Age Distribution Research Articles

Foreign bodies in the rectum: clinical experience

Background: Foreign bodies in the rectum are among the rarest conditions encountered in emergency surgery and can have various etiologies.Aim: To examine the patterns of injury, diagnostic methods, surgical options, and outcomes associated with foreign bodies of the rectum.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the treatment outcomes of 47 patients with rectal foreign bodies who received care at various surgical hospitals in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug — Ugra from 2019 to 2023. The study examined factors such as sex and age distribution, etiology, duration of the treatment period, diagnostic features, and types of medical interventions. The results of treatment and length of hospital stay were also assessed. A criminal history was noted in only one patient (2.1 %). The insertion of a foreign body into the rectum for sexual pleasure was reported by 42 patients (89.4 %). Non-sexual causes were responsible for the condition in 4 patients (8.5 %).Results. In the analysed group there were 29 (61.7 %) young people, 9 (19.1 %) middle-aged people, 8 (17.0 %) elderly people, and one (2.2 %) in the senior age group. The average age of the patients was 42 ± 13 years. There were 33 men (70.2 %) and 14 women (29.8 %). In the first 3 hours, 10 (21.3 %) people sought medical treatment, after 1—3 days — 34 (72.3 %) patients, and after 4 days — 3 (6.4 %) patients. In most cases, in 42 (89.3 %) patients, the foreign body was removed transanally. If transanal removal was impossible, laparotomy was performed in 5 (10.6 %) patients.Conclusion. Sexual gratification was the most common reason for the insertion of a foreign body into the rectum. To prevent perforation and improve the prognosis of this pathological condition, timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary

Global burden of benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infections, urolithiasis, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer from 1990 to 2021

BackgroundThe burden of common urologic diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary tract infections (UTI), urolithiasis, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer, varies both geographically and within specific regions. It is essential to conduct a comprehensive and precise assessment of the global burden of urologic diseases.MethodsWe obtained data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for the aforementioned urologic diseases by age, sex, location, and year from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. We analyzed the burden associated with urologic diseases based on socio-demographic index (SDI) and attributable risk factors. The trends in burden over time were assessed using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsIn 2021, BPH and UTI were the leading causes of age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), with rates of 5531.88 and 2782.59 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Prostate cancer was the leading cause of both age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR), with rates of 12.63 and 217.83 per 100,000 persons, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, there was an upward trend in ASIR, ASPR, ASMR, and ASDR for UTI, while urolithiasis showed a downward trend. The middle and low-middle SDI quintile levels exhibited higher incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs related to UTI, urolithiasis, and BPH, while the high and high-middle SDI quintile levels showed higher rates for the three cancers. The burden of these six urologic diseases displayed diverse age and sex distribution patterns. In 2021, a high body mass index (BMI) contributed to 20.07% of kidney cancer deaths worldwide, while smoking accounted for 26.48% of bladder cancer deaths and 3.00% of prostate cancer deaths.ConclusionsThe global burden of 6 urologic diseases presents a significant public health challenge. Urgent international collaboration is essential to advance the improvement of urologic disease management, encompassing the development of effective diagnostic screening tools and the implementation of high-quality prevention and treatment strategies.

The TIRS trial: Enrollment procedures and baseline characterization of a pediatric cohort to quantify the epidemiologic impact of targeted indoor residual spraying on Aedes-borne viruses in Merida, Mexico.

Aedes mosquito-borne viruses (ABVs) place a substantial strain on public health resources in the Americas. Vector control of Aedes mosquitoes is an important public health strategy to decrease or prevent spread of ABVs. The ongoing Targeted Indoor Residual Spraying (TIRS) trial is an NIH-sponsored clinical trial to study the efficacy of a novel, proactive vector control technique to prevent dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections in the endemic city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The primary outcome of the trial is laboratory-confirmed ABV infections in neighborhood clusters. Despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by early 2021 the TIRS trial completed enrollment of 4,792 children aged 2-15 years in 50 neighborhood clusters which were allocated to control or intervention arms via a covariate-constrained randomization algorithm. Here, we describe the makeup and ABV seroprevalence of participants and mosquito population characteristics in both arms before TIRS administration. Baseline surveys showed similar distribution of age, sex, and socio-economic factors between the arms. Serum samples from 1,399 children were tested by commercially available ELISAs for presence of anti-ABV antibodies. We found that 45.1% of children were seropositive for one or more flaviviruses and 24.0% were seropositive for CHIKV. Of the flavivirus-positive participants, most were positive for ZIKV-neutralizing antibodies by focus reduction neutralization testing which indicated a higher proportion of participants with previous ZIKV than DENV infections within the cohort. Both study arms had statistically similar seroprevalence for all viruses tested, similar socio-demographic compositions, similar levels of Ae. aegypti infestation, and similar observed mosquito susceptibility to insecticides. These findings describe a population with a high rate of previous exposure to ZIKV and lower titers of neutralizing antibodies against DENV serotypes, suggesting susceptibility to future outbreaks of flaviviruses is possible, but proactive vector control may mitigate these risks.

