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QUALITATIVE OUTCOMES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL GROUP INTERVENTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS: APPL...
Bongiwe MAHLOBO
Phenyo Kgaugelo MOTSWAI

Bongiwe MAHLOBO

and 1 more

July 19, 2024
ABSTRACT Aim(s): To qualitatively assess and theoretically understand the needs of military healthcare workers during a pandemic. Design: This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Methods: A retrospective record review of existing hospital data of 34 psychosocial group interventions held during the pandemic period was conducted. The data was analysed using a hybrid approach to thematic analysis, incorporating both inductive and deductive elements. Data Sources: Reports, case notes and attendance registers detailing the accounts of 208 healthcare worker group intervention participants were included in the study. Results: The pandemic most frequently threatened basic human needs at the foundational level of safety and security relative to other higher order needs, such as self-actualisation. As the pandemic progressed, however, some of the basic needs were met, freeing up the healthcare workers to focus more on the higher order needs. Results further highlighted that pre-existing needs which remained unfulfilled during normal working periods mostly amplified esteem needs, in addition to the other needs, during the crisis period. Conclusion: Maslow’s approach provides a useful framework for understanding and prioritising the demands military healthcare workers face both during regular and crisis periods. The pandemic illustrated the importance of providing for the foundational needs of healthcare workers during regular periods, so that they better meet the demands when a crisis arises. Implications for the profession and/or patient care: It is recommended that within the military healthcare system, an atmosphere that allows for the expression and continuous meeting of healthcare worker needs is cultivated, enabling the identification of areas of improvement. This may enhance the development of relevant strategies to facilitate enhanced patient care. Impact: This study provides the opportunity for the military community to reflect on and improve needs that healthcare workers experience in general and those they experience as a result of being part of the organisation. Reporting Method: We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines with the Standard for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) reporting method. Patient or Public Contribution: Military healthcare workers were involved as the study population. Hospital management was provided with feedback on the main findings and possible improvement strategies.
Clinical observation of intraovarian injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma in...
ZHAO ZHANG
BIRAN PAN

ZHAO ZHANG

and 2 more

July 19, 2024
Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma intraovarian injection in the treatment of patients with ovarian hypofunction.to provide a new diagnosis and treatment idea for the treatment of ovarian reserve hypofunction. Design:Intervention research. Setting: A tertiary-care hospital in Guangxi, China. Population:The patients with decreased ovarian in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. Methods:A total of 22 patients with decreased ovarian reserve who received autologous platelet-rich plasma intraovarian injections were collected. Among them, 11 patients received assisted reproductive technology for pregnancy. Main outcome measures:The levels of anti-Mullerian hormone, sinus follicle number, basal follicle-stimulating hormone, basal luteinizing hormone, basal estradiol, and pregnancy outcome. Results: AMH, AFC, basal FSH, basal LH, and basal E2 levels were improved in 22 patients after treatment. Ten patients obtained embryos, of which five obtained high-quality embryos. However, none of the 22 patients had a successful pregnancy. Conclusion: Intraovarian injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma can effectively improve ovarian reserve function in patients with reduced ovarian reserve function.
Numerical solution method of fractional Riccati differential equations based on the B...
Xinghua Hu
Yao Zhang

Xinghua Hu

and 1 more

July 18, 2024
Taking advantage of the global optimization of the black-winged kite optimization algorithm, a numerical solution of the fractional order Riccati differential equation based on Haar wavelet function approximation and the black-winged kite optimization algorithm is proposed. Combining Haar wavelet gives the general form of numerical solution of fractional order Riccati differential equation, the original problem is transformed into a single-objective optimization problem with the approximation function to be coefficients as variables, and then solved by the black-winged kite optimization algorithm. The Haar wavelet approximate solution of the fractional order Riccati differential equation is obtained. The error estimation and convergence analysis of the method based on Haar wavelet function to simulate the solution function of the equation are performed, and the stability is evaluated using the optimization performance ratio. The accuracy and stability of the method are demonstrated by comparing the results with those obtained by existing numerical methods.
Norwegian lemmings, Lemmus lemmus: the resource-limited vagabonds of the Fennoscandia...
Lauri Oksanen
Katariina Vuorinen

