Adequate Levels Research Articles

Parathyroidectomy: still the best choice for the management of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a challenging endeavor with several factors contruibuting to treatment failure. Calcimimetic therapy has revolutionized the management of SHPT, leading to changes in indications and appropriate timing of parathyroidectomy (PTX) around the world. We compared response rates to clinical vs. surgical approaches to SHPT in patients on maintenance dialysis (CKD 5D) and in kidney transplant patients (Ktx). A retrospective analysis of the one-year follow-up findings was carried out. CKD 5D patients were divided into 3 groups according to treatment strategy: parathyroidectomy, clinical management without cinacalcet (named standard - STD) and with cinacalcet (STD + CIN). Ktx patients were divided into 3 groups: PTX, CIN (cinacalcet use), and observation (OBS). In CKD 5D we found a significant parathormone (PTH) decrease in all groups. Despite all groups had a higher PTH at baseline, we identified a more pronounced reduction in the PTX group. Regarding severe SHPT, the difference among groups was evidently wider: 31%, 14% and 80% of STD, STD + CIN, and PTX groups reached adequate PTH levels, respectively (p<0.0001). Concerning the Ktx population, although the difference was not so impressive, a higher rate of success in the PTX group was also observed. PTX still seems to be the best treatment choice for SHPT, especially in patients with prolonged diseases in unresourceful scenarios.

Simplifying the electronic wedge brake system model through model order reduction techniques

The electronic wedge brake (EWB) uses self-reinforcement principles to optimise stopping power, but its mathematical model has various actuation angles and system dynamics making controller design complex and computationally burdensome. Therefore, the model order reduction (MOR) is made based on three factors that may have a negligible influence on the EWB system: the motor inductance, lead screw axial damping, and wedge mass. Six reduced order model (ROM) types were proposed when one, two, or all factors were ignored. The ROM accuracy was analysed using the frequency and time domain. The percentage of root means square error (RMSE) response value between the EWB benchmark model, and the predicted response based on the ROM was found to be less than 2%, with ROM size reduced from 5 to 2 orders. It guarantees that the new ROM series will be useful for simpler EWB controller design. The proposed ROM simplifies the original model drastically while retaining accuracy at an adequate level. Even though the simplest EWB model is a 2nd order linear system, the best ROM vary depending on EWB design parameters.

The Contribution of Lower-Body Kinematics to Pitching and Hitting Performance in Baseball: Utilizing the OpenBiomechanics Project.

As markerless motion capture systems become more affordable than ever, it is becoming far easier to collect and analyze kinematic data on baseballers. To ensure this data can be used impactfully, coaches and practitioners should possess a good understanding of specific technique characteristics that are associated with enhanced performance in pitchers and hitters. This study used the open-source data provided by Driveline Baseball's OpenBiomechanics Project to evaluate the contribution of lower-body kinematics to pitch velocity and bat speed. In addition to correlational analyses to examine the association between discrete kinematic variables and performance, statistical nonparametric mapping was used to compare slow and fast velocity groups across the entirety of pitching and hitting motions from peak knee height to ball release/contact. It was found that rotation of the trail leg and extension of the lead knee were both associated with performance in pitchers and hitters. Consequently, coaches and practitioners should ensure that individuals possess an adequate level of strength and flexibility to facilitate optimal movement of the trail hip and lead knee during pitching and hitting movements. If deficiencies exist, then training programs should be designed to address these issues and eventually bring about an improvement in performance.

Soil Fertility Status of Major Coconut Growing Soils of Tumkur District, Karnataka, India

A study was conducted to assess the soil fertility status of major coconut growing soils of Tumkur district of Karnataka with soil pedon locations being Turuvekere and Gubbi. The results revealed that soils of the study area were slightly to strongly alkaline in reaction and non-saline in nature. The organic carbon content was varying from low to high and it followed decreasing trend with soil depth in both soil profiles (Turuvekere and Gubbi). The clay distribution, cation exchange capacity and base saturation of the soils varied from 17.83 to 60.37 per cent, 8.71 to 28.86 cmol (p+) kg-1 and 75.53 to 93.42 per cent, respectively. The macronutrient status of the soil samples indicated that the available nitrogen and phosphorus varied from low to medium, and available potassium content was varying from low to high. Analysis of secondary nutrients showed that exchangeable calcium and magnesium were found to be sufficient but available sulphur was varying from deficient to sufficient level in these soils. The DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., iron, manganese, zinc and boron were found to be deficient in entire study area where as copper was varying from deficient to adequate level with surface soil having relatively high copper content than subsurface soil.

