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Evaluation of knowledge and awareness of diabetes in higher secondary level students of Kaski district: A cross-sectional study
Studies have shown that the knowledge of diabetes among adults in Nepal is poor. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge regarding diabetes in secondary level (i.e., Grade 11 and 12) science students. We assessed the student’s knowledge and awareness regarding diabetes through self-administered questionnaires consisting of 26 questions associated with symptoms, treatment, prevention, and complications of diabetes. Eight higher secondary schools with science streams in Kaski district were selected. A total of 561 students were in the study. Almost all the students (96%) expressed that they had heard about diabetes but only 37% of students correctly indicated the risk factors of it. One-fourth of the total students were able to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Only 13% of students knew about the third type of diabetes, i.e., gestational diabetes. Nearly 47% of students had a wrong perception that diabetes cannot be prevented or delayed. Though early diagnosis of diabetes is essential to prevent complications, only 61% knew about this fact. In our study, 26% of respondents had a family history of diabetes. Overall, 53% showed poor knowledge, 44% showed average knowledge and only 3% showed good knowledge regarding diabetes. The study showed that the gender of the participants and the type of college (government or private) they were studying had no significant relationship with the knowledge level regarding diabetes. However, family history and educational level (class 11 or 12) showed a positive relationship with the level of knowledge regarding diabetes. Students had good knowledge regarding the symptoms of diabetes but had poor knowledge about risk factors, complications, and prevention strategies for diabetes. Overall diabetes knowledge was inadequate in the students, indicating that there is a necessity for urgent action to enhance students’ knowledge regarding diabetes.
Microbiome analysis of gut microbiota in patients with colorectal polyps and healthy individuals
Burden and determinants of self-reported high blood pressure among women of reproductive age in Tanzania: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania demographic and health survey
Background High blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension, remains a prevalent global health concern characterized by elevated arterial pressure, posing significant risks such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and kidney diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the burden and determinants of self-reported high blood pressure among women of reproductive age in Tanzania. Methods We utilized population-based cross-sectional data obtained from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2022. The analysis involved a weighted sample of 15,254 women aged 15–49 years. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the independent variables associated with self-reported high blood pressure, and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses. Results Overall, the mean age of study participants was 29.3 ± 9.8 years, with a self-reported high blood pressure burden of 6.6% among women of reproductive age in Tanzania. Moreover, increased age correlated with higher odds of high blood pressure compared to women aged 15–19 years. Those with a secondary level of education exhibited a higher likelihood of high blood pressure in contrast to women with no education. Married and widowed individuals were more prone to high blood pressure than those who were never married. Additionally, women in higher wealth groups showed a significantly elevated risk of high blood pressure compared to those in the poorest wealth group. Conversely, self-reported poor health status and recent visits to health facilities were associated with significantly higher odds of high blood pressure. Conclusion This study highlights the burden of high blood pressure among reproductive-age women, urging heightened awareness and proactive screening measures. These findings prompt targeted interventions, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to effectively curb this health burden.
Relationship between renal oxidative stress levels and disease severity in patients with chronic kidney disease assessed by [Cu-64]ATSM PET/MRI
Structural design of memory system for Ternary Optical Computer
Ternary Optical Computer (TOC) is unique in the development of optical computers, in terms of principle, experiment, algorithm and application. After 20 years of development, six generations of prototypes have been developed. At present, tri-state optical signal storage is the main problem faced by TOC. According to the characteristics of tri-state optical signals and the ternary optical processor’s special requirements for storage systems, we design and implement the interface structure of TOC memory system, including the overall structure of the interface, the address generation module for memory access, the data input and output channels, the read/write timing, and the working process of the memory interface. Finally, the correctness of the memory system interface design is verified by the experiments, which are carried out on FPGA, of reading and writing operational result data of the SD16 TOC prototype. This work tries to improve the theoretical system and practical basis of TOC.
Characteristics of wetting behavior under unloading in natural granite residual soil
Abstract Excavation of foundation pits induces stress release in the soil, leading to deformation driven by the redistribution of internal stresses and particle adjustment. Rainfall infiltration further increases soil water content, weakening particle bonding through the dissolution of cementing agents, and inducing additional wetting deformation. However, there has only been limited experimental research examining the deformation behavior of soil under the coupled effects of unloading and wetting, especially in water-rich excavation conditions, where these factors interact dynamically. This study systematically investigates the coupled effects of unloading and wetting on the deformation behavior of natural granite residual soil (GRS) through triaxial tests. The results reveal that the interaction between unloading and wetting amplifies soil deformation, with significant non-linear dependencies on confining pressure and saturation levels. The stress–strain curves of natural GRS under unloading path exhibit strain-hardening behavior, and the vertical wetting deformation decreases with increasing saturation. Furthermore, the study identifies pronounced anisotropic wetting deformation, with tensile wetting deformation significantly exceeding compressive wetting deformation under equivalent stress states. This anisotropy diminishes with increasing confining pressure, highlighting the stress-dependency of wetting deformation behavior. The hyperbolic model shows a larger wetting deformation than the linear model, underscoring its practical significance in designing safer excavation strategies under coupled unloading and wetting conditions. These findings provide a foundation for improving deformation prediction and risk management in geotechnical engineering.
