Age Of Participants Research Articles

Gene-Gene Interaction Between Factor-XI and ABO Genes in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: The BEAST Study.

Gene-gene interactions likely contribute to the etiology of multifactorial diseases such as cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and could be one of the main sources of known missing heritability. We explored Factor XI (F11) and ABO gene interactions among patients with CVT. Patients with CVT of European ancestry from the large Bio-Repository to Establish the Aetiology of Sinovenous Thrombosis (BEAST) international collaboration were recruited. Codominant modelling was used to determine interactions between genome-wide identified F11 and ABO genes with CVT status. We studied 882 patients with CVT and 1,205 ethnically matched control participants (age: 42 ± 15 vs 43 ± 12 years, p = 0.08: sex: 71% male vs 68% female, p = 0.09, respectively). Individuals heterozygous (AT) for the risk allele (T) at both loci (rs56810541/F11 and rs8176645/ABO) had a 3.9 (95% CI 2.74-5.71, p = 2.75e-13) increase in risk of CVT. Individuals homozygous (TT) for the risk allele at both loci had a 13.9 (95% CI 7.64-26.17, p = 2.0e-15) increase in risk of CVT. The presence of a non-O blood group (A, B, AB) combined with TT/rs56810541/F11 increased CVT risk by OR = 6.8 (95% CI 4.54-10.33, p = 2.00e15), compared with blood group-O combined with AA. Interactions between factor XI and ABO genes increase risk of CVT by 4- to 14-fold.

Linking exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in house dust and biomonitoring data in eight impacted communities

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in industry and have been linked to various adverse health effects. Communities adjacent to sites where PFAS are manufactured, stored, or used may be at elevated risk. In these impacted communities, significant exposure often occurs through contaminated drinking water, yet less is known about the role of other pathways such as residential exposure through house dust. We analyzed a paired serum and house dust dataset from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s PFAS Exposure Assessments, which sampled eight United States communities with a history of drinking water contamination due to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) use at nearby military bases. We found that serum PFAS levels of residents were significantly positively associated with the dust PFAS levels in their homes, for three of seven PFAS analyzed, when accounting for site and participant age. We also found that increased dust PFAS levels were associated with a shift in the relative abundance of PFAS in serum towards those chemicals not strongly linked to AFFF contamination, which may suggest household sources. Additionally, we analyzed participant responses to exposure questionnaires to identify factors associated with dust PFAS levels. Dust PFAS levels for some analytes were significantly elevated in households where participants were older and had lived at the home longer, cleaned less frequently, used stain resistant products, and had carpeted living rooms. Our results suggest that residential exposure to PFAS via dust or other indoor pathways may contribute to overall exposure and body burden, even in communities impacted by AFFF contamination of drinking water, and the magnitude of this exposure may also be influenced by demographic, behavioral, and housing factors.

The Effect of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Pollen on the Serum Levels of Testosterone, Luteinizing, and Follicle Stimulating Hormones in Men

Background: Date Palm Pollen (DPP) has traditionally been used to increase sexual ability and fertility. In several animal studies, the effects of this herbal medicine on testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) have been shown. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of this drug on the serum levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH in men. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, a daily dose of 6 g dry powder of DPP in two separate doses (3 g every 12 hours) was administered orally to 30 eligible men for three months. The changes in mean serum levels of hormones were statistically evaluated after the intervention compared to the baseline. The serum concentration of the hormones was assayed through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: After recruitment, among 30 participants, 24 men received the intervention and finally were analyzed. The mean (SD) age and body mass index of participants were 32.85 (0.43) years and 26.5 (0.5) kg/m2 . DPP significantly increased the serum levels of testosterone (from 5.31±0.40ng/ml to 6.88±0.71 ng/ml; p=0.019) but did not affect the serum levels of FSH (from 4.31±0.50 IU/L to 4.70±0.61 IU/L; p=0.511). It also significantly decreased the serum levels of LH (from 5.65±0.81 IU/L to 4.52±0.90 IU/L; p= 0.033). There were no reported side effects. Conclusion: The results indicated an increasing effect of DPP on serum testosterone and decreasing effect on serum LH. However, DPP had no significant effect on FSH serum levels.

