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The famous discussion of Scythian cross-dressers in Hippocrates' Airs Waters Places ( Aer .) 22 puzzled perhaps most medieval and Renaissance medical authorities. The text wrestled with a pre-Hippocratic, encephalocentric theory of spermatogenesis. Modern reception of the convoluted hypothesis put forward here gradually distilled three etiologies of failing virility: impotence, subfertility, and unmanliness. A gradual shift is discernable from increasingly Galenic neuro-andrological theories (sixteenth century) to neuropsychiatric (late-seventeenth through eighteenth century), phrenological and psychopathological (early- and late-nineteenth century), and finally early psycho-endocrinological (early-twentieth century) ideas about masculinity. Aer . 22 was a ubiquitously recurring reference across all of these episodes, indeed well beyond medicine, rendering it a highly sensitive index of change in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric thinking. The pre-Enlightenment, neurology-centric onset of this extended modern history of sexual/gender medicine is briefly discussed, as well as its phrenological afterlife.

This historiographic survey of extant English translations and interpretations of the renowned Hippocratic first aphorism has demonstrated a concerning acceptance and application of ancient deontological principles that have been used to justify a practice of medicine that has been both paternalistic and heteronomous. Such principles reflect an enduring Hippocratism that has perpetuated an insufficient appreciation of the moral nature of the aphorism's second sentence in the practice of the art of medicine. That oversight has been constrained by a philological discourse that has centred on the meanings of the aphorism's first sentence, while little consideration has been given to the more important ethical consideration within the second sentence's imperatives., (© 2021. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry Pty Ltd.)

Objective: To analyse own set of molar pregnancies and to develop clinically relevant procedures., Type of Study: Historical article based on the analysis of Greek classic medicine., Settings: History of Medicine Unit; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Humanities; Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health; University of Padua, Italy., Introduction: Molar pregnancy is a specific kind of gestational trophoblastic disease which originates from the placenta. There are two types of molar pregnancy, complete and partial. Complete molar pregnancy derives from a defect in maternal eggs, while an incomplete one derives from a defecting fertilization by paternal sperm. Historical analysis: Molar pregnancy drawn the attention of ancient physicians from the classic period and they widely discussed maternal and paternal roles in causing this condition. Classic doctors drawn from mythology several suggestions and ideas, which indicates that the issue of normal and abnormal conception was a crucial problem since the most ancient past Conclusion: Current scientific studies on molar pregnancy are free from ancient prejudices about male and female “nature” and their reciprocal role in embryogenesis. However, an awareness of the cultural biases that could drive scientific researches, might be useful for scientists and physicians even today.

We assessed the effect of provider networks on access to four medical specialties for Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollees in California. Our approach incorporated a crucial consumer-focused attribute, travel distance, and identified the restrictions on provider access resulting from network design. Our analysis indicated that Marketplace plan networks are narrower than their commercial plan counterparts and feature just over half as many providers. However, there is much diversity in network breadth, depending on consumers' choice of plans and geographic region. Furthermore, network designs often create important access issues for consumers because of what we call "artificial local provider deserts"-geographic areas within networks devoid of providers by design. Consumers in large metropolitan areas are generally guaranteed a significant degree of access and choice, but network design exacerbates limited access for rural areas in which few providers are available to any consumer.

Background: Endodontic sealers limit bacteria growth and clean the smear layer of the root canal. Biocompatible irrigants silver citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) have a chelating agent that increases sealer penetration in dentinal tubules. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the final irrigation difference in epoxy resin and bioceramic sealer penetration into dentinal tubules at the apical third. Methods: A total of 30 extracted mandibular premolars were split into six groups; three received epoxy resin sealer and three received bioceramic resin with aquadest, silver citrate (BioAKT) or EDTA 17% irrigation. A confocal laser scanning microscope estimated sealer penetration in dentinal tubules. For quantitative data analysis, Olympus Fluoview ver.4.2a was used. Results: Silver citrate final irrigation with bioceramic resin sealer had the highest dentinal tubular penetration (24%; 1,431 μm), followed by EDTA 17% (20%; 1,202 μm), aquadest (16.3%; 969 μm), EDTA 17% with epoxy resin (15.8%; 938 μm, 14%; 803 μm), and distilled water (10%; 584 μm). Significant differences existed in all groups (p = 0.001). Epoxy resin sealer penetration into dentinal tubules was similar between final irrigants (p = 0.257) and bioceramic resin groups (p = 0.658). Conclusion: Silver citrate (BioAKT), a bioceramic resin sealer-based final irrigation solution, penetrates dentinal tubules better for endodontic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous mental and physical health benefits. But it has been observed that young people and children frequently participate in low levels of PA, which is especially noticeable when they progress from primary to secondary school. Thus, in order to improve physical health among school-going children, different schools should put in place school-based PA intervention programs. The researchers designing PA intervention protocols for school children encounter various challenges during implementation; hence, this narrative review determines the challenges and barriers faced by the researchers during data collection on PA of school-going adolescent children. The review highlighted the challenges encountered during implementation of school-based PA and fitness among school children. The key issues mentioned in the review involved problems related to communication with schools, recruitment of participants along with the informed consent, implementation and data collection, environment of school, and barriers to PA in school. The documentation of these difficulties can help advance knowledge of the researchers and their efficacy, which will finally result in the development of strengthened and close relationships with school-based educational institutions, leading to implementation of intervention protocols and enhancing physical fitness in school children.

