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Complete testing coverage for the early infant diagnosis algorithm and associated factors among infants exposed to HIV, Uganda, 2017–2019

Background Early infant diagnosis (EID) facilitates early initiation into HIV care for identified HIV-positive infants. According to the Uganda Ministry of Health, EID testing algorithm, testing for infants exposed to HIV (IEH) should occur at <6 weeks, 9 and 18 months of age, and 6 weeks after stopping breastfeeding. Uganda has faced challenges with loss to follow-up (LTFU) of IEH for EID. We assessed complete testing coverage (CTC) to the EID algorithm for IEH and associated factors. Methods We analyzed data from the ‘Impact of the National Program for the Prevention of Vertical Transmission (PVT) of HIV in Uganda (2017−2019)’ study. Mothers living with HIV whose infants tested HIV-negative at 4–12 weeks were enrolled in a prospective cohort (2017 − 2018) and followed until the IEH tested positive, died, was LTFU, or reached 18 months of age. We computed the proportion of IEH tested according to the EID algorithm among surviving infants. CTC was defined as undergoing HIV tests at three designated time points (excluding the 6 weeks after breastfeeding cessation) if HIV negative. IEH who were diagnosed with HIV but were tested at all recommended tests until that point were also considered to have CTC. We evaluated factors associated with CTC using modified Poisson regression. Results Among 1,804 IEH, 912 (51%) were male. Of the 1,804 IEH at baseline, 27 (1%) died. Among the 1,777 IEH included in the primary outcome analysis, 1,282 (72%) completed the study and 941 (53%) infants had CTC according to the EID testing algorithm including 40 (2%) who tested HIV-positive. Perceived discrimination due to HIV status [RR = 0.77, 95%CI (0.65–0.92)], having fewer pregnancies [RR = 0.97, 95%CI (0.68–0.99)], and reporting sexual violence [RR = 0.82, 95%CI (0.73–0.93)] by the mother of IEH were associated with non-CTC. Conclusion About half of IEH were tested at the recommended time points. Interventions to address stigma and sexual violence for mothers may improve CTC for the EID algorithm. Investigations are needed to explore associations between sexual violence, parity, and CTC for the EID algorithm.

Factors associated with chronic opioid use after minimally invasive lung resections

Background Individuals undergoing lung resections experience persistent postoperative pain and are at high risk of chronic postoperative opioid use. This study aims to identify factors associated with chronic opioid use after minimally invasive lung resections (MILR). Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of individuals who underwent MILR from March 2019 to May 2022 at a single academic institution. The primary outcome was chronic opioid usage, defined as use at least 30 days after surgery. Postoperative pain was managed with a standardized multi-modal pain-control regimen utilizing opioids only as needed. Prescription patterns and dispensing data of opioids at 30-, 60-, and 90-days postoperatively informed usage. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regressions (MVLR) were performed. Results 376 patients were included, 38.6% male, 88.8% white, and a mean age of 64.6 years. A total of 248 (66%) underwent anatomical lung resections. 16.5% used opioids at 30 days, 10.1% at 60 days, and 8.5% at 90 days. In the multivariable model, morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of opioids on the day before discharge showed a statistically significant association with chronic opioid usage. Age, sex, length of stay, and surgery type were not associated. A 10-unit increase in MMEs increased odds of use at 30-days by 21% (OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.11–1.32, p < 0.001), 20% at 60-days (OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.09 1.32, p < 0.001) and 18% at 90-days (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.06–1.30, p = 0.002). Conclusion Higher pre-discharge MMEs are associated with an increased likelihood of chronic opioid usage. Future studies should focus on whether preemptive early outpatient intercostal nerve blocks or cryoablations can decrease chronic narcotic usage in high-risk patients.

Hybrid multi-resolution network for DAS data denoising

The rapid advancement of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology has opened up extensive prospects within the field of seismic exploration. However, unforeseeable noise present in actual DAS seismic records has led to the submergence of valuable information beneath intense noise, significantly disrupting reflective signals and diminishing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of seismic data. Consequently, subsequent processing, such as migration and imaging, and interpretation tasks are hindered. In pursuit of an effective denoising approach for DAS data, this study proposes a Hybrid Multi-Resolution Network (HMR-Net), which concentrates on extracting coarse or intricate features from multi-resolution feature maps, thus delving into profound seismic characteristics across diverse scales and resolutions. The integration of error-resilient up-sampling and down-sampling processes serves to optimize the feature extraction ability and mitigate losses arising from sampling procedures. Furthermore, a highly authentic dataset was compiled by utilizing real DAS noise data along with synthetic records obtained through forward simulations. Through validation against both synthesized records and actual seismic records, the effectiveness of the proposed approach in substantially suppressing noise and enhancing the SNR has been demonstrated.

