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La Jornada Académica en Orientación UNA oportunidad: perspectivas vocacionales (JAO-UNA) tuvo como objetivo primordial fortalecer nuevas formas de abordar la orientación vocacional, y ofreció estrategias innovadoras para afrontar los desafíos en diversos contextos laborales. El evento empleó una metodología participativa que incluyó conferencias, charlas, talleres y actividades de trabajo en equipo, lo que promovió la interacción y el intercambio de conocimientos entre las personas asistentes, tanto de forma presencial como por entornos virtuales, para facilitar un enfoque dinámico y accesible que asegurara una participación diversa a nivel nacional debido a la combinación de la modalidad semipresencial. Se contó con la participación de destacadas personas profesionales de la Orientación (tanto nacionales como internacionales), así como de otras disciplinas, quienes abordaron temas esenciales como la actualización teórica, la empleabilidad, los contextos emergentes y el uso de tecnologías en el ámbito de la orientación vocacional. Como resultado, se logró potenciar las habilidades y conocimientos de las personas participantes, al brindarles herramientas prácticas para enfrentar los retos actuales en sus respectivos campos laborales. Las conclusiones obtenidas subrayan el impacto positivo de este tipo de eventos en el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de la disciplina orientadora; ya que fomenta la actualización integral y contemporánea acerca de la orientación vocacional en Costa Rica, aborda teorías y enfoques claves, asume una perspectiva crítica de su aplicación en el contexto nacional y profundiza en el desarrollo de la Orientación para el cumplimento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 de la UNESCO.

Epithelioid hemangioma is a rare neoplasm characterized by locally aggressive behavior and composed of small vessels lined by epithelioid endothelial cells. Its varied presentation poses diagnostic challenges because of its ability to mimic other tumors. An 18-year-old boy presented with a painful dorsal mass on the right wrist, exhibiting features on preoperative imaging consistent with an expansile, radiolucent lesion. Initial bone biopsy suggested potential diagnoses of aneurysmal bone cysts or enchondromas. Surgical intervention, including debridement, adjuvant therapy, and bone graft, was performed. Postoperative immunohistology on intraoperative samples showed the presence of vascular markers, providing a confirmatory diagnosis of epithelioid hemangioma The patient was followed and was able to perform activities without pain for 6 months after surgery. Epithelioid hemangioma of the bone, although uncommon, demands cautious diagnosis, employing advanced techniques like immunohistochemical staining for accurate identification.

Abstract Background Uganda has been confronted with a sustained influx of refugees for decades. This prompted the government to explore opportunities to integrate refugees into local service structures including its national health system. This paper chronicles the history of policies and strategies that have influenced the integration of refugees into the national health system in Uganda and investigates factors that impacted policy evolution and progression. Methods We used a case study approach that drew on a document review and key informant interviews with 28 respondents at national and subnational levels. Interviews were analyzed using thematic qualitative analysis and findings were organized using Walt and Gilson’s Policy Triangle Framework. Data from the literature review, media review, and key informant interviews were triangulated. Results Uganda’s experience with the integration of refugee’s dates to 1999 when the country first implemented the Self-reliance strategy. Since then, policy learning and evolution have taken place, with policies around integration evolving and improving over time, moving the country towards more effective implementation of integrated health services. A conducive policy environment was key as a set of legislations at national and district-levels and sector-specific plans and budgets that included refugees have provided the foundation for implementation. The integration received support and buy-in from the highest levels of government including the President and the Office of The Prime Minister. This was coupled with deliberate efforts by the government to mainstream refugee response in local plans and budgets, allowing implementation at district and sub-district levels. These factors were pivotal to the implementation of the integration agenda. Conclusion Our study highlights the complex, dynamic, evolving, and multifaceted nature of the multisectoral health policy process in the integration of health services in refugee settings. The findings shed light on the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, mobilization of legal and political frameworks to shape the integration of refugee health services into the national health system, and the importance of ensuring that high-level commitments translate to action and development plans at local levels.

Abstract Objective To explore IL11 co-expression profiles in our previously reported RNA-sequencing dataset of OA articular cartilage, in interaction with IL6, and to investigate the effects of hrIL11 administration as potential therapeutic strategy for OA articular cartilage using our biomimetic aged human osteochondral explant model of OA. Methods We used RNA-sequencing datasets of macroscopically preserved and lesioned OA articular cartilage (N = 35 patients). Spearman correlations were calculated between IL11 and IL6 expression levels and genes expressed in cartilage (N = 20048 genes). Osteochondral explants were isolated from macroscopically preserved and lesioned areas of the joint and were kept in culture for two weeks, with or without exposure to 200ng/ml hrIL11. Results We found no overlap in correlating genes between IL11 and IL6, indicating their distinct roles in articular cartilage. Moreover, we identified more genes being correlated to IL11 in the lesioned compared to preserved articular cartilage (N = 203 and 106 genes, respectively). Upon treatment of ex vivo OA articular cartilage with hrIL11, we overall observed unbeneficial effects on chondrocyte phenotype, as illustrated by upregulation of MMP13, EPAS1, RUNX2, and POSTN. We did not observe significant differences in Mankin scores upon addition of hrIL11. Conclusion The current study showed that treatment of OA articular cartilage with hrIL11 is unlikely to be beneficial despite previous indications of hrIL11 as potential druggable target. These findings underscore the importance of functionally investigating OA risk genes. Better understanding of IL11 signaling and the underlying pathways is necessary towards the development of OA treatment strategy.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder, and in patients treated with clozapine, it may induce or exacerbate obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), which negatively affect patients’ quality of life, functionality and treatment adherence. Despite its clinical relevance, the reported prevalence and characteristics of clozapine associated OCS vary widely, limiting effective management. Objective This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence of OCS in patients with schizophrenia treated with clozapine and explores treatment characteristics (types, severity, dose, and time to onset/exacerbation). Methods The PRISMA-ScR methodology guided the search in PubMed, LILACS, Embase, and Scielo. Observational studies in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and French reporting prevalence, incidence, or frequency of OCS in patients over 18 years with schizophrenia treated with clozapine were included. Clinical, qualitative studies, and those with access restrictions were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using JBI tools. Results Fourteen studies were included, reporting OCS prevalence between 20% and 76%, and de novo OCS between 4.8% and 46.4%. Clozapine dose ranged from 196 to 525 mg/day, and treatment duration from 5 to 210 months. The most common obsessions were aggression and checking, with severity ranging from mild to moderate. Conclusions The prevalence of OCS in patients treated with clozapine varies widely. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between dose, treatment duration, and the onset/exacerbation of OCS.

Abstract In this work we present the non-relativistic regime of the Hietarinta gravity theory and its extension to supergravity. At the bosonic level, we derive the non-relativistic version of the Hietarinta model by employing a contraction process and addressing the non-degeneracy of the invariant metric. To incorporate supersymmetry, we apply the Lie algebra expansion method to obtain the non-relativistic formulation of $${\mathcal {N}}=2$$ N = 2 Hietarinta supergravity. Our results reveal that the non-relativistic Hietarinta theory encompasses the extended Bargmann (super)gravity as a special case, yet it differs significantly from other existing non-relativistic (super)gravity models. Furthermore, we generalize our analysis to include a cosmological constant term in the non-relativistic Hietarinta (super)gravity action and examine its effects on the torsion structure.