Prevalence Characteristics of Osteoporosis Fractures in the Elderly in Two Regions of China and Analysis of the Lag Effect of Air Pollutants on them.

Air pollution is increasing and threatening human health. The objective of this study is to investigate the population distribution characteristics of elderly osteoporosis fractures in Hebei Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and to analyze the effects of air pollutants on the number of elderly osteoporosis fracture inpatients in the two regions. A retrospective collection of elderly osteoporosis fracture cases was conducted in selected hospitals in Hebei Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. The chi-square test was used to compare the distributional characteristics of the population in the two regions. Additionally, we used a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) in order to assess the effect of air pollutants on the number of daily hospital admissions of elderly osteoporosis fracture patients in different regions. A total of 19,203 elderly osteoporosis fracture patients were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 76.66 ± 7.55 years, and the majority of them were female (13,514 instances, 70.37%). The disparities in age distribution (χ2 = 133.9 p < 0.001), fracture site (χ2 = 62.0 p < 0.001), and hospitalization cost (Z = -15.635 p < 0.001) between the two regions were statistically significant. The lag effect curves of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 on the number of elderly osteoporosis fracture hospitalizations in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region exhibited a similar pattern resembling a "W"-shaped curve. All three pollutants reached their highest values after a lag time of 14 days (PM2.5: RR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.031, 1.074; PM10: RR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.018, 1.043; NO2: RR = 1.125, 95% CI: 1.070, 1.182). In Hebei Province, the largest impacts of PM2.5 and PM10 were observed after a lag of 14 days (PM2.5: RR = 1.022, 95% CI: 1.013, 1.028; PM10: RR = 1.013, 95% CI: 1.008, 1.018). Similarly, the maximum effect of NO2 was observed after a lag of 11 days (RR = 1.020, 95% CI: 1.010, 1.028). There were differences in the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized patients with osteoporosis fractures between the two regions, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 increased the number of hospitalizations for osteoporosis fractures. Exposure to air pollutants such as PM2.5 increases the risk of osteoporosis fractures in the elderly population.

Health literacy and its association with antibiotic use and knowledge of antibiotic among Egyptian population: cross sectional study

BackgroundHigh prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic use in different sectors of the community indicates a possible strong influence of social and cultural context, which may be influenced by social determinants of health and thereby affecting individuals’ health-related behavior, including antibiotic use. And such health-related behavior is largely determined by individuals’ health literacy.ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between the Egyptian population's health literacy, antibiotic use, and antibiotic knowledge.MethodIn Egypt, researchers used a cross-sectional study design, between the period of January and March 2024 using validated questionnaires and recruited a convenient sample of adults from seven governorates representing different geographic areas, and socioeconomic and educational backgrounds with the help of the validated questionnaires the HLS-EU-Q16, a shortened version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (derived from the World Health Organization's Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey) and, familiarity with drugs and understanding of antibiotic resistance via online methods and face-to-face interviews.ResultsThe survey included a participation of 500 persons in total. The participants' age distribution indicated that 28.8% (n = 144) were aged 18–24, while 27.4% (n = 137) were within the 25–34 age group. Moreover, a total of 274 participants, accounting for 54.8% of the sample, described themselves as female. Significantly, 60.7% of the patients indicated acquiring antibiotics without a prescription. The evaluation of health literacy (HL) levels among the participants revealed that 36.2% had problematic HL, while 8.4% showed inadequate HL. A strong positive link was found between the scores of antibiotic knowledge and the scores of HL (R = 0.876; P-value = 0.001).ConclusionOverall, it is imperative to implement awareness-raising curricula and public health education initiatives without delay. Furthermore, it is highly advised to implement public health awareness initiatives about the appropriate use of antibiotics, alongside national policies aimed at regulating the availability and prescription of antibiotics.