Abstract Background The dietary glycemic index (GI) and load (GL) reflect carbohydrate quality and quantity, potentially impacting fertility through modulation of insulin sensitivity and generation of oxidative stress. While fertility is influenced by both women and men, reproductive research often emphasizes maternal factors. We first examined periconception dietary intake in both women and male partners, and subsequent associations of dietary GI and GL with fecundability and subfertility. Methods Among 830 women and 651 male partners, participating in a population-based prospective cohort study from preconception onwards, we assessed periconception dietary intake and calculated GI and GL, using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at median 12.4 weeks gestation (95% range 10.9, 18.4). Information on time to pregnancy was obtained through questionnaires, with subfertility defined as a time to pregnancy ≥ 12 months or use of assisted reproductive technology. Results In the periconception period, mean energy intake in women was 1870 kcal (SD: 500; 46% carbohydrates, 16% protein, 33% fat; dietary GI 56.2 (SD: 3.5) and GL 141.4 (SD: 67.4)). Mean energy intake in men was 2350 kcal (SD: 591; 43% carbohydrates, 16% protein, 33% fat; dietary GI 56.8 (SD: 3.2) and GL 156.7 (SD: 75.4)). Median time to pregnancy was 4.8 months (IQR: 1.2, 16.4), with 30.6% of 830 women experiencing subfertility. Dietary GI and GL were not associated with fertility outcomes in women. In men, higher dietary GI and GL across the full range were associated with decreased fecundability, after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as dietary GI or GL of female partners [FR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.83, 0.99; FR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.81, 0.99, per SDS increase in dietary GI and GL, respectively]. When assessing the combined influence of dietary GI clinical categories in women and men, both partners adhering to a low GI diet tended to be associated with increased fecundability, but not with subfertility risk. Conclusions Suboptimal periconception carbohydrate intake may be negatively associated with male fertility, but not with fertility outcomes in women. Further studies are needed to assess whether a lower GI and GL diet is a feasible lifestyle intervention to improve couples fertility.

Abstract The SnRK1, hexokinase, and TORC1 (TOR, LST8, RAPTOR) are three pivotal kinases at the core of sugar level sensing, significantly impacting plant metabolism and development. We retrieved and analyzed protein sequences of these three kinase pathways from seven sugarcane transcriptome and genome datasets, identifying protein domains, phylogenetic relationships, sequence ancestry, and in silico expression levels. Additionally, we predicted HXK subcellular localization and assessed its enzymatic activity in sugarcane leaves and culms along development in the field. We retrieved 11 TOR, 23 RAPTOR, 55 LST8, 95 SnRK1α, 98 HXK, and 14 HXK-like putative full-length sequences containing all the conserved domains. Most of these transcripts seem to share a common origin with the three ancestral species of sugarcane: Saccharum officinarum, Saccharum spontaneum, and Saccharum barberi. We accessed the expression profile of sequences from one sugarcane transcriptome. We found the highest enzymatic activity of HXK in culms in the first month, which, at this stage, provides carbon (sucrose) and nitrogen (amino acids) for initial plant development. Our approach places novel sugar sensing sequences that work as a guideline for further research into the underlying signaling mechanisms and biotechnology applications in sugarcane.

Purpose: Infertility is a global health issue and nutrition plays a significant role in fertility outcomes. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and prospective associations of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with semen quality parameters in a cohort of healthy young men. Materials and Methods: The study included 106 men aged 18–35 years from the FERTINUTS trial. Dietary intake was estimated through 3-day dietary records and several semen parameters were assessed. Multivariable linear regression analysis with the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) approach was employed. Results: The cross-sectional analysis revealed positive associations between GI and GL and total sperm count, sperm concentration, and total motility. In the prospective analysis, baseline GI was associated with increases in pH, vitality, immotile sperm or abnormal midpiece and decreases in total sperm count and motility. Conversely, GL was positively associated with changes in vitality and total sperm count. Conclusions: While these findings suggest that GI may have adverse effects on several sperm quality parameters, the results were not consistently observed in the cross-sectional analysis. However, GL was consistently associated with better sperm quality in both analyses. The impact of carbohydrate quality and quantity on fertility remains uncertain and larger prospective studies are needed.

