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Health personnel lack a common standard for assessing lethality of suicide attempts. This may lead to inconsistent assessments and unclear reports about suicide attempts. We argue that the Risk-Rescue Rating Scale (RRRS) may help in resolving this problem. It is a measure based on observable indications of the medical danger of a suicide attempt and of the patient's efforts to avoid or achieve rescue. The instrument is a clinician-rated supplement to self-reports and can be administered in a few minutes and learned in a single brief teaching session. We adapted the RRRS for contemporary use in a Norwegian acute adolescent mental health service clinic. We developed a training program for clinicians, a user manual, and a series of five video-based role-played interview cases for reliability testing. In this study, we recruited 28 clinicians with professional backgrounds typical of Norwegian mental health personnel. They rated five role-played video interviews using the RRRS and the well-established interview instrument the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) and obtained 140 sets of scores. We estimated the interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) to be.93 for the RRRS and.94 for the SIS, both excellent levels. Correlation was.80 between the RRRS and SIS items that were similar to the RRRS and.53 for SIS items measuring other topics, indicating good concurrent and discriminant validity. Adopting a common standard for communicating about suicide attempts can improve clinical practice, and the RRRS may prove to be a reliable and practical candidate for this task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle molecules have gained interest in medicine due to their properties of increased cellular uptake and efficacy. Keeping this in mind, the current study aimed to explore the neutralizing potential of chitosan gold nanoparticles (CH-AuNP) against the venom of Vipera russelli, in in vitro and invivo studies. UV-Vis Spectra of CH-AuNP exhibited absorbance at 530 nm. Dynamic light scattering report corroborated that there was a formation of monodispersed nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameter of about 89.65 nm. The zeta potential of CH-AuNP was found to be 24.7 mV. X-ray diffraction analysis of CH-AuNP which confirmed the cubic crystal shape of the gold nanoparticles. SEM studies of the synthesized CH-AuNP exhibited particle sizes ranging from 7 to 18 nm. In vitro haemagglutination, enzyme assays and coagulation effect of venom on blood were tested with and without the presence of CH-AuNP. Invivoassays included lethality, haemorrhage and nephrotoxicity with and without the presence of CH-AuNP. Results obtained in the antihaemolytic assay with chitosan and CH-AuNP revealed 86.72% and 93.01% protection against viper venom induced haemolysis. The CH-AuNp also accorded significant protection against venom induced coagulation and proteolytic activity. The invivo studies revealed that the CH-AuNP neutralized venom induced lethargy and haemorrhagic activity. It can therefore be stated that the CH-AuNP can potentially have a therapeutic effect on venom induced patho-physiological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses developments in military rifle ammunition at the end of the nineteenth century. It extends and challenges existing scholarship by showing how claims about the efficiency and humanity of 'modern' bullets were quickly challenged by soldiers and doctors in many nations. It shows why some imperial powers believed they faced particular challenges that required bullets designed to cause huge damage to supposedly 'uncivilised' bodies and how their fears were exacerbated by difficulties in measuring bullet effectiveness. Finally it will show how these concerns were stemmed by further technological change and the horrors of the Great War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Big Four snakes are the leading causes of snakebite mortality in India. Among them, The Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) and common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) contribute about one-third of the deaths. The conventional anti-snake venoms (ASV) produced from equine serum are found to be expensive, with a high frequency of clinical side effects, low specificity, and production drawbacks. The current study, therefore, attempted to develop chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) as antivenoms against the venoms of cobra and krait venoms. The major pathophysiological properties of the venoms and the efficacy of monovalent ASV IgY were evaluated. The titer of anti-cobra and anti-krait IgY was found to be 1:64000 on the 145th day post-immunization. The results showed that venoms (lethal doses (LD50): cobra:0.375 mg/kg, krait:0.0375 mg/kg of mice) had hemolytic, pro-coagulant, inflammatory, hemorrhagic, and edematic activities that were effectively neutralized by ASV-IgY. 1 mL of monovalent ASV IgY was able to neutralize 0.22 mg of cobra venom and 0.028 mg of krait venom whereas 1 mL of commercial polyvalent antivenom was able to neutralize 0.28 mg of cobra venom and 0.035 mg of krait venom. The study results suggest that using chicken IgY as an monovalent antivenom could effectively treat snakebites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Venezuela, the predominant vaccines administered are BBIBP-CorV and Gam-COVID-Vac. Despite robust evidence from randomized clinical trials validating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in mitigating hospitalization and mortality, there is still a lack of post-authorization safety studies conducted within this demographic population. Methods: A prospective observational study from October 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 encompassed COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients from four sentinel hospitals in Venezuela. Patient lethality was predicted using Charlson Comorbidity index. Clinical outcomes were assessed through WHO's COVID-19 Clinical Progression Scale. Results: Out of the 175 patients assessed, 85 (48.6%) were vaccinated. The median Charlson Comorbidity index was 3 points, with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups (p = 0.2). A total of 50 (28.6%) patients died during the study period, with higher proportion of deaths in unvaccinated patients (35.6% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.035). Advanced age (OR = 1.043, 95% CI = 1.015–1.071, p = 0.002) was associated with increased death risk, whereas vaccination against COVID-19 (OR = 0.428, 95% CI = 0.185–0.99, p = 0.047), high oxygen saturation (OR = 0.964, 95% CI = 0.934–0.995, p = 0.024), and enoxaparin administration (OR = 0.292, 95% CI = 0.093–0.917, p = 0.035) were associated with decreased death risk. Conclusion: During the third and fourth waves of the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with a 57% reduction in lethality among patients in four public hospitals in Venezuela. Key summary points: Less than half (48.6%) of the patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. At least one out of four patients died during the study period, mainly in the unvaccinated group. Advanced age was associated with a higher risk of death. Vaccination against COVID-19, high oxygen, and enoxaparin administration were factors associated with a lower risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallstone disease (GD) is one of the most common gastroenterological diseases and is usually detected already at the stage of stone formation. This study aimed to develop personalized surgical tactics, taking into account the stage of the disease, for patients with cholelithiasis manifested by mechanical jaundice, thereby improving treatment results. Laparoscopic cholecystostomy was more often used in patients with mechanical jaundice when choosing biliary drainage. It was found that laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the most common operation performed for calculous cholecystitis and mechanical jaundice, which is accompanied by external drainage of the choledochus according to 20.8% of cases (according to Piskovsky technique) and in 11.4% of cases (according to Keru technique). The use of a scheme for choosing a method of treatment for MJ at different stages allows for reducing the number of complications by 9.7% to 4.6%; in the group of operations after ERCP, EPST - from 5.4% to 4.3%, with external drainage of choledochus - from 17.9% to 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article brief information on the health status of children with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in catamnesis was given, and the successes and experience gained in the study of this problem in recent years were shared. It is recommended to develop a system of preventive measures for the prevention of infectious pathology (individual vaccination calendar, complex measures to increase the body's resistance) in accordance with the structure of the disease determined for children who have undergone NEC. Taking into account the 1.5 times higher rate of morbidity in children who have undergone NEC, often the detection of pathologies of the endocrine system, nutritional disorders, diseases