Female Group Research Articles

Bayesian age-period-cohort projection of cancers in Iran: a modeling study

IntroductionCancer is a significant public health issue in Iran, and its incidence has been on the rise in recent years. The objective of this study is to predict the incidence of total cancer in Iran using a Bayesian age-period-cohort (APC) model.MethodsUtilizing age-period-cohort modeling, this study assessed the multifaceted effects of age, period, and cohort on cancer incidence during the period spanning 2005 to 2017. Key metrics, including the net drift (representing the overall annual percentage change), local drift (indicating annual percentage changes within specific age groups), and longitudinal age curves (depicting expected age-specific rates over time), were computed. Moreover, the evaluation encompassed an analysis of period and cohort relative risks. To project the future age-standardized incidence rates of cancers from 2018 to 2027, Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis integrated nested Laplace approximations.ResultThe age-standardized incidence rate and the absolute number of cancer cases in Iran showed an upward trend. The net drift was 1.79% (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.87% to 2.72%) for males and 3.31% (95% CI: 2.49% to 4.14%) for females. Local drifts remained consistently above zero for all age groups from 2005 to 2017, except for the under-5 age group in both males and females, and the 45–49 and 50–54 age groups in females. After accounting for period deviations, the risk of cancer incidence exhibited an exponential increase with age for both sexes. Based on the Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis, it is estimated that there will be around 210,701 new cancer cases in 2027. Moreover, the Age-Standardized Rate (ASR) for cancer is anticipated to reach 240.32 per 100,000 by 2027. The forecasts indicate a rise in cancer incidence rates across all age groups for both males and females.ConclusionThis study underscores the urgency of implementing targeted preventive strategies aligned with demographic shifts and lifestyle factors. Emphasizing the role of robust cancer registries, it advocates for continuous monitoring to inform evidence-based interventions.

The Effect of Gender on the Intestinal Flora of Colorectal Cancer Under Different Stages.

This study aims to determine whether gender is a factor in the interplay between the human intestinal flora and colorectal cancer (CRC), ultimately providing new evidence for the clinical prediction and management of CRC in different genders. In this study, we included 186 untreated CRC patients, and classified them into two groups based on pathological staging: Groups Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Groups Ⅲ-Ⅳ, with male and female groups within each group. We collected preoperative fecal samples from these patients and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze their intestinal flora. In the CRC Stages I-II cohort, the gut microbiota of the female group exhibited greater diversity and abundance compared to the male group, with a total of 13 gut microbiota demonstrating significant disparities. Notably, s__Parabacteroides gordonii, s__Bacteroides faecis, and s__Bacteroides nordii were found to be more prevalent in the female group relative to the male group. Within the CRC Stages III-IV cohort, 51 gut microbiota exhibited significant differences between the genders. In the immunocyte composition of fecal samples from patients with CRC, a higher proportion of naive B cells is observed in the male group as compared to the female group. In female CRC patients within the CRC Stages III-IV cohort, Actinomyces exhibited a significant negative correlation with activated dendritic cells, CD4+ memory T cells, and eosinophils. In male CRC patients within the CRC Stages III-IV cohort, Actinomyces demonstrated a significant positive correlation with naive B cells and a significant positive correlation with immune activation genes TNFRSF25 and TMIGD2. In female CRC patients within the CRC Stages III-IV cohort, Actinomyces showed a significant negative correlation with activated dendritic cells, CD4+ memory T cells, and eosinophils, and a significant positive correlation with immune activation genes TNFSF13B, LTA, KLRK1, and CXCL12. In the CRC Stages I-II group, the female group's intestinal flora is more diverse and richer than the male group. In the CRC Stages III-IV group, there are a total of 51 different intestinal flora in both the male and female groups. We also found that Actinomyces affects the occurrence and development of CRC in the male and female groups through different pathways. The results show that the intestinal flora differs between male and female CRC patients and is closely associated with cancer development.

