Major Cause Research Articles

Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Analysis Reveals the Protective Mechanism of Chlorogenic Acid on Immunologically Stressed Broiler Meat Quality.

Modern poultry production is stressful for the birds, and this stress is recognized as a major cause of inferior meat quality. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a plant phenolic acid, has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidant capacity and phosphoproteomics of immunologically stressed broiler breast muscle were assessed to elucidate the mechanism of the beneficial effects of CGA on meat quality. Dietary CGA decreased drip and cooking loss, postmortem pH and antioxidant capacity of breast muscle from stressed broilers, and increased MyHC-I mRNA levels. Quantitative phosphoproteomics revealed that CGA supplementation downregulated the phosphorylation of myofibrillar proteins, glycolytic enzymes, and endoplasmic reticulum proteins involved in homeostasis, which contributed to improving the meat quality of broilers. Moreover, 14 phosphorylation sites (e.g., P13538-Ser1236 and F1NN63-Ser117) in 13 phosphoproteins were identified as key regulators of processes related to broiler meat quality. Together, these findings provide novel regulatory targets and nutritional strategies for improving the stressed broiler meat quality.

Hsa_circ_0007990 promotes breast cancer growth via inhibiting YBX1 protein degradation to activate E2F1 transcription

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumour in females worldwide. Although remarkable advances in early detection and treatment strategies have led to decreased mortality, recurrence and metastasis remain the major causes of cancer death in BC patients. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play critical roles in cancer progression. However, the detailed biological functions and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in BC are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of circRNAs in the progression of BC. Differentially expressed circRNAs in BC were identified by integrating breast tumour-associated somatic CNV data and circRNA high-throughput sequencing. Aberrant hsa_circ_0007990 expression and host gene copy number were detected in BC cell lines via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression level of hsa_circ_0007990 in BC tissues was validated by in situ hybridization (ISH). Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo, respectively, to explore the potential biological function of hsa_circ_0007990 in BC. The underlying mechanisms of hsa_circ_0007990 were investigated through MS2 RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. The levels of hsa_circ_0007990 were elevated in BC tissues and cell lines, an effect that was partly due to host gene copy number gains. Functional assays showed that hsa_circ_0007990 promoted BC cell growth. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0007990 could bind to YBX1 and inhibit its degradation by preventing ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent degradation, thus enhancing the expression of the cell cycle-associated gene E2F1. Rescue experiments suggested that hsa_circ_0007990 promoted BC progression through YBX1. In general, our study demonstrated that hsa_circ_0007990 modulates the ubiquitination and degradation of YBX1 protein and further regulates E2F1 expression to promote BC progression. We explored the possible function and molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_0007990 in BC and identified a novel candidate target for the treatment of BC.

Lateral Overturning and Backward Rollover of Agricultural Tractors: A Review

Tractor accidents caused by lateral overturning and backward rollover during agricultural activities and general driving are common. In this study, various research cases were analyzed to identify the factors influencing the lateral overturning and backward rollover of tractors and to examine their static and dynamic stability. Studies on the analysis of the major causes of these incidents and evaluation of tractor safety were compiled. Test methods, including actual tests and simulations, were categorized, and the characteristics of lateral overturning and backward rollover safety of tractors in different studies were examined. Additionally, safety improvement measures were proposed by identifying and summarizing the causes of accidents involving agricultural machinery. Tractor safety was evaluated primarily by conducting actual tractor and simulation tests. These tests were classified into field tests, tests on scale models, spreadsheet programs, and 3D simulation programs. The primary causes of lateral overturning and backward rollover were unstable center of gravity, extremely high driving speed, and ground conditions. Given the considerable number of studies dedicated to evaluating tractor safety, various technologies aimed at preventing lateral overturning and backward rollover incidents are expected to be applied to tractors in the future. The production and testing of safe agricultural machinery are expected to contribute to a reduction in accident rates.

