Chatbots, generative AI, and scholarly manuscripts: WAME recommendations on chatbots and generative artificial intelligence in relation to scholarly publications

This statement revises our earlier "WAME Recommendations on ChatGPT and Chatbots in Relation to Scholarly Publications" (January 20, 2023). The revision reflects the proliferation of chatbots and their expanding use in scholarly publishing over the last few months, as well as emerging concerns regarding lack of authenticity of content when using chatbots. These recommendations are intended to inform editors and help them develop policies for the use of chatbots in papers published in their journals. They aim to help authors and reviewers understand how best to attribute the use of chatbots in their work and to address the need for all journal editors to have access to manuscript screening tools. In this rapidly evolving field, we will continue to modify these recommendations as the software and its applications develop.

Esta declaración revisa las anteriores "Recomendaciones de WAME sobre ChatGPT y Chatbots en Relation to Scholarly Publications" (20 de enero de 2023). La revisión refleja la proliferación de chatbots y su creciente uso en las publicaciones académicas en los últimos meses, así como la preocupación por la falta de autenticidad de los contenidos cuando se utilizan chatbots. Estas recomendaciones pretenden informar a los editores y ayudarles a desarrollar políticas para el uso de chatbots en los artículos sometidos en sus revistas. Su objetivo es ayudar a autores y revisores a entender cuál es la mejor manera de atribuir el uso de chatbots en su trabajo y a la necesidad de que todos los editores de revistas tengan acceso a herramientas de selección de manuscritos. En este campo en rápida evolución, seguiremos modificando estas recomendaciones a medida que se desarrollen el software y sus aplicaciones.

Ingreso de nitrógeno y fósforo al lago Atitlán (Guatemala) vía deposición atmosférica / Input of Nitrogen and Phosphorus to Lake Atitlán (Guatemala) via atmospheric deposition

La deposición de nutrientes por vía atmosférica tiene graves impactos sobre la ecología de bosques y cuerpos de agua templados. Sin embargo, su importancia en cuerpos de agua neotropicales casi no ha sido estudiada. En este artículo se cuantifica la contribución de nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto (NID, [NO3--N + NH4+-N]) y fósforo inorgánico soluble (FIS, [PO4-3-P]) depositados en bulto sobre superficies húmedas por vía atmosférica hacia el lago Atitlán (Guatemala). Las cargas estimadas de NID y FIS consecuencia de la deposición atmosférica directa (depositada sobre la superficie del lago) fueron de 151.2 ton/año y 5.6 ton/año, respectivamente. Con estos resulta-dos, se estima que el aporte de FIS por deposición atmosférica al lago Atitlán es comparable al de sus principales ríos tributarios, y de casi el doble para el ingreso de NID. Las estimaciones para el lago Atitlán son mayores que lo reportado para otros lagos. Nuestro estudio proporciona información básica para entender la eutrofización del lago Atitlán, enfatizado en la importancia de la deposición atmosférica como contribuyente al deterioro de este cuerpo de agua. Además, demuestra la necesidad de extender este tipo de estudio a otras cuencas neotropicales y la importancia de minimizar este impacto.

Atmospheric nutrient deposition has serious impacts on the ecology of forests and temperate water bodies nevertheless its importance in Neotropical water bodies has hardly been studied. Here we quantify the contribution of bulk atmospheric deposition on wet surfaces of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN,[NO3--N + NH4+-N])and soluble inorganic phosphorus (SIP, [PO4-3-P])into Lake Atitlán (Guatemala). The estimated NID and SIP loads from this direct deposition on the lake surface were respectively, 151.2 tons/year and 5.6 tons/year. With these results, we estimated that the SIP input from atmospheric deposition to Lake Atitlán is comparable to that from the lake's main tributary rivers, whereas for DIN entry this is almost twice as much. Estimates for Lake Atitlán are higher than those reported for many lakes. Our study provides basic information towards understanding the eutrophication of Lake Atitlán, emphasizes the importance of atmospheric deposition in this process and the need for additional studies to document the process in neotropical watersheds.