Analysis of myocardial T1, T2, and T2* values by age, sex, and cardiac segments in normal population: a prospective study.

This study examines myocardial T1, T2, and T2* values in a sizable cohort of healthy volunteers, analyzing variations by age, sex, and cardiac segments. It offers a novel approach to defining normal parametric mapping boundaries and represents the first comprehensive study of its kind in Turkey. Our prospective study was conducted between August 2021 and August 2022. Healthy volunteers aged 20-80 were grouped, with at least eight females and eight males per decade. Cardiac MRI examination measured T1 and T2 times in 16 left ventricle segments using parametric mapping techniques on a 1.5 Tesla MRI device. T2* mapping was also performed on the mid-section interventricular septum. The data analysis considered the impact of age, sex, and segments. One hundred eighteen cases were included in the study. Female volunteers observed significantly higher T1, T2, and T2* values than male volunteers. For the T2* and T1 times, significantly lower values were detected in women over 50 than those under 50. It was observed that the Midventricular approach (middle section) gave closer results than the Midventricular Septal approach (septal region of middle section) in predicting Global times. We present the normal reference ranges for cardiac T1, T2, and T2* times in a large cohort of healthy volunteers with homogeneous sex and age distribution. Sex was the most influential factor in our study. Therefore, we suggest using separate reference values for males, and females above and below 50 years old, instead of the standard reference intervals that do not account for specified sex in current guidelines.

A Short-Term Study of 18 Cases of Distal Femur Fractures Managed By Locking Compression Plate [Lcp] Using A Less Invasive Skeletal Stabilisation System [LISS

Distal femur fractures have traditionally been the most challenging to treat. Restoring full motion and function to the knee may be challenging due to these fractures' proximity to the knee joint. Regardless of the treatment method, comminution, damage of soft tissue, fracture extension into the knee joint, and related injury to the quadriceps mechanism frequently concludes in suboptimal outcomes. The early surgical fixation notion, increased implant availability, early postoperative knee joint immobilization, and a better understanding of damage patterns have all significantly improved the patient's functional result. Our study focuses on distal femur fractures managed by LCP [locking compression plate] using a less invasive skeletal stabilization system [LISS]. This is a retrospective research of 18 cases of distal femur fractures in adults who had LCP treatment with the LISS. The operation at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital in Chennai runs from January 2021 to January 2022. All types of intercondylar and supracondylar fractures are included. Children's fractures and pathological fractures were not included. Age distribution, side of injury, sex distribution, anatomy of injury, mechanism of injury, damage grading, subtype of fracture, concomitant injuries, and open fractures were the parameters used to assess the cases. AP and lateral views of the X-ray were taken. A thorough preoperative workup was completed. Every case was scheduled for surgery as soon as feasible. External fixators were used in the initial treatment of complicated cases. Patients underwent locking compression plate (LCP) fixation with the LISS. Radiological examination immediately following surgery, four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, twelve weeks, four months, and every six months for a maximum of one year.The age range of the patients was 21 to 70 years, with a mean age of 30 years. A maximum incidence of fractures was noted in individuals aged 40 to 60. Males accounted for the majority of the 18 cases, with a female-to-male ratio of 3:5. Our series was predominantly right-sided. The most frequent cause of injury has been traffic accidents. Throughout the research period, no patients were lost to follow-up. Of the eighteen cases, the majority involved distal femur fractures, with intercondylar extension accounting for a higher number of cases, and isolated supracondylar fractures following. A head injury was present in one case, and acetabular fracture in another, a Boxer’s fracturein a third case, and 2 open fractures (1 compound grade III A, the other compound grade II). The fractures took an average of 13.3 weeks to heal. It required an average of 15.3 weeks longer in cases of compound fractures. Less than six degrees of malalignment (varus, valgus) were present. Every patient exhibited optimal articular alignment.Excellent outcomes were obtained with the LISS, which combines appropriate physiotherapy with an LCP (angle stable build). In principle, an LCP implant is the best option for fractured and osteoporotic bones. In summary, the use of LCPs in the LISS appears to yield superior outcomes when managing distal femur fractures.

