Linking the composition of cryoconite prokaryotic communities in the Arctic, Antarctic, and Central Caucasus with their chemical characteristics.

Cryoconites are the deposits on the surface of glaciers that create specific ecological niches for the development of microorganism communities. The sediment material can vary in origin, structure, and nutrient content, creating local variations in the growth conditions. An additional factor of variability is the location of the glaciers, as they are found in different climatic zones in the high mountain regions and closer to the poles. Here, using the analysis of amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we studied the taxonomic composition of the prokaryotic communities from glaciers from remote regions, including the Arctic (Mushketova on the Severnaya Zemlya, IGAN in Polar Ural), Antarctic (Pimpirev on the Livingstone Island) and Central Caucasus (Skhelda and Garabashi) and connected it with the variation of the physicochemical characteristics of the substrate: pH, carbon, nitrogen, macro- and microelements. The cryoconite microbiomes were comprised of specific for this environment phyla (mostly Pseudomonadota, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidota, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota), but each glacier had a unique taxonomic imprint. The core microbiome between regions was composed of only a few ASVs, among which the most likely globally distributed ones attributed to Polaromonas sp., Rhodoferax sp., Cryobacterium sp., and Hymenobacter frigidus. The WGSNA defined clusters of co-occurring ASVs between microbiomes, that significantly change their abundance corresponding with the variation of chemical parameters of cryoconites, but do not fully coincide with their regional separation. Thus, our work demonstrates that the chemical characteristics of the sediment material can explain the variation in the cryoconite prokaryotic community which is not always linked to geographic isolation.

Cognitive deficits in human ApoE4 knock-in mice: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Apolipoprotein-E4 (ApoE4) is an important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The development of targeted-replacement human ApoE knock-in mice facilitates research into mechanisms by which ApoE4 affects the brain. We performed meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses to examine differences in cognitive performance between ApoE4 and ApoE3 mice. We included 61 studies in which at least one of the following tests was assessed: Morris Water Maze (MWM), novel object location (NL), novel object recognition (NO) and Fear Conditioning (FC) test. ApoE4 vs. ApoE3 mice performed significantly worse on the MWM (several outcomes, 0.17 ≤ g ≤ 0.60), NO (exploration, g=0.33; index, g=0.44) and FC (contextual, g=0.49). ApoE4 vs. ApoE3 differences were not systematically related to sex or age. We conclude that ApoE4 knock-in mice in a non-AD condition show some, but limited cognitive deficits, regardless of sex and age. These effects suggest an intrinsic vulnerability in ApoE4 mice that may become more pronounced under additional brain load, as seen in neurodegenerative diseases.

Systemic methotrexate (MTX) in early pregnancy: a retrospective study of a tertiary maternity hospital.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is used in clinical practice as a medical treatment option in patients with early pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancy. AIMS: To review systemic MTX therapy use in the first trimester of pregnancy in our hospital and to examine subsequent clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of all women treated with systemic MTX in early pregnancy identified from electronic prescription records from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 at Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland. Relevant data was transcribed from electronic health records. RESULTS: Indications for treatment were tubal ectopic pregnancy (70%, n = 51), persistent pregnancy of unknown location (22%, n = 16) and caesarean scar pregnancy (7%, n = 5). Treatment was successful in 88% (n = 44) of tubal ectopic pregnancies with 73% (n = 37) and 14% (n = 7) of women receiving a single dose and repeated doses, respectively. Only 8% (n = 4) of tubal ectopic pregnancies required emergency surgery for subsequent tubal rupture. In 93% (n = 15) of cases of persistent pregnancy of unknown location, treatment was successful with one patient requiring uterine evacuation. Women with caesarean scar pregnancy were treated with combined MTX and uterine evacuation without complication. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of medical treatment with systemic MTX for confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy in our hospital is in line with national and international standards. Careful consideration should be given to treating caesarean scar pregnancy and persistent pregnancy of unknown location with systemic MTX. Systemic MTX use guided by clinicians specialised in early pregnancy complications and safe medication practices may improve treatment success and reduce adverse events.

Sample size calculation for comparing two ROC curves.

Biomarkers are key components of personalized medicine. In this paper, we consider biomarkers taking continuous values that are associated with disease status, called case and control. The performance of such a biomarker is evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of its receiver operating characteristic curve. Oftentimes, two biomarkers are collected from each subject to test if one has a larger AUC than the other. We propose a simple non-parametric statistical test for comparing the performance of two biomarkers. We also present a simple sample size calculation method for this test statistic. Our sample size formula requires specification of AUC values (or the standardized effect size of each biomarker between cases and controls together with the correlation coefficient between two biomarkers), prevalence of cases in the study population, type I error rate, and power. Through simulations, we show that the testing on two biomarkers controls type I error rate accurately and the proposed sample size closely maintains specified statistical power.