Assessment of Factors Associated with Alcohol Abuse among Youth Aged (15-25) Years in Starch Factory at Lira Municipality Lira District, Uganda

In Uganda, alcohol consumption has been on the rise, with WHO ranking Uganda as the highest consumer in the world. Studies conducted among internally displaced populations in war-torn areas of northern Uganda have revealed that alcoholism is a prevalent issue, particularly among men. This has become a major cause of domestic violence, accidents, and other fatalities within homes. The aim of this study was to assess the factors contributing to alcohol abuse among young people aged 15-25 at Starch Factory at Lira district Uganda. Questionnaires were used to gather data, which was then analyzed manually using pens, papers, and calculators, and later presented in numerical tables using a computer. The study revealed that the main contributing factors to alcohol abuse among young people were environmental, such as the availability of alcohol, local breweries, and persuasive advertisements. Socio-economic factors, including peer pressure, social norms, unemployment stress, and feelings of boredom, also played a significant role. The study also identified the major repercussions of alcohol abuse on health and the economy. In conclusion, the availability of alcohol through numerous breweries and persuasive advertisements, along with social norms, unemployment, boredom, and peer pressure, were found to be the primary drivers of alcohol abuse among young people in this village. The government should therefore organize and fund health talk programs and seminars to raise awareness within the community about the factors contributing to alcohol abuse and its impact on their lives. Additionally, the government should implement strict alcohol policies that regulate the age, level, and time of alcohol consumption. Keywords: Alcohol consumption, Alcohol abuse, Youths, breweries, Persuasive advertisements.

Biodiversity, mental health and well-being: psychological mechanisms and moderators of a complex relationship (BIOWELL)

Human activities and their consequences, such as environmental pollution, the exploitation of resources or deforestation, are major causes of biodiversity loss. However, humans depend on a biologically diverse and healthy environment in many ways, as it provides access to clean water, air and food. The loss of biodiversity is an ecological crisis that threatens human health, and ultimately their very existence. At the same time, there is an unwavering interest in the positive effects of "nature" on mental health. Although these examples point to a connection between biodiversity and health, little is known about the causal effects of different facets of biodiversity on mental health. Exploring these relationships and the underlying psychological mechanisms is a major goal of this project. We will build on the expertise of an interdisciplinary team involving scholars from psychology, biodiversity research, human geography, and behavioural economics and combine this expertise with a variety of methods, with a focus on quantitative research, experimental and intervention designs, and investigate participants from different age groups to understand the causal effects of different environments with varying degrees of biological diversity on mental health, and to identify the physical, social, and psychological boundary conditions of these causal effects.

Changes in the Expression of Proteins Associated with Neurodegeneration in the Brains of Mice after Infection with Influenza A Virus with Wild Type and Truncated NS1.