of the nervous system and sensory organs, diseases of the respiratory organs, diseases of the urinary system, as well as the increase in the specific gravity of children who are often sick receiving, this group of babies requires high attention from the field pediatric service, the treatment is consistently applied using new organizational technologies, and targeted rehabilitation of children who have undergone NEC. One of the forms of organizing special assistance to children who have undergone NEC is considered to be catamnetic observations on children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides brief information on the characteristics of treatment tactics and rehabilitation during necrotic enterocolitis (NEC) in children, and shares the successes and experience gained in the study of this problem in recent years. The relevance of NEC is determined by the fact that the mortality among operated newborns is high, ranging from 18 % to 40 %, and reaches 95-100 % in the case of intestinal necrosis. Determining criteria for surgical treatment is one of the most complex issues. Practically all surgeons agree that intestinal perforation and necrosis are indications for surgery. Under ideal conditions, the operation can be performed only after the precise delimitation of the necrotic zones, but before the development of perforation. However, the diagnosis of the intestine before the development of perforation is very complicated. The choice of treatment tactics during NEC depends on the severity of the child's condition and the stage of the process. Interest in examinations conducted to investigate the problem of necrotic enterocolitis does not weaken. Studying the pathogenesis of this disease, searching for new diagnostic criteria, and developing preventive measures for patients at risk of developing necrotic enterocolitis are among the most urgent issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study of the acute toxicity of the veterinary drug "Amoksidev 60" in white rats. The drug "Amoksidev 60" is a powder for the preparation of an oral solution. 1 g of the drug contains the active ingredient: amoxicillin - 500 mg (as amoxicillin trihydrate - 573 mg); excipients: anhydrous citric acid - up to 1 g. The veterinary medicinal product is used to treat pigs, diseases of the digestive tract, and respiratory organs caused by microorganisms that are sensitive to amoxicillin. The acute toxicity of an antibacterial agent based on amoxicillin for pigs and poultry was studied. Safety at low doses: administration of the drug at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight did not cause clinical signs of acute poisoning, and no animal in this group died within 14 days. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the drug is 6899.69 ± 1119.51 mg/kg of body weight, which allows it to be classified as a practically non-toxic substance (V toxicity class). Clinical manifestations of intoxication: when the dose is increased to 7000-12000 mg/kg, pronounced symptoms of intoxication were observed, including impaired coordination, depression, clinical convulsions, and mortality, which increased depending on the dose. Hazard classification: by toxicity, it can be attributed to class V - practically non-toxic substances (LD50 5001-15000 mg/kg), and by the degree of danger to class IV - low-hazard substances (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg), which ensures the prospect of its use in veterinary practice, provided that the recommended dosages are observed. The study results of the acute toxicity of an antibacterial agent based on amoxicillin on white rats open new directions for further scientific Research. Further studies will be aimed at studying subchronic and chronic toxicity, namely, assessing the impact of long-term use of the drug on the physiological state and function of organs and systems of the body and identifying cumulative effects of the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the efficacy of cooking processes in natural and forced convection systems, for ensuring microbiological safety in industrial‐scale ham production. The cold point of the tanks was determined by measuring the water temperature every 2 min, with a maximum variation of 1.4°C between different regions of the tanks. The calculation of the lethal value (Fcal) was carried out using Enterococcus faecalis as the target microorganism due to its high resistance to heat treatment. The cooking temperature was measured at the geometric center of the ham and, in both convection systems, it reached the Fref value (23.6 min), necessary to achieve a reduction of 8 log (8 D), with Fcal of 45.7 and 45 min of cooking in the natural and forced convection systems. Both convection systems achieved microbial reductions exceeding 15‐log cycles (15 D), surpassing regulatory requirements despite occasional core temperatures below standard thresholds. In both systems (natural and forced), the cold spot was found on the left side, at a lower height, and toward the front of the tank. After heat treatment, no microorganisms were detected in the ham cooked in natural or forced convection systems. Both systems (natural and forced convection) proved viable at an industrial scale, provided that appropriate cooking protocols are followed. Practical Applications: The practical applications of this study are significant for the food industry and regulatory bodies involved in food safety. These include quality assurance in ham production, food safety compliance, process optimization, risk mitigation, and guidance for industrial practices. Overall, this study has practical implications for improving food safety, quality control, and production efficiency in the ham industry. It fills a gap in validation studies on industrial‐scale ham cooking, providing valuable information for industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant healthcare-associated pathogen, notable for its diverse virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles. This study aimed to characterize the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of K. pneumoniae isolates and evaluate their virulence using the Galleria mellonella model. Biomass production, metabolic activity, capsule formation, and siderophore production were assessed in 27 K. pneumoniae isolates from hospital-associated infections. Lethality curves were generated using the G. mellonella model, with survival monitored hourly from 16 to 48 hours. The most common sequence types (ST) identified were the high-risk clones ST307 (N = 10), ST512 (N = 8), ST101 (N = 7), and ST661 (N = 2). These STs were associated with distinct K-locus, including KL102, KL107, KL17, and KL39. Most isolates belonged to the O2afg locus (N = 18), with the K. pneumoniae carbapenemase genotype detected in 96.3% of strains. None of the isolates were classified as hypervirulent. Phenotypically, ST661 exhibited the highest biomass production despite showing similar metabolic activity to other STs. A positive correlation was observed between biomass and siderophore production, while capsule production was inversely correlated with biomass. In the G. mellonella model, ST661 demonstrated the highest virulence, resulting in 100% mortality by 48 hours, compared to survival rates of 21.4% for ST101, 38.0% for ST307, and 31.2% for ST512. These findings underscore the pathogenic potential of ST661 isolates with enhanced biofilm production. The G. mellonella model may serve as an effective in vivo system for evaluating the virulence of emerging K. pneumoniae lineages.IMPORTANCEWe demonstrate that the Galleria mellonella model is a useful tool to analyze the virulence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Our findings highlight the pathogenicity of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae isolates, particularly the role of the ST661 that, despite being a rare lineage, harbors the blaVIM gene and is associated with high biofilm production and the highest mortality rates.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by a high mortality rate, high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to its highly aggressive nature. The pathophysiology of GBM is characterized by multifarious genetic abrasions that deactivate tumor suppressor genes, induce transforming genes, and over-secretion of pro-survival genes, resulting in oncogene sustainability. Synthetic lethality is a destructive process in which the episode of a single genetic consequence is tolerable for cell survival, while co-episodes of multiple genetic consequences lead to cell death. This targeted drug approach, centered on the genetic concept of synthetic lethality, is often selective for DNA repair-deficient GBM cells with restricted toxicity to normal tissues. DNA repair pathways are key modalities in the generation, treatment, and drug resistance of cancers, as DNA damage plays a dual role as a creator of oncogenic mutations and a facilitator of cytotoxic genomic instability. Although several research advances have been made in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy, no review article has summarized these therapeutic modalities. Thus, this review focuses on the innovative advances in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy.