Gender and racial bias issues in a commercial “tone of voice” analysis system
Social Feedback Speech Technologies (SFST) are programs and devices, often “AI”-powered, that claim to provide users with feedback about how their speech sounds to other humans. To date, academic research has not focused on how such systems perform for a variety of speakers. In 2020, Amazon released a wearable called Halo, touting its fitness and sleep tracking, as well as its ability to evaluate the wearer’s voice to help them “understand how they sound to others”. The band presents its wearer with ‘Positivity’ and ‘Energy’ scores, as well as qualitative evaluations of the voice: adjectives such as ‘confident’, ‘hesitant’, ‘calm’, etc. This study evaluates how Halo performs for American English speakers of different races and genders. We recorded Black and white men and women reading three passages aloud and played them back to the same Halo device in identical positions. We then obtained Halo’s Energy and Positivity scores (out of 100), as well as the device’s qualitative descriptors of ‘tone of voice’ for each subject. We subsequently analyzed effects of different acoustic properties, as well as speaker race/gender and the interaction, for how the device scores ‘tone of voice’. Overall, Halo’s Energy ratings and qualitative descriptors are biased against women and Black speakers. Halo’s Positivity scores appear to be based on lexical sentiment analysis and therefore do not vary substantially by speaker. We conclude by discussing the expanding role of SFSTs and their potential harms related to the reinforcement of existing societal and algorithmic biases against marginalized speakers.
Proteomic profile of human sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes in comparison to working myocardium
Abstract The proteomic profile of the human cardiac conduction system: the sinoatrial node (SAN) and atrioventricular node (AVN), remains poorly understood. The aim of the current study is to identify proteomic characteristic of the human SAN and AVN in the comparison to working myocardium of the right atrium (RAM) and right ventricle (RVM). The proteomic analysis was performed on 10 autopsied human heart specimens collected from healthy adults. During the data-independent acquisition proteomics analysis 2752 different proteins were identified in all sample sets. In both nodal tissues (compared to working myocardium), the following pathways were upregulated: regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor transport and uptake by Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins, post-translational protein phosphorylation, glutathione metabolism, metabolism of carbohydrates, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Other common for nodal tissue pathways were these related to immune system and related to extracellular matrix. The pathways related to cardiac muscle contraction were more abundant in RAM and RVM samples. The current study presents extensive comparative analysis of protein abundance in the human SAN and AVN. Few key differences may be found in the nodal proteome in comparison to working cardiomyocytes, including involvement of immune system and upregulated pathways related to extracellular matrix. The SAN exhibits enrichment in the PPAR signaling and pentose phosphate pathways, as well as prostaglandin synthesis and regulatory proteins, compared to the AVN.
Does education level affect the health status of the elderly? The chain mediating effect of internet use, health behavior and social class identity
Background China’s aging population is gradually increasing, and the health status of the elderly has become the focus of social attention. Education level is one of the important factors affecting the health status of the elderly. However, there are few studies on how education level specifically affects the health status of the elderly in China. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the influence path of education level on the health status of the elderly in China, and to further study the mediating effect of Internet use, health behavior and social class identity in this process. Methods This study is based on the latest version of the Chinese General Social Survey data as the basis of empirical analysis. Through multiple linear regression analysis, structural equation model analysis, Bootstrap method and robustness test, the relationship between education level, Internet use, health behavior, social class identity and the health status of the elderly is verified. Results (1) Education level has a significant positive impact on the health status of the elderly in China (p < 0.05), which is, education level has a positive effect on the health status of the elderly in China. (2) Internet use, health behavior and social class identity have a significant mediating effect between education level and health status of Chinese elderly, and the mediating effect values are 0.024, 0.002 and 0.011, respectively. (3) Internet use, health behavior and social class identity play a chain mediating role in the impact of education level on the health status of the elderly, and the chain mediating effect value is 0.004. Conclusions This study not only confirms the direct impact of education level on the health status of the elderly in China, but also reveals the indirect role of Internet use, healthy behavior and social class identity in this impact mechanism. These findings provide new perspectives and strategies for further improving the health status of the elderly in China.