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women. The use of parasites or parasite antigens is one of the newest therapeutic approaches for cancer, although it has not yet been used or approved in human trials. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxic effects of purified carbohydrates from the hyaline layer, fluid, and protoscolices of hydatid cysts on the human colorectal cancer cell line (LS174T). Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on two sheep and two cow livers infected with hydatid cysts, and the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (LS174T) purchased from the Pasteur Institute of Iran at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran during 2022. Cyst fluid, protoscolices, and the hyaline layer were isolated from the hydatid cyst-infected livers, and glycoproteins and glycolipids from different parts of the cyst were extracted using the chloroform-methanol method. Carbohydrates were purified using the beta-elimination method and their presence was confirmed using the phenol-sulfuric acid method. The cytotoxicity of purified carbohydrates on the LS174T cell line was evaluated using the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay for 24 hours. Results: Concentrations of 0.5 and 0.25 of purified carbohydrates from glycoproteins and glycolipids of hydatid cysts significantly inhibited the growth of LS174T cells (P

Abstract Can signs of intentional behavior be traced in an insect larva, traditionally thought to be driven only by mere reflexes? We trained Tenebrio molitor coleoptera larvae in a uniform Y-maze to prefer one target branch to get access to food, observing their ability to learn and retain access to the reward-associated side for up to 24 h. During reward devaluation, the reward food (experimental group) and a different food (control group) were paired with an aversive stimulus in a new environment. When tested again in the Y-maze, mealworms of the experimental group significantly reduced their visits to the target branch, whereas mealworms of the control group did not. Importantly, we found that the larvae did not have to experience the unpleasant consequences directly in the target branch to halt their behavior, as the exposure to the aversive taste occurred in a separate unfamiliar context. This is evidence that the mealworms formed a mental representation of action-consequence relationships, demonstrating flexible control of their actions to achieve desired outcomes at an early stage of their development.

Abstract Racial and ethnic disparities persist in cancer survival rates across the United States, despite overall improvements. This comprehensive analysis examines trends in 5-year relative survival rates from 2002–2006 to 2015–2019 for major cancer types, elucidating differences among racial/ethnic groups to guide equitable healthcare strategies. Data from the SEER Program spanning 2000–2020 were analyzed, focusing on breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, pancreatic cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Age-standardized relative survival rates were calculated to assess racial (White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander) and ethnic (Hispanic, Non-Hispanic) disparities, utilizing period analysis for recent estimates and excluding cases identified solely through autopsy or death certificates. While significant survival improvements were observed for most cancers, notable disparities persisted. Non-Hispanic Blacks exhibited the largest gain in breast cancer survival, with an increase of 5.2% points (from 77.6 to 82.8%); however, the survival rate remained lower than that of Non-Hispanic Whites (92.1%). Colorectal cancer survival declined overall (64.7–64.1%), marked by a 6.2% point drop for Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives (66.3–60.1%). Prostate cancer survival declined across all races, with Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives showing a decrease of 7.7% points (from 96.9 to 89.2%). Lung cancer, acute leukemia, and multiple myeloma showed notable increases across groups. Substantial racial/ethnic disparities in cancer survival underscore the notable need for tailored strategies ensuring equitable access to advanced treatments, particularly addressing significant trends in colorectal and pancreatic cancers among specific minority groups. Careful interpretation of statistical significance is warranted given the large dataset.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant public health issue worldwide, especially in the Middle East region. Around 8% to 20% of patients with CHB develop cirrhosis, which may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with CHB denote the importance of high-quality treatment. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases from inception to January 2024 to identify relevant studies. Search terms were generated using established treatment guidelines for CHB. We also manually searched the bibliographies of relevant literature to obtain additional papers. Results: In this narrative review, we evaluated the seven currently licensed antiviral therapies for chronic Hepatitis B treatment, including nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) and pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFNα). NAs can be divided into two categories: high barrier to resistance and low barrier to resistance. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, tenofovir alafenamide, and entecavir are NAs with a high barrier to resistance. Telbivudine has shown promise in providing high efficacy with low viral resistance rates; however, it is not recommended because of insufficient evidence and lack of cost-effectiveness. Lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil, despite being efficacious, have a low barrier to resistance, the primary reason they are no longer recommended. PEG-IFNα has high efficacy and can be completed in 48 weeks. It is not associated with resistance; however, it has been reported to have several systemic adverse effects. Conclusions: Current first-line NA treatments in the Middle East include entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and tenofovir alafenamide. These drugs are favored over other NAs because of their low rates of resistance. PEG-IFNα has superiority over NAs in inducing a more durable antiviral response and having a finite treatment duration. The main drawback of PEG-IFNα is an unfavorable safety profile.

