Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis among children, 1990–2021: An analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021
Background Childhood meningitis remains a serious and life-threatening infectious disease with considerable risk of long-term sequelae. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the global burden and temporal trends of childhood meningitis from 1990 to 2021. Methods We extracted data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 to estimate incident cases, incidence rates, deaths, and mortality rates of childhood meningitis at global, regional, and national levels. We further assessed the etiological composition of childhood meningitis across different age groups and sociodemographic index (SDI) regions. Additionally, cross-country inequality analyses were conducted to measure the distributional inequality of childhood meningitis burden across countries. Results In 2021, childhood meningitis accounted for approximately 1.33 million incident cases and 112,000 deaths worldwide. The global incidence rate of childhood meningitis decreased by 59.8%, from 164.80 per 100,000 in 1990 to 66.24 per 100,000 in 2021. The global mortality rate also decreased by 69.18%, from 18.12 per 100,000 in 1990 to 5.59 per 100,000 in 2021. In 2021, the top three etiologies responsible for global childhood meningitis deaths were Streptococcus pneumoniae (17.01%), Neisseria meningitidis (14.03%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.11%). Notably, the leading etiologies of neonatal meningitis deaths were Group B Streptococcus (22.70%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.97%), and viral etiologies (15.35%). Cross-country inequality analysis revealed that low SDI regions bore a disproportionate burden. Conclusions Despite significant progress over the past three decades, childhood meningitis remains a major public health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. Concerted efforts are required to reduce the unacceptable health inequities associated with this devastating disease.
Selection and appointment of presidents of medical universities in Iran: Bridging reality and ideal through global and local evidence
Background The selection of university presidents who oversee health systems within their respective provinces has become increasingly critical in Iran, subjecting to an ongoing scrutiny and debate. This study aims to clarify the selection process and identify the essential competencies required for appointing medical university presidents both in Iran and globally, while also proposing relevant policy recommendations. Methods This study employed a multi-method approach, incorporating a scoping review, document review, interviews, and brainstorming. The scoping review, conducted in September 2024, searching databases including PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. Interviews conducted from September 2024 to November 2024, were carried out with stakeholders from a diverse range, including university presidents, health ministers, healthcare managers, decision-makers, faculty members and key planners within the academic sector, whom were selected using purposive sampling method with maximum variation. A question guide was used, the main question of which included: essential characteristics and competencies of university president, prioritized criteria for decision making, feasibility of evidence-based decision-making, the process of selecting and appointing university presidents, and the strengths and weaknesses of this process. The data were analyzed using a framework analysis approach, informed by Modified Henry Mintzberg’s Management Model and a model of policy competency. Documents related to the selection and appointment of medical university presidents, including rules, regulations, and circulars, were collected through a census approach using both manual and electronic methods. Relevant documents were systematically retrieved from the official websites of the involved organizations. Brainstorming conducted in December 2024 and was used to develop policy recommendations. Results Twenty six articles and 19 university protocols were included in the scoping review phase. Forty-two participants included in the qualitative phase of this study, most of who were president of a university. Also, 12 participants involved in the brainstorming phase. The responsibilities of a university president necessitating a blend of personal, interpersonal, professional and decisional competencies. In Iran, various factors including political preferences, lack of transparency and accountability, limited involvement from the university community, and insufficient emphasis on professional or technical competencies, influence the selection process of university presidents. The influence of some pressure groups including parliament representatives and the prevailing ideological climate within the Ministry of Health have varied across different governments, relegating essential professional competencies, such as the scientific credibility of the president, to low priority. Conclusions During various selection and appointment periods, political changes and pressure groups’ interests have had a significant impact on the management changes in universities, and with governments’ changes, managerial capabilities are overshadowed by political tendencies. This study’s findings underscore the importance of transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and a systematic approach to the selection and appointment of presidents of medical universities. Implementing these insights can enhance the integrity of the selection process and improve governance in medical education in Iran.
