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Women have unique experiences with mental health challenges that require relevant strategies and interventions that effectively support their mental health. Empowerment interventions that vary in nature and format have the potential to play a key role in supporting women’s mental health. The purpose of this scoping review is to outline empowerment interventions targeting improvement in the mental health of women living in Canada.A search was undertaken using major databases including Medline, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2013 and 2023. A total of 243 articles were identified, from which 12 were ultimately included in this review. All included studies were conducted in Canada but were diverse in design, setting, and sample size. A total of four types of interventions were identified including mental health and emotional awareness, reading, peer support, and skill building and engagement. The findings of the review inform key insights for mental health care and service providers to focus on sustainable outcomes for women’s mental health. The findings also guide the need for a systematic review to appraise the existing empowerment interventions for women’s mental health outcomes.

Despite threatened status, the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) received insufficient attention in many habitats including the lower Ganges. In this study, through standardised monitoring programmes, we recorded the population and distribution of the species from a 100-km long stretch of the lower Ganges between January and December 2023. Important ecological parameters (e.g. fish abundance and water quality parameters) were also monitored to understand their effects on dolphin population in the river. Number of Ganges River dolphin varied over time (ANOVA: F11,88 = 10.9, p < 0.001) and space (F8,88 = 24.1, p < 0.001). Maximum number of dolphin was sighted in the month of August; whereas, the minimum was in February. Population of Ganges River dolphin was affected positively by fish abundance (LMM: F = 19.7, p < 0.001) and water transparency (F = 4.4, p = 0.042) and negatively by total dissolved solids (TDS; LMM: F = 13.5, p = 0.001). A range of challenges related to fishermen’s knowledge and attitude towards the Ganges River dolphin were identified. These include lack of awareness, high market demand and price for the species and negative attitude towards the species. Illegally harvested Vulnerable dolphins were sold only to produce dolphin oil to catch another Endangered fish species Clupisoma garua. The results of this study have conservation management applications and implications.

Talat Zehra,1 Mahin Shams,2 Rabia Ali,3 Asad Jafri,3 Amna Khurshid,3 Humaira Erum,3 Hanna Naqvi,3 Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar4 1Pathology Department, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan; 2Pathology Department, United Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan; 3Histopathology Department, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; 4Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, AfghanistanCorrespondence: Jamshid Abdul-Ghafar, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan, Tel+93792827287, Email jamshid.jalal@fmic.org.afBackground: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a diverse group of neoplasms that arise from neuroendocrine cells, with Ki-67 immunostaining serving as a crucial biomarker for assessing tumor proliferation and prognosis. Accurate and reliable quantification of Ki-67 labeling index is essential for effective clinical management.Methods: We aimed to evaluate the performance of open-source/open-access deep learning cloud-native platform, DeepLIIF (https://deepliif.org), for the quantification of Ki-67 expression in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors and compare it with the manual quantification method.Results: Our results demonstrate that the DeepLIIF quantification of Ki-67 in NETs achieves a high degree of accuracy with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.885 with 95% CI (0.848– 0.916) which indicates good reliability when compared to manual assessments by experienced pathologists. DeepLIIF exhibits excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement and ensures consistency in Ki-67 scoring. Additionally, DeepLIIF significantly reduces analysis time, making it a valuable tool for high-throughput clinical settings.Conclusion: This study showcases the potential of open-source/open-access user-friendly deep learning platforms, such as DeepLIIF, for the quantification of Ki-67 in neuroendocrine tumors. The analytical validation presented here establishes the reliability and robustness of this innovative method, paving the way for its integration into routine clinical practice. Accurate and efficient Ki-67 assessment is paramount for risk stratification and treatment decisions in NETs and AI offers a promising solution for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care in the field of neuroendocrine oncology.Keywords: digital image analysis, histopathology, Ki-67 proliferation index, neuroendocrine tumors, machine learning