Network assortativity for a multidimensional evaluation of socio-economic territorial biases in university rankings

University rankings are published on a regular basis and taken as a reference by a widespread audience of students, researchers, and companies. Nonetheless, rankings can be affected by socio-economic dragging effects, since they often fail to incorporate information on the variegated conditions in which scores are reached. This inability to capture structural inequalities can generate self-reinforcing awarding mechanisms, e.g. in performance-based funding distribution, that amplify existing gaps and prevent from recognizing achievements of universities in difficult or emerging contexts. In a previous study, we demonstrated the existence of a socio-economic territorial bias in general rankings, which rate the global performance of institutions. However, the interplay of the variety of territorial contexts and the different features of specific disciplines can give rise to more complex effects. In this work, we investigate the influence of the local socio-economic condition on the performance of universities in rankings, considering a multidimensional representation of the phenomenon, involving the dependence on subject, time, and type of ranking. Our findings show that bibliometric rankings are significantly more affected than reputational ones by socio-economic dragging, which strikingly emerges especially in the natural and life science areas. We conclude the analysis by decoupling territorial dragging effects from the achieved ranked scores. Universities that benefit the most from the mitigation of the socio-economic territorial bias are typically located in territories, mostly outside Western Europe and North America, hosting either a capital or other important cities.

Correction: Examining trip-level errors in passively collected mobile device data for data quality assurance

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales among people living with human immunodeficiency virus across the globe: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background People living with HIV are vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections because of frequent healthcare visits, the consumption of many antimicrobials, and the weakened immune system to fight infections. Our objective was to provide comprehensive data about ESBL-producing Enterobacterales among HIV-positive individuals across the globe. Methods This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. To select eligible articles published between January 1, 2010, and May 12, 2024, a literature search was performed on available electronic databases such as PubMed, Hinari, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The quality of the included studies was assessed via the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The data were extracted from the eligible studies via Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed via STATA version 17. A random effects model was constructed via the DerSimonian and Laird method. The heterogeneity was checked through the Cochrane Q statistic, and the magnitude was quantitatively measured via I2 statistics. To determine the possible sources of heterogeneity, a subgroup analysis was performed. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted, and publication bias was checked via funnel plots and Egger’s regression tests. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered evidence of heterogeneity and small study effects according to the Cochrane Q statistic and Egger’s test, respectively. The protocol was registered previously (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024557981). Results A total of 5305 HIV-positive individuals from 20 studies were included in our meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales among HIV-positive individuals was 20.30% (931/5305; 95% CI: 15.13–25.47%, P < 0.001), with a high level of heterogeneity (I2 = 97.82%, P < 0.001). The predominant ESBL producers were K. pneumoniae, with a pooled prevalence of 40.84% (76/217; 95% CI: 26.87–54.81%), followed closely by E. coli at 40.14% (348/985; 95% CI: 27.83–52.45%). In the subgroup analysis, the highest magnitude of ESBL-producing pathogens was observed in Asia (195/715; 28.55%), followed by Africa (666/3981; 19.12%). Additionally, the highest pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing pathogens among HIV-positive individuals was reported to be colonization 23.78% (613/2455; 95% CI: 15.36–32.19, I² = 96.78%, p < 0.001), followed by infection 15.77% (318/2850; 95% CI: 10.06–21.49, I² = 97.45%, p < 0.001). Among the different types of ESBL enzyme-encoding genes, blaCTX-M was the most common (73 out of 150 isolates, 48.7%), followed by blaTEM (49 out of 150, 32.7%). Conclusion and recommendations This study demonstrated that HIV-positive individuals are commonly colonized and infected with ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. The highest prevalence of these pathogens was reported in Asia and Africa. To reduce mortality from severe bacterial infections in HIV patients, resources should be distributed equitably across all regions. Particular attention should be given to high-prevalence areas, where early detection of colonization and infection with antibiotic-resistant pathogens is critical. Enhanced surveillance of ESBL-producing organisms among HIV-positive individuals is also strongly recommended.

