Research Institute Research Articles

Parasitic Contamination of Fruits Grown in National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom and Environs, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Fruits are essential dietary components but can act as vehicles for transmitting parasitic infections, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation. We investigated the parasitic contamination of mangoes, pawpaw, and avocados grown in the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) and its environs in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: Overall, 150 fruit samples, comprising mangoes, pawpaw, and avocados (50 each), were randomly collected from five locations within NVRI and its environs. Samples were analyzed using the ordinary centrifugation method and iodine preparation. Data were statistically evaluated using Chi-square analysis, with a significance level set at P≤0.05. Results: Parasitic contamination was detected in 64% of the fruit samples. Four parasite species were identified: Entamoeba histolytica (52.4%), E. coli (26.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (20.2%), and Giardia lamblia (0.8%). Mangoes exhibited the highest contamination rate (42.7%), followed by avocados (31.5%) and pawpaw (25.8%). Among the sampling locations, the Vaccine Complex recorded the highest contamination rate (25.0%). The results revealed significant associations between fruit types, contamination rates, and location (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings underscore a high prevalence of parasitic contamination, indicating poor environmental hygiene and public health risks. Rigorous washing and proper handling of fruits are recommended to prevent parasitic infections. Public health education and observing strict regulations in agricultural practices are vital to mitigating these risks.

Towards reproducible systematic reviews in Open, Distance, and Digital Education—An umbrella mapping review

AbstractMore and more systematic reviews (SRs) are being published in the educational sciences. This umbrella mapping review examines 576 SRs published between 2018 and 2022 in the field of open, distance, and digital education (ODDE) to investigate publication and authorship patterns and to evaluate the quality of these SRs. A quality index score was calculated for each included study based on the PRISMA reporting items for SRs (including elements such as the search strategy, eligibility criteria, protocol registration, study quality appraisal, interrater reliability, etc.). Almost as many SRs were published in 2022 as in the previous four years and the most rigorous SRs come from the field of medical education. However, the results show that there is room for improvement in SRs published in ODDE. A content analysis that explored the thematic scope of SRs showed that the majority of SRs addressed topics related to learning design, AI in education, and the effectiveness of online learning and teaching interventions. Research during this time period was strongly influenced by the experiences with online learning during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results of this umbrella review should help to improve the quality of SRs towards reproducible reviews in ODDE. Context and implicationsRationale for this study: The field of Open, Distance, and Digital Education (ODDE) is in transition and an umbrella mapping review is warranted given the dynamic growth of SRs in this literature.Why the new findings matter: The quality of many published SRs limits the reproducibility and validity of the presented research evidence—the results of the present quality appraisal call for more rigorous SRs in ODDE.Implications for researchers: Conducting SRs is a fruitful exercise for individual researchers and research institutions to gain a solid overview of a given topic. However, researchers must be trained in the appropriate methodology for the results to be reproducible and valid.Implications for practitioners and policy‐makers: Systematic reviews can be a valuable source to inform practice and policy‐making. However, attention must be paid to the quality of the reviews; if the method is not carried out accurately, the results must be interpreted with caution. Journal editors: As gatekeepers responsible for ensuring journal quality, editors should invite experts for the SR methodology to be members of the editorial team to handle the peer‐review process of submissions. It must be guaranteed that only methodologically sound SRs are published.

The state of cancer care in Russia: malignant tumors of the nasal cavity, middle ear and paranasal sinuses, prevalence and survival of patients (clinical and population-based study)