Desistance from criminal offending: exploring gender similarities and differences

Objective: to reveal the similarities and differences between female and male discrete offender groups (desisters, persisters, late onseters, and conformers). Methods: dialectical approach to cognition of social phenomena, allowing to analyze them in historical development and functioning in the context of the totality of objective and subjective factors, which predetermined the following research methods: formal-logical and sociological. Results: while some researchers have concluded that psycho-social predictors of crime are similar across gender, other criminologists have argued that predictors of crime may vary between females and males. The results from this investigation reveal some similarities and differences in the risk factors between discrete offender groups by gender and the predictors of female and male desistance from crimes. Therefore, researchers studying desistance cannot assume the generality of effects of variables across gender; rather, they must also consider the possibility of specific effects of predictors on female and male desistance. Scientific novelty: Over the past several decades, researchers have more fervently examined female offending. The criminal career research paradigm put forth by Blumstein and colleagues in 1986 offers an opportunity for researchers to examine offending, including female offending, from multiple perspectives including onset, persistence, and desistance from a multitude of theoretical traditions. Using data from the National Youth Survey, this investigation examined the similarities and/or differences between female and male discrete offender groups (desisters, persisters, late onseters, and conformers) and theoretical predictors of desistance and persistence from less serious crimes. Results of the research revealed significant gender differences between the discrete offender groups as well as similarities and differences between the genders in predictors of desistance and persistence for less serious crimes. Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering the issues related to preventing and eliminating crimes.

How do gender and age similarities with a potential social engineer influence one’s trust and willingness to take security risks?

This study investigates how age and gender similarity between individuals and potential social engineers affect the individuals’ trust and risk-taking behaviors. We crafted and face validated 16 personas, varying in demographics and visual cues, and inquired whether participants would agree to use each persona’s offer to connect to the internet via their personal mobile hotspot, as well as the degree of trust they placed in the persona’s intentions. Individuals were informed about the potential risks associated with using another person’s mobile hotspot and that the person offering can be, but not necessarily, malicious. Data from 635 participants (322 Arabs and 313 British) were collected through an online survey. Participants were categorized by gender into male and female groups, and by age into two groups: early adulthood (18–35 years) and middle adulthood (36–59 years). Our results showed a correlation between trust and offer acceptance across all participant groups except for British females in middle adulthood. Additionally, participants, regardless of their gender and age groups, exhibited greater trust and acceptance towards personas who were female or older. Arab sample did not indicate a significant gender preference in aged personas; however, the British early adulthood group displayed a significant inclination towards accepting the offer from aged female personas over aged male personas. While demographic similarity between the potential manipulator personas and participants did not significantly impact the participants trust and risk-taking, our study uncovered differences in trust and offer acceptance when both age and gender demographics were considered together, suggesting nuanced effects of demographic matching and mismatching on taking security risks. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating bias awareness and debiasing techniques to reduce high reliance on demographic or cultural stereotypes.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori-related chronic gastritis on gastrointestinal microorganisms and brain neurotransmitters in mice

The effects of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-related chronic gastritis on gastrointestinal microorganisms or brain neurotransmitters are not fully understood. Here, this study selected SPF C57BL/6 mice to set up a Hp-related chronic gastritis experiment group and a blank control group, and used omics to explore the specific effects of Hp-related chronic gastritis on gastrointestinal microorganisms and brain neurotransmitters in mice. The Tyramine (TyrA) content in the female experiment group’s brain was considerably reduced compared to the female control group (p < 0.01), and TyrA was strongly correlated with 13 gastrointestinal microorganisms with significant differences, such as Acinetobacter_baumannii (p < 0.05). The His content in the male experiment group’s brain was significantly higher than that in the male control group (p < 0.05), and His was strongly correlated with four gastrointestinal microorganisms with significant differences, such as Acinetobacter_baumannii (p < 0.05). The Levodopa (DOPA) content in the female control group’s brain was significantly lower than that in the male control group (p < 0.05), and DOPA was strongly correlated with 19 gastrointestinal microorganisms with significant differences, such as Achromobacter_xylosoxidans (p < 0.05). The contents of L-Glutamine (Gln), L-Glutamine (GABA), Noradrenaline hydrochloride (NE), and Adrenaline hydrochloride (E) in the female experiment group’s brain were significantly lower than those in the male experiment group (p < 0.05), and Gln, GABA, NE, and E were strongly correlated with 41, 28, 40, and 33 gastrointestinal microorganisms with significant differences (p < 0.05), respectively. These results indicate that Hp-related chronic gastritis could affect gastrointestinal microorganisms and brain neurotransmitters in mice with certain gender differences, and the changes in brain neurotransmitters might be related to the changes in gastrointestinal microorganisms.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN LOW HYPOXIA-RESISTANT RATS

