Browse Articles

Psychotropic prescription trends in jails from 2013 to 2023: findings from the REACH database

Changes in haematological indices among children with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea treatment for at least 1 year: A cohort study

Background Sickle cell disease is the 12 th cause of under-five mortality in Africa, with over 81,000 deaths attributed to sickle cell disease annually. Hydroxyurea is one of the few disease-modifying therapies available for the management of sickle cell disease. This study aimed to assess changes in haematological indices among children who had been initiated on hydroxyurea for at least one year in a non-trial setting at a regional referral hospital in Eastern Uganda. Methods We conducted a cohort study, which included children who attended the sickle cell clinic from 21/Aug/2024 to 30/Oct/2024. Data were analyzed using Stata version 18.0. We conducted a paired sample t-test comparing the haematological indices of children with sickle cell disease at baseline and at least one year later. Results We included 324 children. Nearly half 155/324 (47.8%) of the participants had good monthly adherence to hydroxyurea. The mean haemoglobin level at follow-up increased by 0.77g/dl (p <0.001) from 7.07g/dl (SD 0.10) at baseline to 7.84g/dl (SD 0.09). There was an increase in the mean corpuscular volume [0.97fl (p=0.645)] and mean corpuscular haemoglobin [0.58pg (p=0.120)]. The white blood cell count decreased by 6.17x10 3 /µl (p<0.001) from 20.77x10 3 /µl (SD ± 0.806) at baseline to 14.60x10 3 /µl (SD ± 0.613) at follow-up. The differential white cell counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils also decreased. Conclusion Hydroxyurea resulted in an increase in mean haemoglobin level and a decrease in absolute and differential white blood cell count. The benefit was more pronounced among children with good adherence to hydroxyurea. We add our voice to calls for continued advocacy for the availability of hydroxyurea for use by children with sickle cell disease in low-resource settings. We also recommend a routine complete blood count to monitor response to treatment and also guide patient management among children with sickle cell disease initiated on hydroxyurea.

GABA-mediated modulation of drought stress tolerance and seed morphology during flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germination via image analysis

Sequestration and suppressed synthesis of oncogenic HMGA1 using engineered adenoviruses decreases human pancreatic and breast cancer cell characteristics

HMGA1, an architectural transcription factor that plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis, chemotherapy resistance and cancer stem cell transformation in many human cancers, is intrinsically disordered and cannot be targeted by conventional small molecule drug therapy. While HMGA1 is required and essential for normal growth and development, HMGA1 expression occurs at very low levels in normal healthy adult cells. In contrast, HMGA1 is expressed at very high levels in many different types of human cancer cells. Since HMGA1 cannot be targeted using conventional small molecule drug therapy, alternative approaches are needed to target HMGA1 in new cancer therapies. Here, we explored the use of serotype 5 adenoviruses (Ad5) engineered 1) to sequester overexpressed HMGA1 in cancer cells using an HMGA1 hyper binding site (HBS) inserted into the Ad5 genome and 2) to suppress HMGA1 synthesis in cancer cells by incorporating exogenous genes into the Ad5 genome that encode an artificial HMGA1 cis-antisense transcript (AAT) and that encode a gene to express an HMGA1-targeted shRNA transcript (shRNA). The three engineered Ad5s were tested in MiaPaCa-2, PANC-1 and BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cell lines and in the ZR-75 human breast cancer cell line. Cancer cell viabilities and cell migration capability decreased by ~50–75% with HBS viruses and by 25–50% for shRNA and AAT viruses. Anchorage-independent migration capacity decreased by 60–70% with all three HBS, shRNA and AAT viruses. HMGA1 mRNA transcripts levels varied from 100 to 300 copies per cell in untreated cells and these levels were not significantly affected by treatment with the HBS and shRNA viruses, however the HMGA1 mRNA levels increased by ~3-fold upon AAT virus treatment. HMGA1 protein levels decreased in the range of 40, 50 and 70% with shRNA, AAT and HBS viruses, respectively. The HBS virus designed to sequester HMGA1 proved most effective overall in suppressing HMGA1 oncogenic activity in these in vitro cell-based studies compared to the AAT and shRNA viruses.

