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Distributary development in a 21st century river: The evolution of Neptune Pass and its delta, the largest new offshoot of the Mississippi River
The development of distributaries in large river deltas plays an important role in the geology, hydrology, and ecology of the coastal ocean, as large rivers are a dominant mechanism by which particulate, suspended, and dissolved material is delivered from the continents to the global ocean. And yet, there is relatively little, near-real time observational data on the development of distributaries in large river deltas -- in part because the development of modern observation coincides with an era when rivers have been controlled by large engineering projects (i.e., the 20th and 21st centuries). This article reports on Neptune Pass, the largest new distributary to form in the Mississippi River in nearly a century. It developed between 2019 and 2021 when a small canal rapidly expanded by at least an order of magnitude. The system now carries about 15–17% of the flow of the Mississippi River, > 3,000 m3 s-1 when the Mississippi River is at moderately high flows. This is comparable to the 10th largest river in North America and the 100th largest river on Earth. Neptune Pass is building a delta, and this study sought to examine whether this delta is comprised largely of material eroded from the Neptune Pass (redistributed sediment hypothesis), or includes material recently derived from the Mississippi River (new sediment hypothesis). These hypotheses were tested using a combination of marine-geophysical surveys, remote sensing techniques, and sediment core collections. Results indicate that the delta in Quarantine Bay was 56–79% larger than the material excavated from Neptune Pass, corroborating the new sediment hypothesis, and indicating that it is a net land building system. These findings provide key insights that are critical to the restoration and safe management of the Mississippi River and its delta, the largest system of its kind in North America.
Xanthohumol modulate autophagy and ER stress to counteract stemness and enhance cisplatin efficacy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Development of a psychological management intervention protocol for colorectal cancer patients: a Delphi study on benefit finding
Objective This study aimed to develop Benefit Finding intervention protocols for colorectal cancer patients on psychological management in China. Methods We created an initial draft of such a protocol through a comprehensive literature review and group discussions. A two-round Delphi study via WeChat correspondence was conducted, with a group of 14 Chinese experts. Experts rated and scored the importance of indicators on a five-point Likert scale. Results The response rates for two rounds both were 100%(n=14), with an authority coefficient of 0.86. The mean value assigned to the importance of the items ranged from 4.07 to 5.00, with coefficients of variation between 0.00 and 0.17; the Kendall coefficient was 0.214 (P<0.05). Ultimately, we established an index system comprising 8 primary items, with respective weights of 0.133, 0.131, 0.122, 0.116, 0.129, 0.122, 0.124, and 0.124. Additionally, we identified 25 secondary items and 53 tertiary items. Conclusion This protocol demonstrates authenticity, objectivity, and broad applicability, providing a valuable reference for future psychological care and self-management strategies for colorectal cancer patients following surgery.
Experiences of intimate partner violence and antepartum depression among women seeking antenatal care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: findings from the MISPOD study
Environmental risk assessment for sustainable industrial urban development: The case of northern industrial zone of Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
This study assesses heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils of an urban industrial zone using statistical and spatial analysis methods. Concentrations of 12 key HMs, including Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ni, were measured using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), with values exceeding background levels several times in certain areas. Pollution indices such as the Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Total Pollution Indicator (Zc) revealed moderate to high contamination levels, with PLI values ranging from 1.05 to 3.38 and Zc values between 0.67 and 51.34. Health risk assessments indicated that the hazard quotients (HQ) exceeded safe thresholds in hotspots, highlighting potential risks. Spatial distribution maps identified industrial activities as the primary source of contamination. Specifically, according to the PLI, approximately 93.757% of the studied area is classified as moderately contaminated, while 0.702% is considered significantly contaminated. These findings provide a baseline for monitoring and mitigating soil pollution in industrial regions while offering insights for sustainable land management.