Sea urchin inspired ultrafast response low humidity sensor based on ionic liquid modified UiO-66 with advanced applications.

Numerous applications require low humidity sensors that not only sensitive but also stable, small hysteresis, high resolution and fast response. However, most reported low humidity sensors cannot possess these properties at the same time. In this work, inspired by sea urchin, we developed an ionic liquid (IL) modified metal organic framework (UiO-66) based low humidity sensor. Owing to the synergistic effect of the hydrophilicity and ionic conductivity of IL and the steric hindrance effects of UiO-66, the optimized low humidity sensor simultaneously exhibits high response (47.5), small hysteresis (0.3 % RH), ultrafast response speed (0.2 s), high resolution (1 % RH), and excellent long-term stability (>120 days). In particular, the sensor has been proved to have potential applications in visual humidity detection and water source location. This work provides a preliminary design principle that will contribute to the preparation of high-performance low humidity sensing materials.

Pharmacological HDAC3 inhibition alters memory updating in young and old male mice.

Long-term memories are not stored in a stable state but must be flexible and dynamic to maintain relevance in response to new information. Existing memories are thought to be updated through the process of reconsolidation, in which memory retrieval initiates destabilization and updating to incorporate new information. Memory updating is impaired in old age, yet little is known about the mechanisms that go awry. One potential mechanism is the repressive histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), which is a powerful negative regulator of memory formation that contributes to age-related impairments in memory formation. Here, we tested whether HDAC3 also contributes to age-related impairments in memory updating using the Objects in Updated Locations (OUL) paradigm. We show that blocking HDAC3 immediately after updating with the pharmacological inhibitor RGFP966 ameliorated age-related impairments in memory updating in 18-m.o. male mice. Surprisingly, we found that post-update HDAC3 inhibition in young (3-m.o.) male mice had no effect on memory updating but instead impaired memory for the original information, suggesting that the original and updated information may compete for expression at test and HDAC3 helps regulate which information is expressed. To test this idea, we next assessed whether HDAC3 inhibition would improve memory updating in young male mice given a weak, subthreshold update. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that HDAC3 blockade strengthened the subthreshold update without impairing memory for the original information, enabling balanced expression of the original and updated information. Together, this research suggests that HDAC3 may contribute to age-related impairments in memory updating and may regulate the strength of a memory update in young mice, shifting the balance between the original and updated information at test.

Hidden in Muscles: A Case Study of Intramuscular Lipoma.

This case report presents a 64-year-old male with a giant intramuscular lipoma on the right lumbar region's latissimus dorsi muscle. The patient presented with painless swelling, which gradually increased over six years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the presence of the lipoma, prompting surgical intervention. The surgical procedure involved meticulous dissection and complete excision of the tumor. Histopathological examination validated the diagnosis. Comparative analyses with similar cases highlighted variations in surgical approaches and the challenges in managing intramuscular lipomas. This case emphasizes the importance of considering intramuscular lipomas in soft tissue mass differentials and the significance of comprehensive management strategies for optimal patient outcomes.

Endoscopic obstruction predominantly occurs in right-side colon cancer and endoscopic obstruction with tumor size ≤ 5 cm seems poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Background: Endoscopic obstruction (eOB) is associated with a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our study aimed to investigate the association between tumor location and eOB, as well as the prognostic differences among non-endoscopic obstruction (N-eOB), eOB with tumor size ≤ 5 cm, and eOB with tumor size > 5 cm in non-elderly patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological variables of 230 patients with CRC who underwent curative surgery. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for eOB. The association between eOB with tumor size ≤ 5 cm and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated using multivariate cox regression analysis. Results: A total of 87 patients had eOB while 143 had N-eOB. In multivariate analysis, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (p = 0.014), tumor size (p = 0.010), tumor location (left-side colon; p = 0.033; rectum; p < 0.001), and pT stage (T3, p = 0.009; T4, p < 0.001) were significant factors of eOB. The DFS rate for eOB with tumor size ≤ 5 cm was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in survival analysis. The eOB with tumor size ≤ 5 cm (p = 0.012) was an unfavorable independent factor for DFS. Conclusions: The patients with eOB were significantly associated with right-side colon cancer as opposed to left-side colon cancer and rectal cancer. The eOB with tumor size ≤ 5 cm was an independent poor prognostic factor. Further studies are needed to target these high-risk groups.