"Extreme sports" in patients with heart disease: an informative approach to patient counseling

The term "extreme sports" includes a range of sporting activities, predominantly individual, practised outdoors in a wild and non-competitive environment, which have in common the critical role of environmental variables, the importance of qualitative parameters in evaluating performance, the centrality of technological elements and the high perceived risk which, together with the spectacularity, attracts the attention of the media, favoring its popularity. Despite their diversity, these disciplines share specific risks and physiological and pathophysiological aspects. The average age of participants is generally higher than that of traditional and competitive sports, and the prevalence of male subjects implies a higher likelihood of cardiological evaluation whose path has yet to be codified like that of traditional sports. The risk of severe injuries in these sports is not higher than that of traditional sports and non-sporting activities. In contrast, the risk of cardiovascular events is documented only for some sports practised in the mountains, such as mountaineering, skiing and mountain biking, and it does not appear to be higher than that of equivalent physical activities performed at low altitudes. The diagnostic and prognostic criteria for cardiological counseling of enthusiasts are not defined. Environmental exposure to extremes of temperature, altitude, wind and humidity, and dehydration are typical characteristics of these activities, which should be addressed with adequate experience, preparation and equipment to minimize the potential impact on health. Finally, many of these activities are often conducted in "remote areas" compared to the possibility of emergency response, which should be considered in the risk assessment of an acute cardiovascular event. The definition of cardiovascular risk constitutes an open area of research to allow the practice of these sports to an increasing number of participants.

Flowers or Leaves? Assessing the Impact of Crape Myrtle Observation on the Physical and Mental Well-being of Senior Citizens

Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial impact of plants on the overall well-being of elderly individuals. However, there remains a gap in our understanding which specific plant species have a notable influence on the physical and mental health of the elderly population. Among the various woody ornamental plants used worldwide, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) holds a growing significance in the natural environment. This study aimed to investigate the physiological parameters (such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and fingertip pulse) as well as psychological aspects (measured using positive and negative affect schedule scores and smile face scale) associated with crape myrtle observation activities. The finding revealed the following key points: 1) engaging in crape myrtle observation activities significantly enhanced the physical and mental well-being of elderly participants; 2) the impact of observing crape myrtle flowers differed notably from that of observing its leaves, with flower observation having a more positive effect on the physical and mental health of elderly individuals; and 3) the natural environment was found to exert an influence on the physical and mental health of elderly individuals through visual stimulation. Following the observation of crape myrtle, there was a significant decrease in the physiological indices of elderly individuals. Our findings offer valuable insights into the therapeutic benefits of crape myrtle observation activities and contributing evidence-based recommendations for future landscape design aimed at enhancing well-being.

PATIENT FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NOVEL EAR-Q APPEARANCE, PSYCHOSOCIAL AND SOCIAL SCALES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AND REGRESSION ANALYSIS

IntroductionThe EAR-Q is a rigorously validated patient-reported outcome measure which evaluates ear appearance and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with congenital or acquired ear conditions. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis to examine factors associated with EAR-Q appearance and HRQL scale scores. Methods862 participants, aged 8-29 years, with a congenital or acquired ear condition, completed the EAR-Q as part of an international field-test study. Patients responded to demographic and clinical questions as well as the EAR-Q. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine which factors were significant predictors for scores on the EAR-Q Appearance, Psychological, and Social scales. ResultsMost participants were male (57.4%), awaiting treatment (55.0%), and had a microtia diagnosis (70.4%), with a mean age of 13 (±4) years. Worse ear appearance scores were associated (p<0.02) with male gender, microtia, no history of treatment, ear surgery within 6 months, unilateral involvement, and greater self-reported ear asymmetry. Decreased psychological scores were associated (p<0.01) with increasing participant age, no treatment history, recent ear surgery and dissatisfaction with ears matching/overall. Lower social scores were associated (p≤0.04) with no treatment history, those awaiting surgery, ear surgery within the last 6 months, bilateral involvement, and self-reported ears matching/appearance overall. ConclusionThis analysis identifies patient factors that may influence ear appearance and HRQL scale scores. The findings provide evidence of patient factors that should be adjusted for when undertaking future observational research designs using the EAR-Q in this patient population.