Indigenous bacteria as potential agents for trace metal remediation in industrial wastewater
Multi-omics evaluation of peritoneal fluid in gastroesophageal cancer (OMEGCA): protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study to detect occult peritoneal metastases in patients undergoing curative-intent treatment
Introduction Early detection of peritoneal disease, especially micro-metastases, in patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is critical as it alters therapeutic intent, providing a vital opportunity to personalise treatment. However, our ability to accurately stage the peritoneum is inadequate. Tumour-derived DNA in peritoneal lavage fluid (ptDNA) has been suggested to be more sensitive than current methods to stage the peritoneum. Accordingly, this study will determine whether ptDNA is a biomarker of peritoneal micro-metastasis and evaluate its prognostic value in patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma undergoing curative-intent treatment. Methods and analysis This will be an Australian multi-centre prospective observational cohort study enrolling patients undergoing routine staging laparoscopy and subsequent curative-intent treatment (either upfront surgery or perioperative chemo-/radiotherapy and surgery) for gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Tumour biopsies, blood and peritoneal lavage fluid will be collected at the time of staging laparoscopy for all patients. A subset of patients will have blood and peritoneal fluid collected at the time of surgical resection, and blood collected at the first post-operative clinic. These biospecimens will undergo genomic and methylomic analysis to detect tumour DNA. ptDNA status will be correlated to disease free survival, peritoneal-specific event free survival, overall survival, sites of treatment failure, histopathological features, and peritoneal lavage cytology status. Registration This study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000451505p).
Detection and accurate identification of Mycobacterium species by flow injection tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) analysis of mycolic acids
Abstract Mycolic acids, long-chain α-alkyl, β-hydroxy fatty acids, are characteristic for the genus Mycobacterium and play a critical role in the structural integrity and pathogenicity of mycobacterial cell walls. The unique structural diversity of mycolic acids among various Mycobacterium species offers a reliable biomarker for taxonomic differentiation. In this study, we applied flow injection analysis coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) for a comprehensive profiling of mycolic acids. Our findings demonstrate that the structural diversity of mycolic acids can be effectively utilized to enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and scalability of mycobacterial identification methods. This technique has a broad applications for the rapid identification of mycobacterial pathogens and determination of drug resistance. Particularly in clinical diagnostics it may lead to improvement of patient management and treatment outcomes. Additionally, the method holds promise for epidemiological surveillance, enabling the tracking of mycobacterial outbreaks, as well as applications in environmental microbiology for the detection and monitoring of mycobacteria in diverse ecosystems.
Genetic diversity of Olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and the impact of selective breeding on Korean populations
This study aimed to identify the population structure and genetic diversity of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in Korea and to examine the potential for genetic improvement in aquaculture populations. PCA showed NIFS and FarmA as closely related clusters, while FarmB exhibited moderate differentiation with greater variability. Fst analysis indicated high similarity between NIFS and farmed populations (0.021–0.043) but significant differentiation from wild populations (0.274–0.295). Admixture analysis highlighted a shared ancestral component (over 70%) among NIFS and farmed populations, contrasting with the unique genetic makeup of wild populations. The phylogenetic tree confirmed these patterns, with NIFS and FarmA forming close branches, FarmB showing intermediate placement, and wild populations clustering separately. Additionally, genomic estimated breeding values for body weight showed no significant differences between FarmA and FarmB, while prediction accuracy was higher for FarmA (47%) compared to FarmB (45%), indicating a closer genetic relationship between NIFS and FarmA. These findings emphasize the critical role of selective breeding and gene flow in shaping the genetic structure of farmed populations, offering valuable insights for improving growth traits and maintaining genetic diversity in aquaculture.
Chiral carbon dot as a fluorescent stain with enantiomer-dependent cell imaging
Trunk kinematics and motor unit behavior during different loads and speeds in individuals with and without aberrant movement patterns during active forward bending: A cross-sectional study
Background Instability catch (IC) during active forward bending is an aberrant movement pattern observed in patients with low back pain. Increasing load and speed may show different responses in kinematics and motor unit behavior including peak amplitudes (pAMP) and mean firing rates (mFR). Objectives This study aimed to compare kinematic patterns under different loads and speeds and explored the motor unit behavior in individuals with and without IC. Methods 17 participants were classified as having IC and 10 participants were classified as having no IC from clinical observations. Inertial measurement units were used to quantify kinematic parameters, and decomposition electromyography (dEMG) was used to investigate motor unit behavior. Participants performed 2 sets of 1-minute forward bending under low load and low speed (LL), high load and low speed (HL), and low load and high speed (LH) conditions. Results Significant between-group differences (P < 0.05) were found in kinematic parameters. Significant within-group changes (P < 0.05) were found between the LL and HL conditions for all kinematic parameters in individuals with IC. Individuals without IC demonstrated significant within-group changes (P < 0.05) between LL and LH in mFR, while individuals without IC showed changes in both pAMP and mFR. Conclusion These kinematic parameters may represent IC. Changes in motor unit behavior suggest that individuals with and without IC used different strategies to perform this task. Clinicians may consider varying the speed of movement to challenge the trunk neuromuscular control system and design interventions to address motor unit firing rate.