A novel mathematical model for simultaneous optimization of desalination plant location and water distribution network; A case study.

In recent decades, water scarcity has turned into a serious problem spanning many countries, now even capable of causing or inflaming ethnic and national conflicts. While our planet has very limited freshwater resources, it has huge amounts of saltwater in seas and oceans. There is a very limited number of ways that can make saltwater drinkable, the most important of them is desalination. This study aimed to provide a method for the simultaneous optimization of desalination plant location and its water distribution network based on mathematical modeling. For this purpose, the authors formulated a non-linear mathematical model with the objective of minimizing the costs of water production and transmission. A genetic algorithm was also developed for solving the proposed nonlinear model. The method was used in a case study of Sistan and Baluchestan, which is one of Iran's most water stressed provinces. The proposed genetic algorithm managed to provide an acceptable solution for this problem in 3.74 s. The best solution was found to be constructing a desalination facility with a capacity of 394,052 cubic meters per day in a single location, that is, the city of Chabahar. The water transmission lines needed for transporting water to other parts of the province and their capacities were also determined.

Demographic factors associated with within-individual variability of lung function for adults with cystic fibrosis: A UK registry study.

BACKGROUND: Lung function is a key outcome used in the evaluation of disease progression in cystic fibrosis. The variability of individual lung function measurements over time (within-individual variability) has been shown to predict subsequent lung function changes. Nevertheless, the association between within-individual lung function variability and demographic and genetic covariates has not been quantified. METHODS: We performed a longitudinal analysis of data from a cohort of 7099 adults with cystic fibrosis (between 18 and 49 years old) from the UK cystic fibrosis registry, containing annual review data between 1996 and 2020. A mixed-effects location-scale model is used to quantify mean FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) trajectories and FEV1 within-individual variability as a function of sex, age at annual review, diagnosis after first year of life, homozygous F508 genotype and birth cohort. RESULTS: Mean FEV1 decreased with age and lung function variability showed a near-quadratic trend by age. Males showed higher FEV1 mean and variability than females across the whole age range. Earlier diagnosis and homozygous F508 genotype were also associated with higher FEV1 mean and variability. Individuals who died during follow-up showed on average higher lung function variability than those who survived. CONCLUSIONS: Key variables known to be linked with mean lung function in cystic fibrosis are also associated with an individual's lung function variability. This work opens new avenues to understand the role played by lung function variability in disease progression and its utility in predicting key outcomes such as mortality.

Exploring Reasons for Loss to Follow-up in Pregnancy of Unknown Location: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective: To quantify proportions of loss to follow-up in patients presenting with a pregnancy of unknown location and explore patients' perspectives on follow-up for pregnancy of unknown location. A pregnancy of unknown location is a scenario in which a patient has a positive pregnancy test but the pregnancy is not visualized on transvaginal ultrasound. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with pregnancy of unknown location who presented to an urban academic emergency department or complex family planning outpatient office. We sought to calculate the proportion of patients lost to follow-up, defined as inability to contact the patient within 2 weeks. We then conducted focus groups of patients diagnosed with a pregnancy of unknown location. We used thematic analysis to identify themes related to follow-up. Results: We reviewed 464 charts of patients diagnosed with pregnancy of unknown location. The median age in this cohort was 27 with most patients identifying as Black (80%, n = 370) and using public insurance (67%, n = 315). When looking at loss to follow-up rates, Black patients experienced loss to follow-up (20%, n = 72) more often than White patients (4%, n = 2; p = 0.003). Focus group participants had a mean age of 31.8+/-4.8, and the majority were of Black race (n = 16, 72.7%). Participants identified barriers to follow-up including the long duration of management, general inconvenience, and poor communication with their health care team. Participants felt a burden of responsibility to learn about their condition and to self-advocate for their follow-up and communication of results. Conclusions: These data indicate that Black patients are more likely to experience loss to follow-up compared with White patients during monitoring for pregnancy of unknown location. Patients identified many barriers to follow-up and felt that successful follow-up required substantial self-efficacy.

The resolution of proactive interference in a novel visual working memory task: A behavioral and pupillometric study.

