Public Health Research Articles

Role of Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) system in the successful management of metabolic diseases: A Review

Metabolism is the complicated chemical reaction in the body's cells that changes food into energy. Nutrition and metabolism are correlated. Metabolic syndrome, a spectrum of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc., is a significant public health problem in India. Prevention and control of metabolic disorders is the focus of healthcare systems. This paper presents a review of recent research on how the Yoga Prana Vidya(YPV) System of Healing protocols have successfully resolved metabolic issues.This study uses a literature review method to identify relevant research articles and synthesize the results. A total of 9 eligible research articles meeting the criteria were selected and the combined sample was 257 people. 2 papers have case studies with a sample of 3 and the remaining 7 have a sample of 254 people who improved metabolic well-being. In 4 out of the 7 studies, the sample of 207 patients experienced statistically significant improvements in body weight, BMI, and waist size within 1 to 7 days of healing camp. Results from the remaining 3 studies with a sample of 47 show marginally significant improvements.The evidence gathered from this study validates the YPV system as a performing therapy to effectively prevent and manage metabolic disorders. Further research with appropriate samples and methodologies is recommended.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells inhibit responses of T follicular helper cells during experimental Plasmodium yoelii infection.

Malaria remains a significant global public health problem. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, a subset of CD4+ T cells, have the capacity to regulate B cells, plasma cells, and antibody production, among other functions. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) possess strong immunosuppressive abilities and can negatively regulate various immune responses. However, the role of MDSCs in inhibiting Tfh-cell responses during Plasmodium infection remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of MDSCs on Tfh cell-mediated immune responses upon Plasmodium infection. We found that the numbers of MDSCs increased upon Plasmodium infection. Further mechanism study revealed that MDSC-derived Arg-1 and PD-L1 prevented Tfh cell proliferation and activation. Conversely, the addition of nor-NOHA or anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies enhanced the proliferation and activation of Tfh cells, indicating that the inhibitory effect of MDSCs on Tfh cells was dependent on Arg-1 and PD-1/PD-L1. Invivo depletion of MDSCs enhanced Tfh-cell responses and antibody production, as well as relieved symptoms of infected mice and improved their survival rates. These findings provide insights into the immunosuppressive role of MDSCs in inhibiting Tfh cell immune responses and further impairing humoral immunity. Our study provides new strategies for malaria prevention and control.

Association of Vascular Risk With Severe vs Non-Severe Stroke: An Analysis of the INTERSTROKE Study.

Acute stroke is associated with a spectrum of functional deficits. The objective of this analysis was to explore whether the importance of individual risk factors differ by stroke severity, which may be of relevance to public health strategies to reduce disability. INTERSTROKE is an international case-control study of risk factors of first acute stroke (recruitment 2007-August 2015) in 32 countries. Stroke severity was measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score within 72 hours of admission to hospital. Severe stroke is defined as mRS scores of 4-6 (and non-severe stroke, score of 0-3). We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate comparative odds ratios (ORs; 95% CIs) for severe and non-severe stroke and tested for heterogeneity (pheterogeneity). We also conducted a matched case-case analysis (matched for age, sex, country, and primary stroke subtype) to determine whether the prevalence of risk factors differed significantly between severe and non-severe stroke. A significant difference in the association of a risk factor of severe stroke compared with non-severe stroke was defined as p < 0.05 for both pheterogeneity and pcase-case. Of patients with acute stroke (n = 13,460), 64.0% (n = 8,612) were reported to have mRS scores of 0-3 and 36.0% (n = 4,848) scores of 4-6. The mean age was 61.7 years for patients with non-severe stroke and 62.9 years for patients with severe stroke (p = 0.72). 38.1% (n = 3,278) of patients with non-severe stroke and 44.6% (n = 2,162) of patients with severe stroke were female. Hypertension (OR 3.21; 95% CI 2.97-3.47 for severe stroke, OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.69-3.05 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.03; pcase-case < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR 4.70; 95% CI 4.05-5.45 for severe stroke, OR 3.61; 95% CI 3.16-4.13 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.009; pcase-case < 0.001), and smoking (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.72-2.03 for severe stroke, OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.54-1.77 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.02; pcase-case < 0.001) had a stronger association with severe stroke, compared with non-severe stroke. The waist-to-hip ratio had a stronger association with non-severe stroke compared with severe stroke (pheterogeneity < 0.001; pcase-case < 0.001). Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and smoking had a stronger magnitude of association with severe stroke (compared with non-severe stroke) while the increased waist-to-hip ratio had a stronger magnitude of association with non-severe stroke.