INSECTICIDE TOXICITY TO HONEY BEES: LESSONS LEARNED FROM STUDIES BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA URBAN ENTOMOLOGY LABORATORY

Laboratory and field studies comparing the relative tolerance of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) and non-target species, including the honey bee (Apis mellifera), and other non-target insects have shown that the non-target species can tolerate fairly well when exposed to insecticides used in mosquito control operations. Tolerance levels of non-target species vary due to factors such as the development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes which require higher insecticide doses to reduce populations to adequate levels. However, well-planned mosquito control programs, can lower risks to honey bees and other non-target species. This review discusses the toxicity of mosquito control insecticides to the honey bee and other non-target insects.

Reducing nitrogen application at high planting density enhances secondary cell wall formation and decreases stem lodging in rapeseed

Reducing the rate of nitrogen fertilizer (N rate) and achieving high plant density is an effective and economically beneficial approach to enhance rapeseed productivity. However, it is unclear how N rate affects stem lodging in rapeseed directly-sown at high densities. In this study, the effect of different N rates on stem lodging at high plant density was examined in field trial and pot experiments using two modern hybrid rapeseed varieties, Fengyou520 (FY520) and Huayouza62 (HYZ62). Increasing N fertilizer from low level to adequate level significantly increased yield by 39% in FY520 and 43% in HYZ62. However, with elevated N yield increases were limited by an increase in stem lodging. At T1 (the first inflorescence branch below the apex has the first flowers open) phloroglucinol-HCl staining for lignin was weaker under high N (N4: 4 g N pot−1) compared with adequate N (N2: 2 g N pot−1), and was correlated with weaker stem strength. Differences in stem lignin were also associated with variations in gene expression as revealed by transcriptomic profiling of middle stems at T1. Differentially expressed genes indicated significant enrichment for cell wall. Several genes encoding known transcriptional regulators of secondary cell walls (SCWs) biosynthesis and deposition were down-regulated with high N compared with adequate N. Many genes putatively involved in lignin biosynthesis, cellulose biosynthesis and assembly and xylan biosynthesis are down-regulated with high N, corresponding to lower accumulation of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose in these plants. These findings not only provide us with gene candidates potentially affecting stem lodging in direct sown rapeseed, but also reveal that reducing N at high plant density enhances biosynthesis of stem cell walls to alleviate stem lodging.

Assessing knowledge about hypertension and identifying predictors of inadequate knowledge in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Globally, hypertension is among the leading causes of premature mortality. It is a noncommunicable disease characterized by a persistent state of raised blood pressure that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and medical conditions affecting the brain and kidneys. There is a paucity of thorough hypertension knowledge assessment among hypertensive patients in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Thus, this study aimed to assess overall and specific knowledge about hypertension and to identify predictors of inadequate knowledge. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia between February and April 2023. Data were collected using an online, self-administered questionnaire divided into two sections. In the first section, the characteristics of the participants were collected. In the second section, the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale was used to measure overall and specific knowledge areas (subdimensions). The overall and subdimensional means were tested using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Furthermore, the binary logistic regression was conducted to determine inadequate knowledge predictors. In all 253 hypertensive patients were eligible for participation; almost 70% of whom were male. The mean age of the participants was 45 years (±14.7), and their mean overall knowledge score was 17.60 (±5.09), which was equivalent to 67.7% of the maximum score. In addition, 40.7% of participants had an adequate level of hypertension knowledge. The complications subdimension level of knowledge was borderline optimal. At the same time, an adequate knowledge level was detected only in the lifestyle subdimension. Most patients showed inadequate levels of knowledge related to hypertension management. Diet, medical treatment, disease definition, drug compliance, and complications were subsequently the least knowledgeable subdimensions among the study population. Therefore, these subdimensions should be prioritized when planning hypertension educational interventions and during follow-up sessions, especially for patients of younger age groups and those with lower educational levels.