Glenohumeral Joint Volume Measurement in Patients with Shoulder Instability: A 3D Volumetric Magnetic Resonance Arthrographic Study.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare capsular volume in patients with shoulder instability to that in control subjects without instability using magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography. The objective was to develop a reliable screening method with which to assess shoulder volume. Materials and Methods: In 21 patients with atraumatic shoulder instability and 21 controls, thin-slice 3D volumetric MR arthrography sequences were obtained. MR arthrography images were uploaded to 3D reconstruction, and 3D images were generated. From the 3D reconstructed images, volumetric measurements of rotator interval (RI), anterior and posterior capsular (AC, PC) recesses, biceps tendon sheath (BS), axillary recess (AR), and total glenohumeral joint (TGJ) were performed. Individuals with any extra-articular contrast leakage were also recorded. Results: A retrospective study analyzed a patient group of 21 individuals with shoulder instability (mean age 29.52 ± 12.83 years) and a control group of 21 individuals without instability (mean age 35.71 ± 12.77 years). No statistically significant differences were identified between the groups with regard to age, gender, or side distribution. The mean total joint volume was significantly higher in the instability group (29.85 ± 6.40 cm3) compared to the control group (23.15 ± 3.48 cm3, p = 0.0001). Additionally, the mean volumes of the RI, AC, PC, BS, and AR were all significantly greater in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusions: 3D volumetric MR arthrographic measurements of the shoulder joint capacity can provide valuable insights for clinical follow-up and guide surgical treatment decisions in cases of atraumatic shoulder instability.

Outcome Comparison of Multidirectional Locked Nailing and Plating for Distal Tibial Fractures: A Comparative Analytical Study

Introduction: This comparative analytical study explores the functional outcomes of treating distal tibial fractures using multidirectional locked nailing and plating. Distal tibia fractures, resulting from high-energy trauma, pose challenges due to soft tissue damage, infection risks, and potential unfavorable outcomes. Our study seeks to evaluate and contrast the functional results of treating distal tibial fractures using multidirectional locked nailing versus plating techniques. Materials and Methods: Conducted at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital from August 2022 to October 2023, the study involved 20 cases meeting specific criteria. Adult patients (18-70 years) with closed fractures and grade I compound fractures of distal tibia (AO type 43-A1, 43-A2, and 43-A3) were included. The cases were evenly divided between multidirectional locked nailing and plating groups. Subsequent evaluations, comprising both radiographic and clinical analyses, were performed at 6, 12, and 24-week intervals. Results: The study encompassed various parameters, including age distribution, causes of fractures, weight-bearing protocols, and joint movements. Multidirectional locked nailing demonstrated a shorter fracture union time, promoting earlier weight-bearing and functional exercises. Ankle and knee scores in this group indicated successful joint function restoration but with a higher malunion rate. Plating exhibited a lower malunion rate but a prolonged time to union. Complications, including superficial infections and wound dehiscence, were observed, emphasizing the importance of postoperative monitoring. Despite challenges, the plate group achieved satisfactory functional outcomes, highlighting fair to good ankle scores and full knee movement in all cases. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study underscores the distinctive advantages and considerations of each treatment approach. Multidirectional locked nailing facilitates faster union and joint function restoration but carries a higher malunion risk. Plating, with a lower malunion rate, requires meticulous postoperative care. The choice between the two methods should be individualized, considering patient-specific factors, fracture characteristics, and the surgeon's expertise. This research contributes valuable insights for informed decision-making in distal tibia fracture treatment.

Exploring the Epidemiology of Melanocytic Tumors in Canine and Feline Populations: A Comprehensive Analysis of Diagnostic Records from a Single Pathology Institution in Italy.