Prevalence of obesity, determinants, and its association with hyperglycaemia among community dwelling older adolescents in India

BACKGROUND Globally, obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are emergent public health concerns in the adolescent population. India, home to the largest adolescent population and the second largest diabetes cohort is experiencing rapid but unplanned urbanization, with accompanying unhealthy nutritional transition, and sedentary lifestyle. AIM To determine prevalence and determinants of obesity and hyperglycaemia and their association among community-dwelling older adolescents (15-19 years) in India. METHODS This cross-sectional analysis from the national family health survey-5 included data of 258028 adolescents aged 15-19 across India (2019-2021). The survey employed stratified two-stage sampling, with systematic random sampling in rural and urban areas. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression, employing generalized linear models. RESULTS The weighted prevalence of DM was 1.09% including 0.77% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.83] previously diagnosed and 0.32% (95%CI: 0.29-0.35) newly diagnosed cases detected on survey screening. On adjusted analysis, increasing age, higher education levels, higher wealth index, and overweight/obesity were the factors significantly associated with presence of DM. Only 61% of the adolescents with previously diagnosed DM were on anti-diabetes treatment. The weighted prevalence of overweight/obesity among older adolescents was 6.9% with significantly higher odds in the male sex, having higher educational levels, urban residence, and those with a higher wealth index. CONCLUSION Nearly one in hundred older adolescents in India have diabetes, with one in three undiagnosed. Strengthening DM screening and treatment access among adolescents through public health programs is urgently warranted.

Visceral adiposity index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and fasting plasma glucose associations in adolescents

BACKGROUND The global rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents is partly linked to the increasing rates of childhood obesity and physical inactivity. AIM To explore the independent relationships of visceral adiposity index (VAI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in adolescents. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study included 403 adolescents (202 boys and 201 girls) aged 11-19 years. Participants were evaluated for VAI, CRF, and FPG. Regression models, adjusted for age and maturity status, were used to assess the associations between VAI, CRF, and FPG. RESULTS The prevalence of T2DM risk was 15.3% (girls = 7.4%; boys = 7.9%). In boys, high VAI was positively associated with FPG (β = 0.190, P = 0.009), while low CRF was negatively associated with FPG (β = -0.206, P = 0.010). These associations persisted even after adjusting for CRF and VAI. However, no significant associations between VAI, CRF, and FPG were observed in girls (P &gt; 0.05). Adolescents with high VAI and low fitness levels demonstrated poorer glycemic profiles. CONCLUSION Among boys, both VAI and CRF were independently associated with T2DM risk, with CRF showing a stronger association. These associations were not observed in girls. Promoting regular aerobic exercise and healthy diets may serve as essential public health promotion strategies in preventing and managing T2DM risk in adolescents.

Prediction of cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease using machine learning models

BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease is most commonly seen in neonates and it is a major cause of pediatric illness and childhood morbidity and mortality. AIM To identify and build the best predictive model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease in children during pregnancy and identify their potential risk factors. METHODS The data were collected from the Pediatric Cardiology Department at Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Multan, Pakistan from December 2017 to October 2019. A sample of 3900 mothers whose children were diagnosed with cyanotic or acyanotic congenital heart disease was taken. Multivariate outlier detection methods were used to identify the potential outliers. Different machine learning models were compared, and the best-fitted model was selected using the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity of the models. RESULTS Out of 3900 patients included, about 69.5% had acyanotic and 30.5% had cyanotic congenital heart disease. Males had more cases of acyanotic (53.6%) and cyanotic (54.5%) congenital heart disease as compared to females. The odds of having cyanotic was 1.28 times higher for children whose mothers used more fast food frequently during pregnancy. The artificial neural network model was selected as the best predictive model with an area under the curve of 0.9012, sensitivity of 65.76%, and specificity of 97.23%. CONCLUSION Children having a positive family history are at very high risk of having cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease. Males are more at risk and their mothers need more care, good food, and physical activity during pregnancy. The best-fitted model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease is the artificial neural network. The results obtained and the best model identified will be useful for medical practitioners and public health scientists for an informed decision-making process about the earlier diagnosis and improve the health condition of children in Pakistan.