Lauri Oksanen

and 5 more

July 18, 2024
In broad outlines, the results of our long-term (1977-2017) study on dynamics of small rodents on the Finnmarksvidda tundra conformed to the prediction the Exploitation Ecosystems Hypothesis (EEH). Productive shrublands supported boreal-type vole cycles, where vole declines were accompanied by intense predator activity. Conversely, the unproductive high tundra was characterized by irregular outbreaks of Norwegian lemmings (Lemmus lemmus), ending in abrupt winter crashes and in profound destruction of perennially available plants. In contrast to the Siberian and North American tundra, densities of avian predators where chronically low. Lemmings thus increased unhinged during peak summers. As proposed by Kalela, young adults responded to the discrepancy between numbers and resource supply by migrating. Tens of young lemmings were trapped on a small island in the middle of Iešjávri, a 10 by 8 km tundra lake, and many lemmings were seen starting to swim across the lake. The risky crossings of a major water barrier indicated that these lemmings were on a long journey. We propose that the unique dynamics and traits of Norwegian lemmings are a legacy of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), which Norwegian lemmings survived in a small, extremely isolated refugium archipelago, unlikely to have been exploited by avian predators specialized to Lemmus spp. On the basis of the results summarized above and earlier simulation studies, we argue that pure lemming-vegetation interactions create extremely violent, chaotic density oscillations, where periods with low lemming numbers are long, and high lemming densities are only achieved late in peak summers. When Norwegian lemmings lost their specialized avian predators during LGM, the Fennoscandian tundra shifted to the alternative state of pure lemming-plant oscillations, characterized by autumnal peaks and long periods of low lemming density, which is thus resistant to the invasion of avian predators adapted to exploit Lemmus spp.
DECAY RATES RESULT FOR KIRCHHOFF PLATES EQUATION WITH BOUNDARY MEMORY CONDITION
BILEL MADJOUR
AMEL BOUDIAF

BILEL MADJOUR

and 1 more

July 18, 2024
In this study, we look at the stability of Kirchhoff plate equation solutions with a memory condition at the boundary. Assume the kernel functions k i = 1 , 2 satisfies the minimal condition h ( t ) G ( − k i ′ ( t ) ) ≤ k i ′′ ( t ) , where h and G satisfy some properties. Our new results are a significant improvement and generalisation of many earlier related results in the literature.
Poleward propagating quasi-biweekly oscillations over the South-West Indian Ocean dur...
Sambrita Ghatak

Sambrita Ghatak

and 1 more

July 18, 2024
In this study, we have identified a poleward propagating convectively coupled Quasi-biweekly oscillation(QBWO) over the SouthWest Indian Ocean (SWIO) during boreal winter, and described its propagation mechanism. Composites from 30 years (1980/81-2009/10) of OLR and reanalysis data show well-formed rotational gyres in the lower troposphere(700 hPa) that can be tracked from near the equator to almost 30 • S, starting beneath India and propagating towards Madagascar, i.e., with mean southwest propagation. The gyres have a prominent northwest-southeast tilt, giving rise to a northeast-southwest oriented wavetrain. The gyres have a zonal scale of about 30 •-35 • , a period of 14-18 days and a westward phase speed of approximately 3.5 ms −1. The group velocity of these wave packets is near-zero. In the early stages, the gyres are associated with weak convection, but when they move poleward and cross 10 • S, convective coupling is enhanced. Velocity fields and OLR indicate that the maxima of moist convective activity lies in the eastern sector of the gyres and a comparison between column-integrated moisture and OLR anomalies shows they are highly collocated, indicating the applicability of the moisture mode framework. A moisture budget reveals that once the gyres reach 10 •-20 • S, moistening is mainly due to northerlies in the eastern sector of the cyclonic gyre acting on the meridional gradient of background moisture, which eventually gives rise to anomalous convection in this region. This moistening process continues up to 30 • S while the gyres traverse southwestward. Subsequently, background easterlies advect anomalous moisture and along with moistening via so-called 'column-processes', convection is observed to extend inside the gyre from the eastern side. A vorticity budget reveals that the β effect plays a leading role in the south-westward propagation, horizontal advection assists the westward movement of vorticity anomalies due to prevailing easterlies and moist coupling (via stretching) is important in reducing the speed of propagation of this mode. In fact, the relatively slow southwestward movement of the system is because moist coupling reduces the effect of β and horizontal advection terms. Moreover, as convection primarily takes place on the eastern side of the vortex, and somewhat inside the vortex too, it also follows a southwestward path along with the QBWO vortices.
Spatial heterogeneity of nitrogen fixation and denitrification
Erin Eberhard
Stephen Techtmann