MTs are prevalent in dogs, representing the most frequent oral malignancy, compared to cats, in which ocular melanomas predominate. This study investigates the canine and feline MT epidemiology (2005-2024) of cases submitted to the Veterinary Pathology Service (University of Perugia). Among the canine neoplasms, 845 (4%) were melanocytic: 329 (39%) melanocytomas; 512 (61%) melanomas. Of these, 485 (57%) were cutaneous (4% of canine cutaneous neoplasms), 193 (23%) were oral (50% of oral canine neoplasms), and 104 (12%) were mucocutaneous. The average age of affected dogs was 10 years. Older dogs were more likely to have melanomas compared to melanocytomas (p < 0.001). There were 60 (1%) feline MTs: 6 (10%) melanocytomas; 53 (88%) melanomas. Of these, 29 (48%) were cutaneous (1% of feline cutaneous tumors), 18 (30%) were ocular, and 9 (15%) were oral (22% of feline oral tumors). The average age of affected cats was 11 years. In dogs, mucocutaneous melanomas were more common compared to cutaneous ones (p < 0.05); oral melanomas were more common compared to all other sites (p < 0.001). In cats, ocular melanomas were more common compared to cutaneous ones (p < 0.05). Our study provides the MT prevalence in a selected canine and feline population, revealing MT epidemiological patterns, highlighting species-specific differences in the tumor prevalence, localization, and age distribution.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF CANALIS SINUOSUS IN THE ANTERIOR MAXILLA TO AVOID SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS

Aims: The study's objective was to evaluate the canalis sinuosus (CS) anatomical structure in the front maxilla in order to prevent surgical problems in an adult Yemeni population sample acquired using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess 226 participants' CBCT pictures. 452 sides in total were assessed. There were 140 females (61.9%) and 86 males (38.1%) among the samples. The age distribution was 18–34 years (65%) and over 35 years (35%), with a mean age of 32.13. Version 25 of the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for all statistical analyses. Result: It was discovered that 160 right (35.4%) and 175 left (38.7%) of the 226 patients and 452 sides had CS. Among these individuals, 117 (51.8%) had unilateral CS and 109 (48.2%) had bilateral CS. The CS was 8.12 mm from the nasal cavity floor (D1), 6.99 mm from the buccal cortical bone ridge (D2), and 13.47 mm from the crest of the alveolar ridge (D3), as the mean distances were measured. Males and females had somewhat higher mean values for the linear measurements D1 and D3, but females had slightly higher mean values for the linear measurement D2. The CS had a mean diameter of 1.11 mm. Left central incisor area was the most commonly observed location of CS, and palataly was the most frequently recorded location of CS. Conclusion: Since the CS is present in 100% of adult Yemenis, it is imperative that general practitioners and maxillofacial surgeons become more knowledgeable about the position and structure of the CS. Peer Review History: Received 19 May 2024; Reviewed 12 July 2024; Accepted 23 August; Available online 15 September 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Iman Muhammad Higazy, National Research Center, Egypt, imane.higazy@hotmail.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Prof. Gorkem Dulger, Duzce University, Turkey, gorkemdulger@yandex.com Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com

Validating full-spectrum fitting with a synthetic integral-field spectroscopic observation of the milky way

Abstract Ongoing deep IFS observations of disk galaxies provide opportunities for comparison with the Milky Way (MW) to understand galaxy evolution. However, such comparisons are marred by many challenges such as selection effects, differences in observations and methodology, and proper validation of full-spectrum fitting methods. In this study, we present a novel code GalCraft to address these challenges by generating mock IFS data cubes of the MW using simple stellar population models and a mock MW stellar catalog derived from E-Galaxia. We use the widely adopted full-spectrum fitting code pPXF to investigate the ability to recover kinematics and stellar populations for an edge-on mock MW IFS observation. We confirm that differences in kinematics, mean age, [M/H], and [α/Fe] between thin and thick disks can be distinguished. However, the age distribution is overestimated in the ranges between 2 − 4 and 12 − 14 Gyr compared to the expected values. This is likely due to the age spacing and degeneracy of SSP templates. We find systematic offsets in the recovered kinematics due to insufficient spectral resolution and the variation of line-of-sight velocity distribution with age and [M/H]. With future higher resolution and multi-[α/Fe] SSP templates, GalCraft will be useful to validate key signatures such as [α/Fe]-[M/H] distribution at different R and |z| and potentially infer radial migration and kinematic heating efficiency to study detailed chemodynamical evolution of MW-like galaxies.