Introduction: Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main causes of maternal morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for about 25% of maternal deaths. Uterine Artery Embolisation (UAE) has gained recognition as a valuable non surgical treatment option for managing PPH, providing effective haemorrhage control while maintaining fertility. Aim: To assess the effectiveness and safety of UAE in the treatment of PPH. Materials and Methods: A thorough investigation was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library to locate studies released between 2000 and 2024. The included studies comprised Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs), case-control studies, and cohort studies that assessed the efficacy of UAE for PPH. The primary outcomes assessed were clinical success rates, technical success rates, and complication rates. Secondary outcomes included fertility preservation, postpartum recovery time, and the impact on future pregnancies. Data analysis was undertaken using Review Manager 5.3, with Mean Differences (MD) and Risk Ratios (RR) calculated for continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Results: Out of 437 identified studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of UAE as a treatment for PPH. These comprised five RCTs with 1,200 participants, four case-control studies with 800 participants, and four cohort studies with 1,000 participants. The RCTs were conducted in North America, Europe, and Asia, involving women who had experienced PPH. Case-control studies compared UAE recipients to those receiving alternative treatments, considering factors like age, severity of PPH, and obstetric history. Cohort studies followed UAE recipients over time to assess long-term outcomes. The pooled technical success rate was 96% (95% CI, 94.0-98.0; I2=20.0%; p-value=0.143), and the clinical success rate was 92% (95% CI, 88.0-96.0; I2=35.6%; p-value=0.012). The complication rate was 8% (95% CI, 5.0-11.0; I2=40.1%; p-value=0.021). These findings indicate a high effectiveness and reliability of UAE for PPH treatment. The diverse study types and participant populations enhance the generalisability of these results, underscoring UAE’s potential to improve outcomes for women experiencing PPH globally. Conclusion: UAE demonstrates high clinical and technical success rates with a relatively low complication rate, establishing it as a safe and effective intervention for PPH. Future studies need to look into lasting outcomes, including fertility preservation and impacts on subsequent pregnancies, to further substantiate UAE’s role in PPH management.

Abstract Accurate prediction of walking travel rates is central to wide-ranging applications, including modeling historical travel networks, simulating evacuation from hazards, evaluating military ground troop movements, and assessing risk to wildland firefighters. Most of the existing functions for estimating travel rates have focused on slope as the sole landscape impediment, while some have gone a step further in applying a limited set of multiplicative factors to account for broadly defined surface types (e.g., “on-path” vs. “off-path”). In this study, we introduce the Simulating Travel Rates In Diverse Environments (STRIDE) model, which accurately predicts travel rates using a suite of airborne lidar-derived metrics (slope, vegetation density, and surface roughness) that encompass a continuous spectrum of landscape structure. STRIDE enables the accurate prediction of both on- and off-path travel rates using a single function that can be applied across wide-ranging environmental settings. The model explained more than 80% of the variance in the mean travel rates from three separate field experiments, with an average predictive error less than 16%. We demonstrate the use of STRIDE to map least-cost paths, highlighting its propensity for selecting logically consistent routes and producing more accurate yet considerably greater total travel time estimates than a slope-only model.

Abstract Controlled sediment flushing operations (CSFOs) allow to recover reservoirs storage loss while rebalancing the sediment flux interrupted by dams but, at the same time, may cause unacceptable ecological impact. In this study, we investigated the responses of the food web of an upland stream to a CSFO, focusing on the effects of fine sediment deposition detected in three different mesohabitats, i.e., a pool, a riffle, and a step-pool. The field campaign lasted two years and included repeated measurements of fine sediment deposits, and sampling of periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes. A moderate and patchy deposition occurred due to the CSFO with short and medium-term ecological impact on the lower trophic levels of the food web, which may affect the whole ecosystem functioning. The monitoring of all available mesohabitats in the investigated stream allowed to detect variations in the ecological response to CSFO, providing a more adequate assessment of the impact. As expected, sedimentation was larger in the pool but, in contrast to our hypotheses, the impact was lower and the recovery was longer for the benthic organisms inhabiting the riffle. In the case of fishes, no lethal impact of both brown trout and bullhead was recorded in the short term but the occurrence of longer lasting effects could not be excluded. To date, this is one of the few studies dealing with a detailed integrative assessment of the downstream impact of sediment management from reservoir on both abiotic and biotic components of stream ecosystem.

Abstract The Fezouata Biota (Morocco) is a Burgess Shale-type (BST) assemblage that provides a wealth of information on Early Ordovician ecosystems. Much work has been done to compare the preservation of the Fezouata Biota to other BSTs. However, studies investigating preservation variations within the Fezouata Biota are rare. Here, we use probabilities to investigate the preservation of various ecological categories of Fezouata eumetazoans. Complex taphonomic processes and phylum-specific constraints have led to the better preservation of predators/scavengers in this biota. However, no differences in preservation are observed between vagile and sessile taxa. Importantly, Tremadocian taxa are better preserved than Floian ones. As such, this study highlights the gradual closure of the BST window of preservation in the Zagora region of Morocco and constitutes a benchmark for future palaeoecological and evolutionary studies on the Fezouata Biota.