Abstract Background Early childhood caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent oral disease among children worldwide, arising from multiple contributing factors. This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with ECC in preschool children attending a hospital in Ica, Peru. Methods This observational cross-sectional study involved 186 children evaluated during two dental health campaigns organised by a hospital in Ica, Peru. Oral examinations were conducted by two trained paediatric dentists, while haemoglobin levels were measured by two nurses. Mothers or caregivers completed questionnaires to provide relevant sociodemographic and behavioural data. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables significantly associated with ECC (p

La unidad minera objeto de estudio se ubica en el Perú y labora con empresas contratistas para la ejecución de sus proyectos en las actividades conexas. En ella, el empleador debe promover una cultura de prevención de riesgos laborales para la ejecución de sus actividades. En el presente artículo de investigación, se menciona la metodología ágil fundamentada en la identificación de sus procesos y el estado de desempeño en cada lineamiento del sistema de gestión de seguridad y salud ocupacional (SGSSO), los cuales se usaron como base para el diseño y la implementación de herramientas que permitan gestionar la medición y control del SGSSO. Los resultados obtenidos evidenciaron que la medición y el control oportuno del SGSSO permitieron incrementar el nivel de cumplimiento del 62% al 89% para prevenir los riesgos laborales, con lo que se logró culminar el proyecto de manera segura.

Abstract The clinical development of novel vaccines, injectable therapeutics, and oral chemoprevention drugs has the potential to deliver significant advancements in the prevention of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. These innovations could support regions in accelerating malaria control, transforming existing intervention packages by supplementing interventions with imperfect effectiveness or offering an entirely new tool. However, to layer new medical tools as part of an existing programme, malaria researchers must come to an agreement on the gaps that currently limit the effectiveness of medical interventions for moderate to low transmission settings. In this perspective, three crucial gaps that may prevent new therapeutics from being used to their fullest extent are presented. First, do burden reduction outcomes, which are typically monitored in studies of new medical products, sufficiently capture the broader goal of accelerating malaria control? Layering novel malaria products requires monitoring health outcomes that reflect the novel product’s targeted stage of the parasite life cycle, in addition to all-infection and prevalence-based outcomes. Second, what public health outcome does a novel medical prevention tool provide that existing malaria interventions cannot fully deliver? Novel medical tools should be developed not just for an incremental improvement in preventive efficacy over an existing product, but also to meet a gap in protection. Specifically, this means designing products with components that target parts of the parasite life cycle beyond the scope of existing therapeutics, and better addressing populations and settings not well covered by existing tools. Finally, when do the population-level benefits of a multi-tool prevention programme justify the individual-level outcomes from receiving multiple interventions? An individual-level perspective should be key for exploring when and how layering a novel prevention intervention can accelerate efforts towards P. falciparum malaria control.

Abstract Sebaceous free fatty acids are metabolized by multiple skin microbes into bioactive lipid mediators termed oxylipins. This study investigated correlations between skin oxylipins and microbes on the superficial skin of pre-pubescent children (N = 36) and adults (N = 100), including pre- (N = 25) and post-menopausal females (N = 25). Lipidomics and metagenomics revealed that Malassezia restricta positively correlated with the oxylipin 9,10-DiHOME on adult skin and negatively correlated with its precursor, 9,10-EpOME, on pre-pubescent skin. Co-culturing Malassezia with keratinocytes demonstrated a link between 9,10-DiHOME and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 production. We also observed strong correlations between other skin oxylipins and microbial taxa, highlighting life stage differences in sebum production and microbial community composition. Our findings imply a complex host-microbe communication system mediated by lipid metabolism occurring on human skin, warranting further research into its role in skin health and disease and paving the way towards novel therapeutic targets and treatments.

Abstract Background Radiotherapy is the primary treatment modality for most head and neck cancers (HNCs). Despite the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy to enhance its tumoricidal effects, almost a third of HNC patients suffer from locoregional relapses. Salvage therapy options for such recurrences are limited and often suboptimal, partly owing to divergent tumor and microenvironmental factors underpinning radioresistance. In this study, we utilized a combinatorial functionomics approach, the Quadratic Phenotypic Optimization Platform (QPOP), to rationally design drug pairings that exploit the molecular fingerprint and vulnerability of established in vitro isogenic radioresistant (RR)-HNC models. Methods A QPOP-specific protocol was applied to RR-HNC models to rank and compare all possible drug combinations from a 12-drug set comprising standard chemotherapy, small molecule inhibitors and targeted therapies specific to HNC. Drug combination efficacy was evaluated by computing combination index scores, and by measuring apoptotic response. Drug targeting was validated by western blot analyses, and the Comet assay was used to quantify DNA damage. Enhanced histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) efficacy in RR models was further examined by in vivo studies, and genetic and chemical inhibition of major Class I/II HDACs. Regulatory roles of HDAC6/SP1 axis were investigated using immunoprecipitation, gel shift and ChIP-qPCR assays. Comparative transcriptomic analyses were employed to determine the prognostic significance of targeting HDAC6. Results We report the therapeutic potential of combining panobinostat (pan-HDAC inhibitor) with AZD7762 (CHK1/2 inhibitor; AstraZeneca) or ionizing radiation (IR) to re-sensitize RR-HNC cells and showed increased DNA damage underlying enhanced synergy. We further refined this RR-specific drug combination and prioritized HDAC6 as a targetable dependency in reversing radioresistance. We provide mechanistic insights into HDAC6-mediated regulation via a crosstalk involving SP1 and oncogenic and repair genes. From two independent patient cohorts, we identified a four-gene signature that may have discriminative ability to predict for radioresistance and amenable to HDAC6 inhibition. Conclusion We have uncovered HDAC6 as a promising molecular vulnerability that should be explored to treat RR-HNC.

Abstract Background More than 800 million people are affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. In South Africa, the prevalence of CKD increased by 67% between 1999 and 2006. Haemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplant are the three main modalities used for managing end stage kidney disease. The cost of these therapies poses a significant burden to the health care system in South Africa. The aim of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of peritoneal dialysis versus haemodialysis from the societal perspective in South Africa. Methods A Markov model was constructed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis versus haemodialysis. The model was developed in excel and populated with clinical evidence and cost data synthesized from the literature. The costs and outcomes were estimated over a 5-year time-horizon. The outcomes were presented as quality-adjusted life years. Cost effectiveness was estimated using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was also conducted to assess the robustness of the results. A budget impact model was constructed to estimate the impact of PD and HD over a 5 year period. Results The total discounted costs per patient over 5 years were R788 384 for PD versus R1 227 708 for HD. The incremental cost for providing PD was estimated at -R438 875. The net QALYs for delivering PD compared to HD were estimated at -0.09. Cost effectiveness ratio for PD versus PD was R5 096 154/QALY. At a threshold of R38 500, PD provision has a 79% probability of being cost-effective relative to HD. The INMB was estimated at R328 574 for PD and R322 194 for HD indicating the cost-effectiveness of PD. The budget impact analysis showed that it would cost government approximately R25 billion over 5 years to treat all individuals eligible for KRT under the current scenario of 88% HD and 12% PD. Conclusions In South Africa, PD is shown to be cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of less than R38 500. A PD-preferred policy that considers clinical appropriateness and patients’ values should be considered.

Abstract Deep learning has proven capable of automating key aspects of histopathologic analysis. However, its context-specific nature and continued reliance on large expert-annotated training datasets hinders the development of a critical mass of applications to garner widespread adoption in clinical/research workflows. Here, we present an online collaborative platform that streamlines tissue image annotation to promote the development and sharing of custom computer vision models for PHenotyping And Regional Analysis Of Histology (PHARAOH; https://www.pathologyreports.ai/ ). Specifically, PHARAOH uses a weakly supervised, human-in-the-loop learning framework whereby patch-level image features are leveraged to organize large swaths of tissue into morphologically-uniform clusters for batched annotation by human experts. By providing cluster-level labels on only a handful of cases, we show how custom PHARAOH models can be developed efficiently and used to guide the quantification of cellular features that correlate with molecular, pathologic and patient outcome data. Moreover, by using our PHARAOH pipeline, we showcase how correlation of cohort-level cytoarchitectural features with accompanying biological and outcome data can help systematically devise interpretable morphometric models of disease. Both the custom model design and feature extraction pipelines are amenable to crowdsourcing, positioning PHARAOH to become a fully scalable, systems-level solution for the expansion, generalization and cataloging of computational pathology applications.