Impact of infectious disease specialist consultations on antibiotic treatment and outcomes of fracture-related infections

Correction: Novel Combination of Sorafenib and Celecoxib Provides Synergistic Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Human Liver Cancer Cells

MOF-74(M) (M = Mg(II), Fe(II), Ni(II)) frameworks to enable accelerated redox kinetics for Li–S batteries

Abstract This study presents the development of a composite electrode material for lithium–sulphur (Li–S) batteries, combining MOF-74 with carbon black and sulphur. The MOF-74 structures, incorporating Ni(II), Mg(II), and Fe(II) metal ions, were synthesized via a solvothermal method and used to encapsulate sulphur. The microporous nature of MOF-74 facilitates the physical confinement and storage of sulphur, potentially enhancing the performance of Li–S batteries. The investigation focuses on how different central metal ions in MOF-74 influence the performance of sulphur-based electrodes. Among the metal ions studied, Fe(II) and Mg(II) were selected for their low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and availability, while Ni(II) was included for its high catalytic properties. The materials were thoroughly characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thermal stability and textural properties of the materials were assessed, showing that MOF-74(Mg) exhibited the highest stability, followed by MOF-74(Ni) and MOF-74(Fe). Nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements indicated that the specific surface area and pore volume varied with activation temperature, impacting the material’s performance. Among the tested materials, MOF-74(Ni) exhibited the strongest interaction with sulfur, as confirmed by XPS analysis. Electrochemical tests revealed that the S/MOF-74(Ni) electrode demonstrated superior stability and capacity retention with a minimal capacity fading rate of 0.001% per cycle over 200 cycles, achieving a reversible capacity of 465 mAh g −1 and a capacity retention of 99.75%. In contrast, the S/MOF-74(Fe) electrode showed significantly reduced performance. A structure–performance correlation was established to assess sulfur interaction, electrode stability, and degradation behavior. Overall, the results highlight that MOF-74(Ni) offers the most promising performance due to its effective sulphur immobilization and superior electrochemical properties compared to MOF-74(Mg) and MOF-74(Fe).

Effects of seated Tai Chi Yunshou on upper limb function among stroke patients in the subacute phase: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Upper limb dysfunction after stroke is one of the common problems. Tai Chi Yunshou exercise and seated Tai Chi exercise have been confirmed that it is beneficial on upper limb function for stroke patients. Seated Tai Chi Yunshou exercise easier and suitable for stroke patients who are unable to stand. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of seated Tai Chi Yunshou exercise on the upper limb function for stroke patients. Methods 84 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group and the control group consist of 42 patients each. The experimental group will receive seated Tai Chi Yunshou training combined with conventional treatment, while the control group only will receive conventional training. Each training session will be implemented once a day and five times per week in a duration of 4 weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and 4-weeks, 8-week follow-up after randomization. Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE) will be the primary outcome and Modified Trunk Impairment Scale (mTIS),the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), Barthel Index(BI) will be the secondary outcome. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) will be used to explore the therapeutic mechanism. Discussion According to previous studies, Tai Chi Yunshou exercise and tailored seated Tai Chi are effective treatment for stroke patients. In this study, we will conduct a seated Tai Chi Yunshou exercise for patients with stroke. We believe that this study may prove the effectiveness of seated Tai Chi Yunshou exercise on upper limb function among stroke patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Chi CTR 2400085317

Assessment of genetic diversity and phenotypic trait profiles among sweetpotato using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and agronomic variables

Identification of Seven in absentia homolog 2 as a potential efferocytosis-related biomarker in diabetic foot ulcers

Introduction Wound of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is chronic and hard to heal, characterized by impaired inflammatory response, dysfunction of keratinocyte and endothelial cells and improper removal of dying cells. Efferocytosis, as a trigger for phenotype switch of macrophages, plays a critical role in diabetic foot wound healing. Here, we showed the effect of efferocytosis in wound healing of diabetics and identified seven in absentia homolog 2 (SIAH2) as a potential efferocytosis-related biomarker. Methods Blood and skin samples were collected from 20 patients diagnosed type II diabetes at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. Efferocytosis related genes in DFU were identified based on GSE147890, GSE80178 datasets as well as RNA-seq data of blood samples. Enrichment analysis, clustering analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis were conducted based on the efferocytosis related genes in DFU. An array diagram was constructed and survival analysis of DFU was performed based on the associated clinical data. Single-cell sequencing data analysis combined with experiments in vitro, we analyzed the role of SIAH2 in wound healing of DFU as well as its correlation with efferocytosis signal. Results Overall efferocytosis and SIAH2 expression level were increased in DFU blood and tissue samples and associated with poor survival in patients. Single-cell analysis revealed elevated SIAH2 expression is positively associated with keratinocyte migration, angiogenesis and efferocytosis of macrophage in wound healing of DFU. SIAH2 involved in efferocytosis-related cell-to-cell communication, especially in “internalization” and “digestion” signals. Conclusion SIAH2 was identified to be one of the key efferocytosis genes and associated with poor prognosis of DFU. Protective upregulation of SIAH2 was involved in angiogenesis, keratinocyte migration and cell-to-cell communication mediated by efferocytosis in DFU wound healing.