Cohort profile: congenital Zika virus infection and child neurodevelopmental outcomes in the ZEN cohort study in Colombia / 한국역학회지

Zika en Embarazadas y Niños (ZEN) is a prospective cohort study designed to identify risk factors and modifiers for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women, partners, and infants, as well as to assess the risk for adverse maternal, fetal, infant, and childhood outcomes of ZIKV and other congenital infections. ZIKV infection during pregnancy may be associated with longterm sequelae. In the ZEN cohort, 1,519 pregnant women and 287 partners were enrolled from 3 departments within Colombia between February 2017 and January 2018, as well as 1,108 infants born to the pregnant women who were followed to 6 months. The data include baseline questionnaires at enrollment; repeated symptoms and study follow-up questionnaires; the results of lab tests to detect ZIKV and other congenital infections; medical record abstractions; infant physical, eye, and hearing exams; and developmental screening tests. Follow-up of 850 mother-child dyads occurred at 9 months, 12 months, and 18 months with developmental screenings, physical exams, and parent questionnaires. The data will be pooled with those from other prospective cohort studies for an individual participant data meta-analysis of ZIKV infection during pregnancy to characterize pregnancy outcomes and sequelae in children.

Cohort profile: congenital Zika virus infection and child neurodevelopmental outcomes in the ZEN cohort study in Colombia / 한국역학회지

Zika en Embarazadas y Niños (ZEN) is a prospective cohort study designed to identify risk factors and modifiers for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women, partners, and infants, as well as to assess the risk for adverse maternal, fetal, infant, and childhood outcomes of ZIKV and other congenital infections. ZIKV infection during pregnancy may be associated with longterm sequelae. In the ZEN cohort, 1,519 pregnant women and 287 partners were enrolled from 3 departments within Colombia between February 2017 and January 2018, as well as 1,108 infants born to the pregnant women who were followed to 6 months. The data include baseline questionnaires at enrollment; repeated symptoms and study follow-up questionnaires; the results of lab tests to detect ZIKV and other congenital infections; medical record abstractions; infant physical, eye, and hearing exams; and developmental screening tests. Follow-up of 850 mother-child dyads occurred at 9 months, 12 months, and 18 months with developmental screenings, physical exams, and parent questionnaires. The data will be pooled with those from other prospective cohort studies for an individual participant data meta-analysis of ZIKV infection during pregnancy to characterize pregnancy outcomes and sequelae in children.

Impact of Single Dose Praziquantel Treatment on Schistosoma haematobium Infection among School Children in an Endemic Nigerian Community

Schistosomiasis is prevalent in Nigeria, and the foremost pathogen is Schistosoma haematobium, which affects about 29 million people. Single dose of the drug praziquantel is often recommended for treatment but the efficacy has not been documented in certain regions. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the impact of single dose praziquantel treatment on S. haematobium infection among school children in an endemic community of South-Western Nigeria. Urine samples were collected from 434 school children and 10 ml was filtered through Nucleopore filter paper before examination for egg outputs by microscopy. The prevalence was 24.9% at pre-treatment. There was no statistically significant difference for the prevalence of infection between males (14.7%) and females (10.2%), although the mean egg count for the females (9.87) was significantly more (P < 0.05) than the males (6.06). At 6 and 12 months post-treatment there was 74.4% and 86.4% reduction in the mean egg count, respectively. Interestingly, an increased prevalence of infection from 2.1% at 6 months to 7.7% at 12 months post-treatment was observed, nonetheless the mean egg count was reduced to 0.27 at 12th month from 1.98 at 6 months post-treatment. Resurgence in the prevalence rate between 6 and 12 months post-treatment with praziquantel is herein reported and the need for a follow-up treatment in endemic areas for adequate impact on schistosomiasis control is discussed.