Background As the leading cause of death in the world, cardiovascular diseases pose a serious threat to human health. Diet has attracted much attention as an important intervention, but the effect of carbohydrates on cardiovascular disease is unknown. Objective To analyze the evidence of the correlation between carbohydrate intake and cardiovascular disease risk. Methods Wanfang Data, CNKI, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase were searched by computer for randomized controlled trials on the risk of carbohydrates and cardiovascular disease published from inception to January 2023. Two researchers performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation separately. RevMan 5.3 was used for data analysis. Results A total of 16 randomized trials were included. Carbohydrate could significantly reduce triglyceride level by 0.17 mmol/L (95%CI=-0.24--0.10, P

Background: To have proper utilization of blood and its components adherence to established guidelines is essential. Hence, periodic review of blood components is necessary to improve transfusion practices and decrease the inappropriateness of blood components. Aims and Objectives: Our study aims to assess the utilization and appropriateness of blood and blood components in the Department of Clinical Hematology SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, over a period of 1 year from August 2020 to July 2021 on patients admitted in Clinical Hematology requiring transfusion therapy. The number of all blood and blood component units supplied over a period of 1 year was assessed. The usage of different types of blood component was recorded and correlated with the patient’s diagnosis and indications for transfusion. Results: A total of 250 patients were transfused with 2099 blood and blood components, among them 64.32% (1350) units were used appropriately and 35.68% (749) units were used inappropriately. Transfusions of packed red blood cells were found to be inappropriate in patients with asymptomatic chronic anemia with Hemoglobin >7 g/dL. Fresh frozen plasma was given inappropriately in cases of bleeding without derangement of coagulation tests. Inappropriate use of platelets was seen in patients who had received platelets prophylactically with platelet count above 10,000/μL. Conclusion: Proper implementation of guidelines for the use of various blood components would help reduce their inappropriateness.

Abstract Transitional waters are important habitats both for biodiversity and ecological functions, providing valuable natural resources and relevant ecosystem services. However, they are highly susceptible to climate changes and anthropogenic pressures responsible for biodiversity losses and require specific biomonitoring programs. Benthic macroinvertebrates are suitable as ecological indicators of transitional waters, being affected by biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the ecosystems about their life cycles and space-use behaviour. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has allowed biodiversity investigations, at the molecular level, in multiple ecosystems and for different ecological guilds. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities’ composition has been investigated, at the molecular level, mainly through DNA extracted from sediments in marine and riverine ecosystems. In this work, benthic macroinvertebrate communities are explored through eDNA metabarcoding from water samples in a Mediterranean transitional water ecosystem. This research highlighted the validity of eDNA metabarcoding as an efficient tool for the assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in transitional waters, unveiling the spatial heterogeneity of benthic macroinvertebrate communities correlated to the measured environmental gradients. The results suggest that peculiar features of transitional water ecosystems, such as shallow waters and limited currents, facilitate the assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate communities through environmental DNA analysis from surface water samples, opening for more rapid and accurate monitoring programs for these valuable ecosystems.

Background: Close supervision of HIV infected infants is necessary because of the rapid progression of immune deterioration that may occur in the first months of life. Objectives: To determine the loss to follow-up rate, reasons and associated risk factors among mother-infant pairs in a routine PMTCT programme. Methods: This was a case control study that involved mother-infant pairs enrolled within 72 hours of delivery for follow-up in a PMTCT programme. Loss to follow-up was deemed to have occurred where more than two consecutive visits to the clinic had been missed. The defaulting mother-infant pairs were traced through telephone calls and home visits, where possible. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight mother-infant pairs were enrolled between August 2002 and February 2005, out of which 18 were excluded. Fifty-eight (36.25 percent) of the remaining 160 were lost to follow-up. Among the 58 defaulters, 28 (48.27 percent) could not be traced as a result of false contact addresses. The most common reason for loss to follow up among the 30 mother-infant pairs traced, was apparent good health in the babies. After tracking and counseling, 18 (60 percent) resumed regular follow-up. The mean ages of mothers and babies at the time of default were 28.87 years (SD+4.52 years) and 15.31 weeks (SD+14.05 weeks), respectively. Attainment of post-secondary education, non-membership in a support group and lack of partner notification were associated with increased risk of default. Conclusions: The high loss to follow-up rate from this study highlights the need to improve on the postnatal follow-up of HIV-exposed babies.