At the beginning of December 2019, a new type of coronavirus emerged, SARS-CoV-2. This virus causes COVID-19, a highly contagious disease that can initially present asymptomatically and can also lead to death. Our ecological study goal was to evaluate the incidence, mortality, and lethality rates for COVID-19 between the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, with time series analysis using secondary and public databases on COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2022. Prais–Winsten linear regression was used for trend analyses. In 2020, the rate in Espírito Santo was 2.19 times greater than in Minas Gerais. This trend continued in 2021, with Espírito Santo’s rate being 1.29 times greater. In 2022, Espírito Santo’s rate remained 2.65 times higher than Minas Gerais. Furthermore, Espírito Santo had the highest mortality, with the exception of 2021. In turn, Minas Gerais had the highest fatality rate throughout the analyzed pandemic period. The state of Espírito Santo had a higher incidence of COVID-19, as well as higher mortality when compared to the state of Minas Gerais. Furthermore, both states showed similar trends for mortality, lethality, and incidence in the years 2020 and 2021.

The article provides brief information on the etiology and prevalence of necrotic enterocolitis in children, and shares the achievements and experience of studying this problem in recent years. Necrotic enterocolitis (NEC) in newborns is considered a serious disease and causes death in 30-50 % of children. The course of the disease depends on the severity and degree of maturity of the newborns. In recent years, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, which is considered one of the most dangerous complications during NEC, continues to increase. At this time, the lethality increases to 40-80 %. Sometimes the death rate is 100 % in patients with more severe comorbidities. Higher lethality occurs in preterm infants with a body weight of less than 1000 grams and ranges from 45 to 100 %. NEK performed during the neonatal period directly affects the further development and health of children: complications such as short bowel syndrome and malabsorption occur in infants, while 36 % of them develop physical retardation and functional disturbances in the CNS. In these children, intestinal morphofunctional changes accompanied by pain syndrome, dyspeptic symptoms continue, intestinal microbiocenosis is significantly disturbed, and immunity decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the application of microwave combined induction heating (MCIH) to steam ready-to-eat pork with rice powder, emphasizing the advantages of rapid and uniform heating. The experimental setup included a mixture of 180 g pork strips, 30 g rice powder, and 10 g water in a CPET tray using MCIH with 1080 W microwave (MW) and 130 °C induction heating (IH) for 150 s. The results showed a quick temperature increase rate of 0.56 °C/s that achieved pasteurization against a variety of pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, but not Clostridium botulinum, by lethality calculation. Compared to typical electric cooker steaming, MCIH significantly shortened cooking time (8.6 times faster). To address rice starch gelatinization, two-stage heating techniques to steam pork with rice powder were MCIH: 150 s, and then IH: 60 s (MW1), and MCIH: 180 s, and then IH: 30 s (MW2), with no significant differences seen in color or the nine-point taste scale between treatment groups. MCIH groups had smaller shear forces than control. After MCIH cooking, no microbial counts were detected in the MW1 and MW2 groups initially, and the pork with rice powder had a shelf life of 14 days at 4 °C based on aerobic plate count assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila melanogaster has been at the forefront of genetic studies and biochemical modeling for over a century. Yet, the functions of many genes are still unknown, mainly because no phenotypic data are available. Herein, we present the first evidence data regarding the particular molecular and other quantifiable phenotypes, such as viability and anatomical anomalies, induced by a novel P{lacW} insertional mutant allele of the CG18135 gene. So far, the CG18135 functions have only been theorized based on electronic annotation and presumptive associations inferred upon high-throughput proteomics or RNA sequencing experiments. The descendants of individuals harboring the CG18135P{lacW}CG18135 allele were scored in order to assess mutant embryonic, larval, and pupal viability versus Canton Special (CantonS). Our results revealed that the homozygous CG18135P{lacW}CG18135/CG18135P{lacW}CG18135 genotype determines significant lethality both at the inception of the larval stage and during pupal development. The very few imago escapers that either breach or fully exit the puparium exhibit specific eye depigmentation, wing abnormal unfolding, strong locomotor impairment with apparent spasmodic leg movements, and their maximum lifespan is shorter than 2 days. Using the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method, we found that CG18135 is upregulated in male flies, but an unexpected gene upregulation was also detected in heterozygous mutants compared to wild-type flies, probably because of regulatory perturbations induced by the P{lacW} transposon. Our work provides the first phenotypic evidence for the essential role of CG18135, a scenario in accordance with the putative role of this gene in carbohydratebinding processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the subacute toxicity of the veterinary drug Celexib on white rats and dogs. The drug "Celexib," based on celecoxib, is used in sports horses, dogs, fallow deer, red deer, wild pigs, and cats for the treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, myositis, laminitis, etc.), pain syndrome (post-operative and post-traumatic), symptomatic therapy for diseases accompanied by animal fever. When administered subcutaneously to rats, the drug "Celexib" (solution for injections) under the conditions of a subacute toxicological experiment in doses of 0.1-1.0 ml/kg does not cause hemo-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects on the body of laboratory animals. However, 3-day administration of the drug, in the indicated doses, led to a probable (P < 0.05) decrease in the number of leukocytes by 14.6, 13.1, and 13.4 %, respectively. After 7 days, after stopping the administration of the drug, a tendency to decrease these indicators was observed. The exception was the tendency to increase the activity of the hepatospecific enzymes ALT and AST one and 3 days after the start of the administration of the drug, at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg of body weight, which 7 days after the cessation of subcutaneous administration of the drug, did not differ from those in the control group. When administered subcutaneously to dogs, the drug "Celexib" (solution for injections) under the conditions of a subacute toxicological experiment in doses of 0.1-1.0 ml/kg does not cause hemo-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects on the body of laboratory animals, although a 3-day administration of the drug in the indicated doses led to a probable (P < 0.05) decrease in the number of leukocytes by 20.3; 19.5 and 19.8 %, respectively, which began to decrease 7 days after stopping the administration of the drug. The exception was the tendency to increase the activity of the hepatospecific enzymes ALT and AST and the concentration of urea one and 3 days after the start of administration of the drug at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg of body weight, which did not differ from those after 7 days after the cessation of subcutaneous administration of the drug in the control group. Further studies will be the next stage of pre-registration tests aimed at studying the embryotoxic and carcinogenic effect of "Celexib," which is mandatory material of the "Safety and residue studies" section of the dossier for this medicinal product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the subacute toxicity of the veterinary drug Loksidev on white rats and dogs. The meloxicam-based Loxidev drug is used for diseases of the European doe animal treatment system for non-infectious diseases of the musculoskeletal system (acute aseptic myositis to reduce the symptoms of lameness and inflammation), as well as for diseases of the respiratory organs (in case of appropriate antibiotic therapy). Red deer: treatment of animals for non-infectious diseases of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis of the metatarsal joint to reduce symptoms of lameness and inflammation). When administered subcutaneously to rats, the drug Loxidev (for injections), under the conditions of a subacute toxicological experiment, in doses of 0.03; 0.15 and 0.3 ml/kg of body weight, does not cause hemo-, hepato- and nephrotoxic effects on the body of laboratory animals. The exception was the tendency to decrease the concentration of total hemoglobin and the hematocrit indicator, as well as a probable decrease (P < 0.05) in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes by 6.5 and 7.2 %, respectively, relative to the control in the blood and an increase (P < 0.05) enzymatic activity of ALT and AST and concentration of urea in blood serum of rats, after three days of administration of the drug, at a dose of 0.30 mg/kg of body weight by 11.8; 11.0 and 10.3 %, respectively. However, after 7 days, after stopping the administration of the drug, these indicators probably did not differ from the control. Subcutaneous administration of the drug Loxidev (for injections) to dogs in doses of 0.03; 0.15 and 0.3 ml/kg of body weight for 3 days generally does not affect the clinical and biochemical parameters of the blood and does not cause hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects on the animal body, under the conditions of a subacute toxicological experiment. The exception was the tendency to decrease the concentration of total hemoglobin, the hematocrit index and the number of erythrocytes, as well as a probable decrease (P < 0.05) in the number of leukocytes by 6.6 %, respectively, relative to the control in the blood and an increase (P < 0.05) in enzymatic activity ALT and AST and the concentration of urea in the blood serum of dogs, after three days of administration of the drug at a dose of 0.30 mg/kg of body weight by 19.4; 19.3 and 14.5 %, respectively, but 7 days after stopping the administration of the drug, these indicators probably did not differ from the control. Further studies will be the next stage of pre-registration tests aimed at studying the irritant effect, allergenic properties of “Loksidev”, which is mandatory material of the “Safety and residue studies” section of the dossier for this veterinary drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There are growing concerns about wildlife and livestock interactions and the impacts of those interactions on the sustainability of livestock. One of those concerns is the spillover of wildlife pathogens, including helminths, into livestock. This concern will likely become realized as the demand for free-range animal products increases. One such helminth with spillover potential is the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi. This eyeworm is common in many wild birds, and particularly common in Northern bobwhite quail. Related helminths are already commonly found in poultry raised in free-range conditions in developing nations. The purpose of this research was to investigate the lethality of fenbendazole, a widely available drug for treating parasites, to these eyeworms. The lethality estimates were similar to estimates of lethality to other roundworm parasites. However, studies that have investigated concentrations in host blood following administration of the drug indicate that it does not stay in the system long enough to achieve elimination of the parasite after a single dose. This indicates that in order to effectively treat eyeworm, fenbendazole must be delivered in a repeated or continuous manner. Oxyspirura petrowi is a heteroxenous nematode that infects the harderian gland and other ocular tissues in birds. High-intensity infections often cause damage to the infected tissues. Due to the nature of the infection sites, treatment of O. petrowi in these hosts can be difficult. Fenbendazole (FBZ) is a common anthelmintic used to treat birds for helminth infections; however, little information exists as to the efficacy of the drug on O. petrowi infections. The present study aims to estimate lethal concentrations of FBZ to O. petrowi. Adult O. petrowi were maintained in vitro and exposed to doses of 5, 50, 100, and 200 µM concentrations of FBZ and included both negative and vehicle controls. Exposure lasted 7.5 days and lethality was determined for each treatment. Negative and vehicle controls did not differ, and both had 75% survival at the end of the treatment period. The percentage survivorship in ascending order of concentration, corrected for the controls, was 66.67%, 44.44%, 33.33%, and 0%. LC10, LC50, and LC90 estimates were 7.5 ± 0.26, 49.1 ± 1.69, and 163.2 ± 5.63 µM, respectively. In the context of known pharmacokinetics of FBZ in birds, a single oral dose of FBZ can achieve exposure levels that are lethal to O. petrowi, but the drug does not stay in the system long enough. Thus, treatment of O. petrowi infections will require multiple oral doses over several days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the beginning of December 2019, a new type of coronavirus emerged, SARS-CoV-2. This virus causes COVID-19, a highly contagious disease that can initially present asymptomatically and can also lead to death. Our ecological study goal was to evaluate the incidence, mortality, and lethality rates for COVID-19 between the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, with time series analysis using secondary and public databases on COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2022. Prais–Winsten linear regression was used for trend analyses. In 2020, the rate in Espírito Santo was 2.19 times greater than in Minas Gerais. This trend continued in 