Perception and affordability of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets among pregnant women and mothers of children under five years in Ogun State, Nigeria

Despite the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets [LLINs] in Nigeria, access to and use of LLINs continues to be minimal. Little is also known about the perceived fair price people are willing to pay for LLINs in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and mothers of under-five children in randomly-selected malaria holo-endemic communities of Ijebu North and Yewa North local government areas of Ogun State. Results showed that only 23.6% of 495 respondents owned and were using LLINs. One of the main reasons for non-use of LLINs was unaffordability of LLIN cost. 84.2% of the 495 respondents were willing to pay at a hypothetical price of N800.00 [US$5.00] for a LLIN, 15.6% were unwilling and 0.2% was indifferent to buying it at the price. Their willingness to pay was significantly determined by education and occupation [p = 0.00]. Health education strategies need to be developed to increase awareness and demand for LLINs. However, there is the need to take into account preferred access outlets and the diversity in willingness to pay for LLINs if equity to access is to be ensured in the study communities

Biochemical Effects of Some Traditional Nigerian Diets in Experimental Diabetic Rat Models.

Diet, besides its simplicity and affordability, has been clinically recommended as the first line of intervention in type 2 diabetes. However, compliance with the so-called diabetic diet has been notoriously poor, mostly because the social and cultural aspects of eating as well as the degree of difficulty involved in entrenching permanent changes in diet have greatly been underestimated. The present study therefore evaluated the suitability of some traditional Nigerian diets namely Garri with afang soup (GAS), pounded yam with edikang ikong soup (PYES) and ekpang nkukwo (EN) in alloxan diabetic rats. 15-day feeding with GAS and PYES respectively reduced (P<0.05) fasting blood glucose by 25.61% and 25.19%, compared to the reference diet, plantain with beans (37.22%). The glucose lowering effect of EN was however, not significant. Except GAS, the effect of the test diets on serum lipid profile was similar and comparable to the reference diet. Further, the impact on serum biochemical indices - β-carotene, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine, though not dramatic, was not different from the reference diet, except serum β-carotene that was higher in the reference diet-fed animals than others (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that the studied diets, can potentially offer the patients the needed dietary diversification in diabetes management.

Prevalence of Arcobacter, Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Salmonella Species in Retail Raw Chicken, Pork, Beef and Goat Meat in Osogbo, Nigeria

Three hundred (300) samples of fresh raw chicken; beef; goat and pork meat were screened for Arcobacter species by selective cultural procedures and for Escherichia coli; Salmonella species and Staphylococcus aureus enriched in peptone water and then streaked onto appropriate bacteriological agar. From the 300 samples analysed; S. aureus {138 (46)} was the most frequently isolated organism; followed by E. coli {78 (26)}; Arcobacter spp. {57(19)} and Salmonella spp {6(2)}. In this study; varying level of resistance of Escherichia coli 66(84.6); Salmonella 6(100) and Arcobacter 57(100) to amoxicillin was observed. The susceptibility pattern indicates that the bacterial isolates exhibited a varying level of resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents with maximum resistance to amoxicillin. The detection of these organisms in meat may constitute a serious public health concern. Hence; there is a need for the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System monitoring of critical contamination points used in meat production to ensure food safety in Nigeria

The GABA A-Receptor 2 (GABRG2) Gene in obsessive-compulsive disorder / O gene do receptor GABA A-2 (GABRG2) no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo

OBJECTIVE: The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A) system may be implicated in obsessive-compulsive disorder, based on its major role in modulation of anxiety and its function as the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the cortex. In addition, glutamatergic/GABAergic mechanisms appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder, making the GABA A receptor-γ2 (GABργ2) gene a good candidate for susceptibility in this disorder. METHOD: 118 probands meeting DSM-IV criteria for primary obsessive-compulsive disorder and their available parents were recruited for participation in this study and informed consent was obtained. An NciI restriction site polymorphism in the second intron was genotyped and data was analyzed using the Transmission Disequilibrium Test. RESULTS: In total, 61 of the participating families were informative (i.e., with at least one heterozygous parent). No biases were observed in the transmission of either of the two alleles (χ2 = 0.016, 1 d.f., p = 0.898) to the affected probands in the total sample. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: While these results do not provide support for a major role for the GABA A receptor-γ2 in obsessive-compulsive disorder, further investigations of this gene in larger samples are warranted.

