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First characterization and risk assessment of microplastics in the endangered Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor): Implications for conservation strategies
Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a global environmental concern due to its ubiquitous presence and potential threats to ecosystems. Cetaceans, as top predators, have served as sentinel species for monitoring ecosystem changes and as flagship species for establishing environmental conservation strategies. Here, we investigated MPs for the first time in the complete gastrointestinal tract of five individuals of an endangered Indus River dolphins (Platanista minor) stranded along the Indus River from 2019−2022. MPs were detected from all examined specimens with an average of 286.4 ± 109.1 MPs per individual, indicating the potential pathways for the accumulation of MPs due to prey consumption and unintentional ingestion during food uptake in Indus River dolphin. The properties of MPs demonstrated that the most prevalent shapes were fibers, with sizes mostly ranging from 5 mm-300µm. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the predominant composition identified via FT-IR spectroscopy. Moreover, the prevalence of MPs observed in the small intestine was higher than in other parts due to length and structure. This is the first study to highlight the ecological risks posed by MP polymers through a polymer risk assessment (H) showing medium (Level III) to high risks (Level IV) to Indus River dolphins. This study represents the first baseline assessment of MPs pollution caused by anthropogenic activities and offers valuable insights for the conservation of this endangered freshwater species. Our results emphasize the need for further ecotoxicological studies to better understand the potential impacts of MPs in this endangered species.
Changes in prey selection and fitness of non-native Erythroculter erythropterus following estuarine restoration in the Nakdong River, South Korea
Estuarine ecosystems globally are being restored through re-naturalization efforts, including the Nakdong River Estuary (NRE) in South Korea, which partially re-opened in 2019 after decades of disconnection. We investigated how this restoration affected the feeding ecology and fitness of Erythroculter erythropterus (Skygager), a non-native cyprinid that became dominant in the upper NRE following barrage construction. We surveyed fish populations, analyzed stomach contents using Next Generation Sequencing, and assessed morphological changes from May 2018 to June 2022. Following NRE opening, zooplankton and fish diversity indices increased, while phytoplankton and benthic invertebrate diversity decreased. E. erythropterus showed altered prey selection patterns, shifting from diverse prey items to predominantly zooplankton after NRE opening, coinciding with altered vertical migration patterns of plankton communities. While length distribution did not change significantly, the condition factor K decreased significantly, indicating reduced fitness. Body shape parameters also shifted toward more elongated forms, suggesting morphological responses to changed hydraulic conditions and feeding ecology. Our findings demonstrate that controlled estuarine reconnection can affect non-native species through cascading trophic effects, potentially serving both restoration and non-native species management objectives. This study highlights the complex ecological consequences of partial estuarine restoration and the importance of considering multiple trophic levels when evaluating restoration outcomes.
Symbolic heart rate transition motifs during nocturnal sleep are associated with diabetic complications in type 2 diabetes
Dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system function during sleep is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus and is associated with increased risk of diabetic related complications. While heart rate variability is a standard non-invasive measure of autonomic function, the utility of symbolic heart rate transition motifs to characterize sleep-specific autonomic dysfunction in diabetes has not been explored. Here, we analysed 5-min electrocardiogram segments during daytime and sleep from 35 male participants ((51 ± 17) years old) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Frequency-domain heart rate variability metrics and 27 symbolic motifs based on 3-beat heart rate transitions were computed. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and body mass index were used to test associations with diabetic complications. The high frequency power of heart rate variability was significantly higher during sleep than daytime (p = 0.012), reflecting enhanced parasympathetic activity. Several symbolic motifs showed differential prevalence between sleep and day. In particular, motif [1, 1, −1] was significantly more prevalent during sleep and was independently associated with diabetic complications (β = −1.8, p = 0.023). Motif [1,1,-1] along with [−1, 1, 1], showed strong positive correlations with high frequency power during day and sleep [Day: [1,1,-1]: r = 0.70 (p = 7.0e-06), [−1,1,1]: r = 0.78 (p = 4.5e-07)] [Sleep: [1,1,-1]: r = 0.77 (p = 5.7e-07), [−1,1,1]: r = 0.80 (p = 3.1e-07)], suggesting a link to vagal tone. The study’s findings provide a novel, non-invasive approach to sleep-based autonomic monitoring in type 2 diabetes mellitus by showing that the symbolic heart rate motifs during sleep reflect unique autonomic patterns associated with diabetic complications. These results demonstrate the diagnostic utility of motif-based HR analysis for diabetes and sleep medicine.