Early Validation and Verification of System Behaviour in Model-based Systems Engineering: A Systematic Literature Review

In the Systems Engineering (SE) domain there has been a paradigm shift from document-based to model-based system development artefacts; in fact, new methodologies are emerging to meet the increasing complexity of current systems and the corresponding growing need of digital workflows. In this regard, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is considered as a key enabler by many central players of the SE community. MBSE has reached an adequate level of maturity, and there exist documented success stories in its adoption in industry. In particular, one significant benefit of utilising MBSE when compared to the traditional manual and document-centric workflows is that models are available from early phases of systems development; these enable a multitude of analyses prior any implementation effort together with other relevant capabilities, like the automation of development tasks. Nonetheless, it is noticeable there is a lack of a common understanding for how formal analyses for the verification and validation (V&amp;V) of systems behaviour, specifically in the early phases of development, could be placed in an MBSE setting. In this article, we report on the planning, execution, and results of a systematic literature review regarding the early V&amp;V of systems behaviour in the context of model-based systems engineering. The review aims to provide a structured representation of the state of the art with respect to motivations, proposed solutions, and limitations. From an initial set of potentially relevant 701 peer-reviewed publications we selected 149 primary studies, which we analysed according to a rigorous data extraction, analysis, and synthesis process. Based on our results, early V&amp;V has usually the goal of checking the quality of a system design to avoid discovering flaws when parts are being concretely realised; SysML is a de facto standard for describing the system under study, while the solutions for the analyses tend to be varied; also V&amp;V analyses tend to target varied properties with a slight predominance of functional concerns, and following the variation mentioned so far the proposed solutions are largely context specific; the proposed approaches are usually presented without explicit limitations, while when limitations are discussed, readiness of the solutions, handling of analyses simplifications/assumptions, and languages/tools integration are among the most frequently mentioned issues. Based on the survey results and the standard SE practices, we discuss how the current state-of-the-art MBSE supports early V&amp;V of systems behaviour with a special focus on industrial adoption and identify relevant challenges to be researched further.

Correlation between maternal and infant vitamin B12 levels in severe malnutrition in infants under 6months.

Malnutrition poses a significant global health challenge, affecting various age groups, with infants under 6months being particularly vulnerable. Vitamin B12, an essential micronutrient critical for neurological development, has been identified as a key player in the overall health of both mothers and infants. To find the correlation between serum vitamin B12 levels in infants, 1-6months of age with severe malnutrition and maternal levels at tertiary care hospitals in western Rajasthan. The cross-sectional study was conducted in the UNICEF Regional Center of Excellence-supported Nutrition Rehabilitation Center in Rajasthan, India, through simple random sampling. One hundred ten infants with their mothers were enrolled after consent and approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Severe malnutrition predominantly affected infants aged 1-2months, with 77% born small for gestational age and 66.4% belonging to the multiple birth order group. Serum vitamin B12 levels showed a significant positive correlation between mothers and infants (p < 0.001), while exclusive breastfeeding correlated positively with age-appropriate milestones (p = 0.033). The findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions addressing maternal and infant nutrition, with a focus on ensuring adequate vitamin B12 levels.

Head to head comparison of diagnostic performance of three non-mydriatic cameras for diabetic retinopathy screening with artificial intelligence.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting people with diabetes. The timely diagnosis and treatment of DR are essential in preventing vision loss. Non-mydriatic fundus cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) software have been shown to improve DR screening efficiency. However, few studies have compared the diagnostic performance of different non-mydriatic cameras and AI software. This clinical study was conducted at the endocrinology clinic of Akdeniz University with 900 volunteer patients that were previously diagnosed with diabetes but not with diabetic retinopathy. Fundus images of each patient were taken using three non-mydriatic fundus cameras and EyeCheckup AI software was used to diagnose more than mild diabetic retinopathy, vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, and clinically significant diabetic macular oedema using images from all three cameras. Then patients underwent dilation and 4 wide-field fundus photography. Three retina specialists graded the 4 wide-field fundus images according to the diabetic retinopathy treatment preferred practice patterns of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The study was pre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov with the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04805541. The Canon CR2 AF AF camera had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.65% / 95.92% for diagnosing more than mild DR, the Topcon TRC-NW400 had 95.19% / 96.46%, and the Optomed Aurora had 90.48% / 97.21%. For vision threatening diabetic retinopathy, the Canon CR2 AF had a sensitivity and specificity of 96.00% / 96.34%, the Topcon TRC-NW400 had 98.52% / 95.93%, and the Optomed Aurora had 95.12% / 98.82%. For clinically significant diabetic macular oedema, the Canon CR2 AF had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.83% / 96.83%, the Topcon TRC-NW400 had 98.50% / 96.52%, and the Optomed Aurora had 94.93% / 98.95%. The study demonstrates the potential of using non-mydriatic fundus cameras combined with artificial intelligence software in detecting diabetic retinopathy. Several cameras were tested and, notably, each camera exhibited varying but adequate levels of sensitivity and specificity. The Canon CR2 AF emerged with the highest accuracy in identifying both more than mild diabetic retinopathy and vision-threatening cases, while the Topcon TRC-NW400 excelled in detecting clinically significant diabetic macular oedema. The findings from this study emphasize the importance of considering a non mydriatic camera and artificial intelligence software for diabetic retinopathy screening. However, further research is imperative to explore additional factors influencing the efficiency of diabetic retinopathy screening using AI and non mydriatic cameras such as costs involved and effects of screening using and on an ethnically diverse population.