Hearing in the elderly: Employees' perspectives on hearing care in long-term care facilities. A qualitative study

Hearing in the elderly: Employees' perspectives on hearing care in long-term care facilities. A qualitative study Abstract: Background: Hearing impairment is common among the elderly. More than half of individuals 80 years and older exhibit severe hearing loss, and few retain good hearing performance. This impairment significantly affects both community participation and nursing care. Aim: This study aimed to examine the impact of hearing impairment on everyday life of employees and residents at long-term care facilities. We further sought to identify how employees perceive hearing care in order to identify potential for improvement. Methods: This sub-project of a larger study comprised guided focus groups with employees of long-term care facilities. The sample included six focus groups of nurses and nursing care assistants from long-term care facilities (n = 42). Collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Hearing impairment hinders elderly resident participation in the nursing process and complicates daily communication between residents and nursing staff. Hearing impaired residents are less able to take part in group activities and tend to withdraw from the community. Lack of an effective hearing support structure renders hearing care services inaccessible to some residents. Conclusions: Optimized service structures, targeted assistance and training opportunities for employees specific to hearing impairment can provide sustainable hearing care for the elderly.

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of TG103 injection in participants who are overweight or obese: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose phase 1b study

BackgroundTG103, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, is being investigated as an option for weight management. We aimed to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of TG103 injection in participants who are overweight or obese without diabetes.MethodsIn this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose phase 1b study, participants aged 18–75 years with a body-mass index (BMI) ≥ 26.0 kg/m2 and body weight ≥ 60 kg were enrolled from three centers in China. The study included three cohorts, and in each cohort, eligible participants were randomly assigned (3:1) to one of three once-weekly subcutaneous TG103 groups (15.0, 22.5 and 30.0 mg) or matched placebo, without lifestyle interventions. In each cohort, the doses of TG103 were escalated in 1-week intervals to the desired dose over 1 to 4 weeks. Then participants were treated at the target dose until week 12 and then followed up for 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability assessed by the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) from baseline to the end of the follow-up period. Secondary endpoints included pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of TG103 and the occurrence of anti-drug antibodies to TG103.ResultsA total of 147 participants were screened, and 48 participants were randomly assigned to TG103 (15.0, 22.5 and 30.0 mg groups, n = 12 per group) or placebo (n = 12). The mean (standard deviation, SD) age of the participants was 33.9 (10.0) years; the mean bodyweight was 81.65 (10.50) kg, and the mean BMI was 29.8 (2.5) kg/m2. A total of 466 AEs occurred in 45 of the 48 participants, with 35 (97.2%) in the TG103 group and 10 (83.3%) in the pooled placebo group. Most AEs were grade 1 or 2 in severity, and there were no serious adverse events (SAEs), AEs leading to death, or AEs leading to discontinuation of treatment. The steady-state exposure of TG103 increased with increasing dose and was proportional to Cmax,ss, AUCss, AUC0-t and AUC0-inf. The mean values of Cmax,ss ranged from 951 to 1690 ng/mL, AUC0-t ranged from 150 to 321 μg*h/mL, and AUC0-inf ranged from 159 to 340 μg*h/mL. TG103 had a half-life of 110–116 h, with a median Tmax of 36–48 h. After treatment for 12 weeks, the mean (SD) values of weight loss from baseline in the TG103 15.0 mg, 22.5 mg and 30.0 mg groups were 5.65 (3.30) kg, 5.35 (3.39) kg and 5.13 (2.56) kg, respectively, and that in the placebo group was 1.37 (2.13) kg. The least square mean percent weight loss from baseline to D85 in all the TG103 groups was more than 5% with p < 0.05 for all comparisons with placebo.ConclusionsIn this trial, all three doses of once-weekly TG103 were well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. TG103 demonstrated preliminary 12-week body weight loss without lifestyle interventions, thus showing great potential for the treatment of overweight and obesity.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04855292. Registered on April 22, 2021.