This study focuses on the development of unique geopolymer-based composites made using industrial byproducts and waste materials. The first test variable was the compressive strength grade, where conventional concrete specimens with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and GPC specimens having three target design strengths (20, 30 and 40 MPa) were prepared and tested. All specimens were tested at different ages, which is the second variable of the study, where early ages (3 and 7 days) and mature age (28 days) were adopted. It is worth mentioning that both geopolymer and concrete samples had the exact quantities of filler and binder materials. Then, the specimens were tested following the procedure of standard ASTM C1138 approach under-water abrasion tests, which were conducted at 6 intervals of 12 h each. The recorded abrasion results revealed higher abrasion losses for specimens with lower design strengths regardless of the type of concrete. Besides, the influence of the sample's age on enhancing the abrasion resistance was more apparent in conventional concrete samples than geopolymer ones since the last gained their design strength early, about three days. The GPC specimens exhibited lower abrasion losses compared to their corresponding OPC ones revealing a better abrasion resistance. The difference was the highest at the age of 3 days due to the early strength development of GPC. The abrasion resistance enhancement of GPC specimens compared to their corresponding OPC ones at 3 days was 72% for the design strength of 20 MPa and around 55% for the higher design compressive strengths.

Rasha A Almubark,1 Saleh Alqahtani,2,3 Arthur C Isnani,4 Ali Alqarni,5 Mahmoud Shams,6 Moataz Yahia,6 Assim A Alfadda4,7,8 1Sharik Association for Health Research, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Liver Transplant Unit, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; 4Obesity Research Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5King Abdulaziz Hospital and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Ahsa, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia; 6Novo Nordisk, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 8Obesity, Endocrine, and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Assim A Alfadda, Obesity Research Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tel + 966 11 4671315, Email aalfadda@ksu.edu.saPurpose: Several studies have investigated gender differences in various obesity-related outcomes. Females were found to have more accurate weight perception and reported more frequency of attempted weight loss. The objective of this study was to assess gender differences in the attitudes and management of people with obesity (PwO) in Saudi Arabia using data from the ACTION-IO study.Patients and Methods: A survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia in June and July 2018 on adults with obesity (based on self-reported body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2).Results: A total of 1000 people with obesity completed the survey; 565 (56.5%) were male (mean age of 36.9 years and mean BMI of 33.5 kg/m2) and 435 (43.5%) were female (mean age of 36.3 years and mean BMI of 34.5 kg/m2). The two most reported motivations for wanting to lose weight for both groups were to improve appearance (38%) and to have more energy (35%). Females were more likely to trust their health-care provider (HCP) advice about weight management when compared to males (87% females, 82% males, p = 0.059) and were more likely to have concerns regarding long-term safety associated with prescription weight loss medications (65% female versus 59% males, p = 0.043). On the other hand, males were more likely to seek their physician to prescribe weight loss medication if they hear of a new medication (55% males versus 46% females, p = 0.014), and more to believe that there are good options available for weight loss medications (74% males versus 67% females, p = 0.040). Also, more males prefer to take weight loss medications than to have a weight loss surgery (65% males, 59% females, p = 0.054).Conclusion: Overall, this study increases our understanding on the attitudes of both females and males towards the management of weight loss and opens the discussion for gender-specific weight loss interventions.Keywords: obesity, gender, management, Saudi Arabia, ACTION-IO