Preserving Face Threatening Acts in the English Translation of Bumi Manusia

This research aims to find the types of FTA contained in the English translation of the novel Bumi Manusia. Apart from that, this research also analyses translation techniques and the level of translation accuracy. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The research results state that there are two main types of FTA, namely Positive Face Threatening Acts (PFTA) and Negative Face Threatening Acts (NFTA). There is a predominance of PFTAs in human interactions, indicating that more actions aim to strengthen and enhance positive aspects of relationships and personal development. The findings from the English translation technique of the novel "Bumi Manusia" show a total of 1357 data, divided into 13 types of techniques. The most dominant translation technique is Equivalence with a percentage of 73.2% of the total data found. These results are that the English translation of the novel "Earth of Mankind" has an adequate level of accuracy, acceptability and readability.

Facility Performance Evaluation at Fish Landing Port (PPI) Binuangeun Banten, Indonesia: What strategies can be applied?

The Binuangeun Fish Landing Port (PPI) plays a significant role in driving fisheries activities for fishermen in the Binuangeun area, Lebak, Banten. Despite being the largest fishing port in the region, the facilities owned by PPI Binuangeun have not been optimally utilized. This study aimed to explore the problems associated with the underutilization of operational facilities at PPI Binuangeun. The quantitative research design was carried out by conducting observations and interviews and distributing questionnaires to relevant stakeholders who played a role in the utilization of facilities at PPI Binuangeun. This research seeks to identify problems, constraints, and expected strategies for optimizing the PPI Binuangeun. All the results are presented descriptively. The findings show that the ability of facilities to utilize dock capacity reached 81.8%, that of port ponds reached 89.9%, and that of fish auction sites reached 50%, indicating that the operational facilities at PPI Binuangeun are at an adequate level of feasibility, but their utilization is not optimal. Field findings showed that during 2015-2022, there was a periodic increase in the number of vessels of various sizes, including the number of vessels that docked. Fish production has also increased with an increase in the number of fishing vessels, fishing gear, number of fishermen, production, and production value. In line with this, the manager of PPI Binuangeun must improve the operational efficiency of the port, including optimizing the port's contribution to improving the fishing industry and the economy of the port. Strategic steps are taken to improve the performance and competitiveness of PPI Binuangeun in the future.

INTERNATIONAL VIEWS ON HOUSING RELATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

This article discusses current issues related to international views on housing relations in Kazakhstan. This topic is quite relevant because housing is a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations, and all countries have an obligation to ensure their citizens have access to adequate housing. The Constitution of the Republic, the country’s housing legislation and international acts elevate housing to the rank of a vital value, establish the obligations of the state and the rights of citizens in this area that determine their content. These measures are aimed at creating conditions that guarantee an adequate level of housing provision, including through state support for citizens in particular need of housing. An analysis of the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international documents allows the author to draw a reasoned conclusion about the need to take a number of measures to improve the quality of housing in Kazakhstan, in accordance with international standards. An international perspective on housing law in Kazakhstan can provide valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of our country’s housing legal framework, as well as opportunities for cross-border cooperation and learning. Keywords: housing, housing relations, human rights, housing legislation, international standards.

Evaluation of pre-plant incorporated manure and phosphorus fertilizers on alfalfa yield, nutritive value, and residual soil characteristics

Managing adequate levels of plant available P in soil is an important management practice for boosting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields and nutritive value. Although several ways of supplementing P at various stages of plant growth are in practice, pre-plant application of P through various organic and inorganic nutrient sources are largely under-investigated. Therefore, a three-year study was conducted at the New Mexico State University Rex. E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center, Tucumcari, NM USA, to investigate the impact of manure (pre-plant applied @ 22.5 Mg ha−1vs. no manure) and inorganic P sources (00-46-00 or 11-52-00) applied to soil either in one-time bulk (336 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated) or split applications (112 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated with an additional 112 kg P2O5 ha−1 surface-applied annually) on the yield and nutritive value of alfalfa and residual soil characteristics. Results demonstrated that pre-plant manure application had statistically no advantage in improving the alfalfa forage yield compared to control (p > 0.05), although there was strong evidence of a consistent yield increase trend in all manure treatments. Forage nutritive value parameters such as ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber), NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber), K, and Zn were significantly improved by manure supplementation. Manure application improved most soil quality parameters, especially the soil Nitrate-N, Olsen P, K, S, and Zn contents. Inorganic P fertilizer type or application strategy had no significant impact on alfalfa yield and nutritive value and soil characteristics. Most interactions (both two-way and three-way) among the tested treatments had no significant impact on the study parameters.

