair immune function, increasing tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility and severity. The research aimed to investigate iron deficiency anemia in TB patients and household contacts and its association with natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) polymorphism and expression. Methods The levels of iron, ferritin, and transferrin were measured in the serum by ELISA (Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay). NRAMP1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. NRAMP1 gene expression was measured by real‐time PCR. Interferon‐gamma release assay (IGRA) checked on household contacts to screen household contacts with positive IGRA as the control. Results This study involved 35 TB cases and 35 TB contacts. The results showed that the serum Fe levels were found to be lower in the TB case group (median 149.6 μmol/L) than in the positive IGRA household contacts group (median 628.53 μmol/L) with a p‐value