2021, with Espírito Santo's rate being 1.29 times greater. In 2022, Espírito Santo's rate remained 2.65 times higher than Minas Gerais. Furthermore, Espírito Santo had the highest mortality, with the exception of 2021. In turn, Minas Gerais had the highest fatality rate throughout the analyzed pandemic period. The state of Espírito Santo had a higher incidence of COVID-19, as well as higher mortality when compared to the state of Minas Gerais. Furthermore, both states showed similar trends for mortality, lethality, and incidence in the years 2020 and 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The north region of Brazil is characterized by significant vulnerabilities, notably surpassing national poverty indicators. These disparities exacerbated the impact of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in areas with limited healthcare resources, inadequate infrastructure, and barriers to healthcare access. The crisis was further influenced by multiple lineages that emerged as significant virus variants associated with increased transmissibility. Within this context, our ecological study focused on analyzing the epidemiological evolution of COVID-19 in the state of Acre. We constructed time-series trends in incidence, lethality, and mortality from March 2020 to December 2022 using the Prais–Winsten regression model. Our findings revealed that in 2020, there was an increasing trend in incidence, while mortality and lethality continued to decrease (p < 0.05). In the following year, both incidence and mortality decreased, while lethality increased at a rate of 1.02% per day. By the end of 2022, trends remained stationary across all rates. These results underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and adaptive public health measures to bolster the resilience of healthcare systems in remote and vulnerable regions. Indeed, continuous monitoring of the most predominant SARS-CoV-2 lineages and their dynamics is imperative. Such proactive actions are essential for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring effective responses to adverse situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The north region of Brazil is characterized by significant vulnerabilities, notably surpassing national poverty indicators. These disparities exacerbated the impact of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in areas with limited healthcare resources, inadequate infrastructure, and barriers to healthcare access. The crisis was further influenced by multiple lineages that emerged as significant virus variants associated with increased transmissibility. Within this context, our ecological study focused on analyzing the epidemiological evolution of COVID-19 in the state of Acre. We constructed time-series trends in incidence, lethality, and mortality from March 2020 to December 2022 using the Prais–Winsten regression model. Our findings revealed that in 2020, there was an increasing trend in incidence, while mortality and lethality continued to decrease (p < 0.05). In the following year, both incidence and mortality decreased, while lethality increased at a rate of 1.02% per day. By the end of 2022, trends remained stationary across all rates. These results underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and adaptive public health measures to bolster the resilience of healthcare systems in remote and vulnerable regions. Indeed, continuous monitoring of the most predominant SARS-CoV-2 lineages and their dynamics is imperative. Such proactive actions are essential for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring effective responses to adverse situations.

We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on disease outcome in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection with a prospective study. 745 vaccinated and 451 unvaccinated patients consecutively admitted to a COVID-19 Hospital from 1st September 2021 to 1st September 2022 were included. Compared with unvaccinated cases, vaccinated patients were older, had more comorbidities, but had a lower risk of O2 need (odds ratio, OR, 0.46; 95 % CI 0.32–0.65) by logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity and WHO COVID-19 Clinical Progression Scale at admission. The ORs for O2 need were 0.38 (0.24–0.61), 0.50 (0.30–0.83) and 0.57 (0.34–0.96) in patients vaccinated 14–120, 121–180 and > 180 days prior to hospitalization, respectively. An anti-spike Ig titer higher than 5000 U/ml was associated with a reduced risk of O2 need (OR 0.52; 95 % CI 0.30–0.92). This study shows that COVID-19 vaccination has a significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background: We evaluated the predictive factors for case confirmation and death from Brazilian spotted fever in an endemic area of Southeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. All suspected cases reported between 2007 and 2021 were analyzed using two logistic regression models. Results: 60 cases were confirmed. Male sex, age group of 40-59 years, tick parasitism, presence of capybaras or horses, exanthema and hospitalization were positively associated with confirmation. Death was associated with a longer period between first symptom-hospitalization and shorter treatment. Conclusions: Complete clinical evaluation and information on risk exposure are key to early suspicion, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of deaths.

Drosophila melanogaster has been at the forefront of genetic studies and biochemical modeling for over a century. Yet, the functions of many genes are still unknown, mainly because no phenotypic data are available. Herein, we present the first evidence data regarding the particular molecular and other quantifiable phenotypes, such as viability and anatomical anomalies, induced by a novel P{lacW} insertional mutant allele of the CG18135 gene. So far, the CG18135 functions have only been theorized based on electronic annotation and presumptive associations inferred upon high-throughput proteomics or RNA sequencing experiments. The descendants of individuals harboring the CG18135P{lacW}CG18135 allele were scored in order to assess mutant embryonic, larval, and pupal viability versus Canton Special (CantonS). Our results revealed that the homozygous CG18135P{lacW}CG18135/CG18135P{lacW}CG18135 genotype determines significant lethality both at the inception of the larval stage and during pupal development. The very few imago escapers that either breach or fully exit the puparium exhibit specific eye depigmentation, wing abnormal unfolding, strong locomotor impairment with apparent spasmodic leg movements, and their maximum lifespan is shorter than 2 days. Using the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method, we found that CG18135 is upregulated in male flies, but an unexpected gene upregulation was also detected in heterozygous mutants compared to wild-type flies, probably because of regulatory perturbations induced by the P{lacW} transposon. Our work provides the first phenotypic evidence for the essential role of CG18135, a scenario in accordance with the putative role of this gene in carbohydrate-binding processes.