Abstract Background Increased levels of emotion dysregulation and impulsive behavior are overlapping symptoms in adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (aADHD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), both symptom domains reflecting on inhibitory control, although from different angles. Our aims were to describe their differences in the above conditions, investigate their associations with childhood traumatization, and to explore the potential mediation of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity between childhood traumas and personality functioning. Methods Young adults between 18 and 36 years diagnosed with aADHD (n = 100) and BPD (n = 63) were investigated with structured clinical interviews, while age-matched healthy controls (n = 100) were screened for psychiatric disorders. Patients with aADHD-BPD comorbidity were excluded from further analyses. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Level of Personality Functioning Scale, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form were administered to investigate trait measures and childhood traumatization, respectively. Behavioral impulsivity and delay aversion were assessed using selected tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, and a computerized decision-making paradigm based on the Rogers decision-making task, respectively. Results Significantly higher levels of emotion dysregulation and impulsivity were present both in the aADHD and BPD groups, however with different profiles. Waiting and stopping impulsivity was selectively higher among aADHD patients compared to healthy controls. The BPD group reported higher levels of emotion dysregulation in all domains, and demonstrated increased delay aversion among uncertain conditions in decision-making. Higher levels of childhood trauma were associated with emotion dysregulation, trait impulsivity, and delay aversion across groups. Emotion regulatory capacity played a significant mediating role between childhood traumatization and the level of personality functioning. Conclusions Inhibitory control profiles of the aADHD and BPD groups were divergent. Childhood traumatization was associated with lower levels of personality functioning in adulthood, independently of diagnosis, an effect mediated more by emotion dysregulation, rather than impulsivity. These findings have various clinical implications for the treatment of aADHD and BPD, including psychoeducation, pharmacological interventions, and psychotherapy targeting specific symptom domains.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial organelle associated with cellular homeostasis. Accumulation of improperly folded proteins results in ER stress, accompanied by the reaction involving triggering unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is mediated through ER membrane-associated sensors, such as protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endoribonuclease 1α, and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Prolonged stress triggers cell apoptotic reaction, resulting in cell death. Neuronal cells are especially susceptible to protein misfolding. Notably, ER and UPR malfunctions are linked to many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), delineated by accumulation of misfolded proteins. Notably, ATF family members play key roles in AD and PD pathogenesis. However, the connection between ER stress, UPR, and neuropathology is not yet fully understood. Here, we discuss our present knowledge of the association between ER stress, the UPR, and neurodegeneration in AD and PD. We also discuss the roles of ATF family members in AD and PD pathogenesis. Moreover, we provide a mechanistic clarification of how disease-related molecules affect ER protein homeostasis and explore recent findings that connect the UPR to neuronal plasticity.

Abstract Caves are primary sites for studying human and animal subsistence patterns and genetic ancestry throughout the Palaeolithic. Iberia served as a critical human and animal refugium in Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), 26.5 to 19 thousand years before the present (cal kya). Therefore, it is a key location for understanding human and animal population dynamics during this event. We recover and analyse sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) data from the lower archaeological stratigraphic sequence of El Mirón Cave (Cantabria, Spain), encompassing the (1) Late Mousterian period, associated with Neanderthals, and (2) the Gravettian (c. 31.5 cal kya), Solutrean (c. 24.5–22 cal kya), and Initial Magdalenian (d. 21–20.5 cal kya) periods, associated with anatomically modern humans. We identify 28 animal taxa including humans. Fifteen of these taxa had not been identified from the archaeozoological (i.e., faunal) record, including the presence of hyenas in the Magdalenian. Additionally, we provide phylogenetic analyses on 70 sedaDNA mtDNA genomes of fauna including the densest Iberian Pleistocene sampling of C. lupus. Finally, we recover three human mtDNA sequences from the Solutrean levels. These sequences, along with published data, suggest mtDNA haplogroup continuity in Iberia throughout the Solutrean/Last Glacial Maximum period.

Abstract Traditional medicine is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it is commonly integrated with modern orthodox medicine. This study examines the barriers that delay the pursuit of orthodox medical care for prostate cancer (PCa) in Ghana’s Central region, where a blend of traditional and modern orthodox medicine exists. The preference for indigenous traditional medicine often results in late-stage presentations of PCa, adversely affecting patient outcomes. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2022 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and in four local communities. We investigated why men prefer traditional over orthodox medicine and identified cultural beliefs, attitudes, and gaps in health awareness that contribute to delays in diagnosing and treating PCa. The study involved administering questionnaires, providing education on PCa, and conducting free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Research Committee of the Ghana Health Service. A total of 282 patients participated, including 268 men from the communities and 14 diagnosed with PCa at CCTH after initially consulting traditional healers. Of the community-recruited patients who underwent PSA testing, 26% had elevated PSA levels and underwent further diagnostic procedures. Ultimately, nine of 268 community patients were confirmed to have PCa. Most patients (57.4%) had limited education, which correlated with late presentations and various misconceptions about PCa. The study highlights significant cultural and economic barriers that lead to the late-stage presentation of PCa among men in Ghana’s Central region. There is a critical need for a culturally sensitive, multi-pronged strategy that enhances public education about the benefits of early diagnosis and fosters collaboration between traditional healers and orthodox healthcare providers to improve prostate cancer outcomes in Ghana.

Abstract Global nickel demand is projected to double by 2050 to support low-carbon technologies and renewable energy production. However, biomass carbon emissions from clearing vegetation for nickel mining are rarely included in corporate sustainability reports or considered in mineral sourcing decisions. Here, we compiled data for 481 nickel mines and undeveloped deposits to show that the footprint of nickel mining could be 4 to 500 times greater than previously reported (depending on the mine site), and thus the environmental impacts of nickel products, including batteries, have been underestimated to date. We found large variation in biomass losses among mines, and, in many cases, these unaccounted carbon emissions were significant relative to other Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from nickel extraction and processing. Reporting emissions from biomass losses from mining is key for strategic decision making on where to source nickel needed for effective climate action.

Abstract Background Immunothrombosis is the process by which the coagulation cascade interacts with the innate immune system to control infection. However, the formation of clots within the brain vasculature can be detrimental to the host. Recent work has demonstrated that Toxoplasma gondii infects and lyses central nervous system (CNS) endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, little is known about the effect of T. gondii infection on the BBB and the functional consequences of infection on cerebral blood flow (CBF) during the different stages of infection. Main body We demonstrate that brain endothelial cells upregulate the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and become morphologically more tortuous during acute T. gondii infection of mice. Longitudinal two-photon imaging of cerebral blood vessels during infection in mice revealed vascular occlusion in the brain, prompting an analysis of the coagulation cascade. We detected platelet-fibrin clots within the cerebral vasculature during acute infection. Analysis of CBF using longitudinal laser-speckle imaging during T. gondii infection demonstrated that CBF decreased during acute infection, recovered during stable chronic infection, and decreased again during reactivation of the infection induced by IFN-γ depletion. Finally, we demonstrate that treatment of mice with a low-molecular-weight heparin, an anticoagulant, during infection partially rescued CBF in T. gondii-infected mice without affecting parasite burden. Conclusions Our data provide insight into the host-pathogen interactions of a CNS parasite within the brain vasculature and suggest that thrombosis and changes in cerebral hemodynamics may be an unappreciated aspect of infection with T. gondii.

Abstract Background A health assets-based approach seeks to identify health-promoting or protective factors across multiple levels. Evidence of the health assets of refugees at the individual, family, and community levels in Australia is scarce. We aimed to synthesise current evidence from Australia to identify refugee health assets and explore how they influence health and well-being. We explored existing strengths that can be harnessed to ensure sustainable, equitable, and culturally responsive health interventions. Methods We systematically reviewed qualitative and quantitative observational and experimental Australian studies. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, psych INFO, Web of Science Core Collection and SCOPUS, and used Covidence software for screening and collating articles. We adapted a health assets model for this study using four intersectoral domains and applied it to data extraction and qualitative content analysis. Findings Twenty-nine observational studies were included in this review. Studies reported a relationship between health assets and improved physical, mental, and social well-being of refugees resettled in Australia. A sense of belonging and identity, resilience, acculturation, and well-being most frequently intersect with social capital. This was built through engagement with family and friend networks, participation within cohesive and friendly cultural and host communities, and involvement with religious and educational organisations. Access to education, employment, and community-based activities positively impacted the well-being of refugees. Conclusion A health assets model is a valuable approach to examining protective factors. Refugee social capital and connectedness are strongly linked to resilience, acculturation, health, and well-being. Further research is needed using participatory assets mapping to examine the effects of co-produced interventions that harness the assets of diverse refugee groups to improve health and well-being.