Music emotion classification based on random swap algorithm

Abstract We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis of emotions in music. We considered ten distinct perceived emotions (happy, sad, amusing, annoying, anxious, relaxing, dreamy, energizing, joyful, and neutral) from four genres (rock, pop, classical, and electronic). We first clustered emotions based on their co-occurrence across songs, revealing that the emotion pairs of amusing/annoying, energizing/anxious, and relaxing/sad exhibited a strong correlation. We then clustered the songs into eight groups using the random swap clustering algorithm based on their emotional profiles (the distribution of emotion ratings for each song). The results revealed six clusters with one dominant emotion (relaxing, annoying, happy, amusing, anxious, and dreamy), one cluster with no emotion (neutral), and one cluster with an equal distribution of all emotions. Notably, some song clusters included both positive and negative emotions, thereby highlighting the presence of mixed emotional responses to music. The results are informative for future studies on emotions and emotional responses to music. These findings deepen our understanding of emotions evoked by music and provide a foundation for advancing research in music emotion recognition (MER). The same approach can also be applied to other types of media, such as poetry, painting, film music, and social media conversations.

Assessment of DNA damage of smooth muscle cells in tunica media of human arterial allografts using Comet assay method

During the harvest and subsequent processing of blood vessels for allogeneic transplantation, DNA damage can occur. A suitable method for quantifying this damage may be the comet assay, also known as the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, which is used to measure DNA damage at the single-cell level. We evaluated the key indicators of muscle cell DNA damage in the tunica media of arteries by using the comet assay with four groups: (1) cryopreserved grafts thawed slowly, (2) cryopreserved grafts thawed rapidly, (3) cold-preserved “fresh” grafts harvested as part of a multiorgan procurement, and (4) cadaveric arterial graft harvested at autopsy. Kruskal-Wallis multiple-comparison testing identified a statistically significant difference between rapidly thawed grafts and multiorgan harvested fresh grafts. Evans’ correlation criterion indicated a moderately strong correlation between the percentage of DNA in the comet head and warm ischemia duration in the group of slowly thawed grafts, and between the percentage of DNA in the comet head and cold ischemia duration in the group of cadaveric grafts. No association of come assay parameters with age was demonstrated. Comet assay showed that the cryopreservation and storage processes described in this study did not lower the DNA content in comparison with fresh grafts collected during multiorgan harvests in operating rooms and that DNA content was not influenced by the type of thawing protocol.

Propagation of optical solitons and dispersive solitary wave structure in complex media to the nonlinear integrable system via computational technique

Research to evaluate safety and impact of long COVID intervention with Ensitrelvir for National Cohort (RESILIENCE Study): A protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute coronavirus disease (COVID-19), presents a substantial challenge to global health. Ensitrelvir fumarate, a novel oral antiviral agent, has demonstrated efficacy in treating of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ensitrelvir in the prevention of Long COVID in patients without risk factors for severe COVID-19. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial adopts a decentralized clinical trial design, with participants recruited through partner healthcare institutions. Adults with mild COVID-19 will be randomized within 72 hours of symptom onset in a ratio of 1:1 to receive ensitrelvir (375 mg on day 1, followed by 125 mg once daily on days 2–5) or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of patients with either “symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or disturbances in smell or taste at 1 and 3 months post-treatment initiation” or “symptoms of difficulty with concentration and thinking, difficulty of reasoning and solving problems, or memory loss at 3 months post-treatment initiation”. Secondary endpoints include combinations of various symptoms, quality of life, and work productivity. The target sample size is 2,000 participants. This trial will generate data on the potential of ensitrelvir to prevent Long COVID, with important implications for patient care and public health. The decentralized design enables efficient data collection and minimizes participant burden. Trial registration This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials on February 16, 2024 (jRCTs051230184, https://jrct.mhlw.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs051230184 ).