Mario Caccese,1 Silvia Imbevaro,2 Alessandra Feltrin,3 Daniela Costardi,4 Nadia Giordano,5 Maristella Maran,1 Rosalba Martino,1 Ketti Ottolitri,6 Malihe Shams,3 Federica Vascon,7 Anna Roma,5 Antonella Galiano,1 Marco Maruzzo,1 Dario Marino,1 Giuseppe Lombardi,1 Sara Lonardi,5 Antonella Brunello,1 Vittorina Zagonel1 1Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 2General Directorate, Accreditation and Acknowledgment Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncolog IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 3Health Department, Psycho-Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 4Scientific Directorate, Patient Education and Empowerment, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 5Department of Oncology, Oncology 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 6Health Department, Clinical Risk Office, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy; 7Department of Imaging and Health Physics, Radiotherapy Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Padua, ItalyCorrespondence: Mario Caccese, Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV - IRCCS, Via Gattamelata, 64, Padua, 35128, Italy, Email mario.caccese@iov.Veneto.itPurpose: The SARS-CoV-2 spread has impacted Healthcare systems. COVID-19 pandemic has had consequences for patients with cancer, being associated with delays in diagnosis, in treatment And follow-up care, increase in overall infection rates and higher mortality. A survey on COVID-19 and a vaccination-questionnaire were developed at different times of the outbreak, to evaluate cancer patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) on the policies implemented to reduce the infection from SARS-CoV-2 and on the timing and methods of COVID-19 vaccination.Patients and Methods: The survey was distributed to all patients accessing the Institute during the “first-wave” Of the pandemic, evaluating patients’ concerns about the pandemic, the pandemics’ consequences on their cancer care, and their perception Of the measures adopted to limit the infection spread. The vaccination-questionnaire was proposed to 10% of the first 5297 cancer patients vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTechCOVID-19 vaccine. This questionnaire aimed at assessing the degree Of satisfaction with the Institutional vaccination campaign and vaccination-related adverse events.Results: From May 18th 2020 to June 15th 2020 the survey was completed by 3238 patients. Most of the responders expressed concern on the pandemic yet acknowledging their oncological disease as a priority. Measures implemented were appreciated by patients. Telemedicine was positively evaluated and the absence of the caregiver during the visit did not determine discomfort for two thirds of patients. From March 6th 2021 to May 8th 2021 the vaccination-questionnaire was completed by 357 patients. The 98.8% were satisfied with the vaccination campaign. No serious vaccination-correlated adverse events were reported. No patient had to delay/discontinue chemotherapy due to vaccination.Conclusion: PREMs during COVID-19 pandemic and related vaccination can provide important information to help reorganization of the health care systems for cancer care. Patients’ feedback on the organizational changes implemented in the emergency period are essential for healthcare improvement and to help informed choices that are consistent with patients’ needs.Keywords: patients’ perspective, PREMs, COVID-19, survey, SARS-CoV-2, cancer patients

Abstract There is increasing evidence that personality traits may drive dispersal patterns of animals, including invasive species. We investigated, using the widespread signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus as a model invasive species, whether effects of personality traits on dispersal were independent of, or affected by, other factors including population density, habitat, crayfish size, sex and limb loss, along an invasion gradient. Behavioural traits (boldness, activity, exploration, willingness to climb) of 310 individually marked signal crayfish were measured at fully-established, newly-established and invasion front sites of two upland streams. After a period at liberty, recaptured crayfish were reassessed for behavioural traits (newly-established, invasion front). Dispersal distance and direction of crayfish movement, local population density, fine-scale habitat characteristics and crayfish size, sex and limb loss were also measured. Individual crayfish exhibited consistency in behavioural traits over time which formed a behavioural syndrome. Dispersal was both positively and negatively affected by personality traits, positively by local population density and negatively by refuge availability. No effect of size, sex and limb loss was recorded. Personality played a role in promoting dispersal but population density and local habitat complexity were also important determinants. Predicting biological invasion in animals is likely to require better integration of these processes.

The multidrug-resistant (MDR) human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection is an unmet medical need. HIV-1 capsid plays an important role at different stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle and is an attractive drug target for developing therapies against MDR HIV-1 infection. Lenacapavir (LEN) is the first-in-class HIV-1 capsid inhibitor approved by the USFDA, EMA, and Health Canada for treating MDR HIV-1 infection. This article highlights the development, pharmaceutical aspects, clinical studies, patent literature, and future directions on LEN-based therapies. The literature for this review was collected from PubMed, authentic websites (USFDA, EMA, Health Canada, Gilead, and NIH), and the free patent database (Espacenet, USPTO, and Patent scope). LEN has been developed by Gilead and is marketed as Sunlenca (tablet and subcutaneous injection). The long-acting and patient-compliant LEN demonstrated a low level of drug-related mutations, is active against MDR HIV-1 infection, and does not reveal cross-resistance to other anti-HIV drugs. LEN is also an excellent drug for patients having difficult or limited access to healthcare facilities. The literature has established additive/synergistic effects of combining LEN with rilpivirine, cabotegravir, islatravir, bictegravir, and tenofovir. HIV-1 infection may be accompanied by opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB). The associated diseases make HIV treatment complex and warrant drug interaction studies (drug–drug, drug–food, and drug–disease interaction). Many inventions on different aspects of LEN have been claimed in patent literature. However, there is a great scope for developing more inventions related to the drug combination of LEN with anti-HIV/anti-TB drugs in a single dosage form, new formulations, and methods of treating HIV and TB co-infection. Additional research may provide more LEN-based treatments with favorable pharmacokinetic parameters for MDR HIV-1 infections and associated opportunistic infections such as TB.