Intertransverse process block to improve quality of recovery and pain management in cardiac surgery: Protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Background Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after cardiac surgery is significant. Despite the known association between acute pain and CPSP, advanced pain management strategies have not reduced its incidence. Preventing CPSP requires optimizing acute pain control and disrupting central sensitization. The side effects and risks associated with chronic use of current opioid-based cardiac anesthesia necessitate the adoption of multimodal analgesia. Regional anesthesia is a promising alternative, though existing techniques in cardiac surgery have notable limitations. The intertransverse process block (ITPB) is a novel regional technique that offers potential somatic and visceral analgesia. Recent studies demonstrate consistent local anesthetic spread to the intercostal, paravertebral, and epidural spaces, suggesting broader pain control. ITPB may provide a simpler, safer approach in cardiac surgery, reducing the risks of pleural puncture and bleeding. We hypothesize that ITPB will improve quality of recovery, pain control, and health-related quality of life, thereby mitigating chronic postsurgical pain. Methods This is a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. Elective patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting, with or without valvular repair or replacement, will be recruited. Ninety-six participants will be randomly assigned to either ITPB or control group. The ITPB group will receive bilateral ITPBs with 20 ml 0.25% levobupivacaine on each side at the T4-5 level under ultrasound guidance, administered before anesthesia induction. Sham blocks, with equal volume of normal saline, will be performed in the control group. The primary outcome is the quality of recovery, assessed using the 15-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire, at 24 hours after tracheal extubation. Secondary outcomes include Numerical Rating Scale pain scores, patient satisfaction, and opioid consumption within 72 hours post-extubation, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and opioid-related side effects. The incidence of CPSP at 3, 6, and 12 months will be measured, along with pain interference via the Brief Pain Inventory and the Short-Form McGill Questionnaire-2. Discussion Current pain management strategies often rely heavily on opioids, which can have significant side effects and may not adequately address chronic postsurgical pain. This study investigates the efficacy of the intertransverse process block, a novel regional anesthesia technique, in reducing both acute and chronic postsurgical pain in cardiac surgery. Randomized controlled trials on intertransverse process block in cardiac surgery are limited. The results of this study will help define the role of intertransverse process block on the recovery process, and generate vital preliminary data on its potential long-term benefits in reducing chronic postsurgical pain in cardiac surgical population. Clinical trial registration This trial has been prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06946290
Parental influence on brown trout offspring immune cell composition: An infection study with Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae
Transgenerational immune priming (TGIP) is a phenomenon by which an initial exposure to a pathogen, here Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (causative agent of Proliferative Kidney Disease), stimulates the subsequent immune response to the same or a different pathogen in future generations. The impact of rearing conditions in previous generations, regardless of their exposure to the pathogen, on the immune cell composition and immune response in subsequent generations has not yet been investigated in the brown trout-T. bryosalmonae system. In the present work, we performed flow cytometry to analyze immune cell populations of brown trout. Parental generations (F0) differed in rearing conditions and exposure to the parasite. The study evaluated the baseline frequencies of IgM+ B cells, myeloid cells, and CD8+ T cells in the offspring (F1) young-of-the-year brown trout. Afterwards, F1 fish were experimentally infected with T. bryosalmonae spores and monitored during eight weeks post-infection. The kidney was identified as an immune-cell niche dominated by myeloid cells, which represent approximately two-thirds of the total immune cell population, along with a substantial proportion of IgM+ B cells. CD8+ T cells constitute only a minor fraction within this niche. As measured by flow cytometry, the immune-cell frequencies of offspring were largely unaffected by the parental rearing background (F0) and infection history. Parental history had no influence on the outcome of experimental infection. In T. bryosalmonae exposed animals, parasite concentration increased significantly over time. Moreover, a proportional increase in IgM+ B cells and a proportional decrease in myeloid cells over time was observed. However, the increase in IgM+ B cells was also detected in control animals. In conclusion, this study presents the first analysis of immune cell composition in F1 brown trout derived from parents reared under three distinct environmental conditions with varying parasite exposures. Our flow cytometry results highlight the need for alternative approaches to investigate transgenerational immune priming (TGIP) in brown trout.