Establishing a Plan to Improve Pediatric Patient Comfort during PIV Insertions and Blood Specimen Collection: A Quality Improvement Effort

Highlights Patient comfort during peripheral intravenous (PIV) insertion and specimen collection was increased. The authors extended the contingency plan implemented for PICC insertion to include PIV insertion and specimen collection. The authors met their goals by using quality improvement methodology. Prioritizing patient comfort often requires institutional culture change. Abstract Background: Needle procedures can cause pain and distress, especially in pediatric patients.1 Retrospective data collected at a freestanding pediatric facility revealed that approximately 30% of pediatric patients were not demonstrating sufficient levels of comfort during peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter insertion and specimen collection (lab draws) even after successful implementation of comfort measures by the vascular access team (VAT) in an adjacent procedure (i.e., peripherally inserted central catheter placement). The current quality improvement project was implemented to support adaptation and expansion of previous lessons learned to PIVs and lab draws specifically. Design and Methods: The VAT used the Pediatric Sedation State Scale,2 a standardized assessment tool integrated into the electronic medical record, to assess procedural comfort during PIVs and lab draws from February 2021 through April 2023. A total of 24,134 patients aged 0 to 18 years were included in the data collection. Interventions were delivered concurrently and included (1) reeducation/ongoing support for implementation of the Comfort Promise3 measures, (2) the creation and implementation of advanced comfort options, and (3) culture change. Aims and Objectives: The goal of the interventions was to improve the percentage of pediatric patients achieving adequate levels of comfort beginning at 68% in year 1 to 90% in year 2. Results: From February 2021 to April 2023, the VAT team was able to improve procedural comfort scores from 68% to 90% of pediatric patients with adequate comfort for lab draws and/or PIV insertions. Conclusions: While standard comfort measures are a good first step in pain management during needle procedures, they are not sufficient for every pediatric patient. Nitrous, sedation, and the use of anxiolytics and analgesics can play an important role in reducing pain and anxiety during needle procedures and should be considered for patients not achieving adequate levels of comfort with standard comfort measures.

Age and sex-based impacts of maternal iron deficiency on offspring's cognitive function and anemia: A systematic review.

Iron deficiency is a recognized global health concern, particularly impactful during pregnancy where the mother serves as the primary source of iron for the developing fetus. Adequate maternal iron levels are crucial for fetal growth and cognitive development. This review investigates the correlation between maternal iron deficiency and cognitive impairment and anemia in offspring, considering age and gender differentials. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were queried using keywords "maternal," "iron," "gender/sex," and "cognition." The review included studies on human and animal subjects where maternal iron deficiency was the exposure and offspring cognitive function and anemia were outcomes. Out of 1139 articles screened, fourteen met inclusion criteria. Twelve studies highlighted cognitive deficits in offspring of iron-deficient mothers, with females generally exhibiting milder impairment compared to males. Additionally, two studies noted increased anemia prevalence in offspring of iron-deficient mothers, particularly affecting males and younger individuals. The findings suggest that male offspring are at higher risk of both anemia and cognitive dysfunction during youth, while females face increased risks in adulthood. Thus, maternal iron deficiency elevates the likelihood of anemia and cognitive impairments in offspring, underscoring the importance of addressing maternal iron status for optimal child health.

THE IMPACT OF THE BANKING SYSTEM LIQUIDITY ON THE VOLUME OF LENDING AND INVESTMENT IN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES DURING THE WAR