Influenza type A virus (IAV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality during influenza epidemics. Recently, a specific link between IAV infection and neurodegenerative disease progression has been established. The non-structural NS1 protein of IAV regulates viral replication during infection and antagonizes host antiviral responses, contributing to influenza virulence. In the present study, we have prepared a mouse lung-to-lung adapted to the NS1-truncated virus (NS80ad). Transcriptome analysis of the gene expression in the lungs revealed that infection with wild-type A/WSN/33 (WSN), NS80, and NS80ad viruses resulted in different regulation of genes involved in signaling pathways associated with the cell proliferation, inflammatory response, and development of neurodegenerative diseases. NS1 protein did not influence the genes involved in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway in the brains. Lethal infection with IAVs dysregulated expression of proteins associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases (CX3CL1/Fractalkine, Coagulation factor III, and CD105/Endoglin, CD54/ICAM-1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2, IGFBP-5, IGFBP-6, chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Osteopontin (OPN), cystatin C, and LDL R). Transcription of GATA3 mRNA was decreased, and expression of MPO was inhibited in the brain infected with NS80 and NS80ad viruses. In addition, the truncation of NS1 protein led to reduced expression of IGFBP-2, CHI3L1, MPO, and LDL-R proteins in the brains. Our results indicate that the influenza virus influences the expression of proteins involved in brain function, and this might occur mostly through the NS1 protein. These findings suggest that the abovementioned proteins represent a promising target for the development of potentially effective immunotherapy against neurodegeneration.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors in Ghana: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden threatens the global population as the major cause of disability and premature death. Data are scarce on the magnitude of CVD among the population in West Africa, particularly in Ghana. This study examined the available scientific evidence to determine the pooled prevalence (PP) of CVD and risk factors in Ghana. We searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct and Africa Journal Online databases to identify literature published from the start of the indexing of the database to 10th February 2023. All articles published in the English language that assessed the prevalence of CVD or reported on CVD in Ghana were included. Two authors independently performed the study selection, assessed the risk of bias, extracted the data and checked by the third author. The effect sizes and pooled odds ratio (POR) were determined using the random-effects DerSimonian-Laird (DL) model. Sixteen studies with 58912 participants from 1954 to 2022 were included in the meta-analysis. Six studies out of 16 reported more than one prevalence of CVD, giving a total of 59 estimates for PP. The PP of CVD in the general population in Ghana was 10.34% (95% Cl: [8.48, 12.20]; l2 99.54%, p < 0.001). Based on the subgroup analysis, the prevalence of CVD was higher in hospital-based settings at 10.74% (95%, confidence interval [Cl]: 8.69, 12.79) than in community-based settings at 5.04% (95% Cl: 2.54, 7.53). The risk factors were male gender (pooled odds ratio [POR]: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.70), old age (POR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.45), unemployment (POR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.33, 5.16), diabetes (POR: 2.79; 95% CI: 1.62, 4.81) and hypertension (POR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.75, 6.66). The prevalence of CVD was high in Ghana. Urgent interventions are needed for the prevention and management of the high burden of CVD and its risk factors.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 facilitates phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells leading to aortic aneurysm/dissection.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are a major cause of death owing to weaker blood vessel walls and higher rupture rates in affected individuals. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type within the aortic wall and their dysregulation may contribute to TAA progression. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, is involved in several pathological processes; however, the biological functions and mechanisms underlying VSMC phenotype transition and vascular intimal hyperplasia remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine the involvement of EZH2 in mediating VSMC function in the development of TAAs. The expression of EZH2 was revealed to be elevated in patients with thoracic aortic dissection and TAA mouse model through western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR experiments. Subsequently, a mouse model was established using β-aminopropionitrile. In vitro, EdU labeling, Transwell assay, wound healing assay and hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that knocking down the Ezh2 gene could reduce the proliferation, invasion, migration, and calcification of mouse primary aortic smooth muscle cells. Flow cytometry analysis found that EZH2 deficiency increased cell apoptosis. Depletion of Ezh2 in mouse primary aortic VSMCs promoted the transformation of VSMCs from a synthetic to a contractile phenotype. Using RNA-sequencing analysis, it was demonstrated that Ezh2 regulated a group of genes, including integrin β3 (Itgb3), which are critically involved in the extracellular matrix signaling pathway. qChIP found Ezh2 occupies the Itgb3 promoter, thereby suppressing the expression of Itgb3. Ezh2 promotes the invasion and calcification of VSMCs, and this promoting effect is partially reversed by co-knocking down Itgb3. In conclusion, the present study identified a previously unrecognized EZH2-ITGB3 regulatory axis and thus provides novel mechanistic insights into the pathophysiological function of EZH2. EZH2 may thus serve as a potential target for the management of TAAs.

Association of Hyperuricaemia with Angiographic Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death and a global health issue that has reached pandemic proportions in both industrialized and developing countries. Coronary artery disease is primarily caused by atherosclerosis of the epicardial coronary arteries. Aim of the study: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in patients who have recently been diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from December 2011 to November 2012. The study included 103 patients who were newly diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome. The individuals in this study were separated into two groups based on their serum uric acid levels. All acquired data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Work Sheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 11.5. Results: The study populations are mainly between 40 to 75 years (90.6% &amp; 92% remaining in group- I &amp; group- II respectively). It was found that majority of the study participants were male in both groups. Findings of the study shows that there is no statistically significant difference observed in respect smoking habit (p-0.86), hypertension (p-0.32), DM (p-0.53), dyslipidemia p-6.93) and family history of IHD (p-0.68) between two groups. The data of biochemical parameters reveals that HDL level is comparatively lower in group-II (38.72± 2.19) than group- I (39.64 ± 2.11) and it is statistically significant (p=0.03). This study findings reveals that the value of stenosis in Friesinger score in group-II (9.30± 3.96) is remarkably higher than that of group-I (0.77± 3.43) and it is statistically highly significant (p-0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that hyperuricaemia may be an independent risk factor and predictor of the severity of coronary artery ......