Access and utilization of youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services among illiterate adolescents in Rwanda: A mixed-methods participatory study
Background Youth Friendly Health Services Centers (YFHS) in Rwanda have been established to address the lack of information and services related to reproductive health. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating the hurdles faced by illiterate adolescents when seeking sexual and reproductive health services. This study assessed adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) accessibility and utilization in YFHS among illiterate adolescents in Rwanda. Methods This study used a mixed-method participatory study design. One hundred fifty illiterate adolescents were recruited using a convenience sampling. A checklist was used to observe the 16 YFHS. In the quantitative phase, data were organized using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Two focus group discussions moderated by trained illiterate adolescents were conducted. Data were organized using Dedoose software and analyzed thematically. Results The proportion of YFHS utilization was 25.3%. In the multivariate regression analysis, five outcomes remained significant to utilize YFHS: ever heard about YFHS (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 6.32; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 2.07–19.27, having ASRH information (AOR = 8.99; 95 CI = 1.43–56.77), having information about any family planning (AOR = 19.00; 95 CI = 1.52–236.84), use of any type of contraceptives (AOR = 4.45; 95%CI = 1.34–14.85), and having information on prevention and management (AOR = 24.99; 95 CI = 2.76–226.53). Observers rated the quality of SRHs in YFHS at 24.36%. Facilitators to access YFHS include having information about ASRH, free-of-charge services, and peer educators. The reported barriers included providers’ negative attitudes, internalized stigma, and lack of materials tailored to illiterate adolescents. The study participants suggested ways to improve the YFHS, such as community awareness, staff training, entertainment, and increasing the number of YFHS. Conclusions The utilization of YFHS among illiterate adolescents remains low, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve access and quality. Key facilitators, such as access to information, peer education, and free services, should be strengthened, while addressing barriers like provider attitudes, stigma, and resource limitations. These findings underscore the necessity of enhancing both the accessibility and quality of YFHS to ensure comprehensive reproductive health care for illiterate adolescents.
Evaluating the longitudinal physical and psychological health effects of persistent long Covid 3.5 years after infection
This is a 3.5-year single-center observational cohort study investigating the longitudinal impact of Long Covid on the physical and mental health of patients. Patients were assessed at 3 months, 1 year, and 3.5-years post-infection using the 12-item Short Form Survey, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised questionnaire. Additionally, a clinical symptom review was conducted for patients with persistent Long Covid at the 3.5-year follow-up. We had 149 respondents at 3 months, 94 at 1 year and 85 at 3.5-year. Of those who participated, 72% had Long Covid at the 3-month follow-up, with 26% and 25% having persistence of Long Covid symptoms at 1-year and 3.5 years, respectively. The most reported symptoms at the 3.5-year timepoint included fatigue, difficulty sleeping and easy crashing following activities. Overall, patients’ Physical Composite Scores significantly improved between the 3-month and 3.5-year timepoints. However, the Physical Composite Scores of patients with persistent Long Covid were significantly lower than those of non-Long Covid patients at both the 3-month and 1-year follow-ups. The Mental Composite Score of persistent Long Covid patients remained significantly lower than individuals without Long Covid at all timepoints. At 3 months, Long Covid disproportionately met the criteria for depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. At 1 and 3.5 years, patients with persistent Long Covid were more likely to meet the criteria for depressive symptoms than those without Long Covid. Between the 3-months and 3.5-year timepoints, there was a significant reduction in the number of patients with persistent Long Covid who met the criteria for PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Although patients with Long Covid for 3.5 years had shown improvements in both their physical and mental health over time, they continue to lag behind those without Long Covid.
Magnitude of multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacteria from tracheal aspirates of intensive care unit patients in Ethiopia
Background Globally, multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL)Gram-negative bacterial pathogens are causing significant public health problems, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) among patients on mechanical ventilation. The objective of the study was to identify Gram-negative bacterial pathogens from tracheal aspirates, determine the prevalence of MDR, and assess the prevalence of ESBL production among the isolates. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). A total of 181 ICU patients on mechanical ventilation from January to August of 2022 were included. Tracheal aspirates were collected using consecutive sampling techniques, and the samples were inoculated on chocolate, blood, and MacConkey agar plates. Conventional biochemical tests were used to identify Gram-negative bacteria, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was carried out via the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The production of ESBL was confirmed by the combination disc method. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Results In this study, 181 study participants were enrolled, with an age distribution ranging from 1 year to 81 years and a median and mode of 15 years and 1 year, respectively. The overall prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria was 65.2%. A total of 189 Gram-negative bacteria were found, of which 52 (44.1%) showed a single organism and 66 (55.9%) were multiple organisms. Of the 189 isolates, 69.8% were MDR, while 86.8% were ESBL producers. Acinetobacter species (50.8%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.6%) were the predominant isolates, with MDRs of 78.1% and 71.4%, respectively, and ESBLs of 100% and 82.1%, respectively. Conclusions A high magnitude of MDR and ESBL was detected. In addition, there was high resistance to cephalosporin-class antibiotics, which is concerning. The MDRs Acinetobacter spp. and K. pneumoniae were the predominant isolates. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial resistance levels, implementing antimicrobial stewardship, and an effective infection control program should be strengthened.