Background: Previous studies revealed diabetes mellitus subjects tend to have persistent apical periodontitis. Regenerative stem cells therapy through endodontic procedure is hoped to be a solution. This study assessed bone regeneration in diabetic rats with apical periodontitis through histopathological analysis of osteoblasts and immunohistochemical analysis of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Osterix. Methods: Diabetes mellitus and apical periodontitis was induced on 20 rats. Apical periodontitis was induced on mandibular right first molars under anesthesia. The teeth were left open for 7 days following access cavity and pulp extirpation, then the rats’ teeth were endodontically treated and randomly allocated into 4 groups (5 rats per group). The first and second groups was ended at 30 days (C30) and 60 days (C60) and labelled as control. The third and fourth groups was given umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and ended at 30 days (T30) and 60 days (T60). The osteoblasts, Runx2 and Osterix were analyzed. ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used for analysis. Differences with p values

Abstract Background The occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event is associated with biological differences that can represent the susceptibility to PTSD, the impact of trauma, or the sequelae of PTSD itself. These effects include differences in DNA methylation (DNAm), an important form of epigenetic gene regulation, at multiple CpG loci across the genome. Moreover, these effects can be shared or specific to both central and peripheral tissues. Here, we aim to identify blood DNAm differences associated with PTSD and characterize the underlying biological mechanisms by examining the extent to which they mirror associations across multiple brain regions. Methods As the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup, we conducted the largest cross-sectional meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) of PTSD to date, involving 5077 participants (2156 PTSD cases and 2921 trauma-exposed controls) from 23 civilian and military studies. PTSD diagnosis assessments were harmonized following the standardized guidelines established by the PGC-PTSD Workgroup. DNAm was assayed from blood using Illumina HumanMethylation450 or MethylationEPIC (850 K) BeadChips. Within each cohort, DNA methylation was regressed on PTSD, sex (if applicable), age, blood cell proportions, and ancestry. An inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis was performed. We conducted replication analyses in tissue from multiple brain regions, neuronal nuclei, and a cellular model of prolonged stress. Results We identified 11 CpG sites associated with PTSD in the overall meta-analysis (1.44e − 09

Abstract Introduction Globally, there has been a decline in the age of menarche; the decline is higher in poorer countries than in richer ones. The measurement of the decline was based on the reported mean age at menarche (MAM) across the countries. There is a significant knowledge gap in investigating the generational decline in MAM in low- and median-income countries (LMC). In Nigeria, different studies have reported MAM, but none have attempted to investigate the generational shift in the reported MAM in girls residing in rural and urban areas. This review sought to understand if there is a rural-urban disparity in the MAM. Methods Documents were searched in the relevant bibliometric database and Population intervention, comparison(s) and outcome (PICO) framework were used as eligibility criteria for extracting data from the documents based on some inclusion and exclusion criteria. The population are adolescent schoolgirls in rural and urban settlements in Nigeria. The comparator is the age of menarche of urban versus rural adolescent schoolgirls in Nigeria, while the mean age at menarche (MAM) is the outcome. Data quality assessment was done to critically appraise the included studies and enhance. Data were synthesized using narrative review, descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Ten articles were included in the study, following the PRISMA framework. The overall mean evaluation of the risk of bias in the individual studies included in the review was computed to be 88%. Generally, there seems to be a decline in the age at menarche from 1976 to 2023. The rural MAM is higher than the urban MAM, and the gap between the two appears to be narrowing. The t-test showed no statistically significant mean differences between the rural and urban mean age at menarche (T = 2.1009, p value = 0.4679). The mean menarcheal age for girls in rural and urban areas is 13.44 and 13.04, respectively. There is a strong positive correlation between the rural and urban MAMs (Pearson = 0.93, p

Abstract Background Studies investigating notions of a ‘good death’ tend to focus on specific medical conditions and specific groups of people. Therefore, their results are often poorly comparable, making it difficult to anticipate potential points of conflict in practice. Consequently, the study explores how to achieve a good death from the perspective and experience of physicians, nursing staff, and seniors. The aim of this study is to identify comparable notions of a good death among the participants and to determine factors that may promote or prevent a good death, including those that may lead to futile care. Methods The study used a qualitative design with a total of 16 focus group discussions, 5 each with physicians and nursing staff, and 6 with seniors at least 75 years old. The group size ranged between 3 and 9 participants. Analysis was carried out using Qualitative Content Analysis. Results Three major aspects affect the quality of death: (1) good communication and successful cooperation, (2) avoidance of death, and (3) acceptance of death. While successful communication and acceptance of death reinforce each other, successful communication counters avoidance of death and vice versa. Acceptance and avoidance of death are in constant tension. Additionally, the role of family and loved ones has been shown to be crucial in the organization of dying (e.g. communicating the patient’s wishes to health care professionals). Conclusions Communication and cooperation between patients and all involved caretakers determines quality of death. However, communication depends on several individual and organizational factors such as the personal level of acceptance or avoidance of death and the availability of institutionalized communication channels crossing professional and organizational boundaries. Furthermore, treatment cultures and organizational structures in hospitals and nursing homes often default towards life prolongation. This carries significant potential for problems, particularly because physicians emphasized the need to prevent hospital admissions when no further life-sustaining treatment is desired. In contrast, nurses and seniors were less aware that hospitals may not be the most suitable place for end-of-life care. This, along with the ambivalent role of nursing homes as places of death, holds potential for conflict. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00027076, 05/11/2021.

Previous studies have shown that foliar fungicides increase the abundance of Diaporthe spp. in mature soybean seeds, thereby reducing seed quality and potentially increasing seedling, stem, and pod disease in subsequent plantings. To mitigate this, we examined a fungicide containing mefentrifluconazole, fluxapyroxad, and pyraclostrobin applied during the R3 growth stage. We compared the seedborne fungal community from soybeans harvested at full maturity and 2 to 3 weeks later to assess fungal colonization. Six trials were conducted in Iowa and South Dakota in 2021 and 2022. Asymptomatic, recently harvested seed was assayed using either an agar-plate or a seed-blotter test, and the results were compared. The agar-plate method involved disinfesting seeds in sodium hypochlorite and ethanol and then transferring them to acidified water agar plates. Fungal isolates were identified using morphology and DNA sequences. This method detected 562 fungal isolates from 25 species and 14 genera. Dry conditions reduced seed infection, but a 2-week delay in harvest increased the likelihood of Alternaria and Cercospora infection in nontreated controls. The seed-blotter test involved disinfesting seeds, placing them on blotter paper, and incubating them. This assay detected higher numbers of fungal infected seed, with Aspergillus as the dominant genus. Storage conditions significantly impacted fungal presence, with more Aspergillus in seeds stored in a shed than in the cooler. Both assay methods showed that the fungicide treatment reduced the number of seeds infected with Alternaria, Cercospora, and Aspergillus. [Figure: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Abstract Radiotherapy is an integral modality in treating human cancers, but radioresistance remains a clinical challenge due to the involvement of multiple intrinsic cellular and extrinsic tumour microenvironment factors that govern radiosensitivity. To study the intrinsic factors that are associated with cancer radioresistance, we established 4 radioresistant prostate (22Rv1 and DU145) and head and neck cancer (FaDu and HK1) models by irradiating their wild-type parentals to 90 Gy, mimicking the fractionated radiotherapy schema that is often using in the clinic, and performed whole exome and transcriptome sequencing of the radioresistant and wild-type models. Comparative genomic analyses detected the enrichment of mismatch repair mutational signatures (SBS6, 14, 15, 20) across all the cell lines and several non-synonymous single nucleotide variants involved in pro-survival pathways. Despite significant inter-cell type heterogeneity of their transcriptomic profiles, 18 common dysregulated genes (5 upregulated and 13 downregulated) were identified across the 4 models, including the overexpression of bromo-adjacent homology domain containing 1 (BAHD1) gene, which is involved in heterochromatin formation. Interestingly, this coincided with our observation of increased histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) expression post-irradiation in our radioresistant cells. The dependency between BAHD1 and heterochromatin formation was confirmed by siRNA knockdown of BAHD1, indicating preferential reduction of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 expression in the radioresistant cells, but not the wild-type parentals, and confirmed by clonogenic assays showing reversal of radioresistance post-siBAHD1 treatment. We further showed that inhibition of the BAHD1-heterochromatin formation axis led to reduced DNA double-strand break repair. Finally, analyses of treatment outcomes in 4 prostate and head and neck cancer radiotherapy cohorts suggested an increased risk of failures in tumours of high heterochromatin activity. Taken together, our results support a new model implicating BAHD1-dependent modulation of the heterochromatin in acquired radioresistance of prostate and head and neck cancers.