OBSERVATION. Individual differences in hypoxia tolerance and expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor, HIF-1α, were found in humans and laboratory animals. This allowed us to distinguish groups of animals with low and high resistance to oxygen deficiency. It was shown that low hypoxia-resistant animals are characterized by a more severe course of the systemic inflammatory response (SIR). Sex differences in the severity of SIRS in animals with low hypoxia tolerance have not been studied. OBJECTIVE To characterize morphological and molecular-biological features of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced SIR in low hypoxia-resistant male and female Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Low hypoxia-resistant animals were distinguished by the time of “life” in a hypobaric barocamera at an altitude of 11500 m (less than 60 s). SWO was modeled by intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. One day later, morphologic changes in the lungs, liver, and thymus, as well as endotoxin levels, corticosterone, HIF1-α, and TGFβ concentrations in serum from low hypoxia-resistant female and male Wistar rats were evaluated. RESULTS. Differences were found in control groups in females and males of low hypoxia-resistant rats, characterized by higher HIF1-α, corticosterone and endotoxin levels in serum in females. Thus, in females 24 h after LPS injection the number of neutrophils in interalveolar septa of lungs was higher and acute accidental involution of thymus with narrowing of subcapsular zone without changes in volumetric fraction of cortical substance developed. Whereas in males widespread pathological changes in the liver and more pronounced manifestations of accidental involution accompanied by narrowing of the volume fraction of the thymus cortical substance were revealed. In the blood serum of females with SWO, the content of corticosterone increased, while in males the concentration of HIF1-α and the level of endotoxin increased, and the content of TGFβ decreased. CONCLUSIONS. Although female and male rats were characterized by low resistance to hypoxia, the course of LPS-induced SWO and the development of immune reactions in animals have sex differences.

The effect of plyometric exercise on bone mineralisation and physical fitness in adolescents

IntroductionPlyometric exercise is the preferred type of exercise to promote bone health due to its role on providing high-impact loading of bone tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plyometric training on bone mineralisation and physical fitness between male and female adolescents.MethodsThis study was a parallel 2-arm trial with 1:1 randomisation to the plyometric or control group. This study was conducted at SMA Negeri 21 Makassar, Indonesia, which included 18 second year of high school students actively engaging in physical activity at least once a week. The plyometric training consisted of a warming-up period, plyometric session, and cooling-down period performed by participants in the plyometric group, three days/week for six months. The control group was informed to stay active during the study period. Bone mineralisation and physical fitness were assessed at baseline and after the 6-month intervention.ResultsA significantly higher improvement of VO2 max was presented in the female plyometric group, compared to the control group (% improvement: 81.6 and 13.4 respectively; <i>p</i> < 0.001) over time. The plyometric group also experienced a significant increase (+4.9 cm) in body height over time, while the control group only demonstrated a slight increase (+1.4 cm). Significant increases in total dual femur BMD and trochanter BMC were observed in the male plyometric group.ConclusionsThe increases in BMD and BMC were only observed in male adolescents following plyometric training. Meanwhile, improvement in VO2 max was more pronounced in female adolescents engaging with plyometric training.