Erin Eberhard

and 3 more

July 18, 2024
Stream ecosystems exhibit high degrees of spatial heterogeneity in environmental conditions, communities of organisms, and ecosystem processes at nested scales from landscapes to microhabitats. This heterogeneity may facilitate the co-occurrence of biogeochemical processes that are favored under incompatible environmental conditions, like dinitrogen (N2 gas) fixation and denitrification. We hypothesized that environmental variation at the patch scale (1-10’s m) would facilitate the co-occurrence of N2 fixation and denitrification through the formation of ecosystem control points or patches that show high reaction rates relative to the surrounding area. We measured rates of N2 fixation and denitrification and relative abundances of the genes nifH and nirS (genes that encode for the enzymes nitrogenase and nitrite reductase respectively) in patches determined by channel geomorphic units and substrate type in seven streams encompassing a gradient of N and P concentrations. We found ecosystem control points, where rates of N2 fixation and denitrification were 1 to 4 times higher than reach-average rates (0.2 – 1400 μg m-2 h-1 and 350 – 60000 μg m-2 h-1, respectively), occurred in all study streams. Most N2 fixation control points were in patches with rock substrates, while denitrification rates and relative abundances of nifH and nirS were higher in fine sediment patches. Yet, in two of the streams, rates in the top 25% of all patches for both denitrification and N2 fixation occurred in the same patches, suggesting that variation in conditions at the sub-patch scale can also facilitate co-occurrence of these processes. Across all streams and patches, organic matter and dissolved oxygen concentrations were important predictors of rates of N2 fixation, denitrification, and nifH relative abundance, while P concentration was important to N2 fixation and denitrification. Our results demonstrate that understanding the spatial ecology of microbially-driven nutrient cycling is required to characterize nutrient fluxes more completely in stream ecosystems.
The complete mitochondrial genomes of five Nivanini species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae:...
wei Wang
Lina Jiang

wei Wang

and 6 more

July 16, 2024
To delve deeper into the phylogenetic relationships within Cicadellidae and the taxonomic ar-rangement of Evacanthinae, our study focuses on the mitochondrial genome sequencing of five Nivanini species: Extensus latus、Concavepiana hamulusa、Sophonia nigrilineata、Sophonia mi-crostaina and Sophonia fuscomarginata. This research marks the first sequencing of the complete mitogenomes for the genus Extensus, revealing mitogenome lengths between 15,610 and 16,032 base pairs and encompassing 37 typical genes. The A+T content of Nivanini ranged from 72.5% to 78.7%, which is consistent with that of other sequenced Evacanthinae species. All transfer RNAs (tRNAs), except for trnS, exhibited a typical clover secondary structure, while trnS (AGY) lacked dihy-drouridine (DHU) arms. With regard to protein-coding genes, all started with ATN codons, except for atp8, and most of them use TAA or TAG as termination codons. Using the Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, a phylogenetic tree based on all 37 genes was constructed, with a total of 57 Cicadellidae species and 2 outgroups included as research objects. The analyses con-firmed the monophyletic nature of each subfamily, highlighting Deltocephalinae as the oldest, dis-tinctively parallel to the others.
Habitat Occupancy of the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)...
Asmit subba
Ganesh Tamang

Asmit subba

and 6 more

July 18, 2024
Globally, urban expansion has led to habitat fragmentation and altered resource availability thus posing significant challenges for wildlife. This study analyzed spatial distribution, habitat use patterns, and anthropogenic impacts on habitat occupancy of the Critically Endangered Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in the urban landscape of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, Nepal. Using a single-season occupancy modelling approach, we investigated the factors influencing the detection probability and habitat occupancy of Chinese pangolins in 134 grids of each 600 m × 600 m. Our study identified the role of termite mounds in influencing detection probability, emphasizing the species’ myrmecophilous behavior. Additionally, the Human Disturbance Index (HDI) emerged as a significant factor negatively affecting habitat occupancy of Chinese pangolins. We observed a medium level of anthropogenic disturbances in the grids where pangolin presence was detected. The findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation efforts, considering the fine-scale ecological and anthropogenic factors impacting Chinese pangolins in urban and peri-urban areas. The results underscore the urgency of implementing effective conservation measures to ensure the long-term survival of Critically Endangered Chinese pangolins in urban environments, not only in Dharan but also in similar lowlands areas and the Churia range of Nepal.
Extreme temperatures reduce copepod performance and internal microbiota diversity
Quyen Vu
Linh Pham