Purpose Advancements in gastrointestinal surgery have directed attention toward optimizing recovery, including through the use of feeding methods that reduce prolonged postoperative hospital stays, complications, and mortality, among other undesirable outcomes. This study’s primary goals were to identify current peer-reviewed literature reporting the postoperative outcomes of elective bowel surgery and to evaluate the clinical evidence of patients’ tolerance to oral feeding following elective bowel surgery. Methods An exhaustive literature search was conducted via PubMed and Scopus. The search results were screened for potential articles, and articles were assessed for eligibility based on prespecified eligibility criteria. The data were synthesized, and the results were reported and discussed thematically. Results The database search yielded 1,667 articles, from which 18 randomized controlled trials were chosen for inclusion in this study. This study included 874 early oral feeding (EOF) patients, 865 traditional oral feeding patients, and 91 patients whose postoperative care was unspecified. Data synthesis was done, and meta-analyses were conducted. The results showed that EOF patients required a significantly shorter time to tolerate a solid diet and had shorter hospital stays. In addition, bowel function was restored earlier in EOF groups. Conclusion The results show good tolerance to EOF, shorter hospitalizations, and faster restoration of bowel function, suggesting that EOF after elective bowel surgery is relatively safe. However, further studies with similar baseline conditions should be conducted to verify these results.

Acacia crassicarpa wood is widely used in Indonesia as a raw material for dissolving pulp (DP) by the kraft-cooking process. Given that Indonesia has a rich variety and abundance of cellulose-rich wood, it is deemed crucial to research alternative raw materials, such as Terminalia catappa wood. As an alternative source of raw material, Terminalia catappa possesses excellent adaptability to various environmental conditions and is easy to grow everywhere. The current research sought to produce DP using the mixtures of materials from these two plant species as raw materials by pre-hydrolysis, kraft-cooking, and Elementary Chlorine Free (ECF) bleaching. The DP produced had ISO brightness > 88%, alpha-cellulose content > 94%, viscosity > 6.2 cP, and pentosan content of 2.54%. The DP quality traits have met the SNI 938:2017 standards for rayon-grade pulp. Acacia Crassicarpa and Terminalia Catappa are the prospective wood mixture for producing high-quality dissolving pulp via the kraft-cooking process.

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and renal artery stenosis (RAS) standing out as significant contributors to the vascular pathology spectrum. While these conditions have traditionally been approached as distinct entities, emerging evidence suggests a compelling interdependent relationship between AAA and RAS, challenging the conventional siloed understanding. The confluence of AAA and RAS represents a complex interplay within the cardiovascular system, one that is often overlooked in clinical practice and research. Here, we reveal a bidirectional consequential impact between these two diseases. The location of the AAA sac was investigated for its specific influence on the risk of RAS development. Although studies have shown a higher coincidence between the suprarenal AAA and RAS, our findings demonstrated that the presence of a suprarenal AAA correlated with the lowest risk of RAS development among the three investigated AAA locations. Notably, we also highlighted that the pre-existence of stenosis in the renal artery poses an elevated risk for the formation of suprarenal AAA, assessed by an increased wall shear stress gradient on the aortic wall. Our findings prompt a paradigm shift in the understanding and treatment of AAA and RAS in clinical practice.

Abstract The transition from secondary school to college or university is a well-known and well-studied risk period for weight and/or fat gain and not meeting the dietary recommendations. Higher education acts as a promising setting to implement nutrition interventions. An important condition for intervention success is that interventions are implemented as intended by the protocol and integrated in the institutional policy. Unfortunately, to date, there is only little understanding of the factors influencing adoption and implementation of nutrition interventions in higher education settings. This study aimed to provide insight into stakeholders’ perspectives on facilitators and barriers to adoption and implementation of nutrition interventions promoting healthy and sustainable diets among higher education students in Flanders. Eight online group interviews and three online individual interviews were conducted involving a total of 37 stakeholders (e.g., staff of student services and student restaurants) from ten Flemish higher education institutions with varying food policy quality scores, and one external catering company which provides catering in higher education institutions. A semi-structured interview guide based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR-framework) was used to facilitate the interviews. Afterwards, the data were analyzed using a combined inductive and deductive thematic approach led by the CFIR-framework. Most of the institutions’ food policies focused on the provision and promotion of healthy and sustainable nutrition. Therefore, the reported factors in the present study consequently relate primarily to these two strategies. Stakeholders preferred to adopt low cost and institution-tailored interventions supported by experts and evidence, considering them easier and less resourceful to implement in the specific context of the institution. They stressed the importance of considering both students’ and institution stakeholders’ needs and perspectives in the development of nutrition interventions and implementation plans. Furthermore, interventions should be focused on a combination of different ecological levels and various strategies. Future interventions should be developed participatively and should be focused on a combination of both individual and environmental levels. Higher education institutions are encouraged to use opportunities such as creating win–win situations within the institution, working together with research groups and engaging students through student associations. The findings of this research add to the literature on implementation science and inform future development and implementation of nutrition interventions in higher education settings.

Abstract Introduction The rate of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries has been increasing globally, including in low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. Understanding the trends, patterns, and socio-demographic determinants of C-section deliveries is crucial for improving maternal healthcare services and reducing unnecessary surgical interventions. This study aims to assess the trend and factors associated with CS deliveries in Ghana using secondary data from the District Health Information Management System 2 (DHIMS-2) database. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing secondary data extracted from the District Health Information Management System 2 (DHIMS-2) database covering a period of five years (2017–2021). The data included information on C-section deliveries from both public and private health facilities in Ghana. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted to explore the associations between socio-demographic factors and C-section delivery. Results The study findings revealed that a significant proportion of women who underwent C-section deliveries had formal education up to the JHS/Middle school level. Most of the deliveries occurred in hospitals and government-owned facilities. The study also observed that more than half of the women had a C-section delivery, with the highest percentage occurring in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the majority of women had health insurance coverage. Conclusion Ghana’s high C-section rate is a concern, driven by increased availability, socio-demographic factors, and regional healthcare disparities. Advanced maternal age, higher education, and formal employment increase the likelihood of C-sections. To address this, Ghana needs to strengthen antenatal care, promote natural childbirth, and improve access to quality healthcare facilities. To reduce unnecessary C-sections and enhance maternal health, Ghana should develop national guidelines, allocate resources to strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure, and launch public awareness campaigns. By implementing these strategies, Ghana can reduce C-sections by 20–30%, lower maternal morbidity and mortality rates, and improve newborn health outcomes. This will prioritize maternal health and ensure better outcomes for mothers and newborns nationwide.