The slowest heating zone tends to move about in food systems with convective and predominantly convective heat transfer. If the thermocouple follows the movement, the process lethality differs from the value precalculated for a fixed thermocouple location. Hence, the heat treatment modes depend on the movement of the slowest heating zone, which should be taken into account before planning food system processes. This research aimed at identifying a statistically significant difference between lethality for fixed and moving slowest heating zones in various food systems. The study involved four homophasic and heterophasic model food systems. Food System 1 was heterophase, with a dispersed phase not involved in convection and a liquid dispersion medium of aqueous solution with 1.5% sucrose and 1.5% NaCl. Food System 2 was heterophase, with a dispersed phase not involved in convection and a liquid dispersion medium of 11% aqueous sucrose solution. Food System 3 was represented by homophase reconstituted clarified baby-food apple juice with 11.2% soluble solids. Food System 4 was a heterophase model system, represented by reconstituted baby-food apple juice with pulp and 11.2% soluble solids with a dispersed phase involved in convection. The temperature changes were monitored using the E-ValPro multichannel system and the SSA-TS model temperature sensors. The temperature sensors were fixed inside the jar with the food system. Food System 1 showed no significant differences in lethality. Other model systems had sterilization temperature intervals when the difference in lethality was statistically significant. However, this difference was very small for Food Systems 2 and 3. The largest difference belonged to Food System 4, where the dispersed phase was involved in the convective flow. In this research, a statistically significant difference in lethality for fixed and moving slowest heating zones occurred only in heterophase food systems with convective and predominantly convective heat exchange, where the dispersed phase was involved in the convection flow. This fact must be taken into account when identifying heat treatment modes for such food systems.

On the 26 th January 2023, a free to attend, ‘improving in vivo snake venom research: a community discussion’ meeting was held virtually. This webinar brought together researchers from around the world to discuss current neutralisation of venom lethality mouse assays that are used globally to assess the efficacy of therapies for snakebite envenoming. The assay’s strengths and weaknesses were highlighted, and we discussed what improvements could be made to refine and reduce animal testing, whilst supporting preclinical antivenom and drug discovery for snakebite envenoming. This report summarises the issues highlighted, the discussions held, with additional commentary on key perspectives provided by the authors.

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health concern, leading to 4.95 million deaths in 2019. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the lethality attributed to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. A comprehensive search of major databases retrieved relevant studies from 2000–2022. We included 54 observational studies, primarily from Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. The most commonly studied organism was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The overall unadjusted case fatality rate related to MDROs was 45.0%; higher adjusted lethality was observed in persons infected with MDROs than in those infected with other pathogens (adjusted odds ratio 1.93, 95% CI 1.58–2.37). A higher lethality rate was seen in patients who did not receive appropriate empirical treatment (odds ratio 2.27, 95% CI 1.44–3.56). These findings underscore the increased lethality associated with antimicrobial resistance in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Myocardial infarction is a formidable manifestation of coronary artery disease and accounts for one third of deaths associated with coronary disease. In Russia, from 400 to 500 thousand patients with acute coronary syndrome are hospitalized annually, about half of them with myocardial infarction (MI). The dynamics of the number of hospitalized patients in recent years indicates its reduction. Short-term mortality (30-day, including hospital mortality) after acute MI has decreased significantly over the past 50 years: in absolute terms from 30 % in 1950 to 5–8 % at present. However, long-term mortality after MI did not improve. Moreover, in recent years, the rate of decline in 30-day mortality from MI has decreased significantly, almost reaching a “plateau” over the past 15 years. It has been established that in terms of the impact on survival, disability and quality of life of the working population, MI is an important not only medical but also social problem. This review of the literature discusses changes in approaches to reducing mortality in MI, as well as the main events in evidence-based cardiology over the past 50 years, which have made it possible to effectively manage the risk of death in this category of patients.

On the 26th January 2023, a free to attend, ‘improving in vivo snake venom research: a community discussion’ meeting was held virtually. This webinar brought together researchers from around the world to discuss current neutralisation of venom lethality mouse assays that are used globally to assess the efficacy of therapies for snakebite envenoming. The assay’s strengths and weaknesses were highlighted, and we discussed what improvements could be made to refine and reduce animal testing, whilst supporting preclinical antivenom and drug discovery for snakebite envenoming. This report summarises the issues highlighted, the discussions held, with additional commentary on key perspectives provided by the authors.