Gut microbiome and symptoms in females with irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction, is associated with abdominal pain and stool frequency/character alterations that are linked to changes in microbiome composition. We tested whether taxa differentially abundant between females with IBS vs healthy control females (HC) are associated with daily gastrointestinal and psychological symptom severity. Participants (age 18-50 year) completed a 3-day food record and collected a stool sample during the follicular phase. They also completed a 28-day diary rating symptom intensity; analysis focused on the three days after the stool sample collection. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used for bacterial identification. Taxon abundance was compared between IBS and HC using zero-inflated quantile analysis (ZINQ). We found that females with IBS (n = 67) had greater Bacteroides abundance (q = 0.003) and lower odds of Bifidobacterium presence (q = 0.036) compared to HC (n = 46) after adjusting for age, race, body mass index, fibre intake, and hormonal contraception use. Intestimonas, Oscillibacter, and Phascolarctobacterium were more often present and Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Collinsella, Coprococcus 2, Moryella, Prevotella 9, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 were less commonly present in IBS compared to HC. Despite multiple taxon differences in IBS vs HC, we found no significant associations between taxon presence or abundance and average daily symptom severity within the IBS group. This may indicate the need to account for interactions between microbiome, dietary intake, metabolites, and host factors.

Posterior Tibial Artery Blood Flow Velocity Is Increased in Patients with Plantar Heel Pain

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between posterior tibial artery blood flow velocity and plantar heel pain (PHP). Methods: The PHP group comprised patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis with plantar heel pain during gait, and the control group comprised healthy participants without plantar heel pain. The peak systolic velocity of the posterior tibial artery was measured using ultrasonography; it was measured three times on each side, and the mean value was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to calculate the peak systolic velocity cutoff value for plantar heel pain. Results: 23 patients (age 58.0 ± 16.5 years; 13 males and 10 females) and 23 healthy participants (age 51.3 ± 17.3 years; 10 males and 13 females) formed the PHP and control groups, respectively. Peak systolic velocity on the affected side was significantly greater in the PHP group (44.1 ± 13.1 cm/s) than in the control group (32.7 ± 5.9 cm/s). No significant difference was observed between the left and right sides in the PHP (7.1 ± 9.8 cm/s) and control (3.7 ± 3.0 cm/s) groups. A cutoff value of 38.2 cm/s was observed on the affected side. Conclusions: We quantified the increase in posterior tibial artery blood flow velocity in patients with plantar heel pain. Peak systolic velocity measurements can aid in quantitatively evaluating these patients. This study was registered as a clinical trial (UMIN000046875) on 1 October 2021.

Determinants for Mediterranean diet adherence beyond the boundaries: a cross-sectional study from Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates

BackgroundSubstantial evidence embraced the nutrition competence of the Mediterranean diet (MD) as a healthy model for decreasing the risk of chronic diseases and increasing longevity, with the bonus of ensuring environmental sustainability. Measuring adherence to this diet is marginally investigated in the Arabian Gulf region, an area away from the Mediterranean region. The current study aimed to assess the MD adherence among adults in Sharjah/the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to identify the most influential predictors for MD adherence among the study participants.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed using a self-reported, web-based electronic questionnaire that questioned sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and familiarity with the MD. The MD adherence was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener validated questionnaire. The adherence level was classified as low for a total score of [0–5], medium [score 6–7], and high (8–13).ResultsThe study included 1314 participants (age 25–52 years) comprised 822 (62.6%) females and 492 (37.4%) males. There was a moderate adherence score (5.9 ± 1.9) among the study participants. The food constituent expressed the lowest contribution to the MD was fish (9.3%), followed by fruits (12.3%), and legumes (18.3%). The multivariable linear regression analysis showed an overall significant linear trend for the association between the MD adherence score and physical activity, while nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the most two strongly related predictors for the higher adherence (β = 0.747; 95% CI 0.51–0.98, and β 0.60; 95% CI 0.269–0.93; p < 0.001, respectively). On the other side, being a smoker and from a non-Mediterranean country was associated with lower adherence scores (β = 0.538; 95% CI 0.252–0.82, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe findings of the current study showed a moderate adherence, low proportion for high adherence, and a gap in the familiarity with the diet name. Being married, physically active, non-smoker, and getting nutrition information from dietitians and social media were the strongest predictors for higher adherence. It is warranted that public health and nutrition specialists/dietitians to tailor new modern approaches for promoting healthy dietary behaviours consistent with the MD.

