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Dynamics of droplets and bubbles and their applications: current challenges and future opportunities

Factors influencing dignity impairment in elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis: A lasso and logistic regression approach

Objective To understand the current status of dignity impairment in elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis and to systematically analyze the factors influencing it. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. From July 15th to 31st, 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to select elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) from 42 tertiary comprehensive medical institutions across 11 provinces and autonomous regions, including Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Guangdong. A general information questionnaire and a dignity assessment scale were used to gather data on participants’ demographic characteristics, clinical conditions, and dignity impairment symptoms. Results A total of 372 patients were effectively surveyed, of whom 131 exhibited symptoms of dignity impairment, resulting in an incidence rate of 35%. Multifactorial analysis revealed that Employment Status [OR = 4.183, 95% CI (2.233-7.837)], Primary Caregiver [OR = 1.451, 95% CI (1.005-2.095)], Respiratory System Disease [OR = 5.053, 95% CI (2.079-12.279)], and Nervous System Disease [OR = 2.452, 95% CI (1.206-4.985)] were risk factors for dignity impairment symptoms in elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis. Conversely, Gender [OR = 0.488, 95% CI (0.295-0.807)] and Self-Reported Family Harmony [OR = 0.703, 95% CI (0.550-0.898)] were identified as protective factors against dignity impairment symptoms in this patient population. Conclusion Although the incidence of dignity impairment symptoms in elderly patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis is relatively low, the psychological trauma it causes cannot be overlooked. Healthcare professionals must actively establish and enhance prevention and management systems for this condition.

Comparing large scale and selected feature learning for community acquired pneumonia prognosis prediction using clinical data: a stacked ensemble approach

The somatic mutation landscape of normal gastric epithelium

Abstract The landscapes of somatic mutation in normal cells inform us about the processes of mutation and selection operative throughout life, providing insight into normal ageing and the earliest stages of cancer development 1 . Here, by whole-genome sequencing of 238 microdissections 2 from 30 individuals, including 18 with gastric cancer, we elucidate the developmental trajectories of normal and malignant gastric epithelium. We find that gastric glands are units of monoclonal cell populations that accrue roughly 28 somatic single-nucleotide variants per year, predominantly attributable to endogenous mutational processes. In individuals with gastric cancer, metaplastic glands often show elevated mutation burdens due to acceleration of mutational processes linked to proliferation and oxidative damage. Unusually for normal cells, gastric epithelial cells often carry recurrent trisomies of specific chromosomes, which are highly enriched in a subset of individuals. Surveying 829 polyclonal gastric microbiopsies by targeted sequencing, we find somatic ‘driver’ mutations in a distinctive repertoire of known cancer genes, including ARID1A , ARID1B , ARID2 , CTNNB1 and KDM6A . The prevalence of mutant clones increases with age to occupy roughly 8% of the gastric epithelial lining by age 60 years and is significantly increased by the presence of severe chronic inflammation. Our findings provide insights into intrinsic and extrinsic influences on somatic evolution in the gastric epithelium in healthy, precancerous and malignant states.

Exploring the dietary changes and support required for healthy eating with female students at UK universities: Findings from focus group discussions

Students’ diets often change when leaving home and starting university due to increased responsibility for their diet and finances. However, there is limited qualitative research with students at UK universities about how their diets change during the transition to, and whilst at university and the reasons for these changes. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore three topics: 1) specific dietary changes reported by students at UK universities, 2) reasons for these dietary changes and 3) how students can be supported to eat more healthily. Fifteen students (100% female, 54% white) across different academic years (60% undergraduate and 40% postgraduate) from the Universities of Reading and Hertfordshire were recruited. Four online focus groups were conducted, ranging from groups of 2 to 6 participants, using a semi-structured topic guide. Discussions were recorded and professionally transcribed. Transcripts were coded and themes derived for each research topic using qualitative analysis software. After joining university, dietary changes commonly reported by the students included either increased or decreased fruit and vegetable intake, increased snacking behaviour, and increased alcohol and convenience food consumption. Common reasons for changes included limited budget, time management struggles, a lack of cooking skills, and peer influence. Students suggested that reduced cost of healthy foods on campus and cooking classes to learn new skills could help them to adopt a healthier diet. These suggestions could be used to guide future healthy eating interventions for university students.

