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Abstract Background Menopause is an important period in women’s life. It is characterized by many symptoms that affect women’s quality of life. This study aimed to the evaluation of the relation between vitamin D levels and menopause-related symptoms. Results Vitamin D insufficiency was noted in 52.4% of the studied population. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the menopausal rating scale dimensions, psychological symptoms (p = 0.16), somato-vegetative symptoms (p = 0.45), or urogenital symptoms (p = 0.59), between vitamin D sufficient and insufficient groups. The severity of the menopausal symptoms was affected by the presence of medical illness (p

Background: Prostate cancer is common among men, and awareness can reduce associated deaths. Low knowledge of prostate cancer screening and wrong perceptions about prostate cancer leads to poor screening practices. Our study assessed knowledge, attitude and practice towards prostate cancer screening among male adults at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study used a random sampling technique to select men attending the hospital. Data was collected using a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, personal and familiar medical history of prostate cancer, knowledge about prostate cancer and its screening. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Results: One hundred and thirty-two (132) men participated in the study. Participants ranged from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 41.57. This study found that while 72% of respondents had heard of prostate cancer, only 43.9% had knowledge of prostate cancer screening. Age was associated with prostate cancer screening knowledge (COR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.54, p

Introduction: Cardiac biomarkers soluble ST2 (sST2) and galectin-3 may reflect cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. It is plausible that these mechanisms may also contribute to the progression of kidney disease. We examined associations of sST2 and galectin-3 with kidney function decline in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This was a pooled analysis of 2 longitudinal cohorts of participants with CKD: the Clinical Phenotyping and Resource Biobank (C-PROBE) study and the Seattle Kidney Study (SKS). We measured circulating concentrations of sST2 and galectin-3 at baseline. Our primary outcome was progression to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

Background: Respectful maternity care (RMC) is a rights‐based approach to childbirth that centers the dignity, autonomy, and well‐being of birthing women. This study aimed to examine factors associated with RMC among women giving birth in Tanzania and to examine whether HIV status was associated with self‐reported RMC. Methods: We enrolled 229 postpartum women in six clinics in the Kilimanjaro Region; of them, 103 were living with HIV. Participants completed a survey within 48 h after birth before being discharged. RMC was measured using a 30‐item scale with three subscales (dignity and respect; supportive care; communication and autonomy), each standardized from 0 to 100. Univariable and multivariable regression models examined factors associated with RMC. Results: The median score of the full RMC score was 74, differing slightly by subscale: 83 for dignity and respect, 76 for supportive care, and 67 for communication and autonomy. RMC did not differ by HIV status (median 67.0 vs. 67.0, p = 0.89). In multivariable linear regression, women who would not recommend the birth facility to their friends and who did not receive breastfeeding education had significantly lower RMC scores on the full RMC scale. In the dignity and respect subscale, variables associated with significantly lower RMC scores were not being able to read and write, delivering in a public facility, and delivering vaginally. Conclusions: Although self‐reported RMC was generally high, we identified areas for improvement. Practitioners need ongoing training on RMC principles and the delivery of equitable care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn the auditory brainstem, ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) axons project to the contralateral, but not ipsilateral, medial nucleus of trapezoid body (MNTB), terminating in the calyx of Held. Dorsal VCN neurons, representing high frequencies, synapse with medial MNTB neurons, while low frequency-coding ventral VCN neurons synapse with lateral MNTB neurons, reflecting tonotopic organization. The mechanisms that ensure strictly contralateral targeting and topographic ordering are incompletely understood. Here we examined the roles of ephrin-A signaling in both types of targeting.ResultsEphrin-A2 and ephrin-A5 are expressed in VCN cells during late embryonic and early postnatal development. At these ages ephrin-A2 is expressed in axons surrounding MNTB and ephrin-A5 is expressed in MNTB principal neurons. Ephrin-A2/A5 double knockout mice displayed axon targeting errors in which VCN axons project to MNTB on both sides of the brainstem, where they terminate in calyceal endings. Ephrin-A2 and ephrin-A5 single knockout mice showed a similar phenotype. In contrast to effects on contralateral targeting, ephrin-A2/A5 double knockout mice showed no defects in formation of tonotopically ordered projections from VCN to MNTB.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that distinct mechanisms regulate targeting of VCN axons to the contralateral MNTB and targeting to appropriate tonotopic locations. Ephrin-A signaling plays a similar role to ephrin-B signaling in the VCN-MNTB pathway, where both classes normally prevent formation of calyceal projections to ipsilateral MNTB. These classes may rely in part on common signaling pathways.

Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most fatal emergencies with a high risk of mortality. Multiple risk stratification scores have been developed to assess a patient’s overall mortality risk. Objective This study aimed to validate modified FAST and modified Bova scores for risk stratification and predicting the risk of early mortality in patients presenting with acute PE. Patients and methods Patients admitted to Assiut University Hospital with PE were sequentially included. Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), modified Bova, and modified FAST scores were calculated for all included patients. Results A total of 100 patients with PE were sequentially included. It was found that predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with PE were; chronic heart failure [odds ratio (OR)= 1.87], chronic respiratory disease (OR= 1.99), chronic kidney disease (OR= 2.01), hypotension (OR= 2.99), intermediate-high risk- PESI (simplified version; OR=2.76), intermediate-high risk modified Bova score (OR= 3.01) and intermediate-high risk modified FAST score (OR= 3.90).It was found that the modified FAST score had the best diagnostic accuracy (89.2%) with an area under the curve (AUC) 0.962, followed by the modified Bova score with accuracy 76.8% and AUC 0.761. The two scores had higher accuracy than that for PESI score (53.4%, AUC= 0.627). Conclusion Modified FAST and modified Bova scores are simple and reliable tools for risk stratification of patients with acute PE.

Abstract Background Current predictive machine learning techniques for spontaneous preterm birth heavily rely on a history of previous preterm birth and/or costly techniques such as fetal fibronectin and ultrasound measurement of cervical length to the disadvantage of those considered at low risk and/or those who have no access to more expensive screening tools. Aims and objectives We aimed to develop a predictive model for spontaneous preterm delivery

Abstract Mycobacteria adapt to infection stresses by entering a reversible non-replicating persistence (NRP) with slow or no cell growth and broad antimicrobial tolerance. Hypoxia and nutrient deprivation are two well-studied stresses commonly used to model the NRP, yet little is known about the molecular differences in mycobacterial adaptation to these distinct stresses that lead to a comparable NRP phenotype. Here we performed a multisystem interrogation of the Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) starvation response, which revealed a coordinated metabolic shift away from the glycolysis of nutrient-replete growth to depletion of lipid stores, lipolysis, and fatty acid ß-oxidation in NRP. This contrasts with BCG’s NRP hypoxia response involving a shift to cholesterol metabolism and triglyceride storage. Our analysis reveals cryptic metabolic vulnerabilities of the starvation-induced NRP state, such as their newfound hypersensitivity to H2O2. These observations pave the way for developing precision therapeutics against these otherwise drug refractory pathogens.

This article aims to identify and describe the phenomena of language variation, categories and functions found in Bahu sub-district, Manado city. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive method. Data collection was carried out using observation, documentation and note-taking methods. This research data is in visual form in the form of images containing language variations of the linguistic landscape in Bahu sub-district, Manado city and this data was taken using a cellphone camera. The results of this research found 39 data. Then eight language variations were found, monolingual, bilingual and multilingual. These language variations include two monolingual variations, namely Indonesian and English. There are four variations of bilingualism found. These variations consist of Indonesian-English, Indonesian-Malay Manado, and Italian-English, and English-Japanese. Furthermore, two multilingual variations were found, namely Indonesian-Melayu Manado-English, Indonesian-Javanese dialect-English-Malay Manado. The category of language sign producers in Bahu sub-district, Manado city consists of top-down and bottom-up categories. There are two functions, which consist of informational and symbolic function.

Introduction Cystoscopy has revolutionised the process of diagnosing bladder cancer leading to better categorisation of risk levels and more precise treatment plans. Nonetheless, concerns arise about the lack of uniformity among observers in predicting tumour stage and grade. To address these concerns, artificial intelligence (AI) is being incorporated into clinical settings to aid in the analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic images. The subsequent report outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of AI in predicting bladder cancer based on cystoscopic images.Methods and analysis Our systematic search will use databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane. The articles published between May 2015 and April 2024 will be eligible for inclusion. For articles to be considered, they must employ AI for analysis of cystoscopic images to identify bladder cancer, present original data and be written in English. The protocol adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol 2015 checklist. Quality and bias risk across chosen studies will be evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 score.Ethics and dissemination Ethical clearance will not be necessary for conducting this systematic review since results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at both national and international conferences.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024528345.

The current study aimed to compare the effects of Pilates versus Zumba training on postural performance in middle-aged postmenopausal women. Fifty-seven eligible women, aged between 50 and 60 years, were randomized into three groups: Zumba (ZG) group, Pilates (PG) group or control (CG) group. Postural control was assessed using a force platform under 4 sensory manipulation conditions: on firm and foam surfaces with eyes opened (EO) and closed (EC). Our results showed more marked adaptations in favor of ZG concerning postural performance compared to PG. For the PG, postural control was significantly improved only in simple postural conditions on the firm surface with EO (p