Proposing a short version of the Unesp-Botucatu pig acute pain scale using a novel application of machine learning technique
Acceptability of long-acting antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada: A qualitative study
Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) who use drugs face overlapping social-structural inequities that contribute to suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Recent research suggests that long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) can offer an important alternative to daily oral ART by mitigating adherence barriers, but this work has largely excluded PLHIV who use drugs. We, therefore, explored the acceptability of injectable and transdermal LA-ART among PLHIV who use drugs in Canada, which has no-cost universal access to oral ART. Greater understanding of PLHIV who use drugs’ perspectives on LA-ART will be essential to fully leverage treatment advances and maximize its individual- and population-level benefits. Methods From February 2019 to February 2020, we conducted in-depth interviews with 33 PLHIV who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada with suboptimal ART adherence (i.e., ≦ 50%). Participants were recruited for interviews through a prospective cohort study. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. Results Our analysis identified key factors shaping LA-ART acceptability. First, LA-ART enthusiasm was highest among participants who were less satisfied with oral ART regimens due to pill burden or adverse side effects for oral ART and participants who struggled with daily adherence due substance use and social-structural factors (e.g., homelessness, incarceration). Moreover, participants who had physicians they trusted identified their physicians as credible sources of information on LA-ART, and indicated a desire for informed and shared decision-making regarding treatment changes. Finally, participants emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment approach for PLHIV who use drugs and highlighted the importance of access to a full range of available treatment options, including LA-ART. Conclusions There is potential for high LA-ART uptake among PLHIV who use drugs, particularly those who experience adherence barriers due to their substance use and structural vulnerability. While our findings are limited by the specific population and setting, they nevertheless underscore the need for efforts to ensure universal and equitable access to LA-ART.
The role of prokaryotic mercury methylators and demethylators in Canadian Arctic thermokarst lakes
Endoscopic submucosal excavation for gastric muscularis propria tumours less than 10 mm in diameter: What are the risk factors responsible for perforation?
Objective To explore the risk factors for perforation during endoscopic submucosal excavation (ESE) for gastric muscularis propria tumours less than 10 mm in diameter. This study provides clinical guidance for preventing the occurrence of intraoperative adverse events. Methods Samples of gastric muscularis propria tumours less than 10 mm in diameter were removed via ESE at Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital and were collected from June 2023 to August 2024. The general clinical characteristics of the patients, location, size, growth pattern, and pathology of the tumours, operation time, resection time, perforation incidence and bleeding incidence were analysed, and logistic regression was used to calculate the risk factors for perforation and bleeding. Results A total of 102 patients were included in this study. The tumours were successfully removed from all patients. The mean age was 52.28 ± 11.84 years. There were 34 (33.33%) males. The mean size was 6.96 ± 1.82 mm. 89 (87.25%) tumours exhibited an intraluminal growth pattern. In total, 79 (77.45%) tumours were in the gastric body, and 23 (22.55%) tumours were in the gastric fundus. The mean operation time was 35.26 ± 23.15 min, and the mean resection time was 27.88 ± 21.77 min. A total of 55 (53.92%) tumours were leiomyoma, and 43 (42.16%) tumours were GIST. There were 4 (3.92%) tumours classified as other lesions. 41 (40.20%) patients experienced intraoperative bleeding, all of which had minor bleeding and successful haemostasis under endoscopy.There were 27 (26.47%) concurrent perforation, of which,24(88.89%) were diagnosed as GIST, and 3(11.11%) were diagnosed as leiomyoma. All perforations were successfully managed with an endoscopic suture. According to the multivariate regression analysis, a pathologic diagnosis was a risk factor for perforation. When the pathological diagnosis is GIST, the risk of perforation increases (PE = 18.632, 95% CI 4.571 ~ 75.941; p < 0.001). Gender,age,tumor size, growth pattern, location, and resection time were not found to be risk factors for perforation.all of observed factors were not the risk factors for bleeding. Conclusion ESE is an effective removal method for gastric muscularis propria tumours less than 10 mm in diameter.Intraoperative bleeding and perforation are common.However, these complications are controllable.GIST is an independent risk factor for the perforation.When the tumour is diagnosed as a GIST, the incidence of perforation is significantly increased.