Baseline abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides acidifaciens in a healthy state predicts inflammation associated tumorigenesis in the AOM/DSS mouse model

Why it’s time the United Nations is led by a woman

Evaluating the three-level approach of the U-smile method for imbalanced binary classification

Real-life binary classification problems often involve imbalanced datasets, where the majority class outnumbers the minority class. We previously developed the U-smile method, which comprises the U-smile plot and the BA, RB and I coefficients, to assess the usefulness of a new variable added to a reference prediction model and validated it under class balance. In this study, we evaluated the U-smile method under class imbalance, proposed a three-level approach of the U-smile method, and used the I coefficients as a weighting factor for point size in the U-smile plots of the BA and RB coefficients. Using real data from the Heart Disease dataset and generated random variables, we built logistic regression models to assess four new variables added to the reference model (nested setting). These models were evaluated at seven pre-defined imbalance levels of 1%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% and 99% of the event class. The results of the U-smile method were compared to those of certain traditional measures: Brier skill score, net reclassification index, difference in F1-score, difference in Matthews correlation coefficient, difference in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the new and reference models, and the likelihood-ratio test. The reference model overfitted to the majority class at higher imbalance levels. The BA-RB-I coefficients of the U-smile method identified informative variables across the entire imbalance range. At higher imbalance levels, the U-smile method indicated both prediction improvement in the minority class (positive BA and I coefficients) and reduction in overfitting to the majority class (negative RB coefficients). The U-smile method outperformed traditional evaluation measures across most of the imbalance range. It proved highly effective in variable selection for imbalanced binary classification, making it a useful tool for real-life problems, where imbalanced datasets are prevalent.

HIV testing algorithm using fourth generation reagents reduces the false positive rate of screening tests

Physical activity measurement tools among college students in intervention studies: A systematic review

Background Assessing the impact of interventions on college students’ physical activity (PA) requires the use of reliable and valid measurement tools. However, the tools employed in existing studies and their respective reliability and validity are not well-documented. This review aims to systematically evaluate the PA measurement tools utilized in interventions targeting college students and to assess the quality of their measurement properties. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, PsycInfo) to identify studies on PA interventions among college students, using specific inclusion criteria. The screening of literature and data extraction were independently performed by two authors, focusing on the types of PA measurements used and their measurement properties. Results A total of 52 studies, involving 63 different PA measurement tools, were included. Of these, 28 studies used self-report tools, 14 employed objective tools (with one study using two different objective tools), and 10 combined both methods. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) emerged as the most frequently used self-report tool, while pedometers and accelerometers were the primary objective tools. Despite frequent references to reliability and validity, few studies provided specific evidence regarding measurement properties such as internal consistency and criterion validity, particularly those tailored to the studied population. Conclusion The majority of PA measurement tools for college students rely on self-reported data, with limited verification of their reliability and validity. For a more accurate assessment of PA intervention effects, it is recommended to adapt the widely recognized IPAQ to specific contexts and incorporate objective tools like accelerometers, which offer practical and precise measurement within college settings.

A new intelligent control strategy for CSTH temperature regulation based on the starfish optimization algorithm

The hunt for the next CRISPR: how warring microbes are inspiring new technology

Towards promoting timely treatment: Uncovering the determinants of prompt malaria care seeking behavior among febrile children under-five years in Tanzania

Background Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment within 24 hours of fever onset is crucial for reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality in under five children. However, research on the prompt care-seeking behaviors and their determinants in this demographic is limited. This study examined the prevalence of prompt care-seeking behaviors among under five febrile children in Tanzania and the associated determinants. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS), including a nationally representative and weighted sample of 1,050 under-five children who experienced fever within two weeks prior to the survey. A weighted univariable and multivariable modified Poisson regression model with robust estimator was used to examine the association between prompt care seeking behaviors and explanatory variables, including child and caregivers’ factors. Results The prevalence of prompt care seeking for febrile children was 43.2%. Caregivers of female children had 18% less prevalences of seeking prompt care (95% CI 0.68–0.98) compared to caregivers with their male children. Caregivers aged 25–34 and 35–49 years had 36% (95% CI 1.05–1.78) and 61% (95% CI 1.16–2.23) higher prevalences of seeking prompt care for their children respectively, compared to younger caregivers aged 15–24 years. Caregivers with at least primary education had 50% (95% CI 1.12–2.02) higher prevalences of seeking prompt care compared to those with no formal education. Additionally, an increase in one household member was associated with a 3% increase in the prevalence of seeking prompt malaria care (95% CI 1.01–1.05). Conclusion In Tanzania, female children under five experience delays in care-seeking for malaria, whereas older and more educated caregivers are more likely to seek timely treatment for their children. To enhance health outcomes in this vulnerable group, targeted interventions should prioritize raising awareness among caregivers, particularly younger ones and prompting equitable care seeking to all children regardless of sex.