In September 2020, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocated $12 million to support engagement with historically marginalized communities hardest hit by COVID-19. The award was designed to mobilize community-engagement in pandemic response, and to support partnerships as part of the NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities. All aspects of the award were fast-tracked, and NIH utilized a ‘more flexible’ funding mechanism (OTA) to facilitate swift distribution of funds. In this paper, we draw upon an analysis of findings from a 2021 survey conducted with 11 California CEAL sites representing urban and rural settings, private and public universities, and established and new community partners and qualitative analysis of 2020–2022 site-wide meeting minutes. We describe the challenges posed at the federal (e.g. NIH funding), university, and community–university partnership levels as well as opportunities and creative workarounds. Challenges include delays in subcontracts and payments to community partners that undermined trust and reproduced unequal and hierarchical power relationships. We build upon our findings and collective experience to propose a framework for decolonized fiscal relationships between universities and community partners which contains key recommendations for funders, universities, and community partners.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el papel de la comunicación de riesgo en la respuesta a casos de eventos supuestamente adversos atribuibles a la vacunación e inmunización en países de las Américas.

La interactividad y la flexibilidad, constituyen propiedades reconocidas de la educación virtual, que posibilitan el acceso a contenido educativo desde cualquier lugar y momento mediante el empleo interactivo de plataformas digitales y herramientas educativas en línea. Se desarrolló un proceso investigativo a partir de los preceptos metodológicos del enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño no experimental y un estudio predictivo de corte transversal, dirigido a analizar si la interactividad con docentes y otros estudiantes, y la flexibilidad de la organización temporal, predicen la satisfacción de los estudiantes con las actividades asíncronas de la educación virtual en la carrera de Ingeniería en Tecnologías de la Información de la Facultad de Ciencias Matemáticas y Físicas de la Universidad de Guayaquil. A partir de la información obtenida del análisis del modelo predictivo concebido en la investigación, se revela que la posibilidad de realizar intercambios interactivos asincrónicos con docentes y con otros estudiantes, además de la flexibilidad horaria de esta modalidad educativa al permitir ajustar a las condiciones personales la organización temporal de la actividad docente, determinan el nivel de satisfacción que los estudiantes de la muestra tienen con las actividades asíncronas de la educación virtual. Entre las áreas de desarrollo que pueden propiciar investigaciones en el futuro, relacionadas con la temática tratada, se identifican las comparaciones valorativas entre las actividades síncronas y asíncronas además de la consideración de la influencia de otras variables predictivas que influyan en la satisfacción de los estudiantes durante la educación virtual.

Abstract Background Cognitive reserve allows for resilience to neuropathology, potentially through active compensation. Here, we examine ex vivo electrophysiological evidence for active compensation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) focusing on the cholinergic innervation of layer 6 in prefrontal cortex. Cholinergic pathways are vulnerable to neuropathology in AD and its preclinical models, and their modulation of deep layer prefrontal cortex is essential for attention and executive function. Methods We functionally interrogated cholinergic modulation of prefrontal layer 6 pyramidal neurons in two preclinical models: a compound transgenic AD mouse model that permits optogenetically-triggered release of endogenous acetylcholine and a transgenic AD rat model that closely recapitulates the human trajectory of AD. We then tested the impact of therapeutic interventions to further amplify the compensated responses and preserve the typical kinetic profile of cholinergic signaling. Results In two AD models, we found potentially compensatory upregulation of functional cholinergic responses above non-transgenic controls after onset of pathology. To identify the locus of this enhanced cholinergic signal, we dissected key pre- and post-synaptic components with pharmacological strategies. We identified a significant and selective increase in post-synaptic nicotinic receptor signalling on prefrontal cortical neurons. To probe the additional impact of therapeutic intervention on the adapted circuit, we tested cholinergic and nicotinic-selective pro-cognitive treatments. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase further enhanced endogenous cholinergic responses but greatly distorted their kinetics. Positive allosteric modulation of nicotinic receptors, by contrast, enhanced endogenous cholinergic responses and retained their rapid kinetics. Conclusions We demonstrate that functional nicotinic upregulation occurs within the prefrontal cortex in two AD models. Promisingly, this nicotinic signal can be further enhanced while preserving its rapid kinetic signature. Taken together, our work suggests that compensatory mechanisms are active within the prefrontal cortex that can be harnessed by nicotinic receptor positive allosteric modulation, highlighting a new direction for cognitive treatment in AD neuropathology.

Introducción: La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, autoinmune, sistémica. El diagnóstico temprano, la implementación de un tratamiento bajo objetivos específicos, estrictos y el desarrollo de nuevos tratamientos han mejorado el pronóstico de los pacientes. Objetivo: Proporcionar información detallada sobre las características demográficas, clínicas y terapéuticas de los pacientes con AR en el país. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, de una cohorte de pacientes con AR, de tres centros de tercer nivel en Paraguay. Se analizaron variables clínico-epidemiológicas, actividad de la enfermedad, tratamiento, erosiones radiológicas y grado de discapacidad. Las variables cualitativas se expresaron en frecuencias y porcentajes, y las cuantitativas en medias con el desvío estándar. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio a 426 pacientes con diagnóstico de AR, 84,5% mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 56,8 ± 14,09 años, y una duración de enfermedad de 12,7±19,6 años. El 53,3% tenía una educación escolar básica. El 25,5% tenía manifestaciones extra-articulares. 71,4% tenían anti-CCP positivo y el 69,2% Factor Reumatoide positivo. El 68,2% recibía metotrexato, y el 39% estaba en remisión por DAS 28. Más del 60% tenían al menos una comorbilidad, siendo la hipertensión arterial sistémica y la obesidad las más frecuentes. Conclusión: Presentamos la fase preliminar de una cohorte multicéntrica de pacientes con AR que revela la realidad de los pacientes paraguayos. En esta cohorte de pacientes con AR ya establecida, existe un predominio de mujeres. Las características clínicas evidenciaron un predominio de factores de mal pronóstico. La forma de inicio más frecuente fue la poliarticular, en su gran mayoría eran seropositivos y a títulos altos. Un tercio de los pacientes presentaba manifestaciones extra-articulares, siendo la más frecuente el ojo seco. Más del 60% tenían al menos una comorbilidad, siendo la HTA y la obesidad las más frecuentes.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are highly prevalent and a significant cause of morbidity. Image-guided superficial radiation therapy (IGSRT) uses integrated high-resolution dermal ultrasound to improve lesion visualization, but it is unknown whether efficacy varies by histology. This large retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the effect of tumor histology on freedom from recurrence in 20,069 biopsy-proven NMSC lesions treated with IGSRT, including 9928 BCCs (49.5%), 5294 SCCs (26.4%), 4648 SCCIS cases (23.2%), and 199 lesions with ≥2 NMSCs (1.0%). Freedom from recurrence at 2, 4, and 6 years was 99.60%, 99.45%, and 99.45% in BCC; 99.58%, 99.49%, and 99.49% in SCC; and 99.96%, 99.80%, and 99.80% in SCCIS. Freedom from recurrence at 2, 4, and 6 years following IGSRT did not differ significantly comparing BCC vs. non-BCC or SCC vs. non-SCC but were slightly lower among SCCIS vs. non-SCCIS (p = 0.002). There were no significant differences in freedom from recurrence when stratifying lesions by histologic subtype. This study demonstrates that there is no significant effect of histology on freedom from recurrence in IGSRT-treated NMSC except in SCCIS. These findings support IGSRT as a first-line therapeutic option for NMSC regardless of histology.