Blood Urea Nitrogen-to-Serum Albumin Ratio Predicts Fatal Outcomes in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Patients.

There are no effective therapies for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and existing predictors of mortality are still controversial. This retrospective study aimed to identify reliable early-stage indicators for predicting fatal outcomes in 217 patients hospitalized with an SFTS diagnosis between March 2021 and November 2023; 157 of the patients survived, and 60 died. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters were reassessed in both groups. The mean age of participants was 64.0 (interquartile range: 54.5-71.0) years, and 42.4% (92/217) were males. Based on a multivariate Cox regression analysis, the blood urea nitrogen-to-serum albumin ratio (BAR) (hazard ratio [HR]:4.751; 95% CI: 2.208-10.226; P <0.001), procalcitonin level (HR: 1.946; 95% CI: 1.080-3.507; P = 0.027), and central nervous system symptoms (HR: 3.257; 95% CI, 1.628-6.513; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality in SFTS patients. According to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a BAR with an area under the curve of 0.913 (95% CI: 0.873-0.953; P <0.001), a sensitivity of 76.7%, and a specificity of 90.4% showed better predictive performance for fatal outcomes than other classical indicators reported. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve confirmed that an increased BAR was linked with an unfavorable prognosis in SFTS patients (P <0.001 by log-rank test). In conclusion, the results indicate that high BAR levels are markedly related to substandard outcomes and are a reliable and readily accessible predictor of fatal outcomes in SFTS patients.

Correlation of cardiometabolic index and sarcopenia with cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adult: a prospective study

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that sarcopenia and visceral obesity are significant risk factors for chronic disease in middle-aged and older adults. However, the relationship between sarcopenia, the cardiac metabolic index (CMI), a novel measure of visceral obesity, and cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) remains unclear. In this study, data from the China Longitudinal Study of Health and Retirement (CHARLS) were analyzed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and CMI with CMM in the middle-aged and older adult population.MethodsThe study included 4,959 participants aged 45 and over. Sarcopenia was defined using the criteria of the Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019. CMM is defined as having two or more of the following conditions: physician-diagnosed heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and/or hypertension. CMI was calculated using the formula: CMI = (TG/HDL-C) × WHtR. To explore the association between CMI and sarcopenia and CMM, cox proportional risk regression models were used.ResultsThe median age of all participants was 57 years, with 47.1% being male. Over the 8-year follow-up, 1,362 individuals developed CMM. The incidence of CMM was 8.7/1,000 person-years in the group without sarcopenia or high CMI, 17.37/1,000 person-years in those with high CMI, 14.22/1,000 person-years in the sarcopenia group, and 22.34/1,000 person-years in the group with both conditions. After adjusting for covariates, the group with both sarcopenia and high CMI had a significantly increased risk of CMM (HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.12-5.51) and heart disease (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.98). Among those over 65 years, sarcopenia was discovered to be associated with an increased risk of CMM [HR (95% CI: 4.83 (1.22, 19.06)]. The risk of CMM was further increased to 7.31-fold (95% CI:1.72, 31.15) when combined with high CMI.ConclusionsThe combination of sarcopenia and high CMI is associated with an increased risk of developing CMM. Early identification and intervention of sarcopenia and CMI not only enable the development of targeted therapeutic strategies but also provide potential opportunities to reduce the morbidity and mortality of CMM.

Direct and indirect costs of paediatric asthma in the UK: a cost analysis

ObjectiveTo estimate the cost of paediatric asthma from a UK National Health Service (NHS) and societal perspective and explore determinants of these costs.DesignCost analysis based on data from a large...