An introduction to climate change in management education: an individual-level approach

Purpose This study aims to introduce management students to climate change by providing them with an opportunity to address it in their own lives, through a class exercise. Design/methodology/approach An in-class exercise was designed, carried out and described in this study. Student teams were assigned different questions on how to address major causes of climate change. Each team did research to generate answers, and ranked their answers based on the speed of implementation. Teams reported their answers to the class. The instructor facilitated a debriefing session, during which all responses were ranked with respect to other variables, including cost savings, time savings and lifestyle fit. This exercise uses few resources and can be adapted to different time lengths and teaching/learning formats (e.g. on-ground, virtual, asynchronous online). Findings This exercise can help students to gain an understanding of climate change and its causes and complexities. Students learn how to implement a diverse set of personal actions to mitigate climate change; these can start in the present and continue throughout their lives. In addition, this exercise may help students to make the leap from individual climate change mitigation practices to organizational and societal practices, when they are in the position to do so as future leaders. Originality/value Although classes, exercises, and assignments ask management students to consider issues such as climate change at the organizational level, this individual-level exercise can allow students with limited organizational experience to engage more quickly with climate change and better understand organizational and societal implications in the future. That is, if students first understand how to address climate change in their own lives, they may more effectively transfer and apply that understanding at organizational and societal levels and ultimately synthesize solutions to address climate change in the world.

The Potential Usefulness of Peripheral Somatosensory Stimulation in Improving Sleep Quality in Patients with Insomnia

Background Insomnia and other sleep disorders represent a major cause of disability and impaired productivity. We evaluated the impact of peripheral somatosensory stimulation (PSS) on sleep quality in 12 patients with varying degrees of insomnia. Methods Twelve adult patients underwent daily PSS therapy for a 4-week period and were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index at baseline (prior to initiation of therapy) and then at the conclusion of the treatments. All data were obtained through a self-reported 7-question survey evaluating overall severity of insomnia symptoms and the impact of sleep patterns on satisfaction with sleep, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. Changes from baseline insomnia scores were analyzed using cumulative link mixed models (CLMMs). Results Seven men and five women completed one month of PSS therapy. Mean age was 55.1 (range 29 to 80 years). No adverse events were described by the patients. The average total change from baseline score was -10.3 points (baseline: 16.5 vs. week 4: 6.2). Patients had statistically significant improvements for every individual survey question by week 4. The median composite score was improved from baseline, with an overall median score of 2 (IQR: 1.25 – 2.75, min-max: 1-4) at baseline compared to 0.5 (IQR: 0 – 0.25, min-max: 0-2) by week 4 (MD = -1 95% CI: , p &lt; 0.001), signaling typically moderate insomnia at baseline vs. typically minimal to no symptoms by week 4. The predicted probability of obtaining the best outcome (score=0) was 9% at baseline vs. 53% by week 4. The overall cumulative odds ratio was 11.9 (p &lt; 0.001), suggesting that on average, the odds of moving from one score to a lower (improved) score at week 4 compared to the baseline are approximately 12 times higher than moving to a neutral or worse score. Conclusions PSS stimulation appeared to have a significantly favorable effect on sleep quality in this group of patients. Symptoms related to ability to fall asleep, remain asleep, and overall quality of sleep were all improved with PSS therapy. We suggest that further investigation into the potential usefulness of PSS therapy in patients with sleep disorders is warranted.

Towards a Regulatory Framework for Workflow Improvement in Electronic Medical Records.

Physicians have to complete several time-consuming and burnout-inducing tasks in their EMRs for everyday care of patients. Poor workflow design generates increased effort for physicians. In this study, we measure time doctors take to retrieve and review information in the patient chart at the beginning of a visit; one of approximately 12 tasks a doctor must do in the EMR during the visit. Information retrieval takes approximately 40 minutes per day. Automation could save 75% of that time. We estimate that if every family doctor in Canada could save 30 minutes through automation of just this one process, we could free up time equivalent to >3000 physicians and >5 million patients; enough to absorb the vast majority of patients who currently do not have a doctor. We know of no more powerful intervention than workflow automation in Canadian EMRs to increase the supply of doctors while simultaneously reducing a major cause of burnout. We recommend an accelerated research program to identify additional opportunities for workflow automation and a regulatory program to ensure that every physician has access to workflow automation in their EMR.