The Early Carboniferous age of the Arrayán Formation in the Choapa Accretionary Complex: Implications for its fossil floral content, tectonic setting and evolution of the southwestern Gondwana margin (north-central Chile)

The Arrayán Formation comprises a thick, well stratified, strongly folded turbiditic succession, exposed along the Chilean coast, between 31°30′ and 32°S. It is interpreted as the frontally accreted portion of the Choapa Accretionary Complex formed in the south western Gondwana margin in Carboniferus and Permian times. The Arrayán deposits are unconformably overlain by the marine neritic and richly fossiliferous late Early to early Late Permian Huentelauquén Formation. The contact with the basally accreted metamorphic units of the Choapa Accretionary Complex is tectonic. A previous and a recently dated sample from the Arrayán Formation (PS-8, this paper) yielded mid-Early Carboniferous (Visean) maximum depositional ages of 340 ± 5 Ma and 342 ± 4 Ma respectively. This age (i) contradicts the so far accepted Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous age assigned to the Arrayán Formation, based on its fossiliferous content, (ii) indicates that the age of the psylophytal remains found in this formation are post-Visean, (iii) confirms that the Arrayán Formation is younger than the mid-Early Carboniferous and older than the late Early to early Late Permian Huentelauquén Formation, and (iv) locates its stratigraphic position between the late Early Carboniferous and Early Permian. Previous dates from the compositionally similar metaturbiditic Agua Dulce Formation, which is exposed next to the Arrayán Formation and grades into a mélange, yielded a similar age, which indicates that deposition of both units was coeval. The maximum depositional ages of the Arrayán and the Agua Dulce formations are older than the maximum depositional ages obtained from the metamorphic units in the Choapa Accretionary Complex, which confirms that frontal accretion began earlier than basal accretion, and that the latter reached the Permian and was coeval with deposition of the Huentelauquén Formation. The stratigraphic position and the zircon age distribution pattern suggest that the El Toco, Sierra El Tigre and the Arrayán formations are correlative. The Las Tórtolas Formation is somewhat younger than these formations. The age distribution pattern of the zircon grains in sample PS-8 shows two well-defined age peaks at ∼340 (Visean) and ∼480 Ma (Ordovician) and a barren interval between them. The barren interval coincides partly with the Middle Ordovician to Late Carboniferous passive stage proposed for this region of Gondwana. The Ordovician peak is present in all analyzed samples, between 22° and 39°20′S, whereas the Visean peak and the barren interval are less developed in samples north of 27°S. This similarity indicates the existence of roughly similar sources of sediments along this large section of the western Gondwana margin and, possibly, a rather similar paleogeographic context and depositional environment in the trench. A peak younger than 300 Ma in the Llano de Chocolate Beds indicates a younger depositional age and a different paleogeographic setting in the active continental margin, possibly in the forearc basin, like the Huentelauquén Formation. Broken-formation or mélange facies occur in all complexes, except in the El Toco Formation, and affect the frontally accreted portion of the subduction wedge. The much higher metamorphic grade shown in the Chañaral mélange compared to the much lower grade present in the Agua Dulce mélange suggests formation at different levels along a mega-splay or thrust rooted in the subduction channel. The overall mid-Mississippian age of the frontally accreted deposits analyzed in this study indicates that subduction was active already in the Early Carboniferous. The age, the tectonic setting and the geographic location of these deposits is totally different from the mostly older, marine deposits exposed to the east, in the Frontal Cordillera, which accumulated during a passive stage, in the Middle/Late Ordovician to late Early Carboniferous.

Can temperature be a low-cost tracer for modelling water age distributions in a karst catchment?

To investigate the feasibility of using temperature for tracking rainfall-runoff processes in karst catchments, this study developed a tracer-aided conceptual model using temperature as a tracer by coupling water and heat transport processes at the catchment scale. The model was calibrated and validated using hourly hydrometeorological and temperature data from a 1.25 km2 karst catchment in south-western China. The results showed that the model was able to capture the water flux and temperature dynamics of different landscape units in the karst catchment. Utilizing this framework, the model delineated the flux age distribution within different landscape units, as well as the overall water transit times through the catchment. The average flux ages were determined to be approximately 80 days for the hillslope unit, 452 days for the slow flow system, and 260 days for the fast flow regime within the depression areas. These estimations align broadly with those acquired using stable isotopes as tracers. Comparative analysis revealed that the flux age distributions derived from both temperature and isotopic tracers exhibited analogous patterns at the catchment outlet and across the hillslope compartments. However, the simulations based on temperature hinted at a heightened proportion of exceedingly young and decidedly old water in the outflow, alluding to a potential overestimation of these extreme age classes by the temperature-tracer model. From the temperature-simulated transit time distribution, about 31 % of the precipitation entering during the study period have left the catchment within 3 years, and a notable proportion of rain water was either stored in the aquifer or lost through evapotranspiration. The general characteristics of the transit time distribution simulated using temperature was similar with that simulated using isotopes, though a higher proportion of precipitation being drained by fast flows was inferred from the transit time distribution simulated using temperature. Collectively, our study demonstrated that temperature can serve as a cost-effective tracer for modelling of water age distributions and associated hydrological processes in karst catchments.

