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Addendum: Unravelling cysteine-deficiency-associated rapid weight loss

Alterations in lipid profiles in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection living in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Children and adolescents who acquired HIV perinatally and are on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) are at increased risk of lipid abnormalities, premature atherosclerosis, and early onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Majority of these children reside in sub-Saharan Africa, where monitoring of lipid profiles is not routine. In this study, we assessed the age dependent prevalence of dyslipidemia among children and adolescents who acquired HIV in Ghana and explored effects of age and sex. In this cross-sectional study, we examined lipid profiles of 397 children aged 6–18 years. Dyslipidemia was defined by elevated total cholesterol (TC) (≥200 mg/dL) or triglyceride (TG) levels (>150 mg/dL) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (>130 mg/dL) or reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (<35 mg/dL). In subgroup analyses, dyslipidemia prevalence, by at least one criterion and for each criterion separately, was compared between age groups 6–12 (pre-teen) and 13–18 (teenage) years, as well as by sex, recognizing potential sample size limitations we state our findings and p-values. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 42.32%, and by individual criterion was 9.07% using LDL-C, 11.84% using TC, 15.87% using TG, and 24.00% using HDL-C. Additionally, 5.04% (n = 20) of the participants showed abnormalities across three parameters. Teenagers had a higher overall prevalence of dyslipidemia (46.75% vs. 39.04%, p = 0.12). Criterion-based dyslipidemia prevalence varied across age groups, with TC-based (14.04% vs. 8.88%, p = 0.12) being higher in the pre-teen group, while elevated TG-based (20.12% vs. 12.72%, p = 0.05) and low levels of HDL-based (28.99% vs. 20.60%, p = 0.05) were more prevalent in the teenagers. The mean levels of TC (p = 0.04) and LDL-C (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in the pre-teen age groups. Females had nearly twice as high as that of males with prevalence of abnormal LDL-C levels (11.39% vs. 6.67%, p = 0.13). We observed varying trends in the prevalence of dyslipidemia and lipid profile levels across age and sex groups, likely influenced by developmental and hormonal changes, although most differences were not statistically significant. This study showed a high prevalence of dyslipidemia among children who acquired HIV perinatally and are on ART, with possible age-related and sex variations in lipid profiles likely influenced by developmental and hormonal changes. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing routine monitoring for lipid disorders within this population and further confirmatory investigation of effects of age and sex as these children grow.

The impact of artificial intelligence on green economy efficiency under integrated governance

Whole genome DNA methylation patterns in tissue and cfDNA associated with fibrosis reflect the complex signature of MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can progress to steatohepatitis, being associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and immune cell interactions. Recent studies have reported an association between DNA methylation (DNAm) and MASLD. However, the relationship between DNAm and MASLD-related fibrosis is limited to liver tissue alone or focused on particular CpG sites. Moreover, despite the widely recognized sex differences in MASLD, studies that account for this variable remain limited. We performed whole-genome methylation sequencing (WGMS) on liver tissue and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with MASLD to investigate the association between fibrosis and DNAm. After initial filtering, the tissue and cfDNA data were further grouped by sex, and DNAm sites exceeding the minimum threshold for association with fibrosis were selected. Pathway analysis based on the genomic locations of CpG bins revealed both overlapping and distinct MASLD- and fibrosis-associated pathways across tissue and cfDNA, between males and females, and between intragenic and intergenic regions. Hepatic tissue deconvolution indicated the presence of immune cells and confirmed an increase in liver-derived cfDNA associated with fibrosis in cfDNA samples. Our study demonstrates the potential of WGMS as a platform for comprehensively observing the complex patterns of MASLD alterations.

Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults

Abstract Sleep problems and inadequate physical activity (PA) are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Most studies explored the influence of PA on sleep, but how sleep affects engagement in PA across adulthood remains less well investigated. This study examined the association between sleep traits and PA reported the following year in 51,247 Swedish women and men (55–93 years), who completed questionnaires regarding their sleep, PA, and other characteristics. Health status was assessed with data from the Swedish National Patient Registry. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by binary logistic regression. In multivariable analysis, long sleep duration (≥ 9 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) were associated with lower odds of engaging in walking or cycling, and exercising the following year. In addition, short sleep duration (< 7 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of SDB were linked to sedentary behavior (time spent on reading or watching TV). Several sex- and age-specific associations were observed. In addition to previous evidence of a positive effect of PA on sleep, our findings indicate that poor sleep may contribute to lower engagement in PA and a higher level of sedentary behavior, highlighting the bidirectional nature of the relationship between PA and sleep.

Prevalence and determinants of HealthHub app utilization among community-dwelling adults in Singapore

Introduction Singapore’s aging population, projected to reach 18.7% by 2030, will increase chronic disease burden and strain healthcare resources. Digital health technologies, like Singapore’s HealthHub Application (HHA), are crucial for improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery. However, the use of HHA among older adults in Singapore remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of HHA use among community-dwelling Singaporeans and identify factors associated with its use. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a public housing estate in Singapore, using random sampling to select housing units. Eligibility criteria included being a Singaporean or permanent resident, aged 40 years and above, possessing English proficiency, and absence of cognitive impairment. Participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire in English covering socio-demographics, health literacy, use of digital health technologies, and perceptions of HHA. Responses were categorized and analysed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 422 completed responses, 216 (51.2%) of participants reported HHA use. Higher HHA usage was associated with younger age, higher education levels, and greater self-perceived knowledge of health management. Older adults, particularly those aged 70 and above, and participants with secondary education or below had significantly lower HHA usage compared to their counterparts. Additionally, better health literacy as measured by positive perceptions of health knowledge were significantly associated with HHA usage. Conclusion The adoption of digital health technologies like HHA is lower among older adults with lower education and health knowledge in Singapore. Targeted efforts to improve digital skills, awareness, and usability are needed to promote HHA uptake and support equitable healthcare access in an aging population.

Toxicity of fluorescent silica nanoparticles in brine shrimp and their implications as food ingestion markers

Using simulation to uncover care aides physiological and emotional responses to their work: A research protocol

Care aids play a vital role in long-term care homes by providing essential support to residents, assisting with daily activities, and ensuring that individuals receive the care and attention they need. These professionals are often the primary point of contact for residents, making their well-being a crucial aspect of long-term care. However, the demanding nature of the job can lead to high levels of stress, and job dissatisfaction. While much is known about the antecedents to stress and subjective experiences of job-stress in LTC, there has been limited research to quantify the mental workload of that work. This paper describes the protocol for our research project that will use simulation to measure the mental workload of care aides while they conduct routine care to residents. Specifically, study participants will take part in simulation involving caring for a resident with dementia, which entails common challenges encountered by care aides including time pressure and resistance to care. Mental workload will be measured using physiological responses including heart rate, heart rate variability, and pupil diameter. This research promises to extend existing knowledge on care aides’ experiences and provide a deeper, multidimensional understanding of stress and mental well-being in caregiving roles. This innovative approach will not only validate qualitative insights but also uncover new dimensions of care aides’ work that may have been overlooked, paving the way for more targeted interventions and support strategies in the workplace.

A prospective observational study regarding host-derived immunological parameters around zirconia implants in comparison to natural teeth following flap surgery