Quyen Vu

and 7 more

July 18, 2024
Copepods are one of the most abundant invertebrate groups in the seas and oceans and are a significant food source for marine animals. Copepods are also particularly sensitive to elevated temperatures. However, it is relatively unknown the role of the internal microbiome in shaping copepod susceptibility to warming. We addressed this fundamental knowledge gap by assessing key life history traits (survival, development, reproduction), and changes in the internal microbiome in the tropical calanoid copepod Acartia sp. in response to warming (26, 30, and 34°C). Copepod microbiomes were analyzed using high throughput DNA sequencing of V1–V9 of 16S rRNA hypervariable regions. Copepod performance was better at 30°C than at 26°C as indicated by higher survival, faster growth rate and development, and higher fecundity. However, these parameters strongly decreased at 34°C. We recorded 1,262,987 amplicon sequence reads, corresponding to 392 total operational taxonomic units at 97% similarity. The copepod microbiomes contained Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Importantly, the internal microbiota biodiversity was strongly reduced at higher temperatures. The highest number of OTUs was obtained at 26°C (126/392 OTUs), and the lowest was at 34°C (31/392 OTUs). The thermophilic Proteobacteria was dominant under elevated temperatures (30°C and 34°C). At 34°C, Vibrio accounted for 70% of bacterial species in copepods. The reduced OTUs number with an increased relative abundance of Vibrio seemed to be related to the reduced copepod growth and survival. Profiling the functional role of all internal bacterial groups as a function of the temperature change will fundamentally advance our mechanistic understanding of the performance of tropical copepods and, more generally, marine invertebrates to a warming climate.
Current surgical Approach: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Timothy Rogers
Andreas Schmidt

Timothy Rogers

and 6 more

July 18, 2024
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a tumor primarily of mesenchymal origin that comprises approximately half of all pediatric sarcomas, which make up 7% of all pediatric tumors. The focus of this manuscript will include recent changes in surgical and local control therapy of RMS. We will discuss surgical therapy principles including improved outcomes associated with complete surgical resection of the primary tumor either prior to the initiation of chemotherapy or after induction of chemotherapy, and in the setting of metastatic disease. We will also discuss the increasing utilization of core needle biopsy for diagnosis and the use of sentinel node biopsy techniques to determine the presence of nodal disease. There have been refinements regarding optimal prognostic factors including the adoption of fusion status over histology, as well as updated risk stratification schemas to assure optimal therapy. Since this manuscript is an international collaboration, part of the discussion will also focus on comparisons between North American and European surgical paradigms.
Red List criteria are ill-suited for the majority of terrestrial animal biodiversity
Robert Goodsell
Ayco Tack

Robert Goodsell

and 7 more

July 18, 2024
Among the most widely used information underpinning conservation is the concept of Red-Listing species according to criteria developed by the IUCN. The Red List designates species extinction risk based on geographic range, population size, or declines in either. However, it has frequently been questioned whether Red List criteria are appropriate for terrestrial arthropods, which comprise the bulk of animal diversity. Due to their small size, difficulty in identification, and inherent rarity, many invertebrates are hard to study, making Red List criteria hard to apply. We assess this criticism using empirical evidence from one of the largest terrestrial arthropod surveys to date, documenting the abundance and distribution of over 13,000 species in Sweden. Of these taxa, 13% have been found at a single site, and 11% of species are found only in a single weekly sample. Using these data we demonstrate that estimates of trends based on low sample sizes are associated with major uncertainty and a major risk of misclassification under IUCN criteria. We argue that even the most ambitious monitoring efforts are unlikely to produce enough observations to reliably estimate population sizes and ranges for more than a fraction of species. Thus, there is likely to be substantial uncertainty in classifying most species according to current criteria. In response, we discuss the adaptation of IUCN criteria to more accurately capture the conservation needs of invertebrates, and to adequately assess the future of the majority of global animal diversity.
ZnO-Based Memristor for Random Number Generator: The Case of Current Compliance
Zohreh Hajiabadi
Irwan Purnama