Value of brain tissue oxygen saturation in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a clinical study.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is one of the major causes of pre-term mortality and morbidity among very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Some of the neonates pass away despite admission and care in intensive care units (ICUs). The present clinical trial seeks the application value of elevating oxygen saturation in the brain cells of pre-term neonates born with NRDS. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor the neonates' microscopic cerebral oxygenation levels do determine hemoglobin concentration in brain tissues, whereas the pulse oximetry was used to measure oxygenation levels among the patients. In statistical analyses, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and descriptive statistics was deployed in the Jupyter Notebook environment using Python language. High saturation of oxygen in the brain tissues result in important biological and physiological processes, including enhanced oxygen supply to cells, reduced severity of NRDS, and balancing oxygen demand and supply. The correlations of oxygen saturation with systemic saturation of oxygen, the saturation of oxygen in brain tissues, the association between brain-specific and systemic saturation, and the impact of these outcomes on clinical practices were deliberated. Also, the pH gas values, the saturation of oxygen in neonates' brain tissues, metabolic acidosis, the effect of acid-base balance and cerebral oxygen supply, and the oxygenation of brain tissues and the pH values emerged as important variables of oxygenation of brain tissues in pre-term neonates. Oxygen saturation in brain cells influence vital physiological and biological processes. Balancing acid-base saturation or levels is needed despite the challenging achievement. Oxygenation of brain tissues improve the brain's overall functioning.

Oral administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuates intestinal injury in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of morbidity in premature infants. However, effective treatment options for NEC are currently lacking. This study aimed to determine the optimal dose of intraperitoneally administered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and investigate the therapeutic potential of orally administered BM-MSCs in NEC. Neonatal mice were fed maternal breast milk for the first 2 days of life. On day 3, the neonatal mice were randomly divided into control, negative control, and BM-MSC-treated groups. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered for 3 days, and cold stress (4°C, 10 minutes) was applied 3 times a day to induce NEC. High-dose (1×106 cells) or low-dose (1×105 cells) BM-MSCs were administered intraperitoneally 1 or 3 times between days 6 and 8 to treat the NEC. The orally administered group received a low dose of BM-MSCs on day 6. Furthermore, except for the control group, intraepithelial cells (IECs) of the small intestine of neonatal mice were treated with LPS and exposed to 5% O2/95% N2 hypoxic stress for 2 hours. Thereafter, each was treated with BM-MSCs. Tissue injury, apoptosis, and inflammatory marker levels were significantly reduced after BM-MSC administration. Oral administration was as effective as intraperitoneal administration, even at a low dose (1×105 cells) of BM-MSCs. The efficacy of high (1×106 cells) or multiple divided doses of BM-MSCs did not differ from that of low-dose treatment. Significantly improved wound healing was observed after BM-MSC administration to injured IECs. The oral administration of BM-MSCs is a promising treatment option for NEC in infants. Further human studies of BM-MSCs are necessary to determine the optimal dose required to achieve safe and effective outcomes.

ESPGHAN recommendations on treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in adolescents and children including those living in resource-limited settings.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, with more than three million viraemic adolescents and children. Treatment of adults with HCV infection and HCV-related liver disease has advanced considerably thanks to development and improvements in therapy. Direct-acting antiviral regimens are safe and effective. Three regimens with pangenotypic activity (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir) and three regimens with genotype-specific activity (sofosbuvir/ribavirin, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir and elbasvir/grazoprevir) have been approved with age-specific limitation for treatment of children with chronic hepatitis C by the European Medicines Agency and the United States Food and Drug Administration. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious target to eliminate hepatitis C as a major public health threat by 2030 and based its actions against HCV on the large use of direct acting antivirals. These updated European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition recommendations on treatment of hepatitis C describe the optimal therapeutic management of adolescents and children with HCV infection including specific indications for those living in resource-limited settings.

Comparing the Performance of Machine Learning Models in Predicting the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health burden worldwide, affecting approximately 10 - 15% of the global population. As one of the leading non-communicable diseases, CKD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of CKD is crucial for reducing its adverse effects on patient health. Prompt detection can significantly lessen the harmful consequences and enhance health outcomes for individuals with CKD. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various machine learning models in predicting the occurrence of CKD. Methods: The study involved the collection of data from a sample of 400 patients. We applied the well-established cross-industry standard process (CRISP) methodology for data mining to analyze the data. As part of this process, we efficiently handled missing data using the mode approach and addressed outliers through the interquartile range (IQR) method. We utilized sophisticated techniques, such as CatBoost (CB), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN) models to predict outcomes. For evaluation, we used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculated the area under the curve (AUC). Results: An analysis of 400 patient records in this study identified that variables like serum creatinine, packed cell volume, specific gravity, and hemoglobin were most influential in predicting CKD. The results indicated that the CB and RF models surpassed the ANN in predicting the disease. Ten critical predictors were pinpointed for accurate disease prediction. Conclusions: The ensemble models in this study not only showcased remarkable speed but also demonstrated superior accuracy. These findings suggest the potential of ensemble models as an effective tool for enhancing predictive performance in similar studies.