Potential role of proprietary patent medicine vendors in primary eye and ear care: A mixed methods study in northern Nigeria
Background In Nigeria, patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) are permitted to sell a limited range of medication. They are important providers of health care despite their limitations and may be trained to manage specific conditions, such as malaria, but not ear and eye conditions. In this study, PPMV’s knowledge and management of ear and eye problems and community members health seeking behaviour were explored, as well as whether community members would access PPMVs if they were trained in primary ear and eye care. Methods Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in a cross-sectional observation study: a survey of 1,591 adults in 40 clusters in two urban and two rural areas; 64 focus group discussions with community members and four with health professionals in two ear, nose, throat and eye clinics; in-depth interviews with ten community leaders, 11 primary health care workers, and 21 hospital staff. A check list was used to assess 36 PPMVs’ facilities and structured questionnaires were administered to 36 PPMVs and 401 hospital patients in ear and eye outpatient departments. Results Community members reported that eye and ear problems were frequent but less common than other conditions. Health seeking behaviour was influenced by accessibility, availability, cost of medication, and trust in the provider. Most PPMVs had no formal training, had little knowledge of ear and eye conditions and were enthusiastic about being trained to manage them. Living far (>5km) from a health facility, being male, uneducated and poor were significantly associated with willingness to access PPMV after training in primary ear or eye care. Conclusions PPMVs might be able to play a role in delivering primary ear and eye health care for common conditions, in collaboration with local clinicians. To do this, PPMVs would require training in eye and ear conditions and skills in their detection and counselling clients as well as reliable supply chains for medication, and skills in stock control, record keeping and facility management.
Unified solution of non-limit active and passive earth pressure of retaining wall considering soil arching effect
The existing theory can not get the unified solution of non-limit active and passive earth pressure with clear mechanical concept. Based on Duncan-Chang stress-strain model, this paper puts forward a relationship between friction angle and wall displacement ratio, which can consider both non-limit active state and non-limit passive state. According to the horizontal layer analysis method, the unified solution of non-limit active and passive earth pressure of retaining wall can be derived, which can be reduced to Rankine solution. The feasibility of the formula is verified by comparing the research results of this paper with the existing theoretical and experimental values. It is found that in the process of changing from non-limit passive state to non-limit active state, the thrust of wall gradually decreases nonlinearly, and the position of the acting point of resultant force gradually increases nonlinearly, and both the change ranges are positively correlated with the internal friction angle. The theoretical formula mechanics in this paper has clear concept and convenient application, which has certain reference significance for engineers.
Systematic review of generative adversarial networks (GANs) in cell microscopy: Trends, practices, and impact on image augmentation
Cell microscopy is the main tool that allows researchers to study microorganisms and plays a key role in observing and understanding the morphology, interactions, and development of microorganisms. However, there exist limitations in both the techniques and the samples that impair the amount of available data to study. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are a deep learning alternative to alleviate the data availability limitation by generating nonexistent samples that resemble the probability distribution of the real data. The aim of this systematic review is to find trends, common practices, and popular datasets and analyze the impact of GANs in image augmentation of cell microscopy images. We used ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, PubMed, bioRxiv, and arXiv to select English research articles that employed GANs to generate any kind of cell microscopy images independently of the main objective of the study. We conducted the data collection using 15 selected features from each study, which allowed us to analyze the results from different perspectives using tables and histograms. 46 studies met the legibility criteria, where 23 had image augmentation as the main task. Moreover, we retrieved 29 publicly available datasets. The results showed a lack of consensus with performance metrics, baselines, and datasets. Additionally, we evidenced the relevance of popular architectures such as StyleGAN and losses, including Vanilla and Wasserstein adversarial losses. This systematic review presents the most popular configurations to perform image augmentation. It also highlights the importance of design good practices and gold standards to guarantee comparability and reproducibility. This review implemented the ROBIS tool to assess the risk of bias, and it was not registered in PROSPERO.