ARL8B regulates lysosomal function and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Inhibitory specificity from a connectomic census of mouse visual cortex

Correction: Association between serum uric acid, hyperuricemia and low muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly adults: A national health and nutrition examination study

Plates made from magnesium alloy with a long period stacking ordered structure promote bone formation in a rabbit fracture model

The effects of limb position and grasped load on hand gesture classification using electromyography, force myography, and their combination

Hand gesture classification is crucial for the control of many modern technologies, ranging from virtual and augmented reality systems to assistive mechatronic devices. A prominent control technique employs surface electromyography (EMG) and pattern recognition algorithms to identify specific patterns in muscle electrical activity and translate these to device commands. While being well established in consumer, clinical, and research applications, this technique suffers from misclassification errors caused by limb movements and the weight of manipulated objects, both vital aspects of how we use our hands in daily life. An emerging alternative control technique is force myography (FMG) which uses pattern recognition algorithms to predict hand gestures from the axial forces present at the skin’s surface created by contractions of the underlying muscles. As EMG and FMG capture different physiological signals associated with muscle contraction, we hypothesized that each may offer unique additional information for gesture classification, potentially improving classification accuracy in the presence of limb position and object loading effects. Thus, we tested the effect of limb position and grasped load on 3 different sensing modalities: EMG, FMG, and the fused combination of the two. 27 able-bodied participants performed a grasp and release task with 4 hand gestures at 8 positions and under 5 object weight conditions. We then examined the effects of limb position and grasped load on gesture classification accuracy across each sensing modality. It was found that position and grasped load had statistically significant effects on the classification performance of the 3 sensing modalities and that the combination of EMG and FMG provided the highest classification accuracy of hand gesture, limb position, and grasped load combinations (97.34%) followed by FMG (92.27%) and then EMG (82.84%). This points to the fact that the addition of FMG to traditional EMG control systems offers unique additional data for more effective device control and can help accommodate different limb positions and grasped object loads.

Immediate effect of ice and dry massage during rest breaks on recovery in MMA fighters : a randomized crossover clinical trial study

Abstract The MMA fight consists of 5 rounds of 5 min with minimal breaks between the rounds. The exertion load is excessive for the fighters, and the 1-minute breaks give little time for any intervention. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of two methods of regenerative strategies, ice massage and dry massage, and analyze their impact on Reactive Strength Index (RSI - m s− 1), muscles’ biomechanical properties: muscle tone (T-Hz), elasticity (E - arb- relative arbitrary unit), stiffness (S - N/m), pressure pain threshold, (PPT - N/cm²), and compare their influence with passive rest. The maximum number of jumps (J - n) treated as an indirect effective measure of the interventions that were conducted was also recorded for each participant in each regenerative strategy. Thirty male MMA fighters took part in the study. Three subgroups of 10 participants (Ice massage, n = 10; dry massage, n = 10; and control, n = 10) were enrolled in the cross-over randomized clinical trial study design. The groups were randomized, and each group underwent each procedure (30 tested in each procedure). Five sets of jumps on a 50 cm box to exhaustion were used as a fatigue protocol with 1-minute breaks. The recovery interventions were performed during the breaks. The statistically significant results revealed in the post-exercise tests: RSI and number of jumps - the lowest decrease was observed in the massage group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001 respectively), the minor increases in T, E and S were also observed in the massage group ((p < 0.0001 for all measurements); the post-exercise PPT was the highest (higher means better) in the Ice group (p < 0.001). In every other parameter, the ice massage group showed slightly worse results than the dry massage group. Responder analysis confirms that the number of jumps profoundly impacted biomechanical variables, leading to increased muscle stiffness and tension, decreased elasticity and force endurance, and heightened pain sensitivity. Obtained results confirm that both dry and ice massage can significantly affect acute recovery following rounds of combat sport-related exertions. The Ice and Massage interventions differed in effectiveness - Massage was the most effective in preventing increases in stiffness and tension and preserving muscle elasticity. At the same time, ice cooling had a lesser impact, particularly on muscle elasticity changes but higher for PPT.

Prevalence, Risk Factors of Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry in adult in plateau: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Preserved ratio impaired spirometry(PRISm) is considered to be a precursor of COPD. The purpose of our study is to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of PRISm in high-altitude areas. Methods The adult residents of Hongyuan County were selected by random sampling method, and the lung function tests, questionnaires, blood tests were conducted. The prevalence of PRISm was compared among different factors of investigation, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of PRISm. Results 627 participants qualified for quality control, the prevalence was 10.06%. The independent factors of PRISm were age 40–49 years old(OR = 4.322,95%CI: 1.149–16.262),age ≧ 60 years (OR = 4.453, 95% CI: 1.003–19.762),Body mass index ≧ 30(OR: 3.745, 95% CI: 1.611–8.707),Smoking (OR: 2.591, 95% CI: 1.305–5.146), Diabetes (OR: 3.894, 95% CI: 1.043–14.199), history of pulmonary tuberculosis (OR: 13.678, 95% CI: 5.495–34.049), hypertension(OR: 3.447, 95% CI: 1.529–7.771), White blood cell count(OR: 1.414, 95% CI: 1.164–1.717), and Red blood cell volume distribution width (OR: 1.098, 95% CI: 1.009–1.196). Conclusion The prevalence of PRISm in Hongyuan County was 10.03%; The independent influencing factors of PRISm included age, smoking, the history of tuberculosis, diabetes,hypertension,body mass index ≧ 30,Red blood cell volume distribution width.