Background Although the exact pathogenic mechanisms leading to blister formation in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) have not been fully elucidated, intracellular signaling following antibody binding has been found to be necessary for inducing cell-cell dissociation. The phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) signaling pathway plays a major role in the modulation of immune-mediated inflammatory responses and therefore has been linked with several autoimmune diseases. Studies showed that activation of P38 MAPK plays a role in the acantholytic process in PV through changes in the quaternary structure and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Objective To determine the levels of p38 MAPK and its substrate [MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2)] in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with PV in relation to both the clinical score and the antidesmoglein 3 antibodies. Patients and methods This study included 25 Egyptian patients with PV and 25 healthy controls, who were recruited from Cairo University Hospitals. Detailed history was documented, and the severity of the diseases was determined by pemphigus disease area index score in each patient. Blood samples were obtained from all participants. Then, determination of the expression of p38 MAPK and its substrate MAPKAPK2 on peripheral mononuclear cells was done using flow cytometry, with measurement of antidesmoglein 3 antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results We detected that P38 MAPK and MAPKAPK2 were upregulated in patients with PV in comparison with controls (P=0.024 and P=0.002, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the anti-Dsg3 antibodies and P38 MAPK (r=0.591, P=0.004) and between disease severity (pemphigus disease area index score) and P38 MAPK (r=0.617, P=0.002) as well. Conclusion This study concluded that P38 MAPK and its substrate MAPKAPK2 have a role in the pathogenesis of PV. Moreover, P38 MAPK can be used as a marker for disease activity follow-up, as it was correlated with both disease severity and autoantibody level.

Multiple stressors including biological invasion have long been recognised in conservation of freshwater fish biodiversity. Works in this line have, however, been still scanty in Asia and South America – the continents known for rich biodiversity. In this study, the first of its type in Bangladesh, impacts of exotic fish and declining habitats on native fishes have been investigated. Regression and correlation analyses of 16 years production data of ponds, practically the only habitat where exotic fish are cultured commonly with indigenous ones, reveals that a maximum of 25% of the abundance decrease of native fish could be due to the effects of five commonly cultured exotic fish. Rest of the decline might largely be due to shrinkage, degradation, and destruction of habitats. Inland habitats other than ponds shrink, commonly, by about 80 % during the dry season, and most rivers are heavily polluted except for the brief mid rainy season. Decline in native fish populations may result in reduced genetic diversity. Another potential danger is the probable genetic introgression from the less fit hatchery-originated fish with the wild ones. The study concludes that the native freshwater fishes are endangered by declining habitats, exotic fishes, genetic consequences of hatchery supplementation

Mohammad Reza Fattahi,1 Ramin Niknam,1 Mesbah Shams,2 Amir Anushiravani,3 Seyed Alireza Taghavi,1 Gholamhossein Ranjbar Omrani,2 Laleh Mahmoudi4 1Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 2Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 3Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranCorrespondence: Ramin NiknamGastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71935-1311, IranTel/Fax +98-713-6276212Email niknamramin@yahoo.comBackground and study aim: Chronic use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become a mainstay of therapy in common gastrointestinal diseases. A causal relationship between chronic PPI use and development of osteoporosis remains unproven. The aim of this study was to determine whether PPI users are more likely to develop alterations in bone density.Patients and methods: In an analytical cross sectional study, patients who used PPIs for more than 2 years because of long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were recruited. PPI users were healthy people except for GERD. The compression group was randomly derived from an age-, sex- and physical activity-matched group from a healthy population in the National Registry of Osteoporosis who had not used PPIs in the previous 2 years. Bone mineral density was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data regarding BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) of three regions: femoral neck, total hip, and the lumbar spine (L1-L4) were gathered and recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification was used for definition of osteopenia and osteoporosis.Results: A total of 394 participants (133 PPI users and 261 comparison group) were enrolled. The median duration of PPI use was 6.7 (2–31) years. The mean age ± SD of PPI users and comparison group was 48.38 ± 11.98 and 47.86 ± years, respectively (P = 0.681). There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics and age distribution between the two groups. The BMC levels were significantly lower in PPI users in all three regions: lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck (P