Author Correction: Interspecific competition and survival pressures in endangered Barringtonia racemosa populations of Mainland China
The impact of perinatal maternal stress on the maternal and infant gut and human milk microbiomes: A scoping review
Background Perinatal maternal stress, which includes both psychological and physiological stress experienced by healthy women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, is becoming increasingly prevalent. Infant early exposure to adverse environments such as perinatal stress has been shown to increase the long-term risk to metabolic, immunologic and neurobehavioral disorders. Evidence suggests that the human microbiome facilitates the transmission of maternal factors to infants via the vaginal, gut, and human milk microbiomes. The colonization of aberrant microorganisms in the mother’s microbiome, influenced by the microbiome-brain-gut axis, may be transferred to infants during a critical early developmental period. This transfer may predispose infants to a more inflammatory-prone microbiome which is associated with dysregulated metabolic process leading to adverse health outcomes. Given the prevalence and potential impact of perinatal stress on maternal and infant health, with no systematic mapping or review of the data to date, the aim of this scoping review is to gather evidence on the relationship between perinatal maternal stress, and the human milk, maternal, and infant gut microbiomes. Methods This is an exploratory mapping scoping review, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology along with use of the Prisma Scr reporting guideline. A comprehensive search was conducted using the following databases, CINAHL Complete; MEDLINE; PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus with a protocol registered with Open Science Framework DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/5SRMV. Results After screening 1145 papers there were 7 paper that met the inclusion criteria. Statistically significant associations were found in five of the studies which identify higher abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Erwinia, Serratia, T mayombie, Bacteroides with higher maternal stress, and lower levels of stress linked to potentially beneficial bacteria such Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia. However, one study presents conflicting results where it was reported that higher maternal stress was linked to the prevalence of more beneficial bacteria. Conclusion This review suggests that maternal stress does have an impact on the alteration of abundance and diversity of influential bacteria in the gut microbiome, however, it can affect colonisation in different ways. These bacterial changes have the capacity to influence long term health and disease. The review analyses data collection tools and methods, offers potential reasons for these findings as well as suggestions for future research.
Research on blasting damage to tunnel surrounding rock based on acoustic full waveform signal analysis
Clinical study on wound healing properties of Nile tilapia fish skin as biological dressing in dogs
Frequency of clinical cases of dogs with massive skin losses is very high in urban areas of Pakistan following road accidents, sharp objects exposure and attack by other dog. These cases need intensive veterinary assistance for safe and speedy healing of wounds. Recently, skin of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) is internationally gaining hype in medical field as biological dressing to boost dermatological reconstruction process. Nile tilapia skin is a recent research trend and a very limited research data is available on this topic for both human and animal subjects. This study was conducted at Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan considering the wound healing promoter properties of Nile tilapia skin as a biological dressing for dogs with massive skin losses. Aim of this study was to evaluate Nile tilapia fish skin as wound healing promoter biological dressing following sutured and non-sutured application techniques. For this study 10 clinical cases of dogs were randomly selected as per set criteria and divided into groups A and B comprising 5 dogs each. Consent document was signed by each dog owner for volunteer participation in this study. Nile tilapia skin was collected from fresh subjects and treated with 10% povidone-iodine for 10-15 minutes to prepare biological dressing. In group A, biological dressing was sutured on wound (non-absorbable silk suture material) on the area with dermal loss. In group B, biological dressing was applied in a wrap manner on area of dermal loss without application of sutures. Wound healing was evaluated grossly and histologically on days 0, 7 and 14. Statistical analysis of comparison between groups A and B revealed that application of Nile tilapia skin derived biological dressing in wrap fashion results in fast and complication-free wound healing as compared to sutured tilapia biological dressing in dogs.
SHIP identifies genomic safe harbors in eukaryotic organisms using genomic general feature annotation
Systematic identification of needlefish (Belonidae) species using molecular genetic and morphological markers in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
In this study, we aimed to clarify the taxonomic status of Belonidae species distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea by conducting detailed genetic and morphological markers. A total of 550 needlefish samples were caught between January 2022 and January 2024. The data set used in the study contains a total of 171 sequences for the COI gene and 120 sequences for the 12s rRNA gene from different Belonidae species, including data from GenBank. Systematic analysis of needlefish species was investigated by using sequencing of mtDNA COI and 12s rRNA gene regions and morphological characters in the Turkish Marine Waters. A separate analysis of the two mitochondrial genes supported by morphological characters revealed that each species is grouped within itself. The genetic and morphological analyses showed that Belone belone acus and Belone belone euxini which are considered as the subspecies of Belone belone are not subspecies of the genus Belone and should be considered at the species level, Belone belone. Belone svetovidovi is also considerably different from Belone belone and should be considered as a different species. T. acus imperialis, which is thought to be distributed in the Mediterranean Sea, is not a subspecies of Tylosorus acus and should be revised as Tylosorus imperialis which genetically differs from Tylosorus acus and also other Tylosorus species at the species level.