Assessment of the prognostic value of CA125 for miscarriage risk in patients with threatened abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Threatened abortion is a common obstetric complication where early risk stratification is crucial for clinical management. CA125, a glycoprotein biomarker produced by endometrial and trophoblastic tissues, may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator as its elevated levels often reflect placental inflammation or detachment in this condition. To systematically assess its clinical value, we conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic accuracy of serum CA125 levels for miscarriage risk in patients with threatened abortion. Methods We systematically searched Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Geenmedical, Cochrane Library, and Wiley databases from inception to May 30, 2024 for studies evaluating either CA125’s prognostic value for miscarriage risk in threatened abortion, or serum markers’ prognostic value for pregnancy outcomes. Two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data. Study quality and evidence certainty were assessed using QUAPAS and GRADE frameworks respectively. Meta-analyses were performed using Stata 17 and Review Manager 5.3. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1166 patients with threatened abortion were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimates demonstrated that CA125 exhibited the following prognostic performance for predicting miscarriage risk in patients with threatened abortion: sensitivity, 89% (95% CI: 83–93%); specificity, 91% (95% CI: 84–95%); positive likelihood ratio (PLR), 10.2 (95% CI: 5.4–19.3); negative likelihood ratio (NLR), 0.13 (95% CI: 0.08–0.19); diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), 82 (95% CI: 31–212); and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC AUC), 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92–0.96). Elevated serum CA125 levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. According to the GRADE assessment, the certainty of evidence was moderate for sensitivity but low for other parameters, primarily due to heterogeneity, risk of bias, and other confounding factors. Conclusion Current evidence with moderate certainty indicates that serum CA125 demonstrates high prognostic value for assessing miscarriage risk in threatened abortion, particularly for identifying high-risk patients. However, due to low-certainty specificity findings, caution is warranted when using CA125 to rule out miscarriage. While these results support CA125’s potential as a complementary tool to ultrasound, further studies are required to establish standardized cut-off values for clinical implementation.
Patient acceptability of CITOBOT for cervical cancer screening: A mixed-method study
This study assessed the acceptability of CITOBOT, a device for early cervical cancer screening in a real-world pilot setting as part of a translational research project aimed at designing and clinically validating a portable, cost-effective device supported by artificial intelligence. The authors adopted the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability for its utility in evaluating patient acceptability within complex interventions’ development, piloting, and feasibility phases. We employed a mixed-method study, with 20 consecutive participants recruited from a specialized cancer healthcare center in Cali, Colombia. Data collection included a sociodemographic, gynecological-obstetric, behavioral survey, a validated patient acceptability scale, alongside open-ended interview questions. No adverse effects were reported seven days post-testing. The findings were promising, with all participants expressing high overall acceptability. Retrospective acceptability, focusing on the evaluation after device pilot testing, revealed that participants felt comfortable with the device, found it coherent with the purpose of early cervical cancer detection, and did not perceive the test as an additional burden compared to conventional cytology screening. Regarding prospective acceptability, which assesses anticipated acceptability before full implementation, three results stand out: i) All participants stated that they would intend to attend their health service if called for testing with CITOBOT; ii) they perceived opportunity costs, such as timely delivery of results, expedited diagnosis and treatment, and improved accessibility for women with limited resources or geographical barriers to healthcare access; and iii) participants viewed CITOBOT as highly effective in preventing cervical cancer deaths, indicating a strong belief in its potential to impact public health outcomes positively. Addressing concerns related to discomfort, inconvenience, and timely delivery of results, CITOBOT shows promise in enhancing cervical cancer screening participation and adherence, especially among underserved populations.