Characteristics of inpatient and outpatient respiratory syncytial virus mortality in Gavi-eligible countries

The current understanding of the RSV-related mortality age distribution in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) relies on a limited number of disease incidence studies reporting wide age bands, and lacking specificity to Gavi-eligible countries. Understanding the age distribution of RSV-related deaths is crucial for the implementation of RSV interventions in LMICs that rely on support from Gavi. This study aims to provide the age profile of RSV mortality specifically in Gavi-eligible countries.Utilizing data from the RSV GOLD project, an ongoing global online mortality registry focusing on children under the age of 5 with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection, we employed two models (Complete Data Model and Prospective Data Model) to estimate the age profiles. To mitigate biases related to age group representation, we applied post-stratification weighting in our analysis.We included 423 pediatric deaths, including 145 from the community, under 2 years of age from 15 Gavi-eligible countries. Both models identified a peak age at 1 month and found that the majority of RSV-related mortality cases (59–77 %) from Gavi-eligible countries occur before 6 months of life. However, the models exhibited disparities in other age-related metrics. We present fitted age-at-time-of-death probability distributions to aid impact and cost-effectiveness studies.We expect that implementing infant RSV immunization strategies, such as maternal vaccination or infant immunoprophylaxis, will have high impact on RSV-related mortality in Gavi-eligible countries. The divergent results from the two models underscore the importance of carefully considering potential biases in retrospective and surveillance data when interpreting the age profile of RSV mortality cases in future research.

Validation of TMB-2285-BT wrist blood pressure monitor in general population according to the ISO 81060-2:2018 + Amd.1:2020 Protocol.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the wrist blood pressure (BP) monitor (TMB-2285-BT) in general population according to international standard of ISO 81060-2:2018+Amd.1:2020. The TMB-2285-BT BP monitor is an oscillometric device measuring BP from wrist. A single cuff for wrist sizes of 13.5-21.5 cm was used for the test device. The study was performed according to the 'International Standard (ISO 81060-2:2018 + Amd.1:2020) protocol' using the same-arm sequential BP measurement method. Subjects (n ≥ 85) fulfilling the age, gender, BP, and cuff distribution criteria of the protocol were enrolled. For criterion 1, the mean difference of SBP and DBP between the test device and the reference device was -0.27 mmHg and -0.80 mmHg, respectively. For criterion 2, the SD of the averaged paired determinations of SBP and DBP for the test device and the reference device was 2.60 and 2.06 mmHg, respectively, both of which were less than 6.95 and 6.89 mmHg. The accuracy of the test device fulfilled the requirements of the criterion 1 and 2 of ISO 81060-2:2018 + Amd.1:2020. The TMB-2285-BT wrist BP monitor can be recommended for home BP measurement for general population.

Using neural network models to estimate stellar ages from lithium equivalent widths: an eagles expansion

ABSTRACT We present an artificial neural network (ANN) model of photospheric lithium depletion in cool stars ($3000\lt T_{\rm eff}/{\rm K} \lt 6500$), producing estimates and probability distributions of age from $^7$Li 6708 Å equivalent width (LiEW) and effective temperature data inputs. The model is trained on the same sample of 6200 stars from 52 open clusters, observed in the Gaia-ESO spectroscopic survey, and used to calibrate the previously published analytical eagles model, with ages 2–6000 Myr and $-0.3 \lt $ [Fe/H] $\lt 0.2$. The additional flexibility of the ANN provides some improvements, including better modelling of the ‘lithium dip’ at ages $\lt 50$ Myr and $T_{\rm eff}\sim 3500$ K, and of the intrinsic dispersion in LiEW at all ages. Poor age discrimination is still an issue at ages &amp;gt;1 Gyr, confirming that additional modelling flexibility is not sufficient to fully represent the LiEW–age–T$_{\text{eff}}$ relationship, and suggesting the involvement of further astrophysical parameters. Expansion to include such parameters–rotation, accretion, and surface gravity–is discussed, and the use of an ANN means these can be more easily included in future iterations, alongside more flexible functional forms for the LiEW dispersion. Our methods and ANN model are provided in an updated version 2.0 of the eagles software.