Hepatitis A in Spain: Evolution of hospitalization in the period 2000–2021
Background Hepatitis A is an acute disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Chronic liver disease, other viral hepatitis coinfections, and age over 50 years are the main host factors associated with an increased risk of complications. We investigated the evolution of hepatitis A hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths during 2000–2021 in Spain according to demographic characteristics, presence of other sexually transmitted infections, and vaccination strategy (universal or risk-group vaccination). Methods Using data from the Spanish National Health System’s Minimum Basic Data Set, we calculated age-standardized cumulative hospitalization incidence and 95% confidence interval (CI), factors associated with hospital stay, and hospitalization deaths. Adjusted OR (aOR) values were calculated using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results The Spanish cumulative hospitalization incidence for hepatitis A over the 22-year period was 8.84 per 1 000 000 globally and 12.54 and 5.26 per 1 000 000 for men and women, respectively (RR = 2.38; 95% CI: 2.28–2.50). Median length of stay was 4 days (range 0−85). Factors associated with hospitalization >7 days were age groups 40−59 and ≥60 years (aOR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.37–1.82 and aOR 5.09; 95% CI: 4.01–6.47, respectively), cirrhosis (aOR 6.11; 95% CI: 2.59–14.43), and presence of HIV and HBV (aOR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.15–2.38 and 2.01; 95% CI: 1.03–3.63, respectively). In-hospital deaths were associated with age ≥ 60 years (aOR 35.23; 95% CI: 11.12–111.58), hospitalization >7 days (aOR 4.37; 95% CI: 1.80–10.58), cirrhosis (aOR 8.84; 95% CI: 2.37–32.99), and HCV infection (aOR 8.66; 95% CI: 1.57–47.87). The cumulative hospitalization incidence was lower in regions implementing universal vaccination (RR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.75–0.84). Conclusion Results of studies based on characteristics of hospitalized hepatitis A cases taking into account the existing prevention policies can be useful to have a better knowledge about its evolving epidemiology and to improve the prevention and control of the disease.
Water meter reading recognition method based on character attention mechanism
With the rapid advancement of computer vision technology, traditional manual methods of reading meters are increasingly being replaced by automated water meter reading technologies based on image recognition. This technology can precisely locate and recognize the readings on captured images of water meter dials, laying a solid technical foundation for the implementation of remote automatic meter reading systems. However, in practical applications, the recognition of water meter readings still faces challenges due to interference from factors such as shooting angles and changes in environmental lighting. To address these challenges, this paper proposes an innovative method based on deep learning. Firstly, the ResNet-based Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) is used to detect the reading area of the water meter to ensure the accuracy of the detection. For the problem of digit character detection, the character detection attention mechanism is introduced to improve the performance of digit detection and reduce the interference of background noise while ensuring high accuracy. For numerical character recognition, the improved LeNet-5 network can better identify water meter readings in natural scenes. Additionally, the integration of a global average pooling layer within the network effectively alleviates the issue of overfitting. To verify the effectiveness of our method, we conducted experiments on the CCF real-world water meter reading automatic identification dataset. The experimental results show that by scaling the water meter reading area and introducing the character attention mechanism to assist in numerical character detection, the recognition accuracy of individual digits improved by 8.8% and 5.5%, respectively, and the overall recognition accuracy of the final water meter reading also increased by 7.0% and 2.2%. These significant improvements demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of our method in practical applications.
The relationship between intellectual ability and auditory multitalker speech perception in neurodivergent individuals
The ability to selectively attend to one talker in the presence of competing talkers is crucial to communication in noisy, real-world environments. In this study, we investigated the relationship between intellectual ability and speech perception under multitalker conditions. Since neurodivergent individuals show a wide range of intellectual ability, from above average IQ to intellectual disability, intellectual ability may be an important individual characteristic that impacts multitalker speech perception, but this is not currently well understood. We tested individuals with autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and an age- and sex-matched comparison group, all with typical hearing. We found a strong positive correlation between IQ and multitalker speech perception thresholds. This demonstrates that deficits in intellectual ability, despite intact peripheral encoding of sound, are associated with difficulty listening under complex conditions for individuals with autism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Future research is needed to investigate specific cognitive control mechanisms that contribute to difficulty listening under complex conditions. These findings suggest that audiological services to improve communication in real-world environments for neurodivergent individuals should be considered during clinical evaluations.
A revision of the rare Strumigenys mnemosyne (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) group using micro-CT scanning, with the description of three new species, and the virtual repair of a broken paratype
The ant genus Strumigenys is both species rich, with over 800 species described, and morphologically diverse. The Strumigenys mnemosyne species group, a collection of small and infrequently collected Strumigenys known from across the Asian tropics and subtropics is revised. X-Ray microcomputed tomography alongside traditional microscopy is used describe three new species, S. liui sp. nov., S. marmorata sp. nov., and S. rimdahli sp. nov., increasing the number of species within the group to eight. Further, micro-CT scans of the worker and gyne caste of S. mazu are produced, providing the first morphological description for the later caste. Owing to specimen damage obtained during specimen transportation for one of the type specimens used within this study, the utility of 3D models to reconstruct broken type material is explored. Updated distributions and dichotomous keys are also provided for the group.