Low-salinity medium for large-scale biomass production of the marine purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum
Marine purple non-sulfur bacteria such as Rhodovulum sulfidophilum are versatile due to their diverse applications in bioremediation, biotechnological production of useful materials, industrial production of value-added compounds, and agricultural fertilizers. Our previous study demonstrated the potential of its lysed and dried biomass as a nitrogen fertilizer for plant production. However, large-scale fertilizer production requires scaling up the culture to larger volumes, which is not cost-effective with currently available options for growth media. In this study, we tested a seawater-based, cost-effective alternative to the commonly used nutrient-rich culture medium for the growth of this bacterium. We found that reducing salinity from 3% to 1.2% had no adverse effects on its heterotrophic growth, dry cell yield, nitrogen content, and total amino acid composition. The nitrogen content and the weight percent of free lysine, aspartic acid, and glutamate tended to increase in the biomass obtained from cultures grown at 1.2% salinity. Under autotrophic conditions, decreasing salinity to 1.2% did not affect cell growth, final dry cell yields, and total carbon assimilation, but N assimilation remained higher. Reducing salinity to 1.2% proved to be cost-effective and feasible for the cultivation of R. sulfidophilum without increasing the risk of contamination, providing a viable alternative for its large-scale cultivation and application as a plant nitrogen fertilizer.
Protein landscape of the brush border membrane of first instar larvae of Frankliniella occidentalis, the western flower thrips
We investigated the protein composition of the brush border membrane of larval Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips), an agriculturally significant crop pest and vector of plant pathogens. We developed a protocol for purifying brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from first-instar larvae (L1) bodies and identified their protein composition by LC-MS/MS. From 2544 proteins identified, 469 were predicted to be secreted and part of the inner and outer plasma membrane leaflet using cell-localization prediction tools and homology with reviewed proteins in the UniProt database. Comparison to thrips tissue-specific proteomes revealed that 371 and 263 of the identified BBMV plasma membrane and secreted proteins matched the larval gut and adult salivary glands, respectively. Annotations of most of the proteins inferred ‘catalytic activity’ (56.3%) and ‘binding’ (49.6%), with an overrepresentation of proteins involved in protein digestion, specifically serine proteases, lipid transport, and ATPase activity. Bioinformatic-enabled comparisons to thrips tissue-specific proteomes and transcriptomes enabled us to predict the secretome and the plasma membrane proteins of larval thrips’ gut epithelial cells, providing new targets for thrips control.
Health-Related Quality of Life measured with EQ-5D-5L among tuberculosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Institutional-based cross-sectional study
Background Tuberculosis (TB) substantially compromises health-related quality of life (HRQoL), yet limited studies have assessed its impact on Ethiopian patients using the EQ-5D instrument. This study evaluates HRQoL, estimates health state utility values, and identifies associated factors among TB patients in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted across 20 public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, involving 672 TB patients selected via proportional allocation. HRQoL was measured using the EuroQol five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) tool. Predictors of utility scores were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Tobit censored regression models. Results Anxiety/depression was the most frequently affected dimension (55.4% of participants). The mean EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.91 (SD ± 0.14), and the mean EQ-VAS score was 80.6 (SD ± 15.6). Older age (55–64 years: β = −0.067, p < 0.001; ≥ 65 years: β = −0.383, p < 0.001) and unemployment (β = −0.119, p < 0.001) were associated with significantly lower HRQoL. Conversely, higher income (β = 0.056, p < 0.001), absence of comorbidities (β = 0.059, p < 0.001), and mid-treatment duration (4–5 months: β = 0.029, p = 0.011) correlated with better HRQoL. Conclusion The findings underscore the influence of socio-demographic and clinical factors on HRQoL among TB patients in Ethiopia, calling for targeted interventions and policy reforms to enhance treatment outcomes and patient support.