In the context of escalating military and political uncertainties, a crucial component of banking system stability is the establishment of an adequate level of resource provision – liquidity. The research aims to analyze the transmission impact of the banking system's liquidity and its structure on the volumes of financing for the real sector of the economy in the second year of the war in Ukraine. In the conditions of war and the corresponding intensification of military-political threats and uncertainties, the regulator has made numerous complex decisions and restrictions aimed at balancing the challenges with the current situation in financial markets.The research found that the banking sector of Ukraine currently accumulates a significant amount of excess liquidity and demonstrates high profitability. However, in the conditions of war, the transmission mechanism works improperly, requiring constant intervention from the regulator to balance the liquidity of the banking sector and state finances, which, in turn, affects the behavior of commercial banks and changes the structure of their asset portfolios. An analysis of the structure of active operations portfolios of the banking, corporate, and private sectors provides grounds to assert that there is no reason to expect a change in investment behavior from these groups in the perspective of the next year due to the specificity of the conditions imposed by the Ministry of Finance and the regulator. To maintain macroeconomic stability in the national economy in the conditions of martial law it is necessary to introduce conditions to reduce demand for foreign currency and, as an alternative, offer the preservation of savings solvency through simplifying access to investments in government securities for households. The low financial literacy of the population and the underdeveloped stock market in Ukraine, as well as the more complex mechanism of purchasing government bonds or military bonds compared to deposit services, make such investments by the population insignificant and limited in demand.

Deconstructing Masculinity in Gender Equality Campaigns (Study of Participation of Men with Family Planning in DRPPA Penyamun Pemali Bangka)

The current family planning (KB) program approach not only aims to control the population and reduce fertility levels, but also to ensure the fulfillment of reproductive rights. Men's participation in this program is considered important because they are women's partners in matters of reproduction and sexuality, so responsibility must be shared equally between men and women. This research aims to identify how the local government carries out deconstruction in the gender equality campaign in the Penyamun DRPPA, Pemali District, Bangka Regency, as well as to understand community perceptions of men's participation in family planning programs. This research method is a descriptive qualitative study, using data collection through FGD, in-depth interviews, observation and documentation studies. The research results show that the campaign for men's participation in family planning is carried out through advocacy, communication, information and education (KIE), but it is still more aimed at women. Even though there have been deconstruction efforts from the central to the village level, men's participation in family planning has still not reached an adequate level. The public's perception of men's participation in family planning in Penyamun Village is still limited to the level of knowledge, because the campaign carried out only brings changes in knowledge. Factors such as patriarchal culture, religion, and shame play a role in maintaining the role of family planning among women

Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidative, and Moisturizing Effects of Oxyceros horridus Lour. Ethanol Extract in Human Keratinocytes via the p38 Signaling Pathway.

Skin is the largest and outermost organ in the human body; it serves as a vital defense mechanism against various external threats. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain its health through protection against harmful substances and adequate moisture levels. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties of Oxyceros horridus Lour. (Oh-EE) in human keratinocytes. Oh-EE demonstrates potent antioxidant activity and effectively protects against oxidative stress induced by external stimuli such as UVB radiation and H2O2. Additionally, it exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects proven by its ability to downregulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely COX-2 and IL-6. The study also explores the involvement of the AP-1 pathway, highlighting the ability of Oh-EE to suppress the expression of p38 and its upstream regulator, MKK3/6, under UVB-induced conditions. Interestingly, Oh-EE can activate the AP-1 pathway in the absence of external triggers. Furthermore, Oh-EE enhances skin moisture by upregulating the expression of key genes involved in skin hydration, namely HAS3 and FLG. These findings underscore the potential of Oh-EE as a versatile ingredient in skincare formulations, providing a range of skin benefits. Further research is warranted to comprehensively understand the underlying mechanisms through which Oh-EE exerts its effects.

The impact of reducing formal care benefits on caregivers’ well-being: evidence from Japan

AbstractThis study examines the impact of reducing formal care benefits on the well-being of informal caregivers, contributing to the ongoing discourse about establishing sustainable and adequate levels of formal care. We utilize a reform introduced in Japan’s public long-term care insurance system, which curtailed formal care benefits for a group of recipients with low care needs. Employing a difference-in-difference approach with fixed effects on a nationally representative sample of coresident informal caregivers, we explore both the overall and temporal effects of this reform. Our findings reveal that the reform had an adverse impact on caregivers’ physical well-being, leading to diminished mobility and stability. The impact on caregivers’ mental well-being was less clear, reflecting a competing influence of stress and the psychological rewards associated with caregiving. The decline in physical well-being endured over time, while the effects on mental well-being were transient. Additionally, female caregivers exhibited greater vulnerability compared to their male counterparts, experiencing more significant deterioration in both physical and mental well-being. Alarmingly, the reform also negatively influenced the well-being of care recipients, suggesting that reducing formal care benefits does not yield positive outcomes for either caregivers or recipients. This study underscores the necessity of accounting for caregivers’ well-being when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of reducing formal care benefits and advocates for policies aimed at safeguarding female caregivers from health and financial challenges.