The impact of cultural frame switching on wellbeing- systematic review
Objective This pre-registered review synthesised findings from studies examining individuals’ experiences of cultural frame switching (CFS) and its potential impact on well-being. Background CFS is a strategy used by bi/multicultural individuals to navigate daily life by shifting between cultural frameworks in response to environmental cues, influencing thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Method Eleven studies were identified through systematic searches across four electronic databases, with a total sample size of 2,657. The JBI approach to qualitative synthesis was applied, alongside evidence synthesis for the quantitative findings. Results The findings suggest that CFS may influence well-being in both positive and negative ways. Potential benefits include enhanced personal relationships, workplace well-being and success, cultural adjustment, and identity navigation. However, CFS may also contribute to identity conflict and associated distress, lower satisfaction with life, perceived discrimination, reduced self-esteem, diminished authenticity, and increased psychological symptoms such as anxiety and low mood. Conclusions While CFS appears to have both beneficial and adverse effects on well-being, the limited research in this area makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Further investigation is needed to better understand these mechanisms, why certain individuals experience more challenges, and how to mitigate potential negative impacts. Expanding research in this area could inform future models of support for individuals from minority and multicultural backgrounds.
Correction: A plaque recognition algorithm for coronary OCT images by Dense Atrous Convolution and attention mechanism
Government environmental attention and urban ecosystems metabolic efficiency: Does the digital economy matter
Metabolic efficiency serves as a critical indicator of the operational quality of urban ecosystems. This study utilizes panel data from Chinese cities and applies the spatial Durbin model to examine the impact of government environmental attention (GEA) on the metabolic efficiency of urban ecosystems (UME). The findings indicate that GEA significantly promotes UME and exhibits spatial spillover effects. Moreover, GEA demonstrates notable heterogeneity in its influence on UME. Specifically, it exerts a more pronounced improvement effect in mid-sized and western cities, resource-based cities, and cities with relatively lower levels of economic development. Using the dynamic panel threshold regression model, this study further reveals that GEA has a significant nonlinear impact on UME, with digital economy development serving as the threshold variable. Once the level of digital economy development surpasses the threshold, the role of GEA becomes even more prominent. This research provides valuable decision-making references for developing countries aiming to promote the sustainable development of cities.
A qualitative exploration of the phenomenology of pain in children to inform pain assessment methods
Background Pain is a common experience associated with healthcare for children, who often recall it as the worst part of hospitalisation. Several factors make assessment of pain more challenging in children. Families have previously identified the development of improved tools to assess pain in children as a key priority. We therefore sough to investigate the nature of this experience from the perspective of children and their parents to inform the development of such tools. Methods To explore the phenomenology of children’s acute pain to inform improved assessment, we conducted a qualitative study with combined (children aged ≥4 and parents) semi-structured interviews of families with children aged 0–16 years at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia. The interviews were analysed using the Framework Method. Results We recruited 27 families, stratified across <6 years, 6–11 years, and 12 + years child age groups. Children and parents demonstrated a range of insights and a wide diversity of ideas about pain. The key themes were: pain is a familiar part of normal life that serves an important function; children communicate pain with others, both verbally and non-verbally; children relate pain to a range of other sensory experiences, with some common experiences identified such as the colour red representing pain; existing pain scales are difficult for children due to limited experiences of extremes of pain; and pain scales could be improved by using more familiar or attractive content or technology. Conclusions Children demonstrated diverse experiences of pain and sensory associations. These findings can inform the development of paediatric pain assessment methodology. The novelty and adaptability offered by digital platforms may assist in creating individualised and engaging pain assessment tools.
Antiproliferative activity of Grewia villosa ethyl acetate extract on cervical cancer HeLa cell line: Mechanistic insights through network pharmacology and functional assays approach
Grewia villosa is a plant native to Kenya, with a traditional history among Ambeere people for treating and managing prostate and breast cancers. Previous scientific studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, a scientific gap exists on the bioactivity of G. villosa against cervical cancer, particularly on in vitro HeLa cell line model. Additionally, the specific molecular targets and mode of antiproliferative action have not been well elucidated. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the antiproliferative activity, putative targets and mode of action of G. villosa using in vitro cell culture, molecular biology and in silico-based approaches. Antiproliferative analyses were evaluated through MTT assay, cell migration inhibition through in vitro scratch assay, and phytochemical profiling through Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Further, putative targets were identified through network pharmacology approach, computationally validated by molecular docking, and functionally through the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. The G. villosa ethyl acetate (GVEA) extract fraction was the most active extract fraction, with IC50 of 100.7 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 2.38. Dodecan-2-ylbenzene and 2,6,10-trimethyltetradecane compounds were some notable compounds that can partly be associated with reported antiproliferative activity as they demonstrated strong binding affinity to identified putative targets, including EGFR and AKT1. RT-qPCR analysis functionally confirmed the downregulation of EGFR and AKT1, and the upregulation of tumor protein 53 and Caspase 3 molecular targets, suggesting that GVEA extract indeed perturbs the predicted molecular targets. This study therefore reports the selective antiproliferative properties of the G. villosa ethyl acetate extract fraction in a cervical cancer model (HeLa) cell line while at the same time providing putative targets, which is important in shedding light on potential mechanistic basis of its demonstrated antiproliferative activity. This highlights the plant’s potential in discovering products and compounds for further investigation on possible application in cervical cancer management and/or treatment.