Abstract With the increasing use of dental implants in patients undergoing extensive mandibular reconstructions, it is crucial to understand how soft tissues react in different implantation contexts. The aim was to compare the behavior of the soft tissues surrounding zirconia implants to that of the soft tissues surrounding natural teeth in terms of cytokine levels in patients who had undergone various microvascular flap procedures for jaw reconstruction. Due to anatomical deviations after flap surgery, such as thick skin paddles, the possibility of fixed implant dentures in patients with bony flaps is rare. Therefore, these patients are often treated with removable dentures. In this prospective observational study ten patients with a total of six fibula flaps and four deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flaps underwent reconstruction in the lower and upper jaws using vascularized bone flaps, and were treated with a total of 41 zirconia implants. The cytokine levels in the crevicular fluid were analyzed in terms of the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels up to one-year follow-up. The implant survival and success rates were also investigated up to one year. No significant differences in IL-1b were found between natural teeth and ceramic implants. After six months, MMP-8 levels of the natural teeth of a patient treated with DCIA flaps were once significantly lower when compared to the ceramic implants inserted into fibula flaps (p = 0.001). The overall survival and success rates were 100 and 76.83%, respectively. For the fibula group, the survival and success rates were 100 and 72.55%, respectively, and for the DCIA group, they were 100 and 81.12%. Zirconia implants and natural teeth showed comparable cytokine levels in the crevicular fluid. Nevertheless, implant treatment with extensive microvascular jaw reconstructions affected the success rates in the present study.

Impact of the entorhinal feed-forward connection to the CA3 on hippocampal coding

Each sub-region of the hippocampus plays a critical computational role in the formation of episodic learning and memory, but studies have yet to show and interpret the individual spiking dynamics of each region and how that information is passed between each subregion. This is in part due to the difficulty in accessing individual communicating axons. Here, we created a novel microfluidic device that facilitates network growth of four separated hippocampal subregions over a micro-electrode array. This device enabled monitoring single axons over two electrodes so direction of spike propagation in interregional communication could be ascertained. In this in vitro hippocampal study, we compared spiking dynamics across two novel four-compartment device architectures: one with four sets of axon tunnels between subregions that excluded the perforant pathway from EC-CA3, and one with five sets of axon tunnels that included the EC-CA3 connection. We found 30–90% faster feed-forward firing rates (shorter interspike intervals) in axons in the five-tunnel model with 35–75% slower bursting dynamics (longer interburst intervals) compared to the four-tunnel model. The CA3-CA1 and CA1-EC axons had more spikes in bursts in the five-tunnel architecture than the four-tunnel counterpart suggesting more structured information transfer. Feedback firing rates were similar between configurations. The faster feed-forward inter-regional spiking in the more natural five-tunnel than the four-tunnel configuration suggests tighter control of spiking and possibly more precise communication between subregions.

Dynamic 3D profiling of microscale surface using a MEMS mirror laser differential confocal microscope

Does the perception of red tape affect the emotional labor of frontline retail staff in China? A post-COVID-19 era

Red tape denotes valid rules or procedures that contribute nothing to achieving an organization’s goals. How red tape affects corporate employees’ emotional labor has received little attention. Therefore, this study recruited retail staff from Beijing after the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing the roles of negative emotions and customer orientation. Red tape negatively affected surface and deep acting among retail employees. Negative emotions mediated the relationships between red tape and surface and deep acting. Customer orientation moderated the relationship between negative emotions and surface acting as well as deep acting. Lastly, implications are provided for companies to promote employee emotional labor.While these measures were operationally necessary, their prolonged enforcement and administrative burden led employees to perceive them as bureaucratic obstacles rather than supportive regulations. Employees with high customer orientation may adopt alternative regulation strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal, instead of surface acting.

Discussing the epidemiology of COVID-19 model with the effective numerical scheme

Enhanced attitude tracking control of spacecraft via inner and outer loop sliding mode design

The significance of spacecraft in modern aerospace and technology is indisputable, with attitude control systems (ACS) playing a vital role in ensuring mission accuracy and safety. This study presents a dual-loop sliding mode variable structure control approach for spacecraft attitude regulation, leveraging integral sliding mode control (SMC) to design robust switching functions. The outer loop generates the angular velocity command ωc by tracking the desired attitude angle θ, while the inner loop ensures accurate torque control based on this command. The control architecture comprises an inner velocity loop and an outer position loop, with the inner loop deliberately designed to converge faster, ensuring overall system stability. Numerical simulations validate the proposed strategy’s effectiveness and highlight its potential for real-world aerospace applications.