Variability of joint hypermobility in children: a meta-analytic approach to set cut-off scores.

Current international consensus of the appropriate Beighton score cut-off to define if a child has generalised joint hypermobile or not is based upon expert opinion. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of Beighton scores of children worldwide to provide a recommendation for establishing the Beighton score cut-off to identify generalised joint hypermobility in children. We used AMED, OVID Medline, Embase and CINAHL to find published articles from inception to April 2024 describing Beighton scores of children up to and including 18years from the general population. We extracted study demographics including country of publication, total number of participants, summary data about the age and sex of participant, Beighton scores and any cut-off used where authors deemed children hypermobile and how many children were rated at the corresponding Beighton scores. There were 37 articles reporting on the prevalence or incidence of hypermobility at cut-off scores from 28,868 participants. Using the cut-off of ≥ 6 resulted in a prevalence of 6% for studies reporting male data and 13% for studies reporting female data. Limited data reporting availability precluded further sub-analysis at a Beighton score of ≥ 7, age, pubertal status and ethnicity. Conclusion: The working threshold for identifying generalised joint hypermobility in children should be a Beighton score of 6 or more. Our analysis also suggests a Beighton score of 7 or greater may be appropriate in childhood, particularly for females. What is Known: • The working threshold for identifying generalised joint hypermobility in children previously was set based on expert opinion. What is New: • The threshold to identify hypermobility in children should be at a minimum of ≥ 6 on the Beighton score.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and its association with sustainable dietary behaviors, sociodemographic factors, and lifestyle: a cross-sectional study in US University students

BackgroundPromoting healthy and sustainable diets is increasingly important and the Mediterranean Diet (MD) has been recognized as an appropriate example that can be adapted to different countries. Considering that the college years are the time when US young adults are most likely to adopt unhealthy eating habits, the present study assessed adherence to the MD and the sustainability of dietary behaviors in a nationally representative sample of US university students, aiming to identify crucial levers for improving their eating behaviors.MethodsMD adherence and the adoption of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns were assessed through the KIDMED and the Sustainable-HEalthy-Diet (SHED Index questionnaires, respectively, administered through an online survey that also included sociodemographic and behavioral questions. Non-parametric and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsA sample of 1485 participants (median (IQR) age 21.0 (19.0–22.0); 59% women) correctly completed the survey. A medium adherence to the MD was the most prevalent (47%). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of being more compliant with the MD increased when meeting physical activity recommendations, having a high SHED Index score, having the willingness to purchase and eat healthy and sustainable dishes, eating ultra-processed plant-based meat alternatives foods daily, and regularly attending the university canteen.ConclusionsEncouraging dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods and with a moderate intake of animal products is crucial to increasing the adoption of healthy and sustainable diets, and university dining services represent a suitable setting to build a supportive environment that educates students on human and planetary health.

Postural and ergonomic analysis of reading habits in elderly adults: a case study

Introduction: Proper posture is essential for preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomic problems in elderly adults. This study aims to analyze the reading posture of elderly residents in the Esposos Bishara seniors’ residence, located in Tachina Parish, Esmeraldas Canton, Ecuador. Methods: A quantitative methodology was employed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method to evaluate the reading postures of twelve elderly individuals aged between 63 and 99 years. Data were collected in designated reading spaces within the asylum. Results: The analysis revealed that the elderly participants exhibited medium to low risks of developing MSDs and ergonomic problems during reading activities. The predominant risk factors included neck flexion and prolonged static postures. Discussion: These findings align with existing literature that highlights the importance of ergonomic interventions in reducing MSD and ergonomic risks among elderly adults. The study underscores the need for ergonomic adjustments in reading environments to enhance postural health. Conclusion: The study concludes that while the risk levels are not alarmingly high, ergonomic modifications are necessary to mitigate potential MSDs in elderly readers. Future research should explore broader populations and varying reading environments.