In accordance with the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10), malignant tumors (MT) of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses include diagnosis codes with sub-codes C30 and C31. In world and state statistics, summary data on morbidity is summarized under two diagnosis codes, C30 and C31. Our PCR database of the North-West Federal District of the Russian Federation contains more than 1.5 million cases, which allows us to consider the peculiarities of the prevalence of cancer in rare groups of malignant neoplasms. The population of the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation is 13.9 million people, which is more than the population of Belarus, Latvia and Estonia combined.Objective. To study the prevalence and survival patterns of patients with malignant neoplasms of the nasal cavity, middle ear and paranasal sinuses using the database of the newly created NMR of the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation, taking into account the detailed localization structure by subheadings: C30.0.1 and C31 with subheadings C31.0.1–3.8.9.Materials and methods. The study material is the data of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reference books of the P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute and the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology. Data processing was carried out using licensed programs MS Excel 2013–2016 and STATISTICA 6.1. A modified EUROCARE program was used to calculate survival. The calculations are based on the NMR of St. Petersburg and the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation.Results and discussion. The conducted study with the analysis of prevalence, assessment of the quality of registration and survival of cancer patients with malignant neoplasms of the nasal cavity, middle ear and paranasal sinuses, confirmed the rarity of this pathology in the world and Russia. In general, a decrease in standardized morbidity rates, including age-related ones, was established. Improvement in the quality of registration of primary patients and provision of medical care was noted. An increase in the one-year survival of patients with malignant neoplasms of the nasal cavity, middle ear over three observation periods by 20.5% and paranasal sinuses by 15.4% was revealed. Five-year survival has remained virtually unchanged.

Alcohol dependence syndrome managed with homoeopathic medicine Bufo Rana – An evidence-based case report

Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) is a cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive phenomena wherein alcohol use takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had great value. A definite diagnosis of ADS should be made with the diagnostic guidelines of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 classification of mental diseases. The harm caused by ADS constitutes a major public health problem, as it causes numerous mental and physical disorders and imposes a massive economic burden. Excessive spending on alcohol leads to debts and heavy treatment expenses, amongst other financial consequences. The conventional treatment utilises several medications for detoxification, craving reduction and withdrawal management. However, homoeopathy can provide a valid and effective treatment to help patients to break the cycle of alcohol dependence, reduce the craving and relieve the withdrawal symptoms without adverse effects. A 35-year-old male patient presented with an irresistible desire to take alcohol and withdrawal symptoms of tremors in abstinence at the outpatient department (OPD) of National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam. The condition was diagnosed as ADS as it fulfilled the diagnosis guidelines provided in the ICD-10. Initially, the patient was treated in the OPD without significant improvement. Later, the patient was admitted into the inpatient department, and after careful case-taking, the homoeopathic medicine Bufo Rana 200 was prescribed. After the remedy was administered, the alcohol craving and dependence were markedly reduced, and the symptoms of withdrawal were relieved. The alcohol dependence was assessed using the severity of the alcohol dependence questionnaire, and the score changed from 46 to 2. The causal attribution for the outcome changes was assessed using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy-Causal Attribution Inventory. The score was +9, close to the maximum (13), showing the positive relationship between the intervention and the outcome. Therefore, this case report strongly suggests that the homoeopathic medicine Bufo Rana has a positive role in treating ADS.

First Report of Phytophthora inundata causing crown rot on Olea europaea (Olive) in Pakistan.