Emotional intelligence moderated the mediating effect of professional identity between social support and psychological well-being among pre-service teachers
Educational needs for medication safety competence among nurses by clinical ladder stage
The objective of this study is to identify the educational needs of nurses in regard to medication safety competence at different career levels. The identification of these needs is grounded in nurse clinical career ladder theoretical frameworks. In April of 2022, focus group interviews were conducted with twenty participants currently engaged in patient care work. These participants were categorized into four groups based on their clinical experience levels: novice (entry to 1 year), advanced novice (from 13 months to 47 months), competent (48 months to 83 months), and proficient (from 84 months). Key educational needs included: self-reflective attitude toward medication safety, effective interaction skills, medication practice knowledge, ability to manage safety risk situations, and establishment of a continuous education system for medication safety. These findings will contribute to the development of medication safety education programs based on a clinical ladder system including attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to self-reflection, self-improvement, and collaboration.
The cutoff points of body roundness index for predicting metabolic syndrome in the Brazilian population among 18–59 years
Melatonin and sleep parameters in infertile women with endometriosis: first results from the triple-blind randomized controlled trial of administration of melatonin in chronic pelvic pain and sleep disturbance
Introduction To evaluate the effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality and pelvic pain in infertile women with endometriosis and sleep disturbances. Materials and analysis A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 80 infertile women with endometriosis and sleep disturbances. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg melatonin or placebo for 2 months. The primary outcome was change in overall sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes included changes in specific PSQI domains and chronic pelvic pain. Result Among 80 infertile women with endometriosis and sleep disturbances, melatonin significantly improved overall sleep quality compared to placebo, with a large effect size (p < 0.001, η² = 0.20, Cohen’s d=1). The mean difference in sleep quality was a reduction of -1.7 on the PSQI, although it did not reach the clinically meaningful threshold of 3 points. Melatonin also led to considerable improvements in specific PSQI domains including: a substantial increase in sleep duration and a marked reduction in sleep disturbances. Furthermore, melatonin significantly decreased sleep latency, exhibiting a large effect size, and contributed to a medium reduction in the use of sleep medications. However, no significant improvements were noted in sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction, or subjective sleep quality. Additionally, melatonin significantly reduced chronic pelvic pain, with a large effect size (p < 0.001, η² = 0.18, Cohen’s d = 0.93). Conclusion While melatonin may improve sleep quality and reduce pelvic pain, further investigation is needed to assess its clinical relevance in this population. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov IRCT20171209037794N4.
Synergistic effect of secondhand smoke and apical periodontitis on lung tissue damage in rats
Determinants and barriers in early tuberculosis treatment in children at a primary health care facility in Kampala, Uganda; A mixed methods study
Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with childhood TB posing unique diagnostic challenges due to its pauci bacillary nature. The World Health Organization emphasizes that these diagnostic difficulties hinder early detection, contributing to delays in treatment initiation, disease progression, and increased morbidity and mortality. Addressing these challenges is critical to achieving the global goal of ending TB as a public health threat by 2030. This study aimed to determine the median time to TB treatment initiation and explore the factors influencing early treatment among children under 15 years at Kisenyi Health Center IV. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort mixed-methods study. Quantitative data were obtained through a retrospective review of medical records for 152 children under 15 years treated for TB at Kisenyi Health Center IV between February 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023. The median time to treatment initiation was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, while Cox proportional hazards regression identified determinants of treatment initiation. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews with healthcare workers involved in childhood TB care. Thematic analysis, guided by the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model, was used to identify barriers to early TB treatment. Results A total of 152 children were included in the study. The median time to TB treatment initiation was 39.5 days (IQR: 30,80.9). Pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed TB was the only significant determinant of early treatment initiation (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.31–0.88). Key barriers to timely TB treatment included caregivers’ poor knowledge of childhood TB, referral of children under five to the national referral hospital, inadequate diagnostic equipment and supplies, loss of community follow-up contacts, and high patient volumes. Conclusion Children with TB experience significant treatment delays, underscoring the urgent need for more accessible and rapid diagnostic tools to increase the proportion of bacteriologically confirmed cases and reduce treatment initiation time. Strengthening decentralized TB diagnostic capacity and enhancing caregiver awareness could improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