We recently established a long‐term SARS‐CoV‐2 infection model using lung‐cancer xenograft mice and identified mutations that arose in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome during long‐term propagation. Here, we applied our model to the SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta variant, which has increased transmissibility and immune escape compared with ancestral SARS‐CoV‐2. We observed limited mutations in SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta during long‐term propagation, including two predominant mutations: R682W in the spike protein and L330W in the nucleocapsid protein. We analyzed two representative isolates, Delta‐10 and Delta‐12, with both predominant mutations and some additional mutations. Delta‐10 and Delta‐12 showed lower replication capacity compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta in cultured cells; however, Delta‐12 was more lethal in K18‐hACE2 mice compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and Delta‐10. Mice infected with Delta‐12 had higher viral titers, more severe histopathology in the lungs, higher chemokine expression, increased astrocyte and microglia activation, and extensive neutrophil infiltration in the brain. Brain tissue hemorrhage and mild vacuolation were also observed, suggesting that the high lethality of Delta‐12 was associated with lung and brain pathology. Our long‐term infection model can provide mutant viruses derived from SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and knowledge about the possible contributions of emergent mutations to the properties of new variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular explanation about why some pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients die early and others die later is poorly understood. This study aimed to discover potential novel markers and drug targets that could be useful to stratify and extend expected survival in prospective early-death patients. We deployed a deep learning algorithm and analyzed the gene copy number, gene expression, and protein expression data of death versus alive PaCa patients from the GDC cohort. The genes with higher relative amplification (copy number > 4 times in the dead compared with the alive group) were EWSR1, FLT3, GPC3, HIF1A, HLF, and MEN1. The most highly up-regulated genes (>8.5-fold change) in the death group were RPL30, RPL37, RPS28P7, RPS11, Metazoa_SRP, CAPNS1, FN1, H3−3B, LCN2, and OAZ1. None of their corresponding proteins were up or down-regulated in the death group. The mRNA of the RPS28P7 pseudogene could act as ceRNA sponging the miRNA that was originally directed to the parental gene RPS28. We propose RPS28P7 mRNA as the most druggable target that can be modulated with small molecules or the RNA technology approach. These markers could be added as criteria to patient stratification in future PaCa drug trials, but further validation in the target populations is encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: This study aimed to identify sex differences in the factors that affect medical lethality in elderly suicide attempters. Methods: A total of 253 elderly suicide attempters and 351 middle-aged attempters (comparison group) who visited the emergency room at a general hospital were included. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were investigated. The Chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were performed. And Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated. Results: In older males, the risk of high lethality was lower when attempting suicide due to the loss of family members [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.08]. The risk increased as the intent to die became more certain (some AOR: 11.31, certain AOR: 28.75), and this association became more pronounced with age (rho middle-aged: 0.329; young-old: 0.387; old-old: 0.415). In older females, the risk was lower when employed (AOR: 0.28). The method of suicide attempt also affected lethality (agricultural chemicals AOR: 3.71; psychiatric medication AOR: 0.31). Conclusion: Sex differences in the factors that affect medical lethality were identified among elderly suicide attempters. In particular, medical lethality can be predicted by the degree of suicide intention in older males. These findings will help to establish more efficient preventive strategies with specific targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the computational fluid dynamics approach to analyze the thermal processing of solid, liquid, and solid–liquid food products. To understand the underlying transport phenomena, microbial deactivation, and nutrient degradation, three food products, viz. lamb (solid), grapefruit juice (liquid), and paneer cubes in a brine solution (solid–liquid), are studied. The food products are processed under constant retort temperature for fixed durations of heating and cooling. The numerical models are solved to obtain the velocity and temperature distribution inside the food products. The solid food exhibits a low heating rate at the slowest heating zone due to the absence of convection. The solid–liquid food shows uniform microbial destruction with a standard deviation of 2.27 min in the lethality distribution. The maximum possible average retention of nutrients is 90.36% (at 80°C and 59.81 min) and 60.64% (at 125°C and 21.30 min) for liquid and solid–liquid foods, respectively. However, the average thiamine retention in solid food monotonically decreases in the temperature range of 120–140°C. Practical Applications: The computational fluid dynamics approach offers practical applications in optimizing food processing parameters, improving thermal processing equipment, and preserving nutrient quality in diverse food products. The analysis of the velocity and temperature distribution enables the design of more efficient heating and cooling methods, assisting food processors in determining the ideal duration and temperature to achieve microbial destruction while minimizing nutrient degradation. Furthermore, this approach facilitates the evaluation and enhancement of thermal processing equipment by identifying areas of slow heating or inadequate heat transfer, ultimately leading to improved design and more uniform processing. Understanding nutrient retention during thermal processing is vital for maintaining nutritional quality. The findings of this work could be applied to develop guidelines for preserving nutrients in specific food products. In summary, the computational fluid dynamics approach enhances food safety by optimizing processing parameters, improving equipment design, and preserving nutrients in solid, liquid, and solid–liquid food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify the features of the unfavorable clinical course of a new coronavirus infection.Material and methods. The analysis of clinical data, laboratory results and comorbidity of 168 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection aged 65,0 [57,0; 74,0] years was carried out. Two groups of patients were distinguished – 126 persons with a moderate course and with clinical recovery in the outcome of the disease and 42 persons with a severe course and a fatal outcome of the disease. Transnosological polymorbidity was assessed by the average number of nosologies corresponding to the three-digit ICD-10 rubricification, transsystemic – by the number of affected systems. Hemogram parameters, blood content of C-reactive protein, creatinine, urea, glucose, prothrombin index, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, D-dimer concentration were estimated.Results. In the group of patients with fatal outcomes, compared to patients with recovery, there were statistically significantly higher indices of transnosological and transsystemic polymorbidity (1.5 and 2 times, respectively), they were more likely to have ischaemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack in anamnesis, atrial fibrillation, chronic heart failure; blood concentration of C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, urea, D-dimer in the blood serum was higher, the number of thrombocytes was less.Conclusions. A high degree of transnosological and transsystemic polymorbidity, a history of myocardial infarction and transient ischemic attack, comorbid chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, an increase in D-dimer, CRP content, and a decrease in platelet number are predictors of severe course and the lethal outcome of COVID-19.

This study investigates the application of microwave combined induction heating (MCIH) to steam ready-to-eat pork with rice powder, emphasizing the advantages of rapid and uniform heating. The experimental setup included a mixture of 180 g pork strips, 30 g rice powder, and 10 g water in a CPET tray using MCIH with 1080 W microwave (MW) and 130 °C induction heating (IH) for 150 s. The results showed a quick temperature increase rate of 0.56 °C/s that achieved pasteurization against a variety of pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, but not Clostridium botulinum, by lethality calculation. Compared to typical electric cooker steaming, MCIH significantly shortened cooking time (8.6 times faster). To address rice starch gelatinization, two-stage heating techniques to steam pork with rice powder were MCIH: 150 s, and then IH: 60 s (MW1), and MCIH: 180 s, and then IH: 30 s (MW2), with no significant differences seen in color or the nine-point taste scale between treatment groups. MCIH groups had smaller shear forces than control. After MCIH cooking, no microbial counts were detected in the MW1 and MW2 groups initially, and the pork with rice powder had a shelf life of 14 days at 4 °C based on aerobic plate count assay.