Crown rot impacted olive plants (cv. Koroneiki) in an orchard in Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan (32° N, 72° E), with a prevalence of 60%. Observable symptoms included leaf chlorosis, defoliation, wilting, and twig dieback in 6-8-year-old plants, ultimately resulting in their demise (Fig. 1 A, B). It was initially observed in June 2020. In September 2020, 48 samples (3 root and 3 crown stem part sample per plant) of diseased olive plants were randomly chosen from the orchard for detailed analysis. Bark pieces from the diseases portion were sectioned into smaller pieces and placed on corn meal agar supplemented with PARP. The culture was maintained at 22°C in the dark. Within 4 days, coenocytic white fluffy mycelium emerged. Hyphae were subsequently transferred to carrot agar medium supplemented with beta-sitosterol. A total of 15 isolates were obtained and characterized, yet a particular two isolates consistently stood out. These isolates did not show sexual reproduction in culture (Ann 1988). Instead, they reproduced asexually through sporangia borne on aerial sporangiophores, originating directly from the internal mycelium. Each branch of the sporangiophore featured a sporangium at its tip, with sporangia varying in shape from pyriform to ellipsoid and being non-papillate and non-caducous (Fig. 2B, C, D). After morphological study, the isolates were identified as Phytophthora species and named BPK-01 and BPK-02. For the molecular identification, we amplified and sequenced their internal transcribed spacer and beta-tubulin regions using universal primer pairs ITS1 and ITS-4, as well as TUB-F and TUB-R primer pairs (Safaiefarahani et al. 2013). Sequences of 816 bp and 940 bp were obtained for the ITS and beta-tubulin regions, respectively. These sequences were deposited in NCBI GenBank, resulting in accession numbers OL423596 and OL423597 for the ITS region of BPK-01 and BPK-02, and OL771190 and OL771191 for the beta-tubulin region of BPK-01 and BPK-02, respectively. BLAST analysis revealed 99.88% identity (816bp out of 837bp) for ITS and 100% (940bp out of 940bp) for TUB between our isolate and P. inundata reference isolates (GenBank Accessions MK326518.1 and EF210202). Phylogenetic analysis using MEGA X software further confirmed the identity of the olive crown rot isolate as P. inundata, aligning it with reference isolates from various Phytophthora species (Fig. 3) (Tamura et al. 2013). The fungal isolates have been officially deposited as living cultures at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute's fungal culture collection center under the designations BAPI.3550 and BAPI.3551. The pathogenicity test involved inoculating isolated strains on 2.5-year-old olive trees. Each isolate was used to inoculate five Koroneiki plants, while five plants served as controls. Inoculation, performed on the stem, included surface disinfection, wounding, and placement of a mycelium plug, with all plants maintained in controlled conditions (25°C, 12h light). After 15 days, symptoms such as leaf chlorosis, collar rot, and stem rot began to appear, and data was recorded up to 45 days. Symptoms were assessed at the conclusion of the experiments using a 0-4 scale, with the following criteria: 0: No symptoms observed (0%), 1: Symptoms present on 1-33% of the plant (1-33% affected), 2: Symptoms present on 34-66% of the plant (34-66% affected), 3: Symptoms present on more than 67% of the plant (more than 67% affected), 4: Complete root death observed (González et al. 2017). Notably, the symptoms induced by strain BPK-02 were more severe than those caused by BPK-01, ultimately resulting in plant wilting and death (Fig. 4)(Santilli et al. 2020). Control plants inoculated with sterile CA plugs remained healthy. Reisolation and morphological identification of P. inundata from diseased tissues fulfilled Koch's postulates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. inundata infecting olive plants in Chakwal region of Pakistan, and it is a serious threat to the olive plantation in Pakistan, posing a significant threat to the olive plantations throughout the country.

Patient and public involvement in the co-design and assessment of unobtrusive sensing technologies for care at home: a user-centric design approach

BackgroundThere is growing interest in developing sensing solutions for remote health monitoring to support the safety and independence of older adults. To ensure these technologies are practical and relevant, people-centred design is essential. This study aims to explore the involvement of various stakeholders across different developmental stages to inform the design and assess the capabilities of unobtrusive sensing solutions being developed as part of the Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC), Edinburgh, UK.MethodsThis study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I (Ideation), discussions were held with stakeholders (n = 19), including senior geriatricians (n = 2), healthcare and care home professionals (n = 4), PPI experts (n = 2), researchers (n = 4) and public members aged 65 and above from the ACRC Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Network (n = 7). The goal was to identify clinically significant health parameters and design preferences. Based on this, prototypes of unobtrusive sensors for monitoring movement, hydration, and respiration were developed. In Phase II (Development and Co-Design), an in-person PPI workshop was conducted with PPI experts (n = 2), researchers (n = 4) and PPI members (n = 8). The developed prototypes were demonstrated, and qualitative feedback was collected through focus group discussions on themes such as acceptability, usability, privacy, data sharing, and functionality enhancement.ResultsStakeholder input from Phase I emphasized the importance of non-contact sensing technologies that maintain privacy. Movement, hydration, and respiration were identified as critical health parameters. In Phase II, PPI members were optimistic about the prototypes, valuing their unobtrusive design and privacy-preserving features. Key themes identified included (1) the need for user-customized alarms, (2) clear data-sharing protocols, and (3) the importance of embedding sensors into familiar household objects. Suggestions for refining the prototypes included adding functionality for detecting deviations in daily routines and integrating feedback mechanisms for caregivers.ConclusionsInvolving diverse stakeholders from the early stages of technology development enhanced the relevance and acceptability of unobtrusive sensing solutions. This study highlights the importance of integrating public perspectives into the design process. For successful implementation, developers of healthcare technologies should prioritize privacy, usability, and clear communication with end-users and caregivers.

Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia in China (2024 edition)

Sarcopenia, an aging-related geriatric syndrome, is characterized by decreased muscle mass, declined muscle strength, and/or physical dysfunction. It is associated with significantly increased risks of falls, frailty, disability, and even death, placing a heavy burden on individuals and society. Standardized diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia are of paramount importance for clinical practice and the development of healthy aging in China. However, to date, there is a lack of evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment therapy of sarcopenia in China. Therefore, the National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases (Xiangya Hospital) has initiated the development of this guideline for sarcopenia, with the approval of Geriatrics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Development of this guideline adhered to the Guiding principles for development/revision of clinical practice guidelines in China (2022 version) and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the strength of evidence. The Delphi technique was used to determine the strength of recommendations. Finally, a total of 18 evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia were formulated in response to 12 most concerned important clinical questions about sarcopenia. This guideline aims to enhance the scientific approach to sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment in China, promote the in-depth development of sarcopenia research, and ultimately improve the quality of patient-centered healthcare services.

ServiceNow: Boosting Productivity and Innovation in Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Research

ServiceNow has emerged as a transformative force in enterprise digital transformation across healthcare, manufacturing, and research sectors. The platform's multi-instance cloud architecture enables robust workflow automation and system integration capabilities, fundamentally changing how organizations operate and deliver services. In healthcare, ServiceNow optimizes patient care through automated scheduling, EHR integration, and clinical pathway management, while ensuring regulatory compliance. The manufacturing sector benefits from enhanced production workflows, quality control automation, and predictive maintenance through IoT integration and real-time analytics. In research institutions, the platform streamlines grant management, resource allocation, and regulatory compliance while enabling secure collaboration across organizations. The implementation of comprehensive security measures, including end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication, ensures data protection across all sectors. Through phased implementation approaches and continuous improvement processes, organizations achieve significant operational efficiencies and cost reductions. Future developments in AI/ML integration and advanced connectivity options promise to further enhance the platform's capabilities in process automation and decision support.

Correlation Studies in Early Clonal Generation under Water Logging Condition in Sugarcane for Yield and Its Attributing Traits

An experiment was carried out during 2021-22 at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. RPCAU, Bihar using 24 clones that were planted in augmented design along with two checks. Data was recorded for the nine characters. There was a positively significant correlation found among cane yield and the following characteristics: cane diameter at harvest, number of millable canes at harvest, germination percentage at 45 days after planting, and number of shoots at 120 days after planting. Whereas, the number of aerial roots per node showed a negative correlation with cane yield. Traits viz., germination % at 45 days after planting, number of shoots at 120 days after planting, cane diameter at harvest, single cane weight, number of millable canes at harvest, HR Brix in November had direct and positive effect on cane yield, among these, number of millable canes at harvest showed highest direct and positive effect followed by single cane weight on cane yield, whereas, plant height at harvest, number of aerial roots per node, HR Brix in December and January showed negative direct effect on cane yield. The characters that showed significant correlation and positive direct effect can be selected further to obtain higher cane yields in sugarcane.