Zohreh Hajiabadi

and 9 more

July 18, 2024
This study aims to exploit the resistance states of Cr/ZnO/TiN memristors to generate random numbers. A random number generator (RNG) circuit employing a single memristor is proposed. We suggest that current compliance (CC) is a significant parameter in determining the quality of randomness; it is found that low CCs (20-50 μA) have a wide resistance state distribution that facilitates random bits. This work provides insight into the implementation of memristors for data security applications.
Exploring the promises and challenges of Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
Yusuf Karimli
Aniello Daniele Marano

Yusuf Karimli

and 1 more

September 30, 2025
A document by Yusuf Karimli. Click on the document to view its contents.
Human Papillomavirus 115 infects horses
Shuyao Tian
Juanjuan Pan

Shuyao Tian

and 15 more

July 18, 2024
The amplification of E6 genes of human papillomavirus 115 (HPV-115) has been shown in Yili horse samples. This study aimed to determine the cause of the unexpected presence of HPV-115 in horses, which might be attributed to either incorrect procedure followed by the operators or the actual infection of horses by this virus. The qPCR analysis revealed that 64.7% of aborted fetal tissue samples from Yili horses tested positive for HPV-115. Additionally, one whole genome sequence and eight L1 gene sequences were obtained by sequencing. These findings strongly showed that HPV-115 could infect Yili horses. Comparison and phylogenetic analyses of the L1 genes demonstrated that the HPV-115 detected in horses was closely related to the previously discovered HPV-115 strains in humans. Furthermore, the overall seropositivity rate for HPV-115 in horse serum was 11.6% (32 out of 276) by ELISA using expressed recombinant E6 protein. Moreover, the presence of HPV-115 E6 antibodies in horse serum was verified using WB. These results indicated that Yili horses served as a natural host for the HPV-115. This work presents the initial evidence of HPV-115 trans-species infection in horses, which serves as the basis for a comprehensive epidemiological investigation of HPVs infection in animals.
Impact of microphysics and convection schemes on the mean-state and variability of cl...
Christopher Ryutaro Terai
Shaocheng Xie

Christopher Ryutaro Terai

and 15 more

August 01, 2024
Skillful representation of tropical variability and diurnal cycle of precipitation has remained a challenge in global atmosphere models, and often improvements in the variability lead to degradation in the mean-state. Here, we introduce a configuration of the E3SM Atmosphere Model with a new microphysics scheme and several enhancements to the deep convective scheme that improves the variability while keeping the mean-state climatology largely unchanged. The new configuration improves various modes of convectively-coupled equatorial waves, with increased strength of Kelvin waves and more coherent eastward propagation of the Madden Julian Oscillation from the Indian Ocean to the central Pacific Ocean. The same configuration also improves both the phase and amplitude of the diurnal cycle of precipitation, particularly over the continental United States in the boreal summer and over Tropical land regions. Previous studies have shown that, individually taken, some of the deep convective enhancements can improve certain aspects of the variability, and here we show that combining their effects can lead to robust improvements in the variability. This model configuration can form the basis for future studies to examine the response of tropical and diurnal variability under various climate states and their relationships with other modes of variability.
Sarcoidosis in a Young Adult: A Rare Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection
Deepak Subedi
Binod   Parajuli

Deepak Subedi

and 6 more

July 18, 2024
Sarcoidosis in a Young Adult: A Rare Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection
ONLINE TRAIN BOOKING SYSTEM PROJECT REPORT.
Kamal Acharya

Kamal Acharya

July 22, 2024
A document by Kamal Acharya. Click on the document to view its contents.
Shiitake mushroom-induced Flagellate Dermatoses A Rare Presentation In a Tertiary Hos...
Elisha Shrestha
Manisha Singh