Evaluating the effects of volume censoring on fetal functional connectivity
Abstract Advances in neuroimaging have enabled non-invasive investigation of fetal brain development in vivo. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has provided critical insights into emerging brain networks in fetuses. However, acquiring high-quality fetal rs-fMRI remains challenging due to the unpredictable and unconstrained motion of the fetal head. Nuisance regression, where the brain signal is regressed onto translational and rotational head motion parameters, has been widely and effectively used in adults to reduce the influence of motion. However, subsequent studies have revealed that associations between head motion and large-scale brain functional connectivity (FC) persisted even after regression. In ex utero groups (e.g., newborns, toddlers, and adults), censoring high-motion volumes has shown effectiveness in mitigating such lingering impacts of head motion. While censoring high motion volumes has been utilized in fetal rs-fMRI, a systematic assessment of the effectiveness of regression and censoring high motion volumes in fetuses has not been done. Establishing the effectiveness of censoring in fetal rs-fMRI is critical to avoid possible bias in findings resulting from head motion. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the associations between head motion and fetal rs-fMRI at different analysis scales: blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) time series and whole-brain FC. We used a dataset of 120 fetal scans collected from 104 healthy fetuses. We found that nuisance regression reduced the association between head motion, defined by frame-by-frame displacement (FD) of head position, and BOLD time series data in all regions of interest (ROI) encompassing the whole brain. Nuisance regression, however, was not effective in reducing the impact of head motion on FC. Fetuses’ FC profiles significantly predicted average FD (r = 0.09 ± 0.08; p < 10–3) after regression, suggesting a lingering effect of motion on whole-brain patterns. To dissociate head motion and the FC, we used volume censoring and evaluated its efficacy in correcting motion at different thresholds. We demonstrated that censored data improved resting state data’s ability to predict neurobiological features, such as gestational age and sex (accuracy = 55.2 ± 2.9% with 1.5 mm vs. 44.6 ± 3.6% with no censoring). Collectively, our results highlight the importance of data censoring in reducing the lingering impact of head motion on fetal rs-fMRI, thus attenuating motion-related bias. Like older age groups such as neonates and adults, combining regression and censoring techniques is recommended for large-scale FC analysis, e.g., network-based analysis, for fetuses.
Seasonal dynamic of ticks infesting cattle (Bos indicus) farms in two provinces in Cambodia
Cattle tick infestations pose a significant threat to livestock health and productivity worldwide. These parasitic arthropods, feed on blood and may cause various diseases in cattle, such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and theileriosis. The objective of this study is to understand the seasonal dynamic and distribution patterns of tick infesting cattle in Cambodia. A longitudinal tick survey was conducted from January to December 2023 in two cattle farms in the Takeo and Kampong Speu provinces. Ticks were collected directly from the animal hosts with fine-tip forceps or specialized tools such as tick twisters, and from the vegetation using a combination of dragging and flagging method. A total of 13,678 ticks were collected from 240 inspected cattle and 11,384 ticks were found from vegetation around the two farms. The most prevalent species was Rhipicephalus microplus complex (60.6%), while R. haemaphysaloides was recorded in small numbers (0.4%). Unidentified species represented 39% of the collected ticks, consisting of immature Rhipicephalus spp. In addition, one adult Rhipicephalus linnaei, 245 immatures of Haemaphysalis spp., and 11,138 larvae of Rhipicephalus spp. were collected using dragging and flagging methods. The results revealed significant seasonal differences in tick population dynamics across both provinces, with 60.24% in Kampong Speu and 57.09% in Takeo during the rainy season, compared to 39.76% and 42.91% during the dry season. Statistical analysis on questing activity showed no significant differences in tick density across different collection sites, times of the day and province. Our findings indicate a very high density of tick-borne pathogen vectors was observed on cattle in the two farms, which a poses potential risk to cattle productivity in Cambodia.