Integrating Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Spatial Transcriptomics on the Same Cancer Tissues to Identify RNA–Metabolite Correlations

Abstract Innovations in spatial omics technologies applied to human tissues have led to breakthrough discoveries in various diseases, including cancer. Two of these approaches—spatial transcriptomics and spatial metabolomics—have blossomed independently, fueled by technologies such as spatial transcriptomics (ST) and mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Although powerful, these technologies only offer insights into the spatial distributions of restricted classes of molecules and have not yet been integrated to provide more holistic insights into biological questions. These techniques can be performed on adjacent serial sections from the same sample, but section‐to‐section variability can convolute data integration. We present a novel method combining desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI‐MSI) spatial metabolomics and Visium spatial transcriptomics on the same tissue sections. We show that RNA quality is maintained after performing DESI‐MSI on a tissue under ambient conditions and that ST data is unperturbed following DESI‐MSI. We demonstrate this workflow on human breast and lung cancer tissues and identify novel correlations between metabolites and mRNA transcripts in cancer‐specific tissue regions.

Dermal formulation based on carbopol and Gum Arabic improves skin retention of indomethacin

Top-down approaches efficiently convert hydrophobic drugs into nanoparticles, and the selection of appropriate additives is critical for successful nanoparticle formulation. Methylcellulose is an additive capable of reducing the drug particle size to less than 200 nm using the wet bead milling method, a breakdown method, and a dermal gel containing indomethacin (IMC) nanocrystal formulated with methylcellulose, which achieved high skin absorption. In this study, we focused on gum arabic (GA) as an alternative additive to methylcellulose and demonstrated whether formulations (carbopol gels) containing IMC nanocrystals with GA for dermal application (IMC-NP@GCgel) enhanced the local and systemic absorption of IMC. The particle size was significantly reduced by bead milling with GA, and the mean particle size of the IMC-NP@GCgel was 40–200 nm. The drug release and skin permeability from IMC-NP@GCgel was higher than those from carbopol gels containing the IMC microcrystals (mean particle size was 15.6 µm, IMC-MP@GCgel). In addition, IMC levels in the skin tissue of rats treated with the IMC-NP@GCgel were higher than those of rats treated with the IMC-MP@GCgel. However, the plasma IMC levels did not differ between the IMC-MP@GCgel- and IMC-NP@GCgel-treated rats. We successfully designed IMC nanocrystals using GA instead of methylcellulose. Moreover, we found that the addition of GA supported the absorption of IMC nanocrystals and enhanced the skin retention of the drug without increasing plasma IMC levels. These results provide useful information for the development of dermal formulations based on nanocrystals.

Tandem reef restoration using corals and sea urchins: Building complex habitat for herbivores

Amidst the decline of coral reef ecosystems, restoration practitioners are expanding their focus to incorporate key reef community components, such as grazers, to improve site conditions and the long-term survivorship of restored corals. We investigated the use of hatchery-propagated Diadema antillarum as well as two other locally abundant urchin species, Lytechinus variegatus and Echinometra viridis, for coral-urchin tandem reef restoration in Florida, USA. Urchins were deployed onto reef plots at various stages of Acropora cervicornis restoration and provided artificial cement refuges to evaluate retention and herbivory rates. Retention of urchins was low and variable among species. After 42 days, retention was 22% for E. viridis, 7% for D. antillarum, and 0% for L. variegatus. Retention was influenced by plot complexity (restoration state) and was significantly higher in high-complexity plots for D. antillarum and E. viridis. Within plots, refuge types did not have a significant influence on urchin retention. A reduction in macroalgal cover was only observed on plots with relocated E. viridis when densities were maintained > 0.4 urchins m-2. A second deployment of D. antillarum, with urchins caged for a month prior to release, resulted in significantly higher urchin retention. Within cages, grazing and the consumption of coral tissue were influenced by urchin density. At low urchin densities (4 urchins m-2) macroalgae cover remained high and corals were overgrown by algae. At intermediate densities (12 urchins m-2) algae were reduced and the growth of corals was maximized. At the highest densities (40 urchins m-2), algal cover was reduced but urchins caused tissue mortality as a result of over-grazing, highlighting the importance of maintaining relocated urchins at adequate densities to maximize the benefits of tandem restoration. Thus, if retention can be improved and urchins maintained at intermediate densities, the tandem restoration of corals and sea urchins could increase the efficacy of reef restoration.

Correction: The evidence supporting AHA guidelines on adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Correction: Two new species of the Entoloma quadratum–murrayi complex in Japan

The relationship between accessibility of urban and rural high schools and enrollment rate: A county-level study

The study investigates the relationship between high school accessibility and enrollment rates in urban and rural areas within a county. The main goal is to explore how spatial accessibility to high schools impacts student enrollment opportunities, particularly in the context of urban-rural disparities. Using empirical analysis, the study evaluates the effects of transportation infrastructure, school distribution, and government policies on educational access and fairness. The findings reveal, there is no significant correlation between high school accessibility and enrollment rates in both urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the research shows that improvements in rural infrastructure and policies have helped mitigate potential disparities, leading to a more balanced educational landscape. This study provides a theoretical framework for assessing high school accessibility and its impact on enrollment rates, offering valuable insights for policy makers looking to optimize educational resources and promote fairness. The findings highlight the need for further research with larger samples and the inclusion of additional variables to understand the broader impact of accessibility on education.