Objective(s): Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common gynecological malignant tumor and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. The progression of CC is significantly affected by autophagy. Our objective was to use bioinformatics analysis to explore the expression, prognostic significance, and immune infiltration of autophagy-related genes in CC. Materials and Methods: We identified a set of autophagy-related differentially expressed genes (ARDEGs) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. ARDEGs were further validated by The Human Protein Atlas (HPA), GSE52903, and GSE39001 dataset. Hub genes were found by the STRING network and Cytoscape. We performed Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene ontology analysis (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and immune infiltration analysis to further understand the functions of the hub genes. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to check the hub genes. Results: A total of 10 up-regulated (CXCR4, BAX, SPHK1, EIF2AK2, TBK1, TNFSF10, ITGB4, CDKN2A, IL24, and BIRC5) and 19 down-regulated (PINK1, ATG16L2, ATG4D, IKBKE, MLST8, MAPK3, ERBB2, ULK3, TP53INP2, MTMR14, BNIP3, FOS, CCL2, FAS, CAPNS1, HSPB8, PTK6, FKBP1B , and DNAJB1) ARDEGs were identified. The ARDEGs were enriched in cell growth, apoptosis, human papillomavirus infection, and cytokine-mediated. Then, we found that low expression of MAPK3 was associated with poor prognosis in CC patients and was significantly enriched in immune pathways. In addition, the expression of MAPK3 was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration levels of macrophages, B cells, mast cell activation, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Furthermore, MAPK3 was positively correlated with LGALS9, and negatively correlated with CTLA4 and CD40. Conclusion: Our results show that MAPK3 can be used as a new prognostic biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with CC.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates from whole blood stored at 4℃, and provide theoretical basis for the components preparation. Methods The collected 400 mL ACD-B anticoagulant whole blood was randomly divided into two groups, stored at 4℃ and room temperature. The buffy coat was prepared within 6 hours and store at 22℃ until next day to prepare leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates. Platelet samples on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 were taken for the blood cell count and related parameter detection. The pH, glucose and lactic acid content were determined to reflect the metabolic status, and the thromboelastography, platelet aggregation rate and PAC-1 and CD62P expression were determined to reflect the function and activation of platelets. The difference in platelets between two groups were analyzed. Results With the extension of storage time, the count of leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates decreased gradually, but the platelets distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-larger cell ratio (P-LCR) increased gradually in two groups, with no statistical significance (P>0.05).The pH and glucose contents in two groups gradually decreased, but the lactic acid content gradually increased, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The thrombelastogram showed MA value that reflecting platelet function has no significant change during the storage, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The aggregation rates decreased while the expression of PAC-1 and CD62P increased gradually with the prolongation of preservation time, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion There is no significant difference in platelet count, function and activation between whole blood stored at 4℃ and at room temperature within 6 hours. Whole blood stored at 4℃ within 6 hours can be considered as the raw material for leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates.

This commentary outlines the strategies implemented by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through national health policies and initiatives. These strategies aim to enable sustainable actions for CVDs prevention and control by addressing key risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy dietary habits, and physical inactivity. Assessment of cardiovascular risk is fundamental for early detection and timely treatment. The UAE has reported the availability of essential medicines and basic technologies for preventing heart attack and stroke. Future directions include improving data reporting systems to provide up-to-date statistics on CVDs prevalence and risk factors, including diet, physical activity, body weight, smoking, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol control. In addition, these efforts will cover data on the quality of care, procedures, and economic costs. Strengthening collaboration between academic research institutes and government policymakers is crucial for shaping the UAE’s research agenda. Key steps to further reduce the burden of CVDs in the UAE include enhancing primary health care and emergency medical services, building health-care worker capacity, and improving the accessibility and affordability of priority interventions.

Background: Limited research has addressed breastfeeding practices and challenges faced by mothers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United Arab Emirates. The recommendation on whether to continue or initiate breastfeeding among mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 was contradictory. This study aimed to explore breastfeeding practices and challenges faced by mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this online, cross-sectional study, 249 mothers who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and anthropometric questions related to delivery experience and infant health, attitudes toward breastfeeding practices, breastfeeding knowledge, behaviors during COVID-19, and concerns and challenges related to COVID-19. Results: Most participants (90.8%) breastfed their infants, of whom only 28.5% exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months. Among mothers who were infected with COVID-19, approximately 90.7% were not given precautionary instructions by the health-care professionals during breastfeeding, 67.6% had breastfed their infants, 27% were isolated from their infants, and 50% were not able to visit their infants during infection. Moreover, exclusive breastfeeding was inversely associated with infant separation by more than six-fold higher (B = −1.89; odds ratio = 6.6, 95% confidence interval: 2.90–16.26; P