A Comparative Analysis of Oral Health and Self-Rated Health: 'All of Us Research Program' vs. 'Health and Retirement Study'.

Poor oral health can impact overall health. This study assessed the association between dental factors (dentate status and dental utilization) and self-rated health (S-RH) among older adults in two cross-sectional datasets: (1) NIH "All of Us (AoU) Research Program" (May 2018-July 2022 release) and (2) U.S. nationally representative "Health and Retirement Study" (HRS) 2018 wave. Participants aged ≥ 51 years were included in these analyses if (1) from AoU, they had clinical dental and medical data from electronic health records (EHRs) and surveys (n = 5480), and (2) from HRS, they had dental and socio-demographic survey data (n = 14,358). S-RH was dichotomized (fair/poor vs. better) and analyzed with logistic regression. Sample survey weights for HRS and stratification and averaging AoU results used the weighted HRS race-ethnicity and age distribution standardized respective analyses to the U.S. population. Fair/poor S-RH was reported by 32.6% in AoU and 28.6% in HRS. Dentate status information was available from 7.7% of AoU EHRs. In population-standardized analyses, lack of dental service use increased odds of fair/poor S-RH in AoU, OR (95% CI) = 1.28 (1.11-1.48), and in HRS = 1.45 (1.09-1.94), as did having diabetes, less education, and ever being a smoker. Having no natural teeth was not statistically associated with fair/poor S-RH. Lack of dental service was positively associated with fair/poor S-RH in both datasets. More and better oral health information in AoU and HRS are needed.

A study on citation impact with age diversity among disciplines

With the ongoing evolution of scientific research collaboration in depth and breadth, the age distribution among paper collaborators is becoming increasingly varied. The question of whether this age distribution affects the quality of collaborative papers has emerged as a significant topic in recent research. In this study, we have compiled a comprehensive scientific database comprising more than 3.5 million papers from over 180 countries. These papers include multiple attribute information about their authors. We define the age diversity of a paper based on the academic ages of its co-authors and examine the relationship between age diversity and citation impact using regression analyses. Our findings reveal a clear upward trend in the age diversity of authors over time. The results indicate that the average age diversity of highly cited papers is consistently higher than that of general papers across the entire timeline, spanning four disciplines: economics, engineering, computer science, and physics. Moreover, we demonstrate a significantly positive correlation between age diversity and citation impact. In the aforementioned four disciplines, an increase in the collaborators’ age diversity is associated with a corresponding rise in the paper’s citation impact. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of age-related dynamics in scientific collaboration. It also offers insights into the age distribution of research teams, providing practical suggestions for researchers engaged in collaborative endeavors.

Ghost age components in detrital thermochronology

Thermochronological dating of detrital samples is an important tool for understanding the thermal history of basins and their source regions. Detrital thermochronology data are often complex with apparent ages ranging over hundreds of million years due to variations in source-rock cooling age and rate, and the influence of post-depositional burial. A common strategy to interpret such data is to split a dataset into several age components by finite-mixture modeling. Herein, we describe for the first time a remarkable pattern of age components in some thermochronological datasets: two or more components showing ages that are approximately multiples of each other. We apply finite-mixture modeling to a log-normal age distribution (a random effects model) and show that these “ghost age components” are artifacts of inappropriately fitting discrete components to continuous age ranges. The striking pattern of the age components is a direct consequence of the underlying age distribution. For a continuous log-normal age distribution, the ghost components have approximately similar age ratios that depend on the overdispersion and the number of components. Due to their artifactual nature, ghost components appear in a range of dating methods, including fission-track, UPb and (UTh)/He dating, and in equivalent doses of luminescence dating. As they are not geologically meaningful, their occurrence hampers the geological interpretation of thermochronological data. We thus propose to carefully decide for the number of fitted components based on grain properties and additional geological information and to screen modeling results for the constant age ratios that are characteristic of ghost components.