Dynamic response force control of electrohydraulic servo actuator of active suspension based on intelligent optimization algorithm

Traditional PID control faces challenges in addressing parameter uncertainty and nonlinearity in active suspension electrohydraulic servo actuators, leading to suboptimal performance. To address these challenges, a fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller optimization method based on the Multi-Strategy Improved Beluga Whale Optimization (MSIBWO) algorithm is proposed. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the MSIBWO-FOPID controller significantly outperforms traditional PID and BWO-FOPID controllers in force tracking and robustness. For step input, the rise time and the root mean square error(RMSE) are reduced by 66.7% and 70.3%, respectively, compared to BWO-FOPID. For sine inputs, the system achieves better disturbance rejection and higher precision. Using a half-car model, the MSIBWO-FOPID controller improves ride comfort significantly. Under random road excitation, the RMSE values of the vehicle body’s vertical acceleration and pitch angle acceleration are reduced by 51.7% and 13.1%, respectively, compared to passive suspension, outperforming both PID and BWO-FOPID controllers.

Impact of IGFBP-3 A-202C genetic variant on breast cancer susceptibility and serum biomarkers (IGFBP-3 and IGF-1) in Palestinian women

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. This study examined the impact of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) A-202C polymorphism (rs2854744) on breast cancer risk and its association with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGFBP-3 serum levels among Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip. Understanding these genetic variants could guide the development of early detection strategies and personalized interventions for breast cancer in underrepresented populations. A case-control study involved 112 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and 222 healthy controls. Genotyping of the IGFBP-3 A-202C polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and serum IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 levels were measured. The CC genotype of IGFBP-3 A-202C was observed in 70.5% of cases and 20.7% of controls, conferring a 16-fold increased breast cancer risk (OR=16.237; 95%CI 7.904, 33.356, p ≤ 0.001). The AC genotype was found in 19.6% of cases and 32.4% of controls, also associated with ~ 3-fold increased risk (OR=2.889; 95%CI 1.319, 6.325, p = 0.008). The CC genotype conferred a 28-fold increased risk in premenopausal women (OR=28.050; 95%CI 10.281, 76.527, p ≤ 0.001) and 5-fold in postmenopausal women (OR=5.333; 95%CI 1.711, 16.620, p = 0.004). Women with the CC genotype had the highest mean serum IGF-1 levels (116.49 ng/mL, p ≤ 0.001) and IGFBP-3 levels (3.76 µg/mL, p = 0.006) compared to those with the AA genotype. Positive correlations were observed between IGFBP-3 polymorphism and serum IGF-1 (rs = 0.175, p ≤ 0.001) and IGFBP-3 levels (rs = 0.164, p = 0.003). The IGFBP-3 A-202C polymorphism, especially the CC genotype, is strongly associated with elevated serum IGFBP-3 and IGF-1 levels and increased breast cancer risk, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for breast cancer screening and risk stratification. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in diverse populations.

A goat experimental epistaxis model: Hemostatic effect of stop nosebleeds device

To stop epistaxis, a Saudi medical invention called “Stop Nosebleeds” with a patent was created. It is a silicone-based, adjustable device that is applied externally to the bridge of the nose and speeds up clotting by decreasing the temperature and the compressing effect of the device on the nose This study aims to examine the efficacy of the device in attaining hemostasis in goats with anterior nasal bleeding. An animal experimental nasal-bleeding model was conducted on ten goats in collaboration between King Fahad Medical City and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The left nostril was used as interventional wounds and the right nostril was used as control. Control wounds were treated with manual compression for 20 minutes. Interventional wounds were treated with the Stop Nosebleeds device. The second group of animals was heparinized and 2 wounds were created in each animal, one of which was being treated with the Stop Nosebleeds device, while the other was being treated with manual compression. The mean bleeding duration in the experimental group (both heparinized and non-heparinized goats) was 45.5 seconds (SD = 8.2), compared to 206.0 seconds (SD = 75.7) in the control group (U = 0.00, p < 0.001). The device stopped bleeding in 52.0 seconds and 39.0 seconds in the heparinized and non-heparinized experimental groups. While, the manual compression of epistaxis stopped bleeding in 252.5 seconds (SD = 84.7) and 159.2 seconds (SD = 15.7) in the heparinized and non-heparinized control groups, respectively. The device shows promise for clinical application, however, further research with larger sample sizes and human clinical trials are needed to validate its efficacy and safety. Additionally, the use of a goat model presents limitations in directly translating these results to human clinical practice, and these differences should be careful.