Transfer from long-term care to acute care and risk of new permanent cognitive or physical disability among long-term care residents in Canada: protocol for a retrospective cohort study

IntroductionLong-term care (LTC) residents are frequently transferred to acute care hospitals. Transfer decisions should align with residents’ wishes and goals. Decision to transfer to hospital, when not aligned with the...

Evaluation of a mentorship matchmaking event at an academic research institution to reinforce the scientific workforce pathway for underrepresented minority groups

BackgroundMentorship and research experiences are crucial for STEMM career entry and advancement. However, systemic barriers have excluded people from historically underrepresented groups.MethodsIn 2021, a virtual “matchmaking event” was held to connect NIH-funded research mentors with historically underrepresented trainees and initiate mentored research experiences. Survey data collected over 12 months was analyzed to evaluate the program’s success considering the number of mentor-trainee connections, mentor-trainee research experience matches, and NIH diversity supplement application status. Statistical tests, including student’s t-test, ANCOVAs, and chi-square tests, evaluated differences between attendee groups and survey time points.ResultsOut of 314 mentors contacted and 99 registered trainees, 113 mentors and 92 trainees participated. Among mentors (n = 73), 53% identified as women, 56% as non-Hispanic white, and a majority (81%) reported being the first in their family to attend college. Among trainees (n = 79), about two-thirds (67%) identified as women, 47% identified as Hispanic/Latinx, and 15% identified as Black/African American. Both mentors and trainees were extremely satisfied with the overall event (57% and 69%, respectively) and would recommend it to others (74% and 90%, respectively). Most mentor participants established at least one mentor-trainee connection after the event (n = 64, 57%), a mentor-trainee research experience match (n = 40, 35%), and planned to submit an NIH diversity supplement (n = 31, 27%). Many trainees obtained paid positions through the mentor-trainee research experience. One year after the event, 11 trainees secured NIH diversity supplement funding with their mentors.ConclusionsThe matchmaking event began bridging a much-needed gap in the research pathway by creating opportunities for trainees to connect with mentors and obtain funded research opportunities.

Does multiple job holding raise labour use efficiency of the farm operators? Evidence from rural India

ABSTRACT Amid various agro-climatic shocks when farm income becomes volatile, farmers often diversify income by holding multiple non-farm jobs. While the impact of multiple jobholding on overall farm efficiency is documented in literature, very little is known about the impact of multiple job holding on farm labour use efficiency. This is important as participation in non-farm activities alters farmers’ labour allocation decisions between farm and non-farm activities. Using a rich household level panel data from eight Indian states for the period 2010–2014 from Village Dynamics in South Asia (VDSA) Project by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and adopting Data Envelopment Analysis, we estimate labour use efficiency. Our Instrumental Variable Tobit estimation shows that multiple job holding increases farm operators’ labour use efficiency significantly. However, the heterogeneity analysis using sub samples demonstrates that the positive impact of multiple non-farm jobs is enjoyed mostly by medium and large farmers. Also, farmers engaged in wage and salary based non-farm employment experience higher labour efficiency once they hold multiple jobs. Self-employed farmers experience higher labour efficiency only if they earn a threshold level of non-farm income. Since multiple job holding improves farm labour use efficiency, more avenues for non-farm employment to be created for agricultural and rural development.