Environmental Pollution and Extraction Methods of Extracellular Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Water

Antibiotics are widely used to treat diseases such as bacterial infections. However, the abuse of antibiotics has led to the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes, making China one of the countries with the highest incidence of antibiotic resistance and thus threatening public health. Extracellular antibiotic resistance genes, as one of the novel environmental pollutants, could exist in water for a long time and could be transmitted between different bacteria through horizontal gene transfer, resulting in the spread of antibiotic resistance. At present, due to the limitation of enrichment and recovery methods, the in-depth studies of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in water have been rarely reported. Thus, it is impossible to carry out effective supervision and risk assessments. Based on literature analysis and investigation, the pollution sources, current situations, and characteristics of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in water are expounded. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of their enrichment and recovery methods are compared and analyzed and the enrichment and recovery methods are verified and discussed through practical cases. These provide theoretical reference for studies such as examining extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in water on their transmission and provide a technical basis for antibiotic resistance control and health risk assessments of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes.

Exploring Sentiment, Values, and Misinformation Surrounding Vaccination Legislation on Twitter: A Case Study of California’s Passage of SB277

ABSTRACT California remains among a handful of U.S. states with no clause for a personal belief exemption for required vaccines due to passage of SB277. As vaccines represent an important tool in the public health arsenal against SARS-CoV-2 and may yet be required by schools and employers, other states may consider enacting laws similar to SB277 to address COVID-19 and future outbreaks of infectious diseases. In this case study of California’s SB277 bill, we examine the sentiment, values, and misinformation shared on Twitter regarding this bill in the days leading up to, during, and after its successful enactment into law in 2015 using a sample of geocoded tweets (N = 1,000). Results of our content analysis of tweet sentiments before and after the law was signed offer evidence for significant differences in vaccine misinformation [χ 2 (1, N = 1,000) = 4.01, p = .045, Φ = .06], and individual values related to power [χ 2 (1, N = 1,000) = 71.57, p < .001, Φ = -.27] and achievement [χ 2 (1, N = 1,000) = 4.39, p = .036, Φ = .07]. Findings suggest that although most tweets did not contain misinformation, few provided scientific evidence to back claims. Implication for theory, research, and health policy and practice are discussed.

Development of Nanomaterials-Based Agents for Selective Antibacterial Activity.

Bacterial infections continue to threaten public health due to limitations in rapid and accurate diagnostic techniques. While broad-spectrum antibiotics offer empirical treatment, their overuse has fuelled the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pathogens, posing a critical global public health challenge. In this critical scenario, nanomaterial-based antibacterial agents emerge as a promising solution to combat bacteria and inhibit their proliferation. However, selective elimination of pathogenic bacteria is paramount. This review highlights recent advancements in developing nanomaterials for selective antibacterial activity. We categorize these agents based on their mode of action, exploring how they selectively interact with bacteria and their potential antibacterial mechanisms. This review offers crucial insights for researchers exploring the potential of nanotechnology to address the growing threat of AMR.

Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Splash Pads - United States, 1997-2022.

Splash pads are recreational interactive water venues that spray or jet water on users. Splash pads are intended for children aged <5 years and designed so that water typically does not collect in areas accessible to users, thereby minimizing the risk for drowning. Splash pads were first found to be associated with waterborne disease outbreaks in 1997. 1997-2022. Since 1971, waterborne disease outbreaks have been voluntarily reported to CDC by state, local, and territorial health departments using a standard paper form via the Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS). Beginning in 2009, WBDOSS reporting was made available exclusively through the National Outbreak Reporting System, a web-based platform. This report characterizes waterborne disease outbreaks associated with splash pads reported to CDC that occurred during 1997-2022. During 1997-2022, public health officials from 23 states and Puerto Rico reported 60 waterborne disease outbreaks associated with splash pads. These reported outbreaks resulted in 10,611 cases, 152 hospitalizations, 99 emergency department visits, and no reported deaths. The 40 (67%) outbreaks confirmed to be caused, in part, by Cryptosporidium resulted in 9,622 (91%) cases and 123 (81%) hospitalizations. Two outbreaks suspected to be caused by norovirus resulted in 72 (73%) emergency department visits. Waterborne pathogens that cause acute gastrointestinal illness can be transmitted by ingesting water contaminated with feces from infected persons. Chlorine is the primary barrier to pathogen transmission in splash pad water. However, Cryptosporidium is tolerant to chlorine and is the most common cause of reported waterborne disease outbreaks associated with splash pads. Public health officials and the aquatics sector can use the findings in this report to promote the prevention of splash pad-associated outbreaks (e.g., recommended user behaviors) and guide the construction, operation, and management of splash pads. Public health practitioners and the aquatics sector also can collaborate to voluntarily adopt CDC's Model Aquatic Health Code recommendations to prevent waterborne illness associated with splash pads.