This scientific publication presents modern global and regional data on incidence rate, mortality rate, lethality and five-year survival rates, as well as the prognosis of such a terrible disease as cutaneous melanoma. The geographical features of the prevalence of this disease and current trends are covered in detail. The epidemiological aspects of this pathology in our republic are shown in the context of regions of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene is the essential integrator of flowering regulatory pathways in angiosperms. The paralogs of the FT gene may perform antagonistic functions, as exemplified by BvFT1, that suppresses flowering in Beta vulgaris, unlike the paralogous activator BvFT2. The roles of FT genes in other amaranths were less investigated. Here, we transformed Arabidopsis thaliana with the FLOWERING LOCUS T like (FTL) genes of Chenopodium ficifolium and found that both CfFTL1 and CfFTL2–1 accelerated flowering, despite having been the homologs of the Beta vulgaris floral promoter and suppressor, respectively. The floral promotive effect of CfFTL2–1 was so strong that it caused lethality when overexpressed under the 35S promoter. CfFTL2–1 placed in an inducible cassette accelerated flowering after induction with methoxyphenozide. The spontaneous induction of CfFTL2–1 led to precocious flowering in some primary transformants even without chemical induction. The CqFT2–1 homolog from Chenopodium quinoa had the same impact on viability and flowering as CfFTL2–1 when transferred to A. thaliana. After the FTL gene duplication in Amaranthaceae, the FTL1 copy maintained the role of floral activator. The second copy FTL2 underwent subsequent duplication and functional diversification, which enabled it to control the onset of flowering in amaranths to adapt to variable environments.

Drawing forensic conclusions from an image or a video is known as "photographic content analysis." It involves the analysis of an image, as well as objects, actions, and events depicted in images or video. In recent years, photographic depictions of objects suspected as illegal firearms have substantially increased, appearing on CCTV surveillance footage, captured by mobile phones and shared on social media. However, the law in Israel states that a person can be charged with illegally possessing a firearm only if it can be proven that the object is capable of shooting with lethal bullet energy. This becomes more challenging in cases where the firearm was not physically seized, and the evidence exclusively consists of images and video. In this study, photographic content analysis was applied to images and video where objects suspected as commercial or improvised firearms had been depicted. An image and event sequence reconstruction video databases of both firearms and replicas were created in order to better define firearm‐specific functional morphological features. We demonstrate that it is possible to classify an object as a firearm by analyzing the functional, and not only the esthetic, morphology in images and video. It is also shown that event sequence reconstruction in video may be used to infer that an object suspected as a firearm has the capacity to shoot by confirming the occurrence of a shooting act or shooting process. Thus, photographic content analysis may be used to forensically establish that an object depicted in an image or a video is a firearm by ruling out other known scenarios, and without physically seizing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to describe lethality of birth defects (BDs) in newborns categorized by gestational age and birth weight and to identify BDs associated with prematurity. Study Design Live born infants (n = 16,452) with isolated BDs classified by severity, and 42,511 healthy controls were assigned to categories: adequate growth, preterm, or small for gestational age (SGA). Proportion of cases and BDs' lethality rates were obtained by category and compared with controls. Results Overall fewer malformed than nonmalformed infants were of adequate growth, while the opposite occurred in the preterm and SGA categories where gastroschisis and esophageal atresia were among the most outstanding defects. For most severe BDs, the early neonatal death rate was higher than control values in all categories; for mild defects, except cleft lip in the preterm category, they did not differ. Diaphragmatic hernia showed the highest lethality values, while those of spina bifida were among the lowest. Talipes, hypospadias, and septal heart defects were mild defects significantly associated with prematurity. Conclusion Although reasons, such as induced preterm delivery of fetuses with certain anomalies, could partially account for their high prematurity rates, susceptibility to preterm birth might exist through underlying mechanisms related with the defects. The identification of BDs associated with prematurity should serve to improve measures that prevent preterm birth especially of fetuses at risk. Key Points Some BDs predispose to prematurity. Prematurity is an additional risk factor for mortality in infants with mild defects. Lethality values should be adjusted by gestational age and birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stressful life events (LEs) have been pivotal to suicidal behavior in vulnerable individuals, although its quantum and clustering have remained unclear. This study aimed to estimate and compare the quantum and clustering of LEs across three time periods, three suicide intentionality--lethality categories, and three diagnostic groups in survivors of first suicide attempt (SoFSA). Materials and Methods: One hundred SoFSA were compared to 100 age- and sex-matched controls for LEs across psychiatric and/or personality comorbidity. Presumptive Stressful LE Scale, Risk-Rescue Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression- and Anxiety-Rating Scales, and structured and semi-structured clinical interviews were administered for comprehensive mental health evaluation. Results: SoFSA with age ≥30 years, male gender, schooling <10 years, middle-lower socioeconomic class, married, extended/joint family living, family history of psychiatric disorders/suicide, and concomitant depression--anxiety exhibit significantly higher undesirable, ambiguous, and total LEs across time periods. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc analysis revealed SoFSA who attempted medically serious suicide suffered higher undesirable (F[2,97] = 4.43; P = 0.014) and total (F[2,97] = 3.39; P = 0.038) LEs during recent 6 months compared to medically nonlethal group. SoFSA diagnosed with comorbid psychiatric and personality disorders experienced higher undesirable, ambiguous, and total LEs across all time periods (P < 0.0001), compared to either disorder alone. Desirable LE did not significantly differ across all time periods and diagnostic categories, but ambiguous LE was the only significant finding among SoFSA with personality disorders. Conclusion: This study sheds newer insights that quantitative estimation (intensity and density) of LEs has a potential role in suicide-risk evaluation, with clustering of total or undesirable LE (>3 within 1 year or >10 lifetimes) and ambiguous LE (≥1 within 1 year or > 3 lifetimes) posing risk for psychiatric morbidity and medically serious suicidal behavior (especially, if lifetime total LE > 10). SoFSA with comorbid psychiatric and personality disorders experience higher intensity and density of LEs than either disorder alone, across all time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the need to use granular analyses at the neighborhood level to study the preexisting conditions of vulnerability that best explain the waves of COVID-19 incidence and mortality. It seems most appropriate to use the comprehensive approach of the sustainable development with variables that analyze the economic, social, environmental, and governance dimensions, given the extensive literature that identifies each as a determining factor for the impact of disease. The work utilizes a composite vulnerability index that allows the city of Malaga to be divided into 434 census sections; waves of incidence and mortality for each section are constructed for the period of March 2020 to March 2021. Cluster analysis reveals that there are five different cluster incidence patterns, whereas the lethality waves are found to behave as a hot-spot phenomenon. The results reveal that neighborhoods that are the most vulnerable in terms of their demographic conditions (large proportion over 65 years of age and dependent) and socioeconomic conditions (severe material deprivation), have been the most affected by COVID-19 infection and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]