In planta complementation of the betalain biosynthetic pathway with a bacterial dioxygenase
Betalains are pigments naturally produced by plants belonging to the order Caryophyllales. However, 4,5-L-DOPA-extradiol-dioxygenase (DODA), the main enzyme in their biosynthetic pathway, has also been characterized in other kingdoms including fungi or bacteria. These enzymes show few similarities with the plant enzymes at structural or kinetic levels but achieve the same activity, raising questions on their possible exchange with plant DODA enzymes and subsequent complementation in the biosynthetic pathway of betalains. In this work, we show that the DODA enzyme from the bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is able to provide the activity of L-DOPA dioxygenase and produce betalamic acid and betalains, in planta. Betalains were detected after transient expression of the genes required for their synthesis in the plant model Nicotiana benthamiana. HPLC-ESI-MS analysis showed that the expression of the bacterial enzyme gave rise to multiple betalains in a similar manner to plant DODAs, with vulgaxanthin I being the main pigment obtained in infiltrated leaves. Our results show that fully functional betalamic-forming enzymes from outside of the plant kingdom are able to complement the plant-based betalain biosynthetic pathway. This supports the proposition of convergent evolution of enzymes with betalain-forming activity, not only within Caryophyllales, but also in other kingdoms.
Eating in the absence of hunger is not associated with weight, self-reported eating behaviors, or well-being in pregnant adults: Prospective cohort study
Objective Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) refers to consuming food after reaching satiation and is considered a risk factor for weight gain. This study examined relations of EAH with pregnancy-related weight outcomes, self-reported eating behaviors, and indicators of well-being. Methods EAH was measured in participants (n = 46) during their 2nd pregnancy trimester. Energy intake and percent of food consumed following a standardized meal was calculated for all foods, and separately for sweet (desserts) and savory (salty snacks) foods. Early pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight change were calculated from measured height and weight from <12 weeks gestation to 1 year postpartum. Participants reported eating behaviors (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) < 28 weeks gestation. Linear and logistic regression models estimated relationships between the variables of interest. Results Primarily null estimates did not provide consistent evidence of associations of eating behaviors or indicators of well-being with EAH, or of EAH with pregnancy-related weight outcomes. Conclusions EAH in pregnancy was not related to weight change, eating behaviors, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, or stress. Future studies in larger samples and diverse developmental periods are needed to determine the utility of laboratory-assessed EAH as a risk factor for weight gain. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02217462
Attentional biases, as measured by motion-induced blindness, are linked to schizophrenia traits
Typically, people demonstrate a small attentional bias towards the left visual field. This bias has not consistently been observed in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia has been thought to be linked to a top visual field bias, due to an impaired dorsal stream found in those individuals. Here we assessed left/right and upper/lower spatial biases measuring perceptual disappearances in a motion-induced blindness (MIB) task and link those to schizophrenia traits. The sample were consisted of first year psychology students (N = 54; 22 males, 31 females, and 1 prefer not to say; age 18–54 years; median age = 23). Schizophrenia traits were measured using the schizotypal personality questionnaire (SPQ) and perceptual aberration scale (PAS). We found that higher SPQ scores correlated with a top field bias. Higher interpersonal scores (an SPQ subscore) linked to a right field, and so did PAS (p = .007). Higher cognitive-perceptual scores linked to a left field bias. Taken together, this study supports a complex relation between spatial attention and schizophrenia traits in MIB, in which a top field bias may reflect an impaired dorsal stream. A possible implication of these findings is that MIB may serve as a potential tool for screening early schizophrenia traits.
A comprehensive mapping of stress system interactions with pain and their contribution to chronification of musculoskeletal pain: Protocol of the STRAIN study
Background Stress is suggested to be an important factor contributing to the development and persistence of musculoskeletal pain. Although stress and pain interactions are well known, it remains largely unclear how (dys)function of the major stress systems (i.e., the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) contributes to pain extent and duration, and what the underlying mechanisms are. A comprehensive characterization of the stress systems and their interactions with pain is needed to better understand how stress confers vulnerability for persistent pain. Aims The primary aim of this study is to characterize stress system (dys)functioning (i.e., including basal levels, reactivity and recovery to acute stress, and chronic stress levels) in musculoskeletal pain groups with varying pain duration and extent, and to investigate the interaction between stress and pain at the psychosocial, (psycho)physiological and neural level. The secondary aim is to define the contribution of stress to pain trajectories, including chronification and recovery. Methods A study with a cross-sectional and a longitudinal arm will be conducted in musculoskeletal