An Update on Emergent Nano-Therapeutic Strategies against Pediatric Brain Tumors.

Pediatric brain tumors are the major cause of pediatric cancer mortality. They comprise a diverse group of tumors with different developmental origins, genetic profiles, therapeutic options, and outcomes. Despite many technological advancements, the treatment of pediatric brain cancers has remained a challenge. Treatment options for pediatric brain cancers have been ineffective due to non-specificity, inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and causing off-target side effects. In recent years, nanotechnological advancements in the medical field have proven to be effective in curing challenging cancers like brain tumors. Moreover, nanoparticles have emerged successfully, particularly in carrying larger payloads, as well as their stability, safety, and efficacy monitoring. In the present review, we will emphasize pediatric brain cancers, barriers to treating these cancers, and novel treatment options.

Heartache to Happiness: Managing a Six Year Hormonal Subfertility with a Successful Rate of Conception

Background: The inability to conceive is emotionally distressing and indeed a very painful struggle in which the pain stays with the individual every day. Hormonal disorders are the leading cause of infertility globally. They do not only include the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis but also the none-reproductive endocrine glands. Hormonal management helps promote ovum maturation, which triggers ovulation, increasing the likelihood of conception. Case presentation: We report a 36-year-old African lady who presented with an inability to conceive for six years since marriage and it was associated with an irregular menstruation cycle length of twenty-four to thirty-six days. She had anovulatory cycles for seven years, and high Prolactin levels. Her body mass index was 34.4kg/m2. She had visited several hospitals in and outside Tanzania without success in conceiving. At Bugando Medical Centre we managed her case by diet, fertility awareness, and medical management. She conceived after three months of treatment. Conclusion: Anovulatory cycles with abnormal bleeding patterns are a major cause of infertility in reproductive woman. Basic hormonal profiles are essential to confirm where the problem is. Prolactinemia and insulin resistance affects ovulation. Fertility awareness, lifestyle changes, and medical management will bring back happiness to most women with subfertility secondary to hormonal disorders.

Investigation of Reproductive Failure in Buffaloes at a Farm of Itarsi Tehsil in Madhya Pradesh in India for Detection of Antibodies to Brucella Species Organisms by Rose Bengal Test and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus by Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Background: Reproductive failures due to abortion in buffaloes are a major cause of concern to livestock owners that cause economic losses. Brucellosis (bacterial disease) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (viral disease), both infectious diseases in buffaloes are implicated in abortions in India. Methods: The investigated buffalo farm experienced a few cases of abortions in pregnant animals in the late trimester. Blood samples were collected aseptically from individual animals without anticoagulants. After clotting of the blood, extracted serum samples were clarified and tested in Rose Bengal test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. Result: Out of 147 buffalo serum samples tested by using the Rose Bengal test, a total of 27 buffalo serum samples (18.36%) tested positive for the presence of agglutinating antibodies against Brucella species. None of the tested serum samples had detectable levels of antibodies against the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Disentangling the sources and scale of food waste in households: A diary-based analysis in Lithuania

Food waste is a critical issue demanding concern due its detrimental impact on the environment, the economy, and social well-being. In higher income countries, the greatest amount of food is wasted in households. To tackle the issue of household food waste, it is essential to characterize and measure this waste. This study develops and applies a diary-based approach for measuring food waste at the household level. The case of a country from the Central and Eastern Europe – Lithuania – is considered. The respondents from 130 households provided data on the extent and composition of food waste along with the root causes of this waste. The results suggest that the average annual food waste per person in Lithuanian households stands at 74.5 kg. The main categories of food wasted include meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, drinks, and bakery. The major causes behind this include spoilt food, excessive preparation and servings, expiry, and taste-based rejection. Reducing household food waste requires a combination of policy instruments. In particular, statistics on food waste and information and educational campaigns could be useful in initiating behavioural changes related to food waste, which would ultimately contribute to reducing food waste in households.