Forecasting cardiovascular disease risk and burden in China from 2020 to 2030: a simulation study based on a nationwide cohort

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant public health challenge in China. This study aimed to project the burden of CVD from 2020 to 2030 using a nationwide cohort and to...

Glycemic control and associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in Southwest Ethiopia: a prospective observational study

BackgroundDiabetes, a known syndrome marked by hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Over half a billion people worldwide have DM, and most live in low- and middle-income countries. Poor glycemic control is a public health concern in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Glycemic control and identifying factors associated with poor glycemic control can help healthcare providers design programs that improve glycemic control and the quality of services provided to patients.ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess the level of glycemic control and associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsThis institution-based prospective observational study was conducted among 420 patients with type 2 diabetes at Jimma Medical Center’s diabetic clinics. A pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and a checklist was used to assess patient documents. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The variables linked to poor glycemic control were investigated using binary logistic regression. Variables with p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsSix-month follow-ups were conducted among 420 patients with type 2 diabetes, among whom 220 (52.38%) were women. The median age of the participants was 54(IQR = 40–60 years old). The proportion of respondents with uncontrolled fasting blood glucose was 58.1%. Sex (AOR = 2.576, 95% CI [2.80-11.479], P = 0.001), age(≥ 60) (AOR = 2.024, 95% CI [1.794–4.646], P = 0.002), diabetes duration > 10 years (AOR = 3.036, 95% CI [2.616–8.306], P = 0.003), type 2 diabetes mellitus on insulin + oral antidiabetic (OADs) (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI [298-3.918], P = 0.004), obesity (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI [(1.218–4.218)], P = 0.003), diabetic complications (AOR = 3.193, 95% CI [2.324–6.05], p = 0.002) and poor self-care practices (AOR = 3.034, 95% CI [5.821–7.02], P = 0.005) were found to be significantly associated with poor glycemic control.ConclusionAt the Jimma Medical Center, the prevalence of poor glycemic control was high. Based on these findings, teaching and counseling provided by healthcare providers should focus on improving diabetes self-care activities, weight reduction, and diabetic complications to achieve good glycemic control.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Clinical and molecular investigation of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in North India (2023).

The study aims to investigate an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) reported in North India. All patients presenting to the outpatient clinic department with signs and symptoms (symptoms onset within 36h) of AHC were enrolled in the study. The conjunctival swab samples were tested for the presence of enteroviruses and adenoviruses. Detailed clinical features of all positive patients were noted. Representative enterovirus-positive samples were sequenced for viral; protein 1 (VP1) gene for type identification. The sequences were analysed by the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) software and enterovirus genotyping tool v1.0. A maximum likelihood tree was constructed using MEGA11. Out of 133 samples tested, 75.1% (n = 100) samples were positive for enterovirus by real-time PCR. The average duration of onset was 16.9h. Subconjunctival haemorrhage was observed in 67% of the patients, while 30% of cases had conjunctival chemosis. The causative agent of the current outbreak was identified as Coxsackievirus A24v G-IV. A sequence homology of 96-99% and pairwise distance divergence of 2.9% was observed between study sequences and recent sequences of China outbreak. Mutation analysis showed four common mutations (T281C, A311G, T332C, and T395C) with those of Chinese sequences, however no new mutations were identified in current study sequences, suggesting a close relatedness to CVA24 sequences from China. Coxsackievirus A24v continues to be an important agent of Acute Haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in North India. In view of its highly contagious nature, effective and timely public health measures are required to limit its spread.

A longitudinal study of healthcare workers' mental health during Western Australia's unique policy response to COVID-19.

Western Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and effective in implementing public health protections and preventing the spread of the virus for the first 2 years. However, healthcare staff continued to be at increased risk of mental health concerns. To investigate the longitudinal patterns of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression and anxiety among healthcare workers in Western Australia, and the risk and protective factors associated with changes in status during the first wave. Participants comprised 183 healthcare staff working at tertiary hospitals and major clinics across Perth, for whom longitudinal data were available. Questionnaire data were collected before Western Australia's first major COVID-19 community wave in early 2022 and following the first wave in late 2022. Online surveys comprised validated measures assessing psychological symptoms, risk and protective factors, and original measures of workplace factors. Overall rates of PTSS, depression and anxiety remained stable across the two assessment points. However, latent growth models revealed that those with lower PTSS, depression or anxiety symptoms at baseline reported a larger increase in symptoms over time, and those with higher symptoms at baseline had a smaller decline over time, indicating a 'catch-up' effect. Workplace stressors, sleep difficulties and trauma exposure were key risk factors for changes in psychological symptoms from baseline, and workplace and social supports played protective roles. Improvements in systemic workplace factors are needed to support healthcare workers' mental health during periods of acute stress, even in settings with high levels of emergency preparedness.