Impact of drinking water temperature and mineral supplementation on the performance of pregnant ewes

The study was conducted at Mountain Research Centre for Sheep and Goat (MRCSG) Shuhama, SKUAST-K with the objective to observe impact of watering temperature and mineral supplementation on the performance of pregnant ewes during winter, which is a critical period for the sheep industry in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 40 pregnant Corriedale ewes, aged from 3 to 5 years, in their last trimester of gestation were divided into four uniform groups (Groups A, B, C, and D) with 10 animals in each group on basis of body weight and parity. Four different treatments were given to animals. Group A animals were given cold water (5 °C), Group B animals were provided with warm water (20 °C), Group C animals were given cold water (5 °C) along with mineral mixture 10 g/animal/day, lastly Group D animals were provided warm water (20 °C) along with mineral mixture 10 g/animal/day. Over the period of experiment, water and feed intake, body weight, body condition score, biochemical parameters and wool quality were recorded in the study. The results indicated a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in average water intake between the cold and warm water groups, regardless of mineral supplementation. The average water intake was highest in Group D (20.08 ± 0.26 L) which differed significantly from Group A (16.1 ± 0.18 L). The average feed intake also differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the cold and warm water treatment groups, irrespective of mineral supplementation. The average feed intake for Group B and Group D was 16.78 ± 0.04 and 16.59 ± 0.08 kg, respectively that differed significantly from Group A and Group C having an average feed intake of 15.12 ± 0.07 kg and 15.12 ± 0.08 kg, respectively. The animals exhibited improvement in body condition score (ranging from 2.71 ± 0.13 to 3.04 ± 0.19) until lambing, and those changes were significant (p ≤ 0.05) among all treatment groups. Biochemical parameters like glucose, creatinine, BHBA, cortisol, and phosphorous, were within the normal ranges and did not show any statistically significant difference between the treatment groups. However, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels remained elevated above the normal prescribed range in all treatment groups. However, the levels were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in treatment groups provided warm water in the parturition and post parturition phase, ranging between 19.64 ± 1.28 to 24.83 ± 1.38 mg/dL. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences were observed in calcium levels in treatment groups with the groups C and D, supplemented with the mineral mixture having higher levels of serum calcium. The calcium levels were 7.55 ± 0.04 and 7.53 ± 0.06 mg/dL for group C and D respectively. Similar trend was observed for magnesium levels, which were higher and differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in supplemented groups C and D, in pre and post-partum period. Among the wool quality parameters, staple length, fiber diameter, medullation and burr content were not varying significantly among the treatment groups, indicating no profound impact of water temperature and mineral supplementation. The present study revealed that augmenting the drinking water temperature and supplementing the feed with minerals contributed to better water and feed intake. However, no profound impact of these interventions was observed on biochemical and wool quality parameters except for crimp frequency. The crimp frequency ranged between 2.15 ± 0.04 to 2.67 ± 0.05 and varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the treatment groups.

Vericiguat for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF): A review of its potential benefits in Pakistan

Heart failure (HF) is categorized by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) into three groups. HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is one of these groups characterized by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs, resulting from the left ventricle’s impaired ability to contract effectively. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) guidelines recommend vericiguat for hospitalized patients experiencing worsening symptoms of HFrEF. This article reviews vericiguat’s efficacy and potential benefits in Pakistani patients with HFrEF. A literature search from 2013 to 2024 was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, employing keywords such as guidelines, heart failure, Pakistan, and reduced ejection fraction. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators, like vericiguat, have shown benefits in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis by reducing afterload through vasodilation. Vericiguat (2.5 – 10 mg taken orally once daily) shows promise in reducing cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization in adults with LVEF ≤45%. Vericiguat may alleviate Pakistan’s growing cardiovascular disease burden. Expedited access to this innovative therapy can be achieved through collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare authorities, and international research centers, potentially reducing hospitalization rates in Pakistani HFrEF patients.