Abstract Children's respiratory tract infection is a common disease affecting children's health, our purpose is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of common pathogens of children's respiratory tract infection in central Shandong, China, and compare them with those in other parts of world, so as to summarize the rules of children's respiratory tract infection in central Shandong, and provide scientific basis for health departments to prevent and treat local children's respiratory tract infection. Sputum, tracheal aspirate, alveolar lavage fluid and other samples of 4804 children admitted to wards of Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital for treatment of respiratory tract infection from June 2019 to December 2022 were collected, and 12 common respiratory tract pathogens were detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis, two bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae), two atypical pathogens (Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Chlamydia Pneumoniae) and eight viruses (Human rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza A Virus, Parainfluenza Virus, Human metapneumovirus, Human boca virus, Human coronavirus, Influenza B virus) were included, the positive detection rate of single pathogen, the proportion of each type of respiratory tract mixed infection and the positive detection rate of single pathogen in different ages and seasons were analyzed statistically. (1)Among 4804 children with respiratory tract infection, the total positive rate was 77.87% (3741/4804), the positive rate of single pathogen was 43.40% (1656/4804), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Rhinovirus and Respiratory syncytial virus were the highest, there were 2085 cases of mixed infection with two or more pathogens, the positive rate was 43.40%. (2) The positive rates of infection in infant group (0–1 years old), infant group (1–3 years old), preschool group and school age group (3 years old-) were roughly the same, the infection rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Respiratory syncytial virus and Parainfluenza virus in infant group, Rhinovirus in infant group, Influenza A virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in school age group were higher than those in other groups, the difference was statistically significant (P

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment in comparison to those of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists for the prevention of premature luteinizing hormone surges during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (OS) and the impact of these effects on developing embryos and pregnancy outcomes. Data from 757 cycles of GnRH antagonist treatment and 756 cycles of MPA treatment were evaluated at the Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Assisted Reproductive Treatment Center between October 2018 and April 2022. Patient records were obtained from the electronic database of the centre and analysed. In our centre, GnRH antagonist protocols were used between 2018 and 2020, and MPA protocols were used between 2020 and 2022. We chose our study population by year. Our study is a comparative retrospective study. All methods in this study were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Patients using MPA were significantly older (33.9 ± 5.6 vs. 32.6 ± 5.6, p

Abstract Crystals of YGa3(BO3)4, YAl3(BO3)4, EuGa3(BO3)4 and EuAl3(BO3)4 with copper alloy were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction analysis. The lattice parameters and coordinates of copper-doped boron atoms were determined. The study of EPR spectra showed that copper is in the divalent state and replaces aluminum ions with C2 node symmetry. In YAl3(BO3)4:Cu crystals, a ligand structure exists due to the interaction of copper electrons with yttrium nuclei. The parameters of the spin Hamiltonian describing the behavior of the Cu2+ spectrum have been determined. The deviation of the Z-axis spectra from the C3 axis by 54(1)° is due to Jahn-Teller vibronic interaction and monoclinic distortion. In the EuGa3(BO3)4 crystal, a new spectrum 2 was found, which also belongs to divalent copper but is observed at an excited state 31 cm−1 away from the ground state. Above 70 K, an isotropic EPR line with a width of 450 Gs, g = 2.1, appears and exists up to room temperature.

Abstract Medication reconciliation (MedRec) helps prevent medication errors. This cross-sectional, nationwide study assessed the knowledge, perceptions, practice, and barriers toward MedRec amongst hospital pharmacy practitioners in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 342 conveniently chosen stratified hospital pharmacists responded to the online survey (88.6% response rate). Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test were applied at alpha = 0.05 and post hoc analysis was performed using Bonferroni test. The overall median knowledge score was 9/12 with IQR (9–11) with higher levels among clinical pharmacists (p

In modern conditions, providing the population with high-quality drinking water is becoming an increasingly urgent hygienic, scientific, technical, and social problem. Chlorine dioxide can be an alternative reagent for disinfecting drinking water. However, as with chlorine, dangerous by-products, particularly chlorites and chlorates are formed. The processes of development of morphofunctional changes in homeostasis remain insufficiently studied in this aspect. The objective is to determine the nature and peculiarities of changes in hematological indicators in the blood of animals due to the chronic impact of various concentrations of chlorates in drinking water to establish criteria for the hygienic assessment of their adverse effects on the body. The test animals were given drinking water with different concentrations of chlorates daily for 6 months: group 1 – control, group 2 – chlorates at a dose of 0.2 mg/dm³, group 3 – chlorates at a dose of 0.7 mg/dm³, and group 4 – chlorates at a dose of 1.2 mg/dm³. Evaluating the results of experimental studies, it should be noted that the most pronounced changes are observed in groups of animals that received chlorates in concentrations of 0.7 and 1.2 mg/dm³: a gradual decrease in the absolute number of leukocytes, the absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, relative to the indicators of the control group can be observed. In groups of animals that received chlorates in concentrations of 0.7 and 1.2 mg/dm³, a decrease in the absolute number of erythrocytes was observed during the 90 days of the experiment. It was established that the severity of the effects depended on the dose of chlorates and the time of exposure. Thus, the nature and features of changes in hematological indicators in the body of experimental animals during a chronic sanitary-toxicological experiment under the influence of chlorates in drinking water may indicate that chlorates affect the indicators of the blood system, being the indirect signs of disorders of other functional systems in the body, namely – slowing of redox reactions, hypoxic manifestations, reduction and weakening of the immune response and reactivity, etc.