pain groups with varying pain characteristics, including chronic widespread pain (fibromyalgia), chronic and subacute localized pain (low back pain), and pain-free controls (n = 35/group). To characterize pain trajectories (recovery/persisting), localized pain groups will be reassessed after six months. Stress and pain characteristics and functionality will be assessed using questionnaires, autonomic measures (alpha-amylase, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, skin conductance and skin temperature), hormonal concentrations (cortisol and oxytocin), quantitative sensory testing (pain thresholds, pain tolerances, conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation of pain), and magnetic resonance imaging (brain structure and function). Discussion This study will provide crucial insights in the role of stress in the extent of pain symptomatology and in conferring risk for pain chronicity. Additionally, it will shed light on the underlying mechanisms of stress and pain interactions. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06892977)
Deep origins, distinct adaptations, and species-level status indicated for a glacial relict seal
Isolated populations of postglacial relicts are known from many regions and are typically found on mountains for terrestrial species and in lakes for aquatic species. Among the few aquatic mammalian relicts, the Saimaa ringed seal ( Pusa hispida saimensis ) has been landlocked in Lake Saimaa, Finland, for the last 10,000 y. Saimaa ringed seals show genetic, behavioral, and morphological differences from the other ringed seal subspecies, but the extent these differences stem from the end of the last glacial period remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate with comprehensive sampling and state-of-the-art genomic methods that the Saimaa ringed seals are much older than the lake they inhabit, having formed a separate evolutionary branch for at least 60,000 y. This deep evolutionary origin of the Saimaa ringed seals is further underscored by anatomical differences, including our ecomorphological analyses revealing adaptively distinct features in their dentition and tongue. Overall, glacial relicts may harbor a richer selection of evolutionary history than might be expected from their recent isolation history alone.
Hederagenin’s uric acid-lowering effects in hyperuricemic mice: Mechanistic insights from molecular docking and in vivo analysis
This study explored the uric acid-lowering effects of hederagenin (HD) through molecular docking analysis and a chronic hyperuricemia (HUA) mouse model. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate HD’s interactions key urate-regulating proteins, including xanthine oxidase (XOD), ABCG2, OAT1, URAT1, and GLUT9. To establish a chronic HUA model, mice were fed a yeast-adenine diet supplemented with potassium oxonate. The mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal control, HUA model control, benzbromarone (BEN) group, and three HD treatment groups at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Serum uric acid (UA) levels, liver and kidney function indicators, XOD activity, and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Histopathological analyses of the liver and kidney were also conducted. In addition, gene and protein expression levels of urate transporters and inflammatory markers were assessed using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that HD interacts with XOD and urate transporters, significantly reducing serum UA levels and inhibiting XOD activity in HUA model. It also modulated the expression of urate transporter to enhance UA excretion. Moreover, HD protected liver and kidney function by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and inhibiting the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways. These findings suggest HD may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for lowing uric acid and preventing organ damage associated with HUA.
Exploring varicella zoster virus proteome for construction and validation of a multi-epitope based subunit vaccine using multifaceted immunoinformatics approaches
Varicella zoster (VZ) is a viral disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) that is related to alphaherpesvirus subfamily. VZV causes a neurotropic disease in humans. The aim of this work was to stimulate the human immune system by developing a multi-epitope vaccine based on five VZV surface proteins. Multiple immunoinformatics techniques were applied to assess B-cell and T-cell epitopes. The population coverage of each T-cell epitope was analyzed and the results showed high population coverage scores. The vaccine consists of 615 amino acids and it was antigenic and non-allergenic. The vaccine’s hydrophilicity, stability, presence of aliphatic side chains, and thermal stability were all determined through an analysis of its physical and chemical characteristics. Also the vaccine demonstrated the least homology to human proteome (11%). Using the PSIPRED server and the Ramachandran plot, the vaccine’s secondary and tertiary structures were predicted, enhanced, and validated. The structural errors were assessed using the ProSA web tool. Furthermore, the vaccine’s solubility was higher than that of the E. coli proteins. Following immune simulation, there were significant amounts of T-cells, INF-γ, IL-2, and antibodies. Significant docking scores were obtained for each predicted epitopes and for the vaccine when docked to TLR4 chains. The TLR4-vaccine complex was highly stable according to molecular dynamic modeling. In silico cloning was performed to assess the vaccine’s expression in the pET28a(+) vector, and the cloning results were efficient for translation. To ascertain the vaccine’s effectiveness, in vivo and in vitro investigations, including clinical trials are required.