El artículo presenta un fotómetro de bajo costo para la enseñanza experimental, diseñado para determinar cromo hexavalente en soluciones acuosas, basado en la detección de iones cromato de color amarillo con una luz ultravioleta a 373 nm. Este procedimiento reemplaza al método colorimétrico que emplea un espectrofotómetro para la detección del complejo 1.5-difenilcarbazida de color rojo-violeta a 540 nm. Para demostrar el funcionamiento del fotómetro se evaluó la ley de Beer-Lambert mediante la técnica de regresión lineal y se compararon los valores de absorbancia obtenidas por el fotómetro con un espectrofotómetro UV-Vis de marca Shimadzu de la serie UV-2600 en cinco muestras de cromo hexavalente en el rango de 1 – 25 mg L-1. Los resultados experimentales demostraron la linealidad requerida por la ley de Beer-Lambert con un coeficiente de determinación de 0,9988, y similitud entre ambos instrumentos analíticos con una relación de 1,0041 entre los valores de absorbancia con un coeficiente de determinación de 0,9993. En conclusión, el fotómetro de bajo costo es una excelente propuesta para la enseñanza de la ley de Beer-Lambert en el aula porque reduce la formación de residuos y prescinde de los reactivos del método colorimétrico.

Abstract The use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is now well established in healthcare as an essential support tool for patient management in various clinical settings. Its use in sports is rapidly expanding due to the valuable insights it offers, helping to better structure athletes’ diets and training programs, thereby optimizing their performance. In the context of sport, however, there is a consensus regarding the importance of proper interpretation of BIA-derived data, which cannot be limited to mere estimation of body composition. In this sense, therefore, the evaluation and interpretation of raw bioelectrical parameters, including resistance, reactance, and phase angle (PhA) is of relevant importance. The assessment of PhA is particularly significant in the context of sports, as it is closely linked to key factors such as muscle mass, strength, and overall muscle quality. However, the existing relationship between PhA and systemic, and loco-regional inflammation, which, in a broader sense, is the rationale behind its use for assessing and monitoring localised muscle damage. Thus, the importance of PhA monitoring during training becomes evident, as it plays a crucial role in assessing and potentially identifying functional impairments, such as overtraining syndrome, as well as muscle injury and related changes in fluid distribution, at an early stage. The aim of this review is to provide the scientific basis necessary to consider the use of whole-body PhA as an indicator of overtraining.

Abstract The impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on neurocognition in Africa is a pressing public health issue, with profound implications for both individual well-being and healthcare systems across the continent. This narrative review aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between HIV infection and neurocognitive function, particularly focusing on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and neuropathological changes. Evidence from Africa emphasizes the variability in the prevalence of neurocognitive impairment among people living with HIV. For instance, a meta-analysis showed that Central and South Africa had the highest pooled prevalence of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) (49.33%), followed by East Africa (45.04%) and West Africa (42.40%). These differences may reflect varying ART coverage, healthcare infrastructure, and the prevalence of co-infections like tuberculosis highlighting the importance of region-specific interventions and support services tailored to local contexts. Furthermore, challenges such as late diagnosis, methodological variations, treatment non-adherence, and limited access to specialized care exacerbate the burden of neurocognitive impairment in this setting. Addressing the complex intersection of HIV and neurocognition in Africa requires a multifaceted approach involving various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and community organizations. Enhancing awareness, education, and capacity- building initiatives can improve early detection and management of neurocognitive disorders among individuals living with HIV. Moreover, investment in infrastructure and resources for neurocognitive care, including diagnostic tools and rehabilitation services, is essential to meet the growing needs of this population. Additionally, promoting research collaboration and knowledge exchange is important for advancing our understanding of HIV-related neurocognitive impairment and developing evidence-based interventions. By fostering partnerships between academia, healthcare institutions, and governmental agencies, we can facilitate the translation of research findings into policy and practice, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by HAND in Africa.

Abstract Background Periparturient reproductive complications appear to be common in hospitalized goats. More information is needed about periparturient reproductive complications and survival in goats with these conditions. Objective Identify exposure factors associated with nonsurvival in periparturient does hospitalized ≤1 day or ≥2 days. Animals A total of 198 periparturient does presented to 9 university veterinary hospitals from October 2021 to June 2022. Methods Multicenter, matched case‐control study. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify exposure factors associated with nonsurvival in periparturient does hospitalized ≤1 day or ≥2 days. Results Overall doe survival was 79% (156/198). Survival in the 1st day of hospitalization was 71% (52/73) and survival in does hospitalized ≥2 days was 83% (104/125). Among goats hospitalized ≤1 day, labor duration before admission (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; P = .04), uterine tears (OR = 48.2; P

Abstract Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by motor and cognitive impairments, that affects >1% of the population over the age of 60. The pathogenesis of PD is complex and remains largely unknown. Due to the cellular heterogeneity of the human brain and changes in cell type composition with disease progression, this complexity cannot be fully captured with bulk tissue studies. To address this, we generated single-nucleus RNA sequencing and whole-genome sequencing data from 100 postmortem cases and controls, carefully selected to represent the entire spectrum of PD neuropathological severity and diverse clinical symptoms. The single nucleus data were generated from five brain regions, capturing the subcortical and cortical spread of PD pathology. Rigorous preprocessing and quality control were applied to ensure data reliability. Committed to collaborative research and open science, this dataset is available on the AMP PD Knowledge Platform, offering researchers a valuable tool to explore the molecular bases of PD and accelerate advances in understanding and treating the disease.

Abstract Background Our aim was to investigate oral health in newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients in relation to long-term survival. We assessed whether the level of alveolar bone loss due to periodontitis at diagnosis, measured from orthopantomogram (OPG), and reported dental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores obtained at diagnosis contain prognostic information for HNSCC patients. Methods A total of 79 patients from a consecutive cohort of 106 diagnosed with HNSCC between November 2002 and June 2005 were included. All patients reported dental HRQoL, OPG-determined alveolar bone loss were measured in 79 patients at diagnosis. Reduced alveolar bone loss (≥ 4 mm) from cement-enamel junction on at least two molars or premolars registered both horizontally and vertically served as indicator of periodontal disease. Results With alveolar bone loss, we determined increased mortality by univariate analysis (RR = 2.28, CI: 1.22–4.28, p = 0.01) and a strong trend by multivariate analyses adjusted for standard clinical information (RR = 1.95, CI: 0.98–3.87, p = 0.056). Reported lowered dental HRQoL scores predicted long-term survival in both univariate (RR = 3.58, CI: 1.99–6.45, p

Abstract Previous pattern electroretinogram studies indicate reduced retinal contrast gain in patients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) which may contribute to alterations in visual perception. In line, psychophysical investigations reported elevated contrast thresholds in MDD. This study aims to gain insights into higher-level processing of visual information in MDD by evaluating contrast suppression. We examined contrast suppression of 21 MDD patients and 23 healthy controls (HC) using four different stimulus conditions (spatial frequencies 6.3 and 12.6 cpd at 30% and 60% background contrast) in a psychophysical test. Participants were instructed to adjust perceived contrasts between two vertical target patches, embedded in a horizontally or vertically oriented grid background. With finer stimulus gratings, MDD patients exhibited less contrast suppression compared to HC, particularly when the stimulus contrast was high (p = 0.006; MDD vs. HC = − 45%). Contrast suppression in the HC group was significantly reduced for the coarse compared to the fine grating, while contrast suppression scores in MDD did not change with the spatial properties of the stimulus. The reduced contrast suppression in patients with MDD supports the hypothesis of altered dopaminergic neurotransmission and could be attributed to alterations in the retinal receptive fields or in dysfunctional adaptation mechanisms in depression.