Correction: Understanding the impact of moxifloxacin on immune function: Findings from cytokine analyses and immunological assays in mice

A PCR primer design method for identifying spider mite species using k-mer counting

Using PCR to distinguish closely related species can be difficult because they may have very similar genomes. Advances in bioinformatics make it possible to design PCR primers that are species-specific. In this study, we developed a bioinformatics method for extracting species-specific primer candidate sequences (i.e., unpaired primers that were specific to a single species) from RNA-Seq data sets of 19 species of spider mites (Acari, Tetranychidae). Using k-mer counting, we obtained between 257 and 48,621 species-specific unpaired primer candidates for the 19 species. We then manually obtained a second primer that was also species-specific. The primer pairs were then confirmed to work in the target species and not to work in the non-target species. Finally, species-specific primer pairs were obtained for 17 of the 19 species tested. Such species-specific primers may be used for practical species discrimination by optimizing multiplex PCR. Our primer design method is expected to be applicable to other taxa.

Agent-based simulations reveal the possibility of multiple rapid northern routes for the second Neanderthal dispersal from Western to Eastern Eurasia

Genetic and archaeological evidence imply a second major movement of Neanderthals from Western to Central and Eastern Eurasia sometime in the Late Pleistocene. The genetic data suggest a date of 120−80 ka for the dispersal and the archaeological record provides an earliest date of arrival in the Altai by ca. 60 ka. Because the number of archaeological sites linking the two regions is very small, the exact route taken and its timing have been the matter of considerable debate. In particular, climate change in this period modified landscapes considerably, changing the cost of moving in different directions. Here, we apply agent-based least-cost path simulations for the first time to Neanderthals, showing that they most likely took a northern route through the Urals and southern Siberia under all climate scenarios. Agents leaving either the southern or the northern Caucasus Mountains reach the Altai in less than 2000 years during two time windows when the climate was mild, in MIS 5e (the Last Interglacial) and in MIS 3. The latter coincides with the dated presence of Neanderthals at Chagyrskaya and Okladnikov Caves in the Altai. The results of this modeling approach demonstrate a remarkable east-west geographic connectivity of northern Eurasia via river corridors despite the presumed barriers of the Ural Mountains and major north-south flowing rivers. Our results highlight the unique strengths of agent-based simulations to reconstruct pathways for ancient migrations.

Enhancing gesture recognition with multiscale feature extraction and spatial attention

Gesture recognition technology is a pivotal element in human-computer interaction, enabling users to communicate with machines in a natural and intuitive manner. This paper introduces a novel approach to gesture recognition that enhances accuracy and robustness by integrating multiscale feature extraction and spatial attention mechanisms. Specifically, we have developed a multiscale feature extraction module inspired by the Inception architecture, which captures comprehensive features across various scales, providing a more holistic feature representation. Additionally, We incorporate a spatial attention mechanism that focuses on image regions most relevant to the current gesture, thereby improving the discriminative power of the features. Extensive experiments conducted on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms existing gesture recognition techniques in terms of accuracy.

In vivo study of the radioadaptive response and low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity for chromosome breaks induced by gamma rays in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster larval neuroblasts: Dose and dose rate dependence

Although the biological effects of low doses/dose rates of ionising radiation have been extensively studied both i n vitro and in vivo , there are still knowledge gaps to be filled. For example, the mechanisms underlying the phenomena of radioadaptive responses and hypersensitivity to low doses of radiation are still not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the phenomenon of radioadaptive response in Drosophila melanogaster larval neuroblasts, focusing on the influence of different gamma priming doses and priming dose rates. We examined the modulation of cytogenetic damage, specifically the frequency of chromosome breaks, induced by a challenging dose of 10 Gy following different priming doses (0–2.7 Gy) delivered at dose rates ranging from 1.4 to 17 mGy/h. Our findings reveal the presence of a distinct window in which radioadaptive responses occurs, notably above a certain threshold dose when delivered at a rate of 1.4 mGy/h. Consistently with our previous results, we confirmed that the maximal protection was observed at a priming dose of 0.4 Gy delivered at 2.5 mGy/h. Additionally, we studied the occurrence of chromosome breaks after irradiating larval neuroblasts at doses ranging from 0.7 to 10 Gy. Notably, in this case we observed a low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity phenomenon up to 2.7 Gy, followed by increased resistance above 2.7 Gy. Our results provide insight into the complex cellular responses to low-dose/dose rate radiation and have implications in various fields, including radiation protection, diagnostics, theragnostics and biodosimetry.