More Complex Investigations Improved Diagnoses of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children With Different Vaccination Histories.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) significantly contributes to high infant mortality in Kazakhstan and developing effective treatment methods is critical. The aim of this study was to explore the microbiological and immunological characteristics of CAP in vaccinated and unvaccinated paediatric patients. The study was carried out in the Regional Children's Clinical Hospital and the research centre of Karaganda Medical University, Republic of Kazakhstan. It comprised 85 children aged 2 months to 3 years who had been diagnosed with CAP and had received inpatient treatment from 2017 to 2019. Of these, 45 had complete pneumococcal vaccinations and 40 had not. Their CAP diagnoses were confirmed by microscopic, bacteriological and radiological methods and vaccination status. General clinical examinations were conducted. The study showed the diagnostic and prognostic value of the level of cytokines, depending on the severity of the children's CAP. The level of monocytic chemoattractant protein-1 was 2.1 pg/mL in the vaccinated children with mild CAP and 3.4 pg/mL in those with impaired immunisation. Pneumococcal vaccination affected the aetiological structure of CAP in early childhood. More complex clinical and immunological diagnostic methods increased the efficiency of diagnosing CAP in children with different vaccination histories.

Comprehensive bibliometric analysis of pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorders: Present trends and future directions.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by significant mood swings. Effective drug treatment modalities are crucial for managing BD. To analyze the current status and future trends of global research on BD drug treatment over the last decade. The Web of Science Core Collection database spanning from 2015 to 2024 was utilized to retrieve literature related to BD drug treatment. A total of 2624 articles were extracted. Data visualization and analysis were conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Pajek, Scimago Graphica, and R-studio bibliometrix to identify research hotspots, key contributors, and future trends. The United States, China, and the United Kingdom have made the most significant contributions to research on BD drug treatment and formed notable research collaboration networks. The University of Pittsburgh, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of Michigan have been identified as the major research institutions in this field. The Journal of Affective Disorders is the most influential journal. A keyword analysis revealed research hotspots related to clinical symptoms, drug efficacy, and genetic mechanisms. A citation analysis identified the management guidelines published by Yatham et al in 2018 as the most cited paper. This study provides a detailed overview of the field of BD drug treatment, highlighting key contributors, research hotspots, and future directions. The study findings can be employed as a reference for future research and policymaking, which may enable further development and optimization of BD pharmacotherapy.

The brain in Spain: The legacy of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.

The legacy of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Spain's first Nobel laureate neuroscientist recognized as the founding father of modern neuroscience, is to be preserved in a new museum in Madrid: the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN), one of the most important scientific research institutes in the country sciences in the scope of natural sciences of the Spanish National Research Council. For a boy who dreamed of being an artist but started his career apprenticed to first a barber and then a cobbler, Santiago Ramón y Cajal made a distinguished mark in science. One of Cajal's most important contributions to our understanding of the brain was his discovery of the direction of the information flow within neurons and in neural circuits, which he called the "dynamic polarization law," without a doubt the founding principle of neurosciences. The exposition planned by the MNCN is a perfect occasion to show the academy and, it is hoped, the general public at large the beautiful organization of the nervous system as first acknowledged by modern science. With the highly motivated organizers of this well-planned initiative, neuroscientists at the Cajal Institute are confident that this sample of the Cajal legacy will also be taken as an esthetic experience for those who approach it for the first time. It might be that science and art often go together.

Genotype by environment analysis of the leaf and seed yield traits of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) landraces in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT The testing of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) landraces in multi-environmental trials on multiple traits is a critical step toward future use of this species. Despite its importance, there are no recommended varieties with known strengths in terms of production and future breeding. The study objectives were to evaluate spider plant landraces for yield and important traits. Ten landraces were assessed at four sites during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 summer seasons in Zimbabwe. Significant (p < 0.05) variations in genotypic, environmental, and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effects for traits were found. The average edible fresh leaf yield (FY) ranged from 42.8 to 84.1 g plant−1, whereas the seed yield (SY) ranged from 9.7 to 15.12 g plant−1. The AMMI model showed a highly significant (p < 0.001) impact of environment, genotype, and GEI on FY and SY. The GGE biplot uncovered 88.31 and 75.08% of the underlying relationship for the FY and SY, respectively, while it explained 69.27% variation of the genotype by trait interaction. The Horticulture Research Institute proved to be ideal testing site for both edible fresh leaf and seed yield. The landraces G8>G1 and G3>G5 were associated with high mean and stability for FY and SY, respectively. The landraces with high FY values presented additional superiority in terms of longer and wider leaves, and flowered late. However, landraces with high SY values exhibited greater height and seeds per pod.