Youth involvement in policy processes in public health, education, and social work-A scoping review.

Youth involvement in policy formulation may enhance its relevance, strengthen democratic practices, and contribute to youth development. This scoping review explored the nature, extent, and impact of adolescent involvement in policy processes aimed at improving adolescent health and well-being in the public health, education, and social work sectors. Studies of adolescent involvement in policy processes focusing on health, and well-being, including obesity prevention were eligible. We searched seven databases, reference lists of included studies, and contacted key organizations. Standard scoping review methods were applied. The results were synthesized narratively, using descriptive statistics and visuals. We included 33 mostly qualitative studies, mainly from the public health sector in the USA and Europe, focusing on diet, physical activity, health & well-being, or sexual and reproductive health. Adolescents were consulted or collaborated with, mostly in identifying problems or policy solutions and less often in agenda-setting, decision-making, and evaluation. Various facilitators were used to improve participation (e.g. training, adult facilitators, monetary compensation). Data on adolescents' experiences of involvement and the impact on policies were limited. Due to a paucity of impact studies, we could not determine whether adolescent involvement increased the relevance of policies or improved adolescent development. The extent to which adolescents were meaningfully involved, and had a material effect on decision-making, was largely unclear. Improved documentation, monitoring, and evaluation of youth involvement in policy using quantitative methods and standardized frameworks, can improve the evidence-based, involvement practices, and decrease inequities.

Transforming Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings With Artificial Intelligence: Recent Developments and Outcomes.

Artificial intelligence now encompasses technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics, allowing machines to undertake complex tasks traditionally done by humans. AI's application in healthcare has led to advancements in diagnostic tools, predictive analytics, and surgical precision. This comprehensive review aims to explore the transformative impact of AI across diverse healthcare domains, highlighting its applications, advancements, challenges, and contributions to enhancing patient care. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, covering publications from 2014 to 2024. Keywords related to AI applications in healthcare were used to gather data, focusing on studies exploring AI's role in medical specialties. AI has demonstrated substantial benefits across various fields of medicine. In cardiology, it aids in automated image interpretation, risk prediction, and the management of cardiovascular diseases. In oncology, AI enhances cancer detection, treatment planning, and personalized drug selection. Radiology benefits from improved image analysis and diagnostic accuracy, while critical care sees advancements in patient triage and resource optimization. AI's integration into pediatrics, surgery, public health, neurology, pathology, and mental health has similarly shown significant improvements in diagnostic precision, personalized treatment, and overall patient care. The implementation of AI in low-resource settings has been particularly impactful, enhancing access to advanced diagnostic tools and treatments. AI is rapidly changing the healthcare industry by greatly increasing the accuracy of diagnoses, streamlining treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes across a variety of medical specializations. This review underscores AI's transformative potential, from early disease detection to personalized treatment plans, and its ability to augment healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Impact of weight and health-behavior information on evaluations of girls' health.

The dominant public health narrative equates excess weight with poor health, and previous research has demonstrated that people judge adults with higher body weights as being in poor health, even when they engage in healthy lifestyles. The present study investigated whether the same pattern of beliefs holds for perceptions of children's health. Participants (n = 445) viewed the health profile of a female child that varied in terms of weight status (normal weight, obese), health behaviors (good, poor), and age (younger, older), and then rated the child's overall health and indicated their agreement with suggested behavior recommendations. For older children, targets with obesity were perceived as less healthy and were recommended to engage in more healthy and weight control behaviors than were the targets with normal weight. Health behaviors did influence perceptions of health and behavioral recommendations, but much less so for the target with obesity than for the target with normal weight. For younger children, participants placed a greater emphasis on health behaviors than on weight in their perceptions of the target's health and healthy behavior recommendations, but the target's weight did play a greater role in weight-control behavior recommendations. Overall, perceptions of older children reflect the mainstream weight-centric health beliefs that are perpetuated in public health messaging, whereas perceptions of younger children seem to be more aligned with the scientific evidence supporting the importance of health behaviors to overall health. Public health messaging, particularly messaging targeting parents, should be reframed to focus on the importance of engagement with health behaviors without reference to weight.

