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One of the most crucial steps in the practical conservation of endangered endemic mountain plants is to address their population size status and habitat requirements concurrently with understanding their response to future global warming. Three endangered Silene species--Silene leucophylla Boiss., S. schimperiana Boiss., and S. oreosinaica Chowdhuri--in Egypt were the focus of the current study. These species were examined for population status change, habitat quality variables (topography, soil features, and threats), and predictive current and future distributions. To find population size changes, recent field surveys and historical records were compared. Using Random Forest (RF) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), habitat preferences were assessed. To forecast present-day distribution and climate change response, an ensemble model was used. The results reported a continuous decline in the population size of the three species. Both RF and CCA addressed that elevation, soil texture (silt, sand, and clay fractions), soil moisture, habitat-type, chlorides, electric conductivity, and slope were among the important variables associated with habitat quality. The central northern sector of the Saint Catherine area is the hotspot location for the predictive current distribution of three species with suitable areas of 291.40, 293.10, and 58.29 km² for S. leucophylla, S. schimperiana, and S. oreosinaica, respectively. Precipitation-related variables and elevation were the key predictors for the current distribution of three Silene species. In response to climate change scenarios, the three Silene species exhibited a gradual contraction in the predictive suitable areas with upward shifts by 2050 and 2070. The protection of these species and reintroduction to the predicted current and future climatically suitable areas are urgent priorities. Ex-situ conservation and raised surveillance, as well as fenced enclosures may catapult as promising and effective approaches to conserving such threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the preferred method for diagnosing axillary nodal involvement in breast cancer. Touch imprint cytology (TIC) and frozen section (FS) are two intraoperative techniques used to assess SLNs. Both methods have their disadvantages, and the superior technique remains uncertain. Aim: To determine the accuracy of TIC compared to FS in identifying metastases in SLNs in preoperatively node-negative axilla. Methods: Forty-six females with breast cancer and clinically and radiologically negative axillary lymph nodes were included in the study. For TIC, SLNs were bisected, imprinted onto clean slides, stained, and evaluated. For FS, tissue slices of the same lymph nodes were embedded in an appropriate medium and frozen to -25°C. Tissue sections were prepared using a cryostat, stained, and evaluated. Results: The patients' ages ranged from 30 to 71 years. There was a strong agreement between TIC and FS results (κ=0.864; p<0.0001). Both TIC and FS findings strongly correlated with the final nodal evaluation of SLNs by paraffin section (κ=0.909; p<0.0001 and κ=0.955; p<0.0001, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of TIC for detecting axillary lymph node metastasis were 96.4%, 94.4%, 96.4%, and 94.4%, respectively. For FS, these values were 96.4%, 100%, 100%, and 94.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Touch imprint cytology is a feasible, quick, and cost-effective alternative to frozen section for intraoperative evaluation of SLNs in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 15–39 years) diagnosed with cancer have unique medical and psychosocial needs. These needs could be better addressed through research that is focused on the topics that matter most to them. However, there is currently no patient-oriented research agenda for AYA cancer in Canada. This manuscript describes the early development and project protocol for a priority-setting partnership (PSP) for establishing the top 10 research priorities for AYA cancer in Canada. This project follows the PSP methodology outlined by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) to engage patients, caregivers, and clinicians in research prioritization. The steps of a JLA PSP include establishing a steering group and project partners, gathering uncertainties, data processing and verifying uncertainties, interim priority setting, and a final priority setting workshop. The AYA cancer PSP will result in a top 10 list of research priorities identified by Canadian AYA patients, caregivers, and clinicians that will be published and shared broadly with the research community. The first steering group meeting was held in April 2023, and the project is ongoing. The establishment of a patient-oriented research agenda for AYA cancer will catalyze a long-term and impactful research focus and ultimately improve outcomes for AYA patients with cancer in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. To evaluate the cross-over association of moderate-to-high-intensity interval-training (M-HiiT) and low-frequency pulsed-electromagnetic field therapy (LFPMT) on functional balance (FB) and ankle-brachial index (ABi) in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (dPN). Methods. Twenty-four participants with dPN, age 40--65 years, 0.6 ≤ ABi 0.9, were randomly allocated into group A (n = 7) and received M-HIIT followed by LFPMT, group B (n = 9) and received LFPMT followed by M-HIIT, or group C (n = 8) as the control group. Each of the LFPMT (15 Hz, 20 G, for 24 min) and the M-HIIT was provided twice weekly, for 4 weeks. Variables were evaluated pre and after 4 and 8 weeks. Results. After 4 weeks, the FB significantly increased [by 9.08% (p = 0.00) and by 6.82% (p = 0.00)] and the ABi significantly increased [by 7.84% (p = 0.01) and 12.57% (p = 0.03)], while after 8 weeks, the FB significantly increased [by 13.03% (p = 0.00) and 11.26% (p = 00)] and the ABi significantly increased [by 10.05% (p = 0.01) and 13.01% (p = 0.01)] in groups A and B, respectively. Significant differences existed between-groups after 4 weeks in the [FB (p = 0.00) and ABi (p = 0.02)], and after 8 weeks [FB (p = 0.00) and ABi (p = 0.01)]. Post-hoc comparisons revealed the FB most significantly increased (p = 0.001) in group A, while the ABi more significantly increased (p = 0.02) in group B. Conclusions. Combined M-HIIT and LFPMT programs were effective in improving FB and ABi. Furthermore, starting the rehabilitation regimen with M-HiiT followed by LFPMT had a superior effect in improving the FB while starting the program with LFPMT followed by M-HIIT was more effective in improving the ABi in patients with DPN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives. Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is one of the most common glomerular diseases among children. Up to 20% of patients are steroid resistant (SRNS) representing a challenging subset at high risk of developing end-stage renal disease. Renal manifestations of mitochondrial diseases (MIDs) include nephrotic syndrome, renal insufficiency, nephrolithiasis, Bartter-like syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and nephrocalcinosis. The objective of the current study is to measure the activity of mitochondrial complex I in renal biopsies obtained from pediatric patients diagnosed with SRNS compared to steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) patients in order to elucidate its role in pathogenesis and the prognosis for further genetic work. Subjects and Method. Renal biopsies of 120 patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome based on clinical and laboratory findings, divided into two groups, SRNS (60 patients) and SSNS (60 patients). Pathological study and spectrophotometric measurement of mitochondrial complex I in renal biopsy and muscle homogenates were performed for both groups. Results. Positive consanguinity was a remarkable finding in 44 patients among the SRNS group (73%), compared with 33 patients among the SSNS group (55%). Complex I activity was significantly lower in the SRNS group (0.2657 ± 0.1831 nmol/ml/min), than in the SSNS group (0.4773 ± 0.1290 nmol/ml/min) (p

Introduction. To evaluate the effectiveness of aquatic aerobic exercise training (AqET) on the pulmonary function (PF) and aquatic skills performance in older children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). A randomised controlled study. Methods. Twenty-eight children, 13-15 years old, with spastic CP were randomly allocated into an AqET group (n = 13; received AqET plus a traditional physiotherapy 'TPT' program) and a control group (n = 15; received TPT only). The PF [including (forced vital capacity; FVC), (forced expiratory volume in one second; FEV1)] and the aquatic skills performance (including the WOTA mental adaptation score 'WMA', the WOTA skills balance control movement score 'WSBM', the WOTA total score 'WTOT') were evaluated at the beginning and after 12 weeks. Results. Post-study results revealed significant increases in the PF, WMA, WSBM, WTOT mean values in both groups. The FEV1% and FVC% mean values and percentages of changes were [84.00% (21.5%), 78.23% (24.56%)] and [(71.13% (6.9%), 62% (7.12%)] for the AqET and control groups, respectively. The WMA, WSBM, WTOT mean scores and percentages of changes were [33.15 (77.01%), 15.46 (643.27%), 48.62, (133.19%)] and [20.2 (7.59%), 2.27 (23.89%), 22.47 (7.36%)] for the AqET and control groups, respectively (p < 0.05). There were significant differences between groups in the PF and the aquatic skills performance post-study, in favour of the AqET group. Conclusions. Children with spastic CP benefit favourably from AqET or TPT programs. The AqET is more beneficial than the TPT in increasing the PF and aquatic skills performance in older children with spastic CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet is a contributor to the pathogenesis of many non-communicable diseases. Among contributors to poor diet is high added sugar consumption, which is unfortunately on the rise nowadays. The recommended sugar intake by The American Heart Association (AHA) is 24g/day and 36g/day for women and men, respectively. The study's aim is to assess added sugar intake among adults in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study design was used via an online survey among adults in Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling, and social media platforms were used to collect the data. The authors conducted descriptive statistics to present demographic variables using Chi-square χ2 tests for categorical and t-tests for continuous variables. All statistical tests used a 95% confidence interval with a two-sided P-value <0.05 as significance level. A total of 1163 respondents were included in the study. The study has shown an overall added sugar intake average of 73 g/day. There was a significant difference in means of overall added sugar intake across genders for the age group 18–30 and the age group >60. Equivalently, there was a statistically significant difference in means of added sugar intake food across gender (P-value 0.008). Females tended to consume more added sugar in their food than males. The highest consumption was in the Northern region (123.71 g/day), followed by the Southern region (98.52 g/day), the Western region (86.14 g/day), and lastly, the Central and Eastern regions (66.95 and 62.02 g/day, respectively). The total added sugar intake of added sugar is extremely high in Saudi Arabia. Poor dietary habits lead to many adverse health consequences, including obesity and diabetes. Healthcare providers and public health officials are highly encouraged to shed light on added sugar consumption and create opportunities to promote healthy dietary patterns. The Saudi population is recommended to abide by the added sugar dietary recommendations to avoid future chronic medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This observational cohort study aimed to evaluate ventilatory function (VF) and functional exercise capacity (FEC) in mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods Seventy-three adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, aged approximately 10 to 17 years (mean age: 13.43 ± 1.27 years), with a Cobb angle less than 20° (mean: 16.44° ± 1.59°), met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to group A. Another 34 healthy adolescents with normal VF and FEC served as controls (group B). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and FEC (by the 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) were the main outcome measures. Results Post-study mean values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MVV, and the 6MWT were 2.42 ± 0.36 L and 3.26 ± 0.59 L, 2.14 ± 0.31 L and 3.03 ± 0.43 L, 88.13% ± 3.89% and 91.14% ± 4.67%, 76.96 ± 6.85 L/m and 107.61 ± 11.44 L/m, and 581.12 ± 12.25 m and 627.74 ± 15.27 m in groups A and B, respectively. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MVV, and the 6MWT. Conclusion Mild pulmonary and functional restrictions start early in mild AIS. This issue requires immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration.