Global Health

Eczema is a common inflammatory skin disease with a significant global health burden. Eczema has a significant impact on quality of life.

Climate change challenges public health. Effective management of climate-related health risks relies on robust public health surveillance (PHS) and population health indicators. Despite existing global and country-specific indicators, their integration into local PHS systems is limited, impacting decision-making. We conducted a systematic review examining population health indicators relevant to climate change impacts and their suitability for national PHS systems. Guided by a registered protocol, we searched multiple databases and included 41 articles. Of these, 35 reported morbidity indicators, and 39 reported mortality indicators. Using Chile as a case study, we identified three sets of indicators for the Chilean PHS. The high-priority set included vector-, food-, and water-borne diseases, as well as temperature-related health outcomes indicators due to their easy integration into existing PHS systems. This review highlights the importance of population health indicators in monitoring climate-related health impacts, emphasising the need for local contextual factors to guide indicator selection.

Mosquitoes and sandflies exhibit a wide range of blood feeding patterns, targeting a wide range of vertebrate species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, for proteins vital for egg development. This broad host range increases the opportunity for them to acquire pathogens of numerous debilitating-and-fatal diseases from various animal reservoirs, playing a significant role in disease crossover between animals and humans, also known as zoonotic transmission. This review focuses on the intricate blood-feeding habits of these dipteran vectors, their sensory systems and the complex dance between host and pathogen during disease transmission. We delve into the influence of blood sources on pathogen spread by examining the insect immune response and its intricate interplay with pathogens. The remarkable sense of smell guiding them towards food sources and hosts is explored, highlighting the interplay of multiple sensory cues in their navigation. Finally, we examine the challenges in mosquito control strategies and explore innovations in this field, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to combat this global health threat. By understanding the biology and behaviour of these insects, we can develop more effective strategies to protect ourselves and mitigate the burden of vector-borne diseases.

Liver cancer is a significant contributor to the global disease burden, of which hepatoblastomas are the most common liver tumors in children, with 90% of cases occurring within the first 5 years of life. It is important for pediatricians and subspecialists in pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology to have knowledge of the epidemiology and incidence trends of pediatric hepatic cancer, despite its rarity. In the present study, we first provide estimates of the incidence and mortality burden of hepatoblastoma and liver cancer from 2000 to 2021 in the childhood and adolescence.

Granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a lymphoproliferative and granulomatous pulmonary manifestation of primary immune deficiency diseases, notably common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and is an important contributor of excess morbidity. As with all forms of ILD, the significance of utilizing a multidisciplinary team discussion to enhance diagnostic and treatment confidence of GLILD cannot be overstated. In this review, key clinical, radiological, and pathological features are integrated into a diagnostic algorithm to facilitate a consensus diagnosis. As the evidence for diagnosing and managing patients with GLILD is limited, the viewpoints discussed here are not meant to resolve current controversies. Instead, this review aims to provide a practical framework for diagnosing and evaluating suspected cases and emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when caring for GLILD patients.

The global obesity epidemic, with its associated comorbidities and increased risk of early mortality, underscores the urgent need for enhancing our understanding of the origins of this complex disease. It is increasingly clear that metabolism is programmed early in life and that metabolic programming can have life-long health consequences. As a critical metabolic organ sensitive to early-life stimuli, proper development of adipose tissue (AT) is crucial for life-long energy homeostasis. Early-life nutrients, especially fatty acids (FA), significantly influence the programming of AT and shape its function and metabolism. Of growing interest are the dynamic responses during pre- and postnatal development to proinflammatory omega-6 (n6) and anti-inflammatory omega-3 (n3) FA exposures in AT. In the US maternal diet, the ratio of 'pro-inflammatory' n6- to 'anti-inflammatory' n3-FA has grown dramatically due to the greater prevalence of n6-FA. Notably, AT macrophages (ATM) form a significant population within adipose stromal cells, playing not only an instrumental role in AT formation and maintenance, but also acting as key mediators of cell-to-cell lipid and cytokine signaling. Despite rapid advances in ATM and immunometabolism fields, research has focused on responses to obesogenic diets and during adulthood. Consequently, there is a significant gap in identifying the mechanisms contributing metabolic health, especially regarding lipid exposures during the establishment of ATM physiology. Our review highlights the current understanding of ATM diversity, their critical role in AT, and their potential role in early-life metabolic programming, as well as the broader implications for metabolism and health.

The prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections has emerged as a grave threat to clinical treatment and global human health, presenting one of the foremost challenges in medical care. Thus, there is an urgent imperative to develop safe and efficacious novel antimicrobial strategies. Nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized endogenous signaling molecule, which plays a pivotal role in numerous pathological processes. Currently, NO has garnered significant interest as an antibacterial agent due to its capability to eradicate bacteria, disrupt biofilms, and facilitate wound healing, all while circumventing the emergence of drug resistance. However, the inherently unstable characteristic of NO therapeutic gas renders the controlled administration of NO gases exceedingly challenging. Hence, in this review, the current challenge of bacterial infection is discussed; then it is briefly elucidated the antibacterial mechanism of NO and comprehensively delineate the recent advancements in stimulus-responsive NO delivery platforms, along with their merits, obstacles, and prospective avenues for clinical application. This review offers guidance for future advancements in NO-medicated anti-infection therapy is hoped.

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a fixed-ratio co-formulation of insulin degludec and insulin aspart for the treatment of people with diabetes and suboptimal glycaemic control. Few real-world studies of IDegAsp treatment have been conducted. Here, we report results from the Australian cohort of the global ARISE study of real-world IDegAsp use.

Implementation science (IS) has received increased attention as it provides a means to bridge the know-do gap to implement evidence-based interventions in real-world settings. Against this backdrop, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a global mental health concern (Koenen et al., 2017), especially in low- and middle-income countries characterized by limited trained health professionals, infrastructure, and limited access to evidence-based mental health care (Chen et al., 2017). Over the last 3 decades, effective trauma-focused psychotherapies (TFPs) for PTSD have been developed (Hamblen et al., 2019). Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a first-line TFP for PTSD (Hamblen et al., 2019), yet the dissemination and implementation of PE have been limited to specialty care settings in developed or industrialized countries (Booysen & Kagee, 2020). Implementation science provides an opportunity for disseminating and implementing TFPs like PE in low- and middle-income countries. This article describes mixed-method data from a pilot implementation study of an abbreviated version of PE, known as prolonged exposure for primary care (S. A. M. Rauch, Kim, et al., 2023), in a semirural city in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Importantly, prolonged exposure for primary care shows a significant reduction in PTSD when provided by lay counselors and good feasibility and acceptability. In addition, we reflect on the barriers and facilitators related to implementation research within a low-resourced community, namely, (a) training lay counselors, (b) cultural diversity, and (c) mental health literacy. Mental health literacy is proposed as an essential component to consider in implementation science, especially in low-resourced communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The tobacco industry has a long history of circumventing regulations to present their products, inaccurately, as less harmful. Greenwashing (portraying a product as natural/eco-friendly) is increasingly used by tobacco companies and may mislead consumers to believe that certain cigarettes are less harmful than others. This study assesses the effect of some common greenwashing tactics on consumer product perceptions.

Plaque psoriasis is commonly treated topically with glucocorticoids and vitamin D derivatives. However, potential side effects such as skin atrophy underscore the need for safe and effective alternative topical therapies. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada approved roflumilast 0.3% cream as an option for treating this disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of topical roflumilast 0.3% compared with vehicle for plaque psoriasis.

Australian Rules Football athletes complete long preseasons, yet injuries occur frequently at early stages of the competitive season. Little is known about the high-speed running (HSR) prescription during a preseason or whether players are adequately prepared for competition. This study described absolute and relative preseason and in-season HSR demands of 2 professional Australian football teams.

We aimed to investigate the long-term impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on thyroid function, cardiovascular health, renal outcomes and adverse events in individuals with obesity and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious diabetes-related consequence that occurs in type 1 diabetes and less commonly in type 2 diabetes and is a major cause of death. It results from the metabolic consequences due to a lack of insulin secretion or impaired insulin activity in diabetes leading to dysregulated pathophysiologic pathways resulting in excessive ketone body formation. While ketone bodies are physiologic molecules, their high levels reduce the physiological pH of the blood and induce ketoacidosis, leading to increasing metabolic dysfunction. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mimetics are a class of recently developed diabetes therapy that do not lead to hypoglycemic, but some reports have suggested a relationship between GLP-1 mimetics and ketogenesis. To clarify the possible interactions between GLP-1 mimetics and ketogenesis in diabetes, this review was undertaken to collate and interpret the literature.

In Chinese freshwater lakes, eutrophication often coincides with heavy metal/metalloids (HM/Ms) pollution, yet the coevolution of critical nutrients (P, S, Se) and HM/Ms (Cd, Hg, etc.) remains understudied. To address this gap, we conducted a sedimentary chemistry analysis on a 30 cm-deep core, dating back approximately 200 years, retrieved from Chaohu Lake, China. The age-depth model revealed a gradual increase in deposition rates over time. Notably, the concentrations and enrichment factors (EFs) of most target elements surged in the uppermost ~ 15 cm layer, covering the period from 1953 to 2013, while both the concentrations and EFs in deeper layers remained relatively stable, except for Hg. This trend indicates a significant co-enrichment and near-synchronous increase in the levels and EFs of both nutrients and HM/Ms in the upper sediment layers since the mid-twentieth century. Anthropogenic factors were identified as the primary drivers of the enrichment of P, Se, Cd, Hg, Zn, and Te in the upper core, with their contributions also showing a coupled evolutionary trend over time. Conversely, geological activities governed the enrichment of elements in the lower half of the core. The gradual accumulation of anthropogenic Hg between the - 30 to - 15 cm layers might be attributed to global Hg deposition resulting from the industrial revolution. The ecological risk index (RI) associated with HM/Ms loading has escalated rapidly over the past 50 years, with Cd and Hg posing the greatest threats. Furthermore, the PMF model was applied to specifically quantify source contributions of these elements in the core, with anthropogenic and geogenic factors accounting for ~ 60 and ~ 40%, respectively. A good correlation (r = 0.87, p < 0.01) between the PMF and Ti-normalized method was observed, indicating their feasibility and cross-validation in source apportionment. Finally, we highlighted environment impact and health implications of the co-enrichment of nutrients and HM/Ms. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems from the combined impacts of eutrophication and HM/Ms pollution, thereby promoting water environment and human health.

Malaria has a historical presence in the Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) and Udupi districts of Karnataka, India. To understand the potential involvement of anopheline fauna in malaria transmission, we conducted an exploratory entomological survey. The study is crucial given the decreasing malaria incidence in these districts in recent years. From September 2022 to August 2023, we collected indoor resting mosquitoes using a manual aspirator at 27 randomly chosen sites within three distinct resting habitats (human dwellings, cattle sheds, and construction sites) in the urban areas of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified, and anopheline specimens were tested for the presence of malarial parasite by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. We collected a total of 1810 mosquitoes, comprising 21 species distributed across five genera. Culex emerged as the predominant genus, constituting 84.4% of the collected specimens, while Anopheles accounted for 5.4%. Among the observed species, Culex quinquefasciatus was predominant, comprising 77.9% of the mosquito specimens collected in this study. Two malaria vectors, An. stephensi and An. subpictus complex, constituted 16.3% and 1.0% of the total anophelines collected, respectively. None of the 96 female anophelines was tested positive for Plasmodium infection. Our findings suggest that Anopheles mosquitoes prefer resting in cattle sheds over human dwellings. While our study identified two malaria vectors, they were present at low densities. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of these vector mosquitoes, it is essential to conduct long-term surveillance to monitor their prevalence and role in malaria transmission.

This study investigates the prevalence, distribution, and ecological consequences of 21 heavy metals (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in the soils between the Mahi and Dhadhar rivers in Gujarat, India. It aims to assess the seasonal variations in soil contamination and the potential human health risk associated with the heavy metal exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways. Soil samples were collected from 57 sites across three distinct seasons and analyzed using indices such as the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, pollution load index, ecological risk factor, and global potential ecological risk. Human health risks were also evaluated for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. The findings reveal significant soil contamination, especially during the Monsoon and Post-Monsoon seasons, with heavy metals like Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni, and Pb posing considerable ecological threats. Cr and Ni were identified as presenting the highest carcinogenic risks, while Fe and Cr posed major non-carcinogenic challenges. Seasonal variations significantly influenced heavy metal concentrations and distribution patterns. The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies and sustainable practices to mitigate soil contamination and protect environmental health. It emphasizes the critical role of human activities, such as industrial, agricultural, and mining operations, in soil degradation and calls for increased community awareness and action to address these challenges.

The aquaculture sector, vital to global food security, grapples with bacterial pathogens compromising fish health and industry sustainability. This investigation probes mucosal immune responses and gut microbiota dynamics in snakehead (Channa argus) post-Aeromonas infection, a prevalent aquaculture challenge. Employing infection models, we delineated the integral role of immunoglobulin T (IgT) in mucosal immunity and its interaction with gut microbiota. Fish from a local farm, maintained under controlled conditions, were infected with Aeromonas veronii TH0426 and Aeromonas hydrophila TPS. Post-infection, daily monitoring and sample collection at specified intervals were conducted for comprehensive analysis. Histopathology, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and microbiota profiling revealed significant immune and microbial changes, particularly at day 7. Intestinal IgT, IgM, and pIgR gene expression surged, indicative of a robust response. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed increased IgT and pIgR cell infiltration in the epithelium. Post-infection dysbiosis, with altered bacterial composition, was partially offset by elevated IgT levels. These insights underscore IgT's crucial function in mucosal defense and suggest potential for probiotic and vaccine strategies to enhance aquaculture disease resilience.

The objective of this project was to implement scientific evidence to promote sleep and rest in pediatric patients during hospitalization.

Omics technology has become a widely applied biological science that can be used to study the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of osteosarcoma(OS). Bibliometric analysis is still blank in this field.This study aimed to access the trends and hotspots of omics in OS research through the bibliometric analysis method.

Differences in acute COVID-19 associated morbidity based on race, ethnicity, and gender have been well described; however, less is known about differences in subsequent longer term health-related quality of life and well-being.

Vaccine-associated rheumatic diseases are rare but one of the most feared adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, this topic has been investigated less with large-scale data in the literature. With the rapid progress in the development and approval of vaccines during the pandemic, public concerns regarding their safety have been raised. To assess the global and regional burden, long-term trends, and potential risk factors of vaccines-associated six types of rheumatic diseases (ankylosing spondylitis [AS], polymyalgia rheumatica [PMR], rheumatoid arthritis [RA], Sjögren's syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], Systemic scleroderma), this study conducted disproportionality analysis based on the reports from the World Health Organization International Pharmacovigilance Database documented between 1967 and 2023 (n for total reports = 131 255 418) across 156 countries and territories. We estimated the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information component (IC) to determine the disproportionality signal for rheumatic diseases. Of 198 046 reports of all-cause rheumatic diseases, 14 703 reports of vaccine-associated rheumatic diseases were identified. While the reporting counts have gradually increased over time globally, we observed a dramatic increase in reporting counts after 2020, potentially due to a large portion of reports of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-associated rheumatic diseases. The disproportionality signal for rheumatic diseases was most pronounced in HBV vaccines (ROR, 4.11; IC, 1.90), followed by COVID-19 mRNA (ROR, 2.79; IC, 1.25), anthrax (ROR, 2.52; IC, 0.76), papillomavirus (ROR, 2.16; IC, 0.95), encephalitis (ROR, 2.01; IC, 0.58), typhoid (ROR, 1.91; IC, 0.44), influenza (ROR, 1.49; IC, 0.46), and HAV vaccines (ROR, 1.41; IC, 0.20). From age- and sex-specific perspective, young females and old males are likely to have vaccine-associated rheumatic disease reports. Furthermore, overall vaccines showed a disproportionality signal for PMR (IC, 3.13) and Sjögren's syndrome (IC, 0.70), systemic scleroderma (IC, 0.64), specifically while the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are associated with all six types of diseases. Although multiple vaccines are associated with rheumatic disease reports, healthcare providers should be aware of the potential of autoimmune manifestations following vaccination, particularly the COVID-19 mRNA and HBV vaccines, and take into account for risk factors associated with these ADRs. Most ADRs exhibited an average time to onset of 11 days, underscoring the significance of monitoring and timely management by clinicians.

The enduring spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses highlights a need for greater focus on long-term public willingness to perform protective behaviors. Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern, it is unknown whether people in the United States plan to continue protective behaviors to protect themselves and others against infection. To inform planning and communications, we used a nationally representative survey of 1,936 US adults to examine attitudes and intentions toward future vaccination and mask-wearing. A majority believed COVID-19 vaccines were safe (73%) and effective in protecting against serious illness (72%). One-third (33%) had strong intentions to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine most years in the future. Among those with weaker intentions (n=1,287), many cited concerns about safety (71%) and efficacy (64%), lack of trust in institutions (64%), or beliefs that prior vaccination or infection protected them (62%). Approximately two-thirds (69%) of respondents believed masks were effective in protecting the wearer from getting COVID-19, and a majority appeared moderately receptive to future public mask-wearing, particularly when there was proximate risk of infection from COVID-19 (67%) or other respiratory viruses (59%). Men, non-Hispanic White adults, younger adults, rural residents, and adults with higher incomes, without college degrees, and without serious medical conditions or physical limitations were more likely to indicate resistance toward future COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask-wearing. Findings support tailored messaging to address concerns and opportunities among different populations, as well as support for communications programs and community engagement to motivate future uptake.

Although there is rising interest in virtual global health (GH) education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no report on the body of literature describing virtual education partnerships for health professional students. This scoping review examines virtual GH partnerships involving health professional students, including any barriers identified or best practices and ways to address them.

 Many people who smoke cigarettes report believing that nicotine causes cancer, a misperception that may reduce interest in switching to noncombustible nicotine products. Quantitative survey questions do not capture how this population thinks about nicotine and switching to noncombustible products.  This study used an online convenience sample of 193 US adults who smoke cigarettes and reported that nicotine causes cancer. Respondents were asked if they thought nicotine was harmful (and why or why not) and if they would consider switching to a noncombustible product (and why or why not). Inductive and deductive coding were used, and descriptive statistics are reported.  Descriptions of nicotine directly causing disease (61%) were more common than descriptions of nicotine causing addiction to a harmful product (8%). One-third expressly stated that nicotine causes cancer, and 21% that nicotine causes lung disease. Interest in switching was moderate (mean 47.4 out of 100). When asked about switching, 34% described enjoying their current smoking experience, 23% described a perceived health benefit, 16% described a health concern, and 11% worried that switching would not address nicotine addiction. Adults who smoke commonly perceived nicotine as a direct cause of cigarette-related disease, and harm and addictiveness perceptions were often mentioned as reasons for interest or disinterest in switching to a noncombustible. Future studies could explore strategies for correcting nicotine misperception, stigma related to addiction, and common concerns related to health as well as user experience.

Many recent studies have examined the impact of predicted changes in temperature and precipitation patterns on infectious diseases under different greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. But these emissions scenarios symbolize more than altered temperature and precipitation regimes; they also represent differing levels of change in energy, transportation, and food production at a global scale to reduce the effects of climate change. The ways humans respond to climate change, either through adaptation or mitigation, have underappreciated, yet hugely impactful effects on infectious disease transmission, often in complex and sometimes nonintuitive ways. Thus, in addition to investigating the direct effects of climate changes on infectious diseases, it is critical to consider how human preventative measures and adaptations to climate change will alter the environments and hosts that support pathogens. Here, we consider the ways that human responses to climate change will likely impact disease risk in both positive and negative ways. We evaluate the evidence for these impacts based on the available data, and identify research directions needed to address climate change while minimizing externalities associated with infectious disease, especially for vulnerable communities. We identify several different human adaptations to climate change that are likely to affect infectious disease risk independently of the effects of climate change itself. We categorize these changes into adaptation strategies to secure access to water, food, and shelter, and mitigation strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. We recognize that adaptation strategies are more likely to have infectious disease consequences for under-resourced communities, and call attention to the need for socio-ecological studies to connect human behavioral responses to climate change and their impacts on infectious disease. Understanding these effects is crucial as climate change intensifies and the global community builds momentum to slow these changes and reduce their impacts on human health, economic productivity, and political stability.

Medication disposal programs have been promoted as one solution to the opioid crisis, but uptake by community members has been minimal. To clarify perceptions of medication disposal options among people who have been prescribed an opioid analgesic in North Carolina to inform interventions that can facilitate the disposal of unused opioids. In 2022, we conducted focus groups with participants who received an opioid medication in the past year to gain information to develop an intervention related to the disposal of unused opioid medication (12 focus group discussions (FGDs); total  = 37; 30 identified as female, 6 as male, and 1 as another gender). Participants were shown a slide with the Food and Drug Administration's recommended disposal options and asked about their perceptions of each option. Themes were derived using an inductive, thematic, qualitative approach. Seven themes about perceptions of medication disposal programs emerged from the data. Four of the themes reflect potential barriers to medication disposal: failed disposal attempts, lack of sufficient education on proper disposal, unclear meaning of specific disposal language, and concerns about existing disposal options. Three of the themes provide insight on potential facilitators of medication disposal: preference of low-cost disposal options, ease and accessibility among disposal methods, and preferred disposal methods. Patients should be provided clear and consistent guidance from prescribers and dispensing pharmacists on when and how to dispose of unused medications and opportunities to dispose of medications at no cost to the patient.

Trichohepatoneurodevelopmental syndrome (THNS) is an ultra-rare and complex disorder affecting multiple organ systems. It is characterized by liver dysfunction, hypotonia, global developmental delay, coarse hair, and dysmorphic features. We describe two cases of THNS of Saudi origin, the fifth and sixth cases in the medical literature. Both cases presented with multiple dysmorphic features, generalized hypotonia, global developmental delay, and high liver enzyme level. Exome sequencing of Case 1 identified a pathogenic homozygous variant within the CCDC47: NM_020198.2:c.567_570del, p.(Glu190Profs*7). Genome sequencing of Case 2 identified two likely pathogenic heterozygous variants within the CCDC47: NM_020198.2:c.1327C>T, p.(Arg443*) and NM_020198.2:c.422dup, p.(Leu141Phefs*19). The trans phase of the detected variants has been confirmed by the parental testing. Furthermore, we evaluated the gene-disease association as per ClinGen guidelines and reached a strong level of association after inclusion of the new patients/variants. The findings from these cases will help to delineate the clinical phenotype and the mutational spectrum of this complex disorder.

The associations of age at diagnosis of breast cancer with incident myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF) remain unexamined. Addressing this problem could promote understanding of the cardiovascular impact of breast cancer.

Development of next-generation influenza virus vaccines is crucial to improve protection against circulating and emerging viruses. Current vaccine formulations have to be updated annually due to mutations in seasonal strains and do not offer protection against strains with pandemic potential. Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology has been utilized by our group to generate broadly reactive immunogens for individual influenza subtypes, which elicit protective immune responses against a broad range of strains over numerous seasons. Octavalent mixtures of COBRA hemagglutinin (HA) (H1, H2, H3, H5, H7, and influenza B virus) plus neuraminidase (NA) (N1 and N2) recombinant proteins mixed with c-di-AMP adjuvant were administered intranasally to naive or pre-immune ferrets in prime-boost fashion. Four weeks after final vaccination, collected sera were analyzed for breadth of antibody response, and the animals were challenged with seasonal or pre-pandemic strains. The octavalent COBRA vaccine elicited antibodies that recognized a broad panel of strains representing different subtypes, and these vaccinated animals were protected against influenza virus challenges. Overall, this study demonstrated that the mixture of eight COBRA HA/NA proteins mixed with an intranasal adjuvant is a promising candidate for a universal influenza vaccine.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) poses a considerable global health challenge; however, population-based studies on AAA are scarce. The current study determined the hospitalization rates, surgical trends, mortality, and reintervention rates for ruptured (r-AAA) and nonruptured (nr-AAA) AAA by using a national health insurance database.

To investigate the real-world efficacy of a novel, low-cost glaucoma drainage device in canine and human patients.

Increasing numbers of people with HIV have received prolonged antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed long-term immunological and survival outcomes among people with HIV from Asia (TAHOD) and Australia (AHOD).

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are projected to become increasingly prevalent, extending over longer periods and wider geographic regions due to the warming surface ocean water and other environmental factors, including but not limited to nutrient concentrations and runoff for marine and freshwater environments. Incidents of respiratory distress linked to the inhalation of marine aerosols containing HAB toxins have been documented, though the risk is typically associated with the original toxins. However, aerosolized toxins in micrometer and submicrometer particles are vulnerable to atmospheric processing. This processing can potentially degrade HAB toxins and produce byproducts with varying potencies compared to the parent toxins. The inhalation of aerosolized HAB toxins, especially in conjunction with co-morbid factors such as exposure to air pollutants from increased commercial activities in ports, may represent a significant exposure pathway for a considerable portion of the global population. Understanding the chemistry behind the transformation of these toxins can enhance public protection by improving the existing HAB alert systems.

Ischemic heart disease stands out as a major global contributor to mortality, with the initiation of hypoxia, marked by reduced oxygen availability, disrupting the balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cellular injury. Exploring antioxidants derived from medicinal plants is becoming more interesting as a potential alternative treatment, especially for mitigating myocardial injury. Thus, this study aimed to assess the cytoprotective efficacy of leaf extract (GIE) in a rat cardiac myoblast, H9c2, subjected to an in vitro hypoxia. The cell viability, intracellular ROS production and the expression of inflammatory cytokines were quantified, and hypoxia-induced cell morphology changes were observed using confocal fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that GIE notably enhanced cell viability, preserving membrane integrity, when compared with the hypoxic group. Remarkably, GIE significantly reduced hypoxia-induced intracellular ROS production, attributable to its inherent antioxidant properties. Furthermore, GIE significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-1β, interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA expression level and tended to reduce tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential of GIE in mitigating hypoxia-induced myocardial injury, highlighting its robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes.

The target trial framework was developed as a strategy to design and analyze observational epidemiologic studies with the aim of reducing bias due to analytic decisions. It involves designing a hypothetical randomized trial to answer a question of interest and systematically considering how to use observational data to emulate each trial component.

To explore the research progress and trends on mineral elements and depression.

Africa has a high double burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases underscoring the critical need for robust scientific research. However, it is also associated with low scientific research productivity. Mozambique, which gained independence in 1975, serves as a poignant example. However, there remains a notable scarcity of evidence evaluating the country's trajectory in scientific and academic development. This study aims to evaluate 43 years of health-related scientific knowledge production through bibliometric analysis, focusing on key indicators. Additionally, it seeks to characterize the higher education institutions within the country.

The relationship between HIV and frailty, a predictor of poor outcomes in the face of stressors, remains unknown in older people in sub-Saharan Africa.

is a significant global health concern, posing a high risk for gastric cancer. Conventional diagnostic and screening approaches are inaccessible, invasive, inaccurate, time-consuming, and expensive in primary clinics.

University core curricula and accreditation standards for healthcare profession programs can be challenging to align. Additionally, interprofessional education (IPE) requirements for healthcare professions curricula have been designed to prepare learners for future practice. This paper describes alignment of an introductory IPE course with embedded Interprofessional Education Collaborative core competencies to specific university Core Curriculum attributes. A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used to examine 117 learners' reflections on the IPE course content and learning outcomes. Learners from seven pre-licensure health professions programs provided responses on aspects of their IPE learning experience through reflections, surveys, written examinations, and optional focus groups. Open-ended responses were interpreted thematically from a constructivist lens. Results revealed positive perceptions of the course with feedback for areas of consideration for future course activities. Learners reported more engagement with the Core Curriculum attribute of Identities in Context than that of Global Interdependence. Additionally, responses indicated a perception of task work versus teamwork within the interprofessional team activities. Outcomes provided data that enabled continuous quality improvement of the course. Educators seeking to align IPE courses with institutional core curricula and accreditation standards may use this work to inform structure, assessment, and delineation of teamwork as compared to task work.

Given the need to provide clear communication to diverse audiences in the United States during public health emergencies, this assessment of images in COVID-19 communication materials identified ways to improve visual communication design. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 74 participants from various racial and ethnic backgrounds to gauge the clarity of images without associated text used in two infographics. Most images were understood by participants, but for each image at least some participants had an interpretation different from intended or only captured a portion of the message. Some images were interpreted by most or all participants as representing something other than intended. Participant recommendations were used to develop seven practical ways to improve image clarity: realistic graphics, exaggerated body position and actions, details to show image context and background, icons to encourage or discourage actions, symbols to show movement, consistency in recommended behavior in each image, and closely matching image to associated text. These elements can be applied in combination with existing health equity guiding principles for creating visual communication products before testing and validating products with intended audiences of different sociodemographic and cultural background to ensure appropriateness and clarity of images.

Several developmental theories identify caregiver emotion socialization (ES) as predicting multiple child psychological outcomes, including anxiety. The present study delineated developmental trajectories of mothers' ES practices, specifically the initial levels and growth across time of their supportive and nonsupportive responses to their young children's emotions. To contextualize the developmental role of these processes, we examined multiple predictors (i.e., maternal emotion dysregulation, child negative emotionality, demographic covariates) and one outcome (i.e., child anxiety) of ES trajectories, as well as how trajectories varied by emotion type-sadness, anger, or worry. We investigated these questions in a community sample of 173 predominantly White, non-Hispanic mother-child dyads who participated at four time points when children were aged 2-5 years, with assessments 1 year apart. Mothers reported on study variables. Results varied by ES type. Mothers' supportive global and emotion-specific ES were highly stable across time and did not relate to predictors, outcomes, or demographic covariates. Mothers endorsed gradual decreases in nonsupportive ES across time, with some variations across emotion type. Nonsupportive responses to worry and sadness each comprised two classes varying by intercept and slope. Nonsupportive worry responses linearly decreased, whereas nonsupportive sadness responses linearly increased. Across global and emotion-specific models, maternal emotion dysregulation, child negative emotionality, and demographic covariates showed unique relations with nonsupportive ES intercept and slope. Trajectories were mostly unrelated to later child anxiety, with the exception of class-specific differences for nonsupportive worry responses. Implications and future directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Oil and natural gas (O&G) production and processing activities have changed markedly across the U.S. over the past several years. However, the impacts of these changes on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are not clear. In this study, we examine U.S. ethane (CH) emissions, which are primarily from O&G activities, during years 2015-2020. We use CH observations made by the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory and partner organizations from towers and aircraft and estimate emissions from these observations by using an inverse model. We find that U.S. CH emissions (4.43 ± 0.2 Tg·yr) are approximately three times those estimated by the EPA's 2017 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) platform (1.54 Tg·yr) and exhibit a very different seasonal cycle. We also find that changes in U.S. CH emissions are decoupled from reported changes in production; emissions increased 6.3 ± 7.6% (0.25 ± 0.31 Tg) between 2015 and 2020 while reported CH production increased by a much larger amount (78%). Our results also suggest an apparent correlation between CH emissions and CH spot prices, where prices could be a proxy for pressure on the infrastructure across the supply chain. Overall, these results provide insight into how U.S. CH emissions are changing over time.

Non-operative management for pediatric blunt splenic injury is well established in high-income countries, leading to a low splenectomy rate in hemodynamically stable children. Splenectomy rate became a quality indicator for Trauma Center verification utilized by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. However, data on splenectomy rate in children from countries with different income levels, such as Brazil, remain limited. This study aimed to assess the post-traumatic splenectomy rate among Brazilian children over the past decade and the relation with local resources.

Although the developmental process of linguistic register-the appropriate manner of speech as determined by the listener and social situation-has been gradually clarified in typically developing (TD) children, research on the mechanism and developmental process of register acquisition in atypically developing children are insufficient. This study compared the developmental process of understanding linguistic register among TD children, autistic children, and those with Williams syndrome (WS), and examined the contributions of social cognition and motivation to the acquisition of linguistic register. Two experiments were designed to assess the recognition of which linguistic register to use when communicating with different listeners and of the listener's feelings according to the speakers' use of register. The results revealed that the process of understanding register-listener associations was nearly identical among all groups of children and their understanding improved with age. Conversely, their understanding of the effect of register selection on the listener's feelings varied. Importantly, as TD children mature, they become aware that adult listeners may feel negatively when spoken to in an inappropriate register, whereas autistic children and those with WS do not exhibit the same awareness. Thus, our results suggest that atypical social cognition and motivation do not disturb the understanding of register-listener associations. However, social cognition and motivation play important roles in understanding the effect of register selection on the listener's feelings. These findings provide a significant contribution to clarifying the mechanism of linguistic register acquisition.

There is no universally accepted treatment consensus for haemorrhoids, and thus, management has been individualized all over the world. This study was conducted to assess a global view of how surgeons manage haemorrhoids.

Low-field strength scanners present an opportunity for more inclusive imaging exams and bring several challenges including lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and longer scan times. Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is a rapid quantitative multiparametric method that can enable multiple quantitative maps simultaneously. To demonstrate the feasibility of an MRF sequence for knee cartilage evaluation in a 0.55T system we performed repeatability and accuracy experiments with agar-gel phantoms. Additionally, five healthy volunteers (age 32 ± 4 years old, 2 females) were scanned at 3T and 0.55T. The MRI acquisition protocols include a stack-of-stars T-enabled MRF sequence, a VIBE sequence with variable flip angles (VFA) for T mapping, and fat-suppressed turbo flash (TFL) sequences for T and T mappings. Double-Echo steady-state (DESS) sequence was also used for cartilage segmentation. Acquisitions were performed at two different field strengths, 0.55T and 3T, with the same sequences but protocols were slightly different to accommodate differences in signal-to-noise ratio and relaxation times. Cartilage segmentation was done using five compartments. T, T, and T values were measured in the knee cartilage using both MRF and conventional relaxometry sequences. The MRF sequence demonstrated excellent repeatability in a test-retest experiment with model agar-gel phantoms, as demonstrated with correlation and Bland-Altman plots. Underestimation of T values was observed on both field strengths, with the average global difference between reference values and the MRF being 151 ms at 0.55T and 337 ms at 3T. At 0.55T, MRF measurements presented significant biases but strong correlations with the reference measurements. Although a larger error was present in T measurements, MRF measurements trended similarly to the conventional measurements for human subjects and model agar-gel phantoms.

We examined the prevalence of price promotions (i.e., proportion of products on price promotion) and the magnitude of price promotions (i.e., size of the price discount compared to the regular price) among online alcohol retailers.

Dance is a physically demanding art form that often results in musculoskeletal injuries. To effectively treat these injuries, standardized and reliable assessment tools designed to the dancer's needs are required. Thus, the aim of this review is to identify studies that have employed validated tools to assess musculoskeletal injuries in ballet, modern, and contemporary dancers, focusing on describing the content and psychometric quality of the tools used. This systematic review is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022306755). PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus databases were searched by two independent reviewers. Articles assessing musculoskeletal injuries with validated tools in ballet, modern and/or contemporary dancers and written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included. Non-peer reviewed articles, books, conference abstracts, thesis/review articles, or case design studies were excluded. The original validation studies were compiled when necessary. Two independent reviewers conducted a standardized data extraction and evaluated the methodological quality using an adapted Downs and Black checklist. From the 3933 studies screened, 172 were read to verify if they met the inclusion criteria, resulting in 37 studies included accounting for 16 unique validated tools. Two were imaging exams, one was an injury classification system, and 13 were self-reported injury questionnaires. Only four injury assessment tools were validated for dancers, emphasizing the need for further validation studies for the dance population. Most of the articles (57%) achieved high-quality methodological scores and the remaining (43%) reported medium-quality scores. Valid, reliable, and specific tools to assess dance injuries are lacking in general. For enhanced methodological rigor in future studies, the incorporation of validated tools is recommended to improve methodological quality and facilitate cross-study comparisons. Researchers may consider conducting validation studies, involving processes such as translation into another language, validation of modifications to the original tool, or reporting reliability within the article itself.

Individuals differ substantially in their degree of acceptance of risks, referred to as risk tolerance, and these differences are associated with real-life outcomes such as risky health-related behaviors. While previous studies have identified brain regions that are functionally associated with individual risk tolerance, little is known about the relationship between individual risk tolerance and whole-brain functional organization.

Children with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing scoliosis surgery face substantial rates of complications. To mitigate surgical risks such as blood loss in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis, this study focuses on enabling instrumentation planning for their abnormal vertebral and pelvic anatomy and osteopenia. This study assessed the feasibility of an "ultralow-dose" CT (ULD CT) protocol without sedation in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who often have comorbid movement disorders. Our prospective quality improvement study aims: (1) to determine if ULD CT without sedation is feasible in this patient group; (2) to quantify the radiation dose from ULD CT and compare it with preoperative spine radiographs (XR); and (3) to assess if ULD CT allows accurate anatomical assessment and intraoperative navigation given the prevalence of movement disorders.

Salinity intrusion into the freshwater system due to climate change and anthropogenic activities is a growing global concern, which has made humans and domesticated animals more susceptible to diseases, resulting in less productivity. However, the effects of salinity on domesticated and wild birds, especially in terms of production and immunity, have not been fully elucidated yet. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effects of salinity on the production and immunity of birds and the mechanisms by which immunity is compromised. Broiler chicks were subjected to different concentrations of salty water (control = normal water, treatment = 5 g/L, treatment = 10 g/L, and treatment = 15 g/L). The collected blood and organs from different groups of broilers were biochemically and histopathologically examined. Birds in salt-treated groups consumed significantly less feed than the control group, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly higher. Body weight gain was significantly lower in salt-treated groups compared to control. Serum analysis revealed a lower systemic antibody titer in the salt-treated groups compared to the control. Primary lymphoid organs (thymus and bursa of Fabricius) were reduced in size in the salt-treated group due to cellular migration and depletion from these organs. Importantly, most of the parenchyma of lymphoid organs was replaced with fibrotic tissue. Gut microbes, and spp from salt-treated groups, showed less viability but developed antibiotic resistance. Levels of salinity were significantly and negatively correlated with feed intake, body weight gain, antibody titer, lymphoid organ size, and viable count of gut microbes, while FCR, fibrosis of lymphoid organs, and antibiotic resistance were significant positively correlated. In conclusion, increased salinity is a possible threat to food security and safety as it decreases body weight gain, reduces immunity, and influences the development of multi-drug resistance in gut microbes.

The COVID-19 infection as an inflammatory disease has posed significant challenges to global public health due to multi-factor risks associated with it leading to disease severity and mortality. Understanding the effect of age and comorbidities on overall disease progression is crucial to identify highly susceptible individuals and to develop effective disease management strategies in a resource limited country like Pakistan.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health challenge, driving relentless efforts to identify innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Recent strides in microbiome research have unveiled a previously underestimated dimension of cancer progression that revolves around the intricate metabolic interplay between GI cancers and the host's gut microbiota. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these emerging metabolic interactions and their potential to catalyze a paradigm shift in precision diagnosis and therapeutic breakthroughs in GI cancers. The article underscores the groundbreaking impact of microbiome research on oncology by delving into the symbiotic connection between host metabolism and the gut microbiota. It offers valuable insights into tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients, thus moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. This review also sheds light on novel diagnostic methodologies that could transform the early detection of GI cancers, potentially leading to more favorable patient outcomes. In conclusion, exploring the metabolic interactions between host gut microbiota and GI cancers showcases a promising frontier in the ongoing battle against these formidable diseases. By comprehending and harnessing the microbiome's influence, the future of precision diagnosis and therapeutic innovation for GI cancers appears more optimistic, opening doors to tailored treatments and enhanced diagnostic precision.

This study analyzes 1643 documents related to skiing from 1974 to 2023 using the Web of Science Core Collection database, employing CiteSpace and VOSviewer for quantitative analysis. Findings reveal a growing literature output, with the past five years contributing to 36.2 % of publications. Norway leads in total publications and collaboration intensity, with the University of Salzburg and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology as prominent institutions. The research spans a wide range of disciplines such as Sport Sciences, Physiology, etc., and interdisciplinary intersections with engineering, computer science, etc. have become a future research trend. The research focuses on the analysis of skiers' sports performance, the analysis of skiing-induced sports injuries, the biomechanical analysis of skiers' postures, and the analysis of skiing-induced respiratory diseases. The study highlights the evolution of research focus from skiing injuries to injury prevention and sports performance enhancement. This comprehensive overview aids scholars in understanding skiing research hotspots and future trends efficiently.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) established a comprehensive database detailing daily mortality rates across countries. This dataset revealed fluctuating global mortality trends attributable to COVID-19; however, the specific differences and similarities in mortality patterns between countries remain insufficiently explored. Consequently, this study employs Fourier and similarity analyses to examine these patterns within the frequency domain, thereby offering novel insights into the dynamics of COVID-19 mortality waves across different nations.

Oil palm contributes to various global needs as one of the most productive oil crops, but there exist ongoing concerns regarding its yield reductions and associated environmental impacts resulting from land conversion. This is the first detailed report investigating the nonlinear threats to estate-level oil palm yields posed by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, a major driver of climate variability. Using the Malaysian Palm Oil Board administrative records on monthly performances reported by oil palm estates through the e-submissions portal spanning from January 2015 to June 2023, we focused on elucidating the impacts of ENSO on fresh fruit bunch yield, oil extraction rate, and oil yield. We found that both El Niño and La Niña conditions, characterized by extreme levels of ENSO indices cumulated over lags of 0-23 months prior to harvest, were associated with statistically significant reductions in yields. Lag association patterns unveiled that production risks were linked to pre-harvest exposure to extreme ENSO indices in various time windows. Subgroup analyses further revealed that the effects were pronounced in labor-intensive estates and those lacking fertilizer investments. This study underscores the necessity for adaptation strategies in response to future climate anomalies.

Effective and adequate maternal health service utilization is critical for improving maternal and newborn health, reducing maternal and perinatal mortality, and important to achieve global sustainable development goals (SDGs). The purpose of this systematic review was to assess adolescent maternal health service utilization and its barriers before and during SDG era in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing prevalence of mental disorders, particularly in China, where anti-epidemic measures have been more stringent compared to other countries. This has resulted in a heightened psychological burden on individuals. However, the actual psychological impacts of COVID-19 on Chinese residents have not been clearly established. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of various factors, including personal and household characteristics, social networks, and epidemic-related variables (such as rural residents' knowledge of COVID-19 virus transmission and prevention), on rural residents' depression. Using a two-year balanced panel dataset encompassing 152 villages and 676 samples in both 2019 and 2020, we employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model to estimate the influence of these factors and compare their coefficients to examine the changes in rural residents' depression between the pre-epidemic and during-epidemic periods. Our study highlights significant factors contributing to rural residents' depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, including isolation (2.063, p < 0.01) and concern about COVID-19 infection (0.128, p < 0.05). Conversely, factors such as health status (-0.714, p < 0.01) and the number of friends (-0.017, p < 0.01) were found to significantly alleviate depression among rural residents. Moreover, we identify key moderators that mitigate the negative impact of infection concerns on mental health. Specifically, the health status of rural residents (-0.166, p < 0.01), the size of their family network (-0.036, p < 0.05), and their knowledge of COVID-19 transmission and prevention (-0.184, p < 0.05) significantly moderated the relationship between infection concerns and depression. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the psychological implications of the pandemic and provide valuable insights for the development of targeted interventions to address mental health challenges in rural populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic poses ongoing challenges to the sustainability of various socioeconomic sectors, including agriculture, the food supply chain, the food business, and environmental sustainability. This study employs data obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as scientific and technical research publications, to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 on agriculture and food security. This article seeks to highlight the profound influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture, the supply and demand of food, and the overall safety of food. The article also explores the several pathways by which COVID-19 can be transmitted in these areas and the various technologies employed for its detection. The ongoing and post-pandemic ramifications are substantial since they could decrease agricultural output due to limitations on migration, a downturn in international trade, less buying capacity, and disturbances in food production and processing. Therefore, based on this thorough investigation, recommendations are issued for mitigating and controlling the pandemic's effects.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious infectious disease that has posed a global threat, leading to a widespread pandemic characterized by multi-organ complications and failures.

Influenza is an important global health concern, particularly in critically ill patients. The anion gap, a marker of metabolic acidosis, is associated with mortality in various critical illnesses. However, its association with mortality in critically ill patients with influenza remains unclear. This study investigated the association between the anion gap on admission and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with influenza.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prominent contributor to morbidity and mortality in developed nations, primarily attributable to vascular complications such as atherothrombosis occurring in the coronary arteries. Aldose reductase (ALR2), the main enzyme in the polyol pathway, catalyzes the conversion of glucose to sorbitol, leading to a significant buildup of reactive oxygen species in different tissues. It is therefore a prime candidate for therapeutic targeting, and extensive study is currently underway to discover novel natural compounds that can inhibit it. has a long history as a lipid-lowering ethanopharmaceutical plant. In this study, compounds derived from were computationally evaluated as possible lead candidates. Various computational filtering methods were employed to assess the drug-like properties and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiles of the compounds. The compounds were subsequently addressed to analysis of their interactions, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation studies. When compared to the conventional therapeutic compounds, three compounds exhibited enhanced binding affinity and intra-molecular residue interactions, resulting in increased stability and specificity. Consequently, four potent inhibitors, namely PubChem CIDs 119205, 65373, 6184, and 332427, have been identified. These inhibitors exhibit promising potential as pharmacological targets for the advancement of novel ALR-2 inhibitors.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing and concerning threat to global public health, necessitating innovative strategies to combat this crisis. Amidine-containing compounds have emerged as promising agents in the battle against AMR. This review gives a summary of recent advances from the past decade in studies of antimicrobial amidine-containing compounds with the aim to feature their structural diversity and the pharmacological relevance of the moiety to antimicrobial activity and their potential use in combating antimicrobial resistance, to the greatest extent possible. Highlighting is put on chemical structure of such compounds in relation to antimicrobial activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activities. Researchers commonly modify molecules containing amidine or incorporate amidine into existing antimicrobial agents to enhance their pharmacological attributes and combat antimicrobial resistance. This comprehensive review consolidates the current knowledge on amidine-containing compounds, elucidating their antimicrobial mechanisms and highlighting their promise in addressing the global AMR crisis. By offering a multidisciplinary perspective, we aim to inspire further research and innovation in this critical area of antimicrobial research.

Air pollution is a global environmental and public health challenge. There is limited evidence about the air quality in Rwanda, and the concentrations of particulate matter (PM), namely PM and PM in schools have not been well documented. This study evaluated patterns and disparities in indoor PM levels in selected primary schools in Kigali, Rwanda. The study collected PM and PM concentrations from six classrooms in six selected primary schools during the regular school study period in the dry season. Data were collected using mobile air sensors (purple air/PA-II-SD air quality) and an observation checklist. A Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to assess the difference in PM and PM concentrations between the six schools. The post-hoc Mann-Whitney test was used to compare all group pairs. The results indicated a significant difference in both the indoor PM concentration (H (5) = 41.01, p < 0.001) and the indoor PM concentration (H (5) = 38.5, p < 0.001). The maximum concentration observed was 133.6 μg/m for PM and 158.5 μg/m for PM. Schools in highly exposed areas tended to have higher concentrations of PM than schools in moderately exposed areas. Specifically, the daily average concentration of PM in schools located in highly exposed areas ranged from 39 μg/m³ to 118 μg/m³, while PM levels ranged from 44.0 μg/m³ to 126 μg/m³. In contrast, schools in moderately exposed areas had daily PM average concentrations ranging from 32.0 μg/m³ to 111.0 μg/m³ and daily PM average concentrations ranging from 38.0 μg/m³ to 119 μg/m³. Overall, the recorded values for both PM and PM in all sampled schools were higher than the World Health Organization air quality guidelines. Indoor air quality is poorer in schools situated in highly exposed areas. This study suggests interventions to improve school air quality for the benefit of school communities.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the foremost cause of infectious fatality globally. The primary global challenge in combatting TB lies in addressing the emergence of drug-resistant variants of the disease. However, the number of newly approved agents for treating TB has remained remarkably low over recent decades. Hence, research endeavors for discovering novel anti-TB agents are always needed. In the present study, we screened over 1,500 culture extracts from actinomycetes isolated in Indonesia for their inhibitory activity against used as a surrogate in the primary screening. The initial screening yielded approximately 6.2 % hit extracts, with a selection criterion of >80 % growth inhibition. The confirmed hit extracts were subsequently subjected to growth inhibition assay against and Approximately 20 % of the hit extracts that showed growth inhibition also exhibited efficacy against BCG and H37Rv pathogenic strain An active compound was successfully purified from a large-scale culture of the most potent representative extract by high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. The structure of the active compound was elucidated by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. This compound displayed structural similarities to actinomycin group and exhibited robust inhibition, with IC values of 0.74, 0.02, and 0.07 μg/mL against , and , respectively. The Actinomycetes strain A612, which produced the active compound, was taxonomically classified by phylogenetic analysis of 16s rRNA gene and whole genome sequencing data as . Computational genome analysis utilizing anti-SMASH 7.0 unveiled that A612 strain harbors 40 biosynthetic gene clusters with the potential to produce 16 known (with >70 % similarity) and 24 unknown compounds. A non-ribosomal peptide synthesis (NRPS) gene cluster associated with actinomycin D biosynthesis was also identified, boasting an 85 % similarity. Molecular docking analysis of actinomycin D and 21 potential targets revealed possible interactions with multiple targets. The purified active compound inhibited recombinant shikimate kinase (SK), which validated the results obtained from the docking analysis.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) type 40 in species F (HAdV-F40) and HAdV-F41 represent the third most prevalent causative agents of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children, following norovirus and rotavirus. Despite their significant contribution to global child morbidity, vaccines to preemptively combat these viruses remain elusive. In this study, we investigate the potential for cross-neutralization between HAdV-F40 and HAdV-F41 using immune sera with the short fiber knob (SFK). We implemented a series of assays to evaluate the responses, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent, micro-neutralization, immunofluorescence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results demonstrate that immune sera with HAdV-F40 SFK or HAdV-F41 SFK could effectively neutralize both HAdV-F40 and HAdV-F41, indicating a mutual cross-neutralizing effect. Notably, the immune sera with HAdV-F40 SFK demonstrated a stronger neutralization effect, suggesting the potential to develop a subunit vaccine that can simultaneously counteract both viruses. These findings underscore the potential of SFK immunization in evoking a cross-neutralizing antibody response between HAdV-F40 and HAdV-F41. This suggests a promising avenue for developing subunit vaccines against HAdV-F40 and HAdV-F41 and provides a novel perspective on the potential of neutralizing antibodies to protect against these two types of HAdV.

Diabetes is a growing global health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide and in Saudi Arabia in particular. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers real-time glucose levels, alerts, and 24/7 coverage, making it an affordable treatment option. The study aimed to assess CGM's effect on diabetes control and quality of life among type 1 adult diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia.

Recently, with the rapid growth of the global population and the exhaustion of resources, exploration activities in extreme environments such as the polar regions, the outer space, the deep sea, the deep underground and highlands are becoming increasingly more frequent. This in-depth exploration of the external environment and the consequent dramatic changes in lifestyles impact on sleep, a basic life activity of humans, in ways that cannot be overlooked. the basic life activity of human beings. Sleep, a basic life activity and the result of the evolution of organisms to adapt to their environment, is closely associated with sleep homeostasis and endogenous rhythms. However, external environmental changes and lifestyle shifts in extreme environments have had a significant impact on the patterns and the quality of sleep in humans. Furthermore, this impact can lead to many physiological and psychological problems, posing a great threat to human health. In this review, we delved into the specific effects of different extreme natural environments and enclosed environments on sleep, elaborating on how these environments alter the patterns and the quality of sleep in humans. In addition, we summarized the changes in human sleep under extreme environments to help gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these specific environments impact human sleep. It is expected that this review will provide a solid theoretical foundation for optimizing long-term survival strategies in extreme environments and help humans adapt to and overcome the challenges posed by extreme environments more effectively.

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and long-term effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) across diverse clinical and observational settings within the United States in Americans aged 16 and older. We conducted an extensive literature search utilizing various types of studies to assess the vaccine's performance in preventing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes. Our initial search in PubMed on March 14, 2022, yielded 6,725 potentially relevant articles, with 26 undergoing full-text assessment and eight meeting the inclusion criteria. To incorporate the most up-to-date findings, a secondary search was conducted on July 6, 2024, using improved and refined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms within the PubMed and Scopus databases. This expanded approach resulted in 78 potentially relevant articles from PubMed and 1,567 from Scopus, with 40 articles undergoing full-text assessment and an additional 14 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Early clinical trials reported initial vaccine effectiveness (VE) up to 95% with sustained immunity in various populations. Observational studies and systematic reviews further confirmed VE above 90% against symptomatic infections and highlighted nearly complete protection against hospitalizations and deaths. Recent research underscores the critical role of booster doses in maintaining high VE, especially against emerging variants, showing restored effectiveness up to 95% and supporting their strategic importance in ongoing pandemic responses. Despite observed waning immunity and breakthrough infections, the BNT162b2 vaccine continues to exhibit robust protection across different demographic groups and under varying epidemiological conditions. Our findings advocate for continuous booster updates and adaptive vaccination strategies to manage emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, reinforcing the pivotal role of mRNA vaccine technology in addressing global health emergencies.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research indicates a significant link between IBD and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. This review examines the association between IBD and CVD, emphasizing the role of the gut microbiome in this relationship. IBD patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular incidents, primarily due to chronic systemic inflammation, genetic factors, and gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis). Dysbiosis in IBD increases intestinal permeability, allowing bacterial products to enter the bloodstream, which promotes inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, contributing to CVD. Understanding the gut microbiome's role in IBD and CVD suggests new therapeutic interventions. Modulating the microbiome through diet, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are promising research avenues. These interventions aim to restore a healthy gut microbiota balance, potentially reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of regular cardiovascular risk assessments and personalized preventive measures in managing IBD patients. Such measures include routine monitoring of cardiovascular health, tailored lifestyle modifications, and early intervention strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risk. By integrating current knowledge, this review aims to improve understanding and management of the interconnected pathophysiology of IBD and CVD. This approach will ultimately enhance patient outcomes and provide a foundation for future research and clinical practice guidelines in this area.