Modulating depressive-like behaviors, memory impairment, and oxidative stress in chronic stress rat model using visible light therapy

Exploring the non-linear association of daily cigarette consumption behavior and food security- An application of CMP GAM regression

Background Food insecurity and cigarette smoking are significant public health issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Previous research often overlooks daily smoking patterns, focusing instead on smoking status or cessation. This study seeks to fill that gap, hypothesizing that food insecurity is positively associated with higher daily cigarette consumption. Methods This study investigates the non-linear association between food security status and daily cigarette consumption using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). It introduces a novel statistical approach—the COM-Poisson Generalized Additive Model (CMP-GAM)—to capture the non-linear dynamics between these variables, Results The CMP-GAM model was applied to a sample of 819 adults, controlling for key variables like age, body mass index (BMI), and mental health conditions (anxiety and depression severity). The results indicated that while food security status did not significantly affect daily cigarette consumption, the age of smoking initiation was a strong predictor, with earlier smoking onset leading to higher daily cigarette use. Subgroup analyses among participants with cardiovascular disease and diabetes also did not reveal a significant relationship between food insecurity and smoking frequency. Significance The findings suggest that targeted interventions aimed at preventing early smoking initiation may be more effective in reducing smoking prevalence and improving public health outcomes than addressing food security alone. This study highlights the need for further research into the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and health behaviors like smoking.

Machine learning based multi-parameter droplet optimisation model study

The mediating functions of coping strategies for the relationship between the loss of personal resources during COVID-19 and the providing support to students: The differences between believing and non-believing teachers in Poland

Introduction The teaching profession is not only related to the transmission of knowledge and the formation of attitudes in alumni, but also to the provision of multidimensional support to students in difficult/problematic situations. Social support refers to the provision of psychological and material resources by the social network to enhance the individual’s capacity to cope with stress. Aim The aim of this article is to present the mediating functions of stress coping strategies for the relationships occurring between the severity of stress generated by losses in personal resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing support to students in believing and non-believing teachers. Methods The nationwide and representative study was conducted from September 13, 2021 to October 1, 2021. The study included a total of 2500 teachers. The mean age was 43.93 years (SD = 9.89). The Polish adaptation of Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources-Evaluation (COR-E), the Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (MINI-COPE) and The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) were employed in the research. Results There are statistically significant differences between believing and non-believing teachers in the mediating functions of stress coping strategies for the relationship between the perception of personal losses and the providing support to students. Teachers’ religiosity promotes greater flexibility in the use of coping strategies in the process of coping with chronic stress compared to non-believing teachers. Conclusion The results presented justify the postulate that teachers should benefit from various forms of support to counteract personal losses, including support of a religious nature.

Enhanced THBS2 promotes collagen synthesis and inflammatory secretome of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Association of vessel density with retinal sensitivity in patients with branch retinal artery occlusion

Purpose To investigate the relationship between vessel density and retinal sensitivity in patients with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO). Methods This was a retrospective study of fourteen eyes of 13 BRAO patients. MP-3 microperimeter measurement and OCTA exams were performed at the same time. The exams were performed twice, one month and 6 months after the onset. The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid was superimposed onto the obtained images. We calculated the retinal sensitivity from MP-3 image, and vessel densities of superficial and deep capillary plexus (sVD and dVD) from OCTA images. These parameters were calculated for both the whole and parafoveal areas. A linear mixed model was used to investigate the correlations between retinal sensitivity and OCTA parameters. Results Mean retinal sensitivity was correlated only with sVD for both the whole and parafoveal areas at the first measurement (mR2=0.337, p<;0.001 and mR2=0.314, p<;0.001, respectively, linear mixed model). A significant correlation was also observed at the second measurement. Moreover, the sVD at the first measurement was significantly associated with retinal sensitivity at the final visit for the whole area (mR2=0.364, p<;0.001) and parafoveal areas (mR2=0.341, p<;0.001). Conclusions The retinal sensitivity of BRAO patients was correlated with the vessel density of superficial capillary plexus at both early and late periods. The superficial vessel density at the first visit was significantly associated with retinal sensitivity at the final visit, implying that early recovery of retinal blood flow is critical for maintaining visual function in RAO eyes.