A Study on The Influence Of 'She-Economy' Upsurge on The Development of Clothing Companies: Taking Anta as An Example

With the awareness of people's self-consciousness, the 'she-power' of female consumers begins to emerge. The upsurge of the 'she-economy' has become a highly-concerned economic phenomenon. Various industries turned their attention to the female market and female groups. On the basis of previous studies on 'she-economy', this paper focuses on clothing enterprises, summarizing the impacts of this economic phenomenon on the cases concerned in this paper through case study, literature study and event study, so as to provide suggestions for the development of the clothing industry. The study found that the coping strategies made by clothing enterprises in response to the 'she-economy' phenomenon have a significant positive impact on the enterprises themselves, which is reflected in the profitability, asset structure and female consumption performance of the enterprise. Whereas, inappropriate marketing methods may bring a negative impact to enterprises. Hence, enterprises need to exercise sound judgement when making decisions. From the market situation, it can be found that the women's clothing market still has a large development space. In the future, clothing enterprises can learn from the excellent cases in the industry, try to open up the female business, transform the new-born 'she-power' into their customers, expanding their consumer group. Other industries can also carry out researches on the impacts of the 'she-economy' phenomenon, learn from the development experience of those clothing enterprises, and enter the huge consumer market of women's business.

Blood-based biomarkers for early frailty are sex-specific: validation of a combined in silico prediction and data-driven approach.

Frailty is characterized by loss of physical function and is preferably diagnosed at an early stage (e.g., during pre-frailty). Unfortunately, sensitive tools that can aid early detection are lacking. Blood-based biomarkers, reflecting pathophysiological adaptations before physical symptoms become apparent, could be such tools. We identified candidate biomarkers using a mechanism-based computational approach which integrates a priori defined database-derived clinical biomarkers and skeletal muscle transcriptome data. Identified candidate biomarkers were used as input for a sex-specific correlation analysis, using individual gene expression data from female (n = 24) and male (n = 28) older adults (all 75 + years, ranging from fit to pre-frail) and three frailty-related physical parameters. Male and female groups were matched based on age, BMI, and Fried frailty index. The best correlating candidate biomarkers were evaluated, and selected biomarkers were measured in serum. In females, myostatin and galectin-1 and, in males, cathepsin B and thrombospondin-4 serum levels were significantly different between the physically weakest and fittest participants (all p < 0.05). Logistic regression confirmed the added value of these biomarkers in conjunction with age and BMI to predict whether the subjects belonged to the weaker or fittest group (AUC = 0.80 in females and AUC = 0.83 in males). In conclusion, both in silico and in vivo analyses revealed the sex-specificity of candidate biomarkers, and we identified a selection of potential biomarkers which could be used in a biomarker panel for early detection of frailty. Further investigation is needed to confirm these leads for early detection of frailty.

Temporal trends in age and stage-specific incidence of colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia: A registry-based cohort study between 1997 and 2017

BackgroundIn Saudi Arabia, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer in men and the third in women, posing a significant health burden. A comprehensive report of CRC incidence rates and trends in Saudi Arabia is lacking. This study aims to examine trends in CRC incidence among the Saudi population. MethodsWe used data from the Saudi Cancer Registry to examine CRC age-specific incidence rates (ASIR) and age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) between 1997 and 2017. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine the magnitude and direction of observed trends stratified by age, sex, and CRC stage at diagnosis. Trends were measured using the annual percentage change (APC) and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in CRC incidence rates. ResultsIn total, 19,463 new CRC cases were identified during the study period. Since 1997, ASR for CRC has steadily increased in men and women overall, irrespective of disease stages. The ASIR increased across all age groups and was more pronounced in older patients. Women aged 40–49 had a higher increase in incidence than men (AAPC= 5.3 % vs.4.7 %). Males aged 70–79 had an AAPC of 10.2 %, twice that of females (AAPC= 4.9 %). A consistent rise in ASIR was observed across all CRC stages and age groups in males and females. In recent years, males under 50 had a higher APC for distant CRC than females, while females aged 50–74 experienced a steeper increase in distant CRC than males. ConclusionWe report a marked increase in the incidence of CRC over time in Saudi Arabia, affecting men and women across all age groups and disease stages at diagnosis. Our findings underscore the need to identify underlying risk factors and to develop and implement effective prevention policies and strategies, including screening programs to facilitate early detection and treatment.