OBJETIVO: O sistema gabaérgico tipo A (GABA A) pode estar implicado no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo devido ao seu grande papel na modulação da ansiedade e da sua função como o principal neurotransmissor inibidor no córtex. Além disso, mecanismos glutamatérgicos/gabaérgicos parecem desempenhar um papel na fisiopatologia do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, tornando o gene do receptor GABA A-γ2 (GABRG2) um bom gene candidato para a suscetibilidade genética a este transtorno. MÉTODO: 118 probandos que preencheram os critérios do DSM-IV para transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo primário e seus pais (quando disponíveis) foram recrutados para a participação neste estudo; consentimento informado foi obtido. Um polimorfismo no sítio de restrição da enzima NciI, localizado no íntron 2, foi genotipado e os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o Teste de Desequilíbrio de Transmissão. RESULTADOS: No total, 61 das famílias participantes foram informativas (ou seja, com pelo menos um progenitor heterozigoto). Não foi observado desequilíbrio de transmissão de qualquer um dos dois alelos (χ2 = 0,016, 1 g.l., p = 0,898) aos probandos afetados. CONCLUSÃO/DISCUSSÃO: Apesar de estes resultados não fornecerem suporte para um papel importante para o gene GABA A-γ2 no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, novas investigações desse gene em amostras maiores são justificadas.

Graduate-entry medical students' self-directed learning capabilities in a problem-based curriculum

To explore junior and senior students' perceptions of their self-directed learning [SDL] capabilities in an innovative graduate-entry medical program and to determine the construct reliability of the survey instrument utilized. A cross-sectional survey design in which a self-report questionnaire was administered to undergraduate medical students [n=43] of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh in October 2008 and March 2009; soon after entry and in their year 3 of an integrated problem-based learning [PBL] program. The questionnaire sought self-assessment on 14 SDL capabilities. Questionnaire construct reliability was high [Cronbach's alpha=0.945]. Respondents had medium to high perceptions of their self-directed learning capabilities in areas that are among the main building-blocks of self-directed learning. In comparison to junior students, senior students had statistically significantly higher mean scores on 11 of 14 self-assessed SDL competencies [p<0.05]. Consistent with other studies of SDL in a graduate-entry PBL curriculum, most students perceived themselves as having moderate to high SDL capabilities. Knowledge of learners' perceived levels of self-directedness is helpful for both students and medical educators. By understanding learners' conceptions of their self-directed learning capabilities we can design evidence-based program modifications that are likely to promote intended curriculum objectives. Longitudinal studies are needed observing the application and stability of perceived capabilities

Expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor EphA5 and its ligand ephrin-A5 during mouse spinal cord development / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the expression patterns of two Eph family molecules, the receptor EphA5, and the ligand ephrin-A5, during spinal cord development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The receptor expression was analyzed using beta-galactosidase knockin mice, and affinity ligand probe binding. The ligand expression was assessed using two different affinity probes, and knockout mouse tissues as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EphA5 was expressed in the ventral spinal cord, while ephrin-A5 was located in the dorsolateral regions of the spinal cord throughout development.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results show that EphA5 and ephrin-A5 are expressed over broad developmental stages and may play important roles in establishing the dorsoventral organization of the spinal cord.</p>

Taurine as anticataractogenic agent in galactose - feeding rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of taurine on the onset and maturation of galactose induced cataract. Fort y Male Sprague - Dawley rats [21 days old] were divided into 4 groups containing ten rats each. Group 1 received control diet, group 2 received 30% galactose in the diet, group 3 received the group 2 diet plus 2% taurine solution and group 4 received control diet plus 2% taurine solution. After the period of 28 days, biochemical parameters such as lipid peroxidation products, aldose reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, protein thiol and reduced glutathione were estimated in the lens. Crystallin profile was analyzed by column chromatography. Galactose-fed rats showed increased lipid peroxidation and impaired antioxidant status of the lens with an increase in maturation of cataract. Taurine administration to galactose- fed rats attenuated the increased lipid peroxidation, enhanced the levels of antioxidant, inhibited the activity of aldose reductase enzyme and improved the crystallin profile. Inhibitions of peroxidation markers and up regulation of antioxidant activity of rat lens by taurine signify the potential utility of taurine as anticataractogenic agent in diabetic rats

HIV infection among children in Barbados

We studied a cohort of children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Barbados in order to determine the prevalence of HIV infection, the clinical course including morbidity and mortality and the magnitude of the health care and social problems. Forty-seven children were diagnosed with HIV infection during the study period. The number of HIV infected children increased from 5 during 1981-85, to 14 during 1986-90, and 21 during 1991-95 period. The majority (91.5 percent) of infections resulted from perinatal transmission. Six (12.8 percent) cases remained asymptomatic and 41 (87.2 percent) were symptomatic with 19 (46.3 percent) presenting in infancy, while 22 (53.5 percent) presented post-infancy. The median age at diagnosis (class P-2) was 13 months. Generalized lymphadenopathy (47.5 percent), hepatosplenomegaly (40.0 percent), failure to thrive (27.5 percent), persistent recurrent diarrhoea (15.0 percent), oral candidiasis (37.5 percent), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (37.5 percent), lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (12.5 percent) and progressive neurological disease (10.0 percent) were common among HIV related conditions. Two children developed non-hodgkin's lymphoma. The median age at death for 23 children was 12 months, whereas the median survival after diagnosis was 4 months. Mortality was higher among those diagnosed in infancy (73.7 percent) as compared to those diagnosed post-infancy (42.8 percent). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was the most common (65.2 percent) cause of death. Paediatric HIV infection is rising and contributes considerably to infant mortality. In this study, children took longer to be symptomatic when compared to other reports. However, once symptomatic, they died early.

Trombocitopenia asociada a infección con virus de inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 (HIV-1): tratamiento con danazol / Danazol therapy in thrombocytopenia associated with HIV-1 infection

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia del danazol para el tratamiento de la trombocitopenia asociada con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 (HIV-1). Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, diseño serie de casos. Se identificaron 8 pacientes con trombocitopenia asociada a infección con HIV-1 que fueron tratados con danazol (300-800 mg/día) por más de 3 meses. El seguimiento fue de 3 meses a 2 años. Se definió respuesta favorable al tratamiento como un incremento en el recuento de plaquetas por encima del 25 por ciento con referencia a los valores pre-tratamiento. Resultados: El recuento de plaquetas promedio(ñ desviación estándar) antes de la terapia con danazol fue de 51ñ24 x 10/L, con un rango de 19-88 x 10/L.Siete (87 por ciento) de los 8 pacientes tuvieron respuestas favorables al danazol. Los recuentos promedio a 12 y 24 meses de terapia fueron 104+108 x 10/L, y 112ñ28 x 10/L, respectivamente. Se observó una tendencia al incremento de los recuentos plaquetarios durante el tratamiento con danazol. Conclusión: Danazol puede ser de utilidad en el tratamiento de la trombocitopenia asociada a HIV-1.

Congenital solitary non-parasitic cyst of the liver

Although non-parasitic cysts of the liver have often been described in adults, solitary non-parasitic cysts are rare in infants. We report a 17-month-old child with a large hepatic cyst