Elisha Shrestha

and 5 more

July 18, 2024
Title : Shiitake mushroom-induced Flagellate Dermatoses A Rare Presentation In a Tertiary Hospital in Nepal: A Case ReportCorresponding author : Ashish TamangIntroductionShiitake mushroom-induced flagellate dermatoses, also known as flagellate erythema, is an intriguing rash associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes).1 While these mushrooms are widely appreciated for their culinary and potential health benefits, they can occasionally trigger an immune-mediated skin reaction in susceptible individuals. The characteristic rash manifests as intensely pruritic linear streaks, resembling whiplash marks, and typically appears within 24 hours to 5 days after mushroom ingestion.2The pathogenesis of shiitake flagellate dermatoses centers around a thermolabile polysaccharide called lentinan, which is present in shiitake mushrooms. Lentinan activates interleukin-1 secretion, leading to vasodilation, hemorrhage, and the distinctive rash.3 Notably, this flagellate dermatosis is not observed when mushrooms are thoroughly cooked at temperatures exceeding 145°C.4 As mushroom consumption continues to rise globally, recognizing this etiology becomes crucial, preventing diagnostic challenges and the recurrence of this characteristic rash.
Antibiotic Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Intern Doctors: A Survey Study
Ahmet DOĞAN
Azra SÖNMEZ

Ahmet DOĞAN

and 8 more

July 18, 2024
Background: Antibiotic resistance is an increasingly important public health issue. When discussing the source of this problem, the training of intern doctors is highly important. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of intern doctors about antibiotic treatment and to determine the situation on the subject. Materials and Methods: A 34-question questionnaire was prepared for the study, and volunteers were administered the questionnaire face-to-face or via a Google survey form on a mobile WatsApp application. Prospectively, 221 volunteer physicians participated in the survey, which was conducted between March 15-22, 2024. Results: Of the study participants, 118 (53.4%) were male, and 103 (46.6%) were female. The mean age (mean+SD) was 24 (24.46+1.83). Although a high percentage of respondents responded that their general antibiotic knowledge was correct, this percentage was low for the questions about antibiotic usage. The responses regarding the relationship between incorrect usage and resistance were generally correct. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms are not fully understood. The importance of resistance is not well known. This was supported by the fact that antibiotics should be started in every case of fever. Another false perception was that antibiotic treatment should be discontinued immediately when the patient’s clinical condition is relieved and the remaining antibiotics should be stored and reused. There was a significant but weak positive correlation between age and antibiotic knowledge and between age and resistance awareness (p=0.002 and p=0.007, respectively). A significant difference was also found between the attitude and perception scores according to gender (p=0.002). There was a significant (p=0.003) but moderate positive correlation between antibiotic knowledge and resistance awareness and a significant (p<0.001) but weak positive correlation between antibiotic knowledge and attitude and perception scores. Conclusion: Increasing the level of knowledge of intern doctors about general antibiotic usage and resistance will increase resistance awareness and correct false attitudes and perceptions.
Single Channel Electrocardiography Optimizes the Diagnostic Accuracy of Bicycle Ergom...
Basheer Abdullah Marzoog
Magomed Abdullaev

Basheer Abdullah Marzoog

and 10 more

July 18, 2024
Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) has the highest mortality rate in the globe. This returns to the poor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies including the early prevention methods. Aims: To assess the changes in the single channel electrocardiography (SCECG) in rest and on exercise test in patients with vs without IHD confirmed by stress computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP) imaging with vasodilatation stress-test. Objectives: Ischemic heart disease patients frequently have preventable risk factors and causes that lead to the disease appearance. However, the lack of the proper diagnostic and prevention tools remains a global challenge in or era despite the current scientific advances. Material and methods: A cohort, prospective, single center observational study included 38 participants from Moscow. The participants aged ≥ 40 years and given a written consent to participate in the study. Both groups (G1=19 with and G2=19 without myocardial perfusion defect) passed general primary consultation by cardiologist, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and pulse rate using automatic tonometer, echocardiography, cardio-ankle vascular index, performing bicycle ergometry, recording 3-minutes SCECG (using CARDIO-QVARK) before and just after bicycle ergometry, and then performing CTP. the LASSO regression with nested cross-validation was used to find association between Cardio-Qvark parameters and the existence of the perfusion defect. Statistical processing carried out using the R programming language v4.2 and Python v.3.10 [^R]. Results: The SCECG have significantly higher diagnostic accuracy in compare to bicycle ergometry. The specificity 63.2 % [95 % confidence interval (CI); 0.391 ; 0.833], sensitivity 73.7 % [95 % CI ; 0.533 ; 0.929], and accuracy of the diagnostic method using CARDO-QVARK analysis, area under the curve (AUC) 68.4 % [95 % CI ; 0.527 ; 0.817]. Conclusion: SCECG (Cardio-Qvark) has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the bicycle ergometry. Other: Further investigations required to uncover the hidden capabilities of Cardio-Qvark in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.
Mucormycosis in a Pediatric Oncology Population - Review of Cases and the Literature
Janet Wilson
Nicole Saux