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by loss of body weight secondary to skeletal muscle atrophy and adipose tissue wasting. It not only has a significant impact on patients' quality of life but also reduces the effectiveness and tolerability of anticancer therapy, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Lung cancer is a prominent global health concern, and the prevalence of cachexia is high among patients with lung cancer. In this review, we integrate findings from studies of lung cancer and other types of cancer to provide an overview of recent advances in cancer cachexia. Our focus includes topics such as the clinical criteria for diagnosis and staging, the function and mechanism of selected mediators, and potential therapeutic strategies for clinical application. A comprehensive summary of current studies will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cachexia and contribute to the identification of high-risk patients, the development of effective treatment strategies, and the design of appropriate therapeutic regimens for patients at different disease stages.

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease with a global prevalence of approximately 300 million individuals, presents a significant societal and economic burden. This multifaceted syndrome exhibits diverse clinical phenotypes and pathogenic endotypes influenced by various factors. The advent of omics technologies has revolutionized asthma research by delving into the molecular foundation of the disease to unravel its underlying mechanisms. Omics technologies are employed to systematically screen for potential biomarkers, encompassing genes, transcripts, methylation sites, proteins, and even the microbiome components. This review provides an insightful overview of omics applications in asthma research, with a special emphasis on genetics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and the microbiome. We explore the cutting-edge methods, discoveries, challenges, and potential future directions in the realm of asthma omics research. By integrating multi-omics and non-omics data through advanced statistical techniques, we aspire to advance precision medicine in asthma, guiding diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalized treatment strategies for this heterogeneous condition.

Light at night (LAN) has become a concern in interdisciplinary research in recent years. This global interdisciplinary study aimed to explore the exposure-lag-response association between LAN exposure and lung cancer incidence.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the widest emerging severe viral tick-borne disease affecting humans. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) circulates by routine enzootic tick-vertebrate hosts-tick transmission cycles. We aimed to evaluate the molecular prevalence of CCHFV in ticks on a global scale.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been ongoing for more than 3 years, with an enormous impact on global health and economies. In some patients, symptoms and signs may remain after recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which cannot be explained by an alternate diagnosis; this condition has been defined as long COVID. Long COVID may exist in patients with both mild and severe disease and is prevalent after infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The most common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnea, and other symptoms involving multiple organs. Vaccination results in lower rates of long COVID. To date, the mechanisms of long COVID remain unclear. In this narrative review, we summarized the clinical presentations and current evidence regarding the pathogenesis of long COVID.

Respiratory cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but its statistics vary between the East and West. This study aimed to estimate the burdens of tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer and larynx cancer and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019 in Asia, and at regional and national levels.

Kazdin's (2024) article details the urgent need for adjuvant treatment approaches focused on how individuals live in daily life. This is an essential pathway to reduce suffering given the global prevalence of psychological distress. We strongly agree and add that a targeted focus on the period of emerging adulthood is of vital importance. Evidence is consistent and compelling that need is high in this stressful developmental period, with the first onset of most psychiatric disorders and limited access to traditional mental health services. Moreover, evidence suggests that this is a life stage where "habits" relating to key lifestyle factors, including physical activity, nutrition, and social activities, have not yet coalesced, hence the opportunity for change may be greatest. These are habits that, as Kazdin (2024) writes, are robustly predictive of lifelong physical and mental health. To leverage this behavioral plasticity, we recommend enlisting the aid of smartphone technology that many emerging adults already use in their everyday lives. This will facilitate earlier intervention, potentially translating into decades of reduced suffering for many individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The whitefly, a polyphagous insect pest feeding on nearly 1328 plant species, is a major threat to global cotton production and incurs up to 50% yield losses in cotton production in Pakistan. We investigated whether increased aspartate in phloem sap imparts whitefly toxicity and protects cotton plants from intense damage. The enzymatic step for aspartate production is carried through aspartate aminotransferase (AAT). In this study, we constitutively overexpressed the Oryza sativa cytoplasmic AAT (OsAAT2) under the CaMV35S promoter in Gossypium hirsutum cv. CIM-482. Real-time PCR analysis of the AAT transcripts revealed a 2.85- to 31.7-fold increase in mRNA levels between the different cotton lines. A substantial increase in the free-amino acid content of the major N-assimilation and transport amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, asparagine, and glutamine) was seen in the phloem sap of the transgenic cotton lines. The bioassay revealed that the two transgenic cotton lines with the highest free aspartate content in the phloem sap exhibited 97 and 94% mortality in the adult whitefly population and a 98 and 96% decline in subsequent nymph populations, respectively. There was also a significant change in the physiological behaviour of the transgenic cotton lines, with an increased net assimilation (A), gaseous exchange (Gs) and rate of transpiration (E). Improved morphological characteristics like plant height, total number of bolls and fiber yield were recorded in transgenic cotton lines. The AAT gene shows promise in mitigating whitefly infestations and enhancing the overall health and yield of cotton plants.

Ischemic stroke poses a significant global health burden, with rapid revascularization treatments being crucial but often insufficient to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has shown promise in reducing cerebral I/R injury, but its potential molecular mechanism, particularly its interaction with non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), remains unclear. This study investigates DEX's therapeutic effect and potential molecular mechanisms in reducing cerebral I/R injury. A transient middle cerebral artery obstruction (tMACO) model was established to simulate cerebral I/R injury in adult rats. DEX was administered pre-ischemia and post-reperfusion. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses were performed on the ischemic cerebral cortex to identify differentially expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and mRNAs. The sequencing results showed 6,494 differentially expressed (DE) mRNA and 2698 DE circRNA between the sham and tMCAO (I/R) groups. Additionally, 1809 DE lncRNA, 763 DE mRNA, and 2795 DE circRNA were identified between the I/R group and tMCAO + DEX (I/R + DEX) groups. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated significant enrichment in multicellular biogenesis, plasma membrane components, and protein binding. KEGG analysis further highlighted the potential mechanism of DEX action in reducing cerebral I/R injury, with hub genes involved in inflammatory pathways. This study demonstrates DEX's efficacy in reducing cerebral I/R injury and offers insights into its brain-protective effects, especially in ischemic stroke. Further research is warranted to fully understand DEX's neuroprotective mechanisms and its clinical applications.

Resistance monitoring is a key element in controlling vector-borne diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have each developed bottle bioassay methods for determining insecticide susceptibility in mosquito vectors which are used globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network's (GOARN) mechanism used to rapidly deploy technical support for international responses and highlighted areas that require strengthened capacity within the Network. GOARN's partners in the World Health Organization's (WHO) South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions were engaged to explore their levels of preparedness, readiness and ability to respond to international public health emergencies.

Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM), a prevalent and critical condition in individuals suffering from sepsis and septic shock, remains elusive in terms of its intricate pathogenesis, thereby lacking definitive diagnostic standards. Current clinical management predominantly revolves around addressing the underlying disease and alleviating symptoms, yet mortality rates persist at elevated levels. This research endeavors to delve into the effects of low molecular weight heparin on Heparanase (HPA) levels in SCM patients, while assessing the clinical significance of HPA as a diagnostic marker in this patient population.

The global issue of antimicrobial resistance poses significant challenges to public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted it as a major global health threat, causing an estimated 700,000 deaths worldwide. Understanding the multifaceted nature of antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective strategies. Several physiological and biochemical mechanisms are involved in the development of antibiotic resistance. Bacterial cells may escape the bactericidal actions of the drugs by entering a physiologically dormant state known as bacterial persistence. Recent findings in this field suggest that bacterial persistence can be one of the main sources of chronic infections. The antibiotic tolerance developed by the persister cells could tolerate high levels of antibiotics and may give rise to persister offspring. These persister offspring could be attributed to antibiotic resistance mechanisms, especially in chronic infections. This review attempts to shed light on persister-induced antibiotic resistance and the current therapeutic strategies.

Acute malnutrition is a major global public health problem, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. A targeted supplementary feeding program is an approach recommended to address moderate acute malnutrition in food-insecure settings. Preventing and treating moderate acute malnutrition requires identifying factors shown to affect the treatment outcome and duration of stay on treatment. This study aimed to determine the time to recovery from moderate acute malnutrition and its predictors among children aged 6-59 months in Fedis Woreda East Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

In the last decade, spirituality gained increasing recognition, with an individualized approach to the significance of symptoms and the purpose of treatment. Many psychiatrists started adopting the term "biopsychosocial-spiritual" management. Modern psychological therapies have drawn from the principles of ancient Eastern traditions. However, the spiritual beliefs within Islam and their impact on mental well-being have yet to be studied sufficiently. The Eastern Mediterranean region is largely Muslim and shares similar cultural beliefs. This paper explores some of these beliefs and their impact on perceptions of mental health and help-seeking behavior. The paper will focus primarily on the religious ideologies, the concepts of punishment and reward from Allah (God) in the context of the high stigma associated with mental illness in the region, and the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward people with mental illness. We will explore cultural beliefs in possession, evil eye, and black magic and how they influence treatment adherence. Traditional and faith healers remain very popular in this part of the world and are often the first line of treatment for people presenting with mental illness. Suicide and self-harming are particularly sensitive areas due to their religious implications in life and death, as well as the afterlife. Despite the global interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region, there still is a shortage of research on the intercultural aspects of this region, especially regarding mental health assessments. In this regard, we will explore some published literature from Qatar and draw comparisons with regional findings.