Effects of Different Preparations Containing Selenium on Selenium Status and Reproductive Performance of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Broodstock

Abstract This study evaluated the efficiency of different Selenium supplements on blood Se status and reproductive performance of carp broodstock. Female carp (n=120) were distributed in 4 groups supplemented with Se as follows: control (non-supplemented), sodium selenite 200 µg/kg feed, sodium selenite i/m injection (160 µgSe/kg bodyweight), and selenized yeast 200 µg/kg feed. Blood was sampled on days 1, 20, and 30. On day 30, samples of roe were taken from females, and samples of blood and milt from 10 unsupplemented males. Larvae samples were taken after hatching. Plasmatic Se concentration was 51.38±3.77 µg/kg (day 1) and did not vary significantly. The erythrocyte Se concentration increased from 14.04±3.05 µg/kg (day 1), reaching 90.58±12.43 (day 20), to 212.38±57.87 µg/kg (day 30). Plasmatic glutathione peroxidase activity in supplemented groups increased from 4.41±1.15 to 7.73±2.26 μkat/L and plateaued until day 30. A similar pattern was observed for erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity, ranging from 54.51±15.45 μkat/L (day 1) to 80.72± 6.82 μkat/L (day 30). Se concentration and selenoenzyme activities in males did not differ from the female control group. Roe Se content ranged from 48.26±17.53 μg/L in control to 65.68±34.39 μg/L in fish supplemented selenized yeast, and in the pooled larvae samples, ranged from 26-43 μg/L. The Se concentration in the milt was 24.78±4.27 μg/L. Results suggest that 250 µgSe/kg feed was sufficient to meet the requirements of mature carp, sodium selenite being more efficient in elevating blood Se concentrations and selenoenzymes activities, while selenized yeast being more efficient in roe and larvae.

Enhancing interpretability in random forest: Leveraging inTrees for association rule extraction insights

The random forest model is a powerful supervised learner, recognized for its ability to learn the pattern within data with superior predictive accuracy. However, it is a black box model because it lacks interpretability. This study addressed the interpretable challenge by employing the inTree framework. The rules were extracted from each decision tree in a random forest model, and the association rules were determined through measured matrix support and confidence to reveal the frequent variable interactions for predicting unemployment. This approach provided insight into the relationships between specific variables and unemployment outcomes. The developed method used data set from the integrated labor force survey (ILFS) 2020/2021 in Zanzibar. Zanzibar’s unemployment rate consistently increased across surveys conducted in 2006, 2014, and 2020/2021. Results have shown that the rules that most predict unemployment for individuals are female and lack of health insurance and secondary education level, female and youth age group and lack of health insurance and secondary education level with a high confidence level. This study provides practical insights for Zanzibar’s government to develop effective interventions, programs, and policies. Improving the interpretability of the random forest model enhances decision-making to address unemployment challenges.

Healthcare Monitoring-based Internet of Things (IOT)

Remote health care is needed when direct medical monitoring is unavailable. Modern technology provides several ways to make patient access simpler. In particular, cloud, IoT, and data mining technologies have been successful in health care and medicine. This method identifies illnesses using data collected from two groups of patients, a male group and a female group where data are based on the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and body temperature parameters. The three classifier types use the collected data: the naïve Bayes, support vector machine (SVM), and the J48. These three classification methods were considered to measure the classification accuracy using the proposed healthcare IOT-based monitoring system. The Precision, Recall, and F-measure evaluation measurements were used to quantify the obtained accuracy results of the two groups. The obtained results showed excellent classification results of 0.96, 0.99, and 0.98 for the naïve Bayes classifier to the male group that outperformed the results of the other two classifiers for the precision, recall, and f-measure, respectively. As for the female group, similar results have been obtained. In conclusion: The use of the Internet of Things in the proposed system makes it accurate and easy to use remotely by patients.