Farmer-Agropastoralist Conflict Escalation in Morogoro Region, Tanzania: A Structural and Process Analysis

In Africa, access to natural resources such as land, water, forest, and wildlife reserve areas is a key factor for socio-economic development. The scarcity and degradation of these resources in rural environments threaten human security, leading to conflicts. Conflicts between agropastoralists and farmers are increasing in Tanzania. This research deployed the Social Conflict Theory that embeds structural and process elements to address the question of why and how the conflict between farmers and agropastoralists has escalated into deadly violence in the Morogoro region, Tanzania. Qualitative and ethnographic research methods were used. Results demonstrate that the way farmers lose their land by illegal means (e.g., bribes, force and coercion, and deception and stealth) is a critical factor that contributes more to land resource conflicts. We argue that land resource-related conflicts in Tanzania cannot be explained solely by a single driver (e.g., limited land resources), but by a combination of drivers including the illegal mechanisms used to control access to land resources. Conflicts between farmers and agropastoralists in the Morogoro region escalated to violence following the general patterns and transformation dynamics (i.e., process variables) described in Social Conflict Theory. These process variables involve tactics shifting from light to heavy, goals shifting from specific to general, and involvement shifting from few to many. The analysis of conflicts by focusing on process variables (conflict dynamics) enabled the identification of new factors (culture and age of participant in the conflict) that helped explain why some conflicts between farmers and agropastoralists escalate to deadly violence. The study recommends the formation of a loose coalition (e.g., Elders’ Tribunal) which includes equal representation of members from the farmer and agropastoralist communities which may help solve the current conundrum caused by top-down administrative procedures and practices, which often leads to outcomes that are ineffective and unsatisfactory to all parties

Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation of Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treated with Orphan Drugs

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an orphan disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of spinal alpha motor neurons. In recent years, nusinersen and several other drugs have been approved for the treatment of this disease. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) modulates spinal neuronal networks, resulting in changes in locomotion and posture in patients with severe spinal cord injury and stroke. We hypothesize that tSCS can activate motor neurons that are intact and restored by medication, slow the decline in motor activity, and contribute to the development of motor skills in SMA patients. Thirty-seven children and adults with SMA types 2 and 3 participated in this study. The median duration of drug treatment was over 20 months. The application of tSCS was performed during physical therapy for 20–40 min per day for ~12 days. Outcome measures were specific SMA motor scales, goniometry of contractured joints, and forced vital capacity. Significant increases in motor function, improved respiratory function, and decreased contracture were observed in both type 2 and 3 SMA participants. The magnitude of functional changes was not associated with participant age. Further studies are needed to elucidate the reasons for the beneficial effects of spinal cord electrical stimulation on SMA.

A comparative study to assess diagnostic efficacy of micro typing gel technique versus conventional tube technique in blood cross-match in blood bank at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In transfusion medicine, cross-matching and compatibility are determined using the conventional tube approach. The goal of the current study is to compare the microtyping gel approach to the conventional tube method for studying blood cross-match. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the compatibility of donor’s blood with recipient blood by microtyping gel technique and conventional tube technique and comparison of advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study investigation was carried out in a tertiary care facility’s blood bank for 1½ years. It was decided to compare the effectiveness of the traditional tube and gel techniques. RESULTS: In the current investigation, we evaluated the age of the study participants and found that the majority of the study participants were male (63.17%) and most of them were between the ages of 21 and 40 years. The men-to-women ratio in this study was 1.71:1. About 2300 blood samples were subjected to compatibility testing using both the traditional test tube technology and the microtyping gel technology. The conventional method and the gel card approach are equivalent in terms of sensitivity and specificity. However, the gel card approach is simple to use, quick, reliable, and allows for the recording of data. The spin saline tube approach, in comparison, takes longer and produces unreliable results. This makes the gel card approach preferable to the conventional method. The findings were examined. CONCLUSIONS: Although the conventional tube technology is still regarded as the gold standard for pretransfusion analysis, it nevertheless has several drawbacks and relies on the precise hand–eye coordination of the laboratory staff. We advise using the microtyping gel approach due to its ease of use, stability of outcomes, dispensing of controls and absence of washing process, and equivalent specificity and sensitivity.