Janet Wilson

and 4 more

July 18, 2024
Background: Mucormycosis is the third most common invasive fungal infection in children and primarily affects immunocompromised patients with cancer. Incidence rates and contemporary survival statistics are needed in view of current cancer management protocols, availability of molecular tests and newer antifungals. Methods: A retrospective chart review of cases of mucormycosis in patients with oncologic diagnoses at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, in Ottawa, Canada, between 2000 and 2020 was completed. We describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes and inform areas for future research. Results: Over 20 years, the incidence rate among hematology-oncology patients was 0.66% with four cases identified. The underlying diagnosis in these cases was ALL(n=3) and AML(n=1). The average age at diagnosis of mucormycosis was 7 years. The sites of infection were cutaneous (perianal), disseminated, rhino-orbito-cerebral and pulmonary. All patients were receiving induction chemotherapy at the time of infection. Most were on high-dose steroids(n=3) and antibiotics(n=3), and half(n=2) were on antifungal prophylaxis. Mucormycosis was diagnosed using histopathological, culture and/or PCR results. Rhizopus species was most commonly isolated. ABLC was the mainstay of treatment, but all patients received combination antifungal therapy. Two patients underwent surgical debridement/resection. All cases had delays in their cancer treatment secondary to infection. Mucormycosis-related mortality was 25 percent. Conclusions: Mucormycosis has a high morbidity and mortality affecting immunosuppressed individuals. Given its rarity and heterogeneity in clinical presentation, diagnosis is often delayed. This case series shows that with early diagnosis, aggressive anti-fungal therapy with possible adjunctive surgical intervention, positive patient outcomes can be achieved.
Effects of metformin on cancers in experimental and clinical studies: Focusing on aut...
Mohammad Yassin Zamanian
Maryam   Golmohammadi

Mohammad Yasin Zamanian

and 10 more

March 17, 2024
Metformin (MET) is a preferred drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies show that apart from its blood glucose-lowering effects, it also inhibits the development of various tumours, by inducing autophagy. Various studies have confirmed the inhibitory effects of MET on cancer cell lines’ propagation, migration, and invasion. The objective of the study was to comprehensively review the potential of MET as an anticancer agent, particularly focusing on its ability to induce autophagy and inhibit the development and progression of various tumors. The study aimed to explore the inhibitory effects of MET on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and its impact on key signaling pathways such as AMPK, mTOR, and PI3K. This review noted that MET exerts its anticancer effects by regulating key signalling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), LC3-I and LC3-II, Beclin-1, p53, and the autophagy-related gene (ATG), inhibiting the mTOR protein, downregulating the expression of p62/SQSTM1, and blockage of the cell cycle at the G0/G1. Moreover, MET can stimulate autophagy through pathways associated with the 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby inhibiting he development and progression of various human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, osteosarcoma, myeloma, and non-small cell lung cancer. In summary, this detailed review provides a framework for further investigations that may appraise the autophagy-induced anticancer potential of MET and its repurposing for cancer treatment.
Ancient reticulation, incomplete lineage sorting and the evolution of the pyrenoid at...

Gabriel Peñaloza-Bojacá

and 17 more

July 22, 2024
Background and Aims: The evolutionary history of hornworts has been significantly explored through phylogenomic analyses, revealing unexpected complexities in the placement of Leiosporoceros, a putative sister lineage to other hornworts. Our understanding of the evolutionary history of hornworts and the role of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) or ancient reticulation poses challenges in resolving their exact position and comprehending the diversification and evolutionary processes of hornworts. Methods: Using the GoFlag probe set, we sequenced 405 exons representing 234 nuclear genes, sampling 79 hornwort specimens, including representatives of all hornwort genera. We inferred the species phylogeny from gene tree analyses using concatenated and coalescence approaches, assessed ancient reticulation, ILS, and estimated the timing of divergences based on fossil calibrations.
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