Abstract Background Neoantigen-targeting therapies including personalized vaccines have shown promise in the treatment of cancers, particularly when used in combination with checkpoint blockade therapy. At least 100 clinical trials involving these therapies have been initiated globally. Accurate identification and prioritization of neoantigens is crucial for designing these trials, predicting treatment response, and understanding mechanisms of resistance. With the advent of massively parallel DNA and RNA sequencing technologies, it is now possible to computationally predict neoantigens based on patient-specific variant information. However, numerous factors must be considered when prioritizing neoantigens for use in personalized therapies. Complexities such as alternative transcript annotations, various binding, presentation and immunogenicity prediction algorithms, and variable peptide lengths/registers all potentially impact the neoantigen selection process. There has been a rapid development of computational tools that attempt to account for these complexities. While these tools generate numerous algorithmic predictions for neoantigen characterization, results from these pipelines are difficult to navigate and require extensive knowledge of the underlying tools for accurate interpretation. This often leads to over-simplification of pipeline outputs to make them tractable, for example, limiting prediction to a single RNA isoform or only summarizing the top ranked of many possible peptide candidates. In addition to variant detection, gene expression, and predicted peptide binding affinities, recent studies have also demonstrated the importance of mutation location, allele-specific anchor locations, and variation of T-cell response to long versus short peptides. Due to the intricate nature and number of salient neoantigen features, presenting all relevant information to facilitate candidate selection for downstream applications is a difficult challenge that current tools fail to address. Results We have created pVACview, the first interactive tool designed to aid in the prioritization and selection of neoantigen candidates for personalized neoantigen therapies including cancer vaccines. pVACview has a user-friendly and intuitive interface where users can upload, explore, select, and export their neoantigen candidates. The tool allows users to visualize candidates at multiple levels of detail including variant, transcript, peptide, and algorithm prediction information. Conclusions pVACview will allow researchers to analyze and prioritize neoantigen candidates with greater efficiency and accuracy in basic and translational settings. The application is available as part of the pVACtools software at pvactools.org and as an online server at pvacview.org.

Abstract The 4T1 model is extensively employed in murine studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of triple-negative breast cancer. Molecular biology serves as a cornerstone in these investigations. However, accurate gene expression analyses necessitate data normalization employing housekeeping genes (HKGs) to avert spurious results. Here, we initially delve into the characteristics of the tumor evolution induced by 4T1 in mice, underscoring the imperative for additional tools for tumor monitoring and assessment methods for tracking the animals, thereby facilitating prospective studies employing this methodology. Subsequently, leveraging various software platforms, we assessed ten distinct HKGs (GAPDH, 18 S, ACTB, HPRT1, B2M, GUSB, PGK1, CCSER2, SYMPK, ANKRD17) not hitherto evaluated in the 4T1 breast cancer model, across tumors and diverse tissues afflicted by metastasis. Our principal findings underscore GAPDH as the optimal HKG for gene expression analyses in tumors, while HPRT1 emerged as the most stable in the liver and CCSER2 in the lung. These genes demonstrated consistent expression and minimal variation among experimental groups. Furthermore, employing these HKGs for normalization, we assessed TNF-α and VEGF expression in tissues and discerned significant disparities among groups. We posit that this constitutes the inaugural delineation of an ideal HKG for experiments utilizing the 4T1 model, particularly in vivo settings.

Abstract Background Individuals with a higher level of awareness and knowledge of HPV are more likely to dispel misconceptions about HPV and reduce their likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior. Behavioural change can be achieved through interventions such as participatory action research (PAR), which has been applied in various contexts. Few studies have reported on the use of PAR in Nigeria. This study aims to utilise PAR as an intervention to increase HPV awareness, improve knowledge of HPV infection, and promote behavioural change for HPV prevention among young adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods The study design uses a school-based, pre-post intervention approach with a cross-sectional component. Study participants are young adolescents aged 10–19 years in selected co-educational secondary schools in three local government areas (LGAs) spread across the three senatorial zones in Benue State, Nigeria. Two-stage sampling was used to select the LGAs and schools, and the sample size was computed using the before and after implementation with some prior information from a previous study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, HPV awareness and knowledge of infection and prevention, prevention practices, and willingness for HPV vaccination were obtained with a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Vaccination and HPV Knowledge (THinK) survey. The HPV Knowledge survey (New Zealand) was utilized to collect information from students at baseline and post-implementation after PAR intervention. The Wilcoxon Signed Test (WST) was used to investigate the significance of the median differences before and after the intervention. A p-value less than 0.05 or 0.001 was considered significant. Results A total of 548 adolescents were sampled before the intervention. After the intervention, the sample size decreased to 503, reflecting an 8% attrition rate. PAR effectively increased HPV awareness among the participants from 80.9% before the intervention to 99.8% afterward. The PAR led to a significant change in knowledge of HPV infection and primary prevention and an increase in perception of HPV primary prevention. decrease in misconceptions and risky sexual behaviours, increase in HIV screening tests, and increase in the willingness of participants to uptake the HPV vaccine. Among the measures of risky sexual behaviours was a decreased perception that having more than one sexual partner is not a risk factor for HPV after the PAR intervention. The number of participants in sexual relationships decreased from 84 (16.7%) at baseline to 37 (7.4%) post-implementation. The PAR also led to a decrease in the number of participants who reported having STDs. The Wilcoxon Signed test was further disaggregated based on sex (male and female), school funding type (public and private), and school class level (junior and senior). Conclusions PAR led to a significant increase in awareness and knowledge of HPV, knowledge of different aspects of HPV infection, and willingness to uptake the HPV vaccine. Additionally, the study has provided evidence that PAR interventions can be a viable tool in delaying sexual initiation and reducing sexual behavioural tendencies, especially in high-risk groups.

Abstract Kinematic data is a valuable source of movement information that provides insights into the health status, mental state, and motor skills of individuals. Additionally, kinematic data can serve as biometric data, enabling the identification of personal characteristics such as height, weight, and sex. In CeTI-Locomotion, four types of walking tasks and the 5 times sit-to-stand test (5RSTST) were recorded from 50 young adults wearing motion capture (mocap) suits equipped with Inertia-Measurement-Units (IMU). Our dataset is unique in that it allows the study of both intra- and inter-participant variability with high quality kinematic motion data for different motion tasks. Along with the raw kinematic data, we provide the source code for phase segmentation and the processed data, which has been segmented into a total of 4672 individual motion repetitions. To validate the data, we conducted visual inspection as well as machine-learning based identity and action recognition tests, achieving 97% and 84% accuracy, respectively. The data can serve as a normative reference of gait and sit-to-stand movements in healthy young adults and as training data for biometric recognition.

Abstract Plasmodium vivax, a challenging species to eliminate, causes millions of malaria cases globally annually. Developing an effective vaccine is crucial in the fight against vivax malaria, but considering the limited number of studies focusing on the identification and development of P. vivax-specific vaccine candidates, exploring new antigens is an urgent need. The merozoite protein CyRPA is essential for P. falciparum growth and erythrocyte invasion and corresponds to a promising candidate antigen. In P. vivax, a single study with multiple vaccine candidates indicates PvCyRPA with strong association with protection, outperforming classic malaria vaccine candidates. However, little is known about the specific naturally acquired response in the Americas, as well as the antigen epitope mapping. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the cellular and humoral immune response elicited against PvCyRPA in Brazilian endemic areas to identify the existence of immunodominant regions and the potential of this protein as a single or even a multi-stage specific malaria vaccine candidate for P. vivax. The results demonstrated that PvCyRPA is naturally immunogenic in Brazilian Amazon individuals previously exposed to malaria, which presented anti-PvCyRPA cytophilic antibodies. Moreover, our data show that the protein also possesses important immunogenic regions with an overlap of B and T cell epitopes. These data reinforce the possibility of including PvCyRPA in vaccine formulations for P. vivax.

Abstract Recent seismic tomography unveiled complex mantle plume structures diverging from the originally proposed single, narrow, and vertically-oriented plume conduits, which necessitates new perspectives on the mechanism of hotspot motion. While several recent endeavours have focused on Pacific hotspots’ motion, knowledge of others remains limited. Here we constrain the motions of the Kerguelen hotspot within the Indian Ocean by obtaining robust 40Ar/39Ar ages for the Ninetyeast Ridge, Earth’s longest linear volcanic ridge. These data indicate varying volcanic progression rates along the ridge, contrasting to a constant rate as previously documented. Combined with constraints on the Indian Plate motion and seafloor spreading, we reveal four periods of motions of the hotspot caused by its interactions with the Indian–Antarctic spreading ridge. This suggests that mantle plume lateral flows are susceptible to changes in shallow mantle convection due to the existence of horizontal ponding zones and vertical conduits, especially in the shallow asthenosphere.