Antimicrobial drug use (AMU) in veterinary medicine may contribute to antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections in both animals and people. Efforts to improve AMU in companion animal medicine are underway and should include all members of the veterinary team, including veterinary support staff. Our objective was to describe knowledge and attitudes regarding AMU, AMR, and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in companion animal medicine among veterinary support staff professionals in the United States using an anonymous, online questionnaire. Additionally, we sought to explore veterinary support staff perceptions of their role in the antimicrobial drug (AMD) prescribing process. Veterinary technicians, nurses, assistants, client care representatives, and hospital managers ( = 337) considered AMR a global concern (83.4%), and 40% reported receiving AMR education from their employer. Few (18.3%) were aware of AMS, with only 6.4% indicating that their clinic had an AMS program. Frequent involvement in the AMD prescribing process was reported (43.4%), but only 19.7% perceived involvement with AMS interventions. Approximately one-third of participants (34.9%) said that advice regarding the need for AMDs was routinely provided by staff to pet owners prior to veterinary consultation. Participants estimated that 82.6% of all AMD prescriptions were filled at the clinic as opposed to an outside pharmacy. Given their direct involvement in the AMD prescribing process and frequent interactions with pet owners, AMS should be emphasized to all veterinary staff. Involving support staff in AMS interventions is necessary to improve AMU in companion animal medicine.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern. This study aimed to investigate the role of ALU-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC.

There is limited guidance on strategies for delivering complex global health programs. We synthesized available evidence on implementation strategies and outcomes utilized in the global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) across low and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.

As global health issues become more important, nursing education is undergoing change to reflect the changing global health environment and new knowledge. Nurses are required to be able to understand and interact with patients of diverse cultural backgrounds and characteristics and have relevant global health competencies.

The aging of the world population has led to an increase in the epidemiology and burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

To identify Egyptian older adults' awareness, concerns, and mental health about the monkeypox outbreak. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox disease is receiving more attention. The monkeypox virus outbreak has posed a global concern, especially to older adults with comorbidities. Natural disasters, and endemic affect older persons' mental health. A cross-sectional descriptive design was followed. 254 older adults were recruited from three outpatient clinics using consecutive sampling using four tools. 74.0% of older study participants were unaware of monkeypox. Gender, level of education, residence, worry about contracting monkeypox infection, and mental distress are predictors of awareness about monkeypox ( < .001). Worry of contracting monkeypox infection was common among female participants ( = .038), highly educated ( = .001), who had a low level of awareness and high level of mental distress ( = .001 for both). Awareness of monkeypox was associated with worry and mental distress. Gerontological nurses have a vital role in contacting older adults and providing care and education that decreases worry and preserves minds and feelings, improving their quality of life. Establishing a national strategic planning and crisis prevention framework to alleviate psychological distress and prevent mental health issues from deteriorating in this group is crucial.

In 1996, a multicomponent community-based alcohol prevention program in Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) targeting licensed premises was developed by STAD (Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drug Problems) and implemented in Stockholm, Sweden. The program consists of community mobilization and collaboration, training, and enforcement. Early evaluations have shown a significant increase in the refusal rates of alcohol service to intoxicated patrons, from 5% in 1996 to 70% in 2001, and a 29% decrease in the frequency of police-reported violence. A cost-effectiveness analysis showed a cost-saving ratio of 1:39. The program was institutionalized by a collaborative steering group consisting of community stakeholders. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects over 20 years of the RBS program. The indicator chosen was the rate of alcohol overserving to obviously intoxicated patrons at licensed premises in Stockholm.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and is one of the main global health concerns. Synthetic sugar substrate has many side effects such as leukemia, bladder cancer, hepatotoxicity, breast cancer, headache, and brain toxicity. The WHO and FDA has recently banned some of the synthetic sugar alternatives due to their carcinogenic effects. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to investigate the safety and binding affinity of Stevioside with Glucose Transpoter-4 (GLUT-4), Akt, Insulin Receptor (IR) and Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 (IRS-1) to confirmed that Stevioside is one the potent natural sweetener/drug for diabetes. This study delves into the molecular interaction between Stevioside and key diabetic proteins: GLUT-4, Akt, IR and IRS-1. A precise molecular docking approach was used to simulate the binding affinity of Stevioside to these proteins. The pharmacokinetic properties of the molecule should be taken into consideration as important variables throughout the virtual screening process. The result of active site analysis of GLUT-4, Akt, IR and IRS-1 showed a zone of 2158.359 Ǻ, 579.259 Ǻ, 762.651 Ǻ, and 152.167 Ǻ and a volume of 2765.094 Ǻ³, 355.567 Ǻ³, 686.806 Ǻ³, and 116.874 Ǻ³, respectively. Docking analysis of the Stevioside compound showed the highest docking energy with scores of -9.9 with GLUT-4, -6.7 with Akt, -8.0 with IR and -8.8 with IRS-1. Studies indicated that it remains undigested by stomach acids and enzymes and is not absorbed in the upper small intestine. Further, tests revealed no hepatotoxicity, AMES toxicity, or skin sensitivity, making it a promising candidate for safe consumption as drug metabolism. Instead of other sugar alternatives, Stevioside will help diabetic patients with a lower chance of infections, lowered blood pressure/blood sugar, and increased glucose uptake in diabetic muscles. Stevioside is a natural sweetener, and the current study recommends its usage in various dietary products for diabetic patients.

The Portfolio Diet combines cholesterol-lowering plant foods for the management of cardiovascular disease risk. However, the translation of this dietary approach into clinical practice necessitates a user-friendly method for patients to autonomously monitor their adherence.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of global, regional, and national trends in the burden of hearing loss (HL) among children and adolescents from 1990 to 2019, using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Over this period, there was a general decline in HL prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) globally, with average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of -0.03% (95% uncertainty interval [UI], -0.04% to -0.01%;  = 0.001) and -0.23% (95% UI, -0.25% to -0.20%;  < 0.001). Males exhibited higher rates of HL prevalence and YLDs than females. Mild and moderate HL were the most common categories across all age groups, but the highest proportion of YLDs was associated with profound HL [22.23% (95% UI, 8.63%-57.53%)]. Among females aged 15-19 years, the prevalence and YLD rates for moderate HL rose, with AAPCs of 0.14% (95% UI, 0.06%-0.22%;  = 0.001) and 0.13% (95% UI, 0.08%-0.18%;  < 0.001). This increase is primarily attributed to age-related and other HL (such as environmental, lifestyle factors, and occupational noise exposure) and otitis media, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions for this demographic. Southeast Asia and Western Sub-Saharan Africa bore the heaviest HL burden, while High-income North America showed lower HL prevalence and YLD rates but a slight increasing trend in recent years, with AAPCs of 0.13% (95% UI, 0.1%-0.16%;  < 0.001) and 0.08% (95% UI, 0.04% to 0.12%;  < 0.001). Additionally, the analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between sociodemographic index (SDI) and both HL prevalence ( = -0.74;  < 0.001) and YLD ( = -0.76;  < 0.001) rates. However, the changes in HL trends were not significantly correlated with SDI, suggesting that factors beyond economic development, such as policies and cultural practices, also affect HL. Despite the overall optimistic trend, this study emphasizes the continued need to focus on specific high-risk groups and regions to further reduce the HL burden and enhance the quality of life for affected children and adolescents.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are gender-specific manifestations of urogenital schistosomiasis. Morbidity is a consequence of prolonged inflammation in the human genital tract caused by the entrapped eggs of the waterborne parasite, Both diseases affect the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of millions of people globally, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Awareness and knowledge of these diseases is largely absent among affected communities and healthcare workers in endemic countries. Accurate burden of FGS and MGS disease estimates, single and combined, are absent, mostly due to the absence of standardized methods for individual or population-based screening and diagnosis. In addition, there are disparities in country-specific FGS and MGS knowledge, research and implementation approaches, and diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no WHO guidelines to inform practice. The BILGENSA (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) Research Network aimed to create a collaborative multidisciplinary network to advance clinical research of FGS and MGS across Southern African endemic countries. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia over two days in November 2022. Over 150 researchers and stakeholders from different schistosomiasis endemic settings attended. Attendees identified challenges and research priorities around FGS and MGS from their respective countries. Key research themes identified across settings included: 1) To increase the knowledge about the local burden of FGS and MGS; 2) To raise awareness among local communities and healthcare workers; 3) To develop effective and scalable guidelines for disease diagnosis and management; 4) To understand the effect of treatment interventions on disease progression, and 5) To integrate FGS and MGS within other existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In its first meeting, the BILGENSA Network set forth a common research agenda across countries for the control of FGS and MGS.

In the past, clinical trials run in India have been the subject of criticism. Among other steps to improve the trial ecosystem, for some time the government limited the number of trials that a Principal Investigator (PI) could run to three at a time. We were interested to know how many trials PIs in India tend to run at a time.