Proactive interference (PI) occurs when previously learned information impairs memory for more recently learned information. Most PI studies have employed verbal stimuli, while the role of PI in visual working memory (VWM) has had relatively little attention. In the verbal domain, Johansson and colleagues (2018) found that pupil diameter - a real-time neurophysiological index of cognitive effort - reflects the accumulation and resolution of PI. Here we use a novel, naturalistic paradigm to test the behavioral and pupillary correlates of PI resolution for what-was-where item-location bindings in VWM. Importantly, in our paradigm, trials (PI vs. no-PI condition) are mixed in a block, and participants are naïve to the condition until they are tested. This design sidesteps concerns about differences in encoding strategies or generalized effort differences between conditions. Across three experiments (N = 122 total) we assessed PI's effect on VWM and whether PI resolution during memory retrieval is associated with greater cognitive effort (as indexed by the phasic, task-evoked pupil response). We found strong support for PI's detrimental effect on VWM (even with our spatially distributed stimuli), but no consistent link between interference resolution and effort during memory retrieval (this, even though the pupil was a reliable indicator that higher-performing individuals tried harder during memory encoding). We speculate that when explicit strategies are minimized, and PI resolution relies primarily on implicit processing, the effect may not be sufficient to trigger a robust pupillometric response.

Coping strategies of internally displaced persons and the host community in a region of armed conflict: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Conflict leads to the displacement of people, making it more difficult for them to cope with increasing stress. In war-affected regions, people use different strategies to cope with their stress. This study examines the coping strategies of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those in host communities in war zones. METHODS: People living in the IDP camp and host communities in Maiduguri, Nigeria were recruited using a convenient sampling strategy. A 28-item Hausa version of the Brief COPE Scale wasused for data collection. Data were analyzed using linear regression and presented as unstandardized beta (B) and standard error (SE). RESULTS: A total of 562 participants were recruited (IDPs, n = 281; and the host communities, n = 281). Problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies were identified as the most common approaches used in host communities; however, dysfunctional strategies were morecommon among the IDPs. Age (younger or older adulthood) was identified as a predictor forthe use of emotion-, problem-, and dysfunctional-focused coping strategies. CONCLUSION: Host communities were more likely to use a problem-and emotion-focused approach to coping, while IDPs were more likely to use dysfunctional strategies. Location and demographic factors (being single, aged 18-29years, >50 years and older) also influenced coping.

[Thoracoscopic resection of recurrent atypically located parathyroid adenoma of anterior mediastinum in a patient with hyperparathyroidism undergoing renal replacement therapy]. / Torakoskopicheskoe udalenie retsidivnoi atipichno raspolozhennoi adenomy okoloshchitovidnoi zhelezy perednego sredosteniya u patsientki s giperparatireozom, nakhodyashcheisya na zamestitel'noi pochechnoi terapii.

We present successful surgical treatment of a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperparathyroidism undergoing renal replacement therapy. At baseline, parathyroidectomy via cervical access was performed for parathyroid adenomas. After 6 years, clinical and laboratory relapse of disease required thoracoscopic resection of atypically located anterior mediastinal adenoma. This case demonstrates that this disease is one of the most difficult in modern medicine requiring a special approach in diagnosis and treatment. Patients with CKD and hyperparathyroidism need for follow-up, control of total and ionized serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and parathormone, osteodensitometry, ultrasound and scintigraphy of thyroid and parathyroid glands, and, if necessary, CT or MRI of the neck and chest organs.

Association between Young People's Neighbourhoods' Characteristics and Health Risk Factors in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: A neighbourhood's environmental characteristics can positively or negatively influence health and well-being. To date, no studies have examined this concept in the context of Saudi Arabian youth. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between a neighbourhood's environmental characteristics and health risk factors among Saudi Arabian youth. METHODS: A total of 335 secondary-school students (175 males, 160 females), aged 15-19 years old, participated. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference measurements were taken, and physical activity (steps) was measured via pedometer. The perceived neighbourhood environment was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environment Module (IPAQ-E). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the youths from urban, rural farm, and rural desert locations in terms of BMI, waist circumference, daily steps, accessibility, infrastructure, social environment, household vehicles, safety, and access to facilities (p < 0.001). Rural desert youths were less active, and males (26.43 + 8.13) and females (24.68 + 5.03) had higher BMIs compared to the youths from other areas. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference (χ21 = 12.664, p < 0.001) between the genders as to social-environment perceptions. Males perceived their neighbourhood as a social environment more than was reported by females (68.39% and 50.28%, respectively). Pearson's correlation revealed negative significant relationships between steps and both safety of neighbourhood (r = -0.235, p < 0.001) and crime rate (r = -0.281, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Geographical location, cultural attitudes, lack of facilities, and accessibility impact youth physical-activity engagement and weight status; this includes environmental variables such as residential density, neighbourhood safety, household motor vehicles, and social environment. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining associations with neighbourhood environments in the youths of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Significant associations and geographical differences were found. More research and policy interventions to address neighbourhoods' environmental characteristics and health risk factors relative to Saudi Arabian youth are warranted.