Highly selective and effective copper removal from wastewater by magnetic precipitation separation

The presence of heavy metals in wastewater poses a substantial threat to both public health and the environment. However, the selective removal and separation of heavy metal ions at ultra-low concentrations from wastewater remains a considerable challenge. In this paper, we innovatively proposed a magnetic precipitation separation method to remove Cu (II) from wastewater using Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Na2S. In this process, the Cu (II) was reduced to CuS by Na2S, which then rapidly aggregated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form Fe3O4-CuS nanoclusters. SEM, DLS, XRD, VSM and XPS studies demonstrated that the removal of Cu (II) was related to the formation of Fe3O4-CuS nanoclusters. The results indicated that the removal efficiency of Cu (II) from wastewater could reach 99.75 % within 30 s. In contrast, the removal efficiencies of Co (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II) were 7.64 %, 6.14 %, and 8.41 %, respectively. In addition, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were easily regenerated from Fe3O4-CuS nanoclusters using ultrasound, maintaining 98 % removal efficiency of Cu (II) after six consecutive cycles. These results suggested that this method held great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.

Climate-based modelling and forecasting of dengue in three endemic departments of Peru.

Amid profound climate change, incidence of dengue continues to rise and expand in distribution across the world. Here, we analysed dengue in three coastal departments of Peru which have recently experienced public health emergencies during the worst dengue crises in Latin American history. We developed a climate-based spatiotemporal modelling framework to model monthly incidence of new dengue cases in Piura, Tumbes, and Lambayeque over 140 months from 2010 to 2021. The framework enabled accurate description of in-sample and out-of-sample dengue incidence trends across the departments, as well as the characterisation of the timing, structure, and intensity of climatic relationships with human dengue incidence. In terms of dengue incidence rate (DIR) risk factors, we inferred non-linear and delayed effects of greater monthly mean maximum temperatures, extreme precipitation, sustained drought conditions, and extremes of a Peruvian-specific indicator of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Building on our model-based understanding of climatic influences, we performed climate-model-based forecasting of dengue incidence across 2018 to 2021 with a forecast horizon of one month. Our framework enabled representative, reliable forecasts of future dengue outbreaks, including correct classification of 100% of all future outbreaks with DIR ≥ 50 (or 150) per 100,000, whilst retaining relatively low probability of 0.12 (0.05) for false alarms. Therefore, our model framework and analysis may be used by public health authorities to i) understand climatic drivers of dengue incidence, and ii) alongside our forecasts, to mitigate impacts of dengue outbreaks and potential public health emergencies by informing early warning systems and deployment of vector control resources.

World Stroke Organisation (WSO): Global intracerebral haemorrhage factsheet 2025.

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is stroke caused by non-traumatic bleeding into the brain. Globally, stroke was the third-leading cause of death in 2021, and ICH accounted for 28.8% of incident strokes. There were estimated to be 7,252,678 deaths due to stroke in 2021 of which ICH accounted for 3,308,367 (45.6%). When considering the burden of ICH in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs), ICH accounts for nearly half of the burden of stroke at 49.5%, compared to 43.8% caused by ischaemic stroke. ICH must therefore be considered on an equal footing with ischaemic stroke, so that efforts can be made to reduce its burden through public health, research and healthcare provision. Although the overall age-standardised incidence of ICH has been decreasing since 1990, the rate of reduction has been much slower in regions with lower socio-demographic index (SDI). Most of the burden of ICH lies in areas with lower SDI, with 94.2% of DALYs lost to ICH outside areas of high SDI. Geographically, the majority of DALYs due to ICH occur in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania, with 53.3% of global DALYs lost in these regions alone. The risk factors for ICH are dominated by high systolic blood pressure, which accounts for at least 50% of the burden of ICH, regardless of SDI. Areas with middle or high-middle SDI have a greater proportion of the burden of ICH accounted for by ambient particulate pollution, smoking and diets high in sodium, whereas household air pollution from solid fuels accounts for much more of the risk of ICH in low SDI regions. This World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Global ICH Fact Sheet 2025 provides the most updated information on ICH that can be used to support communication with all internal and external stakeholders, inform healthcare policy, and raise public awareness. All statistics have been reviewed and approved for use by the WSO Executive Committee.