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are one of the principal threats to freshwater biodiversity. Exclusion barriers are increasingly being used as a management strategy to control the spread of AIS. However, exclusion barriers can also impact native organisms and their effectiveness is likely to be context dependent. We conducted a quantitative literature review to evaluate the use of barriers to control animal AIS in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. The quantitative aspect of the review was supplemented by case studies that describe some of the challenges, successes, and opportunities for the use of the use of AIS exclusion barriers globally. Barriers have been used since the 1950s to control the spread of AIS, but effort has been increasing since 2005 (80% of studies) and an increasingly diverse range of AIS taxa are now targeted in a wide range of habitat types. The global use of AIS barriers has been concentrated in North America (74% of studies), Australasia (11%), and Europe (10%). Physical barriers (e.g., weirs, exclusion screens, and velocity barriers) have been most widely used (47%), followed by electric (27%) and chemical barriers (12%). Fish were the most targeted taxa (86%), followed by crustaceans (10%), molluscs (3%) and amphibians (1%). Most studies have been moderately successful in limiting the passage of AIS, with 86% of the barriers tested deterring >70% of individuals. However, only 25% of studies evaluated barrier impacts on native species, and development of selective passage is still in its infancy. Most studies have been too short (47% < 1 year, 87% < 5 years) to detect ecological impacts or have failed to use robust before-after-control-impact (BACI) study designs (only 5%). Hence, more effective monitoring is required to assess the long-term effectiveness of exclusion barriers as an AIS management tool. Our global case studies highlight the pressing need for AIS control in many ecoregions, and exclusion barriers have the potential to become an effective tool in some situations. However, the design and operation of exclusion barriers must be refined to deliver selective passage of native fauna, and exclusion barriers should only be used sparingly as part of a wider integrated management strategy.

Different types of fishing methods and gears are being employed across the globe including Bangladesh. This study describes the underwater fishing method in the Padma River- one of the three largest rivers in Bangladesh. Standardised efforts have been made for collecting data of interest between September 2016 and May 2017. Two types of underwater fishing, with or without using oxygen cylinders, were recorded. Mean duration of fishing per effort was higher (by 382%) when fishermen used oxygen cylinders. Mean water depth of fishing sites was also higher when oxygen cylinders were used. Three species of finfish (Rita rita, Sperata seenghala and Labeo calbasu) and one freshwater prawn species (Macrobrachium dayanum) have been identified in the catch. The catch was dominated by M. dayanum in both fishing types (27 ± 9.3 [with oxygen] and 15 ± 5.2 [without oxygen]). However, all the number of caught fish species varied significantly among different sampling months in both fishing methods (P < 0.001) except L. calbasu in fishing with oxygen cylinder. A number of health issues of the fishermen were also recorded.

Aflatoxin contamination of food and feedstuffs is a serious economic and health hazard. Over a period of two years, 35 samples of raw pistachio nuts collected from different parts of Iran were analysed for the presence of aflatoxigenic strains of the Aspergillus flavus group. Eighty-five isolates of A.flavus and A.parasiticuswere identified based on specific yello-orange pigment production in the reverse of the colonies on Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus agar (AFPA) medium and microscopic criteria. These isolates were present in 65.71% of the samples and their aflatoxin-producting ability was examined. At first , 12 out ot the 15 aflatoxin-producing isolates were selected based on bright blue fluorescence colour on aflatoxin-producing ability (APA) medium. Later, all of the isolates were identifid after culturing on sucrose-low salts (SLS) medium. Furthermore, aflatoxin production on APA and SLS media was confirmed when the mycelia and media were extracte and analysed fo aflatoxins on TLC plates. A.flavus strions produced mainly aflatoxin B1 with concentrations rangiong from 0.21 to 1.49 µg/g of APA medium, where as A.parasiticus strain produced all four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) with 3.71 µg aflatoxin B1/g of the medium. Isolates other than A.flavus and A.parasiticus grown on this specific culture medium failed to produce a characteristic fluorescence under UV light. Evidences from this study indicate that fluorescent production on APA medium is a reliable screening test for distinguishing potential aflatoxin-producing strains of A.parasiticus from nontoxigenic strains.