Gender difference in the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and central obesity.

Body fat distribution is closely related to cardiovascular disease than the amount of total body fat itself. The epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) measured by transthoracic echocardiography represents central obesity. We hypothesized that the gender affected the link between EAT thickness and body fat distribution. We measured EAT thickness using transthoracic echocardiography and total body fat and regional body fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 390 patients (250 males, 59 ± 11 year-old). The EAT thickness was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle at the end of the diastole on parasternal long-axis view of echocardiography. The median and mean EAT thickness of 390 patients were 4.0 mm and 4.2 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. The mean EAT thickness revealed positive correlation with truncal fat mass to total body fat mass ratio (FMtrunk/FMtotal, R = 0.291, P = .024). Subgroup analysis categorized by gender demonstrated the female group has stronger correlation of EAT thickness with fat distribution than the male group (male: R = 0.174, P = .006, female: R = 0.378, P < .001). EAT thickness is closely related to body fat distribution. Females showed a more significant correlation between EAT thickness and central fat accumulation than males. EAT thickness might be considered as a relevant parameter of central obesity, especially in females.

Psoas Sarcopaenia Outcomes in Elderly Patients After Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Introduction Sarcopaenia has been examined as a predictor of frailty in surgical patients and may predict mortality. The hypothesis of this study is that sarcopaenia is associated with an increased risk of death following an episode of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGB). Methods This study included patients admitted with ALGB between January 2017 and June 2022, who underwent cross-sectional imaging (CSI). CSI was accessed via imaging platforms, and the total psoas area (TPA) was calculated at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) by a radiology resident (post-Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists(FRCR)) and validated by a consultant radiologist. Clinical, mortality, and demographic data were obtained from the Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record (NIECR). Psoas muscle index (PMI) was calculated using TPA, standardising for height in mm2/m2. Sarcopaenia was defined asPMI<545 mm2/m2for males and <385 mm2/m2for females. Results A total of 103 patients were included. Of these, 32 patients were defined as sarcopaenic (male, n = 20; female, n = 12). There was a statistically significant increase in mortality in the sarcopaenic group(Chi square (1, N = 103 = 7.582, p = 0.005888), odds ratio (OR) of 3.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.41-7.91). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a significant decrease in survival probability in combinedmale and female groups (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between sarcopaenic patients and length of hospital stay (LOHS) compared with non-sarcopaenic patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions Sarcopaenia as a predictor of frailty is an important risk factor for all-cause mortality in ALGB. CSI provides an opportunity to identify as well as investigate the aetiology of ALGB. Although radiation risk may limit its use, it should be considered when available.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Association between Physical Activity and Cognitive Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Tianjin.

The association between physical activity (PA) and cognitive function remains controversial, and the impact of gender on this association remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PA and cognitive function and to explore whether this association was modified by gender among older adults. In 2016, a cluster sampling method was used to select community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and above. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and classified as low, middle, and high. Cognitive function was assessed by using the revised Chinese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The multiple linear regression model was used to explore the association between PA and cognitive function and to assess whether this association differs by gender. A total of 676 participants with a mean age of 73.63 ± 6.39 were included. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that higher PA was significantly statistically associated with Full Intelligence Quotient (FIQ), Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ), and verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) (P<0.05). Among the WAIS-RC subtests, higher PA was significantly statistically associated with higher scores of the similarity subtest, picture completion subtest, and picture arrangement subtest (P<0.05). In the gender subgroup analysis, higher PA was significantly statistically associated with FIQ and PIQ (P<0.05), but no significant association was found with VIQ (P>0.05) in the male group, while in the female group, there was no significant statistical association between higher PA and FIQ, PIQ, or VIQ (P>0.05). Higher PA was significantly statistically associated with better cognitive function (P<0.05). In the male group, PA was significantly statistically associated with cognitive function, whereas no comparable association was found in the female group.