Abstract Spontaneous rhythmic movements are part of everyday life, e.g., in walking, clapping or music making. Humans perform such spontaneous motor actions at different rates that reflect specific biomechanical constraints of the effector system in use. However, there is some evidence for intra-individual consistency of specific spontaneous rates arguably resulting from common underlying processes. Additionally, individual and contextual factors such as musicianship and circadian rhythms have been suggested to influence spontaneous rates. This study investigated the relative contributions of these factors and provides a comprehensive picture of rates among different spontaneous motor behaviors, i.e., melody production, walking, clapping, tapping with and without sound production, the latter measured online before and in the lab. Participants (n = 60) exhibited high intra-individual stability across tasks. Task-related influences included faster tempi for spontaneous production rates of music and wider ranges of spontaneous motor tempi (SMT) and clapping rates compared to walking and music making rates. Moreover, musicians exhibited slower spontaneous rates across tasks, yet we found no influence of time of day on SMT as measured online in pre-lab sessions. Tapping behavior was similar in pre-lab and in-lab sessions, validating the use of online SMT assessments. Together, the prominent role of individual factors and high stability across domains support the idea that different spontaneous motor behaviors are influenced by common underlying processes.

Statement of the Problem: Treatment of immature necrotic teeth is a problematic situation. Conventional root canal therapy is challenging and leaves a weak, fragile and undeveloped tooth for lifetime.Purpose: This review was aimed to assess the outcome of available randomized clinical tr-ials (RCTs) on the efficacy of platelet concentrates (PC) in dentine-pulp complex regeneration.Materials and Method: An electronic search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google scholar databases. A further manual search was performed on the list of related articles in order to ensure inclusion of potentially missed articles in earlier electronic search. Those proved RCTs matched with the standard criteria were included following an initial assessment of abstracts and the text independently by the reviewers.Results: From the total 602 harvested articles, only 13 met the criteria and were evaluated with 11 having parallel design and 2 split mouth. Only one study featured low risk of bias, while three had moderate risk and the rest were at high risk of bias. Six studies had used platelet rich plasma (PRP), 4 employed platelet rich fibrin (PRF), one utilized injectable platelet rich fibrin (I-PRF), and three used both PRF and PRP for their experimental groups while blood clot (BC) was used as the control group for all. The success rate was reported at 87.3% judged by the absence of pathologic signs and symptoms.Conclusion: Dentin wall thickening, root lengthening and apex closure were higher in PC groups, however, these differences were not statistically significant in reported studies. It can be concluded that PCs promote the pulp tissue revitalization and continuation of root development. However, a consensus on its potency for true pulp regeneration is yet to be reached.

Abstract Maraviroc (MVC) is an antiretroviral drug capable of binding to CCR5 receptors and block HIV entry into target cells. Moreover, MVC can activate NF-kB pathway and induce viral transcription in HIV-infected cells, being proposed as a latency reversal agent (LRA) in HIV cure strategies. However, the evaluation of immunological and metabolic parameters induced by MVC concentrations capable of inducing HIV transcription have not been explored in depth. We cultured isolated CD4 T cells in the absence or presence of MVC, and evaluated the frequency of CD4 T cell subpopulations and activation markers levels by flow cytometry, and the oxidative and glycolytic metabolic rates of CD4 T cells using a Seahorse Analyzer. Our results indicate that a high concentration of MVC did not increase the levels of activation markers, as well as glycolytic or oxidative metabolic rates in CD4 T cells. Furthermore, MVC did not induce significant changes in the frequency and activation levels of memory cell subpopulations. Our data support a safety profile of MVC as a promising LRA candidate since it does not induce alterations of the immunological and metabolic parameters that could affect the functionality of these immune cells.

Abstract Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2), a mitochondrial isoenzyme, supports the growth of cancer cells under glucose deficiency conditions in vitro. This study investigated the role and potential mechanism of PCK2 in the occurrence and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and other databases distinguish the expression of PCK2 and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Kaplan–Meier was conducted to assess PCK2 survival in HCC. The potential biological function of PCK2 was verified by enrichment analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The correlation between PCK2 expression and immune invasion and checkpoint was found by utilizing Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Lastly, the effects of PCK2 on the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were evaluated by cell tests, and the expressions of Epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and apoptosis related proteins were detected. PCK2 is down-regulated in HCC, indicating a poor prognosis. PCK2 gene mutation accounted for 1.3% of HCC. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the potential of PCK2 as a metabolism-related therapeutic target. Subsequently, we identified several signaling pathways related to the biological function of PCK2. The involvement of PCK2 in immune regulation was verified and key immune checkpoints were predicted. Ultimately, after PCK2 knockdown, cell proliferation and migration were significantly increased, and N-cadherin and vimentin expression were increased. PCK2 has been implicated in immune regulation, proliferation, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, and is emerging as a novel predictive biomarker and metabolic-related clinical target.