Deglobalization and Its Impact on Thai SMEs: Challenges, Opportunities, and Adaptation Strategies

Background and Aim: Deglobalization, characterized by a retreat from global trade and increasing protectionism, has significantly reshaped international commerce, posing substantial challenges for Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises, which constitute over 99% of all businesses in Thailand and employ more than 80% of the workforce, are particularly vulnerable to these shifts in global trade dynamics. This study and aims to explore the specific impacts of deglobalization on Thai SMEs, focusing on the challenges they face, including reduced market access, supply chain disruptions, and increased costs, as well as the strategies they adopt to navigate these challenges and sustain growth. Materials and Methods: Using a document survey method, this study synthesizes existing literature and empirical evidence to provide a comprehensive understanding of how deglobalization reshapes the business environment for Thai SMEs. Results: The findings reveal that deglobalization has led to significant challenges for Thai SMEs, including increased tariffs and non-tariff barriers, geopolitical tensions affecting logistics and supply chains, and financial constraints such as reduced access to trade finance and exchange rate volatility. Despite these challenges, some SMEs have successfully adapted by exploring new export markets, diversifying their product portfolios, investing in research and development, adopting advanced technologies, and forming strategic alliances. The results highlight the critical role of innovation, market diversification, and government support in enhancing the resilience of Thai SMEs in a deglobalized world. Conclusion: Deglobalization presents both challenges and opportunities for Thai SMEs. While the increased protectionism and market fragmentation have disrupted traditional business operations, proactive adaptation strategies have enabled some SMEs to sustain growth and remain competitive. Government policies that provide financial assistance, improve infrastructure, and streamline export regulations are crucial in supporting these enterprises. Collaboration with research institutions and universities can further enhance their capacity for innovation. Future research should focus on sector-specific impacts, effective adaptation strategies, and the role of government policies in supporting SMEs in a deglobalizing global economy.

Managing medical care for victims with thermal burn injuries caused by emergency accidents in megacity settings

Relevance. In emergency settings, medical care for thermal burn injuries remains a crucial problem of disaster medicine. In industrially advanced countries with ongoing urbanization, burns represent a most frequent and severe type of injuries requiring emergency medical care. The study objective is to analyze the efficiency of emergency medical care provided in Moscow over the 6 year’s timespan (2018 to 2023) to victims of emergency accidents presented with thermal burns.Methodology and methods. The study relies on the data obtained from the Disaster Medicine of Moscow automated analytical information system with a focus on the victims of emergency accidents presented with burns throughout the past 6 years (2018 to 2023). The platform is managed by the Moscow Territorial Scientific and Practical Center for Disaster Medicine (CEMP) and the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine.Results and discussion. Over the past 6 years (2018 to 2023), the emergency accidends affected 1989 victims presented with thermal burns, including 438 (22.0 %) declared dead at the scene prior to the arrival of CEMP medical and specialized emergency response teams. 1,216 patients (61.1 %) were evacuated to referral centers at multidisciplinary hospitals, 315 patients (15.9 %) travelled to medical hospitals by passing-by vehicles to apply for medical help independently, and 20patients (1 %) were referred for outpatient follow-up. Overall, 597 patients were admitted to burn injury department at the N.V.Sklifosovsky Research Institute. Those included 33.1 % in extremely severe and severe condition, with 1.7 % requiring tracheal intubation and respiratory ventilation support.Conclusion. At pre-hospital stage, deployment of the medivac ICU teams is the most promising strategy to ensure high quality medical care. Given the high incidence of multiple injuries (up to 49.6 %) in emergency accidents, sophisticated medical care shall be provided by a multidisciplinary team of reconstructive burn surgeons, ICU staff specializing in inhalation injuries, and medical professionals.