Effects of Integrating Stair Climbing-Based Exercise Snacks Into the Campus on Feasibility, Perceived Efficacy, and Participation Perspectives in Inactive Young Adults: ARandomized Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

This 6-week pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility, perceived efficacy, and participation perspectives of a university campus stair climbing-based exercise snack (ES) intervention and to compare it to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Healthy, young, inactive adults (age: 21.6 ± 2.3 years, BMI: 22.5 ± 3.6 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to three groups (ES, MICT, and Control [CON]). ES (n = 14, 6 females) and MICT (n = 13, 9 females) groups performed three sessions per week over 6 weeks, while the control group (n = 15, 9 females) maintained their habitual lifestyle. ES involved 3 × ~30 s 'all-out' stair-climbing (6 flights, total 126 steps and 18.9 m elevation) bouts separated by > 1 h rest, and MICT involved 40 min stationary cycling at 60%-70% HRmax. Mixed linear effect models were used to explore within and between-group differences, and the change in magnitude was determined using mean difference (MD), 95% confidence interval (CI), and Cohen's d effect size. Fourteen participants also completed post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Retention rates of 93% (ES, 14/15), 93% (MICT, 13/14), and 100% (CON, 15/15) were achieved from baseline to post-assessments, with compliance (participants' attendance to scheduled ES sessions) of 97% (733/756 sessions) and 93% (217/234 sessions) in ES and MICT, respectively. No significant differences were found between ES and MICT for future intentions (4.8 ± 1.4 and 5.0 ± 0.9), enjoyment (PACES, 89.0 ± 16.4 and 94.5 ± 11.9), and satisfaction. A significant group × time interaction was found in the quality of life and perceived stress. ES and MICT significantly increased the quality of life by 8% (MD = 5.5 [95% CI = 0.3, 10.7], Cohen's d = 0.64) and 6% (MD = 4.6 [95% CI = 0.9, 8.2], Cohen's d = 0.88) compared to baseline, whereas CON experienced a significant decrease (MD = -7.9 [95% CI = -14.4, -1.6], Cohen's d = 0.56). ES significantly decreased perceived stress by 7% (MD = -4.6 [95% CI = -8.9, -0.3], Cohen's d = 0.58), while MICT (MD = 2.0 [95% CI = -0.1, 4.1], Cohen's d = 0.28) and CON (MD = -2.4 [95% CI = -6.1, 1.3], Cohen's d = 0.22) had no significant effects. The majority (12/14) of participants generally demonstrated positive attitudes toward participation in ES and found it easier than expected while highlighting enablers, barriers, and future recommendations. Stair climbing-based ES could be integrated into the campus setting, appeared feasible, and was similar to MICT regarding future intentions, enjoyment, and satisfaction. Both ES and MICT might induce relevant positive effects on the quality of life, and ES demonstrated greater benefits compared to MICT or CON for reducing perceived stress. Interviews provided positive insights into fostering adherence to ES among university students.

Prevailing Ages in Acute, Recurrent and Chronic Urinary Tract Infections in Iraq, Kirkuk City