Violence against female sex workers in the state of Piauí, Brazil – a cross-sectional study

Abstract By quantitatively assessing the exposure of female sex workers to violence in Piauí, Brazil, this study aimed to identify associated risk factors and contribute evidence-based public health strategies and human rights policies, advancing health and gender equality. This was a quantitative, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was administered to 218 female sex workers, aged 19 to 57 years (mean age = 31.76 ± 8.33 years), who were actively working in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The questionnaire addressed demographic characteristics, work-related practices, and exposure to psychological, physical, and sexual violence. Odds ratios (ORs) for the association between variables and the exposure to violence were calculated. Most participants had incomplete higher education (54.2%), self-identified as Black (42.7%), were single (77.4%), heterosexual (89.8%), and mothers (71.2%). Approximately 50% of participants reported being exposed to some form of violence, with physical violence being the most prevalent (75.7%), followed by psychological (43.0%) and sexual violence (12.2%). The odds of exposure to violence were inversely associated with educational attainment ( p  = 0.026) and were significantly related to marital status ( p  = 0.031), having children ( p  < 0.001), and being pregnant ( p  = 0.001). These findings demonstrate the vulnerability of female sex workers to violence in the State of Piauí, Brazil, and the need for tailored public policies that could also benefit society as a whole, such as promotion to scholar education and sexual health awareness.

Editorial Note: Rising food prices and poverty in Pakistan

Assessing electronic medical record usage in private healthcare facilities of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Bond market opening, monetary policy, and systemic financial risks – An empirical study based on the TVP-SV-VAR model

While the opening of the bond market provides strong support for high-level financial opening, it also accelerates the accumulation of systemic financial risks, thereby affecting the high-quality development of China’s finance. Based on data from 2003 to 2024, this paper measures China’s bond market opening, monetary policy, and systemic financial risks, and employs a TVP-SV-VAR model to investigate the time-varying relationships among bond market opening, monetary policy, and systemic financial risks. The findings are as follows: (1) The impact of bond market opening on China’s systemic financial risks exhibits time-varying characteristics; (2) Contractionary monetary policy helps curb systemic financial risks, but this effect marginally diminishes when facing external structural shocks; (3) The improvement of interest rate transmission mechanisms and the transition toward price-based monetary policy can significantly enhance the sustainability of monetary policy’s regulatory role in systemic financial risks; (4) There exists a significant linkage effect between bond market opening and monetary policy, but this effect is subject to time-varying influences from the progress of domestic institutional reforms and cross-border capital anomalies.

Polarization-controlled coding metasurface with phase cancellation and diffusion for enhanced radar cross section reduction

Metabolomics and databases driven approach of identification of phytochemicals from seed of Salvia schimperi using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Salvia schimperi is widely used in Ethiopian folk medicine, particularly its raw and roasted seeds for treating ailments such as diarrhea. While numerous reports on its traditional uses and biological activities exist, limited chemical datasets are available on this plant. This study aimed to annotate and identify the phytochemical constituents in S. schimperi seed extracts. The ground samples of S. schimperi seeds (raw and roasted) were extracted with 80% methanol prior to metabolomic analysis using LCMS. Data processing and compound identification were conducted using MZmine, SIRIUS and XCMS platforms. Multivariate statistical analyses and biological targets prediction were carried out via XCMS, MetaboAnalyst, BindingDB and Therapeutic Target Databases. Annotation by SIRIUS based on ZODIAC, SIRIUS and confidence scores criteria, validated 99 of the 689 identified compounds. Among the compounds annotated by METLIN in XCMS, 105 were predicted to be of significant value based on multivariate analysis of MetaboAnalyst. Compounds annotated comprised of primary and secondary metabolites. Two alkaloid compounds (actinonin and indole acrylate) were identified as significant from SIRIUS and METLIN/MetaboAnalyst, with actinonin described as a potent antibacterial metabolite. To our knowledge, this study represents the first metabolomic fingerprinting of S. schimperi seed extracts, revealing diverse bioactive phytochemicals with nutritional and therapeutic potential. The consistent identification of actinonin suggests promising antibacterial applications. Roasting significantly alters the metabolite profile, reducing certain nutritional components such as isoleucine. These findings underline the importance of processing methods in determining phytochemical composition and bioactivity. Further research would explore the toxicity and potential functional food applications.