Geographic Location Affects the Bacterial Community Composition and Diversity More than Species Identity for Tropical Tree Species.

Microorganisms associated with plants play a crucial role in their growth, development, and overall health. However, much remains unclear regarding the relative significance of tree species identity and spatial variation in shaping the distribution of plant bacterial communities across large tropical regions, as well as how these communities respond to environmental changes. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the characteristics of bacterial community composition in association with two rare and endangered tropical tree species, Dacrydium pectinatum and Vatica mangachapoi, across various geographical locations on Hainan Island. Our findings can be summarized as follows: (1) Significant differences existed in the bacterial composition between D. pectinatum and V. mangachapoi, as observed in the diversity of bacterial populations within the root endosphere. Plant host-related variables, such as nitrogen content, emerged as key drivers influencing leaf bacterial community compositions, underscoring the substantial impact of plant identity on bacterial composition. (2) Environmental factors associated with geographical locations, including temperature and soil pH, predominantly drove changes in both leaf and root-associated bacterial community compositions. These findings underscored the influence of geographical locations on shaping plant-associated bacterial communities. (3) Further analysis revealed that geographical locations exerted a greater influence than tree species identity on bacterial community compositions and diversity. Overall, our study underscores that environmental variables tied to geographical location primarily dictate changes in plant bacterial community composition. These insights contribute to our understanding of microbial biogeography in tropical regions and carry significant implications for the conservation of rare and endangered tropical trees.

Description and Characterization of Different Types of Lymphoma in Cats in Hong Kong.

This study aimed to characterize and describe the different lymphoma types and anatomical forms in cats in Hong Kong. The clinical and histopathological data of cats diagnosed with lymphoma by cytology and/or histopathology were collected from a large diagnostic laboratory in Hong Kong. In total, 444 cats were diagnosed with lymphoma over four years (2019-2022). Like other countries where there is a low prevalence of FeLV infection, the predominant form of lymphoma was gastrointestinal (abdominal). Nasopharyngeal and peripheral nodal lymphoma were the second and third most common forms of lymphoma. The large cell/high-grade lymphoma type was much more common than the low-grade/small cell lymphoma in the study population. Domestic short hair was the most commonly affected breed in our study (n = 259/444). Among the cats with identified T/B-cell status, B-cell lymphoma (n = 61/81) prevailed as the most common phenotype. This study describes and characterizes the different types of feline lymphoma in cats in Hong Kong, adding valuable information to the body of knowledge.

An Integrative Review of the Feasibility and Effects of the Use of Location-Tracking Devices by Persons Living With Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the effects of location-tracking devices on persons living with cognitive impairment, investigate facilitators of and barriers to using the devices, and provide future directions for the use of the devices. METHODS: An integrative review was conducted using 5 databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus. From the 1429 initially identified studies, 10 were included in the review. RESULTS: Location-tracking devices benefited persons living with cognitive impairment and their informal caregivers. The devices brought more independence to persons living with cognitive impairment, allowing them to go outside and feel safer there. Furthermore, the devices reduced the caregivers' worries about their loved ones being lost. CONCLUSIONS: Location-tracking devices have the potential to increase independence in persons living with cognitive impairment and to decrease psychological stress in informal caregivers. In the future, ways to minimize the barriers to using location-tracking devices need to be determined.

A Comparison of the Specific Facial Trauma Cases at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Gdansk, Poland, from March 2019 to August 2023.

Background: Accidents involving the maxillofacial area are sudden and unforeseen, such as traffic accidents and physical altercations. The COVID-19 pandemic was a critical threat to the public in aspects not only involving physical health but also those affecting psychological health due to isolation, leading to a higher incidence of stress and depression among the general population and specifically in patients with OMF trauma. This study assessed the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quantity and severity of maxillofacial injuries. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Clinical Centre in Gdansk from March 2019 to August 2023. Results: There was an increased risk of injury occurrence to the condylar process of the mandible, especially the left side, Le Fort type II/III fractures, injuries of the maxillary alveolar process, and displacement of the upper facial mass. Simultaneously, a decreased occurrence of certain injuries i.e., Le Fort type III fractures and Le Fort type I/II fractures, was recorded. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased occurrence of high-energy injuries, including displacement of the upper facial mass (p = 0.010).