Background: Acute, recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections are a major public health concern and occur in all age groups of males and females. They are a major and serious health problem that may lead to the subsequent development of serious symptoms with increased resistance to antibiotics.Aim: This study aimed to identify the most vulnerable ages in acute, recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections and the most common age groups for infection in Kirkuk cityMaterials and Methods: 151 urine samples were collected from patients with urinary tract infections who visited private clinics in Kirkuk Governorate. They were diagnosed by a urologist for the period from December 2022 to October 2023. The patients' ages ranged from 21-76 years. Microscopic examination, laboratory tests, culture and isolation of pathogens were performed to confirm the patients' cases.Results: In the current study, the number of male patients with urinary tract infections was 62, representing 41.1%, while the number of females was 89, representing 58.9%. The condition was diagnosed as acute, recurrent, or chronic. The results of the current study showed, that the number of samples for patients with acute urinary tract infections was 91 samples, representing 60.3% for both males and females. The number of males was 37, representing 40.7%, and the number of females was 54, representing 3.59%. As for the cases of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections, the percentage of males was 42.6%, with 23, while the percentage of females was 57.4%, with 31 samples. As for patients with chronic urinary tract infections, the percentage of males was 33.3%, with 2, while the percentage of females was 66.7%, with 4 samples. As for the age groups most affected by these cases, the ages ranged between 42-51, where the numbers were 62, with a percentage of 41.1%, followed by the age group 21-32 years, where the numbers were 42, with a percentage of 28.8%. In general, female infections were higher than males.Conclusion: This study, which was conducted on urinary tract patients in Kirkuk Governorate, showed that ages 42-51 years and ages 21-32 years are the most vulnerable groups to acute, chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Safety evaluation of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine as a novel food

To evaluate the safety of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (α-GPC) as a novel food, the study of acute oral toxicity, subchronic toxicity, teratogenic toxicity and genotoxicity were conducted. In acute oral toxicity, no toxic effects were observed in rats of both genders administrated 10.0 g/kg BW α-GPC. In 90-day oral toxicity, female high-dose group (2,000 mg/kg) had lower body weight, body weight gain, empty stomach body weight, total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in contrast to control group. In teratogenic toxicity, the body weights of pregnant rats on the 9th day (d9), the 12th day (d12), the 15th day (d15), and the 20th day (d20), body weight gains, and net body weight gains in high-dose group (2,000 mg/kg) decreased, the other parameters had no difference compared to control group. In genotoxicity tests (Mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus, Chromosome aberration and Ames test), all dose groups didn't display significant change compared with negative control group. Based on above results, α-GPC is actually low hazard novel food, has a NOAEL of 1,000 mg/kg BW for female rats and 2,000 mg/kg BW for male rats following 13-week oral exposure, has a NOAEL of 1,000 mg/kg BW for pregnant rats and 2,000 mg/kg BW for fetal rats in teratogenic toxicity, has no genotoxicity in vitro or in vivo.

Species behavioral characteristics lead to unique fragmentation threats: The Nubian ibex as a case study

AbstractThe behavioral characteristics of species may result in certain populations being inherently more susceptible to fragmentation. For example, species exhibiting spatial sexual segregation or those constrained to elongated and narrow habitats. We studied the fragmentation threats, spatial dynamics, resource utilization, and movement ecology of a particularly vulnerable species that is both sexually segregated and constrained to elongated and narrow habitat—the north Judean Desert population of Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana). From 2016‒2020 we tracked 48 marked ibex (27 male, 21 female), of which 38 (20 male, 18 female) also had global position system (GPS) collars. Using GPS‐collar and camera‐trap data in zones delineated around perennial water sources (PWSs), we calculated ibex drinking frequencies and individual utilization distributions by season and sex, focusing on their overall (95% isopleth) and core (50% isopleth) home ranges. We quantified joint space use between sexes using a utilization distribution overlap index (UDOI) and ibex daily movements and space use via movement indices. Female groups formed philopatric activity centers that were anchored around PWSs year‐round and arranged in a metapopulation‐like structure, with no female movement detected between them. Conversely, movement of adult males changed seasonally, with the cores of male groups anchored around PWSs only during the dry season, and long‐range movement between female activity centers during the rut. Female groups also spent more time at steeper terrain and higher elevations compared with male groups. Outside the rut, groups of males and groups of females exhibited minimal joint space use (i.e., average dry season UDOI was 0.06). These patterns indicate high sensitivity of this population to intersexual fragmentation by obstacles (physical or virtual). Management strategies to mitigate fragmentation threats for such populations should be sex‐specific and landscape‐oriented.